"Jabberwock! Jabberwock!" roared Jack. "An' he has the cheek to blame it all on me!"
Silence for a moment; then:
"There's something in the wind," came from Dick.
"We all are," drawled Dave; "I'm going for shelter."
As they gloomily struggled along the deck, the "Osprey" was rolling heavily; spray flew over the gunwale and splashed their faces; tiny pools trickled along the deck. The wind was steadily rising into a gale; dark, ominous clouds in the distance scudded along, flinging ragged edges off into areas of rain.
Bending over to escape the blasts, the crowd made their way to a more comfortable spot between the piles of lumber.
What was the meaning of Mr. Lovell's presence on the "Evergreen State"?
No one knew; but all had certain ideas. The discussion grew animated. Jack defended himself with spirit; he also tried the effect of vigorous thrusts with his fists—his usual way of ending an argument—and presently all but Bob and Dave had moved well out of reach.
"The 'Evergreen State' stops at Rawdon," remarked Bob, reflectively; "that's about five miles the other side of Wild Oak landing, where we get off. So, if Mr. Lovell is really after us, he intends to come back from the steamboat wharf."
"Most likely," admitted Dave; "but it's no use to bother now."