The Yacht Club; or, The Young Boat-Builder

by Oliver Optic

  CHAPTER VIII.

  THE FIRST REGATTA.

  Donald was not disposed to doubt the truth of Laud Cavendish's story,for the circumstances were precisely the same as those under which hehad received the boat and the money from Captain Shivernock. If he hadhad no experience with the eccentric shipmaster himself, he would havedoubted the whole explanation, and refused to take the money. Herecalled the events of Saturday. The last he saw of Laud, on that day,was when he ran his boat over towards the Northport shore, whither thecaptain had gone before him. He had lost sight of both their boats at atime when it seemed very probable that they would meet. After what Laudhad just said to him, and with the money he had paid him in his pocket,he was confident they had met. The strange man had purchased the silenceof Laud, as he had his own, and at about the same price.

  Donald realized that Captain Shivernock had thrown away about sevenhundred dollars that morning, and, as he thought of it, he was amazed athis conduct; but the captain did not mind paying a thousand dollars anytime to gratify the merest whim. The young man tried again to fathom themotive of his eccentric but liberal patron in thus throwing away suchlarge sums, unnecessarily large, to accomplish his object. TheLincolnville outrage was the only possible solution; but if he were theruffian, he would not have been on Long Island when he had a fair windto run home, and Sykes and his wife both agreed that he had left thehouse on the morning that Donald had seen him. It was not possible,therefore, that the captain was guilty of the outrage. Laud had paid himseven fifty dollar bills, and he had over four hundred dollars in hispocket. He did not know what to do with it, and feeling that he had comehonestly by it, he was vexed at the necessity of concealing it from hismother; but he was determined to pay it out, as occasion required, forstock and hardware for the yacht he was building. When he went to hischamber, he concealed three hundred and fifty dollars of the money in asecret place in the pine bureau in which his clothes were kept.

  The next morning Kennedy appeared with the man he was authorized toemploy, and the chips flew briskly in the shop all that day. At noonDonald went to the wharf where he had bought his stock, and paid thebill for it. The lumber dealer commended his promptness, and offered togive him credit for any lumber he might need; but Donald proudlydeclared that he should pay cash for all he bought, and he wanted thelowest cash prices. On his return to the shop, he entered, in theaccount-book his father had kept, the amount he had expended. The workwent bravely on, for his two journeymen were interested in his success.They were glad to get employment, and desired that the youngboat-builder should not only build a fine yacht, but should make moneyby the job. The stem-piece and stern-post were set up, and gradually theframe began to assume the shape of a vessel. Donald watched the formingof the yacht very carefully, and saw that everything was done accordingto the model and the scale.

  On Saturday morning Mr. Rodman, accompanied by a friend who was aship-builder, visited the shop to inspect the work. The frame, so far asit had been set up, was carefully examined, and the expert cordiallyapproved all that had been done, declaring that he had never seen abetter job in his life. Of course Donald was proud of this partialsuccess.

  "I have had some doubts, Don John," laughed Mr. Rodman; "but I amentirely satisfied now."

  "Thank you, sir. I have had no doubts; I could see that frame in my mindas plainly before a stick had been touched as I do now."

  "You have done well, and I am quite sure that you will make a yacht ofit. Now, if you will give me a receipt for one hundred dollars, I willlet you have so much towards the price of the Maud, for I suppose youwant to pay your men off to-night."

  "I have money enough, sir, to pay my men, and I don't ask you for anymoney yet," replied the young boat-builder.

  "But I prefer to pay you as the work progresses."

  Donald did not object, and wrote the receipt. He was a minor, and hismother, who was the administratrix of her husband's estate, was theresponsible party in the transaction of business; but he did not like tosign his mother's name to a receipt, and thus wholly ignore himself,and, adopting a common fiction in trade, he wrote, "Ramsay and son,"which he determined should be the style of the firm. Ramsay might meanhis father or his mother, and he had already arranged this matter withher. Mr. Rodman laughed at the signature, but did not object to it, andDonald put the money in his pocket, after crediting it on the book.

  This was the day appointed for the first regatta of the Yacht Club. Thecoming event had been talked about in the city during the whole week,not only among the boys, but among the men who were interested inyachting. About a dozen yachts had been entered for the race, thoughonly four of them belonged to the club; those that were not enrolledbeing nominally in charge of members, in order to conform to theregulations. Donald had measured all these boats, and made a schedule ofthem, in which appeared the captain's name, the length of the craft,with the correction to be subtracted from the sailing time in order toreduce it to standard time. There were columns in the table for thestarting time, the return time, and the sailing time. The "correction"was virtually the allowance which a large yacht made to a smaller onefor the difference in length.

  The club had adopted the regulation of the Dorchester Yacht Club, whichcontained a "table of allowance per mile." In this table, a yacht onehundred and ten feet six inches long, is taken as the standard forlength. The Skylark was just thirty feet long on the water-line, and herallowance by the table was two minutes forty-three and four tenthsseconds for every mile sailed in a regatta. The Sea Foam's length wasthree inches less, and her allowance was one and three tenths secondsmore. Donald had his table all ready for the use of the judges, of whomhe had been appointed the chairman. Mr. Montague's large yacht had beenanchored in the bay, gayly dressed with flags and streamers, to be usedas the judges' boat. The yachts were to start at ten o'clock.

  "I don't want to leave my work a bit," said Donald, as he took off hisapron. "I may have to lose a whole day in the race, and I can't affordit."

  "Now, I think you can," replied Kennedy.

  "It looks too much like boys' play."

  "No matter what it is. If you are going to make a business of buildingyachts and sail-boats, it is for your interest to encourage this sort ofthing all you can," added Kennedy.

  "I think you are right there," answered Donald, who had not before takenthis view.

  "Besides, you ought to see how the boats work. You will get some ideasthat will be of use to you. You should observe every movement of theboats with the utmost care. I think you will make more money attendingthe regattas, if there was one every week, than by working in the shop."

  "You are right, Kennedy, and I am glad you expressed your opinions, forI shall feel that I am not wasting my time."

  "Your father has been to Newport and New York on purpose to attendregattas, and I am sure, if he were here now, he would not miss thisrace for a fifty-dollar bill," continued the workman.

  Donald was entirely satisfied, and went into the house to dress for theoccasion. He was soon ready, and walked down the beach towards theskiff he used to go off to the sail-boat. The sky was overcast, and thewind blew a smashing breeze, promising a lively race. The Juno had beenentered for the regatta, but she was still at her moorings off the shop,and Donald wondered where Laud was, for he had been very enthusiasticover the event. Before he could embark, the new proprietor of the Junoappeared. He was dressed in a suit of new clothes, wore a new round-tophat, and sported a cane in his hand. His mustache had been freshlycolored, and every hair was carefully placed. He did not look like ayachtman; more like a first-class swell.

  "I have been all the morning looking for some fellows to sail with me,"said Laud. "I can't find a single one. Won't you go with me, Don John?"

  "Thank you; I am one of the judges, and I can't go," replied Donald,who, if he had not been engaged, would have preferred to sail with somemore skilful and agreeable skipper than Laud Cavendish.

  "Won't your men go with me?"

  "I don't know; you ca
n ask them."

  "I am entitled to carry five, and I want some live weights to-day, forit is blowing fresh," added Laud, as he walked towards the shop.

  Neither of Donald's men was willing to lose his time, and as Laud cameout of the shop, he discovered a young lady walking up the beach towardsthe city. A gust of wind blew her hat away at this moment, and Mr.Cavendish gallantly ran after, and recovered it, as Donald would havedone if he had not been anticipated, for he recognized the young lady assoon as he saw her. Even as it was, he was disposed to run after thathat, and dispute the possession of it with Mr. Laud Cavendish, for theowner thereof was Miss Nellie Patterdale.

  "Allow me to return your truant hat, Miss Patterdale," said Laud.

  "Thank you, Mr. Cavendish," replied Nellie, rather coldly, as sheresumed her walk towards the place where Donald stood, a few rodsfarther up the beach.

  "We have a fine breeze for the race, Miss Patterdale," added Laud,smirking and jerking, as though he intended to improve the gloriousopportunity, for the young lady was not only bewitchingly pretty, buther father was a nabob, with only two children.

  "Very fine, I should think," she answered; and her tones and manner wereanything but encouraging to the aspirant.

  "I hope you are going to honor the gallant yachtmen with your presence,Miss Patterdale."

  "I shall certainly see the race.--Good morning, Don John," said she,when she came within speaking distance of Donald.

  "Good morning, Nellie," replied he, blushing, as he felt the full forceof her glance and her smile--a glance and a smile for which Laud wouldhave sacrificed all he held dear in the world, even to his cherishedmustache. "Don't you attend the race?"

  "Yes, I want to attend now. Ned invited me to go on board of the judge'sboat; but the sun was out then, and mother would not let me go. Fathersaid the day would be cloudy, and I decided to go; but Ned had gone. Icame down here to see if I couldn't hail him. Won't you take me off tothe Penobscot in your boat?"

  "Certainly I will, with the greatest pleasure," replied Donald, withenthusiasm.

  "I beg your pardon, Miss Patterdale," interposed Laud. "I am going offin the Juno; allow me to tender her for your use. I can take you off,Don John, at the same time."

  "It's quite rough; as you see, Nellie, and the Juno is much larger thanmy boat. You can go in her more comfortably than in mine," added Donald.

  "Thank you; just as you please, Don John," she answered.

  "Bring her up to the wharf, Mr. Cavendish," continued Donald.

  Laud leaped into his skiff, and pulled off to the Juno, while Nellie andDonald walked around to the wharf. In a few moments the boat was ready,and came up to the pier, though her clumsy skipper was so excited at theprospect of having the nabob's pretty daughter in his boat, that he hadnearly smashed her against the timbers. The gallant skipper bowed, andsmirked, and smiled, as he assisted Miss Patterdale to a place in thestanding-room. Donald shoved off the bow, and the Juno filled hermainsail, and went off flying towards the Penobscot.

  "It's a smashing breeze," said Donald, as the boat heeled down.

  "Glorious!" exclaimed Laud. "Are you fond of sailing, Miss Patterdale?"

  "I am very fond of it."

  "Perhaps you would like to sail around the course in one of the yachts?"suggested the skipper.

  "I should be delighted to do so," she replied, eagerly; and she glancedat Donald, as if to ascertain if such a thing were possible.

  "I should be pleased to have you sail in the Juno," added Laud, with anextra smirk.

  "Thank you, Mr. Cavendish; you are very kind; but perhaps I had betternot go."

  "I should be delighted to have you go with me."

  "I don't think you would enjoy it, Nellie," said Donald. "It blowsfresh, and the Juno is rather wet in a heavy sea."

  Laud looked at him with an angry expression, and when Nellie turned awayfrom him, he made significant gestures to induce Donald to unsay what hehad said, and persuade her to go with him.

  "I am sure you will be delighted with the sail, Miss Patterdale. Youwill be perfectly dry where you are sitting; or, if not, I have a rubbercoat, which will protect you."

  "I think I will not go," she replied, so coldly that her tones wouldhave frozen any one but a simpleton like Laud.

  The passage was of brief duration, and Donald assisted Nellie up theaccommodation steps of the Penobscot, stepping forward in season todeprive Laud of this pleasant office.

  "I am much obliged to you, Mr. Cavendish," said she, walking away fromthe steps.

  "That was mean of you, Don John," muttered Laud, as Donald came down thesteps to assist in shoving off the Juno.

  "What was mean?"

  "Why, to tell Nellie she would not enjoy the sail with me."

  "She could do as she pleased."

  "But you told her the Juno was wet," added Laud, angrily.

  "She is wet when it blows."

  "No matter if she is. It was mean of you to say anything about it, afterall I have done for you."

  "It wasn't mean to tell the truth, and save her from a ducking, and Idon't know what you have done for me."

  "You don't? Didn't I buy this boat of you, and pay you fifty dollarsmore than she is worth?"

  "No, you didn't. But if you are dissatisfied with your bargain, I willtake her off your hands."

  "You! I want the money I paid."

  "You shall have it. Come to the shop after the race, and you may throwup the trade."

  "Will Captain Shivernock pay you back the money?" sneered Laud.

  "I'll take care of that, if you want to give her up," added Donald,warmly.

  "Never mind that now. Can't you persuade Nellie to sail with me?"continued Laud, more gently. "If you will, I will give you a five-dollarbill."

  Donald would have given double that sum rather than have had her go withhim, and she would have given ten times the amount to avoid doing so.

  "I can't persuade her, for I don't think it is best for her to go,"replied Donald.

  "No matter what you think. You are a good fellow, Don John: do this forme--won't you? It would be a great favor, and I shall never forget it."

  "Why do you want her to go with you?" demanded Donald, ratherpetulantly. "A yacht in a race is no place for ladies. I can find somefellows on board here who will be glad to go with you."

  "But I want her to go with me. The fact of it is, Don John, I ratherlike Nellie, and I want to be better acquainted with her."

  "If you do, you must paddle your own canoe," replied Donald,indignantly, as he ascended the steps, and joined the other two judgeson deck.

  "We are waiting for you, Don John," said Sam Rodman, who was one ofthem.

  "It isn't ten yet, and I have the papers all ready. Who is to betime-keeper?" asked the chairman.

  "I have a watch with a second hand, and I will take that office," saidFrank Norwood, who was the third.

  Most of the yachts were already in line, and the captain of the fleet,in the tender of his yacht, was arranging them, the largest towindward. The first gun had been fired at half past nine which was thesignal to get into line, and at the next, the yachts were to get underway. All sail except the jib was set, and at the signal each craft wasto slip her cable, hoist her jib, if she had one, and get under way, asquickly as possible. The "rode" was simply to be cast off, for the endof it was made fast to the tender, which was used as a buoy for theanchor.

  "Are they all ready?" asked Donald, as the time drew near.

  "All but the Juno. Laud has picked up two live weights, and wantsanother man," replied Sam Rodman.

  "We won't wait for him."

  But Laud got into line in season. One of the seamen of the Penobscotstood at the lock-string of the gun forward, ready to fire when thechairman of the judges gave the word.

  "Have your watch ready, Frank," said Donald.

  "All ready," answered Norwood.

  "Fire!" shouted Donald.

  Some of the ladies "squealed" when the gun went off, but all eyes wer
eimmediately directed to the yachts. The Christabel, with a reef in herfore and main sails, was next to the Penobscot; then came the Skylark,the Sea Foam, and the Phantom. Before the gun was fired, the captain hadstationed a hand in each yacht at the cable, and others at thejib-halyards and down-hauls. The instant the gun was discharged, thejibs were run up, and the "rodes" thrown overboard. Some of the yachts,however, were unfortunate, and did not obtain a good start. In one thejib down-haul fouled, and another ran over her cable, and swamped hertender. The conflict was believed to be between the Skylark and the SeaFoam, for there was too much wind for the Christabel, which was thefastest light-weather craft in the line.

  It was a beautiful sight when the yachts went off, with the wind only alittle abaft the beam. The young gentlemen sailing them were ratherexcited, and made some mistakes. The Skylark at once took the lead, forCommodore Montague was the most experienced boatman in the fleet. Hemade no mistakes, and his superior skill was soon evident in thedistance between him and the Sea Foam.

  The crowd of people on the shore and the judges' yacht watched thecontestants till they disappeared beyond Turtle Head. The boats had afree wind both ways, with the exception of a short distance beyond thehead, where they had to beat up to Stubb's Point Ledge. There wasnothing for the judges to do until the yachts came in, and Donald spenta couple of delightful hours with Nellie Patterdale. Presently theSkylark appeared again beyond the Head, leading the fleet as before. Onshe drove, like a bolt from an arrow, carrying a big bone in her mouth;and the judges prepared to take her time.