s in. What he doesn't know about
boats and the docks isn't worth knowing. They say he can tell almost
any of the regular steamers just by their whistles, before they can be
seen in a fog."

"Well, he's a good diver, anyhow. Guess he'll save that boat, all
right. It's a nervy thing to do. He ought to get a reward."

"So he had, but I don't suppose he will. Probably some sailor tied his
boat up while he went ashore, and the knot slipped. He'll never give
the boy anything."

"Look! He's almost at her now."

"So he is. Say, but he's a swift swimmer. I never saw any one who
could beat him."

"Me either. There! He's in the boat and he's rowing her out of the
way."

"That's right, and the crowd on the steamer is cheering him. Guess
that pilot's mad enough to chew nails. It'll take him ten minutes
longer to dock now, on account of that rowboat getting in his way."

"Lots of pilots would have run right in, and not cared whether they
smashed the boat or not," said a third man, joining in the
conversation.

"So they would, but John Weatherby isn't that kind. He's one of the
best and most careful pilots on the lake, but he's getting old.
Perhaps that's what makes him so careful."

"Maybe; but now the steamer's coming in. The boy has the boat out of
the way. I've got to get my team. I'm expecting a big load this trip."

"So am I," added the other two men, who were teamsters and freight
handlers. They separated to get ready for the unloading of the cargo,
which would soon follow the docking of the steamer, that was now
proceeding again after the delay caused by the drifting boat.

In the meanwhile, Nat Morton had climbed into the small craft, and
finding a pair of oars under the seats, was propelling it toward a
float from which it had drifted. He had paid little attention to the
cheers of the crew of the freighter, who in this way showed their
appreciation of what he had done. Nat was anxious to find the owner of
the boat, for he had in mind a possible reward.

As he reached the float he saw a young man hurrying down the inclined
gangplank that led to the top of the bulkhead. The youth seemed
excited.

"Here! What are you doing in my boat?" he cried. "Get out of it right
away! I thought some of you dock-rats would try to steal it if I left
it alone an hour or so."

"Oh, you did, eh?" asked Nat as he stepped out on the float. "Well,
you're mistaken. Next time you want to learn how to tie a knot that
won't slip whe