"Isn't that the Sacramento boat?" asked Charley, looking off in the direction of a rapidly approaching bank of lights. "How plainly we can hear the drumming of her big paddles. Listen!"
"If it is, she's all of two hours ahead of time," was Walter's reply.
"Yes, it's the old Senator's day. She's a traveler all the time, and to-night she has the tide with her. Do you know, they say she's made more money for her owners than she could carry on one trip?"
"Sho! You don't mean it."
"True as you stand there."
They stood watching the Senator work her way into her dock, when Charley suddenly asked, "What are you so glum about to-night, Walt?"
"I was thinking what I would do if I had a boatload of money."
"Hope you may get it, that's all. Hark! Ah, here's Bill back again."
By the way that Bill was rowing, he seemed in a great hurry. Greatly to the surprise of the two friends, he was closely followed up the side by a stranger, to whom Bill lent a helping hand as this person stumbled awkwardly to the deck. At first both Walter and Charley thought it must be Ramon returning.
"Hello! what's up now?" both exclaimed in one breath.