“That’s a good idea,” agreed Lester. “Take Bill and Teddy. They’re no earthly good here anyway. Fred and I are doing all the work.”
144“I like that,” replied Teddy in mock indignation. “Who was it that got up a dinner that was good enough, I notice, for you fellows to stow away in a hurry.”
“It wasn’t because it was so good that we bolted it,” chaffed Fred. “It was a disagreeable duty and we wanted to get it over with as soon as we could.”
“Come along, Ted,” said Bill with dignity, “and don’t bandy words with those common sailors.”
“It was only that I wanted to lift them up to our own level,” rejoined Teddy. “But I guess you’re right, Bill. They can’t appreciate the value of our companionship, and we’ll leave them to herd together. They’ve had their chance, and there’s no use our wasting time trying to make them into human beings.”
Ross brought the Sleuth alongside and the two boys leaped aboard.
“I’ll take the shark too, if you want me to,” proposed Ross. “I guess my engine could stand the strain.”
“No, thank you,” replied Lester. “You’ve got two sharks on board now, and I guess that’ll be all you can manage.”
The boats fell apart and the lightening of the Ariel’s load showed results at once as the little boat leaped through the water at a quickened pace. Ross dropped away to a distance of perhaps a hundred feet, in order that the Ariel might have plenty of 145 sea room, and with their noses pointed toward Milton the two craft went on in company.
“How much further have we got to go?” asked Fred, as he let out the sheet in order to get every ounce of wind.