“Oh yes, Mr Mark, sir, I’m a-getting on splendid now,” he said. “This is a deal better than being aboard.”
It was an understood thing that the party should start at once so as to have a long day for the search for the ship, and they had just prepared to start well armed for defence and to obtain fresh supplies of birds when Mark got back to the men’s hut. The captain was loth to leave the camp, but most eager to see the ship, so it was decided that the major should remain and Mr Gregory be the captain’s companion, Billy Widgeon and another man being appointed to the party.
“Good luck to you!” said the major. “We’ll defend the camp, and have a splendid dinner of roast turkey ready when you come back. By the way, Mark, show them how to shoot these maleo birds. You will not run after them again as we did.”
“No; I shall know better now,” he replied; and, after another glance round at the arms, they were just setting off when an idea struck the lad.
“I say, father,” he exclaimed; “it’s going to be a very hot day, and all along by the side of those trees and rocks you get hardly a breath of air.”
“I suppose not,” said the captain drily.
“And after a time the guns get very heavy to carry.”
“Very,” said the captain.
“And the maleo birds are regular lumps, if we shoot any.”
“So I suppose, my boy. There, don’t beat about the bush. We can find our way, of course. You are tired with yesterday’s exertions, so why don’t you frankly say that you would rather stay?”