ly going to put to sea in that small boat?" asked Mr.
Tarbill nervously, when the time for departure came.

"That's what we are," replied the captain.

"Then I'm not going."

"Very well. If you want to stay we'll leave you some provisions,
and perhaps, in six months, a ship may pass here and see the shirt
signal."

"Six months?"

"Well, maybe longer; maybe a shorter time."

"And I'll have to stay here all alone?"

"That's what you will," answered Captain Spark shortly, for he was
beginning to tire of Mr. Tarbill's cowardice.

"Oh, dear! What shall I do?" exclaimed the nervous man.

"Come along with us," suggested Bob.

"I'm afraid."

"Then stay on the island. That won't sink," said the captain.

"I'm afraid of that, too."

"Well, we're going," announced the commander, preparing to aid in
shoving the boat down to the water's edge.

"Oh! Don't leave me behind! I'll go! I'll go! But I know I'll
be drowned! I'm sure of it!"

"You're a cheerful passenger," murmured the captain, as Mr. Tarbill
got into the boat. "Let her go, boys!"

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