"Yes, I'll take you in. Wait till I run up behind."
As best he could, Ralph swung his own craft around, and came up under the stern of the hay barge. The man ran from the side, and lowered himself onto the bow seat.
"There! I'm all right now," he said, as he stumbled back to Ralph's side. "What a beastly storm!" he went on.
"It is. What are you going to do about the barge?"
"I don't care what becomes of her," growled the man. "I was only a passenger on the tug, and went on the barge for fun. Let the captain pick her up as best he can."
"But you want to find the tug, don't you?" asked Ralph, in some surprise.
"Not if you will put me ashore. Where are you bound?"
"Westville."
"That will suit me first rate. Take me there, and I'll pay you the passage money instead of the tug captain."
"I'll take you there without pay," said Ralph.