“Not a bit. If you will insist on risking your neck, it’s no affair of mine,” laughed Sam.
“Hum, you’re a nice, sympathetic little friend, aren’t you?” inquired Jack, giving Sam a dig in the ribs. “But seriously, though,” he added, “you don’t think it selfish of me to go off alone and——”
“Get a ducking?” chuckled Sam. “No, I don’t. I’d rather be comfortable here on board than trying to make a landing on an island beach. It’s ten to one you get tipped over in the surf.”
“Not much danger of that,” said Jack; “we’ve got some skillful oarsmen in the crew, and you know that boat drill is one of the fads of this line.”
“Well, what time do you expect to start?”
“Haven’t any idea, but the skipper said we ought to be up with the island by dawn.”
“If I were you, I’d turn in and get some sleep.”
“Couldn’t take a wink. I’m too keyed up about the trip.”
Jack looked at his watch, the fine gold one that had been presented to him in Antwerp on his first voyage, in recognition of a brave deed.
“Not one o’clock yet,” he muttered impatiently.