But the two Swedes shook their heads. They were slow of body and mind; the idea of rowing off without the mate was too daring. “You won't do it, then?” They looked at each other. “All right,” said Harper, pulling off his coat, “all right. Have it your way. But I'm goin' back, an' I'm goin' now.” He tossed his coat into the boat, pulled off his boots and threw them after, let himself down into the water, waded a few steps, and struck out for the schooner. It was but a little way. He swam around to the stern, and drew himself up by the boat tackle, which had been left hanging down close to the water. Rushing down into the cabin, where a single lantern burned dimly, he bent over the Captain, who lay dressed in his bunk, and shook him. “Wake up, Cap'n, wake up!” “Lemme be, will you?” “Wake up! It's me--Harper.” “I don't care if it is. You needn't drown me.” “But, Cap'n!” “Well, what's the row?” Slowly Dick raised his head and looked around. “Good Lord! What time is it?” “Twelve o'clock.” “Twelve o'clock _what!_” “Midnight.” “Midnight your gran'ma!” “But it is. Mr. McGlory, he--” “Just let go o' me, will you? Go over there and drip on the steps.” Dick was slowly swinging his feet around and sitting up. “You've soaked my bedding now. What's the matter with you anyhow? Been trying to swim home?” “No, Cap'n, but Ole says we're up at--” “See here, why haven't I been waked up?” “Mr. McGlory wouldn't let me wake you.” “Wouldn't let you?” “No, he--” “What's the matter with your lip?” “McGlory hit me.” “Hit you!” Dick sprang to his feet. “What in thunder are you talking about?” “I'm tryin' to tell you, Cap'n, if you 'll just listen--” “Go on, be quick about it.” “You've been sleepin' ever since we left Middle Island. Ole an' me we seen that the course was nor'east instead o' nor'west, an' I was goin' to wake you, but he wouldn't let me, an' I hollered loud but it didn't wake you, an' now we're in a place Ole thinks is Burnt Cove on Manitoulin Island, an'--an' Mr. McGlory's made me row him ashore, an' told us to wait there for him, an' I swum back to wake you--” Dick was standing close to Harper, staring at him with a mixture of astonishment and incredulity. Now he brushed him aside and ran up the steps. Sure enough, on every side were trees and the shadows of trees. The Lake was not to be seen. He turned again to Harper who was close at his elbow. “Where's the boat?” “Right over there--not a hundred yards.” “Ole!” called Dick. “Ya-as.” “Bring that boat back and hustle about it.” In a moment they heard the clanking of oars, and soon the boat appeared in the moonlight and ran alongside. “What are you doing there?” said Dick. “Mees' McGlory, she say to wait.” “Oh, she does, does she! Well, we 'll see about it.” He leaped down to the boat and took the stern. “Pull ashore.” “Cap'n,” said Harper, “will you let me go?”