Go-Ahead; Or, The Fisher-Boy's Motto

by Harry Castlemon

"I am not afraid," said Tom. "Just give me one good mate, and I'll take care of you."

"Well, how will Xury do? He's a good hand with a sail-boat, an' he's traveled up an' down the bay often enough to know it like a book."

"He's just the man I want," said Tom, who felt that a great responsibility had been removed from his shoulders.

"Xury," said the chief, "you're first-mate of the yacht, now. Do jest as the capt'n tells you, an' you won't get us into no trouble. Pick up your plunder, an' let's make a break; for the quicker we get to work, the sooner we'll be on our way toward our island."

As the chief spoke, he hid his lantern under his coat, shouldered his bundle of clothing, and led the way out of the cabin to the yawl, which was drawn up on the beach, out of reach of the surf. It required the exercise of considerable perseverance, and the outlay of the united strength of the band, to launch the boat through the waves, and while this was being done, Tom began to realize the fact that they had a most uncomfortable night for their cruise. The wind swept the beach in fitful gusts, beating the rain and spray furiously into his face; and when the lightning illuminated the scene, he could see that the sky was covered with black, angry-looking clouds, and that the waters of the bay were being tossed about in great commotion, but Tom never once thought of turning back. Since he received the appointment of captain of the yacht, a new spirit seemed to have taken possession of him. He was no longer afraid of facing the bayonets of the guard, and if the attack on the yacht had proved a failure, he would have been the first to propose that they should begin their cruise in Sam's yawl.

Regardless of soiling his boots and clothing, he worked as hard as any of the band to launch the boat, wading in water up to his knees, and sometimes being almost smothered by the great waves that came rolling toward the beach. The chief had been thoughtful enough to supply the yawl with oars, and it was well he did so. Even then, it was a long time before they succeeded in getting fairly started. Slowly, inch by inch, they worked their way against the wind and waves, and at last they reached the harbor, where the water was comparatively quiet. In ten minutes more they were in their cave, and the governor breathed a good deal easier when he found that his prisoner had not found means to effect his escape. Without any unnecessary delay, the band began the work of carrying the dry goods boxes out of the cave, and stowing them away in the yawl. This was accomplished in a few minutes, and then the governor, after putting the volume of Robinson Crusoe carefully away in the pocket of his pea-jacket, called his followers around him, to give them their final instructions.

"Now, then," said he, "you fellers must take charge of your we'pons, an' when we get into the yawl, put them where you can get your hands on 'em at a moment's warnin'. You can depend on these things," he added, as he distributed the spears he had made the evening before, "'cause they are as sharp as needles; an' if one of them 'cademy swells gets punched with 'em, I reckon he'll walk turkey. I don't 'spose we'll have much chance to use 'em, 'cause it aint no ways likely that them soldiers are loafin' about the deck in this storm; but, after all, it's best to be on the safe side. Friday, when we start, you will take the bow oar. We will come up alongside of the yacht, an' the minute we stop, you will jump out an' make the yawl's painter fast to something. While you are doin' that, the rest of us will board her, an' the first thing them 'cademy fellers know, we'll have 'em fastened up in the cabin."

"Then, what will we do?" asked Tom; "if we shut the students up in the cabin, I can't go down there to get to my state-room; and I am not going to sleep on deck while I am captain. It wouldn't look well."

"Well, then, we'll rush 'em down through the cabin an' into the hold," said the chief. "But, whatever we do, we must be lively about it, 'cause it aint best to give 'em a fair show. Now, if we are all ready, we'll be off. We'll leave your skiff in the cave here, Bobby, an' when you get back, you'll know where to find it."