"Hi! what did you do that for?" roared the mate, in sudden anger.
"Just for fun," answered Fred, as coolly as he could, although his heart beat rapidly.
"For fun?"
"Yes. Haven't I a right to fire a gun if I want to?"
"I reckon that was some sort of a signal for those on shore."
"And supposing it was, what then, Mr. Carey?" Fred put the question boldly and looked the mate squarely in the eyes as he spoke.
"Why—er—it's most unusual. There was no need of a signal."
"I wanted them to know we were moving, that's all."
"Humph! There was no use of alarming them. We'll be back long before they want to come aboard again."
"In that case I'll have nothing more to say."