“All ready for’ard,” said he, when he had got out the tow-line.
“All ready aft,” repeated Miller.
“Man the tow-line,” said Captain Rich.
In obedience to this order, the crew, now numbering five boys, who were still on the wharf, took hold of the rope.
“Cast off for’ard,” continued the captain, “and shore off. Run away with the tow-line.”
As these commands were obeyed, the bow of the sloop swung around, and, when the stern-line was cast off, she came about, and her bow pointed out to sea. The boys who held the tow-line, pulled her to the end of the pier, where she was again made fast.
“Hasn’t Johnny got back yet?” asked Rich.
“Yes, here I am,” answered the fifth captain, who had run all the way from the wharf to the post-office and back. “I’ve mailed the letter, and the old captain will get his fourteen dollars in the morning. It’s all right; he won’t grumble.”
“What did you say in the letter?” asked Tom.
“I said: Sir—Inclosed herewith please find fourteen dollars, to pay for the use of your boat for two weeks. Yours, truly—blank. I didn’t sign any name to it.”