Part 11 (1/2)

The boat pulled to the sh.o.r.e, 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 s.h.i.+p 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 a.s.sembled 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 doc.u.ment to the yachtmen. The race was to take place the next Sat.u.r.day, and was open to all yachts exceeding twenty feet in length, duly entered before the time. All were to sail in the same cla.s.s; the first prize was a silver vase, and the second a marine gla.s.s. 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 antic.i.p.ation 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 s.h.i.+vernock, congratulating himself on the happy issue of his interview with Mr. Rodman. As he pa.s.sed the book and periodical store, he saw Lawrence Kennedy, a s.h.i.+p 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.