But Peter was gazing with an extraordinary expression of awe, almost of fear, at the unusual cause of so much commotion.
“Well, sink me!” he muttered, “if that ain’t Ole Nick’s own himmidge, it’s his head stoker’s. I’ve never seen anything like it, no, not in all my born days. My aunt! It’s ugly enough to cause a riot.”
CHAPTER II
HOW THE MESSAGE WAS DELIVERED
Owing to the return of the rival boat, Peter’s agitation passed unnoticed. A superior person was apologizing for the accident, though inclined to tax Warden with foolhardiness.
“You have only yourself to blame for that knock on the head, which might have been far more serious than it is,” he said.
“Will you kindly go to—Jericho?” said the man in the water.
The superior person’s tone grew more civil when he found that he was talking to one whom he condescended to regard as an equal.