If was a hard push, but the boat was launched at last, and the four boys in. Each took an oar and pulled hard and fast.
"Let's go over to 'Gull Rock,'" said Joe. "We are headed that way, and it will make just a good trip before breakfast."
"Which is Gull Rock?" asked Ralph, looking over his shoulder as he rowed.
"That long line of dark off there just to the left of that brig."
"Joe Chester! are you crazy?"
"We can do it, and be back in time for breakfast. I know we can."
"All right; go ahead! let's try it," said Ben. "This is my first and last row this vacation, and I'm ready to put in my best stroke. When I invested in this boat I expected to get my money's worth of fun out of it; but--
'The best-laid schemes o' mice and men
Gang aft agley.'"
"Especially when you have a scapegrace for a chum," said Ralph soberly. "If it hadn't been for me you would have been here through it all. I declare it is too bad, Ben."
"Nonsense! I haven't grumbled, have I? Wait till I do, old chap. I reckon I needed the lesson I got as much as you did, and I'm not sorry that I had to learn it. Now, don't let's groan," and Ben began to sing,--