“But what if they circle around the island, and come down booming at us again?” ventured the nervous Herb.
“I don’t believe that will happen,” Jack replied, seriously. “But if you feel anxious, just pull further into the cove, Herb, and he couldn’t strike you then.”
“I tell you what I’m going to do,” declared the impulsive George. “I’m on the first watch, and I want you to let me have that Marlin scatter-gun of yours, Jack. If that fool bursts out from behind that point again, and heads for us at full speed, I declare to goodness if I don’t bang away, and touch him up with bird-shot a few. He deserves such a lesson.”
“But why should Clarence want to scare us away from here?” asked Nick.
That was what Jack was himself wrestling with, and he waited to find out if any of his mates put forth an answer; but they seemed to be unable to grapple with the puzzle, for no one spoke.
“My boat is heading that way, and I’m going to light my glim. Then if he tries his funny business again, I’ll spot him in good time,” George remarked.
It was some time before the excitement died away. Even after those who were entitled to sleep had lain down, they would raise their heads at the least suspicious sound. Did a wavelet lap the adjacent beach, Nick was sure to bob up and look about him in alarm. When an owl started to call out “Whoo! whoo!” from a tree on the dark island, he sat up instantly, and seemed almost ready to crawl over the side of the boat into the water.
But nothing happened, and gradually silence fell upon the three anchored boats. George and Jimmie gave way to Jack and Nick when several hours had passed; and finally Herb and Josh wound up the night.
When morning came, the boys joked one another over their red eyes, showing that, after all, none of them could have secured much comforting sleep.
“I suppose we’re going to pick up our mudhooks today and climb out of this?” suggested Josh, as they were enjoying breakfast.