“There’s Sallie,” said Brad, with a proud wave of his hand. “I told you I was going to buy a boat, and I’ve done it. Paid thirty-five dollars for her. How do you like her, Dick?”
“So this is Sallie?” laughed Merriwell. “Well, by Jove! I expected to meet a fair damsel with golden hair and heavenly blue eyes. She looks good to me, Brad.”
“Get the oars, boy,” said the Texan, turning to a rather tough-looking youngster who had charge of the boats. “Bring both pair.”
In a few moments the oars were brought and placed in the boat.
“Now,” said Brad, “we’re going to be able to enjoy a row every night. Three times we’ve been down here after a boat and couldn’t get anything better than an old scow. There’ll be no more of that.”
There was a soft haze on the harbor as the boys swung out from amid the piers. Both handled the oars skillfully, and the light rowboat seemed to glide over the surface of the water with scarcely a ripple. Here and there a light was commencing to gleam along the shore. On the vessels red and green lights were also being hoisted. Still, there was a golden afterglow in the western sky, which flung its orange reflection over the water. From one of the vessels at anchor came the sound of singing. Other rowboats were gliding hither and thither amid the shipping. The air was cool and refreshing.
“This is great!” exclaimed Dick, with satisfaction. “By Jove! this will be a good thing for us every night, Brad. I’m glad you bought Sallie, and I agree with you that Sallie is a peach.”
“If it wasn’t for baseball,” said the Texan, “I’d sure go in for rowing. A fellow can’t do both and cut much ice at either.”
“Look out!” called Dick, looking over his shoulder. “There’s a small steam launch cutting our course ahead of us. Let’s not try to run her down.”
They shifted their course, but a moment later, to their surprise, they found that the launch had also changed its course and was heading almost directly for them.