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Read Ebook: Frank Merriwell's Chase; Or Exciting Times Afloat by Standish Burt L
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Ebook has 2114 lines and 54434 words, and 43 pages
Frank Merriwell's Chase
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FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHASE.
THE RECEPTION AT BELFAST.
"Das vas Pelvast," said Hans.
"How do you knew so much apout him?" asked the Dutch boy.
"Why, there it is in glaring letters on that big advertising board that has been placed where it can be read almost anywhere here in the harbor."
"Vale, I didn't seen dot. I don'd vant no sarsbarillas, und I don'd gif a cend vor der prafe men, but I don'd mind if you took a look der peautiful girls at."
"They say we shall see plenty of them here," smiled Merry. "Belfast is famous for them. No city of its size in the State of Maine can compare with it for pretty girls and beautiful women, if the report is true."
"Vot peen der madder mit Shack Ti'mond?" chuckled Hans, calling attention to the Virginian. "He don'd seem to took some interests dose peautiful girls in."
"Haw!" grunted Bruce Browning. "He is thinking of the girl he left behind him--at Bar Harbor."
"Vale, Baula Penjamin vos a beach," admitted the Dutch boy; "but there vos odders."
"You make me weary, Hans," said Jack, irritated. "If you will close up a while I shall consider it a great favor."
"I don't toldt you so!" squawked Dunnerwust. "You vos tochy, dot's vot is der madder mit me! You nefer vos aple to took a shoke in my life."
"Your jokes are rather dense."
"I don'd knew vot you meant py dot."
"I didn't suppose you would."
The boys were charmed with the view of Belfast obtained from the water. The city is built on a slope, and is embowered in trees, the houses and cottages showing amid the green mass of foliage. Here and there could be seen the tall spires of churches. The handsome residence of the mayor on Northport Avenue could be plainly seen, as it was situated in a sightly place overlooking the harbor and the bay.
Several vessels were on the stocks in the shipyards, and the sound of hammering could be heard, while crews of men were seen busily working about them.
"Where will you anchor, Frank?" asked Bart Hodge, approaching Merry.
"Beyond the steamboat wharf where that fleet of small boats and yachts are anchored."
Clang-clang! clang-clang! The bell on the steamer suddenly rang, and Frank knew what the signal meant.
"She is going to swing off from the wharf," he said. "It is high water, so I will hold inshore and let her go outside."
The steamer's paddle wheels began to revolve, and she swung round at the southern end of the wharf, straining at the huge cable that held and turned her. It took some time for her to turn, but a sudden toot from her whistle told that at last she was ready to go ahead. Then the cable was flung off and the great boat glided down the harbor.
"Wonder why those cyclists are watching us?" said Diamond.
"I was wondering about the same thing," admitted Frank.
Then a youth was seen to climb on the piles at the corner of the wharf. He stood up straight and cried:
"Ahoy, the yacht!"
"Ay! ay!" answered Frank, giving the wheel over to Hodge.
Those on the wharf could not see the name on the stern of the yacht.
"It is."
"Frank Merriwell in command?"
"Yes, sir."
"Are you going to stop at Belfast?"
"We are."
"Then the Belfast Wheelmen will be honored to entertain Mr. Merriwell while he remains in our city. Will he be kind enough to come ashore as soon as possible? If so, we will wait here for him."
"Great Scott!" muttered Frank. "How did they know I was coming? This is too much! They made it altogether too interesting for me at Camden and Rockland, and it begins to look as if there is to be a repetition of it here. I'd rather not be known at all."
"But you can't help it now," said Hodge, who was proud of Frank's fame and popularity. "It won't do to refuse their polite offer."
"Don't refuse," grunted Browning. "They'll have something good to eat."
"Py shimminy!" gurgled Hans. "Dot peen vot you vant. I vos hungry enough to ead a raw tog alretty."
"The rest of us are not invited," said Diamond, quickly. "It's only Frank."
"Vale, maype he vould slip a piece of bie his bocket indo uf he knew id vould safe my life."
"Will Mr. Merriwell come ashore?" asked the spokesman of the bicyclists.
"Say yes, Frank," murmured Hodge. "Tell them you will do so as soon as we drop anchor."
Frank did so, and a cheer went up from the wheelmen assembled on the wharf.
With this gathering were several girls in riding suits, and other girls and young ladies watching, making it evident that Frank and his friends had been expected.
"You are Mr. Merriwell, I presume?"
"That is my name," smiled Frank.
So Frank was introduced to each of the lads in gray as they came forward.
"Gentlemen," he laughed, in his charming way, "I assure you this is an unexpected pleasure. It will be a long time before I shall forget my reception in Belfast. I am glad to know you all."
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