"Hire one?" sneered Sammy. "It's more than likely you were going to take one without hiring it."
Robert's face flushed and his eyes blazed as he faced the bully.
"Do you mean to say that I was going to steal one?" he demanded.
"Never mind what I meant. You leave Jack Salter's boats alone."
"I believe I have as much right here as you."
"Hear him!" sneered several. "Don't the Yankee think he's big!"
"Jack Salter isn't going to let you have any more boats," put in Bob Snipper, who was Sammy Gump's particular toady.
"And why not?"
"Because we told Jack not to," answered Sammy Gump. "We haven't any boats for such fellows as you."
"I think Jack Salter will let me have all the boats I want if I pay for them," returned Robert sharply. "Anyway, this is a public dock and a public business, and you have no right to interfere with my affairs."