They tied the flap of the tent carefully, saw that the tent-pegs were firm, and the guy-ropes all right, and departed. By half-past seven o’clock they were out aboard, and the two yachts were under way.
“Too bad the Spray isn’t coming along,” said Henry Burns; “but I’ve left word for them to follow in the morning.”
There was a light westerly breeze blowing, which was favourable for a straight run to the islands, with sheets started a little, and everything drawing. They set the forestaysail and both jibs and the club-topsail on the Viking; and, there being no sea, with the wind offshore, they made fast time.
The Surprise, with everything spread, followed in the wake of the larger yacht.
“We’ll tell the mackerel you are coming,” called Henry Burns to the crew.
“They know it already. We told them we were coming back. We saw ’em first,” responded Tim.
They were among the islands by ten o’clock, though the wind had fallen. They anchored in the lee of one, and prepared to turn in.
“We ought to be out early,” said Harvey; “but how are we going to wake up? I’m sure to sleep till long after sunrise, unless somebody wakes me. We ought to have some alarm to set, to wake us.”
“Don’t need it,” replied Henry Burns. “I’ll set myself. I don’t know how I do it, but if I go to bed thinking I want to wake up at a certain hour, I almost always do wake at about that time. How will four o’clock do?”
“Early enough,” said Harvey; “but don’t over-sleep.”