"I ran in shore pretty well, and took the ground. I tried for half an hour to get the Juno off, but I was soon left high and dry on the beach. I anchored her where she was, and I'm sorry now I didn't set her afire," explained the captain. "Set her afire!" exclaimed Donald. "That's what I said. She shall never play me such a trick again," growled the strange man. "Why, it wasn't the fault of the boat." "Do you mean to say it was my fault?" demanded the captain, ripping out a string of oaths that made Donald shiver. "It was an accident which might happen to any one." "Do you think I didn't know what I was about?" "I suppose you did, sir; but any boat may get aground." "Not with me! if she did I'd burn her or sell her for old junk. I never will sail in her again after I get home. I know what I'm about." "Of course you do, sir." "Got a boat here?" suddenly demanded the eccentric. "Yes, sir; I have our sail-boat." "Take me down to Seal Harbor in her," added the captain, rising from his seat. "I don't think I can go, sir." "Don't you? What's the reason you can't?" asked the captain, with a sneer on his lips. "I have to meet the yacht club here." Captain Shivernock cursed the yacht club with decided unction, and insisted that Donald should convey him in his boat to the place where the Juno was at anchor. "I have to measure the yachts when they come, sir." "Measure--" but the place the captain suggested was not capable of measurement. "I'll pay you well for going." "I should not ask any pay if I could go," added Donald, glancing up the bay to see if the fleet was under way. "I say I will pay you well, and you will be a fool if you don't go with me." "The yachts haven't started yet, and perhaps I shall have time to get back before they arrive." "I don't care whether you get back or not; I want you to go." "I will go, sir, and run the risk," replied Donald, as he led the way down to the boat. Shoving her off, he helped the captain into her, and hoisted the sail. "What boat's that over there?" demanded Captain Shivernock, as he pointed at the craft sailed by Laud Cavendish, which was still standing on towards Searsport. Donald told him who was in her. "Don't go near her," said he, sternly. "I always want a good mile between me and that puppy." "He is bound to Camden, and won't get there for a week at that rate," added Donald. "Don't care if he don't," growled the passenger. "I don't know that I do, either," added the skipper. "Laud wants to buy a boat, and perhaps you can sell him yours, if you are tired of her." "Shut up!"