Part 24 (1/2)
”Ay, ay; Tony, hoist yours;” and at the same time Frank raised the American flag at the stern.
”Ready; now for the oars. Up oars!”
”Let fall!”
”Give way together!”
Frank felt like a prince as the Zephyr darted away.
”Where are you going, Frank?” asked Charles.
”I don't know; anywhere that the club wish to go.”
”Up to Squaw Rock,” suggested one.
”Down to Rippleton,” said another.
”Over to the sawmill,” added a third.
”Way enough!” cried Frank. ”Lay on your oars, and we will decide it.”
”What do you say to circ.u.mnavigating the lake?” said Fred Harper.
”So I say,” cried several.
”Those in favor of going round the lake say 'Ay.'”
”Ay,” shouted a large majority.
”Round it is,” said Frank. ”Give way!”
Taking a course in the direction of Rippleton village, Frank kept the boat as near the sh.o.r.e as her safety would permit. The boys rowed with remarkable precision, but with a very slow and measured stroke, so as to reserve their strength for the long pull before them.
”I wonder where the Bunkers are,” said Charles.
”They haven't been seen on their raft for several days.”
”I suppose they got sick of it when they saw the Zephyr,” suggested Fred Harper.
”Very likely; their old raft didn't look much like our craft when we went round them the other day,” added Mark Leman.
Charles laughed at the contrast.
”What do you say to landing at Rippleton?” suggested he, as they approached the outlet of the lake.
”What for?” asked Frank.
”They haven't seen our new uniform down here,” replied Charles.
”I think we had better not,” said the c.o.xswain.