Captain Joe seemed to think his frolic in the moonlight about the correct thing. He dived under the surface and pretended to catch the boys by their legs; he brought chips and driftwood from the stream and invited the boys to play tag with him.
At last he lay down on a bit of grass, signifying that his play spell was over, and that he would like to return to the boat.
But there was no boat in sight.
Then, and not until then, did the boys recollect that the boat was in motion—under steerway motion, it is true, but even steerway motion will sometimes carry a boat a long way, especially when the boys who should be guarding it are giving their attention to something else.
“The boys will wake up and come back after us,” said Jule.
“Of course they will,” agreed Alex.
Alex and Jule waited a long time, but there were no signs of the boat coming back after them.
“If we remain right where we landed,” Jule finally said, “they will be certain to find us.”
“That would be all right if they knew where we landed, but they don’t. The thing for them to do is to look along the shore until they see us. What a fool trick that was, leaving the boat unguarded. Unless someone on board wakes up, they may sail half the forenoon. I feel like giving myself a swift kick.”
“I reckon you don’t feel that way more than I do,” replied Jule. “I suppose the boys will think we have deserted them.”