Part 34 (1/2)
The position of the boat was a favorable one for observing the conformation of the country, and Mrs. Sedley improved the opportunity to point out the various divisions of the land.
Half-way between Centre Island and the north sh.o.r.e was another island; and after coasting along by the banks of the lake, applying names to miniature sounds, bays, gulfs, and seas, the Zephyr arrived at its southerly side.
”Here is a channel,” said Frank; ”a pa.s.sage of water wider than a strait.”
”Fred's turn; we must call it Harper Channel,” replied Tony.
”And the island?--we are out of names,” continued Frank.
”We will call it Mary's Island, after Mary Weston.”
”Agreed!” cried a dozen boys at once.
”I thank you for the compliment,” said Mary, blus.h.i.+ng.
The excursion was continued, the boys rowing leisurely, and pausing frequently to listen to the music of the band, and discuss the geographical formation of the lake and its sh.o.r.es. They pa.s.sed entirely round the lake, and had given so many names to the various divisions of land and water, that it seemed improbable they could ever remember them.
As they came round to the boat-house, Mrs. Sedley was landed, and the club rowed up to Weston Bay, to leave the widow and her daughter. Both the pa.s.sengers were delighted with their excursion, and were profuse of their thanks to Frank and his companions for their kindness and consideration.
”What shall we do now?” said Charles, as they pushed off.
”Hadn't we better give up for to-day?” suggested Frank.
”Let us go down to Rippleton for your father,” added Fred.
”I will do that,” answered Frank; and the Zephyr dashed away towards the village.
They had scarcely pa.s.sed the boat-house before they discovered the Thunderbolt, directly ahead of them. Uncle Ben had landed the band at Rippleton, and had housed the Sylph, so that the Bunkers would no longer be restrained by his presence and that of Mrs. Sedley. But there was no way to avoid them, and Frank continued his course with some misgivings as to the consequences.
”Bunkers ahead!” said he.
”Never mind them, Frank,” added Fred Harper. ”We won't say anything to them.”
”Tim will get his revenge upon us for this morning if he can,”
suggested the c.o.xswain.
”We can keep out of his way, though I don't like the idea of running away from them,” replied Fred.
”I like it better than I do the idea of fighting with them. But the lake is narrow near the village,” said Frank.
”We can row two rods to their one.”
”They have improved a great deal by their day's practice. They are resting on their oars, waiting for us.”
”Let them wait; we will mind nothing about them.”
The Zephyr continued on her course. It was necessary for her to pa.s.s within a short distance of the Thunderbolt, and Frank feared they would retaliate upon them for their discomfiture in the forenoon.
”Let every member of the club mind his oar,” said he, as the boat approached the vicinity of the Bunkers; ”I will watch them; I want you to mind what I say, and work quick when I speak.”
”We will,” answered the boys.