“Gollyumption, if it ain’t Massa Raynor.�
“Yes, and a fine chase you led me. What was the matter with you?�
“Ah done thought Noddy an’ mahself was alone on dis island. Den ah see yo coming an’ ah thought it was a ghostess. Ah done heard the rattle of chains jes’ as plain!�
“Those weren’t chains. That was my bucket that I dropped. I guess I was as scared as you for a minute because I, too, thought I was alone. But tell me, is Noddy really here?�
“He sholly is.�
“How did you come ashore?�
“In one ob de dories. Dey done didn’ leave us nuffin’ else. I was awakened in de night by de awfullest shoutin’ an’ yellin’. Dey say de ship sinkin’—de ice done punched hole in her. But de boats was crowded an’ dey wouldn’ let me or Noddy on board. We got lef’ behin’ an’ Noddy, he calkerlate that bin as you slep’ in de cabin yo’ mus’ hab been one of the fustest in de boats.â€�
“I guess I slept too soundly,� rejoined Raynor, “but where are you camped?�
“Right ober de top ob dat l’il hill yander. We fin’ a hut dere built by some sealer, an it’s right handy to de spring, too.�
“Come on, we’ll go right over there. By the way, Pompey, have you roamed around the island much?�