He paid no attention to this suggestion.
“There are half a dozen boats, bigger than these, by the landing,” he declared. “There is water enough for them. What are you afraid of? We haven't any time to waste, I tell you.”
I did not answer. Silence, on my part, was the safest thing just then. I continued rowing up the bay.
Miss Colton spoke to him and he sat down, a proceeding for which I was thankful. They whispered together for a moment. Then he turned to me.
“See here,” he said; “this lady and I have an appointment. We must get ashore. Go straight in. If you're afraid I'll take the risk. If there is any danger I'll pay for that, too.”
There was no question of risk. It was a certainty. I knew that channel.
“We can't cross here,” I said, shortly.
“Why, confound you—”
“Victor!” cautioned Miss Colton.
“Hush, Mabel! This is ridiculous. You and I saw two boats go straight out from the beach this morning. We went out that way ourselves. Here you—Paine, or whatever your name is—we've had enough of this. I've hired you to take us ashore, and I want to go there and not a half mile in another direction. Will you do as I tell you?”