“You sure do, Pudding,” assented George, “and with your whole stomach, too.”
Nick only gave him a reproachful look, as though it pained him to receive this unexpected blow in the house of his friends.
“Then it’s settled we leave here tomorrow?” remarked Herb, meaning to cast oil on the troubled waters; for Herb was by nature a peacemaker.
“Unless something unexpected crops up that might hold us back,” said Jack.
“What could do that?” asked Josh, uneasily, for he wanted to get away from the vicinity of the haunted island as speedily as possible.
“Oh! one of the engines might break down, for instance,” laughed the other.
“Now I know that was meant for me,” retorted George; “but, thank you, the bully old Wireless seems to be on her best behavior this trip. Haven’t had the least trouble up to now, and don’t expect to. Wish I could only get a chance to race that Flash of Clarence’s, though. Never will be happy till I do, and find out whether his boat or mine is the faster.”
“Look out yonder, fellows,” said Josh just then.
“A rowboat, and holding two men,” remarked Jack. “Seems to me we’ve seen those fellows before, eh, boys?”
“We certainly have,” George spoke up. “They are some of the ones who passed here the other day and scowled to beat the band. They’re doing the same right now, as if they’d like to order us away, but don’t dare. Guess they’ve come around to see if we show any signs of leaving. Look at ’em talking together, and shaking their heads. Perhaps it means more trouble for us tonight, boys.”