any explanation of his singular conduct. I certainly
could not reason out any plausible occasion for such a violation of his
orders as that in which he seemed to be engaged.

"Perhaps he has run off with the yacht, and intends to become a pirate,
or something of that sort," suggested Gus Shepard.

"Nonsense, my son! The Islander is not an armed vessel, and Captain
Blastblow is not a pirate," replied Colonel Shepard. "Do you suppose
anything was out of order on board of the steamer, Captain Alick?"

"It is possible; but if such was the case, the captain would hardly
have gone so far down the river," I replied. "If the Islander had
needed any more repairs, Captain Blastblow would have remained in
Jacksonville and attended to them."

"Perhaps he wishes to become better acquainted with the vessel before
he takes her to sea," added the colonel.

"He might have done that yesterday. He would not have waited until you
were ready to sail, and then gone off on an experimental cruise," I
answered.

"An experimental cruise!" exclaimed Owen. "What a terrible expression.
I hope Captain Blastblow don't use such expressions. If he does, he has
gone out to sea where he can have room enough to unsnarl his tongue."

"Captain Blastblow is an American, and he is used to such little
trials," I replied.

"What shall be done?" asked Colonel Shepard.

"I think you had better go on board of the Sylvania, with your baggage,
and we will stand down the river," I replied, promptly, for I had kept
this idea in my mind for some time. "We can at least follow the
Islander, and when we come up with her you can go on board of her."

"Are you sure you can overtake her, Captain Alick?" asked Colonel
Shepard, with a smile, as though he had some doubts in regard to the
relative speed of the two steam-yachts. "Captain Blastblow is confident
that he can outsail the Sylvania."

"I don't say that he cannot; but if he does, he has learned a new trick
in handling her," I answered, with energy. "I have sailed the Sylvania
against the Islander on the Great Lakes more than once, and have not
found the time when I could not beat her."

"Her new captain claims to be a very skilful man in handling steamers,"
added the colonel.

"If you and your family will come on board, sir, I will do the best I
can to overtake the Islander, and ascertain what the conduct of her
captain means. If we have anything like fair play, we shall overhaul
the Islander sometime to