In a few minutes the skipper of the Goldwing returned with the articles named, and Captain Gildrock placed them on the iron table.
“Am I to be fed on dry bread?” asked Oscar, as he looked with contempt upon the provision on the table.
“I don’t answer questions at the present time. There is food: you can eat it or let it alone. You can stay in this place a day, a week, a month, or a year: the time depends upon yourself,” said the captain, as he withdrew from the brig.
He closed the door, and secured it with the great lock. He also fastened the door in the plank partition, so that no student could get within six feet of the strong-room.
“That fellow will think better of it in a few days, perhaps by to-morrow,” said Captain Gildrock, as they left the dormitory.
“For a boy, he is the hardest customer I ever
had to deal with,” replied Brookbine. “There is no more reason in him than there is in a brickbat.”
The captain led the way to the schoolroom, where the boys had assembled. They were behaving themselves very well, and they all applauded when the captain entered the room.
“Boys, there is nothing more to be done to-night. To-morrow will be Saturday; and we shall organize the ship’s company for the Sylph, and take a little trip in her down the lake, perhaps as far as Plattsburgh. Your rooms are all ready for you, and you can retire as soon as possible. We have breakfast at seven in the morning.”
The captain stood upon the platform, and made this little speech, which was applauded by the students. Mr. Brookbine was left to look after the pupils, and the captain and Dory went into the house. Though it was after nine o’clock in the evening, they found Mr. Bolingbroke Millweed and his mother in the sitting-room. Her son had related to her his adventures on the lake and in Burlington. She was very grateful to Dory for what he had done, and expressed herself to that effect in very high-flown speech.