it was pleasant not to have any immediate duty, for his head throbbed,
every now and then, and he felt dizzy when he tried to walk.

"Who could have hit me in that fashion, last night, and for what earthly
purpose?" wondered the boy. "I've had some enemies, in the past, but I
don't know a single person about Dunhaven, now who has any reason for
wishing me harm."

Never a thought crossed his mind of suspecting Sam Truax. That worthy
had come with a note from David Pollard, the inventor of the boats.
Sam, therefore, must be all right, the boy reasoned.

Jack lay back on the upholstered seat. He sat with his eyes closed
most of the time, though he did not doze. At last, however, he heard
the engine room bell sound for reduced speed. Getting up, the young
captain made his way to the foot of the conning tower stairs.

"Making port, Hal?" he called.

"Yep," came the reply. "We'll be at anchor in five minutes more."

Jack made his way slowly to the door of the engine room.

"Eph," he called, "as soon as you've shut off speed, take Truax above
and you two attend to the mooring."

"Take this other man up with you," urged Sam Truax. "I don't know
anything about tying a boat up to moorings."

"Time you learned, then," returned Eph Somers, "if you're to stay