"Not by a jugful! Think I'd take any pay of you? No, sir-ee! I'd set right here on this float an' watch your bo't for a week 'thout eatin' or sleepin', an' never charge you a cent! I never 'spected to live to see Frank Merriwell! Oh, Jingoes! won't the fellers be glad to see ye!"
The boy took charge of the boat. Just then another boy came onto the wharf, and the boat boy saw him.
"Hey, there, Bennie!" he yelled. "What d'yer know? You can't guess it in a year! He's come!"
"Who's come?"
"Frank Merriwell! Here he is!"
The jaw of the boy on the wharf dropped, and he stood staring, open-mouthed at Frank. For some moments he seemed awe stricken, and then, of a sudden, he turned and ran as if for his life, quickly scudding out of sight.
"He acted as if he were scared of you, Merry," said Diamond.
"He's gone to tell t'other fellers in town," explained the boat boy.
"Say," laughed Frank, "this is getting altogether too interesting! I'd rather not be so well known."