"If you tell me what we owe you, I'll pay it," he said.
Meg was silent. Had she had her own way she would have charged nothing.
"Everything considered, I guess it's worth a quarter apiece," said Max Pooler. "Provisions are frightfully high."
"I'm well satisfied," replied Mont; and taking out his purse, he withdrew a half dollar, and handed it over. "I am very much obliged to you," he added to Meg.
Max Pooler's eyes sparkled as they rested upon the shining silver. He grasped the coin eagerly, and after examining it, stowed it carefully away in his bosom.
There was a pause. Now that he had their money, the owner of the island was evidently anxious to have them take their departure. Both Jack and Mont wished to see more of this old man, but neither could frame a plausible excuse for remaining.
"I suppose your friends will be anxious 'bout you," remarked Max Pooler, by way of helping them off.
Jack's thoughts instantly reverted to Deb, and he said no doubt they would.
"But we have no boat," he added, suddenly. "Can you lend us one?"
"Only got the one I use," replied the old man, shortly.