he
money in his pocket, and that for which the Juno could be sold, would be
capital enough to enable him to carry on the business of boat-building.
But he was determined to see Captain Shivernock that very day in regard
to the boat. Perhaps the strange man would give him a job to build a
centre-board yacht, for he wanted one.

"Hallo! Juno, ahoy!" shouted Laud Cavendish.

Donald threw the boat up into the wind, under the stern of Laud's craft.

"I thought you were going down to Camden," said he. "You won't get there
to-day at this rate."

"I forgot some things I wanted, and ran up to Searsport after them. But
what are you doing in the Juno, Don John?"

"She's going to be sold, Laud," replied Donald, dodging the direct
question. "Didn't you say you wanted to buy a boat?"

"I said so; and I want to buy one badly. I'm going to spend my summer on
the water. What does the captain ask for her?"

"I don't know what the price is, but I'll let you know on Monday," added
Donald, as he filled away again, for the yacht fleet was now in sight.

"Hold on a minute, Don John; I want to talk with you about her."

"I can't stop now. I have to go up to the Head and measure the yachts."

"Don't say a word to anybody about my buying her," added Laud.

He was soon out of hearing of Laud's voice. He wondered if the swell
really wished to buy such a boat as the Juno, and could pay three
hundred dollars for her. His father was not a rich man, and he was out
of business himself. And he wanted Donald to keep still too. What motive
had he for wishing his proposition to be kept in the dark? His object
was not apparent, and Donald was obliged to give up the conundrum,
though he had some painful doubts on the subject. As he thought of the
matter, he turned to observe the position of the two boats to the
southward of him. Directly ahead of Laud's craft was an island which he
could not weather, and he was obliged to tack. He could not lay his
course, and he had to take a short and then a long stretch, and he was
now standing across the bay on the short leg. Captain Shivernock had run
over towards the Northport shore, and Donald thought they could not well
avoid coming within hailing distance of each other. But the Juno passed
beyond the north-west point of the island, and he could no longer see
them. He concluded, however, that the captain would not let Laud, or any
one else, see him afloat that day. He was a very strange man.

Donald ran