n to Portland--don't you?"

"We will obey your orders, Paul; go anywhere you please," said Frank.

"That is a great deal easier said than done. What can I do, what can
anybody do, in this fog? You thought you knew everything, Tom, better
than Captain Gordon. I hope you have got enough of it."

"Captain Gordon was right," replied Tom; and this sentiment was
responded to by all the mutineers.

"I'm glad you have come to your senses, even at the eleventh hour,"
continued Paul; who, finding the conspirators were all upon the stool of
repentance, was disposed to treat them a great deal better than they
deserved.

"I shall not go to Portland, or attempt to go there, for I do not
consider myself competent to pilot a vessel in these waters," said he.
"I shall take the Flyaway back to Portsmouth harbor as soon as I can get
there."

"Wherever you say, Paul, we will go," answered Tom.

It was no easy matter to run back to the harbor they had left in the
dense fog that then prevailed, and Paul was sorely tried to determine
what course he should take. From his study of the chart and the
information derived from Captain Briskett, he had obtained a tolerable
idea of the coast and of the dangerous ledges and islands in the
vicinity. This knowledge, however, was of little use to him while the
fog lasted. He had no doubt that the island upon which the mutineers had
so nearly wrecked the Flyaway was Boon Island, or one of the Isles of
Shoals. The yacht was now headed east by north by the compass, and a few
hours upon this course would bring them to the coast of Maine.

"Two of you go forward, and keep a sharp lookout ahead," said Paul.
"Tom, you will take the helm, while I go below and look on the chart."

"Ay, ay," replied Tom, reassured by the coolness and self-possession of
the newly-appointed skipper.

"I would give a good deal to be out of this scrape," continued Paul.

"So would I," frankly added Tom. "I was a fool to think I knew more
about navigation than Captain Gordon. What do you suppose will become of
us?"

"I can't form any idea," answered Paul, as he descended the ladder.

He found that the closet which contained the chart was locked; but he
felt that the circumstances in which he was placed fully justified him
in forcing open the door, and he lost no time in doing so. With the
chart in his hand he returned to the deck.

After questioning Tom in regard to the course he had sailed since
leaving Kittery Point,