“Jest so, jest so,” said Mitchell with a pleased smile. “I think as ’ow yer two boys ’as got common sense and a bit o’ feelin’ fer t’ other feller. Glad t’ ’ear ye speak es ye do. Go, by hall means, an’ hif ye’ll take my advice ye’ll start mighty soon fer there’s no tellin’ as t’ ’ow long hit’ll tike ’e. An’ hif ye’re hout there when night comes on—well hin t’ dark ye might stumble over a cliff peraps er—er—. Say, look ’ere, lads, I’ll go along wi’ ye. I don’t mind gettin’ wet an’ besides I got ’ilers an’ a so’wester. I’ll go long wi’ ye t’ show ’e t’ wi, seein’ as ’ow ye never walked crost t’ hisland yit.”
“Great,” cried Jack.
“Finest ever,” said Ray, and the old seaman looked delighted at their manifestations of pleasure.
“Hall right, me ’arties, we’ll start right awiy. You lads, just wait till I git on me ilers an’ I’ll go out hin t’ boat ’ouse an’ look hup some old duds as I got stowed awi there agin jist sech an adwersity.” And presently the lobsterman donned his oilskins and plunged out into the storm.
A few moments later he stumped into the room again, puffing like a grampus and dripping wet. In his arms he clutched a bundle of weatherworn oilskins.
“Phew, blime ’e hif hit ain’t rainin’,” said he as he deposited the bundle of clothing on the floor. “’Ere’s a lot o’ cast-hoffs as I’ve ’ad a ’angin’ hin t’ boat ’ouse fer this long time. Some o’ ’em is putty much worn, but they’ll shed water in spots henywi’. Sort ’em hout, lads.”
Jack and Ray began rummaging through the bundle of yellowish gray garments and in no time they were decked out in weatherproof clothes. Of course they wore their regular clothing underneath, as did Old Mitchell, but even at that the lobsterman’s cast-offs were far too large for them.
“Some fit,” said Jack as he waved a far too long sleeve in the air.
“Huh, two of us could get into this jacket, but just the same I’m glad to have ’em. I’m ready to start—how about you?” said Ray, as he gathered his precious model up under his arms and started for the door. Jack followed him and the lobsterman, after a glance about the cottage and a last poke at the dying fire in the stove, followed the two boys.
The moment they emerged, the lads had to brace themselves to keep from being blown down. The wind swooped around the corner of the little cottage and tore at their garments madly, while the big raindrops beat into their faces.