"It's horrible to call him a deserter," said Francis.
"Don't let's do it," said the captain.
"We have to say something, sir," returned the first lieutenant helplessly.
"One can always lie, I suppose," said Hadow.
"There's nothing I wouldn't do myself for Jack Garrard," volunteered Mr. Francis.
"Why not say he was kidnapped here by the hill tribes?" said Hadow. "We aren't certain sure he wasn't, and no one can deny but what he might have been."
"But the admiral would be bound to inquire into it," said Mr. Francis. "Sooner or later he'd send a ship."
"Trust Jack to do his own lying when she gets here," said Hadow. "Besides, he'll be sick of the whole thing by that time and only too glad to step aboard."
"But won't we be asked why we didn't rescue him?" asked Francis.
"No, no—I have it!" cried the captain.