“I never saw such a tub as this,” said James, at length; “I can’t make her mind her helm.”

Just at this moment a strong gust of wind filled the sails, and, as James was not seaman enough to “luff” or “let go the sheet,” the Speedwell same very 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 pull up the center-board before her bows ran high upon the bank, and the sheet was roughly jerked from James’s hand, and flapped loudly against the mast.

“There,” said Frank, turning to his cousin, who sat, pale with terror, “I guess it’s a long time since you attempted to sail a boat; you seem to have forgotten how, I tell you,” he continued as he noticed James’s trepidation, “if I hadn’t pulled up that center-board just as I did, we should have been obliged to swim for it.”

“I can’t swim,” said James, in a weak voice.

“Then you would have been in a fix,” said Frank.  “Now, let me see if I can have any better luck.”

James very willingly seated himself on one of the middle thwarts, and Frank pushed the boat from the shore, and took hold of the tiller, and, under his skillful management, the Speedwell flew through the water like a duck.

James soon got over his fright, and his uneasy nature would not allow him to remain long inactive, and, as he could find nothing else to do, he commenced to rock the boat from one side to 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, Frank, for some time, made no complaint, hoping that his cousin would soon grow tired of the sport.  But James did not seem inclined to cease, and Frank, at length, began to remonstrate.

He reminded James that it would not require much to capsize the boat, and, as the creek was very deep, and as he (James) had said he could not swim, he might be a “gone sucker.”

This, at first, had the effect of making James more careful, but he soon commenced again as bad as ever.

Brave was seated in his usual place, and directly behind James.  He seemed to dislike the rocking of the boat as much as his master, but he bore it very patiently for awhile, thinking, no 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 enough to upset his patience; and, encouraged, perhaps, by some sly glances from Frank, he sprang up, and, placing a paw on each shoulder of his tormentor, barked fiercely, close to his ear.

James screamed loudly; and Brave, evidently thinking he had punished him enough, returned to his seat.

“Let me ashore,” shouted James; “I shan’t stay in here any longer.”

Frank gladly complied, and, the moment the Speedwell’s bows touched the bank, James sprang out.