“What’s the trouble up the river?” demanded the officer.
“There isn’t any,” answered Phil.
“What was all the firing about?”
“Celebrating some sort of native Fourth of July. Is Captain Matthews still in command of the Phoca?”
“Yes. Does he know you?”
“I rather guess he does, and, with your permission, we’ll report to him in person.”
With this the canoe shot ahead, leaving the lieutenant greatly puzzled as to whether he should follow it or continue up the river, though he finally concluded to adopt the former course.
“Pull up the hoods of your parkas,” said Phil to his companions, “and we’ll give the captain a surprise-party.”
A minute later one of the Phoca’s quartermasters reported to the captain that a canoe-load of natives was almost alongside.