rs. It was clear enough that Captain Gordon would
immediately return home, when he recovered possession of the yacht. The
cruise was, therefore, about up, if they returned to the port from which
they had sailed; and strange as it may seem, Frank was actually trying
to persuade his companions to run for Portland.

They had all enjoyed their sail during the day, and been pleased with
the novelty of their situation. It was not pleasant for them to think of
the frowns of Captain Gordon, and of being compelled to sail at once for
home. A majority of them would have been in favor of continuing the
cruise, if that oppressive sense of having done wrong had not operated
against the scheme. But the most the adventurous leader--brave and
skilful now that it was fine weather and plain sailing--could
accomplish, was to induce the others to consent if Paul would agree to
the plan.

"Of course he won't agree," replied Frank, pettishly. "There are enough
of us to have our own way about it."

"You had your own way yesterday, and we came within one of being
wrecked," said one of them.

"That wasn't my fault," growled Frank.

"Whose fault was it, then?" demanded Tom.

"Yours, of course; didn't you put the helm the wrong way when I told you
to put it hard-a-lee?"

"And you let go the jib sheet long before you ought to have done so.
That's what made all the trouble. If it hadn't been for Paul, some of us
would not have been here to talk about it now."

"You are a spunky fellow, Tom," sneered Frank.

"So are you, when there is no danger near."

"How many fellows will go to Portland?" asked Frank, desperately.

There was no response, and the conversation was here interrupted by the
appearance of Paul. There were enough of them who would gladly have seen
the bow of the Flyaway pointed to the north, instead of the west, but
the influence of Paul was so powerful that no one but Frank would
consent to take the command from him.

"What land is that?" asked Tom, as the skipper joined the group in the
standing room.

"The Isles of Shoals. Keep her away a couple of points, Frank," replied
Paul.

"I shall keep her as I think best," answered Frank, gruffly; for he was
smarting under the disappointment he had just experienced.

"Are you going to run her on the island?" said Paul, astonished at the
rude answer he had received.

"I don't know as it is any more your business than mine where I run
her."

"What is the matter, Frank? Wh