“Got a bite?” questioned Hank.
“I have and he’s a beauty,” was the reply, and Mr. Howbridge drew up a fair-sized fish.
A minute later Neale found something on his hook. It was so large he had to play his catch.
“You win!” cried the lawyer, when the fish was brought on board. And he was right, for it was the largest catch made by any of them.
The fishing party had good luck, and a large enough supply was caught for a meal the next day. Hank cleaned them and put them in the ice box, for a refrigerator was among the fittings on the Bluebird.
Then, as night came on, Dot and Tess were put to bed, Dot insisting on having her “Alice-doll” placed near her bunk to dry. Hank retired to his secluded cot on the upper deck, the mules had been tethered in a sheltered grove of trees just off the towpath, and everything was made snug for the night.
“How do you like the trip so far?” asked Mr. Howbridge of Ruth and Agnes, as he sat in the main cabin, talking with them and Neale.
“It’s just perfect!” exclaimed Agnes. “And I know we’re going to like it more and more each day.”
“Yes, it is a most novel way of spending the summer vacation,” agreed Ruth, but there was little animation in her voice.
“Are you still mourning the loss of your jewelry?” asked the lawyer, noting her rather serious face.