"But look at Ned Trimble and his friends. There are but three of them, and I have no doubt that their security is in their strength—otherwise they would not be so indifferent as to what is going on around them. You remember they did not see us until we first spoke to them."
"So it appeared; but I have an idea that they knew of our presence before Tim discovered them."
"They did not show it, at any rate."
"They looked surprised when we came up, but if we had been enemies instead of friends I believe we would have been the surprised parties. They have lived too long in the wilds of California to permit a party of strangers to steal upon them unaware."
"But what is to become of us if Tim doesn't come back?"
"We shall have to put ourselves under the care of Shasta—that is, if he gets well."
"Why do you call him Shasta? Where did you hear that name?"
"The only word I have heard him speak sounded like that, and I do not know of any better name. Can you think of one?"
"No; that is good enough; let him be called Shasta, then. There may be a greater Providence in our coming upon this island than we imagine."
"There is a Providence in everything that occurs, though it may be that we are not always able to see it. Do you remember the copy we had so often at school, 'Misfortunes are often blessings in disguise?'"