John, however, apparently was determined to follow his plan and for a long time rowed steadily forward.
At last Fred broke in upon the silence, saying, “I tell you, John, you’re simply taking us farther away from Mackinac Island all the time. Can’t you see that you are?”
“I can’t see much of anything,” replied John, disconsolately. “I guess maybe I am wrong after all.”
“Of course you’re wrong.”
“But that doesn’t mean that you’re right,” retorted John. “If we go in the direction you suggest we may be as far as ever from the Gadabout.”
“Not at all,” said Fred confidently. “You let me take those oars and you’ll soon see for yourself that I am right.”
The exchange of places was made, but after Fred had rowed for an hour or more his confidence also began to wane. “I’m not as sure as I was,” he said.
“Well, I’m just sure of one thing,” responded John.
“What’s that?”
“That we are lost and that neither one of us knows where he is. And what’s more,” he added, “the only thing for us to do is to stay right where we are and wait until the sun rises.”