"Haven't saved any more sinking automobiles, lately, have you?" asked the commander, when Fenn was seated in the cabin, sipping a glass of the delicious beverage.
"No. Mr. Hayward has gone back to Bayville."
"Bayville? Is that where he lives?" asked Captain Wiggs.
"That's odd," mused the captain. "I'm going right near there, this cruise. You see I've got a mixed cargo this trip," he explained. "I've got to deliver some things at several lake ports, but the bulk of the stuff goes to Duluth. Now if you would only ship with me, as cleaner of the after boiler tubes, why you could go along."
"And--and could you take any other boiler tube cleaners, or--or any other help?"
"Well, I need a couple of lads to dust the coal," said the captain, so seriously that Fenn thought he meant it. "You see if coal is dusty it doesn't burn well," he added. "We have to dust off every lump before we can put it in the boiler. Now a couple of handy lads, who were quick and smart could--"
"Maybe you could use three," suggested Fenn, with a smile.
"Sure I could," spoke the captain. "That's it!" he added quickly. "You and your three chums! Why not? You four could come along, and, if necessary, you could all dust coal. We use a lot of it. Come on now, here's a proposal for you," and the captain smiled good naturedly. "You four boys come along and make the trip to Duluth with me."
"Would it--would it cost much?" asked Fenn, seeing a chance of carrying out the cruise he had planned.
"Not a cent. I tell you I'll use you boys in more ways than one. Dusting the coal is only a small matter. There is the smoke stack to be scrubbed, the dishes to be hand painted and the windows to be taken out and put in again."
"Do you mean it?" asked Fenn. "I mean, do you really want us on this trip, Captain Wiggs?"
"Of course I do. I sail in three days, to be gone a month or more. If you boys want to have a good vacation come along. Get the permission of your folks and let me know to-night."
"I will!" exclaimed Fenn, his brain whirling with the suddenness of it all. "I'll tell the other boys right away," and, not even pausing to thank the captain for the lemonade, he hurried up the companion ladder, out on the deck of the _Modoc_ and, jumping to the dock, ran up the street as fast as he could go.