But Uncle Jimmy's assistant had hold of the "painter," or rope, by which the Clio had been fastened to the wharf.
"Avast there!" he said. "Mr. Redwood don't let his boats go out that way."
"What do you mean?" demanded the stranger with the bandaged head.
"He won't let you go out alone. How does he know that you will bring the boat back?"
"Nonsense. I want to go by myself."
"He wants to take her out himself," called the assistant to Uncle Jimmy, who stood near the end of the float talking with another tarry old salt.
"He can't, and that settles it," said Uncle Jimmy.
"Shall I go with him?" asked the assistant, who held the Clio's painter.
"No; let Dick, here, go."
Dick, thus delegated to the duty of skipper, rolled down the float with the gait of an old sailor, and got aboard the Clio.