"But see what I have offered you."
"Yes, if we win out, as the saying goes. But things won't be so nice if we lose, will they?"
"I don't intend to lose. I have a scheme on hand for getting to Lake Huron before to-morrow morning."
"By what means?"
"Hire a large and swift tug to haul the Peacock. We can make splendid time, considering that the schooner is without a cargo."
"Who is going to pay the towing bill?"
"How much will it be?"
"The kind of tug you want will cost about fifty dollars."
"All right then, I'll pay the bill."
The idea pleased the captain, and the bargain was struck then and there.
Half an hour later a tug was sighted and hailed, and the captain told a story of a "rush job" waiting for him at Port Huron. A bargain was struck for the towing, and soon a hawser was cast over to the schooner and the race for Lake Huron began.
