A peaceful calm brooded over the members of the party—the lunch at the Belfast tea-room had been supplemented by many extras in the grocery store so that no one missed Mose’s generous midday fare.
“Say, Billy, got any more of them cocoanut jumbles?” asked Dudley, wistfully, after a silence.
“No—I only got a dozen. Ask Edith for some of her ginger-snaps.”
“I’ve got a bag of peanuts—Virginia Jumbos. Want some?” asked Elizabeth.
“Children, do remember your poor weary stomachs! They will be crying for rest if you don’t!” sighed Mrs. Remington.
And the ever thoughtful children, wishing to allay their mother’s sighs and fears, rather than limit their gustatory joys moved forward where the Captain stood with Fred steering the boat.
“It’s a lucky thing for us that this Belfast trip only happens once in a while,” remarked Anna, meaningly.
While cracking and chewing the two quarts of hot peanuts offered by Elizabeth, the Islanders bethought them of one of the Captain’s stories.
“Say, Captain, how about those pirates that sailed the seas—any up around here in olden times?” hinted Billy.
“We-ll, I’ve hearn tell of some. They do say that Cap’n Kidd plied his trade in these waters, too. But the worst feller ever known was Manum. Why, he was so wicked there’s a song about him! And my father said it didn’t half do the pirate justice, either!”