Albert turned to him, and in a firm voice said—
“Sir, I will not be bullied out of my right by you; I called a boat first here, and the first boat I will have.”
So saying, he sprung into the wherry; and not wishing the man to overhear where he really wished to go, he merely said to the waterman,—
“Pull down the stream.”
The boat was pushed off, and the spy called from the stairs in an angry voice,—
“Very well, young fellow, just wait till I come across you again; you may jump better, but I’m d—d if you’ll fight better than I.”
“Go home to your anxious mother,” cried the waterman, who, as Albert was silent, considered he was bound to take the part of his fare.
“Do not answer him,” said Albert.
“He’s a vagabond, sir,” said the waterman,—“I knows him. He’s a sort o’ sneak as goes arter everybody’s business but his own.”
“Do you see a wherry just ahead?” said Albert.