"Why not?"
"I must take care of myself after this; and I can't afford to go to school."
"Perhaps your uncle will think better about it," suggested Tom.
"He may, but I don't believe he will."
"There's the flat-boat!" exclaimed one of our party forward.
"I see her; when the wind hauls round to the southward or eastward, we will come over, and work her back to the island," I replied. "She looks comfortable where she is, and we will return to our party."
In a short time the Splash reached the cove, where we found all our company assembled to learn the news, for they had observed our movements on the water. Vallington was much surprised when he learned that Mr. Parasyte was the person who had fallen overboard, and been rescued by the Splash. We told him what our persecutor intended to do with the steamer, and a council was immediately called to decide upon our proper course.
"What shall we do?" asked our general. "That's the question."
"I don't see that we can do anything," answered Bob Hale.
"Perhaps it will be best for us to keep still, and let things take their course," added Vallington.