Chapter 15
CHAPTER XV. A GRATEFUL MASTER BOUNCE Beryl gave a scream as she saw the boy go overboard, while both Bertie and Willie started to their feet in some excitement. "'Great Scott!' exclaimed Bertie. "'Does that young rascal mean to drown his companion?
He isn't paying any attention to him, and I don't believe the boy can swim. He simply threw up his hands, struggled wildly, and went under. We've got to pick him up, that's clear, replied Bertie resolutely. I'll guide the boat while you reach for him. All right, answered Willie, walking forward.
The boy who had gone overboard soon came to the surface, and by his frantic action showed that he was all at sea in the water. Bertie shut off power and the launch glided up to him. Just as he was going down again, Willie secured a grip on the collar of his jacket and hauled him partly out of the water.
Then Bertie went forward and helped pull him into the boat. Why, it's all over Bounce! exclaimed Bertie, looking down at the gasping boy as he lay dripping in the bottom of the launch. Oh, you know him? said Willie in some surprise. Yes, he's the messenger for the gentleman who owns this craft.
You don't say! We'll have to land him someplace where he can dry his clothes. It's funny you should meet a friend in this way. I didn't say he was a friend. I know him, but we don't pull together.
Oh, that's it. Well, he ought to be grateful to you after this. You saved his life. You mean we, corrected Bertie. I'm willing you should get the credit for it.
Thanks, but I'm not hankering after the honor. Oliver Bounce pulled himself up into a sitting position. Oh, Lord, he exclaimed. I was nearly gone at that time. I guess you would have been if we hadn't been on hand to save you.
What the mischief did your friend mean by chucking you overboard and then leaving you to swim ashore or go to the bottom of the bay, with all the chances in favor of the latter? asked Bertie curiously. Never you mind that, replied Oliver sulkily.
I wish you'd follow that boat and see where that feller lands on Staten Island and then put me on shore. What are you going to do, have him pinched? asked Willie. He deserves it.
Don't you worry, growled Oliver, giving him an unfriendly look. You don't seem to be very grateful for what we've done for you, said Willie with an air of disgust at Bounce's unsociable deportment. You'd have committed murder if you hadn't pulled me out, he answered ungraciously. Maybe so, but it strikes me you wouldn't have been missed, said Willie coolly. What do you mean by that, replied Oliver angrily.
Can't you guess, grinned Beryl's brother. You go to grass, retorted Oliver. Willie made no reply, but regarded him with contempt. What are you looking at? snarled Oliver. Think I'm a guy, don't you?
Because I'm soaked, eh? Why don't you offer me a cigarette like a decent chap? Sorry, but I don't indulge in the article. Don't you? sneered Bounce. What a pity.
I suppose you belong to the YMCA. I do, but I'm very proud to be a member. Ah, you make me sick. Say, where are you going, anyway? didn't I tell you to follow that boat?'
Bertie, who wished to have nothing to do with Oliver Bounce, had, in the meantime, returned to the engine, which was in the center of the launch, and started her propeller again. "'You'll have to speak to the skipper of the launch, Bertie Ballister.'
"'Don't want nothing to do with him,' replied Oliver morosely. "'But you know him. What if I do? He ain't nothing much.' "'I guess the sooner we put you on shore, the better,' said Willie with a frown.
You follow that boat and see where she goes. That's all I want of you. You have a pleasant way of asking a favor, answered Willie, turning on his heel and going to where Bertie and his sister were seated. Say, Bertie, what do you suppose that chap wants us to do?
Follow that boat until he sees where she lands. Follow her? Why, we can go four feet to her one. We shall pass her within a hundred yards in a very few minutes. You see, the fellow aboard of her is watching us and keeping away as well as he can with the light wind.
You say this chap's name is Bounce? Yes, Oliver Bounce. He expects that sailboat to haul in somewhere along Staten Island. So we'll just land him at St. George and let him shadow his friend, the enemy, himself. He can easily lie and wait till the boat hauls in to shore.
What say you, Bertie? I think that will be the best way to get rid of him. His company is not at all agreeable, so you just steer for the ferry dock. Willie returned to his seat in the stern, and a moment later they went by the sailboat at a rapid clip and headed straight for St. George.
Oliver Bounce got up and started to say something, but he thought better of it, and resumed his seat, in an ugly mood. The launch glided up to a landing stage and stopped. You can go ashore, Oliver, said Bertie calmly. Oh, I can, eh?
Putting on airs, ain't you, because you're spending your dough on a boat taking your mash out sailing. With a nasty grin. Suppose I don't know who you've got with you, eh?
He added as he stepped on the landing stage. The flower gal who used to hang around the corner of Nassau Street. I ain't forgotten what you did on her account. She's playing you for a good thing, all right. And he laughed jeeringly.
Bertie had heard enough from him, and he bounded out on the deck, whereupon Oliver sprang up on the dock and disappeared. Beryl had heard his insinuations and insulting words and her face flushed a deep scarlet while her eyes filled with tears.
Ah, well, let him go, muttered Bertie. It's Sunday. But if I had laid my hands on him, I'd have made him see stars. He's a disagreeable beast, remarked Willie, as Bertie returned to the launch,
and they headed off into the bay. Oh, Bertie, said Beryl. You don't think I'm— Don't worry, Beryl. Oliver Bound says lots more than his prayers.
You ought to know what I think of you. There isn't a girl in the world I care more for than you. I've made up my mind to have you all to myself one of these days, he added boldly, with a look that showed he meant every word.
And I hope you won't turn me down. Oh, Bertie, she answered with a happy blush. What else he said to her concerns only themselves, but he said a great deal more than he had any idea of saying when he started on the trip. At any rate, the ill nature of Oliver Bounce bore pleasant fruit, so that in the end Bertie
was rather pleased than otherwise that Bounce had been a passenger. He landed his fair companion and her brother in Hoboken about five o'clock, returned the launch to her moorings, and went home. End of chapter 15
