“Yes,” said the mate.
“He has been telling the natives that we have been meddling with his houseboat.”
“But we’ve never touched it.”
“I know we haven’t, but he has been telling them that we have. He is trying to set the natives against us. I don’t know why he hates us, but he does.”
“Then he was shaking his fist at us yesterday,” said the mate.
“I knew he was a retired pirate,” said Titty. “He has a secret. They all have. Either it’s dark deeds or else it’s treasure. Look at the way he fired at the pirate ship. He must have thought they were after his hoard.”
“Yes, but why is he against us?” said John.
“Perhaps this is his island,” said Titty. “You know someone had been here before us and made a fireplace.”
“But if it was his island he would live on it instead of living in the houseboat.”
“It would be much more comfortable for the parrot,” said Titty.
“Anyway, it looks as if he wanted to get us turned off the island.”
“We won’t go,” said Roger.
“Of course we won’t,” said Captain John; “but the question is, just what ought we to do?”
“Let’s go and sink the houseboat,” said Roger and Titty together.