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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..37fe96b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55557 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55557) diff --git a/old/55557-0.txt b/old/55557-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4c26b4a..0000000 --- a/old/55557-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7677 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ready About, by Oliver Optic - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Ready About - or, Sailing the Boat - -Author: Oliver Optic - -Release Date: September 16, 2017 [EBook #55557] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK READY ABOUT *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - _The Boat-Builder Series._ - - - I. - - ALL ADRIFT; - OR, - THE GOLDWING CLUB. - - II. - - SNUG HARBOR; - OR, - THE CHAMPLAIN MECHANICS. - - III. - - SQUARE AND COMPASSES; - OR, - BUILDING THE HOUSE. - - IV. - - STEM TO STERN; - OR, - BUILDING THE BOAT. - - V. - - ALL TAUT; - OR, - RIGGING THE BOAT. - - VI. - - READY ABOUT; - OR, - SAILING THE BOAT. - -[Illustration: DORY AND MR. JEPSON WATCH THE BURGLARS LANDING.] - - - - - _THE BOAT-BUILDER SERIES_ - - READY ABOUT - - OR - - SAILING THE BOAT - - BY - - OLIVER OPTIC - - AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD" "THE GREAT WESTERN SERIES" - "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES" "THE WOODVILLE SERIES" "THE - STARRY-FLAG SERIES" "THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES" "THE ONWARD - AND UPWARD SERIES" "THE YACHT-CLUB SERIES" "THE - LAKE-SHORE SERIES" "THE RIVERDALE STORIES" - "ALL ADRIFT" "SNUG HARBOR" "SQUARE AND - COMPASSES" "STEM TO STERN" "ALL - TAUT" ETC. ETC. - - - _WITH ILLUSTRATIONS_ - - - BOSTON - LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS - - - - - COPYRIGHT 1887 - BY WILLIAM T. ADAMS - - - _All rights reserved_ - - - READY ABOUT - - - - - TO - - My Young Friend - - OTHO WILLIAMS CUSHING - - OF FORT TRUMBULL, NEW LONDON, CONN. - - _THIS BOOK_ - - IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED - - - - - PREFACE. - - -"Ready About" is the sixth and last volume of "THE BOAT-BUILDER SERIES," -which was begun six years ago. The only new characters presented in this -story are the members of "The Nautifelers Club," who are introduced to -exhibit the contrast between young men of high aims and correct -principles, and those who are inclined to live too fast, and have no -fixed ideas of duty to sustain and advance them in the battle of life. -But, even in this miserable club, there are two classes of members; for -one-half are reckless and worse than indifferent in the matter of right -living, while the other half are led to the very verge of the precipice -of crime by their unfortunate associations. The reform of the latter -interests the principal of the Beech Hill Industrial School, who does -his duty, as always, in the premises, with a very happy result. - -More than its predecessors in the series since the first volume, this -book is a story of adventure. In this portion, its tendency is to -inculcate courage without rashness, and to show that a young man of high -principles is not necessarily a coward and a milksop. - -As indicated in the sub-title, "Sailing the Boat" is one of the -principal features of the book. This is an art that cannot be mastered -by simply learning the theory. Nothing but abundant practice can make a -competent boatman. Fifty years ago, the writer, however, would have -deemed it very fortunate if he could have obtained from a book, even -such instruction as he has endeavored to impart. He has by no means -exhausted the subject, though whatever more is to be learned will almost -come of itself with experience. The author has learned in fifty years -that there is always something more to learn; and the handling of a -yacht has come to be almost "high art" in the amount of time, study, and -enthusiasm bestowed upon the subject in recent years. - -As the writer closes his twelfth series of books for young people, he -cannot help thanking his numerous constituency in all parts of the -country for the abundant and generous favor received from them. -Thirty-three years have elapsed from the date of "The Boat Club," his -first juvenile; and the kindness of his friends has never failed him in -this period of a generation of the human race. - -MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., July 15, 1887. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - - CHAPTER I. - - MR. SPICKLES FROM THE METROPOLIS 13 - - CHAPTER II. - - THE NAUTIFELERS CLUB ON THE LAKE 24 - - CHAPTER III. - - A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION IN THE NIGHT 34 - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE SCENE OF OPERATIONS 45 - - CHAPTER V. - - ON THE TRACK OF THE BURGLARS 55 - - CHAPTER VI. - - A VICTIM OF STRATEGY 66 - - CHAPTER VII. - - THE EFFECTS OF THE EXPLOSION 76 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - SOME DIFFERENCES OF OPINION 87 - - CHAPTER IX. - - UNDER THE LEE OF GARDINER'S ISLAND 97 - - CHAPTER X. - - A BATTLE WITH THE ELEMENTS 108 - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE TURNING OF THE TABLES 118 - - CHAPTER XII. - - DORY DORNWOOD RESORTS TO STRATEGY 129 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - THE ARRIVAL OF MICHAEL ANGELO SPICKLES 139 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - THE RESULT OF DORY'S STRATEGY 150 - - CHAPTER XV. - - UNDER WAY, OR UNDER WEIGH 160 - - CHAPTER XVI. - - ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE 171 - - CHAPTER XVII. - - THE STANDING-RIGGING OF A SLOOP 181 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - THE RUNNING-RIGGING OF A SLOOP 193 - - CHAPTER XIX. - - THE PLAN THAT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL 204 - - CHAPTER XX. - - MORE MEMBERS OF THE NAUTIFELERS CLUB 215 - - CHAPTER XXI. - - THE GOLDWING ON THE STARBOARD TACK 225 - - CHAPTER XXII. - - SOMETHING ABOUT STEERING A SAIL-BOAT 236 - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE 247 - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - THE DEFENDERS OF THE PIRATE-SCHOONER 257 - - CHAPTER XXV. - - A SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION 267 - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - "SEE, THE CONQUERING HERO COMES!" 278 - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - THE GUESTS OF THE INSTITUTION 287 - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - STATIONS FOR GETTING UNDER WAY 297 - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - ALL OF DORY'S CLASS BECOME SKIPPERS 308 - - CHAPTER XXX. - - THE GOLDWING'S TRIP TO PLATTSBURG 318 - - - - - READY ABOUT; - - OR, - - SAILING THE BOAT. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - MR. SPICKLES FROM THE METROPOLIS. - - -"I can't go on board now, Spickles," said Matt Randolph, in a very -decided tone, and with an expression on his manly face which indicated -that he did not wish to go, even if he could. - -"What's the reason you can't?" demanded Spickles, evidently very much -dissatisfied with the decision of the other. - -"Because I have something else to do," added Matt. "I have to attend to -my duties as closely here as though I were an officer in the navy, on -sea-duty." - -"What's the use of being tied up as though you were a prisoner at Sing -Sing?" asked Spickles, his disgust apparent on his rather brutal face. -"Your father is as rich as mud, and there is no need of your being kept -in a strait-jacket." - -"I am not kept in a strait-jacket," protested Matt, very warmly. - -"I think you are," returned Spickles, with a curling sneer on his thick -lips. "When I saw you in New York a year ago, you told me what a big -thing Lake Champlain was." - -"I still think it is the finest sheet of water in the world, and the -region around it is a perfect paradise." - -"Paradise!" exclaimed the visitor from the metropolis. "You said there -was lots of fun to be had here." - -"I find plenty of amusement for all the spare hours I have." - -"After what you said, I kept thinking of this place; and five of our -fellows have come up here, and chartered a schooner for the summer. She -is anchored out in the river; and now that we are here, you will not -even go on board of her," continued Spickles, becoming more and more -disgusted with the refusal of the captain of the Lily; for such he was, -and his "class in sailing" were about ready to go on board of the -schooner. - -"I am the skipper of that schooner you see out in the lake, and I have -to go out in her in a short time," Matt explained. - -"Put it off; let the party wait till you come back," insisted the -visitor. - -"We don't do things in that way here," added Matt, with a smile. - -"Tell them you are sick, and can't go," suggested Spickles. - -"But I am not sick." - -"You were not always above stretching the truth a little in an -emergency." - -"I am now." Matt did not blush in saying it, either. - -"We are going to stay on the lake all summer, if we don't get tired of -it," continued Spickles. "I depended upon having you with us, Matt; for -we don't know much about the navigation in these waters, though we have -the government charts." - -"I don't see how you could depend upon me, for I told you that I was -under strict discipline in the Beech Hill Industrial School," argued -Matt. "I can't come and go when I will." - -"Confound the Beech Hill Industrial School! Run away from it, and join -our party for the summer." - -"I certainly shall not run away from it, for I am perfectly contented -and happy here," replied Matt. - -"At least you will come on board of the La Motte?" - -"What's the La Motte?" - -"She's the schooner we chartered for the summer, though she's nothing -but a lumber-vessel fixed up for our use. She sails very well, and is -large enough for a party of ten. We found her at Rouse's Point. Now, -come on board of her. We have just opened a keg of beer in view of your -expected visit," said Spickles, in the most persuasive tones he could -command. - -"I don't drink beer," answered the student of the school. - -"You don't drink beer!" exclaimed the visitor, stepping back in his -apparent astonishment. "How long has that been?" - -"I haven't tasted beer, or any thing of the kind, since I came to this -school, about two years ago," replied the captain of the Lily. - -"Then, it was only because you couldn't get any beer." - -"Perhaps that is one reason, though I haven't tried to get any. I had it -all about me while I was at home in New York, but I had decided not to -take any under any circumstances." - -"Then, it is time for you to begin again. Come along, Matt." - -"No beer for me, and I cannot go with you," added Matt resolutely. "I -made up my mind a year ago not to drink any thing that fuddles, and to -keep out of bad company." - -"Bad company!" exclaimed Spickles, looking earnestly into the face of -his former associate in the city. - -"That is what I said; and I advise you to do the same thing, Spickles. -It is best to keep on the safe side of the evils of this world." - -"You are a regular built parson!" - -This conversation was continued for some time longer, but the captain of -the Lily remained as firm as the rocks in the quarry above Beechwater. -The visitor was not only disgusted with his want of success in enticing -his former companion to the schooner in the river, but he was offended -at what he considered the stiffness of Matt. When the latter spoke of -keeping out of bad company, he put the coat on, whether he saw that it -fitted him or not. - -"You are an out-and-out spooney now, Matt Randolph; and I did not think -that of you," said Spickles, as the crew of the Lily began to gather on -the wharf, where the conversation had taken place. - -"Just as you please, Spickles," replied Matt, with a smile; and he -seemed to feel that the interview had come to a desirable point, and -that his former associate would drop him from the roll of his friends. - -"But I want to look about this place a little before I leave it -forever," added the visitor. "I suppose I can do so?" - -"Certainly, upon application to the principal, Captain Gildrock. He will -show you all over the establishment," replied Matt. "There he comes, and -I will introduce you." - -"All right. Chuckworth! Mackwith!" answered Spickles, calling to his two -companions in the boat. - -The three young men appeared to be about eighteen or twenty years old. -They were dressed in yachting costume, and a person of experience in the -ways of the world would at once have set them down as fast young men. -They were of the reckless order, swaggering, defiant, boisterous. If a -lady had seen them together, she would have taken the other side of the -street. - -Captain Gildrock was coming down the wharf, to look after the -embarkation of the sailing-class. Matt Randolph presented Spickles to -the principal, and left the chief of the party to introduce his -companions. - -"You are the boss of this concern, I take it, Captain Gilthead," said -Spickles, suddenly putting on his usual style, and in a sort of -patronizing tone, as if the principal had been a country schoolmaster, -who ought to consider himself honored by being noticed by a young -gentleman from the metropolis. - -In fact, Captain Spickles, as his companions on board of the La Motte -called him, was determined to "take him down" a little. The visitor, -after what Matt had said to him about the discipline of the institution, -regarded him with a sort of instinctive hatred. He did not like any one -who disciplined young men. Principals, professors, schoolmasters, were -monsters, ogres, tyrants, whose only mission in the world was to tease, -torture, and torment young fellows like himself. - -Captain Gildrock looked at him with a puzzled expression on his -dignified face; though the usual smile when he was in repose, played -about his mouth. He read the young man almost at the first glance; and -if he had considered the popinjay worthy of his steel, he would have -prepared for a skirmish of words with him. - -"I said 'Captain Gildrock,'" interposed Matt, with emphasis enough to -clear himself; for he saw that the fellow had purposely miscalled the -name. - -"Excuse me, Captain Goldblock." - -"Certainly, Mr. Spittle," added the principal blandly. - -"Mr. Spickles, if you please," interposed the visitor, who did not at -all relish being paid off in his own coin. - -"Precisely so, Mr. Spiddles," laughed the principal; while Matt had to -turn away to hide his choking laugh. - -"My name is Spickles, Captain Goldblock." - -"Ah, indeed, Mr. Skiggles! Permit me to add that mine is Gildrock." - -"Well, Captain Gildrock"-- - -"Well, Mr. Spickles"-- - -"I suppose you are the boss of this concern. Will you show it up?" - -"I am the principal of this institution." - -"Possibly I shall be able to entertain these visitors alone, Randolph, -and you may go on board with your ship's company," said Captain -Gildrock, a little later, while he was waiting for the young gentleman -from New York to study up his next question. - -Matt had twelve students to instruct in the art of sailing a boat, and -he directed them to take their places in the two boats that were waiting -for them. - -"Well, boss, we are ready to see what you have got to show," said -Spickles. - -"Well, my young cub, I don't know that things here will interest you, -but I will show you all you may wish to see," continued the captain, as -he conducted the strangers to the office, under the schoolroom. "We -register all students here when they come. If they have any money, we -keep it for them in that steel safe." - -"Is that a steel safe?" asked Mr. Spickles. "Upon my word, I thought it -was a wooden one." - -"You thought it was made of the same material as your head; but I assure -you it is not. Nothing so soft would answer the purpose," answered the -principal, who did not always stand on his dignity, though he had plenty -of it. - -Messrs. Chuckworth and Mackwith turned away, and indulged in audible -smiles. Associated with Mr. Spickles, they were often the victims of his -peculiar humor, and they were not at all sorry to have him put under the -harrow. They enjoyed the remarks of the principal more than Spickles -did. - -"Then, it is really a steel safe; and I suppose you are afraid the -students will steal your money, or you wouldn't have a steel safe," -continued Mr. Spickles, chuckling as though he thought he had made a -pun. - -"Well, no; we hardly expect the students to rob the safe, for they are -taught not to steal; but some of these visitors might have a taste for -that sort of thing. I sometimes have a thousand dollars in that safe, -besides small sums belonging to the students. In fact, I believe I have -two thousand dollars in it at this moment: that is the reason why I -prefer a steel safe to a wooden one." - -The principal showed the visitors over the premises, though they took -very little interest in the institution. Spickles indulged in impudent -remarks, which the captain parried in his own way, so that he soon got -tired of making them; for every time he did so, his friends had a chance -to laugh at him, and enjoy the retort. - -If Spickles disliked the principal in the first of it, he hated him in -the end. A sharp answer made him mad when they had finished the survey, -and he was so saucy that Captain Gildrock ordered him to leave. He did -not take the hint; and the principal took him by the collar, dragged him -to the wharf, and tumbled him into the boat. The leader of the summer -party vowed vengeance to his companions. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - THE NAUTIFELERS CLUB ON THE LAKE. - - -Captain Gildrock hardly thought of the self-sufficient visitor after he -had seen the boat which contained him pull away from the wharf. He only -wondered how Matt Randolph had ever made the acquaintance of such a -fellow, for he was a gentleman himself. - -The Beech Hill Industrial School had nearly completed its third year of -existence; and in the opinion of the principal, and also of a great many -other people, it was a decided success. It had certainly reformed quite -a number of young men who might otherwise have become useless, if not -dangerous, members of the community. It had given useful trades to a -considerable number of young men who would not have taken them up on -their own account. - -Its moral influence had been even more marked than its industrial power, -and it had assuredly done something to make manual labor more -respectable than it had been considered to be before. There were already -those who were not only earning a living, but were supporting their -parents, by the aid of the knowledge and skill they had acquired in the -institution; and if it had done nothing more than this, it would have -done a great deal. - -Cold critics said it ought to be a success, for the founder of it had a -purse long enough to make any reasonable undertaking a success; but the -idea was not a practical one, because it was not susceptible of -universal application. The State could not afford to support such -schools for all who might be willing to use them. It certainly could not -provide for an expenditure as liberal as that of Captain Gildrock, but -it could do a great deal more than it has yet done in this direction. - -After the principal had disposed of his impertinent visitor,--for there -was really only one of this type, as Chuckworth and Mackwith hardly -spoke a word,--he could not help thinking that it was a great pity -Spickles could not be brought under such discipline as that of the Beech -Hill School. He was a young man of decided ability, and all he needed -was a kind of discipline that would give him something to live for. He -needed something to think about and work for. - -When Matt Randolph returned from his trip with his class in sailing, he -reported to the principal, who happened to be in the office. He informed -the captain where he had been, and the nature of the operations he had -conducted on board of the Lily. He commended his crew for good -discipline, and close application to their duty. A critic might have -laughed at this last part of the report as entirely superfluous; for, as -a matter of course, any party of human boys would be interested, and do -their whole duty, in sailing a boat. - -"By the way, Randolph, is Mr. Spickles a friend of yours?" asked the -principal, after he had listened attentively to the report. - -"No, sir!" replied Matt, very decidedly. "I was acquainted with him at -home, and he was on board of the yacht a number of times; but after he -stole a thousand dollars from his father, and ran away, I had nothing -more to do with him." - -"Was he as bad as that? He seemed to be more like one of the puppy order -than one of the criminal kind. He was very saucy to me after I had shown -his party over the school; and I had to take him by the collar, and put -him into his boat." - -"I am glad you did, sir," added Matt. "I was inclined to lay hands on -him after his impudence at the beginning." - -"He came to see you, I suppose?" - -"Yes, sir. He is with a party, and there are five of them. They have -chartered a schooner, and intend to spend the summer on the lake. -Spickles invited me on board of the vessel, and insisted that I should -go with him. I refused." - -"The less you have to do with such a fellow as that, the better it will -be for you, though it may be all the worse for him," added the -principal. - -"Spickles told me they had just tapped a keg of beer." - -"Of course! the fellow has made considerable progress in the downward -road." - -After supper the students embarked in the barges for a row, and for -practice with the oars. As during the last season, there were three of -these boats, the Gildrock and the Winooski, each of twelve oars, and the -Marian of eight oars. The crews had been re-organized; and the two -larger boats were preparing for a race, each against the other. - -Matt Randolph was the coxswain of the Winooski, and Dory Dornwood of the -Gildrock; for the crew of each had selected the most skilful boatman in -the school to get them in condition for this race. For the last year the -students had been on tolerably peaceable terms with the members of the -Chesterfield Collegiate Institute, on the other side of the lake; and it -was possible that a race would be arranged with them for the Fourth of -July. - -The two barges were careful to keep away from each other during their -practice. The two coxswains, though on the most friendly terms, never -talked about the coming race. If either had any points, he wanted to -keep them to himself. Each of them had a system of his own in the method -of rowing, and each kept his own counsel. - -Matt Randolph, for these reasons, did not immediately follow the -Gildrock when she left the boat-house, but went up to the head of -Beechwater. As soon as the rival craft had passed out of the little -lake, the Winooski followed her. The coxswain saw that the party on -board of the La Motte, which lay just below the entrance of the creek -into the river, hailed the Gildrock when she went by her. But Dory took -no notice of them; and Matt concluded that he had not been addressed in -civil tones, or he would have replied. - -"I wonder what that schooner is that lies in the river," said Ash -Burton, who pulled the stroke-oar in the Winooski. "She has been there -all the afternoon, and a boat from her went up into Beechwater a while -ago." - -"That is the schooner La Motte; and she has a party of young fellows on -board of her who are going to spend the summer on the lake," replied the -coxswain, loud enough for all in the barge to hear him. - -"They are hoisting the mainsail," added the stroke-oarsman. "That looks -as though they were going out of the river." - -"If they are going to leave these parts, I am glad of it," said Matt in -a lower tone. - -"Why are you glad of it, Matt?" asked Ash curiously. - -"They are not the sort of fellows I like to have very near me; for they -are on a lark, and they have plenty of beer on board," replied the -coxswain. - -The boat passed out of the creek into the river. The La Motte had set -her mainsail, and was now hoisting the foresail. Matt gave the schooner -as wide a berth as he could, but he could not get more than a hundred -feet from her. - -"Is that you, Matt Randolph?" shouted Spickles. - -"I believe so," replied the coxswain. - -"Come on board, will you, Matt?" continue the captain of the La Motte, -beckoning with his hand. - -"You must excuse me, Spickles. I have the charge of this barge, and I -can't leave her," replied Matt, very civilly, but not less decisively. -"I have to attend to my duty." - -"But I want to see you about the navigation of this river; for I got -aground coming in, and I don't want to do it again," added the captain -of the La Motte. - -The coxswain shifted the helm of the barge; for if there was any thing -to be done that would assist in the departure of the schooner, he was -willing to do it. He ran alongside of the vessel, and held the boat at a -distance of about ten feet from her. - -"What is the trouble about the navigation, Spickles?" asked Matt, coming -to business at once. - -"Off that point below, I found that the water was not more than two feet -deep," said the captain. - -"And it is marked one foot on the chart; and you told me you were -supplied with charts." - -"I am; but the river is not laid down on the chart." - -"You have a south-west wind; and all you have to do is to keep near the -middle of the stream, and you will go out all right. Is that all?" - -"No, that is not all," replied Spickles, who seemed to be dissatisfied -at the distance his former friend kept between them, and with his -apparent desire to get off again. "The water is not more than two or -three feet deep anywhere out beyond that point." - -"To the southward of the point, the water is shoal; but it is deep -enough north of it to float an ocean-steamer anywhere. As soon as you -get to that bend in the river, and open up the point, run for it. -Then--have you a compass on board?" - -"Of course I have a compass: I brought a good one with me from New -York," replied Spickles. - -"When you are up with Beaver Point"-- - -"Where is that?" interposed the captain of the La Motte, who seemed to -be intent upon detaining the coxswain as long as possible. - -"The point at the mouth of the river. When you come up with it, make -your course north-west by west, and you will be all right till you run -on the shore on the other side of the lake." - -"I say, Matt, I want to introduce you to the members of the Nautifelers -Club; and I wish you would come on board," persisted Spickles. - -"As I said before, I cannot, and you must excuse me. But what is the -club?" asked Matt, whose curiosity was excited. - -"The Nautifelers Club." - -"Is that a Greek word?" - -"Of course it is." - -"I can't quite make it out: will you spell it for me?" asked Matt. - -"I will write it for you: it means in English, 'Lots of fun.'" - -The coxswain gave an order which brought the stern of the barge near -enough to the vessel to enable him to obtain the paper, but resisted all -persuasions to go on board of the schooner. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION IN THE NIGHT. - - -Matt Randolph looked at the name of the club, as Spickles had written -it, and spelled it out so that all his crew could hear him. All of them -seemed to "take it in," or got its meaning from his boatmates. They all -laughed, with the exception of the coxswain, and he was inclined to -frown. - -"It is easy to get at the meaning of such Greek as that, even if a -fellow has not fitted for college; and for my part, I should not care to -join a club with such a name," said he, with a look of disgust on his -face, which was also evident in his tones. - -"I expected you to join us as soon as we found you, Matt," added the -captain of the schooner. - -"You reckoned without your host, then.--Ready to give way!" said the -coxswain. - -"Hold on a minute, Matt! Do you go to Sunday school now?" jeered -Spickles. - -"Every Sunday." - -"I am sorry for you. You are under the thumb of that old hunker who -calls himself the principal, and you don't know enough to catch the -straw when you are drowning. I gave the old hunks some!" - -"And he took you by the collar, and put you into your boat, and served -you right. Give way!" added Matt. - -"He's an old squalipop; and he will be likely to hear from me again! He -is no gentleman, and he treated me like an uneducated owl. I shall pay -him off for it, or my name is something besides Spickles," foamed the -skipper of the La Motte. - -At this moment, and while the barge was backing away, one of the party -brought out a tray, on which were tall glasses filled with beer; and -each member of the Nautifelers Club took one of them. - -"Here's to the Nautifelers Club! Lots of fun to them, and confusion to -old Squalipop!" shouted Spickles, at the top of his lungs, as he and his -companions drank off the contents of the glasses. - -The barge darted away from the schooner, and was soon out of hail of -her. It was evident that the members of the club with the Greek name had -bargained for an extensive frolic of the coarsest sort, and most of the -crew of the Winooski were simply disgusted with the members of it. Some -of them had come from the city, and were more or less familiar with such -sights. - -"I should rather like to join that club," said Tom Topover, when the -boat was some distance from the La Motte. - -"You are not one of that sort of fellows now, Tom," added the coxswain. -"You have got beyond that kind of a life, and I hope you are strong -enough to keep above it." - -"You know how to preach, Matt; but I don't want to sit under your -preaching. Those fellows are going to have a good time; and I think they -will enjoy it," added Tom pleasantly, as some of his old temptations -came back to him. "Do you know those fellows, Matt?" - -"I know Spickles; but I never saw the others before, though I think they -behave like gentlemen compared with their leader." - -"He is a jolly fellow," added Tom. - -"Spickles's father was formerly a wealthy man in the city, and his son -stole a thousand dollars from him. Since that I have kept out of his -way, and I will not associate with him." - -"What did he do with the money? Give it to the missionaries?" asked Tom; -and his companions noticed that he talked a good deal worse than he -meant sometimes, and could not entirely rid himself of his former ways -of expressing himself. - -"He took a steamer to New Orleans, and spent his stolen money in -dissipation. When it was all gone, he had to come home before the mast -in a bark. He is a bad boy, and his father could not manage him. If he -had been sent to the Beech Hill School, it would have made a man of him. -I don't quite understand, though I can guess, how he can take such a -trip as the one he is now making; for his father lost his money, failed, -and is now at work as a clerk." - -"Perhaps some of the other fellows have rich fathers," suggested Ash -Burton. - -"It may be so, but I don't believe it. The sons of rich fathers, when -they want to go on a frolic, don't make such a fellow as Michael Angelo -Spickles their leader," added Matt. - -"Is that his name?" asked Ash. - -"They say his mother don't like the name of Spickles, and gave him a -high-sounding handle to it to smooth it off. I don't know any thing -about it, Tom Topover; but if I were a betting man, I would wager two to -one that Spickles stole the money which is used to pay the expenses of -the La Motte," continued Matt impressively. - -"Then, again, perhaps he didn't," replied Tom. - -"I think he did; and he didn't steal it from his father this time, for -Mr. Spickles did not have it. Now, Tom, whether he stole this money, or -not, he will certainly come to grief. In a month, a year, or ten years, -when you see him in the State prison, you will be glad you were not a -member of the Nautifelers Club," said Matt, as he consulted the paper in -his hand to recall the Greek word. - -"You don't know what is going to become of that fellow any more than you -know what is going to become of me," added Tom. - -"Certainly I don't know; but when you see a young fellow like Spickles, -drinking, dissipating, insulting a gentleman like Captain Gildrock, it -is easy enough to see where he is coming out. I used to drink beer with -Angy, as we used to call Spickles when he was a more decent fellow than -he is now, and I know something about it." - -"Didn't you like it?" asked Tom. - -"I can't say that I did: it always gave me the headache, and made me -feel more like a fool than I generally do. I used to drink it because -other fellows did. When I came up here, I did not want it; and I have -been a great deal better without it." - -The Winooski went to the other side of the lake, where the coxswain -proceeded to train his crew for the work before him. Not a word was -spoken that did not relate to the practice, which was kept up till -nearly dark, when the barge returned to Beech Hill. As the boat -approached the mouth of the river, the La Motte was seen two or three -miles to the northward, standing down the lake. Matt hoped that she -would not again visit the waters in the vicinity of Beech Hill. - -Matt reported to the principal when the boat had been housed, as all who -were in charge of expeditions, excursions, or business trips, were -required to do. He informed the captain of the departure of the La -Motte, and related to him what had taken place during the interview, -giving him the name of the club, as written on the paper. - -"The Nautifelers Club is well named, if the word is Greek," said Captain -Gildrock. "I suppose they are merely engaged in a frolic, and I only -hope they will keep away from this part of the lake." - -"They came from the northern part of the lake, for they chartered the -schooner at Rouse's Point; and I don't exactly understand why they are -going off in that direction again," suggested Matt. "They have not yet -been to the upper part of the lake, and it looks as though they did not -intend to do so." - -"Perhaps they have drunk so much beer they don't know what they are -about," added the principal. "I should say that Spickles was a bright -boy, and it is a thousand pities that he is plunging into excesses." - -At the usual hour all was still; and the students, who had had plenty of -exercise in the boats as well as in the shops, slept soundly in their -rooms. Insomnia was unknown at the institution, and all were active and -bright in the morning at an early hour. - -Some of them awoke at an unusually early hour the next morning, though -it soon appeared that the current of events was not flowing in its -ordinary channel. The students and others had been awakened by some -extraordinary disturbance, or most of them would have slept till the -morning-bell roused them from their slumbers. - -As nearly at three o'clock as the hour could afterwards be fixed, a -tremendous explosion, with a sound which equalled the report of one of -the yacht-guns on board of the Sylph, shook the buildings of the school, -and made the windows of the dormitory rattle as though a hurricane had -struck them. The very earth seemed to tremble under the effects of the -convulsion. - -Suddenly startled from their slumbers, those who heard the sound, and -had been shaken in their beds by it, were unable to determine where the -report came from, or to form any idea of what had caused it. Perhaps -half the students in their rooms leaped from their beds, and the other -half were partially paralyzed where they lay by the shock. - -Doubtless, if they had been awake, and had understood the cause of the -explosion, they would have enjoyed it; for the average boy delights in a -terrific noise. But they were literally and figuratively in the dark. -They could see nothing to explain the tremendous racket which had -startled them from their deep sleep, and not a sound followed the shock -to give them a clew to the strange event. - -Some thought it must be an earthquake; others that it was a crash of -thunder which attended the striking of the lightning at some point not -far from them. Possibly some of them thought that a daring rogue of the -school was playing off a trick upon his companions; and more wondered if -one of the chimneys on the dormitory had not fallen over, and crushed in -the roof of the building. - -It might be an earthquake, for there was no smell of powder, no -lightning in the sky; and no one was stirring in the building, as would -have been the case if the roof had been crushed. In fact, not even the -most intelligent and quick-witted of the students could assign any cause -to the event. They stood in their rooms, or lay in their beds, thinking -of it for a few moments, waiting for something else to come, some -after-clap, which would throw a ray of light on the subject. Nothing -came. - -Some of the boldest and most energetic of the boys began to put on a -portion of their clothes, and unfastened their doors. As may well be -supposed, Dory Dornwood was one of the first to come out of the stupor -produced by the shock. He had not been awake more than five seconds, -before he had jumped inside of his pants, and opened the door of his -room. - -He looked out into the long hall, but it was as dark as Egypt there; and -there was no glare of a fire in the building,--not a flash, not a sound -of any kind. He went back into his room, and opened the window. He -looked out on the lawn, but there was nothing in motion there. No key to -the enigma was within his reach. - -But by this time, he heard a sound in the hall. He went to the door, but -it was too dark to see any thing. Some conspiracy on the part of a few -restless students might have been brought to a focus at this time, and -he deemed it prudent to light his lamp before he took any step. If there -was any thing to be seen, he wanted to see it. - -If any conspirators were trying to knock down the dormitory, or -perpetrate a practical joke, he had a desire to know who they were; for -all such tricks were at a discount in the school. The principal had no -mercy for a practical joker when the feelings or the person of any -individual was imperilled by the so-called fun. - -There was some one in the hall, beyond a doubt. It might be one of the -students, roused, like himself, by the explosion; or it might be an -evil-doer from outside of the fold. Dory opened the door again, and -thrust the lamp out into the hall, so as to light every part of it. - -The person in the hall proved to be Matt Randolph. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE SCENE OF OPERATIONS. - - -"Did you hear it, Dory?" called Matt Randolph, as soon as he saw the -light at the door of the other. - -"Did I hear it?" replied Dory, who was cool enough to smile at the -absurdity of the question, though it was nothing more than the -introduction to the subject in the minds of both. "I could not very well -help hearing it, though I sleep as soundly as a bullfrog in winter." - -"What was it?" demanded Matt, apparently more excited than Dory. - -"That's the conundrum before the house at the present moment. I have not -the least idea what it was," replied Dory. "It shook my windows, and at -first I thought my bed was lifted up under me. It might have been an -earthquake, though such convulsions are not the fashion in the State of -Vermont." - -"I thought it must be an earthquake at first," added Matt. - -"Did you alter your mind?" asked Dory, as he stepped back into his room, -and put on his shoes. - -"Not exactly; but on second thought I concluded that it could not be an -earthquake, and I was wondering what it could be, when I heard a door -open," added Matt, who was fully dressed, for he had taken the time to -put on his clothes before he came out of his room. - -"I move you, Captain Randolph, that we don't try to imagine what it was, -but that we go and look into the matter, and find out what it was," -replied Dory, as he put on his coat, and led the way to the hall. - -"That is the sensible thing to do; but a fellow can't expect to be very -bright when he is shaken out of his slumbers by something like an -earthquake," said Matt, as he followed Dory. - -By this time several of the students had recovered, in a measure, from -their consternation, and had opened their doors, some of them shaking -with terror, as though they expected to be swallowed up immediately in -some awful catastrophe. - -"What is the matter, Dory?" Tucker Prince asked, as the two coxswains -passed his door. - -"Give it up, Tuck: ask me something easier," replied Dory, laughing. "I -may be able to tell you something about it at a later hour in the -morning." - -"What was it, Dory?" asked Tom Topover. - -"It was a tremendous noise; and that is all that is known about it at -the present moment, on this floor of the dormitory." - -"I knew as much as that before," added Tom. - -"Then, you are as wise as any of us, Tom." - -Dory and Matt did not pause to talk, but hastened to the lower floor. -There was nothing below to explain the noise, and the outside door was -locked as usual. Dory opened it, and they went out on the lawn. At this -point they smelled something which was not powder, though it had an -unknown chemical odor. - -The building containing the schoolroom and workshops, or a part of the -latter, was close to the dormitory; and the inquirers went in that -direction. The office was in front of the shops, on the lower floor. It -was an apartment of considerable size, which had been put in the year -before, when the shops were enlarged. It was handsomely carpeted, and -was really Captain Gildrock's private apartment; though Fatima Millweed -used it, and kept the accounts of the institution there. - -As the principal had indicated to his visitors the afternoon before, it -contained a steel safe, as well as a couple of roll-top desks, and a -number of easy-chairs; for visitors on business were received in this -room. Captain Gildrock had sold a house the day before in the town, and -had put the money he received in the safe until he could go to the bank -in Burlington. - -Dory had carried his lamp as far as the outside door of the dormitory, -but the wind had blown the light out as soon as he came out of the -building. He retained it in his hand as they walked to the shops, as the -structure was called, taking its name from the working, rather than the -school, room. - -It was a dark night, cloudy and windy: in fact, it was blowing a smart -gale from the south. Coming from the light into the gloom outside, Dory -and Matt might as well have been blind, so far as seeing any thing was -concerned. But every inch of the ground was familiar to them, and they -walked directly to the shops. The chemical odor became more pronounced. -They halted in front of the office. This apartment was locked, and they -had no key to the door. They could not yet see any thing in the deep -gloom, though their sight was improving. - -"The explosion came from some point near us," said Dory, as he walked up -to the door of the office, guided by instinct rather than sight. - -"I can smell something, but I can't see a thing," added Matt. - -"Here we are!" exclaimed Dory, when he had passed from the door to one -of the windows of the office. "This window is open, and the mischief -came from here!" - -"Is it a break?" demanded Matt, beginning to be a little excited. - -This was police slang; but Dory understood it, as any one might have -done; and he replied that it was a "break." - -"Look out, then, Dory!" added Matt, laying his hand on the shoulder of -his companion. "The burglars may be still in the office; and such -fellows carry revolvers, which they use when they get into a tight -place." - -"They can hardly be here now, after they have taken the trouble to wake -up the entire neighborhood with such an explosion," replied Dory. "Take -this lamp, Matt, and I will get in at the window, and strike a light." - -"Don't do it, Dory!" protested Matt. "Wait a moment, and I will go back -to the dormitory, and get a lantern out of the lower hall." - -Without waiting for his companion, Matt ran back to the dormitory. A -couple of lanterns were kept there for the use of the students in the -evening, if they had occasion to go to the shops or elsewhere. Matt took -one of them down, and lighted it, for there were matches in the tin box -on the wall. When he had done so, he concluded to light the other, so -that each of them could have one in conducting the examination. - -Dory stood at the open window while his companion was gone; for he -agreed with Matt, that prudence was a virtue at all times: and -reasonable people practise it, unless they get too angry to do so, and -then they regret it afterwards. He had begun to think that Matt was gone -a long time, when he heard a sound inside of the office. - -The noise startled him, for he had not believed the robbers delayed -their flight so long after they had taken the trouble to announce -themselves to all within hearing. He listened with his head thrust into -the open window as far as the length of his neck would permit, and he -was intensely interested from that moment. - -If there were any robbers in the office, they must have heard what Matt -said when he proposed to go for the lantern. Dory had always read the -newspapers; and he knew something about the operations of burglars, -though he lived far from any great city. The night-visitors to the -office of the institution, he concluded, had blown open the steel safe, -or attempted to do so. If they had succeeded, it could not have taken -them more than a minute or two to scoop out the contents of the safe, or -at least to pocket the money it contained. - -He was just making up his mind that the burglars must have departed -before any one had had time to come to the office, when the noise he had -heard before was repeated. It sounded like some mechanical operation, -and appeared to be on the farther side of the room, where there was a -door opening into the carpenter's shop. - -"I was a fool not to open this door before we finished the safe!" said -some one in the room, in a low and subdued voice, and in a tone which -indicated his disgust at the situation in which he found himself. - -"Hurry up! The fellow will be back with the lantern in a moment, and -then we shall be blown," added another voice. - -"Then some one will get shot!" said the first speaker. - -But at the same moment, the sound of the opening door came to Dory's -ears. He was on the point of springing in at the window, to prevent the -escape of the burglars, when he realized that he was almost sure to be -shot, as the first speaker had suggested. He was unarmed; and against -two men, as he supposed they were, he had a small chance of -accomplishing any thing in the way of capturing them. - -Through the open door into the shop he saw several flashes of light, and -then he understood that the operators were provided with one or more -dark-lanterns. He could hear their retreating footsteps in the shop; and -he concluded that they intended to escape through one of the rear -windows, which they could easily open, as they were fastened on the -inside. - -Two lights were approaching from the dormitory, Dory saw, as he withdrew -his head from the window. But what use were they now? He had solved the -enigma, and any further light on the subject was superfluous. The -burglars had effected an entrance: whether the explosion had opened the -safe, or not, was yet to be discovered. But while he was thinking of the -matter, the robbers were getting away. This was all wrong, Dory suddenly -realized. - -"Help! Help! Burglars! Robbers!" shouted Dory, at the very top of his -voice; and he had never been accused of having weak lungs. - -"What are you about, Dory?" called Matt, as he rushed towards him. - -"Doing the next best thing!" said Dory hastily. "Run to the dormitory, -Matt, with all your might, and ring the bell, just as you would for -fire." - -"Do you think there are any burglars in the office?" asked Matt. - -"Not now! But there have been at least two of them there, and now they -are escaping by the back windows of the carpenter's shop! They are armed -too. Hurry up, and ring the bell, Matt!" shouted Dory, in the ears of -his companion, as he took one of the lanterns from him. - -Placing the lantern on the doorstone of the office, Dory darted off at -the fastest run he could get up for the rear of the building. He -appeared to have forgotten that the burglars had revolvers. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - ON THE TRACK OF THE BURGLARS. - - -Matt Randolph lost no time in discharging his duty at the bell-rope, and -he performed it with the utmost vigor and determination. He rang the -bell, which was in a cupola at the top of the building, as the students -had been instructed to do in case of fire. There was no art or skill to -be used in the operation, and the ringer was simply required to make all -the noise he could; and Matt made it. - -Dory reached the rear of the shops in season to escape being shot by the -reckless burglars, and even to avoid being shot at. Perhaps it was -fortunate that he was too late to see the marauders leap from the -window, as he had expected; for his life, or the comfort and well-being -of his well-developed frame, might have been endangered. - -When Dory reached the rear of the shops, he found one of the windows -open; and he halted under it to obtain further information, for he was -not a fellow to lose his head, and fly off at random. The rapid ringing -of the bell was rather exhilarating; but he considered it quite -necessary to keep cool, and he did not allow himself to be carried away -by the excitement of the moment. He stopped short under the open window. - -It was too dark to see any thing. He had thought of bringing the lantern -with him; but when he thought that it would be of more assistance to the -burglars in avoiding him, than it would be to him in finding them, he -concluded to let the darkness hide his movements. It occurred to him -that the light would enable them to use their revolvers effectively. - -All he could do was to stop and listen. The wind was blowing very hard; -and the noise it made in the trees prevented him from hearing the tramp -of footsteps, if there were any to be heard. There was not a sound that -could be distinguished above the rattling of the leaves and the swaying -of the branches. - -It was rather discouraging to the volunteer thief-taker; and he began to -feel that he had come to the end of his rope, for it was useless to run -here and there without something to guide his steps. As he had no clew -to the marauders, he could only consider probabilities. What direction -would the burglars take to make their escape? If they had come in a -boat, they could embark anywhere between the bridge above the quarries -and Beaver River. - -By land they could pass through the grounds of the estate, and reach the -street; or they could follow the cart-path through the quarries, pass -over the bridge, and reach Lake Champlain at Porter's Bay, or any point -below it, or strike a road which would lead them to the north. - -While he was thinking of it, he heard the voice of Matt Randolph calling -to him. But the bell was still ringing, even more furiously than at -first; and it was plain that he had turned this task over to some other -student, for no one but a boy would have put so much vigor into the -operation. And by this time the tremendous racket ought to bring a crowd -to the centre of the disturbance. - -"Have you seen any thing of them, Dory?" shouted Matt, as he reached the -corner of the building. - -"Not a thing," replied Dory. - -The sound of his voice directed the steps of his companion, and brought -him to the vicinity of the open window. He had a lantern in his hand, -and by its aid they examined the window by which the burglars had made -their exit from the shop. But there was nothing there to afford them a -particle of information in the quest. - -"Don't you know which way they went?" asked Matt. - -"I have not the least idea," answered Dory; and he stated the avenues of -escape open to the robbers, as he had just been over them in his own -mind. - -"But while we are standing here, doing nothing, the villains are getting -away," said Matt, with some excitement in his manner. - -"It's no use to tear around wildly without knowing what you are about," -replied Dory quietly. "I am in favor of looking over the chances before -we strike in any direction. With all the racket of that bell, they did -not go through the grounds to the nearest road." - -"They will give the roads a wide berth," added Matt. - -"Then, they have either taken a boat on the little lake, or they have -gone up to the bridge above the quarry. I feel almost sure they have -done one or the other of these things," continued Dory, who had reached -a decided conclusion, and was ready to act. - -"I think you are right, Dory; and what to do is the next article in the -warrant," replied Matt, whom the influence of the other had completely -cooled off, and he saw the folly of running about at random without any -plan of operations. - -"All we have to do is to cover the open points of escape, as we -understand them. Have the fellows turned out yet?" - -"I believe every one of them is out, in front of the dormitory." - -"My uncle ought to be on the spot by this time; but if he is not, I will -assume the responsibility of acting without him. If you will take a -crew, and man the Marian, I will follow the route by the bridge. The -keys of the boat-house are in the office. Be in a hurry about it," added -Dory briskly; and he started off in the direction of the quarries. - -"Suppose I see a boat working out of Beechwater, do you think I ought to -try to capture it?" asked Matt, who seemed to be in doubt. - -"Not at all! Follow it, and see where it goes: follow it to the end of -Lake Champlain, if it leads you as far as that. Don't meddle with it, -and don't let any of your fellows get shot." - -Matt ran back to the dormitory. Though the bell had been ringing some -time, Captain Gildrock had not yet appeared at the scene of the tumult. -The captain of the Lily took the keys, and summoned the crew of the -Marian. In less than five minutes they were pulling out of the -boat-house. The boat proceeded, with all the speed the oarsmen could -give it, to the outlet. Matt went through it to the river, and then -proceeded to examine the north shore of Beechwater. - -Dory followed the road to the quarries, and reached the bridge. He -crossed it, and was then in the great road. Between him and the lake the -region was covered with woods. From the road there were cart-paths -leading down to the lake, mostly used by picnic parties. If the burglars -had come this way, they were likely to take to the woods, if they -understood that they were pursued. - -Dory halted several times to listen; but it was useless to do so, he -found, for the wind in the trees made noise enough to silence all other -sounds. He passed the cart-path which led down to Porter's Bay, and soon -came to one which led to a very deep indentation of the shore from -Kingsland Bay. - -At this point he halted and listened again, and had about come to the -conclusion not to go any farther in this direction. But just then a -bright thought was suggested to him by the circumstances of the -occasion. There had been a heavy rain some time in the night, after he -went to bed, as he learned from the puddles of water in the road. The -ground, where he had seen it by the light of the lantern, had been -washed by a heavy shower, such as sometimes comes with a southerly wind. - -The road was rather sandy at the point where Dory halted, as he could -tell from the feeling of it. He lighted a match, for the purpose of -applying a little Indian craft to the situation. Placing the lighted -brand inside of his hat, to protect it from the wind, he stooped down, -and began to examine the bed of the road. - -He had hardly bent his body to the task before he heard a sound, not a -great distance from him, which was marvellously like a human voice. He -sprang to his feet, and gazed into the gloom of the woods in the -direction from which the sound had come. But all was silence except the -piping of the violent wind through the branches of the trees. He -strained his hearing-powers for some time, in the hope that the sound -would be repeated; but he did so in vain. - -He was almost sure that he had heard a voice, and he was encouraged to -believe that he was on the right track. The sound reached him very -nearly at the instant when he had touched off the match. He spent a few -minutes in reasoning over the circumstance. If the burglars were in the -vicinity, the light of the match had enabled them to locate him; and he -was willing to believe that the discovery of his presence had called -forth a sudden exclamation of surprise from the least prudent of the -two. - -Whether his conclusion was correct, or not, it satisfied him, and -assured him that the marauders were near him. He was alone and unarmed; -while there were two burglars, each perhaps provided with a revolver. -The situation was not wholly satisfactory to him; for though he was as -brave as a lion, he was also as prudent as a cat lying in wait for a -bird. - -He had halted at the junction of the great road with the cart-path -leading to Kingsland Bay; and the sound he had heard, assured him that -the marauders were on this side-road. He had no more idea of attacking -them than he had of running away from them. But the light had enabled -them to fix his own position in the gloom, and Dory deemed it advisable -to derange their calculations. - -With a careful step, he walked away from the junction of the roads by -the way he had come. It would be as difficult for them to hear him as it -was for him to hear them, and in a few moments he increased his pace. At -the foot of a little hill, perhaps a quarter of a mile from his first -stopping-place, he halted again. He did not believe they had followed -him, for they could not have been aware of his movement. - -Lighting another match, he examined the road, as he had intended to do -before. Between the ruts he found the footprints of two persons, who had -been walking side by side. The marks were made by genteel boots or -shoes, and not by any farmer or laborer who wore cowhide and broad soles -on his feet. - -This discovery made it appear to Dory that the burglars were -professional gentlemen of the housebreaking order, and probably they did -not belong anywhere in the vicinity of Genverres. This demonstration -added something to the inquirer's stock of information; but it was of no -especial value, since the hearing of the voice in the woods was more -tangible evidence. - -No end of questions which he could not answer flashed through Dory's -mind after his match had burned out, and he had established to his own -satisfaction the professional character of the operators. They were -somewhere within a half a mile of him; and he wanted to know whether -they intended to take a boat at Kingsland Bay, or escape by the road, -which would take them to Burlington if they followed it long enough. Of -course he could not answer either of these important questions. - -The peril of the situation, in view of the revolvers, and the lack of -knowledge, made it very difficult for him to determine what to do. He -ended by deciding to do nothing beyond lying in wait for the marauders. -He returned very cautiously to the junction of the roads again. There he -seated himself on the top-rail of a fence, and--waited. - -That was all he could do, though the inactivity to which he was -condemned made him as impatient as a chained mastiff. - -He had seen the clock in the lower hall of the dormitory, and he knew -that the explosion had occurred at about three o'clock. At least half an -hour--and he thought it was nearer a full hour--had since elapsed. It -would be daylight within an hour, though it was a very dark morning, and -with the light he could act more intelligently. - -No sound came from the direction of the bay, and it occurred to Dory -that the marauders might have continued their retreat by the road. He -was startled at the thought, and he jumped down from the fence. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - A VICTIM OF STRATEGY. - - -Almost at the same moment, it came to the active mind of Dory Dornwood -that the burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked in a boat. -They were as likely to do this as they were to take to the road. He had -heard nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, and the -villains might be two or three miles from him by this time. It would not -be pleasant for him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to relate -that he had got on the track of the robbers, and then entirely lost the -clew to them. - -The thought of such a state of things annoyed him; and he decided that -he should rather be shot, or at least be shot at, than subject himself -to this degree of humiliation. But it was best to be prudent, even after -he had decided to be shot at rather than be inactive any longer; and he -walked some distance beyond the cart-path, to the northward. - -He was intent upon settling the first problem,--whether or not the -burglars had retreated by the road during his absence in the other -direction. He lighted a match; but his examination of the roadway -revealed no prints of human feet, and even those of horses had been -obliterated by the heavy rain. He investigated several points of the -road, and looked carefully on each side of the driveway, without finding -a mark. - -Returning to the junction of the roads, he made new calculations of the -probable action of the marauders. He was reasonably confident, that, as -they had not taken to the road, they were still in the woods. They must -be strangers to the locality, and were not likely to attempt to find -their way through the woods in the intense darkness which prevailed -under the trees. Possibly they were waiting, like himself, for the -daylight. - -Dory did not believe they could get away unless they took to the lake, -or departed by the road, at least until it was light enough for them to -pick their way through the woods. He was covering the road, and he -believed that he had got the matter down fine enough to leave them only -the lake as an avenue of escape. - -The wind was now blowing a violent gale; and even the most experienced -boatman in those waters would not think of going out in a small boat, -unless it was to save life. Kingsland Bay was fully sheltered, for it -was not more than half a mile wide at its greatest breadth. They could -not get out into the lake while the present tempest raged; and if they -tried to get away in any other direction, they must aim for the road, -for the Little Beaver River cut off their retreat between the highway -and the lake. - -Dory's head had been very level so far; and when he stated his theory in -detail to his uncle, the principal, he fully approved his logic. He -resumed his seat on the fence. He had hardly done so before he caught a -faint gleam of light in the woods in the direction of the lake. A moment -later he discovered a more decided appearance of a light. The villains -were getting reckless, he thought; and possibly they concluded that the -pursuers had abandoned the chase, as they saw no more of them. - -Encouraged by these appearances, Dory continued to wait. At the end of -half an hour he was astonished to see a light in the road, not twenty -rods from him, and in the direction of Beech Hill. At first he concluded -that it was the lantern from the school, and that some one or a party -had started to find him. - -The light was moving; but it was not approaching him, as it would be if -his supposition were correct. It was certainly moving in the direction -of Beech Hill, and it must be from the dark-lantern of the robbers. If -this was the case, they were certainly taking a great deal of care to -show it to him. - -He could not see the person who carried the moving light, or tell -whether he was alone, or not. Just then it looked to Dory as though he -was losing the game he had been playing so patiently. He left the fence -again. By the side of the road was a quantity of hoop-poles, and he -stumbled over them. He took one of them, and cut it in two; for it was -best to have a club, though he did not expect to have to use it. - -Somehow the weapon seemed to add to his strength, though it was no match -for a revolver. From the evidence of the light, he concluded that not -more than one, if either, of the men remained in the woods. It looked as -though the robbers were arranging a new combination, and Dory decided to -make sure that he did not leave one of the villains behind him if he -followed the light. - -It was but a short distance to the head of the bay, and a visit to the -shore would not detain him ten minutes. He followed the cart-path, -proceeding very cautiously. But he reached the shore without seeing or -hearing any thing. It was beginning to be a little lighter. - -Drawn up on a little beach he discovered a boat. This could belong only -to the burglars. But why had they taken to the road, and started off in -the direction of the school, instead of departing in their boat? But -they must certainly return to the boat, and finally escape in it. The -painter was made fast to a tree; and Dory lost no time in casting it -off, and shoving the boat as far as he could from the shore. - -He had closed that avenue of escape, and he started for the road. Before -he had gone twenty steps, he found himself in the embrace of a man, who -had fallen upon him in the rear. His club was useless; and the attack -was wholly unexpected, for he had been fully satisfied that the robbers -were both retreating by the road. - -Dory struggled with all his might, but he was taken at an utter -disadvantage. A puny assailant might overcome a giant in this manner if -he were quick enough. The man had drawn his arms behind him, and was -pounding him in the back with his knees. - -"Lay hold of him, Chuck!" shouted the assailant, out of breath. "What -are you about?" - -"I am getting the rope ready," replied the other, as the first one -succeeded in bringing Dory to the ground. "Hold on to him, Angy, and I -will soon fix him so that he will keep quiet." - -Dory struggled till he found that resistance was useless; and then he -submitted, though his spirit chafed violently at the necessity. He -realized that he was only one against two, taken by surprise at that, -and he could do nothing. He lay upon the wet ground till his captors had -bound his arms behind him, and then they assisted him to his feet. - -The prisoner had done a great deal of thinking during the last hour or -more, and, so far as he was personally concerned, he had done it for -nothing. The situation was decidedly unfortunate for him, and he could -not help thinking that the marauders were making it worse for -themselves. - -As soon as they had lifted Dory to his feet, one of them gave a -prolonged whistle upon some instrument. There were two of them at the -shore, and the prisoner was confident there had been no more than two in -the office. If there had been three who passed over the road, he could -not have failed to discover their tracks. He had looked in several -places, and always with the same result; and he concluded that one of -the party had remained with the boat while the others went to "make the -break." - -By this time it was perfectly evident to Dory that the lantern in the -road was a decoy,--a trick to make the pursuers believe that the robbers -had returned to the vicinity of Beech Hill. Unhappily for him, the plan -had been successful, and he had fallen into the trap. But the marauders -had reached the shore where their boat awaited them, and there had been -nothing to prevent them from embarking. In the darkness they could -easily have made their escape. Dory was unable to explain the action of -his captors in this respect. - -"We are all right now," said one of the burglars, when they had bound -the prisoner. "Do you suppose Mack heard that whistle, Angy?" - -"Of course he did, Chuck," replied the one addressed as Angy. - -"The wind makes a tremendous noise," suggested Chuck. "I will walk up to -that road, if you like, and see if he is coming." - -"We are in no hurry, for we can't get out of this bay. It is blowing a -hurricane," added Angy. - -"But Mack may get into hot water if he goes too far in that direction. -They have rung an alarm-bell, and the whole town will turn out: there -will be a crowd of them this way before long." - -"All right, then: go up to the road, for that light may give them a clew -to us," added Angy. - -Chuck started up the cart-path, and there was now light enough for him -to see his way so that he could move at a rapid pace. Dory looked about -him, and strained his muscles a little to ascertain the strength of the -cords with which he was bound. It was still too dark for him to see the -face of the robber remaining with him; and if he had seen him, he would -not have recognized him, for he had not seen him face to face before. - -Chuck was not gone ten minutes before he returned with Mack, who had -used the dark-lantern in the road. They came back in a hurry, and both -of them seemed to be in a flurry. If they were professional burglars, -they certainly lacked the coolness of long practice. The dark-lantern -had been put out, and Dory could not see the faces of any of the trio. - -"They are after us!" exclaimed Mack, with no little trepidation in his -manner. - -"Of course they are after us," replied Angy, who appeared to be the -chief of the party. "The whole neighborhood will be out, for they rung -that bell long enough and loud enough to wake the dead. But we are all -right now, and you needn't vex your gizzard about any thing." - -"But it is daylight, and it will soon be light enough to show us up to -all the world," added Mack. - -"Dry up, Mack! I am running this machine, and I shall see you through," -replied Angy sharply. - -The leader took the prisoner by the collar of his coat, and led him to -the boat, which the wind had driven back to the beach. He was placed in -the bow, while Angy seated himself in the stern. The other two took the -oars, and the boat was shoved off. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - THE EFFECTS OF THE EXPLOSION. - - -Captain Gildrock seemed to sleep the sleep of the just while he was -still in the flesh, for he did not immediately appear at the office, as -Dory expected. The mansion was some distance from the scene of -operations. He heard the earliest peals of the bell on the dormitory; -but, unfortunately, Mrs. Dornwood had also heard it, and had been -terribly excited by it. The explosion had roused her from her slumbers, -though the distance made it less effective at the mansion than at the -dormitory. - -The good lady was almost in hysterics; and it had taken the captain some -time to quiet her, though at last he was able to leave her in the care -of Marian. She was sure that the students would all be burned to death, -her son among them; for the idea of any other calamity than fire, had -not occurred to them. - -Captain Gildrock had not heard the explosion; and the ringing of the -bell had assured him that no one would be burned to death, though he -found it very difficult to make his sister comprehend the absurdity of -her fears. He looked out of the window as soon as he left his bed; and, -as he could see no light, he was satisfied that the fire had not yet -made much progress. - -He was a man of discipline, and had trained the students to fire-duty. -His sister had mentioned the explosion, but she could not tell any thing -about it, except that it was a loud noise. The principal hastened from -the house as soon as he could leave Mrs. Dornwood, and he expected to -discover the light of the fire as soon as he reached the main avenue -that extended through the grounds. - -He saw nothing to throw any light on his path, or on the cause of the -alarm. When he reached the shops, he found a crowd there, and realized -that he was about the last one to reach the scene of the disturbance. -There was no fire, and this fact stimulated his curiosity. The bell was -to be rung at night, only in case of fire; and it had been pealing out -its notes for some time before his arrival. - -The students were, of course, in a blaze of excitement, and the -instructors were hardly less disturbed. But the principal walked into -their midst without any exclamations, with a step hardly more hurried -than his usual pace, and there was nothing in the darkness that, could -indicate the slightest disturbance in his manner. Though he was a cool -man in a trying situation, as his early life on the seas had trained him -to be, yet his stolidity was in some measure assumed. He believed, that, -if a person in authority could not be calm, it was best for him to -pretend to be so, for the benefit of others. - -Matt had adopted the suggestion of Dory, and departed in the Marian; but -this was all the movement that had been made to meet the circumstances -of the case. Dory and the boat's crew were the only absentees when the -principal arrived. He looked about him; but he could only see dark forms -around, with nothing but the dull light of the lantern Dory had left on -the doorstone, to assist his vision. - -"There seems to be no fire, or even the smell of smoke here," said -Captain Gildrock, as he came into the assemblage in front of the office. - -"No, sir: there is no fire," replied Mr. Jepson, who happened to be -nearest to him when he halted. "It is robbery, and not fire." - -"Then, no one is in danger," added the principal, perhaps with a feeling -of relief. - -"No one, unless it be the students who are looking for the robbers." - -"Of course, you heard the explosion, Captain Gildrock?" interposed Mr. -Brookbine. - -"I have heard nothing but the ringing of the bell, for I am a sound -sleeper at this time in the morning. What was the explosion?" asked the -principal, as unmoved as though he had been questioning a class in the -schoolroom. - -"The safe in the office has been blown up with a dynamite cartridge," -replied Mr. Jepson. "I should have thought you would hear it, for it -shook all the buildings in this part of the grounds." - -"Mrs. Dornwood heard it, but I did not," continued the principal, as he -led the way into the office. - -He took the lantern in his hand as he advanced, and then asked the -instructor in mechanics to light the lamps. While he was doing so, the -captain examined the door of the office. It had been bored in several -places around the lock, and then pried open. In the room, all was in a -state of dire confusion. A large portion of the door of the safe had -been blown off, and it was wide open. - -"These fellows understood their business," said Captain Gildrock, when -he saw how effectual the explosion had been. - -"I think they rather overdid the business," added Mr. Jepson. "The -cartridge must have been three times as big as was needed to blow off -that lock, and that makes me think the burglars had not had much -experience in the use of dynamite." - -"They evidently intended to use enough to tear off the door," replied -the principal. - -"But they made a noise like an earthquake, when there was no need of it. -It is a wonder to me that they didn't blow the safe all to pieces, and -destroy whatever there was in it." - -"As I did not hear it, I am not a competent judge of the power of the -explosion," added the principal, as he proceeded to examine the interior -of the safe. - -"I hope the safe did not contain much money," said Mr. Brookbine. - -"Over two thousand dollars," replied the captain, with a smile. "I sold -a house here, day before yesterday; and, as I have not been to the bank -since, the entire payment was in the safe, as well as about one hundred -and fifty dollars that was there before." - -"Whew!" exclaimed the master-carpenter. "Then, it amounts to a big -loss." - -"Big enough, though I shall not be ruined by it," answered the -principal. "I have ten times that amount in bonds in this safe; and here -they are," he continued, as he took a large package of papers from one -of the small drawers, one of which had contained the money. "Either the -robbers did not want the bonds, or they had not time to find them." - -"I don't think they had much time to spare after the racket of the -explosion," said Mr. Jepson. "When I got here, the students said Dory -was after the robbers back of the shops; and Randolph was leading a -boat's crew to the lake." - -"It looks as though the robbers had seized the money as soon as they got -at it, and did not wait for any thing more. Now, what has been done -here?" asked the principal, when he had got possession of the main -facts. - -"Dory and Matt Randolph were the first to come out of the dormitory, and -I think I was the next one," said Oscar Chester. - -"Tell me what you know about the matter, Chester," continued the -principal. - -"Dory and Matt went to the office, and found it had been broken into, -and that the explosion had come from there. I thought it was an -earthquake. Matt came back after the lanterns just as I came -down-stairs, and I helped him light them. He went out then, and I -followed him. Then he came back, and rang the bell. I took the rope when -he asked me to do so, and he called away a crew for the boat. He told me -that Dory was following the burglars back of the shop, and that he was -to see that they did not get away in a boat. That is all I know about -it, sir." - -It was a rather confused statement, though it was correct in the main. -Dory was pursuing the marauders alone on foot, and Matt was patrolling -the lake to prevent their escape by water. - -"I am sorry the students did any thing," said Captain Gildrock. "I -should not like to have any of them encounter these villains. Without a -doubt, they are armed, and they will fire if they are in danger." - -"Don't you think some of us had better see if we can find Dory, sir? He -may need some help," suggested Oscar Chester, who had been making up a -party to follow Dory when the principal arrived. - -"I think Dory will be prudent, and will take care of himself, though he -may get into trouble. I shall send no students to assist him," replied -the principal decidedly. "The boys will not be called upon to chase such -desperadoes as professional burglars must be. But you may take a crew, -and go in one of the four-oar boats in search of Randolph. Tell him to -come ashore." - -Oscar departed on his mission, disappointed that he had not been -detailed to re-enforce Dory, and assist in the search. - -"I am ready to do any thing that I can," added Mr. Jepson; and Mr. -Brookbine said the same. - -"The burglars have simplified the matter to some extent for us," said -the principal, as he seated himself in his arm-chair, as though he did -not intend to fret himself at all about the robbery. "The wind is -blowing a fierce gale on the lake; and I should not send out a boat on -such a night as this manned by the students, or by any one, unless it -was to save life. The rascals cannot escape by water. The stormy lake -shuts them in on that side." - -"I don't think I ever knew it to blow so hard as it does to-night," -added Mr. Jepson. - -"If Dory and Randolph come back all right, I shall be perfectly -satisfied, even if the robbers escape with their plunder. All we have to -do is to hem in the land-side of the region about the school, and the -constables then may hunt the burglars at their leisure," continued the -principal. "Now, if you are willing to do so, I should like to have you -go in search of Dory. - -"He must have followed the cart-path through the quarries, and crossed -the bridge. I don't ask you to quarrel with the burglars, if you find -them, but simply to send Dory back," said the principal, after a short -period of silence. "Collins!" - -"Here, sir," replied the gardener. - -"Have Dick harnessed to the buggy, and Kate to the buckboard." - -The machinist and the carpenter prepared for the duty assigned to them. -The former put his revolver in his pocket, while the latter took his -rifle. Mr. Brookbine was given to deer-hunting, and knew all about the -Adirondack region, on the other side of the lake. But it was daylight -when they started; and they were too late to find Dory in the road, -where he had remained so long. - -They were not even near enough to the scene of Dory's disaster to hear -the whistle the chief of the burglars had sounded, or to see the light -carried by Mack in the road. The light was the engine of Angy's -strategy; and the open part of the dark-lantern was turned in the other -direction, for the benefit of Dory. But Mack had heard them in the -distance; for the two men had been shouting, to inform Dory of their -approach. - -Professor Bentnick and Mr. Darlingby were sent to one part of Genverres -to procure the aid of a couple of constables, while the principal -notified two other men who were deputy-sheriffs. He visited the -telegraph-office, and left several messages, to be sent to Burlington, -and to all the towns around that were in connection with Genverres by -wires. - -The students were all sent to bed again, but probably not many of them -slept after the excitement of the early morning. Matt and his party were -discovered by Oscar Chester while they were patrolling the shore, -without having obtained a sight or a sound to encourage them. They -obeyed the order of the principal; though they were satisfied that the -robbers had not been on Beechwater, or the creek above it. - -At five o'clock all the students except Dory were in their beds. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - SOME DIFFERENCES OF OPINION. - - -Dory Dornwood had seen the La Motte when she was lying in the river, and -knew that a party from her had visited the school, though he had not -been near them. He had passed the schooner in the barge, but without -noticing the persons on board of her. Mr. Michael Angelo Spickles was -the chief of the party, and the principal operator in the robbery at the -office of the institution. But the prisoner knew nothing whatever about -him. - -The arm of Kingsland Bay where the marauders embarked was less than a -quarter of a mile wide, and the water was almost as smooth as on a calm -day. The bay itself did not average more than half a mile wide; and they -were not likely to experience any rough weather within its limits, as -they were a full mile from the open lake. - -The members of the party had not said a word to Dory, and had hardly -noticed him since they finished binding his arms behind him. He was left -to himself, and he had abundant opportunity for reflection. He was not a -little humiliated because he had allowed himself to be captured so -easily, but he could not see how it would have been possible for him to -help himself. - -It was useless to consider the past, for it was all gone; and he could -not undo any thing that had been done. He had been captured, and he was -in the hands of the enemy. Mack reported the advance of a party from -Beech Hill, but they were too late to be of any service to him. The -future was a blank to him, and he could only wait for events as they -occurred. But he was satisfied that the boat could not get out of the -bay while the present storm raged. - -"We are all right now," said Angy, as the boat receded from the shore in -the gloom of the morning. "We lost all this time on your account, Chuck; -and I shall fine you for it when we divide." - -"I don't think I am to blame for it," replied Chuck, who was pulling the -bow-oar, next to Dory. - -"You don't think you were to blame!" exclaimed Angy angrily. "Didn't you -speak out loud when we were within a few rods of this chap we have -picked up? Didn't you make it necessary to capture this fellow, so that -he should not see us?" - -"Perhaps I made a little noise when I saw the flash of light, but I -didn't say any thing," pleaded Chuck. - -"You made noise enough for him to hear you, and to let him know where we -were; and I shall fine you fifty dollars out of your share," added the -chief, as though he were talking to a delinquent schoolboy. - -"Perhaps you will: if you do, you will wish you hadn't done it," replied -the culprit, who did not seem to be in a submissive mood. - -"Didn't you agree to obey orders, Chuck?" demanded Angy savagely. - -"That is just what I have done; and if I was surprised into making a -little sound when that fellow struck a light close to us, I am not going -to be robbed for it," protested the delinquent. - -"What are you going to do about it?" growled Angy. - -"I can only tell you what I'm not going to do yet: I shall not submit to -being robbed," said Chuck. - -It looked a little like a quarrel among the marauders, and Dory hoped he -might be able to derive some advantage from the disagreement. But they -had said enough to enable him to explain why he had been made a -prisoner. The burglars had evidently kept the run of him since he came -into the road, and they were not willing that any one should know they -had departed by water. - -Probably they reasoned that he was alone, because they heard no voices, -for one pursuer would not do any talking. When he lighted the match to -examine the road, he had exposed himself; and then, if not before, the -fugitives saw that they could remove the only one on their track by -making him a prisoner. - -The boat pulled out of the arm of the bay, and then followed the shore -on the west side, which entirely sheltered it from the violence of the -blast. But it soon reached a point where the crew could hear the -terrific roar of the storm on the open lake. The effect of the heavy -waves could be felt in the bay, and the boat began to tumble about. - -"It is blowing a young hurricane," said Mack, when the roar of the -tempest could be heard in its intensity. "We shall never be able to -reach the vessel. I think we are just beginning to find the rough side -of this scrape." - -"None of your croaking, Mack!" added the chief sharply. "We have found -our way out of this bay, and we are all right; and we must be on board -of the schooner before it is light enough for us to be seen from the -shore. I know where we are now." - -"Then, you know we are in a tight place," added Mack. "It is light -enough now for you to see that the lake looks like a snow-bank, it is so -covered with foam from the waves. This boat will not live in that sea." - -"We shall soon see whether it will or not," said Angy, as he shifted the -helm so as to direct the boat across the entrance of the bay. - -The boat was the tender of the La Motte, and was not more than twelve -feet long. It was a sort of yawl, and the four persons in it was a full -freight for it. The sea was heavy at the mouth of the bay, though the -trend of the coast partially sheltered it from the full fury of the -blast. - -Skilfully handled, and with her head up to the wind, she would have -stood it very well; but Angy seemed to have a contempt for a fresh-water -lake, and did not believe that any dangerous sea could prevail on its -waters. The lake in a violent storm is worse than the ocean,--a truth he -had yet to learn. He took the sea quartering; and the boat began to -pitch and roll, both at the same time, in a manner that suggested -disaster to Mack, if not to the others. - -"This won't do!" shouted he, as a wave drenched him to the skin. - -"It will do very well, Mack!" replied Angy, with energy. "You have been -out in a heavy sea before, and you needn't croak." - -Mack continued to pull his oar. Five minutes later, the boat took in a -sea on the windward side, which filled it half full. Dory had been wet -through in the first of it, and he was considering the probability of -being drowned with his arms tied behind him so that he could do nothing -to help himself. - -"Pull steady!" called Angy, apparently undismayed by the situation, as -he took the bucket in the stern, and began to bail out the boat. - -"What's the use of pulling?" cried Mack, though he was sailor enough to -know that the boat was likely to fall off into the trough of the sea if -he ceased to use his oar. "It is getting worse and worse every fathom -you go ahead, Angy." - -"I can't help it if it is: we are in for it now, and we can't come about -if we want to do so," replied the chief, who was beginning to have a -little more respect for fresh-water waves. - -"We can't stand this," interposed Chuck, who had been nursing his wrath -in silence. "We had better be taken than drowned." - -"I don't think so," answered Angy. "I will keep her away a little so -that she will run before it, and we shall do very well. This blow comes -from the southward, and it won't last long." - -"It will last long enough to drown the whole of us," shouted Mack, loud -enough to be heard above the roar of the tempest. "If you don't do -something to ease her off, I shall stop rowing." - -"If you don't mean to obey orders, Mack, say so; and you know I have a -revolver in my pocket," said the chief. - -"And I have another," replied Mack. - -"I told you that I was going to let her fall off, and run before it. -What more do you want?" demanded Angy, disgusted at the mutinous conduct -of the oarsmen. - -Neither of the rowers said any thing more then, and were evidently -willing to wait for the effect of the change in the course. The boat was -now about half way across the entrance of the bay. It was light enough -to enable the crew to see the opposite shore at the point, where the -waves were rolling on the beach, and piling themselves in great white -masses of foam. - -As the boat advanced, the sea became more angry. Before the chief could -bail out the water, the craft took in another wave, and even Angy began -to realize that the boat was in a perilous situation. He gradually -shifted the helm until the boat was running for the shore a considerable -distance from the point. - -But the change in the course had wrought no miracle in the situation. -The farther she went from the lee shore on the south, the rougher was -the sea. Though Dory was rather a noted swimmer among the students, the -accomplishment was not likely to be of much service to him with his arms -tied behind him. - -"We are not getting out of it a bit," shouted Mack. "Come about, Angy, -and make for the shore on the other side of the bay." - -"How can I come about in this sea?" demanded the captain. "You know as -well as I do, that if she gets into the trough of the sea, she will go -over." - -"We are sure to go over, as it is; and we might as well try it, and work -towards the lee-shore of the bay," persisted Mack. - -"Will you obey orders, or not?" cried Angy savagely. - -"No, I won't obey such orders as you are giving!" exclaimed the -mutineer. "I believe you mean to drown the whole of us." - -As he spoke, he drew in his oar, which was on the lee-side, for the -skipper had not yet got the boat before it. The tender of the La Motte -fell off into the trough of the sea, and began to roll, as though she -was intent upon spilling her burden into the water. Chuck could not row -after his companion ceased to do so. - -"Drop into the bottom of the boat," said Dory, in a low tone, to the -bow-oarsman, as he drew in his oar. - -Chuck complied with this request. He evidently regarded this suggestion -as a favor; and, without saying a word, he untied the rope that secured -Dory's arms. He had hardly done so before the boat shipped a sea, and -rolled over. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - UNDER THE LEE OF GARDINER'S ISLAND. - - -The boat dipped herself half full of water as soon as the two burglars -ceased to pull, and this weight of movable fluid increased her capacity -for rolling. At the next wave she went over, and the four persons in her -were spilled into the lake. All of them hung on to the overturned -tender, though, in the commotion of the waves, it was not an easy thing -to do so. - -Two of the party hung on at each side, and the water-logged boat was -steadied a little by their weight. Angy, in spite of the difficulties of -the situation, opened in a savage assault upon his companions, with his -flippant tongue, for their disobedience of orders, declaring that their -conduct had produced the disaster, which was quite true. - -"We are no worse off than we were in the boat, and it isn't any wetter -in the water than it was on board of her," replied Mack, who had caused -the mischief. "I had rather be here than in the boat off that point, -where you were trying to take us." - -"I shall fine you both for disobedience of orders," growled Angy. - -"That will make two fines saddled on me; and I suppose you mean to rob -me wholly of my share," added Chuck, as he emptied his mouth of the -lake-water, which had dashed in when he opened it. - -"I don't submit to any fine because I wouldn't let you drown me," added -Mack. - -"I think it is more comfortable here than it was in the boat," said -Chuck. "The wind is driving us to the shore, and we shall be on the land -in a few minutes." - -"How did that fellow get loose?" demanded Angy, when he discovered that -Dory was holding on at the boat, like the rest of them. - -"I let him loose when I saw that the boat was sure to be upset. I -suppose that is another fine," replied Chuck. - -"We shall be in hot water instead of cold, now," said Angy, who was -certainly realizing the full benefit of having a mutinous crew. - -"I didn't mean to let him drown, as he would when he couldn't help -himself," added Chuck. "I will tie him up again as soon as we get to the -shore." - -"It is no use to go on an expedition with such fellows as you are; and I -will never do it again," said Angy bitterly. - -The boat seemed to be making quite as much progress with the crew on the -outside of it, as she had when they were on the inside. A little later, -Chuck, who was at the bow of the boat, declared that he felt the bottom -with his feet. At that moment a big wave struck the boat, and drove them -on the beach. - -"Hold on to the boat!" shouted Angy. "Pick it up, and carry it up on the -shore! It will be smashed on the gravel, if you don't." - -The party took hold of the tender, and dragged it towards the land. -Before they could get it out of the water, the big waves knocked them -off their feet several times, and piled them up in a heap. The boat -pounded heavily on the gravel; and if it had not been well built, it -would have had some holes knocked in the bottom. But, after a desperate -struggle with the elements, they succeeded in getting out of the reach -of the waves. - -The moment the party stood on the beach, Angy threw himself upon Dory, -and brought him down. As before, he had taken him behind. Several times -the chief had called upon him to assist in dragging the boat out of the -water, but the prisoner felt that it would be treason to society to -assist in saving the tender. He made no reply, and Angy swore at him as -a pirate would have done. All the party were panting from the violence -of their exertion, and Dory had not expected an attack before they -recovered their breath. - -The leader was stimulated by wrath more than by a desire to secure the -safe retreat of his party, and he handled his prisoner very roughly. -Hardly able to breathe, he kicked his victim, and pounded him with his -fist. Dory was not in a situation to resist, and his arms were soon -bound behind him. - -Bluff Point, on which they had been driven by the fury of the storm, was -not more than an eighth of a mile across at the place where they were. -Angy, as soon as he had fastened his prisoner to a small tree, started -to walk over to the water on the other side. He was gone but a few -minutes. - -"We haven't any time to lose, fellows," said he. "We must carry the boat -across this point to the water." - -"Carry the boat!" exclaimed Mack. "It weighs half a ton!" - -"Do you prefer to go around that point?" asked Angy, with a sneer, which -it was not light enough to see. - -"Of course we can't go around the point, for the sea is awful there," -replied Mack, in a more subdued tone. "Why can't we stay where we are -till the storm subsides a little?" - -"And let old Squalipop send a squad here to capture us! Is that your -idea?" asked the chief. - -"Not exactly. They will not be likely to come here to look for us. This -fellow did not go back to tell him that we had come this way. How heavy -is the boat?" - -"It is not very heavy, and three of us can carry it well enough," -answered Angy. "If that fellow would take hold and help us, it would be -a light load for four of us." - -"Perhaps he will," added Mack. "Will you, my lad?" - -"I will not," replied Dory firmly. - -"Why not?" - -"I will not assist in your escape after you have committed a crime," the -prisoner explained. - -"What is your name, my boy?" asked Chuck. - -"Dory Dornwood." - -"Dory Dornwood!" exclaimed Angy, with no little astonishment. "I heard -Matt tell all about you last summer, and I don't need any introduction -to you. He said you could whip your weight in wild-cats, and would die -of thirst before you would drink a glass of beer." - -"I am not a fighting character," added Dory. - -"I should say not! I have handled you twice; and I don't know that I -should have dared to touch you if I had known who and what you were," -chuckled the leader. "But let us take hold of the boat, and see what we -can do with it." - -"Won't you give us a lift, Dory?" asked Chuck. "I did you a good turn in -the boat." - -"I cannot do any thing to assist in your escape, though I should be glad -to reciprocate your kind act," replied the prisoner. - -"It's no use to waste words with him," interposed Angy. "He is the -paragon of that school, and goes to the Sunday school." - -They raised the boat from the beach, and Mack declared that it was not -half as heavy as he had supposed. They rested several times, and carried -it to the water on the other side of the point without any great -difficulty. Angy returned for the prisoner as soon as they had put the -boat into the lake, and conducted him to it. He was put in the bow, -where he had been before. - -The water was sheltered by the point; and though it was rough anywhere -on the lake, it was smooth compared with its condition outside of the -bluff. It was just a mile from Bluff Point to Gardiner's Island, beyond -which Dory discovered the two masts of a vessel anchored there. He had -already heard enough to assure him that the burglars had composed the -crew of the schooner which had anchored in Beaver River. A portion of -them had visited the school, and in this way had obtained some knowledge -of the premises. - -"This storm won't last much longer," said Angy, as he looked out on the -stormy lake. "The wind is hauling more to the westward." - -"What's the reason we can't stay here a while, then, and wait till the -sea isn't quite so rough?" asked Mack, who evidently did not like the -looks of the water between the point and the island, smooth as it was -compared with the open lake. - -"How long do you suppose it will be before the men you heard in the road -will be down this way?" demanded Angy, with his chronic sneer. - -"They may not be here at all. They will take it for granted that we -don't go out on the lake in this weather; and it is a sensible view to -take of it," added Mack. - -"But they were coming this way when you heard them; and you forget the -plan I laid down to you yesterday afternoon," continued the chief, in a -more persuasive tone. "We don't want any one to know that the party who -did this job belong to the schooner. That would spoil all our plans, and -expose us; and this is the last of the jobs we had on our hands." - -"All right, Angy," replied Mack, who seemed to be convinced by the -argument. "But if we all get drowned in this scrape, we shall not make -much headway in the fun you have laid out for us." - -[Illustration: "I TOLD YOU TO GO ON BOARD THE SCHOONER," ADDED -ANGY.--PAGE 108.] - -"The sea isn't very rough off here; and as the wind has hauled more to -the westward, we shall go before it, and keep out of the trough of it," -Angy explained: and he seemed to be the authority in all nautical -matters. - -"Just as you say, Angy. If the boat upsets, as it did before, we shall -be just as comfortable in the water; and the wind will take us just -where we want to go." - -The experience of the party in the water seemed to increase rather than -diminish their confidence, for they had learned that the disaster of -swamping the boat was not necessarily fatal. Near the shore the water -was quite smooth, and the leader shoved the tender off. The two rowers -gave way, and the boat moved away from the point. In a few moments it -was in a rough sea; but the chief kept the craft exactly before it -without regard to his destination, and it went along very well. - -It was not smooth sailing, and the boat jumped like a galloping horse. -But the rowers were used to pulling in a heavy sea, though they had -never been in one like that of the lake. Dory was sitting with his back -to the course of the boat, and he watched the shore with the most -intense interest. He was sure his uncle would send a party to find him; -though the pursuers might follow the road for many miles, if they did -not resort to the Indian craft which had been of so much assistance to -him. - -Before the boat had made a fourth part of the distance it had to -accomplish, it began to rain. It came down in torrents, though it could -not make the party any wetter than they were already. It had rained all -the first part of the night, and now it seemed like a smart shower which -would soon be over. - -"This is just the thing we want," said Angy, in cheerful tones, and in -much better humor than he had been at any time before. - -"Why is it just the thing? Do you think it will lay the dust?" asked -Mack. - -"Not exactly: it will throw the dust into the eyes of the men who are -trying to follow us. The heavy rain is making a thick cloud on the -water, so that they can't see us. You can hardly make out the shore -now," replied Angy. - -But the wind blew the rain in the faces of the rowers with so much force -that they could not keep their eyes open much of the time. Assisted by -the gale, the boat drove furiously ahead. Occasionally a sea came in -over the stern, and the skipper had to use the bucket. She soon reached -the island; and when the boat came under its lee, their troubles for the -present were over. The La Motte was pitching violently at her anchor -when they boarded her. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - A BATTLE WITH THE ELEMENTS. - - -The two oarsmen sprang on board of the La Motte, Chuck taking the -painter. The schooner was not anchored near enough to the island to -shelter her entirely from the fury of the blast, and she was making -rather rough weather of it. The tender banged against her sides, and -Angy was in a hurry to get on board. - -"Come, Dory!" shouted he to his prisoner. "Heave ahead, and go on -board!" - -Dory tried to stand up, but the uneasy motion of the boat prevented him -from doing so successfully. He was compelled to resume his seat as often -as he tried to do so, or he would have been knocked overboard. - -"What are you about, you squillypod? Why don't you obey orders? I told -you to go on board of the schooner," added Angy. - -"You can see for yourself that it is impossible for me to do so with my -hands tied behind," replied Dory, in his usual calm tones. - -"That's so," added Chuck, who stood at the gangway with the painter in -his hand. "No fellow could stand up in that boat with his hands tied -behind him." - -"Do you want me to let him loose?" demanded Angy. "Not if I know -myself!" - -"All right; have your own way," added Chuck. - -"Put yourself on your pins now, Squillypod!" said the chief sharply. "I -am not going to fool all day with you. Get on board of the schooner, and -then you will be out of trouble." - -"It is useless for me to attempt to do an impossible thing," replied -Dory. "The bulwarks of the vessel are three feet above the boat, and I -can't step that distance. The only way to get on board is to take hold -with the hands, and climb up. I think you can see that for yourself. I -am willing to go on board, and I would do so if I could. It is -impossible to stand up in the boat." - -"Come along and try it, and I will boost you up," Angy insisted. - -"He can't do it," added Chuck. "Try to stand up yourself with your hands -free, and you will see how it is, Angy." - -"Shut up, Chuck! If you interfere with me again, I will throw you -overboard. I want you to understand that I am in command here, and I -won't let any fellow meddle with my affairs," said the chief angrily. "I -will put another fine down against you." - -"All right; fix things to suit yourself!" replied Chuck, as mad as his -superior in rank. "I have had about enough of this thing, if I am to be -snubbed like a school-boy." - -As he spoke, he spitefully threw down the rope in his hand, apparently -forgetting that it was the painter of the tender which contained his -chief and the prisoner. A swashing wave at that moment took the boat, -and swept it far from the schooner. Then Chuck realized what he had -done, and he made a spring to recover the rope. He saw the end of it -drag over the bulwarks, and drop into the boiling waters. - -"What are you about, Chuck?" demanded Angy, overwhelmed by the -consequences of his subordinate's wrath. "You have turned me adrift." - -Chuck understood this as well as his leader, and he had done his best to -recover the painter; but he was as powerless to do any thing more, as -though he had been on the top of Bluff Point. - -"I did not mean to let go the painter," shouted he; but this honest -declaration did no good at all. - -Angy was alone in the tender with the prisoner. He did not blame his own -unreasonableness in trying to make his companion do an impossible thing, -but he charged all the fault upon his mutinous subordinate. But there he -was, and his associates on board of the La Motte could not do a thing to -assist him. The fierce wind was driving the boat away from the vessel, -and the chief must act at once if ever. - -He seized the oars with a sort of desperation, as the serious nature of -the situation impressed itself on his mind. He seated himself on the -after thwart, and shipped the oars. The tender had begun to drift stern -foremost; and she had already whirled round once, as the waves lifted -her almost out of the water. The boat was too wide to permit one to row -two-handed with ease, and he had to do his work under a decided -disadvantage. - -His first effort was to get the boat head to the sea, and he had nearly -swamped her in his struggle to do so. But he succeeded in the end, -though the tender was half full of water when he got her about. Then he -began to pull with all his might. He certainly made a plucky and -determined attempt to get the better of the elements, though the result -could not be foreseen. - -The weather was warm and muggy in spite of the gale, which some -experienced skippers on the lake called a hurricane; and the -perspiration poured in great drops from the face of the desperate -burglar. The rain still fell in sheets, and in a short time the cloud -would cover the water so that he could not see the vessel or the island. -Angy worked as though his salvation in this world and the next depended -upon his success. - -Dory was unable to determine whether the accident to the boat was to be -a chance or a mischance to him. The boat was half full of water; and if -the burglar lost his pluck, and gave up rowing, the tender would fall -off into the trough of the sea, and probably capsize again. With his -arms bound behind him, he could not well avoid being drowned, though he -felt that he had some chance of saving himself, shackled as he was. - -He had lost sight of the island, and the schooner would soon disappear. -He looked behind him occasionally, in order to keep his bearings as long -as there was any thing in sight in that direction. Ahead of him, -although Camp-Meeting Point was less than a mile distant, there was -nothing but the cloud of fog and rain to be seen. He was especially -interested to know whether or not the burglar was making any progress -towards the schooner. He had lost sight of the island, which he could -see when the rower was getting the boat about; and, as the vessel was -seen less distinctly than when he began to pull ahead, he concluded that -he was losing instead of gaining. - -The drops of rain and sweat poured from Angy's face as he struggled with -the oars. Dory admitted to himself that the rower handled his implements -skilfully; but he did not believe any man could make headway against -such a sea, which had considerably increased in force as the boat went -farther from Bluff Point. - -It was soon evident to Dory that the powers of Angy were failing him. -Through the spray that beat against the bow of the tender, and dashed -over him, he looked for the schooner, which was almost out of sight. It -was clear enough now, if it had not been so before, that the tender was -losing ground. The strength, and perhaps the pluck, of Angy were giving -out. - -Dory watched the face of the chief with increasing interest when the -result of the battle with the elements was no longer a problem to him. -Angy was breathing rapidly, for he had well-nigh exhausted the reservoir -of his breath. The observer came to the conclusion that he had given up -the struggle, and was simply pulling to prevent the tender from falling -off into the trough of the sea. Gradually he remitted his exertions, -until he did only enough to keep the boat's head up to the sea. Dory -could easily realize that he was considering what he should do. - -It did not look as though he could do any thing. Relieved by moderating -his efforts, he recovered his breath, and slowly improved his condition. -Dory was behind him; though the oarsman turned his head often enough to -enable him to see his face, and judge what was passing in his mind. When -Angy had in some measure recovered his powers, he turned more than he -had at any time before, and took a look at his prisoner. Dory was making -himself as comfortable as he could, though this is saying very little. - -"See here, Squillypod! I want you to come into the stern of the boat, -for she is down too much by the head," said he, without suspending his -labor at the oars. "Work yourself aft, feet foremost, and don't try to -stand up." - -This order looked as though the burglar intended to resort to some new -expedient. Any thing for a change was satisfactory to Dory, and he -obeyed the order. With his foot he removed the forward thwart, on which -the second rower had been seated, and then worked himself past it, on -the bottom of the boat. - -"Now stop where you are," said Angy, as soon as he reached his seat. - -Dory obeyed, and remained seated in the bottom of the tender, directly -behind the rower. Then, not a little to the astonishment of the -prisoner, Angy began to untie the cords which bound him. He did the job -by fits and starts, being obliged to use one or the other oar -occasionally to keep the boat from falling off. But he finished the -task, and Dory found that he was free; and it was a delightful sensation -to be able to change the position of his arms. - -As soon as he was released, without waiting for any order from the -burglar, he moved aft to the stern-sheets of the boat. While he was -doing so, Angy shifted to the forward thwart, keeping the oars at work -all the time, with hardly a moment's intermission. - -"Now take the other oar, Squillypod!" said the chief, in imperative -tones. - -"Where are we to go?" asked Dory. - -"Where are we to go! None of your business where we are going! Obey my -order, or it will be the worse for you!" returned Angy. - -"If you are going to the shore, I will pull the other oar: if you are -going back to the schooner I will not pull a stroke," added Dory. - -"Won't you?" howled the robber, with an oath which was colder to the -prisoner's blood than the angry elements. "I will see if you won't! I am -going to the schooner, and you are going to pull that oar!" - -As he spoke, he drew a revolver from his hip-pocket. Dory did not like -the looks of this implement; but he could not assist the burglar to -escape, and he took no notice of it. Angy raised the weapon hastily, and -pulled the trigger. It was soaked with water, and did not go off. Dory -did not wait for a second trial, but threw himself on the robber. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE TURNING OF THE TABLES. - - -Dory Dornwood had made no promises in order to procure his release from -the bonds with which he had been secured, and he felt free to fight his -way out of the scrape into which he had fallen, if he could. Mr. Michael -Angelo Spickles had looked, talked, and acted as though he regarded his -prisoner with the utmost contempt. - -They did not live in the same moral atmosphere, in the first place; and -the leader of the robbers had heard something of the prowess of Dory -from Matt Randolph. By taking him in the rear, he had twice overcome -him, and tied his arms behind him. Perhaps the fact that he had been -able to do so was the most direct source of his contempt. He went to -Sunday school, as Angy described his general character; and he did not -believe that a lamb of this sort could be a lion when the occasion -required. - -Angy had been perfectly sure that the exhibition of his revolver would -reduce the prisoner to complete subjection if he proved to be refractory -after he had released him. He had not intended to shoot him, when he -snapped the weapon at him, for he knew something of the consequences of -such a murderous act. But Dory did not "scare" as readily as he had -supposed he would, and the fact that he was a Sunday-school scholar did -not make a coward of him. - -As soon as the revolver missed fire, Dory decided not to wait for a -dryer cartridge to explode. The boat was jumping on the waves at a -furious rate, and was in the act of falling off into the trough of the -sea when Angy made his demonstration with the pistol. To prevent this, -he had attempted to use his oars. Dory made a long spring, and threw -himself on the chief of the burglars. - -He came down upon him like a heavy body dropped from some point -overhead. The thwart on which Angy was seated slipped out of its place -under the concussion, and the two combatants came down in the bottom of -the boat. Dory seized his intended victim by the throat, and contrived -to get his legs on the arms of the fallen leader. Then he choked him -with all his might as he struggled to free himself from this fierce -embrace. - -The boat fell off into the trough of the sea, and the water poured in -upon them. Dory saw, that, if the affair was not finished very quickly, -the conclusion of it would have to be reached in the water, with no boat -under him. But no human being could stand the amount of choking -inflicted upon Angy, and he soon weakened under the punishment. With a -sudden movement, Dory turned him over on his face, and crowded his head -down into the water in the bottom of the boat. - -The rope with which Dory had been bound was within his reach; and, as -soon as the resistance under him would permit, he grasped it with one -hand, while he held the victim with the other. Angy realized what he was -doing, even while his breath was bubbling in the water under him; and he -made his last effort to shake off the Sunday-school scholar. But he was -too weak to accomplish any thing, and he had to give up the battle. - -It was the work of but a moment for Dory to tie his arms behind him, -though he did it in the most thorough manner. He picked up the revolver, -and put it in his pocket. Then he dragged the fallen chief to the -stern-sheets, and dumped him in the bottom. The tables had turned, and -the leading spirit of the Nautifelers Club was the prisoner. He was -utterly exhausted by his choking and his useless struggles, and he lay -catching his breath where his conqueror had thrown him. - -Dory realized that he had no time to spare, if he intended to get the -boat to the shore right side up. He sprang to the oars, and brought the -tender around before the wind. He was too tired himself to row, and he -simply kept the craft from getting into any dangerous situation. With -one hand he bailed out the boat, while he used an oar with the other. - -Angy was rapidly recovering from the effects of the battle, and he -worked himself into a sitting position. Then he looked about him, and -especially at the stalwart young man in front of him, whose prowess he -had held in contempt. He did what Dory had done a dozen times while he -was a prisoner,--he essayed to test the strength of his bonds; but they -had been adjusted by one who was skilled in handling rigging. He said -nothing, but the situation looked very bad to him. The Sunday-school -scholar was not an infant, and Angy was willing now to believe what Matt -Randolph had told him about the paragon of the school. - -Dory bailed out the boat till it was comfortable in her, and then he -hastened the progress of the craft by the use of the oars. It still -rained in torrents, but there was a light in the east which indicated -that it was the "clearing-up shower." Looking behind him, Dory -discovered the land, and felt something like Columbus on another -occasion. He knew just where he was; and he changed the course of the -tender, in order to make a little cove. - -Before he could get to the shore, the rain ceased, and the mist cleared -off from the surface of the water. Suddenly the hurricane seemed to -subside. The clouds, which had been dense and black overhead, began to -break. It ended, like all storms in this locality which come from the -south, as abruptly as it begun. - -The La Motte could be seen quite distinctly, for she was hardly a mile -distant. The four robbers on board of her were hoisting the foresail, -which looked as though it had been reefed; and they were evidently going -in search of their lost chief. Dory was happy enough to smile, and he -did smile; for he was out of the reach of any pursuers in a large -vessel. The wind had greatly abated its violence; and Dory had been -obliged to pull some distance from his former course, in order to make -the creek. But the water was shallow around him, and the schooner could -not come near the land. - -The inlet was the mouth of a brook, and he pulled some distance into it. -When he came to a good place to land, he leaped ashore, and hauled up -the bow out of the water. Without a small boat, it was simply impossible -for the crew of the La Motte to follow him, even if they succeeded in -finding him. - -Dory was tired enough to seat himself on a rock, and recover his -exhausted powers. He had a prisoner, and a resolute one, and he must get -him to the school in some manner. It was likely to be hard work. He took -Angy's revolver from his pocket: he wiped the water off its barrels and -stock. Then he examined the cartridges. They were metallic, and ought -not to be affected by the water. Aiming at a small tree, he discharged -one of the barrels, and found it went off as well as it would if it had -not been in the water. - -"That shooter served me a bad turn," said Angy. "I never knew it to miss -before." - -"It served me a good turn if you aimed at me when you tried to fire it," -added Dory. "However, it seems to be in condition to be useful to me if -I have occasion to use it." - -Its present possessor put it back into his pocket. He resolved to manage -his case so well that he would have no occasion to use such a deadly -weapon, and he shuddered at the very thought of firing at a human being. - -"You have got ahead of me, Dory," continued Angy, bestowing a searching -look upon his captor. "Chuck ruined me when he threw that painter -overboard." - -"In a moral point of view, that act may be your salvation," added Dory. - -"I don't think I care about hearing any Sunday-school talk on this -subject," replied Angy, with a scornful look on his face. "The time has -not yet come for my punishment." - -"Not just yet; but after you have thought of this thing for three or -five years in the State prison, you may come to the conclusion that the -Sunday school is not a bad institution for a fellow like you. If you had -attended one, and given heed to its instructions, you would feel a good -deal better than you do now." - -"I say, Dory, can't we fix this thing up now?" asked Angy. - -"Certainly we can; and that is just what we are going to do," replied -Dory cheerfully. "I am only waiting a little while to rest. Then we will -fix it up." - -"You are a good fellow, or you could not have got the upper hands of -me." - -"Then you must be a good fellow, or you could not have rendered me the -same service." - -"I don't think you understand me," continued Angy uneasily. "I suppose -you like money, if you do go to Sunday school." - -"I don't object to money: at least, I have no grudge against it." - -"That's sensible; and I will give you a thousand dollars in cash on the -spot, if you will go home without me. Just untie my arms, and let me -pull off to the schooner, and it will be all right. You can go on the -biggest temperance spree you ever heard of on that sum," said Angy -earnestly. - -"Spot cash?" - -"Spot cash." - -"You carry a good deal of money about with you, I see." - -"I happen to have it with me. You can take the money, and old Squalipop -will be none the wiser for what you have done." - -"Won't he?" - -"Not a bit of it! I shall get out of the way, and he won't know that you -and I have met." - -"But I shall know it myself, and that will be just as unfortunate as -though he knew it." - -"You can go back with a thousand dollars in your pocket, which will come -handy during vacation." - -"Go back with a thousand dollars in my pocket," repeated Dory, as though -he was musing over it. "A thousand dollars is a good thing to have, and -it is twice as good to have two thousand. I don't think I shall be -satisfied with one thousand. But I think you had better come on shore, -Angy. I won't ask you to do an impossible thing, and I will help you." - -Dory took the robber by the collar of his wet coat, and assisted him to -the shore. Angy made no resistance, though he evidently did not like the -proceedings of his captor. Dory seated him on a rock, and Angy continued -to argue in favor of the arrangement he had proposed. - -"Do you really carry a thousand dollars about you? I have my doubts; and -if you have no objections, I should like to satisfy myself on this -point," continued Dory; and as he spoke, he proceeded to make an -examination of the pockets of his prisoner. - -"But I do object!" protested the prisoner, as he sprang to his feet with -an effort, and began to whirl about like a top. "Don't put your hand on -me!" - -"Be calm and gentle, Angy," replied Dory, as he took the prisoner by the -collar, and tripped him up, so that he was forced to lie down, in spite -of himself. - -With his foot on the form of his victim, Dory thrust his hand into all -the pockets of Angy; and from the one inside of his vest, he drew out a -pocket-book, thoroughly soaked with water. He opened it, and found a -roll of bank-bills, which had been hastily tumbled into one of the -pockets. He unrolled the bills enough to find four five-hundred-dollar -notes, which assured him that the money had been taken from his uncle's -safe. - -"I will keep this pocket-book for you," said he. - -The prisoner was furious, and began to kick at his captor. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - DORY DORNWOOD RESORTS TO STRATEGY. - - -"Do you mean to rob me, Squillipod?" demanded Angy, and he kicked away -at the legs of his conqueror. "Is this a Sunday-school accomplishment?" - -"I said I was going to keep the money for you. Besides, as I said -before, it is better to have two thousand dollars than one thousand," -replied Dory, with his usual good nature. - -"But you are stealing it from me!" gasped the angry robber. - -"You appear to have forgotten where you got this money, Angy." - -"That is nothing to do with it. What is mine belongs to me." - -"All right; and it belongs to me just now." - -"Do you mean to rob me of my money?" demanded the vanquished chief, who -did not seem to be capable yet of realizing his situation. - -"Not exactly; but if you insist upon using that ugly word, I am only -going to rob you of what you stole from my uncle," replied Dory, as he -put the pocket-book into the inside of his vest. - -Without another word, the desperate chief rushed upon Dory, and made an -effort to upset him by lying down upon him, and kicking his shins. Of -course he could not accomplish any thing, though he made his captor -dance a jig in his attempts to escape the savage kicks of his prisoner. -But he was soon tired of this fruitless labor, and he stood still again. -It looked as though he had just begun to understand that Dory was in -earnest, and that he had lost the battle. Both of them looked at each -other, and then out upon the lake, which could be seen across the neck -of land. - -The La Motte had got up her anchor, and under a reefed foresail was -standing towards the shore. When Angy saw her, he gave a yell that could -be heard half a mile. His companions heard him, and immediately headed -the schooner in the direction from which the cry had come. One of those -on board gave an answering yell. - -"It is useless to wait for her," said Dory, who would not have denied -that he felt some anxiety. - -"I think I shall wait for her," replied Angy. - -"You will have to wait till the end of the year, then; for that schooner -will be aground in less than five minutes if she keeps on that course." - -One of the burglars was at the bow, sounding. The vessel was within the -eighth of a mile of the shore. Suddenly she came about, and the anchor -was let go. They had found they could come no nearer to the shore. Then -they began to shout the name of Angy. - -"I think we won't wait here any longer," said Dory, placing his hand on -the collar of his prisoner. - -"I think we will," replied Angy, as he began to kick again. - -Dory was obliged to knock him down again. Taking hold of his coat-collar -with both hands, he dragged him away from the inlet. By taking frequent -rests, he succeeded in moving him out of hailing-distance of the -schooner, though he could just hear the yells of the robbers on board of -her. Angy did not yell any more. The mode of transportation adopted by -Dory was not an agreeable one, and Angy promised to walk if his captor -would allow him to get up. - -"You have knocked the skin all off my legs," said he, as Dory assisted -him to rise. - -"I want you to understand that I am going to take you to the Beech Hill -Industrial School, Angy, and if you get hurt on the way, it will be your -own fault," said Dory impressively. - -"I can't stand being dragged like a dead snake, and I will walk," -answered Angy. "But you don't mean that you are going to hand me over to -old Squalipop?" - -"I am going to hand you over to Captain Gildrock, the principal of our -school." - -"But this was nothing but a lark on the part of our fellows, the members -of the Nautifelers Club. We are up here to have some fun; and you ought -not to make a serious thing of it," said Angy, trying to be amiable -again. - -"Blow up a safe in the night, and take over two thousand dollars from -it, and that is nothing but a lark! You can present that argument to the -principal; and he will hear it, for he is not deaf. What's that? I heard -voices," said Dory, looking about him. - -Dory was a little alarmed; for it occurred to him that the other -robbers, or some of them, had swum ashore. He listened, and heard the -voices again; but it came the wrong way to be from the crew of the -schooner. A moment's reflection assured him that it must be some party -from the school. Then he shouted, and received an answer to his hail. It -sounded like the voice of Mr. Jepson. - -Dory resumed his march with the prisoner. He began to feel as though he -was getting out of the woods. In a few minutes more he saw the engineer -and the carpenter hurrying towards him. Angy could not help seeing them -also; and he breathed a sigh, which was perhaps the knell of his hopes, -if he had had any hopes. - -"What have you got there, Dory?" called Mr. Brookbine, as soon as he -discovered the prisoner and his custodian. - -"One of them," replied Dory. - -"Where is the other one?" asked Mr. Jepson. - -"The other four are off on the lake, on board of that schooner which -came into the river yesterday. I am glad to see you, for I am very -tired," said Dory. - -As he spoke, he seated himself on a log. In as few words as possible he -related what had occurred, and described his conflict with his prisoner. -Angy could not help putting in a few words to explain how he happened to -be beaten. - -"We have examined the shore so far, and were following the road when we -heard shouting in this direction," said Mr. Jepson. - -"It was the voice of the prisoner, hailing his companions on board of -the schooner. I shouted as soon as I heard you," replied Dory. - -"It is all right, then; and we have nothing to do but take this fellow -back to the school," added Mr. Brookbine. - -"Can't you do that alone, Mr. Brookbine?" asked Dory. "I brought him so -far alone." - -"Certainly I can," replied the carpenter. "I think we shall find a team -as soon as we reach the road. There must be other parties out before -this time, for Captain Gildrock sent to all the officers in town. I will -send some of them over here." - -"Don't do it, if you please, Mr. Brookbine. If Mr. Jepson will stay with -me, we will see where that schooner goes," added Dory. - -"The storm is over, and the principal will be up here before long in one -of the steamers," said the machinist. - -"You may take this pocket-book to my uncle, if you please, Mr. -Brookbine. It contains all the money taken from the safe," continued -Dory, as he handed it to the carpenter. - -"The principal told me he had lost four five-hundred-dollar bills and -some other money," added Mr. Brookbine. - -"It is all in that pocket-book." - -The master-carpenter took the prisoner by the arm, and marched him off -in the direction he had come, leaving Dory still seated on the log. -After the kickings, after the constrained positions he had been -compelled to keep, to say nothing of the battle he had fought, and the -excitement to which he had been subjected, Dory was almost worn out. But -in half an hour he was well rested, and able to take any step that the -occasion might require. - -"But why do you remain here, Dory?" asked Mr. Jepson, after he had given -him more minute details of the experience of the morning than he had -been able to give before. - -"I have been remaining here, so far, for the purpose of getting a little -rested, and to wait for the next move on the part of the robbers on -board of the schooner," replied Dory, as he rose from his seat. "We will -go down to the lake now, if you please." - -"Are these burglars very desperate fellows?" asked the engineer. - -"The fellow Mr. Brookbine has in charge is the worst one; but they are a -hard lot, any way." - -The instructor in mechanics took from his pocket the revolver with which -he had armed himself, rather to show that he was ready for an emergency, -than for any other purpose; and Dory was not sorry to see that he was -prepared for the worst that was likely to happen. He had some very -distinct views of his own, though he was not at all inclined to -undertake any hazardous enterprise. - -Dory led the way to the inlet where he had left the boat. From this -place they could see the masts of the La Motte. She had anchored off -Camp-Meeting Point, which was in the shape of a pear, with the small end -next to the main land. The La Motte lay on the edge of the shoal which -extended all the way along the shore to Bluff Point. She might have gone -nearer to the shore, but her crew seemed to be afraid to risk it. - -Dory asked the instructor to get into the boat, and he pulled down -nearly to the entrance of the inlet. Then they hauled the boat into the -bushes, and landed. Carefully keeping themselves out of sight, they -obtained a fair view of the vessel. Something seemed to be going on upon -her deck. The crew were lowering something into the water. - -"What are they doing?" asked Mr. Jepson. - -Before he had time to answer the question, one of the burglars shouted -three times, calling "Angy." Dory ran to the head of the inlet, through -the trees, for all the shore was wooded. He expected the call to be -repeated, but he heard nothing for some time. Then he ran in the -direction of the point. Disguising his voice as much as he could, he -called to Mack. The answer came at once, and Dory hastened back to the -entrance of the creek. The burglars had a good right to suppose their -missing leader was on shore at the place where Dory had hailed them. - -"They were putting the hatches into the water," said he, when he joined -his companion. - -"They have just dropped another into the water, and they are holding -them with lines," added Mr. Jepson. "What are they going to do with -them?" - -"They are going to use them as rafts, and they are going ashore to look -for their missing chief. They won't find him," replied Dory, laughing. - -"But they will find us," suggested the instructor. - -"I don't believe they will; for as soon as they are fairly on the shore, -we will make our next move. There they go! Two of them are going to -leave the schooner; and, according to my reckoning, there will be but -two left on board of her." - -They watched the movements of the two men as they embarked on their -floats. The heavy sea had subsided to a great degree, but it was still -rough. One of the rafts soon tipped its man off, and he continued his -voyage by simply clinging to it. The other was soon compelled to resort -to the same expedient. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - THE ARRIVAL OF MICHAEL ANGELO SPICKLES. - - -The bell on the dormitory was rung at the regular hour, and every thing -went on as usual at the school. Captain Gildrock had started out all the -officers in Genverres to hunt down the burglars. The engineer and the -carpenter had the start of them, but at breakfast-time nothing had been -heard from them. It was Saturday, and the regular sessions of the school -were suspended on that day; but the order had been given for all the -students to assemble in the schoolroom at eight o'clock. - -The excitement had almost entirely subsided, and the only thing that -disturbed the principal was the continued absence of Dory. But Mr. -Jepson and Mr. Brookbine had gone in search of him, and it did not -appear that any thing else could be done. Mrs. Dornwood and Marian were -very anxious about him; and as soon as it appeared that the storm had -subsided, the captain promised to send out all the steamers and -sailing-craft to explore the lake and the eastern shore. - -At the appointed hour all the students were in their places, some of -them expecting to hear the principal speak of the burglary, though the -old scholars were not of this number. If there was any exciting topic -not connected with the school current on the premises, Captain Gildrock -usually ignored it. He made the work of the school the main topic, and -never put the routine aside unless for sufficient reasons. - -"As the season opens, we are to make the sailing of boats the principal -object of study and practice," the principal began, much to the -disappointment of many of the students, who wanted to know what he -thought about the burglary. "This matter has always been attended to -more or less, though we have never given it special attention till this -season. - -"While we shall be obliged to confine our practice in sailing to small -craft, I shall give you some idea of the management of larger craft. In -one of the palaces in St. Petersburg, there is a mast set up, and fully -sparred and rigged, for the instruction of the young Grand Dukes in -seamanship. From this model they learn all the details of the spars, -rigging, and sails; and having learned it on one mast, they apply it to -any other. - -"I have already given this information so far as it could be done in a -lecture illustrated with drawings. You have studied these drawings, and -you ought to know the names and uses of the principal pieces of rigging. -I gave you the system by which the names are applied; and at the time of -it, you seemed to have mastered the subject, though you have doubtless -forgotten some of the details. - -"But this is not a study-hour, and perhaps it would be better for me to -answer questions, of which you seem to have a full supply on hand at all -times. At any rate, I shall ascertain what you wish to know on this -subject." - -Lon Dorset raised his hand, and the principal indicated by a nod that he -might proceed. All eyes were directed towards him. - -"I wish to know if there is ever a square-sail rigged with a gaff on the -mizzen-mast of a brig, above the spanker,--a sail set like the mainsail -of a schooner?" asked the inquirer. - -"On which mast?" asked the principal; and there was something like a -suppressed laugh among the old sailors of the school. - -"The mizzen-mast, sir," replied Lon confidently. - -The old sailors laughed out loud, for it was rather a pleasure to trip -up any one in a nautical blunder. - -"There is no such mast in a brig," added Captain Gildrock. - -"I beg your pardon, sir; but you told us, in the lecture you gave us on -the different rigs of vessels, that a brig had two masts,--the main and -the mizzen," continued Lon, picking up his note-book, and hastily -turning the leaves. - -"I think not, Dorset," said the principal with a smile. "I know better -than that, and I should not be likely to say such a thing." - -"Here it is, just as I wrote it down at the time of it," persisted Lon. -"I didn't know any thing at all about such vessels, and I should not -have been likely to put down what you didn't say. 'In a vessel with two -masts, the terms are main and mizzen.'" - -About a dozen others began to turn the leaves of their note-books, and -then Dolly Woodford raised his hand. The principal nodded to him. - -"I have it down in the same way," said Dolly. - -"So have I," added Sam Spottwood. - -"Main and mizzen," followed Chick Penny, reading from his book. - -Half a dozen of the students said the same thing, after consulting their -notes taken on the spot. - -"I have it so, sir; and I thought it was a mistake. I was going to ask -you about it, but I did not get a chance to do so," said Dick Short. - -"I shall have to give it up," replied the principal; "and I cheerfully -acknowledge that you are right, and I am wrong. I must have said so, -since you prove that I did. A person sometimes says a thing exactly -opposite from what he means. I must ask you to correct the record, and -write it down, that, in a vessel with two masts, the terms are fore and -main. You mean a square-sail above the spanker on the mainmast of a -brig; though you are not responsible for making it the mizzen, Dorset." - -"Yes, sir. I saw a picture in an old book with such a sail on the -mainmast," replied the student. - -"I have seen such a sail once or twice in my life at sea; but it is not -common, especially at the present day. The ordinary gaff-topsail, if any -sail is to be set above the spanker on a brig, could present quite as -much surface, and be more easily handled." - -Another student raised his hand, and the principal was going to give him -permission to speak, when the door of the schoolroom was opened, and Mr. -Brookbine, rifle in hand, and leading Mr. Michael Angelo Spickles by the -arm, marched into the room. He made his way directly to the platform -where the captain stood. Of course, this arrival made a decided -sensation among the students, though they did not indulge in any -demonstration. - -"I beg your pardon, Captain Gildrock, for bringing this gentleman here, -but I could not find any one below to take charge of him while I sent -for you," said the master-carpenter; for he knew that the principal did -not like any thing sensational in the presence of the students. - -"You are excusable under the circumstances, Mr. Brookbine," replied the -captain. "Very likely the students will be glad to see the gentleman, if -that is what you call him." - -"I suppose that is what he calls himself." - -"But where is Dory, Mr. Brookbine?" asked the principal, with more -anxiety in his tones than he was in the habit of displaying when any -thing troubled him. - -"He is all right, sir. He has gone with Mr. Jepson to follow this matter -up a little further," replied the carpenter. - -Captain Gildrock smiled, for his anxiety was relieved. He turned from -the instructor to the prisoner he had brought, and whose face he had not -noticed before. Possibly it was to some extent an affectation for him to -appear to be unmoved, whatever happened; and he had hardly noticed the -carpenter and his prisoner when they entered the room. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Spickles. I see that you have done me the honor to -call again, and I shall endeavor to appreciate your courtesy," said the -captain, when he recognized his visitor of the day before. - -"I did not come of my own accord this time, and no compliments are in -order," growled Spickles. - -"This visit is quite unexpected. I remember that you seemed to feel a -lively interest in my safe in the office; and you have proved to your -satisfaction that it is not a wooden one," continued Captain Gildrock. -"I must confess that I am greatly surprised to find a young gentleman -with your brilliant ideas engaged in blowing open safes." - -"Here is a pocket-book which was taken from him," interposed the -carpenter, as he handed it to the principal. "I did not tell you that -this was the chief of the burglars, but such is the fact." - -The captain opened the pocket-book, and took the wet bills from it. - -"These were the bills in the safe, without any doubt; and I am fortunate -to recover them. Every dollar stolen is here. You have made a bad -investment, Mr. Spickles." - -"The storm was against my side of the question. If it had not been for -that, you would never have seen your money again," muttered Spickles, -who appeared to think that an apology for his failure was due. - -"Then, I ought to be grateful for the storm," added the principal. "I -suppose the young gentleman who called with you yesterday assisted you -in this delicate operation." - -"I don't answer questions," growled the burglar. - -"Perhaps Mr. Brookbine will be more communicative," said the captain, -turning to the instructor in carpentry. - -"I don't know much about the others, only from what Dory said to me. He -told me about his dealings with these fellows; and as usual, he has -acted like a hero," replied the instructor. - -At this remark, there was a burst of applause, and all the students -manifested the most intense interest in the proceedings. The principal -looked at them, and perhaps he thought it would be cruel not to gratify -their excited curiosity to know the particulars of the capture of the -burglar. - -"Mr. Spickles will be more comfortable if you remove the cords that bind -him; and I will invite him to take a seat on the platform by my side," -continued Captain Gildrock, as he placed a chair for the culprit. "I -trust he will not make it necessary for me to put my hands upon him." - -Mr. Brookbine released the prisoner, and put him in the chair assigned -to him. If he thought of escaping, the stalwart forms of the principal -and the master-carpenter were sufficiently formidable to intimidate him. -Mr. Brookbine was then invited to explain what had happened during his -absence, and to do it so that all the students could hear him. The boys -were delighted at this unexpected privilege, and they listened with the -deepest interest to the narrative of Dory's doings since he left the -school early in the morning. When the result of his battle in the boat -with the chief was reached, the students applauded lustily, and the -principal did not check them. With only a little less dignity he would -have done the same himself. - -"Then, Dory has gone to look after the schooner, has he?" asked Captain -Gildrock, when the narrative was finished. - -"Yes, sir: he and Mr. Jepson left me, to attend to this matter." - -"I hope they don't intend to capture the schooner," added the principal, -with a smile. "Dory is a prudent young man, and I don't expect him to -undertake any Munchausen adventures." - -"He said he was going to watch the schooner: he did not say he intended -to capture the vessel," replied the carpenter. - -"How many persons were there on board of the schooner, Randolph?" asked -the principal. - -"Five in all, all members of the Nautifelers Club," replied Matt. - -"The Nautifelers Club will not exist much longer. Under the present -circumstances, we will defer the lecture on sailing to another day. The -gale has subsided, and we will attend to the practical part of the -lesson. Randolph, you will take your class in the Lily; Glovering, you -may take Dory's class in his absence; the rest of you will man the two -steamers." - -This announcement was received with applause, and Mr. Brookbine was -instructed to take his prisoner to the lock-up. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - THE RESULT OF DORY'S STRATEGY. - - -Dory Dornwood and Mr. Jepson watched the movements of the two men on the -rafts as they approached the shore, driven before the strong wind, -though it had ceased to be a furious gale by this time. The La Motte had -swung round with her head to the wind, and the two members of the -Nautifelers Club who remained on board of her had seated themselves on -the taffrail to watch their progress. - -"They must understand by this time that something has happened to -Spickles," said the instructor, as they looked out from their -hiding-place in the trees. - -"Who is Spickles?" asked Dory, who had not heard the name of the leader -before. - -"He is the fellow you call Angy, and his full name is Michael Angelo -Spickles. The two given names appear to have been used to take off the -curse of the homely last name; but Buonarotti is not honored in his -namesake," added the instructor, laughing. "I saw him yesterday when he -called at the school, and Matt Randolph told me something about him." - -"I saw the schooner in the river yesterday, but I did not go very near -her. These fellows are a bad lot, and a few years in the State prison -will do them good. I begin to feel as though it were breakfast-time," -said Dory. "I have had a long tramp this morning." - -"I have the same feeling. But what are you going to do, Dory?" asked the -instructor, to whom Dory had not yet explained his intentions, if he had -any. - -"I don't know yet: that will depend upon what those fellows do. I should -like to get possession of that schooner and the four fellows that belong -to the gang; and I shall be willing to go without my breakfast for the -sake of doing it," replied Dory. "I should like to sail the La Motte -into Beechwater with these four fellows under the hatches." - -"Do you think of doing any thing of that sort?" asked the instructor, -with no little astonishment on his face. - -"Not without your consent and assistance, Mr. Jepson." - -"That would be a rather bold enterprise, Dory." - -"We are only two, and I don't think of fighting them, or any thing of -that sort; though I am ready to lay hands on them if the chances are in -our favor. I don't think they are fighting characters, like the one -already captured." - -"But they are not going to give themselves up without some sort of -persuasion." - -"We will persuade them, then, if they insist upon it. There are only two -of them left on board of the vessel. By the use of a little strategy, we -can get on board of the schooner. Then we can watch our chances, and do -what the occasion may require." - -"Very well, Dory: I will assist you. But your uncle will not care to -have you attack these fellows." - -"I don't know that we shall attack them: that will depend upon -circumstances. I handled the chief of the gang, and I am sure I can -manage any one of the others. They are not more than eighteen or twenty -years old, and I am as heavy as any of them." - -"Then, I ought to be able to manage the second one," added the -instructor. - -"The two who are going ashore cannot possibly get back to the vessel -without a boat; and, no doubt, they count upon finding the one they used -this morning." - -"You must be very careful what you do, Dory." - -"I certainly shall be; but I can't think of letting these villains -escape, as they may, if we do nothing." - -"One of them has reached the shore," said Mr. Jepson. - -"And the other will be there in a moment," added Dory, as he rose from -his sitting posture to enable him to see better. "They will make it -their first business to find Angy Spickles. They won't find him, and -they will do a good deal of looking for him before they give him up. We -will not show ourselves for a while,--not till the two on shore have had -time to go some distance from the lake." - -The second raftsman landed on the beach all in a heap, and the first one -assisted him out of the water. They dragged their floats out of the -water, possibly thinking they might want them again; though they must be -reasonably sure of finding the schooner's boat. - -As soon as they had disposed of their rafts, they started for the point -from which the last call of their leader, as they supposed, had come. -They began to shout as they went into the woods, and in a short time -their voices came to the listeners from a considerable distance. - -"Now is our time," said Dory, as he seated himself in the boat, and got -the oars ready for use. - -"Shall I take an oar?" - -"That will be the better way. When those on board see the boat coming, -they will think it is their two companions, and they will wonder what -has become of Angy," continued Dory. - -"But if the fellows on shore see us, they will spoil your little -arrangement," suggested the instructor. - -"But they won't see us. How can they see us when they are a quarter of a -mile off in the woods?" argued Dory. - -Both of the rowers gave way, and the boat advanced towards the La Motte. -As soon as the two on board of her saw the tender, they left their -places on the taffrail, and went into the waist, where they could obtain -a better view of the boat. It would be an easy thing for them to -recognize the tender, for, like the schooner itself, it was painted -green. - -"I am afraid they will recognize us," said Dory, "or fail to recognize -their companions, which amounts to the same thing. I am going to take my -coat off, and tie a handkerchief on my head; and you had better do the -same. It will be some disguise." - -This change was made in the appearance of the rowers, and they resumed -their oars. The sea was still heavy enough to require both skill and -strength in handling the boat; but Dory was an expert, and they made -good progress towards the La Motte. The fact that there were only two in -the boat was likely to excite the suspicion of those on board of the -schooner. - -"Where is Angy?" shouted one of them, as soon as the boat came within -hail of the vessel. - -Dory did not consider it prudent to answer this question; for his voice -was likely to betray him, or at least to assure the burglars that the -speaker was not one of their number. He had been with them for some -time, though he had been silent. - -"I think you had better do the talking, Mr. Jepson, for they will know -me," said Dory. - -"Wouldn't it be better to do no talking?" asked the instructor. - -"We must answer them if they keep hailing us, or they will be -suspicious." - -"Have you seen any thing of Angy?" shouted one of the burglars. - -"He is on shore," replied Mr. Jepson. - -"Why didn't he come off with you?" - -"His business was such that he couldn't leave," answered the machinist; -but perhaps they did not hear his reply. - -The two burglars seemed to be talking together, and the boat was now -almost near enough to hear what they said. Like all the rest of the -intercourse in the party, it was not entirely harmonious, and they -appeared to be disputing about something. As the boat approached the -schooner, Dory told the instructor what to say. - -"One of you go aft, and put the helm hard down, and the other cast off -the main-sheet, or you will drag your anchor, and get aground!" shouted -the instructor, as they came alongside of the schooner. - -Dory took it for granted that the hands on board of the La Motte were -not sailors; though he had seen enough of their management of the -schooner to convince him that they were not skilful seamen, to say the -least. Both of the men hastened aft, without appearing to understand -that the order given them was an absurd one. With the painter of the -boat in his hand, Dory leaped on board of the vessel, and Mr. Jepson -followed him. - -The mainsail of the schooner was furled, and casting off the main-sheet -could not have the least effect upon her; but one of them cast it off, -and the other was at the tiller. He did not know what "hard down" meant, -as no one would have known when the schooner was at anchor. - -"Which way shall I put the tiller?" asked the one who was at the helm. - -"That's right as you have it," replied the machinist, prompted by Dory. - -While he was making it fast with the tiller-lines, the other one came -into the waist. Dory turned his back to him, regardless of the law of -politeness. The instructor was a stranger to him; but as he came off in -the schooner's boat, he did not seem to suspect that there was any thing -wrong. - -"Have you seen Captain Spickles?" he asked. - -"Yes: we saw him on shore, but he was not ready to come on board," -answered the instructor. - -By this time Dory had worked himself to a position in the rear of the -fellow, who was rather diminutive in form; and he did not lose an -instant in resorting to the tactics of Captain Spickles himself. Placing -his hands on the shoulders of his intended victim, he raised his right -knee to the small of his back, and brought him down with very little -effort. He had picked up a piece of line before, with which he tied his -arms behind him, even before the one at the tiller had noticed what was -going on. - -"What are you about there?" demanded the other, as soon as he saw what -had been done, and hastened to the waist. - -"Throw up your hands!" said the machinist, as he brought his revolver to -bear upon him. - -The weapon had its effect, and the fellow promptly obeyed the order. -Dory secured him as he had the first one, and the business was finished -without disaster to any one. The prisoners were astonished, and it was -evident that they were inferior in force to the other three. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - UNDER WAY, OR UNDER WEIGH. - - -Captain Michael Angelo Spickles was delivered to an officer, who -committed him to a cell in the lock-up. The future must have looked very -dark to him, for he was morally sure of spending the next few years in -the State prison. The Nautifelers Club had come to naught. Only the day -before, he had been blackguarding his former friend for not drinking -beer, and for being correct in his moral ideas. To-day he was in -condition to see the folly of his conduct, even from a merely worldly -point of view. - -At the Beech Hill Industrial School, as soon as the principal dismissed -the students, the wharf and the boat-house were scenes of intense -activity. Although Captain Gildrock had not the slightest intention of -exposing them to a possible shot from the burglars, many of the pupils -believed they were going out in search of the companions of the chief -who had been exhibited to their wondering gaze in the schoolroom. - -The principal was not at all inclined to foster their belligerent -propensities, and he mercilessly ridiculed any thing that looked like a -fight to "see who was the better man." If it was clearly shown that a -boy had fought purely in self-defence, after he had done nothing to -provoke his opponent to wrath, if he did not commend him, he excused -him. - -Mr. Brookbine had reported that Mr. Jepson and Dory were watching the -schooner, which was at anchor off Camp-Meeting Point. Four of the five -members of the Nautifelers Club must still be on board of her. This was -understood by all on the place. The principal hoped that Dory would not -do any thing more than watch the La Motte. If he had known just what his -nephew was about, he would have interposed to prevent him from meddling -with such dangerous characters. - -Mrs. Dornwood had been in a fever of excitement all the morning; for her -son was absent, and she did not seem to have as much confidence in his -discretion as her brother had. The news that he was safe and unharmed -had been sent to her, as soon as the master-carpenter arrived with the -prisoner; but this comforted, while it did not satisfy, her. - -As soon as he left the schoolroom, the principal had driven rapidly to -the town, and procured two deputy-sheriffs, and brought them to the -wharf, where they went on board of the Sylph, the larger of the two -steamers. If any one was to attack the burglars on board of the La -Motte, one or both of these officers were the proper persons to do it, -in the opinion of Captain Gildrock. - -The new steamer was about fifty feet long. She had been built by the -students, both hull and machinery, and had been launched as soon as the -ice went out of Beechwater. There had been a great deal of discussion -over the subject of a name for her, as there had been when the name of -Miss Bristol had been given to the "Lily," for the sole reason that she -was a remarkably pretty girl. - -When the students came to vote on a name for the new steamer they had -built, after a long discussion, in which all the names of localities on -the lake were mentioned, the vote was almost unanimous for the name of -"Marian." She was goodlooking enough, though not decidedly pretty; but -she was not only the sister of Dory, and the niece of the principal, but -Oscar Chester, the captain of the Sylph, was very partial to her -society. - -The new steamer was therefore called the "Marian;" but the act of giving -this name to her robbed the eight-oar barge of her name, or made two -craft at the school with the same name, which would cause confusion. The -name of a river on the other side of the lake, which had been suggested -for the steam-yacht, "Bouquet," had been given to the barge. - -The Marian had a regular ship's company, and Luke Bennington was her -captain. All the students were assigned to one or the other of the -steamers, though at the same time they belonged to the sailing-craft. -They were all to be instructed in the management of both steam and sail -vessels. - -Dory had taken a fancy the year before to change the Goldwing from a -schooner into a sloop; and though he was satisfied that the alteration -had not been for the better, she still remained a one-masted boat, -because he had not had time to change her to her original condition. The -principal had objected to restoring her at present, because he wanted a -sloop as well as a schooner for purposes of instruction. The Goldwing -carried a large mainsail, and spread even more canvas than when she was -a schooner; but she did not sail a particle faster, as Dory had expected -she would. - -Thad Glovering was to take the place of Dory in the Goldwing during his -absence. He was a good boatman, though he rather lacked in dignity when -placed in the position of an instructor. The instruction in sailing had -not been regularly begun, though each of the young teachers in this art -had been out in the boats with his class. The pupils assigned the Lily -and the Goldwing were those who had entered the school at the beginning -of the current school-year. - -The senior class had, nearly all of them, all who had any taste for it, -picked up a knowledge of the art. Some of the new ones had a little -skill at it; though all of them needed instruction, and especially -practice. The class in the Goldwing consisted of six besides the -instructor. The boats had been brought up to the wharf, and Luke -Bennington was the first to get under way. He gave the order to do so. - -"All ready to get under way," said he. - -"I beg your pardon, Captain Glovering"-- - -"Don't you do it!" interposed the skipper of the Goldwing, with a very -undignified laugh, while there was something like a blush on his brown -face. "I don't want to be captained just because I happen to be here for -once to show you fellows how to handle a boat. Call me plain Thad, as -you always do, if you please; and I will guess all the conundrums you -sling at me, if I can." - -"I stand corrected, Thad," added Ash Burton, who had begun to ask the -question. "You spoke about getting under way. Will you please to tell me -how you spell that word?" - -"Spell the word 'get under way'? I don't believe I know that word," -laughed the skipper. - -"Excuse me, Mr. Skipper: I meant only the last word in the expression, -though I did not say so." - -"Well, Mr. Ordinary Seaman, or Mr. Green Hand, I always spell it w-a-y; -and I confess I don't know any other w-a-y to spell it." - -"I do; and I want to know which is the right way, Thad." - -"What's the other way, Ash?" - -"W-e-i-g-h." - -"That's another word." - -"The two words are pronounced just alike; and I wish to know which is -the right word to use when you mean to start, go ahead, progress, get -along, go forward, advance"-- - -"Hold on! You needn't go through the dictionary, for I know what you -mean, Ash." - -"It don't make any difference how you spell the word when you simply -speak, for the pronunciation is the same; but I have read in books and -newspapers about vessels being 'under weigh.'" - -"That question came up once in the schoolroom, and the principal settled -it for us. There is no dictionary-war on this word; for neither -Worcester nor Webster gives any such definition as making progress to -weigh, while both of them give this as the nautical meaning of way." - -"That settles it; but we weigh anchor," suggested Ash. - -"We weigh a pound of cheese; but that has nothing to do with the -progress the skippers make inside of it." - -"As they weigh the anchor when they are going to start, I suppose that -is where the error comes from," added Ash. - -"They couldn't very well start without weighing it; but that is no -excuse for the misuse of the word. But there are plenty of words in -nautical phraseology which are not used according to the dictionary and -grammar, as in all the walks of life," continued Thad. - -"Tell us some of them," said Archie Pinkler. - -"If we are going out on the lake to catch those burglars, I haven't time -for much of that sort of thing," replied Thad. "The ship was laying to, -though no eggs were found in the water. You lay a book on the table; but -when it is there, it lies, and it don't lay. When you get tired, it is -not the thing to lay down; better lie down, and it will rest you more. -You may lay a ship to; but when you have done it, she is lying to, as -much as though she was also telling a fib. But, be ready to get under -headway, for that is what we mean; and we won't lie here any longer, for -the Lily is just getting off." - -"But the Lily lay at the wharf just now," suggested Ben Sinker, rather -timidly. - -"But she don't now, and never does. Lay is the yesterday of lie; and -that is where you mix things, Ben. Man the mainsail-halyards. Archie and -Con, take the throat-halyards; Syl and Hop, the throat." - -"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Archie. - -"Don't be too nautical, my lad; and remember that two-thirds of the -slang used for salt-talk is never heard on board of a vessel. Where are -you going, if you please, Mr. Ay-ay-sir?" asked the skipper, when he saw -Archie go over to the starboard side of the Goldwing. - -"I am going to man the throat-halyards, as you told me," replied Archie. - -"Do you expect to find them over there? Dory Dornwood rigged this sloop, -and he put things in their right places," added Thad. - -"I know about the halyards," said Archie. - -"But the question just now with you relates to throat-halyards; and you -have gone over to the starboard side to look for them." - -"That's so: I forgot about it." - -"Allow me to inform this crew that the throat-halyards are on the -port-side of the mast. Don't try to remember where the peak-halyards -are, for that will make two things to recollect. Throat-port. Only this, -and nothing more. If you try to hold on to the other at the same time, -you will mix them." - -"But a fellow wants to know where to find the peak halyards as well as -the throat," suggested Con Bunker. - -"Exactly; so he does. After he has found the throat, he must box the -compass, lay the parallel ruler on the deck, count the anchor three -times to make sure of the number, swing six, and cast out nine, and then -go to the other side of the mast to look for the peak-halyards; but I -will bet half a pint of Champlain water against a hogshead of -New-Orleans molasses that he won't find them." - -But the two hands designated had found the peak-halyards on the -starboard side of the mast. The sail was set, the bow shoved off, and -the boat began to gather headway. The jib was set; and, as the wind was -still very fresh, the Goldwing heeled over, and darted ahead at a flying -rate. Thad took the helm himself; for Dory had put in a horizontal -wheel, and not one of the class was competent to steer her. - -"Now, how many of you fellows know all the ropes in a sloop?" asked the -young instructor, as the boat headed towards the outlet of the little -lake. "There are not a great many things to learn about such a craft as -this, but a fellow has got to know them all over." - -"I know them all," added Archie. - -"Just as you knew where to look for the throat-halyards," laughed the -skipper. - -Thad took a picture of a sloop from his pocket. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE. - - -Perhaps the principal reason why Dory Dornwood and the instructor in -mechanics had obtained so easy a victory over the two members of the -Nautifelers Club who remained on board of the La Motte, was that both of -them were soaked with beer. They were not intoxicated in the worst sense -of the word: they were "boozy" and stupid. - -They had been left on board while the other three had gone on shore to -"do the job" at the school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious storm -hung heavy on their hands. They had imbibed from the keg until they were -deprived of whatever natural energy belonged to them, and they did not -seem to have either the pluck or the ability to do any thing for -themselves. A stronger intoxicant might have made them wild and -desperate: the beer simply stupefied them. - -"We have got the vessel," said the machinist, with a cheerful smile, as -he held on to the robber whom he had just secured. - -"No doubt of that," added Dory, as he rose from the deck where he had -been attending to his prisoner. "These fellows don't seem to be very -desperate characters." - -"I expected a far worse time than we have had," added Mr. Jepson. "What -is the next move? Shall we take them to the school in the vessel?" - -"Not yet a while," replied Dory, glancing towards the shore where the -two had landed on the rafts. "We have another job on our hands; but I -think we had better put these fellows where they will not be in our -way." - -As he spoke, he assisted the one who was lying on the deck to rise. -Leaving both of them in charge of his companion, he went down into the -cabin. It was a very small apartment, not intended for more than four -persons. On the table in the centre of it was the keg of beer, carefully -secured with blocks, and lashed down. - -An open door by the side of the companion-way led into the hold. One end -of it had been roughly prepared with berths, which were provided with -bedding. There were six of these bunks, making sleeping accommodations -for ten persons. An old carpet had been laid on the bottom of the hold, -and Dory was willing to admit that the place was comfortable enough for -a summer-cruise on the lake. - -As the club consisted of only five persons, Dory could not imagine why -the vessel had been fitted up, at some extra expense, for double that -number. But he did not wait to indulge in any conjectures on the -subject. The stanchions which had been put up to support the bunks, -afforded what he was looking for; and the two prisoners could be -fastened to them. - -The robbers were conducted to this place. They were both under the -influence of the beer, and had some difficulty in maintaining the centre -of gravity over the base. They were sleepy and stupid, and Dory -compelled his man to sit down with his back to the stanchion. In this -position he made him fast, and the machinist did the same with the -other. - -Both of them said they were comfortable when the question was put to -them. But they were so tipsy that they had no very definite ideas on any -subject. They submitted with the best grace in the world, and even -seemed to be pleased to find that all their responsibilities had come to -a sudden end; for they were not in condition to attend to any thing. - -"What has become of Angy?" asked one of them. - -"He could not come on board again," replied Dory. "Who were the two -fellows that went ashore on the hatches of the schooner?" - -"Chuckworth and Mackwith," replied the one addressed. - -"What is your name?" - -"My name is Sangfraw." - -"What is your name?" asked Mr. Jepson of the other. - -"My name is Wickwood," he answered, with a dazed look around him. - -"Did you two go on shore with Angy?" inquired Dory of Sangfraw; and he -was not confident that this was a real name. - -"No, we did not: we staid on board, and we have not been on shore at -all. Chuck and Mack went with Angy," replied Sangfraw; and he looked up -into Dory's face, as though he was seeking for some information in -regard to him. - -"What was this place, this steerage, fitted up for?" asked Dory. - -"For the club." - -"What did you want of ten berths?" - -"Because there are ten of the members." - -"Where are the other five?" - -"They were to join us up here somewhere." - -"That's it, is it?" added Dory, glancing at the instructor. - -"That's it, exactly; and I'm a member of the club, and the cook of the -ship," said Sangfraw, dropping his head as though the effort required to -keep it up was too great for him. - -"Where does the La Motte go when she sails?" asked Dory. - -"She is going to Ticonderoga after the rest of the club," answered -Sangfraw, rousing himself. "Now, s'pose you tell me where Angy is." - -"He is safe enough," said Dory, leading the way out of the steerage, as -he called it, into the cabin. "I fancy that these fellows don't live -without eating, and I think a few mouthfuls would make me feel better." - -They examined the pantry, and they found an abundance of ham, cold -chicken, and other food, from which both of the captors of the schooner -made a very satisfactory breakfast. Dory found his condition very much -improved, and his energy revived, by the meal. - -"This is decidedly a happy family," said Dory, as they went on deck, -after ascertaining that both of the prisoners had dropped asleep. - -"And it seems that there was to be an addition of five persons to the -family. Very likely those on board were to fill up the exchequer of the -club by their operations before the others joined them," added the -machinist. "I wonder if this is the first robbery they have committed. I -have not had time to read the papers much this week." - -"By the great iron jingo!" exclaimed Dory, as the suggestion of his -companion stimulated his memory. "I read that two robberies had been -committed in the vicinity of Plattsburg; and the last sentence of the -paragraph was, that no clew to the burglars had been obtained. These are -the fellows!" - -"Then, we had better search the vessel," suggested Mr. Jepson. - -"Let the officers do that after we have taken her to Beechwater. We -shall have enough to do to take care of these fellows; for I hope we -shall be able to take the other two, Chuck and Mack, with us as -passengers." - -"Then, you intend to follow up this matter, Dory?" - -"If we don't bag them before they ascertain that Angy has come to grief, -they will leave for parts unknown. The two on shore were actually -engaged in the robbery," continued Dory. "There were two of them in the -office, and the third had charge of the boat. At any rate, they were all -mixed up in the affair." - -"The two on shore must have seen the boat when we came off," suggested -the machinist. - -"I think not. They went away from the shore, deceived by the hail I gave -them from a point above the inlet. In my opinion, they are still looking -for Angy in the woods, and have not seen any thing on the lake." - -"They won't find Angy on shore." - -"And when they are tired of looking for him, they will come on board -again, if they can get on board. If they see the boat alongside of the -schooner when they come to the shore, they will at once conclude that he -has gone on board. Whether I am right, or not, I shall act on that -theory, if you approve of it," said Dory. - -"I should say that your reasoning was correct as far as it goes. But -when they see the green boat made fast to the schooner, they will want -to know why Sang and Wick have not gone ashore after them." - -"Precisely so, and we will provide for that doubt on their part. Now we -will set that reefed foresail, and run down a little nearer to the -point. The water will float this vessel a hundred feet from the shore," -continued Dory with energy. - -The foresail was hoisted, and the anchor weighed. Dory steered to a -certain part of the point, near the outer extremity of it. Both of them -kept a sharp lookout for the two robbers on the shore, but nothing was -seen or heard of them. The La Motte was run as near the shore as it was -prudent to take her; and when she was thrown up into the wind, the -machinist let go the anchor, while Dory hastened to lower the sail. - -The wind was fresh, and the sea was heavy; but the schooner did not bump -on the bottom, though she was inside of a hundred feet from the shore. -Dory found the lead and line, and directed the machinist to sound over -the stern when the vessel had brought up to her cable. As he did so, -Dory let off the cable, allowing the schooner to approach still nearer -to the shore. When he secured the cable, the stern was hardly more than -fifty feet from the land. - -There was a rather heavy surf rolling up on the abrupt beach, but it was -nothing compared with that in which the party had been involved at an -earlier hour in the morning. The machinist went below to look at the -prisoners, and found them fast asleep still. Probably they had been up -all night, besides being charged with beer; and they were not likely to -give their captors any trouble. - -Dory had carried the painter of the tender to the stern of the schooner; -and, as it was a long rope, the boat was held half way between the -vessel and the shore. There was nothing more for the captors to do at -present; and they seated themselves under the bulwarks, where they could -not be seen from the shore, though they kept a sharp lookout in the -direction of the place where Mack and Chuck had landed. - -They had been in this position for half an hour, when they discovered -the two robbers on the beach. They shouted several times to the La -Motte, but no notice was taken of them. Dory cast off the painter of the -tender, and let it drop into the water. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - THE STANDING-RIGGING OF A SLOOP. - - -The picture of a sloop Thad Glovering produced on board of the Goldwing -was a drawing which the skipper had hastily made just before he went on -board of the boat. He passed it to Ash Burton, who knew more about a -boat than any other student of the party. But all of them wanted to look -at it, and they had nearly fallen overboard in their eagerness to get a -sight of it. - -"Hold up, fellows!" called Thad, taking the picture from Ash. "Do you -want to make a bear-garden of the standing-room of the Goldwing? Not -much! You will all get a chance to see it without upsetting the boat." - -"There comes the Marian!" exclaimed Hop Cabright, as the new steam-yacht -came shooting across Beechwater as though it had been discharged from a -rifle. "I believe she is faster than the Sylph." - -"Come to, Thad!" shouted Luke Bennington, the captain of the swift -little steamer, from the pilot-house. - -"What's up now?" said the skipper of the Goldwing, as he put his helm -down. - -The boat came up into the wind, with her sail banging furiously in the -lively breeze; and the Marian went alongside of her. Luke handed Thad a -little bundle of papers, which the principal had forgotten to give to -the temporary instructor in sailing. The steamer started her screw -again, and dashed into the creek leading to the river. Thad filled away -again, and followed her. As soon as he had the boat under way, he opened -the package. - -"Here is just what we want; and it will prevent you fellows from -spilling yourselves into the drink in looking at my drawing," said Thad, -as he produced the contents of the parcel. "I have heard something about -these before." - -"What are they, Thad?" asked Archie. - -"A copy for each one of you of a sloop, with letters to indicate the -parts," replied Thad, as he distributed them among his crew. "It is a -picture of a sloop from Captain Douglas Frazar's book, called 'Practical -Boat-Sailing.' The principal says it is a most excellent little book, -containing a vast amount of simple and useful information for those -handling sail-boats. Captain Gildrock is well acquainted with the -author, and knows him to be a thorough seaman as well as a skilful -yachtsman. Now, look at the picture, and imagine that it is the -Goldwing." - -"But the Goldwing has but one jib," replied Ben Sinker. - -"And you have but one hat," returned Thad. - -"I have another in my room." - -"This sloop has another jib in her room, which is the sail-room in the -boat-house. She don't wear it just now, as you don't have on your other -hat. Now, Archie, what is the upright stick in the forward part of the -sloop? Be practical about it, and don't talk any moonshine, if you -please." - -"It is the mast," replied Archie confidently. - -"That isn't the name of it." - -"Not the mast?" asked Archie, perplexed. - -"It is the mainmast." - -"The mainmast! Then, where is the foremast?" demanded Archie, with a -good deal of faith in his argumentative question. - -"She don't happen to have any." - -"Then, what's the sense of calling it the mainmast when she has no other -mast?" - -"Excuse me, Archie, but you remind me of the Dutchman," laughed Thad. -"'Do you know der reason wot we call our boy Hans for?' They could not -guess the reason, and the father explained. 'Der reason wot we call our -boy Hans for, is dot's his name.' With your permission, Archie, we will -call this stick the mainmast, for the same reason. If it is not the -right name, it is neither Captain Frazar's fault, nor mine." - -"I accept the amendment; and c c is the mainmast," added Archie. - -"Now we are happy! This mast is placed at about one-third of the length -of the boat from the bow; though, of course, this distance sometimes -varies a little," continued Thad. "What is the spar above it, Syl?" - -"The topmast." - -"The main-topmast, if you please, as Hans' father would call it. But, -when there is only one mast, we often cut it short, and call it simply -the mast, or the topmast. Understood! The mast, including the topmast, -may be one stick, as is the case in the Goldwing, or it may be two. The -topmast is marked _d d_." - -[Illustration: STANDING RIGGING.] - -[Illustration: REEFED SAILS.] - -"Then, it is a clergyman," added Hop, trying to be funny. - -"The nautical meaning of _D. D._ in the navy is 'Dead. Discharged.'" - -"What is the spar at the head?" - -"The bowsprit, marked _h_." - -"Right you are, Ash. What is _i_, which the Goldwing does not wear just -now?" - -"The flying jib-boom," shouted Archie, who had been very unfortunate in -his answers so far. - -"Out on a fly! Jib-boom is enough for this spar. Only two more: what is -_b b b_, the lower one?" - -"The boom," replied Archie desperately. - -"The main-boom!" shouted Hop. - -"Correct, Hop. The upper one, _e e_?" - -"The main gaff!" roared Archie. - -"Go to the head. Good boy!" - -"To the head of the boat?" - -"The head of the mainsail, when you know what it is. Now we will attend -to the rigging." - -"There is not much of it to attend to," said Archie. - -"A short horse is soon curried, but the short horse needs currying quite -as much as the long one," replied Thad. "Now, suppose the mainmast were -simply run through the forward deck, and the foot of it inserted in the -socket in the keelson: would it be strong enough to bear the pressure of -the sail in a stiff breeze?" - -"It would not: the first flaw would take the mast out of her," replied -Ash Burton. - -"It would take the mainmast out of her," added Archie sharply. - -"I respectfully asked you to be reasonable, in the beginning, Mr. -Pinkler," interposed the skipper. - -"He called the mainmast simply the mast," pleaded the critic. - -"Will you be kind enough to point to the mast?" When he did so, "What -are you pointing with?" asked Thad. - -"With my finger." - -"With your forefinger, you mean. But it is not always necessary to -specify exactly what particular thing is meant. I told you that mast was -enough in a sloop, though when we come down to the proper names of -parts, we should apply the right name. The flaw would take the mast out -of her, and it would be likely to do so. What rigging keeps the mast in -its place when the flaw comes, Hop?" - -"The shrouds. One of them is on each side of _b_, nearest to the mast," -answered the student indicated. - -"Then, there are two of them?" - -"Two in the drawing; but the Goldwing has only one on each side of the -boat," added Hop. "A ship may have nine or ten of them; and I suppose -they put on as many of them as are needed." - -"Sensible you are, Hop. They are shrouds, and the number of them differs -with the size of the vessel. But they are not often called shrouds in -small boats as in larger craft. Boatmen call them stays, though the word -is rather confusing sometimes. You observe that the shrouds, or stays, -in the drawing are both set up abaft the mast." - -"I saw a fellow in Genverres yesterday who was set up," said Con Bunker. -"He did it with whiskey." - -"He was tight; and that is just what rigging is when it is set up, -though we don't do it with liquor. Suppose we should rig a purchase on -the shrouds of the sloop in the cut, and continue to tighten them as -long as we could, what would be the effect on the mast?" - -"It would bend the mast towards the stern," replied Ash promptly. - -"Then the shrouds would support it from that direction," added Thad. "If -no other rigging were used, it would be likely to bend it towards the -stern. Look at _g g_ on the diagram; and what do you call it?" - -"The jibstay, on which the jib is set," answered Ben Sinker. - -"Never mind the jib now. The name is right. Suppose we rig a purchase, -and tighten the jibstay: what will be the effect?" - -"If we haul it taut enough, it will straighten up the mast," replied -Ash. "Therefore it will support the mast from the bow of the boat." - -"And all of you will see that it would be impossible to take the mast -out of her in a blow unless something broke," added the skipper. - -"But tightening the jibstay would hoist the bowsprit," suggested Syl -Peckman. - -"That is just where I was leading you, my hearty. Now, look at _f_, if -you please; and what do you call it?" - -"The bobstay," replied Ash, who had sailed a boat a little at Westport -before he entered the school. - -"Correct. Haul the bobstay as taut as you can, and it will keep the -bowsprit from hoisting. The stem of the craft is the upright timber, -placed farthest forward, and forming a continuation of the keel. The -iron eye to which the lower end of the bobstay is made fast, is bolted -into the stem in the strongest manner. Now you can see how both the mast -and the bowsprit are held in their place, and how each is made to -support the other. The topmast is, or may be, supported in precisely the -same way. One or more ropes leading down to the side of the boat from -the topmast would be called the backstays, as in a ship. There are none -in the picture. When they are needed, with a balloon-jib, they are -sometimes carried to the quarter; but these are temporary. In a small -boat, backstays are not needed, for the topmast is stiff enough without -them. Look at _k_; and what is it?" - -"The main-topmast-stay," said Ash. - -"That is it in full, though I should not have objected if you had called -it simply the topmast-stay in a sloop. Archie would. If there are no -backstays, it will not do to haul this stay too taut, or it will bend -the topmast forward, which is not pleasant to the eye. The jib-boom is -held by the rope under it, which is called a stay. In large vessels, the -bowsprit and jib-boom are also held in place by ropes at the sides, -called guys. As a whole, what do you call the rigging we have talked -about?" - -"Give it up," replied Hop, after a silence of a minute. - -"The standing-rigging; and the principal told you so when he described -the ship. Now that we have the spars where they will stay, we will pass -on to the sails and running-rigging. Begin at the main boom. What is the -rope marked _a a_?" - -"The topping-lift," said Ash. - -"When the sail is not set, this rope holds up the boom. The lower end of -it, you can see for yourselves,--as you have the real thing before you -as well as the picture,--is provided with a purchase, so that the -after-end of the boom can be raised or lowered." - -"What is this thing?" asked Archie, pointing to a pair of wooden joists, -with a bolt through them, like the cross-legs of a table or -cot-bedstead. - -"That is the crutch. Top up the boom with the purchase, and then place -the crutch under it after you anchor." - -By this time the Goldwing had reached Lake Champlain. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - THE RUNNING-RIGGING OF A SLOOP. - - -The lake still had a decidedly stormy look, and the white-caps were as -plentiful as snowflakes at Christmas. The wind had hauled from the south -to south-west; and off the mouth of Beaver River, it had a sweep of six -miles. Only the mainsail of the Goldwing had been set, but Thad was a -prudent skipper; and before the sloop reached the point, on which the -spray was dashing at a furious rate, he put the helm down, and ordered -Archie to throw over the anchor. - -"What's that for?" demanded Hop impatiently. - -"It is blowing very hard, and I am going to reef," replied Thad. - -"What's the use of reefing? She? will carry the mainsail well enough." - -"Perhaps she will, but she won't while I am skipper," replied Thad -decidedly. "Besides, we are in no hurry, for we have the whole forenoon -before us; and I want to finish the explanations I have to make before -you get scared by the slop of the waves, so that you can't take an -interest in the subject." - -"But we want to see the fun when the robbers are hauled in," added Hop. -"Dory is after them, and we want to see him do it." - -"Dory won't do any thing that can be seen. If he takes the schooner, he -will bring her down to the school. The principal told me not to go near -her. The Sylph has not gone out of the river yet; and the fun, if there -is to be any, will not come off till she is ready to take a hand in it," -said the skipper, as the boat came up to her cable. "If you are to learn -to sail a boat, you must know all about one." - -Thad did not give Dory credit for all the enterprise he was manifesting -in the capture of the robbers, though he certainly would not have helped -matters if he had approached the La Motte. Some of the boys grumbled -about the delay, but Thad did not abandon his plan. - -"What is the principal sail in a sloop?" he asked. - -"The mainsail," replied Archie, who was very sure this time. - -"This sail, as you may see in the picture or the real thing before you, -is irregular in its shape," continued the skipper. - -"I wish the real thing wouldn't bang about so," added Ash. - -"Give a pull on the main-sheet," added Thad; and it was done. "The real -thing won't trouble you now any more than the pictured one. It is -supported at the top by the gaff, by the mast at the inner side, and -stretched out at the bottom by the boom. On the mast are hoops, which -slide up and down when the sail is hoisted or lowered." - -"I thought they were called hanks," said Ash. - -"Hoops is the correct word; but the rings, whether of wood or any other -material, by which a sail, a jib, or a staysail, slides on the stay, are -called hanks. There are six parts of this sail which you ought to learn -by heart, and know as quick as you know the sleeve of your coat from the -collar of it. If you are told by the skipper to take hold of the leech, -you ought to know what it is." - -"I should say a fellow couldn't do any thing with it till he knew where -to find it," added Ash Burton, laughing. - -"In the first place, there are the head and the foot," continued Thad. -"You know what they are, but you must know that they are called by these -names. To what is the head of the sail attached?" - -"To the gaff: I mean the main-gaff," replied Archie. - -"Right both times. To what is the foot of the sail fastened?" - -"To the boom," answered Con Bunker. - -"And the wood or iron by which it is fastened, or seized, is called the -jackstay. The up-and-down edges of the sail are called leeches." - -"Do they bite? How do you spell that word?" asked Hop. - -"They don't bite unless you miscall them. As to the spelling, you pay -your money, and take your choice, for it is spelled both ways. They are -the inner and the outer leeches. The inner leech, where the hoops are -attached, is the luff. The four corners of the sail are called the -clews, though some call only the outer lower corner by this name. The -upper outer corner is the peak. The lower inner corner is the tack." - -The skipper, after the manner of the principal, then examined the crew -on the subjects just explained till he had made them proficient. He -required them to point out the parts on "the real thing" before them. - -"Now we will see what the jib (2) is made of. The names used vary -somewhat. The part of the sail to which the hanks are fastened is the -luff, or inner leech." - -"Inner?" queried Ash, almost sure he was wrong. - -"The sail is treated in relation to the stay, and not to the mast or the -hull; and the inner leech of the mainsail is the part where the hoops -are," replied the skipper, laughing; for he had made the same mistake -himself in his study of the subject. - -"I see; and that makes it as clear as Champlain water." - -"The outer, or after, leech, called simply the leech by the high-flying -yachtsmen, is the same as on the mainsail. The jib has a head and a foot -also. The tack is the corner next to the stay; and the clew, as called -by yachtsmen, is the after lower corner, where the sheet is attached. -That's all there is of the jib. What do you call the sail marked 3 in -the picture?" - -"The gaff-topsail, because it is set on the gaff," replied Ash. - -"It has a head and foot, and the tack and clew are in the same positions -as in the jib. That makes all the sails usually set on a sloop. Now we -will see how they are set and managed; and what do you call the rigging -used for this purpose?" - -"The running-rigging," replied all at once. - -"What do you call any rope used in hoisting a sail? The principal told -you some of the things I have to repeat." - -"Halyards, whether attached to a spar, or to the sail itself," answered -Ash. - -"We will begin with the jib. The halyards lead down by the mainmast, and -they are belayed on a cleat at the foot of it. The down-haul is attached -to the head of the sails, as the halyards are, and leads down on the -stay, sometimes passing through more or less of the hanks to keep it in -place, to a block on the bowsprit, under the tack, and then inboard. It -is used for hauling down the jib, as its name indicates. I suppose you -all know what sheets are, and have got rid of the lubberly idea that the -sails are called by this name." - -"I think we all know that the sheets are ropes," added Ash. - -"The jib is made fast at all points except at the clew, or at the -after-clew, as some would say. By the sheets, the jib is trimmed so as -to sail on the wind or otherwise. In small craft, these sheets usually -lead aft, to the standing-room, or cockpit as it is sometimes called, so -as to be within reach of the person sailing the boat. If there is a -flying-jib, it is handled in precisely the same way." - -"What is the use of a flying-jib?" asked Archie. - -"It adds so much more sail; and some boats need more head-sail than -others," replied the skipper. "The gaff-topsail now, if you please." - -"It is a three-cornered sail, like a jib," said Con Bunker. - -"Not always, though it generally is. Sometimes, in the high-flying -yachts, there is a gaff-topsail yard; but this spar is not fixed, as -those on the masts of a square-rigged vessel, but is hoisted up from the -deck. The gaff-topsail (3) in the picture, is a three-cornered sail. A -rope is attached to the head of the sail, which passes through a block -near the topmast-head, and leads down to the deck. By this rope the sail -is hoisted to the mast-head. What is the name of this line?" - -"The gaff-topsail halyards," answered Hop. - -"Of course, for the sail is hoisted by it. Another line is made fast to -the lower inside corner, next to the mast, which is called the tack; and -you can see that it corresponds with the tack of the jib or mainsail. -The third rope passes through a block at the peak, on the gaff; and this -is the sheet, as in the other sails mentioned." - -"But there is a pole on Dory's gaff-topsail," said Ash. - -"The halyard is made fast to this pole, as it is to the yard when the -sail is square, at a point which will carry the upper end of the pole -above the truck, thus allowing the sail to be larger than it could be if -the halyard were attached to the head of the sail." - -"What sort of a cart is the truck?" asked Archie. - -"I forgot to mention it, I suppose. It is a round piece of wood, fixed -on the end of the topmast, like a head upon a cane. It has a little -sheave, or a couple of holes in it, through which the signal-halyards -are passed. Now for the mainsail. I have already explained the throat -and peak halyards, so that you know what and where they are." - -"Archie knows," said Ash. - -"The main-sheet is the rope by which the position of the main-boom is -controlled; in other words, by which the sail is trimmed. Dory has -double blocks on his sheet, so that he handles it more easily than if it -were done with a single block on the boom; though he has to handle twice -as much rope in doing it. I do not think of any thing more to be said in -regard to the standing or running rigging of a sloop. If any thing comes -up, you will learn it while we are sailing. Now we will put two reefs in -the mainsail." - -"Don't you reef the other sails?" asked Ben Sinker. - -"The Goldwing works very well under the mainsail only, so that we -shorten sail by taking in the jib. The jib of this craft does not reef, -but it has a bonnet instead. This is really an additional sail, laced on -at the bottom of the jib. It can be taken off or put on at pleasure. In -some craft, the jib is made bigger, and is provided with one or two rows -of reef-points." - -The Goldwing had three rows of reef-points on the mainsail. The skipper -required the sail to be lowered enough to permit one reef to be taken. - -"This is a reef-pennant," said he, producing a cord of several feet in -length. "Sometimes it is called an earing. I pass it through this -cringle, which is only a hole in the sail, and then I carry the line -around the boom,--twice will make it strong enough. This I have done at -the clew, and now I do the same thing at the luff. Now, all hands, take -hold, and put in the reef by tying up the points." - -"This one is not long enough," said Archie, when he had got hold of both -ends of a point. "It won't go round the boom." - -"Of course it will not! You might as well try to pass it under the -keel," replied Thad. "They don't even go through the iron jackstay. Pass -them under the foot of the sail." - -"Is that right?" asked Con, when he had tied one of the reef-points. - -"Certainly not; it is a granny-knot: you must make nothing but square -knots in a reef-point." - -Thad explained how to do it, telling them to make both ends come out on -the same side of the loop, or bight. They had been trained, or some of -the students had, in making the most useful knots; but they had the -talent for forgetting, as most boys have. A second reef was put in the -sail, in the same manner, on the top of the first one. The introductory -lesson was finished, the anchor was weighed, and the Goldwing stood out -into the lake. - -"There comes that schooner!" shouted Ash Burton. - -It was the La Motte, headed up the lake. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - THE PLAN THAT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. - - -Just as soon as Dory dropped the painter of the tender into the water, -the wind drove the boat away from the La Motte in the direction of the -shore. Mackwith and Chuckworth, the two robbers who had appeared on the -shore after their search in the woods for Angy, were too far off to -notice it. - -"Now, we must not allow ourselves to be seen or heard," said Dory, as -soon as he had let go the painter. "They will find the boat, and come on -board." - -"But don't you think they will suspect that something is wrong for their -side of the question?" asked Mr. Jepson. - -"Why should they think so?" asked Dory. - -"Since they left the schooner, she has been moved to her present -position; and the boat in which Angy left the vessel is found on the -beach." - -"They may not be able to account for what they see, but it does not -follow that they will suspect any thing; though it will not make much -difference if they do," replied Dory, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Of course, they will understand that the fellows they left on board -have moved the schooner; but I am afraid they will suspect something -when they find the boat on the beach," continued the machinist. - -"Perhaps they will; they have a perfect right to do so: but they have -been up all night, and I don't believe they will be very sharp. Possibly -they drank beer enough while they were on board of the La Motte to -reduce them to the condition of the fellows in the steerage. But it is -not so much of a question of what they will think, as of what they will -do." - -"Well, their actions will be guided by their thoughts." - -"That is so; but they will be guided by their conclusions, and not by -all the suspicions that come into their heads," argued Dory. "Of course, -it is important for us to be able to foresee what they will do, so that -we may be prepared for them." - -"Then, we must fathom their thoughts if we can." - -"They are standing on the beach just now." - -"And they are a quarter of a mile from us." - -"But they are moving this way, though very slowly." - -"I have no doubt they are about worn out, for they have been beating -about the woods for an hour or more," said Dory, as he raised himself so -as to see over the bulwarks of the schooner. - -"Of course, they must see the vessel." - -"I don't think they discovered her till this moment, for they have only -just begun to move this way. Now what will they do?" - -"They will wonder why the position of the schooner has been changed." - -"Let them wonder: they will not be able to make any thing of it. When -they reach the tender, they will do some more wondering." - -"And they will begin to take account of the facts in their possession," -added the machinist. - -"That will be a sensible thing for them to do. The two principal facts -before them will be the change in the position of the vessel and the -presence of the tender on the shore. But the first thing they do, will -be to hail the La Motte; but they will not get any answer. What will -they conclude from the silence of those on board?" - -"I have an idea, Dory; but what do you say?" added the machinist, with a -smile which seemed to mean more than his words. - -"They will conclude that the fellows on board are tired out, and have -gone to sleep," replied Dory confidently. "Then they will take the boat, -and come on board. About that time, our work will begin." - -"I don't quite agree with you, Dory," answered Mr. Jepson. "You are the -manager of this enterprise, and I think you have arranged things to lead -them to another conclusion from that you suggest." - -"What do you think they will do?" asked Dory, disappointed that the -machinist did not seem to approve his action. - -"When they find the boat on the beach, with the vessel where she is, -they will conclude that the two fellows have gone ashore, and are -looking for Angy, and for their absent companions," replied the -machinist, with more earnestness in his manner than he had displayed -before. - -Dory bit his lips, for it seemed to him that there was a great deal of -force in what his companion said. - -"If you had left the schooner where she was, they might have reasoned -that the boat was where Angy had left it," continued the machinist. - -"But they would not have found the boat in that case. They would not -have been likely to see her on the beach, a quarter of a mile away from -them. Besides, I was not sure that the boat would be blown where they -would be in the way of finding it, if I turned it adrift a mile from -this shore," reasoned Dory rather warmly. - -"There are difficulties, whichever way you look at the question," said -the instructor, laughing at the energy of Dory. "I think we had better -drop the discussion, and act upon the facts as soon as they are -developed." - -"All right: you think they will do one thing, and I think they will do -another. The only important thing is, whether or not they will come on -board of the vessel. We will wait and see." - -"It is too late to alter things as you have arranged them; and I do not -say that the course you have taken was not the wisest, Dory. We shall -soon know." - -They could do nothing but wait. It would be some time before Mack and -Chuck reached the beach off the schooner; and Dory went below to see the -prisoners, taking care not to show his head above the bulwarks. The two -captives in the steerage were still asleep; it was a beer-slumber, -though they were doubtless very tired; and they were like a pair of -stone posts, so far as their appearance was concerned. Persons who were -not boozy could hardly have slept so soundly in the uncomfortable -positions in which they were confined. - -As Dory had nothing else to do, he took a more careful survey of the -cabin of the La Motte. One of the bunks in the steerage appeared to have -been occupied, while the other five beds had not been disturbed. In the -cabin were several valises and travelling-bags. One of the former bore -the initials of the chief of the robbers. As it was not locked, he -opened it. - -If there was any plunder on board, it had not been put into this valise, -for it appeared to contain nothing but wearing-apparel. In the pocket he -found a letter, addressed to "M. A. Spickles, Esq., Plattsburg, N.Y." It -was postmarked at New-York City. Dory felt that it was his duty, in -connection with the enterprise in which he was engaged, to obtain all -the information in his power; and he did not scruple to read the -epistle, as he would not have done under ordinary circumstances. - -The letter contained a great deal of slang, a good portion of which the -reader could not understand. The writer, who signed himself "Fred -Ripples," promised to be at Ticonderoga on Friday night, and the La -Motte must take him and his party on board at that point. If the -schooner was not there at that time, the party would take the first -train for Westport, and would be there early Saturday morning. - -With the letter in his hand, Dory went on deck, and joined the machinist -under the bulwarks. Mr. Jepson read the document, and looked at Dory, -though its contents did not appear to affect the present situation. - -"These fellows are the other members of that club. They must be at -Westport by this time," said the instructor. - -"Probably they are, for a train comes along very early in the morning," -replied Dory. "But Mr. Fred Ripples had nothing to do with the robberies -at Plattsburg, or the one at Beech Hill; so that we have no particular -business with him." - -"Then, we had better drop him; for the two fellows who did have a hand -in them are within a short distance of the tender," added the machinist -in a lower tone. - -Dory looked out through an opening in the bulwarks which he had arranged -for the purpose. The two robbers looked as though they were worn out, -for they moved with a very heavy step. But they were talking very -earnestly together, as shown by their gestures; though what they said -could not be heard on board of the La Motte. They were evidently -discussing the change in the position of the vessel, and the discovery -of the boat on the beach. The first thing they did was to haul the -tender out of the surf, which was banging it on the gravel. - -"Wick! Wick!" shouted one of them. - -Then they waited some time for a reply to their hail, but none came. - -"Sang! Sang!" called the other of the two. - -"On board the La Motte!" yelled Mack, whose voice Dory recognized. - -They seated themselves on the rail of the boat, and continued to yell -for half an hour. Then an argument seemed to be in progress between -them, in which one of them frequently pointed to the woods in the -direction from which they had come. Presently they rose from their -seats, and walked off, following the beach by the way they had come. - -"Well, Dory, what does that mean?" asked the machinist, as soon as they -were out of hearing. - -"It means that you were right, and that I was wrong," replied Dory -candidly. "I should have done better if I had left the schooner where -she was." - -"I don't say that; and if I had thought so at the time, I should have -spoken. We will deal with the present situation," added the instructor. - -"I thought the plan would work all right, and I am disappointed," said -Dory. "Those fellows believe that Sang and Wick, as they call them, have -gone ashore in the boat, and they have started to look for them. My -strategy has failed, and I am disgusted with it." - -"What shall we do? That is the question now," suggested the machinist. - -"I don't like to go back to Beech Hill without those fellows, after we -have spent so much time in hunting them down," added Dory. - -"They will come back when they fail to find their companions." - -"But I don't care about waiting all day for them. If you will go with -me, we will go on shore, and take the bull by the horns. We can handle -them." - -"All right, Dory; but how can we get ashore? We have no boat," replied -the machinist, who was quite as impatient as his younger companion. - -"I will bring off the boat for you, and I will go ashore on one of the -fenders." - -Dory handed his revolver to the instructor, and prepared for his trip to -the shore by taking off his coat and shoes. It was a trifling feat for -him, and in a few minutes he was on the beach. It was a harder matter to -get the boat into the water; but he had carried a line to the shore with -him, so that his companion could assist in the work. The machinist -hauled the boat alongside the schooner as soon as it put into the water. - -They embarked, and were on the beach in a minute more. They hauled the -tender to a safe place, and then walked along the beach towards the -place where Mack and Chuck had disappeared in the woods. But they had -proceeded only a short distance before Dory discovered a small steamer -buffeting the sea beyond Bluff Point. But she leaped the waves, and -seemed to be making good weather in spite of the roughness of the water. - -Both of them were satisfied that the steamer was the Marian. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - MORE MEMBERS OF THE NAUTIFELERS CLUB. - - -"That's the Marian, without a doubt," said Mr. Jepson. "She is going -down the lake." - -"She is not headed for Split Rock Point, as she would be if she were -going down the lake," added Dory, after they had watched the steamer for -some time. "There! She is changing her course now, and she is headed -directly for Camp-Meeting Point. It looks as though she intended to take -a hand in this business." - -But they continued on their way, and Dory hoped to come across the two -robbers before the steamer had time to interfere in the business. Before -they reached the place where Mack and Chuck had taken to the woods, the -Marian was off the end of the peninsula. She did not run for the La -Motte, as Dory supposed she would, and kept off so as to pass the point. -Then she disappeared behind the high land. - -"She is not going to meddle with the schooner," said Dory. "I don't -understand her movements at all." - -"I am sure I don't," added the machinist. - -"No matter; and I am glad she has given the schooner a wide berth." - -They struck into the woods, and walked a long distance without seeing -the two robbers of whom they were in pursuit. Dory had become so -desperate that he shouted several times, using the names of both Mack -and Chuck; but he obtained no response to his calls. - -"They can't be about here, or they would answer me when I call them by -name," said he, very much puzzled at the situation. - -"They must have gone some other way," suggested Mr. Jepson. - -"At any rate, they are not here, and we had better return to the -schooner." - -They retraced their steps till they came to the narrow part of the -peninsula, and there was a cart-path to the end of it. - -[Illustration: "I TELL YOU WE CAN'T GET THE VESSEL OUT OF THIS PLACE."] - -"They must have taken this road," said Mr. Jepson. "We had better follow -this road a while before we give up the search." - -"I don't see what they could be doing down there. But we will look over -this region a little, and we can strike through to the beach when we -like," replied Dory. - -When they had gone a few rods, they came to a sandy place in the -cart-path, and Dory brought his Indian craft to bear upon it. He found -the footprints of two persons in the wet soil, both of them headed -towards the outer extremity of the point. - -"That makes it plain enough that they have come this way. I have looked -for tracks before, and I could not find any," said Dory. "But we are -making a blunder in the light of this information. These fellows will -get down to the boat before we are there, and we shall be left out in -the cold. I never thought of their coming this way, for the peninsula is -very narrow." - -This logic was decidedly startling to the intended thief-takers; and -Dory broke into a run on the instant, and dashed through the woods -towards the beach. The machinist followed him. If they had been -astonished at any time during the morning at what they saw, they were -infinitely more so when they came out of the woods where they could see -the schooner. - -On the beach abreast of the vessel they discovered, not only the two -persons they were searching for, but what looked like a crowd of people -to Dory's excited imagination. - -He counted not less than seven men. They were in the act of putting the -tender into the water, and evidently intended to go on board of the La -Motte. They no longer hesitated to show themselves to the party, whoever -they were. - -"I don't understand this at all," said the perplexed leader of the -enterprise. - -"I am no better informed," replied the machinist. "But I think we had -better return to the woods, and keep out of sight until we know more -about this party." - -"Perhaps you are right," replied Dory, adopting the suggestion. - -Returning to the shelter of the trees, they moved forward till they came -to a place where they could obtain a better view of the party. - -"I want to know whether Mack and Chuck are in this party," said Dory in -a whisper. "Yes, there they are. But who are the other fellows?" - -"I shall have to give it up. They all seem to be on good terms. I -thought it might be a party from the Marian, but I saw her running for -Thompson's Point a few minutes ago. Whoever they are, they don't belong -to the school." - -"Certainly not." - -"I can't stand it any longer, and I am going down to see them," -continued Dory, as he examined his revolver; and the machinist did the -same. - -"Of course, the two who were in the boat with you this morning, will -know you, Dory," said the instructor. - -"I can't help it if they do: I am going down to see them. I can't -imagine what the five new fellows can be, and I am determined to find -out." - -"The whole seven of them seem to be engaged in an argument just now," -added the machinist, as he followed Dory out of the woods. - -As they came near enough to identify the two Dory had seen in the boat, -the argument seemed to wax very warm. Mack was the principal speaker on -one side of the question. He pointed with vehemence at the lake, and the -shores near him; and Dory concluded that they were engaged in a nautical -discussion. - -"I tell you, we can't get the vessel out of this place," said Mack -warmly, when Dory came near enough to hear what he said. "The wind is -blowing very fresh right on the shore, and she is not more than fifty -feet from the beach." - -"If you hoist the sails, there is wind enough to make her go, isn't -there?" demanded one of the new-comers. - -"There is wind enough to make her go ashore all in a heap," replied Mack -smartly. "You don't know the first thing about handling a vessel, Fred -Ripples!" - -Fred Ripples! That was the name of the signer of the letter. He was one -of the remaining members of the Nautifelers Club, who were to join the -rest of the party at Ticonderoga or Westport. Dory looked at Mr. Jepson, -and Mr. Jepson looked at him. How in the world had the new members come -to Camp-Meeting Point? - -The members of the club on the beach were too busy with the argument to -notice the approach of Dory and the machinist. Doubtless Mack and Chuck -had told the new-comers of the "break" the night before, and of the -disappearance of the leader of the enterprise. But none of them had any -reason to suspect that Angy had been captured. - -"Is that you, Dory?" demanded Mack, as he happened to turn his head far -enough to see him. - -"What have you done with Angy?" - -"I haven't done any thing with him," replied Dory, when the gaze of the -whole party was fixed upon him. - -It was a hard question under the circumstances, and Dory was not at all -inclined to answer it. - -"You were in the boat with him when Chuck let go of the painter, and -came off this way." - -"We landed in a creek, and went on shore. We sat on a log some time, -while he rested himself: then he went off, and I have not seen him -since," replied Dory, telling the literal truth. - -"But where is he now?" demanded Mack, beginning to be furious. - -"I don't know." - -But it was deception all the same, though it was the literal truth. Mack -and Chuck asked him a great many questions, but they could not get any -thing out of him. Mr. Jepson was a man he met over in the woods. - -"Then, Angy must be in the woods now," said Mack, as the conclusion of -the whole matter. "We must find him, and we may as well begin at once." - -"If you go far enough, you will be sure to find him," added Dory; but -his statement was not very definite, and the robbers were not likely to -go as far as the lock-up in Genverres to look for him. - -"Where did Angy leave the tender when he landed?" asked Mack, who was -far from satisfied with the result of the examination. - -"In a creek, which you will find near the bight of the bay." - -"How came the boat here, if he left it in a creek?" - -"Of course, Sang and Wick must have come ashore after we did, and they -found the boat," Chuck was kind enough to interpose before Dory could -answer the question, or attempt to evade it. - -"But how could they get ashore when they had no boat, and no raft even?" -demanded Mack, who spoke in the imperative mood. - -"What do you suppose they moved the schooner close to the shore for, if -it wasn't to enable them to land?" asked Chuck, in a triumphant tone; -for he was nettled at the imperious tones of Mack. "They found the boat, -but they did not find Angy. Here is the tender to prove it." - -"They didn't go far to look for Angy, or we should have seen them. But -we are wasting time, and we must be on the lookout for Angy." - -"I must have a drink of beer before I go, for I am about used up," added -Chuck. - -They launched the boat; and when they were in it, they upset it. Dory -wanted to go on board with them, and he offered to handle the boat. He -put them on the deck of the La Motte, but it was a big boat-load. They -all rushed to the cabin. Dory drew the slide, and fastened the -cabin-door so that they could not get out. - -But the hatches were off, and the machinist was stationed at the opening -with his revolver in hand. Dory was sure they could not get out by the -companion-way, and he made haste to get under way, slipping the cable. -The members of the Nautifelers Club were so devoted to their beer, that -they did not seem to be aware that they were imprisoned in the cabin. -They were quite noisy, and appeared to be bent upon having what they -called "a good time," whatever became of Angy. - -Mr. Jepson was a mechanical genius, and he soon found a way to cover the -hatches. The jib was set, and then the La Motte did very well. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - THE GOLDWING ON THE STARBOARD TACK. - - -"Now we have got over the dictionary part of this business, and I don't -think the rest of it will be quite so stupid," said Thad Glovering to -his class in the Goldwing. - -"Why don't you hoist the jib, Thad?" asked Hop Cabright. - -"Because we have sail enough without it," replied Thad. "Ever since I -came to Beech Hill, I have been hearing about the danger of carrying too -much sail." - -"But that schooner is carrying her jib," added Hop; and all eyes were -directed to the La Motte, though she was still a mile distant. - -"I am not in charge of that schooner, and I have nothing to do with -her," answered Thad. "There is another of the dangers of a young -skipper--that of doing as others do on the water. There is as much -difference in boats as there is in men. One man can carry three hundred -pounds on his back, while half that will break down another. A fellow -must look at his own craft to ascertain how much sail she ought to -carry. You needn't try to pick up a barrel of flour, Hop, because -McGowen can do it." - -"Do you suppose Dory is sailing that schooner, Thad?" asked Ben Sinker. - -"Perhaps he is. I have no means of knowing any thing at all about it, -but I don't believe he is. There were five fellows on board of the -vessel when she was in the river yesterday, and I don't believe he and -Mr. Jepson have whipped out the four of them that must have been left on -board of her." - -"There comes the Sylph!" exclaimed Archie. - -"Let her come; but, if we are to give any attention to sailing, it is -time for us to make a beginning. You may take the wheel, Ash," said -Thad, rising in his place to give him the seat on the weather-side of -the helm. - -"But I never steered a boat with that kind of a wheel," Ash objected. - -"Then, it is time you learned about it," added the skipper, resuming his -seat to explain the wheel. "You can all learn about it at the same time, -for each of you will have his trick at the wheel before we return." - -"That's the talk! I want to steer," added Archie. - -"Then, you must mind what we are doing, and not give all your head to -the schooner and the Sylph; and, if there is any thing to see, I will -run up to the centre of the attraction." - -"We don't have a circus with a lot of robbers every day in the week; -and, if there is any fun, a fellow wants to see it," added Con Bunker. - -"If there is any fun, you shall see it, though I am not to meddle with -that schooner. Now for the steering-gear. The best way to learn about it -is to see how it is constructed," continued the skipper, as the Goldwing -passed from under the lee of the bank of the river, and began to be -exposed to the full force of the weather. - -The sun had come out of the clouds, but the wind still blew strong from -the south-west. The sloop had two reefs in her mainsail, which was the -only sail she carried; but she had the wind free, and she did very well -under this short canvas. The waves were piling themselves up on the -point, and it still looked stormy in that direction; though the -commotion was trifling in comparison with what it had been two or three -hours before. - -"Ugh!" yelled Archie, who was seated on the forward deck, with his legs -hanging over into the standing-room, as a wave broke against the bow, -and drenched him with spray. "It is damp here." - -"Come aft, then: of course it will be wet in the forward part of the -boat. Four of you on the weather-side, and two on the lee," added the -skipper. "That will trim her about right for this sea." - -"I suppose the weather-side is the side from which the wind comes," said -Archie, as he took his seat on that side of the boat. - -"You are quite right, Archie; and a sailor who had been at sea fifty -years could not have hit it any better. If you remember that, it is not -necessary to recollect that the lee-side is that from which the wind -does not come. Weather and lee are important terms in a boat; and in -sailing, we use them instead of starboard and port." - -"Let me see: starboard is the right-hand side, isn't it, Thad?" asked -Archie. - -"That depends. But, Archie, you are green enough on nautical matters; -now don't pretend to be any more so than you really are," said Thad, -rather sharply. - -"But I do get mixed on these things; and now you say it depends," -pleaded Archie. - -"It depends upon which way you are looking. With your face to the bow, -starboard is on the right." - -"Then, port is"-- - -"Dry up, Archie! When you have learned the meaning of one of two -opposite things, that is enough," interposed the skipper. "The principal -gave us the two French terms for starboard and port,--_tribord_ and -_babord_. _Tribord_ means the right-hand side, looking ahead. A fellow -don't need a slate and pencil to figure up the meaning of _babord_. Now -we are going along all right, and we will look over the wheel. Can you -all see it?" - -"I can," replied Archie. - -"The upper end of the rudder is the head of it. The tiller is set in the -rudder-head, and is simply a lever for turning the rudder. The bow of -the boat is called the head. If you put the helm--that is, the -tiller--to starboard, what will be the effect upon the head, Archie?" - -"It will turn the head," replied Archie thoughtfully. - -"Turn it upside down, or turn it like a lunatic's! Which way will it -turn the head when you put the tiller to starboard?" demanded Thad. - -"It won't turn it upside down: it will turn it to one side," added -Archie seriously. - -"I should say that it would; but it is rather necessary to know to which -side it would turn it." - -"It would carry the head of the boat the opposite way, I should think." - -"But you must know. Which is the opposite way?" - -"To port; and if you put the helm to port"-- - -"One thing at a time, if you please. Put the helm to starboard, and it -carries the head to port: that's enough. If you try to remember any -thing more, Archie, you will forget the whole. As I said before, the -terms weather and port are also used." - -"What is the use of those terms when we have starboard and port?" asked -Con. - -"No conundrums of that sort. We take things as we find them, and we are -not inventing a system. We speak of a weather and a lee helm. As you may -see by the position of the wheel, this boat carries a weather-helm; and -it only means that the trim of the craft inclines her to stick her head -up into the wind, and we have to carry the helm a little to the -weather-side in order to make her go straight ahead. If I should let go -the wheel, the boat would come to." - -"Come where?" queried Con. - -"Come to means to come up into the wind, or turn her head in the -direction from which the breeze comes. If she carried a lee-helm, she -would turn the other way, if left to herself; and in that case she would -be likely to upset, or have the mast taken out of her if it were blowing -fresh. It is a good thing, therefore, to have a boat carry a -weather-helm, within reasonable limits; and a lee-helm is a very bad -trick in any craft." - -"But suppose the boat has a lee-helm: you can't help yourself," said Syl -Peckman. - -"Yes, you can. Shifting the ballast will sometimes correct it, by -bringing her down more by the head or stern, as the case may require. -Possibly the position of the mast in a sloop may have to be changed. -There are two other terms that apply to the helm." - -"More of them!" exclaimed Archie. "A fellow can never remember them." - -"Why not, as well as the different names of a vehicle? The other terms -are up and down, and these depend upon the position of the boat in -regard to the wind. When you put the tiller away from the wind, it is -down. We have the wind on the port-side now. If we put the tiller to -starboard, it is down. Never mind what will happen, Archie, if we put it -to port. We shall have more to say about down and up farther along, when -we are dealing with the sails." - -"Why not tell us now, while we are on the subject?" asked Con. - -"Because you will not understand it so well now as you will then. But -there is another matter that may be told now. From which side do we get -the wind just now, Ben?" - -"From the port-side. Give me something harder," replied he. - -"I will: on what tack are we sailing?" asked the skipper sharply. - -"I shall have to give it up: I never could get the hang of these tacks," -pleaded Con. - -"I never could," added Hop. - -"I think I can tell why you did not get the hang of the tacks," -continued Thad. "It was because the meaning of the position was given to -you in a lot of sea-slang, which you did not take in. I will tell you -when a vessel is on the starboard tack: it is when the main-boom is out -over the port-quarter, and the port jib-sheets are trimmed down. Now you -know!" - -"I am sure I don't," replied Archie. - -"I am not a bit the wiser," added Con. - -"My definition is not beyond your comprehension; but you are not used to -thinking in that sort of lingo, though you could take in the meaning of -it if you gave the time and thought to it. Ben said just now that we are -getting the wind from the starboard-side. Do you all understand that?" -asked Thad very forcibly. - -"Of course we do," answered Archie. - -"That's easy enough," chimed in several others. - -"Then, if we have the wind on the port-side, we are on the port-tack," -almost shouted the skipper. - -"Is that all?" demanded Con. "I understand that perfectly." - -"Then, we won't say another word about it, if you all understand it." - -"Of course we all understand it," said several of them. - -"If you insist upon being a little more pickled in speaking it, you can -say she has her starboard-tacks aboard; though that expression more -properly applies to a square-rigged vessel." - -"Starboard-tacks aboard," repeated about every one of the class. - -"I don't see what it means," said Ash. - -"Then, you don't remember what the principal told you in his lecture -last fall. In a ship, the ropes at the clews of the lower square-sails, -the courses, change their names," said Thad, picking up the boat-hook. -"Call this the yard of a ship. It would be at this angle as we have the -wind;" and he placed it at an angle with the keel, with the windward end -farther forward than the lee. "The rope at the weather-clew, or corner -of the sail, is the tack, and the one at the lee-clew is the sheet. Now, -suppose the ship to come about, and go the other way;" and he changed -the position of the boat-hook. "Then the weather-side would be on the -port, instead of the starboard; and what was the sheet before, becomes -the tack; and the ship has her port-tacks aboard." - -"The Sylph is hailing the schooner," said Ash Burton. - -"She is getting out a boat," added Thad. "She wouldn't do that if -something was not going on. As we can study this lesson just as well in -the river, we will go and see what is up." - -The skipper put the Goldwing about. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - SOMETHING ABOUT STEERING A SAIL-BOAT. - - -The Sylph lowered her starboard-quarter boat; and two men, in addition -to the crew, took their places in it. The two vessels were too far off -to permit the party on board of the Goldwing to see who the men were, -for the sloop was now quite near the New-York shore. As soon as the boat -returned to the steamer, she came about, and stood up the lake again. -She kept quite near the La Motte, and therefore sailed at only half -speed. - -"We will go up to Beechwater, and find out what has happened," said -Thad. "But we will attend to the lesson all the same. We are going to -come about. Which way do I put the helm, Archie?" - -"Put it either way, and she will come about," replied the student, who -had earned the title of "Greenhorn," though no one was uncivil enough to -apply it to him. - -"If you were at the wheel, would you take the responsibility of putting -the helm to port?" - -"I shouldn't know any better than to do so." - -"If you did, you might drown the crowd, in this breeze. But we will -leave that subject to the proper time to consider it. Which way do I put -the helm, Con?" - -"Hard down, hard a-starboard, hard a-lee," replied Con. - -"Right; and you have learned your lesson in full." - -"Must a fellow say all that?" asked Archie. - -"Not at all; though the expressions all mean the same thing, and Con -used them all to prove that he knew what they mean. When we are going -about, or going to tack, the proper way is to put the helm down, moving -it slowly at first, and then hard down, which is down as far as you can -get it. Ready about! That is the order to get ready to tack. Here we -are!" - -The skipper put the helm down, and in a moment the reefed mainsail began -to shake and bang: then it went over on the other side, and filled -there. - -"What tack are we on now, Archie?" asked Thad. - -"On the port-tack; but you did not explain the port-tack," replied the -innocent youth. - -"Didn't I, indeed! Then, how in the world do you happen to know that we -are on the port-tack? for you are as correct as though you had been to -sea all your life." - -"I knew it must be the other one." - -"You must have studied logic." - -"With the port-tacks aboard," added Con. "Or would be, if this were a -ship." - -"Now we will attend to this wheel," continued the skipper. "We have been -talking about a tiller. You can see that there is a cast-iron frame in -the shape of a quadrant." - -"I never saw a quadrant," said Archie. - -"Then, you did not look when the principal showed us one,--or perhaps -you were not present. But you have seen a mince-pie." - -"And eaten one." - -"Not a whole one at a time. If you did, you saw a winged alligator -before morning. But what part of a mince-pie is about a pattern for -you?" - -"Say a quarter." - -"That would be in the shape of a quadrant. This quadrant has a round -hole cast in the right angle, which is fitted upon the rudder-head, as -you can see for yourselves. On the round side of the quadrant are cogs, -which fit into the cogs of the smaller wheel, under the large one, which -is provided with handles, or spokes. It isn't easy to talk it, but you -can see it. I am seated on the weather-side of the wheel." - -"Must the helmsman always be on the weather-side?" asked Ash. - -"There is no law about it; but for some reasons, it is the better side -for him. He can see ahead better; and when the boat is on the wind, and -she heels over, he has the higher side. Being on the weather-side of the -helm, if I pull the spokes on the big wheel towards me, it turns the -small wheel, which is part of the big one, in the same direction. By the -action of the cogs, the round side of the quadrant is moved in the -opposite direction. The quadrant is really the tiller. Then, drawing the -spokes towards me is putting the helm down, which throws the boat up -into the wind." - -"It will not be so if you stand on the other side of the wheel," said -Ben Sinker. - -"Certainly not. I am standing on the starboard-side now: if I bring the -spokes towards the starboard-side, it carries the quadrant, or tiller, -over to the opposite side, and the head of the boat moves to starboard. -You put the tiller to port to carry the head to starboard: with this -wheel, the action is reversed. To sum it up short, put the spokes to -starboard, and the head goes the same way. Now, Ash, you may try your -hand at it, and see if it works as I say it does." - -"Of course it does, for you know all about it," replied Ash. - -"But a fellow never believes a thing of this sort till he has proved -it," added the skipper. "Pull the handles of the wheel towards you, and -it throws the head of the boat up into the wind. Remember this--'only -this, and nothing more.' But there is one thing that a beginner has to -learn; and that is, to steer small." - -"I know about that," replied Ash. - -"The others don't. A new hand is always apt to move the tiller too much. -To move the tiller, or wheel, very little at a time, is to steer small. -Move it gradually, and note the effect upon the boat's head." - -Ash Burton took his place at the wheel; and, as he had had some -experience in steering a boat with a tiller, he did very well. In fact, -he was competent to handle a boat, though he had picked up his knowledge -himself. But he did not boast of his skill, and wished to learn more. - -"I always take an object on the shore, and steer for it, when the boat -is going free," said he. - -"I do, whether she is going free, or not," added Thad. "If I am close -hauled, I watch both the sail and the object. When a fellow is steering, -he ought to give the closest attention to the business he has in hand; -and it isn't a bad rule to follow, whatever he is doing. If the helmsman -doesn't mind what he is about, he keeps the boat yawing and staggering, -like a man who has taken too much whiskey. I don't like to see a boat -going that way. If she is kept steady, she not only makes her course -better, but she gets along faster." - -"I am running for the point," said Ash. - -"Then, you may make too much northing. You should always take an object -to windward of the point you want to reach, for the boat will always get -in more or less leeway; though it don't make much difference when you -have a free wind. But you can steer well enough, Ash. Let Ben Sinker try -his hand at the wheel." - -"I don't believe I can do it," replied Ben modestly. "I never tried to -steer a sail-boat." - -"Then, you are just the fellow we want. Take an object on the shore near -the south side of the mouth of the river," continued the skipper. - -"There is a cow," added Ben. - -"Better take a train of cars on the railroad: it moves faster, and you -would fetch up somewhere, though it might be on the bottom of the lake. -Not an object that moves, or can move, my lad. Take that highest tree," -replied Thad, as he pointed to it. - -Ben took his place at the wheel, and fixed his gaze on the tree, which -Ash had used for his mark. In a moment the boat was off the course; and -the new hand, anxious to set her right, pulled the wheel about half way -round. The skipper said nothing, for he wanted his pupils to learn by -experience. The sail began to shake, as the Goldwing came up into the -wind. Ben immediately put the wheel the other way: the sloop came back -to her course, and then began to fall off. - -"Steer small, Ben: that's what's the matter. You have her almost before -the wind; and it won't do to let her go any farther round, for the sail -will bang over to the other side," interposed the skipper, giving the -wheel a turn. "You will send us all to the bottom at that rate." - -"I told you I didn't believe I could do it," replied Ben, not a little -mortified at his ill success. - -"But I know you can do it: only you have made the same mistake as all -new hands," added Thad, as he brought the boat to her course. "Now you -are all right again. It won't do to fool with a boat when the wind is as -fresh as it is now. Just move the wheel only an inch or two at a time, -till you learn how much it requires." - -"I see, that, if you turn the wheel only an inch, it has an effect on -the head of the boat," said Ben, after he had got the hang of the wheel. -"I thought you had to move it at least a foot to produce any effect at -all." - -"If the wind were light, it would be different," added Thad. "The whole -thing is balanced, and the movement of the rudder keeps the boat in a -sort of equilibrium." - -"That's a big word," said Archie. - -"But you all know what it means, though you may not see how it applies -to a boat under sail. Suppose I haul in the main-sheet, so that the wind -will blow square against it," continued the skipper, suiting the action -to the word, till the boat heeled over enough to startle the timid ones. - -"That takes the pressure off the wheel," said Ben. - -"Because it checks her headway; and it would upset the boat, for the -sail holds the wind instead of getting rid of it." - -"I don't see how the sail can get rid of the wind, for it is all here," -replied Archie. - -Thad took a large piece of newspaper from his pocket, lifted it as high -as he could reach, and then let it go. - -"Which way did it go?" he asked. - -"North-east," answered Syl. - -"Which way is this sloop going?" - -"South-east." - -"What is the reason it did not go the way this boat is going?" - -"Because the wind don't blow this way," replied Archie. - -"Then, what makes the boat go this way, my lad?" - -"Because Ben steers it this way." - -"Correct; but suppose I should rig a sail in the Bouquet, and steer her -with all my might, could I make her go as the Goldwing is going?" - -"Of course not: she has no keel, or next to none." - -"Correct again. The wind carries the paper in the direction towards -which it is blowing. If the breeze struck square against the sail, it -would blow the boat over to-day. We trim the sail at an angle, at a -slant, with the way the wind blows. The sloop is not forced ahead, as -the paper was, by the direct action of the wind." - -Thad placed the bailing-bucket on the floor of the standing-room, and -then with the boat-hook, passed along the side of it, caused the pail to -be moved athwart-ships, though the boat-hook was carried fore and aft. - -"The bucket is moved by the friction of the boat-hook, as the sail is by -the friction of the wind against the canvas," said Thad. "If it were not -for the keel, the boat would slide off sideways: it would be all leeway, -and no headway. With the helm, we keep the several forces balanced." - -The sloop went into the river; but another hand was sent to the wheel -when Ben Sinker had obtained some practical idea of steering, and the -lesson was continued. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE. - - -The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well -in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a -short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored. Mr. -Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, -with which he had covered the hatches. On the top of them he had placed -a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore -equally on all the boards. Then with a handspike he worked the spare -anchor upon this plank. - -The seven members of the Nautifelers Club were very busy with their -beer. Dory had closed the door of the steerage, and fastened it before; -for he had anticipated, to some extent, the imprisonment of the party in -the cabin. They had not yet discovered what had happened to Sang and -Wick: the beer monopolized all their attention. - -The machinist went aft when he had secured the hatchway, and -strengthened the fastenings of the companion-way. As the doors opened -outward, he fixed a wooden brace in such a way that they could not be -moved, while a simple stick of the right length made it impossible to -start the slide. - -"I think they will stay where they are for a while," said the -instructor, when he had completed his precautions. - -"We shall not have to keep them there a great while, for the wind is -very lively, and we shall soon get into the river though we shall have -to beat up," replied Dory. "I should say they can't get out at the -companion-way." - -"I had a better chance there to work than I had at the hatchway. But in -being on deck, we have all the advantage," added the machinist. - -"I suppose some or all of them are armed with revolvers," suggested -Dory. - -"Probably they are, but they are not in a good position to use them." - -Just at this moment the noise in the cabin suddenly ceased; and a moment -later, there was an attempt made to start the slide at the -companion-way. - -"They have finished the keg of beer, I should think, for I doubt if they -would be willing to leave any of it. I will go forward and have an eye -to the hatches," said the instructor. - -"On deck, there!" shouted one of the prisoners, whose voice Dory -recognized as that of Mack. - -But the new skipper of the schooner made no reply. - -"On deck, there! Open the slide!" continued the successor of Angy, as he -seemed to be. - -Dory was entirely willing that he should use his voice to any extent he -pleased, and he gave his whole attention to the steering of the vessel. -Then some of the others began to yell, and it was evident that the fumes -of the beer were producing some effect upon them. - -The members of the Nautifelers Club then resorted to feats of strength. -They pulled and jerked and wrenched at the slide and the doors. They -kicked, thumped, and banged; but the slide and the doors resisted all -their efforts,--mainly, perhaps, because they could not get at them so -as to apply all their strength. Whatever the reason they failed to force -a passage to the deck at this point, they abandoned the attempt after a -short time. - -Dory could hear them talking together, though he could not distinguish -what they said. Of course, they were discussing the situation, and they -would soon attempt to get out by the hatchway. The skipper did not -expect the fastening of the door between the cabin and the hold would -hold out a great while; for, if it did not readily give way, they would -break down the door. - -The noise in that direction assured Dory that they were already engaged -in this work of demolition. A few minutes later the machinist informed -him that the prisoners were in the hold. In the steerage they had an -opportunity to obtain a better idea of the situation when they found -Sang and Wick made fast to the stanchions which supported the berths. -They could not fail to deduce from what they found there, the fact that -Dory and his associate had taken possession of the vessel. By this time -they could not help realizing that they were prisoners themselves. It -would have been easy for them to jump, from all these appearances, to -the conclusion that their leader had come to grief, and had been put in -some secure place. Whether they followed out this course of reasoning, -or not, Dory had no means of knowing. - -"On deck, there!" shouted Mack, under the hatch. - -"Don't answer them," called Dory, in a tone only loud enough for the -machinist to hear him. - -The call from below was several times repeated, with the same result. -The ends of the boards the machinist had put over the opening, rested on -the combings of the hatch; but they were not matched so that there were -no cracks between them. In some places, there were apertures of an inch -or more in width. The sentinel over this possible egress could hear all -that was said by the prisoners. Sang and Wick had been released, and he -heard them give all the information in their possession to their -associates; but they could not tell what had become of the chief of the -club. - -"They are getting ready for operations," said Mr. Jepson, after some -time. - -"All right; and if they are likely to be too much for you, let me know -as soon as possible," replied Dory, as he tacked, and headed the -schooner towards the entrance of Kingsland Bay. - -"But you can't leave the helm," suggested the machinist. - -"I shall keep the schooner near the shoal water on this side of the -lake; and if you want me, I shall haul down the jib and anchor," added -Dory. - -At this moment Mr. Jepson made a sharp hit with a stick he had found on -the deck, at the boards which covered the hatch. A hideous yell of rage -and pain followed the blow. Dory could understand, without an -explanation, that one of the fellows below had thrust his fingers -through one of the openings between the boards, and that the machinist -had rapped them with his weapon. - -"That was Mack," said the sentinel, who had learned the sound of his -voice by this time. "He will have a lame hand." - -Then a lively sound of snapping boards came up from the hold; and it was -clear that the desperate prisoners were tearing down one of the bunks to -obtain the material of which they were built, for use in the next -operation, whatever it might be. The machinist divined the purpose to -which the pieces were to be applied. He looked about him for the means -of meeting the new attempt. There was an axe in the waist, which had -been used in cutting up fuel for the cook-stove in the cabin. - -The machinist took possession of it, and rushed back to his post. At -every opening between the boards, a stick was thrust through, and the -prisoners were trying to pry apart the pieces that covered the hatch. -With a blow of the axe, the instructor broke off every end that came -through. It was lively work for him for a few minutes; but not a single -lever of the half-dozen used, could be made to accomplish any thing. -This attempt was a failure, like those which had preceded it. - -A silence of some minutes followed, and then Dory heard the voices of -the party in the cabin; but they were more quiet than they had been at -any time before. Doubtless, things were beginning to look more serious -to them. The boards at the hatch had been tested; and, when the -prisoners left the hold, the machinist joined the skipper on the -quarter-deck. The party below did not seem to be doing any thing; but -presently there was another demonstration at the hatchway, and Mr. -Jepson rushed forward to repel any attack in that quarter. - -The sticks were brought into use again, and the machinist was kept busy -breaking off the ends of them for some time. Dory watched him with -interest until he heard a strange noise behind him. When he turned to -see what it was, he discovered Mack in the act of coming over the -taffrail to the deck. He had only time to take a turn in the tiller-rope -he had held in his hand to assist him in holding the helm, before the -robber rushed upon him. - -"I have got at you at last, and we will settle it here and now!" -exclaimed Mack, as he threw himself upon the skipper. - -Dory had expected to see a revolver staring him out of countenance, when -he discovered the approach of his assailant, and he had put his hand on -his own weapon. But when Mack sprang upon him, he was ready for him. It -was a short struggle, though a very violent one; and Dory held his man -by the throat till the machinist came to his aid. Together they tied his -arms behind him, and rolled him into the scuppers. - -During the brief absence of the instructor from his post, the prisoners -made some progress in enlarging the openings between the boards; and, if -their work had not been checked, they would soon have made their escape. -A part of them appeared to have been sent there to make a diversion for -the benefit of those who were to operate at the stern. - -There were two stern windows to light the cabin, and there was no -skylight on deck. The prisoners had removed the sash, and one of them -had reached the deck in this way. Dory had no doubt the rest of them -would follow their leader; but, as they could come only one at a time, -he thought he should be able to take care of them, with what assistance -Mr. Jepson could give him. It must take some time for each of them to -crawl through the small window,--which did not seem to be large enough -to admit the passage of a man,--and more time to climb to the deck after -they got out; so that they were not likely to have to deal with more -than one at a time. - -The skipper found that he could leave the helm for a minute or more with -the tiller lashed, and he went to the taffrail to see who was coming -next. Mr. Fred Ripples had just worked his body through the window, and -was ready to ascend to the deck. - -"Hand me my club," said he, in a low tone, to those in the cabin. - -Dory picked up one of the hard-wood sticks, which the members of the -club had used as canes, he thought, and, after adjusting the helm again, -returned to the taffrail. Ripples had got hold of the woodwork above -him. Dory used his stick, and the new-comer dropped into the lake. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - THE DEFENDERS OF THE PIRATE-SCHOONER. - - -Mr. Fred Ripples seemed to be very much surprised when he found himself -in the lake instead of on the deck of the La Motte. He had come out of -the cabin-window backwards, so that he could get hold of the taffrail -above his head, without turning his body. The instant he placed his hand -on the rail, Dory delivered the blow with his stick. He did not strike -hard enough to break his hand, but only with force sufficient to make -him let go. - -As this hand, after he had passed out of the window far enough to reach -the rail, was all that supported him, he rested upon nothing the moment -he released his hold. When he went down into the water, he manifested -his surprise by a loud yell. As he appeared to be alarmed, Dory was -afraid he would be drowned, for the rough water was not favorable to the -restoration of one's lost self-possession. - -"Get hold of the boat!" shouted the skipper, when he realized the -situation. - -Ripples had already seized upon the painter, which happened to be within -his reach; but, instead of moving towards the boat, he went the other -way, and, with the aid of the rope, set about climbing over the stern of -the schooner. But Dory could not watch him any longer; and he returned -to the tiller, for the vessel's sails had begun to shake in the wind. - -Mr. Jepson seemed to be busy in chopping away at the sticks which the -prisoners forward were still thrusting through the openings in the -coverings of the hatchway. The machinist thought he must have cut up -about all the wood they had provided below for use; but no decided -impression had been produced by their labors upon the substitute for the -hatches. - -Ripples worked desperately in his attempt to climb over the stern, and -Dory saw his head above the taffrail. He procured a couple of lines, and -then went to the assistance of the fellow. Taking him by the collar of -the coat, which was within his reach, he dragged him over the rail of -the stern, and deposited his carcass upon the deck. The moment the -machinist saw him, he rushed aft. Dory put his foot on the enterprising -climber, and held him down while his associate secured his arms behind -him. Standing him up by the side of Mack, the instructor hurried -forward, to make sure that there was no break at the hatches. - -The last comer upon the deck was so exhausted by his struggles in -climbing over the stern, that he puffed like a grampus, and was not in -condition to make any remarks upon the situation, even if he had been -disposed to do so. Having righted the helm, and secured it again, Dory -took a look over the stern. Another head was out of the window, and it -was evident that the rest of the party intended to come on deck in the -same manner as the first two. The skipper placed his stick where it -would be available. - -There were seven more of them in the cabin and hold: but Dory felt that -he held the key to the situation as long as the covering of the hatchway -did not yield to the force applied to it below. He was perfectly willing -the party should come on deck one at a time over the stern. As no one -had attempted to use any revolvers, he concluded that they had none. - -It was a difficult matter to make the ascent from the cabin-window to -the taffrail; and those who had done it, came up more or less exhausted, -which gave Dory and the machinist all the advantage. The vessel was -close in with the entrance of the bay, and it was necessary to tack -again. As soon as he had done so, he took another look over the stern. -There were two heads in sight this time. The operators had taken out the -other window, and evidently intended to come up two at a time. - -"On deck, there!" shouted Chuck, when he heard Dory's step on the deck -above him. - -"What is it?" asked the skipper, stepping back, and putting his hand -over his mouth so as to change the tone of his voice. - -"Is that you, Mack?" - -"All right," answered Dory. - -"Haven't you knocked those two fellows over yet?" demanded Chuck -impatiently; and it was evident from the question, that he expected -assistance from the deck by this time. - -"All right: we have knocked them both over, and secured them," answered -Dory, adding a fit of coughing to his muzzled voice; but he did not deem -it necessary to define more particularly the identity of the two fellows -who had been knocked over. - -Chuck seemed to be satisfied with the answer, and immediately he called -to his companions in the hold; though Dory did not understand what he -said. The machinist had been strengthening his works at the hatches, by -piling on the boards over the opening, all the heavy articles he could -find on the deck. While he was thus engaged, all the party in the hold -left, doubtless at the call of Chuck, who appeared to have succeeded -Mack in the command. - -The two prisoners on deck had been placed in the waist, and they were -too far off to hear what passed between Dory and Chuck. As soon as the -departure of the fellows in the hold would permit, Mr. Jepson hastened -aft. Dory gave him the helm, and went to the stern, though he was -careful not to show himself to the operators below. - -At the stern of the vessel was a pair of davits, at which the tender was -usually hoisted up. A glance at them, and a knowledge of their use, -suggested the means of preventing the rest of the party below from -coming on deck. - -"On deck! Why don't you open the doors of the cabin so that we can come -out?" shouted Chuck, who had retreated to the cabin, considering it no -longer necessary to risk the necks of his followers in the difficult -ascent from the cabin through the window. "Why don't you let us out? -Open the cabin-doors!" - -"They won't open," replied Dory. - -"Then, take that stuff off the hatchway! We don't want to stay down here -all day," added Chuck, very much discontented with the situation, and -especially with the failure of his companions to do any thing. - -"Only two of us here on deck. We have to work the vessel, and that is -all we can do," added Dory, coughing again with all his might; while the -machinist stood at the tiller, laughing at the farce, as it seemed to -him. - -"Open the doors, and let us up, and we will help you," persisted Chuck. - -"You keep quiet where you are! We will let you out as soon as we have -time to clear the stuff from the hatchway," said Dory. - -"We can't keep quiet: the keg of beer is empty.--But we can tap -another," answered Chuck; and the last remark seemed to indicate a -sudden new idea. - -Dory was not willing to encourage him to drink any more beer; and he -left his place at the stern, to end the conversation. At this moment he -took a survey of the lake, and discovered the Sylph coming out of the -river. He had been expecting to see her for the last two hours, and her -appearance was a source of intense delight to him. - -"Our troubles will soon be over," said the skipper to the machinist, as -he pointed up the lake at the steam-yacht. - -"Our troubles!" exclaimed Mr. Jepson. "Why, Dory, I had made up my mind -that you rather enjoyed this circus." - -"I am sure, I don't enjoy it a bit more than you do, sir," replied the -skipper, somewhat astonished at the remark. - -"You certainly need not have engaged in this affair if you had not been -so disposed." - -"I think I speak the honest truth when I say that I believed these -villains would escape if I did not do something; and that was my only -motive in undertaking to capture them, or at least in watching to see -where they went," replied Dory, as though he were defending himself from -a criminal charge. "Perhaps I did more than was necessary, but I could -not very well help doing it." - -"Two-thirds of the students would have considered it as a jolly time, if -they could have taken part in the affair. At any rate, we shall hand -over the whole of the crowd to the principal, and he can do as he -pleases with them." - -"He will put them through, you may be sure of that." - -Dory went forward to see if there was any further movement to remove the -cover from the hatchway. But he felt, now that the Sylph was in sight, -that the battle had been fought, and that the victory had been won. He -could not help thinking of what the instructor had said to him, and he -began to look back at the events of the morning. If he had returned to -Beech Hill with the carpenter, when he conducted Angy to the school, -Mack and Chuck would certainly have found the tender where he left it, -returned to the schooner, and made their escape. This was the way it -looked to him, and he was satisfied with what he had done. - -"I should like to know what all this means," said Ripples, as Dory -passed him in the waist on his return from the hatchway. - -Dory looked at him, not being able to understand what he meant; for he -thought he ought to be able to comprehend his situation. But the fellow -looked as though he had a grievance. - -"It means that you are bound with your arms behind you, and are made -fast to the rail. I should think you would be able to take that in," he -replied. - -"But for what reason am I bound? Are you and the other fellow -lake-pirates?" demanded Ripples. - -"I rather think not; and it seems to me that the boot is on the other -leg. Your party were engaged in a robbery, and you have all come to -grief," added the skipper. - -"Engaged in a robbery!" exclaimed Ripples. "Do you mean to say that I -was engaged in a robbery?" - -"The fellow alongside of you certainly was, as I shall be called upon to -testify in court. You were found in his company, and did your part in -defending the pirate-schooner," replied Dory. - -Ripples looked intensely indignant. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - A SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. - - -Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant -enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the -pirate-schooner. Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, -and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had -been committed. - -"I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said -Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, -even if he did drink beer. - -"Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his -fellow-prisoner at his side. - -"Don't ask me any thing about it, Fred," replied Mack, in a tone of -disgust. "Some of us are in a bad scrape, and I shall not say a word to -any one." - -"I don't understand you any better than I do this other fellow," -continued Ripples. "If I am in a bad scrape, I don't know it." - -Mack refused to say another word, and evidently did not mean to commit -himself. By this time, Dory had become not a little impressed by the -manner of Ripples, and by the refusal of Mack to speak. He removed the -line which bound the former to the rail, and led him to the -quarter-deck, where he seated him on the companion. Then he took the -tiller. - -"I should really like to know what you mean by what you have said and -done," said Ripples. - -"Are you not a member of the Nautifelers Club?" asked Dory. - -"Without a doubt, I am; and the Club was formed for this excursion -during the summer. We joined the vessel this morning, and Mack said you -were trying to get the schooner away from the Club when you fastened us -all below. That's all I know about this business," added Ripples. - -"If you don't know any thing more, I am glad of it." - -"I haven't the least idea what Mack means when he says he is in a bad -scrape," he continued. - -"He told you the truth; and he will probably get some years in the State -prison for his share in the operations of last night." - -"Is that so?" asked Ripples, apparently appalled at the intelligence. -"Can you tell me what has become of Angy? None of these fellows seem to -know." - -"They don't know, and I shall not tell you just yet; though he is in -just as bad a scrape as Mack. When was this club formed?" asked Dory. - -"About a month ago. Angy was the leading spirit in getting it up. He -said the rich fellows would find the money to pay the bills, and we -should have a first-class time for two or three months on the lake. I -put in fifty dollars to start the thing, and three or four of the -fellows did the same." - -"But how happened you to be separated from the others?" asked the -skipper. - -"Angy did not want the whole of us to come at first." - -"Why not?" asked Dory, who was beginning to see through the business. - -"I don't know. He said the vessel would not be ready, and he would write -to us when she was fit to take us on board. He did write to us the other -day, and told us to come to Ticonderoga yesterday, and then to come on -to Westport if the La Motte was not there." - -"You did not find her there?" - -"No; and we were called at three o'clock this morning, and came to -Westport. Our fellows were all as mad as hops when they did not find the -schooner there. It was a horrible storm in the night, and I suppose that -was the reason she was not there. A young fellow in a handsome little -steamer came near the shore where we were waiting, and I hailed her. -After some teasing, he consented to take us down the lake. When we saw -the La Motte, we asked him to put us ashore on that point, which he -did." - -"How did you know it was the La Motte when you saw her?" asked Dory. - -"By that signal," replied Ripples, pointing to what looked like a red -handkerchief in the main rigging. "Angy told me that would be his -signal." - -"Did you tell the young fellow in the small steamer that you were -looking for the La Motte?" - -"For some reason, which he did not explain in his letter, Angy told us -not to mention the name of the vessel, or to say any thing about her," -replied Ripples. "We told the young man, who appeared to be in command -of the steamer,--I believe she was called the Marian,--that we were -going to camp out on Camp-Meeting Point; for we had all studied the -charts of the lake." - -"Did all the members of the club pay fifty dollars?" inquired Dory. - -"No, indeed! Not more than four of them did it; and Angy wrote me, a -week ago, that the money was all gone." - -"Did he ask for more?" - -"He did not. He said he would raise the money; though I could not see -where he was to get it, for his father is a poor man now. But all the -fellows that came up with me have from fifty to a hundred dollars -apiece. Angy must be short of cash by this time." - -"I think he has made some money since he reached the lake," added the -skipper quietly. - -"How could he make any money?" demanded Ripples, surprised at the idea. - -"By breaking open safes; and he did a job of that kind last night." - -"Angy!" exclaimed Ripples, with a start. - -"Angy and Mack did it together, while Chuck took care of the boat, and -the other two fellows remained on board of the La Motte." - -"You don't mean so! Angy and Mack broke open a safe!" - -"Blowed it open." - -"All I have to say about it is, that I had nothing to do with the -robbery, and did not have any suspicion that Angy meant to do such a -thing," protested Ripples very warmly. "And the fellows that came with -me are as innocent as I am." - -"Angy got over two thousand dollars from a safe last night, though the -money was taken from him after he was captured. He is in the lock-up by -this time, and the rest of these fellows will soon be there; that is, -the five that were in the schooner last night." - -"What is that steamer?" asked Ripples, as the Sylph came near the La -Motte. - -"Probably there are officers on board of her, who will take charge of -Mack and the rest of the five. My uncle owns her; and I will tell him -about you," added Dory, as he brought the schooner to, at a signal from -the pilot-house of the Sylph. - -The quarter-boat was lowered into the water, and the two officers on -board of her were soon placed on the deck of the schooner. It was too -rough for the principal to attempt to do any thing more; and one of the -officers gave a message to Dory, instructing him to take the vessel to -the school. The La Motte filled away again, and the Sylph followed her. - -"What have you got here, Dory?" asked Mr. Bushby, the deputy-sheriff, -pointing at the prisoner fastened to the rail. - -"We have nine in all. The other seven are fastened into the hold and -cabin. But five of them had nothing to do with the robbery, and didn't -know any thing about it. They did not come on board of the schooner till -about an hour ago; though they tried to break out of the cabin when we -fastened them in," replied Dory. - -"You have had a regular circus of it, and your uncle was afraid you -would get hurt;" added Mr. Bushby. - -"We have been in a sort of conflict all the time, but no one on our side -has been hurt; though I think some of the prisoners have sore fingers." - -"Of course, these fellows were provided with pistols," suggested the -officer. - -"The chief had one, and he snapped it in my face, though it did not go -off; but I have not seen a revolver or any other dangerous weapon in the -hands of any other member of the party, though I believe this prisoner -has one." - -"You say you have fastened them into the cabin?" queried Mr. Bushby. - -"I will tell you all about it;" and Dory proceeded to do so. - -Before he had finished his narrative, the La Motte had entered the -river. The Sylph came up within hailing-distance of her, and directed -her to come to under the lee of the shore. As she did so, the steamer -came alongside of her; and Captain Gildrock directed the captain to have -the two vessels lashed together. - -The principal had a smile on his face when he came on the deck of the -schooner, though he did not abate one jot of his dignity. Dory did not -expect to be censured, but he did not like the looks of that smile; and -he was sure that it had been put on for his benefit. It was an -indication that his uncle did not fully approve what he had done, though -he would not condemn him till he knew all the facts in the case. He knew -that Captain Gildrock never encouraged any thing like knight-errantry in -the students. He liked manly boys, but he did not believe that they -should be any older than their years would allow. - -The sails of the schooner were lowered; and the Sylph went ahead, towing -her up the river. The principal spoke very kindly to Dory, but the smile -still played upon his face. He hardly looked at the prisoners on deck, -and seated himself on the rail. At his request, Dory gave a minute -account of every thing that happened since he heard the explosion early -in the morning. - -His uncle listened with deep interest, and occasionally asked a -question. Once or twice they were disturbed by the racket made by the -prisoners in the cabin. Possibly they had tapped another keg of beer, -but nothing indicated that they were aware of the state of things on -deck. - -"I am not going to blame or condemn you for what you have done, Dory; -but I wish you had come home when Mr. Brookbine did," said Captain -Gildrock, with the smile somewhat intensified, when his nephew had -finished his narrative, and the two vessels were just going into -Beechwater. "And I should have liked it still better if you had kept -entirely away from the robbers. You have endangered your life, and -frightened your mother almost out of her wits." - -"I thought I ought to do something, and I did the best I could," replied -Dory. "You have got back all the money that was stolen; and all the -robbers have been captured, and handed over to the officers." - -"As a boy of seventeen, you have conducted your pursuit with remarkable -skill; you have been courageous beyond your years; you have been -persistent and persevering to a degree that could hardly have been -expected of many men of mature age. I appreciate your skill, courage, -and perseverance; and still, I wish you had not done these things, -though they will add greatly to your reputation." - -"Then, I ought to have turned in after the explosion, and let these -fellows do the same thing over again in some other place?" added Dory, -with a cheerful smile, for he did not consider himself at all damaged by -what his uncle had said. - -"The reason why I wish you had not done these things is a purely selfish -one,--simply because you exposed yourself to a very great peril. If that -revolver had not missed fire, you might have been killed." - -"If one of the fellows fall overboard, I am to let him drown because my -mother will be frightened, or because I take the risk of drowning -myself," said Dory, laughing now. - -His uncle bit his lip, and Dory felt that he had the best of the -argument. At any rate, the uncle did not think it wise to say any thing -more about the matter; and the schooner was made fast to the wharf. The -Goldwing landed her crew a little later. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - "SEE, THE CONQUERING HERO COMES!" - - -The Goldwing had hardly landed her crew, before the Lily came up to the -wharf. Then came the Marian, whose party had not lost sight of the -schooner, though they had no suspicion that their late passengers had -any relations with the robbers. All the students were so much excited by -their curiosity to know more about the robbers, and about the doings of -Dory, that sailing and handling a steam-yacht were for the time lacking -in interest to them. The captains of the several craft had full powers, -and they could instruct and practise their crews as well in the river as -on the lake. - -All the students, therefore, were soon collected on the wharf. As soon -as Dory showed himself on the deck of the La Motte, he was loudly and -enthusiastically cheered by his companions, who had learned enough about -his exploits to understand that he had captured about all the laurels -earned in connection with the robbery. - -Not only the students had gathered on the wharf, but every person, -including the domestics, had rushed there as soon as it was known that -the schooner had arrived. Not a few people from the town swelled the -crowd. The prisoner who was bound to the rail, and Ripples with his arms -still tied behind him, were in sight of the spectators. There was -evidence enough that something had been done in the capture of these -fellows. - -"Where is Dory?" almost screamed Mrs. Dornwood, as she saw Captain -Gildrock on the deck of the La Motte. "Is he hurt? Has he been shot, or -any thing?" - -"He is here, and he is all right, Patty," replied the principal. - -"Then, let me see him, and be sure of it," added the poor mother. - -Dory was just then pointing out to the officers the manner in which the -machinist had secured the opening to the hold, and he was not in sight -of those on the wharf. - -"Here, Dory!" called the principal. "Your mother wants to see you." - -Dory came to the waist, for he was devoted to his mother; and the only -thing that grieved him in connection with the events of the morning, was -the fact that she had been alarmed about him. He sprang lightly upon the -rail of the vessel; and the moment he showed himself again, there was a -fresh outburst of applause, in which the servants of the house and the -citizens of the town joined, though the students engineered the cheers. -Dory stood on the rail a moment, looking for his mother in the crowd. - -"Here he is, Patty, with a wreath of laurels on his brow!" shouted the -captain, laughing. "I would rather have lost the money, and ten times as -much more, and let the robbers escape, than had him run the risk he has -incurred; but it can't be helped now, Patty. He has had a revolver -snapped in his face, and has had a mortal struggle with the chief in an -open boat in a heavy sea, to say nothing of bagging nine wide-awake -ruffians at one haul of the net." - -But Dory had jumped down from the rail of the vessel, and his mother -clasped him in her arms as though he were not a great fellow of nearly -eighteen, and as though she had not seen him for ten years. The crowd -cheered again when the captain finished his little speech, which he got -off more as a pleasantry than as a serious matter; a sort of -acknowledgment, which had been wrung from him by circumstances beyond -his control. - -Dory was like other boys, and he did not exactly like to be hugged by -his mother in the presence of so many people; but even the boys thought -it was quite natural and proper. In vain Dory protested that he had not -been hurt, and that it was not a very big thing to "shake down" such a -fellow as Mr. Michael Angelo Spickles: his mother kept on hugging him, -and the crowd kept on cheering him. - -"But I must go on board, mother; for these fellows are all shut up in -the cabin still, and I know something about them," protested the hero, -trying to break away from her. "Just as soon as the officers take them -away, I will tell you all about it." - -At last she permitted him to leave her, and he jumped upon the rail; but -his appearance, where he could be seen by all, was the signal for -another outbreak of applause. - -"'See, the conquering hero comes!'" exclaimed the principal, who was -also standing on the rail. - -"You are cutting it altogether too fat, uncle Royal," said Dory, -laughing; though he did not often address this style of remark to him. -"Where is Mr. Jepson?" - -"He is assisting in opening the hatch," replied the principal. - -"I should like to inquire if he was not with me, for I have a very -distinct impression that he took an active part in all that was done." - -"Mr. Jepson!" called the principal. - -"See, the other conquering hero comes!" shouted Dory, as the machinist -came into the presence of the captain. - -"What is the matter, Dory?" asked the instructor. - -"They are making game of me all around, and I want you to help me out -with it." - -"I am entirely sincere in all I have said," added Captain Gildrock. "You -deserve all the praise you have received, and all you are likely to -receive in the future, for your bravery and skill; though I wish you had -not exposed yourself." - -"But Mr. Jepson has been with me all the time, and I am not guilty of -any more bravery and skill than he is. I could not have done any thing -alone; and he did just as much as I did with his head and his hands, and -he deserves to be slobbered as much as I do." - -"Three cheers for the instructor in mechanics!" shouted a student who -had heard the conversation. - -They were given with quite as much vim as those for Dory. - -"But Dory was the leader of the enterprise, though I did the best I -could to support him," added the machinist. - -"You have done exceedingly well, both of you; but we will drop this -subject for the time, and open the cabin-doors," said the principal, as -he led the way to the quarter-deck of the schooner. - -It was an easy matter to remove the brace which secured the cabin-doors, -and to take out the strip of board which held the slide in its place. If -either Mack or Ripples had had a moment of liberty after he came on deck -from the cabin-window, he could have released his companions below. -After Dory's talk with Chuck over the stern of the vessel, the party -below were quiet, evidently believing that the deck was in possession of -the two who had made their egress through the cabin-windows. - -When the door was opened, Chuck, as the leader by succession, was the -first to step on the deck. He could not have helped hearing the tramp of -many feet on the planks over his head, but he had no positive knowledge -of what was going on. He seemed to be astonished at the fact that the -vessel was alongside a wharf, and he looked with amazement on the crowd -that had gathered near the La Motte. - -"What sort of a circus is this?" demanded he, bewildered, as he looked -around him. - -"It's all up with us, Chuck," said Mack at the rail. "Shut your mouth, -and keep it shut." - -"But I don't understand what all this means," persisted the astonished -successor of Mr. Spickles. "Didn't you tell me that you had knocked over -the two fellows on deck, and taken possession of the vessel?" - -"No, I didn't!" snapped Mack, who did not appear to be in an amiable -mood. - -"That was a bit of strategy on the part of Dory," interposed the -machinist. - -"I told you that we had knocked over the two fellows, but they were the -two you sent on deck through the cabin-windows," added Dory. - -"There seems to be two classes of these men," said Mr. Bushby. "A part -of them had no hand in the robbery, and were not in the vessel at the -time; but I don't know them apart." - -"This is one of the robbers: he went to the shore with the two who -blowed up the safe, and helped them off," added Dory. "The one who is -tied to the rail is the fellow that was in the office with Angy." - -"Who is Angy?" - -"He is the one in the lock-up." - -The four companions of Ripples were the next to appear, and Dory -declared that they were not of the robbers; and he believed that they -knew nothing about the robbery, either before or after the crime was -committed. Sangfraw and Wickwood were the last to show themselves, and -they were still quite boozy with the beer they had drunk. - -"These two were on board of the La Motte, and were the ship-keepers; -while the other three went ashore to commit the robbery," continued -Dory. - -"Then, I shall hold them; for they knew all about it, to say the least," -said Mr. Bushby, as he and his associate slipped the handcuffs on their -wrists, as they had done with Chuck. - -"Did Ripples know any thing about the robbery?" asked the principal of -the last two. - -"Not a thing," replied Sang promptly. - -"I came here for the most honest frolic in the world," protested -Ripples. - -"You can take the strings off his arms if you like," said Mr. Bushby. "I -have heard enough to satisfy me that five of them had nothing to do with -the robbery, and I shall not arrest them." - -"This will be a big lesson to me," said Ripples, as Dory removed the -line from his arms. - -The next thing was to search the vessel. Sang and Wick had weakened, and -were willing to tell all they knew about the ill-starred cruise of the -La Motte. With their assistance, a considerable sum of money was found -concealed under Angy's berth, together with other articles which showed -that the party had been engaged in the robberies at Plattsburg. Before -noon the four guilty ones were shut up with Mr. Spickles in the lock-up. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - THE GUESTS OF THE INSTITUTION. - - -Ripples and his four companions were glad to find they were not involved -in the disaster which had overtaken the other half of the Nautifelers -Club. When the crowd on the wharf dispersed, they remained; for their -plans for the immediate future had been sadly deranged. But they were at -liberty to go where they pleased. - -After they had discussed their situation for a while, they went into the -boat-house, hoping to find Captain Gildrock there. But no one was there. -It was so near dinner-time that the boats did not go out again that -forenoon. The La Motte, deserted by everybody, lay at the wharf; and -they went on board of her. But the principal soon appeared, and invited -them to dine with the students, which they thought was very kind of him. - -After dinner he went to the wharf with them again. They had put their -bags and valises on board of her; and so far, they had been unable to -make up their minds what to do. The principal went into the cabin of the -schooner with them. On the table was mounted a cask of beer, which the -party had opened when they were prevented from coming on deck. - -"When a lot of young men fasten themselves to a beer-keg, it is not at -all difficult to tell what will become of them," said the principal, as -he seated himself on the locker in front of the berths. "It is to them -just what whiskey is to older men, and the whiskey, in this country, is -pretty sure to follow the beer." - -"I never thought there was any great harm in beer," replied Ripples. - -"I should say that it helped your friend Spickles into the lock-up. Of -course, he had some bad tendencies; but they were stimulated by his -beer. I may be wrong, but I do not believe he would have made so short a -career of evil without the help of beer." - -"Let's throw it overboard, fellows," suggested Ripples to his -companions. - -"All right!" shouted several of them, impressed by the lesson which the -principal drew from the fate of Spickles. - -A couple of them hastened on deck with the half empty beer-keg, and -threw its contents into the lake. The others searched for more of the -article; and they found two kegs of it in the hold, which followed the -first lot. - -"No more beer for me!" exclaimed Ripples. - -Two of the others said the same thing, and two said nothing; but all of -them seemed to be satisfied that beer was a dangerous luxury for young -men. The principal enlarged a little on the subject. He said that men, -old as well as young, were sometimes led so near the abyss of crime as -to be saved, even when they were hanging over it. They went far enough -to see into it, and the sight reformed them. He thought the five before -him ought to take warning from the fate of their companions; and they -had apparently accepted the warning. - -"You came up to the lake to spend your vacation, I understand," -continued Captain Gildrock. - -"Yes, sir: that is what we came for. It seems now that Angy had planned -a series of robberies, from which he was to obtain the funds to carry on -the excursion for a couple of months; but we knew nothing about that. We -are all sons of men of standing in New York, and I begin to think we -were to furnish the respectability for the crowd." - -"Very likely," added the principal with a smile. "If Spickles had -reached the schooner without being discovered, he would have been at -Ticonderoga this morning before you left; that is, if the violent storm -had not upset his calculations. He would have taken your party on board; -and with the proceeds of the burglaries, amounting to several thousand -dollars, he would have been able to run the schooner all summer." - -"I had no suspicion that he was such a fellow," added Ripples, shaking -his head. "But I confess that I am greatly disappointed at the failure -of the excursion, though I have no doubt it is the best thing in the -world for us." - -"So far as the excursion that was planned in New York is concerned, it -is certainly a godsend to you that it failed; and even if half of your -club had not come to grief, the result would have been the same. A month -or two in company of such fellows as the burglars, guzzling beer, would -have taken you a long way down towards a life of dissipation and evil." - -"I begin to think so myself. I suppose my father will read about this -affair in the newspapers; and I am sure it will make him shake," -continued Ripples. "I will write to him as soon as I get a chance, and -tell him all about it." - -"If you will give me his address, I will give him my impressions of the -matter," said Captain Gildrock. - -"Thank you, sir: you are very kind, and I should be glad to have you -tell him that his son has not been guilty of any crime. But I suppose we -might as well go home: our fun here is spoiled," replied Ripples. - -"The proposed excursion, as you understood it, was certainly an innocent -one. For what time had Spickles chartered this vessel?" asked the -principal. - -"For two months; and paid down for one month." - -"As you are a part of the party, it seems to me that the schooner -belongs to you for the time it was engaged; and there is nothing to -prevent you from making the excursion around the lake, and remaining -upon it as long as you please," suggested the captain. - -"There is only one thing in the way of doing that: we have no skipper, -and we are not competent to handle the vessel. Angy was the only one of -us who knew how to handle a schooner, though Mack and Chuck knew -something about the business," replied Ripples. - -"If you will remain in the vicinity of Beaver River, I will furnish a -person to instruct you in managing the vessel. You are welcome to remain -as long as you please at the school," added the principal. - -Ripples and his companions thanked the captain for this privilege, and -manifested a good deal of interest in the affairs of Beech Hill. By this -time the students had gathered in the schoolroom to attend to the -lecture which had been suspended, and the guests of the institution were -invited to be present. - -"I have fully explained to you all that it is possible to have you -comprehend in regard to a ship, or any square-rigged vessel, without -actual practice," the principal began, as he took his place on the -platform. "As I said this morning, I prefer to tell you what you want to -know." - -As soon as the words were out of his mouth, at least a dozen hands were -raised; and it was plain that the students were primed with questions in -regard to nautical matters, and wanted their information from competent -authority. - -"What is sailing on a bowline? I found it in a book the other day," -asked Bark Duxbury, when the principal nodded to him. - -"You pronounce it as though it were two words. Say bo-lin," replied the -principal, as he went to the blackboard, and drew one side of a topsail, -showing the leech. - -"The main to' bowline is what I want to know about," added Bark. - -"You have been trying to put yourself into the pickle," added the -principal with a smile, as he noticed the manner in which he clipped out -the p. "This is the leech of the main-topsail, we will suppose, though -it will answer just as well for any other sail. These are the bridles," -he added, as he drew three lines of unequal length from the leech at the -lower part. - -Then starting a line from above the upper one, he carried it so as to -touch the outer end of each of the short ones, and continued it in a -curve for some distance from the leech. - -"The long line is the bowline, and the short ones are the bridles. The -bowline leads to the foremast, and through a block down to the deck. All -the square-sails may be provided with bowlines, which lead forward, -either to a mast or to a stay. They are used only on the windward-side -of the ship." - -"What are they for, sir?" - -"They are used only when the ship is close-hauled; and by them the leech -of the sail is hauled forward so as to catch all the wind there is," -replied the principal. - -"I don't know about close-hauled," said Rag Spinner. - -"Tell him, Ash Burton." - -"A vessel is close-hauled when she is sailing as nearly as she can to -windward, as when she is beating," answered Ash. - -"Precisely so; and a vessel is sailing on a bowline when she is as close -to the wind as she can get. On a taut bowline is the same thing." - -"Is it proper to use that expression about a boat, the Goldwing or the -Lily?" asked Bark. - -"It might pass if you wished to be extra salt, though it is hardly -applicable. In fact, bowlines are but little used nowadays." - -"What is scudding under bare poles?" asked Sam Spottwood. - -"It is a literal expression, and means sailing without any sail set. In -a heavy gale, a very heavy one, when a ship can carry no sail, she -sometimes scuds before the wind." - -"What is wearing?" inquired Archie Pinkler. - -"Do you know what tacking means?" - -"Yes, sir: it is changing from one tack to another." - -"To the other, for there are only two tacks in this sense. But which way -do you come about?" - -"Stick her head right up into the wind," answered Archie, using an -expression he had learned that morning. - -"Right, my boy: you are quite a sailor. Sometimes the head of the vessel -will not come about: it may be on account of a current, or a want of -head-sail. In that case, she has to wear around the other way, with the -wind, instead of against it. Box-hauling, in a square-rigged vessel, is -wearing by backing the head-sails, those on the foremast." - -The students continued to ask questions of this kind till the clock -struck two, and then they were dismissed to sail the boats. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - STATIONS FOR GETTING UNDER WAY. - - -"My occupation is gone, like Othello's," said Thad Glovering, when the -students assembled on the wharf after the lecture. "Dory can teach his -own flock now." - -"But I have another class for you," interposed the principal, who -happened to hear the remark. "The remnant of the Nautifelers Club have -decided to have their excursion on the lake, and they will remain in the -vicinity of the school. They don't know how to handle a schooner, and -you may make sailors of them, Glovering. You may take two of the -students with you, or three." - -"Corny Minkfield, Nat Long, and Dick Short, if you please," suggested -Thad. - -The principal assented, and the party went on board of the La Motte. The -schooner was put in order, and Dory suggested that her first trip be -made to obtain the hatches which had been left on the beach at -Camp-Meeting Point. The new skipper set his crew at work; and, as the -wind had moderated to a lively breeze, she went off under a whole -mainsail and jib. - -The class of unskilled boatmen, as they all were except Ash Burton, were -on board of the Goldwing. Dory shoved off the sloop; and when she had -drifted some distance from the wharf, he let go the anchor. - -"What in the world is that for, Dory? I thought we were going out on the -lake to take a lesson in sailing," said Ben Sinker. - -"So we are; but I thought we would begin at the beginning," replied -Dory. "It is as necessary to know how to come to anchor as it is to do -any thing else in sailing a boat." - -"All you have to do is to throw it overboard when you want to stop," -said Archie. - -"Suppose you were coming into Beechwater with a lively breeze, such as -we have to-day, how would you manage to anchor in the middle of it?" -asked the skipper. - -"When we got to the middle of the lake, I should drop the anchor," -answered Archie. - -"And a pretty mess you would make of it! If you were coming in under jib -and mainsail, you would take in the jib some time before you reached the -locality where you wished to anchor. Then, as you near the anchorage, -you would come to, or throw her up into the wind, thus spilling the -mainsail. When the boat had lost her headway, or most of it, you would -let go the anchor. If you kept the sail drawing, you would drag the -anchor, get aground, or run into some other craft." - -"Suppose you are caught in a sudden squall?" asked Ash. - -"You should not allow yourself to be caught in a sudden squall. A -boatman should be always on the lookout for such things. Squalls don't -come out of a blue sky; and when the weather is threatening, the skipper -should get ready for it." - -"But suppose the skipper was careless, and did get caught?" persisted -Ash. - -"In that case, he would not let go the anchor; for he could not well do -any thing worse than that with his sails set. If the skipper can't haul -down the jib, he should not anchor. But he could take in sail quicker -than he could get the anchor to bite." - -"Bite? Does the anchor bite? I shall be afraid of it," said Archie. - -"It would not bite you; but an anchor is said to bite when it gets hold -at the bottom of the lake. You don't anchor in a squall unless you have -got the sails down. More of that farther on. I have told you how to come -to anchor under ordinary circumstances. You must make your plan for -doing so beforehand." - -"I think I could anchor her," said Archie. - -"It is not a dangerous operation. If the wind blows hard, you need a -long rode, which means a long cable. In a blow, there is a heavy sea, -and the motion of the boat causes a constant jerking on the anchor. With -a short rode, it may lift it so that the flukes are detached from the -bottom, especially if it be rocky. The longer the cable, the less the -slant of the rope. In Lake Champlain, the water is four hundred feet -deep in some places." - -"Where, Dory?" asked Ash. - -"In the middle of the lake, between Essex and Wing's Point; and it is -nearly that off Split Rock Point. Fifty fathoms, or three hundred feet, -would be a very long cable in these waters: but it would be useless -anywhere out in the middle of the lake. It is almost three hundred feet -deep within a stone's-throw of Thomson's Point. The moral of all this -is, that you must know the bottom of the lake as well as the top when -you want to anchor. As a general rule, you must run into some bay for -the purpose." - -"But a fellow may be caught out in the middle of the lake when the bad -weather comes," suggested Ash. - -"Then he must take his chances; but he need not be caught if he looks -out in season. If it looks like bad weather, get under a lee if you can. -Don't anchor off a lee-shore if it can be avoided. Look out in season. -That will do for anchoring till we get caught in a tight place. Now we -will get under way. Take the stops off the mainsail." - -"What is a gasket, Dory?" asked Ash. - -"Some boatmen call the stops a gasket. Properly, a gasket is the rope -used to fasten the sail to the yard or boom when it is furled. Sometimes -the gasket is made of strips of canvas sewed together, or ropes plaited -into a flat shape. I want you all to have your stations, so that, when -the order is given, it can be executed without calling any names. Archie -Pinkler and Con Bunker may take the throat-halyards, and Syl Peckman and -Hop Cabright the peak-halyards. These are your stations in hoisting or -lowering the mainsail. Ben Sinker will stand by the main-sheet, overhaul -it, and make it fast when told to do so. Ash Burton will take the -wheel." - -The students designated took their places; and the mainsail was hoisted, -though the skipper was obliged to give a good many directions. Then he -required them to lower the sail, and go through the routine again. The -second time the work satisfied him, and it was done in half the time it -required the first time. - -"This is precisely the way they get a ship, or any larger vessel, under -way," continued Dory. "The first thing is to set the principal sails, -never including the head-sails." - -"What are the head-sails?" asked Con. - -"In a sloop, the term applies to the jib only. In a ship, it may include -all the sails forward of the mainmast. In getting under way, the next -thing to be done after the principal sails are set, is to heave up the -anchor to a short stay; though we don't generally take the trouble to do -this in small boats. It means simply to get the anchor nearly up, which -is indicated by the cable being something near up and down." - -"What's the use of doing that?" asked the critical Archie. - -"Because it is generally necessary to work lively after most of the -sails are set. After the sails are shaken out on board of a ship, they -don't want to wait a long time to heave up the whole of the cable. -Archie and Syl shall have their stations at the cable, and Con and Hop -at the jib-halyards. Now, just to show how it is done, you may heave up -the anchor to a short stay; that is, haul in on the cable till the bow -of the boat is nearly over the anchor; but don't trip it." - -"Trip it?" queried Archie, though the meaning of the term was clear -enough to all of them. - -"Just as you would trip a fellow up on shore; lift the mud-hook from the -bottom," added Dory rather impatiently. "When you get the cable in the -position required, Archie, it will be your duty to report the fact by -saying, 'Cable up and down.'" - -Archie and Syl hauled in on the cable? the latter pulling upon the rope, -and the former coiling it up as it came in, as directed by the skipper. - -"Cable up and down," reported Archie, prompted by Syl. - -"Con is strong enough to hoist the jib alone; and Hop will overhaul the -downhaul, and see that it runs out clear as the sail goes up. Then, as -soon as the sail is well up, Hop will pass the halyard under the cleat, -while Con swigs up; but not yet," continued the skipper. - -The hands at the jib made every thing ready to hoist the sail. - -"Now the two hands at the anchor will be ready to trip it. The moment it -is clear of the bottom, Archie will say, 'Anchor a-weigh.' Then I shall -give the order to hoist the jib. Are you all ready there?" - -"All ready," replied Archie, who was getting up a deep interest in the -operations. - -"Trip the anchor," added Dory in a quiet tone. - -"Anchor a-weigh!" shouted Archie. - -"Hoist the jib," continued the skipper. "Keep on with your work at the -anchor, Archie and Syl, and don't leave it till you have stowed it away -in its place, and coiled up the cable, so that it will run out freely if -we have occasion to anchor again in two minutes. On a boat, ropes should -not be snarled up, but every one of them should be properly disposed for -use at any moment." - -The cable led through a block under the bowsprit. When it came -home,--which is the nautical expression used when any thing is hauled up -to the point where it belongs, or as far as can be,--an iron hook was -thrown over one of the arms, and the anchor was hauled inboard by a line -attached to it. This arrangement made it easy to weigh the anchor. - -While the two hands were at the anchor, Con and Hop were hoisting the -jib. Ash was directed to put the helm a-lee, and Ben to stand by the -main-sheet. The moment the anchor was clear of the bottom, the jib began -to fill, and the head of the boat swung off. - -"Stand by the jib-sheets, Hop, while Con coils up the jib-halyards," -said Dory, after they had "swigged up" the rope. - -But the jib-sheets led aft, and Dory trimmed them down himself. It was a -dead beat to windward to get out of Beechwater, and the two sails were -close-hauled. In a moment every thing was in good order, the cable and -the halyards had all been disposed of, as directed, and Ben had made a -very nice coil of the spare part of the main-sheet on the floor of the -standing-room. The crew were surprised to see with how little fuss the -boat had got under way. Dory knew how, and every thing seemed to work to -a charm for that reason. - -"Now what tack are we on?" asked the skipper. - -"On the starboard-tack," replied all of them in one breath, for they had -profited by the instructions of Thad in the morning. - -"Right. And the act of getting under way, as we did, is called 'casting -on the starboard-tack,'" added Dory. - -"Well, we couldn't cast on any other," suggested Hop, as they were all -seated in the standing-room. - -"It would have been just as easy to cast on the port-tack as on the -starboard," replied the instructor. - -"It seems to me that it is just as the wind happens to hit the sails on -one side or the other," added Hop. - -"There is no happen about it. I cast on the starboard because it gives -us the longest tack in this pond. When any boat or vessel is at anchor, -she points her nose directly into the wind. Then it is as easy to cast -on one tack as the other." - -"But after the mainsail is set, the boat keeps flopping one way and the -other," said Con. - -"If you make fast the main-sheet, it will. In that case, you are to take -advantage of the right moment to trip the anchor and set the jib. It is -sometimes necessary to sway off the boom to get her in position." - -By this time the Goldwing was nearing the shore on the west side. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - ALL OF DORY'S CLASS BECOME SKIPPERS. - - -"Ready about!" shouted Dory, with more vim than he usually put into his -orders. - -But there was nothing to do, for any one except Ash at the wheel; for -the skipper had not stationed the crew for tacking. He had not had time -to do so. The lower block of the main-sheet ran on a traveller, which is -an iron rod set a couple of inches above the taffrail, or piece across -the top of the stern. The ring under the block plays freely, or travels -on it, from one side to the other. As the wind carries the sail and boom -over, the sheet-block follows it. Of course, the sheet is trimmed so the -boom may be at the right angle with the keel, on whichever tack the boat -may be. - -Dory explained the working of the sheet, and gave the names of the parts -of the rigging used. He took hold of the jib-sheets himself, and gave -the order to put the helm to port. As the sails began to shake, he cast -off the lee-sheet, and passed over to the other side of the -standing-room. - -"Hard a-lee!" he continued, which meant that the helm was to be put down -as far as it would go. - -The Goldwing came about handsomely, as she always did under fair -treatment: the boom went over to the starboard. The skipper then hauled -in the port, which had become the lee, sheet, as the sail went over. The -breeze was lively, and the boat worked quickly. - -"Meet her, Ash," said Dory; and the helmsman threw the wheel over till -he could feel the pressure of the water on the rudder as the sails -filled. - -"What do you mean by 'meet her'?" asked Archie. - -"The helm was hard down when I gave that order," replied the skipper. -"If it had remained in that position, it would have been hard up after -the sails filled, and the sloop would have continued to swing around -till she was before the wind; and it would take time to get her back to -her proper course. As soon as the boat begins to catch the wind on the -new tack, the helm must be shifted to meet her. When the boat was on the -starboard-tack, all the pressure of the water was on the weather-side of -the rudder, as the Goldwing carries a weather-helm. As soon as the boat -begins to swing, this pressure is removed. There is none to speak of on -either side. But as soon as she begins to fill on the port-tack, the -pressure comes on that side." - -"And you feel it the instant it begins to bear on the rudder," added -Ash. - -"You want the sails to fill on the new tack, and she should be met with -the helm before she has fallen off much beyond her proper course. In a -light wind, when the boat moves sluggishly, she may fall off somewhat -before she feels the pressure on the rudder." - -"She isn't on any thing, and I don't see how she can fall off," said -Archie, the critic. - -"Yes, she is on something: she is on the wind, and she falls off when -she goes to leeward. As Ash says, he can feel the pressure as soon as -the sails fill; and we sail a boat quite as much by the feeling as by -the use of the eyes. Mr. Herschoff, who built the Sylph, is one of the -best boatmen in the country, and he is totally blind. Of course, he has -to work the boat entirely by the feeling; and those who have good eyes -do it largely in the same way. Practice alone can give you this skill." - -"Thad said the keel and the rudder balanced the sails, and kept up a -sort of equilibrium," added Syl. - -"That was quite right. When you see a fellow on a tight-rope in the -circus, with a long pole in his hands, you may observe that he keeps -lifting one end or the other. He throws the weight of the pole, the ends -of which are loaded with lead, to one side or the other to preserve his -balance. You shift the helm for the same reason. You can tell what the -boat is doing with your eyes shut after you get used to her. When a flaw -of wind comes, it throws a boat with a weather-helm up into the wind; -and if you were blindfolded, the tiller or the wheel would tell you all -about it." - -"What do you do when the flaw comes?" asked Archie. - -"Meet it with the helm if it is not too stiff for her." - -"Suppose it is strong enough to capsize her if she keeps her course?" -Hop inquired. - -"Let her come up into the wind a little more than the course requires. -If you let her up far enough, of course you will spill the sail, and the -flaw can do her no harm. This is what sailors would call 'touching her -up,' and that is just what we do when the wind comes too strong for the -boat. You could keep her balanced, even in a hurricane, for a moment or -two with the sails drawing just enough to give her steerage-way. -Generally, flaws don't last more than a moment, and you fill away as -soon as they pass. You may have to work sharp to keep her from filling -on the other tack." - -"A fellow has got to do it before he will know how," added Hop. - -"Now, Con, I will station you at the port jib-sheet, and you, Hop, at -the starboard," said the skipper. - -"Why don't you say the weather and lee sheet?" asked Archie. - -"Because they would have to change places every time we tack. The -lee-sheet is sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the other, as you -may see for yourself," answered the skipper. "Ready about! That is -simply the order for those who have any thing to do in tacking to be -ready to do it; just as the military officer gives a warning -'Attention--company!' 'Shoulder--arms!' Not a soldier moves till the -last word is uttered. Ready about!" - -The two sheet-hands took hold of the ropes, and the helmsman was ready -to move the wheel. At the command, "Starboard the helm," Ash put it down -a little, and the head of the boat crawled gradually up into the wind. - -"Hard a-lee!" said Dory. "Cast off all but one turn on the lee-sheet, -Hop. Let go the lee-sheet!" added the skipper a moment later, when the -jib shook in the wind. "Haul in on your port-sheet! Trim it down! Meet -her with the helm!" - -The change from one tack to the other was quickly made. The sloop worked -to perfection, and the students had mastered the lesson in tacking. As -they had to beat through a part of the narrow channel to the river, they -had plenty of practice in a very short time. - -"There is no need of all these orders after you have learned your duty. -There is a sort of buncombe in using them in a small craft, or in any -craft except a man-of-war. 'Ready about' should always be used. After -that, on board of a ship, 'Let go and haul' is about all that is -necessary, and it will do here. Let go the lee-sheet, and haul on the -weather, supplies the ellipsis," said Dory, as the Goldwing came out -into the river where she had more sea-room. - -"I think I understand it now," added Archie. - -"I think you do, all but the practice," replied the skipper. "I shall -resign my office now as captain, and ask Ash to fill my place for a -while. You may take the wheel, Ben Sinker; and I shall not say a word, -unless you are likely to upset the boat." - -Ben went to the wheel, and Ash assumed the position of skipper. - -"Where shall we go?" asked the new captain. - -"After you get out of the river, go up the lake, and that will be a dead -beat to windward," answered Dory. - -"The wind has almost died out," said Hop, as he looked about him. - -"Not much!" replied Ash. - -"When you are running in a boat before the wind, there seems to be -little or no breeze," said Dory, who did not abandon his function as -instructor. "When you ride in a carriage in a hot day, with the wind, -you feel the heat. So in a boat. I have been nearly roasted on the lake -in this boat when I was going before the wind, while it would be -comfortably cool on the wind. The motion of the boat kills the breeze. -Some boatmen make Hop's blunder, and put on more sail than they can -bear; and then it is a dangerous error." - -"Haul in on the main-sheet! A pull on the lee jib-sheet!" said Ash, when -the Goldwing came to a bend in the river, which made it necessary to -brace up the boat a little more. - -After the change of course, the breeze came fresher; and Hop realized -his mistake, by experience. The sloop went rapidly down the river with -the wind about on the beam, or across the width of the boat, and out -into the lake. The waves were lively there; and they were short and -choppy, giving the boat a jerky motion. - -"I suppose you know where the bottom is, out here, Ash," said Dory. - -"I think I do; and it is pretty near the top of the water for a mile. I -shall hold her on her present course till we have made about that -distance from the mouth of the river." - -"About half a mile from the point will cover it, but it is best to be on -the safe side. When Diamond Island shuts in Split Rock Light, you are -all right for any course except south," added Dory. - -"I suppose nobody but Ash is expected to understand that remark," said -Archie. "Shuts it in!" - -"In other words, when you can see Split Rock Light over Diamond Island, -you are far enough from the shore to avoid the shoals off Field's Bay," -Dory explained. - -"I can understand that," added Archie. - -"If the light were not more than two feet above the water, we could not -see it all when we come to the position described, for it would be shut -in. I have about two hundred ranges written down in a book at home, and -this is one of them. Sometimes they put two lighthouses on a shore. If -one shut out the other, you could tell, in one case, how far north you -had gone. When I am going into the river with the Sylph, I don't run in -till I have brought the tip of the point in range with the white chimney -on Paucett's house. The more of these ranges you learn, the better you -will be qualified to sail a boat on Lake Champlain." - -It was nearly dark when the Goldwing returned to the school; but every -member of the class had taken his turn in sailing the boat, and each -thought he knew as much as Dory about it. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - - THE GOLDWING'S TRIP TO PLATTSBURG. - - -During the following week, Dory's class in the Goldwing made trips in -the boat after the close of the labors in the shop. One of the members -took charge of the sloop in each of these trips, and the lesson was -still "Beating to windward." In this way, all of them learned how to -work a boat to windward; and it was the most difficult lesson for them -to learn, for it required a great deal of judgment. - -One student would steer so close to the wind that the boat was cramped, -and could not get ahead; while another let her get so far off the wind, -that she failed to accomplish what she was competent to do. It required -a great deal of practice to enable the different skippers to hit the -golden mean. They did remarkably well, though not one of them became -proficient at once. - -On the return from the excursion, they had some experience in sailing -before the wind, and in all directions between that and close-hauled. -Matt Randolph was always out at the same time in the Lily, with his -class. Although the latter was a schooner, the lesson was precisely the -same. She carried a crew of twelve, and they were all stationed as in -the Goldwing. The foresail was handled in the same manner as the -mainsail. The only question that could come up on board of her, that did -not have to be considered on the sloop, was whether or not, in a blow, -the foresail should be set. - -During the week, there was an examination of the five burglars, and all -of them were fully committed for trial. The Plattsburg robberies were -fastened upon them, and some of the money and other property found on -board of the La Motte was restored to the owners. There was a great deal -of difference of opinion in regard to the relative guilt of the robbers, -for it did not appear that Sangfraw and Wickwood had any thing more than -a criminal knowledge of the deeds of the other three. Besides, they were -truly repentant, and told all they knew about the schemes of their -companions, who denied all they could to the last. - -At the trial, some weeks later, Spickles got seven years in the State -Prison; the two who actually assisted him in his enterprises, received a -sentence of five years; while the remaining two were let off with only -one year. The chief of the Nautifelers Club, who was the author and -finisher of all the schemes, both of pleasure and plunder, preserved his -self-possession through the trial; but by the time he was shut up for -seven long years, he began to wish that he had followed the course in -life which Matt Randolph had marked out for himself. - -Thad Glovering trained the party on board of the La Motte, in the -management of the vessel; and at the end of a couple of weeks, they left -Beech Hill, to undertake a cruise without his aid. They were very much -pleased with what they saw of the institution; and they left the school -much wiser, morally and intellectually, than when they came there. - -On the following Saturday morning at daylight, Dory and his class were -on board of the Goldwing for an entire day of sailing, and were going to -Plattsburg. The sloop had been provisioned for the cruise; and the party -were in a high state of enthusiasm, for it had been promised them a week -before. Dory had rigged out the flying jib-boom, and put all the "kites" -on board, so that the sloop could make the best of a light wind. - -At four o'clock in the morning, when the party were ready to sail, there -was scarcely a breath of air. Thad had taught them all there was to -learn about a gaff-topsail, and they had worked the parts and methods -over in their own minds. But when they came to apply their knowledge, -they found that practice was quite different from theory. - -"Bend on the gaff-topsail-halyards," said Dory, after the mainsail had -been set. - -This place had been assigned to Archie Pinkler; while Con Bunker was -stationed at the tack, and Syl Peckman at the sheet. Dory had put all -the running-rigging in place for handling the extra sails, but Archie -did not know where to find the halyard. Both ends of this rope were made -fast at the rail, on the port-side of the mast. - -"You will always find the halyards there, Archie; and it is not -necessary for you to learn about any other rigging connected with the -gaff-topsail at present, though you can't help picking up all the other -parts as they are brought into use. Now overhaul the halyards, and see -that they are not foul, so that you can hoist the sail without any -hitch." - -The instructor would not allow any one to assist him; and he soon had -the rope in running order, and bent it on the sail. When he had hauled -the sail up so that the lower clews were just above the deck, Dory -stopped him. - -"Now, Con, bend on the tack," continued the skipper. - -"We don't bend any thing: what's the use of having such a word?" - -"That's my son Yoppa's name," added Hop, laughing. - -"Bend is the nautical word for make fast, and that is the particular -reason why I use it. Would you have me say, 'Tie the halyard to the -sail'? Bend it on, Con." - -"I don't know where to look for it." - -"The end you bend on to the sail is on the port-side, and the end you -haul upon is on the starboard-side. It is made fast abaft the cleat used -for the halyard, and you never need make a mistake. When Archie hoists -the sail to the mast-head, you will stand by the tack on the -starboard-side, and haul the rope over the gaff. The sheet is made fast -to a cleat on the main-boom, Syl; and, as the sail goes up, you will -haul on it just enough to prevent the rope from fouling. Hoist away, -Archie." - -The setting of the sail was a decided success; and with less system, the -whole affair might easily have been snarled up, as it often is. - -The anchor was weighed, the jib was hoisted, and the Goldwing remained -just where she had been at her moorings. There was no wind at all in the -lower regions; but the gaff-topsail soon filled, and the boat began to -move, though it could hardly be seen. Then Dory ordered the crew to set -the jib-topsail. This sail was fitted with snap-hanks, by which it could -be set upon the main-topmast-stay. Ash, as the best sailor in the party, -was sent out on the bowsprit to hook on the hanks. The halyard, which -led down the mast, was attached to it; and the sail went up into its -place, with the upper clew close to the topmast-head. - -The upper part of the jib-topsail filled, and the motion of the sloop -was increased a little. Dory had a balloon-jib, which could also be used -as a spinnaker, in the cuddy. The Goldwing slowly moved towards the -creek; and, without the lofty sails she carried, she would not have -moved at all. - -"It is part of a boatman's trade to know something about the weather, -for I don't think we shall have an up-and-down breeze much longer," said -Dory, as he looked about him. "The wind is about west now, and it is -very likely we shall have showers before night." - -"Old Prob tells us all about the weather," added Ash. - -"But you don't have Old Prob at your elbow all the time. Showers come up -in the west more than from any other quarter, and the clouds will tell -you what to expect. When a squall approaches, you can always see its -action on the water before it reaches you, unless you happen to be under -a weather-shore, which will shelter you to some extent. But you must -look out for your boat before you see the squall on the water. The -clouds will let you know that it is time to take in all kites." - -In the river they got more wind, and the boat soon reached Lake -Champlain. By that time, it was blowing moderately from the west. With -her extra sails set, the Goldwing rushed rapidly through the water, with -the breeze on the beam. It continued to freshen; and after the sloop had -passed Split Rock Point, she had all she could carry. Ash Burton had the -helm, and the boat heeled over so that the rail occasionally went under. -It was exciting sailing. - -"Now, I should like to know where the danger comes in," said Archie, as -he saw a little spray slop in over the washboard. - -"It don't come in at all if the boat is properly handled," replied Dory. -"It would not be prudent to let her fall off a great deal." - -"What would happen if she did fall off too much?" asked Con. - -"Nothing at all, unless she were brought round far enough to place her -keel in line with the direction of the wind. Then, with the sails -trimmed as they are now, the boom would be likely to be carried over to -the opposite tack. It would fill on the other tack with a shock, which -might upset her. But even a blockhead would not let her do that." - -"Suppose she did upset?" queried Ben Sinker. - -"If she went over just here, she would go to the bottom in nearly four -hundred feet of water. But she will not be allowed to play you such a -trick as that. You might just as well drive your horse over a precipice -as let the boat upset," said Dory confidently. - -"The boat is now down to her washboard; and it would not take much of a -flaw to put the board under, and fill the standing-room with water," -added Archie. - -"There comes a flaw; you can see it on the surface of the lake," replied -the skipper. "Now see what Ash does." - -The gust of wind struck the sails; the boat heeled over till the water -came up to the top of the washboard; but, as Ash pulled the wheel -towards him, the head of the boat went to windward, and the pressure was -eased off. Dory asked the helmsman to put the helm a little farther -down. Then the sails all began to shake, and the sloop instantly came up -to an even keel. - -"It looks easy enough," said Archie. - -"It is easy enough, if you only mind what you are about. It takes some -strength at the wheel to keep her from doing that, as she carries a -weather-helm; so that you can't upset her in the way I explained, unless -you mean to do so," continued Dory. - -But Dory was a prudent skipper, and he ordered the jib-topsail to be -taken in. Thus relieved, she went along swiftly and very comfortably. By -nine o'clock they arrived at Plattsburg, and spent a couple of hours -there. But they were more interested in sailing the boat than they were -in wandering about the streets of the town, though they were much -pleased with their visit to the beautiful garden of Fouquet's Hotel. - -The return-trip was about the same thing till the Goldwing was in the -widest part of the lake, off Burlington. Then the black clouds began to -roll up in vast masses in the west, and the skipper said they looked -like wind. The gaff-topsail was taken in, the flying-jib was furled. The -lightning was terrific, and the thunder suggested earthquakes. - -"We are in for it, sure," said Archie Pinkler; "and I don't like the -looks of things about this time." - -"We are all of six miles from the land; and the wind is dying out, as it -often does before a tempest; and there is no backing out," said Dory. -"We shall have to take whatever comes, and do the best we can. The -greenhorn, on board of a ship, when a sudden storm came up, said he -thought he would take a biscuit, turn in, and call it half a day. He was -not allowed to do so, and you will not. Our safety requires that every -fellow should do his duty, and there is no shirking it." - -"But why don't you take in sail, Dory?" asked Archie nervously. - -"Because there is no need of it yet, and we may not have to take in sail -at all. Why don't you take medicine before you get sick? You need not be -nervous, Archie. We are all right; and I feel as much at home on board -of the Goldwing, as I should in my room at Beech Hill." - -Suddenly what breeze there had been died out, and the sloop lay -motionless on the water. Dory told the crew to take in the jib, and -instructed those stationed at this sail to stow it and secure it with -the utmost care, so that it should not be blown out by the squall. - -"There is the Marian," said Ash, as he saw her coming out from -Burlington. - -"What does she come out for when there is going to be a squall?" asked -Ben. - -"Because she will be safer out in the lake than at a wharf there, though -she might get behind the breakwater. She will do very well in a squall. -All she has to do, is to keep out of the trough of the sea, if it comes -on very hard," replied Dory. "At the very worst, in a hurricane, she -would put her head up to the sea, and keep her engine going. She will be -all right unless her engine breaks down." - -The lake was as smooth as glass, and the boat lay "like a painted ship -upon a painted ocean." The members of the class looked at each other, -and some of them were doubtless afraid. - -"Man the peak-halyards," said Dory quietly. "Keep perfectly cool, and -there is no particular hurry." - -Syl and Hop went to the station indicated, but they were told to do -nothing till the order was given; though the sail might as well be -furled as set, so far as any use of it was concerned. - -"It is coming now," said Dory, as he pointed to the New-York shore. "You -can see the clouds of dust it is stirring up on the land." - -A moment later, it struck the water, and the commotion could be seen. - -It looked like a dense light cloud sweeping over the surface, while a -roaring sound came in advance of it. Dory gave the order to let go the -peak-halyards, and take in the jib. - -"Now we are all right," said the skipper, as soon as the order was -executed. "Here it comes. Hold on to your hats, and keep down in the -boat." - -The cloud swept down upon the sloop, and the squall struck her. Dory -took the wheel himself. The mainsail flapped and banged with tremendous -violence; but the boat was headed right into it, and no harm came from -it. The water did not pile itself up into big waves at first. Almost as -soon as it had come, it was over. A few moments later, Dory filled away -with the mainsail: the peak still dropped, just holding wind enough to -give her steerage-way. - -"Is that all there is of it?" asked Archie, when the shock was over. - -"That's all; but it was only a light squall, and sometimes they hold one -for a much longer time. But we have not got to the end of this thing -yet, for there is another behind it." - -The skipper let the boat fall off till she was headed for Juniper -Island, about two miles distant. In less than ten minutes he had -anchored her under its lee, with all sail safely stowed. As the skipper -predicted, there was another squall, which continued to rage for full -fifteen minutes. The waves mounted to a great height, and the spray -dashed over the island. But the Goldwing was safely sheltered, and the -students enjoyed the wild commotion of the water. Later in the day, the -wind went around to the north-west; and the sloop, under a reefed -mainsail only, made her way to Beech Hill. - -These instructions were continued all summer in the two sail-boats; and -long before the end of the season, even Archie Pinkler was allowed to go -out as skipper of the Goldwing. All the members of the classes became -competent boatmen; and then they were as much at home on the lake, -whatever the weather, as Dory himself. - -Tom Topover sailed the Lily, and knew all about his business. He had -become a very respectable sort of fellow, as had also all his former -companions in mischief and crime. - -As usual at the close of the summer term, there was a grand occasion to -wind up the work of the school-year. Mr. Plint, Mr. Bridges, and Mr. -Rithie, who had kindly served as examiners in former years, rendered the -same service at this time. Two of them had taken students into their -employ; and in the speeches they made in the great hall of the -boat-house, they explained what progress these students had made as -architect and engineer. - -Others from at home and abroad spoke of the moral as well as the -industrial benefit of the institution. Without mentioning any names, an -orator described the miracle which had been wrought in the life and -character of such students as Tom Topover and Nim Splugger. The shops -were visited; and in the afternoon, there was a grand excursion in the -steamers and sail-boats, as the wind happened to be fresh. - -The inevitable ball followed in the evening; and all the young ladies -from the town, and not a few from Burlington, danced till the small -hours of the morning. It was not a matter of toilets, and people -declared that Dory Dornwood and Lily Bristol were the best-looking -couple on the floor, though Oscar Chester and Marian Dornwood were -hardly less attractive. - -The Beech Hill Industrial School continued its good work for years -longer. The principal selects such students as need the instruction and -discipline, and are not likely to obtain their training at other -institutions. He is a public benefactor; and the old students, who -annually attend the closing exercises of the school, are grateful for -what the institution has done for them. - - - - - Transcriber's Note - -The original spelling and punctuation has been retained. - -Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - -Italicized words and phrases in the text version are presented by -surrounding the text with underscores. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ready About, by Oliver Optic - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK READY ABOUT *** - -***** This file should be named 55557-0.txt or 55557-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/5/5/55557/ - -Produced by Chris Curnow, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Ready About - or, Sailing the Boat - -Author: Oliver Optic - -Release Date: September 16, 2017 [EBook #55557] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK READY ABOUT *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='Cover' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span><i>The Boat-Builder Series.</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>I.</div> - <div class='c000'>ALL ADRIFT;</div> - <div>OR,</div> - <div>THE GOLDWING CLUB.</div> - <div class='c000'>II.</div> - <div class='c000'>SNUG HARBOR;</div> - <div>OR,</div> - <div>THE CHAMPLAIN MECHANICS.</div> - <div class='c000'>III.</div> - <div class='c000'>SQUARE AND COMPASSES;</div> - <div>OR,</div> - <div>BUILDING THE HOUSE.</div> - <div class='c000'>IV.</div> - <div class='c000'>STEM TO STERN;</div> - <div>OR,</div> - <div>BUILDING THE BOAT.</div> - <div class='c000'>V.</div> - <div class='c000'>ALL TAUT;</div> - <div>OR,</div> - <div>RIGGING THE BOAT.</div> - <div class='c000'>VI.</div> - <div class='c000'>READY ABOUT;</div> - <div>OR,</div> - <div>SAILING THE BOAT.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> -<img src='images/i_003.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='xsmall'>DORY AND MR. JEPSON WATCH THE BURGLARS LANDING.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span><i><span class='sc'>The Boat-Builder Series</span></i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div> - <h1 class='c003'>READY ABOUT<br /> <br />OR<br /> <br />SAILING THE BOAT</h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div>BY</div> - <div class='c000'>OLIVER OPTIC</div> - <div class='c000'>AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD" "THE GREAT WESTERN SERIES"</div> - <div>"THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES" "THE WOODVILLE SERIES" "THE</div> - <div>STARRY-FLAG SERIES" "THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES" "THE ONWARD</div> - <div>AND UPWARD SERIES" "THE YACHT-CLUB SERIES" "THE</div> - <div>LAKE-SHORE SERIES" "THE RIVERDALE STORIES"</div> - <div>"ALL ADRIFT" "SNUG HARBOR" "SQUARE AND</div> - <div>COMPASSES" "STEM TO STERN" "ALL</div> - <div>TAUT" ETC. ETC.</div> - <div class='c002'><i>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS</i></div> - <div class='c002'>BOSTON</div> - <div>LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span><span class='sc'>Copyright 1887</span></div> - <div><span class='sc'>By WILLIAM T. ADAMS</span></div> - <div class='c002'><i>All rights reserved</i></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='sc'>Ready About</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>TO</div> - <div class='c000'>My Young Friend</div> - <div class='c000'>OTHO WILLIAMS CUSHING</div> - <div class='c000'>OF FORT TRUMBULL, NEW LONDON, CONN.</div> - <div class='c000'><i><span class='sc'>This Book</span></i></div> - <div class='c000'>IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span> - <h2 class='c004'>PREFACE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>"Ready About" is the sixth and last volume -of "<span class='sc'>The Boat-Builder Series</span>," which was begun -six years ago. The only new characters presented -in this story are the members of "The Nautifelers -Club," who are introduced to exhibit the contrast between -young men of high aims and correct principles, -and those who are inclined to live too fast, and have no -fixed ideas of duty to sustain and advance them in the -battle of life. But, even in this miserable club, there -are two classes of members; for one-half are reckless -and worse than indifferent in the matter of right living, -while the other half are led to the very verge of the -precipice of crime by their unfortunate associations. -The reform of the latter interests the principal of the -Beech Hill Industrial School, who does his duty, as -always, in the premises, with a very happy result.</p> - -<p class='c006'>More than its predecessors in the series since the -first volume, this book is a story of adventure. In this -portion, its tendency is to inculcate courage without -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>rashness, and to show that a young man of high principles -is not necessarily a coward and a milksop.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As indicated in the sub-title, "Sailing the Boat" is -one of the principal features of the book. This is an -art that cannot be mastered by simply learning the -theory. Nothing but abundant practice can make a -competent boatman. Fifty years ago, the writer, however, -would have deemed it very fortunate if he could -have obtained from a book, even such instruction as he -has endeavored to impart. He has by no means exhausted -the subject, though whatever more is to be -learned will almost come of itself with experience. -The author has learned in fifty years that there is -always something more to learn; and the handling of -a yacht has come to be almost "high art" in the -amount of time, study, and enthusiasm bestowed upon -the subject in recent years.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As the writer closes his twelfth series of books for -young people, he cannot help thanking his numerous -constituency in all parts of the country for the abundant -and generous favor received from them. Thirty-three -years have elapsed from the date of "The Boat -Club," his first juvenile; and the kindness of his -friends has never failed him in this period of a generation -of the human race.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Minneapolis, Minn.</span>, July 15, 1887.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='89%' /> -<col width='10%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c007'> </td> - <td class='c008'>PAGE</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER I.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Mr. Spickles from the Metropolis</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_13'>13</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER II.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Nautifelers Club on the Lake</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_24'>24</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER III.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Terrific Explosion in the Night</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_34'>34</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IV.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Scene of Operations</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_45'>45</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER V.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>On the Track of the Burglars</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_55'>55</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VI.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Victim of Strategy</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_66'>66</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Effects of the Explosion</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_76'>76</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VIII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Some Differences of Opinion</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_87'>87</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IX.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Under the Lee of Gardiner's Island</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>CHAPTER X.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Battle with the Elements</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_108'>108</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XI.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Turning of the Tables</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Dory Dornwood resorts to Strategy</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_129'>129</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Arrival of Michael Angelo Spickles</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_139'>139</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIV.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Result of Dory's Strategy</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_150'>150</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XV.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Under Way, or Under Weigh</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_160'>160</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVI.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>On Board of the La Motte</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_171'>171</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Standing-Rigging of a Sloop</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_181'>181</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVIII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Running-Rigging of a Sloop</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_193'>193</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIX.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Plan that was not Successful</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_204'>204</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XX.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>More Members of the Nautifelers Club</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_215'>215</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXI.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Goldwing on the Starboard Tack</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_225'>225</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>CHAPTER XXII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Something about Steering a Sail-Boat</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_236'>236</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXIII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Operations in the Hold of the La Motte</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_247'>247</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXIV.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Defenders of the Pirate-Schooner</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_257'>257</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXV.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Selfish View of an Important Question</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_267'>267</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXVI.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'>"<span class='sc'>See, the Conquering Hero comes!</span>"</td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_278'>278</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXVII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Guests of the Institution</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_287'>287</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXVIII.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Stations for getting Under Way</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_297'>297</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXIX.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>All of Dory's Class become Skippers</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_308'>308</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXX.</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Goldwing's Trip to Plattsburg</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_318'>318</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span><span class='xxlarge'>READY ABOUT;</span></div> - <div class='c000'>OR,</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xxlarge'>SAILING THE BOAT.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER I.<br /> <br />MR. SPICKLES FROM THE METROPOLIS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_2_0_5 c005'>"I can't go on board now, Spickles," said Matt -Randolph, in a very decided tone, and with -an expression on his manly face which indicated -that he did not wish to go, even if he could.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What's the reason you can't?" demanded -Spickles, evidently very much dissatisfied with -the decision of the other.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because I have something else to do," added -Matt. "I have to attend to my duties as closely -here as though I were an officer in the navy, on -sea-duty."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>"What's the use of being tied up as though you -were a prisoner at Sing Sing?" asked Spickles, -his disgust apparent on his rather brutal face. -"Your father is as rich as mud, and there is no -need of your being kept in a strait-jacket."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am not kept in a strait-jacket," protested -Matt, very warmly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think you are," returned Spickles, with a -curling sneer on his thick lips. "When I saw -you in New York a year ago, you told me what a -big thing Lake Champlain was."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I still think it is the finest sheet of water in -the world, and the region around it is a perfect -paradise."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Paradise!" exclaimed the visitor from the -metropolis. "You said there was lots of fun to -be had here."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I find plenty of amusement for all the spare -hours I have."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"After what you said, I kept thinking of this -place; and five of our fellows have come up here, -and chartered a schooner for the summer. She is -anchored out in the river; and now that we are -here, you will not even go on board of her," continued -Spickles, becoming more and more disgusted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>with the refusal of the captain of the Lily; -for such he was, and his "class in sailing" were -about ready to go on board of the schooner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am the skipper of that schooner you see out -in the lake, and I have to go out in her in a short -time," Matt explained.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Put it off; let the party wait till you come -back," insisted the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We don't do things in that way here," added -Matt, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Tell them you are sick, and can't go," suggested -Spickles.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I am not sick."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You were not always above stretching the -truth a little in an emergency."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am now." Matt did not blush in saying it, -either.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We are going to stay on the lake all summer, -if we don't get tired of it," continued Spickles. -"I depended upon having you with us, Matt; for -we don't know much about the navigation in -these waters, though we have the government -charts."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't see how you could depend upon me, -for I told you that I was under strict discipline in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>the Beech Hill Industrial School," argued Matt. -"I can't come and go when I will."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Confound the Beech Hill Industrial School! -Run away from it, and join our party for the -summer."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I certainly shall not run away from it, for I -am perfectly contented and happy here," replied -Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"At least you will come on board of the La -Motte?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What's the La Motte?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"She's the schooner we chartered for the summer, -though she's nothing but a lumber-vessel fixed -up for our use. She sails very well, and is large -enough for a party of ten. We found her at -Rouse's Point. Now, come on board of her. We -have just opened a keg of beer in view of your -expected visit," said Spickles, in the most persuasive -tones he could command.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't drink beer," answered the student of -the school.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You don't drink beer!" exclaimed the visitor, -stepping back in his apparent astonishment. -"How long has that been?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I haven't tasted beer, or any thing of the kind, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>since I came to this school, about two years ago," -replied the captain of the Lily.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, it was only because you couldn't get -any beer."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps that is one reason, though I haven't -tried to get any. I had it all about me while I -was at home in New York, but I had decided not -to take any under any circumstances."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, it is time for you to begin again. Come -along, Matt."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No beer for me, and I cannot go with you," -added Matt resolutely. "I made up my mind a -year ago not to drink any thing that fuddles, and -to keep out of bad company."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Bad company!" exclaimed Spickles, looking -earnestly into the face of his former associate in -the city.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That is what I said; and I advise you to do -the same thing, Spickles. It is best to keep on the -safe side of the evils of this world."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You are a regular built parson!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>This conversation was continued for some time -longer, but the captain of the Lily remained as -firm as the rocks in the quarry above Beechwater. -The visitor was not only disgusted with his want -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>of success in enticing his former companion to the -schooner in the river, but he was offended at what -he considered the stiffness of Matt. When the -latter spoke of keeping out of bad company, he -put the coat on, whether he saw that it fitted him -or not.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You are an out-and-out spooney now, Matt -Randolph; and I did not think that of you," said -Spickles, as the crew of the Lily began to gather on -the wharf, where the conversation had taken place.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Just as you please, Spickles," replied Matt, -with a smile; and he seemed to feel that the interview -had come to a desirable point, and that his -former associate would drop him from the roll of -his friends.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I want to look about this place a little -before I leave it forever," added the visitor. "I -suppose I can do so?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Certainly, upon application to the principal, -Captain Gildrock. He will show you all over the -establishment," replied Matt. "There he comes, -and I will introduce you."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right. Chuckworth! Mackwith!" answered -Spickles, calling to his two companions in -the boat.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>The three young men appeared to be about -eighteen or twenty years old. They were dressed -in yachting costume, and a person of experience -in the ways of the world would at once have set -them down as fast young men. They were of the -reckless order, swaggering, defiant, boisterous. If -a lady had seen them together, she would have -taken the other side of the street.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Captain Gildrock was coming down the wharf, -to look after the embarkation of the sailing-class. -Matt Randolph presented Spickles to the principal, -and left the chief of the party to introduce -his companions.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You are the boss of this concern, I take it, -Captain Gilthead," said Spickles, suddenly putting -on his usual style, and in a sort of patronizing -tone, as if the principal had been a country schoolmaster, -who ought to consider himself honored by -being noticed by a young gentleman from the -metropolis.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In fact, Captain Spickles, as his companions on -board of the La Motte called him, was determined -to "take him down" a little. The visitor, after -what Matt had said to him about the discipline of -the institution, regarded him with a sort of instinctive -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>hatred. He did not like any one who -disciplined young men. Principals, professors, -schoolmasters, were monsters, ogres, tyrants, -whose only mission in the world was to tease, -torture, and torment young fellows like himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Captain Gildrock looked at him with a puzzled -expression on his dignified face; though the usual -smile when he was in repose, played about his -mouth. He read the young man almost at the -first glance; and if he had considered the popinjay -worthy of his steel, he would have prepared for a -skirmish of words with him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I said 'Captain Gildrock,'" interposed Matt, -with emphasis enough to clear himself; for he saw -that the fellow had purposely miscalled the name.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Excuse me, Captain Goldblock."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Certainly, Mr. Spittle," added the principal -blandly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Mr. Spickles, if you please," interposed the -visitor, who did not at all relish being paid off in -his own coin.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Precisely so, Mr. Spiddles," laughed the principal; -while Matt had to turn away to hide his -choking laugh.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"My name is Spickles, Captain Goldblock."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>"Ah, indeed, Mr. Skiggles! Permit me to add -that mine is Gildrock."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Well, Captain Gildrock"--</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Well, Mr. Spickles"--</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I suppose you are the boss of this concern. -Will you show it up?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am the principal of this institution."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Possibly I shall be able to entertain these -visitors alone, Randolph, and you may go on board -with your ship's company," said Captain Gildrock, -a little later, while he was waiting for the young -gentleman from New York to study up his next -question.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Matt had twelve students to instruct in the art -of sailing a boat, and he directed them to take their -places in the two boats that were waiting for them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Well, boss, we are ready to see what you have -got to show," said Spickles.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Well, my young cub, I don't know that things -here will interest you, but I will show you all you -may wish to see," continued the captain, as he -conducted the strangers to the office, under the -schoolroom. "We register all students here when -they come. If they have any money, we keep it -for them in that steel safe."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>"Is that a steel safe?" asked Mr. Spickles. -"Upon my word, I thought it was a wooden one."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You thought it was made of the same material -as your head; but I assure you it is not. Nothing -so soft would answer the purpose," answered the -principal, who did not always stand on his dignity, -though he had plenty of it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Messrs. Chuckworth and Mackwith turned -away, and indulged in audible smiles. Associated -with Mr. Spickles, they were often the victims of -his peculiar humor, and they were not at all sorry -to have him put under the harrow. They enjoyed -the remarks of the principal more than Spickles -did.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, it is really a steel safe; and I suppose -you are afraid the students will steal your money, -or you wouldn't have a steel safe," continued Mr. -Spickles, chuckling as though he thought he had -made a pun.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Well, no; we hardly expect the students to -rob the safe, for they are taught not to steal; -but some of these visitors might have a taste -for that sort of thing. I sometimes have a thousand -dollars in that safe, besides small sums -belonging to the students. In fact, I believe I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>have two thousand dollars in it at this moment: -that is the reason why I prefer a steel safe to a -wooden one."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The principal showed the visitors over the -premises, though they took very little interest -in the institution. Spickles indulged in impudent -remarks, which the captain parried in his -own way, so that he soon got tired of making -them; for every time he did so, his friends had a -chance to laugh at him, and enjoy the retort.</p> - -<p class='c006'>If Spickles disliked the principal in the first of -it, he hated him in the end. A sharp answer -made him mad when they had finished the survey, -and he was so saucy that Captain Gildrock -ordered him to leave. He did not take the hint; -and the principal took him by the collar, dragged -him to the wharf, and tumbled him into the boat. -The leader of the summer party vowed vengeance -to his companions.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER II.<br /> <br />THE NAUTIFELERS CLUB ON THE LAKE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>Captain Gildrock hardly thought of -the self-sufficient visitor after he had seen -the boat which contained him pull away from the -wharf. He only wondered how Matt Randolph -had ever made the acquaintance of such a fellow, -for he was a gentleman himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Beech Hill Industrial School had nearly -completed its third year of existence; and in the -opinion of the principal, and also of a great many -other people, it was a decided success. It had -certainly reformed quite a number of young men -who might otherwise have become useless, if not -dangerous, members of the community. It had -given useful trades to a considerable number of -young men who would not have taken them up -on their own account.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Its moral influence had been even more marked -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>than its industrial power, and it had assuredly -done something to make manual labor more respectable -than it had been considered to be before. -There were already those who were not only earning -a living, but were supporting their parents, -by the aid of the knowledge and skill they had -acquired in the institution; and if it had done -nothing more than this, it would have done a -great deal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Cold critics said it ought to be a success, for -the founder of it had a purse long enough to -make any reasonable undertaking a success; but -the idea was not a practical one, because it was -not susceptible of universal application. The -State could not afford to support such schools -for all who might be willing to use them. It -certainly could not provide for an expenditure -as liberal as that of Captain Gildrock, but it -could do a great deal more than it has yet done -in this direction.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After the principal had disposed of his impertinent -visitor,--for there was really only one of -this type, as Chuckworth and Mackwith hardly -spoke a word,--he could not help thinking that -it was a great pity Spickles could not be brought -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>under such discipline as that of the Beech Hill -School. He was a young man of decided ability, -and all he needed was a kind of discipline that -would give him something to live for. He needed -something to think about and work for.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When Matt Randolph returned from his trip -with his class in sailing, he reported to the principal, -who happened to be in the office. He -informed the captain where he had been, and the -nature of the operations he had conducted on -board of the Lily. He commended his crew for -good discipline, and close application to their -duty. A critic might have laughed at this last -part of the report as entirely superfluous; for, as -a matter of course, any party of human boys -would be interested, and do their whole duty, in -sailing a boat.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"By the way, Randolph, is Mr. Spickles a -friend of yours?" asked the principal, after he -had listened attentively to the report.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No, sir!" replied Matt, very decidedly. "I -was acquainted with him at home, and he was on -board of the yacht a number of times; but after -he stole a thousand dollars from his father, and -ran away, I had nothing more to do with him."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>"Was he as bad as that? He seemed to be -more like one of the puppy order than one of the -criminal kind. He was very saucy to me after I -had shown his party over the school; and I had -to take him by the collar, and put him into his -boat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am glad you did, sir," added Matt. "I was -inclined to lay hands on him after his impudence -at the beginning."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He came to see you, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Yes, sir. He is with a party, and there are -five of them. They have chartered a schooner, -and intend to spend the summer on the lake. -Spickles invited me on board of the vessel, and -insisted that I should go with him. I refused."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The less you have to do with such a fellow as -that, the better it will be for you, though it may -be all the worse for him," added the principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Spickles told me they had just tapped a keg -of beer."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course! the fellow has made considerable -progress in the downward road."</p> - -<p class='c006'>After supper the students embarked in the -barges for a row, and for practice with the oars. -As during the last season, there were three of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>these boats, the Gildrock and the Winooski, each -of twelve oars, and the Marian of eight oars. The -crews had been re-organized; and the two larger -boats were preparing for a race, each against the -other.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Matt Randolph was the coxswain of the Winooski, -and Dory Dornwood of the Gildrock; for -the crew of each had selected the most skilful -boatman in the school to get them in condition for -this race. For the last year the students had been -on tolerably peaceable terms with the members of -the Chesterfield Collegiate Institute, on the other -side of the lake; and it was possible that a race -would be arranged with them for the Fourth of -July.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The two barges were careful to keep away from -each other during their practice. The two coxswains, -though on the most friendly terms, never -talked about the coming race. If either had any -points, he wanted to keep them to himself. Each -of them had a system of his own in the method of -rowing, and each kept his own counsel.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Matt Randolph, for these reasons, did not immediately -follow the Gildrock when she left the boat-house, -but went up to the head of Beechwater. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>As soon as the rival craft had passed out of the -little lake, the Winooski followed her. The coxswain -saw that the party on board of the La -Motte, which lay just below the entrance of the -creek into the river, hailed the Gildrock when she -went by her. But Dory took no notice of them; -and Matt concluded that he had not been addressed -in civil tones, or he would have replied.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I wonder what that schooner is that lies in -the river," said Ash Burton, who pulled the -stroke-oar in the Winooski. "She has been there -all the afternoon, and a boat from her went up -into Beechwater a while ago."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That is the schooner La Motte; and she has a -party of young fellows on board of her who are -going to spend the summer on the lake," replied -the coxswain, loud enough for all in the barge to -hear him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They are hoisting the mainsail," added the -stroke-oarsman. "That looks as though they -were going out of the river."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If they are going to leave these parts, I am -glad of it," said Matt in a lower tone.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why are you glad of it, Matt?" asked Ash -curiously.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>"They are not the sort of fellows I like to have -very near me; for they are on a lark, and they -have plenty of beer on board," replied the coxswain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The boat passed out of the creek into the river. -The La Motte had set her mainsail, and was now -hoisting the foresail. Matt gave the schooner as -wide a berth as he could, but he could not get -more than a hundred feet from her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Is that you, Matt Randolph?" shouted -Spickles.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I believe so," replied the coxswain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Come on board, will you, Matt?" continue -the captain of the La Motte, beckoning with his -hand.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You must excuse me, Spickles. I have the -charge of this barge, and I can't leave her," replied -Matt, very civilly, but not less decisively. -"I have to attend to my duty."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I want to see you about the navigation -of this river; for I got aground coming in, and I -don't want to do it again," added the captain of -the La Motte.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The coxswain shifted the helm of the barge; -for if there was any thing to be done that would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>assist in the departure of the schooner, he was -willing to do it. He ran alongside of the vessel, -and held the boat at a distance of about ten feet -from her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is the trouble about the navigation, -Spickles?" asked Matt, coming to business at -once.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Off that point below, I found that the water -was not more than two feet deep," said the -captain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And it is marked one foot on the chart; and -you told me you were supplied with charts."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am; but the river is not laid down on the -chart."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You have a south-west wind; and all you -have to do is to keep near the middle of the -stream, and you will go out all right. Is that -all?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No, that is not all," replied Spickles, who -seemed to be dissatisfied at the distance his former -friend kept between them, and with his -apparent desire to get off again. "The water -is not more than two or three feet deep anywhere -out beyond that point."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"To the southward of the point, the water is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>shoal; but it is deep enough north of it to float -an ocean-steamer anywhere. As soon as you get -to that bend in the river, and open up the point, -run for it. Then--have you a compass on -board?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course I have a compass: I brought a -good one with me from New York," replied -Spickles.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"When you are up with Beaver Point"--</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where is that?" interposed the captain of -the La Motte, who seemed to be intent upon -detaining the coxswain as long as possible.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The point at the mouth of the river. When -you come up with it, make your course north-west -by west, and you will be all right till you run on -the shore on the other side of the lake."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I say, Matt, I want to introduce you to the -members of the Nautifelers Club; and I wish you -would come on board," persisted Spickles.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"As I said before, I cannot, and you must -excuse me. But what is the club?" asked Matt, -whose curiosity was excited.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The Nautifelers Club."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Is that a Greek word?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course it is."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>"I can't quite make it out: will you spell it -for me?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I will write it for you: it means in English, -'Lots of fun.'"</p> - -<p class='c006'>The coxswain gave an order which brought the -stern of the barge near enough to the vessel to -enable him to obtain the paper, but resisted all -persuasions to go on board of the schooner.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER III.<br /> <br />A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION IN THE NIGHT.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>Matt Randolph looked at the name -of the club, as Spickles had written it, and -spelled it out so that all his crew could hear him. -All of them seemed to "take it in," or got its -meaning from his boatmates. They all laughed, -with the exception of the coxswain, and he was -inclined to frown.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is easy to get at the meaning of such Greek -as that, even if a fellow has not fitted for college; -and for my part, I should not care to join a club -with such a name," said he, with a look of disgust -on his face, which was also evident in his -tones.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I expected you to join us as soon as we found -you, Matt," added the captain of the schooner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You reckoned without your host, then.--Ready -to give way!" said the coxswain.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>"Hold on a minute, Matt! Do you go to -Sunday school now?" jeered Spickles.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Every Sunday."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am sorry for you. You are under the -thumb of that old hunker who calls himself -the principal, and you don't know enough to -catch the straw when you are drowning. I gave -the old hunks some!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And he took you by the collar, and put you -into your boat, and served you right. Give -way!" added Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He's an old squalipop; and he will be likely to -hear from me again! He is no gentleman, and he -treated me like an uneducated owl. I shall pay -him off for it, or my name is something besides -Spickles," foamed the skipper of the La Motte.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At this moment, and while the barge was backing -away, one of the party brought out a tray, on -which were tall glasses filled with beer; and each -member of the Nautifelers Club took one of them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Here's to the Nautifelers Club! Lots of fun -to them, and confusion to old Squalipop!" shouted -Spickles, at the top of his lungs, as he and his -companions drank off the contents of the glasses.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The barge darted away from the schooner, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>was soon out of hail of her. It was evident that -the members of the club with the Greek name had -bargained for an extensive frolic of the coarsest -sort, and most of the crew of the Winooski were -simply disgusted with the members of it. Some -of them had come from the city, and were more -or less familiar with such sights.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I should rather like to join that club," said -Tom Topover, when the boat was some distance -from the La Motte.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You are not one of that sort of fellows now, -Tom," added the coxswain. "You have got beyond -that kind of a life, and I hope you are -strong enough to keep above it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You know how to preach, Matt; but I don't -want to sit under your preaching. Those fellows -are going to have a good time; and I think they -will enjoy it," added Tom pleasantly, as some of -his old temptations came back to him. "Do you -know those fellows, Matt?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I know Spickles; but I never saw the others -before, though I think they behave like gentlemen -compared with their leader."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He is a jolly fellow," added Tom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Spickles's father was formerly a wealthy man -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>in the city, and his son stole a thousand dollars -from him. Since that I have kept out of his way, -and I will not associate with him."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What did he do with the money? Give it to -the missionaries?" asked Tom; and his companions -noticed that he talked a good deal worse -than he meant sometimes, and could not entirely -rid himself of his former ways of expressing himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He took a steamer to New Orleans, and spent -his stolen money in dissipation. When it was all -gone, he had to come home before the mast in a -bark. He is a bad boy, and his father could not -manage him. If he had been sent to the Beech -Hill School, it would have made a man of him. -I don't quite understand, though I can guess, how -he can take such a trip as the one he is now -making; for his father lost his money, failed, and -is now at work as a clerk."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps some of the other fellows have rich -fathers," suggested Ash Burton.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It may be so, but I don't believe it. The sons -of rich fathers, when they want to go on a frolic, -don't make such a fellow as Michael Angelo -Spickles their leader," added Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>"Is that his name?" asked Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They say his mother don't like the name of -Spickles, and gave him a high-sounding handle to -it to smooth it off. I don't know any thing about -it, Tom Topover; but if I were a betting man, I -would wager two to one that Spickles stole the -money which is used to pay the expenses of the -La Motte," continued Matt impressively.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, again, perhaps he didn't," replied Tom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think he did; and he didn't steal it from his -father this time, for Mr. Spickles did not have it. -Now, Tom, whether he stole this money, or not, -he will certainly come to grief. In a month, a -year, or ten years, when you see him in the State -prison, you will be glad you were not a member -of the Nautifelers Club," said Matt, as he consulted -the paper in his hand to recall the Greek -word.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You don't know what is going to become of -that fellow any more than you know what is going -to become of me," added Tom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Certainly I don't know; but when you see a -young fellow like Spickles, drinking, dissipating, -insulting a gentleman like Captain Gildrock, it is -easy enough to see where he is coming out. I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>used to drink beer with Angy, as we used to call -Spickles when he was a more decent fellow than -he is now, and I know something about it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Didn't you like it?" asked Tom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I can't say that I did: it always gave me the -headache, and made me feel more like a fool than -I generally do. I used to drink it because other -fellows did. When I came up here, I did not -want it; and I have been a great deal better -without it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Winooski went to the other side of the -lake, where the coxswain proceeded to train his -crew for the work before him. Not a word was -spoken that did not relate to the practice, which -was kept up till nearly dark, when the barge -returned to Beech Hill. As the boat approached -the mouth of the river, the La Motte was seen two -or three miles to the northward, standing down -the lake. Matt hoped that she would not again -visit the waters in the vicinity of Beech Hill.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Matt reported to the principal when the boat -had been housed, as all who were in charge of -expeditions, excursions, or business trips, were -required to do. He informed the captain of the -departure of the La Motte, and related to him -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>what had taken place during the interview, giving -him the name of the club, as written on the paper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The Nautifelers Club is well named, if the -word is Greek," said Captain Gildrock. "I suppose -they are merely engaged in a frolic, and I -only hope they will keep away from this part of -the lake."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They came from the northern part of the lake, -for they chartered the schooner at Rouse's Point; -and I don't exactly understand why they are going -off in that direction again," suggested Matt. -"They have not yet been to the upper part of the -lake, and it looks as though they did not intend -to do so."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps they have drunk so much beer they -don't know what they are about," added the principal. -"I should say that Spickles was a bright -boy, and it is a thousand pities that he is plunging -into excesses."</p> - -<p class='c006'>At the usual hour all was still; and the students, -who had had plenty of exercise in the boats as -well as in the shops, slept soundly in their rooms. -Insomnia was unknown at the institution, and all -were active and bright in the morning at an early -hour.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>Some of them awoke at an unusually early hour -the next morning, though it soon appeared that the -current of events was not flowing in its ordinary -channel. The students and others had been -awakened by some extraordinary disturbance, or -most of them would have slept till the morning-bell -roused them from their slumbers.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As nearly at three o'clock as the hour could -afterwards be fixed, a tremendous explosion, with -a sound which equalled the report of one of the -yacht-guns on board of the Sylph, shook the -buildings of the school, and made the windows of -the dormitory rattle as though a hurricane had -struck them. The very earth seemed to tremble -under the effects of the convulsion.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Suddenly startled from their slumbers, those -who heard the sound, and had been shaken in their -beds by it, were unable to determine where the -report came from, or to form any idea of what had -caused it. Perhaps half the students in their -rooms leaped from their beds, and the other half -were partially paralyzed where they lay by the -shock.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Doubtless, if they had been awake, and had -understood the cause of the explosion, they would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>have enjoyed it; for the average boy delights in a -terrific noise. But they were literally and figuratively -in the dark. They could see nothing to -explain the tremendous racket which had startled -them from their deep sleep, and not a sound followed -the shock to give them a clew to the strange -event.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Some thought it must be an earthquake; others -that it was a crash of thunder which attended the -striking of the lightning at some point not far -from them. Possibly some of them thought that -a daring rogue of the school was playing off a -trick upon his companions; and more wondered if -one of the chimneys on the dormitory had not -fallen over, and crushed in the roof of the building.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It might be an earthquake, for there was no -smell of powder, no lightning in the sky; and no -one was stirring in the building, as would have -been the case if the roof had been crushed. In -fact, not even the most intelligent and quick-witted -of the students could assign any cause to the event. -They stood in their rooms, or lay in their beds, -thinking of it for a few moments, waiting for -something else to come, some after-clap, which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>would throw a ray of light on the subject. Nothing -came.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Some of the boldest and most energetic of the -boys began to put on a portion of their clothes, -and unfastened their doors. As may well be -supposed, Dory Dornwood was one of the first to -come out of the stupor produced by the shock. -He had not been awake more than five seconds, -before he had jumped inside of his pants, and -opened the door of his room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He looked out into the long hall, but it was as -dark as Egypt there; and there was no glare of a -fire in the building,--not a flash, not a sound -of any kind. He went back into his room, and -opened the window. He looked out on the lawn, -but there was nothing in motion there. No key -to the enigma was within his reach.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But by this time, he heard a sound in the hall. -He went to the door, but it was too dark to see -any thing. Some conspiracy on the part of a -few restless students might have been brought -to a focus at this time, and he deemed it prudent -to light his lamp before he took any step. If -there was any thing to be seen, he wanted to -see it.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>If any conspirators were trying to knock down -the dormitory, or perpetrate a practical joke, he -had a desire to know who they were; for all such -tricks were at a discount in the school. The -principal had no mercy for a practical joker when -the feelings or the person of any individual was -imperilled by the so-called fun.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There was some one in the hall, beyond a doubt. -It might be one of the students, roused, like himself, -by the explosion; or it might be an evil-doer -from outside of the fold. Dory opened the door -again, and thrust the lamp out into the hall, so as -to light every part of it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The person in the hall proved to be Matt -Randolph.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER IV.<br /> <br />THE SCENE OF OPERATIONS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_2_0_5 c005'>"Did you hear it, Dory?" called Matt Randolph, -as soon as he saw the light at the -door of the other.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Did I hear it?" replied Dory, who was cool -enough to smile at the absurdity of the question, -though it was nothing more than the introduction -to the subject in the minds of both. "I could -not very well help hearing it, though I sleep -as soundly as a bullfrog in winter."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What was it?" demanded Matt, apparently -more excited than Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's the conundrum before the house at -the present moment. I have not the least idea -what it was," replied Dory. "It shook my windows, -and at first I thought my bed was lifted up -under me. It might have been an earthquake, -though such convulsions are not the fashion in -the State of Vermont."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>"I thought it must be an earthquake at first," -added Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Did you alter your mind?" asked Dory, as he -stepped back into his room, and put on his shoes.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not exactly; but on second thought I concluded -that it could not be an earthquake, and I -was wondering what it could be, when I heard -a door open," added Matt, who was fully dressed, -for he had taken the time to put on his clothes -before he came out of his room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I move you, Captain Randolph, that we don't -try to imagine what it was, but that we go and -look into the matter, and find out what it was," -replied Dory, as he put on his coat, and led the -way to the hall.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That is the sensible thing to do; but a fellow -can't expect to be very bright when he is shaken -out of his slumbers by something like an earthquake," -said Matt, as he followed Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>By this time several of the students had recovered, -in a measure, from their consternation, and -had opened their doors, some of them shaking -with terror, as though they expected to be -swallowed up immediately in some awful catastrophe.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>"What is the matter, Dory?" Tucker Prince -asked, as the two coxswains passed his door.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Give it up, Tuck: ask me something easier," -replied Dory, laughing. "I may be able to tell -you something about it at a later hour in the -morning."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What was it, Dory?" asked Tom Topover.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It was a tremendous noise; and that is all that -is known about it at the present moment, on this -floor of the dormitory."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I knew as much as that before," added Tom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, you are as wise as any of us, Tom."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory and Matt did not pause to talk, but -hastened to the lower floor. There was nothing -below to explain the noise, and the outside door -was locked as usual. Dory opened it, and they -went out on the lawn. At this point they smelled -something which was not powder, though it had -an unknown chemical odor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The building containing the schoolroom and -workshops, or a part of the latter, was close to -the dormitory; and the inquirers went in that -direction. The office was in front of the shops, -on the lower floor. It was an apartment of considerable -size, which had been put in the year -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>before, when the shops were enlarged. It was -handsomely carpeted, and was really Captain -Gildrock's private apartment; though Fatima -Millweed used it, and kept the accounts of the -institution there.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As the principal had indicated to his visitors -the afternoon before, it contained a steel safe, as -well as a couple of roll-top desks, and a number -of easy-chairs; for visitors on business were received -in this room. Captain Gildrock had sold -a house the day before in the town, and had put -the money he received in the safe until he could -go to the bank in Burlington.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory had carried his lamp as far as the outside -door of the dormitory, but the wind had -blown the light out as soon as he came out of -the building. He retained it in his hand as they -walked to the shops, as the structure was called, -taking its name from the working, rather than -the school, room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was a dark night, cloudy and windy: in fact, -it was blowing a smart gale from the south. -Coming from the light into the gloom outside, -Dory and Matt might as well have been blind, so -far as seeing any thing was concerned. But -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>every inch of the ground was familiar to them, -and they walked directly to the shops. The -chemical odor became more pronounced. They -halted in front of the office. This apartment was -locked, and they had no key to the door. They -could not yet see any thing in the deep gloom, -though their sight was improving.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The explosion came from some point near -us," said Dory, as he walked up to the door -of the office, guided by instinct rather than -sight.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I can smell something, but I can't see a -thing," added Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Here we are!" exclaimed Dory, when he had -passed from the door to one of the windows of -the office. "This window is open, and the mischief -came from here!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Is it a break?" demanded Matt, beginning -to be a little excited.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This was police slang; but Dory understood it, -as any one might have done; and he replied that -it was a "break."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Look out, then, Dory!" added Matt, laying -his hand on the shoulder of his companion. -"The burglars may be still in the office; and such -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>fellows carry revolvers, which they use when they -get into a tight place."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They can hardly be here now, after they -have taken the trouble to wake up the entire -neighborhood with such an explosion," replied -Dory. "Take this lamp, Matt, and I will get in -at the window, and strike a light."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Don't do it, Dory!" protested Matt. "Wait -a moment, and I will go back to the dormitory, -and get a lantern out of the lower hall."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Without waiting for his companion, Matt ran -back to the dormitory. A couple of lanterns -were kept there for the use of the students in -the evening, if they had occasion to go to the -shops or elsewhere. Matt took one of them -down, and lighted it, for there were matches in -the tin box on the wall. When he had done so, -he concluded to light the other, so that each of -them could have one in conducting the examination.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory stood at the open window while his companion -was gone; for he agreed with Matt, that -prudence was a virtue at all times: and reasonable -people practise it, unless they get too angry -to do so, and then they regret it afterwards. He -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>had begun to think that Matt was gone a long -time, when he heard a sound inside of the office.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The noise startled him, for he had not believed -the robbers delayed their flight so long after they -had taken the trouble to announce themselves to -all within hearing. He listened with his head -thrust into the open window as far as the length -of his neck would permit, and he was intensely -interested from that moment.</p> - -<p class='c006'>If there were any robbers in the office, they -must have heard what Matt said when he proposed -to go for the lantern. Dory had always -read the newspapers; and he knew something -about the operations of burglars, though he lived -far from any great city. The night-visitors to -the office of the institution, he concluded, had -blown open the steel safe, or attempted to do -so. If they had succeeded, it could not have -taken them more than a minute or two to scoop -out the contents of the safe, or at least to pocket -the money it contained.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He was just making up his mind that the burglars -must have departed before any one had had -time to come to the office, when the noise he had -heard before was repeated. It sounded like some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>mechanical operation, and appeared to be on the -farther side of the room, where there was a door -opening into the carpenter's shop.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I was a fool not to open this door before we -finished the safe!" said some one in the room, in -a low and subdued voice, and in a tone which -indicated his disgust at the situation in which he -found himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hurry up! The fellow will be back with the -lantern in a moment, and then we shall be blown," -added another voice.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then some one will get shot!" said the first -speaker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But at the same moment, the sound of the -opening door came to Dory's ears. He was on -the point of springing in at the window, to prevent -the escape of the burglars, when he realized that -he was almost sure to be shot, as the first speaker -had suggested. He was unarmed; and against two -men, as he supposed they were, he had a small -chance of accomplishing any thing in the way of -capturing them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Through the open door into the shop he saw -several flashes of light, and then he understood -that the operators were provided with one or more -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>dark-lanterns. He could hear their retreating -footsteps in the shop; and he concluded that they -intended to escape through one of the rear windows, -which they could easily open, as they were -fastened on the inside.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Two lights were approaching from the dormitory, -Dory saw, as he withdrew his head from the -window. But what use were they now? He had -solved the enigma, and any further light on the -subject was superfluous. The burglars had -effected an entrance: whether the explosion had -opened the safe, or not, was yet to be discovered. -But while he was thinking of the matter, the -robbers were getting away. This was all wrong, -Dory suddenly realized.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Help! Help! Burglars! Robbers!" shouted -Dory, at the very top of his voice; and he had -never been accused of having weak lungs.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What are you about, Dory?" called Matt, as -he rushed towards him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Doing the next best thing!" said Dory hastily. -"Run to the dormitory, Matt, with all your might, -and ring the bell, just as you would for fire."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you think there are any burglars in the -office?" asked Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>"Not now! But there have been at least two of -them there, and now they are escaping by the -back windows of the carpenter's shop! They are -armed too. Hurry up, and ring the bell, Matt!" -shouted Dory, in the ears of his companion, as he -took one of the lanterns from him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Placing the lantern on the doorstone of the -office, Dory darted off at the fastest run he could -get up for the rear of the building. He appeared -to have forgotten that the burglars had revolvers.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER V.<br /> <br />ON THE TRACK OF THE BURGLARS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>Matt Randolph lost no time in discharging -his duty at the bell-rope, and he performed -it with the utmost vigor and determination. -He rang the bell, which was in a cupola at the top -of the building, as the students had been instructed -to do in case of fire. There was no art or skill to -be used in the operation, and the ringer was simply -required to make all the noise he could; and Matt -made it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory reached the rear of the shops in season to -escape being shot by the reckless burglars, and -even to avoid being shot at. Perhaps it was -fortunate that he was too late to see the marauders -leap from the window, as he had expected; for his -life, or the comfort and well-being of his well-developed -frame, might have been endangered.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When Dory reached the rear of the shops, he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>found one of the windows open; and he halted -under it to obtain further information, for he was -not a fellow to lose his head, and fly off at random. -The rapid ringing of the bell was rather exhilarating; -but he considered it quite necessary to keep -cool, and he did not allow himself to be carried -away by the excitement of the moment. He -stopped short under the open window.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was too dark to see any thing. He had -thought of bringing the lantern with him; but -when he thought that it would be of more assistance -to the burglars in avoiding him, than it would -be to him in finding them, he concluded to let the -darkness hide his movements. It occurred to him -that the light would enable them to use their -revolvers effectively.</p> - -<p class='c006'>All he could do was to stop and listen. The -wind was blowing very hard; and the noise it -made in the trees prevented him from hearing the -tramp of footsteps, if there were any to be heard. -There was not a sound that could be distinguished -above the rattling of the leaves and the -swaying of the branches.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was rather discouraging to the volunteer -thief-taker; and he began to feel that he had come -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>to the end of his rope, for it was useless to run -here and there without something to guide his -steps. As he had no clew to the marauders, he -could only consider probabilities. What direction -would the burglars take to make their escape? If -they had come in a boat, they could embark anywhere -between the bridge above the quarries and -Beaver River.</p> - -<p class='c006'>By land they could pass through the grounds -of the estate, and reach the street; or they could -follow the cart-path through the quarries, pass -over the bridge, and reach Lake Champlain at -Porter's Bay, or any point below it, or strike a -road which would lead them to the north.</p> - -<p class='c006'>While he was thinking of it, he heard the voice -of Matt Randolph calling to him. But the bell -was still ringing, even more furiously than at first; -and it was plain that he had turned this task over -to some other student, for no one but a boy would -have put so much vigor into the operation. And -by this time the tremendous racket ought to bring -a crowd to the centre of the disturbance.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Have you seen any thing of them, Dory?" -shouted Matt, as he reached the corner of the -building.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>"Not a thing," replied Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The sound of his voice directed the steps of -his companion, and brought him to the vicinity -of the open window. He had a lantern in his -hand, and by its aid they examined the window -by which the burglars had made their exit from -the shop. But there was nothing there to afford -them a particle of information in the quest.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Don't you know which way they went?" -asked Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have not the least idea," answered Dory; -and he stated the avenues of escape open to the -robbers, as he had just been over them in his own -mind.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But while we are standing here, doing nothing, -the villains are getting away," said Matt, -with some excitement in his manner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It's no use to tear around wildly without -knowing what you are about," replied Dory -quietly. "I am in favor of looking over the -chances before we strike in any direction. With -all the racket of that bell, they did not go through -the grounds to the nearest road."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They will give the roads a wide berth," added -Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>"Then, they have either taken a boat on the -little lake, or they have gone up to the bridge -above the quarry. I feel almost sure they have -done one or the other of these things," continued -Dory, who had reached a decided conclusion, and -was ready to act.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think you are right, Dory; and what to do -is the next article in the warrant," replied Matt, -whom the influence of the other had completely -cooled off, and he saw the folly of running about -at random without any plan of operations.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All we have to do is to cover the open points -of escape, as we understand them. Have the -fellows turned out yet?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I believe every one of them is out, in front of -the dormitory."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"My uncle ought to be on the spot by this -time; but if he is not, I will assume the responsibility -of acting without him. If you will take a -crew, and man the Marian, I will follow the route -by the bridge. The keys of the boat-house are in -the office. Be in a hurry about it," added Dory -briskly; and he started off in the direction of the -quarries.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Suppose I see a boat working out of Beechwater, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>do you think I ought to try to capture it?" -asked Matt, who seemed to be in doubt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not at all! Follow it, and see where it goes: -follow it to the end of Lake Champlain, if it leads -you as far as that. Don't meddle with it, and -don't let any of your fellows get shot."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Matt ran back to the dormitory. Though the -bell had been ringing some time, Captain Gildrock -had not yet appeared at the scene of the -tumult. The captain of the Lily took the keys, -and summoned the crew of the Marian. In less -than five minutes they were pulling out of the -boat-house. The boat proceeded, with all the -speed the oarsmen could give it, to the outlet. -Matt went through it to the river, and then proceeded -to examine the north shore of Beechwater.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory followed the road to the quarries, and -reached the bridge. He crossed it, and was then -in the great road. Between him and the lake the -region was covered with woods. From the road -there were cart-paths leading down to the lake, -mostly used by picnic parties. If the burglars -had come this way, they were likely to take to -the woods, if they understood that they were -pursued.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>Dory halted several times to listen; but it was -useless to do so, he found, for the wind in the -trees made noise enough to silence all other -sounds. He passed the cart-path which led down -to Porter's Bay, and soon came to one which led -to a very deep indentation of the shore from -Kingsland Bay.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At this point he halted and listened again, and -had about come to the conclusion not to go any -farther in this direction. But just then a bright -thought was suggested to him by the circumstances -of the occasion. There had been a heavy -rain some time in the night, after he went to bed, -as he learned from the puddles of water in the -road. The ground, where he had seen it by the -light of the lantern, had been washed by a heavy -shower, such as sometimes comes with a southerly -wind.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The road was rather sandy at the point where -Dory halted, as he could tell from the feeling of -it. He lighted a match, for the purpose of applying -a little Indian craft to the situation. Placing -the lighted brand inside of his hat, to protect it -from the wind, he stooped down, and began to -examine the bed of the road.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>He had hardly bent his body to the task before -he heard a sound, not a great distance from him, -which was marvellously like a human voice. He -sprang to his feet, and gazed into the gloom of -the woods in the direction from which the sound -had come. But all was silence except the piping -of the violent wind through the branches of the -trees. He strained his hearing-powers for some -time, in the hope that the sound would be repeated; -but he did so in vain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He was almost sure that he had heard a voice, -and he was encouraged to believe that he was on -the right track. The sound reached him very -nearly at the instant when he had touched off -the match. He spent a few minutes in reasoning -over the circumstance. If the burglars were -in the vicinity, the light of the match had enabled -them to locate him; and he was willing to -believe that the discovery of his presence had -called forth a sudden exclamation of surprise from -the least prudent of the two.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Whether his conclusion was correct, or not, it -satisfied him, and assured him that the marauders -were near him. He was alone and unarmed; -while there were two burglars, each perhaps provided -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>with a revolver. The situation was not -wholly satisfactory to him; for though he was as -brave as a lion, he was also as prudent as a cat -lying in wait for a bird.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He had halted at the junction of the great road -with the cart-path leading to Kingsland Bay; and -the sound he had heard, assured him that the -marauders were on this side-road. He had no -more idea of attacking them than he had of running -away from them. But the light had enabled -them to fix his own position in the gloom, and -Dory deemed it advisable to derange their calculations.</p> - -<p class='c006'>With a careful step, he walked away from the -junction of the roads by the way he had come. -It would be as difficult for them to hear him -as it was for him to hear them, and in a few -moments he increased his pace. At the foot of a -little hill, perhaps a quarter of a mile from his -first stopping-place, he halted again. He did not -believe they had followed him, for they could not -have been aware of his movement.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Lighting another match, he examined the road, -as he had intended to do before. Between the -ruts he found the footprints of two persons, who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>had been walking side by side. The marks were -made by genteel boots or shoes, and not by any -farmer or laborer who wore cowhide and broad -soles on his feet.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This discovery made it appear to Dory that the -burglars were professional gentlemen of the housebreaking -order, and probably they did not belong -anywhere in the vicinity of Genverres. This demonstration -added something to the inquirer's -stock of information; but it was of no especial -value, since the hearing of the voice in the woods -was more tangible evidence.</p> - -<p class='c006'>No end of questions which he could not answer -flashed through Dory's mind after his match had -burned out, and he had established to his own satisfaction -the professional character of the operators. -They were somewhere within a half a mile -of him; and he wanted to know whether they -intended to take a boat at Kingsland Bay, or -escape by the road, which would take them to -Burlington if they followed it long enough. Of -course he could not answer either of these important -questions.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The peril of the situation, in view of the revolvers, -and the lack of knowledge, made it very -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>difficult for him to determine what to do. He -ended by deciding to do nothing beyond lying in -wait for the marauders. He returned very cautiously -to the junction of the roads again. There -he seated himself on the top-rail of a fence, and--waited.</p> - -<p class='c006'>That was all he could do, though the inactivity -to which he was condemned made him as impatient -as a chained mastiff.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He had seen the clock in the lower hall of the -dormitory, and he knew that the explosion had -occurred at about three o'clock. At least half an -hour--and he thought it was nearer a full hour--had -since elapsed. It would be daylight within -an hour, though it was a very dark morning, and -with the light he could act more intelligently.</p> - -<p class='c006'>No sound came from the direction of the bay, -and it occurred to Dory that the marauders might -have continued their retreat by the road. He -was startled at the thought, and he jumped down -from the fence.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VI.<br /> <br />A VICTIM OF STRATEGY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_5_0_5 c005'>Almost at the same moment, it came to -the active mind of Dory Dornwood that the -burglars might have gone to the bay, and embarked -in a boat. They were as likely to do this -as they were to take to the road. He had heard -nothing since the sound of the voice startled him, -and the villains might be two or three miles from -him by this time. It would not be pleasant for -him, at the breakfast-table the next morning, to -relate that he had got on the track of the robbers, -and then entirely lost the clew to them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The thought of such a state of things annoyed -him; and he decided that he should rather be shot, -or at least be shot at, than subject himself to this -degree of humiliation. But it was best to be prudent, -even after he had decided to be shot at -rather than be inactive any longer; and he walked -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>some distance beyond the cart-path, to the -northward.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He was intent upon settling the first problem,--whether -or not the burglars had retreated by -the road during his absence in the other direction. -He lighted a match; but his examination of the -roadway revealed no prints of human feet, and -even those of horses had been obliterated by the -heavy rain. He investigated several points of -the road, and looked carefully on each side of -the driveway, without finding a mark.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Returning to the junction of the roads, he made -new calculations of the probable action of the -marauders. He was reasonably confident, that, as -they had not taken to the road, they were still in -the woods. They must be strangers to the locality, -and were not likely to attempt to find their -way through the woods in the intense darkness -which prevailed under the trees. Possibly they -were waiting, like himself, for the daylight.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory did not believe they could get away -unless they took to the lake, or departed by the -road, at least until it was light enough for them -to pick their way through the woods. He was -covering the road, and he believed that he had got -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>the matter down fine enough to leave them only -the lake as an avenue of escape.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The wind was now blowing a violent gale; and -even the most experienced boatman in those -waters would not think of going out in a small -boat, unless it was to save life. Kingsland Bay -was fully sheltered, for it was not more than half -a mile wide at its greatest breadth. They could -not get out into the lake while the present tempest -raged; and if they tried to get away in any -other direction, they must aim for the road, for -the Little Beaver River cut off their retreat -between the highway and the lake.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory's head had been very level so far; and -when he stated his theory in detail to his uncle, -the principal, he fully approved his logic. He -resumed his seat on the fence. He had hardly -done so before he caught a faint gleam of light in -the woods in the direction of the lake. A moment -later he discovered a more decided appearance -of a light. The villains were getting reckless, -he thought; and possibly they concluded that the -pursuers had abandoned the chase, as they saw no -more of them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Encouraged by these appearances, Dory continued -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>to wait. At the end of half an hour he was -astonished to see a light in the road, not twenty -rods from him, and in the direction of Beech Hill. -At first he concluded that it was the lantern from -the school, and that some one or a party had -started to find him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The light was moving; but it was not approaching -him, as it would be if his supposition were -correct. It was certainly moving in the direction -of Beech Hill, and it must be from the dark-lantern -of the robbers. If this was the case, they -were certainly taking a great deal of care to show -it to him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He could not see the person who carried the -moving light, or tell whether he was alone, or not. -Just then it looked to Dory as though he was -losing the game he had been playing so patiently. -He left the fence again. By the side of the road -was a quantity of hoop-poles, and he stumbled -over them. He took one of them, and cut it in -two; for it was best to have a club, though he did -not expect to have to use it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Somehow the weapon seemed to add to his -strength, though it was no match for a revolver. -From the evidence of the light, he concluded that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>not more than one, if either, of the men remained -in the woods. It looked as though the robbers -were arranging a new combination, and Dory -decided to make sure that he did not leave one of -the villains behind him if he followed the light.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was but a short distance to the head of the -bay, and a visit to the shore would not detain him -ten minutes. He followed the cart-path, proceeding -very cautiously. But he reached the shore -without seeing or hearing any thing. It was beginning -to be a little lighter.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Drawn up on a little beach he discovered a -boat. This could belong only to the burglars. -But why had they taken to the road, and started -off in the direction of the school, instead of departing -in their boat? But they must certainly -return to the boat, and finally escape in it. The -painter was made fast to a tree; and Dory lost no -time in casting it off, and shoving the boat as far -as he could from the shore.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He had closed that avenue of escape, and he -started for the road. Before he had gone twenty -steps, he found himself in the embrace of a man, -who had fallen upon him in the rear. His club -was useless; and the attack was wholly unexpected, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>for he had been fully satisfied that the -robbers were both retreating by the road.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory struggled with all his might, but he was -taken at an utter disadvantage. A puny assailant -might overcome a giant in this manner if he -were quick enough. The man had drawn his arms -behind him, and was pounding him in the back -with his knees.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Lay hold of him, Chuck!" shouted the assailant, -out of breath. "What are you about?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am getting the rope ready," replied the -other, as the first one succeeded in bringing Dory -to the ground. "Hold on to him, Angy, and I -will soon fix him so that he will keep quiet."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory struggled till he found that resistance was -useless; and then he submitted, though his spirit -chafed violently at the necessity. He realized -that he was only one against two, taken by surprise -at that, and he could do nothing. He lay -upon the wet ground till his captors had bound -his arms behind him, and then they assisted him -to his feet.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The prisoner had done a great deal of thinking -during the last hour or more, and, so far as he was -personally concerned, he had done it for nothing. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>The situation was decidedly unfortunate for him, -and he could not help thinking that the marauders -were making it worse for themselves.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As soon as they had lifted Dory to his feet, one -of them gave a prolonged whistle upon some instrument. -There were two of them at the shore, -and the prisoner was confident there had been no -more than two in the office. If there had been -three who passed over the road, he could not have -failed to discover their tracks. He had looked in -several places, and always with the same result; -and he concluded that one of the party had remained -with the boat while the others went to -"make the break."</p> - -<p class='c006'>By this time it was perfectly evident to Dory -that the lantern in the road was a decoy,--a trick -to make the pursuers believe that the robbers had -returned to the vicinity of Beech Hill. Unhappily -for him, the plan had been successful, and he -had fallen into the trap. But the marauders had -reached the shore where their boat awaited them, -and there had been nothing to prevent them from -embarking. In the darkness they could easily -have made their escape. Dory was unable to -explain the action of his captors in this respect.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>"We are all right now," said one of the burglars, -when they had bound the prisoner. "Do -you suppose Mack heard that whistle, Angy?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course he did, Chuck," replied the one -addressed as Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The wind makes a tremendous noise," suggested -Chuck. "I will walk up to that road, if -you like, and see if he is coming."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We are in no hurry, for we can't get out of -this bay. It is blowing a hurricane," added -Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But Mack may get into hot water if he goes -too far in that direction. They have rung an -alarm-bell, and the whole town will turn out: -there will be a crowd of them this way before -long."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right, then: go up to the road, for that -light may give them a clew to us," added Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Chuck started up the cart-path, and there was -now light enough for him to see his way so that -he could move at a rapid pace. Dory looked -about him, and strained his muscles a little to -ascertain the strength of the cords with which he -was bound. It was still too dark for him to see -the face of the robber remaining with him; and if -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>he had seen him, he would not have recognized -him, for he had not seen him face to face -before.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Chuck was not gone ten minutes before he -returned with Mack, who had used the dark-lantern -in the road. They came back in a hurry, and -both of them seemed to be in a flurry. If they -were professional burglars, they certainly lacked -the coolness of long practice. The dark-lantern -had been put out, and Dory could not see the -faces of any of the trio.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They are after us!" exclaimed Mack, with no -little trepidation in his manner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course they are after us," replied Angy, -who appeared to be the chief of the party. "The -whole neighborhood will be out, for they rung that -bell long enough and loud enough to wake the -dead. But we are all right now, and you needn't -vex your gizzard about any thing."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But it is daylight, and it will soon be light -enough to show us up to all the world," added -Mack.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Dry up, Mack! I am running this machine, -and I shall see you through," replied Angy sharply.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The leader took the prisoner by the collar of his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>coat, and led him to the boat, which the wind had -driven back to the beach. He was placed in the -bow, while Angy seated himself in the stern. -The other two took the oars, and the boat was -shoved off.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VII.<br /> <br />THE EFFECTS OF THE EXPLOSION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>Captain Gildrock seemed to sleep the -sleep of the just while he was still in the flesh, -for he did not immediately appear at the office, as -Dory expected. The mansion was some distance -from the scene of operations. He heard the -earliest peals of the bell on the dormitory; but, -unfortunately, Mrs. Dornwood had also heard it, -and had been terribly excited by it. The explosion -had roused her from her slumbers, though the -distance made it less effective at the mansion than -at the dormitory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The good lady was almost in hysterics; and it -had taken the captain some time to quiet her, -though at last he was able to leave her in the care -of Marian. She was sure that the students would -all be burned to death, her son among them; for -the idea of any other calamity than fire, had not -occurred to them.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>Captain Gildrock had not heard the explosion; -and the ringing of the bell had assured him that no -one would be burned to death, though he found it -very difficult to make his sister comprehend the -absurdity of her fears. He looked out of the -window as soon as he left his bed; and, as he could -see no light, he was satisfied that the fire had not -yet made much progress.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He was a man of discipline, and had trained the -students to fire-duty. His sister had mentioned -the explosion, but she could not tell any thing -about it, except that it was a loud noise. The -principal hastened from the house as soon as he -could leave Mrs. Dornwood, and he expected to -discover the light of the fire as soon as he reached -the main avenue that extended through the -grounds.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He saw nothing to throw any light on his path, -or on the cause of the alarm. When he reached -the shops, he found a crowd there, and realized that -he was about the last one to reach the scene of -the disturbance. There was no fire, and this fact -stimulated his curiosity. The bell was to be rung -at night, only in case of fire; and it had been pealing -out its notes for some time before his arrival.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>The students were, of course, in a blaze of excitement, -and the instructors were hardly less -disturbed. But the principal walked into their -midst without any exclamations, with a step hardly -more hurried than his usual pace, and there was -nothing in the darkness that, could indicate the -slightest disturbance in his manner. Though he -was a cool man in a trying situation, as his early -life on the seas had trained him to be, yet his -stolidity was in some measure assumed. He believed, -that, if a person in authority could not be -calm, it was best for him to pretend to be so, for -the benefit of others.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Matt had adopted the suggestion of Dory, and -departed in the Marian; but this was all the -movement that had been made to meet the circumstances -of the case. Dory and the boat's crew -were the only absentees when the principal arrived. -He looked about him; but he could only see dark -forms around, with nothing but the dull light of -the lantern Dory had left on the doorstone, to -assist his vision.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There seems to be no fire, or even the smell -of smoke here," said Captain Gildrock, as he came -into the assemblage in front of the office.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>"No, sir: there is no fire," replied Mr. Jepson, -who happened to be nearest to him when he -halted. "It is robbery, and not fire."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, no one is in danger," added the principal, -perhaps with a feeling of relief.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No one, unless it be the students who are -looking for the robbers."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course, you heard the explosion, Captain -Gildrock?" interposed Mr. Brookbine.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have heard nothing but the ringing of the -bell, for I am a sound sleeper at this time in -the morning. What was the explosion?" asked -the principal, as unmoved as though he had been -questioning a class in the schoolroom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The safe in the office has been blown up with -a dynamite cartridge," replied Mr. Jepson. "I -should have thought you would hear it, for it -shook all the buildings in this part of the -grounds."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Mrs. Dornwood heard it, but I did not," continued -the principal, as he led the way into the -office.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He took the lantern in his hand as he advanced, -and then asked the instructor in mechanics -to light the lamps. While he was doing so, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>the captain examined the door of the office. It -had been bored in several places around the lock, -and then pried open. In the room, all was in a -state of dire confusion. A large portion of the -door of the safe had been blown off, and it was -wide open.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"These fellows understood their business," said -Captain Gildrock, when he saw how effectual the -explosion had been.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think they rather overdid the business," -added Mr. Jepson. "The cartridge must have -been three times as big as was needed to blow off -that lock, and that makes me think the burglars -had not had much experience in the use of -dynamite."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They evidently intended to use enough to -tear off the door," replied the principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But they made a noise like an earthquake, -when there was no need of it. It is a wonder to -me that they didn't blow the safe all to pieces, -and destroy whatever there was in it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"As I did not hear it, I am not a competent -judge of the power of the explosion," added the -principal, as he proceeded to examine the interior -of the safe.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>"I hope the safe did not contain much money," -said Mr. Brookbine.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Over two thousand dollars," replied the captain, -with a smile. "I sold a house here, day -before yesterday; and, as I have not been to the -bank since, the entire payment was in the safe, as -well as about one hundred and fifty dollars that -was there before."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Whew!" exclaimed the master-carpenter. -"Then, it amounts to a big loss."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Big enough, though I shall not be ruined by -it," answered the principal. "I have ten times -that amount in bonds in this safe; and here they -are," he continued, as he took a large package -of papers from one of the small drawers, one of -which had contained the money. "Either the -robbers did not want the bonds, or they had not -time to find them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't think they had much time to spare after -the racket of the explosion," said Mr. Jepson. -"When I got here, the students said Dory was -after the robbers back of the shops; and Randolph -was leading a boat's crew to the lake."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It looks as though the robbers had seized the -money as soon as they got at it, and did not wait -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>for any thing more. Now, what has been done -here?" asked the principal, when he had got possession -of the main facts.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Dory and Matt Randolph were the first to -come out of the dormitory, and I think I was the -next one," said Oscar Chester.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Tell me what you know about the matter, -Chester," continued the principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Dory and Matt went to the office, and found -it had been broken into, and that the explosion -had come from there. I thought it was an earthquake. -Matt came back after the lanterns just as -I came down-stairs, and I helped him light them. -He went out then, and I followed him. Then he -came back, and rang the bell. I took the rope -when he asked me to do so, and he called away a -crew for the boat. He told me that Dory was following -the burglars back of the shop, and that he -was to see that they did not get away in a boat. -That is all I know about it, sir."</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was a rather confused statement, though it -was correct in the main. Dory was pursuing the -marauders alone on foot, and Matt was patrolling -the lake to prevent their escape by water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am sorry the students did any thing," said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>Captain Gildrock. "I should not like to have -any of them encounter these villains. Without a -doubt, they are armed, and they will fire if they -are in danger."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Don't you think some of us had better see if -we can find Dory, sir? He may need some help," -suggested Oscar Chester, who had been making -up a party to follow Dory when the principal -arrived.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think Dory will be prudent, and will take -care of himself, though he may get into trouble. -I shall send no students to assist him," replied -the principal decidedly. "The boys will not be -called upon to chase such desperadoes as professional -burglars must be. But you may take a -crew, and go in one of the four-oar boats in -search of Randolph. Tell him to come ashore."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Oscar departed on his mission, disappointed -that he had not been detailed to re-enforce Dory, -and assist in the search.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am ready to do any thing that I can," -added Mr. Jepson; and Mr. Brookbine said the -same.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The burglars have simplified the matter to -some extent for us," said the principal, as he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>seated himself in his arm-chair, as though he did -not intend to fret himself at all about the robbery. -"The wind is blowing a fierce gale on the lake; -and I should not send out a boat on such a night -as this manned by the students, or by any one, -unless it was to save life. The rascals cannot -escape by water. The stormy lake shuts them -in on that side."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't think I ever knew it to blow so hard -as it does to-night," added Mr. Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If Dory and Randolph come back all right, I -shall be perfectly satisfied, even if the robbers -escape with their plunder. All we have to do is -to hem in the land-side of the region about the -school, and the constables then may hunt the -burglars at their leisure," continued the principal. -"Now, if you are willing to do so, I should like -to have you go in search of Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He must have followed the cart-path through -the quarries, and crossed the bridge. I don't -ask you to quarrel with the burglars, if you -find them, but simply to send Dory back," said -the principal, after a short period of silence. -"Collins!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Here, sir," replied the gardener.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>"Have Dick harnessed to the buggy, and Kate -to the buckboard."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The machinist and the carpenter prepared for -the duty assigned to them. The former put his -revolver in his pocket, while the latter took his -rifle. Mr. Brookbine was given to deer-hunting, -and knew all about the Adirondack region, on -the other side of the lake. But it was daylight -when they started; and they were too late to -find Dory in the road, where he had remained -so long.</p> - -<p class='c006'>They were not even near enough to the scene -of Dory's disaster to hear the whistle the chief -of the burglars had sounded, or to see the light -carried by Mack in the road. The light was the -engine of Angy's strategy; and the open part of -the dark-lantern was turned in the other direction, -for the benefit of Dory. But Mack had -heard them in the distance; for the two men had -been shouting, to inform Dory of their approach.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Professor Bentnick and Mr. Darlingby were -sent to one part of Genverres to procure the -aid of a couple of constables, while the principal -notified two other men who were deputy-sheriffs. -He visited the telegraph-office, and left several -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>messages, to be sent to Burlington, and to all the -towns around that were in connection with Genverres -by wires.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The students were all sent to bed again, but -probably not many of them slept after the excitement -of the early morning. Matt and his party -were discovered by Oscar Chester while they were -patrolling the shore, without having obtained a -sight or a sound to encourage them. They -obeyed the order of the principal; though they -were satisfied that the robbers had not been on -Beechwater, or the creek above it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At five o'clock all the students except Dory -were in their beds.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> <br />SOME DIFFERENCES OF OPINION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_2_0_5 c005'>Dory Dornwood had seen the La Motte -when she was lying in the river, and knew -that a party from her had visited the school, -though he had not been near them. He had -passed the schooner in the barge, but without -noticing the persons on board of her. Mr. -Michael Angelo Spickles was the chief of the -party, and the principal operator in the robbery at -the office of the institution. But the prisoner -knew nothing whatever about him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The arm of Kingsland Bay where the marauders -embarked was less than a quarter of a mile -wide, and the water was almost as smooth as on a -calm day. The bay itself did not average more -than half a mile wide; and they were not likely to -experience any rough weather within its limits, -as they were a full mile from the open lake.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>The members of the party had not said a word -to Dory, and had hardly noticed him since they -finished binding his arms behind him. He was -left to himself, and he had abundant opportunity -for reflection. He was not a little humiliated -because he had allowed himself to be captured so -easily, but he could not see how it would have -been possible for him to help himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was useless to consider the past, for it was all -gone; and he could not undo any thing that had -been done. He had been captured, and he was in -the hands of the enemy. Mack reported the advance -of a party from Beech Hill, but they were -too late to be of any service to him. The future -was a blank to him, and he could only wait for -events as they occurred. But he was satisfied -that the boat could not get out of the bay while -the present storm raged.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We are all right now," said Angy, as the boat -receded from the shore in the gloom of the morning. -"We lost all this time on your account, -Chuck; and I shall fine you for it when we -divide."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't think I am to blame for it," replied -Chuck, who was pulling the bow-oar, next to Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>"You don't think you were to blame!" exclaimed -Angy angrily. "Didn't you speak out -loud when we were within a few rods of this chap -we have picked up? Didn't you make it necessary -to capture this fellow, so that he should not -see us?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps I made a little noise when I saw the -flash of light, but I didn't say any thing," pleaded -Chuck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You made noise enough for him to hear you, -and to let him know where we were; and I shall -fine you fifty dollars out of your share," added the -chief, as though he were talking to a delinquent -schoolboy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps you will: if you do, you will wish -you hadn't done it," replied the culprit, who did -not seem to be in a submissive mood.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Didn't you agree to obey orders, Chuck?" -demanded Angy savagely.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That is just what I have done; and if I was -surprised into making a little sound when that -fellow struck a light close to us, I am not going -to be robbed for it," protested the delinquent.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What are you going to do about it?" growled -Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>"I can only tell you what I'm not going to do -yet: I shall not submit to being robbed," said -Chuck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It looked a little like a quarrel among the -marauders, and Dory hoped he might be able to -derive some advantage from the disagreement. -But they had said enough to enable him to -explain why he had been made a prisoner. The -burglars had evidently kept the run of him since -he came into the road, and they were not willing -that any one should know they had departed by -water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Probably they reasoned that he was alone, because -they heard no voices, for one pursuer would -not do any talking. When he lighted the match -to examine the road, he had exposed himself; and -then, if not before, the fugitives saw that they -could remove the only one on their track by making -him a prisoner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The boat pulled out of the arm of the bay, and -then followed the shore on the west side, which -entirely sheltered it from the violence of the blast. -But it soon reached a point where the crew could -hear the terrific roar of the storm on the open -lake. The effect of the heavy waves could be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>felt in the bay, and the boat began to tumble -about.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is blowing a young hurricane," said Mack, -when the roar of the tempest could be heard in its -intensity. "We shall never be able to reach the -vessel. I think we are just beginning to find -the rough side of this scrape."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"None of your croaking, Mack!" added the -chief sharply. "We have found our way out of -this bay, and we are all right; and we must be on -board of the schooner before it is light enough for -us to be seen from the shore. I know where we -are now."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, you know we are in a tight place," -added Mack. "It is light enough now for you to -see that the lake looks like a snow-bank, it is so -covered with foam from the waves. This boat -will not live in that sea."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We shall soon see whether it will or not," said -Angy, as he shifted the helm so as to direct the -boat across the entrance of the bay.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The boat was the tender of the La Motte, and -was not more than twelve feet long. It was a -sort of yawl, and the four persons in it was a full -freight for it. The sea was heavy at the mouth of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>the bay, though the trend of the coast partially -sheltered it from the full fury of the blast.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Skilfully handled, and with her head up to the -wind, she would have stood it very well; but -Angy seemed to have a contempt for a fresh-water -lake, and did not believe that any dangerous sea -could prevail on its waters. The lake in a violent -storm is worse than the ocean,--a truth he had yet -to learn. He took the sea quartering; and the -boat began to pitch and roll, both at the same -time, in a manner that suggested disaster to Mack, -if not to the others.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This won't do!" shouted he, as a wave -drenched him to the skin.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It will do very well, Mack!" replied Angy, -with energy. "You have been out in a heavy sea -before, and you needn't croak."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Mack continued to pull his oar. Five minutes -later, the boat took in a sea on the windward side, -which filled it half full. Dory had been wet -through in the first of it, and he was considering -the probability of being drowned with his arms -tied behind him so that he could do nothing to -help himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Pull steady!" called Angy, apparently undismayed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>by the situation, as he took the bucket in -the stern, and began to bail out the boat.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What's the use of pulling?" cried Mack, -though he was sailor enough to know that the boat -was likely to fall off into the trough of the sea if -he ceased to use his oar. "It is getting worse and -worse every fathom you go ahead, Angy."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I can't help it if it is: we are in for it now, -and we can't come about if we want to do so," replied -the chief, who was beginning to have a little -more respect for fresh-water waves.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We can't stand this," interposed Chuck, who -had been nursing his wrath in silence. "We had -better be taken than drowned."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't think so," answered Angy. "I will -keep her away a little so that she will run before -it, and we shall do very well. This blow comes -from the southward, and it won't last long."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It will last long enough to drown the whole of -us," shouted Mack, loud enough to be heard above -the roar of the tempest. "If you don't do something -to ease her off, I shall stop rowing."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you don't mean to obey orders, Mack, say -so; and you know I have a revolver in my -pocket," said the chief.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>"And I have another," replied Mack.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I told you that I was going to let her fall off, -and run before it. What more do you want?" -demanded Angy, disgusted at the mutinous -conduct of the oarsmen.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Neither of the rowers said any thing more then, -and were evidently willing to wait for the effect -of the change in the course. The boat was now -about half way across the entrance of the bay. It -was light enough to enable the crew to see the -opposite shore at the point, where the waves were -rolling on the beach, and piling themselves in -great white masses of foam.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As the boat advanced, the sea became more -angry. Before the chief could bail out the water, -the craft took in another wave, and even Angy -began to realize that the boat was in a perilous -situation. He gradually shifted the helm until -the boat was running for the shore a considerable -distance from the point.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But the change in the course had wrought no -miracle in the situation. The farther she went -from the lee shore on the south, the rougher was -the sea. Though Dory was rather a noted swimmer -among the students, the accomplishment was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>not likely to be of much service to him with his -arms tied behind him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We are not getting out of it a bit," shouted -Mack. "Come about, Angy, and make for the -shore on the other side of the bay."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"How can I come about in this sea?" demanded -the captain. "You know as well as I -do, that if she gets into the trough of the sea, she -will go over."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We are sure to go over, as it is; and we -might as well try it, and work towards the lee-shore -of the bay," persisted Mack.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Will you obey orders, or not?" cried Angy -savagely.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No, I won't obey such orders as you are giving!" -exclaimed the mutineer. "I believe you -mean to drown the whole of us."</p> - -<p class='c006'>As he spoke, he drew in his oar, which was on -the lee-side, for the skipper had not yet got the -boat before it. The tender of the La Motte -fell off into the trough of the sea, and began to -roll, as though she was intent upon spilling her -burden into the water. Chuck could not row -after his companion ceased to do so.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Drop into the bottom of the boat," said Dory, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>in a low tone, to the bow-oarsman, as he drew in -his oar.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Chuck complied with this request. He evidently -regarded this suggestion as a favor; and, -without saying a word, he untied the rope that -secured Dory's arms. He had hardly done so -before the boat shipped a sea, and rolled over.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER IX.<br /> <br />UNDER THE LEE OF GARDINER'S ISLAND.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>The boat dipped herself half full of water as -soon as the two burglars ceased to pull, and -this weight of movable fluid increased her capacity -for rolling. At the next wave she went over, -and the four persons in her were spilled into the -lake. All of them hung on to the overturned -tender, though, in the commotion of the waves, it -was not an easy thing to do so.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Two of the party hung on at each side, and the -water-logged boat was steadied a little by their -weight. Angy, in spite of the difficulties of the -situation, opened in a savage assault upon his -companions, with his flippant tongue, for their -disobedience of orders, declaring that their conduct -had produced the disaster, which was quite -true.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We are no worse off than we were in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>boat, and it isn't any wetter in the water than it -was on board of her," replied Mack, who had -caused the mischief. "I had rather be here than -in the boat off that point, where you were trying -to take us."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I shall fine you both for disobedience of -orders," growled Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That will make two fines saddled on me; and -I suppose you mean to rob me wholly of my -share," added Chuck, as he emptied his mouth of -the lake-water, which had dashed in when he -opened it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't submit to any fine because I wouldn't -let you drown me," added Mack.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think it is more comfortable here than it -was in the boat," said Chuck. "The wind is -driving us to the shore, and we shall be on the -land in a few minutes."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"How did that fellow get loose?" demanded -Angy, when he discovered that Dory was holding -on at the boat, like the rest of them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I let him loose when I saw that the boat was -sure to be upset. I suppose that is another fine," -replied Chuck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We shall be in hot water instead of cold, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>now," said Angy, who was certainly realizing the -full benefit of having a mutinous crew.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I didn't mean to let him drown, as he would -when he couldn't help himself," added Chuck. -"I will tie him up again as soon as we get to the -shore."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is no use to go on an expedition with such -fellows as you are; and I will never do it again," -said Angy bitterly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The boat seemed to be making quite as much -progress with the crew on the outside of it, as she -had when they were on the inside. A little later, -Chuck, who was at the bow of the boat, declared -that he felt the bottom with his feet. At that -moment a big wave struck the boat, and drove -them on the beach.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hold on to the boat!" shouted Angy. "Pick -it up, and carry it up on the shore! It will be -smashed on the gravel, if you don't."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The party took hold of the tender, and dragged -it towards the land. Before they could get it out -of the water, the big waves knocked them off their -feet several times, and piled them up in a heap. -The boat pounded heavily on the gravel; and if it -had not been well built, it would have had some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>holes knocked in the bottom. But, after a desperate -struggle with the elements, they succeeded in -getting out of the reach of the waves.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The moment the party stood on the beach, Angy -threw himself upon Dory, and brought him down. -As before, he had taken him behind. Several -times the chief had called upon him to assist in -dragging the boat out of the water, but the -prisoner felt that it would be treason to society to -assist in saving the tender. He made no reply, -and Angy swore at him as a pirate would have -done. All the party were panting from the violence -of their exertion, and Dory had not expected -an attack before they recovered their breath.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The leader was stimulated by wrath more than -by a desire to secure the safe retreat of his party, -and he handled his prisoner very roughly. Hardly -able to breathe, he kicked his victim, and pounded -him with his fist. Dory was not in a situation to -resist, and his arms were soon bound behind him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Bluff Point, on which they had been driven by -the fury of the storm, was not more than an eighth -of a mile across at the place where they were. -Angy, as soon as he had fastened his prisoner to -a small tree, started to walk over to the water -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>on the other side. He was gone but a few -minutes.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We haven't any time to lose, fellows," said he. -"We must carry the boat across this point to the -water."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Carry the boat!" exclaimed Mack. "It -weighs half a ton!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you prefer to go around that point?" asked -Angy, with a sneer, which it was not light enough -to see.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course we can't go around the point, for -the sea is awful there," replied Mack, in a more -subdued tone. "Why can't we stay where we are -till the storm subsides a little?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And let old Squalipop send a squad here to -capture us! Is that your idea?" asked the -chief.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not exactly. They will not be likely to come -here to look for us. This fellow did not go back -to tell him that we had come this way. How -heavy is the boat?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is not very heavy, and three of us can -carry it well enough," answered Angy. "If that -fellow would take hold and help us, it would be a -light load for four of us."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>"Perhaps he will," added Mack. "Will you, -my lad?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I will not," replied Dory firmly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why not?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I will not assist in your escape after you have -committed a crime," the prisoner explained.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is your name, my boy?" asked Chuck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Dory Dornwood."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Dory Dornwood!" exclaimed Angy, with no -little astonishment. "I heard Matt tell all about -you last summer, and I don't need any introduction -to you. He said you could whip your weight -in wild-cats, and would die of thirst before you -would drink a glass of beer."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am not a fighting character," added Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I should say not! I have handled you twice; -and I don't know that I should have dared to touch -you if I had known who and what you were," -chuckled the leader. "But let us take hold of -the boat, and see what we can do with it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Won't you give us a lift, Dory?" asked Chuck. -"I did you a good turn in the boat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I cannot do any thing to assist in your escape, -though I should be glad to reciprocate your kind -act," replied the prisoner.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>"It's no use to waste words with him," interposed -Angy. "He is the paragon of that school, -and goes to the Sunday school."</p> - -<p class='c006'>They raised the boat from the beach, and Mack -declared that it was not half as heavy as he had -supposed. They rested several times, and carried -it to the water on the other side of the point without -any great difficulty. Angy returned for the -prisoner as soon as they had put the boat into the -lake, and conducted him to it. He was put in -the bow, where he had been before.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The water was sheltered by the point; and -though it was rough anywhere on the lake, it was -smooth compared with its condition outside of the -bluff. It was just a mile from Bluff Point to -Gardiner's Island, beyond which Dory discovered -the two masts of a vessel anchored there. He -had already heard enough to assure him that the -burglars had composed the crew of the schooner -which had anchored in Beaver River. A portion -of them had visited the school, and in this way -had obtained some knowledge of the premises.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This storm won't last much longer," said -Angy, as he looked out on the stormy lake. -"The wind is hauling more to the westward."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>"What's the reason we can't stay here a while, -then, and wait till the sea isn't quite so rough?" -asked Mack, who evidently did not like the looks -of the water between the point and the island, -smooth as it was compared with the open lake.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"How long do you suppose it will be before the -men you heard in the road will be down this -way?" demanded Angy, with his chronic sneer.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They may not be here at all. They will take -it for granted that we don't go out on the lake in -this weather; and it is a sensible view to take of -it," added Mack.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But they were coming this way when you -heard them; and you forget the plan I laid down -to you yesterday afternoon," continued the chief, -in a more persuasive tone. "We don't want any -one to know that the party who did this job belong -to the schooner. That would spoil all our -plans, and expose us; and this is the last of the -jobs we had on our hands."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right, Angy," replied Mack, who seemed -to be convinced by the argument. "But if we all -get drowned in this scrape, we shall not make -much headway in the fun you have laid out for -us."</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_106.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='xsmall'>"I TOLD YOU TO GO ON BOARD THE SCHOONER," ADDED ANGY.--PAGE 108.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>"The sea isn't very rough off here; and as the -wind has hauled more to the westward, we shall -go before it, and keep out of the trough of it," -Angy explained: and he seemed to be the authority -in all nautical matters.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Just as you say, Angy. If the boat upsets, -as it did before, we shall be just as comfortable -in the water; and the wind will take us just where -we want to go."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The experience of the party in the water seemed -to increase rather than diminish their confidence, -for they had learned that the disaster of swamping -the boat was not necessarily fatal. Near the -shore the water was quite smooth, and the leader -shoved the tender off. The two rowers gave way, -and the boat moved away from the point. In a -few moments it was in a rough sea; but the chief -kept the craft exactly before it without regard to -his destination, and it went along very well.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was not smooth sailing, and the boat jumped -like a galloping horse. But the rowers were used -to pulling in a heavy sea, though they had never -been in one like that of the lake. Dory was sitting -with his back to the course of the boat, and -he watched the shore with the most intense interest. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>He was sure his uncle would send a party to -find him; though the pursuers might follow the -road for many miles, if they did not resort to the -Indian craft which had been of so much assistance -to him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Before the boat had made a fourth part of the -distance it had to accomplish, it began to rain. It -came down in torrents, though it could not make -the party any wetter than they were already. It -had rained all the first part of the night, and now -it seemed like a smart shower which would soon -be over.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This is just the thing we want," said Angy, in -cheerful tones, and in much better humor than he -had been at any time before.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why is it just the thing? Do you think it -will lay the dust?" asked Mack.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not exactly: it will throw the dust into the -eyes of the men who are trying to follow us. The -heavy rain is making a thick cloud on the water, -so that they can't see us. You can hardly make -out the shore now," replied Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But the wind blew the rain in the faces of the -rowers with so much force that they could not -keep their eyes open much of the time. Assisted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>by the gale, the boat drove furiously ahead. -Occasionally a sea came in over the stern, and the -skipper had to use the bucket. She soon reached -the island; and when the boat came under its lee, -their troubles for the present were over. The La -Motte was pitching violently at her anchor when -they boarded her.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER X.<br /> <br />A BATTLE WITH THE ELEMENTS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>The two oarsmen sprang on board of the La -Motte, Chuck taking the painter. The -schooner was not anchored near enough to the -island to shelter her entirely from the fury of the -blast, and she was making rather rough weather -of it. The tender banged against her sides, and -Angy was in a hurry to get on board.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Come, Dory!" shouted he to his prisoner. -"Heave ahead, and go on board!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory tried to stand up, but the uneasy motion -of the boat prevented him from doing so successfully. -He was compelled to resume his seat as -often as he tried to do so, or he would have been -knocked overboard.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What are you about, you squillypod? Why -don't you obey orders? I told you to go on board -of the schooner," added Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>"You can see for yourself that it is impossible -for me to do so with my hands tied behind," replied -Dory, in his usual calm tones.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's so," added Chuck, who stood at the -gangway with the painter in his hand. "No fellow -could stand up in that boat with his hands -tied behind him."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you want me to let him loose?" demanded -Angy. "Not if I know myself!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right; have your own way," added Chuck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Put yourself on your pins now, Squillypod!" -said the chief sharply. "I am not going to fool -all day with you. Get on board of the schooner, -and then you will be out of trouble."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is useless for me to attempt to do an impossible -thing," replied Dory. "The bulwarks of the -vessel are three feet above the boat, and I can't -step that distance. The only way to get on board -is to take hold with the hands, and climb up. I -think you can see that for yourself. I am willing -to go on board, and I would do so if I could. It -is impossible to stand up in the boat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Come along and try it, and I will boost you -up," Angy insisted.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He can't do it," added Chuck. "Try to stand -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>up yourself with your hands free, and you will -see how it is, Angy."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Shut up, Chuck! If you interfere with me -again, I will throw you overboard. I want you to -understand that I am in command here, and I -won't let any fellow meddle with my affairs," said -the chief angrily. "I will put another fine down -against you."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right; fix things to suit yourself!" -replied Chuck, as mad as his superior in rank. -"I have had about enough of this thing, if I am -to be snubbed like a school-boy."</p> - -<p class='c006'>As he spoke, he spitefully threw down the rope -in his hand, apparently forgetting that it was the -painter of the tender which contained his chief -and the prisoner. A swashing wave at that moment -took the boat, and swept it far from the -schooner. Then Chuck realized what he had done, -and he made a spring to recover the rope. He -saw the end of it drag over the bulwarks, and -drop into the boiling waters.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What are you about, Chuck?" demanded -Angy, overwhelmed by the consequences of his -subordinate's wrath. "You have turned me -adrift."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>Chuck understood this as well as his leader, and -he had done his best to recover the painter; but -he was as powerless to do any thing more, as -though he had been on the top of Bluff Point.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I did not mean to let go the painter," shouted -he; but this honest declaration did no good at all.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Angy was alone in the tender with the prisoner. -He did not blame his own unreasonableness in trying -to make his companion do an impossible thing, -but he charged all the fault upon his mutinous -subordinate. But there he was, and his associates -on board of the La Motte could not do a thing to -assist him. The fierce wind was driving the boat -away from the vessel, and the chief must act at -once if ever.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He seized the oars with a sort of desperation, as -the serious nature of the situation impressed itself -on his mind. He seated himself on the after -thwart, and shipped the oars. The tender had begun -to drift stern foremost; and she had already -whirled round once, as the waves lifted her almost -out of the water. The boat was too wide to permit -one to row two-handed with ease, and he had -to do his work under a decided disadvantage.</p> - -<p class='c006'>His first effort was to get the boat head to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>sea, and he had nearly swamped her in his struggle -to do so. But he succeeded in the end, though -the tender was half full of water when he got her -about. Then he began to pull with all his might. -He certainly made a plucky and determined attempt -to get the better of the elements, though -the result could not be foreseen.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The weather was warm and muggy in spite of -the gale, which some experienced skippers on the -lake called a hurricane; and the perspiration -poured in great drops from the face of the desperate -burglar. The rain still fell in sheets, and in a -short time the cloud would cover the water so -that he could not see the vessel or the island. -Angy worked as though his salvation in this world -and the next depended upon his success.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory was unable to determine whether the accident -to the boat was to be a chance or a mischance -to him. The boat was half full of water; and if -the burglar lost his pluck, and gave up rowing, -the tender would fall off into the trough of the -sea, and probably capsize again. With his arms -bound behind him, he could not well avoid being -drowned, though he felt that he had some chance -of saving himself, shackled as he was.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>He had lost sight of the island, and the schooner -would soon disappear. He looked behind him -occasionally, in order to keep his bearings as long -as there was any thing in sight in that direction. -Ahead of him, although Camp-Meeting Point was -less than a mile distant, there was nothing but -the cloud of fog and rain to be seen. He was especially -interested to know whether or not the -burglar was making any progress towards the -schooner. He had lost sight of the island, which -he could see when the rower was getting the boat -about; and, as the vessel was seen less distinctly -than when he began to pull ahead, he concluded -that he was losing instead of gaining.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The drops of rain and sweat poured from -Angy's face as he struggled with the oars. Dory -admitted to himself that the rower handled his -implements skilfully; but he did not believe any -man could make headway against such a sea, -which had considerably increased in force as the -boat went farther from Bluff Point.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was soon evident to Dory that the powers of -Angy were failing him. Through the spray that -beat against the bow of the tender, and dashed -over him, he looked for the schooner, which was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>almost out of sight. It was clear enough now, if -it had not been so before, that the tender was -losing ground. The strength, and perhaps the -pluck, of Angy were giving out.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory watched the face of the chief with increasing -interest when the result of the battle with the -elements was no longer a problem to him. Angy -was breathing rapidly, for he had well-nigh exhausted -the reservoir of his breath. The observer -came to the conclusion that he had given up the -struggle, and was simply pulling to prevent the -tender from falling off into the trough of the sea. -Gradually he remitted his exertions, until he did -only enough to keep the boat's head up to the sea. -Dory could easily realize that he was considering -what he should do.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It did not look as though he could do any -thing. Relieved by moderating his efforts, he -recovered his breath, and slowly improved his -condition. Dory was behind him; though the -oarsman turned his head often enough to enable -him to see his face, and judge what was passing -in his mind. When Angy had in some measure -recovered his powers, he turned more than he -had at any time before, and took a look at his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>prisoner. Dory was making himself as comfortable -as he could, though this is saying very -little.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"See here, Squillypod! I want you to come -into the stern of the boat, for she is down too -much by the head," said he, without suspending -his labor at the oars. "Work yourself aft, feet -foremost, and don't try to stand up."</p> - -<p class='c006'>This order looked as though the burglar intended -to resort to some new expedient. Any -thing for a change was satisfactory to Dory, and -he obeyed the order. With his foot he removed -the forward thwart, on which the second rower -had been seated, and then worked himself past -it, on the bottom of the boat.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now stop where you are," said Angy, as soon -as he reached his seat.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory obeyed, and remained seated in the bottom -of the tender, directly behind the rower. Then, -not a little to the astonishment of the prisoner, -Angy began to untie the cords which bound him. -He did the job by fits and starts, being obliged to -use one or the other oar occasionally to keep the -boat from falling off. But he finished the task, -and Dory found that he was free; and it was a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>delightful sensation to be able to change the position -of his arms.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As soon as he was released, without waiting for -any order from the burglar, he moved aft to the -stern-sheets of the boat. While he was doing so, -Angy shifted to the forward thwart, keeping the -oars at work all the time, with hardly a moment's -intermission.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now take the other oar, Squillypod!" said -the chief, in imperative tones.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where are we to go?" asked Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where are we to go! None of your business -where we are going! Obey my order, or it will -be the worse for you!" returned Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you are going to the shore, I will pull the -other oar: if you are going back to the schooner -I will not pull a stroke," added Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Won't you?" howled the robber, with an -oath which was colder to the prisoner's blood than -the angry elements. "I will see if you won't! I -am going to the schooner, and you are going to -pull that oar!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>As he spoke, he drew a revolver from his hip-pocket. -Dory did not like the looks of this implement; -but he could not assist the burglar to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>escape, and he took no notice of it. Angy raised -the weapon hastily, and pulled the trigger. It -was soaked with water, and did not go off. Dory -did not wait for a second trial, but threw himself -on the robber.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XI.<br /> <br />THE TURNING OF THE TABLES.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_2_0_5 c005'>Dory Dornwood had made no promises -in order to procure his release from the -bonds with which he had been secured, and he -felt free to fight his way out of the scrape into -which he had fallen, if he could. Mr. Michael -Angelo Spickles had looked, talked, and acted as -though he regarded his prisoner with the utmost -contempt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>They did not live in the same moral atmosphere, -in the first place; and the leader of the robbers -had heard something of the prowess of Dory from -Matt Randolph. By taking him in the rear, he -had twice overcome him, and tied his arms behind -him. Perhaps the fact that he had been able to -do so was the most direct source of his contempt. -He went to Sunday school, as Angy described his -general character; and he did not believe that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>a lamb of this sort could be a lion when the -occasion required.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Angy had been perfectly sure that the exhibition -of his revolver would reduce the prisoner to -complete subjection if he proved to be refractory -after he had released him. He had not intended -to shoot him, when he snapped the weapon at -him, for he knew something of the consequences -of such a murderous act. But Dory did not -"scare" as readily as he had supposed he would, -and the fact that he was a Sunday-school scholar -did not make a coward of him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As soon as the revolver missed fire, Dory -decided not to wait for a dryer cartridge to -explode. The boat was jumping on the waves -at a furious rate, and was in the act of falling off -into the trough of the sea when Angy made his -demonstration with the pistol. To prevent this, -he had attempted to use his oars. Dory made a -long spring, and threw himself on the chief of the -burglars.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He came down upon him like a heavy body -dropped from some point overhead. The thwart -on which Angy was seated slipped out of its place -under the concussion, and the two combatants -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>came down in the bottom of the boat. Dory -seized his intended victim by the throat, and contrived -to get his legs on the arms of the fallen -leader. Then he choked him with all his might -as he struggled to free himself from this fierce -embrace.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The boat fell off into the trough of the sea, and -the water poured in upon them. Dory saw, that, -if the affair was not finished very quickly, the -conclusion of it would have to be reached in the -water, with no boat under him. But no human -being could stand the amount of choking inflicted -upon Angy, and he soon weakened under the punishment. -With a sudden movement, Dory turned -him over on his face, and crowded his head down -into the water in the bottom of the boat.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The rope with which Dory had been bound was -within his reach; and, as soon as the resistance -under him would permit, he grasped it with one -hand, while he held the victim with the other. -Angy realized what he was doing, even while his -breath was bubbling in the water under him; and -he made his last effort to shake off the Sunday-school -scholar. But he was too weak to accomplish -any thing, and he had to give up the battle.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>It was the work of but a moment for Dory to -tie his arms behind him, though he did it in the -most thorough manner. He picked up the revolver, -and put it in his pocket. Then he -dragged the fallen chief to the stern-sheets, and -dumped him in the bottom. The tables had -turned, and the leading spirit of the Nautifelers -Club was the prisoner. He was utterly exhausted -by his choking and his useless struggles, and he -lay catching his breath where his conqueror had -thrown him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory realized that he had no time to spare, if -he intended to get the boat to the shore right side -up. He sprang to the oars, and brought the tender -around before the wind. He was too tired -himself to row, and he simply kept the craft from -getting into any dangerous situation. With one -hand he bailed out the boat, while he used an oar -with the other.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Angy was rapidly recovering from the effects of -the battle, and he worked himself into a sitting -position. Then he looked about him, and especially -at the stalwart young man in front of him, -whose prowess he had held in contempt. He did -what Dory had done a dozen times while he was a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>prisoner,--he essayed to test the strength of his -bonds; but they had been adjusted by one who -was skilled in handling rigging. He said nothing, -but the situation looked very bad to him. The -Sunday-school scholar was not an infant, and -Angy was willing now to believe what Matt Randolph -had told him about the paragon of the -school.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory bailed out the boat till it was comfortable -in her, and then he hastened the progress of the -craft by the use of the oars. It still rained in -torrents, but there was a light in the east which -indicated that it was the "clearing-up shower." -Looking behind him, Dory discovered the land, -and felt something like Columbus on another -occasion. He knew just where he was; and he -changed the course of the tender, in order to make -a little cove.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Before he could get to the shore, the rain ceased, -and the mist cleared off from the surface of the -water. Suddenly the hurricane seemed to subside. -The clouds, which had been dense and black overhead, -began to break. It ended, like all storms in -this locality which come from the south, as -abruptly as it begun.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>The La Motte could be seen quite distinctly, for -she was hardly a mile distant. The four robbers -on board of her were hoisting the foresail, which -looked as though it had been reefed; and they were -evidently going in search of their lost chief. Dory -was happy enough to smile, and he did smile; for -he was out of the reach of any pursuers in a large -vessel. The wind had greatly abated its violence; -and Dory had been obliged to pull some distance -from his former course, in order to make the creek. -But the water was shallow around him, and the -schooner could not come near the land.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The inlet was the mouth of a brook, and he -pulled some distance into it. When he came to a -good place to land, he leaped ashore, and hauled -up the bow out of the water. Without a small -boat, it was simply impossible for the crew of the -La Motte to follow him, even if they succeeded in -finding him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory was tired enough to seat himself on a rock, -and recover his exhausted powers. He had a -prisoner, and a resolute one, and he must get him -to the school in some manner. It was likely to be -hard work. He took Angy's revolver from his -pocket: he wiped the water off its barrels and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>stock. Then he examined the cartridges. They -were metallic, and ought not to be affected -by the water. Aiming at a small tree, he discharged -one of the barrels, and found it went -off as well as it would if it had not been in -the water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That shooter served me a bad turn," said Angy. -"I never knew it to miss before."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It served me a good turn if you aimed at me -when you tried to fire it," added Dory. "However, -it seems to be in condition to be useful to me -if I have occasion to use it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Its present possessor put it back into his pocket. -He resolved to manage his case so well that he -would have no occasion to use such a deadly -weapon, and he shuddered at the very thought of -firing at a human being.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You have got ahead of me, Dory," continued -Angy, bestowing a searching look upon his captor. -"Chuck ruined me when he threw that painter -overboard."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"In a moral point of view, that act may be your -salvation," added Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't think I care about hearing any Sunday-school -talk on this subject," replied Angy, with a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>scornful look on his face. "The time has not yet -come for my punishment."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not just yet; but after you have thought of -this thing for three or five years in the State prison, -you may come to the conclusion that the Sunday -school is not a bad institution for a fellow like you. -If you had attended one, and given heed to its -instructions, you would feel a good deal better -than you do now."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I say, Dory, can't we fix this thing up now?" -asked Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Certainly we can; and that is just what we -are going to do," replied Dory cheerfully. "I am -only waiting a little while to rest. Then we will -fix it up."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You are a good fellow, or you could not have -got the upper hands of me."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then you must be a good fellow, or you could -not have rendered me the same service."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't think you understand me," continued -Angy uneasily. "I suppose you like money, if -you do go to Sunday school."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't object to money: at least, I have no -grudge against it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's sensible; and I will give you a thousand -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>dollars in cash on the spot, if you will go -home without me. Just untie my arms, and let -me pull off to the schooner, and it will be all -right. You can go on the biggest temperance -spree you ever heard of on that sum," said Angy -earnestly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Spot cash?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Spot cash."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You carry a good deal of money about with -you, I see."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I happen to have it with me. You can take -the money, and old Squalipop will be none the -wiser for what you have done."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Won't he?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not a bit of it! I shall get out of the way, -and he won't know that you and I have met."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I shall know it myself, and that will be -just as unfortunate as though he knew it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You can go back with a thousand dollars in -your pocket, which will come handy during vacation."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Go back with a thousand dollars in my -pocket," repeated Dory, as though he was musing -over it. "A thousand dollars is a good thing to -have, and it is twice as good to have two thousand. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>I don't think I shall be satisfied with one -thousand. But I think you had better come on -shore, Angy. I won't ask you to do an impossible -thing, and I will help you."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory took the robber by the collar of his wet -coat, and assisted him to the shore. Angy made -no resistance, though he evidently did not like -the proceedings of his captor. Dory seated him -on a rock, and Angy continued to argue in favor -of the arrangement he had proposed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you really carry a thousand dollars about -you? I have my doubts; and if you have no -objections, I should like to satisfy myself on this -point," continued Dory; and as he spoke, he proceeded -to make an examination of the pockets of -his prisoner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I do object!" protested the prisoner, as -he sprang to his feet with an effort, and began to -whirl about like a top. "Don't put your hand on -me!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Be calm and gentle, Angy," replied Dory, as -he took the prisoner by the collar, and tripped -him up, so that he was forced to lie down, in spite -of himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>With his foot on the form of his victim, Dory -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>thrust his hand into all the pockets of Angy; and -from the one inside of his vest, he drew out a -pocket-book, thoroughly soaked with water. He -opened it, and found a roll of bank-bills, which -had been hastily tumbled into one of the pockets. -He unrolled the bills enough to find four five-hundred-dollar -notes, which assured him that the -money had been taken from his uncle's safe.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I will keep this pocket-book for you," said he.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The prisoner was furious, and began to kick at -his captor.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XII.<br /> <br />DORY DORNWOOD RESORTS TO STRATEGY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_2_0_5 c005'>"Do you mean to rob me, Squillipod?" demanded -Angy, and he kicked away at the -legs of his conqueror. "Is this a Sunday-school -accomplishment?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I said I was going to keep the money for you. -Besides, as I said before, it is better to have two -thousand dollars than one thousand," replied Dory, -with his usual good nature.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But you are stealing it from me!" gasped the -angry robber.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You appear to have forgotten where you got -this money, Angy."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That is nothing to do with it. What is mine -belongs to me."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right; and it belongs to me just now."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you mean to rob me of my money?" demanded -the vanquished chief, who did not seem -to be capable yet of realizing his situation.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>"Not exactly; but if you insist upon using that -ugly word, I am only going to rob you of what -you stole from my uncle," replied Dory, as he put -the pocket-book into the inside of his vest.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Without another word, the desperate chief -rushed upon Dory, and made an effort to upset -him by lying down upon him, and kicking his -shins. Of course he could not accomplish any -thing, though he made his captor dance a jig in his -attempts to escape the savage kicks of his prisoner. -But he was soon tired of this fruitless labor, and -he stood still again. It looked as though he had -just begun to understand that Dory was in earnest, -and that he had lost the battle. Both of -them looked at each other, and then out upon the -lake, which could be seen across the neck of -land.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The La Motte had got up her anchor, and -under a reefed foresail was standing towards the -shore. When Angy saw her, he gave a yell that -could be heard half a mile. His companions -heard him, and immediately headed the schooner -in the direction from which the cry had come. -One of those on board gave an answering -yell.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>"It is useless to wait for her," said Dory, who -would not have denied that he felt some anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think I shall wait for her," replied Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You will have to wait till the end of the year, -then; for that schooner will be aground in less -than five minutes if she keeps on that course."</p> - -<p class='c006'>One of the burglars was at the bow, sounding. -The vessel was within the eighth of a mile of the -shore. Suddenly she came about, and the anchor -was let go. They had found they could come no -nearer to the shore. Then they began to shout -the name of Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think we won't wait here any longer," said -Dory, placing his hand on the collar of his prisoner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think we will," replied Angy, as he began -to kick again.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory was obliged to knock him down again. -Taking hold of his coat-collar with both hands, he -dragged him away from the inlet. By taking -frequent rests, he succeeded in moving him out of -hailing-distance of the schooner, though he could -just hear the yells of the robbers on board of her. -Angy did not yell any more. The mode of transportation -adopted by Dory was not an agreeable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>one, and Angy promised to walk if his captor -would allow him to get up.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You have knocked the skin all off my legs," -said he, as Dory assisted him to rise.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I want you to understand that I am going to -take you to the Beech Hill Industrial School, -Angy, and if you get hurt on the way, it will be -your own fault," said Dory impressively.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I can't stand being dragged like a dead snake, -and I will walk," answered Angy. "But you -don't mean that you are going to hand me over to -old Squalipop?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am going to hand you over to Captain Gildrock, -the principal of our school."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But this was nothing but a lark on the part -of our fellows, the members of the Nautifelers -Club. We are up here to have some fun; and -you ought not to make a serious thing of it," said -Angy, trying to be amiable again.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Blow up a safe in the night, and take over two -thousand dollars from it, and that is nothing but -a lark! You can present that argument to the -principal; and he will hear it, for he is not deaf. -What's that? I heard voices," said Dory, looking -about him.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>Dory was a little alarmed; for it occurred to -him that the other robbers, or some of them, had -swum ashore. He listened, and heard the voices -again; but it came the wrong way to be from the -crew of the schooner. A moment's reflection -assured him that it must be some party from the -school. Then he shouted, and received an answer -to his hail. It sounded like the voice of Mr. -Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory resumed his march with the prisoner. He -began to feel as though he was getting out of the -woods. In a few minutes more he saw the engineer -and the carpenter hurrying towards him. -Angy could not help seeing them also; and he -breathed a sigh, which was perhaps the knell of -his hopes, if he had had any hopes.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What have you got there, Dory?" called Mr. -Brookbine, as soon as he discovered the prisoner -and his custodian.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"One of them," replied Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where is the other one?" asked Mr. Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The other four are off on the lake, on board -of that schooner which came into the river yesterday. -I am glad to see you, for I am very tired," -said Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>As he spoke, he seated himself on a log. In -as few words as possible he related what had -occurred, and described his conflict with his prisoner. -Angy could not help putting in a few -words to explain how he happened to be beaten.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We have examined the shore so far, and were -following the road when we heard shouting in -this direction," said Mr. Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It was the voice of the prisoner, hailing his -companions on board of the schooner. I shouted -as soon as I heard you," replied Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is all right, then; and we have nothing to -do but take this fellow back to the school," added -Mr. Brookbine.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Can't you do that alone, Mr. Brookbine?" -asked Dory. "I brought him so far alone."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Certainly I can," replied the carpenter. "I -think we shall find a team as soon as we reach -the road. There must be other parties out before -this time, for Captain Gildrock sent to all the -officers in town. I will send some of them over -here."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Don't do it, if you please, Mr. Brookbine. If -Mr. Jepson will stay with me, we will see where -that schooner goes," added Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>"The storm is over, and the principal will be -up here before long in one of the steamers," said -the machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You may take this pocket-book to my uncle, -if you please, Mr. Brookbine. It contains all the -money taken from the safe," continued Dory, as -he handed it to the carpenter.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The principal told me he had lost four five-hundred-dollar -bills and some other money," added -Mr. Brookbine.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is all in that pocket-book."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The master-carpenter took the prisoner by the -arm, and marched him off in the direction he had -come, leaving Dory still seated on the log. After -the kickings, after the constrained positions he -had been compelled to keep, to say nothing of the -battle he had fought, and the excitement to which -he had been subjected, Dory was almost worn out. -But in half an hour he was well rested, and able -to take any step that the occasion might require.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But why do you remain here, Dory?" asked -Mr. Jepson, after he had given him more minute -details of the experience of the morning than he -had been able to give before.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have been remaining here, so far, for the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>purpose of getting a little rested, and to wait for -the next move on the part of the robbers on -board of the schooner," replied Dory, as he rose -from his seat. "We will go down to the lake -now, if you please."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Are these burglars very desperate fellows?" -asked the engineer.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The fellow Mr. Brookbine has in charge is the -worst one; but they are a hard lot, any way."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The instructor in mechanics took from his -pocket the revolver with which he had armed -himself, rather to show that he was ready for an -emergency, than for any other purpose; and Dory -was not sorry to see that he was prepared for the -worst that was likely to happen. He had some -very distinct views of his own, though he was -not at all inclined to undertake any hazardous -enterprise.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory led the way to the inlet where he had left -the boat. From this place they could see the -masts of the La Motte. She had anchored off -Camp-Meeting Point, which was in the shape of a -pear, with the small end next to the main land. -The La Motte lay on the edge of the shoal which -extended all the way along the shore to Bluff -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>Point. She might have gone nearer to the shore, -but her crew seemed to be afraid to risk it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory asked the instructor to get into the boat, -and he pulled down nearly to the entrance of the -inlet. Then they hauled the boat into the bushes, -and landed. Carefully keeping themselves out of -sight, they obtained a fair view of the vessel. -Something seemed to be going on upon her deck. -The crew were lowering something into the water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What are they doing?" asked Mr. Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Before he had time to answer the question, -one of the burglars shouted three times, calling -"Angy." Dory ran to the head of the inlet, -through the trees, for all the shore was wooded. -He expected the call to be repeated, but he heard -nothing for some time. Then he ran in the -direction of the point. Disguising his voice as -much as he could, he called to Mack. The answer -came at once, and Dory hastened back to the -entrance of the creek. The burglars had a good -right to suppose their missing leader was on shore -at the place where Dory had hailed them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They were putting the hatches into the water," -said he, when he joined his companion.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They have just dropped another into the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>water, and they are holding them with lines," -added Mr. Jepson. "What are they going to do -with them?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They are going to use them as rafts, and they -are going ashore to look for their missing chief. -They won't find him," replied Dory, laughing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But they will find us," suggested the instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't believe they will; for as soon as they -are fairly on the shore, we will make our next -move. There they go! Two of them are going -to leave the schooner; and, according to my reckoning, -there will be but two left on board of her."</p> - -<p class='c006'>They watched the movements of the two men -as they embarked on their floats. The heavy sea -had subsided to a great degree, but it was still -rough. One of the rafts soon tipped its man off, -and he continued his voyage by simply clinging to -it. The other was soon compelled to resort to the -same expedient.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> <br />THE ARRIVAL OF MICHAEL ANGELO SPICKLES.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>The bell on the dormitory was rung at the -regular hour, and every thing went on as usual -at the school. Captain Gildrock had started out -all the officers in Genverres to hunt down the -burglars. The engineer and the carpenter had the -start of them, but at breakfast-time nothing had -been heard from them. It was Saturday, and the -regular sessions of the school were suspended on -that day; but the order had been given for all the -students to assemble in the schoolroom at eight -o'clock.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The excitement had almost entirely subsided, -and the only thing that disturbed the principal -was the continued absence of Dory. But Mr. -Jepson and Mr. Brookbine had gone in search of -him, and it did not appear that any thing else could -be done. Mrs. Dornwood and Marian were very -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>anxious about him; and as soon as it appeared -that the storm had subsided, the captain promised -to send out all the steamers and sailing-craft to -explore the lake and the eastern shore.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At the appointed hour all the students were in -their places, some of them expecting to hear the -principal speak of the burglary, though the old -scholars were not of this number. If there was -any exciting topic not connected with the school -current on the premises, Captain Gildrock usually -ignored it. He made the work of the school the -main topic, and never put the routine aside unless -for sufficient reasons.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"As the season opens, we are to make the sailing -of boats the principal object of study and practice," -the principal began, much to the disappointment -of many of the students, who wanted to -know what he thought about the burglary. "This -matter has always been attended to more or less, -though we have never given it special attention -till this season.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"While we shall be obliged to confine our practice -in sailing to small craft, I shall give you some -idea of the management of larger craft. In one -of the palaces in St. Petersburg, there is a mast -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>set up, and fully sparred and rigged, for the instruction -of the young Grand Dukes in seamanship. -From this model they learn all the details -of the spars, rigging, and sails; and having learned -it on one mast, they apply it to any other.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have already given this information so far as -it could be done in a lecture illustrated with drawings. -You have studied these drawings, and you -ought to know the names and uses of the principal -pieces of rigging. I gave you the system by which -the names are applied; and at the time of it, you -seemed to have mastered the subject, though you -have doubtless forgotten some of the details.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But this is not a study-hour, and perhaps it -would be better for me to answer questions, of -which you seem to have a full supply on hand at -all times. At any rate, I shall ascertain what you -wish to know on this subject."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Lon Dorset raised his hand, and the principal -indicated by a nod that he might proceed. All -eyes were directed towards him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I wish to know if there is ever a square-sail -rigged with a gaff on the mizzen-mast of a brig, -above the spanker,--a sail set like the mainsail of -a schooner?" asked the inquirer.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>"On which mast?" asked the principal; and -there was something like a suppressed laugh -among the old sailors of the school.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The mizzen-mast, sir," replied Lon confidently.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The old sailors laughed out loud, for it was -rather a pleasure to trip up any one in a nautical -blunder.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There is no such mast in a brig," added -Captain Gildrock.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I beg your pardon, sir; but you told us, in the -lecture you gave us on the different rigs of vessels, -that a brig had two masts,--the main and the -mizzen," continued Lon, picking up his note-book, -and hastily turning the leaves.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think not, Dorset," said the principal with a -smile. "I know better than that, and I should -not be likely to say such a thing."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Here it is, just as I wrote it down at the time -of it," persisted Lon. "I didn't know any thing -at all about such vessels, and I should not have -been likely to put down what you didn't say. -'In a vessel with two masts, the terms are main -and mizzen.'"</p> - -<p class='c006'>About a dozen others began to turn the leaves -of their note-books, and then Dolly Woodford -<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>raised his hand. The principal nodded to -him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have it down in the same way," said Dolly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"So have I," added Sam Spottwood.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Main and mizzen," followed Chick Penny, -reading from his book.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Half a dozen of the students said the same -thing, after consulting their notes taken on the -spot.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have it so, sir; and I thought it was a -mistake. I was going to ask you about it, but -I did not get a chance to do so," said Dick -Short.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I shall have to give it up," replied the principal; -"and I cheerfully acknowledge that you are -right, and I am wrong. I must have said so, since -you prove that I did. A person sometimes says a -thing exactly opposite from what he means. I -must ask you to correct the record, and write it -down, that, in a vessel with two masts, the terms -are fore and main. You mean a square-sail above -the spanker on the mainmast of a brig; though -you are not responsible for making it the mizzen, -Dorset."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Yes, sir. I saw a picture in an old book with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>such a sail on the mainmast," replied the -student.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have seen such a sail once or twice in my -life at sea; but it is not common, especially at the -present day. The ordinary gaff-topsail, if any sail -is to be set above the spanker on a brig, could -present quite as much surface, and be more easily -handled."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Another student raised his hand, and the principal -was going to give him permission to speak, -when the door of the schoolroom was opened, and -Mr. Brookbine, rifle in hand, and leading Mr. -Michael Angelo Spickles by the arm, marched -into the room. He made his way directly to the -platform where the captain stood. Of course, this -arrival made a decided sensation among the students, -though they did not indulge in any demonstration.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I beg your pardon, Captain Gildrock, for -bringing this gentleman here, but I could not find -any one below to take charge of him while I sent -for you," said the master-carpenter; for he knew -that the principal did not like any thing sensational -in the presence of the students.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You are excusable under the circumstances, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>Mr. Brookbine," replied the captain. "Very likely -the students will be glad to see the gentleman, if -that is what you call him."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I suppose that is what he calls himself."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But where is Dory, Mr. Brookbine?" asked -the principal, with more anxiety in his tones than -he was in the habit of displaying when any thing -troubled him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He is all right, sir. He has gone with Mr. -Jepson to follow this matter up a little further," -replied the carpenter.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Captain Gildrock smiled, for his anxiety was -relieved. He turned from the instructor to the -prisoner he had brought, and whose face he had -not noticed before. Possibly it was to some extent -an affectation for him to appear to be unmoved, -whatever happened; and he had hardly -noticed the carpenter and his prisoner when they -entered the room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Good-morning, Mr. Spickles. I see that you -have done me the honor to call again, and I shall -endeavor to appreciate your courtesy," said the -captain, when he recognized his visitor of the day -before.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I did not come of my own accord this time, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>and no compliments are in order," growled -Spickles.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This visit is quite unexpected. I remember -that you seemed to feel a lively interest in my safe -in the office; and you have proved to your satisfaction -that it is not a wooden one," continued -Captain Gildrock. "I must confess that I am -greatly surprised to find a young gentleman with -your brilliant ideas engaged in blowing open -safes."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Here is a pocket-book which was taken from -him," interposed the carpenter, as he handed it to -the principal. "I did not tell you that this was -the chief of the burglars, but such is the fact."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The captain opened the pocket-book, and took -the wet bills from it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"These were the bills in the safe, without any -doubt; and I am fortunate to recover them. -Every dollar stolen is here. You have made a bad -investment, Mr. Spickles."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The storm was against my side of the question. -If it had not been for that, you would never have -seen your money again," muttered Spickles, who -appeared to think that an apology for his failure -was due.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>"Then, I ought to be grateful for the storm," -added the principal. "I suppose the young -gentleman who called with you yesterday assisted -you in this delicate operation."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't answer questions," growled the -burglar.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps Mr. Brookbine will be more communicative," -said the captain, turning to the instructor -in carpentry.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't know much about the others, only -from what Dory said to me. He told me about -his dealings with these fellows; and as usual, he -has acted like a hero," replied the instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At this remark, there was a burst of applause, -and all the students manifested the most intense -interest in the proceedings. The principal looked -at them, and perhaps he thought it would be cruel -not to gratify their excited curiosity to know the -particulars of the capture of the burglar.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Mr. Spickles will be more comfortable if you -remove the cords that bind him; and I will invite -him to take a seat on the platform by my side," -continued Captain Gildrock, as he placed a chair -for the culprit. "I trust he will not make it necessary -for me to put my hands upon him."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>Mr. Brookbine released the prisoner, and put -him in the chair assigned to him. If he thought -of escaping, the stalwart forms of the principal and -the master-carpenter were sufficiently formidable -to intimidate him. Mr. Brookbine was then invited -to explain what had happened during his -absence, and to do it so that all the students could -hear him. The boys were delighted at this unexpected -privilege, and they listened with the -deepest interest to the narrative of Dory's doings -since he left the school early in the morning. -When the result of his battle in the boat with the -chief was reached, the students applauded lustily, -and the principal did not check them. With only -a little less dignity he would have done the same -himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, Dory has gone to look after the schooner, -has he?" asked Captain Gildrock, when the -narrative was finished.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Yes, sir: he and Mr. Jepson left me, to attend -to this matter."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I hope they don't intend to capture the -schooner," added the principal, with a smile. -"Dory is a prudent young man, and I don't expect -him to undertake any Munchausen adventures."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>"He said he was going to watch the schooner: -he did not say he intended to capture the vessel," -replied the carpenter.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"How many persons were there on board of the -schooner, Randolph?" asked the principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Five in all, all members of the Nautifelers -Club," replied Matt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The Nautifelers Club will not exist much -longer. Under the present circumstances, we -will defer the lecture on sailing to another day. -The gale has subsided, and we will attend to the -practical part of the lesson. Randolph, you will -take your class in the Lily; Glovering, you may -take Dory's class in his absence; the rest of you -will man the two steamers."</p> - -<p class='c006'>This announcement was received with applause, -and Mr. Brookbine was instructed to take his -prisoner to the lock-up.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> <br />THE RESULT OF DORY'S STRATEGY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_2_0_5 c005'>Dory Dornwood and Mr. Jepson watched -the movements of the two men on the rafts -as they approached the shore, driven before the -strong wind, though it had ceased to be a furious -gale by this time. The La Motte had swung -round with her head to the wind, and the two -members of the Nautifelers Club who remained -on board of her had seated themselves on the -taffrail to watch their progress.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They must understand by this time that -something has happened to Spickles," said the -instructor, as they looked out from their hiding-place -in the trees.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Who is Spickles?" asked Dory, who had not -heard the name of the leader before.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He is the fellow you call Angy, and his full -name is Michael Angelo Spickles. The two given -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>names appear to have been used to take off the -curse of the homely last name; but Buonarotti -is not honored in his namesake," added the instructor, -laughing. "I saw him yesterday when -he called at the school, and Matt Randolph told -me something about him."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I saw the schooner in the river yesterday, but -I did not go very near her. These fellows are a -bad lot, and a few years in the State prison will -do them good. I begin to feel as though it were -breakfast-time," said Dory. "I have had a long -tramp this morning."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have the same feeling. But what are you -going to do, Dory?" asked the instructor, to whom -Dory had not yet explained his intentions, if he -had any.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't know yet: that will depend upon -what those fellows do. I should like to get possession -of that schooner and the four fellows that -belong to the gang; and I shall be willing to go -without my breakfast for the sake of doing it," -replied Dory. "I should like to sail the La Motte -into Beechwater with these four fellows under the -hatches."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you think of doing any thing of that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>sort?" asked the instructor, with no little astonishment -on his face.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not without your consent and assistance, Mr. -Jepson."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That would be a rather bold enterprise, -Dory."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We are only two, and I don't think of fighting -them, or any thing of that sort; though I -am ready to lay hands on them if the chances are -in our favor. I don't think they are fighting -characters, like the one already captured."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But they are not going to give themselves up -without some sort of persuasion."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We will persuade them, then, if they insist -upon it. There are only two of them left on -board of the vessel. By the use of a little -strategy, we can get on board of the schooner. -Then we can watch our chances, and do what the -occasion may require."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Very well, Dory: I will assist you. But your -uncle will not care to have you attack these -fellows."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't know that we shall attack them: that -will depend upon circumstances. I handled the -chief of the gang, and I am sure I can manage any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>one of the others. They are not more than eighteen -or twenty years old, and I am as heavy as any -of them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, I ought to be able to manage the -second one," added the instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The two who are going ashore cannot possibly -get back to the vessel without a boat; and, no -doubt, they count upon finding the one they used -this morning."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You must be very careful what you do, Dory."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I certainly shall be; but I can't think of letting -these villains escape, as they may, if we do -nothing."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"One of them has reached the shore," said Mr. -Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And the other will be there in a moment," -added Dory, as he rose from his sitting posture to -enable him to see better. "They will make it -their first business to find Angy Spickles. They -won't find him, and they will do a good deal of -looking for him before they give him up. We -will not show ourselves for a while,--not till the -two on shore have had time to go some distance -from the lake."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The second raftsman landed on the beach all in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>a heap, and the first one assisted him out of the -water. They dragged their floats out of the -water, possibly thinking they might want them -again; though they must be reasonably sure of -finding the schooner's boat.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As soon as they had disposed of their rafts, -they started for the point from which the last call -of their leader, as they supposed, had come. They -began to shout as they went into the woods, and -in a short time their voices came to the listeners -from a considerable distance.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now is our time," said Dory, as he seated -himself in the boat, and got the oars ready for -use.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Shall I take an oar?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That will be the better way. When those on -board see the boat coming, they will think it is -their two companions, and they will wonder what -has become of Angy," continued Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But if the fellows on shore see us, they will -spoil your little arrangement," suggested the -instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But they won't see us. How can they see us -when they are a quarter of a mile off in the -woods?" argued Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>Both of the rowers gave way, and the boat -advanced towards the La Motte. As soon as the -two on board of her saw the tender, they left -their places on the taffrail, and went into the -waist, where they could obtain a better view of -the boat. It would be an easy thing for them to -recognize the tender, for, like the schooner itself, -it was painted green.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am afraid they will recognize us," said Dory, -"or fail to recognize their companions, which -amounts to the same thing. I am going to take -my coat off, and tie a handkerchief on my head; -and you had better do the same. It will be some -disguise."</p> - -<p class='c006'>This change was made in the appearance of the -rowers, and they resumed their oars. The sea -was still heavy enough to require both skill and -strength in handling the boat; but Dory was an -expert, and they made good progress towards the -La Motte. The fact that there were only two in -the boat was likely to excite the suspicion of -those on board of the schooner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where is Angy?" shouted one of them, as -soon as the boat came within hail of the vessel.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory did not consider it prudent to answer this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>question; for his voice was likely to betray him, -or at least to assure the burglars that the speaker -was not one of their number. He had been with -them for some time, though he had been silent.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think you had better do the talking, Mr. -Jepson, for they will know me," said Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Wouldn't it be better to do no talking?" -asked the instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We must answer them if they keep hailing -us, or they will be suspicious."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Have you seen any thing of Angy?" shouted -one of the burglars.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He is on shore," replied Mr. Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why didn't he come off with you?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"His business was such that he couldn't leave," -answered the machinist; but perhaps they did not -hear his reply.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The two burglars seemed to be talking together, -and the boat was now almost near enough to hear -what they said. Like all the rest of the intercourse -in the party, it was not entirely harmonious, -and they appeared to be disputing about something. -As the boat approached the schooner, -Dory told the instructor what to say.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"One of you go aft, and put the helm hard -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>down, and the other cast off the main-sheet, or -you will drag your anchor, and get aground!" -shouted the instructor, as they came alongside of -the schooner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory took it for granted that the hands on -board of the La Motte were not sailors; though -he had seen enough of their management of the -schooner to convince him that they were not skilful -seamen, to say the least. Both of the men -hastened aft, without appearing to understand -that the order given them was an absurd one. -With the painter of the boat in his hand, Dory -leaped on board of the vessel, and Mr. Jepson -followed him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The mainsail of the schooner was furled, and -casting off the main-sheet could not have the -least effect upon her; but one of them cast it off, -and the other was at the tiller. He did not know -what "hard down" meant, as no one would have -known when the schooner was at anchor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Which way shall I put the tiller?" asked the -one who was at the helm.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's right as you have it," replied the -machinist, prompted by Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>While he was making it fast with the tiller-lines, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>the other one came into the waist. Dory -turned his back to him, regardless of the law of -politeness. The instructor was a stranger to him; -but as he came off in the schooner's boat, he did -not seem to suspect that there was any thing -wrong.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Have you seen Captain Spickles?" he asked.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Yes: we saw him on shore, but he was not -ready to come on board," answered the instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>By this time Dory had worked himself to a -position in the rear of the fellow, who was rather -diminutive in form; and he did not lose an instant -in resorting to the tactics of Captain Spickles -himself. Placing his hands on the shoulders of his -intended victim, he raised his right knee to the -small of his back, and brought him down with very -little effort. He had picked up a piece of line before, -with which he tied his arms behind him, even -before the one at the tiller had noticed what was -going on.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What are you about there?" demanded the -other, as soon as he saw what had been done, and -hastened to the waist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Throw up your hands!" said the machinist, -as he brought his revolver to bear upon him.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>The weapon had its effect, and the fellow -promptly obeyed the order. Dory secured him as -he had the first one, and the business was finished -without disaster to any one. The prisoners were -astonished, and it was evident that they were -inferior in force to the other three.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XV.<br /> <br />UNDER WAY, OR UNDER WEIGH.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>Captain Michael Angelo Spickles -was delivered to an officer, who committed -him to a cell in the lock-up. The future must -have looked very dark to him, for he was morally -sure of spending the next few years in the State -prison. The Nautifelers Club had come to naught. -Only the day before, he had been blackguarding -his former friend for not drinking beer, and for -being correct in his moral ideas. To-day he was -in condition to see the folly of his conduct, even -from a merely worldly point of view.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At the Beech Hill Industrial School, as soon as -the principal dismissed the students, the wharf and -the boat-house were scenes of intense activity. -Although Captain Gildrock had not the slightest -intention of exposing them to a possible shot from -the burglars, many of the pupils believed they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>were going out in search of the companions of the -chief who had been exhibited to their wondering -gaze in the schoolroom.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The principal was not at all inclined to foster -their belligerent propensities, and he mercilessly -ridiculed any thing that looked like a fight to "see -who was the better man." If it was clearly shown -that a boy had fought purely in self-defence, after -he had done nothing to provoke his opponent to -wrath, if he did not commend him, he excused -him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Mr. Brookbine had reported that Mr. Jepson -and Dory were watching the schooner, which was -at anchor off Camp-Meeting Point. Four of the -five members of the Nautifelers Club must still be -on board of her. This was understood by all on -the place. The principal hoped that Dory would -not do any thing more than watch the La Motte. -If he had known just what his nephew was about, -he would have interposed to prevent him from -meddling with such dangerous characters.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Mrs. Dornwood had been in a fever of excitement -all the morning; for her son was absent, and -she did not seem to have as much confidence in -his discretion as her brother had. The news that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>he was safe and unharmed had been sent to her, -as soon as the master-carpenter arrived with the -prisoner; but this comforted, while it did not -satisfy, her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As soon as he left the schoolroom, the principal -had driven rapidly to the town, and procured two -deputy-sheriffs, and brought them to the wharf, -where they went on board of the Sylph, the larger -of the two steamers. If any one was to attack -the burglars on board of the La Motte, one or both -of these officers were the proper persons to do it, -in the opinion of Captain Gildrock.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The new steamer was about fifty feet long. She -had been built by the students, both hull and -machinery, and had been launched as soon as the -ice went out of Beechwater. There had been a -great deal of discussion over the subject of a name -for her, as there had been when the name of Miss -Bristol had been given to the "Lily," for the sole -reason that she was a remarkably pretty girl.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When the students came to vote on a name for -the new steamer they had built, after a long discussion, -in which all the names of localities on the -lake were mentioned, the vote was almost unanimous -for the name of "Marian." She was goodlooking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>enough, though not decidedly pretty; but -she was not only the sister of Dory, and the niece -of the principal, but Oscar Chester, the captain of -the Sylph, was very partial to her society.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The new steamer was therefore called the -"Marian;" but the act of giving this name to her -robbed the eight-oar barge of her name, or made -two craft at the school with the same name, which -would cause confusion. The name of a river on -the other side of the lake, which had been suggested -for the steam-yacht, "Bouquet," had been -given to the barge.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Marian had a regular ship's company, and -Luke Bennington was her captain. All the students -were assigned to one or the other of the -steamers, though at the same time they belonged -to the sailing-craft. They were all to be instructed -in the management of both steam and -sail vessels.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory had taken a fancy the year before to -change the Goldwing from a schooner into a sloop; -and though he was satisfied that the alteration -had not been for the better, she still remained a -one-masted boat, because he had not had time to -change her to her original condition. The principal -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>had objected to restoring her at present, because -he wanted a sloop as well as a schooner for -purposes of instruction. The Goldwing carried a -large mainsail, and spread even more canvas than -when she was a schooner; but she did not sail a -particle faster, as Dory had expected she would.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thad Glovering was to take the place of Dory -in the Goldwing during his absence. He was a -good boatman, though he rather lacked in dignity -when placed in the position of an instructor. -The instruction in sailing had not been regularly -begun, though each of the young teachers in this -art had been out in the boats with his class. The -pupils assigned the Lily and the Goldwing were -those who had entered the school at the beginning -of the current school-year.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The senior class had, nearly all of them, all who -had any taste for it, picked up a knowledge of the -art. Some of the new ones had a little skill at it; -though all of them needed instruction, and especially -practice. The class in the Goldwing consisted -of six besides the instructor. The boats -had been brought up to the wharf, and Luke Bennington -was the first to get under way. He gave -the order to do so.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>"All ready to get under way," said he.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I beg your pardon, Captain Glovering"--</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Don't you do it!" interposed the skipper of -the Goldwing, with a very undignified laugh, -while there was something like a blush on his -brown face. "I don't want to be captained just -because I happen to be here for once to show you -fellows how to handle a boat. Call me plain -Thad, as you always do, if you please; and I will -guess all the conundrums you sling at me, if I -can."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I stand corrected, Thad," added Ash Burton, -who had begun to ask the question. "You spoke -about getting under way. Will you please to tell -me how you spell that word?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Spell the word 'get under way'? I don't believe -I know that word," laughed the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Excuse me, Mr. Skipper: I meant only the -last word in the expression, though I did not say -so."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Well, Mr. Ordinary Seaman, or Mr. Green -Hand, I always spell it w-a-y; and I confess I -don't know any other w-a-y to spell it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I do; and I want to know which is the right -way, Thad."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>"What's the other way, Ash?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"W-e-i-g-h."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's another word."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The two words are pronounced just alike; -and I wish to know which is the right word to -use when you mean to start, go ahead, progress, -get along, go forward, advance"--</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hold on! You needn't go through the dictionary, -for I know what you mean, Ash."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It don't make any difference how you spell -the word when you simply speak, for the pronunciation -is the same; but I have read in books and -newspapers about vessels being 'under weigh.'"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That question came up once in the schoolroom, -and the principal settled it for us. There -is no dictionary-war on this word; for neither -Worcester nor Webster gives any such definition -as making progress to weigh, while both of them -give this as the nautical meaning of way."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That settles it; but we weigh anchor," suggested -Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We weigh a pound of cheese; but that has -nothing to do with the progress the skippers make -inside of it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"As they weigh the anchor when they are going -<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>to start, I suppose that is where the error comes -from," added Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They couldn't very well start without weighing -it; but that is no excuse for the misuse of the -word. But there are plenty of words in nautical -phraseology which are not used according to the -dictionary and grammar, as in all the walks of -life," continued Thad.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Tell us some of them," said Archie Pinkler.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If we are going out on the lake to catch those -burglars, I haven't time for much of that sort of -thing," replied Thad. "The ship was laying to, -though no eggs were found in the water. You lay -a book on the table; but when it is there, it lies, -and it don't lay. When you get tired, it is not the -thing to lay down; better lie down, and it will rest -you more. You may lay a ship to; but when you -have done it, she is lying to, as much as though she -was also telling a fib. But, be ready to get under -headway, for that is what we mean; and we won't -lie here any longer, for the Lily is just getting -off."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But the Lily lay at the wharf just now," suggested -Ben Sinker, rather timidly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But she don't now, and never does. Lay is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>the yesterday of lie; and that is where you mix -things, Ben. Man the mainsail-halyards. Archie -and Con, take the throat-halyards; Syl and Hop, -the throat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Don't be too nautical, my lad; and remember -that two-thirds of the slang used for salt-talk is -never heard on board of a vessel. Where are you -going, if you please, Mr. Ay-ay-sir?" asked the -skipper, when he saw Archie go over to the starboard -side of the Goldwing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am going to man the throat-halyards, as you -told me," replied Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you expect to find them over there? Dory -Dornwood rigged this sloop, and he put things in -their right places," added Thad.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I know about the halyards," said Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But the question just now with you relates to -throat-halyards; and you have gone over to the -starboard side to look for them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's so: I forgot about it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Allow me to inform this crew that the throat-halyards -are on the port-side of the mast. Don't -try to remember where the peak-halyards are, for -that will make two things to recollect. Throat-port. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>Only this, and nothing more. If you try to -hold on to the other at the same time, you will -mix them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But a fellow wants to know where to find the -peak halyards as well as the throat," suggested -Con Bunker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Exactly; so he does. After he has found the -throat, he must box the compass, lay the parallel -ruler on the deck, count the anchor three times to -make sure of the number, swing six, and cast out -nine, and then go to the other side of the mast to -look for the peak-halyards; but I will bet half a -pint of Champlain water against a hogshead of -New-Orleans molasses that he won't find them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>But the two hands designated had found the -peak-halyards on the starboard side of the mast. -The sail was set, the bow shoved off, and the boat -began to gather headway. The jib was set; and, -as the wind was still very fresh, the Goldwing -heeled over, and darted ahead at a flying rate. -Thad took the helm himself; for Dory had put in -a horizontal wheel, and not one of the class was -competent to steer her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now, how many of you fellows know all the -ropes in a sloop?" asked the young instructor, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>as the boat headed towards the outlet of the little -lake. "There are not a great many things to -learn about such a craft as this, but a fellow has -got to know them all over."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I know them all," added Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Just as you knew where to look for the throat-halyards," -laughed the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thad took a picture of a sloop from his pocket.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> <br />ON BOARD OF THE LA MOTTE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_2_0_5 c005'>Perhaps the principal reason why Dory -Dornwood and the instructor in mechanics -had obtained so easy a victory over the two members -of the Nautifelers Club who remained on -board of the La Motte, was that both of them -were soaked with beer. They were not intoxicated -in the worst sense of the word: they were -"boozy" and stupid.</p> - -<p class='c006'>They had been left on board while the other -three had gone on shore to "do the job" at the -school, and, no doubt, the time in the furious -storm hung heavy on their hands. They had imbibed -from the keg until they were deprived of -whatever natural energy belonged to them, and -they did not seem to have either the pluck or -the ability to do any thing for themselves. A -stronger intoxicant might have made them wild -and desperate: the beer simply stupefied them.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>"We have got the vessel," said the machinist, -with a cheerful smile, as he held on to the robber -whom he had just secured.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No doubt of that," added Dory, as he rose -from the deck where he had been attending to his -prisoner. "These fellows don't seem to be very -desperate characters."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I expected a far worse time than we have -had," added Mr. Jepson. "What is the next -move? Shall we take them to the school in the -vessel?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not yet a while," replied Dory, glancing -towards the shore where the two had landed on -the rafts. "We have another job on our hands; -but I think we had better put these fellows where -they will not be in our way."</p> - -<p class='c006'>As he spoke, he assisted the one who was lying -on the deck to rise. Leaving both of them in -charge of his companion, he went down into the -cabin. It was a very small apartment, not -intended for more than four persons. On the -table in the centre of it was the keg of beer, -carefully secured with blocks, and lashed down.</p> - -<p class='c006'>An open door by the side of the companion-way -led into the hold. One end of it had been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>roughly prepared with berths, which were provided -with bedding. There were six of these -bunks, making sleeping accommodations for ten -persons. An old carpet had been laid on the -bottom of the hold, and Dory was willing to -admit that the place was comfortable enough for -a summer-cruise on the lake.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As the club consisted of only five persons, -Dory could not imagine why the vessel had been -fitted up, at some extra expense, for double that -number. But he did not wait to indulge in any -conjectures on the subject. The stanchions which -had been put up to support the bunks, afforded -what he was looking for; and the two prisoners -could be fastened to them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The robbers were conducted to this place. -They were both under the influence of the beer, -and had some difficulty in maintaining the centre -of gravity over the base. They were sleepy and -stupid, and Dory compelled his man to sit down -with his back to the stanchion. In this position -he made him fast, and the machinist did the same -with the other.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Both of them said they were comfortable when -the question was put to them. But they were so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>tipsy that they had no very definite ideas on any -subject. They submitted with the best grace in -the world, and even seemed to be pleased to find -that all their responsibilities had come to a sudden -end; for they were not in condition to attend -to any thing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What has become of Angy?" asked one of -them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He could not come on board again," replied -Dory. "Who were the two fellows that went -ashore on the hatches of the schooner?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Chuckworth and Mackwith," replied the one -addressed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is your name?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"My name is Sangfraw."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is your name?" asked Mr. Jepson of -the other.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"My name is Wickwood," he answered, with a -dazed look around him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Did you two go on shore with Angy?" -inquired Dory of Sangfraw; and he was not confident -that this was a real name.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No, we did not: we staid on board, and we -have not been on shore at all. Chuck and Mack -went with Angy," replied Sangfraw; and he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>looked up into Dory's face, as though he was -seeking for some information in regard to him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What was this place, this steerage, fitted up -for?" asked Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"For the club."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What did you want of ten berths?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because there are ten of the members."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where are the other five?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They were to join us up here somewhere."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's it, is it?" added Dory, glancing at the -instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's it, exactly; and I'm a member of the -club, and the cook of the ship," said Sangfraw, -dropping his head as though the effort required -to keep it up was too great for him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where does the La Motte go when she sails?" -asked Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"She is going to Ticonderoga after the rest of -the club," answered Sangfraw, rousing himself. -"Now, s'pose you tell me where Angy is."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He is safe enough," said Dory, leading the -way out of the steerage, as he called it, into the -cabin. "I fancy that these fellows don't live -without eating, and I think a few mouthfuls -would make me feel better."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>They examined the pantry, and they found an -abundance of ham, cold chicken, and other food, -from which both of the captors of the schooner -made a very satisfactory breakfast. Dory found -his condition very much improved, and his energy -revived, by the meal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This is decidedly a happy family," said Dory, -as they went on deck, after ascertaining that both -of the prisoners had dropped asleep.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And it seems that there was to be an addition -of five persons to the family. Very likely those -on board were to fill up the exchequer of the club -by their operations before the others joined them," -added the machinist. "I wonder if this is the -first robbery they have committed. I have not -had time to read the papers much this week."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"By the great iron jingo!" exclaimed Dory, -as the suggestion of his companion stimulated his -memory. "I read that two robberies had been -committed in the vicinity of Plattsburg; and -the last sentence of the paragraph was, that no -clew to the burglars had been obtained. These -are the fellows!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, we had better search the vessel," suggested -Mr. Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>"Let the officers do that after we have taken -her to Beechwater. We shall have enough to do -to take care of these fellows; for I hope we shall -be able to take the other two, Chuck and Mack, -with us as passengers."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, you intend to follow up this matter, -Dory?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If we don't bag them before they ascertain -that Angy has come to grief, they will leave for -parts unknown. The two on shore were actually -engaged in the robbery," continued Dory. -"There were two of them in the office, and the -third had charge of the boat. At any rate, they -were all mixed up in the affair."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The two on shore must have seen the boat -when we came off," suggested the machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think not. They went away from the shore, -deceived by the hail I gave them from a point -above the inlet. In my opinion, they are still -looking for Angy in the woods, and have not seen -any thing on the lake."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They won't find Angy on shore."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And when they are tired of looking for him, -they will come on board again, if they can get -on board. If they see the boat alongside of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>schooner when they come to the shore, they will -at once conclude that he has gone on board. -Whether I am right, or not, I shall act on that -theory, if you approve of it," said Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I should say that your reasoning was correct -as far as it goes. But when they see the green -boat made fast to the schooner, they will want -to know why Sang and Wick have not gone -ashore after them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Precisely so, and we will provide for that -doubt on their part. Now we will set that reefed -foresail, and run down a little nearer to the point. -The water will float this vessel a hundred feet -from the shore," continued Dory with energy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The foresail was hoisted, and the anchor -weighed. Dory steered to a certain part of the -point, near the outer extremity of it. Both of -them kept a sharp lookout for the two robbers -on the shore, but nothing was seen or heard of -them. The La Motte was run as near the shore -as it was prudent to take her; and when she was -thrown up into the wind, the machinist let go the -anchor, while Dory hastened to lower the sail.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The wind was fresh, and the sea was heavy; but -the schooner did not bump on the bottom, though -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>she was inside of a hundred feet from the shore. -Dory found the lead and line, and directed the -machinist to sound over the stern when the vessel -had brought up to her cable. As he did so, Dory -let off the cable, allowing the schooner to approach -still nearer to the shore. When he secured the -cable, the stern was hardly more than fifty feet -from the land.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There was a rather heavy surf rolling up on the -abrupt beach, but it was nothing compared with -that in which the party had been involved at an -earlier hour in the morning. The machinist went -below to look at the prisoners, and found them -fast asleep still. Probably they had been up all -night, besides being charged with beer; and they -were not likely to give their captors any trouble.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory had carried the painter of the tender to -the stern of the schooner; and, as it was a long -rope, the boat was held half way between the -vessel and the shore. There was nothing more for -the captors to do at present; and they seated themselves -under the bulwarks, where they could not -be seen from the shore, though they kept a sharp -lookout in the direction of the place where Mack -and Chuck had landed.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>They had been in this position for half an hour, -when they discovered the two robbers on the -beach. They shouted several times to the La -Motte, but no notice was taken of them. Dory -cast off the painter of the tender, and let it drop -into the water.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> <br />THE STANDING-RIGGING OF A SLOOP.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>The picture of a sloop Thad Glovering produced -on board of the Goldwing was a drawing which the skipper had hastily made just before -he went on board of the boat. He passed it to -Ash Burton, who knew more about a boat than -any other student of the party. But all of them -wanted to look at it, and they had nearly fallen -overboard in their eagerness to get a sight of it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hold up, fellows!" called Thad, taking the -picture from Ash. "Do you want to make a bear-garden -of the standing-room of the Goldwing? -Not much! You will all get a chance to see it -without upsetting the boat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There comes the Marian!" exclaimed Hop -Cabright, as the new steam-yacht came shooting -across Beechwater as though it had been discharged -from a rifle. "I believe she is faster than the -Sylph."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>"Come to, Thad!" shouted Luke Bennington, -the captain of the swift little steamer, from the -pilot-house.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What's up now?" said the skipper of the -Goldwing, as he put his helm down.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The boat came up into the wind, with her sail -banging furiously in the lively breeze; and the -Marian went alongside of her. Luke handed -Thad a little bundle of papers, which the principal -had forgotten to give to the temporary instructor -in sailing. The steamer started her screw again, -and dashed into the creek leading to the river. -Thad filled away again, and followed her. As -soon as he had the boat under way, he opened the -package.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Here is just what we want; and it will prevent -you fellows from spilling yourselves into the drink -in looking at my drawing," said Thad, as he produced -the contents of the parcel. "I have heard -something about these before."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What are they, Thad?" asked Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"A copy for each one of you of a sloop, with -letters to indicate the parts," replied Thad, as he -distributed them among his crew. "It is a picture -of a sloop from Captain Douglas Frazar's book, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>called 'Practical Boat-Sailing.' The principal -says it is a most excellent little book, containing -a vast amount of simple and useful information -for those handling sail-boats. Captain Gildrock -is well acquainted with the author, and knows -him to be a thorough seaman as well as a skilful -yachtsman. Now, look at the picture, and imagine -that it is the Goldwing."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But the Goldwing has but one jib," replied -Ben Sinker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And you have but one hat," returned Thad.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have another in my room."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This sloop has another jib in her room, which -is the sail-room in the boat-house. She don't wear -it just now, as you don't have on your other hat. -Now, Archie, what is the upright stick in the -forward part of the sloop? Be practical about it, -and don't talk any moonshine, if you please."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is the mast," replied Archie confidently.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That isn't the name of it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not the mast?" asked Archie, perplexed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is the mainmast."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The mainmast! Then, where is the foremast?" -demanded Archie, with a good deal of -faith in his argumentative question.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>"She don't happen to have any."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, what's the sense of calling it the mainmast -when she has no other mast?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Excuse me, Archie, but you remind me of the -Dutchman," laughed Thad. "'Do you know der -reason wot we call our boy Hans for?' They -could not guess the reason, and the father explained. -'Der reason wot we call our boy Hans -for, is dot's his name.' With your permission, -Archie, we will call this stick the mainmast, for -the same reason. If it is not the right name, it is -neither Captain Frazar's fault, nor mine."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I accept the amendment; and c c is the mainmast," -added Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now we are happy! This mast is placed at -about one-third of the length of the boat from the -bow; though, of course, this distance sometimes -varies a little," continued Thad. "What is the -spar above it, Syl?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The topmast."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The main-topmast, if you please, as Hans' -father would call it. But, when there is only one -mast, we often cut it short, and call it simply the -mast, or the topmast. Understood! The mast, -including the topmast, may be one stick, as is the -case in the Goldwing, or it may be two. The -topmast is marked <i>d d</i>."</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span> -<img src='images/i_188t.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='xsmall'>STANDING RIGGING.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_188b.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='xsmall'>REEFED SAILS.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>"Then, it is a clergyman," added Hop, trying -to be funny.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The nautical meaning of <i>D. D.</i> in the navy is -'Dead. Discharged.'"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is the spar at the head?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The bowsprit, marked <i>h</i>."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Right you are, Ash. What is <i>i</i>, which the -Goldwing does not wear just now?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The flying jib-boom," shouted Archie, who -had been very unfortunate in his answers so far.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Out on a fly! Jib-boom is enough for this -spar. Only two more: what is <i>b b b</i>, the lower -one?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The boom," replied Archie desperately.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The main-boom!" shouted Hop.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Correct, Hop. The upper one, <i>e e</i>?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The main gaff!" roared Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Go to the head. Good boy!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"To the head of the boat?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The head of the mainsail, when you know -what it is. Now we will attend to the rigging."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There is not much of it to attend to," said -Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>"A short horse is soon curried, but the short -horse needs currying quite as much as the long -one," replied Thad. "Now, suppose the mainmast -were simply run through the forward deck, -and the foot of it inserted in the socket in the -keelson: would it be strong enough to bear the -pressure of the sail in a stiff breeze?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It would not: the first flaw would take the -mast out of her," replied Ash Burton.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It would take the mainmast out of her," added -Archie sharply.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I respectfully asked you to be reasonable, -in the beginning, Mr. Pinkler," interposed the -skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He called the mainmast simply the mast," -pleaded the critic.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Will you be kind enough to point to the -mast?" When he did so, "What are you pointing -with?" asked Thad.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"With my finger."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"With your forefinger, you mean. But it is -not always necessary to specify exactly what particular -thing is meant. I told you that mast was -enough in a sloop, though when we come down to -the proper names of parts, we should apply the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>right name. The flaw would take the mast out -of her, and it would be likely to do so. What -rigging keeps the mast in its place when the flaw -comes, Hop?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The shrouds. One of them is on each side of -<i>b</i>, nearest to the mast," answered the student -indicated.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, there are two of them?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Two in the drawing; but the Goldwing has -only one on each side of the boat," added Hop. -"A ship may have nine or ten of them; and I -suppose they put on as many of them as are -needed."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Sensible you are, Hop. They are shrouds, -and the number of them differs with the size of -the vessel. But they are not often called shrouds -in small boats as in larger craft. Boatmen call -them stays, though the word is rather confusing -sometimes. You observe that the shrouds, or -stays, in the drawing are both set up abaft the -mast."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I saw a fellow in Genverres yesterday who -was set up," said Con Bunker. "He did it with -whiskey."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He was tight; and that is just what rigging is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>when it is set up, though we don't do it with -liquor. Suppose we should rig a purchase on the -shrouds of the sloop in the cut, and continue to -tighten them as long as we could, what would be -the effect on the mast?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It would bend the mast towards the stern," -replied Ash promptly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then the shrouds would support it from that -direction," added Thad. "If no other rigging -were used, it would be likely to bend it towards -the stern. Look at <i>g g</i> on the diagram; and what -do you call it?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The jibstay, on which the jib is set," answered -Ben Sinker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Never mind the jib now. The name is right. -Suppose we rig a purchase, and tighten the jibstay: -what will be the effect?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If we haul it taut enough, it will straighten -up the mast," replied Ash. "Therefore it will -support the mast from the bow of the boat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And all of you will see that it would be impossible -to take the mast out of her in a blow -unless something broke," added the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But tightening the jibstay would hoist the -bowsprit," suggested Syl Peckman.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>"That is just where I was leading you, my -hearty. Now, look at <i>f</i>, if you please; and what -do you call it?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The bobstay," replied Ash, who had sailed a -boat a little at Westport before he entered the -school.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Correct. Haul the bobstay as taut as you can, -and it will keep the bowsprit from hoisting. The -stem of the craft is the upright timber, placed -farthest forward, and forming a continuation of the -keel. The iron eye to which the lower end of -the bobstay is made fast, is bolted into the stem -in the strongest manner. Now you can see how -both the mast and the bowsprit are held in their -place, and how each is made to support the other. -The topmast is, or may be, supported in precisely -the same way. One or more ropes leading down -to the side of the boat from the topmast would be -called the backstays, as in a ship. There are -none in the picture. When they are needed, with -a balloon-jib, they are sometimes carried to the -quarter; but these are temporary. In a small -boat, backstays are not needed, for the topmast is -stiff enough without them. Look at <i>k</i>; and what -is it?"</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>"The main-topmast-stay," said Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That is it in full, though I should not have -objected if you had called it simply the topmast-stay -in a sloop. Archie would. If there are no -backstays, it will not do to haul this stay too taut, -or it will bend the topmast forward, which is not -pleasant to the eye. The jib-boom is held by the -rope under it, which is called a stay. In large -vessels, the bowsprit and jib-boom are also held in -place by ropes at the sides, called guys. As a -whole, what do you call the rigging we have -talked about?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Give it up," replied Hop, after a silence of a -minute.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The standing-rigging; and the principal told -you so when he described the ship. Now that -we have the spars where they will stay, we will -pass on to the sails and running-rigging. Begin -at the main boom. What is the rope marked -<i>a a</i>?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The topping-lift," said Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"When the sail is not set, this rope holds up -the boom. The lower end of it, you can see for -yourselves,--as you have the real thing before -you as well as the picture,--is provided with a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>purchase, so that the after-end of the boom can be -raised or lowered."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is this thing?" asked Archie, pointing -to a pair of wooden joists, with a bolt through -them, like the cross-legs of a table or cot-bedstead.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That is the crutch. Top up the boom with -the purchase, and then place the crutch under it -after you anchor."</p> - -<p class='c006'>By this time the Goldwing had reached Lake -Champlain.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> <br />THE RUNNING-RIGGING OF A SLOOP.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>The lake still had a decidedly stormy look, -and the white-caps were as plentiful as snowflakes -at Christmas. The wind had hauled from -the south to south-west; and off the mouth of -Beaver River, it had a sweep of six miles. Only -the mainsail of the Goldwing had been set, but -Thad was a prudent skipper; and before the sloop -reached the point, on which the spray was dashing -at a furious rate, he put the helm down, and ordered -Archie to throw over the anchor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What's that for?" demanded Hop impatiently.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is blowing very hard, and I am going to -reef," replied Thad.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What's the use of reefing? She? will carry the -mainsail well enough."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps she will, but she won't while I am -skipper," replied Thad decidedly. "Besides, we -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>are in no hurry, for we have the whole forenoon -before us; and I want to finish the explanations I -have to make before you get scared by the slop of -the waves, so that you can't take an interest in the -subject."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But we want to see the fun when the robbers -are hauled in," added Hop. "Dory is after them, -and we want to see him do it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Dory won't do any thing that can be seen. If -he takes the schooner, he will bring her down to -the school. The principal told me not to go near -her. The Sylph has not gone out of the river -yet; and the fun, if there is to be any, will not -come off till she is ready to take a hand in it," -said the skipper, as the boat came up to her cable. -"If you are to learn to sail a boat, you must know -all about one."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thad did not give Dory credit for all the enterprise -he was manifesting in the capture of the -robbers, though he certainly would not have -helped matters if he had approached the La -Motte. Some of the boys grumbled about the -delay, but Thad did not abandon his plan.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is the principal sail in a sloop?" he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>"The mainsail," replied Archie, who was very -sure this time.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This sail, as you may see in the picture or the -real thing before you, is irregular in its shape," -continued the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I wish the real thing wouldn't bang about so," -added Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Give a pull on the main-sheet," added Thad; -and it was done. "The real thing won't trouble -you now any more than the pictured one. It is -supported at the top by the gaff, by the mast at -the inner side, and stretched out at the bottom by -the boom. On the mast are hoops, which slide up -and down when the sail is hoisted or lowered."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I thought they were called hanks," said Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hoops is the correct word; but the rings, -whether of wood or any other material, by which -a sail, a jib, or a staysail, slides on the stay, are -called hanks. There are six parts of this sail -which you ought to learn by heart, and know as -quick as you know the sleeve of your coat from -the collar of it. If you are told by the skipper -to take hold of the leech, you ought to know what -it is."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I should say a fellow couldn't do any thing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>with it till he knew where to find it," added Ash -Burton, laughing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"In the first place, there are the head and the -foot," continued Thad. "You know what they are, -but you must know that they are called by these -names. To what is the head of the sail attached?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"To the gaff: I mean the main-gaff," replied -Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Right both times. To what is the foot of the -sail fastened?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"To the boom," answered Con Bunker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And the wood or iron by which it is fastened, -or seized, is called the jackstay. The up-and-down -edges of the sail are called leeches."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do they bite? How do you spell that word?" -asked Hop.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They don't bite unless you miscall them. As -to the spelling, you pay your money, and take your -choice, for it is spelled both ways. They are the -inner and the outer leeches. The inner leech, -where the hoops are attached, is the luff. The -four corners of the sail are called the clews, -though some call only the outer lower corner by -this name. The upper outer corner is the peak. -The lower inner corner is the tack."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>The skipper, after the manner of the principal, -then examined the crew on the subjects just explained -till he had made them proficient. He -required them to point out the parts on "the real -thing" before them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now we will see what the jib (2) is made of. -The names used vary somewhat. The part of -the sail to which the hanks are fastened is the -luff, or inner leech."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Inner?" queried Ash, almost sure he was -wrong.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The sail is treated in relation to the stay, and -not to the mast or the hull; and the inner leech -of the mainsail is the part where the hoops are," -replied the skipper, laughing; for he had made -the same mistake himself in his study of the -subject.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I see; and that makes it as clear as Champlain -water."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The outer, or after, leech, called simply the -leech by the high-flying yachtsmen, is the same as -on the mainsail. The jib has a head and a foot -also. The tack is the corner next to the stay; and -the clew, as called by yachtsmen, is the after lower -corner, where the sheet is attached. That's all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>there is of the jib. What do you call the sail -marked 3 in the picture?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The gaff-topsail, because it is set on the gaff," -replied Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It has a head and foot, and the tack and clew -are in the same positions as in the jib. That -makes all the sails usually set on a sloop. Now -we will see how they are set and managed; and -what do you call the rigging used for this purpose?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The running-rigging," replied all at once.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What do you call any rope used in hoisting -a sail? The principal told you some of the things -I have to repeat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Halyards, whether attached to a spar, or to the -sail itself," answered Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We will begin with the jib. The halyards -lead down by the mainmast, and they are belayed -on a cleat at the foot of it. The down-haul is -attached to the head of the sails, as the halyards -are, and leads down on the stay, sometimes passing -through more or less of the hanks to keep it -in place, to a block on the bowsprit, under the -tack, and then inboard. It is used for hauling -down the jib, as its name indicates. I suppose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>you all know what sheets are, and have got rid of -the lubberly idea that the sails are called by this -name."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think we all know that the sheets are ropes," -added Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The jib is made fast at all points except at -the clew, or at the after-clew, as some would say. -By the sheets, the jib is trimmed so as to sail -on the wind or otherwise. In small craft, these -sheets usually lead aft, to the standing-room, or -cockpit as it is sometimes called, so as to be -within reach of the person sailing the boat. If -there is a flying-jib, it is handled in precisely the -same way."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is the use of a flying-jib?" asked Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It adds so much more sail; and some boats -need more head-sail than others," replied the -skipper. "The gaff-topsail now, if you please."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is a three-cornered sail, like a jib," said Con -Bunker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not always, though it generally is. Sometimes, -in the high-flying yachts, there is a gaff-topsail -yard; but this spar is not fixed, as those -on the masts of a square-rigged vessel, but is -hoisted up from the deck. The gaff-topsail (3) in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>the picture, is a three-cornered sail. A rope is -attached to the head of the sail, which passes -through a block near the topmast-head, and leads -down to the deck. By this rope the sail is hoisted -to the mast-head. What is the name of this -line?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The gaff-topsail halyards," answered Hop.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course, for the sail is hoisted by it. Another -line is made fast to the lower inside corner, -next to the mast, which is called the tack; and -you can see that it corresponds with the tack of -the jib or mainsail. The third rope passes through -a block at the peak, on the gaff; and this is the -sheet, as in the other sails mentioned."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But there is a pole on Dory's gaff-topsail," -said Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The halyard is made fast to this pole, as it is -to the yard when the sail is square, at a point -which will carry the upper end of the pole above -the truck, thus allowing the sail to be larger than -it could be if the halyard were attached to the -head of the sail."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What sort of a cart is the truck?" asked -Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I forgot to mention it, I suppose. It is a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>round piece of wood, fixed on the end of the topmast, -like a head upon a cane. It has a little -sheave, or a couple of holes in it, through which -the signal-halyards are passed. Now for the -mainsail. I have already explained the throat and -peak halyards, so that you know what and where -they are."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Archie knows," said Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The main-sheet is the rope by which the -position of the main-boom is controlled; in other -words, by which the sail is trimmed. Dory has -double blocks on his sheet, so that he handles it -more easily than if it were done with a single -block on the boom; though he has to handle twice -as much rope in doing it. I do not think of any -thing more to be said in regard to the standing -or running rigging of a sloop. If any thing comes -up, you will learn it while we are sailing. Now -we will put two reefs in the mainsail."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Don't you reef the other sails?" asked Ben -Sinker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The Goldwing works very well under the mainsail -only, so that we shorten sail by taking in the -jib. The jib of this craft does not reef, but it has -a bonnet instead. This is really an additional -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>sail, laced on at the bottom of the jib. It can be -taken off or put on at pleasure. In some craft, -the jib is made bigger, and is provided with one -or two rows of reef-points."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Goldwing had three rows of reef-points on -the mainsail. The skipper required the sail to be -lowered enough to permit one reef to be taken.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This is a reef-pennant," said he, producing a -cord of several feet in length. "Sometimes it is -called an earing. I pass it through this cringle, -which is only a hole in the sail, and then I carry -the line around the boom,--twice will make it -strong enough. This I have done at the clew, and -now I do the same thing at the luff. Now, all -hands, take hold, and put in the reef by tying up -the points."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This one is not long enough," said Archie, -when he had got hold of both ends of a point. -"It won't go round the boom."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course it will not! You might as well -try to pass it under the keel," replied Thad. -"They don't even go through the iron jackstay. -Pass them under the foot of the sail."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Is that right?" asked Con, when he had tied -one of the reef-points.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>"Certainly not; it is a granny-knot: you must -make nothing but square knots in a reef-point."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thad explained how to do it, telling them to -make both ends come out on the same side of the -loop, or bight. They had been trained, or some -of the students had, in making the most useful -knots; but they had the talent for forgetting, as -most boys have. A second reef was put in the -sail, in the same manner, on the top of the first one. -The introductory lesson was finished, the anchor -was weighed, and the Goldwing stood out into the -lake.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There comes that schooner!" shouted Ash -Burton.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was the La Motte, headed up the lake.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> <br />THE PLAN THAT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>Just as soon as Dory dropped the painter of -the tender into the water, the wind drove the -boat away from the La Motte in the direction of -the shore. Mackwith and Chuckworth, the two -robbers who had appeared on the shore after their -search in the woods for Angy, were too far off to -notice it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now, we must not allow ourselves to be seen -or heard," said Dory, as soon as he had let go the -painter. "They will find the boat, and come on -board."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But don't you think they will suspect that -something is wrong for their side of the question?" -asked Mr. Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why should they think so?" asked Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Since they left the schooner, she has been -moved to her present position; and the boat in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>which Angy left the vessel is found on the -beach."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They may not be able to account for what -they see, but it does not follow that they will -suspect any thing; though it will not make much -difference if they do," replied Dory, shrugging his -shoulders.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course, they will understand that the fellows -they left on board have moved the schooner; -but I am afraid they will suspect something when -they find the boat on the beach," continued the -machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps they will; they have a perfect right -to do so: but they have been up all night, and I -don't believe they will be very sharp. Possibly -they drank beer enough while they were on board -of the La Motte to reduce them to the condition -of the fellows in the steerage. But it is not so -much of a question of what they will think, as of -what they will do."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Well, their actions will be guided by their -thoughts."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That is so; but they will be guided by their -conclusions, and not by all the suspicions that -come into their heads," argued Dory. "Of course, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>it is important for us to be able to foresee what -they will do, so that we may be prepared for -them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, we must fathom their thoughts if we -can."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They are standing on the beach just now."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And they are a quarter of a mile from us."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But they are moving this way, though very -slowly."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have no doubt they are about worn out, for -they have been beating about the woods for an -hour or more," said Dory, as he raised himself so -as to see over the bulwarks of the schooner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course, they must see the vessel."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't think they discovered her till this -moment, for they have only just begun to move -this way. Now what will they do?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They will wonder why the position of the -schooner has been changed."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Let them wonder: they will not be able to -make any thing of it. When they reach the -tender, they will do some more wondering."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And they will begin to take account of the -facts in their possession," added the machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That will be a sensible thing for them to do. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>The two principal facts before them will be the -change in the position of the vessel and the presence -of the tender on the shore. But the first -thing they do, will be to hail the La Motte; but -they will not get any answer. What will they -conclude from the silence of those on board?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have an idea, Dory; but what do you say?" -added the machinist, with a smile which seemed -to mean more than his words.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They will conclude that the fellows on board -are tired out, and have gone to sleep," replied -Dory confidently. "Then they will take the boat, -and come on board. About that time, our work -will begin."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't quite agree with you, Dory," answered -Mr. Jepson. "You are the manager of this enterprise, -and I think you have arranged things to -lead them to another conclusion from that you -suggest."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What do you think they will do?" asked -Dory, disappointed that the machinist did not -seem to approve his action.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"When they find the boat on the beach, with -the vessel where she is, they will conclude that -the two fellows have gone ashore, and are looking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>for Angy, and for their absent companions," replied -the machinist, with more earnestness in his -manner than he had displayed before.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory bit his lips, for it seemed to him that -there was a great deal of force in what his companion -said.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you had left the schooner where she was, -they might have reasoned that the boat was where -Angy had left it," continued the machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But they would not have found the boat in -that case. They would not have been likely to -see her on the beach, a quarter of a mile away -from them. Besides, I was not sure that the boat -would be blown where they would be in the way -of finding it, if I turned it adrift a mile from this -shore," reasoned Dory rather warmly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There are difficulties, whichever way you look -at the question," said the instructor, laughing at -the energy of Dory. "I think we had better -drop the discussion, and act upon the facts as soon -as they are developed."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right: you think they will do one thing, -and I think they will do another. The only important -thing is, whether or not they will come on -board of the vessel. We will wait and see."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>"It is too late to alter things as you have -arranged them; and I do not say that the course -you have taken was not the wisest, Dory. We -shall soon know."</p> - -<p class='c006'>They could do nothing but wait. It would be -some time before Mack and Chuck reached the -beach off the schooner; and Dory went below to -see the prisoners, taking care not to show his head -above the bulwarks. The two captives in the -steerage were still asleep; it was a beer-slumber, -though they were doubtless very tired; and they -were like a pair of stone posts, so far as their -appearance was concerned. Persons who were -not boozy could hardly have slept so soundly in -the uncomfortable positions in which they were -confined.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As Dory had nothing else to do, he took a -more careful survey of the cabin of the La Motte. -One of the bunks in the steerage appeared to -have been occupied, while the other five beds had -not been disturbed. In the cabin were several -valises and travelling-bags. One of the former -bore the initials of the chief of the robbers. As it -was not locked, he opened it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>If there was any plunder on board, it had not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>been put into this valise, for it appeared to contain -nothing but wearing-apparel. In the pocket -he found a letter, addressed to "M. A. Spickles, -Esq., Plattsburg, N.Y." It was postmarked at -New-York City. Dory felt that it was his duty, -in connection with the enterprise in which he was -engaged, to obtain all the information in his -power; and he did not scruple to read the epistle, -as he would not have done under ordinary circumstances.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The letter contained a great deal of slang, a -good portion of which the reader could not understand. -The writer, who signed himself "Fred -Ripples," promised to be at Ticonderoga on -Friday night, and the La Motte must take him -and his party on board at that point. If the -schooner was not there at that time, the party -would take the first train for Westport, and would -be there early Saturday morning.</p> - -<p class='c006'>With the letter in his hand, Dory went on -deck, and joined the machinist under the bulwarks. -Mr. Jepson read the document, and -looked at Dory, though its contents did not appear -to affect the present situation.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"These fellows are the other members of that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>club. They must be at Westport by this time," -said the instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Probably they are, for a train comes along -very early in the morning," replied Dory. "But -Mr. Fred Ripples had nothing to do with the robberies -at Plattsburg, or the one at Beech Hill; -so that we have no particular business with -him."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, we had better drop him; for the two -fellows who did have a hand in them are within -a short distance of the tender," added the machinist -in a lower tone.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory looked out through an opening in the -bulwarks which he had arranged for the purpose. -The two robbers looked as though they were -worn out, for they moved with a very heavy step. -But they were talking very earnestly together, -as shown by their gestures; though what they -said could not be heard on board of the La -Motte. They were evidently discussing the -change in the position of the vessel, and the -discovery of the boat on the beach. The first -thing they did was to haul the tender out of -the surf, which was banging it on the gravel.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Wick! Wick!" shouted one of them.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>Then they waited some time for a reply to -their hail, but none came.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Sang! Sang!" called the other of the two.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"On board the La Motte!" yelled Mack, -whose voice Dory recognized.</p> - -<p class='c006'>They seated themselves on the rail of the boat, -and continued to yell for half an hour. Then an -argument seemed to be in progress between them, -in which one of them frequently pointed to the -woods in the direction from which they had -come. Presently they rose from their seats, and -walked off, following the beach by the way they -had come.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Well, Dory, what does that mean?" asked the -machinist, as soon as they were out of hearing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It means that you were right, and that I was -wrong," replied Dory candidly. "I should have -done better if I had left the schooner where she -was."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't say that; and if I had thought so at -the time, I should have spoken. We will deal -with the present situation," added the instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I thought the plan would work all right, and -I am disappointed," said Dory. "Those fellows -believe that Sang and Wick, as they call them, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>have gone ashore in the boat, and they have -started to look for them. My strategy has failed, -and I am disgusted with it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What shall we do? That is the question -now," suggested the machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't like to go back to Beech Hill without -those fellows, after we have spent so much time -in hunting them down," added Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They will come back when they fail to find -their companions."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I don't care about waiting all day for -them. If you will go with me, we will go on -shore, and take the bull by the horns. We can -handle them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right, Dory; but how can we get ashore? -We have no boat," replied the machinist, who -was quite as impatient as his younger companion.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I will bring off the boat for you, and I will -go ashore on one of the fenders."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory handed his revolver to the instructor, -and prepared for his trip to the shore by taking -off his coat and shoes. It was a trifling feat for -him, and in a few minutes he was on the beach. -It was a harder matter to get the boat into the -water; but he had carried a line to the shore with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>him, so that his companion could assist in the -work. The machinist hauled the boat alongside -the schooner as soon as it put into the water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>They embarked, and were on the beach in a -minute more. They hauled the tender to a safe -place, and then walked along the beach towards -the place where Mack and Chuck had disappeared -in the woods. But they had proceeded -only a short distance before Dory discovered a -small steamer buffeting the sea beyond Bluff -Point. But she leaped the waves, and seemed -to be making good weather in spite of the roughness -of the water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Both of them were satisfied that the steamer -was the Marian.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XX.<br /> <br />MORE MEMBERS OF THE NAUTIFELERS CLUB.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>"That's the Marian, without a doubt," said -Mr. Jepson. "She is going down the lake."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"She is not headed for Split Rock Point, as -she would be if she were going down the lake," -added Dory, after they had watched the steamer -for some time. "There! She is changing her -course now, and she is headed directly for Camp-Meeting -Point. It looks as though she intended -to take a hand in this business."</p> - -<p class='c006'>But they continued on their way, and Dory -hoped to come across the two robbers before the -steamer had time to interfere in the business. -Before they reached the place where Mack and -Chuck had taken to the woods, the Marian was -off the end of the peninsula. She did not run -for the La Motte, as Dory supposed she would, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>and kept off so as to pass the point. Then she -disappeared behind the high land.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"She is not going to meddle with the schooner," -said Dory. "I don't understand her movements -at all."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am sure I don't," added the machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No matter; and I am glad she has given the -schooner a wide berth."</p> - -<p class='c006'>They struck into the woods, and walked a long -distance without seeing the two robbers of whom -they were in pursuit. Dory had become so desperate -that he shouted several times, using the -names of both Mack and Chuck; but he obtained -no response to his calls.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They can't be about here, or they would -answer me when I call them by name," said he, -very much puzzled at the situation.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They must have gone some other way," suggested -Mr. Jepson.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"At any rate, they are not here, and we had -better return to the schooner."</p> - -<p class='c006'>They retraced their steps till they came to the -narrow part of the peninsula, and there was a -cart-path to the end of it.</p> -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span> -<img src='images/i_220.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='xsmall'>"I TELL YOU WE CAN'T GET THE VESSEL OUT OF THIS PLACE."</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>"They must have taken this road," said Mr. -Jepson. "We had better follow this road a while -before we give up the search."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't see what they could be doing down -there. But we will look over this region a little, -and we can strike through to the beach when we -like," replied Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When they had gone a few rods, they came to a -sandy place in the cart-path, and Dory brought -his Indian craft to bear upon it. He found the -footprints of two persons in the wet soil, both of -them headed towards the outer extremity of the -point.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That makes it plain enough that they have -come this way. I have looked for tracks before, -and I could not find any," said Dory. "But we -are making a blunder in the light of this information. -These fellows will get down to the boat -before we are there, and we shall be left out in the -cold. I never thought of their coming this way, -for the peninsula is very narrow."</p> - -<p class='c006'>This logic was decidedly startling to the intended -thief-takers; and Dory broke into a run -on the instant, and dashed through the woods -towards the beach. The machinist followed him. -If they had been astonished at any time during -<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>the morning at what they saw, they were infinitely -more so when they came out of the woods where -they could see the schooner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On the beach abreast of the vessel they discovered, -not only the two persons they were searching -for, but what looked like a crowd of people -to Dory's excited imagination.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He counted not less than seven men. They -were in the act of putting the tender into the -water, and evidently intended to go on board of -the La Motte. They no longer hesitated to show -themselves to the party, whoever they were.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't understand this at all," said the perplexed -leader of the enterprise.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am no better informed," replied the machinist. -"But I think we had better return to the -woods, and keep out of sight until we know more -about this party."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps you are right," replied Dory, adopting -the suggestion.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Returning to the shelter of the trees, they -moved forward till they came to a place where -they could obtain a better view of the party.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I want to know whether Mack and Chuck -are in this party," said Dory in a whisper. "Yes, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>there they are. But who are the other fellows?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I shall have to give it up. They all seem to -be on good terms. I thought it might be a party -from the Marian, but I saw her running for -Thompson's Point a few minutes ago. Whoever -they are, they don't belong to the school."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Certainly not."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I can't stand it any longer, and I am going -down to see them," continued Dory, as he examined -his revolver; and the machinist did the same.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course, the two who were in the boat with -you this morning, will know you, Dory," said the -instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I can't help it if they do: I am going down to -see them. I can't imagine what the five new fellows -can be, and I am determined to find out."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The whole seven of them seem to be engaged -in an argument just now," added the machinist, -as he followed Dory out of the woods.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As they came near enough to identify the two -Dory had seen in the boat, the argument seemed to -wax very warm. Mack was the principal speaker -on one side of the question. He pointed with -vehemence at the lake, and the shores near him; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>and Dory concluded that they were engaged in a -nautical discussion.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I tell you, we can't get the vessel out of this -place," said Mack warmly, when Dory came near -enough to hear what he said. "The wind is blowing -very fresh right on the shore, and she is not -more than fifty feet from the beach."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you hoist the sails, there is wind enough to -make her go, isn't there?" demanded one of the -new-comers.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There is wind enough to make her go ashore -all in a heap," replied Mack smartly. "You don't -know the first thing about handling a vessel, Fred -Ripples!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>Fred Ripples! That was the name of the signer -of the letter. He was one of the remaining members -of the Nautifelers Club, who were to join the -rest of the party at Ticonderoga or Westport. -Dory looked at Mr. Jepson, and Mr. Jepson looked -at him. How in the world had the new members -come to Camp-Meeting Point?</p> - -<p class='c006'>The members of the club on the beach were too -busy with the argument to notice the approach of -Dory and the machinist. Doubtless Mack and -Chuck had told the new-comers of the "break" -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>the night before, and of the disappearance of the -leader of the enterprise. But none of them had any -reason to suspect that Angy had been captured.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Is that you, Dory?" demanded Mack, as he -happened to turn his head far enough to see him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What have you done with Angy?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I haven't done any thing with him," replied -Dory, when the gaze of the whole party was fixed -upon him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was a hard question under the circumstances, -and Dory was not at all inclined to answer it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You were in the boat with him when Chuck -let go of the painter, and came off this way."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We landed in a creek, and went on shore. -We sat on a log some time, while he rested himself: -then he went off, and I have not seen him -since," replied Dory, telling the literal truth.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But where is he now?" demanded Mack, beginning -to be furious.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't know."</p> - -<p class='c006'>But it was deception all the same, though it was -the literal truth. Mack and Chuck asked him a -great many questions, but they could not get any -thing out of him. Mr. Jepson was a man he met -over in the woods.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>"Then, Angy must be in the woods now," said -Mack, as the conclusion of the whole matter. -"We must find him, and we may as well begin at -once."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you go far enough, you will be sure to find -him," added Dory; but his statement was not -very definite, and the robbers were not likely to -go as far as the lock-up in Genverres to look for -him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where did Angy leave the tender when he -landed?" asked Mack, who was far from satisfied -with the result of the examination.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"In a creek, which you will find near the bight -of the bay."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"How came the boat here, if he left it in a -creek?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course, Sang and Wick must have come -ashore after we did, and they found the boat," -Chuck was kind enough to interpose before Dory -could answer the question, or attempt to evade it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But how could they get ashore when they had -no boat, and no raft even?" demanded Mack, who -spoke in the imperative mood.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What do you suppose they moved the schooner -close to the shore for, if it wasn't to enable them -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>to land?" asked Chuck, in a triumphant tone; -for he was nettled at the imperious tones of Mack. -"They found the boat, but they did not find -Angy. Here is the tender to prove it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They didn't go far to look for Angy, or we -should have seen them. But we are wasting -time, and we must be on the lookout for -Angy."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I must have a drink of beer before I go, for I -am about used up," added Chuck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>They launched the boat; and when they were -in it, they upset it. Dory wanted to go on board -with them, and he offered to handle the boat. -He put them on the deck of the La Motte, but it -was a big boat-load. They all rushed to the -cabin. Dory drew the slide, and fastened the -cabin-door so that they could not get out.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But the hatches were off, and the machinist -was stationed at the opening with his revolver in -hand. Dory was sure they could not get out by -the companion-way, and he made haste to get -under way, slipping the cable. The members of -the Nautifelers Club were so devoted to their beer, -that they did not seem to be aware that they were -imprisoned in the cabin. They were quite noisy, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>and appeared to be bent upon having what they -called "a good time," whatever became of Angy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Mr. Jepson was a mechanical genius, and he -soon found a way to cover the hatches. The jib -was set, and then the La Motte did very well.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> <br />THE GOLDWING ON THE STARBOARD TACK.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>"Now we have got over the dictionary part -of this business, and I don't think the rest -of it will be quite so stupid," said Thad Glovering -to his class in the Goldwing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why don't you hoist the jib, Thad?" asked -Hop Cabright.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because we have sail enough without it," -replied Thad. "Ever since I came to Beech Hill, -I have been hearing about the danger of carrying -too much sail."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But that schooner is carrying her jib," added -Hop; and all eyes were directed to the La Motte, -though she was still a mile distant.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am not in charge of that schooner, and I -have nothing to do with her," answered Thad. -"There is another of the dangers of a young -skipper--that of doing as others do on the water. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>There is as much difference in boats as there is in -men. One man can carry three hundred pounds -on his back, while half that will break down -another. A fellow must look at his own craft to -ascertain how much sail she ought to carry. You -needn't try to pick up a barrel of flour, Hop, -because McGowen can do it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you suppose Dory is sailing that schooner, -Thad?" asked Ben Sinker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Perhaps he is. I have no means of knowing -any thing at all about it, but I don't believe he -is. There were five fellows on board of the vessel -when she was in the river yesterday, and I -don't believe he and Mr. Jepson have whipped -out the four of them that must have been left on -board of her."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There comes the Sylph!" exclaimed Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Let her come; but, if we are to give any -attention to sailing, it is time for us to make a -beginning. You may take the wheel, Ash," said -Thad, rising in his place to give him the seat on -the weather-side of the helm.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I never steered a boat with that kind of -a wheel," Ash objected.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, it is time you learned about it," added -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>the skipper, resuming his seat to explain the wheel. -"You can all learn about it at the same time, for -each of you will have his trick at the wheel before -we return."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's the talk! I want to steer," added -Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, you must mind what we are doing, and -not give all your head to the schooner and the -Sylph; and, if there is any thing to see, I will run -up to the centre of the attraction."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We don't have a circus with a lot of robbers -every day in the week; and, if there is any fun, a -fellow wants to see it," added Con Bunker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If there is any fun, you shall see it, though I -am not to meddle with that schooner. Now for -the steering-gear. The best way to learn about -it is to see how it is constructed," continued the -skipper, as the Goldwing passed from under the -lee of the bank of the river, and began to be exposed -to the full force of the weather.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The sun had come out of the clouds, but the -wind still blew strong from the south-west. The -sloop had two reefs in her mainsail, which was -the only sail she carried; but she had the wind -free, and she did very well under this short canvas. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>The waves were piling themselves up on -the point, and it still looked stormy in that -direction; though the commotion was trifling in -comparison with what it had been two or three -hours before.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Ugh!" yelled Archie, who was seated on the -forward deck, with his legs hanging over into -the standing-room, as a wave broke against the -bow, and drenched him with spray. "It is damp -here."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Come aft, then: of course it will be wet in -the forward part of the boat. Four of you on -the weather-side, and two on the lee," added the -skipper. "That will trim her about right for -this sea."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I suppose the weather-side is the side from -which the wind comes," said Archie, as he took -his seat on that side of the boat.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You are quite right, Archie; and a sailor -who had been at sea fifty years could not have -hit it any better. If you remember that, it is -not necessary to recollect that the lee-side is that -from which the wind does not come. Weather -and lee are important terms in a boat; and in sailing, -we use them instead of starboard and port."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>"Let me see: starboard is the right-hand side, -isn't it, Thad?" asked Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That depends. But, Archie, you are green -enough on nautical matters; now don't pretend -to be any more so than you really are," said -Thad, rather sharply.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I do get mixed on these things; and -now you say it depends," pleaded Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It depends upon which way you are looking. -With your face to the bow, starboard is on the -right."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, port is"--</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Dry up, Archie! When you have learned -the meaning of one of two opposite things, that -is enough," interposed the skipper. "The principal -gave us the two French terms for starboard -and port,--<i>tribord</i> and <i>babord</i>. <i>Tribord</i> means -the right-hand side, looking ahead. A fellow -don't need a slate and pencil to figure up the -meaning of <i>babord</i>. Now we are going along -all right, and we will look over the wheel. Can -you all see it?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I can," replied Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The upper end of the rudder is the head of -it. The tiller is set in the rudder-head, and is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>simply a lever for turning the rudder. The bow -of the boat is called the head. If you put the -helm--that is, the tiller--to starboard, what -will be the effect upon the head, Archie?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It will turn the head," replied Archie -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Turn it upside down, or turn it like a lunatic's! -Which way will it turn the head when -you put the tiller to starboard?" demanded -Thad.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It won't turn it upside down: it will turn it -to one side," added Archie seriously.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I should say that it would; but it is rather -necessary to know to which side it would turn it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It would carry the head of the boat the opposite -way, I should think."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But you must know. Which is the opposite -way?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"To port; and if you put the helm to port"--</p> - -<p class='c006'>"One thing at a time, if you please. Put the -helm to starboard, and it carries the head to -port: that's enough. If you try to remember -any thing more, Archie, you will forget the -whole. As I said before, the terms weather and -port are also used."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>"What is the use of those terms when we -have starboard and port?" asked Con.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No conundrums of that sort. We take things -as we find them, and we are not inventing a -system. We speak of a weather and a lee helm. -As you may see by the position of the wheel, this -boat carries a weather-helm; and it only means -that the trim of the craft inclines her to stick -her head up into the wind, and we have to carry -the helm a little to the weather-side in order to -make her go straight ahead. If I should let go -the wheel, the boat would come to."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Come where?" queried Con.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Come to means to come up into the wind, or -turn her head in the direction from which the -breeze comes. If she carried a lee-helm, she -would turn the other way, if left to herself; and -in that case she would be likely to upset, or have -the mast taken out of her if it were blowing fresh. -It is a good thing, therefore, to have a boat carry -a weather-helm, within reasonable limits; and a -lee-helm is a very bad trick in any craft."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But suppose the boat has a lee-helm: you -can't help yourself," said Syl Peckman.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Yes, you can. Shifting the ballast will sometimes -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>correct it, by bringing her down more by -the head or stern, as the case may require. Possibly -the position of the mast in a sloop may have -to be changed. There are two other terms that -apply to the helm."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"More of them!" exclaimed Archie. "A fellow -can never remember them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why not, as well as the different names of a -vehicle? The other terms are up and down, and -these depend upon the position of the boat in regard -to the wind. When you put the tiller away -from the wind, it is down. We have the wind on -the port-side now. If we put the tiller to starboard, -it is down. Never mind what will happen, -Archie, if we put it to port. We shall have more -to say about down and up farther along, when we -are dealing with the sails."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why not tell us now, while we are on the subject?" -asked Con.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because you will not understand it so well -now as you will then. But there is another matter -that may be told now. From which side do -we get the wind just now, Ben?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"From the port-side. Give me something -harder," replied he.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>"I will: on what tack are we sailing?" asked -the skipper sharply.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I shall have to give it up: I never could get -the hang of these tacks," pleaded Con.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I never could," added Hop.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think I can tell why you did not get the -hang of the tacks," continued Thad. "It was -because the meaning of the position was given to -you in a lot of sea-slang, which you did not take -in. I will tell you when a vessel is on the starboard -tack: it is when the main-boom is out over -the port-quarter, and the port jib-sheets are -trimmed down. Now you know!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am sure I don't," replied Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am not a bit the wiser," added Con.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"My definition is not beyond your comprehension; -but you are not used to thinking in that sort -of lingo, though you could take in the meaning of -it if you gave the time and thought to it. Ben -said just now that we are getting the wind from -the starboard-side. Do you all understand that?" -asked Thad very forcibly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course we do," answered Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's easy enough," chimed in several others.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, if we have the wind on the port-side, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>we are on the port-tack," almost shouted the -skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Is that all?" demanded Con. "I understand -that perfectly."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, we won't say another word about it, if -you all understand it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course we all understand it," said several -of them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you insist upon being a little more pickled -in speaking it, you can say she has her starboard-tacks -aboard; though that expression more properly -applies to a square-rigged vessel."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Starboard-tacks aboard," repeated about every -one of the class.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't see what it means," said Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, you don't remember what the principal -told you in his lecture last fall. In a ship, the -ropes at the clews of the lower square-sails, the -courses, change their names," said Thad, picking up -the boat-hook. "Call this the yard of a ship. It -would be at this angle as we have the wind;" and -he placed it at an angle with the keel, with the -windward end farther forward than the lee. "The -rope at the weather-clew, or corner of the sail, is -the tack, and the one at the lee-clew is the sheet. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>Now, suppose the ship to come about, and go the -other way;" and he changed the position of the -boat-hook. "Then the weather-side would be on -the port, instead of the starboard; and what was -the sheet before, becomes the tack; and the ship -has her port-tacks aboard."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The Sylph is hailing the schooner," said Ash -Burton.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"She is getting out a boat," added Thad. "She -wouldn't do that if something was not going on. -As we can study this lesson just as well in the -river, we will go and see what is up."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The skipper put the Goldwing about.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXII.<br /> <br />SOMETHING ABOUT STEERING A SAIL-BOAT.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>The Sylph lowered her starboard-quarter boat; -and two men, in addition to the crew, took -their places in it. The two vessels were too far -off to permit the party on board of the Goldwing -to see who the men were, for the sloop -was now quite near the New-York shore. As -soon as the boat returned to the steamer, she -came about, and stood up the lake again. She -kept quite near the La Motte, and therefore -sailed at only half speed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We will go up to Beechwater, and find out -what has happened," said Thad. "But we will -attend to the lesson all the same. We are going -to come about. Which way do I put the helm, -Archie?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Put it either way, and she will come about," -replied the student, who had earned the title of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>"Greenhorn," though no one was uncivil enough -to apply it to him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you were at the wheel, would you take -the responsibility of putting the helm to port?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I shouldn't know any better than to do -so."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you did, you might drown the crowd, in -this breeze. But we will leave that subject to -the proper time to consider it. Which way do I -put the helm, Con?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hard down, hard a-starboard, hard a-lee," -replied Con.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Right; and you have learned your lesson in -full."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Must a fellow say all that?" asked Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not at all; though the expressions all mean -the same thing, and Con used them all to prove -that he knew what they mean. When we are -going about, or going to tack, the proper way is -to put the helm down, moving it slowly at first, -and then hard down, which is down as far as -you can get it. Ready about! That is the order -to get ready to tack. Here we are!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>The skipper put the helm down, and in a moment -the reefed mainsail began to shake and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>bang: then it went over on the other side, and -filled there.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What tack are we on now, Archie?" asked -Thad.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"On the port-tack; but you did not explain -the port-tack," replied the innocent youth.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Didn't I, indeed! Then, how in the world -do you happen to know that we are on the port-tack? -for you are as correct as though you had -been to sea all your life."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I knew it must be the other one."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You must have studied logic."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"With the port-tacks aboard," added Con. -"Or would be, if this were a ship."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now we will attend to this wheel," continued -the skipper. "We have been talking about a -tiller. You can see that there is a cast-iron -frame in the shape of a quadrant."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I never saw a quadrant," said Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, you did not look when the principal -showed us one,--or perhaps you were not present. -But you have seen a mince-pie."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And eaten one."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not a whole one at a time. If you did, you -saw a winged alligator before morning. But -<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>what part of a mince-pie is about a pattern for -you?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Say a quarter."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That would be in the shape of a quadrant. -This quadrant has a round hole cast in the right -angle, which is fitted upon the rudder-head, as -you can see for yourselves. On the round side -of the quadrant are cogs, which fit into the cogs -of the smaller wheel, under the large one, which -is provided with handles, or spokes. It isn't easy -to talk it, but you can see it. I am seated on -the weather-side of the wheel."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Must the helmsman always be on the weather-side?" -asked Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There is no law about it; but for some reasons, -it is the better side for him. He can see -ahead better; and when the boat is on the wind, -and she heels over, he has the higher side. Being -on the weather-side of the helm, if I pull the -spokes on the big wheel towards me, it turns -the small wheel, which is part of the big one, -in the same direction. By the action of the -cogs, the round side of the quadrant is moved in -the opposite direction. The quadrant is really the -tiller. Then, drawing the spokes towards me is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>putting the helm down, which throws the boat -up into the wind."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It will not be so if you stand on the other side -of the wheel," said Ben Sinker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Certainly not. I am standing on the starboard-side -now: if I bring the spokes towards the starboard-side, -it carries the quadrant, or tiller, over to -the opposite side, and the head of the boat moves -to starboard. You put the tiller to port to carry -the head to starboard: with this wheel, the action -is reversed. To sum it up short, put the spokes to -starboard, and the head goes the same way. Now, -Ash, you may try your hand at it, and see if it -works as I say it does."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course it does, for you know all about it," -replied Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But a fellow never believes a thing of this -sort till he has proved it," added the skipper. -"Pull the handles of the wheel towards you, and -it throws the head of the boat up into the wind. -Remember this--'only this, and nothing more.' -But there is one thing that a beginner has to -learn; and that is, to steer small."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I know about that," replied Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The others don't. A new hand is always apt -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>to move the tiller too much. To move the tiller, -or wheel, very little at a time, is to steer small. -Move it gradually, and note the effect upon the -boat's head."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Ash Burton took his place at the wheel; and, -as he had had some experience in steering a boat -with a tiller, he did very well. In fact, he was -competent to handle a boat, though he had picked -up his knowledge himself. But he did not boast -of his skill, and wished to learn more.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I always take an object on the shore, and steer -for it, when the boat is going free," said he.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I do, whether she is going free, or not," added -Thad. "If I am close hauled, I watch both the -sail and the object. When a fellow is steering, he -ought to give the closest attention to the business -he has in hand; and it isn't a bad rule to follow, -whatever he is doing. If the helmsman doesn't -mind what he is about, he keeps the boat yawing -and staggering, like a man who has taken too much -whiskey. I don't like to see a boat going that -way. If she is kept steady, she not only makes -her course better, but she gets along faster."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am running for the point," said Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, you may make too much northing. You -<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>should always take an object to windward of the -point you want to reach, for the boat will always -get in more or less leeway; though it don't make -much difference when you have a free wind. But -you can steer well enough, Ash. Let Ben Sinker -try his hand at the wheel."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't believe I can do it," replied Ben -modestly. "I never tried to steer a sail-boat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, you are just the fellow we want. Take -an object on the shore near the south side of the -mouth of the river," continued the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There is a cow," added Ben.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Better take a train of cars on the railroad: it -moves faster, and you would fetch up somewhere, -though it might be on the bottom of the lake. -Not an object that moves, or can move, my lad. -Take that highest tree," replied Thad, as he -pointed to it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Ben took his place at the wheel, and fixed his -gaze on the tree, which Ash had used for his mark. -In a moment the boat was off the course; and the -new hand, anxious to set her right, pulled the -wheel about half way round. The skipper said -nothing, for he wanted his pupils to learn by experience. -The sail began to shake, as the Goldwing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>came up into the wind. Ben immediately put the -wheel the other way: the sloop came back to her -course, and then began to fall off.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Steer small, Ben: that's what's the matter. -You have her almost before the wind; and it won't -do to let her go any farther round, for the sail -will bang over to the other side," interposed the -skipper, giving the wheel a turn. "You will send -us all to the bottom at that rate."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I told you I didn't believe I could do it," -replied Ben, not a little mortified at his ill success.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I know you can do it: only you have -made the same mistake as all new hands," added -Thad, as he brought the boat to her course. "Now -you are all right again. It won't do to fool with -a boat when the wind is as fresh as it is now. -Just move the wheel only an inch or two at a time, -till you learn how much it requires."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I see, that, if you turn the wheel only an inch, -it has an effect on the head of the boat," said Ben, -after he had got the hang of the wheel. "I -thought you had to move it at least a foot to -produce any effect at all."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If the wind were light, it would be different," -added Thad. "The whole thing is balanced, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>the movement of the rudder keeps the boat in a -sort of equilibrium."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's a big word," said Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But you all know what it means, though you -may not see how it applies to a boat under sail. -Suppose I haul in the main-sheet, so that the wind -will blow square against it," continued the skipper, -suiting the action to the word, till the boat heeled -over enough to startle the timid ones.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That takes the pressure off the wheel," said -Ben.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because it checks her headway; and it would -upset the boat, for the sail holds the wind instead -of getting rid of it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't see how the sail can get rid of the -wind, for it is all here," replied Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thad took a large piece of newspaper from his -pocket, lifted it as high as he could reach, and -then let it go.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Which way did it go?" he asked.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"North-east," answered Syl.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Which way is this sloop going?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"South-east."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is the reason it did not go the way this -boat is going?"</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>"Because the wind don't blow this way," replied -Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, what makes the boat go this way, my -lad?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because Ben steers it this way."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Correct; but suppose I should rig a sail in the -Bouquet, and steer her with all my might, could I -make her go as the Goldwing is going?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course not: she has no keel, or next to -none."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Correct again. The wind carries the paper in -the direction towards which it is blowing. If the -breeze struck square against the sail, it would blow -the boat over to-day. We trim the sail at an -angle, at a slant, with the way the wind blows. -The sloop is not forced ahead, as the paper was, -by the direct action of the wind."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thad placed the bailing-bucket on the floor of -the standing-room, and then with the boat-hook, -passed along the side of it, caused the pail to be -moved athwart-ships, though the boat-hook was -carried fore and aft.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The bucket is moved by the friction of the -boat-hook, as the sail is by the friction of the wind -against the canvas," said Thad. "If it were not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>for the keel, the boat would slide off sideways: it -would be all leeway, and no headway. With the -helm, we keep the several forces balanced."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The sloop went into the river; but another -hand was sent to the wheel when Ben Sinker had -obtained some practical idea of steering, and the -lesson was continued.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> <br />OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a -single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea -to which she was soon fully exposed when she had -made a short distance from the beach off which -she had been anchored. Mr. Jepson had found -some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, -with which he had covered the hatches. On -the top of them he had placed a plank, used for -rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore -equally on all the boards. Then with a handspike -he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The seven members of the Nautifelers Club -were very busy with their beer. Dory had closed -the door of the steerage, and fastened it before; -for he had anticipated, to some extent, the imprisonment -of the party in the cabin. They had not -yet discovered what had happened to Sang and -Wick: the beer monopolized all their attention.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>The machinist went aft when he had secured -the hatchway, and strengthened the fastenings of -the companion-way. As the doors opened outward, -he fixed a wooden brace in such a way that -they could not be moved, while a simple stick of -the right length made it impossible to start the -slide.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think they will stay where they are for a -while," said the instructor, when he had completed -his precautions.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We shall not have to keep them there a great -while, for the wind is very lively, and we shall -soon get into the river though we shall have to -beat up," replied Dory. "I should say they can't -get out at the companion-way."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I had a better chance there to work than I -had at the hatchway. But in being on deck, we -have all the advantage," added the machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I suppose some or all of them are armed with -revolvers," suggested Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Probably they are, but they are not in a good -position to use them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Just at this moment the noise in the cabin suddenly -ceased; and a moment later, there was an -attempt made to start the slide at the companion-way.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>"They have finished the keg of beer, I should -think, for I doubt if they would be willing to -leave any of it. I will go forward and have an -eye to the hatches," said the instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"On deck, there!" shouted one of the prisoners, -whose voice Dory recognized as that of -Mack.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But the new skipper of the schooner made no -reply.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"On deck, there! Open the slide!" continued -the successor of Angy, as he seemed to be.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory was entirely willing that he should use -his voice to any extent he pleased, and he gave -his whole attention to the steering of the vessel. -Then some of the others began to yell, and it was -evident that the fumes of the beer were producing -some effect upon them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The members of the Nautifelers Club then -resorted to feats of strength. They pulled and -jerked and wrenched at the slide and the doors. -They kicked, thumped, and banged; but the slide -and the doors resisted all their efforts,--mainly, -perhaps, because they could not get at them so as -to apply all their strength. Whatever the reason -they failed to force a passage to the deck at this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>point, they abandoned the attempt after a short -time.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory could hear them talking together, though -he could not distinguish what they said. Of -course, they were discussing the situation, and -they would soon attempt to get out by the hatchway. -The skipper did not expect the fastening -of the door between the cabin and the hold would -hold out a great while; for, if it did not readily -give way, they would break down the door.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The noise in that direction assured Dory that -they were already engaged in this work of demolition. -A few minutes later the machinist informed -him that the prisoners were in the hold. -In the steerage they had an opportunity to obtain -a better idea of the situation when they found -Sang and Wick made fast to the stanchions which -supported the berths. They could not fail to -deduce from what they found there, the fact that -Dory and his associate had taken possession of -the vessel. By this time they could not help -realizing that they were prisoners themselves. It -would have been easy for them to jump, from all -these appearances, to the conclusion that their -leader had come to grief, and had been put in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>some secure place. Whether they followed out -this course of reasoning, or not, Dory had no -means of knowing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"On deck, there!" shouted Mack, under the -hatch.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Don't answer them," called Dory, in a tone -only loud enough for the machinist to hear him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The call from below was several times repeated, -with the same result. The ends of the boards the -machinist had put over the opening, rested on the -combings of the hatch; but they were not matched -so that there were no cracks between them. In -some places, there were apertures of an inch or -more in width. The sentinel over this possible -egress could hear all that was said by the prisoners. -Sang and Wick had been released, and he -heard them give all the information in their possession -to their associates; but they could not tell -what had become of the chief of the club.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They are getting ready for operations," said -Mr. Jepson, after some time.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right; and if they are likely to be too -much for you, let me know as soon as possible," -replied Dory, as he tacked, and headed the -schooner towards the entrance of Kingsland Bay.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>"But you can't leave the helm," suggested the -machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I shall keep the schooner near the shoal water -on this side of the lake; and if you want me, I -shall haul down the jib and anchor," added Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At this moment Mr. Jepson made a sharp hit -with a stick he had found on the deck, at the -boards which covered the hatch. A hideous yell -of rage and pain followed the blow. Dory could -understand, without an explanation, that one of -the fellows below had thrust his fingers through -one of the openings between the boards, and that -the machinist had rapped them with his weapon.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That was Mack," said the sentinel, who had -learned the sound of his voice by this time. "He -will have a lame hand."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Then a lively sound of snapping boards came -up from the hold; and it was clear that the -desperate prisoners were tearing down one of -the bunks to obtain the material of which they -were built, for use in the next operation, whatever -it might be. The machinist divined the purpose -to which the pieces were to be applied. He -looked about him for the means of meeting the -new attempt. There was an axe in the waist, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>which had been used in cutting up fuel for the -cook-stove in the cabin.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The machinist took possession of it, and rushed -back to his post. At every opening between the -boards, a stick was thrust through, and the prisoners -were trying to pry apart the pieces that -covered the hatch. With a blow of the axe, the -instructor broke off every end that came through. -It was lively work for him for a few minutes; but -not a single lever of the half-dozen used, could -be made to accomplish any thing. This attempt -was a failure, like those which had preceded it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A silence of some minutes followed, and then -Dory heard the voices of the party in the cabin; -but they were more quiet than they had been at -any time before. Doubtless, things were beginning -to look more serious to them. The boards -at the hatch had been tested; and, when the -prisoners left the hold, the machinist joined the -skipper on the quarter-deck. The party below -did not seem to be doing any thing; but presently -there was another demonstration at the -hatchway, and Mr. Jepson rushed forward to -repel any attack in that quarter.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The sticks were brought into use again, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>the machinist was kept busy breaking off the -ends of them for some time. Dory watched him -with interest until he heard a strange noise -behind him. When he turned to see what it -was, he discovered Mack in the act of coming -over the taffrail to the deck. He had only time -to take a turn in the tiller-rope he had held in -his hand to assist him in holding the helm, before -the robber rushed upon him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have got at you at last, and we will settle -it here and now!" exclaimed Mack, as he threw -himself upon the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory had expected to see a revolver staring -him out of countenance, when he discovered the -approach of his assailant, and he had put his hand -on his own weapon. But when Mack sprang -upon him, he was ready for him. It was a -short struggle, though a very violent one; and -Dory held his man by the throat till the machinist -came to his aid. Together they tied -his arms behind him, and rolled him into the -scuppers.</p> - -<p class='c006'>During the brief absence of the instructor from -his post, the prisoners made some progress in -enlarging the openings between the boards; and, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>if their work had not been checked, they would -soon have made their escape. A part of them -appeared to have been sent there to make a -diversion for the benefit of those who were to -operate at the stern.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There were two stern windows to light the -cabin, and there was no skylight on deck. The -prisoners had removed the sash, and one of them -had reached the deck in this way. Dory had no -doubt the rest of them would follow their leader; -but, as they could come only one at a time, he -thought he should be able to take care of them, -with what assistance Mr. Jepson could give him. -It must take some time for each of them to crawl -through the small window,--which did not seem -to be large enough to admit the passage of a man,--and -more time to climb to the deck after they -got out; so that they were not likely to have to -deal with more than one at a time.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The skipper found that he could leave the helm -for a minute or more with the tiller lashed, and -he went to the taffrail to see who was coming -next. Mr. Fred Ripples had just worked his -body through the window, and was ready to -ascend to the deck.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>"Hand me my club," said he, in a low tone, to -those in the cabin.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory picked up one of the hard-wood sticks, -which the members of the club had used as -canes, he thought, and, after adjusting the helm -again, returned to the taffrail. Ripples had got -hold of the woodwork above him. Dory used -his stick, and the new-comer dropped into the -lake.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> <br />THE DEFENDERS OF THE PIRATE-SCHOONER.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_4_0_5 c005'>Mr. Fred Ripples seemed to be very -much surprised when he found himself in -the lake instead of on the deck of the La Motte. -He had come out of the cabin-window backwards, -so that he could get hold of the taffrail above his -head, without turning his body. The instant he -placed his hand on the rail, Dory delivered the -blow with his stick. He did not strike hard -enough to break his hand, but only with force -sufficient to make him let go.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As this hand, after he had passed out of the -window far enough to reach the rail, was all that -supported him, he rested upon nothing the moment -he released his hold. When he went down -into the water, he manifested his surprise by a -loud yell. As he appeared to be alarmed, Dory -was afraid he would be drowned, for the rough -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>water was not favorable to the restoration of one's -lost self-possession.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Get hold of the boat!" shouted the skipper, -when he realized the situation.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Ripples had already seized upon the painter, -which happened to be within his reach; but, instead -of moving towards the boat, he went the -other way, and, with the aid of the rope, set about -climbing over the stern of the schooner. But -Dory could not watch him any longer; and he -returned to the tiller, for the vessel's sails had -begun to shake in the wind.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Mr. Jepson seemed to be busy in chopping -away at the sticks which the prisoners forward -were still thrusting through the openings in the -coverings of the hatchway. The machinist -thought he must have cut up about all the wood -they had provided below for use; but no decided -impression had been produced by their labors -upon the substitute for the hatches.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Ripples worked desperately in his attempt to -climb over the stern, and Dory saw his head -above the taffrail. He procured a couple of lines, -and then went to the assistance of the fellow. -Taking him by the collar of the coat, which was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>within his reach, he dragged him over the rail of -the stern, and deposited his carcass upon the -deck. The moment the machinist saw him, he -rushed aft. Dory put his foot on the enterprising -climber, and held him down while his associate -secured his arms behind him. Standing him up -by the side of Mack, the instructor hurried forward, -to make sure that there was no break at the -hatches.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The last comer upon the deck was so exhausted -by his struggles in climbing over the stern, that -he puffed like a grampus, and was not in condition -to make any remarks upon the situation, -even if he had been disposed to do so. Having -righted the helm, and secured it again, Dory took -a look over the stern. Another head was out of -the window, and it was evident that the rest of -the party intended to come on deck in the same -manner as the first two. The skipper placed his -stick where it would be available.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There were seven more of them in the cabin and -hold: but Dory felt that he held the key to the -situation as long as the covering of the hatchway -did not yield to the force applied to it below. He -was perfectly willing the party should come on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>deck one at a time over the stern. As no one -had attempted to use any revolvers, he concluded -that they had none.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was a difficult matter to make the ascent -from the cabin-window to the taffrail; and those -who had done it, came up more or less exhausted, -which gave Dory and the machinist all the advantage. -The vessel was close in with the entrance -of the bay, and it was necessary to tack again. -As soon as he had done so, he took another look -over the stern. There were two heads in sight -this time. The operators had taken out the other -window, and evidently intended to come up two -at a time.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"On deck, there!" shouted Chuck, when he -heard Dory's step on the deck above him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is it?" asked the skipper, stepping -back, and putting his hand over his mouth so as -to change the tone of his voice.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Is that you, Mack?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All right," answered Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Haven't you knocked those two fellows over -yet?" demanded Chuck impatiently; and it was -evident from the question, that he expected -assistance from the deck by this time.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>"All right: we have knocked them both over, -and secured them," answered Dory, adding a fit of -coughing to his muzzled voice; but he did not -deem it necessary to define more particularly the -identity of the two fellows who had been knocked -over.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Chuck seemed to be satisfied with the answer, -and immediately he called to his companions in -the hold; though Dory did not understand what -he said. The machinist had been strengthening -his works at the hatches, by piling on the boards -over the opening, all the heavy articles he could -find on the deck. While he was thus engaged, all -the party in the hold left, doubtless at the call of -Chuck, who appeared to have succeeded Mack in -the command.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The two prisoners on deck had been placed in -the waist, and they were too far off to hear what -passed between Dory and Chuck. As soon as the -departure of the fellows in the hold would permit, -Mr. Jepson hastened aft. Dory gave him the -helm, and went to the stern, though he was -careful not to show himself to the operators -below.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At the stern of the vessel was a pair of davits, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>at which the tender was usually hoisted up. A -glance at them, and a knowledge of their use, suggested -the means of preventing the rest of the -party below from coming on deck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"On deck! Why don't you open the doors of -the cabin so that we can come out?" shouted -Chuck, who had retreated to the cabin, considering -it no longer necessary to risk the necks of his -followers in the difficult ascent from the cabin -through the window. "Why don't you let us -out? Open the cabin-doors!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They won't open," replied Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, take that stuff off the hatchway! We -don't want to stay down here all day," added -Chuck, very much discontented with the situation, -and especially with the failure of his companions -to do any thing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Only two of us here on deck. We have to -work the vessel, and that is all we can do," added -Dory, coughing again with all his might; while -the machinist stood at the tiller, laughing at the -farce, as it seemed to him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Open the doors, and let us up, and we will -help you," persisted Chuck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You keep quiet where you are! We will let -<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>you out as soon as we have time to clear the stuff -from the hatchway," said Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We can't keep quiet: the keg of beer is empty.--But -we can tap another," answered Chuck; and -the last remark seemed to indicate a sudden new -idea.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory was not willing to encourage him to drink -any more beer; and he left his place at the stern, -to end the conversation. At this moment he took -a survey of the lake, and discovered the Sylph -coming out of the river. He had been expecting -to see her for the last two hours, and her appearance -was a source of intense delight to him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Our troubles will soon be over," said the skipper -to the machinist, as he pointed up the lake at -the steam-yacht.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Our troubles!" exclaimed Mr. Jepson. "Why, -Dory, I had made up my mind that you rather -enjoyed this circus."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am sure, I don't enjoy it a bit more than you -do, sir," replied the skipper, somewhat astonished -at the remark.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You certainly need not have engaged in this -affair if you had not been so disposed."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think I speak the honest truth when I say -<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>that I believed these villains would escape if I did -not do something; and that was my only motive -in undertaking to capture them, or at least in -watching to see where they went," replied Dory, -as though he were defending himself from a -criminal charge. "Perhaps I did more than -was necessary, but I could not very well help -doing it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Two-thirds of the students would have considered -it as a jolly time, if they could have taken -part in the affair. At any rate, we shall hand over -the whole of the crowd to the principal, and he -can do as he pleases with them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He will put them through, you may be sure -of that."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory went forward to see if there was any -further movement to remove the cover from the -hatchway. But he felt, now that the Sylph was -in sight, that the battle had been fought, and that -the victory had been won. He could not help -thinking of what the instructor had said to him, -and he began to look back at the events of the -morning. If he had returned to Beech Hill with -the carpenter, when he conducted Angy to the -school, Mack and Chuck would certainly have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>found the tender where he left it, returned to -the schooner, and made their escape. This was the -way it looked to him, and he was satisfied with -what he had done.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I should like to know what all this means," -said Ripples, as Dory passed him in the waist on -his return from the hatchway.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory looked at him, not being able to understand -what he meant; for he thought he ought to -be able to comprehend his situation. But the -fellow looked as though he had a grievance.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It means that you are bound with your arms -behind you, and are made fast to the rail. I -should think you would be able to take that in," -he replied.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But for what reason am I bound? Are you -and the other fellow lake-pirates?" demanded -Ripples.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I rather think not; and it seems to me that -the boot is on the other leg. Your party were -engaged in a robbery, and you have all come to -grief," added the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Engaged in a robbery!" exclaimed Ripples. -"Do you mean to say that I was engaged in a -robbery?"</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>"The fellow alongside of you certainly was, -as I shall be called upon to testify in court. You -were found in his company, and did your part -in defending the pirate-schooner," replied Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Ripples looked intensely indignant.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXV.<br /> <br />A SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_4_0_5 c005'>Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild -young man, but he looked indignant -enough to be honest when charged with being a -defender of the pirate-schooner. Dory knew that -he had not been with the original party, and had -come on board of the vessel since the robbery of -the office had been committed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't think I understand you any better -than you understand me," said Dory, when it -occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest -young man, even if he did drink beer.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, -turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Don't ask me any thing about it, Fred," replied -Mack, in a tone of disgust. "Some of -us are in a bad scrape, and I shall not say a -word to any one."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>"I don't understand you any better than I do -this other fellow," continued Ripples. "If I am -in a bad scrape, I don't know it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Mack refused to say another word, and evidently -did not mean to commit himself. By this -time, Dory had become not a little impressed -by the manner of Ripples, and by the refusal of -Mack to speak. He removed the line which -bound the former to the rail, and led him to the -quarter-deck, where he seated him on the companion. -Then he took the tiller.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I should really like to know what you mean -by what you have said and done," said Ripples.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Are you not a member of the Nautifelers -Club?" asked Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Without a doubt, I am; and the Club was -formed for this excursion during the summer. -We joined the vessel this morning, and Mack said -you were trying to get the schooner away from -the Club when you fastened us all below. That's -all I know about this business," added Ripples.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you don't know any thing more, I am glad -of it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I haven't the least idea what Mack means -when he says he is in a bad scrape," he continued.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>"He told you the truth; and he will probably -get some years in the State prison for his share -in the operations of last night."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Is that so?" asked Ripples, apparently appalled -at the intelligence. "Can you tell me -what has become of Angy? None of these -fellows seem to know."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They don't know, and I shall not tell you -just yet; though he is in just as bad a scrape as -Mack. When was this club formed?" asked -Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"About a month ago. Angy was the leading -spirit in getting it up. He said the rich fellows -would find the money to pay the bills, and we -should have a first-class time for two or three -months on the lake. I put in fifty dollars to -start the thing, and three or four of the fellows -did the same."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But how happened you to be separated from -the others?" asked the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Angy did not want the whole of us to come -at first."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why not?" asked Dory, who was beginning -to see through the business.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't know. He said the vessel would not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>be ready, and he would write to us when she was -fit to take us on board. He did write to us the -other day, and told us to come to Ticonderoga -yesterday, and then to come on to Westport if -the La Motte was not there."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You did not find her there?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No; and we were called at three o'clock this -morning, and came to Westport. Our fellows -were all as mad as hops when they did not find -the schooner there. It was a horrible storm in the -night, and I suppose that was the reason she -was not there. A young fellow in a handsome -little steamer came near the shore where we were -waiting, and I hailed her. After some teasing, -he consented to take us down the lake. When -we saw the La Motte, we asked him to put us -ashore on that point, which he did."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"How did you know it was the La Motte -when you saw her?" asked Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"By that signal," replied Ripples, pointing to -what looked like a red handkerchief in the main -rigging. "Angy told me that would be his signal."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Did you tell the young fellow in the small -steamer that you were looking for the La -Motte?"</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>"For some reason, which he did not explain -in his letter, Angy told us not to mention the -name of the vessel, or to say any thing about -her," replied Ripples. "We told the young man, -who appeared to be in command of the steamer,--I -believe she was called the Marian,--that -we were going to camp out on Camp-Meeting -Point; for we had all studied the charts of the -lake."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Did all the members of the club pay fifty -dollars?" inquired Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No, indeed! Not more than four of them did -it; and Angy wrote me, a week ago, that the -money was all gone."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Did he ask for more?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He did not. He said he would raise the -money; though I could not see where he was to -get it, for his father is a poor man now. But -all the fellows that came up with me have from -fifty to a hundred dollars apiece. Angy must -be short of cash by this time."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think he has made some money since he -reached the lake," added the skipper quietly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"How could he make any money?" demanded -Ripples, surprised at the idea.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>"By breaking open safes; and he did a job -of that kind last night."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Angy!" exclaimed Ripples, with a start.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Angy and Mack did it together, while Chuck -took care of the boat, and the other two fellows -remained on board of the La Motte."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You don't mean so! Angy and Mack broke -open a safe!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Blowed it open."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All I have to say about it is, that I had -nothing to do with the robbery, and did not -have any suspicion that Angy meant to do such -a thing," protested Ripples very warmly. "And -the fellows that came with me are as innocent -as I am."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Angy got over two thousand dollars from a -safe last night, though the money was taken -from him after he was captured. He is in the -lock-up by this time, and the rest of these fellows -will soon be there; that is, the five that were -in the schooner last night."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is that steamer?" asked Ripples, as -the Sylph came near the La Motte.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Probably there are officers on board of her, -who will take charge of Mack and the rest of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>the five. My uncle owns her; and I will tell -him about you," added Dory, as he brought the -schooner to, at a signal from the pilot-house of -the Sylph.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The quarter-boat was lowered into the water, -and the two officers on board of her were soon -placed on the deck of the schooner. It was too -rough for the principal to attempt to do any thing -more; and one of the officers gave a message to -Dory, instructing him to take the vessel to the -school. The La Motte filled away again, and -the Sylph followed her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What have you got here, Dory?" asked Mr. -Bushby, the deputy-sheriff, pointing at the prisoner -fastened to the rail.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We have nine in all. The other seven are -fastened into the hold and cabin. But five of -them had nothing to do with the robbery, and -didn't know any thing about it. They did not -come on board of the schooner till about an hour -ago; though they tried to break out of the cabin -when we fastened them in," replied Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You have had a regular circus of it, and your -uncle was afraid you would get hurt;" added Mr. -Bushby.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>"We have been in a sort of conflict all the time, -but no one on our side has been hurt; though I -think some of the prisoners have sore fingers."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Of course, these fellows were provided with -pistols," suggested the officer.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The chief had one, and he snapped it in my -face, though it did not go off; but I have not seen -a revolver or any other dangerous weapon in the -hands of any other member of the party, though -I believe this prisoner has one."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You say you have fastened them into the -cabin?" queried Mr. Bushby.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I will tell you all about it;" and Dory proceeded -to do so.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Before he had finished his narrative, the La -Motte had entered the river. The Sylph came up -within hailing-distance of her, and directed her to -come to under the lee of the shore. As she did -so, the steamer came alongside of her; and Captain -Gildrock directed the captain to have the two -vessels lashed together.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The principal had a smile on his face when he -came on the deck of the schooner, though he did -not abate one jot of his dignity. Dory did not -expect to be censured, but he did not like the looks -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>of that smile; and he was sure that it had been -put on for his benefit. It was an indication that -his uncle did not fully approve what he had done, -though he would not condemn him till he knew -all the facts in the case. He knew that Captain -Gildrock never encouraged any thing like knight-errantry -in the students. He liked manly boys, -but he did not believe that they should be any -older than their years would allow.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The sails of the schooner were lowered; and the -Sylph went ahead, towing her up the river. The -principal spoke very kindly to Dory, but the smile -still played upon his face. He hardly looked at -the prisoners on deck, and seated himself on the -rail. At his request, Dory gave a minute account -of every thing that happened since he heard the -explosion early in the morning.</p> - -<p class='c006'>His uncle listened with deep interest, and occasionally -asked a question. Once or twice they -were disturbed by the racket made by the prisoners -in the cabin. Possibly they had tapped -another keg of beer, but nothing indicated that -they were aware of the state of things on deck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am not going to blame or condemn you for -what you have done, Dory; but I wish you had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>come home when Mr. Brookbine did," said Captain -Gildrock, with the smile somewhat intensified, -when his nephew had finished his narrative, and -the two vessels were just going into Beechwater. -"And I should have liked it still better if you -had kept entirely away from the robbers. You -have endangered your life, and frightened your -mother almost out of her wits."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I thought I ought to do something, and I did -the best I could," replied Dory. "You have got -back all the money that was stolen; and all the -robbers have been captured, and handed over to -the officers."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"As a boy of seventeen, you have conducted -your pursuit with remarkable skill; you have been -courageous beyond your years; you have been -persistent and persevering to a degree that could -hardly have been expected of many men of mature -age. I appreciate your skill, courage, and perseverance; -and still, I wish you had not done these -things, though they will add greatly to your -reputation."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, I ought to have turned in after the -explosion, and let these fellows do the same thing -over again in some other place?" added Dory, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>with a cheerful smile, for he did not consider himself -at all damaged by what his uncle had said.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The reason why I wish you had not done these -things is a purely selfish one,--simply because you -exposed yourself to a very great peril. If that -revolver had not missed fire, you might have been -killed."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If one of the fellows fall overboard, I am to -let him drown because my mother will be frightened, -or because I take the risk of drowning -myself," said Dory, laughing now.</p> - -<p class='c006'>His uncle bit his lip, and Dory felt that he had -the best of the argument. At any rate, the uncle -did not think it wise to say any thing more about -the matter; and the schooner was made fast to the -wharf. The Goldwing landed her crew a little -later.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> <br />"SEE, THE CONQUERING HERO COMES!"</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>The Goldwing had hardly landed her crew, -before the Lily came up to the wharf. Then -came the Marian, whose party had not lost sight -of the schooner, though they had no suspicion -that their late passengers had any relations with -the robbers. All the students were so much excited -by their curiosity to know more about the -robbers, and about the doings of Dory, that sailing -and handling a steam-yacht were for the time -lacking in interest to them. The captains of the -several craft had full powers, and they could instruct -and practise their crews as well in the river -as on the lake.</p> - -<p class='c006'>All the students, therefore, were soon collected -on the wharf. As soon as Dory showed himself -on the deck of the La Motte, he was loudly and -enthusiastically cheered by his companions, who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>had learned enough about his exploits to understand -that he had captured about all the laurels -earned in connection with the robbery.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Not only the students had gathered on the -wharf, but every person, including the domestics, -had rushed there as soon as it was known that -the schooner had arrived. Not a few people from -the town swelled the crowd. The prisoner who -was bound to the rail, and Ripples with his -arms still tied behind him, were in sight of the -spectators. There was evidence enough that -something had been done in the capture of -these fellows.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where is Dory?" almost screamed Mrs. Dornwood, -as she saw Captain Gildrock on the deck -of the La Motte. "Is he hurt? Has he been shot, -or any thing?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He is here, and he is all right, Patty," replied -the principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then, let me see him, and be sure of it," added -the poor mother.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory was just then pointing out to the officers -the manner in which the machinist had secured the -opening to the hold, and he was not in sight of -those on the wharf.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>"Here, Dory!" called the principal. "Your -mother wants to see you."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory came to the waist, for he was devoted to -his mother; and the only thing that grieved him -in connection with the events of the morning, -was the fact that she had been alarmed about -him. He sprang lightly upon the rail of the -vessel; and the moment he showed himself again, -there was a fresh outburst of applause, in which -the servants of the house and the citizens of the -town joined, though the students engineered the -cheers. Dory stood on the rail a moment, looking -for his mother in the crowd.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Here he is, Patty, with a wreath of laurels on -his brow!" shouted the captain, laughing. "I -would rather have lost the money, and ten times -as much more, and let the robbers escape, than -had him run the risk he has incurred; but it -can't be helped now, Patty. He has had a revolver -snapped in his face, and has had a mortal -struggle with the chief in an open boat in a -heavy sea, to say nothing of bagging nine wide-awake -ruffians at one haul of the net."</p> - -<p class='c006'>But Dory had jumped down from the rail of -the vessel, and his mother clasped him in her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>arms as though he were not a great fellow of -nearly eighteen, and as though she had not seen -him for ten years. The crowd cheered again when -the captain finished his little speech, which he got -off more as a pleasantry than as a serious matter; -a sort of acknowledgment, which had been wrung -from him by circumstances beyond his control.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory was like other boys, and he did not -exactly like to be hugged by his mother in the -presence of so many people; but even the boys -thought it was quite natural and proper. In vain -Dory protested that he had not been hurt, and -that it was not a very big thing to "shake down" -such a fellow as Mr. Michael Angelo Spickles: -his mother kept on hugging him, and the crowd -kept on cheering him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I must go on board, mother; for these -fellows are all shut up in the cabin still, and I -know something about them," protested the hero, -trying to break away from her. "Just as soon as -the officers take them away, I will tell you all -about it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>At last she permitted him to leave her, and he -jumped upon the rail; but his appearance, where -he could be seen by all, was the signal for another -outbreak of applause.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>"'See, the conquering hero comes!'" exclaimed -the principal, who was also standing -on the rail.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You are cutting it altogether too fat, uncle -Royal," said Dory, laughing; though he did not -often address this style of remark to him. -"Where is Mr. Jepson?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He is assisting in opening the hatch," replied -the principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I should like to inquire if he was not with -me, for I have a very distinct impression that he -took an active part in all that was done."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Mr. Jepson!" called the principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"See, the other conquering hero comes!" -shouted Dory, as the machinist came into the -presence of the captain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is the matter, Dory?" asked the -instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They are making game of me all around, and -I want you to help me out with it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I am entirely sincere in all I have said," added -Captain Gildrock. "You deserve all the praise -you have received, and all you are likely to -receive in the future, for your bravery and skill; -though I wish you had not exposed yourself."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>"But Mr. Jepson has been with me all the -time, and I am not guilty of any more bravery -and skill than he is. I could not have done any -thing alone; and he did just as much as I did with -his head and his hands, and he deserves to be -slobbered as much as I do."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Three cheers for the instructor in mechanics!" -shouted a student who had heard the conversation.</p> - -<p class='c006'>They were given with quite as much vim as -those for Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But Dory was the leader of the enterprise, -though I did the best I could to support him," -added the machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You have done exceedingly well, both of you; -but we will drop this subject for the time, and -open the cabin-doors," said the principal, as he led -the way to the quarter-deck of the schooner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was an easy matter to remove the brace -which secured the cabin-doors, and to take out -the strip of board which held the slide in its -place. If either Mack or Ripples had had a -moment of liberty after he came on deck from -the cabin-window, he could have released his companions -below. After Dory's talk with Chuck -over the stern of the vessel, the party below were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>quiet, evidently believing that the deck was in -possession of the two who had made their egress -through the cabin-windows.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When the door was opened, Chuck, as the -leader by succession, was the first to step on the -deck. He could not have helped hearing the tramp -of many feet on the planks over his head, but he -had no positive knowledge of what was going on. -He seemed to be astonished at the fact that the -vessel was alongside a wharf, and he looked with -amazement on the crowd that had gathered near -the La Motte.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What sort of a circus is this?" demanded he, -bewildered, as he looked around him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It's all up with us, Chuck," said Mack at the -rail. "Shut your mouth, and keep it shut."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I don't understand what all this means," -persisted the astonished successor of Mr. Spickles. -"Didn't you tell me that you had knocked over -the two fellows on deck, and taken possession of -the vessel?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No, I didn't!" snapped Mack, who did not -appear to be in an amiable mood.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That was a bit of strategy on the part of -Dory," interposed the machinist.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>"I told you that we had knocked over the two -fellows, but they were the two you sent on deck -through the cabin-windows," added Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There seems to be two classes of these men," -said Mr. Bushby. "A part of them had no hand -in the robbery, and were not in the vessel at the -time; but I don't know them apart."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This is one of the robbers: he went to the -shore with the two who blowed up the safe, and -helped them off," added Dory. "The one who is -tied to the rail is the fellow that was in the office -with Angy."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Who is Angy?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"He is the one in the lock-up."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The four companions of Ripples were the next -to appear, and Dory declared that they were not -of the robbers; and he believed that they knew -nothing about the robbery, either before or after -the crime was committed. Sangfraw and Wickwood -were the last to show themselves, and they -were still quite boozy with the beer they had -drunk.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"These two were on board of the La Motte, and -were the ship-keepers; while the other three went -ashore to commit the robbery," continued Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>"Then, I shall hold them; for they knew all -about it, to say the least," said Mr. Bushby, as he -and his associate slipped the handcuffs on their -wrists, as they had done with Chuck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Did Ripples know any thing about the robbery?" -asked the principal of the last two.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not a thing," replied Sang promptly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I came here for the most honest frolic in the -world," protested Ripples.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You can take the strings off his arms if you -like," said Mr. Bushby. "I have heard enough -to satisfy me that five of them had nothing to do -with the robbery, and I shall not arrest them."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This will be a big lesson to me," said Ripples, -as Dory removed the line from his arms.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The next thing was to search the vessel. Sang -and Wick had weakened, and were willing to tell -all they knew about the ill-starred cruise of the -La Motte. With their assistance, a considerable -sum of money was found concealed under Angy's -berth, together with other articles which showed -that the party had been engaged in the robberies -at Plattsburg. Before noon the four guilty ones -were shut up with Mr. Spickles in the lock-up.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> <br />THE GUESTS OF THE INSTITUTION.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_4_0_5 c005'>Ripples and his four companions were glad -to find they were not involved in the disaster -which had overtaken the other half of the -Nautifelers Club. When the crowd on the wharf -dispersed, they remained; for their plans for the -immediate future had been sadly deranged. But -they were at liberty to go where they pleased.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After they had discussed their situation for a -while, they went into the boat-house, hoping to -find Captain Gildrock there. But no one was -there. It was so near dinner-time that the boats -did not go out again that forenoon. The La -Motte, deserted by everybody, lay at the wharf; -and they went on board of her. But the principal -soon appeared, and invited them to dine with the -students, which they thought was very kind of -him.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>After dinner he went to the wharf with them -again. They had put their bags and valises on -board of her; and so far, they had been unable to -make up their minds what to do. The principal -went into the cabin of the schooner with them. -On the table was mounted a cask of beer, which -the party had opened when they were prevented -from coming on deck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"When a lot of young men fasten themselves -to a beer-keg, it is not at all difficult to tell what -will become of them," said the principal, as he -seated himself on the locker in front of the berths. -"It is to them just what whiskey is to older men, -and the whiskey, in this country, is pretty sure to -follow the beer."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I never thought there was any great harm in -beer," replied Ripples.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I should say that it helped your friend Spickles -into the lock-up. Of course, he had some bad -tendencies; but they were stimulated by his beer. -I may be wrong, but I do not believe he would -have made so short a career of evil without the -help of beer."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Let's throw it overboard, fellows," suggested -Ripples to his companions.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>"All right!" shouted several of them, impressed -by the lesson which the principal drew from the -fate of Spickles.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A couple of them hastened on deck with the -half empty beer-keg, and threw its contents into -the lake. The others searched for more of the -article; and they found two kegs of it in the hold, -which followed the first lot.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"No more beer for me!" exclaimed Ripples.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Two of the others said the same thing, and two -said nothing; but all of them seemed to be satisfied -that beer was a dangerous luxury for young -men. The principal enlarged a little on the subject. -He said that men, old as well as young, were -sometimes led so near the abyss of crime as to -be saved, even when they were hanging over it. -They went far enough to see into it, and the sight -reformed them. He thought the five before him -ought to take warning from the fate of their companions; -and they had apparently accepted the -warning.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You came up to the lake to spend your vacation, -I understand," continued Captain Gildrock.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Yes, sir: that is what we came for. It seems -now that Angy had planned a series of robberies, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>from which he was to obtain the funds to carry on -the excursion for a couple of months; but we -knew nothing about that. We are all sons of men -of standing in New York, and I begin to think we -were to furnish the respectability for the crowd."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Very likely," added the principal with a smile. -"If Spickles had reached the schooner without -being discovered, he would have been at Ticonderoga -this morning before you left; that is, if -the violent storm had not upset his calculations. -He would have taken your party on board; and -with the proceeds of the burglaries, amounting to -several thousand dollars, he would have been able -to run the schooner all summer."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I had no suspicion that he was such a fellow," -added Ripples, shaking his head. "But I confess -that I am greatly disappointed at the failure of -the excursion, though I have no doubt it is the -best thing in the world for us."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"So far as the excursion that was planned in -New York is concerned, it is certainly a godsend -to you that it failed; and even if half of your club -had not come to grief, the result would have been -the same. A month or two in company of such -fellows as the burglars, guzzling beer, would have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>taken you a long way down towards a life of dissipation -and evil."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I begin to think so myself. I suppose my -father will read about this affair in the newspapers; -and I am sure it will make him shake," continued -Ripples. "I will write to him as soon as I -get a chance, and tell him all about it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you will give me his address, I will give -him my impressions of the matter," said Captain -Gildrock.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Thank you, sir: you are very kind, and I -should be glad to have you tell him that his son -has not been guilty of any crime. But I suppose -we might as well go home: our fun here is -spoiled," replied Ripples.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The proposed excursion, as you understood it, -was certainly an innocent one. For what time -had Spickles chartered this vessel?" asked the -principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"For two months; and paid down for one -month."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"As you are a part of the party, it seems to me -that the schooner belongs to you for the time it -was engaged; and there is nothing to prevent you -from making the excursion around the lake, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>remaining upon it as long as you please," suggested -the captain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There is only one thing in the way of doing -that: we have no skipper, and we are not competent -to handle the vessel. Angy was the only one -of us who knew how to handle a schooner, though -Mack and Chuck knew something about the business," -replied Ripples.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you will remain in the vicinity of Beaver -River, I will furnish a person to instruct you in -managing the vessel. You are welcome to remain -as long as you please at the school," added the -principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Ripples and his companions thanked the captain -for this privilege, and manifested a good deal of -interest in the affairs of Beech Hill. By this time -the students had gathered in the schoolroom to -attend to the lecture which had been suspended, -and the guests of the institution were invited to -be present.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I have fully explained to you all that it -is possible to have you comprehend in regard -to a ship, or any square-rigged vessel, without -actual practice," the principal began, as he took -his place on the platform. "As I said this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>morning, I prefer to tell you what you want -to know."</p> - -<p class='c006'>As soon as the words were out of his mouth, at -least a dozen hands were raised; and it was plain -that the students were primed with questions in -regard to nautical matters, and wanted their information -from competent authority.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is sailing on a bowline? I found it in -a book the other day," asked Bark Duxbury, when -the principal nodded to him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You pronounce it as though it were two words. -Say bo-lin," replied the principal, as he went to -the blackboard, and drew one side of a topsail, -showing the leech.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The main to' bowline is what I want to know -about," added Bark.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You have been trying to put yourself into the -pickle," added the principal with a smile, as he -noticed the manner in which he clipped out the -p. "This is the leech of the main-topsail, we will -suppose, though it will answer just as well for any -other sail. These are the bridles," he added, as -he drew three lines of unequal length from the -leech at the lower part.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Then starting a line from above the upper one, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>he carried it so as to touch the outer end of each -of the short ones, and continued it in a curve for -some distance from the leech.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The long line is the bowline, and the short -ones are the bridles. The bowline leads to the -foremast, and through a block down to the deck. -All the square-sails may be provided with bowlines, -which lead forward, either to a mast or to a -stay. They are used only on the windward-side -of the ship."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What are they for, sir?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"They are used only when the ship is close-hauled; -and by them the leech of the sail is -hauled forward so as to catch all the wind there -is," replied the principal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't know about close-hauled," said Rag -Spinner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Tell him, Ash Burton."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"A vessel is close-hauled when she is sailing as -nearly as she can to windward, as when she is -beating," answered Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Precisely so; and a vessel is sailing on a -bowline when she is as close to the wind as -she can get. On a taut bowline is the same -thing."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>"Is it proper to use that expression about a -boat, the Goldwing or the Lily?" asked Bark.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It might pass if you wished to be extra salt, -though it is hardly applicable. In fact, bowlines -are but little used nowadays."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is scudding under bare poles?" asked -Sam Spottwood.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is a literal expression, and means sailing -without any sail set. In a heavy gale, a very -heavy one, when a ship can carry no sail, she -sometimes scuds before the wind."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is wearing?" inquired Archie Pinkler.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Do you know what tacking means?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Yes, sir: it is changing from one tack to -another."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"To the other, for there are only two tacks in -this sense. But which way do you come about?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Stick her head right up into the wind," -answered Archie, using an expression he had -learned that morning.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Right, my boy: you are quite a sailor. Sometimes -the head of the vessel will not come about: -it may be on account of a current, or a want of -head-sail. In that case, she has to wear around -the other way, with the wind, instead of against -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>it. Box-hauling, in a square-rigged vessel, is -wearing by backing the head-sails, those on the -foremast."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The students continued to ask questions of this -kind till the clock struck two, and then they -were dismissed to sail the boats.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> <br />STATIONS FOR GETTING UNDER WAY.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_3_0_5 c005'>"My occupation is gone, like Othello's," said -Thad Glovering, when the students assembled -on the wharf after the lecture. "Dory -can teach his own flock now."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But I have another class for you," interposed -the principal, who happened to hear the remark. -"The remnant of the Nautifelers Club have -decided to have their excursion on the lake, and -they will remain in the vicinity of the school. -They don't know how to handle a schooner, and -you may make sailors of them, Glovering. You -may take two of the students with you, or three."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Corny Minkfield, Nat Long, and Dick Short, -if you please," suggested Thad.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The principal assented, and the party went on -board of the La Motte. The schooner was put in -order, and Dory suggested that her first trip be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>made to obtain the hatches which had been left -on the beach at Camp-Meeting Point. The new -skipper set his crew at work; and, as the wind had -moderated to a lively breeze, she went off under -a whole mainsail and jib.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The class of unskilled boatmen, as they all -were except Ash Burton, were on board of the -Goldwing. Dory shoved off the sloop; and when -she had drifted some distance from the wharf, he -let go the anchor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What in the world is that for, Dory? I -thought we were going out on the lake to take -a lesson in sailing," said Ben Sinker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"So we are; but I thought we would begin at -the beginning," replied Dory. "It is as necessary -to know how to come to anchor as it is to -do any thing else in sailing a boat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All you have to do is to throw it overboard -when you want to stop," said Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Suppose you were coming into Beechwater -with a lively breeze, such as we have to-day, how -would you manage to anchor in the middle of -it?" asked the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"When we got to the middle of the lake, I -should drop the anchor," answered Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>"And a pretty mess you would make of it! -If you were coming in under jib and mainsail, -you would take in the jib some time before you -reached the locality where you wished to anchor. -Then, as you near the anchorage, you would -come to, or throw her up into the wind, thus -spilling the mainsail. When the boat had lost -her headway, or most of it, you would let go -the anchor. If you kept the sail drawing, you -would drag the anchor, get aground, or run into -some other craft."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Suppose you are caught in a sudden squall?" -asked Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You should not allow yourself to be caught -in a sudden squall. A boatman should be -always on the lookout for such things. Squalls -don't come out of a blue sky; and when the -weather is threatening, the skipper should get -ready for it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But suppose the skipper was careless, and -did get caught?" persisted Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"In that case, he would not let go the anchor; -for he could not well do any thing worse than -that with his sails set. If the skipper can't haul -down the jib, he should not anchor. But he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>could take in sail quicker than he could get the -anchor to bite."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Bite? Does the anchor bite? I shall be -afraid of it," said Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It would not bite you; but an anchor is said -to bite when it gets hold at the bottom of the -lake. You don't anchor in a squall unless you -have got the sails down. More of that farther -on. I have told you how to come to anchor -under ordinary circumstances. You must make -your plan for doing so beforehand."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think I could anchor her," said Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is not a dangerous operation. If the wind -blows hard, you need a long rode, which means -a long cable. In a blow, there is a heavy sea, -and the motion of the boat causes a constant -jerking on the anchor. With a short rode, it may -lift it so that the flukes are detached from the -bottom, especially if it be rocky. The longer -the cable, the less the slant of the rope. In Lake -Champlain, the water is four hundred feet deep -in some places."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where, Dory?" asked Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"In the middle of the lake, between Essex and -Wing's Point; and it is nearly that off Split Rock -<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>Point. Fifty fathoms, or three hundred -feet, would be a very long cable in these waters: -but it would be useless anywhere out in the -middle of the lake. It is almost three hundred -feet deep within a stone's-throw of Thomson's -Point. The moral of all this is, that you must -know the bottom of the lake as well as the top -when you want to anchor. As a general rule, -you must run into some bay for the purpose."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But a fellow may be caught out in the middle -of the lake when the bad weather comes," suggested -Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Then he must take his chances; but he need -not be caught if he looks out in season. If it -looks like bad weather, get under a lee if you -can. Don't anchor off a lee-shore if it can be -avoided. Look out in season. That will do for -anchoring till we get caught in a tight place. -Now we will get under way. Take the stops off -the mainsail."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What is a gasket, Dory?" asked Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Some boatmen call the stops a gasket. Properly, -a gasket is the rope used to fasten the sail -to the yard or boom when it is furled. Sometimes -the gasket is made of strips of canvas -<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>sewed together, or ropes plaited into a flat shape. -I want you all to have your stations, so that, -when the order is given, it can be executed -without calling any names. Archie Pinkler and -Con Bunker may take the throat-halyards, and -Syl Peckman and Hop Cabright the peak-halyards. -These are your stations in hoisting or -lowering the mainsail. Ben Sinker will stand -by the main-sheet, overhaul it, and make it fast -when told to do so. Ash Burton will take the -wheel."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The students designated took their places; and -the mainsail was hoisted, though the skipper was -obliged to give a good many directions. Then he -required them to lower the sail, and go through -the routine again. The second time the work -satisfied him, and it was done in half the time it -required the first time.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"This is precisely the way they get a ship, or -any larger vessel, under way," continued Dory. -"The first thing is to set the principal sails, never -including the head-sails."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What are the head-sails?" asked Con.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"In a sloop, the term applies to the jib only. -In a ship, it may include all the sails forward of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>the mainmast. In getting under way, the next -thing to be done after the principal sails are set, is -to heave up the anchor to a short stay; though we -don't generally take the trouble to do this in small -boats. It means simply to get the anchor nearly -up, which is indicated by the cable being something -near up and down."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What's the use of doing that?" asked the -critical Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because it is generally necessary to work lively -after most of the sails are set. After the sails -are shaken out on board of a ship, they don't want -to wait a long time to heave up the whole of the -cable. Archie and Syl shall have their stations at -the cable, and Con and Hop at the jib-halyards. -Now, just to show how it is done, you may heave -up the anchor to a short stay; that is, haul in on -the cable till the bow of the boat is nearly over -the anchor; but don't trip it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Trip it?" queried Archie, though the meaning -of the term was clear enough to all of them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Just as you would trip a fellow up on shore; -lift the mud-hook from the bottom," added Dory -rather impatiently. "When you get the cable in -the position required, Archie, it will be your duty -<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>to report the fact by saying, 'Cable up and -down.'"</p> - -<p class='c006'>Archie and Syl hauled in on the cable? the latter -pulling upon the rope, and the former coiling it up -as it came in, as directed by the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Cable up and down," reported Archie, prompted -by Syl.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Con is strong enough to hoist the jib alone; -and Hop will overhaul the downhaul, and see that -it runs out clear as the sail goes up. Then, as -soon as the sail is well up, Hop will pass the halyard -under the cleat, while Con swigs up; but not -yet," continued the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The hands at the jib made every thing ready to -hoist the sail.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now the two hands at the anchor will be ready -to trip it. The moment it is clear of the bottom, -Archie will say, 'Anchor a-weigh.' Then I shall -give the order to hoist the jib. Are you all ready -there?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"All ready," replied Archie, who was getting up -a deep interest in the operations.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Trip the anchor," added Dory in a quiet tone.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Anchor a-weigh!" shouted Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hoist the jib," continued the skipper. "Keep -<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>on with your work at the anchor, Archie and -Syl, and don't leave it till you have stowed it -away in its place, and coiled up the cable, so that -it will run out freely if we have occasion to anchor -again in two minutes. On a boat, ropes should not -be snarled up, but every one of them should be -properly disposed for use at any moment."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The cable led through a block under the bowsprit. -When it came home,--which is the nautical -expression used when any thing is hauled up to -the point where it belongs, or as far as can be,--an -iron hook was thrown over one of the arms, and -the anchor was hauled inboard by a line attached -to it. This arrangement made it easy to weigh -the anchor.</p> - -<p class='c006'>While the two hands were at the anchor, Con -and Hop were hoisting the jib. Ash was directed -to put the helm a-lee, and Ben to stand by the -main-sheet. The moment the anchor was clear of -the bottom, the jib began to fill, and the head -of the boat swung off.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Stand by the jib-sheets, Hop, while Con coils -up the jib-halyards," said Dory, after they had -"swigged up" the rope.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But the jib-sheets led aft, and Dory trimmed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>them down himself. It was a dead beat to windward -to get out of Beechwater, and the two sails -were close-hauled. In a moment every thing was -in good order, the cable and the halyards had all -been disposed of, as directed, and Ben had made -a very nice coil of the spare part of the main-sheet -on the floor of the standing-room. The -crew were surprised to see with how little fuss -the boat had got under way. Dory knew how, -and every thing seemed to work to a charm for -that reason.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now what tack are we on?" asked the -skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"On the starboard-tack," replied all of them -in one breath, for they had profited by the -instructions of Thad in the morning.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Right. And the act of getting under way, -as we did, is called 'casting on the starboard-tack,'" -added Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Well, we couldn't cast on any other," suggested -Hop, as they were all seated in the standing-room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It would have been just as easy to cast on -the port-tack as on the starboard," replied the -instructor.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>"It seems to me that it is just as the wind -happens to hit the sails on one side or the other," -added Hop.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There is no happen about it. I cast on the -starboard because it gives us the longest tack -in this pond. When any boat or vessel is at -anchor, she points her nose directly into the -wind. Then it is as easy to cast on one tack as -the other."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But after the mainsail is set, the boat keeps -flopping one way and the other," said Con.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If you make fast the main-sheet, it will. In -that case, you are to take advantage of the right -moment to trip the anchor and set the jib. It -is sometimes necessary to sway off the boom to -get her in position."</p> - -<p class='c006'>By this time the Goldwing was nearing the -shore on the west side.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> <br />ALL OF DORY'S CLASS BECOME SKIPPERS.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_4_0_5 c005'>"Ready about!" shouted Dory, with more -vim than he usually put into his orders.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But there was nothing to do, for any one -except Ash at the wheel; for the skipper had -not stationed the crew for tacking. He had not -had time to do so. The lower block of the -main-sheet ran on a traveller, which is an iron -rod set a couple of inches above the taffrail, or -piece across the top of the stern. The ring under -the block plays freely, or travels on it, from one -side to the other. As the wind carries the sail -and boom over, the sheet-block follows it. Of -course, the sheet is trimmed so the boom may -be at the right angle with the keel, on whichever -tack the boat may be.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Dory explained the working of the sheet, and -gave the names of the parts of the rigging used. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>He took hold of the jib-sheets himself, and gave -the order to put the helm to port. As the sails -began to shake, he cast off the lee-sheet, and -passed over to the other side of the standing-room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hard a-lee!" he continued, which meant that -the helm was to be put down as far as it would -go.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Goldwing came about handsomely, as she -always did under fair treatment: the boom went -over to the starboard. The skipper then hauled -in the port, which had become the lee, sheet, as -the sail went over. The breeze was lively, -and the boat worked quickly.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Meet her, Ash," said Dory; and the helmsman -threw the wheel over till he could feel the -pressure of the water on the rudder as the sails -filled.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What do you mean by 'meet her'?" asked -Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The helm was hard down when I gave that -order," replied the skipper. "If it had remained -in that position, it would have been hard up -after the sails filled, and the sloop would have -continued to swing around till she was before -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>the wind; and it would take time to get -her back to her proper course. As soon as the -boat begins to catch the wind on the new tack, -the helm must be shifted to meet her. When the -boat was on the starboard-tack, all the pressure -of the water was on the weather-side of the -rudder, as the Goldwing carries a weather-helm. -As soon as the boat begins to swing, this pressure -is removed. There is none to speak of on either -side. But as soon as she begins to fill on the -port-tack, the pressure comes on that side."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"And you feel it the instant it begins to bear -on the rudder," added Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You want the sails to fill on the new tack, -and she should be met with the helm before she -has fallen off much beyond her proper course. -In a light wind, when the boat moves sluggishly, -she may fall off somewhat before she feels the -pressure on the rudder."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"She isn't on any thing, and I don't see how -she can fall off," said Archie, the critic.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Yes, she is on something: she is on the wind, -and she falls off when she goes to leeward. As -Ash says, he can feel the pressure as soon as the -sails fill; and we sail a boat quite as much by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>the feeling as by the use of the eyes. Mr. Herschoff, -who built the Sylph, is one of the best -boatmen in the country, and he is totally blind. -Of course, he has to work the boat entirely by the -feeling; and those who have good eyes do it -largely in the same way. Practice alone can give -you this skill."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Thad said the keel and the rudder balanced the -sails, and kept up a sort of equilibrium," added Syl.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That was quite right. When you see a fellow -on a tight-rope in the circus, with a long pole in -his hands, you may observe that he keeps lifting -one end or the other. He throws the weight of -the pole, the ends of which are loaded with lead, -to one side or the other to preserve his balance. -You shift the helm for the same reason. You can -tell what the boat is doing with your eyes shut -after you get used to her. When a flaw of wind -comes, it throws a boat with a weather-helm up -into the wind; and if you were blindfolded, the -tiller or the wheel would tell you all about it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What do you do when the flaw comes?" -asked Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Meet it with the helm if it is not too stiff for -her."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>"Suppose it is strong enough to capsize her if -she keeps her course?" Hop inquired.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Let her come up into the wind a little more -than the course requires. If you let her up far -enough, of course you will spill the sail, and the -flaw can do her no harm. This is what sailors -would call 'touching her up,' and that is just -what we do when the wind comes too strong for -the boat. You could keep her balanced, even in -a hurricane, for a moment or two with the sails -drawing just enough to give her steerage-way. -Generally, flaws don't last more than a moment, -and you fill away as soon as they pass. You may -have to work sharp to keep her from filling on the -other tack."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"A fellow has got to do it before he will know -how," added Hop.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now, Con, I will station you at the port jib-sheet, -and you, Hop, at the starboard," said the -skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Why don't you say the weather and lee -sheet?" asked Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because they would have to change places -every time we tack. The lee-sheet is sometimes -on one side, and sometimes on the other, as you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>may see for yourself," answered the skipper. -"Ready about! That is simply the order for -those who have any thing to do in tacking to be -ready to do it; just as the military officer gives -a warning 'Attention--company!' 'Shoulder--arms!' -Not a soldier moves till the last word is -uttered. Ready about!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>The two sheet-hands took hold of the ropes, -and the helmsman was ready to move the wheel. -At the command, "Starboard the helm," Ash put -it down a little, and the head of the boat crawled -gradually up into the wind.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hard a-lee!" said Dory. "Cast off all but -one turn on the lee-sheet, Hop. Let go the lee-sheet!" -added the skipper a moment later, when -the jib shook in the wind. "Haul in on your -port-sheet! Trim it down! Meet her with the -helm!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>The change from one tack to the other was -quickly made. The sloop worked to perfection, -and the students had mastered the lesson in tacking. -As they had to beat through a part of the -narrow channel to the river, they had plenty of -practice in a very short time.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There is no need of all these orders after you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>have learned your duty. There is a sort of buncombe -in using them in a small craft, or in any -craft except a man-of-war. 'Ready about' should -always be used. After that, on board of a ship, -'Let go and haul' is about all that is necessary, -and it will do here. Let go the lee-sheet, and -haul on the weather, supplies the ellipsis," said -Dory, as the Goldwing came out into the river -where she had more sea-room.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think I understand it now," added Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I think you do, all but the practice," replied -the skipper. "I shall resign my office now as -captain, and ask Ash to fill my place for a while. -You may take the wheel, Ben Sinker; and I shall -not say a word, unless you are likely to upset the -boat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Ben went to the wheel, and Ash assumed the -position of skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Where shall we go?" asked the new captain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"After you get out of the river, go up the lake, -and that will be a dead beat to windward," -answered Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The wind has almost died out," said Hop, as -he looked about him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Not much!" replied Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>"When you are running in a boat before the -wind, there seems to be little or no breeze," said -Dory, who did not abandon his function as instructor. -"When you ride in a carriage in a hot -day, with the wind, you feel the heat. So in a -boat. I have been nearly roasted on the lake in -this boat when I was going before the wind, while -it would be comfortably cool on the wind. The -motion of the boat kills the breeze. Some boatmen -make Hop's blunder, and put on more sail -than they can bear; and then it is a dangerous -error."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Haul in on the main-sheet! A pull on the -lee jib-sheet!" said Ash, when the Goldwing came -to a bend in the river, which made it necessary to -brace up the boat a little more.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After the change of course, the breeze came -fresher; and Hop realized his mistake, by experience. -The sloop went rapidly down the river -with the wind about on the beam, or across the -width of the boat, and out into the lake. The -waves were lively there; and they were short and -choppy, giving the boat a jerky motion.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I suppose you know where the bottom is, out -here, Ash," said Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>"I think I do; and it is pretty near the top of -the water for a mile. I shall hold her on her -present course till we have made about that distance -from the mouth of the river."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"About half a mile from the point will cover -it, but it is best to be on the safe side. When -Diamond Island shuts in Split Rock Light, you -are all right for any course except south," added -Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I suppose nobody but Ash is expected to -understand that remark," said Archie. "Shuts it -in!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"In other words, when you can see Split Rock -Light over Diamond Island, you are far enough -from the shore to avoid the shoals off Field's -Bay," Dory explained.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I can understand that," added Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If the light were not more than two feet above -the water, we could not see it all when we come -to the position described, for it would be shut in. -I have about two hundred ranges written down in -a book at home, and this is one of them. Sometimes -they put two lighthouses on a shore. If one -shut out the other, you could tell, in one case, -how far north you had gone. When I am going -<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>into the river with the Sylph, I don't run in till I -have brought the tip of the point in range with -the white chimney on Paucett's house. The more -of these ranges you learn, the better you will be -qualified to sail a boat on Lake Champlain."</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was nearly dark when the Goldwing returned -to the school; but every member of the class had -taken his turn in sailing the boat, and each -thought he knew as much as Dory about it.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXX.<br /> <br />THE GOLDWING'S TRIP TO PLATTSBURG.</h2> -</div> -<p class='drop-capa0_2_0_5 c005'>During the following week, Dory's class in -the Goldwing made trips in the boat after -the close of the labors in the shop. One of the -members took charge of the sloop in each of these -trips, and the lesson was still "Beating to windward." -In this way, all of them learned how to -work a boat to windward; and it was the most -difficult lesson for them to learn, for it required a -great deal of judgment.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One student would steer so close to the wind -that the boat was cramped, and could not get -ahead; while another let her get so far off the -wind, that she failed to accomplish what she was -competent to do. It required a great deal of practice -to enable the different skippers to hit the -golden mean. They did remarkably well, though -not one of them became proficient at once.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>On the return from the excursion, they had -some experience in sailing before the wind, and -in all directions between that and close-hauled. -Matt Randolph was always out at the same time -in the Lily, with his class. Although the latter -was a schooner, the lesson was precisely the same. -She carried a crew of twelve, and they were all -stationed as in the Goldwing. The foresail was -handled in the same manner as the mainsail. The -only question that could come up on board of her, -that did not have to be considered on the sloop, -was whether or not, in a blow, the foresail should -be set.</p> - -<p class='c006'>During the week, there was an examination of -the five burglars, and all of them were fully committed -for trial. The Plattsburg robberies were -fastened upon them, and some of the money and -other property found on board of the La Motte -was restored to the owners. There was a great -deal of difference of opinion in regard to the relative -guilt of the robbers, for it did not appear that -Sangfraw and Wickwood had any thing more than -a criminal knowledge of the deeds of the other -three. Besides, they were truly repentant, and -told all they knew about the schemes of their -<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>companions, who denied all they could to the -last.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At the trial, some weeks later, Spickles got -seven years in the State Prison; the two who -actually assisted him in his enterprises, received -a sentence of five years; while the remaining two -were let off with only one year. The chief of the -Nautifelers Club, who was the author and finisher -of all the schemes, both of pleasure and plunder, -preserved his self-possession through the trial; but -by the time he was shut up for seven long years, -he began to wish that he had followed the course -in life which Matt Randolph had marked out for -himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thad Glovering trained the party on board of -the La Motte, in the management of the vessel; -and at the end of a couple of weeks, they left -Beech Hill, to undertake a cruise without his -aid. They were very much pleased with what -they saw of the institution; and they left the -school much wiser, morally and intellectually, -than when they came there.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On the following Saturday morning at daylight, -Dory and his class were on board of the Goldwing -for an entire day of sailing, and were going to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>Plattsburg. The sloop had been provisioned for -the cruise; and the party were in a high state of -enthusiasm, for it had been promised them a week -before. Dory had rigged out the flying jib-boom, -and put all the "kites" on board, so that the -sloop could make the best of a light wind.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At four o'clock in the morning, when the party -were ready to sail, there was scarcely a breath of -air. Thad had taught them all there was to learn -about a gaff-topsail, and they had worked the -parts and methods over in their own minds. But -when they came to apply their knowledge, they -found that practice was quite different from -theory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Bend on the gaff-topsail-halyards," said Dory, -after the mainsail had been set.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This place had been assigned to Archie Pinkler; -while Con Bunker was stationed at the tack, and -Syl Peckman at the sheet. Dory had put all the -running-rigging in place for handling the extra -sails, but Archie did not know where to find the -halyard. Both ends of this rope were made fast -at the rail, on the port-side of the mast.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"You will always find the halyards there, -Archie; and it is not necessary for you to learn -<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>about any other rigging connected with the gaff-topsail -at present, though you can't help picking -up all the other parts as they are brought into -use. Now overhaul the halyards, and see that -they are not foul, so that you can hoist the sail -without any hitch."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The instructor would not allow any one to -assist him; and he soon had the rope in running -order, and bent it on the sail. When he had -hauled the sail up so that the lower clews were -just above the deck, Dory stopped him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now, Con, bend on the tack," continued the -skipper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We don't bend any thing: what's the use of -having such a word?"</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's my son Yoppa's name," added Hop, -laughing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Bend is the nautical word for make fast, and -that is the particular reason why I use it. Would -you have me say, 'Tie the halyard to the sail'? -Bend it on, Con."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"I don't know where to look for it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The end you bend on to the sail is on the -port-side, and the end you haul upon is on the -starboard-side. It is made fast abaft the cleat -<span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>used for the halyard, and you never need make -a mistake. When Archie hoists the sail to the -mast-head, you will stand by the tack on the starboard-side, -and haul the rope over the gaff. The -sheet is made fast to a cleat on the main-boom, -Syl; and, as the sail goes up, you will haul on it -just enough to prevent the rope from fouling. -Hoist away, Archie."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The setting of the sail was a decided success; -and with less system, the whole affair might easily -have been snarled up, as it often is.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The anchor was weighed, the jib was hoisted, -and the Goldwing remained just where she had -been at her moorings. There was no wind at all -in the lower regions; but the gaff-topsail soon -filled, and the boat began to move, though it -could hardly be seen. Then Dory ordered the -crew to set the jib-topsail. This sail was fitted -with snap-hanks, by which it could be set upon -the main-topmast-stay. Ash, as the best sailor in -the party, was sent out on the bowsprit to hook -on the hanks. The halyard, which led down the -mast, was attached to it; and the sail went up -into its place, with the upper clew close to the -topmast-head.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>The upper part of the jib-topsail filled, and the -motion of the sloop was increased a little. Dory -had a balloon-jib, which could also be used as a -spinnaker, in the cuddy. The Goldwing slowly -moved towards the creek; and, without the lofty -sails she carried, she would not have moved at all.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is part of a boatman's trade to know something -about the weather, for I don't think we -shall have an up-and-down breeze much longer," -said Dory, as he looked about him. "The wind -is about west now, and it is very likely we shall -have showers before night."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Old Prob tells us all about the weather," -added Ash.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But you don't have Old Prob at your elbow -all the time. Showers come up in the west more -than from any other quarter, and the clouds will -tell you what to expect. When a squall approaches, -you can always see its action on the -water before it reaches you, unless you happen to -be under a weather-shore, which will shelter you -to some extent. But you must look out for your -boat before you see the squall on the water. The -clouds will let you know that it is time to take in -all kites."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>In the river they got more wind, and the boat -soon reached Lake Champlain. By that time, it -was blowing moderately from the west. With -her extra sails set, the Goldwing rushed rapidly -through the water, with the breeze on the beam. -It continued to freshen; and after the sloop had -passed Split Rock Point, she had all she could -carry. Ash Burton had the helm, and the boat -heeled over so that the rail occasionally went -under. It was exciting sailing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now, I should like to know where the danger -comes in," said Archie, as he saw a little spray -slop in over the washboard.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It don't come in at all if the boat is properly -handled," replied Dory. "It would not be prudent -to let her fall off a great deal."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"What would happen if she did fall off too -much?" asked Con.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Nothing at all, unless she were brought round -far enough to place her keel in line with the direction -of the wind. Then, with the sails trimmed -as they are now, the boom would be likely to be -carried over to the opposite tack. It would fill on -the other tack with a shock, which might upset her. -But even a blockhead would not let her do that."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>"Suppose she did upset?" queried Ben Sinker.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"If she went over just here, she would go to -the bottom in nearly four hundred feet of water. -But she will not be allowed to play you such a -trick as that. You might just as well drive your -horse over a precipice as let the boat upset," said -Dory confidently.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"The boat is now down to her washboard; and -it would not take much of a flaw to put the board -under, and fill the standing-room with water," -added Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There comes a flaw; you can see it on the -surface of the lake," replied the skipper. "Now -see what Ash does."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The gust of wind struck the sails; the boat -heeled over till the water came up to the top of -the washboard; but, as Ash pulled the wheel towards -him, the head of the boat went to windward, -and the pressure was eased off. Dory asked -the helmsman to put the helm a little farther -down. Then the sails all began to shake, and the -sloop instantly came up to an even keel.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It looks easy enough," said Archie.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is easy enough, if you only mind what you -are about. It takes some strength at the wheel -<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>to keep her from doing that, as she carries a -weather-helm; so that you can't upset her in the -way I explained, unless you mean to do so," -continued Dory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But Dory was a prudent skipper, and he ordered -the jib-topsail to be taken in. Thus relieved, she -went along swiftly and very comfortably. By -nine o'clock they arrived at Plattsburg, and -spent a couple of hours there. But they were -more interested in sailing the boat than they were -in wandering about the streets of the town, though -they were much pleased with their visit to the -beautiful garden of Fouquet's Hotel.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The return-trip was about the same thing till -the Goldwing was in the widest part of the lake, -off Burlington. Then the black clouds began to -roll up in vast masses in the west, and the skipper -said they looked like wind. The gaff-topsail was -taken in, the flying-jib was furled. The lightning -was terrific, and the thunder suggested earthquakes.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We are in for it, sure," said Archie Pinkler; -"and I don't like the looks of things about this -time."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"We are all of six miles from the land; and the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>wind is dying out, as it often does before a tempest; -and there is no backing out," said Dory. "We -shall have to take whatever comes, and do the best -we can. The greenhorn, on board of a ship, when -a sudden storm came up, said he thought he would -take a biscuit, turn in, and call it half a day. He -was not allowed to do so, and you will not. Our -safety requires that every fellow should do his -duty, and there is no shirking it."</p> - -<p class='c006'>"But why don't you take in sail, Dory?" -asked Archie nervously.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because there is no need of it yet, and we may -not have to take in sail at all. Why don't you -take medicine before you get sick? You need -not be nervous, Archie. We are all right; and I -feel as much at home on board of the Goldwing, -as I should in my room at Beech Hill."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Suddenly what breeze there had been died out, -and the sloop lay motionless on the water. Dory -told the crew to take in the jib, and instructed -those stationed at this sail to stow it and secure it -with the utmost care, so that it should not be blown -out by the squall.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There is the Marian," said Ash, as he saw her -coming out from Burlington.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>"What does she come out for when there is -going to be a squall?" asked Ben.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Because she will be safer out in the lake than -at a wharf there, though she might get behind the -breakwater. She will do very well in a squall. -All she has to do, is to keep out of the trough of -the sea, if it comes on very hard," replied Dory. -"At the very worst, in a hurricane, she would put -her head up to the sea, and keep her engine going. -She will be all right unless her engine breaks -down."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The lake was as smooth as glass, and the boat -lay "like a painted ship upon a painted ocean." -The members of the class looked at each other, -and some of them were doubtless afraid.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Man the peak-halyards," said Dory quietly. -"Keep perfectly cool, and there is no particular -hurry."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Syl and Hop went to the station indicated, but -they were told to do nothing till the order was -given; though the sail might as well be furled as -set, so far as any use of it was concerned.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"It is coming now," said Dory, as he pointed to -the New-York shore. "You can see the clouds of -dust it is stirring up on the land."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>A moment later, it struck the water, and the -commotion could be seen.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It looked like a dense light cloud sweeping over -the surface, while a roaring sound came in advance -of it. Dory gave the order to let go the peak-halyards, -and take in the jib.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Now we are all right," said the skipper, as soon -as the order was executed. "Here it comes. Hold -on to your hats, and keep down in the boat."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The cloud swept down upon the sloop, and the -squall struck her. Dory took the wheel himself. -The mainsail flapped and banged with tremendous -violence; but the boat was headed right into it, and -no harm came from it. The water did not pile -itself up into big waves at first. Almost as soon -as it had come, it was over. A few moments later, -Dory filled away with the mainsail: the peak still -dropped, just holding wind enough to give her -steerage-way.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Is that all there is of it?" asked Archie, when -the shock was over.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"That's all; but it was only a light squall, and -sometimes they hold one for a much longer time. -But we have not got to the end of this thing yet, -for there is another behind it."</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>The skipper let the boat fall off till she was -headed for Juniper Island, about two miles distant. -In less than ten minutes he had anchored her under -its lee, with all sail safely stowed. As the skipper -predicted, there was another squall, which continued -to rage for full fifteen minutes. The waves -mounted to a great height, and the spray dashed -over the island. But the Goldwing was safely -sheltered, and the students enjoyed the wild commotion -of the water. Later in the day, the wind -went around to the north-west; and the sloop, -under a reefed mainsail only, made her way to -Beech Hill.</p> - -<p class='c006'>These instructions were continued all summer -in the two sail-boats; and long before the end -of the season, even Archie Pinkler was allowed -to go out as skipper of the Goldwing. All the -members of the classes became competent boatmen; -and then they were as much at home on -the lake, whatever the weather, as Dory himself.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Tom Topover sailed the Lily, and knew all -about his business. He had become a very respectable -sort of fellow, as had also all his former -companions in mischief and crime.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As usual at the close of the summer term, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>there was a grand occasion to wind up the work -of the school-year. Mr. Plint, Mr. Bridges, and -Mr. Rithie, who had kindly served as examiners -in former years, rendered the same service at this -time. Two of them had taken students into -their employ; and in the speeches they made in -the great hall of the boat-house, they explained -what progress these students had made as architect -and engineer.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Others from at home and abroad spoke of the -moral as well as the industrial benefit of the institution. -Without mentioning any names, an -orator described the miracle which had been -wrought in the life and character of such -students as Tom Topover and Nim Splugger. -The shops were visited; and in the afternoon, -there was a grand excursion in the steamers -and sail-boats, as the wind happened to be -fresh.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The inevitable ball followed in the evening; -and all the young ladies from the town, and not -a few from Burlington, danced till the small -hours of the morning. It was not a matter of -toilets, and people declared that Dory Dornwood -and Lily Bristol were the best-looking couple on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>the floor, though Oscar Chester and Marian -Dornwood were hardly less attractive.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Beech Hill Industrial School continued -its good work for years longer. The principal -selects such students as need the instruction and -discipline, and are not likely to obtain their -training at other institutions. He is a public -benefactor; and the old students, who annually -attend the closing exercises of the school, are -grateful for what the institution has done for -them.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>Transcriber's Note</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>The original spelling and punctuation has been retained.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been -preserved.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ready About, by Oliver Optic - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK READY ABOUT *** - -***** This file should be named 55557-h.htm or 55557-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/5/5/55557/ - -Produced by Chris Curnow, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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