In Which the “Grand Lake” Conducts Herself In a Most Peculiar Fashion to the Chagrin of the Crew of the “Spot Cash”
Skipper Bill and the punt of the stranded Spot Cash made the harbour at Hook-and-Line in good season to intercept the Grand Lake. She was due––she would surely steam in––that very day, said the men of Hook-and-Line. And it seemed to Archie Armstrong that everything now depended on the Grand Lake. It would be hopeless––Skipper Bill had said so and the boys needed no telling––it would be hopeless to attempt to get the Spot Cash off Blow-Me-Down Rock in an unfriendly harbour without the steamer’s help.
“’Tis fair hard t’ believe that the Jolly Harbour folk would give us no aid,” said Jimmie Grimm.
Skipper Bill laughed. “You’ve no knowledge o’ Jolly Harbour,” said he.
“’Tis a big expense these robbers are putting us to,” Archie growled.
“Robbers?” Bill drawled. “Well, they’re a 276 decent, God-fearin’ folk, with their own ideas about a wreck.”
Archie sniffed.
“I’ve no doubt,” the skipper returned, “that they’re thankin’ God for the windfall of a tradin’ schooner at family worship in Jolly Harbour at this very minute.”
This view expressed small faith in the wits of Billy Topsail.
“Oh, Billy Topsail will stand un off,” Jimmie Grimm stoutly declared.