He was truly an old salt, having sailed the ocean since
his tenth year, on both whalers and merchantmen. Captain Jerry lacked
a book education, but he was naturally shrewd, and far from being a fool.
"Downright glad to meet ye, my hearties," he said, when the boys were
brought on board. And he gave each hand a grip like that of iron.
"Want to look over my lady, eh? Well, she's a putty one to inspect,
take my word on't." And he showed them over the craft with pleasure.
They found the yacht clean "as a whistle," and each particular bit
of brasswork polished like a mirror.
By Saturday evening all was ready for the trip. On Sunday morning
the Rover boys went to church with the Stanhopes and the Lanings,
and rested in the afternoon.
They were just about to go to supper, when a note came for Dick. It
was from Bob Sutter, and ran as follows:
"MY DEAR DICK: My cousin and I have been in an accident. We went
driving to church this morning and the horse ran away and threw us
both out on the rocks. Miss Parloe had her collar bone broken, and
I broke my left ankle. Kindly come and see me if you can."
"An accident!" cried Tom. "That is too bad."
"Let us all go and see him," suggested Sam, and this plan was carried
out.
They found that Bob Sutter was resting easily on his bed. The doctor
had set the broken ankle, and put it in plaster, and he had told Bob
that he must keep quiet for several weeks.
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