“But how did he tell you, and where?” demanded Alex. “You are getting me all balled up!”
“Well,” replied Rube, with a grin, “we drew aside in the channel I’ve been telling you about, thinking to catch some fish for dinner. You see we had the fish idea, too! The Rambler was ahead of us at that time, but we knew of the island channel and thought we could come out in the main channel just a little ahead of her.”
“Which you did!” cut in Case.
“Exactly!” was the reply. “Just as the Rambler passed the mouth of the channel, you boys were launching the rowboat!”
“You fellows must have had a late dinner!” commented Alex.
“Not so awfully late!” Rube replied. “You boys took more time fishing than you realized. Well, while we were hidden in the entrance to the channel we saw a man leave the Rambler and strike out for shore.
“We were lucky enough to intercept him when he was nearly exhausted with his swimming, and so we’ve got a surprise for you!”
In the meantime Clay had been helped over to the deck of the Esmeralda, and was investigating the cabin. He was still very lame from his wound, his left arm being in a sling, but was on the road to recovery.
Captain Joe, too, came on board, and was promptly forgiven by Alex. He patted the dog’s head and said to him:
“I know that you are an old sleepy-head, but you’re a darling just the same!”