“What! and she isn’t lost, after all?” “Course she isn’t.” At this astounding intelligence the boys looked at one another in silent amazement. “Why, look here,” said Captain Pratt; “what happened to that there schooner often happens to others. It’s a mighty unpleasant thing to happen; but schooners do get over it, after all. I’ve helped friends out of similar scrapes, and have sot several schooners right side up in worse places than this.. There’s nothing so very bad about this. The position is a good one for working in, too; and the mud here isn’t so soft as it is in other places around here by a long chalk. But whatever got into Corbet’s head I can’t imagine. It beats me.” “Can you really save her then, after all--you yourself?” “Course I can--only not single-handed. I’d want some help.” “And _will_ you?” “Course I will, with the above proviso. Captain Pratt’s a man that’s always ready to help a neighbor, and though this here neighbor doesn’t seem altogether inclined to help himself, yet I’m ready to do what I can.” At the generous offer of Captain Pratt the joy of the boys was inexpressible. They at once poured forth a torrent of questions as to when he could begin his work, and where, and how, and what they could do to help him, and whether they could do anything at all; which questions being all asked at once could not be immediately answered. “You see, boys,” said Captain Pratt, “I’ll need some help.” “We’ll do what we can.” “That’s right. I’ll have to rely on you. I’ve only got two men in the schooner, and we can’t do all. If you know any men about the village, send them or bring them along. Send for Corbet, too.” “O, we want to have it all done without Captain Corbet knowing anything about it till it’s all over.” “Why not let him come, and take his share in the work?” “O, it would be better fun to get him down here, and let him see his vessel afloat.” “Fun, you call it! Wal, I won’t dispute about words. At any rate, it ought to teach him a lesson.” “But when can we begin?--now?” “Now?” replied Captain Pratt, with a smile. “Wal--hardly--not just now, I should say. You see the vessel’s partly in the mud, and a good deal in the water, and it would be rather difficult to get at her so as to go to work.” “How long will it be before we can begin?” “Not till the tide leaves her.” “That will be after dark.” “Yes, this evening; but to-morrow morning the tide will be out, and everything can be done then.” “But then we shall be in school.” “So you will. Well, it’ll have to be managed without you. But, after all, you won’t be wanted till the evening. My men and I can do all the fixins. We’ll get everything ready when the tide is out, and then in the evening, when you come, you will be able to help without getting up to your eyes in mud.” “O, well, we’ll all be down.” “How many can you muster? A dozen boys like you will be enough.” “O, we can muster more than that, if you wish it. We will bring down the whole school.”