Hurrying down the steps, the two boys placed themselves at the edge of the house boat's after deck, ready to jump the moment the Sprite came close enough.
[CHAPTER XIV.]
PING STARS HIMSELF.
Ping was not impatient, while waiting for Matt and McGlory to come back from the house boat, and he was not worrying. His callow mind was engaged with the wheels and levers of the Sprite's machinery, and he might be said to be enjoying himself, in his artless, heathen way.
His first acquaintance with the Sprite had not been of a pleasant nature, but Ping had overcome his awe and fear, to a large extent, by watching how readily the boat obeyed the touch of Motor Matt's hands.
The Chinese boy had observed all the details of starting, steering, and stopping. Sitting alone in the launch, he touched the various levers in proper order, again and again—touched them lightly, for he had no desire to make the boat turn a "summerset," as McGlory had said she would do if he got too free with his attentions.
The uproar and commotion that started abruptly on the house boat and continued at intervals for some time, naturally drew the Chinaman's eyes across the San Bruno. But the attraction of the motor was too much for Ping to withstand, and he jumped at a conclusion to assure himself that everything was well with Matt and McGlory, and returned to his childlike interest in the machinery.
Some one scrambled off the San Bruno into the Sprite. The rough boarding of the little launch caused her to sway and shiver and dance at the end of her painter.
"You makee plenty fuss, McGloly!" complained Ping, grabbing at the sides of the boat to hold himself upright.