Teddy sat up on his haunches at mention of the word “boxing” and admitted in perfectly good bear talk that he could.
“You just wait, Teddy,” Jule went on, “until that police boat draws the Rambler off this bar and supplies her with spark plugs, and we’ll give a show that will beat any four-ring circus that ever traveled out of Chicago. It’ll be something worth buying a ticket to.”
After some further conversation the Government officers returned to their steamer. A cable was carried to the motor boat and in a minute she was floating in free water.
“Now,” called an officer from the stern of the steamer, “bend on that manilla hawser to your spare anchor and throw it out.”
Mike obeyed instructions to the letter, and the Rambler was soon swinging easily with her grip on the bottom of the river.
“You’ve got a favor coming from us now,” Mike shouted, “if the time ever comes when we can render you one! Shall I come aboard for the spark plugs?”
“We haven’t got any rowboat,” Gid reminded his companion.
In the end the steamer dropped down and the spark plugs were tossed aboard, being caught deftly by the Irishman.
“Now,” said Mike with a grin, “we’ll fix up these motors and get down toward New Orleans at a right smart gait.”
“Why didn’t you ask the officer about the Hawk?” demanded Gid.