CHAPTER XII. A SAILBOAT IN THE TROUGH OF THE SEA.
When the Marian was half-way across the lake, the waves began to diminish in force; and within an eighth of a mile of the high shore the water was comparatively smooth. The barge was then headed to the southwest, and had a quiet time of it till she reached Sandy Point. The Gildrock and the Winooski had followed her, and were now about an eighth of a mile astern of her.
Dory Dornwood was very popular with all the students, not because he was the nephew of the principal, but on account of his fairness, his pluck, and his good judgment. Though Captain Gildrock believed and trusted in him, no one could accuse him of partiality. Perhaps the coxswains of the two twelve-oar barges, who knew that Dory was on board of the Marian, considered it wise and prudent to follow the lead of the eight-oar barge for this reason.
On shore everything was as silent as the tomb. At Sandy Point, Paul looked with deep interest for the appearance of any person in the vicinity of the site where the cottage had stood. It was possible that Major Billcord had sent one of his men from Westport to ascertain what the Bristol family intended to do about the removal of the cottage or the furniture which it contained; but Paul could see no one.
"It looks as though the coast was clear," said he, when he had completed his survey of the point and the woods in the rear. "I don't believe any one has been here since we left last night."
"Major Billcord must have regarded it as utterly impossible for your mother or you to do anything more than remove some of your furniture," added Dory. "I am sure he did not think of such a thing as your taking the cottage away; and I don't believe he would have considered it possible for the Beech Hillers to do such a job. Probably he did not count us in, or think of us at all."
"It was lucky for my mother that you came along in the Goldwing as you did, for you have saved her all she had in the world," said Paul, with enthusiasm.
"Now, where is the tin box in the hollow of a tree?" asked Dick Short, as the barge approached the entrance to Sandy Bay.