“No,” called Toby. “We’ll tow you to Johnstown, over there, or into Greenhaven. Which do you say?”
“That won’t do, thanks. We’ve got to get to Cutchogue. This boat’ll tow easily,” insisted the man. “Name your own price, like a good fellow. It’s mighty important that we get to Cutchogue. Come on now! Can’t you do it for us? Any figure you say and we’ll pay you the minute we get there!”
Toby, keeping the Urnove’s bows to the sea, reflected a moment. Then he turned questioningly to Arnold.
“What do you say?” he asked.
“Let’s try it!” said Arnold eagerly. “It’ll be a lark!”
“If we don’t founder doing it,” replied Toby grimly. “All right. I’m game.” He shouted across to the cruiser then. “Glad to take you to Greenhaven or anywhere down here for nothing,” he called. “But if you want to go to Cutchogue I’ll have to charge you something. I won’t promise to get you there, either, but I’ll do my best.”
“Good boy!” was the response. “What’s your figure?”
Toby turned quickly to Arnold. “What’s twenty-five from seventy?” he demanded.
“What?” gasped Arnold blankly.
But Toby had solved the problem himself. “Forty-five dollars,” he shouted.