"How are you, boys, and what luck with your fish?" he remarked pleasantly, as they came ashore.
The young partners responded good-naturedly, and he watched them as they sorted and put their fish into the "cars."
"My, what a large one!" he exclaimed, as Budd picked up a six-pound mackerel, and was about to toss it into the proper "car."
"Would you like it?" asked the lad; and as Mr. Benton gave assent he tossed it into the man's boat, which had been fastened near by.
"Have you been here long waiting for us?" Judd asked, with a wink at his chum.
"Well, yes," responded Mr. Benton. "I come over here 'bout as soon as I could after I went home from the village; but you'd gone."
"We hadn't been to the pounds to-day, and so hurried off to them," explained Budd.
"I thought that was it," said Mr. Benton, following the lads on to the house.
"Come in and take supper with us," said Budd.
"I don't know but I will, seeing I have a little business with ye."