Hartwell hastily tore open the expected letter, and communicated to Frank the glad tidings, that he was permitted by his mother to remain till the Monday following, and the regatta was to take place on the Friday previous. CHAPTER V. THE REGATTA. Merrily, merrily, goes the bark, On a breeze from the northward free; SCOTT. THE few intermediate days were now spent in all the enthusiasm and excitement which ambition, united with pleasure, could arouse. Fifty times a day did Frank pass backward and forward from the Ariel to the cottage, and from the cottage to the Ariel, carrying messages, and cordage, and trifles of every description; he was, in his own mind, quite an important personage; he was a man of business and a sailor. His uncle smiled, and applauded his industry, and Frank was almost as happy as it was possible for a boy to be. But, unfortunately, Captain Hartwell was not aware that his mistaken kindness was only sowing the seeds of future misery in the mind of his nephew; that he was fostering improper tastes for amusement, and destroying for ever the inclination of Frank for employment or distinction; he was distracting his mind from his serious pursuits, and directing his attention and ambition to the acquirement of useless accomplishments. could not, in fact, bear with moderation a change so new and so delightful: to be transferred at once from a remote village, and solitude, and sobriety, to a bustling island, to the sea-shore, to endless variety, to pleasure, and to unwonted excitement, was a revolution so rapid and so singular, that it would have been sufficient to turn even stronger heads than those of a boy of thirteen: and besides, Frank was a lad of so D He much natural energy that he could seldom attach himself to any one pursuit with moderation; in his studies, his sports, his undertakings, his affections, and his tastes, he was ever in an extreme; and his ardent and enthusiastic mind, despising cold mediocrity, ever panted to be perfect or a novice, to grasp all, or aim at nothing. Thursday at last arrived. Captain Hartwell had got for Frank a uniform similar to his own; his jacket was trimmed with gold, and lined with crimson silk; he wore a blue ribbon round his hat, and, in his own imagination, was the gayest and happiest lad that ever trod the earth. About mid-day the crew went on board; they were to cruise about during the afternoon, to remain in the Channel till early the following morning, and then steer for the place of rendezvous. That night, the first that Frank had passed at sea, he lay down to rest in the little cabin, and wrapped himself up comfortably in his nice snug berth to sleep: but to sleep was impossible, with such a crowd of images to haunt his thoughts, and all the glories of to-morrow flitting through his imagination. The pride he felt in his new situation was overwhelming, as he fancied the wonder of his schoolfellows, when he should tell them that he absolutely lay down to sleep upon the sea, with only a single plank between him and the water-it was all new, it was all wonderful! Long before daylight, he was standing upon the deck, and he saw the sun rising from the ocean, and glancing on the green hills of England, and the bright waters of the British Channel. By and by the numerous crowd of skiffs, and yachts, and pleasure-boats, began to arrive, and each came sailing past with its gay pennon fluttering in the morning air. The clouds and mists by degrees melted away from the face of the heavens; the day was clear and brilliant; the |