"I had it built in accordance with the sketch you gave me. If you look at the chart, boys," continued Captain Gildrock, pointing to it on the wall, "you will see that the water suddenly shoals six feet at the distance of forty feet from Chowder Point. In other words there is a step of that height in the rock, such a one as you may see just beyond the dormitory in the side of Beech Hill. Bolly has located the wharf outside of this step, where he found ten feet of water."
"But the bottom slants off six inches in twelve feet," added Bolly.
"And I had the bottom of the caisson built to fit this slant," continued the principal.
"That's all I wanted to know," said Bolly, satisfied that his intention had been carried out.
School was dismissed, but after dinner the usual work in the shop was done. The boys were making as many tool-boxes as there were students, for they would be needed while they were at work on the boat-house. An hour earlier than usual on her Saturday trips the Sylph started for Burlington, for it might take all day to get the caisson up to the quarry. But there was no change made in the organization of the ship's company, and everything went on as usual.
They found the caisson in the water just below the city, where it had been built, and the boys gave three cheers when they saw it. Bolly was an "idler;" that is, his watch was not on duty in the fire-room. He leaped from the gangway as the steamer came alongside of the structure, and inspected it with the greatest gravity and dignity. In answer to the question of the principal he declared that the caisson was all right in every respect.
After the boys had examined the caisson, all hands were called and assembled on the forward deck. The principal had a letter in his hand which had been handed to him since the arrival of the Sylph. He informed the students that he had intended to remain on board during the trip, but some bank business of the greatest importance required him to remain in the city till afternoon. He should return to Beech Hill on the train, and expected to be there by the time the steamer reached the river.
The principal was the captain of the steamer, and he had always been on board during the Saturday trips. He sometimes sent Dory Dornwood away in her, with Mr. Jepson in charge of the engine, a gardener doing duty as fireman, and Bates as deck hand; but she had never come out of the river with her regular ship's company on board in the absence of the captain. The students jumped to the conclusion that Dory would be made captain on the present occasion.
"The organization of the ship's company will remain just as it is," said Captain Gildrock. "You have learned to obey your officers even if you think you know more than they do; and this was a very valuable lesson to learn."