"Of course I am; I knew I should be."
"But with the eight who are elected not to go we will go down the river in the two four-oar boats; and we may be able to assist in the capture of the barges," said the machinist.
All hands applauded this announcement, and the lot proceeded. Oscar Chester, the first to volunteer to remain behind, was one of the first who selected a squared number. This result was heartily applauded. From being the worst bully in the crowd he had come to be a very gentlemanly and unselfish fellow. The discipline of Captain Gildrock had done wonders for him.
By the time the last of Dory's crew had been drawn, the schooner was under way, and standing in towards the wharf. The eight who had been "blackballed," as the machinist called it, were directed to man the two four-oar boats, and put the others on board of the yacht.
"Now we are all right, and under way at last," said Matt Randolph.
"But the Topovers have a start of all of an hour ahead of us, and if they have been using their oars they must be well out in the lake by this time," added Dory.
"I don't believe they will go a great way out into the lake," replied Matt. "There must be a smart sea at the mouth of the river, for the wind is a good deal heavier than it was yesterday."
"The rest of the fellows are coming down the river in the four-oar boats," said Oscar. "I suppose they are going to help us, and we ought to make short work of this affair."
"Are you going to lay them aboard, Dory?" asked Matt, who was rather inclined to quiz his fellow coxswain.