“What are you going to do?” said Mrs Strong. “Keep in hiding and let them pass?”
“No,” said Mark. “I must get round to Crater Bay and warn them there.”
“Yes,” said Mrs Strong, “that is right.”
“How unfortunate that every one should have gone and left us this morning!” said the major’s wife.
Mark hesitated for a moment as if making his plans.
“I can’t leave you all and go,” he said at last. “You must come with me. It will be a long hot walk; but you must come.”
“I’m afraid the pirates have been round there, Mr Mark,” said the stowaway hoarsely.
“No, no,” cried Mrs Strong.
“Which, begging your pardon, ma’am, they seemed to come from that way as if they’d been round there.”
“You’ve no business to say that,” cried Mark excitedly. “It is only guesswork, mother—Mrs O’Halloran. Come along, and keep well in among the trees. Bruff, to heel, sir! You, Jimpny, lead the monkey.”