This was finally settled, and a crew selected for the lugger under one or other of the passengers, each taking the command for a week.
This went on for a month, when one day the mate said,—
“Look here, gentlemen, I want a holiday. I’ve worked pretty hard, and I think it’s my turn to go on the new expedition. What do you say?”
“It is only just,” they chorussed.
“Then I propose taking the lugger and sailing round the island—as we believe it to be—and then I shall learn something about the prowess of our new craft and see how she can sail.”
“That’s quite right, Mr Rimmer,” said Panton. “Eh, Lane?”
“Of course; we have been horribly selfish in letting him keep on at work for us while we have been taking our pleasure.”
“Which again was work, gentlemen, work,” replied the mate, good-humouredly. “But all the same, my dear fellows, there will not be much pleasure in this trip. I want to see whether our craft is seaworthy before we are compelled to take to her in real earnest. It would be rather awkward if she began to open her seams as soon as any strain was put upon her by the sails and a heavy sea. Believe me, I would not go if I didn’t think it right.”
“My dear Mr Rimmer,” said Oliver, “do you think we do not know that?”
“But it’s like leaving you all in the lurch.”