starving. And they can't get lost either--I'll show you how."

Pee-wee decided to take one of the boys with him to prove to his mother
that the island was inhabited, and two other boys started back up the
river in the other canoe. This left Townsend with two companions on
the island. He sat against the trunk of the tree, knees drawn up,
philosophically scanning the shore and occasionally giving an expectant
glance up the river for smoke signals. He seemed resigned to a quiet
expectancy that he would be summoned to intercede in one quarter or
another. He looked very whimsical and funny.

"I wonder if you have to crank this island or whether it has a
self-starter," he drawled in his amusing way. "If they don't get back
by one or so, we'll have to make some root sandwiches. What do you
say, Charlie!"




CHAPTER XII

THE DISCOVERER RETURNS

In about an hour and a half the two boys from up the river returned
with provisions.

"Any news from the discoverer?" they asked.

"I think he's being held as a hostage by the cook," said Townsend.
"Shall we land and lay waste to his home?"