“Subscription?” said Hegan. “Oh, yes, I’d forgotten. That’s nothing. Forget it! You can’t stand by and see a friend drown, can you?”
“I’m glad it didn’t cost you anything, after all,” said Jack, lightly. “I don’t mind admitting we should have been mighty glad to see that tug, and I’m much obliged to you, all the same.”
“Say, to-morrow’s Sunday. You don’t run the ferry Sundays, do you?”
“No.”
“I was just sayin’ to my friend Martin that p’r’aps we might persuade you to take us for a sail. We’re both going back to New York to-morrow night, and I’d like one good run in the sloop afore I go. What d’you say?”
“Why, I’ll be glad to,” said the boy, graciously, feeling that was the least he could do to repay them for their generous offer of assistance. “As early as you like. What about seven o’clock?”
“Fine,” replied Hegan. “We’ll be here.”
As George had promised to visit some friends with his mother next day, Jack arranged with Rod to accompany him on the trip in the sloop, promising to pick him up at the hotel landing as they sailed.
The men kept their appointment punctually enough. As a matter of fact, they arrived at the wharf immediately after Jack and George left the vessel to go home for breakfast; and, finding the cabin door locked, they asked Cap’n Crumbie where they could get the key.
“I guess Jack must have it,” replied the Cap’n; and he remained there, chatting with them, until the skipper of the Sea-Lark returned.