rat!"

"I fell into the tub just now; but never mind that."

"But I do mind it; and you must go up and have on dry clothes before you
go anywhere."

"We will go up and have supper, and after that we will take you out,"
said Paul.

John was disposed to rebel at this step; but Paul was firm and decided,
and made fast the Fawn to the stake in the beach. When they reached the
house, the young rogue, sorely against his will, was compelled to retire
to his chamber and change his clothes. Even then, dripping as he was
from the effects of his cold bath, when Paul went up to call him to
supper, he found him standing at the window, in his wet garments, gazing
with intense interest upon the Fawn, as she lay moored at the beach.

Paul, notwithstanding the flutter of emotions in his bosom, ate his
supper with dignity and propriety, and several times admonished his
brother that he behaved more like a young monkey than a reasonable human
being. Yet Paul was excited, and so was his mother. The former talked of
the good times he should have down the bay, and the latter speaking of
the forethought of Captain Littleton in having the copper air chambers
placed in the boat. She was glad the Fawn was a lifeboat, and she could
feel a great deal easier, now, when her boys were away on the water.

Supper was finished, and John, in his impatience to get on board the
boat again, condescended to wipe the dishes, while Paul cleared off the
table. Matters thus expedited, the party were ready to embark, and
repaired to the beach for that purpose. John was absolutely frantic in
his efforts to perform his duty as the first officer of the Fawn, and in
his eagerness had nearly drowned his mother, and swamped the boat. If
the halliards of the new craft had not been new and strong, he would
certainly have broken them in hoisting the sails. Paul was disgusted at
his conduct, and it was only when he threatened to put him on shore that
the mate subsided into the appearance of a tolerable calm.

The party had a very pleasant sail; but John almost cried with vexation,
after the boat was properly secured at her moorings, to think he could
not go on board of her again till Monday morning. Paul was scarcely less
excited than his brother; but the consciousness of being the head of
the family restrained any outbreak of enthusiasm on his part.

His thoughts ran deeper and extended farther into the future.

As he retired that night, he examined the columns o