The cries of the boys now burst forth in shrill screams and yells, which were echoed among the woods and rocks around.
"Now," cried Captain Corbet, "all together!"
The boys shouted all together.
"That'll fetch him," said the captain, "ef anythin doos. It's a pity we didn't think of this afore. What an ole fool I must ha ben to forgit that!"
The boys now walked on shouting, and screaming, and yelling incessantly, and waiting, from time to time, to listen for an answer.
But no answer came.
At times Captain Corbet's voice sounded forth. His cry was a very peculiar one. It was high pitched, shrill, and penetrating, and seemed as though it ought to be heard for miles. But the united voices of the boys, and the far-piercing yell of the captain, all sounded equally in vain. No response came, and at last, after standing still and listening for a longer time than usual, they all looked despondingly at one another, as though each were waiting for the other to suggest some new plan of action.
Captain Corbet stood and looked musingly out upon the sea, as though the sight of the rolling waters assisted his meditations. It was some time before he spoke.
"I tell you what it is, boys," said he at last. "We've ben makin another mistake."
"How so?"