Page:Barbour--Lost island.djvu/297

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LOST ISLAND

Tempest said to Dave with a touch of enthusiasm. "We 'll make for there first, anyway."

"Well, it's none of my business," said Mr. Flaggy "but if there's any way I can help you, put a name to it."

"That's very kind of you," said Tempest, apparently absorbed for the moment in getting an obstinate pipe to burn. Here was Old Man Opportunity hammering hard. Mr. Flagg had a boat that was perfectly suitable for the trip. Mr. Flagg and his two Kanaka sailors knew the waters as well as any one else. Mr. Flagg, also, probably knew the very place Dave and Tempest were so anxious to reach. Tempest did some hard and quick thinking in a very few seconds. It would only be fair, if they took Mr. Flagg into partnership, to give him a full share of the possible proceeds. After burning his second match Tempest had decided that he and Dave would carry out their original program and do the whole thing off their own bat if possible. At least they

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