fellow who makes the most
mistakes will lose the race. But when the Maud is done she is going to
beat you right along, if she has anything like fair play," laughed
Donald.

"She may if she can," replied Robert.

The reputation of Ramsay & Son, boat builders, was greatly increased by
the result of the race. If Edward Patterdale was a little mortified to
have it demonstrated that the Sea Foam had lost the first prize by his
own want of skill and tact in sailing her, he was consoled by the fact
that Commodore Montague, who had the credit of being the best skipper in
Belfast, had been beaten by his yacht. When the shower was over the
party went on shore, and Donald hastened to the shop to attend to
business. He found that his men had done a good day's work in his
absence, and he related to Kennedy all the particulars of the two
races.

"It would have been a bad egg for you if you had not been present," said
Kennedy, much interested in the story. "In these regattas the sailing of
the yacht is half the battle, and these young fellows may ruin your
reputation as a boat-builder, if you don't look out for them."

"When I heard Ned Patterdale say he was disappointed in the Sea Foam, I
felt that our business was nearly ruined. I think I have done a good
thing for our firm to-day."

"So you have, Donald; and when the Maud is finished, I hope you will
sail her yourself in the first race she enters."

"I will, if Sam Rodman consents."

Donald paid off his men that night from the money received from Mr.
Rodman. The next week he employed another hand, and worked diligently
himself. Every day his mother came out to see how the work progressed,
as she began to have some hope herself of the success of the firm of
Ramsay & Son. Donald paid her all the fees he received for measuring
yachts, and thus far this had been enough to support the family. She
did not inquire very closely into the financial affairs of the concern,
and the active member of it was not very communicative; but she had
unbounded confidence in him, and while he was hopeful she was satisfied.

It would be tedious to follow the young builder through all the details
of his business. The frame of the Maud was all set up in due time, and
then planked. By the first of August, when the vacation at the High
School commenced, she was ready to be launched. All the joiner work on
deck and in the cabin was completed, and had received two coats of
paint. Mr. Rodman had paid a