"No offense, young man! I suppose a man can make an offer?"
"Certainly, sir."
But the stranger did not leave the boat. He walked about, scrutinizing the arrangements carefully.
"You've got a pretty big cargo, boy," he said.
"Yes, sir."
"How many bushels now, about?"
"Why do you wish to know?" asked Bob, eying the stranger keenly.
"I thought I might like to load a boat like this some time, and it might be of use to know how much it would carry."
"Do you live in Rocky Creek?" asked Bob, suddenly.