"I know that I can, sir," returned Ralph, confidently.
"He knows small boats as well as I do, sir," put in Franchard. "His father was a boatman before him, and he used to row when he was only five years old."
"Then I will take the Minnie for Monday and Tuesday, sure, and possibly for Wednesday, too," said Mr. Larkins, and the bargain was settled on the spot.
"What time do you wish me on hand?" asked Ralph.
"We will be ready to go out about ten o'clock," was the reply, after the young lady and the young gentleman had been consulted.
"Now you see I couldn't have made that bargain if you hadn't turned up," said Franchard to Ralph, after the party had gone. "I'll be in pocket and so will you."
"And that will be a job that will suit me," laughed Ralph. "For once I am in luck."
He spent a few more minutes with Franchard, in completing arrangements, and then hurried off to make up the time he had lost in the distribution of the circulars.