"He wants to know," says he, "if our wireless is out of commission, and
if it is why we don't run up a signal."
"Bah!" says Rupert. "These naval officers are too nosey. It'll do
this one good if we take no notice of him."
"All the same," insists Meyers, "I think Mr. Ellins and the Captain
ought to know what's going on."
"Oh, very well," says Rupert. "I'll call them down and we'll talk it
over."
Course, we had to clear out then, for it's a secret confab of the whole
executive committee that develops, includin' Auntie. But we got a full
report later. It seems Rupert was skittish about havin' naval officers
snoopin' around the yacht. For one thing, he don't want 'em to find
out that this is a treasure-huntin' cruise, on account of the
government's bein' apt to hog part of the swag. Then, there's all them
guns stowed away below. He explains how this _Petrel_ is a slow old
tub that he don't believe could overhaul the _Agnes_ before dark. So
why not make a run for it?
The reg'lar yacht captain was dead against anything like that. He
wouldn't advise monkeyin' with the United States Navy, if they was
askin' him. Better chuck the guns overboard. As for Old Hickory, he
was sort of on the fence.
Who do you guess it was, though, that stood out for makin' the nervy
getaway? Auntie.
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