Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Heregainedhisfeet,andlookedroundforhiswould-bemurderer. Theassassinwasstandingclosebyhim,laughingheartily,butthemomenthecaughtsightofHarris’sface,asitemergedfromthewater,hestartedbackandseemedquiteconcerned. 

           "Ireallybegyourpardon,"hestammeredconfusedly,"butItookyouforafriendofmine!" 

           Harristhoughtitwasluckyforhimthemanhadnotmistakenhimforarelation,orhewouldprobablyhavebeendrownedoutright. 

           Sailingisathingthatwantsknowledgeandpracticetoo—though,asaboy,Ididnotthinkso. Ihadanideaitcamenaturaltoabody,likeroundersandtouch. Iknewanotherboywhoheldthisviewlikewise,andso,onewindyday,wethoughtwewouldtrythesport. WewerestoppingdownatYarmouth,andwedecidedwewouldgoforatripuptheYare. Wehiredasailingboatattheyardbythebridge,andstartedoff. "It’sratheraroughday,"saidthemantous,asweputoff:"bettertakeinareefandluffsharpwhenyougetroundthebend." 

           Wesaidwewouldmakeapointofit,andlefthimwithacheery"Good-morning,"wonderingtoourselveshowyou"luffed,"andwhereweweretogeta"reef"from,andwhatweweretodowithitwhenwehadgotit. 

           Weroweduntilwewereoutofsightofthetown,andthen,withawidestretchofwaterinfrontofus,andthewindblowingaperfecthurricaneacrossit,wefeltthatthetimehadcometocommenceoperations.