CHAPTER XII
SURROUNDED
'Twelfth of August,' said Allan; 'Pater's out on the moors with Mr. Graham, slow day for us; suppose we take the boat and go fishing for crabs!'
'All right, let's,' said Marjorie; 'Harry's in a fidgety mood and will be quarrelling with some one presently if he has nothing to do.'
'I say, you fellows,' cried Allan, 'we're going crab fishing. Come along and let's rummage out the lines, Reggie. We must be sure and get enough for all. Tricksy, you might ask Duncan to put some provisions in a basket for us, as we shan't be home for tea or supper. Let's hurry up or we'll lose the best of the afternoon.'
The various belongings having been collected, the boys and girls trooped down to the cove and began loosening the Craft.
Laddie and Carlo, who had followed uninvited, came and stood by the boat, pricking up their ears.
'Can't take you, Laddie,' said Allan; 'we're going a long way and there's no room for you in the boat.'
Laddie smiled an intelligent dog smile and wagged his tail as though to say, 'I'll wait and see whether you won't change your mind, young sir.'
'Come now, a good shove all together,' said Allan; and the boat ran down to the water.