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 boat's former owners or of the quarry company. In any case, those rotted ropes would have been of only temporary use. Laurie offered to run over to a store and get some new line, but Brose vetoed that suggestion.

"You fellers hold her here a few minutes," he said. "We've got some second-hand stuff over in the shed that'll do fine and won't cost you but a few cents. All we need is about thirty feet at each end." He chugged off, leaving the boys sitting on the rail of the boat with their legs dangling over the bulkhead planking. The Pequot Queen showed no desire to leave her new home. In fact, she seemed more desirous of pushing her way right up on the beach, and Laurie audibly wondered whether they hadn't better somehow strengthen the bulkhead.

"I guess she'll be all right when she's once tied up," said Bob. "We'll ask the Wilkins chap when he comes back."

Brose allayed their fears as he climbed aboard the Pequot Queen with a supply of thick hawser. "She won't budge when we get her fixed," he assured them. "Ease her off a bit while I stick these fenders over the side." The fenders were