“Alas! it’s true,” sighed Springer—“it’s true that the finny denizens of the water take to dry land when they learn that Pipe is after them.”
“Think up something original and new,” advised Sleuth. “You’ve worn that gag out.”
“Anyway,” said Ben pacifyingly, “if we don’t get any more, this big fellow should provide a bite for us all. You didn’t return skunked, fellows; you had some excitement.”
“Excitement!” said Crane, eager to tell of their remarkable experience. “I should say we did! Didn’t yeou fellers hear a dog howlin’ in the direction of Spirit Island a while ago?”
“In the direction of Spirit Island?” said Grant quickly. “Yes, we heard it, but we reckoned the creature was over on the opposite shore.”
“Well, it wasn’t,” asserted Sile; “it was right aout there on that island. Guess we know, for we was nigh enough to jump ashore.”
“On the island!” cried the boys who had remained at the camp, looking at one another questioningly.
“Are you sus-sure, Sile?” asked Springer.
“Yeou bet I be. Sleuth knows. Ask him.”
Piper nodded. “There’s no doubt about it,” he declared solemnly.