Thompson?"

"Yes, that is his name."

"He got the place for you?"

"Yes."

"How did you happen to know him?"

"It's a long story. He was knocked down and robbed and Rose and I went
to his assistance. But we must go now. Mrs. Hadley wanted us to do some
sewing for the captain while on this trip," and Mrs. Clare walked away,
followed by Rose. Peter Polk gazed after them thoughtfully.

"I hope she doesn't get the captain's wife too much interested in her
affairs," he muttered to himself. "I shouldn't care to have the old
accounts raked up in court."

CHAPTER XIX

AN UNLOOKED-FOR ENCOUNTER

It was now early in September and the travel down the river was
particularly heavy, for many folks who had been away for a vacation
were returning to the metropolis. Baggage kept pouring in until the
lower deck was practically filled.

"This is a banner season, so Malloy tells me," said Jones to Randy.

"I know there is lots of work," answered our hero, whose arms ached not
a little.

"Never mind, I've got good news."

"What is that?"

"Mr. Shalley is going to allow us an extra five dollars this month."

"Good enough."

Randy had received several letters from home. Matters were going
smoothly and Mr. Thompson was feeling better every day. The garden was
doing finely. In one letter Mrs. Thompson wrote that there had been two
strikes at the iron works, each due to Mr. Bangs' overbearing manner
towards his workmen.

"I thought he'd have trouble sooner or later," said Randy to himself,
as he perused the communication. "What a pity that Mr. Bartlett isn't
in charge."

One fine afternoon the _Helen Shalley_ was steaming down the river as
usual and Randy was near the bow, coiling up a hawser, when he noticed
a sloop some distance ahead. It was tacking in an uncertain manner, as
if the party on board did not know much about sailing such a craft.

The sloop was directly in the path of the big steamboat, and the latter
gave a warning whistle and then turned to one side. As she did this the
sloop turned in the same direction.

"Hullo! What does that fellow in the sloop mean?" cried Randy to Jones,
who was near.

"What's the matter?"

"He'll be run down if he doesn't look out."

"Some fool that doesn't know how to sail a boat, I guess," said the
other deckhand.

Swiftly the steamboat and the sloop drew close to one another. The big
boat let out another warning blast, and again the pilot turned her out
of h