Plunger told him the origin of the "Crusoe expedition," and all that had happened up to the moment of the accident.
"I don't know anything about the savages that boarded us on the raft. Baldry can tell you that part," he concluded.
"Oh, we found out all about the expedition, and didn't like being left out of it. We thought that we'd have a cut in on our own account. So Sedgefield, Bember, Viner, and myself got down to the plantation before Plunger, Moncrief minor, and Hibbert reached it on the raft. While they landed and got ready for their part, we got ready for ours. What was the use of Crusoe without the noble savages? So we got up as savages, and frightened the life out of Plunger and the other two by swooping down on 'em just like Indians would, you know."
"You didn't frighten me, I tell you," protested Plunger.
"Of course not; but Crusoe, when he first saw savages, never sprinted along half so quickly as you did, I'll warrant! Greased lightning wasn't in it with you, Plunger."
Plunger did not answer, but diligently set to work getting his other arm into the sleeve of his coat.
"Well, but what's become of the other fellows on the raft—Moncrief, Sedgefield, and the others?" inquired Paul.
"Oh, they were still on the raft, floating gaily along, when we left. Goodness knows when they would get ashore," says Baldry.
"It's a bit unfortunate, you see, for none of the fellows now left on the raft understand anything about punting," put in Plunger. "It's rather a pity I couldn't have got back to them."
"It's just that that makes me feel easy. There's a good chance of their pulling through, now you're not with them, Plunger," was Baldry's ungracious response. "Why, here they are!"