arthquake had taken you all aback," said
Paul, smartly.

"Humph. Get into the boat, and we'll soon see who's afraid; though
perhaps you had better go and get your mother to go with you."

"I have proved you to be a coward, and I don't think there is any use of
going now. I don't like to be in a boat with a fellow who is skittish
when the wind blows," continued Paul, who was determined to make the
most of their previous experience. "It isn't safe to have a fellow
jumping about in the boat when there's a heavy sea on. You might upset
her, cantering about over the thwarts like a frightened colt."

"You are smart, Paul; but your big talk sounds silly while I stand here
and stump you to carry me down to the Point. You are afraid of the sea,
and afraid of your mother. You dare not go!"

"Jump in!" cried Paul, desperately, as his failing resolution fled
before these taunts. "Jump in, Tom."

"Now don't back out if you happen to see one of your mother's aprons on
the clothes-line."

"Never fear me; and if you don't wish yourself ashore before you get
half way to Tenean Point, I lose my guess; that's all," answered Paul,
as he pushed the boat off into deep water. "The wind is dead ahead, and
we must beat all the way down."

"Put her through, Paul."

"Ay, ay, my hearty, I'll put her through, and you too," replied the
young boatman as he shook out the sail, and hauled the sheet home.

As she felt the strong blast, the old boat lay down before it, and a
large wave broke over her gunnel; but Paul luffed her up, so that she
did not fill. Whatever Thomas thought of this stirring experience, he
kept his seat upon the weather side, and appeared to be perfectly
unconcerned. As they came out from under the bluff, where the windows of
the house above commanded a view of their position, they were discovered
by Mrs. Duncan, who again hastened to the beach to repeat her command
more imperatively than before. Paul had steeled his heart to do wrong in
this instance, and he pretended not to see or hear her; and the boat
dashed on her course.

CHAPTER II.

PAUL IS COOL AND SELF-POSSESSED.

Bayville is situated about seven or eight miles from Boston, on the line
of one of the principal railroads. A large portion of the inhabitants,
even at the time of which I write, were gentlemen doing business in the
city, though the place had a shipyard and several wharves from which the
surrounding country was supplied with wood, coal, an