l
arrive to-morrow, at farthest; but they may be delayed," replied the
principal.

"No one need worry about them if they are safe and well," added Paul,
glancing at Clyde's mother.

"They are safe and well, but I intended to sail for Gottenburg
to-morrow morning. I have almost concluded to do so, and leave some
one to accompany the boys to Gottenburg in the steamer. I do not like
to delay the whole fleet for them."

"It would take a long time to beat out of the fjord against a head
wind," added Paul.

"If the wind is fair to-morrow morning, I shall sail, whether they
arrive or not."

"A steamer leaves for Gottenburg on Saturday morning, and she may
arrive as soon as your ship," added Paul.

"Very true. I think I will leave Peaks to look out for the absentees.
Are you sure the steamer goes on Saturday?"

"Yes, sir; here is the time table," replied Paul, producing a paper he
had obtained at Mr. Bennett's. "Dampskibet Kronprindsesse Louise."

"That's Norwegian, Paul. Can you read it?" laughed Mr. Lowington.

"A little. 'Hver Loeverday;' that means on Saturday; 'at 6 fm.,' which
is early in the morning. She arrives at Gottenburg about midnight."

"That will answer our purpose very well. We shall get under way early
in the morning, Paul."

"Then I will go on board of the yacht to-night, sir; but you need not
wait for me, for I think I can catch you if you should get two or
three hours the start of me. I haven't used my balloon jib yet, and am
rather anxious to do so."

"I shall not wait for you, then, Paul."

After a long conversation with Mrs. Blacklock, in which he assured her
again that nothing but firmness on her part could save her son from
ruin, the principal left the hotel, and returned to the ship. In the
evening Mr. and Mrs. Kendall went on board of the Grace. On the
following morning, the wind being a little north of west, the signal
for sailing was displayed on board of the Young America, and at six
o'clock the fleet were under way. The weather was beautiful, and the
fresh breeze enabled all the vessels to log eight knots an hour, which
brought them fairly into the Skager Rack early in the afternoon.

"I suppose we are off the coast of Sweden now," said Norwood, as he
glanced at the distant hills on the left.

"The pilot said Frederikshald was in this direction," replied Captain
Lincoln, pointing to the shore. "It is at the head of a small fjord,
and is near the line between Norway and Sweden."