"I am in favor of going back to Beech Hill," said Kidd Digfield. "If I had known the Lily was at anchor, I should have taken one of the boats and gone ashore, or pulled back to the school."
"I was ready to go with him," added Pell Sankland. "We have been well used at the school; and there is ten times as much fun there as there is going off on a time as the slaves of Tom Topover."
"Shall we put about, and go to Beech Hill?" asked Bent.
"I am in favor of it," replied Kidd, and Pell agreed with him.
Kidd was the best sailor of the three; and he was allowed to retain the wheel, and direct the movements of the others. Without any difficulty, he brought the Lily on her course to the southward. The wind was freshening all the time, and the sea was beginning to look very rough in the broad lake ahead of them.
"We shall have a sweet row as soon as Tom Topover wakes up," said Bent, when they had all resumed their places in the standing-room. "But I don't care for that. Don't say a word about the money; and, as soon as we get to Beech Hill, I will hand it over to Captain Gildrock."
"Not a word," replied Kidd. "Tom is sure to pitch into us as soon as he finds that we are headed for Beech Hill."
"He will take the schooner away from us, and head her the other way," added Pell.
"I don't believe he will," replied Bent, shaking his head as though he meant business. "There are three of us; and I will agree to take care of Tom, if you will take care of the others. One of us ought to take the lead; and you may as well do so, Kidd."
"I would rather have you do that; though I will handle the schooner as well as I can, if you will prevent Tom from interfering with me," answered Kidd.