After they had eaten the refreshments which Frank had brought with him, they started for home.  As the wind blew from the main shore, they were obliged to “tack,” and the Speedwell again showed some fine sailing, and when the Champion entered the creek, she was not a stone’s throw behind.

Frank reached home that night a good deal elated at his success.  After tying the Speedwell to the wharf, he pulled down the sails and carried them into his shop.  He had promised, before leaving George and Harry, to meet them at five o’clock the next morning to start on a fishing excursion, and, consequently, could do nothing toward the new sails for his boat for two days.

CHAPTER V.

A Fishing Excursion.

Precisely at the time agreed upon, Frank might have been seen sitting on the wharf in front of Mr. Butler’s house.  In his hand he carried a stout, jointed fish-pole, neatly stowed away in a strong bag of drilling, and under his left arm hung his fish-basket, suspended by a broad belt, which crossed his breast.  In this he carried his hooks, reels, trolling-lines, dinner, and other things necessary for the trip.  Brave stood quietly by his side, patiently waiting for the word to start.  They were not obliged to wait long, for hasty steps sounded on the gravel walk that led up to the house, the gate swung open, and George and Harry appeared, their arms filled with their fishing-tackle.

“You’re on time, I see,” said Harry, as he climbed down into a large skiff that was tied to the wharf, “Give us your fish-pole.”

Frank accordingly handed his pole and basket down to Harry, who stowed them away in the boat.  He and George then went into the boat-house, and one brought out a pair of oars and a sail, which they intended to use if the wind should be fair, and the other carried two pails of minnows, which had been caught the night before, to serve as bait.

They then got into the boat, and Frank took one oar and Harry the other, and Brave stationed himself at his usual place in the bow.  George took the helm, and they began to move swiftly down the creek toward the river.  About a quarter of a mile below the mouth of the creek was a place, covering half an acre, where the water was about four feet deep, and the bottom was covered with smooth, flat stones.  This was known as the “black-bass ground,” and large numbers of these fish were caught there every season.  George turned the boat’s head toward this place, and, thrusting his hand into his pocket, drew out a “trolling-line,” and, dropping the hook into the water behind the boat, began to unwind the line.  The trolling-hook (such as is generally used in fishing for black-bass) can be used only in a strong current, or when the boat is in rapid motion through the water.  The hook is concealed by feathers or a strip of red flannel, and a piece of shining metal in the shape of a spoon-bowl is fastened to it in such a manner as to revolve around it when the hook is drawn rapidly through the water.  This is fastened to the end of a long, stout line, and trailed over the stern of the boat, whose motion keeps it near the surface.  It can be seen for a great distance in the water, and the fish, mistaking it for their prey, dart forward and seize it.