“But you are a fresh-water sailor and don’t know anything about the coast,” said the boy.
“I know I don’t, and neither does Enoch. But I never yet got a vessel into a place that I couldn’t get her out of, and if you will trust to me I will look out for your safety and insure you lots of fun besides,” said Lester, confidently; and then he wondered what he should do if the boys took him at his word.
“I must see if I can’t induce Enoch to stand by me,” said he to himself. “If he refuses, the whole thing is up stump, for I can’t command the yacht, and I am not foolish enough to try it. I will wait a few days, and perhaps something will turn up in my favor.”
Lester was not disappointed. When each scholar’s standing for the week was announced on Friday night, Jones had only fifty marks to his credit, while Enoch Williams was obliged to be satisfied with thirty.
“I’ve done my level best,” said the former, in a discouraged tone, “and now I believe I’ll give it up.”
“Never say die,” said Enoch, hopefully. “I have better reason for being discouraged than you have. I shall try harder than ever from this time on, and if I can get up as high as ninety next week, and stay there, that will make my average standing seventy-eight. You must try, old boy, for I don’t want to go to Hamilton unless you do. Give me your promise.”
Jones gave it, but said he didn’t think anything would come of it.