Dave announced his intention to Dick half-an-hour later.
"Well, go, if you want to. We fellows were not going to say anything to anybody. Who would be the wiser? The thing lies in the river, knocking around in the tide, and seems to say, 'Come and use me, anybody that wants to.'"
"If we owned the schooner we would prefer to have it asked for, if she was going to be turned into a boarding-house for a day or two."
"I suppose it would be safer to ask. If we didn't ask, and the owner should come down the river sailing and see us, wouldn't there be music?"
"We will save the music, Dick. I will just ask him."
As Dave neared Squire Sylvester's office he could see that individual through the window. He was a man about fifty years old, his features expressing much force of character, his sharp brown eyes looking very intently at any one with whom he might be conversing. Dave hesitated at the door a moment, and then summoning courage he lifted the latch of the office door and entered.
"Good-day, sir."
The squire nodded his head abruptly and then sharply eyed the boy before him.
"We boys, sir--"
"Who are you?" asked the squire curtly.