"Where's the iron pin that was in there when you lost the cart?"
"On the sea-bottom, I suppose," answered Budd. "You didn't expect me to hang on to it, did you?"
"No," said the man, slowly, "but I should 'a' thought ye'd 'a' got me another."
"How much will one cost?" asked Budd, in disgust.
"As much as a quarter," replied Mr. Benton.
"Here it is," said Budd, handing that amount to him, "and I hope you are now satisfied?"
"Yes, unless"--rather hesitatingly--"unless ye've a mind to pay me fer the time it has been gone."
"I won't pay you a single cent for it! I haven't used your cart!" responded Budd, out of all patience.
The lads then turned and left the man, who had in no way thanked them for restoring his cart, nor seemed to appreciate the toil they had undergone for its restoration.
It was night before the boys had returned the borrowed oxen to their owner, paid for their use, and reached their boat. Almost out of patience with themselves for having neglected some of their own work to render a favor to an ungrateful man, they embarked and rowed rapidly for the island. Reaching the wharf a few minutes later, they secured the boat and started for the house. Suddenly Judd caught his companion's arm, saying: