Part 29 (1/2)
”We are getting famous!” cried Carl, when the mansion was left behind.
”We are making money faster than we ever did with Nathan Wampole's combination.”
”The trouble is, these snaps may not last, Carl. By the way, I wonder if Wampole will really succeed in getting our people together again.”
”He won't get me. I am done with him.”
”So am I.”
The two partners, as they now called themselves, slept soundly that night and did not get up until late. Their hotel bill paid, they found themselves eight dollars and a half ahead.
”We'll have to open a bank account soon,” laughed Carl. ”We'll be waylaid for our wealth.”
”Wait awhile, my boy, wait awhile,” sang out Leo. ”But tell me, how do we get over to Point Snoker?”
Mr. Cook was appealed to, and told them to take the road to the river.
”You'll come to Jack Hazlett's landing, and he'll ferry you across in his sloop. We haven't got any regular ferry on the river closer than the town of Perryskill.”
A colored man suggested that they let him wheel their baggage in his barrow for a quarter, and they accepted the offer, and the start was made immediately after breakfast.
On the way Carl had considerable fun with the colored man. He played a number of clever tricks on that individual, and when the river was reached conjured a quarter from his coat-sleeve, and pretended to wring the money from the old fellow's nose.
”Here's your quarter, uncle.”
”Fo' de law's sake, chile!” cried the darkey, and his eyes rolled around in intense surprise.
”Easy way to get the money, uncle.”
”Yo' must be in wid de ole boy hisself,” was the darkey's comment. ”Much obliged.”
And off he went with a side glance at Carl, as if half-expecting the young juggler might conjure the quarter from the pocket in which he had placed it.
Leo and Carl found that Jack Hazlett was out on the river, but would soon return. They sat down and waited. While doing so they noticed a large steamboat coming up the river, crowded with people.
”An excursion of some sort,” said Carl. ”See the flags flying.”
”They are going to land up at yonder island,” said Leo. ”See, they are turning into the landing.”
While the steamboat was discharging its pa.s.sengers, Jack Hazlett returned and took them on board. The pa.s.sage across the river took them close to the steamboat.
”She seems to be an old ferryboat fixed up,” observed the young gymnast as they came up. ”See, several people have remained on board.”
”What is the matter with that young girl!” cried Carl, pointing to a young lady hanging over the rail. ”Can she be seasick?”
”There she goes!” yelled Leo. ”My gracious!”
With a loud splash the young lady had dropped over the rail into the river!