Part 4 (2/2)
Harris drew erect ”Speakin' of whence and whither, what's your destination?”
”We're visiting a friend,” Rick answered ”He lives on Martins Creek on the south side of the river Name is Aton man Has a summer place”
”You've met him?” Scotty inquired
”So to speak We've howdy'd, but we haven't shook”
Rick set back to crabs,” Harris said ”I'et to town, look ive me a chance to return it” He shook hands with both boys, pulled his boat alongside, and stepped aboard In a short ti,” Rick said noncoain Sherlock Brant's got his teeth into a nice fat rin ”It's not that bad,” he said defensively ”I just thought we ht you thought Cos on the fire and haul anchor”
”Okay” Rick checked the chart ”We're only about twenty minutes' run from Steve's place If we eat here, he won't think he has to feed us breakfast”
”Considerate,” Scotty agreed, grinning ”I can see you now You walk up the dock, shake hands, and say, 'Glad to see you, Steve Don't bother about breakfast We've eaten By the way, have you had any trouble with flying stingarees?'”
Rick grinned back ”Not bad predicting Actually, I was going to wait for the right opportunity, then say, 'Wonderful hunting and fishi+ng country, Steve By the hen does the hunting season open for flying stingarees?'”
Scotty laughed ”Okay Only let's get going I want to see how he answers!”
CHAPTER IV
Steve's Place
A red buoy marked the entrance to Martins Creek Rick, at the helm, passed it close to starboard and headed into the center of the creek
Past the wooded shores of the creek entrance, he could see fields, obviously tended, and more woods
”Steve's place should be the second on the left,” Scotty said ”The first house with a dock”
”Use the binoculars,” Rick suggested ”We should be able to see it e round the next bend”
The houseboat passed the first house, a s set close to the water A rowboat was hauled up on the shore The creek rounded a wooded promontory and the next house caer eyes saw an attractive farmhouse, set well back from the water in a frareen lawn in front of the house, the lawn running down to the water's edge A small dock jutted out into the creek Tied to one side of it was a sturdy runabout with an outboard motor
”Pretty,” Scotty approved
Rick nodded The farmhouse was half frame, half white brick, with a slate roof It was apparently only one story high On i blast on the boat horn
The front door opened and aThe boys waved back
”Get the lines ready,” Rick requested ”I'll back in”