s Benjamin," said Bruce,
giving her a significant look and winking toward Jack; "but we all know
Frank Merriwell's a veritable landlubber, and he hasn't any more
judgment about running a boat like this than a four-year-old youngster."

Paula looked alarmed at this, and Diamond muttered something under his
breath.

When Jack was not looking, Bruce gave the Boston girl a reassuring
smile, whispering:

"Not the least danger in the world, Miss Benjamin."

She looked relieved, and then a mischievous expression flitted over her
face, for she understood Browning's little game. Immediately she
pretended to be both frightened and indignant with Diamond.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed. "Mr. Diamond could not deceive me. I was
sure there was great danger."

"Of course," said the big fellow, in his peculiar way, "we may reach
Green's Landing in safety, but the chances are against it. However, if
we are capsized, I shall not fail to assist you in getting to the
mainland, Miss Benjamin."

"How thoughtful of you!" she murmured, nestling a bit nearer the big
fellow, while Jack ground his teeth and looked as if he longed to murder
somebody. "How far away is the mainland?"

"Only about five miles--a short walk. Hem! I mean a short swim."

Diamond sourly observed:

"Without doubt, you could walk it much easier than you could swim it,
Mr. Browning."

"Oh, that is an easy swim," said Bruce, offhand. "I have often swam ten
or fifteen miles. Without doubt, I could get Miss Benjamin safely
ashore."

"It is nice to have such a wonderful swimmer near one--I feel so safe
now," said Paula.

Under his breath the Virginian growled something that sounded like
"confounded liar."

"Eh?" said Bruce. "What were you saying, sir?"

But Jack looked away, pretending to be interested in a distant island.
He showed his anger so plainly that Paula was aroused to tease him still
more, and she turned to chat confidentially with Bruce.

Jack could not stand that a great while. With a sudden assumption of
having forgotten something, he politely excused himself and went below.
He did not come on deck again till Green's Landing was in sight,
although he missed the most captivating portion of the sail across the
Eastern Bay.

As for Browning, he had started into the affair in jest, but he grew
more and more interested in Paula as they talked during the sail. He
found her remarkably bright and sensible and not at all "flighty." She
talked to him of