"Why, that's higher than dad would want to pay," Chet said. Uncle Dock shrugged his shoulders. "Take it or leave it. We ain't askin' for his trade." "You won't get it. Not at those prices." It was quite evident that Uncle Dock and his strange associates were not desirous of encouraging any outside trade for the old mill, However, Frank realized that the men had a right to manufacture patented food in secret if they wished, so he nudged Chet as a signal against any further questions. They had reached the door of the mill by now, and Markel hustled Lester inside before he had a chance to say anything further to the boys, although the lad cast an appealing glance behind as though he would have liked again to express his thanks to his rescuers. "Where do you fellows live?" asked Kurt, peering at them from under his shaggy eyebrows. "Bayport." "You're a long way from home." "We're just on a hike," explained Frank. "We just thought we'd come around this way." "You'll be late for supper if you don't hurry back." This broad hint was not lost on the boys. It was clear that the men wanted to get rid of them. "I guess we'll be on our way. We'll go in for a swim farther up the river so Joe can have a chance to dry his clothes." This seemed to remind Uncle Dock of the fact that Joe had, after all, saved Lester's life. He reached for his pocket. "I'd like to reward you for saving the lad," he said, becoming suddenly affable. Joe shook his head, and when Uncle Dock took two five dollar bills from his pocket and offered them to the boys, one to Frank and the other to Joe, they disclaimed any intention of accepting money for what had plainly been their duty. But no sooner had Uncle Dock extended the bills than the other man, Kurt, gave a muffled exclamation and stepped forward. He snatched the money from Uncle Dock's hands and quickly turned around, with his back to the boys. The interruption was only of about a second's duration, for Kurt at once wheeled about and again extended the money. He gave a short, nervous laugh. "My mistake!" he said. "I thought he was only offering you a dollar each. You deserve five. It's all right. Here--take it." He thrust the money upon them but they refused. Kurt did not press the point. He put the bills back in his own pocket. "All right. If you won't, I suppose there's no use arguing," he said, with evident relief. "But we're very grateful to you just the same. Well, Dock, what say we get back to work?" he continued, turning to his companion. Uncle Dock turned away and went back into the mill with Kurt. "It's plain they don't want _us_ hanging around," said Joe, with a rueful glance at his clothes. "Let's go on up the river so I can throw these clothes over a hickory limb and get 'em dried out before we start back home." CHAPTER X THE NEW BOAT