“No doubt about it,” said Oscar promptly, shutting his jaws together in the way his chums knew meant business.
“What ought we to do about it, Oscar?” continued Ballyhoo.
“First of all we must get across to our boat in as big a hurry as we can,” came the answer. “Captain Shooks ought to know what’s in the wind, so he can act.”
“What d’ye suppose he can do about it?” continued the Jones boy.
They had already turned, and were making off hastily; and their last glimpse of the retreating boat showed them the two men handling the oars just as carefully as before.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” snapped Oscar. “But don’t talk any more than you can help, Ballyhoo; we’ll need all our wind for running.”
They had one advantage, since in returning they followed the tracks they had made in coming. Thus they could avoid certain obstructions that had delayed them more or less on the former occasion.
Arriving at the other end of the island they found Jack sitting there, still busily engaged with his camera. He had evidently taken what pictures he wanted, and was amusing himself while waiting for the return of his chums.
Upon seeing the pair come rushing out of the palmetto scrub he scrambled to his feet, looking more or less alarmed.
“What is it—a bear, or a wildcat?” he demanded, starting to place his precious camera and tripod in the boat, so as to be ready for a hasty departure.