It was now the summer vacation, and the boys were determined to have plenty of recreation after their long siege of study; and, when 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 had started on fishing excursions, but the majority of them were sailing idly about, as if nothing particular had been determined on.

Frank turned the Speedwell’s head down the river, and soon joined the little fleet.  He had hoisted every stitch of canvas his boat could carry, and she flew along, passing several of the swiftest vessels, and finally encountered the Alert.  The race was short, for the Speedwell easily passed her, and George and Harry were compelled to acknowledge that, to use their own expression, “the Alert was nowhere.”

In about two hours the Julia Burton was seen rounding the point, and a loud, clear whistle warned the villagers of her approach.  Frank turned the Speedwell toward home, and arrived at the wharf about ten minutes after the steamer had landed.

As they sailed along up the creek, Julia suddenly exclaimed,

“I wonder who those people are!”

Frank turned, and saw a lady just getting into a carriage, and a boy, apparently about his own age, stood by, giving orders, in a loud voice, to the driver, about their baggage.  Both were dressed in the hight of fashion, and Frank knew, from the description his aunt had given his mother, that they were the expected visitors.

As soon as the boy had satisfied himself that their baggage was safe, he continued, in a voice loud enough to be heard by Frank and his sister,

“Now, driver, you’re sure you know where Mrs. Nelson lives?”

“Yes, sir,” answered the man, respectfully.

“Well, then, old beeswax, hurry up.  Show us how fast your cobs can travel.”

So saying, he sprang into the carriage, and the driver closed the door after him, mounted to his seat, and drove off.

“Why,” said Julia, in surprise, “I guess that’s Aunt Harriet—­don’t you?”

“Yes,” answered her brother, “I know it is.”

“I am afraid I shall not like James,” continued Julia; “he talks too loud.”

Frank did not answer, for he was of the same opinion.  He had inferred from Archie’s letter that James would prove any thing but an agreeable companion.

The brisk wind that was blowing carried them rapidly along, and, in a few moments, they came to a place where the road ran along close to the 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 gained considerably on the carriage.  Soon they heard the rattling of wheels behind them, and the hack came suddenly around a turn in the road.

James was leaning half-way out of the window, his cap pushed on one side of his head, and, not knowing Frank, he accosted him, as he came up, with his favorite expression.