Strange to tell, the Captain appeared to be
affected in much the same way.
"Why, you little fool," said he, "are you mistaking this for a
picnic?"
"No," I retorted; "I am not. And, if you'll remember, it wasn't I
who led the ladies to look forward to one."
He planted himself before me, and said he, looking at me sternly--
"See here, my boy, I don't want to make unpleasantness, and if you
force me to appeal to the whole ship's company, you know very well
you will find yourself in a minority of one."
"I don't care for that, sir. You'll be acting unfairly, all the
same."
"We'll let that pass. You tell here in the act of breaking ship,
that you're of an age to be consulted. Well, you shall have the
benefit of the doubt. You want to know, then, why I'm careful about
letting you run ashore? What would you say if I told you the island
has people upon it?"
"Why, first of all, sir, that if you found it out before dropping
anchor, it seems strange--your going ashore with Mr. Rogers and
leaving the rest to take care of themselves. But if you've
discovered it since--"
"I have not. I am not sure the island is inhabited; but as we were
running down the coast I saw something through my glasses--a coil of
smoke beyond the hills on the eastern side.
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