“Perhaps you may be able to secure fresh data when the Kansas puts to sea again,” said Christobal.
“If I am conning the wheel, I must leave the chart-making entirely to my assistant,” replied the captain, lightly. “But I do mean to peep a little further into our estuary. Before the ship sails I may have another spare hour to devote to it.”
“In what way?” asked Elsie.
“By utilizing the canoe. A mile or so higher up the channel I should be clear of the bluff which hides Otter Creek. I imagine it will be possible then to see the full extent of the bay. I must get you to sound Suarez as to the lie of the land.”
“I hope you will do nothing of the sort,” protested Elsie, earnestly.
“Why? Do you think the canoe unsafe?”
“No, no; not that. But those waiting Indians. They might see you.”
“Oh, the Indians again! I shall run no risk of that sort. It would indeed be the irony of fate if the Kansas slipped her cable and left the skipper behind.”
“Huh! No fear! She’d follow you like Joey. I was tellin’ Miss Maxwell what a lucky fellow you were. Besides, if you went, I’d be in command, and you know what would happen then. By gad, if all else failed, the bloomin’ tub would turn turtle in the Pool.”
To emphasize his remarks, Boyle blew a big smoke ring, and shot several smaller rings through it.