Part 27 (1/2)

The three jumped aboard, and Coombs, with something like a grin at his partner, shoved the boat's head off. He had got the jib and mainsail up, and they caught what little breeze there was stirring. The _Flyaway_ drew away from the landing. To Bangs's embarra.s.sment, however, the boom suddenly swung inboard, swiped across the stern, causing him to duck hastily, and almost knocking the bonnet off the lady with the pug dog.

Mr. Bangs had jibed the boat, greatly to his surprise. But no harm had been done, as the wind was light.

Mr. Bangs laughed loudly. ”Meant to tell you that was coming,” he said.

”She'll sail better this way. Ever been on the water before, boys?”

Harvey nodded. ”A little,” he said.

”Well, the more you are used to it, the better you'll like it,” said Mr.

Bangs. ”Don't mind if she tips a little, if we get any wind. She sails that way. Funny that jib flutters so. Better haul in on that rope there and--and trim it.”

Henry Burns, soberly following orders, did as requested. But it was noticeable that the tr.i.m.m.i.n.g did not seem to accomplish the result desired by Mr. Bangs. In fact, as the _Flyaway_ was going dead before the wind, it was quite apparent that no amount of tr.i.m.m.i.n.g would make the jib draw.

”It keeps on fluttering just the same, Augustus,” said Mrs. Bangs, eying the offending sail suspiciously. ”Hadn't you better tie it some way?”

”Of course not,” responded Mr. Bangs, loftily. ”They will act that way sometimes. Isn't that so, my lads?”

”Oh yes,” replied Henry Burns. ”I've seen 'em do it, haven't you, Jack?”

But Harvey was looking the other way.

They went slowly up the pond, with Mr. Bangs holding the tiller and watching the sail critically. He was in buoyant spirits, and entertained them with stories of the thrilling adventures of the Green Pond Fis.h.i.+ng Club, in which he seemed to have figured prominently.

The wind freshened a little and the _Flyaway_ drew ahead somewhat faster. There was just the suspicion of a ripple along the sides, and it was pleasant sailing. Two miles up the pond they dropped the sail and anch.o.r.ed; got out the fish lines and tried for ba.s.s. After which, Mr.

Bangs, a generous host, opened up a huge hamper and spread out a luncheon that made Little Tim's mouth water.

”Nothing like sailing to give one an appet.i.te,” exclaimed Mr. Bangs, heartily. ”Pitch in, boys. There's plenty of grub. I believe in having enough to eat, I do.”

He was so busily and pleasantly engaged in eating that he paid no heed to the aspect of the sky. Nor, indeed, was there anything of very serious import in its changes. But Henry Burns, alert as ever, saw certain signs of wind in some light banks of cloud that began to gather in the western sky, in the direction of Coombs's landing.

”We won't have to row home,” he said presently, addressing the skipper of the _Flyaway_, who was absorbed in the enjoyment of a huge slice of meat pie.

”Eh, what's that?” he inquired. ”What do you mean?”

”We're going to have some wind,” replied Henry Burns.

”Well, that's what we want, for sailing,” laughed Mr. Bangs. ”You aren't anxious to row, are you?”

”Not particularly,” replied Henry Burns. ”We won't have to, anyway. It's going to blow some. We'll take some spray in over the bows beating back--”

”What's that?” exclaimed Mrs. Bangs. ”Augustus, do you hear? Let's start right away. We don't want to get wet.”

”Ho!” sniffed Mr. Bangs. But just then a quick gust of wind swept over them, such as comes without warning in pond waters, bordered by hills.

Mr. Bangs seemed to take the hint it conveyed. ”Guess we'd better start,” he said.

The boys sprang to the halyards; the sails were hoisted and the anchor got aboard. With Mr. Bangs at the tiller, the _Flyaway_ started on the beat of two miles down the pond. The wind continued to freshen, coming now and then in flaws, as the light clouds overspread the sky.

Henry Burns, noting the style of Mr. Bangs's yachtsmans.h.i.+p, and observing the freshening of the wind, and the fact that the craft was not being worked to windward anywhere near what it would go, slipped astern beside Mr. Bangs.