The Frenchman gave no word of thanks, but announced that he would be on the way. Bob helped him on with his coat and in another minute he was gone.
“He sure’s a hard nut,” Tom declared. “And you want ter look out fer him. He’ll do yer dirt if ever he gits a chance.”
It was nearly five o’clock and they decided that a game of checkers would be the best way to kill time until breakfast. So Bob got out the board and soon they were deep in the interest of the game.
CHAPTER IV
THE RACE
“That’s three games to your four,” Bob announced a little later, as the loud blast of a horn told them that breakfast was ready.
“Sure and yer no nade ter rub it in. It’s meself as knows that yer now siven games ahead, but I’ll be after catchin’ up wid yer ’fore the spring’s over.” Tom grinned as he put the board away. “But come on, let’s be after makin’ it snappy. We want ter git started wid thot raft jest as soon as we kin, or Big Ben’ll be after gittin’ in forninst us.”
It was barely light when the Comet was hitched to the second raft ready for another try. Bob and Tom agreed that it would be best to say nothing about the adventure of the night to anyone except Jack and Cap’n Seth. The captain, of course, had to be told, as he was quick to notice that the steamer was not tied as he had left her, and Bob had no hesitation in telling his brother.
“That must have been a peach of a fight,” the latter declared, after Bob had told him about it.
“It was while it lasted,” Bob assured him. “I’m mighty sorry that I had to break his arm, but it was that or have the life choked out of me and——”
“You did just right, of course,” Jack interrupted. “No one could blame you, so don’t worry about it.”