“Chug, chug, chug!” went the exhaust at the side.
“Doesn’t she go great?” cried Dick turning to the others.
“Fine,” answered Roy with proper enthusiasm.
“When you understand her,” remarked Chub haughtily.
“Get out,” said Roy. “No wonder she started after the way we’d worked with her!”
Chub looked grieved.
“Of all the unappreciative guys I ever knew,” he said sadly, “you’re the worst! Dick doesn’t talk that way. Dick realizes that if it hadn’t been for me you’d be at the wharf yet. Dick is decently grateful and—”
“What the dickens did you do any more than we did?” demanded Dick. “You turned the wheel and she just happened to start.”
“Happened!” murmured Chub, smiling pityingly. “Very well, think that way if you want to. It doesn’t hurt me. Ingratitude only shows—”
“Look out!” yelled Roy. Dick worked quickly and narrowly avoided running down a rowboat containing two men. As they went by they were forced to listen to a number of uncomplimentary remarks. But Dick didn’t mind. The launch was running, and that’s all he cared about. To be sure, she wasn’t making very great speed, but Dick explained that by assuring Roy and Chub that she hadn’t got warmed up yet.