Several of the boats had started on fishing excursions, but the majority of them were sailing idly about, as if nothing particular had been determined on.
Frank turned the Speedwell's head down the river, and soon joined the little fleet.

He had hoisted every stitch of canvas his boat could carry, and she flew along, passing several of the swiftest vessels, and finally encountered the Alert.

The race was short, for the Speedwell easily passed her, and George and Harry were compelled to acknowledge that, to use their own expression, "the Alert was nowhere." In about two hours the Julia Burton was seen rounding the point, and a loud, clear whistle warned the villagers of her approach.

Frank turned the Speedwell toward home, and arrived at the wharf about ten minutes after the steamer had landed.
As they sailed along up the creek, Julia suddenly exclaimed, "I wonder who those people are!" Frank turned, and saw a lady just getting into a carriage, and a boy, apparently about his own age, stood by, giving orders, in a loud voice, to the driver, about their baggage.

Both were dressed in the hight of fashion, and Frank knew, from the description his aunt had given his mother, that they were the expected visitors.
As soon as the boy had satisfied himself that their baggage was safe, he continued, in a voice loud enough to be heard by Frank and his sister, "Now, driver, you're sure you know where Mrs.Nelson lives ?" "Yes, sir," answered the man, respectfully.
"Well, then, old beeswax, hurry up.