“We’re going back to Belize,” said Gaines humbly, “and I feel like a criminal, caught and carried back to jail.”
“Why so?” inquired Bob.
“Why, because Speake, Clackett, and I got the Grampus into that mess of trouble. She’s had more narrow escapes this trip than she ever had since she was launched—and when we listened to the don you’d have thought we were off on a little pleasure excursion.”
“I feel mighty tough myself,” put in Speake.
“So do I,” cried Clackett from the conning tower.
A little of the conversation had drifted up to him—enough so that he could catch the prevailing sentiment of the remarks.
“Don’t fret about what you can’t help, men,” said Bob.
“But what will Cap’n Nemo, junior, say?” said Gaines.
“Why, you said he’d be glad we went, after we came back and reported,” said Speake. “Have ye changed yer mind, Gaines?”
“I’ve changed my mind a good many times since we set off on this cruise,” replied Gaines.