“Well, here’s something to buy salve for your head,” and the professor gave the man a half dollar.
“Landy! Fo’ bits!” exclaimed the delighted negro.
None of the boys slept well that night, on account of thinking about their boat. All hoped against hope that it might not be so badly damaged but what it could be repaired.
They paid an early visit to the railroad office, the professor going with them. Mr. Snodgrass, in spite of his scientific training, knew how to talk business, and he soon had the agent wiring for particulars concerning the motor boat.
“Tell ’em to send it here, no matter how badly it’s smashed,” put in Jerry.
“Yes, we want our boat,” added Bob.
“In a hurry,” was Ned’s contribution to the general orders.
“My, but yo’ folks from the North are in a powerful rush,” observed the agent with a smile. “We-uns down here take life easier. I’ll do my best for yo’. The night man left word that yo’ uns was frettin’ an’ stewin’ about yo’ boat. Yo’ uns is jest like another feller from the North. He was here a while ago, an’ he were raisin’ Hail Columbia ’cause the train was behind time. Said he were goin’ to his cocoanut plantation near Lake Okeechobee an’ wanted to git there in a hurry.”
“Cocoanut plantation?” asked Jerry, a sudden idea coming into his brain.
“Yep; that’s what he said. Looked rather young to be ownin’ a plantation. He was about the age of yo’ lads. Seemed to think a good deal of himself, an’ give a powerful lot of orders.”