To the surprise of the boys Ethan did not seem to share in their alarm. He was giving all his thought to the landing he was making, and as soon as his boat was made fast he climbed up on the dock and stood calmly regarding the excited lads before him.
“What’s he been doin’ now?” he said.
“Oh, I don’t know,” exclaimed Jock. “We had all gone up the shore and when we came back to camp we heard Tom calling. We could see him, too, and he was waving his arms and calling out as if he was in pain, and when we ran in, he just looked at us a minute and then started off into the woods as fast as he could go. He must be sick, Ethan. Come on, we’ll help you look for him.”
“Was he a-sayin’ anything?” inquired the fisherman, still for some unaccountable reason not much aroused by the startling announcement.
“Saying anything?” exclaimed Bert. “I should say he was. He was calling and groaning. Why, we could hear him way up the shore. He must be in trouble. Come, Ethan; come on! We’ll all help you.”
“Was he a-sayin’ anything? I mean any words like?”
“Yes, I believe he was,” said Bob. “We could make out a few words.”
“What was they?”
“Oh, he said something about ‘to be’ or something like that. We didn’t stop to listen much. The poor fellow was in such distress. What are you waiting for, Ethan? Why don’t you come on?”