“No, li’l gal, I hopes dey don’t,” murmured Peter, as he shuffled off to get the motor boat Spray.
Repeating again his message for the Curlytops to deliver to Mr. Keller about the lost keys, Mr. Narr walked with the children down to the dock. Soon there arrived at the little pier the puffing Spray towing the rowboat, in which a pair of oars had been put.
“I’m glad of that,” said Teddy to his sister, when he saw the wooden blades. “Now Jimmie won’t be mad.”
“Yes, it’s good we got another pair,” Janet agreed.
Mr. Narr helped the children into the boat which, it appeared, Peter was to guide over to the mainland and down to Sunset Beach, which could be dimly seen down the bay.
“Thank you for taking care of us,” said Janet to the rich man, as the boat was about to start.
“We’re much obliged,” added Teddy.
“Oh, you’re welcome, I’m sure,” laughed Mr. Narr, in a good-natured voice. “I was glad to have you call. Don’t lose any of those crabs overboard, Peter!” he called to the colored man, who was doing something to the motor of the boat.
“No, sah! I won’t, sah!”
“They’re asleep all right,” Janet said, standing up in the motor boat so she could look into the rowboat which was being towed astern. There was no movement of the crabs beneath their covering of green seaweed in the peach basket.