The Search for the Silver City | Page 4

he cried, shaking his friend vigorously. "Wake up; I think
we are at sea."
Neal was on his feet in an instant, and after one glance through the tiny
window he replied with a laugh:
"There's no question about our being under way; but we sha'n't see the
sea to-day."
"Why, we are on it now."
"If you have forgotten your geography as soon as this you'll be obliged
to do some mighty hard studying when we get back to school. The Sea
Dream must go through the sound before we reach the ocean, and most
likely we shall make harbor at Martha's Vineyard to-night."
"Of course I knew about the sound; I had forgotten, that's all," and
Teddy looked just a trifle ashamed at having displayed so much
ignorance.
Never had the boys made their toilets more quickly. Both were eager to
be on deck in order to extract the greatest possible amount of pleasure
out of this first day of the cruise, and when they finally emerged from
the companion-way an exclamation of surprise and delight burst from
Teddy's lips.
The yacht was steaming at nearly full speed over waters as placid as a
pond, and here and there were craft of all kinds darting back and forth
like active fish.

"I tell you there's nothing in the way of sport to beat sailing," Teddy
said enthusiastically.
"There are times when it isn't quite as nice as this. When it storms, and
the yacht dances around so that it is impossible to come on deck you
will think camping in the Adirondacks is much better."
"I thought vessels always went into a harbor at such times."
"If you are at sea it is necessary to take whatever comes in the way of
weather, but there is no reason why we should speak of such things
now. Let's have a look at Jake and his engine before breakfast."
During this first day of the cruise the boys were very busy.
Considerable time was spent eating three decidedly hearty meals, and
what with inspecting every portion of the steamer and watching the
passing vessels, they managed without much trouble to find something
in the way of amusement until the Sea Dream arrived off Cottage City,
where Mr. Emery proposed to stop a day or two.
The wind had come up quite strong toward night, and when the little
craft swung to her anchors some distance from the shore Teddy was
feeling decidedly disagreeable.
There was not sea enough to trouble the greenest fresh-water sailor that
ever "caught a crab;" but to poor Teddy, who had never been on the
water save when crossing from New York to Brooklyn or Jersey City,
it seemed as if the Sea Dream was very like a hideous nightmare.
She danced lightly on the long swell as if courtesying to the craft in her
immediate vicinity, and each graceful movement caused Neal's guest to
fancy his stomach was turning somersaults.
"You are not going below now?" the former said as Teddy staggered
toward the companion-way.
"I am if it is possible to get there," was the impatient reply.

"But we shall have a chance to see the town. Father is going ashore
presently."
"In one of those little boats?" and Teddy pointed to the davits where
four polished tenders hung glistening in the sun like some articles of
adornment.
"Of course. How else could he get there?"
"That doesn't make any difference to me. This boat is bouncing around
enough for a fellow to wish he'd never heard of such a thing as a yacht,
and in one of those egg-shells I'm certain it must be terrible."
"But it isn't. Try not to think of being sick, and come on shore with
me."
"How can I help not thinking about it when I feel as if I was dying?"
Then, as if unable to prolong the conversation, Teddy ran below, while
his friend followed more leisurely.
Neal could offer no inducements sufficiently strong to tempt his
companion out of the berth, and there he remained until next morning
when, in half a gale of wind, Mr. Emery decided to take a party of
friends to Nantucket.
Only this was needed to give Teddy a severe attack of seasickness
during which, when he spoke at all, it was to repeat over and over again
his intention of going home as soon as the Sea Dream arrived at
Cottage City.
Probably he would have carried this threat into execution if the
excursion had not been prolonged; but it was four days before the yacht
returned to Martha's Vineyard, and by that time he had, as Jake
expressed it, "found his sea legs."
Now no matter how much the little craft tumbled around he remained
undisturbed, and the sight of