"Those fellows have had enough of it for the present," chuckled Matt. "They are pulling for the point where we landed Tom Topover, and very likely they are going to pick him up."
"But we have no further business over here, and we will go home," said Dory; and Matt headed the Goldwing for the mouth of the river.
"The Chesterfields will never be content to leave things as they are now," suggested Oscar. "I know if I were one of them I should try to get even with you."
"By and by they will learn to row a boat in a sea, and know something about handling their craft; and then they will make a visit to Beech Hill," added Matt.
"I think we shall be able to take care of ourselves," replied Dory, shrugging his shoulders like a Frenchman.
"It looks as though they had formed an alliance with the Topovers, and I am confident that Tom will never be satisfied until he has had a fight with Dory and been thoroughly whipped," prophesied Oscar, who was sure that the skipper could do it "every time."
With the fresh breeze the four row-boats made good time across the lake, and were going into the river when the Goldwing dashed past them. This time Matt brought the schooner up to the wharf without getting aground; but at the V point, Dory gave him the bearings by which he steered through this bad place with the current, and was confident that his friend would never stick there again when he had any kind of fair play.
Captain Gildrock, with the instructors, were on the wharf when the Goldwing arrived. The news of the taking of the boats by the Topovers had been circulated in the town, and the principal was somewhat disturbed by the occurrence, not especially by the stealing of the barges, but more by his fears of what might result from a battle between the students and the marauders. When Bates, who had learned the particulars from Mr. Jepson, told him that Dory Dornwood was in command of the expedition which had gone out to recover the boats, he was somewhat relieved of his anxiety; for he had a great deal of confidence in the skipper's judgment and discretion, though there was no knowing what boys would do when they were excited.
"Where are the boats, Dornwood?" asked Captain Gildrock, as soon as the party landed.
"They are coming up the river, sir," replied Dory.