Part 18 (2/2)
”No, Ralph; I would have done the same.”
”I fancy I can strike a job that will pay better--anyway, I am going to try.”
Sunday of the week pa.s.sed quietly enough, and on Monday morning Ralph brushed up his every-day clothes, took along the lunch his mother put up for him, and left the cottage to try his luck among the stores and factories in Eastport.
”Don't be alarmed if I am not home until night, mother,” he said. ”I may strike a situation in which they wish me at once.”
”All right, Ralph,” she returned. ”Good luck to you.”
But Ralph did not get to Eastport that day. As he was crossing the bridge a young man on a small sailboat hailed him. It was Roy Parkhurst, a fellow Ralph knew well.
”Hallo, Ralph!” he called out. ”The job on the bridge and you have parted company, I am told.”
”Yes, Roy.”
”Doing anything to-day?”
”No, I was just bound for Eastport to look for work.”
”Then you are just the fellow I am looking for,” said Parkhurst.
”What for?”
”I want to sail down to Martinton and have this boat taken back here. If you'll undertake the job I'll give you a dollar.”
”I'll go you,” returned Ralph promptly. ”I can put off looking for another situation until to-morrow.”
”Then jump in.”
Parkhurst ran his boat close to the bridge, and Ralph sprang down on one of the seats. Soon the two were moving down Silver Lake at all the speed the little craft commanded.
It was a splendid day, with a stiff breeze blowing, and by noon Martinton was reached. Then, giving Ralph directions as to where the boat was to be left in Westville, Roy Parkhurst quit the boat, and, having eaten the lunch, the boy started on the return, never dreaming of the excitement in store for him.
CHAPTER XIV.
A STORMY TIME.
Like his father before him, Ralph had always liked the water. He was perfectly familiar with the handling of all manner of small craft, and, had it paid, would have liked nothing better than to follow a life on the lakes.
But situations on the water which brought in a fair remuneration were scarce in the vicinity of Westville, and so the boy did not attempt a search for employment in that direction.
The half-day's job before him suited him exactly, and, after leaving Martinton, he settled back with his hand on the tiller and his eyes on the sails in great satisfaction.
”I wouldn't mind owning a boat like this,” he thought, as the swift little craft cut along through the water. ”Perhaps I might do very well taking out pleasure parties during the summer.”
Inside of half an hour Martinton was left far behind. Then Ralph noted that the fair sky was gradually becoming overcast.
<script>