Barlow lost no time in shoving off and pulling back to the wharf where he had found the boat. The only person he saw was Joe Lufkin, who was loafing about in the rear of his saloon. No doubt he would have given the world, had he possessed it, to be able to undo the work of the last hour; but he had gone too far to back out.
"It's all right," said Barlow. "I wasn't hailed at all. You are sure you can get the other one?"
Joe said he was certain of it. He had already accomplished the hardest part of the work in securing Ben Watson.
"Because, if you don't, I can't pay you the money I promised you," said Barlow. "The captain's ashore, and I can't get any advance until I take the other one up there."
Joe's countenance fell on hearing this. He supposed he was going to have twenty-five dollars to jingle around in his pockets.
"Now, you take the boat and place it where it was before," continued Barlow. "I haven't been gone more'n an hour, have I? Then you can easily get it back before Bob comes. Good luck to you. But remember this, Joe: don't capture him in broad daylight; there's too much risk in it."
"Look here," said Joe, when Barlow was about to move away; "I want half that money you promised me. I have done half the work, and the man you all feared is now aboard the vessel. I've got some things to get before I go home."
"But I can't pay you," said Barlow. "If I find the captain ashore I can get it."
"Well, you have some of your own money that you can pay me with, haven't you?"
Barlow looked at Joe as if he was more than half-inclined to get angry, but he thought better of it. There was a sullen look in Joe's eyes which he did not like to see. It would be very easy for him to knock the whole thing in the head.