The lads went ashore in the boat while Captain Joe stood on the prow and threw glances of sorrow and reproach at them. When they reached the shore, however, Alex gave out a long, shrill whistle and the next moment Captain Joe was in the river, swimming to his feet!
“Go it!” Case stormed. “He’ll get you into a fight, and we’ll have to come and get you out. Go it, and have all the fun you want to, but lookout for squalls.”
“That is the first evil forecast I have heard from you in a long time,” laughed Clay.
“We’ve had too much of the real thing lately,” grinned Case, “to need any imaginary woes. Say, I’m going to quit that prophet-of-evil role!”
“I hope so,” Clay responded.
During the absence of the boys and the dog Frank moved restlessly about the hot little cabin and the crowded forward deck. It was plain to both Clay and Case that he anticipated something important as a result of the trip ashore.
Alex and Jule were reckless and full of pranks, but he knew them to be courageous, resourceful and tenacious of any purpose undertaken. He thought they would have little difficulty in finding the man they sought. The only question in his mind was as to whether they would not, by some prankish trick, get themselves into trouble with the people of the town.
Señor Lewiso would not molest them. He knew that very well. He thought he understood the man thoroughly, and counted on his trying to make friends with the lads instead of antagonizing them. Clay questioned him in vain when he said as much to his chum. Frank would not talk of the man, his object in following them, or of the secrets of Cloud island.
Noon came and the boys were still absent. Then Captain Joe came to the shore where the row-boat lay and set up a request to be taken on board, as they thought. Thinking that it might be just as well to have the boat alongside, Case stripped to the waist and plunged into the river, swimming with long, steady strokes to the shore.
Captain Joe pranced, barking, around him, but would not enter the boat. Instead he seized Case by one trousers leg and invited him to take a stroll into the city, much to the delight of a crowd of boys and adult loafers lounging about the water front.