Part 12 (1/2)
”You are so fond of travelling, I should think it would be very dull for you here, uncle. Do you know, Aunt Plenty says she is sure you will be off in a year or two.”
”Very likely.”
”Oh me! what _shall_ I do then?” sighed Rose, in a tone of despair that made Uncle Alec's face brighten with a look of genuine pleasure as he said significantly,--
”Next time I go I shall take my little anchor with me. How will that suit?”
”Really, uncle?”
”Really, niece.”
Rose gave a little bounce of rapture which caused the boat to ”wiggle”
in a way that speedily quieted her down. But she sat beaming joyfully and trying to think which of some hundred questions she would ask first, when Dr. Alec said, pointing to a boat that was coming up behind them in great style,--
”How well those fellows row! Look at them, and take notes for your own use by and by.”
The ”Stormy Petrel” was manned by half a dozen jaunty-looking sailors, who made a fine display of blue s.h.i.+rts and s.h.i.+ny hats, with stars and anchors in every direction.
”How beautifully they go, and they are only boys. Why, I do believe they are _our_ boys! Yes, I see Charlie laughing over his shoulder. Row, uncle, row! oh, please do, and not let them catch up with us!” cried Rose, in such a state of excitement that the new umbrella nearly went overboard.
”All right, here we go!” and away they did go with a long steady sweep of the oars that carried the ”Bonnie Belle” through the water with a rush.
The lads pulled their prettiest, but Dr. Alec would have reached the Point first, if Rose, in her flurry, had not r.e.t.a.r.ded him by jerking the rudder ropes in a most unseamanlike way, and just as she got right again her hat blew off. That put an end to the race, and while they were still fis.h.i.+ng for the hat the other boat came alongside, with all the oars in the air, and the jolly young tars ready for a frolic.
”Did you catch a crab, uncle?”
”No, a blue-fish,” he answered, as the dripping hat was landed on a seat to dry.
”What have you been doing?”
”Seeing Fun.”
”Good for you, Rose! I know what you mean. We are going to have him up to show us how to fly the big kite, for we can't get the hang of it.
Isn't he great fun, though?”
”No, little Fun.”
”Come, stop joking, and show us what you've got.”
”You'd better hoist that fan for a sail.”
”Lend Dandy your umbrella; he hates to burn his pretty nose.”
”I say, uncle, are you going to have a Feast of Lanterns?”
”No, I'm going to have a feast of bread and b.u.t.ter, for it's tea-time.
If that black cloud doesn't lie, we shall have a gust before long, so you had better get home as soon as you can, or your mother will be anxious, Archie.”
”Ay, ay, skipper. Good-night, Rose; come out often, and we'll teach you all there is to know about rowing,” was Charlie's modest invitation.