Steady now, lads!"
This seemed to presage good. Van Cleft turned to his butler.
"Take down the luggage, Edward. Goodbye, Sam. Keep an eye on
the machines. The folks will attend to everything for you while
I am away. Good-bye."
The butler had delivered the baggage and now returned up the
ladder, puffing with his exertions.
"Good-bye, sir," and his voice was more emotional than usual.
"Watch yourself, sir, if you please, sir. You're the last Van
Cleft, and we need you, sir." The old man touched his hat, and
climbed into the automobile, as Van Cleft climbed down the
ladder. The machine sped away under the skilful guidance of Sam.
"Steady, sir, steady--There, we have you now, sir,--Quick, men!
Up the river with the tide. Row like hell!--Keep your oars
muffled--here comes the other boat."
All this seemed naturally the accompaniment of the embarkment of
Van Cleft's yachting cruise, but the sleeping longshoreman
suddenly arose to his feet and blew a shrill police whistle.
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