The boat was pulled out from under the pier and Ed saw a tough looking young man clinging to a standing ladder.
"Aw, say," he cried, "youse is come back to business, has you? Come up out of dat now. You must climb de ladder. De Chinks are waitin' for yer—see?"
"I—I can't!" gasped Ed. "I'm too dizzy."
"Yer must!" was the reply.
"But I shall fall into the water."
"No yer won't, and if yer do I'll be behind to ketch yer. Can't stop here without any clothes on—see?"
He jumped into the boat, continuing to urge Ed to make the move, which he presently did.
The man kept close behind him, and it was well that he did, for twice Ed lost his hold.
The fellow supported him, however, and he finally got upon the pier, where he sank down at the feet of two Chinamen.
"I guess youse has doped him half to de't, dat's what's de matter," said the man.