The other one followed him, and I deemed it wise to pick up my boat-hook.
“She is fine enough,” I replied.
“Will you let us look at her?” said the speaker, winking at the other.
What did he wink for? That was what I wanted to know. Why were they so good-natured? It was not a very difficult problem, after all. Why should they not be good-natured, if they could keep me where I was while their companions did their vile work upon Waddie? They were smart—they were!
“Certainly you may look at her, if you like,” I replied very pleasantly, all of a sudden, for I intended to be as smart as I could.
“They say you are a first-rate fellow, Wolf,” continued the one who had first stepped on board, as he jumped down into the standing-room, where I was.
“Oh, I am!”
“I can’t see why you stick up for such a mean boy as Waddie Wimpleton.”
“I don’t stick up for him. I only like to see a fellow have fair play,” I replied, seating myself, as though I had nothing more to desire or hope for.
“He don’t give anybody fair play. This is about the best boat I ever saw,” the speaker added, as he looked into the little cabin.