Midkiff had nothing to say until the mists were dissipated sufficiently to reveal the spot where he and Rex had had their nocturnal adventure. Then he said, grumpily enough:
"They're there yet, Rex."
The two tents were plainly visible from the Spoondrift.
"Well, you wise owl!" was the polite response. "How'd you think they'd leave? Swim?"
At that moment Peewee spied the two canoes moored to the Spoondrift's stern. The excitement attending the brief morning bath had quite dimmed the eyes of those of the crowd who had not been ashore.
"Where'd they come from?" Hicks wanted to know. "You fellows bring 'em out last night? What did you find on that island, anyway?"
Cloudman had spied the tents as well. He drawled: "Guess there's somebody ahead of us. Is that what took you and Midkiff ashore?"
"Who are those fellows, Rex?" demanded Red Phillips. "And how did you clutch on to their canoes? Don't you know
'It is a sin
To steal a pin;
It is a greater
To steal a "tater"'?"
"Maybe those fellows stole the canoes first," muttered Midkiff.