He insisted upon talking about the girls and tried to open the door.
Failing in this he took the hermit around to the window.
"Nice old chap this is, gals," he said. "Finest old chap in old
Kentucky. Think a sight o' him, I do. Shake hands with him."
"What are these yere gals doin' here?" asked Shaggam, with interest.
"Got 'em prisoners. Tell ye all 'bout it ter-morrow," answered Gouch, thickly. "Big deal on—better'n stealin' hosses.''
"They seem to be very nice girls," answered Jake Shaggam. He was a harmless kind of an individual with a face that was far from repugnant.
Watching her chance Dora drew close to the old man.
"Take this, please do!" she whispered, and gave him one of the notes, folded in a dollar bill.
"Thank you," answered Jake Shaggam.
"Say nothing,—look at it as soon as you get away," added Dora.
The old hermit nodded, and in a few minutes more he followed Gouch to another part of the boat.