“It won’t be so splendid,” said Phœnix, “if we can’t get her up to town.” “But we can,” cried Phil. “I can sail a boat better than that Coot Brewer.” “You’ll have to do that,” said Chap, “or I won’t go along with you. I don’t think Coot knew anything about sailing. How he is going to get his boat down to his brother’s is more than I know. His business in life is to hunt alligators.” “Yes,” said Phil, “and to do it the way he likes he’s got to go where game is scarce.” “And that’s in the woods,” said Phœnix. Phil had had a good many lessons in sailing a boat from his uncle, Mr. Godfrey Berkeley, and all the boys had profited greatly by observing Adam’s method of managing the boat, consequently they felt quite delighted to have the opportunity of doing some sailing for themselves. Phil went to the helm; Chap took charge of the main-sheet line, and Phœnix made himself generally useful at the main-sail and the jib. The wind had got around to the east, and this was much in their favor. They pulled up the anchor, hauled up the sails, and set off bravely. Phil was a careful fellow, and watched for every flaw of wind, and Chap was very prompt to let out the sheet as soon as ordered. “I want you to understand, Phil,” said Chap, “that as I am captain, I give you orders to let me know every time you want the main-sheet let out.” “All right, captain,” said Phil. “Discipline must be maintained.” “Boys,” remarked Phœnix, “I wish we had shot some alligators. We might have done it after we got to the mouth of the creek.” “Perhaps that’s so,” said Phil; “but I was too anxious to get out from among them to think of anything else. I’d given up the shooting business.” “I’m afraid we were a little scared,” said Chap, “and that we’ll be laughed at when we get back without having fired a shot.” “Let them laugh,” said Phœnix. “It won’t hurt half as much as to have an alligator chewing at your legs.” [Illustration] CHAPTER XXVI. THE MAGGIE COMES TO TOWN. Had Adam Guy been at the helm of The Rolling Stone, it would probably have reached the pier at Titusville a couple of hours sooner than it did under the guidance of the three boys. But it reached there finally, and our young friends were too glad to have made a safe passage to grumble about the slowness of it. When the story about the alligators and the desertion of Coot was told at the hotel, it created a good deal of merriment and also some hearty condemnation of Brewer, who had not yet arrived in town. Adam came up to the hotel, having seen the boat come in, and when he heard the story he was very indignant. “I never oughter let you go with such a miserable good-for-nothin’ feller. He thought of nothin’ but savin’ his own wretched skin, and I’ve a great mind to thrash it all off of him as soon as I ketch sight of him.”