"But the ball club——" began Sidney. "I want some time to practice——"
"You must resign your position. They can get somebody in your place," was the firm answer, and this decision, although it almost broke Sidney's heart, was final.
CHAPTER XV.
SWIMMING IN THE LAKE.
Of course the boys, although they were much interested in their club, did not feel like playing ball all the time, and one bright day Joe, Fred and Bart went out on the lake to put in a day at fishing. They took a generous lunch with them, and left word that they might not be back until dark.
"They say fishing is very good over towards Bartlett Point," said Fred. "Suppose we try our luck there?"
"One place will suit me as well as another," came from Joe.
"What we want is a big mess of fish," put in Bart. "Frank and Walter were out yesterday, and they each got a dandy string. One had twelve and the other fifteen, and all pretty good size, too."
Bartlett Point was about a mile and a half away, but all of the boys were good rowers and thought nothing of covering that distance. They had two pairs of oars and took turns at handling the blades.
"It is queer we haven't heard anything of the Sprite," remarked Joe, while on the way. "You wouldn't think the sloop could be so completely swallowed up."