The boys soon concluded that the shooting on the farther side of the island would not be heard by them, and straightway their anxiety increased.
Diamond was for starting out at once to look for Frank. He did not believe in waiting till the hour was up; but Hodge, who in his heart was the most anxious man of the party, objected to disobeying Merry's plain command.
"He told us to stay here an hour, and I shall stay here," said Bart.
"I suppose you would stay if you heard him shouting for help?" said the Virginian, hotly.
Bart flushed, for he did not fancy being spoken to in that tone of voice.
"I have always found it best to do just as Merriwell directs," said Hodge, stiffly. "If you wish to go search for him, you may go. I remain here twenty minutes longer."
Browning grunted his approval of the stand taken by Bart, and Jack gave them both a savage look.
Hans, who had refused to partake of the clams while the man in gray was present, was feeling very hungry, and that made him still more miserable.
"Oxcuse me, poys," he said. "I must made a raid der ship's brovisions ubon. I vill peen pack britty soon, if nod before."
Then he took the boat and rowed off to the yacht, where he lost no time in satisfying the cravings of his "inner man."