Part 76 (1/2)

”Yes, we shall, and a pound would be no end of good.”

”But we would have to give up our voyage.”

”No, we shouldn't. We'd make his boat do.”

”But it's such a shabby one. We mustn't sell the boat, Bob.”

”Look here! I'm captain, and I shall do as I like.”

”Then I shall tell the man the boat isn't ours.”

”If you do I'll knock your eye out. See if I don't,” cried Bob fiercely.

Dexter felt hot, and his fists clenched involuntarily, but he sat very still.

”If I like to sell the boat I shall. We want the money, and the other boat will do.”

”I say it won't,” said Dexter sharply.

”Why, hullo!” cried Bob, laughing. ”Here's cheek.”

”I don't care, it would be stealing Sir James's boat, and I say it shan't be done.”

”Oh, yer do--do yer!” said Bob, in a bullying tone.

”You won't be happy till I've given you such a licking as'll make yer teeth ache. Now, just you hold your row, and wait till I gets yer ash.o.r.e, and you shall have it. I'd give it to yer now, only I should knock yer overboard and drown'd yer, and I don't want to do that the first time.”

Bob went on fis.h.i.+ng, and Dexter sat biting his lip, and feeling as he used to feel when he had had a caning for something he had not done.

”I shall do just as I please,” said Bob, giving his head a waggle, as if to show his authority. ”So you've got to sit still and look on. And if you says anything about where the boat came from, I shall tell the man you took it.”

”And, if you do, I shall tell him it's a lie,” cried Dexter, as fiercely as his companion; and just then he saw the man coming back.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

BOB ASKS A QUESTION.

”Caught any more?” said the man.

”Only one,” replied Bob.

”Ah! I could show you a place where you could pull 'em up like anything. I say, though, the boat ain't worth a pound.”

”Oh yes, she is,” said Bob.

”Not a pound and the boat too.”

”Yes, she is,” said Bob, watching Dexter the while out of the corner of one eye.