ke a little joke?" demanded Jarrow, with a wry grin.
"Think we're goin' to run away with yer island?"

Dinshaw became confused at this, and stared at the others
helplessly. Marjorie spoke up and reassured the old man that no
one wanted to cheat him out of what was his, and he went on eating,
content.

But Jarrow's sharpness put an end to the pleasant relations which
had been resumed. In a few minutes he found an excuse to leave the
table and did not come back.

"We certainly have joined a happy family," said Locke. "If it
wasn't that we were so near to this island, I'd be for turning the
schooner around and----"

"Oh, Dad!" said Marjorie. "Don't take it so seriously! I want to
see the island."

"So do I, but I hate to hear everybody aboard barking at everybody
else. First it's Mr. Peth, and now the captain's on his high horse.
They're not being paid to perform like a box of wild-cats, and I'll
inform Captain Jarrow to that effect before long if things don't
change."

"He wants to steal my island!" whispered Dinshaw.

Doc Bird, who was serving the coffee, started visibly, and looked
at Dinshaw in amazement.

"What's that?" asked Locke, and Trask and Marjorie turned to the
old captain.

"Jarrow and Peth want to steal my island and have all the gold,"
insisted Dinshaw, his face tragic.

"Steward, give my compliments to Captain Jarrow and tell him I'd
speak to him," said Locke.

"I wouldn't do that," cautioned Trask. "Let's see what this is
about. I don't think it's wise to jump at conclusions. What makes
you think they're going to steal your island?"

"Call the cap'n, sir?" asked Doc, on his way to the companion.

"Never mind," said Locke.

"What reason have you for believing that Jarrow and Peth want to
steal your gold, captain?" asked Trask, gently.

"I know," said Dinshaw, wagging his head.

"How do you know?"

"I--I dreamed it. I was asleep out there in the long boat and heard
'em talking."

"We can't very well blame Jarrow for what you dream," said Locke,
relieved that there was nothing more substantial to Dinshaw's
charges than a dream.

"I didn't dream it," said Dinshaw, with sudden conviction. "I heard
'em talk. Jarrow said if there was gold on the island, he and Peth
was to have it for themselves."

Doc chuckled, and showed his teeth in a broad smile, with a sly
wink at Trask.

"He talks in his sleep," whispered Doc into Trask's ear, as he bent
over to remove a plate.

"Don't you