"By the big wooden spoon, there comes the Sylph!" exclaimed Paul, as the steam yacht came out from behind Barber's Point. "Captain Gildrock is on board of her, and you may be sure he will put things to rights in double quick time." "All right; I am glad he is coming, for I don't know what to do with these fellows, now that we have them where they can't set the lake on fire," added the skipper, as he glanced at the Sylph. "We will keep on as we are, for I suppose she is going over to Beaver River." "I think you have carried this thing about far enough, Mr. Bissell," said Mad Twinker, after he had taken a glance at the steam yacht. "Not quite, Mr. Twinker," replied the skipper, with a smile. "I shall carry it about as far as that steam yacht, and then I don't care a button what becomes of it." "You mean by that to hand us over to the principal of the Beech Hill School?" inquired Ham Jackson. "I reckon it amounts to that." "If you settle the thing that way, you will have to answer to Colonel Buckmill," added Mad Twinker. "I am ready to answer to him. Do you think the principal of the Chesterfield school will justify you in committing such an outrage as you have put on Paul Bristol?" demanded Bissell indignantly. "Then why don't you hand us over to Colonel Buckmill?" "So I would if he happened along here at about this time. Perhaps the other principal will pass you over to Colonel Buckmill," suggested the skipper, with a sort of chuckle, as though he had his doubts on the subject. "Six of you set upon Paul in the most cowardly manner, and--" "Only two at a time," interposed Buck Lamb. "How was it, Paul?" asked Bissell. The intended victim of the ruffians told his story in full, not omitting to mention the punishment he had bestowed upon his assailants. Bissell expressed himself very emphatically in regard to the cowardly character of the assault, and was glad Paul had defended himself till he was overpowered by numbers. The faces of some of the ruffians bore the marks of his hard fists, and they were probably booked for mourning eyes by the next day. By this time the Silver Moon was off Sandy Point. Paul had watched with interest the movements of the Sylph. When first seen she was headed for Scotch Bonnet, which was her direct course when homeward bound; but she soon shifted her helm, as though she was going up to Westport. "She is going to make a landing at the town," said Paul, when he noticed the change of course. "I am sorry for that, for I thought she was coming over this way," replied Bissell. "Captain Gildrock must see all the barges, and I am sure he will run over here as soon as he makes them out," added Paul.