The fourth and remaining share hung fire. Unless a purchaser could
be found for this, the bargain was to fall through.
I am afraid I required but slight urging to join in the investment.
I had four dollars and fifty cents on hand, and the treasurer of
the Centipedes (1 A secret society, composed of twelve boys of the
Temple Grammar School, Rivermouth.) advanced me the balance,
receiving my silver pencil-case as ample security. It was a proud
moment when I stood on the wharf with my partners, inspecting the
Dolphin, moored at the foot of a very slippery flight of steps. She
was painted white with a green stripe outside, and on the stern a
yellow dolphin, with its scarlet mouth wide open, stared with a
surprised expression at its own reflection in the water. The boat
was a great bargain.
I whirled my cap in the air, and ran to the stairs leading down
from the wharf, when a hand was laid gently on my shoulder. I
turned, and faced Captain Nutter (2 Tom Bailey's grandfather.) I
never saw such an old sharp-eye as he was in those days.
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