start off like this."

"He's gone by boat, I vow," said Mr. Cary.

"Yes, he means to row to Truro, and catch up with Anne. And he said to
tell you he'd be back, or get you news of him in some way, by
Saturday," and Amanda nodded smilingly, as if she were quite sure that
her father and mother would be quite satisfied with Amos now that she
had given them his message.

"Amos shall have his way in one thing," said Mr. Cary. "As soon as he is
back, aye, if he comes Saturday or not, I'll put him aboard the first
craft that can get out of harbor, and the farther her port the better. A
year on shipboard is what the boy needs."

"You wouldn't send the boy with a strange captain?" Mrs. Cary questioned
anxiously.

"Indeed I will. So long as he's on board a ship we shall know where he
is," declared Amos's father. "We can do nothing now but wait. Find Anne,
indeed! who knows where to look for the poor child?"

"Amos knows," said Amanda.

But Mr. and Mrs. Cary shook their heads. They did not feel much anxiety
as to Amos's safety, for the boys of the settlement were used to
depending on themselves, and many boys no older than Amos Cary or Jimmie
Starkweather had made a voyage to the West Indies, or to some far
southern port; but they were displeased that he should have started off
without permission.

Saturday came, but Amos did not appear, but toward evening a Truro man
brought Mr. Cary word that Amos had been in Truro, and had started for
Brewster that morning.

"He's a sailor, that boy!" declared the Truro man admiringly. "He
hoisted that square foot of sail-cloth, and went out of harbor at
sunrise with a fair wind. He said he had 'business in Brewster,'" and
the Truro man laughed good-naturedly. "But he's a smart boy," he added.

Mr. Cary made no answer, but his stern face softened a little at the
praise of Amos. Nevertheless he was firmly resolved that Amos should be
sent on a long voyage. "The harder master he has the better," thought
the father. "I'm too easy with him."

When Amos hoisted his "square foot of sail" and headed for Wellfleet, he
saw a canoe some distance ahead of him.

"Two squaws paddling and one doing nothing," thought the boy. "Wonder
where they're bound?" But it was no unusual sight to see Indian canoes
in those waters, and Amos did not think much about it. But his course
brought him nearer and nearer to the graceful craft, and all at once he
noticed that the figure sitting in the canoe was a l