“How long have you been on this bar?” asked the official.
“We struck it just before dark,” answered Mike, who really was doing a very good job in the way of convincing the officer that everything was all right and straight on board the Rambler.
“There are a good many motor boats doing illicit business up and down the river,” suggested the official.
“I know it,” replied Mike. “We’re afraid some of them will come along while we are tied up on this bar.”
“How did it happen?”
“Lost a spark plug,” was the reply. “At first we limped along in fairly good shape, and then the others had to go bad with us. Honest,” he continued, “I don’t think we’ll ever get off this sand bar unless you give us a line.”
“I’ll gladly do that,” said the officer, “and I’ll do more. I’ll send over half a dozen spark plugs.”
“That’s kind of you,” Mike suggested. “We’ll be glad to pay for them. It is a great accommodation to us.”
Jule snickered in his bunk, for he had recently heard the two men talking about being absolutely penniless. Observing that Gid was not watching him very closely, the latter’s attention being directed to the two men standing forward, the boy beckoned to Teddy, who came shambling up to the side of the bunk and laid a soft paw against the boy’s cheek.
“Now, Teddy,” Jule said, “we’re going to play a trick on those men out there. Do you think you can do a boxing stunt to-night?”