"Good! But the 'Spray' will run away from the 'Dauntless,' old man."
"It will—like fun," laughed Fenton, as he took his leave.
Phil Levins met the Ramblers at the wharf. Just as they were clambering aboard the "Spray," "Little Bill" happened to pass. He surveyed them with a scowl.
"I'm a-goin' ter take out that boat, some day, an' don't you forgit it. Old Barton says ter me one day—he says, 'Bill'——"
These were the words that greeted the boys, and Sam Randall cut them off by exclaiming, "Oh, we're not talking about that now, Bill Dugan."
"Ain't you? Well, I'm talking about it, all right. Afear'd I'd hurt the boat, eh? Think you're sich swell sailors, eh? Jist you wait, fellers."
"All year, if you want," laughed Sam. "Give the boat a shove, boys. Rattling good breeze, eh? That's it—we're off."
The sail quickly filled out, and the boat drew away from the wharf.
"Jest you wait," repeated "Little Bill," loudly.
"That's what we're doing."