“We’ll pay him well for it,” said John. “How far is this place from Mackinac anyway?”
“’Bout forty mile,” answered the Japanese.
“Whew!” said Fred. “We’re a good ways out of our course, aren’t we?”
CHAPTER XIV
ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS LETTER
“I don’t care much how far we are away if we can only get back,” said John thoughtfully.
It was apparent, however, that extended conversation with the little Japanese would be impossible. He had made no inquiries as to why the boys were on the island and except for his first expression of surprise when he had heard their hail, he did not give any sign of special interest either in them or in their doings.
“We stove a hole in the bottom of our skiff,” explained John. “Have you got a piece of tin and some tacks or something we can mend it with?”
“You no feex it?” inquired the Japanese.
“We haven’t anything to fix it with,” explained John.
“I go see,” volunteered the little man.