Part 9 (1/2)
”What's this I hear? Lonesome for Partner and me?” asked Skipper Ed, who had finished with the boat and, co up behind the boys, overheard Bobby's re”
”Well, well, now, isn't that strange!” ejaculated Skipper Ed ”I was thinking the sa that way, too, and we've been talking it over!”
”Jiether,”
continued Bobby
”So e! So e! A strange coincidence!” declared Skipper Ed
”And Abel thinks it ed”
”Oh, can it? Can it?” and the boys jumped to their feet
”I don't know,” and Skipper Ed's face assuloomy expression as he seated hi in the way and I couldn't consent”
”Why can't we?” asked Jimmy, in deep disappointment
”Because,” said Skipper Ed seriously, ”I'm not free to consent”
”Why not? Yes, you are!” coaxed Bobby ”Please do”
”I'd like to,” said Skipper Ed ”Yes, I'd _like_ to; but you see I've got a partner, and one partner can't go ahead and do things unless the other partner agrees At any rate he shouldn't Do you agree, Partner?”
The boys gave a whoop of joy
”Then you consent, Partner?” and Skipper Ed's eyes twinkled humorously
”Of course I do, Partner!” exclai”
”Then everything is arranged,” said Skipper Ed ”Abel says there are plenty of fish for all of us around Itigailit Island Perhaps, then, we'd better go hos in shi+pshape for an early start in the lee, Bobby to the cabin to break the good news to Mrs Abel, and Skipper Ed down the trail toward his own cabin, with Jimmy at his heels
CHAPTER X
A FOOLHARDY SHOT
Though the days were long now, for this was July, when dawn co, it was scarce daylight when Skipper Ed and Ji trap boat, and with a skiff in tohich were stowed his seven sledge dogs, hoisted sail and bore down the bay before a westerly breeze
And as they passed beyond the point which separated the cove in which Abel's cabin stood from the cove where their own cabin stood, they discovered Abel's boat al distance Bobby and Jis, and Skipper Ed and Abel converged their courses until the boats were so close as to per The air was crisp and fragrant hiffs of forest perfumes borne down to thee in the eastern sky foretold the co of the sun The sea sparkled Gulls and other wild fowl soared overhead or rode lightly upon the swell A school of shi+ning caplin shi+mmered on the surface of the water Here and there a seal lifted its curious head for a rareat black back above the surface, and then sank again from view