“Quit it!” begged Blake.
For, be it known, pilot biscuit are large, hard, round crackers, made on purpose for serving with clam chowder, with which they make a most excellent combination.
As they sat there in the dusk, making a meal off these crackers and drinking water (a spring having been found), Mr. Piper asked:
“Where did you say you found these, Blake?”
“Right up there, on that little knoll, by the big tree.”
“And how did you say you thought they got there?”
“Why, I suppose the flood must have carried away a country store, and washed the box up there.”
“Did you see any other stuff washed up there—anything other than debris, or anything else in the eating line?”
“Not a thing—I wish I had.”
“Well,” remarked Mr. Piper, “I don’t wish to raise false hopes, or anything like that, but I should say that this tin of pilot biscuit was dropped, or left, up there by someone who has been on, or who is still on, this island!”