s he rushed out of the
cabin.

"About got aground, I should say," replied John, a good deal more
astonished than he had calculated Paul would be.

"Let go your sheets! Take the boat hook, and let us push her off, if we
can," cried Paul.

Both the boys went to work, and after a few moments of hard labor,
succeeded in pushing the Fawn off the ledge upon which she had struck.

"I suppose this is a specimen of your management," said Paul, as he
hauled the sheets home, and seated himself at the helm.

"Rather bad management, I am willing to own," replied John, who felt
that his reputation as a skilful navigator had departed in the twinkling
of an eye.

"Next time, when you undertake to sail the Fawn without me, don't you do
it. You would be a pretty fellow to run the boat if I were away a week;
there wouldn't be a board left on her ribs in three days."

"It hasn't hurt her any, Paul."

"I suppose it hasn't; but it would have been just the same if it had
been blowing a ten-knot breeze."

But John felt that, if it hadn't hurt the Fawn any, it had hurt himself
a great deal; and he made a tremendous great resolution to be more
careful in the future. The boat reached her mooring in good season,
notwithstanding the detention.

CHAPTER XV.

PAUL GOES ON A CRUISE IN THE FLYAWAY.

"There has been a gentleman here to see you," said Mrs. Duncan, when
Paul went to the house.

"Who was he?"

"He left his name and residence on a piece of paper, and wants you to
call and see him this evening," replied Mrs. Duncan, handing him the
address of the gentleman.

"Charles Morrison, Chestnut Street, third house from the depot," said
Paul, reading the paper. "What does he want?"

"He said something about hiring your boat next week."

"What, the Fawn?"

"I suppose so; but he wants to see you, at any rate."

"Does he want me to go with her?"

"I'm sure I don't know."

After supper Paul went to see Mr. Morrison, and found that he wanted the
Fawn for the whole of the following week, and that he did not want a
skipper. He was going down to Bleakport to spend a week, and he wanted
a good boat, which he could not procure at the place. He offered to pay
fifteen dollars for the use of her, and to restore her in as good
condition as when he took her.

This was certainly a good offer, and Paul concluded that he could not do
better; but he was not prepared to give a decided answer, and promised
to see the gentleman again