"Of course it is; you know the _Sea-mew_ as well as I do." "Nice gentleman, Mr. Woodridge," said Brack. "If you don't let me get into the boat I'll take another," said Dick. Brack grinned. "You'll not be doin' that, I'm thinking, after all I've done for yer." "What have you done?" asked Dick surprised. Brack looked indignant. "Yer don't recollect? Well I'm blessed! Fancy forgettin' things like that!" "Out with it," said Dick. "I give yer the winner of the Leger three year runnin', and it's forgotten. Lor' bless us, what memories young gents has!" growled Brack. Dick laughed heartily as he said: "So you did, old man. You're a real good tipster for the Yorkshire race." "So I ought'er be. Don't I hail from there? I can always scent a Leger winner, smell 'em like I can the salt from the sea, comes natural somehow," said Brack, as he moved away and allowed Dick to step in. He pulled with long steady strokes and was soon out of the inner harbor, making for the yacht. "By jove, this is a lovely morning!" said Dick, looking at the glorious hills he knew so well. "Nowt like Yorkshire," growled Brack. Dick laughed as he said: "You're a lucky man to be at Torquay, all the same; much warmer, fine climate." "Hot as----," said Brack with a grunt. "You haven't told me your news," said Dick. "It'll keep," said Brack. "Bet you a shilling you let it out before you reach the _Sea-mew_," said Dick. "I don't bet," said Brack. "You mean you dare not in this case, or you would lose." "Very like I should, because I see yer burstin' to hear it, and I wouldn't like to disappoint yer," said Brack, as he ceased rowing and leaned on his oars. "Tired?" said Dick. "With that bit of a pull," said Brack, disgusted; "I should think not!" "Then what are you resting for?" "I baint restin', I'm easin' my oars." "Oh, that's it: the oars are tired," said Dick. "No more tired than I am, but when I gives 'em a spell for a few minutes they seems to work better," said Brack. "What's more, I talks better when I leans on 'em, sort o' gives me composure, and time to think; I'm a beggar to think." Dick was amused; he wanted to reach the _Sea-mew_, but on this sunny morning it was good to sit in the boat on the blue smooth water and listen to old Brack for a few minutes. "You must have done a lot of thinking in your time," said Dick, falling into his humor. "I'm thinking now," said Brack. "What about?" "That poor devil who escaped from Dartmoor five days ago." Dick smiled. "Is that your news?" "Yes." "There have been several escapes lately." "But they've all been caught in no time; this chap ain't, and by gum, lad, if he come'd my way I'd help him out. I don't believe they'll get him; at least I hopes not." "They'll have him right enough," said Dick. "A convict at large is a danger to all on the moor." "This one ain't," said Brack. "'Sides, he may be innocent." "Innocent men don't get into Princetown," said Dick.