It was hardly prudent for me to think so, for I was to run the “Lightning Express” in opposition to the new boat. But our provisions had arrived, and just then I was more interested in the cruise of the Grace than in the trips of the new steamer. Skotchley and I went on board. As the river below Hitaca was narrow, and the navigation difficult, the builder, with some of his men, assisted us to work her out into the open lake. The wind was tolerably fresh from the westward, and as soon as the men had left us, I took the helm, and headed the Grace for Middleport. The yacht was a furious sailer, and she tore through the water at a rapid rate. “I rather like this,” said Skotchley, as he seated himself at my side. “So do I,” I replied. “I wish the major would make me skipper of this boat, and let some one else run the locomotive.” “I don’t want anything better than this for my vacation. I should like to spend the week in her, cruising up and down the lake.” “Perhaps you can. The major is going a fishing in her, I heard him say. Very likely he will let you have a berth in her.” “I’m afraid not. Tommy will spoil all my chances of anything good for this term,” added the dignified student, shaking his head. “I think the fellows on the Horse Shoe are likely to bring Tommy to his senses before they get through with him. They have him there alone, and I don’t think they will let him have his own way all the time. At any rate, they began as though they would not.” “If I were in Tommy’s boots, I should try to make the fellows love instead of hate me. He is smart, and can make himself very agreeable when he isn’t ugly. In my opinion, there will be a big row on the Horse Shoe, even without any help from the Wimps. Tommy is plucky, and I am not sure that it will not be a good thing for him if the Wimps attack his camp. His position is a little like that of some king I have read of, who got up a foreign war to save himself from being tipped off the throne by his own subjects.” “Supper is ready,” said Tom Walton, who attended to the culinary department of the Grace, having had some experience in the art of cooking. “Shall I take the helm, while you go down?” I was very happy to have him do so, for Tom was a good boatman, which was the particular reason why I had invited him to be one of the party. We went down into the cabin, where the table was set for us. It was neatly and tastily arranged. The viands consisted of beefsteak, potatoes, milk toast, and coffee; and I must do Tom the justice to say that they tasted as good as they looked. Certainly I never felt happier than when I sat down to that supper. There was something decidedly marine in the surroundings. The fresh breeze created quite a sea for an inland lake, and the Grace tossed up and down just enough to make her seem like a vessel. [Illustration: THE MAN ON THE RAFT. Page 148.]