Part 43 (1/2)
”How can you let him know?”
”One of us might row ash.o.r.e,” said Fred. ”The others ought to stay behind to watch affairs.”
”I'll go ash.o.r.e,” said Songbird promptly.
”You'll have to have one of the sailors row you.”
”I know it. I can take Hollbrook, he's a pretty decent sort of chap and I know he can row well.”
The fis.h.i.+ng lines were wound up, and without delay Songbird presented himself to Asa Carey. He and the others had agreed to say nothing to the mate about what Dora had overheard.
”Mr. Carey, I wish to go ash.o.r.e,” he said. ”Can I have Hollbrook row me to the beach?”
”Go ash.o.r.e?” growled the mate. ”I didn't know anybody else was going.”
”Well, I've just made up my mind to go. Can Hollbrook take me in one of the small boats?”
”Why didn't you go when Captain Barforth went?”
”I didn't think of it then.”
”I don't know that I can spare Hollbrook,” grumbled the mate. He was eyeing Songbird in a suspicious manner.
”He doesn't seem to be doing anything just now.”
”Say, who is running this vessel, you or I?” cried Asa Carey.
”Captain Barforth is running her. But she is under charter to Mr.
Rover, and Mr. Rover told me to use a small boat whenever I pleased,”
answered Songbird sharply. ”If you refuse to let me have a boat say so.”
”Oh, I--er--I didn't say that,” stammered the mate. ”If you want to go do so. But I don't know if Hollbrook can get you through the reef in safety or not.”
”I'll risk it,” said Songbird briefly and hurried below to prepare himself for the trip. Fred and Hans met him in his stateroom.
”I think Carey is suspicious,” said Songbird. ”Keep an eye on him, and if anything goes wrong shoot off the cannon or a gun. I'll do my best to find Mr. Rover and the captain and bring them back as quickly as possible.”
In a few minutes Songbird and the sailor were over the side of the _Rainbow_. Hollbrook could pull a long, telling stroke, and under his guidance the craft soon shot through the opening in the reef and glided safely into the bay.
”I am glad to put foot on sh.o.r.e,” said the sailor, as he leaped out on the sand.
”I want you to remain near the boat,” said Songbird. ”I want to see the captain and it is possible we may want to get back to the steam yacht in a hurry.”
”Oh! All right, sir.”
”While I am gone watch the _Rainbow_ and if she should steam away any great distance call me.”
”Why, I thought orders were for us to remain near the reef,” cried Hollbrook.
”So they were, but Mr. Carey is in command now.”