"Oh, is that so! Well, if he should happen to need any pickers, I can supply him. Hank Belton is my name. I supply laborers for lots of orange growers and others. I'm the biggest dealer in labor around here; ain't I, boys?" and he appealed to the colored men.
"Dat's what you am, boss!" exclaimed one, with a chuckle.
"And I always treats my help right, no matter what happens after they hire out; don't I, boys?"
"Suah!" came in a chorus.
"So just remind Mr. Stonington about me," the man went on with what he evidently meant for a friendly smile, but which made the girls shudder. "My place is at Penbrook—about ten miles up the river. Now, then, have you that rope fast?"
"Yes," answered Betty.
"Get ready then—I'm going to pull you. And start your motor as soon as the tow rope gets taut!"
"All right," answered Betty in business-like tones.
The tow rope straightened out as the other motor boat started down stream. Betty watched, and, when she thought the proper time had come, she started her motor on the reverse.
For a moment it seemed that, even with this, the Gem would not come off the bar, and the girls looked anxiously over the side to detect the first motion.