390 files changed, 29885 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/23351-8.txt b/23351-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..67021cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,9152 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yacht Club, by Oliver Optic
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+
+Title: The Yacht Club
+       or The Young Boat-Builder
+
+Author: Oliver Optic
+
+Release Date: November 6, 2007 [EBook #23351]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YACHT CLUB ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from scans of public domain material produced by
+Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: YACHT CLUB SERIES]
+
+[Illustration: MISS NELLIE PATTERDALE AND DON JOHN. Frontispiece.]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: OLIVER OPTIC'S YACHT CLUB SERIES.
+
+        THE YACHT CLUB.
+        LEE & SHEPARD,
+        BOSTON]
+
+
+
+
+THE YACHT CLUB SERIES.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE YACHT CLUB;
+
+OR,
+
+THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.
+
+BY
+
+OLIVER OPTIC,
+
+        AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES,"
+        "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE
+        BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES,"
+        "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES,"
+        ETC., ETC.
+
+_WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._
+
+        BOSTON:
+        LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.
+        NEW YORK:
+        LEE, SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM.
+
+        Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873,
+        BY WILLIAM T. ADAMS,
+        In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+        Brown Type-Setting Machine Company.
+
+        TO
+
+        MY YOUNG FRIEND
+
+        _CHARLES H. HASTINGS_,
+
+        OF NEW YORK,
+
+        This Book is Affectionately Dedicated.
+
+
+
+The Yacht Club Series.
+
+
+        1. LITTLE BOBTAIL; OR, THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT.
+
+        2. THE YACHT CLUB; OR, THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.
+
+        3. MONEY-MAKER; OR, THE VICTORY OF THE BASILISK.
+
+        4. THE COMING WAVE; OR, THE HIDDEN TREASURE OF HIGH ROCK.
+
+        5. THE DORCAS CLUB; OR, OUR GIRLS AFLOAT.
+
+        (The sixth in preparation.)
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+"THE YACHT CLUB" is the second volume of the YACHT CLUB SERIES, to which
+it gives a name; and like its predecessor, is an independent story. The
+hero has not before appeared, though some of the characters of "LITTLE
+BOBTAIL" take part in the incidents: but each volume may be read
+understandingly without any knowledge of the contents of the other. In
+this story, the interest centres in Don John, the Boat-builder, who is
+certainly a very enterprising young man, though his achievements have
+been more than paralleled in the domain of actual life.
+
+Like the first volume of the series, the incidents of the story
+transpire on the waters of the beautiful Penobscot Bay, and on its
+shores. They include several yacht races, which must be more interesting
+to those who are engaged in the exciting sport of yachting, than to
+others. But the principal incidents are distinct from the aquatic
+narrative; and those who are not interested in boats and boating will
+find that Don John and Nellie Patterdale do not spend all their time on
+the water.
+
+The hero is a young man of high aims and noble purposes: and the writer
+believes that it is unpardonable to awaken the interest and sympathy of
+his readers for any other than high-minded and well-meaning characters.
+But he is not faultless; he makes some grave mistakes, even while he has
+high aims. The most important lesson in morals to be derived from his
+experience is that it is unwise and dangerous for young people to
+conceal their actions from their parents and friends; and that men and
+women who seek concealment "choose darkness because their deeds are
+evil."
+
+ HARRISON SQUARE, BOSTON,
+              May 22, 1873.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                     PAGE
+
+        CHAPTER I.
+        DON JOHN OF BELFAST, AND FRIENDS               11
+
+        CHAPTER II.
+        ABOUT THE TIN BOX                              28
+
+        CHAPTER III.
+        THE YACHT CLUB AT TURTLE HEAD                  46
+
+        CHAPTER IV.
+        A SAD EVENT IN THE RAMSAY FAMILY               63
+
+        CHAPTER V.
+        CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK                             81
+
+        CHAPTER VI.
+        DONALD GETS THE JOB                            99
+
+        CHAPTER VII.
+        LAYING DOWN THE KEEL.                         117
+
+        CHAPTER VIII.
+        THE FIRST REGATTA.                            135
+
+        CHAPTER IX.
+        THE SKYLARK AND THE SEA FOAM.                 153
+
+        CHAPTER X.
+        THE LAUNCH OF THE MAUD.                       171
+
+        CHAPTER XI.
+        THE WHITE CROSS OF DENMARK.                   189
+
+        CHAPTER XII.
+        DONALD ANSWERS QUESTIONS.                     207
+
+        CHAPTER XIII.
+        MOONLIGHT ON THE JUNO.                        226
+
+        CHAPTER XIV.
+        CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK'S JOKE.                    244
+
+        CHAPTER XV.
+        LAUD CAVENDISH TAKES CARE OF HIMSELF.         264
+
+        CHAPTER XVI.
+        SATURDAY COVE.                                283
+
+        CHAPTER XVII.
+        THE GREAT RACE.                               302
+
+        CHAPTER XVIII.
+        THE HASBROOK OUTRAGE, AND OTHER MATTERS.      320
+
+
+
+
+THE YACHT CLUB;
+
+OR,
+
+THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+DON JOHN OF BELFAST, AND FRIENDS.
+
+
+"Why, Don John, how you frightened me!" exclaimed Miss Nellie
+Patterdale, as she sprang up from her reclining position in a
+lolling-chair.
+
+It was an intensely warm day near the close of June, and the young lady
+had chosen the coolest and shadiest place she could find on the piazza
+of her father's elegant mansion in Belfast. She was as pretty as she was
+bright and vivacious, and was a general favorite among the pupils of the
+High School, which she attended. She was deeply absorbed in the reading
+of a story in one of the July magazines, which had just come from the
+post-office, when she heard a step near her. The sound startled her, it
+was so near; and, looking up, she discovered the young man whom she had
+spoken to close beside her. He was not Don John of Austria, but Donald
+John Ramsay of Belfast, who had been addressed by his companions simply
+as Don, a natural abbreviation of his first name, until he of Austria
+happened to be mentioned in the history recitation in school, when the
+whole class looked at Don, and smiled; some of the girls even giggled,
+and got a check for it; but the republican young gentleman became a
+titular Spanish hidalgo from that moment. Though he was the son of a
+boat-builder, by trade a ship carpenter, he was a good-looking, and
+gentlemanly fellow, and was treated with kindness and consideration by
+most of the sons and daughters of the wealthy men of Belfast, who
+attended the High School. It was hardly a secret that Don John regarded
+Miss Nellie with especial admiration, or that, while he was polite to
+all the young ladies, he was particularly so to her. It is a fact, too,
+that he blushed when she turned her startled gaze upon him on the
+piazza; and it is just as true that Miss Nellie colored deeply, though
+it may have been only the natural consequence of her surprise.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Nellie; I did not mean to frighten you," replied
+Donald.
+
+"I don't suppose you did, Don John; but you startled me just as much as
+though you had meant it," added she, with a pleasant smile, so forgiving
+that the young man had no fear of the consequences. "How terribly hot it
+is! I am almost melted."
+
+"It is very warm," answered Donald, who, somehow or other, found it very
+difficult to carry on a conversation with Nellie; and his eyes seemed to
+him to be twice as serviceable as his tongue.
+
+"It is dreadful warm."
+
+And so they went on repeating the same thing over and over again, till
+there was no other known form of expression for warm weather.
+
+"How in the world did you get to the side of my chair without my hearing
+you?" demanded Nellie, when it was evidently impossible to say anything
+more about the heat.
+
+"I came up the front steps, and was walking around on the piazza to your
+father's library. I didn't see you till you spoke," replied Donald,
+reminded by this explanation that he had come to Captain Patterdale's
+house for a purpose. "Is Ned at home?"
+
+"No; he has gone up to Searsport to stay over Sunday with uncle Henry."
+
+"Has he? I'm sorry. Is your father at home?"
+
+"He is in his library, and there is some one with him. Won't you sit
+down, Don John?"
+
+"Thank you," added Donald, seating himself in a rustic chair. "It is
+very warm this afternoon."
+
+Nellie actually laughed, for she was conscious of the difficulties of
+the situation--more so than her visitor. But we must do our hero--for
+such he is--the justice to say, that he did not refer to the exhausted
+topic with the intention of confining the conversation to it, but to
+introduce the business which had called him to the house.
+
+"It is intensely hot, Don John," laughed Nellie.
+
+"But I was going to ask you if you would not like to take a sail," said
+Donald, with a blush. "With your father, I mean," added he, with a
+deeper blush, as he realized that he had actually asked a girl to go
+out in a boat with him.
+
+"I should be delighted to go, but I can't. Mother won't let me go on the
+water when the sun is out, it hurts my eyes so," answered Nellie; and
+the young man was sure she was very sorry she could not go.
+
+"Perhaps we can go after sunset, then," suggested Donald. "I am sorry
+Ned is not at home; for his yacht is finished, and father says the paint
+is dry enough to use her. We are going to have a little trial trip in
+her over to Turtle Head, and, perhaps, round by Searsport."
+
+"Is the Sea Foam really done?" asked Nellie, her eyes sparkling with
+delight.
+
+"Yes, she is all ready, and father will deliver her to Ned on Monday, if
+everything works right about her. I thought some of your folks,
+especially Ned, would like to be in her on the first trip."
+
+"I should, for one; but I suppose it is no use for me to think of it. My
+eyes are ever so much better, and I hope I shall be able to sail in the
+Sea Foam soon."
+
+"I hope so, too. We expect she will beat the Skylark; father thinks she
+will."
+
+"I don't care whether she does or not," laughed Nellie.
+
+"Do you think I could see your father just a moment?" asked Donald. "I
+only want to know whether or not he will go with us."
+
+"I think so; I will go and speak to him. Come in, Don John," replied
+Nellie, rising from her lolling-chair, and walking around the corner of
+the house to the front door.
+
+Donald followed her. The elegant mansion was located on a corner lot,
+with a broad hall through the centre of it, on one side of which was the
+large drawing-room, and on the other the sitting and dining-rooms. At
+the end of the great hall was a door opening into the library, a large
+apartment, which occupied the whole of a one-story addition to the
+original structure. It had also an independent outside door, which
+opened upon the piazza; and opposite to it was a flight of steps, down
+to the gravel walk terminating at a gate on the cross street. People who
+came to see Captain Patterdale on business could enter at this gate, and
+go to the library without passing through the house. On the present
+occasion, a horse and wagon stood at the gate, which indicated to Miss
+Nellie that her father was engaged. This team had stood there for an
+hour, and Donald had watched it for half that time, waiting for the
+owner to leave, though he was not at all anxious to terminate the
+interview with his fair schoolmate.
+
+Nellie knocked at the library door, and her father told her to come in.
+She passed in, while Donald waited the pleasure of the rich man in the
+hall.
+
+He was invited to enter. Captain Patterdale was evidently bored by his
+visitor, and gave the young man a cordial greeting. Donald stated his
+business very briefly; but the captain did not say whether he would or
+would not go upon the trial trip of the Sea Foam. He asked a hundred
+questions about the new yacht, and it was plain that he did not care to
+resume the conversation with his visitor, who walked nervously about the
+room, apparently vexed at the interruption, and dissatisfied thus far
+with the result of his interview with the captain.
+
+What would have appeared to be true to an observer was actually so. The
+visitor was one Jacob Hasbrook, from a neighboring town, and his
+reputation for honesty and fair dealings was not the best in the world.
+Captain Patterdale held his note, without security, for thirteen hundred
+and fifty dollars. Hasbrook had property, but his creditors were never
+sure of him till they were paid. At the present interview he had
+astonished Captain Patterdale by paying the note in full, with interest,
+on the day it became due. But it was soon clear enough to the rich man
+that the payment was only a "blind" to induce him to embark in a
+doubtful speculation with Hasbrook. The nature and immense profits of
+the enterprise had been eloquently set forth by the visitor, and his own
+capacity to manage it enlarged upon; but the nabob, who had made his
+fortune by hard work, was utterly wanting in enthusiasm. He had received
+the money in payment of his note, which he had expected to lose, or to
+obtain only after resorting to legal measures, and he was fully
+determined to have nothing more to do with the man. He had said all this
+as mildly as he could; but Hasbrook was persistent, and probably felt
+that in paying an honest debt he had thrown away thirteen hundred and
+fifty dollars.
+
+He would not go, though Captain Patterdale gave him sufficient excuse
+for doing so, or even for cutting his acquaintance. The rich man
+continued to talk with Don John, to the intense disgust of the
+speculator, who stood looking at a tin box, painted green, which lay on
+a chair. Perhaps he looked upon this box as the grave of his hopes; for
+it contained the money he had just paid to the captain--the wasted
+money, because the rich man would not embark with him in his brilliant
+enterprise, though he had taken so much pains, and parted with so much
+money, to prove that he was an honest man. He appeared to be interested
+in the box, and he looked at it all the time, with only an impatient
+glance occasionally at the nabob, who appeared to be trifling with his
+bright hopes. The tin chest was about nine inches each way, and
+contained the private papers and other valuables of the rich man,
+including, now, the thirteen hundred and fifty dollars just received.
+
+Captain Patterdale was president of the Twenty-first National Bank of
+Belfast, which was located a short distance from his house. The tin box
+was kept in the vaults of the bank; but the owner had taken it home to
+examine some documents at his leisure, intending to return it to the
+bank before night. As it was in the library when Mr. Hasbrook called,
+the money was deposited in it for safe keeping over night.
+
+"I'm afraid I can't go with you, Donald," said Captain Patterdale, after
+he had asked him all the questions he could think of about the Sea Foam.
+
+"I am sorry, sir; for Miss Nellie wanted to go, and I was going to ask
+father to wait till after sunset on her account," added the young man.
+
+Mr. Hasbrook began to look hopeful; for the last remark of the nabob
+indicated a possible termination of the conversation. Donald began his
+retreat toward the hall of the mansion, for he wanted to see the fair
+daughter again; but he had not reached the door before the captain
+called him back.
+
+"I suppose your father wants some more money to-night," said he, feeling
+in his pocket for the key to open the tin box.
+
+"He didn't say anything to me about it, sir," replied Donald; "I don't
+think he does."
+
+Hasbrook looked hopeless again; for Captain Patterdale began to
+calculate how much he had paid, and how much more he was to pay, for the
+yacht. While he was doing so, there was a knock at the street door,
+and, upon being invited to do so, Mr. Laud Cavendish entered the library
+with a bill in his hand.
+
+Mr. Laud Cavendish was a great man in his own estimation, and a great
+swell in the estimation of everybody else. He was a clerk or salesman in
+a store; but he was dressed very elegantly for a provincial city like
+Belfast, and for a "counter-jumper" on six or eight dollars a week. He
+was about eighteen years old, tall, and rather slender. His upper lip
+was adorned with an incipient mustache, which had been tenderly coaxed
+and colored for two years, without producing any prodigious result,
+though it was the pride and glory of the owner. Mr. Cavendish was a
+dreamy young gentleman, who believed that the Fates had made a bad
+mistake in his case, inasmuch as he was the son of an honest and
+industrious carpenter, instead of the son and heir of one of the nabobs
+of Belfast. He believed that he was fitted to adorn the highest circle
+in society, to shine among the aristocracy of the city, and it was a
+cruel shame that he should be compelled to work in a store, weigh out
+tea and sugar, carry goods to the elegant mansions where he ought to be
+admitted at the front, instead of the back, door, collect bills, and
+perform whatever other service might be required of him. The Fates had
+blundered and conspired against him; but he was not without hope that
+the daughter of some rich man, who might fall in love with him and his
+mustache, would redeem him from his slavery to an occupation he hated,
+and lift him up to the sphere where he belonged. Laud was "soaring after
+the infinite," and so he rather neglected the mundane and practical, and
+his employer did not consider him a very desirable clerk.
+
+Mr. Laud Cavendish came with a bill in his hand, the footing of which
+was the sum due his employer for certain necessary articles just
+delivered at the kitchen door of the elegant mansion. Captain Patterdale
+opened the tin box, and took therefrom some twenty dollars to pay the
+bill, which Laud receipted. Mr. Hasbrook hoped he would go, and that Don
+John would go; and perhaps they would have gone if a rather exciting
+event had not occurred to detain them.
+
+"Father! father!" exclaimed Miss Nellie, rushing into the library.
+
+"What's the matter, Nellie?" demanded her father, calmly; for he had
+long been a sea captain, and was used to emergencies.
+
+"Michael has just dropped down in a fit!" gasped Nellie.
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"In the yard."
+
+Captain Patterdale, followed by his three visitors, rushed through the
+hall, out at the front door, near which the unfortunate man had fallen,
+and, with the assistance of his companions, lifted him from the ground.
+Michael was the hired man who took care of the horses, and kept the
+grounds around the elegant mansion in order. He was raking the gravel
+walk near the piazza where Nellie was laboring to keep cool. As we have
+hinted before, and as Nellie and Don John had several times repeated,
+the day was intensely hot. The sun where the man worked was absolutely
+scorching, and the hired man had experienced a sun-stroke. Captain
+Patterdale and his visitors bore him to his room in the L, and Don John
+ran for the doctor, who appeared in less than ten minutes. The visitors
+all did what they could, Mr. Laud Cavendish behaving very well.
+Michael's wife and other friends soon arrived, and there was nothing
+more for Laud to do. He went down stairs, and, finding Nellie in the
+hall, he tried to comfort her; for she was very much concerned for poor
+Michael.
+
+"Do you think he will die, Mr. Cavendish?" asked she, almost as much
+moved as though the poor man had been her father.
+
+"O, no! I think he will recover. These Irishmen have thick heads, and
+they don't die so easily of sun-stroke; for that's what the doctor says
+it is," replied Laud, knowingly.
+
+Nellie thought, if this was a true view of _coup de soleil_, Laud would
+never die of it. She thought this; but she was not so impolite as to say
+it. She asked him no more questions; for she saw Don John approaching
+through the dining-room.
+
+"Good afternoon, Miss Patterdale," said Laud, with a bow and a flourish,
+as he retired towards the library, where he had left his hat.
+
+In a few moments more, the rattle of the wagon, with which he delivered
+goods to the customers, was heard as he drove off. Don John came into
+the hall, and Nellie asked him ever so many questions about the
+condition of Michael, and what the doctor said about him; all of which
+the young man answered to the best of his ability.
+
+"Do you think he will die, Don John?" she asked.
+
+"I am sure I can't tell," replied Donald; "I hope not."
+
+"Michael is real good, and I am so sorry for him!" added Nellie.
+
+But Michael is hardly a personage in our story, and we do not purpose to
+enter into the diagnosis of his case. He has our sympathies on the merit
+of his sufferings alone, and quite as much for Nellie's sake; for it was
+tender, and gentle, and kind in her to feel so much for a poor Irish
+laborer. While she and Donald were talking about the case, Mr. Hasbrook
+came down stairs, and passed through the hall into the library, where
+he, also, had left his hat. In a few moments more the rattle of his
+wagon was heard, as he drove off, indignant and disgusted at the
+indifference of the nabob in refusing to take an interest in his
+brilliant enterprise. He was angry with himself for having paid his note
+before he had enlisted the payee in his cause.
+
+"How is he, father?" asked Nellie, as Captain Patterdale entered the
+hall.
+
+"The doctor thinks he sees some favorable symptoms."
+
+"Will he die?"
+
+"The doctor thinks he will get over it. But he wants some ice, and I
+must get it for him."
+
+"I suppose you will not go in the Sea Foam now?" asked Donald.
+
+"No; it is impossible," replied the captain, as he passed into the
+dining-room to the refrigerator.
+
+The father was like the daughter; and though he was a _millionnaire_, or
+a _demi-millionnaire_--we don't know which, for we were never allowed to
+look over his taxable valuation--though he was a nabob, he took right
+hold, and worked with his own hands for the comfort and the recovery of
+the sufferer. It was creditable to his heart that he did so, and we
+never grudge such a man his "pile," especially when he has earned it by
+his own labor, or made it in honorable, legitimate business. The captain
+went up stairs again with a large dish of ice, to assist the doctor in
+the treatment of his patient.
+
+Donald staid in the hall, talking with Miss Nellie, as long as he
+thought it proper to do so, though not as long as he desired, and then
+entered the library where he, also, had left his hat. Perhaps it was a
+singular coincidence that all three of the visitors had left their hats
+in that room; but then it was not proper for them to sit with their hats
+on in the presence of such a magnate as Captain Patterdale, and no
+decent man would stop for a hat when a person had fallen in a fit.
+
+Captain Patterdale's hat was still there; and, unluckily, there was
+something else belonging to him which was not there.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ABOUT THE TIN BOX.
+
+
+Captain Patterdale worked with the doctor for a full hour upon poor
+Michael, who at the end of that time opened his eyes, and soon declared
+that he was "betther entirely." He insisted upon getting up, for it was
+not "the likes of himself that was to lay there and have his honor
+workin' over him." But the doctor and the nabob pacified him, and left
+him, much improved, in the care of his wife.
+
+"How is he, Dr. Wadman?" asked the sympathizing Nellie, as they came
+down stairs together.
+
+"He is decidedly better," replied the physician.
+
+"Will he die?"
+
+"O, no; I think not. His case looks very hopeful now."
+
+"I thought folks always died with sun-stroke," said Nellie, more
+cheerfully.
+
+"No; not unless their heads are very soft," laughed the doctor.
+
+"Well, I shouldn't think Laud Cavendish would dare to go out when the
+sun shines," added the fair girl, with a snap of her bright eyes.
+
+"It isn't quite safe for him to do so. Unfortunately, such people don't
+know their own heads. I will come in again after tea," said the doctor,
+as he went out of the house, at the front door; for he had not left his
+hat in the library.
+
+"I am so glad Michael is better!" continued Nellie. "When I saw him
+drop, I felt as cold as ice, and I was afraid I should drop too before I
+could get to the library."
+
+"Did you see him fall, Nellie?" asked her father.
+
+"Yes; he gave a kind of groan, and then fell; he was--"
+
+"Gracious!" exclaimed Captain Patterdale, interrupting her all of a
+sudden.
+
+He turned on his heel, and walked rapidly into the library. Nellie was
+startled, and was troubled with a suspicion that her father had a _coup
+de soleil_, or _coup de_ something-else; for he did not often do
+anything by fits and starts. She followed him into the library. It was a
+fact that the captain had left his hat there; but it was not for this
+article, so necessary in a hot day, that he hastened thus abruptly into
+the room. Nellie found him flying around the apartment in a high state
+of excitement for him. He was looking anxiously about, and seemed to be
+very much disturbed.
+
+"What in the world is the matter, father?" asked Nellie.
+
+"Where is your mother?"
+
+"She has gone over to Mrs. Rodman's."
+
+"Hasn't she been back?"
+
+"No, certainly not; I was just going over to tell her what had happened
+to Michael, when you came down."
+
+"Who has been in here, Nellie?"
+
+"I don't know that anybody has. I haven't seen any one. What's the
+matter, father? what in the world has happened?"
+
+"I left my tin box here when I went out to see to Michael, and now it is
+gone," answered Captain Patterdale, anxiously. "I didn't know but that
+your mother had come in and taken care of it."
+
+"The tin box gone?" exclaimed Nellie. "Why, what can have become of it?"
+
+"That is just what I should like to know," added the captain, as he
+renewed his search in the room for the treasure chest.
+
+It was not in the library, and then he looked in the great hall and in
+the little hall, in the drawing-room, the sitting-room, and the
+dining-room; but it was not in any of these. He knew he had left it on
+the chair near where he was sitting when he went out of the room. Then
+he examined the spring-lock on the door of the library which led into
+the side street. It was closed and securely fastened. The door shut
+itself with a patent invention, and when shut it locked itself, so that
+anybody could get out, but no one could get in unless admitted.
+
+"Where were you when I was up stairs, Nellie?" asked Captain Patterdale,
+as he seated himself in his arm-chair, to take a cool view of the whole
+subject.
+
+"I was in the hall most of the time," she replied.
+
+"Who has been in the library?"
+
+"Let me see; Laud Cavendish came down first, and went out through the
+library."
+
+The captain rubbed his bald head, and seemed to be asking himself
+whether it was possible for Mr. Laud Cavendish to do so wicked a deed as
+stealing that tin box. He did not believe the young swell had the
+baseness or the daring to commit so great a crime. It might be, but he
+could not think so.
+
+"Who else has been in here?" he inquired, when he had hastily considered
+all he knew about the moral character of Laud.
+
+"That other man who was with you--I don't know his name--the one that
+was here when I came in with Don John."
+
+"Mr. Hasbrook."
+
+"He went out through the library. I thought he looked real ugly too,"
+added Nellie. "He kept fidgeting about all the time I was here."
+
+"And all the time he was here himself. He went out through the
+library--did he?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Captain Patterdale mentally overhauled the character of Mr. Hasbrook. It
+was unfortunate for his late debtor that his character was not first
+class, and between him and Laud Cavendish the probabilities were
+altogether against Hasbrook. He had evidently been vexed and angry
+because he failed to carry his point, and his cupidity might have been
+stimulated by revenge. But the captain was a fair and just man, and in a
+matter of this kind, involving the reputation of any person, he kept his
+suspicions to himself.
+
+"Who else has been in the library, Nellie?" he asked.
+
+"No one but Don John," replied she. And whatever Laud or Hasbrook might
+have done in wickedness, Nellie had too much regard for her friend and
+schoolmate to admit for one instant the possibility of his doing
+anything wrong, much less his committing so gross a crime as the
+stealing of the tin box and its valuable contents.
+
+Captain Patterdale was hardly less confident of the integrity of Donald.
+Certainly it was not necessary to suspect him when the possibilities of
+guilt included two such persons as Laud and Hasbrook. Donald was rather
+distinguished, in school and out, as a good boy, and he ought to have
+the full benefit of his reputation.
+
+"You don't think Don John took the box--do you, father?" asked Nellie,
+as her father was meditating on the circumstances.
+
+"Certainly not, Nellie," protested the captain, warmly; "I don't know
+that anybody has taken it."
+
+"I know Don John would not do such a thing."
+
+"I don't believe he would."
+
+"I know he would not."
+
+Her father thought she was just a little more earnest in her
+uncalled-for defence of the young man than was necessary, and for the
+first time in his life it occurred to him that she was more interested
+in him than he wished her to be; for, as Donald was only the son of a
+poor boat-builder, such a strong friendship might be embarrassing in the
+future. However, this was only the shadow of a passing thought, which
+divided his attention only for a moment. The loss of the tin box was the
+question of the hour, and "society" topics were not just then in order.
+
+"I have no idea that Don John took the box," replied Captain Patterdale.
+"I am more willing to believe either of the other two who were in the
+library took it than that he did. But he was the last of the three who
+went out through this room. He may be able to give me some information,
+and I will go down and see him. He and his father were going off in the
+new yacht--were they not?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You need not say a word about the box to any one, Nellie, nor even that
+it is lost," added the captain. "If I do not find it, I shall employ a
+skilful detective to look it up, and he may prefer to work in the dark."
+
+"I will not mention it, father," replied Nellie. "What was in the box?
+Was it money?"
+
+"I put thirteen hundred and fifty dollars into it, but I took out twenty
+to pay the bill that Laud brought. It contains my deeds, leases,
+policies of insurance, and my notes, and these papers are really more
+valuable to me than the money. Luckily, my bonds and securities are in
+another box, in the vault of the bank."
+
+"Then you will lose over thirteen hundred dollars if you don't find the
+box?"
+
+"More than that, I am afraid, for I shall hardly be able to collect all
+the money due on the notes if I lose them," replied the captain, as he
+left the house.
+
+He walked down to the boat shop of Mr. Ramsay. It was on the shore, and
+near it was the house in which the boat-builder lived. Neither Don John
+nor his father was at the shop, but a sloop yacht, half a mile out in
+the bay, seemed to be the Sea Foam. She was headed towards the shore,
+however, and Captain Patterdale seated himself in the shade of the shop
+to await its arrival, though he hardly expected to obtain any
+information in regard to the box from Donald. While he was sitting
+there, Mr. Laud Cavendish appeared with a large basket in his hand. The
+counter-jumper started when he turned the corner of the shop, and saw
+the nabob seated there.
+
+"Going a-fishing?" asked the captain.
+
+"Yes, sir; I'm going over to Turtle Head to camp out over Sunday,"
+replied Laud. "How is Michael, sir?"
+
+"He is much better, and is doing very well."
+
+"I'm glad of it," added Laud, as he carried his basket down to a
+sail-boat which was partly aground, and deposited it in the forward
+cuddy.
+
+Captain Patterdale wanted to talk with Laud, but he did not like to
+excite any suspicions on his part. If the young man had taken the box
+he would not be likely to go off on an island to stay over Sunday.
+Besides, it was evident from the position of the boat, and the fact that
+it contained several articles necessary for a fishing excursion, in
+addition to those in the basket, that Laud had made his arrangements for
+the trip before he visited the library of the elegant mansion. If he had
+taken the box, he would probably have changed his plans. It was not
+likely, therefore, that Laud was the guilty party.
+
+"Are you going alone?" asked the captain, walking down the beach to the
+boat.
+
+"Yes, sir; I couldn't get any one to go with me. I tried Don John, but
+he won't go off to stay over Sunday," replied Laud, with a sickly grin.
+
+"I commend his example to you. I don't think it is a good way to spend
+Sunday."
+
+"It's the only time I can get to go. I've been trying to got off for a
+month."
+
+"Saturday must be a bad time for you to leave," suggested the captain.
+
+"It is rather bad," added Laud, as he shoved off the bow of the boat,
+for he seemed to be in haste to get away.
+
+"By the way, Laud, did you notice a tin box in my library when you were
+there this afternoon?" asked the nabob, with as much indifference in his
+manner and tone as he could command.
+
+"A tin box?" repeated Laud, busying himself with the jib of the
+sail-boat.
+
+"Yes; it was painted green."
+
+"I don't remember any box," answered Laud.
+
+"Didn't you see it? I opened it to take out the money I paid you."
+
+"I didn't mind. I was receipting the bill while you were getting the
+money ready. You know I sat down at your desk."
+
+"Yes; I know you did; but didn't you see the box?"
+
+"No, sir; I don't remember seeing any box," said Laud, still fussing
+over the sail, which certainly did not need any attention.
+
+"You went out through the library when you came down from Michael's
+room--didn't you?" continued the captain.
+
+"Yes, sir; I did. I left my hat in there."
+
+"Did you see the box then?"
+
+"Of course I didn't. If I had, I should have remembered it," replied
+Laud, with a grin. "I just grabbed my hat, and ran, for I had been in
+the house some time; and I got a blessing for being away so long when I
+went back to the store."
+
+"You didn't see the box, then?"
+
+"If it was there, I suppose I saw it; but I didn't take any notice of
+it. Why? is the box lost?"
+
+"I want to get another like it. Haven't you anything of the sort in the
+store?"
+
+"We have some cake and spice boxes. They are tin, and painted on the
+outside."
+
+"Those will not answer the purpose. It's a very hot day," added the
+captain, as he wiped the perspiration from his face, and walked back to
+the shade of the shop.
+
+Mr. Laud Cavendish stepped into the sail-boat, hoisted the sails, and
+shoved her off into deep water with an oar. Captain Patterdale thought,
+and then he did not know what to think. Was it possible Laud had not
+noticed that tin box, which had been on a chair out in the middle of
+the room? If he had not, why, then he had not; but if he had Laud had
+more cunning, more self-control, and more ingenuity than the captain had
+ever given him the credit, or the discredit, of possessing, for there
+was certainly no sign of guilt in his tone or his manner, except that he
+did not look the inquirer square in the face when he answered his
+questions, though some guilty people can even do this without wincing.
+
+Captain Patterdale watched the departing and the approaching boats,
+still considering the possible relation of Laud Cavendish to the tin
+box. If the fellow had stolen it, he would not go off on an island to
+stay over Sunday, leaving the box behind to betray him; and this
+argument seemed to be conclusive in his favor. The captain had looked
+into the boat, and satisfied himself that the box was not there; unless
+it was in the basket, which appeared to contain so many other things
+that there was no room for it. On the whole, the captain was willing to
+acquit Mr. Laud Cavendish of the act, partly, perhaps, because this had
+been his first view of the matter. It was more probable that Hasbrook,
+angry and disappointed at his failure, had put the box into his wagon,
+and returned to the neighboring town, where, as before stated, his
+reputation was not first class, though, perhaps, not many people
+believed him capable of stealing outright, without the formality of
+getting up a mining company, or making a trade of some sort. But Donald
+had been the last of the trio of visitors who passed through the
+library, and the captain wanted to see him.
+
+The Sea Foam, with snowy sails just from the loft, and glittering in her
+freshly-laid coat of white paint, ran up to a wharf just below the boat
+shop. Donald was at the helm, and he threw her up into the wind just
+before she came to the pier, so that when she forged ahead, with her
+sails shaking in the wind, her head came up within a few inches of the
+landing-place. Mr. Ramsay fended her off, and went ashore with a line in
+his hand, which he made fast to a ring. Captain Patterdale walked around
+to the wharf, as soon as he saw where she was to make a landing.
+
+"Well, how do you like her, Sam?" said Donald to a young man of his own
+age in the standing-room with him.
+
+"First rate; and I hope your father will go to work on mine at once,"
+replied the passenger.
+
+"You will lay down the keel on Monday--won't you, father?"
+
+"What?" asked Mr. Ramsay, who had seated himself on a log on the wharf.
+
+"You will lay down the keel of the boat for Mr. Rodman on Monday--won't
+you?" repeated Donald.
+
+"Yes, if I am able; I don't feel very well to-day." And the boat-builder
+doubled himself up, as though he was in great pain.
+
+The young man in the standing-room of the Sea Foam was Samuel Rodman, a
+schoolmate of Donald, whose father was a wealthy man, and had ordered
+another boat like the Skylark, which had been the model for the new
+yacht. He had come down to see the craft, and had been invited to take a
+sail in her; but an engagement had prevented him from going as far as
+Turtle Head, and the boat-builder and his son had returned to land him,
+intending still to make the trip. By this time Captain Patterdale had
+reached the end of the wharf. He went on board of the Sea Foam, and
+looked her over with a critical eye, and was entirely satisfied with
+her. He was invited to sail in her for as short a time as he chose, but
+he declined.
+
+"By the way, Donald, did you see the green tin box when you were in my
+library this afternoon?" he asked, when all the topics relating to the
+yacht had been disposed of.
+
+"Yes, sir; I saw you take some money from it," replied Donald.
+
+"Then you remember the box?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Did you notice it when you came out--I mean, when you left the house?"
+
+"I don't remember seeing it when I came out," answered Donald, wondering
+what these questions meant.
+
+"I want to get another box just like that one. Did you take particular
+notice of it?"
+
+"No, sir; I can't say I did."
+
+"You didn't stay any time in the library after you came down from
+Michael's room, did you?"
+
+"No, sir; I only went for my hat, and didn't stay there a minute."
+
+"And you didn't notice the tin box?"
+
+"No, sir; I didn't see it at all when I came out."
+
+"Then of course you didn't see any marks upon it," added the captain,
+with a smile.
+
+"If I didn't see the box, I shouldn't have been likely to see the
+marks," laughed Donald. "What marks were they, sir?"
+
+"It's of no consequence, if you didn't see them. The box was in the
+library--wasn't it?--when you went out."
+
+"I don't know whether it was or not. I only know that I don't remember
+noticing it," said Donald, who thought the captain's question was a very
+queer one, after those he had just answered.
+
+The nabob was no better satisfied with Donald's answers than he had been
+with those of Laud Cavendish, except that the former looked him full in
+the face when he spoke. He obtained no information, and went home to
+seek it at other sources.
+
+"I think I won't go out again, Donald," said Mr. Ramsay, when Captain
+Patterdale had left. "I don't feel very well, and you may go alone."
+
+"Do you feel very sick, father?" asked the son, in tones of sympathy.
+
+"No; but I think I will go into the house and take some medicine. You
+can run over to Turtle Head alone," added the boat-builder, as he walked
+towards the house.
+
+"Can't you go any how, Sam?" said Donald, turning to his friend.
+
+"No, I must go home now. I have to drive over to Searsport after my
+sister," replied Sam, as he left the yacht, and walked up the wharf.
+
+Donald hoisted the jib of the Sea Foam, shoved off her head, and laid
+her course, with the wind over the quarter, for Turtle Head--distant
+about seven miles.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE YACHT CLUB AT TURTLE HEAD.
+
+
+The Sea Foam was a sloop yacht, thirty feet in length, and as handsome
+as a picture in an illustrated paper, than which nothing could be finer.
+It was a fact that she had cost twelve hundred dollars; but even this
+sum was cheaper than she could have been built and fitted up in Boston
+or Bristol. She was provided with everything required by a first class
+yacht of her size, both for the comfort and safety of the voyager, as
+well as for fast sailing. Though Mr. Ramsay, her builder, was a ship
+carpenter, he was a very intelligent and well-read man. He had made
+yachts a specialty, and devoted a great deal of study to the subject. He
+had examined the fastest craft in New York and Newport, and had their
+lines in his head. And he was a very ingenious man, so that he had the
+tact to make the most of small spaces, and to economize every spare
+inch in lockers, closets, and stow-holes for the numerous articles
+required in a pleasure craft. He had learned his trade as a ship
+carpenter and joiner in Scotland, where the mechanic's education is much
+more thorough than in our own country, and he was an excellent workman.
+
+The cabin of the Sea Foam was about twelve feet long, with transoms on
+each side, which were used both as berths and sofas. They were supplied
+with cushions covered with Brussels carpet, with a pillow of the same
+material at each end. Through the middle, fore and aft, was the
+centre-board casing, on each side of which was a table on hinges, so
+that it could be dropped down when not in use. The only possible
+objection to this cabin, in the mind of a shoreman, would have been its
+lack of height. It was necessarily "low studded," being only five feet
+from floor to ceiling, which was rather trying to the perpendicularity
+of a six-footer. But it was a very comfortable cabin for all that,
+though tall men were compelled to be humble within its low limits.
+
+It was entered from the standing-room by a single step covered with
+plate brass, in which the name of the yacht was wrought with bright
+copper nails. On each side of the companion-way was a closet, one of
+which was for dishes, and the other for miscellaneous stores. The trunk,
+which readers away from boatable waters may need to be informed is an
+elevation about a foot above the main deck, to afford head-room in the
+middle of the cabin, had three deck lights, or ports, on each side. At
+one end of the casing of the centre-board was a place for the water-jar,
+and a rack for tumblers. In the middle were hooks in the trunk-beams for
+the caster and the lantern. The brass-covered step at the entrance was
+movable, and when it was drawn out it left an opening into the run under
+the standing-room, where a considerable space was available for use. In
+the centre of it was the ice-chest, a box two feet square, lined with
+zinc, which was rigged on little grooved wheels running on iron rods,
+like a railroad car, so that the chest could be drawn forward where the
+contents could be reached. On each side of this box was a water-tank,
+holding thirty gallons, which could be filled from the standing-room.
+The water was drawn by a faucet lower than the bottom of the tank in a
+recess at one side of the companion-way. The tanks were connected by a
+pipe, so that the water was drawn from both. At the side of the step was
+a gauge to indicate the supply of fresh water on board.
+
+Forward of the cabin, in the bow of the yacht, was the cook-room, with a
+scuttle opening into it from the forecastle. The stove, a miniature
+affair, with an oven large enough to roast an eight-pound rib of beef,
+and two holes on the top, was in the fore peak. It was placed in a
+shallow pan filled with sand, and the wood-work was covered with sheet
+tin, to guard against fire. Behind the stove was a fuel-bin. On each
+side of the cook room was a shelf eighteen inches wide at the bulk-head
+and tapering forward to nothing. Under it were several lockers for the
+galley utensils and small stores. The room was only four feet high, and
+a tall cook in the Sea Foam would have found it necessary to discount
+himself. On the foremast was a seat on a hinge, which could be dropped
+down, on which the "doctor" could sit and do his work, roasting himself
+at the same time he roasted his beef or fried his fish. Everything in
+the cook-room and the cabin, as well as on deck, was neat and nice. The
+cabin was covered with a handsome oil-cloth carpet, and the wood was
+white with zinc paint, varnished, with gilt moulding to ornament it.
+Edward Patterdale, who was to be the nominal owner and the real skipper
+of this beautiful craft, intended to have several framed pictures on the
+spaces between the deck lights, a clock in the forward end over the
+cook-room door, and brass brackets for the spy-glass in the
+companion-way.
+
+On deck the Sea Foam was as well appointed as she was below. Her
+bowsprit had a gentle downward curve, her mast was a beautiful spar, and
+her topmast was elegantly tapered and set up in good shape. Unlike most
+of the regular highflyer yachts, her jib and mainsail were not
+unreasonably large. Mr. Ramsay did not intend that it should be
+necessary to reef when it blew a twelve-knot breeze, and, like the
+Skylark, she was expected to carry all sail in anything short of a full
+gale. But she was provided with an abundance of "kites," including an
+immense gaff-topsail, which extended on poles far above the topmast
+head, and far beyond the peak, a balloon-jib, a jib-topsail, and a
+three-cornered studding-sail. The balloon-jib, or the jib-topsail, was
+bent on with snap-hooks when it was needed, for only one was used at the
+same time. These extra sails were to be required only in races, and they
+were kept on shore. One stout hand could manage her very well, though
+two made it easier work, and six were allowed in a race.
+
+Donald seated himself in the standing-room, with the tiller in his right
+hand. As soon as he had run out a little way, his attention was excited
+by discovering three other sloop yachts coming down the bay. In one of
+them he recognized the Skylark, and in another the Christabel, while the
+third was a stranger to him, though he had heard of the arrival that day
+of a new yacht from Newport, and concluded this was she. He let off his
+sheet, and ran up to meet the little fleet.
+
+"Sloop, ahoy!" shouted Robert Montague, from the Skylark, as Donald came
+within hailing distance.
+
+"On board the Skylark!" replied the skipper of the Sea Foam.
+
+"Is that you, Don John?"
+
+"Ay, ay."
+
+"What sloop is that?" demanded Robert.
+
+"The Sea Foam."
+
+"Where bound?"
+
+"Over to Turtle Head."
+
+"We are bound there; come with us."
+
+"Ay ay."
+
+"Hold on a minute, Don John," shouted some one from the Christabel.
+
+Each of the yachts had a tender towing astern, and that from the
+Christabel, with five boys in it, immediately put off, and pulled to the
+Sea Foam.
+
+"Will you take us on board, Don John?" asked Gus Barker, as the tender
+came alongside.
+
+"Certainly; I'm glad to have your company," replied Donald, who had
+thrown the yacht up into the wind.
+
+Three of the party in the tender jumped upon the deck of the Sea Foam,
+and the boat returned to the Christabel. Each of the yachts appeared to
+have half a dozen or more on board of her, so that there was quite a
+party on the way to Turtle Head. The sloops filled away again, the
+Skylark and the new arrival having taken the lead, while the other two
+were delayed.
+
+"What sloop is that with the Skylark?" asked Donald.
+
+"That's the Phantom. She got here from Newport this forenoon. Joe
+Guilford's father bought her for him. She is the twin sister of the
+Skylark, and they seem to make an even thing of it in sailing," replied
+Gus Barker.
+
+"You have quite a fleet now," added Donald.
+
+"Yes; and we are going to form a Yacht Club. We intend to have a meeting
+over at Turtle Head. Will you join, Don John?"
+
+"I haven't any boat."
+
+"Nor I, either. All the members can't be skippers," laughed Gus. "I am
+to be mate of the Sea Foam, and that's the reason I wanted to come on
+board of her."
+
+"And I am to be one of her crew," added Dick Adams.
+
+"And I the steward," laughed Ben Johnson. "I am going down into the
+cook-room to see how things look there."
+
+"You will join--won't you, Don?"
+
+"Well, I don't know. I can't afford to run with you fellows with rich
+fathers."
+
+"O, get out! That don't make any difference," puffed Gus. "The owner of
+the yacht has to foot the bills. Besides, we want you, Don John, for you
+know more about a boat than all the rest of the fellows put together."
+
+"Well, I shall be very glad to do anything I can to help the thing
+along; but there are plenty of fellows that can sail a boat better than
+I can."
+
+"But you know all about a boat, and they want you for measurer. We have
+the printed constitution of a Yacht Club, which Bob Montague got in
+Boston, and according to that the measurer is entitled to ten cents a
+foot for measuring a yacht; so you may make something out of your
+office."
+
+"I don't want to make any money out of it," protested Donald.
+
+"You can make enough to pay your dues, for we have to raise some money
+for prizes in the regattas; and we talk of having a club house over on
+Turtle Head," rattled Gus, whose tongue seemed to be hung on a pivot in
+his enthusiasm over the club. "Every fellow must be voted in, and pay
+five dollars a year for membership. We shall have some big times.--We
+are gaining on the Skylark, as true as you live!"
+
+"I think we are; but I guess Bob isn't driving her," added Donald.
+
+"She carries the same sail as the Sea Foam. I would give anything to
+beat her. Make her do her best, Don John."
+
+"I will," laughed the skipper, who had kept one eye on the Skylark all
+the time.
+
+He trimmed the sails a little, and began to be somewhat excited over the
+prospect of a race. The Christabel was three feet longer than the other
+yachts, and it was soon evident that in a light wind she was more than a
+match for them, for she ran ahead of the Sea Foam. Her jib and mainsail
+were much larger in proportion to her size than those of the other
+sloops, but she was not an able boat, not a heavy-weather craft, like
+them. The Sea Foam continued to gain on the Skylark, till she was
+abreast of her, while the Phantom kept about even with her. But then
+Robert Montague was busy all the time talking with his companions about
+the Yacht Club, and did not pay particular attention to the sailing of
+his boat. The Sea Foam began to walk ahead of him, and then, for the
+first time, it dawned upon him that the reputation of the Skylark was at
+stake. He had his crew of five with him, and he placed them in position
+to improve the sailing of his craft. He ordered one of his hands to give
+a small pull on the jib-sheet, another to let off the main sheet a
+little, and a third to haul up the centre-board a little more, as she
+was going free.
+
+The effect of this attention on the part of the skipper of the Skylark
+was to lessen the distance between her and the Sea Foam; they were abeam
+of each other, with the Phantom in the same line. The Christabel was
+about a cable's length ahead of them.
+
+"She's game yet," said Gus Barker, his disappointment evident in the
+tones of his voice, as the Skylark came up to the Sea Foam.
+
+"This is a new boat, and I haven't got the hang of her yet," Donald
+explained. "Haul up that fin a little, Dick."
+
+"What fin?"
+
+"The centre-board."
+
+"Ay, ay," replied Dick, as he obeyed the order.
+
+"Steady! that's enough," continued Donald, who now narrowly watched the
+sailing of the Sea Foam, to assure himself that she did not make too
+much leeway.
+
+"That was what she wanted!" exclaimed Gus, when the yacht began to gain
+again, and in a few minutes was half a length ahead.
+
+[Illustration: THE START. Page 51.]
+
+"But not quite so much of it," replied Donald, when he saw that his
+craft was sliding off a very little. "Give her just three inches more
+fin, Dick."
+
+The centre-board was dropped this distance, and the tendency to make
+leeway thus corrected.
+
+"She is gaining still!" cried Gus, delighted.
+
+"Not much; it is a pretty even thing," added Donald.
+
+"No matter; we beat her, and I don't care if it's only half an inch in a
+mile."
+
+"But the Christabel is leading us all. She is sure of all the first
+prizes."
+
+"Not a bit of it. She has to reef when there's a capful of wind. In a
+calm she will beat us, but when it blows we shall wax her all to
+pieces."
+
+"Hallo!" shouted Mr. Laud Cavendish, whose small sail-boat was
+overhauled about half way over to Turtle Head. "Is that you, Don John?"
+
+"I believe so," replied Donald.
+
+"Where you going?"
+
+"Over to Turtle Head. Want us to give you a tow?"
+
+"No; you needn't brag about your old tub. She don't belong to you; and
+I'm going to have a boat that will beat that one all to splinters,"
+replied Laud.
+
+"All right; fetch her along."
+
+"I say, Don John, I'm going to stop over Sunday on Turtle Head. Won't
+you stay with me?"
+
+"No, I thank you. I must go home to-night," answered Donald.
+
+Mr. Laud Cavendish knew very well that Donald would not spend Sunday in
+boating and fishing; and he did not ask because he wanted him. Besides,
+for more reasons than one, he did not desire his company. The Sea Foam
+ran out of talking distance of the sail-boat in a moment. Robert
+Montague was doing his best to keep up the reputation of the Skylark;
+but when the fleet came up to Turtle Head, she was more than a length
+behind. The jib was hauled down, the yachts came up into the wind, and
+the anchors were let go.
+
+"Beat you," shouted Gus Barker.
+
+"Not much," replied Robert. "We will try that over again some time."
+
+"We are willing," added Donald.
+
+The mainsails were lowered, and the young yachtmen embarked in the
+tenders for the shore. Turtle Head is a rocky point at the northern
+extremity of Long Island, in Penobscot Bay. There were a few trees near
+the shore, and under these the party purposed to hold their meeting.
+Though the weather was intensely hot on shore, it was comfortably cool
+at the Head, where the wind came over five or six miles of salt water
+cool from the ocean. The boys leaped ashore, and hauled up their boats
+where the rising tide could not float them off. There were over twenty
+of them, all members of the High School.
+
+"The Sea Foam sails well," said Robert Montague, as he walked over to
+the little grove with Donald.
+
+"Very well, indeed. This is the first time she has been out, and I find
+she works first rate," replied Donald.
+
+"I want to try it with her some day, when everything is right."
+
+"Wasn't everything right to-day?" asked Donald, smiling, for he was well
+aware that every boatman has a good excuse for the shortcomings of his
+craft.
+
+"No; my tender is twice as heavy as yours," added Robert. "I must get
+your father to build me one like that of the Sea Foam."
+
+"We will try it without any tenders, which we don't want in a race."
+
+"Of course I don't know but the Sea Foam can beat me; but I haven't seen
+the boat of her inches before that could show her stern to the Skylark,"
+said Robert; and it was plain that he was a little nettled at the slight
+advantage which the new yacht had gained.
+
+"I should like to sail her when you try it, for I have great hopes of
+the Sea Foam. If my father has built a boat that will beat the Skylark
+in all weathers, he has done a big thing, and it will make business good
+for him."
+
+"For his sake I might be almost willing to be whipped," replied Robert,
+good-naturedly, as they halted in the grove.
+
+Charley Armstrong was the oldest member of the party, and he was to call
+the meeting to order, which he did with a brief speech, explaining the
+object of the gathering, though everybody present knew it perfectly
+well. Charles was then chosen chairman, and Dick Adams secretary. It was
+voted to form a club, and the secretary was called upon to read the
+constitution of the "Dorchester Yacht Club." The name was changed to
+Belfast, and the document was adopted as the constitution of the Belfast
+Yacht Club. The second article declared that the officers should consist
+of a "Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Captain of the Fleet, Secretary,
+Treasurer, Measurer, a Board of Trustees, and a Regatta Committee;" and
+the next business was to elect them, which had to be done by written or
+printed ballots. As the first three officers were required to be owners
+in whole, or in part, of yachts enrolled in the club, there was found to
+be an alarming scarcity of yachts. The Skylark, Sea Foam, Phantom, and
+Christabel were on hand. Edward Patterdale and Samuel Rodman had
+signified their intention to join, though they were unable to be present
+at the first meeting. The Maud, as Samuel Rodman's new yacht was to be
+called, was to be built at once: she was duly enrolled, thus making a
+total of five, from whom the first three officers must be chosen.
+
+The secretary had come supplied with stationery, and a slip was handed
+to each member, after the constitution had been signed. A ballot was
+taken for commodore; Robert B. Montague had twenty votes, and Charles
+Armstrong one. Robert accepted the office in a "neat little speech,"
+and took the chair, which was a sharp rock. Edward Patterdale was
+elected vice-commodore, and Joseph Guilford captain of the fleet. Donald
+was chosen measurer, and the other offices filled to the satisfaction of
+those elected, if not of the others. It was then agreed to have a review
+and excursion on the following Saturday, to which the ladies were to be
+invited.
+
+The important business of the day was happily finished, and the fleet
+sailed for Belfast. Having secured the Sea Foam at her mooring, Donald
+hastened home. As he approached the cottage, he saw a doctor's sulky at
+the door, and the neighbors going in and out. His heart rose into his
+throat, for there was not one living beneath that humble roof whom he
+did not love better than himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A SAD EVENT IN THE RAMSAY FAMILY.
+
+
+Donald's heart beat violently as he hastened towards the cottage. Before
+he could reach it, another doctor drew up at the door, and it was
+painfully certain that one of the family was very sick--dangerously so,
+or two physicians would not have been summoned. It might be his father,
+his mother, or his sister Barbara; and whichever it was, it was terrible
+to think of. His legs almost gave away under him, when he staggered up
+to the cottage. As he did so, he recalled the fact that his father had
+been ailing when he went away in the Sea Foam. It must be his father,
+therefore, who was now so desperately ill as to require the attendance
+of two doctors.
+
+The cottage was a small affair, with a pretty flower garden in front of
+it, and a whitewashed fence around it. But small as it was, it was not
+owned by the boat-builder, who, though not in debt, had hardly anything
+of this world's goods--possibly a hundred dollars in the savings' bank,
+and the furniture in the cottage. Though he was as prudent and thrifty
+as Scotchmen generally are, and was not beset by their "often
+infirmity," he had not been very prosperous. The business of
+ship-building had been almost entirely suspended, and for several years
+only a few small vessels had been built in the city. Ramsay had always
+obtained work; but he lived well, and gave his daughter and his son an
+excellent education.
+
+Alexander Ramsay's specialty was the building of yachts and boats, and
+he determined to make a better use of his skill than selling it with his
+labor for day wages. He went into business for himself as a
+boat-builder. When he established himself, he had several hundred
+dollars, with which he purchased stock and tools. He had built several
+sail-boats, but the Sea Foam was the largest job he had obtained.
+Doubtless with life and health he would have done a good business.
+Donald had always been interested in boats, and he knew the name and
+shape of every timber and plank in the hull of a vessel, as well as
+every spar and rope. Though only sixteen, he was an excellent mechanic
+himself. His father had taken great pains to instruct him in the use of
+tools, and in draughting and modelling boats and larger craft. He not
+only studied the art in theory, but he worked with his own hands. In the
+parlor of the little cottage was a full-rigged brig, made entirely by
+him. The hull was not a log, shaped and dug out, but regularly
+constructed, with timbers and planking. When he finished it, only a few
+months before his introduction to the reader, he felt competent to build
+a yacht like the Sea Foam, without any assistance; but boys are
+generally over-confident, and possibly he overrated his ability.
+
+With his heart rising up into his throat, Donald walked towards the
+cottage. As he passed the whitewashed gate, one of the neighbors came
+out at the front door. She was an elderly woman, and she looked very sad
+as she glanced at the boy.
+
+"I'm glad you have come, Donald; but I'm afraid he'll never speak to you
+again," said she.
+
+"Is it my father?" gasped the poor fellow.
+
+"It is; and he's very sick indeed."
+
+"What ails him?"
+
+"That's more than the doctors can tell yet," added the woman. "They say
+it's very like the cholera; and I suppose it's cholera-morbus. He has
+been ailing for several days, and he didn't take care of himself. But go
+in, Donald, and see him while you may."
+
+The young man entered the cottage. The doctors, his mother and sister,
+were all doing what they could for the sufferer, who was enduring, with
+what patience he could, the most agonizing pain. Donald went into the
+chamber where his father lay writhing upon the bed. The physicians were
+at work upon him; but he saw his son as he entered the room and held out
+his hand to him. The boy took it in his own. It was cold and convulsed.
+
+"I'm glad you've come, Donald," groaned he, uttering the words with
+great difficulty. "Be a good boy always, and take care of your mother
+and sister."
+
+"I will, father," sobbed Donald, pressing the cold hand he held.
+
+"I was afraid I might never see you again," gasped Mr. Ramsay.
+
+"O, don't give up, my man," said Dr. Wadman. "You may be all right in a
+few hours."
+
+The sick man said no more. He was in too much pain to speak again, and
+Dr. Wadman sent Donald to the kitchen for some hot water. When he
+returned with it he was directed to go to the apothecary's for an ounce
+of chloroform, which the doctors were using internally and externally,
+and had exhausted their supply. Donald ran all the way as though the
+life of his father depended upon his speed. He was absent only a few
+minutes, but when he came back there was weeping and wailing in the
+little cottage by the sea-side. His father had breathed his last, even
+while the doctors were hopefully working to save him.
+
+"O, Donald, Donald!" cried Mrs. Ramsay, as she threw her arms around his
+neck. "Your poor father is gone!"
+
+The boy could not speak; he could not even weep, though his grief was
+not less intense than that of his mother and sister. They groaned, and
+sobbed, and sighed together, till kind neighbors led them from the
+chamber of death, vainly endeavoring to comfort them. It was hours
+before they were even tolerably calm; but they could speak of nothing,
+think of nothing, but him who was gone. The neighbors did all that it
+was necessary to do, and spent the night with the afflicted ones, who
+could not separate to seek their beds. The rising sun of the Sabbath
+found them still up, and still weeping--those who could weep. It was a
+long, long Sunday to them, and every moment of it was given to him who
+had been a devoted husband and a tender father. On Monday, all too soon,
+was the funeral; and all that was mortal of Alexander Ramsay was laid in
+the silent grave, never more to be looked upon by those who had loved
+him, and whom he had loved.
+
+The little cottage was like a casket robbed of its single jewel to those
+who were left. Earth and life seemed like a terrible blank to them. They
+could not accustom themselves to the empty chair at the window where he
+sat when his day's work was done; to the vacant place at the table,
+where he had always invoked the blessing of God on the frugal fare
+before them; and to the silent and deserted shop on the other side of
+the street, from which the noise of his hammer and the clip of his adze
+had come to them. A week wore away and nothing was done but the most
+necessary offices of the household. The neighbors came frequently to
+beguile their grief, and the minister made several visits, bearing to
+them the consolations of the gospel, and the tender message of a genuine
+sympathy.
+
+But it is not for poor people long to waste themselves in idle
+lamentations. The problem of the future was forced upon Mrs. Ramsay for
+solution. If they had been able only to live comfortably on the earnings
+of the dead husband, what should they do now when the strong arm that
+delved for them was silent in the cold embrace of death? They must all
+work now; but even then the poor woman could hardly see how she could
+keep her family together. Barbara was eighteen, but she had never done
+anything except to assist her mother, whose health was not very good,
+about the house. She was a graduate of the High School, and competent,
+so far as education was concerned, to teach a school if she could obtain
+a situation. Mrs. Ramsay might obtain work to be done at home, but it
+was only a pittance she could earn besides doing her housework. She
+wished to have Donald finish his education at the High School, but she
+was afraid this was impossible.
+
+Donald, still mourning for his father, who had so constantly been his
+companion in the cottage and in the shop, that he could not reconcile
+himself to the loss, hardly thought of the future, till his mother spoke
+to him about it. He had often, since that bitter Saturday night,
+recalled the last words his father had ever spoken to him, in which he
+had told him to be a good boy always and take care of his mother and
+sister; but they had not much real significance to him till his mother
+spoke to him. Then he understood them; then he saw that his father was
+conscious of the near approach of death, and had given his mother and
+his sister into his keeping. Then, with the memory of him who was gone
+lingering near and dear in his heart, a mighty resolution was born in
+his soul, though it did not at once take a practical form.
+
+"Don't worry about the future, mother," said he, after he had listened
+to her rather hopeless statement of her views.
+
+"I don't worry about it, Donald, for while we have our health and
+strength, we can work and make a living. I want to keep you in school
+till the end of the year, but I--"
+
+"Of course I can't go to school any more, mother. I am ready to go to
+work," interposed Donald.
+
+"I know you are, my boy; but I want you to finish your school course
+very much."
+
+"I haven't thought a great deal about the matter yet, mother, but I
+think I shall be able to do what father told me."
+
+"Your father did not expect you to take care of us till you had grown
+up, I'm sure," added Mrs. Ramsay, who had heard the dying injunction of
+her husband to their son.
+
+"I don't know that he did; but I shall do the best I can."
+
+"Poor father! He never thought of anything but us," sighed Mrs. Ramsay;
+and her woman's tears flowed freely again, so freely that there was no
+power of utterance left to her.
+
+Donald wept, too, as he thought of him who was not only his father, but
+his loving companion in study, in work, and in play. He left the house
+and walked over to the shop. For the first time since the sad event, he
+unlocked the door and entered. The tears trickled down his cheeks as he
+glanced at the bench where his father had done his last day's work. The
+planes and a few other tools were neatly arranged upon it, and his apron
+was spread over them. On the walls were models of boats and yachts, and
+in one corner were the "moulds." Donald seated himself on the
+tool-chest, and looked around at every familiar object in the shop. He
+was thinking of something, but his thought had not yet taken definite
+form. While he was considering the present and the future, Samuel Rodman
+entered the shop.
+
+"Do you suppose I can get the model of the Sea Foam, Don John?" inquired
+he, after something had been said about the deceased boat-builder.
+
+"I think you can. The model and the drawings are all here," replied
+Donald.
+
+"We intend to build the Maud this season, and I want her to be as near
+like the Sea Foam as possible."
+
+"Who is going to build her?" asked Donald, his interest suddenly kindled
+by the question.
+
+"I don't know; we haven't spoken to any one about it yet," replied
+Samuel. "There isn't anybody in these parts that can build her as
+your father would."
+
+[Illustration: DON JOHN WANTS A JOB. Page 73.]
+
+"Sam, can't I do this job for you?" said Donald.
+
+"You?"
+
+"Yes, I. You know I used to work with my father, and I understand his
+way of doing things."
+
+"Well, I hadn't thought that you could do it; but I will talk with my
+father about it," answered Samuel, who appeared to have some doubts
+about the ability of his friend to do so large a job.
+
+"I don't mean to do it all myself, Sam. I will hire one or two
+first-rate ship carpenters," added Donald. "She shall be just like the
+Sea Foam, except a little alteration, which my father explained to me,
+in the bow and run."
+
+"Do you think you could do the job, Don John?" asked Samuel, with an
+incredulous smile.
+
+"I know I could," said Donald, earnestly. "If I had time enough I could
+build her all alone."
+
+"We want her as soon as we can get her."
+
+"She shall be finished as quick as my father could have done her."
+
+"I will see my father about it to-night, Don John, and let you know
+to-morrow. I came down to see about the model."
+
+Samuel Rodman left the shop and walked down the beach to the sail-boat
+in which he had come. Donald was almost inspired by the idea which had
+taken possession of him. If he could only carry on his father's
+business, he could make money enough to support the family; and knowing
+every stick in the hull of a vessel, he felt competent to do so. Full of
+enthusiasm, he hastened into the cottage to unfold his brilliant scheme
+to his mother. He stated his plan to her, but at first she shook her
+head.
+
+"Do you think you could build a yacht, Donald?" she asked.
+
+"I am certain I could. Didn't you hear father say that my brig contained
+every timber and plank that belongs to a vessel?"
+
+"Yes, and that the work was done as well as he could do it himself; but
+that does not prove that you can carry on the business."
+
+"I want one or two men, if we build the Maud, because it would take too
+long for me to do all the work alone."
+
+"The Maud?"
+
+"That was the yacht that father was to build next. I asked Sam Rodman to
+give me the job, and he is going to talk with his father about it
+to-night."
+
+Mrs. Ramsay was rather startled at this announcement, which indicated
+that her son really meant business in earnest.
+
+"Do you think he will let you do it?" she asked.
+
+"I hope he will."
+
+"Are you sure you can make anything if you build the yacht?"
+
+"Father made over three hundred dollars on the Sea Foam, besides his day
+wages."
+
+"That is no reason why you can do it."
+
+"All his models, moulds, and draughts are in the shop. I know where they
+are, and just what to do with them. I hope you will let me try it,
+mother."
+
+"Suppose you don't make out?"
+
+"But I shall make out."
+
+"If Mr. Rodman refuses to accept the yacht after the job is done, what
+will you do?"
+
+"I shall have her myself then, and I can make lots of money taking out
+parties in her."
+
+"Your father was paid for the Sea Foam as the work progressed. He had
+received eight hundred dollars on her when she was finished."
+
+"I know it; and Captain Patterdale owes four hundred more. If you let me
+use some of the money to buy stock and pay the men till I get payment on
+the job, I shall do very well."
+
+"We must have something to live on. After I have paid the funeral
+expenses and other bills, this money that Captain Patterdale owes will
+be all I have."
+
+"But Mr. Rodman will pay me something on the job, when he is satisfied
+that the work will be done."
+
+The widow was not very clear about the business; but she concluded, at
+last, that if Mr. Rodman would give him the job, she would allow him to
+undertake it. Donald was satisfied, and went back to the shop. He opened
+his father's chest and took out his account book. Turning to a page
+which was headed "Sea Foam," he found every item of labor and
+expenditure charged to her. Every day's work, every foot of stock, every
+pound of nails, every article of brass or hardware, and the cost of
+sails and cordage, were carefully entered on the account. From this he
+could learn the price of everything used in the construction of the
+yacht, for his guidance in the great undertaking before him. But he was
+quite familiar before with the cost of everything used in building a
+boat. On a piece of smooth board, he figured up the probable cost, and
+assured himself he could make a good job of the building of the Maud.
+
+The next day was Saturday--two weeks after the organization of the yacht
+club. There had been a grand review a week before, which Donald did not
+attend. The yachtmen had taken their mothers, sisters, and other friends
+on an excursion down the bay, and given them a collation at Turtle Head.
+On the Saturday in question, a meeting of the club at the Head had been
+called to complete the arrangements for a regatta, and the Committee on
+Regattas were to make their report. Donald had been requested to attend
+in order to measure the yachts. He did not feel much like taking part in
+the sports of the club, but he decided to perform the duty required of
+him. He expected to see Samuel Rodman on this occasion, and to learn the
+decision of his father in regard to the building of the Maud.
+
+After breakfast he embarked in the sail-boat which had belonged to his
+father, and with a fresh breeze stood over to Turtle Head. He had dug
+some clams early in the morning, and told his mother he should bring
+home some fish which he intended to catch after the meeting of the club.
+As the boat sped on her way, he thought of his grand scheme to carry on
+his father's business, and everything seemed to depend upon Mr. Rodman's
+decision. He hoped for the best, but he trembled for the result. When he
+reached his destination, he found another boat at the Head, and soon
+discovered Laud Cavendish on the bluff.
+
+"Hallo, Don John!" shouted the swell, as Donald stepped on shore.
+
+"How are you, Laud? You are out early."
+
+"Not very; I came ashore here to see if I couldn't find some clams,"
+added Laud, as he held up a clam-digger he carried in his hand--a kind
+of trowel fixed in a shovel-handle.
+
+"You can't find any clams here," said Donald, wondering that even such a
+swell should expect to find them there.
+
+"I am going down to Camden to stay over Sunday, and I thought I might
+fish a little on the way."
+
+"You will find some farther down the shore, where there is a soft beach.
+Do you get off every Saturday now, Laud?"
+
+"Get off? Yes; I get off every day. I'm out of a job."
+
+"I thought you were at Miller's store."
+
+"I was there; but I'm not now. Miller shoved me out. Do you know of any
+fellow that has a good boat to sell?"
+
+"What kind of a boat?"
+
+"Well, one like the Skylark and the Sea Foam."
+
+"No; I don't know of any one around here. Do you want to buy one?"
+
+"Yes; I thought I would buy one, if I could get her about right. She
+must be cheap."
+
+"How cheap do you expect to buy a boat like the Sea Foam?" asked Donald,
+wondering what a young man out of business could be thinking about when
+he talked of buying a yacht.
+
+"Four or five hundred dollars."
+
+"The Sea Foam cost twelve hundred."
+
+"That's a fancy price. The Skylark didn't cost but five hundred."
+
+"Do you want to give five hundred for a boat?"
+
+"Not for myself, Don John. I was going to buy one for another man. I
+must be going now," added Laud, as he went down to his boat.
+
+Hoisting his sail, he shoved off, and stood over towards Searsport.
+Donald walked up the slope to the Head, from which he could see the
+yacht club fleet as soon as it sailed from the city.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK.
+
+
+Donald seated himself on a rock, with his gaze directed towards Belfast.
+His particular desire just then was to see Samuel Rodman, in order to
+learn whether he was to have the job of building the Maud. He felt able
+to do it, and even then, as he thought of the work, he had in his mind
+the symmetrical lines of the new yacht, as they were to be after the
+change in the model which his father had explained to him. He recalled a
+suggestion of a small increase in the size of the mainsail, which had
+occurred to him when he sailed the Sea Foam. His first aspiration was
+only to build a yacht; his second was to build one that would beat
+anything of her inches in the fleet. If he could realize this last
+ambition, he would have all the business he could do.
+
+The yacht fleet did not appear up the bay; but it was only nine o'clock
+in the morning, and possibly the meeting of the club would not take
+place till afternoon. If any one had told him the hour, he had forgotten
+it, but the former meeting had been in the forenoon. He was too nervous
+to sit still a great while, and, rising, he walked about, musing upon
+his grand scheme. The place was an elevated platform of rock, a portion
+of it covered with soil to the depth of several feet, on which the grass
+grew. It was not far above the water even at high tide, nor were the
+bluffs very bold. The plateau was on a peninsula, extending to the north
+from the island, which was not unlike the head of a turtle, and the
+shape had given it a name. Donald walked back and forth on the headland,
+watching for the fleet.
+
+"I wonder if Laud Cavendish was digging for clams up here," thought he,
+as he observed a spot where the earth appeared to have been disturbed.
+
+The marks of Laud's clam-digger were plainly to be seen in the loam, a
+small quantity of which remained on the sod. Certainly the swell had
+been digging there; but it could not have been for clams; and Donald was
+trying to imagine what it was for, when he heard footsteps near him.
+Coming towards him, he discovered Captain Shivernock, of the city; and
+he had two problems to solve instead of one; not very important ones, it
+is true, but just such as are suggested to everybody at times. Perhaps
+it did not make the least difference to the young man whether or not he
+ascertained why Laud Cavendish had been digging on the Head, or why
+Captain Shivernock happened to be on the island, apparently without any
+boat, at that time in the morning. I do not think Donald would have
+given a nickel five-cent piece to have been informed correctly upon
+either point, though he did propose the question to himself in each
+case. Probably Laud had no particular object in view in digging--the
+ground did not look as though he had; and Captain Shivernock was odd
+enough to do anything, or to be anywhere, at the most unseasonable
+hours.
+
+"How are you, Don John?" shouted the captain, as he came within hailing
+distance of Donald.
+
+"How do you do, Captain Shivernock," replied the young man, rather
+coldly, for he had no regard, and certainly no admiration, for the man.
+
+"You are just the man I wanted to see," added the captain.
+
+Donald could not reciprocate the sentiment, and, not being a hypocrite,
+he made no reply. The captain seemed to be somewhat fatigued and out of
+breath, and immediately seated himself on the flat rock which the young
+man had occupied. He was not more than five feet and a half high, but
+was tolerably stout. The top of his head was as bald as a winter squash;
+but extending around the back of his head from ear to ear was a heavy
+fringe of red hair. His whiskers were of the same color; but, as age
+began to bleach them out under the chin, he shaved this portion of his
+figure-head, while his side whiskers and mustache were very long. He was
+dressed in a complete suit of gray, and wore a coarse braided straw hat.
+
+Captain Shivernock, as I have more than once hinted, was an eccentric
+man. He had been a shipmaster in the earlier years of his life, and had
+made a fortune by some lucky speculations during the War of the
+Rebellion, in which he took counsel of his interest rather than his
+patriotism. He had a strong will, a violent temper, and an implacable
+hatred to any man who had done him an injury, either actually or
+constructively. It was said that he was as faithful and devoted in his
+friendships as he was bitter and relentless in his hatreds; but no one
+in the city, where he was a very unpopular man, had any particular
+experience of the soft side of his character. He was a native of
+Lincolnville, near Belfast, though he had left his home in his youth. He
+had a fine house in the city, and lived in good style. He was said to be
+a widower, and had no children. The husband of his housekeeper was the
+man of all work about his place, and both of them had come with their
+employer from New York.
+
+He seldom did anything like other people. He never went to church, would
+never put his name upon a subscription paper, however worthy the object,
+though he had been known to give a poor man an extravagant reward for a
+slight service. He would not pay his taxes till the fangs of the law
+worried the money out of him, but would give fifty dollars for the first
+salmon or the first dish of peaches of the season for his table. He was
+as full of contradictions as he was of oddities, and no one knew how to
+take him. One moment he seemed to be hoarding his money like a miser,
+and the next scattering it with insane prodigality.
+
+"I'm tired out, Don John," added Captain Shivernock, as he seated
+himself, fanning his red face with his hat.
+
+"Have you walked far, sir?" asked Donald, who was well acquainted with
+the captain; for his father had worked on his boat, and he was often in
+the shop.
+
+"I believe I have hoofed it about ten miles this morning," replied
+Captain Shivernock with an oath; and he had a wicked habit of
+ornamenting every sentence he used with a profane expletive, which I
+shall invariably omit.
+
+"Then you have walked nearly the whole length of the island."
+
+"Do you mean to tell me I lie?" demanded the captain.
+
+"Certainly not, sir," protested Donald.
+
+"My boat got aground down here. I started early this morning to go down
+to Vinal Haven; but I'm dished now, and can't go," continued Captain
+Shivernock, so interlarding with oaths this simple statement that it
+looks like another thing divested of them.
+
+"Where did you get aground?" asked Donald.
+
+"Down by Seal Harbor."
+
+"About three miles from here."
+
+"Do you think I lied to you?"
+
+"By no means, sir."
+
+Donald could not divine how the captain had got aground near Seal
+Harbor, if he was bound from Belfast to Vinal Haven, though it was
+possible that the wind had been more to the southward early in the
+morning, compelling him to beat down the bay; but it was not prudent to
+question anything the captain said.
+
+"I ran in shore pretty well, and took the ground. I tried for half an
+hour to get the Juno off, but I was soon left high and dry on the beach.
+I anchored her where she was, and I'm sorry now I didn't set her afire,"
+explained the captain.
+
+"Set her afire!" exclaimed Donald.
+
+"That's what I said. She shall never play me such a trick again,"
+growled the strange man.
+
+"Why, it wasn't the fault of the boat."
+
+"Do you mean to say it was my fault?" demanded the captain, ripping out
+a string of oaths that made Donald shiver.
+
+"It was an accident which might happen to any one."
+
+"Do you think I didn't know what I was about?"
+
+"I suppose you did, sir; but any boat may get aground."
+
+"Not with me! if she did I'd burn her or sell her for old junk. I never
+will sail in her again after I get home. I know what I'm about."
+
+"Of course you do, sir."
+
+"Got a boat here?" suddenly demanded the eccentric.
+
+"Yes, sir; I have our sail-boat."
+
+"Take me down to Seal Harbor in her," added the captain, rising from his
+seat.
+
+"I don't think I can go, sir."
+
+"Don't you? What's the reason you can't?" asked the captain, with a
+sneer on his lips.
+
+"I have to meet the yacht club here."
+
+Captain Shivernock cursed the yacht club with decided unction, and
+insisted that Donald should convey him in his boat to the place where
+the Juno was at anchor.
+
+"I have to measure the yachts when they come, sir."
+
+"Measure--" but the place the captain suggested was not capable of
+measurement. "I'll pay you well for going."
+
+"I should not ask any pay if I could go," added Donald, glancing up the
+bay to see if the fleet was under way.
+
+"I say I will pay you well, and you will be a fool if you don't go with
+me."
+
+"The yachts haven't started yet, and perhaps I shall have time to get
+back before they arrive."
+
+"I don't care whether you get back or not; I want you to go."
+
+"I will go, sir, and run the risk," replied Donald, as he led the way
+down to the boat.
+
+Shoving her off, he helped the captain into her, and hoisted the sail.
+
+"What boat's that over there?" demanded Captain Shivernock, as he
+pointed at the craft sailed by Laud Cavendish, which was still standing
+on towards Searsport.
+
+Donald told him who was in her.
+
+"Don't go near her," said he, sternly. "I always want a good mile
+between me and that puppy."
+
+"He is bound to Camden, and won't get there for a week at that rate,"
+added Donald.
+
+"Don't care if he don't," growled the passenger.
+
+"I don't know that I do, either," added the skipper. "Laud wants to buy
+a boat, and perhaps you can sell him yours, if you are tired of her."
+
+"Shut up!"
+
+Donald did "shut up," and decided not to make any more talk with the
+captain, only to give him civil answers. Ordinarily he would as soon
+have thought of wrestling with a Bengal tiger as of carrying on a
+conversation with such a porcupine as his passenger, who scrupled not to
+insult man or boy without the slightest provocation. In a few moments
+the skipper tacked, having weathered the Head, and stood into the little
+bay west of it.
+
+"Don John," said Captain Shivernock, sharply, fixing his gaze upon the
+skipper.
+
+"Sir?"
+
+The captain took his wallet from his pocket. It was well filled with
+greenbacks, from which he took several ten-dollar bills--five or six of
+them, at least.
+
+"I will pay you," said he.
+
+"I don't ask any pay for this, sir. I am willing to do you a favor for
+nothing."
+
+"Hold your tongue, you fool! A favor?" sneered the eccentric. "Do you
+think I would ask a little monkey like you to do me a favor?"
+
+"I won't call it a favor, sir."
+
+"Better not. There! take that," and Captain Shivernock shoved the bills
+he had taken from his wallet into Donald's hand.
+
+"No, sir! I can't take all that, if I do anything," protested the
+skipper, amazed at the generosity of his passenger. The captain, with a
+sudden spring, grasped a short boat-hook which lay between the rail and
+the wash-board.
+
+"Put that money into your pocket, or I'll smash your head; and you won't
+be the first man I've killed, either," said the violent passenger.
+
+Donald did not find the money hard to take on its own merits, and he
+considerately obeyed the savage order. His pride, which revolted at the
+idea of being paid for a slight service rendered to a neighbor, was
+effectually conquered. He put the money in his pocket; but as soon as
+the captain laid down the boat-hook, he took it out to count it, and
+found there was fifty dollars. He deposited it carefully in his wallet.
+
+"You don't mean to pay me all that money for this little job?" said he.
+
+"Do you think I don't know what I mean?" snarled the passenger.
+
+"I suppose you do, sir."
+
+"You suppose I do!" sneered the cynic. "You know I do."
+
+"Fifty dollars is a great deal of money for such a little job."
+
+"That's none of your business. Don John, you've got a tongue in your
+head!" said Captain Shivernock, pointing his finger at the skipper, and
+glowering upon him as though he was charging him with some heinous
+crime.
+
+"I am aware of it, sir," replied Donald.
+
+"Do you know what a tongue is for?" demanded the captain.
+
+"It is of great assistance to one in talking."
+
+"Don't equivocate, you sick monkey. Do you know what a tongue is for?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"What's a tongue for?"
+
+"To talk with, and--"
+
+"That's enough! I thought you would say so. You are an ignorant whelp."
+
+"Isn't the tongue to talk with?"
+
+"No!" roared the passenger.
+
+"What is it for, then?" asked Donald, who did not know whether to be
+alarmed or amused at the manner of his violent companion.
+
+"It's to keep still with, you canting little monkey! And that's what I
+want you to do with your tongue," replied Captain Shivernock.
+
+"I don't think I understand you, sir."
+
+"I don't think you do. How could you, when I haven't told you what I
+mean. Listen to me." The eccentric paused, and fixed his gaze earnestly
+upon the skipper.
+
+"Have you seen me this morning?" demanded he.
+
+"Of course I have."
+
+"No, you haven't!"
+
+"I really thought I had."
+
+"Thought's a fool, and you're another! You haven't seen me. If anybody
+in Belfast asks you if you have seen me, tell 'em you haven't."
+
+"If the tongue isn't to talk with, it isn't to tell a lie with," added
+Donald.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the captain; "you've got me there."
+
+He produced his wallet again, and took a ten-dollar bill from the roll
+it contained, which he tendered to Donald.
+
+"What's that for?" asked the skipper.
+
+"Put it in your pocket, or I'll mash your empty skull!"
+
+Donald placed it with the other bills in his wallet, more than ever
+amazed at the conduct of his singular passenger.
+
+"I never allow anyone to get ahead of me without paying for my own
+stupidity. Do you go to Sunday School, and church, and missionary
+meetings?" asked the captain, with a sneer.
+
+"I do, sir."
+
+"I thought so. You are a sick monkey. You don't let your tongue tell a
+lie."
+
+"No, sir; I don't mean to tell a lie, if I can help it, and I generally
+can."
+
+"You walk in the strait and narrow way which leads to the meeting-house.
+I don't. All right! Broad is the way! But one thing is certain, Don
+John, you haven't seen me to-day."
+
+"But I have," persisted Donald.
+
+"I say you have not; don't contradict me, if you want to take that head
+of yours home with you. Nobody will ask whether you have seen me or not;
+so that if a lie is likely to choke you, keep still with your tongue."
+
+"I am not to say that I have seen you on the island?" queried Donald.
+
+"You are not," replied the captain, with an echoing expletive.
+
+"Why not, sir?"
+
+"None of your business! Do as you are told, and spend the money I gave
+you for gingerbread and fast horses."
+
+"But when my mother sees this money she will want to know where I got
+it."
+
+"If you tell her or anybody else, I'll hammer your head till it isn't
+thicker than a piece of sheet-iron. Don't let her see the money. Hire a
+fast horse, and go to ride next Sunday."
+
+"I don't go to ride on Sunday."
+
+"I suppose not. Give it to the missionaries to buy red flannel shirts
+for little niggers in the West Indies, if you like. I don't care what
+you do with it."
+
+"You don't wish anybody to know you have been on the island this
+morning--is that the idea, Captain Shivernock?" asked Donald, not a
+little alarmed at the position in which his companion was placing him.
+
+"That's the idea, Don John."
+
+"I don't see why--"
+
+"You are not to see why," interrupted the captain, fiercely. "That's my
+business, not yours. Will you do as I tell you?"
+
+"If there is any trouble--"
+
+"There isn't any trouble. Do you think I've killed somebody?--No. Do you
+think I've robbed somebody?--No. Do you think I've set somebody's house
+on fire?--No. Do you think I've stolen somebody's chickens?--No. Nothing
+of the sort. I want to know whether you can keep your tongue still. Let
+us see. There's the Juno."
+
+"Somebody will see your boat, and know that you have been here--"
+
+"That's my business, not yours. Don't bother your head with what don't
+concern you," growled the passenger.
+
+The Juno was afloat, but she could not have been so many minutes, when
+Donald came alongside of her. It was now about half tide on the flood,
+and she must have grounded at about half tide on the ebb. This fact
+indicated that Captain Shivernock had left her at four o'clock in the
+morning. The owner of the Juno stepped into her, and Donald hoisted the
+sail for him. The boat was cat-rigged, and about twenty-four feet long.
+She was a fine craft, with a small cabin forward, furnished with every
+convenience the limited space would permit. The captain seated himself
+in the standing-room, and began to heap maledictions upon the boat.
+
+"I never will sail in her again," said he. "I will burn her, and get a
+centre-board boat."
+
+"What will you take for her, sir?" asked Donald.
+
+"Do you want her, Don John?" demanded the captain.
+
+"I couldn't afford to keep her; but I will sell her for you."
+
+"Sell--" it is no matter what; but Captain Shivernock suddenly leaped
+back into Donald's boat, and her skipper wondered what he intended to do
+next. "She is yours, Don John!" he exclaimed.
+
+"To sell for you?"
+
+"No! Sell her, if you like, but put the money in your own pocket. I will
+sail up in your boat, and you may go to Jerusalem in the Juno, if you
+like. I will never get into her again," added the captain, spitefully.
+
+"But, Captain Shivernock, you surely don't mean to _give_ me this boat."
+
+"Do you think I don't know what I mean?" roared the strange man, after a
+long string of expletives. "She is yours, now; not mine. I'll give you a
+bill of sale as soon as I go ashore. Not another word, or I'll pound
+your head. Don't tell anybody I gave her to you, or that you have seen
+me. If you do there will be a job for a coffin-maker."
+
+The captain shoved off the boat, and laid her course across the bay,
+evidently to avoid Laud Cavendish, whose craft was a mile distant; for
+he had probably put in at Searsport. Donald weighed the anchor of the
+Juno, and sailed for Turtle Head, hardly knowing whether he was himself
+or somebody else, so amazed was he at the strange conduct of his late
+passenger. He could not begin to comprehend it, and he did not have to
+strain his logic very much in coming to the conclusion that the captain
+was insane.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+DONALD GETS THE JOB.
+
+
+Whether Captain Shivernock was sane or insane, Donald Ramsay was in
+possession of the Juno. Of course he did not consider himself the
+proprietor of the craft, if he did of the sixty dollars he had in his
+pocket. She had the wind over her port quarter, and the boat tore
+through the water as if she intended to show her new skipper what she
+could do. But Donald paid little attention to the speed of the Juno, for
+his attention was wholly absorbed by the remarkable events of the
+morning. Captain Shivernock had given him sixty dollars in payment
+nominally for the slight service rendered him. But then, the strange man
+had given a poor laborer a hundred dollars for stopping his horse, when
+the animal leisurely walked towards home from the store where the owner
+had left him. Again, he had given a negro sailor a fifty-dollar bill
+for sculling him across the river. He had rewarded a small boy with a
+ten-dollar bill for bringing him a despatch from the telegraph office.
+When the woman who went to his house to do the washing was taken sick,
+and was not able to work for three months, he regularly called at her
+rooms every Monday morning and gave her ten dollars, which was three
+times as much as she ever earned in the same time.
+
+Remembering these instances of the captain's bounty, Donald had no doubt
+about the ownership of the sixty dollars in his pocket. The money was
+his own; but how had he earned it? Was he paid to keep his tongue still,
+or simply for the service performed? If for his silence, what had the
+captain done which made him desire to conceal the fact that he had been
+to the island? The strange man had explicitly denied having killed,
+robbed, or stolen from anybody. All the skipper could make of it was,
+that his desire for silence was only a whim of the captain, and he was
+entirely willing to accommodate him. If there had been any mischief done
+on the island, he should hear of it; and in that event he would take
+counsel of some one older and wiser than himself. Then he tried to
+satisfy himself as to why the captain had walked at least three miles to
+Turtle Head, instead of waiting till the tide floated the Juno. This
+appeared to be also a whim of the strange man. People in the city used
+to say it was no use to ask the reason for anything that Captain
+Shivernock did. His motive in giving Donald sixty dollars and his boat,
+which would sell readily for three hundred dollars, and had cost over
+five hundred, was utterly unaccountable.
+
+Donald was determined not to do anything wrong, and if the captain had
+committed any evil deed, he fully intended to expose him; but he meant
+to keep still until he learned that the evil deed had been done. The
+money in his pocket, and that for which the Juno could be sold, would be
+capital enough to enable him to carry on the business of boat-building.
+But he was determined to see Captain Shivernock that very day in regard
+to the boat. Perhaps the strange man would give him a job to build a
+centre-board yacht, for he wanted one.
+
+"Hallo! Juno, ahoy!" shouted Laud Cavendish.
+
+Donald threw the boat up into the wind, under the stern of Laud's craft.
+
+"I thought you were going down to Camden," said he. "You won't get there
+to-day at this rate."
+
+"I forgot some things I wanted, and ran up to Searsport after them. But
+what are you doing in the Juno, Don John?"
+
+"She's going to be sold, Laud," replied Donald, dodging the direct
+question. "Didn't you say you wanted to buy a boat?"
+
+"I said so; and I want to buy one badly. I'm going to spend my summer on
+the water. What does the captain ask for her?"
+
+"I don't know what the price is, but I'll let you know on Monday," added
+Donald, as he filled away again, for the yacht fleet was now in sight.
+
+"Hold on a minute, Don John; I want to talk with you about her."
+
+"I can't stop now. I have to go up to the Head and measure the yachts."
+
+"Don't say a word to anybody about my buying her," added Laud.
+
+He was soon out of hearing of Laud's voice. He wondered if the swell
+really wished to buy such a boat as the Juno, and could pay three
+hundred dollars for her. His father was not a rich man, and he was out
+of business himself. And he wanted Donald to keep still too. What motive
+had he for wishing his proposition to be kept in the dark? His object
+was not apparent, and Donald was obliged to give up the conundrum,
+though he had some painful doubts on the subject. As he thought of the
+matter, he turned to observe the position of the two boats to the
+southward of him. Directly ahead of Laud's craft was an island which he
+could not weather, and he was obliged to tack. He could not lay his
+course, and he had to take a short and then a long stretch, and he was
+now standing across the bay on the short leg. Captain Shivernock had run
+over towards the Northport shore, and Donald thought they could not well
+avoid coming within hailing distance of each other. But the Juno passed
+beyond the north-west point of the island, and he could no longer see
+them. He concluded, however, that the captain would not let Laud, or any
+one else, see him afloat that day. He was a very strange man.
+
+Donald ran the Juno around the point, and anchored her under the lee of
+Turtle Head. The fleet was still a couple of miles distant, and after he
+had lowered and secured the mainsail, he had nothing to do but examine
+the fine craft which had so strangely come into his possession. He went
+into the cuddy forward, and overhauled everything there, till he was
+fully qualified to set forth the merits of her accommodations to a
+purchaser. The survey was calculated to kindle his own enthusiasm, for
+Donald was as fond of boating as any young man in the club. The idea of
+keeping the Juno for his own use occurred to him, but he resisted the
+temptation, and determined not even to think of such an extravagant
+plan.
+
+The yacht fleet was now approaching, the Skylark gallantly leading the
+way, and the Christabel, with a reef in her mainsail, bringing up the
+rear. The Sea Foam did not seem to hold her own with the Skylark, as she
+had done before, but she was the second to drop her anchor under the lee
+of Turtle Head.
+
+"I cam glad to see you, Don John," said Commodore Montague, as he
+discovered Donald in the Juno. "I was afraid you were not coming, and I
+went up to the shop to look for you. But how came you in that boat?"
+
+"She is for sale," replied Donald, as the tender of the Skylark came
+alongside the Juno, and he stepped into it. "Do you know of anybody that
+wants to buy her?"
+
+"I know three or four who want boats, but I am not sure the Juno would
+suit either of them," replied the commodore.
+
+The boat pulled to the shore, and no one asked any more questions about
+the Juno, or her late owner. The members of the club on board of the
+several yachts landed, and Donald was soon in earnest conversation with
+Samuel Rodman.
+
+"What does your father say?" he asked.
+
+"He wants to see you," replied Samuel.
+
+"Does he think I can't do the job?"
+
+"He did not think so at first, but when I told him you would employ one
+or two regular ship carpenters, he was satisfied, and I think he will
+give you the job."
+
+"I hope he will, and I am sure I can give him as good work as he can get
+anywhere."
+
+"I haven't any doubt of it, Don John. But the Sea Foam isn't doing so
+well as she did the first day you had her out. The Skylark beats her
+every time they sail."
+
+"Ned Patterdale hasn't got the hang of her yet."
+
+"Perhaps not."
+
+"I should like to have Bob Montague sail her, and Ned the Skylark; I
+think it would make a difference," added Donald. "Ned does very well,
+but a skipper must get used to his boat; and he hasn't had much
+experience in yachts as large as the Sea Foam. I spoke to you of a
+change in the model for the Maud; and if I'm not greatly mistaken, she
+will beat both the Sea Foam and the Skylark."
+
+"I would give all my spending-money for a year, over and above the cost,
+if she would do that," replied Rodman, with a snap of the eye.
+
+"Of course I can't promise that she will do it, but I expect she will,"
+said Donald.
+
+The club assembled under the trees, and the members were called to order
+by the commodore. The first business was to hear the report of the
+Regatta Committee, which proved to be a very interesting document to the
+yachtmen. The race was to take place the next Saturday, and was open to
+all yachts exceeding twenty feet in length, duly entered before the
+time. All were to sail in the same class; the first prize was a silver
+vase, and the second a marine glass. The course was to be from the
+judge's boat, in Belfast harbor, by Turtle Head, around the buoy on
+Stubb's Point Ledge, leaving it on the port hand, and back to the
+starting-point. The sailing regulations already adopted by the club were
+to be in full force. The report was accepted, and the members looked
+forward with eager anticipation to what they regarded as the greatest
+event of the season. Other business was transacted, and Donald, who had
+brought with him a measuring tape and plummet, measured all the yachts
+of the club. Dinner was served on board of each craft, and the commodore
+extended the hospitalities of the Skylark to Donald.
+
+In the afternoon, the fleet made an excursion around Long Island,
+returning to Belfast about six o'clock, Donald sailing the Juno, and
+catching a mess of fish off Haddock Ledge. He moored her off the shop,
+and was rather surprised to find that his own boat had not yet been
+returned. After supper he hastened to the house of Mr. Rodman, with
+whom he had a long talk in regard to the building of the Maud. The
+gentleman had some doubts about the ability of the young boat-builder to
+do so large a job, though he desired to encourage him.
+
+"I am willing to give you the work, and to pay you the same price your
+father had for the Sea Foam; but I don't like to pay out money till I
+know that you are to succeed," said he.
+
+"I don't ask you to do so, sir," replied Donald, warmly. "You need not
+pay me a cent till you are perfectly satisfied."
+
+"But I supposed you would want money to buy stock and pay your men, even
+before you had set up your frame."
+
+"No, sir; we have capital enough to make a beginning."
+
+"I am satisfied then, and you shall have the job," added Mr. Rodman.
+
+"Thank you, sir," replied Donald, delighted at his success.
+
+"You may go to work as soon as you please; and the sooner the better,
+for Samuel is in a great hurry for his yacht."
+
+"I will go to work on Monday morning. The model, moulds, and drawings
+are all ready, and there will be no delay, sir," answered the young
+boat-builder, as he took his leave of his considerate patron.
+
+Perhaps Mr. Rodman was not satisfied that the young man would succeed in
+the undertaking, but he had not the heart to discourage one who was so
+earnest. He determined to watch the progress of the work very closely,
+and if he discovered that the enterprise was not likely to be
+successful, he intended to stop it before much time or money had been
+wasted. Donald had fully detailed the means at his command for doing the
+job in a workman-like manner, and he was well known as an ingenious and
+skilful mechanic. Mr. Rodman had strong hopes that the young man would
+succeed in his undertaking.
+
+Donald walked toward the house of Captain Shivernock, congratulating
+himself on the happy issue of his interview with Mr. Rodman. As he
+passed the book and periodical store, he saw Lawrence Kennedy, a ship
+carpenter, who had formerly worked with Mr. Ramsay, standing at the
+door, reading the weekly paper just from the press. This man was out of
+work, and was talking of going to Bath to find employment. Donald had
+already thought of him as one of his hands, for Kennedy was a capital
+mechanic.
+
+"What's the news?" asked Donald, rather to open the way to what he had
+to say, than because he was interested in the latest intelligence.
+
+"How are you, Donald?" replied the ship carpenter. "There's a bit of
+news from Lincolnville, but I suppose you heard it; for all the town is
+talking about it."
+
+"I haven't heard it."
+
+"A man in Lincolnville was taken from his bed in the dead hour of the
+night, and beaten to a jelly."
+
+"Who was the man?"
+
+"His name was Hasbrook."
+
+"Hasbrook!" exclaimed Donald.
+
+"Do you know him, lad?"
+
+"I know of him; and he has the reputation of being anything but an
+honest man."
+
+"Then it's not much matter," laughed the ship carpenter.
+
+"But who beat him?" asked Donald.
+
+"No one knows who it was. Hasbrook couldn't make him out; but likely
+it's some one the rogue has cheated."
+
+"Hasbrook must have seen him," suggested Donald.
+
+"The ruffian was disguised with his head in a bit of a bag, or something
+of that sort, and he never spoke a word from first to last," added
+Kennedy, looking over the article in the paper.
+
+Donald wondered if Captain Shivernock had any dealings with Hasbrook. He
+was just the man to take the law into his own hands, and assault one who
+had done him a real or a fancied injury. Donald began to think he
+understood why the captain did not wish it to be known that he was on
+Long Island the night before. But the outrage had been committed in
+Lincolnville, which bordered the western arm of Penobscot Bay. It was
+three miles from the main land to the island. If the captain was in
+Lincolnville in "the dead of night," on a criminal errand, what was he
+doing near Seal Harbor, where the Juno was aground, at four o'clock in
+the morning? If he was the guilty party, he would naturally desire to
+get home before daylight. The wind was fair for him to do so, and there
+was enough of it to enable the Juno to make the run in less than two
+hours. It did not seem probable, therefore, that the captain had gone
+over to the other side of the bay, three miles off his course. Besides,
+he was not disguised, but wore his usual gray suit; and Hasbrook ought
+to have been able to recognize him by his form and his dress even in the
+darkest night.
+
+Donald was perplexed and disturbed. If there was any probability that
+Captain Shivernock had committed the crime, our hero was not to be
+bribed by sixty or six thousand dollars to keep the secret. If guilty,
+he would have been more likely to go below and turn in than to walk
+three miles on the island for assistance, and he would not have gone
+three miles off his course. But Donald determined to inquire into the
+matter, and do his whole duty, even if the strange man killed him for
+it. Kennedy was reading his paper while the young man was thinking over
+the case; but, having decided what to do, he interrupted the ship
+carpenter again.
+
+"Are you still out of work, Mr. Kennedy?" he asked.
+
+"I am; and I think I shall go to Bath next week," replied Kennedy.
+
+"I know of a job for you."
+
+[Illustration: THE NEWS FROM LINCOLNVILLE. Page 110.]
+
+"Do you, lad? I don't want to move away from Belfast, and I should be
+glad to get work here. What's the job?"
+
+"We are going to build a yacht of the size of the Sea Foam."
+
+"Who?" inquired the workman.
+
+"My mother and I intend to carry on my father's business."
+
+"And you wish me to manage it for you?"
+
+"No; I intend to manage it myself," added Donald, confidently.
+
+"Well, lad, you are clever enough to do it; and if you are like your
+father, I shall be glad to work for you."
+
+The wages were agreed upon, and Kennedy promised to be at the shop on
+Monday morning, to assist the young boat-builder in selecting the stock
+for the Maud. Donald walked to the house of Captain Shivernock. In the
+yard he found Sykes, the man who did all sorts of work for his employer,
+from taking care of the horses up to negotiating mortgages. Donald had
+occasionally been to the house, and he knew Sykes well enough to pass
+the time of day with him when they met in the street.
+
+"Is Captain Shivernock at home?" asked the young man, trying to appear
+indifferent, for he wanted to get as much information in regard to the
+strange man's movements during the last twenty-four hours as possible.
+
+"No, he is not," replied Sykes, who to some extent aped the manners of
+his eccentric employer.
+
+"Not at home!" exclaimed Donald, who had not expected this answer,
+though he had not found his own boat at her moorings on his return from
+the excursion with the fleet.
+
+"Are you deaf, young man?"
+
+"No, sir; not at all."
+
+"Then you heard me say he was not at home," growled Sykes.
+
+"I want to see him very much. Will he be long away?" asked Donald.
+
+"I can't tell you. He won't come back till he gets ready, if it isn't
+for a month."
+
+"Of course not; but I should like to know when I can probably see him."
+
+"You can probably see him when he comes home. He started in his boat for
+Vinal Haven early this morning."
+
+"This morning?" repeated Donald, who wished to be sure on this point.
+
+"Didn't I say so? This morning. He comes back when he pleases."
+
+"When do you expect him?"
+
+"I don't expect him. I never expect him. He may be home in five minutes,
+in five days, or five weeks."
+
+"At what time this morning did he go?"
+
+"He left the house at five minutes after four this morning, the last
+that ever was. I looked at my watch when he went out at the gate; for I
+was thinking whether or no his boat wasn't aground. Do you want to know
+what he had for breakfast? If you do, you must ask my wife, for I don't
+know," growled Sykes.
+
+"I am very anxious to see him," continued Donald, without heeding the
+sulky tones and manner of the man. "Perhaps he told Mrs. Sykes when he
+should return."
+
+"Perhaps he did, and perhaps he told her how much money he had in his
+pocket. He was as likely to tell her one as the other. You can ask her,"
+sneered Sykes.
+
+As the housekeeper sat on the piazza enjoying the cool evening breeze,
+Donald decided to avail himself of this permission, for he desired to
+know how well the two stories would agree. He saluted the lady, who gave
+him a pleasanter reception than her bearish husband had accorded to him.
+
+"Mr. Sykes told me that Captain Shivernock was away from home," said
+Donald. "Can you tell me when he is likely to return?"
+
+"He intended to come back to-night if the wind favored him. He went to
+Vinal Haven early this morning, and as you are a sailor, you can tell
+better than I whether he is likely to return to-night," replied Mrs.
+Sykes.
+
+"The wind is fair, and there is plenty of it," added Donald. "What time
+did he leave?"
+
+"About four o'clock. I gave him his coffee at half past three, and it
+must have been about four when he went away."
+
+If the outrage at Lincolnville had been committed in "the dead of the
+night," it was perfectly evident to Donald that Captain Shivernock had
+had nothing whatever to do with it. This conclusion was a great relief
+to the mind of the young man; but he had hardly reached it before the
+captain himself passed through the gate, and fixed a searching gaze upon
+him, as though he regarded him as an interloper.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+LAYING DOWN THE KEEL.
+
+
+"What are you doing here, Don John?" demanded Captain Shivernock, as he
+ascended the steps of the piazza.
+
+"I came to see you, sir," replied Donald, respectfully.
+
+"Well, you see me--don't you?"
+
+"I do, sir."
+
+"Have you been talking to Sykes and his wife?" asked the captain,
+sternly.
+
+"I have, sir."
+
+"Have you told them that you saw me on the island?"
+
+"No, sir; not them, nor anybody else."
+
+"It's well for you that you haven't," added the captain, shaking his
+head--a significant gesture, which seemed to relate to the future,
+rather than to the present. "If you lisp a syllable of it, you will
+need a patch on your skull.--Now," he continued, "what do you want of
+me?"
+
+"I wanted to talk about the Juno with you. Perhaps I can find a customer
+for you."
+
+"Come into the house," growled the captain, as he stalked through the
+door.
+
+Donald followed him into a sitting-room, on one side of which was a
+secretary, provided with a writing-desk. The captain tossed his cap and
+overcoat into a chair, and seated himself at the desk. He picked up a
+quill pen, and began to write as though he intended to scratch a hole
+through the paper, making noise enough for a small locomotive. He
+finished the writing, and signed his name to it. Then he cast the
+contents of a sand-box upon it, returning to it the portion which did
+not adhere to the paper. The document looked as though it had been
+written with a handspike, or as though the words had been ploughed in,
+and a furrow of sand left to form the letters.
+
+"Here!" said the captain, extending the paper to his visitor, with a
+jerk, as though he was performing a most ungracious office.
+
+"What is it, sir?" asked Donald, as he took the document.
+
+"Can't you read?" growled the strange man.
+
+Under ordinary circumstances Donald could read--could read writing when
+not more than half the letters were merged into straight lines; but it
+required all his skill, and not a little of his Scotch-Yankee guessing
+ability, to decipher the vagrant, staggering characters which the
+captain had impressed with so much force upon the paper. It proved to be
+a bill of sale of the Juno, in due form, and for the consideration of
+three hundred dollars.
+
+"Surely you cannot mean this, Captain Shivernock?" exclaimed the amazed
+young man.
+
+"Can't I? Do you think I'm a lunatic?" stormed the captain.
+
+Donald did think so, but he was not so imprudent as to say it.
+
+"I can't pay you three hundred dollars for the boat," pleaded he.
+
+"Nobody asked you to pay a red cent. The boat is yours. If you don't
+want her, sell her to the first man who is fool enough to buy her.
+That's all."
+
+"I'm very grateful to you for your kindness, Captain Shivernock; and I
+hope--"
+
+"All stuff!" interposed the strange man, savagely. "You are like the
+rest of the world, and next week you would be as ready to kick me as any
+other man would be, if you dared to do so. You needn't stop any longer
+to talk that sort of bosh to me. It will do for Sunday Schools and
+prayer meetings."
+
+"But I am really--"
+
+"No matter if you are really. Shut up!"
+
+"I hope I shall be able to do something to serve you."
+
+"Bah!"
+
+"Have you heard the news, Captain Shivernock?" asked Donald, suddenly
+changing the topic.
+
+"What news?"
+
+"It's in the _Age_. A man over in Lincolnville, by the name of Hasbrook,
+was taken out of his bed last night, and severely beaten."
+
+"Hasbrook! Served him right!" exclaimed the captain, with a rough string
+of profanity, which cooled the blood of the listener. "He is the biggest
+scoundrel in the State of Maine, and I am much obliged to the man who
+did it. I would have taken a hand with him at the game, if I had been
+there."
+
+[Illustration: THE BILL OF SALE. Page 119.]
+
+This was equivalent to saying that he was not there.
+
+"Do you know this Hasbrook?" asked Donald.
+
+"Do I know him? He swindled me out of a thousand dollars, and I ought to
+know him. If the man that flogged him hasn't finished him, I'll pound
+him myself when I catch him in the right place," replied the strange
+man, violently. "Who did the job, Don John?"
+
+"I don't know, sir. He hasn't been discovered yet."
+
+"If he is discovered, I'll give him five hundred dollars, and pay the
+lawyers for keeping him out of jail. I wish I had done it myself; it
+would make me feel good."
+
+Donald was entirely satisfied that Captain Shivernock had not done it.
+He was pleased, even rejoiced, that his investigation had resulted so
+decidedly in the captain's favor, for he would have been very sorry to
+feel obliged to disregard the injunction of secrecy which had been
+imposed upon him.
+
+"Did you fall in with any one after we parted this morning?" asked
+Donald, who desired to know whether the captain had met Laud Cavendish
+when the two boats appeared to be approaching each other.
+
+"None of your business!" rudely replied the captain, after gazing a
+moment into the face of the young man, as if to fathom his purpose in
+asking the question. "Do you think the world won't move on if you don't
+wind it up? Mind your own business, and don't question me. I won't have
+anybody prying into my affairs."
+
+"Excuse me, sir; I don't wish to pry into your affairs; and with your
+permission I will go home now," replied Donald.
+
+"You have my permission to go home," sneered the strange man; and Donald
+availed himself of it without another instant's delay.
+
+Certainly Captain Shivernock was a very strange man, and Donald could
+not begin to understand why he had given him the Juno and the sixty
+dollars in cash. It was plain enough that he had not been near
+Hasbrook's house, though it was not quite clear how, if he left home at
+four o'clock, he had got aground eight miles from the city at the same
+hour; but there was probably some error in Donald's reckoning. The young
+man went home, and, on the way, having assured himself, to his own
+satisfaction, that he had no painful duty in regard to the captain to
+perform, he soon forgot all about the matter in the more engrossing
+consideration of his great business enterprise. When he entered the
+cottage, his mother very naturally asked him where he had been; and he
+gave her all the details of his interview with Mr. Rodman. Mrs. Ramsay
+was more cheerful than she had been before since the death of her
+husband, and they discussed the subject till bed time. Donald had
+seventy-two dollars in his pocket, including his fees for measuring the
+yachts. It was a new experience for him to keep anything from his
+mother; but he felt that he could not honorably tell her what had passed
+between the captain and himself. He could soon work the money into his
+business, and he need keep it only till Monday. He did not feel just
+right about it, even after he had convinced himself that he ought not to
+reveal Captain Shivernock's secret to her; but I must add,
+confidentially, that it is always best for boys--I mean young men--to
+tell their mothers "all about it;" and if Donald had done so in this
+instance, no harm would have come of the telling, and it might have
+saved him a great deal of trouble, and her a great deal of anxiety, and
+a great many painful doubts. Donald thought his view was correct; he
+meant to do exactly right; and he had the courage to do it, even if
+thereby he incurred the wrath and the vengeance of the strange man.
+
+I have no doubt, from what indications I have of the character of Donald
+Ramsay, that he tried to learn his Sunday School lesson, tried to give
+attention to the sermons he heard, and tried to be interested in the
+good books he essayed to read on Sunday; but I am not sure that he
+succeeded entirely, for the skeleton frame of the Maud would rise up in
+his imagination to cloud the vision of higher things, and the
+remembrance of his relations with Captain Shivernock would thrust itself
+upon him. Yet it is a great deal even to try to be faithful in one's
+thoughts, and Donald was generally more successful than on this
+occasion, for it was not often that he was excited by events so stirring
+and prospects so brilliant. A single week would be time enough to
+accustom the young boat-builder to his occupation and restore his mental
+equilibrium.
+
+The light of Monday morning's sun was very welcome to him; and when only
+its light gleamed in the gray east, he rose from his bed to begin the
+labors of the day. His father had enlarged the shop, so that he could
+build a yacht of the size of the Maud under its roof; and before
+breakfast time, he had prepared the bed, and levelled the blocks on
+which the keel was to rest. At seven o'clock Lawrence Kennedy appeared,
+and together they looked over the stock on hand, and made out a list of
+the pieces of timber and plank that would be required. At first the
+journeyman was inclined to take the lead in the business; but he soon
+found that his youthful employer was entirely familiar with the minutest
+details of the work, and knew precisely how to get out every stick of
+the frame. Donald constantly referred to the model of the Sea Foam,
+which he had already altered in accordance with the suggestions of his
+father, using the inch scale on which the model was projected, to get
+the size of the pieces, so that there should be no unnecessary waste in
+buying.
+
+Kennedy went with him to the lumber wharf, where the stock was carefully
+selected for the frame. Before dinner it was carted over to the shop,
+and in the afternoon the work was actually commenced. The keelson, with
+the aperture for the centre-board nicely adjusted, was laid down,
+levelled, and blocked up, so that the yacht should be as true as a hair
+when completed. The next steps were to set up the stern-post and the
+stem-piece, and Mr. Ramsay's patterns of these timbers were ready for
+use. Donald was tired enough to rest when the clock struck six; but no
+better day's work for two men could be shown than that performed by him
+and his journeyman. Another hand could now work to advantage on the
+frame, and Kennedy knew of a first-rate workman who desired employment.
+He was requested to have him in the shop the next morning.
+
+After supper, Donald went back to the shop to study, rather than to
+work. He seated himself on the bench, and was thinking over the details
+of the work, when, through the window, he saw Laud Cavendish run his
+sail-boat alongside the Juno, which was moored a short distance from the
+shore. Laud wanted to buy a boat, and Donald wanted to sell one. More
+than once he had been tempted to keep the Juno for his own use; but he
+decided that he could not afford such a luxury, even though she had cost
+him nothing. If he kept her, he would desire to use her, and he might
+waste too much of his precious time in sailing her. It would cost money
+as well as time to keep her; for boats are always in need of paint,
+spars, sails, rigging, and other repairs. He was resolute in his purpose
+to dispose of the Juno, lest the possession of her should demoralize
+him, and interfere with his attention to business.
+
+It was plain enough to Donald that he must sell the Juno, though it was
+not as clear that Laud Cavendish could buy her; but he decided to see
+him, and, launching his tender, he pulled out for the Juno. While he was
+plying his oars, it suddenly came across the mind of the young
+boat-builder that he could not sell this boat without exposing his
+relations to Captain Shivernock. He was rather startled by the thought,
+but, before he had followed it out to a conclusion, the tender was
+alongside the Juno.
+
+"How are you, Don John?" said Laud. "I thought I would come down and
+look over the Juno."
+
+"She is a first-rate boat," replied Donald.
+
+"And the captain wants to sell her?"
+
+"She's for sale," replied her owner.
+
+"What's the price of her?"
+
+"Four hundred."
+
+"That's too steep, Don John. It is of no use for me to look at her if
+the captain won't sell her for less than that."
+
+"Say three fifty, then," replied Donald.
+
+"Say three hundred."
+
+"She is worth more money," continued the owner, as he unlocked the
+cuddy. "She has a fine cabin, fitted up like a parlor. Go in and look
+round."
+
+Donald led the way, and pointed out all the conveniences of the cabin,
+eloquently setting forth the qualities of the boat and her
+accommodations.
+
+"I'll give three hundred for her," said Laud.
+
+"She is worth more than that," replied Donald. "Why, she cost the
+captain over five hundred; and I wouldn't build her for a mill less than
+that."
+
+"You?" laughed Laud.
+
+"I'm building a yacht thirty feet long for Sam Rodman; and I'm to have
+twelve hundred for her," answered Donald, struggling to be modest.
+
+"You are some punkins--ain't you, Don John?"
+
+"I can't quite come up to you, Mr. Cavendish."
+
+"Perhaps you will when you are as old as I am."
+
+"Possibly; but it's a big height to reach in two years. A man of your
+size ought not to haggle for fifty dollars on a boat."
+
+"I can't afford to give more than three hundred for the Juno," protested
+Laud, very decidedly.
+
+"Can you afford to give that?" asked Donald, with a smile.
+
+Laud looked at him sharply, and seemed to be somewhat embarrassed.
+
+"I suppose I can't really afford it; but what's life for? We can't live
+it over again, and we ought to make the best of it. Don't you think so?"
+
+"Certainly--the best of it; but there may be some difference of opinion
+in regard to what the best of it may be."
+
+"I mean to be a gentleman, and not a philosopher. I go in for a good
+time. Will you take three hundred for the boat? or will you tell the
+captain I will give that?"
+
+"I can sell her without going to him. I haven't offered her to anybody
+but you, and I have no doubt I can get my price for her."
+
+Laud talked till it was nearly dark; but Donald was firm, and at last he
+carried his point.
+
+"I will give the three hundred and fifty, because I want her very badly;
+but it's a big price," said Laud.
+
+"It's dog cheap," added Donald, who was beginning to think how he should
+manage the business without informing the purchaser that the Juno was
+his own property.
+
+Donald was a young man of many expedients, and he finally decided to ask
+Captain Shivernock to exchange the bill of sale for one conveying the
+boat directly to Laud Cavendish. This settled, he wondered how Laud
+expected to pay for his purchase, for it was utterly incredible to him
+that the swell could command so large a sum as three hundred and fifty
+dollars. After all, perhaps it would not be necessary to trouble the
+captain about the business, for Donald did not intend to give a bill of
+sale without the cash.
+
+"When do you want to close the trade?" he asked.
+
+"I thought we had closed it," replied Laud.
+
+"You want a bill of sale--don't you?"
+
+"No, I don't; I would rather not have one. When I get the boat, I know
+how to keep her. Besides, you will be a witness that I have bought her."
+
+"That isn't the way to do business," protested Donald.
+
+"If I'm satisfied, you need not complain. If I pay you the cash down,
+that ends the matter."
+
+"If you do."
+
+"Well, I will; here and now," added Laud, pulling out his wallet.
+
+"Where did you get so much money, Laud?" asked Donald.
+
+It was doubtless an impertinent question, but it came from the heart of
+him who proposed it; and it was not resented by him to whom it was put.
+On the contrary, Laud seemed to be troubled, rather than indignant.
+
+"Don John, you are a good fellow," said Laud, after a long pause.
+
+"Of course I am."
+
+"For certain reasons of my own, I want you to keep this trade to
+yourself."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"I can't tell you."
+
+"Then I won't do it. If there is any hitch about the money, I won't have
+anything to do with it."
+
+"Any hitch? What do you mean by that?" demanded Laud, with a lofty air.
+
+"It's no use to mince the matter, Laud. Three hundred and fifty dollars
+don't grow on every bush in your or my garden; and I have been
+wondering, all the time, where a fellow like you should get money enough
+to buy a boat like the Juno."
+
+Donald said all this fairly and squarely; but it occurred to him just
+then, that after he had sold the boat, any one might ask him the same
+question, and he should not feel at liberty to answer it.
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Laud.
+
+"Nothing of the sort; and you needn't ride that high horse. I won't sell
+the boat till I know where the money came from."
+
+"Do you doubt my honor?"
+
+"Confound your honor! I think we have said enough."
+
+"If you mean to say that I didn't come honorably by my money, you are
+mistaken."
+
+"Where did you get it, then?"
+
+"Are you always willing to tell where you get every dollar in your
+pocket?" retorted Laud.
+
+That was a home-thrust, and Donald felt it in his trowsers pocket, where
+he kept his wallet.
+
+"I am generally ready to tell where I get my money," he replied, but he
+did not speak with much energy.
+
+Laud looked about him, and seemed to be considering the matter.
+
+"I don't like to be accused of stealing," mused he.
+
+"I don't accuse you of anything," added Donald.
+
+"It's the same thing. If I tell you where I got this money, will you
+keep it to yourself?" asked Laud.
+
+"If it's all right I will."
+
+"Honor bright, Don John?"
+
+"If it's all right."
+
+"O, it is!" protested Laud. "I will tell you; but you must keep the
+secret, whatever happens."
+
+"I will, if everything is as it should be."
+
+"Well, Captain Shivernock gave it to me," said Laud, in confidential
+tones, and after looking about to satisfy himself that no third person
+was within hearing.
+
+"Captain Shivernock!" exclaimed Donald.
+
+"Just so."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I can't tell you any more. The captain would kill me if he found out
+that I had told you so much," answered Laud. "I don't understand the
+matter myself; but the captain gave me that money and fifty dollars
+more;" and he handed Donald the price of the Juno. "You are not to say
+that I have even seen the captain."
+
+"When was this?"
+
+"Last Saturday; but that's all; not another word from me."
+
+"It's very odd," mused Donald.
+
+"You will keep still--won't you?"
+
+"Yes; until I am satisfied the thing is not all right."
+
+"I shall not say that I own the Juno yet a while," added Laud, as he
+returned to the boat in which he had come.
+
+Donald pulled ashore, with the money in his pocket.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE FIRST REGATTA.
+
+
+Donald was not disposed to doubt the truth of Laud Cavendish's story,
+for the circumstances were precisely the same as those under which he
+had received the boat and the money from Captain Shivernock. If he had
+had no experience with the eccentric shipmaster himself, he would have
+doubted the whole explanation, and refused to take the money. He
+recalled the events of Saturday. The last he saw of Laud, on that day,
+was when he ran his boat over towards the Northport shore, whither the
+captain had gone before him. He had lost sight of both their boats at a
+time when it seemed very probable that they would meet. After what Laud
+had just said to him, and with the money he had paid him in his pocket,
+he was confident they had met. The strange man had purchased the silence
+of Laud, as he had his own, and at about the same price.
+
+Donald realized that Captain Shivernock had thrown away about seven
+hundred dollars that morning, and, as he thought of it, he was amazed at
+his conduct; but the captain did not mind paying a thousand dollars any
+time to gratify the merest whim. The young man tried again to fathom the
+motive of his eccentric but liberal patron in thus throwing away such
+large sums, unnecessarily large, to accomplish his object. The
+Lincolnville outrage was the only possible solution; but if he were the
+ruffian, he would not have been on Long Island when he had a fair wind
+to run home, and Sykes and his wife both agreed that he had left the
+house on the morning that Donald had seen him. It was not possible,
+therefore, that the captain was guilty of the outrage. Laud had paid him
+seven fifty dollar bills, and he had over four hundred dollars in his
+pocket. He did not know what to do with it, and feeling that he had come
+honestly by it, he was vexed at the necessity of concealing it from his
+mother; but he was determined to pay it out, as occasion required, for
+stock and hardware for the yacht he was building. When he went to his
+chamber, he concealed three hundred and fifty dollars of the money in a
+secret place in the pine bureau in which his clothes were kept.
+
+The next morning Kennedy appeared with the man he was authorized to
+employ, and the chips flew briskly in the shop all that day. At noon
+Donald went to the wharf where he had bought his stock, and paid the
+bill for it. The lumber dealer commended his promptness, and offered to
+give him credit for any lumber he might need; but Donald proudly
+declared that he should pay cash for all he bought, and he wanted the
+lowest cash prices. On his return to the shop, he entered, in the
+account-book his father had kept, the amount he had expended. The work
+went bravely on, for his two journeymen were interested in his success.
+They were glad to get employment, and desired that the young
+boat-builder should not only build a fine yacht, but should make money
+by the job. The stem-piece and stern-post were set up, and gradually the
+frame began to assume the shape of a vessel. Donald watched the forming
+of the yacht very carefully, and saw that everything was done according
+to the model and the scale.
+
+On Saturday morning Mr. Rodman, accompanied by a friend who was a
+ship-builder, visited the shop to inspect the work. The frame, so far as
+it had been set up, was carefully examined, and the expert cordially
+approved all that had been done, declaring that he had never seen a
+better job in his life. Of course Donald was proud of this partial
+success.
+
+"I have had some doubts, Don John," laughed Mr. Rodman; "but I am
+entirely satisfied now."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I have had no doubts; I could see that frame in my mind
+as plainly before a stick had been touched as I do now."
+
+"You have done well, and I am quite sure that you will make a yacht of
+it. Now, if you will give me a receipt for one hundred dollars, I will
+let you have so much towards the price of the Maud, for I suppose you
+want to pay your men off to-night."
+
+"I have money enough, sir, to pay my men, and I don't ask you for any
+money yet," replied the young boat-builder.
+
+"But I prefer to pay you as the work progresses."
+
+Donald did not object, and wrote the receipt. He was a minor, and his
+mother, who was the administratrix of her husband's estate, was the
+responsible party in the transaction of business; but he did not like to
+sign his mother's name to a receipt, and thus wholly ignore himself,
+and, adopting a common fiction in trade, he wrote, "Ramsay and son,"
+which he determined should be the style of the firm. Ramsay might mean
+his father or his mother, and he had already arranged this matter with
+her. Mr. Rodman laughed at the signature, but did not object to it, and
+Donald put the money in his pocket, after crediting it on the book.
+
+This was the day appointed for the first regatta of the Yacht Club. The
+coming event had been talked about in the city during the whole week,
+not only among the boys, but among the men who were interested in
+yachting. About a dozen yachts had been entered for the race, though
+only four of them belonged to the club; those that were not enrolled
+being nominally in charge of members, in order to conform to the
+regulations. Donald had measured all these boats, and made a schedule of
+them, in which appeared the captain's name, the length of the craft,
+with the correction to be subtracted from the sailing time in order to
+reduce it to standard time. There were columns in the table for the
+starting time, the return time, and the sailing time. The "correction"
+was virtually the allowance which a large yacht made to a smaller one
+for the difference in length.
+
+The club had adopted the regulation of the Dorchester Yacht Club, which
+contained a "table of allowance per mile." In this table, a yacht one
+hundred and ten feet six inches long, is taken as the standard for
+length. The Skylark was just thirty feet long on the water-line, and her
+allowance by the table was two minutes forty-three and four tenths
+seconds for every mile sailed in a regatta. The Sea Foam's length was
+three inches less, and her allowance was one and three tenths seconds
+more. Donald had his table all ready for the use of the judges, of whom
+he had been appointed the chairman. Mr. Montague's large yacht had been
+anchored in the bay, gayly dressed with flags and streamers, to be used
+as the judges' boat. The yachts were to start at ten o'clock.
+
+"I don't want to leave my work a bit," said Donald, as he took off his
+apron. "I may have to lose a whole day in the race, and I can't afford
+it."
+
+"Now, I think you can," replied Kennedy.
+
+"It looks too much like boys' play."
+
+"No matter what it is. If you are going to make a business of building
+yachts and sail-boats, it is for your interest to encourage this sort of
+thing all you can," added Kennedy.
+
+"I think you are right there," answered Donald, who had not before taken
+this view.
+
+"Besides, you ought to see how the boats work. You will get some ideas
+that will be of use to you. You should observe every movement of the
+boats with the utmost care. I think you will make more money attending
+the regattas, if there was one every week, than by working in the shop."
+
+"You are right, Kennedy, and I am glad you expressed your opinions, for
+I shall feel that I am not wasting my time."
+
+"Your father has been to Newport and New York on purpose to attend
+regattas, and I am sure, if he were here now, he would not miss this
+race for a fifty-dollar bill," continued the workman.
+
+Donald was entirely satisfied, and went into the house to dress for the
+occasion. He was soon ready, and walked down the beach towards the
+skiff he used to go off to the sail-boat. The sky was overcast, and the
+wind blew a smashing breeze, promising a lively race. The Juno had been
+entered for the regatta, but she was still at her moorings off the shop,
+and Donald wondered where Laud was, for he had been very enthusiastic
+over the event. Before he could embark, the new proprietor of the Juno
+appeared. He was dressed in a suit of new clothes, wore a new round-top
+hat, and sported a cane in his hand. His mustache had been freshly
+colored, and every hair was carefully placed. He did not look like a
+yachtman; more like a first-class swell.
+
+"I have been all the morning looking for some fellows to sail with me,"
+said Laud. "I can't find a single one. Won't you go with me, Don John?"
+
+"Thank you; I am one of the judges, and I can't go," replied Donald,
+who, if he had not been engaged, would have preferred to sail with some
+more skilful and agreeable skipper than Laud Cavendish.
+
+"Won't your men go with me?"
+
+"I don't know; you can ask them."
+
+"I am entitled to carry five, and I want some live weights to-day, for
+it is blowing fresh," added Laud, as he walked towards the shop.
+
+Neither of Donald's men was willing to lose his time, and as Laud came
+out of the shop, he discovered a young lady walking up the beach towards
+the city. A gust of wind blew her hat away at this moment, and Mr.
+Cavendish gallantly ran after, and recovered it, as Donald would have
+done if he had not been anticipated, for he recognized the young lady as
+soon as he saw her. Even as it was, he was disposed to run after that
+hat, and dispute the possession of it with Mr. Laud Cavendish, for the
+owner thereof was Miss Nellie Patterdale.
+
+"Allow me to return your truant hat, Miss Patterdale," said Laud.
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish," replied Nellie, rather coldly, as she
+resumed her walk towards the place where Donald stood, a few rods
+farther up the beach.
+
+"We have a fine breeze for the race, Miss Patterdale," added Laud,
+smirking and jerking, as though he intended to improve the glorious
+opportunity, for the young lady was not only bewitchingly pretty, but
+her father was a nabob, with only two children.
+
+"Very fine, I should think," she answered; and her tones and manner were
+anything but encouraging to the aspirant.
+
+"I hope you are going to honor the gallant yachtmen with your presence,
+Miss Patterdale."
+
+"I shall certainly see the race.--Good morning, Don John," said she,
+when she came within speaking distance of Donald.
+
+"Good morning, Nellie," replied he, blushing, as he felt the full force
+of her glance and her smile--a glance and a smile for which Laud would
+have sacrificed all he held dear in the world, even to his cherished
+mustache. "Don't you attend the race?"
+
+"Yes, I want to attend now. Ned invited me to go on board of the judge's
+boat; but the sun was out then, and mother would not let me go. Father
+said the day would be cloudy, and I decided to go; but Ned had gone. I
+came down here to see if I couldn't hail him. Won't you take me off to
+the Penobscot in your boat?"
+
+"Certainly I will, with the greatest pleasure," replied Donald, with
+enthusiasm.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Patterdale," interposed Laud. "I am going off
+in the Juno; allow me to tender her for your use. I can take you off,
+Don John, at the same time."
+
+"It's quite rough; as you see, Nellie, and the Juno is much larger than
+my boat. You can go in her more comfortably than in mine," added Donald.
+
+"Thank you; just as you please, Don John," she answered.
+
+"Bring her up to the wharf, Mr. Cavendish," continued Donald.
+
+Laud leaped into his skiff, and pulled off to the Juno, while Nellie and
+Donald walked around to the wharf. In a few moments the boat was ready,
+and came up to the pier, though her clumsy skipper was so excited at the
+prospect of having the nabob's pretty daughter in his boat, that he had
+nearly smashed her against the timbers. The gallant skipper bowed, and
+smirked, and smiled, as he assisted Miss Patterdale to a place in the
+standing-room. Donald shoved off the bow, and the Juno filled her
+mainsail, and went off flying towards the Penobscot.
+
+"It's a smashing breeze," said Donald, as the boat heeled down.
+
+"Glorious!" exclaimed Laud. "Are you fond of sailing, Miss Patterdale?"
+
+"I am very fond of it."
+
+"Perhaps you would like to sail around the course in one of the yachts?"
+suggested the skipper.
+
+"I should be delighted to do so," she replied, eagerly; and she glanced
+at Donald, as if to ascertain if such a thing were possible.
+
+"I should be pleased to have you sail in the Juno," added Laud, with an
+extra smirk.
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish; you are very kind; but perhaps I had better
+not go."
+
+"I should be delighted to have you go with me."
+
+"I don't think you would enjoy it, Nellie," said Donald. "It blows
+fresh, and the Juno is rather wet in a heavy sea."
+
+Laud looked at him with an angry expression, and when Nellie turned away
+from him, he made significant gestures to induce Donald to unsay what he
+had said, and persuade her to go with him.
+
+"I am sure you will be delighted with the sail, Miss Patterdale. You
+will be perfectly dry where you are sitting; or, if not, I have a rubber
+coat, which will protect you."
+
+"I think I will not go," she replied, so coldly that her tones would
+have frozen any one but a simpleton like Laud.
+
+The passage was of brief duration, and Donald assisted Nellie up the
+accommodation steps of the Penobscot, stepping forward in season to
+deprive Laud of this pleasant office.
+
+"I am much obliged to you, Mr. Cavendish," said she, walking away from
+the steps.
+
+"That was mean of you, Don John," muttered Laud, as Donald came down the
+steps to assist in shoving off the Juno.
+
+"What was mean?"
+
+"Why, to tell Nellie she would not enjoy the sail with me."
+
+"She could do as she pleased."
+
+"But you told her the Juno was wet," added Laud, angrily.
+
+"She is wet when it blows."
+
+"No matter if she is. It was mean of you to say anything about it, after
+all I have done for you."
+
+"It wasn't mean to tell the truth, and save her from a ducking, and I
+don't know what you have done for me."
+
+"You don't? Didn't I buy this boat of you, and pay you fifty dollars
+more than she is worth?"
+
+"No, you didn't. But if you are dissatisfied with your bargain, I will
+take her off your hands."
+
+"You! I want the money I paid."
+
+"You shall have it. Come to the shop after the race, and you may throw
+up the trade."
+
+"Will Captain Shivernock pay you back the money?" sneered Laud.
+
+"I'll take care of that, if you want to give her up," added Donald,
+warmly.
+
+"Never mind that now. Can't you persuade Nellie to sail with me?"
+continued Laud, more gently. "If you will, I will give you a five-dollar
+bill."
+
+Donald would have given double that sum rather than have had her go with
+him, and she would have given ten times the amount to avoid doing so.
+
+"I can't persuade her, for I don't think it is best for her to go,"
+replied Donald.
+
+"No matter what you think. You are a good fellow, Don John: do this for
+me--won't you? It would be a great favor, and I shall never forget it."
+
+"Why do you want her to go with you?" demanded Donald, rather
+petulantly. "A yacht in a race is no place for ladies. I can find some
+fellows on board here who will be glad to go with you."
+
+"But I want her to go with me. The fact of it is, Don John, I rather
+like Nellie, and I want to be better acquainted with her."
+
+"If you do, you must paddle your own canoe," replied Donald,
+indignantly, as he ascended the steps, and joined the other two judges
+on deck.
+
+"We are waiting for you, Don John," said Sam Rodman, who was one of
+them.
+
+"It isn't ten yet, and I have the papers all ready. Who is to be
+time-keeper?" asked the chairman.
+
+"I have a watch with a second hand, and I will take that office," said
+Frank Norwood, who was the third.
+
+Most of the yachts were already in line, and the captain of the fleet,
+in the tender of his yacht, was arranging them, the largest to
+windward. The first gun had been fired at half past nine which was the
+signal to get into line, and at the next, the yachts were to get under
+way. All sail except the jib was set, and at the signal each craft was
+to slip her cable, hoist her jib, if she had one, and get under way, as
+quickly as possible. The "rode" was simply to be cast off, for the end
+of it was made fast to the tender, which was used as a buoy for the
+anchor.
+
+"Are they all ready?" asked Donald, as the time drew near.
+
+"All but the Juno. Laud has picked up two live weights, and wants
+another man," replied Sam Rodman.
+
+"We won't wait for him."
+
+But Laud got into line in season. One of the seamen of the Penobscot
+stood at the lock-string of the gun forward, ready to fire when the
+chairman of the judges gave the word.
+
+"Have your watch ready, Frank," said Donald.
+
+"All ready," answered Norwood.
+
+"Fire!" shouted Donald.
+
+Some of the ladies "squealed" when the gun went off, but all eyes were
+immediately directed to the yachts. The Christabel, with a reef in her
+fore and main sails, was next to the Penobscot; then came the Skylark,
+the Sea Foam, and the Phantom. Before the gun was fired, the captain had
+stationed a hand in each yacht at the cable, and others at the
+jib-halyards and down-hauls. The instant the gun was discharged, the
+jibs were run up, and the "rodes" thrown overboard. Some of the yachts,
+however, were unfortunate, and did not obtain a good start. In one the
+jib down-haul fouled, and another ran over her cable, and swamped her
+tender. The conflict was believed to be between the Skylark and the Sea
+Foam, for there was too much wind for the Christabel, which was the
+fastest light-weather craft in the line.
+
+It was a beautiful sight when the yachts went off, with the wind only a
+little abaft the beam. The young gentlemen sailing them were rather
+excited, and made some mistakes. The Skylark at once took the lead, for
+Commodore Montague was the most experienced boatman in the fleet. He
+made no mistakes, and his superior skill was soon evident in the
+distance between him and the Sea Foam.
+
+The crowd of people on the shore and the judges' yacht watched the
+contestants till they disappeared beyond Turtle Head. The boats had a
+free wind both ways, with the exception of a short distance beyond the
+head, where they had to beat up to Stubb's Point Ledge. There was
+nothing for the judges to do until the yachts came in, and Donald spent
+a couple of delightful hours with Nellie Patterdale. Presently the
+Skylark appeared again beyond the Head, leading the fleet as before. On
+she drove, like a bolt from an arrow, carrying a big bone in her mouth;
+and the judges prepared to take her time.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE SKYLARK AND THE SEA FOAM.
+
+
+Frank Norwood was the time-keeper, and he stood with his watch in his
+hand. Each yacht was to pass to windward of the Penobscot, and come
+round her stern, reporting as she did so. Sam Rodman was to call "time"
+when the foremast of each yacht was in range with a certain chimney of a
+house on the main shore. At the word Frank was to give the time, and
+Donald was to write it down on his schedule. Everything was to be done
+with the utmost accuracy. The Skylark was rapidly approaching, with the
+Sea Foam nearly half a mile astern of her. The Phantom and Christabel
+were not far behind the Sea Foam, while the rest were scattered along
+all the way over to Turtle Head.
+
+"Ready there!" shouted Donald, as the Skylark came nearly in range of
+the Penobscot and the chimney.
+
+"All ready," replied Sam Rodman.
+
+The gun forward had been loaded, and a seaman stood at the lock-string,
+to salute the first boat in.
+
+"Time!" shouted Sam, as the mainsail of the Skylark shut in the chimney
+on the shore; and the six-pounder awoke the echoes among the hills.
+
+"Twelve, forty, and thirty-two seconds," added Frank, as he took the
+time from the watch.
+
+"Twelve, forty, thirty-two," repeated Donald, as he wrote it on the
+schedule.
+
+The crowd on the judges' yacht cheered the commodore as the Skylark
+rounded the Penobscot, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs at him
+with desperate enthusiasm.
+
+"I thought you said the Sea Foam was to beat the Skylark," said Nellie
+Patterdale.
+
+"I think she may do it yet," replied Donald.
+
+"And Sam's new boat must beat them both, Don John," laughed Maud Rodman.
+
+"Time!" called Sam.
+
+"Twelve, forty-five, two," added Frank.
+
+"Twelve, forty-five, two," repeated Donald, writing down the time.
+
+By this time the Skylark had come about, not by gybing,--for the wind
+was too heavy to make this evolution in safety,--but had come round head
+to the wind, and now passed under the stern of the Penobscot.
+
+"Skylark!" reported the commodore.
+
+A few minutes later the Sea Foam did the same. The Phantom came in a
+minute after the Sea Foam, and for a few moments the judges were very
+busy taking the time of the next four boats. The Juno did not arrive
+till half past one, and she was the last one. As fast as the yachts
+rounded the Penobscot, they went off to the line and picked up their
+cables and anchors. The captains of the several craft which had sailed
+in the race then boarded the Penobscot to ascertain the decision of the
+judges.
+
+"You waxed me badly, Robert," said Ned Patterdale, who was mortified at
+the defeat of the Sea Foam, though he kept good-natured about it.
+
+"I still think the Skylark can't be beaten by anything of her inches,"
+replied Commodore Montague.
+
+"I am rather disappointed in the Sea Foam," added Ned.
+
+Donald heard this remark, and he was much disturbed by it; for it
+seemed like a reproach upon the skill of his father, and an imputation
+upon the reputation of Ramsay and Son. If the yachts built by the "firm"
+were beaten as badly as the Sea Foam had been, though she had outsailed
+the Phantom, it would seriously injure the business of the concern. The
+defeat of the Sea Foam touched the boat-builder in a tender place, and
+he found it necessary to do something to maintain the standing of the
+firm. He knew just what the matter was; but under ordinary circumstances
+he would not have said a word to damage the pride of the present owner
+of the Sea Foam.
+
+"I am sorry you are not satisfied with her, Ned," said Donald.
+
+"But I expected too much of her; for I thought she was going to beat the
+Skylark," replied Ned Patterdale. "I think you encouraged me somewhat in
+that direction, Don John."
+
+"I did; and I still think she can beat the Skylark."
+
+"It's no use to think so; for she has just beaten me four minutes and a
+half; and that's half a mile in this breeze. Nothing could have been
+more fairly done."
+
+"It was all perfectly fair, Ned; but you know that winning a race does
+not depend entirely upon the boat," suggested Donald, hinting mildly at
+his own theory of the defeat.
+
+"Then you think I didn't sail her well?" said Ned.
+
+"I think you sailed her very well; but it could not be expected that you
+would do as well with her as Bob Montague with the Skylark, for he has
+sailed his yacht for months, while you have only had yours a few weeks.
+This is a matter of business with me, Ned. If our boats are beaten, we
+lose our work. It is bread and butter to me."
+
+"If it was my fault, I am sorry she was beaten, for your sake, Don John;
+but I did my best with her," replied Ned, with real sympathy for his
+friend.
+
+"Of course I am not going to cry over spilt milk."
+
+"Do you really think the Sea Foam can beat the Skylark?"
+
+"I think so; but I may be mistaken. At any rate, I should like the
+chance to sail the Sea Foam with the Skylark. I don't consider it
+exactly an even thing between you and the commodore, because he has had
+so much more experience than you have," replied Donald.
+
+"You believe you can sail the Sea Foam better than I can--do you, Don
+John?"
+
+"It wouldn't be pleasant for me to say that, Ned."
+
+"But that's what you mean?"
+
+"I have explained the reason why I spoke of this matter at all, Ned. It
+is bread and butter to me, and I hope you don't think I am vain."
+
+Ned was a little vexed at the remarks of his friend, and rather
+indignant at his assumed superiority as a boatman. Donald was usually
+very modest and unpretentious. He was not in the habit of claiming that
+he could do anything better than another. Generally, in boating matters,
+when he saw that a thing was done wrong, he refrained from criticising
+unless his opinion was asked, and was far from being forward in
+fault-finding. Though he was an authority among the young men in sailing
+boats, he had not attained this distinction by being a critic and
+caviller. Ned was therefore surprised, as well as indignant, at the
+comments and the assumption of Donald; but a little reflection enabled
+him to see the boat-builder's motive, which was anything but vanity. He
+had some of this weakness himself, and felt that he had sailed the Sea
+Foam as well as any one could have done it, and was satisfied that the
+Skylark was really a faster yacht than his own. The race was plain
+sailing, with a free wind nearly all the way, and there was not much
+room for the exercise of superior skill in handling the craft. At least,
+this was Ned's opinion. If the course had been a dead beat to windward
+for ten miles, the case would have been different; and Ned had failed to
+notice that he had lost half the distance between the Skylark and the
+Sea Foam when he rounded the stake buoy.
+
+It was a fact that among the large party on board the Penobscot, the
+boats of the firm of Ramsay and Son were just then at a discount, and
+those of the Newport builders at a corresponding premium. Donald was
+grieved and vexed, and trembled for the future of the firm of which he
+was the active representative. But he figured up the results of the
+race, and when the captains of all the yachts had come on board of the
+judges' boat, he announced the prizes and delivered them to the winners,
+with a little speech. The silver vase was given to the commodore, with
+liberal and magnanimous commendations both of the yacht and her captain.
+The marine glass was presented to Edward Patterdale, as the winner of
+the second prize, with some pleasant words, which did not in the least
+betray the personal discomfiture of the chairman. There was a further
+ceremony on the quarter-deck of the Penobscot, which was not in the
+programme, and which was unexpected to all except the officers of the
+club.
+
+"Captain Laud Cavendish, of the Juno," said the chairman of the judges,
+who stood on the trunk of the yacht, where all on board, as well as
+those in the boats collected around her, could see him.
+
+Laud stepped forward, wondering what the call could mean.
+
+"I find, after figuring up the results of the race," continued the
+chairman, glancing at the schedule he held in his hand, "that you are
+entitled to the third and last prize. By carefully timing the movements
+of your excellent craft, and by your superior skill in sailing her, you
+have contrived to come in--last in the race; and the officers of the
+club have instructed the judges to award this medal to you. I have the
+honor and the very great pleasure of suspending it around your neck."
+
+The medal was made of sole leather, about six inches in diameter.
+Attached to it was a yard of stove-pipe chain, by which it was hung
+around the neck of the winner of the _last_ prize. A shout of laughter
+and a round of applause greeted the presentation of the medal. Laud did
+not know whether to smile or get mad; for he felt like the victim of a
+practical joke. Miss Nellie Patterdale stood near him, and perhaps her
+presence restrained an outburst of anger. Mr. Montague, the father of
+the commodore, had provided a bountiful collation in the cabin of the
+Penobscot, and the next half hour was given up to the discussion of the
+repast. Laud tried to make himself agreeable to Nellie, and the poor
+girl was persecuted by his attentions until she was obliged to break
+away from him.
+
+"Don John, I am told that everybody is satisfied with this race except
+you," said Commodore Montague, as the party went on deck after the
+collation.
+
+"I am satisfied with it," replied Donald. "Everything has been perfectly
+fair, and the Skylark has beaten the Sea Foam."
+
+"But you still think the Sea Foam can outsail the Skylark?"
+
+"I think so; but of course I may be mistaken."
+
+"You believe that Ned Patterdale didn't get all her speed out of the Sea
+Foam," added the commodore.
+
+"I don't mean to say a word to disparage Ned; but he don't know the Sea
+Foam as you do the Skylark."
+
+"There is hardly a particle of difference between the boats."
+
+"I know it; but you have had so much more experience than Ned, that he
+ought not to be expected to compete with you. If you will exchange
+boats, and you do your best in the Sea Foam, I believe you would beat
+your own yacht. I think Ned does first rate for the experience he has
+had."
+
+"So do I; but I believe the difference is in the sailing of the boats;
+for you may build two yachts as near alike as possible, and one of them
+will do better than the other," said Robert Montague.
+
+"I should like to have you sail the Sea Foam against the Skylark, Bob,"
+added Donald.
+
+"You don't want me to beat my own boat, if I can--do you, Don John?"
+laughed Robert.
+
+"I think you could."
+
+"I'll tell you what I'll do: I'll sail the Skylark against the Sea Foam
+this afternoon, and you shall handle Ned's yacht. I have been talking
+with him about it, and he agrees to it."
+
+"I'm willing, Bob," replied Donald, eagerly.
+
+"All right."
+
+"I hope Ned don't think hard of me for speaking of this matter," added
+Donald. "I wouldn't have uttered a word if this result did not affect
+our business."
+
+"I understand it, Don John; and so does Ned. But I think you are making
+a mistake; for if the Sea Foam is beaten again by the Skylark,--as I
+believe she will be,--it will be all the worse for your firm," laughed
+Robert.
+
+"I am willing to run the risk," replied Donald. "If we can't build a
+boat as fast as the Skylark, I want to know it."
+
+"But, Don John, you don't expect me to _let_ you beat me--do you?"
+
+"Certainly not, Bob. I hope you will do your very best, and I shall be
+satisfied with the result."
+
+It was soon reported over the Penobscot that another race was to be
+sailed immediately, and the report created intense excitement when the
+circumstances of the affair were explained. Judges were appointed, and
+other arrangements concluded. Donald and Ned Patterdale went on board of
+the Sea Foam, and Commodore Montague on board of the Skylark. The two
+yachts anchored in line, with the Skylark to windward, as she was three
+inches longer than the other. The start was to be made at the firing of
+the first gun. Donald took his place at the helm of the Sea Foam, and
+stationed the hands. He was a little afraid that Ned Patterdale was not
+as enthusiastic as he might be; for if his yacht won the race, the
+responsibility for the loss of the first prize in the regatta would rest
+upon him, and not upon his craft. It would not be so pleasant for him to
+know that he had failed, in any degree, as a skipper. The position of
+Donald, therefore, was not wholly agreeable; for he did not like to
+prove that his friend was deficient in skill, though the future
+prosperity of the firm of Ramsay and Son required him to do so.
+
+The wind was even fresher than before, and dark clouds indicated a heavy
+rain before night; but Donald did not heed the weather. He stationed Ned
+in the standing-room to tend the jib-sheets and mind the centre-board.
+Two hands were at the cable, and two more at the jib-halyards.
+
+"Are you all ready forward?" called the skipper _pro tem._ of the Sea
+Foam.
+
+"All ready," replied the hands. And Donald waited with intense interest
+for the gun.
+
+Bang.
+
+"Let go! Hoist the jib!" cried Donald.
+
+The hands forward worked with a will. The rope was thrown into the
+tender, to which the end of it was made fast, and the jib, crackling and
+banging in the stiff breeze, now almost a gale, went up in an instant.
+
+"Haul down the lee jib-sheet," said Donald to his companion in the
+standing-room. And it is but fair to say that Ned worked as briskly as
+the yachtmen at the bow.
+
+The Sea Foam heeled over, as the blast struck her sails, till her rail
+went under; but Donald knew just what she would bear, and kept the
+tiller stiff in his hand. Stationing Dick Adams at the main sheet behind
+him, he placed the others upon the weather side. In a moment more the
+yacht came to her bearings, and lying well over, she flew off on her
+course. She had made a capital start, and the Skylark was equally
+fortunate in this respect. The two yachts went off abeam of each other,
+and for half a mile neither gained a hair upon the other. Then commenced
+the struggle for the victory. First the Skylark gained a few inches;
+then the Sea Foam made half a length, though she immediately lost it;
+for in these relative positions, she came under the lee of her opponent.
+
+Again the Skylark forged ahead, and was a length in advance of the Sea
+Foam, when the yachts came up with Turtle Head.
+
+"You are losing it, Don John," said Ned, apparently not much displeased
+at the result.
+
+"Not yet," replied Donald. "A pull on the main sheet, Dick," added the
+skipper, as he put the helm down. "Give her six inches more
+centre-board, Ned."
+
+"You will be on the rocks, Don John!" shouted the owner of the yacht, as
+the Sea Foam dashed under the stern of the Skylark, and ran in close to
+the shore.
+
+"Don't be alarmed, Ned. Haul down the jib-sheet a little more! Steady!
+Belay!" said the confident skipper.
+
+By this manoeuvre the Sea Foam gained a position to windward of her
+rival; but she ran within half her breadth of beam of the dangerous
+rocks, and Ned expected every instant the race would end in a
+catastrophe. She went clear, however; for Donald knew just the depth of
+water at any time of tide. Both yachts were now under the lee of the
+island, and went along more gently than before. It was plain enough now
+that the Sea Foam had the advantage. Beyond the Head, and near the
+ledge, she was obliged to brace up to the wind, in order to leave the
+buoy on the port, as required by the rule. Donald kept her moving very
+lively, and when she had made her two tacks, she had weathered the buoy,
+and, rounding it, she gybed so near the ledge that the commodore could
+not have crawled in between him and the buoy if he had been near enough
+to do so. Hauling up the centre-board, and letting off the sheets, the
+Sea Foam went for a time before the wind.
+
+When the Skylark had rounded the buoy, and laid her course for Turtle
+Head again, she was at least an eighth of a mile astern of her rival.
+Donald hardly looked at her, but gazed steadfastly at the sails and the
+shore of the island. The sheets had to be hauled in little by little, as
+she followed the contour of the land, till at the point below Turtle
+Head the yacht had the wind forward of the beam. Then came the home
+stretch, and the skipper trimmed his sails, adjusted the centre-board,
+and stationed his crew as live weights with the utmost care. It was only
+necessary for him to hold his own in order to win the race, and he was
+painfully anxious for the result.
+
+[Illustration: DONALD SAILING THE SEA FOAM. Page 166.]
+
+In the Skylark the commodore saw just where he had lost his advantage,
+and regretted too late that he had permitted the Sea Foam to get to
+windward of him; but he strained every nerve to recover his position.
+The wind continued to freshen, and probably both yachts would have done
+better with a single reef in the mainsail; but there was no time to
+reduce sail. As they passed Turtle Head and came out into the open bay,
+the white-capped waves broke over the bows, dashing the spray from
+stem to stern. Neither Donald nor Robert flinched a hair, or permitted a
+sheet to be started.
+
+"You'll take the mast out of her, Don John," said Ned Patterdale, wiping
+the salt water from his face.
+
+"If I do, I'll put in another," replied Donald. "But you can't snap that
+stick. The Skylark's mast will go by the board first, and then it will
+be time enough to look out for ours."
+
+"You have beaten her, Don John," added Ned.
+
+"Not yet. 'There's many a slip between the cup and the lip.'"
+
+"But you are a quarter of a mile ahead of her, at least. It's blowing a
+gale, and we can't carry all this sail much longer."
+
+"She can carry it as long as the Skylark. When she reefs, we will do the
+same. I want to show you what the Sea Foam's made of. She is as stiff as
+a line-of-battle ship."
+
+"But look over to windward, Don John," exclaimed Ned, with evident
+alarm. "Isn't that a squall?"
+
+"No; I think not. It's only a shower of rain," replied Donald. "There
+may be a puff of wind in it. If there is, I can touch her up."
+
+"The Skylark has come up into the wind, and dropped her peak," added
+Norman, considerably excited.
+
+But Donald kept on. In a moment more a heavy shower of rain deluged the
+deck of the Sea Foam. With it came a smart puff of wind, and the skipper
+"touched her up;" but it was over in a moment, and the yacht sped on her
+way towards the goal. Half an hour later she passed the Penobscot, and a
+gun from her saluted the victor in the exciting race. About four minutes
+later came the Skylark, which had lost half this time in the squall.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE LAUNCH OF THE MAUD.
+
+
+The heavy rain had driven nearly all the people on board of the
+Penobscot below, but the judges, clothed in rubber coats, kept the deck,
+in readiness to take the time of the rival yachts. After the squall, the
+weather was so thick that both of them were hidden from view. The craft
+not in the race had anchored near the Penobscot, and on board of all the
+yachts the interest in the result was most intense.
+
+"I'm afraid it will be no race," said Sam Rodman, who was now the
+chairman of the judges.
+
+"The commodore will put the Skylark through, whatever the weather,"
+replied Frank Norwood.
+
+"Don John will keep the Sea Foam flying as long as Bob runs the Skylark,
+you may depend."
+
+"It was quite a little squall that swept across the bay just now," added
+Rodman. "I hope no accident has happened to them."
+
+"I'll risk the accidents. I would give a dollar to know which one was
+ahead."
+
+"Not much doubt on that point."
+
+"I think there is. Don John generally knows what he is about. He don't
+very often say what he can do, but when he does, he means it."
+
+"The commodore is too much for him."
+
+"Perhaps he is, but I have hopes of the Sea Foam. Don John is building
+the Maud for me, and I have some interest in this race. I don't want a
+yacht that is to be beaten by everything in the fleet. If the Skylark is
+too much for the Sea Foam, the chance of the Maud won't be much better."
+
+The judges discussed the merits of the two yachts for half an hour
+longer, and there was as much difference of opinion among them as among
+the rest of the spectators of the race.
+
+"There's one of them!" shouted Frank Norwood, as the Sea Foam emerged
+from the cloud of mist which accompanied the rain.
+
+"Which is it?" demanded Rodman.
+
+"I can't make her out," replied Norwood, for the yacht was over a mile
+distant.
+
+"But where is the other? One of them is getting badly beaten," added
+Rodman.
+
+"That must be the Skylark we see."
+
+"I don't believe it is. It is so thick we can't make her out, but her
+sails look very white. I think it is the Sea Foam."
+
+"There's the other!" exclaimed Norwood, as the Skylark was dimly
+perceived in the distance.
+
+"She is half a mile astern. It is a bad beat for one of them."
+
+"That's so; and if it is the Sea Foam, I shall want to throw up the
+contract for the Maud," said Rodman.
+
+"There is one thing about it; both of those craft are good sea boats,
+and if they can carry whole jib and mainsail in this blow, they are just
+the right kind of yachts for me. I like an able boat, even if she don't
+win any prizes. Give me a stiff boat before a fast one."
+
+"I should like to have mine both stiff and fast."
+
+"Look at the Christabel. She went round the course with a reef in the
+fore and main sails, and was beaten at that," added Norwood. "Here comes
+the head boat. It is the Skylark, as sure as you live."
+
+"Not much, Frank. Do you see her figure-head? Is it a bird?" demanded
+Rodman, triumphantly.
+
+"It isn't; that's a fact."
+
+"That's the Sea Foam fast enough."
+
+This was exciting news, and Sam Rodman walked rapidly to the
+companion-way of the Penobscot.
+
+"Yachts in sight!" shouted he to the people below.
+
+"Which is ahead?" asked Mr. Montague.
+
+"The Sea Foam," replied Rodman.
+
+"I'm so glad!" exclaimed Miss Nellie Patterdale.
+
+Mr. Montague and Captain Patterdale only laughed, but they were
+sufficiently interested to go on deck in spite of the pouring rain, and
+they were followed by many others.
+
+"Time!" shouted Sam Rodman, as the gun was fired.
+
+"Four, thirty-two, ten," added Frank Norwood; and the figures were
+entered upon the schedule.
+
+The Sea Foam passed the judges' yacht, came about, and went under her
+stern.
+
+"The Sea Foam," shouted Donald.
+
+Though the spectators were not all satisfied with the result, they gave
+three cheers to the victorious yacht, magnanimously led off by Mr.
+Montague himself.
+
+"Time!" called Sam, as the Skylark came into the range of the chimney on
+shore.
+
+"Four, thirty-six, twelve," said Norwood.
+
+The Skylark came about, and passed under the stern of the Penobscot,
+reporting her name. The judges went below, and figured out the result,
+by which it appeared that the Sea Foam had beaten the Skylark, after the
+correction for the three inches' difference in length, by three minutes
+fifty-nine and four tenths seconds.
+
+Donald was the first to come on board of the Penobscot, and was
+generously congratulated on his decisive victory, especially by Mr.
+Montague, the father of the commodore. Robert followed him soon after,
+and every one was curious to know what he would say and do.
+
+"Don John, you have beaten me," exclaimed he, grasping the hand of
+Donald. "You have done it fairly and handsomely, and I am ready to give
+up the first prize to the Sea Foam."
+
+The party in the cabin of the Penobscot heartily applauded the conduct
+of the commodore.
+
+"You are very kind and generous, Bob," replied Donald, deeply moved by
+the magnanimity of the commodore.
+
+"When I am whipped, I know it as well as the next man. The silver vase
+belongs to the Sea Foam."
+
+"Not at all," protested Donald. "This last race was not for the vase,
+and you won the first one fairly."
+
+"Of course the vase belongs to the commodore," added Rodman. "The judges
+have already awarded and presented the prizes."
+
+This was the unanimous sentiment of all concerned, and Robert consented
+to retain the first prize.
+
+"I say, Don John," continued the commodore, removing his wet coat and
+cap, "I want to have an understanding about the affair. While I own that
+the Skylark has been beaten, I am not so clear that the Sea Foam is the
+faster boat of the two."
+
+"I think she is, commodore," laughed Donald; "though I believe I
+understand your position."
+
+"We made an even thing of it till we came up with Turtle Head--didn't
+we?"
+
+"Yes, that's so. If either gained anything for the moment, he lost it
+again," replied Donald.
+
+"Then, if we made exactly the same time to Turtle Head, it seems to me
+the merits of the two boats are about the same."
+
+"Not exactly, commodore. You forgot that the Skylark has to give time to
+the Sea Foam--one and three-tenths seconds per mile; or about eight
+seconds from here to the Head."
+
+"That's next to nothing," laughed Robert. "But I was a length ahead of
+you."
+
+"I let you gain that, so that I could go to windward of you."
+
+"You made your first point by running nearer to the rocks than I like to
+go, by which you cut off a little of the distance; and inches counted in
+so close a race."
+
+"That's part of the game in sailing a race."
+
+"I know that, and it's all perfectly fair. I lost half my time when the
+squall came. I thought it was going to be heavier than it proved to be."
+
+"I threw the Sea Foam up into the wind when it came," said Donald.
+
+"But you didn't drop your peak, and I lost two minutes in doing it. Now,
+Don John, I can put my finger on the four minutes by which you beat me;
+and I don't think there is any difference between the two yachts."
+
+"You forget the allowance."
+
+"That's nothing. In all future regattas the result will depend more upon
+the sailing than upon the boats."
+
+"I think you are quite right, Bob; and the fellow who makes the most
+mistakes will lose the race. But when the Maud is done she is going to
+beat you right along, if she has anything like fair play," laughed
+Donald.
+
+"She may if she can," replied Robert.
+
+The reputation of Ramsay & Son, boat builders, was greatly increased by
+the result of the race. If Edward Patterdale was a little mortified to
+have it demonstrated that the Sea Foam had lost the first prize by his
+own want of skill and tact in sailing her, he was consoled by the fact
+that Commodore Montague, who had the credit of being the best skipper in
+Belfast, had been beaten by his yacht. When the shower was over the
+party went on shore, and Donald hastened to the shop to attend to
+business. He found that his men had done a good day's work in his
+absence, and he related to Kennedy all the particulars of the two
+races.
+
+"It would have been a bad egg for you if you had not been present," said
+Kennedy, much interested in the story. "In these regattas the sailing of
+the yacht is half the battle, and these young fellows may ruin your
+reputation as a boat-builder, if you don't look out for them."
+
+"When I heard Ned Patterdale say he was disappointed in the Sea Foam, I
+felt that our business was nearly ruined. I think I have done a good
+thing for our firm to-day."
+
+"So you have, Donald; and when the Maud is finished, I hope you will
+sail her yourself in the first race she enters."
+
+"I will, if Sam Rodman consents."
+
+Donald paid off his men that night from the money received from Mr.
+Rodman. The next week he employed another hand, and worked diligently
+himself. Every day his mother came out to see how the work progressed,
+as she began to have some hope herself of the success of the firm of
+Ramsay & Son. Donald paid her all the fees he received for measuring
+yachts, and thus far this had been enough to support the family. She
+did not inquire very closely into the financial affairs of the concern,
+and the active member of it was not very communicative; but she had
+unbounded confidence in him, and while he was hopeful she was satisfied.
+
+It would be tedious to follow the young builder through all the details
+of his business. The frame of the Maud was all set up in due time, and
+then planked. By the first of August, when the vacation at the High
+School commenced, she was ready to be launched. All the joiner work on
+deck and in the cabin was completed, and had received two coats of
+paint. Mr. Rodman had paid a hundred dollars every week on account,
+which was more than Donald needed to carry on the work, and the affairs
+of Ramsay & Son were in a very prosperous condition.
+
+On the day of the launch, the Yacht Club attended in a body, and all the
+young ladies of the High School were present. Miss Maud Rodman, with a
+bottle in her hand, had consented formally to give her own name to the
+beautiful craft. Nellie Patterdale was to be on deck with her, attended
+by Donald and Sam Rodman. The boarding at the end of the shop had been
+removed, to allow the passage of the yacht into her future element. The
+ways had been laid down into the water, and well slushed. It was high
+tide at ten o'clock, and this hour had been chosen for the great event.
+
+"Are you all ready, Mr. Kennedy?" asked Donald.
+
+"All ready," replied the workman.
+
+"Let her slide!" shouted the boat-builder.
+
+A few smart blows with the hammers removed the dog-shores and the
+wedges, and the Maud began to move very slowly at first. Those on deck
+were obliged to stoop until the hull had passed out of the shop.
+
+"Now stand up," said Donald, as the yacht passed the end of the shop;
+and he thrust a long pole, with a flag attached to the end, into the
+mast hole.
+
+The boat increased her speed as she advanced, and soon struck the water
+with a splash.
+
+"Now break the bottle, Maud," added Donald.
+
+"I give this yacht the name of Maud," said Miss Rodman, in a loud tone,
+as she broke the bottle upon the heel of the bowsprit.
+
+"Won't she tip over, Don John?" asked Nellie.
+
+"Not at all; nearly all her ballast has been put into her, and she will
+stand up like a queen on the water," answered Donald, proudly, as he
+realized that the launch was a perfect success.
+
+Loud cheers from the crowd on shore greeted the yacht as she went into
+the embrace of her chosen element. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs,
+and the gentlemen their hats. Maud and Nellie returned the salute, and
+so did Sam Rodman; but Donald was too busy, just then, even to enjoy his
+triumph. As the hull slid off into the deep water, the boat-builder
+threw over the anchor, and veered out the cable till her headway was
+checked. The Maud rested on the water as gracefully as a swan, and the
+work of the day was done.
+
+Hardly had the yacht brought up at her cable, when the Juno, in which
+Laud Cavendish had been laying off and on where he could see the launch,
+ran alongside of her.
+
+"Keep off!" shouted Donald; "you will scrape her sides."
+
+"No; hold on, Don John; I have a cork fender," replied Laud, as he threw
+his painter on board of the Maud. "Catch a turn--will you?"
+
+"Don't let him come on board, if you can help it," whispered Nellie
+Patterdale. "He is a terrible bore."
+
+"I can help it," replied Donald, as, with a boat-hook he shoved off the
+bow of the Juno.
+
+Then, for the first time, he observed that Laud had a passenger, a man
+whom he remembered to have seen before, though he did not think where.
+
+"What are you about, Don John?" demanded Laud.
+
+"Keep off, then," replied Donald. "We don't want any visitors on board
+yet. We are going to haul her up to the wharf at once."
+
+"But I came off to offer the ladies a passage to the shore," said Laud.
+
+"They don't want any passage to the shore."
+
+"Good morning, Miss Patterdale," added Laud, as Nellie went to the rail
+near the Juno. "Allow me to offer you a place in this boat to convey you
+to the shore."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish; I intend to remain where I am," replied she,
+rather haughtily.
+
+"I shall be happy to take you out to sail, if you will do me the honor
+to accompany me; and Miss Rodman, too, if she will go."
+
+"No, I thank you; I am otherwise engaged," answered Nellie, as she
+retreated to the other side of the yacht.
+
+"I say, Donald, let me come on board," asked Laud, who was desperately
+bent upon improving his acquaintance with Nellie Patterdale.
+
+"Not now; you can come on board at the wharf."
+
+Donald was resolute, and Laud, angry at his rebuff, filed away.
+
+"Here is a man that wants to see you, Don John," shouted Laud, as he ran
+his boat up to the Maud again.
+
+"I can't see him now," replied Donald.
+
+Kennedy now came alongside in the skiff, bringing a warp-line from the
+shore, by which the Maud was hauled up to the wharf. The spectators went
+on board, and examined the work. Many of them crawled into the cabin and
+cook-room, and all of them were enthusiastic in their praise, though a
+few seasoned it with wholesome criticism. Some thought the cabin ought
+to be longer, evidently believing that it was possible to put a quart of
+water into a pint bottle; others thought she ought to be rigged as a
+schooner instead of a sloop, which was a matter of fancy with the owner;
+but all agreed that she was a beautiful yacht. In honor of the event,
+and to please the young people, Mr. Rodman had prepared a collation at
+his house, to which the members of the Yacht Club and others were
+cordially invited. Kennedy and the other men who worked on the Maud were
+included in the invitation, and the afternoon was to be a holiday. Laud
+Cavendish, who had moored the Juno and come on shore, liberally
+interpreted the invitation to include himself, and joined the party,
+though he was not a member of the club. Some people have a certain
+exuberance on the side of their faces, which enables them to do things
+which others cannot do.
+
+"I want to see you, Don John," said Laud, as the party began to move
+from the wharf towards the mansion of Mr. Rodman.
+
+"I'll see you this evening," replied Donald, who was anxious to gain a
+position at the side of Miss Nellie Patterdale.
+
+"That will be too late. You saw the man in the Juno with me--didn't
+you?" continued Laud, proceeding to open his business.
+
+"I saw him."
+
+"Did you know him?"
+
+"No; though I thought I had seen him before," replied Donald, as they
+walked along in the rear of the party.
+
+"He is the man who was beaten within an inch of his life over to
+Lincolnville, a while ago."
+
+"Hasbrook?"
+
+"Yes, his name is Jacob Hasbrook."
+
+"He was with us in the library of Captain Patterdale the day we were
+there, when the man had a sun-stroke."
+
+"Was he? Well, I don't remember that. Folks say he is a big rascal, and
+the licking he got was no more than he deserved. He was laid up for a
+month after it; but now he and the sheriff are trying to find out who
+did it."
+
+Donald was interested, in spite of himself, and for the time even forgot
+the pleasant smile of Nellie, which was a great deal for him to forget.
+
+"Has he any idea who it was that beat him?"
+
+"I don't know whether he has or not. He only asks questions, and don't
+answer any. You know I met you over to Turtle Head the morning after the
+affair in Lincolnville."
+
+"I remember all about it," answered Donald.
+
+"I saw you in the Juno afterwards. By the way, Don John, you didn't
+tell me how you happened to be in the Juno at that time. I don't
+recollect whether you had her at Turtle Head, or not. I don't think I
+saw her there, at any rate."
+
+"No matter whether you did or not. Go on with your story, for we are
+almost to Mr. Rodman's house," replied Donald, impatiently.
+
+"Well, after I left you, I ran over towards Saturday Cove," continued
+Laud. "You know where that is."
+
+"Of course I do."
+
+This was the place towards which Captain Shivernock had gone in the
+sail-boat, and where Laud had probably seen him, when he gave him the
+money paid for the Juno. Laud did not say that this was the time and
+place he had met the captain, but Donald was entirely satisfied on this
+point.
+
+"From Saturday Cove I ran on the other tack over to Gilky's Harbor,"
+added Laud.
+
+"Did you see anybody near the cove?"
+
+"I didn't say whether I did or not," replied Laud, after some
+hesitation, which confirmed Donald's belief that he had met the captain
+on this occasion. "Never mind that. Off Gilky's Harbor I hailed Tom
+Reed, who had been a-fishing. It seems that Tom told Hasbrook he saw me
+that forenoon, and Hasbrook has been to see me half a dozen times about
+it. I don't know whether he thinks I am the fellow that thrashed him, or
+not. He has pumped me dry about it. I happened to let on that I saw you,
+and Hasbrook wants to talk with you."
+
+By this time they reached Mr. Rodman's house, and to the surprise of
+Donald, Laud Cavendish coolly walked into the grounds with him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE WHITE CROSS OF DENMARK.
+
+
+Laud Cavendish was at Donald's side when they entered the grounds of Mr.
+Rodman, where the tables were spread under the trees in the garden. As
+the collation was in honor of the launch of the Maud, of course the
+young boat-builder was a person of no little consequence, and being with
+him, Laud was permitted to enter the grounds unchallenged; but they soon
+separated.
+
+Donald was disturbed by what Laud had told him, and he did not wish to
+answer any questions which might be put to him by Hasbrook, who was
+evidently working his own case, trying to ascertain who had committed
+the outrage upon him. He did not wish to tell whom he had seen on that
+Saturday forenoon, and thus violate the confidence of Captain
+Shivernock. But he was entirely satisfied that the captain had nothing
+to do with it, for he had not left his house until after the deed was
+done, according to the testimony of Sykes and his wife, whom he had
+separately interviewed. To decline to answer Hasbrook's questions, on
+the other hand, was to excite suspicion. He could not tell any lies
+about the case. If he could, it would have been easily managed; as it
+was, the situation was very awkward. But he had not time to think much
+of the matter, for one and another began to congratulate him upon the
+success of the launch, the fine proportions and the workmanship of the
+Maud. The praise of Captain Patterdale was particularly agreeable to
+him; but the best news he heard was that Major Norwood intended to have
+a yacht built for his son, and would probably give the job to Ramsay &
+Son.
+
+"Well, Don John, you are a real lion," laughed Nellie Patterdale, when,
+at last, the young boat-builder obtained a place at her side, which had
+been the objective point with him since he entered the grounds.
+
+"Better be a lion than a bear," replied Donald.
+
+"Everybody says you have built a splendid yacht, and Maud is delighted
+to have it named after her."
+
+"I think the Sea Foam ought to have been called the Nellie," added
+Donald.
+
+"Pooh! I asked Ned to call her the Sea Foam."
+
+"If I ever build a yacht on my own account, I shall certainly name her
+the Nellie Patterdale," continued Donald, though the remark cost him a
+terrible struggle.
+
+"I thank you, Don John; but I hope you will never build one on your own
+account, then," answered she, with a slight blush.
+
+"Why, wouldn't you like to have a boat named after you?" asked he,
+rather taken aback at her reply.
+
+"I shouldn't like to have my whole name given to a boat. It is too
+long."
+
+"O, well! Then I shall call her the Nellie."
+
+"You are too late, Don John," laughed Laud Cavendish, who was standing
+within hearing distance, and who now stepped forward, raised his hat,
+bowed, and smirked. "I have already ordered the painter to inscribe that
+word on the bows and stern of the Juno, for I never liked her present
+name."
+
+Nellie blushed deeper than before, but it was with anger this time,
+though she made no reply to Laud's impudent remark. At this moment Mr.
+Rodman invited the party to gather around the tables and partake of the
+collation.
+
+"Will Miss Patterdale allow me to offer her my arm?" added Laud, as he
+thrust his elbow up before her.
+
+"No, I thank you," she replied, walking towards the tables, but keeping
+at Donald's side.
+
+The boat-builder had not the courage to offer her his arm, though some
+of the sons of the nabobs had done so to the ladies; but he kept at her
+side. Laud was desperate, for Nellie seemed to be the key of destiny to
+him. If he could win her heart and hand, or even her hand without the
+heart, his fortune would be made, and the wealth and social position of
+which cruel fate had thus far robbed him would be obtained. Though she
+snubbed him, he could not see it, and would not accept the situation. If
+Donald had not been there, she would not have declined his offered arm;
+and he regarded the boat-builder as the only obstacle in his path.
+
+"I wish you had not invited that puppy, Don John," said Nellie, as they
+moved towards the tables; and there was a snap in her tones which
+emphasized the remark.
+
+"I didn't invite him," replied Donald, warmly.
+
+"He came in with you, and Mr. Rodman said you must have asked him."
+
+"Indeed, I did not; I had no right to invite him," protested Donald.
+
+Nellie immediately told this to the host of the occasion, and in doing
+so she left Donald for a moment.
+
+"Why don't you get out of the way, Don John, when you see what I am up
+to?" said Laud, in a low tone, but earnestly and indignantly, as though
+Donald had stepped between him and the cheerful destiny in which his
+imagination revelled.
+
+"What are you up to?"
+
+"I told you before that I liked Nellie, and you are all the time coming
+between me and her. She would have taken my arm if you had stepped
+aside."
+
+"I don't choose to step aside," added Donald.
+
+"I want to get in there, Don John," added Laud, in a milder tone.
+
+"Paddle your own canoe."
+
+"You don't care anything about her."
+
+"How do you know I don't?"
+
+"Do you?"
+
+"That's my affair."
+
+"She don't care for you."
+
+"Nor you, either."
+
+"Perhaps not now, but I can make it all right with her," said Laud, as
+he twirled his colored mustache, which he probably regarded as a
+lady-killer. "Besides, you are not old enough to think of such things
+yet, Don John."
+
+"Well, I don't think of such things yet," replied Donald, who really
+spoke only the truth, so far as he was consciously concerned.
+
+"But you ought not to stick by her to-day. You are the boat-builder, and
+you should bestow your attentions upon Maud Rodman, after whom the yacht
+was named. She is the daughter of the man who gave you the job. If you
+will just keep away from Nellie, I can paddle my own canoe, as you say."
+
+"Mr. Cavendish," interposed Mr. Rodman, "I believe you are not a member
+of the Belfast Yacht Club."
+
+"I am not yet, but I intend to join," replied Laud.
+
+"In the mean time, this occasion is for the members of the club and
+their friends; and I wish to suggest the propriety of your withdrawing,
+as I believe you are here without an invitation," added Mr. Rodman.
+
+"I came with Don John," said Laud, rather startled by the plain speech
+of the host.
+
+"If Don John invited you--"
+
+"I didn't invite him, or any one else. I did not consider that I had any
+right to do so," protested Donald, as he walked forward and joined
+Nellie.
+
+Laud could not gainsay this honest avowal; but there was no limit to his
+wrath at that moment, and he determined to punish the boat-builder for
+"going back" on him, as he regarded it.
+
+The collation was a sumptuous one, for when Belfast nabobs do anything,
+they do it. The guests had good appetites, and did abundant justice to
+the feast. The incident of which Laud Cavendish had been the central
+figure caused some talk and some laughter.
+
+"He had the impudence to say he was going to name his boat after me,"
+said Nellie Patterdale. "He don't like the name of Juno."
+
+"Does he own the Juno?" asked Captain Patterdale, quietly.
+
+"I suppose he does."
+
+"How is that, Don John?" added the captain.
+
+"Yes, sir, he owns her; Captain Shivernock got tired of the Juno, and
+Laud bought her."
+
+Captain Patterdale made a note of that piece of information, and
+regarded it as a clew to assist in the discovery of the tin box, which
+had not yet been found, though the owner and the deputy sheriff had been
+looking diligently for it ever since its disappearance.
+
+"What did he pay for her?" inquired Captain Patterdale.
+
+"Three hundred and fifty dollars," answered Donald, who hoped he would
+not be asked of whom Laud had bought the Juno.
+
+The captain did not ask the question, for it seemed to be self-evident
+that he had purchased her of Captain Shivernock. Indeed, nothing more
+was said about the matter. A dance on the shaven lawn followed the
+collation, and the guests remained until the dews of evening began to
+fall. Donald walked home with Nellie, and then went to the shop. He
+expected to find Hasbrook there, but he had returned to Lincolnville. He
+saw that the sails for the Maud had been sent down during his absence,
+and on the desk lay the bill for them, enclosed in an envelope, directed
+to "Messrs. Ramsay & Son." While he was looking at it, Mr. Leach, the
+sail-maker, entered the shop. He had come to look after his money, for
+possibly he had not entire confidence in the financial stability of the
+firm.
+
+"Have you looked over those sails, Don John?" asked Leach.
+
+"Not yet; it is rather too dark to examine them to-night," replied
+Donald.
+
+"That's the best suit of sails I ever made," added the sail-maker. "You
+said you wanted the best that could be had."
+
+"I did." And Donald unrolled them. "They look like a good job."
+
+"If they are not as good as anything that ever went on a boat, I'll make
+you another suit for nothing. I was in hopes you would look them over
+to-night. I don't want to trouble you, Don John, but I'm a little short
+of money. Captain Patterdale has a mortgage on my house, and I like to
+pay the interest on it the day it is due. You said you would let me have
+the money when the sails were delivered."
+
+"And so I will."
+
+"If they are not all right, I will make them so," added Leach. "I should
+like to pay the captain my interest money to-night, if I can."
+
+"You can. I will go into the house and get the money."
+
+Donald went to his room in the cottage, and took from their hiding-place
+the bills which had been paid to him by Laud Cavendish for the Juno.
+Without this he had not enough to pay the sail-maker. He did not like to
+use this money, for he was not fully satisfied that Laud would not get
+into trouble on account of it, or that he might not himself have some
+difficulty with Captain Shivernock. He feared that he should be called
+upon to refund this money; but Mr. Rodman would pay him another
+instalment of the price of the Maud in a few days, and he should then be
+in condition to meet any demand upon him. Laud had paid him seven
+fifty-dollar bills, and he put them in his pocket. As he passed through
+the kitchen, he lighted the lantern, and returned to the shop.
+
+"I didn't mean to dun you up so sharp for this bill," said Leach; "but I
+haven't a dollar in my pocket at this minute, and I am very anxious to
+be punctual in the payment of my interest."
+
+"It's all right; I had as lief pay it now as at any other time. In fact,
+I like to pay up as soon as the work is done," replied Donald, as he
+handed the sail-maker three of the fifty-dollar bills, which was the
+price agreed upon for the sails, five in number.
+
+Leach looked carefully at each of the bills. All of them were quite new
+and fresh, and one was peculiar enough to attract the attention of any
+one through whose hands it might pass. It was just like the others, but
+at some period, not very remote in its history, it had been torn into
+four parts. It might have been in a sheet of note paper, torn up by some
+one who did not know the bill was between the leaves. It had been mended
+with two narrow slips of thin, white paper, extending across the length
+and width of the bill, like the horizontal white cross on the flag of
+Denmark.
+
+"That bill has been in four pieces," said Leach, as he turned it over
+and examined it; "but I suppose it is good."
+
+"If it is not, I will give you another for it," answered Donald.
+
+"It is all here; so I think it is all right. I wonder who tore it up."
+
+"I don't know; it was so when I took it."
+
+"I am very much obliged to you, Don John; and the next time I make a
+suit of sails for you, you needn't pay me till you get ready," said the
+sail-maker, as he put the money in his wallet.
+
+"I didn't pay for this suit till I got ready," laughed the boat-builder;
+"and when you get up another, I hope I shall be able to pay you the cash
+for them."
+
+Leach left the shop a happy man; for most men are cheerful when they
+have plenty of money in their pocket. He was more especially happy
+because, being an honest man, he was able now to pay the interest on the
+mortgage note on the day it was due. He had worked half the night before
+in order to finish the sails, so that he might get the money to pay it.
+With a light step, therefore, he walked to the elegant mansion of
+Captain Patterdale, and rang the bell at the library door. There was a
+light in the room, which indicated that the captain was at home. He was
+admitted by the nabob himself, who answered his own bell at this door.
+
+"I suppose you thought I wasn't going to pay my interest on the day it
+was due," said Leach, with a cheerful smile.
+
+[Illustration: THE SAIL-MAKER'S BILL. Page 199.]
+
+"On the contrary, I didn't think anything at all about it," replied
+Captain Patterdale. "I was not even aware that your interest was due
+to-day."
+
+"I came pretty near not paying it, for work has been rather slack this
+season; but the firm of Ramsay & Son helped me out by paying me promptly
+for the sails I made for the Maud."
+
+"Ramsay & Son is a great concern," laughed the nabob.
+
+"It pays promptly; and that's more than all of them do," added Leach,
+drawing his wallet from his pocket.
+
+"I haven't your note by me, Mr. Leach," said Captain Patterdale; but he
+did not consider it necessary to state that the important document was
+at that moment in the tin box, wherever the said tin box might be. "I
+will give you a receipt for the amount you pay, and indorse it upon the
+note when I have it."
+
+"All right, captain."
+
+"Do you know how much the interest is? I am sure I have forgotten,"
+added the rich man.
+
+"I ought to know. I have had to work too hard to get the money in time
+to forget how much it was. It is just seventy dollars," answered Leach.
+
+"You needn't pay it now, if you are short."
+
+"I'm not short now. I'm flush, for which I thank Don John," said the
+sail-maker, as he placed two of the fifty-dollar bills on the desk, at
+which the captain was writing the receipt.
+
+The uppermost of the two bills was the mended one, for Leach thought if
+there was any doubt in regard to this, it ought to be known at once. If
+the nabob would take it, the matter was settled. Captain Patterdale
+wrote the receipt, and did not at once glance at the money.
+
+"There's a hundred, captain," added the sail-maker.
+
+The rich man picked up the bills, and turned over the upper one. If he
+did not start, it was not because he was not surprised. He was utterly
+confounded when he saw that bill, and his thoughts flashed quickly
+through his mind. But he did not betray his thoughts or his emotions,
+quick as were the former, and intense as were the latter. He took up the
+mended bill, and looked it over several times.
+
+"That's the white cross of Denmark," said he, suppressing his emotions.
+
+"Isn't the bill good?" asked the sail-maker.
+
+"Good as gold for eighty-eight cents on a dollar," replied the captain.
+
+"Then it is not good," added Leach, who did not quite comprehend the
+nabob's mathematics.
+
+"Yes, it is."
+
+"But you say it is worth only eighty-eight cents on a dollar."
+
+"That is all any paper dollar is worth when gold is a little rising
+fourteen per cent. premium. The bill is perfectly good, in spite of the
+white cross upon it. You want thirty dollars change."
+
+The captain counted out this sum, and handed it to the debtor.
+
+"If the bill isn't good, I can give you another," replied Leach, as he
+took the money.
+
+"It is a good bill, and I prefer it to any other for certain reasons of
+my own. It has the white cross of Denmark upon it; at least, the white
+bars on this bill remind me of the flag of that nation."
+
+"It's like a flag--is it?" added the sail-maker, who did not understand
+the rich man's allusion.
+
+"Like the flag of Denmark. I made a voyage to Copenhagen once, and this
+bill reminds me of the merchant's flag, which has a couple of white bars
+across a red ground. Where did you say you got this bill, Mr. Leach?"
+
+"Don John gave it to me, not half an hour ago."
+
+"It has been torn into quarters some time, and the pieces put together
+again. Did Don John mend the bill himself?"
+
+"No, sir; he says the bill is just as it was when he received it. I
+looked at it pretty sharp when I took it; but he said if it wasn't good,
+he would give me another."
+
+"It is perfectly good. Did he tell you where he got the bill?" asked
+Captain Patterdale, manifesting none of the emotion which agitated him.
+
+"No, sir; he did not. I didn't ask him. If it makes any difference, I
+will do so."
+
+"It makes no difference whatever. It is all right, Mr. Leach."
+
+The sail-maker folded up his receipt, and left the library. He went home
+with eighty dollars in his pocket, entirely satisfied with himself, with
+the nabob, and especially with the firm of Ramsay & Son. He did not care
+a straw about the white cross of Denmark, so long as the bill was good.
+Captain Patterdale was deeply interested in the bill which bore this
+mark, and possibly he expected to conquer by this sign. He was not so
+much interested in the bill because he had made a voyage up the Baltic
+and seen the white cross there, as because he had seen it on a bill in
+that tin box. He was not only interested, but he was anxious, for the
+active member of the firm of Ramsay & Son seemed to be implicated in a
+very unfortunate and criminal transaction.
+
+More than once Captain Patterdale had observed the pleasant relations
+between Don John and his fair daughter. As Nellie was a very pretty
+girl, intelligent, well educated, and agreeable, and in due time would
+be the heiress of a quarter or a half million, as the case might be, he
+was rather particular in regard to the friendships she contracted with
+the young gentlemen of the city. Possibly he did not approve the
+intimacy between them. But whatever opinions he may have entertained in
+regard to the equality of social relations between his daughter and the
+future partner of her joys and sorrows, we must do him the justice to
+say that he preferred honor and honesty to wealth and position in the
+gentleman whom Nellie might choose for her life companion. The
+suspicion, or rather the conviction, forced upon him by "the white cross
+of Denmark," that Donald was neither honest nor honorable, was vastly
+more painful than the fact that he was poor, and was the son of a mere
+ship carpenter.
+
+Certainly Nellie did like the young man, though, as she was hardly more
+than a child, it might be a fancy that would pass away when she realized
+the difference between the daughter of a nabob and the son of a ship
+carpenter. While he was thinking of the subject, Nellie entered the
+library, as she generally did when her father was alone there. She was
+his only confidant in the house in the matter of the tin box, and he
+determined to talk with her about the painful discovery he had just
+made.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+DONALD ANSWERS QUESTIONS.
+
+
+"Well, Nellie, did you have a good time to-day?" asked Captain
+Patterdale, as his daughter seated herself near his desk.
+
+"I did; a capital time. Everybody seemed to enjoy it," replied she.
+
+"But some seemed to enjoy it more than others," added the captain, with
+a smile.
+
+"Now, father, you have something to say," said she, with a blush. "I
+wish you would say it right out, and not torment me for half an hour,
+trying to guess what it is."
+
+"Of course, if I hadn't anything to say, I should hold my tongue,"
+laughed her father.
+
+"Everybody don't."
+
+"But I do."
+
+"Do you think I enjoyed the occasion more than any one else, father?"
+
+"I thought you were one of the few who enjoyed it most."
+
+"Perhaps I was; but what have I done?"
+
+"Done?"
+
+"What terrible sin have I committed now?"
+
+"None, my child."
+
+"But you are going to tell me that I have sinned against the letter of
+the law of propriety, or something of that kind. This is the way you
+always begin."
+
+"Then this time is an exception to all other times, for I haven't a word
+of fault to find with you."
+
+"I am so glad! I was trying to think what wicked thing I had been
+doing."
+
+"Nothing, child. Don John seemed to be supremely happy this afternoon."
+
+"I dare say he was; but the firm of Ramsay & Son had a successful
+launch, and Don John had compliments enough to turn the head of any one
+with a particle of vanity in his composition."
+
+"No doubt of it; and I suppose you were not behind the others in adding
+fuel to the flame."
+
+"What flame, father?"
+
+"The flame of vanity."
+
+"On the contrary, I don't think I uttered a single compliment to him."
+
+"It was hardly necessary to utter it; but if you had danced with him
+only half as often, it would have flattered his vanity less."
+
+"How could I help it, when he asked me? There were more gentlemen than
+ladies present, and I did not like to break up the sets," protested
+Nellie.
+
+"Of course not; but being the lion of the occasion, don't you think he
+might have divided himself up a little more equitably?"
+
+"I don't know; but I couldn't choose my own partner," replied Nellie,
+her cheeks glowing.
+
+"You like Don John very well?"
+
+"I certainly do, father," replied she, honestly. "Don't you?"
+
+"Perhaps it don't make so much difference whether I like him or not."
+
+"You have praised him to the skies, father. You said he was a very smart
+boy; and not one in a hundred young fellows takes hold of business with
+so much energy and good judgment. I am sure, if you had not said so much
+in his favor, I shouldn't have thought half so much of him," argued
+Nellie.
+
+"I don't blame you for thinking well of him, my child," interposed her
+father. "I only hope you are not becoming too much interested in him."
+
+"I only like him as a good-hearted, noble fellow," added Nellie, with a
+deeper blush than before, for she could not help understanding just what
+her father meant.
+
+"He appears to be a very good-hearted fellow now; but he is young, and
+has not yet fully developed his character. He may yet turn out to be a
+worthless fellow, dissolute and dishonest," continued the captain.
+
+"Don John!" exclaimed Nellie, utterly unwilling to accept such a
+supposition.
+
+"Even Don John. I can recall more than one young man, who promised as
+well as he does, that turned out very badly; and men fully developed in
+character, sustaining the highest reputations in the community, have
+been detected in the grossest frauds. I trust Don John will realize the
+hopes of his friends; but we must not be too positive."
+
+"I can't believe that Don John will ever become a bad man," protested
+Nellie.
+
+"We don't know. 'Put not your trust in princes,' in our day and nation,
+might read, 'Put not your trust in young men.'"
+
+"Why do you say all this, father?" asked Nellie, anxiously. "Has Don
+John done anything wrong; or is he suspected of doing anything wrong?"
+
+"He is at least suspected," replied Captain Patterdale.
+
+"Why, father!"
+
+"You need not be in haste to condemn him, or even to think ill of him,
+Nellie."
+
+"I certainly shall not."
+
+"There is the white cross of Denmark," added the captain, holding up the
+bank bill which had told him such a terrible story about the
+boat-builder.
+
+"What is it, father? It looks like a bank note."
+
+"It is; but there is the white cross of Denmark on it."
+
+"I don't understand what you mean."
+
+"I only mean that these white slips of paper make the bill look like the
+flag of Denmark."
+
+Nellie took the bill and examined it.
+
+"It has been torn into four pieces and mended," said she.
+
+"That is precisely how it happens to be the white cross of Denmark. Do
+you think, if you had ever seen that bill before, you would recognize it
+again, if it fell into your hands?" added the captain.
+
+"Certainly I should."
+
+"Well, it has been in my hands before. Do you remember the day that
+Michael had the sun-stroke?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and your tin box disappeared that day."
+
+"Precisely so; and this bill was in that tin box. Jacob Hasbrook, of
+Lincolnville, paid me a note. I put the money in the box, intending to
+take it over to the bank before night, and deposit it the next day. I
+looked at the bill when I counted the money, and I spoke to Hasbrook
+about it. I called it the white cross of Denmark then."
+
+"Where did you get it now?" inquired Nellie, her heart in her throat
+with anxiety.
+
+"Mr. Leach, the sail-maker, paid it to me just before you came into the
+library."
+
+"Mr. Leach!" exclaimed she, permitting herself to be cheered by a ray of
+hope that her father was not working up a case against Donald Ramsay.
+
+"Yes; you remember who were in the library on the day I lost the tin
+box."
+
+"I remember very well; for all of you went out and carried Michael into
+the house. Besides we talked about the box ever so long. You asked me
+who had been in the library while you were up stairs; and I told you Mr.
+Hasbrook, Laud Cavendish, and Don John."
+
+"Precisely so; I remember it all very distinctly. Now, one of the bills
+that was in that box comes back to me."
+
+"But it was paid to you by Mr. Leach."
+
+"It was; but he had it from Don John half an hour before he paid it to
+me."
+
+"Why, father!" exclaimed Nellie, with real anguish; for even a suspicion
+against Donald was a shock to her. "I can never believe it!"
+
+"I don't wish you to believe anything yet; but you may as well be
+prepared for anything an investigation may disclose."
+
+"That Don John should steal!" ejaculated Nellie. "Why, we all considered
+him the very soul of honor!"
+
+"You are getting along faster than I do with your conclusions, child,"
+added Captain Patterdale. "A suspicion is not proof. The bill came from
+him, beyond a doubt. But something can be said in his favor, besides the
+statement that his character is excellent. Of the three persons who were
+in the library that day, two of them had wagons on the street. It does
+not seem probable that Don John walked through the city with that tin
+box in his hand. If he did, some one must have seen it. Of course he
+would not have carried it openly, while it could easily have been
+concealed in the wagon of Hasbrook or Laud Cavendish."
+
+"Certainly; if Don John had taken it, he would not have dared to carry
+it through the streets," added Nellie, comforted by the suggestion.
+
+"Again, if he had stolen this white cross of Denmark, he would not have
+been likely to pass it off here in Belfast," continued the captain; "for
+he is sharp enough to see that it would be identified as soon as it
+appeared. Very likely Mr. Leach told him he intended to pay me some
+money, and he surely would not have allowed the bill to come back to
+me."
+
+"I know he didn't do it," cried Nellie, with enthusiasm.
+
+"You are too fast again, child. It is possible that he did, however
+improbable it may seem now, for rogues often make very silly blunders.
+Is Edward in the house?"
+
+"I think so; he was reading the _Age_ when I came in."
+
+"Tell him to go down and ask Don John to come up and see me. We will
+have the matter cleared up before we sleep. But, Nellie, don't tell
+Edward what I want to see Don John for. Not a word about that to any
+one. By keeping my own counsel, I may get at the whole truth; whereas
+the thief, if he gets wind of what I am doing, may cover his tracks or
+run away."
+
+"I will be very discreet, father," replied Nellie, as she left the
+library.
+
+In a few moments she returned.
+
+"He has gone, father; though he is very tired," said she.
+
+"I suppose he is; but I don't want to believe that Don John is a thief
+even over one night," replied the captain.
+
+"He asked me what you wanted of Don John; but I didn't tell him."
+
+The father and daughter discussed the painful suspicion until Donald
+arrived, and entered the library with Edward. A conversation on
+indifferent topics was continued for some time, and the boat-builder
+wondered if he had been sent for to talk about the launch of the Maud,
+which was now an old story.
+
+"How is the wind, Edward?" asked Captain Patterdale.
+
+"'Sou'-sou'-west, half west," laughed Edward, who understood precisely
+what his father meant by his question; and bidding Donald good night, he
+left the library, without the formality of saying he would go and see
+which way the wind was.
+
+"You know which way the wind is, Nellie; and so you need not leave,"
+added the captain, as she rose from her seat to follow the example of
+her brother.
+
+"So did Ned, for he told you," she answered.
+
+"And you heard him, and know also."
+
+When Captain Patterdale had private business with a visitor, and he
+wished any member of his own family to retire, he always asked which way
+the wind was.
+
+"Don John, you had a great success in the launch of the Maud to-day,"
+said the nabob; but as the same thing had been said half a dozen times
+before since the boat-builder entered the room, it was hardly to be
+regarded as an original idea; and Donald was satisfied that the launch
+was not the business upon which he had been sent for.
+
+"Yes, sir; we got her off very well," he replied. "I was sorry I
+couldn't launch her with the mast stepped, so as to dress her in the
+colors."
+
+"In that case, you would have needed the flags of all nations. I have
+them, and will lend them to you any time when you wish to make a
+sensation."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"I have here the white cross of Denmark," added the captain, holding up
+the mended bill.
+
+"A fifty-dollar white-cross," laughed Donald. "I have seen it before."
+
+"This bill?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I paid it to Mr. Leach for the Maud's sails since dark,"
+answered Donald, so squarely that the nabob could not help looking at
+his daughter and smiling.
+
+"He said you paid promptly, which is a solid virtue in a business man.
+By the way, Don John, you will be out of work as soon as the Maud is
+finished."
+
+"I hope to have another yacht to build by that time, especially if the
+Maud does well."
+
+"I wanted to say a word to you about that, and tell you some good news,
+Don John," continued Captain Patterdale, as calmly as though he had no
+interest whatever in the mended bill. "I had a long talk with Mr.
+Norwood this afternoon. He says he shall give you the job if the Maud
+sails as well as the Skylark or the Sea Foam. He don't insist that she
+shall beat them."
+
+"But I expect she will do it; if she don't I shall be disappointed,"
+added Donald.
+
+"Don't expect too much, Don John. I thought you would sleep better if
+you knew just how Mr. Norwood stood on this question."
+
+"I shall, sir; and I am very much obliged to you."
+
+"Do you think you will make any money on the building of the Maud?"
+asked the nabob.
+
+"Yes, sir. I think I shall do pretty well with her."
+
+"You seem to have money enough to pay your bills as you go along. Did
+Mr. Rodman pay you this bill?" inquired the captain, as he held up the
+cross again.
+
+"No, sir; he did not. I have had that bill in the house for some time,"
+replied Donald.
+
+"Are you so flush as that?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I had considerable cash in the house."
+
+"Your father left something, I suppose."
+
+"Yes, sir; but he never had that bill and the other two I paid Mr.
+Leach," replied Donald; and he could not help thinking all the time that
+they were a part of the sum Laud Cavendish had paid him for the Juno,
+under promise not to say where he got it, if everything was all right.
+
+Though the boat-builder was a square young man, he could not help being
+somewhat embarrassed, for his sense of honor did not permit him to
+violate the confidence of any one.
+
+"If it is a fair question, Don John, where did you get this bill?" asked
+the captain.
+
+Donald thought it was hardly a fair question under the circumstances,
+and he made no answer, for he was thinking how he could get along
+without a lie, and still say nothing about Laud's connection with the
+bill, for that would expose Captain Shivernock.
+
+"You don't answer me, Don John," added the nabob, mildly.
+
+"I don't like to tell," replied Donald.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I promised not to do so."
+
+"You promised not to tell where you got this money?"
+
+Poor Nellie was almost overwhelmed by these answers on the part of
+Donald, and her father began to have some painful doubts.
+
+"I did, sir; that is, I promised not to tell if everything about the
+money was all right."
+
+"If you don't tell where you got the money, how are you to know whether
+everything is all right or not?" demanded Captain Patterdale, in sharper
+tones than he had yet used.
+
+"Well, I don't know," answered the boat-builder, not a little confused,
+and sadly troubled by the anxious expression on Miss Nellie's pretty
+face.
+
+Perhaps her father, who understood human nature exceedingly well, had
+required her to remain in the library during this interview, for a
+purpose; but whether he did or not, Donald was really more concerned
+about her good opinion than he was about that of any other person in the
+world, unless it was his mother. He was conscious that he was not
+making a good appearance; and under the sad gaze of those pretty eyes,
+he was determined to redeem himself.
+
+"You ought not to make such promises, Don John," said the captain; and
+this time he spoke quite sternly.
+
+"You have that bill, sir. Is there anything wrong about it?" asked
+Donald.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then my promise covers nothing. Laud Cavendish paid me that bill,"
+added the boat-builder.
+
+"Laud Cavendish!" exclaimed Nellie.
+
+Her father shook his head, to intimate that she was to say nothing.
+
+"Laud Cavendish gave you this bill?" repeated the captain.
+
+"Yes, sir, and six more just like it; only the others were not mended. I
+paid Mr. Leach three of them, and here are the other four," said Donald,
+producing his wallet, and taking from it the four bills, which he had
+not returned to their hiding-place in the bureau.
+
+Captain Patterdale examined them, and compared them with the two in his
+possession. They looked like the bills he had deposited in the tin box,
+when Hasbrook paid him the thirteen hundred and fifty dollars and
+interest. Twelve of the bills which made up this sum were fifties,
+nearly new; the balance was in hundreds, and smaller notes, older, more
+discolored, and worn.
+
+"Laud Cavendish paid you three hundred and fifty dollars, then?"
+continued the nabob.
+
+"Yes, sir; just that. But what is there wrong about it?" asked Donald,
+trembling with emotion, when he realized what a scrape he had got into.
+
+"Following your example, Don John, I shall for the present decline to
+answer," replied the captain. "If you don't know--"
+
+"I don't!" protested Donald, earnestly.
+
+"If you don't know, I thank God; and I congratulate you that you don't
+know."
+
+"I haven't the least idea."
+
+"Of course, if you don't wish to answer any question I may ask, you can
+decline to answer, as I do, Don John."
+
+"I am entirely willing to answer any and every question that concerns
+me."
+
+"As you please; but you can't be called upon to say anything that will
+criminate yourself."
+
+"Criminate myself, sir!" exclaimed Donald, aghast. "I haven't done
+anything wrong."
+
+"I don't say that you have, Don John; more than that, I don't believe
+you have; but if you answer any question of mine, you must do it of your
+own free will and accord."
+
+"I will, sir."
+
+"For what did Laud Cavendish pay you three hundred and fifty dollars?"
+
+"For the Juno," replied Donald, promptly.
+
+"I did not know he owned the Juno."
+
+"He said he did to-day; at least, he said he was going to change her
+name," added Nellie.
+
+"The fact that I did not know it doesn't prove that it was not so. You
+sold the Juno to Laud, did you, Don John?"
+
+"I did, sir."
+
+"Did you own the Juno?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Did you buy her of Captain Shivernock?"
+
+"No, sir; I did not buy her; he made me a present of her."
+
+"A present!"
+
+"Yes, sir; he got disgusted with her, and gave her to me. I could not
+afford to keep her, and sold her to Laud Cavendish."
+
+"Gave her to you! That's very strange."
+
+"But Captain Shivernock is a very strange man."
+
+"None will dispute that," replied Captain Patterdale, with a smile and a
+shrug of the shoulders. "That man throws away his property with utter
+recklessness; and I should not be surprised if he ended his life in the
+almshouse. I will not ask any explanation of the conduct of Captain
+Shivernock. Laud Cavendish is not a man of means. Did he tell you,
+Donald, where he got his money to buy a boat worth three hundred and
+fifty dollars?"
+
+"He did, sir, and explained the matter so that I was satisfied; for I
+would not sell him the Juno till he convinced me that there was no hitch
+about the money."
+
+"Well, where did he get it?"
+
+"I don't feel at liberty to tell, sir; for he told me it was a great
+secret, which did not affect him, but another person. I inquired into
+the matter myself, and was satisfied it was all right."
+
+"I am afraid you have been deceived, Don John; but I am convinced you
+have done no wrong yourself--at least, not intentionally. Secrets are
+dangerous; and when people wish you to conceal anything, you may
+generally be sure there is something wrong somewhere, though it may look
+all right to you. I have no more questions to ask to-night, Don John;
+but I may wish to see you again in regard to this subject. I must see
+Mr. Laud Cavendish next."
+
+[Illustration: DONALD ANSWERS QUESTIONS. Page 225.]
+
+Donald declared that he was ready to give all the information in his
+power; and after a little chat with Nellie, he went home, with more on
+his mind than had troubled him before, since he could remember.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+MOONLIGHT ON THE JUNO.
+
+
+Donald felt that he was in hot water, in spite of the assurance of
+Captain Patterdale that he believed him innocent of all wrong, and he
+was sorry that he had made any bargains, conditional or otherwise, with
+Captain Shivernock or Laud Cavendish. The nabob would not tell him what
+was wrong, and he could not determine whether Laud or some other person
+had stolen the money. He went into the house on his return from the
+elegant mansion. His mother had gone to watch with a sick neighbor,
+though his sister Barbara was sewing in the front room.
+
+Donald was troubled, not by a guilty conscience, but by the fear that he
+had innocently done wrong in concealing his relations with Captain
+Shivernock and with Laud Cavendish. Somehow the case looked different
+now from what it had before. Laud had told where he got his money, and
+given a good reason, as it seemed to him at the time, for concealment;
+but why the strange man desired secrecy he was utterly unable to
+imagine. He almost wished he had told Captain Patterdale all about his
+meeting with Captain Shivernock on Long Island, and asked his advice. It
+was not too late to do so now. Donald was so uneasy that he could not
+sit in the house, and went out doors. He walked about the beach for a
+time, and then sat down in front of the shop to think the matter over
+again.
+
+Suddenly, while he was meditating in the darkness, he saw the trunk
+lights of the Maud illuminated, as though there was a fire in her cabin.
+He did not wait to study the cause, but jumping into his skiff, he
+pushed off, and sculled with all his might towards the yacht. He was mad
+and desperate, for the Maud was on fire! He leaped on board, with the
+key of the brass padlock which secured the cabin door in his hand; but
+he had scarcely reached the deck before he saw a man on the wharf
+retreating from the vicinity of the yacht. Then he heard the flapping of
+a sail on the other side of the pier; but he could not spend an instant
+in ascertaining who the person was. He opened the cabin door, and
+discovered on the floor a pile of shavings in flames. Fortunately there
+was a bucket in the standing-room, with which he dashed a quantity of
+water upon the fire, and quickly extinguished it. All was dark again;
+but to make sure, Donald threw another pail of water on the cabin floor,
+and then it was not possible for the fire to ignite again.
+
+Although the deck had been swept clean before the launch, the side next
+to the wharf was littered with shavings, and a basket stood there, in
+which they had been brought on board, for it was still half full. Donald
+found that one of the trunk lights had been left unfastened, in the
+hurry and excitement of attending the festival at Mr. Rodman's house.
+Through the aperture the incendiary had stuffed the shavings, and
+dropped a card of lighted matches upon them, for he saw the remnants of
+it when he threw on the first water. Who had done this outrageous deed?
+Donald sprang upon the wharf as he recalled the shadowy form and the
+flapping sail he had seen. Leaping upon the pier, he rushed over to the
+other side, where he discovered a sail-boat slowly making her way, in
+the gentle breeze, out of the dock.
+
+Beyond a peradventure, the boat was the Juno. Her peculiar rig enabled
+him readily to identify her. Was Laud Cavendish in her, and was he
+wicked enough to commit such an act? Donald returned to the Maud to
+assure himself that there was no more fire in her. He was satisfied that
+the yacht was not injured, for he had extinguished the fire before the
+shavings were well kindled. He fastened the trunk lights securely,
+locked the cabin door, and taking possession of the basket, he embarked
+in his skiff again. Sculling out beyond the wharf, he looked for the
+Juno. The wind was so light she made but little headway, and was
+standing off shore with the breeze nearly aft. It was Laud's boat, but
+it might not be Laud in her. Why should the wretch attempt to burn the
+Maud?
+
+Then the scene in Mr. Rodman's garden, when Laud had been invited to
+leave, came to his mind, and Donald began to understand the matter.
+While he was thinking about it, the moon came out from behind a cloud
+which had obscured it, and cast its soft light upon the quiet bay,
+silvering the ripples on its waters with a flood of beauty.
+
+Donald glanced at the basket in the skiff, still half filled with
+shavings. It was Laud's basket, beyond a doubt, for he had often seen
+it when the owner came down to the shore to embark in his boat. The
+initials of his father's name, "J. C.," were daubed upon the outside of
+it, for there is sometimes as much confusion in regard to the ownership
+of baskets as of umbrellas. Donald was full of excitement, and full of
+wrath; and as soon as he got the idea of the guilty party through his
+head, he sculled the skiff with all the vigor of a strong arm towards
+the Juno, easily overhauling her in a few moments. He was so excited
+that he dashed his skiff bang into the Juno, to the serious detriment of
+the white paint which covered her side.
+
+"What are you about, Don John?" roared Laud Cavendish, who had seen the
+approaching skiff, but had not chosen to hail her.
+
+"What are you about?" demanded Donald, answering the question with
+another, Yankee fashion, as he jammed his boat-hook into the side of the
+Juno, and drew the skiff up to the yacht, from which it had receded.
+
+Taking the painter, he jumped on the forward deck of the Juno, with the
+boat-hook still in his hand.
+
+"What do you mean by smashing into me in that kind of style, and jabbing
+your boat-hook into the side of my boat?" cried Laud, as fiercely as he
+could pitch his tones, though there seemed to be a want of vim to them.
+
+"What do you mean by setting the Maud afire?" demanded Donald. "That's
+what I want to know."
+
+"Who set her afire?" replied Laud, in rather hollow tones.
+
+"You did, you miserable spindle-shanks!"
+
+"I didn't set her afire, Don John," protested Laud.
+
+"Yes, you did! I can prove it, and I will prove it, too."
+
+"You are excited, Don John. You don't know what you are talking about."
+
+"I think I do, and I'll bet you'll understand it, too, if there is any
+law left in the State of Maine."
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"I mean what I say, and say what I mean."
+
+"I haven't been near the Maud."
+
+"Yes, you have! Didn't I see you sneaking across the wharf? Didn't I see
+your mainsail alongside the pier? You can't humbug me. I know a pint of
+soft soap from a pound of cheese," rattled Donald, who could talk very
+fast when he was both excited and enraged; and Laud's tongue was no
+match for his member.
+
+"I tell you, I haven't been near the Maud."
+
+"Don't tell me! I saw it all; I have two eyes that I wouldn't sell for
+two cents apiece; and I'll put you over the road at a two-forty gait."
+
+Laud saw that it was no use to argue the point, and he held his peace,
+till the boat-builder had exhausted his rhetoric, and his stock of
+expletives.
+
+"What did you do it for, Laud?" asked he, at last, in a comparatively
+quiet tone.
+
+"I have told you a dozen times I didn't do it," replied the accused.
+"You talk so fast I can't get a word in edgeways."
+
+"It's no use for you to deny it," added Don John.
+
+"Do you think I'd burn your yacht?"
+
+"Yes, I do; and I know you tried to do it. If I hadn't been over by the
+shop, you would have done it."
+
+[Illustration: DON JOHN VISITS THE JUNO. Page 230.]
+
+"I didn't do it, I repeat. Do you think I would lie about it? Do you
+think I have no sense of honor about me!"
+
+"Confound your honor!" sneered Donald.
+
+"Don't insult me. When you assail my honor, you touch me in a tender
+place."
+
+"In a soft place, and that's in your head."
+
+"Be careful, Don John. I advise you not to wake a sleeping lion."
+
+"A sleeping jackass!"
+
+"I claim to be a gentleman, and my honor is my capital stock in life."
+
+"You have a very small capital to work on, then."
+
+"I warn you to be cautious, Don John. My honor is all I have to rest
+upon in this world."
+
+"It's a broken reed. I wouldn't give a cent's worth of molasses candy
+for the honor of a fellow who would destroy the property of another,
+because he got mad with him."
+
+In spite of his repeated warnings, Laud Cavendish was very forbearing,
+though Donald kept the boat-hook where it would be serviceable in an
+emergency.
+
+"No, Don John, I did not set the Maud afire. Though you went back on me
+this afternoon, and served me a mean and shabby trick, I wouldn't do
+such a thing as burn your property."
+
+"Who went back on you?" demanded Donald.
+
+"You did; when you could have saved me from being driven out of the
+garden, you took the trouble to say, you did not invite me," replied
+Laud, reproachfully.
+
+"I didn't invite you; and I had no right to invite you."
+
+"No matter for that; if you had just said that your friend, Mr.
+Cavendish, had come in with you it would have been all right."
+
+"My friend, Mr. Cavendish!" repeated Donald, sarcastically. "I didn't
+know I had any such friend."
+
+"I didn't expect that of you, after what I had done for you, Don John."
+
+"Spill her on that tack! You never did anything for me."
+
+"I took that boat off your hands, and I suppose you got a commission for
+selling her. Wasn't that doing something for you?"
+
+"No!" protested Donald.
+
+"I have always used you well, and done more for you than you know of.
+You wouldn't have got the job to build the Maud if it hadn't been for
+me. I spoke a good word for you to Mr. Rodman," whined Laud.
+
+"You!" exclaimed Donald, disgusted with this ridiculous pretension. "If
+you said anything to Mr. Rodman about it, I wonder he didn't give the
+job to somebody else."
+
+"You think I have no influence, but you are mistaken; and if you insist
+on quarrelling with me, you will find out, when it is too late, what
+folks think of me."
+
+"They think you are a ninny; and when they know what you did to-night,
+they will believe you are a knave," replied Donald. "You didn't cover
+your tracks so that I couldn't find them; and I can prove all I say. I
+didn't think you were such a rascal before."
+
+"You won't make anything out of that sort of talk with me, Don John,"
+said Laud, mildly. "You provoke me to throw you overboard, but I don't
+want to hurt you."
+
+"I'll risk your throwing me overboard. I can take care of myself."
+
+"I said I didn't want to hurt you, and I don't. I didn't set your boat
+afire; I wouldn't do such a thing."
+
+"You can tell that to Squire Peters to-morrow."
+
+"You don't mean to say that you will prosecute me, Don John?"
+
+"Yes; I do mean it."
+
+"I came down from the harbor, and tacked between those two wharves,"
+explained Laud. "I was standing off on this tack when you bunted your
+skiff into me. That's all I know about it."
+
+"But I saw you on the wharf. No matter; we won't argue the case here,"
+said Donald, as he made a movement to go into his skiff.
+
+"Hold on, Don John. I want to talk with you a little."
+
+"What about?"
+
+"Two or three things. I am going off on a long cruise in a day or two. I
+think I shall go as far as Portland, and try to get a situation in a
+store there."
+
+"I don't believe you will have a chance to go to Portland, or anywhere
+else, unless it's Thomaston, where the state prison is located."
+
+"I didn't think you would be so rough on me, Don John. I didn't set your
+boat afire; but I can see that it may go hard with me, because I
+happened to be near the wharf at the time."
+
+"You will find that isn't the worst of it," added Donald.
+
+"What is the worst of it?"
+
+"Never mind; I'll tell Squire Peters to-morrow, when we come together."
+
+"Don't go to law about it, Don John; for though I didn't do it, I don't
+want to be hauled up for it. Even a suspicion is sometimes damaging to
+the honor of a gentleman."
+
+"You had better come down from that high horse, and own up that you set
+the Maud afire."
+
+"Will you agree not to prosecute, if I do?" asked Laud.
+
+Donald, after his anger subsided, thought more about the "white cross of
+Denmark" than he did about the fire; for the latter had done him no
+damage, while the former might injure his character which he valued more
+than his property.
+
+"I will agree not to prosecute, if you will answer all my questions," he
+replied; but I confess that it was an error on the part of the young
+man.
+
+Donald fastened the painter of his skiff at the stern, and took a seat
+in the standing-room of the Juno.
+
+"I will tell you all I know, if you will keep me out of the courts,"
+added Laud, promptly.
+
+"Why did you set the Maud afire?"
+
+"Because I was mad, and meant to get even with you for what you did at
+Rodman's this afternoon. You might do me a great service, Don John, if
+you would. I like Nellie Patterdale; I mean, I'm in love with her. I
+don't believe I can live without her."
+
+"I'll bet you'll have to," interposed Donald, indignantly.
+
+"You don't know what it is to love, Don John."
+
+"I don't want to know yet awhile; and I think you had better live on a
+different sort of grub. What a stupid idea, for a fellow like you to
+think of such a girl as Nellie Patterdale!"
+
+"Is it any worse for me to think of her, than it is for you to do so?"
+asked Laud.
+
+"I never thought of her in any such way as that. We went to school
+together, and have always been good friends; that's all."
+
+"That's enough," sighed Laud. "I actually suffer for her sake. If the
+quest were hopeless," Laud read novels--"I think I should drown myself."
+
+"You had better do it right off, then," added Donald.
+
+"You can pity me, Don John, for I am miserable. Day and night I think
+only of her. My feelings have made me almost crazy, and I hardly knew
+what I was about when I applied the incendiary torch to the Maud."
+
+"I thought it was a card of friction matches."
+
+"The world will laugh and jeer at me for loving one above my station;
+but love makes us equals."
+
+"Perhaps it does when the love is on both sides," added the practical
+boat-builder.
+
+"But I think I am fitted to adorn a higher station than that in which I
+was born."
+
+"If so, you will rise like a stick of timber forced under the water; but
+it strikes me that you have begun in the wrong way to figure for a
+rise."
+
+"But I wish to rise only for Nellie's sake. You can help me, Don John;
+you can take me into her presence, where I can have the opportunity to
+win her affection."
+
+"I guess not, Laud. Shall I tell you what she said to me this
+afternoon?"
+
+"Tell me all."
+
+"She said you were an impudent puppy, and she was sorry I invited you."
+
+"Did she say that?" asked Laud, looking up to the cold, pale moon.
+
+"She did; and I was obliged to tell her that I didn't invite you."
+
+"Perhaps I have been a fool," mused the lover.
+
+"There's no doubt of it. Nellie Patterdale dislikes, and even despises
+you. I have heard her say as much, in so many words. That ought to
+comfort you, and convince you that it is no use to fish any longer in
+those waters."
+
+"Possibly you are right; but it is only because she does not know me. If
+she only knew me better--"
+
+"She would dislike and despise you still more," said Donald, sharply.
+"If she only knew that you set the Maud afire, she would love you as a
+homeless dog likes the brickbats that are thrown at him."
+
+"You will not tell her that, Don John?"
+
+"I will not tell her, or any one else, if you behave yourself. Now I
+want to ask some more questions."
+
+"Go on, Don John."
+
+"Where did you get the money you paid for the Juno?" demanded Donald,
+with energy.
+
+"Where did I get it?" repeated Laud, evidently startled by the question,
+so vigorously put. "I told you where I got it."
+
+"Tell me again."
+
+"Captain Shivernock gave it to me."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I can't tell you that."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because it is a matter between the captain and me."
+
+"I don't care if it is. You said you would answer all my questions, if I
+would not prosecute."
+
+"Questions about the Maud," explained Laud. "I have told you the secret
+of my love--"
+
+"Hang the secret of your love!" exclaimed Donald, disgusted with that
+topic. "I meant all questions."
+
+"But I cannot betray the secrets of Captain Shivernock. My honor--"
+
+"Stick your honor up chimney!" interrupted Donald. "If you go back on
+the agreement, I shall take the fire before Squire Peters. The question
+I asked was, why Captain Shivernock gave you four or five hundred
+dollars?"
+
+"I wish I could answer you, Don John; but I do not feel at liberty to do
+so just now. I will see the captain, and perhaps I may honorably give
+you the information you seek."
+
+"You needn't mince the matter with me. I know all about it now; but I
+want it from you."
+
+"All about what?" asked Laud.
+
+"You needn't look green about it. Do you remember the Saturday when I
+told you the Juno was for sale?"
+
+"I do, very distinctly," answered Laud. "You were in the Juno at the
+time."
+
+"I was; we parted company, and you stood over towards the Northport
+shore."
+
+"Just so."
+
+"Over there you met Captain Shivernock."
+
+"I didn't say I did."
+
+"But I say you did," persisted Donald. "For some reason best known to
+himself, the captain did not want any one to know he was on Long Island
+that night."
+
+Laud listened with intense interest.
+
+"Do you know what his reason was, Don John?"
+
+"No, I don't. You saw his boat, and overhauled him near the shore."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"You overhauled him near the shore, and he gave you a pile of money not
+to say that you had seen him."
+
+"It is you who says all this, and not I," added Laud, with more spirit
+than he had before exhibited. "My honor is not touched."
+
+"I wish you wouldn't say anything more about your honor. It is like a
+mustard seed in a haymow, and I can't see it," snapped Donald.
+
+"You can see that I came honorably by the money."
+
+"Honestly by it; I am satisfied on that point," replied Donald. "If I
+had not been, I wouldn't have sold you the boat. You see I knew
+something of Captain Shivernock's movements about that time. If I
+hadn't, I wouldn't have believed that he gave it to you."
+
+"Then you must have seen the captain at the same time."
+
+"I didn't say I saw him," laughed Donald. "But the wind is breezing up,
+and we are half way over to Brigadier Island. Come about, Laud."
+
+The skipper acceded to the request, and headed the Juno for Belfast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK'S JOKE.
+
+
+Donald considered himself shrewd, sharp, and smart, because he had
+induced Laud virtually to own that Captain Shivernock had given him the
+money to purchase his silence, but Donald was not half so shrewd, sharp,
+and smart as he thought he was.
+
+"Mr. Cavendish, it's no use for us to mince this matter," he continued,
+determined further to draw out his companion, and feeling happy now, he
+was very respectful to him.
+
+"Perhaps not, Don John."
+
+"It can do no harm for you and me to talk over this matter. You saw
+Captain Shivernock on that Saturday morning--didn't you?"
+
+"Of course, if I say I did, you will not let on about it--will you?"
+
+"Not if I can help it; for the fact is, I am in the same boat with
+you."
+
+"Then you saw the captain."
+
+"Of course I did."
+
+"But what was he doing down there, that made him so particular to keep
+shady about it?"
+
+"I haven't the least idea. It was the morning after Hasbrook was pounded
+to a jelly in his own house; but I am satisfied that the captain had
+nothing to do with it."
+
+"I am not so sure of that," added Laud.
+
+"I am. I went to the captain's house before he returned that day, and
+both Sykes and his wife told me he had left home at four o'clock that
+morning, and this was after the pounding was done. Besides, the captain
+was over on Long Island when I saw him. If he had done the deed, he
+would have got home before daylight, for the wind was fresh and fair.
+Instead of that, he was over at Turtle Head when I first saw him. The
+Juno got aground with him near Seal Harbor, which made him so mad he
+would not keep her any longer. He was mad because she wasn't a
+centre-boarder. I suppose after we parted he went over to the
+Lincolnville or Northport Shore, and hid till after dark in Spruce
+Harbor, Saturday Cove, or some such place. At any rate, I was at his
+house in the evening, when he came home."
+
+"The old fellow had been up to some trick, you may depend upon it,"
+added Laud, sagely.
+
+"I came to the conclusion that his desire to keep dark was only a whim,
+for he is the strangest man that ever walked the earth."
+
+"That's so; but why should he give me such a pile if he hadn't been up
+to something?"
+
+"And me another pile," added Donald. "We can talk this thing over
+between ourselves, but not a word to any other person."
+
+"Certainly; I understand. I am paid for holding my tongue, and I intend
+to do so honorably."
+
+"So do I, until I learn that there is something wrong."
+
+"You have told me some things I did not know before, Don John,"
+suggested Laud.
+
+"You knew that the captain was down by Long Island."
+
+"Yes, but I didn't know he was at Turtle Head; and I am satisfied now
+that he is the man that shook up Hasbrook that night," continued Laud,
+in meditative mood.
+
+"Are you? Then I will let the whole thing out," exclaimed Donald.
+
+"No, no! don't do that!" protested Laud. "That wouldn't be fair, at
+all."
+
+"I would not be a party to the concealment of such an outrage."
+
+"You don't understand it. Hasbrook is a regular swindler."
+
+"That is no reason why he should be pounded half to death in the middle
+of the night."
+
+"He borrowed a thousand dollars of Captain Shivernock a short time
+before the outrage. The captain told him he would lend him the money if
+Hasbrook would give him a good indorser on the paper. After the captain
+had parted with the money, he ascertained that the indorser was not
+worth a dollar. Hasbrook had told him the name was that of a rich
+farmer, and of course the captain was mad. He tried to get back his
+money, for he knew Hasbrook never paid anything if he could help it.
+Here is the motive for the outrage," reasoned Laud.
+
+"Why didn't he prosecute him for swindling? for that's what it was."
+
+"Captain Shivernock says he won't trouble any courts to fight his
+battles for him; he can fight them himself."
+
+"It was wrong to pound any man as Hasbrook was. Why, he wasn't able to
+go out of the house for a month," added Donald, who was clearly opposed
+to Lynch law.
+
+Donald was somewhat staggered in his belief by the evidence of his
+companion, but he determined to inquire further into the matter, and
+even hoped now that Hasbrook would call upon him.
+
+"One more question, Laud. Do you know where Captain Shivernock got the
+bills he paid you, and you paid me?" asked he.
+
+"Of course I don't. How should I know where the captain gets his money?"
+replied Laud, in rather shaky tones.
+
+"True; I didn't much think you would know."
+
+"What odds does it make where he got the bills?" asked Laud, faintly.
+
+"It makes a heap of odds."
+
+"I don't see why."
+
+"I'll tell you why. I paid three of those bills to Mr. Leach to-night
+for the Maud's suit of sails. One of them was a mended bill."
+
+"Yes, I remember that one, for I noticed it after the captain gave me
+the money," added Laud.
+
+"Mr. Leach paid that bill to Captain Patterdale."
+
+"To Captain Patterdale!" exclaimed Laud, springing to his feet.
+
+"What odds does it make to you whom he paid it to?" asked Donald,
+astonished at this sudden demonstration.
+
+"None at all," replied Laud, recovering his self-possession.
+
+"What made you jump so, then?"
+
+"A mosquito bit me," laughed Laud. But it was a graveyard laugh. "Leach
+paid the bill to Captain Patterdale--you say?"
+
+"Yes, and Captain Patterdale says there is something wrong about the
+bill," continued Donald, who was far from satisfied with the explanation
+of his companion.
+
+"What was the matter? Wasn't the bill good?" inquired Laud.
+
+"Yes, the bill was good; but something was wrong, he didn't tell me
+what."
+
+"That was an odd way to leave it. Why didn't he tell you what was
+wrong?"
+
+"I don't know. I suppose he knows what he is about, but I don't."
+
+"I should like to know what was wrong about this bill. It has passed
+through my hands, and it may affect my honor in some way," mused Laud.
+
+"You had better have your honor insured, for it will get burned up one
+of these days," added Donald, as he rose from his seat, and hauled in
+his skiff, which was towing astern.
+
+He stepped into the boat, and tossed Laud's basket to him.
+
+"Here is your basket, Laud," added he. "It was my evidence against you;
+and next time, when you want to burn a yacht, don't leave it on her
+deck."
+
+"You will keep shady--won't you, Don John?" he pleaded.
+
+"That will depend upon what you say and do," answered Donald, as he
+shoved off, and sculled to the wharf where the Maud lay, to assure
+himself that she was in no danger.
+
+He was not quite satisfied to trust her alone all night, and he decided
+to sleep in her cabin. He went to the house, and told Barbara he was
+afraid some accident might happen to the yacht, and with the lantern and
+some bed-clothes, he returned to her. He swept up the half-burned
+shavings, and threw them overboard. There was not a vestige of the fire
+left, and he swabbed up the water with a sponge. Making his bed on the
+transom, he lay down to think over the events of the evening. He went
+to sleep after a while, and we will leave him in this oblivious
+condition while we follow Laud Cavendish, who, it cannot be denied, was
+in a most unhappy frame of mind. He ran the Juno up to her moorings, and
+after he had secured her sail, and locked up the cabin door, he went on
+shore. Undoubtedly he had done an immense amount of heavy thinking
+within the last two hours, and as he was not overstocked with brains, it
+wore upon him.
+
+It was nearly ten o'clock in the evening, but late as it was, Laud
+walked directly to the house of Captain Shivernock. There was a light in
+the strange man's library, or office, and another in the dining-room,
+where the housekeeper usually sat, which indicated that the family had
+not retired. Laud walked up to the side door, and rang the bell, which
+was promptly answered by Mrs. Sykes.
+
+"Is Captain Shivernock at home?" asked the late visitor.
+
+"He is; but he don't see anybody so late as this," replied the
+housekeeper.
+
+"I wish to speak to him on very important business, and it is absolutely
+necessary that I should see him to-night," persisted Laud.
+
+"I will tell him."
+
+Mrs. Sykes did tell him, and the strange man swore he would not see any
+one, not even his grandmother, come down from heaven. She reported this
+answer in substance to Laud.
+
+"I wish to see him on a matter in which he is deeply concerned," said
+the troubled visitor. "Tell him, if you please, in regard to the
+Hasbrook affair."
+
+Perhaps Mrs. Sykes knew something about the Hasbrook affair herself, for
+she promptly consented to make this second application for the admission
+of the stranger, for such he was to her.
+
+She returned in a few moments with an invitation to enter, and so it
+appeared that there was some power in the "Hasbrook affair." Laud was
+conducted to the library,--as the retired shipmaster chose to call the
+apartment, though there were not a dozen books in it,--where the captain
+sat in a large rocking-chair, with his feet on the table.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded the strange man; and we are obliged to modify
+his phraseology in order to make it admissible to our pages.
+
+"Mr. Laud Cavendish, at your service," replied he, politely.
+
+"_Mister_ Laud Cavendish!" repeated the captain, with a palpable sneer;
+"you are the swell that used to drive the grocery wagon."
+
+"I was formerly employed at Miller's store, but I am not there now."
+
+"Well, what do you want here?"
+
+"I wish to see you, sir."
+
+"You do see me--don't you?" growled the eccentric. "What's your
+business?"
+
+"On the morning after the Hasbrook outrage, Captain Shivernock, you were
+seen at Seal Harbor," said Laud.
+
+"Who says I was?" roared the captain, springing to his feet.
+
+"I beg your pardon sir; but I say so," answered Laud, apparently unmoved
+by the violence of his auditor. "You were in the boat formerly owned by
+Mr. Ramsay, and you ran over towards the Northport shore."
+
+"Did you see me?"
+
+"I did," replied Laud.
+
+"And you have come to levy black-mail upon me," added the captain, with
+a withering stare at his visitor.
+
+"Nothing of the sort, sir. I claim to be a gentleman."
+
+"O, you do!"
+
+Captain Shivernock laughed heartily.
+
+"I do, sir. I am not capable of anything derogatory to the character of
+a gentleman."
+
+"Bugs and brickbats!" roared the strange man, with another outburst of
+laughter. "You are a gentleman! That's good! And you won't do anything
+derogatory to the character of a gentleman. That's good, too!"
+
+"I trust I have the instincts of a gentleman," added Laud, smoothing
+down his jet mustache.
+
+"I trust you have; but what do you want of me, if you have the instincts
+of a gentleman, and don't bleed men with money when you think you have
+them on the hip?"
+
+"If you will honor me with your attention a few moments, I will inform
+you what I want of you."
+
+"Good again!" chuckled the captain. "I will honor you with my attention.
+You have got cheek enough to fit out a life insurance agency."
+
+"I am not the only one who saw you that Saturday morning," said Laud.
+
+"Who else saw me?"
+
+"Don John."
+
+"How do you know he did?"
+
+"He told mo so."
+
+"The young hypocrite!" exclaimed the strange man, with an oath. "I made
+it a rule years ago never to trust a man or a boy who has much to do
+with churches and Sunday Schools. The little snivelling puppy! And he
+has gone back on me."
+
+"It is only necessary for me to state facts," answered Laud. "You can
+form your own conclusions, without any help from me."
+
+"Perhaps I can," added Captain Shivernock, who seemed to be in an
+unusual humor on this occasion, for the pretentious manners of his
+visitor appeared to amuse rather than irritate him.
+
+"Again, sir, Jacob Hasbrook, of Lincolnville, believes you are the man
+who pounded him to a jelly that night," continued Laud.
+
+"Does he?" laughed the captain. "Well, that is a good joke; but I want
+to say that I respect the man who did it, whoever he is."
+
+"Self-respect is a gentlemanly quality. The man who don't respect
+himself will not be respected by others," said Laud, stroking his chin.
+
+"Eh?"
+
+Laud confidently repeated the proposition.
+
+"You respect yourself, and of course you respect the man that pounded
+Hasbrook," he added.
+
+"Do you mean to say I flogged Hasbrook?" demanded the strange man,
+doubling his fist, and shaking it savagely in Laud's face.
+
+"It isn't for me to say that you did, for you know better than I do; but
+you will pardon me if I say that the evidence points in this direction.
+Hasbrook has been over to Belfast several times to work up his case. The
+last time I saw him he was looking for Don John, who, I am afraid, is
+rather leaky."
+
+In spite of his bluff manners, Laud saw that the captain was not a
+little startled by the information just imparted.
+
+"The miserable little psalm-singer," growled the strange man, walking
+the room, muttering to himself. "If he disobeys my orders, I'll thrash
+him worse than--Hasbrook was thrashed."
+
+"It is unpleasant to be suspected of a crime, and revolting to the
+instincts of a gentleman," added Laud.
+
+"Do you mean to say that I am suspected of a crime, you long-eared
+puppy?" yelled the captain.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Captain Shivernock, but it isn't agreeable to a
+gentleman to be called by such opprobrious names," said Laud, rising
+from his chair, and taking his round-top hat from the table. "I am
+willing to leave you, but not to be insulted."
+
+Laud looked like the very impersonation of dignity itself, as he walked
+towards the door.
+
+"Stop!" yelled the captain.
+
+"I do not know that any one but Hasbrook suspects you of a crime," Laud
+explained.
+
+"I'm glad he does suspect me," added the strange man, more gently.
+"Whoever did that job served him just right, and I envy the man that did
+it."
+
+"Still, it is unpleasant to be suspected of a crime."
+
+"It wasn't a crime."
+
+"People call it so; but I sympathize with you, for like you I am
+suspected of a crime, of which, like yourself, I am innocent."
+
+"Are you, indeed? And what may your crime be, Mr. Cavendish?"
+
+"It is in this connection that I wish to state my particular business
+with you."
+
+"Go on and state it, and don't be all night about it."
+
+"I may add that I also came to warn you against the movements of
+Hasbrook. I will begin at the beginning."
+
+"Begin, then; and don't go round Cape Horn in doing it," snarled the
+captain.
+
+"I will, sir. Captain Patterdale--"
+
+"Another miserable psalm-singer. Is he in the scrape?"
+
+"He is, sir. He has lost a tin box, which contained nearly fourteen
+hundred dollars in cash, besides many valuable papers."
+
+"I'm glad of it; and I hope he never will find it," was the kindly
+expression of the eccentric nabob for the Christian nabob. "Was the box
+lost or stolen?"
+
+"Stolen, sir."
+
+"So much the better. I hope the thief will never be discovered."
+
+Laud did not say how he happened to know that the tin box had been
+stolen, for Captain Patterdale, the deputy sheriff, and Nellie were
+supposed to be the only persons who had any knowledge of the fact.
+
+"It appears that in this tin box there was a certain fifty-dollar bill,
+which had been torn into four parts, and mended by pasting two strips of
+paper upon it, one extending from right to left, and the other from top
+to bottom, on the back."
+
+"Eh?" interposed the wicked nabob. "Wait a minute."
+
+The captain opened an iron safe in the room, and from a drawer took out
+a handful of bank bills. From these he selected three, and tossed them
+on the table.
+
+"Like those?" he inquired, with interest.
+
+"Exactly like them," replied Laud, astonished to find that each was the
+counterpart of the one he had paid Donald for the Juno, and had the
+"white cross of Denmark" upon it.
+
+"Do you know how those bills happened to be in that condition, Mr.
+Cavendish?" chuckled the captain.
+
+"Of course I do not, sir."
+
+"I'll tell you, my gay buffer. I have got a weak, soft place somewhere
+in my gizzard; I don't know where; if I did, I'd cut it out. About three
+months ago, just after I brought from Portland one hundred of these new
+fifty-dollar bills, there was a great cry here for money for some
+missionary concern. I read something in the newspaper, at this time,
+about what some of the missionaries had done for a lot of sailors who
+had been cast away on the South Sea Islands. I thought more of the
+psalm-singers than ever before, and I was tempted to do something for
+them. Well, I actually wrote to some parson here who was howling for
+money, and stuck four of those bills between the leaves. I think it is
+very likely I should have sent them to the parson, if I hadn't been
+called out of the room. I threw the note, with the bills in it, on the
+table, and went out to see a pair of horses a jockey had driven into the
+yard for me to look at. When I came back and glanced at the note, I
+thought what a fool I had been, to think of giving money to those
+canting psalm-singers. I was mad with myself for my folly, and I tore
+the note into four pieces before I thought that the bills were in it.
+But Mrs. Sykes mended them as you see. Go on with your yarn, my buffer."
+
+"That bill I paid to Don John for the Juno," continued Laud. "He paid it
+to Mr. Leach, the sail-maker, who paid it to Captain Patterdale, and he
+says it was one of the bills in the tin chest when it was stolen. Don
+John says he had it from me."
+
+"Precisely so; and that is what makes it unpleasant to be suspected of a
+crime," laughed Captain Shivernock. "But you don't state where you got
+the bill, Mr. Cavendish. Perhaps you don't wish to tell."
+
+"I shall tell the whole story with the greatest pleasure," added Laud.
+"I was sailing one day down by Haddock Ledge, when I saw a man tumble
+overboard from a boat moored where he had been fishing. He was staving
+drunk, and went forward, as I thought, to get up his anchor. The boat
+rolled in the sea, and over he went. I got him out. The cold water
+sobered him in a measure, and he was very grateful to me. He went to his
+coat, which he did not wear when he fell, and took from his pocket a
+roll of bills. He counted off ten fifties, and gave them to me. Feeling
+sure that I had saved his life, I did not think five hundred dollars was
+any too much to pay for it, and I took the money. I don't think he would
+have given me so much if he hadn't been drunk. I asked him who he was,
+but he would not tell me, saying he didn't want his friends in Boston
+to know he had been over the bay, and in the bay; but he said he had
+been staying in Belfast a couple of days."
+
+"Good story!" laughed the wicked nabob.
+
+"Every word of it is as true as preaching," protested Laud.
+
+"Just about," added the captain, who hadn't much confidence in
+preaching.
+
+"You can see, Captain Shivernock, that I am in an awkward position,"
+added Laud. "I have no doubt the man I saved was the one who stole the
+tin box. He paid me with the stolen bills."
+
+"It is awkward, as you say," chuckled the strange man. "I suppose you
+wouldn't know the fellow you saved if you saw him."
+
+"O, yes, I think I should," exclaimed Laud. "But suppose, when Captain
+Patterdale comes to me to inquire where I got the marked bill, I should
+tell him this story. He wouldn't believe a word of it."
+
+"He would be a fool if he did," exclaimed Captain Shivernock, with a
+coarse grin. "Therefore, my gay buffer, don't tell it to him."
+
+"But I must tell him where I got the bill," pleaded Laud.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the eccentric, shaking his sides as though they
+were agitated by a young earthquake. "Tell him I gave you the bill!"
+
+The captain seemed to be intensely amused at the novel idea; and Laud
+did not object; on the contrary, he seemed to appreciate the joke. It
+was midnight when he left the house, and went to the Juno to sleep in
+her cabin. If he had gone home earlier in the evening, he might have
+seen Captain Patterdale, who did him the honor to make a late call upon
+him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+LAUD CAVENDISH TAKES CARE OF HIMSELF.
+
+
+Donald did not sleep very well in the cabin of the Maud, not only
+because his bed was very hard and uncomfortable, but because he was
+troubled; and before morning he fully realized the truth of the saying,
+in regard to certain persons, that "they choose darkness, because their
+deeds are evil." He wished he had not consented to keep the secret of
+either Captain Shivernock or Laud Cavendish, and was afraid he had
+compromised himself by his silence. When he turned out in the morning,
+he believed he had hardly slept a wink all night, though he had actually
+slumbered over six hours; but a person who lies awake in the darkness,
+especially if his thoughts are troublesome, lengthens minutes into
+hours. But Donald welcomed the morning light when he awoke, and the
+bright sun which streamed through the trunk ports. He went to the shop,
+and for two hours before his men arrived worked on the tender of the
+Maud.
+
+The mast of the yacht was stepped during the forenoon, and after dinner
+the rigger came to do his part of the work. Samuel Rodman was now so
+much interested in the progress of the labor on the new yacht, that he
+spent nearly all his time on board of her. The top mast, gaff, and boom
+were all ready to go into their places, and the Maud looked as though
+she was nearly completed. All the members of the Yacht Club were
+impatient for her to be finished, for the next regatta had been
+postponed a week, so that the Maud could take part in the affair; and
+the club were to go on a cruise for ten days, after the race.
+
+There was no little excitement in the club in relation to the Maud.
+Donald had confidently asserted his belief, weeks before, that she would
+outsail the Skylark, not as a mere boast, but as a matter of business.
+His father had made an improvement upon the model of the Sea Foam, which
+he was reasonably certain would give her the advantage. The young
+boat-builder had also remedied a slight defect in the arrangement of
+the centre-board in the Maud, had added a little to the size of the jib
+and mainsail, and he hoped these alterations would tell in favor of the
+new craft, while they would not take anything from her stiffness in
+heavy weather.
+
+"I believe the old folks are as much interested in the next race as the
+members of the club, Don John," said Rodman, one day, as he came upon
+the wharf.
+
+"I am glad they are," replied Donald, laughing. "It will make business
+good for Ramsay & Son."
+
+"Half a dozen of them are going to make up a first prize of one hundred
+dollars for the regatta; so that the winner of the race will make a good
+thing by it," added Rodman.
+
+"That will be a handsome prize."
+
+"If the Maud takes it, Don John, the money shall be yours, as you are to
+sail her."
+
+"O, no!" exclaimed Donald. "I don't believe in that. The prize will
+belong to the boat."
+
+"If you win the race in the Maud, I shall be satisfied with the glory,
+without any of the spoils."
+
+"Well, we won't quarrel about it now, for she may not win the first
+prize."
+
+"Well, the same gentlemen will give a second prize of fifty dollars,"
+continued Rodman. "But don't you expect to get the first prize, Don
+John?"
+
+"I do; but to expect is not always to win, you know."
+
+"You have always talked as though you felt pretty sure of coming in
+first," said Rodman, who did not like to see any abatement of confidence
+on the part of the boat-builder.
+
+"It is the easiest thing in the world to be mistaken, Sam. If the Maud
+loses the first prize, I may as well shut up shop, and take a situation
+in a grocery store, for my business would be ruined."
+
+"Not quite so bad as that, I hope," added Rodman.
+
+"Mr. Norwood is waiting to see how she sails, before he orders a yacht
+for Frank. Can't you invite Frank and his father to sail with us in the
+race?"
+
+"Certainly, if you desire it, Don John," replied Rodman. "Mr. Norwood is
+a big man, and he will be a capital live weight for us, if it happens to
+blow fresh."
+
+"I hope it will blow; if it don't, the Christabel is sure of the first
+prize. I want just such a day as we had when the Sea Foam cleaned out
+the Skylark."
+
+"That was a little too much of a good thing. You came pretty near taking
+the mast out of the Sea Foam that day."
+
+"Not at all; our masts don't come out so easily as that, though I think
+the mast of the Sea Foam would snap before she would capsize."
+
+"I like that in a boat; it is a good thing to have a craft that will
+stay right side up. The fellows have got another idea, Don John."
+
+"Well, ideas are good things to have. What is it now?" asked Donald.
+
+"They are going to build a club-house over on Turtle Head."
+
+"On Turtle Head! Why don't they have it down on Manhegan?" which is an
+island ten miles from the coast of Maine.
+
+"It will be only a shanty, where the fellows can have a good time, and
+get up chowders. They talk of hiring a hall in the city, and having
+meetings for mutual improvement during the fall and winter."
+
+"That will be a capital idea."
+
+"We can have a library of books on nautical and other subjects, take the
+newspapers and magazines, and hang up pictures of yachts and other
+vessels on the walls. I hope, when you get the Maud done, you will not
+be so busy, Don John, for you don't attend many of our club meetings."
+
+"I hope to be busier than ever. You see, Sam, I can't afford to run with
+you rich fellows. I don't wear kid gloves," laughed Donald.
+
+"No matter if you don't; you are just as good a fellow as any of them."
+
+"Everybody uses me first rate; as well as though my father had been a
+nabob."
+
+"Well, they ought to; for it is brains, not money, that makes the man.
+We want to see more of you in the club. You must go with us on our long
+cruise."
+
+"I am afraid I can't spare the time. Ten days is a good while; but it
+will depend upon whether I get the job to build Mr. Norwood's yacht."
+
+Donald would gladly have spent more time with the club, but his
+conscience would not permit him to neglect his business. He felt that
+his success depended entirely upon his own industry and diligence; and
+he never left his work, except when the occasion fully justified him in
+doing so. He attended all the regattas as a matter of business, as well
+as of pleasure; and he had seen the Sea Foam beaten twice by the
+Skylark since he won the memorable race in the former. Edward Patterdale
+was fully satisfied, now, that a skilful boatman was as necessary as a
+fast boat, in order to win the honors of the club, and he wished Donald
+to "coach" him, until he obtained the skill to compete with the
+commodore. Donald had promised to do it, as soon as he had time, and the
+owner of the Sea Foam hoped the opportunity would be afforded during the
+long cruise.
+
+The work on the Maud was hurried forward as rapidly as was consistent
+with thoroughness, and in a few days she was ready for the last coats of
+paint. The boat-builder was favored with good, dry weather, and on the
+day before the great regatta, she was ready to receive her furniture and
+stores. The paint was dry and hard; but when the stove-dealer came with
+the little galley for the cook-room, the deck was carefully covered with
+old cloths, the cushions were placed on the transoms, the oil-cloth
+carpet was laid on the floor by Kennedy, who was experienced in this
+kind of work, and Samuel Rodman was as busy as a bee arranging the
+crockery ware and stores which he had purchased. It only remained to
+bend on the sails, which was accomplished early in the afternoon.
+
+With Mr. Rodman, Samuel, and the two workmen on board, Donald made a
+trial trip in the new craft. The party went down the bay as far as Seal
+Harbor; but the wind was rather light for her, and she had no
+opportunity to show her sailing qualities, though with her gaff-topsail
+and the balloon-jib, she walked by everything afloat that day.
+
+"I am entirely satisfied with her, Don John," said Mr. Rodman, as the
+Maud approached the city on her return. "I think she will sail well."
+
+"I hope she will, sir," replied Donald. "To-morrow will prove what there
+is in her."
+
+"She is well built and handsomely finished, and whether she wins the
+race or not I shall be satisfied. I never looked upon a handsomer yacht
+in my life. You have done your work admirably, Don John."
+
+"Mr. Kennedy did the joiner work," said Donald, willing to have his
+foreman, as he called him, share the honors of the day.
+
+"He did it well."
+
+"I only did just what my boss ordered me to do," laughed Kennedy; "and
+I want to say, that I didn't do the first thing towards planning any
+part of her. Don John hasn't often asked for any advice from me. He is
+entitled to all the credit."
+
+"I have no doubt you did all you could to make the job a success," added
+Mr. Rodman.
+
+"I did; and so did Walker," said Kennedy, indicating the other ship
+carpenter. "Both of us did our very best, never idling a moment, or
+making a bad joint; and I can say, there isn't a better built craft in
+the United States than this yacht. Not a knot or a speck of rot has been
+put into her. Everything has been done upon honor, and she will be stiff
+enough to cross the Atlantic in mid-winter. I'd rather be in her than in
+many a ship I've worked on."
+
+"I'm glad to know all this," replied Mr. Rodman. "Now, Don John, if the
+firm of Ramsay & Son is ready to deliver the Maud, I will give you a
+check for the balance due on her."
+
+Donald was all ready, and after the yacht had been moored off the wharf
+where she had been completed, the business was transacted in the shop. A
+bill of sale was given, and the boat-builder received a check for four
+hundred dollars, which he carried into the house and showed to his
+mother. Of course the good lady was delighted with the success of her
+son, and Barbara laughed till she shook her curls into a fearful snarl.
+
+"You have done well, Donald," said Mrs. Ramsay. "I thank God that you
+have been so successful."
+
+"I have paid nearly all my bills, and I shall make about two hundred and
+fifty dollars on the job," added the young boat-builder. "I think I can
+build the next one for less money."
+
+"You may not get another one to build, my son."
+
+"That depends upon the race to-morrow. If I beat the Skylark, I'm sure
+of one."
+
+"Don't be too confident."
+
+"I am to sail the Maud to-morrow, and if there is any speed in her, as I
+think there is, I shall get it out of her. To-morrow will be a big day
+for me; but if I lose the race, the firm of Ramsay & Son is used up."
+
+Donald put the check in his wallet, and went out to the shop again,
+where he found Samuel Rodman looking for him. The owner of the Maud was
+so delighted with the craft, that he could not keep away from her, and
+he wanted to go on board again.
+
+"Bob Montague is going to give you a hard pull to-morrow, Don John,"
+said Rodman, as they got into the tender.
+
+"I hope he will do his best; and the harder the pull, the better,"
+replied Donald.
+
+"If we only beat him," suggested Rodman.
+
+"I expect to beat him; but I may be mistaken."
+
+"Bob hauled up the Skylark on the beach this afternoon, and rubbed her
+bottom with black lead."
+
+"I am glad to hear it."
+
+"Glad? Why?"
+
+"It proves that he means business."
+
+"Of course he means business."
+
+"I wonder if he knows I am to build a yacht for Mr. Norwood, in case I
+win this race."
+
+"I don't believe he does. I never heard of it till you told me."
+
+"He is such a splendid fellow, that I was afraid he would _let_ me beat
+him, if he knew I was to make anything by it."
+
+"I think it very likely he would."
+
+"But I want to beat the Skylark fairly, or not at all."
+
+"There comes Laud Cavendish," said Rodman, as the Juno came up the bay,
+and bore down upon the Maud. "He was blackballed in the club the other
+day, and he don't feel good. Let's go ashore again, and wait till he
+sheers off, for I don't want to see him. He will be sure to go on board
+of the yacht if we are there, for he is always poking his nose in where
+he is not wanted."
+
+Donald, who was at the oars, pulled back to the shore. The Juno ran
+close up to the Maud, tacked, and stood up the bay.
+
+"He is gone," said Rodman. "I don't want him asking me why he was
+blackballed. He is an intolerable spoony."
+
+"Don John!" called some one, as he was shoving off the tender.
+
+Donald looked up, and saw Mr. Beardsley, the deputy sheriff, who had
+been working up the tin box case with Captain Patterdale.
+
+"I want to see you," added the officer.
+
+Donald wondered if Mr. Beardsley wanted to see him officially; but he
+was thankful that he was able to look even a deputy sheriff square in
+the face.
+
+He jumped out of the tender, and Rodman went off to the yacht alone. We
+are somewhat better informed than the young boat-builder in regard to
+the visit of the sheriff, and we happen to know that he did come
+officially; and in order to explain why it was so, it is necessary to go
+back to the point where we left Mr. Laud Cavendish. He slept in the
+cabin of the Juno after he left the house of Captain Shivernock. He did
+not sleep any better than Donald Ramsay that night; and the long surges
+rolled in by the paddle-wheels of the steamer Richmond, as she came into
+the harbor early the next morning, awoke him.
+
+The first thing he thought of was his visit to the house of the strange
+man; the next was his breakfast, and he decided to go on shore, and get
+the meal at a restaurant. The Juno was moored near the steamboat wharf,
+where the Portland boat made her landings. This was a convenient place
+for him to disembark, and he pulled in his tender to the pier. As he
+approached the landing steps, he saw Captain Shivernock hastening down
+the wharf with a valise in his hand. It was evident that he was going up
+the river, perhaps to Bangor. Laud did not like the idea of the
+captain's going away just at that time. Donald had told Captain
+Patterdale that the mended bill came from him, and of course the owner
+of the tin box would immediately come to him for further information.
+
+"Then, if I tell him Captain Shivernock gave it to me, he will want to
+see him; and he won't be here to be seen," reasoned Laud. "I can't
+explain why the captain gave me the money, and in his absence I shall be
+in a bad fix. I must take care of myself."
+
+Laud went to the restaurant, and ate his breakfast; after which he
+returned to the Juno. He took care of himself by getting under way, and
+standing over towards Castine, where he dined that day. Then he
+continued his voyage down the bay, through Edgemoggin Reach to Mount
+Desert, where he staid several days, living upon "the fat of the land"
+and the fish of the sea, which go well together. When he was confident
+that Captain Shivernock had returned, he sailed for Belfast, and arrived
+after a two days' voyage. The strange man had not come back, and Laud
+thought it very singular that he had not. Then he began to wonder why
+the captain had laughed so unreasonably long and loud when he told him
+to say that he had given him the mended bill. Laud could not see the
+joke at the time; but now he concluded that the laugh came in because
+he was going away on a long journey, and would not be in town to answer
+any questions which Captain Patterdale might propose.
+
+Mr. Cavendish was disturbed, and felt that he was a victim of a
+practical joke, and he determined to get out of the way again.
+Unfortunately for him, he had shown himself in the city, and before he
+could leave he was interviewed by Captain Patterdale and Mr. Beardsley.
+The white cross of Denmark was pleasantly alluded to again by the
+former, and exhibited to Laud. Did he know that bill? Had he ever seen
+it before?
+
+He did not know it; had never seen it.
+
+It was no use to say, in the absence of that gentleman, that Captain
+Shivernock had given him the bill. It would be equally foolish to tell
+the Haddock Ledge story in the absence of the generous stranger, who had
+declined to give his name, though he was kind enough to say that he had
+spent a few days in Belfast. Since neither of these fictions was
+available in the present emergency, Laud "went back" on Donald Ramsay.
+He did not love the boat-builder, and so it was not a sacrifice of
+personal feeling for him to do it. On the contrary, he would rather
+like to get his "rival," as he chose to regard him, out of the way.
+
+"But you paid him a considerable sum of money some two months ago,"
+suggested Captain Patterdale.
+
+"Not a red!" protested Laud. "I never paid him any money in my life."
+
+"You bought the Juno of him."
+
+"No, sir; nor of any one else. She don't belong to me."
+
+"But you are using her all the time."
+
+"Captain Shivernock got tired of her, and lets me have the use of her
+for taking care of her."
+
+"Didn't you say you owned her, and that you were going to change her
+name from Juno to Nellie?" demanded the captain, sternly.
+
+"I did; but that was all gas," replied Laud, with a sickly grin.
+
+"If you would lie about one thing, perhaps you would about another,"
+said the captain.
+
+"I was only joking when I said I owned the Juno. If you will go up to
+Captain Shivernock's house, he will tell you all about it."
+
+That was a plain way to solve the problem, and they went to the strange
+man's house. Laud knew the captain was not at home; but his persecutors
+gave him the credit of suggesting this step. Sykes and his wife were at
+home. They did not know whether or not Captain Shivernock had given Laud
+the use of the Juno, but presumed he had, for the young man was in the
+house with him half the night, about ten days before. Thus far
+everything looked well for Laud; and the Sykeses partially confirmed his
+statements.
+
+"Now, Captain Patterdale, I have answered all your questions, and I wish
+you would answer mine. What's the matter?" said Laud, putting on his
+boldest face.
+
+"Never mind what the matter is."
+
+"Well, I know as well as you do. I used to think Don John was a good
+fellow, and liked him first rate. I didn't think he would be mean,
+enough to shove his own guilt upon me," replied Laud.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" demanded Captain Patterdale.
+
+"Though I knew about it all the time, I didn't mean to say a word."
+
+"About what?"
+
+[Illustration: THE PAPERS FROM THE TIN BOX. Page 281.]
+
+"About your tin trunk. We didn't keep any such in our store! I knew what
+you meant all the time; but I didn't let on that Don John had done it."
+
+"Done what?"
+
+"Stolen it. That day I was in the library with Don John and Hasbrook, I
+was discharged from Miller's, because I wanted to go away to stay over
+Sunday. I had a boat down by Ramsay's shop, and I went there to get off.
+Well, captain, I saw Don John have the same tin trunk I saw in your
+library."
+
+"Are you telling the truth?"
+
+"Of course I am. I wouldn't go back on Don John if he hadn't tried to
+lay it to me. If you search his house and shop, I'll bet you'll find the
+tin trunk, or some of the money and papers."
+
+Captain Patterdale was intensely grieved, even to believe Laud's
+statement was possibly true; but he decided to have the boat-builder's
+premises searched before he proceeded any further against Laud. Mr.
+Beardsley was to do this unpleasant duty, and for this purpose he called
+on Donald the night before the great race.
+
+The deputy sheriff did his work thoroughly, in spite of the confidence
+of Donald and the distress of his mother and sister. Perhaps he would
+not have discovered the four fifty-dollar bills concealed in the bureau
+if Donald had not assisted him; but he had no help in finding a lot of
+notes and other papers hidden under a sill in the shop. The boat-builder
+protested that he knew nothing about these papers, and had never seen
+them before in his life.
+
+Mrs. Ramsay and Barbara wept as though their hearts would break; but
+Donald was led away by the sheriff.
+
+That night Captain Shivernock returned by the train from Portland.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+SATURDAY COVE.
+
+
+Mr. Beardsley, the deputy sheriff, conducted Donald to the elegant
+mansion of Captain Patterdale. Perhaps no one who saw them walking
+together suspected that the boat-builder was charged with so gross a
+crime as stealing the tin box and its valuable contents. Some persons do
+not like to walk through the streets with sheriffs and policemen; but
+Donald was not of that sort, for in spite of all the evidence brought
+against him, he obstinately refused to believe that he was guilty. Even
+the fact that several notes and other papers had been found in the shop
+did not impair his belief in his own innocence. Captain Patterdale was
+in his library nervously awaiting the return of the officer, when they
+arrived.
+
+"Don John, I hope you will come out of this all right," said he, as they
+entered.
+
+"I have no doubt I shall, sir," replied Donald. "If I don't, it will be
+because I can't prove what is the truth."
+
+Mr. Beardsley reported the result of the search, and handed the captain
+the four fifty-dollar bills with the papers.
+
+"I have no doubt all these were in the tin box," said the nabob, sadly.
+"The bills are like those paid me by Hasbrook, and these notes are
+certainly mine. I don't ask you to commit yourself, Don John, but--"
+
+"Commit myself!" exclaimed Donald, with a look of contempt, which, in
+this connection, was sublime. "I mean to speak the truth, whether I am
+committed or not."
+
+"Perhaps you will be able to clear this thing up," added Captain
+Patterdale. "I wish to ask you a few questions."
+
+"I will answer them truly. The only wrong I have done was to conceal
+what I thought there was no harm in concealing."
+
+"It is not wise to do things in the dark."
+
+"You will excuse me, sir, but you have done the same thing. If I had
+known that your tin box was stolen, I should have understood several
+things which are plain to me now."
+
+"What, for instance?"
+
+"If I had known it, I should have brought these bills to you as soon as
+Laud paid them to me, to see if they belonged to you. And I should have
+known why Laud was digging clams on Turtle Head."
+
+"Laud says he paid you no money."
+
+"He paid me three hundred and fifty dollars for the Juno--these four
+bills and the three I paid Mr. Leach."
+
+"He persists that he don't own the Juno, and says that Captain
+Shivernock lets him have the use of her for taking care of her,"
+continued the nabob.
+
+Donald's face, which had thus far been clouded with anxiety, suddenly
+lighted up with a cheerful smile, as he produced the cover of an old
+tuck-diary, which contained the papers of Ramsay & Son. He opened it,
+and took therefrom the bill of sale of the Juno, in the well-known
+writing of Captain Shivernock.
+
+"Does that prove anything?" he asked, as he tossed the paper on the
+desk, within reach of the inquisitor.
+
+"It proves that Captain Shivernock sold the Juno to you, and
+consequently he has not owned her since the date of this bill," replied
+the nabob, as he read the paper.
+
+"Is it likely, then, that Captain Shivernock lets Laud have the use of
+her for taking care of her?" demanded Donald, warmly.
+
+"Certainly not."
+
+"Is it any more likely that, if I own the Juno, I should let Laud use
+her for nothing, for he says he never paid me a dollar?"
+
+"I don't think it is."
+
+"Then you can believe as much as you please of the rest of Laud's story,
+which Mr. Beardsley related to me as we walked up," added Donald.
+
+"He says he saw you have the tin box, Don John."
+
+"And I saw him digging clams in the loam on Turtle Head."
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"I think he buried the tin box there. I saw where he had been digging,
+but I didn't know any tin box had been stolen then, and thought nothing
+of it," answered Donald.
+
+At this moment there was a tremendous ring at the door bell, a ring
+that evidently "meant business." Captain Patterdale opened the door
+himself, and Captain Shivernock stalked into the room as haughtily as
+though he owned the elegant mansion. He had been to Newport and Cape May
+to keep cool, and had arrived a couple of hours before from Portland.
+Mrs. Sykes had told him all the news she could in this time, and among
+other things informed him that Captain Patterdale and the deputy sheriff
+had called to inquire whether Laud had the use of the boat for taking
+care of her. By this he knew that the tin trunk matter was under
+investigation. He was interested, and possibly he was alarmed; at any
+rate, he went to his safe, put the roll of fifty-dollar bills in his
+pocket, and hastened over to Captain Patterdale's house.
+
+"When people come to my house, and I'm not at home, I don't like to have
+them talk to my servants about my affairs," blustered the strange man.
+
+"I don't think we meddled with your affairs any further than to ask if
+Laud Cavendish had the use of the Juno for taking care of her,"
+explained Captain Patterdale.
+
+"It don't concern you. Laud Cavendish does have the use of the Juno for
+taking care of her."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed the good nabob, glancing at Donald.
+
+"Indeed!" sneered the wicked nabob. "You needn't _indeed_ anything I
+say. I can speak the truth better than you psalm-singers."
+
+"I am very glad you can, Captain Shivernock, for that is what we are in
+need of just now," laughed the good nabob. "And since we have meddled
+with your affairs in your absence, it is no more than right that we
+should explain the reason for doing so. A tin box, containing nearly
+fourteen hundred dollars in bills, and many valuable papers, was stolen
+from this room. Three persons, Jacob Hasbrook, Laud Cavendish, and Don
+John here, passed through the library when they left the house."
+
+"Hasbrook stole it; he is the biggest scoundrel of the three," added the
+wicked nabob.
+
+"Perhaps not," continued the good nabob. "A bill which I can identify
+came back to me the other day. Don John paid it to Mr. Leach, and he to
+me. Don John says Laud Cavendish paid him the bill."
+
+"And so he did," protested Donald, as the captain glanced at him.
+
+"And I gave it to Laud Cavendish," added Captain Shivernock; thus
+carrying out the programme which had been agreed upon the night before
+he went on his journey.
+
+Possibly, if Mr. Laud Cavendish had known that the wicked nabob had
+returned, he would have hastened to see him, and inform him of the
+change he had made in the programme. If he had done so, their stories
+might have agreed better. Captain Patterdale, Mr. Beardsley, and Donald
+were astonished at this admission.
+
+"For what did you pay it to him?" asked the good nabob.
+
+"None of your business what I paid it to him for. That's my affair,"
+bluffed the wicked nabob.
+
+"But this bill was in the box."
+
+"But how do you know it was? I suppose you will say next that I stole
+the box."
+
+"I hope you will assist me in tracing out this matter," said the good
+nabob, as he produced the mended bill. "This is the one; I call it the
+white cross of Denmark."
+
+Captain Shivernock picked up the bill, and took from his pocket his own
+roll of fifties.
+
+"You must admit that the bill is peculiar enough to be easily
+identified," added Captain Patter dale.
+
+"I don't admit it," said the strange man, as he threw the four mended
+bills together on the desk.
+
+"Now, which is it?"
+
+The wicked nabob laughed and roared in his delight when he saw the
+confusion of the good nabob.
+
+"They are very like," said the good.
+
+"But three of them are mine, and haven't been out of my hands since the
+'white cross of Denmark' was put upon them," added the wicked, still
+shaking his sides with mirth.
+
+"Still I can identify the one that was in the box. That is it;" and
+Captain Patterdale held up the right one. "This has been folded, while
+yours have simply been rolled, and have not a crease in them. Hasbrook
+paid me the money that was stolen."
+
+"The villain swindled it out of me," growled the wicked.
+
+"But he folded his money, however he got it," continued the good.
+
+"I can bring you a dozen bills with the white cross on them," blustered
+the wicked, "and all of them folded like that one."
+
+"Can you tell where you got it, captain?"
+
+"From the bank," replied he, promptly; and then more to have his hit at
+the missionaries than to explain the white cross, he told how the bills
+were torn. "That's all I have to say," he added; and he stalked out of
+the house, in spite of the host's request for him to remain, without
+giving a word or even a look to Donald.
+
+"I am astonished," said Captain Patterdale. "Can it be possible that he
+paid that bill to Laud?"
+
+Perhaps this was the joke of the strange man--simply to confuse and
+confound a "psalm-singer."
+
+"It looks as though we had lost the clew," said the deputy sheriff. "At
+any rate, Don John's story is confirmed."
+
+"Why should the captain give Laud so much money?" mused the nabob.
+
+"I know," said Donald. "I told you, in the first place, that I knew
+where Laud got the money to pay for the Juno; but it was a great secret
+affecting another person, and he wished me not to tell."
+
+"I remember that, Don John," added the captain.
+
+"He told me that Captain Shivernock gave him the money; but he would not
+tell me why he gave it to him; but I knew without any telling, for the
+captain gave me sixty dollars, besides the Juno, for holding my tongue."
+
+"About what?" asked the nabob, deeply interested in the narrative.
+
+"I don't understand the matter myself; but I will state all the facts,
+though Captain Shivernock threatened to kill me if I did so. On the
+morning after the Hasbrook outrage, while I was waiting on Turtle Head
+for the Yacht Club to arrive, the captain came to the Head, saying he
+had walked over from Seal Harbor, where he had got aground in his boat.
+I sailed him down, and on the way he gave me the money. Then he said I
+was not to mention the fact that I had seen him on Long Island, or
+anywhere else. I didn't make any promises, and told him I wouldn't lie
+about it. Then he gave me the Juno, and took my boat, which he returned
+that night. After I went up in the Juno, I met Laud, and offered to sell
+him the boat. When we parted, he stood over towards the Northport shore,
+where Captain Shivernock had gone, and I thought they would meet; but I
+lost sight of them."
+
+"Then you think the captain paid Laud the money when they met."
+
+"That was what I supposed when Laud paid me for the boat. I believed it
+was all right. I had a talk with Laud afterwards about it, and I told
+him how he got the money. He did not deny what I said."
+
+"This was the morning after the Hasbrook outrage--was it?" asked Mr.
+Beardsley.
+
+"Yes, it was; but I knew nothing about that till night."
+
+"We can easily understand why the captain did not want to be seen near
+Lincolnville," added the sheriff. "It was he who pounded Hasbrook for
+swindling him."
+
+"No, sir; I think not," interposed Donald. "I inquired into that matter
+myself. Mr. Sykes and his wife both told me, before the captain got
+home, that he left his house at four o'clock in the morning."
+
+"I am afraid they were instructed to say that," said the nabob.
+
+"They shall have a chance to say it in court under oath," added the
+officer; "for I will arrest the captain to-morrow for the outrage. I
+traced the steps of a man over to Saturday Cove, in Northport, and that
+is where he landed."
+
+"Was it the print of the captain's boot?" asked the nabob.
+
+"No; but I have a theory which I shall work up to-morrow. Don John's
+evidence is the first I have obtained, that amounts to anything."
+
+"If he pounded Hasbrook, why should he run over to Seal Harbor, when he
+had a fair wind to come up?" asked Donald.
+
+"To deceive you, as it seems he has," laughed Mr. Beardsley. "Probably
+getting aground deranged his plans."
+
+"But he ran over to Northport after we parted."
+
+"Because it was a better place to conceal himself during the day. Sykes
+says he went down to Vinal Haven that day. I know he did not. Now, Don
+John, we must go to Turtle Head to-night, and see about that box."
+
+"I am ready, sir."
+
+"I will go with you," added Captain Patterdale; "and we will take the
+Sea Foam."
+
+Donald was permitted to go home and comfort his mother with the
+assurance that he was entirely innocent of the crime with which he was
+charged; and great was the joy of his mother and sister. The mainsail of
+the Sea Foam was hoisted when he went on board. The wind was rather
+light, and it was midnight before the yacht anchored off Turtle Head.
+The party went ashore in the tender, the sheriff carrying a lantern and
+a shovel. Donald readily found the place where the earth had been
+disturbed by Laud's clam-digger. Mr. Beardsley dug till he came to a
+rock, and it was plain that no tin box was there.
+
+"But I am sure that Laud had been digging here, for I saw the print of
+his clam-digger," said Donald.
+
+"This hole had been dug before," added the sheriff.
+
+"Even Laud Cavendish would not be fool enough to bury the box in such an
+exposed place as this," suggested Captain Patterdale.
+
+"I know he came down here on the day the box was stolen," said Donald,
+"and that he was here with his clam-digger on the day I met Captain
+Shivernock. He must have put those papers in the shop."
+
+"If the box was ever buried here, it has been removed," added the
+captain.
+
+"Just look at the dirt which came out of the hole," continued Mr.
+Beardsley, pointing to the heap, and holding the lantern over it. "What
+I threw out last is beach gravel. That was put in to fill up the hole
+after he had taken out the box. When he first buried it, he had to carry
+off some of the yellow loam. In my opinion, the box has been here."
+
+"It is not here now, and we may as well return," replied Captain
+Patterdale. "I am really more desirous of finding the papers in the box
+than the money."
+
+"He has only chosen a new hiding-place for it," said the sheriff. "If we
+say nothing, and keep an eye on him for a few days, we may find it."
+
+As this was all that could be done, the party returned to the city; and
+early in the morning Donald went to bed, to obtain the rest he needed
+before the great day. Possibly Mr. Beardsley slept some that night,
+though it is certain he was at Saturday Cove, in Northport, the next
+forenoon. He had a "theory;" and when a man has a theory, he will
+sometimes go without his sleep in order to prove its truth or its
+falsity. Jacob Hasbrook was with him, and quite as much interested in
+the theory as the officer, who desired to vindicate his reputation as a
+detective. He had driven to the house of the victim of the outrage, and
+looked the matter over again in the light of the evidence obtained from
+the boat-builder.
+
+[Illustration: MORE EVIDENCE. Page 299.]
+
+"I have been trying to see Donald Ramsay," said Hasbrook. "I have been
+to his shop four times, but he's always off on some boat scrape. You say
+he saw Captain Shivernock the next morning."
+
+"Yes; and the captain didn't want to be seen, which is the best part of
+the testimony. If it was he, it seems to me you would have known him
+when he hammered you."
+
+"How could I, when he was rigged up so different, with his head all
+covered up?" replied Hasbrook, impatiently. "The man was about the
+captain's height, but stouter."
+
+"He was dressed for the occasion," added the sheriff, as he walked to
+the shore, where the skiff lay.
+
+They dragged it down to the water,--for it was low tide,--and got into
+it. Beardsley had traced to the cove the print of the heavy boot, which
+first appeared in some loam under the window where the ruffian had
+entered Hasbrook's house. He found it in the sand on the shore; and he
+was satisfied that the perpetrator of the outrage had arrived and
+departed in a boat. He had obtained from the captain's boot-maker a
+description of his boots, but none corresponded with those which had
+made the prints in Northport and Lincolnville.
+
+At the cove all clew to the ruffian had been lost; but now it was
+regained.
+
+The sheriff paddled the skiff out from the shore in the direction of
+Seal Island. The water was clear, and they could see the bottom, which
+they examined very carefully as they proceeded.
+
+"I see it," suddenly exclaimed Hasbrook, as he grasped the boat-hook.
+
+"Lay hold of it," added the sheriff. "I knew I was right."
+
+"I have it."
+
+Hasbrook hauled up what appeared to be a bundle of old clothes, and
+deposited it in the bottom of the skiff. Mr. Beardsley had worked up his
+case very thoroughly, though it was a little singular that he had not
+thought to ask Donald any questions; but these investigations had been
+made when the boat-builder was at home all the time, and the detective
+did not like to talk about the case any more than was necessary. He had
+ascertained that Captain Shivernock wore his usual gray suit when Donald
+saw him after the outrage, and he came to the conclusion that the
+ruffian had been disguised, for Hasbrook would certainly have known him,
+even in the dark, in his usual dress. They returned to the shore; and
+the bundle was lifted, to convey it to the beach.
+
+"It is very heavy," said Hasbrook. "I suppose there is a rock in it to
+sink it."
+
+"Open it, and throw out the rock," added the sheriff.
+
+Instead of a rock, the weight was half a pig of lead, which had
+evidently been chopped into two pieces with an axe.
+
+"That's good evidence, for the ballast of the Juno is pig lead," said
+Beardsley, as he stepped on the beach with the clothes in his hand.
+
+They were spread on the sand, and consisted of a large blue woolen
+frock, such as farmers sometimes wear, a pair of old trousers of very
+large size, and a pair of heavy cow-hide boots.
+
+"Now I think of it, the man had a frock on," exclaimed Hasbrook.
+
+"That's what made him look stouter than the captain," added Beardsley,
+as he proceeded to measure one of the boots, and compare it with the
+notes he had made of the size of the footprints. "It's a plain case;
+these boots made those tracks."
+
+"And here's the club he pounded me with," said Hasbrook, taking up a
+heavy stick that had been in the bundle.
+
+"But where in the world did Captain Shivernock get these old duds?"
+mused the sheriff.
+
+"Of course he procured them to do this job with," replied Hasbrook.
+
+"That's clear enough; but where did they come from? He has covered his
+tracks so well, that he wouldn't pick these things up near home."
+
+"There comes a boat," said the victim of the outrage, as a sail rounded
+the point.
+
+"Get out of the way as quick as you can," added the sheriff, in excited
+tones, as he led the way into the woods near the cove, carrying the wet
+clothes and boots with him.
+
+"What's the matter now?" demanded Hasbrook.
+
+"That boat is the Juno; Laud Cavendish is in her, and I want to know
+what he is about. Don't speak a word, or make a particle of noise. If
+you do, he will sheer off; and I want to see the ballast in that boat."
+
+Laud ran his craft up to the rocks on one side of the cove, where he
+could land from her; but as it is eleven o'clock, the hour appointed for
+the regatta, we must return to the city.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE GREAT RACE.
+
+
+It was nine o'clock when Donald turned out on the day of the great
+regatta. He had returned at three in the morning, nearly exhausted by
+fatigue and anxiety. It was horrible to be suspected of a crime; and
+bravely as he had carried himself, he was sorely worried. He talked the
+matter over with his mother and sister while he was eating his
+breakfast.
+
+"Why should Laud Cavendish charge you with such a wicked deed?" asked
+his mother.
+
+"To save himself, I suppose," replied Donald. "But he won't make
+anything by it. He hid those papers in the shop within a day or two, I
+am sure, for I had my hand in the place where he put them, feeling for a
+brad-awl I dropped day before yesterday, and I know they were not there
+then. But he is used up, anyhow, whether we find the box or not, for he
+tells one story and Captain Shivernock another; and I think Captain
+Patterdale believes what I say now. But the race comes off to-day, and
+if I lose it, I am used up too."
+
+The boat-builder left the house, and went on board of the Maud, which
+lay off the shop. Samuel Rodman was on deck, and they hoisted the
+mainsail. The wind had hauled round to the north-west early in the
+morning, and blew a smashing breeze, just such as Donald wanted for the
+great occasion. In fact, it blew almost a gale, and the wind came in
+heavy gusts, which are very trying to the nerves of an inexperienced
+boatman. The Penobscot, gayly dressed with flags, was moored in her
+position for the use of the judges.
+
+"We shall not want any kites to-day," said Donald, as he made fast the
+throat halyard.
+
+"No; and you may have to reef this mainsail," added Rodman.
+
+"Not at all."
+
+"But it is flawy."
+
+"So much the better."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Because a fellow that understands himself and keeps his eyes wide open
+has a chance to gain something on the heavy flaws that almost knock a
+boat over. It makes a sharper game of it."
+
+"But Commodore Montague is up to all those dodges."
+
+"I know he is; but in the other race, he lost half his time by luffing
+up in a squall."
+
+"But don't you expect a fellow to luff up in a squall?" demanded Rodman.
+
+"If necessary, yes; but the point is, to know when it must be done. If
+you let off the main-sheet or spill the sail every time a puff comes,
+you lose time," replied Donald. "I believe in keeping on the safe side;
+but a fellow may lose the race by dodging every capful of wind that
+comes. There goes the first gun."
+
+"Let us get into line," added Rodman, as he cast off the moorings and
+hoisted the jib. "Let her drive."
+
+Donald took the helm, and the Maud shot away like an arrow in the fresh
+breeze.
+
+"Her sails set beautifully," said the skipper for the occasion; though
+Rodman was nominally the captain of the yacht, and was so recorded in
+the books of the club.
+
+"Nothing could be better."
+
+"We shall soon ascertain how stiff she is," added Donald, as a heavy
+flaw heeled the yacht over, till she buried her rail in the water. "I
+don't think we shall get anything stronger than that. She goes down just
+so far, and then the wind seems to slide off. I don't believe you can
+get her over any farther."
+
+"That's far enough," replied Rodman, holding on, to keep his seat in the
+standing-room.
+
+The Maud passed under the stern of the judges' yacht, and anchored in
+the line indicated by the captain of the fleet. The Skylark soon
+arrived, and took her place next to the Penobscot. In these two yachts
+all the interest of the occasion centred. The Phantom and the Sea Foam
+soon came into line; and then it was found that the Christabel had
+withdrawn, for it blew too hard for her. Mr. Norwood and his son came on
+board, with Dick Adams, who was to be mate of the Maud, and Kennedy, who
+was well skilled in sailing a boat. Donald had just the crew he wanted,
+and he stationed them for the exciting race. Mr. Norwood was to tend the
+jib-sheets in the standing-room, Kennedy the main sheet, while Dick
+Adams, Frank Norwood, and Sam Rodman were to cast off the cable and
+hoist the jib forward.
+
+"Are you all ready, there?" called Donald, raising his voice above the
+noise made by the banging of the mainsail in the fresh breeze.
+
+"All ready," replied Dick Adams, who was holding the rode with a turn
+around the bitts.
+
+"Don't let her go till I give the word," added Donald. "I want to fill
+on the port tack."
+
+"Ay, ay!" shouted Dick; "on the port tack."
+
+This was a very important matter, for the course from the judges'
+station to Turtle Head would give the yachts the wind on the port
+quarter; and if any of them came about the wrong way, they would be
+compelled to gybe, which was not a pleasant operation in so stiff a
+breeze. Donald kept hold of the main-sheet, and by managing the sail a
+little, contrived to have the tendency of the Maud in the right
+direction, so that her sail would fill on the port tack. He saw that
+Dick Adams had the tender on the port bow, so that the yacht would not
+run it down when she went off.
+
+"There goes the gun!" shouted Rodman, very much excited as the decisive
+moment came.
+
+But Dick Adams held on, as he had been instructed to do, and pulled with
+all his might, in order to throw the head of the Maud in the right
+direction.
+
+"Hoist the jib!" shouted Donald, when he saw that the yacht was sure to
+cast on her port tack.
+
+Rodman and Norwood worked lively; and in an instant the jib was up, and
+Mr. Norwood had gathered up the lee sheet.
+
+"Let go!" added Donald, when he felt that the Maud was in condition to
+go off lively.
+
+She did go off with a bound and a spring. Donald crowded the helm hard
+up, so that the Maud wore short around.
+
+"Let off the sheet, lively, Kennedy!" said the skipper. "Ease off the
+jib-sheet, Mr. Norwood!"
+
+"We shall be afoul of the Phantom!" cried Dick Adams, as he began to run
+out on the foot-ropes by the bowsprit.
+
+"Lay in, Dick!" shouted Donald. "Don't go out there!"
+
+Dick retraced his steps, and came on deck. The Phantom had not cast in
+the right direction, and was coming around on the starboard tack, which
+had very nearly produced a collision with the Maud, the two bowsprits
+coming within a few inches of each other.
+
+"I was going out to fend off," said Dick, as he came aft, in obedience
+to orders.
+
+"I was afraid you would be knocked off the bowsprit, which is a bad
+place to be, when two vessels put their noses together. It was a close
+shave, but we are all right now," replied the skipper.
+
+"The Sea Foam takes the lead," added Mr. Norwood.
+
+"She had the head end of the line. The Skylark made a good start."
+
+"First rate," said Kennedy. "She couldn't be handled any better than she
+is."
+
+"We lead her a little," continued Mr. Norwood.
+
+"We had the advantage of her about half a length; as the Sea Foam has a
+length the best of us."
+
+The yachts were to form the line head to the wind, and this line was
+diagonal with the course to Turtle Head, so that the Sea Foam, which was
+farthest from the Penobscot, had really two length's less distance to go
+in getting to Stubb's Point Ledge than the Skylark; but this difference
+was not worth considering in such a breeze, though, if the commodore was
+beaten by only half a length by the Maud, he intended to claim the race
+on account of this disparity. The two yachts in which all the interest
+centred, both obtained a fair start, the Maud a little ahead of her
+great rival. The Phantom had to come about, and get on the right tack,
+for Guilford was too careful to gybe in that wind. The Sea Foam got off
+very well; and Vice Commodore Patterdale was doing his best to make a
+good show for his yacht, but she held her position only for a moment.
+The tremendous gusts were too much for Edward's nerves, and he luffed
+up, in order to escape one. The Maud went tearing by her, with the
+Skylark over lapping her half a length.
+
+"Haul up the centre-board a little more, Dick," said Donald, who did not
+bestow a single glance upon his dreaded rival, for all his attention was
+given to the sailing of the Maud. "A small pull on the jib-sheet, Mr.
+Norwood, if you please."
+
+"You gained an inch then," said Kennedy, striving to encourage the
+struggling skipper.
+
+But Donald would not look at the Skylark. He knew that the shortest
+distance between two points was by a straight line; and having taken a
+tree on the main land near Castine as his objective point, he kept it in
+range with the tompion in the stove-pipe, and did not permit the Maud to
+wabble about. Occasionally the heavy gusts buried the rail in the brine;
+but Donald did not permit her to dodge it, or to deviate from his
+inflexible straight line. She went down just so far, and would go no
+farther; and at these times it was rather difficult to keep on the seat
+at the weather side of the standing-room. Dick Adams, Norwood, and
+Rodman were placed on deck above the trunk, and had a comfortable
+position. The skipper kept his feet braced against the cleats on the
+floor, holding on with both hands at the tiller; for in such a blow, it
+was no child's play to steer such a yacht.
+
+"You are gaining on her, Don John," said Mr. Norwood.
+
+"Do you think so, sir?"
+
+"I know it."
+
+"The end of her bowsprit is about even with the tip of our main boom,"
+added Kennedy.
+
+"How much fin have we down, Dick?" asked the skipper.
+
+The mate of the Maud rushed to the cabin, where the line attached to the
+centre-board was made fast, and reported on its condition.
+
+"Haul up a little more," continued Donald. "Steady! Not the whole of it,
+but nearly all."
+
+"It is down about six inches now."
+
+"That will do."
+
+For a few moments all hands were still, watching with intense interest
+the progress of the race. The commodore, in the Skylark, was evidently
+doing his level best, for he was running away from the Sea Foam and the
+Phantom.
+
+"Bravo, Don John!" exclaimed the excited Mr. Norwood. "You are a full
+length ahead! I am willing to sign the contract with Ramsay & Son to
+build the yacht for me."
+
+"Don't be too fast, sir. We are not out of the woods yet, and shall not
+be for some time."
+
+"I am satisfied we are going to beat the Skylark."
+
+"Beat her all to pieces!" added Frank Norwood. "She is doing it as
+easily as though she were used to it."
+
+"I give you the order to build the yacht," said Mr. Norwood.
+
+"Thank you, sir; but I would rather wait till this race is finished
+before I take the job. We may be beaten yet--badly beaten, too. There
+are a dozen things that may use us up. The tide is not up, so that I
+can't play off the dodge I did in the Sea Foam; and if I could, Bob
+Montague is up to it."
+
+"There is no need of any dodge of any sort," replied Mr. Norwood. "We
+are beating the Skylark without manoeuvring; and that is the fairest way
+in the world to do it."
+
+"This is plain sailing, sir; and the Skylark's best point is on the
+wind. For aught I know, the Maud may do the best with a free wind," said
+Donald; and he had well nigh shuddered when he thought of the difference
+in yachts in this respect.
+
+"It may be so; but we are at least two lengths ahead of her now."
+
+"Over three," said Kennedy.
+
+"So much the better," laughed Mr. Norwood. "The more we gain with the
+wind free, the less we shall have to make on the wind."
+
+"But really, sir, this running down here almost before the wind is
+nothing," protested Donald, who felt that his passenger was indulging in
+strong expectations, which might not be realized. "The tug of war will
+come when we go about. We have to beat almost dead to windward; and it
+may be the Maud has given us her best point off the wind."
+
+"You don't expect her to fail on the wind--do you, Don John."
+
+"No, sir; I don't expect her to fail, for she did first rate yesterday,
+when we tried her. She looked the breeze almost square in the face: but
+I can't tell how she will do in comparison with the Skylark. Of course I
+don't expect the Maud to be beaten; but I don't want you to get your
+hopes up so high, that you can't bear a disappointment."
+
+"We will try to bear it; but Frank don't want a yacht that is sure to be
+beaten," added Mr. Norwood.
+
+"Then perhaps it is fortunate I didn't take the job, when you offered to
+give it to me."
+
+"But I think the Maud will win the race," persisted the confident
+gentleman.
+
+"So do I; but it is always best to have an anchor out to windward."
+
+"Bully for you, Don John!" shouted Kennedy, after the yacht had crossed
+the channel where the sea was very rough and choppy. "You made a good
+bit in the last quarter of an hour, and we are a dozen lengths ahead of
+her."
+
+"Surely she can never gain that distance upon us!" exclaimed Mr.
+Norwood.
+
+"It is quite possible, sir. I have known a boat to get a full mile ahead
+of another before the wind, and then be beaten by losing it all, and
+more too, going to windward. I expect better things than that of the
+Maud; but she may disappoint me. She is only making her reputation now."
+
+Donald watched his "sight" ahead all the time, and had not seen the
+Skylark for half an hour. The party was silent again for a while, but
+the Maud dashed furiously on her course, now and then burying her rail,
+while the water shot up through the lee scupper-holes into the
+standing-room. But Dick Adams, who was a natural mechanic, was making a
+pair of plugs to abate this nuisance.
+
+"Turtle Head!" exclaimed Rodman, who, though he had said but little,
+watched the movements of the yacht with the most intense delight and
+excitement.
+
+"We are a square quarter of a mile ahead of the Skylark," said Kennedy.
+"Business will be good with us, Don John, after this."
+
+"Give her a little more main-sheet, Kennedy," was the skipper's reply,
+as the yacht passed the Head, and he kept her away a little.
+
+"Eleven thirty," mused Mr. Norwood, who had taken out his gold watch,
+and noted the moment when the Maud passed the headland.
+
+"Now, mind your eye, all hands!" shouted Donald, as the Maud approached
+the north-east point of Long Island, where he had to change her course
+from south-east to south, which involved the necessity, with the wind
+north-west, of gybing, or coming about head to the wind.
+
+It would take a small fraction of a minute to execute the latter
+manoeuvre; and as the sails were now partially sheltered under the lee
+of the land, the bold skipper determined to gybe. Kennedy had early
+notice of his intention, and had laid the spare sheet where it would not
+foul anybody's legs. He hauled in all he could with the help of the mate
+and others.
+
+"Now, over with it," said Donald, as he put the helm down.
+
+The huge mainsail fluttered and thrashed for an instant, and then flew
+over. Kennedy, who had been careful to catch a turn in the rope, held
+fast when the sail "fetched up" on the other tack, and then the yacht
+rolled her rail under on the port side.
+
+"Let off the sheet, lively!" cried Donald.
+
+"That's what I'm doing," replied the stout ship carpenter, paying off
+the sheet very rapidly, so as to break the shock.
+
+"Steady! belay! Now draw jib there."
+
+As Dick Adams cast off the weather sheet in the new position, Mr.
+Norwood hauled in the lee. For a short distance the Maud had the wind on
+her starboard quarter; then the sheets were hauled in, and she took it
+on the beam, till she was up with the buoy on Stubbs Point Ledge, which
+she was to round, leaving it on the port. The ledge was not far from the
+land, on which was a considerable bluff, so that the wind had not more
+than half its force. In rounding the buoy, it was necessary to gybe
+again; and it was done without shaking up the yacht half so much as at
+the north-east point.
+
+"Now comes the pull," said Donald, as the Maud rounded the buoy. "Stand
+by your sheets! Now brace her up! Give her the whole of the board,
+Dick."
+
+Donald put the helm down; the jib and mainsail were trimmed as flat as
+it was judicious to have them; and the Maud was close-hauled, standing
+up to the northward. The skipper was careful not to cramp her by laying
+too close to the wind. He was an experienced boatman, and he governed
+himself more by the feeling of the craft under him than by his sight. He
+could shut his eyes, and tell by the pressure of the tiller in his hand
+whether she was cramped, or was going along through the water.
+
+"Did you get the time when the Skylark passed the Head, Mr. Norwood?"
+asked Donald.
+
+"No; you made things so lively, I hadn't time to look," replied the
+gentleman. "I should like to know just how many minutes we are ahead of
+her."
+
+"I think I can tell you, sir," added the skipper, with a smile.
+
+"How many?"
+
+"How many do you think, sir?"
+
+"Five or six."
+
+"Not more than one and a half, Mr. Norwood. Neither yacht has to give
+the other time, and what we gain belongs to us."
+
+"I should have thought we were at least five minutes ahead of her."
+
+"No, sir. Now we have a chance to manoeuvre a little," added Donald. "I
+know just what the commodore will do; he will stand on this tack, when
+he gets round the buoy, till he is almost up with Brigadier Island; then
+he will make a long stretch. I shall not do so."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because, if the wind lessens, he will get under the lee of the land. I
+shall go just one mile on this tack," replied Donald. "Have you any
+rubber coats on board, Sam?"
+
+"I have only two."
+
+"You will want them, for we are beginning to toss the spray about, as
+though it didn't cost anything."
+
+It was decidedly damp on the deck of the Maud, for the water thrown up
+by the waves, dashing against the weather bow, was carried by the gusty
+wind to the standing-room, drenching those who sat there. Donald and his
+companions had no fear of salt water, and were just as happy wet to the
+skin, as they were when entirely dry, for the excitement was quite
+enough to keep them warm, even in a chill, north-west wind. Half way
+across to Brigadier Island, Donald gave the order, "Ready about," and
+tacked. As he had predicted, Commodore Montague continued on his course,
+almost over to the island, and then came about. The Maud rushed
+furiously on her long stretch, dashing the spray recklessly over her
+deck, till she was almost up with the Northport shore, when she tacked
+again, and laid her course to windward of the judges' yacht, as the
+regulations required. As she rounded the Penobscot, a gun announced the
+arrival of the first yacht. The Maud let off her sheets, and passed
+under the stern of the judges' craft.
+
+"The Maud!" shouted Donald, enraptured with his victory.
+
+Four minutes and thirty-four seconds later, the gun announced the
+arrival of the Skylark. It was all of twenty minutes later when the Sea
+Foam arrived, and half an hour before the Phantom put in an appearance.
+There was not a shadow of a doubt that the Maud had won the great race.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE HASBROOK OUTRAGE AND OTHER MATTERS.
+
+
+The Maud went round to the line, and after picking up her tender and
+moorings, anchored near the Penobscot.
+
+"There is no doubt now which boat has won the race," said Mr. Norwood.
+
+"None whatever, sir," replied Donald. "The day is ours by as fair a race
+as ever was sailed. The Maud proved what she could do before we got to
+Turtle Head; and all the conditions were exactly equal up to that time.
+If I made anything by manoeuvring, it was only when we tacked a mile
+north of the Head. We have beaten her squarely in a heavy wind; but how
+she would do compared with the Skylark in a light breeze, is yet to be
+proved."
+
+"I am satisfied, Don John; and I give you the job to build the Alice,
+for that is to be the name of Frank's yacht."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I suppose you don't expect to get her out this season."
+
+"No; if he has her by the first of June of next year, it will be soon
+enough.--I hope you are satisfied with the Maud, Sam," added Mr.
+Norwood, turning to the owner of the winning craft.
+
+"I ought to be, and I am," replied Rodman.
+
+"You have the fastest yacht in the fleet."
+
+"She won't be when I sail her. The commodore will clean me out every
+time, if Don John is not at the helm."
+
+"Then there is a capital opportunity for you to improve in the art of
+sailing a yacht."
+
+"Plenty of room for that," laughed Rodman.
+
+Dick Adams brought the tender alongside, and pulled Mr. Norwood, Rodman,
+and Donald to the Penobscot.
+
+"I congratulate you, Don John," said Mr. Montague, extending his hand to
+the boat-builder. "You have won the race handsomely."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"It is a double triumph to you, since you both built your yacht, and
+sailed her," added Mr. Montague.
+
+"It is worth a good deal to me in a business point of view; for I get a
+job to build another yacht by it. The firm of Ramsay & Son can't afford
+to have their boats beaten," laughed Donald. "Here comes Robert."
+
+"I suppose he will not be satisfied with the Skylark, now that she has
+been so thoroughly whipped," added the commodore's father.
+
+"Perfectly satisfied with her, father. She is as good a boat as she ever
+was," answered Robert, as he gave his hand to Donald. "You have won the
+race fairly and handsomely, Don John; and I congratulate you upon your
+success."
+
+"I thank you, Bob; but I would rather have beaten any other fellow than
+you," replied Donald.
+
+"I can stand it as well as anybody."
+
+The ladies and gentlemen on board of the Penobscot congratulated the
+hero of the occasion, and condoled with the commodore, till the last of
+the fleet arrived. The judges filled out the schedule with the corrected
+time.
+
+"Captain Rodman, of the Maud," said the chairman; and the owner of the
+winning yacht stepped forward. "It appears from the schedule that you
+have made the shortest time, and I have the pleasure of presenting to
+you the first prize."
+
+"Thank you, sir," replied Rodman, accepting the envelope, which
+contained the prize of one hundred dollars; "but as it appears that
+Donald Ramsay sailed the Maud, as well as built her, I shall have the
+pleasure of presenting it to him."
+
+A round of hearty applause followed this little speech, which ended in
+three cheers for the captain of the Maud, and three more for her
+builder.
+
+"I can't take that," said Donald, declining to receive the envelope.
+
+"But you must take it. I will hand you over to Mr. Deputy Sheriff
+Beardsley, who, I see, is coming up the bay in the Juno."
+
+"It don't belong to me. I am not the owner of the Maud," protested
+Donald.
+
+"Take it! take it!" shouted one and another of the interested
+spectators, until nearly all of them had expressed their opinion in this
+way.
+
+Thus overborne, the boat-builder took the envelope, though his pride
+revolted.
+
+"Commodore Montague, it appears that the Skylark made the next best
+time, and I have the pleasure of presenting to you the second prize."
+
+"Which I devote to the club for the building fund."
+
+The members heartily applauded this disposal of the money.
+
+"I will give the other prize to the club for the same purpose," added
+Donald.
+
+"Impossible!" exclaimed Commodore Montague. "The fund is completed, and
+the donation cannot be accepted."
+
+"No! No!" shouted the members.
+
+"The fifty dollars I added to the fund just makes up the sum necessary
+to pay for the club-house on Turtle Head, which is to be only a shanty;
+so you can't play that game on us, Don John."
+
+Donald was compelled to submit; and he transferred the hundred dollars
+to his pocket-book.
+
+"I am so glad you won the race, Don John!" said Nellie Patterdale.
+"Everybody said you sailed the Maud splendidly."
+
+"Thank you, Nellie; your praise is worth more to me than that of all the
+others," replied Donald, blushing deeply; but I must do him the justice
+to say that, if he had not been laboring under intense excitement, he
+would not have made so palpable a speech to her.
+
+Nellie blushed too; but she was not angry, though her father might have
+been, if he had heard the remark.
+
+"Is Captain Patterdale on board?" shouted Mr. Beardsley, as the Juno ran
+under the stern of the Penobscot.
+
+"Here," replied the captain.
+
+"I want to see you and Don John," added the officer.
+
+The business of the race was finished, and the Maud conveyed Captain
+Patterdale, his daughter, and Donald to the shore. Laud Cavendish was in
+the Juno, and so was Hasbrook; but none of the party knew what had
+transpired at Saturday Cove during the forenoon.
+
+"I will be at your house in half an hour, Captain Patterdale," said
+Donald, as they landed. "I am wet to the skin, and I want to put on dry
+clothes."
+
+Mr. Beardsley had proposed the place of meeting; and the boat-builder
+hastened home. In a few minutes he had put himself inside a dry suit of
+clothes. Then he went to the shop, and wrote a brief note to Captain
+Shivernock, in which he enclosed sixty dollars, explaining that as he
+had been unable to "keep still with his tongue," he could not keep the
+money. He also added, that he should send him the amount received for
+the Juno when he obtained the bills from Captain Patterdale, who had a
+part of them. Sealing this note in an envelope, he called at the house
+of the strange man, on his way to the place of meeting. Mrs. Sykes said
+that Captain Shivernock was in his library.
+
+"Please to give him this; and if he wishes to see me, I shall be at
+Captain Patterdale's house for an hour or two," continued Donald; and
+without giving the housekeeper time to reply, he hastened off, confident
+there would be a storm as soon as the eccentric opened the note.
+
+In the library of the elegant mansion, he found the party who had been
+in the Juno, with Captain Patterdale and Nellie. On the desk was the tin
+box, the paint on the outside stained with yellow loam. Laud Cavendish
+looked as though life was a burden to him, and Donald readily
+comprehended the situation.
+
+"We have found the tin box," said Mr. Beardsley, with a smile, as the
+boat-builder was admitted.
+
+"Where did you find it?"
+
+"Laud had it in his hand down at Saturday Cove. While I was looking up
+the Hasbrook affair, our friend here landed from the Juno, and was
+walking towards the woods, when he walked into me. He owns up to
+everything."
+
+"Then I hope you are satisfied that I had nothing to do with the box."
+
+"Of course we are," interposed Captain Patterdale. "It certainly looked
+bad for you at one time, Don John."
+
+"I know it did, sir," added Donald.
+
+"But I could not really believe that you would do such a thing," said
+the captain.
+
+"I knew he wouldn't," exclaimed Nellie.
+
+"Laud says he buried the box on Turtle Head, just where you said, and
+only removed it yesterday, when he put the notes under the sill in your
+shop," continued Mr. Beardsley.
+
+"What did you do that for, Laud?" asked Donald, turning to the culprit.
+
+"You promised not to tell where I got the money to pay for the Juno. You
+went back on me," pleaded Laud.
+
+"I told you I wouldn't tell if everything was all right. When it
+appeared that the mended bill was not all right, I mentioned your name,
+but not till then."
+
+"That is so," added the nabob. "Now, Laud, did Captain Shivernock pay
+you any money?"
+
+"No, sir," replied Laud, who had concluded to tell the whole truth,
+hoping it would go easier with him if he did so.
+
+"Where did you get the mended bill you paid Don John?"
+
+"From the tin trunk."
+
+"Why did you say that Captain Shivernock gave you the money you paid for
+the Juno?"
+
+"I couldn't account for it in any other way. I knew the captain threw
+his money around very loosely, and I didn't think any one would ask him
+if he gave me the money. If any one did, he wouldn't answer."
+
+"But he did answer, and said he gave you the money."
+
+"He told me he would say so, when I went to see him a fortnight ago."
+
+"Why did you go to see him?"
+
+Laud glanced at Donald with a faint smile on his haggard face.
+
+"Don John told me Captain Shivernock had a secret he wanted to keep."
+
+"I told you so!" exclaimed Donald.
+
+"You did; but you thought I knew the secret," answered Laud. "You told
+me the captain had given me the money not to tell that I had seen him
+near Saturday Cove on the morning after the Hasbrook affair."
+
+"I remember now," said Donald. "Captain Shivernock gave me sixty
+dollars, and then gave me the Juno, for which I understood that I was
+not to say I had seen him that day. I refused to sell the boat to Laud
+till he told me where he got the money. When he told me the captain had
+given it to him, and would not say what for, I concluded his case was
+just the same as my own. After I left the captain, he stood over to the
+Northport shore, and Laud went over there soon after. I was sure that
+they met."
+
+"We didn't meet; and I did not see Captain Shivernock that day," Laud
+explained.
+
+"I supposed he had; I spoke to Laud just as though he had, and he didn't
+deny that he had seen him."
+
+"Of course I didn't. Don John made my story good, and I was willing to
+stick to it."
+
+"But you did not stick to it," added the nabob. "You said you had paid
+no money to Don John."
+
+"I will tell you how that was. When I got the secret out of Don John, I
+went to the captain with it. He asked me if I wanted to black-mail him.
+I told him no. Then I spoke to him about the tin trunk you had lost, and
+said one of the bills had been traced to me. I made up a story to show
+where I got the bill; but the man that gave it to me had gone, and I
+didn't even know his name. He had some bills just like that mended one;
+and when I told him what my trouble was, he promised to say that he had
+given me the bill; and then he laughed as I never saw a man laugh
+before."
+
+"What was he laughing at?" asked the sheriff.
+
+"He went off early the next morning, and I suppose he was laughing to
+think what a joke he was playing upon me, for he was not to be in town
+when wanted to get me out of trouble."
+
+"He did say he let you have the use of the Juno for taking care of her,
+and that he gave you the money, though he wouldn't indicate what it was
+for," added the officer.
+
+"I thought he was fooling me, and I didn't depend on him."
+
+"That's Captain Shivernock," said the good nabob, as the party in the
+library were startled by a violent ring at the door.
+
+It was the strange man. He was admitted by Nellie. He stalked up to
+Donald, his face red with wrath, and dashed the letter and bills into
+his face, crumpled up into a ball.
+
+"You canting little monkey! What have you been doing?" roared he.
+
+"Since I could not do what you wished me to do, I have returned your
+money," replied Donald, rising from his chair, for he feared the captain
+intended to assault him.
+
+"Have you disobeyed my orders, you whelp?"
+
+"I have; for I told you I should tell no lies."
+
+"I'll break every bone in your body for this!" howled Captain
+Shivernock.
+
+"Not yet, captain," interposed Mr. Beardsley. "You may have something
+else to break before you do that job."
+
+"Who are you?" demanded the wicked nabob, with what was intended as a
+withering sneer; but no one wilted under it.
+
+"A deputy sheriff of Waldo County, at your service; and I have a warrant
+for your arrest."
+
+"For my arrest!" gasped Captain Shivernock, dismounting from his high
+horse, for he had a wholesome fear of the penalties of violated law.
+
+"Here is the document," added the sheriff, producing a paper.
+
+"For what?"
+
+"For breaking and entering in the night time, in the first place, and
+for an aggravated assault on Jacob Hasbrook in the second."
+
+"What assault? You can't prove it."
+
+"Yes, we can; we went a-fishing down in Saturday Cove this morning, and
+we caught a bundle, containing a pair of boots, a blue frock, and other
+articles, including the stick the assault was committed with. They were
+sunk with half a pig of lead, the other half of which I found in the
+Juno. I hope you are satisfied."
+
+"No, I'm not. I didn't leave my house till four o'clock that morning;
+and I can prove it."
+
+"You will have an opportunity to do so in court."
+
+The wicked nabob was silent.
+
+"I was bound to follow this thing up to the bitter end," said Hasbrook,
+rejoiced at the detection of the wretch.
+
+"You got what you deserved, you miserable, canting villain!" roared the
+captain. "You cheated me out of a thousand dollars, by giving me an
+indorser you knew wasn't worth a dollar."
+
+"But I meant to pay you. I pay my debts. I appeal to Captain Patterdale
+to say whether I do or not."
+
+"I think you do when it is for your interest to do so, or when you can't
+help it," added the good nabob, candidly. "I suppose you know Mr. Laud
+Cavendish, captain?"
+
+"I do," growled the rich culprit. "He is the fellow that saved a man's
+life down at Haddock Ledge; a man he hadn't been introduced to, who gave
+him a pile of money for the job, but didn't give him his name."
+
+"But, Captain Shivernock, you said you gave him some money, and you
+didn't tell us what you gave it to him for," added Beardsley.
+
+"That was my joke."
+
+"We do not see the point of it."
+
+"I only wanted the privilege of proving to Captain Patterdale that he
+was mistaken about the bill, by showing him three more just like it."
+
+"How do you fold your money, Captain Shivernock?" asked the nabob.
+
+"None of your business, you canting psalm-singer."
+
+"I shall be obliged to commit you," said the sheriff, sharply.
+
+"Commit me!" howled the wicked nabob. "I should like to see you do it."
+
+"You shall have that satisfaction. If you give me any trouble about it,
+I shall have to put these things on," added the sheriff, taking from his
+pocket a pair of handcuffs.
+
+The culprit withered at the sight of the irons. He and Laud both walked
+to the county jail, where they were locked up. Of course the
+imprisonment of such a man as the wicked nabob caused a sensation; but
+there was no one to object. He was willing to pay any sum of money to
+get out of the scrape; but the majesty of the law must be vindicated,
+and there was a contest between money and justice. He obtained bail by
+depositing the large amount required in the hands of two men, whom his
+well-fed lawyer procured. Between two days he left the city; but
+Beardsley kept the run of him, and when he was wanted for trial, he was
+brought back from a western state.
+
+On the trial a desperate attempt was made to break down the witnesses;
+but it failed. The first for the defence was Mrs. Sykes; but her
+evidence was not what had been expected of her. She had told, and
+repeated the lie, that the captain left his house at four o'clock on the
+morning after the outrage; but in court, and under oath, she would not
+perjure herself. She declared that the defendant had left home about
+eleven o'clock in the evening, dressed in her husband's blue frock,
+boots, and hat. Mr. Sykes, after his wife had told the whole truth, was
+afraid to testify as he had said he should do. A conviction followed;
+and the prisoner was sentenced to the state prison for ten years. He was
+overwhelmed by this result. He swore like a pirate, and then he wept
+like a child; but he was sent to Thomaston, and put to hard work.
+
+Laud pleaded guilty, and was sent to the same institution for a year.
+There was hope of him; for if he could get rid of his silly vanity, and
+go to work, he might be saved from a lifetime of crime.
+
+Donald came out of the fire without the stain of smoke upon him. After
+the great race, as Mr. Norwood was in no hurry for the Alice, he went on
+the long cruise with the fleet, in the Sea Foam. They coasted along the
+shore as far as Portland, visiting the principal places on the seaboard.
+On the cruise down Donald "coached" his friend, Ned Patterdale, in the
+art of sailing; and on the return he rendered the same service to
+Rodman. Both of them proved to be apt scholars; and after long practice,
+they were able to bring out the speed of their yachts, and stood a fair
+chance in a regatta.
+
+On the cruise, the yachts were racing all the time when under way, but
+the results were by no means uniform. When Donald sailed the Maud, she
+beat the Skylark; but when Rodman skippered her himself, the commodore
+outsailed him. The Maud beat the Sea Foam, as a general rule; but one
+day Robert Montague sailed the latter, and the former was beaten.
+
+"Don John, I don't know yet which is the fastest craft in the fleet,"
+said Commodore Montague, as they were seated on Manhegan Island, looking
+down upon the fleet anchored below them.
+
+"I thought you did, Bob," laughed Donald.
+
+"No, I don't. I have come to the conclusion that you can sail a yacht
+better than I can, and that is the reason that you beat me in the Maud,
+as you did in the Sea Foam."
+
+"No, no!" replied Donald. "I am sure I can't sail a boat any better than
+you can."
+
+"I can outsail any boat in the fleet when you are ashore."
+
+"We can easily settle the matter, Bob."
+
+"How?"
+
+"You shall sail the Maud, and I will sail the Skylark. If the difference
+is in the skippers, we shall come in about even. If the Maud is the
+better sailer, you will beat me."
+
+"Good! I'll do it."
+
+"You will do your best in the Maud--won't you?"
+
+"Certainly; and you will do the same in the Skylark."
+
+"To be sure. We will sail around Matinicus Rock and back."
+
+The terms of the race were agreed upon, and the interest of the whole
+club was excited. The party went on board the fleet, and the two yachts
+were moored in line. At the firing of the gun on board the Sea Foam,
+they ran up their jibs and got a good start. The wind was west, a lively
+breeze, but not heavy. Each yacht carried her large gaff-topsail and the
+balloon-jib. The course was about forty miles, the return from the rock
+being a beat dead to windward. Robert and Donald each did his best, and
+the Maud came in twelve minutes ahead of the Skylark.
+
+"I am satisfied now," said Robert, when they met after the race.
+
+"I was satisfied before," laughed Donald. "I was confident the Maud was
+faster than the Skylark or the Sea Foam."
+
+"I agree with you now; and I have more respect for myself than I had
+before, for I thought it was you, and not the Maud, which had beaten
+me," added Robert. "I have also a very high respect for the firm of
+Ramsay & Son."
+
+[Illustration: THE MAUD WINNING THE RACE. Page 338.]
+
+The members of the club enjoyed the excursion exceedingly; and on their
+return it was decided to repeat it the next year, if not before. The
+club-house on Turtle Head was finished when the fleet arrived at
+Belfast; and during the rest of the vacation, the yachts remained in the
+bay. They had chowders and fries at the Head, to which the ladies
+were invited; and Donald made himself as agreeable as possible to Miss
+Nellie on these occasions. Possibly her father and mother had some
+objections to this continued and increasing intimacy; if they had, they
+did not mention them. They were compelled to acknowledge, when they
+talked the matter over between themselves, that Donald Ramsay was an
+honest, intelligent, noble young man, with high aims and pure
+principles, and that these qualifications were infinitely preferable to
+wealth without them; and they tacitly permitted the affair to take its
+natural course, as I have no doubt it will. Certainly the young people
+were very devoted to each other; and though they are too young to think
+of anything but friendship, it will end in a wedding.
+
+In the autumn, after the frame of the Alice was all set up, Barbara
+obtained a situation as a teacher in one of the public schools, and
+added her salary to the income of the boat-builder. The family lived
+well, and were happy in each other. After the boating season closed, the
+yacht club hired apartments, in which a library and reading-room were
+fitted up; and the members not only enjoyed the meetings every week,
+but they profited by their reading and their study. Donald is still an
+honored and useful member, and people say that, by and by, when the
+country regains her mercantile marine, he will be a ship-builder, and
+not, as now, THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.
+
+
+
+
+LEE & SHEPARD'S
+
+LIST OF
+
+JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS.
+
+        Each Set in a neat Box with Illuminated Titles.
+
+
+        =Army and Navy Stories.= A Library for Young and
+        Old, in 6 volumes. 16mo. Illustrated. Per vol            $1.50
+
+        The Soldier Boy.
+        The Sailor Boy.
+        The Young Lieutenant.
+        The Yankee Middy.
+        Fighting Joe.
+        Brave Old Salt.
+
+
+        =Famous "Boat-Club" Series.= A Library for Young
+        People. Handsomely Illustrated. Six volumes, in neat
+        box. Per vol                                              1.25
+
+        The Boat Club; or, The Bunkers of Rippleton.
+        All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake.
+        Now or Never; or, The Adventures of Bobby Bright.
+        Try Again; or, The Trials and Triumphs of Harry West.
+        Poor and Proud; or, The Fortunes of Katy Redburn.
+        Little by Little; or, The Cruise of the Flyaway.
+
+
+        =Lake Shore Series, The.= Six volumes. Illustrated.
+        In neat box. Per vol                                      1.25
+
+        Through by Daylight; or, The Young Engineer of the
+        Lake Shore Railroad.
+        Lightning Express; or, The Rival Academies.
+        On Time; or, The Young Captain of the Ucayga Steamer.
+        Switch Off; or, The War of the Students.
+        Break Up; or, The Young Peacemakers.
+        Bear and Forbear; or, The Young Skipper of Lake
+        Ucayga.
+
+
+        =Soldier Boy Series, The.= Three volumes, in neat
+        box. Illustrated. Per vol                                 1.50
+
+        The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army.
+        The Young Lieutenant; or, The Adventures of an Army
+        Officer.
+        Fighting Joe; or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer.
+
+
+        =Sailor Boy Series, The.= Three volumes in neat box.
+        Illustrated. Per vol                                      1.50
+
+        The Sailor Boy; or, Jack Somers in the Navy.
+        The Yankee Middy; or, Adventures of a Naval Officer.
+        Brave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter-Deck.
+
+
+        =Starry Flag Series, The.= Six volumes. Illustrated.
+        Per vol                                                   1.25
+
+        The Starry Flag; or, The Young Fisherman of Cape Ann.
+        Breaking Away; or, The Fortunes of a Student.
+        Seek and Find; or, The Adventures of a Smart Boy.
+        Freaks of Fortune; or, Half Round the World.
+        Make or Break; or, The Rich Man's Daughter.
+        Down the River; or, Buck Bradford and the Tyrants.
+
+
+        =The Household Library.= 3 volumes. Illustrated.
+        Per volume                                                1.50
+
+        Living too Fast.
+        In Doors and Out.
+        The Way of the World.
+
+
+        =Way of the World, The.= By William T. Adams (Oliver
+        Optic)                                               12mo 1.50
+
+
+        =Woodville Stories.= Uniform with Library for Young
+        People. Six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.           16mo 1.25
+
+        Rich and Humble; or, The Mission of Bertha Grant.
+        In School and Out; or, The Conquest of Richard Grant.
+        Watch and Wait; or, The Young Fugitives.
+        Work and Win; or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise.
+        Hope and Have; or, Fanny Grant among the Indians.
+        Haste and Waste; or, The Young Pilot of Lake Champlain.
+
+
+        =Yacht Club Series.= Uniform with the ever popular
+        "Boat Club" Series. Completed in six vols. Illustrated.
+        Per vol.                                             16mo 1.50
+
+
+        Little Bobtail; or, The Wreck of the Penobscot
+        The Yacht Club; or, The Young Boat Builder.
+        Money Maker; or, The Victory of the Basilisk.
+        The Coming Wave; or, The Treasure of High Rock.
+        The Dorcas Club; or, Our Girls Afloat.
+        Ocean Born; or, The Cruise of the Clubs.
+
+
+        =Onward and Upward Series, The.= Complete in six
+        volumes. Illustrated. In neat box. Per vol.               1.25
+
+        Field and Forest; or, The Fortunes of a Farmer.
+        Plane and Plank; or, The Mishaps of a Mechanic.
+        Desk and Debit; or, The Catastrophes of a Clerk.
+        Cringle and Cross-Tree; or, The Sea Swashes of a Sailor.
+        Bivouac and Battle; or, The Struggles of a Soldier.
+        Sea and Shore; or, The Tramps of a Traveller.
+
+
+        =Young America Abroad Series.= A Library of
+        Travel and Adventure in Foreign Lands. Illustrated
+        by Nast, Stevens, Perkins, and others. Per vol. 16mo      1.50
+
+        _First Series._
+
+        Outward Bound; or, Young America Afloat.
+        Shamrock and Thistle; or, Young America in Ireland and Scotland.
+        Red Cross; or, Young America in England and Wales.
+        Dikes and Ditches, or, Young America in Holland and Belgium.
+        Palace and Cottage; or, Young America in France and Switzerland.
+        Down the Rhine; or, Young America in Germany.
+
+        _Second Series._
+
+        Up the Baltic; or, Young America in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
+        Northern Lands; or, Young America in Russia and Prussia.
+        Cross and Crescent; or, Young America in Turkey and Greece.
+        Sunny Shores; or, Young America in Italy and Austria.
+        Vine and Olive; or, Young America in Spain and Portugal.
+        Isles of the Sea; or, Young America Homeward Bound.
+
+        =Riverdale Stories.= Twelve volumes. A New Edition.
+        Profusely Illustrated from new designs by Billings. In
+        neat box. Per vol.
+
+        Little Merchant.
+        Young Voyagers.
+        Robinson Crusoe, Jr.
+        Dolly and I.
+        Uncle Ben.
+        Birthday Party.
+        Proud and Lazy.
+        Careless Kate.
+        Christmas Gift.
+        The Picnic Party.
+        The Gold Thimble.
+        The Do-Somethings.
+
+
+        =Riverdale Story Books.= Six volumes, in neat box.
+        Cloth. Per vol.
+
+        Little Merchant.
+        Young Voyagers.
+        Dolly and I.
+        Proud and Lazy.
+        Careless Kate.
+        Robinson Crusoe, Jr.
+
+
+        =Flora Lee Story Books.= Six volumes in neat box.
+        Cloth. Per vol.
+
+        Christmas Gift.
+        Uncle Ben.
+        Birthday Party.
+        The Picnic Party.
+        The Gold Thimble.
+        The Do-Somethings.
+
+        =Great Western Series, The.= Six volumes. Illustrated.
+        Per vol.                                                  1.50
+
+        Going West; or, The Perils of a Poor Boy.
+        Out West; or, Roughing it on the Great Lakes.
+        Lake Breezes.
+
+        =Our Boys' and Girls' Offering.= Containing Oliver
+        Optic's popular Story, Ocean Born; or, The Cruise of the
+        Clubs; Stories of the Seas, Tales of Wonder, Records
+        of Travel, &c. Edited by Oliver Optic. Profusely
+        Illustrated. Covers printed in Colors. 8vo.               1.50
+
+        =Our Boys' and Girls' Souvenir.= Containing Oliver
+        Optic's Popular Story, Going West; or, The Perils of a
+        Poor Boy; Stories of the Sea, Tales of Wonder, Records
+        of Travel, &c. Edited by Oliver Optic. With numerous
+        full-page and letter-press Engravings. Covers
+        printed in Colors. 8vo.                                   1.50
+
+
+
+
+        _NEW PUBLICATIONS OF LEE AND SHEPARD._
+
+
+        ELIJAH KELLOGG'S NEW BOOKS.
+
+
+        =JOHN GODSOE'S LEGACY.= 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.
+
+
+        =THE FISHER BOYS OF PLEASANT COVE.= 16mo.
+        Illustrated. $1.25. Completing THE PLEASANT COVE SERIES.
+
+
+        =THE PLEASANT COVE SERIES.= Five vols. Illustrated.
+        Per vol., $1.25.
+
+        1. ARTHUR BROWN.
+        2. THE YOUNG DELIVERERS.
+        3. THE CRUISE OF THE CASCO.
+        4. THE CHILD OF THE ISLAND GLEN.
+        5. JOHN GODSOE'S LEGACY.
+        6. FISHER BOYS OF PLEASANT COVE.
+
+
+        =THE TURNING OF THE TIDE;= OR, RADCLIFFE
+        RICH AND HIS PATIENTS. 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.
+
+
+        =A STOUT HEART;= OR, THE STUDENT FROM OVER THE
+        SEA. 16mo. Illustrated. Cloth. $1.25.
+
+
+        =THE WHISPERING PINE SERIES.= 6 vols. Illustrated.
+        Per vol., $1.25.
+
+         1. THE SPARK OF GENIUS.
+         2. THE SOPHOMORES OF RADCLIFFE.
+         3. THE WHISPERING PINE.
+         4. WINNING HIS SPURS.
+         5. THE TURNING OF THE TIDE.
+         6. A STOUT HEART.
+
+        "Mr. Kellogg has made himself a great favorite
+        with young people by the number and variety of
+        adventures which he manages to pack into a
+        book; and to the parents by the excellent
+        precepts which he inculcates."
+
+
+
+
+LEE & SHEPARD'S JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+BY SOPHIE MAY.
+
+        =Little Prudy's Flyaway Series.= By the author of
+        "Dotty Dimple Stories," and "Little Prudy Stories."
+        Complete in six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.              75
+
+        Little Folks Astray.
+        Prudy Keeping House.
+        Aunt Madge's Story.
+        Little Grandmother.
+        Little Grandfather.
+        Miss Thistledown.
+
+
+        =Little Prudy Stories.= By Sophie May. Complete.
+        Six volumes, handsomely illustrated, in a neat box.
+        Per vol.                                                    75
+
+        Little Prudy.
+        Little Prudy's Sister Susy.
+        Little Prudy's Captain Horace.
+        Little Prudy's Cousin Grace.
+        Little Prudy's Story Book.
+        Little Prudy's Dotty Dimple.
+
+
+        =Dotty Dimple Stories.= By Sophie May, author of Little
+        Prudy. Complete in six volumes. Illustrated. Per
+        vol.                                                        75
+
+        Dotty Dimple at her Grandmother's.
+        Dotty Dimple at Home.
+        Dotty Dimple out West.
+        Dotty Dimple at Play.
+        Dotty Dimple at School.
+        Dotty Dimple's Flyaway.
+
+
+        =The Quinnebassett Girls.= 16mo. Illustrated.       1.50
+
+        The Doctor's Daughter. 16mo. Illustrated.                1.50
+        Our Helen. 16mo. Illustrated.                            1.50
+        The Asbury Twins. 16mo. Illustrated.                     1.50
+
+
+        =Flaxie Frizzle Stories.= To be completed in six volumes.
+        Illustrated. Per vol.                                       75
+
+        Flaxie Frizzle.
+        Flaxie Frizzle and Doctor Papa.
+        Little Pitchers.
+
+
+        =Young Dodge Club, The.= By James De Mille, author
+        of the B. O. W. C. Stories. Complete in three vols.
+        Illustrated. Per volume                                   1.50
+
+        Among the Brigands.
+        The Seven Hills.
+        The Winged Lion.
+
+
+        =Hunter's Library, The.= 5 volumes. Illustrated. Per
+        volume                                                    1.50
+
+        Australian Wanderers. The Adventures of Capt. Spencer
+        and his Horse and Dog in the Wilds of Australia.
+
+        Antonio in the Wilds of Africa.
+
+        Anecdotes of Animals, with their Habits, Instincts, &c., &c.
+
+        Anecdotes of Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, &c., their Habits
+        and Instincts.
+
+        A Thousand Miles' Walk Across South America, over the
+        Pampas and the Andes.
+
+
+        =Little People of God,= and what the Poets have said of
+        them. By Mrs. George L. Austin. 4to. Illustrated.         2.00
+
+
+        =Frontier Series, The.= Five volumes. Illustrated. Per
+        vol.                                                      1.25
+
+        Twelve Nights in the Hunters' Camp.
+        A Thousand Miles' Walk Across South America.
+        The Cabin on the Prairie.
+        Planting the Wilderness.
+        The Young Pioneers of the Northwest.
+
+
+        =Helping Hand Series.= By May Mannering. Complete
+        in six vols. Illustrated. Per volume.                     1.00
+
+        Climbing the Rope.
+        Billy Grimes's Favorite.
+        The Cruise of the Dashaway.
+        The Little Spaniard.
+        Salt-water Dick.
+        Little Maid of Oxbow.
+        An entirely new edition.
+
+
+        =Cast Away in the Cold.= An Old Man's Story of a
+        Young Man's Adventures. By Dr. Isaac I. Hayes. 1
+        volume. Illustrated.                                      1.25
+
+
+        =Vacation Story-Books.= For Boys and Girls. Finely
+        Illustrated from designs by Hoppin and others. Six
+        volumes, square 16mo. In neat box. Per volume               80
+
+        Worth not Wealth.
+        Country Life.
+        The Charm.
+        Karl Keigler.
+        Walter Seyton.
+        Holidays at Chestnut Hill.
+
+
+        =Winwood Cliff Stories.= By the Rev. Daniel Wise,
+        D.D., author of the "Glen Morris Stories." To be
+        completed in six volumes. Per volume                      1.00
+
+        Winwood Cliff; or, Oscar, The Sailor's Son.
+        Ben Blinker; or, Maggie's Golden Motto, and what it did for
+        her Brother.
+        A new volume in Press.
+
+
+        =Young Trail-Hunters' Series, The.= By Samuel Woodworth
+        Cozzens. 12mo. Per vol.                                   1.00
+
+        Young Silver Seekers, The; or, Hal and Ned in Sonora.
+        (In press.)
+
+        Crossing the Quicksands; or, The Veritable Adventures
+        of Hal and Ned upon the Pacific Slope. 16mo. Illustrated.
+        317 pp.                                                   1.00
+
+        The Young Trail-Hunters; or, The Wild Riders of the
+        Plains. 12mo. Illustrated. 205 pp.                        1.00
+
+
+        =Battles at Home.= By Mary G. Darling. Illustrated.
+        12mo.                                                     1.00
+
+
+        =In the World.= By Mary G. Darling. Illustrated.
+        12mo.                                                     1.00
+
+
+        =Golden Hair.= A Story of the Pilgrims. By Sir Lascelles
+        Wraxhall, Bart. 12mo. Illustrated.                        1.00
+
+
+        =Snip and Whip,= and some other Boys. By Elizabeth A.
+        Davis. 16mo. Cloth. Illustrated.                          1.25
+
+
+        =Sunnybank Stories.= Twelve volumes. Compiled by
+        Rev. Asa Bullard, editor of the "Well-Spring." Profusely
+        Illustrated. 32mo. Bound in high colors, and
+        put in a neat box. Per volume                               25
+
+        Uncle Henry's Stories.
+        Dog Stories.
+        Stories for Alice.
+        My Teacher's Gem.
+        The Scholar's Welcome.
+        Going to School.
+        Aunt Lizzie's Stories.
+        Mother's Stories.
+        Grandpa's Stories.
+        The Good Scholar.
+        The Lighthouse.
+        Reward of Merit.
+
+
+        =Sunnybank Stories.= Six volumes. Compiled by Rev.
+        Asa Bullard. Profusely Illustrated. 32mo. Bound in
+        high colors, and put up in a neat box. Per volume           25
+
+        Uncle Henry's Stories.
+        Dog Stories.
+        Stories for Alice.
+        Aunt Lizzie's Stories.
+        Mother's Stories.
+        Grandpa's Stories.
+
+
+        =Shady Dell Stories.= Six volumes. Compiled by Rev. Asa
+        Bullard, editor of the "Well-Spring." Profusely Illustrated.
+        32mo. Bound in high colors, and put up in a
+        neat box (to match the Sunnybank Stories). Per volume       25
+
+        My Teacher's Gem.
+        The Scholar's Welcome.
+        Going to School.
+        The Good Scholar.
+        The Lighthouse.
+        Reward of Merit.
+
+
+        =Tone Masters, The.= A Musical Series for the Young.
+        By the author of "The Soprano," &c. 16mo. Illustrated.
+        Per volume                                                1.25
+
+        Mozart and Mendelssohn.
+        Handel and Haydn.
+        Bach and Beethoven.
+
+
+        =Twilight Stories.= By Mrs. Follen. Twelve volumes.
+        4to. Illustrated. Per volume                                50
+
+        Travellers' Stories.
+        True Stories about Dogs.
+        Made-Up Stories.
+        Peddler of Dust Sticks.
+        When I was a Girl.
+        Who speaks Next?
+        The Talkative Wig.
+        What Animals do and say.
+        Two Festivals.
+        Conscience.
+        Piccolissima.
+        Little Songs.
+
+
+        =Maidenhood Series.= 12mo. Illustrated.
+
+        Seven Daughters. By Miss A. M. Douglas.                   1.50
+        Running to Waste: The Story of a Tomboy. By Geo. M.
+          Baker.                                                  1.50
+        Our Helen. By Sophie May.                                 1.75
+        That Queer Girl. By Virginia F. Townsend.                 1.50
+        The Asbury Twins. By Sophie May.                          1.75
+        Daisy Travers; or, The Girls of Hive Hall. By Adelaide F.
+          Samuels.                                                1.50
+
+
+        =Amateur Drama Series.= By Geo. M. Baker. 6 volumes.
+        Illustrated. Per vol.                                     1.50
+
+        Amateur Dramas.
+        The Mimic Stage.
+        The Social Stage.
+        The Drawing-Room Stage.
+        The Exhibition Drama.
+        Handy Dramas.
+
+
+        =Eminent Statesmen.= The Young American's Library
+        of Eminent Statesmen. Uniform with the Young
+        American's Library of Famous Generals. Six volumes,
+        handsomely illustrated, in neat box. (New edition.)
+        Per volume                                                1.25
+
+        Benjamin Franklin.
+        Daniel Webster.
+        Daring Deeds.
+        William Penn.
+        Henry Clay.
+        Noble Deeds.
+
+
+        =Famous Generals.= The Young American's Library of
+        Famous Generals. A useful and attractive series of
+        books for Boys. Six volumes, handsomely illustrated,
+        in neat box. (New edition.) Per vol.                      1.25
+
+        General Washington.
+        General Taylor.
+        General Jackson.
+        General Lafayette.
+        General Marion.
+        Napoleon Bonaparte.
+
+
+        =Springdale Stories.= By Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels. Six
+        volumes. Illustrated. Per volume                            75
+
+        Obeying the Golden Rule.
+        The Shipwrecked Girl.
+        Nettie's Trial.
+        The Smuggler's Cave.
+        Under the Sea.
+        The Burning Prairie.
+
+
+        =Charley Roberts Series.= By Miss Louise M. Thurston.
+        To be completed in six volumes. Per vol.                  1.00
+
+        How Charlie Roberts became a Man.
+        How Eva Roberts gained her Education.
+        Home in the West.
+        Children of Amity Court.
+
+
+        =Crusoe Library.= An attractive series for Young and
+        Old. Six volumes. Illustrated. In neat box. Per vol.      1.50
+
+        Robinson Crusoe.
+        Arabian Nights.
+        Arctic Crusoe.
+        Young Crusoe.
+        Prairie Crusoe.
+        Willis the Pilot.
+
+
+        =Dick and Daisy Series.= By Miss Adelaide F. Samuels.
+        Four volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.                         50
+
+        Adrift in the World; or, Dick and Daisy's Early Days.
+        Fighting the Battle; or, Dick and Daisy's City Life.
+        Saved from the Street; or, Dick and Daisy's Protégés.
+        Grandfather Milly's Luck; or, Dick and Daisy's Reward.
+
+
+        =Dick Travers Abroad Series.= By Miss Adelaide F.
+        Samuels. Four volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.                50
+
+        Little Cricket; or, Dick Travers in London.
+        Palm Land; or, Dick Travers in the Chagos Islands.
+        The Lost Tar; or, Dick Travers in Africa.
+        On the Wave; or, Dick Travers aboard the Happy Jack.
+        The Turning of the Tide; or, Radcliffe Rich and his Patients.
+        Winning his Spurs; or, Henry Morton's First Trial.
+
+
+        =Girlhood Series, The.= Comprising six volumes, 12mo.
+        Illustrated.                                              1.50
+
+        An American Girl Abroad. By Miss Adeline Trafton.
+        The Doctor's Daughter. By Sophie May.
+        Sallie Williams, The Mountain Girl. By Mrs. E. D. Cheney.
+        Only Girls. By Virginia F. Townsend.
+        Lottie Eames; or, Do Your Best, and Leave the Rest.
+        Rhoda Thornton's Girlhood. By Mrs. Mary E. Pratt.
+
+
+BY J. T. TROWBRIDGE.
+
+        =His Own Master.= 16mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+          (In press.)                                             1.25
+
+        =Bound in Honor;= or, Boys will be Boys. 16mo. Cloth.
+        Illustrated.                                              1.25
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+MISCELLANEOUS.
+
+        =Alden Series.= By Joseph Alden, D.D. 4 vols. Illustrated.
+        Per vol.                                                    50
+
+        The Cardinal Flower.
+        The Lost Lamb.
+        Henry Ashton.
+        The Light-hearted Girl.
+
+
+        =Baby Ballad Series.= (In press.) Three volumes. Illustrated.
+        4to. Per vol.                                            1.00
+
+        Baby Ballads. By Uno.
+        Little Songs. By Mrs. Follen.
+        New Songs for Little People. By Mrs. Anderson.
+
+
+        =Beckoning Series.= By Paul Cobden. To be completed
+        in six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.                     1.25
+
+        Who will Win?
+        Going on a Mission.
+        The Turning Wheel.
+        Good Luck.
+        Take a Peep.
+        (Another in preparation.)
+
+
+        =Blue Jacket Series.= Six vols. 12mo. Illustrated. Per
+        vol.                                                      1.50
+
+        Swiss Family Robinson.
+        Willis the Pilot.
+        The Prairie Crusoe.
+        Gulliver's Travels.
+        The Arctic Crusoe.
+        The Young Crusoe.
+
+
+        =Celesta Stories, The.= By Mrs. E. M. Berry. 16mo.
+        Illustrated. Per vol.                                     1.00
+
+        Celesta.
+        The Crook Straightened.
+        Crooked and Straight.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+Illustration, "Linconville" changed to "Lincolnville" (News from
+Lincolnville) (page 113)
+
+Page 118, "too" changed to "took" (as he took)
+
+Page 129, "arn't" changed to "aren't" (aren't you, Don)
+
+Page 184, "filled" changed to "filed" (rebuff, filed away)
+
+Page 225, (between 224-225) Illustration caption was cropped and page
+number is presumed.
+
+Page 258, "happpened" changed to "happened" (he happened to)
+
+Page 264, "hsmself" changed to "himself" (himself by his)
+
+Page 290, "indentify" changed to "identify" (can identify the one)
+
+Page 334, "well-feed" changed to "well-fed" (his well-fed lawyer)
+
+Page 336, "Manheigan" changed to "Manhegan" (on Manhegan Island)
+
+Page 338, "run" changed to "ran" (they ran up)
+
+Advertising, the prices for: Riverdale Stories, Riverdale Story Books,
+and Flora Lee Story Books were omitted in the original text.
+
+Dick and Daisy Series: "protégés" changed to "Protégés" (Dick and
+Daisy's Protégés)
+
+Yacht Club Series: "Builders" changed to "Builder" (Young Boat Builder)
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yacht Club, by Oliver Optic
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YACHT CLUB ***
+
+***** This file should be named 23351-8.txt or 23351-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/3/5/23351/
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from scans of public domain material produced by
+Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions 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.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/23351-8.zip b/23351-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0db6b8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-8.zip
diff --git a/23351-h.zip b/23351-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be5dcc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h.zip
diff --git a/23351-h/23351-h.htm b/23351-h/23351-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..464c488
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/23351-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,11565 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Yacht Club, by Oliver Optic.
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    p {margin-top: .75em;
+       text-align: justify;
+       text-indent: 1.25em;
+       margin-bottom: .75em;
+        }
+    img {border: 0;}
+    .tnote      {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em;
+                  padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;}
+    ins {text-decoration:none;  border-bottom: thin dotted gray;}
+    h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {
+         text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+         clear: both;
+         }
+    hr { width: 33%;
+	 margin-top: 2em;
+	 margin-bottom: 2em;
+         margin-left: auto;
+         margin-right: auto;
+         clear: both;
+       }
+
+    table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}
+
+    body{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+        }
+    .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;}
+    .pagenum  { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+            /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+                position: absolute;
+                left: 92%;
+                font-size: smaller;
+                text-align: right;
+              } /* page numbers */
+
+    .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;}
+
+    .bbox     {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em;
+                  padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;}
+
+    .center   {text-align: center;}
+    .smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+    .caption  {font-weight: bold;}
+
+    .figcenter   {margin: auto; text-align: center;}
+
+    .figleft     {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top:
+                 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;}
+
+    .figright    {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;
+                 margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;}
+
+    .unindent {margin-top: .75em;
+       text-align: justify;
+       margin-bottom: .75em;
+        }
+    .right    {text-align: right;}
+    .poem             {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;}
+    .u        {text-decoration: underline;}
+    .linenum  {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */
+    .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em;
+               padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em;
+               float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em;
+               font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;}
+
+    .footnotes        {border: dashed 1px;}
+    .footnote         {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;}
+.fnanchor         {vertical-align:baseline;
+        position: relative;
+        bottom: 0.33em;
+        font-size: .8em;
+        text-decoration: none;}
+
+    // -->
+    /* XML end  ]]>*/
+    </style>
+  </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yacht Club, by Oliver Optic
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+
+Title: The Yacht Club
+       or The Young Boat-Builder
+
+Author: Oliver Optic
+
+Release Date: November 6, 2007 [EBook #23351]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YACHT CLUB ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from scans of public domain material produced by
+Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Front matter">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="244" height="400" alt="Cover" title="Cover" />
+</td><td align='left'><img src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="250" height="400" alt="YACHT CLUB SERIES" title="YACHT CLUB SERIES" />
+</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="600" height="447" alt="Miss Nellie Patterdale and Don John. Frontispiece." title="Miss Nellie Patterdale and Don John. Frontispiece." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Miss Nellie Patterdale and Don John</span>. Frontispiece.</span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h3>THE YACHT CLUB SERIES.</h3>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<h1>THE YACHT CLUB;</h1>
+
+<h4>OR,</h4>
+
+<h2>THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.</h2>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>OLIVER OPTIC,</h2>
+
+<div class='center'><small>
+AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES,"<br />
+"THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE<br />
+BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES,"<br />
+"THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES,"<br />
+ETC., ETC.<br /></small>
+<br />
+<br />
+<i>WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS.</i>
+
+<br /><br /><br /><br />
+BOSTON:<br />
+LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.<br />
+NEW YORK:<br />
+LEE, SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM.<br /></div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p>
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+<div class='center'>
+<small>Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873,</small><br />
+<span class="smcap">By WILLIAM T. ADAMS</span>,<br />
+<small>In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<div class='center'>
+<small>Brown Type-Setting Machine Company.</small><br /></div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<small>TO</small><br />
+<br />
+MY YOUNG FRIEND<br />
+<br />
+<i>CHARLES H. HASTINGS</i>,<br />
+<br />
+<small>OF NEW YORK,</small><br />
+<br />
+<b>This Book is Affectionately Dedicated.</b><br /></div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+
+<h2>The Yacht Club Series.</h2>
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<div>
+1. LITTLE BOBTAIL; <span class="smcap">or, The Wreck of the Penobscot.</span><br />
+<br />
+2. THE YACHT CLUB; <span class="smcap">or, The Young Boat-builder.</span><br />
+<br />
+3. MONEY-MAKER; <span class="smcap">or, The Victory of the Basilisk.</span><br />
+<br />
+4. THE COMING WAVE; <span class="smcap">or, The Hidden Treasure of High Rock.</span><br />
+<br />
+5. THE DORCAS CLUB; <span class="smcap">or, Our Girls Afloat</span>.<br />
+<br /></div>
+<div class='center'>(The sixth in preparation.)<br /></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p>
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p>
+<h2>PREFACE.</h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">The Yacht Club</span>" is the second volume of the <span class="smcap">Yacht Club
+Series</span>, to which it gives a name; and like its predecessor, is an
+independent story. The hero has not before appeared, though
+some of the characters of "<span class="smcap">Little Bobtail</span>" take part in the
+incidents: but each volume may be read understandingly without
+any knowledge of the contents of the other. In this story,
+the interest centres in Don John, the Boat-builder, who is certainly
+a very enterprising young man, though his achievements
+have been more than paralleled in the domain of actual life.</p>
+
+<p>Like the first volume of the series, the incidents of the story
+transpire on the waters of the beautiful Penobscot Bay, and on
+its shores. They include several yacht races, which must be
+more interesting to those who are engaged in the exciting sport
+of yachting, than to others. But the principal incidents are distinct
+from the aquatic narrative; and those who are not interested
+in boats and boating will find that Don John and Nellie
+Patterdale do not spend all their time on the water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The hero is a young man of high aims and noble purposes:
+and the writer believes that it is unpardonable to awaken the
+interest and sympathy of his readers for any other than high-minded
+and well-meaning characters. But he is not faultless;
+he makes some grave mistakes, even while he has high aims.
+The most important lesson in morals to be derived from his
+experience is that it is unwise and dangerous for young people
+to conceal their actions from their parents and friends; and that
+men and women who seek concealment "choose darkness because
+their deeds are evil."</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="smcap">Harrison Square, Boston</span>,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 11.5em;">May 22, 1873.</span><br /></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p>
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='center'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER I.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Don John of Belfast, and Friends</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER II.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">About the Tin Box</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER III.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Yacht Club at Turtle Head</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IV.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Sad Event in the Ramsay Family</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER V.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Captain Shivernock</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VI.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span><span class="smcap">Donald gets the Job</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VII.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Laying down the Keel</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VIII.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The First Regatta</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IX.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Skylark and the Sea Foam</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER X.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Launch of the Maud</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XI.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The White Cross of Denmark</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XII.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Donald answers Questions</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIII.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Moonlight on the Juno</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_226">226</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIV.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Captain Shivernock's Joke</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XV.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span><span class="smcap">Laud Cavendish takes Care of Himself</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_264">264</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVI.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Saturday Cove</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_283">283</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVII.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Great Race</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_302">302</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVIII.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Hasbrook Outrage, and other Matters</span>.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_320">320</a></td></tr>
+</table></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p>
+<h2>THE YACHT CLUB;</h2>
+
+<h3>OR,</h3>
+
+<h3>THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.</h3>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3>DON JOHN OF BELFAST, AND FRIENDS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Why, Don John, how you frightened
+me!" exclaimed Miss Nellie Patterdale,
+as she sprang up from her reclining position
+in a lolling-chair.</p>
+
+<p>It was an intensely warm day near the close
+of June, and the young lady had chosen the
+coolest and shadiest place she could find on the
+piazza of her father's elegant mansion in Belfast.
+She was as pretty as she was bright and vivacious,
+and was a general favorite among the
+pupils of the High School, which she attended.
+She was deeply absorbed in the reading of a
+story in one of the July magazines, which had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+just come from the post-office, when she heard
+a step near her. The sound startled her, it
+was so near; and, looking up, she discovered
+the young man whom she had spoken to close
+beside her. He was not Don John of Austria,
+but Donald John Ramsay of Belfast, who had
+been addressed by his companions simply as
+Don, a natural abbreviation of his first name,
+until he of Austria happened to be mentioned
+in the history recitation in school, when the
+whole class looked at Don, and smiled; some of
+the girls even giggled, and got a check for it;
+but the republican young gentleman became a
+titular Spanish hidalgo from that moment.
+Though he was the son of a boat-builder, by
+trade a ship carpenter, he was a good-looking,
+and gentlemanly fellow, and was treated with
+kindness and consideration by most of the sons
+and daughters of the wealthy men of Belfast,
+who attended the High School. It was hardly
+a secret that Don John regarded Miss Nellie
+with especial admiration, or that, while he was
+polite to all the young ladies, he was particularly
+so to her. It is a fact, too, that he blushed when
+she turned her startled gaze upon him on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+piazza; and it is just as true that Miss Nellie
+colored deeply, though it may have been only
+the natural consequence of her surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon, Nellie; I did not mean
+to frighten you," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't suppose you did, Don John; but you
+startled me just as much as though you had
+meant it," added she, with a pleasant smile, so
+forgiving that the young man had no fear of the
+consequences. "How terribly hot it is! I am
+almost melted."</p>
+
+<p>"It is very warm," answered Donald, who,
+somehow or other, found it very difficult to carry
+on a conversation with Nellie; and his eyes seemed
+to him to be twice as serviceable as his tongue.</p>
+
+<p>"It is dreadful warm."</p>
+
+<p>And so they went on repeating the same thing
+over and over again, till there was no other known
+form of expression for warm weather.</p>
+
+<p>"How in the world did you get to the side of
+my chair without my hearing you?" demanded
+Nellie, when it was evidently impossible to say
+anything more about the heat.</p>
+
+<p>"I came up the front steps, and was walking
+around on the piazza to your father's library. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+didn't see you till you spoke," replied Donald,
+reminded by this explanation that he had come
+to Captain Patterdale's house for a purpose. "Is
+Ned at home?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; he has gone up to Searsport to stay
+over Sunday with uncle Henry."</p>
+
+<p>"Has he? I'm sorry. Is your father at home?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is in his library, and there is some one
+with him. Won't you sit down, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," added Donald, seating himself
+in a rustic chair. "It is very warm this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>Nellie actually laughed, for she was conscious
+of the difficulties of the situation&mdash;more so than
+her visitor. But we must do our hero&mdash;for such
+he is&mdash;the justice to say, that he did not refer to
+the exhausted topic with the intention of confining
+the conversation to it, but to introduce the
+business which had called him to the house.</p>
+
+<p>"It is intensely hot, Don John," laughed
+Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"But I was going to ask you if you would
+not like to take a sail," said Donald, with a
+blush. "With your father, I mean," added he,
+with a deeper blush, as he realized that he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+actually asked a girl to go out in a boat with
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"I should be delighted to go, but I can't.
+Mother won't let me go on the water when the sun
+is out, it hurts my eyes so," answered Nellie;
+and the young man was sure she was very sorry
+she could not go.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps we can go after sunset, then," suggested
+Donald. "I am sorry Ned is not at home;
+for his yacht is finished, and father says the paint
+is dry enough to use her. We are going to have
+a little trial trip in her over to Turtle Head,
+and, perhaps, round by Searsport."</p>
+
+<p>"Is the Sea Foam really done?" asked Nellie,
+her eyes sparkling with delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she is all ready, and father will deliver
+her to Ned on Monday, if everything works right
+about her. I thought some of your folks, especially
+Ned, would like to be in her on the first
+trip."</p>
+
+<p>"I should, for one; but I suppose it is no use
+for me to think of it. My eyes are ever so much
+better, and I hope I shall be able to sail in the
+Sea Foam soon."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, too. We expect she will beat the
+Skylark; father thinks she will."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I don't care whether she does or not," laughed
+Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I could see your father just a
+moment?" asked Donald. "I only want to know
+whether or not he will go with us."</p>
+
+<p>"I think so; I will go and speak to him. Come
+in, Don John," replied Nellie, rising from her
+lolling-chair, and walking around the corner of
+the house to the front door.</p>
+
+<p>Donald followed her. The elegant mansion was
+located on a corner lot, with a broad hall through
+the centre of it, on one side of which was the
+large drawing-room, and on the other the sitting
+and dining-rooms. At the end of the great hall
+was a door opening into the library, a large apartment,
+which occupied the whole of a one-story
+addition to the original structure. It had also an
+independent outside door, which opened upon the
+piazza; and opposite to it was a flight of steps,
+down to the gravel walk terminating at a gate
+on the cross street. People who came to see
+Captain Patterdale on business could enter at this
+gate, and go to the library without passing
+through the house. On the present occasion,
+a horse and wagon stood at the gate, which indi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>cated
+to Miss Nellie that her father was engaged.
+This team had stood there for an hour, and
+Donald had watched it for half that time, waiting
+for the owner to leave, though he was not at all
+anxious to terminate the interview with his fair
+schoolmate.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie knocked at the library door, and her father
+told her to come in. She passed in, while Donald
+waited the pleasure of the rich man in the hall.</p>
+
+<p>He was invited to enter. Captain Patterdale
+was evidently bored by his visitor, and gave the
+young man a cordial greeting. Donald stated his
+business very briefly; but the captain did not say
+whether he would or would not go upon the trial
+trip of the Sea Foam. He asked a hundred questions
+about the new yacht, and it was plain that
+he did not care to resume the conversation with
+his visitor, who walked nervously about the room,
+apparently vexed at the interruption, and dissatisfied
+thus far with the result of his interview
+with the captain.</p>
+
+<p>What would have appeared to be true to an observer
+was actually so. The visitor was one Jacob
+Hasbrook, from a neighboring town, and his reputation
+for honesty and fair dealings was not the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+best in the world. Captain Patterdale held his
+note, without security, for thirteen hundred and
+fifty dollars. Hasbrook had property, but his
+creditors were never sure of him till they were
+paid. At the present interview he had astonished
+Captain Patterdale by paying the note in full,
+with interest, on the day it became due. But it
+was soon clear enough to the rich man that the
+payment was only a "blind" to induce him to
+embark in a doubtful speculation with Hasbrook.
+The nature and immense profits of the enterprise
+had been eloquently set forth by the
+visitor, and his own capacity to manage it enlarged
+upon; but the nabob, who had made his
+fortune by hard work, was utterly wanting in enthusiasm.
+He had received the money in payment
+of his note, which he had expected to lose,
+or to obtain only after resorting to legal measures,
+and he was fully determined to have nothing more
+to do with the man. He had said all this as
+mildly as he could; but Hasbrook was persistent,
+and probably felt that in paying an honest
+debt he had thrown away thirteen hundred and
+fifty dollars.</p>
+
+<p>He would not go, though Captain Patterdale<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>
+gave him sufficient excuse for doing so, or even
+for cutting his acquaintance. The rich man continued
+to talk with Don John, to the intense disgust
+of the speculator, who stood looking at a tin
+box, painted green, which lay on a chair. Perhaps
+he looked upon this box as the grave of his hopes;
+for it contained the money he had just paid to the
+captain&mdash;the wasted money, because the rich man
+would not embark with him in his brilliant enterprise,
+though he had taken so much pains, and
+parted with so much money, to prove that he was
+an honest man. He appeared to be interested in
+the box, and he looked at it all the time, with
+only an impatient glance occasionally at the nabob,
+who appeared to be trifling with his bright hopes.
+The tin chest was about nine inches each way,
+and contained the private papers and other valuables
+of the rich man, including, now, the thirteen
+hundred and fifty dollars just received.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale was president of the Twenty-first
+National Bank of Belfast, which was located
+a short distance from his house. The tin box was
+kept in the vaults of the bank; but the owner
+had taken it home to examine some documents
+at his leisure, intending to return it to the bank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+before night. As it was in the library when Mr.
+Hasbrook called, the money was deposited in it
+for safe keeping over night.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid I can't go with you, Donald," said
+Captain Patterdale, after he had asked him all the
+questions he could think of about the Sea Foam.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, sir; for Miss Nellie wanted to go,
+and I was going to ask father to wait till after
+sunset on her account," added the young man.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hasbrook began to look hopeful; for the
+last remark of the nabob indicated a possible termination
+of the conversation. Donald began his
+retreat toward the hall of the mansion, for he
+wanted to see the fair daughter again; but he had
+not reached the door before the captain called him
+back.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose your father wants some more money
+to-night," said he, feeling in his pocket for the
+key to open the tin box.</p>
+
+<p>"He didn't say anything to me about it, sir,"
+replied Donald; "I don't think he does."</p>
+
+<p>Hasbrook looked hopeless again; for Captain
+Patterdale began to calculate how much he had
+paid, and how much more he was to pay, for the
+yacht. While he was doing so, there was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+knock at the street door, and, upon being invited
+to do so, Mr. Laud Cavendish entered the library
+with a bill in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Laud Cavendish was a great man in his own
+estimation, and a great swell in the estimation
+of everybody else. He was a clerk or salesman
+in a store; but he was dressed very elegantly for
+a provincial city like Belfast, and for a "counter-jumper"
+on six or eight dollars a week. He was
+about eighteen years old, tall, and rather slender.
+His upper lip was adorned with an incipient mustache,
+which had been tenderly coaxed and colored
+for two years, without producing any prodigious
+result, though it was the pride and glory of
+the owner. Mr. Cavendish was a dreamy young
+gentleman, who believed that the Fates had made
+a bad mistake in his case, inasmuch as he was
+the son of an honest and industrious carpenter,
+instead of the son and heir of one of the nabobs
+of Belfast. He believed that he was fitted to
+adorn the highest circle in society, to shine
+among the aristocracy of the city, and it was a
+cruel shame that he should be compelled to work
+in a store, weigh out tea and sugar, carry goods
+to the elegant mansions where he ought to be ad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>mitted
+at the front, instead of the back, door,
+collect bills, and perform whatever other service
+might be required of him. The Fates had blundered
+and conspired against him; but he was not
+without hope that the daughter of some rich
+man, who might fall in love with him and his
+mustache, would redeem him from his slavery
+to an occupation he hated, and lift him up to
+the sphere where he belonged. Laud was "soaring
+after the infinite," and so he rather neglected
+the mundane and practical, and his employer did
+not consider him a very desirable clerk.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Laud Cavendish came with a bill in his
+hand, the footing of which was the sum due his
+employer for certain necessary articles just
+delivered at the kitchen door of the elegant
+mansion. Captain Patterdale opened the tin box,
+and took therefrom some twenty dollars to pay
+the bill, which Laud receipted. Mr. Hasbrook
+hoped he would go, and that Don John would go;
+and perhaps they would have gone if a rather exciting
+event had not occurred to detain them.</p>
+
+<p>"Father! father!" exclaimed Miss Nellie, rushing
+into the library.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, Nellie?" demanded her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+father, calmly; for he had long been a sea captain,
+and was used to emergencies.</p>
+
+<p>"Michael has just dropped down in a fit!"
+gasped Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"In the yard."</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale, followed by his three visitors,
+rushed through the hall, out at the front
+door, near which the unfortunate man had fallen,
+and, with the assistance of his companions, lifted
+him from the ground. Michael was the hired
+man who took care of the horses, and kept the
+grounds around the elegant mansion in order.
+He was raking the gravel walk near the piazza
+where Nellie was laboring to keep cool. As we
+have hinted before, and as Nellie and Don John
+had several times repeated, the day was intensely
+hot. The sun where the man worked was absolutely
+scorching, and the hired man had experienced
+a sun-stroke. Captain Patterdale and his
+visitors bore him to his room in the L, and Don
+John ran for the doctor, who appeared in less than
+ten minutes. The visitors all did what they
+could, Mr. Laud Cavendish behaving very well.
+Michael's wife and other friends soon arrived,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+and there was nothing more for Laud to do. He
+went down stairs, and, finding Nellie in the hall,
+he tried to comfort her; for she was very much
+concerned for poor Michael.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think he will die, Mr. Cavendish?"
+asked she, almost as much moved as though the
+poor man had been her father.</p>
+
+<p>"O, no! I think he will recover. These Irishmen
+have thick heads, and they don't die so
+easily of sun-stroke; for that's what the doctor
+says it is," replied Laud, knowingly.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie thought, if this was a true view of <i>coup de
+soleil</i>, Laud would never die of it. She thought
+this; but she was not so impolite as to say it. She
+asked him no more questions; for she saw Don
+John approaching through the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p>"Good afternoon, Miss Patterdale," said Laud,
+with a bow and a flourish, as he retired towards
+the library, where he had left his hat.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments more, the rattle of the
+wagon, with which he delivered goods to the
+customers, was heard as he drove off. Don John
+came into the hall, and Nellie asked him ever so
+many questions about the condition of Michael,
+and what the doctor said about him; all of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+which the young man answered to the best of his
+ability.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think he will die, Don John?" she
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I can't tell," replied Donald; "I
+hope not."</p>
+
+<p>"Michael is real good, and I am so sorry for
+him!" added Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>But Michael is hardly a personage in our story,
+and we do not purpose to enter into the diagnosis
+of his case. He has our sympathies on the merit
+of his sufferings alone, and quite as much for Nellie's
+sake; for it was tender, and gentle, and kind
+in her to feel so much for a poor Irish laborer.
+While she and Donald were talking about the
+case, Mr. Hasbrook came down stairs, and passed
+through the hall into the library, where he, also,
+had left his hat. In a few moments more the rattle
+of his wagon was heard, as he drove off, indignant
+and disgusted at the indifference of the nabob
+in refusing to take an interest in his brilliant enterprise.
+He was angry with himself for having
+paid his note before he had enlisted the payee in
+his cause.</p>
+
+<p>"How is he, father?" asked Nellie, as Captain
+Patterdale entered the hall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The doctor thinks he sees some favorable
+symptoms."</p>
+
+<p>"Will he die?"</p>
+
+<p>"The doctor thinks he will get over it. But
+he wants some ice, and I must get it for him."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you will not go in the Sea Foam
+now?" asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"No; it is impossible," replied the captain,
+as he passed into the dining-room to the refrigerator.</p>
+
+<p>The father was like the daughter; and though
+he was a <i>millionnaire</i>, or a <i>demi-millionnaire</i>&mdash;we
+don't know which, for we were never allowed
+to look over his taxable valuation&mdash;though he was
+a nabob, he took right hold, and worked with
+his own hands for the comfort and the recovery
+of the sufferer. It was creditable to his heart that
+he did so, and we never grudge such a man his
+"pile," especially when he has earned it by his
+own labor, or made it in honorable, legitimate
+business. The captain went up stairs again with
+a large dish of ice, to assist the doctor in the
+treatment of his patient.</p>
+
+<p>Donald staid in the hall, talking with Miss Nellie,
+as long as he thought it proper to do so, though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>
+not as long as he desired, and then entered the
+library where he, also, had left his hat. Perhaps
+it was a singular coincidence that all three of the
+visitors had left their hats in that room; but then
+it was not proper for them to sit with their hats
+on in the presence of such a magnate as Captain
+Patterdale, and no decent man would stop for a
+hat when a person had fallen in a fit.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale's hat was still there; and,
+unluckily, there was something else belonging to
+him which was not there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3>ABOUT THE TIN BOX.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale worked with the
+doctor for a full hour upon poor Michael,
+who at the end of that time opened his eyes, and
+soon declared that he was "betther entirely."
+He insisted upon getting up, for it was not "the
+likes of himself that was to lay there and have
+his honor workin' over him." But the doctor
+and the nabob pacified him, and left him, much
+improved, in the care of his wife.</p>
+
+<p>"How is he, Dr. Wadman?" asked the sympathizing
+Nellie, as they came down stairs together.</p>
+
+<p>"He is decidedly better," replied the physician.</p>
+
+<p>"Will he die?"</p>
+
+<p>"O, no; I think not. His case looks very
+hopeful now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thought folks always died with sun-stroke,"
+said Nellie, more cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>"No; not unless their heads are very soft,"
+laughed the doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I shouldn't think Laud Cavendish would
+dare to go out when the sun shines," added the
+fair girl, with a snap of her bright eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't quite safe for him to do so. Unfortunately,
+such people don't know their own heads.
+I will come in again after tea," said the doctor,
+as he went out of the house, at the front door;
+for he had not left his hat in the library.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad Michael is better!" continued
+Nellie. "When I saw him drop, I felt as cold
+as ice, and I was afraid I should drop too before
+I could get to the library."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see him fall, Nellie?" asked her
+father.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; he gave a kind of groan, and then fell;
+he was&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious!" exclaimed Captain Patterdale, interrupting
+her all of a sudden.</p>
+
+<p>He turned on his heel, and walked rapidly into
+the library. Nellie was startled, and was troubled
+with a suspicion that her father had a <i>coup<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>
+de soleil</i>, or <i>coup de</i> something-else; for he did not
+often do anything by fits and starts. She followed
+him into the library. It was a fact that
+the captain had left his hat there; but it was not
+for this article, so necessary in a hot day, that
+he hastened thus abruptly into the room. Nellie
+found him flying around the apartment in a high
+state of excitement for him. He was looking
+anxiously about, and seemed to be very much
+disturbed.</p>
+
+<p>"What in the world is the matter, father?"
+asked Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"She has gone over to Mrs. Rodman's."</p>
+
+<p>"Hasn't she been back?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, certainly not; I was just going over to
+tell her what had happened to Michael, when you
+came down."</p>
+
+<p>"Who has been in here, Nellie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know that anybody has. I haven't
+seen any one. What's the matter, father? what
+in the world has happened?"</p>
+
+<p>"I left my tin box here when I went out to
+see to Michael, and now it is gone," answered
+Captain Patterdale, anxiously. "I didn't know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+but that your mother had come in and taken care
+of it."</p>
+
+<p>"The tin box gone?" exclaimed Nellie.
+"Why, what can have become of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is just what I should like to know,"
+added the captain, as he renewed his search in
+the room for the treasure chest.</p>
+
+<p>It was not in the library, and then he looked
+in the great hall and in the little hall, in the
+drawing-room, the sitting-room, and the dining-room;
+but it was not in any of these. He knew
+he had left it on the chair near where he was sitting
+when he went out of the room. Then he
+examined the spring-lock on the door of the
+library which led into the side street. It was
+closed and securely fastened. The door shut itself
+with a patent invention, and when shut it
+locked itself, so that anybody could get out, but
+no one could get in unless admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"Where were you when I was up stairs, Nellie?"
+asked Captain Patterdale, as he seated
+himself in his arm-chair, to take a cool view of
+the whole subject.</p>
+
+<p>"I was in the hall most of the time," she replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Who has been in the library?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let me see; Laud Cavendish came down
+first, and went out through the library."</p>
+
+<p>The captain rubbed his bald head, and seemed
+to be asking himself whether it was possible for
+Mr. Laud Cavendish to do so wicked a deed as
+stealing that tin box. He did not believe the
+young swell had the baseness or the daring to
+commit so great a crime. It might be, but he
+could not think so.</p>
+
+<p>"Who else has been in here?" he inquired,
+when he had hastily considered all he knew about
+the moral character of Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"That other man who was with you&mdash;I don't
+know his name&mdash;the one that was here when I
+came in with Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Hasbrook."</p>
+
+<p>"He went out through the library. I thought
+he looked real ugly too," added Nellie. "He
+kept fidgeting about all the time I was here."</p>
+
+<p>"And all the time he was here himself. He
+went out through the library&mdash;did he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale mentally overhauled the
+character of Mr. Hasbrook. It was unfortunate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+for his late debtor that his character was not first
+class, and between him and Laud Cavendish the
+probabilities were altogether against Hasbrook.
+He had evidently been vexed and angry because
+he failed to carry his point, and his cupidity
+might have been stimulated by revenge. But the
+captain was a fair and just man, and in a matter of
+this kind, involving the reputation of any person,
+he kept his suspicions to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Who else has been in the library, Nellie?"
+he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No one but Don John," replied she. And
+whatever Laud or Hasbrook might have done in
+wickedness, Nellie had too much regard for her
+friend and schoolmate to admit for one instant the
+possibility of his doing anything wrong, much less
+his committing so gross a crime as the stealing
+of the tin box and its valuable contents.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale was hardly less confident of
+the integrity of Donald. Certainly it was not
+necessary to suspect him when the possibilities of
+guilt included two such persons as Laud and Hasbrook.
+Donald was rather distinguished, in school
+and out, as a good boy, and he ought to have the
+full benefit of his reputation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You don't think Don John took the box&mdash;do
+you, father?" asked Nellie, as her father was meditating
+on the circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not, Nellie," protested the captain,
+warmly; "I don't know that anybody has taken
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"I know Don John would not do such a
+thing."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe he would."</p>
+
+<p>"I know he would not."</p>
+
+<p>Her father thought she was just a little more
+earnest in her uncalled-for defence of the young
+man than was necessary, and for the first time in
+his life it occurred to him that she was more interested
+in him than he wished her to be; for,
+as Donald was only the son of a poor boat-builder,
+such a strong friendship might be embarrassing
+in the future. However, this was only the shadow
+of a passing thought, which divided his attention
+only for a moment. The loss of the tin box was
+the question of the hour, and "society" topics
+were not just then in order.</p>
+
+<p>"I have no idea that Don John took the box,"
+replied Captain Patterdale. "I am more willing
+to believe either of the other two who were in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+library took it than that he did. But he was the
+last of the three who went out through this room.
+He may be able to give me some information, and
+I will go down and see him. He and his father
+were going off in the new yacht&mdash;were they not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"You need not say a word about the box to
+any one, Nellie, nor even that it is lost," added
+the captain. "If I do not find it, I shall employ a
+skilful detective to look it up, and he may prefer
+to work in the dark."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not mention it, father," replied Nellie.
+"What was in the box? Was it money?"</p>
+
+<p>"I put thirteen hundred and fifty dollars into
+it, but I took out twenty to pay the bill that Laud
+brought. It contains my deeds, leases, policies
+of insurance, and my notes, and these papers
+are really more valuable to me than the money.
+Luckily, my bonds and securities are in another
+box, in the vault of the bank."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you will lose over thirteen hundred
+dollars if you don't find the box?"</p>
+
+<p>"More than that, I am afraid, for I shall
+hardly be able to collect all the money due on the
+notes if I lose them," replied the captain, as he
+left the house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He walked down to the boat shop of Mr. Ramsay.
+It was on the shore, and near it was the
+house in which the boat-builder lived. Neither
+Don John nor his father was at the shop, but a
+sloop yacht, half a mile out in the bay, seemed to
+be the Sea Foam. She was headed towards the
+shore, however, and Captain Patterdale seated
+himself in the shade of the shop to await its
+arrival, though he hardly expected to obtain any
+information in regard to the box from Donald.
+While he was sitting there, Mr. Laud Cavendish
+appeared with a large basket in his hand. The
+counter-jumper started when he turned the corner
+of the shop, and saw the nabob seated there.</p>
+
+<p>"Going a-fishing?" asked the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I'm going over to Turtle Head to
+camp out over Sunday," replied Laud. "How is
+Michael, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is much better, and is doing very well."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad of it," added Laud, as he carried
+his basket down to a sail-boat which was partly
+aground, and deposited it in the forward cuddy.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale wanted to talk with Laud,
+but he did not like to excite any suspicions on his
+part. If the young man had taken the box he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+would not be likely to go off on an island to stay
+over Sunday. Besides, it was evident from the
+position of the boat, and the fact that it contained
+several articles necessary for a fishing excursion,
+in addition to those in the basket, that
+Laud had made his arrangements for the trip before
+he visited the library of the elegant mansion.
+If he had taken the box, he would probably have
+changed his plans. It was not likely, therefore,
+that Laud was the guilty party.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going alone?" asked the captain,
+walking down the beach to the boat.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I couldn't get any one to go with
+me. I tried Don John, but he won't go off to stay
+over Sunday," replied Laud, with a sickly grin.</p>
+
+<p>"I commend his example to you. I don't
+think it is a good way to spend Sunday."</p>
+
+<p>"It's the only time I can get to go. I've been
+trying to got off for a month."</p>
+
+<p>"Saturday must be a bad time for you to
+leave," suggested the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"It is rather bad," added Laud, as he shoved
+off the bow of the boat, for he seemed to be in
+haste to get away.</p>
+
+<p>"By the way, Laud, did you notice a tin box<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>
+in my library when you were there this afternoon?"
+asked the nabob, with as much indifference
+in his manner and tone as he could command.</p>
+
+<p>"A tin box?" repeated Laud, busying himself
+with the jib of the sail-boat.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; it was painted green."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't remember any box," answered Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you see it? I opened it to take out
+the money I paid you."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't mind. I was receipting the bill
+while you were getting the money ready. You
+know I sat down at your desk."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I know you did; but didn't you see the
+box?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I don't remember seeing any box,"
+said Laud, still fussing over the sail, which certainly
+did not need any attention.</p>
+
+<p>"You went out through the library when you
+came down from Michael's room&mdash;didn't you?"
+continued the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I did. I left my hat in there."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see the box then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I didn't. If I had, I should have
+remembered it," replied Laud, with a grin. "I
+just grabbed my hat, and ran, for I had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+in the house some time; and I got a blessing for
+being away so long when I went back to the
+store."</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't see the box, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"If it was there, I suppose I saw it; but I
+didn't take any notice of it. Why? is the box
+lost?"</p>
+
+<p>"I want to get another like it. Haven't you
+anything of the sort in the store?"</p>
+
+<p>"We have some cake and spice boxes. They
+are tin, and painted on the outside."</p>
+
+<p>"Those will not answer the purpose. It's a
+very hot day," added the captain, as he wiped
+the perspiration from his face, and walked back
+to the shade of the shop.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Laud Cavendish stepped into the sail-boat,
+hoisted the sails, and shoved her off into deep
+water with an oar. Captain Patterdale thought,
+and then he did not know what to think. Was
+it possible Laud had not noticed that tin box,
+which had been on a chair out in the middle of
+the room? If he had not, why, then he had not;
+but if he had Laud had more cunning, more self-control,
+and more ingenuity than the captain had
+ever given him the credit, or the discredit, of pos<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>sessing,
+for there was certainly no sign of guilt in
+his tone or his manner, except that he did not look
+the inquirer square in the face when he answered
+his questions, though some guilty people can even
+do this without wincing.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale watched the departing and
+the approaching boats, still considering the possible
+relation of Laud Cavendish to the tin box.
+If the fellow had stolen it, he would not go off
+on an island to stay over Sunday, leaving the box
+behind to betray him; and this argument seemed
+to be conclusive in his favor. The captain had
+looked into the boat, and satisfied himself that
+the box was not there; unless it was in the basket,
+which appeared to contain so many other
+things that there was no room for it. On the
+whole, the captain was willing to acquit Mr.
+Laud Cavendish of the act, partly, perhaps, because
+this had been his first view of the matter.
+It was more probable that Hasbrook, angry and
+disappointed at his failure, had put the box into
+his wagon, and returned to the neighboring town,
+where, as before stated, his reputation was not
+first class, though, perhaps, not many people believed
+him capable of stealing outright, without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+the formality of getting up a mining company,
+or making a trade of some sort. But Donald had
+been the last of the trio of visitors who passed
+through the library, and the captain wanted to
+see him.</p>
+
+<p>The Sea Foam, with snowy sails just from the
+loft, and glittering in her freshly-laid coat of
+white paint, ran up to a wharf just below the boat
+shop. Donald was at the helm, and he threw
+her up into the wind just before she came to the
+pier, so that when she forged ahead, with her sails
+shaking in the wind, her head came up within
+a few inches of the landing-place. Mr. Ramsay
+fended her off, and went ashore with a line in
+his hand, which he made fast to a ring. Captain
+Patterdale walked around to the wharf, as soon as
+he saw where she was to make a landing.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, how do you like her, Sam?" said Donald
+to a young man of his own age in the standing-room
+with him.</p>
+
+<p>"First rate; and I hope your father will go to
+work on mine at once," replied the passenger.</p>
+
+<p>"You will lay down the keel on Monday&mdash;won't
+you, father?"</p>
+
+<p>"What?" asked Mr. Ramsay, who had seated
+himself on a log on the wharf.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You will lay down the keel of the boat for
+Mr. Rodman on Monday&mdash;won't you?" repeated
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if I am able; I don't feel very well to-day."
+And the boat-builder doubled himself up,
+as though he was in great pain.</p>
+
+<p>The young man in the standing-room of the
+Sea Foam was Samuel Rodman, a schoolmate of
+Donald, whose father was a wealthy man, and
+had ordered another boat like the Skylark, which
+had been the model for the new yacht. He had
+come down to see the craft, and had been invited
+to take a sail in her; but an engagement
+had prevented him from going as far as Turtle
+Head, and the boat-builder and his son had returned
+to land him, intending still to make the
+trip. By this time Captain Patterdale had reached
+the end of the wharf. He went on board of the
+Sea Foam, and looked her over with a critical
+eye, and was entirely satisfied with her. He was
+invited to sail in her for as short a time as he
+chose, but he declined.</p>
+
+<p>"By the way, Donald, did you see the green
+tin box when you were in my library this afternoon?"
+he asked, when all the topics relating to
+the yacht had been disposed of.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I saw you take some money from
+it," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you remember the box?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you notice it when you came out&mdash;I mean,
+when you left the house?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't remember seeing it when I came out,"
+answered Donald, wondering what these questions
+meant.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to get another box just like that one.
+Did you take particular notice of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I can't say I did."</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't stay any time in the library after
+you came down from Michael's room, did you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I only went for my hat, and didn't
+stay there a minute."</p>
+
+<p>"And you didn't notice the tin box?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I didn't see it at all when I came
+out."</p>
+
+<p>"Then of course you didn't see any marks upon
+it," added the captain, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"If I didn't see the box, I shouldn't have
+been likely to see the marks," laughed Donald.
+"What marks were they, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's of no consequence, if you didn't see them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+The box was in the library&mdash;wasn't it?&mdash;when you
+went out."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know whether it was or not. I only
+know that I don't remember noticing it," said
+Donald, who thought the captain's question was
+a very queer one, after those he had just answered.</p>
+
+<p>The nabob was no better satisfied with Donald's
+answers than he had been with those of Laud
+Cavendish, except that the former looked him full
+in the face when he spoke. He obtained no
+information, and went home to seek it at other
+sources.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I won't go out again, Donald," said
+Mr. Ramsay, when Captain Patterdale had left. "I
+don't feel very well, and you may go alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you feel very sick, father?" asked the son,
+in tones of sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>"No; but I think I will go into the house and
+take some medicine. You can run over to Turtle
+Head alone," added the boat-builder, as he walked
+towards the house.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you go any how, Sam?" said Donald,
+turning to his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I must go home now. I have to drive over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>
+to Searsport after my sister," replied Sam, as he
+left the yacht, and walked up the wharf.</p>
+
+<p>Donald hoisted the jib of the Sea Foam, shoved
+off her head, and laid her course, with the wind
+over the quarter, for Turtle Head&mdash;distant about
+seven miles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>THE YACHT CLUB AT TURTLE HEAD.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The Sea Foam was a sloop yacht, thirty feet in
+length, and as handsome as a picture in an
+illustrated paper, than which nothing could be
+finer. It was a fact that she had cost twelve hundred
+dollars; but even this sum was cheaper than
+she could have been built and fitted up in Boston
+or Bristol. She was provided with everything
+required by a first class yacht of her size, both for
+the comfort and safety of the voyager, as well
+as for fast sailing. Though Mr. Ramsay, her
+builder, was a ship carpenter, he was a very intelligent
+and well-read man. He had made yachts a
+specialty, and devoted a great deal of study to
+the subject. He had examined the fastest craft in
+New York and Newport, and had their lines in his
+head. And he was a very ingenious man, so that
+he had the tact to make the most of small spaces,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+and to economize every spare inch in lockers,
+closets, and stow-holes for the numerous articles
+required in a pleasure craft. He had learned his
+trade as a ship carpenter and joiner in Scotland,
+where the mechanic's education is much more
+thorough than in our own country, and he was an
+excellent workman.</p>
+
+<p>The cabin of the Sea Foam was about twelve
+feet long, with transoms on each side, which were
+used both as berths and sofas. They were supplied
+with cushions covered with Brussels carpet,
+with a pillow of the same material at each end.
+Through the middle, fore and aft, was the centre-board
+casing, on each side of which was a table
+on hinges, so that it could be dropped down
+when not in use. The only possible objection to
+this cabin, in the mind of a shoreman, would have
+been its lack of height. It was necessarily "low
+studded," being only five feet from floor to ceiling,
+which was rather trying to the perpendicularity
+of a six-footer. But it was a very comfortable
+cabin for all that, though tall men were compelled
+to be humble within its low limits.</p>
+
+<p>It was entered from the standing-room by a
+single step covered with plate brass, in which the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+name of the yacht was wrought with bright copper
+nails. On each side of the companion-way was a
+closet, one of which was for dishes, and the other
+for miscellaneous stores. The trunk, which readers
+away from boatable waters may need to be
+informed is an elevation about a foot above the
+main deck, to afford head-room in the middle of
+the cabin, had three deck lights, or ports, on
+each side. At one end of the casing of the centre-board
+was a place for the water-jar, and a rack
+for tumblers. In the middle were hooks in the
+trunk-beams for the caster and the lantern. The
+brass-covered step at the entrance was movable,
+and when it was drawn out it left an opening into
+the run under the standing-room, where a considerable
+space was available for use. In the centre
+of it was the ice-chest, a box two feet square,
+lined with zinc, which was rigged on little
+grooved wheels running on iron rods, like a
+railroad car, so that the chest could be drawn
+forward where the contents could be reached.
+On each side of this box was a water-tank, holding
+thirty gallons, which could be filled from the
+standing-room. The water was drawn by a faucet
+lower than the bottom of the tank in a recess at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
+one side of the companion-way. The tanks were
+connected by a pipe, so that the water was drawn
+from both. At the side of the step was a gauge
+to indicate the supply of fresh water on board.</p>
+
+<p>Forward of the cabin, in the bow of the yacht,
+was the cook-room, with a scuttle opening into it
+from the forecastle. The stove, a miniature affair,
+with an oven large enough to roast an eight-pound
+rib of beef, and two holes on the top, was
+in the fore peak. It was placed in a shallow pan
+filled with sand, and the wood-work was covered
+with sheet tin, to guard against fire. Behind the
+stove was a fuel-bin. On each side of the cook
+room was a shelf eighteen inches wide at the
+bulk-head and tapering forward to nothing. Under
+it were several lockers for the galley utensils
+and small stores. The room was only four feet
+high, and a tall cook in the Sea Foam would
+have found it necessary to discount himself. On
+the foremast was a seat on a hinge, which could
+be dropped down, on which the "doctor" could sit
+and do his work, roasting himself at the same
+time he roasted his beef or fried his fish. Everything
+in the cook-room and the cabin, as well as
+on deck, was neat and nice. The cabin was cov<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>ered
+with a handsome oil-cloth carpet, and the
+wood was white with zinc paint, varnished, with
+gilt moulding to ornament it. Edward Patterdale,
+who was to be the nominal owner and the
+real skipper of this beautiful craft, intended to
+have several framed pictures on the spaces between
+the deck lights, a clock in the forward end
+over the cook-room door, and brass brackets for
+the spy-glass in the companion-way.</p>
+
+<p>On deck the Sea Foam was as well appointed
+as she was below. Her bowsprit had a gentle
+downward curve, her mast was a beautiful spar,
+and her topmast was elegantly tapered and set
+up in good shape. Unlike most of the regular
+highflyer yachts, her jib and mainsail were
+not unreasonably large. Mr. Ramsay did not intend
+that it should be necessary to reef when it
+blew a twelve-knot breeze, and, like the Skylark,
+she was expected to carry all sail in anything
+short of a full gale. But she was provided with
+an abundance of "kites," including an immense
+gaff-topsail, which extended on poles far above
+the topmast head, and far beyond the peak, a
+balloon-jib, a jib-topsail, and a three-cornered
+studding-sail. The balloon-jib, or the jib-topsail,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+was bent on with snap-hooks when it was needed,
+for only one was used at the same time. These
+extra sails were to be required only in races, and
+they were kept on shore. One stout hand could
+manage her very well, though two made it easier
+work, and six were allowed in a race.</p>
+
+<p>Donald seated himself in the standing-room,
+with the tiller in his right hand. As soon as he had
+run out a little way, his attention was excited by
+discovering three other sloop yachts coming down
+the bay. In one of them he recognized the Skylark,
+and in another the Christabel, while the third
+was a stranger to him, though he had heard of the
+arrival that day of a new yacht from Newport,
+and concluded this was she. He let off his sheet,
+and ran up to meet the little fleet.</p>
+
+<p>"Sloop, ahoy!" shouted Robert Montague, from
+the Skylark, as Donald came within hailing distance.</p>
+
+<p>"On board the Skylark!" replied the skipper
+of the Sea Foam.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that you, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay."</p>
+
+<p>"What sloop is that?" demanded Robert.</p>
+
+<p>"The Sea Foam."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Where bound?"</p>
+
+<p>"Over to Turtle Head."</p>
+
+<p>"We are bound there; come with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay ay."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on a minute, Don John," shouted some
+one from the Christabel.</p>
+
+<p>Each of the yachts had a tender towing astern,
+and that from the Christabel, with five boys in it,
+immediately put off, and pulled to the Sea Foam.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you take us on board, Don John?"
+asked Gus Barker, as the tender came alongside.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly; I'm glad to have your company,"
+replied Donald, who had thrown the yacht up
+into the wind.</p>
+
+<p>Three of the party in the tender jumped upon
+the deck of the Sea Foam, and the boat returned
+to the Christabel. Each of the yachts appeared
+to have half a dozen or more on board of her, so
+that there was quite a party on the way to Turtle
+Head. The sloops filled away again, the Skylark
+and the new arrival having taken the lead, while
+the other two were delayed.</p>
+
+<p>"What sloop is that with the Skylark?" asked
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the Phantom. She got here from New<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>port
+this forenoon. Joe Guilford's father bought
+her for him. She is the twin sister of the Skylark,
+and they seem to make an even thing of it in sailing,"
+replied Gus Barker.</p>
+
+<p>"You have quite a fleet now," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and we are going to form a Yacht Club.
+We intend to have a meeting over at Turtle Head.
+Will you join, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't any boat."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I, either. All the members can't be skippers,"
+laughed Gus. "I am to be mate of the Sea
+Foam, and that's the reason I wanted to come on
+board of her."</p>
+
+<p>"And I am to be one of her crew," added
+Dick Adams.</p>
+
+<p>"And I the steward," laughed Ben Johnson.
+"I am going down into the cook-room to see
+how things look there."</p>
+
+<p>"You will join&mdash;won't you, Don?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know. I can't afford to run
+with you fellows with rich fathers."</p>
+
+<p>"O, get out! That don't make any difference,"
+puffed Gus. "The owner of the yacht has to foot
+the bills. Besides, we want you, Don John, for
+you know more about a boat than all the rest of
+the fellows put together."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, I shall be very glad to do anything I
+can to help the thing along; but there are plenty
+of fellows that can sail a boat better than I can."</p>
+
+<p>"But you know all about a boat, and they want
+you for measurer. We have the printed constitution
+of a Yacht Club, which Bob Montague got in
+Boston, and according to that the measurer is entitled
+to ten cents a foot for measuring a yacht;
+so you may make something out of your office."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to make any money out of it,"
+protested Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You can make enough to pay your dues, for
+we have to raise some money for prizes in the
+regattas; and we talk of having a club house
+over on Turtle Head," rattled Gus, whose tongue
+seemed to be hung on a pivot in his enthusiasm
+over the club. "Every fellow must be voted in,
+and pay five dollars a year for membership. We
+shall have some big times.&mdash;We are gaining on
+the Skylark, as true as you live!"</p>
+
+<p>"I think we are; but I guess Bob isn't driving
+her," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"She carries the same sail as the Sea Foam. I
+would give anything to beat her. Make her do
+her best, Don John."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I will," laughed the skipper, who had kept
+one eye on the Skylark all the time.</p>
+
+<p>He trimmed the sails a little, and began to be
+somewhat excited over the prospect of a race.
+The Christabel was three feet longer than the
+other yachts, and it was soon evident that in a
+light wind she was more than a match for them,
+for she ran ahead of the Sea Foam. Her jib and
+mainsail were much larger in proportion to her
+size than those of the other sloops, but she was
+not an able boat, not a heavy-weather craft, like
+them. The Sea Foam continued to gain on the
+Skylark, till she was abreast of her, while the
+Phantom kept about even with her. But then
+Robert Montague was busy all the time talking
+with his companions about the Yacht Club, and
+did not pay particular attention to the sailing of
+his boat. The Sea Foam began to walk ahead
+of him, and then, for the first time, it dawned
+upon him that the reputation of the Skylark was
+at stake. He had his crew of five with him, and
+he placed them in position to improve the sailing
+of his craft. He ordered one of his hands to give a
+small pull on the jib-sheet, another to let off the
+main sheet a little, and a third to haul up the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+centre-board a little more, as she was going
+free.</p>
+
+<p>The effect of this attention on the part of the
+skipper of the Skylark was to lessen the distance
+between her and the Sea Foam; they were abeam
+of each other, with the Phantom in the same line.
+The Christabel was about a cable's length ahead
+of them.</p>
+
+<p>"She's game yet," said Gus Barker, his disappointment
+evident in the tones of his voice, as
+the Skylark came up to the Sea Foam.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a new boat, and I haven't got the
+hang of her yet," Donald explained. "Haul up
+that fin a little, Dick."</p>
+
+<p>"What fin?"</p>
+
+<p>"The centre-board."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay," replied Dick, as he obeyed the order.</p>
+
+<p>"Steady! that's enough," continued Donald,
+who now narrowly watched the sailing of the
+Sea Foam, to assure himself that she did not make
+too much leeway.</p>
+
+<p>"That was what she wanted!" exclaimed Gus,
+when the yacht began to gain again, and in a few
+minutes was half a length ahead.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="600" height="448" alt="The Start. Page 51." title="The Start. Page 51." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">The Start.</span> <a href="#Page_51">Page 51</a>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"But not quite so much of it," replied Donald,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>
+when he saw that his craft was sliding off a very
+little. "Give her just three inches more fin,
+Dick."</p>
+
+<p>The centre-board was dropped this distance, and
+the tendency to make leeway thus corrected.</p>
+
+<p>"She is gaining still!" cried Gus, delighted.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much; it is a pretty even thing," added
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"No matter; we beat her, and I don't care if
+it's only half an inch in a mile."</p>
+
+<p>"But the Christabel is leading us all. She is
+sure of all the first prizes."</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it. She has to reef when there's
+a capful of wind. In a calm she will beat us, but
+when it blows we shall wax her all to pieces."</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo!" shouted Mr. Laud Cavendish, whose
+small sail-boat was overhauled about half way
+over to Turtle Head. "Is that you, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe so," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Where you going?"</p>
+
+<p>"Over to Turtle Head. Want us to give you
+a tow?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; you needn't brag about your old tub.
+She don't belong to you; and I'm going to have
+a boat that will beat that one all to splinters,"
+replied Laud.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"All right; fetch her along."</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Don John, I'm going to stop over
+Sunday on Turtle Head. Won't you stay with
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I thank you. I must go home to-night,"
+answered Donald.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Laud Cavendish knew very well that Donald
+would not spend Sunday in boating and fishing;
+and he did not ask because he wanted him.
+Besides, for more reasons than one, he did not
+desire his company. The Sea Foam ran out of
+talking distance of the sail-boat in a moment.
+Robert Montague was doing his best to keep up
+the reputation of the Skylark; but when the fleet
+came up to Turtle Head, she was more than a
+length behind. The jib was hauled down, the
+yachts came up into the wind, and the anchors
+were let go.</p>
+
+<p>"Beat you," shouted Gus Barker.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much," replied Robert. "We will try
+that over again some time."</p>
+
+<p>"We are willing," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>The mainsails were lowered, and the young
+yachtmen embarked in the tenders for the shore.
+Turtle Head is a rocky point at the northern<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+extremity of Long Island, in Penobscot Bay.
+There were a few trees near the shore, and under
+these the party purposed to hold their meeting.
+Though the weather was intensely hot on shore,
+it was comfortably cool at the Head, where the
+wind came over five or six miles of salt water
+cool from the ocean. The boys leaped ashore,
+and hauled up their boats where the rising tide
+could not float them off. There were over twenty
+of them, all members of the High School.</p>
+
+<p>"The Sea Foam sails well," said Robert Montague,
+as he walked over to the little grove with
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, indeed. This is the first time she
+has been out, and I find she works first rate,"
+replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to try it with her some day, when
+everything is right."</p>
+
+<p>"Wasn't everything right to-day?" asked Donald,
+smiling, for he was well aware that every
+boatman has a good excuse for the shortcomings
+of his craft.</p>
+
+<p>"No; my tender is twice as heavy as yours,"
+added Robert. "I must get your father to build
+me one like that of the Sea Foam."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We will try it without any tenders, which we
+don't want in a race."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I don't know but the Sea Foam
+can beat me; but I haven't seen the boat of her
+inches before that could show her stern to the
+Skylark," said Robert; and it was plain that he
+was a little nettled at the slight advantage which
+the new yacht had gained.</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to sail her when you try it, for
+I have great hopes of the Sea Foam. If my
+father has built a boat that will beat the Skylark
+in all weathers, he has done a big thing, and it
+will make business good for him."</p>
+
+<p>"For his sake I might be almost willing to be
+whipped," replied Robert, good-naturedly, as
+they halted in the grove.</p>
+
+<p>Charley Armstrong was the oldest member of
+the party, and he was to call the meeting to
+order, which he did with a brief speech, explaining
+the object of the gathering, though everybody
+present knew it perfectly well. Charles was then
+chosen chairman, and Dick Adams secretary. It
+was voted to form a club, and the secretary was
+called upon to read the constitution of the "Dorchester
+Yacht Club." The name was changed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+Belfast, and the document was adopted as the
+constitution of the Belfast Yacht Club. The second
+article declared that the officers should
+consist of a "Commodore, Vice-Commodore,
+Captain of the Fleet, Secretary, Treasurer, Measurer,
+a Board of Trustees, and a Regatta Committee;"
+and the next business was to elect them,
+which had to be done by written or printed ballots.
+As the first three officers were required to
+be owners in whole, or in part, of yachts enrolled
+in the club, there was found to be an alarming
+scarcity of yachts. The Skylark, Sea Foam,
+Phantom, and Christabel were on hand. Edward
+Patterdale and Samuel Rodman had signified
+their intention to join, though they were unable
+to be present at the first meeting. The Maud, as
+Samuel Rodman's new yacht was to be called,
+was to be built at once: she was duly enrolled,
+thus making a total of five, from whom the first
+three officers must be chosen.</p>
+
+<p>The secretary had come supplied with stationery,
+and a slip was handed to each member,
+after the constitution had been signed. A ballot
+was taken for commodore; Robert B. Montague
+had twenty votes, and Charles Armstrong one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+Robert accepted the office in a "neat little
+speech," and took the chair, which was a sharp
+rock. Edward Patterdale was elected vice-commodore,
+and Joseph Guilford captain of the fleet.
+Donald was chosen measurer, and the other
+offices filled to the satisfaction of those elected,
+if not of the others. It was then agreed to have a
+review and excursion on the following Saturday,
+to which the ladies were to be invited.</p>
+
+<p>The important business of the day was happily
+finished, and the fleet sailed for Belfast. Having
+secured the Sea Foam at her mooring, Donald
+hastened home. As he approached the cottage,
+he saw a doctor's sulky at the door, and the neighbors
+going in and out. His heart rose into his
+throat, for there was not one living beneath that
+humble roof whom he did not love better than
+himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>A SAD EVENT IN THE RAMSAY FAMILY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Donald's heart beat violently as he hastened
+towards the cottage. Before he could
+reach it, another doctor drew up at the door,
+and it was painfully certain that one of the family
+was very sick&mdash;dangerously so, or two physicians
+would not have been summoned. It might be his
+father, his mother, or his sister Barbara; and
+whichever it was, it was terrible to think of.
+His legs almost gave away under him, when he
+staggered up to the cottage. As he did so, he
+recalled the fact that his father had been ailing
+when he went away in the Sea Foam. It must be
+his father, therefore, who was now so desperately
+ill as to require the attendance of two doctors.</p>
+
+<p>The cottage was a small affair, with a pretty
+flower garden in front of it, and a whitewashed
+fence around it. But small as it was, it was not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+owned by the boat-builder, who, though not in
+debt, had hardly anything of this world's goods&mdash;possibly
+a hundred dollars in the savings' bank,
+and the furniture in the cottage. Though he was
+as prudent and thrifty as Scotchmen generally
+are, and was not beset by their "often infirmity,"
+he had not been very prosperous. The business
+of ship-building had been almost entirely suspended,
+and for several years only a few small
+vessels had been built in the city. Ramsay had
+always obtained work; but he lived well, and
+gave his daughter and his son an excellent education.</p>
+
+<p>Alexander Ramsay's specialty was the building
+of yachts and boats, and he determined to make a
+better use of his skill than selling it with his labor
+for day wages. He went into business for himself
+as a boat-builder. When he established himself,
+he had several hundred dollars, with which he
+purchased stock and tools. He had built several
+sail-boats, but the Sea Foam was the largest job
+he had obtained. Doubtless with life and health
+he would have done a good business. Donald
+had always been interested in boats, and he knew
+the name and shape of every timber and plank in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>
+the hull of a vessel, as well as every spar and
+rope. Though only sixteen, he was an excellent
+mechanic himself. His father had taken great
+pains to instruct him in the use of tools, and in
+draughting and modelling boats and larger craft.
+He not only studied the art in theory, but he
+worked with his own hands. In the parlor of the
+little cottage was a full-rigged brig, made entirely
+by him. The hull was not a log, shaped and
+dug out, but regularly constructed, with timbers
+and planking. When he finished it, only a few
+months before his introduction to the reader, he
+felt competent to build a yacht like the Sea
+Foam, without any assistance; but boys are generally
+over-confident, and possibly he overrated
+his ability.</p>
+
+<p>With his heart rising up into his throat, Donald
+walked towards the cottage. As he passed the
+whitewashed gate, one of the neighbors came out
+at the front door. She was an elderly woman,
+and she looked very sad as she glanced at the
+boy.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad you have come, Donald; but I'm
+afraid he'll never speak to you again," said she.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it my father?" gasped the poor fellow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is; and he's very sick indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"What ails him?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's more than the doctors can tell yet,"
+added the woman. "They say it's very like the
+cholera; and I suppose it's cholera-morbus. He
+has been ailing for several days, and he didn't
+take care of himself. But go in, Donald, and see
+him while you may."</p>
+
+<p>The young man entered the cottage. The doctors,
+his mother and sister, were all doing what
+they could for the sufferer, who was enduring,
+with what patience he could, the most agonizing
+pain. Donald went into the chamber where his
+father lay writhing upon the bed. The physicians
+were at work upon him; but he saw his son
+as he entered the room and held out his hand to
+him. The boy took it in his own. It was cold
+and convulsed.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad you've come, Donald," groaned he,
+uttering the words with great difficulty. "Be a
+good boy always, and take care of your mother
+and sister."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, father," sobbed Donald, pressing the
+cold hand he held.</p>
+
+<p>"I was afraid I might never see you again,"
+gasped Mr. Ramsay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"O, don't give up, my man," said Dr. Wadman.
+"You may be all right in a few hours."</p>
+
+<p>The sick man said no more. He was in too
+much pain to speak again, and Dr. Wadman sent
+Donald to the kitchen for some hot water. When
+he returned with it he was directed to go to the
+apothecary's for an ounce of chloroform, which
+the doctors were using internally and externally,
+and had exhausted their supply. Donald ran all
+the way as though the life of his father depended
+upon his speed. He was absent only a few minutes,
+but when he came back there was weeping
+and wailing in the little cottage by the sea-side.
+His father had breathed his last, even while the
+doctors were hopefully working to save him.</p>
+
+<p>"O, Donald, Donald!" cried Mrs. Ramsay, as
+she threw her arms around his neck. "Your poor
+father is gone!"</p>
+
+<p>The boy could not speak; he could not even
+weep, though his grief was not less intense than
+that of his mother and sister. They groaned, and
+sobbed, and sighed together, till kind neighbors
+led them from the chamber of death, vainly endeavoring
+to comfort them. It was hours before
+they were even tolerably calm; but they could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>
+speak of nothing, think of nothing, but him who
+was gone. The neighbors did all that it was necessary
+to do, and spent the night with the
+afflicted ones, who could not separate to seek
+their beds. The rising sun of the Sabbath found
+them still up, and still weeping&mdash;those who could
+weep. It was a long, long Sunday to them, and
+every moment of it was given to him who had
+been a devoted husband and a tender father.
+On Monday, all too soon, was the funeral; and
+all that was mortal of Alexander Ramsay was laid
+in the silent grave, never more to be looked upon
+by those who had loved him, and whom he had
+loved.</p>
+
+<p>The little cottage was like a casket robbed of
+its single jewel to those who were left. Earth
+and life seemed like a terrible blank to them.
+They could not accustom themselves to the empty
+chair at the window where he sat when his day's
+work was done; to the vacant place at the table,
+where he had always invoked the blessing of God
+on the frugal fare before them; and to the silent
+and deserted shop on the other side of the street,
+from which the noise of his hammer and the clip of
+his adze had come to them. A week wore away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>
+and nothing was done but the most necessary
+offices of the household. The neighbors came
+frequently to beguile their grief, and the minister
+made several visits, bearing to them the consolations
+of the gospel, and the tender message of a
+genuine sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>But it is not for poor people long to waste
+themselves in idle lamentations. The problem
+of the future was forced upon Mrs. Ramsay for
+solution. If they had been able only to live
+comfortably on the earnings of the dead husband,
+what should they do now when the strong arm that
+delved for them was silent in the cold embrace of
+death? They must all work now; but even then
+the poor woman could hardly see how she could
+keep her family together. Barbara was eighteen,
+but she had never done anything except to assist
+her mother, whose health was not very good,
+about the house. She was a graduate of the High
+School, and competent, so far as education was
+concerned, to teach a school if she could obtain
+a situation. Mrs. Ramsay might obtain work to
+be done at home, but it was only a pittance she
+could earn besides doing her housework. She
+wished to have Donald finish his education at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+High School, but she was afraid this was impossible.</p>
+
+<p>Donald, still mourning for his father, who had
+so constantly been his companion in the cottage
+and in the shop, that he could not reconcile himself
+to the loss, hardly thought of the future, till
+his mother spoke to him about it. He had often,
+since that bitter Saturday night, recalled the last
+words his father had ever spoken to him, in which
+he had told him to be a good boy always and take
+care of his mother and sister; but they had not
+much real significance to him till his mother
+spoke to him. Then he understood them; then
+he saw that his father was conscious of the near
+approach of death, and had given his mother and
+his sister into his keeping. Then, with the memory
+of him who was gone lingering near and dear
+in his heart, a mighty resolution was born in his
+soul, though it did not at once take a practical
+form.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry about the future, mother," said
+he, after he had listened to her rather hopeless
+statement of her views.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't worry about it, Donald, for while we
+have our health and strength, we can work and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>
+make a living. I want to keep you in school till
+the end of the year, but I&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I can't go to school any more,
+mother. I am ready to go to work," interposed
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I know you are, my boy; but I want you to
+finish your school course very much."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't thought a great deal about the matter
+yet, mother, but I think I shall be able to do
+what father told me."</p>
+
+<p>"Your father did not expect you to take care
+of us till you had grown up, I'm sure," added
+Mrs. Ramsay, who had heard the dying injunction
+of her husband to their son.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know that he did; but I shall do the
+best I can."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor father! He never thought of anything
+but us," sighed Mrs. Ramsay; and her woman's
+tears flowed freely again, so freely that there was
+no power of utterance left to her.</p>
+
+<p>Donald wept, too, as he thought of him who
+was not only his father, but his loving companion
+in study, in work, and in play. He left the
+house and walked over to the shop. For the first
+time since the sad event, he unlocked the door<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+and entered. The tears trickled down his cheeks
+as he glanced at the bench where his father had
+done his last day's work. The planes and a few
+other tools were neatly arranged upon it, and his
+apron was spread over them. On the walls were
+models of boats and yachts, and in one corner
+were the "moulds." Donald seated himself on
+the tool-chest, and looked around at every familiar
+object in the shop. He was thinking of something,
+but his thought had not yet taken definite
+form. While he was considering the present and
+the future, Samuel Rodman entered the shop.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you suppose I can get the model of the
+Sea Foam, Don John?" inquired he, after something
+had been said about the deceased boat-builder.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you can. The model and the drawings
+are all here," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"We intend to build the Maud this season, and
+I want her to be as near like the Sea Foam as possible."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is going to build her?" asked Donald,
+his interest suddenly kindled by the question.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; we haven't spoken to any one
+about it yet," replied Samuel. "There isn't any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>body
+in these parts that can build her as your
+father would."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="600" height="451" alt="Don John wants a Job. Page 73." title="Don John wants a Job. Page 73." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Don John wants a Job.</span> <a href="#Page_73">Page 73</a>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Sam, can't I do this job for you?" said
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I. You know I used to work with my
+father, and I understand his way of doing things."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I hadn't thought that you could do it;
+but I will talk with my father about it," answered
+Samuel, who appeared to have some doubts
+about the ability of his friend to do so large a
+job.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't mean to do it all myself, Sam. I will
+hire one or two first-rate ship carpenters," added
+Donald. "She shall be just like the Sea Foam,
+except a little alteration, which my father explained
+to me, in the bow and run."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think you could do the job, Don
+John?" asked Samuel, with an incredulous smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I know I could," said Donald, earnestly.
+"If I had time enough I could build her all
+alone."</p>
+
+<p>"We want her as soon as we can get her."</p>
+
+<p>"She shall be finished as quick as my father
+could have done her."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I will see my father about it to-night, Don
+John, and let you know to-morrow. I came
+down to see about the model."</p>
+
+<p>Samuel Rodman left the shop and walked down
+the beach to the sail-boat in which he had come.
+Donald was almost inspired by the idea which
+had taken possession of him. If he could only
+carry on his father's business, he could make
+money enough to support the family; and knowing
+every stick in the hull of a vessel, he felt
+competent to do so. Full of enthusiasm, he hastened
+into the cottage to unfold his brilliant
+scheme to his mother. He stated his plan to her,
+but at first she shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think you could build a yacht, Donald?"
+she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I am certain I could. Didn't you hear father
+say that my brig contained every timber and
+plank that belongs to a vessel?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and that the work was done as well as he
+could do it himself; but that does not prove that
+you can carry on the business."</p>
+
+<p>"I want one or two men, if we build the Maud,
+because it would take too long for me to do all
+the work alone."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The Maud?"</p>
+
+<p>"That was the yacht that father was to build
+next. I asked Sam Rodman to give me the job,
+and he is going to talk with his father about it
+to-night."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ramsay was rather startled at this announcement,
+which indicated that her son really
+meant business in earnest.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think he will let you do it?" she
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope he will."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure you can make anything if you
+build the yacht?"</p>
+
+<p>"Father made over three hundred dollars on
+the Sea Foam, besides his day wages."</p>
+
+<p>"That is no reason why you can do it."</p>
+
+<p>"All his models, moulds, and draughts are in
+the shop. I know where they are, and just what
+to do with them. I hope you will let me try it,
+mother."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose you don't make out?"</p>
+
+<p>"But I shall make out."</p>
+
+<p>"If Mr. Rodman refuses to accept the yacht
+after the job is done, what will you do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall have her myself then, and I can make
+lots of money taking out parties in her."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Your father was paid for the Sea Foam as the
+work progressed. He had received eight hundred
+dollars on her when she was finished."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it; and Captain Patterdale owes four
+hundred more. If you let me use some of the
+money to buy stock and pay the men till I get
+payment on the job, I shall do very well."</p>
+
+<p>"We must have something to live on. After
+I have paid the funeral expenses and other bills,
+this money that Captain Patterdale owes will be
+all I have."</p>
+
+<p>"But Mr. Rodman will pay me something on
+the job, when he is satisfied that the work will
+be done."</p>
+
+<p>The widow was not very clear about the business;
+but she concluded, at last, that if Mr.
+Rodman would give him the job, she would allow
+him to undertake it. Donald was satisfied, and
+went back to the shop. He opened his father's
+chest and took out his account book. Turning to
+a page which was headed "Sea Foam," he found
+every item of labor and expenditure charged to
+her. Every day's work, every foot of stock,
+every pound of nails, every article of brass or
+hardware, and the cost of sails and cordage,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
+were carefully entered on the account. From
+this he could learn the price of everything used
+in the construction of the yacht, for his guidance
+in the great undertaking before him. But
+he was quite familiar before with the cost of
+everything used in building a boat. On a piece
+of smooth board, he figured up the probable
+cost, and assured himself he could make a good
+job of the building of the Maud.</p>
+
+<p>The next day was Saturday&mdash;two weeks after
+the organization of the yacht club. There had
+been a grand review a week before, which Donald
+did not attend. The yachtmen had taken
+their mothers, sisters, and other friends on an
+excursion down the bay, and given them a collation
+at Turtle Head. On the Saturday in
+question, a meeting of the club at the Head had
+been called to complete the arrangements for a
+regatta, and the Committee on Regattas were to
+make their report. Donald had been requested
+to attend in order to measure the yachts. He
+did not feel much like taking part in the sports
+of the club, but he decided to perform the duty
+required of him. He expected to see Samuel
+Rodman on this occasion, and to learn the de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>cision
+of his father in regard to the building of
+the Maud.</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast he embarked in the sail-boat
+which had belonged to his father, and with a
+fresh breeze stood over to Turtle Head. He had
+dug some clams early in the morning, and told
+his mother he should bring home some fish
+which he intended to catch after the meeting of
+the club. As the boat sped on her way, he
+thought of his grand scheme to carry on his
+father's business, and everything seemed to depend
+upon Mr. Rodman's decision. He hoped
+for the best, but he trembled for the result.
+When he reached his destination, he found another
+boat at the Head, and soon discovered
+Laud Cavendish on the bluff.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo, Don John!" shouted the swell, as
+Donald stepped on shore.</p>
+
+<p>"How are you, Laud? You are out early."</p>
+
+<p>"Not very; I came ashore here to see if I
+couldn't find some clams," added Laud, as he
+held up a clam-digger he carried in his hand&mdash;a
+kind of trowel fixed in a shovel-handle.</p>
+
+<p>"You can't find any clams here," said Donald,
+wondering that even such a swell should expect
+to find them there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am going down to Camden to stay over
+Sunday, and I thought I might fish a little on the
+way."</p>
+
+<p>"You will find some farther down the shore,
+where there is a soft beach. Do you get off every
+Saturday now, Laud?"</p>
+
+<p>"Get off? Yes; I get off every day. I'm out
+of a job."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you were at Miller's store."</p>
+
+<p>"I was there; but I'm not now. Miller
+shoved me out. Do you know of any fellow
+that has a good boat to sell?"</p>
+
+<p>"What kind of a boat?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, one like the Skylark and the Sea
+Foam."</p>
+
+<p>"No; I don't know of any one around here.
+Do you want to buy one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I thought I would buy one, if I could
+get her about right. She must be cheap."</p>
+
+<p>"How cheap do you expect to buy a boat like
+the Sea Foam?" asked Donald, wondering what a
+young man out of business could be thinking
+about when he talked of buying a yacht.</p>
+
+<p>"Four or five hundred dollars."</p>
+
+<p>"The Sea Foam cost twelve hundred."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's a fancy price. The Skylark didn't
+cost but five hundred."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want to give five hundred for a
+boat?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not for myself, Don John. I was going to
+buy one for another man. I must be going
+now," added Laud, as he went down to his boat.</p>
+
+<p>Hoisting his sail, he shoved off, and stood over
+towards Searsport. Donald walked up the slope
+to the Head, from which he could see the yacht
+club fleet as soon as it sailed from the city.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3>CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Donald seated himself on a rock, with his
+gaze directed towards Belfast. His particular
+desire just then was to see Samuel Rodman,
+in order to learn whether he was to have the job of
+building the Maud. He felt able to do it, and even
+then, as he thought of the work, he had in his
+mind the symmetrical lines of the new yacht, as
+they were to be after the change in the model which
+his father had explained to him. He recalled a
+suggestion of a small increase in the size of the
+mainsail, which had occurred to him when he
+sailed the Sea Foam. His first aspiration was
+only to build a yacht; his second was to build
+one that would beat anything of her inches in the
+fleet. If he could realize this last ambition, he
+would have all the business he could do.</p>
+
+<p>The yacht fleet did not appear up the bay; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+it was only nine o'clock in the morning, and possibly
+the meeting of the club would not take
+place till afternoon. If any one had told him the
+hour, he had forgotten it, but the former meeting
+had been in the forenoon. He was too nervous
+to sit still a great while, and, rising, he walked
+about, musing upon his grand scheme. The
+place was an elevated platform of rock, a portion
+of it covered with soil to the depth of several
+feet, on which the grass grew. It was not far
+above the water even at high tide, nor were the
+bluffs very bold. The plateau was on a peninsula,
+extending to the north from the island,
+which was not unlike the head of a turtle, and
+the shape had given it a name. Donald walked
+back and forth on the headland, watching for the
+fleet.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if Laud Cavendish was digging for
+clams up here," thought he, as he observed a spot
+where the earth appeared to have been disturbed.</p>
+
+<p>The marks of Laud's clam-digger were plainly
+to be seen in the loam, a small quantity of which
+remained on the sod. Certainly the swell had
+been digging there; but it could not have been
+for clams; and Donald was trying to imagine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>
+what it was for, when he heard footsteps near
+him. Coming towards him, he discovered Captain
+Shivernock, of the city; and he had two
+problems to solve instead of one; not very important
+ones, it is true, but just such as are suggested
+to everybody at times. Perhaps it did
+not make the least difference to the young man
+whether or not he ascertained why Laud Cavendish
+had been digging on the Head, or why Captain
+Shivernock happened to be on the island,
+apparently without any boat, at that time in the
+morning. I do not think Donald would have
+given a nickel five-cent piece to have been informed
+correctly upon either point, though he did
+propose the question to himself in each case.
+Probably Laud had no particular object in view
+in digging&mdash;the ground did not look as though he
+had; and Captain Shivernock was odd enough to
+do anything, or to be anywhere, at the most unseasonable
+hours.</p>
+
+<p>"How are you, Don John?" shouted the captain,
+as he came within hailing distance of
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you do, Captain Shivernock," replied
+the young man, rather coldly, for he had no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+regard, and certainly no admiration, for the man.</p>
+
+<p>"You are just the man I wanted to see," added
+the captain.</p>
+
+<p>Donald could not reciprocate the sentiment,
+and, not being a hypocrite, he made no reply.
+The captain seemed to be somewhat fatigued and
+out of breath, and immediately seated himself on
+the flat rock which the young man had occupied.
+He was not more than five feet and a half high,
+but was tolerably stout. The top of his head was
+as bald as a winter squash; but extending around
+the back of his head from ear to ear was a heavy
+fringe of red hair. His whiskers were of the
+same color; but, as age began to bleach them out
+under the chin, he shaved this portion of his
+figure-head, while his side whiskers and mustache
+were very long. He was dressed in a complete
+suit of gray, and wore a coarse braided straw hat.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Shivernock, as I have more than once
+hinted, was an eccentric man. He had been a
+shipmaster in the earlier years of his life, and
+had made a fortune by some lucky speculations
+during the War of the Rebellion, in which he
+took counsel of his interest rather than his
+patriotism. He had a strong will, a violent tem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>per,
+and an implacable hatred to any man who had
+done him an injury, either actually or constructively.
+It was said that he was as faithful and devoted
+in his friendships as he was bitter and
+relentless in his hatreds; but no one in the city,
+where he was a very unpopular man, had any particular
+experience of the soft side of his character.
+He was a native of Lincolnville, near Belfast,
+though he had left his home in his youth. He
+had a fine house in the city, and lived in good
+style. He was said to be a widower, and had no
+children. The husband of his housekeeper was
+the man of all work about his place, and both of
+them had come with their employer from New
+York.</p>
+
+<p>He seldom did anything like other people.
+He never went to church, would never put his
+name upon a subscription paper, however worthy
+the object, though he had been known to give a
+poor man an extravagant reward for a slight service.
+He would not pay his taxes till the fangs
+of the law worried the money out of him, but
+would give fifty dollars for the first salmon or the
+first dish of peaches of the season for his table.
+He was as full of contradictions as he was of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+oddities, and no one knew how to take him. One
+moment he seemed to be hoarding his money like
+a miser, and the next scattering it with insane
+prodigality.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm tired out, Don John," added Captain
+Shivernock, as he seated himself, fanning his red
+face with his hat.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you walked far, sir?" asked Donald,
+who was well acquainted with the captain; for
+his father had worked on his boat, and he was
+often in the shop.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I have hoofed it about ten miles this
+morning," replied Captain Shivernock with an
+oath; and he had a wicked habit of ornamenting
+every sentence he used with a profane expletive,
+which I shall invariably omit.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you have walked nearly the whole
+length of the island."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to tell me I lie?" demanded the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not, sir," protested Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"My boat got aground down here. I started
+early this morning to go down to Vinal Haven;
+but I'm dished now, and can't go," continued
+Captain Shivernock, so interlarding with oaths<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>
+this simple statement that it looks like another
+thing divested of them.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get aground?" asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Down by Seal Harbor."</p>
+
+<p>"About three miles from here."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I lied to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"By no means, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Donald could not divine how the captain had
+got aground near Seal Harbor, if he was bound
+from Belfast to Vinal Haven, though it was possible
+that the wind had been more to the southward
+early in the morning, compelling him to
+beat down the bay; but it was not prudent to
+question anything the captain said.</p>
+
+<p>"I ran in shore pretty well, and took the
+ground. I tried for half an hour to get the Juno
+off, but I was soon left high and dry on the
+beach. I anchored her where she was, and I'm
+sorry now I didn't set her afire," explained the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Set her afire!" exclaimed Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I said. She shall never play
+me such a trick again," growled the strange man.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it wasn't the fault of the boat."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say it was my fault?" de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>manded
+the captain, ripping out a string of oaths
+that made Donald shiver.</p>
+
+<p>"It was an accident which might happen to any
+one."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I didn't know what I was
+about?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you did, sir; but any boat may get
+aground."</p>
+
+<p>"Not with me! if she did I'd burn her or sell
+her for old junk. I never will sail in her again
+after I get home. I know what I'm about."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you do, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Got a boat here?" suddenly demanded the
+eccentric.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I have our sail-boat."</p>
+
+<p>"Take me down to Seal Harbor in her," added
+the captain, rising from his seat.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think I can go, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you? What's the reason you can't?"
+asked the captain, with a sneer on his lips.</p>
+
+<p>"I have to meet the yacht club here."</p>
+
+<p>Captain Shivernock cursed the yacht club with
+decided unction, and insisted that Donald should
+convey him in his boat to the place where the
+Juno was at anchor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I have to measure the yachts when they
+come, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Measure&mdash;" but the place the captain suggested
+was not capable of measurement. "I'll
+pay you well for going."</p>
+
+<p>"I should not ask any pay if I could go,"
+added Donald, glancing up the bay to see if the
+fleet was under way.</p>
+
+<p>"I say I will pay you well, and you will be a
+fool if you don't go with me."</p>
+
+<p>"The yachts haven't started yet, and perhaps I
+shall have time to get back before they arrive."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care whether you get back or not; I
+want you to go."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go, sir, and run the risk," replied
+Donald, as he led the way down to the boat.</p>
+
+<p>Shoving her off, he helped the captain into her,
+and hoisted the sail.</p>
+
+<p>"What boat's that over there?" demanded
+Captain Shivernock, as he pointed at the craft
+sailed by Laud Cavendish, which was still standing
+on towards Searsport.</p>
+
+<p>Donald told him who was in her.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't go near her," said he, sternly. "I
+always want a good mile between me and that
+puppy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He is bound to Camden, and won't get there
+for a week at that rate," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't care if he don't," growled the passenger.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know that I do, either," added the
+skipper. "Laud wants to buy a boat, and perhaps
+you can sell him yours, if you are tired of
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"Shut up!"</p>
+
+<p>Donald did "shut up," and decided not to
+make any more talk with the captain, only to
+give him civil answers. Ordinarily he would as
+soon have thought of wrestling with a Bengal
+tiger as of carrying on a conversation with such a
+porcupine as his passenger, who scrupled not to
+insult man or boy without the slightest provocation.
+In a few moments the skipper tacked,
+having weathered the Head, and stood into the
+little bay west of it.</p>
+
+<p>"Don John," said Captain Shivernock, sharply,
+fixing his gaze upon the skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir?"</p>
+
+<p>The captain took his wallet from his pocket.
+It was well filled with greenbacks, from which
+he took several ten-dollar bills&mdash;five or six of
+them, at least.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I will pay you," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't ask any pay for this, sir. I am willing
+to do you a favor for nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold your tongue, you fool! A favor?"
+sneered the eccentric. "Do you think I would
+ask a little monkey like you to do me a favor?"</p>
+
+<p>"I won't call it a favor, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Better not. There! take that," and Captain
+Shivernock shoved the bills he had taken from
+his wallet into Donald's hand.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir! I can't take all that, if I do anything,"
+protested the skipper, amazed at the generosity
+of his passenger. The captain, with a
+sudden spring, grasped a short boat-hook which
+lay between the rail and the wash-board.</p>
+
+<p>"Put that money into your pocket, or I'll
+smash your head; and you won't be the first
+man I've killed, either," said the violent passenger.</p>
+
+<p>Donald did not find the money hard to take
+on its own merits, and he considerately obeyed
+the savage order. His pride, which revolted at
+the idea of being paid for a slight service rendered
+to a neighbor, was effectually conquered.
+He put the money in his pocket; but as soon as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>
+the captain laid down the boat-hook, he took it
+out to count it, and found there was fifty dollars.
+He deposited it carefully in his wallet.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean to pay me all that money for
+this little job?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I don't know what I mean?"
+snarled the passenger.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you do, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"You suppose I do!" sneered the cynic. "You
+know I do."</p>
+
+<p>"Fifty dollars is a great deal of money for
+such a little job."</p>
+
+<p>"That's none of your business. Don John,
+you've got a tongue in your head!" said Captain
+Shivernock, pointing his finger at the skipper,
+and glowering upon him as though he was
+charging him with some heinous crime.</p>
+
+<p>"I am aware of it, sir," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know what a tongue is for?" demanded
+the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"It is of great assistance to one in talking."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't equivocate, you sick monkey. Do
+you know what a tongue is for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"What's a tongue for?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"To talk with, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That's enough! I thought you would say
+so. You are an ignorant whelp."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't the tongue to talk with?"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" roared the passenger.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it for, then?" asked Donald, who
+did not know whether to be alarmed or amused
+at the manner of his violent companion.</p>
+
+<p>"It's to keep still with, you canting little
+monkey! And that's what I want you to do
+with your tongue," replied Captain Shivernock.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think I understand you, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think you do. How could you, when
+I haven't told you what I mean. Listen to me."
+The eccentric paused, and fixed his gaze earnestly
+upon the skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen me this morning?" demanded
+he.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I have."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you haven't!"</p>
+
+<p>"I really thought I had."</p>
+
+<p>"Thought's a fool, and you're another! You
+haven't seen me. If anybody in Belfast asks
+you if you have seen me, tell 'em you haven't."</p>
+
+<p>"If the tongue isn't to talk with, it isn't to
+tell a lie with," added Donald.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the captain; "you've
+got me there."</p>
+
+<p>He produced his wallet again, and took a ten-dollar
+bill from the roll it contained, which he
+tendered to Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that for?" asked the skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"Put it in your pocket, or I'll mash your
+empty skull!"</p>
+
+<p>Donald placed it with the other bills in his
+wallet, more than ever amazed at the conduct of
+his singular passenger.</p>
+
+<p>"I never allow anyone to get ahead of me
+without paying for my own stupidity. Do you
+go to Sunday School, and church, and missionary
+meetings?" asked the captain, with a sneer.</p>
+
+<p>"I do, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought so. You are a sick monkey. You
+don't let your tongue tell a lie."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I don't mean to tell a lie, if I can
+help it, and I generally can."</p>
+
+<p>"You walk in the strait and narrow way which
+leads to the meeting-house. I don't. All right!
+Broad is the way! But one thing is certain,
+Don John, you haven't seen me to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"But I have," persisted Donald.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I say you have not; don't contradict me, if
+you want to take that head of yours home with
+you. Nobody will ask whether you have seen
+me or not; so that if a lie is likely to choke
+you, keep still with your tongue."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not to say that I have seen you on the
+island?" queried Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You are not," replied the captain, with an
+echoing expletive.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"None of your business! Do as you are told,
+and spend the money I gave you for gingerbread
+and fast horses."</p>
+
+<p>"But when my mother sees this money she
+will want to know where I got it."</p>
+
+<p>"If you tell her or anybody else, I'll hammer
+your head till it isn't thicker than a piece of
+sheet-iron. Don't let her see the money. Hire
+a fast horse, and go to ride next Sunday."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't go to ride on Sunday."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose not. Give it to the missionaries
+to buy red flannel shirts for little niggers in the
+West Indies, if you like. I don't care what you
+do with it."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't wish anybody to know you have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+been on the island this morning&mdash;is that the idea,
+Captain Shivernock?" asked Donald, not a little
+alarmed at the position in which his companion
+was placing him.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the idea, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see why&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You are not to see why," interrupted the captain,
+fiercely. "That's my business, not yours.
+Will you do as I tell you?"</p>
+
+<p>"If there is any trouble&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"There isn't any trouble. Do you think I've
+killed somebody?&mdash;No. Do you think I've
+robbed somebody?&mdash;No. Do you think I've set
+somebody's house on fire?&mdash;No. Do you think
+I've stolen somebody's chickens?&mdash;No. Nothing
+of the sort. I want to know whether you can
+keep your tongue still. Let us see. There's
+the Juno."</p>
+
+<p>"Somebody will see your boat, and know that
+you have been here&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That's my business, not yours. Don't bother
+your head with what don't concern you," growled
+the passenger.</p>
+
+<p>The Juno was afloat, but she could not have
+been so many minutes, when Donald came along<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>side
+of her. It was now about half tide on the
+flood, and she must have grounded at about half
+tide on the ebb. This fact indicated that Captain
+Shivernock had left her at four o'clock in the
+morning. The owner of the Juno stepped into
+her, and Donald hoisted the sail for him. The
+boat was cat-rigged, and about twenty-four feet
+long. She was a fine craft, with a small cabin
+forward, furnished with every convenience the
+limited space would permit. The captain seated
+himself in the standing-room, and began to heap
+maledictions upon the boat.</p>
+
+<p>"I never will sail in her again," said he. "I
+will burn her, and get a centre-board boat."</p>
+
+<p>"What will you take for her, sir?" asked
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want her, Don John?" demanded the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't afford to keep her; but I will sell
+her for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Sell&mdash;" it is no matter what; but Captain Shivernock
+suddenly leaped back into Donald's boat,
+and her skipper wondered what he intended to do
+next. "She is yours, Don John!" he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"To sell for you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No! Sell her, if you like, but put the
+money in your own pocket. I will sail up in
+your boat, and you may go to Jerusalem in the
+Juno, if you like. I will never get into her
+again," added the captain, spitefully.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Captain Shivernock, you surely don't
+mean to <i>give</i> me this boat."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I don't know what I mean?"
+roared the strange man, after a long string of
+expletives. "She is yours, now; not mine. I'll
+give you a bill of sale as soon as I go ashore.
+Not another word, or I'll pound your head.
+Don't tell anybody I gave her to you, or that
+you have seen me. If you do there will be a job
+for a coffin-maker."</p>
+
+<p>The captain shoved off the boat, and laid her
+course across the bay, evidently to avoid Laud
+Cavendish, whose craft was a mile distant; for he
+had probably put in at Searsport. Donald
+weighed the anchor of the Juno, and sailed for
+Turtle Head, hardly knowing whether he was
+himself or somebody else, so amazed was he at
+the strange conduct of his late passenger. He
+could not begin to comprehend it, and he did not
+have to strain his logic very much in coming to
+the conclusion that the captain was insane.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>DONALD GETS THE JOB.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Whether Captain Shivernock was sane or
+insane, Donald Ramsay was in possession
+of the Juno. Of course he did not consider himself
+the proprietor of the craft, if he did of the sixty
+dollars he had in his pocket. She had the wind
+over her port quarter, and the boat tore through the
+water as if she intended to show her new skipper
+what she could do. But Donald paid little attention
+to the speed of the Juno, for his attention
+was wholly absorbed by the remarkable events of
+the morning. Captain Shivernock had given him
+sixty dollars in payment nominally for the slight
+service rendered him. But then, the strange
+man had given a poor laborer a hundred dollars
+for stopping his horse, when the animal leisurely
+walked towards home from the store where the
+owner had left him. Again, he had given a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+negro sailor a fifty-dollar bill for sculling him
+across the river. He had rewarded a small boy
+with a ten-dollar bill for bringing him a despatch
+from the telegraph office. When the woman
+who went to his house to do the washing was
+taken sick, and was not able to work for three
+months, he regularly called at her rooms every
+Monday morning and gave her ten dollars, which
+was three times as much as she ever earned in
+the same time.</p>
+
+<p>Remembering these instances of the captain's
+bounty, Donald had no doubt about the ownership
+of the sixty dollars in his pocket. The
+money was his own; but how had he earned it?
+Was he paid to keep his tongue still, or simply
+for the service performed? If for his silence,
+what had the captain done which made him desire
+to conceal the fact that he had been to the
+island? The strange man had explicitly denied
+having killed, robbed, or stolen from anybody.
+All the skipper could make of it was, that his
+desire for silence was only a whim of the captain,
+and he was entirely willing to accommodate
+him. If there had been any mischief done on
+the island, he should hear of it; and in that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+event he would take counsel of some one older
+and wiser than himself. Then he tried to satisfy
+himself as to why the captain had walked at
+least three miles to Turtle Head, instead of waiting
+till the tide floated the Juno. This appeared
+to be also a whim of the strange man. People
+in the city used to say it was no use to ask
+the reason for anything that Captain Shivernock
+did. His motive in giving Donald sixty
+dollars and his boat, which would sell readily for
+three hundred dollars, and had cost over five hundred,
+was utterly unaccountable.</p>
+
+<p>Donald was determined not to do anything
+wrong, and if the captain had committed any evil
+deed, he fully intended to expose him; but he
+meant to keep still until he learned that the evil
+deed had been done. The money in his pocket,
+and that for which the Juno could be sold, would
+be capital enough to enable him to carry on the
+business of boat-building. But he was determined
+to see Captain Shivernock that very day in
+regard to the boat. Perhaps the strange man
+would give him a job to build a centre-board
+yacht, for he wanted one.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo! Juno, ahoy!" shouted Laud Cavendish.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Donald threw the boat up into the wind, under
+the stern of Laud's craft.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you were going down to Camden,"
+said he. "You won't get there to-day at this
+rate."</p>
+
+<p>"I forgot some things I wanted, and ran up to
+Searsport after them. But what are you doing
+in the Juno, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"She's going to be sold, Laud," replied Donald,
+dodging the direct question. "Didn't you say
+you wanted to buy a boat?"</p>
+
+<p>"I said so; and I want to buy one badly. I'm
+going to spend my summer on the water. What
+does the captain ask for her?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what the price is, but I'll let you
+know on Monday," added Donald, as he filled
+away again, for the yacht fleet was now in sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on a minute, Don John; I want to talk
+with you about her."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't stop now. I have to go up to the
+Head and measure the yachts."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't say a word to anybody about my buying
+her," added Laud.</p>
+
+<p>He was soon out of hearing of Laud's voice.
+He wondered if the swell really wished to buy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+such a boat as the Juno, and could pay three hundred
+dollars for her. His father was not a rich
+man, and he was out of business himself. And
+he wanted Donald to keep still too. What motive
+had he for wishing his proposition to be kept
+in the dark? His object was not apparent, and
+Donald was obliged to give up the conundrum,
+though he had some painful doubts on the subject.
+As he thought of the matter, he turned to observe
+the position of the two boats to the southward of
+him. Directly ahead of Laud's craft was an
+island which he could not weather, and he was
+obliged to tack. He could not lay his course,
+and he had to take a short and then a long
+stretch, and he was now standing across the bay
+on the short leg. Captain Shivernock had run
+over towards the Northport shore, and Donald
+thought they could not well avoid coming within
+hailing distance of each other. But the Juno
+passed beyond the north-west point of the island,
+and he could no longer see them. He concluded,
+however, that the captain would not let
+Laud, or any one else, see him afloat that day.
+He was a very strange man.</p>
+
+<p>Donald ran the Juno around the point, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>
+anchored her under the lee of Turtle Head. The
+fleet was still a couple of miles distant, and after
+he had lowered and secured the mainsail, he had
+nothing to do but examine the fine craft which
+had so strangely come into his possession. He
+went into the cuddy forward, and overhauled
+everything there, till he was fully qualified to set
+forth the merits of her accommodations to a purchaser.
+The survey was calculated to kindle his
+own enthusiasm, for Donald was as fond of boating
+as any young man in the club. The idea of
+keeping the Juno for his own use occurred to
+him, but he resisted the temptation, and determined
+not even to think of such an extravagant
+plan.</p>
+
+<p>The yacht fleet was now approaching, the Skylark
+gallantly leading the way, and the Christabel,
+with a reef in her mainsail, bringing up the
+rear. The Sea Foam did not seem to hold her
+own with the Skylark, as she had done before,
+but she was the second to drop her anchor
+under the lee of Turtle Head.</p>
+
+<p>"I cam glad to see you, Don John," said
+Commodore Montague, as he discovered Donald
+in the Juno. "I was afraid you were not com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>ing,
+and I went up to the shop to look for you.
+But how came you in that boat?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is for sale," replied Donald, as the tender
+of the Skylark came alongside the Juno, and he
+stepped into it. "Do you know of anybody that
+wants to buy her?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know three or four who want boats, but I
+am not sure the Juno would suit either of
+them," replied the commodore.</p>
+
+<p>The boat pulled to the shore, and no one asked
+any more questions about the Juno, or her late
+owner. The members of the club on board of
+the several yachts landed, and Donald was soon
+in earnest conversation with Samuel Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"What does your father say?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"He wants to see you," replied Samuel.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he think I can't do the job?"</p>
+
+<p>"He did not think so at first, but when I told
+him you would employ one or two regular ship
+carpenters, he was satisfied, and I think he will
+give you the job."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope he will, and I am sure I can give
+him as good work as he can get anywhere."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't any doubt of it, Don John. But
+the Sea Foam isn't doing so well as she did the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>
+first day you had her out. The Skylark beats
+her every time they sail."</p>
+
+<p>"Ned Patterdale hasn't got the hang of her
+yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to have Bob Montague sail
+her, and Ned the Skylark; I think it would
+make a difference," added Donald. "Ned does
+very well, but a skipper must get used to his
+boat; and he hasn't had much experience in
+yachts as large as the Sea Foam. I spoke to you
+of a change in the model for the Maud; and if
+I'm not greatly mistaken, she will beat both the
+Sea Foam and the Skylark."</p>
+
+<p>"I would give all my spending-money for a
+year, over and above the cost, if she would do
+that," replied Rodman, with a snap of the eye.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I can't promise that she will do
+it, but I expect she will," said Donald.</p>
+
+<p>The club assembled under the trees, and the
+members were called to order by the commodore.
+The first business was to hear the report of the
+Regatta Committee, which proved to be a very
+interesting document to the yachtmen. The
+race was to take place the next Saturday, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+was open to all yachts exceeding twenty feet in
+length, duly entered before the time. All were
+to sail in the same class; the first prize was a
+silver vase, and the second a marine glass. The
+course was to be from the judge's boat, in Belfast
+harbor, by Turtle Head, around the buoy on
+Stubb's Point Ledge, leaving it on the port hand,
+and back to the starting-point. The sailing regulations
+already adopted by the club were to be
+in full force. The report was accepted, and the
+members looked forward with eager anticipation
+to what they regarded as the greatest event of the
+season. Other business was transacted, and
+Donald, who had brought with him a measuring
+tape and plummet, measured all the yachts of the
+club. Dinner was served on board of each craft,
+and the commodore extended the hospitalities of
+the Skylark to Donald.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon, the fleet made an excursion
+around Long Island, returning to Belfast about
+six o'clock, Donald sailing the Juno, and catching
+a mess of fish off Haddock Ledge. He
+moored her off the shop, and was rather surprised
+to find that his own boat had not yet been returned.
+After supper he hastened to the house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+of Mr. Rodman, with whom he had a long talk in
+regard to the building of the Maud. The gentleman
+had some doubts about the ability of the
+young boat-builder to do so large a job, though
+he desired to encourage him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am willing to give you the work, and to
+pay you the same price your father had for the
+Sea Foam; but I don't like to pay out money till
+I know that you are to succeed," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't ask you to do so, sir," replied Donald,
+warmly. "You need not pay me a cent till
+you are perfectly satisfied."</p>
+
+<p>"But I supposed you would want money to
+buy stock and pay your men, even before you had
+set up your frame."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; we have capital enough to make a
+beginning."</p>
+
+<p>"I am satisfied then, and you shall have the
+job," added Mr. Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," replied Donald, delighted
+at his success.</p>
+
+<p>"You may go to work as soon as you please;
+and the sooner the better, for Samuel is in a
+great hurry for his yacht."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go to work on Monday morning. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+model, moulds, and drawings are all ready, and
+there will be no delay, sir," answered the young
+boat-builder, as he took his leave of his considerate
+patron.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps Mr. Rodman was not satisfied that the
+young man would succeed in the undertaking, but
+he had not the heart to discourage one who was
+so earnest. He determined to watch the progress
+of the work very closely, and if he discovered
+that the enterprise was not likely to be successful,
+he intended to stop it before much time or
+money had been wasted. Donald had fully detailed
+the means at his command for doing the
+job in a workman-like manner, and he was well
+known as an ingenious and skilful mechanic.
+Mr. Rodman had strong hopes that the young
+man would succeed in his undertaking.</p>
+
+<p>Donald walked toward the house of Captain
+Shivernock, congratulating himself on the happy
+issue of his interview with Mr. Rodman. As he
+passed the book and periodical store, he saw
+Lawrence Kennedy, a ship carpenter, who had formerly
+worked with Mr. Ramsay, standing at the
+door, reading the weekly paper just from the
+press. This man was out of work, and was talk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>ing
+of going to Bath to find employment. Donald
+had already thought of him as one of his
+hands, for Kennedy was a capital mechanic.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the news?" asked Donald, rather to
+open the way to what he had to say, than because
+he was interested in the latest intelligence.</p>
+
+<p>"How are you, Donald?" replied the ship
+carpenter. "There's a bit of news from Lincolnville,
+but I suppose you heard it; for all the town
+is talking about it."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't heard it."</p>
+
+<p>"A man in Lincolnville was taken from his
+bed in the dead hour of the night, and beaten to
+a jelly."</p>
+
+<p>"Who was the man?"</p>
+
+<p>"His name was Hasbrook."</p>
+
+<p>"Hasbrook!" exclaimed Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know him, lad?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know of him; and he has the reputation of
+being anything but an honest man."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it's not much matter," laughed the ship
+carpenter.</p>
+
+<p>"But who beat him?" asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"No one knows who it was. Hasbrook
+couldn't make him out; but likely it's some one
+the rogue has cheated."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hasbrook must have seen him," suggested
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"The ruffian was disguised with his head in a
+bit of a bag, or something of that sort, and he
+never spoke a word from first to last," added
+Kennedy, looking over the article in the paper.</p>
+
+<p>Donald wondered if Captain Shivernock had
+any dealings with Hasbrook. He was just the
+man to take the law into his own hands, and
+assault one who had done him a real or a fancied
+injury. Donald began to think he understood
+why the captain did not wish it to be known
+that he was on Long Island the night before.
+But the outrage had been committed in Lincolnville,
+which bordered the western arm of Penobscot
+Bay. It was three miles from the main land
+to the island. If the captain was in Lincolnville
+in "the dead of night," on a criminal errand,
+what was he doing near Seal Harbor, where the
+Juno was aground, at four o'clock in the morning?
+If he was the guilty party, he would naturally
+desire to get home before daylight. The
+wind was fair for him to do so, and there was
+enough of it to enable the Juno to make the run
+in less than two hours. It did not seem probable,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+therefore, that the captain had gone over to the
+other side of the bay, three miles off his course.
+Besides, he was not disguised, but wore his usual
+gray suit; and Hasbrook ought to have been able
+to recognize him by his form and his dress even
+in the darkest night.</p>
+
+<p>Donald was perplexed and disturbed. If there
+was any probability that Captain Shivernock had
+committed the crime, our hero was not to be
+bribed by sixty or six thousand dollars to keep
+the secret. If guilty, he would have been more
+likely to go below and turn in than to walk three
+miles on the island for assistance, and he would
+not have gone three miles off his course. But
+Donald determined to inquire into the matter,
+and do his whole duty, even if the strange man
+killed him for it. Kennedy was reading his
+paper while the young man was thinking over the
+case; but, having decided what to do, he interrupted
+the ship carpenter again.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you still out of work, Mr. Kennedy?" he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I am; and I think I shall go to Bath next
+week," replied Kennedy.</p>
+
+<p>"I know of a job for you."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="600" height="433" alt="The News from Lincolnville. Page 110." title="The News from Lincolnville. Page 110." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">The News from <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Linconville'">Lincolnville</ins>.</span>  <a href="#Page_110">Page 110</a> .</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do you, lad? I don't want to move away
+from Belfast, and I should be glad to get work
+here. What's the job?"</p>
+
+<p>"We are going to build a yacht of the size of
+the Sea Foam."</p>
+
+<p>"Who?" inquired the workman.</p>
+
+<p>"My mother and I intend to carry on my
+father's business."</p>
+
+<p>"And you wish me to manage it for you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I intend to manage it myself," added
+Donald, confidently.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, lad, you are clever enough to do it;
+and if you are like your father, I shall be glad
+to work for you."</p>
+
+<p>The wages were agreed upon, and Kennedy
+promised to be at the shop on Monday morning,
+to assist the young boat-builder in selecting the
+stock for the Maud. Donald walked to the
+house of Captain Shivernock. In the yard he
+found Sykes, the man who did all sorts of work
+for his employer, from taking care of the horses
+up to negotiating mortgages. Donald had occasionally
+been to the house, and he knew Sykes
+well enough to pass the time of day with him
+when they met in the street.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Is Captain Shivernock at home?" asked the
+young man, trying to appear indifferent, for he
+wanted to get as much information in regard to
+the strange man's movements during the last
+twenty-four hours as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"No, he is not," replied Sykes, who to some
+extent aped the manners of his eccentric employer.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at home!" exclaimed Donald, who had
+not expected this answer, though he had not
+found his own boat at her moorings on his return
+from the excursion with the fleet.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you deaf, young man?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; not at all."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you heard me say he was not at
+home," growled Sykes.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to see him very much. Will he be
+long away?" asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't tell you. He won't come back till
+he gets ready, if it isn't for a month."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not; but I should like to know
+when I can probably see him."</p>
+
+<p>"You can probably see him when he comes
+home. He started in his boat for Vinal Haven
+early this morning."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"This morning?" repeated Donald, who wished
+to be sure on this point.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't I say so? This morning. He comes
+back when he pleases."</p>
+
+<p>"When do you expect him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't expect him. I never expect him. He
+may be home in five minutes, in five days, or
+five weeks."</p>
+
+<p>"At what time this morning did he go?"</p>
+
+<p>"He left the house at five minutes after four
+this morning, the last that ever was. I looked
+at my watch when he went out at the gate; for
+I was thinking whether or no his boat wasn't
+aground. Do you want to know what he had
+for breakfast? If you do, you must ask my
+wife, for I don't know," growled Sykes.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very anxious to see him," continued
+Donald, without heeding the sulky tones and
+manner of the man. "Perhaps he told Mrs.
+Sykes when he should return."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he did, and perhaps he told her
+how much money he had in his pocket. He was
+as likely to tell her one as the other. You can
+ask her," sneered Sykes.</p>
+
+<p>As the housekeeper sat on the piazza enjoying
+the cool evening breeze, Donald decided to avail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+himself of this permission, for he desired to know
+how well the two stories would agree. He saluted
+the lady, who gave him a pleasanter reception
+than her bearish husband had accorded to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Sykes told me that Captain Shivernock
+was away from home," said Donald. "Can you
+tell me when he is likely to return?"</p>
+
+<p>"He intended to come back to-night if the
+wind favored him. He went to Vinal Haven
+early this morning, and as you are a sailor, you
+can tell better than I whether he is likely to return
+to-night," replied Mrs. Sykes.</p>
+
+<p>"The wind is fair, and there is plenty of it,"
+added Donald. "What time did he leave?"</p>
+
+<p>"About four o'clock. I gave him his coffee at
+half past three, and it must have been about four
+when he went away."</p>
+
+<p>If the outrage at Lincolnville had been committed
+in "the dead of the night," it was perfectly
+evident to Donald that Captain Shivernock
+had had nothing whatever to do with it. This
+conclusion was a great relief to the mind of the
+young man; but he had hardly reached it before
+the captain himself passed through the gate, and
+fixed a searching gaze upon him, as though he regarded
+him as an interloper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>LAYING DOWN THE KEEL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"What are you doing here, Don John?"
+demanded Captain Shivernock, as he
+ascended the steps of the piazza.</p>
+
+<p>"I came to see you, sir," replied Donald, respectfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see me&mdash;don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you been talking to Sykes and his
+wife?" asked the captain, sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"I have, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you told them that you saw me on the
+island?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; not them, nor anybody else."</p>
+
+<p>"It's well for you that you haven't," added
+the captain, shaking his head&mdash;a significant gesture,
+which seemed to relate to the future, rather
+than to the present. "If you lisp a syllable of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
+it, you will need a patch on your skull.&mdash;Now,"
+he continued, "what do you want of me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wanted to talk about the Juno with you.
+Perhaps I can find a customer for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Come into the house," growled the captain,
+as he stalked through the door.</p>
+
+<p>Donald followed him into a sitting-room, on
+one side of which was a secretary, provided with
+a writing-desk. The captain tossed his cap and
+overcoat into a chair, and seated himself at the
+desk. He picked up a quill pen, and began
+to write as though he intended to scratch a hole
+through the paper, making noise enough for a
+small locomotive. He finished the writing, and
+signed his name to it. Then he cast the contents
+of a sand-box upon it, returning to it the portion
+which did not adhere to the paper. The document
+looked as though it had been written with
+a handspike, or as though the words had been
+ploughed in, and a furrow of sand left to form
+the letters.</p>
+
+<p>"Here!" said the captain, extending the paper
+to his visitor, with a jerk, as though he was performing
+a most ungracious office.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, sir?" asked Donald, as he <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'too'">took</ins>
+the document.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Can't you read?" growled the strange man.</p>
+
+<p>Under ordinary circumstances Donald could
+read&mdash;could read writing when not more than
+half the letters were merged into straight lines;
+but it required all his skill, and not a little of his
+Scotch-Yankee guessing ability, to decipher the
+vagrant, staggering characters which the captain
+had impressed with so much force upon the paper.
+It proved to be a bill of sale of the Juno, in due
+form, and for the consideration of three hundred
+dollars.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely you cannot mean this, Captain Shivernock?"
+exclaimed the amazed young man.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't I? Do you think I'm a lunatic?"
+stormed the captain.</p>
+
+<p>Donald did think so, but he was not so imprudent
+as to say it.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't pay you three hundred dollars for the
+boat," pleaded he.</p>
+
+<p>"Nobody asked you to pay a red cent. The
+boat is yours. If you don't want her, sell her to
+the first man who is fool enough to buy her.
+That's all."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm very grateful to you for your kindness,
+Captain Shivernock; and I hope&mdash;"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"All stuff!" interposed the strange man, savagely.
+"You are like the rest of the world, and
+next week you would be as ready to kick me as
+any other man would be, if you dared to do so.
+You needn't stop any longer to talk that sort of
+bosh to me. It will do for Sunday Schools and
+prayer meetings."</p>
+
+<p>"But I am really&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No matter if you are really. Shut up!"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope I shall be able to do something to
+serve you."</p>
+
+<p>"Bah!"</p>
+
+<p>"Have you heard the news, Captain Shivernock?"
+asked Donald, suddenly changing the
+topic.</p>
+
+<p>"What news?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's in the <i>Age</i>. A man over in Lincolnville,
+by the name of Hasbrook, was taken out of
+his bed last night, and severely beaten."</p>
+
+<p>"Hasbrook! Served him right!" exclaimed
+the captain, with a rough string of profanity,
+which cooled the blood of the listener. "He is
+the biggest scoundrel in the State of Maine, and
+I am much obliged to the man who did it. I
+would have taken a hand with him at the game,
+if I had been there."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="600" height="443" alt="The Bill of Sale. Page 119." title="The Bill of Sale. Page 119." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">The Bill of Sale.</span> <a href="#Page_119">Page 119</a>.</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This was equivalent to saying that he was not
+there.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know this Hasbrook?" asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Do I know him? He swindled me out of a
+thousand dollars, and I ought to know him. If
+the man that flogged him hasn't finished him, I'll
+pound him myself when I catch him in the
+right place," replied the strange man, violently.
+"Who did the job, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, sir. He hasn't been discovered
+yet."</p>
+
+<p>"If he is discovered, I'll give him five hundred
+dollars, and pay the lawyers for keeping him out
+of jail. I wish I had done it myself; it would
+make me feel good."</p>
+
+<p>Donald was entirely satisfied that Captain Shivernock
+had not done it. He was pleased, even
+rejoiced, that his investigation had resulted so
+decidedly in the captain's favor, for he would
+have been very sorry to feel obliged to disregard
+the injunction of secrecy which had been imposed
+upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you fall in with any one after we parted
+this morning?" asked Donald, who desired to
+know whether the captain had met Laud Caven<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>dish
+when the two boats appeared to be approaching
+each other.</p>
+
+<p>"None of your business!" rudely replied the
+captain, after gazing a moment into the face of
+the young man, as if to fathom his purpose in
+asking the question. "Do you think the world
+won't move on if you don't wind it up? Mind
+your own business, and don't question me. I
+won't have anybody prying into my affairs."</p>
+
+<p>"Excuse me, sir; I don't wish to pry into your
+affairs; and with your permission I will go home
+now," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You have my permission to go home,"
+sneered the strange man; and Donald availed
+himself of it without another instant's delay.</p>
+
+<p>Certainly Captain Shivernock was a very
+strange man, and Donald could not begin to understand
+why he had given him the Juno and the
+sixty dollars in cash. It was plain enough that
+he had not been near Hasbrook's house, though
+it was not quite clear how, if he left home at four
+o'clock, he had got aground eight miles from the
+city at the same hour; but there was probably
+some error in Donald's reckoning. The young
+man went home, and, on the way, having assured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
+himself, to his own satisfaction, that he had no
+painful duty in regard to the captain to perform,
+he soon forgot all about the matter in the more
+engrossing consideration of his great business
+enterprise. When he entered the cottage, his
+mother very naturally asked him where he had
+been; and he gave her all the details of his interview
+with Mr. Rodman. Mrs. Ramsay was more
+cheerful than she had been before since the death
+of her husband, and they discussed the subject
+till bed time. Donald had seventy-two dollars
+in his pocket, including his fees for measuring
+the yachts. It was a new experience for him to
+keep anything from his mother; but he felt that
+he could not honorably tell her what had passed
+between the captain and himself. He could soon
+work the money into his business, and he need
+keep it only till Monday. He did not feel just
+right about it, even after he had convinced himself
+that he ought not to reveal Captain Shivernock's
+secret to her; but I must add, confidentially,
+that it is always best for boys&mdash;I mean
+young men&mdash;to tell their mothers "all about it;"
+and if Donald had done so in this instance, no
+harm would have come of the telling, and it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
+might have saved him a great deal of trouble, and
+her a great deal of anxiety, and a great many
+painful doubts. Donald thought his view was
+correct; he meant to do exactly right; and he
+had the courage to do it, even if thereby he incurred
+the wrath and the vengeance of the strange
+man.</p>
+
+<p>I have no doubt, from what indications I have
+of the character of Donald Ramsay, that he tried
+to learn his Sunday School lesson, tried to give
+attention to the sermons he heard, and tried to
+be interested in the good books he essayed to
+read on Sunday; but I am not sure that he succeeded
+entirely, for the skeleton frame of the
+Maud would rise up in his imagination to cloud
+the vision of higher things, and the remembrance
+of his relations with Captain Shivernock would
+thrust itself upon him. Yet it is a great deal
+even to try to be faithful in one's thoughts, and
+Donald was generally more successful than on
+this occasion, for it was not often that he was excited
+by events so stirring and prospects so brilliant.
+A single week would be time enough to
+accustom the young boat-builder to his occupation
+and restore his mental equilibrium.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The light of Monday morning's sun was very
+welcome to him; and when only its light gleamed
+in the gray east, he rose from his bed to begin
+the labors of the day. His father had enlarged
+the shop, so that he could build a yacht of the
+size of the Maud under its roof; and before
+breakfast time, he had prepared the bed, and levelled
+the blocks on which the keel was to rest.
+At seven o'clock Lawrence Kennedy appeared,
+and together they looked over the stock on hand,
+and made out a list of the pieces of timber and
+plank that would be required. At first the journeyman
+was inclined to take the lead in the
+business; but he soon found that his youthful employer
+was entirely familiar with the minutest
+details of the work, and knew precisely how to
+get out every stick of the frame. Donald constantly
+referred to the model of the Sea Foam,
+which he had already altered in accordance with
+the suggestions of his father, using the inch scale
+on which the model was projected, to get the size
+of the pieces, so that there should be no unnecessary
+waste in buying.</p>
+
+<p>Kennedy went with him to the lumber wharf,
+where the stock was carefully selected for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>
+frame. Before dinner it was carted over to the
+shop, and in the afternoon the work was actually
+commenced. The keelson, with the aperture for
+the centre-board nicely adjusted, was laid down,
+levelled, and blocked up, so that the yacht should
+be as true as a hair when completed. The next
+steps were to set up the stern-post and the stem-piece,
+and Mr. Ramsay's patterns of these timbers
+were ready for use. Donald was tired enough to
+rest when the clock struck six; but no better
+day's work for two men could be shown than that
+performed by him and his journeyman. Another
+hand could now work to advantage on the frame,
+and Kennedy knew of a first-rate workman who
+desired employment. He was requested to have
+him in the shop the next morning.</p>
+
+<p>After supper, Donald went back to the shop to
+study, rather than to work. He seated himself
+on the bench, and was thinking over the details
+of the work, when, through the window, he saw
+Laud Cavendish run his sail-boat alongside the
+Juno, which was moored a short distance from the
+shore. Laud wanted to buy a boat, and Donald
+wanted to sell one. More than once he had been
+tempted to keep the Juno for his own use; but he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>
+decided that he could not afford such a luxury,
+even though she had cost him nothing. If he
+kept her, he would desire to use her, and he
+might waste too much of his precious time in
+sailing her. It would cost money as well as time
+to keep her; for boats are always in need of paint,
+spars, sails, rigging, and other repairs. He was
+resolute in his purpose to dispose of the Juno,
+lest the possession of her should demoralize him,
+and interfere with his attention to business.</p>
+
+<p>It was plain enough to Donald that he must sell
+the Juno, though it was not as clear that Laud
+Cavendish could buy her; but he decided to see
+him, and, launching his tender, he pulled out for
+the Juno. While he was plying his oars, it suddenly
+came across the mind of the young boat-builder
+that he could not sell this boat without
+exposing his relations to Captain Shivernock.
+He was rather startled by the thought, but, before
+he had followed it out to a conclusion, the tender
+was alongside the Juno.</p>
+
+<p>"How are you, Don John?" said Laud. "I
+thought I would come down and look over the
+Juno."</p>
+
+<p>"She is a first-rate boat," replied Donald.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And the captain wants to sell her?"</p>
+
+<p>"She's for sale," replied her owner.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the price of her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Four hundred."</p>
+
+<p>"That's too steep, Don John. It is of no use
+for me to look at her if the captain won't sell her
+for less than that."</p>
+
+<p>"Say three fifty, then," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Say three hundred."</p>
+
+<p>"She is worth more money," continued the
+owner, as he unlocked the cuddy. "She has a
+fine cabin, fitted up like a parlor. Go in and
+look round."</p>
+
+<p>Donald led the way, and pointed out all the
+conveniences of the cabin, eloquently setting forth
+the qualities of the boat and her accommodations.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll give three hundred for her," said Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"She is worth more than that," replied Donald.
+"Why, she cost the captain over five hundred;
+and I wouldn't build her for a mill less than
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"You?" laughed Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm building a yacht thirty feet long for Sam
+Rodman; and I'm to have twelve hundred for
+her," answered Donald, struggling to be modest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You are some punkins&mdash;<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'arn't'">aren't</ins> you, Don
+John?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't quite come up to you, Mr. Cavendish."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you will when you are as old as I
+am."</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly; but it's a big height to reach in two
+years. A man of your size ought not to haggle
+for fifty dollars on a boat."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't afford to give more than three hundred
+for the Juno," protested Laud, very decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you afford to give that?" asked Donald,
+with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>Laud looked at him sharply, and seemed to be
+somewhat embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I can't really afford it; but what's
+life for? We can't live it over again, and we
+ought to make the best of it. Don't you think
+so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly&mdash;the best of it; but there may be
+some difference of opinion in regard to what the
+best of it may be."</p>
+
+<p>"I mean to be a gentleman, and not a philosopher.
+I go in for a good time. Will you take
+three hundred for the boat? or will you tell the
+captain I will give that?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I can sell her without going to him. I
+haven't offered her to anybody but you, and I
+have no doubt I can get my price for her."</p>
+
+<p>Laud talked till it was nearly dark; but Donald
+was firm, and at last he carried his point.</p>
+
+<p>"I will give the three hundred and fifty, because
+I want her very badly; but it's a big price," said
+Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"It's dog cheap," added Donald, who was
+beginning to think how he should manage the
+business without informing the purchaser that the
+Juno was his own property.</p>
+
+<p>Donald was a young man of many expedients,
+and he finally decided to ask Captain Shivernock
+to exchange the bill of sale for one conveying the
+boat directly to Laud Cavendish. This settled,
+he wondered how Laud expected to pay for his
+purchase, for it was utterly incredible to him that
+the swell could command so large a sum as three
+hundred and fifty dollars. After all, perhaps it
+would not be necessary to trouble the captain
+about the business, for Donald did not intend to
+give a bill of sale without the cash.</p>
+
+<p>"When do you want to close the trade?" he
+asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thought we had closed it," replied Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"You want a bill of sale&mdash;don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't; I would rather not have one.
+When I get the boat, I know how to keep her.
+Besides, you will be a witness that I have bought
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"That isn't the way to do business," protested
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"If I'm satisfied, you need not complain. If I
+pay you the cash down, that ends the matter."</p>
+
+<p>"If you do."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I will; here and now," added Laud,
+pulling out his wallet.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get so much money, Laud?"
+asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>It was doubtless an impertinent question, but it
+came from the heart of him who proposed it; and
+it was not resented by him to whom it was put.
+On the contrary, Laud seemed to be troubled,
+rather than indignant.</p>
+
+<p>"Don John, you are a good fellow," said
+Laud, after a long pause.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I am."</p>
+
+<p>"For certain reasons of my own, I want you to
+keep this trade to yourself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why so?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I won't do it. If there is any hitch
+about the money, I won't have anything to do
+with it."</p>
+
+<p>"Any hitch? What do you mean by that?"
+demanded Laud, with a lofty air.</p>
+
+<p>"It's no use to mince the matter, Laud. Three
+hundred and fifty dollars don't grow on every
+bush in your or my garden; and I have been
+wondering, all the time, where a fellow like you
+should get money enough to buy a boat like the
+Juno."</p>
+
+<p>Donald said all this fairly and squarely; but it
+occurred to him just then, that after he had sold
+the boat, any one might ask him the same question,
+and he should not feel at liberty to answer it.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing of the sort; and you needn't ride
+that high horse. I won't sell the boat till I know
+where the money came from."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you doubt my honor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Confound your honor! I think we have said
+enough."</p>
+
+<p>"If you mean to say that I didn't come honorably
+by my money, you are mistaken."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get it, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you always willing to tell where you get
+every dollar in your pocket?" retorted Laud.</p>
+
+<p>That was a home-thrust, and Donald felt it in
+his trowsers pocket, where he kept his wallet.</p>
+
+<p>"I am generally ready to tell where I get my
+money," he replied, but he did not speak with
+much energy.</p>
+
+<p>Laud looked about him, and seemed to be considering
+the matter.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like to be accused of stealing," mused
+he.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't accuse you of anything," added
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the same thing. If I tell you where I
+got this money, will you keep it to yourself?"
+asked Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"If it's all right I will."</p>
+
+<p>"Honor bright, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"If it's all right."</p>
+
+<p>"O, it is!" protested Laud. "I will tell you;
+but you must keep the secret, whatever happens."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, if everything is as it should be."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Captain Shivernock gave it to me,"
+said Laud, in confidential tones, and after looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+about to satisfy himself that no third person was
+within hearing.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Shivernock!" exclaimed Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Just so."</p>
+
+<p>"What for?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't tell you any more. The captain
+would kill me if he found out that I had told you
+so much," answered Laud. "I don't understand
+the matter myself; but the captain gave me that
+money and fifty dollars more;" and he handed
+Donald the price of the Juno. "You are not to
+say that I have even seen the captain."</p>
+
+<p>"When was this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Last Saturday; but that's all; not another
+word from me."</p>
+
+<p>"It's very odd," mused Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You will keep still&mdash;won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; until I am satisfied the thing is not all
+right."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not say that I own the Juno yet a
+while," added Laud, as he returned to the boat
+in which he had come.</p>
+
+<p>Donald pulled ashore, with the money in his
+pocket.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE FIRST REGATTA.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Donald was not disposed to doubt the truth
+of Laud Cavendish's story, for the circumstances
+were precisely the same as those under
+which he had received the boat and the money
+from Captain Shivernock. If he had had no experience
+with the eccentric shipmaster himself,
+he would have doubted the whole explanation,
+and refused to take the money. He recalled the
+events of Saturday. The last he saw of Laud, on
+that day, was when he ran his boat over towards
+the Northport shore, whither the captain had
+gone before him. He had lost sight of both their
+boats at a time when it seemed very probable
+that they would meet. After what Laud had
+just said to him, and with the money he had paid
+him in his pocket, he was confident they had met.
+The strange man had purchased the silence of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>
+Laud, as he had his own, and at about the same
+price.</p>
+
+<p>Donald realized that Captain Shivernock had
+thrown away about seven hundred dollars that
+morning, and, as he thought of it, he was amazed
+at his conduct; but the captain did not mind paying
+a thousand dollars any time to gratify the
+merest whim. The young man tried again to
+fathom the motive of his eccentric but liberal
+patron in thus throwing away such large sums,
+unnecessarily large, to accomplish his object.
+The Lincolnville outrage was the only possible
+solution; but if he were the ruffian, he would not
+have been on Long Island when he had a fair
+wind to run home, and Sykes and his wife both
+agreed that he had left the house on the morning
+that Donald had seen him. It was not possible,
+therefore, that the captain was guilty of the outrage.
+Laud had paid him seven fifty dollar bills,
+and he had over four hundred dollars in his
+pocket. He did not know what to do with it,
+and feeling that he had come honestly by it, he
+was vexed at the necessity of concealing it from
+his mother; but he was determined to pay it out,
+as occasion required, for stock and hardware for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
+the yacht he was building. When he went to his
+chamber, he concealed three hundred and fifty
+dollars of the money in a secret place in the pine
+bureau in which his clothes were kept.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Kennedy appeared with the
+man he was authorized to employ, and the chips
+flew briskly in the shop all that day. At noon
+Donald went to the wharf where he had bought
+his stock, and paid the bill for it. The lumber
+dealer commended his promptness, and offered to
+give him credit for any lumber he might need;
+but Donald proudly declared that he should pay
+cash for all he bought, and he wanted the lowest
+cash prices. On his return to the shop, he entered,
+in the account-book his father had kept,
+the amount he had expended. The work went
+bravely on, for his two journeymen were interested
+in his success. They were glad to get employment,
+and desired that the young boat-builder
+should not only build a fine yacht, but should
+make money by the job. The stem-piece and
+stern-post were set up, and gradually the frame
+began to assume the shape of a vessel. Donald
+watched the forming of the yacht very carefully,
+and saw that everything was done according to
+the model and the scale.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On Saturday morning Mr. Rodman, accompanied
+by a friend who was a ship-builder, visited
+the shop to inspect the work. The frame, so far
+as it had been set up, was carefully examined, and
+the expert cordially approved all that had been
+done, declaring that he had never seen a better
+job in his life. Of course Donald was proud of
+this partial success.</p>
+
+<p>"I have had some doubts, Don John," laughed
+Mr. Rodman; "but I am entirely satisfied now."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir. I have had no doubts; I
+could see that frame in my mind as plainly before
+a stick had been touched as I do now."</p>
+
+<p>"You have done well, and I am quite sure that
+you will make a yacht of it. Now, if you will give
+me a receipt for one hundred dollars, I will let
+you have so much towards the price of the Maud,
+for I suppose you want to pay your men off
+to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"I have money enough, sir, to pay my men,
+and I don't ask you for any money yet," replied
+the young boat-builder.</p>
+
+<p>"But I prefer to pay you as the work progresses."</p>
+
+<p>Donald did not object, and wrote the receipt.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+He was a minor, and his mother, who was the
+administratrix of her husband's estate, was the
+responsible party in the transaction of business;
+but he did not like to sign his mother's name to
+a receipt, and thus wholly ignore himself, and,
+adopting a common fiction in trade, he wrote,
+"Ramsay and son," which he determined should
+be the style of the firm. Ramsay might mean
+his father or his mother, and he had already
+arranged this matter with her. Mr. Rodman
+laughed at the signature, but did not object to it,
+and Donald put the money in his pocket, after
+crediting it on the book.</p>
+
+<p>This was the day appointed for the first regatta
+of the Yacht Club. The coming event had been
+talked about in the city during the whole week,
+not only among the boys, but among the men
+who were interested in yachting. About a dozen
+yachts had been entered for the race, though only
+four of them belonged to the club; those that
+were not enrolled being nominally in charge of
+members, in order to conform to the regulations.
+Donald had measured all these boats, and made a
+schedule of them, in which appeared the captain's
+name, the length of the craft, with the correction<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+to be subtracted from the sailing time in order
+to reduce it to standard time. There were columns
+in the table for the starting time, the return
+time, and the sailing time. The "correction"
+was virtually the allowance which a large yacht
+made to a smaller one for the difference in length.</p>
+
+<p>The club had adopted the regulation of the
+Dorchester Yacht Club, which contained a "table
+of allowance per mile." In this table, a yacht
+one hundred and ten feet six inches long, is taken
+as the standard for length. The Skylark was just
+thirty feet long on the water-line, and her allowance
+by the table was two minutes forty-three and
+four tenths seconds for every mile sailed in a
+regatta. The Sea Foam's length was three inches
+less, and her allowance was one and three tenths
+seconds more. Donald had his table all ready for
+the use of the judges, of whom he had been
+appointed the chairman. Mr. Montague's large
+yacht had been anchored in the bay, gayly dressed
+with flags and streamers, to be used as the judges'
+boat. The yachts were to start at ten o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to leave my work a bit," said
+Donald, as he took off his apron. "I may have to
+lose a whole day in the race, and I can't afford
+it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Now, I think you can," replied Kennedy.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks too much like boys' play."</p>
+
+<p>"No matter what it is. If you are going to
+make a business of building yachts and sail-boats,
+it is for your interest to encourage this sort of
+thing all you can," added Kennedy.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are right there," answered Donald,
+who had not before taken this view.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides, you ought to see how the boats
+work. You will get some ideas that will be of
+use to you. You should observe every movement
+of the boats with the utmost care. I think you
+will make more money attending the regattas, if
+there was one every week, than by working in the
+shop."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, Kennedy, and I am glad you
+expressed your opinions, for I shall feel that I
+am not wasting my time."</p>
+
+<p>"Your father has been to Newport and New
+York on purpose to attend regattas, and I am
+sure, if he were here now, he would not miss this
+race for a fifty-dollar bill," continued the workman.</p>
+
+<p>Donald was entirely satisfied, and went into
+the house to dress for the occasion. He was soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+ready, and walked down the beach towards the
+skiff he used to go off to the sail-boat. The sky
+was overcast, and the wind blew a smashing
+breeze, promising a lively race. The Juno had
+been entered for the regatta, but she was still at
+her moorings off the shop, and Donald wondered
+where Laud was, for he had been very enthusiastic
+over the event. Before he could embark, the
+new proprietor of the Juno appeared. He was
+dressed in a suit of new clothes, wore a new
+round-top hat, and sported a cane in his hand.
+His mustache had been freshly colored, and every
+hair was carefully placed. He did not look like
+a yachtman; more like a first-class swell.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been all the morning looking for some
+fellows to sail with me," said Laud. "I can't
+find a single one. Won't you go with me, Don
+John?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you; I am one of the judges, and I
+can't go," replied Donald, who, if he had not
+been engaged, would have preferred to sail with
+some more skilful and agreeable skipper than
+Laud Cavendish.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't your men go with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; you can ask them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am entitled to carry five, and I want some
+live weights to-day, for it is blowing fresh,"
+added Laud, as he walked towards the shop.</p>
+
+<p>Neither of Donald's men was willing to lose
+his time, and as Laud came out of the shop, he
+discovered a young lady walking up the beach
+towards the city. A gust of wind blew her hat
+away at this moment, and Mr. Cavendish gallantly
+ran after, and recovered it, as Donald would have
+done if he had not been anticipated, for he recognized
+the young lady as soon as he saw her.
+Even as it was, he was disposed to run after that
+hat, and dispute the possession of it with Mr.
+Laud Cavendish, for the owner thereof was Miss
+Nellie Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"Allow me to return your truant hat, Miss
+Patterdale," said Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish," replied Nellie,
+rather coldly, as she resumed her walk towards
+the place where Donald stood, a few rods farther
+up the beach.</p>
+
+<p>"We have a fine breeze for the race, Miss Patterdale,"
+added Laud, smirking and jerking, as
+though he intended to improve the glorious opportunity,
+for the young lady was not only be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>witchingly
+pretty, but her father was a nabob,
+with only two children.</p>
+
+<p>"Very fine, I should think," she answered;
+and her tones and manner were anything but
+encouraging to the aspirant.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you are going to honor the gallant
+yachtmen with your presence, Miss Patterdale."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall certainly see the race.&mdash;Good morning,
+Don John," said she, when she came within
+speaking distance of Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning, Nellie," replied he, blushing,
+as he felt the full force of her glance and her
+smile&mdash;a glance and a smile for which Laud would
+have sacrificed all he held dear in the world, even
+to his cherished mustache. "Don't you attend
+the race?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I want to attend now. Ned invited me
+to go on board of the judge's boat; but the sun
+was out then, and mother would not let me go.
+Father said the day would be cloudy, and I decided
+to go; but Ned had gone. I came down
+here to see if I couldn't hail him. Won't you
+take me off to the Penobscot in your boat?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly I will, with the greatest pleasure,"
+replied Donald, with enthusiasm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon, Miss Patterdale," interposed
+Laud. "I am going off in the Juno; allow
+me to tender her for your use. I can take you
+off, Don John, at the same time."</p>
+
+<p>"It's quite rough; as you see, Nellie, and the
+Juno is much larger than my boat. You can go
+in her more comfortably than in mine," added
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you; just as you please, Don John,"
+she answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring her up to the wharf, Mr. Cavendish,"
+continued Donald.</p>
+
+<p>Laud leaped into his skiff, and pulled off to the
+Juno, while Nellie and Donald walked around to
+the wharf. In a few moments the boat was ready,
+and came up to the pier, though her clumsy skipper
+was so excited at the prospect of having the
+nabob's pretty daughter in his boat, that he had
+nearly smashed her against the timbers. The
+gallant skipper bowed, and smirked, and smiled,
+as he assisted Miss Patterdale to a place in the
+standing-room. Donald shoved off the bow, and
+the Juno filled her mainsail, and went off flying
+towards the Penobscot.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It's a smashing breeze," said Donald, as the
+boat heeled down.</p>
+
+<p>"Glorious!" exclaimed Laud. "Are you fond
+of sailing, Miss Patterdale?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am very fond of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you would like to sail around the
+course in one of the yachts?" suggested the skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"I should be delighted to do so," she replied,
+eagerly; and she glanced at Donald, as if to
+ascertain if such a thing were possible.</p>
+
+<p>"I should be pleased to have you sail in the
+Juno," added Laud, with an extra smirk.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish; you are very
+kind; but perhaps I had better not go."</p>
+
+<p>"I should be delighted to have you go with
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think you would enjoy it, Nellie," said
+Donald. "It blows fresh, and the Juno is rather
+wet in a heavy sea."</p>
+
+<p>Laud looked at him with an angry expression,
+and when Nellie turned away from him, he made
+significant gestures to induce Donald to unsay
+what he had said, and persuade her to go with
+him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am sure you will be delighted with the sail,
+Miss Patterdale. You will be perfectly dry where
+you are sitting; or, if not, I have a rubber coat,
+which will protect you."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I will not go," she replied, so
+coldly that her tones would have frozen any one
+but a simpleton like Laud.</p>
+
+<p>The passage was of brief duration, and Donald
+assisted Nellie up the accommodation steps of the
+Penobscot, stepping forward in season to deprive
+Laud of this pleasant office.</p>
+
+<p>"I am much obliged to you, Mr. Cavendish,"
+said she, walking away from the steps.</p>
+
+<p>"That was mean of you, Don John," muttered
+Laud, as Donald came down the steps to assist in
+shoving off the Juno.</p>
+
+<p>"What was mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, to tell Nellie she would not enjoy the
+sail with me."</p>
+
+<p>"She could do as she pleased."</p>
+
+<p>"But you told her the Juno was wet," added
+Laud, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"She is wet when it blows."</p>
+
+<p>"No matter if she is. It was mean of you to
+say anything about it, after all I have done for
+you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't mean to tell the truth, and save
+her from a ducking, and I don't know what you
+have done for me."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't? Didn't I buy this boat of you,
+and pay you fifty dollars more than she is worth?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, you didn't. But if you are dissatisfied
+with your bargain, I will take her off your
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>"You! I want the money I paid."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have it. Come to the shop after
+the race, and you may throw up the trade."</p>
+
+<p>"Will Captain Shivernock pay you back the
+money?" sneered Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take care of that, if you want to give her
+up," added Donald, warmly.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind that now. Can't you persuade
+Nellie to sail with me?" continued Laud, more
+gently. "If you will, I will give you a five-dollar
+bill."</p>
+
+<p>Donald would have given double that sum
+rather than have had her go with him, and she
+would have given ten times the amount to avoid
+doing so.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't persuade her, for I don't think it is
+best for her to go," replied Donald.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No matter what you think. You are a good
+fellow, Don John: do this for me&mdash;won't you?
+It would be a great favor, and I shall never forget
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you want her to go with you?"
+demanded Donald, rather petulantly. "A yacht
+in a race is no place for ladies. I can find some
+fellows on board here who will be glad to go with
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"But I want her to go with me. The fact of
+it is, Don John, I rather like Nellie, and I want
+to be better acquainted with her."</p>
+
+<p>"If you do, you must paddle your own canoe,"
+replied Donald, indignantly, as he ascended the
+steps, and joined the other two judges on deck.</p>
+
+<p>"We are waiting for you, Don John," said
+Sam Rodman, who was one of them.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't ten yet, and I have the papers all
+ready. Who is to be time-keeper?" asked the
+chairman.</p>
+
+<p>"I have a watch with a second hand, and I will
+take that office," said Frank Norwood, who was
+the third.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the yachts were already in line, and
+the captain of the fleet, in the tender of his yacht,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
+was arranging them, the largest to windward.
+The first gun had been fired at half past nine
+which was the signal to get into line, and at the
+next, the yachts were to get under way. All sail
+except the jib was set, and at the signal each
+craft was to slip her cable, hoist her jib, if she
+had one, and get under way, as quickly as possible.
+The "rode" was simply to be cast off, for
+the end of it was made fast to the tender, which
+was used as a buoy for the anchor.</p>
+
+<p>"Are they all ready?" asked Donald, as the
+time drew near.</p>
+
+<p>"All but the Juno. Laud has picked up two
+live weights, and wants another man," replied
+Sam Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"We won't wait for him."</p>
+
+<p>But Laud got into line in season. One of the
+seamen of the Penobscot stood at the lock-string
+of the gun forward, ready to fire when the chairman
+of the judges gave the word.</p>
+
+<p>"Have your watch ready, Frank," said Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"All ready," answered Norwood.</p>
+
+<p>"Fire!" shouted Donald.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the ladies "squealed" when the gun
+went off, but all eyes were immediately directed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>
+to the yachts. The Christabel, with a reef in
+her fore and main sails, was next to the Penobscot;
+then came the Skylark, the Sea Foam, and
+the Phantom. Before the gun was fired, the
+captain had stationed a hand in each yacht at the
+cable, and others at the jib-halyards and down-hauls.
+The instant the gun was discharged, the
+jibs were run up, and the "rodes" thrown overboard.
+Some of the yachts, however, were unfortunate,
+and did not obtain a good start. In
+one the jib down-haul fouled, and another ran
+over her cable, and swamped her tender. The
+conflict was believed to be between the Skylark
+and the Sea Foam, for there was too much wind
+for the Christabel, which was the fastest light-weather
+craft in the line.</p>
+
+<p>It was a beautiful sight when the yachts went
+off, with the wind only a little abaft the beam.
+The young gentlemen sailing them were rather
+excited, and made some mistakes. The Skylark
+at once took the lead, for Commodore Montague
+was the most experienced boatman in the fleet.
+He made no mistakes, and his superior skill was
+soon evident in the distance between him and the
+Sea Foam.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The crowd of people on the shore and the
+judges' yacht watched the contestants till they
+disappeared beyond Turtle Head. The boats had
+a free wind both ways, with the exception of a
+short distance beyond the head, where they had
+to beat up to Stubb's Point Ledge. There was
+nothing for the judges to do until the yachts came
+in, and Donald spent a couple of delightful hours
+with Nellie Patterdale. Presently the Skylark
+appeared again beyond the Head, leading the
+fleet as before. On she drove, like a bolt from an
+arrow, carrying a big bone in her mouth; and the
+judges prepared to take her time.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE SKYLARK AND THE SEA FOAM.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Frank Norwood was the time-keeper,
+and he stood with his watch in his hand.
+Each yacht was to pass to windward of the Penobscot,
+and come round her stern, reporting as she
+did so. Sam Rodman was to call "time" when
+the foremast of each yacht was in range with a certain
+chimney of a house on the main shore. At the
+word Frank was to give the time, and Donald
+was to write it down on his schedule. Everything
+was to be done with the utmost accuracy.
+The Skylark was rapidly approaching, with the
+Sea Foam nearly half a mile astern of her. The
+Phantom and Christabel were not far behind the
+Sea Foam, while the rest were scattered along all
+the way over to Turtle Head.</p>
+
+<p>"Ready there!" shouted Donald, as the Skylark
+came nearly in range of the Penobscot and
+the chimney.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"All ready," replied Sam Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>The gun forward had been loaded, and a seaman
+stood at the lock-string, to salute the first
+boat in.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" shouted Sam, as the mainsail of the
+Skylark shut in the chimney on the shore; and
+the six-pounder awoke the echoes among the hills.</p>
+
+<p>"Twelve, forty, and thirty-two seconds," added
+Frank, as he took the time from the watch.</p>
+
+<p>"Twelve, forty, thirty-two," repeated Donald,
+as he wrote it on the schedule.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd on the judges' yacht cheered the
+commodore as the Skylark rounded the Penobscot,
+and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs at
+him with desperate enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you said the Sea Foam was to beat
+the Skylark," said Nellie Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"I think she may do it yet," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"And Sam's new boat must beat them both,
+Don John," laughed Maud Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" called Sam.</p>
+
+<p>"Twelve, forty-five, two," added Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Twelve, forty-five, two," repeated Donald,
+writing down the time.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the Skylark had come about, not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>
+by gybing,&mdash;for the wind was too heavy to make
+this evolution in safety,&mdash;but had come round
+head to the wind, and now passed under the stern
+of the Penobscot.</p>
+
+<p>"Skylark!" reported the commodore.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later the Sea Foam did the
+same. The Phantom came in a minute after the
+Sea Foam, and for a few moments the judges
+were very busy taking the time of the next four
+boats. The Juno did not arrive till half past
+one, and she was the last one. As fast as the
+yachts rounded the Penobscot, they went off to
+the line and picked up their cables and anchors.
+The captains of the several craft which had sailed
+in the race then boarded the Penobscot to ascertain
+the decision of the judges.</p>
+
+<p>"You waxed me badly, Robert," said Ned
+Patterdale, who was mortified at the defeat of the
+Sea Foam, though he kept good-natured about it.</p>
+
+<p>"I still think the Skylark can't be beaten by
+anything of her inches," replied Commodore
+Montague.</p>
+
+<p>"I am rather disappointed in the Sea Foam,"
+added Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Donald heard this remark, and he was much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>
+disturbed by it; for it seemed like a reproach
+upon the skill of his father, and an imputation
+upon the reputation of Ramsay and Son. If the
+yachts built by the "firm" were beaten as badly
+as the Sea Foam had been, though she had outsailed
+the Phantom, it would seriously injure the
+business of the concern. The defeat of the Sea
+Foam touched the boat-builder in a tender place,
+and he found it necessary to do something to
+maintain the standing of the firm. He knew just
+what the matter was; but under ordinary circumstances
+he would not have said a word to damage
+the pride of the present owner of the Sea Foam.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry you are not satisfied with her,
+Ned," said Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"But I expected too much of her; for I thought
+she was going to beat the Skylark," replied Ned
+Patterdale. "I think you encouraged me somewhat
+in that direction, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"I did; and I still think she can beat the Skylark."</p>
+
+<p>"It's no use to think so; for she has just beaten
+me four minutes and a half; and that's half a
+mile in this breeze. Nothing could have been
+more fairly done."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It was all perfectly fair, Ned; but you know
+that winning a race does not depend entirely upon
+the boat," suggested Donald, hinting mildly at
+his own theory of the defeat.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you think I didn't sail her well?" said
+Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you sailed her very well; but it could
+not be expected that you would do as well with
+her as Bob Montague with the Skylark, for he has
+sailed his yacht for months, while you have only
+had yours a few weeks. This is a matter of business
+with me, Ned. If our boats are beaten, we
+lose our work. It is bread and butter to me."</p>
+
+<p>"If it was my fault, I am sorry she was beaten,
+for your sake, Don John; but I did my best with
+her," replied Ned, with real sympathy for his
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I am not going to cry over spilt
+milk."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think the Sea Foam can beat
+the Skylark?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so; but I may be mistaken. At any
+rate, I should like the chance to sail the Sea Foam
+with the Skylark. I don't consider it exactly an
+even thing between you and the commodore,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
+because he has had so much more experience than
+you have," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You believe you can sail the Sea Foam better
+than I can&mdash;do you, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"It wouldn't be pleasant for me to say that,
+Ned."</p>
+
+<p>"But that's what you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have explained the reason why I spoke of
+this matter at all, Ned. It is bread and butter to
+me, and I hope you don't think I am vain."</p>
+
+<p>Ned was a little vexed at the remarks of his
+friend, and rather indignant at his assumed superiority
+as a boatman. Donald was usually very
+modest and unpretentious. He was not in the
+habit of claiming that he could do anything better
+than another. Generally, in boating matters,
+when he saw that a thing was done wrong, he
+refrained from criticising unless his opinion was
+asked, and was far from being forward in fault-finding.
+Though he was an authority among the
+young men in sailing boats, he had not attained
+this distinction by being a critic and caviller.
+Ned was therefore surprised, as well as indignant,
+at the comments and the assumption of Donald;
+but a little reflection enabled him to see the boat-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>builder's
+motive, which was anything but vanity.
+He had some of this weakness himself, and felt
+that he had sailed the Sea Foam as well as any
+one could have done it, and was satisfied that the
+Skylark was really a faster yacht than his own.
+The race was plain sailing, with a free wind
+nearly all the way, and there was not much room
+for the exercise of superior skill in handling the
+craft. At least, this was Ned's opinion. If the
+course had been a dead beat to windward for ten
+miles, the case would have been different; and
+Ned had failed to notice that he had lost half the
+distance between the Skylark and the Sea Foam
+when he rounded the stake buoy.</p>
+
+<p>It was a fact that among the large party on
+board the Penobscot, the boats of the firm of
+Ramsay and Son were just then at a discount,
+and those of the Newport builders at a corresponding
+premium. Donald was grieved and vexed,
+and trembled for the future of the firm of which
+he was the active representative. But he figured
+up the results of the race, and when the captains
+of all the yachts had come on board of the judges'
+boat, he announced the prizes and delivered them
+to the winners, with a little speech. The silver<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>
+vase was given to the commodore, with liberal
+and magnanimous commendations both of the
+yacht and her captain. The marine glass was
+presented to Edward Patterdale, as the winner of
+the second prize, with some pleasant words,
+which did not in the least betray the personal
+discomfiture of the chairman. There was a further
+ceremony on the quarter-deck of the Penobscot,
+which was not in the programme, and which
+was unexpected to all except the officers of the
+club.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Laud Cavendish, of the Juno," said
+the chairman of the judges, who stood on the
+trunk of the yacht, where all on board, as well as
+those in the boats collected around her, could see
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Laud stepped forward, wondering what the call
+could mean.</p>
+
+<p>"I find, after figuring up the results of the
+race," continued the chairman, glancing at the
+schedule he held in his hand, "that you are entitled
+to the third and last prize. By carefully
+timing the movements of your excellent craft, and
+by your superior skill in sailing her, you have
+contrived to come in&mdash;last in the race; and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+officers of the club have instructed the judges to
+award this medal to you. I have the honor and
+the very great pleasure of suspending it around
+your neck."</p>
+
+<p>The medal was made of sole leather, about six
+inches in diameter. Attached to it was a yard of
+stove-pipe chain, by which it was hung around the
+neck of the winner of the <i>last</i> prize. A shout of
+laughter and a round of applause greeted the
+presentation of the medal. Laud did not know
+whether to smile or get mad; for he felt like the
+victim of a practical joke. Miss Nellie Patterdale
+stood near him, and perhaps her presence restrained
+an outburst of anger. Mr. Montague,
+the father of the commodore, had provided a
+bountiful collation in the cabin of the Penobscot,
+and the next half hour was given up to the discussion
+of the repast. Laud tried to make himself
+agreeable to Nellie, and the poor girl was
+persecuted by his attentions until she was obliged
+to break away from him.</p>
+
+<p>"Don John, I am told that everybody is satisfied
+with this race except you," said Commodore
+Montague, as the party went on deck after the
+collation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am satisfied with it," replied Donald.
+"Everything has been perfectly fair, and the Skylark
+has beaten the Sea Foam."</p>
+
+<p>"But you still think the Sea Foam can outsail
+the Skylark?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so; but of course I may be mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>"You believe that Ned Patterdale didn't get
+all her speed out of the Sea Foam," added the
+commodore.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't mean to say a word to disparage Ned;
+but he don't know the Sea Foam as you do the
+Skylark."</p>
+
+<p>"There is hardly a particle of difference between
+the boats."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it; but you have had so much more
+experience than Ned, that he ought not to be expected
+to compete with you. If you will exchange
+boats, and you do your best in the Sea
+Foam, I believe you would beat your own yacht.
+I think Ned does first rate for the experience he
+has had."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I; but I believe the difference is in the
+sailing of the boats; for you may build two yachts
+as near alike as possible, and one of them will do
+better than the other," said Robert Montague.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I should like to have you sail the Sea Foam
+against the Skylark, Bob," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't want me to beat my own boat, if I
+can&mdash;do you, Don John?" laughed Robert.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you could."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what I'll do: I'll sail the Skylark
+against the Sea Foam this afternoon, and you
+shall handle Ned's yacht. I have been talking
+with him about it, and he agrees to it."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm willing, Bob," replied Donald, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"All right."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope Ned don't think hard of me for speaking
+of this matter," added Donald. "I wouldn't
+have uttered a word if this result did not affect
+our business."</p>
+
+<p>"I understand it, Don John; and so does Ned.
+But I think you are making a mistake; for if the
+Sea Foam is beaten again by the Skylark,&mdash;as I
+believe she will be,&mdash;it will be all the worse for
+your firm," laughed Robert.</p>
+
+<p>"I am willing to run the risk," replied Donald.
+"If we can't build a boat as fast as the Skylark,
+I want to know it."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Don John, you don't expect me to <i>let</i>
+you beat me&mdash;do you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not, Bob. I hope you will do your
+very best, and I shall be satisfied with the result."</p>
+
+<p>It was soon reported over the Penobscot that
+another race was to be sailed immediately, and
+the report created intense excitement when
+the circumstances of the affair were explained.
+Judges were appointed, and other arrangements
+concluded. Donald and Ned Patterdale went on
+board of the Sea Foam, and Commodore Montague
+on board of the Skylark. The two yachts anchored
+in line, with the Skylark to windward, as she was
+three inches longer than the other. The start
+was to be made at the firing of the first gun.
+Donald took his place at the helm of the Sea
+Foam, and stationed the hands. He was a little
+afraid that Ned Patterdale was not as enthusiastic
+as he might be; for if his yacht won the race, the
+responsibility for the loss of the first prize in the
+regatta would rest upon him, and not upon his
+craft. It would not be so pleasant for him to
+know that he had failed, in any degree, as a
+skipper. The position of Donald, therefore, was
+not wholly agreeable; for he did not like to prove
+that his friend was deficient in skill, though the
+future prosperity of the firm of Ramsay and Son
+required him to do so.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The wind was even fresher than before, and
+dark clouds indicated a heavy rain before night;
+but Donald did not heed the weather. He stationed
+Ned in the standing-room to tend the jib-sheets
+and mind the centre-board. Two hands
+were at the cable, and two more at the jib-halyards.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you all ready forward?" called the
+skipper <i>pro tem.</i> of the Sea Foam.</p>
+
+<p>"All ready," replied the hands. And Donald
+waited with intense interest for the gun.</p>
+
+<p>Bang.</p>
+
+<p>"Let go! Hoist the jib!" cried Donald.</p>
+
+<p>The hands forward worked with a will. The
+rope was thrown into the tender, to which the
+end of it was made fast, and the jib, crackling
+and banging in the stiff breeze, now almost a
+gale, went up in an instant.</p>
+
+<p>"Haul down the lee jib-sheet," said Donald to
+his companion in the standing-room. And it is
+but fair to say that Ned worked as briskly as the
+yachtmen at the bow.</p>
+
+<p>The Sea Foam heeled over, as the blast struck
+her sails, till her rail went under; but Donald
+knew just what she would bear, and kept the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+tiller stiff in his hand. Stationing Dick Adams
+at the main sheet behind him, he placed the
+others upon the weather side. In a moment
+more the yacht came to her bearings, and lying
+well over, she flew off on her course. She had
+made a capital start, and the Skylark was equally
+fortunate in this respect. The two yachts went
+off abeam of each other, and for half a mile
+neither gained a hair upon the other. Then commenced
+the struggle for the victory. First the
+Skylark gained a few inches; then the Sea Foam
+made half a length, though she immediately lost
+it; for in these relative positions, she came under
+the lee of her opponent.</p>
+
+<p>Again the Skylark forged ahead, and was a
+length in advance of the Sea Foam, when the
+yachts came up with Turtle Head.</p>
+
+<p>"You are losing it, Don John," said Ned,
+apparently not much displeased at the result.</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet," replied Donald. "A pull on the
+main sheet, Dick," added the skipper, as he put
+the helm down. "Give her six inches more
+centre-board, Ned."</p>
+
+<p>"You will be on the rocks, Don John!"
+shouted the owner of the yacht, as the Sea Foam<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+dashed under the stern of the Skylark, and ran in
+close to the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be alarmed, Ned. Haul down the jib-sheet
+a little more! Steady! Belay!" said the
+confident skipper.</p>
+
+<p>By this man&oelig;uvre the Sea Foam gained a position
+to windward of her rival; but she ran within
+half her breadth of beam of the dangerous rocks,
+and Ned expected every instant the race would
+end in a catastrophe. She went clear, however;
+for Donald knew just the depth of water at any
+time of tide. Both yachts were now under the
+lee of the island, and went along more gently
+than before. It was plain enough now that the
+Sea Foam had the advantage. Beyond the Head,
+and near the ledge, she was obliged to brace up to
+the wind, in order to leave the buoy on the port,
+as required by the rule. Donald kept her moving
+very lively, and when she had made her two
+tacks, she had weathered the buoy, and, rounding
+it, she gybed so near the ledge that the commodore
+could not have crawled in between him and
+the buoy if he had been near enough to do so.
+Hauling up the centre-board, and letting off the
+sheets, the Sea Foam went for a time before the
+wind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When the Skylark had rounded the buoy, and
+laid her course for Turtle Head again, she was at
+least an eighth of a mile astern of her rival.
+Donald hardly looked at her, but gazed steadfastly
+at the sails and the shore of the island.
+The sheets had to be hauled in little by little, as
+she followed the contour of the land, till at the
+point below Turtle Head the yacht had the wind
+forward of the beam. Then came the home
+stretch, and the skipper trimmed his sails, adjusted
+the centre-board, and stationed his crew as
+live weights with the utmost care. It was only
+necessary for him to hold his own in order to win
+the race, and he was painfully anxious for the
+result.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="600" height="448" alt="Donald sailing the Sea Foam. Page 166." title="Donald sailing the Sea Foam. Page 166." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Donald sailing the Sea Foam.</span> <a href="#Page_166">Page 166</a>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>In the Skylark the commodore saw just where
+he had lost his advantage, and regretted too late
+that he had permitted the Sea Foam to get to
+windward of him; but he strained every nerve to
+recover his position. The wind continued to
+freshen, and probably both yachts would have
+done better with a single reef in the mainsail;
+but there was no time to reduce sail. As they
+passed Turtle Head and came out into the open
+bay, the white-capped waves broke over the bows,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+dashing the spray from stem to stern. Neither
+Donald nor Robert flinched a hair, or permitted
+a sheet to be started.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll take the mast out of her, Don John,"
+said Ned Patterdale, wiping the salt water from
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>"If I do, I'll put in another," replied Donald.
+"But you can't snap that stick. The Skylark's
+mast will go by the board first, and then it will
+be time enough to look out for ours."</p>
+
+<p>"You have beaten her, Don John," added Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet. 'There's many a slip between the
+cup and the lip.'"</p>
+
+<p>"But you are a quarter of a mile ahead of her,
+at least. It's blowing a gale, and we can't carry
+all this sail much longer."</p>
+
+<p>"She can carry it as long as the Skylark.
+When she reefs, we will do the same. I want to
+show you what the Sea Foam's made of. She is
+as stiff as a line-of-battle ship."</p>
+
+<p>"But look over to windward, Don John,"
+exclaimed Ned, with evident alarm. "Isn't that
+a squall?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I think not. It's only a shower of rain,"
+replied Donald. "There may be a puff of wind
+in it. If there is, I can touch her up."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The Skylark has come up into the wind, and
+dropped her peak," added Norman, considerably
+excited.</p>
+
+<p>But Donald kept on. In a moment more a
+heavy shower of rain deluged the deck of the Sea
+Foam. With it came a smart puff of wind, and
+the skipper "touched her up;" but it was over in
+a moment, and the yacht sped on her way towards
+the goal. Half an hour later she passed the
+Penobscot, and a gun from her saluted the victor
+in the exciting race. About four minutes later
+came the Skylark, which had lost half this time
+in the squall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE LAUNCH OF THE MAUD.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The heavy rain had driven nearly all the people
+on board of the Penobscot below, but the
+judges, clothed in rubber coats, kept the deck, in
+readiness to take the time of the rival yachts.
+After the squall, the weather was so thick that both
+of them were hidden from view. The craft not in
+the race had anchored near the Penobscot, and on
+board of all the yachts the interest in the result
+was most intense.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid it will be no race," said Sam Rodman,
+who was now the chairman of the judges.</p>
+
+<p>"The commodore will put the Skylark through,
+whatever the weather," replied Frank Norwood.</p>
+
+<p>"Don John will keep the Sea Foam flying as
+long as Bob runs the Skylark, you may depend."</p>
+
+<p>"It was quite a little squall that swept across
+the bay just now," added Rodman. "I hope no
+accident has happened to them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'll risk the accidents. I would give a dollar
+to know which one was ahead."</p>
+
+<p>"Not much doubt on that point."</p>
+
+<p>"I think there is. Don John generally knows
+what he is about. He don't very often say what
+he can do, but when he does, he means it."</p>
+
+<p>"The commodore is too much for him."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he is, but I have hopes of the Sea
+Foam. Don John is building the Maud for me,
+and I have some interest in this race. I don't
+want a yacht that is to be beaten by everything in
+the fleet. If the Skylark is too much for the Sea
+Foam, the chance of the Maud won't be much
+better."</p>
+
+<p>The judges discussed the merits of the two
+yachts for half an hour longer, and there was as
+much difference of opinion among them as among
+the rest of the spectators of the race.</p>
+
+<p>"There's one of them!" shouted Frank Norwood,
+as the Sea Foam emerged from the cloud of
+mist which accompanied the rain.</p>
+
+<p>"Which is it?" demanded Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't make her out," replied Norwood, for
+the yacht was over a mile distant.</p>
+
+<p>"But where is the other? One of them is getting
+badly beaten," added Rodman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That must be the Skylark we see."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it is. It is so thick we can't
+make her out, but her sails look very white. I
+think it is the Sea Foam."</p>
+
+<p>"There's the other!" exclaimed Norwood, as
+the Skylark was dimly perceived in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>"She is half a mile astern. It is a bad beat for
+one of them."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so; and if it is the Sea Foam, I shall
+want to throw up the contract for the Maud," said
+Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"There is one thing about it; both of those craft
+are good sea boats, and if they can carry whole
+jib and mainsail in this blow, they are just the
+right kind of yachts for me. I like an able boat,
+even if she don't win any prizes. Give me a stiff
+boat before a fast one."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to have mine both stiff and fast."</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the Christabel. She went round the
+course with a reef in the fore and main sails, and
+was beaten at that," added Norwood. "Here
+comes the head boat. It is the Skylark, as sure
+as you live."</p>
+
+<p>"Not much, Frank. Do you see her figure<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>-head?
+Is it a bird?" demanded Rodman, triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't; that's a fact."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the Sea Foam fast enough."</p>
+
+<p>This was exciting news, and Sam Rodman
+walked rapidly to the companion-way of the
+Penobscot.</p>
+
+<p>"Yachts in sight!" shouted he to the people
+below.</p>
+
+<p>"Which is ahead?" asked Mr. Montague.</p>
+
+<p>"The Sea Foam," replied Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so glad!" exclaimed Miss Nellie Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Montague and Captain Patterdale only
+laughed, but they were sufficiently interested to
+go on deck in spite of the pouring rain, and they
+were followed by many others.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" shouted Sam Rodman, as the gun was
+fired.</p>
+
+<p>"Four, thirty-two, ten," added Frank Norwood;
+and the figures were entered upon the
+schedule.</p>
+
+<p>The Sea Foam passed the judges' yacht, came
+about, and went under her stern.</p>
+
+<p>"The Sea Foam," shouted Donald.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Though the spectators were not all satisfied
+with the result, they gave three cheers to the
+victorious yacht, magnanimously led off by Mr.
+Montague himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Time!" called Sam, as the Skylark came into
+the range of the chimney on shore.</p>
+
+<p>"Four, thirty-six, twelve," said Norwood.</p>
+
+<p>The Skylark came about, and passed under the
+stern of the Penobscot, reporting her name. The
+judges went below, and figured out the result, by
+which it appeared that the Sea Foam had beaten
+the Skylark, after the correction for the three
+inches' difference in length, by three minutes fifty-nine
+and four tenths seconds.</p>
+
+<p>Donald was the first to come on board of the
+Penobscot, and was generously congratulated on
+his decisive victory, especially by Mr. Montague,
+the father of the commodore. Robert followed
+him soon after, and every one was curious to know
+what he would say and do.</p>
+
+<p>"Don John, you have beaten me," exclaimed
+he, grasping the hand of Donald. "You have
+done it fairly and handsomely, and I am ready to
+give up the first prize to the Sea Foam."</p>
+
+<p>The party in the cabin of the Penobscot heartily
+applauded the conduct of the commodore.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You are very kind and generous, Bob," replied
+Donald, deeply moved by the magnanimity
+of the commodore.</p>
+
+<p>"When I am whipped, I know it as well as the
+next man. The silver vase belongs to the Sea
+Foam."</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all," protested Donald. "This last
+race was not for the vase, and you won the first
+one fairly."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course the vase belongs to the commodore,"
+added Rodman. "The judges have already
+awarded and presented the prizes."</p>
+
+<p>This was the unanimous sentiment of all concerned,
+and Robert consented to retain the first
+prize.</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Don John," continued the commodore,
+removing his wet coat and cap, "I want to have
+an understanding about the affair. While I own
+that the Skylark has been beaten, I am not so
+clear that the Sea Foam is the faster boat of the
+two."</p>
+
+<p>"I think she is, commodore," laughed Donald;
+"though I believe I understand your position."</p>
+
+<p>"We made an even thing of it till we came up
+with Turtle Head&mdash;didn't we?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that's so. If either gained anything for
+the moment, he lost it again," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, if we made exactly the same time to
+Turtle Head, it seems to me the merits of the two
+boats are about the same."</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly, commodore. You forgot that the
+Skylark has to give time to the Sea Foam&mdash;one
+and three-tenths seconds per mile; or about eight
+seconds from here to the Head."</p>
+
+<p>"That's next to nothing," laughed Robert.
+"But I was a length ahead of you."</p>
+
+<p>"I let you gain that, so that I could go to windward
+of you."</p>
+
+<p>"You made your first point by running nearer
+to the rocks than I like to go, by which you cut
+off a little of the distance; and inches counted in
+so close a race."</p>
+
+<p>"That's part of the game in sailing a race."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that, and it's all perfectly fair. I lost
+half my time when the squall came. I thought it
+was going to be heavier than it proved to be."</p>
+
+<p>"I threw the Sea Foam up into the wind when
+it came," said Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"But you didn't drop your peak, and I lost two
+minutes in doing it. Now, Don John, I can put<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>
+my finger on the four minutes by which you beat
+me; and I don't think there is any difference
+between the two yachts."</p>
+
+<p>"You forget the allowance."</p>
+
+<p>"That's nothing. In all future regattas the
+result will depend more upon the sailing than
+upon the boats."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are quite right, Bob; and the
+fellow who makes the most mistakes will lose the
+race. But when the Maud is done she is going to
+beat you right along, if she has anything like fair
+play," laughed Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"She may if she can," replied Robert.</p>
+
+<p>The reputation of Ramsay &amp; Son, boat builders,
+was greatly increased by the result of the race.
+If Edward Patterdale was a little mortified to have
+it demonstrated that the Sea Foam had lost the
+first prize by his own want of skill and tact in
+sailing her, he was consoled by the fact that
+Commodore Montague, who had the credit of
+being the best skipper in Belfast, had been beaten
+by his yacht. When the shower was over the
+party went on shore, and Donald hastened to the
+shop to attend to business. He found that his
+men had done a good day's work in his absence,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
+and he related to Kennedy all the particulars of
+the two races.</p>
+
+<p>"It would have been a bad egg for you if you
+had not been present," said Kennedy, much interested
+in the story. "In these regattas the
+sailing of the yacht is half the battle, and these
+young fellows may ruin your reputation as a boat-builder,
+if you don't look out for them."</p>
+
+<p>"When I heard Ned Patterdale say he was disappointed
+in the Sea Foam, I felt that our business
+was nearly ruined. I think I have done a good
+thing for our firm to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"So you have, Donald; and when the Maud is
+finished, I hope you will sail her yourself in the
+first race she enters."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, if Sam Rodman consents."</p>
+
+<p>Donald paid off his men that night from the
+money received from Mr. Rodman. The next
+week he employed another hand, and worked diligently
+himself. Every day his mother came out
+to see how the work progressed, as she began to
+have some hope herself of the success of the firm
+of Ramsay &amp; Son. Donald paid her all the fees
+he received for measuring yachts, and thus far this
+had been enough to support the family. She did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>
+not inquire very closely into the financial affairs
+of the concern, and the active member of it was
+not very communicative; but she had unbounded
+confidence in him, and while he was hopeful she
+was satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>It would be tedious to follow the young builder
+through all the details of his business. The frame
+of the Maud was all set up in due time, and then
+planked. By the first of August, when the vacation
+at the High School commenced, she was ready
+to be launched. All the joiner work on deck and
+in the cabin was completed, and had received two
+coats of paint. Mr. Rodman had paid a hundred
+dollars every week on account, which was more
+than Donald needed to carry on the work, and the
+affairs of Ramsay &amp; Son were in a very prosperous
+condition.</p>
+
+<p>On the day of the launch, the Yacht Club attended
+in a body, and all the young ladies of the
+High School were present. Miss Maud Rodman,
+with a bottle in her hand, had consented formally
+to give her own name to the beautiful craft. Nellie
+Patterdale was to be on deck with her, attended
+by Donald and Sam Rodman. The boarding at the
+end of the shop had been removed, to allow the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>
+passage of the yacht into her future element. The
+ways had been laid down into the water, and well
+slushed. It was high tide at ten o'clock, and this
+hour had been chosen for the great event.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you all ready, Mr. Kennedy?" asked
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"All ready," replied the workman.</p>
+
+<p>"Let her slide!" shouted the boat-builder.</p>
+
+<p>A few smart blows with the hammers removed
+the dog-shores and the wedges, and the Maud
+began to move very slowly at first. Those on
+deck were obliged to stoop until the hull had
+passed out of the shop.</p>
+
+<p>"Now stand up," said Donald, as the yacht
+passed the end of the shop; and he thrust a long
+pole, with a flag attached to the end, into the mast
+hole.</p>
+
+<p>The boat increased her speed as she advanced,
+and soon struck the water with a splash.</p>
+
+<p>"Now break the bottle, Maud," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I give this yacht the name of Maud," said Miss
+Rodman, in a loud tone, as she broke the bottle
+upon the heel of the bowsprit.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't she tip over, Don John?" asked Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all; nearly all her ballast has been put<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>
+into her, and she will stand up like a queen on the
+water," answered Donald, proudly, as he realized
+that the launch was a perfect success.</p>
+
+<p>Loud cheers from the crowd on shore greeted
+the yacht as she went into the embrace of her
+chosen element. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs,
+and the gentlemen their hats. Maud and
+Nellie returned the salute, and so did Sam Rodman;
+but Donald was too busy, just then, even to
+enjoy his triumph. As the hull slid off into the
+deep water, the boat-builder threw over the anchor,
+and veered out the cable till her headway
+was checked. The Maud rested on the water as
+gracefully as a swan, and the work of the day was
+done.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had the yacht brought up at her cable,
+when the Juno, in which Laud Cavendish had been
+laying off and on where he could see the launch,
+ran alongside of her.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep off!" shouted Donald; "you will scrape
+her sides."</p>
+
+<p>"No; hold on, Don John; I have a cork fender,"
+replied Laud, as he threw his painter on
+board of the Maud. "Catch a turn&mdash;will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let him come on board, if you can help<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>
+it," whispered Nellie Patterdale. "He is a terrible
+bore."</p>
+
+<p>"I can help it," replied Donald, as, with a
+boat-hook he shoved off the bow of the Juno.</p>
+
+<p>Then, for the first time, he observed that Laud
+had a passenger, a man whom he remembered to
+have seen before, though he did not think where.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you about, Don John?" demanded
+Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep off, then," replied Donald. "We don't
+want any visitors on board yet. We are going
+to haul her up to the wharf at once."</p>
+
+<p>"But I came off to offer the ladies a passage to
+the shore," said Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"They don't want any passage to the shore."</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning, Miss Patterdale," added Laud,
+as Nellie went to the rail near the Juno. "Allow
+me to offer you a place in this boat to convey you
+to the shore."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish; I intend to remain
+where I am," replied she, rather haughtily.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be happy to take you out to sail, if you
+will do me the honor to accompany me; and Miss
+Rodman, too, if she will go."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I thank you; I am otherwise engaged,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>
+answered Nellie, as she retreated to the other side
+of the yacht.</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Donald, let me come on board," asked
+Laud, who was desperately bent upon improving
+his acquaintance with Nellie Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"Not now; you can come on board at the
+wharf."</p>
+
+<p>Donald was resolute, and Laud, angry at his
+rebuff, <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'filled'">filed</ins> away.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is a man that wants to see you, Don
+John," shouted Laud, as he ran his boat up to the
+Maud again.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't see him now," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>Kennedy now came alongside in the skiff, bringing
+a warp-line from the shore, by which the Maud
+was hauled up to the wharf. The spectators went
+on board, and examined the work. Many of them
+crawled into the cabin and cook-room, and all of
+them were enthusiastic in their praise, though a
+few seasoned it with wholesome criticism. Some
+thought the cabin ought to be longer, evidently
+believing that it was possible to put a quart of
+water into a pint bottle; others thought she ought
+to be rigged as a schooner instead of a sloop, which
+was a matter of fancy with the owner; but all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+agreed that she was a beautiful yacht. In honor
+of the event, and to please the young people, Mr.
+Rodman had prepared a collation at his house, to
+which the members of the Yacht Club and others
+were cordially invited. Kennedy and the other
+men who worked on the Maud were included in
+the invitation, and the afternoon was to be a holiday.
+Laud Cavendish, who had moored the Juno
+and come on shore, liberally interpreted the invitation
+to include himself, and joined the party,
+though he was not a member of the club. Some
+people have a certain exuberance on the side of
+their faces, which enables them to do things which
+others cannot do.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to see you, Don John," said Laud, as
+the party began to move from the wharf towards
+the mansion of Mr. Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll see you this evening," replied Donald,
+who was anxious to gain a position at the side of
+Miss Nellie Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"That will be too late. You saw the man in
+the Juno with me&mdash;didn't you?" continued Laud,
+proceeding to open his business.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw him."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you know him?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No; though I thought I had seen him before,"
+replied Donald, as they walked along in the rear
+of the party.</p>
+
+<p>"He is the man who was beaten within an inch
+of his life over to Lincolnville, a while ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Hasbrook?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, his name is Jacob Hasbrook."</p>
+
+<p>"He was with us in the library of Captain Patterdale
+the day we were there, when the man had
+a sun-stroke."</p>
+
+<p>"Was he? Well, I don't remember that. Folks
+say he is a big rascal, and the licking he got was
+no more than he deserved. He was laid up for a
+month after it; but now he and the sheriff are trying
+to find out who did it."</p>
+
+<p>Donald was interested, in spite of himself, and
+for the time even forgot the pleasant smile of
+Nellie, which was a great deal for him to forget.</p>
+
+<p>"Has he any idea who it was that beat him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know whether he has or not. He only
+asks questions, and don't answer any. You know
+I met you over to Turtle Head the morning after
+the affair in Lincolnville."</p>
+
+<p>"I remember all about it," answered Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw you in the Juno afterwards. By the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
+way, Don John, you didn't tell me how you happened
+to be in the Juno at that time. I don't recollect
+whether you had her at Turtle Head, or not.
+I don't think I saw her there, at any rate."</p>
+
+<p>"No matter whether you did or not. Go on
+with your story, for we are almost to Mr. Rodman's
+house," replied Donald, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, after I left you, I ran over towards Saturday
+Cove," continued Laud. "You know where
+that is."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I do."</p>
+
+<p>This was the place towards which Captain Shivernock
+had gone in the sail-boat, and where Laud
+had probably seen him, when he gave him the
+money paid for the Juno. Laud did not say that
+this was the time and place he had met the captain,
+but Donald was entirely satisfied on this point.</p>
+
+<p>"From Saturday Cove I ran on the other tack
+over to Gilky's Harbor," added Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see anybody near the cove?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't say whether I did or not," replied
+Laud, after some hesitation, which confirmed Donald's
+belief that he had met the captain on this
+occasion. "Never mind that. Off Gilky's Harbor
+I hailed Tom Reed, who had been a-fishing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
+It seems that Tom told Hasbrook he saw me that
+forenoon, and Hasbrook has been to see me half
+a dozen times about it. I don't know whether he
+thinks I am the fellow that thrashed him, or not.
+He has pumped me dry about it. I happened
+to let on that I saw you, and Hasbrook wants to
+talk with you."</p>
+
+<p>By this time they reached Mr. Rodman's house,
+and to the surprise of Donald, Laud Cavendish
+coolly walked into the grounds with him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE WHITE CROSS OF DENMARK.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Laud Cavendish was at Donald's side
+when they entered the grounds of Mr. Rodman,
+where the tables were spread under the trees
+in the garden. As the collation was in honor of
+the launch of the Maud, of course the young boat-builder
+was a person of no little consequence, and
+being with him, Laud was permitted to enter the
+grounds unchallenged; but they soon separated.</p>
+
+<p>Donald was disturbed by what Laud had told
+him, and he did not wish to answer any questions
+which might be put to him by Hasbrook, who was
+evidently working his own case, trying to ascertain
+who had committed the outrage upon him. He
+did not wish to tell whom he had seen on that
+Saturday forenoon, and thus violate the confidence
+of Captain Shivernock. But he was entirely satisfied
+that the captain had nothing to do with it,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>
+for he had not left his house until after the deed
+was done, according to the testimony of Sykes and
+his wife, whom he had separately interviewed. To
+decline to answer Hasbrook's questions, on the
+other hand, was to excite suspicion. He could
+not tell any lies about the case. If he could, it
+would have been easily managed; as it was, the
+situation was very awkward. But he had not time
+to think much of the matter, for one and another
+began to congratulate him upon the success of the
+launch, the fine proportions and the workmanship
+of the Maud. The praise of Captain Patterdale
+was particularly agreeable to him; but the best
+news he heard was that Major Norwood intended
+to have a yacht built for his son, and would probably
+give the job to Ramsay &amp; Son.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Don John, you are a real lion," laughed
+Nellie Patterdale, when, at last, the young boat-builder
+obtained a place at her side, which had
+been the objective point with him since he entered
+the grounds.</p>
+
+<p>"Better be a lion than a bear," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody says you have built a splendid
+yacht, and Maud is delighted to have it named
+after her."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think the Sea Foam ought to have been called
+the Nellie," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! I asked Ned to call her the Sea Foam."</p>
+
+<p>"If I ever build a yacht on my own account, I
+shall certainly name her the Nellie Patterdale,"
+continued Donald, though the remark cost him a
+terrible struggle.</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you, Don John; but I hope you will
+never build one on your own account, then," answered
+she, with a slight blush.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, wouldn't you like to have a boat named
+after you?" asked he, rather taken aback at her
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't like to have my whole name given
+to a boat. It is too long."</p>
+
+<p>"O, well! Then I shall call her the Nellie."</p>
+
+<p>"You are too late, Don John," laughed Laud
+Cavendish, who was standing within hearing distance,
+and who now stepped forward, raised his
+hat, bowed, and smirked. "I have already ordered
+the painter to inscribe that word on the bows and
+stern of the Juno, for I never liked her present
+name."</p>
+
+<p>Nellie blushed deeper than before, but it was
+with anger this time, though she made no reply to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+Laud's impudent remark. At this moment Mr.
+Rodman invited the party to gather around the
+tables and partake of the collation.</p>
+
+<p>"Will Miss Patterdale allow me to offer her my
+arm?" added Laud, as he thrust his elbow up
+before her.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I thank you," she replied, walking towards
+the tables, but keeping at Donald's side.</p>
+
+<p>The boat-builder had not the courage to offer
+her his arm, though some of the sons of the nabobs
+had done so to the ladies; but he kept at her side.
+Laud was desperate, for Nellie seemed to be the
+key of destiny to him. If he could win her heart
+and hand, or even her hand without the heart, his
+fortune would be made, and the wealth and social
+position of which cruel fate had thus far robbed
+him would be obtained. Though she snubbed him,
+he could not see it, and would not accept the situation.
+If Donald had not been there, she would
+not have declined his offered arm; and he regarded
+the boat-builder as the only obstacle in his path.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you had not invited that puppy, Don
+John," said Nellie, as they moved towards the
+tables; and there was a snap in her tones which
+emphasized the remark.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I didn't invite him," replied Donald, warmly.</p>
+
+<p>"He came in with you, and Mr. Rodman said
+you must have asked him."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, I did not; I had no right to invite
+him," protested Donald.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie immediately told this to the host of the
+occasion, and in doing so she left Donald for a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you get out of the way, Don John,
+when you see what I am up to?" said Laud, in a
+low tone, but earnestly and indignantly, as though
+Donald had stepped between him and the cheerful
+destiny in which his imagination revelled.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you up to?"</p>
+
+<p>"I told you before that I liked Nellie, and you
+are all the time coming between me and her. She
+would have taken my arm if you had stepped
+aside."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't choose to step aside," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to get in there, Don John," added
+Laud, in a milder tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Paddle your own canoe."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't care anything about her."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know I don't?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's my affair."</p>
+
+<p>"She don't care for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor you, either."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not now, but I can make it all right
+with her," said Laud, as he twirled his colored
+mustache, which he probably regarded as a lady-killer.
+"Besides, you are not old enough to think
+of such things yet, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't think of such things yet," replied
+Donald, who really spoke only the truth, so far as
+he was consciously concerned.</p>
+
+<p>"But you ought not to stick by her to-day. You
+are the boat-builder, and you should bestow your
+attentions upon Maud Rodman, after whom the
+yacht was named. She is the daughter of the man
+who gave you the job. If you will just keep away
+from Nellie, I can paddle my own canoe, as you
+say."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cavendish," interposed Mr. Rodman, "I
+believe you are not a member of the Belfast Yacht
+Club."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not yet, but I intend to join," replied
+Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"In the mean time, this occasion is for the
+members of the club and their friends; and I wish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>
+to suggest the propriety of your withdrawing, as I
+believe you are here without an invitation,"
+added Mr. Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"I came with Don John," said Laud, rather
+startled by the plain speech of the host.</p>
+
+<p>"If Don John invited you&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't invite him, or any one else. I did
+not consider that I had any right to do so," protested
+Donald, as he walked forward and joined
+Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>Laud could not gainsay this honest avowal; but
+there was no limit to his wrath at that moment,
+and he determined to punish the boat-builder for
+"going back" on him, as he regarded it.</p>
+
+<p>The collation was a sumptuous one, for when
+Belfast nabobs do anything, they do it. The
+guests had good appetites, and did abundant justice
+to the feast. The incident of which Laud Cavendish
+had been the central figure caused some talk
+and some laughter.</p>
+
+<p>"He had the impudence to say he was going to
+name his boat after me," said Nellie Patterdale.
+"He don't like the name of Juno."</p>
+
+<p>"Does he own the Juno?" asked Captain Patterdale,
+quietly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I suppose he does."</p>
+
+<p>"How is that, Don John?" added the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, he owns her; Captain Shivernock got
+tired of the Juno, and Laud bought her."</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale made a note of that piece of
+information, and regarded it as a clew to assist in
+the discovery of the tin box, which had not yet
+been found, though the owner and the deputy
+sheriff had been looking diligently for it ever since
+its disappearance.</p>
+
+<p>"What did he pay for her?" inquired Captain
+Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"Three hundred and fifty dollars," answered
+Donald, who hoped he would not be asked of whom
+Laud had bought the Juno.</p>
+
+<p>The captain did not ask the question, for it
+seemed to be self-evident that he had purchased
+her of Captain Shivernock. Indeed, nothing more
+was said about the matter. A dance on the shaven
+lawn followed the collation, and the guests remained
+until the dews of evening began to fall.
+Donald walked home with Nellie, and then went
+to the shop. He expected to find Hasbrook there,
+but he had returned to Lincolnville. He saw that
+the sails for the Maud had been sent down during<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>
+his absence, and on the desk lay the bill for them,
+enclosed in an envelope, directed to "Messrs.
+Ramsay &amp; Son." While he was looking at it,
+Mr. Leach, the sail-maker, entered the shop. He
+had come to look after his money, for possibly he
+had not entire confidence in the financial stability
+of the firm.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you looked over those sails, Don John?"
+asked Leach.</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet; it is rather too dark to examine them
+to-night," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the best suit of sails I ever made,"
+added the sail-maker. "You said you wanted the
+best that could be had."</p>
+
+<p>"I did." And Donald unrolled them. "They
+look like a good job."</p>
+
+<p>"If they are not as good as anything that ever
+went on a boat, I'll make you another suit for
+nothing. I was in hopes you would look them
+over to-night. I don't want to trouble you, Don
+John, but I'm a little short of money. Captain
+Patterdale has a mortgage on my house, and I like
+to pay the interest on it the day it is due. You
+said you would let me have the money when the
+sails were delivered."</p>
+
+<p>"And so I will."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"If they are not all right, I will make them
+so," added Leach. "I should like to pay the
+captain my interest money to-night, if I can."</p>
+
+<p>"You can. I will go into the house and get the
+money."</p>
+
+<p>Donald went to his room in the cottage, and
+took from their hiding-place the bills which had
+been paid to him by Laud Cavendish for the Juno.
+Without this he had not enough to pay the sail-maker.
+He did not like to use this money, for he
+was not fully satisfied that Laud would not get
+into trouble on account of it, or that he might not
+himself have some difficulty with Captain Shivernock.
+He feared that he should be called upon to
+refund this money; but Mr. Rodman would pay
+him another instalment of the price of the Maud
+in a few days, and he should then be in condition
+to meet any demand upon him. Laud had paid
+him seven fifty-dollar bills, and he put them in his
+pocket. As he passed through the kitchen, he
+lighted the lantern, and returned to the shop.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't mean to dun you up so sharp for this
+bill," said Leach; "but I haven't a dollar in my
+pocket at this minute, and I am very anxious to be
+punctual in the payment of my interest."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It's all right; I had as lief pay it now as at
+any other time. In fact, I like to pay up as soon
+as the work is done," replied Donald, as he handed
+the sail-maker three of the fifty-dollar bills, which
+was the price agreed upon for the sails, five in
+number.</p>
+
+<p>Leach looked carefully at each of the bills. All
+of them were quite new and fresh, and one was
+peculiar enough to attract the attention of any one
+through whose hands it might pass. It was just
+like the others, but at some period, not very
+remote in its history, it had been torn into four
+parts. It might have been in a sheet of note
+paper, torn up by some one who did not know the
+bill was between the leaves. It had been mended
+with two narrow slips of thin, white paper, extending
+across the length and width of the bill, like
+the horizontal white cross on the flag of Denmark.</p>
+
+<p>"That bill has been in four pieces," said Leach,
+as he turned it over and examined it; "but I suppose
+it is good."</p>
+
+<p>"If it is not, I will give you another for it,"
+answered Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all here; so I think it is all right. I wonder
+who tore it up."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; it was so when I took it."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very much obliged to you, Don John;
+and the next time I make a suit of sails for you,
+you needn't pay me till you get ready," said the
+sail-maker, as he put the money in his wallet.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't pay for this suit till I got ready,"
+laughed the boat-builder; "and when you get up
+another, I hope I shall be able to pay you the cash
+for them."</p>
+
+<p>Leach left the shop a happy man; for most men
+are cheerful when they have plenty of money in
+their pocket. He was more especially happy
+because, being an honest man, he was able now
+to pay the interest on the mortgage note on the
+day it was due. He had worked half the night
+before in order to finish the sails, so that he might
+get the money to pay it. With a light step,
+therefore, he walked to the elegant mansion of
+Captain Patterdale, and rang the bell at the library
+door. There was a light in the room, which
+indicated that the captain was at home. He was
+admitted by the nabob himself, who answered his
+own bell at this door.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you thought I wasn't going to pay
+my interest on the day it was due," said Leach,
+with a cheerful smile.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="600" height="449" alt="The Sail-maker&#39;s Bill. Page 199." title="The Sail-maker&#39;s Bill. Page 199." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">The Sail-maker's Bill.</span> <a href="#Page_199">Page 199</a>.</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, I didn't think anything at
+all about it," replied Captain Patterdale. "I was
+not even aware that your interest was due to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"I came pretty near not paying it, for work has
+been rather slack this season; but the firm of
+Ramsay &amp; Son helped me out by paying me
+promptly for the sails I made for the Maud."</p>
+
+<p>"Ramsay &amp; Son is a great concern," laughed
+the nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"It pays promptly; and that's more than all of
+them do," added Leach, drawing his wallet from
+his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't your note by me, Mr. Leach," said
+Captain Patterdale; but he did not consider it
+necessary to state that the important document
+was at that moment in the tin box, wherever the
+said tin box might be. "I will give you a receipt
+for the amount you pay, and indorse it upon the
+note when I have it."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, captain."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know how much the interest is? I am
+sure I have forgotten," added the rich man.</p>
+
+<p>"I ought to know. I have had to work too hard
+to get the money in time to forget how much it
+was. It is just seventy dollars," answered Leach.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You needn't pay it now, if you are short."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not short now. I'm flush, for which I
+thank Don John," said the sail-maker, as he
+placed two of the fifty-dollar bills on the desk,
+at which the captain was writing the receipt.</p>
+
+<p>The uppermost of the two bills was the mended
+one, for Leach thought if there was any doubt in
+regard to this, it ought to be known at once. If
+the nabob would take it, the matter was settled.
+Captain Patterdale wrote the receipt, and did not
+at once glance at the money.</p>
+
+<p>"There's a hundred, captain," added the sail-maker.</p>
+
+<p>The rich man picked up the bills, and turned
+over the upper one. If he did not start, it was
+not because he was not surprised. He was utterly
+confounded when he saw that bill, and his thoughts
+flashed quickly through his mind. But he did not
+betray his thoughts or his emotions, quick as were
+the former, and intense as were the latter. He
+took up the mended bill, and looked it over several
+times.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the white cross of Denmark," said he,
+suppressing his emotions.</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't the bill good?" asked the sail-maker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Good as gold for eighty-eight cents on a dollar,"
+replied the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Then it is not good," added Leach, who did
+not quite comprehend the nabob's mathematics.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is."</p>
+
+<p>"But you say it is worth only eighty-eight cents
+on a dollar."</p>
+
+<p>"That is all any paper dollar is worth when gold
+is a little rising fourteen per cent. premium. The
+bill is perfectly good, in spite of the white cross
+upon it. You want thirty dollars change."</p>
+
+<p>The captain counted out this sum, and handed
+it to the debtor.</p>
+
+<p>"If the bill isn't good, I can give you another,"
+replied Leach, as he took the money.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a good bill, and I prefer it to any other
+for certain reasons of my own. It has the white
+cross of Denmark upon it; at least, the white bars
+on this bill remind me of the flag of that nation."</p>
+
+<p>"It's like a flag&mdash;is it?" added the sail-maker,
+who did not understand the rich man's allusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Like the flag of Denmark. I made a voyage
+to Copenhagen once, and this bill reminds me of
+the merchant's flag, which has a couple of white
+bars across a red ground. Where did you say you
+got this bill, Mr. Leach?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Don John gave it to me, not half an hour ago."</p>
+
+<p>"It has been torn into quarters some time, and
+the pieces put together again. Did Don John
+mend the bill himself?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; he says the bill is just as it was when
+he received it. I looked at it pretty sharp when
+I took it; but he said if it wasn't good, he would
+give me another."</p>
+
+<p>"It is perfectly good. Did he tell you where
+he got the bill?" asked Captain Patterdale, manifesting
+none of the emotion which agitated him.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; he did not. I didn't ask him. If it
+makes any difference, I will do so."</p>
+
+<p>"It makes no difference whatever. It is all
+right, Mr. Leach."</p>
+
+<p>The sail-maker folded up his receipt, and left
+the library. He went home with eighty dollars
+in his pocket, entirely satisfied with himself, with
+the nabob, and especially with the firm of Ramsay
+&amp; Son. He did not care a straw about the white
+cross of Denmark, so long as the bill was good.
+Captain Patterdale was deeply interested in the
+bill which bore this mark, and possibly he expected
+to conquer by this sign. He was not so much
+interested in the bill because he had made a voyage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>
+up the Baltic and seen the white cross there,
+as because he had seen it on a bill in that tin box.
+He was not only interested, but he was anxious,
+for the active member of the firm of Ramsay &amp; Son
+seemed to be implicated in a very unfortunate and
+criminal transaction.</p>
+
+<p>More than once Captain Patterdale had observed
+the pleasant relations between Don John and his
+fair daughter. As Nellie was a very pretty girl,
+intelligent, well educated, and agreeable, and in
+due time would be the heiress of a quarter or a
+half million, as the case might be, he was rather
+particular in regard to the friendships she contracted
+with the young gentlemen of the city.
+Possibly he did not approve the intimacy between
+them. But whatever opinions he may have entertained
+in regard to the equality of social relations
+between his daughter and the future partner of her
+joys and sorrows, we must do him the justice to
+say that he preferred honor and honesty to wealth
+and position in the gentleman whom Nellie might
+choose for her life companion. The suspicion, or
+rather the conviction, forced upon him by "the
+white cross of Denmark," that Donald was neither
+honest nor honorable, was vastly more painful than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span>
+the fact that he was poor, and was the son of a
+mere ship carpenter.</p>
+
+<p>Certainly Nellie did like the young man, though,
+as she was hardly more than a child, it might be a
+fancy that would pass away when she realized the
+difference between the daughter of a nabob and
+the son of a ship carpenter. While he was thinking
+of the subject, Nellie entered the library, as
+she generally did when her father was alone there.
+She was his only confidant in the house in the
+matter of the tin box, and he determined to talk
+with her about the painful discovery he had just
+made.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>DONALD ANSWERS QUESTIONS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Well, Nellie, did you have a good time
+to-day?" asked Captain Patterdale, as
+his daughter seated herself near his desk.</p>
+
+<p>"I did; a capital time. Everybody seemed to
+enjoy it," replied she.</p>
+
+<p>"But some seemed to enjoy it more than
+others," added the captain, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, father, you have something to say," said
+she, with a blush. "I wish you would say it right
+out, and not torment me for half an hour, trying
+to guess what it is."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, if I hadn't anything to say, I should
+hold my tongue," laughed her father.</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody don't."</p>
+
+<p>"But I do."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I enjoyed the occasion more
+than any one else, father?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thought you were one of the few who enjoyed
+it most."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I was; but what have I done?"</p>
+
+<p>"Done?"</p>
+
+<p>"What terrible sin have I committed now?"</p>
+
+<p>"None, my child."</p>
+
+<p>"But you are going to tell me that I have sinned
+against the letter of the law of propriety, or something
+of that kind. This is the way you always
+begin."</p>
+
+<p>"Then this time is an exception to all other
+times, for I haven't a word of fault to find with
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad! I was trying to think what
+wicked thing I had been doing."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, child. Don John seemed to be
+supremely happy this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say he was; but the firm of Ramsay &amp;
+Son had a successful launch, and Don John had
+compliments enough to turn the head of any one
+with a particle of vanity in his composition."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt of it; and I suppose you were not
+behind the others in adding fuel to the flame."</p>
+
+<p>"What flame, father?"</p>
+
+<p>"The flame of vanity."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, I don't think I uttered a
+single compliment to him."</p>
+
+<p>"It was hardly necessary to utter it; but if you
+had danced with him only half as often, it would
+have flattered his vanity less."</p>
+
+<p>"How could I help it, when he asked me? There
+were more gentlemen than ladies present, and I
+did not like to break up the sets," protested
+Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not; but being the lion of the occasion,
+don't you think he might have divided himself
+up a little more equitably?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; but I couldn't choose my own
+partner," replied Nellie, her cheeks glowing.</p>
+
+<p>"You like Don John very well?"</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly do, father," replied she, honestly.
+"Don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it don't make so much difference
+whether I like him or not."</p>
+
+<p>"You have praised him to the skies, father.
+You said he was a very smart boy; and not one in
+a hundred young fellows takes hold of business
+with so much energy and good judgment. I am
+sure, if you had not said so much in his favor, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
+shouldn't have thought half so much of him,"
+argued Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't blame you for thinking well of him,
+my child," interposed her father. "I only hope
+you are not becoming too much interested in him."</p>
+
+<p>"I only like him as a good-hearted, noble fellow,"
+added Nellie, with a deeper blush than
+before, for she could not help understanding just
+what her father meant.</p>
+
+<p>"He appears to be a very good-hearted fellow
+now; but he is young, and has not yet fully developed
+his character. He may yet turn out to be a
+worthless fellow, dissolute and dishonest," continued
+the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Don John!" exclaimed Nellie, utterly unwilling
+to accept such a supposition.</p>
+
+<p>"Even Don John. I can recall more than one
+young man, who promised as well as he does, that
+turned out very badly; and men fully developed
+in character, sustaining the highest reputations in
+the community, have been detected in the grossest
+frauds. I trust Don John will realize the hopes
+of his friends; but we must not be too positive."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't believe that Don John will ever become
+a bad man," protested Nellie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We don't know. 'Put not your trust in
+princes,' in our day and nation, might read, 'Put
+not your trust in young men.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say all this, father?" asked
+Nellie, anxiously. "Has Don John done anything
+wrong; or is he suspected of doing anything
+wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is at least suspected," replied Captain
+Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, father!"</p>
+
+<p>"You need not be in haste to condemn him, or
+even to think ill of him, Nellie."</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly shall not."</p>
+
+<p>"There is the white cross of Denmark," added
+the captain, holding up the bank bill which had
+told him such a terrible story about the boat-builder.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, father? It looks like a bank note."</p>
+
+<p>"It is; but there is the white cross of Denmark
+on it."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand what you mean."</p>
+
+<p>"I only mean that these white slips of paper
+make the bill look like the flag of Denmark."</p>
+
+<p>Nellie took the bill and examined it.</p>
+
+<p>"It has been torn into four pieces and mended,"
+said she.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That is precisely how it happens to be the
+white cross of Denmark. Do you think, if you
+had ever seen that bill before, you would recognize
+it again, if it fell into your hands?" added the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly I should."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it has been in my hands before. Do
+you remember the day that Michael had the sun-stroke?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; and your tin box disappeared that
+day."</p>
+
+<p>"Precisely so; and this bill was in that tin box.
+Jacob Hasbrook, of Lincolnville, paid me a note.
+I put the money in the box, intending to take it
+over to the bank before night, and deposit it the
+next day. I looked at the bill when I counted the
+money, and I spoke to Hasbrook about it. I
+called it the white cross of Denmark then."</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get it now?" inquired Nellie,
+her heart in her throat with anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Leach, the sail-maker, paid it to me just
+before you came into the library."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Leach!" exclaimed she, permitting herself
+to be cheered by a ray of hope that her father
+was not working up a case against Donald Ramsay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes; you remember who were in the library
+on the day I lost the tin box."</p>
+
+<p>"I remember very well; for all of you went out
+and carried Michael into the house. Besides we
+talked about the box ever so long. You asked me
+who had been in the library while you were up
+stairs; and I told you Mr. Hasbrook, Laud Cavendish,
+and Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"Precisely so; I remember it all very distinctly.
+Now, one of the bills that was in that box comes
+back to me."</p>
+
+<p>"But it was paid to you by Mr. Leach."</p>
+
+<p>"It was; but he had it from Don John half an
+hour before he paid it to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, father!" exclaimed Nellie, with real
+anguish; for even a suspicion against Donald was
+a shock to her. "I can never believe it!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't wish you to believe anything yet; but
+you may as well be prepared for anything an investigation
+may disclose."</p>
+
+<p>"That Don John should steal!" ejaculated
+Nellie. "Why, we all considered him the very
+soul of honor!"</p>
+
+<p>"You are getting along faster than I do with
+your conclusions, child," added Captain Patter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span>dale.
+"A suspicion is not proof. The bill came
+from him, beyond a doubt. But something can
+be said in his favor, besides the statement that his
+character is excellent. Of the three persons who
+were in the library that day, two of them had
+wagons on the street. It does not seem probable
+that Don John walked through the city with that
+tin box in his hand. If he did, some one must
+have seen it. Of course he would not have carried
+it openly, while it could easily have been concealed
+in the wagon of Hasbrook or Laud Cavendish."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly; if Don John had taken it, he would
+not have dared to carry it through the streets,"
+added Nellie, comforted by the suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>"Again, if he had stolen this white cross of
+Denmark, he would not have been likely to pass
+it off here in Belfast," continued the captain; "for
+he is sharp enough to see that it would be identified
+as soon as it appeared. Very likely Mr. Leach
+told him he intended to pay me some money, and
+he surely would not have allowed the bill to come
+back to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I know he didn't do it," cried Nellie, with
+enthusiasm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You are too fast again, child. It is possible
+that he did, however improbable it may seem now,
+for rogues often make very silly blunders. Is
+Edward in the house?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so; he was reading the <i>Age</i> when I
+came in."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell him to go down and ask Don John to
+come up and see me. We will have the matter
+cleared up before we sleep. But, Nellie, don't tell
+Edward what I want to see Don John for. Not a
+word about that to any one. By keeping my own
+counsel, I may get at the whole truth; whereas the
+thief, if he gets wind of what I am doing, may
+cover his tracks or run away."</p>
+
+<p>"I will be very discreet, father," replied Nellie,
+as she left the library.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments she returned.</p>
+
+<p>"He has gone, father; though he is very tired,"
+said she.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose he is; but I don't want to believe
+that Don John is a thief even over one night,"
+replied the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"He asked me what you wanted of Don John;
+but I didn't tell him."</p>
+
+<p>The father and daughter discussed the painful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+suspicion until Donald arrived, and entered the
+library with Edward. A conversation on indifferent
+topics was continued for some time, and the
+boat-builder wondered if he had been sent for to
+talk about the launch of the Maud, which was now
+an old story.</p>
+
+<p>"How is the wind, Edward?" asked Captain
+Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"'Sou'-sou'-west, half west," laughed Edward,
+who understood precisely what his father meant
+by his question; and bidding Donald good night,
+he left the library, without the formality of saying
+he would go and see which way the wind was.</p>
+
+<p>"You know which way the wind is, Nellie; and
+so you need not leave," added the captain, as she
+rose from her seat to follow the example of her
+brother.</p>
+
+<p>"So did Ned, for he told you," she answered.</p>
+
+<p>"And you heard him, and know also."</p>
+
+<p>When Captain Patterdale had private business
+with a visitor, and he wished any member of his
+own family to retire, he always asked which way
+the wind was.</p>
+
+<p>"Don John, you had a great success in the
+launch of the Maud to-day," said the nabob; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>
+as the same thing had been said half a dozen times
+before since the boat-builder entered the room, it
+was hardly to be regarded as an original idea; and
+Donald was satisfied that the launch was not the
+business upon which he had been sent for.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; we got her off very well," he replied.
+"I was sorry I couldn't launch her with the mast
+stepped, so as to dress her in the colors."</p>
+
+<p>"In that case, you would have needed the flags
+of all nations. I have them, and will lend them
+to you any time when you wish to make a sensation."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"I have here the white cross of Denmark,"
+added the captain, holding up the mended bill.</p>
+
+<p>"A fifty-dollar white-cross," laughed Donald.
+"I have seen it before."</p>
+
+<p>"This bill?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I paid it to Mr. Leach for the Maud's
+sails since dark," answered Donald, so squarely
+that the nabob could not help looking at his daughter
+and smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"He said you paid promptly, which is a solid
+virtue in a business man. By the way, Don John,
+you will be out of work as soon as the Maud is
+finished."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I hope to have another yacht to build by that
+time, especially if the Maud does well."</p>
+
+<p>"I wanted to say a word to you about that, and
+tell you some good news, Don John," continued
+Captain Patterdale, as calmly as though he had no
+interest whatever in the mended bill. "I had a
+long talk with Mr. Norwood this afternoon. He
+says he shall give you the job if the Maud sails as
+well as the Skylark or the Sea Foam. He don't
+insist that she shall beat them."</p>
+
+<p>"But I expect she will do it; if she don't I
+shall be disappointed," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't expect too much, Don John. I thought
+you would sleep better if you knew just how Mr.
+Norwood stood on this question."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall, sir; and I am very much obliged to
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think you will make any money on the
+building of the Maud?" asked the nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. I think I shall do pretty well with
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to have money enough to pay your
+bills as you go along. Did Mr. Rodman pay you
+this bill?" inquired the captain, as he held up the
+cross again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; he did not. I have had that bill in
+the house for some time," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you so flush as that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I had considerable cash in the
+house."</p>
+
+<p>"Your father left something, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; but he never had that bill and the
+other two I paid Mr. Leach," replied Donald;
+and he could not help thinking all the time that
+they were a part of the sum Laud Cavendish had
+paid him for the Juno, under promise not to say
+where he got it, if everything was all right.</p>
+
+<p>Though the boat-builder was a square young
+man, he could not help being somewhat embarrassed,
+for his sense of honor did not permit him
+to violate the confidence of any one.</p>
+
+<p>"If it is a fair question, Don John, where did
+you get this bill?" asked the captain.</p>
+
+<p>Donald thought it was hardly a fair question
+under the circumstances, and he made no answer,
+for he was thinking how he could get along without
+a lie, and still say nothing about Laud's connection
+with the bill, for that would expose Captain
+Shivernock.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't answer me, Don John," added the
+nabob, mildly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I don't like to tell," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"I promised not to do so."</p>
+
+<p>"You promised not to tell where you got this
+money?"</p>
+
+<p>Poor Nellie was almost overwhelmed by these
+answers on the part of Donald, and her father began
+to have some painful doubts.</p>
+
+<p>"I did, sir; that is, I promised not to tell if
+everything about the money was all right."</p>
+
+<p>"If you don't tell where you got the money,
+how are you to know whether everything is all
+right or not?" demanded Captain Patterdale, in
+sharper tones than he had yet used.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know," answered the boat-builder,
+not a little confused, and sadly troubled
+by the anxious expression on Miss Nellie's pretty
+face.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps her father, who understood human
+nature exceedingly well, had required her to
+remain in the library during this interview, for a
+purpose; but whether he did or not, Donald was
+really more concerned about her good opinion
+than he was about that of any other person in the
+world, unless it was his mother. He was con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>scious
+that he was not making a good appearance;
+and under the sad gaze of those pretty eyes, he
+was determined to redeem himself.</p>
+
+<p>"You ought not to make such promises, Don
+John," said the captain; and this time he spoke
+quite sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"You have that bill, sir. Is there anything
+wrong about it?" asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Then my promise covers nothing. Laud Cavendish
+paid me that bill," added the boat-builder.</p>
+
+<p>"Laud Cavendish!" exclaimed Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>Her father shook his head, to intimate that she
+was to say nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"Laud Cavendish gave you this bill?" repeated
+the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, and six more just like it; only the
+others were not mended. I paid Mr. Leach three
+of them, and here are the other four," said Donald,
+producing his wallet, and taking from it the four
+bills, which he had not returned to their hiding-place
+in the bureau.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale examined them, and compared
+them with the two in his possession. They
+looked like the bills he had deposited in the tin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>
+box, when Hasbrook paid him the thirteen hundred
+and fifty dollars and interest. Twelve of the bills
+which made up this sum were fifties, nearly new;
+the balance was in hundreds, and smaller notes,
+older, more discolored, and worn.</p>
+
+<p>"Laud Cavendish paid you three hundred and
+fifty dollars, then?" continued the nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; just that. But what is there wrong
+about it?" asked Donald, trembling with emotion,
+when he realized what a scrape he had got into.</p>
+
+<p>"Following your example, Don John, I shall
+for the present decline to answer," replied the
+captain. "If you don't know&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't!" protested Donald, earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>"If you don't know, I thank God; and I congratulate
+you that you don't know."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't the least idea."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, if you don't wish to answer any
+question I may ask, you can decline to answer, as
+I do, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"I am entirely willing to answer any and every
+question that concerns me."</p>
+
+<p>"As you please; but you can't be called upon
+to say anything that will criminate yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Criminate myself, sir!" exclaimed Donald,
+aghast. "I haven't done anything wrong."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I don't say that you have, Don John; more
+than that, I don't believe you have; but if you
+answer any question of mine, you must do it of
+your own free will and accord."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"For what did Laud Cavendish pay you three
+hundred and fifty dollars?"</p>
+
+<p>"For the Juno," replied Donald, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not know he owned the Juno."</p>
+
+<p>"He said he did to-day; at least, he said he was
+going to change her name," added Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"The fact that I did not know it doesn't prove
+that it was not so. You sold the Juno to Laud,
+did you, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you own the Juno?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you buy her of Captain Shivernock?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I did not buy her; he made me a
+present of her."</p>
+
+<p>"A present!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; he got disgusted with her, and gave
+her to me. I could not afford to keep her, and
+sold her to Laud Cavendish."</p>
+
+<p>"Gave her to you! That's very strange."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But Captain Shivernock is a very strange
+man."</p>
+
+<p>"None will dispute that," replied Captain Patterdale,
+with a smile and a shrug of the shoulders.
+"That man throws away his property with utter
+recklessness; and I should not be surprised if he
+ended his life in the almshouse. I will not ask
+any explanation of the conduct of Captain Shivernock.
+Laud Cavendish is not a man of means.
+Did he tell you, Donald, where he got his money
+to buy a boat worth three hundred and fifty
+dollars?"</p>
+
+<p>"He did, sir, and explained the matter so that
+I was satisfied; for I would not sell him the Juno
+till he convinced me that there was no hitch about
+the money."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, where did he get it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't feel at liberty to tell, sir; for he told
+me it was a great secret, which did not affect him,
+but another person. I inquired into the matter
+myself, and was satisfied it was all right."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid you have been deceived, Don
+John; but I am convinced you have done no wrong
+yourself&mdash;at least, not intentionally. Secrets are
+dangerous; and when people wish you to conceal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>
+anything, you may generally be sure there is something
+wrong somewhere, though it may look all
+right to you. I have no more questions to ask to-night,
+Don John; but I may wish to see you again
+in regard to this subject. I must see Mr. Laud
+Cavendish next."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="600" height="441" alt="Donald answers Questions. Page 225." title="Donald answers Questions. Page 225." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Donald answers Questions.</span> <a href="#Page_225">Page 225</a>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Donald declared that he was ready to give all
+the information in his power; and after a little
+chat with Nellie, he went home, with more on his
+mind than had troubled him before, since he could
+remember.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MOONLIGHT ON THE JUNO.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Donald felt that he was in hot water, in spite
+of the assurance of Captain Patterdale that
+he believed him innocent of all wrong, and he was
+sorry that he had made any bargains, conditional
+or otherwise, with Captain Shivernock or Laud
+Cavendish. The nabob would not tell him what
+was wrong, and he could not determine whether
+Laud or some other person had stolen the money.
+He went into the house on his return from the elegant
+mansion. His mother had gone to watch with
+a sick neighbor, though his sister Barbara was
+sewing in the front room.</p>
+
+<p>Donald was troubled, not by a guilty conscience,
+but by the fear that he had innocently done wrong
+in concealing his relations with Captain Shivernock
+and with Laud Cavendish. Somehow the case
+looked different now from what it had before.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>
+Laud had told where he got his money, and given
+a good reason, as it seemed to him at the time, for
+concealment; but why the strange man desired
+secrecy he was utterly unable to imagine. He
+almost wished he had told Captain Patterdale all
+about his meeting with Captain Shivernock on
+Long Island, and asked his advice. It was not
+too late to do so now. Donald was so uneasy
+that he could not sit in the house, and went out
+doors. He walked about the beach for a time,
+and then sat down in front of the shop to think the
+matter over again.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, while he was meditating in the darkness,
+he saw the trunk lights of the Maud illuminated,
+as though there was a fire in her cabin.
+He did not wait to study the cause, but jumping
+into his skiff, he pushed off, and sculled with all
+his might towards the yacht. He was mad and
+desperate, for the Maud was on fire! He leaped on
+board, with the key of the brass padlock which
+secured the cabin door in his hand; but he had
+scarcely reached the deck before he saw a man on
+the wharf retreating from the vicinity of the yacht.
+Then he heard the flapping of a sail on the other
+side of the pier; but he could not spend an instant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>
+in ascertaining who the person was. He opened
+the cabin door, and discovered on the floor a pile
+of shavings in flames. Fortunately there was a
+bucket in the standing-room, with which he dashed
+a quantity of water upon the fire, and quickly
+extinguished it. All was dark again; but to make
+sure, Donald threw another pail of water on the
+cabin floor, and then it was not possible for the
+fire to ignite again.</p>
+
+<p>Although the deck had been swept clean before
+the launch, the side next to the wharf was littered
+with shavings, and a basket stood there, in which
+they had been brought on board, for it was still
+half full. Donald found that one of the trunk
+lights had been left unfastened, in the hurry and
+excitement of attending the festival at Mr. Rodman's
+house. Through the aperture the incendiary
+had stuffed the shavings, and dropped a card
+of lighted matches upon them, for he saw the remnants
+of it when he threw on the first water. Who
+had done this outrageous deed? Donald sprang
+upon the wharf as he recalled the shadowy form
+and the flapping sail he had seen. Leaping upon
+the pier, he rushed over to the other side, where
+he discovered a sail-boat slowly making her way,
+in the gentle breeze, out of the dock.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Beyond a peradventure, the boat was the Juno.
+Her peculiar rig enabled him readily to identify
+her. Was Laud Cavendish in her, and was he
+wicked enough to commit such an act? Donald
+returned to the Maud to assure himself that there
+was no more fire in her. He was satisfied that the
+yacht was not injured, for he had extinguished the
+fire before the shavings were well kindled. He
+fastened the trunk lights securely, locked the cabin
+door, and taking possession of the basket, he
+embarked in his skiff again. Sculling out beyond
+the wharf, he looked for the Juno. The wind was
+so light she made but little headway, and was
+standing off shore with the breeze nearly aft. It
+was Laud's boat, but it might not be Laud in her.
+Why should the wretch attempt to burn the Maud?</p>
+
+<p>Then the scene in Mr. Rodman's garden, when
+Laud had been invited to leave, came to his mind,
+and Donald began to understand the matter.
+While he was thinking about it, the moon came
+out from behind a cloud which had obscured it,
+and cast its soft light upon the quiet bay, silvering
+the ripples on its waters with a flood of beauty.</p>
+
+<p>Donald glanced at the basket in the skiff, still
+half filled with shavings. It was Laud's basket,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span>
+beyond a doubt, for he had often seen it when the
+owner came down to the shore to embark in his
+boat. The initials of his father's name, "J. C.,"
+were daubed upon the outside of it, for there is
+sometimes as much confusion in regard to the
+ownership of baskets as of umbrellas. Donald
+was full of excitement, and full of wrath; and as
+soon as he got the idea of the guilty party through
+his head, he sculled the skiff with all the vigor of
+a strong arm towards the Juno, easily overhauling
+her in a few moments. He was so excited that he
+dashed his skiff bang into the Juno, to the serious
+detriment of the white paint which covered her
+side.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you about, Don John?" roared Laud
+Cavendish, who had seen the approaching skiff,
+but had not chosen to hail her.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you about?" demanded Donald,
+answering the question with another, Yankee fashion,
+as he jammed his boat-hook into the side of
+the Juno, and drew the skiff up to the yacht, from
+which it had receded.</p>
+
+<p>Taking the painter, he jumped on the forward
+deck of the Juno, with the boat-hook still in his
+hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by smashing into me in
+that kind of style, and jabbing your boat-hook into
+the side of my boat?" cried Laud, as fiercely as
+he could pitch his tones, though there seemed to
+be a want of vim to them.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by setting the Maud
+afire?" demanded Donald. "That's what I want
+to know."</p>
+
+<p>"Who set her afire?" replied Laud, in rather
+hollow tones.</p>
+
+<p>"You did, you miserable spindle-shanks!"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't set her afire, Don John," protested
+Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you did! I can prove it, and I will prove
+it, too."</p>
+
+<p>"You are excited, Don John. You don't
+know what you are talking about."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I do, and I'll bet you'll understand it,
+too, if there is any law left in the State of Maine."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean what I say, and say what I mean."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't been near the Maud."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you have! Didn't I see you sneaking
+across the wharf? Didn't I see your mainsail alongside
+the pier? You can't humbug me. I know a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>
+pint of soft soap from a pound of cheese," rattled
+Donald, who could talk very fast when he was both
+excited and enraged; and Laud's tongue was no
+match for his member.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you, I haven't been near the Maud."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't tell me! I saw it all; I have two eyes
+that I wouldn't sell for two cents apiece; and I'll
+put you over the road at a two-forty gait."</p>
+
+<p>Laud saw that it was no use to argue the point,
+and he held his peace, till the boat-builder had
+exhausted his rhetoric, and his stock of expletives.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do it for, Laud?" asked he, at
+last, in a comparatively quiet tone.</p>
+
+<p>"I have told you a dozen times I didn't do it,"
+replied the accused. "You talk so fast I can't
+get a word in edgeways."</p>
+
+<p>"It's no use for you to deny it," added Don
+John.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I'd burn your yacht?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do; and I know you tried to do it. If
+I hadn't been over by the shop, you would have
+done it."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i008.jpg" width="600" height="450" alt="Don John visits the Juno. Page 230." title="Don John visits the Juno. Page 230." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Don John visits the Juno.</span> <a href="#Page_230">Page 230</a>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"I didn't do it, I repeat. Do you think I would
+lie about it? Do you think I have no sense of honor
+about me!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Confound your honor!" sneered Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't insult me. When you assail my honor,
+you touch me in a tender place."</p>
+
+<p>"In a soft place, and that's in your head."</p>
+
+<p>"Be careful, Don John. I advise you not to
+wake a sleeping lion."</p>
+
+<p>"A sleeping jackass!"</p>
+
+<p>"I claim to be a gentleman, and my honor is
+my capital stock in life."</p>
+
+<p>"You have a very small capital to work on,
+then."</p>
+
+<p>"I warn you to be cautious, Don John. My
+honor is all I have to rest upon in this world."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a broken reed. I wouldn't give a cent's
+worth of molasses candy for the honor of a fellow
+who would destroy the property of another,
+because he got mad with him."</p>
+
+<p>In spite of his repeated warnings, Laud Cavendish
+was very forbearing, though Donald kept the
+boat-hook where it would be serviceable in an
+emergency.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Don John, I did not set the Maud afire.
+Though you went back on me this afternoon,
+and served me a mean and shabby trick, I wouldn't
+do such a thing as burn your property."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Who went back on you?" demanded Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You did; when you could have saved me from
+being driven out of the garden, you took the
+trouble to say, you did not invite me," replied
+Laud, reproachfully.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't invite you; and I had no right to
+invite you."</p>
+
+<p>"No matter for that; if you had just said that
+your friend, Mr. Cavendish, had come in with you
+it would have been all right."</p>
+
+<p>"My friend, Mr. Cavendish!" repeated Donald,
+sarcastically. "I didn't know I had any such
+friend."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't expect that of you, after what I had
+done for you, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"Spill her on that tack! You never did anything
+for me."</p>
+
+<p>"I took that boat off your hands, and I suppose
+you got a commission for selling her. Wasn't
+that doing something for you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" protested Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I have always used you well, and done more
+for you than you know of. You wouldn't have
+got the job to build the Maud if it hadn't been for
+me. I spoke a good word for you to Mr. Rodman,"
+whined Laud.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You!" exclaimed Donald, disgusted with this
+ridiculous pretension. "If you said anything to
+Mr. Rodman about it, I wonder he didn't give the
+job to somebody else."</p>
+
+<p>"You think I have no influence, but you are
+mistaken; and if you insist on quarrelling with
+me, you will find out, when it is too late, what
+folks think of me."</p>
+
+<p>"They think you are a ninny; and when they
+know what you did to-night, they will believe you
+are a knave," replied Donald. "You didn't
+cover your tracks so that I couldn't find them;
+and I can prove all I say. I didn't think you
+were such a rascal before."</p>
+
+<p>"You won't make anything out of that sort of
+talk with me, Don John," said Laud, mildly.
+"You provoke me to throw you overboard, but
+I don't want to hurt you."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll risk your throwing me overboard. I can
+take care of myself."</p>
+
+<p>"I said I didn't want to hurt you, and I don't.
+I didn't set your boat afire; I wouldn't do such a
+thing."</p>
+
+<p>"You can tell that to Squire Peters to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean to say that you will prosecute
+me, Don John?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I do mean it."</p>
+
+<p>"I came down from the harbor, and tacked
+between those two wharves," explained Laud.
+"I was standing off on this tack when you bunted
+your skiff into me. That's all I know about it."</p>
+
+<p>"But I saw you on the wharf. No matter; we
+won't argue the case here," said Donald, as he
+made a movement to go into his skiff.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on, Don John. I want to talk with you
+a little."</p>
+
+<p>"What about?"</p>
+
+<p>"Two or three things. I am going off on a long
+cruise in a day or two. I think I shall go as far
+as Portland, and try to get a situation in a store
+there."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe you will have a chance to go
+to Portland, or anywhere else, unless it's Thomaston,
+where the state prison is located."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't think you would be so rough on me,
+Don John. I didn't set your boat afire; but I can
+see that it may go hard with me, because I happened
+to be near the wharf at the time."</p>
+
+<p>"You will find that isn't the worst of it," added
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the worst of it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Never mind; I'll tell Squire Peters to-morrow,
+when we come together."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't go to law about it, Don John; for though
+I didn't do it, I don't want to be hauled up for it.
+Even a suspicion is sometimes damaging to the
+honor of a gentleman."</p>
+
+<p>"You had better come down from that high
+horse, and own up that you set the Maud afire."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you agree not to prosecute, if I do?"
+asked Laud.</p>
+
+<p>Donald, after his anger subsided, thought more
+about the "white cross of Denmark" than he did
+about the fire; for the latter had done him no
+damage, while the former might injure his character
+which he valued more than his property.</p>
+
+<p>"I will agree not to prosecute, if you will answer
+all my questions," he replied; but I confess that
+it was an error on the part of the young man.</p>
+
+<p>Donald fastened the painter of his skiff at the
+stern, and took a seat in the standing-room of the
+Juno.</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you all I know, if you will keep me
+out of the courts," added Laud, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you set the Maud afire?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I was mad, and meant to get even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span>
+with you for what you did at Rodman's this afternoon.
+You might do me a great service, Don
+John, if you would. I like Nellie Patterdale; I
+mean, I'm in love with her. I don't believe I can
+live without her."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll bet you'll have to," interposed Donald,
+indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't know what it is to love, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to know yet awhile; and I think
+you had better live on a different sort of grub.
+What a stupid idea, for a fellow like you to think
+of such a girl as Nellie Patterdale!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it any worse for me to think of her, than it
+is for you to do so?" asked Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"I never thought of her in any such way as that.
+We went to school together, and have always been
+good friends; that's all."</p>
+
+<p>"That's enough," sighed Laud. "I actually
+suffer for her sake. If the quest were hopeless,"
+Laud read novels&mdash;"I think I should drown myself."</p>
+
+<p>"You had better do it right off, then," added
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You can pity me, Don John, for I am miserable.
+Day and night I think only of her. My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span>
+feelings have made me almost crazy, and I hardly
+knew what I was about when I applied the incendiary
+torch to the Maud."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought it was a card of friction matches."</p>
+
+<p>"The world will laugh and jeer at me for loving
+one above my station; but love makes us equals."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it does when the love is on both
+sides," added the practical boat-builder.</p>
+
+<p>"But I think I am fitted to adorn a higher station
+than that in which I was born."</p>
+
+<p>"If so, you will rise like a stick of timber forced
+under the water; but it strikes me that you have
+begun in the wrong way to figure for a rise."</p>
+
+<p>"But I wish to rise only for Nellie's sake. You
+can help me, Don John; you can take me into her
+presence, where I can have the opportunity to win
+her affection."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess not, Laud. Shall I tell you what she
+said to me this afternoon?"</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me all."</p>
+
+<p>"She said you were an impudent puppy, and
+she was sorry I invited you."</p>
+
+<p>"Did she say that?" asked Laud, looking up to
+the cold, pale moon.</p>
+
+<p>"She did; and I was obliged to tell her that I
+didn't invite you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I have been a fool," mused the lover.</p>
+
+<p>"There's no doubt of it. Nellie Patterdale dislikes,
+and even despises you. I have heard her
+say as much, in so many words. That ought to
+comfort you, and convince you that it is no use to
+fish any longer in those waters."</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly you are right; but it is only because
+she does not know me. If she only knew me
+better&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"She would dislike and despise you still more,"
+said Donald, sharply. "If she only knew that
+you set the Maud afire, she would love you as a
+homeless dog likes the brickbats that are thrown
+at him."</p>
+
+<p>"You will not tell her that, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will not tell her, or any one else, if you
+behave yourself. Now I want to ask some more
+questions."</p>
+
+<p>"Go on, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get the money you paid for the
+Juno?" demanded Donald, with energy.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did I get it?" repeated Laud, evidently
+startled by the question, so vigorously put. "I
+told you where I got it."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me again."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Captain Shivernock gave it to me."</p>
+
+<p>"What for?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't tell you that."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it is a matter between the captain and
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care if it is. You said you would
+answer all my questions, if I would not prosecute."</p>
+
+<p>"Questions about the Maud," explained Laud.
+"I have told you the secret of my love&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Hang the secret of your love!" exclaimed
+Donald, disgusted with that topic. "I meant all
+questions."</p>
+
+<p>"But I cannot betray the secrets of Captain
+Shivernock. My honor&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Stick your honor up chimney!" interrupted
+Donald. "If you go back on the agreement, I
+shall take the fire before Squire Peters. The
+question I asked was, why Captain Shivernock
+gave you four or five hundred dollars?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could answer you, Don John; but I
+do not feel at liberty to do so just now. I will
+see the captain, and perhaps I may honorably give
+you the information you seek."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You needn't mince the matter with me. I
+know all about it now; but I want it from you."</p>
+
+<p>"All about what?" asked Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't look green about it. Do you
+remember the Saturday when I told you the Juno
+was for sale?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do, very distinctly," answered Laud. "You
+were in the Juno at the time."</p>
+
+<p>"I was; we parted company, and you stood over
+towards the Northport shore."</p>
+
+<p>"Just so."</p>
+
+<p>"Over there you met Captain Shivernock."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't say I did."</p>
+
+<p>"But I say you did," persisted Donald. "For
+some reason best known to himself, the captain
+did not want any one to know he was on Long
+Island that night."</p>
+
+<p>Laud listened with intense interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know what his reason was, Don
+John?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't. You saw his boat, and overhauled
+him near the shore."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?"</p>
+
+<p>"You overhauled him near the shore, and he
+gave you a pile of money not to say that you had
+seen him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is you who says all this, and not I," added
+Laud, with more spirit than he had before exhibited.
+"My honor is not touched."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you wouldn't say anything more about
+your honor. It is like a mustard seed in a haymow,
+and I can't see it," snapped Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You can see that I came honorably by the
+money."</p>
+
+<p>"Honestly by it; I am satisfied on that point,"
+replied Donald. "If I had not been, I wouldn't
+have sold you the boat. You see I knew something
+of Captain Shivernock's movements about
+that time. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have believed
+that he gave it to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you must have seen the captain at the
+same time."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't say I saw him," laughed Donald.
+"But the wind is breezing up, and we are half
+way over to Brigadier Island. Come about,
+Laud."</p>
+
+<p>The skipper acceded to the request, and headed
+the Juno for Belfast.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK'S JOKE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Donald considered himself shrewd, sharp,
+and smart, because he had induced Laud
+virtually to own that Captain Shivernock had
+given him the money to purchase his silence, but
+Donald was not half so shrewd, sharp, and smart
+as he thought he was.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Cavendish, it's no use for us to mince
+this matter," he continued, determined further to
+draw out his companion, and feeling happy now,
+he was very respectful to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"It can do no harm for you and me to talk over
+this matter. You saw Captain Shivernock on that
+Saturday morning&mdash;didn't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, if I say I did, you will not let on
+about it&mdash;will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not if I can help it; for the fact is, I am in
+the same boat with you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then you saw the captain."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I did."</p>
+
+<p>"But what was he doing down there, that made
+him so particular to keep shady about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't the least idea. It was the morning
+after Hasbrook was pounded to a jelly in his own
+house; but I am satisfied that the captain had
+nothing to do with it."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not so sure of that," added Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"I am. I went to the captain's house before
+he returned that day, and both Sykes and his wife
+told me he had left home at four o'clock that morning,
+and this was after the pounding was done.
+Besides, the captain was over on Long Island
+when I saw him. If he had done the deed, he
+would have got home before daylight, for the wind
+was fresh and fair. Instead of that, he was over
+at Turtle Head when I first saw him. The Juno
+got aground with him near Seal Harbor, which
+made him so mad he would not keep her any
+longer. He was mad because she wasn't a centre-boarder.
+I suppose after we parted he went over
+to the Lincolnville or Northport Shore, and hid
+till after dark in Spruce Harbor, Saturday Cove,
+or some such place. At any rate, I was at his
+house in the evening, when he came home."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The old fellow had been up to some trick, you
+may depend upon it," added Laud, sagely.</p>
+
+<p>"I came to the conclusion that his desire to
+keep dark was only a whim, for he is the strangest
+man that ever walked the earth."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so; but why should he give me such a
+pile if he hadn't been up to something?"</p>
+
+<p>"And me another pile," added Donald. "We
+can talk this thing over between ourselves, but
+not a word to any other person."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly; I understand. I am paid for holding
+my tongue, and I intend to do so honorably."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I, until I learn that there is something
+wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"You have told me some things I did not know
+before, Don John," suggested Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"You knew that the captain was down by Long
+Island."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but I didn't know he was at Turtle Head;
+and I am satisfied now that he is the man that
+shook up Hasbrook that night," continued Laud,
+in meditative mood.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you? Then I will let the whole thing out,"
+exclaimed Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no! don't do that!" protested Laud.
+"That wouldn't be fair, at all."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I would not be a party to the concealment of
+such an outrage."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't understand it. Hasbrook is a regular
+swindler."</p>
+
+<p>"That is no reason why he should be pounded
+half to death in the middle of the night."</p>
+
+<p>"He borrowed a thousand dollars of Captain
+Shivernock a short time before the outrage. The
+captain told him he would lend him the money if
+Hasbrook would give him a good indorser on the
+paper. After the captain had parted with the
+money, he ascertained that the indorser was not
+worth a dollar. Hasbrook had told him the name
+was that of a rich farmer, and of course the captain
+was mad. He tried to get back his money, for he
+knew Hasbrook never paid anything if he could
+help it. Here is the motive for the outrage,"
+reasoned Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't he prosecute him for swindling?
+for that's what it was."</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Shivernock says he won't trouble any
+courts to fight his battles for him; he can fight
+them himself."</p>
+
+<p>"It was wrong to pound any man as Hasbrook
+was. Why, he wasn't able to go out of the house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span>
+for a month," added Donald, who was clearly
+opposed to Lynch law.</p>
+
+<p>Donald was somewhat staggered in his belief by
+the evidence of his companion, but he determined
+to inquire further into the matter, and even hoped
+now that Hasbrook would call upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"One more question, Laud. Do you know
+where Captain Shivernock got the bills he paid
+you, and you paid me?" asked he.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I don't. How should I know where
+the captain gets his money?" replied Laud, in
+rather shaky tones.</p>
+
+<p>"True; I didn't much think you would know."</p>
+
+<p>"What odds does it make where he got the
+bills?" asked Laud, faintly.</p>
+
+<p>"It makes a heap of odds."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see why."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you why. I paid three of those bills
+to Mr. Leach to-night for the Maud's suit of sails.
+One of them was a mended bill."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I remember that one, for I noticed it
+after the captain gave me the money," added Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Leach paid that bill to Captain Patterdale."</p>
+
+<p>"To Captain Patterdale!" exclaimed Laud,
+springing to his feet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What odds does it make to you whom he paid
+it to?" asked Donald, astonished at this sudden
+demonstration.</p>
+
+<p>"None at all," replied Laud, recovering his
+self-possession.</p>
+
+<p>"What made you jump so, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"A mosquito bit me," laughed Laud. But it
+was a graveyard laugh. "Leach paid the bill to
+Captain Patterdale&mdash;you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and Captain Patterdale says there is
+something wrong about the bill," continued Donald,
+who was far from satisfied with the explanation
+of his companion.</p>
+
+<p>"What was the matter? Wasn't the bill good?"
+inquired Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, the bill was good; but something was
+wrong, he didn't tell me what."</p>
+
+<p>"That was an odd way to leave it. Why didn't
+he tell you what was wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. I suppose he knows what he is
+about, but I don't."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to know what was wrong about
+this bill. It has passed through my hands, and it
+may affect my honor in some way," mused Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"You had better have your honor insured, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span>
+it will get burned up one of these days," added
+Donald, as he rose from his seat, and hauled in his
+skiff, which was towing astern.</p>
+
+<p>He stepped into the boat, and tossed Laud's
+basket to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is your basket, Laud," added he. "It
+was my evidence against you; and next time, when
+you want to burn a yacht, don't leave it on her
+deck."</p>
+
+<p>"You will keep shady&mdash;won't you, Don John?"
+he pleaded.</p>
+
+<p>"That will depend upon what you say and do,"
+answered Donald, as he shoved off, and sculled to
+the wharf where the Maud lay, to assure himself
+that she was in no danger.</p>
+
+<p>He was not quite satisfied to trust her alone all
+night, and he decided to sleep in her cabin. He
+went to the house, and told Barbara he was afraid
+some accident might happen to the yacht, and with
+the lantern and some bed-clothes, he returned to
+her. He swept up the half-burned shavings, and
+threw them overboard. There was not a vestige
+of the fire left, and he swabbed up the water with
+a sponge. Making his bed on the transom, he lay
+down to think over the events of the evening. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>
+went to sleep after a while, and we will leave him
+in this oblivious condition while we follow Laud
+Cavendish, who, it cannot be denied, was in a
+most unhappy frame of mind. He ran the Juno
+up to her moorings, and after he had secured her
+sail, and locked up the cabin door, he went on
+shore. Undoubtedly he had done an immense
+amount of heavy thinking within the last two
+hours, and as he was not overstocked with brains,
+it wore upon him.</p>
+
+<p>It was nearly ten o'clock in the evening, but
+late as it was, Laud walked directly to the house
+of Captain Shivernock. There was a light in the
+strange man's library, or office, and another in the
+dining-room, where the housekeeper usually sat,
+which indicated that the family had not retired.
+Laud walked up to the side door, and rang the
+bell, which was promptly answered by Mrs. Sykes.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Captain Shivernock at home?" asked the
+late visitor.</p>
+
+<p>"He is; but he don't see anybody so late as
+this," replied the housekeeper.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish to speak to him on very important business,
+and it is absolutely necessary that I should
+see him to-night," persisted Laud.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I will tell him."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Sykes did tell him, and the strange man
+swore he would not see any one, not even his
+grandmother, come down from heaven. She reported
+this answer in substance to Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish to see him on a matter in which he is
+deeply concerned," said the troubled visitor.
+"Tell him, if you please, in regard to the Hasbrook
+affair."</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps Mrs. Sykes knew something about the
+Hasbrook affair herself, for she promptly consented
+to make this second application for the
+admission of the stranger, for such he was to her.</p>
+
+<p>She returned in a few moments with an invitation
+to enter, and so it appeared that there was
+some power in the "Hasbrook affair." Laud was
+conducted to the library,&mdash;as the retired shipmaster
+chose to call the apartment, though there were
+not a dozen books in it,&mdash;where the captain sat in
+a large rocking-chair, with his feet on the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" demanded the strange man;
+and we are obliged to modify his phraseology in
+order to make it admissible to our pages.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Laud Cavendish, at your service," replied
+he, politely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"<i>Mister</i> Laud Cavendish!" repeated the captain,
+with a palpable sneer; "you are the swell
+that used to drive the grocery wagon."</p>
+
+<p>"I was formerly employed at Miller's store, but
+I am not there now."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what do you want here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish to see you, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"You do see me&mdash;don't you?" growled the
+eccentric. "What's your business?"</p>
+
+<p>"On the morning after the Hasbrook outrage,
+Captain Shivernock, you were seen at Seal Harbor,"
+said Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Who says I was?" roared the captain, springing
+to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon sir; but I say so," answered
+Laud, apparently unmoved by the violence of his
+auditor. "You were in the boat formerly owned
+by Mr. Ramsay, and you ran over towards the
+Northport shore."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did," replied Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"And you have come to levy black-mail upon
+me," added the captain, with a withering stare at
+his visitor.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing of the sort, sir. I claim to be a gentleman."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"O, you do!"</p>
+
+<p>Captain Shivernock laughed heartily.</p>
+
+<p>"I do, sir. I am not capable of anything
+derogatory to the character of a gentleman."</p>
+
+<p>"Bugs and brickbats!" roared the strange man,
+with another outburst of laughter. "You are a
+gentleman! That's good! And you won't do anything
+derogatory to the character of a gentleman.
+That's good, too!"</p>
+
+<p>"I trust I have the instincts of a gentleman,"
+added Laud, smoothing down his jet mustache.</p>
+
+<p>"I trust you have; but what do you want of me,
+if you have the instincts of a gentleman, and don't
+bleed men with money when you think you have
+them on the hip?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you will honor me with your attention a few
+moments, I will inform you what I want of you."</p>
+
+<p>"Good again!" chuckled the captain. "I will
+honor you with my attention. You have got
+cheek enough to fit out a life insurance agency."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not the only one who saw you that Saturday
+morning," said Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Who else saw me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know he did?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He told mo so."</p>
+
+<p>"The young hypocrite!" exclaimed the strange
+man, with an oath. "I made it a rule years ago
+never to trust a man or a boy who has much to do
+with churches and Sunday Schools. The little
+snivelling puppy! And he has gone back on
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"It is only necessary for me to state facts,"
+answered Laud. "You can form your own conclusions,
+without any help from me."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I can," added Captain Shivernock,
+who seemed to be in an unusual humor on this
+occasion, for the pretentious manners of his visitor
+appeared to amuse rather than irritate him.</p>
+
+<p>"Again, sir, Jacob Hasbrook, of Lincolnville,
+believes you are the man who pounded him to a
+jelly that night," continued Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he?" laughed the captain. "Well, that
+is a good joke; but I want to say that I respect
+the man who did it, whoever he is."</p>
+
+<p>"Self-respect is a gentlemanly quality. The
+man who don't respect himself will not be respected
+by others," said Laud, stroking his chin.</p>
+
+<p>"Eh?"</p>
+
+<p>Laud confidently repeated the proposition.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You respect yourself, and of course you respect
+the man that pounded Hasbrook," he added.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say I flogged Hasbrook?"
+demanded the strange man, doubling his fist, and
+shaking it savagely in Laud's face.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't for me to say that you did, for you
+know better than I do; but you will pardon me if
+I say that the evidence points in this direction.
+Hasbrook has been over to Belfast several times
+to work up his case. The last time I saw him
+he was looking for Don John, who, I am afraid, is
+rather leaky."</p>
+
+<p>In spite of his bluff manners, Laud saw that the
+captain was not a little startled by the information
+just imparted.</p>
+
+<p>"The miserable little psalm-singer," growled
+the strange man, walking the room, muttering to
+himself. "If he disobeys my orders, I'll thrash
+him worse than&mdash;Hasbrook was thrashed."</p>
+
+<p>"It is unpleasant to be suspected of a crime,
+and revolting to the instincts of a gentleman,"
+added Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say that I am suspected of a
+crime, you long-eared puppy?" yelled the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon, Captain Shivernock, but it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span>
+isn't agreeable to a gentleman to be called by such
+opprobrious names," said Laud, rising from his
+chair, and taking his round-top hat from the table.
+"I am willing to leave you, but not to be insulted."</p>
+
+<p>Laud looked like the very impersonation of
+dignity itself, as he walked towards the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop!" yelled the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know that any one but Hasbrook suspects
+you of a crime," Laud explained.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad he does suspect me," added the
+strange man, more gently. "Whoever did that
+job served him just right, and I envy the man that
+did it."</p>
+
+<p>"Still, it is unpleasant to be suspected of a
+crime."</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't a crime."</p>
+
+<p>"People call it so; but I sympathize with you,
+for like you I am suspected of a crime, of which,
+like yourself, I am innocent."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you, indeed? And what may your crime
+be, Mr. Cavendish?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is in this connection that I wish to state my
+particular business with you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Go on and state it, and don't be all night about
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"I may add that I also came to warn you against
+the movements of Hasbrook. I will begin at the
+beginning."</p>
+
+<p>"Begin, then; and don't go round Cape Horn
+in doing it," snarled the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"I will, sir. Captain Patterdale&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Another miserable psalm-singer. Is he in the
+scrape?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is, sir. He has lost a tin box, which contained
+nearly fourteen hundred dollars in cash,
+besides many valuable papers."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad of it; and I hope he never will find
+it," was the kindly expression of the eccentric
+nabob for the Christian nabob. "Was the box
+lost or stolen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Stolen, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"So much the better. I hope the thief will
+never be discovered."</p>
+
+<p>Laud did not say how he <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'happpened'">happened</ins> to know
+that the tin box had been stolen, for Captain Patterdale,
+the deputy sheriff, and Nellie were supposed
+to be the only persons who had any knowledge
+of the fact.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It appears that in this tin box there was a certain
+fifty-dollar bill, which had been torn into four
+parts, and mended by pasting two strips of paper
+upon it, one extending from right to left, and the
+other from top to bottom, on the back."</p>
+
+<p>"Eh?" interposed the wicked nabob. "Wait
+a minute."</p>
+
+<p>The captain opened an iron safe in the room,
+and from a drawer took out a handful of bank
+bills. From these he selected three, and tossed
+them on the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Like those?" he inquired, with interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly like them," replied Laud, astonished
+to find that each was the counterpart of the one he
+had paid Donald for the Juno, and had the "white
+cross of Denmark" upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know how those bills happened to be
+in that condition, Mr. Cavendish?" chuckled the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I do not, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you, my gay buffer. I have got a
+weak, soft place somewhere in my gizzard; I
+don't know where; if I did, I'd cut it out. About
+three months ago, just after I brought from Portland
+one hundred of these new fifty-dollar bills,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span>
+there was a great cry here for money for some
+missionary concern. I read something in the
+newspaper, at this time, about what some of the
+missionaries had done for a lot of sailors who had
+been cast away on the South Sea Islands. I
+thought more of the psalm-singers than ever
+before, and I was tempted to do something for
+them. Well, I actually wrote to some parson here
+who was howling for money, and stuck four of
+those bills between the leaves. I think it is very
+likely I should have sent them to the parson, if I
+hadn't been called out of the room. I threw the
+note, with the bills in it, on the table, and went
+out to see a pair of horses a jockey had driven into
+the yard for me to look at. When I came back
+and glanced at the note, I thought what a fool
+I had been, to think of giving money to those
+canting psalm-singers. I was mad with myself
+for my folly, and I tore the note into four pieces
+before I thought that the bills were in it. But
+Mrs. Sykes mended them as you see. Go on with
+your yarn, my buffer."</p>
+
+<p>"That bill I paid to Don John for the Juno,"
+continued Laud. "He paid it to Mr. Leach, the
+sail-maker, who paid it to Captain Patterdale, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span>
+he says it was one of the bills in the tin chest
+when it was stolen. Don John says he had it from
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"Precisely so; and that is what makes it unpleasant
+to be suspected of a crime," laughed Captain
+Shivernock. "But you don't state where
+you got the bill, Mr. Cavendish. Perhaps you
+don't wish to tell."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall tell the whole story with the greatest
+pleasure," added Laud. "I was sailing one day
+down by Haddock Ledge, when I saw a man tumble
+overboard from a boat moored where he had
+been fishing. He was staving drunk, and went
+forward, as I thought, to get up his anchor. The
+boat rolled in the sea, and over he went. I got
+him out. The cold water sobered him in a measure,
+and he was very grateful to me. He went to
+his coat, which he did not wear when he fell, and
+took from his pocket a roll of bills. He counted
+off ten fifties, and gave them to me. Feeling sure
+that I had saved his life, I did not think five hundred
+dollars was any too much to pay for it, and
+I took the money. I don't think he would have
+given me so much if he hadn't been drunk. I
+asked him who he was, but he would not tell me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span>
+saying he didn't want his friends in Boston to
+know he had been over the bay, and in the bay;
+but he said he had been staying in Belfast a couple
+of days."</p>
+
+<p>"Good story!" laughed the wicked nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"Every word of it is as true as preaching," protested
+Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Just about," added the captain, who hadn't
+much confidence in preaching.</p>
+
+<p>"You can see, Captain Shivernock, that I am in
+an awkward position," added Laud. "I have no
+doubt the man I saved was the one who stole the
+tin box. He paid me with the stolen bills."</p>
+
+<p>"It is awkward, as you say," chuckled the
+strange man. "I suppose you wouldn't know
+the fellow you saved if you saw him."</p>
+
+<p>"O, yes, I think I should," exclaimed Laud.
+"But suppose, when Captain Patterdale comes to
+me to inquire where I got the marked bill, I
+should tell him this story. He wouldn't believe
+a word of it."</p>
+
+<p>"He would be a fool if he did," exclaimed
+Captain Shivernock, with a coarse grin. "Therefore,
+my gay buffer, don't tell it to him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But I must tell him where I got the bill,"
+pleaded Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the eccentric, shaking
+his sides as though they were agitated by a young
+earthquake. "Tell him I gave you the bill!"</p>
+
+<p>The captain seemed to be intensely amused at
+the novel idea; and Laud did not object; on the
+contrary, he seemed to appreciate the joke. It
+was midnight when he left the house, and went to
+the Juno to sleep in her cabin. If he had gone
+home earlier in the evening, he might have seen
+Captain Patterdale, who did him the honor to make
+a late call upon him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>LAUD CAVENDISH TAKES CARE OF HIMSELF.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Donald did not sleep very well in the cabin
+of the Maud, not only because his bed was
+very hard and uncomfortable, but because he was
+troubled; and before morning he fully realized the
+truth of the saying, in regard to certain persons,
+that "they choose darkness, because their deeds
+are evil." He wished he had not consented to
+keep the secret of either Captain Shivernock or
+Laud Cavendish, and was afraid he had compromised
+<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'hsmself'">himself</ins> by his silence. When he turned out
+in the morning, he believed he had hardly slept a
+wink all night, though he had actually slumbered
+over six hours; but a person who lies awake in
+the darkness, especially if his thoughts are troublesome,
+lengthens minutes into hours. But Donald
+welcomed the morning light when he awoke,
+and the bright sun which streamed through the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span>
+trunk ports. He went to the shop, and for two
+hours before his men arrived worked on the tender
+of the Maud.</p>
+
+<p>The mast of the yacht was stepped during the
+forenoon, and after dinner the rigger came to do his
+part of the work. Samuel Rodman was now so
+much interested in the progress of the labor on the
+new yacht, that he spent nearly all his time on
+board of her. The top mast, gaff, and boom were
+all ready to go into their places, and the Maud
+looked as though she was nearly completed. All
+the members of the Yacht Club were impatient
+for her to be finished, for the next regatta had
+been postponed a week, so that the Maud could
+take part in the affair; and the club were to go on
+a cruise for ten days, after the race.</p>
+
+<p>There was no little excitement in the club in
+relation to the Maud. Donald had confidently
+asserted his belief, weeks before, that she would
+outsail the Skylark, not as a mere boast, but as a
+matter of business. His father had made an
+improvement upon the model of the Sea Foam,
+which he was reasonably certain would give her
+the advantage. The young boat-builder had also
+remedied a slight defect in the arrangement of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span>
+centre-board in the Maud, had added a little to the
+size of the jib and mainsail, and he hoped these
+alterations would tell in favor of the new craft,
+while they would not take anything from her stiffness
+in heavy weather.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe the old folks are as much interested
+in the next race as the members of the club, Don
+John," said Rodman, one day, as he came upon
+the wharf.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad they are," replied Donald, laughing.
+"It will make business good for Ramsay &amp; Son."</p>
+
+<p>"Half a dozen of them are going to make up a
+first prize of one hundred dollars for the regatta;
+so that the winner of the race will make a good
+thing by it," added Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"That will be a handsome prize."</p>
+
+<p>"If the Maud takes it, Don John, the money
+shall be yours, as you are to sail her."</p>
+
+<p>"O, no!" exclaimed Donald. "I don't believe
+in that. The prize will belong to the boat."</p>
+
+<p>"If you win the race in the Maud, I shall be
+satisfied with the glory, without any of the spoils."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we won't quarrel about it now, for she
+may not win the first prize."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the same gentlemen will give a second<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span>
+prize of fifty dollars," continued Rodman. "But
+don't you expect to get the first prize, Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do; but to expect is not always to win, you
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"You have always talked as though you felt
+pretty sure of coming in first," said Rodman, who
+did not like to see any abatement of confidence on
+the part of the boat-builder.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the easiest thing in the world to be mistaken,
+Sam. If the Maud loses the first prize, I
+may as well shut up shop, and take a situation in
+a grocery store, for my business would be ruined."</p>
+
+<p>"Not quite so bad as that, I hope," added Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Norwood is waiting to see how she sails,
+before he orders a yacht for Frank. Can't you
+invite Frank and his father to sail with us in the
+race?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, if you desire it, Don John," replied
+Rodman. "Mr. Norwood is a big man, and he
+will be a capital live weight for us, if it happens
+to blow fresh."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope it will blow; if it don't, the Christabel
+is sure of the first prize. I want just such a day
+as we had when the Sea Foam cleaned out the
+Skylark."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That was a little too much of a good thing.
+You came pretty near taking the mast out of the
+Sea Foam that day."</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all; our masts don't come out so easily
+as that, though I think the mast of the Sea Foam
+would snap before she would capsize."</p>
+
+<p>"I like that in a boat; it is a good thing to
+have a craft that will stay right side up. The
+fellows have got another idea, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, ideas are good things to have. What
+is it now?" asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"They are going to build a club-house over on
+Turtle Head."</p>
+
+<p>"On Turtle Head! Why don't they have it
+down on Manhegan?" which is an island ten miles
+from the coast of Maine.</p>
+
+<p>"It will be only a shanty, where the fellows
+can have a good time, and get up chowders. They
+talk of hiring a hall in the city, and having meetings
+for mutual improvement during the fall and
+winter."</p>
+
+<p>"That will be a capital idea."</p>
+
+<p>"We can have a library of books on nautical
+and other subjects, take the newspapers and magazines,
+and hang up pictures of yachts and other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span>
+vessels on the walls. I hope, when you get the
+Maud done, you will not be so busy, Don John,
+for you don't attend many of our club meetings."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope to be busier than ever. You see, Sam,
+I can't afford to run with you rich fellows. I don't
+wear kid gloves," laughed Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"No matter if you don't; you are just as good
+a fellow as any of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody uses me first rate; as well as
+though my father had been a nabob."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they ought to; for it is brains, not
+money, that makes the man. We want to see
+more of you in the club. You must go with us
+on our long cruise."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I can't spare the time. Ten days
+is a good while; but it will depend upon whether
+I get the job to build Mr. Norwood's yacht."</p>
+
+<p>Donald would gladly have spent more time with
+the club, but his conscience would not permit him
+to neglect his business. He felt that his success
+depended entirely upon his own industry and diligence;
+and he never left his work, except when
+the occasion fully justified him in doing so. He
+attended all the regattas as a matter of business,
+as well as of pleasure; and he had seen the Sea<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span>
+Foam beaten twice by the Skylark since he won
+the memorable race in the former. Edward Patterdale
+was fully satisfied, now, that a skilful
+boatman was as necessary as a fast boat, in order
+to win the honors of the club, and he wished
+Donald to "coach" him, until he obtained the
+skill to compete with the commodore. Donald
+had promised to do it, as soon as he had time, and
+the owner of the Sea Foam hoped the opportunity
+would be afforded during the long cruise.</p>
+
+<p>The work on the Maud was hurried forward as
+rapidly as was consistent with thoroughness, and
+in a few days she was ready for the last coats of
+paint. The boat-builder was favored with good, dry
+weather, and on the day before the great regatta,
+she was ready to receive her furniture and stores.
+The paint was dry and hard; but when the stove-dealer
+came with the little galley for the cook-room,
+the deck was carefully covered with old
+cloths, the cushions were placed on the transoms,
+the oil-cloth carpet was laid on the floor by Kennedy,
+who was experienced in this kind of work,
+and Samuel Rodman was as busy as a bee arranging
+the crockery ware and stores which he had
+purchased. It only remained to bend on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span>
+sails, which was accomplished early in the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>With Mr. Rodman, Samuel, and the two workmen
+on board, Donald made a trial trip in the new
+craft. The party went down the bay as far as
+Seal Harbor; but the wind was rather light for
+her, and she had no opportunity to show her sailing
+qualities, though with her gaff-topsail and the
+balloon-jib, she walked by everything afloat that
+day.</p>
+
+<p>"I am entirely satisfied with her, Don John,"
+said Mr. Rodman, as the Maud approached the city
+on her return. "I think she will sail well."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope she will, sir," replied Donald. "To-morrow
+will prove what there is in her."</p>
+
+<p>"She is well built and handsomely finished, and
+whether she wins the race or not I shall be satisfied.
+I never looked upon a handsomer yacht in
+my life. You have done your work admirably,
+Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Kennedy did the joiner work," said Donald,
+willing to have his foreman, as he called him,
+share the honors of the day.</p>
+
+<p>"He did it well."</p>
+
+<p>"I only did just what my boss ordered me to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span>
+do," laughed Kennedy; "and I want to say, that
+I didn't do the first thing towards planning any
+part of her. Don John hasn't often asked for any
+advice from me. He is entitled to all the credit."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no doubt you did all you could to make
+the job a success," added Mr. Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"I did; and so did Walker," said Kennedy,
+indicating the other ship carpenter. "Both of us
+did our very best, never idling a moment, or making
+a bad joint; and I can say, there isn't a better
+built craft in the United States than this yacht.
+Not a knot or a speck of rot has been put into her.
+Everything has been done upon honor, and she
+will be stiff enough to cross the Atlantic in mid-winter.
+I'd rather be in her than in many a ship
+I've worked on."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad to know all this," replied Mr. Rodman.
+"Now, Don John, if the firm of Ramsay &amp;
+Son is ready to deliver the Maud, I will give you
+a check for the balance due on her."</p>
+
+<p>Donald was all ready, and after the yacht had
+been moored off the wharf where she had been
+completed, the business was transacted in the
+shop. A bill of sale was given, and the boat-builder
+received a check for four hundred dollars,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span>
+which he carried into the house and showed to his
+mother. Of course the good lady was delighted
+with the success of her son, and Barbara laughed
+till she shook her curls into a fearful snarl.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done well, Donald," said Mrs. Ramsay.
+"I thank God that you have been so successful."</p>
+
+<p>"I have paid nearly all my bills, and I shall
+make about two hundred and fifty dollars on the
+job," added the young boat-builder. "I think I
+can build the next one for less money."</p>
+
+<p>"You may not get another one to build, my
+son."</p>
+
+<p>"That depends upon the race to-morrow. If I
+beat the Skylark, I'm sure of one."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be too confident."</p>
+
+<p>"I am to sail the Maud to-morrow, and if there
+is any speed in her, as I think there is, I shall get
+it out of her. To-morrow will be a big day for
+me; but if I lose the race, the firm of Ramsay &amp;
+Son is used up."</p>
+
+<p>Donald put the check in his wallet, and went
+out to the shop again, where he found Samuel
+Rodman looking for him. The owner of the Maud
+was so delighted with the craft, that he could not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span>
+keep away from her, and he wanted to go on board
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"Bob Montague is going to give you a hard pull
+to-morrow, Don John," said Rodman, as they got
+into the tender.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope he will do his best; and the harder the
+pull, the better," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"If we only beat him," suggested Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"I expect to beat him; but I may be mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>"Bob hauled up the Skylark on the beach this
+afternoon, and rubbed her bottom with black
+lead."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to hear it."</p>
+
+<p>"Glad? Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"It proves that he means business."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course he means business."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if he knows I am to build a yacht
+for Mr. Norwood, in case I win this race."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe he does. I never heard of it
+till you told me."</p>
+
+<p>"He is such a splendid fellow, that I was afraid
+he would <i>let</i> me beat him, if he knew I was to
+make anything by it."</p>
+
+<p>"I think it very likely he would."</p>
+
+<p>"But I want to beat the Skylark fairly, or not
+at all."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"There comes Laud Cavendish," said Rodman,
+as the Juno came up the bay, and bore down upon
+the Maud. "He was blackballed in the club the
+other day, and he don't feel good. Let's go ashore
+again, and wait till he sheers off, for I don't want
+to see him. He will be sure to go on board of the
+yacht if we are there, for he is always poking his
+nose in where he is not wanted."</p>
+
+<p>Donald, who was at the oars, pulled back to the
+shore. The Juno ran close up to the Maud,
+tacked, and stood up the bay.</p>
+
+<p>"He is gone," said Rodman. "I don't want
+him asking me why he was blackballed. He is an
+intolerable spoony."</p>
+
+<p>"Don John!" called some one, as he was shoving
+off the tender.</p>
+
+<p>Donald looked up, and saw Mr. Beardsley, the
+deputy sheriff, who had been working up the tin
+box case with Captain Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to see you," added the officer.</p>
+
+<p>Donald wondered if Mr. Beardsley wanted to
+see him officially; but he was thankful that he was
+able to look even a deputy sheriff square in the face.</p>
+
+<p>He jumped out of the tender, and Rodman went
+off to the yacht alone. We are somewhat better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>
+informed than the young boat-builder in regard to
+the visit of the sheriff, and we happen to know
+that he did come officially; and in order to explain
+why it was so, it is necessary to go back to the
+point where we left Mr. Laud Cavendish. He
+slept in the cabin of the Juno after he left the
+house of Captain Shivernock. He did not sleep
+any better than Donald Ramsay that night; and the
+long surges rolled in by the paddle-wheels of the
+steamer Richmond, as she came into the harbor
+early the next morning, awoke him.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing he thought of was his visit to the
+house of the strange man; the next was his breakfast,
+and he decided to go on shore, and get the
+meal at a restaurant. The Juno was moored near
+the steamboat wharf, where the Portland boat made
+her landings. This was a convenient place for
+him to disembark, and he pulled in his tender to
+the pier. As he approached the landing steps, he
+saw Captain Shivernock hastening down the wharf
+with a valise in his hand. It was evident that he
+was going up the river, perhaps to Bangor. Laud
+did not like the idea of the captain's going away
+just at that time. Donald had told Captain Patterdale
+that the mended bill came from him, and of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span>
+course the owner of the tin box would immediately
+come to him for further information.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, if I tell him Captain Shivernock gave it
+to me, he will want to see him; and he won't
+be here to be seen," reasoned Laud. "I can't
+explain why the captain gave me the money, and
+in his absence I shall be in a bad fix. I must
+take care of myself."</p>
+
+<p>Laud went to the restaurant, and ate his breakfast;
+after which he returned to the Juno. He
+took care of himself by getting under way, and
+standing over towards Castine, where he dined
+that day. Then he continued his voyage down the
+bay, through Edgemoggin Reach to Mount Desert,
+where he staid several days, living upon "the fat
+of the land" and the fish of the sea, which go well
+together. When he was confident that Captain
+Shivernock had returned, he sailed for Belfast,
+and arrived after a two days' voyage. The strange
+man had not come back, and Laud thought it very
+singular that he had not. Then he began to wonder
+why the captain had laughed so unreasonably
+long and loud when he told him to say that he had
+given him the mended bill. Laud could not see
+the joke at the time; but now he concluded that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span>
+the laugh came in because he was going away on a
+long journey, and would not be in town to answer
+any questions which Captain Patterdale might propose.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cavendish was disturbed, and felt that he
+was a victim of a practical joke, and he determined
+to get out of the way again. Unfortunately for
+him, he had shown himself in the city, and before
+he could leave he was interviewed by Captain
+Patterdale and Mr. Beardsley. The white cross
+of Denmark was pleasantly alluded to again by
+the former, and exhibited to Laud. Did he know
+that bill? Had he ever seen it before?</p>
+
+<p>He did not know it; had never seen it.</p>
+
+<p>It was no use to say, in the absence of that gentleman,
+that Captain Shivernock had given him
+the bill. It would be equally foolish to tell the
+Haddock Ledge story in the absence of the generous
+stranger, who had declined to give his name,
+though he was kind enough to say that he had
+spent a few days in Belfast. Since neither of
+these fictions was available in the present emergency,
+Laud "went back" on Donald Ramsay.
+He did not love the boat-builder, and so it was not
+a sacrifice of personal feeling for him to do it. On<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span>
+the contrary, he would rather like to get his
+"rival," as he chose to regard him, out of the
+way.</p>
+
+<p>"But you paid him a considerable sum of money
+some two months ago," suggested Captain Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a red!" protested Laud. "I never paid
+him any money in my life."</p>
+
+<p>"You bought the Juno of him."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; nor of any one else. She don't belong
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>"But you are using her all the time."</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Shivernock got tired of her, and lets
+me have the use of her for taking care of her."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you say you owned her, and that you
+were going to change her name from Juno to Nellie?"
+demanded the captain, sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"I did; but that was all gas," replied Laud,
+with a sickly grin.</p>
+
+<p>"If you would lie about one thing, perhaps you
+would about another," said the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"I was only joking when I said I owned the
+Juno. If you will go up to Captain Shivernock's
+house, he will tell you all about it."</p>
+
+<p>That was a plain way to solve the problem, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span>
+they went to the strange man's house. Laud
+knew the captain was not at home; but his persecutors
+gave him the credit of suggesting this step.
+Sykes and his wife were at home. They did not
+know whether or not Captain Shivernock had given
+Laud the use of the Juno, but presumed he had,
+for the young man was in the house with him half
+the night, about ten days before. Thus far everything
+looked well for Laud; and the Sykeses partially
+confirmed his statements.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Captain Patterdale, I have answered all
+your questions, and I wish you would answer
+mine. What's the matter?" said Laud, putting
+on his boldest face.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind what the matter is."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I know as well as you do. I used to
+think Don John was a good fellow, and liked him
+first rate. I didn't think he would be mean,
+enough to shove his own guilt upon me," replied
+Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by that?" demanded Captain
+Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"Though I knew about it all the time, I didn't
+mean to say a word."</p>
+
+<p>"About what?"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i009.jpg" width="600" height="447" alt="The Papers from the Tin Box. Page 281." title="The Papers from the Tin Box. Page 281." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">The Papers from the Tin Box.</span> <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"About your tin trunk. We didn't keep any
+such in our store! I knew what you meant all the
+time; but I didn't let on that Don John had done
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"Done what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Stolen it. That day I was in the library with
+Don John and Hasbrook, I was discharged from
+Miller's, because I wanted to go away to stay over
+Sunday. I had a boat down by Ramsay's shop,
+and I went there to get off. Well, captain, I saw
+Don John have the same tin trunk I saw in your
+library."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you telling the truth?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I am. I wouldn't go back on Don
+John if he hadn't tried to lay it to me. If you
+search his house and shop, I'll bet you'll find the
+tin trunk, or some of the money and papers."</p>
+
+<p>Captain Patterdale was intensely grieved, even
+to believe Laud's statement was possibly true;
+but he decided to have the boat-builder's premises
+searched before he proceeded any further against
+Laud. Mr. Beardsley was to do this unpleasant
+duty, and for this purpose he called on Donald the
+night before the great race.</p>
+
+<p>The deputy sheriff did his work thoroughly, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span>
+spite of the confidence of Donald and the distress
+of his mother and sister. Perhaps he would not
+have discovered the four fifty-dollar bills concealed
+in the bureau if Donald had not assisted him; but
+he had no help in finding a lot of notes and other
+papers hidden under a sill in the shop. The boat-builder
+protested that he knew nothing about these
+papers, and had never seen them before in his life.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ramsay and Barbara wept as though their
+hearts would break; but Donald was led away by
+the sheriff.</p>
+
+<p>That night Captain Shivernock returned by the
+train from Portland.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>SATURDAY COVE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Mr. Beardsley, the deputy sheriff, conducted
+Donald to the elegant mansion of
+Captain Patterdale. Perhaps no one who saw them
+walking together suspected that the boat-builder
+was charged with so gross a crime as stealing the
+tin box and its valuable contents. Some persons
+do not like to walk through the streets with sheriffs
+and policemen; but Donald was not of that
+sort, for in spite of all the evidence brought against
+him, he obstinately refused to believe that he was
+guilty. Even the fact that several notes and other
+papers had been found in the shop did not impair
+his belief in his own innocence. Captain Patterdale
+was in his library nervously awaiting the
+return of the officer, when they arrived.</p>
+
+<p>"Don John, I hope you will come out of this all
+right," said he, as they entered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I have no doubt I shall, sir," replied Donald.
+"If I don't, it will be because I can't prove what
+is the truth."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Beardsley reported the result of the search,
+and handed the captain the four fifty-dollar bills
+with the papers.</p>
+
+<p>"I have no doubt all these were in the tin box,"
+said the nabob, sadly. "The bills are like those
+paid me by Hasbrook, and these notes are certainly
+mine. I don't ask you to commit yourself, Don
+John, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Commit myself!" exclaimed Donald, with a
+look of contempt, which, in this connection, was
+sublime. "I mean to speak the truth, whether I
+am committed or not."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you will be able to clear this thing
+up," added Captain Patterdale. "I wish to ask
+you a few questions."</p>
+
+<p>"I will answer them truly. The only wrong I
+have done was to conceal what I thought there was
+no harm in concealing."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not wise to do things in the dark."</p>
+
+<p>"You will excuse me, sir, but you have done
+the same thing. If I had known that your tin box<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span>
+was stolen, I should have understood several things
+which are plain to me now."</p>
+
+<p>"What, for instance?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I had known it, I should have brought these
+bills to you as soon as Laud paid them to me, to
+see if they belonged to you. And I should have
+known why Laud was digging clams on Turtle
+Head."</p>
+
+<p>"Laud says he paid you no money."</p>
+
+<p>"He paid me three hundred and fifty dollars
+for the Juno&mdash;these four bills and the three I
+paid Mr. Leach."</p>
+
+<p>"He persists that he don't own the Juno, and
+says that Captain Shivernock lets him have the
+use of her for taking care of her," continued the
+nabob.</p>
+
+<p>Donald's face, which had thus far been clouded
+with anxiety, suddenly lighted up with a cheerful
+smile, as he produced the cover of an old tuck-diary,
+which contained the papers of Ramsay &amp;
+Son. He opened it, and took therefrom the bill of
+sale of the Juno, in the well-known writing of
+Captain Shivernock.</p>
+
+<p>"Does that prove anything?" he asked, as he
+tossed the paper on the desk, within reach of the
+inquisitor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It proves that Captain Shivernock sold the
+Juno to you, and consequently he has not owned
+her since the date of this bill," replied the nabob,
+as he read the paper.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it likely, then, that Captain Shivernock lets
+Laud have the use of her for taking care of her?"
+demanded Donald, warmly.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it any more likely that, if I own the Juno,
+I should let Laud use her for nothing, for he says
+he never paid me a dollar?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think it is."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you can believe as much as you please
+of the rest of Laud's story, which Mr. Beardsley
+related to me as we walked up," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"He says he saw you have the tin box, Don
+John."</p>
+
+<p>"And I saw him digging clams in the loam on
+Turtle Head."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think he buried the tin box there. I saw
+where he had been digging, but I didn't know any
+tin box had been stolen then, and thought nothing
+of it," answered Donald.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment there was a tremendous ring at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span>
+the door bell, a ring that evidently "meant business."
+Captain Patterdale opened the door himself,
+and Captain Shivernock stalked into the room
+as haughtily as though he owned the elegant mansion.
+He had been to Newport and Cape May to
+keep cool, and had arrived a couple of hours before
+from Portland. Mrs. Sykes had told him all the
+news she could in this time, and among other
+things informed him that Captain Patterdale and
+the deputy sheriff had called to inquire whether
+Laud had the use of the boat for taking care of
+her. By this he knew that the tin trunk matter
+was under investigation. He was interested, and
+possibly he was alarmed; at any rate, he went to
+his safe, put the roll of fifty-dollar bills in his
+pocket, and hastened over to Captain Patterdale's
+house.</p>
+
+<p>"When people come to my house, and I'm not
+at home, I don't like to have them talk to my servants
+about my affairs," blustered the strange
+man.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think we meddled with your affairs
+any further than to ask if Laud Cavendish had the
+use of the Juno for taking care of her," explained
+Captain Patterdale.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It don't concern you. Laud Cavendish does
+have the use of the Juno for taking care of her."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed the good nabob, glancing
+at Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" sneered the wicked nabob. "You
+needn't <i>indeed</i> anything I say. I can speak the
+truth better than you psalm-singers."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad you can, Captain Shivernock,
+for that is what we are in need of just now,"
+laughed the good nabob. "And since we have
+meddled with your affairs in your absence, it is
+no more than right that we should explain the
+reason for doing so. A tin box, containing nearly
+fourteen hundred dollars in bills, and many valuable
+papers, was stolen from this room. Three
+persons, Jacob Hasbrook, Laud Cavendish, and
+Don John here, passed through the library when
+they left the house."</p>
+
+<p>"Hasbrook stole it; he is the biggest scoundrel
+of the three," added the wicked nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not," continued the good nabob. "A
+bill which I can identify came back to me the other
+day. Don John paid it to Mr. Leach, and he to
+me. Don John says Laud Cavendish paid him
+the bill."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And so he did," protested Donald, as the
+captain glanced at him.</p>
+
+<p>"And I gave it to Laud Cavendish," added
+Captain Shivernock; thus carrying out the programme
+which had been agreed upon the night
+before he went on his journey.</p>
+
+<p>Possibly, if Mr. Laud Cavendish had known
+that the wicked nabob had returned, he would
+have hastened to see him, and inform him of the
+change he had made in the programme. If he
+had done so, their stories might have agreed better.
+Captain Patterdale, Mr. Beardsley, and Donald
+were astonished at this admission.</p>
+
+<p>"For what did you pay it to him?" asked the
+good nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"None of your business what I paid it to
+him for. That's my affair," bluffed the wicked
+nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"But this bill was in the box."</p>
+
+<p>"But how do you know it was? I suppose you
+will say next that I stole the box."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you will assist me in tracing out this
+matter," said the good nabob, as he produced the
+mended bill. "This is the one; I call it the
+white cross of Denmark."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Captain Shivernock picked up the bill, and took
+from his pocket his own roll of fifties.</p>
+
+<p>"You must admit that the bill is peculiar
+enough to be easily identified," added Captain
+Patter dale.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't admit it," said the strange man, as
+he threw the four mended bills together on the
+desk.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, which is it?"</p>
+
+<p>The wicked nabob laughed and roared in his
+delight when he saw the confusion of the good
+nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"They are very like," said the good.</p>
+
+<p>"But three of them are mine, and haven't been
+out of my hands since the 'white cross of Denmark'
+was put upon them," added the wicked,
+still shaking his sides with mirth.</p>
+
+<p>"Still I can <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'indentify'">identify</ins> the one that was in the
+box. That is it;" and Captain Patterdale held
+up the right one. "This has been folded, while
+yours have simply been rolled, and have not a
+crease in them. Hasbrook paid me the money
+that was stolen."</p>
+
+<p>"The villain swindled it out of me," growled
+the wicked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But he folded his money, however he got it,"
+continued the good.</p>
+
+<p>"I can bring you a dozen bills with the white
+cross on them," blustered the wicked, "and all of
+them folded like that one."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you tell where you got it, captain?"</p>
+
+<p>"From the bank," replied he, promptly; and
+then more to have his hit at the missionaries than
+to explain the white cross, he told how the bills
+were torn. "That's all I have to say," he added;
+and he stalked out of the house, in spite of the
+host's request for him to remain, without giving a
+word or even a look to Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I am astonished," said Captain Patterdale.
+"Can it be possible that he paid that bill to
+Laud?"</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps this was the joke of the strange man&mdash;simply
+to confuse and confound a "psalm-singer."</p>
+
+<p>"It looks as though we had lost the clew," said
+the deputy sheriff. "At any rate, Don John's
+story is confirmed."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should the captain give Laud so much
+money?" mused the nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"I know," said Donald. "I told you, in the
+first place, that I knew where Laud got the money<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span>
+to pay for the Juno; but it was a great secret
+affecting another person, and he wished me not to
+tell."</p>
+
+<p>"I remember that, Don John," added the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"He told me that Captain Shivernock gave him
+the money; but he would not tell me why he gave
+it to him; but I knew without any telling, for the
+captain gave me sixty dollars, besides the Juno,
+for holding my tongue."</p>
+
+<p>"About what?" asked the nabob, deeply interested
+in the narrative.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand the matter myself; but I
+will state all the facts, though Captain Shivernock
+threatened to kill me if I did so. On the morning
+after the Hasbrook outrage, while I was waiting
+on Turtle Head for the Yacht Club to arrive, the
+captain came to the Head, saying he had walked
+over from Seal Harbor, where he had got aground
+in his boat. I sailed him down, and on the way
+he gave me the money. Then he said I was not
+to mention the fact that I had seen him on Long
+Island, or anywhere else. I didn't make any
+promises, and told him I wouldn't lie about it.
+Then he gave me the Juno, and took my boat,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>
+which he returned that night. After I went up in
+the Juno, I met Laud, and offered to sell him the
+boat. When we parted, he stood over towards the
+Northport shore, where Captain Shivernock had
+gone, and I thought they would meet; but I lost
+sight of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you think the captain paid Laud the
+money when they met."</p>
+
+<p>"That was what I supposed when Laud paid me
+for the boat. I believed it was all right. I had
+a talk with Laud afterwards about it, and I told
+him how he got the money. He did not deny
+what I said."</p>
+
+<p>"This was the morning after the Hasbrook outrage&mdash;was
+it?" asked Mr. Beardsley.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it was; but I knew nothing about that
+till night."</p>
+
+<p>"We can easily understand why the captain did
+not want to be seen near Lincolnville," added the
+sheriff. "It was he who pounded Hasbrook for
+swindling him."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I think not," interposed Donald. "I
+inquired into that matter myself. Mr. Sykes and
+his wife both told me, before the captain got home,
+that he left his house at four o'clock in the morning."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid they were instructed to say that,"
+said the nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"They shall have a chance to say it in court
+under oath," added the officer; "for I will arrest
+the captain to-morrow for the outrage. I traced
+the steps of a man over to Saturday Cove, in
+Northport, and that is where he landed."</p>
+
+<p>"Was it the print of the captain's boot?"
+asked the nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"No; but I have a theory which I shall work
+up to-morrow. Don John's evidence is the first
+I have obtained, that amounts to anything."</p>
+
+<p>"If he pounded Hasbrook, why should he run
+over to Seal Harbor, when he had a fair wind to
+come up?" asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"To deceive you, as it seems he has," laughed
+Mr. Beardsley. "Probably getting aground deranged
+his plans."</p>
+
+<p>"But he ran over to Northport after we parted."</p>
+
+<p>"Because it was a better place to conceal himself
+during the day. Sykes says he went down
+to Vinal Haven that day. I know he did not.
+Now, Don John, we must go to Turtle Head to-night,
+and see about that box."</p>
+
+<p>"I am ready, sir."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I will go with you," added Captain Patterdale;
+"and we will take the Sea Foam."</p>
+
+<p>Donald was permitted to go home and comfort
+his mother with the assurance that he was entirely
+innocent of the crime with which he was charged;
+and great was the joy of his mother and sister.
+The mainsail of the Sea Foam was hoisted when
+he went on board. The wind was rather light,
+and it was midnight before the yacht anchored off
+Turtle Head. The party went ashore in the tender,
+the sheriff carrying a lantern and a shovel.
+Donald readily found the place where the earth
+had been disturbed by Laud's clam-digger. Mr.
+Beardsley dug till he came to a rock, and it was
+plain that no tin box was there.</p>
+
+<p>"But I am sure that Laud had been digging
+here, for I saw the print of his clam-digger," said
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"This hole had been dug before," added the
+sheriff.</p>
+
+<p>"Even Laud Cavendish would not be fool
+enough to bury the box in such an exposed place
+as this," suggested Captain Patterdale.</p>
+
+<p>"I know he came down here on the day the box
+was stolen," said Donald, "and that he was here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span>
+with his clam-digger on the day I met Captain
+Shivernock. He must have put those papers in
+the shop."</p>
+
+<p>"If the box was ever buried here, it has been
+removed," added the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Just look at the dirt which came out of the
+hole," continued Mr. Beardsley, pointing to the
+heap, and holding the lantern over it. "What I
+threw out last is beach gravel. That was put in
+to fill up the hole after he had taken out the box.
+When he first buried it, he had to carry off some
+of the yellow loam. In my opinion, the box has
+been here."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not here now, and we may as well return,"
+replied Captain Patterdale. "I am really more
+desirous of finding the papers in the box than the
+money."</p>
+
+<p>"He has only chosen a new hiding-place for
+it," said the sheriff. "If we say nothing, and
+keep an eye on him for a few days, we may find
+it."</p>
+
+<p>As this was all that could be done, the party
+returned to the city; and early in the morning
+Donald went to bed, to obtain the rest he needed
+before the great day. Possibly Mr. Beardsley<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span>
+slept some that night, though it is certain he was
+at Saturday Cove, in Northport, the next forenoon.
+He had a "theory;" and when a man has
+a theory, he will sometimes go without his sleep
+in order to prove its truth or its falsity. Jacob
+Hasbrook was with him, and quite as much interested
+in the theory as the officer, who desired to
+vindicate his reputation as a detective. He had
+driven to the house of the victim of the outrage,
+and looked the matter over again in the light of
+the evidence obtained from the boat-builder.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i010.jpg" width="600" height="445" alt="More Evidence. Page 299." title="More Evidence. Page 299." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">More Evidence.</span> <a href="#Page_299">Page 299</a>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"I have been trying to see Donald Ramsay,"
+said Hasbrook. "I have been to his shop four
+times, but he's always off on some boat scrape.
+You say he saw Captain Shivernock the next
+morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and the captain didn't want to be seen,
+which is the best part of the testimony. If it was
+he, it seems to me you would have known him
+when he hammered you."</p>
+
+<p>"How could I, when he was rigged up so different,
+with his head all covered up?" replied
+Hasbrook, impatiently. "The man was about the
+captain's height, but stouter."</p>
+
+<p>"He was dressed for the occasion," added the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span>
+sheriff, as he walked to the shore, where the skiff
+lay.</p>
+
+<p>They dragged it down to the water,&mdash;for it was
+low tide,&mdash;and got into it. Beardsley had traced
+to the cove the print of the heavy boot, which first
+appeared in some loam under the window where
+the ruffian had entered Hasbrook's house. He
+found it in the sand on the shore; and he was satisfied
+that the perpetrator of the outrage had arrived
+and departed in a boat. He had obtained from
+the captain's boot-maker a description of his
+boots, but none corresponded with those which
+had made the prints in Northport and Lincolnville.</p>
+
+<p>At the cove all clew to the ruffian had been lost;
+but now it was regained.</p>
+
+<p>The sheriff paddled the skiff out from the shore
+in the direction of Seal Island. The water was
+clear, and they could see the bottom, which they
+examined very carefully as they proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>"I see it," suddenly exclaimed Hasbrook, as he
+grasped the boat-hook.</p>
+
+<p>"Lay hold of it," added the sheriff. "I knew
+I was right."</p>
+
+<p>"I have it."</p>
+
+<p>Hasbrook hauled up what appeared to be a bun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span>dle
+of old clothes, and deposited it in the bottom
+of the skiff. Mr. Beardsley had worked up his
+case very thoroughly, though it was a little singular
+that he had not thought to ask Donald any
+questions; but these investigations had been made
+when the boat-builder was at home all the time,
+and the detective did not like to talk about the
+case any more than was necessary. He had ascertained
+that Captain Shivernock wore his usual
+gray suit when Donald saw him after the outrage,
+and he came to the conclusion that the ruffian had
+been disguised, for Hasbrook would certainly have
+known him, even in the dark, in his usual dress.
+They returned to the shore; and the bundle was
+lifted, to convey it to the beach.</p>
+
+<p>"It is very heavy," said Hasbrook. "I suppose
+there is a rock in it to sink it."</p>
+
+<p>"Open it, and throw out the rock," added the
+sheriff.</p>
+
+<p>Instead of a rock, the weight was half a pig of
+lead, which had evidently been chopped into two
+pieces with an axe.</p>
+
+<p>"That's good evidence, for the ballast of the
+Juno is pig lead," said Beardsley, as he stepped
+on the beach with the clothes in his hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They were spread on the sand, and consisted of
+a large blue woolen frock, such as farmers sometimes
+wear, a pair of old trousers of very large
+size, and a pair of heavy cow-hide boots.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I think of it, the man had a frock on,"
+exclaimed Hasbrook.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what made him look stouter than the
+captain," added Beardsley, as he proceeded to
+measure one of the boots, and compare it with the
+notes he had made of the size of the footprints.
+"It's a plain case; these boots made those tracks."</p>
+
+<p>"And here's the club he pounded me with,"
+said Hasbrook, taking up a heavy stick that had
+been in the bundle.</p>
+
+<p>"But where in the world did Captain Shivernock
+get these old duds?" mused the sheriff.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course he procured them to do this job
+with," replied Hasbrook.</p>
+
+<p>"That's clear enough; but where did they come
+from? He has covered his tracks so well, that he
+wouldn't pick these things up near home."</p>
+
+<p>"There comes a boat," said the victim of the
+outrage, as a sail rounded the point.</p>
+
+<p>"Get out of the way as quick as you can,"
+added the sheriff, in excited tones, as he led the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span>
+way into the woods near the cove, carrying the
+wet clothes and boots with him.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter now?" demanded Hasbrook.</p>
+
+<p>"That boat is the Juno; Laud Cavendish is in
+her, and I want to know what he is about. Don't
+speak a word, or make a particle of noise. If you
+do, he will sheer off; and I want to see the ballast
+in that boat."</p>
+
+<p>Laud ran his craft up to the rocks on one side
+of the cove, where he could land from her; but as
+it is eleven o'clock, the hour appointed for the
+regatta, we must return to the city.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE GREAT RACE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was nine o'clock when Donald turned out
+on the day of the great regatta. He had
+returned at three in the morning, nearly exhausted
+by fatigue and anxiety. It was horrible to be suspected
+of a crime; and bravely as he had carried
+himself, he was sorely worried. He talked the
+matter over with his mother and sister while he
+was eating his breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should Laud Cavendish charge you with
+such a wicked deed?" asked his mother.</p>
+
+<p>"To save himself, I suppose," replied Donald.
+"But he won't make anything by it. He hid
+those papers in the shop within a day or two, I am
+sure, for I had my hand in the place where he put
+them, feeling for a brad-awl I dropped day before
+yesterday, and I know they were not there then.
+But he is used up, anyhow, whether we find the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span>
+box or not, for he tells one story and Captain
+Shivernock another; and I think Captain Patterdale
+believes what I say now. But the race comes
+off to-day, and if I lose it, I am used up too."</p>
+
+<p>The boat-builder left the house, and went on
+board of the Maud, which lay off the shop. Samuel
+Rodman was on deck, and they hoisted the
+mainsail. The wind had hauled round to the
+north-west early in the morning, and blew a smashing
+breeze, just such as Donald wanted for the
+great occasion. In fact, it blew almost a gale,
+and the wind came in heavy gusts, which are very
+trying to the nerves of an inexperienced boatman.
+The Penobscot, gayly dressed with flags, was
+moored in her position for the use of the judges.</p>
+
+<p>"We shall not want any kites to-day," said
+Donald, as he made fast the throat halyard.</p>
+
+<p>"No; and you may have to reef this mainsail,"
+added Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all."</p>
+
+<p>"But it is flawy."</p>
+
+<p>"So much the better."</p>
+
+<p>"Why so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because a fellow that understands himself and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span>
+keeps his eyes wide open has a chance to gain
+something on the heavy flaws that almost knock a
+boat over. It makes a sharper game of it."</p>
+
+<p>"But Commodore Montague is up to all those
+dodges."</p>
+
+<p>"I know he is; but in the other race, he lost
+half his time by luffing up in a squall."</p>
+
+<p>"But don't you expect a fellow to luff up in a
+squall?" demanded Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"If necessary, yes; but the point is, to know
+when it must be done. If you let off the main-sheet
+or spill the sail every time a puff comes, you
+lose time," replied Donald. "I believe in keeping
+on the safe side; but a fellow may lose the
+race by dodging every capful of wind that comes.
+There goes the first gun."</p>
+
+<p>"Let us get into line," added Rodman, as he
+cast off the moorings and hoisted the jib. "Let
+her drive."</p>
+
+<p>Donald took the helm, and the Maud shot away
+like an arrow in the fresh breeze.</p>
+
+<p>"Her sails set beautifully," said the skipper for
+the occasion; though Rodman was nominally the
+captain of the yacht, and was so recorded in the
+books of the club.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Nothing could be better."</p>
+
+<p>"We shall soon ascertain how stiff she is,"
+added Donald, as a heavy flaw heeled the yacht
+over, till she buried her rail in the water. "I
+don't think we shall get anything stronger than
+that. She goes down just so far, and then the
+wind seems to slide off. I don't believe you can
+get her over any farther."</p>
+
+<p>"That's far enough," replied Rodman, holding
+on, to keep his seat in the standing-room.</p>
+
+<p>The Maud passed under the stern of the judges'
+yacht, and anchored in the line indicated by the
+captain of the fleet. The Skylark soon arrived,
+and took her place next to the Penobscot. In
+these two yachts all the interest of the occasion
+centred. The Phantom and the Sea Foam soon
+came into line; and then it was found that the
+Christabel had withdrawn, for it blew too hard for
+her. Mr. Norwood and his son came on board,
+with Dick Adams, who was to be mate of the
+Maud, and Kennedy, who was well skilled in sailing
+a boat. Donald had just the crew he wanted,
+and he stationed them for the exciting race. Mr.
+Norwood was to tend the jib-sheets in the standing-room,
+Kennedy the main sheet, while Dick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span>
+Adams, Frank Norwood, and Sam Rodman were
+to cast off the cable and hoist the jib forward.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you all ready, there?" called Donald,
+raising his voice above the noise made by the
+banging of the mainsail in the fresh breeze.</p>
+
+<p>"All ready," replied Dick Adams, who was
+holding the rode with a turn around the bitts.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let her go till I give the word," added
+Donald. "I want to fill on the port tack."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay!" shouted Dick; "on the port tack."</p>
+
+<p>This was a very important matter, for the
+course from the judges' station to Turtle Head
+would give the yachts the wind on the port quarter;
+and if any of them came about the wrong
+way, they would be compelled to gybe, which was
+not a pleasant operation in so stiff a breeze. Donald
+kept hold of the main-sheet, and by managing
+the sail a little, contrived to have the tendency of
+the Maud in the right direction, so that her sail
+would fill on the port tack. He saw that Dick
+Adams had the tender on the port bow, so that
+the yacht would not run it down when she went
+off.</p>
+
+<p>"There goes the gun!" shouted Rodman, very
+much excited as the decisive moment came.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But Dick Adams held on, as he had been instructed
+to do, and pulled with all his might, in
+order to throw the head of the Maud in the right
+direction.</p>
+
+<p>"Hoist the jib!" shouted Donald, when he saw
+that the yacht was sure to cast on her port tack.</p>
+
+<p>Rodman and Norwood worked lively; and in
+an instant the jib was up, and Mr. Norwood had
+gathered up the lee sheet.</p>
+
+<p>"Let go!" added Donald, when he felt that the
+Maud was in condition to go off lively.</p>
+
+<p>She did go off with a bound and a spring. Donald
+crowded the helm hard up, so that the Maud
+wore short around.</p>
+
+<p>"Let off the sheet, lively, Kennedy!" said the
+skipper. "Ease off the jib-sheet, Mr. Norwood!"</p>
+
+<p>"We shall be afoul of the Phantom!" cried
+Dick Adams, as he began to run out on the foot-ropes
+by the bowsprit.</p>
+
+<p>"Lay in, Dick!" shouted Donald. "Don't go
+out there!"</p>
+
+<p>Dick retraced his steps, and came on deck.
+The Phantom had not cast in the right direction,
+and was coming around on the starboard tack,
+which had very nearly produced a collision with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span>
+the Maud, the two bowsprits coming within a few
+inches of each other.</p>
+
+<p>"I was going out to fend off," said Dick, as he
+came aft, in obedience to orders.</p>
+
+<p>"I was afraid you would be knocked off the
+bowsprit, which is a bad place to be, when two
+vessels put their noses together. It was a close
+shave, but we are all right now," replied the
+skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"The Sea Foam takes the lead," added Mr.
+Norwood.</p>
+
+<p>"She had the head end of the line. The Skylark
+made a good start."</p>
+
+<p>"First rate," said Kennedy. "She couldn't
+be handled any better than she is."</p>
+
+<p>"We lead her a little," continued Mr. Norwood.</p>
+
+<p>"We had the advantage of her about half a
+length; as the Sea Foam has a length the best of
+us."</p>
+
+<p>The yachts were to form the line head to the
+wind, and this line was diagonal with the course
+to Turtle Head, so that the Sea Foam, which
+was farthest from the Penobscot, had really two
+length's less distance to go in getting to Stubb's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span>
+Point Ledge than the Skylark; but this difference
+was not worth considering in such a breeze,
+though, if the commodore was beaten by only half
+a length by the Maud, he intended to claim the
+race on account of this disparity. The two yachts
+in which all the interest centred, both obtained
+a fair start, the Maud a little ahead of her great
+rival. The Phantom had to come about, and get
+on the right tack, for Guilford was too careful to
+gybe in that wind. The Sea Foam got off very
+well; and Vice Commodore Patterdale was doing
+his best to make a good show for his yacht, but
+she held her position only for a moment. The
+tremendous gusts were too much for Edward's
+nerves, and he luffed up, in order to escape one.
+The Maud went tearing by her, with the Skylark
+over lapping her half a length.</p>
+
+<p>"Haul up the centre-board a little more, Dick,"
+said Donald, who did not bestow a single glance
+upon his dreaded rival, for all his attention was
+given to the sailing of the Maud. "A small pull
+on the jib-sheet, Mr. Norwood, if you please."</p>
+
+<p>"You gained an inch then," said Kennedy,
+striving to encourage the struggling skipper.</p>
+
+<p>But Donald would not look at the Skylark. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span>
+knew that the shortest distance between two points
+was by a straight line; and having taken a tree on
+the main land near Castine as his objective point,
+he kept it in range with the tompion in the stove-pipe,
+and did not permit the Maud to wabble about.
+Occasionally the heavy gusts buried the rail in the
+brine; but Donald did not permit her to dodge it,
+or to deviate from his inflexible straight line.
+She went down just so far, and would go no farther;
+and at these times it was rather difficult to
+keep on the seat at the weather side of the standing-room.
+Dick Adams, Norwood, and Rodman
+were placed on deck above the trunk, and had a
+comfortable position. The skipper kept his feet
+braced against the cleats on the floor, holding on
+with both hands at the tiller; for in such a blow,
+it was no child's play to steer such a yacht.</p>
+
+<p>"You are gaining on her, Don John," said Mr.
+Norwood.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think so, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know it."</p>
+
+<p>"The end of her bowsprit is about even with
+the tip of our main boom," added Kennedy.</p>
+
+<p>"How much fin have we down, Dick?" asked
+the skipper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The mate of the Maud rushed to the cabin,
+where the line attached to the centre-board was
+made fast, and reported on its condition.</p>
+
+<p>"Haul up a little more," continued Donald.
+"Steady! Not the whole of it, but nearly all."</p>
+
+<p>"It is down about six inches now."</p>
+
+<p>"That will do."</p>
+
+<p>For a few moments all hands were still, watching
+with intense interest the progress of the race.
+The commodore, in the Skylark, was evidently
+doing his level best, for he was running away from
+the Sea Foam and the Phantom.</p>
+
+<p>"Bravo, Don John!" exclaimed the excited Mr.
+Norwood. "You are a full length ahead! I am
+willing to sign the contract with Ramsay &amp; Son to
+build the yacht for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be too fast, sir. We are not out of the
+woods yet, and shall not be for some time."</p>
+
+<p>"I am satisfied we are going to beat the Skylark."</p>
+
+<p>"Beat her all to pieces!" added Frank Norwood.
+"She is doing it as easily as though she
+were used to it."</p>
+
+<p>"I give you the order to build the yacht," said
+Mr. Norwood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir; but I would rather wait till
+this race is finished before I take the job. We
+may be beaten yet&mdash;badly beaten, too. There are
+a dozen things that may use us up. The tide is
+not up, so that I can't play off the dodge I did in
+the Sea Foam; and if I could, Bob Montague is
+up to it."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no need of any dodge of any sort,"
+replied Mr. Norwood. "We are beating the Skylark
+without man&oelig;uvring; and that is the fairest
+way in the world to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"This is plain sailing, sir; and the Skylark's
+best point is on the wind. For aught I know,
+the Maud may do the best with a free wind," said
+Donald; and he had well nigh shuddered when he
+thought of the difference in yachts in this respect.</p>
+
+<p>"It may be so; but we are at least two lengths
+ahead of her now."</p>
+
+<p>"Over three," said Kennedy.</p>
+
+<p>"So much the better," laughed Mr. Norwood.
+"The more we gain with the wind free, the less
+we shall have to make on the wind."</p>
+
+<p>"But really, sir, this running down here almost
+before the wind is nothing," protested Donald,
+who felt that his passenger was indulging in strong<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span>
+expectations, which might not be realized. "The
+tug of war will come when we go about. We
+have to beat almost dead to windward; and it may
+be the Maud has given us her best point off the
+wind."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't expect her to fail on the wind&mdash;do
+you, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I don't expect her to fail, for she did
+first rate yesterday, when we tried her. She
+looked the breeze almost square in the face: but
+I can't tell how she will do in comparison with
+the Skylark. Of course I don't expect the Maud
+to be beaten; but I don't want you to get your
+hopes up so high, that you can't bear a disappointment."</p>
+
+<p>"We will try to bear it; but Frank don't want
+a yacht that is sure to be beaten," added Mr.
+Norwood.</p>
+
+<p>"Then perhaps it is fortunate I didn't take the
+job, when you offered to give it to me."</p>
+
+<p>"But I think the Maud will win the race," persisted
+the confident gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>"So do I; but it is always best to have an
+anchor out to windward."</p>
+
+<p>"Bully for you, Don John!" shouted Kennedy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span>
+after the yacht had crossed the channel where the
+sea was very rough and choppy. "You made a
+good bit in the last quarter of an hour, and we are
+a dozen lengths ahead of her."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely she can never gain that distance upon
+us!" exclaimed Mr. Norwood.</p>
+
+<p>"It is quite possible, sir. I have known a boat
+to get a full mile ahead of another before the
+wind, and then be beaten by losing it all, and
+more too, going to windward. I expect better
+things than that of the Maud; but she may disappoint
+me. She is only making her reputation
+now."</p>
+
+<p>Donald watched his "sight" ahead all the time,
+and had not seen the Skylark for half an hour.
+The party was silent again for a while, but the
+Maud dashed furiously on her course, now and
+then burying her rail, while the water shot up
+through the lee scupper-holes into the standing-room.
+But Dick Adams, who was a natural mechanic,
+was making a pair of plugs to abate this
+nuisance.</p>
+
+<p>"Turtle Head!" exclaimed Rodman, who,
+though he had said but little, watched the movements
+of the yacht with the most intense delight
+and excitement.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We are a square quarter of a mile ahead of the
+Skylark," said Kennedy. "Business will be good
+with us, Don John, after this."</p>
+
+<p>"Give her a little more main-sheet, Kennedy,"
+was the skipper's reply, as the yacht passed the
+Head, and he kept her away a little.</p>
+
+<p>"Eleven thirty," mused Mr. Norwood, who had
+taken out his gold watch, and noted the moment
+when the Maud passed the headland.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, mind your eye, all hands!" shouted
+Donald, as the Maud approached the north-east
+point of Long Island, where he had to change her
+course from south-east to south, which involved
+the necessity, with the wind north-west, of gybing,
+or coming about head to the wind.</p>
+
+<p>It would take a small fraction of a minute to
+execute the latter man&oelig;uvre; and as the sails
+were now partially sheltered under the lee of the
+land, the bold skipper determined to gybe. Kennedy
+had early notice of his intention, and had
+laid the spare sheet where it would not foul anybody's
+legs. He hauled in all he could with the
+help of the mate and others.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, over with it," said Donald, as he put
+the helm down.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The huge mainsail fluttered and thrashed for an
+instant, and then flew over. Kennedy, who had
+been careful to catch a turn in the rope, held fast
+when the sail "fetched up" on the other tack,
+and then the yacht rolled her rail under on the
+port side.</p>
+
+<p>"Let off the sheet, lively!" cried Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I'm doing," replied the stout
+ship carpenter, paying off the sheet very rapidly,
+so as to break the shock.</p>
+
+<p>"Steady! belay! Now draw jib there."</p>
+
+<p>As Dick Adams cast off the weather sheet in
+the new position, Mr. Norwood hauled in the lee.
+For a short distance the Maud had the wind on
+her starboard quarter; then the sheets were hauled
+in, and she took it on the beam, till she was up with
+the buoy on Stubbs Point Ledge, which she was
+to round, leaving it on the port. The ledge was
+not far from the land, on which was a considerable
+bluff, so that the wind had not more than half its
+force. In rounding the buoy, it was necessary to
+gybe again; and it was done without shaking up
+the yacht half so much as at the north-east point.</p>
+
+<p>"Now comes the pull," said Donald, as the
+Maud rounded the buoy. "Stand by your sheets!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span>
+Now brace her up! Give her the whole of the
+board, Dick."</p>
+
+<p>Donald put the helm down; the jib and mainsail
+were trimmed as flat as it was judicious to have
+them; and the Maud was close-hauled, standing up
+to the northward. The skipper was careful not to
+cramp her by laying too close to the wind. He
+was an experienced boatman, and he governed himself
+more by the feeling of the craft under him
+than by his sight. He could shut his eyes, and
+tell by the pressure of the tiller in his hand
+whether she was cramped, or was going along
+through the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you get the time when the Skylark passed
+the Head, Mr. Norwood?" asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"No; you made things so lively, I hadn't time
+to look," replied the gentleman. "I should like
+to know just how many minutes we are ahead of
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I can tell you, sir," added the skipper,
+with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"How many?"</p>
+
+<p>"How many do you think, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Five or six."</p>
+
+<p>"Not more than one and a half, Mr. Norwood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span>
+Neither yacht has to give the other time, and what
+we gain belongs to us."</p>
+
+<p>"I should have thought we were at least five
+minutes ahead of her."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. Now we have a chance to man&oelig;uvre
+a little," added Donald. "I know just what the
+commodore will do; he will stand on this tack,
+when he gets round the buoy, till he is almost up
+with Brigadier Island; then he will make a long
+stretch. I shall not do so."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because, if the wind lessens, he will get under
+the lee of the land. I shall go just one mile on
+this tack," replied Donald. "Have you any rubber
+coats on board, Sam?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have only two."</p>
+
+<p>"You will want them, for we are beginning to
+toss the spray about, as though it didn't cost anything."</p>
+
+<p>It was decidedly damp on the deck of the Maud,
+for the water thrown up by the waves, dashing
+against the weather bow, was carried by the gusty
+wind to the standing-room, drenching those who
+sat there. Donald and his companions had no fear
+of salt water, and were just as happy wet to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span>
+skin, as they were when entirely dry, for the
+excitement was quite enough to keep them warm,
+even in a chill, north-west wind. Half way across
+to Brigadier Island, Donald gave the order,
+"Ready about," and tacked. As he had predicted,
+Commodore Montague continued on his course,
+almost over to the island, and then came about.
+The Maud rushed furiously on her long stretch,
+dashing the spray recklessly over her deck, till
+she was almost up with the Northport shore, when
+she tacked again, and laid her course to windward
+of the judges' yacht, as the regulations required.
+As she rounded the Penobscot, a gun announced
+the arrival of the first yacht. The Maud let off
+her sheets, and passed under the stern of the
+judges' craft.</p>
+
+<p>"The Maud!" shouted Donald, enraptured with
+his victory.</p>
+
+<p>Four minutes and thirty-four seconds later, the
+gun announced the arrival of the Skylark. It was
+all of twenty minutes later when the Sea Foam
+arrived, and half an hour before the Phantom put
+in an appearance. There was not a shadow of a
+doubt that the Maud had won the great race.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE HASBROOK OUTRAGE AND OTHER MATTERS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The Maud went round to the line, and after
+picking up her tender and moorings, anchored
+near the Penobscot.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no doubt now which boat has won
+the race," said Mr. Norwood.</p>
+
+<p>"None whatever, sir," replied Donald. "The
+day is ours by as fair a race as ever was sailed.
+The Maud proved what she could do before we
+got to Turtle Head; and all the conditions were
+exactly equal up to that time. If I made anything
+by man&oelig;uvring, it was only when we tacked a
+mile north of the Head. We have beaten her
+squarely in a heavy wind; but how she would do
+compared with the Skylark in a light breeze, is
+yet to be proved."</p>
+
+<p>"I am satisfied, Don John; and I give you the
+job to build the Alice, for that is to be the name
+of Frank's yacht."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir. I suppose you don't expect
+to get her out this season."</p>
+
+<p>"No; if he has her by the first of June of next
+year, it will be soon enough.&mdash;I hope you are satisfied
+with the Maud, Sam," added Mr. Norwood,
+turning to the owner of the winning craft.</p>
+
+<p>"I ought to be, and I am," replied Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>"You have the fastest yacht in the fleet."</p>
+
+<p>"She won't be when I sail her. The commodore
+will clean me out every time, if Don John is
+not at the helm."</p>
+
+<p>"Then there is a capital opportunity for you to
+improve in the art of sailing a yacht."</p>
+
+<p>"Plenty of room for that," laughed Rodman.</p>
+
+<p>Dick Adams brought the tender alongside, and
+pulled Mr. Norwood, Rodman, and Donald to the
+Penobscot.</p>
+
+<p>"I congratulate you, Don John," said Mr.
+Montague, extending his hand to the boat-builder.
+"You have won the race handsomely."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a double triumph to you, since you both
+built your yacht, and sailed her," added Mr.
+Montague.</p>
+
+<p>"It is worth a good deal to me in a business<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span>
+point of view; for I get a job to build another
+yacht by it. The firm of Ramsay &amp; Son can't
+afford to have their boats beaten," laughed Donald.
+"Here comes Robert."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose he will not be satisfied with the
+Skylark, now that she has been so thoroughly
+whipped," added the commodore's father.</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly satisfied with her, father. She is as
+good a boat as she ever was," answered Robert,
+as he gave his hand to Donald. "You have won
+the race fairly and handsomely, Don John; and I
+congratulate you upon your success."</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you, Bob; but I would rather have
+beaten any other fellow than you," replied Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"I can stand it as well as anybody."</p>
+
+<p>The ladies and gentlemen on board of the Penobscot
+congratulated the hero of the occasion, and
+condoled with the commodore, till the last of the
+fleet arrived. The judges filled out the schedule
+with the corrected time.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Rodman, of the Maud," said the chairman;
+and the owner of the winning yacht stepped
+forward. "It appears from the schedule that you
+have made the shortest time, and I have the pleasure
+of presenting to you the first prize."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," replied Rodman, accepting
+the envelope, which contained the prize of one
+hundred dollars; "but as it appears that Donald
+Ramsay sailed the Maud, as well as built her, I
+shall have the pleasure of presenting it to him."</p>
+
+<p>A round of hearty applause followed this little
+speech, which ended in three cheers for the captain
+of the Maud, and three more for her builder.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't take that," said Donald, declining to
+receive the envelope.</p>
+
+<p>"But you must take it. I will hand you over
+to Mr. Deputy Sheriff Beardsley, who, I see, is
+coming up the bay in the Juno."</p>
+
+<p>"It don't belong to me. I am not the owner of
+the Maud," protested Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Take it! take it!" shouted one and another of
+the interested spectators, until nearly all of them
+had expressed their opinion in this way.</p>
+
+<p>Thus overborne, the boat-builder took the envelope,
+though his pride revolted.</p>
+
+<p>"Commodore Montague, it appears that the
+Skylark made the next best time, and I have the
+pleasure of presenting to you the second prize."</p>
+
+<p>"Which I devote to the club for the building
+fund."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The members heartily applauded this disposal
+of the money.</p>
+
+<p>"I will give the other prize to the club for the
+same purpose," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"Impossible!" exclaimed Commodore Montague.
+"The fund is completed, and the donation
+cannot be accepted."</p>
+
+<p>"No! No!" shouted the members.</p>
+
+<p>"The fifty dollars I added to the fund just
+makes up the sum necessary to pay for the club-house
+on Turtle Head, which is to be only a
+shanty; so you can't play that game on us, Don
+John."</p>
+
+<p>Donald was compelled to submit; and he transferred
+the hundred dollars to his pocket-book.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad you won the race, Don John!"
+said Nellie Patterdale. "Everybody said you
+sailed the Maud splendidly."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Nellie; your praise is worth more
+to me than that of all the others," replied Donald,
+blushing deeply; but I must do him the justice to
+say that, if he had not been laboring under intense
+excitement, he would not have made so palpable
+a speech to her.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie blushed too; but she was not angry,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span>
+though her father might have been, if he had heard
+the remark.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Captain Patterdale on board?" shouted Mr.
+Beardsley, as the Juno ran under the stern of the
+Penobscot.</p>
+
+<p>"Here," replied the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to see you and Don John," added the
+officer.</p>
+
+<p>The business of the race was finished, and the
+Maud conveyed Captain Patterdale, his daughter,
+and Donald to the shore. Laud Cavendish was
+in the Juno, and so was Hasbrook; but none of
+the party knew what had transpired at Saturday
+Cove during the forenoon.</p>
+
+<p>"I will be at your house in half an hour, Captain
+Patterdale," said Donald, as they landed.
+"I am wet to the skin, and I want to put on dry
+clothes."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Beardsley had proposed the place of meeting;
+and the boat-builder hastened home. In a
+few minutes he had put himself inside a dry suit
+of clothes. Then he went to the shop, and wrote
+a brief note to Captain Shivernock, in which he
+enclosed sixty dollars, explaining that as he had
+been unable to "keep still with his tongue," he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span>
+could not keep the money. He also added, that
+he should send him the amount received for the
+Juno when he obtained the bills from Captain
+Patterdale, who had a part of them. Sealing this
+note in an envelope, he called at the house of the
+strange man, on his way to the place of meeting.
+Mrs. Sykes said that Captain Shivernock was in
+his library.</p>
+
+<p>"Please to give him this; and if he wishes to
+see me, I shall be at Captain Patterdale's house
+for an hour or two," continued Donald; and without
+giving the housekeeper time to reply, he hastened
+off, confident there would be a storm as
+soon as the eccentric opened the note.</p>
+
+<p>In the library of the elegant mansion, he found
+the party who had been in the Juno, with Captain
+Patterdale and Nellie. On the desk was the tin
+box, the paint on the outside stained with yellow
+loam. Laud Cavendish looked as though life
+was a burden to him, and Donald readily comprehended
+the situation.</p>
+
+<p>"We have found the tin box," said Mr. Beardsley,
+with a smile, as the boat-builder was admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you find it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Laud had it in his hand down at Saturday
+Cove. While I was looking up the Hasbrook
+affair, our friend here landed from the Juno, and
+was walking towards the woods, when he walked
+into me. He owns up to everything."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I hope you are satisfied that I had nothing
+to do with the box."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we are," interposed Captain Patterdale.
+"It certainly looked bad for you at one
+time, Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it did, sir," added Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"But I could not really believe that you would
+do such a thing," said the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew he wouldn't," exclaimed Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"Laud says he buried the box on Turtle Head,
+just where you said, and only removed it yesterday,
+when he put the notes under the sill in your
+shop," continued Mr. Beardsley.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do that for, Laud?" asked
+Donald, turning to the culprit.</p>
+
+<p>"You promised not to tell where I got the
+money to pay for the Juno. You went back on
+me," pleaded Laud.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you I wouldn't tell if everything was
+all right. When it appeared that the mended bill<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span>
+was not all right, I mentioned your name, but not
+till then."</p>
+
+<p>"That is so," added the nabob. "Now, Laud,
+did Captain Shivernock pay you any money?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," replied Laud, who had concluded to
+tell the whole truth, hoping it would go easier
+with him if he did so.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get the mended bill you paid
+Don John?"</p>
+
+<p>"From the tin trunk."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you say that Captain Shivernock
+gave you the money you paid for the Juno?"</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't account for it in any other way. I
+knew the captain threw his money around very
+loosely, and I didn't think any one would ask him
+if he gave me the money. If any one did, he
+wouldn't answer."</p>
+
+<p>"But he did answer, and said he gave you the
+money."</p>
+
+<p>"He told me he would say so, when I went to
+see him a fortnight ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you go to see him?"</p>
+
+<p>Laud glanced at Donald with a faint smile on
+his haggard face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Don John told me Captain Shivernock had a
+secret he wanted to keep."</p>
+
+<p>"I told you so!" exclaimed Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"You did; but you thought I knew the secret,"
+answered Laud. "You told me the captain had
+given me the money not to tell that I had seen
+him near Saturday Cove on the morning after the
+Hasbrook affair."</p>
+
+<p>"I remember now," said Donald. "Captain
+Shivernock gave me sixty dollars, and then gave
+me the Juno, for which I understood that I was
+not to say I had seen him that day. I refused to
+sell the boat to Laud till he told me where he got
+the money. When he told me the captain had
+given it to him, and would not say what for, I
+concluded his case was just the same as my own.
+After I left the captain, he stood over to the
+Northport shore, and Laud went over there soon
+after. I was sure that they met."</p>
+
+<p>"We didn't meet; and I did not see Captain
+Shivernock that day," Laud explained.</p>
+
+<p>"I supposed he had; I spoke to Laud just as
+though he had, and he didn't deny that he had
+seen him."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I didn't. Don John made my story
+good, and I was willing to stick to it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But you did not stick to it," added the nabob.
+"You said you had paid no money to Don John."</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you how that was. When I got the
+secret out of Don John, I went to the captain with
+it. He asked me if I wanted to black-mail him.
+I told him no. Then I spoke to him about the tin
+trunk you had lost, and said one of the bills had
+been traced to me. I made up a story to show
+where I got the bill; but the man that gave it to
+me had gone, and I didn't even know his name.
+He had some bills just like that mended one;
+and when I told him what my trouble was, he
+promised to say that he had given me the bill;
+and then he laughed as I never saw a man laugh
+before."</p>
+
+<p>"What was he laughing at?" asked the sheriff.</p>
+
+<p>"He went off early the next morning, and I suppose
+he was laughing to think what a joke he was
+playing upon me, for he was not to be in town
+when wanted to get me out of trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"He did say he let you have the use of the Juno
+for taking care of her, and that he gave you the
+money, though he wouldn't indicate what it was
+for," added the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought he was fooling me, and I didn't
+depend on him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's Captain Shivernock," said the good
+nabob, as the party in the library were startled by
+a violent ring at the door.</p>
+
+<p>It was the strange man. He was admitted by
+Nellie. He stalked up to Donald, his face red
+with wrath, and dashed the letter and bills into
+his face, crumpled up into a ball.</p>
+
+<p>"You canting little monkey! What have you
+been doing?" roared he.</p>
+
+<p>"Since I could not do what you wished me to
+do, I have returned your money," replied Donald,
+rising from his chair, for he feared the captain
+intended to assault him.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you disobeyed my orders, you whelp?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have; for I told you I should tell no lies."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll break every bone in your body for this!"
+howled Captain Shivernock.</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet, captain," interposed Mr. Beardsley.
+"You may have something else to break before
+you do that job."</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" demanded the wicked nabob,
+with what was intended as a withering sneer; but
+no one wilted under it.</p>
+
+<p>"A deputy sheriff of Waldo County, at your
+service; and I have a warrant for your arrest."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"For my arrest!" gasped Captain Shivernock,
+dismounting from his high horse, for he had a
+wholesome fear of the penalties of violated law.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is the document," added the sheriff,
+producing a paper.</p>
+
+<p>"For what?"</p>
+
+<p>"For breaking and entering in the night time,
+in the first place, and for an aggravated assault on
+Jacob Hasbrook in the second."</p>
+
+<p>"What assault? You can't prove it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we can; we went a-fishing down in Saturday
+Cove this morning, and we caught a bundle,
+containing a pair of boots, a blue frock, and other
+articles, including the stick the assault was committed
+with. They were sunk with half a pig of
+lead, the other half of which I found in the Juno.
+I hope you are satisfied."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I'm not. I didn't leave my house till
+four o'clock that morning; and I can prove it."</p>
+
+<p>"You will have an opportunity to do so in
+court."</p>
+
+<p>The wicked nabob was silent.</p>
+
+<p>"I was bound to follow this thing up to the bitter
+end," said Hasbrook, rejoiced at the detection
+of the wretch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You got what you deserved, you miserable,
+canting villain!" roared the captain. "You
+cheated me out of a thousand dollars, by giving
+me an indorser you knew wasn't worth a
+dollar."</p>
+
+<p>"But I meant to pay you. I pay my debts. I
+appeal to Captain Patterdale to say whether I do
+or not."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you do when it is for your interest to
+do so, or when you can't help it," added the good
+nabob, candidly. "I suppose you know Mr. Laud
+Cavendish, captain?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do," growled the rich culprit. "He is the
+fellow that saved a man's life down at Haddock
+Ledge; a man he hadn't been introduced to, who
+gave him a pile of money for the job, but didn't
+give him his name."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Captain Shivernock, you said you gave
+him some money, and you didn't tell us what you
+gave it to him for," added Beardsley.</p>
+
+<p>"That was my joke."</p>
+
+<p>"We do not see the point of it."</p>
+
+<p>"I only wanted the privilege of proving to Captain
+Patterdale that he was mistaken about the
+bill, by showing him three more just like it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How do you fold your money, Captain Shivernock?"
+asked the nabob.</p>
+
+<p>"None of your business, you canting psalm-singer."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be obliged to commit you," said the
+sheriff, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Commit me!" howled the wicked nabob. "I
+should like to see you do it."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have that satisfaction. If you give
+me any trouble about it, I shall have to put these
+things on," added the sheriff, taking from his
+pocket a pair of handcuffs.</p>
+
+<p>The culprit withered at the sight of the irons.
+He and Laud both walked to the county jail, where
+they were locked up. Of course the imprisonment
+of such a man as the wicked nabob caused a
+sensation; but there was no one to object. He
+was willing to pay any sum of money to get out
+of the scrape; but the majesty of the law must be
+vindicated, and there was a contest between
+money and justice. He obtained bail by depositing
+the large amount required in the hands of two
+men, whom his well-<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'feed'">fed</ins> lawyer procured. Between
+two days he left the city; but Beardsley
+kept the run of him, and when he was wanted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span>
+for trial, he was brought back from a western
+state.</p>
+
+<p>On the trial a desperate attempt was made to
+break down the witnesses; but it failed. The first
+for the defence was Mrs. Sykes; but her evidence
+was not what had been expected of her. She had
+told, and repeated the lie, that the captain left
+his house at four o'clock on the morning after the
+outrage; but in court, and under oath, she would
+not perjure herself. She declared that the defendant
+had left home about eleven o'clock in the evening,
+dressed in her husband's blue frock, boots,
+and hat. Mr. Sykes, after his wife had told the
+whole truth, was afraid to testify as he had said
+he should do. A conviction followed; and the
+prisoner was sentenced to the state prison for ten
+years. He was overwhelmed by this result. He
+swore like a pirate, and then he wept like a child;
+but he was sent to Thomaston, and put to hard
+work.</p>
+
+<p>Laud pleaded guilty, and was sent to the same
+institution for a year. There was hope of him;
+for if he could get rid of his silly vanity, and go
+to work, he might be saved from a lifetime of
+crime.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Donald came out of the fire without the stain of
+smoke upon him. After the great race, as Mr.
+Norwood was in no hurry for the Alice, he went
+on the long cruise with the fleet, in the Sea Foam.
+They coasted along the shore as far as Portland,
+visiting the principal places on the seaboard. On
+the cruise down Donald "coached" his friend,
+Ned Patterdale, in the art of sailing; and on the
+return he rendered the same service to Rodman.
+Both of them proved to be apt scholars; and after
+long practice, they were able to bring out the
+speed of their yachts, and stood a fair chance in
+a regatta.</p>
+
+<p>On the cruise, the yachts were racing all the
+time when under way, but the results were by no
+means uniform. When Donald sailed the Maud,
+she beat the Skylark; but when Rodman skippered
+her himself, the commodore outsailed him.
+The Maud beat the Sea Foam, as a general rule;
+but one day Robert Montague sailed the latter,
+and the former was beaten.</p>
+
+<p>"Don John, I don't know yet which is the fastest
+craft in the fleet," said Commodore Montague,
+as they were seated on <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Manheigan'">Manhegan</ins> Island, looking
+down upon the fleet anchored below them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thought you did, Bob," laughed Donald.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't. I have come to the conclusion
+that you can sail a yacht better than I can, and
+that is the reason that you beat me in the Maud,
+as you did in the Sea Foam."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no!" replied Donald. "I am sure I can't
+sail a boat any better than you can."</p>
+
+<p>"I can outsail any boat in the fleet when you
+are ashore."</p>
+
+<p>"We can easily settle the matter, Bob."</p>
+
+<p>"How?"</p>
+
+<p>"You shall sail the Maud, and I will sail the
+Skylark. If the difference is in the skippers, we
+shall come in about even. If the Maud is the
+better sailer, you will beat me."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! I'll do it."</p>
+
+<p>"You will do your best in the Maud&mdash;won't
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly; and you will do the same in the
+Skylark."</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure. We will sail around Matinicus
+Rock and back."</p>
+
+<p>The terms of the race were agreed upon, and the
+interest of the whole club was excited. The party
+went on board the fleet, and the two yachts were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span>
+moored in line. At the firing of the gun on board
+the Sea Foam, they <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'run'">ran</ins> up their jibs and got
+a good start. The wind was west, a lively breeze,
+but not heavy. Each yacht carried her large
+gaff-topsail and the balloon-jib. The course was
+about forty miles, the return from the rock
+being a beat dead to windward. Robert and
+Donald each did his best, and the Maud came in
+twelve minutes ahead of the Skylark.</p>
+
+<p>"I am satisfied now," said Robert, when they
+met after the race.</p>
+
+<p>"I was satisfied before," laughed Donald. "I
+was confident the Maud was faster than the Skylark
+or the Sea Foam."</p>
+
+<p>"I agree with you now; and I have more respect
+for myself than I had before, for I thought it was
+you, and not the Maud, which had beaten me,"
+added Robert. "I have also a very high respect
+for the firm of Ramsay &amp; Son."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i011.jpg" width="600" height="450" alt="The Maud winning the Race. Page 338." title="The Maud winning the Race. Page 338." />
+<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">The Maud winning the Race.</span> <a href="#Page_338">Page 338</a>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>The members of the club enjoyed the excursion
+exceedingly; and on their return it was decided
+to repeat it the next year, if not before. The
+club-house on Turtle Head was finished when the
+fleet arrived at Belfast; and during the rest of the
+vacation, the yachts remained in the bay. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span>
+had chowders and fries at the Head, to which the
+ladies were invited; and Donald made himself as
+agreeable as possible to Miss Nellie on these occasions.
+Possibly her father and mother had some
+objections to this continued and increasing intimacy;
+if they had, they did not mention them.
+They were compelled to acknowledge, when they
+talked the matter over between themselves, that
+Donald Ramsay was an honest, intelligent, noble
+young man, with high aims and pure principles,
+and that these qualifications were infinitely preferable
+to wealth without them; and they tacitly
+permitted the affair to take its natural course, as
+I have no doubt it will. Certainly the young
+people were very devoted to each other; and
+though they are too young to think of anything
+but friendship, it will end in a wedding.</p>
+
+<p>In the autumn, after the frame of the Alice was
+all set up, Barbara obtained a situation as a teacher
+in one of the public schools, and added her salary
+to the income of the boat-builder. The family
+lived well, and were happy in each other. After
+the boating season closed, the yacht club hired
+apartments, in which a library and reading-room
+were fitted up; and the members not only enjoyed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span>
+the meetings every week, but they profited by
+their reading and their study. Donald is still
+an honored and useful member, and people say
+that, by and by, when the country regains her
+mercantile marine, he will be a ship-builder, and
+not, as now, <span class="smcap">The Young Boat-Builder</span>.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h3>LEE &amp; SHEPARD'S</h3>
+
+<h4>LIST OF</h4>
+
+<h2>JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.</h2>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<h2>OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS.</h2>
+
+<div class='center'>
+Each Set in a neat Box with Illuminated Titles.<br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Oliver Optic Books">
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Army and Navy Stories.</b> A Library for Young and
+Old, in 6 volumes. 16mo. Illustrated. Per vol.</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>$1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Army and Navy Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>The Soldier Boy.</td><td align='left'>The Yankee Middy.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Sailor Boy.</td><td align='left'>Fighting Joe.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Young Lieutenant.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Brave Old Salt.</td></tr>
+</table></div></td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Famous "Boat-Club" Series.</b> A Library for Young
+People. Handsomely Illustrated. Six volumes, in neat
+box. Per vol.</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Boat Club List">
+<tr><td align='left'>The Boat Club; or, The Bunkers of Rippleton.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Now or Never; or, The Adventures of Bobby Bright.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Try Again; or, The Trials and Triumphs of Harry West.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Poor and Proud; or, The Fortunes of Katy Redburn.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Little by Little; or, The Cruise of the Flyaway.</td></tr>
+</table></div></td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Lake Shore Series, The.</b> Six volumes. Illustrated.
+In neat box. Per vol.</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Lake Shore Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Through by Daylight; or, The Young Engineer of the Lake Shore Railroad.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lightning Express; or, The Rival Academies.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>On Time; or, The Young Captain of the Ucayga Steamer.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Switch Off; or, The War of the Students.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Break Up; or, The Young Peacemakers.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Bear and Forbear; or, The Young Skipper of Lake Ucayga.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Soldier Boy Series, The.</b> Three volumes, in neat
+box. Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Soldier Boy Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Young Lieutenant; or, The Adventures of an Army Officer.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Fighting Joe; or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Sailor Boy Series, The.</b> Three volumes in neat box.
+Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Sailor Boy Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>The Sailor Boy; or, Jack Somers in the Navy.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Yankee Middy; or, Adventures of a Naval Officer.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Brave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter-Deck.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Starry Flag Series, The.</b> Six volumes. Illustrated.
+Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Starry Flag Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>The Starry Flag; or, The Young Fisherman of Cape Ann.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Breaking Away; or, The Fortunes of a Student.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Seek and Find; or, The Adventures of a Smart Boy.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Freaks of Fortune; or, Half Round the World.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Make or Break; or, The Rich Man's Daughter.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Down the River; or, Buck Bradford and the Tyrants.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>The Household Library.</b> 3 volumes. Illustrated. Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Household Library">
+<tr><td align='left'>Living too Fast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>In Doors and Out.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>The Way of the World.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Way of the World, The.</b> By William T. Adams (Oliver Optic)
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>12mo&nbsp;&nbsp;1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Woodville Stories.</b> Uniform with Library for Young
+People. Six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>16mo&nbsp;&nbsp;1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Woodville Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Rich and Humble; or, The Mission of Bertha Grant.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>In School and Out; or, The Conquest of Richard Grant.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Watch and Wait; or, The Young Fugitives.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Work and Win; or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Hope and Have; or, Fanny Grant among the Indians.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Haste and Waste; or, The Young Pilot of Lake Champlain.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Yacht Club Series.</b> Uniform with the ever popular
+"Boat Club" Series. Completed in six vols. Illustrated.
+Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>16mo&nbsp;&nbsp;1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Yacht Club Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Bobtail; or, The Wreck of the Penobscot</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Yacht Club; or, The Young Boat <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Builders'">Builder</ins>.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Money Maker; or, The Victory of the Basilisk.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Coming Wave; or, The Treasure of High Rock.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Dorcas Club; or, Our Girls Afloat.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Ocean Born; or, The Cruise of the Clubs.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Onward and Upward Series, The.</b> Complete in six
+volumes. Illustrated. In neat box. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Onward and Upward Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Field and Forest; or, The Fortunes of a Farmer.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Plane and Plank; or, The Mishaps of a Mechanic.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Desk and Debit; or, The Catastrophes of a Clerk.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Cringle and Cross-Tree; or, The Sea Swashes of a Sailor.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Bivouac and Battle; or, The Struggles of a Soldier.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Sea and Shore; or, The Tramps of a Traveller.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Young America Abroad Series.</b> A Library of
+Travel and Adventure in Foreign Lands. Illustrated
+by Nast, Stevens, Perkins, and others. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>16mo&nbsp;&nbsp;1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Young America Abroad Series">
+<tr><td align='center'><br /><i>First Series.</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Outward Bound; or, Young America Afloat.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Shamrock and Thistle; or, Young America in Ireland and Scotland.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Red Cross; or, Young America in England and Wales.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Dikes and Ditches, or, Young America in Holland and Belgium.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Palace and Cottage; or, Young America in France and Switzerland.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Down the Rhine; or, Young America in Germany.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center'><br /><i>Second Series.</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Up the Baltic; or, Young America in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Northern Lands; or, Young America in Russia and Prussia.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Cross and Crescent; or, Young America in Turkey and Greece.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Sunny Shores; or, Young America in Italy and Austria.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Vine and Olive; or, Young America in Spain and Portugal.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Isles of the Sea; or, Young America Homeward Bound.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Riverdale Stories.</b> Twelve volumes. A New Edition.
+Profusely Illustrated from new designs by Billings. In
+neat box. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Riverdale Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Merchant.</td><td align='left'>Proud and Lazy.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Young Voyagers.</td><td align='left'>Careless Kate.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Robinson Crusoe, Jr.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Christmas Gift.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Dolly and I.</td><td align='left'>The Picnic Party.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Uncle Ben.</td><td align='left'>The Gold Thimble.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Birthday Party.</td><td align='left'>The Do-Somethings.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Riverdale Story Books.</b> Six volumes, in neat box.
+Cloth. Per vol.<br />
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Riverdale Story Books">
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Merchant.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Proud and Lazy.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Young Voyagers.</td><td align='left'>Careless Kate.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Dolly and I.</td><td align='left'>Robinson Crusoe, Jr.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Flora Lee Story Books.</b> Six volumes in neat box.
+Cloth. Per vol.<br />
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Flora Lee Story Books">
+<tr><td align='left'>Christmas Gift.</td><td align='left'>The Picnic Party.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Uncle Ben.</td><td align='left'>The Gold Thimble.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Birthday Party.</td><td align='left'>The Do-Somethings.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Great Western Series, The.</b> Six volumes. Illustrated.
+Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Great Western Series">
+<tr><td align='right' valign='bottom'>Going West; or, The Perils of a Poor Boy.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right' valign='bottom'>Out West; or, Roughing it on the Great Lakes.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right' valign='bottom'>Lake Breezes.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Our Boys' and Girls' Offering.</b> Containing Oliver
+Optic's popular Story, Ocean Born; or, The Cruise of the
+Clubs; Stories of the Seas, Tales of Wonder, Records
+of Travel, &amp;c. Edited by Oliver Optic. Profusely
+Illustrated. Covers printed in Colors. 8vo.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Our Boys' and Girls' Souvenir.</b> Containing Oliver
+Optic's Popular Story, Going West; or, The Perils of a
+Poor Boy; Stories of the Sea, Tales of Wonder, Records
+of Travel, &amp;c. Edited by Oliver Optic. With numerous
+full-page and letter-press Engravings. Covers
+printed in Colors. 8vo.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+<h3><i>NEW PUBLICATIONS OF LEE AND SHEPARD.</i></h3>
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+<h2>ELIJAH KELLOGG'S NEW BOOKS.</h2>
+
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>JOHN GODSOE'S LEGACY.</b> 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.<br />
+<br /><br /></div>
+<div class='hang1'><b>THE FISHER BOYS OF PLEASANT COVE.</b> 16mo.
+Illustrated. $1.25. Completing <span class="smcap">The Pleasant Cove Series.</span><br />
+<br /><br /></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>THE PLEASANT COVE SERIES.</b> Five vols. Illustrated.
+Per vol., $1.25.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Pleasant Cove SerieS">
+<tr><td align='left'>1. ARTHUR BROWN.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2. THE YOUNG DELIVERERS.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>3. THE CRUISE OF THE CASCO.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>4. THE CHILD OF THE ISLAND GLEN.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>5. JOHN GODSOE'S LEGACY.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>6. FISHER BOYS OF PLEASANT COVE.</td></tr>
+</table><br /><br /></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>THE TURNING OF THE TIDE;</b> <span class="smcap">or, Radcliffe
+Rich and his Patients</span>. 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.<br /><br />
+</div><div class='hang1'>
+<b>A STOUT HEART;</b> <span class="smcap">or, The Student from over the
+Sea</span>. 16mo. Illustrated. Cloth. $1.25.<br /><br /></div>
+<div class='hang1'><b>THE WHISPERING PINE SERIES.</b> 6 vols. Illustrated.
+Per vol., $1.25.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="A Stout Heart">
+<tr><td align='left'>1. THE SPARK OF GENIUS.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>2. THE SOPHOMORES OF RADCLIFFE.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>3. THE WHISPERING PINE.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>4. WINNING HIS SPURS.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>5. THE TURNING OF THE TIDE.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>6. A STOUT HEART.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><small>"Mr. Kellogg has made himself a great favorite with young people by
+the number and variety of adventures which he manages to pack into a
+book; and to the parents by the excellent precepts which he inculcates."</small></p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>BY SOPHIE MAY.</h2>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Sophie May Books">
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Little Prudy's Flyaway Series.</b> By the author of
+"Dotty Dimple Stories," and "Little Prudy Stories."
+Complete in six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>75</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Little Prudy's Flyaway Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Folks Astray.</td><td align='left'>Little Grandmother.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Prudy Keeping House.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Little Grandfather.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Aunt Madge's Story.</td><td align='left'>Miss Thistledown.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Little Prudy Stories.</b> By Sophie May. Complete.
+Six volumes, handsomely illustrated, in a neat box.
+Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>75</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Little Prudy Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Prudy.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Prudy's Sister Susy.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Prudy's Captain Horace.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Prudy's Cousin Grace.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Prudy's Story Book.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Prudy's Dotty Dimple.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Dotty Dimple Stories.</b> By Sophie May, author of Little
+Prudy. Complete in six volumes. Illustrated. Per
+vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>75</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Dotty Dimple Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Dotty Dimple at her Grandmother's.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Dotty Dimple at Play.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Dotty Dimple at Home.</td><td align='left'>Dotty Dimple at School.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Dotty Dimple out West.</td><td align='left'>Dotty Dimple's Flyaway.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>The Quinnebassett Girls.</b> 16mo. Illustrated.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Quinnebassett Girls">
+<tr><td align='left'>The Doctor's Daughter. 16mo. Illustrated.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Our Helen. 16mo. Illustrated.</td><td align='left'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Asbury Twins. 16mo. Illustrated.</td><td align='left'>1.50</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Flaxie Frizzle Stories.</b> To be completed in six volumes.
+Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>75</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Flaxie Frizzle Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Flaxie Frizzle.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Flaxie Frizzle and Doctor Papa.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Pitchers.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Young Dodge Club, The.</b> By James De Mille, author
+of the B. O. W. C. Stories. Complete in three vols.
+Illustrated. Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Young Dodge Club">
+<tr><td align='left'>Among the Brigands.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>The Seven Hills.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>The Winged Lion.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Hunter's Library, The.</b> 5 volumes. Illustrated. Per
+volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Hunter's Library">
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>Australian Wanderers. The Adventures of Capt. Spencer and his Horse and Dog in the Wilds of Australia.</div></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Antonio in the Wilds of Africa.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>Anecdotes of Animals, with their Habits, Instincts, &amp;c., &amp;c.</div></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>Anecdotes of Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, &amp;c., their Habits and Instincts.</div></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>A Thousand Miles' Walk Across South America, over the Pampas and the Andes.</div></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Little People of God,</b> and what the Poets have said of
+them. By Mrs. George L. Austin. 4to. Illustrated.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>2.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Frontier Series, The.</b> Five volumes. Illustrated. Per
+vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Frontier Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Twelve Nights in the Hunters' Camp.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>A Thousand Miles' Walk Across South America.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Cabin on the Prairie.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Planting the Wilderness.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Young Pioneers of the Northwest.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Helping Hand Series.</b> By May Mannering. Complete
+in six vols. Illustrated. Per volume.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Helping Hand Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Climbing the Rope.</td><td align='left'>The Little Spaniard.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Billy Grimes's Favorite.</td><td align='left'>Salt-water Dick.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Cruise of the Dashaway.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Little Maid of Oxbow.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>An entirely new edition.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Cast Away in the Cold.</b> An Old Man's Story of a
+Young Man's Adventures. By Dr. Isaac I. Hayes. 1
+volume. Illustrated.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Vacation Story-Books.</b> For Boys and Girls. Finely
+Illustrated from designs by Hoppin and others. Six
+volumes, square 16mo. In neat box. Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>80</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Vacation Story-Books">
+<tr><td align='left'>Worth not Wealth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Karl Keigler.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Country Life.</td><td align='left'>Walter Seyton.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Charm.</td><td align='left'>Holidays at Chestnut Hill.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Winwood Cliff Stories.</b> By the Rev. Daniel Wise,
+D.D., author of the "Glen Morris Stories." To be
+completed in six volumes. Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Winwood Cliff Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Winwood Cliff; or, Oscar, The Sailor's Son.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>Ben Blinker; or, Maggie's Golden Motto, and what it did for her Brother.</div></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>A new volume in Press.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Young Trail-Hunters' Series, The.</b> By Samuel Woodworth
+Cozzens. 12mo. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Young Trail-Hunters Series">
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>Young Silver Seekers, The; or, Hal and Ned in Sonora. (In press.)</div></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>Crossing the Quicksands; or, The Veritable Adventures of Hal and Ned upon the Pacific Slope. 16mo. Illustrated. 317 pp.</div></td><td align='left'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>The Young Trail-Hunters; or, The Wild Riders of the Plains. 12mo. Illustrated. 205 pp.</div></td><td align='left'>1.00</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Battles at Home.</b> By Mary G. Darling. Illustrated.
+12mo.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>In the World.</b> By Mary G. Darling. Illustrated.
+12mo.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Golden Hair.</b> A Story of the Pilgrims. By Sir Lascelles
+Wraxhall, Bart. 12mo. Illustrated.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Snip and Whip,</b> and some other Boys. By Elizabeth A.
+Davis. 16mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Sunnybank Stories.</b> Twelve volumes. Compiled by
+Rev. Asa Bullard, editor of the "Well-Spring." Profusely
+Illustrated. 32mo. Bound in high colors, and
+put in a neat box. Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Sunnybank Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Uncle Henry's Stories.</td><td align='left'>Aunt Lizzie's Stories.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Dog Stories.</td><td align='left'>Mother's Stories.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Stories for Alice.</td><td align='left'>Grandpa's Stories.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>My Teacher's Gem.</td><td align='left'>The Good Scholar.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Scholar's Welcome.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>The Lighthouse.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Going to School.</td><td align='left'>Reward of Merit.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Sunnybank Stories.</b> Six volumes. Compiled by Rev.
+Asa Bullard. Profusely Illustrated. 32mo. Bound in
+high colors, and put up in a neat box. Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Sunnybank Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Uncle Henry's Stories.</td><td align='left'>Aunt Lizzie's Stories.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Dog Stories.</td><td align='left'>Mother's Stories.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Stories for Alice.</td><td align='left'>Grandpa's Stories.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Shady Dell Stories.</b> Six volumes. Compiled by Rev. Asa
+Bullard, editor of the "Well-Spring." Profusely Illustrated.
+32mo. Bound in high colors, and put up in a
+neat box (to match the Sunnybank Stories). Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Shady Dell Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>My Teacher's Gem.</td><td align='left'>The Good Scholar.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Scholar's Welcome.</td><td align='left'>The Lighthouse.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Going to School.</td><td align='left'>Reward of Merit.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Tone Masters, The.</b> A Musical Series for the Young.
+By the author of "The Soprano," &amp;c. 16mo. Illustrated.
+Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Tone Masters">
+<tr><td align='left'>Mozart and Mendelssohn.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Handel and Haydn.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>Bach and Beethoven.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Twilight Stories.</b> By Mrs. Follen. Twelve volumes.
+4to. Illustrated. Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Twilight Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Travellers' Stories.</td><td align='left'>The Talkative Wig.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>True Stories about Dogs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>What Animals do and say.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Made-Up Stories.</td><td align='left'>Two Festivals.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Peddler of Dust Sticks.</td><td align='left'>Conscience.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>When I was a Girl.</td><td align='left'>Piccolissima.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Who speaks Next?</td><td align='left'>Little Songs.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Maidenhood Series.</b> 12mo. Illustrated.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Maidenhood Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Seven Daughters. By Miss A. M. Douglas.</td><td align='left'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Running to Waste: The Story of a Tomboy. By Geo. M. Baker.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Our Helen. By Sophie May.</td><td align='left'>1.75</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>That Queer Girl. By Virginia F. Townsend.</td><td align='left'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Asbury Twins. By Sophie May.</td><td align='left'>1.75</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Daisy Travers; or, The Girls of Hive Hall. By Adelaide F. Samuels.</td><td align='left'>1.50</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Amateur Drama Series.</b> By Geo. M. Baker. 6 volumes.
+Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Amateur Drama Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Amateur Dramas.</td><td align='left'>The Drawing-Room Stage.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Mimic Stage.</td><td align='left'>The Exhibition Drama.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Social Stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Handy Dramas.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Eminent Statesmen.</b> The Young American's Library
+of Eminent Statesmen. Uniform with the Young
+American's Library of Famous Generals. Six volumes,
+handsomely illustrated, in neat box. (New edition.)
+Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Eminent Statesmen Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Benjamin Franklin.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>William Penn.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Daniel Webster.</td><td align='left'>Henry Clay.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Daring Deeds.</td><td align='left'>Noble Deeds.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Famous Generals.</b> The Young American's Library of
+Famous Generals. A useful and attractive series of
+books for Boys. Six volumes, handsomely illustrated,
+in neat box. (New edition.) Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Famous Generals">
+<tr><td align='left'>General Washington.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>General Lafayette.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>General Taylor.</td><td align='left'>General Marion.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>General Jackson.</td><td align='left'>Napoleon Bonaparte.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Springdale Stories.</b> By Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels. Six
+volumes. Illustrated. Per volume
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>75</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Springdale Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Obeying the Golden Rule.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>The Smuggler's Cave.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Shipwrecked Girl.</td><td align='left'>Under the Sea.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Nettie's Trial.</td><td align='left'>The Burning Prairie.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Charley Roberts Series.</b> By Miss Louise M. Thurston.
+To be completed in six volumes. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Charlie Roberts Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>How Charlie Roberts became a Man.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>How Eva Roberts gained her Education.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Home in the West.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Children of Amity Court.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Crusoe Library.</b> An attractive series for Young and
+Old. Six volumes. Illustrated. In neat box. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Crusoe Library">
+<tr><td align='left'>Robinson Crusoe.</td><td align='left'>Young Crusoe.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Arabian Nights.</td><td align='left'>Prairie Crusoe.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Arctic Crusoe.</td><td align='left'>Willis the Pilot.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Dick and Daisy Series.</b> By Miss Adelaide F. Samuels.
+Four volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Dick and Daisy Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Adrift in the World; or, Dick and Daisy's Early Days.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Fighting the Battle; or, Dick and Daisy's City Life.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Saved from the Street; or, Dick and Daisy's <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'prot&eacute;g&eacute;s'">Prot&eacute;g&eacute;s</ins>.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Grandfather Milly's Luck; or, Dick and Daisy's Reward.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Dick Travers Abroad Series.</b> By Miss Adelaide F.
+Samuels. Four volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Dick Travers Abroad Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Cricket; or, Dick Travers in London.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Palm Land; or, Dick Travers in the Chagos Islands.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Lost Tar; or, Dick Travers in Africa.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>On the Wave; or, Dick Travers aboard the Happy Jack.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Turning of the Tide; or, Radcliffe Rich and his Patients.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Winning his Spurs; or, Henry Morton's First Trial.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Girlhood Series, The.</b> Comprising six volumes, 12mo.
+Illustrated.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Girlhood Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>An American Girl Abroad. By Miss Adeline Trafton.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Doctor's Daughter. By Sophie May.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Sallie Williams, The Mountain Girl. By Mrs. E. D. Cheney.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Only Girls. By Virginia F. Townsend.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Lottie Eames; or, Do Your Best, and Leave the Rest.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Rhoda Thornton's Girlhood. By Mrs. Mary E. Pratt.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+<h2>BY J. T. TROWBRIDGE.</h2>
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Trowbridge Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><b>His Own Master.</b> 16mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+(In press.)
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><b>Bound in Honor;</b> or, Boys will be Boys. 16mo. Cloth.
+Illustrated.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+
+<h2>MISCELLANEOUS.</h2>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous Stories">
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Alden Series.</b> By Joseph Alden, D.D. 4 vols. Illustrated.
+Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Alden Series.">
+<tr><td align='left'>The Cardinal Flower.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Henry Ashton.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Lost Lamb.</td><td align='left'>The Light-hearted Girl.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Baby Ballad Series.</b> (In press.) Three volumes. Illustrated.
+4to. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Baby Ballads">
+<tr><td align='left'>Baby Ballads. By Uno.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Little Songs. By Mrs. Follen.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>New Songs for Little People. By Mrs. Anderson.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Beckoning Series.</b> By Paul Cobden. To be completed
+in six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.25</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Beckoning Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Who will Win?</td><td align='left'>Good Luck.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Going on a Mission.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Take a Peep.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Turning Wheel.</td><td align='left'>(Another in preparation.)</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Blue Jacket Series.</b> Six vols. 12mo. Illustrated. Per
+vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Blue Jacket Series">
+<tr><td align='left'>Swiss Family Robinson.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Gulliver's Travels.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Willis the Pilot.</td><td align='left'>The Arctic Crusoe.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Prairie Crusoe.</td><td align='left'>The Young Crusoe.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><div class='hang1'><b>Celesta Stories, The.</b> By Mrs. E. M. Berry. 16mo.
+Illustrated. Per vol.
+</div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'>1.00</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Celesta Stories">
+<tr><td align='left'>Celesta.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>The Crook Straightened.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>Crooked and Straight.</td></tr>
+</table></div></td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+
+<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3>
+<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p>
+<p>Page 225, (between 224-225) illustration caption was cropped and page
+number is presumed.</p>
+<p>Advertising, the prices for: Riverdale Stories, Riverdale Story Books,
+and Flora Lee Story Books were omitted in the original text.</p>
+<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yacht Club, by Oliver Optic
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YACHT CLUB ***
+
+***** This file should be named 23351-h.htm or 23351-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/3/5/23351/
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from scans of public domain material produced by
+Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions 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.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/23351-h/images/cover.jpg b/23351-h/images/cover.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5481a41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/cover.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/frontispiece.jpg b/23351-h/images/frontispiece.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..224ae0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/frontispiece.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i001.jpg b/23351-h/images/i001.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7afb9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i001.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i002.jpg b/23351-h/images/i002.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d78fc23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i002.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i003.jpg b/23351-h/images/i003.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..55f1850
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i003.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i004.jpg b/23351-h/images/i004.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..afa842a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i004.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i005.jpg b/23351-h/images/i005.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb6d6ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i005.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i006.jpg b/23351-h/images/i006.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a380694
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i006.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i007.jpg b/23351-h/images/i007.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00cb7f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i007.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i008.jpg b/23351-h/images/i008.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6d603d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i008.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i009.jpg b/23351-h/images/i009.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aaf9881
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i009.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i010.jpg b/23351-h/images/i010.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47fd1c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i010.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/i011.jpg b/23351-h/images/i011.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0f6480
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/i011.jpg
diff --git a/23351-h/images/titlepage.jpg b/23351-h/images/titlepage.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3452345
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-h/images/titlepage.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/c001.jpg b/23351-page-images/c001.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e27a05d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/c001.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/c002.jpg b/23351-page-images/c002.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d4dfb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/c002.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f001.png b/23351-page-images/f001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab4dabe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f001.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f002.jpg b/23351-page-images/f002.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9cca3f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f002.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f003.jpg b/23351-page-images/f003.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b0e21a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f003.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f004.png b/23351-page-images/f004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80543f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f004.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f005.png b/23351-page-images/f005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64e1fbd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f005.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f006.png b/23351-page-images/f006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2581102
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f006.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f007.png b/23351-page-images/f007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d326f5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f007.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f008.png b/23351-page-images/f008.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ee94cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f008.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f009.png b/23351-page-images/f009.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c3d590
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f009.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f010.png b/23351-page-images/f010.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9424ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f010.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f011.png b/23351-page-images/f011.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0458027
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f011.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/f012.png b/23351-page-images/f012.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69575c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/f012.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p011.png b/23351-page-images/p011.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..15c15cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p011.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p012.png b/23351-page-images/p012.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d56d49f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p012.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p013.png b/23351-page-images/p013.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aab741c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p013.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p014.png b/23351-page-images/p014.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..788ba41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p014.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p015.png b/23351-page-images/p015.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d997cfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p015.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p016.png b/23351-page-images/p016.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ce4914
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p016.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p017.png b/23351-page-images/p017.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..686a6d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p017.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p018.png b/23351-page-images/p018.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf6ed18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p018.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p019.png b/23351-page-images/p019.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6566e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p019.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p020.png b/23351-page-images/p020.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b7ad70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p020.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p021.png b/23351-page-images/p021.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e31647
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p021.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p022.png b/23351-page-images/p022.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ace729
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p022.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p023.png b/23351-page-images/p023.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d52dc3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p023.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p024.png b/23351-page-images/p024.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eab43d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p024.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p025.png b/23351-page-images/p025.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ad54d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p025.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p026.png b/23351-page-images/p026.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a40795
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p026.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p027.png b/23351-page-images/p027.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..384cb57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p027.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p028.png b/23351-page-images/p028.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ecd42b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p028.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p029.png b/23351-page-images/p029.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80e3045
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p029.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p030.png b/23351-page-images/p030.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6dc74ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p030.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p031.png b/23351-page-images/p031.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a1fdaa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p031.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p032.png b/23351-page-images/p032.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df12ef7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p032.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p033.png b/23351-page-images/p033.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2376f66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p033.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p034.png b/23351-page-images/p034.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d2642c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p034.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p035.png b/23351-page-images/p035.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f973881
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p035.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p036.png b/23351-page-images/p036.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b4efc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p036.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p037.png b/23351-page-images/p037.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8cdd45a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p037.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p038.png b/23351-page-images/p038.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d03ddde
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p038.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p039.png b/23351-page-images/p039.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1511c44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p039.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p040.png b/23351-page-images/p040.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b9c934
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p040.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p041.png b/23351-page-images/p041.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8dc957
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p041.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p042.png b/23351-page-images/p042.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..194bd61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p042.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p043.png b/23351-page-images/p043.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f064fca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p043.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p044.png b/23351-page-images/p044.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e5cb994
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p044.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p045.png b/23351-page-images/p045.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6be66e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p045.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p046.png b/23351-page-images/p046.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c7189f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p046.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p047.png b/23351-page-images/p047.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1fff7a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p047.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p048.png b/23351-page-images/p048.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..920f067
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p048.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p049.png b/23351-page-images/p049.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..deb63b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p049.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p050.png b/23351-page-images/p050.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93f44ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p050.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p051.png b/23351-page-images/p051.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0ccbdd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p051.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p052.png b/23351-page-images/p052.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79a5b91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p052.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p053.png b/23351-page-images/p053.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c80137
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p053.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p054.png b/23351-page-images/p054.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d446b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p054.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p055.png b/23351-page-images/p055.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57391d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p055.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p056-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p056-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fdf9ae6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p056-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p056.png b/23351-page-images/p056.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a7e9622
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p056.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p057.png b/23351-page-images/p057.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d50b67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p057.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p058.png b/23351-page-images/p058.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d919c9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p058.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p059.png b/23351-page-images/p059.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df1259b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p059.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p060.png b/23351-page-images/p060.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00ba2a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p060.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p061.png b/23351-page-images/p061.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e8f802
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p061.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p062.png b/23351-page-images/p062.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..21f159a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p062.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p063.png b/23351-page-images/p063.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2047893
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p063.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p064.png b/23351-page-images/p064.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bcb541
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p064.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p065.png b/23351-page-images/p065.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81feb90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p065.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p066.png b/23351-page-images/p066.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..279b478
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p066.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p067.png b/23351-page-images/p067.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d69a92d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p067.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p068.png b/23351-page-images/p068.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4e01c12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p068.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p069.png b/23351-page-images/p069.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c87874
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p069.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p070.png b/23351-page-images/p070.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..601d365
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p070.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p071.png b/23351-page-images/p071.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..279d40a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p071.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p072-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p072-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..219635a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p072-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p072.png b/23351-page-images/p072.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93fef94
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p072.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p073.png b/23351-page-images/p073.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f3dd93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p073.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p074.png b/23351-page-images/p074.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c29d195
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p074.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p075.png b/23351-page-images/p075.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c16e564
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p075.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p076.png b/23351-page-images/p076.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba9f91d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p076.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p077.png b/23351-page-images/p077.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..415b6f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p077.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p078.png b/23351-page-images/p078.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6426f1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p078.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p079.png b/23351-page-images/p079.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fcfde99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p079.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p080.png b/23351-page-images/p080.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10f823f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p080.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p081.png b/23351-page-images/p081.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9389d3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p081.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p082.png b/23351-page-images/p082.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d7001a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p082.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p083.png b/23351-page-images/p083.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bfc6b14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p083.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p084.png b/23351-page-images/p084.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4e207ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p084.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p085.png b/23351-page-images/p085.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e9bdfa3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p085.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p086.png b/23351-page-images/p086.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7a85aaf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p086.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p087.png b/23351-page-images/p087.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d01fb4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p087.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p088.png b/23351-page-images/p088.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea371e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p088.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p089.png b/23351-page-images/p089.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fc59a48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p089.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p090.png b/23351-page-images/p090.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4e4b9d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p090.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p091.png b/23351-page-images/p091.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c0222ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p091.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p092.png b/23351-page-images/p092.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..355fb5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p092.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p093.png b/23351-page-images/p093.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc03ef7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p093.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p094.png b/23351-page-images/p094.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48846f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p094.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p095.png b/23351-page-images/p095.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26e3c24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p095.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p096.png b/23351-page-images/p096.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94f05ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p096.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p097.png b/23351-page-images/p097.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c52b52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p097.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p098.png b/23351-page-images/p098.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4eae5db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p098.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p099.png b/23351-page-images/p099.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..548bf6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p099.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p100.png b/23351-page-images/p100.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1b1bc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p100.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p101.png b/23351-page-images/p101.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..308525e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p101.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p102.png b/23351-page-images/p102.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e4b1229
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p102.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p103.png b/23351-page-images/p103.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..630079b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p103.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p104.png b/23351-page-images/p104.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56090f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p104.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p105.png b/23351-page-images/p105.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..36caa39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p105.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p106.png b/23351-page-images/p106.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0dd6c71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p106.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p107.png b/23351-page-images/p107.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f3b2d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p107.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p108.png b/23351-page-images/p108.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c0478d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p108.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p109.png b/23351-page-images/p109.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ce1075
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p109.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p110.png b/23351-page-images/p110.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba07d42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p110.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p111.png b/23351-page-images/p111.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3895974
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p111.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p112-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p112-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9eb224f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p112-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p112.png b/23351-page-images/p112.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..789e5fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p112.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p113.png b/23351-page-images/p113.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bb7bca3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p113.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p114.png b/23351-page-images/p114.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b66fa6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p114.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p115.png b/23351-page-images/p115.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f24ad5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p115.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p116.png b/23351-page-images/p116.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..826ed13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p116.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p117.png b/23351-page-images/p117.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..006e74e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p117.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p118.png b/23351-page-images/p118.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bcf30b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p118.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p119.png b/23351-page-images/p119.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4730456
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p119.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p120-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p120-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1137707
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p120-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p120.png b/23351-page-images/p120.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..14e66f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p120.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p121.png b/23351-page-images/p121.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c54bb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p121.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p122.png b/23351-page-images/p122.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd41c58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p122.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p123.png b/23351-page-images/p123.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..053fedd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p123.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p124.png b/23351-page-images/p124.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5cbd5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p124.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p125.png b/23351-page-images/p125.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..062623a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p125.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p126.png b/23351-page-images/p126.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ef5f61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p126.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p127.png b/23351-page-images/p127.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a5edbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p127.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p128.png b/23351-page-images/p128.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75db92e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p128.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p129.png b/23351-page-images/p129.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7016b36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p129.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p130.png b/23351-page-images/p130.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49e0cf0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p130.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p131.png b/23351-page-images/p131.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..011131b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p131.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p132.png b/23351-page-images/p132.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b8cf5c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p132.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p133.png b/23351-page-images/p133.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1842155
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p133.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p134.png b/23351-page-images/p134.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e315c9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p134.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p135.png b/23351-page-images/p135.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..20089a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p135.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p136.png b/23351-page-images/p136.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a517a5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p136.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p137.png b/23351-page-images/p137.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0feb970
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p137.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p138.png b/23351-page-images/p138.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aaee982
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p138.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p139.png b/23351-page-images/p139.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01c1754
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p139.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p140.png b/23351-page-images/p140.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..32970ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p140.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p141.png b/23351-page-images/p141.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cdfdab5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p141.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p142.png b/23351-page-images/p142.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fc94c20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p142.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p143.png b/23351-page-images/p143.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93c9164
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p143.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p144.png b/23351-page-images/p144.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e203db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p144.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p145.png b/23351-page-images/p145.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c26d916
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p145.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p146.png b/23351-page-images/p146.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d10fcd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p146.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p147.png b/23351-page-images/p147.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b0bfc4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p147.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p148.png b/23351-page-images/p148.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ce93a92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p148.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p149.png b/23351-page-images/p149.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b660bf2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p149.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p150.png b/23351-page-images/p150.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..34201a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p150.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p151.png b/23351-page-images/p151.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ecd078
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p151.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p152.png b/23351-page-images/p152.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..53feda0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p152.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p153.png b/23351-page-images/p153.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30cdf60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p153.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p154.png b/23351-page-images/p154.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9c0cfa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p154.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p155.png b/23351-page-images/p155.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5bf9651
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p155.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p156.png b/23351-page-images/p156.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a90495
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p156.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p157.png b/23351-page-images/p157.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9df2c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p157.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p158.png b/23351-page-images/p158.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a4051cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p158.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p159.png b/23351-page-images/p159.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0915321
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p159.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p160.png b/23351-page-images/p160.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2caf7da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p160.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p161.png b/23351-page-images/p161.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..013c90d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p161.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p162.png b/23351-page-images/p162.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..202ff42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p162.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p163.png b/23351-page-images/p163.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb680af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p163.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p164.png b/23351-page-images/p164.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..458a720
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p164.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p165.png b/23351-page-images/p165.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e5d206
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p165.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p166.png b/23351-page-images/p166.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..759c636
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p166.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p167.png b/23351-page-images/p167.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e25cd1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p167.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p168-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p168-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d12f1ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p168-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p168.png b/23351-page-images/p168.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..729745f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p168.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p169.png b/23351-page-images/p169.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..840e36d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p169.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p170.png b/23351-page-images/p170.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fa7e4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p170.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p171.png b/23351-page-images/p171.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3f3198b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p171.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p172.png b/23351-page-images/p172.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..621d7c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p172.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p173.png b/23351-page-images/p173.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c03407f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p173.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p174.png b/23351-page-images/p174.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..593e93f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p174.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p175.png b/23351-page-images/p175.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa5b395
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p175.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p176.png b/23351-page-images/p176.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6d27c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p176.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p177.png b/23351-page-images/p177.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e124cc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p177.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p178.png b/23351-page-images/p178.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..369cbc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p178.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p179.png b/23351-page-images/p179.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8b7eed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p179.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p180.png b/23351-page-images/p180.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd81018
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p180.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p181.png b/23351-page-images/p181.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f4a8c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p181.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p182.png b/23351-page-images/p182.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc2738c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p182.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p183.png b/23351-page-images/p183.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..baf6e89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p183.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p184.png b/23351-page-images/p184.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ffc722e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p184.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p185.png b/23351-page-images/p185.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5baad9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p185.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p186.png b/23351-page-images/p186.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1542204
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p186.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p187.png b/23351-page-images/p187.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e3a4871
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p187.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p188.png b/23351-page-images/p188.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac0b225
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p188.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p189.png b/23351-page-images/p189.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79f3e9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p189.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p190.png b/23351-page-images/p190.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..781a995
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p190.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p191.png b/23351-page-images/p191.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e131058
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p191.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p192.png b/23351-page-images/p192.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..53f962f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p192.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p193.png b/23351-page-images/p193.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..232cafd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p193.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p194.png b/23351-page-images/p194.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..99a87ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p194.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p195.png b/23351-page-images/p195.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b00440
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p195.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p196.png b/23351-page-images/p196.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..330a9ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p196.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p197.png b/23351-page-images/p197.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bad8de9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p197.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p198.png b/23351-page-images/p198.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..374f557
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p198.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p199.png b/23351-page-images/p199.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..403f68c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p199.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p200-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p200-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..327dd91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p200-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p200.png b/23351-page-images/p200.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e2920f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p200.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p201.png b/23351-page-images/p201.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05f7e2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p201.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p202.png b/23351-page-images/p202.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba000d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p202.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p203.png b/23351-page-images/p203.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..faa9ec9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p203.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p204.png b/23351-page-images/p204.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b4946a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p204.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p205.png b/23351-page-images/p205.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c3de672
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p205.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p206.png b/23351-page-images/p206.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f872561
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p206.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p207.png b/23351-page-images/p207.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0eb898f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p207.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p208.png b/23351-page-images/p208.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..33f7d98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p208.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p209.png b/23351-page-images/p209.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1080246
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p209.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p210.png b/23351-page-images/p210.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..148c030
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p210.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p211.png b/23351-page-images/p211.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3d4705
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p211.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p212.png b/23351-page-images/p212.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09f4576
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p212.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p213.png b/23351-page-images/p213.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09abe22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p213.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p214.png b/23351-page-images/p214.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d5a9d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p214.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p215.png b/23351-page-images/p215.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b45711f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p215.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p216.png b/23351-page-images/p216.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a75a28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p216.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p217.png b/23351-page-images/p217.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83e5706
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p217.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p218.png b/23351-page-images/p218.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..616facb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p218.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p219.png b/23351-page-images/p219.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5452ffd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p219.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p220.png b/23351-page-images/p220.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e637ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p220.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p221.png b/23351-page-images/p221.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..59f8fb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p221.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p222.png b/23351-page-images/p222.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5af155b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p222.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p223.png b/23351-page-images/p223.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a78abf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p223.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p224-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p224-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7a92c44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p224-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p224.png b/23351-page-images/p224.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df34659
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p224.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p225.png b/23351-page-images/p225.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..962e35b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p225.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p226.png b/23351-page-images/p226.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7afefef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p226.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p227.png b/23351-page-images/p227.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e91c01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p227.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p228.png b/23351-page-images/p228.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..250c4a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p228.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p229.png b/23351-page-images/p229.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd9ebef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p229.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p230.png b/23351-page-images/p230.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e795b28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p230.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p231.png b/23351-page-images/p231.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a087150
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p231.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p232-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p232-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e01065a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p232-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p232.png b/23351-page-images/p232.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a175f38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p232.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p233.png b/23351-page-images/p233.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18f406d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p233.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p234.png b/23351-page-images/p234.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4be1761
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p234.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p235.png b/23351-page-images/p235.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d98b55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p235.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p236.png b/23351-page-images/p236.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35fc654
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p236.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p237.png b/23351-page-images/p237.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b62e136
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p237.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p238.png b/23351-page-images/p238.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9424c71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p238.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p239.png b/23351-page-images/p239.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..44792e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p239.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p240.png b/23351-page-images/p240.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a618da4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p240.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p241.png b/23351-page-images/p241.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bfa721b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p241.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p242.png b/23351-page-images/p242.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a485cb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p242.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p243.png b/23351-page-images/p243.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91e48f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p243.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p244.png b/23351-page-images/p244.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1282d78
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p244.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p245.png b/23351-page-images/p245.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..559a431
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p245.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p246.png b/23351-page-images/p246.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64a9a9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p246.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p247.png b/23351-page-images/p247.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab1228b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p247.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p248.png b/23351-page-images/p248.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df6d5db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p248.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p249.png b/23351-page-images/p249.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4efc084
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p249.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p250.png b/23351-page-images/p250.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1317f44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p250.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p251.png b/23351-page-images/p251.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c45e989
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p251.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p252.png b/23351-page-images/p252.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2cad096
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p252.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p253.png b/23351-page-images/p253.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57f4819
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p253.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p254.png b/23351-page-images/p254.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..71ae553
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p254.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p255.png b/23351-page-images/p255.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e115800
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p255.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p256.png b/23351-page-images/p256.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a523e45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p256.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p257.png b/23351-page-images/p257.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50f9c3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p257.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p258.png b/23351-page-images/p258.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a21347
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p258.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p259.png b/23351-page-images/p259.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3930e5c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p259.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p260.png b/23351-page-images/p260.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0c30d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p260.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p261.png b/23351-page-images/p261.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d825e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p261.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p262.png b/23351-page-images/p262.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ef802e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p262.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p263.png b/23351-page-images/p263.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b312d48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p263.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p264.png b/23351-page-images/p264.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ec8a56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p264.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p265.png b/23351-page-images/p265.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7a7e6dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p265.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p266.png b/23351-page-images/p266.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8125ddf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p266.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p267.png b/23351-page-images/p267.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..22b5a76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p267.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p268.png b/23351-page-images/p268.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b092c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p268.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p269.png b/23351-page-images/p269.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f3cbd9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p269.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p270.png b/23351-page-images/p270.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4bfbc4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p270.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p271.png b/23351-page-images/p271.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dde1075
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p271.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p272.png b/23351-page-images/p272.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ae06a0d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p272.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p273.png b/23351-page-images/p273.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d65635c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p273.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p274.png b/23351-page-images/p274.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81d181a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p274.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p275.png b/23351-page-images/p275.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..637c6d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p275.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p276.png b/23351-page-images/p276.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab80fcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p276.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p277.png b/23351-page-images/p277.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..329cbc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p277.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p278.png b/23351-page-images/p278.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea77c4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p278.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p279.png b/23351-page-images/p279.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75593de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p279.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p280-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p280-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c4e4d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p280-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p280.png b/23351-page-images/p280.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fadb7a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p280.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p281.png b/23351-page-images/p281.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7cba12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p281.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p282.png b/23351-page-images/p282.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f3147c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p282.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p283.png b/23351-page-images/p283.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e9f8b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p283.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p284.png b/23351-page-images/p284.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..78009cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p284.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p285.png b/23351-page-images/p285.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..030a056
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p285.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p286.png b/23351-page-images/p286.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..28f8aaa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p286.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p287.png b/23351-page-images/p287.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..16c383e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p287.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p288.png b/23351-page-images/p288.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c17ec4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p288.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p289.png b/23351-page-images/p289.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70aad18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p289.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p290.png b/23351-page-images/p290.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6d884f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p290.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p291.png b/23351-page-images/p291.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27d22f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p291.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p292.png b/23351-page-images/p292.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..620312f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p292.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p293.png b/23351-page-images/p293.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9965361
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p293.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p294.png b/23351-page-images/p294.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74d5873
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p294.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p295.png b/23351-page-images/p295.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c3fe20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p295.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p296-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p296-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1c1f8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p296-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p296.png b/23351-page-images/p296.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6a0865
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p296.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p297.png b/23351-page-images/p297.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e562f94
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p297.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p298.png b/23351-page-images/p298.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..973da51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p298.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p299.png b/23351-page-images/p299.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7547e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p299.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p300.png b/23351-page-images/p300.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4df1d02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p300.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p301.png b/23351-page-images/p301.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3077a8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p301.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p302.png b/23351-page-images/p302.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08e0778
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p302.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p303.png b/23351-page-images/p303.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3af071f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p303.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p304.png b/23351-page-images/p304.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..066788d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p304.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p305.png b/23351-page-images/p305.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2a6738
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p305.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p306.png b/23351-page-images/p306.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b071910
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p306.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p307.png b/23351-page-images/p307.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18e8569
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p307.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p308.png b/23351-page-images/p308.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9267428
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p308.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p309.png b/23351-page-images/p309.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..493a833
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p309.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p310.png b/23351-page-images/p310.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0485c08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p310.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p311.png b/23351-page-images/p311.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..303890c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p311.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p312.png b/23351-page-images/p312.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd0c681
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p312.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p313.png b/23351-page-images/p313.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..32840e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p313.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p314.png b/23351-page-images/p314.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..519d594
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p314.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p315.png b/23351-page-images/p315.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e9a7a83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p315.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p316.png b/23351-page-images/p316.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c762a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p316.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p317.png b/23351-page-images/p317.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bbcba0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p317.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p318.png b/23351-page-images/p318.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83fbefe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p318.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p319.png b/23351-page-images/p319.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3680cb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p319.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p320.png b/23351-page-images/p320.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9843357
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p320.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p321.png b/23351-page-images/p321.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a588b8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p321.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p322.png b/23351-page-images/p322.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1539a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p322.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p323.png b/23351-page-images/p323.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d9d1ec5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p323.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p324.png b/23351-page-images/p324.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0ba448
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p324.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p325.png b/23351-page-images/p325.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..578472d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p325.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p326.png b/23351-page-images/p326.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a62a692
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p326.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p327.png b/23351-page-images/p327.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4d9cfec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p327.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p328.png b/23351-page-images/p328.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7187610
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p328.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p329.png b/23351-page-images/p329.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..db878a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p329.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p330.png b/23351-page-images/p330.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..22e8680
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p330.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p331.png b/23351-page-images/p331.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..734a3db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p331.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p332.png b/23351-page-images/p332.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fc8766
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p332.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p333.png b/23351-page-images/p333.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b4af19d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p333.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p334.png b/23351-page-images/p334.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c61a1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p334.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p335.png b/23351-page-images/p335.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5c08b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p335.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p336.png b/23351-page-images/p336.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fc8fb3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p336.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p337.png b/23351-page-images/p337.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..84504d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p337.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p338-insert.jpg b/23351-page-images/p338-insert.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ccb1d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p338-insert.jpg
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p338.png b/23351-page-images/p338.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..715100c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p338.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p339.png b/23351-page-images/p339.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3280cee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p339.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p340.png b/23351-page-images/p340.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7a11e6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p340.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p341.png b/23351-page-images/p341.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57440a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p341.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p342.png b/23351-page-images/p342.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c291d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p342.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p343.png b/23351-page-images/p343.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9264585
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p343.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p344.png b/23351-page-images/p344.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..086c95a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p344.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p345.png b/23351-page-images/p345.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46cc3ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p345.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p346.png b/23351-page-images/p346.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b06edae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p346.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p347.png b/23351-page-images/p347.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..719a3d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p347.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p348.png b/23351-page-images/p348.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d49a32d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p348.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p349.png b/23351-page-images/p349.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8afda36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p349.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p350.png b/23351-page-images/p350.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81d6587
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p350.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p351.png b/23351-page-images/p351.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7337477
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p351.png
diff --git a/23351-page-images/p352.png b/23351-page-images/p352.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e947fb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351-page-images/p352.png
diff --git a/23351.txt b/23351.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea9767b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,9152 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yacht Club, by Oliver Optic
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+
+Title: The Yacht Club
+       or The Young Boat-Builder
+
+Author: Oliver Optic
+
+Release Date: November 6, 2007 [EBook #23351]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YACHT CLUB ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from scans of public domain material produced by
+Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: YACHT CLUB SERIES]
+
+[Illustration: MISS NELLIE PATTERDALE AND DON JOHN. Frontispiece.]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: OLIVER OPTIC'S YACHT CLUB SERIES.
+
+        THE YACHT CLUB.
+        LEE & SHEPARD,
+        BOSTON]
+
+
+
+
+THE YACHT CLUB SERIES.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE YACHT CLUB;
+
+OR,
+
+THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.
+
+BY
+
+OLIVER OPTIC,
+
+        AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES,"
+        "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE
+        BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES,"
+        "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES,"
+        ETC., ETC.
+
+_WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._
+
+        BOSTON:
+        LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.
+        NEW YORK:
+        LEE, SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM.
+
+        Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873,
+        BY WILLIAM T. ADAMS,
+        In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+        Brown Type-Setting Machine Company.
+
+        TO
+
+        MY YOUNG FRIEND
+
+        _CHARLES H. HASTINGS_,
+
+        OF NEW YORK,
+
+        This Book is Affectionately Dedicated.
+
+
+
+The Yacht Club Series.
+
+
+        1. LITTLE BOBTAIL; OR, THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT.
+
+        2. THE YACHT CLUB; OR, THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.
+
+        3. MONEY-MAKER; OR, THE VICTORY OF THE BASILISK.
+
+        4. THE COMING WAVE; OR, THE HIDDEN TREASURE OF HIGH ROCK.
+
+        5. THE DORCAS CLUB; OR, OUR GIRLS AFLOAT.
+
+        (The sixth in preparation.)
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+"THE YACHT CLUB" is the second volume of the YACHT CLUB SERIES, to which
+it gives a name; and like its predecessor, is an independent story. The
+hero has not before appeared, though some of the characters of "LITTLE
+BOBTAIL" take part in the incidents: but each volume may be read
+understandingly without any knowledge of the contents of the other. In
+this story, the interest centres in Don John, the Boat-builder, who is
+certainly a very enterprising young man, though his achievements have
+been more than paralleled in the domain of actual life.
+
+Like the first volume of the series, the incidents of the story
+transpire on the waters of the beautiful Penobscot Bay, and on its
+shores. They include several yacht races, which must be more interesting
+to those who are engaged in the exciting sport of yachting, than to
+others. But the principal incidents are distinct from the aquatic
+narrative; and those who are not interested in boats and boating will
+find that Don John and Nellie Patterdale do not spend all their time on
+the water.
+
+The hero is a young man of high aims and noble purposes: and the writer
+believes that it is unpardonable to awaken the interest and sympathy of
+his readers for any other than high-minded and well-meaning characters.
+But he is not faultless; he makes some grave mistakes, even while he has
+high aims. The most important lesson in morals to be derived from his
+experience is that it is unwise and dangerous for young people to
+conceal their actions from their parents and friends; and that men and
+women who seek concealment "choose darkness because their deeds are
+evil."
+
+ HARRISON SQUARE, BOSTON,
+              May 22, 1873.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                     PAGE
+
+        CHAPTER I.
+        DON JOHN OF BELFAST, AND FRIENDS               11
+
+        CHAPTER II.
+        ABOUT THE TIN BOX                              28
+
+        CHAPTER III.
+        THE YACHT CLUB AT TURTLE HEAD                  46
+
+        CHAPTER IV.
+        A SAD EVENT IN THE RAMSAY FAMILY               63
+
+        CHAPTER V.
+        CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK                             81
+
+        CHAPTER VI.
+        DONALD GETS THE JOB                            99
+
+        CHAPTER VII.
+        LAYING DOWN THE KEEL.                         117
+
+        CHAPTER VIII.
+        THE FIRST REGATTA.                            135
+
+        CHAPTER IX.
+        THE SKYLARK AND THE SEA FOAM.                 153
+
+        CHAPTER X.
+        THE LAUNCH OF THE MAUD.                       171
+
+        CHAPTER XI.
+        THE WHITE CROSS OF DENMARK.                   189
+
+        CHAPTER XII.
+        DONALD ANSWERS QUESTIONS.                     207
+
+        CHAPTER XIII.
+        MOONLIGHT ON THE JUNO.                        226
+
+        CHAPTER XIV.
+        CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK'S JOKE.                    244
+
+        CHAPTER XV.
+        LAUD CAVENDISH TAKES CARE OF HIMSELF.         264
+
+        CHAPTER XVI.
+        SATURDAY COVE.                                283
+
+        CHAPTER XVII.
+        THE GREAT RACE.                               302
+
+        CHAPTER XVIII.
+        THE HASBROOK OUTRAGE, AND OTHER MATTERS.      320
+
+
+
+
+THE YACHT CLUB;
+
+OR,
+
+THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+DON JOHN OF BELFAST, AND FRIENDS.
+
+
+"Why, Don John, how you frightened me!" exclaimed Miss Nellie
+Patterdale, as she sprang up from her reclining position in a
+lolling-chair.
+
+It was an intensely warm day near the close of June, and the young lady
+had chosen the coolest and shadiest place she could find on the piazza
+of her father's elegant mansion in Belfast. She was as pretty as she was
+bright and vivacious, and was a general favorite among the pupils of the
+High School, which she attended. She was deeply absorbed in the reading
+of a story in one of the July magazines, which had just come from the
+post-office, when she heard a step near her. The sound startled her, it
+was so near; and, looking up, she discovered the young man whom she had
+spoken to close beside her. He was not Don John of Austria, but Donald
+John Ramsay of Belfast, who had been addressed by his companions simply
+as Don, a natural abbreviation of his first name, until he of Austria
+happened to be mentioned in the history recitation in school, when the
+whole class looked at Don, and smiled; some of the girls even giggled,
+and got a check for it; but the republican young gentleman became a
+titular Spanish hidalgo from that moment. Though he was the son of a
+boat-builder, by trade a ship carpenter, he was a good-looking, and
+gentlemanly fellow, and was treated with kindness and consideration by
+most of the sons and daughters of the wealthy men of Belfast, who
+attended the High School. It was hardly a secret that Don John regarded
+Miss Nellie with especial admiration, or that, while he was polite to
+all the young ladies, he was particularly so to her. It is a fact, too,
+that he blushed when she turned her startled gaze upon him on the
+piazza; and it is just as true that Miss Nellie colored deeply, though
+it may have been only the natural consequence of her surprise.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Nellie; I did not mean to frighten you," replied
+Donald.
+
+"I don't suppose you did, Don John; but you startled me just as much as
+though you had meant it," added she, with a pleasant smile, so forgiving
+that the young man had no fear of the consequences. "How terribly hot it
+is! I am almost melted."
+
+"It is very warm," answered Donald, who, somehow or other, found it very
+difficult to carry on a conversation with Nellie; and his eyes seemed to
+him to be twice as serviceable as his tongue.
+
+"It is dreadful warm."
+
+And so they went on repeating the same thing over and over again, till
+there was no other known form of expression for warm weather.
+
+"How in the world did you get to the side of my chair without my hearing
+you?" demanded Nellie, when it was evidently impossible to say anything
+more about the heat.
+
+"I came up the front steps, and was walking around on the piazza to your
+father's library. I didn't see you till you spoke," replied Donald,
+reminded by this explanation that he had come to Captain Patterdale's
+house for a purpose. "Is Ned at home?"
+
+"No; he has gone up to Searsport to stay over Sunday with uncle Henry."
+
+"Has he? I'm sorry. Is your father at home?"
+
+"He is in his library, and there is some one with him. Won't you sit
+down, Don John?"
+
+"Thank you," added Donald, seating himself in a rustic chair. "It is
+very warm this afternoon."
+
+Nellie actually laughed, for she was conscious of the difficulties of
+the situation--more so than her visitor. But we must do our hero--for
+such he is--the justice to say, that he did not refer to the exhausted
+topic with the intention of confining the conversation to it, but to
+introduce the business which had called him to the house.
+
+"It is intensely hot, Don John," laughed Nellie.
+
+"But I was going to ask you if you would not like to take a sail," said
+Donald, with a blush. "With your father, I mean," added he, with a
+deeper blush, as he realized that he had actually asked a girl to go
+out in a boat with him.
+
+"I should be delighted to go, but I can't. Mother won't let me go on the
+water when the sun is out, it hurts my eyes so," answered Nellie; and
+the young man was sure she was very sorry she could not go.
+
+"Perhaps we can go after sunset, then," suggested Donald. "I am sorry
+Ned is not at home; for his yacht is finished, and father says the paint
+is dry enough to use her. We are going to have a little trial trip in
+her over to Turtle Head, and, perhaps, round by Searsport."
+
+"Is the Sea Foam really done?" asked Nellie, her eyes sparkling with
+delight.
+
+"Yes, she is all ready, and father will deliver her to Ned on Monday, if
+everything works right about her. I thought some of your folks,
+especially Ned, would like to be in her on the first trip."
+
+"I should, for one; but I suppose it is no use for me to think of it. My
+eyes are ever so much better, and I hope I shall be able to sail in the
+Sea Foam soon."
+
+"I hope so, too. We expect she will beat the Skylark; father thinks she
+will."
+
+"I don't care whether she does or not," laughed Nellie.
+
+"Do you think I could see your father just a moment?" asked Donald. "I
+only want to know whether or not he will go with us."
+
+"I think so; I will go and speak to him. Come in, Don John," replied
+Nellie, rising from her lolling-chair, and walking around the corner of
+the house to the front door.
+
+Donald followed her. The elegant mansion was located on a corner lot,
+with a broad hall through the centre of it, on one side of which was the
+large drawing-room, and on the other the sitting and dining-rooms. At
+the end of the great hall was a door opening into the library, a large
+apartment, which occupied the whole of a one-story addition to the
+original structure. It had also an independent outside door, which
+opened upon the piazza; and opposite to it was a flight of steps, down
+to the gravel walk terminating at a gate on the cross street. People who
+came to see Captain Patterdale on business could enter at this gate, and
+go to the library without passing through the house. On the present
+occasion, a horse and wagon stood at the gate, which indicated to Miss
+Nellie that her father was engaged. This team had stood there for an
+hour, and Donald had watched it for half that time, waiting for the
+owner to leave, though he was not at all anxious to terminate the
+interview with his fair schoolmate.
+
+Nellie knocked at the library door, and her father told her to come in.
+She passed in, while Donald waited the pleasure of the rich man in the
+hall.
+
+He was invited to enter. Captain Patterdale was evidently bored by his
+visitor, and gave the young man a cordial greeting. Donald stated his
+business very briefly; but the captain did not say whether he would or
+would not go upon the trial trip of the Sea Foam. He asked a hundred
+questions about the new yacht, and it was plain that he did not care to
+resume the conversation with his visitor, who walked nervously about the
+room, apparently vexed at the interruption, and dissatisfied thus far
+with the result of his interview with the captain.
+
+What would have appeared to be true to an observer was actually so. The
+visitor was one Jacob Hasbrook, from a neighboring town, and his
+reputation for honesty and fair dealings was not the best in the world.
+Captain Patterdale held his note, without security, for thirteen hundred
+and fifty dollars. Hasbrook had property, but his creditors were never
+sure of him till they were paid. At the present interview he had
+astonished Captain Patterdale by paying the note in full, with interest,
+on the day it became due. But it was soon clear enough to the rich man
+that the payment was only a "blind" to induce him to embark in a
+doubtful speculation with Hasbrook. The nature and immense profits of
+the enterprise had been eloquently set forth by the visitor, and his own
+capacity to manage it enlarged upon; but the nabob, who had made his
+fortune by hard work, was utterly wanting in enthusiasm. He had received
+the money in payment of his note, which he had expected to lose, or to
+obtain only after resorting to legal measures, and he was fully
+determined to have nothing more to do with the man. He had said all this
+as mildly as he could; but Hasbrook was persistent, and probably felt
+that in paying an honest debt he had thrown away thirteen hundred and
+fifty dollars.
+
+He would not go, though Captain Patterdale gave him sufficient excuse
+for doing so, or even for cutting his acquaintance. The rich man
+continued to talk with Don John, to the intense disgust of the
+speculator, who stood looking at a tin box, painted green, which lay on
+a chair. Perhaps he looked upon this box as the grave of his hopes; for
+it contained the money he had just paid to the captain--the wasted
+money, because the rich man would not embark with him in his brilliant
+enterprise, though he had taken so much pains, and parted with so much
+money, to prove that he was an honest man. He appeared to be interested
+in the box, and he looked at it all the time, with only an impatient
+glance occasionally at the nabob, who appeared to be trifling with his
+bright hopes. The tin chest was about nine inches each way, and
+contained the private papers and other valuables of the rich man,
+including, now, the thirteen hundred and fifty dollars just received.
+
+Captain Patterdale was president of the Twenty-first National Bank of
+Belfast, which was located a short distance from his house. The tin box
+was kept in the vaults of the bank; but the owner had taken it home to
+examine some documents at his leisure, intending to return it to the
+bank before night. As it was in the library when Mr. Hasbrook called,
+the money was deposited in it for safe keeping over night.
+
+"I'm afraid I can't go with you, Donald," said Captain Patterdale, after
+he had asked him all the questions he could think of about the Sea Foam.
+
+"I am sorry, sir; for Miss Nellie wanted to go, and I was going to ask
+father to wait till after sunset on her account," added the young man.
+
+Mr. Hasbrook began to look hopeful; for the last remark of the nabob
+indicated a possible termination of the conversation. Donald began his
+retreat toward the hall of the mansion, for he wanted to see the fair
+daughter again; but he had not reached the door before the captain
+called him back.
+
+"I suppose your father wants some more money to-night," said he, feeling
+in his pocket for the key to open the tin box.
+
+"He didn't say anything to me about it, sir," replied Donald; "I don't
+think he does."
+
+Hasbrook looked hopeless again; for Captain Patterdale began to
+calculate how much he had paid, and how much more he was to pay, for the
+yacht. While he was doing so, there was a knock at the street door,
+and, upon being invited to do so, Mr. Laud Cavendish entered the library
+with a bill in his hand.
+
+Mr. Laud Cavendish was a great man in his own estimation, and a great
+swell in the estimation of everybody else. He was a clerk or salesman in
+a store; but he was dressed very elegantly for a provincial city like
+Belfast, and for a "counter-jumper" on six or eight dollars a week. He
+was about eighteen years old, tall, and rather slender. His upper lip
+was adorned with an incipient mustache, which had been tenderly coaxed
+and colored for two years, without producing any prodigious result,
+though it was the pride and glory of the owner. Mr. Cavendish was a
+dreamy young gentleman, who believed that the Fates had made a bad
+mistake in his case, inasmuch as he was the son of an honest and
+industrious carpenter, instead of the son and heir of one of the nabobs
+of Belfast. He believed that he was fitted to adorn the highest circle
+in society, to shine among the aristocracy of the city, and it was a
+cruel shame that he should be compelled to work in a store, weigh out
+tea and sugar, carry goods to the elegant mansions where he ought to be
+admitted at the front, instead of the back, door, collect bills, and
+perform whatever other service might be required of him. The Fates had
+blundered and conspired against him; but he was not without hope that
+the daughter of some rich man, who might fall in love with him and his
+mustache, would redeem him from his slavery to an occupation he hated,
+and lift him up to the sphere where he belonged. Laud was "soaring after
+the infinite," and so he rather neglected the mundane and practical, and
+his employer did not consider him a very desirable clerk.
+
+Mr. Laud Cavendish came with a bill in his hand, the footing of which
+was the sum due his employer for certain necessary articles just
+delivered at the kitchen door of the elegant mansion. Captain Patterdale
+opened the tin box, and took therefrom some twenty dollars to pay the
+bill, which Laud receipted. Mr. Hasbrook hoped he would go, and that Don
+John would go; and perhaps they would have gone if a rather exciting
+event had not occurred to detain them.
+
+"Father! father!" exclaimed Miss Nellie, rushing into the library.
+
+"What's the matter, Nellie?" demanded her father, calmly; for he had
+long been a sea captain, and was used to emergencies.
+
+"Michael has just dropped down in a fit!" gasped Nellie.
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"In the yard."
+
+Captain Patterdale, followed by his three visitors, rushed through the
+hall, out at the front door, near which the unfortunate man had fallen,
+and, with the assistance of his companions, lifted him from the ground.
+Michael was the hired man who took care of the horses, and kept the
+grounds around the elegant mansion in order. He was raking the gravel
+walk near the piazza where Nellie was laboring to keep cool. As we have
+hinted before, and as Nellie and Don John had several times repeated,
+the day was intensely hot. The sun where the man worked was absolutely
+scorching, and the hired man had experienced a sun-stroke. Captain
+Patterdale and his visitors bore him to his room in the L, and Don John
+ran for the doctor, who appeared in less than ten minutes. The visitors
+all did what they could, Mr. Laud Cavendish behaving very well.
+Michael's wife and other friends soon arrived, and there was nothing
+more for Laud to do. He went down stairs, and, finding Nellie in the
+hall, he tried to comfort her; for she was very much concerned for poor
+Michael.
+
+"Do you think he will die, Mr. Cavendish?" asked she, almost as much
+moved as though the poor man had been her father.
+
+"O, no! I think he will recover. These Irishmen have thick heads, and
+they don't die so easily of sun-stroke; for that's what the doctor says
+it is," replied Laud, knowingly.
+
+Nellie thought, if this was a true view of _coup de soleil_, Laud would
+never die of it. She thought this; but she was not so impolite as to say
+it. She asked him no more questions; for she saw Don John approaching
+through the dining-room.
+
+"Good afternoon, Miss Patterdale," said Laud, with a bow and a flourish,
+as he retired towards the library, where he had left his hat.
+
+In a few moments more, the rattle of the wagon, with which he delivered
+goods to the customers, was heard as he drove off. Don John came into
+the hall, and Nellie asked him ever so many questions about the
+condition of Michael, and what the doctor said about him; all of which
+the young man answered to the best of his ability.
+
+"Do you think he will die, Don John?" she asked.
+
+"I am sure I can't tell," replied Donald; "I hope not."
+
+"Michael is real good, and I am so sorry for him!" added Nellie.
+
+But Michael is hardly a personage in our story, and we do not purpose to
+enter into the diagnosis of his case. He has our sympathies on the merit
+of his sufferings alone, and quite as much for Nellie's sake; for it was
+tender, and gentle, and kind in her to feel so much for a poor Irish
+laborer. While she and Donald were talking about the case, Mr. Hasbrook
+came down stairs, and passed through the hall into the library, where
+he, also, had left his hat. In a few moments more the rattle of his
+wagon was heard, as he drove off, indignant and disgusted at the
+indifference of the nabob in refusing to take an interest in his
+brilliant enterprise. He was angry with himself for having paid his note
+before he had enlisted the payee in his cause.
+
+"How is he, father?" asked Nellie, as Captain Patterdale entered the
+hall.
+
+"The doctor thinks he sees some favorable symptoms."
+
+"Will he die?"
+
+"The doctor thinks he will get over it. But he wants some ice, and I
+must get it for him."
+
+"I suppose you will not go in the Sea Foam now?" asked Donald.
+
+"No; it is impossible," replied the captain, as he passed into the
+dining-room to the refrigerator.
+
+The father was like the daughter; and though he was a _millionnaire_, or
+a _demi-millionnaire_--we don't know which, for we were never allowed to
+look over his taxable valuation--though he was a nabob, he took right
+hold, and worked with his own hands for the comfort and the recovery of
+the sufferer. It was creditable to his heart that he did so, and we
+never grudge such a man his "pile," especially when he has earned it by
+his own labor, or made it in honorable, legitimate business. The captain
+went up stairs again with a large dish of ice, to assist the doctor in
+the treatment of his patient.
+
+Donald staid in the hall, talking with Miss Nellie, as long as he
+thought it proper to do so, though not as long as he desired, and then
+entered the library where he, also, had left his hat. Perhaps it was a
+singular coincidence that all three of the visitors had left their hats
+in that room; but then it was not proper for them to sit with their hats
+on in the presence of such a magnate as Captain Patterdale, and no
+decent man would stop for a hat when a person had fallen in a fit.
+
+Captain Patterdale's hat was still there; and, unluckily, there was
+something else belonging to him which was not there.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ABOUT THE TIN BOX.
+
+
+Captain Patterdale worked with the doctor for a full hour upon poor
+Michael, who at the end of that time opened his eyes, and soon declared
+that he was "betther entirely." He insisted upon getting up, for it was
+not "the likes of himself that was to lay there and have his honor
+workin' over him." But the doctor and the nabob pacified him, and left
+him, much improved, in the care of his wife.
+
+"How is he, Dr. Wadman?" asked the sympathizing Nellie, as they came
+down stairs together.
+
+"He is decidedly better," replied the physician.
+
+"Will he die?"
+
+"O, no; I think not. His case looks very hopeful now."
+
+"I thought folks always died with sun-stroke," said Nellie, more
+cheerfully.
+
+"No; not unless their heads are very soft," laughed the doctor.
+
+"Well, I shouldn't think Laud Cavendish would dare to go out when the
+sun shines," added the fair girl, with a snap of her bright eyes.
+
+"It isn't quite safe for him to do so. Unfortunately, such people don't
+know their own heads. I will come in again after tea," said the doctor,
+as he went out of the house, at the front door; for he had not left his
+hat in the library.
+
+"I am so glad Michael is better!" continued Nellie. "When I saw him
+drop, I felt as cold as ice, and I was afraid I should drop too before I
+could get to the library."
+
+"Did you see him fall, Nellie?" asked her father.
+
+"Yes; he gave a kind of groan, and then fell; he was--"
+
+"Gracious!" exclaimed Captain Patterdale, interrupting her all of a
+sudden.
+
+He turned on his heel, and walked rapidly into the library. Nellie was
+startled, and was troubled with a suspicion that her father had a _coup
+de soleil_, or _coup de_ something-else; for he did not often do
+anything by fits and starts. She followed him into the library. It was a
+fact that the captain had left his hat there; but it was not for this
+article, so necessary in a hot day, that he hastened thus abruptly into
+the room. Nellie found him flying around the apartment in a high state
+of excitement for him. He was looking anxiously about, and seemed to be
+very much disturbed.
+
+"What in the world is the matter, father?" asked Nellie.
+
+"Where is your mother?"
+
+"She has gone over to Mrs. Rodman's."
+
+"Hasn't she been back?"
+
+"No, certainly not; I was just going over to tell her what had happened
+to Michael, when you came down."
+
+"Who has been in here, Nellie?"
+
+"I don't know that anybody has. I haven't seen any one. What's the
+matter, father? what in the world has happened?"
+
+"I left my tin box here when I went out to see to Michael, and now it is
+gone," answered Captain Patterdale, anxiously. "I didn't know but that
+your mother had come in and taken care of it."
+
+"The tin box gone?" exclaimed Nellie. "Why, what can have become of it?"
+
+"That is just what I should like to know," added the captain, as he
+renewed his search in the room for the treasure chest.
+
+It was not in the library, and then he looked in the great hall and in
+the little hall, in the drawing-room, the sitting-room, and the
+dining-room; but it was not in any of these. He knew he had left it on
+the chair near where he was sitting when he went out of the room. Then
+he examined the spring-lock on the door of the library which led into
+the side street. It was closed and securely fastened. The door shut
+itself with a patent invention, and when shut it locked itself, so that
+anybody could get out, but no one could get in unless admitted.
+
+"Where were you when I was up stairs, Nellie?" asked Captain Patterdale,
+as he seated himself in his arm-chair, to take a cool view of the whole
+subject.
+
+"I was in the hall most of the time," she replied.
+
+"Who has been in the library?"
+
+"Let me see; Laud Cavendish came down first, and went out through the
+library."
+
+The captain rubbed his bald head, and seemed to be asking himself
+whether it was possible for Mr. Laud Cavendish to do so wicked a deed as
+stealing that tin box. He did not believe the young swell had the
+baseness or the daring to commit so great a crime. It might be, but he
+could not think so.
+
+"Who else has been in here?" he inquired, when he had hastily considered
+all he knew about the moral character of Laud.
+
+"That other man who was with you--I don't know his name--the one that
+was here when I came in with Don John."
+
+"Mr. Hasbrook."
+
+"He went out through the library. I thought he looked real ugly too,"
+added Nellie. "He kept fidgeting about all the time I was here."
+
+"And all the time he was here himself. He went out through the
+library--did he?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Captain Patterdale mentally overhauled the character of Mr. Hasbrook. It
+was unfortunate for his late debtor that his character was not first
+class, and between him and Laud Cavendish the probabilities were
+altogether against Hasbrook. He had evidently been vexed and angry
+because he failed to carry his point, and his cupidity might have been
+stimulated by revenge. But the captain was a fair and just man, and in a
+matter of this kind, involving the reputation of any person, he kept his
+suspicions to himself.
+
+"Who else has been in the library, Nellie?" he asked.
+
+"No one but Don John," replied she. And whatever Laud or Hasbrook might
+have done in wickedness, Nellie had too much regard for her friend and
+schoolmate to admit for one instant the possibility of his doing
+anything wrong, much less his committing so gross a crime as the
+stealing of the tin box and its valuable contents.
+
+Captain Patterdale was hardly less confident of the integrity of Donald.
+Certainly it was not necessary to suspect him when the possibilities of
+guilt included two such persons as Laud and Hasbrook. Donald was rather
+distinguished, in school and out, as a good boy, and he ought to have
+the full benefit of his reputation.
+
+"You don't think Don John took the box--do you, father?" asked Nellie,
+as her father was meditating on the circumstances.
+
+"Certainly not, Nellie," protested the captain, warmly; "I don't know
+that anybody has taken it."
+
+"I know Don John would not do such a thing."
+
+"I don't believe he would."
+
+"I know he would not."
+
+Her father thought she was just a little more earnest in her
+uncalled-for defence of the young man than was necessary, and for the
+first time in his life it occurred to him that she was more interested
+in him than he wished her to be; for, as Donald was only the son of a
+poor boat-builder, such a strong friendship might be embarrassing in the
+future. However, this was only the shadow of a passing thought, which
+divided his attention only for a moment. The loss of the tin box was the
+question of the hour, and "society" topics were not just then in order.
+
+"I have no idea that Don John took the box," replied Captain Patterdale.
+"I am more willing to believe either of the other two who were in the
+library took it than that he did. But he was the last of the three who
+went out through this room. He may be able to give me some information,
+and I will go down and see him. He and his father were going off in the
+new yacht--were they not?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You need not say a word about the box to any one, Nellie, nor even that
+it is lost," added the captain. "If I do not find it, I shall employ a
+skilful detective to look it up, and he may prefer to work in the dark."
+
+"I will not mention it, father," replied Nellie. "What was in the box?
+Was it money?"
+
+"I put thirteen hundred and fifty dollars into it, but I took out twenty
+to pay the bill that Laud brought. It contains my deeds, leases,
+policies of insurance, and my notes, and these papers are really more
+valuable to me than the money. Luckily, my bonds and securities are in
+another box, in the vault of the bank."
+
+"Then you will lose over thirteen hundred dollars if you don't find the
+box?"
+
+"More than that, I am afraid, for I shall hardly be able to collect all
+the money due on the notes if I lose them," replied the captain, as he
+left the house.
+
+He walked down to the boat shop of Mr. Ramsay. It was on the shore, and
+near it was the house in which the boat-builder lived. Neither Don John
+nor his father was at the shop, but a sloop yacht, half a mile out in
+the bay, seemed to be the Sea Foam. She was headed towards the shore,
+however, and Captain Patterdale seated himself in the shade of the shop
+to await its arrival, though he hardly expected to obtain any
+information in regard to the box from Donald. While he was sitting
+there, Mr. Laud Cavendish appeared with a large basket in his hand. The
+counter-jumper started when he turned the corner of the shop, and saw
+the nabob seated there.
+
+"Going a-fishing?" asked the captain.
+
+"Yes, sir; I'm going over to Turtle Head to camp out over Sunday,"
+replied Laud. "How is Michael, sir?"
+
+"He is much better, and is doing very well."
+
+"I'm glad of it," added Laud, as he carried his basket down to a
+sail-boat which was partly aground, and deposited it in the forward
+cuddy.
+
+Captain Patterdale wanted to talk with Laud, but he did not like to
+excite any suspicions on his part. If the young man had taken the box
+he would not be likely to go off on an island to stay over Sunday.
+Besides, it was evident from the position of the boat, and the fact that
+it contained several articles necessary for a fishing excursion, in
+addition to those in the basket, that Laud had made his arrangements for
+the trip before he visited the library of the elegant mansion. If he had
+taken the box, he would probably have changed his plans. It was not
+likely, therefore, that Laud was the guilty party.
+
+"Are you going alone?" asked the captain, walking down the beach to the
+boat.
+
+"Yes, sir; I couldn't get any one to go with me. I tried Don John, but
+he won't go off to stay over Sunday," replied Laud, with a sickly grin.
+
+"I commend his example to you. I don't think it is a good way to spend
+Sunday."
+
+"It's the only time I can get to go. I've been trying to got off for a
+month."
+
+"Saturday must be a bad time for you to leave," suggested the captain.
+
+"It is rather bad," added Laud, as he shoved off the bow of the boat,
+for he seemed to be in haste to get away.
+
+"By the way, Laud, did you notice a tin box in my library when you were
+there this afternoon?" asked the nabob, with as much indifference in his
+manner and tone as he could command.
+
+"A tin box?" repeated Laud, busying himself with the jib of the
+sail-boat.
+
+"Yes; it was painted green."
+
+"I don't remember any box," answered Laud.
+
+"Didn't you see it? I opened it to take out the money I paid you."
+
+"I didn't mind. I was receipting the bill while you were getting the
+money ready. You know I sat down at your desk."
+
+"Yes; I know you did; but didn't you see the box?"
+
+"No, sir; I don't remember seeing any box," said Laud, still fussing
+over the sail, which certainly did not need any attention.
+
+"You went out through the library when you came down from Michael's
+room--didn't you?" continued the captain.
+
+"Yes, sir; I did. I left my hat in there."
+
+"Did you see the box then?"
+
+"Of course I didn't. If I had, I should have remembered it," replied
+Laud, with a grin. "I just grabbed my hat, and ran, for I had been in
+the house some time; and I got a blessing for being away so long when I
+went back to the store."
+
+"You didn't see the box, then?"
+
+"If it was there, I suppose I saw it; but I didn't take any notice of
+it. Why? is the box lost?"
+
+"I want to get another like it. Haven't you anything of the sort in the
+store?"
+
+"We have some cake and spice boxes. They are tin, and painted on the
+outside."
+
+"Those will not answer the purpose. It's a very hot day," added the
+captain, as he wiped the perspiration from his face, and walked back to
+the shade of the shop.
+
+Mr. Laud Cavendish stepped into the sail-boat, hoisted the sails, and
+shoved her off into deep water with an oar. Captain Patterdale thought,
+and then he did not know what to think. Was it possible Laud had not
+noticed that tin box, which had been on a chair out in the middle of
+the room? If he had not, why, then he had not; but if he had Laud had
+more cunning, more self-control, and more ingenuity than the captain had
+ever given him the credit, or the discredit, of possessing, for there
+was certainly no sign of guilt in his tone or his manner, except that he
+did not look the inquirer square in the face when he answered his
+questions, though some guilty people can even do this without wincing.
+
+Captain Patterdale watched the departing and the approaching boats,
+still considering the possible relation of Laud Cavendish to the tin
+box. If the fellow had stolen it, he would not go off on an island to
+stay over Sunday, leaving the box behind to betray him; and this
+argument seemed to be conclusive in his favor. The captain had looked
+into the boat, and satisfied himself that the box was not there; unless
+it was in the basket, which appeared to contain so many other things
+that there was no room for it. On the whole, the captain was willing to
+acquit Mr. Laud Cavendish of the act, partly, perhaps, because this had
+been his first view of the matter. It was more probable that Hasbrook,
+angry and disappointed at his failure, had put the box into his wagon,
+and returned to the neighboring town, where, as before stated, his
+reputation was not first class, though, perhaps, not many people
+believed him capable of stealing outright, without the formality of
+getting up a mining company, or making a trade of some sort. But Donald
+had been the last of the trio of visitors who passed through the
+library, and the captain wanted to see him.
+
+The Sea Foam, with snowy sails just from the loft, and glittering in her
+freshly-laid coat of white paint, ran up to a wharf just below the boat
+shop. Donald was at the helm, and he threw her up into the wind just
+before she came to the pier, so that when she forged ahead, with her
+sails shaking in the wind, her head came up within a few inches of the
+landing-place. Mr. Ramsay fended her off, and went ashore with a line in
+his hand, which he made fast to a ring. Captain Patterdale walked around
+to the wharf, as soon as he saw where she was to make a landing.
+
+"Well, how do you like her, Sam?" said Donald to a young man of his own
+age in the standing-room with him.
+
+"First rate; and I hope your father will go to work on mine at once,"
+replied the passenger.
+
+"You will lay down the keel on Monday--won't you, father?"
+
+"What?" asked Mr. Ramsay, who had seated himself on a log on the wharf.
+
+"You will lay down the keel of the boat for Mr. Rodman on Monday--won't
+you?" repeated Donald.
+
+"Yes, if I am able; I don't feel very well to-day." And the boat-builder
+doubled himself up, as though he was in great pain.
+
+The young man in the standing-room of the Sea Foam was Samuel Rodman, a
+schoolmate of Donald, whose father was a wealthy man, and had ordered
+another boat like the Skylark, which had been the model for the new
+yacht. He had come down to see the craft, and had been invited to take a
+sail in her; but an engagement had prevented him from going as far as
+Turtle Head, and the boat-builder and his son had returned to land him,
+intending still to make the trip. By this time Captain Patterdale had
+reached the end of the wharf. He went on board of the Sea Foam, and
+looked her over with a critical eye, and was entirely satisfied with
+her. He was invited to sail in her for as short a time as he chose, but
+he declined.
+
+"By the way, Donald, did you see the green tin box when you were in my
+library this afternoon?" he asked, when all the topics relating to the
+yacht had been disposed of.
+
+"Yes, sir; I saw you take some money from it," replied Donald.
+
+"Then you remember the box?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Did you notice it when you came out--I mean, when you left the house?"
+
+"I don't remember seeing it when I came out," answered Donald, wondering
+what these questions meant.
+
+"I want to get another box just like that one. Did you take particular
+notice of it?"
+
+"No, sir; I can't say I did."
+
+"You didn't stay any time in the library after you came down from
+Michael's room, did you?"
+
+"No, sir; I only went for my hat, and didn't stay there a minute."
+
+"And you didn't notice the tin box?"
+
+"No, sir; I didn't see it at all when I came out."
+
+"Then of course you didn't see any marks upon it," added the captain,
+with a smile.
+
+"If I didn't see the box, I shouldn't have been likely to see the
+marks," laughed Donald. "What marks were they, sir?"
+
+"It's of no consequence, if you didn't see them. The box was in the
+library--wasn't it?--when you went out."
+
+"I don't know whether it was or not. I only know that I don't remember
+noticing it," said Donald, who thought the captain's question was a very
+queer one, after those he had just answered.
+
+The nabob was no better satisfied with Donald's answers than he had been
+with those of Laud Cavendish, except that the former looked him full in
+the face when he spoke. He obtained no information, and went home to
+seek it at other sources.
+
+"I think I won't go out again, Donald," said Mr. Ramsay, when Captain
+Patterdale had left. "I don't feel very well, and you may go alone."
+
+"Do you feel very sick, father?" asked the son, in tones of sympathy.
+
+"No; but I think I will go into the house and take some medicine. You
+can run over to Turtle Head alone," added the boat-builder, as he walked
+towards the house.
+
+"Can't you go any how, Sam?" said Donald, turning to his friend.
+
+"No, I must go home now. I have to drive over to Searsport after my
+sister," replied Sam, as he left the yacht, and walked up the wharf.
+
+Donald hoisted the jib of the Sea Foam, shoved off her head, and laid
+her course, with the wind over the quarter, for Turtle Head--distant
+about seven miles.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE YACHT CLUB AT TURTLE HEAD.
+
+
+The Sea Foam was a sloop yacht, thirty feet in length, and as handsome
+as a picture in an illustrated paper, than which nothing could be finer.
+It was a fact that she had cost twelve hundred dollars; but even this
+sum was cheaper than she could have been built and fitted up in Boston
+or Bristol. She was provided with everything required by a first class
+yacht of her size, both for the comfort and safety of the voyager, as
+well as for fast sailing. Though Mr. Ramsay, her builder, was a ship
+carpenter, he was a very intelligent and well-read man. He had made
+yachts a specialty, and devoted a great deal of study to the subject. He
+had examined the fastest craft in New York and Newport, and had their
+lines in his head. And he was a very ingenious man, so that he had the
+tact to make the most of small spaces, and to economize every spare
+inch in lockers, closets, and stow-holes for the numerous articles
+required in a pleasure craft. He had learned his trade as a ship
+carpenter and joiner in Scotland, where the mechanic's education is much
+more thorough than in our own country, and he was an excellent workman.
+
+The cabin of the Sea Foam was about twelve feet long, with transoms on
+each side, which were used both as berths and sofas. They were supplied
+with cushions covered with Brussels carpet, with a pillow of the same
+material at each end. Through the middle, fore and aft, was the
+centre-board casing, on each side of which was a table on hinges, so
+that it could be dropped down when not in use. The only possible
+objection to this cabin, in the mind of a shoreman, would have been its
+lack of height. It was necessarily "low studded," being only five feet
+from floor to ceiling, which was rather trying to the perpendicularity
+of a six-footer. But it was a very comfortable cabin for all that,
+though tall men were compelled to be humble within its low limits.
+
+It was entered from the standing-room by a single step covered with
+plate brass, in which the name of the yacht was wrought with bright
+copper nails. On each side of the companion-way was a closet, one of
+which was for dishes, and the other for miscellaneous stores. The trunk,
+which readers away from boatable waters may need to be informed is an
+elevation about a foot above the main deck, to afford head-room in the
+middle of the cabin, had three deck lights, or ports, on each side. At
+one end of the casing of the centre-board was a place for the water-jar,
+and a rack for tumblers. In the middle were hooks in the trunk-beams for
+the caster and the lantern. The brass-covered step at the entrance was
+movable, and when it was drawn out it left an opening into the run under
+the standing-room, where a considerable space was available for use. In
+the centre of it was the ice-chest, a box two feet square, lined with
+zinc, which was rigged on little grooved wheels running on iron rods,
+like a railroad car, so that the chest could be drawn forward where the
+contents could be reached. On each side of this box was a water-tank,
+holding thirty gallons, which could be filled from the standing-room.
+The water was drawn by a faucet lower than the bottom of the tank in a
+recess at one side of the companion-way. The tanks were connected by a
+pipe, so that the water was drawn from both. At the side of the step was
+a gauge to indicate the supply of fresh water on board.
+
+Forward of the cabin, in the bow of the yacht, was the cook-room, with a
+scuttle opening into it from the forecastle. The stove, a miniature
+affair, with an oven large enough to roast an eight-pound rib of beef,
+and two holes on the top, was in the fore peak. It was placed in a
+shallow pan filled with sand, and the wood-work was covered with sheet
+tin, to guard against fire. Behind the stove was a fuel-bin. On each
+side of the cook room was a shelf eighteen inches wide at the bulk-head
+and tapering forward to nothing. Under it were several lockers for the
+galley utensils and small stores. The room was only four feet high, and
+a tall cook in the Sea Foam would have found it necessary to discount
+himself. On the foremast was a seat on a hinge, which could be dropped
+down, on which the "doctor" could sit and do his work, roasting himself
+at the same time he roasted his beef or fried his fish. Everything in
+the cook-room and the cabin, as well as on deck, was neat and nice. The
+cabin was covered with a handsome oil-cloth carpet, and the wood was
+white with zinc paint, varnished, with gilt moulding to ornament it.
+Edward Patterdale, who was to be the nominal owner and the real skipper
+of this beautiful craft, intended to have several framed pictures on the
+spaces between the deck lights, a clock in the forward end over the
+cook-room door, and brass brackets for the spy-glass in the
+companion-way.
+
+On deck the Sea Foam was as well appointed as she was below. Her
+bowsprit had a gentle downward curve, her mast was a beautiful spar, and
+her topmast was elegantly tapered and set up in good shape. Unlike most
+of the regular highflyer yachts, her jib and mainsail were not
+unreasonably large. Mr. Ramsay did not intend that it should be
+necessary to reef when it blew a twelve-knot breeze, and, like the
+Skylark, she was expected to carry all sail in anything short of a full
+gale. But she was provided with an abundance of "kites," including an
+immense gaff-topsail, which extended on poles far above the topmast
+head, and far beyond the peak, a balloon-jib, a jib-topsail, and a
+three-cornered studding-sail. The balloon-jib, or the jib-topsail, was
+bent on with snap-hooks when it was needed, for only one was used at the
+same time. These extra sails were to be required only in races, and they
+were kept on shore. One stout hand could manage her very well, though
+two made it easier work, and six were allowed in a race.
+
+Donald seated himself in the standing-room, with the tiller in his right
+hand. As soon as he had run out a little way, his attention was excited
+by discovering three other sloop yachts coming down the bay. In one of
+them he recognized the Skylark, and in another the Christabel, while the
+third was a stranger to him, though he had heard of the arrival that day
+of a new yacht from Newport, and concluded this was she. He let off his
+sheet, and ran up to meet the little fleet.
+
+"Sloop, ahoy!" shouted Robert Montague, from the Skylark, as Donald came
+within hailing distance.
+
+"On board the Skylark!" replied the skipper of the Sea Foam.
+
+"Is that you, Don John?"
+
+"Ay, ay."
+
+"What sloop is that?" demanded Robert.
+
+"The Sea Foam."
+
+"Where bound?"
+
+"Over to Turtle Head."
+
+"We are bound there; come with us."
+
+"Ay ay."
+
+"Hold on a minute, Don John," shouted some one from the Christabel.
+
+Each of the yachts had a tender towing astern, and that from the
+Christabel, with five boys in it, immediately put off, and pulled to the
+Sea Foam.
+
+"Will you take us on board, Don John?" asked Gus Barker, as the tender
+came alongside.
+
+"Certainly; I'm glad to have your company," replied Donald, who had
+thrown the yacht up into the wind.
+
+Three of the party in the tender jumped upon the deck of the Sea Foam,
+and the boat returned to the Christabel. Each of the yachts appeared to
+have half a dozen or more on board of her, so that there was quite a
+party on the way to Turtle Head. The sloops filled away again, the
+Skylark and the new arrival having taken the lead, while the other two
+were delayed.
+
+"What sloop is that with the Skylark?" asked Donald.
+
+"That's the Phantom. She got here from Newport this forenoon. Joe
+Guilford's father bought her for him. She is the twin sister of the
+Skylark, and they seem to make an even thing of it in sailing," replied
+Gus Barker.
+
+"You have quite a fleet now," added Donald.
+
+"Yes; and we are going to form a Yacht Club. We intend to have a meeting
+over at Turtle Head. Will you join, Don John?"
+
+"I haven't any boat."
+
+"Nor I, either. All the members can't be skippers," laughed Gus. "I am
+to be mate of the Sea Foam, and that's the reason I wanted to come on
+board of her."
+
+"And I am to be one of her crew," added Dick Adams.
+
+"And I the steward," laughed Ben Johnson. "I am going down into the
+cook-room to see how things look there."
+
+"You will join--won't you, Don?"
+
+"Well, I don't know. I can't afford to run with you fellows with rich
+fathers."
+
+"O, get out! That don't make any difference," puffed Gus. "The owner of
+the yacht has to foot the bills. Besides, we want you, Don John, for you
+know more about a boat than all the rest of the fellows put together."
+
+"Well, I shall be very glad to do anything I can to help the thing
+along; but there are plenty of fellows that can sail a boat better than
+I can."
+
+"But you know all about a boat, and they want you for measurer. We have
+the printed constitution of a Yacht Club, which Bob Montague got in
+Boston, and according to that the measurer is entitled to ten cents a
+foot for measuring a yacht; so you may make something out of your
+office."
+
+"I don't want to make any money out of it," protested Donald.
+
+"You can make enough to pay your dues, for we have to raise some money
+for prizes in the regattas; and we talk of having a club house over on
+Turtle Head," rattled Gus, whose tongue seemed to be hung on a pivot in
+his enthusiasm over the club. "Every fellow must be voted in, and pay
+five dollars a year for membership. We shall have some big times.--We
+are gaining on the Skylark, as true as you live!"
+
+"I think we are; but I guess Bob isn't driving her," added Donald.
+
+"She carries the same sail as the Sea Foam. I would give anything to
+beat her. Make her do her best, Don John."
+
+"I will," laughed the skipper, who had kept one eye on the Skylark all
+the time.
+
+He trimmed the sails a little, and began to be somewhat excited over the
+prospect of a race. The Christabel was three feet longer than the other
+yachts, and it was soon evident that in a light wind she was more than a
+match for them, for she ran ahead of the Sea Foam. Her jib and mainsail
+were much larger in proportion to her size than those of the other
+sloops, but she was not an able boat, not a heavy-weather craft, like
+them. The Sea Foam continued to gain on the Skylark, till she was
+abreast of her, while the Phantom kept about even with her. But then
+Robert Montague was busy all the time talking with his companions about
+the Yacht Club, and did not pay particular attention to the sailing of
+his boat. The Sea Foam began to walk ahead of him, and then, for the
+first time, it dawned upon him that the reputation of the Skylark was at
+stake. He had his crew of five with him, and he placed them in position
+to improve the sailing of his craft. He ordered one of his hands to give
+a small pull on the jib-sheet, another to let off the main sheet a
+little, and a third to haul up the centre-board a little more, as she
+was going free.
+
+The effect of this attention on the part of the skipper of the Skylark
+was to lessen the distance between her and the Sea Foam; they were abeam
+of each other, with the Phantom in the same line. The Christabel was
+about a cable's length ahead of them.
+
+"She's game yet," said Gus Barker, his disappointment evident in the
+tones of his voice, as the Skylark came up to the Sea Foam.
+
+"This is a new boat, and I haven't got the hang of her yet," Donald
+explained. "Haul up that fin a little, Dick."
+
+"What fin?"
+
+"The centre-board."
+
+"Ay, ay," replied Dick, as he obeyed the order.
+
+"Steady! that's enough," continued Donald, who now narrowly watched the
+sailing of the Sea Foam, to assure himself that she did not make too
+much leeway.
+
+"That was what she wanted!" exclaimed Gus, when the yacht began to gain
+again, and in a few minutes was half a length ahead.
+
+[Illustration: THE START. Page 51.]
+
+"But not quite so much of it," replied Donald, when he saw that his
+craft was sliding off a very little. "Give her just three inches more
+fin, Dick."
+
+The centre-board was dropped this distance, and the tendency to make
+leeway thus corrected.
+
+"She is gaining still!" cried Gus, delighted.
+
+"Not much; it is a pretty even thing," added Donald.
+
+"No matter; we beat her, and I don't care if it's only half an inch in a
+mile."
+
+"But the Christabel is leading us all. She is sure of all the first
+prizes."
+
+"Not a bit of it. She has to reef when there's a capful of wind. In a
+calm she will beat us, but when it blows we shall wax her all to
+pieces."
+
+"Hallo!" shouted Mr. Laud Cavendish, whose small sail-boat was
+overhauled about half way over to Turtle Head. "Is that you, Don John?"
+
+"I believe so," replied Donald.
+
+"Where you going?"
+
+"Over to Turtle Head. Want us to give you a tow?"
+
+"No; you needn't brag about your old tub. She don't belong to you; and
+I'm going to have a boat that will beat that one all to splinters,"
+replied Laud.
+
+"All right; fetch her along."
+
+"I say, Don John, I'm going to stop over Sunday on Turtle Head. Won't
+you stay with me?"
+
+"No, I thank you. I must go home to-night," answered Donald.
+
+Mr. Laud Cavendish knew very well that Donald would not spend Sunday in
+boating and fishing; and he did not ask because he wanted him. Besides,
+for more reasons than one, he did not desire his company. The Sea Foam
+ran out of talking distance of the sail-boat in a moment. Robert
+Montague was doing his best to keep up the reputation of the Skylark;
+but when the fleet came up to Turtle Head, she was more than a length
+behind. The jib was hauled down, the yachts came up into the wind, and
+the anchors were let go.
+
+"Beat you," shouted Gus Barker.
+
+"Not much," replied Robert. "We will try that over again some time."
+
+"We are willing," added Donald.
+
+The mainsails were lowered, and the young yachtmen embarked in the
+tenders for the shore. Turtle Head is a rocky point at the northern
+extremity of Long Island, in Penobscot Bay. There were a few trees near
+the shore, and under these the party purposed to hold their meeting.
+Though the weather was intensely hot on shore, it was comfortably cool
+at the Head, where the wind came over five or six miles of salt water
+cool from the ocean. The boys leaped ashore, and hauled up their boats
+where the rising tide could not float them off. There were over twenty
+of them, all members of the High School.
+
+"The Sea Foam sails well," said Robert Montague, as he walked over to
+the little grove with Donald.
+
+"Very well, indeed. This is the first time she has been out, and I find
+she works first rate," replied Donald.
+
+"I want to try it with her some day, when everything is right."
+
+"Wasn't everything right to-day?" asked Donald, smiling, for he was well
+aware that every boatman has a good excuse for the shortcomings of his
+craft.
+
+"No; my tender is twice as heavy as yours," added Robert. "I must get
+your father to build me one like that of the Sea Foam."
+
+"We will try it without any tenders, which we don't want in a race."
+
+"Of course I don't know but the Sea Foam can beat me; but I haven't seen
+the boat of her inches before that could show her stern to the Skylark,"
+said Robert; and it was plain that he was a little nettled at the slight
+advantage which the new yacht had gained.
+
+"I should like to sail her when you try it, for I have great hopes of
+the Sea Foam. If my father has built a boat that will beat the Skylark
+in all weathers, he has done a big thing, and it will make business good
+for him."
+
+"For his sake I might be almost willing to be whipped," replied Robert,
+good-naturedly, as they halted in the grove.
+
+Charley Armstrong was the oldest member of the party, and he was to call
+the meeting to order, which he did with a brief speech, explaining the
+object of the gathering, though everybody present knew it perfectly
+well. Charles was then chosen chairman, and Dick Adams secretary. It was
+voted to form a club, and the secretary was called upon to read the
+constitution of the "Dorchester Yacht Club." The name was changed to
+Belfast, and the document was adopted as the constitution of the Belfast
+Yacht Club. The second article declared that the officers should consist
+of a "Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Captain of the Fleet, Secretary,
+Treasurer, Measurer, a Board of Trustees, and a Regatta Committee;" and
+the next business was to elect them, which had to be done by written or
+printed ballots. As the first three officers were required to be owners
+in whole, or in part, of yachts enrolled in the club, there was found to
+be an alarming scarcity of yachts. The Skylark, Sea Foam, Phantom, and
+Christabel were on hand. Edward Patterdale and Samuel Rodman had
+signified their intention to join, though they were unable to be present
+at the first meeting. The Maud, as Samuel Rodman's new yacht was to be
+called, was to be built at once: she was duly enrolled, thus making a
+total of five, from whom the first three officers must be chosen.
+
+The secretary had come supplied with stationery, and a slip was handed
+to each member, after the constitution had been signed. A ballot was
+taken for commodore; Robert B. Montague had twenty votes, and Charles
+Armstrong one. Robert accepted the office in a "neat little speech,"
+and took the chair, which was a sharp rock. Edward Patterdale was
+elected vice-commodore, and Joseph Guilford captain of the fleet. Donald
+was chosen measurer, and the other offices filled to the satisfaction of
+those elected, if not of the others. It was then agreed to have a review
+and excursion on the following Saturday, to which the ladies were to be
+invited.
+
+The important business of the day was happily finished, and the fleet
+sailed for Belfast. Having secured the Sea Foam at her mooring, Donald
+hastened home. As he approached the cottage, he saw a doctor's sulky at
+the door, and the neighbors going in and out. His heart rose into his
+throat, for there was not one living beneath that humble roof whom he
+did not love better than himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A SAD EVENT IN THE RAMSAY FAMILY.
+
+
+Donald's heart beat violently as he hastened towards the cottage. Before
+he could reach it, another doctor drew up at the door, and it was
+painfully certain that one of the family was very sick--dangerously so,
+or two physicians would not have been summoned. It might be his father,
+his mother, or his sister Barbara; and whichever it was, it was terrible
+to think of. His legs almost gave away under him, when he staggered up
+to the cottage. As he did so, he recalled the fact that his father had
+been ailing when he went away in the Sea Foam. It must be his father,
+therefore, who was now so desperately ill as to require the attendance
+of two doctors.
+
+The cottage was a small affair, with a pretty flower garden in front of
+it, and a whitewashed fence around it. But small as it was, it was not
+owned by the boat-builder, who, though not in debt, had hardly anything
+of this world's goods--possibly a hundred dollars in the savings' bank,
+and the furniture in the cottage. Though he was as prudent and thrifty
+as Scotchmen generally are, and was not beset by their "often
+infirmity," he had not been very prosperous. The business of
+ship-building had been almost entirely suspended, and for several years
+only a few small vessels had been built in the city. Ramsay had always
+obtained work; but he lived well, and gave his daughter and his son an
+excellent education.
+
+Alexander Ramsay's specialty was the building of yachts and boats, and
+he determined to make a better use of his skill than selling it with his
+labor for day wages. He went into business for himself as a
+boat-builder. When he established himself, he had several hundred
+dollars, with which he purchased stock and tools. He had built several
+sail-boats, but the Sea Foam was the largest job he had obtained.
+Doubtless with life and health he would have done a good business.
+Donald had always been interested in boats, and he knew the name and
+shape of every timber and plank in the hull of a vessel, as well as
+every spar and rope. Though only sixteen, he was an excellent mechanic
+himself. His father had taken great pains to instruct him in the use of
+tools, and in draughting and modelling boats and larger craft. He not
+only studied the art in theory, but he worked with his own hands. In the
+parlor of the little cottage was a full-rigged brig, made entirely by
+him. The hull was not a log, shaped and dug out, but regularly
+constructed, with timbers and planking. When he finished it, only a few
+months before his introduction to the reader, he felt competent to build
+a yacht like the Sea Foam, without any assistance; but boys are
+generally over-confident, and possibly he overrated his ability.
+
+With his heart rising up into his throat, Donald walked towards the
+cottage. As he passed the whitewashed gate, one of the neighbors came
+out at the front door. She was an elderly woman, and she looked very sad
+as she glanced at the boy.
+
+"I'm glad you have come, Donald; but I'm afraid he'll never speak to you
+again," said she.
+
+"Is it my father?" gasped the poor fellow.
+
+"It is; and he's very sick indeed."
+
+"What ails him?"
+
+"That's more than the doctors can tell yet," added the woman. "They say
+it's very like the cholera; and I suppose it's cholera-morbus. He has
+been ailing for several days, and he didn't take care of himself. But go
+in, Donald, and see him while you may."
+
+The young man entered the cottage. The doctors, his mother and sister,
+were all doing what they could for the sufferer, who was enduring, with
+what patience he could, the most agonizing pain. Donald went into the
+chamber where his father lay writhing upon the bed. The physicians were
+at work upon him; but he saw his son as he entered the room and held out
+his hand to him. The boy took it in his own. It was cold and convulsed.
+
+"I'm glad you've come, Donald," groaned he, uttering the words with
+great difficulty. "Be a good boy always, and take care of your mother
+and sister."
+
+"I will, father," sobbed Donald, pressing the cold hand he held.
+
+"I was afraid I might never see you again," gasped Mr. Ramsay.
+
+"O, don't give up, my man," said Dr. Wadman. "You may be all right in a
+few hours."
+
+The sick man said no more. He was in too much pain to speak again, and
+Dr. Wadman sent Donald to the kitchen for some hot water. When he
+returned with it he was directed to go to the apothecary's for an ounce
+of chloroform, which the doctors were using internally and externally,
+and had exhausted their supply. Donald ran all the way as though the
+life of his father depended upon his speed. He was absent only a few
+minutes, but when he came back there was weeping and wailing in the
+little cottage by the sea-side. His father had breathed his last, even
+while the doctors were hopefully working to save him.
+
+"O, Donald, Donald!" cried Mrs. Ramsay, as she threw her arms around his
+neck. "Your poor father is gone!"
+
+The boy could not speak; he could not even weep, though his grief was
+not less intense than that of his mother and sister. They groaned, and
+sobbed, and sighed together, till kind neighbors led them from the
+chamber of death, vainly endeavoring to comfort them. It was hours
+before they were even tolerably calm; but they could speak of nothing,
+think of nothing, but him who was gone. The neighbors did all that it
+was necessary to do, and spent the night with the afflicted ones, who
+could not separate to seek their beds. The rising sun of the Sabbath
+found them still up, and still weeping--those who could weep. It was a
+long, long Sunday to them, and every moment of it was given to him who
+had been a devoted husband and a tender father. On Monday, all too soon,
+was the funeral; and all that was mortal of Alexander Ramsay was laid in
+the silent grave, never more to be looked upon by those who had loved
+him, and whom he had loved.
+
+The little cottage was like a casket robbed of its single jewel to those
+who were left. Earth and life seemed like a terrible blank to them. They
+could not accustom themselves to the empty chair at the window where he
+sat when his day's work was done; to the vacant place at the table,
+where he had always invoked the blessing of God on the frugal fare
+before them; and to the silent and deserted shop on the other side of
+the street, from which the noise of his hammer and the clip of his adze
+had come to them. A week wore away and nothing was done but the most
+necessary offices of the household. The neighbors came frequently to
+beguile their grief, and the minister made several visits, bearing to
+them the consolations of the gospel, and the tender message of a genuine
+sympathy.
+
+But it is not for poor people long to waste themselves in idle
+lamentations. The problem of the future was forced upon Mrs. Ramsay for
+solution. If they had been able only to live comfortably on the earnings
+of the dead husband, what should they do now when the strong arm that
+delved for them was silent in the cold embrace of death? They must all
+work now; but even then the poor woman could hardly see how she could
+keep her family together. Barbara was eighteen, but she had never done
+anything except to assist her mother, whose health was not very good,
+about the house. She was a graduate of the High School, and competent,
+so far as education was concerned, to teach a school if she could obtain
+a situation. Mrs. Ramsay might obtain work to be done at home, but it
+was only a pittance she could earn besides doing her housework. She
+wished to have Donald finish his education at the High School, but she
+was afraid this was impossible.
+
+Donald, still mourning for his father, who had so constantly been his
+companion in the cottage and in the shop, that he could not reconcile
+himself to the loss, hardly thought of the future, till his mother spoke
+to him about it. He had often, since that bitter Saturday night,
+recalled the last words his father had ever spoken to him, in which he
+had told him to be a good boy always and take care of his mother and
+sister; but they had not much real significance to him till his mother
+spoke to him. Then he understood them; then he saw that his father was
+conscious of the near approach of death, and had given his mother and
+his sister into his keeping. Then, with the memory of him who was gone
+lingering near and dear in his heart, a mighty resolution was born in
+his soul, though it did not at once take a practical form.
+
+"Don't worry about the future, mother," said he, after he had listened
+to her rather hopeless statement of her views.
+
+"I don't worry about it, Donald, for while we have our health and
+strength, we can work and make a living. I want to keep you in school
+till the end of the year, but I--"
+
+"Of course I can't go to school any more, mother. I am ready to go to
+work," interposed Donald.
+
+"I know you are, my boy; but I want you to finish your school course
+very much."
+
+"I haven't thought a great deal about the matter yet, mother, but I
+think I shall be able to do what father told me."
+
+"Your father did not expect you to take care of us till you had grown
+up, I'm sure," added Mrs. Ramsay, who had heard the dying injunction of
+her husband to their son.
+
+"I don't know that he did; but I shall do the best I can."
+
+"Poor father! He never thought of anything but us," sighed Mrs. Ramsay;
+and her woman's tears flowed freely again, so freely that there was no
+power of utterance left to her.
+
+Donald wept, too, as he thought of him who was not only his father, but
+his loving companion in study, in work, and in play. He left the house
+and walked over to the shop. For the first time since the sad event, he
+unlocked the door and entered. The tears trickled down his cheeks as he
+glanced at the bench where his father had done his last day's work. The
+planes and a few other tools were neatly arranged upon it, and his apron
+was spread over them. On the walls were models of boats and yachts, and
+in one corner were the "moulds." Donald seated himself on the
+tool-chest, and looked around at every familiar object in the shop. He
+was thinking of something, but his thought had not yet taken definite
+form. While he was considering the present and the future, Samuel Rodman
+entered the shop.
+
+"Do you suppose I can get the model of the Sea Foam, Don John?" inquired
+he, after something had been said about the deceased boat-builder.
+
+"I think you can. The model and the drawings are all here," replied
+Donald.
+
+"We intend to build the Maud this season, and I want her to be as near
+like the Sea Foam as possible."
+
+"Who is going to build her?" asked Donald, his interest suddenly kindled
+by the question.
+
+"I don't know; we haven't spoken to any one about it yet," replied
+Samuel. "There isn't anybody in these parts that can build her as
+your father would."
+
+[Illustration: DON JOHN WANTS A JOB. Page 73.]
+
+"Sam, can't I do this job for you?" said Donald.
+
+"You?"
+
+"Yes, I. You know I used to work with my father, and I understand his
+way of doing things."
+
+"Well, I hadn't thought that you could do it; but I will talk with my
+father about it," answered Samuel, who appeared to have some doubts
+about the ability of his friend to do so large a job.
+
+"I don't mean to do it all myself, Sam. I will hire one or two
+first-rate ship carpenters," added Donald. "She shall be just like the
+Sea Foam, except a little alteration, which my father explained to me,
+in the bow and run."
+
+"Do you think you could do the job, Don John?" asked Samuel, with an
+incredulous smile.
+
+"I know I could," said Donald, earnestly. "If I had time enough I could
+build her all alone."
+
+"We want her as soon as we can get her."
+
+"She shall be finished as quick as my father could have done her."
+
+"I will see my father about it to-night, Don John, and let you know
+to-morrow. I came down to see about the model."
+
+Samuel Rodman left the shop and walked down the beach to the sail-boat
+in which he had come. Donald was almost inspired by the idea which had
+taken possession of him. If he could only carry on his father's
+business, he could make money enough to support the family; and knowing
+every stick in the hull of a vessel, he felt competent to do so. Full of
+enthusiasm, he hastened into the cottage to unfold his brilliant scheme
+to his mother. He stated his plan to her, but at first she shook her
+head.
+
+"Do you think you could build a yacht, Donald?" she asked.
+
+"I am certain I could. Didn't you hear father say that my brig contained
+every timber and plank that belongs to a vessel?"
+
+"Yes, and that the work was done as well as he could do it himself; but
+that does not prove that you can carry on the business."
+
+"I want one or two men, if we build the Maud, because it would take too
+long for me to do all the work alone."
+
+"The Maud?"
+
+"That was the yacht that father was to build next. I asked Sam Rodman to
+give me the job, and he is going to talk with his father about it
+to-night."
+
+Mrs. Ramsay was rather startled at this announcement, which indicated
+that her son really meant business in earnest.
+
+"Do you think he will let you do it?" she asked.
+
+"I hope he will."
+
+"Are you sure you can make anything if you build the yacht?"
+
+"Father made over three hundred dollars on the Sea Foam, besides his day
+wages."
+
+"That is no reason why you can do it."
+
+"All his models, moulds, and draughts are in the shop. I know where they
+are, and just what to do with them. I hope you will let me try it,
+mother."
+
+"Suppose you don't make out?"
+
+"But I shall make out."
+
+"If Mr. Rodman refuses to accept the yacht after the job is done, what
+will you do?"
+
+"I shall have her myself then, and I can make lots of money taking out
+parties in her."
+
+"Your father was paid for the Sea Foam as the work progressed. He had
+received eight hundred dollars on her when she was finished."
+
+"I know it; and Captain Patterdale owes four hundred more. If you let me
+use some of the money to buy stock and pay the men till I get payment on
+the job, I shall do very well."
+
+"We must have something to live on. After I have paid the funeral
+expenses and other bills, this money that Captain Patterdale owes will
+be all I have."
+
+"But Mr. Rodman will pay me something on the job, when he is satisfied
+that the work will be done."
+
+The widow was not very clear about the business; but she concluded, at
+last, that if Mr. Rodman would give him the job, she would allow him to
+undertake it. Donald was satisfied, and went back to the shop. He opened
+his father's chest and took out his account book. Turning to a page
+which was headed "Sea Foam," he found every item of labor and
+expenditure charged to her. Every day's work, every foot of stock, every
+pound of nails, every article of brass or hardware, and the cost of
+sails and cordage, were carefully entered on the account. From this he
+could learn the price of everything used in the construction of the
+yacht, for his guidance in the great undertaking before him. But he was
+quite familiar before with the cost of everything used in building a
+boat. On a piece of smooth board, he figured up the probable cost, and
+assured himself he could make a good job of the building of the Maud.
+
+The next day was Saturday--two weeks after the organization of the yacht
+club. There had been a grand review a week before, which Donald did not
+attend. The yachtmen had taken their mothers, sisters, and other friends
+on an excursion down the bay, and given them a collation at Turtle Head.
+On the Saturday in question, a meeting of the club at the Head had been
+called to complete the arrangements for a regatta, and the Committee on
+Regattas were to make their report. Donald had been requested to attend
+in order to measure the yachts. He did not feel much like taking part in
+the sports of the club, but he decided to perform the duty required of
+him. He expected to see Samuel Rodman on this occasion, and to learn the
+decision of his father in regard to the building of the Maud.
+
+After breakfast he embarked in the sail-boat which had belonged to his
+father, and with a fresh breeze stood over to Turtle Head. He had dug
+some clams early in the morning, and told his mother he should bring
+home some fish which he intended to catch after the meeting of the club.
+As the boat sped on her way, he thought of his grand scheme to carry on
+his father's business, and everything seemed to depend upon Mr. Rodman's
+decision. He hoped for the best, but he trembled for the result. When he
+reached his destination, he found another boat at the Head, and soon
+discovered Laud Cavendish on the bluff.
+
+"Hallo, Don John!" shouted the swell, as Donald stepped on shore.
+
+"How are you, Laud? You are out early."
+
+"Not very; I came ashore here to see if I couldn't find some clams,"
+added Laud, as he held up a clam-digger he carried in his hand--a kind
+of trowel fixed in a shovel-handle.
+
+"You can't find any clams here," said Donald, wondering that even such a
+swell should expect to find them there.
+
+"I am going down to Camden to stay over Sunday, and I thought I might
+fish a little on the way."
+
+"You will find some farther down the shore, where there is a soft beach.
+Do you get off every Saturday now, Laud?"
+
+"Get off? Yes; I get off every day. I'm out of a job."
+
+"I thought you were at Miller's store."
+
+"I was there; but I'm not now. Miller shoved me out. Do you know of any
+fellow that has a good boat to sell?"
+
+"What kind of a boat?"
+
+"Well, one like the Skylark and the Sea Foam."
+
+"No; I don't know of any one around here. Do you want to buy one?"
+
+"Yes; I thought I would buy one, if I could get her about right. She
+must be cheap."
+
+"How cheap do you expect to buy a boat like the Sea Foam?" asked Donald,
+wondering what a young man out of business could be thinking about when
+he talked of buying a yacht.
+
+"Four or five hundred dollars."
+
+"The Sea Foam cost twelve hundred."
+
+"That's a fancy price. The Skylark didn't cost but five hundred."
+
+"Do you want to give five hundred for a boat?"
+
+"Not for myself, Don John. I was going to buy one for another man. I
+must be going now," added Laud, as he went down to his boat.
+
+Hoisting his sail, he shoved off, and stood over towards Searsport.
+Donald walked up the slope to the Head, from which he could see the
+yacht club fleet as soon as it sailed from the city.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK.
+
+
+Donald seated himself on a rock, with his gaze directed towards Belfast.
+His particular desire just then was to see Samuel Rodman, in order to
+learn whether he was to have the job of building the Maud. He felt able
+to do it, and even then, as he thought of the work, he had in his mind
+the symmetrical lines of the new yacht, as they were to be after the
+change in the model which his father had explained to him. He recalled a
+suggestion of a small increase in the size of the mainsail, which had
+occurred to him when he sailed the Sea Foam. His first aspiration was
+only to build a yacht; his second was to build one that would beat
+anything of her inches in the fleet. If he could realize this last
+ambition, he would have all the business he could do.
+
+The yacht fleet did not appear up the bay; but it was only nine o'clock
+in the morning, and possibly the meeting of the club would not take
+place till afternoon. If any one had told him the hour, he had forgotten
+it, but the former meeting had been in the forenoon. He was too nervous
+to sit still a great while, and, rising, he walked about, musing upon
+his grand scheme. The place was an elevated platform of rock, a portion
+of it covered with soil to the depth of several feet, on which the grass
+grew. It was not far above the water even at high tide, nor were the
+bluffs very bold. The plateau was on a peninsula, extending to the north
+from the island, which was not unlike the head of a turtle, and the
+shape had given it a name. Donald walked back and forth on the headland,
+watching for the fleet.
+
+"I wonder if Laud Cavendish was digging for clams up here," thought he,
+as he observed a spot where the earth appeared to have been disturbed.
+
+The marks of Laud's clam-digger were plainly to be seen in the loam, a
+small quantity of which remained on the sod. Certainly the swell had
+been digging there; but it could not have been for clams; and Donald was
+trying to imagine what it was for, when he heard footsteps near him.
+Coming towards him, he discovered Captain Shivernock, of the city; and
+he had two problems to solve instead of one; not very important ones, it
+is true, but just such as are suggested to everybody at times. Perhaps
+it did not make the least difference to the young man whether or not he
+ascertained why Laud Cavendish had been digging on the Head, or why
+Captain Shivernock happened to be on the island, apparently without any
+boat, at that time in the morning. I do not think Donald would have
+given a nickel five-cent piece to have been informed correctly upon
+either point, though he did propose the question to himself in each
+case. Probably Laud had no particular object in view in digging--the
+ground did not look as though he had; and Captain Shivernock was odd
+enough to do anything, or to be anywhere, at the most unseasonable
+hours.
+
+"How are you, Don John?" shouted the captain, as he came within hailing
+distance of Donald.
+
+"How do you do, Captain Shivernock," replied the young man, rather
+coldly, for he had no regard, and certainly no admiration, for the man.
+
+"You are just the man I wanted to see," added the captain.
+
+Donald could not reciprocate the sentiment, and, not being a hypocrite,
+he made no reply. The captain seemed to be somewhat fatigued and out of
+breath, and immediately seated himself on the flat rock which the young
+man had occupied. He was not more than five feet and a half high, but
+was tolerably stout. The top of his head was as bald as a winter squash;
+but extending around the back of his head from ear to ear was a heavy
+fringe of red hair. His whiskers were of the same color; but, as age
+began to bleach them out under the chin, he shaved this portion of his
+figure-head, while his side whiskers and mustache were very long. He was
+dressed in a complete suit of gray, and wore a coarse braided straw hat.
+
+Captain Shivernock, as I have more than once hinted, was an eccentric
+man. He had been a shipmaster in the earlier years of his life, and had
+made a fortune by some lucky speculations during the War of the
+Rebellion, in which he took counsel of his interest rather than his
+patriotism. He had a strong will, a violent temper, and an implacable
+hatred to any man who had done him an injury, either actually or
+constructively. It was said that he was as faithful and devoted in his
+friendships as he was bitter and relentless in his hatreds; but no one
+in the city, where he was a very unpopular man, had any particular
+experience of the soft side of his character. He was a native of
+Lincolnville, near Belfast, though he had left his home in his youth. He
+had a fine house in the city, and lived in good style. He was said to be
+a widower, and had no children. The husband of his housekeeper was the
+man of all work about his place, and both of them had come with their
+employer from New York.
+
+He seldom did anything like other people. He never went to church, would
+never put his name upon a subscription paper, however worthy the object,
+though he had been known to give a poor man an extravagant reward for a
+slight service. He would not pay his taxes till the fangs of the law
+worried the money out of him, but would give fifty dollars for the first
+salmon or the first dish of peaches of the season for his table. He was
+as full of contradictions as he was of oddities, and no one knew how to
+take him. One moment he seemed to be hoarding his money like a miser,
+and the next scattering it with insane prodigality.
+
+"I'm tired out, Don John," added Captain Shivernock, as he seated
+himself, fanning his red face with his hat.
+
+"Have you walked far, sir?" asked Donald, who was well acquainted with
+the captain; for his father had worked on his boat, and he was often in
+the shop.
+
+"I believe I have hoofed it about ten miles this morning," replied
+Captain Shivernock with an oath; and he had a wicked habit of
+ornamenting every sentence he used with a profane expletive, which I
+shall invariably omit.
+
+"Then you have walked nearly the whole length of the island."
+
+"Do you mean to tell me I lie?" demanded the captain.
+
+"Certainly not, sir," protested Donald.
+
+"My boat got aground down here. I started early this morning to go down
+to Vinal Haven; but I'm dished now, and can't go," continued Captain
+Shivernock, so interlarding with oaths this simple statement that it
+looks like another thing divested of them.
+
+"Where did you get aground?" asked Donald.
+
+"Down by Seal Harbor."
+
+"About three miles from here."
+
+"Do you think I lied to you?"
+
+"By no means, sir."
+
+Donald could not divine how the captain had got aground near Seal
+Harbor, if he was bound from Belfast to Vinal Haven, though it was
+possible that the wind had been more to the southward early in the
+morning, compelling him to beat down the bay; but it was not prudent to
+question anything the captain said.
+
+"I ran in shore pretty well, and took the ground. I tried for half an
+hour to get the Juno off, but I was soon left high and dry on the beach.
+I anchored her where she was, and I'm sorry now I didn't set her afire,"
+explained the captain.
+
+"Set her afire!" exclaimed Donald.
+
+"That's what I said. She shall never play me such a trick again,"
+growled the strange man.
+
+"Why, it wasn't the fault of the boat."
+
+"Do you mean to say it was my fault?" demanded the captain, ripping out
+a string of oaths that made Donald shiver.
+
+"It was an accident which might happen to any one."
+
+"Do you think I didn't know what I was about?"
+
+"I suppose you did, sir; but any boat may get aground."
+
+"Not with me! if she did I'd burn her or sell her for old junk. I never
+will sail in her again after I get home. I know what I'm about."
+
+"Of course you do, sir."
+
+"Got a boat here?" suddenly demanded the eccentric.
+
+"Yes, sir; I have our sail-boat."
+
+"Take me down to Seal Harbor in her," added the captain, rising from his
+seat.
+
+"I don't think I can go, sir."
+
+"Don't you? What's the reason you can't?" asked the captain, with a
+sneer on his lips.
+
+"I have to meet the yacht club here."
+
+Captain Shivernock cursed the yacht club with decided unction, and
+insisted that Donald should convey him in his boat to the place where
+the Juno was at anchor.
+
+"I have to measure the yachts when they come, sir."
+
+"Measure--" but the place the captain suggested was not capable of
+measurement. "I'll pay you well for going."
+
+"I should not ask any pay if I could go," added Donald, glancing up the
+bay to see if the fleet was under way.
+
+"I say I will pay you well, and you will be a fool if you don't go with
+me."
+
+"The yachts haven't started yet, and perhaps I shall have time to get
+back before they arrive."
+
+"I don't care whether you get back or not; I want you to go."
+
+"I will go, sir, and run the risk," replied Donald, as he led the way
+down to the boat.
+
+Shoving her off, he helped the captain into her, and hoisted the sail.
+
+"What boat's that over there?" demanded Captain Shivernock, as he
+pointed at the craft sailed by Laud Cavendish, which was still standing
+on towards Searsport.
+
+Donald told him who was in her.
+
+"Don't go near her," said he, sternly. "I always want a good mile
+between me and that puppy."
+
+"He is bound to Camden, and won't get there for a week at that rate,"
+added Donald.
+
+"Don't care if he don't," growled the passenger.
+
+"I don't know that I do, either," added the skipper. "Laud wants to buy
+a boat, and perhaps you can sell him yours, if you are tired of her."
+
+"Shut up!"
+
+Donald did "shut up," and decided not to make any more talk with the
+captain, only to give him civil answers. Ordinarily he would as soon
+have thought of wrestling with a Bengal tiger as of carrying on a
+conversation with such a porcupine as his passenger, who scrupled not to
+insult man or boy without the slightest provocation. In a few moments
+the skipper tacked, having weathered the Head, and stood into the little
+bay west of it.
+
+"Don John," said Captain Shivernock, sharply, fixing his gaze upon the
+skipper.
+
+"Sir?"
+
+The captain took his wallet from his pocket. It was well filled with
+greenbacks, from which he took several ten-dollar bills--five or six of
+them, at least.
+
+"I will pay you," said he.
+
+"I don't ask any pay for this, sir. I am willing to do you a favor for
+nothing."
+
+"Hold your tongue, you fool! A favor?" sneered the eccentric. "Do you
+think I would ask a little monkey like you to do me a favor?"
+
+"I won't call it a favor, sir."
+
+"Better not. There! take that," and Captain Shivernock shoved the bills
+he had taken from his wallet into Donald's hand.
+
+"No, sir! I can't take all that, if I do anything," protested the
+skipper, amazed at the generosity of his passenger. The captain, with a
+sudden spring, grasped a short boat-hook which lay between the rail and
+the wash-board.
+
+"Put that money into your pocket, or I'll smash your head; and you won't
+be the first man I've killed, either," said the violent passenger.
+
+Donald did not find the money hard to take on its own merits, and he
+considerately obeyed the savage order. His pride, which revolted at the
+idea of being paid for a slight service rendered to a neighbor, was
+effectually conquered. He put the money in his pocket; but as soon as
+the captain laid down the boat-hook, he took it out to count it, and
+found there was fifty dollars. He deposited it carefully in his wallet.
+
+"You don't mean to pay me all that money for this little job?" said he.
+
+"Do you think I don't know what I mean?" snarled the passenger.
+
+"I suppose you do, sir."
+
+"You suppose I do!" sneered the cynic. "You know I do."
+
+"Fifty dollars is a great deal of money for such a little job."
+
+"That's none of your business. Don John, you've got a tongue in your
+head!" said Captain Shivernock, pointing his finger at the skipper, and
+glowering upon him as though he was charging him with some heinous
+crime.
+
+"I am aware of it, sir," replied Donald.
+
+"Do you know what a tongue is for?" demanded the captain.
+
+"It is of great assistance to one in talking."
+
+"Don't equivocate, you sick monkey. Do you know what a tongue is for?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"What's a tongue for?"
+
+"To talk with, and--"
+
+"That's enough! I thought you would say so. You are an ignorant whelp."
+
+"Isn't the tongue to talk with?"
+
+"No!" roared the passenger.
+
+"What is it for, then?" asked Donald, who did not know whether to be
+alarmed or amused at the manner of his violent companion.
+
+"It's to keep still with, you canting little monkey! And that's what I
+want you to do with your tongue," replied Captain Shivernock.
+
+"I don't think I understand you, sir."
+
+"I don't think you do. How could you, when I haven't told you what I
+mean. Listen to me." The eccentric paused, and fixed his gaze earnestly
+upon the skipper.
+
+"Have you seen me this morning?" demanded he.
+
+"Of course I have."
+
+"No, you haven't!"
+
+"I really thought I had."
+
+"Thought's a fool, and you're another! You haven't seen me. If anybody
+in Belfast asks you if you have seen me, tell 'em you haven't."
+
+"If the tongue isn't to talk with, it isn't to tell a lie with," added
+Donald.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the captain; "you've got me there."
+
+He produced his wallet again, and took a ten-dollar bill from the roll
+it contained, which he tendered to Donald.
+
+"What's that for?" asked the skipper.
+
+"Put it in your pocket, or I'll mash your empty skull!"
+
+Donald placed it with the other bills in his wallet, more than ever
+amazed at the conduct of his singular passenger.
+
+"I never allow anyone to get ahead of me without paying for my own
+stupidity. Do you go to Sunday School, and church, and missionary
+meetings?" asked the captain, with a sneer.
+
+"I do, sir."
+
+"I thought so. You are a sick monkey. You don't let your tongue tell a
+lie."
+
+"No, sir; I don't mean to tell a lie, if I can help it, and I generally
+can."
+
+"You walk in the strait and narrow way which leads to the meeting-house.
+I don't. All right! Broad is the way! But one thing is certain, Don
+John, you haven't seen me to-day."
+
+"But I have," persisted Donald.
+
+"I say you have not; don't contradict me, if you want to take that head
+of yours home with you. Nobody will ask whether you have seen me or not;
+so that if a lie is likely to choke you, keep still with your tongue."
+
+"I am not to say that I have seen you on the island?" queried Donald.
+
+"You are not," replied the captain, with an echoing expletive.
+
+"Why not, sir?"
+
+"None of your business! Do as you are told, and spend the money I gave
+you for gingerbread and fast horses."
+
+"But when my mother sees this money she will want to know where I got
+it."
+
+"If you tell her or anybody else, I'll hammer your head till it isn't
+thicker than a piece of sheet-iron. Don't let her see the money. Hire a
+fast horse, and go to ride next Sunday."
+
+"I don't go to ride on Sunday."
+
+"I suppose not. Give it to the missionaries to buy red flannel shirts
+for little niggers in the West Indies, if you like. I don't care what
+you do with it."
+
+"You don't wish anybody to know you have been on the island this
+morning--is that the idea, Captain Shivernock?" asked Donald, not a
+little alarmed at the position in which his companion was placing him.
+
+"That's the idea, Don John."
+
+"I don't see why--"
+
+"You are not to see why," interrupted the captain, fiercely. "That's my
+business, not yours. Will you do as I tell you?"
+
+"If there is any trouble--"
+
+"There isn't any trouble. Do you think I've killed somebody?--No. Do you
+think I've robbed somebody?--No. Do you think I've set somebody's house
+on fire?--No. Do you think I've stolen somebody's chickens?--No. Nothing
+of the sort. I want to know whether you can keep your tongue still. Let
+us see. There's the Juno."
+
+"Somebody will see your boat, and know that you have been here--"
+
+"That's my business, not yours. Don't bother your head with what don't
+concern you," growled the passenger.
+
+The Juno was afloat, but she could not have been so many minutes, when
+Donald came alongside of her. It was now about half tide on the flood,
+and she must have grounded at about half tide on the ebb. This fact
+indicated that Captain Shivernock had left her at four o'clock in the
+morning. The owner of the Juno stepped into her, and Donald hoisted the
+sail for him. The boat was cat-rigged, and about twenty-four feet long.
+She was a fine craft, with a small cabin forward, furnished with every
+convenience the limited space would permit. The captain seated himself
+in the standing-room, and began to heap maledictions upon the boat.
+
+"I never will sail in her again," said he. "I will burn her, and get a
+centre-board boat."
+
+"What will you take for her, sir?" asked Donald.
+
+"Do you want her, Don John?" demanded the captain.
+
+"I couldn't afford to keep her; but I will sell her for you."
+
+"Sell--" it is no matter what; but Captain Shivernock suddenly leaped
+back into Donald's boat, and her skipper wondered what he intended to do
+next. "She is yours, Don John!" he exclaimed.
+
+"To sell for you?"
+
+"No! Sell her, if you like, but put the money in your own pocket. I will
+sail up in your boat, and you may go to Jerusalem in the Juno, if you
+like. I will never get into her again," added the captain, spitefully.
+
+"But, Captain Shivernock, you surely don't mean to _give_ me this boat."
+
+"Do you think I don't know what I mean?" roared the strange man, after a
+long string of expletives. "She is yours, now; not mine. I'll give you a
+bill of sale as soon as I go ashore. Not another word, or I'll pound
+your head. Don't tell anybody I gave her to you, or that you have seen
+me. If you do there will be a job for a coffin-maker."
+
+The captain shoved off the boat, and laid her course across the bay,
+evidently to avoid Laud Cavendish, whose craft was a mile distant; for
+he had probably put in at Searsport. Donald weighed the anchor of the
+Juno, and sailed for Turtle Head, hardly knowing whether he was himself
+or somebody else, so amazed was he at the strange conduct of his late
+passenger. He could not begin to comprehend it, and he did not have to
+strain his logic very much in coming to the conclusion that the captain
+was insane.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+DONALD GETS THE JOB.
+
+
+Whether Captain Shivernock was sane or insane, Donald Ramsay was in
+possession of the Juno. Of course he did not consider himself the
+proprietor of the craft, if he did of the sixty dollars he had in his
+pocket. She had the wind over her port quarter, and the boat tore
+through the water as if she intended to show her new skipper what she
+could do. But Donald paid little attention to the speed of the Juno, for
+his attention was wholly absorbed by the remarkable events of the
+morning. Captain Shivernock had given him sixty dollars in payment
+nominally for the slight service rendered him. But then, the strange man
+had given a poor laborer a hundred dollars for stopping his horse, when
+the animal leisurely walked towards home from the store where the owner
+had left him. Again, he had given a negro sailor a fifty-dollar bill
+for sculling him across the river. He had rewarded a small boy with a
+ten-dollar bill for bringing him a despatch from the telegraph office.
+When the woman who went to his house to do the washing was taken sick,
+and was not able to work for three months, he regularly called at her
+rooms every Monday morning and gave her ten dollars, which was three
+times as much as she ever earned in the same time.
+
+Remembering these instances of the captain's bounty, Donald had no doubt
+about the ownership of the sixty dollars in his pocket. The money was
+his own; but how had he earned it? Was he paid to keep his tongue still,
+or simply for the service performed? If for his silence, what had the
+captain done which made him desire to conceal the fact that he had been
+to the island? The strange man had explicitly denied having killed,
+robbed, or stolen from anybody. All the skipper could make of it was,
+that his desire for silence was only a whim of the captain, and he was
+entirely willing to accommodate him. If there had been any mischief done
+on the island, he should hear of it; and in that event he would take
+counsel of some one older and wiser than himself. Then he tried to
+satisfy himself as to why the captain had walked at least three miles to
+Turtle Head, instead of waiting till the tide floated the Juno. This
+appeared to be also a whim of the strange man. People in the city used
+to say it was no use to ask the reason for anything that Captain
+Shivernock did. His motive in giving Donald sixty dollars and his boat,
+which would sell readily for three hundred dollars, and had cost over
+five hundred, was utterly unaccountable.
+
+Donald was determined not to do anything wrong, and if the captain had
+committed any evil deed, he fully intended to expose him; but he meant
+to keep still until he learned that the evil deed had been done. The
+money in his pocket, and that for which the Juno could be sold, would be
+capital enough to enable him to carry on the business of boat-building.
+But he was determined to see Captain Shivernock that very day in regard
+to the boat. Perhaps the strange man would give him a job to build a
+centre-board yacht, for he wanted one.
+
+"Hallo! Juno, ahoy!" shouted Laud Cavendish.
+
+Donald threw the boat up into the wind, under the stern of Laud's craft.
+
+"I thought you were going down to Camden," said he. "You won't get there
+to-day at this rate."
+
+"I forgot some things I wanted, and ran up to Searsport after them. But
+what are you doing in the Juno, Don John?"
+
+"She's going to be sold, Laud," replied Donald, dodging the direct
+question. "Didn't you say you wanted to buy a boat?"
+
+"I said so; and I want to buy one badly. I'm going to spend my summer on
+the water. What does the captain ask for her?"
+
+"I don't know what the price is, but I'll let you know on Monday," added
+Donald, as he filled away again, for the yacht fleet was now in sight.
+
+"Hold on a minute, Don John; I want to talk with you about her."
+
+"I can't stop now. I have to go up to the Head and measure the yachts."
+
+"Don't say a word to anybody about my buying her," added Laud.
+
+He was soon out of hearing of Laud's voice. He wondered if the swell
+really wished to buy such a boat as the Juno, and could pay three
+hundred dollars for her. His father was not a rich man, and he was out
+of business himself. And he wanted Donald to keep still too. What motive
+had he for wishing his proposition to be kept in the dark? His object
+was not apparent, and Donald was obliged to give up the conundrum,
+though he had some painful doubts on the subject. As he thought of the
+matter, he turned to observe the position of the two boats to the
+southward of him. Directly ahead of Laud's craft was an island which he
+could not weather, and he was obliged to tack. He could not lay his
+course, and he had to take a short and then a long stretch, and he was
+now standing across the bay on the short leg. Captain Shivernock had run
+over towards the Northport shore, and Donald thought they could not well
+avoid coming within hailing distance of each other. But the Juno passed
+beyond the north-west point of the island, and he could no longer see
+them. He concluded, however, that the captain would not let Laud, or any
+one else, see him afloat that day. He was a very strange man.
+
+Donald ran the Juno around the point, and anchored her under the lee of
+Turtle Head. The fleet was still a couple of miles distant, and after he
+had lowered and secured the mainsail, he had nothing to do but examine
+the fine craft which had so strangely come into his possession. He went
+into the cuddy forward, and overhauled everything there, till he was
+fully qualified to set forth the merits of her accommodations to a
+purchaser. The survey was calculated to kindle his own enthusiasm, for
+Donald was as fond of boating as any young man in the club. The idea of
+keeping the Juno for his own use occurred to him, but he resisted the
+temptation, and determined not even to think of such an extravagant
+plan.
+
+The yacht fleet was now approaching, the Skylark gallantly leading the
+way, and the Christabel, with a reef in her mainsail, bringing up the
+rear. The Sea Foam did not seem to hold her own with the Skylark, as she
+had done before, but she was the second to drop her anchor under the lee
+of Turtle Head.
+
+"I cam glad to see you, Don John," said Commodore Montague, as he
+discovered Donald in the Juno. "I was afraid you were not coming, and I
+went up to the shop to look for you. But how came you in that boat?"
+
+"She is for sale," replied Donald, as the tender of the Skylark came
+alongside the Juno, and he stepped into it. "Do you know of anybody that
+wants to buy her?"
+
+"I know three or four who want boats, but I am not sure the Juno would
+suit either of them," replied the commodore.
+
+The boat pulled to the shore, and no one asked any more questions about
+the Juno, or her late owner. The members of the club on board of the
+several yachts landed, and Donald was soon in earnest conversation with
+Samuel Rodman.
+
+"What does your father say?" he asked.
+
+"He wants to see you," replied Samuel.
+
+"Does he think I can't do the job?"
+
+"He did not think so at first, but when I told him you would employ one
+or two regular ship carpenters, he was satisfied, and I think he will
+give you the job."
+
+"I hope he will, and I am sure I can give him as good work as he can get
+anywhere."
+
+"I haven't any doubt of it, Don John. But the Sea Foam isn't doing so
+well as she did the first day you had her out. The Skylark beats her
+every time they sail."
+
+"Ned Patterdale hasn't got the hang of her yet."
+
+"Perhaps not."
+
+"I should like to have Bob Montague sail her, and Ned the Skylark; I
+think it would make a difference," added Donald. "Ned does very well,
+but a skipper must get used to his boat; and he hasn't had much
+experience in yachts as large as the Sea Foam. I spoke to you of a
+change in the model for the Maud; and if I'm not greatly mistaken, she
+will beat both the Sea Foam and the Skylark."
+
+"I would give all my spending-money for a year, over and above the cost,
+if she would do that," replied Rodman, with a snap of the eye.
+
+"Of course I can't promise that she will do it, but I expect she will,"
+said Donald.
+
+The club assembled under the trees, and the members were called to order
+by the commodore. The first business was to hear the report of the
+Regatta Committee, which proved to be a very interesting document to the
+yachtmen. The race was to take place the next Saturday, and was open to
+all yachts exceeding twenty feet in length, duly entered before the
+time. All were to sail in the same class; the first prize was a silver
+vase, and the second a marine glass. The course was to be from the
+judge's boat, in Belfast harbor, by Turtle Head, around the buoy on
+Stubb's Point Ledge, leaving it on the port hand, and back to the
+starting-point. The sailing regulations already adopted by the club were
+to be in full force. The report was accepted, and the members looked
+forward with eager anticipation to what they regarded as the greatest
+event of the season. Other business was transacted, and Donald, who had
+brought with him a measuring tape and plummet, measured all the yachts
+of the club. Dinner was served on board of each craft, and the commodore
+extended the hospitalities of the Skylark to Donald.
+
+In the afternoon, the fleet made an excursion around Long Island,
+returning to Belfast about six o'clock, Donald sailing the Juno, and
+catching a mess of fish off Haddock Ledge. He moored her off the shop,
+and was rather surprised to find that his own boat had not yet been
+returned. After supper he hastened to the house of Mr. Rodman, with
+whom he had a long talk in regard to the building of the Maud. The
+gentleman had some doubts about the ability of the young boat-builder to
+do so large a job, though he desired to encourage him.
+
+"I am willing to give you the work, and to pay you the same price your
+father had for the Sea Foam; but I don't like to pay out money till I
+know that you are to succeed," said he.
+
+"I don't ask you to do so, sir," replied Donald, warmly. "You need not
+pay me a cent till you are perfectly satisfied."
+
+"But I supposed you would want money to buy stock and pay your men, even
+before you had set up your frame."
+
+"No, sir; we have capital enough to make a beginning."
+
+"I am satisfied then, and you shall have the job," added Mr. Rodman.
+
+"Thank you, sir," replied Donald, delighted at his success.
+
+"You may go to work as soon as you please; and the sooner the better,
+for Samuel is in a great hurry for his yacht."
+
+"I will go to work on Monday morning. The model, moulds, and drawings
+are all ready, and there will be no delay, sir," answered the young
+boat-builder, as he took his leave of his considerate patron.
+
+Perhaps Mr. Rodman was not satisfied that the young man would succeed in
+the undertaking, but he had not the heart to discourage one who was so
+earnest. He determined to watch the progress of the work very closely,
+and if he discovered that the enterprise was not likely to be
+successful, he intended to stop it before much time or money had been
+wasted. Donald had fully detailed the means at his command for doing the
+job in a workman-like manner, and he was well known as an ingenious and
+skilful mechanic. Mr. Rodman had strong hopes that the young man would
+succeed in his undertaking.
+
+Donald walked toward the house of Captain Shivernock, congratulating
+himself on the happy issue of his interview with Mr. Rodman. As he
+passed the book and periodical store, he saw Lawrence Kennedy, a ship
+carpenter, who had formerly worked with Mr. Ramsay, standing at the
+door, reading the weekly paper just from the press. This man was out of
+work, and was talking of going to Bath to find employment. Donald had
+already thought of him as one of his hands, for Kennedy was a capital
+mechanic.
+
+"What's the news?" asked Donald, rather to open the way to what he had
+to say, than because he was interested in the latest intelligence.
+
+"How are you, Donald?" replied the ship carpenter. "There's a bit of
+news from Lincolnville, but I suppose you heard it; for all the town is
+talking about it."
+
+"I haven't heard it."
+
+"A man in Lincolnville was taken from his bed in the dead hour of the
+night, and beaten to a jelly."
+
+"Who was the man?"
+
+"His name was Hasbrook."
+
+"Hasbrook!" exclaimed Donald.
+
+"Do you know him, lad?"
+
+"I know of him; and he has the reputation of being anything but an
+honest man."
+
+"Then it's not much matter," laughed the ship carpenter.
+
+"But who beat him?" asked Donald.
+
+"No one knows who it was. Hasbrook couldn't make him out; but likely
+it's some one the rogue has cheated."
+
+"Hasbrook must have seen him," suggested Donald.
+
+"The ruffian was disguised with his head in a bit of a bag, or something
+of that sort, and he never spoke a word from first to last," added
+Kennedy, looking over the article in the paper.
+
+Donald wondered if Captain Shivernock had any dealings with Hasbrook. He
+was just the man to take the law into his own hands, and assault one who
+had done him a real or a fancied injury. Donald began to think he
+understood why the captain did not wish it to be known that he was on
+Long Island the night before. But the outrage had been committed in
+Lincolnville, which bordered the western arm of Penobscot Bay. It was
+three miles from the main land to the island. If the captain was in
+Lincolnville in "the dead of night," on a criminal errand, what was he
+doing near Seal Harbor, where the Juno was aground, at four o'clock in
+the morning? If he was the guilty party, he would naturally desire to
+get home before daylight. The wind was fair for him to do so, and there
+was enough of it to enable the Juno to make the run in less than two
+hours. It did not seem probable, therefore, that the captain had gone
+over to the other side of the bay, three miles off his course. Besides,
+he was not disguised, but wore his usual gray suit; and Hasbrook ought
+to have been able to recognize him by his form and his dress even in the
+darkest night.
+
+Donald was perplexed and disturbed. If there was any probability that
+Captain Shivernock had committed the crime, our hero was not to be
+bribed by sixty or six thousand dollars to keep the secret. If guilty,
+he would have been more likely to go below and turn in than to walk
+three miles on the island for assistance, and he would not have gone
+three miles off his course. But Donald determined to inquire into the
+matter, and do his whole duty, even if the strange man killed him for
+it. Kennedy was reading his paper while the young man was thinking over
+the case; but, having decided what to do, he interrupted the ship
+carpenter again.
+
+"Are you still out of work, Mr. Kennedy?" he asked.
+
+"I am; and I think I shall go to Bath next week," replied Kennedy.
+
+"I know of a job for you."
+
+[Illustration: THE NEWS FROM LINCOLNVILLE. Page 110.]
+
+"Do you, lad? I don't want to move away from Belfast, and I should be
+glad to get work here. What's the job?"
+
+"We are going to build a yacht of the size of the Sea Foam."
+
+"Who?" inquired the workman.
+
+"My mother and I intend to carry on my father's business."
+
+"And you wish me to manage it for you?"
+
+"No; I intend to manage it myself," added Donald, confidently.
+
+"Well, lad, you are clever enough to do it; and if you are like your
+father, I shall be glad to work for you."
+
+The wages were agreed upon, and Kennedy promised to be at the shop on
+Monday morning, to assist the young boat-builder in selecting the stock
+for the Maud. Donald walked to the house of Captain Shivernock. In the
+yard he found Sykes, the man who did all sorts of work for his employer,
+from taking care of the horses up to negotiating mortgages. Donald had
+occasionally been to the house, and he knew Sykes well enough to pass
+the time of day with him when they met in the street.
+
+"Is Captain Shivernock at home?" asked the young man, trying to appear
+indifferent, for he wanted to get as much information in regard to the
+strange man's movements during the last twenty-four hours as possible.
+
+"No, he is not," replied Sykes, who to some extent aped the manners of
+his eccentric employer.
+
+"Not at home!" exclaimed Donald, who had not expected this answer,
+though he had not found his own boat at her moorings on his return from
+the excursion with the fleet.
+
+"Are you deaf, young man?"
+
+"No, sir; not at all."
+
+"Then you heard me say he was not at home," growled Sykes.
+
+"I want to see him very much. Will he be long away?" asked Donald.
+
+"I can't tell you. He won't come back till he gets ready, if it isn't
+for a month."
+
+"Of course not; but I should like to know when I can probably see him."
+
+"You can probably see him when he comes home. He started in his boat for
+Vinal Haven early this morning."
+
+"This morning?" repeated Donald, who wished to be sure on this point.
+
+"Didn't I say so? This morning. He comes back when he pleases."
+
+"When do you expect him?"
+
+"I don't expect him. I never expect him. He may be home in five minutes,
+in five days, or five weeks."
+
+"At what time this morning did he go?"
+
+"He left the house at five minutes after four this morning, the last
+that ever was. I looked at my watch when he went out at the gate; for I
+was thinking whether or no his boat wasn't aground. Do you want to know
+what he had for breakfast? If you do, you must ask my wife, for I don't
+know," growled Sykes.
+
+"I am very anxious to see him," continued Donald, without heeding the
+sulky tones and manner of the man. "Perhaps he told Mrs. Sykes when he
+should return."
+
+"Perhaps he did, and perhaps he told her how much money he had in his
+pocket. He was as likely to tell her one as the other. You can ask her,"
+sneered Sykes.
+
+As the housekeeper sat on the piazza enjoying the cool evening breeze,
+Donald decided to avail himself of this permission, for he desired to
+know how well the two stories would agree. He saluted the lady, who gave
+him a pleasanter reception than her bearish husband had accorded to him.
+
+"Mr. Sykes told me that Captain Shivernock was away from home," said
+Donald. "Can you tell me when he is likely to return?"
+
+"He intended to come back to-night if the wind favored him. He went to
+Vinal Haven early this morning, and as you are a sailor, you can tell
+better than I whether he is likely to return to-night," replied Mrs.
+Sykes.
+
+"The wind is fair, and there is plenty of it," added Donald. "What time
+did he leave?"
+
+"About four o'clock. I gave him his coffee at half past three, and it
+must have been about four when he went away."
+
+If the outrage at Lincolnville had been committed in "the dead of the
+night," it was perfectly evident to Donald that Captain Shivernock had
+had nothing whatever to do with it. This conclusion was a great relief
+to the mind of the young man; but he had hardly reached it before the
+captain himself passed through the gate, and fixed a searching gaze upon
+him, as though he regarded him as an interloper.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+LAYING DOWN THE KEEL.
+
+
+"What are you doing here, Don John?" demanded Captain Shivernock, as he
+ascended the steps of the piazza.
+
+"I came to see you, sir," replied Donald, respectfully.
+
+"Well, you see me--don't you?"
+
+"I do, sir."
+
+"Have you been talking to Sykes and his wife?" asked the captain,
+sternly.
+
+"I have, sir."
+
+"Have you told them that you saw me on the island?"
+
+"No, sir; not them, nor anybody else."
+
+"It's well for you that you haven't," added the captain, shaking his
+head--a significant gesture, which seemed to relate to the future,
+rather than to the present. "If you lisp a syllable of it, you will
+need a patch on your skull.--Now," he continued, "what do you want of
+me?"
+
+"I wanted to talk about the Juno with you. Perhaps I can find a customer
+for you."
+
+"Come into the house," growled the captain, as he stalked through the
+door.
+
+Donald followed him into a sitting-room, on one side of which was a
+secretary, provided with a writing-desk. The captain tossed his cap and
+overcoat into a chair, and seated himself at the desk. He picked up a
+quill pen, and began to write as though he intended to scratch a hole
+through the paper, making noise enough for a small locomotive. He
+finished the writing, and signed his name to it. Then he cast the
+contents of a sand-box upon it, returning to it the portion which did
+not adhere to the paper. The document looked as though it had been
+written with a handspike, or as though the words had been ploughed in,
+and a furrow of sand left to form the letters.
+
+"Here!" said the captain, extending the paper to his visitor, with a
+jerk, as though he was performing a most ungracious office.
+
+"What is it, sir?" asked Donald, as he took the document.
+
+"Can't you read?" growled the strange man.
+
+Under ordinary circumstances Donald could read--could read writing when
+not more than half the letters were merged into straight lines; but it
+required all his skill, and not a little of his Scotch-Yankee guessing
+ability, to decipher the vagrant, staggering characters which the
+captain had impressed with so much force upon the paper. It proved to be
+a bill of sale of the Juno, in due form, and for the consideration of
+three hundred dollars.
+
+"Surely you cannot mean this, Captain Shivernock?" exclaimed the amazed
+young man.
+
+"Can't I? Do you think I'm a lunatic?" stormed the captain.
+
+Donald did think so, but he was not so imprudent as to say it.
+
+"I can't pay you three hundred dollars for the boat," pleaded he.
+
+"Nobody asked you to pay a red cent. The boat is yours. If you don't
+want her, sell her to the first man who is fool enough to buy her.
+That's all."
+
+"I'm very grateful to you for your kindness, Captain Shivernock; and I
+hope--"
+
+"All stuff!" interposed the strange man, savagely. "You are like the
+rest of the world, and next week you would be as ready to kick me as any
+other man would be, if you dared to do so. You needn't stop any longer
+to talk that sort of bosh to me. It will do for Sunday Schools and
+prayer meetings."
+
+"But I am really--"
+
+"No matter if you are really. Shut up!"
+
+"I hope I shall be able to do something to serve you."
+
+"Bah!"
+
+"Have you heard the news, Captain Shivernock?" asked Donald, suddenly
+changing the topic.
+
+"What news?"
+
+"It's in the _Age_. A man over in Lincolnville, by the name of Hasbrook,
+was taken out of his bed last night, and severely beaten."
+
+"Hasbrook! Served him right!" exclaimed the captain, with a rough string
+of profanity, which cooled the blood of the listener. "He is the biggest
+scoundrel in the State of Maine, and I am much obliged to the man who
+did it. I would have taken a hand with him at the game, if I had been
+there."
+
+[Illustration: THE BILL OF SALE. Page 119.]
+
+This was equivalent to saying that he was not there.
+
+"Do you know this Hasbrook?" asked Donald.
+
+"Do I know him? He swindled me out of a thousand dollars, and I ought to
+know him. If the man that flogged him hasn't finished him, I'll pound
+him myself when I catch him in the right place," replied the strange
+man, violently. "Who did the job, Don John?"
+
+"I don't know, sir. He hasn't been discovered yet."
+
+"If he is discovered, I'll give him five hundred dollars, and pay the
+lawyers for keeping him out of jail. I wish I had done it myself; it
+would make me feel good."
+
+Donald was entirely satisfied that Captain Shivernock had not done it.
+He was pleased, even rejoiced, that his investigation had resulted so
+decidedly in the captain's favor, for he would have been very sorry to
+feel obliged to disregard the injunction of secrecy which had been
+imposed upon him.
+
+"Did you fall in with any one after we parted this morning?" asked
+Donald, who desired to know whether the captain had met Laud Cavendish
+when the two boats appeared to be approaching each other.
+
+"None of your business!" rudely replied the captain, after gazing a
+moment into the face of the young man, as if to fathom his purpose in
+asking the question. "Do you think the world won't move on if you don't
+wind it up? Mind your own business, and don't question me. I won't have
+anybody prying into my affairs."
+
+"Excuse me, sir; I don't wish to pry into your affairs; and with your
+permission I will go home now," replied Donald.
+
+"You have my permission to go home," sneered the strange man; and Donald
+availed himself of it without another instant's delay.
+
+Certainly Captain Shivernock was a very strange man, and Donald could
+not begin to understand why he had given him the Juno and the sixty
+dollars in cash. It was plain enough that he had not been near
+Hasbrook's house, though it was not quite clear how, if he left home at
+four o'clock, he had got aground eight miles from the city at the same
+hour; but there was probably some error in Donald's reckoning. The young
+man went home, and, on the way, having assured himself, to his own
+satisfaction, that he had no painful duty in regard to the captain to
+perform, he soon forgot all about the matter in the more engrossing
+consideration of his great business enterprise. When he entered the
+cottage, his mother very naturally asked him where he had been; and he
+gave her all the details of his interview with Mr. Rodman. Mrs. Ramsay
+was more cheerful than she had been before since the death of her
+husband, and they discussed the subject till bed time. Donald had
+seventy-two dollars in his pocket, including his fees for measuring the
+yachts. It was a new experience for him to keep anything from his
+mother; but he felt that he could not honorably tell her what had passed
+between the captain and himself. He could soon work the money into his
+business, and he need keep it only till Monday. He did not feel just
+right about it, even after he had convinced himself that he ought not to
+reveal Captain Shivernock's secret to her; but I must add,
+confidentially, that it is always best for boys--I mean young men--to
+tell their mothers "all about it;" and if Donald had done so in this
+instance, no harm would have come of the telling, and it might have
+saved him a great deal of trouble, and her a great deal of anxiety, and
+a great many painful doubts. Donald thought his view was correct; he
+meant to do exactly right; and he had the courage to do it, even if
+thereby he incurred the wrath and the vengeance of the strange man.
+
+I have no doubt, from what indications I have of the character of Donald
+Ramsay, that he tried to learn his Sunday School lesson, tried to give
+attention to the sermons he heard, and tried to be interested in the
+good books he essayed to read on Sunday; but I am not sure that he
+succeeded entirely, for the skeleton frame of the Maud would rise up in
+his imagination to cloud the vision of higher things, and the
+remembrance of his relations with Captain Shivernock would thrust itself
+upon him. Yet it is a great deal even to try to be faithful in one's
+thoughts, and Donald was generally more successful than on this
+occasion, for it was not often that he was excited by events so stirring
+and prospects so brilliant. A single week would be time enough to
+accustom the young boat-builder to his occupation and restore his mental
+equilibrium.
+
+The light of Monday morning's sun was very welcome to him; and when only
+its light gleamed in the gray east, he rose from his bed to begin the
+labors of the day. His father had enlarged the shop, so that he could
+build a yacht of the size of the Maud under its roof; and before
+breakfast time, he had prepared the bed, and levelled the blocks on
+which the keel was to rest. At seven o'clock Lawrence Kennedy appeared,
+and together they looked over the stock on hand, and made out a list of
+the pieces of timber and plank that would be required. At first the
+journeyman was inclined to take the lead in the business; but he soon
+found that his youthful employer was entirely familiar with the minutest
+details of the work, and knew precisely how to get out every stick of
+the frame. Donald constantly referred to the model of the Sea Foam,
+which he had already altered in accordance with the suggestions of his
+father, using the inch scale on which the model was projected, to get
+the size of the pieces, so that there should be no unnecessary waste in
+buying.
+
+Kennedy went with him to the lumber wharf, where the stock was carefully
+selected for the frame. Before dinner it was carted over to the shop,
+and in the afternoon the work was actually commenced. The keelson, with
+the aperture for the centre-board nicely adjusted, was laid down,
+levelled, and blocked up, so that the yacht should be as true as a hair
+when completed. The next steps were to set up the stern-post and the
+stem-piece, and Mr. Ramsay's patterns of these timbers were ready for
+use. Donald was tired enough to rest when the clock struck six; but no
+better day's work for two men could be shown than that performed by him
+and his journeyman. Another hand could now work to advantage on the
+frame, and Kennedy knew of a first-rate workman who desired employment.
+He was requested to have him in the shop the next morning.
+
+After supper, Donald went back to the shop to study, rather than to
+work. He seated himself on the bench, and was thinking over the details
+of the work, when, through the window, he saw Laud Cavendish run his
+sail-boat alongside the Juno, which was moored a short distance from the
+shore. Laud wanted to buy a boat, and Donald wanted to sell one. More
+than once he had been tempted to keep the Juno for his own use; but he
+decided that he could not afford such a luxury, even though she had cost
+him nothing. If he kept her, he would desire to use her, and he might
+waste too much of his precious time in sailing her. It would cost money
+as well as time to keep her; for boats are always in need of paint,
+spars, sails, rigging, and other repairs. He was resolute in his purpose
+to dispose of the Juno, lest the possession of her should demoralize
+him, and interfere with his attention to business.
+
+It was plain enough to Donald that he must sell the Juno, though it was
+not as clear that Laud Cavendish could buy her; but he decided to see
+him, and, launching his tender, he pulled out for the Juno. While he was
+plying his oars, it suddenly came across the mind of the young
+boat-builder that he could not sell this boat without exposing his
+relations to Captain Shivernock. He was rather startled by the thought,
+but, before he had followed it out to a conclusion, the tender was
+alongside the Juno.
+
+"How are you, Don John?" said Laud. "I thought I would come down and
+look over the Juno."
+
+"She is a first-rate boat," replied Donald.
+
+"And the captain wants to sell her?"
+
+"She's for sale," replied her owner.
+
+"What's the price of her?"
+
+"Four hundred."
+
+"That's too steep, Don John. It is of no use for me to look at her if
+the captain won't sell her for less than that."
+
+"Say three fifty, then," replied Donald.
+
+"Say three hundred."
+
+"She is worth more money," continued the owner, as he unlocked the
+cuddy. "She has a fine cabin, fitted up like a parlor. Go in and look
+round."
+
+Donald led the way, and pointed out all the conveniences of the cabin,
+eloquently setting forth the qualities of the boat and her
+accommodations.
+
+"I'll give three hundred for her," said Laud.
+
+"She is worth more than that," replied Donald. "Why, she cost the
+captain over five hundred; and I wouldn't build her for a mill less than
+that."
+
+"You?" laughed Laud.
+
+"I'm building a yacht thirty feet long for Sam Rodman; and I'm to have
+twelve hundred for her," answered Donald, struggling to be modest.
+
+"You are some punkins--ain't you, Don John?"
+
+"I can't quite come up to you, Mr. Cavendish."
+
+"Perhaps you will when you are as old as I am."
+
+"Possibly; but it's a big height to reach in two years. A man of your
+size ought not to haggle for fifty dollars on a boat."
+
+"I can't afford to give more than three hundred for the Juno," protested
+Laud, very decidedly.
+
+"Can you afford to give that?" asked Donald, with a smile.
+
+Laud looked at him sharply, and seemed to be somewhat embarrassed.
+
+"I suppose I can't really afford it; but what's life for? We can't live
+it over again, and we ought to make the best of it. Don't you think so?"
+
+"Certainly--the best of it; but there may be some difference of opinion
+in regard to what the best of it may be."
+
+"I mean to be a gentleman, and not a philosopher. I go in for a good
+time. Will you take three hundred for the boat? or will you tell the
+captain I will give that?"
+
+"I can sell her without going to him. I haven't offered her to anybody
+but you, and I have no doubt I can get my price for her."
+
+Laud talked till it was nearly dark; but Donald was firm, and at last he
+carried his point.
+
+"I will give the three hundred and fifty, because I want her very badly;
+but it's a big price," said Laud.
+
+"It's dog cheap," added Donald, who was beginning to think how he should
+manage the business without informing the purchaser that the Juno was
+his own property.
+
+Donald was a young man of many expedients, and he finally decided to ask
+Captain Shivernock to exchange the bill of sale for one conveying the
+boat directly to Laud Cavendish. This settled, he wondered how Laud
+expected to pay for his purchase, for it was utterly incredible to him
+that the swell could command so large a sum as three hundred and fifty
+dollars. After all, perhaps it would not be necessary to trouble the
+captain about the business, for Donald did not intend to give a bill of
+sale without the cash.
+
+"When do you want to close the trade?" he asked.
+
+"I thought we had closed it," replied Laud.
+
+"You want a bill of sale--don't you?"
+
+"No, I don't; I would rather not have one. When I get the boat, I know
+how to keep her. Besides, you will be a witness that I have bought her."
+
+"That isn't the way to do business," protested Donald.
+
+"If I'm satisfied, you need not complain. If I pay you the cash down,
+that ends the matter."
+
+"If you do."
+
+"Well, I will; here and now," added Laud, pulling out his wallet.
+
+"Where did you get so much money, Laud?" asked Donald.
+
+It was doubtless an impertinent question, but it came from the heart of
+him who proposed it; and it was not resented by him to whom it was put.
+On the contrary, Laud seemed to be troubled, rather than indignant.
+
+"Don John, you are a good fellow," said Laud, after a long pause.
+
+"Of course I am."
+
+"For certain reasons of my own, I want you to keep this trade to
+yourself."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"I can't tell you."
+
+"Then I won't do it. If there is any hitch about the money, I won't have
+anything to do with it."
+
+"Any hitch? What do you mean by that?" demanded Laud, with a lofty air.
+
+"It's no use to mince the matter, Laud. Three hundred and fifty dollars
+don't grow on every bush in your or my garden; and I have been
+wondering, all the time, where a fellow like you should get money enough
+to buy a boat like the Juno."
+
+Donald said all this fairly and squarely; but it occurred to him just
+then, that after he had sold the boat, any one might ask him the same
+question, and he should not feel at liberty to answer it.
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Laud.
+
+"Nothing of the sort; and you needn't ride that high horse. I won't sell
+the boat till I know where the money came from."
+
+"Do you doubt my honor?"
+
+"Confound your honor! I think we have said enough."
+
+"If you mean to say that I didn't come honorably by my money, you are
+mistaken."
+
+"Where did you get it, then?"
+
+"Are you always willing to tell where you get every dollar in your
+pocket?" retorted Laud.
+
+That was a home-thrust, and Donald felt it in his trowsers pocket, where
+he kept his wallet.
+
+"I am generally ready to tell where I get my money," he replied, but he
+did not speak with much energy.
+
+Laud looked about him, and seemed to be considering the matter.
+
+"I don't like to be accused of stealing," mused he.
+
+"I don't accuse you of anything," added Donald.
+
+"It's the same thing. If I tell you where I got this money, will you
+keep it to yourself?" asked Laud.
+
+"If it's all right I will."
+
+"Honor bright, Don John?"
+
+"If it's all right."
+
+"O, it is!" protested Laud. "I will tell you; but you must keep the
+secret, whatever happens."
+
+"I will, if everything is as it should be."
+
+"Well, Captain Shivernock gave it to me," said Laud, in confidential
+tones, and after looking about to satisfy himself that no third person
+was within hearing.
+
+"Captain Shivernock!" exclaimed Donald.
+
+"Just so."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I can't tell you any more. The captain would kill me if he found out
+that I had told you so much," answered Laud. "I don't understand the
+matter myself; but the captain gave me that money and fifty dollars
+more;" and he handed Donald the price of the Juno. "You are not to say
+that I have even seen the captain."
+
+"When was this?"
+
+"Last Saturday; but that's all; not another word from me."
+
+"It's very odd," mused Donald.
+
+"You will keep still--won't you?"
+
+"Yes; until I am satisfied the thing is not all right."
+
+"I shall not say that I own the Juno yet a while," added Laud, as he
+returned to the boat in which he had come.
+
+Donald pulled ashore, with the money in his pocket.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE FIRST REGATTA.
+
+
+Donald was not disposed to doubt the truth of Laud Cavendish's story,
+for the circumstances were precisely the same as those under which he
+had received the boat and the money from Captain Shivernock. If he had
+had no experience with the eccentric shipmaster himself, he would have
+doubted the whole explanation, and refused to take the money. He
+recalled the events of Saturday. The last he saw of Laud, on that day,
+was when he ran his boat over towards the Northport shore, whither the
+captain had gone before him. He had lost sight of both their boats at a
+time when it seemed very probable that they would meet. After what Laud
+had just said to him, and with the money he had paid him in his pocket,
+he was confident they had met. The strange man had purchased the silence
+of Laud, as he had his own, and at about the same price.
+
+Donald realized that Captain Shivernock had thrown away about seven
+hundred dollars that morning, and, as he thought of it, he was amazed at
+his conduct; but the captain did not mind paying a thousand dollars any
+time to gratify the merest whim. The young man tried again to fathom the
+motive of his eccentric but liberal patron in thus throwing away such
+large sums, unnecessarily large, to accomplish his object. The
+Lincolnville outrage was the only possible solution; but if he were the
+ruffian, he would not have been on Long Island when he had a fair wind
+to run home, and Sykes and his wife both agreed that he had left the
+house on the morning that Donald had seen him. It was not possible,
+therefore, that the captain was guilty of the outrage. Laud had paid him
+seven fifty dollar bills, and he had over four hundred dollars in his
+pocket. He did not know what to do with it, and feeling that he had come
+honestly by it, he was vexed at the necessity of concealing it from his
+mother; but he was determined to pay it out, as occasion required, for
+stock and hardware for the yacht he was building. When he went to his
+chamber, he concealed three hundred and fifty dollars of the money in a
+secret place in the pine bureau in which his clothes were kept.
+
+The next morning Kennedy appeared with the man he was authorized to
+employ, and the chips flew briskly in the shop all that day. At noon
+Donald went to the wharf where he had bought his stock, and paid the
+bill for it. The lumber dealer commended his promptness, and offered to
+give him credit for any lumber he might need; but Donald proudly
+declared that he should pay cash for all he bought, and he wanted the
+lowest cash prices. On his return to the shop, he entered, in the
+account-book his father had kept, the amount he had expended. The work
+went bravely on, for his two journeymen were interested in his success.
+They were glad to get employment, and desired that the young
+boat-builder should not only build a fine yacht, but should make money
+by the job. The stem-piece and stern-post were set up, and gradually the
+frame began to assume the shape of a vessel. Donald watched the forming
+of the yacht very carefully, and saw that everything was done according
+to the model and the scale.
+
+On Saturday morning Mr. Rodman, accompanied by a friend who was a
+ship-builder, visited the shop to inspect the work. The frame, so far as
+it had been set up, was carefully examined, and the expert cordially
+approved all that had been done, declaring that he had never seen a
+better job in his life. Of course Donald was proud of this partial
+success.
+
+"I have had some doubts, Don John," laughed Mr. Rodman; "but I am
+entirely satisfied now."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I have had no doubts; I could see that frame in my mind
+as plainly before a stick had been touched as I do now."
+
+"You have done well, and I am quite sure that you will make a yacht of
+it. Now, if you will give me a receipt for one hundred dollars, I will
+let you have so much towards the price of the Maud, for I suppose you
+want to pay your men off to-night."
+
+"I have money enough, sir, to pay my men, and I don't ask you for any
+money yet," replied the young boat-builder.
+
+"But I prefer to pay you as the work progresses."
+
+Donald did not object, and wrote the receipt. He was a minor, and his
+mother, who was the administratrix of her husband's estate, was the
+responsible party in the transaction of business; but he did not like to
+sign his mother's name to a receipt, and thus wholly ignore himself,
+and, adopting a common fiction in trade, he wrote, "Ramsay and son,"
+which he determined should be the style of the firm. Ramsay might mean
+his father or his mother, and he had already arranged this matter with
+her. Mr. Rodman laughed at the signature, but did not object to it, and
+Donald put the money in his pocket, after crediting it on the book.
+
+This was the day appointed for the first regatta of the Yacht Club. The
+coming event had been talked about in the city during the whole week,
+not only among the boys, but among the men who were interested in
+yachting. About a dozen yachts had been entered for the race, though
+only four of them belonged to the club; those that were not enrolled
+being nominally in charge of members, in order to conform to the
+regulations. Donald had measured all these boats, and made a schedule of
+them, in which appeared the captain's name, the length of the craft,
+with the correction to be subtracted from the sailing time in order to
+reduce it to standard time. There were columns in the table for the
+starting time, the return time, and the sailing time. The "correction"
+was virtually the allowance which a large yacht made to a smaller one
+for the difference in length.
+
+The club had adopted the regulation of the Dorchester Yacht Club, which
+contained a "table of allowance per mile." In this table, a yacht one
+hundred and ten feet six inches long, is taken as the standard for
+length. The Skylark was just thirty feet long on the water-line, and her
+allowance by the table was two minutes forty-three and four tenths
+seconds for every mile sailed in a regatta. The Sea Foam's length was
+three inches less, and her allowance was one and three tenths seconds
+more. Donald had his table all ready for the use of the judges, of whom
+he had been appointed the chairman. Mr. Montague's large yacht had been
+anchored in the bay, gayly dressed with flags and streamers, to be used
+as the judges' boat. The yachts were to start at ten o'clock.
+
+"I don't want to leave my work a bit," said Donald, as he took off his
+apron. "I may have to lose a whole day in the race, and I can't afford
+it."
+
+"Now, I think you can," replied Kennedy.
+
+"It looks too much like boys' play."
+
+"No matter what it is. If you are going to make a business of building
+yachts and sail-boats, it is for your interest to encourage this sort of
+thing all you can," added Kennedy.
+
+"I think you are right there," answered Donald, who had not before taken
+this view.
+
+"Besides, you ought to see how the boats work. You will get some ideas
+that will be of use to you. You should observe every movement of the
+boats with the utmost care. I think you will make more money attending
+the regattas, if there was one every week, than by working in the shop."
+
+"You are right, Kennedy, and I am glad you expressed your opinions, for
+I shall feel that I am not wasting my time."
+
+"Your father has been to Newport and New York on purpose to attend
+regattas, and I am sure, if he were here now, he would not miss this
+race for a fifty-dollar bill," continued the workman.
+
+Donald was entirely satisfied, and went into the house to dress for the
+occasion. He was soon ready, and walked down the beach towards the
+skiff he used to go off to the sail-boat. The sky was overcast, and the
+wind blew a smashing breeze, promising a lively race. The Juno had been
+entered for the regatta, but she was still at her moorings off the shop,
+and Donald wondered where Laud was, for he had been very enthusiastic
+over the event. Before he could embark, the new proprietor of the Juno
+appeared. He was dressed in a suit of new clothes, wore a new round-top
+hat, and sported a cane in his hand. His mustache had been freshly
+colored, and every hair was carefully placed. He did not look like a
+yachtman; more like a first-class swell.
+
+"I have been all the morning looking for some fellows to sail with me,"
+said Laud. "I can't find a single one. Won't you go with me, Don John?"
+
+"Thank you; I am one of the judges, and I can't go," replied Donald,
+who, if he had not been engaged, would have preferred to sail with some
+more skilful and agreeable skipper than Laud Cavendish.
+
+"Won't your men go with me?"
+
+"I don't know; you can ask them."
+
+"I am entitled to carry five, and I want some live weights to-day, for
+it is blowing fresh," added Laud, as he walked towards the shop.
+
+Neither of Donald's men was willing to lose his time, and as Laud came
+out of the shop, he discovered a young lady walking up the beach towards
+the city. A gust of wind blew her hat away at this moment, and Mr.
+Cavendish gallantly ran after, and recovered it, as Donald would have
+done if he had not been anticipated, for he recognized the young lady as
+soon as he saw her. Even as it was, he was disposed to run after that
+hat, and dispute the possession of it with Mr. Laud Cavendish, for the
+owner thereof was Miss Nellie Patterdale.
+
+"Allow me to return your truant hat, Miss Patterdale," said Laud.
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish," replied Nellie, rather coldly, as she
+resumed her walk towards the place where Donald stood, a few rods
+farther up the beach.
+
+"We have a fine breeze for the race, Miss Patterdale," added Laud,
+smirking and jerking, as though he intended to improve the glorious
+opportunity, for the young lady was not only bewitchingly pretty, but
+her father was a nabob, with only two children.
+
+"Very fine, I should think," she answered; and her tones and manner were
+anything but encouraging to the aspirant.
+
+"I hope you are going to honor the gallant yachtmen with your presence,
+Miss Patterdale."
+
+"I shall certainly see the race.--Good morning, Don John," said she,
+when she came within speaking distance of Donald.
+
+"Good morning, Nellie," replied he, blushing, as he felt the full force
+of her glance and her smile--a glance and a smile for which Laud would
+have sacrificed all he held dear in the world, even to his cherished
+mustache. "Don't you attend the race?"
+
+"Yes, I want to attend now. Ned invited me to go on board of the judge's
+boat; but the sun was out then, and mother would not let me go. Father
+said the day would be cloudy, and I decided to go; but Ned had gone. I
+came down here to see if I couldn't hail him. Won't you take me off to
+the Penobscot in your boat?"
+
+"Certainly I will, with the greatest pleasure," replied Donald, with
+enthusiasm.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Patterdale," interposed Laud. "I am going off
+in the Juno; allow me to tender her for your use. I can take you off,
+Don John, at the same time."
+
+"It's quite rough; as you see, Nellie, and the Juno is much larger than
+my boat. You can go in her more comfortably than in mine," added Donald.
+
+"Thank you; just as you please, Don John," she answered.
+
+"Bring her up to the wharf, Mr. Cavendish," continued Donald.
+
+Laud leaped into his skiff, and pulled off to the Juno, while Nellie and
+Donald walked around to the wharf. In a few moments the boat was ready,
+and came up to the pier, though her clumsy skipper was so excited at the
+prospect of having the nabob's pretty daughter in his boat, that he had
+nearly smashed her against the timbers. The gallant skipper bowed, and
+smirked, and smiled, as he assisted Miss Patterdale to a place in the
+standing-room. Donald shoved off the bow, and the Juno filled her
+mainsail, and went off flying towards the Penobscot.
+
+"It's a smashing breeze," said Donald, as the boat heeled down.
+
+"Glorious!" exclaimed Laud. "Are you fond of sailing, Miss Patterdale?"
+
+"I am very fond of it."
+
+"Perhaps you would like to sail around the course in one of the yachts?"
+suggested the skipper.
+
+"I should be delighted to do so," she replied, eagerly; and she glanced
+at Donald, as if to ascertain if such a thing were possible.
+
+"I should be pleased to have you sail in the Juno," added Laud, with an
+extra smirk.
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish; you are very kind; but perhaps I had better
+not go."
+
+"I should be delighted to have you go with me."
+
+"I don't think you would enjoy it, Nellie," said Donald. "It blows
+fresh, and the Juno is rather wet in a heavy sea."
+
+Laud looked at him with an angry expression, and when Nellie turned away
+from him, he made significant gestures to induce Donald to unsay what he
+had said, and persuade her to go with him.
+
+"I am sure you will be delighted with the sail, Miss Patterdale. You
+will be perfectly dry where you are sitting; or, if not, I have a rubber
+coat, which will protect you."
+
+"I think I will not go," she replied, so coldly that her tones would
+have frozen any one but a simpleton like Laud.
+
+The passage was of brief duration, and Donald assisted Nellie up the
+accommodation steps of the Penobscot, stepping forward in season to
+deprive Laud of this pleasant office.
+
+"I am much obliged to you, Mr. Cavendish," said she, walking away from
+the steps.
+
+"That was mean of you, Don John," muttered Laud, as Donald came down the
+steps to assist in shoving off the Juno.
+
+"What was mean?"
+
+"Why, to tell Nellie she would not enjoy the sail with me."
+
+"She could do as she pleased."
+
+"But you told her the Juno was wet," added Laud, angrily.
+
+"She is wet when it blows."
+
+"No matter if she is. It was mean of you to say anything about it, after
+all I have done for you."
+
+"It wasn't mean to tell the truth, and save her from a ducking, and I
+don't know what you have done for me."
+
+"You don't? Didn't I buy this boat of you, and pay you fifty dollars
+more than she is worth?"
+
+"No, you didn't. But if you are dissatisfied with your bargain, I will
+take her off your hands."
+
+"You! I want the money I paid."
+
+"You shall have it. Come to the shop after the race, and you may throw
+up the trade."
+
+"Will Captain Shivernock pay you back the money?" sneered Laud.
+
+"I'll take care of that, if you want to give her up," added Donald,
+warmly.
+
+"Never mind that now. Can't you persuade Nellie to sail with me?"
+continued Laud, more gently. "If you will, I will give you a five-dollar
+bill."
+
+Donald would have given double that sum rather than have had her go with
+him, and she would have given ten times the amount to avoid doing so.
+
+"I can't persuade her, for I don't think it is best for her to go,"
+replied Donald.
+
+"No matter what you think. You are a good fellow, Don John: do this for
+me--won't you? It would be a great favor, and I shall never forget it."
+
+"Why do you want her to go with you?" demanded Donald, rather
+petulantly. "A yacht in a race is no place for ladies. I can find some
+fellows on board here who will be glad to go with you."
+
+"But I want her to go with me. The fact of it is, Don John, I rather
+like Nellie, and I want to be better acquainted with her."
+
+"If you do, you must paddle your own canoe," replied Donald,
+indignantly, as he ascended the steps, and joined the other two judges
+on deck.
+
+"We are waiting for you, Don John," said Sam Rodman, who was one of
+them.
+
+"It isn't ten yet, and I have the papers all ready. Who is to be
+time-keeper?" asked the chairman.
+
+"I have a watch with a second hand, and I will take that office," said
+Frank Norwood, who was the third.
+
+Most of the yachts were already in line, and the captain of the fleet,
+in the tender of his yacht, was arranging them, the largest to
+windward. The first gun had been fired at half past nine which was the
+signal to get into line, and at the next, the yachts were to get under
+way. All sail except the jib was set, and at the signal each craft was
+to slip her cable, hoist her jib, if she had one, and get under way, as
+quickly as possible. The "rode" was simply to be cast off, for the end
+of it was made fast to the tender, which was used as a buoy for the
+anchor.
+
+"Are they all ready?" asked Donald, as the time drew near.
+
+"All but the Juno. Laud has picked up two live weights, and wants
+another man," replied Sam Rodman.
+
+"We won't wait for him."
+
+But Laud got into line in season. One of the seamen of the Penobscot
+stood at the lock-string of the gun forward, ready to fire when the
+chairman of the judges gave the word.
+
+"Have your watch ready, Frank," said Donald.
+
+"All ready," answered Norwood.
+
+"Fire!" shouted Donald.
+
+Some of the ladies "squealed" when the gun went off, but all eyes were
+immediately directed to the yachts. The Christabel, with a reef in her
+fore and main sails, was next to the Penobscot; then came the Skylark,
+the Sea Foam, and the Phantom. Before the gun was fired, the captain had
+stationed a hand in each yacht at the cable, and others at the
+jib-halyards and down-hauls. The instant the gun was discharged, the
+jibs were run up, and the "rodes" thrown overboard. Some of the yachts,
+however, were unfortunate, and did not obtain a good start. In one the
+jib down-haul fouled, and another ran over her cable, and swamped her
+tender. The conflict was believed to be between the Skylark and the Sea
+Foam, for there was too much wind for the Christabel, which was the
+fastest light-weather craft in the line.
+
+It was a beautiful sight when the yachts went off, with the wind only a
+little abaft the beam. The young gentlemen sailing them were rather
+excited, and made some mistakes. The Skylark at once took the lead, for
+Commodore Montague was the most experienced boatman in the fleet. He
+made no mistakes, and his superior skill was soon evident in the
+distance between him and the Sea Foam.
+
+The crowd of people on the shore and the judges' yacht watched the
+contestants till they disappeared beyond Turtle Head. The boats had a
+free wind both ways, with the exception of a short distance beyond the
+head, where they had to beat up to Stubb's Point Ledge. There was
+nothing for the judges to do until the yachts came in, and Donald spent
+a couple of delightful hours with Nellie Patterdale. Presently the
+Skylark appeared again beyond the Head, leading the fleet as before. On
+she drove, like a bolt from an arrow, carrying a big bone in her mouth;
+and the judges prepared to take her time.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE SKYLARK AND THE SEA FOAM.
+
+
+Frank Norwood was the time-keeper, and he stood with his watch in his
+hand. Each yacht was to pass to windward of the Penobscot, and come
+round her stern, reporting as she did so. Sam Rodman was to call "time"
+when the foremast of each yacht was in range with a certain chimney of a
+house on the main shore. At the word Frank was to give the time, and
+Donald was to write it down on his schedule. Everything was to be done
+with the utmost accuracy. The Skylark was rapidly approaching, with the
+Sea Foam nearly half a mile astern of her. The Phantom and Christabel
+were not far behind the Sea Foam, while the rest were scattered along
+all the way over to Turtle Head.
+
+"Ready there!" shouted Donald, as the Skylark came nearly in range of
+the Penobscot and the chimney.
+
+"All ready," replied Sam Rodman.
+
+The gun forward had been loaded, and a seaman stood at the lock-string,
+to salute the first boat in.
+
+"Time!" shouted Sam, as the mainsail of the Skylark shut in the chimney
+on the shore; and the six-pounder awoke the echoes among the hills.
+
+"Twelve, forty, and thirty-two seconds," added Frank, as he took the
+time from the watch.
+
+"Twelve, forty, thirty-two," repeated Donald, as he wrote it on the
+schedule.
+
+The crowd on the judges' yacht cheered the commodore as the Skylark
+rounded the Penobscot, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs at him
+with desperate enthusiasm.
+
+"I thought you said the Sea Foam was to beat the Skylark," said Nellie
+Patterdale.
+
+"I think she may do it yet," replied Donald.
+
+"And Sam's new boat must beat them both, Don John," laughed Maud Rodman.
+
+"Time!" called Sam.
+
+"Twelve, forty-five, two," added Frank.
+
+"Twelve, forty-five, two," repeated Donald, writing down the time.
+
+By this time the Skylark had come about, not by gybing,--for the wind
+was too heavy to make this evolution in safety,--but had come round head
+to the wind, and now passed under the stern of the Penobscot.
+
+"Skylark!" reported the commodore.
+
+A few minutes later the Sea Foam did the same. The Phantom came in a
+minute after the Sea Foam, and for a few moments the judges were very
+busy taking the time of the next four boats. The Juno did not arrive
+till half past one, and she was the last one. As fast as the yachts
+rounded the Penobscot, they went off to the line and picked up their
+cables and anchors. The captains of the several craft which had sailed
+in the race then boarded the Penobscot to ascertain the decision of the
+judges.
+
+"You waxed me badly, Robert," said Ned Patterdale, who was mortified at
+the defeat of the Sea Foam, though he kept good-natured about it.
+
+"I still think the Skylark can't be beaten by anything of her inches,"
+replied Commodore Montague.
+
+"I am rather disappointed in the Sea Foam," added Ned.
+
+Donald heard this remark, and he was much disturbed by it; for it
+seemed like a reproach upon the skill of his father, and an imputation
+upon the reputation of Ramsay and Son. If the yachts built by the "firm"
+were beaten as badly as the Sea Foam had been, though she had outsailed
+the Phantom, it would seriously injure the business of the concern. The
+defeat of the Sea Foam touched the boat-builder in a tender place, and
+he found it necessary to do something to maintain the standing of the
+firm. He knew just what the matter was; but under ordinary circumstances
+he would not have said a word to damage the pride of the present owner
+of the Sea Foam.
+
+"I am sorry you are not satisfied with her, Ned," said Donald.
+
+"But I expected too much of her; for I thought she was going to beat the
+Skylark," replied Ned Patterdale. "I think you encouraged me somewhat in
+that direction, Don John."
+
+"I did; and I still think she can beat the Skylark."
+
+"It's no use to think so; for she has just beaten me four minutes and a
+half; and that's half a mile in this breeze. Nothing could have been
+more fairly done."
+
+"It was all perfectly fair, Ned; but you know that winning a race does
+not depend entirely upon the boat," suggested Donald, hinting mildly at
+his own theory of the defeat.
+
+"Then you think I didn't sail her well?" said Ned.
+
+"I think you sailed her very well; but it could not be expected that you
+would do as well with her as Bob Montague with the Skylark, for he has
+sailed his yacht for months, while you have only had yours a few weeks.
+This is a matter of business with me, Ned. If our boats are beaten, we
+lose our work. It is bread and butter to me."
+
+"If it was my fault, I am sorry she was beaten, for your sake, Don John;
+but I did my best with her," replied Ned, with real sympathy for his
+friend.
+
+"Of course I am not going to cry over spilt milk."
+
+"Do you really think the Sea Foam can beat the Skylark?"
+
+"I think so; but I may be mistaken. At any rate, I should like the
+chance to sail the Sea Foam with the Skylark. I don't consider it
+exactly an even thing between you and the commodore, because he has had
+so much more experience than you have," replied Donald.
+
+"You believe you can sail the Sea Foam better than I can--do you, Don
+John?"
+
+"It wouldn't be pleasant for me to say that, Ned."
+
+"But that's what you mean?"
+
+"I have explained the reason why I spoke of this matter at all, Ned. It
+is bread and butter to me, and I hope you don't think I am vain."
+
+Ned was a little vexed at the remarks of his friend, and rather
+indignant at his assumed superiority as a boatman. Donald was usually
+very modest and unpretentious. He was not in the habit of claiming that
+he could do anything better than another. Generally, in boating matters,
+when he saw that a thing was done wrong, he refrained from criticising
+unless his opinion was asked, and was far from being forward in
+fault-finding. Though he was an authority among the young men in sailing
+boats, he had not attained this distinction by being a critic and
+caviller. Ned was therefore surprised, as well as indignant, at the
+comments and the assumption of Donald; but a little reflection enabled
+him to see the boat-builder's motive, which was anything but vanity. He
+had some of this weakness himself, and felt that he had sailed the Sea
+Foam as well as any one could have done it, and was satisfied that the
+Skylark was really a faster yacht than his own. The race was plain
+sailing, with a free wind nearly all the way, and there was not much
+room for the exercise of superior skill in handling the craft. At least,
+this was Ned's opinion. If the course had been a dead beat to windward
+for ten miles, the case would have been different; and Ned had failed to
+notice that he had lost half the distance between the Skylark and the
+Sea Foam when he rounded the stake buoy.
+
+It was a fact that among the large party on board the Penobscot, the
+boats of the firm of Ramsay and Son were just then at a discount, and
+those of the Newport builders at a corresponding premium. Donald was
+grieved and vexed, and trembled for the future of the firm of which he
+was the active representative. But he figured up the results of the
+race, and when the captains of all the yachts had come on board of the
+judges' boat, he announced the prizes and delivered them to the winners,
+with a little speech. The silver vase was given to the commodore, with
+liberal and magnanimous commendations both of the yacht and her captain.
+The marine glass was presented to Edward Patterdale, as the winner of
+the second prize, with some pleasant words, which did not in the least
+betray the personal discomfiture of the chairman. There was a further
+ceremony on the quarter-deck of the Penobscot, which was not in the
+programme, and which was unexpected to all except the officers of the
+club.
+
+"Captain Laud Cavendish, of the Juno," said the chairman of the judges,
+who stood on the trunk of the yacht, where all on board, as well as
+those in the boats collected around her, could see him.
+
+Laud stepped forward, wondering what the call could mean.
+
+"I find, after figuring up the results of the race," continued the
+chairman, glancing at the schedule he held in his hand, "that you are
+entitled to the third and last prize. By carefully timing the movements
+of your excellent craft, and by your superior skill in sailing her, you
+have contrived to come in--last in the race; and the officers of the
+club have instructed the judges to award this medal to you. I have the
+honor and the very great pleasure of suspending it around your neck."
+
+The medal was made of sole leather, about six inches in diameter.
+Attached to it was a yard of stove-pipe chain, by which it was hung
+around the neck of the winner of the _last_ prize. A shout of laughter
+and a round of applause greeted the presentation of the medal. Laud did
+not know whether to smile or get mad; for he felt like the victim of a
+practical joke. Miss Nellie Patterdale stood near him, and perhaps her
+presence restrained an outburst of anger. Mr. Montague, the father of
+the commodore, had provided a bountiful collation in the cabin of the
+Penobscot, and the next half hour was given up to the discussion of the
+repast. Laud tried to make himself agreeable to Nellie, and the poor
+girl was persecuted by his attentions until she was obliged to break
+away from him.
+
+"Don John, I am told that everybody is satisfied with this race except
+you," said Commodore Montague, as the party went on deck after the
+collation.
+
+"I am satisfied with it," replied Donald. "Everything has been perfectly
+fair, and the Skylark has beaten the Sea Foam."
+
+"But you still think the Sea Foam can outsail the Skylark?"
+
+"I think so; but of course I may be mistaken."
+
+"You believe that Ned Patterdale didn't get all her speed out of the Sea
+Foam," added the commodore.
+
+"I don't mean to say a word to disparage Ned; but he don't know the Sea
+Foam as you do the Skylark."
+
+"There is hardly a particle of difference between the boats."
+
+"I know it; but you have had so much more experience than Ned, that he
+ought not to be expected to compete with you. If you will exchange
+boats, and you do your best in the Sea Foam, I believe you would beat
+your own yacht. I think Ned does first rate for the experience he has
+had."
+
+"So do I; but I believe the difference is in the sailing of the boats;
+for you may build two yachts as near alike as possible, and one of them
+will do better than the other," said Robert Montague.
+
+"I should like to have you sail the Sea Foam against the Skylark, Bob,"
+added Donald.
+
+"You don't want me to beat my own boat, if I can--do you, Don John?"
+laughed Robert.
+
+"I think you could."
+
+"I'll tell you what I'll do: I'll sail the Skylark against the Sea Foam
+this afternoon, and you shall handle Ned's yacht. I have been talking
+with him about it, and he agrees to it."
+
+"I'm willing, Bob," replied Donald, eagerly.
+
+"All right."
+
+"I hope Ned don't think hard of me for speaking of this matter," added
+Donald. "I wouldn't have uttered a word if this result did not affect
+our business."
+
+"I understand it, Don John; and so does Ned. But I think you are making
+a mistake; for if the Sea Foam is beaten again by the Skylark,--as I
+believe she will be,--it will be all the worse for your firm," laughed
+Robert.
+
+"I am willing to run the risk," replied Donald. "If we can't build a
+boat as fast as the Skylark, I want to know it."
+
+"But, Don John, you don't expect me to _let_ you beat me--do you?"
+
+"Certainly not, Bob. I hope you will do your very best, and I shall be
+satisfied with the result."
+
+It was soon reported over the Penobscot that another race was to be
+sailed immediately, and the report created intense excitement when the
+circumstances of the affair were explained. Judges were appointed, and
+other arrangements concluded. Donald and Ned Patterdale went on board of
+the Sea Foam, and Commodore Montague on board of the Skylark. The two
+yachts anchored in line, with the Skylark to windward, as she was three
+inches longer than the other. The start was to be made at the firing of
+the first gun. Donald took his place at the helm of the Sea Foam, and
+stationed the hands. He was a little afraid that Ned Patterdale was not
+as enthusiastic as he might be; for if his yacht won the race, the
+responsibility for the loss of the first prize in the regatta would rest
+upon him, and not upon his craft. It would not be so pleasant for him to
+know that he had failed, in any degree, as a skipper. The position of
+Donald, therefore, was not wholly agreeable; for he did not like to
+prove that his friend was deficient in skill, though the future
+prosperity of the firm of Ramsay and Son required him to do so.
+
+The wind was even fresher than before, and dark clouds indicated a heavy
+rain before night; but Donald did not heed the weather. He stationed Ned
+in the standing-room to tend the jib-sheets and mind the centre-board.
+Two hands were at the cable, and two more at the jib-halyards.
+
+"Are you all ready forward?" called the skipper _pro tem._ of the Sea
+Foam.
+
+"All ready," replied the hands. And Donald waited with intense interest
+for the gun.
+
+Bang.
+
+"Let go! Hoist the jib!" cried Donald.
+
+The hands forward worked with a will. The rope was thrown into the
+tender, to which the end of it was made fast, and the jib, crackling and
+banging in the stiff breeze, now almost a gale, went up in an instant.
+
+"Haul down the lee jib-sheet," said Donald to his companion in the
+standing-room. And it is but fair to say that Ned worked as briskly as
+the yachtmen at the bow.
+
+The Sea Foam heeled over, as the blast struck her sails, till her rail
+went under; but Donald knew just what she would bear, and kept the
+tiller stiff in his hand. Stationing Dick Adams at the main sheet behind
+him, he placed the others upon the weather side. In a moment more the
+yacht came to her bearings, and lying well over, she flew off on her
+course. She had made a capital start, and the Skylark was equally
+fortunate in this respect. The two yachts went off abeam of each other,
+and for half a mile neither gained a hair upon the other. Then commenced
+the struggle for the victory. First the Skylark gained a few inches;
+then the Sea Foam made half a length, though she immediately lost it;
+for in these relative positions, she came under the lee of her opponent.
+
+Again the Skylark forged ahead, and was a length in advance of the Sea
+Foam, when the yachts came up with Turtle Head.
+
+"You are losing it, Don John," said Ned, apparently not much displeased
+at the result.
+
+"Not yet," replied Donald. "A pull on the main sheet, Dick," added the
+skipper, as he put the helm down. "Give her six inches more
+centre-board, Ned."
+
+"You will be on the rocks, Don John!" shouted the owner of the yacht, as
+the Sea Foam dashed under the stern of the Skylark, and ran in close to
+the shore.
+
+"Don't be alarmed, Ned. Haul down the jib-sheet a little more! Steady!
+Belay!" said the confident skipper.
+
+By this manoeuvre the Sea Foam gained a position to windward of her
+rival; but she ran within half her breadth of beam of the dangerous
+rocks, and Ned expected every instant the race would end in a
+catastrophe. She went clear, however; for Donald knew just the depth of
+water at any time of tide. Both yachts were now under the lee of the
+island, and went along more gently than before. It was plain enough now
+that the Sea Foam had the advantage. Beyond the Head, and near the
+ledge, she was obliged to brace up to the wind, in order to leave the
+buoy on the port, as required by the rule. Donald kept her moving very
+lively, and when she had made her two tacks, she had weathered the buoy,
+and, rounding it, she gybed so near the ledge that the commodore could
+not have crawled in between him and the buoy if he had been near enough
+to do so. Hauling up the centre-board, and letting off the sheets, the
+Sea Foam went for a time before the wind.
+
+When the Skylark had rounded the buoy, and laid her course for Turtle
+Head again, she was at least an eighth of a mile astern of her rival.
+Donald hardly looked at her, but gazed steadfastly at the sails and the
+shore of the island. The sheets had to be hauled in little by little, as
+she followed the contour of the land, till at the point below Turtle
+Head the yacht had the wind forward of the beam. Then came the home
+stretch, and the skipper trimmed his sails, adjusted the centre-board,
+and stationed his crew as live weights with the utmost care. It was only
+necessary for him to hold his own in order to win the race, and he was
+painfully anxious for the result.
+
+[Illustration: DONALD SAILING THE SEA FOAM. Page 166.]
+
+In the Skylark the commodore saw just where he had lost his advantage,
+and regretted too late that he had permitted the Sea Foam to get to
+windward of him; but he strained every nerve to recover his position.
+The wind continued to freshen, and probably both yachts would have done
+better with a single reef in the mainsail; but there was no time to
+reduce sail. As they passed Turtle Head and came out into the open bay,
+the white-capped waves broke over the bows, dashing the spray from
+stem to stern. Neither Donald nor Robert flinched a hair, or permitted a
+sheet to be started.
+
+"You'll take the mast out of her, Don John," said Ned Patterdale, wiping
+the salt water from his face.
+
+"If I do, I'll put in another," replied Donald. "But you can't snap that
+stick. The Skylark's mast will go by the board first, and then it will
+be time enough to look out for ours."
+
+"You have beaten her, Don John," added Ned.
+
+"Not yet. 'There's many a slip between the cup and the lip.'"
+
+"But you are a quarter of a mile ahead of her, at least. It's blowing a
+gale, and we can't carry all this sail much longer."
+
+"She can carry it as long as the Skylark. When she reefs, we will do the
+same. I want to show you what the Sea Foam's made of. She is as stiff as
+a line-of-battle ship."
+
+"But look over to windward, Don John," exclaimed Ned, with evident
+alarm. "Isn't that a squall?"
+
+"No; I think not. It's only a shower of rain," replied Donald. "There
+may be a puff of wind in it. If there is, I can touch her up."
+
+"The Skylark has come up into the wind, and dropped her peak," added
+Norman, considerably excited.
+
+But Donald kept on. In a moment more a heavy shower of rain deluged the
+deck of the Sea Foam. With it came a smart puff of wind, and the skipper
+"touched her up;" but it was over in a moment, and the yacht sped on her
+way towards the goal. Half an hour later she passed the Penobscot, and a
+gun from her saluted the victor in the exciting race. About four minutes
+later came the Skylark, which had lost half this time in the squall.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE LAUNCH OF THE MAUD.
+
+
+The heavy rain had driven nearly all the people on board of the
+Penobscot below, but the judges, clothed in rubber coats, kept the deck,
+in readiness to take the time of the rival yachts. After the squall, the
+weather was so thick that both of them were hidden from view. The craft
+not in the race had anchored near the Penobscot, and on board of all the
+yachts the interest in the result was most intense.
+
+"I'm afraid it will be no race," said Sam Rodman, who was now the
+chairman of the judges.
+
+"The commodore will put the Skylark through, whatever the weather,"
+replied Frank Norwood.
+
+"Don John will keep the Sea Foam flying as long as Bob runs the Skylark,
+you may depend."
+
+"It was quite a little squall that swept across the bay just now," added
+Rodman. "I hope no accident has happened to them."
+
+"I'll risk the accidents. I would give a dollar to know which one was
+ahead."
+
+"Not much doubt on that point."
+
+"I think there is. Don John generally knows what he is about. He don't
+very often say what he can do, but when he does, he means it."
+
+"The commodore is too much for him."
+
+"Perhaps he is, but I have hopes of the Sea Foam. Don John is building
+the Maud for me, and I have some interest in this race. I don't want a
+yacht that is to be beaten by everything in the fleet. If the Skylark is
+too much for the Sea Foam, the chance of the Maud won't be much better."
+
+The judges discussed the merits of the two yachts for half an hour
+longer, and there was as much difference of opinion among them as among
+the rest of the spectators of the race.
+
+"There's one of them!" shouted Frank Norwood, as the Sea Foam emerged
+from the cloud of mist which accompanied the rain.
+
+"Which is it?" demanded Rodman.
+
+"I can't make her out," replied Norwood, for the yacht was over a mile
+distant.
+
+"But where is the other? One of them is getting badly beaten," added
+Rodman.
+
+"That must be the Skylark we see."
+
+"I don't believe it is. It is so thick we can't make her out, but her
+sails look very white. I think it is the Sea Foam."
+
+"There's the other!" exclaimed Norwood, as the Skylark was dimly
+perceived in the distance.
+
+"She is half a mile astern. It is a bad beat for one of them."
+
+"That's so; and if it is the Sea Foam, I shall want to throw up the
+contract for the Maud," said Rodman.
+
+"There is one thing about it; both of those craft are good sea boats,
+and if they can carry whole jib and mainsail in this blow, they are just
+the right kind of yachts for me. I like an able boat, even if she don't
+win any prizes. Give me a stiff boat before a fast one."
+
+"I should like to have mine both stiff and fast."
+
+"Look at the Christabel. She went round the course with a reef in the
+fore and main sails, and was beaten at that," added Norwood. "Here comes
+the head boat. It is the Skylark, as sure as you live."
+
+"Not much, Frank. Do you see her figure-head? Is it a bird?" demanded
+Rodman, triumphantly.
+
+"It isn't; that's a fact."
+
+"That's the Sea Foam fast enough."
+
+This was exciting news, and Sam Rodman walked rapidly to the
+companion-way of the Penobscot.
+
+"Yachts in sight!" shouted he to the people below.
+
+"Which is ahead?" asked Mr. Montague.
+
+"The Sea Foam," replied Rodman.
+
+"I'm so glad!" exclaimed Miss Nellie Patterdale.
+
+Mr. Montague and Captain Patterdale only laughed, but they were
+sufficiently interested to go on deck in spite of the pouring rain, and
+they were followed by many others.
+
+"Time!" shouted Sam Rodman, as the gun was fired.
+
+"Four, thirty-two, ten," added Frank Norwood; and the figures were
+entered upon the schedule.
+
+The Sea Foam passed the judges' yacht, came about, and went under her
+stern.
+
+"The Sea Foam," shouted Donald.
+
+Though the spectators were not all satisfied with the result, they gave
+three cheers to the victorious yacht, magnanimously led off by Mr.
+Montague himself.
+
+"Time!" called Sam, as the Skylark came into the range of the chimney on
+shore.
+
+"Four, thirty-six, twelve," said Norwood.
+
+The Skylark came about, and passed under the stern of the Penobscot,
+reporting her name. The judges went below, and figured out the result,
+by which it appeared that the Sea Foam had beaten the Skylark, after the
+correction for the three inches' difference in length, by three minutes
+fifty-nine and four tenths seconds.
+
+Donald was the first to come on board of the Penobscot, and was
+generously congratulated on his decisive victory, especially by Mr.
+Montague, the father of the commodore. Robert followed him soon after,
+and every one was curious to know what he would say and do.
+
+"Don John, you have beaten me," exclaimed he, grasping the hand of
+Donald. "You have done it fairly and handsomely, and I am ready to give
+up the first prize to the Sea Foam."
+
+The party in the cabin of the Penobscot heartily applauded the conduct
+of the commodore.
+
+"You are very kind and generous, Bob," replied Donald, deeply moved by
+the magnanimity of the commodore.
+
+"When I am whipped, I know it as well as the next man. The silver vase
+belongs to the Sea Foam."
+
+"Not at all," protested Donald. "This last race was not for the vase,
+and you won the first one fairly."
+
+"Of course the vase belongs to the commodore," added Rodman. "The judges
+have already awarded and presented the prizes."
+
+This was the unanimous sentiment of all concerned, and Robert consented
+to retain the first prize.
+
+"I say, Don John," continued the commodore, removing his wet coat and
+cap, "I want to have an understanding about the affair. While I own that
+the Skylark has been beaten, I am not so clear that the Sea Foam is the
+faster boat of the two."
+
+"I think she is, commodore," laughed Donald; "though I believe I
+understand your position."
+
+"We made an even thing of it till we came up with Turtle Head--didn't
+we?"
+
+"Yes, that's so. If either gained anything for the moment, he lost it
+again," replied Donald.
+
+"Then, if we made exactly the same time to Turtle Head, it seems to me
+the merits of the two boats are about the same."
+
+"Not exactly, commodore. You forgot that the Skylark has to give time to
+the Sea Foam--one and three-tenths seconds per mile; or about eight
+seconds from here to the Head."
+
+"That's next to nothing," laughed Robert. "But I was a length ahead of
+you."
+
+"I let you gain that, so that I could go to windward of you."
+
+"You made your first point by running nearer to the rocks than I like to
+go, by which you cut off a little of the distance; and inches counted in
+so close a race."
+
+"That's part of the game in sailing a race."
+
+"I know that, and it's all perfectly fair. I lost half my time when the
+squall came. I thought it was going to be heavier than it proved to be."
+
+"I threw the Sea Foam up into the wind when it came," said Donald.
+
+"But you didn't drop your peak, and I lost two minutes in doing it. Now,
+Don John, I can put my finger on the four minutes by which you beat me;
+and I don't think there is any difference between the two yachts."
+
+"You forget the allowance."
+
+"That's nothing. In all future regattas the result will depend more upon
+the sailing than upon the boats."
+
+"I think you are quite right, Bob; and the fellow who makes the most
+mistakes will lose the race. But when the Maud is done she is going to
+beat you right along, if she has anything like fair play," laughed
+Donald.
+
+"She may if she can," replied Robert.
+
+The reputation of Ramsay & Son, boat builders, was greatly increased by
+the result of the race. If Edward Patterdale was a little mortified to
+have it demonstrated that the Sea Foam had lost the first prize by his
+own want of skill and tact in sailing her, he was consoled by the fact
+that Commodore Montague, who had the credit of being the best skipper in
+Belfast, had been beaten by his yacht. When the shower was over the
+party went on shore, and Donald hastened to the shop to attend to
+business. He found that his men had done a good day's work in his
+absence, and he related to Kennedy all the particulars of the two
+races.
+
+"It would have been a bad egg for you if you had not been present," said
+Kennedy, much interested in the story. "In these regattas the sailing of
+the yacht is half the battle, and these young fellows may ruin your
+reputation as a boat-builder, if you don't look out for them."
+
+"When I heard Ned Patterdale say he was disappointed in the Sea Foam, I
+felt that our business was nearly ruined. I think I have done a good
+thing for our firm to-day."
+
+"So you have, Donald; and when the Maud is finished, I hope you will
+sail her yourself in the first race she enters."
+
+"I will, if Sam Rodman consents."
+
+Donald paid off his men that night from the money received from Mr.
+Rodman. The next week he employed another hand, and worked diligently
+himself. Every day his mother came out to see how the work progressed,
+as she began to have some hope herself of the success of the firm of
+Ramsay & Son. Donald paid her all the fees he received for measuring
+yachts, and thus far this had been enough to support the family. She
+did not inquire very closely into the financial affairs of the concern,
+and the active member of it was not very communicative; but she had
+unbounded confidence in him, and while he was hopeful she was satisfied.
+
+It would be tedious to follow the young builder through all the details
+of his business. The frame of the Maud was all set up in due time, and
+then planked. By the first of August, when the vacation at the High
+School commenced, she was ready to be launched. All the joiner work on
+deck and in the cabin was completed, and had received two coats of
+paint. Mr. Rodman had paid a hundred dollars every week on account,
+which was more than Donald needed to carry on the work, and the affairs
+of Ramsay & Son were in a very prosperous condition.
+
+On the day of the launch, the Yacht Club attended in a body, and all the
+young ladies of the High School were present. Miss Maud Rodman, with a
+bottle in her hand, had consented formally to give her own name to the
+beautiful craft. Nellie Patterdale was to be on deck with her, attended
+by Donald and Sam Rodman. The boarding at the end of the shop had been
+removed, to allow the passage of the yacht into her future element. The
+ways had been laid down into the water, and well slushed. It was high
+tide at ten o'clock, and this hour had been chosen for the great event.
+
+"Are you all ready, Mr. Kennedy?" asked Donald.
+
+"All ready," replied the workman.
+
+"Let her slide!" shouted the boat-builder.
+
+A few smart blows with the hammers removed the dog-shores and the
+wedges, and the Maud began to move very slowly at first. Those on deck
+were obliged to stoop until the hull had passed out of the shop.
+
+"Now stand up," said Donald, as the yacht passed the end of the shop;
+and he thrust a long pole, with a flag attached to the end, into the
+mast hole.
+
+The boat increased her speed as she advanced, and soon struck the water
+with a splash.
+
+"Now break the bottle, Maud," added Donald.
+
+"I give this yacht the name of Maud," said Miss Rodman, in a loud tone,
+as she broke the bottle upon the heel of the bowsprit.
+
+"Won't she tip over, Don John?" asked Nellie.
+
+"Not at all; nearly all her ballast has been put into her, and she will
+stand up like a queen on the water," answered Donald, proudly, as he
+realized that the launch was a perfect success.
+
+Loud cheers from the crowd on shore greeted the yacht as she went into
+the embrace of her chosen element. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs,
+and the gentlemen their hats. Maud and Nellie returned the salute, and
+so did Sam Rodman; but Donald was too busy, just then, even to enjoy his
+triumph. As the hull slid off into the deep water, the boat-builder
+threw over the anchor, and veered out the cable till her headway was
+checked. The Maud rested on the water as gracefully as a swan, and the
+work of the day was done.
+
+Hardly had the yacht brought up at her cable, when the Juno, in which
+Laud Cavendish had been laying off and on where he could see the launch,
+ran alongside of her.
+
+"Keep off!" shouted Donald; "you will scrape her sides."
+
+"No; hold on, Don John; I have a cork fender," replied Laud, as he threw
+his painter on board of the Maud. "Catch a turn--will you?"
+
+"Don't let him come on board, if you can help it," whispered Nellie
+Patterdale. "He is a terrible bore."
+
+"I can help it," replied Donald, as, with a boat-hook he shoved off the
+bow of the Juno.
+
+Then, for the first time, he observed that Laud had a passenger, a man
+whom he remembered to have seen before, though he did not think where.
+
+"What are you about, Don John?" demanded Laud.
+
+"Keep off, then," replied Donald. "We don't want any visitors on board
+yet. We are going to haul her up to the wharf at once."
+
+"But I came off to offer the ladies a passage to the shore," said Laud.
+
+"They don't want any passage to the shore."
+
+"Good morning, Miss Patterdale," added Laud, as Nellie went to the rail
+near the Juno. "Allow me to offer you a place in this boat to convey you
+to the shore."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Cavendish; I intend to remain where I am," replied she,
+rather haughtily.
+
+"I shall be happy to take you out to sail, if you will do me the honor
+to accompany me; and Miss Rodman, too, if she will go."
+
+"No, I thank you; I am otherwise engaged," answered Nellie, as she
+retreated to the other side of the yacht.
+
+"I say, Donald, let me come on board," asked Laud, who was desperately
+bent upon improving his acquaintance with Nellie Patterdale.
+
+"Not now; you can come on board at the wharf."
+
+Donald was resolute, and Laud, angry at his rebuff, filed away.
+
+"Here is a man that wants to see you, Don John," shouted Laud, as he ran
+his boat up to the Maud again.
+
+"I can't see him now," replied Donald.
+
+Kennedy now came alongside in the skiff, bringing a warp-line from the
+shore, by which the Maud was hauled up to the wharf. The spectators went
+on board, and examined the work. Many of them crawled into the cabin and
+cook-room, and all of them were enthusiastic in their praise, though a
+few seasoned it with wholesome criticism. Some thought the cabin ought
+to be longer, evidently believing that it was possible to put a quart of
+water into a pint bottle; others thought she ought to be rigged as a
+schooner instead of a sloop, which was a matter of fancy with the owner;
+but all agreed that she was a beautiful yacht. In honor of the event,
+and to please the young people, Mr. Rodman had prepared a collation at
+his house, to which the members of the Yacht Club and others were
+cordially invited. Kennedy and the other men who worked on the Maud were
+included in the invitation, and the afternoon was to be a holiday. Laud
+Cavendish, who had moored the Juno and come on shore, liberally
+interpreted the invitation to include himself, and joined the party,
+though he was not a member of the club. Some people have a certain
+exuberance on the side of their faces, which enables them to do things
+which others cannot do.
+
+"I want to see you, Don John," said Laud, as the party began to move
+from the wharf towards the mansion of Mr. Rodman.
+
+"I'll see you this evening," replied Donald, who was anxious to gain a
+position at the side of Miss Nellie Patterdale.
+
+"That will be too late. You saw the man in the Juno with me--didn't
+you?" continued Laud, proceeding to open his business.
+
+"I saw him."
+
+"Did you know him?"
+
+"No; though I thought I had seen him before," replied Donald, as they
+walked along in the rear of the party.
+
+"He is the man who was beaten within an inch of his life over to
+Lincolnville, a while ago."
+
+"Hasbrook?"
+
+"Yes, his name is Jacob Hasbrook."
+
+"He was with us in the library of Captain Patterdale the day we were
+there, when the man had a sun-stroke."
+
+"Was he? Well, I don't remember that. Folks say he is a big rascal, and
+the licking he got was no more than he deserved. He was laid up for a
+month after it; but now he and the sheriff are trying to find out who
+did it."
+
+Donald was interested, in spite of himself, and for the time even forgot
+the pleasant smile of Nellie, which was a great deal for him to forget.
+
+"Has he any idea who it was that beat him?"
+
+"I don't know whether he has or not. He only asks questions, and don't
+answer any. You know I met you over to Turtle Head the morning after the
+affair in Lincolnville."
+
+"I remember all about it," answered Donald.
+
+"I saw you in the Juno afterwards. By the way, Don John, you didn't
+tell me how you happened to be in the Juno at that time. I don't
+recollect whether you had her at Turtle Head, or not. I don't think I
+saw her there, at any rate."
+
+"No matter whether you did or not. Go on with your story, for we are
+almost to Mr. Rodman's house," replied Donald, impatiently.
+
+"Well, after I left you, I ran over towards Saturday Cove," continued
+Laud. "You know where that is."
+
+"Of course I do."
+
+This was the place towards which Captain Shivernock had gone in the
+sail-boat, and where Laud had probably seen him, when he gave him the
+money paid for the Juno. Laud did not say that this was the time and
+place he had met the captain, but Donald was entirely satisfied on this
+point.
+
+"From Saturday Cove I ran on the other tack over to Gilky's Harbor,"
+added Laud.
+
+"Did you see anybody near the cove?"
+
+"I didn't say whether I did or not," replied Laud, after some
+hesitation, which confirmed Donald's belief that he had met the captain
+on this occasion. "Never mind that. Off Gilky's Harbor I hailed Tom
+Reed, who had been a-fishing. It seems that Tom told Hasbrook he saw me
+that forenoon, and Hasbrook has been to see me half a dozen times about
+it. I don't know whether he thinks I am the fellow that thrashed him, or
+not. He has pumped me dry about it. I happened to let on that I saw you,
+and Hasbrook wants to talk with you."
+
+By this time they reached Mr. Rodman's house, and to the surprise of
+Donald, Laud Cavendish coolly walked into the grounds with him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE WHITE CROSS OF DENMARK.
+
+
+Laud Cavendish was at Donald's side when they entered the grounds of Mr.
+Rodman, where the tables were spread under the trees in the garden. As
+the collation was in honor of the launch of the Maud, of course the
+young boat-builder was a person of no little consequence, and being with
+him, Laud was permitted to enter the grounds unchallenged; but they soon
+separated.
+
+Donald was disturbed by what Laud had told him, and he did not wish to
+answer any questions which might be put to him by Hasbrook, who was
+evidently working his own case, trying to ascertain who had committed
+the outrage upon him. He did not wish to tell whom he had seen on that
+Saturday forenoon, and thus violate the confidence of Captain
+Shivernock. But he was entirely satisfied that the captain had nothing
+to do with it, for he had not left his house until after the deed was
+done, according to the testimony of Sykes and his wife, whom he had
+separately interviewed. To decline to answer Hasbrook's questions, on
+the other hand, was to excite suspicion. He could not tell any lies
+about the case. If he could, it would have been easily managed; as it
+was, the situation was very awkward. But he had not time to think much
+of the matter, for one and another began to congratulate him upon the
+success of the launch, the fine proportions and the workmanship of the
+Maud. The praise of Captain Patterdale was particularly agreeable to
+him; but the best news he heard was that Major Norwood intended to have
+a yacht built for his son, and would probably give the job to Ramsay &
+Son.
+
+"Well, Don John, you are a real lion," laughed Nellie Patterdale, when,
+at last, the young boat-builder obtained a place at her side, which had
+been the objective point with him since he entered the grounds.
+
+"Better be a lion than a bear," replied Donald.
+
+"Everybody says you have built a splendid yacht, and Maud is delighted
+to have it named after her."
+
+"I think the Sea Foam ought to have been called the Nellie," added
+Donald.
+
+"Pooh! I asked Ned to call her the Sea Foam."
+
+"If I ever build a yacht on my own account, I shall certainly name her
+the Nellie Patterdale," continued Donald, though the remark cost him a
+terrible struggle.
+
+"I thank you, Don John; but I hope you will never build one on your own
+account, then," answered she, with a slight blush.
+
+"Why, wouldn't you like to have a boat named after you?" asked he,
+rather taken aback at her reply.
+
+"I shouldn't like to have my whole name given to a boat. It is too
+long."
+
+"O, well! Then I shall call her the Nellie."
+
+"You are too late, Don John," laughed Laud Cavendish, who was standing
+within hearing distance, and who now stepped forward, raised his hat,
+bowed, and smirked. "I have already ordered the painter to inscribe that
+word on the bows and stern of the Juno, for I never liked her present
+name."
+
+Nellie blushed deeper than before, but it was with anger this time,
+though she made no reply to Laud's impudent remark. At this moment Mr.
+Rodman invited the party to gather around the tables and partake of the
+collation.
+
+"Will Miss Patterdale allow me to offer her my arm?" added Laud, as he
+thrust his elbow up before her.
+
+"No, I thank you," she replied, walking towards the tables, but keeping
+at Donald's side.
+
+The boat-builder had not the courage to offer her his arm, though some
+of the sons of the nabobs had done so to the ladies; but he kept at her
+side. Laud was desperate, for Nellie seemed to be the key of destiny to
+him. If he could win her heart and hand, or even her hand without the
+heart, his fortune would be made, and the wealth and social position of
+which cruel fate had thus far robbed him would be obtained. Though she
+snubbed him, he could not see it, and would not accept the situation. If
+Donald had not been there, she would not have declined his offered arm;
+and he regarded the boat-builder as the only obstacle in his path.
+
+"I wish you had not invited that puppy, Don John," said Nellie, as they
+moved towards the tables; and there was a snap in her tones which
+emphasized the remark.
+
+"I didn't invite him," replied Donald, warmly.
+
+"He came in with you, and Mr. Rodman said you must have asked him."
+
+"Indeed, I did not; I had no right to invite him," protested Donald.
+
+Nellie immediately told this to the host of the occasion, and in doing
+so she left Donald for a moment.
+
+"Why don't you get out of the way, Don John, when you see what I am up
+to?" said Laud, in a low tone, but earnestly and indignantly, as though
+Donald had stepped between him and the cheerful destiny in which his
+imagination revelled.
+
+"What are you up to?"
+
+"I told you before that I liked Nellie, and you are all the time coming
+between me and her. She would have taken my arm if you had stepped
+aside."
+
+"I don't choose to step aside," added Donald.
+
+"I want to get in there, Don John," added Laud, in a milder tone.
+
+"Paddle your own canoe."
+
+"You don't care anything about her."
+
+"How do you know I don't?"
+
+"Do you?"
+
+"That's my affair."
+
+"She don't care for you."
+
+"Nor you, either."
+
+"Perhaps not now, but I can make it all right with her," said Laud, as
+he twirled his colored mustache, which he probably regarded as a
+lady-killer. "Besides, you are not old enough to think of such things
+yet, Don John."
+
+"Well, I don't think of such things yet," replied Donald, who really
+spoke only the truth, so far as he was consciously concerned.
+
+"But you ought not to stick by her to-day. You are the boat-builder, and
+you should bestow your attentions upon Maud Rodman, after whom the yacht
+was named. She is the daughter of the man who gave you the job. If you
+will just keep away from Nellie, I can paddle my own canoe, as you say."
+
+"Mr. Cavendish," interposed Mr. Rodman, "I believe you are not a member
+of the Belfast Yacht Club."
+
+"I am not yet, but I intend to join," replied Laud.
+
+"In the mean time, this occasion is for the members of the club and
+their friends; and I wish to suggest the propriety of your withdrawing,
+as I believe you are here without an invitation," added Mr. Rodman.
+
+"I came with Don John," said Laud, rather startled by the plain speech
+of the host.
+
+"If Don John invited you--"
+
+"I didn't invite him, or any one else. I did not consider that I had any
+right to do so," protested Donald, as he walked forward and joined
+Nellie.
+
+Laud could not gainsay this honest avowal; but there was no limit to his
+wrath at that moment, and he determined to punish the boat-builder for
+"going back" on him, as he regarded it.
+
+The collation was a sumptuous one, for when Belfast nabobs do anything,
+they do it. The guests had good appetites, and did abundant justice to
+the feast. The incident of which Laud Cavendish had been the central
+figure caused some talk and some laughter.
+
+"He had the impudence to say he was going to name his boat after me,"
+said Nellie Patterdale. "He don't like the name of Juno."
+
+"Does he own the Juno?" asked Captain Patterdale, quietly.
+
+"I suppose he does."
+
+"How is that, Don John?" added the captain.
+
+"Yes, sir, he owns her; Captain Shivernock got tired of the Juno, and
+Laud bought her."
+
+Captain Patterdale made a note of that piece of information, and
+regarded it as a clew to assist in the discovery of the tin box, which
+had not yet been found, though the owner and the deputy sheriff had been
+looking diligently for it ever since its disappearance.
+
+"What did he pay for her?" inquired Captain Patterdale.
+
+"Three hundred and fifty dollars," answered Donald, who hoped he would
+not be asked of whom Laud had bought the Juno.
+
+The captain did not ask the question, for it seemed to be self-evident
+that he had purchased her of Captain Shivernock. Indeed, nothing more
+was said about the matter. A dance on the shaven lawn followed the
+collation, and the guests remained until the dews of evening began to
+fall. Donald walked home with Nellie, and then went to the shop. He
+expected to find Hasbrook there, but he had returned to Lincolnville. He
+saw that the sails for the Maud had been sent down during his absence,
+and on the desk lay the bill for them, enclosed in an envelope, directed
+to "Messrs. Ramsay & Son." While he was looking at it, Mr. Leach, the
+sail-maker, entered the shop. He had come to look after his money, for
+possibly he had not entire confidence in the financial stability of the
+firm.
+
+"Have you looked over those sails, Don John?" asked Leach.
+
+"Not yet; it is rather too dark to examine them to-night," replied
+Donald.
+
+"That's the best suit of sails I ever made," added the sail-maker. "You
+said you wanted the best that could be had."
+
+"I did." And Donald unrolled them. "They look like a good job."
+
+"If they are not as good as anything that ever went on a boat, I'll make
+you another suit for nothing. I was in hopes you would look them over
+to-night. I don't want to trouble you, Don John, but I'm a little short
+of money. Captain Patterdale has a mortgage on my house, and I like to
+pay the interest on it the day it is due. You said you would let me have
+the money when the sails were delivered."
+
+"And so I will."
+
+"If they are not all right, I will make them so," added Leach. "I should
+like to pay the captain my interest money to-night, if I can."
+
+"You can. I will go into the house and get the money."
+
+Donald went to his room in the cottage, and took from their hiding-place
+the bills which had been paid to him by Laud Cavendish for the Juno.
+Without this he had not enough to pay the sail-maker. He did not like to
+use this money, for he was not fully satisfied that Laud would not get
+into trouble on account of it, or that he might not himself have some
+difficulty with Captain Shivernock. He feared that he should be called
+upon to refund this money; but Mr. Rodman would pay him another
+instalment of the price of the Maud in a few days, and he should then be
+in condition to meet any demand upon him. Laud had paid him seven
+fifty-dollar bills, and he put them in his pocket. As he passed through
+the kitchen, he lighted the lantern, and returned to the shop.
+
+"I didn't mean to dun you up so sharp for this bill," said Leach; "but I
+haven't a dollar in my pocket at this minute, and I am very anxious to
+be punctual in the payment of my interest."
+
+"It's all right; I had as lief pay it now as at any other time. In fact,
+I like to pay up as soon as the work is done," replied Donald, as he
+handed the sail-maker three of the fifty-dollar bills, which was the
+price agreed upon for the sails, five in number.
+
+Leach looked carefully at each of the bills. All of them were quite new
+and fresh, and one was peculiar enough to attract the attention of any
+one through whose hands it might pass. It was just like the others, but
+at some period, not very remote in its history, it had been torn into
+four parts. It might have been in a sheet of note paper, torn up by some
+one who did not know the bill was between the leaves. It had been mended
+with two narrow slips of thin, white paper, extending across the length
+and width of the bill, like the horizontal white cross on the flag of
+Denmark.
+
+"That bill has been in four pieces," said Leach, as he turned it over
+and examined it; "but I suppose it is good."
+
+"If it is not, I will give you another for it," answered Donald.
+
+"It is all here; so I think it is all right. I wonder who tore it up."
+
+"I don't know; it was so when I took it."
+
+"I am very much obliged to you, Don John; and the next time I make a
+suit of sails for you, you needn't pay me till you get ready," said the
+sail-maker, as he put the money in his wallet.
+
+"I didn't pay for this suit till I got ready," laughed the boat-builder;
+"and when you get up another, I hope I shall be able to pay you the cash
+for them."
+
+Leach left the shop a happy man; for most men are cheerful when they
+have plenty of money in their pocket. He was more especially happy
+because, being an honest man, he was able now to pay the interest on the
+mortgage note on the day it was due. He had worked half the night before
+in order to finish the sails, so that he might get the money to pay it.
+With a light step, therefore, he walked to the elegant mansion of
+Captain Patterdale, and rang the bell at the library door. There was a
+light in the room, which indicated that the captain was at home. He was
+admitted by the nabob himself, who answered his own bell at this door.
+
+"I suppose you thought I wasn't going to pay my interest on the day it
+was due," said Leach, with a cheerful smile.
+
+[Illustration: THE SAIL-MAKER'S BILL. Page 199.]
+
+"On the contrary, I didn't think anything at all about it," replied
+Captain Patterdale. "I was not even aware that your interest was due
+to-day."
+
+"I came pretty near not paying it, for work has been rather slack this
+season; but the firm of Ramsay & Son helped me out by paying me promptly
+for the sails I made for the Maud."
+
+"Ramsay & Son is a great concern," laughed the nabob.
+
+"It pays promptly; and that's more than all of them do," added Leach,
+drawing his wallet from his pocket.
+
+"I haven't your note by me, Mr. Leach," said Captain Patterdale; but he
+did not consider it necessary to state that the important document was
+at that moment in the tin box, wherever the said tin box might be. "I
+will give you a receipt for the amount you pay, and indorse it upon the
+note when I have it."
+
+"All right, captain."
+
+"Do you know how much the interest is? I am sure I have forgotten,"
+added the rich man.
+
+"I ought to know. I have had to work too hard to get the money in time
+to forget how much it was. It is just seventy dollars," answered Leach.
+
+"You needn't pay it now, if you are short."
+
+"I'm not short now. I'm flush, for which I thank Don John," said the
+sail-maker, as he placed two of the fifty-dollar bills on the desk, at
+which the captain was writing the receipt.
+
+The uppermost of the two bills was the mended one, for Leach thought if
+there was any doubt in regard to this, it ought to be known at once. If
+the nabob would take it, the matter was settled. Captain Patterdale
+wrote the receipt, and did not at once glance at the money.
+
+"There's a hundred, captain," added the sail-maker.
+
+The rich man picked up the bills, and turned over the upper one. If he
+did not start, it was not because he was not surprised. He was utterly
+confounded when he saw that bill, and his thoughts flashed quickly
+through his mind. But he did not betray his thoughts or his emotions,
+quick as were the former, and intense as were the latter. He took up the
+mended bill, and looked it over several times.
+
+"That's the white cross of Denmark," said he, suppressing his emotions.
+
+"Isn't the bill good?" asked the sail-maker.
+
+"Good as gold for eighty-eight cents on a dollar," replied the captain.
+
+"Then it is not good," added Leach, who did not quite comprehend the
+nabob's mathematics.
+
+"Yes, it is."
+
+"But you say it is worth only eighty-eight cents on a dollar."
+
+"That is all any paper dollar is worth when gold is a little rising
+fourteen per cent. premium. The bill is perfectly good, in spite of the
+white cross upon it. You want thirty dollars change."
+
+The captain counted out this sum, and handed it to the debtor.
+
+"If the bill isn't good, I can give you another," replied Leach, as he
+took the money.
+
+"It is a good bill, and I prefer it to any other for certain reasons of
+my own. It has the white cross of Denmark upon it; at least, the white
+bars on this bill remind me of the flag of that nation."
+
+"It's like a flag--is it?" added the sail-maker, who did not understand
+the rich man's allusion.
+
+"Like the flag of Denmark. I made a voyage to Copenhagen once, and this
+bill reminds me of the merchant's flag, which has a couple of white bars
+across a red ground. Where did you say you got this bill, Mr. Leach?"
+
+"Don John gave it to me, not half an hour ago."
+
+"It has been torn into quarters some time, and the pieces put together
+again. Did Don John mend the bill himself?"
+
+"No, sir; he says the bill is just as it was when he received it. I
+looked at it pretty sharp when I took it; but he said if it wasn't good,
+he would give me another."
+
+"It is perfectly good. Did he tell you where he got the bill?" asked
+Captain Patterdale, manifesting none of the emotion which agitated him.
+
+"No, sir; he did not. I didn't ask him. If it makes any difference, I
+will do so."
+
+"It makes no difference whatever. It is all right, Mr. Leach."
+
+The sail-maker folded up his receipt, and left the library. He went home
+with eighty dollars in his pocket, entirely satisfied with himself, with
+the nabob, and especially with the firm of Ramsay & Son. He did not care
+a straw about the white cross of Denmark, so long as the bill was good.
+Captain Patterdale was deeply interested in the bill which bore this
+mark, and possibly he expected to conquer by this sign. He was not so
+much interested in the bill because he had made a voyage up the Baltic
+and seen the white cross there, as because he had seen it on a bill in
+that tin box. He was not only interested, but he was anxious, for the
+active member of the firm of Ramsay & Son seemed to be implicated in a
+very unfortunate and criminal transaction.
+
+More than once Captain Patterdale had observed the pleasant relations
+between Don John and his fair daughter. As Nellie was a very pretty
+girl, intelligent, well educated, and agreeable, and in due time would
+be the heiress of a quarter or a half million, as the case might be, he
+was rather particular in regard to the friendships she contracted with
+the young gentlemen of the city. Possibly he did not approve the
+intimacy between them. But whatever opinions he may have entertained in
+regard to the equality of social relations between his daughter and the
+future partner of her joys and sorrows, we must do him the justice to
+say that he preferred honor and honesty to wealth and position in the
+gentleman whom Nellie might choose for her life companion. The
+suspicion, or rather the conviction, forced upon him by "the white cross
+of Denmark," that Donald was neither honest nor honorable, was vastly
+more painful than the fact that he was poor, and was the son of a mere
+ship carpenter.
+
+Certainly Nellie did like the young man, though, as she was hardly more
+than a child, it might be a fancy that would pass away when she realized
+the difference between the daughter of a nabob and the son of a ship
+carpenter. While he was thinking of the subject, Nellie entered the
+library, as she generally did when her father was alone there. She was
+his only confidant in the house in the matter of the tin box, and he
+determined to talk with her about the painful discovery he had just
+made.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+DONALD ANSWERS QUESTIONS.
+
+
+"Well, Nellie, did you have a good time to-day?" asked Captain
+Patterdale, as his daughter seated herself near his desk.
+
+"I did; a capital time. Everybody seemed to enjoy it," replied she.
+
+"But some seemed to enjoy it more than others," added the captain, with
+a smile.
+
+"Now, father, you have something to say," said she, with a blush. "I
+wish you would say it right out, and not torment me for half an hour,
+trying to guess what it is."
+
+"Of course, if I hadn't anything to say, I should hold my tongue,"
+laughed her father.
+
+"Everybody don't."
+
+"But I do."
+
+"Do you think I enjoyed the occasion more than any one else, father?"
+
+"I thought you were one of the few who enjoyed it most."
+
+"Perhaps I was; but what have I done?"
+
+"Done?"
+
+"What terrible sin have I committed now?"
+
+"None, my child."
+
+"But you are going to tell me that I have sinned against the letter of
+the law of propriety, or something of that kind. This is the way you
+always begin."
+
+"Then this time is an exception to all other times, for I haven't a word
+of fault to find with you."
+
+"I am so glad! I was trying to think what wicked thing I had been
+doing."
+
+"Nothing, child. Don John seemed to be supremely happy this afternoon."
+
+"I dare say he was; but the firm of Ramsay & Son had a successful
+launch, and Don John had compliments enough to turn the head of any one
+with a particle of vanity in his composition."
+
+"No doubt of it; and I suppose you were not behind the others in adding
+fuel to the flame."
+
+"What flame, father?"
+
+"The flame of vanity."
+
+"On the contrary, I don't think I uttered a single compliment to him."
+
+"It was hardly necessary to utter it; but if you had danced with him
+only half as often, it would have flattered his vanity less."
+
+"How could I help it, when he asked me? There were more gentlemen than
+ladies present, and I did not like to break up the sets," protested
+Nellie.
+
+"Of course not; but being the lion of the occasion, don't you think he
+might have divided himself up a little more equitably?"
+
+"I don't know; but I couldn't choose my own partner," replied Nellie,
+her cheeks glowing.
+
+"You like Don John very well?"
+
+"I certainly do, father," replied she, honestly. "Don't you?"
+
+"Perhaps it don't make so much difference whether I like him or not."
+
+"You have praised him to the skies, father. You said he was a very smart
+boy; and not one in a hundred young fellows takes hold of business with
+so much energy and good judgment. I am sure, if you had not said so much
+in his favor, I shouldn't have thought half so much of him," argued
+Nellie.
+
+"I don't blame you for thinking well of him, my child," interposed her
+father. "I only hope you are not becoming too much interested in him."
+
+"I only like him as a good-hearted, noble fellow," added Nellie, with a
+deeper blush than before, for she could not help understanding just what
+her father meant.
+
+"He appears to be a very good-hearted fellow now; but he is young, and
+has not yet fully developed his character. He may yet turn out to be a
+worthless fellow, dissolute and dishonest," continued the captain.
+
+"Don John!" exclaimed Nellie, utterly unwilling to accept such a
+supposition.
+
+"Even Don John. I can recall more than one young man, who promised as
+well as he does, that turned out very badly; and men fully developed in
+character, sustaining the highest reputations in the community, have
+been detected in the grossest frauds. I trust Don John will realize the
+hopes of his friends; but we must not be too positive."
+
+"I can't believe that Don John will ever become a bad man," protested
+Nellie.
+
+"We don't know. 'Put not your trust in princes,' in our day and nation,
+might read, 'Put not your trust in young men.'"
+
+"Why do you say all this, father?" asked Nellie, anxiously. "Has Don
+John done anything wrong; or is he suspected of doing anything wrong?"
+
+"He is at least suspected," replied Captain Patterdale.
+
+"Why, father!"
+
+"You need not be in haste to condemn him, or even to think ill of him,
+Nellie."
+
+"I certainly shall not."
+
+"There is the white cross of Denmark," added the captain, holding up the
+bank bill which had told him such a terrible story about the
+boat-builder.
+
+"What is it, father? It looks like a bank note."
+
+"It is; but there is the white cross of Denmark on it."
+
+"I don't understand what you mean."
+
+"I only mean that these white slips of paper make the bill look like the
+flag of Denmark."
+
+Nellie took the bill and examined it.
+
+"It has been torn into four pieces and mended," said she.
+
+"That is precisely how it happens to be the white cross of Denmark. Do
+you think, if you had ever seen that bill before, you would recognize it
+again, if it fell into your hands?" added the captain.
+
+"Certainly I should."
+
+"Well, it has been in my hands before. Do you remember the day that
+Michael had the sun-stroke?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and your tin box disappeared that day."
+
+"Precisely so; and this bill was in that tin box. Jacob Hasbrook, of
+Lincolnville, paid me a note. I put the money in the box, intending to
+take it over to the bank before night, and deposit it the next day. I
+looked at the bill when I counted the money, and I spoke to Hasbrook
+about it. I called it the white cross of Denmark then."
+
+"Where did you get it now?" inquired Nellie, her heart in her throat
+with anxiety.
+
+"Mr. Leach, the sail-maker, paid it to me just before you came into the
+library."
+
+"Mr. Leach!" exclaimed she, permitting herself to be cheered by a ray of
+hope that her father was not working up a case against Donald Ramsay.
+
+"Yes; you remember who were in the library on the day I lost the tin
+box."
+
+"I remember very well; for all of you went out and carried Michael into
+the house. Besides we talked about the box ever so long. You asked me
+who had been in the library while you were up stairs; and I told you Mr.
+Hasbrook, Laud Cavendish, and Don John."
+
+"Precisely so; I remember it all very distinctly. Now, one of the bills
+that was in that box comes back to me."
+
+"But it was paid to you by Mr. Leach."
+
+"It was; but he had it from Don John half an hour before he paid it to
+me."
+
+"Why, father!" exclaimed Nellie, with real anguish; for even a suspicion
+against Donald was a shock to her. "I can never believe it!"
+
+"I don't wish you to believe anything yet; but you may as well be
+prepared for anything an investigation may disclose."
+
+"That Don John should steal!" ejaculated Nellie. "Why, we all considered
+him the very soul of honor!"
+
+"You are getting along faster than I do with your conclusions, child,"
+added Captain Patterdale. "A suspicion is not proof. The bill came from
+him, beyond a doubt. But something can be said in his favor, besides the
+statement that his character is excellent. Of the three persons who were
+in the library that day, two of them had wagons on the street. It does
+not seem probable that Don John walked through the city with that tin
+box in his hand. If he did, some one must have seen it. Of course he
+would not have carried it openly, while it could easily have been
+concealed in the wagon of Hasbrook or Laud Cavendish."
+
+"Certainly; if Don John had taken it, he would not have dared to carry
+it through the streets," added Nellie, comforted by the suggestion.
+
+"Again, if he had stolen this white cross of Denmark, he would not have
+been likely to pass it off here in Belfast," continued the captain; "for
+he is sharp enough to see that it would be identified as soon as it
+appeared. Very likely Mr. Leach told him he intended to pay me some
+money, and he surely would not have allowed the bill to come back to
+me."
+
+"I know he didn't do it," cried Nellie, with enthusiasm.
+
+"You are too fast again, child. It is possible that he did, however
+improbable it may seem now, for rogues often make very silly blunders.
+Is Edward in the house?"
+
+"I think so; he was reading the _Age_ when I came in."
+
+"Tell him to go down and ask Don John to come up and see me. We will
+have the matter cleared up before we sleep. But, Nellie, don't tell
+Edward what I want to see Don John for. Not a word about that to any
+one. By keeping my own counsel, I may get at the whole truth; whereas
+the thief, if he gets wind of what I am doing, may cover his tracks or
+run away."
+
+"I will be very discreet, father," replied Nellie, as she left the
+library.
+
+In a few moments she returned.
+
+"He has gone, father; though he is very tired," said she.
+
+"I suppose he is; but I don't want to believe that Don John is a thief
+even over one night," replied the captain.
+
+"He asked me what you wanted of Don John; but I didn't tell him."
+
+The father and daughter discussed the painful suspicion until Donald
+arrived, and entered the library with Edward. A conversation on
+indifferent topics was continued for some time, and the boat-builder
+wondered if he had been sent for to talk about the launch of the Maud,
+which was now an old story.
+
+"How is the wind, Edward?" asked Captain Patterdale.
+
+"'Sou'-sou'-west, half west," laughed Edward, who understood precisely
+what his father meant by his question; and bidding Donald good night, he
+left the library, without the formality of saying he would go and see
+which way the wind was.
+
+"You know which way the wind is, Nellie; and so you need not leave,"
+added the captain, as she rose from her seat to follow the example of
+her brother.
+
+"So did Ned, for he told you," she answered.
+
+"And you heard him, and know also."
+
+When Captain Patterdale had private business with a visitor, and he
+wished any member of his own family to retire, he always asked which way
+the wind was.
+
+"Don John, you had a great success in the launch of the Maud to-day,"
+said the nabob; but as the same thing had been said half a dozen times
+before since the boat-builder entered the room, it was hardly to be
+regarded as an original idea; and Donald was satisfied that the launch
+was not the business upon which he had been sent for.
+
+"Yes, sir; we got her off very well," he replied. "I was sorry I
+couldn't launch her with the mast stepped, so as to dress her in the
+colors."
+
+"In that case, you would have needed the flags of all nations. I have
+them, and will lend them to you any time when you wish to make a
+sensation."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"I have here the white cross of Denmark," added the captain, holding up
+the mended bill.
+
+"A fifty-dollar white-cross," laughed Donald. "I have seen it before."
+
+"This bill?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I paid it to Mr. Leach for the Maud's sails since dark,"
+answered Donald, so squarely that the nabob could not help looking at
+his daughter and smiling.
+
+"He said you paid promptly, which is a solid virtue in a business man.
+By the way, Don John, you will be out of work as soon as the Maud is
+finished."
+
+"I hope to have another yacht to build by that time, especially if the
+Maud does well."
+
+"I wanted to say a word to you about that, and tell you some good news,
+Don John," continued Captain Patterdale, as calmly as though he had no
+interest whatever in the mended bill. "I had a long talk with Mr.
+Norwood this afternoon. He says he shall give you the job if the Maud
+sails as well as the Skylark or the Sea Foam. He don't insist that she
+shall beat them."
+
+"But I expect she will do it; if she don't I shall be disappointed,"
+added Donald.
+
+"Don't expect too much, Don John. I thought you would sleep better if
+you knew just how Mr. Norwood stood on this question."
+
+"I shall, sir; and I am very much obliged to you."
+
+"Do you think you will make any money on the building of the Maud?"
+asked the nabob.
+
+"Yes, sir. I think I shall do pretty well with her."
+
+"You seem to have money enough to pay your bills as you go along. Did
+Mr. Rodman pay you this bill?" inquired the captain, as he held up the
+cross again.
+
+"No, sir; he did not. I have had that bill in the house for some time,"
+replied Donald.
+
+"Are you so flush as that?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I had considerable cash in the house."
+
+"Your father left something, I suppose."
+
+"Yes, sir; but he never had that bill and the other two I paid Mr.
+Leach," replied Donald; and he could not help thinking all the time that
+they were a part of the sum Laud Cavendish had paid him for the Juno,
+under promise not to say where he got it, if everything was all right.
+
+Though the boat-builder was a square young man, he could not help being
+somewhat embarrassed, for his sense of honor did not permit him to
+violate the confidence of any one.
+
+"If it is a fair question, Don John, where did you get this bill?" asked
+the captain.
+
+Donald thought it was hardly a fair question under the circumstances,
+and he made no answer, for he was thinking how he could get along
+without a lie, and still say nothing about Laud's connection with the
+bill, for that would expose Captain Shivernock.
+
+"You don't answer me, Don John," added the nabob, mildly.
+
+"I don't like to tell," replied Donald.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I promised not to do so."
+
+"You promised not to tell where you got this money?"
+
+Poor Nellie was almost overwhelmed by these answers on the part of
+Donald, and her father began to have some painful doubts.
+
+"I did, sir; that is, I promised not to tell if everything about the
+money was all right."
+
+"If you don't tell where you got the money, how are you to know whether
+everything is all right or not?" demanded Captain Patterdale, in sharper
+tones than he had yet used.
+
+"Well, I don't know," answered the boat-builder, not a little confused,
+and sadly troubled by the anxious expression on Miss Nellie's pretty
+face.
+
+Perhaps her father, who understood human nature exceedingly well, had
+required her to remain in the library during this interview, for a
+purpose; but whether he did or not, Donald was really more concerned
+about her good opinion than he was about that of any other person in the
+world, unless it was his mother. He was conscious that he was not
+making a good appearance; and under the sad gaze of those pretty eyes,
+he was determined to redeem himself.
+
+"You ought not to make such promises, Don John," said the captain; and
+this time he spoke quite sternly.
+
+"You have that bill, sir. Is there anything wrong about it?" asked
+Donald.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then my promise covers nothing. Laud Cavendish paid me that bill,"
+added the boat-builder.
+
+"Laud Cavendish!" exclaimed Nellie.
+
+Her father shook his head, to intimate that she was to say nothing.
+
+"Laud Cavendish gave you this bill?" repeated the captain.
+
+"Yes, sir, and six more just like it; only the others were not mended. I
+paid Mr. Leach three of them, and here are the other four," said Donald,
+producing his wallet, and taking from it the four bills, which he had
+not returned to their hiding-place in the bureau.
+
+Captain Patterdale examined them, and compared them with the two in his
+possession. They looked like the bills he had deposited in the tin box,
+when Hasbrook paid him the thirteen hundred and fifty dollars and
+interest. Twelve of the bills which made up this sum were fifties,
+nearly new; the balance was in hundreds, and smaller notes, older, more
+discolored, and worn.
+
+"Laud Cavendish paid you three hundred and fifty dollars, then?"
+continued the nabob.
+
+"Yes, sir; just that. But what is there wrong about it?" asked Donald,
+trembling with emotion, when he realized what a scrape he had got into.
+
+"Following your example, Don John, I shall for the present decline to
+answer," replied the captain. "If you don't know--"
+
+"I don't!" protested Donald, earnestly.
+
+"If you don't know, I thank God; and I congratulate you that you don't
+know."
+
+"I haven't the least idea."
+
+"Of course, if you don't wish to answer any question I may ask, you can
+decline to answer, as I do, Don John."
+
+"I am entirely willing to answer any and every question that concerns
+me."
+
+"As you please; but you can't be called upon to say anything that will
+criminate yourself."
+
+"Criminate myself, sir!" exclaimed Donald, aghast. "I haven't done
+anything wrong."
+
+"I don't say that you have, Don John; more than that, I don't believe
+you have; but if you answer any question of mine, you must do it of your
+own free will and accord."
+
+"I will, sir."
+
+"For what did Laud Cavendish pay you three hundred and fifty dollars?"
+
+"For the Juno," replied Donald, promptly.
+
+"I did not know he owned the Juno."
+
+"He said he did to-day; at least, he said he was going to change her
+name," added Nellie.
+
+"The fact that I did not know it doesn't prove that it was not so. You
+sold the Juno to Laud, did you, Don John?"
+
+"I did, sir."
+
+"Did you own the Juno?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Did you buy her of Captain Shivernock?"
+
+"No, sir; I did not buy her; he made me a present of her."
+
+"A present!"
+
+"Yes, sir; he got disgusted with her, and gave her to me. I could not
+afford to keep her, and sold her to Laud Cavendish."
+
+"Gave her to you! That's very strange."
+
+"But Captain Shivernock is a very strange man."
+
+"None will dispute that," replied Captain Patterdale, with a smile and a
+shrug of the shoulders. "That man throws away his property with utter
+recklessness; and I should not be surprised if he ended his life in the
+almshouse. I will not ask any explanation of the conduct of Captain
+Shivernock. Laud Cavendish is not a man of means. Did he tell you,
+Donald, where he got his money to buy a boat worth three hundred and
+fifty dollars?"
+
+"He did, sir, and explained the matter so that I was satisfied; for I
+would not sell him the Juno till he convinced me that there was no hitch
+about the money."
+
+"Well, where did he get it?"
+
+"I don't feel at liberty to tell, sir; for he told me it was a great
+secret, which did not affect him, but another person. I inquired into
+the matter myself, and was satisfied it was all right."
+
+"I am afraid you have been deceived, Don John; but I am convinced you
+have done no wrong yourself--at least, not intentionally. Secrets are
+dangerous; and when people wish you to conceal anything, you may
+generally be sure there is something wrong somewhere, though it may look
+all right to you. I have no more questions to ask to-night, Don John;
+but I may wish to see you again in regard to this subject. I must see
+Mr. Laud Cavendish next."
+
+[Illustration: DONALD ANSWERS QUESTIONS. Page 225.]
+
+Donald declared that he was ready to give all the information in his
+power; and after a little chat with Nellie, he went home, with more on
+his mind than had troubled him before, since he could remember.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+MOONLIGHT ON THE JUNO.
+
+
+Donald felt that he was in hot water, in spite of the assurance of
+Captain Patterdale that he believed him innocent of all wrong, and he
+was sorry that he had made any bargains, conditional or otherwise, with
+Captain Shivernock or Laud Cavendish. The nabob would not tell him what
+was wrong, and he could not determine whether Laud or some other person
+had stolen the money. He went into the house on his return from the
+elegant mansion. His mother had gone to watch with a sick neighbor,
+though his sister Barbara was sewing in the front room.
+
+Donald was troubled, not by a guilty conscience, but by the fear that he
+had innocently done wrong in concealing his relations with Captain
+Shivernock and with Laud Cavendish. Somehow the case looked different
+now from what it had before. Laud had told where he got his money, and
+given a good reason, as it seemed to him at the time, for concealment;
+but why the strange man desired secrecy he was utterly unable to
+imagine. He almost wished he had told Captain Patterdale all about his
+meeting with Captain Shivernock on Long Island, and asked his advice. It
+was not too late to do so now. Donald was so uneasy that he could not
+sit in the house, and went out doors. He walked about the beach for a
+time, and then sat down in front of the shop to think the matter over
+again.
+
+Suddenly, while he was meditating in the darkness, he saw the trunk
+lights of the Maud illuminated, as though there was a fire in her cabin.
+He did not wait to study the cause, but jumping into his skiff, he
+pushed off, and sculled with all his might towards the yacht. He was mad
+and desperate, for the Maud was on fire! He leaped on board, with the
+key of the brass padlock which secured the cabin door in his hand; but
+he had scarcely reached the deck before he saw a man on the wharf
+retreating from the vicinity of the yacht. Then he heard the flapping of
+a sail on the other side of the pier; but he could not spend an instant
+in ascertaining who the person was. He opened the cabin door, and
+discovered on the floor a pile of shavings in flames. Fortunately there
+was a bucket in the standing-room, with which he dashed a quantity of
+water upon the fire, and quickly extinguished it. All was dark again;
+but to make sure, Donald threw another pail of water on the cabin floor,
+and then it was not possible for the fire to ignite again.
+
+Although the deck had been swept clean before the launch, the side next
+to the wharf was littered with shavings, and a basket stood there, in
+which they had been brought on board, for it was still half full. Donald
+found that one of the trunk lights had been left unfastened, in the
+hurry and excitement of attending the festival at Mr. Rodman's house.
+Through the aperture the incendiary had stuffed the shavings, and
+dropped a card of lighted matches upon them, for he saw the remnants of
+it when he threw on the first water. Who had done this outrageous deed?
+Donald sprang upon the wharf as he recalled the shadowy form and the
+flapping sail he had seen. Leaping upon the pier, he rushed over to the
+other side, where he discovered a sail-boat slowly making her way, in
+the gentle breeze, out of the dock.
+
+Beyond a peradventure, the boat was the Juno. Her peculiar rig enabled
+him readily to identify her. Was Laud Cavendish in her, and was he
+wicked enough to commit such an act? Donald returned to the Maud to
+assure himself that there was no more fire in her. He was satisfied that
+the yacht was not injured, for he had extinguished the fire before the
+shavings were well kindled. He fastened the trunk lights securely,
+locked the cabin door, and taking possession of the basket, he embarked
+in his skiff again. Sculling out beyond the wharf, he looked for the
+Juno. The wind was so light she made but little headway, and was
+standing off shore with the breeze nearly aft. It was Laud's boat, but
+it might not be Laud in her. Why should the wretch attempt to burn the
+Maud?
+
+Then the scene in Mr. Rodman's garden, when Laud had been invited to
+leave, came to his mind, and Donald began to understand the matter.
+While he was thinking about it, the moon came out from behind a cloud
+which had obscured it, and cast its soft light upon the quiet bay,
+silvering the ripples on its waters with a flood of beauty.
+
+Donald glanced at the basket in the skiff, still half filled with
+shavings. It was Laud's basket, beyond a doubt, for he had often seen
+it when the owner came down to the shore to embark in his boat. The
+initials of his father's name, "J. C.," were daubed upon the outside of
+it, for there is sometimes as much confusion in regard to the ownership
+of baskets as of umbrellas. Donald was full of excitement, and full of
+wrath; and as soon as he got the idea of the guilty party through his
+head, he sculled the skiff with all the vigor of a strong arm towards
+the Juno, easily overhauling her in a few moments. He was so excited
+that he dashed his skiff bang into the Juno, to the serious detriment of
+the white paint which covered her side.
+
+"What are you about, Don John?" roared Laud Cavendish, who had seen the
+approaching skiff, but had not chosen to hail her.
+
+"What are you about?" demanded Donald, answering the question with
+another, Yankee fashion, as he jammed his boat-hook into the side of the
+Juno, and drew the skiff up to the yacht, from which it had receded.
+
+Taking the painter, he jumped on the forward deck of the Juno, with the
+boat-hook still in his hand.
+
+"What do you mean by smashing into me in that kind of style, and jabbing
+your boat-hook into the side of my boat?" cried Laud, as fiercely as he
+could pitch his tones, though there seemed to be a want of vim to them.
+
+"What do you mean by setting the Maud afire?" demanded Donald. "That's
+what I want to know."
+
+"Who set her afire?" replied Laud, in rather hollow tones.
+
+"You did, you miserable spindle-shanks!"
+
+"I didn't set her afire, Don John," protested Laud.
+
+"Yes, you did! I can prove it, and I will prove it, too."
+
+"You are excited, Don John. You don't know what you are talking about."
+
+"I think I do, and I'll bet you'll understand it, too, if there is any
+law left in the State of Maine."
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"I mean what I say, and say what I mean."
+
+"I haven't been near the Maud."
+
+"Yes, you have! Didn't I see you sneaking across the wharf? Didn't I see
+your mainsail alongside the pier? You can't humbug me. I know a pint of
+soft soap from a pound of cheese," rattled Donald, who could talk very
+fast when he was both excited and enraged; and Laud's tongue was no
+match for his member.
+
+"I tell you, I haven't been near the Maud."
+
+"Don't tell me! I saw it all; I have two eyes that I wouldn't sell for
+two cents apiece; and I'll put you over the road at a two-forty gait."
+
+Laud saw that it was no use to argue the point, and he held his peace,
+till the boat-builder had exhausted his rhetoric, and his stock of
+expletives.
+
+"What did you do it for, Laud?" asked he, at last, in a comparatively
+quiet tone.
+
+"I have told you a dozen times I didn't do it," replied the accused.
+"You talk so fast I can't get a word in edgeways."
+
+"It's no use for you to deny it," added Don John.
+
+"Do you think I'd burn your yacht?"
+
+"Yes, I do; and I know you tried to do it. If I hadn't been over by the
+shop, you would have done it."
+
+[Illustration: DON JOHN VISITS THE JUNO. Page 230.]
+
+"I didn't do it, I repeat. Do you think I would lie about it? Do you
+think I have no sense of honor about me!"
+
+"Confound your honor!" sneered Donald.
+
+"Don't insult me. When you assail my honor, you touch me in a tender
+place."
+
+"In a soft place, and that's in your head."
+
+"Be careful, Don John. I advise you not to wake a sleeping lion."
+
+"A sleeping jackass!"
+
+"I claim to be a gentleman, and my honor is my capital stock in life."
+
+"You have a very small capital to work on, then."
+
+"I warn you to be cautious, Don John. My honor is all I have to rest
+upon in this world."
+
+"It's a broken reed. I wouldn't give a cent's worth of molasses candy
+for the honor of a fellow who would destroy the property of another,
+because he got mad with him."
+
+In spite of his repeated warnings, Laud Cavendish was very forbearing,
+though Donald kept the boat-hook where it would be serviceable in an
+emergency.
+
+"No, Don John, I did not set the Maud afire. Though you went back on me
+this afternoon, and served me a mean and shabby trick, I wouldn't do
+such a thing as burn your property."
+
+"Who went back on you?" demanded Donald.
+
+"You did; when you could have saved me from being driven out of the
+garden, you took the trouble to say, you did not invite me," replied
+Laud, reproachfully.
+
+"I didn't invite you; and I had no right to invite you."
+
+"No matter for that; if you had just said that your friend, Mr.
+Cavendish, had come in with you it would have been all right."
+
+"My friend, Mr. Cavendish!" repeated Donald, sarcastically. "I didn't
+know I had any such friend."
+
+"I didn't expect that of you, after what I had done for you, Don John."
+
+"Spill her on that tack! You never did anything for me."
+
+"I took that boat off your hands, and I suppose you got a commission for
+selling her. Wasn't that doing something for you?"
+
+"No!" protested Donald.
+
+"I have always used you well, and done more for you than you know of.
+You wouldn't have got the job to build the Maud if it hadn't been for
+me. I spoke a good word for you to Mr. Rodman," whined Laud.
+
+"You!" exclaimed Donald, disgusted with this ridiculous pretension. "If
+you said anything to Mr. Rodman about it, I wonder he didn't give the
+job to somebody else."
+
+"You think I have no influence, but you are mistaken; and if you insist
+on quarrelling with me, you will find out, when it is too late, what
+folks think of me."
+
+"They think you are a ninny; and when they know what you did to-night,
+they will believe you are a knave," replied Donald. "You didn't cover
+your tracks so that I couldn't find them; and I can prove all I say. I
+didn't think you were such a rascal before."
+
+"You won't make anything out of that sort of talk with me, Don John,"
+said Laud, mildly. "You provoke me to throw you overboard, but I don't
+want to hurt you."
+
+"I'll risk your throwing me overboard. I can take care of myself."
+
+"I said I didn't want to hurt you, and I don't. I didn't set your boat
+afire; I wouldn't do such a thing."
+
+"You can tell that to Squire Peters to-morrow."
+
+"You don't mean to say that you will prosecute me, Don John?"
+
+"Yes; I do mean it."
+
+"I came down from the harbor, and tacked between those two wharves,"
+explained Laud. "I was standing off on this tack when you bunted your
+skiff into me. That's all I know about it."
+
+"But I saw you on the wharf. No matter; we won't argue the case here,"
+said Donald, as he made a movement to go into his skiff.
+
+"Hold on, Don John. I want to talk with you a little."
+
+"What about?"
+
+"Two or three things. I am going off on a long cruise in a day or two. I
+think I shall go as far as Portland, and try to get a situation in a
+store there."
+
+"I don't believe you will have a chance to go to Portland, or anywhere
+else, unless it's Thomaston, where the state prison is located."
+
+"I didn't think you would be so rough on me, Don John. I didn't set your
+boat afire; but I can see that it may go hard with me, because I
+happened to be near the wharf at the time."
+
+"You will find that isn't the worst of it," added Donald.
+
+"What is the worst of it?"
+
+"Never mind; I'll tell Squire Peters to-morrow, when we come together."
+
+"Don't go to law about it, Don John; for though I didn't do it, I don't
+want to be hauled up for it. Even a suspicion is sometimes damaging to
+the honor of a gentleman."
+
+"You had better come down from that high horse, and own up that you set
+the Maud afire."
+
+"Will you agree not to prosecute, if I do?" asked Laud.
+
+Donald, after his anger subsided, thought more about the "white cross of
+Denmark" than he did about the fire; for the latter had done him no
+damage, while the former might injure his character which he valued more
+than his property.
+
+"I will agree not to prosecute, if you will answer all my questions," he
+replied; but I confess that it was an error on the part of the young
+man.
+
+Donald fastened the painter of his skiff at the stern, and took a seat
+in the standing-room of the Juno.
+
+"I will tell you all I know, if you will keep me out of the courts,"
+added Laud, promptly.
+
+"Why did you set the Maud afire?"
+
+"Because I was mad, and meant to get even with you for what you did at
+Rodman's this afternoon. You might do me a great service, Don John, if
+you would. I like Nellie Patterdale; I mean, I'm in love with her. I
+don't believe I can live without her."
+
+"I'll bet you'll have to," interposed Donald, indignantly.
+
+"You don't know what it is to love, Don John."
+
+"I don't want to know yet awhile; and I think you had better live on a
+different sort of grub. What a stupid idea, for a fellow like you to
+think of such a girl as Nellie Patterdale!"
+
+"Is it any worse for me to think of her, than it is for you to do so?"
+asked Laud.
+
+"I never thought of her in any such way as that. We went to school
+together, and have always been good friends; that's all."
+
+"That's enough," sighed Laud. "I actually suffer for her sake. If the
+quest were hopeless," Laud read novels--"I think I should drown myself."
+
+"You had better do it right off, then," added Donald.
+
+"You can pity me, Don John, for I am miserable. Day and night I think
+only of her. My feelings have made me almost crazy, and I hardly knew
+what I was about when I applied the incendiary torch to the Maud."
+
+"I thought it was a card of friction matches."
+
+"The world will laugh and jeer at me for loving one above my station;
+but love makes us equals."
+
+"Perhaps it does when the love is on both sides," added the practical
+boat-builder.
+
+"But I think I am fitted to adorn a higher station than that in which I
+was born."
+
+"If so, you will rise like a stick of timber forced under the water; but
+it strikes me that you have begun in the wrong way to figure for a
+rise."
+
+"But I wish to rise only for Nellie's sake. You can help me, Don John;
+you can take me into her presence, where I can have the opportunity to
+win her affection."
+
+"I guess not, Laud. Shall I tell you what she said to me this
+afternoon?"
+
+"Tell me all."
+
+"She said you were an impudent puppy, and she was sorry I invited you."
+
+"Did she say that?" asked Laud, looking up to the cold, pale moon.
+
+"She did; and I was obliged to tell her that I didn't invite you."
+
+"Perhaps I have been a fool," mused the lover.
+
+"There's no doubt of it. Nellie Patterdale dislikes, and even despises
+you. I have heard her say as much, in so many words. That ought to
+comfort you, and convince you that it is no use to fish any longer in
+those waters."
+
+"Possibly you are right; but it is only because she does not know me. If
+she only knew me better--"
+
+"She would dislike and despise you still more," said Donald, sharply.
+"If she only knew that you set the Maud afire, she would love you as a
+homeless dog likes the brickbats that are thrown at him."
+
+"You will not tell her that, Don John?"
+
+"I will not tell her, or any one else, if you behave yourself. Now I
+want to ask some more questions."
+
+"Go on, Don John."
+
+"Where did you get the money you paid for the Juno?" demanded Donald,
+with energy.
+
+"Where did I get it?" repeated Laud, evidently startled by the question,
+so vigorously put. "I told you where I got it."
+
+"Tell me again."
+
+"Captain Shivernock gave it to me."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I can't tell you that."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because it is a matter between the captain and me."
+
+"I don't care if it is. You said you would answer all my questions, if I
+would not prosecute."
+
+"Questions about the Maud," explained Laud. "I have told you the secret
+of my love--"
+
+"Hang the secret of your love!" exclaimed Donald, disgusted with that
+topic. "I meant all questions."
+
+"But I cannot betray the secrets of Captain Shivernock. My honor--"
+
+"Stick your honor up chimney!" interrupted Donald. "If you go back on
+the agreement, I shall take the fire before Squire Peters. The question
+I asked was, why Captain Shivernock gave you four or five hundred
+dollars?"
+
+"I wish I could answer you, Don John; but I do not feel at liberty to do
+so just now. I will see the captain, and perhaps I may honorably give
+you the information you seek."
+
+"You needn't mince the matter with me. I know all about it now; but I
+want it from you."
+
+"All about what?" asked Laud.
+
+"You needn't look green about it. Do you remember the Saturday when I
+told you the Juno was for sale?"
+
+"I do, very distinctly," answered Laud. "You were in the Juno at the
+time."
+
+"I was; we parted company, and you stood over towards the Northport
+shore."
+
+"Just so."
+
+"Over there you met Captain Shivernock."
+
+"I didn't say I did."
+
+"But I say you did," persisted Donald. "For some reason best known to
+himself, the captain did not want any one to know he was on Long Island
+that night."
+
+Laud listened with intense interest.
+
+"Do you know what his reason was, Don John?"
+
+"No, I don't. You saw his boat, and overhauled him near the shore."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"You overhauled him near the shore, and he gave you a pile of money not
+to say that you had seen him."
+
+"It is you who says all this, and not I," added Laud, with more spirit
+than he had before exhibited. "My honor is not touched."
+
+"I wish you wouldn't say anything more about your honor. It is like a
+mustard seed in a haymow, and I can't see it," snapped Donald.
+
+"You can see that I came honorably by the money."
+
+"Honestly by it; I am satisfied on that point," replied Donald. "If I
+had not been, I wouldn't have sold you the boat. You see I knew
+something of Captain Shivernock's movements about that time. If I
+hadn't, I wouldn't have believed that he gave it to you."
+
+"Then you must have seen the captain at the same time."
+
+"I didn't say I saw him," laughed Donald. "But the wind is breezing up,
+and we are half way over to Brigadier Island. Come about, Laud."
+
+The skipper acceded to the request, and headed the Juno for Belfast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+CAPTAIN SHIVERNOCK'S JOKE.
+
+
+Donald considered himself shrewd, sharp, and smart, because he had
+induced Laud virtually to own that Captain Shivernock had given him the
+money to purchase his silence, but Donald was not half so shrewd, sharp,
+and smart as he thought he was.
+
+"Mr. Cavendish, it's no use for us to mince this matter," he continued,
+determined further to draw out his companion, and feeling happy now, he
+was very respectful to him.
+
+"Perhaps not, Don John."
+
+"It can do no harm for you and me to talk over this matter. You saw
+Captain Shivernock on that Saturday morning--didn't you?"
+
+"Of course, if I say I did, you will not let on about it--will you?"
+
+"Not if I can help it; for the fact is, I am in the same boat with
+you."
+
+"Then you saw the captain."
+
+"Of course I did."
+
+"But what was he doing down there, that made him so particular to keep
+shady about it?"
+
+"I haven't the least idea. It was the morning after Hasbrook was pounded
+to a jelly in his own house; but I am satisfied that the captain had
+nothing to do with it."
+
+"I am not so sure of that," added Laud.
+
+"I am. I went to the captain's house before he returned that day, and
+both Sykes and his wife told me he had left home at four o'clock that
+morning, and this was after the pounding was done. Besides, the captain
+was over on Long Island when I saw him. If he had done the deed, he
+would have got home before daylight, for the wind was fresh and fair.
+Instead of that, he was over at Turtle Head when I first saw him. The
+Juno got aground with him near Seal Harbor, which made him so mad he
+would not keep her any longer. He was mad because she wasn't a
+centre-boarder. I suppose after we parted he went over to the
+Lincolnville or Northport Shore, and hid till after dark in Spruce
+Harbor, Saturday Cove, or some such place. At any rate, I was at his
+house in the evening, when he came home."
+
+"The old fellow had been up to some trick, you may depend upon it,"
+added Laud, sagely.
+
+"I came to the conclusion that his desire to keep dark was only a whim,
+for he is the strangest man that ever walked the earth."
+
+"That's so; but why should he give me such a pile if he hadn't been up
+to something?"
+
+"And me another pile," added Donald. "We can talk this thing over
+between ourselves, but not a word to any other person."
+
+"Certainly; I understand. I am paid for holding my tongue, and I intend
+to do so honorably."
+
+"So do I, until I learn that there is something wrong."
+
+"You have told me some things I did not know before, Don John,"
+suggested Laud.
+
+"You knew that the captain was down by Long Island."
+
+"Yes, but I didn't know he was at Turtle Head; and I am satisfied now
+that he is the man that shook up Hasbrook that night," continued Laud,
+in meditative mood.
+
+"Are you? Then I will let the whole thing out," exclaimed Donald.
+
+"No, no! don't do that!" protested Laud. "That wouldn't be fair, at
+all."
+
+"I would not be a party to the concealment of such an outrage."
+
+"You don't understand it. Hasbrook is a regular swindler."
+
+"That is no reason why he should be pounded half to death in the middle
+of the night."
+
+"He borrowed a thousand dollars of Captain Shivernock a short time
+before the outrage. The captain told him he would lend him the money if
+Hasbrook would give him a good indorser on the paper. After the captain
+had parted with the money, he ascertained that the indorser was not
+worth a dollar. Hasbrook had told him the name was that of a rich
+farmer, and of course the captain was mad. He tried to get back his
+money, for he knew Hasbrook never paid anything if he could help it.
+Here is the motive for the outrage," reasoned Laud.
+
+"Why didn't he prosecute him for swindling? for that's what it was."
+
+"Captain Shivernock says he won't trouble any courts to fight his
+battles for him; he can fight them himself."
+
+"It was wrong to pound any man as Hasbrook was. Why, he wasn't able to
+go out of the house for a month," added Donald, who was clearly opposed
+to Lynch law.
+
+Donald was somewhat staggered in his belief by the evidence of his
+companion, but he determined to inquire further into the matter, and
+even hoped now that Hasbrook would call upon him.
+
+"One more question, Laud. Do you know where Captain Shivernock got the
+bills he paid you, and you paid me?" asked he.
+
+"Of course I don't. How should I know where the captain gets his money?"
+replied Laud, in rather shaky tones.
+
+"True; I didn't much think you would know."
+
+"What odds does it make where he got the bills?" asked Laud, faintly.
+
+"It makes a heap of odds."
+
+"I don't see why."
+
+"I'll tell you why. I paid three of those bills to Mr. Leach to-night
+for the Maud's suit of sails. One of them was a mended bill."
+
+"Yes, I remember that one, for I noticed it after the captain gave me
+the money," added Laud.
+
+"Mr. Leach paid that bill to Captain Patterdale."
+
+"To Captain Patterdale!" exclaimed Laud, springing to his feet.
+
+"What odds does it make to you whom he paid it to?" asked Donald,
+astonished at this sudden demonstration.
+
+"None at all," replied Laud, recovering his self-possession.
+
+"What made you jump so, then?"
+
+"A mosquito bit me," laughed Laud. But it was a graveyard laugh. "Leach
+paid the bill to Captain Patterdale--you say?"
+
+"Yes, and Captain Patterdale says there is something wrong about the
+bill," continued Donald, who was far from satisfied with the explanation
+of his companion.
+
+"What was the matter? Wasn't the bill good?" inquired Laud.
+
+"Yes, the bill was good; but something was wrong, he didn't tell me
+what."
+
+"That was an odd way to leave it. Why didn't he tell you what was
+wrong?"
+
+"I don't know. I suppose he knows what he is about, but I don't."
+
+"I should like to know what was wrong about this bill. It has passed
+through my hands, and it may affect my honor in some way," mused Laud.
+
+"You had better have your honor insured, for it will get burned up one
+of these days," added Donald, as he rose from his seat, and hauled in
+his skiff, which was towing astern.
+
+He stepped into the boat, and tossed Laud's basket to him.
+
+"Here is your basket, Laud," added he. "It was my evidence against you;
+and next time, when you want to burn a yacht, don't leave it on her
+deck."
+
+"You will keep shady--won't you, Don John?" he pleaded.
+
+"That will depend upon what you say and do," answered Donald, as he
+shoved off, and sculled to the wharf where the Maud lay, to assure
+himself that she was in no danger.
+
+He was not quite satisfied to trust her alone all night, and he decided
+to sleep in her cabin. He went to the house, and told Barbara he was
+afraid some accident might happen to the yacht, and with the lantern and
+some bed-clothes, he returned to her. He swept up the half-burned
+shavings, and threw them overboard. There was not a vestige of the fire
+left, and he swabbed up the water with a sponge. Making his bed on the
+transom, he lay down to think over the events of the evening. He went
+to sleep after a while, and we will leave him in this oblivious
+condition while we follow Laud Cavendish, who, it cannot be denied, was
+in a most unhappy frame of mind. He ran the Juno up to her moorings, and
+after he had secured her sail, and locked up the cabin door, he went on
+shore. Undoubtedly he had done an immense amount of heavy thinking
+within the last two hours, and as he was not overstocked with brains, it
+wore upon him.
+
+It was nearly ten o'clock in the evening, but late as it was, Laud
+walked directly to the house of Captain Shivernock. There was a light in
+the strange man's library, or office, and another in the dining-room,
+where the housekeeper usually sat, which indicated that the family had
+not retired. Laud walked up to the side door, and rang the bell, which
+was promptly answered by Mrs. Sykes.
+
+"Is Captain Shivernock at home?" asked the late visitor.
+
+"He is; but he don't see anybody so late as this," replied the
+housekeeper.
+
+"I wish to speak to him on very important business, and it is absolutely
+necessary that I should see him to-night," persisted Laud.
+
+"I will tell him."
+
+Mrs. Sykes did tell him, and the strange man swore he would not see any
+one, not even his grandmother, come down from heaven. She reported this
+answer in substance to Laud.
+
+"I wish to see him on a matter in which he is deeply concerned," said
+the troubled visitor. "Tell him, if you please, in regard to the
+Hasbrook affair."
+
+Perhaps Mrs. Sykes knew something about the Hasbrook affair herself, for
+she promptly consented to make this second application for the admission
+of the stranger, for such he was to her.
+
+She returned in a few moments with an invitation to enter, and so it
+appeared that there was some power in the "Hasbrook affair." Laud was
+conducted to the library,--as the retired shipmaster chose to call the
+apartment, though there were not a dozen books in it,--where the captain
+sat in a large rocking-chair, with his feet on the table.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded the strange man; and we are obliged to modify
+his phraseology in order to make it admissible to our pages.
+
+"Mr. Laud Cavendish, at your service," replied he, politely.
+
+"_Mister_ Laud Cavendish!" repeated the captain, with a palpable sneer;
+"you are the swell that used to drive the grocery wagon."
+
+"I was formerly employed at Miller's store, but I am not there now."
+
+"Well, what do you want here?"
+
+"I wish to see you, sir."
+
+"You do see me--don't you?" growled the eccentric. "What's your
+business?"
+
+"On the morning after the Hasbrook outrage, Captain Shivernock, you were
+seen at Seal Harbor," said Laud.
+
+"Who says I was?" roared the captain, springing to his feet.
+
+"I beg your pardon sir; but I say so," answered Laud, apparently unmoved
+by the violence of his auditor. "You were in the boat formerly owned by
+Mr. Ramsay, and you ran over towards the Northport shore."
+
+"Did you see me?"
+
+"I did," replied Laud.
+
+"And you have come to levy black-mail upon me," added the captain, with
+a withering stare at his visitor.
+
+"Nothing of the sort, sir. I claim to be a gentleman."
+
+"O, you do!"
+
+Captain Shivernock laughed heartily.
+
+"I do, sir. I am not capable of anything derogatory to the character of
+a gentleman."
+
+"Bugs and brickbats!" roared the strange man, with another outburst of
+laughter. "You are a gentleman! That's good! And you won't do anything
+derogatory to the character of a gentleman. That's good, too!"
+
+"I trust I have the instincts of a gentleman," added Laud, smoothing
+down his jet mustache.
+
+"I trust you have; but what do you want of me, if you have the instincts
+of a gentleman, and don't bleed men with money when you think you have
+them on the hip?"
+
+"If you will honor me with your attention a few moments, I will inform
+you what I want of you."
+
+"Good again!" chuckled the captain. "I will honor you with my attention.
+You have got cheek enough to fit out a life insurance agency."
+
+"I am not the only one who saw you that Saturday morning," said Laud.
+
+"Who else saw me?"
+
+"Don John."
+
+"How do you know he did?"
+
+"He told mo so."
+
+"The young hypocrite!" exclaimed the strange man, with an oath. "I made
+it a rule years ago never to trust a man or a boy who has much to do
+with churches and Sunday Schools. The little snivelling puppy! And he
+has gone back on me."
+
+"It is only necessary for me to state facts," answered Laud. "You can
+form your own conclusions, without any help from me."
+
+"Perhaps I can," added Captain Shivernock, who seemed to be in an
+unusual humor on this occasion, for the pretentious manners of his
+visitor appeared to amuse rather than irritate him.
+
+"Again, sir, Jacob Hasbrook, of Lincolnville, believes you are the man
+who pounded him to a jelly that night," continued Laud.
+
+"Does he?" laughed the captain. "Well, that is a good joke; but I want
+to say that I respect the man who did it, whoever he is."
+
+"Self-respect is a gentlemanly quality. The man who don't respect
+himself will not be respected by others," said Laud, stroking his chin.
+
+"Eh?"
+
+Laud confidently repeated the proposition.
+
+"You respect yourself, and of course you respect the man that pounded
+Hasbrook," he added.
+
+"Do you mean to say I flogged Hasbrook?" demanded the strange man,
+doubling his fist, and shaking it savagely in Laud's face.
+
+"It isn't for me to say that you did, for you know better than I do; but
+you will pardon me if I say that the evidence points in this direction.
+Hasbrook has been over to Belfast several times to work up his case. The
+last time I saw him he was looking for Don John, who, I am afraid, is
+rather leaky."
+
+In spite of his bluff manners, Laud saw that the captain was not a
+little startled by the information just imparted.
+
+"The miserable little psalm-singer," growled the strange man, walking
+the room, muttering to himself. "If he disobeys my orders, I'll thrash
+him worse than--Hasbrook was thrashed."
+
+"It is unpleasant to be suspected of a crime, and revolting to the
+instincts of a gentleman," added Laud.
+
+"Do you mean to say that I am suspected of a crime, you long-eared
+puppy?" yelled the captain.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Captain Shivernock, but it isn't agreeable to a
+gentleman to be called by such opprobrious names," said Laud, rising
+from his chair, and taking his round-top hat from the table. "I am
+willing to leave you, but not to be insulted."
+
+Laud looked like the very impersonation of dignity itself, as he walked
+towards the door.
+
+"Stop!" yelled the captain.
+
+"I do not know that any one but Hasbrook suspects you of a crime," Laud
+explained.
+
+"I'm glad he does suspect me," added the strange man, more gently.
+"Whoever did that job served him just right, and I envy the man that did
+it."
+
+"Still, it is unpleasant to be suspected of a crime."
+
+"It wasn't a crime."
+
+"People call it so; but I sympathize with you, for like you I am
+suspected of a crime, of which, like yourself, I am innocent."
+
+"Are you, indeed? And what may your crime be, Mr. Cavendish?"
+
+"It is in this connection that I wish to state my particular business
+with you."
+
+"Go on and state it, and don't be all night about it."
+
+"I may add that I also came to warn you against the movements of
+Hasbrook. I will begin at the beginning."
+
+"Begin, then; and don't go round Cape Horn in doing it," snarled the
+captain.
+
+"I will, sir. Captain Patterdale--"
+
+"Another miserable psalm-singer. Is he in the scrape?"
+
+"He is, sir. He has lost a tin box, which contained nearly fourteen
+hundred dollars in cash, besides many valuable papers."
+
+"I'm glad of it; and I hope he never will find it," was the kindly
+expression of the eccentric nabob for the Christian nabob. "Was the box
+lost or stolen?"
+
+"Stolen, sir."
+
+"So much the better. I hope the thief will never be discovered."
+
+Laud did not say how he happened to know that the tin box had been
+stolen, for Captain Patterdale, the deputy sheriff, and Nellie were
+supposed to be the only persons who had any knowledge of the fact.
+
+"It appears that in this tin box there was a certain fifty-dollar bill,
+which had been torn into four parts, and mended by pasting two strips of
+paper upon it, one extending from right to left, and the other from top
+to bottom, on the back."
+
+"Eh?" interposed the wicked nabob. "Wait a minute."
+
+The captain opened an iron safe in the room, and from a drawer took out
+a handful of bank bills. From these he selected three, and tossed them
+on the table.
+
+"Like those?" he inquired, with interest.
+
+"Exactly like them," replied Laud, astonished to find that each was the
+counterpart of the one he had paid Donald for the Juno, and had the
+"white cross of Denmark" upon it.
+
+"Do you know how those bills happened to be in that condition, Mr.
+Cavendish?" chuckled the captain.
+
+"Of course I do not, sir."
+
+"I'll tell you, my gay buffer. I have got a weak, soft place somewhere
+in my gizzard; I don't know where; if I did, I'd cut it out. About three
+months ago, just after I brought from Portland one hundred of these new
+fifty-dollar bills, there was a great cry here for money for some
+missionary concern. I read something in the newspaper, at this time,
+about what some of the missionaries had done for a lot of sailors who
+had been cast away on the South Sea Islands. I thought more of the
+psalm-singers than ever before, and I was tempted to do something for
+them. Well, I actually wrote to some parson here who was howling for
+money, and stuck four of those bills between the leaves. I think it is
+very likely I should have sent them to the parson, if I hadn't been
+called out of the room. I threw the note, with the bills in it, on the
+table, and went out to see a pair of horses a jockey had driven into the
+yard for me to look at. When I came back and glanced at the note, I
+thought what a fool I had been, to think of giving money to those
+canting psalm-singers. I was mad with myself for my folly, and I tore
+the note into four pieces before I thought that the bills were in it.
+But Mrs. Sykes mended them as you see. Go on with your yarn, my buffer."
+
+"That bill I paid to Don John for the Juno," continued Laud. "He paid it
+to Mr. Leach, the sail-maker, who paid it to Captain Patterdale, and he
+says it was one of the bills in the tin chest when it was stolen. Don
+John says he had it from me."
+
+"Precisely so; and that is what makes it unpleasant to be suspected of a
+crime," laughed Captain Shivernock. "But you don't state where you got
+the bill, Mr. Cavendish. Perhaps you don't wish to tell."
+
+"I shall tell the whole story with the greatest pleasure," added Laud.
+"I was sailing one day down by Haddock Ledge, when I saw a man tumble
+overboard from a boat moored where he had been fishing. He was staving
+drunk, and went forward, as I thought, to get up his anchor. The boat
+rolled in the sea, and over he went. I got him out. The cold water
+sobered him in a measure, and he was very grateful to me. He went to his
+coat, which he did not wear when he fell, and took from his pocket a
+roll of bills. He counted off ten fifties, and gave them to me. Feeling
+sure that I had saved his life, I did not think five hundred dollars was
+any too much to pay for it, and I took the money. I don't think he would
+have given me so much if he hadn't been drunk. I asked him who he was,
+but he would not tell me, saying he didn't want his friends in Boston
+to know he had been over the bay, and in the bay; but he said he had
+been staying in Belfast a couple of days."
+
+"Good story!" laughed the wicked nabob.
+
+"Every word of it is as true as preaching," protested Laud.
+
+"Just about," added the captain, who hadn't much confidence in
+preaching.
+
+"You can see, Captain Shivernock, that I am in an awkward position,"
+added Laud. "I have no doubt the man I saved was the one who stole the
+tin box. He paid me with the stolen bills."
+
+"It is awkward, as you say," chuckled the strange man. "I suppose you
+wouldn't know the fellow you saved if you saw him."
+
+"O, yes, I think I should," exclaimed Laud. "But suppose, when Captain
+Patterdale comes to me to inquire where I got the marked bill, I should
+tell him this story. He wouldn't believe a word of it."
+
+"He would be a fool if he did," exclaimed Captain Shivernock, with a
+coarse grin. "Therefore, my gay buffer, don't tell it to him."
+
+"But I must tell him where I got the bill," pleaded Laud.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the eccentric, shaking his sides as though they
+were agitated by a young earthquake. "Tell him I gave you the bill!"
+
+The captain seemed to be intensely amused at the novel idea; and Laud
+did not object; on the contrary, he seemed to appreciate the joke. It
+was midnight when he left the house, and went to the Juno to sleep in
+her cabin. If he had gone home earlier in the evening, he might have
+seen Captain Patterdale, who did him the honor to make a late call upon
+him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+LAUD CAVENDISH TAKES CARE OF HIMSELF.
+
+
+Donald did not sleep very well in the cabin of the Maud, not only
+because his bed was very hard and uncomfortable, but because he was
+troubled; and before morning he fully realized the truth of the saying,
+in regard to certain persons, that "they choose darkness, because their
+deeds are evil." He wished he had not consented to keep the secret of
+either Captain Shivernock or Laud Cavendish, and was afraid he had
+compromised himself by his silence. When he turned out in the morning,
+he believed he had hardly slept a wink all night, though he had actually
+slumbered over six hours; but a person who lies awake in the darkness,
+especially if his thoughts are troublesome, lengthens minutes into
+hours. But Donald welcomed the morning light when he awoke, and the
+bright sun which streamed through the trunk ports. He went to the shop,
+and for two hours before his men arrived worked on the tender of the
+Maud.
+
+The mast of the yacht was stepped during the forenoon, and after dinner
+the rigger came to do his part of the work. Samuel Rodman was now so
+much interested in the progress of the labor on the new yacht, that he
+spent nearly all his time on board of her. The top mast, gaff, and boom
+were all ready to go into their places, and the Maud looked as though
+she was nearly completed. All the members of the Yacht Club were
+impatient for her to be finished, for the next regatta had been
+postponed a week, so that the Maud could take part in the affair; and
+the club were to go on a cruise for ten days, after the race.
+
+There was no little excitement in the club in relation to the Maud.
+Donald had confidently asserted his belief, weeks before, that she would
+outsail the Skylark, not as a mere boast, but as a matter of business.
+His father had made an improvement upon the model of the Sea Foam, which
+he was reasonably certain would give her the advantage. The young
+boat-builder had also remedied a slight defect in the arrangement of
+the centre-board in the Maud, had added a little to the size of the jib
+and mainsail, and he hoped these alterations would tell in favor of the
+new craft, while they would not take anything from her stiffness in
+heavy weather.
+
+"I believe the old folks are as much interested in the next race as the
+members of the club, Don John," said Rodman, one day, as he came upon
+the wharf.
+
+"I am glad they are," replied Donald, laughing. "It will make business
+good for Ramsay & Son."
+
+"Half a dozen of them are going to make up a first prize of one hundred
+dollars for the regatta; so that the winner of the race will make a good
+thing by it," added Rodman.
+
+"That will be a handsome prize."
+
+"If the Maud takes it, Don John, the money shall be yours, as you are to
+sail her."
+
+"O, no!" exclaimed Donald. "I don't believe in that. The prize will
+belong to the boat."
+
+"If you win the race in the Maud, I shall be satisfied with the glory,
+without any of the spoils."
+
+"Well, we won't quarrel about it now, for she may not win the first
+prize."
+
+"Well, the same gentlemen will give a second prize of fifty dollars,"
+continued Rodman. "But don't you expect to get the first prize, Don
+John?"
+
+"I do; but to expect is not always to win, you know."
+
+"You have always talked as though you felt pretty sure of coming in
+first," said Rodman, who did not like to see any abatement of confidence
+on the part of the boat-builder.
+
+"It is the easiest thing in the world to be mistaken, Sam. If the Maud
+loses the first prize, I may as well shut up shop, and take a situation
+in a grocery store, for my business would be ruined."
+
+"Not quite so bad as that, I hope," added Rodman.
+
+"Mr. Norwood is waiting to see how she sails, before he orders a yacht
+for Frank. Can't you invite Frank and his father to sail with us in the
+race?"
+
+"Certainly, if you desire it, Don John," replied Rodman. "Mr. Norwood is
+a big man, and he will be a capital live weight for us, if it happens to
+blow fresh."
+
+"I hope it will blow; if it don't, the Christabel is sure of the first
+prize. I want just such a day as we had when the Sea Foam cleaned out
+the Skylark."
+
+"That was a little too much of a good thing. You came pretty near taking
+the mast out of the Sea Foam that day."
+
+"Not at all; our masts don't come out so easily as that, though I think
+the mast of the Sea Foam would snap before she would capsize."
+
+"I like that in a boat; it is a good thing to have a craft that will
+stay right side up. The fellows have got another idea, Don John."
+
+"Well, ideas are good things to have. What is it now?" asked Donald.
+
+"They are going to build a club-house over on Turtle Head."
+
+"On Turtle Head! Why don't they have it down on Manhegan?" which is an
+island ten miles from the coast of Maine.
+
+"It will be only a shanty, where the fellows can have a good time, and
+get up chowders. They talk of hiring a hall in the city, and having
+meetings for mutual improvement during the fall and winter."
+
+"That will be a capital idea."
+
+"We can have a library of books on nautical and other subjects, take the
+newspapers and magazines, and hang up pictures of yachts and other
+vessels on the walls. I hope, when you get the Maud done, you will not
+be so busy, Don John, for you don't attend many of our club meetings."
+
+"I hope to be busier than ever. You see, Sam, I can't afford to run with
+you rich fellows. I don't wear kid gloves," laughed Donald.
+
+"No matter if you don't; you are just as good a fellow as any of them."
+
+"Everybody uses me first rate; as well as though my father had been a
+nabob."
+
+"Well, they ought to; for it is brains, not money, that makes the man.
+We want to see more of you in the club. You must go with us on our long
+cruise."
+
+"I am afraid I can't spare the time. Ten days is a good while; but it
+will depend upon whether I get the job to build Mr. Norwood's yacht."
+
+Donald would gladly have spent more time with the club, but his
+conscience would not permit him to neglect his business. He felt that
+his success depended entirely upon his own industry and diligence; and
+he never left his work, except when the occasion fully justified him in
+doing so. He attended all the regattas as a matter of business, as well
+as of pleasure; and he had seen the Sea Foam beaten twice by the
+Skylark since he won the memorable race in the former. Edward Patterdale
+was fully satisfied, now, that a skilful boatman was as necessary as a
+fast boat, in order to win the honors of the club, and he wished Donald
+to "coach" him, until he obtained the skill to compete with the
+commodore. Donald had promised to do it, as soon as he had time, and the
+owner of the Sea Foam hoped the opportunity would be afforded during the
+long cruise.
+
+The work on the Maud was hurried forward as rapidly as was consistent
+with thoroughness, and in a few days she was ready for the last coats of
+paint. The boat-builder was favored with good, dry weather, and on the
+day before the great regatta, she was ready to receive her furniture and
+stores. The paint was dry and hard; but when the stove-dealer came with
+the little galley for the cook-room, the deck was carefully covered with
+old cloths, the cushions were placed on the transoms, the oil-cloth
+carpet was laid on the floor by Kennedy, who was experienced in this
+kind of work, and Samuel Rodman was as busy as a bee arranging the
+crockery ware and stores which he had purchased. It only remained to
+bend on the sails, which was accomplished early in the afternoon.
+
+With Mr. Rodman, Samuel, and the two workmen on board, Donald made a
+trial trip in the new craft. The party went down the bay as far as Seal
+Harbor; but the wind was rather light for her, and she had no
+opportunity to show her sailing qualities, though with her gaff-topsail
+and the balloon-jib, she walked by everything afloat that day.
+
+"I am entirely satisfied with her, Don John," said Mr. Rodman, as the
+Maud approached the city on her return. "I think she will sail well."
+
+"I hope she will, sir," replied Donald. "To-morrow will prove what there
+is in her."
+
+"She is well built and handsomely finished, and whether she wins the
+race or not I shall be satisfied. I never looked upon a handsomer yacht
+in my life. You have done your work admirably, Don John."
+
+"Mr. Kennedy did the joiner work," said Donald, willing to have his
+foreman, as he called him, share the honors of the day.
+
+"He did it well."
+
+"I only did just what my boss ordered me to do," laughed Kennedy; "and
+I want to say, that I didn't do the first thing towards planning any
+part of her. Don John hasn't often asked for any advice from me. He is
+entitled to all the credit."
+
+"I have no doubt you did all you could to make the job a success," added
+Mr. Rodman.
+
+"I did; and so did Walker," said Kennedy, indicating the other ship
+carpenter. "Both of us did our very best, never idling a moment, or
+making a bad joint; and I can say, there isn't a better built craft in
+the United States than this yacht. Not a knot or a speck of rot has been
+put into her. Everything has been done upon honor, and she will be stiff
+enough to cross the Atlantic in mid-winter. I'd rather be in her than in
+many a ship I've worked on."
+
+"I'm glad to know all this," replied Mr. Rodman. "Now, Don John, if the
+firm of Ramsay & Son is ready to deliver the Maud, I will give you a
+check for the balance due on her."
+
+Donald was all ready, and after the yacht had been moored off the wharf
+where she had been completed, the business was transacted in the shop. A
+bill of sale was given, and the boat-builder received a check for four
+hundred dollars, which he carried into the house and showed to his
+mother. Of course the good lady was delighted with the success of her
+son, and Barbara laughed till she shook her curls into a fearful snarl.
+
+"You have done well, Donald," said Mrs. Ramsay. "I thank God that you
+have been so successful."
+
+"I have paid nearly all my bills, and I shall make about two hundred and
+fifty dollars on the job," added the young boat-builder. "I think I can
+build the next one for less money."
+
+"You may not get another one to build, my son."
+
+"That depends upon the race to-morrow. If I beat the Skylark, I'm sure
+of one."
+
+"Don't be too confident."
+
+"I am to sail the Maud to-morrow, and if there is any speed in her, as I
+think there is, I shall get it out of her. To-morrow will be a big day
+for me; but if I lose the race, the firm of Ramsay & Son is used up."
+
+Donald put the check in his wallet, and went out to the shop again,
+where he found Samuel Rodman looking for him. The owner of the Maud was
+so delighted with the craft, that he could not keep away from her, and
+he wanted to go on board again.
+
+"Bob Montague is going to give you a hard pull to-morrow, Don John,"
+said Rodman, as they got into the tender.
+
+"I hope he will do his best; and the harder the pull, the better,"
+replied Donald.
+
+"If we only beat him," suggested Rodman.
+
+"I expect to beat him; but I may be mistaken."
+
+"Bob hauled up the Skylark on the beach this afternoon, and rubbed her
+bottom with black lead."
+
+"I am glad to hear it."
+
+"Glad? Why?"
+
+"It proves that he means business."
+
+"Of course he means business."
+
+"I wonder if he knows I am to build a yacht for Mr. Norwood, in case I
+win this race."
+
+"I don't believe he does. I never heard of it till you told me."
+
+"He is such a splendid fellow, that I was afraid he would _let_ me beat
+him, if he knew I was to make anything by it."
+
+"I think it very likely he would."
+
+"But I want to beat the Skylark fairly, or not at all."
+
+"There comes Laud Cavendish," said Rodman, as the Juno came up the bay,
+and bore down upon the Maud. "He was blackballed in the club the other
+day, and he don't feel good. Let's go ashore again, and wait till he
+sheers off, for I don't want to see him. He will be sure to go on board
+of the yacht if we are there, for he is always poking his nose in where
+he is not wanted."
+
+Donald, who was at the oars, pulled back to the shore. The Juno ran
+close up to the Maud, tacked, and stood up the bay.
+
+"He is gone," said Rodman. "I don't want him asking me why he was
+blackballed. He is an intolerable spoony."
+
+"Don John!" called some one, as he was shoving off the tender.
+
+Donald looked up, and saw Mr. Beardsley, the deputy sheriff, who had
+been working up the tin box case with Captain Patterdale.
+
+"I want to see you," added the officer.
+
+Donald wondered if Mr. Beardsley wanted to see him officially; but he
+was thankful that he was able to look even a deputy sheriff square in
+the face.
+
+He jumped out of the tender, and Rodman went off to the yacht alone. We
+are somewhat better informed than the young boat-builder in regard to
+the visit of the sheriff, and we happen to know that he did come
+officially; and in order to explain why it was so, it is necessary to go
+back to the point where we left Mr. Laud Cavendish. He slept in the
+cabin of the Juno after he left the house of Captain Shivernock. He did
+not sleep any better than Donald Ramsay that night; and the long surges
+rolled in by the paddle-wheels of the steamer Richmond, as she came into
+the harbor early the next morning, awoke him.
+
+The first thing he thought of was his visit to the house of the strange
+man; the next was his breakfast, and he decided to go on shore, and get
+the meal at a restaurant. The Juno was moored near the steamboat wharf,
+where the Portland boat made her landings. This was a convenient place
+for him to disembark, and he pulled in his tender to the pier. As he
+approached the landing steps, he saw Captain Shivernock hastening down
+the wharf with a valise in his hand. It was evident that he was going up
+the river, perhaps to Bangor. Laud did not like the idea of the
+captain's going away just at that time. Donald had told Captain
+Patterdale that the mended bill came from him, and of course the owner
+of the tin box would immediately come to him for further information.
+
+"Then, if I tell him Captain Shivernock gave it to me, he will want to
+see him; and he won't be here to be seen," reasoned Laud. "I can't
+explain why the captain gave me the money, and in his absence I shall be
+in a bad fix. I must take care of myself."
+
+Laud went to the restaurant, and ate his breakfast; after which he
+returned to the Juno. He took care of himself by getting under way, and
+standing over towards Castine, where he dined that day. Then he
+continued his voyage down the bay, through Edgemoggin Reach to Mount
+Desert, where he staid several days, living upon "the fat of the land"
+and the fish of the sea, which go well together. When he was confident
+that Captain Shivernock had returned, he sailed for Belfast, and arrived
+after a two days' voyage. The strange man had not come back, and Laud
+thought it very singular that he had not. Then he began to wonder why
+the captain had laughed so unreasonably long and loud when he told him
+to say that he had given him the mended bill. Laud could not see the
+joke at the time; but now he concluded that the laugh came in because
+he was going away on a long journey, and would not be in town to answer
+any questions which Captain Patterdale might propose.
+
+Mr. Cavendish was disturbed, and felt that he was a victim of a
+practical joke, and he determined to get out of the way again.
+Unfortunately for him, he had shown himself in the city, and before he
+could leave he was interviewed by Captain Patterdale and Mr. Beardsley.
+The white cross of Denmark was pleasantly alluded to again by the
+former, and exhibited to Laud. Did he know that bill? Had he ever seen
+it before?
+
+He did not know it; had never seen it.
+
+It was no use to say, in the absence of that gentleman, that Captain
+Shivernock had given him the bill. It would be equally foolish to tell
+the Haddock Ledge story in the absence of the generous stranger, who had
+declined to give his name, though he was kind enough to say that he had
+spent a few days in Belfast. Since neither of these fictions was
+available in the present emergency, Laud "went back" on Donald Ramsay.
+He did not love the boat-builder, and so it was not a sacrifice of
+personal feeling for him to do it. On the contrary, he would rather
+like to get his "rival," as he chose to regard him, out of the way.
+
+"But you paid him a considerable sum of money some two months ago,"
+suggested Captain Patterdale.
+
+"Not a red!" protested Laud. "I never paid him any money in my life."
+
+"You bought the Juno of him."
+
+"No, sir; nor of any one else. She don't belong to me."
+
+"But you are using her all the time."
+
+"Captain Shivernock got tired of her, and lets me have the use of her
+for taking care of her."
+
+"Didn't you say you owned her, and that you were going to change her
+name from Juno to Nellie?" demanded the captain, sternly.
+
+"I did; but that was all gas," replied Laud, with a sickly grin.
+
+"If you would lie about one thing, perhaps you would about another,"
+said the captain.
+
+"I was only joking when I said I owned the Juno. If you will go up to
+Captain Shivernock's house, he will tell you all about it."
+
+That was a plain way to solve the problem, and they went to the strange
+man's house. Laud knew the captain was not at home; but his persecutors
+gave him the credit of suggesting this step. Sykes and his wife were at
+home. They did not know whether or not Captain Shivernock had given Laud
+the use of the Juno, but presumed he had, for the young man was in the
+house with him half the night, about ten days before. Thus far
+everything looked well for Laud; and the Sykeses partially confirmed his
+statements.
+
+"Now, Captain Patterdale, I have answered all your questions, and I wish
+you would answer mine. What's the matter?" said Laud, putting on his
+boldest face.
+
+"Never mind what the matter is."
+
+"Well, I know as well as you do. I used to think Don John was a good
+fellow, and liked him first rate. I didn't think he would be mean,
+enough to shove his own guilt upon me," replied Laud.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" demanded Captain Patterdale.
+
+"Though I knew about it all the time, I didn't mean to say a word."
+
+"About what?"
+
+[Illustration: THE PAPERS FROM THE TIN BOX. Page 281.]
+
+"About your tin trunk. We didn't keep any such in our store! I knew what
+you meant all the time; but I didn't let on that Don John had done it."
+
+"Done what?"
+
+"Stolen it. That day I was in the library with Don John and Hasbrook, I
+was discharged from Miller's, because I wanted to go away to stay over
+Sunday. I had a boat down by Ramsay's shop, and I went there to get off.
+Well, captain, I saw Don John have the same tin trunk I saw in your
+library."
+
+"Are you telling the truth?"
+
+"Of course I am. I wouldn't go back on Don John if he hadn't tried to
+lay it to me. If you search his house and shop, I'll bet you'll find the
+tin trunk, or some of the money and papers."
+
+Captain Patterdale was intensely grieved, even to believe Laud's
+statement was possibly true; but he decided to have the boat-builder's
+premises searched before he proceeded any further against Laud. Mr.
+Beardsley was to do this unpleasant duty, and for this purpose he called
+on Donald the night before the great race.
+
+The deputy sheriff did his work thoroughly, in spite of the confidence
+of Donald and the distress of his mother and sister. Perhaps he would
+not have discovered the four fifty-dollar bills concealed in the bureau
+if Donald had not assisted him; but he had no help in finding a lot of
+notes and other papers hidden under a sill in the shop. The boat-builder
+protested that he knew nothing about these papers, and had never seen
+them before in his life.
+
+Mrs. Ramsay and Barbara wept as though their hearts would break; but
+Donald was led away by the sheriff.
+
+That night Captain Shivernock returned by the train from Portland.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+SATURDAY COVE.
+
+
+Mr. Beardsley, the deputy sheriff, conducted Donald to the elegant
+mansion of Captain Patterdale. Perhaps no one who saw them walking
+together suspected that the boat-builder was charged with so gross a
+crime as stealing the tin box and its valuable contents. Some persons do
+not like to walk through the streets with sheriffs and policemen; but
+Donald was not of that sort, for in spite of all the evidence brought
+against him, he obstinately refused to believe that he was guilty. Even
+the fact that several notes and other papers had been found in the shop
+did not impair his belief in his own innocence. Captain Patterdale was
+in his library nervously awaiting the return of the officer, when they
+arrived.
+
+"Don John, I hope you will come out of this all right," said he, as they
+entered.
+
+"I have no doubt I shall, sir," replied Donald. "If I don't, it will be
+because I can't prove what is the truth."
+
+Mr. Beardsley reported the result of the search, and handed the captain
+the four fifty-dollar bills with the papers.
+
+"I have no doubt all these were in the tin box," said the nabob, sadly.
+"The bills are like those paid me by Hasbrook, and these notes are
+certainly mine. I don't ask you to commit yourself, Don John, but--"
+
+"Commit myself!" exclaimed Donald, with a look of contempt, which, in
+this connection, was sublime. "I mean to speak the truth, whether I am
+committed or not."
+
+"Perhaps you will be able to clear this thing up," added Captain
+Patterdale. "I wish to ask you a few questions."
+
+"I will answer them truly. The only wrong I have done was to conceal
+what I thought there was no harm in concealing."
+
+"It is not wise to do things in the dark."
+
+"You will excuse me, sir, but you have done the same thing. If I had
+known that your tin box was stolen, I should have understood several
+things which are plain to me now."
+
+"What, for instance?"
+
+"If I had known it, I should have brought these bills to you as soon as
+Laud paid them to me, to see if they belonged to you. And I should have
+known why Laud was digging clams on Turtle Head."
+
+"Laud says he paid you no money."
+
+"He paid me three hundred and fifty dollars for the Juno--these four
+bills and the three I paid Mr. Leach."
+
+"He persists that he don't own the Juno, and says that Captain
+Shivernock lets him have the use of her for taking care of her,"
+continued the nabob.
+
+Donald's face, which had thus far been clouded with anxiety, suddenly
+lighted up with a cheerful smile, as he produced the cover of an old
+tuck-diary, which contained the papers of Ramsay & Son. He opened it,
+and took therefrom the bill of sale of the Juno, in the well-known
+writing of Captain Shivernock.
+
+"Does that prove anything?" he asked, as he tossed the paper on the
+desk, within reach of the inquisitor.
+
+"It proves that Captain Shivernock sold the Juno to you, and
+consequently he has not owned her since the date of this bill," replied
+the nabob, as he read the paper.
+
+"Is it likely, then, that Captain Shivernock lets Laud have the use of
+her for taking care of her?" demanded Donald, warmly.
+
+"Certainly not."
+
+"Is it any more likely that, if I own the Juno, I should let Laud use
+her for nothing, for he says he never paid me a dollar?"
+
+"I don't think it is."
+
+"Then you can believe as much as you please of the rest of Laud's story,
+which Mr. Beardsley related to me as we walked up," added Donald.
+
+"He says he saw you have the tin box, Don John."
+
+"And I saw him digging clams in the loam on Turtle Head."
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"I think he buried the tin box there. I saw where he had been digging,
+but I didn't know any tin box had been stolen then, and thought nothing
+of it," answered Donald.
+
+At this moment there was a tremendous ring at the door bell, a ring
+that evidently "meant business." Captain Patterdale opened the door
+himself, and Captain Shivernock stalked into the room as haughtily as
+though he owned the elegant mansion. He had been to Newport and Cape May
+to keep cool, and had arrived a couple of hours before from Portland.
+Mrs. Sykes had told him all the news she could in this time, and among
+other things informed him that Captain Patterdale and the deputy sheriff
+had called to inquire whether Laud had the use of the boat for taking
+care of her. By this he knew that the tin trunk matter was under
+investigation. He was interested, and possibly he was alarmed; at any
+rate, he went to his safe, put the roll of fifty-dollar bills in his
+pocket, and hastened over to Captain Patterdale's house.
+
+"When people come to my house, and I'm not at home, I don't like to have
+them talk to my servants about my affairs," blustered the strange man.
+
+"I don't think we meddled with your affairs any further than to ask if
+Laud Cavendish had the use of the Juno for taking care of her,"
+explained Captain Patterdale.
+
+"It don't concern you. Laud Cavendish does have the use of the Juno for
+taking care of her."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed the good nabob, glancing at Donald.
+
+"Indeed!" sneered the wicked nabob. "You needn't _indeed_ anything I
+say. I can speak the truth better than you psalm-singers."
+
+"I am very glad you can, Captain Shivernock, for that is what we are in
+need of just now," laughed the good nabob. "And since we have meddled
+with your affairs in your absence, it is no more than right that we
+should explain the reason for doing so. A tin box, containing nearly
+fourteen hundred dollars in bills, and many valuable papers, was stolen
+from this room. Three persons, Jacob Hasbrook, Laud Cavendish, and Don
+John here, passed through the library when they left the house."
+
+"Hasbrook stole it; he is the biggest scoundrel of the three," added the
+wicked nabob.
+
+"Perhaps not," continued the good nabob. "A bill which I can identify
+came back to me the other day. Don John paid it to Mr. Leach, and he to
+me. Don John says Laud Cavendish paid him the bill."
+
+"And so he did," protested Donald, as the captain glanced at him.
+
+"And I gave it to Laud Cavendish," added Captain Shivernock; thus
+carrying out the programme which had been agreed upon the night before
+he went on his journey.
+
+Possibly, if Mr. Laud Cavendish had known that the wicked nabob had
+returned, he would have hastened to see him, and inform him of the
+change he had made in the programme. If he had done so, their stories
+might have agreed better. Captain Patterdale, Mr. Beardsley, and Donald
+were astonished at this admission.
+
+"For what did you pay it to him?" asked the good nabob.
+
+"None of your business what I paid it to him for. That's my affair,"
+bluffed the wicked nabob.
+
+"But this bill was in the box."
+
+"But how do you know it was? I suppose you will say next that I stole
+the box."
+
+"I hope you will assist me in tracing out this matter," said the good
+nabob, as he produced the mended bill. "This is the one; I call it the
+white cross of Denmark."
+
+Captain Shivernock picked up the bill, and took from his pocket his own
+roll of fifties.
+
+"You must admit that the bill is peculiar enough to be easily
+identified," added Captain Patter dale.
+
+"I don't admit it," said the strange man, as he threw the four mended
+bills together on the desk.
+
+"Now, which is it?"
+
+The wicked nabob laughed and roared in his delight when he saw the
+confusion of the good nabob.
+
+"They are very like," said the good.
+
+"But three of them are mine, and haven't been out of my hands since the
+'white cross of Denmark' was put upon them," added the wicked, still
+shaking his sides with mirth.
+
+"Still I can identify the one that was in the box. That is it;" and
+Captain Patterdale held up the right one. "This has been folded, while
+yours have simply been rolled, and have not a crease in them. Hasbrook
+paid me the money that was stolen."
+
+"The villain swindled it out of me," growled the wicked.
+
+"But he folded his money, however he got it," continued the good.
+
+"I can bring you a dozen bills with the white cross on them," blustered
+the wicked, "and all of them folded like that one."
+
+"Can you tell where you got it, captain?"
+
+"From the bank," replied he, promptly; and then more to have his hit at
+the missionaries than to explain the white cross, he told how the bills
+were torn. "That's all I have to say," he added; and he stalked out of
+the house, in spite of the host's request for him to remain, without
+giving a word or even a look to Donald.
+
+"I am astonished," said Captain Patterdale. "Can it be possible that he
+paid that bill to Laud?"
+
+Perhaps this was the joke of the strange man--simply to confuse and
+confound a "psalm-singer."
+
+"It looks as though we had lost the clew," said the deputy sheriff. "At
+any rate, Don John's story is confirmed."
+
+"Why should the captain give Laud so much money?" mused the nabob.
+
+"I know," said Donald. "I told you, in the first place, that I knew
+where Laud got the money to pay for the Juno; but it was a great secret
+affecting another person, and he wished me not to tell."
+
+"I remember that, Don John," added the captain.
+
+"He told me that Captain Shivernock gave him the money; but he would not
+tell me why he gave it to him; but I knew without any telling, for the
+captain gave me sixty dollars, besides the Juno, for holding my tongue."
+
+"About what?" asked the nabob, deeply interested in the narrative.
+
+"I don't understand the matter myself; but I will state all the facts,
+though Captain Shivernock threatened to kill me if I did so. On the
+morning after the Hasbrook outrage, while I was waiting on Turtle Head
+for the Yacht Club to arrive, the captain came to the Head, saying he
+had walked over from Seal Harbor, where he had got aground in his boat.
+I sailed him down, and on the way he gave me the money. Then he said I
+was not to mention the fact that I had seen him on Long Island, or
+anywhere else. I didn't make any promises, and told him I wouldn't lie
+about it. Then he gave me the Juno, and took my boat, which he returned
+that night. After I went up in the Juno, I met Laud, and offered to sell
+him the boat. When we parted, he stood over towards the Northport shore,
+where Captain Shivernock had gone, and I thought they would meet; but I
+lost sight of them."
+
+"Then you think the captain paid Laud the money when they met."
+
+"That was what I supposed when Laud paid me for the boat. I believed it
+was all right. I had a talk with Laud afterwards about it, and I told
+him how he got the money. He did not deny what I said."
+
+"This was the morning after the Hasbrook outrage--was it?" asked Mr.
+Beardsley.
+
+"Yes, it was; but I knew nothing about that till night."
+
+"We can easily understand why the captain did not want to be seen near
+Lincolnville," added the sheriff. "It was he who pounded Hasbrook for
+swindling him."
+
+"No, sir; I think not," interposed Donald. "I inquired into that matter
+myself. Mr. Sykes and his wife both told me, before the captain got
+home, that he left his house at four o'clock in the morning."
+
+"I am afraid they were instructed to say that," said the nabob.
+
+"They shall have a chance to say it in court under oath," added the
+officer; "for I will arrest the captain to-morrow for the outrage. I
+traced the steps of a man over to Saturday Cove, in Northport, and that
+is where he landed."
+
+"Was it the print of the captain's boot?" asked the nabob.
+
+"No; but I have a theory which I shall work up to-morrow. Don John's
+evidence is the first I have obtained, that amounts to anything."
+
+"If he pounded Hasbrook, why should he run over to Seal Harbor, when he
+had a fair wind to come up?" asked Donald.
+
+"To deceive you, as it seems he has," laughed Mr. Beardsley. "Probably
+getting aground deranged his plans."
+
+"But he ran over to Northport after we parted."
+
+"Because it was a better place to conceal himself during the day. Sykes
+says he went down to Vinal Haven that day. I know he did not. Now, Don
+John, we must go to Turtle Head to-night, and see about that box."
+
+"I am ready, sir."
+
+"I will go with you," added Captain Patterdale; "and we will take the
+Sea Foam."
+
+Donald was permitted to go home and comfort his mother with the
+assurance that he was entirely innocent of the crime with which he was
+charged; and great was the joy of his mother and sister. The mainsail of
+the Sea Foam was hoisted when he went on board. The wind was rather
+light, and it was midnight before the yacht anchored off Turtle Head.
+The party went ashore in the tender, the sheriff carrying a lantern and
+a shovel. Donald readily found the place where the earth had been
+disturbed by Laud's clam-digger. Mr. Beardsley dug till he came to a
+rock, and it was plain that no tin box was there.
+
+"But I am sure that Laud had been digging here, for I saw the print of
+his clam-digger," said Donald.
+
+"This hole had been dug before," added the sheriff.
+
+"Even Laud Cavendish would not be fool enough to bury the box in such an
+exposed place as this," suggested Captain Patterdale.
+
+"I know he came down here on the day the box was stolen," said Donald,
+"and that he was here with his clam-digger on the day I met Captain
+Shivernock. He must have put those papers in the shop."
+
+"If the box was ever buried here, it has been removed," added the
+captain.
+
+"Just look at the dirt which came out of the hole," continued Mr.
+Beardsley, pointing to the heap, and holding the lantern over it. "What
+I threw out last is beach gravel. That was put in to fill up the hole
+after he had taken out the box. When he first buried it, he had to carry
+off some of the yellow loam. In my opinion, the box has been here."
+
+"It is not here now, and we may as well return," replied Captain
+Patterdale. "I am really more desirous of finding the papers in the box
+than the money."
+
+"He has only chosen a new hiding-place for it," said the sheriff. "If we
+say nothing, and keep an eye on him for a few days, we may find it."
+
+As this was all that could be done, the party returned to the city; and
+early in the morning Donald went to bed, to obtain the rest he needed
+before the great day. Possibly Mr. Beardsley slept some that night,
+though it is certain he was at Saturday Cove, in Northport, the next
+forenoon. He had a "theory;" and when a man has a theory, he will
+sometimes go without his sleep in order to prove its truth or its
+falsity. Jacob Hasbrook was with him, and quite as much interested in
+the theory as the officer, who desired to vindicate his reputation as a
+detective. He had driven to the house of the victim of the outrage, and
+looked the matter over again in the light of the evidence obtained from
+the boat-builder.
+
+[Illustration: MORE EVIDENCE. Page 299.]
+
+"I have been trying to see Donald Ramsay," said Hasbrook. "I have been
+to his shop four times, but he's always off on some boat scrape. You say
+he saw Captain Shivernock the next morning."
+
+"Yes; and the captain didn't want to be seen, which is the best part of
+the testimony. If it was he, it seems to me you would have known him
+when he hammered you."
+
+"How could I, when he was rigged up so different, with his head all
+covered up?" replied Hasbrook, impatiently. "The man was about the
+captain's height, but stouter."
+
+"He was dressed for the occasion," added the sheriff, as he walked to
+the shore, where the skiff lay.
+
+They dragged it down to the water,--for it was low tide,--and got into
+it. Beardsley had traced to the cove the print of the heavy boot, which
+first appeared in some loam under the window where the ruffian had
+entered Hasbrook's house. He found it in the sand on the shore; and he
+was satisfied that the perpetrator of the outrage had arrived and
+departed in a boat. He had obtained from the captain's boot-maker a
+description of his boots, but none corresponded with those which had
+made the prints in Northport and Lincolnville.
+
+At the cove all clew to the ruffian had been lost; but now it was
+regained.
+
+The sheriff paddled the skiff out from the shore in the direction of
+Seal Island. The water was clear, and they could see the bottom, which
+they examined very carefully as they proceeded.
+
+"I see it," suddenly exclaimed Hasbrook, as he grasped the boat-hook.
+
+"Lay hold of it," added the sheriff. "I knew I was right."
+
+"I have it."
+
+Hasbrook hauled up what appeared to be a bundle of old clothes, and
+deposited it in the bottom of the skiff. Mr. Beardsley had worked up his
+case very thoroughly, though it was a little singular that he had not
+thought to ask Donald any questions; but these investigations had been
+made when the boat-builder was at home all the time, and the detective
+did not like to talk about the case any more than was necessary. He had
+ascertained that Captain Shivernock wore his usual gray suit when Donald
+saw him after the outrage, and he came to the conclusion that the
+ruffian had been disguised, for Hasbrook would certainly have known him,
+even in the dark, in his usual dress. They returned to the shore; and
+the bundle was lifted, to convey it to the beach.
+
+"It is very heavy," said Hasbrook. "I suppose there is a rock in it to
+sink it."
+
+"Open it, and throw out the rock," added the sheriff.
+
+Instead of a rock, the weight was half a pig of lead, which had
+evidently been chopped into two pieces with an axe.
+
+"That's good evidence, for the ballast of the Juno is pig lead," said
+Beardsley, as he stepped on the beach with the clothes in his hand.
+
+They were spread on the sand, and consisted of a large blue woolen
+frock, such as farmers sometimes wear, a pair of old trousers of very
+large size, and a pair of heavy cow-hide boots.
+
+"Now I think of it, the man had a frock on," exclaimed Hasbrook.
+
+"That's what made him look stouter than the captain," added Beardsley,
+as he proceeded to measure one of the boots, and compare it with the
+notes he had made of the size of the footprints. "It's a plain case;
+these boots made those tracks."
+
+"And here's the club he pounded me with," said Hasbrook, taking up a
+heavy stick that had been in the bundle.
+
+"But where in the world did Captain Shivernock get these old duds?"
+mused the sheriff.
+
+"Of course he procured them to do this job with," replied Hasbrook.
+
+"That's clear enough; but where did they come from? He has covered his
+tracks so well, that he wouldn't pick these things up near home."
+
+"There comes a boat," said the victim of the outrage, as a sail rounded
+the point.
+
+"Get out of the way as quick as you can," added the sheriff, in excited
+tones, as he led the way into the woods near the cove, carrying the wet
+clothes and boots with him.
+
+"What's the matter now?" demanded Hasbrook.
+
+"That boat is the Juno; Laud Cavendish is in her, and I want to know
+what he is about. Don't speak a word, or make a particle of noise. If
+you do, he will sheer off; and I want to see the ballast in that boat."
+
+Laud ran his craft up to the rocks on one side of the cove, where he
+could land from her; but as it is eleven o'clock, the hour appointed for
+the regatta, we must return to the city.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE GREAT RACE.
+
+
+It was nine o'clock when Donald turned out on the day of the great
+regatta. He had returned at three in the morning, nearly exhausted by
+fatigue and anxiety. It was horrible to be suspected of a crime; and
+bravely as he had carried himself, he was sorely worried. He talked the
+matter over with his mother and sister while he was eating his
+breakfast.
+
+"Why should Laud Cavendish charge you with such a wicked deed?" asked
+his mother.
+
+"To save himself, I suppose," replied Donald. "But he won't make
+anything by it. He hid those papers in the shop within a day or two, I
+am sure, for I had my hand in the place where he put them, feeling for a
+brad-awl I dropped day before yesterday, and I know they were not there
+then. But he is used up, anyhow, whether we find the box or not, for he
+tells one story and Captain Shivernock another; and I think Captain
+Patterdale believes what I say now. But the race comes off to-day, and
+if I lose it, I am used up too."
+
+The boat-builder left the house, and went on board of the Maud, which
+lay off the shop. Samuel Rodman was on deck, and they hoisted the
+mainsail. The wind had hauled round to the north-west early in the
+morning, and blew a smashing breeze, just such as Donald wanted for the
+great occasion. In fact, it blew almost a gale, and the wind came in
+heavy gusts, which are very trying to the nerves of an inexperienced
+boatman. The Penobscot, gayly dressed with flags, was moored in her
+position for the use of the judges.
+
+"We shall not want any kites to-day," said Donald, as he made fast the
+throat halyard.
+
+"No; and you may have to reef this mainsail," added Rodman.
+
+"Not at all."
+
+"But it is flawy."
+
+"So much the better."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Because a fellow that understands himself and keeps his eyes wide open
+has a chance to gain something on the heavy flaws that almost knock a
+boat over. It makes a sharper game of it."
+
+"But Commodore Montague is up to all those dodges."
+
+"I know he is; but in the other race, he lost half his time by luffing
+up in a squall."
+
+"But don't you expect a fellow to luff up in a squall?" demanded Rodman.
+
+"If necessary, yes; but the point is, to know when it must be done. If
+you let off the main-sheet or spill the sail every time a puff comes,
+you lose time," replied Donald. "I believe in keeping on the safe side;
+but a fellow may lose the race by dodging every capful of wind that
+comes. There goes the first gun."
+
+"Let us get into line," added Rodman, as he cast off the moorings and
+hoisted the jib. "Let her drive."
+
+Donald took the helm, and the Maud shot away like an arrow in the fresh
+breeze.
+
+"Her sails set beautifully," said the skipper for the occasion; though
+Rodman was nominally the captain of the yacht, and was so recorded in
+the books of the club.
+
+"Nothing could be better."
+
+"We shall soon ascertain how stiff she is," added Donald, as a heavy
+flaw heeled the yacht over, till she buried her rail in the water. "I
+don't think we shall get anything stronger than that. She goes down just
+so far, and then the wind seems to slide off. I don't believe you can
+get her over any farther."
+
+"That's far enough," replied Rodman, holding on, to keep his seat in the
+standing-room.
+
+The Maud passed under the stern of the judges' yacht, and anchored in
+the line indicated by the captain of the fleet. The Skylark soon
+arrived, and took her place next to the Penobscot. In these two yachts
+all the interest of the occasion centred. The Phantom and the Sea Foam
+soon came into line; and then it was found that the Christabel had
+withdrawn, for it blew too hard for her. Mr. Norwood and his son came on
+board, with Dick Adams, who was to be mate of the Maud, and Kennedy, who
+was well skilled in sailing a boat. Donald had just the crew he wanted,
+and he stationed them for the exciting race. Mr. Norwood was to tend the
+jib-sheets in the standing-room, Kennedy the main sheet, while Dick
+Adams, Frank Norwood, and Sam Rodman were to cast off the cable and
+hoist the jib forward.
+
+"Are you all ready, there?" called Donald, raising his voice above the
+noise made by the banging of the mainsail in the fresh breeze.
+
+"All ready," replied Dick Adams, who was holding the rode with a turn
+around the bitts.
+
+"Don't let her go till I give the word," added Donald. "I want to fill
+on the port tack."
+
+"Ay, ay!" shouted Dick; "on the port tack."
+
+This was a very important matter, for the course from the judges'
+station to Turtle Head would give the yachts the wind on the port
+quarter; and if any of them came about the wrong way, they would be
+compelled to gybe, which was not a pleasant operation in so stiff a
+breeze. Donald kept hold of the main-sheet, and by managing the sail a
+little, contrived to have the tendency of the Maud in the right
+direction, so that her sail would fill on the port tack. He saw that
+Dick Adams had the tender on the port bow, so that the yacht would not
+run it down when she went off.
+
+"There goes the gun!" shouted Rodman, very much excited as the decisive
+moment came.
+
+But Dick Adams held on, as he had been instructed to do, and pulled with
+all his might, in order to throw the head of the Maud in the right
+direction.
+
+"Hoist the jib!" shouted Donald, when he saw that the yacht was sure to
+cast on her port tack.
+
+Rodman and Norwood worked lively; and in an instant the jib was up, and
+Mr. Norwood had gathered up the lee sheet.
+
+"Let go!" added Donald, when he felt that the Maud was in condition to
+go off lively.
+
+She did go off with a bound and a spring. Donald crowded the helm hard
+up, so that the Maud wore short around.
+
+"Let off the sheet, lively, Kennedy!" said the skipper. "Ease off the
+jib-sheet, Mr. Norwood!"
+
+"We shall be afoul of the Phantom!" cried Dick Adams, as he began to run
+out on the foot-ropes by the bowsprit.
+
+"Lay in, Dick!" shouted Donald. "Don't go out there!"
+
+Dick retraced his steps, and came on deck. The Phantom had not cast in
+the right direction, and was coming around on the starboard tack, which
+had very nearly produced a collision with the Maud, the two bowsprits
+coming within a few inches of each other.
+
+"I was going out to fend off," said Dick, as he came aft, in obedience
+to orders.
+
+"I was afraid you would be knocked off the bowsprit, which is a bad
+place to be, when two vessels put their noses together. It was a close
+shave, but we are all right now," replied the skipper.
+
+"The Sea Foam takes the lead," added Mr. Norwood.
+
+"She had the head end of the line. The Skylark made a good start."
+
+"First rate," said Kennedy. "She couldn't be handled any better than she
+is."
+
+"We lead her a little," continued Mr. Norwood.
+
+"We had the advantage of her about half a length; as the Sea Foam has a
+length the best of us."
+
+The yachts were to form the line head to the wind, and this line was
+diagonal with the course to Turtle Head, so that the Sea Foam, which was
+farthest from the Penobscot, had really two length's less distance to go
+in getting to Stubb's Point Ledge than the Skylark; but this difference
+was not worth considering in such a breeze, though, if the commodore was
+beaten by only half a length by the Maud, he intended to claim the race
+on account of this disparity. The two yachts in which all the interest
+centred, both obtained a fair start, the Maud a little ahead of her
+great rival. The Phantom had to come about, and get on the right tack,
+for Guilford was too careful to gybe in that wind. The Sea Foam got off
+very well; and Vice Commodore Patterdale was doing his best to make a
+good show for his yacht, but she held her position only for a moment.
+The tremendous gusts were too much for Edward's nerves, and he luffed
+up, in order to escape one. The Maud went tearing by her, with the
+Skylark over lapping her half a length.
+
+"Haul up the centre-board a little more, Dick," said Donald, who did not
+bestow a single glance upon his dreaded rival, for all his attention was
+given to the sailing of the Maud. "A small pull on the jib-sheet, Mr.
+Norwood, if you please."
+
+"You gained an inch then," said Kennedy, striving to encourage the
+struggling skipper.
+
+But Donald would not look at the Skylark. He knew that the shortest
+distance between two points was by a straight line; and having taken a
+tree on the main land near Castine as his objective point, he kept it in
+range with the tompion in the stove-pipe, and did not permit the Maud to
+wabble about. Occasionally the heavy gusts buried the rail in the brine;
+but Donald did not permit her to dodge it, or to deviate from his
+inflexible straight line. She went down just so far, and would go no
+farther; and at these times it was rather difficult to keep on the seat
+at the weather side of the standing-room. Dick Adams, Norwood, and
+Rodman were placed on deck above the trunk, and had a comfortable
+position. The skipper kept his feet braced against the cleats on the
+floor, holding on with both hands at the tiller; for in such a blow, it
+was no child's play to steer such a yacht.
+
+"You are gaining on her, Don John," said Mr. Norwood.
+
+"Do you think so, sir?"
+
+"I know it."
+
+"The end of her bowsprit is about even with the tip of our main boom,"
+added Kennedy.
+
+"How much fin have we down, Dick?" asked the skipper.
+
+The mate of the Maud rushed to the cabin, where the line attached to the
+centre-board was made fast, and reported on its condition.
+
+"Haul up a little more," continued Donald. "Steady! Not the whole of it,
+but nearly all."
+
+"It is down about six inches now."
+
+"That will do."
+
+For a few moments all hands were still, watching with intense interest
+the progress of the race. The commodore, in the Skylark, was evidently
+doing his level best, for he was running away from the Sea Foam and the
+Phantom.
+
+"Bravo, Don John!" exclaimed the excited Mr. Norwood. "You are a full
+length ahead! I am willing to sign the contract with Ramsay & Son to
+build the yacht for me."
+
+"Don't be too fast, sir. We are not out of the woods yet, and shall not
+be for some time."
+
+"I am satisfied we are going to beat the Skylark."
+
+"Beat her all to pieces!" added Frank Norwood. "She is doing it as
+easily as though she were used to it."
+
+"I give you the order to build the yacht," said Mr. Norwood.
+
+"Thank you, sir; but I would rather wait till this race is finished
+before I take the job. We may be beaten yet--badly beaten, too. There
+are a dozen things that may use us up. The tide is not up, so that I
+can't play off the dodge I did in the Sea Foam; and if I could, Bob
+Montague is up to it."
+
+"There is no need of any dodge of any sort," replied Mr. Norwood. "We
+are beating the Skylark without manoeuvring; and that is the fairest way
+in the world to do it."
+
+"This is plain sailing, sir; and the Skylark's best point is on the
+wind. For aught I know, the Maud may do the best with a free wind," said
+Donald; and he had well nigh shuddered when he thought of the difference
+in yachts in this respect.
+
+"It may be so; but we are at least two lengths ahead of her now."
+
+"Over three," said Kennedy.
+
+"So much the better," laughed Mr. Norwood. "The more we gain with the
+wind free, the less we shall have to make on the wind."
+
+"But really, sir, this running down here almost before the wind is
+nothing," protested Donald, who felt that his passenger was indulging in
+strong expectations, which might not be realized. "The tug of war will
+come when we go about. We have to beat almost dead to windward; and it
+may be the Maud has given us her best point off the wind."
+
+"You don't expect her to fail on the wind--do you, Don John."
+
+"No, sir; I don't expect her to fail, for she did first rate yesterday,
+when we tried her. She looked the breeze almost square in the face: but
+I can't tell how she will do in comparison with the Skylark. Of course I
+don't expect the Maud to be beaten; but I don't want you to get your
+hopes up so high, that you can't bear a disappointment."
+
+"We will try to bear it; but Frank don't want a yacht that is sure to be
+beaten," added Mr. Norwood.
+
+"Then perhaps it is fortunate I didn't take the job, when you offered to
+give it to me."
+
+"But I think the Maud will win the race," persisted the confident
+gentleman.
+
+"So do I; but it is always best to have an anchor out to windward."
+
+"Bully for you, Don John!" shouted Kennedy, after the yacht had crossed
+the channel where the sea was very rough and choppy. "You made a good
+bit in the last quarter of an hour, and we are a dozen lengths ahead of
+her."
+
+"Surely she can never gain that distance upon us!" exclaimed Mr.
+Norwood.
+
+"It is quite possible, sir. I have known a boat to get a full mile ahead
+of another before the wind, and then be beaten by losing it all, and
+more too, going to windward. I expect better things than that of the
+Maud; but she may disappoint me. She is only making her reputation now."
+
+Donald watched his "sight" ahead all the time, and had not seen the
+Skylark for half an hour. The party was silent again for a while, but
+the Maud dashed furiously on her course, now and then burying her rail,
+while the water shot up through the lee scupper-holes into the
+standing-room. But Dick Adams, who was a natural mechanic, was making a
+pair of plugs to abate this nuisance.
+
+"Turtle Head!" exclaimed Rodman, who, though he had said but little,
+watched the movements of the yacht with the most intense delight and
+excitement.
+
+"We are a square quarter of a mile ahead of the Skylark," said Kennedy.
+"Business will be good with us, Don John, after this."
+
+"Give her a little more main-sheet, Kennedy," was the skipper's reply,
+as the yacht passed the Head, and he kept her away a little.
+
+"Eleven thirty," mused Mr. Norwood, who had taken out his gold watch,
+and noted the moment when the Maud passed the headland.
+
+"Now, mind your eye, all hands!" shouted Donald, as the Maud approached
+the north-east point of Long Island, where he had to change her course
+from south-east to south, which involved the necessity, with the wind
+north-west, of gybing, or coming about head to the wind.
+
+It would take a small fraction of a minute to execute the latter
+manoeuvre; and as the sails were now partially sheltered under the lee
+of the land, the bold skipper determined to gybe. Kennedy had early
+notice of his intention, and had laid the spare sheet where it would not
+foul anybody's legs. He hauled in all he could with the help of the mate
+and others.
+
+"Now, over with it," said Donald, as he put the helm down.
+
+The huge mainsail fluttered and thrashed for an instant, and then flew
+over. Kennedy, who had been careful to catch a turn in the rope, held
+fast when the sail "fetched up" on the other tack, and then the yacht
+rolled her rail under on the port side.
+
+"Let off the sheet, lively!" cried Donald.
+
+"That's what I'm doing," replied the stout ship carpenter, paying off
+the sheet very rapidly, so as to break the shock.
+
+"Steady! belay! Now draw jib there."
+
+As Dick Adams cast off the weather sheet in the new position, Mr.
+Norwood hauled in the lee. For a short distance the Maud had the wind on
+her starboard quarter; then the sheets were hauled in, and she took it
+on the beam, till she was up with the buoy on Stubbs Point Ledge, which
+she was to round, leaving it on the port. The ledge was not far from the
+land, on which was a considerable bluff, so that the wind had not more
+than half its force. In rounding the buoy, it was necessary to gybe
+again; and it was done without shaking up the yacht half so much as at
+the north-east point.
+
+"Now comes the pull," said Donald, as the Maud rounded the buoy. "Stand
+by your sheets! Now brace her up! Give her the whole of the board,
+Dick."
+
+Donald put the helm down; the jib and mainsail were trimmed as flat as
+it was judicious to have them; and the Maud was close-hauled, standing
+up to the northward. The skipper was careful not to cramp her by laying
+too close to the wind. He was an experienced boatman, and he governed
+himself more by the feeling of the craft under him than by his sight. He
+could shut his eyes, and tell by the pressure of the tiller in his hand
+whether she was cramped, or was going along through the water.
+
+"Did you get the time when the Skylark passed the Head, Mr. Norwood?"
+asked Donald.
+
+"No; you made things so lively, I hadn't time to look," replied the
+gentleman. "I should like to know just how many minutes we are ahead of
+her."
+
+"I think I can tell you, sir," added the skipper, with a smile.
+
+"How many?"
+
+"How many do you think, sir?"
+
+"Five or six."
+
+"Not more than one and a half, Mr. Norwood. Neither yacht has to give
+the other time, and what we gain belongs to us."
+
+"I should have thought we were at least five minutes ahead of her."
+
+"No, sir. Now we have a chance to manoeuvre a little," added Donald. "I
+know just what the commodore will do; he will stand on this tack, when
+he gets round the buoy, till he is almost up with Brigadier Island; then
+he will make a long stretch. I shall not do so."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because, if the wind lessens, he will get under the lee of the land. I
+shall go just one mile on this tack," replied Donald. "Have you any
+rubber coats on board, Sam?"
+
+"I have only two."
+
+"You will want them, for we are beginning to toss the spray about, as
+though it didn't cost anything."
+
+It was decidedly damp on the deck of the Maud, for the water thrown up
+by the waves, dashing against the weather bow, was carried by the gusty
+wind to the standing-room, drenching those who sat there. Donald and his
+companions had no fear of salt water, and were just as happy wet to the
+skin, as they were when entirely dry, for the excitement was quite
+enough to keep them warm, even in a chill, north-west wind. Half way
+across to Brigadier Island, Donald gave the order, "Ready about," and
+tacked. As he had predicted, Commodore Montague continued on his course,
+almost over to the island, and then came about. The Maud rushed
+furiously on her long stretch, dashing the spray recklessly over her
+deck, till she was almost up with the Northport shore, when she tacked
+again, and laid her course to windward of the judges' yacht, as the
+regulations required. As she rounded the Penobscot, a gun announced the
+arrival of the first yacht. The Maud let off her sheets, and passed
+under the stern of the judges' craft.
+
+"The Maud!" shouted Donald, enraptured with his victory.
+
+Four minutes and thirty-four seconds later, the gun announced the
+arrival of the Skylark. It was all of twenty minutes later when the Sea
+Foam arrived, and half an hour before the Phantom put in an appearance.
+There was not a shadow of a doubt that the Maud had won the great race.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE HASBROOK OUTRAGE AND OTHER MATTERS.
+
+
+The Maud went round to the line, and after picking up her tender and
+moorings, anchored near the Penobscot.
+
+"There is no doubt now which boat has won the race," said Mr. Norwood.
+
+"None whatever, sir," replied Donald. "The day is ours by as fair a race
+as ever was sailed. The Maud proved what she could do before we got to
+Turtle Head; and all the conditions were exactly equal up to that time.
+If I made anything by manoeuvring, it was only when we tacked a mile
+north of the Head. We have beaten her squarely in a heavy wind; but how
+she would do compared with the Skylark in a light breeze, is yet to be
+proved."
+
+"I am satisfied, Don John; and I give you the job to build the Alice,
+for that is to be the name of Frank's yacht."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I suppose you don't expect to get her out this season."
+
+"No; if he has her by the first of June of next year, it will be soon
+enough.--I hope you are satisfied with the Maud, Sam," added Mr.
+Norwood, turning to the owner of the winning craft.
+
+"I ought to be, and I am," replied Rodman.
+
+"You have the fastest yacht in the fleet."
+
+"She won't be when I sail her. The commodore will clean me out every
+time, if Don John is not at the helm."
+
+"Then there is a capital opportunity for you to improve in the art of
+sailing a yacht."
+
+"Plenty of room for that," laughed Rodman.
+
+Dick Adams brought the tender alongside, and pulled Mr. Norwood, Rodman,
+and Donald to the Penobscot.
+
+"I congratulate you, Don John," said Mr. Montague, extending his hand to
+the boat-builder. "You have won the race handsomely."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"It is a double triumph to you, since you both built your yacht, and
+sailed her," added Mr. Montague.
+
+"It is worth a good deal to me in a business point of view; for I get a
+job to build another yacht by it. The firm of Ramsay & Son can't afford
+to have their boats beaten," laughed Donald. "Here comes Robert."
+
+"I suppose he will not be satisfied with the Skylark, now that she has
+been so thoroughly whipped," added the commodore's father.
+
+"Perfectly satisfied with her, father. She is as good a boat as she ever
+was," answered Robert, as he gave his hand to Donald. "You have won the
+race fairly and handsomely, Don John; and I congratulate you upon your
+success."
+
+"I thank you, Bob; but I would rather have beaten any other fellow than
+you," replied Donald.
+
+"I can stand it as well as anybody."
+
+The ladies and gentlemen on board of the Penobscot congratulated the
+hero of the occasion, and condoled with the commodore, till the last of
+the fleet arrived. The judges filled out the schedule with the corrected
+time.
+
+"Captain Rodman, of the Maud," said the chairman; and the owner of the
+winning yacht stepped forward. "It appears from the schedule that you
+have made the shortest time, and I have the pleasure of presenting to
+you the first prize."
+
+"Thank you, sir," replied Rodman, accepting the envelope, which
+contained the prize of one hundred dollars; "but as it appears that
+Donald Ramsay sailed the Maud, as well as built her, I shall have the
+pleasure of presenting it to him."
+
+A round of hearty applause followed this little speech, which ended in
+three cheers for the captain of the Maud, and three more for her
+builder.
+
+"I can't take that," said Donald, declining to receive the envelope.
+
+"But you must take it. I will hand you over to Mr. Deputy Sheriff
+Beardsley, who, I see, is coming up the bay in the Juno."
+
+"It don't belong to me. I am not the owner of the Maud," protested
+Donald.
+
+"Take it! take it!" shouted one and another of the interested
+spectators, until nearly all of them had expressed their opinion in this
+way.
+
+Thus overborne, the boat-builder took the envelope, though his pride
+revolted.
+
+"Commodore Montague, it appears that the Skylark made the next best
+time, and I have the pleasure of presenting to you the second prize."
+
+"Which I devote to the club for the building fund."
+
+The members heartily applauded this disposal of the money.
+
+"I will give the other prize to the club for the same purpose," added
+Donald.
+
+"Impossible!" exclaimed Commodore Montague. "The fund is completed, and
+the donation cannot be accepted."
+
+"No! No!" shouted the members.
+
+"The fifty dollars I added to the fund just makes up the sum necessary
+to pay for the club-house on Turtle Head, which is to be only a shanty;
+so you can't play that game on us, Don John."
+
+Donald was compelled to submit; and he transferred the hundred dollars
+to his pocket-book.
+
+"I am so glad you won the race, Don John!" said Nellie Patterdale.
+"Everybody said you sailed the Maud splendidly."
+
+"Thank you, Nellie; your praise is worth more to me than that of all the
+others," replied Donald, blushing deeply; but I must do him the justice
+to say that, if he had not been laboring under intense excitement, he
+would not have made so palpable a speech to her.
+
+Nellie blushed too; but she was not angry, though her father might have
+been, if he had heard the remark.
+
+"Is Captain Patterdale on board?" shouted Mr. Beardsley, as the Juno ran
+under the stern of the Penobscot.
+
+"Here," replied the captain.
+
+"I want to see you and Don John," added the officer.
+
+The business of the race was finished, and the Maud conveyed Captain
+Patterdale, his daughter, and Donald to the shore. Laud Cavendish was in
+the Juno, and so was Hasbrook; but none of the party knew what had
+transpired at Saturday Cove during the forenoon.
+
+"I will be at your house in half an hour, Captain Patterdale," said
+Donald, as they landed. "I am wet to the skin, and I want to put on dry
+clothes."
+
+Mr. Beardsley had proposed the place of meeting; and the boat-builder
+hastened home. In a few minutes he had put himself inside a dry suit of
+clothes. Then he went to the shop, and wrote a brief note to Captain
+Shivernock, in which he enclosed sixty dollars, explaining that as he
+had been unable to "keep still with his tongue," he could not keep the
+money. He also added, that he should send him the amount received for
+the Juno when he obtained the bills from Captain Patterdale, who had a
+part of them. Sealing this note in an envelope, he called at the house
+of the strange man, on his way to the place of meeting. Mrs. Sykes said
+that Captain Shivernock was in his library.
+
+"Please to give him this; and if he wishes to see me, I shall be at
+Captain Patterdale's house for an hour or two," continued Donald; and
+without giving the housekeeper time to reply, he hastened off, confident
+there would be a storm as soon as the eccentric opened the note.
+
+In the library of the elegant mansion, he found the party who had been
+in the Juno, with Captain Patterdale and Nellie. On the desk was the tin
+box, the paint on the outside stained with yellow loam. Laud Cavendish
+looked as though life was a burden to him, and Donald readily
+comprehended the situation.
+
+"We have found the tin box," said Mr. Beardsley, with a smile, as the
+boat-builder was admitted.
+
+"Where did you find it?"
+
+"Laud had it in his hand down at Saturday Cove. While I was looking up
+the Hasbrook affair, our friend here landed from the Juno, and was
+walking towards the woods, when he walked into me. He owns up to
+everything."
+
+"Then I hope you are satisfied that I had nothing to do with the box."
+
+"Of course we are," interposed Captain Patterdale. "It certainly looked
+bad for you at one time, Don John."
+
+"I know it did, sir," added Donald.
+
+"But I could not really believe that you would do such a thing," said
+the captain.
+
+"I knew he wouldn't," exclaimed Nellie.
+
+"Laud says he buried the box on Turtle Head, just where you said, and
+only removed it yesterday, when he put the notes under the sill in your
+shop," continued Mr. Beardsley.
+
+"What did you do that for, Laud?" asked Donald, turning to the culprit.
+
+"You promised not to tell where I got the money to pay for the Juno. You
+went back on me," pleaded Laud.
+
+"I told you I wouldn't tell if everything was all right. When it
+appeared that the mended bill was not all right, I mentioned your name,
+but not till then."
+
+"That is so," added the nabob. "Now, Laud, did Captain Shivernock pay
+you any money?"
+
+"No, sir," replied Laud, who had concluded to tell the whole truth,
+hoping it would go easier with him if he did so.
+
+"Where did you get the mended bill you paid Don John?"
+
+"From the tin trunk."
+
+"Why did you say that Captain Shivernock gave you the money you paid for
+the Juno?"
+
+"I couldn't account for it in any other way. I knew the captain threw
+his money around very loosely, and I didn't think any one would ask him
+if he gave me the money. If any one did, he wouldn't answer."
+
+"But he did answer, and said he gave you the money."
+
+"He told me he would say so, when I went to see him a fortnight ago."
+
+"Why did you go to see him?"
+
+Laud glanced at Donald with a faint smile on his haggard face.
+
+"Don John told me Captain Shivernock had a secret he wanted to keep."
+
+"I told you so!" exclaimed Donald.
+
+"You did; but you thought I knew the secret," answered Laud. "You told
+me the captain had given me the money not to tell that I had seen him
+near Saturday Cove on the morning after the Hasbrook affair."
+
+"I remember now," said Donald. "Captain Shivernock gave me sixty
+dollars, and then gave me the Juno, for which I understood that I was
+not to say I had seen him that day. I refused to sell the boat to Laud
+till he told me where he got the money. When he told me the captain had
+given it to him, and would not say what for, I concluded his case was
+just the same as my own. After I left the captain, he stood over to the
+Northport shore, and Laud went over there soon after. I was sure that
+they met."
+
+"We didn't meet; and I did not see Captain Shivernock that day," Laud
+explained.
+
+"I supposed he had; I spoke to Laud just as though he had, and he didn't
+deny that he had seen him."
+
+"Of course I didn't. Don John made my story good, and I was willing to
+stick to it."
+
+"But you did not stick to it," added the nabob. "You said you had paid
+no money to Don John."
+
+"I will tell you how that was. When I got the secret out of Don John, I
+went to the captain with it. He asked me if I wanted to black-mail him.
+I told him no. Then I spoke to him about the tin trunk you had lost, and
+said one of the bills had been traced to me. I made up a story to show
+where I got the bill; but the man that gave it to me had gone, and I
+didn't even know his name. He had some bills just like that mended one;
+and when I told him what my trouble was, he promised to say that he had
+given me the bill; and then he laughed as I never saw a man laugh
+before."
+
+"What was he laughing at?" asked the sheriff.
+
+"He went off early the next morning, and I suppose he was laughing to
+think what a joke he was playing upon me, for he was not to be in town
+when wanted to get me out of trouble."
+
+"He did say he let you have the use of the Juno for taking care of her,
+and that he gave you the money, though he wouldn't indicate what it was
+for," added the officer.
+
+"I thought he was fooling me, and I didn't depend on him."
+
+"That's Captain Shivernock," said the good nabob, as the party in the
+library were startled by a violent ring at the door.
+
+It was the strange man. He was admitted by Nellie. He stalked up to
+Donald, his face red with wrath, and dashed the letter and bills into
+his face, crumpled up into a ball.
+
+"You canting little monkey! What have you been doing?" roared he.
+
+"Since I could not do what you wished me to do, I have returned your
+money," replied Donald, rising from his chair, for he feared the captain
+intended to assault him.
+
+"Have you disobeyed my orders, you whelp?"
+
+"I have; for I told you I should tell no lies."
+
+"I'll break every bone in your body for this!" howled Captain
+Shivernock.
+
+"Not yet, captain," interposed Mr. Beardsley. "You may have something
+else to break before you do that job."
+
+"Who are you?" demanded the wicked nabob, with what was intended as a
+withering sneer; but no one wilted under it.
+
+"A deputy sheriff of Waldo County, at your service; and I have a warrant
+for your arrest."
+
+"For my arrest!" gasped Captain Shivernock, dismounting from his high
+horse, for he had a wholesome fear of the penalties of violated law.
+
+"Here is the document," added the sheriff, producing a paper.
+
+"For what?"
+
+"For breaking and entering in the night time, in the first place, and
+for an aggravated assault on Jacob Hasbrook in the second."
+
+"What assault? You can't prove it."
+
+"Yes, we can; we went a-fishing down in Saturday Cove this morning, and
+we caught a bundle, containing a pair of boots, a blue frock, and other
+articles, including the stick the assault was committed with. They were
+sunk with half a pig of lead, the other half of which I found in the
+Juno. I hope you are satisfied."
+
+"No, I'm not. I didn't leave my house till four o'clock that morning;
+and I can prove it."
+
+"You will have an opportunity to do so in court."
+
+The wicked nabob was silent.
+
+"I was bound to follow this thing up to the bitter end," said Hasbrook,
+rejoiced at the detection of the wretch.
+
+"You got what you deserved, you miserable, canting villain!" roared the
+captain. "You cheated me out of a thousand dollars, by giving me an
+indorser you knew wasn't worth a dollar."
+
+"But I meant to pay you. I pay my debts. I appeal to Captain Patterdale
+to say whether I do or not."
+
+"I think you do when it is for your interest to do so, or when you can't
+help it," added the good nabob, candidly. "I suppose you know Mr. Laud
+Cavendish, captain?"
+
+"I do," growled the rich culprit. "He is the fellow that saved a man's
+life down at Haddock Ledge; a man he hadn't been introduced to, who gave
+him a pile of money for the job, but didn't give him his name."
+
+"But, Captain Shivernock, you said you gave him some money, and you
+didn't tell us what you gave it to him for," added Beardsley.
+
+"That was my joke."
+
+"We do not see the point of it."
+
+"I only wanted the privilege of proving to Captain Patterdale that he
+was mistaken about the bill, by showing him three more just like it."
+
+"How do you fold your money, Captain Shivernock?" asked the nabob.
+
+"None of your business, you canting psalm-singer."
+
+"I shall be obliged to commit you," said the sheriff, sharply.
+
+"Commit me!" howled the wicked nabob. "I should like to see you do it."
+
+"You shall have that satisfaction. If you give me any trouble about it,
+I shall have to put these things on," added the sheriff, taking from his
+pocket a pair of handcuffs.
+
+The culprit withered at the sight of the irons. He and Laud both walked
+to the county jail, where they were locked up. Of course the
+imprisonment of such a man as the wicked nabob caused a sensation; but
+there was no one to object. He was willing to pay any sum of money to
+get out of the scrape; but the majesty of the law must be vindicated,
+and there was a contest between money and justice. He obtained bail by
+depositing the large amount required in the hands of two men, whom his
+well-fed lawyer procured. Between two days he left the city; but
+Beardsley kept the run of him, and when he was wanted for trial, he was
+brought back from a western state.
+
+On the trial a desperate attempt was made to break down the witnesses;
+but it failed. The first for the defence was Mrs. Sykes; but her
+evidence was not what had been expected of her. She had told, and
+repeated the lie, that the captain left his house at four o'clock on the
+morning after the outrage; but in court, and under oath, she would not
+perjure herself. She declared that the defendant had left home about
+eleven o'clock in the evening, dressed in her husband's blue frock,
+boots, and hat. Mr. Sykes, after his wife had told the whole truth, was
+afraid to testify as he had said he should do. A conviction followed;
+and the prisoner was sentenced to the state prison for ten years. He was
+overwhelmed by this result. He swore like a pirate, and then he wept
+like a child; but he was sent to Thomaston, and put to hard work.
+
+Laud pleaded guilty, and was sent to the same institution for a year.
+There was hope of him; for if he could get rid of his silly vanity, and
+go to work, he might be saved from a lifetime of crime.
+
+Donald came out of the fire without the stain of smoke upon him. After
+the great race, as Mr. Norwood was in no hurry for the Alice, he went on
+the long cruise with the fleet, in the Sea Foam. They coasted along the
+shore as far as Portland, visiting the principal places on the seaboard.
+On the cruise down Donald "coached" his friend, Ned Patterdale, in the
+art of sailing; and on the return he rendered the same service to
+Rodman. Both of them proved to be apt scholars; and after long practice,
+they were able to bring out the speed of their yachts, and stood a fair
+chance in a regatta.
+
+On the cruise, the yachts were racing all the time when under way, but
+the results were by no means uniform. When Donald sailed the Maud, she
+beat the Skylark; but when Rodman skippered her himself, the commodore
+outsailed him. The Maud beat the Sea Foam, as a general rule; but one
+day Robert Montague sailed the latter, and the former was beaten.
+
+"Don John, I don't know yet which is the fastest craft in the fleet,"
+said Commodore Montague, as they were seated on Manhegan Island, looking
+down upon the fleet anchored below them.
+
+"I thought you did, Bob," laughed Donald.
+
+"No, I don't. I have come to the conclusion that you can sail a yacht
+better than I can, and that is the reason that you beat me in the Maud,
+as you did in the Sea Foam."
+
+"No, no!" replied Donald. "I am sure I can't sail a boat any better than
+you can."
+
+"I can outsail any boat in the fleet when you are ashore."
+
+"We can easily settle the matter, Bob."
+
+"How?"
+
+"You shall sail the Maud, and I will sail the Skylark. If the difference
+is in the skippers, we shall come in about even. If the Maud is the
+better sailer, you will beat me."
+
+"Good! I'll do it."
+
+"You will do your best in the Maud--won't you?"
+
+"Certainly; and you will do the same in the Skylark."
+
+"To be sure. We will sail around Matinicus Rock and back."
+
+The terms of the race were agreed upon, and the interest of the whole
+club was excited. The party went on board the fleet, and the two yachts
+were moored in line. At the firing of the gun on board the Sea Foam,
+they ran up their jibs and got a good start. The wind was west, a lively
+breeze, but not heavy. Each yacht carried her large gaff-topsail and the
+balloon-jib. The course was about forty miles, the return from the rock
+being a beat dead to windward. Robert and Donald each did his best, and
+the Maud came in twelve minutes ahead of the Skylark.
+
+"I am satisfied now," said Robert, when they met after the race.
+
+"I was satisfied before," laughed Donald. "I was confident the Maud was
+faster than the Skylark or the Sea Foam."
+
+"I agree with you now; and I have more respect for myself than I had
+before, for I thought it was you, and not the Maud, which had beaten
+me," added Robert. "I have also a very high respect for the firm of
+Ramsay & Son."
+
+[Illustration: THE MAUD WINNING THE RACE. Page 338.]
+
+The members of the club enjoyed the excursion exceedingly; and on their
+return it was decided to repeat it the next year, if not before. The
+club-house on Turtle Head was finished when the fleet arrived at
+Belfast; and during the rest of the vacation, the yachts remained in the
+bay. They had chowders and fries at the Head, to which the ladies
+were invited; and Donald made himself as agreeable as possible to Miss
+Nellie on these occasions. Possibly her father and mother had some
+objections to this continued and increasing intimacy; if they had, they
+did not mention them. They were compelled to acknowledge, when they
+talked the matter over between themselves, that Donald Ramsay was an
+honest, intelligent, noble young man, with high aims and pure
+principles, and that these qualifications were infinitely preferable to
+wealth without them; and they tacitly permitted the affair to take its
+natural course, as I have no doubt it will. Certainly the young people
+were very devoted to each other; and though they are too young to think
+of anything but friendship, it will end in a wedding.
+
+In the autumn, after the frame of the Alice was all set up, Barbara
+obtained a situation as a teacher in one of the public schools, and
+added her salary to the income of the boat-builder. The family lived
+well, and were happy in each other. After the boating season closed, the
+yacht club hired apartments, in which a library and reading-room were
+fitted up; and the members not only enjoyed the meetings every week,
+but they profited by their reading and their study. Donald is still an
+honored and useful member, and people say that, by and by, when the
+country regains her mercantile marine, he will be a ship-builder, and
+not, as now, THE YOUNG BOAT-BUILDER.
+
+
+
+
+LEE & SHEPARD'S
+
+LIST OF
+
+JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS.
+
+        Each Set in a neat Box with Illuminated Titles.
+
+
+        =Army and Navy Stories.= A Library for Young and
+        Old, in 6 volumes. 16mo. Illustrated. Per vol            $1.50
+
+        The Soldier Boy.
+        The Sailor Boy.
+        The Young Lieutenant.
+        The Yankee Middy.
+        Fighting Joe.
+        Brave Old Salt.
+
+
+        =Famous "Boat-Club" Series.= A Library for Young
+        People. Handsomely Illustrated. Six volumes, in neat
+        box. Per vol                                              1.25
+
+        The Boat Club; or, The Bunkers of Rippleton.
+        All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake.
+        Now or Never; or, The Adventures of Bobby Bright.
+        Try Again; or, The Trials and Triumphs of Harry West.
+        Poor and Proud; or, The Fortunes of Katy Redburn.
+        Little by Little; or, The Cruise of the Flyaway.
+
+
+        =Lake Shore Series, The.= Six volumes. Illustrated.
+        In neat box. Per vol                                      1.25
+
+        Through by Daylight; or, The Young Engineer of the
+        Lake Shore Railroad.
+        Lightning Express; or, The Rival Academies.
+        On Time; or, The Young Captain of the Ucayga Steamer.
+        Switch Off; or, The War of the Students.
+        Break Up; or, The Young Peacemakers.
+        Bear and Forbear; or, The Young Skipper of Lake
+        Ucayga.
+
+
+        =Soldier Boy Series, The.= Three volumes, in neat
+        box. Illustrated. Per vol                                 1.50
+
+        The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army.
+        The Young Lieutenant; or, The Adventures of an Army
+        Officer.
+        Fighting Joe; or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer.
+
+
+        =Sailor Boy Series, The.= Three volumes in neat box.
+        Illustrated. Per vol                                      1.50
+
+        The Sailor Boy; or, Jack Somers in the Navy.
+        The Yankee Middy; or, Adventures of a Naval Officer.
+        Brave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter-Deck.
+
+
+        =Starry Flag Series, The.= Six volumes. Illustrated.
+        Per vol                                                   1.25
+
+        The Starry Flag; or, The Young Fisherman of Cape Ann.
+        Breaking Away; or, The Fortunes of a Student.
+        Seek and Find; or, The Adventures of a Smart Boy.
+        Freaks of Fortune; or, Half Round the World.
+        Make or Break; or, The Rich Man's Daughter.
+        Down the River; or, Buck Bradford and the Tyrants.
+
+
+        =The Household Library.= 3 volumes. Illustrated.
+        Per volume                                                1.50
+
+        Living too Fast.
+        In Doors and Out.
+        The Way of the World.
+
+
+        =Way of the World, The.= By William T. Adams (Oliver
+        Optic)                                               12mo 1.50
+
+
+        =Woodville Stories.= Uniform with Library for Young
+        People. Six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.           16mo 1.25
+
+        Rich and Humble; or, The Mission of Bertha Grant.
+        In School and Out; or, The Conquest of Richard Grant.
+        Watch and Wait; or, The Young Fugitives.
+        Work and Win; or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise.
+        Hope and Have; or, Fanny Grant among the Indians.
+        Haste and Waste; or, The Young Pilot of Lake Champlain.
+
+
+        =Yacht Club Series.= Uniform with the ever popular
+        "Boat Club" Series. Completed in six vols. Illustrated.
+        Per vol.                                             16mo 1.50
+
+
+        Little Bobtail; or, The Wreck of the Penobscot
+        The Yacht Club; or, The Young Boat Builder.
+        Money Maker; or, The Victory of the Basilisk.
+        The Coming Wave; or, The Treasure of High Rock.
+        The Dorcas Club; or, Our Girls Afloat.
+        Ocean Born; or, The Cruise of the Clubs.
+
+
+        =Onward and Upward Series, The.= Complete in six
+        volumes. Illustrated. In neat box. Per vol.               1.25
+
+        Field and Forest; or, The Fortunes of a Farmer.
+        Plane and Plank; or, The Mishaps of a Mechanic.
+        Desk and Debit; or, The Catastrophes of a Clerk.
+        Cringle and Cross-Tree; or, The Sea Swashes of a Sailor.
+        Bivouac and Battle; or, The Struggles of a Soldier.
+        Sea and Shore; or, The Tramps of a Traveller.
+
+
+        =Young America Abroad Series.= A Library of
+        Travel and Adventure in Foreign Lands. Illustrated
+        by Nast, Stevens, Perkins, and others. Per vol. 16mo      1.50
+
+        _First Series._
+
+        Outward Bound; or, Young America Afloat.
+        Shamrock and Thistle; or, Young America in Ireland and Scotland.
+        Red Cross; or, Young America in England and Wales.
+        Dikes and Ditches, or, Young America in Holland and Belgium.
+        Palace and Cottage; or, Young America in France and Switzerland.
+        Down the Rhine; or, Young America in Germany.
+
+        _Second Series._
+
+        Up the Baltic; or, Young America in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
+        Northern Lands; or, Young America in Russia and Prussia.
+        Cross and Crescent; or, Young America in Turkey and Greece.
+        Sunny Shores; or, Young America in Italy and Austria.
+        Vine and Olive; or, Young America in Spain and Portugal.
+        Isles of the Sea; or, Young America Homeward Bound.
+
+        =Riverdale Stories.= Twelve volumes. A New Edition.
+        Profusely Illustrated from new designs by Billings. In
+        neat box. Per vol.
+
+        Little Merchant.
+        Young Voyagers.
+        Robinson Crusoe, Jr.
+        Dolly and I.
+        Uncle Ben.
+        Birthday Party.
+        Proud and Lazy.
+        Careless Kate.
+        Christmas Gift.
+        The Picnic Party.
+        The Gold Thimble.
+        The Do-Somethings.
+
+
+        =Riverdale Story Books.= Six volumes, in neat box.
+        Cloth. Per vol.
+
+        Little Merchant.
+        Young Voyagers.
+        Dolly and I.
+        Proud and Lazy.
+        Careless Kate.
+        Robinson Crusoe, Jr.
+
+
+        =Flora Lee Story Books.= Six volumes in neat box.
+        Cloth. Per vol.
+
+        Christmas Gift.
+        Uncle Ben.
+        Birthday Party.
+        The Picnic Party.
+        The Gold Thimble.
+        The Do-Somethings.
+
+        =Great Western Series, The.= Six volumes. Illustrated.
+        Per vol.                                                  1.50
+
+        Going West; or, The Perils of a Poor Boy.
+        Out West; or, Roughing it on the Great Lakes.
+        Lake Breezes.
+
+        =Our Boys' and Girls' Offering.= Containing Oliver
+        Optic's popular Story, Ocean Born; or, The Cruise of the
+        Clubs; Stories of the Seas, Tales of Wonder, Records
+        of Travel, &c. Edited by Oliver Optic. Profusely
+        Illustrated. Covers printed in Colors. 8vo.               1.50
+
+        =Our Boys' and Girls' Souvenir.= Containing Oliver
+        Optic's Popular Story, Going West; or, The Perils of a
+        Poor Boy; Stories of the Sea, Tales of Wonder, Records
+        of Travel, &c. Edited by Oliver Optic. With numerous
+        full-page and letter-press Engravings. Covers
+        printed in Colors. 8vo.                                   1.50
+
+
+
+
+        _NEW PUBLICATIONS OF LEE AND SHEPARD._
+
+
+        ELIJAH KELLOGG'S NEW BOOKS.
+
+
+        =JOHN GODSOE'S LEGACY.= 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.
+
+
+        =THE FISHER BOYS OF PLEASANT COVE.= 16mo.
+        Illustrated. $1.25. Completing THE PLEASANT COVE SERIES.
+
+
+        =THE PLEASANT COVE SERIES.= Five vols. Illustrated.
+        Per vol., $1.25.
+
+        1. ARTHUR BROWN.
+        2. THE YOUNG DELIVERERS.
+        3. THE CRUISE OF THE CASCO.
+        4. THE CHILD OF THE ISLAND GLEN.
+        5. JOHN GODSOE'S LEGACY.
+        6. FISHER BOYS OF PLEASANT COVE.
+
+
+        =THE TURNING OF THE TIDE;= OR, RADCLIFFE
+        RICH AND HIS PATIENTS. 16mo. Illustrated. $1.25.
+
+
+        =A STOUT HEART;= OR, THE STUDENT FROM OVER THE
+        SEA. 16mo. Illustrated. Cloth. $1.25.
+
+
+        =THE WHISPERING PINE SERIES.= 6 vols. Illustrated.
+        Per vol., $1.25.
+
+         1. THE SPARK OF GENIUS.
+         2. THE SOPHOMORES OF RADCLIFFE.
+         3. THE WHISPERING PINE.
+         4. WINNING HIS SPURS.
+         5. THE TURNING OF THE TIDE.
+         6. A STOUT HEART.
+
+        "Mr. Kellogg has made himself a great favorite
+        with young people by the number and variety of
+        adventures which he manages to pack into a
+        book; and to the parents by the excellent
+        precepts which he inculcates."
+
+
+
+
+LEE & SHEPARD'S JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+BY SOPHIE MAY.
+
+        =Little Prudy's Flyaway Series.= By the author of
+        "Dotty Dimple Stories," and "Little Prudy Stories."
+        Complete in six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.              75
+
+        Little Folks Astray.
+        Prudy Keeping House.
+        Aunt Madge's Story.
+        Little Grandmother.
+        Little Grandfather.
+        Miss Thistledown.
+
+
+        =Little Prudy Stories.= By Sophie May. Complete.
+        Six volumes, handsomely illustrated, in a neat box.
+        Per vol.                                                    75
+
+        Little Prudy.
+        Little Prudy's Sister Susy.
+        Little Prudy's Captain Horace.
+        Little Prudy's Cousin Grace.
+        Little Prudy's Story Book.
+        Little Prudy's Dotty Dimple.
+
+
+        =Dotty Dimple Stories.= By Sophie May, author of Little
+        Prudy. Complete in six volumes. Illustrated. Per
+        vol.                                                        75
+
+        Dotty Dimple at her Grandmother's.
+        Dotty Dimple at Home.
+        Dotty Dimple out West.
+        Dotty Dimple at Play.
+        Dotty Dimple at School.
+        Dotty Dimple's Flyaway.
+
+
+        =The Quinnebassett Girls.= 16mo. Illustrated.       1.50
+
+        The Doctor's Daughter. 16mo. Illustrated.                1.50
+        Our Helen. 16mo. Illustrated.                            1.50
+        The Asbury Twins. 16mo. Illustrated.                     1.50
+
+
+        =Flaxie Frizzle Stories.= To be completed in six volumes.
+        Illustrated. Per vol.                                       75
+
+        Flaxie Frizzle.
+        Flaxie Frizzle and Doctor Papa.
+        Little Pitchers.
+
+
+        =Young Dodge Club, The.= By James De Mille, author
+        of the B. O. W. C. Stories. Complete in three vols.
+        Illustrated. Per volume                                   1.50
+
+        Among the Brigands.
+        The Seven Hills.
+        The Winged Lion.
+
+
+        =Hunter's Library, The.= 5 volumes. Illustrated. Per
+        volume                                                    1.50
+
+        Australian Wanderers. The Adventures of Capt. Spencer
+        and his Horse and Dog in the Wilds of Australia.
+
+        Antonio in the Wilds of Africa.
+
+        Anecdotes of Animals, with their Habits, Instincts, &c., &c.
+
+        Anecdotes of Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, &c., their Habits
+        and Instincts.
+
+        A Thousand Miles' Walk Across South America, over the
+        Pampas and the Andes.
+
+
+        =Little People of God,= and what the Poets have said of
+        them. By Mrs. George L. Austin. 4to. Illustrated.         2.00
+
+
+        =Frontier Series, The.= Five volumes. Illustrated. Per
+        vol.                                                      1.25
+
+        Twelve Nights in the Hunters' Camp.
+        A Thousand Miles' Walk Across South America.
+        The Cabin on the Prairie.
+        Planting the Wilderness.
+        The Young Pioneers of the Northwest.
+
+
+        =Helping Hand Series.= By May Mannering. Complete
+        in six vols. Illustrated. Per volume.                     1.00
+
+        Climbing the Rope.
+        Billy Grimes's Favorite.
+        The Cruise of the Dashaway.
+        The Little Spaniard.
+        Salt-water Dick.
+        Little Maid of Oxbow.
+        An entirely new edition.
+
+
+        =Cast Away in the Cold.= An Old Man's Story of a
+        Young Man's Adventures. By Dr. Isaac I. Hayes. 1
+        volume. Illustrated.                                      1.25
+
+
+        =Vacation Story-Books.= For Boys and Girls. Finely
+        Illustrated from designs by Hoppin and others. Six
+        volumes, square 16mo. In neat box. Per volume               80
+
+        Worth not Wealth.
+        Country Life.
+        The Charm.
+        Karl Keigler.
+        Walter Seyton.
+        Holidays at Chestnut Hill.
+
+
+        =Winwood Cliff Stories.= By the Rev. Daniel Wise,
+        D.D., author of the "Glen Morris Stories." To be
+        completed in six volumes. Per volume                      1.00
+
+        Winwood Cliff; or, Oscar, The Sailor's Son.
+        Ben Blinker; or, Maggie's Golden Motto, and what it did for
+        her Brother.
+        A new volume in Press.
+
+
+        =Young Trail-Hunters' Series, The.= By Samuel Woodworth
+        Cozzens. 12mo. Per vol.                                   1.00
+
+        Young Silver Seekers, The; or, Hal and Ned in Sonora.
+        (In press.)
+
+        Crossing the Quicksands; or, The Veritable Adventures
+        of Hal and Ned upon the Pacific Slope. 16mo. Illustrated.
+        317 pp.                                                   1.00
+
+        The Young Trail-Hunters; or, The Wild Riders of the
+        Plains. 12mo. Illustrated. 205 pp.                        1.00
+
+
+        =Battles at Home.= By Mary G. Darling. Illustrated.
+        12mo.                                                     1.00
+
+
+        =In the World.= By Mary G. Darling. Illustrated.
+        12mo.                                                     1.00
+
+
+        =Golden Hair.= A Story of the Pilgrims. By Sir Lascelles
+        Wraxhall, Bart. 12mo. Illustrated.                        1.00
+
+
+        =Snip and Whip,= and some other Boys. By Elizabeth A.
+        Davis. 16mo. Cloth. Illustrated.                          1.25
+
+
+        =Sunnybank Stories.= Twelve volumes. Compiled by
+        Rev. Asa Bullard, editor of the "Well-Spring." Profusely
+        Illustrated. 32mo. Bound in high colors, and
+        put in a neat box. Per volume                               25
+
+        Uncle Henry's Stories.
+        Dog Stories.
+        Stories for Alice.
+        My Teacher's Gem.
+        The Scholar's Welcome.
+        Going to School.
+        Aunt Lizzie's Stories.
+        Mother's Stories.
+        Grandpa's Stories.
+        The Good Scholar.
+        The Lighthouse.
+        Reward of Merit.
+
+
+        =Sunnybank Stories.= Six volumes. Compiled by Rev.
+        Asa Bullard. Profusely Illustrated. 32mo. Bound in
+        high colors, and put up in a neat box. Per volume           25
+
+        Uncle Henry's Stories.
+        Dog Stories.
+        Stories for Alice.
+        Aunt Lizzie's Stories.
+        Mother's Stories.
+        Grandpa's Stories.
+
+
+        =Shady Dell Stories.= Six volumes. Compiled by Rev. Asa
+        Bullard, editor of the "Well-Spring." Profusely Illustrated.
+        32mo. Bound in high colors, and put up in a
+        neat box (to match the Sunnybank Stories). Per volume       25
+
+        My Teacher's Gem.
+        The Scholar's Welcome.
+        Going to School.
+        The Good Scholar.
+        The Lighthouse.
+        Reward of Merit.
+
+
+        =Tone Masters, The.= A Musical Series for the Young.
+        By the author of "The Soprano," &c. 16mo. Illustrated.
+        Per volume                                                1.25
+
+        Mozart and Mendelssohn.
+        Handel and Haydn.
+        Bach and Beethoven.
+
+
+        =Twilight Stories.= By Mrs. Follen. Twelve volumes.
+        4to. Illustrated. Per volume                                50
+
+        Travellers' Stories.
+        True Stories about Dogs.
+        Made-Up Stories.
+        Peddler of Dust Sticks.
+        When I was a Girl.
+        Who speaks Next?
+        The Talkative Wig.
+        What Animals do and say.
+        Two Festivals.
+        Conscience.
+        Piccolissima.
+        Little Songs.
+
+
+        =Maidenhood Series.= 12mo. Illustrated.
+
+        Seven Daughters. By Miss A. M. Douglas.                   1.50
+        Running to Waste: The Story of a Tomboy. By Geo. M.
+          Baker.                                                  1.50
+        Our Helen. By Sophie May.                                 1.75
+        That Queer Girl. By Virginia F. Townsend.                 1.50
+        The Asbury Twins. By Sophie May.                          1.75
+        Daisy Travers; or, The Girls of Hive Hall. By Adelaide F.
+          Samuels.                                                1.50
+
+
+        =Amateur Drama Series.= By Geo. M. Baker. 6 volumes.
+        Illustrated. Per vol.                                     1.50
+
+        Amateur Dramas.
+        The Mimic Stage.
+        The Social Stage.
+        The Drawing-Room Stage.
+        The Exhibition Drama.
+        Handy Dramas.
+
+
+        =Eminent Statesmen.= The Young American's Library
+        of Eminent Statesmen. Uniform with the Young
+        American's Library of Famous Generals. Six volumes,
+        handsomely illustrated, in neat box. (New edition.)
+        Per volume                                                1.25
+
+        Benjamin Franklin.
+        Daniel Webster.
+        Daring Deeds.
+        William Penn.
+        Henry Clay.
+        Noble Deeds.
+
+
+        =Famous Generals.= The Young American's Library of
+        Famous Generals. A useful and attractive series of
+        books for Boys. Six volumes, handsomely illustrated,
+        in neat box. (New edition.) Per vol.                      1.25
+
+        General Washington.
+        General Taylor.
+        General Jackson.
+        General Lafayette.
+        General Marion.
+        Napoleon Bonaparte.
+
+
+        =Springdale Stories.= By Mrs. S. B. C. Samuels. Six
+        volumes. Illustrated. Per volume                            75
+
+        Obeying the Golden Rule.
+        The Shipwrecked Girl.
+        Nettie's Trial.
+        The Smuggler's Cave.
+        Under the Sea.
+        The Burning Prairie.
+
+
+        =Charley Roberts Series.= By Miss Louise M. Thurston.
+        To be completed in six volumes. Per vol.                  1.00
+
+        How Charlie Roberts became a Man.
+        How Eva Roberts gained her Education.
+        Home in the West.
+        Children of Amity Court.
+
+
+        =Crusoe Library.= An attractive series for Young and
+        Old. Six volumes. Illustrated. In neat box. Per vol.      1.50
+
+        Robinson Crusoe.
+        Arabian Nights.
+        Arctic Crusoe.
+        Young Crusoe.
+        Prairie Crusoe.
+        Willis the Pilot.
+
+
+        =Dick and Daisy Series.= By Miss Adelaide F. Samuels.
+        Four volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.                         50
+
+        Adrift in the World; or, Dick and Daisy's Early Days.
+        Fighting the Battle; or, Dick and Daisy's City Life.
+        Saved from the Street; or, Dick and Daisy's Proteges.
+        Grandfather Milly's Luck; or, Dick and Daisy's Reward.
+
+
+        =Dick Travers Abroad Series.= By Miss Adelaide F.
+        Samuels. Four volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.                50
+
+        Little Cricket; or, Dick Travers in London.
+        Palm Land; or, Dick Travers in the Chagos Islands.
+        The Lost Tar; or, Dick Travers in Africa.
+        On the Wave; or, Dick Travers aboard the Happy Jack.
+        The Turning of the Tide; or, Radcliffe Rich and his Patients.
+        Winning his Spurs; or, Henry Morton's First Trial.
+
+
+        =Girlhood Series, The.= Comprising six volumes, 12mo.
+        Illustrated.                                              1.50
+
+        An American Girl Abroad. By Miss Adeline Trafton.
+        The Doctor's Daughter. By Sophie May.
+        Sallie Williams, The Mountain Girl. By Mrs. E. D. Cheney.
+        Only Girls. By Virginia F. Townsend.
+        Lottie Eames; or, Do Your Best, and Leave the Rest.
+        Rhoda Thornton's Girlhood. By Mrs. Mary E. Pratt.
+
+
+BY J. T. TROWBRIDGE.
+
+        =His Own Master.= 16mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+          (In press.)                                             1.25
+
+        =Bound in Honor;= or, Boys will be Boys. 16mo. Cloth.
+        Illustrated.                                              1.25
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+MISCELLANEOUS.
+
+        =Alden Series.= By Joseph Alden, D.D. 4 vols. Illustrated.
+        Per vol.                                                    50
+
+        The Cardinal Flower.
+        The Lost Lamb.
+        Henry Ashton.
+        The Light-hearted Girl.
+
+
+        =Baby Ballad Series.= (In press.) Three volumes. Illustrated.
+        4to. Per vol.                                            1.00
+
+        Baby Ballads. By Uno.
+        Little Songs. By Mrs. Follen.
+        New Songs for Little People. By Mrs. Anderson.
+
+
+        =Beckoning Series.= By Paul Cobden. To be completed
+        in six volumes. Illustrated. Per vol.                     1.25
+
+        Who will Win?
+        Going on a Mission.
+        The Turning Wheel.
+        Good Luck.
+        Take a Peep.
+        (Another in preparation.)
+
+
+        =Blue Jacket Series.= Six vols. 12mo. Illustrated. Per
+        vol.                                                      1.50
+
+        Swiss Family Robinson.
+        Willis the Pilot.
+        The Prairie Crusoe.
+        Gulliver's Travels.
+        The Arctic Crusoe.
+        The Young Crusoe.
+
+
+        =Celesta Stories, The.= By Mrs. E. M. Berry. 16mo.
+        Illustrated. Per vol.                                     1.00
+
+        Celesta.
+        The Crook Straightened.
+        Crooked and Straight.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+Illustration, "Linconville" changed to "Lincolnville" (News from
+Lincolnville) (page 113)
+
+Page 118, "too" changed to "took" (as he took)
+
+Page 129, "arn't" changed to "aren't" (aren't you, Don)
+
+Page 184, "filled" changed to "filed" (rebuff, filed away)
+
+Page 225, (between 224-225) Illustration caption was cropped and page
+number is presumed.
+
+Page 258, "happpened" changed to "happened" (he happened to)
+
+Page 264, "hsmself" changed to "himself" (himself by his)
+
+Page 290, "indentify" changed to "identify" (can identify the one)
+
+Page 334, "well-feed" changed to "well-fed" (his well-fed lawyer)
+
+Page 336, "Manheigan" changed to "Manhegan" (on Manhegan Island)
+
+Page 338, "run" changed to "ran" (they ran up)
+
+Advertising, the prices for: Riverdale Stories, Riverdale Story Books,
+and Flora Lee Story Books were omitted in the original text.
+
+Dick and Daisy Series: "proteges" changed to "Proteges" (Dick and
+Daisy's Proteges)
+
+Yacht Club Series: "Builders" changed to "Builder" (Young Boat Builder)
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yacht Club, by Oliver Optic
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YACHT CLUB ***
+
+***** This file should be named 23351.txt or 23351.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/3/5/23351/
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from scans of public domain material produced by
+Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions 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.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/23351.zip b/23351.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ffc54f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23351.zip
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..ce5ec80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #23351 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23351)