The captain called an order, shifted the rudder, and his sons brought their poles out once more. The barge pulled into the docks on the edge of the great walls, picking a spot as far from shore as possible.
“We aren’t going right to the sea?” Eileen asked.
“Nay,” said Captain Gloust. “The currents are too strong for the likes of us. We’d be pulled out and it would take a fair number of strong men to row us back. Better to stay upriver a bit.”
The barge docked, the four sons jumped to the wharf and tied the large craft to the mooring posts. Thomas and his friends gathered their gear and said a quick good-bye to the captain and his wife. The four boys said good-bye as well, and managed to sound almost civil when they did, which made George grin.
As soon as they were ashore, Thomas restor
