There was no response, and the conversation was here interrupted by the appearance of Paul. There were enough of them who would gladly have seen the bow of the Flyaway pointed to the north, instead of the west, but the influence of Paul was so powerful that no one but Frank would consent to take the command from him.
"What land is that?" asked Tom, as the skipper joined the group in the standing room.
"The Isles of Shoals. Keep her away a couple of points, Frank," replied Paul.
"I shall keep her as I think best," answered Frank, gruffly; for he was smarting under the disappointment he had just experienced.
"Are you going to run her on the island?" said Paul, astonished at the rude answer he had received.
"I don't know as it is any more your business than mine where I run her."
"What is the matter, Frank? What ails you? What makes you so ill-natured? I hope I haven't done anything to give you reason for any ill feeling."
"He wants us to go to Portland," said one of the crew.
"I thought you had got enough of cruising on your own hook," added Paul, with a smile.