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.
