"I thought there might be just a chance that she hailed from Progresso, and we should have no trouble in persuading them to do as we wished."
"Why do you think that isn't the case?"
"Because you couldn't find a crew of natives who would willingly row so far; the majority would wait for a breeze a week before voluntarily performing so much labor."
The boys watched the boat as she approached slowly, and when she neared the shore both they and Jake started in surprise, scrutinized her more intently, and then looking at each other as if in fear.
"What is the matter?" Cummings asked, and Neal replied slowly:
"The man who is steering resembles Mr. Walters, the sailing master of the Sea Dream, that is all."
"It is him!" Teddy cried excitedly. "I am certain of it now; but how did he get here in that schooner?"
As a matter of course the question could not be answered by his companions, and all waited with the liveliest signs of impatience until the gentleman was within hailing distance, and then Neal shouted:
"Is that really you, Mr. Walters?"
"To the best of my knowledge it is," was the laughing reply. "Are you all well?"