"Didn't he have any life insurance, or anything like that?"
"Not that I know of. I remember he said just before he went on--on his last trip--he told me if it turned out all right he'd have a nice sum in the bank, but I never heard anything about it. They found his body, but there was no money in the clothes, nor any bank books."
"Oh, I make out pretty well. I live with a Mr. William Miller and his wife. They're poor, but they're good to me. He's a 'longshoreman, and he works around the docks. I do, too, whenever there is any work to be had, and I manage to make a living, though it isn't very much of a one."
"No, I presume not. Perhaps if I speak to my father he might give you a position on his boat."
"I'm much obliged to you," replied Nat. "I like boats and the water. I'd like to be a pilot."
"I'm afraid dad couldn't give you that job," answered young Mr. Scanlon. "We have a good pilot."
"And I don't want to leave the Millers," added the boy. "They've been good to me, and I want to pay them back. But isn't that some one calling you?"
He pointed to a figure down on the float, where the boat was tied.
"Yes. That's the mate of my father's steam yacht. Probably father sent him for me. Well, I'll have to say good-by. I hope I'll see you again."
"I hope so, too, especially if you have any more boats you want saved. I'm afraid five dollars is too much."
"It's more than I could earn in a week," went on Nat as he carefully folded the bill and placed it in his pocket. "All the same, I think I'll try for a job here now. It looks as if they needed lots of hands, because the boat is late."
Bidding John Scanlon good-by Nat turned back to the freight office, in front of which there was now only a small throng looking for employment.
Owing to the time he had spent talking to the young man whose boat he saved, Nat lost a chance of getting work in helping to unload the steamer. Still he did help to carry some freight to the waiting trucks and drays, and for this he received fifty cents. But as he had five dollars, he did not mind the small sum paid him by the freight agent.
"You weren't around as early as usual," remarked that official as he observed Nat. "You usually make more than this."
"I know it, but I had a job that paid me better," and our hero told about the boat incident.