“I could swim off with a line and make it fast,” began Syd.
“Do, then, Belton,” said Terry, eagerly; “the boat would keep us in firewood for long enough.”
“But I should be afraid of the sharks, and should not like to let a man do what I would not do myself.”
“P’r’aps there are no sharks here now,” said Terry, with an aggravating smile, which seemed to say, “you’re afraid.”
“I’m not going to risk it,” said Syd, quietly, “badly as we want the wood.”
“But that little vessel may be valuable,” said Terry, “and mean prize-money for the men.”
“I don’t think the men would care for prize-money bought with the life of their captain’s son,” said Syd, coldly.
“I wouldn’t for one,” muttered Rogers, as a murmur ran round the group of watching men.
“Pish!” said Terry, with a merry laugh.
“Why don’t you try it, Mr Terry?” said Roylance.