90 BRAGGADOCIO.

“One of our workmen! Honest, with a
witness! What right have they to go to fa-
ther’s island, and put your name on that red
boat ?”

Tom had rowed nearer to the shore, so that
the name was very plainly seen.

“ Ada!” exclaimed she. “Why that is a
very pretty compliment. Don’t you think so,
Howard ?”

“T have no doubt it was meant for a com-
pliment,” replied Howard.

While they were saying this, George had
run on es fast as he could, and had got in
advance of the boat.

“There will be mischief when the poor fel-
low tries to land,” said Howard, rushing after
George as fast as his short legs could carry him.

Some trees grew upon the bank so closely
that the boys were obliged to turn off from the
river, and for a few moments lost sight of it.
They came at last upon the road which Pat
had taken in the morning with his cart, and
following that they soon reached the abrupt
turning which the Irishman had taken when
he launched the boat.