ough it flattered his
vanity to be their chosen companion.

"Steady! why don't you luff her up, when the puffs come," said Thomas,
as a flaw of wind struck the sail, and careened her so far that she took
in a little water over the side.

"Oh, I don't mind a little dash of water over the side," replied Paul,
with a smile; for it must be owned that he was disposed to punish his
companion for the imputations he had cast upon his seamanship and his
courage.

"Well, are you going ashore?" continued Thomas. "Are you going to let
your mother domineer over you? If you do, I hope she will put you in the
cradle and rock you to sleep when you get ashore."

"We must get some ballast," answered Paul, who had not yet got far
enough to declare his independence of maternal authority.

"You are afraid to go!"

"I think I can stand it as long as you can."

"Then what are you going ashore for?"

"After more ballast," replied Paul, who, though deeply stung by the
sneers of Thomas, had not yet decided to disobey his mother.

"Will you take me down to the Point when you get the ballast?"

"I don't know; I'll see."

The old boat dashed on, and in a moment or two grounded upon the beach.
There was a great struggle in the soul of Paul. He did not like to go
contrary to the express command of his mother on the one hand, and he
did not like to incur the derision of Thomas on the other, for he would
tell it to all the boys who would call him "chickenish."

"There are two rocks that will just answer your purpose," said Thomas,
as they leaped out of the boat. "You take one and I will take the other.
Come, bear a hand, or I shall not get to the picnic till the fun is all
over."

The two large stones were placed in the boat, and still Paul was
undecided. He had not the courage to face the ridicule of his
independent friend, nor the heart to disobey the mother whom he loved
and respected.

"I guess I won't go, Tom," said he, as a momentary resolution supported
the better impulse of his nature.

"Chicken-hearted! Are you afraid of your mother or of the wind and
waves?" sneered Thomas, and his features curled up into an expression of
contempt which moved the hesitating boy quite as much as his words.

"Of neither. If you think I'm afraid to go any where that you dare go,
you are very much mistaken. It's a very easy thing for you to stand
there and talk, but when the boat takes in a pint of water over the
side, you jump as though an e