David, having his blanket to manage, crawled up more slowly; and when he reached the deck, Joe had disappeared down in the little cabin, where he was shaking hands, and bringing a welcome that set Ralph and Ben at ease immediately.
"And who is this?" asked Mr. Bernard, as Dave came stumbling down the steps, trailing his blanket.
"Dave Winter."
Then the hand-shaking was renewed, and Captain Dare received his share of welcome and thanks for returning the boys to them.
"This is the most like the prodigal son of any story I ever got mixed up in," Captain Dare remarked, as soon as there was a lull in the conversation.
"Only there are two of us," said Ben laughing.
"Cap'n, the whole pack's comin'," shouted Marcus in a tone of dismay, looking down into the crowded cabin. "If they board us, we'll be swamped."
They all laughed, and Mr. Bernard protested that they would spare the Una from such a fate.
"Now, captain, if you will put us ashore, you will make us still more your debtors."
"I'll do that, Mr. Bernard, although I would like to keep you aboard till I sail."