It was a situation which demanded earnest words,
and they were forthcoming. Elsie understood them to mean that she need
not be in such a purple hurry to disappear into the darkness without
the least explanation; thereupon she bade Suarez back the canoe a
little.
"I am sorry it is necessary to steal away in this fashion," she said,
and the coolness of her tone was highly exasperating to a man who could
no more detain her than he could move the _Kansas_ unaided. "I have a
plan which requires only a bit of good fortune to render it
practicable. I have two assistants--Suarez, whose aid I am compelling,
and Joey, who is quite eager. There is no use in risking any more
lives. If I do not return you may be sure the worst has happened."
"But what is your plan?" roared Boyle. "It may be just sheer nonsense.
Tell me what it is, and I swear by the Nautical Almanac I shall not
prevent you from carrying it out if it has any reason behind it."
"I am going to collect all the Indian canoes," was the amazing answer.
"I know it can be done, from what Suarez has said. Once we have the
canoes in mid channel, we can set most of them adrift, and bring
Captain Courtenay and the others back to the ship in four or five which
we will tow to Guanaco Hill.
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