"Where is Ben, now?"
"He has gone up to the house."
"Then you run down to the Point, and bring the boat up to the pier. I am tired, and don't want to walk down there again."
Noddy was entirely willing, and bounded off like a deer, for he had fully made up his mind to disobey orders, and his impulsive nature did not permit him to consider the consequences. He was absent but a few moments, and presently appeared rowing a small boat up the river. At the pier he turned the boat, and backed her up to the landing steps.
"All ready, Miss Fanny!" shouted the young boatman, for his companion in mischief was not in sight.
Still she did not appear; and Noddy was about to go in search of her, when she came out of the boat-house, and ran down to the steps. Her face was flushed, and she seemed to be very much agitated. Noddy was afraid, from her looks, that something had happened to spoil the anticipated sport of the morning; but she stepped into the boat, and told him, in hurried tones, to push off.
"What's the matter, Miss Fanny?" he asked, not a little startled by her appearance.
"Nothing, Noddy; pull away just as fast as ever you can."
"Are we caught?" said he, as he followed Fanny's direction.
"No; caught! no. Why don't you row faster, Noddy? You don't pull worth a cent."