week, even if it ain't the whole six."

"I'll take the job, and thank you," said the boy, reflecting that even four
days' work would bring in six dollars, as much as he had before earned,
while a full week's work would mean nine dollars.

"All right. I know I can trust you with the sloop, even if she is kind of
mulish at times."

"She needs constant watching, that's all. When can I come on?"

"Most likely Monday morning. There was a man coming to see me about her
this morning. If he--here he comes now."

Franchard referred to a well dressed gentleman who was walking toward the
dock, accompanied by a young gentleman and a young lady.

The gentleman, whose name was Larkins, entered into conversation with
Franchard, and then turned to Ralph.

"Do you think you can sail that sloop all right, my lad?"

"I know that I can, sir," returned Ralph, confidently.

"He knows small boats as well as I do, sir," put in Franchard. "His father
was a boatman before him, and he used to row when he was only five years
old."

"Then I will take the _Minnie_ for Monday and Tuesday, sure, and possibly
for Wednesday, too," said Mr. Larkins, and the bargain was settled on the
spot.

"What time do you wish me on hand?" asked Ralph.

"We will be ready to go out about ten o'clock," was the reply, after the
young lady and the young gentleman had been consulted.

"Now you see I couldn't have made that bargain if you hadn't turned up,"
said Franchard to Ralph, after the party had gone. "I'll be in pocket and
so will you."

"And that will be a job that will suit me," laughed Ralph. "For once I am
in luck."

He spent a few more minutes with Franchard, in completing arrangements, and
then hurried off to make up the time he had lost in the distribution of the
circulars.

CHAPTER XXIII.

STRANGE PASSENGERS.

Mrs. Nelson was glad to hear that Ralph had procured employment at Glen
Arbor. She knew her son understood boats thoroughly, so she was not alarmed
over the prospects, even though he had had such a thrilling experience at
the time of Dock Brady's rescue.

"It will bring us in money steadily, mother," Ralph said, "and that is what
we need."

"I do not know what I would do without you, Ralph," she returned, fondly.
"You have been the supporter of the family since your poor father was taken
away."

"I've been thinking, mother," went on the son, after a spell of silence. "I
have a great mind to use fifteen dollars of that