Dan started for the higher part of the island at once. It was a rocky, steep ascent, and the snow covering everything made the way more arduous. As they panted along Billy whispered:
“D’ye suppose that dummy and the three men that stole the boat are in cahoots, Dan?”
“Give it up,” returned Dan. “But we’ll find out.”
“Maybe they’ll treat us as badly as they did Old John—if they’re here,” suggested Billy, showing more caution than usual.
“We’ll be careful,” said Dan, in the same low tone. “They won’t be expecting us, I bet!”
“That’s right. They’d never look for pursuit in this storm.”
“B-r-r-r! I guess not,” grumbled Dan. “It’s not fit for a dog to be out in.”
“Well—if there’s a fire——”
“And there must be some shelter,” added the older lad. “If it’s only the dummy we’ll get under cover all right.”
“And let the Follow Me go?” groaned Billy.