"Most likely she'll be going in an hour or two."
"I wonder what she put back for?" said Hackler half to himself.
"Short o' coal," grinned Brack.
"Shut up and don't be a fool," growled Carl.
Brack could see the steamer as he looked sideways over his shoulder. A humorous smile stole over his face.
"She's movin'," he thought.
There was a stir at the stern of the tramp, the screw revolved, she was steaming away, and Carl Hackler was too late. When he recognized this he lost his temper; he had taken his journey for nothing. Catching sight of Brack's face, he fancied he detected laughter there; this did not improve matters.
"Confound you, I believe you knew she was going!" he said angrily.
"Not until the screw turned," said Brack.
Hackler stood up in the boat and waved; some one on the tramp answered the signal but she continued on her way.