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I ll need two men to row, objected Jarrow. I might take the old
fellow and the cook.
We ll keep the cook, said Trask. We can spare Doc Bird better.
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Jarrow agreed, and suggested that he start at once, so Doc Bird was
called and told to summon Dinshaw, and they set about throwing off
the gripes of the waist boat and got it over the side with jury tackle
in short order.
I ll take a look about and see if we can find where they made a
landin , said Jarrow.
You d better come right back, this trip, said Trask. It s important
that I get some of that sand under the microscope or cook a little of
it.
Cook it? asked Jarrow, puzzled.
Certainly. I ll be able to tell in fifteen minutes whether there s a
sign of gold on that beach.
Dinshaw came out, in great glee over an immediate landing on his
island, and could scarcely be restrained from climbing over the side
and into the boat long enough to have his coffee.
As the final preparations were being made for the departure of the
boat, Marjorie appeared, clad in khaki, with a short skirt and heavy
shoes.
I m all ready, she cried, thinking that everybody was embarking.
We re not going yet, said Locke. The crew s ashore, and the
captain s going to do a little reconnoitering before we leave the
schooner. We ll go right after breakfast, though, if everything s all
right.
Doc was all agrin, and regarded the early trip ashore in the nature of
a lark, and cast aside his white coat, to help row in his resplendent
sweater, while the cook went about laying the table for breakfast, his
round yellow face devoid of any interest in what was going on.
It was decided that Dinshaw should steer, which tickled him
mightily, and Captain Jarrow plied an oar himself.
Keep a good look-out, warned Jarrow, as they shoved off and
began to pull toward the land.
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Isle O Dreams
You bet we will, said Trask, gaily. Don t go above high-water
mark for that sand, but fill the bucket from any dark spots you can
find.
Captain Dinshaw ll simply die of joy, said Marjorie. I d hoped
we might all go together and see him land.
You d better put your hat on, Marge, or you ll have a skinned
nose, said her father. We ll be right in to breakfast.
There s some hocus-pocus about this, whispered Trask, as he and
Locke moved forward for a private talk.
What do you make of it?
Jarrow s in on the deal with the crew. That s why I wanted him
out of the way for awhile so we could figure things out. I believe that
Dinshaw did hear them say they intended to steal his island. Peth or
Jarrow got my gun, but Jarrow thinks we ve three more between us.
I told him last night you had two. He wants to get us separated.
Good Lord! exclaimed Locke, aghast. You can t mean they want
to put us out of the way!
I wish I knew what they wanted to do, said Trask, speaking
rapidly, and keeping his eyes on the boat which was making good
headway toward the shore. But I believe we re in serious danger,
and I don t see now what s to be done.
Jarrow is a fool, said Locke.
More of a rogue. He s far more clever than we realize. I m sure
now he signalled to Peth last night with the lantern, when I was out
here trying to see what the crew were about with the dinghy.
Then you knew it last night?
Yes. I found Jarrow out here on the forecastle head. First he lit a
cigar, which I suspect was a caution, then he shook the lantern,
probably to indicate that their absence was discovered, and then he
put the lantern out. He said it was so they couldn t find their way
back in the dark, but now I m sure it indicated that not only was the
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party known to be gone, but that their motives were suspected.
What s more, I m sure he s had Doc Bird spying on us at least on
me. Just as sure as I move that black is at my heels, as full of
questions as a rose is of thorns. We want to be mighty careful with
the cook, too.
We re sure in a pickle, said Locke. If there were any wind I d be
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