_The Boat-Builder Series._
I.
ALL ADRIFT;
OR,
THE GOLDWING CLUB.
II.
SNUG HARBOR;
OR,
THE CHAMPLAIN MECHANICS.
III.
SQUARE AND COMPASSES;
OR,
BUILDING THE HOUSE.
IV.
STEM TO STERN;
OR,
BUILDING THE BOAT.
V.
ALL TAUT;
OR,
RIGGING THE BOAT.
VI.
READY ABOUT;
OR,
SAILING THE BOAT.
[Illustration: "The stem of the Winooski struck the bow of the
Chesterfield barge."--Page 68.]
OLIVER OPTIC'S
BOAT-BUILDER SERIES.
SQUARE AND COMPASSES.
BOSTON,
LEE AND SHEPARD
PUBLISHERS.
_THE BOAT-BUILDER SERIES_
SQUARE AND COMPASSES
OR
BUILDING THE HOUSE
BY
OLIVER OPTIC
AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE GREAT WESTERN
SERIES," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE
SERIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT-CLUB
STORIES," "THE ONWARD AND UPWARD SERIES,"
"THE YACHT-CLUB SERIES," "THE LAKE-SHORE
SERIES," "THE RIVERDALE SERIES," "ALL
ADRIFT," "SNUG HARBOR," ETC., ETC.
With Illustrations
BOSTON
LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS
NEW YORK CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM
_Copyright_,
1884,
BY LEE AND SHEPARD.
_All Rights Reserved._
SQUARE AND COMPASSES.
TO
MY YOUNG FRIEND,
ROBERT M. BAKER,
THIS BOOK
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
PREFACE.
"SQUARE AND COMPASSES" is the third volume of "THE BOAT-BUILDER SERIES."
All the characters connected with the Beech Hill Industrial School who
were presented in the preceding story will appear in the present issue.
In addition to these, the students of another educational institution,
on the other side of the lake, are introduced, as well as a gang of
ruffianly young marauders residing in the vicinity of the Champlain
mechanics.
These additions to the acting force of the story are made, not merely
for the sake of the incidents and adventures to which their appearance
gives rise, but for the contrast between well-behaved mechanics and
ill-behaved gentlemen, and between boys well-trained and those not
trained at all, as in the example of the Topovers.
It is true that the writer regards a reasonable amount of exciting
incident and adventure as necessary to hold the attention of his
readers, but he has never been satisfied to present only these. While
naked didactic pages covering the duties of young people are usually
skipped or favored with only a hasty glance, the moral quality of the
actions and speech of a favorite character may produce a deep impression
on the mind and heart of the reader. What the Good Samaritan or the
Unjust Steward said and did, convey lessons which simple precepts may
fail to impart. The moral of the writer's stories is in the words and
actions of the characters, and the contrast between the lives of the
good and those of the bad.
The author adheres to the rule he has followed for the lifetime of a
generation: never to present bad characters in such a light as to win
the admiration and sympathy of the reader; and he still believes in the
old-fashioned practice of rewarding the good and punishing the evil in
the story.
As in the last volume, it is a part of the writer's purpose to interest
young people in the mechanic arts, and to illustrate the results of good
discipline. He is a firm believer in Industrial Schools, whether public
or private, and is satisfied that our country has reached a stage in its
development when more attention than ever before must be given to
practical agriculture and the mechanic arts. He sincerely hopes the
present series will do something to promote the cultivation of a taste
in this direction, as well as to afford moral instruction and innocent
amusement.
DORCHESTER, MASS., Aug. 20, 1884.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
SOME INDICATIONS OF A REBELLION 9
CHAPTER II.
AN IMPROMPTU RACE BETWEEN THE BEECH HILL BARGES 19
CHAPTER III.
DORY DORNWOOD ARGUES THE QUESTION 29
CHAPTER IV.
THE CHESTERFIELDS HANG OUT THEIR BANNERS 39
CHAPTER V.
JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE 49
CHAPTER VI.
THE COXSWAIN OF THE WINOOSKI INDULGES IN MORE STRATEGY 59
CHAPTER VII.
AN UNSATISFACTORY CONFERENCE ON THE WAVES 69
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CHESTERFIELDS SURRENDER THEIR BANNERS 79
CHAPTER IX.
A REBELLION IN THE SCHOOL-ROOM 89
CHAPTER X.
IMPORTANT TO BOY-ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS 99
CHAPTER XI.
DORY DORNWOOD CONFRONTS THE TOPOVERS 109
CHAPTER XII.
TOM TOPOVER HAS REASON TO BE ASTONISHED 119
CHAPTER XIII.
A VICTORY FOR THE TOPOVERS 129
CHAPTER XIV.
THE PURSUIT IN THE GOLDWING 139
CHAPTER XV.
THE SKIPPER USES A NAUTICAL LASSO 149
CHAPTER XVI.
COMMODORE TOM TOPOVER VISITS THE GOLDWING 159
CHAPTER XVII.
THE CHESTERFIELDS AND THEIR ALLIES RENEW THE BATTLE 169
CHAPTER XVIII.
DORY DORNWOOD DEALS IN MORAL COURAGE 179
CHAPTER XIX.
SOMETHING MORE ABOUT THE BEECH HILL REBELLION 189
CHAPTER XX.
THE VISITING COMMITTEE AT BEECH HILL 199
CHAPTER XXI.
THE ORATOR OF THE REBELS OBTAINS A HEARING 209
CHAPTER XXII.
BOLLY EXPLAINS THE PLANS FOR THE BOAT-HOUSE AND WHARF 219
CHAPTER XXIII.
VOLLEYS OF QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED 229
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE NEW CAPTAIN OF THE SYLPH 239
CHAPTER XXV.
THE FIRST OFFICER AND PARTY IN BATTLE ARRAY 249
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE ON THE CAISSON 259
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE TWO PRINCIPALS 269
CHAPTER XXVIII.
SOMETHING ABOUT FRAMING THE BOAT-HOUSE 279
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE STUDENTS USE THE SQUARE AND COMPASSES 289
CHAPTER XXX.
THE STUDENTS CELEBRATE THE COMPLETION OF THE
BUILDING OF THE HOUSE 299
SQUARE AND COMPASSES;
OR,
BUILDING THE HOUSE.
CHAPTER I.
SOME INDICATIONS OF A REBELLION.
"What's the use of wearing a uniform? We are not soldiers, and you are
not going to make soldiers of us, Captain Gildrock," said Ben Ludlow,
when the principal of the Beech Hill Industrial School announced, at the
close of the afternoon session, that the students would be required to
wear a peculiar dress. "I don't believe in being dressed up like a
monkey on a hand organ."
"You can't always tell the monkey by the dress he wears, and some boys
insist upon being monkeys in whatever garb they appear," added the
principal; for he encouraged them to express their opinions in a
gentlemanly manner on all subjects. "Soldiers are not the only class
that wear uniforms. They are worn in the navy as well as in the army. I
think I have heard no objection from anyone to the sailor rig worn on
board of the Sylph."
"I think it is all right when we are on board of the steamer; but who
wants to go about Genverres dressed up so that everybody will stop on
the sidewalk to look at him?" replied Ben, who spoke confidently, as
though he thought he had a first-rate argument.
"As those who have opinions are expected to express them, I must say I
think Ludlow is right?" interposed Mr. Brookbine, the master-carpenter.
"I believe that, for plain republicans, we are getting altogether too
much uniform into our daily life. Why, all the conductors on the steam
and horse cars, all the telegraph boys, all the letter-carriers, all the
policemen, and in some cities even all the gas men, have to wear
uniforms."
"It seems to me very proper that all you have mentioned should wear
uniforms," quietly returned the principal.
"I don't think so," answered the carpenter stoutly. "It looks a little
too much like the fuss and feathers of monarchical countries for our
democratic institutions. I couldn't help laughing when I saw one of the
porters of the Bank of England dressed out like a lord high admiral, or
Sir Peter Teazle in the play."
"Now you argue against the extravagance of uniforms, and not against
uniforms themselves," retorted the principal. "I am in favor of
uniforms, but not of ridiculous uniforms. Should you be willing to give
your ticket or money to anyone on the train that chose to ask for it,
Mr. Brookbine?"
"I don't think I should," laughed the master-carpenter, as he saw the
point of the argument. "In fact I remember a case, before uniforms came
into fashion, where a smart chap went through a car, and collected
several dollars and a handful of tickets, and then left the train,
before the conductor put in an appearance. I will give it up on
conductors."
"Not many years ago a villain got into a house in one of our large
cities, on the plea that he was a gas man; before he left it he had
committed a murder. Then the newspapers said the employés of the gas
company ought to wear uniforms, so that people could tell whom to admit
to their houses. I believe it is now the fashion in that city to wear
them. A shrewd boy in Burlington collected a dollar and a half from a
lady in the absence of her husband, by delivering her a bogus telegraph
despatch."
"I never thought of the matter in this light before, captain," added Mr.
Brookbine. "If uniforms are of any use, I don't object to them,
certainly."
"But we are not telegraph boys, gas men, or conductors," Ben Ludlow
objected.
"No, you are not; but the other day two of our students went into a
saloon in Genverres, and each of them drank a glass of lager beer. I
don't believe they would have done it if they had worn the uniform of
the Beech Hill Industrial School."
This statement produced a decided sensation among the students, and they
thought they understood the object which the uniform was expected to
accomplish.
"I don't allow any boy to use intoxicating drinks while under my
control. If I can't prevent it, I will expel the pupil; for I will not
have his ruin on my conscience. I expect every student to have a proper
regard for the credit and honor of this school, and conduct himself,
wherever he may be, in such a manner as to cast no discredit or
dishonor upon it."
Captain Gildrock spoke with more feeling than usual, and his remarks
made a deep impression upon the students. They promptly applauded what
he had said, thus indicating that they would respect the good name of
the institution. The principal did not check their demonstration on the
present occasion, and he seemed to be pleased with it.
"The students of the Chesterfield Collegiate Institute, on the other
side of the lake, don't wear any uniform," suggested Ben Ludlow, who
realized that he had been thoroughly beaten in the argument. "Colonel
Buckmill, the principal of the Institute, says that gentlemen, such as
his pupils are, don't need uniforms."
"Of course Colonel Buckmill has a perfect right to his own opinion on
this subject, as I have to mine," replied Captain Gildrock. "The
Chesterfields will wear no uniform, but the Beech Hill students will
wear a uniform. I think we need not argue the question any more. The
uniform is ready, and you will put it on in the morning. It is merely a
plain suit of blue, with our initials on the cap."
Some of the boys did not like the idea of a uniform. Something had been
said about it before, and the topic had been discussed in the boats. A
few thought it interfered with their independence. It would enable every
person in the city to know them at sight.
If they got into mischief, or visited improper places, the uniform would
betray them. The principal knew that two of them had drank beer in a
saloon: he did not say what further information he had on this subject,
and the students were not disposed to prolong the discussion in this
direction.
Though they did not like to face the beer question, the boys were
disposed to be a little sullen over the new order. They had not been in
the school long enough to attain a very high state of discipline, and
most of them had wills of their own. A large proportion of them had been
in the habit of having their own way, and, to them, wearing a uniform
was about the same thing as being placed under guard all the time.
"One thing more," interposed the principal, as the students were about
to leave the shop. "As I announced on the day the school was opened, I
intend to offer a prize for the best plan of a boat-house, to be
erected by the students on the border of Beech Hill Lake. I shall submit
the offer the first thing to-morrow morning, after you have put on your
uniforms."
The boys had been very much interested in the proposed new house; not so
much on account of the accommodations it was to furnish them, as because
they were to build the house themselves. Not a few of them had already
considered plans for the structure, and the prizes would introduce a new
element of excitement. But somehow the announcement fell rather coldly,
and some of the pupils were more inclined to get up a rebellion against
the new uniform than to compete for the prize.
Captain Gildrock left the shop, and went to the house. He could not help
seeing that there was a spirit of disaffection among the students. They
did not like the uniform, but the principal regarded it as a necessity,
for he believed it would correct some tendencies to rowdyism he had
observed among the boys, and especially that it would deter them from
entering any disreputable places.
The boys went to the dressing-room, removed their overalls and jumpers,
and attended to their ablutions. Little knots of them conversed in low
tones about the uniform; but a considerable number of them were sure to
be loyal to the principal, and they were careful not to allow their
remarks to be heard by such pupils.
The two twelve-oar barges, which had been provided by the principal and
brought up to the lake two weeks before, had not yet become an old
story. During the past fortnight the two crews had practised nearly
every day with the oars, and had made excellent progress.
The two coxswains, Matt Randolph of the Gildrock, and Dory Dornwood of
the Winooski, had a conference after every trip in the boats in order to
determine what more was to be done for the improvement of the rowing.
Captain Gildrock and Luke Bennington often made suggestions to them, but
all instruction and discipline in the boats was left to the coxswains.
The principal never gave an order except through the proper officer.
The instruction in swimming had been continued on every suitable day,
and, as the boys were deeply interested in this amusement, they soon
became very expert in the art. The timid ones obtained the necessary
confidence, and the shallow waters of Beech Hill Lake were abandoned
for those of Champlain itself. The boating and swimming were now
combined, and an excursion to Sandy Beach had been arranged for the day.
"Hurry up, fellows; we haven't any too much time, for it is a four-mile
pull to Sandy Beach," said Matt Randolph, when he saw that the crew of
his boat were thinking of something besides the excursion.
"I don't know that I care about going," replied Lew Shoreham, with a
cross-grained look.
"Don't care about going?" exclaimed the coxswain of the Gildrock. "What
has come over you fellows?"
"I don't like the idea of being dressed up like a monkey," answered Lew,
apparently fanning his discontent.
"And all because a couple of fellows took a glass of beer each," added
Bob Swanton.
"I should like to know how many fellows ever took any beer since they
joined the school," continued Lew Shoreham. "I never drank any for one."
"I never tasted beer in my life," said Phil Gawner.
"I never tasted it but once in my life, and then it made me as sick as a
horse," added Lick Milton.
Several others gave their testimony to the same effect, or declared
that they had drank none since they joined the school.
"I see you are trying to get up a rebellion," said Matt Randolph. "I
have drank lager beer a few times in New York, but not a drop since I
came to this school. I don't object to the uniform, and I think the
regulation requiring it is a very reasonable one. But I am not going to
jaw about it now. All the Gildrocks to the boat."
"All the Winooskis to the boat," added Dory Dornwood.
About two thirds of the students followed the coxswains to the lake. It
looked as though the other third intended to rebel at once, for they
remained in the dressing-room after the others had gone.