"Yes, and the worst of it is that we are laid up for repairs," said
Dick, with almost a groan in his voice.
"How long must we remain here?" asked Sam "Can't they hurry the job somehow?"
"Let us offer 'em more money to hurry," suggested Tom.
The suggestion to offer more money was carried out, and the ship builders promised to have the Rainbow fit for sailing by the following afternoon. The paint on the new work would not be dry, but that would not matter.
On the morning of the day they were to sail a man applied to Captain Barforth for a position. He said he had been a fireman on an ocean liner, but had lost three fingers in some machinery and been discharged.
"I am hard up," he pleaded. "I'll work for almost anything."
The captain was kind hearted, and as the Rainbow could use another deck hand he told the man to bring his luggage aboard, which the fellow did. The newcomer's name was Walt Wingate, and he did his best to make friends with everybody on board. He had a low, musical voice, and was frequently whistling popular airs.
"He's an odd one," said Dick, after noticing the new deck hand several times. "He seems real nice and yet—"
"You don't like him," finished Sam.
"That's it, Sam."