"That's what you like best to do, Clip, isn't it?"
"Dat's where you're right, Massa Bob. Yah, yah!"
"Well, you can go to your supper, Clip. Here's some money."
"All right, Massa Bob."
Clip did not seem in any great hurry to go. He was rather afraid that Bob and Sam would explore the boat while he was away. Finally he walked away with slow steps, looking back from time to time.
"What's got into Clip?" said Bob, wonderingly.
"I guess he isn't hungry," answered Sam, with a laugh.
Ten minutes later Bob's attention was drawn to a crowd of men and boys who were approaching the boat. He naturally wondered what was the object of the assemblage.
The leader called out to Bob, when he had approached sufficiently near:
"I say, boy, have you seen anything of a man with dark hair, florid complexion, wearing a light suit, running along the bank?"