Stepping upon the car, he was soon bailing out the lobsters. Captain Higgins placed them in a tub on his deck scale.
"Going to be here long, boys?"
"We've taken the island for the season from my Uncle Tom Sprowl."
"So you're Cap'n Tom's nephew? Must be Ezra Spurling's boy."
Jim nodded.
"Glad to meet you! Made a trip once to the Grand Banks with Ezra; must be all of thirty years ago. Well, time flies! If you'll save your lobsters for me, I'll look in here every Thursday. How does that hit you?"
"Right between the eyes."
After the lobsters were bailed out, Jim and Budge went on board the smack. Captain Higgins weighed the heaping tub of shell-fish.
"One hundred and seventy pounds. Market price 's twenty-five."
He glanced inquiringly at Jim.