Part 3 (1/2)
”What will you do now?” asked Thomas, whose courage was sorely tried by the perilous situation of the boat.
”Get the water out, and we will see what can be done,” answered Paul, who, though he had already decided this important question, would not permit his pa.s.senger to enter into his counsels, preferring to tantalize him by his mysterious manner.
”Let us get ash.o.r.e, Paul, as soon as possible.”
”Going to back out?”
”No; what's the use of talking in that way, about backing out, when you can't carry sail?” replied Thomas, whose pride was still unconquered, though his courage was rapidly failing him.
”I shall rig a new sprit; there's the boat-hook, which will make a very good one; it is just the right length.”
”I'll give up then, and back out,” said Thomas, despairing of any relief from the misfortunes that had befallen the boat.
”Don't back out on my account; I will put you ash.o.r.e at the Point, if you say the word,” replied Paul, satisfied now that he had kept his promise and given his friend enough of it.
”Run for the sh.o.r.e, Paul.”
”Just as you say;” and the boatman, proud of the triumph he had won over his boastful companion, turned the boat's head towards the sh.o.r.e.
The corner of the sail hung down for the want of a sprit to support it, but as they had the wind free, there was canvas enough to drive her rapidly towards the sh.o.r.e. While they were still half a mile from the cove, Thomas called Paul's attention to a horse and chaise on the beach, from which a man was making violent gestures for them to come ash.o.r.e.
CHAPTER III.
PAUL HEARS BAD NEWS.
”Who is it, Tom?” asked Paul, very anxiously.
”I don't know; can't make him out.”
”What can he want with us?”
”Perhaps your mother has sent him after her runaway boy; but whoever he is, I will tell him you are a fellow of the right s.p.u.n.k.”
”Who can it be?”
”What matter who it is? Your mother won't whip you--will she?”
”No, of course not. My mother don't whip me.”
”I thought she did, you seem so much afraid of her.”
”I am not afraid of her.”
”If you are, there is nothing else that can frighten you.”
”I mind my mother because she is my mother; because I like to do so, and not because I am afraid of her. You had better not say much more about being afraid, Tom.”
”Do you mean to say I was afraid?” said Thomas, smartly.