“Who’s that?” asked Willie, the boatman, overhearing their remarks.
Ruth told him about the strange man, and Willie laughed.
“Oh! That old jigger? Was he the fellow the boss wanted we should shoo off that island? Why didn’t he say so? Old Charley-Horse Pond. We all know him about here.”
“Oh!” cried Helen. “Is he crazy?”
“Not enough to make any difference. Just got a twist in his brain. Calls himself a king, does he? Mebbe he will be a duke or an emperor next time. Or a doctor. Can’t tell. He gets fancies.”
“And of course he is not dangerous?” said Ruth.
“Just about as dangerous as a fly,” drawled Willie. “And not so much. For flies bite—sometimes, and old Charley-Horse Pond ain’t even got teeth to bite with. No, Ma’am!”
“But what are the ‘pipes’ he talks about? Why ‘King of the Pipes’?” demanded the insistent Helen.
“Got me. Never heard of ’em,” declared Willie. “Now, you ladies all right here?”
“All right, Willie,” said Ruth as the Gem was backed off the island.