[Top]CHAPTERXXX.WHAT THE STUDENTS FOUND AT THOMPSON’S POINT.At the scholastic session, in the morning, the scholars had been forbidden to take any of the boats without special permission, which would not be granted to those who were not qualified to manage them. The Goldwing, and a sloop called the Emma, were the only sailboats belonging to Beech Hill.Besides the two four-oar quarter-boats belonging to the Sylph, there were four other rowboats, two pulling four oars, and two pulling two oars, each. When the boys went on board of the steam-yacht, they noticed that all the rowboats were made fast to her stern. It was evident that the present excursion was for the purpose of drilling the boys in rowing and handling boats.Captain Gildrock had been away all the afternoon, and returned only in time to join the school in the steamer. Bates had got up steam, for hehad learned to be a man-of-all-work, from hoeing corn, up to steering a steamer. Dory was sent to the pilot-house, but no one heard the instructions given him. Oscar went with him; but, if Dory knew the programme, he did not speak of it.The ship’s company all went to their stations, though there was nothing for the cooks and stewards to do. Oscar steered until the steamer was near Thompson’s Point, opposite Split Rock, when Dory took the wheel. The captain had instructed Thad Glovering, the first officer, to get the anchor ready. Dory ran the steamer into a bay next to the point; and, when she was within a quarter of a mile of the shore, he rang to stop her.“Back her, Dory,” said the captain, who did not wish to go too near the shore. “That will do: let go the anchor.”“Now, my lads, we are going to learn to handle boats before we sail any more,” said Captain Gildrock. “It is often as important to be able to handle a boat properly, as it is to be able to sail the ship. We are rather short of instructors in the art of rowing, but we shall do as well as we can. I will take the port quarter-boat, and Dory will go in the starboard.”“The Goldwing Club know how to row,” suggested Dory. “They can do all that I can, though that isn’t much.”The captain admitted that they could row very well, for he had seen them do it; and he appointed the other four members of the club as coxswains of the remaining boats. In a few minutes they had all embarked, and, as directed, had assembled around the port quarter-boat, from which Captain Gildrock told them all that could be told in regard to the art of rowing.“You will obey the orders of the coxswains without grumbling, or asking any questions,” continued the captain, when he had given the pupils the names of the different parts of an oar, and shown them how to use it. He was in favor of a man-of-war stroke, especially for beginners; for it was slow and measured.The Goldwing Club had practised it a great deal, for the skipper had learned it of his father. The boats separated, and each coxswain proceeded to tell what he knew about rowing “man-of-war fashion.” Many of the boys were disposed to indulge in a little skylarking, and some of them were not inclined to obey the orders of the severalmembers of the Goldwing Club. But the captain was too near to permit any thing like an outbreak.But the boys were greatly interested in all aquatic sports, and in an hour’s time they could pull a very fair stroke. They learned all the man-of-war boat terms, and could “toss” and “let fall” with tolerable precision.“Pull to the end of the point,” shouted Captain Gildrock, as his boat led off in that direction.The other boats followed him. As they approached the shore, the coxswains discovered that there were several persons there; though it was generally an unfrequented spot, without a house within a mile of the point. The rowers, being back to the shore, could see nothing. The coxswains wondered what the sensation was to be, for they were satisfied that there was “something in the wind.”Even when the boats touched the beach they could see nothing, for the point was covered with trees. Captain Gildrock landed first, and the coxswains had hard work to prevent their crews from following him pell-mell. But the discipline was preserved without breaking any thing, till orders came for all to go on shore. The boats were allhauled up so that they should not get adrift, and the several crews followed the captain up the hill.“Hurrah!” yelled those who got to the road first.Doubtless this yell gave expression to their astonishment as well as their enthusiasm. In the road, which leads down to the end of the point, they found two long vehicles, the pairs of wheels on which were twenty feet apart.Standing by the side of them were two men, who were the teamsters, and two boys of seventeen, very genteelly dressed. On each vehicle was a boat, each of which was hardly less than fifty feet long. They were both broad for rowboats, and were finished in the most elegant style. The students were delighted, and could hardly find words to express their enthusiasm.“Six oars on a side! Twelve oars in one boat! Who ever heard of such a thing?” exclaimed Will Orwell.“You would not have believed there was such a boat, to say nothing of two of them, if you had been told about it,” said Dave Windsor mischievously.“I believe in them both now,” replied Will. “Do you suppose they are for us?”“I think they must be. I don’t believe there is any other concern in these parts that would have any use for such boats,” added Dave.“My lads, here are two new pupils, from the city of New York. I hope you will give them a cordial welcome, and make things pleasant, for them,” said the captain, interrupting the comments of the boys on the boats.“Hurrah for the New-Yorkers!” shouted Ben Ludlow; and three lusty cheers were given in response to the captain’s introduction of the new boys.“This is Luke Bennington, and his father is a shipbuilder. He knows a ship from a cooking-stove, and can give you all points in boating. The other is Matt Randolph, whose father is captain of an ocean-steamer; and he can do any thing in a yacht except splice the main-brace.”The two boys began to bow as they were introduced, and kept it up until the principal ceased. Then they went in among the boys, and began to shake hands with them, and to make themselves acquainted.“What about those boats, Captain Gildrock?” called Bob Swanton, after he had met the new-comers.“Those are twelve-oar barges such as they use in the navy. They are single banked, and will accommodate nine persons in the stern-sheet,” replied the captain. “They were built in New-York City especially for the Beech-Hill Industrial School. I expected to have had them a week ago, but they were not finished. Luke Bennington and Matt Randolph came up in charge of them. Now, if you are ready, we will put them into the water.”The barges were unloaded, and conveyed to the lake. As soon as they were in the water, the students gave the usual three cheers. Of course, they were not satisfied until they were seated in them; and there were now just students enough to man them, without any coxswains. They pulled off to the steamer, towing the other boats. The boys were sorry to get out of them so soon, but there was no more than time to reach the school before six o’clock.The new boats were the subject of much enthusiastic talk that evening, but they were not to be used until four the next afternoon.That night two more students arrived, and the complement intended was exceeded. Dory was moved into the mansion, and also Thad Glovering, so that the dormitory would accommodate them. Of the new boys it happened that three of them were qualified for the first class, while the fourth was admitted to the second class.The next day the studies, and the work in the shop, went on as before. It was a new thing to the boys, and the captain did not expect any difficulty at present; and he had none, beyond the little bits of mischief which were not at all serious. Dory was superlatively happy in the snug harbor he had found after the wanderings and trials of the earlier part of the year.The deep interest of the principal in the institution induced him to give his personal attention to every thing that was done. He was in the school-room most of the forenoon, and in the shop most of the afternoon. But his teaching was done mostly on board of the Sylph, and in the boats. When he found an opportunity to improve the minds or hearts of the boys, he used it, wherever it happened to be. His instructions were always welcome to the students.The practice in swimming was kept up every day during the rest of the season, unless the weather was unfavorable. In a fortnight most of the boys could swim very well; but half a dozen of them had not yet obtained the confidence to strike out, without the planks, into the deep water of the lake. The two New-Yorkers were fine swimmers, and their example and suggestions were valuable to the others.On the day after the arrival of the barges, the students gathered at the lake for the exciting exercise of rowing. They were gathered on the temporary wharf built for the accommodation of the Sylph.“We have not got things to rights here yet, my lads,” said Captain Gildrock. “I was thinking this summer of building a suitable wharf and boat-house, but I concluded to let you do it. We can have two boat-clubs now, and we want a hall for them to meet in during the winter. You are to build this house.”“Build a house!” exclaimed Bob Swanton.“That was what I said, and what I meant,” replied the captain. “It will be a boat-house, large enough for all the boats on the lower floor, and for a club-room on the second floor.”“Can we do it?” asked Ben Ludlow.“If you can’t do it, with Mr. Brookbine’s assistance, I might as well discontinue this school at once. I find that boys work best, and enjoy it more, when their labor is to accomplish a result. You will not only build the house, but you will, I hope, make the plan for it. When you get a little farther along with your drawing, you will be competent to do it.“I shall offer several prizes for the best plan, and build upon it when it is accepted. We shall also build a wharf of stone at the same time, and that will be a part of the plan. I want you to think how you would do it all as you have opportunity.“For the present,” continued the captain, “the first class will be machinists; and the second class, carpenters. I think it is better, therefore, to give one boat to the first class, and the other to the second. Each of the classes may organize a boat-club at once. I should like to have each one choose a coxswain now, before you get into the boats. Don’t do as the American people often do,—select one who don’t know any thing about the work he is to do. Elect one whose orders you will be willing to obey.“This election will be of temporary coxswains. In a week or two, when you have learned more about boats, you can do it more understandingly than now.”The students were delighted with the idea, and a lot of them fell to electioneering as naturally as the average American citizen. In the first class, Matt Randolph was elected; in the second class, Dory Dornwood received very nearly a unanimous vote. The coxswains were directed to take the command at once, and they proceeded to number their men. Then they were assigned to their places. Dory was the first to get his boat off, and he led the way out into Lake Champlain.Each coxswain exercised his crew for an hour; and, of course, they had to have a race. As Dory had all the Goldwing Club with him, his boat won it; though the boys in the first class were older and stronger than those of the second. Captain Gildrock had told them that each club might name their own boat, and every student was requested to propose a good name at the next meeting. They had a great deal of fun over this subject.When the name of “Leader” was first suggested,it met with favor; but Ned Bellows, who had proposed “Winooski,” said he would vote for “Leader” if the other boat would call their barge “Follower.” The joke was carried so far that a committee was appointed to wait on the other club, and suggest the name of “Follower.” Of course, the first class were indignant; as the suggestion was a reflection upon their position at the end of the first race. The names finally adopted were “Gildrock,” in compliment to the captain, and “Winooski,” one of the rivers of the State.Perhaps the students enjoyed themselves more in these elegant barges than even in the Sylph. Before the season closed, they made many excursions in the Gildrock and the Winooski; and with all the practice they had, under the best instructors, they could not well avoid becoming first-class oarsmen.As they continued their work in the shop, some of the boys developed a very decided taste for the mechanic arts; some preferred carpentering; others were fascinated with wood-turning, after the lathes were in use; not a few desired to be working machinists; and some desired to learn onlyenough of the latter trade to enable them to run a steam-engine to the best advantage.After finding out what trade best suited each boy’s taste and ability, the captain intended to allow him to work mainly at that trade, though not to the neglect of any other essential knowledge. To say that all the boys were delighted with their occupation, with their work in the school-room and the shop, as well as their play on land and water, would not be stating the truth too strongly. Even Pemberton Millweed was proud of his accomplishments when he could make a bolt, with a screw and nut: and it is even probable that he forgot the meaning of the word “genteel;” at any rate, he did not use it any more.Bolingbroke became a good mechanic as well as a good scholar,—all the better mechanic for being a good scholar. Both of the farmer’s boys were glad they failed to find places in stores; for they were satisfied in less than a month that they could earn more money, be quite as respectable, and more independent, as mechanics.Elinora liked her place in the store, where she had fair wages. She paid her board at home, and was independent of everybody. The captainfound plenty for Fatima to do, and she proved to be a very valuable clerk to him.The boys look out of the corners of their eyes when they see Mr. Darlingby with her, as he is a great deal of the time when they are not about their work; and even the principal fears that he may lose his accomplished assistant in the care of the records and his correspondence.Farmer Millweed seemed to have become a new man, as well as the new head of his family. Captain Gildrock took the mortgage on his farm, and lent him money to pay his interest and the more pressing of his other debts. His daughters pay their board, and the eight dollars a week from this source is a godsend to him.Mrs. Millweed does not say much about the new order of things, but she cannot help seeing and appreciating the improvement in their circumstances; for the farmer is certain that he shall be able to pay all his debts in time, and own his farm free and clear.Affairs went on very smoothly at the Beech-Hill Industrial School for several weeks, though in time the institution had its trials and troubles; and we are content to leave the “Champlain Mechanics”in their “Snug Harbor,” expecting to present them again when they begin their promised work with the “Square and Compass,” in the practical work of “Building the House.”
[Top]
At the scholastic session, in the morning, the scholars had been forbidden to take any of the boats without special permission, which would not be granted to those who were not qualified to manage them. The Goldwing, and a sloop called the Emma, were the only sailboats belonging to Beech Hill.
Besides the two four-oar quarter-boats belonging to the Sylph, there were four other rowboats, two pulling four oars, and two pulling two oars, each. When the boys went on board of the steam-yacht, they noticed that all the rowboats were made fast to her stern. It was evident that the present excursion was for the purpose of drilling the boys in rowing and handling boats.
Captain Gildrock had been away all the afternoon, and returned only in time to join the school in the steamer. Bates had got up steam, for hehad learned to be a man-of-all-work, from hoeing corn, up to steering a steamer. Dory was sent to the pilot-house, but no one heard the instructions given him. Oscar went with him; but, if Dory knew the programme, he did not speak of it.
The ship’s company all went to their stations, though there was nothing for the cooks and stewards to do. Oscar steered until the steamer was near Thompson’s Point, opposite Split Rock, when Dory took the wheel. The captain had instructed Thad Glovering, the first officer, to get the anchor ready. Dory ran the steamer into a bay next to the point; and, when she was within a quarter of a mile of the shore, he rang to stop her.
“Back her, Dory,” said the captain, who did not wish to go too near the shore. “That will do: let go the anchor.”
“Now, my lads, we are going to learn to handle boats before we sail any more,” said Captain Gildrock. “It is often as important to be able to handle a boat properly, as it is to be able to sail the ship. We are rather short of instructors in the art of rowing, but we shall do as well as we can. I will take the port quarter-boat, and Dory will go in the starboard.”
“The Goldwing Club know how to row,” suggested Dory. “They can do all that I can, though that isn’t much.”
The captain admitted that they could row very well, for he had seen them do it; and he appointed the other four members of the club as coxswains of the remaining boats. In a few minutes they had all embarked, and, as directed, had assembled around the port quarter-boat, from which Captain Gildrock told them all that could be told in regard to the art of rowing.
“You will obey the orders of the coxswains without grumbling, or asking any questions,” continued the captain, when he had given the pupils the names of the different parts of an oar, and shown them how to use it. He was in favor of a man-of-war stroke, especially for beginners; for it was slow and measured.
The Goldwing Club had practised it a great deal, for the skipper had learned it of his father. The boats separated, and each coxswain proceeded to tell what he knew about rowing “man-of-war fashion.” Many of the boys were disposed to indulge in a little skylarking, and some of them were not inclined to obey the orders of the severalmembers of the Goldwing Club. But the captain was too near to permit any thing like an outbreak.
But the boys were greatly interested in all aquatic sports, and in an hour’s time they could pull a very fair stroke. They learned all the man-of-war boat terms, and could “toss” and “let fall” with tolerable precision.
“Pull to the end of the point,” shouted Captain Gildrock, as his boat led off in that direction.
The other boats followed him. As they approached the shore, the coxswains discovered that there were several persons there; though it was generally an unfrequented spot, without a house within a mile of the point. The rowers, being back to the shore, could see nothing. The coxswains wondered what the sensation was to be, for they were satisfied that there was “something in the wind.”
Even when the boats touched the beach they could see nothing, for the point was covered with trees. Captain Gildrock landed first, and the coxswains had hard work to prevent their crews from following him pell-mell. But the discipline was preserved without breaking any thing, till orders came for all to go on shore. The boats were allhauled up so that they should not get adrift, and the several crews followed the captain up the hill.
“Hurrah!” yelled those who got to the road first.
Doubtless this yell gave expression to their astonishment as well as their enthusiasm. In the road, which leads down to the end of the point, they found two long vehicles, the pairs of wheels on which were twenty feet apart.
Standing by the side of them were two men, who were the teamsters, and two boys of seventeen, very genteelly dressed. On each vehicle was a boat, each of which was hardly less than fifty feet long. They were both broad for rowboats, and were finished in the most elegant style. The students were delighted, and could hardly find words to express their enthusiasm.
“Six oars on a side! Twelve oars in one boat! Who ever heard of such a thing?” exclaimed Will Orwell.
“You would not have believed there was such a boat, to say nothing of two of them, if you had been told about it,” said Dave Windsor mischievously.
“I believe in them both now,” replied Will. “Do you suppose they are for us?”
“I think they must be. I don’t believe there is any other concern in these parts that would have any use for such boats,” added Dave.
“My lads, here are two new pupils, from the city of New York. I hope you will give them a cordial welcome, and make things pleasant, for them,” said the captain, interrupting the comments of the boys on the boats.
“Hurrah for the New-Yorkers!” shouted Ben Ludlow; and three lusty cheers were given in response to the captain’s introduction of the new boys.
“This is Luke Bennington, and his father is a shipbuilder. He knows a ship from a cooking-stove, and can give you all points in boating. The other is Matt Randolph, whose father is captain of an ocean-steamer; and he can do any thing in a yacht except splice the main-brace.”
The two boys began to bow as they were introduced, and kept it up until the principal ceased. Then they went in among the boys, and began to shake hands with them, and to make themselves acquainted.
“What about those boats, Captain Gildrock?” called Bob Swanton, after he had met the new-comers.
“Those are twelve-oar barges such as they use in the navy. They are single banked, and will accommodate nine persons in the stern-sheet,” replied the captain. “They were built in New-York City especially for the Beech-Hill Industrial School. I expected to have had them a week ago, but they were not finished. Luke Bennington and Matt Randolph came up in charge of them. Now, if you are ready, we will put them into the water.”
The barges were unloaded, and conveyed to the lake. As soon as they were in the water, the students gave the usual three cheers. Of course, they were not satisfied until they were seated in them; and there were now just students enough to man them, without any coxswains. They pulled off to the steamer, towing the other boats. The boys were sorry to get out of them so soon, but there was no more than time to reach the school before six o’clock.
The new boats were the subject of much enthusiastic talk that evening, but they were not to be used until four the next afternoon.
That night two more students arrived, and the complement intended was exceeded. Dory was moved into the mansion, and also Thad Glovering, so that the dormitory would accommodate them. Of the new boys it happened that three of them were qualified for the first class, while the fourth was admitted to the second class.
The next day the studies, and the work in the shop, went on as before. It was a new thing to the boys, and the captain did not expect any difficulty at present; and he had none, beyond the little bits of mischief which were not at all serious. Dory was superlatively happy in the snug harbor he had found after the wanderings and trials of the earlier part of the year.
The deep interest of the principal in the institution induced him to give his personal attention to every thing that was done. He was in the school-room most of the forenoon, and in the shop most of the afternoon. But his teaching was done mostly on board of the Sylph, and in the boats. When he found an opportunity to improve the minds or hearts of the boys, he used it, wherever it happened to be. His instructions were always welcome to the students.
The practice in swimming was kept up every day during the rest of the season, unless the weather was unfavorable. In a fortnight most of the boys could swim very well; but half a dozen of them had not yet obtained the confidence to strike out, without the planks, into the deep water of the lake. The two New-Yorkers were fine swimmers, and their example and suggestions were valuable to the others.
On the day after the arrival of the barges, the students gathered at the lake for the exciting exercise of rowing. They were gathered on the temporary wharf built for the accommodation of the Sylph.
“We have not got things to rights here yet, my lads,” said Captain Gildrock. “I was thinking this summer of building a suitable wharf and boat-house, but I concluded to let you do it. We can have two boat-clubs now, and we want a hall for them to meet in during the winter. You are to build this house.”
“Build a house!” exclaimed Bob Swanton.
“That was what I said, and what I meant,” replied the captain. “It will be a boat-house, large enough for all the boats on the lower floor, and for a club-room on the second floor.”
“Can we do it?” asked Ben Ludlow.
“If you can’t do it, with Mr. Brookbine’s assistance, I might as well discontinue this school at once. I find that boys work best, and enjoy it more, when their labor is to accomplish a result. You will not only build the house, but you will, I hope, make the plan for it. When you get a little farther along with your drawing, you will be competent to do it.
“I shall offer several prizes for the best plan, and build upon it when it is accepted. We shall also build a wharf of stone at the same time, and that will be a part of the plan. I want you to think how you would do it all as you have opportunity.
“For the present,” continued the captain, “the first class will be machinists; and the second class, carpenters. I think it is better, therefore, to give one boat to the first class, and the other to the second. Each of the classes may organize a boat-club at once. I should like to have each one choose a coxswain now, before you get into the boats. Don’t do as the American people often do,—select one who don’t know any thing about the work he is to do. Elect one whose orders you will be willing to obey.
“This election will be of temporary coxswains. In a week or two, when you have learned more about boats, you can do it more understandingly than now.”
The students were delighted with the idea, and a lot of them fell to electioneering as naturally as the average American citizen. In the first class, Matt Randolph was elected; in the second class, Dory Dornwood received very nearly a unanimous vote. The coxswains were directed to take the command at once, and they proceeded to number their men. Then they were assigned to their places. Dory was the first to get his boat off, and he led the way out into Lake Champlain.
Each coxswain exercised his crew for an hour; and, of course, they had to have a race. As Dory had all the Goldwing Club with him, his boat won it; though the boys in the first class were older and stronger than those of the second. Captain Gildrock had told them that each club might name their own boat, and every student was requested to propose a good name at the next meeting. They had a great deal of fun over this subject.
When the name of “Leader” was first suggested,it met with favor; but Ned Bellows, who had proposed “Winooski,” said he would vote for “Leader” if the other boat would call their barge “Follower.” The joke was carried so far that a committee was appointed to wait on the other club, and suggest the name of “Follower.” Of course, the first class were indignant; as the suggestion was a reflection upon their position at the end of the first race. The names finally adopted were “Gildrock,” in compliment to the captain, and “Winooski,” one of the rivers of the State.
Perhaps the students enjoyed themselves more in these elegant barges than even in the Sylph. Before the season closed, they made many excursions in the Gildrock and the Winooski; and with all the practice they had, under the best instructors, they could not well avoid becoming first-class oarsmen.
As they continued their work in the shop, some of the boys developed a very decided taste for the mechanic arts; some preferred carpentering; others were fascinated with wood-turning, after the lathes were in use; not a few desired to be working machinists; and some desired to learn onlyenough of the latter trade to enable them to run a steam-engine to the best advantage.
After finding out what trade best suited each boy’s taste and ability, the captain intended to allow him to work mainly at that trade, though not to the neglect of any other essential knowledge. To say that all the boys were delighted with their occupation, with their work in the school-room and the shop, as well as their play on land and water, would not be stating the truth too strongly. Even Pemberton Millweed was proud of his accomplishments when he could make a bolt, with a screw and nut: and it is even probable that he forgot the meaning of the word “genteel;” at any rate, he did not use it any more.
Bolingbroke became a good mechanic as well as a good scholar,—all the better mechanic for being a good scholar. Both of the farmer’s boys were glad they failed to find places in stores; for they were satisfied in less than a month that they could earn more money, be quite as respectable, and more independent, as mechanics.
Elinora liked her place in the store, where she had fair wages. She paid her board at home, and was independent of everybody. The captainfound plenty for Fatima to do, and she proved to be a very valuable clerk to him.
The boys look out of the corners of their eyes when they see Mr. Darlingby with her, as he is a great deal of the time when they are not about their work; and even the principal fears that he may lose his accomplished assistant in the care of the records and his correspondence.
Farmer Millweed seemed to have become a new man, as well as the new head of his family. Captain Gildrock took the mortgage on his farm, and lent him money to pay his interest and the more pressing of his other debts. His daughters pay their board, and the eight dollars a week from this source is a godsend to him.
Mrs. Millweed does not say much about the new order of things, but she cannot help seeing and appreciating the improvement in their circumstances; for the farmer is certain that he shall be able to pay all his debts in time, and own his farm free and clear.
Affairs went on very smoothly at the Beech-Hill Industrial School for several weeks, though in time the institution had its trials and troubles; and we are content to leave the “Champlain Mechanics”in their “Snug Harbor,” expecting to present them again when they begin their promised work with the “Square and Compass,” in the practical work of “Building the House.”