gine was racing, making
considerable noise. "Look as though we expected this," Betty commanded.
"There's nothing to fear. We are not far from home."

"Lots of folks get stuck on that bar," went on the man, who was bringing
his boat into a position favorable for giving aid to the _Gem_. "It
ought to be buoyed, or marked in some way. You're strangers around here,
I take it," he went on.

"Yes, from Mr. Stonington's orange grove," said Betty, simply. "If you
will kindly pull us off this bar we will gladly pay you for your
trouble."

Was it fancy, or did Betty detect fierce and eager gleams in the eyes of
the colored men?

"Oh, shucks!" exclaimed the steersman, quickly. "I've pulled lots of
bigger boats than yours off that bar. And not for pay, neither. Can you
catch a rope?"

"Oh, yes," said Mollie, quickly, determined to second Betty's efforts to
appear at ease. "We've done considerable cruising."

"That's good. Well, you want to know this river before you do much more.
It's treacherous. Sam, throw that rope while I put us up a little
closer," he commanded.

"Yes, boss," was the reply of a big colored man in the bow.

Both Mollie and Betty grasped for the rope as it came uncoiling toward
them.

"That's good," complimented the man. "Now can you make it fast? Have you
a ring-bolt there?"

"No, but there's a deck-cleat," spoke Betty.

"Just the same. Now, then, I'm going to turn about and try to haul you
off, pointing my bow down stream. This boat works better on the direct
clutch than in reverse. And when I start to pull, you'd better reverse
your motor. Can you do it?"

"Oh, yes," answered Betty.

"Good. You do know something about boats. So you're from the orange
grove; eh? I heard the new owner had come on. Need any men down there?"
and he seemed quite business-like.

"I--I don't know," faltered Betty, looking at Amy. "Mr. Stonington
hasn't told us anything about that. This is his niece," and she nodded
at Amy.

"Oh, is that so! Well, if he should happen to need any pickers, I can
supply him. Hank Belton is my name. I supply laborers for lots of orange
growers and others. I'm the biggest dealer in labor around here; ain't
I, boys?" and he appealed to the colored men.

"Dat's what you am, boss!" exclaimed one, with a chuckle.

"And I always treats my help right, no matter what happens after they
hire out; don't I, boys?"

"Suah!" came in a chorus.

"So just remind Mr. Stonington about me," the m