CHAPTER XXXII.
IN FORM AT LAST.
Kingdon and Midkiff finally found the four holes bored in the bottom of the catboat by the Indian youth. They were able to caulk them well enough so that little more water could seep in.
In the morning Pence sent Kirby and Pudge to Blackport in the remaining canoe, and they brought back a pump, with which the Spoondrift was soon made free of water. In Blackport they learned where Joe Bootleg had abandoned the canoe he had stolen. The Indian had shipped for a summer cruise to the Banks, and he had left the canoe beached under Manatee Head, with a hole in her bottom. Later the canoe was recovered and repaired.
"Good riddance," Ben Comas said. "I didn't mind paying him his wages, but I'd rather do some of his work myself than have him around."
"You're not alone in that feeling, Bennie," drawled Horace, turning away to intercept Kingdon. "Well," he said to the Walcott Hall youth, "I guess I've got the right dope at last."
"About what?"
"That rolling stone that gathered no moss."
"Sayst thou so?" exclaimed Rex. "Prithee, go on, fair sir; tell me it."
"Kirby told me last night. He was a little afraid of the Indian. You couldn't blame him."