Four Afloat Part 29

"She'll clear up before noon," Nelson had oracularly declared a moment before. "We'll clean up the launch this morning and go on to Newport after luncheon."

"There seems to be two ways of going," said Bob. "We can go through between the mainland and Nonamesset Island or we can run down and around the end of Cuttihunk. It looks like an even thing as far as distance is concerned."

"Well, if it clears up nicely," answered Nelson, "suppose we take the outside route. We don't have to go around Cuttihunk, though, Bob; if you'll look at the chart you'll find there's a fair pa.s.sage for small boats between Naushon and Pasque, and between Pasque and Nashawena there's a good mile of clear water called Quicks Hole."

"Yes, I see," said Bob. "Let's go through Quicks Hole."

"Nonsense," exclaimed Dan, pus.h.i.+ng Bob aside. "What we want to do is to make for Nonamesset, leaving Uncatena on the starboard bow, head so'so'west for Penikese, keeping Woepecket on the weather rail, whatever that is, bear south off the no'east corner of Nashawena, give Cuttihunk the cold shoulder, dip our colors to Naushon, run through Canapitset Cut and drop anchor in Quamquisset for five o'clock tea!"

"Help!" yelled Nelson.

"Great Scott, what names!" laughed Bob.

"Well, now you know your route," said Dan gravely. "I guess you fellows are pretty glad you've got me with you to show you the way. Talk about your Navigating Officers!"

"Tommy, do you think you could find the wharf?" asked Bob.

"Huh, I can see it," said Tom.

"Then suppose you drop lightly into the tender and row ash.o.r.e and buy us some provisions. Dan's finished the b.u.t.ter, and we need some fresh meat and bread, don't we?"

"Yep, and eggs. You fellows needn't wait for me to get back before you start on the bra.s.s. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves."

"That's all right, Tommy," Dan answered. "We'll save your share for you."

"Well, let's get at it," said Nelson. "We want the launch looking her best when we reach Newport. It won't do to put into a swell place like that with dirty paint."

"No," said Dan. "I think we might even insist on Tommy's was.h.i.+ng his face."

"It's as clean as yours," retorted Tom from the tender.

"Of course, we don't want to be fussy, Tommy, and if it was any place but Newport we wouldn't say a word. But as the Four Hundred will probably be down at the wharf to welcome us--"

Dan's further remarks were interrupted by a shower of water impelled toward him by an oar blade. When he had regained his eyesight Tommy was too far distant to allow of reprisals and Dan contented himself with threats of future revenge.

Then house cleaning began in earnest, and it was no small task that confronted them. The decks were to scrub, the hull to wash, the port lights to be cleaned and the bra.s.swork to be s.h.i.+ned. And the bra.s.s was the biggest part of the undertaking. There was, as Dan complained later, altogether too much of it; stern cleat and chocks, bow cleat and chocks, gasoline and water-tank caps, wheel, deck rail, whistle, search light, lanterns, flag-pole sockets, and numerous bits of hardware such as hatch fastening, door k.n.o.bs, and locker b.u.t.tons. Oh, yes, there was plenty of work, and Dan, a.s.sisted later by all the others, rubbed and rubbed until long past the usual luncheon hour. But when it was all done they had the satisfaction of knowing that no cleaner, brighter, smarter craft was afloat.

They ate luncheon at a quarter past one, by which time the sun was out in full strength and what little breeze came in through the open ports felt very grateful to four very warm mariners.

At two o'clock to the minute the _Vagabond's_ anchor came up over the bow, and very dirty it was, to Dan's disgust, and the propeller began to revolve. Out around West Chop Lighthouse and the stone jetty went the _Vagabond_, white paint glistening in the sunlight and bright-work sparkling gayly, while from the flag poles the launch's bunting fluttered in the little westerly breeze. Then Dan, at the wheel, turned the boat's head southwest and they met the waters of the Sound on the quarter as they sped for Quicks Hole. It was a glorious afternoon and the Four, protected from the sun by the awning, found life very enjoyable. The engine was doing her very best, taking kindly to the last lot of gasoline. They had about forty miles ahead of them and meant to cover it by half-past five. At a little after three they were in Quicks Hole, bobbing about gayly in the wake of a steamer.

"Wonder why they called these the Elizabeth Islands?" said Tom.

"After Queen Elizabeth, maybe," hazarded Bob.

"And do you suppose Nonamesset, Uncatena, Naushon, and the rest of them were her children?" asked Tom.

"Well," laughed Bob, "I never heard that she had any children."

"Oh, that's so," murmured Tom sheepishly, "I forgot."

"I hope," remarked Nelson solicitously, "that English History wasn't among the subjects in which you were examined for admission to Erskine, Tommy."

"Say!" cried Tom. "I'd ought to hear pretty soon about that exam. Maybe the letter will be at Newport!"

"Want to turn back?" asked Bob.

"I-I'd almost like to," admitted Tom.

"Oh, you've made it all right, Tommy," Dan consoled. "The cheek of trying to get from third year at Hillton to Erskine so flabbergasted them that they pa.s.sed you before they recovered."

"I hope so," said Tom anxiously. "If I've missed it I'll--"

But they were alongside the steamer by that time and Tom forgot the subject of admission to Erskine College in the excitement of pa.s.sing the big boat. There were not many persons aboard her, but what there were flocked to the rail and waved their handkerchiefs or caps. Bob gave a blast on the whistle and Dan peered out from the edge of the awning and blew a kiss. Ten minutes later the steamer was far behind and the _Vagabond_ was churning her way across the waters of Buzzard's Bay, with Sakonnet Point beckoning them ahead. Before five they were in Narragansett Bay and at twenty-two minutes past were tied up at the landing of the New York Yacht Club House.

They made hurriedly for the post office and were rewarded with a whole bundle of mail.

"Bear up bravely, Tommy," said Nelson, who was sorting it over. "Here's an epistle postmarked 'Centerport.'"

"Oh, gos.h.!.+" muttered Tom as he took it.

The others were too much interested in receiving and outwardly examining their own letters to think further of Tom for several minutes. Then, as they turned to leave the office, Dan remembered.

"What's the verdict, Tommy?" he asked.

Tommy shook his head silently.

"What? Missed it? Turned down?" cried Dan.

"I-I don't know," stammered Tom. "You-you read it."

He held out the letter to Dan.

"Why, you haven't opened it!" exclaimed the other. "What do you think of that, fellows? Tommy hasn't the nerve to read it!"

"Oh ... well...." murmured Tom, tearing the envelope. "I didn't expect to get through, anyway." The others watched anxiously as he unfolded the single sheet which the envelope contained. Tom's face flushed suddenly as he read. Then a wonderful, all-encompa.s.sing smile started at the corners of his mouth and grew and grew until it became an expansive grin. The others howled as they looked. There was no need to ask the verdict.

"Pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-" stuttered Tom.

"Good for you, Tommy!" cried Dan, whacking him on the back.

"--Pu-pu-pa.s.sed!"

"Hurrah for Thomas Ferris, 1910!" cried Nelson.

"How many conditions, Tommy?" asked Bob. Tom chuckled.

"Only three," he answered. "How do you suppose I ever did it?"