Try to earn this and pay it back quickly.

You know, trade is slow in the summer time, and we have several bills to meet." "Yes, I'll pay it back, mother, at the first chance---and I'll make the chance---somehow," promised young Prescott.

"Thank you." The money in his hand, Dick raced back to the lot where the show tent still stood.
He was back before any of the others and waited impatiently.
Dave Darrin came up ten minutes later.
"Did you get it ?" asked Dick anxiously.
"Yes," replied Dave laconically, pushing two one dollar bills into Dick's hand.
One by one the other boys arrived.

Each had managed to round up his part of the assessment.
With thirteen dollars in his hand, Dick went up to the auctioneer's clerk.
"I am ready to pay the other eleven dollars on the canoe," Prescott announced, speaking as calmly as possible.
"All right," agreed the clerk.

"But you'll have to find some man you can trust to take the bill of sale.