A few minutes later they were afloat once more, leaving “Bob’s Island” behind.  Would they be able to reach the other one!  That was the question in every heart.

CHAPTER XXIII

A SERIOUS LOSS

Under a bright blue sky, with the sun shining down almost a little too warm for comfort, and with the sea very calm, the voyage that meant so much to all of them was begun.  They looked back with a little regret at the small island they were leaving.  There, at least, they knew they would be safe, but unless they desired to risk the chance of staying there many months, they must make this venture.

“Well, it was a fine little camp,” murmured Bob, with a tone of sorrow in his voice.

“Indeed it was,” declared Mr. Tarbill.  “I wish I was back there now.”

“Perhaps we all will be,” said Captain Spark gravely, “but there is no use discovering a leak in your boat until it’s actually there,” which was his way of saying that it was bad luck to cross a bridge until you came to it.

“Now we’ve got to have some system about this voyage,” went on the commander.  “We’ve got enough provisions and water to last us for the trip if we are careful of them.  We’ll not be able to have any banquets, and I depend upon every one—­in which I include myself—­to be sparing of the food and drink.  There is no telling what may happen.”

“I have a very good appetite since taking this sea voyage,” murmured Mr. Tarbill.  “I can’t bear to think of being hungry.”

“Well, perhaps there’ll be no need for it.  I only wanted to warn you.  Now I propose to take command of this gig, for it is my property, and I’m going to be obeyed, just as if we were on the Eagle.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” replied the sailors promptly.

“I’ll do my best to bring the craft to the larger island as soon as possible.  We’ll have to depend somewhat on the wind, for we can’t row all that distance in time to make our provisions last.  Fortunately, I have a reliable pocket compass, so I can lay our course fairly accurately.  Now, Ned Scudd and Tim Flynn, step the mast and hoist the sail and we’ll see how our craft behaves under canvas.”

The two sailors soon had the sail hoisted, and under the influence of a stiff breeze the gig shot rapidly ahead, the oars being shipped.  They had two pairs now, one the spare lot from the gig and the other from the boat Mr. Carr had commanded.

Captain Spark arranged his pocket compass on the stern seat near the tiller, and sitting there he directed the course of the small boat as nearly as he could toward the large island.  He and Mr. Carr were to divide the watches of the day and night.  There would be four, of six hours each.  That is, Captain Spark would be in charge of the boat for six hours, and then Mr. Carr would go on watch for the same length of time, until it became the captain’s turn again.  In this way each one could get sufficient rest.