"Perhaps you will not be able to see it when I mention it; but I think your mother will," continued his uncle. "If you could select your own parties, it might do very well. Many people who indulge in boating are fast livers. You will find that some of your customers are rough characters. You will have a great deal of drinking in your boat, and many men who are willing to pay five dollars a day for the boat are not such persons as I should choose for associates of a son or a nephew of mine." "I never drink any liquor, beer, or any thing stronger than coffee, uncle Royal," protested Dory. "I found half a bottle of whiskey on board of the Goldwing yesterday morning, and I threw it into the lake." "Your habits are good now, but it is a question whether they will continue so if you make a business of taking out parties in your boat. You will meet men in their gayest moods, when they lay aside all restraint." "But I promised the landlord of the Witherill House that I would take out parties when he sent for me," added Dory. "I think I can take care of myself.' "Go in this instance, if you think you ought to do so. I am going up to Plattsburgh in the Sylph this afternoon. I have invited the Goldwing Club to go with me, but I suppose you will be unable to join us," said Captain Gildrock. "I was going to ask the members to sail down with me," replied Dory. "Very well: they may go with you, and I will bring them back. I have a scheme in my mind upon which I have been at work this forenoon; but, if you have concluded to do a boating business for a living, I shall have to give it up, at least for the present." "Has the scheme any thing to do with me?" asked Dory, his curiosity awakened by the remark. "It has to do with all the members of the Goldwing Club. I have been to see Mrs. Short and Mrs. Minkfield in regard to Richard and Cornelius. But my plan is not yet matured, and I will not say any thing more about it until we see how you make out boating." "I bought the boat in order to do something to help mother," added Dory. "I didn't give forty-two dollars for it for a plaything." "Your mother tells me that you have done every thing you could to help her, and have given her all the money you earned. I am very glad to hear so good a report of you, for I have been told that you were rather wild. The only doubt I have in regard to you now is as to where the money came from to pay for the Goldwing." Dory told all he felt at liberty to tell, but this did not satisfy his uncle any more than it did his mother. "A man doesn't give a boy over a hundred dollars without some very strong motive; and your mother is not likely ever to know the nature of this mysterious transaction," added the captain. "I can't break my promise, uncle Royal," protested Dory. "Some promises are better broken than kept."