Accordingly, they continued to advance, their eyes constantly on the lookout for any sign of life beyond. Then they began to catch glimpses of the water, showing that at this end of the Key the thick mangroves did not grow at all.
“I can see green cocoanuts up there, hanging in clusters on those trees,” whispered the observant Ballyhoo; for it had been one of his most ardent hopes that while on this expedition to the semi-tropics he might have the pleasure of knocking down a green cocoanut himself, and trying to see what the mushy contents tasted like; for all his experience hitherto had been with the ripened nuts of commerce, with their milk, and hard rim of meat.
“Never mind that just now,” warned Oscar, in a whisper, “for we’ve got other fish to fry. There, I heard that sound again, only further away. And when that rustle among the leaves quiets down it strikes me I catch the splash of oars.”
“There’s something doing, as sure as eggs are eggs,” muttered Ballyhoo, even as the pair of them crept further on, and by degrees began to get a clearer view of the pretty sandy beach, as well as the open sea beyond.
“I see the boat!” snapped Ballyhoo suddenly.
“Not so loud, please,” warned his companion; “and don’t move again if you can help it. The men who are rowing have their faces turned this way, and might discover us.”
So Ballyhoo crouched there and hurriedly began working at the marine glass case, which he had slung over his shoulder. Presently he brought the contents out, and commenced adjusting the glasses to suit his eyesight, knowing just about how far to lengthen them.
“Fortunately, the sun is almost back of us,” Oscar was saying, “and on that account it couldn’t flash from the glass, and make them take notice. But don’t move too hurriedly, whatever you do, Ballyhoo. Plenty of time to get there safe and sound.”
Both of them took a look through the glasses.
“One thing sure,” Ballyhoo was saying, excitedly, “they’re no sponger crowd nor yet turtle hunters.”