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security。 It was a proud moment when I stood on the wharf with my
partners； inspecting the Dolphin； moored at the foot of a very slippery
flight of steps。 She was painted white with a green stripe outside； and on
the stern a yellow dolphin； with its scarlet mouth wide open； stared with a
surprised expression at its own reflection in the water。 The boat was a
great bargain。
I whirled my cap in the air； and ran to the stairs leading down from the
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wharf； when a hand was laid gently on my shoulder。 I turned and faced
Captain Nutter。 I never saw such an old sharp…eye as he was in those days。
I knew he wouldn't be angry with me for buying a rowboat； but I also
knew that the little bowsprit suggesting a jib； and the tapering mast ready
for its few square feet of canvas； were trifles not likely to meet his
approval。 As far as rowing on the river； among the wharves； was
concerned； the Captain had long since withdrawn his decided objections；
having convinced him…self； by going out with me several times； that I
could manage a pair of sculls as well as anybody。
I was right in my surmises。 He commanded me； in the most emphatic
terms； never to go out in the Dolphin without leaving the mast in the boat…
house。 This curtailed my anticipated sport； but the pleasure of having a
pull whenever I wanted it remained。 I never disobeyed the Captain's orders
touching the sail； though I sometimes extended my row beyond the points
he had indicated。
The river was dangerous for sailboats。 Squalls； without the slightest
warning； were of frequent occurrence； scarcely a year passed that six or
seven persons were not drowned under the very windows of the town； and
these； oddly enough； were generally sea…captains； who either did not
understand the river； or lacked the skill to handle a small craft。
A knowledge of such disasters； one of which I witnessed； consoled me
somewhat when I saw Phil Adams skimming over the water in a spanking
breeze with every stitch of canvas set。 There were few better yachtsmen
than Phil Adams。 He usually went sailing alone； for both Fred Langdon
and Binny Wallace were under the same restrictions I was。
Not long after the purchase of the boat； we planned an excursion to
Sandpeep Island； the last of the islands in the harbor。 We proposed to start
early in the morning； and return with the tide in the moonlight。 Our only
difficulty was to obtain a whole day's exemption from school； the
customary half…holiday not being long enough for our picnic。 Somehow；
we couldn't work it； but fortune arranged it for us。 I may say here； that；
whatever else I did； I never played truant （〃hookey〃 we called it） in my
life。
One afternoon the four owners of the Dolphin exchanged significant
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glances when Mr。 Grimshaw announced from the desk that there would be
no school the following day； he having just received intelligence of the
death of his uncle in Boston I was sincerely attached to Mr。 Grimshaw； but
I am afraid that the death of his uncle did not affect me as it ought to have
done。
We were up before sunrise the next morning； in order to take
advantage of the flood tide； which waits for no man。 Our preparations for
the cruise were made the previous evening。 In the way of eatables and
drinkables； we had stored in the stem of the Dolphin a generous bag of
hard…tack （for the chowder）； a piece of pork to fry the cunners in； three
gigantic apple…pies （bought at Pettingil's）； half a dozen lemons； and a keg
of spring…water…the last…named article we slung over the side； to keep it
cool； as soon as we got under way。 The crockery and the bricks for our
camp…stove we placed in the bows； with the groceries； which included
sugar； pepper； salt； and a bottle of pickles。 Phil Adams contributed to the
outfit a small tent of unbleached cotton cloth； under which we intended to
take our nooning。
We unshipped the mast； threw in an extra oar； and were ready to
embark。 I do not believe that Christopher Columbus； when he started on
his rather successful voyage of discovery； felt half the responsibility and
importance that weighed upon me as I sat on the middle seat of the
Dolphin； with my oar resting in the row…lock。 I wonder if Christopher
Columbus quietly slipped out of the house without letting his estimable
family know what he was up to？
Charley Marden； whose father had promised to cane him if he ever
stepped foot on sail or rowboat； came down to the wharf in a sour…grape
humor； to see us off。 Nothing would tempt him to go out on the river in
such a crazy clam…shell of a boat。 He pretended that he did not expect to
behold us alive again； and tried to throw a wet blanket over the expedition。
〃Guess you'll have a squally time of it；〃 said Charley； casting off the
painter。 〃I'll drop in at old Newbury's〃 （Newbury was the parish
undertaker） 〃and leave word； as I go along！〃
'Bosh！〃 muttered Phil Adams； sticking the boat…hook into the string…
piece of the wharf； and sending the Dolphin half a dozen yards towards the
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current。
How calm and lovely the river was！ Not a ripple stirred on the glassy
surface； broken only by the sharp cutwater of our tiny craft。 The sun； as
round and red as an August moon； was by this time peering above the
water…line。
The town had drifted behind us； and we were entering among the
group of islands。 Sometimes we could almost touch with our boat…hook
the shelving banks on either side。 As we neared the mouth of the harbor a
little breeze now and then wrinkled the blue water； shook the spangles
from the foliage； and gently lifted the spiral mist…wreaths that still clung
along shore。 The measured dip of our oars and the drowsy twitterings of
the birds seemed to mingle with； rather than break； the enchanted silence
th