"My goodness, I hope we don't have to make our lunch on that," said Margy, but she had to admit that it would be better than nothing at all to eat.
"Now if I can have an hour or so without being interrupted," said Larry significantly, when breakfast was over and he had measured out the drinking water, taking none himself, "I think perhaps I can fix this stubborn thing that's called an engine for want of a better name."
"We won't bother," Fred promised. "It's all right to go round and look a bit, isn't it? Maybe we can find the spring you spoke of, Larry."
"Don't go too far, though I don't know as you could lose your way," said Larry, getting out his tools and preparing to work at the engine. "As I recollect, it isn't more than four miles around the whole island. I guess I'll be right here when you get back."
They laughed a little at the joke, and, Fred and Ward in the lead, set out to explore the island. It did feel good to have firm ground under their feet and Jess said that never, never, never would she be a sailor!
"The fog is lifting a little," said Jess. "Look—you can see the water from here."
All looked and saw the ocean beneath the edges of the fog which was like a blanket.
"Come on down and walk on the rocks," urged Ward. "Maybe we can find conch shells wedged in. I'd like to take some home to Mother."
Fred observed that he thought if they got themselves home they would be doing well, but they obediently turned and went down to the rocks. The fog was gradually blowing out to sea, but so slowly that it was scarcely perceptible.
"Don't stumble!" Polly warned. "It wouldn't be any fun to fall on those jagged points. What's the matter, Margy?"