It was growing dark, yet Dave and his chums were anxious to go ashore, to see if they could discover anything concerning those who had been wrecked, so Captain Sanders ordered out the largest of the small boats.
“I’ll go with you,” he said. “And we can take Billy Dill and Smiley.”
“We had better take some things along—in case we remain ashore all night,” said Dave.
“To be sure. And we’ll go armed, lad—no telling what may turn up.”
“Any wild animals here?” questioned the senator’s son.
“I don’t know, but I don’t think so—that is, not large ones. You’ll find rabbits maybe, and any number of birds.”
Soon the small boat was ready to go ashore. Billy Dill and the other sailor, Smiley, were at the oars, while Captain Sanders was in the stern, to steer and give directions.
“If it starts to blow better move off a bit,” said the captain to the mate. “No use in taking chances around these reefs.”
“I’ll watch out,” was the answer. “I know just what a blow down here means, and I’ll keep her off.”
“Do you think we’ll have another storm?” asked Dave.