, captain, and going to stay here," put in Ralph's passenger.
"No more hay barges for me."

"Don't you want to come on the tug?"

"No."

"All right then, suit yourself."

And the next moment the steam tug shot out of sight, in the direction in
which the hay barge was drifting.

The storm now let up a bit, and Ralph was able to take a good look at the
fellow beside him. He was a tall, strong-looking chap, with sharp black
eyes, and a heavy head of dark hair. He wore a long mustache, and there was
a slight scar directly in the center of his forehead.

"What's your name, youngster?" he asked, presently, as Ralph let out the
mainsail.

Ralph told him.

"Mine is Dock Brady. I am a surveyor from Utica. Do you follow this sort of
thing for a living?"

"No, sir."

"Just out for pleasure, eh?"

"Hardly that; I am returning the boat to Westville for a friend."

"Oh, I see." Dock Brady mused for a moment. "Westville is quite a place, I
believe," he went on.

"Not so very large, sir."

"Larger than Silver Cove, though?"

"Oh, yes--twice as large."

"Quite a few summer boarders, eh?"

"Back of the village, yes. There are no folks stopping in the village
itself."

"No, but that helps to liven up things, of course--buying stuff and mailing
letters."

He paused again.

"Yes, they have to come there for goods, and that makes the stores do very
well. And the post office is a lively enough place at mail times."

"Always is, when there are summer boarders around." The man laughed
lightly. "Can I help you with the boat?" he went on, changing the subject.

"You can hold the tiller while I hoist the jib," said Ralph. "The storm is
over, I guess."

The jib was unfurled and the mainsail let out full, and once again the
little craft went bounding on her way.

Ralph did not take to his passenger's appearance, and said very little
during the remainder of the trip. The man also relapsed into silence, as
if resolving some scheme in his mind.

Before sundown Westville was reached. At the bridge the man got off, and
tossed Ralph a silver dollar. In a moment more he was out of sight.

Little did Ralph imagine under what exciting circumstances he and Dock
Brady were to meet again.

CHAPTER XV.

LOOKING FOR WORK.

Mrs. Nelson was surprised to see Ralph come in almost soaked to the skin
from the rain.

"Why, Ralph, why didn't you go under shelter!" she cried.

"Because I couldn't get under," he laughed,