"I know it," Fred answered. "Will and I lay and scratched, while you rested, with proper flea-food for protection! Don't worry, we'll find you another dog!"
Schillingschen's consideration for my wound had vanished with the chance of making use of me. As we emerged into the open we saw him in the distance lolling in the hammock he had brought me in.
"Never mind!" grinned Will. "I'll bet the brute has an earache!"
"And teeth-ache!" added Fred.
"And I'll bet he has gone to prepare us a hot reception!" said I. "He owns this town!"
But nothing happened immediately on our return into the town. Actually Fred and Will had been outside township limits and could be arrested; suspecting foul play as soon as they saw me with Schillingschen, they had followed at once. They were as mystified as I when no swift vengeance lit on them. We saw Schillingschen carried in the hammock up the steep path leading to the commandant's house; but no one came down again. After we got back to camp we spent all the rest of the day waiting for the vengeance we felt sure was overdue, but none came. Toward evening we even began to grow hopeful again and to talk about the dhow. Fred and Will had examined it through field-glasses from the top of the rock, and were optimistic 'regarding its size and general condition.
"Even if it leaks rather badly," said Will, "we could reach some island, and beach it there, and caulk it."
"How about that launch, that brought the professor and Lady Saffren
Waldon?" I asked.
"What about it?"
"Couldn't they follow us with that?"