“Janet makes me tired,” said Douglas irritably. “What if you did fight Garrieau? What difference does it make?”
“Your sister’s view-point is different,” answered Donald gloomily. “You must be curious to know more about me, Doug, yet you have never asked any questions.”
“I have often wondered,” admitted Douglas; “but if you wished me to know you would tell me. I don’t give a hang who you are or what you are. You suit me.”
“Thanks, Doug.”
The shrill blast of the steamer’s whistle smote their ears.
“ ’Ere, you blighters!” shouted Andy from the top deck, “are you goin’ on this blinkin’ picnic?”
The lines were cast off, the water boiled under the steamer’s stern. They backed slowly from the dock, swung about and headed for the Narrows. The scores of screaming gulls that accompanied them hovered over the deck, their keen eyes on the lookout for any bits of waste food that should fall in the steamer’s wake. Boats plied in and out, every kind of craft from small fishing-boat to ocean liner.
A bright sun, beaming with all the warmth and splendour of full morning, bathed inlet and mountain in a wide shower of gold. A strong westerly wind bucked an outgoing tide, the foam of tossing wave crests flashing white in the sunlight. The tumbling combers hissed and crashed against the sturdy bow of the boat, causing her to pitch jerkily. The salt breeze whipped a glow into the faces of the party gathered near the pilot-house and strummed noisily through the masts and superstructure. A yacht-like passenger steamer from Victoria, painted a pure white, swept past them, a smother of foam at her bow. A rakishly-built tug trudged cityward with a huge raft of logs in tow, a pillar of inky smoke streaming over her bow.
As they passed the sheer wall of Prospect Point, Donald’s thought reverted to his first meeting with Janet. Douglas, who had been studying the shore through binoculars, passed the glasses to Donald and pointed to the bluff. At first he saw nothing of special interest and turned to glance at Douglas inquiringly.
“Janet,” smiled Douglas.