All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 154 pages of information about All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake.

All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 154 pages of information about All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake.

The Butterfly had stove a hole in her bow; in an instant she was filled with water, and, careening over, threw her crew into the lake, where they were struggling for life.

“Your boat is stove, Tony,” said Captain Sedley to the coxswain of the Butterfly, who had exchanged places with Fred Harper, for the chase.

“Never mind the boat; save the boys!” replied Tony.

“Bravo! my little hero!” exclaimed Mr. Walker.

In a few moments the Bluebird reached the scene of the disaster.  The Butterfly was so light that she did not sink; and most of the Rovers were supporting themselves by holding on at her gunwale.  Tim and two or three more had swum ashore, and one would have been drowned, if assistance had not reached him when it did.

The discomfited Rovers were rescued from their perilous situation, and after a severe reprimand, were landed at the nearest shore.  Tim made his escape; but probably none of them have since felt any inclination to imitate the freebooters.

The Butterfly was towed down to her house, and taken out of the water.  It was found that two of her planks had been stove, and that the damage could be easily repaired.  Mr. Walker proposed sending to Boston for a boat-builder; but Captain Sedley was sure that Uncle Ben, with the assistance of the wheelwright, could repair her quite as well.

The Bluebird then returned to the beach, and the boys were dismissed till three o’clock.  The situation of the Rovers on the island was next discussed by Captain Sedley and Mr. Walker, and it was decided that, as Tim had escaped, it was not expedient to punish his companions, who were less guilty.  So Uncle Ben, with Frank and Tony, was sent off to bring them ashore.  Barney and his band were glad enough to get off.  They freely acknowledged that they had had enough of “camping out.”  It was not what they anticipated.  Nearly all of them had taken severe colds, and since the rain on Monday night, which had spoiled their provisions, they had been nearly starved.  Barney declared that they meant to return the boats that night, and if Captain Sedley would “let them off” this time, they would never do such a thing again.  Like Charles, they had been punished enough, and with some good advice they were permitted to depart.  How they made peace with their parents I cannot say; but probably many of them “had to take it.”  As for Tim Bunker, he did not show his face in Rippleton again, but made his way to Boston, where he shipped in a vessel bound for the East Indies; and everybody in town was glad to get rid of him.

Thus ended the famous “camping out” of the Rovers.  It was a very pleasant and romantic thing to think about; but the reality was sufficient to effect a radical cure, and convince them that “yellow-covered books” did not tell the truth.

At three o’clock the boys reassembled, and the crews were organized and officers selected.  By a unanimous vote, Frank Sedley was chosen commodore of the fleet.  The next morning the Butterfly was repaired, and the squadron made its first voyage round the lake.

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All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.