“Hello! thar!” came in a low, discreet voice, as the oncoming boat slowed up by degrees.
“It’s okay, Jethro—we’re on hand as promised!”
As Jack said this the other gave a low laugh, as though greatly pleased to find his new employer so prompt, and evidently a man of his word.
He was soon leaning from his seat in the cockpit of his ancient powerboat, (in which he had for some years been engaged taking parties out from Charleston for their fishing, or shooting) and grasping first the extended hand of eager Perk, then that of Jack Ralston.
He had been put wise as to their real identity, but warned to meet them under their assumed names, so as to ward off any possible risk of discovery. So it was he lowered his voice to a hoarse whisper as he spoke after the handshake.
“Ah ’low as how yuh reckoned ah mout be some slow agittin’ hyah, suh; but since they fixed up my ole dickey boat, she shore do step along like smoke.”
“Glad to know that, Jethro,” said Jack, to whom the other had turned as if readily recognizing which of the pair must be the leader of the desperate enterprize with which he had committed his fortunes so gladly. “Looks like a fine night for us to make a beginning.”
“Jest what hit is, suh; couldn’t be no better, ah’d say. An’ ah done reckons as how they be some big doin’s goin’ on over tuh the station ternight.”
“That sounds good to me, Jethro,” Jack assured him. “Fact is, I’m beginning to believe the Fates are working in our favor right along, from the way things keep happening. Now I’m going to put the work in your hands as far as getting us in touch with these parties goes.”
“I kinder figgered as how yuh’d do thet same, suh,” said the confident Jethro, “seein’ as how I knows the ground like er book. I aint agoin’ tuh let yuh down, suh, bet yuh boots I aint.”