“I wish he could!” cried Dick. “He’ll have been in such trouble. Oh, I know!”
He had suddenly remembered a little silver whistle that was attached to his chain, and placing it to his lips he blew upon it a shrill ear-piercing scream.
“There, I knew he would be!” cried Dick joyously; and he gave Will a hearty clap upon the shoulder in the eagerness of his delight. For from far away, where the dim light rose and fell upon the waters, there came an answering shrill chirruping whistle.
Then Dick gave two short whistles.
Two exactly similar came in response.
“I knew he would be,” cried Dick; “but he’ll be very angry, I suppose.”
“Uncle Abram will be there too, I should say,” said Will quietly.
“Why, your father won’t be angry, my lad,” said Josh after a few minutes’ thought. “If he be it’ll be with Josh, which is me, for not keeping a bright lookout. He can’t row you for being run down, for you wasn’t neither captain nor the crew. Hillo! ahoy—ah!” he answered in return to a hail.
“I say!” said Dick suddenly; “the lights are going the other way.”
“Right, my lad; and so they have been this quarter hour past.”