"Why don't you give it to them? I'd like to see that Morton chap locked up. How did he escape being sent to jail on your charge?"
"I don't exactly know," replied the mate. "I guess he is only out on bail."
"I hope they send him to prison for a long time. I can't bear him, he's so stuck up, thinking he's a regular pilot."
"Well, I'll fix him," murmured the mate. He did not want his nephew to know about the accusation Nat had made, for he was afraid Sam might, unconsciously, betray him. Nor was the mate altogether easy regarding the charge he had made before the pilot board. He had read in the papers about that case, and how he was wanted for contempt of court. He thus had to face two charges, and he knew he must be very careful when he went ashore, lest he be arrested.
"We'll meet the vessel that Morton fellow is on, this trip, Uncle Joe," went on Sam.
"How's that?"
"Well, we're going to Bay City, and the Mermaid is coming to Detroit, according to the papers."
"Is that so?" asked the mate, suddenly interested. "I wonder where we'll pass her?"
"About Ludlow's Island," answered Sam, who was developing a good knowledge of the lakes.
"Ludlow's Island," repeated the mate. "The channel there is quite narrow. We'll have to pass quite close."