t was a disagreeable topic to him, and he would gladly
have avoided it. It was plain enough that the Sylph was following the
Goldwing, but Dory could think of no reason why she should do so.

"Do you know Captain Gildrock, her owner?" asked Pearl again, and with
more energy than before.

"I do know him: he is my uncle," replied Dory, who could see no reason
why he should conceal the disagreeable truth--for it was disagreeable to
him--from the skipper.

"Your uncle!" exclaimed Pearl, apparently startled at the reply. "Do you
mean to say that Captain Gildrock is your uncle, you young cub?"

"I mean to say it, and I do say it."

But Dory wished with all his might that the captain was not his uncle,
or any other relation.

"He is one of the richest men in this part of the country," added Pearl,
looking astern at the elegant steam-yacht.

"I know it; but I don't have any thing to do with him, and I don't think
he is coming after this boat on my account," added Dory.

"I suppose you will be glad to get on board of her," suggested Pearl,
who had now become quite nervous in spite of his fine philosophy.

"No, I shouldn't. I was never on board of the Sylph in my life; and I
shall not go on board of her if I can help it," answered Dory.

"You and your uncle don't seem to be on the best of terms," continued
Pearl, as he headed the boat to the eastward, after passing Long Point.

The skipper ran the Goldwing close to the point. The Sylph was within
hailing-distance of her at this time; but the steamer had to go a
quarter of a mile or more to the northward of the point in order to find
water enough for her greater draught. In this way Pearl gained half a
mile or more upon her. This enabled him to run the distance to the Gut,
which is the strait, or channel, between North Hero and South Hero, or
Grand Isle. It was about half a mile wide, between Bow-Arrow Point and
Tromp's Point; though there is only a narrow channel, between a red and
a black buoy, for vessels that drew over five feet of water at the
lowest stage of the lake.

Pearl headed the Goldwing to the southward of the buoys. The Sylph was
almost up with the schooner again; and, if the latter had gone between
the buoys, the steamer would have overhauled her before she reached
them. The skipper became more and more nervous. It was clear to Dory
that Pearl was not familiar with the navigation of this difficult
place; for he frequently looked over the side of the bo