er thoroughly, Sam, and nothing you can say
will turn me from my purpose. Do you suppose that, after all that has
happened, I am going to let those fellows enjoy quiet possession of the
Storm King? No, sir; I won't do it. She rightfully belongs to me, and if
I can't have her, nobody shall. When I meet those sailors strutting
about the village, showing off their new uniforms, and see Harry Green
planking his quarter-deck with all the dignity of an admiral, I feel as
if I'd like to sink the vessel and her crew in the deepest part of the
ocean. If my father had given her to me, as he ought to have done, I
should now be the happiest boy in the world; as it is, I am the most
miserable. I don't expect you and the band to run any risks, governor.
All I ask of you is to pull me alongside the yacht, and I'll do the
rest. I'll slip on board with a bottle of coal-oil in my pocket, and if
I can once get into the galley without being discovered, I'll finish
her."

The governor gazed at Tom in silent wonder and admiration. The latter's
plan for "squaring yards" with the principal was likely to involve him
in considerable danger, and Sam could not help acknowledging to himself
that it was something he would not dare undertake. He had great respect
for courage, and he believed that he had been sadly mistaken in Tom. He
began to stand in awe of him, too; for a boy who could conceive of such
an exploit, and talk so calmly about it, after the experience he had
already had with the students, might indeed prove a dangerous person to
make an enemy of. The governor secretly determined to keep on the right
side of Tom.

"Well," said he, at length, "I promised that I would help you, an' I'll
stick to it."

"If you don't, I'll do the job alone," declared Tom. "I'll board the
yacht some night, and set fire to her, even if I know that the students
will catch me in the very act. But it is getting dark, and I must go
home."

"Come ag'in to-morrow afternoon, cap'n," said the governor. "I'll have
the other fellers here then, an' we can talk the matter over."

Tom promised to be on hand; and after Sam had piloted his boat out of
the cove into still water, he filled away for home, feeling happier than
he had done for many a day. We are so well acquainted with him, that it
is scarcely necessary to say that he passed a sleepless night, and that
during the following day he lived in a state of constant excitement. Of
course he was certain of success--