Page:Raymond Spears--Diamond Tolls.djvu/192

 "I can't do it," Urleigh shook his head. "I'm about broke. This boat took a lot of my money."

"Hell! I didn't know that!" Gost exclaimed, and Macrado seemed disappointed, a fact that Gost observed, as he continued: "Can you raise twenty-five? Eh? Look'n see—it's important"

Urleigh thought a minute, and then he drew out a billfold. In the fold were three bills, a ten, two fives, and a one.

"I kin make it up!" Gost declared, going into the galley, and rattling the cooking ware. He returned with eighty dollars in bills.

"We'll trade!" he cried, eagerly, and Urleigh found himself in another river deal which he did not quite understand.

Gost would not wait. In a few minutes the few things on board that they wanted on the motorboat were transferred, including Urleigh's suitcase and clothes. The two partners jumped into the motorboat, shoved off, and with the motor running, started by Cost, they steered down the eddy into the current and headed toward Fort Pillow. When they were out of hearing Gost turned to Urleigh and grinned.

"This boat'll sell anywhere for four hundred if it's painted. We'll make money on it. Macrado 'lowed two-fifty for that shantyboat. That's trading, that is. But we could sink this old boat and never