“He will claim it, as sure as my name is Stubbs. The fact is, I am rather sorry he hadn’t managed to drift to another island. Mr. Holdfast is a much more agreeable man to deal with.”
“I agree with you. As a passenger, I shall not recognize the captain’s authority on shore.”
“Nor I.”
Meanwhile, the mate and the two boys had pulled to the ship, and, securing the boat, scrambled on deck.
“Good-morning, Captain Hill; I am glad to meet you once more,” said the mate.
“Humph!” growled the captain, not over politely. “When did you reach here?”
“Yesterday morning.”
“Where are the rest of the party?”
“We have a little camp just back of the bluff.”
“I see you have been removing articles from the ship,” continued the captain, in a tone of disapproval.