“You bet!” echoed the others.
“So you’d better go back an’ let Dugan’s gal alone,” advised the squint-eyed man.
By this time Frank’s face was crimson, but he bit his lips and held his temper, speaking coolly, even smiling:
“That is all right, gentlemen; but it is purely a business matter between me and Miss Dugan. I don’t care what happened to those other chaps, I am going up to Blank Island to-morrow. If I can’t get anyone to take me there, I’ll hire a boat and go alone. Now, who owns a good sailboat that I can get?”
“I own one,” admitted the squint-eyed man; “but I don’t want ter take chances of lettin’ her to you.”
“I’ll pay. I will give you ten dollars for the use of your boat to-morrow afternoon, providing she is satisfactory.”
At this the old man’s squinting eye squinted all the more, while the other eye opened wider and stared hard at the determined lad.
“Hev ye got ther money?”
“Yes; here it is.”
Frank was careful not to display a large roll, but took out a ten dollar gold piece, which he held up in view.