As they came round to the boat-house, Mrs. Sedley was landed, and the club rowed up to Weston Bay, to leave the widow and her daughter. Both the passengers were delighted with their excursion, and were profuse of their thanks to Frank and his companions for their kindness and consideration.
"What shall we do now?" said Charles, as they pushed off.
"Hadn't we better give up for to-day?" suggested Frank.
"Let us go down to Rippleton for your father," added Fred.
"I will do that," answered Frank; and the Zephyr dashed away towards the village.
They had scarcely passed the boat-house before they discovered the Thunderbolt, directly ahead of them. Uncle Ben had landed the band at Rippleton, and had housed the Sylph, so that the Bunkers would no longer be restrained by his presence and that of Mrs. Sedley. But there was no way to avoid them, and Frank continued his course with some misgivings as to the consequences.
"Bunkers ahead!" said he.
"Never mind them, Frank," added Fred Harper. "We won't say anything to them."
"Tim will get his revenge upon us for this morning if he can," suggested the coxswain.
"We can keep out of his way, though I don't like the idea of running away from them," replied Fred.