"You can't help yourself, Tom."
The chief had begun to weaken. Even if he wanted to escape, the best way was to do as his companions had done. When Bates had allowed them time enough to consider the matter, he came below. Tom at once asked him for the uniform. He was released, and taken to a stateroom, from which he soon came out dressed like his companions. His duties were explained to him, and he listened in sullen silence.
The day was very pleasant, with scarcely any wind; and, when the Sylph had passed Split Rock, Dory discovered a sailboat trying to get ahead in the light breeze. With the glass, he discovered that it contained a man and two boys. Paul Bristol was doing duty as wheelman, and he was sent to the principal to report the fact.
The boat had scarcely a particle of wind, and had not yet made half the distance to Burlington. The two boys, Rag Spinner and Ben Sinker, had been broiling in the hot sun all the forenoon; and they were willing enough to accept the invitation to go on board of the steamer, though without understanding the reason for the request. The man in the boat asked to be taken in tow; but Captain Gildrock ordered the Sylph to go ahead, without heeding the request.
Raglan Spinner was not a little astonished to find his father on board of the steamer, and Ben Sinker was hardly less surprised. At the next glance they saw their companions of the day before dressed in the uniform of the Industrial School, and this was a still greater surprise. They began to see why they had been invited to go on board of the Sylph.
"So you were going to run away, Raglan, were you?" said Mr. Spinner sternly, as he confronted his son. "Why didn't you come home last night?"
"I didn't like to after the scrape we got into yesterday," pleaded Rag, with a laugh; and it was apparent that he did not stand in awe of his father.
"I have put you where I can find you when I want you," continued the carpenter. "You will spend the next three years in the care of Captain Gildrock."
"All right: we shall have plenty of boating," replied the boy.
The two boys were immediately supplied with a uniform, and took their places with the other Topovers on the forecastle. Bates proceeded to go over his instructions for deck-hands again, for the benefit of the new-comers.