"I haven't the least idea how we shall manage the business," replied the skipper of the Goldwing.
"But you ought to have a plan," suggested the New York boatman.
"How can you make a plan before you know what the Topovers intend to do, and before you ascertain the situation of the boats?" asked the skipper. "It's no use to try to cross the river before you get to it."
"Of course not; but do you mean to board the barges and fight it out, or to manœuvre them out of the game as you did the Chesterfields?" continued Matt, rather disappointed to find that Dory did not lean upon him as much as he desired and expected.
"I am ready to do either or both, as the circumstances happen to favor," replied the skipper. "If you will take the tiller, Matt, I will go forward and 'clear ship for action.'"
The schooner was going at great speed, with the wind on the beam, and the outlet was very narrow. Dory went forward, and proceeded to arrange certain rigging on the forward deck. He did not explain what he was doing, but he worked as though he had some idea of his possible action in the encounter with the Topovers.
While he was busy with the lines, the centreboard of the Goldwing suddenly flew up, and a moment later the bottom of the yacht was scraping on the sand. Dory suspended his work, and looked up.
"Here we are!" he exclaimed, as he looked around him, and then at the helmsman.
"I thought there was water enough here for her," said Matt, greatly chagrined to find that he had run the schooner aground when they were in such a hurry.