"They're keeping mighty still about it," Bob declared.
"Listen."
There came a faint splash followed by another and another, growing fainter and fainter until they died out altogether.
"They've gone," Captain Ole announced. "Give 'em a shot now, boys, just to let 'em know we're here, but fire in the air. I don't want to kill anyone if we can help it."
The sailors, with the guns, fired a volley and immediately it was answered by loud yelling from the shore.
"Faith, an' is it scared or mad they are?" Pat asked with a low chuckle.
"Little of both, I reckon," Mr. Lakewood told him.
"See how soon steam'll be up, Pat," the captain ordered.
The mate was back in less than a minute with the word that they could start in five minutes if they wished.
"And I think we'd better, don't you?" the captain said, turning to Mr. Lakewood.