“I don’t see anybody about,” reported Joe, as the boat drew near the bridge which crossed the canal at this point and connected the two sections of the county road.
Captain Beasley came forward and called on Fletcher to help detach the tow-line so that the boat could pass under the bridge.
While they were doing this, Luke Maslin appeared at the door of the store.
His eyes roamed over the canal-boat from stem to stern and finally fixed themselves on Fletcher, whom he recognized, having seen and spoken to him many times when Joe called at the store to get supplies for Nathan Boggs or to see Dick.
Suddenly he ran out on the bridge and took his position just above where the boat had to pass under.
“Hello, Fletcher!” he shouted.
“Hello, yourself,” growled Joe, casting a side glance at him.
“What are you doing aboard that boat?”
“Taking a sail.”
“What for?”