“Hullo!” cried the doctor. “You’re not going, Ned?”
“Yes, he is, doctor,” said Jack quickly. “I want him.”
Sir John said nothing, but stepped down into the large boat.
“I’ll go in the other,” said the doctor.
“You’ll come with us?” said the mate to Jack.
“No; I’ll go in the little boat,” replied the lad; and he followed the doctor, Edward, whose face by the gleam of one of the lanterns was puckered up by a broad smile of satisfaction, entering the gig after him.
“You’ll be able to go a bit farther to-day, sir,” said the captain at parting. “I’d halt at the best place you can find at mid-day, and have a good meal, rest for a couple of hours, and then make the best of your way back.”
Sir John nodded.
“Save the men all you can, Bartlett. You have the sails.”
“Yes, sir,” cried the mate. Then the oars dropped into the dark water and they rowed away, the lesser boat about a length behind.