"I hope they don't intend to capture the schooner," added the principal, with a smile. "Dory is a prudent young man, and I don't expect him to undertake any Munchausen adventures."
"He said he was going to watch the schooner: he did not say he intended to capture the vessel," replied the carpenter.
"How many persons were there on board of the schooner, Randolph?" asked the principal.
"Five in all, all members of the Nautifelers Club," replied Matt.
"The Nautifelers Club will not exist much longer. Under the present circumstances, we will defer the lecture on sailing to another day. The gale has subsided, and we will attend to the practical part of the lesson. Randolph, you will take your class in the Lily; Glovering, you may take Dory's class in his absence; the rest of you will man the two steamers."
This announcement was received with applause, and Mr. Brookbine was instructed to take his prisoner to the lock-up.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE RESULT OF DORY'S STRATEGY.
Dory Dornwood and Mr. Jepson watched the movements of the two men on the rafts as they approached the shore, driven before the strong wind, though it had ceased to be a furious gale by this time. The La Motte had swung round with her head to the wind, and the two members of the Nautifelers Club who remained on board of her had seated themselves on the taffrail to watch their progress.
"They must understand by this time that something has happened to Spickles," said the instructor, as they looked out from their hiding-place in the trees.
"Who is Spickles?" asked Dory, who had not heard the name of the leader before.