"My native land, farewell,--farewell," hummed Ben as they moved away from the wharf.
"Oh, hush, Ben!" said Ralph dolefully.
The men were too busy, as they tacked about to get before the wind, to notice their passengers, and they talked together about the boys and the commotion there would be when their absence was discovered.
The Una was bound outside for mackerel, and her deck was covered with empty barrels for their reception.
She was, as the captain had boasted, a swift sailer, and once before the wind she fairly flew through the waves, throwing the spray over her deck in a shower; and, excited by the novelty of their situation, Ralph and Ben quite enjoyed the sail.
They had followed the captain's advice, and changed their clothes, putting on the heaviest and warmest garments they owned.
Marcus, they found, was man-of-all-work on board, and Captain Dare was a host in himself--more at home on the sea than on the land, and needing little help during the summer months in the management of the little craft, of which he was sole owner.
The breakfast consisted of fried pork, fried potatoes, and biscuits; and it tasted good to the boys with their keen appetites.
After a while Ralph and Ben both began to feel like keeping quiet; and the captain, who was watching them as he smoked and tended the sails, saw that Ralph was growing pale.
"There it comes!" he thought. "Now won't they wish themselves high and dry on the shore?--How do you like it, boys?"