“Okay, Derek,” Uncle Charlie called. “Lay off. They’re long gone.”
Derek joined Biff and his uncle, and they watched the light of the fast-disappearing boat. Then, the tension relieved, the three sank down on the sand and howled with laughter.
When Biff was finally able to control his laughing spell, he got up with a start.
“Crunch!” he exclaimed. “What happened to him? I didn’t see him get in the boat.”
“He’s probably halfway across the Atlantic by now,” Charlie answered. “Swimming his lungs out to get away from the evil spirits.”
A search of the small island was started. Crunch was found on the far side, cowering behind a small sand dune.
Once the giant Indian had been calmed down—and Biff had to work hard on him to convince him the evil spirits had fled—Crunch fell to his knees and with outstretched arms, said to Biff:
“Please. Crunch stay with you now, work for you? Do anything you say. Crunch afraid to go back to boss Dietz.”
“Good for you, Crunch. Glad to have you join us.”
The four walked back to the tent.