“What Mr. Wolston and Captain Gould and papa think,” Fritz replied; “and that certainly is to spend this next night here.”
“Yes,” said M. Zermatt. “Before we return to Rock Castle we must be absolutely sure that the savages have no intention of going back there.”
“They have gone to the devil already,” Jack exclaimed, “and the devil never lets go of anything he has once got in his claws! Isn’t that so, good old Block?”
“Yes—sometimes,” the boatswain answered.
Despite Jack’s protests and arguments, it was decided to postpone the start until the morrow, and all assembled at the last meal which they expected to take on Shark’s Island.
It was a very merry one, and when the evening came to an end all were ready for bed.
Everything suggested that this night of the 29th of January would be as tranquil as the many others spent in the quietude of Rock Castle and Falconhurst.
Nevertheless, neither M. Zermatt nor his companions would depart from their customary caution, although all danger seemed to have gone with the last of the canoes. It was therefore arranged that some should make the usual nightly rounds while the others remained on guard at the battery.
As soon as the women and Bob had gone into the store, Jack, Ernest, Frank, and John Block, with their guns over their shoulders, set out to the north end of the island. Fritz and Captain Gould went up the knoll and took their place under the hangar, as it was their turn to go on guard until sunrise.
Mr. Wolston, M. Zermatt, and James stayed in the store, where they were free to sleep until dawn.