CHAPTER XVIII
Unwelcome Visitors
"Why, Bud, what do you mean?" Hal demanded, in astonishment. "Who else is on this island?"
"Some men. I don't know how many," Bud replied in cautious tone. "I heard them talking about us. But keep your voice low, for this island is small and they may hear you."
"I was going to remark that this is a small island to contain much of a hiding place for anybody."
"Yes, but it's wild with bushes. And these men are bad fellows, I could tell from the way they talked about us. They're as mad as hops 'cause we're here. They're studying how to get rid of us without making more trouble for themselves."
"That's funny," Hal remarked. "Why should they care if we're here? Do they claim they own this island?"
"I don't know whether they do or not. I didn't hear them say anything about that."
"Where are they now?"
"Over near our fishing place, if they haven't left. They were hidden in some bushes, and I might 'ave run right into them if it hadn't been for their voices. After I heard them I kept myself under cover and crept closer till I could get what they said."