Blair gave Hal one cordial grasp of the hand, then hoisted his bit of a sail, and soon over the wild waves the two boys took their course together.
"God help that Blair Robertson. He has the making of the right kind of a man in him," exclaimed a bystander.
"He's our captain, Blair is," said one of the youngest members of the Fairport Guard.
"Who would have thought of Hal's making such a venture?" said Old Jock. "He's a little skeary about water yet. But I believe he'd die for Blair Robertson. Whatever takes hold of that Hal Hutchings takes him strong."
The mother's eye followed the little boat as it went dancing over the waves, but her heart was uplifted in silent prayer.
CHAPTER VII.
NO!
The pilot-boat was nearing the strange vessel, when Blair suddenly exclaimed, "I see British uniforms on board. We have been tricked by that flag falsely displayed. It is an English man-of-war. Put about. We'll pilot no such vessel into Fairport."