"Not a cent, sir," repeated Paul.
"It's a fair trade, young man, and I won't take them unless I pay for them."
"I don't want any pay from you, sir."
"But I choose to pay you, and you must take your orders from me in this instance. Have you any clams for bait?"
"No, sir. I will get some to-night."
"Very well; you may go and get them now, and I will talk to your mother about business."
Paul took his hat and went down to the beach. Embarking in the old boat, he sailed over to Tenean, where plenty of clams were to be had, and a bucket full was soon procured. Like a prudent fisherman, he made all his arrangements for the next day. First he repaired the worn-out sail, then made a new sprit, and refitted the tiller to the rudder head. When everything was in ship-shape order about the boat, he took out his perch lines, ganged on a new hook, and rigged an extra sinker for use in case of accident.
"Going a fishing, Paul?" said John Duncan, his brother, a lad of ten, who joined him when he had nearly completed his preparations.
"I'm going down in the morning to get a mess of perch for Captain Littleton."
"Let me go with you, Paul?"