"No, no, NO! If it comes on to storm, you'll go to sea. The tides are strong; you can't see your course, and—"
"We'll use a compass. Now, you get me enough men to handle that oomiak, that's a good fellow. I'll attend to the rest."
"But they won't go," declared the little fat man. "They know what it means. Why—"
"Call them in. I'll do the talking." And accordingly the storekeeper went in search of the village chief, shaking his head and muttering at the madness of these people.
"Fingerless" Fraser, noticing the change in Balt and Emerson when they re-entered the store, questioned them as to what had happened; and in reply to his inquiry, Big George said:
"We're going to tackle the Straits in a small boat."
"What! Not on your life! Why, that's the craziest stunt I ever heard of. Don't you know—"
"Yes, we know," Emerson shut him up, brusquely. "You don't have to go with us."
"Well, I should say not. Hunh! Do I look like I'd do a thing like that? If I do, it's because I'm sick. I just got this far by a gnat's eyelash, and hereinafter I take the best of it every time."
"You can wait for the mail-boat."