cated that he was well-to-do.

"Phew! But that was a narrow escape!" he ejaculated, as he brushed the
water from his face. "I was afraid I was a goner, sure!"

"Couldn't you keep away from the stonework?" questioned Ralph, curiously.

"No. The ropes got twisted into a knot and my right arm hurt so I could
only use my left hand. Besides, I am not much of a sailor."

"I seen you wasn't," put in Bob Sanderson, who did not hesitate at times to
speak out bluntly. "If it hadn't been for Ralph you would have been
drowned."

"I don't doubt it, for I cannot swim."

"How came you to be out in such a blow and all alone?" asked Ralph, as he
began to lower the ship's sails.

"It didn't blow so when I started from Chambersburgh, and I fancied I could
manage the _Magic_ without half trying. But I have found out my mistake
now," and the man gave a sorry little laugh. "Are you the bridge tender?"

"Yes, sir."

"And what is your name?"

"Ralph Nelson."

"Mine is Horace Kelsey. You are rather young for this position, are you
not?"

"It was my father's before he died. I am serving the rest of the time for
which he was appointed."

"I see. Does it pay you?"

"I earn six dollars a week at it. That's considered pretty good here in
Westville. There are many who would like to get the job."

"I came up here from New York to spend a few weeks boating and fishing,"
said Horace Kelsey, during a pause, in which he dried off his face and
hands, and wrung the water from his coat. "This is my first day out, and it
has ended rather disastrously."

"I guess your sloop can easily be repaired," replied Ralph.

"I suppose it can. Is there any one here in the village who does such
work?"

"That's in my line," put in Bob Sanderson, promptly.

"Yes, Mr. Sanderson repairs boats," replied Ralph. "He will give you a good
job at a reasonable price."

"Then you can go to work at once," said Horace Kelsey, turning to the old
fisherman. "Do your best, and I will pay whatever it is worth."

"I will, sir."

"When can you have the work completed?"

"Not before to-morrow night. I'll have to paint the parts, you know."

"I am in no hurry. I wished to spend a day or two around Westville and
Eastport before going up into Big Silver Lake."

"Then I'll take the sloop around to my boat-house right now," replied Bob
Sanderson; and off he went with the craft, leaving Ralph and the newcomer
on the bridge.

CHAPTER III.

RALPH MAKES A FRIE