"Take them in!" said Evans.
"Welcome those scoundrels?" said Briant. "I never can — "
"I can," said Gordon.
"Well, then, do so!" said Evans. "But don't let them have a suspicion of our presence. Kate and I will appear when it is time."
Evans and Kate retired into the cupboard in the passage between the rooms.
A few minutes afterwards Gordon, Briant, Donagan, and Baxter ran out on to the river-bank. The two men, now close to the other side pretended immense surprise when they saw them. And Gordon looked even more surprised.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"We have been wrecked on the south of this island in the boat of the ship Severn."
"Are you English?"
"No, Americans."
"Where are your companions?"
"All lost. We alone escaped the wreck, and we are almost done up. Who are you, please?"
"The colonists of Charman Island."
"Perhaps the colonists, then, will take pity on us, and help us, for we have got nothing — "
"All who are wrecked have a right to be helped," said Gordon. "You are welcome."
At a sign from him Moko entered the yawl, which was moored close by, and in a few strokes of the oar the two men were across the river.
Doubtless Walston had no choice, but it must be confessed that Rock's face was not one to inspire confidence, even with boys. He did his best to look like an honest man, but what could he do with his narrow forehead, his head so big behind, and his remarkable lower jaw? Forbes — in whom, according to Kate, every feeling of humanity was not yet dead — was a much better-looking fellow, which was probably the reason that Walston had sent him.
