They laid him, groaning, on a blanket, under the protecting hood. No one cared to stay with him more than a minute, for, truth to tell, neither Jerry nor Bluff were in a condition to say how long it might be before they would be feeling just as badly as their chum. Fresh air was invaluable under such circumstances.
Frank, as they boomed along in this boisterous manner, was watching the shore. He expected at any time, now, to discover signs of the refuge which he had mentioned to the others, though it would require sharp eyesight to distinguish the island from the background of shore line.
"What time is it, Frank?" asked Bluff finally.
"Oh, about three, I should say. Time has slipped away, you know."
"What! And nobody ever thought of eating a bite about noon?" exclaimed
Jerry.
"Eating!"
Bluff uttered only the one word, but his horrified expression struck
Frank as being so comical that he roared with laughter.
"I give you my word, fellows, that this is the very first time since I've known Bluff that the idea of a meal seemed repulsive to him," he declared.
"Please don't, fellows!" came from Will, under the shelter; and in sympathy for him the subject was dropped then and there.
Jerry interested himself in keeping watch with Frank. Between them they managed to decide just where the expected island held forth. The course was altered enough to bring them closer, yet at the same time avoid falling in the trough of the great waves, that might have capsized the motor-boat, once they got a fair sweep at her, broadside on.