By the time this feast was finished their own garments were thoroughly dry, and as lightning change artists they appeared in their own clothes, renewed in body as well as in appearance. "We have fed and slept," said Berwick, "and ought to be ready for the next move." "Herr Scheff," questioned Jim, "do you happen to know where we can get a good rowboat?" This gave to his comrade some indication of what the next move would be. "Yah! Yah! mein freund," replied the German, who felt as gracious as it was possible for him to feel. "You go down the beach haf a mile and you find a fisherman and him got two very nice boats." Thanking their German acquaintance, they spoke a hearty good-by to Frau Scheff who bade them a cheerful and affectionate farewell, making them promise to come to the restaurant when they needed food, clothing or shelter. The two comrades started down the beach, continuing until they came to a sheltered cove where, in a small, ship-shape hut, they found a weazened old fisherman who regarded them with taciturn scrutiny when they told him what they wanted. "For a couple of days you want my boat? All right, I charge you five dollars." Jim readily agreed to this. "We haven't got much sense," exclaimed the engineer suddenly. "If we are going on a cruise we ought to have some provisions." Jim hit his skull a sound rap. "Dunkerhead," he exclaimed. "I tell you, John, when we select the boat we will row up to Frau Scheff's and lay in a supply. That must have been my original plan, but I forgot it," concluded Jim brazenly. Berwick threw back his head and laughed heartily. "There is no getting away from it, Jim, you have a good opinion of yourself." This gave Jim a certain shock as the expression of his face showed. "I was only joshing," he said, and there was a slight sense of hurt in his tones that Berwick was quick to recognize. "That's all right, old chap," he said, "your head is level." This straightened out, they went and took a look at the old sailor's two boats in the cove. One was painted white with a red stripe, and the other was as black as a Venetian Gondola. "That's a beauty," exclaimed Jim enthusiastically, looking at the lines of her, and he pointed to the black boat. "She oughter be, I built her myself," said the old sailor, "and I know somethin' about boats, too." "Got speed?" ejaculated Jim. "Enough to burn a streak across this bay, boy." Jim laughed good-naturedly, and the old sailor was evidently pleased with his appreciation. CHAPTER XXIX A REMINISCENCE The bargain completed, the two comrades were about to board the craft when the old sailor of the cove interposed. "I reckon you ain't in any sort of a hurry. If you start across the bay now before it gets plumb dark old Bill Broome is liable to ketch yer," and the aged fellow gave Jim a shrewd look from under his grizzled eyebrows. "I guess that he wouldn't really do us any damage," replied Jim, with an assumed carelessness.