"We ought to go to Blackport and get a constable to put the whole gang off the island," added Midkiff.
"Why be childish?" said Rex. "I rather like our neighbor with the black eyebrows."
"Well?" demanded Pence. "Lost your voice?"
"Not any," quoth Kingdon. "Was just wondering how much you fellows would be willing to pay for your canoes? We might keep 'em, you know."
"You'd better not!" yelled Ben Comas, red in the face and shaking his fist at the catboat's crew.
"My father——"
"Drop it!" growled Kirby, yet loud enough for the Walcott Hall boys to hear. "If your father knew where you were——"
"They're a bunch of thieves," declared Ben, just as wildly. "Ain't they, Pudge?"
The fat boy kept discreetly silent. The black-haired youth said:
"Stop your yipping, you fellows, and let somebody talk sense. Hey, Kingdon! You needn't think you've got us caged here for the rest of the summer. We could hail a fishing party before the day's over, and get a boat from Blackport. Don't fool yourself."