"I'll do as much for you," he whispered to the boy fisherman.
"That's all right, Bartie," replied his rescuer.
"See here!" now inquired Dan. "What are those spoonies up to? Where are they a-goin', I wonder, on that raft? To Afriky?"
"Guess that craft's got to be picked up too. She's a-makin' for the sea in spite of all their polin'," said Bill.
The Great Emperor was indeed moving seaward. Captain Dick was frantically ordering his crew to "pull her round;" but like sovereigns generally, the Great Emperor had a mind of its own, and would not be "pulled round." Deliberately the raft was making headway for the open sea, and possibly "Afriky." It might be a conspiracy on the part of wind and tide to aid in this wilful attempt of the raft; but if a conspiracy, it was no secret. The tide was openly pressing against the raft with its broad blue shoulders, and the wind openly blew against the boys, as if they were so much canvas spread for its filling.
"What you up to, fellers?" shouted Dick to Dab and John Richards, who managed one of the poles. "Bring her round and head her for the shore!"
"We can't," said John pettishly.
"Can't!" replied Dick in scorn. "Why can't you? Tell me! Then we will spend the night on the sea.-- You pull, Jimmy."
"Can't!" said Jimmy Davis nervously. "She--she--won't turn--and--"
Here his pole slipped out of its hole and down he tumbled on the raft, his pole falling into the water.