Hundreds of heads appeared over the rails, and the comments which ran through the crowd sounded above the wash and swish of beating water.
“Where are you bound, Captain Bunderley?” asked the master of the whaleback.
“Good, Bunderley! I’m going to introduce you to Judge Hampton, of Milwaukee.”
[179]Captain Phillips indicated a gentleman at his side.
“A well-known man, too. His term of office recently expired, but everybody still calls him Judge,” commented the skipper, the next instant replying in his bluff7 and hearty8 fashion.
Judge Hampton, a rather elderly man, holding his eye-glasses in one hand and a paper in the other, looked down upon them gravely.
“Captain Bunderley,” he began, in much the same tone of voice as he might have used in charging a jury, “a wireless9 message has just reached me”—he waved the paper—“stating that my presence in Milwaukee is needed at once. Would it be possible for you to land me in Kenosha? The matter is of very great importance.”
“Certainly I can, Judge,” responded Uncle Ralph, politely.
“Hey, Phil Malone!” shouted Captain Bunderley, “stand by to catch a line.”
“Aye, aye, sir!”
Uncle Ralph began to issue various orders. The bell in the engine room clanged loudly.[180] The motor roared for an instant, then sank into a low, droning murmur11.
“Mind yourself!” yelled a voice, suddenly.
A man on the lower deck of the whaleback was making ready to cast a rope.
On it came—a sinuous12, snake-like line, hurtling straight toward Captain Bunderley, who stood near the bow. The throw was accurate, and, in spite of the rocking, slippery deck, the skipper managed to catch it. In another instant Phil Malone was grasping a second rope hurled13 from a point near the motor yacht’s stern.
Both lines were made fast, and the “Fearless,” struggling like some resisting monster against the grip of a giant foe14, began closing up the gap of water which lay between it and the great white hull15.
Although shielded by the towering whaleback, the yacht wobbled and shook to such an extent that the last particle of interest on Charlie Blake’s part vanished. Supporting himself with difficulty, he stood watching Phil Malone and the captain hang out fenders. He heard various shouts from both vessels16, the bell in the engine room of the “Fearless”[181] again clanging, and the creak of straining ropes. Then the last few feet of water was covered and the yacht sidled up to the larger boat with a dull, jarring shock.
Presently a rope ladder dangled17 its length from deck to deck. Judge Hampton trusted himself to its swaying rungs, and, with extreme care, descended18 to the motor yacht.
“When I started out I didn’t expect to have the honor of welcoming a former member of Wisconsin’s judiciary on board the ‘Fearless,’” said Captain Bunderley, assisting his passenger to a seat.
“The honor is mine,” smiled the Judge.
The skipper and his “first mate” cast off the lines. A great churning of water quickly followed. A hearty farewell cheer came from the whaleback’s deck, as the two vessels swung clear, and the “Fearless” seemed to leap away from the monster’s side.
Captain Bunderley consulted a railroad time-table.
“I suppose you are anxious to reach Milwaukee as soon as possible, Judge?” he asked.
“I am, indeed,” affirmed the passenger.
“Well, I find that we should arrive in[182] Kenosha too late for you to catch the next express. That means an hour or more lost.”
“Too bad,” said the Judge.
Captain Bunderley swung around and faced Bob Somers.
“If you two chaps shouldn’t turn up at the hotel just when your chums expect, are they the sort to raise an awful howl or sit down and blubber?” he asked.
“Not much,” laughed Bob. “They’ll know it’s all right.”
“In that case, I’ll take you direct to Milwaukee, Judge,” announced the skipper, suddenly, much to Charlie Blake’s astonishment19 and disgust.
The jurist immediately protested that he couldn’t think of such a thing; but Uncle Ralph, with a smile, tersely21 ordered the yacht’s course to be changed.
“The time means practically nothing to me, Judge, while it may be of great advantage to you,” he said.
The “Fearless” was pitching heavily. Charlie Blake looked at the succession of waves following each other ceaselessly across the broad expanse, at whitecaps always forming,[183] and at others always on the point of dissolving themselves back into the gray, somber22 element. The heaving, tumbling flood and the dark, ragged23 storm-clouds scudding24 low, apparently25 dipping down at the blurred26 horizon line to meet the water, made an impressive spectacle. But certain distressing28 symptoms prevented Blake from thoroughly29 enjoying it.
He determined30, however, not to let Bob Somers see how badly he was affected31. “He’ll think I’m a quitter,” he mused32.
His mind fully2 occupied, Blake only heard the conversation going on around him as a confused jumble33 of words.
“I do wonder how long it will be before we get there?” he murmured, impatiently.
Time, to him at least, seemed to drag out interminably. But, at length, to his great joy, Uncle Ralph spoke34 up.
“The lighthouse at the entrance to the harbor of Milwaukee, boys,” he said.
“Thank goodness!” came from Charlie Blake. Then, sotto voce, he added, “No more motor yacht motoring for me.”
The “Fearless,” apparently racing35 at almost[184] the speed of a railroad train, had brought into view what appeared to be but a small gray vertical36 streak37. The four watched it and a confused blur27 of lights and darks on the distant shore slowly shaping themselves into definite form.
Finally, towers, domes38 and chimneys sprang out from the shadowy masses, to form gray silhouettes39 against the sky. Before long the largest city in Wisconsin was clearly revealed to the gaze of the interested boys.
The motor yacht soon swung abreast40 of the lighthouse, and, at length, glided41 smoothly42 into the picturesque43 Milwaukee River, where a variety of interesting sights began to pass in a steadily-moving procession.
A bridge opened to let them by, then another. Near the third, which Captain Bunderley explained was the East Water Street bridge, he pointed44 out a landing.
“Why not follow your general custom now?” asked the Judge.
“For two reasons,” answered the captain: “your office is considerably46 further in town,[185] and the boys will have an opportunity to see more of the water-front.”
“Objection sustained,” laughed Judge Hampton, “with my thanks added.”
At the Grand Avenue bridge a small steamer, coming from the opposite direction, held the motor yacht up for a few moments.
Great warehouses47, with long rows of staring windows and having only a narrow footway between them and the water, lifted their time-stained walls grimly against the clouds. The river, hemmed48 in on every hand, assumed a peculiar49 appearance of narrowness, which to the boys was heightened by contrast with the broad open lake so recently left behind. To their right a great modern structure surmounted50 by a tower was surrounded by buildings of all heights and sizes, the old and new standing51 side by side. Still further beyond, another towered structure, the city hall, rose high in the air.
“But for the character of the buildings this view might suggest a bit of Holland,” remarked Captain Bunderley.
Other bridges were passed. Finally, beyond a bend in the river, the skipper gave[186] orders to bring the yacht up alongside a wharf52. This was done in an orderly fashion, and within a few moments she was made fast.
“We’re here, and here we stay,” said Captain Bunderley. “No East Water Street bridge for the ‘Fearless’ to-day, boys.”
The Judge shook hands warmly with the three and gave the captain his card.
“Don’t forget that I’m ready to return the favor at any time,” he said, cordially. “This applies to all of you. Good-bye!”
“Judges can be mighty54 nice, after all,” thought Charlie. “Still, I’d a heap rather meet this particular one off the bench than on.”
“Now, boys,” spoke up Uncle Ralph, “a telegram must be sent to your stout55 friend Brandon announcing our safe arrival. Tell Victor to take a room at the hotel and expect me back to-morrow. Now, we’re thirty odd miles from your motor car. Going with me in the morning, or will——”
“Not for mine,” declared the “grind,” decidedly.
[187]“Either Dave or Tom can drive the car,” said Bob. “So we’ll let ’em come to us.”
“Very good.”
The hotel and restaurant which Uncle Ralph generally patronized on his visits to the city was some distance from the wharf. As no telegraph office was passed on the way they concluded to defer56 sending the missive to Dave until after their meal. And this took considerable time.
But the telegram was finally flashed over the wires with the request that Dave should send an immediate20 response. Then nothing remained but to see the sights and amuse themselves.
Captain Bunderley, after exacting57 a promise that they would meet him at the hotel about six o’clock, returned to the yacht.
After they had wandered about the busy streets for some time Charlie exclaimed:
“Now, what’s the program? My legs are beginning to put up a kick.”
“We are right close to that East Water Street bridge,” said Bob, as he consulted a pocket map. “Looked like an interesting section to me. Suppose we take it in?”
[188]“One way is about as good as another, I s’pose,” replied Charlie, wearily.
As the two came in sight of the bridge a tall, thin boy standing near a little building at one end attracted Blake’s attention.
“By Jove!” he exclaimed, “I never expected to see another chap in this part of the country with a shape just like Tom’s! What’s the matter, Bob?”
Bob Somers’ expression had undergone such a sudden and startling change that Charlie repeated his inquiry58 with a rising inflection.
“Don’t you recognize him?” demanded Bob, sharply.
“Recognize who?”
“Why, Tom—our Tom Clifton, of course!”
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1
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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leeward
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| adj.背风的；下风的 | |
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momentum
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| n.动力，冲力，势头；动量 | |
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flattening
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| n. 修平 动词flatten的现在分词 | |
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jaunt
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| v.短程旅游；n.游览 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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wireless
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| adj.无线的；n.无线电 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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sinuous
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| adj.蜿蜒的，迂回的 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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dangled
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| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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tersely
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| adv. 简捷地, 简要地 | |
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somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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scudding
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| n.刮面v.（尤指船、舰或云彩）笔直、高速而平稳地移动( scud的现在分词 ) | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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blur
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| n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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jumble
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| vt.使混乱，混杂；n.混乱；杂乱的一堆 | |
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34
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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vertical
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| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
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streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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38
domes
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| n.圆屋顶( dome的名词复数 )；像圆屋顶一样的东西；圆顶体育场 | |
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silhouettes
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| 轮廓( silhouette的名词复数 )； （人的）体形； （事物的）形状； 剪影 | |
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abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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41
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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warehouses
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| 仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 ) | |
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hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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50
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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51
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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52
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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53
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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54
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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56
defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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57
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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58
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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