All this was rather enigmatical, but Ralph understood that he was not
to ask any questions.

After that Mr. Bludson maintained a dignified silence as he plunged,
with Ralph at his side, into the regions of the wholesale trade. They
called at several grocery and provision stores, and also at a ship
chandler's. The boatswain had sundry talks with sundry clerks and some
drays were loaded.

Finally the two emerged upon the river front where lay, among other
craft, a steam tug with a gang plank ashore. Tom pulled off his coat
and gave it to Ralph, saying:

"Climb aboard with this, then come back and bear a hand."

The lad ran down the plank and deposited the boatswain's jacket and his
bundle in the helmsman's closet, then made his way back and took hold
of the incoming freight with a will.

In half an hour the stores were on board, and the tug, casting loose,
began to steam swiftly down the river.

It being Ralph's first experience afloat, the swift, gliding motion and
the noisy engine interested him greatly. The novelty was, in its way,
as exciting as his first car ride.

"What is it makes things go?" he asked of Bludson, who was sprawled
upon a coil of cable, smoking a short black pipe.