“I didn’t mean that kind of coolness,” said the mate, heartily. “But it fidgets me about my vessel. See how she’s canted over. I should not be surprised to find her some day sunk out of sight.”
“But you couldn’t find her if she was sunk out of sight,” said Drew, merrily.
“No, no, of course not. How you gents do catch me up.”
“Look here, Mr Rimmer, don’t you worry,” cried Oliver. “Let the vessel be for a bit while we collect. When we have exhausted the place we will all join you heart and soul in any plan to get away; but, dangerous as the island is, I don’t want to leave it yet.”
“Nor I,” said Panton.
“Nor I,” cried Drew.
“All right then, gentlemen. Then we’ll stay as we are for the present, only something must be done about fresh provisions.”
“I’ll start at once shooting, and we can eat all the birds I kill. I only want the skins.”
“And I daresay I can collect a good deal of fruit and some form of vegetables that may be useful,” said Drew.
“That’s good, gentlemen. But first of all, I think we ought to do some fishing.”