Among the attractions at the latter place were three large summer hotels, now crowded with boarders. The hotels were built upon the edge of the lake, and boats on fishing and pleasure trips were to be seen in all directions. On this bright morning in midsummer the scene was a pretty one, and had I felt in the humor I could have enjoyed it thoroughly. But I was out of sorts. As I have said, I was doing my best to pay off what bills were due; and to have Mr. Jackson, or, in fact, any one, insinuate that I didn’t amount to much, and that my father had made a mistake in trusting the business to me, cut me to the heart. I was but a boy, yet I was doing a man’s work, and doing it as manfully as I knew how. I arose every morning at five o’clock, and sometimes worked until long after sundown. I kept a strict account of what came in and went out; and looking at the account-book now, I am satisfied that I did as well as any one could have done under the circumstances. The work around the mill was hard, but I never complained. I did fully as much as Ford, and if at night my back ached as it never had before, no one ever heard me mention it, and I was always ready for work on the following morning. During the two months that had passed I had received but three letters from my father. He was out in South Dakota, and had not yet been able to locate to his satisfaction. In his last communication he had written that he was about to take a journey to the north, and that I need not expect to hear from him for two weeks or more. This was somewhat of a disappointment; yet I trusted the trip he was about to undertake would be a fruitful one. The whole West was booming, and why could we not participate in the fortunes to be made? As the sloop sped on its way I revolved the matter over in my mind. So busy did I become with my thoughts, I did not notice the freshening of the wind until a sudden puff caught the mainsail, and nearly threw the craft over on her side. Springing up, I lowered the sheet, and then looked to see if the cargo was still safe. Luckily Ford had placed the bags tight up near the cuddy, and not one had shifted. Seeing this, I ran the sail up again, trimmed it, and stood on my course. As I did so I saw a large sloop not a great distance ahead of me. It had all sails set, and was bowling along at a lively rate. I became interested in the large sloop at once. By the manner in which she moved along I was certain those in charge of her did not understand the handling of such a craft. The mainsail and jib were set full, and the boom of the former was sweeping violently in the puffs of wind. “On board the sloop!” I called out. “Why don’t you take in some sail?” “We can’t!” came back the answer. “The ropes are all stuck fast.” By this time I had come up to starboard of them. I saw that there were two men, a woman, and a little boy on board.