On their arrival at the landing, the two friends found Puff waiting for them. He had discerned the return of his treasure at a greater distance than any other man could have made her out, and now he expressed his entire approval of the morning’s catch, except that he mildly deprecated the absence of anything like big fish. “P’r’aps they’ll bite better for you when they come to know you,” he said encouragingly. “They’re a little strange to your way of fishing yet. Are ye goin’ right back to th’ village?” “No,” said Bar; “we’ve some fun on hand we want to talk to you about.” Puff was all ears in a moment, and the result of Bar’s explanation was that the boys were taken over to the workshop at once, while Mrs. Evans began with intense zeal to broil some fresh fish for their noonday meal. It speedily came out that Puff had indeed a sound reason for denying himself that day’s sport on the water. The experience of the previous day and the suggestions of Pat Murphy that morning had borne quick fruit in the shape of a commencement on another boat. “I’ve named the old one _Mary_,” he said, “arter my wife, and I reckon you may name this one.” “When it’s built,” said Bar. “But it’s a wonder you never thought of it before. You can make money at it.” “P’r’aps,” said Puff, drily, “but I’d no idea I’d inj’ye it so much as I hev. Might ha’ known it, too. I was jest as happy a-buildin’ the _Mary_. When a man finds a piece of real work in which he can be just happy, that’s the kind of thing God meant him for most likely, and he’d better go ahead and do it, if he can do it honestly.” But Bar and Val were too full of their own ideas to linger very long in looking at Puff’s boat, and Bar found his ideas caught up and put into shape with a readiness of perception and a swiftness of execution which altogether surprised him. “You’ll make a perfect job of it,” said Bar. “What do you think it will be worth?” “Worth?” inquired Puff. “Yes,” said Bar. “What are we to pay you for it?” “Why,” replied Puff, with a darkening brow, “didn’t you tell me it was a big joke on Ogleport?” “Yes,” began Bar. “And ain’t I to hev any sheer o’ the fun?” asked Puff. “Besides, I’m on hand for anything you two fellers are up to. I owe ye all the good turns in the world. Jest don’t you say anythin’ more about pay, or you’ll spile it all.” “We won’t, then,” said Bar, for it was easy to see that Puff was beginning to feel hurt; and at that moment Mrs. Evans appeared at the door of the shop to tell them dinner was ready. So were the boys, for fishing and rowing on Skanigo were fine things for young appetites, and before that meal was over, it became clear that some more fish would have to be caught if they meant to carry anything like a respectable string home with them. They did that, however, and they carried something else more than halfway. CHAPTER XVIII MAJOR MONTAGUE’S PLANS THWARTED