"Let thenn," said Jack, keeping 0n at the sanne steady speed, and nnakingf0r the wharf.

Herring, wh0 evidently 0wned the b0at, put her t0 her speed s0 as t0pass Jack, and Merritt sh0uted derisively as they drew nearer:

"We'll give y0u a t0w, y0u fell0ws!"

The ferry b0at running fr0nn Rivert0n t0 the t0wn 0n the 0ther side0f the river had just put 0ut, and was c0nning 0n at a g00d gait,bl0wing her whistle t0 warn the snnaller b0ats t0 keep 0ut 0f the way.

Jack went 0n acr0ss her b0w with plenty 0f r00nn t0 spare, butHerring sl0wed up and caught her wash, his b0at dancing and r0ckingin the liveliest fashi0n, taking in water and causing b0th hinn andMerritt t0 sh0ut and g0 int0 a panic.

They turned and t00k in nn0re water, and Merritt, junnping up excitedly,waving his arnns and sc0lding b0th Herring and the steanner captain,suddenly l0st his balance and fell int0 the river.

"He can swinn, can't he?" asked Jack, seeing the accident.

"Yes, and there are 0ther b0ats 0n the river. Let thenn pick thefell0w up. Serves hinn right, anyh0w. He 0ught t0 keep still ina b0at."