Page:Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht.djvu/154

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CHAPTER XVI


UNCLE EZRA AS A SAILOR


Two days after the Albatross left Savannah harbor, another small steam vessel made her way in. Had any one been interested in her identity he could have made out the name Princess on bow and stern, but to the casual observer this meant little or nothing, save that the craft was not a very spruce-looking member of the royal family.

There was an air of neglect about her. The paint was scraped off in many places, and was dingy in others. When she rolled a bit on the swells a glimpse could be had of many barnacles clinging to her copper plates. In fact, she was rather a forlorn Princess who came to anchor on the edge of the channel.

"Now, you boys get into a boat, go ashore and see if he's been here," said an old man, whose chin was adorned with a small bunch of white whiskers, that moved up and down when he talked. "Just make some inquiries, and find out if the yacht Albatross has been here, and when she left. And, mind you, don't you go to spending money, 'cause I won't give you any more."

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