"Captain Melrose couldn't take 'em; he was bound out. The other cap'n said somethin' about the two belongin' on an island with a campin'-party; and afterwards when he came ashore here and see all you fellows he concluded this was the island."
The boys exchanged glances with Mr. Lane and Mr. Andrews, but not a word was spoken for several minutes; then Mr. Andrews said, "Boys, go on to camp, and Mr. Lane and I will go back to the lighthouse and interview these men to see if we can get any further information."
The boys went slowly away, feeling very sober over John's news, and the two teachers hastened in the opposite direction.
"What do you suppose has become of them?" asked Dave, in a low tone, of his friend Joe.
"I wish I knew; and yet I don't either. That awful storm came after Captain Melrose spoke the smack. Oh, I wish they would come sailing by now!"
"What would you do?"
"I would fly over to Mr. Bernard and beg him to let them land. I think they've been punished enough, and I think he thinks so too, and would forgive them."
"Who wants to go out in the boat?" shouted Ned Gould, looking back towards Joe and Dave, who owned part of the little craft.
"I," said Joe; "but it's too rough yet from the storm. Look at the white-caps."
"Who cares for white-caps? It's all the more fun when the boat dances."