t up.
I'd be willing to swear to that in any tribunal in the land. I hope you
bring them to justice. Who were the rascals?"

"A millionaire named Judson, who owns an island near here, and his son,
who is a fearful snob."

The boys saw a look of surprise flit across the naval officer's face.
But it was gone in an instant.

"Surely not Hiram Judson?" he demanded.

"The same man," replied Jack. "Why, do you know him, sir?"

"I--er--that is, I think we had better change the subject," said Captain
Simms with odd hesitation. Jack saw that there was something behind the
sea officer's hesitancy, but of course he did not ask any more
questions.

"I can give you a tow to the shore where there is a man who makes a
business of repairing boats," volunteered Captain Simms. "But will your
craft keep afloat that long?"

"I think so," said Jack. "We can all sit on one side and so raise the
leak above water. But can you pull us off?"

"We shall soon see that," was the rejoinder. "It looks as if it would be
an easy task. Throw me a line and I'll make it fast to my stern bitts."

This was soon done, and then the little launch set to work with might
and main to tug off the injured yacht.

"Hurray, she's moving!" cried Billy presently.

This was followed by a joyous shout from all the boys.

"She's off!"

They moved down the channel with the boys hanging over one side in order
to keep the _Curlew_ heeled over at an angle that would assure safety
from the leak. They landed at a rickety old dock with a big gasoline
tank perched at one end of it. Attached to it was a crudely painted
sign:

"Charles Hansen, Boats Built and Repaired.
All work Promptly Exicutid."

Hansen himself came toddling down the wharf. He was an old man with a
rheumatic walk and a stubbly, unshaven chin stained with tobacco juice.
A goodly sized "chaw" bulged in his withered cheek.

"Can you repair our boat quickly?" asked Jack, pointing to the hole.

Old Hansen shot a jet of tobacco juice in the direction of the injury.

"Bustitupconsiderable," he remarked.

"What's that?" demanded Billy. "Doesn't he talk English?" and he turned
an inquiring glance at Captain Simms, who laughed.

"That's just his way of talking when he's got a mouthful of what he
calls 'eatin' tobacco.' He said, 'he is of the opinion that your boat is
bust up considerable.'"

"Well, we don't need an expert to tell us that," laughed Jack.

"Doyouwantmetofixit?" inquired t