“Three cheers for Rimmer,” cried Drew, excitedly.
“A hundred if he had played fair,” said Oliver, sadly. “But there it is. You see: he has left us in the lurch.”
“Well, yes, I suppose so. It was very plucky, though, and self-preservation is the first law of nature.”
“And the last exception in civilisation,” said Oliver, bitterly.
“Perhaps so, but I hope he’ll get our specimens safe to England.”
“And I wish he had shown himself a better man.”
“No time for discussion,” said Drew, quietly, as he watched the canoes. “They’re picking up all their wet ones. My word, how the beggars can swim. Now, then, what have we got to do?”
“Make for the cocoa-nut grove in order to be under cover, and then keep along under the trees for the brig, so as to give the alarm.”
“Yes, they won’t be long, I suppose, before they come ashore. Will you lead, or shall I?”
“Go on,” said Oliver. “Better crawl right on your breast, or we shall be seen.”