"How would you have got it?" inquired the fisher-boy, who was greatly interested in all the proceedings of the Crusoe band, even though he was held as a prisoner.
"Why, we wouldn't have started on our voyage until next week. That would have give us time to paint this boat over, an' sell her to somebody. You've jest cheated us out of fifteen or twenty dollars, by your spyin' round, 'cause I know I could have sold the skiff fur that. Now, we'll have to be off at once; 'cause your mother is makin' a monstrous fuss about you."
"And we'll certainly be found out," drawled Tom. "If I was governor I would set him at liberty immediately."
"Now, Muley, who asked you fur any advice?" demanded the chief, angrily. "I am the head man of this band, an' I don't need no mates an' lieutenants, like they have up to the 'cademy."
"We had oughter have some more grub," said Jack Spaniard, who was commissary of the band. "We haint got nothing but a few crackers, an' mebbe they won't last till we find our island."
"Well, it aint best to buy none here," said the chief. "We'll stop at some city an' lay in a supply. I wonder if we'll go by Boston! Will we, Muley?"
"O, how do I know!" drawled Tom.
"You had oughter know. You've been to sea, an that's one reason why I wanted you in the band. What do you say about it, Bobby? Will we see Boston?"
"I think not," answered the prisoner.
"I wonder where Crusoe's island is, anyhow," said Xury. "Mebbe we'll find it, if we look around. Do you know where it is, Bobby?"