"He must have fallen overboard and got drowned," said little Cal Moody, in an awe-struck tone.
"He must have deserted us and gone off, though I can't understand why, nor see where he has gone," answered Will Rogers, as he mechanically stepped to the wheel and cast off its lashing. "There is something wrong about this whole business, and we are left in a pretty pickle. Now the question is what shall we do about it?"
"Go back to the island and wait for Captain Crotty," suggested several.
"Keep on to Newport," advised others.
"But we don't know where it is," objected Sam Ray. "I'd run for the nearest land."
"And be wrecked again. Not much."
"We could anchor when we got near shore."
"No, we couldn't, 'cause we haven't got any anchor. Don't you remember we left it behind?"
"That's so. Well, then, let's keep on till we meet some vessel, and then ask where Newport is."
"We know the course to Newport," suggested Mif Bowers, "for I heard him telling you, Will."