"Paul! Paul!" cried a voice from the shore.
"That's my mother," said the young boatman, as he discovered a woman on the beach. "What do you want, mother?"
"Come ashore," replied Mrs. Duncan, whose voice was almost drowned by the noise of the waves as they beat against the boat.
Paul's mother seemed to think she had said enough, for her son was generally a very obedient boy, and she turned to walk up the bluff towards the house. But she knew enough about the management of a boat to perceive that, in this instance, her order was not obeyed.
"Come ashore right off, Paul," she repeated with an emphasis that was calculated to make an impression upon the rebellious party.
"Do you want me, mother?" asked Paul, as he put the boat about, and brought her upon the home tack.
"No, I don't want you; but it blows too hard for you to be out there. You'll capsize, as true as you're alive," replied Mrs. Duncan; and seeing the boat headed towards the shore, she hastened home.
"Are you going to back out, Paul?" demanded Thomas, as the boat came about.
"My mother won't let me go," replied Paul, rather sheepishly, for he was not proof against the derision of his companion.
"Won't let you go!" sneered Thomas.