"I can take yo' ober, sah."
"Very well; do so, and I'll give you another dollar."
"I'll be ready in a minute, as soon as I gits my fishing tackle an' bait out of de boat, sah."
Ben hurried to his craft. As he was lifting his things out he saw a man strolling near. The individual proved to be St. John Ruthven, who had come in that direction in hope of seeing Marion alone.
"Hullo, Ben!" cried St. John. "See anything of Marion to-day?"
"She dun went out in a boat, sah."
"With Jack?"
"Yes, sah."
"What, after that experience in the storm?"
"Yes, sah."