The rope was overboard, and the oars dipped. A lantern flashed from the side of the yacht, and a trail of light spread faint over the quiet water.
"Shall I give him a barrel, sir?" asked Ellison respectfully.
"No," said I shortly; "we shall have enough to do with our barrels presently. Besides, you wouldn't hit him."
The boat sped out beyond the channel of light.
"Good-night, doctor," called out Holgate. "We've got a little business on, but when that's over I hope to drop in to tea. You're not going far."
No one answered, and the wash of the water foamed about the nose of the boat as she turned seaward.
CHAPTER XXI
On the Island
We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness. Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation. Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the Sea Queen. We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.