“It was a dandy bit of work,” said Bill warmly. “It’s a lucky thing for this crowd that you were at 22 the helm. If you hadn’t been, we might be food for the fishes by this time.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” returned Lester, flushing a little at the chorus of appreciation. “I just happened to know of this place, and I knew we had to get to shore before dark. So I took a chance on making it. But it’s nearly dark now, and we’ve got a lot to do, before we’re snug and tidy for the night.
“The first thing to do is to find a shallow place where you fellows can wade ashore. Then I’ll take the Ariel out a way and anchor her. As soon as that’s done, I’ll swim ashore and join you.”
They poled the boat in carefully with a pair of long sweeps until their soundings showed them that they were in less than three feet of water. Here Bill and the two Rushton boys jumped overboard, and while they held out their arms to him, Lester carefully let down the stranger. He could walk by this time, although he was still weak and shaky, and the boys helped him to the shore.
“Now you sit here for a while,” said Fred, when they had reached a point twenty feet or so up the beach, “while the rest of us hustle around and get something to eat. Do you feel hungry?”
“I’m beginning to,” smiled the other. “I guess I can punish my part of the supper pretty well.”
“Good!” said Fred heartily. “That reminds me. Say, Lester!” he called, as he waded back, “hand 23 us over that string of bluefish. It’s lucky we caught them before the storm came up. Is there anything left from the lunch?”
“Not a thing,” answered Lester. “You wolves went through that lunch like a prairie fire. But I’ve got some slices of bacon in the locker, and here’s some salt and pepper. I guess we won’t go hungry.”
“Not from the looks of that string we won’t,” laughed Fred, as he received from Lester enough bluefish to feed a dozen men. “Now hand over the other things, and by the time you anchor and come ashore, we’ll be ready to fill you up.”
“That’s a big contract,” grinned Lester, “but I’m going to hold you to it.”