before he went on board; but
perhaps he had learned something more about the race, and was in haste
to inform Levi of it. She was only afraid that the trip would be
abandoned. Her mother came to the entry, told her to "wrap up warm," be
careful not to take cold, and then kissed her with an affectionate
adieu. Mat Mogmore led the way down to the boat, and assisted her to a
seat in the stern-sheets.

The night was clear; but it was quite dark, and the darkness on the
water is deeper, and more dense, to a person unaccustomed to the sea,
than on the land. Bessie was not afraid; but after the boat had gone a
few rods from the shore, she had no idea where she was, for the gloom
of night breeds confusion in the mind on the sea.

Bessie did not recognize Mat's companion in the boat; but she supposed
he was one of the crew of the yacht. He did not speak, and she had no
reason to suspect that anything was wrong. Mat Mogmore was well known
to her, and had been long before the yacht was built. He was one of
Levi's hands, and his presence, if she had had any suspicions, would
have been enough to satisfy her.

"How dark it is!" said Bessie to Mat, who pulled the after oar.

"Not very dark, miss," replied Mat. "The stars are out, and we don't
call it very dark when we can see them."

"But I cannot see anything, or tell where I am. I can see the lights in
the town, but I can't make out anything else."

"Because you are not used to it. Can't you see the yacht right ahead of
us?"

"I can see the outline of a vessel, but I couldn't tell whether it was
The Starry Flag or a fishing vessel."

"It's the yacht."

Bessie looked around her, and tried to distinguish the headlands, which
looked like masses of darkness resting beneath the star-lit sky.

"Now you can see the yacht," said Mat, as the boat approached a vessel
which was not unlike the yacht.

"Yes, I see her plain enough now," answered Bessie, taking it for
granted.

"It's a very pleasant night to sail," added Mat, as the boat ran up
alongside the vessel.

"Beautiful!" exclaimed Bessie, as she looked up to the stars.

The boat was brought up to the gangway; the man at the bow oar stepped
out and assisted her on board. Mat Mogmore did not follow her, but
pushed off the boat, and pulled away into the darkness. It still wanted
more than half an hour of the time appointed for the sailing of the
yacht. Mat pulled a short distance from the vessel, and then lay upon
his oar