"Oh, well," lightly answered Jack, "it's no matter. He's probably from
some other town along the coast. Don't worry about it."
"Are you going to stay aboard tonight?" asked the watchman in leaving.
"If you wanted to take a run uptown to the show I'll be mighty glad to
watch your vessel right close while you're gone."
"Thank you for the offer," Jack replied as he prepared to mount the
ladder leading to the deck above him. "You are very kind."
He was about to add that they would remain aboard the vessel, but caught
himself and for no accountable reason answered:
"We were figuring on going uptown after supper. If you happen to be in
this part of the yard you might keep an eye on the little wagon.
"And, by the way," he added, "here's a piece of change for your trouble.
It's not much, but if you try hard you can spend it. Most business
places are glad to get them."
"Thank you, boss, thank you," eagerly cried the watchman.
Jack knew by his manner that the piece of money was the object of his
offer, but tried to avoid letting the man see that.
Rowdy was unable to negotiate the ladder and consequently had to be
carried up by Tom. At last they were all aboard, supper was under way
and the Fortuna was bright with lights from her storage batteries. Jack
decided it was best not to start the engines because of the danger of
displacing the shoring.
Supper was eaten and still the fishermen had not returned.
"Let's turn off the lights and maybe that watchman will think we have
gone uptown if we are quiet," suggested Jack.
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