“But why do you suppose they ever came here to Wildcat Island to hide?”
“I’ve been thinking about that. There’s that Waddy Walsh you speak about—since he has lived here he possibly knows something about this place. Then again they may have heard about the wild man, and how the island is shunned by every one in the neighborhood. In that case, you see, it would offer a splendid hiding-place for a couple of men trying to escape the sheriff.”
“Frank, you just seem to hit on the right thing. That must be the fact. And our coming here rather upset their plans,” said Will.
“Yes, but it gave them a supper last night. They must have been too hurried in their flight to lay in any stock of food. Perhaps they intended going across to the mainland from time to time, and stealing chickens from the farmers.”
“I’ll be jiggered if I can see how there could be any connection between those scamps and that wild man with the hairy hide. Perhaps it was an ape, and he has a mate on the island. Would you shoot him if you saw him, Frank?”
“H’m, that depends. Certainly not unless I thought my life was in danger. I say that, because I really believe myself that it is a human being. And I have a little suspicion that is hardly strong enough as yet to mention, but which I intend to think over. But let us settle down and take things as comfortable as we can. I’ll stand watch for a while, and then let you take my place. Lie down and rest, Will.”
CHAPTER XV—PLAYING THE GAME
“Hello! Frank!”
“What now?” and the one addressed sat up suddenly, wide awake it seemed.
“It’s morning,” said Will, “and I’m tired of keeping watch, that’s all.”