The boat was due at four, and the tents were to be down and ready at the landing. So as soon as dinner was over every one went to work.
Jonas made a great rattling of pots, pans, and plates, as he packed them away in barrels and boxes.
"No more use for them until next summer, and there's no knowin' who of us will be alive to use 'em then!" exclaimed Jonas, with a wise shake of the head.
"That's so," said Friday solemnly.
"'Tain't noways likely that the same crowd will get together again. Somebody'll be missing. They are a fine set o' fellows, take 'em all around. Some o' them are as good as you'd find anywhere.--Here, Freit, lend a hand on this 'ere box. No, roll that barrel down to the beach; I'll see to this."
While they were thus engaged, the boys were packing their valises, and trying to decide what to take and what to leave.
"I've got rocks enough to stock a cabinet, and only one valise, that was full when I came," said Joe, kneeling before said valise, with his arms full of "specimens."
"To ballast a ship, you'd better say," added Ben, laughing. "What do you want that rubbish for?" and he pulled over the precious collection in a contemptuous way.
"Hands off, Vandal! Avaunt! You'll smash that infant star-fish!" cried Joe. "I've tramped miles and risked my neck getting these together, and now you call them rubbish! Avaunt, I say!"
"Tents down!" called Mr. Andrews, passing along, and seeing some of the tents still standing.