"Joke!" exclaimed Bob, hotly. "We've had enough of such jokes. If there are any more of them you'll get into trouble."
"I only meant to have a little fun, I tell you," pleaded Nat.
"Your ideas on that subject must be peculiar."
"I'll tow you back to Kingswood, and pay for all damages," continued Nat. "What more can you ask? I leave it to everybody—isn't that a fair offer?"
"But we don't want to return to Kingswood," answered Bob, coldly, although he was surprised at Wingate's offer.
"You can't continue the trip with a rudder bent out of shape like that," argued Nat. "Your boat is helpless, I'm afraid. Let us fix this thing up right."
"Why not tow them to the next town?" proposed John Hackett.
Nat shook his head. "No, no!" he said, earnestly; "Kingswood is nearer. It was my fault that their boat was damaged, and I want to do the right thing."
Bob did not answer.
"Come now, is it agreed?" added Nat, persuasively. All the sarcastic, half-sneering expression had left his face, and he evidently meant what he said.