he would stay there for some time, buying supplies for himself, and for a number of other fishermen, who had asked him to obtain things for them. There was a general store at the bridge—a store which supplied many sailors and fishermen with the things they needed for their work.
While waiting for Silas, the boys went ashore and wandered about the little settlement about the store. Finally the fisherman came out and said:
"Boys, I find I've got to go down near the inlet after some stuff. Now you said your folks didn't want you to go there, and I don't want to take you when Mrs. Bouncer said you weren't to go. So you'd better stay here until I come back. I won't be long."
"Oh, that's no fun!" exclaimed Bob.
"I wonder if we couldn't go," suggested Frank.
"There isn't any danger; is there?" asked Sammy.
"I don't think so," answered Silas, "but them women folks has their own opinions. I never go agin 'em."
The three chums were much disappointed, when Bob saw a telephone on the wall.
"That's the thing I" he cried. "I'm going to telephone my mother at the cottage, and ask her if we can't go. I'll tell her there's no danger."
"And you can tell her I said so," put in Silas, for he liked the Fairview boys, and wanted to give them the pleasures of the trip.
Bob was soon talking to his mother over the wire, and, after some hesitation, she said the boys might make the longer trip. And, on the suggestion of Silas, Bob said they would probably not be home for dinner, since it would be late.
"We'll just get a lunch on my boat," said Silas. "I've got plenty to eat, and a stove to cook it on."
