Not a word more was said as the boat was swung about and headed out into the stream, save that Mr. Fulton chuckled:
"Old Billings rather had you worried, eh, son, until he gave you my message?"
Tod laughed, so heartily that Jerry, who had watched his chance to cut out into the wake of the boat and hold on behind with one hand, could not himself forbear a little happy ripple.
"What was that?" exclaimed Mr. Fulton, a full minute after.
"I don't know," answered Tod. "I was waiting for it to come again.
Sounded like—only he couldn't be here."
"Who couldn't?"
"It sounded like a laugh—and there's only one person, outside of a billygoat, who's got a gurgle like that."
"Your wetting didn't tame you down any, did it? Who's the goat you had in mind?"
"Jerry King—well, what in the world!"
Over the back of the boat clambered a dripping, wrathful figure.