The craft was deserted. Wishing to observe the scene without being noticed, I leaped into her. There was a cushion on the stern seat, and on this I sat down.
The breeze and the gentle motion of the boat were delightful, and for a moment I thought how pleasant a life on the ocean must be. Alas! little did I realize what was in store for me on the boundless deep.
As I sat on the soft cushion I could not help but speculate on all that had transpired within the last few hours. Early in the morning my mind had been free from care that was anyway deep; now I was a fugitive, not knowing which way to turn or what to do.
But I was not disheartened. I was healthy and strong and I felt confident that I could work my way in the world. But I was worried about clearing my fair name of the suspicion Uncle Felix had cast upon it. I must do that at any and all costs.
Presently a footstep sounded above me on the dock, and a well-dressed young man appeared.
"Hullo, there!" he cried, on catching sight of me.
"Hullo!" I replied, shortly. I was not in a talkative humor, and wished him to know it.
"What are you doing down there?" he went on, rather sharply.
"Nothing much."
"Do you know that that is my boat?"