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CHAPTER XVI
ADVENTURES AHEAD

"Three of us," replied Dave. "And all mighty glad to see you."

"What is it? A picnic party? Well, I'm hanged!" said the voice, the owner of which jumped out of the boat. He was a big, broad-shouldered man, with a pleasant ring in his voice.

"Much obliged to you for calling," said Tempest. "Hope we have n't inconvenienced you."

"It's a wonder we 're here at all," said the big man. "I saw your beacon as I was going below. Marooned?"

"Our ship had a bit of an argument with a rock out there," said Tempest, "and the rock won. We'd be glad of a passage out of this. You in a hurry? There's lots of stores worth taking."

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