“Captain wants the telescope,” said the able-seaman.
“Tell him breakfast’s practically ready,” said the mate. “The telescope’ll keep. Perch won’t. They ought to be eaten hot.”
Titty escaped with the telescope and gave her message.
“Coming in a minute,” shouted John. He held the telescope to his eye. “There’s something up in Houseboat Bay. There’s a motor launch going in now with a lot of people in it.”
The mate’s whistle shrilled from the camp.
“Coming, coming,” shouted the captain.
“If the natives are making an attack on Captain Flint,” said Titty, “I wish we were there too.”
The mate whistled again, and the captain and the able-seaman joined the others by the fire.
“Something’s happening in Houseboat Bay,” said John. “Boats going in one after another. I suppose he’s telling them all that we have been touching his beastly houseboat.”
“Don’t think about Captain Flint,” said Susan. “We can’t help it if he thinks we have been at his boat. Nothing will stop his thinking it. Remember what mother said. We know we haven’t. Don’t worry about him. I’ve put the sugar in your tea, and here’s your perch. There’s another one after that, and then one more if the Amazons aren’t quick.”
When each of the Swallows had eaten two perch, so that four were left in the frying-pan, Susan sent the boy up the lookout to see if the Amazon was in sight. He was back in a moment.