This was not a very reasonable proposition, but Gil accepted it, since he could think of nothing better, and Jenkins stood silent and motionless until the occupants of the crafts could be distinguished. Then he muttered half to himself:
“If they have left the craft at anchor, not one has remained behind to look out for her, because the whole crew is here.”
Gil was about to ask what he meant, when they were hailed by Captain Mansfield from the leading craft.
“Ahoy on shore!”
“Ay, ay, sir!” the mate replied.
“Are the boys all right?”
“Sound and hearty, sir, and none the worse for havin’ stopped ashore a little too long. Where is the yacht?”
“Off Pearl Point in forty fathoms of water.”
“Is she wrecked?” Gil asked in dismay.
“I’ll give you the particulars when we get ashore,” Captain Mansfield replied. “It’s too hard work to tell much of a story while it is necessary to shout.”