To the surprise of the young fishermen, however, the captain did not return to the ground over which he had been fishing at the time of his unexpected return to the Gadabout. Instead, he followed swiftly in the direction in which Mr. Button had disappeared. Both boys questioned him sharply concerning the change in their plans, but the only reply their guide made was to explain that he thought the fishing was likely to be better in the direction in which he was going than where they had been before.
Fred winked slyly at his companion when several times the captain ceasing his efforts took a glass and drank of the waters of the lake and then taking from his pocket a jointed telescope gazed long and earnestly in the direction in which they were moving.
“What’s the trouble, Captain? What are you looking for?” demanded Fred.
“I wanted to see if that man’s got on my ground.”
“Do you see him anywhere?”
“No, I don’t. I wish I did.”
“Who is he, anyway?” inquired John. “You seem to have a pretty wholesome respect for him.”
“What’s that you say? What’s that you say?” demanded the captain sharply, as he glared at John.
“Why, what I said,” explained John, “was that you seem to be very much impressed by him. Do you know who he is?”
“I don’t know nothin’ about him,” retorted the captain, resuming his occupation once more.