“Bayville? Is that where he lives?” asked Captain Wiggs.
“That’s it,” replied Fenn. “Why?”
“That’s odd,” mused the captain. “I’m going right near there, this cruise. You see I’ve got a mixed cargo this trip,” he explained. “I’ve got to deliver some things at several lake ports, but the bulk of the stuff goes to Duluth. Now if you would only ship with me, as cleaner of the after boiler tubes, why you could go along.”
“Could I?” asked Fenn eagerly.
“Sure.”
“And—and could you take any other boiler tube cleaners, or—or any other help?”
“Well, I need a couple of lads to dust the coal,” said the captain, so seriously that Fenn thought he meant it. “You see if coal is dusty it doesn’t burn well,” he added. “We have to dust off every lump before we can put it in the boiler. Now a couple of handy lads, who were quick and smart could—”
“Maybe you could use three,” suggested Fenn, with a smile.
“Sure I could,” spoke the captain. “That’s it!” he added quickly. “You and your three chums! Why not? You four could come along, and, if necessary, you could all dust coal. We use a lot of it. Come on now, here’s a proposal for you,” and the captain smiled good naturedly. “You four boys come along and make the trip to Duluth with me.”
“Would it—would it cost much?” asked Fenn, seeing a chance of carrying out the cruise he had planned.