"You're goin' to fight for it, are you, Bobby Jennings?" asked Sam, who had observed all these movements. "Better look out!"
"I am looking out," replied the fisher-boy. "I am keeping my eyes open for passengers, and I'm going to get as many as I can. You may depend upon that."
"Well, I'll bet you a dollar that all the customers you'll get this mornin' won't make you rich," returned Sam. "An' now look a-here, Bobby Jennings! we've seed you in this harbor often enough; we don't want you here; and, if you would get out of Fishertown by sunset, you would make us mighty glad——Yes, sir; comin', sir!"
But Sam, as usual, was just a minute too late. As was generally the case, Bob's scow made good her name, for she went ahead of the bully's fine yawl very easily; and then began a most exciting race, which was witnessed by three men who were waiting to be carried across the harbor. In obedience to the instructions they had received the evening before, every ferry-boy who believed he stood the least chance of reaching the wharf first started for the passengers, each of them intent on "cutting out that ar Bobby Jennings." A single glance showed the fisher-boy the state of affairs, and, although his chances for winning were very poor indeed, as some of the boats were nearer to the wharf than his own, he bent to his oar with the determination to beat them all, and to show the bully and his friends that, if they intended to drive him off the harbor by taking his passengers away from him, they had something of a task before them.
The majority of the boats were very soon overtaken and left behind, and then the contest was between Bob and his old rival. Both had resolved to win, and the men who were standing upon the wharf began to get excited.
"Half a dollar to the boy who reaches the wharf first!" shouted one of them, putting his hand into his pocket. "Give way strong, you little fellow in that clumsy scow."
Bob heard the words of encouragement, and from that moment he believed the race was his. The men on the wharf sympathized with him, and wanted him to win, and he was bound to do it. It was of no use for Sam to redouble his efforts, for the Go Ahead left him behind so rapidly that it seemed as if the fisher-boy had only been playing with him thus far, and was now going to show him how badly he could beat him. He did not reach the wharf until Bob was about to shove off with his passengers, and then he came up with his usual cry:
"Here's the boat you've been a-waitin fur; you want cushions to set down on."
"No, we don't," replied one of the men; "we're goin' to take passage with the best oarsman in the harbor. Clear the track with that old tub of yours! Here's your half a dollar, boy," he added, handing the money to Bob, and patting him on the back.