"Halloo, Hank!" exclaimed Bob, as he came up. "Are you very busy? Then get in with me and help me navigate this schooner up the bay."
Hank was just waiting for this invitation, and, besides, he had something he wanted to show to Bob and ask him what he thought about it. He shook hands with him and got into the boat, picked up an oar and pulled off to the Curlew, for that was the name by which Bob's ten-ton schooner was known.
CHAPTER X.
A TWO-HUNDRED-DOLLAR PEARL.
"I tell you, she looks natural!" exclaimed Bob, as a few swift strokes with the oars brought him alongside the schooner. "I believe I'll hold out in the bay for a little while. Mr. Oakes, can you go?"
"No; I have got to fix up my nets for to-morrow's fishing," replied the fisherman. "There's a stiff breeze blowing, and she will take you out all right. There's the cabin," he added, as he unlocked the doors; "step in and see if there's anything missing."
Bob laughed and went in, declaring that it would be a mighty slick thief who could take anything out of that cabin while it was under such care. The cabin needed airing, so the windows were opened; after that the sails were cast loose, Mr. Oakes stepped into his boat and wished them a pleasant voyage, Hank undid the fastenings, Bob seated himself in the stern, and as soon as the canvas felt the full force of the wind she took a big bone in her teeth and went bowling along toward the entrance of the bay. Bob thought of the many times his father had sat in that boat, giving him instructions in regard to sailing her, or telling him some stories of the sea, and a mist gathered in front of his eyes.
"I don't wonder that you feel lonely," said Hank, who readily divined the thoughts that were passing in Bob's mind. "Did your father not leave you anything besides the schooner?"
"I can't tell whether or not he left me the schooner until I see the codicil," said Bob, sadly. "The way it looks now he has left me out in the cold. I am taking this without saying a word to my uncle about it. But I don't mean to give it up. Father gave me the money to buy the boat, and I had it made to order."
"Then it is yours," said Hank.
"I expect Gus will come after it as soon as he finds out that I have it, and how I shall keep him from getting it I don't know," said Bob. "I wish I could get my ponies."