Part 14 (2/2)
Paul continued.
”Keep her away a little; we will go on board of her if you like,” said Captain Littleton.
Paul, though he would not have ventured on board of the new craft if he had been alone, ran the Blowout alongside of her, for he was satisfied that the presence of his friend would free him from the charge of trespa.s.s. John made fast the painter to the new boat, and the party leaped on board.
”Isn't she a beauty!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed John.
”A perfect beauty,” added Paul, with enthusiasm. ”She will sail like a bird.”
”You see she has air chambers at the bow and stern,” said Captain Littleton. ”You cannot sink her.”
The boys examined her from stem to stern, and their eyes sparkled with pleasure, as they rested upon her useful and elegant appurtenances. John looked over her gracefully rounded stern, and found there the words, FAWN--BAYVILLE, in raised gilt letters; and he immediately gave utterance to his opinion that the Fawn of Bayville couldn't be beaten.
”How do you like her, Paul?” quietly asked Captain Littleton.
”First rate, sir; she is the finest boat I ever saw.”
”Do you think she would sail well?”
”I know she would.”
”Suppose we try her. You may hoist the fore and main sails.”
”Does she belong to you, sir?”
”She belongs to a friend of mine; but we will try her.”
Paul and John hoisted the sails, and got everything in readiness to slip the moorings, when the captain wished John to take the Blowout over to her berth, and they would take him on board again. He consented, and the two boats were soon headed towards the beach; but the Fawn made three rods as often as the Blowout made one.
At last John worked the clumsy old boat up to the beach, and jumped on board the Fawn. The language with which he expressed his satisfaction at her performance under sail was not very elegant or well chosen; but it undoubtedly expressed his opinion, so that no mistakes in regard to his meaning could have been excused.
”You like her, do you, Paul?” asked Captain Littleton for the tenth time.
”Very much indeed. She is a beauty! Who owns her, sir?”
”She belongs to a young friend of mine--one Paul Duncan.”
”Sir! What!”
”Exactly so, Paul. She belongs to you, and henceforth you are to be the skipper of the Fawn.”
CHAPTER X.
PAUL AND JOHN ARE VERY MUCH EXCITED.
Paul was overwhelmed with astonishment and delight at this unexpected declaration. His eyes filled with tears, and he could not utter a word to express the grat.i.tude that filled his heart.
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