The new boats were the subject of much enthusiastic talk that evening, but they were not to be used until four the next afternoon.
That night two more students arrived, and the complement intended was exceeded. Dory was moved into the mansion, and also Thad Glovering, so that the dormitory would accommodate them. Of the new boys it happened that three of them were qualified for the first class, while the fourth was admitted to the second class.
The next day the studies, and the work in the shop, went on as before. It was a new thing to the boys, and the captain did not expect any difficulty at present; and he had none, beyond the little bits of mischief which were not at all serious. Dory was superlatively happy in the snug harbor he had found after the wanderings and trials of the earlier part of the year.
The deep interest of the principal in the institution induced him to give his personal attention to every thing that was done. He was in the school-room most of the forenoon, and in the shop most of the afternoon. But his teaching was done mostly on board of the Sylph, and in the boats. When he found an opportunity to improve the minds or hearts of the boys, he used it, wherever it happened to be. His instructions were always welcome to the students.
The practice in swimming was kept up every day during the rest of the season, unless the weather was unfavorable. In a fortnight most of the boys could swim very well; but half a dozen of them had not yet obtained the confidence to strike out, without the planks, into the deep water of the lake. The two New-Yorkers were fine swimmers, and their example and suggestions were valuable to the others.
On the day after the arrival of the barges, the students gathered at the lake for the exciting exercise of rowing. They were gathered on the temporary wharf built for the accommodation of the Sylph.
“We have not got things to rights here yet, my lads,” said Captain Gildrock. “I was thinking this summer of building a suitable wharf and boat-house, but I concluded to let you do it. We can have two boat-clubs now, and we want a hall for them to meet in during the winter. You are to build this house.”
“Build a house!” exclaimed Bob Swanton.
“That was what I said, and what I meant,” replied the captain. “It will be a boat-house, large enough for all the boats on the lower floor, and for a club-room on the second floor.”
“Can we do it?” asked Ben Ludlow.