abob; but as the same thing had been said half a dozen times
before since the boat-builder entered the room, it was hardly to be
regarded as an original idea; and Donald was satisfied that the launch
was not the business upon which he had been sent for.

"Yes, sir; we got her off very well," he replied. "I was sorry I
couldn't launch her with the mast stepped, so as to dress her in the
colors."

"In that case, you would have needed the flags of all nations. I have
them, and will lend them to you any time when you wish to make a
sensation."

"Thank you, sir."

"I have here the white cross of Denmark," added the captain, holding up
the mended bill.

"A fifty-dollar white-cross," laughed Donald. "I have seen it before."

"This bill?"

"Yes, sir; I paid it to Mr. Leach for the Maud's sails since dark,"
answered Donald, so squarely that the nabob could not help looking at
his daughter and smiling.

"He said you paid promptly, which is a solid virtue in a business man.
By the way, Don John, you will be out of work as soon as the Maud is
finished."

"I hope to have another yacht to build by that time, especially if the
Maud does well."

"I wanted to say a word to you about that, and tell you some good news,
Don John," continued Captain Patterdale, as calmly as though he had no
interest whatever in the mended bill. "I had a long talk with Mr.
Norwood this afternoon. He says he shall give you the job if the Maud
sails as well as the Skylark or the Sea Foam. He don't insist that she
shall beat them."

"But I expect she will do it; if she don't I shall be disappointed,"
added Donald.

"Don't expect too much, Don John. I thought you would sleep better if
you knew just how Mr. Norwood stood on this question."

"I shall, sir; and I am very much obliged to you."

"Do you think you will make any money on the building of the Maud?"
asked the nabob.

"Yes, sir. I think I shall do pretty well with her."

"You seem to have money enough to pay your bills as you go along. Did
Mr. Rodman pay you this bill?" inquired the captain, as he held up the
cross again.

"No, sir; he did not. I have had that bill in the house for some time,"
replied Donald.

"Are you so flush as that?"

"Yes, sir; I had considerable cash in the house."

"Your father left something, I suppose."

"Yes, sir; but he never had that bill and the other two I paid Mr.
Leach," replied Donald; and he could not help thinking all the time that
they we