"This here way, of course," said Ben, pointing.
"Huh! an' there ain't no path there, nothin' but briahs an' big rocks an' swamp. How yo' goin' to get through there? This here way is the right way, because it am plain to be seen that it am a thoroughfare, and has been promenaded by pedestrians before now."
"I don't care what has happened to it, and it may be a good road all the same, but it ain't the course we sot out on, and so it's the wrong one to take, and I ain't going to take it."
At this point Jack, Dick and Jesse W. came along, being much amused at the arguments offered by the disputants.
"How are you heading, Ben?" asked Jack in the soberest fashion.
"Nothe-nothe-east, sir," said the old seaman, saluting.
"Change your course to north."
"Aye-aye, sir, north it is," said Ben.
"And follow in our wake in case you are needed."
"Aye-aye, sir, follow in your wake it is, yes, sir."