Frank, the Young Naturalist

er Co

ach skipper made up his mind that his boat must be the first one to touch the opposite shore. Not a word was said about a race, but every one knew that one would be sure to come off. Every thing was done in a hurry, and

emselves to float down toward the foot of the island, thinking that cour

ent, and said, in a low

y. If you want to beat them, hoist your sails, and get out your oars, and row up to the head of the island; we can reac

as they moved from the shore, and turned up t

you fello

answer

the longest an

s the nearest way home, y

ance," said James Porter. "Let's see

answered th

ehind a high-wooded pr

es an hour, but they were accustomed to it, and the thought o

ht the breeze. The oars were drawn in, and every sheet hauled taut, and, wh

voice, so that the others could hear, "that

around the foot of the island, they will be some distance below the long dock, and the current will

w the men-o'-war rapidly following eac

William. "Now," he continued, as he drew his mainsail down a little

en, perch yourself up on the windward si

eedwell-and the boys knew that the race was to be a fair trial of the speed of their boats. The Alert and Speedwell had never been "matched" before, and the boys were anxious to learn their comparative speed. The former was the "champion" boat of the villag

ails for his boat, and added a flying-jib and a gaff-t

eedwell, with her strong mast groaning and creaking under the weight of the heavy canvas, began to gain steadily, and soon passed the Alert. Ten minu

yet reached the shore. Some of them had been carried almost a mile be

en they arrived at the end of the dock, the Speedwell w

the postmaster handed him two letters; one was addressed to his mother, an

t a letter from Archie. I wrote to him a month ago;

ng a letter from me," said Ben. "I ha

He was very fond of rural sports, and, for a city boy, was a very expert hunter; he even considered himself able to compete with Frank. He was also passionately fond of pets, and, if he could have had his own way, he would have possessed every cat and dog in the city. His father was a wealthy ship-builder, and Archie was an only child. But he was not, as is generally the case, spoiled by indulgence; on the contrary,

rn to the letter, w

D, June

xpect some apology for my seeming neglect. You perhaps remember hearing your mother speak of James Sherman, a cousin whom we had never seen. About two weeks since, father received a letter from his mother, stating that she and James would

em getting into the train, and knew that in a few days they would be with you, I wanted very much to accompany them. But mother says one noisy boy in the house is sufficient. (I wonder whether she means you or James!) But as soon as they have ended their visit, if not

o Dungeon Brook. I know it rained hard, but the string of tro

rt of the winter at Uncle Joe's, and he promises to take you and me

beautifully for about two hours, during which time I drew in sixty fine perch and rock-bass-some of the former weighing between one and two pounds-and I began to think that the pole was too tough to break. But I was very soon convinced of my mistake, for, as bad luck would have it, I hooked on to a black-bass. I thought I handled him very

ish to get to the post-office before the mail closes, I

tionately,

rry that I will answer thei

d, and, as soon as Frank had run his eye over the

e say? Did he rece

m Ben. He says he will

ed, and started for home, expressing themselves hig

s a fine breeze was blowing, Frank and his sister-accompanied, of course, by

en Frank reached the mouth of the creek, he found the river dotted with white sails as far as he could see. Several of the boats h

d carry, and she flew along, passing several of the swiftest vessels, and finally encountered the Alert. The race was short, for the Sp

ar whistle warned the villagers of her approach. Frank turned the Speedwell towa

up the creek, Julia

who those

, giving orders, in a loud voice, to the driver, about their baggage. Both were dressed in the hight of fash

heir baggage was safe, he continued, in a voice

sure you know where

swered the man

hurry up. Show us how fa

and the driver closed the door after h

rprise, "I guess that's

d her brother,

like James," continued Ju

on. He had inferred from Archie's letter that Jame

he creek. The distance to Mrs. Nelson's, by the road, was greater, by a quarter of a mile, than by the creek, and, consequently, they had g

hed on one side of his head, and, not knowing Frank, he a

ap when you had that boat built. You've got timb

eply; and, in a moment more

lped Julia out, and, after making his boat fast, started toward

motion had been thoroughly studied. James's acknowledgment was scarcely

swax. Not you the cod I twigged[A]

Sa

mself to be the perso

the champion ya

is. There's no boat about th

to the marines. I've seen too much of the world to hav

it. It will suffice to relate one or two i

eau, and he could not be contented until he should see "how she carried herself in

schooner from one side of the creek to the other. But he very soon grew tired of this "lame, unexciting sport," as

e Atlantic!

ged Frank; "I'm afraid yo

continuing to throw the stones; "I can come within a

th great force, and, crashing through the mainsail of the

Frank, "I was afrai

st sorry for it, but he skipped up th

ld beeswax. When do y

of the schooner to the shore, and, taking i

my best to treat him respectfully while he stays, but I s

an immediate departure. His mother always yielded to his requests, or rather demands, no matter how unreasonable they might

roceries, and, as a favorable wind was blowing, he decided to go in his boat. But, before starting, he m

on the look-out, and, seeing his cousin going rapidly down the walk, with a basket on ea

swax, where are

llage," ans

ng to take t

I don't know

g to ride sha

derstand th

mes, with a taunting laugh. "Are you going to

derstand you when you talk Engli

ou, if you will leav

s you can have to his compa

than you do of your relations; bu

ed his pace to

mes deliberately seated himself in the ster

l-boat?" inquired Frank, as he st

ered James, with an air of injured dignity, "I sho

he wharf. "Go ahead. We shall be obliged to tack a good man

ll you?" interrupted James. "I've s

d had had ample opportunity to learn how to manage a yacht; but they had not made twenty feet fro

should have done, he turned the boat's head first one way

s," said James, at length; "I

y near capsizing. As she righted, the wind again filled the sails, and the boat was driven with great speed toward the shore. Frank had barely time to

ttempted to sail a boat; you seem to have forgotten how, I tell you," he continued as he noticed James's tre

" said James,

ix," said Frank. "Now, let me se

k pushed the boat from the shore, and took hold of the tiller, and, under

o the other, and, as she was "heeling" considerably, under the weight of her heavy canvas, the water began to pour in over her side. Although the speed of the boat was greatly diminished

the boat, and, as the creek was very deep, and as he (Jame

making James more careful, but he

o doubt, that the best way to deal with James was to "let him severely alone." But the rocking increased, and Brave began to slide from one side of the boat to the other. This was enoug

evidently thinking he had punished

ed James; "I shan't st

moment the Speedwell's bows to

b again for any money," he shouted;

shed the boat from the shor

ander, at first, paid no attention to this cowardly assault; but the stones whizzed by in unpleasant proximity, now and then s

was to remain silent; but James continued to follow the boat,

n't do that," sai

ou going to hinder it? But perhaps y

ousin with great force. It fell into the creek, clos

shore, and no amount of scolding on Frank's part could induce him to return. James, fearing

rrounded. They were a ragged, hard-looking set of fellows, and Frank knew that they were the Hillers; besides, he recognized the for

hold of James's collar with no friendly hand, "does yer know who yer was

ank; "let him go;

him, and James said, in

only

said Lee; "that alters the

nodded his assent,

If yer had been, we wouldn't a left

r of us," an

, hardly daring to look behind him. Brave had by this time gained the shore, an

nquired Lee, walking ca

the village,"

give a fel

nly. Ju

boat, and, in a few moments, they reached

d; and Frank, after fastening his boat to the wharf, began to pull down the sails,

e corner of the post-office, and saw Lee a

, at the top of his

id no atten

y heard me,

gain, but with n

ds, with a basket of strawberries on his arm, shouted to the Hille

as he held up the fish; "

"We Hillers don't forget favors as easy as

companions walk