Before they reached Burlington the principal shot a duck on the wing, and the bird dropped into the water. The steamer was stopped, and the captain gave the order for the port-quarter boat to be put into the water, and the bird secured. Under the direction of Bates, the deck-hands had an opportunity to apply the knowledge they had gained. The original Topovers were ordered to the thwarts, and Bates acted as coxswain. The bird was dead, and not likely to escape; so that the officer in charge of the boat did not hurry himself. He took time to instruct his pupils in pulling a man-of-war stroke; and, before they reached the duck, they did tolerably well, for they had learned to row before.
When the steamer reached her destination, she did not go up to a wharf as usual; but the order was given to let go the anchor just outside of the breakwater. The principal, with a smile, said it would be cooler here than at the wharf, while those on board were waiting for him. The boat was dropped into the water again, and the same crew pulled the captain to the shore. While he was attending to the business of the bank, of which he was a director, Bates gave his pupils a lesson in managing the boat, and handling the oars. In an hour the principal was ready to go on board, and the steamer returned to Genverres.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE PUPILS FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
As soon as the fathers of the last two recruits to the school had been landed, the Sylph went out to the lake again, and started on a long cruise, from which she did not return till after dark. The principal went ashore at Plattsburgh, and the boys took some more lessons in rowing.
At dinner and supper on this day, the Topovers were seated with the family, and were not required to sit at a second table. On the return, Kidd Digfield was sent to the pilot-house to take a lesson in steering, for any of the deck-hands were liable to be called upon to act as wheelmen. The reprobate was not willing to confess that he was delighted with this occupation, even though he had to act under the orders of Dory Dornwood.
He soon got the hang of the wheel; and because he was interested in his occupation, in spite of his efforts to appear otherwise, he was an apt scholar. It was not a difficult thing to learn, as long as a course was given to him; and he soon felt quite at home at the wheel.
"I rather like this thing," said Kidd, when he joined his associates on the lower deck. "I have steered the steamer nearly all the way since we left Plattsburgh."
"You are a traitor, Kidd Digfield!" was the reply with which the chief Topover received this manifestation of pride on the part of one of his band. "You will give us all away."
"What do you mean by traitor, Tom Topover?" demanded Kidd.