Three-quarters of an hour later Jack and Hal felt they had seen about as
much of the town as they cared for, when a hailing voice stopped them.
"Finding it pretty dull, gentlemen?"
"Oh, good evening," replied Captain Jack, recognizing the bearded man whom
he had refused admittance to the "Farnum."
"Pretty stupid town, isn't it, Captain?" asked the stranger, holding out
his hand, which Jack Benson took.
"As lively as we thought it would be," Hal rejoined. "We just came ashore
to stretch ourselves a bit. Thought we might lay a course to an ice-cream
soda, too, but failed."
"These fishermen don't have such things," smiled the stranger. "They are
content with the bare necessities of life, with a little grog and tobacco
added. Speaking of grog, would you care to try the best this town has,
gentlemen?"
"Thank you," Jack answered, politely. "We've never either of us tasted the
stuff, and we don't care to begin."
"Drop into the drug-store and have a cigar, then?"
"We don't smoke, either, thank you," came from Hal.
"You young men are rather hard to entertain in a place like this," sighed
the stranger, but his eyes twinkled.
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