“He does not believe that you and Ezra go fishing at all.”
“What do you believe about it, mother?”
“I believe in you, David, and that when you have anything to tell to me, I shall be glad to listen.”
“And father does not trust me yet; I am sorry,” said David, turning away. And then, as by a sudden impulse, he returned and said:
“If you can trust me so entirely, mother, we can trust you. To-day, two gentlemen will be here. You will please be ready to go out in the boat with us whenever they come.”
“Where to?”
“To my fishing ground, mother.”
The strangers arrived, and were presented to Mrs. Bushnell as Dr. Gale and his friend, Mr. Franklin.
At three of the clock the little family set off in 86 the row-boat. Down at Pochaug harbor, there was Mr. Bushnell hallooing to them to be taken on board.
“I saw my family starting on an unknown voyage,” he remarked, as the boat approached the shore as nearly as it could, while he waded out to meet it.