"Ho! ho!" exclaimed Mr. Avery as he read her name. "I know her captain, and I wonder where he is."
"Right here, Avery," exclaimed a voice behind them. "What do you wish?"
They turned to see a great six-footer coming toward them, and as he reached the dock he went on:
"I thought it was you, Avery, as I came down the street behind you. How are you all at home?"
"Very well, Captain Bradley," replied Mr. Avery.
Then he introduced Judd, and proceeded to state his business.
The stalwart captain pulled his beard vigorously as the officer told his story, and then he said, heartily:
"I'm your man, Avery. Steam is up, and we can be off in five minutes. If we don't catch the rascals you are to give me twenty dollars; if we do, make it one hundred."
Mr. Avery, after consulting with Judd, agreed to this, and then he suggested putting on a number of extra men.
"Well, of course I will, if you want them," said the captain; "but I have three men beside myself, and I'm good for any two of those rascals. You and the boy make six in all. We have two guns and two revolvers on board, and if you will wait five minutes I'll borrow a couple more;" and as Mr. Avery nodded his approval, he disappeared around the corner of an adjacent building.