By this time the boys were dry once more and as they prepared to depart, the Japanese servant unexpectedly returned. In his hands he was carrying a tray on which there were numerous tempting viands. Both boys watched the lithe little man as he speedily cleared the table and then deposited upon it the plates and food which he had brought. "You're not going now," said their host to the two boys. "You're just in time for afternoon tea." "We didn't know that you served anything like that," laughed Fred. "I think we'll both be glad to stay and accept your invitation, shan't we?" he added as he turned to John. "I'm sure we shall," replied John, with a sigh which caused the others in the room to smile at his eagerness. The movements of the little Japanese speedily convinced the boys that he had had long experience in the work he then was doing. Deftly and silently he attended to all the wants of the guests and not many minutes had elapsed before, responding to the influence, both Fred and John were in better spirits. Turning to the mate, John said, "Don't you think it is time for us to find out what has become of the other boys?" "Don't you worry none about them," said the mate. "I guess the cap knows how to take care of them." "But we don't know where they are," suggested Fred. "We don't know how we are going to get back to Mackinac. We're sure they'll be anxious about us and I know we are about them." "Don't you worry none," retorted the mate. "They'll be coming this way pretty soon. I can tell the toot of the _Gadabout_ if Gabriel was blowing the whistle. They'll be here very soon, but I think by and by it may be a good thing for us to go down to the shore and watch a little if we don't hear the whistle calling pretty soon." The entire party still was seated about the table. Relieved by the confidence of the mate in the safety of their friends and of the _Gadabout_, both John and Fred became more intent listeners to the conversation which was occurring between the men. "That Mackinac Island," suggested their host after a time, turning to the boys, "is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Ever been there before?" "No, sir," replied Fred. "This is our first visit." "Don't you like it?" "Very much. There are no two days alike. We have been up the river, down the shore of Lake Michigan and to-day we came over here to Drummond Island to try the fishing." "And pretty nearly had a shipwreck, didn't you?" asked the mate. "Yes, if you can call a skiff that was smashed a shipwreck." "The skiff isn't smashed," drawled the sailor. "She's just stove in. We'll have her fixed up in no time and she'll be as good as ever." "I'm fond myself of Mackinac Island," continued the host. "I go over there some days and shut my eyes and try to imagine what it was like so many years ago when it was first discovered by the French." "They didn't hold it very long," suggested John. "No, and we didn't either."