e; and
bravely as he had carried himself, he was sorely worried. He talked the
matter over with his mother and sister while he was eating his
breakfast.

"Why should Laud Cavendish charge you with such a wicked deed?" asked
his mother.

"To save himself, I suppose," replied Donald. "But he won't make
anything by it. He hid those papers in the shop within a day or two, I
am sure, for I had my hand in the place where he put them, feeling for a
brad-awl I dropped day before yesterday, and I know they were not there
then. But he is used up, anyhow, whether we find the box or not, for he
tells one story and Captain Shivernock another; and I think Captain
Patterdale believes what I say now. But the race comes off to-day, and
if I lose it, I am used up too."

The boat-builder left the house, and went on board of the Maud, which
lay off the shop. Samuel Rodman was on deck, and they hoisted the
mainsail. The wind had hauled round to the north-west early in the
morning, and blew a smashing breeze, just such as Donald wanted for the
great occasion. In fact, it blew almost a gale, and the wind came in
heavy gusts, which are very trying to the nerves of an inexperienced
boatman. The Penobscot, gayly dressed with flags, was moored in her
position for the use of the judges.

"We shall not want any kites to-day," said Donald, as he made fast the
throat halyard.

"No; and you may have to reef this mainsail," added Rodman.

"Not at all."

"But it is flawy."

"So much the better."

"Why so?"

"Because a fellow that understands himself and keeps his eyes wide open
has a chance to gain something on the heavy flaws that almost knock a
boat over. It makes a sharper game of it."

"But Commodore Montague is up to all those dodges."

"I know he is; but in the other race, he lost half his time by luffing
up in a squall."

"But don't you expect a fellow to luff up in a squall?" demanded Rodman.

"If necessary, yes; but the point is, to know when it must be done. If
you let off the main-sheet or spill the sail every time a puff comes,
you lose time," replied Donald. "I believe in keeping on the safe side;
but a fellow may lose the race by dodging every capful of wind that
comes. There goes the first gun."

"Let us get into line," added Rodman, as he cast off the moorings and
hoisted the jib. "Let her drive."

Donald took the helm, and the Maud shot away like an arrow in the fresh
breeze.

"Her sails set beautifully," said t