Midkiff grumbled. "What's the matter with you, Rex?" he demanded. "Always hunting trouble."
"Aw, give him a squint at the letter, and let him be on his way," said Red. "He wearies me."
But Kingdon was obdurate. When Enos insisted, the blond youth waved him airily aside.
"See those other chaps," he said. "Ask to see their permit from the Manatee Company. Why try to play favorites, Mr. Constable?"
"I tell you what!" cried Enos Quibb threateningly. "You'll jest take down your tent and pack your duds aboard that boat to-night. That's what you'll do."
"Say not so!" groaned Rex.
"Yes, you will. I'd a mind ter let ye stay till mornin', when I come back from the P'int. But not now. You'll go to-night."
"How about those other campers?" insisted Kingdon. "If they stay, we stay."
"I'm going right along there now, and look at their permit. I neglected to ask for it before, but I meant ter. An' then I'm comin' back. If you boys ain't purty near ready to go aboard that catboat when I return, I'll help ye off this islan' in a way ye won't like."
He stamped down to the shore and clambered over the rail of his motor-launch. In a minute or two the boat chugged away.