260 THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



enough to float her out, and she became fixed in a trap, out of 

 which she could not be removed. She was offered for sale, but 

 no one would buy her ; so her owner, in a fit of disgust, first 

 dismantled her and then set fire to her, and so she perished. 

 Her nickname survived her, however, and, to the great indigna- 

 tion of the boys, descended upon the Swan, whose stiff and 

 stately motion and peculiar appearance had made her the 

 mark for it. 



They were now holding an " indignation meeting " upon the 

 subject, and a way had just been mooted by which they hoped 

 to sustain the dignity of their boat. 



" Wroxham Regatta is on the 2oth of next month," said 

 Frank, "and there is a race open to all classes of yachts except 

 the winners of the previous races. Those will clear off the 

 crack ships, and I don't think we need fear any of the others. 

 I vote we enter the Swan for it, and show them how she can 

 sail. The prize is a very handsome cup." 



"Do you really think she will have any chance, Frank?" 

 asked Jimmy. 



" Not with her present rig ; but we will add a big top-sail to 

 both main-sail and mizen. Her double shape will enable her 

 to stand any amount of sail, and if we have a good side wind 

 and plenty of it we shall stand a very good chance." 



So it was decided that the yacht should be entered for the 

 race, and they set to work to prepare two immense yards and 

 top-sails, and to practise sailing the yacht with them up. 

 Mary Merivale and Edith Rose were invited to be on board 

 during the race ; the elders were to be present on board a 

 friend's yacht to witness the regatta. 



The day of the regatta arrived, and a strong north-wester 

 was raising mimic waves on the broad. The boys had. taken 

 the yacht overnight to Wroxham, and in the morning they 

 met Mary and Edith at Wroxham Bridge, and took them on 

 board. 



" Is it not dreadfully windy ? " asked Edith Rose, as the 

 wind blew her curls back from her pretty face. 



" It is just what we want, Miss Rose," answered Frank. 



" Wouldn't it be safer if we were not to be on board during 

 the race ? I am afraid you are going to be too venturesome. 

 I heard you were going to put some more sails up, and 

 I am sure these are large enough," said Edith. 



