Part 12 (1/2)

But the skipper was not to be fully gratified; for the next time he looked about at the steamer, she was under way again, and with her bow pointed to the Goldwing. She was half a mile astern of the schooner, and this was a considerable distance for her to gain. But Dory began to feel the excitement of the race, for it was evident that there was to be a race.

The high land at the southern end of Valcour's Island was making it altogether too mild for the Goldwing, for the Missisquoi was evidently gaining very rapidly upon her. Dory started the sheets, and ran to the southward, where he could get more wind. The steamer promptly changed her course, and followed the schooner. It was plain that Captain Vesey or Pearl Hawlinshed, whichever was managing the steamer, had no idea of using any thing like tact or stratagem in the chase. Probably the pilot did not consider that any thing of the kind was necessary, and that the steamer ought to overhaul the sailboat simply by outsailing her.

By this time the other members of the Goldwing Club had eaten all they could, and their occupation became uninteresting. Corny put the provisions into a locker in the cabin, and there was enough left for two or three meals more. First one stood up, and then another, until all had taken a view of the Missisquoi.

”The steamer is chasing you, Dory,” said Thad, as though he had made a discovery. ”She is following us with all her might.”

”I know it,” replied Dory, looking behind him at the steamer.

”What is she chasing us for?” asked Corny.

”She wants to catch us,” added Dory.

”Is it to find out whether she can beat the Goldwing?” asked Nat. ”She's a steamer, and she ought to beat her every time.”

”Perhaps she ought to, but I don't intend that she shall.”

”You don't expect to run away from a steamer, do you, Dory?” said d.i.c.k Short.

”I don't expect to let her catch us; but it will depend upon how fast that steamer can go,” added Dory.

”But what does she want to catch us for, Dory?” persisted Corny, repeating the question he had put before.

”I thought I told you about it. The man in the bow wanted to buy the Goldwing. I bid over him, and got the boat. That made him mad. This is all I know about the reason for his chasing us. He is a wicked fellow, and I think he means to do me harm. All I want to do is to keep out of his way,” replied Dory. ”I don't know what he wants of me, and you are just as wise as I am. We won't say any thing more about that matter.”

”Of course he will catch you,” added Thad. ”Who ever heard of such a thing as a sailboat running away from a steamer?”

”No matter whether we ever heard of such a thing or not, we are going to try it now,” replied Dory. ”But I can't have you fellows flying about all over the boat any longer. Two of you sit on each side of me, and I think there will be fun in this thing before we get through with it.”

”All right, Dory: you are the captain of this s.h.i.+p, and we will do just what you say,” replied Corny.

The boys disposed of themselves as the skipper directed, and sat as still as they could, which was not saying much. But Dory was satisfied that they would keep still enough as soon as the boat got a little more to the eastward, where she would feel the full force of the strong breeze.

”She is gaining on us, Dory,” said Thad; and he and his companions were watching the Missisquoi all the time. They were beginning to get excited over the race, though they seemed to be sure that it would soon come to an end by the steamer overtaking the Goldwing.

”I expect her to gain on us while we are here in still water; but I think she will roll a great deal more than the Goldwing when we get out into the lake,” replied Dory.

”Creation! didn't she roll coming over from Burlington?” exclaimed Corny. ”I thought she was going to roll clear over. Mr. b.u.t.ton the engineer said Captain Vesey did not know how to handle her.”

”Don't you expect that the Goldwing will roll in the big waves?” asked Thad.

”Of course she will; but she sits lighter on the water than that steamer, and she won't dive into the waves so deep. But wait, and we shall soon see what we can do,” replied Dory. ”You fellows have eaten all you can, and I have not had any thing since my breakfast early this morning.”

”I will steer for you, Dory, while you eat your dinner,” proposed Corny.

”Did you ever steer a sailboat, Corny?” asked Dory with a smile.

”I never did; but I think I can do it,” replied the volunteer.