"Ay, ay, sir!" replied the first-mate. "And then, with your permission, I will order dinner. I am hungry."
Mr. Graves, having tested the sloop to his satisfaction, had shaped her course toward the village; and, as the breeze was freshening, had ordered some of the sails taken in. But, upon receiving Tom's instructions, he put the vessel about, the flying-jib and gaff-topsail were given to the wind, and the Storm King began her cruise around the island. Then he returned to Tom, who was pacing up and down the deck, to report that his orders had been obeyed, and that dinner would be ready in half an hour. The new captain was in ecstasies, and he found it all he could do to refrain from shouting. When the boat-builder came up, he again seized him by the hand, exclaiming—
"I knew all the time that this yacht would belong to me! Won't the boys in the village be astonished?"
"Certainly they will," said Mr. Graves, "and every one of them will wish themselves in your boots!"
"Then you are really willing to take my note!" said Tom, who found it difficult to believe that one of his glorious plans had proved a success. "You are not afraid to trust me for a short time?"
"Of course not! Why should I be when I know that the money is as safe in your hands as it is in my own? Have your note indorsed by your father, and I'll wait until——Why, what's the matter now?"
Again Tom's bright hopes were dashed to the ground. Rudely jerking his hand from the boat-builder's grasp, he staggered back against the rail, and drawled out:
"O, now, I didn't say any thing about my father, I tell you! He's got nothing whatever to do with this business!"
"What's that you say?" exclaimed Mr. Graves, who now thought that he began to understand the matter.