“Very well, sir; I am glad you show a better spirit.”
The mate was both annoyed and amused at this evident intention to throw upon him the whole onus of the quarrel, but he did not care to reply. He and the two boys helped remove the stores, and it being quite early, by noon several boatloads had been deposited on shore, to be removed farther inland when there was a good opportunity. One thing Mr. Holdfast noted with apprehension. There was a considerable quantity of brandy and other spirits in the captain’s cabin, which he took care to have included in the articles removed. Remembering the captain’s weakness, he feared this might lead to trouble. But he did not take it upon himself to remonstrate, knowing that in the state of the captain’s feelings toward him it would be worse than useless.
By three o’clock about all the stores, with other needful articles, had been removed, and there was a large pile on the bluff.
“Captain, will you walk over and see my encampment?” asked Holdfast, now that there was leisure.
“Lead on, sir,” said the captain, though not overpolitely. It was not far away, and a short walk brought them in front of it.
“Perhaps you will feel inclined to settle near by,” suggested Holdfast.
“No, sir; I don’t care to intrude upon you.”
Eventually the captain selected a spot about half a mile away. Here an encampment was made, very similar to the mate’s but on a larger scale.
“I am glad the captain is not close alongside,” said Jack Pendleton.
“So am I,” answered Harry, to whom this remark was made. “We are better off by ourselves.”