CHAPTER XXVII
ON THE LAKE
Almost before the boys knew it winter was gone and spring was at hand.The ice on the lake disappeared like magic, and the hills back of PutnamHall took on a fresh greenness pleasant to behold.
With the coming of warm weather the cadets spent a large part of theiroff time outdoors. Some took up rowing, and among the number were Samand Tom. Larry Colby had become the owner of a fair-sized sloop, and hefrequently took some of his chums out for a cruise up or down the lake.
"Do you know what I'd like to do?" said Dick one day. "I'd like to visitthat old Sobber homestead and see how it looks."
"I've often thought of that," answered Sam. "Wonder how we can manageit?"
The matter was talked over in Larry's presence, and the cadet who ownedthe sloop said they might make the trip in that craft, provided themaster of Putnam Hall would give them the desired permission.
"We'll ask Captain Putnam at once," declared Dick.
Permission was granted to leave Putnam Hall early on the followingSaturday morning, provided the weather was clear, and it was arrangedthat the party should consist of the three Rover boys, Larry, Fred andSongbird. The captain said he preferred that they come back Saturdaynight, but they could remain away over Sunday if they found itnecessary.
"Do you think we'll get any clew to Merrick and Tad Sobber?" asked Dick,with a faint smile.
"Possibly," answered Captain Putnam, smiling back. "You Rovers are greatchaps for finding out things."
The sloop was provided with a tiny cuddy, or cabin, and in this the boysplaced a small stock of provisions and also a shotgun and some fishinglines. They left the Hall after breakfast and were glad of the promiseof a warm day, with the breeze in just the right direction.
"You fellows will have to tell me where to steer the sloop to," saidLarry, after the mainsail had been run up. "I don't know where that oldhouse is."
"We have a general idea where it is," answered Dick. "Of course we mayhave some trouble finding it. But if we get mixed up, we can go ashoreand ask the folks living in that vicinity."
The distance to be covered along the lake shore was in the neighborhoodof twelve miles, so the boys had quite a sail before them. They tookturns at steering, and said they liked the sloop very much.
About four miles had been covered when the breeze began to die away.This was exasperating, but could not be helped, so the boys made thebest of it. As the sloop drifted along they got out some fishing tackle,and it was not long before Sam brought up a fair-sized fish, of which hefelt quite proud.
"At this rate it will take us till night to reach that old house,"remarked Dick, after they had been fishing half an hour. "It is too bad!I thought we'd get there by noon when we started, even if the breeze didgo down."
"Oh, I think the breeze will start up again before long," said Tomhopefully. "Let us enjoy this fishing while we have the chance," headded, having just pulled in a real piscatorial prize.
By noon they had a good mess of fish to their credit, and then Samproposed that they go ashore and build a fire and cook some for dinner.
"There is no use of mourning over the wind," said he.
"If it wasn't for the sloop we might tramp to the old house," returnedDick.
"I shouldn't wish to leave my boat just anywhere," said Larry. "Somebodymight run off with her,--and she cost quite some money."
"You might leave her in care of some farmer along here," suggestedSongbird, and then he added softly:
"For what is a boat without a breeze? It's like a forest minus its trees. It's like a table without a leg,----"
"Or a big blue top without its peg!"
finished Tom. "But I move we camp and cook fish," he continued. "We canhave a dandy meal, along with the stuff we brought along."
The idea of going ashore prevailed, and soon they had tied up the sloopand lowered the mainsail. Brushwood was handy, and having started a firethey cleaned some of the fish and set it to broiling. They had a potalong in which they made coffee, and they also brought out some breadand crackers, cake, and some fruit. They had some meat with them, butleft that for possible future use.
The cadets took their time over the meal, and it was not until twoo'clock that they again boarded the _Polly_, as Larry had named hiscraft.
"I think the breeze is coming again," cried Dick, holding up his hand.
"Let it come!" was the cry, and as the wind freshened all felt muchbetter. Soon the _Polly_ was bowling over the lake as speedily as whenthey had first started.
"Do you know what I think?" said Songbird, who stood at the sternlooking toward the distant hills. "I think we are going to have morewind than we'll want before night."
"Do you think a big blow is coming?" questioned Fred.
"It looks that way to me. Do you see those dark clouds just beginning toshow themselves yonder?"
"Well, I shan't mind a little blow," said Dick. "In fact, I think I'drather like the excitement." And the others said the same.
They were still about two miles from the spot where they supposed theold house was located, when it suddenly grew darker and the breezefreshened greatly. Then came a puff of air that sent the _Polly_ farover on her side.
"Hi! this won't do!" cried Fred, in alarm. "We don't want to upset!"
"Maybe we had better take in some sail," added Songbird nervously.
He had scarcely spoken when there came another puff of wind that madeall cling fast to the deck to keep from being pitched overboard. The skywas now very dark, and there were a few flakes of snow in the air.
"It's a spring snowsquall, that's what it is," announced Dick. "I don'tthink it will last over ten or fifteen minutes."
"It's too much for the _Polly_," came from Larry. "Put down themainsail, will you?"
Several sprang to do as requested, and hardly had the sheet been loweredand stowed away when there came a fierce gust that drove them well inshore.
"There is a cove--we can go in there for shelter!" cried Sam, and thesloop was steered accordingly. The cove was well protected by trees andthey came to anchor at a spot that looked particularly inviting.
The boys were afraid it would rain, and wondered what they would do tokeep from getting wet, since the cuddy on the sloop was too small tohold more than two or three of the party. But no rain came, and soon theflurry of snow disappeared. The wind, however, instead of letting up,blew harder than ever.
"I am glad we are not out in the middle of the lake," observed Fred."We'd be capsized sure!"
"This is certainly getting to be a regular gale," answered Dick. "Andthe worst of it is, there is no telling how long it is going to last."
There was nothing to do but to wait, and in order to keep warm thecadets put up a bit of sailcloth on the deck of the sloop and taking inthe cuddy. There they crouched, and told stories and talked for over anhour.
"I move we go on," said Tom, at last. "The wind isn't quite as strong asit was."
Although doubtful of the wisdom of the proceedings, the others voted toproceed and they poled their way out of the cove. Only the jib of the_Polly_ was hoisted and this sent them bowling along at a fair rate ofspeed.
Dick stood in the bow and at last called upon Larry to turn the slooptoward shore.
"I think we must be in the neighborhood of that house now," he said."And just ahead is a fine cove where the sloop will be as well shelteredas it was at the other cove."
Accordingly Larry turned the _Polly_ in, and the other lads lowered thesail. They came to anchor between a number of tall trees, where thesloop was almost screened from sight.
Having made certain the boat could not drift away, the six boys, led byDick, made their way along the shore until they struck something of apath. Coming to a slight rise, Dick pointed with his hand.
"Isn't that a house, on the other side of the hill?" he asked.
"Yes!" cried Tom. "And by the appearance of it I should say it's theplace we are looking for!"