Harvey hesitated for a moment, with visions of the money it would bring temptingly before his minds eye. But the remembrance of the loyalty of his crew was still fresh in his mind.
No, he said, determinedly. I wont do it.
Which was a lucky determination, if he had but known it.
See here, said young Harry Brackett, lowering his tone, and making one final desperate effort to shake Harveys resolution, Ill make you a better offer than that. Ill pay you and Henry fifteen hundred dollars for the boat between you. You can get him to do it if you only try. And Ill give you seventy-five dollars for yourself, and you neednt say anything about it.
A moment later, Harry Brackett was picking himself up off the ground and rubbing one more sore spot.
Hang it all! exclaimed Jack Harvey, as he strode away, I neednt have hit him
but he made me mad clear through. I owed it to him, anyway.
And so Harry Brackett, eying the other angrily, swore a new resolve of revenge on Harvey and all the crowd of campers and cottagers.
Why, Jack, said Henry Burns later that day, when he and Harvey were talking it over, dont you suppose it was some kind of a queer joke on Harry Bracketts part? What does he want of the Viking ? He couldnt sail her if he had her, and in the second place, I dont believe he ever had so much money in all his life.
Thats just the queerest thing about it, replied Harvey. He wasnt joking and he was in dead earnest. He either wants the boat, or knows somebody else who does. It is queer, but he meant it.
Well, I cant guess it, said Henry Burns. Lets go and catch a mess of flounders for supper.
CHAPTER X. MR. CARLETON ARRIVES
SurpriseGood morning, Captain Sam, replied the squire. Youre busy as usual, I see.
Yes, said Captain Sam, just helping the boys out a little. Smart chaps, those youngsters. Why, they went to work and raised that ere yacht down there in the Thoroughfare, and theyre cleaning her up in great shape; and I vow, when they get her painted and these good sails on her, shell be every bit as good as new. And she was always a right smart boat.
The squire scowled at Captain Sam, who kept on with his work; but the squire made no reply.
I should er thought some of you vessel-owners that have got the rigging handy would have dragged her out for yourselves, continued Captain Sam. I had a mind to do it myself this spring, but I was too busy.
The squire sniffed as though exasperated at something. But Captain Sam, stitching away, with an enormous sailmakers needle strapped to his palm, was apparently unmindful. No one would have thought, to look at his serious face, that he had heard the whole history of the squires venture down in the Thoroughfare, through the expedition of Harry Brackett, and that he was indulging in a little quiet fun at the squires expense.
Why, what on earth should I do with another boat? inquired the squire. The one I own is one too many for me now. Id like to sell her if I got a good offer.
Would yer? queried Captain Sam. Well, youll get a good boat in her place if you get the Viking . I hear you are trying to buy her.
Nonsense! exclaimed the squire. Who told you that?
Why, Jack Harvey; he was in here a little while ago. He said as how your son, Harry, offered him fifteen hundred dollars for the boat.
Fifteen hundred fiddlesticks! roared the squire. If hes got fifteen hundred cents left out of his allowance, hes got more than I think he has. Thats a likely story. Well, you can just put it down in black and white that I dont pay any fifteen hundred dollars for a boat for a lot of boys to play monkey-shines with. Ill see about that.
Perhaps its one of Harrys little jokes, squire, suggested Captain Sam. Boys will have their fun, you know.
Captain Sam threw his head back and gave a loud haw-haw. His recollection of Harry Bracketts most recent fun was of seeing that youth tearing along the highway at night, with a dozen fishermen after him, armed with horsewhips.
The squires conception of it was not so pleasant, however, and he took his departure.
Harry, he said, at the dinner-table that day, whats this I hear about your trying to buy that boat of Jack Harvey?
Harry Brackett, taken somewhat by surprise, hesitated for a moment. Why why that was a sort of a joke, he answered, finally, forcing himself to smile, as though he thought it funny.
A joke, eh? retorted the squire, sharply. Well, dont you think you have had joking enough to last you one spell? Here it is getting so I cant go down the road without folks looking at me and grinning. Havent you any respect for your fathers dignity? Dont you know Im of some consequence in this town?
Yes, sir, replied the son, dutifully. But I didnt bring your name into it. I didnt say you wanted it.
Well, what did you do it for? repeated the squire.
Just for fun, insisted Harry Brackett.
May be so, said the squire, eying his son with some suspicion; but Im not so sure of that, either. Now dont you go getting into any mischief. Youve had just about fun enough lately.