Nothing like having a soft place to fall, is there, old chap?"
Teddy uttered an unintelligible growl.
"That's right; insult me. I'm only a clown and--and
a life-saver--"
"And one of the best fellows a chap could have for his
friend, eh? I was only joking, Teddy."
"I accept your apology. My hand on it," answered
Teddy condescendingly. "Next time you can fall
on the ground or any old place. I don't care.
I shan't try to catch you."
"If I remember correctly, you could not very well help yourself
in this instance. You did not catch me. I caught you--caught
you unawares. There is Mr. Sparling and there are the boats.
Don't they look fine, all lighted up inside, their signal lights
burning on the outside?"
"They look wet to me."
Thin wisps of smoke were curling lazily from the funnels of the
three boats, for the stokers had not yet started to get up steam.
Some hours would elapse before the fleet would be ready to begin
its journey down the big river.
"There goes the 'Little Nemo,'" cried Teddy.
The smaller of the three steamboats moved slowly out into the
stream, and there came to anchor to await the other boats.
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