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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14130 ***
+
+THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF
+
+Or, Rescuing the Lost Balloonists
+
+by
+
+CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN
+
+Author of _The Outdoor Chums_, _The Outdoor Chums on the Lake_,
+_The Outdoor Chums after Big Game_, etc.
+
+1911
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+       I UNDER SEALED ORDERS
+      II CAUGHT IN A FIRE TRAP
+     III HEADED SOUTH
+      IV JERRY MEETS TROUBLE HALF WAY
+       V THE FIRST CAMPFIRE
+      VI THE SWAMP FUGITIVE
+     VII A FLORIDA SHERIFF
+    VIII WILL DOES IT
+      IX THE MOTOR-BOAT AND THE PROWLERS
+       X BLUFF'S FIRST 'GATOR
+      XI ALL THE COMFORTS OF SALT WATER
+     XII THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MOTOR
+    XIII LOST IN THE FOG
+     XIV A CRY ACROSS THE LAGOON
+      XV A VISIT TO THE MYSTERIOUS SHARPIE
+     XVI JOE
+    XVII STUCK ON AN OYSTER BAR
+   XVIII TROUBLE
+     XIX WHAT HAPPENED TO JERRY
+      XX LYING IN AMBUSH FOR BIG GAME
+     XXI A STRENUOUS NIGHT
+    XXII THE MESSAGE FROM THE AIR
+   XXIII A DASH UPON THE GULF
+    XXIV THE "NORTHER"
+     XXV THE SECRET OF THE SEALED PACKET--CONCLUSION
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+UNDER SEALED ORDERS
+
+
+"Now KEEP your word, Frank, and tell us the news!"
+
+"Yes, you got us to come to your house tonight under a promise, remember.
+What wonderful thing has happened to make you look so tickled?"
+
+"Talk to me about the Sphinx! Frank has the old relic beaten to a
+frazzle!"
+
+Three boys gathered eagerly around the fourth as they bombarded him after
+this fashion. Frank Langdon looked at the faces of his chums and laughed
+again.
+
+"Well, it would be a shame to keep you squirming on the anxious seat any
+longer, boys, and I'm going to take you into my confidence just as fast
+as I can. Sit down and hold your oars. Jerry, pull that stool up; Will,
+the settee must do for you and Bluff. Now, are you ready?" he asked,
+tantalizingly.
+
+"Crazy to hear!" was the characteristic reply of Bluff, otherwise Richard
+Masters, son of Centerville's greatest lawyer.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you?" exclaimed Jerry Wallington.
+
+"Please go on before we explode!" begged Will Milton.
+
+"These things always have a beginning, you know. This one happens
+to be founded on the fact that we are close to our annual Christmas
+vacation, and that this year it happens that we're going to enjoy
+two full weeks--you know that?" said Frank.
+
+"Of course we do, thanks to that steam-heater getting out of order. But
+don't rehash old stuff. That's history by now. What we want is the meat
+in the cocoanut. Please hit for the bull's-eye, first chop," pleaded
+Will.
+
+"I was wondering what we would do with ourselves during that time.
+There's old Jesse Wilcox, the trapper, who invited us up to spend a
+week with him and see how he runs out his string of traps in cold
+weather, catching muskrats, mink, 'coons, foxes and all such things in
+more or less abundance. We had about decided that we would accept, and I
+was even getting ready to go when something happened."
+
+"Talk to me about your tantalizing chaps, did you ever meet up with one
+as bad as Frank can be when he knows the rest of us are so keen to hear?"
+cried Jerry.
+
+"What was it?" demanded Bluff.
+
+"I had a letter that changed my mind," replied Frank.
+
+"Not from old Jesse?"
+
+"Well, hardly, for I don't believe the old fellow can write. This was
+from one of my cousins, a fellow several years older than myself. You met
+him about a year ago when he stopped with us a few days."
+
+"You must mean Archie Dunn," said Will.
+
+"Go up head, Will. Archie it was. I was glad enough to get a letter from
+him, but when I read what he had to propose I thought I should have a
+fit."
+
+"Just as we will, unless you hurry your yarn," growled Jerry, moving
+uneasily.
+
+"Well, Archie wrote that he had laid out a plan for his amusement this
+winter. You know he is independent, having come into quite a snug
+fortune. He is as fond of outdoor life as any member of this club, and,
+having a tutor to accompany him, is able to do lots of splendid stunts
+that less fortunate chaps can only dream about."
+
+"The lucky dog!" commented Bluff, enviously.
+
+"It seems that this year he was about to carry out a long-cherished plan
+of his. He purchased a beautiful little motor-boat, about twenty-seven
+feet long, and carrying a twelve horse-power engine. He says she can make
+twelve miles an hour if pushed, but being beamy she is as steady as a
+church floor and mighty comfortable; just the kind of a craft for
+cruising along a river or the bays of a coast."
+
+Jerry groaned.
+
+"You're killing me by inches! To tell us all this and then ask us to
+settle on going up there into the woods for a two-weeks' spin! It's a
+crime, that's what!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Wait!" said Frank, mysteriously; and the others immediately drew a bit
+closer, almost holding their very breath with eagerness and anticipation.
+
+"He had this boat taken to a Southern town on the railroad, where a
+navigable river flows through Northern Florida into the Gulf. Here he
+also shipped all his provisions, intending to make a start just before
+Christmas, when the unexpected happened. He had an accident--broke
+through the ice when skating, came near being drowned, and has been laid
+up with pneumonia ever since!"
+
+"Poor chap! That's awful!" declared Bluff.
+
+"But that isn't the worst by any means, from our standpoint, boys. His
+doctor has strictly forbidden him to take that voyage this winter and is
+sending him off with his tutor to some baths in Southern Europe or some
+old place where he may recover his strength."
+
+The three boys groaned in concert.
+
+"A rough deal all around," said Jerry.
+
+"What a disappointment it must have been, and he with his heart set on
+the trip!" exclaimed Will.
+
+"But they tell us that 'it's a poor wind that blows nobody good.' So he
+has written me this letter, making a proposal," went on Frank, calmly.
+
+"What!" shouted Jerry, clutching the arm of his chum.
+
+"Oh! he hates to leave his fine, dandy little launch there at that town,
+where there is really no accommodation for her, and would like to have
+some one take her over the course to Cedar Keys, Florida, to put her up
+with a boat builder he knows. And so he wrote to me," continued Frank.
+
+"Do you mean he has asked you to go down there and take that boat, just
+as he intended doing?" gasped Bluff.
+
+"Yes, only that instead of taking two months loitering along I could do
+the job in ten days, perhaps," was the answer.
+
+"Oh! what a lucky dog you are," sighed Will; "think of the innumerable
+chances for taking magnificent snapshots along the way."
+
+"Hold on. I didn't tell you that in his letter he says particularly, 'you
+and those bully good chums of yours, the whole three--plenty of sleeping
+accommodations for the lot aboard!'" cried Frank, with a smile.
+
+Then there _was_ a scene! Jerry gripped Bluff, and gave him a hug a bear
+might have envied, while Will was shaking Frank's hand as though it were
+a pump handle.
+
+"Glorious!"
+
+"The finest ever!"
+
+"It beats the Dutch how Frank runs into snaps!"
+
+This last, of course, from Jerry, who was taking his turn now at
+squeezing the hand of his chum.
+
+"But, I'm afraid, fellows, that we won't ever get the consent of our
+parents," sighed Will. "My mother would hate to have me go so far away.
+You know she only has my twin sister Violet and myself. Oh! it's sure too
+good to be true."
+
+"Now don't cross a river until you come to it, fellows. To tell you the
+truth, that part of the programme has already been attended to. My father
+and myself have been the rounds unbeknown to any of you, and got the
+consent of Will's mother, as well as the parents of Bluff and Jerry. It's
+a settled thing, boys!"
+
+They sat there and stared at each other. Evidently none of them could
+fully grasp the wonderful proposition entirely. They thought they must be
+dreaming.
+
+"Please don't wake me up; this is too bang-up for anything," said Will.
+
+"Frank, your equal never existed. Talk to me about your chums, no fellows
+ever had such a boss comrade as your fellow-members of the Rod, Gun and
+Camera Club!" declared Jerry.
+
+"When do we start?" demanded Bluff, as though ready to run for the train
+at that very minute.
+
+"The day after to-morrow. School closes in one more day, and father
+thought it wouldn't matter much if we slipped off a bit ahead of time. He
+will fix it with the Head all right. So, now you've got to be as busy as
+bees getting your duffle in readiness between now and the time the train
+goes, eight A.M. sharp."
+
+"That governor of yours is certainly the finest ever. How did it come
+that he fell in with the idea so quickly? Did you have to beg hard?"
+asked Will.
+
+"That's the strangest part of it, as I'll tell you presently. He fairly
+jumped at the idea when I told him about Cedar Keys. But we must spend
+the whole evening settling just what we are to take along with us,"
+ventured Frank.
+
+"What did you say about grub?" queried Bluff, whose appetite never failed
+him.
+
+"Archie wants us to accept all he has laid in, and encloses the list. I
+need add only a few little things that I happen to know one or the other
+of us fancies especially, and we are fixed for two weeks. You see there
+were two of them, and they expected to be afloat two months, so he laid
+in a large quantity of bacon, coffee, tea, sugar, and all substantials,
+much more than we can ever use; and I know Archie well enough to make
+sure they came from the best grocery in New York."
+
+"Oh! the darling, won't we remember him in our prayers, boys, and hope he
+gets good and strong over at that cure in Europe? There will be never a
+meal but that our thanks will ascend for this good deed of Cousin Archie.
+He belongs to all of us; this club adopts him as its one honorary member;
+and I hereby propose three cheers for the biggest-hearted chap going.
+Hip, hip, hurray!"
+
+Doubtless Frank's father and mother exchanged smiles when this hearty
+cheer came to their ears from Frank's den; but Mr. Langdon, even though a
+staid banker now, never forgot that he had once been a boy himself; and
+they understood the enthusiasm that must inevitably sweep over the three
+chums of Frank when they heard the glorious news.
+
+So the boys proceeded to go into executive session, and jot down lists of
+such things as they would be apt to need on the outing.
+
+"I understand that Archie had some heavy fishing tackle in his supplies,
+which we can count on to carry us through. Take your heavy rods only, and
+your guns, with proper ammunition," suggested Frank.
+
+"And I'll lay in a stock of films and such things, for I expect to get
+lots of fine pictures among those wonderful Southern scenes. I've always
+wanted to see that Spanish moss trailing from the swamp trees like it is
+in all Southern views. I'm the happiest chap in Centerville tonight,
+Frank!" exclaimed Will.
+
+"But see here," interrupted Bluff, "how about that matter connected with
+your good dad, Frank--why was he so pleased at the idea of you going to
+Cedar Keys?"
+
+"Yes, tell us about that," burst out Jerry.
+
+"It's a big mystery, fellows. Father smiled and nodded his head when I
+read him Archie's letter. 'What a remarkable coincidence. I was just
+thinking of going to that city myself, or sending a trusted messenger,
+and now you can do it all for me,' he said."
+
+The boys exchanged looks.
+
+"Don't it just beat all?" remarked Jerry, weakly.
+
+"Why, we're having the luckiest streak of our lives, that's what. But see
+here, Frank, didn't he tell you more?" remarked Bluff, who always wanted
+to know, being the son of a lawyer.
+
+"He gave me this little packet, done up in a stout manila envelope, and
+told me not to open it until I came in sight of Cedar Keys. Inside would
+be found full instructions as to what errand he wanted me to carry out."
+
+"Better and better! We sail under sealed orders, fellows. That should add
+a little zest to the voyage. I know I'll be consumed with curiosity every
+minute of the time wanting to know what under the sun it can be that your
+good dad has waiting for you to do," said Will, seriously.
+
+"Well," remarked Frank, "you see me put the packet away, not to be opened
+until the proper time; and now we'd better go on with our lists."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+CAUGHT IN A FIRE TRAP
+
+
+It was late that night ere the three visitors thought of going home.
+There was so much to talk over that it seemed as though they could never
+break away.
+
+"Listen!" exclaimed Will, finally, as they were about to depart.
+
+"That's the fire-bell, as sure as you live!" cried Bluff.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you!" cried Jerry. "A cold night to get burned
+out!"
+
+Frank snatched up his coat and cap.
+
+"I'm going with you, fellows, as far as the corner, anyway, and see if it
+is a real fire, or a fake," he remarked.
+
+Accordingly the quartette rushed out of the door and down the street.
+There was snow on the ground, and the air was pretty keen.
+
+"It's a fire all right; look, you can see the light, and the smoke!" said
+Will.
+
+"Say, fellows, isn't that the square, and doesn't it look like it might
+be the Sherman House?" asked Frank.
+
+"As sure as you live," replied Bluff. "That would be a tough thing, for
+the people there to climb out near midnight, and the mercury hovering
+half way down to zero!"
+
+"Hurry! Perhaps we can help some!" exclaimed good-hearted Jerry, and they
+increased their pace.
+
+It was the hotel, beyond all doubt. As the boys came into the open square
+they saw a scene of confusion that thrilled them. Smoke was pouring out
+of the lower windows of the big frame building, and in some places it was
+accompanied by red tongues of flame, licking up the dry wood.
+
+"She's a goner!" announced Jerry grimly.
+
+They saw people come hastily out of the doorway, some scantily clad, and
+with blankets around their shoulders. Luckily there were only a few
+guests in the hotel, since the best trade came in summer.
+
+Loud shouts told that the local fire company was coming with their
+hand-engine. Probably the Chemical Company would also be on hand,
+although it was too late for anything to be done but try and save
+adjoining buildings, none of which, fortunately enough, were very close
+to the doomed hotel.
+
+Frank and his chums thought that possibly they might help out at pumping,
+or doing something of the sort. At a fire in a country town every one
+assists to carry out furniture, or work the machine, while the regular
+members of the organization enjoy the exclusive privilege of carrying the
+hose and smashing in windows.
+
+Amid the greatest excitement the water was finally started. By this time
+one end of the building was all on fire, and every person knew it would
+be a complete wreck before the flames ceased feeding.
+
+It chanced that the boys were standing near some of those who had issued
+forth from the hotel. Among them was the proprietor, plainly excited as
+he saw his property going up in smoke and flames, and still getting some
+consolation from the fact that he had a good insurance on it all.
+
+Just then a man came limping and seized hold of the hotel proprietor.
+
+"Have you seen my brother, the professor?" he demanded, in a trembling
+voice.
+
+"Oh! that you, Mr. Smythe? Your brother--no, I don't remember seeing him.
+But I guess everybody got out all right. He must be around somewhere,"
+replied the other.
+
+"I've asked a dozen people, and nobody has seen him. I tell you, man,
+he's asleep up in that room yet, and will be burned to death!" exclaimed
+the gentleman, whom Jerry knew quite well. He was very lame and walked
+with difficulty.
+
+His brother, a balloonist of national reputation, had been visiting him
+recently, and on account of some sickness at the house, had taken a room
+at the hotel.
+
+"But no sane man could sleep through all this beastly row; and sure we
+haven't seen any one at the windows, have we, boys?" went on the fat
+hotel man.
+
+"But you don't understand. I tell you he has been unable to sleep for
+several nights, and just before he left me early to-night he took a
+sleeping powder that he said would make him dead to the world for eight
+hours! He's up in his room yet, and will be lost unless some one goes
+and drags him out!" cried Mr. Smythe.
+
+"Which is his room, Mr. Ten Eyck?" demanded an eager voice.
+
+The stout hotel man looked at the speaker, who was none other than Jerry.
+
+"You see that window over there at the end of the house, third
+floor--that's his room! But the stairs must be ablaze by now, boy! It
+would be suicide to think of trying to go up there!" he cried.
+
+"Come on, Frank; we'll take a look in, anyhow!" shouted Jerry as he
+dashed off, followed by his chum, equally excited.
+
+Still, Frank was ordinarily a cool-headed fellow, and accustomed to
+weighing chances somewhat before imperiling his life. In this case, of
+course, he knew that more or less risk must be taken if they hoped to
+save the sleeping balloonist.
+
+One look they took in at the front door. The whole place was ablaze.
+
+"Get out of the way, boys; we're going to put the hose in there!" cried
+one of the wearers of the fire-hats and coats, as he advanced.
+
+"No chance there!" exclaimed Frank, in despair, as he moved back.
+
+Jerry clutched his arm.
+
+"Come along with me. Perhaps the back stairs may not be burning, yet.
+They happen to be further along toward the safe side. There's a chance!"
+he panted.
+
+Half a minute later they had turned the corner, and were close to the
+rear exit.
+
+"See, the smoke is coming out, but no fire. Shall we risk it?" asked the
+eager Jerry.
+
+Frank swept a quick look above and around. He was weighing the thing in
+his mind, so that they might not be carried by impulse to their doom.
+
+"It's worth while. At the worst we can jump into that tree from the
+window. And it's just terrible to think of the professor sleeping on
+until he is caught. Lead the way, Jerry; you know about it better than
+I do. Remember, on the third floor, and turn to the left!"
+
+They darted in. Several persons near by shouted warnings, but the
+words fell on deaf ears, for already the daring lads were rushing up the
+narrow stairs. Around them the smoke was dense. It smarted their eyes
+dreadfully, so that they were compelled to rub them from time to time in
+order to see at all.
+
+Reaching the first landing, Jerry turned to the left. Frank had hold of
+his chum's coat, for he did not want to get lost in that smoky interior,
+and Jerry was the one acquainted with the situation.
+
+Now they had reached the second flight of stairs. A burst of red fire
+further along the hall served to show them for a brief space of time how
+matters stood. Up the stairs they stumbled, gaining the upper landing.
+Again Jerry turned to the left.
+
+"He said the last room, didn't he?" he gasped.
+
+"Yes, go on!" answered Frank, still gripping his comrade's garment.
+
+"Then here's the door!"
+
+"Shut?"
+
+"Yes, and locked, too! What shall we do?" exclaimed Jerry.
+
+"Kick it in--any old way, but we must be quick!" answered the other.
+
+Then the two threw themselves upon the door. It quickly gave way before
+their combined assault. They pushed into the room. The smoke had gained a
+footing here, but on account of the closed door it was not nearly so
+bad as in the halls.
+
+Immediately they saw a figure stretched across the bed. The balloonist
+had evidently been overcome by sleep before he thought to undress, and
+dropped over just as he had come from his lame brother's house.
+
+"Wake up, professor, the house is on fire!" shouted Frank in the ear of
+the man.
+
+Jerry, meanwhile, was shaking him vigorously; but all their efforts
+seemed to be of no avail. The man slept on as peacefully as though a
+babe, such was the power of the drug he had taken.
+
+"We can't stay here long," said Frank, as the smoke thickened in the
+room. "And as he won't wake up, why, we'll have to try and carry or drag
+him down."
+
+Fortunately, the man was not a very large person, or they might have
+despaired of ever accomplishing such a thing.
+
+"Take hold on that side, Jerry. Now, lift, and drag his heels. That's the
+only way we can do," exclaimed Frank, who feared that even short as their
+stay in that room had been they would find conditions changed for the
+worse when they again reached the hall.
+
+The professor paid not the least attention to what they were doing. He
+had possibly taken an overdose of his sleeping-powder, and only for the
+coming of the two chums must have perished miserably, like a rat in a
+trap.
+
+When Frank threw open the door of the room again he uttered a cry of
+alarm. The back stairway was a mass of flame. Although hardly more than
+two minutes had passed since they came up those stairs, it was now
+manifestly impossible to pass down again.
+
+He slammed the door shut and found Jerry staring at him in the half
+light.
+
+"Talk to me about your fiery furnaces, that beats them all!" exclaimed
+Frank's chum, as he let go the professor's shoulders. "What shall we do
+now?"
+
+Frank ran over to the window and threw up the sash. He looked out and
+then came back to where Jerry stood, trembling with excitement. Frank was
+as cool as ever in his life.
+
+"There's a chance, Jerry," he shouted. "No fire below! Take hold here;
+tear up these sheets and knot them into a rope. Work for your life, and
+if the fire only holds back we may be able to save both the professor and
+ourselves! But work! work!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+HEADED SOUTH
+
+
+They did work with a vim, for the smoke was getting more oppressive with
+each passing second; and from the glimpse they had taken of the stairway
+it was plain to the boys that presently the fire would wrap the whole
+south end of the building in its grip, when their case would indeed be
+desperate.
+
+Each tore and knotted until as if by magic a long rope was fashioned.
+True, it might betray them at the last and break, but Frank believed
+the sheets to be of good material and nearly new.
+
+He had not time to even test the frail rope, but fastened it around the
+sleeping balloonist, under his arms.
+
+"Now help me lift him over the window-sill," he cried.
+
+They had little difficulty in doing that, for the professor was a small,
+slight man. Once he was passed over the ledge, they began to lower away.
+
+Frank only hoped in his heart that the fire might restrain its fury for a
+brief space of time. If it darted out below it must catch the human
+burden which they were lowering so speedily.
+
+Shouts were heard outside. It seemed as though fully an hundred voices
+were raised to applaud the daring feat of the two boys, as the figure of
+the professor was seen coming rapidly down at the end of the rope made of
+torn sheets.
+
+"If it's only long enough!" gasped Jerry.
+
+"Hurrah! they've got hold of him! He's saved!" roared Frank, as the
+tremendous pull suddenly ceased.
+
+They had about reached the end of the rope, so that this happy event
+came just in the nick of time. Frank hurriedly fastened that end to the
+bed-post.
+
+"Climb out, Jerry, and slide down. Not a word now, or we may lose our
+chance!"
+
+Jerry had been about to object, wishing his chum to go first. He realized
+the truth of what Frank said, however, and how foolish it would be to
+stand back on a matter so small. Accordingly he clambered over the
+window-sill and vanished from view.
+
+Frank got in position to follow, and only waited until he had reason to
+believe his chum had reached safety. The rope had done bravely, but it
+certainly could never stand the strain of two of them at the same time.
+
+And even as he waited there was a flash of fire below, as the flames ate
+through the sheathing of the house. A tremendous yell went up.
+
+"Come down, Frank--oh! quick!" he caught above the clamor, and he knew
+that it was Will's shrill voice he heard.
+
+The fire was perilously close to the rope. In a second it might catch
+and be severed. Frank did not hesitate. He was accustomed to meeting
+emergencies promptly, and doing the right thing.
+
+Down he slipped, passing the threatening flame, in fact shooting through
+it just as the rope began to be consumed in its hot breath. Frank had
+almost reached the point of safety when he felt his support collapse, and
+he dropped downward.
+
+Something caught him, something that seemed endowed with life--the
+extended arms of his three chums eagerly fashioned into a net, and he was
+not injured, beyond a little singeing of his hair as he passed through
+the fiery torch.
+
+The boys were glad to get away from the crowd of enthusiastic admirers
+who wanted to lift Frank and Jerry on their shoulders, and carry them
+around town in triumph, something that felt repulsive to the lads.
+
+But the lame brother of the man they had saved, seized upon them ere they
+went off.
+
+"A thousand thanks to you, for your brave deed!" he cried. "You have
+saved a human life to-night, boys, and one of more than ordinary value.
+My brother is employed by the Government to experiment with balloons and
+aeroplanes, and his discoveries may prove a great thing for our nation in
+case of a foreign war. To-morrow he will thank you himself, and from
+his heart. Your mothers have cause to be proud of their sons, and I shall
+tell them so myself."
+
+From a distance the boys watched the hotel burn, and talked over the
+affair just as though they might have been casual watchers, and had no
+particular interest in the matter. And yet two of them had come very
+close to sacrificing their young lives in attempting to save that of
+another.
+
+Both Bluff and Will had suffered tortures while their chums were
+inside the doomed structure. Their voices had led all the rest as the
+sheet-rope fell from the upper window, with the form of the professor
+dangling at the end, for they knew the daring plan of their mates had
+been a brilliant success.
+
+The fire did not jump to any of the nearby dwellings or stores, thanks to
+the efficient labors of the department, the members of which worked like
+Trojans in order to confine it to its original field.
+
+When it had died down the boys separated once more, and the hearty grip
+that passed between them was evidence of the sincere affection that bound
+this quartette of clean, manly fellows in common.
+
+Neither Frank nor Jerry said a word to their parents about the heroic
+part they had played in the rescue of Professor Smythe. Imagine the
+astonishment of Frank's father when that gentleman, in company with his
+brother, a respected business man of Centerville, called at the house,
+the next morning after breakfast, and related the whole circumstance.
+
+And when Frank and Jerry were called down from the den, where, in company
+with the others, they were doing some packing, they blushed under the
+hearty words of praise heaped upon them by the two gentlemen.
+
+"Why, I'm going South myself, boys," declared the balloonist, when he
+heard of their contemplated trip, "and wouldn't it be a queer thing now
+if we happened to come across one another down in Dixieland? I'm heading
+for Atlanta, to steer my big balloon to the eastward at the first
+favorable chance, in order to settle some questions about air currents
+that have long been baffling us all. Depend on it, if I could do you any
+sort of a favor I'd go far out of my way to try and even up the debt I
+owe you."
+
+Little did any of them suspect under what strange conditions their next
+meeting would really be.
+
+All Centerville was ringing with the story of the brave exploit of Frank
+and Jerry. When the latter reached home that noon he was overwhelmed
+with hysterical words of praise from his mother; while his father had
+come home from his office, beset by a dozen acquaintances desirous of
+congratulating him on having a son of such heroic mould.
+
+Jerry was very uneasy under all this favorable comment. He did not like
+to be looked upon as differing in any degree from other boys.
+
+"Any fellow would have done the same thing. We were lucky enough to have
+the chance, that's all," he insisted, as his mother kissed him again and
+again, crying a little at the same time at the thought of what might have
+happened; while his father gripped his hand and patted him on the back
+affectionately.
+
+By afternoon the boys decided that they had everything packed they could
+think of, and after that they began to try and possess their souls in
+patience.
+
+"No sleep for me to-night, fellows," declared Jerry, as he prepared to go
+home, as supper-time came around.
+
+"I'd advise you to try and get a few winks if you can. To-morrow night
+we'll be on the train, and not much chance then. It's a lucky thing
+that all of us know something about machinery. Our experience with our
+motor-cycles will come in good play now. And here's Jerry been studying
+up on the running of an automobile with that retired chauffeur, Garrison,
+who's teaching Andy Lasher how to run a car."
+
+"Yes, but, Frank, how about you taking lessons about the engine of a
+motor-boat? I know you've got several books on the subject since your
+father half promised to put a little craft on Lake Camalot next season,"
+remarked Jerry.
+
+"Well," laughed Frank, fairly caught, "between the lot of us it'll be
+strange if we don't know how to handle that dandy boat of Cousin
+Archie's--the _Jessamine_ he calls her."
+
+"Three cheers for the _Jessamine,_ then!" said Bluff.
+
+They were given with a will, after which the boys separated. Since this
+would be their last night at home for two weeks they had sensibly
+decided to spend it in the bosom of their families. Everything was done,
+at any rate, so that it was useless to bother about that matter any more.
+
+In spite of Frank's warning it is very unlikely that any one of the four
+slept very soundly. The near future beckoned to them with such grand
+possibilities concerning the sport they loved, that they could not get it
+out of their minds; and innumerable plans for the happy times ahead kept
+their brains busy the major portion of that last night under the parental
+roof-trees.
+
+Finally the morning dawned, with a light snow falling. There was a bustle
+in at least four homes that day, and presently the intending travelers
+gathered at the station long before the train was due that would take
+them on to Philadelphia, and then, with a change of cars, to the
+beckoning sunny Southland.
+
+And when finally the parting moment came, there were hurried good-byes,
+the bags were thrown into the baggage car, and as the train pulled out
+those of their school friends who had come down to see them off, as well
+as their relatives, waved a shower of handkerchiefs amid a chorus of
+shouts.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Bluff, as he settled down in his seat, "we're on the way
+to the greatest time of our lives!"'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+JERRY MEETS TROUBLE HALF WAY
+
+
+"Ain't she a beauty, though?"
+
+"Finest thing ever put in the water! And to think we're going to live
+aboard her for nearly two weeks! It's the greatest luck ever!" observed
+Will.
+
+"Talk to me about your automobiles and aeroplanes, give me a neat little
+motor-boat for mine. I wouldn't change places with King George just now."
+
+Frank said nothing, but the smile on his face was a satisfied one.
+Indeed, it could not well be otherwise. Any boy who loved camping and
+cruising as much as he did must have been thrilled at the prospect of
+running that jaunty little craft for a spell, navigating new waterways
+and making discoveries constantly, such as are calculated to please the
+hearts of hunters and water-dogs in general.
+
+The motor-boat was one of the most modern make. It had an automobile hood
+for the front, and this could be so extended that the entire boat was
+shielded. On the other hand, on sunny days it could be pushed back,
+allowing of perfect freedom.
+
+The journey south had been effected without any accident. They were now
+stopping at a little hotel in this town on the river where the railroad
+crossed. It was a section of Northern Florida. The great and mysterious
+Gulf of Mexico, they knew, lay not a far stretch away toward the south.
+Indeed, Jerry had declared he could already smell salt water, though his
+chums laughed at him, and declared that it was more likely the odor of
+the mud along the bank of the narrow but deep stream down which they
+expected to cruise shortly.
+
+"All the same, I'll be mighty glad to set eyes on that same gulf," said
+Jerry; "I've always wanted to see it, ever since I read about the
+doings of those old filibusters who used to lie in wait and seize the
+treasure ships going home from the Spanish Main."
+
+"Listen to him, will you?" broke out Bluff, laughing. "Honest, now, I
+believe he expects to run across a few of those old fossil pirates,
+Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and their kind."
+
+"Well, hardly, but it may be we'll meet up with a few up-to-date pirates
+before we get through--chaps who can charge ten prices for something you
+just feel you must have. The times are out of joint, boys. Things have
+changed a little, that's all, but the world is just as full of human
+sharks as ever," argued Jerry.
+
+"I guess Jerry's right, fellows, and when that gaunt landlord of the inn
+presents his little bill perhaps you'll say that the buccaneer came
+sooner than you expected. Besides, who can say what lies before us? There
+are many swamps to be passed through, I'm told, and they say that more
+than one fugitive black, wanted for some crime, lives out in those
+places. We must keep our eyes open all the time."
+
+"And depend on it, Frank knows. He's been picking up information right
+and left ever since we got here," remarked Will, who was, of course,
+carrying his beloved camera, with which he had taken many splendid
+pictures of the past exploits of the four chums.
+
+"When do we get under way?" asked Bluff, eagerly, as he examined the
+provisions made for cooking, with a battery of little lamps fashioned
+to burn kerosene in the shape of gas--Bluff was always interested in all
+that pertained to the cooking parts of an expedition.
+
+"Everything is ready now," remarked Frank. "We'll go back to the inn, all
+but Will, settle our score, and fetch what few things are left. I've got
+a rough chart of the river, you know, boys, on which we'll have to depend
+until we get to the gulf."
+
+"And then?" asked Will.
+
+"Oh, the Government charts will carry us, then, the rest of the way. They
+have everything down, up to several miles off shore, and all the bayous
+and cuts besides. Come on, Jerry and Bluff; get busy."
+
+Left in charge of the boat for half an hour, Will sat there in the warm
+sunshine, trying to picture what it looked like up around cold, bleak
+Centerville just then. As he fondled his camera other memories were
+called up, in which it had done its share in the way of perpetuating the
+exciting events connected with the various outings enjoyed by the four
+chums.
+
+While Will sits thus and lets his mind wander back to other scenes it may
+be just as well for us to take a quick survey of these same events, so as
+to understand something of the ties that held these four boys together.
+
+They formed the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, and their first outing had been
+at the time a storm took part of the Academy roof off, allowing a short
+Fall vacation on the part of the scholars. At that time they had gone
+into the woods, and there encountered a variety of stirring adventures,
+as set forth in the initial volume of this series called: "The Outdoor
+Chums; or, The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club."
+
+At Thanksgiving time they planned for another little camping trip, over
+on Wildcat Island, which had quite a bad name on account of the ferocious
+animals known to exist in its dense thickets, and also because a wild man
+was said to have been seen there many times. What the four chums saw and
+did there, and the multitude of remarkable things that came to pass
+while they were off on this trip, from the robbery on the steamboat to
+the discovery about the wild man, are told in the second book of the
+series, entitled: "The Outdoor Chums on the Lake; or, Lively Adventures
+on Wildcat Island,"
+
+In due time came the summer vacation, and as they had a couple of weeks
+to be together before going away to seashore or mountains with their
+parents, the boys arranged to spend this time in the Sunset Mountains,
+that lay ten miles back of Newtonport, which place was on the west shore
+of the lake, opposite Centerville. The rumor of a ghost that was said to
+haunt Oak Ridge did much to draw the boys, and it can be readily
+understood that before they left their camp in the hills they had
+succeeded in discovering the astonishing truth about that same spectre.
+Just how this was done, together with many other thrilling episodes, you
+will find in the record of the outing as given in the third volume,
+called: "The Outdoor Chums in the Forest; or, Laying the Ghost of Oak
+Ridge."
+
+By the time Will had run the gamut of these adventures, some of which
+caused him to shiver, while others brought a smile on his face, he heard
+the voices of his chums drawing near.
+
+They soon joined him, each burdened with some more of the outfit in the
+way of blankets, and clothes-bags made of waterproof canvas.
+
+These were hastily stowed away, after which the boys began to get busy.
+Frank had, ere now, closely examined the engine of the launch, and
+even started it going so as to get "the hang of the thing," as he said.
+He felt that he had nothing to fear with regard to his ability to
+handle it.
+
+"If anything does happen we will have to use the push-poles, and in that
+way float down on the swift current until we get to a town," he said,
+laughingly; but not one of them had the slightest fear.
+
+"All aboard for the gulf!" called Will, as he stood by the rail watching
+Jerry unwarp the hawser that held the nose of the boat down-stream,
+another securing the stern above.
+
+Just as soon as this latter was unfastened the boat would begin to move
+with the rapid current, and at that time Frank wanted his engine to be
+working.
+
+"Ready, Frank?" called Jerry from astern.
+
+He could cast off there, recovering the rope as they moved along.
+
+The engine began to whirr.
+
+"Say, doesn't that sound encouraging?" ventured Bluff, as the cheery
+cough smote the air, and announced the whole power of twelve horses to be
+at their disposal.
+
+"I only hope she turns out one-half as good as she looks," remarked
+Frank, who believed that the proof of the pudding lay in the eating of
+it.
+
+A minute later, satisfied that everything was working, he shouted:
+
+"Let her go, Jerry!"
+
+Immediately the motor-boat commenced to glide down-stream. Frank found
+that his engine worked like a charm. He could apparently do anything he
+wanted with it, and the whole apparatus seemed more like a plaything than
+a powerful motor.
+
+"A good beginning. Hope it keeps up," remarked Bluff.
+
+"Me for a life on the ocean wave," sang Jerry as he coiled the rope
+ship-shape, and then going forward climbed up on the bow to look out
+for "snags."
+
+There were numerous abrupt bends to the river just below the Florida
+town, and with that swift current it was difficult to navigate around
+these places successfully. By degrees, of course, Frank expected to
+become more familiar with both the engine and the only way these things
+could be successfully met. He was always wide-awake, and eager to learn.
+
+Jerry had perched himself on the forward rail, where he could survey the
+scenery. Will had his camera in his hand, and seemed ready to snap off
+any remarkable picture that presented itself to his vision. He was keen
+on taking some views that would embrace the weird, hanging Spanish moss,
+though Frank told him to have patience, and any number of these would
+come in time.
+
+There was not the least warning when the shock came. The boat suddenly
+brought up with a bang on some hidden snag, and as Frank involuntarily
+shut off the power he had a rapid view of poor Jerry taking a header over
+the rail. Immediately after, a tremendous splash announced that he had
+struck the water all right; indeed, as he sprawled with hands and legs
+outstretched, one would half suspect it was a gigantic frog that leaped
+from the boat into the deep river.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE FIRST CAMPFIRE
+
+
+"Tell me about that, will you!" gasped Jerry, as he bobbed above the
+surface.
+
+He was swimming industriously to keep from being swept down with the
+current.
+
+Frank, finding that the motor worked smoothly, and no damage had been
+done by the concussion, started it backing just enough to keep the boat
+steady.
+
+He darted to the bow, where Bluff and Will were already hanging.
+
+"What was it?" called the swimmer, who, now that he was in, seemed
+disposed to make a picnic of the affair, after his usual joking way.
+
+"A snag, of course. I thought you were going to sing out if we came on
+one?" said Frank.
+
+"I did, and you all heard me yell," asserted Jerry.
+
+"Yes, while you were passing through the air. Much good that would do,"
+observed Bluff, disposed to refuse such evidence.
+
+"But there was nothing in sight. The snag must have been down under the
+surface, and the water is so brown I couldn't see it. My! but that was a
+vault! Talk about your high divers, there never was a prettier leap than
+that."
+
+"Just my luck, again!" whimpered Will. "What a magnificent picture of the
+Jumping Frog that would have made in our scrap-book. Why on earth didn't
+you tell me you were going to do it, and I could have been ready to snap
+you off?"
+
+"Hear that man, with me down in this ooze, soaked to the skin! Wait till
+I find a chance to get at him!" groaned Jerry, shaking his fist upward,
+in mock anger, though at the time he was grinning amiably.
+
+"While you are down there, pard, why not take a look, and see if we
+scraped the paint off the boat's nose when we banged that log," suggested
+practical Frank.
+
+"That's so. Make the best of a bad bargain. Why, no; nothing doing, boys.
+This stem is made of solid brass, and could stand many a hard bump. I
+think Cousin Archie must have been warned in advance, and had her made
+doubly staunch," sang out Jerry.
+
+"Can you see the snag anywhere around?" asked Frank.
+
+"Not here. Perhaps we're down below it now."
+
+"Or it may have been an alligator, fellows. Some of the natives told me
+there are a few in this old stream," observed Bluff.
+
+"Yes, and there he is now!" shouted Will. "He crawled up on the bank to
+dry off, and is going to jump in again! Oh! why _wasn't_ I ready! Look
+out, Jerry! He's coming for you!"
+
+Jerry was already in motion. The notion of meeting an alligator might
+have appealed to him, but not under these circumstances. He struck out
+like a madman as he struggled to get to a point where he could reach up
+and clasp the eager hands extended down to him, for he had heard the
+splash that announced the reptile's taking to the water.
+
+Of course, the little six-foot 'gator was by long odds the more scared
+of the two, but then Jerry, being a greenhorn, did not know that. When
+finally the others managed to drag him, dripping, one deck, he was
+panting like a tired dog and puffing like a grampus.
+
+"Talk to me about your narrow squeaks, they don't appeal to me one little
+bit!" he gasped. "Where's the old alligator monster now, Will? Did you
+snap him off?"
+
+"He never came up again. That's just my luck, you know."
+
+"Better times coming, Will. You'll take many pictures of 'gators on logs
+and sunny banks before we finish this little trip," laughed Frank.
+
+"Yes, I know what you're laughing at," grunted Jerry, "and I suppose I
+did look like a big frog as I sailed away off the bow. After this the
+lookout ought to be tied to his seat. It was lucky, though, you had so
+little headway on, Frank. We might have ended our cruise half an hour
+after we began it."
+
+The air was balmy, and Jerry seemed nothing loth to sit there and dry
+off, as the journey was resumed down the river.
+
+"Any game along here, do you think?" asked Will presently.
+
+"They told me there was plenty, only you have to look sharp, and not
+get lost in the swamps. Men have gone out hunting and never come back
+again; though, of course, these were strangers, and not the natives.
+Nobody ever knew whether they were lost or fell into the hands of some
+black criminals who were hanging out hereabouts."
+
+Jerry volunteered this information. He was always making inquiries in
+connection with the possibilities of game.
+
+"I saw a blue heron just then, swinging downstream below us. And there's
+something snow-white over there. Yes, it must be a crane standing in the
+water, with his fishing-rod ready for business; and there goes a string
+of white birds, over yonder. Do you know what they are, Frank?" asked
+Will.
+
+"I'm not sure, but I think they belong to the ibis family. Look at that
+'coon scurrying up that log, running from the water. He's been trying to
+scoop out a dinner of fish, too. Nearly everything feeds on fish down
+here, even many of the wild ducks. Got him that time, did you, Will?"
+
+"I think so," replied Will complacently, for he had snapped his camera
+while the striped "bushy-tail" was still moving up the slanting log.
+
+They were making fair progress all the while. So the afternoon began to
+wear away. The current was almost enough to carry them on at the rate of
+several miles an hour. With the prospect of meeting hidden snags at any
+minute, Frank did not deem it wise to put on any speed. That would come
+when they were upon the open gulf, and obstacles no longer worried them.
+
+They had entered a section that undoubtedly bordered on a swamp. The
+trees grew thicker, and shut out much of the light, so that it seemed
+actually like dusk. And to the delight of Will, the long streamers of
+Spanish moss hung everywhere.
+
+"Say, perhaps we'd better pull up soon for the night. This sort of work
+needs all the eyesight we've got, and it's getting some gloomy just now.
+I wouldn't dare attempt an exposure with this shadow on everything,"
+remarked Will.
+
+"Always something wrong, eh, Will? However, putting the picture-getting
+aside, you'll admit that this is a mighty comfy position to be in.
+There's Bluff writing up the menu he expects to spring on us the first
+meal out," laughed Frank.
+
+"I own up I _was_ thinking of something along that line. Wish I had some
+of the fine oysters they tell us grow down South. Your sister Nellie
+gave me several recipes to try, and I'm going to spring them on you the
+first chance, see if I don't."
+
+"Well, I only hope you have better success than the said Nellie usually
+has. My dad threatens to send her to cooking school before she kills
+off the entire family with her experiments. But as to the oysters, you
+must wait till we get out of the river. This is fresh water. Mussels or
+fresh-water clams grow in such places, but hardly oysters," observed
+Frank.
+
+"I'm going to tell Nellie what you said, when we get back," declared
+Bluff.
+
+"Well, it encourages me to know that you expect we will survive the
+operation. But then, ten to one they are recipes she clipped from some
+paper, and wants you to try for her. I'm going to keep an eye on you
+whenever you hang around the fire, remember. You can bear watching,"
+Frank continued.
+
+"Glad to hear that, for some people can't," remarked the other calmly.
+
+At which the laugh was on Frank; but he took it good-naturedly, as
+always. It required a good deal to make him show signs of being provoked;
+but like most people of that temperament, if ever he did lose his temper,
+he was apt to be very angry indeed.
+
+Presently they found what seemed to be a good place to tie up for the
+night. A small boat, called the dinghy, or dinky, was trailed behind.
+This might come in handy whenever they wanted to go ashore while the
+motor-boat was anchored; or one of the boys might wish to use it for
+fishing, gathering oysters, or shooting shore birds, later on.
+
+The ground being high and dry just at that particular spot, they built a
+fire and determined to cook supper ashore. There would likely be plenty
+of opportunities for doing this aboard, later, and they could not resist
+that chance for an open campfire.
+
+Bluff was assisted by Jerry in getting the first supper. It turned out to
+be appetizing. They had been in the woods so much now that even the
+poorest cook in the club, Will, was picking up quite a little knowledge
+of the art, and felt an occasional desire to show off.
+
+The boys never got over joking poor Will about his first experience in
+cooking rice, however. He had put the entire four pounds in a pot while
+the rest were away. One of them, coming back to camp presently, found
+Will in distress. He had filled every kettle and pannikin with the
+swelling rice, and despite the glistening heaps the original kettle was
+still boiling up heaps of it, so that it threatened to even smother the
+fire.
+
+He knew better now.
+
+After the meal was over they sat around, taking things easy. Frank was
+writing in his logbook, Will monkeying with his camera, while Jerry and
+Bluff sat there discussing something that had to do with their respective
+lung power--a question never, as yet, fully settled, although they had
+had many a friendly contest to thresh out this rivalry.
+
+"Frank, don't look up, please! Listen to me!" said Will in a low voice.
+
+"Well, what is it?" asked the other, simply pausing in the act of writing
+a word.
+
+"I saw something moving over behind that bunch of saw-palmettos on your
+left. Pretending not to be looking, I squinted out of the tail of my eye.
+What do you think I saw? The head of a black man raised--an awfully
+wicked-looking head, too, Frank. What had we better do about it?" went on
+Will, his whispering voice quivering.
+
+"Nothing. Leave it to me. Don't show any signs of excitement, please, but
+just keep on with what you are doing," and Frank allowed his left hand to
+slowly creep in the direction where his shotgun lay on the ground.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE SWAMP FUGITIVE
+
+
+"Now, my friend behind the bunch of saw-palmetto, won't you join us?"
+
+Frank had slowly risen, picking up his gun as he gained his feet. There
+was a movement in the quarter where his gaze seemed directed, then a
+human figure began to crawl into the camp, looking more like a great dog
+than a man.
+
+"Great Caesar's ghost!" ejaculated Bluff.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you!" exclaimed Jerry, making a dive for his
+own gun.
+
+"Quiet, fellows! There's no need of any excitement. It's only a visitor
+from the swamp, come to have a cup of coffee with us," remarked Frank
+steadily.
+
+He made no attempt to aim his weapon, being satisfied to let the negro
+see that he was armed, and ready for action. The wretched outcast was
+almost in tatters. He looked thin and haggard, in marked contrast with
+the sleek and well-fed darkies the boys had generally noticed since
+reaching the Sunny South.
+
+Having reached a spot in front of Frank, the man arose to his full
+height. There was a look of trouble on his face. He had been hunted like
+a wolf for so long that naturally he believed every man's hand was
+against him.
+
+But Frank saw at once that Will had been mistaken when he remarked upon
+the vicious look of the fugitive. He had taken the expression of fear for
+that of maliciousness.
+
+"Well, who are you, and what do you want here?" Frank asked directly.
+
+The black started, and looked at him a little eagerly.
+
+"I's got lost in de swamp, boss, 'deedy I has, an' I smelled de vittals
+a-cookin', so's I couldn't keep away. Didn't mean to skeer yuh, suah I
+didn't. Yuh wouldn't hurt a pore ole brack man, would yuh, little marse?"
+he droned, still keeping his eyes fastened apprehensively on Frank and
+his gun.
+
+"I guess it's a fairy story he's putting up, Frank. They told me about
+him up at the town. He answers the description of George Walden, all
+right," said Bluff.
+
+Frank saw the man start at mention of the name, and shiver.
+
+"That's your name, all right, I can see. Now, George, what have you been
+doing to make you hide out like this in the swamp?" demanded the other
+sternly.
+
+"Reckons as how I ain't wanted 'round dis section, boss. Ain't done
+nothin' so very ba-ad, but seems like we-uns kain't git on. Some o' the
+white gentlemen dey got it in fo' me, an' it was either a case o' hidin'
+out er takin' a coat o' tar an' feathers. I reckoned I'd rather lay in de
+swamp a while. But, boss, I 'clar tuh Moses I'se mighty nigh starved tuh
+death, I is."
+
+The man had evidently come to the conclusion that these Northern lads,
+with the motor-boat, could hardly be hunting fugitive blacks in the
+swamp. He was beginning to recover a little of his courage.
+
+"How about that, Bluff? What did the people in the town say he had done?"
+asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, nothing much, only, just as he says, he's an undesirable citizen
+around the place. I think they said he had a weakness for chickens, and
+could not keep from sneaking into a coop if half a chance presented
+itself," replied the other.
+
+Frank smiled.
+
+"Well, I believe that has never been called more than a weakness with
+a colored man, in the North. People who keep chickens should see to it
+that a poor fellow is not tempted beyond his strength. Locks are cheap
+enough. Then our friend George has not been doing anything particularly
+villainous?"
+
+"'Deed an' 'deed I ain't, boss. I's only wantin' tuh git outen dis
+kentry. I's got a darter married, an' livin' at Chattanooga. If I kin
+on'y git up dar, she'd nigh die wid happiness. An' if I felt a little
+stronger I'd try an' walk de hull way, so I would, young marse!"
+exclaimed the other eagerly.
+
+They could see him sniffing the air, after the manner of a hungry dog
+that scents a bone near by.
+
+"Sit down, George. I'm going to make you a pot of coffee such as you
+never tasted in all your life," said Will at this juncture.
+
+The negro turned his eyes upon him gratefully. He might be a
+ne'er-do-well, and a genuine nuisance around the town on the river where
+he had grown up, but to the generous-hearted lads from the North he was
+only a poor hungry human being, and fortune had been very good to them.
+
+"And I'll cook him some bacon. I bet it's been a long time since he put a
+bit between his teeth," declared Bluff, wishing to be in the game.
+
+"Good for you, boys! I think, myself, that this old fellow may have been
+more sinned against than sinning; though perhaps he's wise in wanting
+to make a change of base since they're all down on him around here. We
+ought to show our thanks for the many favors that have been showered on
+us, and the best way to do it is to help some less fortunate fellow."
+
+"Talk to me about your Good Samaritan! We've got several of 'em right
+here in this camp, and as I don't want to be left out in the cold, I'm
+going to make George here a present of that shirt I took such a dislike
+to. He won't mind the objectionable color, I reckon," spoke up Jerry.
+
+The black man sat there, grinning from ear to ear. He could hardly
+believe his hearing. These campers, whom he had at first feared were
+there to drag him back to town, so that he might afford sport for the
+young hotbloods, had turned out to be the only friends he had known for
+many a day.
+
+He tried to express his gratitude, but, of course, stumbled so that they
+told him they were ready to take it all for granted.
+
+When the meal was ready he ate until he could contain no more. Jerry
+watched him with a queer expression on his face, and for once he realized
+how near starvation a human being may get at times.
+
+At the same time, George was a bit uneasy. He kept looking around, as
+though he feared lest others might appear who would not be so kindly
+disposed toward him. Hence, after he had finished his supper, he showed a
+disposition to depart, telling them that he had a shack in the swamp.
+
+Frank did not attempt to hinder him, for he saw that the man could not
+wholly get over his suspicion that there might be some trick back of this
+generous hospitality. George had evidently been educated in the belief
+that no one ever assisted a black man unless he had an ax to grind.
+
+Before he went they gave him some bacon and a little can of ground
+coffee. As Cousin Archie had supplied much more than they could ever use
+on the trip, all of them thought they could easily afford to be a bit
+generous, since the occasion had come to their very door, as it were.
+
+When George had faded away in the shadows the boys resumed the tasks his
+coming had interrupted. Naturally enough, their conversation was in
+connection with the great questions which the South had had to struggle
+with since the emancipation proclamation had freed so many million blacks
+and placed them on their own responsibility.
+
+"I don't suppose any of you want to get the single tent out and sleep
+ashore to-night?" said Frank finally, as he saw his comrades yawning,
+as if ready to turn in.
+
+"Not me," answered Bluff immediately.
+
+"Some time later on I'm going to try it, but I want to get used to these
+queer scenes first," remarked Will.
+
+"He thinks an alligator might crawl up out of the river and gobble him
+up," laughed Jerry.
+
+"Well, we haven't heard from you yet. Are you getting out the tent?"
+asked Frank.
+
+"I would, only it's such a bother. On the whole, I'm contented with the
+snug little bunky on board," came the answer, at which Will shrugged his
+shoulders, as if to say he knew it would be so.
+
+"All right, then; let's go aboard. I'll fix up the fire here so it will
+burn a few hours anyway. Kind of cheerful to see it as a fellow sits out
+his watch. This log, pushed over to the blaze, might answer," observed
+Frank, suiting the action to his words.
+
+"Then we do keep a watch?" queried Bluff.
+
+Frank looked around at their gloomy and impressive surroundings and then
+raised his eyebrows in an expressive manner.
+
+"You just bet we do!" exclaimed Jerry. "Here's a swamp with all manner of
+wild animals in it, from alligators and wildcats to mosquitoes by the
+million. How do we know but what some of them might take a notion to come
+aboard in the night? I can see myself waking up to find a bobtailed cat
+cuddling up under my blanket with me; or a ten-foot 'gator sprawled out
+across Will, here, asking to have his picture taken. Tell me about that,
+will you, fellows?"
+
+"And then there may be other coons in hiding here; chaps who are wanted
+for something far more desperate than poor old George. They might murder
+us all in our sleep. Oh, yes, let us have a watch, by all means. I agree
+to sit it out for the first two hours if Frank will take the second,"
+cried Will.
+
+So it was settled. They went aboard, and made preparations for sleep. Of
+course, there were no regular bunks aboard the _Jessamine_, since the
+space was too limited to admit of such luxuries. When the cruisers wanted
+to retire, two of them made beds of the seats, and the others found
+a suitable couch in the bottom. In case of rain, the automobile top would
+protect them; but in dry weather it could be left partly off, so as to
+insure more air.
+
+Frank and Will had the seats first on this night, for it had been so
+arranged that they would change around each night, so as to give every
+fellow a chance. As Bluff put it, "just like we were playing a scrub game
+of ball, each one getting a chance to pitch and catch in turn."
+
+Will took up his place on the side toward the shore. It was some little
+time before his comrades all settled down, but finally he knew they
+slept. He sat there, watching the fire burn near by, and thinking of many
+interesting things, until, on striking a match, and examining his watch,
+he found that it was time he awoke Frank.
+
+He took the place of his chum when the other assumed the duties of guard,
+and being really sleepy by this time, quickly dropped off.
+
+Frank sat there, with his gun across his knees, also watching the fire.
+He had little idea that there would anything occur to disturb the
+serenity of the night, but believed "an ounce of prevention better than a
+pound of cure."
+
+"The old log seems to do its duty handsomely, after all. I wouldn't be
+surprised if it was still burning at daylight," he mused, as he continued
+to watch the fire creeping along the dry wood and slowly eating its way
+toward the other end.
+
+Then Frank started, as he saw a distinct movement in a little shadowy
+spot. It happened that the firelight did not reach this particular place,
+so that, strive as he might, he could not see distinctly.
+
+"There's something crawling along right there. I can see a dark figure
+move," he said to himself as he strained his eyesight the harder.
+
+Of course, his first thought was of the negro whom they had just fed.
+Perhaps to an irresponsible fellow like poor old George the temptation
+to try and steal something had been irresistible, and he was now creeping
+toward the motor-boat with the intention of getting aboard and laying
+hands on anything of value.
+
+Then, again, it might be another entirely, some rascal much more to be
+feared than George. Frank was not more than half a minute in making
+up his mind what the best course for him to pursue under the
+circumstances would be.
+
+"I'll give him a shot, firing far over his head. Whoever it is, the
+report must make him skedaddle like hot cakes," he thought, for he could
+not bear the idea of doing a fellow human being any bodily harm, no
+matter whether he were white or black.
+
+Having so decided, Frank raised his gun a trifle further, so that it bore
+on the tops of the cabbage palms beyond. Then his finger pressed the
+trigger, and with the sudden report he gave a tremendous yell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A FLORIDA SHERIFF
+
+
+There was an upheaval of various blankets, three faces peeped forth, and
+then came a wild scramble for weapons.
+
+"Wow! What is it, Frank!" bellowed Bluff.
+
+"My camera! Who took it away from where I placed it?"
+
+"Talk to me about that, will you! That fellow will howl after his
+blooming box when he goes to cross the Styx after he dies," grunted
+Jerry.
+
+Frank had paid no attention to his comrades. His eyes were glued upon the
+shadowy spot where he felt positive he had seen some creeping figure
+drawing closer to the boat, inch by inch.
+
+They heard him laugh aloud, as though something he had seen amused him.
+
+"Was it a thief? And did you shoot him?" asked Will, appalled.
+
+"A thief, all right; but I didn't shoot the beggar. Wish I had, now,"
+responded the watch, with regret in his voice.
+
+"Then it couldn't have been a human thief, for you'd never say that. Did
+you see the critter go?" came from Jerry, as he peered forth, gun in
+hand.
+
+"I fired high on purpose, for I was afraid it might be poor old George
+sneaking back to see if he could get away with any more of that fine
+bacon. Whatever it was, it made a flying leap back into the shadows. I
+thought I heard an angry or startled snarl, but you fellows made so much
+confusion as you bounced up that I couldn't be sure."
+
+"Jumped away, eh? Then I take it the thing must have been a bobcat," said
+Jerry.
+
+"Something along the cat family, anyway," replied Frank.
+
+"Look here! You don't mean to say it was--a panther?" demanded the other.
+
+"I'm not saying anything; but in the morning we'll go and take a look at
+the ground behind that second log over there. If there are any tracks,
+they ought to tell the story," remarked Frank, who, no matter how
+positive he might feel that this was just what he had seen, would not
+commit himself without some proof.
+
+"That's what I get for waking Frank up so soon. Oh! why didn't I hold out
+a little while longer? Nothing ever happens when I'm on duty, it seems. I
+must be a Jonah, that's what!" sighed Will disconsolately.
+
+"Why, what would you have done?" demanded Bluff.
+
+"Shot the intruder, but by snapping the trigger of my little flashlight
+pistol, and in that way I'd have taken a picture of the beast as it
+crouched there. I sat here, holding that pistol, and my camera, ready,
+for two mortal hours, in vain. I'm the most unlucky dog going."
+
+"Well, I notice that, after all, you manage to gather in your share of
+pictures. The trouble is, you want to corral everything going. Well, me
+to the bench again for another snooze. Wake me when you get tired of
+sitting up, Frank. If the critter comes again, let him have a charge,"
+said Jerry.
+
+"I certainly will, if I can make sure that it doesn't happen to be a
+man," was the reply of Frank.
+
+Apparently, the report of the shotgun had alarmed the beast, for he
+certainly did not show himself again. Whatever it was, the attractive
+smell around the vicinity of the campfire must have drawn him out of the
+neighboring swamp, just as it had Black George, earlier in the night.
+
+Both Jerry and Bluff took their turns, and in this way daylight found
+them undisturbed. Jerry had left his shotgun at home, and carried a rifle
+on this trip. He and Bluff had entered into many an argument because this
+new weapon was a six-shot gun; for Jerry had made all manner of fun over
+Bluff owning a shotgun built after the same principle, nor could they
+settle the dispute, Jerry claiming that it was all right in a rifle, as a
+man hunted big game with that, and his life might be in danger; while
+with the other weapon he usually only shot birds and inoffensive small
+animals; while Bluff declared that what was black for the pot was also
+black for the kettle.
+
+Going ashore, soon after getting up, Frank knelt down alongside the log
+where he had seen the shadowy figure bound off.
+
+"I say, Jerry!" he presently called out.
+
+"Want me?" asked that worthy, folding up his blanket so that it could
+hang and get the breeze, whether they moved on or remained where they
+were.
+
+"Yes. Come here. You'll be interested, I think."
+
+Jerry quickly reached his side.
+
+"What's doing?" he asked, eagerly searching with his eyes the ground near
+Frank.
+
+"Bend lower, for the sign is rather faint. What d'ye make of that, and
+that? Is it the paw of a bobcat?" asked the one on his knees, with an
+expressive smile.
+
+"Great Jehosaphat! No! Then it was a panther, after all!" cried Jerry.
+
+"I think I'm safe in saying yes to that question," replied Frank.
+
+"And now don't you wish you'd shot him?"
+
+"Well, yes, if I had been positive, which I couldn't be, under the
+circumstances, you see. Perhaps I may be lucky enough to run across one
+of the breed again when there can be no uncertainty, for I would like
+very much to say I'd knocked over a panther," was the reply Frank made.
+
+"Say! Shall we cook breakfast again on the shore?" called Will from on
+board the boat.
+
+"We might as well. There will be plenty of occasions when we'll just have
+to do it aboard, and this fire seems cheerful like," replied Jerry.
+
+Frank agreeing with him, they carried the necessary utensils ashore, and
+preparations were begun looking toward the getting of a bounteous meal.
+
+"Wonder how our good friend, Black George, feels this morning? Hello!
+We're going to have visitors, I see. Look what's coming down the river,
+boys!"
+
+As Bluff spoke they ceased eating and turned to gaze upstream. A boat was
+advancing rapidly, with the aid of the current and a pair of stout ashen
+oars. Several men occupied the craft which was quite roomy.
+
+"Say, they've got some dogs there. Ain't those bloodhounds, Frank?"
+whispered Will, for the boat was now close by, the men craning their
+necks to look at the launch.
+
+"I believe they are. Perhaps this is the sheriff on the run for our black
+friend, George," returned Frank.
+
+"Oh! I hope not. I don't believe the poor chap is as dangerous as all
+that. I have an idea he's more sinned against than sinning," replied
+Will, who always looked on the better side of those he met, and hence was
+an easy mark for sharpers.
+
+The men in the boat came ashore. Our friends then saw that the dogs were
+of a black-and-tan color, with long ears, and the aspect that
+distinguishes bloodhounds.
+
+"Mornin', neighbors. Takin' a trip down the river, I see. That's right.
+Like to see youngsters enjyin' themselves. I'm the sheriff o' this heah
+county, an' these gentlemen is my deputies. We're a-lookin' fo' a desprit
+scoundrel thet hes been doin' heaps o' mischief 'round heah. His latest
+work was tuh rob the house o' a cotton planter named Davis, an' nigh
+about kill the old man. We want him, an' we're jest 'bout determined
+not tuh go back without the skunk. Don't s'pose yuh could 'a' set eyes on
+sech a pizen critter, gents?" said the leader.
+
+He was a tall, lean man, with a hawklike nose and keen blue eyes. He wore
+a long frock coat, considerably the worse for wear, and this, with his
+slouch hat, gave him the appearance of a Western marshal, in the eyes of
+Jerry, at least.
+
+"Who was this scoundrel?" asked Frank uneasily.
+
+"His name is Bob Young, an' he's really the son o' a minister upcountry,
+but long ago his father cast him off as a scamp. He'll sure swing one o'
+these days," replied the sheriff, looking keenly at Frank, as though he
+suspected he might know something that he wanted to hear.
+
+"Then he's a white man?" asked the other quickly, and with evident
+relief.
+
+"Shore he is, an' the toughest ever. Seen any sign o' him, stranger?"
+
+"Not a thing. We had a coon in camp last night, starving, and we fed him.
+He was Black George, the man they ran out of town some time back,"
+ventured Frank.
+
+He saw that the dogs were nosing about, and feared lest they should set
+out on the trail of the poor wretch by mistake.
+
+The sheriff laughed.
+
+"Oh, our time's too valuable to fool away with that black trash. He ain't
+wuth shootin'. Come on, then, boys. Like tuh sit up with yuh, friends,
+an' have a snack, but we got to be on the move afore the trail below gits
+cold. Yuh see, we hed word 'bout Bob, an' we wanter git him this clip,
+sure. So-long, an' good luck! Thet thar is sure the boss little boat yuh
+got."
+
+And presently the sheriff and his posse faded from view under the long
+streamers of hanging Spanish moss that overshadowed the river below.
+
+"I'm just as glad. He gave me the creeps. That eye of his was fierce,"
+said Will.
+
+"Oh, that's because you've got a guilty conscience, I guess," laughed
+Jerry. "Now to me he was a picture of a strong character that would
+have made a good showing in our album," and he looked severely at Will.
+
+"Oh! What beastly luck! Why didn't I think of it in time? Another chance
+gone glimmering! I think you fellows are too mean for anything, not
+to remind me of these things in time. He would have embellished our album
+handsomely--and those dogs, too! How picturesque bloodhounds are! I feel
+sick."
+
+Will jumped up, snatched his camera, and stalked off beyond the edge of
+the camp, as if to brood alone. Presently they heard him calling:
+
+"Oh, Frank! Won't you come here for a minute? I'm just taking the picture
+of a big snake, and he's as angry as you please. There's a locust
+somewhere close by, too, keeping up a tremendous rattling. Please hurry!
+He won't wait long!"
+
+Frank, followed by Jerry, was off like a shot. His face turned white with
+sudden apprehension as he ran. Coming upon Will, kneeling there, and
+watching, he seized him by the shoulders and whirled him back,
+exclaiming:
+
+"Why, you greenhorn, don't you know that's a diamond-back rattler, coiled
+up and ready to launch himself at you?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+WILL DOES IT
+
+
+"Talk to me about babes in the woods!" gasped jerry.
+
+He was staring at the enormous rattler, that still kept up a buzzing with
+his rattle, and which sound poor Will had believed was made by a locust.
+
+"Shoot the thing, Jerry! You've been wise enough to fetch your gun!" said
+Frank.
+
+"That just suits me. Have you got all the snapshots you want, Will?"
+demanded Jerry, falling on one knee and elevating his rifle.
+
+"There! He's reforming! You see, he did actually think of me, for once.
+Oh, yes. I snapped him three times. I rather think he didn't like the
+sound, for he darted his head at me wickedly. I suspected it might be a
+rattlesnake, though," replied the photographer calmly.
+
+Then came a sharp report.
+
+"Keep back!" called Jerry as the snake's folds suddenly flew out; but its
+head was almost blown from its body, and there was no more danger to
+be feared.
+
+"I'll get the rattle, to remind you of your narrow squeak, Will," said
+Jerry.
+
+"That's kind of you, now; but I rather think you are getting it to remind
+you of your first shot at game with the new rifle," remarked Will.
+
+The others had by now come up to stare at the enormously thick snake,
+with more or less of a shudder.
+
+"How about having that skin, to make a belt or something?" suggested
+Bluff.
+
+"You're welcome to it, if you can take it off and properly dry if; but
+you're so squeamish about snakes I'd hardly think you'd care for the
+job," remarked Jerry.
+
+"I'll see. I heard Nellie say she always wanted a belt made out of a skin
+like that, and perhaps I may try to get it," concluded Bluff.
+
+"Are we going to proceed, or put in a day around here, fellows?" asked
+Frank.
+
+"I say stay. We may not get another chance at a swamp before we reach the
+open gulf, and I want to snap a dozen fine views off around here. I mean
+to take the little dinghy and push into the swamp a bit," ventured Will.
+
+"Say! he's getting real venturesome, ain't he?" laughed Jerry.
+
+"Next thing he'll be getting lost, and we'll have a deuce of a time
+finding him again. Make him take a compass along, Frank, and that old
+revolver of yours," growled Bluff.
+
+"Don't you worry about me, now. Perhaps you'll find I'm able to look out
+for myself far better than any of you give me credit for," returned the
+other, with a show of indignation.
+
+He went aboard to get ready, taking another roll of films along, for, as
+he remarked, there could be no telling what might turn up.
+
+"Try to keep your wits about you, Will, and don't venture too far away.
+If in doubt, fire the pistol three times, and we'll answer you," said
+Frank, who was not wholly easy about the exploring trip.
+
+"Got some grub along?" asked Bluff, for that was a very essential part of
+any undertaking, in his eyes.
+
+"Yes to everything. So-long, fellows! Don't let anybody run away with the
+motor-boat while I'm gone." And, with a merry laugh, Will dipped his
+paddle into the water, sending the little dinghy gliding toward the more
+quiet lagoons of the swamp.
+
+He was soon under the spell of his surroundings. These were so weird that
+the ardent photographer really forgot everything else. As he paddled
+along he saw a dozen pictures around him, and when he thought the light
+fair enough he took a time exposure.
+
+So an hour passed away. In all that time he had seen no evidence of life,
+save a few alligators, some wary 'coons, a 'possum hanging from a tree by
+its tail, and some birds, mostly crows or bluejays.
+
+In the water he had noted a variety of snakes. Remembering what Frank had
+told him about these gliding reptiles, Will was careful not to bother
+with them; for in all probability they were water moccasins, whose bite,
+if not so deadly as that of the diamond-back rattler, would cause a wound
+that might never heal, since it seems to put a certain poison into the
+flesh that brings about a running sore.
+
+Perhaps he ought to go back. He had succeeded in taking all of half a
+dozen good views, besides several of which he was not so certain.
+
+Then it dawned upon Will that, after all, he was not so sure that he knew
+which way he ought to go. True, he had a compass, and could tell where
+the north lay, as well as all other cardinal points, but the question
+was, did the camp lie east or south of where he happened to be just then?
+
+He cudgeled his brains to try to remember, so as to place himself.
+
+"Say! Perhaps I am lost, all right," he remarked, with a laugh, for it
+did not look at all serious just then, but more like a joke.
+
+Then he suddenly remembered that he had the only boat.
+
+"If they wanted to hunt for me they couldn't do it. To move about in this
+swamp without a boat would be impossible; that is, for a stranger; and
+the launch could never come here. Guess I'll shoot up a few and get my
+points."
+
+So saying, he banged away three times.
+
+Presently there was an answering series of shots, but very far distant.
+
+"Whew! I didn't dream I'd gone so far," he said, and having noted the
+direction from which the sounds seemed to come, he started to paddle
+hard.
+
+After half an hour's work he halted, tired, and perspiring freely.
+
+"This is no fun, I tell you. Wonder if I'm anywhere near? I might try
+again."
+
+This time there was no answer. The wind possibly kept those in camp from
+hearing the fusilade. Will began to grow alarmed. It was now high noon,
+and he felt hungry, so he disposed of the lunch he had carried, at
+Bluff's suggestion. Incidentally, he blessed his chum for thinking of
+such a thing.
+
+After that he paddled some more, until he grew very tired.
+
+"This begins to look some serious. What if I have to spend a night here?
+Gee! I won't like that much, I guess. Hello! What's that over yonder?
+Seems to me it might be some sort of a shack, made of palmetto leaves.
+Wonder who lives there? Ugh! What if it turns out to be that desperado
+the sheriff is hunting--Bob?"
+
+The idea oppressed him, and he felt like paddling away; but his case was
+desperate, and he determined to creep up and try to ascertain just who
+lived in the primitive-looking native shack.
+
+So, finding a chance to land on the little island among the dark waters
+of the lagoon, he started to advance cautiously in the direction of the
+dwelling, which was really the first Will had seen made of leaves.
+
+In spite of his fears, the fever of picture-taking was so strong in his
+breast that he had to stop once and level his camera at the picturesque
+shack. Then the familiar click announced that he had secured what he
+wanted.
+
+Perhaps that sound may have reached other ears, and been misconstrued to
+mean something else. Will might have realized this much could he have
+seen the dark figure creeping up on him, and lying flat on his stomach
+most of the time.
+
+As the boy reached the lonely shack he was about to put out his hand in
+an endeavor to draw aside some of the dry leaves so that he might peep
+within, when, without warning, a heavy form fell upon him, flattening him
+out on the sand.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE MOTOR-BOAT AND THE PROWLERS
+
+
+The unlucky young photographer gave a shriek. He could only think of that
+panther Frank had seen on the previous night, and believed that he was
+now in the power of the ferocious beast.
+
+As he fell forward he managed to twist himself around so that he lay
+almost on his back. This enabled him to look up into the face of the
+man who was pinioning him down so fiercely to the earth.
+
+"George!" he exclaimed.
+
+It was the same fugitive black who had visited their camp on the
+preceding night. He stared hard at the face of the one he was holding
+down.
+
+"Gorry! Am it you, young marse?" he exclaimed, as he released his savage
+clutch, and even attempted to help Will up.
+
+"Yes. I'm lost, you see. Tried to do too much. Taking pictures in the
+swamp, and kind of got a little mixed. But I'm glad to meet you again,
+George. Is this the place where you hold out?"
+
+The negro was breathing hard. He had evidently been greatly excited,
+under the belief that the creeping form had been one of his enemies, bent
+on effecting his capture, with the idea of furnishing sport for the
+idlers at the river town, through the medium of a little "tar and
+feathers party," so popular in some sections of the Southern backwoods.
+
+"I heerd a sound like it wor a gun bein' cocked. Dat must 'a' been de
+black box heah, suh. Gorry! but I's glad it wan't dem white trash from de
+town. I's jest a-gittin' ready tuh vamoose outen heah right smart now.
+I's gwine tuh Chattanooga, tuh jine my darter. An' dat grub yuh guv
+me'll kerry me part o' the way."
+
+"That's all right, George. Suppose you just take the time to paddle me
+back to our camp. I'll promise you a lot more provisions, and some money
+in the bargain. This is a serious scrape for me, and while my life may
+not amount to much, it does seem a pity to waste all the fine views I've
+taken in this old swamp. Will you go?"
+
+"'Deed an' I will, right peart, suh. You-all hev bin mighty good tuh me,
+an' I ain't gwine tuh forgit dat you sed as how I mightn't be just as
+bad as dey paint me. Git into de leetle boat, young mars, an' I'll paddle
+yuh home," said the old negro, with alacrity.
+
+"Hold on a minute, George! I want to shoot you first," observed Will.
+
+"Gorry! Will it hurt, marse?" asked the other, beginning to look worried
+as he saw the mysterious black box being aimed at him.
+
+"Not one-tenth as bad as having a tooth pulled out," laughed Will. "In
+fact, you probably would never know it. Please step back a little. You
+see, I'm trying to get the shack in, too. That's part of the game."
+
+Will snapped the camera shutter.
+
+"That's all. Didn't feel it, did you, George?"
+
+"Not so's I kin notice, suh. An' will dat show me an' de leetle shack
+w'en it's done fixed?" asked the fugitive wonderingly, eyeing the camera
+with respect.
+
+"Fine. And if you leave me your address, or that of your married daughter
+up in Chattanooga, I promise to send you a copy later on, George."
+
+"Oh! I'll do dat, marse, 'deed I will! Nebber hed my pictur' took yet. My
+gal, she'll be sure surprised tuh see dat!" exclaimed the negro, still
+grinning.
+
+"Well, we had better go now. Are you sure you can paddle me around to
+where the boat is tied up, George?"
+
+"Easy as fallin' off'n a log, suh. Git dar in 'bout a hour er so." And
+George dipped deeply, with the air of one who was accustomed to the
+paddle.
+
+Indeed, Will learned presently that he had a dugout canoe hidden near by,
+and in which he was accustomed to navigate the intricate channels of the
+great swamp. He had lived out here some time, and knew the place
+thoroughly.
+
+Will was sensible enough not to mention the fact that the sheriff and his
+posse, together with the two bloodhounds, had passed along that morning.
+Had he done so, the negro might have taken the alarm, and declined to
+accompany him farther.
+
+Things had turned out well, after all. If he had a faculty for tumbling
+into a scrape, at least he was usually fortunate enough to get out again
+all right.
+
+Before the hour was really up they came out of the swamp, and in sight of
+the tied-up motorboat. At sight of the dinghy the three boys gave shouts
+of delight.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, as he stared at Will, seated
+comfortably in the bow of the short little craft, while the old negro,
+crouching in a limited area farther aft, plied the spruce paddle. "He
+comes back in style, with a guide to show him the way!"
+
+"Better that than to stay in that gloomy place, eh, Frank? Oh, I got
+lost, all right, but happened to find the shack of our good friend
+George, who rescued me."
+
+"Ain't he the honest chap, though? Ready to acknowledge the corn, no
+matter what the consequences," declared Bluff.
+
+"And I promised George some more of our extra provisions, if you have no
+objections, fellows. He's going to start for Chattanooga right off. I
+didn't mention about the sheriff and his posse, for I was afraid it might
+alarm the poor fellow. Better not say anything to him about it," remarked
+Will aside.
+
+"And they don't want him, anyhow. Give George just what you and Frank
+think we can spare. I feel sorry for the old man, too. Say! did you get
+his photo this time, Will?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Thank you, I did, and standing beside that wonderful shack, made of
+palmetto leaves. I'm glad to see that you're beginning to take an
+interest in my work. Keep it up, Jerry. We'll all enjoy the pictures
+later on," remarked Will.
+
+The boys had eaten lunch, but that did not deter them from getting
+another ready, and both Will and the negro did full justice to it.
+
+"Here, George, is the package of food for you to carry on your long trip.
+And I want you to take this, also. It's only five dollars, but it may
+help out on the way to Chattanooga," said Will, slipping the bill into
+the old fellow's black hand.
+
+George looked at it as though he could not believe his eyes.
+
+"Five dollahs! Gorry! dat am mo' dan I done see dis t'ree yeahs, suh!
+Five dollahs! If I kin on'y keep dat till I sees my gal, Cleopatrick, how
+her eyes'll stick out!" he said, scratching his white wool in delight,
+while his eyes glistened.
+
+"Say that name again, will you?" murmured Jerry, gripping the arm of
+Frank as if taken suddenly ill.
+
+"Cleopatrick. Dat's my darter, suh. She merried a right smart nigger, an'
+he's got a barber shop up dar. His name it am Samuel Parker White, an' if
+so be yuh ebber wants tuh send me one ob dat pictur', jest drap it dar.
+I's over-whelmed wid gratefulness, 'deed I is. Dey won't ebber be
+troubled wif George Duval 'round these diggin's ag'in, dat's so, suh."
+
+"But think of the henroosts up there about poor old Chattanooga," said
+Jerry in Frank's ear, though the latter frowned at him for saying it.
+
+After a short time old George took his departure on foot. He said that it
+was his intention to start immediately for the North. He had a few things
+at his shack he wanted to get, when he would depart from the soil of
+Florida forever.
+
+"Happy Florida!" muttered the irrepressible Jerry.
+
+Nevertheless, each of them shook the old darky's hand, in parting, and
+wished him the best of good luck.
+
+"Well, what had we better do, boys?" asked Frank when they found
+themselves once more alone.
+
+"I'm for getting out," said Will.
+
+"That surprises me some, for it was you who wanted to stay," remarked
+Bluff.
+
+"Well, we stayed, didn't we? I only want to mention the fact that I'm
+satisfied, if the rest of you are. I've secured all the swamp scenes I
+care for," retorted Will.
+
+"I say move on. We can find a better place than this to sleep to-night.
+Why, the skeeters nearly carried me away last night," declared Jerry.
+
+"And I'm beginning to be anxious, myself, for a glimpse of that wonderful
+gulf, not to say a taste of those delicious oysters," put in Bluff.
+
+"That settles it, then. Let's get the things aboard, and drop downstream
+a few miles, anyway."
+
+Frank suited his action to his words by picking up some of the cooking
+utensils and starting to clean them. This task was soon accomplished,
+and by degrees all their property that had been taken ashore was stowed
+away on the boat.
+
+Then finally, Jerry, whose business it seemed to be to mind the hawsers,
+unfastened the rope that held the bow of the boat, still pointing with
+the current, just as they had stopped.
+
+"Tell me when!" he called out as he stood by to repeat this maneuver with
+the second hawser at the stern.
+
+The motor began to chug away cheerily.
+
+"There's life about that sound, all right," laughed Will, who had been
+impressed with the dreadful monotony and stillness of the swamp.
+
+"Let her loose!" called Frank, at the wheel.
+
+So they once more started toward the open sea. There were still quite a
+few miles to be traversed, however, before they could set eyes on that
+same open water. The river was as "crooked as a New York alderman's
+record," as Jerry declared, and so it was that in order to advance five
+miles in a straight line they were compelled to navigate three times that
+distance on the water.
+
+When the afternoon had waned they found a good place for a halt.
+
+Again they cooked a royal supper. When four healthy boys are off on a
+lark of this sort the subject of eating is always one of their chief
+concerns, which must account for the space which it occupies in records
+of cruising and camping trips.
+
+Will did not go ashore that evening. Indeed, somehow, none of them cared
+to stay alone, though Jerry did build up quite a roaring fire, just
+because he was fond of seeing the flames leap up in frolic.
+
+As before, they divided the night into four watches, and this time Will
+chose to take the one that would bring him on deck from about midnight to
+two.
+
+When it came his turn he sat there holding his camera faithfully, and
+hoping for something to happen; but it did not come, and he was finally
+forced to arouse Bluff to take his place.
+
+The latter did so rather unwillingly. Bluff was unusually sleepy, it
+seemed, and inclined to believe that this watch business was all humbug,
+anyway. What did they need to fear? Possibly there was not a human being
+within five miles of where the motor-boat was tied up.
+
+So Bluff grew a bit careless. Two or three times he napped while on duty,
+and as nothing came of it he made up his mind that there could not be any
+danger. So he settled himself more comfortably on the seat and allowed
+his eyes to close once more.
+
+How long he slept Bluff never knew. He was awakened by some sound, but he
+could not tell what it was.
+
+He did not move, but sat there trying to remember just where he was, and
+after satisfying his mind with regard to that point, wondered what it was
+that had disturbed his dreams.
+
+Not hearing any repetition of the noise, he was about to drop off again,
+his eyes feeling very heavy, when he saw something move. Was that Frank,
+or one of the other boys, who had been ashore, climbing back to the boat?
+
+Bluff gripped his gun, and kept on the watch. Whoever it might be, he
+evidently did not want to arouse the sleepers, for he was very careful
+how he stepped after he had come aboard.
+
+Bluff caught a glimpse of the other's face as the dying fire on shore
+chanced to flare up. He made the alarming discovery that it was a white
+man, but a stranger; and then and there he remembered about the sheriff's
+hunt for the desperado!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+BLUFF'S FIRST 'GATOR
+
+
+"Don't you move a hand or foot, you rascal!" cried Bluff sternly as he
+suddenly sat up, with leveled gun.
+
+The unknown pillager was only a comparatively few feet away, so that it
+was easy for him to see the weapon covered him. Immediately he elevated
+his hands, as if to signify that he surrendered.
+
+"What is it, Bluff?" asked a quiet voice, and Frank appeared from the
+bottom of the boat.
+
+By then the thief must have determined that unless he took chances he
+would be made a prisoner. He gave a sudden yell, and threw himself over
+the gunwale of the boat. By chance it was the side toward the water, and
+they heard the splash that announced his arrival below.
+
+"Some fellow aboard, bent on stealing everything we had!" exclaimed
+Bluff.
+
+"Was it George?" gasped Will, aghast at the possibility of such
+ingratitude.
+
+"No; a white man. See! There he goes, swimming across the river!"
+
+The light was not very good, but they could see a sort of phosphorescent
+glow on the water, where some object was struggling for the opposite
+bank.
+
+Bluff half leveled his gun, when Frank shoved it aside.
+
+"You wouldn't want to kill him, even if he is a desperate case. I guess
+he got little or nothing. Let him go. The sheriff will be along after him
+soon," he said.
+
+"But what is that trailing after him, Frank?" echoed Will.
+
+"Where?" demanded the other quickly.
+
+"Why, look right there! And whatever it is, it's catching up with him
+fast, too! I believe it must be an alligator!" exclaimed Will.
+
+"I had a glimpse of a big fellow hovering under the boat at dusk. I think
+he was after the refuse we threw over. Would he hurt a swimmer?" asked
+Bluff.
+
+"I don't know. I wouldn't want to try his appetite, that's all. Could you
+give the beast a shot without hitting the man, Bluff?" asked Frank
+eagerly.
+
+"Why, yes; for at this short distance the shot won't scatter much."
+
+As he spoke Bluff took quick aim. He was only too glad to be able to make
+use of his gun in so good a cause. The thief might be all they painted
+him, and yet he was a white man, and a minister's son in the bargain, the
+sheriff had said.
+
+With the heavy report there was a combination of sounds. The man in the
+water gave a yell, as though he fancied the shot had been aimed at him. A
+short distance away, the water was being threshed wildly by some unwieldy
+object.
+
+"I hit him all right!" shouted the excited marksman.
+
+Some vigorous language came floating across from where the man was now
+dragging himself out of the river.
+
+"Say, Bob Young! You didn't think we shot at you, did you? There was a
+big 'gator after you, and he'd got you, too, only for that shot. Better
+make yourself scarce around these regions. The sheriff is after you, with
+dogs and a posse."
+
+Frank called this out after the fleeing shadowy figure that was just
+halting on the edge of the bank opposite.
+
+"Thanks!" came in a hoarse voice, followed by a reckless laugh. "But
+he'll find it a hard job to corner me, you bet!"
+
+That was the last they ever saw of Bob Young. In the morning, sure
+enough, the baying of a hound was heard, and presently along came the
+sheriff with his two dogs and the grim deputies.
+
+"Mornin', boys! Reckon yuh may 'a' seen sumpin o' my man this heah time,
+as he's sure been close tuh yuh!" he called out while still some distance
+off.
+
+"Yes. He tried to rob us last night, and jumped overboard when
+discovered," returned Frank.
+
+"And swam across to the other side. He was followed by a 'gator, that
+might have got him, too, only for our chum, Bluff, here, giving the
+reptile a shot," proceeded Jerry; while aside he said: "Get busy, Will,
+with that shebang of yours. Now's your chance to snap him off!"
+
+"What's that, suh? If anybody tries to snap me off they're sure liable
+tuh get punctured some!" exclaimed the sheriff, whose ears were as keen
+as his eyes.
+
+Frank laughed as he said:
+
+"He means with a camera, Mr. Sheriff. My friend was sorry he didn't get
+your picture before, that's all. But if you want to cross over we can let
+you use our little dinghy here."
+
+"Now, that's very considerate o' yuh, suh. I accept with pleasure, and
+when we round that rapscallion up, as we surely will before callin' the
+game off, yuh can have the satisfaction of knowing yuh hev helped the
+forces of law an' order, suh, to put an end tuh the career o' a most
+notorious rascal. I neglected tuh tell yuh before that this Bob Young is
+wanted fo' many crimes."
+
+Frank tied a long rope to the dinghy, so that after the sheriff and his
+men and dogs were well over he could pull the boat back again. The dogs
+swam across, and the three men filled the small craft so full that there
+was danger of its capsizing.
+
+However, they managed to get over in safety, and Will took a fine view of
+the strange ferry, with the dogs swimming alongside, while they were in
+midstream. The sheriff was so obliging as to actually pose for the
+picture.
+
+"Heah's yuh 'gator over on the bank, suh. He must have crawled out to
+die, a most unusual thing for the varmints to do, as they generally sink
+like a rock, tuh stay down fo' several days!" he called out.
+
+Then the posse vanished on the fresh trail of the desperado.
+
+"I rather think they'll get Bob," ventured Frank. "That sheriff is a
+determined man, and he's enlisted in this hunt for keeps. How about going
+over to view the remains, Bluff?" he asked as he pulled the dinghy in.
+
+"That's just what I was about to propose. My first 'gator, so perhaps I'd
+like to get his hide, if possible, or some of his teeth, anyway,"
+returned the other, getting into the small boat with Frank.
+
+Sure enough, they found a dead alligator up on the bank. The load of
+shot, fired at such a short distance, must have gone pretty much like a
+bullet. Some of them had entered his protuberant eyes, and by accident
+must have pierced his brain.
+
+"A lucky shot, all right. I don't believe it could ever happen again,
+especially when the one who fired was almost behind the 'gator,"
+commented Frank.
+
+"How big is he?" asked the one who had slain the reptile.
+
+"I should say all of ten feet, perhaps even eleven. They seldom grow
+bigger than twelve down here, I'm told, so this one is something of a
+whopper. If the alligator man I talked with at Coney Island a year ago
+told the truth, then this one must be several hundred years old."
+
+"Whew! Perhaps he saw Columbus land!" suggested Bluff humorously, for he
+could not quite believe any such tale.
+
+He concluded merely to knock out a tooth or two, to remember the event,
+but when Will heard about it he insisted on being ferried over so as to
+get a picture of their first Florida 'gator, with the proud Bluff
+standing beside it, to prove its length.
+
+They got under way about eight o'clock.
+
+Just at that time Jerry said he heard some distant shooting. It seemed to
+come from the direction the sheriff and his party had gone, so they
+wondered if they could have come up with the fugitive Bob, and whether
+those shots had any reference to the two hounds.
+
+"I think the fellow must have been armed, and unless his gun became
+useless after his bath last night, his first care would be to shoot down
+the dogs, so as to cut off pursuit," ventured Frank.
+
+They afterward learned, however, by making inquiries, that the sheriff
+got his man, wounded, and that Bob later on paid the penalty of his
+crime.
+
+By noon that day they came to a sawmill, where a party of convicts, under
+guard, were making cypress shingles. Our boys did not put in, for the
+sight was anything but pleasing to them; although Will did think it wise
+to get a picture of the camp, so as to add variety to his collection.
+
+About three o'clock they suddenly came to a little town. Here they
+stopped only a brief time, Frank going ashore to post some letters and
+purchase a few things he had on his list.
+
+Once more they were afloat.
+
+"I've got some pleasant news for you, fellows," said Frank, about an hour
+or so after they had lost sight of the settlement in the woods.
+
+"Along what line?" asked Will.
+
+"I think I can guess. For some time I've been sniffing the air, and ready
+to declare that it had a whiff of salt in it!" exclaimed Jerry.
+
+"And I could, in imagination, smell those fine fat oysters roasting,"
+said Bluff, smacking his lips in anticipation.
+
+"You're on, all right. The gulf is close at hand. Indeed, I'm adding a
+little speed just now, in the hope that we may be able to open it up
+before night," remarked Frank.
+
+"How about that bend, just below? Somehow, it strikes me that once we
+round that something may be doing. It's just a sneaking notion, but you
+wait," ventured Jerry.
+
+Ten minutes later they swept around the bend in question, and a cry burst
+from every lip, for there, in the light of the declining sun, lay the
+great Mexican Gulf, stretching as far in the distance as the eye could
+see.
+
+The river cruise was ended, and another kind of adventure lay before
+them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+ALL THE COMFORTS OF SALT WATER
+
+
+"Why are you slowing up, Frank?"
+
+"Yes, just when we ought to make a grand burst of speed, too," said
+Jerry.
+
+"You forget that the sun is low, and evening close at hand," replied
+Frank,
+
+"Tell me about that, and what it has to do with us. I'm a greeny when it
+comes to running a motor-boat."
+
+"Oh, the boat has little to do with it; but please remember that the Gulf
+of Mexico is a larger affair than Camalot Lake. In fact, it means the
+ocean, with all that implies. Suppose we were caught off-shore the very
+first night with no place to go?"
+
+"That would be tough, for a fact. I think I see what you mean, Frank.
+We'll anchor in the mouth of the river to-night--is that it?" continued
+Jerry.
+
+"Just what I wanted to say. Then in the morning, after we have studied
+our gulf chart, we can lay out our day's work, if the wind is favorable."
+
+"Wind! Why, we can go whether it blows or not!" ejaculated Will, who had
+already taken a snapshot of the picture presented by the open water
+beyond the island in the mouth of the river.
+
+"Particularly when not. If anything of a south wind is on, the waves are
+apt to stagger such a little boat as this."
+
+Frank had kept his eyes about him while he talked. He now brought the
+_Jessamine_ alongside the bank at the most favorable spot he could see.
+
+Jerry was ashore immediately.
+
+"Make her additionally secure to-night," said Frank.
+
+"Why, what d'ye expect--a hurricane?" And Will looked anxiously at the
+clear sky.
+
+"Oh, I guess not; but you see we are now in the region of tides, and a
+change might swing us around, perhaps break the boat away from shore.
+We'd feel nice if we woke up in the morning to find ourselves out of
+sight of land," laughed Frank.
+
+Of course he was joking, but Will looked serious for some time. He even
+went ashore, after Jerry had finished his job, and Frank, watching out of
+the corner of his eye, was amused to see him bending down and examining
+the ropes, as if to make certain they were securely tied.
+
+Will was the possessor of a different nature from his three chums. He
+could show courage, when necessary, but, as a usual thing, was much
+more given to sentiment, and in physique he could hardly compare with any
+of the others.
+
+Bluff had also gone ashore, and vanished from view. Frank could easily
+give a guess as to what sort of an errand he was on. It hardly needed
+glimpses of him bending over the spots where there were shoals along the
+tideway to understand that he was looking to see whether the one dearest
+wish of his heart was about to be fulfilled.
+
+"I guess he'll find some, at last," laughed Frank, after calling Jerry's
+attention to the fact that the other had gone.
+
+"Bluff is daft on the subject of oysters, all right. He never seems to
+tire of eating them in season, and yet he says he never picked one up
+on the spot where it grew. He seems to be coming back, Frank!" exclaimed
+Jerry, who was working with some fishing tackle that he had found aboard,
+and which Cousin Archie had used before in Southern waters.
+
+"Hey! They're right here, and in tremendous quantities! Where's that
+oyster knife, Frank? Give it to me, please. I want to try a few right on
+the bed where they grew. Give me a tin kettle, too, and I'll open a mess
+for supper!" cried the boy ashore, as he reached the boat.
+
+"Take care you don't cut your fingers. If these oysters are small, and
+stand up on edge, in clusters, they're called coon oysters, and have a
+sharp shell that is like a razor," said Frank as he handed the articles
+over.
+
+"Why coon oysters?" demanded Bluff, who always wanted to know.
+
+"Perhaps because they lie on shore, exposed at low water, and the 'coons
+manage to get a mess occasionally," put in the wise Jerry.
+
+So Bluff hurried away around the bend, to amuse himself to his heart's
+content opening native oysters right where they grew, something he had
+looked forward to doing with almost childish delight.
+
+Jerry, having arranged his tackle, got ready to do a little fishing, for
+it was still half an hour to sunset. He had discovered that there were
+mullet jumping out of the water here and there, "acrobats of the gulf,"
+Frank called them.
+
+Among other things aboard the motor-boat they had found a contraption
+which Frank said was a small Spanish cast-net. It had a row of leads
+along the bottom, with leading strings passing up through a central ring.
+Frank had read directions how to use this, and he amused himself making a
+few trials while Jerry was busy.
+
+At first he came near pulling a few teeth out, for it is a part of the
+program that one of the leads must be held between the teeth while others
+are gathered up in the hands as the net is flung out over the water by a
+sharp rotary motion that spreads it open as it strikes.
+
+The leads instantly sink, covering a space often ten feet or more in
+diameter; then, by drawing quickly at the rope, the cords are pulled
+through the ring and the net closes in like a purse, holding whatever
+fish it may have covered when thrown.
+
+After a few trials Frank succeeded in catching a couple of silver mullet
+that had been unable to escape his clumsy attempts.
+
+"I'll get the hang of it after a while," he said, as he tossed these into
+the little dinghy where Jerry was taking his place, "but those may do you
+for bait this evening, old fellow."
+
+"Bully for you, Frank! Always coming to the rescue. I was just wondering
+what I should use, and had an eye on some big blue crabs swimming along
+there on the bottom. With the dip-net I might have caught a few. If Bluff
+sees them he'll never stop talking about fried crabs." And Jerry pushed
+off.
+
+"Good luck to you, sportsman!" called Frank.
+
+He had a number of things he wanted to do himself, and only cast an
+occasional glance out to where Jerry had anchored the dinghy, opposite
+to where the motor-boat was tied up.
+
+Will was fussing around, doing something or other. He always made so
+much bustle whenever he had anything on hand that his chums frequently
+called him an "old woman," but this never seemed to bother the ardent
+photographer, who pursued his way in spite of laughter or ridicule.
+
+After a while he came and sat down near where Frank was arranging the
+three little single blue-flame stoves that formed the cooking range of
+the boat.
+
+"I was just thinking, Frank," said he, "that I've never heard you say a
+word about that mysterious packet your father entrusted to you before
+we left home."
+
+"Well, I've often thought about it as I felt it in my pocket, but you see
+there's nothing to be done until we sight Cedar Keys. Then I'll break the
+seal and read further directions," replied Frank.
+
+"Of course you've speculated about it?" went on Will.
+
+"Lots of times, but always arrived at the same old point--that I couldn't
+guess in a year what it meant," laughed the other.
+
+"Do you think it could be a joke?" asked Will.
+
+"Never. My dad was too serious when he gave it to me; and besides, he
+never jokes like that. We must wait a little while, and then learn the
+truth. Depend on it, he had a good reason for what he did. I expect we'll
+get something of a big surprise."
+
+"There comes Bluff, and I really believe the fellow's got some oysters
+opened, by the way he carries that kettle," said Will.
+
+"And just look at the expression on his face, will you? A fellow who had
+won a first prize in school could hardly seem more tickled."
+
+"Oh, I've got 'em, all right, boys, about a big quart, too, and only cut
+myself half a dozen times," cried Bluff, laughing as he scrambled aboard.
+
+"And I give you fair warning that those cuts will hurt worse to-morrow
+than they do now. Let me see. Well, they do look pretty fine. I reckon
+you've got lots of broken shells in with the oysters, so I'll take care
+to strain the mess. How shall we have them for the first, boys?" asked
+Frank.
+
+"I'm just hankering for scalloped oysters, but perhaps a stew would be
+easier to start with. We have the unsweetened milk, you know, and they
+say that answers first rate. How are you on that, Frank?"
+
+"I can manage it first rate. Are you fond of a stew, Will?"
+
+"Yes. I like them any way. But I was watching Jerry out there. What under
+the sun is he doing?"
+
+Frank cast a quick glance out over the water.
+
+"He's got a fish on, and it seems to be a big one, too!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Why, it's pulling his boat around like fun! Look at that, will you? Say!
+be careful, Jerry, or overboard you go!" shrieked Will.
+
+"There! He's headed this way, now, and going faster than ever! I never
+saw such a thing before, in all my life! What can it be, Frank?" cried
+Bluff, excited.
+
+"I don't know for certain, but I'd venture to say he's fast to a shark!"
+answered Frank, hurrying to the side of the motor-boat to see better.
+
+"A shark! Great Caesar's ghost! What will become of him? Why, the brute
+is carrying our pard off! There he goes, faster and faster, and headed
+straight out toward the open gulf! Jerry, let him go!" called Will in his
+excitement.
+
+Jerry, in the little cockleshell of a dinghy, was whirling past as this
+cry rang out. He turned to wave a hand at his chums, and they heard him
+singing:
+
+"A life on the ocean wave for me, my boys!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MOTOR
+
+
+"Say! he's going off, dead sure!" exclaimed Will, in distress.
+
+"He certainly seems to be having a free ride out to sea," remarked Frank.
+
+"But that little craft will upset, and let him drown, Frank! Can't you
+stop him from such mad capers?" continued the other.
+
+Frank put his hands up to his mouth in such fashion that they formed a
+sort of megaphone, and allowed his voice to carry far.
+
+"I say, Jerry!" he bawled.
+
+"Hello!" came faintly from the onrushing fisherman, who was sitting in
+such fashion as to properly balance his small pumpkin-seed-shaped craft
+as it sped over the water, so rapidly as to leave a sheet of white foam
+behind.
+
+"Cut loose! Danger!" shouted Frank.
+
+"Did he hear you, Frank?" asked Will anxiously.
+
+"I guess so. Anyhow, he seems to be moving toward the bow, where his line
+is fast. I hope he has a knife with him, that's all," replied Frank,
+straining his eyes to see what was going on, for the sun had set, and
+already dusk was just commencing to gather over the water.
+
+"He always carries one in his fishing bag," declared Bluff, not a little
+alarmed himself over this new source of danger, so utterly foreign to
+anything they had ever experienced before.
+
+"There! He's done it! Hurrah!" shouted Will in relief.
+
+"I bet he hated to let that thing go!" said Bluff, who knew the
+determined nature of the fisherman full well.
+
+"And he's lost his line, and the hook, too," commented Will.
+
+"That's of little consequence, for there are plenty more where they came
+from. I'm glad he was sensible enough not to carry the joke too far,"
+observed Frank.
+
+Jerry came paddling slowly back. Apparently he wanted to continue his
+fishing, but his good sense told him the hour was really too late.
+
+"Talk to me about your toboggan slides! What could compare with that
+jolly old dash? Peary wasn't in it with me. I've heard of boats pulled
+by dolphins, but give me a shark every time for a racer. I'm only sorry I
+had to cut loose so soon," he said as he came aboard.
+
+"I see you have one mullet left, Jerry. After supper we'll get out a
+couple of lines, and fish from the motor-boat. Perhaps we can pick up
+a channel bass or a weakfish, which I am told they call a sea trout down
+here."
+
+"A good idea, Frank. I'll just get the lines ready while you look after
+supper. Glad to see Bluff managed to find his oysters. Perhaps we'll have
+a rest now, and he'll quit sighing after the same. But they look fine and
+dandy, too."
+
+The boys did not wonder so much now at the size of the hooks they had
+found in Cousin Archie's assortment of war material, each of them
+fastened on a heavy but pliable brass snell, and with copper wire instead
+of thread. Florida sea fishing requires such heavy tackle, because one is
+never certain whether he may hook a forty-pound channel bass or a shark,
+and an ordinary hook would be quickly torn loose.
+
+The oyster stew turned out well. Every one was loud in praise of its
+splendid qualities, and Bluff was given to understand that they did not
+care how often he supplied the larder with a pail of fresh bivalves.
+
+He did not seem just quite so eager to promise, and Frank suspected that
+those nasty little cuts on his fingers were beginning to be painful.
+
+The supper over, the boys sat around, taking it easy, and looking out
+upon the open space where they knew the mysterious gulf lay, about which
+they had read so much in the past.
+
+Once they saw lights moving along, which must certainly have belonged
+to some sort of craft, either a steamer bound for New Orleans, or else
+some private steam yacht, the owner of which was cruising in these
+sub-tropical waters for pleasure.
+
+Jerry had cast out a line from the bow and a second one from the stern.
+As the depth of water was good, it did not much matter how far from shore
+the bait lay.
+
+"Hope something gets hold before we turn in," he said, after carrying out
+his part of the program.
+
+"Yes; fresh fish for breakfast wouldn't taste bad," remarked Bluff.
+
+"Bah! That's the only thing you think of, Bluff. Now, if you had any
+genuine sporting blood in your veins it would be the last thing you
+bothered about. Let me shoot the game, or catch the fish, and I don't
+care who eats them," said Jerry.
+
+"All the same, I noticed that you passed up your dish for a second
+helping of stew," remarked the other instantly.
+
+"Pure philanthropy, my dear boy, that's why I did that," answered Jerry.
+
+"Huh! How do you make that out?" demanded Bluff.
+
+"Why, you see, I was afraid you'd make yourself sick eating so much, and
+out of the goodness of my heart I sacrificed my better feelings in order
+to save you."
+
+Bluff said nothing, but the grunt he gave was deeply significant of
+skepticism.
+
+While they were talking, a while later, Jerry suddenly gave utterance to
+a whoop, and sprang to where one of the lines was fastened. This he began
+dragging in, although it seemed to take considerable effort.
+
+"He's a dandy, all right! Frank, get Cousin Archie's gaff hook, and stand
+ready to yank him aboard when I get him alongside!" he called.
+
+This was finally accomplished, and with considerable splashing a
+magnificent bronze-backed channel bass, weighing at least twenty pounds,
+was captured.
+
+The boys were delighted. Here was a new treat, indeed. In comparison with
+the trout and black bass that had, up to now, constituted their only game
+fish, this was tremendous. Still, later on, Frank was satisfied that a
+one-pound black bass, held with a light fly-rod, could give more sport to
+the square inch than any fish in Florida waters.
+
+There was nothing more doing up to the time they went to bed. In the
+morning they found the hook gone from the other line. Frank said they
+must have caught a shark, or else another large bass, which, in twisting
+about, had broken the tackle. Still, they were not sorry, for they would
+not have known what to do with more.
+
+"That's what I call fresh fish," said Bluff, as he sighed because he
+could not eat another bite of the tempting dish.
+
+"It does go pretty good," admitted Jerry, with a wink toward Frank.
+
+Sometimes Frank was of the opinion that the name of "Bluff" had been
+bestowed on the wrong fellow, for Jerry was inclined to play the part
+much more than the one who bore the odium that went with the name.
+
+"Now to get under way and move out on the gulf!" exclaimed Will, in some
+excitement, as the breakfast things were put away and the deck cleared
+for action.
+
+Frank had taken a careful observation, and announced that there did not
+seem to be any reason why they should linger there longer. His chart
+showed him a refuge some fifteen miles along the coast, to the east,
+where they could run in should it be deemed necessary. If the weather
+kept good they could speed another fifteen miles, and make a second
+lagoon sheltered behind outlying islands.
+
+These things are easy enough to plan. It sometimes happens, however, that
+in attempting to carry them out a hitch occurs which no one has dreamed
+possible. Now, it might come in the shape of sudden winds that kick up a
+tremendous sea; again, there might be a breakdown of the motor, as may
+happen with any boat, no matter how well built.
+
+They made a flying start, and all the boys were thrilled when they found
+themselves far out from land, and headed along the coast, toward the
+east. Later on, of course, their line of travel would be south, as the
+coast turned and they drew nearer to their destination, Cedar Keys.
+
+Everything seemed to be working nicely, and they had soon put half a
+dozen miles behind them. Frank was attending to the motor, while the
+others lay about on the deck, watching the heavens or the surrounding
+water.
+
+Not a breath of wind seemed to be blowing, and the sun came down with
+summer heat, causing coats to be discarded by all hands.
+
+"Hey! What's that? Where's the blooming shore gone?" suddenly exclaimed
+Bluff.
+
+Frank raised his head at the cry.
+
+"It's a fog coming up!" he said uneasily, for that was the one thing he
+had dreaded most of all while out upon the open waters of the big gulf,
+and no haven near at hand.
+
+With incredible swiftness the blanket seemed to sweep over the surface of
+the sea. In ten minutes they were completely surrounded, and could not
+discern any object fifty feet away.
+
+"This is awkward, fellows; but perhaps it may not last long. Meanwhile,
+we will have to steer by the compass. All of you listen to hear the wash
+of the rollers on the beach, if we happen to get in too close," said
+Frank, trying to keep calm.
+
+They continued along for half an hour, under reduced speed. Still the fog
+remained as dense as ever. Frank was wondering if they might not pass the
+first haven without knowing it. He thought it was very unfortunate that
+such a thing as this should occur on their very first day out.
+
+"Hello! What are you stopping for?" demanded Jerry suddenly, as the sound
+of the bustling little motor ceased and the boat slowed down.
+
+Frank was bending low over the machinery.
+
+"I don't know, fellows, but something has happened to the motor. That
+stop was none of my doing; but I hope it won't amount to much," he
+said cheerfully.
+
+The other three looked at each other uneasily. With the motor broken
+down, and surrounded by a treacherous fog, out there on the big gulf,
+their situation was one well calculated to cause alarm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+LOST IN THE FOG
+
+
+"What's to be done?" asked Will presently.
+
+"I'm looking the motor over, first of all. Perhaps it's a small matter,
+and I can fix it up. Sometimes these new machines act a bit cranky. Want
+of oil will even bring about trouble. Jerry, you take a look with me. Two
+heads are often better than one," said Frank.
+
+"Can we do anything?" questioned Bluff.
+
+"Just try and see if you can hear a sound like water washing up on the
+beach. We couldn't land with this boat as though it were smaller."
+
+"That's a fact. Say! if we were in our canoes, now, how easy it would be
+to run up on that same beach, lift the jolly little craft out, and go
+ashore! As it is, we must stay afloat, and take the chances of a storm
+coming up."
+
+"Storm!" echoed Will, looking hastily around. "Oh, come, now! You don't
+think there can be any danger of that happening, do you, Frank?"
+
+"Hardly. If a little breeze rises, it may carry this beastly old fog
+away, and then we can see where we are. Meanwhile, Jerry and I will try
+to find out what it is that makes our motor balk just when we want it
+most."
+
+They sat there for a long while, Bluff and Will looking this way and
+that, to see if there was any object near by; but only that heavy blanket
+of sea fog surrounded them.
+
+"Do you hear the roll of the water on the shore still?" asked Frank
+finally.
+
+"I haven't for some time, now," admitted Bluff.
+
+"And I was just wondering, as I sat here and watched the water as it
+flowed past, whether we were not drifting out further all the time,"
+suggested Will.
+
+"Say! what makes you think that? Seems to me you're always scaring up
+ghosts, and making things look blacker than they are," grumbled Bluff.
+
+"Well, you just watch that water passing. What does that mean, eh?
+Something is moving all the while, and it's either the boat or the
+tide," claimed Will.
+
+Frank stuck his head over the side and gave a look.
+
+"He's right about it," was his speedy comment. "The tide is carrying us
+out all the time, and that's why you don't hear the sound of the rollers
+on the sand!"
+
+"Wow! You're giving it to us good and hard now. That sounds like trouble.
+This old gulf is some wide, I know, and it'll take us quite a spell
+to cross the duck pond at this rate!" exclaimed Bluff in dismay.
+
+"Can't either of you find out what's wrong with the engine?" asked Will.
+
+"We think we've guessed it, and we're working on that line now; but it
+may take some little time, so don't get impatient," returned Frank.
+
+If he felt any alarm himself, his manner did not indicate it; but then
+Frank had a faculty for disguising his feelings when it would add to the
+comfort of his chums.
+
+So the old state of affairs continued, he and Jerry with their heads bent
+low over the machinery, and the others sitting there on deck, exchanging
+doleful words from time to time, and surveying that gray blanket that
+wrapped them in.
+
+"How far do you think we've gone from shore?" asked Will finally.
+
+"I was just trying to figure out from the way that water runs past. It's
+going faster than we are, you see. I should say we might have drifted
+several miles since the motor broke down," replied Bluff soberly.
+
+"I wonder how deep it is here?"
+
+"Say! what do you talk that way for? Think we'll have to swim for it?"
+exclaimed Bluff, in new alarm.
+
+"Oh! I hope not. You see, I was thinking that if we could reach bottom it
+might be worth while to anchor here. That would save us from getting any
+further from the shore, at any rate," replied the other.
+
+"Frank! Listen to what Will says!" called Bluff eagerly.
+
+"What is that?" And Frank's head came into view.
+
+"He says we might try and see how deep it is here; that perhaps the
+anchor rope is long enough to reach bottom, and we'd stop drifting out to
+sea."
+
+"Good for Will! That's a bright idea, now. Suppose you two fellows try
+and see if it will work? Jerry and I seem to be getting on, and there's
+hope that we'll have things moving presently."
+
+Accordingly, Bluff took up the anchor, which lay forward, and gently
+dropped it into the smooth water. Then he allowed the rope to pass slowly
+through his hands.
+
+"Why, it's on bottom already! I don't believe it's ten feet deep away out
+here, Frank!" he said hurriedly.
+
+"Yes, I've always read that it was shallow along this coast. That makes
+it more dangerous for vessels of any draught, for they're apt to go
+aground. Fasten the cable to that cleat, Bluff. Make it secure, for we
+don't want to lose the whole outfit overboard," remarked Frank.
+
+"That feels a whole heap better," remarked Bluff, settling down again.
+
+"Yes, for we're not moving out further all the time, anyway. Hang this
+old fog! Why did it want to come up on our very first day, and before
+we had become used to our strange surroundings?"
+
+"Well, we've got to just take things as we meet 'em, as Frank does. You
+notice that he seldom finds fault with the way things happen; just puts
+his shoulder to the wheel and lifts it out of the rut," remarked Bluff.
+
+"Yes, I know that; but every fellow doesn't happen to be built just the
+same way. I wish I could take things as cool as he does; but I never even
+snap off a picture without feeling more or less excitement quivering my
+nerves."
+
+"I don't suppose, now, you could get a decent picture of this?" Bluff
+suggested.
+
+"What! The fog? Bless your innocent heart, no! What do you think it would
+be like--just a dreary blank plate. You can't see anything, so how could
+it show up in a picture?" jeered Will.
+
+"I wonder some bright genius hasn't discovered some sort of magic glasses
+that will let a fellow see through fog? What a blessing they would be to
+sailors, and the pilots of ferryboats in New York harbor," observed Bluff
+thoughtfully.
+
+"Suppose you devote your spare time to solving that riddle? Listen! Was
+that a shout then?"
+
+"Sounded like it to me; but who would be shouting out here in the fog?"
+replied Bluff scornfully.
+
+"Come, now. We may not be the only pebbles on the beach. Perhaps there
+are others marooned out here in the fog, and they may be shouting just to
+keep their courage up, or for some other purpose," replied Will stoutly.
+
+"Well, the fog won't last much longer, anyway, and that's a comfort."
+
+"How do you know that?" asked Frank, looking up.
+
+"Because I just felt a puff of air. The wind's going to rise, and that
+means an end to the fog," replied Bluff confidently.
+
+"Well, I only hope we get this motor fixed before it rises too much," and
+once more Frank gave his full attention to his work on the obstinate
+engine.
+
+Bluff and Will looked uneasily at each other.
+
+"What does he mean?" asked the latter.
+
+"I think he means that if the wind came up strong the sea would rise, and
+we couldn't hold out here with our anchor," replied Bluff.
+
+"In which case?"
+
+"We'd either be blown out to sea, and be in danger of foundering, or else
+driven toward the shore, perhaps to stick half a mile off and be
+wrecked."
+
+"I don't like either of those propositions any too well. Oh! I hope they
+get the motor working! I'm so nervous I feel like shouting; and it seems
+to me I can hear something moving all the time," went on Will.
+
+"Something moving?" echoed his companion, looking at him as if he
+wondered whether the other could be going out of his mind.
+
+"Yes, over there to windward, which, I take it, is about due west just
+now. Hark! Didn't you hear that?--and close at hand, too! What can it
+be?"
+
+"I don't know. Something is moving through the water! I can hear a gurgle
+and a creaking noise. Do you think it could be a boat bearing down on us?
+Oh! what if they ran us down in this fog? I say, Frank!" called Bluff,
+also excited by this time.
+
+"Well, what now?" demanded the other, again appearing in view.
+
+"There's something doing over here. Will thinks it may be a boat coming
+down on us, full tilt, and liable to grind us to powder."
+
+Frank listened for just three seconds. Then he made a dive for a locker,
+as if he thought the situation more or less desperate.
+
+"What's he after?" exclaimed Will, amazed.
+
+"That blooming conch-shell horn of Cousin Archie's. He's going to let
+those chaps know there's another boat out here, and that they don't own
+the earth, that's what."
+
+And that was just what Frank meant to do. Seizing the conch-shell, from
+which the point had been cut, he blew a piercing blast that could have
+been heard a mile off. Again and again he sent out the warning sound, and
+presently an answering blast came through the dense fog, now swirling
+madly with the increasing breeze.
+
+"They're right on us! There! I can just make out the top of a mast!
+Frank, they will run us down!" shouted Will, while the other continued
+to blow his horn with renewed vim, and the advancing gulf sponger came
+plunging straight toward the anchored _Jessamine_! It was a thrilling
+moment for the four chums.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A CRY ACROSS THE LAGOON
+
+
+"Keep off, there!" shouted Bluff.
+
+"Luff her, you!" howled Jerry.
+
+"Too-oo-t! too-oo-t!"
+
+Will was the only one of the quartet unable to give utterance to his
+feelings. He could only cower there, and gape, while the unknown sailing
+craft was bearing down straight for the little motor-boat, and apparently
+bound to smash her in two.
+
+Those on the sharpie may have been extremely reckless in thus spreading
+their canvas to the favoring wind before the fog had lifted enough to
+allow a decent lookout, but they had some thought for their own safety,
+however little they cared for that of others.
+
+Hearing the clamor dead ahead, the fellow at the tiller managed to
+suddenly shift the course of the advancing boat, and just in time. They
+swept past the _Jessamine_ with hardly a yard to spare.
+
+The staring and shivering boys caught a glimpse of several rough men on
+board the passing sharpie, and what they thought was a girl's head thrust
+out of the cabin.
+
+Some loud and vigorous language was carried back to the ears of the chums
+as the fleeing sharpie vanished once more in the fog wreaths.
+
+"Talk to me about that!" exclaimed Jerry indignantly. "They nearly run us
+down through their own carelessness, and then revile us for getting in
+the way!"
+
+"Some people never believe there can be two sides to any question. They
+are always in the right," commented Frank.
+
+He showed little signs of any excitement; yet, did his chums but know it,
+there was much of thanksgiving in his heart over the narrow escape.
+
+Once again he and Jerry set to work at the stubborn motor, while the
+others endeavored to keep a sharp lookout. Will, in particular, was
+holding his head cocked on one side, as though eager to catch the first
+faint sound of any advancing vessel from windward.
+
+From time to time Bluff amused himself in making dreadful noises with the
+conch-shell horn, for one has to learn how to sound this before being
+able to send a ringing blast that can be heard an almost incredible
+distance.
+
+"Anyhow, the fog's getting thinner all the while," remarked Will
+joyfully.
+
+"That's a fact," said Frank, glancing up from his work.
+
+A minute later there was a whirr.
+
+"Hurrah! She works!" shouted Jerry.
+
+"Thank goodness! Then we're saved!" echoed Will.
+
+"Get up your anchor, Bluff," remarked Frank quietly.
+
+This Bluff did with cheerful alacrity, and immediately the little
+motor-boat began to churn the water with her accustomed zeal.
+
+"How long had we been sitting there?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Just two hours," was Frank's reply as he consulted his little nickel
+watch.
+
+"And now what?" demanded Will.
+
+"We'll move in toward the shore somewhat, and wait for the fog to sweep
+away. When that happens perhaps we can get our bearings, and find out
+whether we've passed our first intended refuge or not," returned Frank.
+
+"But you think we have?" queried Bluff.
+
+"Yes; and consequently, as we don't want to turn around and go back, we
+might as well head for the second harbor."
+
+"What sort of a place is that?" asked Bluff, always seeking information.
+
+"As near as I can make out from the chart, it is a lagoon formed by a
+long island that stands as a shelter between the open gulf and the shore.
+There are many such along the gulf coast, and small vessels are in the
+habit of running behind them when the weather outside gets stormy."
+
+"Hear! hear! Frank's already showing signs of becoming a real old salt.
+Look there, fellows! Oh! it's gone, now!" cried Jerry, pointing.
+
+"I had just a glimpse of it. That was land, all right, Jerry; and perhaps
+we'd better alter our course a bit now, heading due east so as to skirt
+along about this distance out."
+
+So saying, Frank gave the wheel a little whirl, and the motor-boat, in
+response, curved gracefully a few points to the starboard.
+
+"Don't she run like a duck?" said Bluff enthusiastically.
+
+"There's the land again, boys! No question but what the fog is being
+driven off by the wind," remarked Frank.
+
+They could see the shore from time to time, and every one realized that
+the enshrouding curtain was fast vanishing.
+
+"But, my! isn't it getting rough?" exclaimed Will.
+
+His remark caused the others to look at the speaker.
+
+Frank needed only one glance to tell him the story. Will was already
+beginning to feel the dreadful nausea of seasickness. The boys were
+accustomed to spending much time on the water, in their canoes, but
+little Lake Camalot, at home, and the big Mexican Gulf, were two entirely
+separate affairs. Indeed, there was only one among them who did not
+experience at least a trifling indisposition before this first day's
+voyaging on the salt water was done, and that was Frank himself.
+
+When the fog had entirely vanished the scene was quite picturesque, with
+the shore and its palmetto trees standing out beyond the heaving billows;
+but, alack and alas! the artist of the expedition, for once in his life,
+seemed not to care a picayune whether he ever took another snapshot again
+or not.
+
+Even Bluff's raillery failed to enthuse him, and the look he cast toward
+the shore was most pitiful and woebegone.
+
+Seeing this, Frank took pity on his sick chum.
+
+"Hand me that camera, Bluff; and you, Jerry, grab hold of this wheel
+here. Keep her just as we are, and dodge the big waves as they come, or
+else we'll all get a beautiful ducking."
+
+Saying this, Frank waited until a good chance came, and then snapped off
+a couple of views of the turbulent scene.
+
+"Thank you, Frank, for I couldn't have stood up to do it, for a kingdom.
+I reckon I'll never forget this experience, and every time I see those
+pictures I'll have a qualm. Oh! I feel so sick, fellows!" wailed Will.
+
+They laid him, groaning, on a blanket, under the protecting hood. No
+one cared to stay with him more than a minute, for, truth to tell,
+neither Jerry nor Bluff were in a condition to say how long it might be
+before they would be feeling just as badly as their chum. Fresh air was
+invaluable under such circumstances.
+
+Frank, as they boomed along in this boisterous manner, was watching the
+shore. He expected at any time, now, to discover signs of the refuge
+which he had mentioned to the others, though it would require sharp
+eyesight to distinguish the island from the background of shore line.
+
+"What time is it, Frank?" asked Bluff finally.
+
+"Oh, about three, I should say. Time has slipped away, you know."
+
+"What! And nobody ever thought of eating a bite about noon?" exclaimed
+Jerry.
+
+"Eating!"
+
+Bluff uttered only the one word, but his horrified expression struck
+Frank as being so comical that he roared with laughter.
+
+"I give you my word, fellows, that this is the very first time since I've
+known Bluff that the idea of a meal seemed repulsive to him," he
+declared.
+
+"Please don't, fellows!" came from Will, under the shelter; and in
+sympathy for him the subject was dropped then and there.
+
+Jerry interested himself in keeping watch with Frank. Between them they
+managed to decide just where the expected island held forth. The course
+was altered enough to bring them closer, yet at the same time avoid
+falling in the trough of the great waves, that might have capsized the
+motor-boat, once they got a fair sweep at her, broadside on.
+
+"It's the island, all right!" exclaimed Bluff presently, as they drew
+nearer.
+
+"And we will have to take some chances in getting back of the shelter.
+You see how the wind blows, and the waves run. Now, please don't bother
+me. It will require some close calculating to just scrape in without a
+disaster."
+
+Frank set himself to the task. Mentally, he hoped most fervently that the
+motor would not take a notion to act contrary just when so much depended
+on its stability and faithfulness.
+
+Gradually the island began to stand out more distinctly, on their right.
+
+"We're making it, I do believe!" yelled Bluff.
+
+"Why, sure; and the water is getting less rocky already," declared Jerry.
+
+"There you go, copying Frank's salty ways. But I'm not going to dispute
+it now. I'm only too glad of the chance of resting on smooth water again,
+whether it happens to be dusty or rocky," avowed Bluff, looking cheerful
+again.
+
+Even poor Will managed to drag himself out from his shelter to take a
+dismal, though eager, look. He had the appearance of one who had passed
+through a long siege of illness, such is the rapidity with which this
+dreadful malady downs its victims.
+
+"There's one boat already anchored behind the island further on,"
+remarked Jerry.
+
+"I was looking at that fellow," remarked Frank, "and unless I'm mistaken,
+that's the identical sharpie which came so close to running us down in
+the fog a little while back."
+
+"You don't say!" exclaimed Will, beginning to grow interested.
+
+It is wonderful how quickly one recovers from an attack of this sort when
+smoother water is reached. Will was commencing to lose a little of his
+ghastly whiteness already, while Bluff had started to sigh, as though he
+thought of supper.
+
+After they had found a safe asylum behind the island Frank thought it
+best to anchor. He did not care to go too near that sharpie, for the
+recollection of the three rough spongers or fishermen on board deterred
+him from wanting to renew their acquaintance.
+
+Bluff immediately bailed out the little dinghy, and set himself to the
+task of hunting along the shore for oysters. They saw him dipping his arm
+down again and again, which would indicate that his quest was proving
+successful. Even Jerry declared that he was now becoming fairly ravenous,
+and could enjoy a solid meal.
+
+"It's going to be a gloomy old night, fellows. Clouds gathering there in
+the southwest. From what I've read about the signs, we may have one of
+those northers boom down on us before morning," remarked Frank.
+
+They were sitting around, enjoying the supper, as he made this remark.
+Evening was close at hand. The sun had set in what seemed to be an angry
+glow, with yellow predominating.
+
+"Are we safe right here, if the wind chops around, and comes out of the
+north?" asked cautious Will.
+
+"Yes, for that arm of the land will shield us all right," declared Jerry.
+
+So the night set in. Darkness gathered unusually early, it seemed to the
+chums. They had made all arrangements looking to the raising of the
+complete automobile cover of the boat in case of a downpour.
+
+"I guess there's nothing to fear from the elements," remarked Frank
+finally.
+
+"Can there be from any other source?" demanded Will, quick to take the
+alarm from the tone of Frank's voice.
+
+"I bet Frank's thinking of those three blooming pirates who wanted to
+smash us out on the big water," declared Bluff quickly.
+
+"I confess they were in my mind; but, so far, they've paid no attention
+to us, and we're a quarter of a mile away from that sharpie. Don't
+bother your head about them, Will. Of course, we'll keep a watch, as
+usual, though."
+
+"You just make up your mind we will, now. I didn't like the looks of the
+crowd a little bit. Some of these wild waterdogs along the gulf coast,
+they told me, wouldn't object to a little piratical business on the sly
+when--"
+
+Jerry stopped short. Over the water, from the direction of the mysterious
+anchored sharpie, had come a strange cry, that seemed to be in the voice
+of either a woman or a child. The four chums sat there and stared at each
+other in consternation, for it seemed as though that pitiful cry was
+for help!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A VISIT TO THE MYSTERIOUS SHARPIE
+
+
+Jerry made a reach for his gun, that happened to be hanging from a couple
+of hooks close by his hand.
+
+"Oh! What was that?" asked Will in a trembling voice.
+
+"Sounded to me like a child. I reckon they've got a boy along with 'em,
+and the brutes are whaling him!" growled Bluff.
+
+"It's a shame, then, that's what!" declared Will, showing unwonted anger,
+for, as a usual thing, he seldom gave way to his emotions in this line.
+
+They listened for a time in silence. Jerry declared that he felt sure he
+heard a sound not unlike a child crying, but the heavy voices of the men
+drowned this.
+
+"Can't we do anything?" asked Will.
+
+"Well, we're only a lot of boys, and they are big strapping men. Probably
+they've got the law on their side, too," suggested Frank, shaking his
+head.
+
+"What do you mean by that, Frank?" queried Bluff indignantly.
+
+"Why, the chances are ten to one that the boy, if it is a boy, must
+belong to one of the men--his own son, I mean--and you know, Mr. Lawyer,
+that a fellow has to be mighty careful how he steps in between a man and
+his son. That same law allows even a brute a certain right to punish a
+rebellious child," said Frank.
+
+So they talked it over a long time. Apparently, nothing could be done
+that night to ascertain the cause of the outbreak. All was silent now
+in the direction of the sharpie, and not even a riding light marked the
+spot where the boat lay.
+
+Frank had recommended that they put out their own lights, all but one
+lantern, which was to be fastened in such a way that it would mark the
+anchorage of the little modern motor-boat.
+
+"It'll be an invitation to the sharks to visit us," remarked Bluff.
+
+"Not at all. If they mean to drop in on us during the night, the presence
+of one lantern, or its absence, will make mighty little difference,"
+responded Frank.
+
+"Do you really think they'll do anything?" asked Will pointedly.
+
+"No, I don't. In the first place, they must know that there's quite a
+crowd of us aboard. Then such boats as this are apt to carry a few guns
+along. Just sleep in peace, Will. The chances are ten to one the only
+thing apt to arouse us to-night may be the howl of a norther," said Frank
+soothingly.
+
+About ten o'clock both Bluff and Will began yawning.
+
+"Go to bed, you fellows. Jerry and I will manage the first and second
+watches between us. If we want help, we'll knock you up," observed Frank.
+
+He gave Jerry a wink at the same time, as if to notify him to remain up;
+and the observant Jerry understood that Frank had a card of some sort
+up his sleeve.
+
+"Say, what's in the wind?" he asked in a whisper, when they were left
+alone.
+
+Frank put his finger on his lips, as he said in an equally guarded tone:
+
+"Not so loud. I don't want them to hear."
+
+"Then you really expect trouble with those rascally spongers?" demanded
+his chum.
+
+"That depends. But I'll tell you what I've decided to do, Jerry."
+
+"Go on; I'm all ears."
+
+"After a bit, I'm going to take the dinghy and paddle over to that
+sharpie. Somehow or other, I feel that there is some one there in need of
+assistance. Perhaps it's none of our business, and I'm silly to even
+think of running such a risk, but something seems to impel me to go; I
+can't tell you just what."
+
+"Not alone, Frank? Why not take me along, too?" pleaded Jerry.
+
+"No. One can get along in that stumpy little boat fine, while with two it
+is a clumsy affair. You know that. I only mean to hover near, in the
+darkness, and find out, if possible, what's doing. Perhaps I may not go
+closer than fifty feet--unless something happens!"
+
+Jerry did not insist. He realized that what Frank said was the truth, for
+he had had experience with that same cranky little craft when a second
+party occupied a place in it.
+
+They sat and talked in low tones for half an hour. Frank made all his
+plans, and arranged with his chum a set of signals by means of which
+they might communicate with each other even while both were unseen.
+
+"It's getting darker all the while, I do believe. Sure you know where to
+find that sharpie?" remarked Jerry as he saw his comrade beginning to
+make a move.
+
+"I located her by some palmetto trees that stand up high above all others
+on the key there. Unless they've changed their anchorage, which is
+unlikely, as we would have heard the noise, I can go straight to the
+spot," replied Frank confidently.
+
+"Taking your gun along, of course?"
+
+"I think it wise. Those are tough fellows, and there's no telling what
+might happen. Better be on the safe side," remarked the other sagely.
+
+"Well, I'm going to keep my rifle close by, I tell you. And Bluff has his
+Gatling gun on the hooks, where he can get hold of it in a hurry. But I
+hope we don't have any need of them," continued Jerry as he assisted
+Frank to climb over into the little dinghy astern, where the light of the
+lantern did not penetrate.
+
+"Be careful how you shoot, at any time, and listen for my signal. I'd
+hate to be peppered with shot, or get a bullet in my shoulder from my
+chums."
+
+"Oh, you can depend on me to keep a sharp lookout; and no danger of any
+accident like that. I never act on impulse, like Bluff. Good-by, and
+good luck, Frank!"
+
+The dinghy dropped astern with the flowing tide, and was immediately
+swallowed up in the gloom, which, as Jerry truly said, seemed more dense
+than ever as the clouds gathered overhead and shut out even the light of
+the stars.
+
+Frank took up the paddle and set to work. He was by this time something
+of an adept in the use of a spruce blade, as most canoeists become in
+time. That is, he could propel a boat silently, not a swirl or a dripping
+blade betraying the labor that sent it on. Guides in the Maine woods had
+taught Frank how to approach a deer at night time on a lake without
+hardly rippling the water.
+
+In this wise he approached the spot where he knew he would find the
+mysterious sharpie anchored.
+
+Presently he could see the tops of its tall masts against the dark sky;
+but only for the fact that he was looking for this, it would have passed
+unnoticed.
+
+There was not a light about the boat. Listening, Frank could hear no
+sound at first, but as he drew silently nearer he fancied he caught what
+seemed to be an occasional deep sigh. Then, as his eyes sought the
+outlines of the little gulf vessel he detected what seemed to be a bowed
+figure at the stern.
+
+It was from this point that the sighs seemed to come, and he fancied that
+the huddled-up object must be the figure of a boy, placed on watch while
+the three big hulking men slept in the cabin near by.
+
+Now he caught the sound of heavy breathing, bordering on snores. From the
+fact that these suggestive noises were partly muffled, he believed they
+came from inside the sharpie's cabin.
+
+Foot by foot Frank found himself nearing the stern of the sharpie. He did
+not need to use the paddle at all, for the current was gently wafting him
+along in just the direction he wished to go.
+
+So softly did he come that when he reached the sharpie's counter all he
+had to do was to just put out his hand and fend off.
+
+He now saw that it was really and truly a boy sitting there. The other
+seemed to be not over ten years of age, judging from his size. He was
+barefooted, and without either hat or coat, though the night was getting
+cold now.
+
+Several times he sighed deeply, and once Frank was sure he heard what
+seemed to be a stifled sob, as though he would have cried had he dared.
+
+Obeying an impulse he could not control, Frank put his hand on the
+other's arm, at the same time whispering softly:
+
+"Don't make a noise, please. I'm from the other boat, and I want to help
+you, if I can. You may trust me, my boy, to the limit!"
+
+The crouching figure started, and Frank saw a small face bent down close
+to his own; then a trembling hand caught his, and there came a whisper:
+
+"Oh! if you only could get me out of this scrape! I'll die if I stay
+here! They kick me and beat me terribly! Please take me away, mister!"
+
+Frank's first impulse was to draw the lad into the dinghy, then his
+natural caution caused him to hesitate.
+
+"Who are you, boy?" he whispered.
+
+"Joe Abercrombie; and I guess it's near killed my mother, because they
+think I run away," came the quick answer.
+
+"Is your father aboard this boat?"
+
+"I ain't got any father. He's dead long time ago. I live with my mother
+and sister down at Cedar Keys. Please get me off here, mister! I'll do
+anything for you, if you only can!" the boy kept on saying, and
+unconsciously raising his voice in his excitement.
+
+Frank's determination was taken. He would accept the chances of trouble
+and assist this poor little chap, whose condition seemed so miserable,
+as the slave of the trio of big, rough spongers.
+
+Before he could say another word, or draw the boy into his dinghy, a
+gruff voice came booming out of the cabin:
+
+"Hey! Who yer talkin' to out thar, younker? Wake up, fellers! I reckon
+we're boarded by some reptiles! Hank! Carlos! Git at 'em!"
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed the lad piteously. "They've heard us! They're coming out
+to kill you! Don't stop for me, but go!"
+
+But Frank Langdon was not built that way.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI
+
+JOE
+
+
+With one sweep of his arm Frank drew the little fellow into the dinghy.
+
+Then he snatched up his paddle, and dipped it deeply into the flood. The
+corklike boat answered instantly to the demand, and backed away from the
+side of the anchored sharpie.
+
+Even though but a few seconds had passed, the racket aboard the boat had
+become tremendous by now. The men were shouting at each other as they
+groped around in the dark for the boy.
+
+Frank knew that the very sounds they made were apt to assist him in his
+escape, for they helped to drown what little noise he was compelled to
+make in his quick and positive work with the paddle.
+
+Then one of them must have reached the conclusion that the boy had been
+kidnapped by some unseen visitor, coming in another boat.
+
+"Keep still, you fools, an' listen!" he shouted.
+
+They seemed to guess his reason, for the chorus of loud voices ceased.
+Frank also stopped paddling, momentarily. He hoped the listening spongers
+would be unable to locate him in the darkness.
+
+"Have they any small boat?" he whispered in the ear of the cowering boy.
+
+"No. It broke loose three days ago, in a squall," came the reply.
+
+"Bully!"
+
+That one word expressed all the gratitude that was in Frank's heart. It
+seemed as though fortune was acting mighty kindly toward the rescuing
+expedition.
+
+Just then there came a flash and a sharp report. One of the men had fired
+in the direction he believed the passing boat to be lying.
+
+The bullet splashed in the water, and seemed to go humming over the
+surface of the lagoon. Then a shout came from the sharpie:
+
+"I seen 'em then! Hey! You thar! Come back with that kid, or it'll be the
+worse for ye! D'ye hear?"
+
+But Frank, instead of wasting his breath in replying, was once more
+paddling industriously. He had changed his course, in the hope that
+should a second bullet follow the first, it might not touch either
+himself or his charge.
+
+Just as he anticipated, there was a second shot, followed by half a dozen
+more, seemingly fired at random.
+
+No damage resulted, and Frank believed the incident was closed, at
+least as far as immediate results went. He now headed directly for
+the motor-boat, the swinging lantern guiding him.
+
+Those on the sharpie could be heard talking loudly, as though endeavoring
+to get the truth of the affair, and doubtless making terrible threats as
+to what they would do to the audacious invader later on.
+
+Frank gave the signal agreed on with Jerry, and in another minute he was
+lifting his charge aboard the anchored boat.
+
+"Don't ask questions now, fellows," he said, realizing that the others
+were all agog with excitement, and both Bluff and Will consumed with
+curiosity. "We must douse the glim, and in the dark change our anchorage.
+Then, if they come poking over here to-night, looking for us, they won't
+find anybody at home."
+
+"Hear! hear!" muttered Jerry, who in an emergency always looked to Frank
+to do the right thing.
+
+He immediately extinguished the light.
+
+"Don't make the least noise, if you can help it. Get the anchor off the
+ground, but don't attempt to bring it aboard," continued Frank in a
+whisper.
+
+"Going to start the motor?" asked Bluff.
+
+"Certainly not! It's shallow here, and the push-pole will have to move us
+along." Saying which, Frank possessed himself of the useful article in
+question, without which no small boat ever cruises in Florida waters.
+
+"I hope we don't get mixed up, and run afoul of those chaps," breathed
+Will.
+
+"I've got them located, all right. We'll go in closer to the island,
+that's all. Perhaps they won't come at all until daylight."
+
+"But if they do, Frank?" asked Bluff.
+
+"We've got a right to protect ourselves, and we will," declared the other
+between his set teeth, for he was now silently pushing with the pole,
+Jerry having raised the anchor at the bow.
+
+This sort of thing kept up for ten minutes. By that time Frank knew they
+were as close to the shore as prudence allowed.
+
+"Let the anchor sink slowly, Jerry, and don't make a sound, if you can
+avoid it," said Frank.
+
+"It's already on the bottom. Why, we're in only four feet of water here!"
+came back the whispered answer.
+
+"Now what about the boy you pulled off that craft?" asked Bluff.
+
+"Come here, Joe," said Frank kindly.
+
+Instantly he felt a hand clasping his eagerly, and a boyish voice
+exclaimed softly:
+
+"Oh! I wanter thank you ever so much for what you did, and my mom'll say
+the same thing when she sees you!"
+
+"That's all right, Joe. All of us are only boys, older than you, of
+course, but ready to hold out a helping hand to a poor chap in trouble.
+Suppose you tell us, in a whisper now, what brought you aboard that
+sharpie. Who are those three men, and how did you happen to be sailing
+with them?"
+
+"They're Hank, and Carlos, the Cuban, and my Uncle Ben," came the reply.
+
+"Hello! He's got an uncle aboard!" said Jerry uneasily.
+
+"But he's the worst of the whole lot. He beats me, and calls me bad
+names. My mother is afraid of him. She didn't want to let me go on this
+trip with Uncle Ben, but he just made me. His name is Baxter. You see,
+he's her brother-in-law, not her real brother. I always called him uncle,
+but he ain't, either. I hate him, and I'd sooner die than go back there
+again!"
+
+"Don't be afraid, my boy. We have no intention of letting them get you
+again. It happens that we're bound for Cedar Keys ourselves, and we'll
+see you safely home. Your mother lives there, you say?" went on Frank,
+patting the trembling little hand, with its hard palm, that told of much
+hard work for so young a lad.
+
+"Yes, sir; but we're awful poor. We used to live in Pensacola when dad
+was on his job, but he got killed in his engine long ago. Then mother had
+a chance to do something in Cedar Keys, and we came on. But things went
+wrong, sister got sick, and it's been hard work to get enough to eat.
+Still, my mother never complains; she ain't one of that kind; and a
+feller just has to be up and doin' somethin' to help out. That was why
+I came along when Uncle Ben promised good wages, and without letting her
+know."
+
+It was a whole life story in a nutshell. Frank had never come so closely
+in touch with tragedy before. He continued to squeeze the hand he held,
+while deep down in his heart the generous fellow was making resolutions
+that would bring a little of sunshine to the Abercrombie home when they
+landed in the key city.
+
+"Well, we'll have lots of time to talk all these things over to-morrow,
+and the other days to come. The rest of you pile off again, and leave me
+here to sit out my watch. I promise to awaken you if anything threatens
+us," he said finally.
+
+A place was easily found for little Joe. Indeed, as Bluff remarked in a
+whisper, the motorboat seemed capable of expansion.
+
+"Just like an elevator or an electric car, there's always room for just
+one more," was the way he put it.
+
+Frank sat there, listening and thinking, for a couple of hours at least.
+There was no alarm. Once he thought he heard sounds such as might be made
+by the movement of a push-pole; but if so, the searching party failed to
+locate the anchored motor-boat in its new lodgings.
+
+Jerry took his place a little later, and then Bluff wound up the night,
+Will being allowed to sleep in peace.
+
+Frank was up at peep of dawn. The masts of the sharpie stood up plainly
+through the dim light, showing that apparently her anchorage had not been
+changed at all.
+
+Signs of life were to be seen aboard, and smoke arising from the cabin
+gave evidence that the three rough spongers were getting their frugal
+breakfast. Doubtless this caused them to vent their anger anew, for it
+had been a part of the boy's work to cook.
+
+"The anticipated storm petered out, anyway," remarked Jerry at his elbow.
+
+"Which may be a good thing for us. Possibly we might want to get out of
+here in a hurry, although I'm averse to running away like a frightened
+duck," remarked Frank.
+
+"I say stick it out, and give them tit for tat. We're armed, and can make
+a pretty good showing," declared Bluff, also turning up after hearing
+voices.
+
+So they began preparations for breakfast, Frank keeping an eye on the
+sharpie meanwhile. He expected that the trio of spongers would not be
+likely to pull out without some show of threatening the four who
+comprised the crew of the motor-boat.
+
+Joe proved to be a bright-faced lad, once the grime was removed, under
+the influence of salt-water soap and a rough towel. All of the outdoor
+chums were glad that they had found a chance to be of service to one in
+distress, for Joe insisted that he never could have stood the vile
+treatment he was receiving, and meant to run away at the very first
+opportunity.
+
+They were just sitting down to breakfast when Will gave the alarm.
+
+"They're pulling up anchor, fellows, and hoisting sail. From the
+appearance of things, we'd better look out for squalls," he announced.
+
+Each of the other three quietly reached around and seized a gun. Will,
+not to be outdone, picked up the instrument with which he did most of his
+shooting, his beloved camera, and waited for a chance to snap off the
+ugly faces of the spongers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+STUCK ON AN OYSTER BAR
+
+
+"Do you think they'll attack us, Joe?" asked Jerry as the sharpie began
+to head straight for the anchored motor-boat.
+
+"No, I don't. Them fellers is big cowards, and when they see the guns
+they'll take it out in talking," came the prompt answer.
+
+"I believe Joe is right. They must be cowards, or they'd never have
+abused a boy as they did him. He showed me a lot of bruises from kicks
+he's had," observed Frank, with a gleam in his eye and a look on his face
+that told of his detestation for the brute who could, in a temper, knock
+a child down.
+
+"Say! Perhaps it might be just as well to get the anchor up, and start
+the motor, in case we wanted to move, anyway," remarked Bluff.
+
+"A hunky idea!" echoed Jerry.
+
+Frank himself agreed to it. So while Jerry hastened to get the mudhook
+aboard, Frank bent down over the motor. They heard him crank it, and then
+came the merry and suggestive hum that bespoke business.
+
+"Now, if we wanted, we could go spinning away, and laugh at them,"
+observed Will.
+
+"But we don't intend to, all the same," said Frank quietly, making his
+appearance again, gun in hand. The boat had moved a length or so, and
+then floated on the smooth water of the lagoon.
+
+A shout from the sharpie had told that the spongers believed they meant
+to run off, and at the same time one of them was seen flourishing a gun.
+
+"Hold up, there, you rascals, you!" came across the water, and a shot
+followed, the bullet splashing close to the motor-boat.
+
+"Don't you try that again, there, or we'll give you a broadside! Do you
+hear?" shouted Frank, as he and his chums lifted their array of weapons
+so that the men could easily see what they were up against.
+
+The sharpie kept pushing on until close by. Then a sudden shifting of the
+rudder caused the boat with the tall masts to "come to" in the wind, with
+her dingy sails shivering as they hung there lifeless.
+
+"We want that kid!" called a tall, gaunt man with a red beard.
+
+"That's Uncle Ben!" exclaimed Joe, who was peeping over the gunwale.
+
+"Well, you'll have to take it out in wanting, then, because you're not
+going to get him. Joe says you beat him. He prefers to stay with us, and
+we're going to take him home to his mother in Cedar Keys. Get that?"
+called Frank.
+
+The three men conferred together for a minute or two.
+
+"Say! my breakfast's getting cold! I wish they'd hurry," remarked Bluff.
+
+Will was getting busy himself. The old familiar click announced that he
+had secured a picture of the three spongers at a time when they stood out
+plainly.
+
+"Hey, you fellers! What yuh mean a-comin' an' stealin' my nephew out o'
+my boat? He signed for the cruise, he did. It's ag'in the law, what yuh
+did, an' yer liable ter git yerselves in trouble," the red-bearded man
+now called.
+
+"We can stand it if you can. The marks on this boy will settle your case
+for you. Better go on about your business. We don't want any fight, but
+just make up your minds that if you start it we're going to shoot holes
+through every one of your crowd. That's enough talk. Now, twenty-three
+for yours!"
+
+It was seldom that Frank used slang, but just then he was in want of a
+better expression by means of which to give vent to his feelings.
+
+Bluff was already sitting down and eating, though he kept hold of his gun
+at the same time, like a true soldier on duty. The trio of spongers
+talked among themselves for a short time, then, with many harsh words,
+they pushed their boat around with a pole until the dingy canvas took
+the breeze again, after which they sailed away.
+
+"A good riddance of bad rubbish," declared Bluff, with his mouth full of
+bacon; and the others voiced his sentiments exactly.
+
+As for the boy, he was smiling as if tickled over the wonderful change
+that had come about in his fortunes. Frank, remembering the limp form
+squatting in the stern of the sharpie, so given up to despair and bodily
+anguish, could hardly believe that this bright-faced lad was the same.
+
+They did not linger long after finishing breakfast.
+
+While the weather remained favorable Frank thought they ought to be
+making further progress along their way. True, Cedar Keys was not so
+very far distant, but who could say what difficulties they might
+encounter from time to time?
+
+"It will do to loiter when we've arrived within a dozen or two miles of
+the city," he remarked, and they all admitted the wisdom of his decision.
+
+They went out the same way they had come in. Joe said it was safer, since
+the lagoon was exceedingly shallow at the east end of the island, and
+they stood to get aground if the tide was falling, as seemed to be the
+case.
+
+As they came out from behind the key they discovered the sharpie far away
+to the west, careening over under a brisk morning breeze, and looking
+like a dun-colored frightened bird.
+
+"We're not apt to see anything of that tough lot again, I guess," quoth
+Jerry.
+
+"They're heading for a favorite ground. I didn't know they hunted sponges
+so far north, Joe. Key West seems to be the head center for the
+business."
+
+"Get a few, but not many. Mostly fishing and turtling. Some look for
+coral on the bottom. Lots of ways to earn a living around the water in
+the gulf," replied the boy, in answer to Frank's inquiry.
+
+"I should say there were. A man need never go hungry in this region if he
+knows enough to let strong drink alone," said Will.
+
+"That's the trouble with Uncle Ben; he's drunk half the time. And when he
+is he wants to fight everybody. We all tried to keep away from him,"
+observed Joe.
+
+They were now out upon the gulf again. Will was a little dubious,
+remembering his bitter experience of the preceding day, but to his
+surprise and delight, he did not seem to feel the least bit sick.
+Perhaps the motion was entirely different, for they were now running
+almost directly into the light breeze.
+
+Frank had turned the wheel over to Bluff, and was conning his charts,
+with Jerry bending over his shoulder.
+
+"There's where we are right now. Looking along the shore, you can see
+where a key offers the same sort of refuge we enjoyed last night. In
+cruising along this coast, it's the only thing to do--run behind one of
+those islands each night. Only big boats anchor off shore. It's too
+dangerous for little craft, for a storm is liable to spring up during the
+night."
+
+In this way Frank went on. They decided that since there seemed to be
+several possible havens ahead, they had better keep right on until the
+day waned, or they found themselves forced by a change in the weather to
+seek shelter.
+
+Jerry had a line trailing astern, with a hook at the end, to which he had
+attached a bit of white rag. In less than ten minutes after he threw it
+out he pulled in a gamy fish that might have weighed a couple of pounds.
+
+"A cavalli," said Joe; and they were glad indeed to have a native along
+who could post them on such things as might have puzzled them.
+
+"Good to eat, is it?" asked Jerry, eyeing the forked tail, which, in this
+fish, resembles that of the Spanish mackerel.
+
+"Fine. Not so good as pompano, but better than bonita," was Joe's
+verdict.
+
+"All right. He looks good to me," said Bluff. "Do it some more, Jerry. We
+need a couple more to make good all around."
+
+"Now, talk to me about that, will you! Listen to how the greedy fellow
+gauges everybody's appetite by his own voracious longings."
+
+But in spite of his talk, Jerry, being a sportsman to his finger-tips, as
+he was fond of saying, was only too glad to make a second trial.
+
+This time he had hardly half of his line out when there was a sudden
+vicious jerk.
+
+"Wow! Nearly took a finger off then! Look at the line whizz, will you?
+Must have struck a whale!" he cried. But, after all, it was another
+cavalli (sometimes called crevalle), and not much larger than the first.
+
+So the sport went on until he had brought five to the boat, when he gave
+up.
+
+"Too hard on the fingers, boys. You see, we're spinning along at a lively
+clip, and a two-pound fish feels like a ton. I'm all in," he explained.
+
+"Well, we want to keep the fish until evening. Will, here, is dying to
+clean them for us," said Frank.
+
+"No! no! That is my part of the work!" exclaimed Joe, nor would he hear
+of anything else.
+
+Noon came and went. Their progress was altogether satisfactory. All of
+them admitted that outside of that one puzzling breakdown, the motor was
+working like a charm. It was indeed a pleasure to lie around and see the
+green waves flashing past, with the picturesque shore only a mile or so
+away.
+
+Finally Frank announced that he had discovered the island for which he
+was aiming. They had made a splendid day's showing, and logged more than
+thirty miles, against a head wind and sea.
+
+Frank tried to follow the chart, but he knew he would have more or less
+difficulty, for back of the key it was exceedingly shallow, and the
+channel narrow.
+
+Speed was reduced as they started to enter the open bayou. Jerry, up in
+the bow, was using the pole as a sounding line, and calling out:
+
+"Two feet! One and three-quarters! One and a half! Hey! Hold up, there!
+We're on an oyster bar, for sure!" And the grating noise that immediately
+followed told that they had lost the narrow channel again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+TROUBLE
+
+
+"Oysters! Yum! yum! Who said oysters?" cried Bluff, crawling forward to
+look.
+
+"Just jump overboard, and you'll get your fill--millions of 'em around!"
+declared Jerry, prodding with his pole in an effort to release the bow
+of the boat, but in vain.
+
+"Hold on, there! Don't you do it!" cried Frank as Bluff gave indications
+of being half inclined to betake himself to the water.
+
+"Why not?" asked the hungry oyster fiend plaintively.
+
+"Because you'll cut your shoes to ribbons on the sharp edges, and perhaps
+your feet, in the bargain. Remember what you got before," said Frank.
+
+So the impatient one refrained, but he cast many envious looks downward,
+and a little later could have been seen stretched out on his stomach,
+prying off bunches of the 'coon oysters with a knife, and enjoying a
+little side treat.
+
+It was easy to run upon the reef, but to get off was another matter,
+especially with a falling tide. The motor churned the water, but at first
+seemed to make no impression. Even when all the boys went aft, so as to
+lighten the bow, there was no release.
+
+"Something's holding her, I tell you! It may be one of those octopus fish
+we hear so much about," suggested Will.
+
+Jerry, who had been pulling on a pair of heavy old shoes, with the
+intention of going overboard, so as to put his shoulder to the bow, and
+lifting while the motor worked, looked a little dubious.
+
+"Humbug! Can't be any such thing, eh, Frank?" he asked, turning to the
+one in whose opinion he always felt the most implicit faith.
+
+"What's holding her is that ridge of 'coon oysters. They grip like all
+creation, Joe, here, says. Wait till I get some old shoes on, Jerry, and
+I'll be with you," he observed.
+
+Presently both of them were over in the water, which only came to their
+knees.
+
+"Ready, now, Will. When I say the word, turn on all speed astern. How
+about it, pard?" Frank said to Jerry.
+
+"Right, here," came the reply.
+
+"Then go!"
+
+After the motor started working, the two in the water lifted. Just as
+Frank had anticipated, the thing was easy. Back went the _Jessamine_
+with a rush; indeed, Jerry was not quick enough in trying to draw himself
+aboard, and they left him there, marooned on the 'coon oyster bar.
+
+"Hi, you! Come back here after me! Think I'm Bluff, and want a mortgage
+on the whole blooming bed, don't you? Shove me the little dinghy, if
+you're afraid of scratching more of the varnish off Cousin Archie's
+boat!" he shouted.
+
+"Hold on! Please wait! I want to get a picture of him standing there in
+the big bay, just as if he owned the sea. It's Neptune, coming out of the
+water, you know," called Will beseechingly.
+
+So Jerry felt constrained to humor the artist, and assume a position
+that, according to Will's idea, accorded with his condition of
+lonesomeness.
+
+"I think we'll just pole along, fellows, and not run the motor. I guess
+we don't want to go very far in, anyhow, for we'll have the dickens of a
+time getting out again in the morning," remarked Frank.
+
+"There's some sort of a shack over yonder on the mainland," remarked
+Will.
+
+Frank took a look.
+
+"Possibly the place where some of those turtlers put up when out after
+their game. They keep the green turtles in what they call a 'crawl,'
+until ready to set sail for Cedar Keys. I'm told we'll see lots of them
+there," remarked Frank.
+
+"I can see an old boat drawn up on shore, but not the first sign of life
+about the place. There's a buzzard sitting on a dead tree--yes, a row of
+'em! My! I hope there ain't anybody dead in there!"
+
+Will had brought out Frank's marine glasses, and was looking through them
+as he gave utterance to this forlorn expression.
+
+"Oh! let up on that, Will! You give a fellow the creeps. Just why should
+there be any one dead yonder? Buzzards are found everywhere in Florida,
+millions of 'em. I reckon the shack is deserted. To prove it, I'm going
+to paddle over and see, just as soon as we get fast to our mudhook
+again," remarked Jerry.
+
+"And that will be right now," said Frank. "Give it a toss, Bluff. Here we
+seem to be in a little spot deeper than the rest of the bayou, and with
+room to swing around with a change of wind without fouling our anchor or
+going aground again on any miserable oyster bed."
+
+"Look here! I've got a grievance," remarked Bluff.
+
+"All right. Let's hear it," laughed Will.
+
+"If he takes the dinghy, how in the world am I going to gather the
+oysters for our supper? Frank said the very next mess we got he would
+give us scalloped oysters, and I'm just feeling hungry that way,"
+complained Bluff.
+
+"Oh, don't worry. I'll be back in half an hour, at the most. Besides, if
+you want to, you can put on these heavy shoes of mine, drop over the
+side, and wade to the bar. It's warm in the water, and delightful,"
+remarked Jerry, slipping over into the small boat, with his rifle in his
+hand.
+
+"Well, there's no depending on you. Half an hour, did you say? More than
+likely that means about dark, if there's any temptation to hunt ashore.
+So I suppose I'll just have to duck, and do the great wading act. For I
+count it next door to a crime to be so near delicious oysters and not
+have them at least once a day."
+
+Bluff was as good as his word. He put on the heavy shoes, and some old
+garments. Then, getting a bucket, he crept overboard, found that the
+water only came to his waist, and, having marked out his course, was
+speedily on a reef, digging at the largest oysters he could find.
+
+"Boys, they're just the finest ever! Some whoppers out here, too. No
+'coon oyster about that chap," and he held up one that was half again
+as large as his hand.
+
+Now and then, as he worked, they could see him stop to try an extra
+fat-looking fellow. When this had been repeated a dozen times, Will
+reproached him.
+
+"Where do we come in? Do we get the culls?" he demanded.
+
+"Why, hang it, my bucket's as full now as it will hold! I'm coming across
+to dump 'em on the deck, and get another helping. Why, I could keep at
+this business all day. It's just fascinating, that's what!" called Bluff.
+
+"I see your finish, all right, my fine boy. You'll never go back to
+Centerville again. Either you'll turn into an oyster, after devouring so
+many tons of 'em, or else hire out to the owner of a sharpie engaged in
+the business," laughed Frank.
+
+He had to admit, though, when Bluff opened one of the big fellows and
+allowed him a chance to taste its flavor, that they were the best he had
+ever run across.
+
+"Barring none," declared Bluff vigorously, holding the oyster knife
+aloft.
+
+"Barring none," affirmed Frank, also erecting his fingers, as though
+willing to go on record.
+
+Then, of course, Will had to try them, also, and also frankly pronounced
+them delicious.
+
+"Let me have that knife, Bluff, and I'll be opening some while you're off
+after another supply. The hatchet will be all you want to loosen any
+tight ones. Don't look at me that way. I can be trusted not to eat more
+than one in five. And my appetite for oysters isn't one-third what yours
+is," laughed Frank.
+
+Bluff seemed to think he could stand that, for he yielded up the opener.
+
+"Don't you let that scoffer, Will, have another one. I'll bring back
+another bucketful in about ten minutes. There's millions of 'em. They set
+me wild to think of such riches going to waste. I'll dream about 'em,
+fellows."
+
+Grumbling thus, he stalked through the water to the reef, and set to work
+again.
+
+Frank had watched Jerry push in to shore and vanish among the tangled
+undergrowth. Some little time had passed since, but there was no sign
+of his returning.
+
+"I guess it's lucky Bluff didn't take his word for it, and wait," he
+remarked.
+
+"Yes," replied Will, who was watching the fat bivalves drop into the
+kettle as his chum deftly manipulated the opening knife, "I rather think
+we'd have missed connections with this savory mess, all right, and all of
+us would have been sorry."
+
+"I wonder if he found anybody in that old shack?" mused Frank, looking
+again.
+
+"Hardly likely. What would you say, Joe? Ever been ashore here?"
+
+The boy shook his head in the negative.
+
+"Not me. This is my first trip up this far. Been down the coast, below
+Cedar Keys, more'n once. But I believe Jerry likes to hunt. Perhaps he
+might think it a good time to look around, and see if there happens to
+be a deer waiting to be cooked up."
+
+Frank laughed.
+
+"You've got Jerry sized up to a pretty fine point, boy. That's his
+weakness to a dot, and I wouldn't put it past him to wander off. I only
+hope he doesn't go and get lost. That would delay us, even if nothing
+worse came of it"
+
+"There!"
+
+As Will made this utterance there came the sharp report of a gun from the
+mainland, and undoubtedly the rifle was that of their absent chum.
+
+"Wonder what he's struck now?" said Frank.
+
+There came two more reports, in quick succession.
+
+Bluff was already hastening in from the oyster bar, staggering under his
+load.
+
+"Hey! D'ye hear all that shooting, fellows? Jerry's in some sort of
+trouble, I'll bet my hat!" he shouted excitedly.
+
+"And we are unable to get ashore, for he has the only boat, and the water
+is too shallow to push the big craft in. The question is, what shall
+we do?"
+
+Frank looked into the faces of his two chums, and saw by their increasing
+pallor that they more than shared the fears that were beginning to gnaw
+at his heart in connection with the safety of the genial, good-natured
+Jerry Wallington.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+WHAT HAPPENED TO JERRY
+
+
+"I'd give something for a pair of wings just now!" exclaimed Will
+regretfully.
+
+"Or that bally old balloon of Professor Smythe's, eh?" echoed Bluff, as
+he surveyed the stretch of water separating them from the mainland.
+
+"But something _must_ be done! Bluff, get your gun!"
+
+Frank was hastily removing the tennis shoes he wore aboard the boat.
+
+"What're you going to do?" demanded Will, as Bluff made haste to obey.
+
+"Two of us must get ashore. Perhaps Jerry needs help."
+
+"Oh! I see! And you think you can wade there?" queried Will, as he saw
+Frank drawing on the second pair of heavy shoes, that had already been in
+the water.
+
+"That's what we have to do. Ready, Bluff?" cried Frank, snatching up his
+own double-barreled shotgun.
+
+"Where do I come in?" demanded Will as they slid overboard.
+
+"You're the goalkeeper this time. Hold the ship, with Joe, here, till we
+get back."
+
+"And they've taken all the guns along," grumbled Will as he watched his
+two chums making their splashing way in the direction of the shore.
+
+Happening to bethink himself of the old revolver on board, Will presently
+armed himself with the same, and tried to imagine that he presented an
+imposing appearance as the guardian of the motor-boat. Truth to tell, he
+would have really been far more dangerous handling his favorite camera,
+for he did not have it in him to harm a flea, if he could help it.
+
+Meanwhile, Frank and his comrade were pushing for the shore as rapidly as
+the conditions allowed. By exercising a certain amount of discretion
+they were able to follow up one of the oyster reefs that thrust out from
+the bank like the fingers of a human hand.
+
+"We'll make it all right," declared Bluff presently.
+
+"Yes, and without getting in deeper than half way up. But I'm wondering
+why we don't hear anything more from Jerry. He had six charges in his
+rifle, you know."
+
+From Frank's tone it was easy to understand that he was worried.
+
+"Say, perhaps that was meant for a signal," suggested Bluff suddenly.
+
+"There were three shots, just as we've always agreed, but then they were
+scattered somewhat. I hardly agree with you, Bluff, though it may be
+true. I hope it is, and yet Jerry must have known we had no boat. He
+would hardly want us to come ashore unless he was in a mighty serious
+pickle."
+
+"Anyhow, we're nearly there, and must soon know the worst," said Bluff,
+whose face looked a bit peaked under the suspense.
+
+More through accident than design, they landed close to the spot where
+the old palmetto shack could be seen. Frank pointed to an enclosure
+along the edge of the bayou, made by piling up logs and pieces of coquina
+rock.
+
+"Turtle crawl," he said, as they hurried past, and Bluff only gave it one
+look, for his attention was taken up with the more serious matter that
+had brought them ashore.
+
+Advancing to the shack, Frank looked in, but there did not appear to be a
+living soul around.
+
+He surveyed his surroundings with anxiety. Great live-oaks, with their
+crooked limbs covered with the trailing Spanish moss; tall palmettos,
+and shorter young ones of the same type; gumbo-limbo trees, wild plum,
+and several wild orange trees, made up the immediate surroundings.
+
+"Oh! if we only had some idea which way he could have gone!" exclaimed
+Frank.
+
+"Perhaps he left a trail," was the bright thought of Bluff.
+
+"Almost impossible to map it out in this black sand," Frank replied; but,
+nevertheless, he started to look, since there was nothing else to do.
+
+A dozen impossible things flashed through Frank's brain as he bent over
+to try and pick up the tracks of his missing chum. Whatever could have
+happened to Jerry? Usually he was able to take good care of himself;
+could it be possible that some inmate of the dilapidated shack had stolen
+upon him, bent upon robbery? In that case, how account for the shots?
+
+"Let's shout," said Bluff again.
+
+"A bright thought, and surely it can do no harm. Let me call singly,
+Bluff."
+
+Thereupon Frank lifted up his voice and shouted:
+
+"Jerry! Jerry! Where are you?"
+
+The call rang through the thick jungle under the live-oaks. A small
+animal, possibly a 'coon, scurried through the undergrowth. In an
+adjacent tree a Florida bluejay gave forth a discordant scream. A
+fox-squirrel barked saucily, and with a flirt of his bushy tail scrambled
+around to the other side of a hickory tree.
+
+Then came a shout that thrilled them:
+
+"Ahoy, there, Frank!"
+
+"It's Jerry!" cried Bluff, ready to throw his hat into the air.
+
+Frank himself was tremendously relieved. No matter what had happened,
+their chum was alive, and could call to them.
+
+"Hello! What's the matter? Where are you?" he shouted, for the voice of
+Jerry had come from a little distance away, and seemed strangely muffled.
+
+"Straight into the woods from the shack!" came back the reply.
+
+"We're coming to you!" called Frank, still puzzled to know what it all
+meant.
+
+"I wonder what he has dropped into now?" speculated Bluff as he trotted
+along at the heels of his leader.
+
+"Sounds as if he wanted us to come to him, all right. Keep your gun
+ready, Bluff, for there's no telling but what you may need it," Frank
+went on.
+
+"It's in apple-pie shape for business at the old stand. Jerry laughs at
+it, but before now he's found that it could help a fellow out of a hole.
+Suppose you try him again?"
+
+Bluff's suggestion was a good one, and Frank raised his voice in a shout.
+This time the answer came from a point closer at hand. Still, although
+they were peering eagerly through the dense foliage, they could see
+nothing out of the way.
+
+"This beats the Dutch! Where under the sun can the fellow be?" said
+Bluff, after they had gone still further.
+
+"What's that?" asked Frank suddenly, pointing.
+
+"I declare if it doesn't look some like a dead deer, a little fellow,
+too; perhaps a fawn," came from Bluff as he hurried forward.
+
+"No, it's a full-grown deer, all right, and just killed, too. They run
+very small down here, you know. But that doesn't tell us where our chum
+is, even if he shot the game, and had to fire three times in order to
+down it," declared Frank.
+
+"As sure as you live, here's his gun!" cried Bluff.
+
+Frank stared at the rifle, that lay at the foot of a particularly big
+live-oak, parts of which seemed to be rotting away, as there were dead
+limbs strewing the ground underneath it. Then he cast his eyes upward, as
+if under the impression that he might discover Jerry perched upon a limb,
+laughing at them.
+
+"He isn't up there. I've examined every limb on the old tree. What under
+the sun do you suppose could have happened to him?" ejaculated Bluff.
+
+"Hark!" said Frank, holding up his hand.
+
+"He's laughing at us! I tell you that was Jerry's chuckle, for all the
+world! Now, what tomfoolery is he up to, do you suppose? Bringing us
+ashore through all that beastly water just to have a shy at us! Hi,
+Jerry, you old joker! Show up!" cried Bluff indignantly.
+
+The only answer was a second laugh, louder than the first.
+
+"I declare he's up in that blessed tree, after all, and yet for the life
+of me I can't get a squint at him. Serve the old chap right if we went
+and took the dinghy back, leaving him to wade," grumbled Bluff.
+
+Frank was looking around him. He noticed several little things just then.
+Among others was the fact that there were scratches on the bark of the
+big old oak, as though some one might have scrambled up its trunk
+recently. An air-plant lay on the ground, evidently detached during the
+progress of that party.
+
+"I'm beginning to smell a rat," Frank said, slowly.
+
+"Then let me in, please. I'm just devoured with curiosity to know what it
+all means," pleaded his chum.
+
+"Listen! Don't you hear a strange buzzing up there?" demanded Frank.
+
+"Now that you mention it, I believe I do. Sounds to me like a hive of
+bees."
+
+"That's just what it is, and Jerry knew it as soon as he heard it. A hive
+of bees in this old live-oak, with perhaps a big store of honey laid up.
+Bluff, doesn't that tickle your palate? Well, it did Jerry's, for sure.
+He climbed up!"
+
+"After he had shot that deer, then?" asked Bluff.
+
+"Undoubtedly. I remember, now, that honey always appealed to Jerry more
+than any other sweet stuff. He was remarking, only the last time we had
+flapjacks, that it was a beastly blunder we had none of us thought to
+bring a bottle of honey along."
+
+"But he isn't up there, now, for I can see the whole tree. Still he keeps
+on chuckling. I can't make it out, Frank. But you know, for I see it in
+your face! Where is Jerry?"
+
+Frank deliberately rapped on the trunk of the big oak.
+
+"Hello, Jerry! Anybody at home in there?" he called.
+
+"Only a stranger and a pilgrim, who wants to get out the worst way, and
+can't," came in a muffled voice.
+
+Bluff gave a roar of amazement.
+
+"Why, he's inside the tree!" he ejaculated.
+
+"Just what he is. Stepped on some punky, rotten wood above there, that
+must have given way under his weight, and our fine chum shot down into
+the hollow trunk of the big king," laughed Frank.
+
+"Correct, Frank. Just how it happened. I've tried again and again to
+climb up to that hole where I came in, but the plagued walls are too
+slippery, and I fell back every time. Please mount the tree, and lower a
+coat or something for me to get a grip on," came in muffled tones to
+their ears.
+
+Both Frank and Bluff rolled upon the ground with shrieks of laughter.
+If the sounds of their merriment carried to the ears of Will, he must
+have been greatly mystified as to the cause of the same.
+
+But Jerry was getting impatient.
+
+"Hurry up, and get to work! It ain't over nice in here, I tell you," he
+called; and so the two climbed up the tree to effect his rescue.
+
+Bluff had a coat, so they lowered that by a sleeve, stretching down as
+far as possible. Jerry managed to scramble up far enough to lay hold
+on the other sleeve, and was, after one or two efforts, assisted to the
+opening. He came out looking a bit dilapidated, yet just as determined
+as ever to get some of that honey before leaving the vicinity.
+
+The others were not averse to laying in a supply of the same, and
+promised to arrange it for the morning, for night was now close at hand,
+and nothing could be done looking to an attack upon the bee tree.
+
+They carried the doe down to the water's edge. Jerry had come upon the
+animal soon after entering among the trees, and she had startled him
+by her sudden jump, so that it took three shots from his rifle to drop
+her. Then, as he stood over his game, the buzzing of the bees had
+attracted his attention, as the late comers arrived, laden with honey;
+and unable to resist the inclination to investigate, he had climbed up,
+with the disastrous result as stated.
+
+Bluff and Frank waded out to the motor-boat, allowing Jerry to ferry his
+venison in the little dinghy. Will greeted their coming with delight, for
+he saw great possibilities for future feasts in the game acquired.
+
+Of course he was wild to hear the story, which was told amid much
+merriment all around while they dined off fresh venison steak and
+scalloped oysters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+LYING IN AMBUSH FOR BIG GAME
+
+
+"Nobody lives in that old shack, then?" inquired Will.
+
+"Only when the turtle season is on, which doesn't happen to be now,"
+replied Frank.
+
+"I was afraid there might be a bunch of criminals ashore, and that Jerry
+had tumbled into a peck of trouble," continued the other.
+
+"Oh, it happened to be only a hollow tree he dropped into," said the hero
+of the adventure, who could take a joke even when it happened to be on
+himself.
+
+"There it goes again! Just think what beastly luck! I'm a Jonah, that's
+what! Oh! why didn't you ask me to go, instead of Bluff, Frank? I could
+have snapped him off when he was crawling out of that hole. Just think
+what a lovely reminder it would have been in times to come!" wailed Will,
+pretending to be bitterly disappointed, though Frank imagined he was
+assuming this to tantalize Jerry.
+
+"Talk to me about your artistic temperament! What d'ye call that? Me
+crawling out of that old bee tree make a beautiful picture! Yes, I guess
+it might, for the rest of you, but I'm satisfied to let the episode die a
+natural death. But wait till we fill up our spare pots and pans with that
+delicious honey! Um! um!" And Jerry smacked his lips as he contemplated
+the feast in store.
+
+They spent the night quietly enough. Nothing occurred to bother them,
+save the one annoyance they experienced from sandflies. The tiny
+creatures attacked them as soon as the breeze died out, and for an hour
+or two proved irritating in the extreme.
+
+Bluff executed a war dance as he slapped at his invisible persecutors,
+and wondered if he were going into a fever, his face and neck and arms
+burned so. Luckily, a night breeze coming up, drove the horde of tiny
+insects away, but for several days the boys were rubbing and scratching
+at the irritated skin.
+
+"'Skeeters ain't in it with the little pests!" vowed Jerry, and the whole
+party seemed to be of the same opinion.
+
+After an early breakfast they made preparations looking to a raid on the
+rich stores of the bee tree. An old piece of netting was made into nets,
+so as to cover their faces, while gloves protected their hands fairly
+well.
+
+Jerry took them ashore, all but Bluff, who elected to stay by the boat.
+The others jeered him, and declared that he was afraid of stings; but
+Bluff was not to be taunted into going.
+
+Joe, who had been up a bee tree before, offered to ascend, and do the
+work. So the balance of the party were only too glad of the chance to
+escape that duty.
+
+The hive was in a big limb that jutted out just above where Jerry had
+crashed through a rotten place marking the spot where another limb had
+broken off long years before.
+
+"It looks easy. I reckon I can chop her some, and she'll drop of her own
+weight," called the boy.
+
+He began to use the small camp ax with telling effect. After half an hour
+of this there was an ominous crack.
+
+"Look sharp, down there! She's a-comin'!" called Joe.
+
+Hardly had he spoken than the limb came down with a roar. Instantly
+the air was filled with a swarm of thousands of dazed bees. The limb
+had split open from the concussion, and a wonderful store of honey was
+displayed to view. Jerry was wild with delight.
+
+"Gallons and gallons of the lovely stuff!" he shouted. "Come on,
+fellows, and get the pails filled! Ouch! That little imp got me, all
+right! Say! he's inside my veil! Whoop! There's another! I must have
+left an opening!" And for a minute or so he danced around madly, slapping
+and pawing, until he had managed to dispose of the furious insects.
+
+By the time he had adjusted his net the others were busy at work.
+
+"Take only the lighter-colored honey. That dark stuff is old, though I
+suppose it's all good still. We can't use a fifth of what there is. I
+imagine I know what will happen around here to-night," said Frank.
+
+Joe looked up and grinned.
+
+"Bear come, sure. Smell the honey a mile away," he remarked, and Frank
+nodded.
+
+"And if we were wild to get a bear, all we'd have to do would be to sit
+here and wait," remarked Will, who had, of course, snapped off a few
+views while his chums were busy, particularly remembering Jerry while he
+pranced around and fought the busy bees that had invaded his head net.
+
+"I leave that to the rest," remarked Frank.
+
+Having secured all the honey they could carry away, they once more
+returned to the shore, and by degrees their sweet cargo was ferried out
+to the motor-boat. Of course, more or less washing up followed, for they
+were all sticky.
+
+"What is it to be, fellows--go, or stay over?" asked Frank a little
+later.
+
+Bluff had been told about the chances for bagging a bear, but he did not
+seem to care much about it.
+
+"I say go on," he remarked indifferently.
+
+"Bear for me," declared Jerry.
+
+"How about you, Will?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, I'm with Bluff this time. If it was in the daytime, now, and I
+thought I could get a picture of the shoot, I might look at it
+differently."
+
+"You happen to have run out of flashlight cartridges, then? That's too
+bad! Well, I side with Jerry," remarked Frank, smiling.
+
+"But that makes it a tie. We'll have to toss for it, fellows," came from
+Will.
+
+"You forget Joe, here. Let him cast the deciding vote. How, Joe?"
+
+The boy grinned, and looked affectionately at Frank.
+
+"I like bear steak," he said simply.
+
+"Hurrah! That settles it, then!" shouted Jerry.
+
+They just loafed through that day.
+
+"Take it easy, boys. Strenuous times may be ahead of us yet. Who knows?
+Besides, we are doing finely. Half the time gone, and we're surely more
+than half way along our journey, counting the river trip. We can easily
+spare the day." And Frank set each to amusing himself after his own
+particular fashion.
+
+Jerry went in the dinghy to try the fishing where the water was deeper,
+and it was not half an hour before they heard him yelling with delight
+as his little shallop was being towed around this way and that by a fish.
+
+"Another shark! He'd better cut loose!" exclaimed Will, in some alarm.
+
+Joe shook his head.
+
+"No shark this time. I think he has got fast to a big channel bass. It
+runs and then stops, then runs again. Shark keeps on all the while," he
+explained.
+
+It proved to be the case, for when Jerry came back he proudly exhibited a
+monster bronze-backed prize that must have weighed more than thirty
+pounds.
+
+Of course it was hung up, and a picture taken, with the gallant victor in
+the contest standing alongside, stout rod in hand.
+
+So the evening came at last, and they turned their thoughts to big game.
+
+Will and Bluff were elected to remain on board, as a penance for having
+voted against staying over.
+
+"We'll stand for that, all right; but if you should keel over a Bruin,
+don't you fellows think we're going to let you fool us out of our share
+of the prog," said Bluff.
+
+It took two trips of the dinghy to land the three hunters. Of course, Joe
+had only gone along to see the fun, for he had no gun.
+
+Still, he was capable of advancing some good suggestions, calculated to
+be of value to them while lying in ambush for the expected bear. It was
+to be expected, for instance, that Bruin would make his appearance from
+the dense thicket beyond the bee tree, so the boys hid themselves in
+a semicircle, with the broken honey storehouse in plain view.
+
+A fire had been started at a little distance, for otherwise they must
+have been in absolute darkness. Joe said a little thing like that would
+not keep the bear from coming after he had gotten a good whiff of the
+powerful odor of sweetness that filled the air.
+
+The bees had been hard at work carrying a portion of their store to some
+new hive, but there were gallons of it still there. Everything was
+smeared with the sticky substance, and Frank felt sure that if a bear
+existed within miles of the spot that odor would be a magnet to draw the
+animal straight to the spot.
+
+Talking was positively prohibited, and all the boys could do was to sit
+as still as the hovering mosquitoes would allow, and watch.
+
+Once or twice, Frank thought he heard a slight rustling somewhere near.
+It was not what a lumbering bear would be apt to make, however, and
+he concluded that in all probability it must be caused by prowling
+'coons.
+
+For the third time he felt positive that his ear had caught a sound, as
+of a stealthy movement. To his surprise, it seemed to come from the tree
+under which he had taken up his station. So he naturally bent his head
+back in the effort to locate the little animal that must be curiously
+observing him.
+
+A thrill passed through his frame as he first of all caught sight of two
+yellow eyes that glared at him not more than ten feet above his head.
+Then he could make out a dark body, about five feet in length, and with
+something moving back and forth at its extreme end.
+
+Frank caught his breath, and his hands clutched the gun he held. He did
+not need any one to tell him that he was gazing up at a panther,
+crouching overhead, and possibly getting ready to leap down upon him at
+any second!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+A STRENUOUS NIGHT
+
+
+Fortunately, Frank was a quick-witted boy.
+
+He had his gun held in such a position that it required only a simple
+movement to swing it upward. To aim, under the conditions, was out of the
+question. He had to depend entirely upon guesswork, or what might be
+called intuition.
+
+Imagine the astonishment of the others, crouching close by, when a flash
+of flame pierced the darkness, and the crash of Frank's gun was instantly
+followed by a fierce scream in which both pain and fury were mingled!
+
+Frank had no sooner fired than he threw himself backward. Knowing
+something about the habits of these animals, he understood that the
+panther would make its leap, no matter how seriously it might be wounded.
+
+Frank did not claim to be an acrobat, but he certainly made a record for
+himself in the line of back tumbling.
+
+"Who shot?" shouted Jerry in amazement.
+
+"Where's the bear?" came from Joe, equally amazed and confused.
+
+Frank had by this time managed to scramble to his feet. He was somewhat
+scratched, and would perhaps feel a bit sore from his tremendous effort,
+but his heart beat high with anticipation when he realized that all was
+still in the quarter where he had been snugly lying.
+
+"Stir up the fire, Jerry, and fetch a torch here!" he called, holding
+himself in readiness for another shot, if such should be needed.
+
+"You just bet I will!" cried the other, bounding forward.
+
+Frank saw him give the smoldering fire a kick that started it into new
+life. Then, bending over, he snatched a brand and came running back.
+
+"Where are you, Frank? What under the sun happened? Not hurt, are you?"
+was what he was singing out, his voice trembling with eagerness and
+anxiety.
+
+"Everything all right, Jerry. Come this way. Now poke the blaze over
+yonder."
+
+Jerry gave a shout.
+
+"Something's moving! It's kicking its last, by the great horn spoon!
+Frank's got his bear--no, I'll be hanged if it is! A panther, Joe, a
+panther!"
+
+He stood there like a statue, holding the torch and staring at the sleek
+gray form stretched out under the tree, and which was, in fact, giving
+the very last kick, as he had declared.
+
+Frank laughed, a little hysterically, it may be assumed, for the strain
+on his nerves had been tremendous.
+
+"Unexpected visitor, eh, Jerry? Didn't send out an invitation to this
+slippery gentleman, did we? But he insisted on joining the family circle,
+and I just _had_ to ask him in," he said, trying to steady his voice,
+while, unseen by Jerry, his hands were shaking as he clutched his gun.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you! Oh, yes, he came, all right. That was a
+warm invitation he couldn't resist. But how did you see him, Frank? Where
+was the sly old cat? Say! he must have jumped for you, I guess, for that
+was just where you were squatting!"
+
+Frank shuddered as he saw that this was true. Only for his quick action
+in vacating his position he must have been torn by the poisonous claws
+of the dying beast.
+
+"He was sitting just above my head, on that limb there," he remarked
+quietly.
+
+"Talk to me about your cute ones, what could equal that? Do you think the
+old slinker was there all the time?" demanded Jerry, shaking his head.
+
+"Oh, no. That is out of the question. Our coming must have alarmed him if
+he had been so close by. I imagine he crept through the trees while we
+lay here waiting, like so many mummies."
+
+"I say, Frank, do panthers like honey?" demanded the other.
+
+"Well, now, you've got me there. Never having had any experience in that
+line, I'm in the dark. How about it, Joe?" laughed Frank.
+
+"I never heard of one that did. S'pect he was snoopin' around to see what
+we was a-doin' here. Then there was the smell of the blood from the deer,
+you know," explained the Florida boy wisely.
+
+"Why, of course! That's it. But I say, Frank, do we cut out the bear hunt
+now?"
+
+"That's for you to say. I've had my shot, but if you're satisfied to
+stay, why, count on me to keep you company."
+
+"I had my heart set on bear steak. The only thing is, will old Bruin come
+now, after all this rumpus?" said Jerry disconsolately.
+
+"If half that I've heard about his liking for wild honey is true, a dozen
+rackets like that couldn't keep him away. Joe, you know. Tell us if that
+isn't so?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, he'll come, all right, if he smells that honey," returned the boy
+confidently.
+
+"That settles it, then. We stay a while, at any rate," declared Frank.
+
+Jerry was secretly pleased. Perhaps he did have a little streak of envy
+in his composition, for it galled him to have others succeed in his
+beloved sport while fortune denied him a fair share of the honors. But,
+taken all in all, Jerry was square enough, and would quickly change
+places with a companion in a boat when it appeared that all the fish were
+lying at his end.
+
+Frank moved his position a little. Then they settled down to wait. Of
+course, every one of the three boys cast rather frequent and apprehensive
+glances up into the branches overhead. Sometimes these panthers hunted in
+pairs, and how were they to tell but what the mate to Frank's victim
+might be even then watching for a chance to leap down upon them?
+
+An hour passed. Then Jerry heard a grunting sound somewhere close by. It
+was accompanied by a rustling in the bushes.
+
+His pulses thrilled, while Joe, who had taken up a position alongside him
+after the adventure with the panther, put out a hand and nudged Jerry
+several times.
+
+"Bear!" he said, in the lowest of whispers.
+
+Again and again came the grunting and the swishing of bushes. Bruin was
+sniffing the delightful aroma of honey. It was so strong that his usual
+caution was apparently thrown to the winds, and he pushed forward
+straight toward the spot where the broken tree hive had scattered much of
+its delicious contents over the ground.
+
+Now Jerry could see his bulky figure as he shuffled forward with eager
+mien. The repeating rifle began to come up, though Jerry was in no hurry
+to fire. He wanted to get a fair view of the animal's side, so that he
+could bring Bruin down with a single shot.
+
+They could hear the beast grunting in delight as he started in to devour
+some of the bees' rich treasure. Perhaps he had long cast an envious eye
+on that same tree hive, and hoped for the time to come when a storm might
+lay it low.
+
+Frank held his fire generously. He could have shot the bear several
+times, and with the buckshot shells that were in his gun had no fear
+about killing his game with ease; but it was really Jerry's turn.
+
+Finally came the sharp report. They saw the bear roll over, try to
+stagger up again, struggle vehemently, and then gradually grow weaker.
+
+"Hurrah, Jerry! He's your bag!" shouted Frank, as genuinely happy as
+though it had been his own shot that did the business; perhaps more so.
+
+"Oh! what a night! Bring on your bears and panthers, your crocodiles and
+tomcats!" cried Jerry. "We can take care of a whole menagerie. Talk to me
+about your hunting preserves! Did you ever meet up with anything that
+equals this?"
+
+Realizing that the boys on board the motorboat must be consumed with
+eagerness to know what the result of these two shots might be, Frank now
+proposed that they go aboard.
+
+"We want some sleep, you see. In the morning we'll be able to attend to
+these fellows. I guess nothing will bother them until then," he said.
+
+He and Joe entered the little dinghy, and it was ferried across the water
+to the anchored boat. There they were met by both Will and Bluff, who,
+being aroused by the first shot, had sat there, swathed in blankets,
+watching for the return of the mighty Nimrods.
+
+"What luck?" called Bluff, evidently repenting that he had not
+accompanied them.
+
+"Oh, Jerry got his bear, all right," sang out Frank indifferently, while
+he kept on pushing the smaller boat closer to the other.
+
+"But didn't you shoot? Will declared it was your shotgun that awoke us
+first--it must have been hours ago," went on Bluff curiously.
+
+"Why, yes. I had a shot at a gray visitor who threatened to jump down on
+me from the tree." And Frank began climbing aboard so that Joe could go
+back after the other chum.
+
+"What! Do you mean a panther?" burst out Bluff.
+
+"Sure! Wait till you see the chap, in the morning. Looks like a dandy,"
+replied Frank, trying to appear unconcerned.
+
+"Then you got him?"
+
+"It was a case of getting him before he got me." And then, taking pity on
+the boys, who were fairly burning with eagerness to hear, he told how he
+had happened to discover the crouching beast that had crept into the tree
+without their knowledge.
+
+Presently Jerry came aboard. Both of the hunters, as well as young Joe,
+were too sleepy for further conversation.
+
+"You'll see it all in the morning. And Will, we can hang up the game so
+that you'll have a fine shot at the scene, bee tree and all. Every time
+we look at it our mouths will water at the thought of all that fine honey
+going to waste," and with this parting remark Frank crawled under his
+blanket.
+
+Nothing happened to disturb the outdoor chums during the balance of
+the night. With the coming of morning they were astir. Breakfast was a
+hurried meal. Then they went ashore in detachments, Joe remaining behind
+to look after the boat.
+
+Will managed to get a good picture of the trophies, with the two gallant
+hunters standing beside the defunct bear and panther. Then, after the
+former had been washed, being sticky with the honey, Frank assisted Jerry
+to get the skin off. It was here the boys profited by the advice given
+by the old trapper, Jesse Wilcox, when they visited him in his camp above
+Rocky Creek, which was a feeder to the lake upon which their home town
+was located.
+
+Before noon they were all aboard again. Both skins had been secured,
+besides the choice portions of the bear meat. Bluff even managed to fill
+another kettle with the honey, though stung unmercifully by the angry
+bees that were so busily working to transfer their stores to a new home.
+
+After a bite of lunch they started out again on the gulf, since the
+conditions invited an afternoon cruise. Frank knew they would find a good
+holding place not more than twenty miles further along the shore, and he
+aimed to reach it before the coming of night.
+
+It was just four o'clock when they pushed in behind another key and made
+their way to the mainland, for here the water was quite deep.
+
+"I move for a camp ashore, for a change," suggested Jerry.
+
+"Second that motion. My back's nearly broken from these hard boards,"
+grunted Bluff. "Oh, dear! If we only had our air mattresses along,
+Frank!"
+
+"Yes, if we only had!" exclaimed Jerry. "Then you'd soon quit claiming
+that you had bigger lungs than I've got. You know I beat you in blowing
+up my bag."
+
+"Yes, just once more than I came in winner. Isn't that so, Frank?"
+
+Frank poured oil on the troubled waters, but he and Will winked at each
+other, for the joke always amused them.
+
+They erected the tent, and had their jolly campfire, which reminded them
+of many in the past. It was, of course, thought a good thing to secure
+the boat with chain and padlock, so that no prowling scamp could make off
+with it while they slept, for they meant to keep no watch.
+
+Joe found a place on board, as there was no room in the tent. Besides, he
+had not a temperament that delighted in such things, and would only too
+gladly have always felt sure of having a good roof over him at night.
+
+The four boys were a bit crowded. Still, they joked over the thing as
+they settled down, and after a time only the glow of the still burning
+fire told that human beings were somewhere near by.
+
+They slept soundly, despite the close quarters, since the air was cool,
+and, for a wonder, no mosquitoes worried them. Those who were dreaming
+must have imagined the end of the world had suddenly arrived, for the
+tent was, without the least warning, knocked down, leaving the four
+amazed boys scrambling and shouting under the canvas, and trying to crawl
+out from the wreckage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE MESSAGE FROM THE AIR
+
+
+"What struck us?" And Bluff poked his head out from under the canvas,
+looking for all the world like a tortoise, Frank thought, as he followed
+suit.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you! Where's the villain who cut the ropes? I
+can whip him with one hand!" panted Jerry, struggling in a mess of camp
+necessities, and kicking around among the aluminum ware that Frank prized
+so highly.
+
+"Where's my camera? Some fellow has run off with my camera!" wailed Will.
+
+By this time Frank had extricated himself from the wreckage and began to
+assist the others to regain their feet. No one seemed to be seriously
+injured, and the mystery was great. What had happened to smash down their
+tent in that strange way?
+
+"The ropes were never cut, fellows!" announced Bluff, after a hasty
+examination.
+
+"Something _fell_ on us, that's what!" observed Jerry, shaking that wise
+head of his in his obstinate fashion as he surveyed the ruins of the
+tent.
+
+Frank seized upon the idea quickly.
+
+"I believe you've struck the truth, Jerry!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Then it must have been a shooting-star or a piece off a comet," said
+Will.
+
+"Not much. I am sure I heard voices calling out, and laughing over the
+joke. I tell you somebody's playing a nasty trick on us, that's what!"
+declared Bluff.
+
+"Voices, did you say? Are you sure?" demanded Frank, stopping in his
+fumbling around the tent, while Jerry was throwing some dead palmetto
+leaves on the fire to induce a speedy blaze, so that they might have more
+light.
+
+"Yes, I'm sure; and they were out there, too," continued Bluff, pointing
+beyond the motor-boat.
+
+"I heard 'em, too!" called Joe, at this juncture, as his head appeared in
+view above the combing of the craft.
+
+"Out on the bayou?" asked Frank, anxious to solve the strange mystery.
+
+"Sure! And there was something like the creaking of sails, too. But I
+don't think they was makin' fun of us. I kinder thought one of 'em called
+out somethin' that sounded like, 'Help us!'" went on Joe breathlessly.
+
+"Talk to me about your mysteries! Who ever ran up against a worse one
+than this?" gasped Jerry, scratching his head, as he shivered in the
+cool air.
+
+"What time is it, anyhow?" demanded Will, who had now found his camera,
+and was feeling satisfied, because it did not appear to have sustained
+any injury.
+
+"Time? I declare if that isn't dawn in the east, fellows! Time we were
+up, I guess," remarked Frank, stooping over again, determined to learn
+the secret of the sudden and violent collapse of the tent, accompanied by
+such strange whispering voices that seemed to die away in the distance.
+
+"Well, all I can say is that if dawn comes with such a swoop down in this
+blessed country, it's me back to my native heath again," grumbled Jerry,
+who had received a few bruises in the mix-up. Up to now he had paid no
+attention to them, but they were beginning to make themselves manifest.
+
+"What's this?"
+
+Frank uttered the cry as he bent over and stared at something which he
+had discovered under the canvas.
+
+"Hold on! I've got my gun handy!" exclaimed Bluff, thinking that if it
+were a wild animal his time had come to distinguish himself.
+
+"Oh! What is it?" echoed Will, crowding near.
+
+The fire was now leaping madly up as the tinder-like dried palmetto
+leaves and stalks caught, so that every one could easily see.
+
+"Why, it's a bag!--a big bean bag!" exclaimed Will, in amazement. "Where,
+in the name of goodness, did that come from, fellows?"
+
+"A bean bag! Tell me about that, will you?" said Jerry. And then, as he
+bent over to clutch hold of it, he went on: "Why, as sure as you live,
+it's a _sand bag_! Who ever could have shied that thing at us and then
+run away?"
+
+Frank was more than startled. He had seen just such bags before, and
+filled with sand, too. He knew to what uses they were put.
+
+"Say! What do you think, that bag is ballast from a balloon or airship?"
+he cried.
+
+"Ballast!"
+
+"From an airship!"
+
+The four outdoor chums stood there and stared, first at each other and
+then at the suspicious bag that lay there on the canvas. There could be
+no mistake about its contents, for one seam had broken, and the sand was
+trickling out even now.
+
+"Then a balloon passed over us in the night, and they threw out a sand
+bag to lighten her! What do you think of that?" gasped Jerry, as if
+hardly able to grasp the strangeness of the affair.
+
+"Why would they want to lighten her?" asked Bluff.
+
+Frank was quick to perceive facts.
+
+"Listen, fellows! Joe, here, says the voices were out yonder, toward the
+key, and that they gradually grew less distinct. That would happen, you
+know, if a balloon were gradually drifting out toward the open gulf."
+
+"Tell me about that, now! Do you really think they were being run away
+with?" asked Jerry in a tense tone, as he tried to picture the alarm that
+must overwhelm aeronauts under such conditions.
+
+"Didn't Joe say he was sure he heard some one cry out, 'Help us'?
+Wouldn't that indicate danger for the balloonists? I tell you what, boys,
+this was the most remarkable thing that ever happened to us. To think
+that the sand bag, and maybe an anchor, knocked our tent down with a
+smash, and didn't kill or seriously injure a single one of us beats the
+record! But I'm sorry for those fellows, though."
+
+"So am I, Frank. I wish we could do something to help them," remarked
+Will.
+
+"Couldn't we put out right away? They may fall into the gulf any minute,
+and be drowned! Say! Why not go, Frank?" pursued Jerry.
+
+"Get some clothes on, the first thing, fellows. We're not going back to
+bed again now, anyway. The dawn is surely coming on, and we could get out
+on the gulf in a short time, if we concluded to try it."
+
+They had left their outer garments aboard the motor-boat, so that it was
+easy enough to find them now. Hastily they dressed, all the while
+chattering like a lot of magpies. But it might have been noticed that
+every one was in favor of doing something to assist the drifting
+balloonists, who had apparently gone out to sea in a helpless airship.
+
+Frank was dressed a little before any of the rest. Something seemed to
+have come into his mind, for he hurried ashore again, as if bent upon
+examining the sand bag once more.
+
+"What's he up to?" asked Bluff, for the daylight was now growing strong
+enough for them to see to some extent.
+
+"Wants to look at that bean bag of Will's again, I guess. Perhaps he
+thinks we may have a good supper off the contents," jeered Jerry.
+
+"Now I think he expects to get a clue, somehow. Perhaps there may be a
+name sewed on the old bag. Seems to me, balloonists do that, so the
+people below may report their passing over, especially when there's a
+race on," remarked Will calmly.
+
+"And that's just what he's up to," declared Bluff, "for you see he's
+turning the bag over now. There! He's struck something, by the way he
+grabs! It's a letter, fellows, as sure as you live!"
+
+"A letter from the skies! Tell me about that, will you!" whistled Jerry
+as he bounded ashore and hurried to join Frank.
+
+"What's doing?" he asked anxiously, as he came to where the other was
+standing, staring at the piece of paper he held in his hand.
+
+"Remarkable! Who would ever have believed it?" Frank was saying.
+
+"Well, please take pity on the rest of us, and let us have a little
+light," Will broke out with.
+
+"It came from the _Kentucky_, fellows!" Frank observed, shaking his head,
+as if he could hardly believe his senses.
+
+"That was the name of the balloon our good friend, Professor Jason
+Smythe, expected to pilot in the drift from Atlanta to Savannah, to test
+the air currents."
+
+This from Jerry, who was equally amazed.
+
+"How do you know?" asked Bluff, of course, since he never accepted
+anything without abundant proof.
+
+"The name is sewed on the bag. I found it underneath. But there was
+something more, boys--this letter, written, with others of the same kind,
+and sent down in the hope that one of them might fall into the hands of
+some person who would notify the government station at Pensacola or Cedar
+Keys."
+
+"Read it to us, Frank!"
+
+"Yes, don't keep us in suspense. Besides, if we're going to do anything,
+we'd better not waste so much time here," Jerry remarked wisely.
+
+"Then listen. Here is what it says, scribbled so that I can hardly make
+it out:
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"'On board the balloon _Kentucky_, and drifting toward the gulf. Our
+valve refuses to work, and we dare not attempt to land in the dark.
+Ballast nearly gone. We fear we may be swept out to sea. Please notify
+station at Pensacola to send assistance--a tug, if possible. We may keep
+afloat a short time if we fall into the gulf.
+
+"'JASON SMYTHE.'"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The boys looked awed at the remarkable coincidence of that sand bag,
+possibly thrown out at random, striking their tent; and they who knew
+the professor so well.
+
+"But, come, fellows! We must be off! Leave these few things here till we
+get back. To save that daring aeronaut's life I'd sacrifice ten times
+as much!" cried Frank as he leaped aboard the boat and started the motor,
+while the others tore loose the two remaining hawsers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+A DASH UPON THE GULF
+
+
+"How About it, Frank? Ought all of us to go?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Do you think any one wants to remain behind?" asked the party addressed.
+
+"Speaking for myself, nothing could induce me to stay," came the reply.
+
+"So say we all of us," declared Bluff, who had overheard the question.
+
+"Besides, I think it wise that we stick together. If anything should
+happen that we couldn't come back here, it wouldn't matter much. You see,
+we've been able to tumble most of our stuff aboard in a scramble. It can
+be straightened out as we go. All ready, Jerry?" questioned Frank, as the
+other gave a shout.
+
+"All ready! Get aboard, and start her. It's light enough to see, now. Oh!
+I only hope we can find the professor!" cried Jerry as he embarked.
+
+"If Fortune is kind, we must, boys. Now we're off!"
+
+With these words, firmly spoken, Frank opened up, and the power-boat
+began to move through the water. Fortunately, it was deep in this
+shelter, so that they could make decent speed from the beginning. Had
+they anchored in such a shallow bayou as their last stopping place, it
+must have taken an hour to get clear of the various oyster bars, running
+out in finger-like ridges from the shore.
+
+Presently they cleared the point of land marking the upper end of the
+sheltering key, and the limitless gulf lay before them.
+
+Morning was now rapidly advancing. The far eastern heavens had begun to
+take on a beautiful rosy flush, such as can be seen in no place in the
+wide world to better advantage than in Florida, of a winter's morning.
+
+Every eye was instantly engaged in scouring that expanse of water,
+searching eagerly for a sign of the castaway balloonists. Frank even had
+his marine glasses leveled, and, first of all, scanned the horizon,
+hoping that possibly the air craft might have been able to keep afloat
+thus far through strenuous methods known to such a veteran sky pilot as
+the professor.
+
+He was disappointed, however, for the only things that met his gaze were
+a few white gulls.
+
+"What's that floating on the water over yonder, Frank?" demanded
+sharp-eyed Will, pointing down the coast a little.
+
+A thrill passed through every heart. Had the lost air voyagers been
+sighted, and would they be rescued, after all?
+
+Frank had his glasses focussed upon the object almost instantly.
+
+"Too bad, fellows! Only a bunch of brown pelicans floating on the sea and
+waiting until breakfast time comes around," he said at once.
+
+A chorus of remarks indicative of disappointment followed. Meantime, as
+the speed of the boat was rushed up to near the limit of twelve miles,
+and they fairly flew over the comparatively smooth gulf, each boy
+continued to scan the water, hoping to be the first to report success.
+
+"How long since they passed over, do you think?" asked practical Bluff.
+
+"I should say all of an hour," was Frank's ready response.
+
+"One good thing, there wasn't any sort of a breeze. If it had been
+blowing fairly hard, the balloon would be twenty miles away by now, even
+if afloat."
+
+"That's a fact Bluff; and as there wasn't an air current of more than a
+few miles an hour, one thing seems positive."
+
+"What's that, Frank?" demanded Jerry.
+
+"The balloon must have dropped into the water. If it was still in the air
+it could be seen through these powerful glasses miles away."
+
+The others recognized the truth of his words.
+
+"You seem to be heading straight out. Have you any reason for such a
+thing?" asked Bluff, seeking information.
+
+"I have. Before we started I carefully noted my bearings. I also made
+sure that what little air was stirring came direct from the land, which,
+in this case, was almost due east. You can easily see from that which way
+the balloon must have drifted up to the minute it dragged in the water."
+
+"Frank, what you say is sound, practical good sense. We must come on some
+sign in a short time, if we keep straight on and the conditions remain
+the same. I'm only afraid we may be too late," remarked Jerry sadly.
+
+No one else spoke for several minutes as the motor-boat sped merrily
+along on her mission of mercy. It was a time of great strain. They hoped
+for the best, and yet were conscious of a terrible fear lest the
+professor and his assistant might have gone down long ere this.
+
+"The breeze is freshening," remarked Bluff presently.
+
+Frank had noted this, too. It was only natural, for after dawn the air
+currents that may have become sluggish during the night were in the
+habit of awakening and taking on new life.
+
+He looked back. The land was several miles away by this time. If they
+were fated to meet with success in their errand, something must be
+showing up very soon now.
+
+Sick at heart with apprehension, Frank handed the glasses over to Jerry,
+and was pretending to pay strict attention to the motor. Truth to tell,
+his nerves were keyed up to a high tension, as he counted the seconds,
+and kept hoping for the best.
+
+Frank had noted one thing that gave him not a little concern. This was in
+connection with the fact that the easterly breeze seemed to have bobbed
+around to the southwest. Now, from all that he had heard this was a
+quarter that nearly always brings one of those howling "northers" that
+prove such a bane to Florida cruisers.
+
+"How about that, Joe--is the fact that the wind is in the southwest apt
+to bring bad weather?" he asked, when he could get the cracker lad aside;
+for Frank did not wish to further alarm his chums.
+
+"Most always that happens. When the wind rises now, unless she goes back
+once again to the south, you see she will be squally," returned Joe, also
+lowering his voice cautiously.
+
+"And that squally wind develops into something stronger, I guess?"
+pursued the Northern boy, always seeking to learn.
+
+"It jumps around to the northwest like a pompano skipping along the water
+in a shoal. Then for three days it blows like a railroad train, out of
+the north, and we all shiver," was the characteristic reply.
+
+"Well, I only hope the squall part of it holds off until we pick up the
+poor professor. We saved him once from the fire, and now it seems up to
+us to pull him in out of the wet, if we have any decent sort of luck."
+
+Noting the look of surprise on the little fellow's brown face, and
+realizing that he was totally ignorant in connection with what his words
+meant, Frank proceeded to tell how the hotel in Centerville was burned,
+and what a part Jerry and himself had had in the rescue of the
+balloonist, who had taken a sleeping powder, and lay in his room,
+unconscious of the tumult and peril.
+
+Jerry meanwhile was making as good use of the marine glasses as he knew
+how.
+
+"See anything that looks like the wreckage of a balloon on the water?"
+asked Frank, as he swept the horizon with his naked eye, but in vain.
+
+"Not a beastly thing," returned the other, in a disappointed tone.
+
+"Oh, I'm afraid we've come in the wrong direction," sighed tender-hearted
+Will, shaking his head dubiously; "and it's just terrible to think that
+those poor chaps may be drowning right now, and our little boat so near
+at hand!"
+
+"Tell me about that, will you? There he goes as usual, making us feel
+like murderers or something, when we only want a chance to get in our
+fine rescuing act. Stop him talking that way, Frank, won't you?" pleaded
+Bluff, who had emptied all the sand out of the bag dropped by the
+drifting balloonists, and declared he meant to hang the same up in his
+den at home as a memento of the wonderful incident.
+
+Frank stood up to see the better.
+
+Carefully he scanned the horizon, beginning at the furthest possible
+quarter toward the south, and ranging to one equally improbable
+northward.
+
+And everywhere it seemed to be the same dead level line, with not a break
+that gave signs of promise.
+
+"And the strange thing about it all is that there doesn't seem to be a
+solitary vessel, big or little, in sight anywhere. It would be hard at
+any other time to find the gulf around here so utterly forsaken," he
+remarked, beginning to feel discouraged himself.
+
+"It certainly looks as though we had the field to ourselves," remarked
+Bluff; "here we've come some miles from shore, which is getting
+'hull-down,' as the sailors say, in the distance, and yet not a peep of
+the lost balloonists. How much further ought we go, Frank?"
+
+"Just as long as there seems to be the slightest chance of our striking
+those we're looking for, or we can see shore with the glasses. I, for
+one, would never be satisfied to give up, and then later on feel that we
+might have found them if we'd only kept out another mile or two."
+
+"My sentiments, exactly," declared Will, who possessed a tender heart, as
+his chums knew from experience.
+
+So the time crept on.
+
+Frank was bending above the motor, but all the while he kept one eye over
+his shoulder on the bow of the boat where his chum stood, still sweeping
+the sea ahead with the marine glasses.
+
+In fact, every one aboard seemed to have his gaze focussed on Jerry by
+this time, as though he might be the one to decide whether the hunt had
+better be abandoned right then and there, or kept up still longer.
+
+And Frank almost held his breath awaiting the verdict.
+
+Suddenly he saw Jerry start, and screw the glasses more eagerly to his
+eyes, as he craned his neck to see the better. With the increasing wind
+the waves had commenced to rise a little, consequently any floating
+object might at times be difficult to discern.
+
+"I had a glimpse of something then, fellows! But, after all, it might
+have been another bunch of old pelicans!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Not that. Pelicans would not be so far out. They hug pretty close to the
+shore, where the water is more shallow, and the fish come in to feed.
+Still, it may have been the fin of a shark cutting the water like that
+one--" started Frank, when Jerry interrupted him:
+
+"There it is again! As sure as you live, I believe it's a man clinging to
+some sort of wreckage! Here, take the glasses, Frank! Right over there,
+dead ahead! Now be ready! There! See?"
+
+"It _is_ a man! Yes--two of them! Fellows, we are in time!" cried Frank.
+
+"Hurrah!" the others shouted in chorus.
+
+And the breeze, coming off shore, must have carried that volume of
+cheering sound to the ears of the almost despairing balloonists as they
+clung there to the wreck of their disabled air craft, possibly arranged
+to float for a time if it dropped into the sea.
+
+"Yes. There! I can see one of them waving his hand! Give the poor chaps
+another shout, boys! This is great luck for us!" exclaimed Frank, and his
+own sturdy voice helped to swell the sound that rolled over the water.
+
+If it was a happy moment for the rescuers, imagine the feelings of the
+two who clung there, expecting that every minute might see them without
+any support, as the waterlogged balloon sank under them!
+
+Fast though the motor-boat was shooting through the waves, she seemed to
+fairly crawl, such was the impatience of the young voyagers.
+
+So they swept alongside the floating balloonists. When Professor Smythe
+discovered the identity of those who were coming to his aid his
+astonishment knew no bounds. It was the most remarkable coincidence he
+could remember meeting with in an adventurous career extending over
+many years.
+
+"Was that your camp we passed over, a little while back?" he asked,
+as, having been helped aboard, and some instruments being passed up by
+his assistant, he helped the latter to crawl over the gunwale of the
+motor-boat.
+
+"Just what it was," laughed Frank, "and you came near wrecking us, too.
+The sand bag struck the tent, and carried it down in a heap."
+
+"Incredible! And yet that very fact goes to prove my assertion that in
+war time dynamite could be easily dropped into a fortress by means
+of a dirigible balloon, or an aeroplane. That was a happy thought of mine
+to send a message. Only I hope none of you brave boys received any
+injury!" cried the professor.
+
+"Luckily not. But what is to be done with this wreckage?" asked Frank.
+
+"Nothing. It will sink presently. We have secured all our valuable
+instruments and records. I'm only too happy over escaping from a watery
+grave. Simms and myself were making up our minds that our time had come
+when you hove in sight."
+
+"We are heading for Cedar Keys, but in no hurry to get there, professor.
+What would you like us to do for you?" asked Frank presently, after they
+had given both men blankets to throw about their shoulders, for the air
+was "nippy."
+
+"There is smoke on the horizon, to the west I believe it must be a
+steamer bound for Tampa. Do you think it would be possible to intercept
+her and put us aboard?" asked the scientist eagerly.
+
+Frank took a look at the weather.
+
+"We'll make a try, anyhow. But to do so we must head straight out, for
+she will go miles to the south of us," he said.
+
+They sped on for an hour. The land was dim in the distance. It thrilled
+them to know they were like a speck out in the midst of the great Gulf of
+Mexico. By now the coast steamer was in plain view, and signals were made
+for her to stop.
+
+When the captain learned who the two men were, and that he could further
+the work of the government, he gladly took them aboard; and the last the
+boys saw of the aeronauts was their waving hats as the steamer went on
+her way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE "NORTHER"
+
+
+"Is it back to the shore now, Frank?"
+
+"If we are wise we'll lose no time in heading that way," was the quick
+response.
+
+"What's the matter? Is there anything wrong?" demanded Jerry, taking the
+alarm immediately from his chum's manner.
+
+"I think we are in for another little experience. If you notice, there
+are clouds along the horizon. I imagine our long-delayed norther is about
+to swoop down on us before long."
+
+"Talk to me about the tough luck of that, will you! Of all times, that it
+should pick out this to tackle us!" exclaimed Jerry.
+
+He had seen the dark clouds Frank mentioned, and noted that the wind was
+no longer in the east, but had swung around to the southwest almost
+magically.
+
+Of course, they were making as fast time as the motor-boat could boast
+toward the dim shore line. How very far away it seemed to be! Will turned
+a little white as he contemplated the coming storm catching the small
+boat out upon the broad bosom of the great gulf.
+
+In doing an errand of mercy they had unconsciously put their heads in the
+lion's mouth.
+
+Those were very anxious minutes for the chums. Each throb of the motor
+was taking them closer to the land, but the clouds were rising, and
+the wind increasing, all too fast to please Frank.
+
+When they were about two miles off shore he commenced to scan the scene
+before them with renewed eagerness. Much depended upon whether they would
+have the good luck to strike in at a place where shelter might be found
+against the fury of the storm when the waves assumed giant proportions.
+
+The gallant little boat behaved splendidly, although there were times
+when it seemed to Will that his heart jumped into his throat with agony
+as he imagined that the whirling propeller, exposed to view by the rapid
+sweep of a billow, might be twisted from its shaft, and ruin come upon
+them.
+
+And the little dinghy floated astern like a duck, riding the rollers with
+ease. Again was that valuable glass brought into use, this time searching
+for a haven, rather than to discover lost balloonists.
+
+"Frank," said Jerry presently, "let me take the wheel while you look
+through the glasses here. I believe I sighted a key just over yonder,
+where you see that high palmetto. It seems closer than others just
+behind."
+
+One look Frank gave.
+
+"Boys, there's a chance for us!" he cried, "for that is certainly an
+island, and if there only happens to be deep water back of it we can make
+a harbor."
+
+"Then you're going to risk it?" demanded Bluff.
+
+"There's nothing else to be done. If we head straight on we must go
+ashore perhaps half a mile from the land itself. If we try to run down
+the coast we will be capsized, because we present our broadside to the
+seas, and they're getting worse and worse every minute," declared Frank
+firmly.
+
+"Frank is right. It is our only hope," said Jerry.
+
+There were some white faces in the little anxious group as the motor-boat
+swept resistlessly onward. If all went well, they would find shelter
+behind the friendly key before many minutes. Should it shoal up rapidly,
+they must be hopelessly wrecked, and perhaps drowned, in the whirl of
+foamy water.
+
+The sky was by this time covered with black clouds, and the wind
+increasing to almost hurricane force. Frank knew that they were sweeping
+onward at more than twenty miles an hour. Once they struck a reef, while
+going at this pace, and it meant an end to Cousin Archie's pretty boat,
+and imminent peril concerning themselves.
+
+Now he could see that he had made no mistake about the key. They swept
+around the northern end of the jutting land, and Jerry, who was clinging
+in the bow, trying to gain new confidence by thrusting the pole downward
+from time to time, kept on announcing that he could not strike bottom.
+
+Gradually Frank steered in such fashion that they gained the protection
+of a point. Then the boys broke out into a shout that voiced their
+sentiments of thanksgiving at an almost miraculous escape.
+
+It was not difficult to find a snug harbor after that. Of course, the
+norther was soon in full swing, it being really the first genuine
+experience our cruisers had met with in that line.
+
+The air grew very cold, and they were glad to get ashore and build a
+roaring fire in a sheltered spot. Indeed, it was speedily determined that
+they would hug that same cheery blaze as long as the visitor from the
+frigid North remained.
+
+Heavy rain had accompanied the first of the storm, but this soon ceased,
+and a steady roar of wind through the palmettos sounded like a railroad
+train passing over a long trestle. The waves breaking on the north end of
+the sand key also added to the wild clamor.
+
+All that day and the next they were stormbound. Of course, Jerry could
+not be kept idle. Fishing was out of the question during such a blow, but
+he discovered that there was plenty of game to be had with Frank's
+shotgun. Ducks could be obtained in any number, such as they were. Frank
+tried skinning them to get rid of the fishy flavor, and found it answered
+splendidly. Coots, treated in the same way, afforded a very palatable
+stew.
+
+Then on the mainland, where Jerry managed to go by aid of the dinghy, he
+was lucky enough to stir up several bevy of quail, from which he took
+fair toll.
+
+Meanwhile Bluff, seized with a sudden sense of his duties as the owner of
+a repeating shotgun, hied him away along the protected inner shore of the
+key, and managed to gather in a full dozen snipe and shore birds of
+various species, some of which proved to be very delicious.
+
+So they passed the time away, making merry, as care-free lads will. Often
+Frank and Jerry talked mysteriously together, while little Joe was busily
+engaged about the fire. Undoubtedly the two good-hearted boys were trying
+to hatch up some sort of scheme whereby the youngster might be benefited.
+
+On the third day they determined to start out. The sea had gone down to
+decent proportions, with a promise of several fair days ahead, as is
+always the case after a norther has cleared the atmosphere. Besides,
+their time was nearing an end, and they must get closer to Cedar Keys.
+
+A long day's run was taken, and as they sought a snug harbor that
+afternoon the solemn face of Frank assured his chums that they were near
+the end of their delightful winter vacation.
+
+"If you look over yonder, fellows," said Frank as they drifted slowly
+toward the harbor that had been selected for the night's anchorage,
+"you'll see something that will tell you the city on the key is close at
+hand. To-morrow we will wind up our little cruise, I'm sorry to say."
+
+A groan greeted this announcement, although they had suspected that such
+an ending to their happy time was imminent.
+
+Jerry reluctantly raised the marine glasses.
+
+"Yes, it's a fact, fellows," he said slowly. "I can see the wharves and
+some of the boats, as well as church steeples. That's Cedar Keys, all
+right."
+
+"Then this is our last night in camp. Well, boys, don't let's get the
+blues. We've had a bully good time, and will never forget what has come
+our way. Why, the rescuing of the wrecked balloonists alone paid us for
+coming," said Will.
+
+They found plenty of water, and anchored in the mouth of the famous
+Suwanee River, with the busy city something like twelve miles away.
+
+Once more they went ashore, and on the bank of the stream of which they
+had so many times sung they built their last campfire and put up their
+tent.
+
+"Lucky we bundled those things in before leaving that camp, when
+searching for the lost balloonists," said Will, who was figuring on
+getting a picture of the scene in the morning, to finish up his series.
+
+"Yes, for otherwise we'd have had to sleep on board to-night," laughed
+Frank.
+
+Supper over, they sat around, talking and laughing, in the endeavor to
+forget the sorrow that gnawed at their boyish hearts. They had enjoyed
+this trip so much that it would be with the keenest regret that they
+turned their backs on the Sunny South, and once more struck out for the
+snow-clad hills of their native land.
+
+Jerry sang, and Bluff orated to his heart's content. Finally they noticed
+that Frank was looking at something he held in his hand.
+
+"It's the sealed document his father gave him before starting," said
+Bluff.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you! Frank, didn't he give you permission to
+open it when you came in sight of Cedar Keys?" cried Jerry eagerly.
+
+Frank, in reply, was tearing off the end of the envelope, a smile of
+expectation on his face.
+
+"I guess it's going to turn out a joke," hazarded Bluff.
+
+"Now, I've been thinking that perhaps they settled it we should come up
+by way of the ocean from Jacksonville," declared Will, "and that's the
+surprise."
+
+"How is it, Frank? Tell us about it!" cried Jerry as he saw the face of
+the other light up when his eyes took in the import of the communication
+he found inside the envelope his father had given him.
+
+Frank turned around. His gaze did not rest immediately on his chums, but
+was given entirely to little Joe, which fact amazed the others still
+more.
+
+"It's the greatest thing ever, fellows! It makes me so happy I hardly
+know whether I'm dreaming or not! And the best of it is, the whole
+business is about our little campmate here, Joe Abercrombie!" was what he
+said, seizing the lad's hand warmly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+THE SECRET OF THE SEALED PACKET--CONCLUSION
+
+
+"About me!" exclaimed Joe, looking amazed.
+
+"Talk to me about surprises!" ejaculated Jerry. "Frank does love to knock
+us all silly!"
+
+"How could your father know about Joe, here?" demanded skeptical Lawyer
+Bluff.
+
+"Joe, what was your father's name?" asked Frank, eagerness in his bright
+eyes.
+
+"Joseph Sprague Abercrombie," came the immediate response.
+
+"Hurrah! That settles it!" shouted Frank, throwing his hat into the air.
+His chums could not ever remember having seen him one-half so excited
+before.
+
+"Take pity on us!" cried Will, catching the other by the sleeve.
+
+"Yes, hurry up and tell, or I'll burst!" ejaculated Bluff.
+
+Jerry shook Frank, in his earnestness, saying:
+
+"It isn't fair, and you know it! We're chums, and we deserve to be taken
+into your confidence."
+
+"Right you are; and now sit down and listen to me. I'm not going to read
+this letter out, but you can look it over later, as you please. My father
+says he was just about to come down to Cedar Keys himself, or send a
+trusted clerk, for the business is very important, you see."
+
+"And that was why he smiled when you told him where we meant to bring
+up?"
+
+"Yes, Bluff, that was the reason. Now you know he is a banker and a
+capitalist. In times gone by he used to be in Wall Street, so he had
+connection with many men who were investors. One friend of his, named
+Joseph Sprague Abercrombie, who was an engineer, entrusted some money to
+him to invest in certain stocks. By an unfortunate turn of the market
+those stocks became seemingly valueless. They have lain in his safe for
+ten years."
+
+"Say! it's growing exciting! I can see what's coming!" cried Bluff.
+
+"Meanwhile, my father had lost all track of his once boyhood friend Joe.
+Then, by a strange freak of fate, the corporation that had issued those
+stocks suddenly became alive. Everything they owned began to prosper.
+Their mines turned out rich investments, their timber lands found a
+big market. The apparently worthless stock, taken from the safe and put
+on the market at its highest point, brought in a fortune for Joseph
+Abercrombie or his heirs!"
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted Will, embracing little Joe in the exuberance of his
+joy.
+
+"Talk to me about magic, will you! This thing has the Arabian Nights
+beaten all to a frazzle, and that's what I think!" laughed Jerry, pumping
+the hand of Joe vigorously.
+
+"My father tried hard to locate his old friend. By degrees he found that
+he had gone South, soon after sinking his little savings in what seemed
+to have been worthless stock. Then he learned that he had lost his life
+on the road, and that his family with but scant means, had moved to Cedar
+Keys, where they were still living, according to what information he
+could secure."
+
+"It's great, that's what! And to think that we should have run across Joe
+here in such a marvelous way!" said Bluff.
+
+"Yes," spoke up the lad quickly, "and I believe you saved my life, too.
+I'd been killed by them men, my uncle with the rest; or else I'd tried to
+escape, and might 'a' lost myself ashore, to died in the swamps. I'll
+never forget it, never!"
+
+After all, that evening was by long odds the happiest of the whole trip.
+They sat around the fire until long after midnight. Indeed, it was hard
+to get any one to admit that he was sleepy in the least degree.
+
+"Our last camp, fellows. Perhaps we may never be able to all meet under
+canvas again," said Jerry as they finally set about seeking their beds.
+
+If Jerry could have lifted the curtain of the future a bit he would never
+have ventured that doleful prophecy. There were other camps in store for
+the four outdoor chums, many of them, and in a country whither their
+longing souls had often turned--the wilderness around the great Rockies.
+But it is not our province to mention any of the wonderful adventures
+that were fated to befall them there. All those things will be duly set
+down in the next volume of this series, which will be called: "The
+Outdoor Chums After Big Game; or, Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness."
+
+When breakfast had been dispatched in the morning, for the last time the
+four outdoor chums took down the dear old khaki tent and folded it away
+reverently. They looked upon it as a friend and comforter indeed.
+
+Then they went aboard the _Jessamine_, and started for the city, which
+could be seen upon the key, over the gleaming, sun-kissed water of the
+gulf.
+
+They arrived long before noon, and leaving the boat in the hands of the
+party to whom Frank bore a letter from his cousin, the four chums
+accompanied little Joe to his modest home.
+
+Here the delightful news was broken to the widow of Mr. Langdon's old
+boyhood friend. Words would be useless to describe her joy. The clouds
+had rolled away as if by magic, and at last she could see a happy future
+for herself and her family, marred by only one keen regret, and that the
+absence of the brave man who had died at his post years before.
+
+Our boys spent a couple of days in Cedar Keys. Letters were found there
+from the home folks. At last they started north once more, to resume
+their school duties, satisfied that they had enjoyed the finest vacation
+in all their experience.
+
+Their work in saving the lost balloonists was spoken of in the papers,
+for the professor would never forget what he owed them. He even took
+pains to write to Mr. Langdon and praise the conduct of the boys.
+
+Safely landed again in Centerville, and once more taking up their school
+work, we shall have to part from the boys.
+
+"Well, it was a great outing!" declared Will.
+
+"Talk to me about good times!" came from Jerry. "We never had a better."
+
+"Right you are," added Frank. "And the photos are all dandy."
+
+"They'll certainly be fine, to keep and look over in years to come,"
+remarked Will.
+
+And here we will take leave of the Outdoor Chums and say good-by.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14130 ***
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #14130 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14130)
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Outdoor Chums on the Gulf, by Captain
+Quincy Allen
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Outdoor Chums on the Gulf
+
+Author: Captain Quincy Allen
+
+Release Date: November 23, 2004  [eBook #14130]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Project Gutenberg Beginners
+Projects, Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF
+
+Or, Rescuing the Lost Balloonists
+
+by
+
+CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN
+
+Author of _The Outdoor Chums_, _The Outdoor Chums on the Lake_,
+_The Outdoor Chums after Big Game_, etc.
+
+1911
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+       I UNDER SEALED ORDERS
+      II CAUGHT IN A FIRE TRAP
+     III HEADED SOUTH
+      IV JERRY MEETS TROUBLE HALF WAY
+       V THE FIRST CAMPFIRE
+      VI THE SWAMP FUGITIVE
+     VII A FLORIDA SHERIFF
+    VIII WILL DOES IT
+      IX THE MOTOR-BOAT AND THE PROWLERS
+       X BLUFF'S FIRST 'GATOR
+      XI ALL THE COMFORTS OF SALT WATER
+     XII THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MOTOR
+    XIII LOST IN THE FOG
+     XIV A CRY ACROSS THE LAGOON
+      XV A VISIT TO THE MYSTERIOUS SHARPIE
+     XVI JOE
+    XVII STUCK ON AN OYSTER BAR
+   XVIII TROUBLE
+     XIX WHAT HAPPENED TO JERRY
+      XX LYING IN AMBUSH FOR BIG GAME
+     XXI A STRENUOUS NIGHT
+    XXII THE MESSAGE FROM THE AIR
+   XXIII A DASH UPON THE GULF
+    XXIV THE "NORTHER"
+     XXV THE SECRET OF THE SEALED PACKET--CONCLUSION
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+UNDER SEALED ORDERS
+
+
+"Now KEEP your word, Frank, and tell us the news!"
+
+"Yes, you got us to come to your house tonight under a promise, remember.
+What wonderful thing has happened to make you look so tickled?"
+
+"Talk to me about the Sphinx! Frank has the old relic beaten to a
+frazzle!"
+
+Three boys gathered eagerly around the fourth as they bombarded him after
+this fashion. Frank Langdon looked at the faces of his chums and laughed
+again.
+
+"Well, it would be a shame to keep you squirming on the anxious seat any
+longer, boys, and I'm going to take you into my confidence just as fast
+as I can. Sit down and hold your oars. Jerry, pull that stool up; Will,
+the settee must do for you and Bluff. Now, are you ready?" he asked,
+tantalizingly.
+
+"Crazy to hear!" was the characteristic reply of Bluff, otherwise Richard
+Masters, son of Centerville's greatest lawyer.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you?" exclaimed Jerry Wallington.
+
+"Please go on before we explode!" begged Will Milton.
+
+"These things always have a beginning, you know. This one happens
+to be founded on the fact that we are close to our annual Christmas
+vacation, and that this year it happens that we're going to enjoy
+two full weeks--you know that?" said Frank.
+
+"Of course we do, thanks to that steam-heater getting out of order. But
+don't rehash old stuff. That's history by now. What we want is the meat
+in the cocoanut. Please hit for the bull's-eye, first chop," pleaded
+Will.
+
+"I was wondering what we would do with ourselves during that time.
+There's old Jesse Wilcox, the trapper, who invited us up to spend a
+week with him and see how he runs out his string of traps in cold
+weather, catching muskrats, mink, 'coons, foxes and all such things in
+more or less abundance. We had about decided that we would accept, and I
+was even getting ready to go when something happened."
+
+"Talk to me about your tantalizing chaps, did you ever meet up with one
+as bad as Frank can be when he knows the rest of us are so keen to hear?"
+cried Jerry.
+
+"What was it?" demanded Bluff.
+
+"I had a letter that changed my mind," replied Frank.
+
+"Not from old Jesse?"
+
+"Well, hardly, for I don't believe the old fellow can write. This was
+from one of my cousins, a fellow several years older than myself. You met
+him about a year ago when he stopped with us a few days."
+
+"You must mean Archie Dunn," said Will.
+
+"Go up head, Will. Archie it was. I was glad enough to get a letter from
+him, but when I read what he had to propose I thought I should have a
+fit."
+
+"Just as we will, unless you hurry your yarn," growled Jerry, moving
+uneasily.
+
+"Well, Archie wrote that he had laid out a plan for his amusement this
+winter. You know he is independent, having come into quite a snug
+fortune. He is as fond of outdoor life as any member of this club, and,
+having a tutor to accompany him, is able to do lots of splendid stunts
+that less fortunate chaps can only dream about."
+
+"The lucky dog!" commented Bluff, enviously.
+
+"It seems that this year he was about to carry out a long-cherished plan
+of his. He purchased a beautiful little motor-boat, about twenty-seven
+feet long, and carrying a twelve horse-power engine. He says she can make
+twelve miles an hour if pushed, but being beamy she is as steady as a
+church floor and mighty comfortable; just the kind of a craft for
+cruising along a river or the bays of a coast."
+
+Jerry groaned.
+
+"You're killing me by inches! To tell us all this and then ask us to
+settle on going up there into the woods for a two-weeks' spin! It's a
+crime, that's what!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Wait!" said Frank, mysteriously; and the others immediately drew a bit
+closer, almost holding their very breath with eagerness and anticipation.
+
+"He had this boat taken to a Southern town on the railroad, where a
+navigable river flows through Northern Florida into the Gulf. Here he
+also shipped all his provisions, intending to make a start just before
+Christmas, when the unexpected happened. He had an accident--broke
+through the ice when skating, came near being drowned, and has been laid
+up with pneumonia ever since!"
+
+"Poor chap! That's awful!" declared Bluff.
+
+"But that isn't the worst by any means, from our standpoint, boys. His
+doctor has strictly forbidden him to take that voyage this winter and is
+sending him off with his tutor to some baths in Southern Europe or some
+old place where he may recover his strength."
+
+The three boys groaned in concert.
+
+"A rough deal all around," said Jerry.
+
+"What a disappointment it must have been, and he with his heart set on
+the trip!" exclaimed Will.
+
+"But they tell us that 'it's a poor wind that blows nobody good.' So he
+has written me this letter, making a proposal," went on Frank, calmly.
+
+"What!" shouted Jerry, clutching the arm of his chum.
+
+"Oh! he hates to leave his fine, dandy little launch there at that town,
+where there is really no accommodation for her, and would like to have
+some one take her over the course to Cedar Keys, Florida, to put her up
+with a boat builder he knows. And so he wrote to me," continued Frank.
+
+"Do you mean he has asked you to go down there and take that boat, just
+as he intended doing?" gasped Bluff.
+
+"Yes, only that instead of taking two months loitering along I could do
+the job in ten days, perhaps," was the answer.
+
+"Oh! what a lucky dog you are," sighed Will; "think of the innumerable
+chances for taking magnificent snapshots along the way."
+
+"Hold on. I didn't tell you that in his letter he says particularly, 'you
+and those bully good chums of yours, the whole three--plenty of sleeping
+accommodations for the lot aboard!'" cried Frank, with a smile.
+
+Then there _was_ a scene! Jerry gripped Bluff, and gave him a hug a bear
+might have envied, while Will was shaking Frank's hand as though it were
+a pump handle.
+
+"Glorious!"
+
+"The finest ever!"
+
+"It beats the Dutch how Frank runs into snaps!"
+
+This last, of course, from Jerry, who was taking his turn now at
+squeezing the hand of his chum.
+
+"But, I'm afraid, fellows, that we won't ever get the consent of our
+parents," sighed Will. "My mother would hate to have me go so far away.
+You know she only has my twin sister Violet and myself. Oh! it's sure too
+good to be true."
+
+"Now don't cross a river until you come to it, fellows. To tell you the
+truth, that part of the programme has already been attended to. My father
+and myself have been the rounds unbeknown to any of you, and got the
+consent of Will's mother, as well as the parents of Bluff and Jerry. It's
+a settled thing, boys!"
+
+They sat there and stared at each other. Evidently none of them could
+fully grasp the wonderful proposition entirely. They thought they must be
+dreaming.
+
+"Please don't wake me up; this is too bang-up for anything," said Will.
+
+"Frank, your equal never existed. Talk to me about your chums, no fellows
+ever had such a boss comrade as your fellow-members of the Rod, Gun and
+Camera Club!" declared Jerry.
+
+"When do we start?" demanded Bluff, as though ready to run for the train
+at that very minute.
+
+"The day after to-morrow. School closes in one more day, and father
+thought it wouldn't matter much if we slipped off a bit ahead of time. He
+will fix it with the Head all right. So, now you've got to be as busy as
+bees getting your duffle in readiness between now and the time the train
+goes, eight A.M. sharp."
+
+"That governor of yours is certainly the finest ever. How did it come
+that he fell in with the idea so quickly? Did you have to beg hard?"
+asked Will.
+
+"That's the strangest part of it, as I'll tell you presently. He fairly
+jumped at the idea when I told him about Cedar Keys. But we must spend
+the whole evening settling just what we are to take along with us,"
+ventured Frank.
+
+"What did you say about grub?" queried Bluff, whose appetite never failed
+him.
+
+"Archie wants us to accept all he has laid in, and encloses the list. I
+need add only a few little things that I happen to know one or the other
+of us fancies especially, and we are fixed for two weeks. You see there
+were two of them, and they expected to be afloat two months, so he laid
+in a large quantity of bacon, coffee, tea, sugar, and all substantials,
+much more than we can ever use; and I know Archie well enough to make
+sure they came from the best grocery in New York."
+
+"Oh! the darling, won't we remember him in our prayers, boys, and hope he
+gets good and strong over at that cure in Europe? There will be never a
+meal but that our thanks will ascend for this good deed of Cousin Archie.
+He belongs to all of us; this club adopts him as its one honorary member;
+and I hereby propose three cheers for the biggest-hearted chap going.
+Hip, hip, hurray!"
+
+Doubtless Frank's father and mother exchanged smiles when this hearty
+cheer came to their ears from Frank's den; but Mr. Langdon, even though a
+staid banker now, never forgot that he had once been a boy himself; and
+they understood the enthusiasm that must inevitably sweep over the three
+chums of Frank when they heard the glorious news.
+
+So the boys proceeded to go into executive session, and jot down lists of
+such things as they would be apt to need on the outing.
+
+"I understand that Archie had some heavy fishing tackle in his supplies,
+which we can count on to carry us through. Take your heavy rods only, and
+your guns, with proper ammunition," suggested Frank.
+
+"And I'll lay in a stock of films and such things, for I expect to get
+lots of fine pictures among those wonderful Southern scenes. I've always
+wanted to see that Spanish moss trailing from the swamp trees like it is
+in all Southern views. I'm the happiest chap in Centerville tonight,
+Frank!" exclaimed Will.
+
+"But see here," interrupted Bluff, "how about that matter connected with
+your good dad, Frank--why was he so pleased at the idea of you going to
+Cedar Keys?"
+
+"Yes, tell us about that," burst out Jerry.
+
+"It's a big mystery, fellows. Father smiled and nodded his head when I
+read him Archie's letter. 'What a remarkable coincidence. I was just
+thinking of going to that city myself, or sending a trusted messenger,
+and now you can do it all for me,' he said."
+
+The boys exchanged looks.
+
+"Don't it just beat all?" remarked Jerry, weakly.
+
+"Why, we're having the luckiest streak of our lives, that's what. But see
+here, Frank, didn't he tell you more?" remarked Bluff, who always wanted
+to know, being the son of a lawyer.
+
+"He gave me this little packet, done up in a stout manila envelope, and
+told me not to open it until I came in sight of Cedar Keys. Inside would
+be found full instructions as to what errand he wanted me to carry out."
+
+"Better and better! We sail under sealed orders, fellows. That should add
+a little zest to the voyage. I know I'll be consumed with curiosity every
+minute of the time wanting to know what under the sun it can be that your
+good dad has waiting for you to do," said Will, seriously.
+
+"Well," remarked Frank, "you see me put the packet away, not to be opened
+until the proper time; and now we'd better go on with our lists."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+CAUGHT IN A FIRE TRAP
+
+
+It was late that night ere the three visitors thought of going home.
+There was so much to talk over that it seemed as though they could never
+break away.
+
+"Listen!" exclaimed Will, finally, as they were about to depart.
+
+"That's the fire-bell, as sure as you live!" cried Bluff.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you!" cried Jerry. "A cold night to get burned
+out!"
+
+Frank snatched up his coat and cap.
+
+"I'm going with you, fellows, as far as the corner, anyway, and see if it
+is a real fire, or a fake," he remarked.
+
+Accordingly the quartette rushed out of the door and down the street.
+There was snow on the ground, and the air was pretty keen.
+
+"It's a fire all right; look, you can see the light, and the smoke!" said
+Will.
+
+"Say, fellows, isn't that the square, and doesn't it look like it might
+be the Sherman House?" asked Frank.
+
+"As sure as you live," replied Bluff. "That would be a tough thing, for
+the people there to climb out near midnight, and the mercury hovering
+half way down to zero!"
+
+"Hurry! Perhaps we can help some!" exclaimed good-hearted Jerry, and they
+increased their pace.
+
+It was the hotel, beyond all doubt. As the boys came into the open square
+they saw a scene of confusion that thrilled them. Smoke was pouring out
+of the lower windows of the big frame building, and in some places it was
+accompanied by red tongues of flame, licking up the dry wood.
+
+"She's a goner!" announced Jerry grimly.
+
+They saw people come hastily out of the doorway, some scantily clad, and
+with blankets around their shoulders. Luckily there were only a few
+guests in the hotel, since the best trade came in summer.
+
+Loud shouts told that the local fire company was coming with their
+hand-engine. Probably the Chemical Company would also be on hand,
+although it was too late for anything to be done but try and save
+adjoining buildings, none of which, fortunately enough, were very close
+to the doomed hotel.
+
+Frank and his chums thought that possibly they might help out at pumping,
+or doing something of the sort. At a fire in a country town every one
+assists to carry out furniture, or work the machine, while the regular
+members of the organization enjoy the exclusive privilege of carrying the
+hose and smashing in windows.
+
+Amid the greatest excitement the water was finally started. By this time
+one end of the building was all on fire, and every person knew it would
+be a complete wreck before the flames ceased feeding.
+
+It chanced that the boys were standing near some of those who had issued
+forth from the hotel. Among them was the proprietor, plainly excited as
+he saw his property going up in smoke and flames, and still getting some
+consolation from the fact that he had a good insurance on it all.
+
+Just then a man came limping and seized hold of the hotel proprietor.
+
+"Have you seen my brother, the professor?" he demanded, in a trembling
+voice.
+
+"Oh! that you, Mr. Smythe? Your brother--no, I don't remember seeing him.
+But I guess everybody got out all right. He must be around somewhere,"
+replied the other.
+
+"I've asked a dozen people, and nobody has seen him. I tell you, man,
+he's asleep up in that room yet, and will be burned to death!" exclaimed
+the gentleman, whom Jerry knew quite well. He was very lame and walked
+with difficulty.
+
+His brother, a balloonist of national reputation, had been visiting him
+recently, and on account of some sickness at the house, had taken a room
+at the hotel.
+
+"But no sane man could sleep through all this beastly row; and sure we
+haven't seen any one at the windows, have we, boys?" went on the fat
+hotel man.
+
+"But you don't understand. I tell you he has been unable to sleep for
+several nights, and just before he left me early to-night he took a
+sleeping powder that he said would make him dead to the world for eight
+hours! He's up in his room yet, and will be lost unless some one goes
+and drags him out!" cried Mr. Smythe.
+
+"Which is his room, Mr. Ten Eyck?" demanded an eager voice.
+
+The stout hotel man looked at the speaker, who was none other than Jerry.
+
+"You see that window over there at the end of the house, third
+floor--that's his room! But the stairs must be ablaze by now, boy! It
+would be suicide to think of trying to go up there!" he cried.
+
+"Come on, Frank; we'll take a look in, anyhow!" shouted Jerry as he
+dashed off, followed by his chum, equally excited.
+
+Still, Frank was ordinarily a cool-headed fellow, and accustomed to
+weighing chances somewhat before imperiling his life. In this case, of
+course, he knew that more or less risk must be taken if they hoped to
+save the sleeping balloonist.
+
+One look they took in at the front door. The whole place was ablaze.
+
+"Get out of the way, boys; we're going to put the hose in there!" cried
+one of the wearers of the fire-hats and coats, as he advanced.
+
+"No chance there!" exclaimed Frank, in despair, as he moved back.
+
+Jerry clutched his arm.
+
+"Come along with me. Perhaps the back stairs may not be burning, yet.
+They happen to be further along toward the safe side. There's a chance!"
+he panted.
+
+Half a minute later they had turned the corner, and were close to the
+rear exit.
+
+"See, the smoke is coming out, but no fire. Shall we risk it?" asked the
+eager Jerry.
+
+Frank swept a quick look above and around. He was weighing the thing in
+his mind, so that they might not be carried by impulse to their doom.
+
+"It's worth while. At the worst we can jump into that tree from the
+window. And it's just terrible to think of the professor sleeping on
+until he is caught. Lead the way, Jerry; you know about it better than
+I do. Remember, on the third floor, and turn to the left!"
+
+They darted in. Several persons near by shouted warnings, but the
+words fell on deaf ears, for already the daring lads were rushing up the
+narrow stairs. Around them the smoke was dense. It smarted their eyes
+dreadfully, so that they were compelled to rub them from time to time in
+order to see at all.
+
+Reaching the first landing, Jerry turned to the left. Frank had hold of
+his chum's coat, for he did not want to get lost in that smoky interior,
+and Jerry was the one acquainted with the situation.
+
+Now they had reached the second flight of stairs. A burst of red fire
+further along the hall served to show them for a brief space of time how
+matters stood. Up the stairs they stumbled, gaining the upper landing.
+Again Jerry turned to the left.
+
+"He said the last room, didn't he?" he gasped.
+
+"Yes, go on!" answered Frank, still gripping his comrade's garment.
+
+"Then here's the door!"
+
+"Shut?"
+
+"Yes, and locked, too! What shall we do?" exclaimed Jerry.
+
+"Kick it in--any old way, but we must be quick!" answered the other.
+
+Then the two threw themselves upon the door. It quickly gave way before
+their combined assault. They pushed into the room. The smoke had gained a
+footing here, but on account of the closed door it was not nearly so
+bad as in the halls.
+
+Immediately they saw a figure stretched across the bed. The balloonist
+had evidently been overcome by sleep before he thought to undress, and
+dropped over just as he had come from his lame brother's house.
+
+"Wake up, professor, the house is on fire!" shouted Frank in the ear of
+the man.
+
+Jerry, meanwhile, was shaking him vigorously; but all their efforts
+seemed to be of no avail. The man slept on as peacefully as though a
+babe, such was the power of the drug he had taken.
+
+"We can't stay here long," said Frank, as the smoke thickened in the
+room. "And as he won't wake up, why, we'll have to try and carry or drag
+him down."
+
+Fortunately, the man was not a very large person, or they might have
+despaired of ever accomplishing such a thing.
+
+"Take hold on that side, Jerry. Now, lift, and drag his heels. That's the
+only way we can do," exclaimed Frank, who feared that even short as their
+stay in that room had been they would find conditions changed for the
+worse when they again reached the hall.
+
+The professor paid not the least attention to what they were doing. He
+had possibly taken an overdose of his sleeping-powder, and only for the
+coming of the two chums must have perished miserably, like a rat in a
+trap.
+
+When Frank threw open the door of the room again he uttered a cry of
+alarm. The back stairway was a mass of flame. Although hardly more than
+two minutes had passed since they came up those stairs, it was now
+manifestly impossible to pass down again.
+
+He slammed the door shut and found Jerry staring at him in the half
+light.
+
+"Talk to me about your fiery furnaces, that beats them all!" exclaimed
+Frank's chum, as he let go the professor's shoulders. "What shall we do
+now?"
+
+Frank ran over to the window and threw up the sash. He looked out and
+then came back to where Jerry stood, trembling with excitement. Frank was
+as cool as ever in his life.
+
+"There's a chance, Jerry," he shouted. "No fire below! Take hold here;
+tear up these sheets and knot them into a rope. Work for your life, and
+if the fire only holds back we may be able to save both the professor and
+ourselves! But work! work!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+HEADED SOUTH
+
+
+They did work with a vim, for the smoke was getting more oppressive with
+each passing second; and from the glimpse they had taken of the stairway
+it was plain to the boys that presently the fire would wrap the whole
+south end of the building in its grip, when their case would indeed be
+desperate.
+
+Each tore and knotted until as if by magic a long rope was fashioned.
+True, it might betray them at the last and break, but Frank believed
+the sheets to be of good material and nearly new.
+
+He had not time to even test the frail rope, but fastened it around the
+sleeping balloonist, under his arms.
+
+"Now help me lift him over the window-sill," he cried.
+
+They had little difficulty in doing that, for the professor was a small,
+slight man. Once he was passed over the ledge, they began to lower away.
+
+Frank only hoped in his heart that the fire might restrain its fury for a
+brief space of time. If it darted out below it must catch the human
+burden which they were lowering so speedily.
+
+Shouts were heard outside. It seemed as though fully an hundred voices
+were raised to applaud the daring feat of the two boys, as the figure of
+the professor was seen coming rapidly down at the end of the rope made of
+torn sheets.
+
+"If it's only long enough!" gasped Jerry.
+
+"Hurrah! they've got hold of him! He's saved!" roared Frank, as the
+tremendous pull suddenly ceased.
+
+They had about reached the end of the rope, so that this happy event
+came just in the nick of time. Frank hurriedly fastened that end to the
+bed-post.
+
+"Climb out, Jerry, and slide down. Not a word now, or we may lose our
+chance!"
+
+Jerry had been about to object, wishing his chum to go first. He realized
+the truth of what Frank said, however, and how foolish it would be to
+stand back on a matter so small. Accordingly he clambered over the
+window-sill and vanished from view.
+
+Frank got in position to follow, and only waited until he had reason to
+believe his chum had reached safety. The rope had done bravely, but it
+certainly could never stand the strain of two of them at the same time.
+
+And even as he waited there was a flash of fire below, as the flames ate
+through the sheathing of the house. A tremendous yell went up.
+
+"Come down, Frank--oh! quick!" he caught above the clamor, and he knew
+that it was Will's shrill voice he heard.
+
+The fire was perilously close to the rope. In a second it might catch
+and be severed. Frank did not hesitate. He was accustomed to meeting
+emergencies promptly, and doing the right thing.
+
+Down he slipped, passing the threatening flame, in fact shooting through
+it just as the rope began to be consumed in its hot breath. Frank had
+almost reached the point of safety when he felt his support collapse, and
+he dropped downward.
+
+Something caught him, something that seemed endowed with life--the
+extended arms of his three chums eagerly fashioned into a net, and he was
+not injured, beyond a little singeing of his hair as he passed through
+the fiery torch.
+
+The boys were glad to get away from the crowd of enthusiastic admirers
+who wanted to lift Frank and Jerry on their shoulders, and carry them
+around town in triumph, something that felt repulsive to the lads.
+
+But the lame brother of the man they had saved, seized upon them ere they
+went off.
+
+"A thousand thanks to you, for your brave deed!" he cried. "You have
+saved a human life to-night, boys, and one of more than ordinary value.
+My brother is employed by the Government to experiment with balloons and
+aeroplanes, and his discoveries may prove a great thing for our nation in
+case of a foreign war. To-morrow he will thank you himself, and from
+his heart. Your mothers have cause to be proud of their sons, and I shall
+tell them so myself."
+
+From a distance the boys watched the hotel burn, and talked over the
+affair just as though they might have been casual watchers, and had no
+particular interest in the matter. And yet two of them had come very
+close to sacrificing their young lives in attempting to save that of
+another.
+
+Both Bluff and Will had suffered tortures while their chums were
+inside the doomed structure. Their voices had led all the rest as the
+sheet-rope fell from the upper window, with the form of the professor
+dangling at the end, for they knew the daring plan of their mates had
+been a brilliant success.
+
+The fire did not jump to any of the nearby dwellings or stores, thanks to
+the efficient labors of the department, the members of which worked like
+Trojans in order to confine it to its original field.
+
+When it had died down the boys separated once more, and the hearty grip
+that passed between them was evidence of the sincere affection that bound
+this quartette of clean, manly fellows in common.
+
+Neither Frank nor Jerry said a word to their parents about the heroic
+part they had played in the rescue of Professor Smythe. Imagine the
+astonishment of Frank's father when that gentleman, in company with his
+brother, a respected business man of Centerville, called at the house,
+the next morning after breakfast, and related the whole circumstance.
+
+And when Frank and Jerry were called down from the den, where, in company
+with the others, they were doing some packing, they blushed under the
+hearty words of praise heaped upon them by the two gentlemen.
+
+"Why, I'm going South myself, boys," declared the balloonist, when he
+heard of their contemplated trip, "and wouldn't it be a queer thing now
+if we happened to come across one another down in Dixieland? I'm heading
+for Atlanta, to steer my big balloon to the eastward at the first
+favorable chance, in order to settle some questions about air currents
+that have long been baffling us all. Depend on it, if I could do you any
+sort of a favor I'd go far out of my way to try and even up the debt I
+owe you."
+
+Little did any of them suspect under what strange conditions their next
+meeting would really be.
+
+All Centerville was ringing with the story of the brave exploit of Frank
+and Jerry. When the latter reached home that noon he was overwhelmed
+with hysterical words of praise from his mother; while his father had
+come home from his office, beset by a dozen acquaintances desirous of
+congratulating him on having a son of such heroic mould.
+
+Jerry was very uneasy under all this favorable comment. He did not like
+to be looked upon as differing in any degree from other boys.
+
+"Any fellow would have done the same thing. We were lucky enough to have
+the chance, that's all," he insisted, as his mother kissed him again and
+again, crying a little at the same time at the thought of what might have
+happened; while his father gripped his hand and patted him on the back
+affectionately.
+
+By afternoon the boys decided that they had everything packed they could
+think of, and after that they began to try and possess their souls in
+patience.
+
+"No sleep for me to-night, fellows," declared Jerry, as he prepared to go
+home, as supper-time came around.
+
+"I'd advise you to try and get a few winks if you can. To-morrow night
+we'll be on the train, and not much chance then. It's a lucky thing
+that all of us know something about machinery. Our experience with our
+motor-cycles will come in good play now. And here's Jerry been studying
+up on the running of an automobile with that retired chauffeur, Garrison,
+who's teaching Andy Lasher how to run a car."
+
+"Yes, but, Frank, how about you taking lessons about the engine of a
+motor-boat? I know you've got several books on the subject since your
+father half promised to put a little craft on Lake Camalot next season,"
+remarked Jerry.
+
+"Well," laughed Frank, fairly caught, "between the lot of us it'll be
+strange if we don't know how to handle that dandy boat of Cousin
+Archie's--the _Jessamine_ he calls her."
+
+"Three cheers for the _Jessamine,_ then!" said Bluff.
+
+They were given with a will, after which the boys separated. Since this
+would be their last night at home for two weeks they had sensibly
+decided to spend it in the bosom of their families. Everything was done,
+at any rate, so that it was useless to bother about that matter any more.
+
+In spite of Frank's warning it is very unlikely that any one of the four
+slept very soundly. The near future beckoned to them with such grand
+possibilities concerning the sport they loved, that they could not get it
+out of their minds; and innumerable plans for the happy times ahead kept
+their brains busy the major portion of that last night under the parental
+roof-trees.
+
+Finally the morning dawned, with a light snow falling. There was a bustle
+in at least four homes that day, and presently the intending travelers
+gathered at the station long before the train was due that would take
+them on to Philadelphia, and then, with a change of cars, to the
+beckoning sunny Southland.
+
+And when finally the parting moment came, there were hurried good-byes,
+the bags were thrown into the baggage car, and as the train pulled out
+those of their school friends who had come down to see them off, as well
+as their relatives, waved a shower of handkerchiefs amid a chorus of
+shouts.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Bluff, as he settled down in his seat, "we're on the way
+to the greatest time of our lives!"'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+JERRY MEETS TROUBLE HALF WAY
+
+
+"Ain't she a beauty, though?"
+
+"Finest thing ever put in the water! And to think we're going to live
+aboard her for nearly two weeks! It's the greatest luck ever!" observed
+Will.
+
+"Talk to me about your automobiles and aeroplanes, give me a neat little
+motor-boat for mine. I wouldn't change places with King George just now."
+
+Frank said nothing, but the smile on his face was a satisfied one.
+Indeed, it could not well be otherwise. Any boy who loved camping and
+cruising as much as he did must have been thrilled at the prospect of
+running that jaunty little craft for a spell, navigating new waterways
+and making discoveries constantly, such as are calculated to please the
+hearts of hunters and water-dogs in general.
+
+The motor-boat was one of the most modern make. It had an automobile hood
+for the front, and this could be so extended that the entire boat was
+shielded. On the other hand, on sunny days it could be pushed back,
+allowing of perfect freedom.
+
+The journey south had been effected without any accident. They were now
+stopping at a little hotel in this town on the river where the railroad
+crossed. It was a section of Northern Florida. The great and mysterious
+Gulf of Mexico, they knew, lay not a far stretch away toward the south.
+Indeed, Jerry had declared he could already smell salt water, though his
+chums laughed at him, and declared that it was more likely the odor of
+the mud along the bank of the narrow but deep stream down which they
+expected to cruise shortly.
+
+"All the same, I'll be mighty glad to set eyes on that same gulf," said
+Jerry; "I've always wanted to see it, ever since I read about the
+doings of those old filibusters who used to lie in wait and seize the
+treasure ships going home from the Spanish Main."
+
+"Listen to him, will you?" broke out Bluff, laughing. "Honest, now, I
+believe he expects to run across a few of those old fossil pirates,
+Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and their kind."
+
+"Well, hardly, but it may be we'll meet up with a few up-to-date pirates
+before we get through--chaps who can charge ten prices for something you
+just feel you must have. The times are out of joint, boys. Things have
+changed a little, that's all, but the world is just as full of human
+sharks as ever," argued Jerry.
+
+"I guess Jerry's right, fellows, and when that gaunt landlord of the inn
+presents his little bill perhaps you'll say that the buccaneer came
+sooner than you expected. Besides, who can say what lies before us? There
+are many swamps to be passed through, I'm told, and they say that more
+than one fugitive black, wanted for some crime, lives out in those
+places. We must keep our eyes open all the time."
+
+"And depend on it, Frank knows. He's been picking up information right
+and left ever since we got here," remarked Will, who was, of course,
+carrying his beloved camera, with which he had taken many splendid
+pictures of the past exploits of the four chums.
+
+"When do we get under way?" asked Bluff, eagerly, as he examined the
+provisions made for cooking, with a battery of little lamps fashioned
+to burn kerosene in the shape of gas--Bluff was always interested in all
+that pertained to the cooking parts of an expedition.
+
+"Everything is ready now," remarked Frank. "We'll go back to the inn, all
+but Will, settle our score, and fetch what few things are left. I've got
+a rough chart of the river, you know, boys, on which we'll have to depend
+until we get to the gulf."
+
+"And then?" asked Will.
+
+"Oh, the Government charts will carry us, then, the rest of the way. They
+have everything down, up to several miles off shore, and all the bayous
+and cuts besides. Come on, Jerry and Bluff; get busy."
+
+Left in charge of the boat for half an hour, Will sat there in the warm
+sunshine, trying to picture what it looked like up around cold, bleak
+Centerville just then. As he fondled his camera other memories were
+called up, in which it had done its share in the way of perpetuating the
+exciting events connected with the various outings enjoyed by the four
+chums.
+
+While Will sits thus and lets his mind wander back to other scenes it may
+be just as well for us to take a quick survey of these same events, so as
+to understand something of the ties that held these four boys together.
+
+They formed the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, and their first outing had been
+at the time a storm took part of the Academy roof off, allowing a short
+Fall vacation on the part of the scholars. At that time they had gone
+into the woods, and there encountered a variety of stirring adventures,
+as set forth in the initial volume of this series called: "The Outdoor
+Chums; or, The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club."
+
+At Thanksgiving time they planned for another little camping trip, over
+on Wildcat Island, which had quite a bad name on account of the ferocious
+animals known to exist in its dense thickets, and also because a wild man
+was said to have been seen there many times. What the four chums saw and
+did there, and the multitude of remarkable things that came to pass
+while they were off on this trip, from the robbery on the steamboat to
+the discovery about the wild man, are told in the second book of the
+series, entitled: "The Outdoor Chums on the Lake; or, Lively Adventures
+on Wildcat Island,"
+
+In due time came the summer vacation, and as they had a couple of weeks
+to be together before going away to seashore or mountains with their
+parents, the boys arranged to spend this time in the Sunset Mountains,
+that lay ten miles back of Newtonport, which place was on the west shore
+of the lake, opposite Centerville. The rumor of a ghost that was said to
+haunt Oak Ridge did much to draw the boys, and it can be readily
+understood that before they left their camp in the hills they had
+succeeded in discovering the astonishing truth about that same spectre.
+Just how this was done, together with many other thrilling episodes, you
+will find in the record of the outing as given in the third volume,
+called: "The Outdoor Chums in the Forest; or, Laying the Ghost of Oak
+Ridge."
+
+By the time Will had run the gamut of these adventures, some of which
+caused him to shiver, while others brought a smile on his face, he heard
+the voices of his chums drawing near.
+
+They soon joined him, each burdened with some more of the outfit in the
+way of blankets, and clothes-bags made of waterproof canvas.
+
+These were hastily stowed away, after which the boys began to get busy.
+Frank had, ere now, closely examined the engine of the launch, and
+even started it going so as to get "the hang of the thing," as he said.
+He felt that he had nothing to fear with regard to his ability to
+handle it.
+
+"If anything does happen we will have to use the push-poles, and in that
+way float down on the swift current until we get to a town," he said,
+laughingly; but not one of them had the slightest fear.
+
+"All aboard for the gulf!" called Will, as he stood by the rail watching
+Jerry unwarp the hawser that held the nose of the boat down-stream,
+another securing the stern above.
+
+Just as soon as this latter was unfastened the boat would begin to move
+with the rapid current, and at that time Frank wanted his engine to be
+working.
+
+"Ready, Frank?" called Jerry from astern.
+
+He could cast off there, recovering the rope as they moved along.
+
+The engine began to whirr.
+
+"Say, doesn't that sound encouraging?" ventured Bluff, as the cheery
+cough smote the air, and announced the whole power of twelve horses to be
+at their disposal.
+
+"I only hope she turns out one-half as good as she looks," remarked
+Frank, who believed that the proof of the pudding lay in the eating of
+it.
+
+A minute later, satisfied that everything was working, he shouted:
+
+"Let her go, Jerry!"
+
+Immediately the motor-boat commenced to glide down-stream. Frank found
+that his engine worked like a charm. He could apparently do anything he
+wanted with it, and the whole apparatus seemed more like a plaything than
+a powerful motor.
+
+"A good beginning. Hope it keeps up," remarked Bluff.
+
+"Me for a life on the ocean wave," sang Jerry as he coiled the rope
+ship-shape, and then going forward climbed up on the bow to look out
+for "snags."
+
+There were numerous abrupt bends to the river just below the Florida
+town, and with that swift current it was difficult to navigate around
+these places successfully. By degrees, of course, Frank expected to
+become more familiar with both the engine and the only way these things
+could be successfully met. He was always wide-awake, and eager to learn.
+
+Jerry had perched himself on the forward rail, where he could survey the
+scenery. Will had his camera in his hand, and seemed ready to snap off
+any remarkable picture that presented itself to his vision. He was keen
+on taking some views that would embrace the weird, hanging Spanish moss,
+though Frank told him to have patience, and any number of these would
+come in time.
+
+There was not the least warning when the shock came. The boat suddenly
+brought up with a bang on some hidden snag, and as Frank involuntarily
+shut off the power he had a rapid view of poor Jerry taking a header over
+the rail. Immediately after, a tremendous splash announced that he had
+struck the water all right; indeed, as he sprawled with hands and legs
+outstretched, one would half suspect it was a gigantic frog that leaped
+from the boat into the deep river.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE FIRST CAMPFIRE
+
+
+"Tell me about that, will you!" gasped Jerry, as he bobbed above the
+surface.
+
+He was swimming industriously to keep from being swept down with the
+current.
+
+Frank, finding that the motor worked smoothly, and no damage had been
+done by the concussion, started it backing just enough to keep the boat
+steady.
+
+He darted to the bow, where Bluff and Will were already hanging.
+
+"What was it?" called the swimmer, who, now that he was in, seemed
+disposed to make a picnic of the affair, after his usual joking way.
+
+"A snag, of course. I thought you were going to sing out if we came on
+one?" said Frank.
+
+"I did, and you all heard me yell," asserted Jerry.
+
+"Yes, while you were passing through the air. Much good that would do,"
+observed Bluff, disposed to refuse such evidence.
+
+"But there was nothing in sight. The snag must have been down under the
+surface, and the water is so brown I couldn't see it. My! but that was a
+vault! Talk about your high divers, there never was a prettier leap than
+that."
+
+"Just my luck, again!" whimpered Will. "What a magnificent picture of the
+Jumping Frog that would have made in our scrap-book. Why on earth didn't
+you tell me you were going to do it, and I could have been ready to snap
+you off?"
+
+"Hear that man, with me down in this ooze, soaked to the skin! Wait till
+I find a chance to get at him!" groaned Jerry, shaking his fist upward,
+in mock anger, though at the time he was grinning amiably.
+
+"While you are down there, pard, why not take a look, and see if we
+scraped the paint off the boat's nose when we banged that log," suggested
+practical Frank.
+
+"That's so. Make the best of a bad bargain. Why, no; nothing doing, boys.
+This stem is made of solid brass, and could stand many a hard bump. I
+think Cousin Archie must have been warned in advance, and had her made
+doubly staunch," sang out Jerry.
+
+"Can you see the snag anywhere around?" asked Frank.
+
+"Not here. Perhaps we're down below it now."
+
+"Or it may have been an alligator, fellows. Some of the natives told me
+there are a few in this old stream," observed Bluff.
+
+"Yes, and there he is now!" shouted Will. "He crawled up on the bank to
+dry off, and is going to jump in again! Oh! why _wasn't_ I ready! Look
+out, Jerry! He's coming for you!"
+
+Jerry was already in motion. The notion of meeting an alligator might
+have appealed to him, but not under these circumstances. He struck out
+like a madman as he struggled to get to a point where he could reach up
+and clasp the eager hands extended down to him, for he had heard the
+splash that announced the reptile's taking to the water.
+
+Of course, the little six-foot 'gator was by long odds the more scared
+of the two, but then Jerry, being a greenhorn, did not know that. When
+finally the others managed to drag him, dripping, one deck, he was
+panting like a tired dog and puffing like a grampus.
+
+"Talk to me about your narrow squeaks, they don't appeal to me one little
+bit!" he gasped. "Where's the old alligator monster now, Will? Did you
+snap him off?"
+
+"He never came up again. That's just my luck, you know."
+
+"Better times coming, Will. You'll take many pictures of 'gators on logs
+and sunny banks before we finish this little trip," laughed Frank.
+
+"Yes, I know what you're laughing at," grunted Jerry, "and I suppose I
+did look like a big frog as I sailed away off the bow. After this the
+lookout ought to be tied to his seat. It was lucky, though, you had so
+little headway on, Frank. We might have ended our cruise half an hour
+after we began it."
+
+The air was balmy, and Jerry seemed nothing loth to sit there and dry
+off, as the journey was resumed down the river.
+
+"Any game along here, do you think?" asked Will presently.
+
+"They told me there was plenty, only you have to look sharp, and not
+get lost in the swamps. Men have gone out hunting and never come back
+again; though, of course, these were strangers, and not the natives.
+Nobody ever knew whether they were lost or fell into the hands of some
+black criminals who were hanging out hereabouts."
+
+Jerry volunteered this information. He was always making inquiries in
+connection with the possibilities of game.
+
+"I saw a blue heron just then, swinging downstream below us. And there's
+something snow-white over there. Yes, it must be a crane standing in the
+water, with his fishing-rod ready for business; and there goes a string
+of white birds, over yonder. Do you know what they are, Frank?" asked
+Will.
+
+"I'm not sure, but I think they belong to the ibis family. Look at that
+'coon scurrying up that log, running from the water. He's been trying to
+scoop out a dinner of fish, too. Nearly everything feeds on fish down
+here, even many of the wild ducks. Got him that time, did you, Will?"
+
+"I think so," replied Will complacently, for he had snapped his camera
+while the striped "bushy-tail" was still moving up the slanting log.
+
+They were making fair progress all the while. So the afternoon began to
+wear away. The current was almost enough to carry them on at the rate of
+several miles an hour. With the prospect of meeting hidden snags at any
+minute, Frank did not deem it wise to put on any speed. That would come
+when they were upon the open gulf, and obstacles no longer worried them.
+
+They had entered a section that undoubtedly bordered on a swamp. The
+trees grew thicker, and shut out much of the light, so that it seemed
+actually like dusk. And to the delight of Will, the long streamers of
+Spanish moss hung everywhere.
+
+"Say, perhaps we'd better pull up soon for the night. This sort of work
+needs all the eyesight we've got, and it's getting some gloomy just now.
+I wouldn't dare attempt an exposure with this shadow on everything,"
+remarked Will.
+
+"Always something wrong, eh, Will? However, putting the picture-getting
+aside, you'll admit that this is a mighty comfy position to be in.
+There's Bluff writing up the menu he expects to spring on us the first
+meal out," laughed Frank.
+
+"I own up I _was_ thinking of something along that line. Wish I had some
+of the fine oysters they tell us grow down South. Your sister Nellie
+gave me several recipes to try, and I'm going to spring them on you the
+first chance, see if I don't."
+
+"Well, I only hope you have better success than the said Nellie usually
+has. My dad threatens to send her to cooking school before she kills
+off the entire family with her experiments. But as to the oysters, you
+must wait till we get out of the river. This is fresh water. Mussels or
+fresh-water clams grow in such places, but hardly oysters," observed
+Frank.
+
+"I'm going to tell Nellie what you said, when we get back," declared
+Bluff.
+
+"Well, it encourages me to know that you expect we will survive the
+operation. But then, ten to one they are recipes she clipped from some
+paper, and wants you to try for her. I'm going to keep an eye on you
+whenever you hang around the fire, remember. You can bear watching,"
+Frank continued.
+
+"Glad to hear that, for some people can't," remarked the other calmly.
+
+At which the laugh was on Frank; but he took it good-naturedly, as
+always. It required a good deal to make him show signs of being provoked;
+but like most people of that temperament, if ever he did lose his temper,
+he was apt to be very angry indeed.
+
+Presently they found what seemed to be a good place to tie up for the
+night. A small boat, called the dinghy, or dinky, was trailed behind.
+This might come in handy whenever they wanted to go ashore while the
+motor-boat was anchored; or one of the boys might wish to use it for
+fishing, gathering oysters, or shooting shore birds, later on.
+
+The ground being high and dry just at that particular spot, they built a
+fire and determined to cook supper ashore. There would likely be plenty
+of opportunities for doing this aboard, later, and they could not resist
+that chance for an open campfire.
+
+Bluff was assisted by Jerry in getting the first supper. It turned out to
+be appetizing. They had been in the woods so much now that even the
+poorest cook in the club, Will, was picking up quite a little knowledge
+of the art, and felt an occasional desire to show off.
+
+The boys never got over joking poor Will about his first experience in
+cooking rice, however. He had put the entire four pounds in a pot while
+the rest were away. One of them, coming back to camp presently, found
+Will in distress. He had filled every kettle and pannikin with the
+swelling rice, and despite the glistening heaps the original kettle was
+still boiling up heaps of it, so that it threatened to even smother the
+fire.
+
+He knew better now.
+
+After the meal was over they sat around, taking things easy. Frank was
+writing in his logbook, Will monkeying with his camera, while Jerry and
+Bluff sat there discussing something that had to do with their respective
+lung power--a question never, as yet, fully settled, although they had
+had many a friendly contest to thresh out this rivalry.
+
+"Frank, don't look up, please! Listen to me!" said Will in a low voice.
+
+"Well, what is it?" asked the other, simply pausing in the act of writing
+a word.
+
+"I saw something moving over behind that bunch of saw-palmettos on your
+left. Pretending not to be looking, I squinted out of the tail of my eye.
+What do you think I saw? The head of a black man raised--an awfully
+wicked-looking head, too, Frank. What had we better do about it?" went on
+Will, his whispering voice quivering.
+
+"Nothing. Leave it to me. Don't show any signs of excitement, please, but
+just keep on with what you are doing," and Frank allowed his left hand to
+slowly creep in the direction where his shotgun lay on the ground.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE SWAMP FUGITIVE
+
+
+"Now, my friend behind the bunch of saw-palmetto, won't you join us?"
+
+Frank had slowly risen, picking up his gun as he gained his feet. There
+was a movement in the quarter where his gaze seemed directed, then a
+human figure began to crawl into the camp, looking more like a great dog
+than a man.
+
+"Great Caesar's ghost!" ejaculated Bluff.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you!" exclaimed Jerry, making a dive for his
+own gun.
+
+"Quiet, fellows! There's no need of any excitement. It's only a visitor
+from the swamp, come to have a cup of coffee with us," remarked Frank
+steadily.
+
+He made no attempt to aim his weapon, being satisfied to let the negro
+see that he was armed, and ready for action. The wretched outcast was
+almost in tatters. He looked thin and haggard, in marked contrast with
+the sleek and well-fed darkies the boys had generally noticed since
+reaching the Sunny South.
+
+Having reached a spot in front of Frank, the man arose to his full
+height. There was a look of trouble on his face. He had been hunted like
+a wolf for so long that naturally he believed every man's hand was
+against him.
+
+But Frank saw at once that Will had been mistaken when he remarked upon
+the vicious look of the fugitive. He had taken the expression of fear for
+that of maliciousness.
+
+"Well, who are you, and what do you want here?" Frank asked directly.
+
+The black started, and looked at him a little eagerly.
+
+"I's got lost in de swamp, boss, 'deedy I has, an' I smelled de vittals
+a-cookin', so's I couldn't keep away. Didn't mean to skeer yuh, suah I
+didn't. Yuh wouldn't hurt a pore ole brack man, would yuh, little marse?"
+he droned, still keeping his eyes fastened apprehensively on Frank and
+his gun.
+
+"I guess it's a fairy story he's putting up, Frank. They told me about
+him up at the town. He answers the description of George Walden, all
+right," said Bluff.
+
+Frank saw the man start at mention of the name, and shiver.
+
+"That's your name, all right, I can see. Now, George, what have you been
+doing to make you hide out like this in the swamp?" demanded the other
+sternly.
+
+"Reckons as how I ain't wanted 'round dis section, boss. Ain't done
+nothin' so very ba-ad, but seems like we-uns kain't git on. Some o' the
+white gentlemen dey got it in fo' me, an' it was either a case o' hidin'
+out er takin' a coat o' tar an' feathers. I reckoned I'd rather lay in de
+swamp a while. But, boss, I 'clar tuh Moses I'se mighty nigh starved tuh
+death, I is."
+
+The man had evidently come to the conclusion that these Northern lads,
+with the motor-boat, could hardly be hunting fugitive blacks in the
+swamp. He was beginning to recover a little of his courage.
+
+"How about that, Bluff? What did the people in the town say he had done?"
+asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, nothing much, only, just as he says, he's an undesirable citizen
+around the place. I think they said he had a weakness for chickens, and
+could not keep from sneaking into a coop if half a chance presented
+itself," replied the other.
+
+Frank smiled.
+
+"Well, I believe that has never been called more than a weakness with
+a colored man, in the North. People who keep chickens should see to it
+that a poor fellow is not tempted beyond his strength. Locks are cheap
+enough. Then our friend George has not been doing anything particularly
+villainous?"
+
+"'Deed an' 'deed I ain't, boss. I's only wantin' tuh git outen dis
+kentry. I's got a darter married, an' livin' at Chattanooga. If I kin
+on'y git up dar, she'd nigh die wid happiness. An' if I felt a little
+stronger I'd try an' walk de hull way, so I would, young marse!"
+exclaimed the other eagerly.
+
+They could see him sniffing the air, after the manner of a hungry dog
+that scents a bone near by.
+
+"Sit down, George. I'm going to make you a pot of coffee such as you
+never tasted in all your life," said Will at this juncture.
+
+The negro turned his eyes upon him gratefully. He might be a
+ne'er-do-well, and a genuine nuisance around the town on the river where
+he had grown up, but to the generous-hearted lads from the North he was
+only a poor hungry human being, and fortune had been very good to them.
+
+"And I'll cook him some bacon. I bet it's been a long time since he put a
+bit between his teeth," declared Bluff, wishing to be in the game.
+
+"Good for you, boys! I think, myself, that this old fellow may have been
+more sinned against than sinning; though perhaps he's wise in wanting
+to make a change of base since they're all down on him around here. We
+ought to show our thanks for the many favors that have been showered on
+us, and the best way to do it is to help some less fortunate fellow."
+
+"Talk to me about your Good Samaritan! We've got several of 'em right
+here in this camp, and as I don't want to be left out in the cold, I'm
+going to make George here a present of that shirt I took such a dislike
+to. He won't mind the objectionable color, I reckon," spoke up Jerry.
+
+The black man sat there, grinning from ear to ear. He could hardly
+believe his hearing. These campers, whom he had at first feared were
+there to drag him back to town, so that he might afford sport for the
+young hotbloods, had turned out to be the only friends he had known for
+many a day.
+
+He tried to express his gratitude, but, of course, stumbled so that they
+told him they were ready to take it all for granted.
+
+When the meal was ready he ate until he could contain no more. Jerry
+watched him with a queer expression on his face, and for once he realized
+how near starvation a human being may get at times.
+
+At the same time, George was a bit uneasy. He kept looking around, as
+though he feared lest others might appear who would not be so kindly
+disposed toward him. Hence, after he had finished his supper, he showed a
+disposition to depart, telling them that he had a shack in the swamp.
+
+Frank did not attempt to hinder him, for he saw that the man could not
+wholly get over his suspicion that there might be some trick back of this
+generous hospitality. George had evidently been educated in the belief
+that no one ever assisted a black man unless he had an ax to grind.
+
+Before he went they gave him some bacon and a little can of ground
+coffee. As Cousin Archie had supplied much more than they could ever use
+on the trip, all of them thought they could easily afford to be a bit
+generous, since the occasion had come to their very door, as it were.
+
+When George had faded away in the shadows the boys resumed the tasks his
+coming had interrupted. Naturally enough, their conversation was in
+connection with the great questions which the South had had to struggle
+with since the emancipation proclamation had freed so many million blacks
+and placed them on their own responsibility.
+
+"I don't suppose any of you want to get the single tent out and sleep
+ashore to-night?" said Frank finally, as he saw his comrades yawning,
+as if ready to turn in.
+
+"Not me," answered Bluff immediately.
+
+"Some time later on I'm going to try it, but I want to get used to these
+queer scenes first," remarked Will.
+
+"He thinks an alligator might crawl up out of the river and gobble him
+up," laughed Jerry.
+
+"Well, we haven't heard from you yet. Are you getting out the tent?"
+asked Frank.
+
+"I would, only it's such a bother. On the whole, I'm contented with the
+snug little bunky on board," came the answer, at which Will shrugged his
+shoulders, as if to say he knew it would be so.
+
+"All right, then; let's go aboard. I'll fix up the fire here so it will
+burn a few hours anyway. Kind of cheerful to see it as a fellow sits out
+his watch. This log, pushed over to the blaze, might answer," observed
+Frank, suiting the action to his words.
+
+"Then we do keep a watch?" queried Bluff.
+
+Frank looked around at their gloomy and impressive surroundings and then
+raised his eyebrows in an expressive manner.
+
+"You just bet we do!" exclaimed Jerry. "Here's a swamp with all manner of
+wild animals in it, from alligators and wildcats to mosquitoes by the
+million. How do we know but what some of them might take a notion to come
+aboard in the night? I can see myself waking up to find a bobtailed cat
+cuddling up under my blanket with me; or a ten-foot 'gator sprawled out
+across Will, here, asking to have his picture taken. Tell me about that,
+will you, fellows?"
+
+"And then there may be other coons in hiding here; chaps who are wanted
+for something far more desperate than poor old George. They might murder
+us all in our sleep. Oh, yes, let us have a watch, by all means. I agree
+to sit it out for the first two hours if Frank will take the second,"
+cried Will.
+
+So it was settled. They went aboard, and made preparations for sleep. Of
+course, there were no regular bunks aboard the _Jessamine_, since the
+space was too limited to admit of such luxuries. When the cruisers wanted
+to retire, two of them made beds of the seats, and the others found
+a suitable couch in the bottom. In case of rain, the automobile top would
+protect them; but in dry weather it could be left partly off, so as to
+insure more air.
+
+Frank and Will had the seats first on this night, for it had been so
+arranged that they would change around each night, so as to give every
+fellow a chance. As Bluff put it, "just like we were playing a scrub game
+of ball, each one getting a chance to pitch and catch in turn."
+
+Will took up his place on the side toward the shore. It was some little
+time before his comrades all settled down, but finally he knew they
+slept. He sat there, watching the fire burn near by, and thinking of many
+interesting things, until, on striking a match, and examining his watch,
+he found that it was time he awoke Frank.
+
+He took the place of his chum when the other assumed the duties of guard,
+and being really sleepy by this time, quickly dropped off.
+
+Frank sat there, with his gun across his knees, also watching the fire.
+He had little idea that there would anything occur to disturb the
+serenity of the night, but believed "an ounce of prevention better than a
+pound of cure."
+
+"The old log seems to do its duty handsomely, after all. I wouldn't be
+surprised if it was still burning at daylight," he mused, as he continued
+to watch the fire creeping along the dry wood and slowly eating its way
+toward the other end.
+
+Then Frank started, as he saw a distinct movement in a little shadowy
+spot. It happened that the firelight did not reach this particular place,
+so that, strive as he might, he could not see distinctly.
+
+"There's something crawling along right there. I can see a dark figure
+move," he said to himself as he strained his eyesight the harder.
+
+Of course, his first thought was of the negro whom they had just fed.
+Perhaps to an irresponsible fellow like poor old George the temptation
+to try and steal something had been irresistible, and he was now creeping
+toward the motor-boat with the intention of getting aboard and laying
+hands on anything of value.
+
+Then, again, it might be another entirely, some rascal much more to be
+feared than George. Frank was not more than half a minute in making
+up his mind what the best course for him to pursue under the
+circumstances would be.
+
+"I'll give him a shot, firing far over his head. Whoever it is, the
+report must make him skedaddle like hot cakes," he thought, for he could
+not bear the idea of doing a fellow human being any bodily harm, no
+matter whether he were white or black.
+
+Having so decided, Frank raised his gun a trifle further, so that it bore
+on the tops of the cabbage palms beyond. Then his finger pressed the
+trigger, and with the sudden report he gave a tremendous yell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A FLORIDA SHERIFF
+
+
+There was an upheaval of various blankets, three faces peeped forth, and
+then came a wild scramble for weapons.
+
+"Wow! What is it, Frank!" bellowed Bluff.
+
+"My camera! Who took it away from where I placed it?"
+
+"Talk to me about that, will you! That fellow will howl after his
+blooming box when he goes to cross the Styx after he dies," grunted
+Jerry.
+
+Frank had paid no attention to his comrades. His eyes were glued upon the
+shadowy spot where he felt positive he had seen some creeping figure
+drawing closer to the boat, inch by inch.
+
+They heard him laugh aloud, as though something he had seen amused him.
+
+"Was it a thief? And did you shoot him?" asked Will, appalled.
+
+"A thief, all right; but I didn't shoot the beggar. Wish I had, now,"
+responded the watch, with regret in his voice.
+
+"Then it couldn't have been a human thief, for you'd never say that. Did
+you see the critter go?" came from Jerry, as he peered forth, gun in
+hand.
+
+"I fired high on purpose, for I was afraid it might be poor old George
+sneaking back to see if he could get away with any more of that fine
+bacon. Whatever it was, it made a flying leap back into the shadows. I
+thought I heard an angry or startled snarl, but you fellows made so much
+confusion as you bounced up that I couldn't be sure."
+
+"Jumped away, eh? Then I take it the thing must have been a bobcat," said
+Jerry.
+
+"Something along the cat family, anyway," replied Frank.
+
+"Look here! You don't mean to say it was--a panther?" demanded the other.
+
+"I'm not saying anything; but in the morning we'll go and take a look at
+the ground behind that second log over there. If there are any tracks,
+they ought to tell the story," remarked Frank, who, no matter how
+positive he might feel that this was just what he had seen, would not
+commit himself without some proof.
+
+"That's what I get for waking Frank up so soon. Oh! why didn't I hold out
+a little while longer? Nothing ever happens when I'm on duty, it seems. I
+must be a Jonah, that's what!" sighed Will disconsolately.
+
+"Why, what would you have done?" demanded Bluff.
+
+"Shot the intruder, but by snapping the trigger of my little flashlight
+pistol, and in that way I'd have taken a picture of the beast as it
+crouched there. I sat here, holding that pistol, and my camera, ready,
+for two mortal hours, in vain. I'm the most unlucky dog going."
+
+"Well, I notice that, after all, you manage to gather in your share of
+pictures. The trouble is, you want to corral everything going. Well, me
+to the bench again for another snooze. Wake me when you get tired of
+sitting up, Frank. If the critter comes again, let him have a charge,"
+said Jerry.
+
+"I certainly will, if I can make sure that it doesn't happen to be a
+man," was the reply of Frank.
+
+Apparently, the report of the shotgun had alarmed the beast, for he
+certainly did not show himself again. Whatever it was, the attractive
+smell around the vicinity of the campfire must have drawn him out of the
+neighboring swamp, just as it had Black George, earlier in the night.
+
+Both Jerry and Bluff took their turns, and in this way daylight found
+them undisturbed. Jerry had left his shotgun at home, and carried a rifle
+on this trip. He and Bluff had entered into many an argument because this
+new weapon was a six-shot gun; for Jerry had made all manner of fun over
+Bluff owning a shotgun built after the same principle, nor could they
+settle the dispute, Jerry claiming that it was all right in a rifle, as a
+man hunted big game with that, and his life might be in danger; while
+with the other weapon he usually only shot birds and inoffensive small
+animals; while Bluff declared that what was black for the pot was also
+black for the kettle.
+
+Going ashore, soon after getting up, Frank knelt down alongside the log
+where he had seen the shadowy figure bound off.
+
+"I say, Jerry!" he presently called out.
+
+"Want me?" asked that worthy, folding up his blanket so that it could
+hang and get the breeze, whether they moved on or remained where they
+were.
+
+"Yes. Come here. You'll be interested, I think."
+
+Jerry quickly reached his side.
+
+"What's doing?" he asked, eagerly searching with his eyes the ground near
+Frank.
+
+"Bend lower, for the sign is rather faint. What d'ye make of that, and
+that? Is it the paw of a bobcat?" asked the one on his knees, with an
+expressive smile.
+
+"Great Jehosaphat! No! Then it was a panther, after all!" cried Jerry.
+
+"I think I'm safe in saying yes to that question," replied Frank.
+
+"And now don't you wish you'd shot him?"
+
+"Well, yes, if I had been positive, which I couldn't be, under the
+circumstances, you see. Perhaps I may be lucky enough to run across one
+of the breed again when there can be no uncertainty, for I would like
+very much to say I'd knocked over a panther," was the reply Frank made.
+
+"Say! Shall we cook breakfast again on the shore?" called Will from on
+board the boat.
+
+"We might as well. There will be plenty of occasions when we'll just have
+to do it aboard, and this fire seems cheerful like," replied Jerry.
+
+Frank agreeing with him, they carried the necessary utensils ashore, and
+preparations were begun looking toward the getting of a bounteous meal.
+
+"Wonder how our good friend, Black George, feels this morning? Hello!
+We're going to have visitors, I see. Look what's coming down the river,
+boys!"
+
+As Bluff spoke they ceased eating and turned to gaze upstream. A boat was
+advancing rapidly, with the aid of the current and a pair of stout ashen
+oars. Several men occupied the craft which was quite roomy.
+
+"Say, they've got some dogs there. Ain't those bloodhounds, Frank?"
+whispered Will, for the boat was now close by, the men craning their
+necks to look at the launch.
+
+"I believe they are. Perhaps this is the sheriff on the run for our black
+friend, George," returned Frank.
+
+"Oh! I hope not. I don't believe the poor chap is as dangerous as all
+that. I have an idea he's more sinned against than sinning," replied
+Will, who always looked on the better side of those he met, and hence was
+an easy mark for sharpers.
+
+The men in the boat came ashore. Our friends then saw that the dogs were
+of a black-and-tan color, with long ears, and the aspect that
+distinguishes bloodhounds.
+
+"Mornin', neighbors. Takin' a trip down the river, I see. That's right.
+Like to see youngsters enjyin' themselves. I'm the sheriff o' this heah
+county, an' these gentlemen is my deputies. We're a-lookin' fo' a desprit
+scoundrel thet hes been doin' heaps o' mischief 'round heah. His latest
+work was tuh rob the house o' a cotton planter named Davis, an' nigh
+about kill the old man. We want him, an' we're jest 'bout determined
+not tuh go back without the skunk. Don't s'pose yuh could 'a' set eyes on
+sech a pizen critter, gents?" said the leader.
+
+He was a tall, lean man, with a hawklike nose and keen blue eyes. He wore
+a long frock coat, considerably the worse for wear, and this, with his
+slouch hat, gave him the appearance of a Western marshal, in the eyes of
+Jerry, at least.
+
+"Who was this scoundrel?" asked Frank uneasily.
+
+"His name is Bob Young, an' he's really the son o' a minister upcountry,
+but long ago his father cast him off as a scamp. He'll sure swing one o'
+these days," replied the sheriff, looking keenly at Frank, as though he
+suspected he might know something that he wanted to hear.
+
+"Then he's a white man?" asked the other quickly, and with evident
+relief.
+
+"Shore he is, an' the toughest ever. Seen any sign o' him, stranger?"
+
+"Not a thing. We had a coon in camp last night, starving, and we fed him.
+He was Black George, the man they ran out of town some time back,"
+ventured Frank.
+
+He saw that the dogs were nosing about, and feared lest they should set
+out on the trail of the poor wretch by mistake.
+
+The sheriff laughed.
+
+"Oh, our time's too valuable to fool away with that black trash. He ain't
+wuth shootin'. Come on, then, boys. Like tuh sit up with yuh, friends,
+an' have a snack, but we got to be on the move afore the trail below gits
+cold. Yuh see, we hed word 'bout Bob, an' we wanter git him this clip,
+sure. So-long, an' good luck! Thet thar is sure the boss little boat yuh
+got."
+
+And presently the sheriff and his posse faded from view under the long
+streamers of hanging Spanish moss that overshadowed the river below.
+
+"I'm just as glad. He gave me the creeps. That eye of his was fierce,"
+said Will.
+
+"Oh, that's because you've got a guilty conscience, I guess," laughed
+Jerry. "Now to me he was a picture of a strong character that would
+have made a good showing in our album," and he looked severely at Will.
+
+"Oh! What beastly luck! Why didn't I think of it in time? Another chance
+gone glimmering! I think you fellows are too mean for anything, not
+to remind me of these things in time. He would have embellished our album
+handsomely--and those dogs, too! How picturesque bloodhounds are! I feel
+sick."
+
+Will jumped up, snatched his camera, and stalked off beyond the edge of
+the camp, as if to brood alone. Presently they heard him calling:
+
+"Oh, Frank! Won't you come here for a minute? I'm just taking the picture
+of a big snake, and he's as angry as you please. There's a locust
+somewhere close by, too, keeping up a tremendous rattling. Please hurry!
+He won't wait long!"
+
+Frank, followed by Jerry, was off like a shot. His face turned white with
+sudden apprehension as he ran. Coming upon Will, kneeling there, and
+watching, he seized him by the shoulders and whirled him back,
+exclaiming:
+
+"Why, you greenhorn, don't you know that's a diamond-back rattler, coiled
+up and ready to launch himself at you?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+WILL DOES IT
+
+
+"Talk to me about babes in the woods!" gasped jerry.
+
+He was staring at the enormous rattler, that still kept up a buzzing with
+his rattle, and which sound poor Will had believed was made by a locust.
+
+"Shoot the thing, Jerry! You've been wise enough to fetch your gun!" said
+Frank.
+
+"That just suits me. Have you got all the snapshots you want, Will?"
+demanded Jerry, falling on one knee and elevating his rifle.
+
+"There! He's reforming! You see, he did actually think of me, for once.
+Oh, yes. I snapped him three times. I rather think he didn't like the
+sound, for he darted his head at me wickedly. I suspected it might be a
+rattlesnake, though," replied the photographer calmly.
+
+Then came a sharp report.
+
+"Keep back!" called Jerry as the snake's folds suddenly flew out; but its
+head was almost blown from its body, and there was no more danger to
+be feared.
+
+"I'll get the rattle, to remind you of your narrow squeak, Will," said
+Jerry.
+
+"That's kind of you, now; but I rather think you are getting it to remind
+you of your first shot at game with the new rifle," remarked Will.
+
+The others had by now come up to stare at the enormously thick snake,
+with more or less of a shudder.
+
+"How about having that skin, to make a belt or something?" suggested
+Bluff.
+
+"You're welcome to it, if you can take it off and properly dry if; but
+you're so squeamish about snakes I'd hardly think you'd care for the
+job," remarked Jerry.
+
+"I'll see. I heard Nellie say she always wanted a belt made out of a skin
+like that, and perhaps I may try to get it," concluded Bluff.
+
+"Are we going to proceed, or put in a day around here, fellows?" asked
+Frank.
+
+"I say stay. We may not get another chance at a swamp before we reach the
+open gulf, and I want to snap a dozen fine views off around here. I mean
+to take the little dinghy and push into the swamp a bit," ventured Will.
+
+"Say! he's getting real venturesome, ain't he?" laughed Jerry.
+
+"Next thing he'll be getting lost, and we'll have a deuce of a time
+finding him again. Make him take a compass along, Frank, and that old
+revolver of yours," growled Bluff.
+
+"Don't you worry about me, now. Perhaps you'll find I'm able to look out
+for myself far better than any of you give me credit for," returned the
+other, with a show of indignation.
+
+He went aboard to get ready, taking another roll of films along, for, as
+he remarked, there could be no telling what might turn up.
+
+"Try to keep your wits about you, Will, and don't venture too far away.
+If in doubt, fire the pistol three times, and we'll answer you," said
+Frank, who was not wholly easy about the exploring trip.
+
+"Got some grub along?" asked Bluff, for that was a very essential part of
+any undertaking, in his eyes.
+
+"Yes to everything. So-long, fellows! Don't let anybody run away with the
+motor-boat while I'm gone." And, with a merry laugh, Will dipped his
+paddle into the water, sending the little dinghy gliding toward the more
+quiet lagoons of the swamp.
+
+He was soon under the spell of his surroundings. These were so weird that
+the ardent photographer really forgot everything else. As he paddled
+along he saw a dozen pictures around him, and when he thought the light
+fair enough he took a time exposure.
+
+So an hour passed away. In all that time he had seen no evidence of life,
+save a few alligators, some wary 'coons, a 'possum hanging from a tree by
+its tail, and some birds, mostly crows or bluejays.
+
+In the water he had noted a variety of snakes. Remembering what Frank had
+told him about these gliding reptiles, Will was careful not to bother
+with them; for in all probability they were water moccasins, whose bite,
+if not so deadly as that of the diamond-back rattler, would cause a wound
+that might never heal, since it seems to put a certain poison into the
+flesh that brings about a running sore.
+
+Perhaps he ought to go back. He had succeeded in taking all of half a
+dozen good views, besides several of which he was not so certain.
+
+Then it dawned upon Will that, after all, he was not so sure that he knew
+which way he ought to go. True, he had a compass, and could tell where
+the north lay, as well as all other cardinal points, but the question
+was, did the camp lie east or south of where he happened to be just then?
+
+He cudgeled his brains to try to remember, so as to place himself.
+
+"Say! Perhaps I am lost, all right," he remarked, with a laugh, for it
+did not look at all serious just then, but more like a joke.
+
+Then he suddenly remembered that he had the only boat.
+
+"If they wanted to hunt for me they couldn't do it. To move about in this
+swamp without a boat would be impossible; that is, for a stranger; and
+the launch could never come here. Guess I'll shoot up a few and get my
+points."
+
+So saying, he banged away three times.
+
+Presently there was an answering series of shots, but very far distant.
+
+"Whew! I didn't dream I'd gone so far," he said, and having noted the
+direction from which the sounds seemed to come, he started to paddle
+hard.
+
+After half an hour's work he halted, tired, and perspiring freely.
+
+"This is no fun, I tell you. Wonder if I'm anywhere near? I might try
+again."
+
+This time there was no answer. The wind possibly kept those in camp from
+hearing the fusilade. Will began to grow alarmed. It was now high noon,
+and he felt hungry, so he disposed of the lunch he had carried, at
+Bluff's suggestion. Incidentally, he blessed his chum for thinking of
+such a thing.
+
+After that he paddled some more, until he grew very tired.
+
+"This begins to look some serious. What if I have to spend a night here?
+Gee! I won't like that much, I guess. Hello! What's that over yonder?
+Seems to me it might be some sort of a shack, made of palmetto leaves.
+Wonder who lives there? Ugh! What if it turns out to be that desperado
+the sheriff is hunting--Bob?"
+
+The idea oppressed him, and he felt like paddling away; but his case was
+desperate, and he determined to creep up and try to ascertain just who
+lived in the primitive-looking native shack.
+
+So, finding a chance to land on the little island among the dark waters
+of the lagoon, he started to advance cautiously in the direction of the
+dwelling, which was really the first Will had seen made of leaves.
+
+In spite of his fears, the fever of picture-taking was so strong in his
+breast that he had to stop once and level his camera at the picturesque
+shack. Then the familiar click announced that he had secured what he
+wanted.
+
+Perhaps that sound may have reached other ears, and been misconstrued to
+mean something else. Will might have realized this much could he have
+seen the dark figure creeping up on him, and lying flat on his stomach
+most of the time.
+
+As the boy reached the lonely shack he was about to put out his hand in
+an endeavor to draw aside some of the dry leaves so that he might peep
+within, when, without warning, a heavy form fell upon him, flattening him
+out on the sand.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE MOTOR-BOAT AND THE PROWLERS
+
+
+The unlucky young photographer gave a shriek. He could only think of that
+panther Frank had seen on the previous night, and believed that he was
+now in the power of the ferocious beast.
+
+As he fell forward he managed to twist himself around so that he lay
+almost on his back. This enabled him to look up into the face of the
+man who was pinioning him down so fiercely to the earth.
+
+"George!" he exclaimed.
+
+It was the same fugitive black who had visited their camp on the
+preceding night. He stared hard at the face of the one he was holding
+down.
+
+"Gorry! Am it you, young marse?" he exclaimed, as he released his savage
+clutch, and even attempted to help Will up.
+
+"Yes. I'm lost, you see. Tried to do too much. Taking pictures in the
+swamp, and kind of got a little mixed. But I'm glad to meet you again,
+George. Is this the place where you hold out?"
+
+The negro was breathing hard. He had evidently been greatly excited,
+under the belief that the creeping form had been one of his enemies, bent
+on effecting his capture, with the idea of furnishing sport for the
+idlers at the river town, through the medium of a little "tar and
+feathers party," so popular in some sections of the Southern backwoods.
+
+"I heerd a sound like it wor a gun bein' cocked. Dat must 'a' been de
+black box heah, suh. Gorry! but I's glad it wan't dem white trash from de
+town. I's jest a-gittin' ready tuh vamoose outen heah right smart now.
+I's gwine tuh Chattanooga, tuh jine my darter. An' dat grub yuh guv
+me'll kerry me part o' the way."
+
+"That's all right, George. Suppose you just take the time to paddle me
+back to our camp. I'll promise you a lot more provisions, and some money
+in the bargain. This is a serious scrape for me, and while my life may
+not amount to much, it does seem a pity to waste all the fine views I've
+taken in this old swamp. Will you go?"
+
+"'Deed an' I will, right peart, suh. You-all hev bin mighty good tuh me,
+an' I ain't gwine tuh forgit dat you sed as how I mightn't be just as
+bad as dey paint me. Git into de leetle boat, young mars, an' I'll paddle
+yuh home," said the old negro, with alacrity.
+
+"Hold on a minute, George! I want to shoot you first," observed Will.
+
+"Gorry! Will it hurt, marse?" asked the other, beginning to look worried
+as he saw the mysterious black box being aimed at him.
+
+"Not one-tenth as bad as having a tooth pulled out," laughed Will. "In
+fact, you probably would never know it. Please step back a little. You
+see, I'm trying to get the shack in, too. That's part of the game."
+
+Will snapped the camera shutter.
+
+"That's all. Didn't feel it, did you, George?"
+
+"Not so's I kin notice, suh. An' will dat show me an' de leetle shack
+w'en it's done fixed?" asked the fugitive wonderingly, eyeing the camera
+with respect.
+
+"Fine. And if you leave me your address, or that of your married daughter
+up in Chattanooga, I promise to send you a copy later on, George."
+
+"Oh! I'll do dat, marse, 'deed I will! Nebber hed my pictur' took yet. My
+gal, she'll be sure surprised tuh see dat!" exclaimed the negro, still
+grinning.
+
+"Well, we had better go now. Are you sure you can paddle me around to
+where the boat is tied up, George?"
+
+"Easy as fallin' off'n a log, suh. Git dar in 'bout a hour er so." And
+George dipped deeply, with the air of one who was accustomed to the
+paddle.
+
+Indeed, Will learned presently that he had a dugout canoe hidden near by,
+and in which he was accustomed to navigate the intricate channels of the
+great swamp. He had lived out here some time, and knew the place
+thoroughly.
+
+Will was sensible enough not to mention the fact that the sheriff and his
+posse, together with the two bloodhounds, had passed along that morning.
+Had he done so, the negro might have taken the alarm, and declined to
+accompany him farther.
+
+Things had turned out well, after all. If he had a faculty for tumbling
+into a scrape, at least he was usually fortunate enough to get out again
+all right.
+
+Before the hour was really up they came out of the swamp, and in sight of
+the tied-up motorboat. At sight of the dinghy the three boys gave shouts
+of delight.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, as he stared at Will, seated
+comfortably in the bow of the short little craft, while the old negro,
+crouching in a limited area farther aft, plied the spruce paddle. "He
+comes back in style, with a guide to show him the way!"
+
+"Better that than to stay in that gloomy place, eh, Frank? Oh, I got
+lost, all right, but happened to find the shack of our good friend
+George, who rescued me."
+
+"Ain't he the honest chap, though? Ready to acknowledge the corn, no
+matter what the consequences," declared Bluff.
+
+"And I promised George some more of our extra provisions, if you have no
+objections, fellows. He's going to start for Chattanooga right off. I
+didn't mention about the sheriff and his posse, for I was afraid it might
+alarm the poor fellow. Better not say anything to him about it," remarked
+Will aside.
+
+"And they don't want him, anyhow. Give George just what you and Frank
+think we can spare. I feel sorry for the old man, too. Say! did you get
+his photo this time, Will?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Thank you, I did, and standing beside that wonderful shack, made of
+palmetto leaves. I'm glad to see that you're beginning to take an
+interest in my work. Keep it up, Jerry. We'll all enjoy the pictures
+later on," remarked Will.
+
+The boys had eaten lunch, but that did not deter them from getting
+another ready, and both Will and the negro did full justice to it.
+
+"Here, George, is the package of food for you to carry on your long trip.
+And I want you to take this, also. It's only five dollars, but it may
+help out on the way to Chattanooga," said Will, slipping the bill into
+the old fellow's black hand.
+
+George looked at it as though he could not believe his eyes.
+
+"Five dollahs! Gorry! dat am mo' dan I done see dis t'ree yeahs, suh!
+Five dollahs! If I kin on'y keep dat till I sees my gal, Cleopatrick, how
+her eyes'll stick out!" he said, scratching his white wool in delight,
+while his eyes glistened.
+
+"Say that name again, will you?" murmured Jerry, gripping the arm of
+Frank as if taken suddenly ill.
+
+"Cleopatrick. Dat's my darter, suh. She merried a right smart nigger, an'
+he's got a barber shop up dar. His name it am Samuel Parker White, an' if
+so be yuh ebber wants tuh send me one ob dat pictur', jest drap it dar.
+I's over-whelmed wid gratefulness, 'deed I is. Dey won't ebber be
+troubled wif George Duval 'round these diggin's ag'in, dat's so, suh."
+
+"But think of the henroosts up there about poor old Chattanooga," said
+Jerry in Frank's ear, though the latter frowned at him for saying it.
+
+After a short time old George took his departure on foot. He said that it
+was his intention to start immediately for the North. He had a few things
+at his shack he wanted to get, when he would depart from the soil of
+Florida forever.
+
+"Happy Florida!" muttered the irrepressible Jerry.
+
+Nevertheless, each of them shook the old darky's hand, in parting, and
+wished him the best of good luck.
+
+"Well, what had we better do, boys?" asked Frank when they found
+themselves once more alone.
+
+"I'm for getting out," said Will.
+
+"That surprises me some, for it was you who wanted to stay," remarked
+Bluff.
+
+"Well, we stayed, didn't we? I only want to mention the fact that I'm
+satisfied, if the rest of you are. I've secured all the swamp scenes I
+care for," retorted Will.
+
+"I say move on. We can find a better place than this to sleep to-night.
+Why, the skeeters nearly carried me away last night," declared Jerry.
+
+"And I'm beginning to be anxious, myself, for a glimpse of that wonderful
+gulf, not to say a taste of those delicious oysters," put in Bluff.
+
+"That settles it, then. Let's get the things aboard, and drop downstream
+a few miles, anyway."
+
+Frank suited his action to his words by picking up some of the cooking
+utensils and starting to clean them. This task was soon accomplished,
+and by degrees all their property that had been taken ashore was stowed
+away on the boat.
+
+Then finally, Jerry, whose business it seemed to be to mind the hawsers,
+unfastened the rope that held the bow of the boat, still pointing with
+the current, just as they had stopped.
+
+"Tell me when!" he called out as he stood by to repeat this maneuver with
+the second hawser at the stern.
+
+The motor began to chug away cheerily.
+
+"There's life about that sound, all right," laughed Will, who had been
+impressed with the dreadful monotony and stillness of the swamp.
+
+"Let her loose!" called Frank, at the wheel.
+
+So they once more started toward the open sea. There were still quite a
+few miles to be traversed, however, before they could set eyes on that
+same open water. The river was as "crooked as a New York alderman's
+record," as Jerry declared, and so it was that in order to advance five
+miles in a straight line they were compelled to navigate three times that
+distance on the water.
+
+When the afternoon had waned they found a good place for a halt.
+
+Again they cooked a royal supper. When four healthy boys are off on a
+lark of this sort the subject of eating is always one of their chief
+concerns, which must account for the space which it occupies in records
+of cruising and camping trips.
+
+Will did not go ashore that evening. Indeed, somehow, none of them cared
+to stay alone, though Jerry did build up quite a roaring fire, just
+because he was fond of seeing the flames leap up in frolic.
+
+As before, they divided the night into four watches, and this time Will
+chose to take the one that would bring him on deck from about midnight to
+two.
+
+When it came his turn he sat there holding his camera faithfully, and
+hoping for something to happen; but it did not come, and he was finally
+forced to arouse Bluff to take his place.
+
+The latter did so rather unwillingly. Bluff was unusually sleepy, it
+seemed, and inclined to believe that this watch business was all humbug,
+anyway. What did they need to fear? Possibly there was not a human being
+within five miles of where the motor-boat was tied up.
+
+So Bluff grew a bit careless. Two or three times he napped while on duty,
+and as nothing came of it he made up his mind that there could not be any
+danger. So he settled himself more comfortably on the seat and allowed
+his eyes to close once more.
+
+How long he slept Bluff never knew. He was awakened by some sound, but he
+could not tell what it was.
+
+He did not move, but sat there trying to remember just where he was, and
+after satisfying his mind with regard to that point, wondered what it was
+that had disturbed his dreams.
+
+Not hearing any repetition of the noise, he was about to drop off again,
+his eyes feeling very heavy, when he saw something move. Was that Frank,
+or one of the other boys, who had been ashore, climbing back to the boat?
+
+Bluff gripped his gun, and kept on the watch. Whoever it might be, he
+evidently did not want to arouse the sleepers, for he was very careful
+how he stepped after he had come aboard.
+
+Bluff caught a glimpse of the other's face as the dying fire on shore
+chanced to flare up. He made the alarming discovery that it was a white
+man, but a stranger; and then and there he remembered about the sheriff's
+hunt for the desperado!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+BLUFF'S FIRST 'GATOR
+
+
+"Don't you move a hand or foot, you rascal!" cried Bluff sternly as he
+suddenly sat up, with leveled gun.
+
+The unknown pillager was only a comparatively few feet away, so that it
+was easy for him to see the weapon covered him. Immediately he elevated
+his hands, as if to signify that he surrendered.
+
+"What is it, Bluff?" asked a quiet voice, and Frank appeared from the
+bottom of the boat.
+
+By then the thief must have determined that unless he took chances he
+would be made a prisoner. He gave a sudden yell, and threw himself over
+the gunwale of the boat. By chance it was the side toward the water, and
+they heard the splash that announced his arrival below.
+
+"Some fellow aboard, bent on stealing everything we had!" exclaimed
+Bluff.
+
+"Was it George?" gasped Will, aghast at the possibility of such
+ingratitude.
+
+"No; a white man. See! There he goes, swimming across the river!"
+
+The light was not very good, but they could see a sort of phosphorescent
+glow on the water, where some object was struggling for the opposite
+bank.
+
+Bluff half leveled his gun, when Frank shoved it aside.
+
+"You wouldn't want to kill him, even if he is a desperate case. I guess
+he got little or nothing. Let him go. The sheriff will be along after him
+soon," he said.
+
+"But what is that trailing after him, Frank?" echoed Will.
+
+"Where?" demanded the other quickly.
+
+"Why, look right there! And whatever it is, it's catching up with him
+fast, too! I believe it must be an alligator!" exclaimed Will.
+
+"I had a glimpse of a big fellow hovering under the boat at dusk. I think
+he was after the refuse we threw over. Would he hurt a swimmer?" asked
+Bluff.
+
+"I don't know. I wouldn't want to try his appetite, that's all. Could you
+give the beast a shot without hitting the man, Bluff?" asked Frank
+eagerly.
+
+"Why, yes; for at this short distance the shot won't scatter much."
+
+As he spoke Bluff took quick aim. He was only too glad to be able to make
+use of his gun in so good a cause. The thief might be all they painted
+him, and yet he was a white man, and a minister's son in the bargain, the
+sheriff had said.
+
+With the heavy report there was a combination of sounds. The man in the
+water gave a yell, as though he fancied the shot had been aimed at him. A
+short distance away, the water was being threshed wildly by some unwieldy
+object.
+
+"I hit him all right!" shouted the excited marksman.
+
+Some vigorous language came floating across from where the man was now
+dragging himself out of the river.
+
+"Say, Bob Young! You didn't think we shot at you, did you? There was a
+big 'gator after you, and he'd got you, too, only for that shot. Better
+make yourself scarce around these regions. The sheriff is after you, with
+dogs and a posse."
+
+Frank called this out after the fleeing shadowy figure that was just
+halting on the edge of the bank opposite.
+
+"Thanks!" came in a hoarse voice, followed by a reckless laugh. "But
+he'll find it a hard job to corner me, you bet!"
+
+That was the last they ever saw of Bob Young. In the morning, sure
+enough, the baying of a hound was heard, and presently along came the
+sheriff with his two dogs and the grim deputies.
+
+"Mornin', boys! Reckon yuh may 'a' seen sumpin o' my man this heah time,
+as he's sure been close tuh yuh!" he called out while still some distance
+off.
+
+"Yes. He tried to rob us last night, and jumped overboard when
+discovered," returned Frank.
+
+"And swam across to the other side. He was followed by a 'gator, that
+might have got him, too, only for our chum, Bluff, here, giving the
+reptile a shot," proceeded Jerry; while aside he said: "Get busy, Will,
+with that shebang of yours. Now's your chance to snap him off!"
+
+"What's that, suh? If anybody tries to snap me off they're sure liable
+tuh get punctured some!" exclaimed the sheriff, whose ears were as keen
+as his eyes.
+
+Frank laughed as he said:
+
+"He means with a camera, Mr. Sheriff. My friend was sorry he didn't get
+your picture before, that's all. But if you want to cross over we can let
+you use our little dinghy here."
+
+"Now, that's very considerate o' yuh, suh. I accept with pleasure, and
+when we round that rapscallion up, as we surely will before callin' the
+game off, yuh can have the satisfaction of knowing yuh hev helped the
+forces of law an' order, suh, to put an end tuh the career o' a most
+notorious rascal. I neglected tuh tell yuh before that this Bob Young is
+wanted fo' many crimes."
+
+Frank tied a long rope to the dinghy, so that after the sheriff and his
+men and dogs were well over he could pull the boat back again. The dogs
+swam across, and the three men filled the small craft so full that there
+was danger of its capsizing.
+
+However, they managed to get over in safety, and Will took a fine view of
+the strange ferry, with the dogs swimming alongside, while they were in
+midstream. The sheriff was so obliging as to actually pose for the
+picture.
+
+"Heah's yuh 'gator over on the bank, suh. He must have crawled out to
+die, a most unusual thing for the varmints to do, as they generally sink
+like a rock, tuh stay down fo' several days!" he called out.
+
+Then the posse vanished on the fresh trail of the desperado.
+
+"I rather think they'll get Bob," ventured Frank. "That sheriff is a
+determined man, and he's enlisted in this hunt for keeps. How about going
+over to view the remains, Bluff?" he asked as he pulled the dinghy in.
+
+"That's just what I was about to propose. My first 'gator, so perhaps I'd
+like to get his hide, if possible, or some of his teeth, anyway,"
+returned the other, getting into the small boat with Frank.
+
+Sure enough, they found a dead alligator up on the bank. The load of
+shot, fired at such a short distance, must have gone pretty much like a
+bullet. Some of them had entered his protuberant eyes, and by accident
+must have pierced his brain.
+
+"A lucky shot, all right. I don't believe it could ever happen again,
+especially when the one who fired was almost behind the 'gator,"
+commented Frank.
+
+"How big is he?" asked the one who had slain the reptile.
+
+"I should say all of ten feet, perhaps even eleven. They seldom grow
+bigger than twelve down here, I'm told, so this one is something of a
+whopper. If the alligator man I talked with at Coney Island a year ago
+told the truth, then this one must be several hundred years old."
+
+"Whew! Perhaps he saw Columbus land!" suggested Bluff humorously, for he
+could not quite believe any such tale.
+
+He concluded merely to knock out a tooth or two, to remember the event,
+but when Will heard about it he insisted on being ferried over so as to
+get a picture of their first Florida 'gator, with the proud Bluff
+standing beside it, to prove its length.
+
+They got under way about eight o'clock.
+
+Just at that time Jerry said he heard some distant shooting. It seemed to
+come from the direction the sheriff and his party had gone, so they
+wondered if they could have come up with the fugitive Bob, and whether
+those shots had any reference to the two hounds.
+
+"I think the fellow must have been armed, and unless his gun became
+useless after his bath last night, his first care would be to shoot down
+the dogs, so as to cut off pursuit," ventured Frank.
+
+They afterward learned, however, by making inquiries, that the sheriff
+got his man, wounded, and that Bob later on paid the penalty of his
+crime.
+
+By noon that day they came to a sawmill, where a party of convicts, under
+guard, were making cypress shingles. Our boys did not put in, for the
+sight was anything but pleasing to them; although Will did think it wise
+to get a picture of the camp, so as to add variety to his collection.
+
+About three o'clock they suddenly came to a little town. Here they
+stopped only a brief time, Frank going ashore to post some letters and
+purchase a few things he had on his list.
+
+Once more they were afloat.
+
+"I've got some pleasant news for you, fellows," said Frank, about an hour
+or so after they had lost sight of the settlement in the woods.
+
+"Along what line?" asked Will.
+
+"I think I can guess. For some time I've been sniffing the air, and ready
+to declare that it had a whiff of salt in it!" exclaimed Jerry.
+
+"And I could, in imagination, smell those fine fat oysters roasting,"
+said Bluff, smacking his lips in anticipation.
+
+"You're on, all right. The gulf is close at hand. Indeed, I'm adding a
+little speed just now, in the hope that we may be able to open it up
+before night," remarked Frank.
+
+"How about that bend, just below? Somehow, it strikes me that once we
+round that something may be doing. It's just a sneaking notion, but you
+wait," ventured Jerry.
+
+Ten minutes later they swept around the bend in question, and a cry burst
+from every lip, for there, in the light of the declining sun, lay the
+great Mexican Gulf, stretching as far in the distance as the eye could
+see.
+
+The river cruise was ended, and another kind of adventure lay before
+them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+ALL THE COMFORTS OF SALT WATER
+
+
+"Why are you slowing up, Frank?"
+
+"Yes, just when we ought to make a grand burst of speed, too," said
+Jerry.
+
+"You forget that the sun is low, and evening close at hand," replied
+Frank,
+
+"Tell me about that, and what it has to do with us. I'm a greeny when it
+comes to running a motor-boat."
+
+"Oh, the boat has little to do with it; but please remember that the Gulf
+of Mexico is a larger affair than Camalot Lake. In fact, it means the
+ocean, with all that implies. Suppose we were caught off-shore the very
+first night with no place to go?"
+
+"That would be tough, for a fact. I think I see what you mean, Frank.
+We'll anchor in the mouth of the river to-night--is that it?" continued
+Jerry.
+
+"Just what I wanted to say. Then in the morning, after we have studied
+our gulf chart, we can lay out our day's work, if the wind is favorable."
+
+"Wind! Why, we can go whether it blows or not!" ejaculated Will, who had
+already taken a snapshot of the picture presented by the open water
+beyond the island in the mouth of the river.
+
+"Particularly when not. If anything of a south wind is on, the waves are
+apt to stagger such a little boat as this."
+
+Frank had kept his eyes about him while he talked. He now brought the
+_Jessamine_ alongside the bank at the most favorable spot he could see.
+
+Jerry was ashore immediately.
+
+"Make her additionally secure to-night," said Frank.
+
+"Why, what d'ye expect--a hurricane?" And Will looked anxiously at the
+clear sky.
+
+"Oh, I guess not; but you see we are now in the region of tides, and a
+change might swing us around, perhaps break the boat away from shore.
+We'd feel nice if we woke up in the morning to find ourselves out of
+sight of land," laughed Frank.
+
+Of course he was joking, but Will looked serious for some time. He even
+went ashore, after Jerry had finished his job, and Frank, watching out of
+the corner of his eye, was amused to see him bending down and examining
+the ropes, as if to make certain they were securely tied.
+
+Will was the possessor of a different nature from his three chums. He
+could show courage, when necessary, but, as a usual thing, was much
+more given to sentiment, and in physique he could hardly compare with any
+of the others.
+
+Bluff had also gone ashore, and vanished from view. Frank could easily
+give a guess as to what sort of an errand he was on. It hardly needed
+glimpses of him bending over the spots where there were shoals along the
+tideway to understand that he was looking to see whether the one dearest
+wish of his heart was about to be fulfilled.
+
+"I guess he'll find some, at last," laughed Frank, after calling Jerry's
+attention to the fact that the other had gone.
+
+"Bluff is daft on the subject of oysters, all right. He never seems to
+tire of eating them in season, and yet he says he never picked one up
+on the spot where it grew. He seems to be coming back, Frank!" exclaimed
+Jerry, who was working with some fishing tackle that he had found aboard,
+and which Cousin Archie had used before in Southern waters.
+
+"Hey! They're right here, and in tremendous quantities! Where's that
+oyster knife, Frank? Give it to me, please. I want to try a few right on
+the bed where they grew. Give me a tin kettle, too, and I'll open a mess
+for supper!" cried the boy ashore, as he reached the boat.
+
+"Take care you don't cut your fingers. If these oysters are small, and
+stand up on edge, in clusters, they're called coon oysters, and have a
+sharp shell that is like a razor," said Frank as he handed the articles
+over.
+
+"Why coon oysters?" demanded Bluff, who always wanted to know.
+
+"Perhaps because they lie on shore, exposed at low water, and the 'coons
+manage to get a mess occasionally," put in the wise Jerry.
+
+So Bluff hurried away around the bend, to amuse himself to his heart's
+content opening native oysters right where they grew, something he had
+looked forward to doing with almost childish delight.
+
+Jerry, having arranged his tackle, got ready to do a little fishing, for
+it was still half an hour to sunset. He had discovered that there were
+mullet jumping out of the water here and there, "acrobats of the gulf,"
+Frank called them.
+
+Among other things aboard the motor-boat they had found a contraption
+which Frank said was a small Spanish cast-net. It had a row of leads
+along the bottom, with leading strings passing up through a central ring.
+Frank had read directions how to use this, and he amused himself making a
+few trials while Jerry was busy.
+
+At first he came near pulling a few teeth out, for it is a part of the
+program that one of the leads must be held between the teeth while others
+are gathered up in the hands as the net is flung out over the water by a
+sharp rotary motion that spreads it open as it strikes.
+
+The leads instantly sink, covering a space often ten feet or more in
+diameter; then, by drawing quickly at the rope, the cords are pulled
+through the ring and the net closes in like a purse, holding whatever
+fish it may have covered when thrown.
+
+After a few trials Frank succeeded in catching a couple of silver mullet
+that had been unable to escape his clumsy attempts.
+
+"I'll get the hang of it after a while," he said, as he tossed these into
+the little dinghy where Jerry was taking his place, "but those may do you
+for bait this evening, old fellow."
+
+"Bully for you, Frank! Always coming to the rescue. I was just wondering
+what I should use, and had an eye on some big blue crabs swimming along
+there on the bottom. With the dip-net I might have caught a few. If Bluff
+sees them he'll never stop talking about fried crabs." And Jerry pushed
+off.
+
+"Good luck to you, sportsman!" called Frank.
+
+He had a number of things he wanted to do himself, and only cast an
+occasional glance out to where Jerry had anchored the dinghy, opposite
+to where the motor-boat was tied up.
+
+Will was fussing around, doing something or other. He always made so
+much bustle whenever he had anything on hand that his chums frequently
+called him an "old woman," but this never seemed to bother the ardent
+photographer, who pursued his way in spite of laughter or ridicule.
+
+After a while he came and sat down near where Frank was arranging the
+three little single blue-flame stoves that formed the cooking range of
+the boat.
+
+"I was just thinking, Frank," said he, "that I've never heard you say a
+word about that mysterious packet your father entrusted to you before
+we left home."
+
+"Well, I've often thought about it as I felt it in my pocket, but you see
+there's nothing to be done until we sight Cedar Keys. Then I'll break the
+seal and read further directions," replied Frank.
+
+"Of course you've speculated about it?" went on Will.
+
+"Lots of times, but always arrived at the same old point--that I couldn't
+guess in a year what it meant," laughed the other.
+
+"Do you think it could be a joke?" asked Will.
+
+"Never. My dad was too serious when he gave it to me; and besides, he
+never jokes like that. We must wait a little while, and then learn the
+truth. Depend on it, he had a good reason for what he did. I expect we'll
+get something of a big surprise."
+
+"There comes Bluff, and I really believe the fellow's got some oysters
+opened, by the way he carries that kettle," said Will.
+
+"And just look at the expression on his face, will you? A fellow who had
+won a first prize in school could hardly seem more tickled."
+
+"Oh, I've got 'em, all right, boys, about a big quart, too, and only cut
+myself half a dozen times," cried Bluff, laughing as he scrambled aboard.
+
+"And I give you fair warning that those cuts will hurt worse to-morrow
+than they do now. Let me see. Well, they do look pretty fine. I reckon
+you've got lots of broken shells in with the oysters, so I'll take care
+to strain the mess. How shall we have them for the first, boys?" asked
+Frank.
+
+"I'm just hankering for scalloped oysters, but perhaps a stew would be
+easier to start with. We have the unsweetened milk, you know, and they
+say that answers first rate. How are you on that, Frank?"
+
+"I can manage it first rate. Are you fond of a stew, Will?"
+
+"Yes. I like them any way. But I was watching Jerry out there. What under
+the sun is he doing?"
+
+Frank cast a quick glance out over the water.
+
+"He's got a fish on, and it seems to be a big one, too!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Why, it's pulling his boat around like fun! Look at that, will you? Say!
+be careful, Jerry, or overboard you go!" shrieked Will.
+
+"There! He's headed this way, now, and going faster than ever! I never
+saw such a thing before, in all my life! What can it be, Frank?" cried
+Bluff, excited.
+
+"I don't know for certain, but I'd venture to say he's fast to a shark!"
+answered Frank, hurrying to the side of the motor-boat to see better.
+
+"A shark! Great Caesar's ghost! What will become of him? Why, the brute
+is carrying our pard off! There he goes, faster and faster, and headed
+straight out toward the open gulf! Jerry, let him go!" called Will in his
+excitement.
+
+Jerry, in the little cockleshell of a dinghy, was whirling past as this
+cry rang out. He turned to wave a hand at his chums, and they heard him
+singing:
+
+"A life on the ocean wave for me, my boys!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MOTOR
+
+
+"Say! he's going off, dead sure!" exclaimed Will, in distress.
+
+"He certainly seems to be having a free ride out to sea," remarked Frank.
+
+"But that little craft will upset, and let him drown, Frank! Can't you
+stop him from such mad capers?" continued the other.
+
+Frank put his hands up to his mouth in such fashion that they formed a
+sort of megaphone, and allowed his voice to carry far.
+
+"I say, Jerry!" he bawled.
+
+"Hello!" came faintly from the onrushing fisherman, who was sitting in
+such fashion as to properly balance his small pumpkin-seed-shaped craft
+as it sped over the water, so rapidly as to leave a sheet of white foam
+behind.
+
+"Cut loose! Danger!" shouted Frank.
+
+"Did he hear you, Frank?" asked Will anxiously.
+
+"I guess so. Anyhow, he seems to be moving toward the bow, where his line
+is fast. I hope he has a knife with him, that's all," replied Frank,
+straining his eyes to see what was going on, for the sun had set, and
+already dusk was just commencing to gather over the water.
+
+"He always carries one in his fishing bag," declared Bluff, not a little
+alarmed himself over this new source of danger, so utterly foreign to
+anything they had ever experienced before.
+
+"There! He's done it! Hurrah!" shouted Will in relief.
+
+"I bet he hated to let that thing go!" said Bluff, who knew the
+determined nature of the fisherman full well.
+
+"And he's lost his line, and the hook, too," commented Will.
+
+"That's of little consequence, for there are plenty more where they came
+from. I'm glad he was sensible enough not to carry the joke too far,"
+observed Frank.
+
+Jerry came paddling slowly back. Apparently he wanted to continue his
+fishing, but his good sense told him the hour was really too late.
+
+"Talk to me about your toboggan slides! What could compare with that
+jolly old dash? Peary wasn't in it with me. I've heard of boats pulled
+by dolphins, but give me a shark every time for a racer. I'm only sorry I
+had to cut loose so soon," he said as he came aboard.
+
+"I see you have one mullet left, Jerry. After supper we'll get out a
+couple of lines, and fish from the motor-boat. Perhaps we can pick up
+a channel bass or a weakfish, which I am told they call a sea trout down
+here."
+
+"A good idea, Frank. I'll just get the lines ready while you look after
+supper. Glad to see Bluff managed to find his oysters. Perhaps we'll have
+a rest now, and he'll quit sighing after the same. But they look fine and
+dandy, too."
+
+The boys did not wonder so much now at the size of the hooks they had
+found in Cousin Archie's assortment of war material, each of them
+fastened on a heavy but pliable brass snell, and with copper wire instead
+of thread. Florida sea fishing requires such heavy tackle, because one is
+never certain whether he may hook a forty-pound channel bass or a shark,
+and an ordinary hook would be quickly torn loose.
+
+The oyster stew turned out well. Every one was loud in praise of its
+splendid qualities, and Bluff was given to understand that they did not
+care how often he supplied the larder with a pail of fresh bivalves.
+
+He did not seem just quite so eager to promise, and Frank suspected that
+those nasty little cuts on his fingers were beginning to be painful.
+
+The supper over, the boys sat around, taking it easy, and looking out
+upon the open space where they knew the mysterious gulf lay, about which
+they had read so much in the past.
+
+Once they saw lights moving along, which must certainly have belonged
+to some sort of craft, either a steamer bound for New Orleans, or else
+some private steam yacht, the owner of which was cruising in these
+sub-tropical waters for pleasure.
+
+Jerry had cast out a line from the bow and a second one from the stern.
+As the depth of water was good, it did not much matter how far from shore
+the bait lay.
+
+"Hope something gets hold before we turn in," he said, after carrying out
+his part of the program.
+
+"Yes; fresh fish for breakfast wouldn't taste bad," remarked Bluff.
+
+"Bah! That's the only thing you think of, Bluff. Now, if you had any
+genuine sporting blood in your veins it would be the last thing you
+bothered about. Let me shoot the game, or catch the fish, and I don't
+care who eats them," said Jerry.
+
+"All the same, I noticed that you passed up your dish for a second
+helping of stew," remarked the other instantly.
+
+"Pure philanthropy, my dear boy, that's why I did that," answered Jerry.
+
+"Huh! How do you make that out?" demanded Bluff.
+
+"Why, you see, I was afraid you'd make yourself sick eating so much, and
+out of the goodness of my heart I sacrificed my better feelings in order
+to save you."
+
+Bluff said nothing, but the grunt he gave was deeply significant of
+skepticism.
+
+While they were talking, a while later, Jerry suddenly gave utterance to
+a whoop, and sprang to where one of the lines was fastened. This he began
+dragging in, although it seemed to take considerable effort.
+
+"He's a dandy, all right! Frank, get Cousin Archie's gaff hook, and stand
+ready to yank him aboard when I get him alongside!" he called.
+
+This was finally accomplished, and with considerable splashing a
+magnificent bronze-backed channel bass, weighing at least twenty pounds,
+was captured.
+
+The boys were delighted. Here was a new treat, indeed. In comparison with
+the trout and black bass that had, up to now, constituted their only game
+fish, this was tremendous. Still, later on, Frank was satisfied that a
+one-pound black bass, held with a light fly-rod, could give more sport to
+the square inch than any fish in Florida waters.
+
+There was nothing more doing up to the time they went to bed. In the
+morning they found the hook gone from the other line. Frank said they
+must have caught a shark, or else another large bass, which, in twisting
+about, had broken the tackle. Still, they were not sorry, for they would
+not have known what to do with more.
+
+"That's what I call fresh fish," said Bluff, as he sighed because he
+could not eat another bite of the tempting dish.
+
+"It does go pretty good," admitted Jerry, with a wink toward Frank.
+
+Sometimes Frank was of the opinion that the name of "Bluff" had been
+bestowed on the wrong fellow, for Jerry was inclined to play the part
+much more than the one who bore the odium that went with the name.
+
+"Now to get under way and move out on the gulf!" exclaimed Will, in some
+excitement, as the breakfast things were put away and the deck cleared
+for action.
+
+Frank had taken a careful observation, and announced that there did not
+seem to be any reason why they should linger there longer. His chart
+showed him a refuge some fifteen miles along the coast, to the east,
+where they could run in should it be deemed necessary. If the weather
+kept good they could speed another fifteen miles, and make a second
+lagoon sheltered behind outlying islands.
+
+These things are easy enough to plan. It sometimes happens, however, that
+in attempting to carry them out a hitch occurs which no one has dreamed
+possible. Now, it might come in the shape of sudden winds that kick up a
+tremendous sea; again, there might be a breakdown of the motor, as may
+happen with any boat, no matter how well built.
+
+They made a flying start, and all the boys were thrilled when they found
+themselves far out from land, and headed along the coast, toward the
+east. Later on, of course, their line of travel would be south, as the
+coast turned and they drew nearer to their destination, Cedar Keys.
+
+Everything seemed to be working nicely, and they had soon put half a
+dozen miles behind them. Frank was attending to the motor, while the
+others lay about on the deck, watching the heavens or the surrounding
+water.
+
+Not a breath of wind seemed to be blowing, and the sun came down with
+summer heat, causing coats to be discarded by all hands.
+
+"Hey! What's that? Where's the blooming shore gone?" suddenly exclaimed
+Bluff.
+
+Frank raised his head at the cry.
+
+"It's a fog coming up!" he said uneasily, for that was the one thing he
+had dreaded most of all while out upon the open waters of the big gulf,
+and no haven near at hand.
+
+With incredible swiftness the blanket seemed to sweep over the surface of
+the sea. In ten minutes they were completely surrounded, and could not
+discern any object fifty feet away.
+
+"This is awkward, fellows; but perhaps it may not last long. Meanwhile,
+we will have to steer by the compass. All of you listen to hear the wash
+of the rollers on the beach, if we happen to get in too close," said
+Frank, trying to keep calm.
+
+They continued along for half an hour, under reduced speed. Still the fog
+remained as dense as ever. Frank was wondering if they might not pass the
+first haven without knowing it. He thought it was very unfortunate that
+such a thing as this should occur on their very first day out.
+
+"Hello! What are you stopping for?" demanded Jerry suddenly, as the sound
+of the bustling little motor ceased and the boat slowed down.
+
+Frank was bending low over the machinery.
+
+"I don't know, fellows, but something has happened to the motor. That
+stop was none of my doing; but I hope it won't amount to much," he
+said cheerfully.
+
+The other three looked at each other uneasily. With the motor broken
+down, and surrounded by a treacherous fog, out there on the big gulf,
+their situation was one well calculated to cause alarm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+LOST IN THE FOG
+
+
+"What's to be done?" asked Will presently.
+
+"I'm looking the motor over, first of all. Perhaps it's a small matter,
+and I can fix it up. Sometimes these new machines act a bit cranky. Want
+of oil will even bring about trouble. Jerry, you take a look with me. Two
+heads are often better than one," said Frank.
+
+"Can we do anything?" questioned Bluff.
+
+"Just try and see if you can hear a sound like water washing up on the
+beach. We couldn't land with this boat as though it were smaller."
+
+"That's a fact. Say! if we were in our canoes, now, how easy it would be
+to run up on that same beach, lift the jolly little craft out, and go
+ashore! As it is, we must stay afloat, and take the chances of a storm
+coming up."
+
+"Storm!" echoed Will, looking hastily around. "Oh, come, now! You don't
+think there can be any danger of that happening, do you, Frank?"
+
+"Hardly. If a little breeze rises, it may carry this beastly old fog
+away, and then we can see where we are. Meanwhile, Jerry and I will try
+to find out what it is that makes our motor balk just when we want it
+most."
+
+They sat there for a long while, Bluff and Will looking this way and
+that, to see if there was any object near by; but only that heavy blanket
+of sea fog surrounded them.
+
+"Do you hear the roll of the water on the shore still?" asked Frank
+finally.
+
+"I haven't for some time, now," admitted Bluff.
+
+"And I was just wondering, as I sat here and watched the water as it
+flowed past, whether we were not drifting out further all the time,"
+suggested Will.
+
+"Say! what makes you think that? Seems to me you're always scaring up
+ghosts, and making things look blacker than they are," grumbled Bluff.
+
+"Well, you just watch that water passing. What does that mean, eh?
+Something is moving all the while, and it's either the boat or the
+tide," claimed Will.
+
+Frank stuck his head over the side and gave a look.
+
+"He's right about it," was his speedy comment. "The tide is carrying us
+out all the time, and that's why you don't hear the sound of the rollers
+on the sand!"
+
+"Wow! You're giving it to us good and hard now. That sounds like trouble.
+This old gulf is some wide, I know, and it'll take us quite a spell
+to cross the duck pond at this rate!" exclaimed Bluff in dismay.
+
+"Can't either of you find out what's wrong with the engine?" asked Will.
+
+"We think we've guessed it, and we're working on that line now; but it
+may take some little time, so don't get impatient," returned Frank.
+
+If he felt any alarm himself, his manner did not indicate it; but then
+Frank had a faculty for disguising his feelings when it would add to the
+comfort of his chums.
+
+So the old state of affairs continued, he and Jerry with their heads bent
+low over the machinery, and the others sitting there on deck, exchanging
+doleful words from time to time, and surveying that gray blanket that
+wrapped them in.
+
+"How far do you think we've gone from shore?" asked Will finally.
+
+"I was just trying to figure out from the way that water runs past. It's
+going faster than we are, you see. I should say we might have drifted
+several miles since the motor broke down," replied Bluff soberly.
+
+"I wonder how deep it is here?"
+
+"Say! what do you talk that way for? Think we'll have to swim for it?"
+exclaimed Bluff, in new alarm.
+
+"Oh! I hope not. You see, I was thinking that if we could reach bottom it
+might be worth while to anchor here. That would save us from getting any
+further from the shore, at any rate," replied the other.
+
+"Frank! Listen to what Will says!" called Bluff eagerly.
+
+"What is that?" And Frank's head came into view.
+
+"He says we might try and see how deep it is here; that perhaps the
+anchor rope is long enough to reach bottom, and we'd stop drifting out to
+sea."
+
+"Good for Will! That's a bright idea, now. Suppose you two fellows try
+and see if it will work? Jerry and I seem to be getting on, and there's
+hope that we'll have things moving presently."
+
+Accordingly, Bluff took up the anchor, which lay forward, and gently
+dropped it into the smooth water. Then he allowed the rope to pass slowly
+through his hands.
+
+"Why, it's on bottom already! I don't believe it's ten feet deep away out
+here, Frank!" he said hurriedly.
+
+"Yes, I've always read that it was shallow along this coast. That makes
+it more dangerous for vessels of any draught, for they're apt to go
+aground. Fasten the cable to that cleat, Bluff. Make it secure, for we
+don't want to lose the whole outfit overboard," remarked Frank.
+
+"That feels a whole heap better," remarked Bluff, settling down again.
+
+"Yes, for we're not moving out further all the time, anyway. Hang this
+old fog! Why did it want to come up on our very first day, and before
+we had become used to our strange surroundings?"
+
+"Well, we've got to just take things as we meet 'em, as Frank does. You
+notice that he seldom finds fault with the way things happen; just puts
+his shoulder to the wheel and lifts it out of the rut," remarked Bluff.
+
+"Yes, I know that; but every fellow doesn't happen to be built just the
+same way. I wish I could take things as cool as he does; but I never even
+snap off a picture without feeling more or less excitement quivering my
+nerves."
+
+"I don't suppose, now, you could get a decent picture of this?" Bluff
+suggested.
+
+"What! The fog? Bless your innocent heart, no! What do you think it would
+be like--just a dreary blank plate. You can't see anything, so how could
+it show up in a picture?" jeered Will.
+
+"I wonder some bright genius hasn't discovered some sort of magic glasses
+that will let a fellow see through fog? What a blessing they would be to
+sailors, and the pilots of ferryboats in New York harbor," observed Bluff
+thoughtfully.
+
+"Suppose you devote your spare time to solving that riddle? Listen! Was
+that a shout then?"
+
+"Sounded like it to me; but who would be shouting out here in the fog?"
+replied Bluff scornfully.
+
+"Come, now. We may not be the only pebbles on the beach. Perhaps there
+are others marooned out here in the fog, and they may be shouting just to
+keep their courage up, or for some other purpose," replied Will stoutly.
+
+"Well, the fog won't last much longer, anyway, and that's a comfort."
+
+"How do you know that?" asked Frank, looking up.
+
+"Because I just felt a puff of air. The wind's going to rise, and that
+means an end to the fog," replied Bluff confidently.
+
+"Well, I only hope we get this motor fixed before it rises too much," and
+once more Frank gave his full attention to his work on the obstinate
+engine.
+
+Bluff and Will looked uneasily at each other.
+
+"What does he mean?" asked the latter.
+
+"I think he means that if the wind came up strong the sea would rise, and
+we couldn't hold out here with our anchor," replied Bluff.
+
+"In which case?"
+
+"We'd either be blown out to sea, and be in danger of foundering, or else
+driven toward the shore, perhaps to stick half a mile off and be
+wrecked."
+
+"I don't like either of those propositions any too well. Oh! I hope they
+get the motor working! I'm so nervous I feel like shouting; and it seems
+to me I can hear something moving all the time," went on Will.
+
+"Something moving?" echoed his companion, looking at him as if he
+wondered whether the other could be going out of his mind.
+
+"Yes, over there to windward, which, I take it, is about due west just
+now. Hark! Didn't you hear that?--and close at hand, too! What can it
+be?"
+
+"I don't know. Something is moving through the water! I can hear a gurgle
+and a creaking noise. Do you think it could be a boat bearing down on us?
+Oh! what if they ran us down in this fog? I say, Frank!" called Bluff,
+also excited by this time.
+
+"Well, what now?" demanded the other, again appearing in view.
+
+"There's something doing over here. Will thinks it may be a boat coming
+down on us, full tilt, and liable to grind us to powder."
+
+Frank listened for just three seconds. Then he made a dive for a locker,
+as if he thought the situation more or less desperate.
+
+"What's he after?" exclaimed Will, amazed.
+
+"That blooming conch-shell horn of Cousin Archie's. He's going to let
+those chaps know there's another boat out here, and that they don't own
+the earth, that's what."
+
+And that was just what Frank meant to do. Seizing the conch-shell, from
+which the point had been cut, he blew a piercing blast that could have
+been heard a mile off. Again and again he sent out the warning sound, and
+presently an answering blast came through the dense fog, now swirling
+madly with the increasing breeze.
+
+"They're right on us! There! I can just make out the top of a mast!
+Frank, they will run us down!" shouted Will, while the other continued
+to blow his horn with renewed vim, and the advancing gulf sponger came
+plunging straight toward the anchored _Jessamine_! It was a thrilling
+moment for the four chums.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A CRY ACROSS THE LAGOON
+
+
+"Keep off, there!" shouted Bluff.
+
+"Luff her, you!" howled Jerry.
+
+"Too-oo-t! too-oo-t!"
+
+Will was the only one of the quartet unable to give utterance to his
+feelings. He could only cower there, and gape, while the unknown sailing
+craft was bearing down straight for the little motor-boat, and apparently
+bound to smash her in two.
+
+Those on the sharpie may have been extremely reckless in thus spreading
+their canvas to the favoring wind before the fog had lifted enough to
+allow a decent lookout, but they had some thought for their own safety,
+however little they cared for that of others.
+
+Hearing the clamor dead ahead, the fellow at the tiller managed to
+suddenly shift the course of the advancing boat, and just in time. They
+swept past the _Jessamine_ with hardly a yard to spare.
+
+The staring and shivering boys caught a glimpse of several rough men on
+board the passing sharpie, and what they thought was a girl's head thrust
+out of the cabin.
+
+Some loud and vigorous language was carried back to the ears of the chums
+as the fleeing sharpie vanished once more in the fog wreaths.
+
+"Talk to me about that!" exclaimed Jerry indignantly. "They nearly run us
+down through their own carelessness, and then revile us for getting in
+the way!"
+
+"Some people never believe there can be two sides to any question. They
+are always in the right," commented Frank.
+
+He showed little signs of any excitement; yet, did his chums but know it,
+there was much of thanksgiving in his heart over the narrow escape.
+
+Once again he and Jerry set to work at the stubborn motor, while the
+others endeavored to keep a sharp lookout. Will, in particular, was
+holding his head cocked on one side, as though eager to catch the first
+faint sound of any advancing vessel from windward.
+
+From time to time Bluff amused himself in making dreadful noises with the
+conch-shell horn, for one has to learn how to sound this before being
+able to send a ringing blast that can be heard an almost incredible
+distance.
+
+"Anyhow, the fog's getting thinner all the while," remarked Will
+joyfully.
+
+"That's a fact," said Frank, glancing up from his work.
+
+A minute later there was a whirr.
+
+"Hurrah! She works!" shouted Jerry.
+
+"Thank goodness! Then we're saved!" echoed Will.
+
+"Get up your anchor, Bluff," remarked Frank quietly.
+
+This Bluff did with cheerful alacrity, and immediately the little
+motor-boat began to churn the water with her accustomed zeal.
+
+"How long had we been sitting there?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Just two hours," was Frank's reply as he consulted his little nickel
+watch.
+
+"And now what?" demanded Will.
+
+"We'll move in toward the shore somewhat, and wait for the fog to sweep
+away. When that happens perhaps we can get our bearings, and find out
+whether we've passed our first intended refuge or not," returned Frank.
+
+"But you think we have?" queried Bluff.
+
+"Yes; and consequently, as we don't want to turn around and go back, we
+might as well head for the second harbor."
+
+"What sort of a place is that?" asked Bluff, always seeking information.
+
+"As near as I can make out from the chart, it is a lagoon formed by a
+long island that stands as a shelter between the open gulf and the shore.
+There are many such along the gulf coast, and small vessels are in the
+habit of running behind them when the weather outside gets stormy."
+
+"Hear! hear! Frank's already showing signs of becoming a real old salt.
+Look there, fellows! Oh! it's gone, now!" cried Jerry, pointing.
+
+"I had just a glimpse of it. That was land, all right, Jerry; and perhaps
+we'd better alter our course a bit now, heading due east so as to skirt
+along about this distance out."
+
+So saying, Frank gave the wheel a little whirl, and the motor-boat, in
+response, curved gracefully a few points to the starboard.
+
+"Don't she run like a duck?" said Bluff enthusiastically.
+
+"There's the land again, boys! No question but what the fog is being
+driven off by the wind," remarked Frank.
+
+They could see the shore from time to time, and every one realized that
+the enshrouding curtain was fast vanishing.
+
+"But, my! isn't it getting rough?" exclaimed Will.
+
+His remark caused the others to look at the speaker.
+
+Frank needed only one glance to tell him the story. Will was already
+beginning to feel the dreadful nausea of seasickness. The boys were
+accustomed to spending much time on the water, in their canoes, but
+little Lake Camalot, at home, and the big Mexican Gulf, were two entirely
+separate affairs. Indeed, there was only one among them who did not
+experience at least a trifling indisposition before this first day's
+voyaging on the salt water was done, and that was Frank himself.
+
+When the fog had entirely vanished the scene was quite picturesque, with
+the shore and its palmetto trees standing out beyond the heaving billows;
+but, alack and alas! the artist of the expedition, for once in his life,
+seemed not to care a picayune whether he ever took another snapshot again
+or not.
+
+Even Bluff's raillery failed to enthuse him, and the look he cast toward
+the shore was most pitiful and woebegone.
+
+Seeing this, Frank took pity on his sick chum.
+
+"Hand me that camera, Bluff; and you, Jerry, grab hold of this wheel
+here. Keep her just as we are, and dodge the big waves as they come, or
+else we'll all get a beautiful ducking."
+
+Saying this, Frank waited until a good chance came, and then snapped off
+a couple of views of the turbulent scene.
+
+"Thank you, Frank, for I couldn't have stood up to do it, for a kingdom.
+I reckon I'll never forget this experience, and every time I see those
+pictures I'll have a qualm. Oh! I feel so sick, fellows!" wailed Will.
+
+They laid him, groaning, on a blanket, under the protecting hood. No
+one cared to stay with him more than a minute, for, truth to tell,
+neither Jerry nor Bluff were in a condition to say how long it might be
+before they would be feeling just as badly as their chum. Fresh air was
+invaluable under such circumstances.
+
+Frank, as they boomed along in this boisterous manner, was watching the
+shore. He expected at any time, now, to discover signs of the refuge
+which he had mentioned to the others, though it would require sharp
+eyesight to distinguish the island from the background of shore line.
+
+"What time is it, Frank?" asked Bluff finally.
+
+"Oh, about three, I should say. Time has slipped away, you know."
+
+"What! And nobody ever thought of eating a bite about noon?" exclaimed
+Jerry.
+
+"Eating!"
+
+Bluff uttered only the one word, but his horrified expression struck
+Frank as being so comical that he roared with laughter.
+
+"I give you my word, fellows, that this is the very first time since I've
+known Bluff that the idea of a meal seemed repulsive to him," he
+declared.
+
+"Please don't, fellows!" came from Will, under the shelter; and in
+sympathy for him the subject was dropped then and there.
+
+Jerry interested himself in keeping watch with Frank. Between them they
+managed to decide just where the expected island held forth. The course
+was altered enough to bring them closer, yet at the same time avoid
+falling in the trough of the great waves, that might have capsized the
+motor-boat, once they got a fair sweep at her, broadside on.
+
+"It's the island, all right!" exclaimed Bluff presently, as they drew
+nearer.
+
+"And we will have to take some chances in getting back of the shelter.
+You see how the wind blows, and the waves run. Now, please don't bother
+me. It will require some close calculating to just scrape in without a
+disaster."
+
+Frank set himself to the task. Mentally, he hoped most fervently that the
+motor would not take a notion to act contrary just when so much depended
+on its stability and faithfulness.
+
+Gradually the island began to stand out more distinctly, on their right.
+
+"We're making it, I do believe!" yelled Bluff.
+
+"Why, sure; and the water is getting less rocky already," declared Jerry.
+
+"There you go, copying Frank's salty ways. But I'm not going to dispute
+it now. I'm only too glad of the chance of resting on smooth water again,
+whether it happens to be dusty or rocky," avowed Bluff, looking cheerful
+again.
+
+Even poor Will managed to drag himself out from his shelter to take a
+dismal, though eager, look. He had the appearance of one who had passed
+through a long siege of illness, such is the rapidity with which this
+dreadful malady downs its victims.
+
+"There's one boat already anchored behind the island further on,"
+remarked Jerry.
+
+"I was looking at that fellow," remarked Frank, "and unless I'm mistaken,
+that's the identical sharpie which came so close to running us down in
+the fog a little while back."
+
+"You don't say!" exclaimed Will, beginning to grow interested.
+
+It is wonderful how quickly one recovers from an attack of this sort when
+smoother water is reached. Will was commencing to lose a little of his
+ghastly whiteness already, while Bluff had started to sigh, as though he
+thought of supper.
+
+After they had found a safe asylum behind the island Frank thought it
+best to anchor. He did not care to go too near that sharpie, for the
+recollection of the three rough spongers or fishermen on board deterred
+him from wanting to renew their acquaintance.
+
+Bluff immediately bailed out the little dinghy, and set himself to the
+task of hunting along the shore for oysters. They saw him dipping his arm
+down again and again, which would indicate that his quest was proving
+successful. Even Jerry declared that he was now becoming fairly ravenous,
+and could enjoy a solid meal.
+
+"It's going to be a gloomy old night, fellows. Clouds gathering there in
+the southwest. From what I've read about the signs, we may have one of
+those northers boom down on us before morning," remarked Frank.
+
+They were sitting around, enjoying the supper, as he made this remark.
+Evening was close at hand. The sun had set in what seemed to be an angry
+glow, with yellow predominating.
+
+"Are we safe right here, if the wind chops around, and comes out of the
+north?" asked cautious Will.
+
+"Yes, for that arm of the land will shield us all right," declared Jerry.
+
+So the night set in. Darkness gathered unusually early, it seemed to the
+chums. They had made all arrangements looking to the raising of the
+complete automobile cover of the boat in case of a downpour.
+
+"I guess there's nothing to fear from the elements," remarked Frank
+finally.
+
+"Can there be from any other source?" demanded Will, quick to take the
+alarm from the tone of Frank's voice.
+
+"I bet Frank's thinking of those three blooming pirates who wanted to
+smash us out on the big water," declared Bluff quickly.
+
+"I confess they were in my mind; but, so far, they've paid no attention
+to us, and we're a quarter of a mile away from that sharpie. Don't
+bother your head about them, Will. Of course, we'll keep a watch, as
+usual, though."
+
+"You just make up your mind we will, now. I didn't like the looks of the
+crowd a little bit. Some of these wild waterdogs along the gulf coast,
+they told me, wouldn't object to a little piratical business on the sly
+when--"
+
+Jerry stopped short. Over the water, from the direction of the mysterious
+anchored sharpie, had come a strange cry, that seemed to be in the voice
+of either a woman or a child. The four chums sat there and stared at each
+other in consternation, for it seemed as though that pitiful cry was
+for help!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A VISIT TO THE MYSTERIOUS SHARPIE
+
+
+Jerry made a reach for his gun, that happened to be hanging from a couple
+of hooks close by his hand.
+
+"Oh! What was that?" asked Will in a trembling voice.
+
+"Sounded to me like a child. I reckon they've got a boy along with 'em,
+and the brutes are whaling him!" growled Bluff.
+
+"It's a shame, then, that's what!" declared Will, showing unwonted anger,
+for, as a usual thing, he seldom gave way to his emotions in this line.
+
+They listened for a time in silence. Jerry declared that he felt sure he
+heard a sound not unlike a child crying, but the heavy voices of the men
+drowned this.
+
+"Can't we do anything?" asked Will.
+
+"Well, we're only a lot of boys, and they are big strapping men. Probably
+they've got the law on their side, too," suggested Frank, shaking his
+head.
+
+"What do you mean by that, Frank?" queried Bluff indignantly.
+
+"Why, the chances are ten to one that the boy, if it is a boy, must
+belong to one of the men--his own son, I mean--and you know, Mr. Lawyer,
+that a fellow has to be mighty careful how he steps in between a man and
+his son. That same law allows even a brute a certain right to punish a
+rebellious child," said Frank.
+
+So they talked it over a long time. Apparently, nothing could be done
+that night to ascertain the cause of the outbreak. All was silent now
+in the direction of the sharpie, and not even a riding light marked the
+spot where the boat lay.
+
+Frank had recommended that they put out their own lights, all but one
+lantern, which was to be fastened in such a way that it would mark the
+anchorage of the little modern motor-boat.
+
+"It'll be an invitation to the sharks to visit us," remarked Bluff.
+
+"Not at all. If they mean to drop in on us during the night, the presence
+of one lantern, or its absence, will make mighty little difference,"
+responded Frank.
+
+"Do you really think they'll do anything?" asked Will pointedly.
+
+"No, I don't. In the first place, they must know that there's quite a
+crowd of us aboard. Then such boats as this are apt to carry a few guns
+along. Just sleep in peace, Will. The chances are ten to one the only
+thing apt to arouse us to-night may be the howl of a norther," said Frank
+soothingly.
+
+About ten o'clock both Bluff and Will began yawning.
+
+"Go to bed, you fellows. Jerry and I will manage the first and second
+watches between us. If we want help, we'll knock you up," observed Frank.
+
+He gave Jerry a wink at the same time, as if to notify him to remain up;
+and the observant Jerry understood that Frank had a card of some sort
+up his sleeve.
+
+"Say, what's in the wind?" he asked in a whisper, when they were left
+alone.
+
+Frank put his finger on his lips, as he said in an equally guarded tone:
+
+"Not so loud. I don't want them to hear."
+
+"Then you really expect trouble with those rascally spongers?" demanded
+his chum.
+
+"That depends. But I'll tell you what I've decided to do, Jerry."
+
+"Go on; I'm all ears."
+
+"After a bit, I'm going to take the dinghy and paddle over to that
+sharpie. Somehow or other, I feel that there is some one there in need of
+assistance. Perhaps it's none of our business, and I'm silly to even
+think of running such a risk, but something seems to impel me to go; I
+can't tell you just what."
+
+"Not alone, Frank? Why not take me along, too?" pleaded Jerry.
+
+"No. One can get along in that stumpy little boat fine, while with two it
+is a clumsy affair. You know that. I only mean to hover near, in the
+darkness, and find out, if possible, what's doing. Perhaps I may not go
+closer than fifty feet--unless something happens!"
+
+Jerry did not insist. He realized that what Frank said was the truth, for
+he had had experience with that same cranky little craft when a second
+party occupied a place in it.
+
+They sat and talked in low tones for half an hour. Frank made all his
+plans, and arranged with his chum a set of signals by means of which
+they might communicate with each other even while both were unseen.
+
+"It's getting darker all the while, I do believe. Sure you know where to
+find that sharpie?" remarked Jerry as he saw his comrade beginning to
+make a move.
+
+"I located her by some palmetto trees that stand up high above all others
+on the key there. Unless they've changed their anchorage, which is
+unlikely, as we would have heard the noise, I can go straight to the
+spot," replied Frank confidently.
+
+"Taking your gun along, of course?"
+
+"I think it wise. Those are tough fellows, and there's no telling what
+might happen. Better be on the safe side," remarked the other sagely.
+
+"Well, I'm going to keep my rifle close by, I tell you. And Bluff has his
+Gatling gun on the hooks, where he can get hold of it in a hurry. But I
+hope we don't have any need of them," continued Jerry as he assisted
+Frank to climb over into the little dinghy astern, where the light of the
+lantern did not penetrate.
+
+"Be careful how you shoot, at any time, and listen for my signal. I'd
+hate to be peppered with shot, or get a bullet in my shoulder from my
+chums."
+
+"Oh, you can depend on me to keep a sharp lookout; and no danger of any
+accident like that. I never act on impulse, like Bluff. Good-by, and
+good luck, Frank!"
+
+The dinghy dropped astern with the flowing tide, and was immediately
+swallowed up in the gloom, which, as Jerry truly said, seemed more dense
+than ever as the clouds gathered overhead and shut out even the light of
+the stars.
+
+Frank took up the paddle and set to work. He was by this time something
+of an adept in the use of a spruce blade, as most canoeists become in
+time. That is, he could propel a boat silently, not a swirl or a dripping
+blade betraying the labor that sent it on. Guides in the Maine woods had
+taught Frank how to approach a deer at night time on a lake without
+hardly rippling the water.
+
+In this wise he approached the spot where he knew he would find the
+mysterious sharpie anchored.
+
+Presently he could see the tops of its tall masts against the dark sky;
+but only for the fact that he was looking for this, it would have passed
+unnoticed.
+
+There was not a light about the boat. Listening, Frank could hear no
+sound at first, but as he drew silently nearer he fancied he caught what
+seemed to be an occasional deep sigh. Then, as his eyes sought the
+outlines of the little gulf vessel he detected what seemed to be a bowed
+figure at the stern.
+
+It was from this point that the sighs seemed to come, and he fancied that
+the huddled-up object must be the figure of a boy, placed on watch while
+the three big hulking men slept in the cabin near by.
+
+Now he caught the sound of heavy breathing, bordering on snores. From the
+fact that these suggestive noises were partly muffled, he believed they
+came from inside the sharpie's cabin.
+
+Foot by foot Frank found himself nearing the stern of the sharpie. He did
+not need to use the paddle at all, for the current was gently wafting him
+along in just the direction he wished to go.
+
+So softly did he come that when he reached the sharpie's counter all he
+had to do was to just put out his hand and fend off.
+
+He now saw that it was really and truly a boy sitting there. The other
+seemed to be not over ten years of age, judging from his size. He was
+barefooted, and without either hat or coat, though the night was getting
+cold now.
+
+Several times he sighed deeply, and once Frank was sure he heard what
+seemed to be a stifled sob, as though he would have cried had he dared.
+
+Obeying an impulse he could not control, Frank put his hand on the
+other's arm, at the same time whispering softly:
+
+"Don't make a noise, please. I'm from the other boat, and I want to help
+you, if I can. You may trust me, my boy, to the limit!"
+
+The crouching figure started, and Frank saw a small face bent down close
+to his own; then a trembling hand caught his, and there came a whisper:
+
+"Oh! if you only could get me out of this scrape! I'll die if I stay
+here! They kick me and beat me terribly! Please take me away, mister!"
+
+Frank's first impulse was to draw the lad into the dinghy, then his
+natural caution caused him to hesitate.
+
+"Who are you, boy?" he whispered.
+
+"Joe Abercrombie; and I guess it's near killed my mother, because they
+think I run away," came the quick answer.
+
+"Is your father aboard this boat?"
+
+"I ain't got any father. He's dead long time ago. I live with my mother
+and sister down at Cedar Keys. Please get me off here, mister! I'll do
+anything for you, if you only can!" the boy kept on saying, and
+unconsciously raising his voice in his excitement.
+
+Frank's determination was taken. He would accept the chances of trouble
+and assist this poor little chap, whose condition seemed so miserable,
+as the slave of the trio of big, rough spongers.
+
+Before he could say another word, or draw the boy into his dinghy, a
+gruff voice came booming out of the cabin:
+
+"Hey! Who yer talkin' to out thar, younker? Wake up, fellers! I reckon
+we're boarded by some reptiles! Hank! Carlos! Git at 'em!"
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed the lad piteously. "They've heard us! They're coming out
+to kill you! Don't stop for me, but go!"
+
+But Frank Langdon was not built that way.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI
+
+JOE
+
+
+With one sweep of his arm Frank drew the little fellow into the dinghy.
+
+Then he snatched up his paddle, and dipped it deeply into the flood. The
+corklike boat answered instantly to the demand, and backed away from the
+side of the anchored sharpie.
+
+Even though but a few seconds had passed, the racket aboard the boat had
+become tremendous by now. The men were shouting at each other as they
+groped around in the dark for the boy.
+
+Frank knew that the very sounds they made were apt to assist him in his
+escape, for they helped to drown what little noise he was compelled to
+make in his quick and positive work with the paddle.
+
+Then one of them must have reached the conclusion that the boy had been
+kidnapped by some unseen visitor, coming in another boat.
+
+"Keep still, you fools, an' listen!" he shouted.
+
+They seemed to guess his reason, for the chorus of loud voices ceased.
+Frank also stopped paddling, momentarily. He hoped the listening spongers
+would be unable to locate him in the darkness.
+
+"Have they any small boat?" he whispered in the ear of the cowering boy.
+
+"No. It broke loose three days ago, in a squall," came the reply.
+
+"Bully!"
+
+That one word expressed all the gratitude that was in Frank's heart. It
+seemed as though fortune was acting mighty kindly toward the rescuing
+expedition.
+
+Just then there came a flash and a sharp report. One of the men had fired
+in the direction he believed the passing boat to be lying.
+
+The bullet splashed in the water, and seemed to go humming over the
+surface of the lagoon. Then a shout came from the sharpie:
+
+"I seen 'em then! Hey! You thar! Come back with that kid, or it'll be the
+worse for ye! D'ye hear?"
+
+But Frank, instead of wasting his breath in replying, was once more
+paddling industriously. He had changed his course, in the hope that
+should a second bullet follow the first, it might not touch either
+himself or his charge.
+
+Just as he anticipated, there was a second shot, followed by half a dozen
+more, seemingly fired at random.
+
+No damage resulted, and Frank believed the incident was closed, at
+least as far as immediate results went. He now headed directly for
+the motor-boat, the swinging lantern guiding him.
+
+Those on the sharpie could be heard talking loudly, as though endeavoring
+to get the truth of the affair, and doubtless making terrible threats as
+to what they would do to the audacious invader later on.
+
+Frank gave the signal agreed on with Jerry, and in another minute he was
+lifting his charge aboard the anchored boat.
+
+"Don't ask questions now, fellows," he said, realizing that the others
+were all agog with excitement, and both Bluff and Will consumed with
+curiosity. "We must douse the glim, and in the dark change our anchorage.
+Then, if they come poking over here to-night, looking for us, they won't
+find anybody at home."
+
+"Hear! hear!" muttered Jerry, who in an emergency always looked to Frank
+to do the right thing.
+
+He immediately extinguished the light.
+
+"Don't make the least noise, if you can help it. Get the anchor off the
+ground, but don't attempt to bring it aboard," continued Frank in a
+whisper.
+
+"Going to start the motor?" asked Bluff.
+
+"Certainly not! It's shallow here, and the push-pole will have to move us
+along." Saying which, Frank possessed himself of the useful article in
+question, without which no small boat ever cruises in Florida waters.
+
+"I hope we don't get mixed up, and run afoul of those chaps," breathed
+Will.
+
+"I've got them located, all right. We'll go in closer to the island,
+that's all. Perhaps they won't come at all until daylight."
+
+"But if they do, Frank?" asked Bluff.
+
+"We've got a right to protect ourselves, and we will," declared the other
+between his set teeth, for he was now silently pushing with the pole,
+Jerry having raised the anchor at the bow.
+
+This sort of thing kept up for ten minutes. By that time Frank knew they
+were as close to the shore as prudence allowed.
+
+"Let the anchor sink slowly, Jerry, and don't make a sound, if you can
+avoid it," said Frank.
+
+"It's already on the bottom. Why, we're in only four feet of water here!"
+came back the whispered answer.
+
+"Now what about the boy you pulled off that craft?" asked Bluff.
+
+"Come here, Joe," said Frank kindly.
+
+Instantly he felt a hand clasping his eagerly, and a boyish voice
+exclaimed softly:
+
+"Oh! I wanter thank you ever so much for what you did, and my mom'll say
+the same thing when she sees you!"
+
+"That's all right, Joe. All of us are only boys, older than you, of
+course, but ready to hold out a helping hand to a poor chap in trouble.
+Suppose you tell us, in a whisper now, what brought you aboard that
+sharpie. Who are those three men, and how did you happen to be sailing
+with them?"
+
+"They're Hank, and Carlos, the Cuban, and my Uncle Ben," came the reply.
+
+"Hello! He's got an uncle aboard!" said Jerry uneasily.
+
+"But he's the worst of the whole lot. He beats me, and calls me bad
+names. My mother is afraid of him. She didn't want to let me go on this
+trip with Uncle Ben, but he just made me. His name is Baxter. You see,
+he's her brother-in-law, not her real brother. I always called him uncle,
+but he ain't, either. I hate him, and I'd sooner die than go back there
+again!"
+
+"Don't be afraid, my boy. We have no intention of letting them get you
+again. It happens that we're bound for Cedar Keys ourselves, and we'll
+see you safely home. Your mother lives there, you say?" went on Frank,
+patting the trembling little hand, with its hard palm, that told of much
+hard work for so young a lad.
+
+"Yes, sir; but we're awful poor. We used to live in Pensacola when dad
+was on his job, but he got killed in his engine long ago. Then mother had
+a chance to do something in Cedar Keys, and we came on. But things went
+wrong, sister got sick, and it's been hard work to get enough to eat.
+Still, my mother never complains; she ain't one of that kind; and a
+feller just has to be up and doin' somethin' to help out. That was why
+I came along when Uncle Ben promised good wages, and without letting her
+know."
+
+It was a whole life story in a nutshell. Frank had never come so closely
+in touch with tragedy before. He continued to squeeze the hand he held,
+while deep down in his heart the generous fellow was making resolutions
+that would bring a little of sunshine to the Abercrombie home when they
+landed in the key city.
+
+"Well, we'll have lots of time to talk all these things over to-morrow,
+and the other days to come. The rest of you pile off again, and leave me
+here to sit out my watch. I promise to awaken you if anything threatens
+us," he said finally.
+
+A place was easily found for little Joe. Indeed, as Bluff remarked in a
+whisper, the motorboat seemed capable of expansion.
+
+"Just like an elevator or an electric car, there's always room for just
+one more," was the way he put it.
+
+Frank sat there, listening and thinking, for a couple of hours at least.
+There was no alarm. Once he thought he heard sounds such as might be made
+by the movement of a push-pole; but if so, the searching party failed to
+locate the anchored motor-boat in its new lodgings.
+
+Jerry took his place a little later, and then Bluff wound up the night,
+Will being allowed to sleep in peace.
+
+Frank was up at peep of dawn. The masts of the sharpie stood up plainly
+through the dim light, showing that apparently her anchorage had not been
+changed at all.
+
+Signs of life were to be seen aboard, and smoke arising from the cabin
+gave evidence that the three rough spongers were getting their frugal
+breakfast. Doubtless this caused them to vent their anger anew, for it
+had been a part of the boy's work to cook.
+
+"The anticipated storm petered out, anyway," remarked Jerry at his elbow.
+
+"Which may be a good thing for us. Possibly we might want to get out of
+here in a hurry, although I'm averse to running away like a frightened
+duck," remarked Frank.
+
+"I say stick it out, and give them tit for tat. We're armed, and can make
+a pretty good showing," declared Bluff, also turning up after hearing
+voices.
+
+So they began preparations for breakfast, Frank keeping an eye on the
+sharpie meanwhile. He expected that the trio of spongers would not be
+likely to pull out without some show of threatening the four who
+comprised the crew of the motor-boat.
+
+Joe proved to be a bright-faced lad, once the grime was removed, under
+the influence of salt-water soap and a rough towel. All of the outdoor
+chums were glad that they had found a chance to be of service to one in
+distress, for Joe insisted that he never could have stood the vile
+treatment he was receiving, and meant to run away at the very first
+opportunity.
+
+They were just sitting down to breakfast when Will gave the alarm.
+
+"They're pulling up anchor, fellows, and hoisting sail. From the
+appearance of things, we'd better look out for squalls," he announced.
+
+Each of the other three quietly reached around and seized a gun. Will,
+not to be outdone, picked up the instrument with which he did most of his
+shooting, his beloved camera, and waited for a chance to snap off the
+ugly faces of the spongers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+STUCK ON AN OYSTER BAR
+
+
+"Do you think they'll attack us, Joe?" asked Jerry as the sharpie began
+to head straight for the anchored motor-boat.
+
+"No, I don't. Them fellers is big cowards, and when they see the guns
+they'll take it out in talking," came the prompt answer.
+
+"I believe Joe is right. They must be cowards, or they'd never have
+abused a boy as they did him. He showed me a lot of bruises from kicks
+he's had," observed Frank, with a gleam in his eye and a look on his face
+that told of his detestation for the brute who could, in a temper, knock
+a child down.
+
+"Say! Perhaps it might be just as well to get the anchor up, and start
+the motor, in case we wanted to move, anyway," remarked Bluff.
+
+"A hunky idea!" echoed Jerry.
+
+Frank himself agreed to it. So while Jerry hastened to get the mudhook
+aboard, Frank bent down over the motor. They heard him crank it, and then
+came the merry and suggestive hum that bespoke business.
+
+"Now, if we wanted, we could go spinning away, and laugh at them,"
+observed Will.
+
+"But we don't intend to, all the same," said Frank quietly, making his
+appearance again, gun in hand. The boat had moved a length or so, and
+then floated on the smooth water of the lagoon.
+
+A shout from the sharpie had told that the spongers believed they meant
+to run off, and at the same time one of them was seen flourishing a gun.
+
+"Hold up, there, you rascals, you!" came across the water, and a shot
+followed, the bullet splashing close to the motor-boat.
+
+"Don't you try that again, there, or we'll give you a broadside! Do you
+hear?" shouted Frank, as he and his chums lifted their array of weapons
+so that the men could easily see what they were up against.
+
+The sharpie kept pushing on until close by. Then a sudden shifting of the
+rudder caused the boat with the tall masts to "come to" in the wind, with
+her dingy sails shivering as they hung there lifeless.
+
+"We want that kid!" called a tall, gaunt man with a red beard.
+
+"That's Uncle Ben!" exclaimed Joe, who was peeping over the gunwale.
+
+"Well, you'll have to take it out in wanting, then, because you're not
+going to get him. Joe says you beat him. He prefers to stay with us, and
+we're going to take him home to his mother in Cedar Keys. Get that?"
+called Frank.
+
+The three men conferred together for a minute or two.
+
+"Say! my breakfast's getting cold! I wish they'd hurry," remarked Bluff.
+
+Will was getting busy himself. The old familiar click announced that he
+had secured a picture of the three spongers at a time when they stood out
+plainly.
+
+"Hey, you fellers! What yuh mean a-comin' an' stealin' my nephew out o'
+my boat? He signed for the cruise, he did. It's ag'in the law, what yuh
+did, an' yer liable ter git yerselves in trouble," the red-bearded man
+now called.
+
+"We can stand it if you can. The marks on this boy will settle your case
+for you. Better go on about your business. We don't want any fight, but
+just make up your minds that if you start it we're going to shoot holes
+through every one of your crowd. That's enough talk. Now, twenty-three
+for yours!"
+
+It was seldom that Frank used slang, but just then he was in want of a
+better expression by means of which to give vent to his feelings.
+
+Bluff was already sitting down and eating, though he kept hold of his gun
+at the same time, like a true soldier on duty. The trio of spongers
+talked among themselves for a short time, then, with many harsh words,
+they pushed their boat around with a pole until the dingy canvas took
+the breeze again, after which they sailed away.
+
+"A good riddance of bad rubbish," declared Bluff, with his mouth full of
+bacon; and the others voiced his sentiments exactly.
+
+As for the boy, he was smiling as if tickled over the wonderful change
+that had come about in his fortunes. Frank, remembering the limp form
+squatting in the stern of the sharpie, so given up to despair and bodily
+anguish, could hardly believe that this bright-faced lad was the same.
+
+They did not linger long after finishing breakfast.
+
+While the weather remained favorable Frank thought they ought to be
+making further progress along their way. True, Cedar Keys was not so
+very far distant, but who could say what difficulties they might
+encounter from time to time?
+
+"It will do to loiter when we've arrived within a dozen or two miles of
+the city," he remarked, and they all admitted the wisdom of his decision.
+
+They went out the same way they had come in. Joe said it was safer, since
+the lagoon was exceedingly shallow at the east end of the island, and
+they stood to get aground if the tide was falling, as seemed to be the
+case.
+
+As they came out from behind the key they discovered the sharpie far away
+to the west, careening over under a brisk morning breeze, and looking
+like a dun-colored frightened bird.
+
+"We're not apt to see anything of that tough lot again, I guess," quoth
+Jerry.
+
+"They're heading for a favorite ground. I didn't know they hunted sponges
+so far north, Joe. Key West seems to be the head center for the
+business."
+
+"Get a few, but not many. Mostly fishing and turtling. Some look for
+coral on the bottom. Lots of ways to earn a living around the water in
+the gulf," replied the boy, in answer to Frank's inquiry.
+
+"I should say there were. A man need never go hungry in this region if he
+knows enough to let strong drink alone," said Will.
+
+"That's the trouble with Uncle Ben; he's drunk half the time. And when he
+is he wants to fight everybody. We all tried to keep away from him,"
+observed Joe.
+
+They were now out upon the gulf again. Will was a little dubious,
+remembering his bitter experience of the preceding day, but to his
+surprise and delight, he did not seem to feel the least bit sick.
+Perhaps the motion was entirely different, for they were now running
+almost directly into the light breeze.
+
+Frank had turned the wheel over to Bluff, and was conning his charts,
+with Jerry bending over his shoulder.
+
+"There's where we are right now. Looking along the shore, you can see
+where a key offers the same sort of refuge we enjoyed last night. In
+cruising along this coast, it's the only thing to do--run behind one of
+those islands each night. Only big boats anchor off shore. It's too
+dangerous for little craft, for a storm is liable to spring up during the
+night."
+
+In this way Frank went on. They decided that since there seemed to be
+several possible havens ahead, they had better keep right on until the
+day waned, or they found themselves forced by a change in the weather to
+seek shelter.
+
+Jerry had a line trailing astern, with a hook at the end, to which he had
+attached a bit of white rag. In less than ten minutes after he threw it
+out he pulled in a gamy fish that might have weighed a couple of pounds.
+
+"A cavalli," said Joe; and they were glad indeed to have a native along
+who could post them on such things as might have puzzled them.
+
+"Good to eat, is it?" asked Jerry, eyeing the forked tail, which, in this
+fish, resembles that of the Spanish mackerel.
+
+"Fine. Not so good as pompano, but better than bonita," was Joe's
+verdict.
+
+"All right. He looks good to me," said Bluff. "Do it some more, Jerry. We
+need a couple more to make good all around."
+
+"Now, talk to me about that, will you! Listen to how the greedy fellow
+gauges everybody's appetite by his own voracious longings."
+
+But in spite of his talk, Jerry, being a sportsman to his finger-tips, as
+he was fond of saying, was only too glad to make a second trial.
+
+This time he had hardly half of his line out when there was a sudden
+vicious jerk.
+
+"Wow! Nearly took a finger off then! Look at the line whizz, will you?
+Must have struck a whale!" he cried. But, after all, it was another
+cavalli (sometimes called crevalle), and not much larger than the first.
+
+So the sport went on until he had brought five to the boat, when he gave
+up.
+
+"Too hard on the fingers, boys. You see, we're spinning along at a lively
+clip, and a two-pound fish feels like a ton. I'm all in," he explained.
+
+"Well, we want to keep the fish until evening. Will, here, is dying to
+clean them for us," said Frank.
+
+"No! no! That is my part of the work!" exclaimed Joe, nor would he hear
+of anything else.
+
+Noon came and went. Their progress was altogether satisfactory. All of
+them admitted that outside of that one puzzling breakdown, the motor was
+working like a charm. It was indeed a pleasure to lie around and see the
+green waves flashing past, with the picturesque shore only a mile or so
+away.
+
+Finally Frank announced that he had discovered the island for which he
+was aiming. They had made a splendid day's showing, and logged more than
+thirty miles, against a head wind and sea.
+
+Frank tried to follow the chart, but he knew he would have more or less
+difficulty, for back of the key it was exceedingly shallow, and the
+channel narrow.
+
+Speed was reduced as they started to enter the open bayou. Jerry, up in
+the bow, was using the pole as a sounding line, and calling out:
+
+"Two feet! One and three-quarters! One and a half! Hey! Hold up, there!
+We're on an oyster bar, for sure!" And the grating noise that immediately
+followed told that they had lost the narrow channel again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+TROUBLE
+
+
+"Oysters! Yum! yum! Who said oysters?" cried Bluff, crawling forward to
+look.
+
+"Just jump overboard, and you'll get your fill--millions of 'em around!"
+declared Jerry, prodding with his pole in an effort to release the bow
+of the boat, but in vain.
+
+"Hold on, there! Don't you do it!" cried Frank as Bluff gave indications
+of being half inclined to betake himself to the water.
+
+"Why not?" asked the hungry oyster fiend plaintively.
+
+"Because you'll cut your shoes to ribbons on the sharp edges, and perhaps
+your feet, in the bargain. Remember what you got before," said Frank.
+
+So the impatient one refrained, but he cast many envious looks downward,
+and a little later could have been seen stretched out on his stomach,
+prying off bunches of the 'coon oysters with a knife, and enjoying a
+little side treat.
+
+It was easy to run upon the reef, but to get off was another matter,
+especially with a falling tide. The motor churned the water, but at first
+seemed to make no impression. Even when all the boys went aft, so as to
+lighten the bow, there was no release.
+
+"Something's holding her, I tell you! It may be one of those octopus fish
+we hear so much about," suggested Will.
+
+Jerry, who had been pulling on a pair of heavy old shoes, with the
+intention of going overboard, so as to put his shoulder to the bow, and
+lifting while the motor worked, looked a little dubious.
+
+"Humbug! Can't be any such thing, eh, Frank?" he asked, turning to the
+one in whose opinion he always felt the most implicit faith.
+
+"What's holding her is that ridge of 'coon oysters. They grip like all
+creation, Joe, here, says. Wait till I get some old shoes on, Jerry, and
+I'll be with you," he observed.
+
+Presently both of them were over in the water, which only came to their
+knees.
+
+"Ready, now, Will. When I say the word, turn on all speed astern. How
+about it, pard?" Frank said to Jerry.
+
+"Right, here," came the reply.
+
+"Then go!"
+
+After the motor started working, the two in the water lifted. Just as
+Frank had anticipated, the thing was easy. Back went the _Jessamine_
+with a rush; indeed, Jerry was not quick enough in trying to draw himself
+aboard, and they left him there, marooned on the 'coon oyster bar.
+
+"Hi, you! Come back here after me! Think I'm Bluff, and want a mortgage
+on the whole blooming bed, don't you? Shove me the little dinghy, if
+you're afraid of scratching more of the varnish off Cousin Archie's
+boat!" he shouted.
+
+"Hold on! Please wait! I want to get a picture of him standing there in
+the big bay, just as if he owned the sea. It's Neptune, coming out of the
+water, you know," called Will beseechingly.
+
+So Jerry felt constrained to humor the artist, and assume a position
+that, according to Will's idea, accorded with his condition of
+lonesomeness.
+
+"I think we'll just pole along, fellows, and not run the motor. I guess
+we don't want to go very far in, anyhow, for we'll have the dickens of a
+time getting out again in the morning," remarked Frank.
+
+"There's some sort of a shack over yonder on the mainland," remarked
+Will.
+
+Frank took a look.
+
+"Possibly the place where some of those turtlers put up when out after
+their game. They keep the green turtles in what they call a 'crawl,'
+until ready to set sail for Cedar Keys. I'm told we'll see lots of them
+there," remarked Frank.
+
+"I can see an old boat drawn up on shore, but not the first sign of life
+about the place. There's a buzzard sitting on a dead tree--yes, a row of
+'em! My! I hope there ain't anybody dead in there!"
+
+Will had brought out Frank's marine glasses, and was looking through them
+as he gave utterance to this forlorn expression.
+
+"Oh! let up on that, Will! You give a fellow the creeps. Just why should
+there be any one dead yonder? Buzzards are found everywhere in Florida,
+millions of 'em. I reckon the shack is deserted. To prove it, I'm going
+to paddle over and see, just as soon as we get fast to our mudhook
+again," remarked Jerry.
+
+"And that will be right now," said Frank. "Give it a toss, Bluff. Here we
+seem to be in a little spot deeper than the rest of the bayou, and with
+room to swing around with a change of wind without fouling our anchor or
+going aground again on any miserable oyster bed."
+
+"Look here! I've got a grievance," remarked Bluff.
+
+"All right. Let's hear it," laughed Will.
+
+"If he takes the dinghy, how in the world am I going to gather the
+oysters for our supper? Frank said the very next mess we got he would
+give us scalloped oysters, and I'm just feeling hungry that way,"
+complained Bluff.
+
+"Oh, don't worry. I'll be back in half an hour, at the most. Besides, if
+you want to, you can put on these heavy shoes of mine, drop over the
+side, and wade to the bar. It's warm in the water, and delightful,"
+remarked Jerry, slipping over into the small boat, with his rifle in his
+hand.
+
+"Well, there's no depending on you. Half an hour, did you say? More than
+likely that means about dark, if there's any temptation to hunt ashore.
+So I suppose I'll just have to duck, and do the great wading act. For I
+count it next door to a crime to be so near delicious oysters and not
+have them at least once a day."
+
+Bluff was as good as his word. He put on the heavy shoes, and some old
+garments. Then, getting a bucket, he crept overboard, found that the
+water only came to his waist, and, having marked out his course, was
+speedily on a reef, digging at the largest oysters he could find.
+
+"Boys, they're just the finest ever! Some whoppers out here, too. No
+'coon oyster about that chap," and he held up one that was half again
+as large as his hand.
+
+Now and then, as he worked, they could see him stop to try an extra
+fat-looking fellow. When this had been repeated a dozen times, Will
+reproached him.
+
+"Where do we come in? Do we get the culls?" he demanded.
+
+"Why, hang it, my bucket's as full now as it will hold! I'm coming across
+to dump 'em on the deck, and get another helping. Why, I could keep at
+this business all day. It's just fascinating, that's what!" called Bluff.
+
+"I see your finish, all right, my fine boy. You'll never go back to
+Centerville again. Either you'll turn into an oyster, after devouring so
+many tons of 'em, or else hire out to the owner of a sharpie engaged in
+the business," laughed Frank.
+
+He had to admit, though, when Bluff opened one of the big fellows and
+allowed him a chance to taste its flavor, that they were the best he had
+ever run across.
+
+"Barring none," declared Bluff vigorously, holding the oyster knife
+aloft.
+
+"Barring none," affirmed Frank, also erecting his fingers, as though
+willing to go on record.
+
+Then, of course, Will had to try them, also, and also frankly pronounced
+them delicious.
+
+"Let me have that knife, Bluff, and I'll be opening some while you're off
+after another supply. The hatchet will be all you want to loosen any
+tight ones. Don't look at me that way. I can be trusted not to eat more
+than one in five. And my appetite for oysters isn't one-third what yours
+is," laughed Frank.
+
+Bluff seemed to think he could stand that, for he yielded up the opener.
+
+"Don't you let that scoffer, Will, have another one. I'll bring back
+another bucketful in about ten minutes. There's millions of 'em. They set
+me wild to think of such riches going to waste. I'll dream about 'em,
+fellows."
+
+Grumbling thus, he stalked through the water to the reef, and set to work
+again.
+
+Frank had watched Jerry push in to shore and vanish among the tangled
+undergrowth. Some little time had passed since, but there was no sign
+of his returning.
+
+"I guess it's lucky Bluff didn't take his word for it, and wait," he
+remarked.
+
+"Yes," replied Will, who was watching the fat bivalves drop into the
+kettle as his chum deftly manipulated the opening knife, "I rather think
+we'd have missed connections with this savory mess, all right, and all of
+us would have been sorry."
+
+"I wonder if he found anybody in that old shack?" mused Frank, looking
+again.
+
+"Hardly likely. What would you say, Joe? Ever been ashore here?"
+
+The boy shook his head in the negative.
+
+"Not me. This is my first trip up this far. Been down the coast, below
+Cedar Keys, more'n once. But I believe Jerry likes to hunt. Perhaps he
+might think it a good time to look around, and see if there happens to
+be a deer waiting to be cooked up."
+
+Frank laughed.
+
+"You've got Jerry sized up to a pretty fine point, boy. That's his
+weakness to a dot, and I wouldn't put it past him to wander off. I only
+hope he doesn't go and get lost. That would delay us, even if nothing
+worse came of it"
+
+"There!"
+
+As Will made this utterance there came the sharp report of a gun from the
+mainland, and undoubtedly the rifle was that of their absent chum.
+
+"Wonder what he's struck now?" said Frank.
+
+There came two more reports, in quick succession.
+
+Bluff was already hastening in from the oyster bar, staggering under his
+load.
+
+"Hey! D'ye hear all that shooting, fellows? Jerry's in some sort of
+trouble, I'll bet my hat!" he shouted excitedly.
+
+"And we are unable to get ashore, for he has the only boat, and the water
+is too shallow to push the big craft in. The question is, what shall
+we do?"
+
+Frank looked into the faces of his two chums, and saw by their increasing
+pallor that they more than shared the fears that were beginning to gnaw
+at his heart in connection with the safety of the genial, good-natured
+Jerry Wallington.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+WHAT HAPPENED TO JERRY
+
+
+"I'd give something for a pair of wings just now!" exclaimed Will
+regretfully.
+
+"Or that bally old balloon of Professor Smythe's, eh?" echoed Bluff, as
+he surveyed the stretch of water separating them from the mainland.
+
+"But something _must_ be done! Bluff, get your gun!"
+
+Frank was hastily removing the tennis shoes he wore aboard the boat.
+
+"What're you going to do?" demanded Will, as Bluff made haste to obey.
+
+"Two of us must get ashore. Perhaps Jerry needs help."
+
+"Oh! I see! And you think you can wade there?" queried Will, as he saw
+Frank drawing on the second pair of heavy shoes, that had already been in
+the water.
+
+"That's what we have to do. Ready, Bluff?" cried Frank, snatching up his
+own double-barreled shotgun.
+
+"Where do I come in?" demanded Will as they slid overboard.
+
+"You're the goalkeeper this time. Hold the ship, with Joe, here, till we
+get back."
+
+"And they've taken all the guns along," grumbled Will as he watched his
+two chums making their splashing way in the direction of the shore.
+
+Happening to bethink himself of the old revolver on board, Will presently
+armed himself with the same, and tried to imagine that he presented an
+imposing appearance as the guardian of the motor-boat. Truth to tell, he
+would have really been far more dangerous handling his favorite camera,
+for he did not have it in him to harm a flea, if he could help it.
+
+Meanwhile, Frank and his comrade were pushing for the shore as rapidly as
+the conditions allowed. By exercising a certain amount of discretion
+they were able to follow up one of the oyster reefs that thrust out from
+the bank like the fingers of a human hand.
+
+"We'll make it all right," declared Bluff presently.
+
+"Yes, and without getting in deeper than half way up. But I'm wondering
+why we don't hear anything more from Jerry. He had six charges in his
+rifle, you know."
+
+From Frank's tone it was easy to understand that he was worried.
+
+"Say, perhaps that was meant for a signal," suggested Bluff suddenly.
+
+"There were three shots, just as we've always agreed, but then they were
+scattered somewhat. I hardly agree with you, Bluff, though it may be
+true. I hope it is, and yet Jerry must have known we had no boat. He
+would hardly want us to come ashore unless he was in a mighty serious
+pickle."
+
+"Anyhow, we're nearly there, and must soon know the worst," said Bluff,
+whose face looked a bit peaked under the suspense.
+
+More through accident than design, they landed close to the spot where
+the old palmetto shack could be seen. Frank pointed to an enclosure
+along the edge of the bayou, made by piling up logs and pieces of coquina
+rock.
+
+"Turtle crawl," he said, as they hurried past, and Bluff only gave it one
+look, for his attention was taken up with the more serious matter that
+had brought them ashore.
+
+Advancing to the shack, Frank looked in, but there did not appear to be a
+living soul around.
+
+He surveyed his surroundings with anxiety. Great live-oaks, with their
+crooked limbs covered with the trailing Spanish moss; tall palmettos,
+and shorter young ones of the same type; gumbo-limbo trees, wild plum,
+and several wild orange trees, made up the immediate surroundings.
+
+"Oh! if we only had some idea which way he could have gone!" exclaimed
+Frank.
+
+"Perhaps he left a trail," was the bright thought of Bluff.
+
+"Almost impossible to map it out in this black sand," Frank replied; but,
+nevertheless, he started to look, since there was nothing else to do.
+
+A dozen impossible things flashed through Frank's brain as he bent over
+to try and pick up the tracks of his missing chum. Whatever could have
+happened to Jerry? Usually he was able to take good care of himself;
+could it be possible that some inmate of the dilapidated shack had stolen
+upon him, bent upon robbery? In that case, how account for the shots?
+
+"Let's shout," said Bluff again.
+
+"A bright thought, and surely it can do no harm. Let me call singly,
+Bluff."
+
+Thereupon Frank lifted up his voice and shouted:
+
+"Jerry! Jerry! Where are you?"
+
+The call rang through the thick jungle under the live-oaks. A small
+animal, possibly a 'coon, scurried through the undergrowth. In an
+adjacent tree a Florida bluejay gave forth a discordant scream. A
+fox-squirrel barked saucily, and with a flirt of his bushy tail scrambled
+around to the other side of a hickory tree.
+
+Then came a shout that thrilled them:
+
+"Ahoy, there, Frank!"
+
+"It's Jerry!" cried Bluff, ready to throw his hat into the air.
+
+Frank himself was tremendously relieved. No matter what had happened,
+their chum was alive, and could call to them.
+
+"Hello! What's the matter? Where are you?" he shouted, for the voice of
+Jerry had come from a little distance away, and seemed strangely muffled.
+
+"Straight into the woods from the shack!" came back the reply.
+
+"We're coming to you!" called Frank, still puzzled to know what it all
+meant.
+
+"I wonder what he has dropped into now?" speculated Bluff as he trotted
+along at the heels of his leader.
+
+"Sounds as if he wanted us to come to him, all right. Keep your gun
+ready, Bluff, for there's no telling but what you may need it," Frank
+went on.
+
+"It's in apple-pie shape for business at the old stand. Jerry laughs at
+it, but before now he's found that it could help a fellow out of a hole.
+Suppose you try him again?"
+
+Bluff's suggestion was a good one, and Frank raised his voice in a shout.
+This time the answer came from a point closer at hand. Still, although
+they were peering eagerly through the dense foliage, they could see
+nothing out of the way.
+
+"This beats the Dutch! Where under the sun can the fellow be?" said
+Bluff, after they had gone still further.
+
+"What's that?" asked Frank suddenly, pointing.
+
+"I declare if it doesn't look some like a dead deer, a little fellow,
+too; perhaps a fawn," came from Bluff as he hurried forward.
+
+"No, it's a full-grown deer, all right, and just killed, too. They run
+very small down here, you know. But that doesn't tell us where our chum
+is, even if he shot the game, and had to fire three times in order to
+down it," declared Frank.
+
+"As sure as you live, here's his gun!" cried Bluff.
+
+Frank stared at the rifle, that lay at the foot of a particularly big
+live-oak, parts of which seemed to be rotting away, as there were dead
+limbs strewing the ground underneath it. Then he cast his eyes upward, as
+if under the impression that he might discover Jerry perched upon a limb,
+laughing at them.
+
+"He isn't up there. I've examined every limb on the old tree. What under
+the sun do you suppose could have happened to him?" ejaculated Bluff.
+
+"Hark!" said Frank, holding up his hand.
+
+"He's laughing at us! I tell you that was Jerry's chuckle, for all the
+world! Now, what tomfoolery is he up to, do you suppose? Bringing us
+ashore through all that beastly water just to have a shy at us! Hi,
+Jerry, you old joker! Show up!" cried Bluff indignantly.
+
+The only answer was a second laugh, louder than the first.
+
+"I declare he's up in that blessed tree, after all, and yet for the life
+of me I can't get a squint at him. Serve the old chap right if we went
+and took the dinghy back, leaving him to wade," grumbled Bluff.
+
+Frank was looking around him. He noticed several little things just then.
+Among others was the fact that there were scratches on the bark of the
+big old oak, as though some one might have scrambled up its trunk
+recently. An air-plant lay on the ground, evidently detached during the
+progress of that party.
+
+"I'm beginning to smell a rat," Frank said, slowly.
+
+"Then let me in, please. I'm just devoured with curiosity to know what it
+all means," pleaded his chum.
+
+"Listen! Don't you hear a strange buzzing up there?" demanded Frank.
+
+"Now that you mention it, I believe I do. Sounds to me like a hive of
+bees."
+
+"That's just what it is, and Jerry knew it as soon as he heard it. A hive
+of bees in this old live-oak, with perhaps a big store of honey laid up.
+Bluff, doesn't that tickle your palate? Well, it did Jerry's, for sure.
+He climbed up!"
+
+"After he had shot that deer, then?" asked Bluff.
+
+"Undoubtedly. I remember, now, that honey always appealed to Jerry more
+than any other sweet stuff. He was remarking, only the last time we had
+flapjacks, that it was a beastly blunder we had none of us thought to
+bring a bottle of honey along."
+
+"But he isn't up there, now, for I can see the whole tree. Still he keeps
+on chuckling. I can't make it out, Frank. But you know, for I see it in
+your face! Where is Jerry?"
+
+Frank deliberately rapped on the trunk of the big oak.
+
+"Hello, Jerry! Anybody at home in there?" he called.
+
+"Only a stranger and a pilgrim, who wants to get out the worst way, and
+can't," came in a muffled voice.
+
+Bluff gave a roar of amazement.
+
+"Why, he's inside the tree!" he ejaculated.
+
+"Just what he is. Stepped on some punky, rotten wood above there, that
+must have given way under his weight, and our fine chum shot down into
+the hollow trunk of the big king," laughed Frank.
+
+"Correct, Frank. Just how it happened. I've tried again and again to
+climb up to that hole where I came in, but the plagued walls are too
+slippery, and I fell back every time. Please mount the tree, and lower a
+coat or something for me to get a grip on," came in muffled tones to
+their ears.
+
+Both Frank and Bluff rolled upon the ground with shrieks of laughter.
+If the sounds of their merriment carried to the ears of Will, he must
+have been greatly mystified as to the cause of the same.
+
+But Jerry was getting impatient.
+
+"Hurry up, and get to work! It ain't over nice in here, I tell you," he
+called; and so the two climbed up the tree to effect his rescue.
+
+Bluff had a coat, so they lowered that by a sleeve, stretching down as
+far as possible. Jerry managed to scramble up far enough to lay hold
+on the other sleeve, and was, after one or two efforts, assisted to the
+opening. He came out looking a bit dilapidated, yet just as determined
+as ever to get some of that honey before leaving the vicinity.
+
+The others were not averse to laying in a supply of the same, and
+promised to arrange it for the morning, for night was now close at hand,
+and nothing could be done looking to an attack upon the bee tree.
+
+They carried the doe down to the water's edge. Jerry had come upon the
+animal soon after entering among the trees, and she had startled him
+by her sudden jump, so that it took three shots from his rifle to drop
+her. Then, as he stood over his game, the buzzing of the bees had
+attracted his attention, as the late comers arrived, laden with honey;
+and unable to resist the inclination to investigate, he had climbed up,
+with the disastrous result as stated.
+
+Bluff and Frank waded out to the motor-boat, allowing Jerry to ferry his
+venison in the little dinghy. Will greeted their coming with delight, for
+he saw great possibilities for future feasts in the game acquired.
+
+Of course he was wild to hear the story, which was told amid much
+merriment all around while they dined off fresh venison steak and
+scalloped oysters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+LYING IN AMBUSH FOR BIG GAME
+
+
+"Nobody lives in that old shack, then?" inquired Will.
+
+"Only when the turtle season is on, which doesn't happen to be now,"
+replied Frank.
+
+"I was afraid there might be a bunch of criminals ashore, and that Jerry
+had tumbled into a peck of trouble," continued the other.
+
+"Oh, it happened to be only a hollow tree he dropped into," said the hero
+of the adventure, who could take a joke even when it happened to be on
+himself.
+
+"There it goes again! Just think what beastly luck! I'm a Jonah, that's
+what! Oh! why didn't you ask me to go, instead of Bluff, Frank? I could
+have snapped him off when he was crawling out of that hole. Just think
+what a lovely reminder it would have been in times to come!" wailed Will,
+pretending to be bitterly disappointed, though Frank imagined he was
+assuming this to tantalize Jerry.
+
+"Talk to me about your artistic temperament! What d'ye call that? Me
+crawling out of that old bee tree make a beautiful picture! Yes, I guess
+it might, for the rest of you, but I'm satisfied to let the episode die a
+natural death. But wait till we fill up our spare pots and pans with that
+delicious honey! Um! um!" And Jerry smacked his lips as he contemplated
+the feast in store.
+
+They spent the night quietly enough. Nothing occurred to bother them,
+save the one annoyance they experienced from sandflies. The tiny
+creatures attacked them as soon as the breeze died out, and for an hour
+or two proved irritating in the extreme.
+
+Bluff executed a war dance as he slapped at his invisible persecutors,
+and wondered if he were going into a fever, his face and neck and arms
+burned so. Luckily, a night breeze coming up, drove the horde of tiny
+insects away, but for several days the boys were rubbing and scratching
+at the irritated skin.
+
+"'Skeeters ain't in it with the little pests!" vowed Jerry, and the whole
+party seemed to be of the same opinion.
+
+After an early breakfast they made preparations looking to a raid on the
+rich stores of the bee tree. An old piece of netting was made into nets,
+so as to cover their faces, while gloves protected their hands fairly
+well.
+
+Jerry took them ashore, all but Bluff, who elected to stay by the boat.
+The others jeered him, and declared that he was afraid of stings; but
+Bluff was not to be taunted into going.
+
+Joe, who had been up a bee tree before, offered to ascend, and do the
+work. So the balance of the party were only too glad of the chance to
+escape that duty.
+
+The hive was in a big limb that jutted out just above where Jerry had
+crashed through a rotten place marking the spot where another limb had
+broken off long years before.
+
+"It looks easy. I reckon I can chop her some, and she'll drop of her own
+weight," called the boy.
+
+He began to use the small camp ax with telling effect. After half an hour
+of this there was an ominous crack.
+
+"Look sharp, down there! She's a-comin'!" called Joe.
+
+Hardly had he spoken than the limb came down with a roar. Instantly
+the air was filled with a swarm of thousands of dazed bees. The limb
+had split open from the concussion, and a wonderful store of honey was
+displayed to view. Jerry was wild with delight.
+
+"Gallons and gallons of the lovely stuff!" he shouted. "Come on,
+fellows, and get the pails filled! Ouch! That little imp got me, all
+right! Say! he's inside my veil! Whoop! There's another! I must have
+left an opening!" And for a minute or so he danced around madly, slapping
+and pawing, until he had managed to dispose of the furious insects.
+
+By the time he had adjusted his net the others were busy at work.
+
+"Take only the lighter-colored honey. That dark stuff is old, though I
+suppose it's all good still. We can't use a fifth of what there is. I
+imagine I know what will happen around here to-night," said Frank.
+
+Joe looked up and grinned.
+
+"Bear come, sure. Smell the honey a mile away," he remarked, and Frank
+nodded.
+
+"And if we were wild to get a bear, all we'd have to do would be to sit
+here and wait," remarked Will, who had, of course, snapped off a few
+views while his chums were busy, particularly remembering Jerry while he
+pranced around and fought the busy bees that had invaded his head net.
+
+"I leave that to the rest," remarked Frank.
+
+Having secured all the honey they could carry away, they once more
+returned to the shore, and by degrees their sweet cargo was ferried out
+to the motor-boat. Of course, more or less washing up followed, for they
+were all sticky.
+
+"What is it to be, fellows--go, or stay over?" asked Frank a little
+later.
+
+Bluff had been told about the chances for bagging a bear, but he did not
+seem to care much about it.
+
+"I say go on," he remarked indifferently.
+
+"Bear for me," declared Jerry.
+
+"How about you, Will?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, I'm with Bluff this time. If it was in the daytime, now, and I
+thought I could get a picture of the shoot, I might look at it
+differently."
+
+"You happen to have run out of flashlight cartridges, then? That's too
+bad! Well, I side with Jerry," remarked Frank, smiling.
+
+"But that makes it a tie. We'll have to toss for it, fellows," came from
+Will.
+
+"You forget Joe, here. Let him cast the deciding vote. How, Joe?"
+
+The boy grinned, and looked affectionately at Frank.
+
+"I like bear steak," he said simply.
+
+"Hurrah! That settles it, then!" shouted Jerry.
+
+They just loafed through that day.
+
+"Take it easy, boys. Strenuous times may be ahead of us yet. Who knows?
+Besides, we are doing finely. Half the time gone, and we're surely more
+than half way along our journey, counting the river trip. We can easily
+spare the day." And Frank set each to amusing himself after his own
+particular fashion.
+
+Jerry went in the dinghy to try the fishing where the water was deeper,
+and it was not half an hour before they heard him yelling with delight
+as his little shallop was being towed around this way and that by a fish.
+
+"Another shark! He'd better cut loose!" exclaimed Will, in some alarm.
+
+Joe shook his head.
+
+"No shark this time. I think he has got fast to a big channel bass. It
+runs and then stops, then runs again. Shark keeps on all the while," he
+explained.
+
+It proved to be the case, for when Jerry came back he proudly exhibited a
+monster bronze-backed prize that must have weighed more than thirty
+pounds.
+
+Of course it was hung up, and a picture taken, with the gallant victor in
+the contest standing alongside, stout rod in hand.
+
+So the evening came at last, and they turned their thoughts to big game.
+
+Will and Bluff were elected to remain on board, as a penance for having
+voted against staying over.
+
+"We'll stand for that, all right; but if you should keel over a Bruin,
+don't you fellows think we're going to let you fool us out of our share
+of the prog," said Bluff.
+
+It took two trips of the dinghy to land the three hunters. Of course, Joe
+had only gone along to see the fun, for he had no gun.
+
+Still, he was capable of advancing some good suggestions, calculated to
+be of value to them while lying in ambush for the expected bear. It was
+to be expected, for instance, that Bruin would make his appearance from
+the dense thicket beyond the bee tree, so the boys hid themselves in
+a semicircle, with the broken honey storehouse in plain view.
+
+A fire had been started at a little distance, for otherwise they must
+have been in absolute darkness. Joe said a little thing like that would
+not keep the bear from coming after he had gotten a good whiff of the
+powerful odor of sweetness that filled the air.
+
+The bees had been hard at work carrying a portion of their store to some
+new hive, but there were gallons of it still there. Everything was
+smeared with the sticky substance, and Frank felt sure that if a bear
+existed within miles of the spot that odor would be a magnet to draw the
+animal straight to the spot.
+
+Talking was positively prohibited, and all the boys could do was to sit
+as still as the hovering mosquitoes would allow, and watch.
+
+Once or twice, Frank thought he heard a slight rustling somewhere near.
+It was not what a lumbering bear would be apt to make, however, and
+he concluded that in all probability it must be caused by prowling
+'coons.
+
+For the third time he felt positive that his ear had caught a sound, as
+of a stealthy movement. To his surprise, it seemed to come from the tree
+under which he had taken up his station. So he naturally bent his head
+back in the effort to locate the little animal that must be curiously
+observing him.
+
+A thrill passed through his frame as he first of all caught sight of two
+yellow eyes that glared at him not more than ten feet above his head.
+Then he could make out a dark body, about five feet in length, and with
+something moving back and forth at its extreme end.
+
+Frank caught his breath, and his hands clutched the gun he held. He did
+not need any one to tell him that he was gazing up at a panther,
+crouching overhead, and possibly getting ready to leap down upon him at
+any second!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+A STRENUOUS NIGHT
+
+
+Fortunately, Frank was a quick-witted boy.
+
+He had his gun held in such a position that it required only a simple
+movement to swing it upward. To aim, under the conditions, was out of the
+question. He had to depend entirely upon guesswork, or what might be
+called intuition.
+
+Imagine the astonishment of the others, crouching close by, when a flash
+of flame pierced the darkness, and the crash of Frank's gun was instantly
+followed by a fierce scream in which both pain and fury were mingled!
+
+Frank had no sooner fired than he threw himself backward. Knowing
+something about the habits of these animals, he understood that the
+panther would make its leap, no matter how seriously it might be wounded.
+
+Frank did not claim to be an acrobat, but he certainly made a record for
+himself in the line of back tumbling.
+
+"Who shot?" shouted Jerry in amazement.
+
+"Where's the bear?" came from Joe, equally amazed and confused.
+
+Frank had by this time managed to scramble to his feet. He was somewhat
+scratched, and would perhaps feel a bit sore from his tremendous effort,
+but his heart beat high with anticipation when he realized that all was
+still in the quarter where he had been snugly lying.
+
+"Stir up the fire, Jerry, and fetch a torch here!" he called, holding
+himself in readiness for another shot, if such should be needed.
+
+"You just bet I will!" cried the other, bounding forward.
+
+Frank saw him give the smoldering fire a kick that started it into new
+life. Then, bending over, he snatched a brand and came running back.
+
+"Where are you, Frank? What under the sun happened? Not hurt, are you?"
+was what he was singing out, his voice trembling with eagerness and
+anxiety.
+
+"Everything all right, Jerry. Come this way. Now poke the blaze over
+yonder."
+
+Jerry gave a shout.
+
+"Something's moving! It's kicking its last, by the great horn spoon!
+Frank's got his bear--no, I'll be hanged if it is! A panther, Joe, a
+panther!"
+
+He stood there like a statue, holding the torch and staring at the sleek
+gray form stretched out under the tree, and which was, in fact, giving
+the very last kick, as he had declared.
+
+Frank laughed, a little hysterically, it may be assumed, for the strain
+on his nerves had been tremendous.
+
+"Unexpected visitor, eh, Jerry? Didn't send out an invitation to this
+slippery gentleman, did we? But he insisted on joining the family circle,
+and I just _had_ to ask him in," he said, trying to steady his voice,
+while, unseen by Jerry, his hands were shaking as he clutched his gun.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you! Oh, yes, he came, all right. That was a
+warm invitation he couldn't resist. But how did you see him, Frank? Where
+was the sly old cat? Say! he must have jumped for you, I guess, for that
+was just where you were squatting!"
+
+Frank shuddered as he saw that this was true. Only for his quick action
+in vacating his position he must have been torn by the poisonous claws
+of the dying beast.
+
+"He was sitting just above my head, on that limb there," he remarked
+quietly.
+
+"Talk to me about your cute ones, what could equal that? Do you think the
+old slinker was there all the time?" demanded Jerry, shaking his head.
+
+"Oh, no. That is out of the question. Our coming must have alarmed him if
+he had been so close by. I imagine he crept through the trees while we
+lay here waiting, like so many mummies."
+
+"I say, Frank, do panthers like honey?" demanded the other.
+
+"Well, now, you've got me there. Never having had any experience in that
+line, I'm in the dark. How about it, Joe?" laughed Frank.
+
+"I never heard of one that did. S'pect he was snoopin' around to see what
+we was a-doin' here. Then there was the smell of the blood from the deer,
+you know," explained the Florida boy wisely.
+
+"Why, of course! That's it. But I say, Frank, do we cut out the bear hunt
+now?"
+
+"That's for you to say. I've had my shot, but if you're satisfied to
+stay, why, count on me to keep you company."
+
+"I had my heart set on bear steak. The only thing is, will old Bruin come
+now, after all this rumpus?" said Jerry disconsolately.
+
+"If half that I've heard about his liking for wild honey is true, a dozen
+rackets like that couldn't keep him away. Joe, you know. Tell us if that
+isn't so?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, he'll come, all right, if he smells that honey," returned the boy
+confidently.
+
+"That settles it, then. We stay a while, at any rate," declared Frank.
+
+Jerry was secretly pleased. Perhaps he did have a little streak of envy
+in his composition, for it galled him to have others succeed in his
+beloved sport while fortune denied him a fair share of the honors. But,
+taken all in all, Jerry was square enough, and would quickly change
+places with a companion in a boat when it appeared that all the fish were
+lying at his end.
+
+Frank moved his position a little. Then they settled down to wait. Of
+course, every one of the three boys cast rather frequent and apprehensive
+glances up into the branches overhead. Sometimes these panthers hunted in
+pairs, and how were they to tell but what the mate to Frank's victim
+might be even then watching for a chance to leap down upon them?
+
+An hour passed. Then Jerry heard a grunting sound somewhere close by. It
+was accompanied by a rustling in the bushes.
+
+His pulses thrilled, while Joe, who had taken up a position alongside him
+after the adventure with the panther, put out a hand and nudged Jerry
+several times.
+
+"Bear!" he said, in the lowest of whispers.
+
+Again and again came the grunting and the swishing of bushes. Bruin was
+sniffing the delightful aroma of honey. It was so strong that his usual
+caution was apparently thrown to the winds, and he pushed forward
+straight toward the spot where the broken tree hive had scattered much of
+its delicious contents over the ground.
+
+Now Jerry could see his bulky figure as he shuffled forward with eager
+mien. The repeating rifle began to come up, though Jerry was in no hurry
+to fire. He wanted to get a fair view of the animal's side, so that he
+could bring Bruin down with a single shot.
+
+They could hear the beast grunting in delight as he started in to devour
+some of the bees' rich treasure. Perhaps he had long cast an envious eye
+on that same tree hive, and hoped for the time to come when a storm might
+lay it low.
+
+Frank held his fire generously. He could have shot the bear several
+times, and with the buckshot shells that were in his gun had no fear
+about killing his game with ease; but it was really Jerry's turn.
+
+Finally came the sharp report. They saw the bear roll over, try to
+stagger up again, struggle vehemently, and then gradually grow weaker.
+
+"Hurrah, Jerry! He's your bag!" shouted Frank, as genuinely happy as
+though it had been his own shot that did the business; perhaps more so.
+
+"Oh! what a night! Bring on your bears and panthers, your crocodiles and
+tomcats!" cried Jerry. "We can take care of a whole menagerie. Talk to me
+about your hunting preserves! Did you ever meet up with anything that
+equals this?"
+
+Realizing that the boys on board the motorboat must be consumed with
+eagerness to know what the result of these two shots might be, Frank now
+proposed that they go aboard.
+
+"We want some sleep, you see. In the morning we'll be able to attend to
+these fellows. I guess nothing will bother them until then," he said.
+
+He and Joe entered the little dinghy, and it was ferried across the water
+to the anchored boat. There they were met by both Will and Bluff, who,
+being aroused by the first shot, had sat there, swathed in blankets,
+watching for the return of the mighty Nimrods.
+
+"What luck?" called Bluff, evidently repenting that he had not
+accompanied them.
+
+"Oh, Jerry got his bear, all right," sang out Frank indifferently, while
+he kept on pushing the smaller boat closer to the other.
+
+"But didn't you shoot? Will declared it was your shotgun that awoke us
+first--it must have been hours ago," went on Bluff curiously.
+
+"Why, yes. I had a shot at a gray visitor who threatened to jump down on
+me from the tree." And Frank began climbing aboard so that Joe could go
+back after the other chum.
+
+"What! Do you mean a panther?" burst out Bluff.
+
+"Sure! Wait till you see the chap, in the morning. Looks like a dandy,"
+replied Frank, trying to appear unconcerned.
+
+"Then you got him?"
+
+"It was a case of getting him before he got me." And then, taking pity on
+the boys, who were fairly burning with eagerness to hear, he told how he
+had happened to discover the crouching beast that had crept into the tree
+without their knowledge.
+
+Presently Jerry came aboard. Both of the hunters, as well as young Joe,
+were too sleepy for further conversation.
+
+"You'll see it all in the morning. And Will, we can hang up the game so
+that you'll have a fine shot at the scene, bee tree and all. Every time
+we look at it our mouths will water at the thought of all that fine honey
+going to waste," and with this parting remark Frank crawled under his
+blanket.
+
+Nothing happened to disturb the outdoor chums during the balance of
+the night. With the coming of morning they were astir. Breakfast was a
+hurried meal. Then they went ashore in detachments, Joe remaining behind
+to look after the boat.
+
+Will managed to get a good picture of the trophies, with the two gallant
+hunters standing beside the defunct bear and panther. Then, after the
+former had been washed, being sticky with the honey, Frank assisted Jerry
+to get the skin off. It was here the boys profited by the advice given
+by the old trapper, Jesse Wilcox, when they visited him in his camp above
+Rocky Creek, which was a feeder to the lake upon which their home town
+was located.
+
+Before noon they were all aboard again. Both skins had been secured,
+besides the choice portions of the bear meat. Bluff even managed to fill
+another kettle with the honey, though stung unmercifully by the angry
+bees that were so busily working to transfer their stores to a new home.
+
+After a bite of lunch they started out again on the gulf, since the
+conditions invited an afternoon cruise. Frank knew they would find a good
+holding place not more than twenty miles further along the shore, and he
+aimed to reach it before the coming of night.
+
+It was just four o'clock when they pushed in behind another key and made
+their way to the mainland, for here the water was quite deep.
+
+"I move for a camp ashore, for a change," suggested Jerry.
+
+"Second that motion. My back's nearly broken from these hard boards,"
+grunted Bluff. "Oh, dear! If we only had our air mattresses along,
+Frank!"
+
+"Yes, if we only had!" exclaimed Jerry. "Then you'd soon quit claiming
+that you had bigger lungs than I've got. You know I beat you in blowing
+up my bag."
+
+"Yes, just once more than I came in winner. Isn't that so, Frank?"
+
+Frank poured oil on the troubled waters, but he and Will winked at each
+other, for the joke always amused them.
+
+They erected the tent, and had their jolly campfire, which reminded them
+of many in the past. It was, of course, thought a good thing to secure
+the boat with chain and padlock, so that no prowling scamp could make off
+with it while they slept, for they meant to keep no watch.
+
+Joe found a place on board, as there was no room in the tent. Besides, he
+had not a temperament that delighted in such things, and would only too
+gladly have always felt sure of having a good roof over him at night.
+
+The four boys were a bit crowded. Still, they joked over the thing as
+they settled down, and after a time only the glow of the still burning
+fire told that human beings were somewhere near by.
+
+They slept soundly, despite the close quarters, since the air was cool,
+and, for a wonder, no mosquitoes worried them. Those who were dreaming
+must have imagined the end of the world had suddenly arrived, for the
+tent was, without the least warning, knocked down, leaving the four
+amazed boys scrambling and shouting under the canvas, and trying to crawl
+out from the wreckage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE MESSAGE FROM THE AIR
+
+
+"What struck us?" And Bluff poked his head out from under the canvas,
+looking for all the world like a tortoise, Frank thought, as he followed
+suit.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you! Where's the villain who cut the ropes? I
+can whip him with one hand!" panted Jerry, struggling in a mess of camp
+necessities, and kicking around among the aluminum ware that Frank prized
+so highly.
+
+"Where's my camera? Some fellow has run off with my camera!" wailed Will.
+
+By this time Frank had extricated himself from the wreckage and began to
+assist the others to regain their feet. No one seemed to be seriously
+injured, and the mystery was great. What had happened to smash down their
+tent in that strange way?
+
+"The ropes were never cut, fellows!" announced Bluff, after a hasty
+examination.
+
+"Something _fell_ on us, that's what!" observed Jerry, shaking that wise
+head of his in his obstinate fashion as he surveyed the ruins of the
+tent.
+
+Frank seized upon the idea quickly.
+
+"I believe you've struck the truth, Jerry!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Then it must have been a shooting-star or a piece off a comet," said
+Will.
+
+"Not much. I am sure I heard voices calling out, and laughing over the
+joke. I tell you somebody's playing a nasty trick on us, that's what!"
+declared Bluff.
+
+"Voices, did you say? Are you sure?" demanded Frank, stopping in his
+fumbling around the tent, while Jerry was throwing some dead palmetto
+leaves on the fire to induce a speedy blaze, so that they might have more
+light.
+
+"Yes, I'm sure; and they were out there, too," continued Bluff, pointing
+beyond the motor-boat.
+
+"I heard 'em, too!" called Joe, at this juncture, as his head appeared in
+view above the combing of the craft.
+
+"Out on the bayou?" asked Frank, anxious to solve the strange mystery.
+
+"Sure! And there was something like the creaking of sails, too. But I
+don't think they was makin' fun of us. I kinder thought one of 'em called
+out somethin' that sounded like, 'Help us!'" went on Joe breathlessly.
+
+"Talk to me about your mysteries! Who ever ran up against a worse one
+than this?" gasped Jerry, scratching his head, as he shivered in the
+cool air.
+
+"What time is it, anyhow?" demanded Will, who had now found his camera,
+and was feeling satisfied, because it did not appear to have sustained
+any injury.
+
+"Time? I declare if that isn't dawn in the east, fellows! Time we were
+up, I guess," remarked Frank, stooping over again, determined to learn
+the secret of the sudden and violent collapse of the tent, accompanied by
+such strange whispering voices that seemed to die away in the distance.
+
+"Well, all I can say is that if dawn comes with such a swoop down in this
+blessed country, it's me back to my native heath again," grumbled Jerry,
+who had received a few bruises in the mix-up. Up to now he had paid no
+attention to them, but they were beginning to make themselves manifest.
+
+"What's this?"
+
+Frank uttered the cry as he bent over and stared at something which he
+had discovered under the canvas.
+
+"Hold on! I've got my gun handy!" exclaimed Bluff, thinking that if it
+were a wild animal his time had come to distinguish himself.
+
+"Oh! What is it?" echoed Will, crowding near.
+
+The fire was now leaping madly up as the tinder-like dried palmetto
+leaves and stalks caught, so that every one could easily see.
+
+"Why, it's a bag!--a big bean bag!" exclaimed Will, in amazement. "Where,
+in the name of goodness, did that come from, fellows?"
+
+"A bean bag! Tell me about that, will you?" said Jerry. And then, as he
+bent over to clutch hold of it, he went on: "Why, as sure as you live,
+it's a _sand bag_! Who ever could have shied that thing at us and then
+run away?"
+
+Frank was more than startled. He had seen just such bags before, and
+filled with sand, too. He knew to what uses they were put.
+
+"Say! What do you think, that bag is ballast from a balloon or airship?"
+he cried.
+
+"Ballast!"
+
+"From an airship!"
+
+The four outdoor chums stood there and stared, first at each other and
+then at the suspicious bag that lay there on the canvas. There could be
+no mistake about its contents, for one seam had broken, and the sand was
+trickling out even now.
+
+"Then a balloon passed over us in the night, and they threw out a sand
+bag to lighten her! What do you think of that?" gasped Jerry, as if
+hardly able to grasp the strangeness of the affair.
+
+"Why would they want to lighten her?" asked Bluff.
+
+Frank was quick to perceive facts.
+
+"Listen, fellows! Joe, here, says the voices were out yonder, toward the
+key, and that they gradually grew less distinct. That would happen, you
+know, if a balloon were gradually drifting out toward the open gulf."
+
+"Tell me about that, now! Do you really think they were being run away
+with?" asked Jerry in a tense tone, as he tried to picture the alarm that
+must overwhelm aeronauts under such conditions.
+
+"Didn't Joe say he was sure he heard some one cry out, 'Help us'?
+Wouldn't that indicate danger for the balloonists? I tell you what, boys,
+this was the most remarkable thing that ever happened to us. To think
+that the sand bag, and maybe an anchor, knocked our tent down with a
+smash, and didn't kill or seriously injure a single one of us beats the
+record! But I'm sorry for those fellows, though."
+
+"So am I, Frank. I wish we could do something to help them," remarked
+Will.
+
+"Couldn't we put out right away? They may fall into the gulf any minute,
+and be drowned! Say! Why not go, Frank?" pursued Jerry.
+
+"Get some clothes on, the first thing, fellows. We're not going back to
+bed again now, anyway. The dawn is surely coming on, and we could get out
+on the gulf in a short time, if we concluded to try it."
+
+They had left their outer garments aboard the motor-boat, so that it was
+easy enough to find them now. Hastily they dressed, all the while
+chattering like a lot of magpies. But it might have been noticed that
+every one was in favor of doing something to assist the drifting
+balloonists, who had apparently gone out to sea in a helpless airship.
+
+Frank was dressed a little before any of the rest. Something seemed to
+have come into his mind, for he hurried ashore again, as if bent upon
+examining the sand bag once more.
+
+"What's he up to?" asked Bluff, for the daylight was now growing strong
+enough for them to see to some extent.
+
+"Wants to look at that bean bag of Will's again, I guess. Perhaps he
+thinks we may have a good supper off the contents," jeered Jerry.
+
+"Now I think he expects to get a clue, somehow. Perhaps there may be a
+name sewed on the old bag. Seems to me, balloonists do that, so the
+people below may report their passing over, especially when there's a
+race on," remarked Will calmly.
+
+"And that's just what he's up to," declared Bluff, "for you see he's
+turning the bag over now. There! He's struck something, by the way he
+grabs! It's a letter, fellows, as sure as you live!"
+
+"A letter from the skies! Tell me about that, will you!" whistled Jerry
+as he bounded ashore and hurried to join Frank.
+
+"What's doing?" he asked anxiously, as he came to where the other was
+standing, staring at the piece of paper he held in his hand.
+
+"Remarkable! Who would ever have believed it?" Frank was saying.
+
+"Well, please take pity on the rest of us, and let us have a little
+light," Will broke out with.
+
+"It came from the _Kentucky_, fellows!" Frank observed, shaking his head,
+as if he could hardly believe his senses.
+
+"That was the name of the balloon our good friend, Professor Jason
+Smythe, expected to pilot in the drift from Atlanta to Savannah, to test
+the air currents."
+
+This from Jerry, who was equally amazed.
+
+"How do you know?" asked Bluff, of course, since he never accepted
+anything without abundant proof.
+
+"The name is sewed on the bag. I found it underneath. But there was
+something more, boys--this letter, written, with others of the same kind,
+and sent down in the hope that one of them might fall into the hands of
+some person who would notify the government station at Pensacola or Cedar
+Keys."
+
+"Read it to us, Frank!"
+
+"Yes, don't keep us in suspense. Besides, if we're going to do anything,
+we'd better not waste so much time here," Jerry remarked wisely.
+
+"Then listen. Here is what it says, scribbled so that I can hardly make
+it out:
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"'On board the balloon _Kentucky_, and drifting toward the gulf. Our
+valve refuses to work, and we dare not attempt to land in the dark.
+Ballast nearly gone. We fear we may be swept out to sea. Please notify
+station at Pensacola to send assistance--a tug, if possible. We may keep
+afloat a short time if we fall into the gulf.
+
+"'JASON SMYTHE.'"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The boys looked awed at the remarkable coincidence of that sand bag,
+possibly thrown out at random, striking their tent; and they who knew
+the professor so well.
+
+"But, come, fellows! We must be off! Leave these few things here till we
+get back. To save that daring aeronaut's life I'd sacrifice ten times
+as much!" cried Frank as he leaped aboard the boat and started the motor,
+while the others tore loose the two remaining hawsers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+A DASH UPON THE GULF
+
+
+"How About it, Frank? Ought all of us to go?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Do you think any one wants to remain behind?" asked the party addressed.
+
+"Speaking for myself, nothing could induce me to stay," came the reply.
+
+"So say we all of us," declared Bluff, who had overheard the question.
+
+"Besides, I think it wise that we stick together. If anything should
+happen that we couldn't come back here, it wouldn't matter much. You see,
+we've been able to tumble most of our stuff aboard in a scramble. It can
+be straightened out as we go. All ready, Jerry?" questioned Frank, as the
+other gave a shout.
+
+"All ready! Get aboard, and start her. It's light enough to see, now. Oh!
+I only hope we can find the professor!" cried Jerry as he embarked.
+
+"If Fortune is kind, we must, boys. Now we're off!"
+
+With these words, firmly spoken, Frank opened up, and the power-boat
+began to move through the water. Fortunately, it was deep in this
+shelter, so that they could make decent speed from the beginning. Had
+they anchored in such a shallow bayou as their last stopping place, it
+must have taken an hour to get clear of the various oyster bars, running
+out in finger-like ridges from the shore.
+
+Presently they cleared the point of land marking the upper end of the
+sheltering key, and the limitless gulf lay before them.
+
+Morning was now rapidly advancing. The far eastern heavens had begun to
+take on a beautiful rosy flush, such as can be seen in no place in the
+wide world to better advantage than in Florida, of a winter's morning.
+
+Every eye was instantly engaged in scouring that expanse of water,
+searching eagerly for a sign of the castaway balloonists. Frank even had
+his marine glasses leveled, and, first of all, scanned the horizon,
+hoping that possibly the air craft might have been able to keep afloat
+thus far through strenuous methods known to such a veteran sky pilot as
+the professor.
+
+He was disappointed, however, for the only things that met his gaze were
+a few white gulls.
+
+"What's that floating on the water over yonder, Frank?" demanded
+sharp-eyed Will, pointing down the coast a little.
+
+A thrill passed through every heart. Had the lost air voyagers been
+sighted, and would they be rescued, after all?
+
+Frank had his glasses focussed upon the object almost instantly.
+
+"Too bad, fellows! Only a bunch of brown pelicans floating on the sea and
+waiting until breakfast time comes around," he said at once.
+
+A chorus of remarks indicative of disappointment followed. Meantime, as
+the speed of the boat was rushed up to near the limit of twelve miles,
+and they fairly flew over the comparatively smooth gulf, each boy
+continued to scan the water, hoping to be the first to report success.
+
+"How long since they passed over, do you think?" asked practical Bluff.
+
+"I should say all of an hour," was Frank's ready response.
+
+"One good thing, there wasn't any sort of a breeze. If it had been
+blowing fairly hard, the balloon would be twenty miles away by now, even
+if afloat."
+
+"That's a fact Bluff; and as there wasn't an air current of more than a
+few miles an hour, one thing seems positive."
+
+"What's that, Frank?" demanded Jerry.
+
+"The balloon must have dropped into the water. If it was still in the air
+it could be seen through these powerful glasses miles away."
+
+The others recognized the truth of his words.
+
+"You seem to be heading straight out. Have you any reason for such a
+thing?" asked Bluff, seeking information.
+
+"I have. Before we started I carefully noted my bearings. I also made
+sure that what little air was stirring came direct from the land, which,
+in this case, was almost due east. You can easily see from that which way
+the balloon must have drifted up to the minute it dragged in the water."
+
+"Frank, what you say is sound, practical good sense. We must come on some
+sign in a short time, if we keep straight on and the conditions remain
+the same. I'm only afraid we may be too late," remarked Jerry sadly.
+
+No one else spoke for several minutes as the motor-boat sped merrily
+along on her mission of mercy. It was a time of great strain. They hoped
+for the best, and yet were conscious of a terrible fear lest the
+professor and his assistant might have gone down long ere this.
+
+"The breeze is freshening," remarked Bluff presently.
+
+Frank had noted this, too. It was only natural, for after dawn the air
+currents that may have become sluggish during the night were in the
+habit of awakening and taking on new life.
+
+He looked back. The land was several miles away by this time. If they
+were fated to meet with success in their errand, something must be
+showing up very soon now.
+
+Sick at heart with apprehension, Frank handed the glasses over to Jerry,
+and was pretending to pay strict attention to the motor. Truth to tell,
+his nerves were keyed up to a high tension, as he counted the seconds,
+and kept hoping for the best.
+
+Frank had noted one thing that gave him not a little concern. This was in
+connection with the fact that the easterly breeze seemed to have bobbed
+around to the southwest. Now, from all that he had heard this was a
+quarter that nearly always brings one of those howling "northers" that
+prove such a bane to Florida cruisers.
+
+"How about that, Joe--is the fact that the wind is in the southwest apt
+to bring bad weather?" he asked, when he could get the cracker lad aside;
+for Frank did not wish to further alarm his chums.
+
+"Most always that happens. When the wind rises now, unless she goes back
+once again to the south, you see she will be squally," returned Joe, also
+lowering his voice cautiously.
+
+"And that squally wind develops into something stronger, I guess?"
+pursued the Northern boy, always seeking to learn.
+
+"It jumps around to the northwest like a pompano skipping along the water
+in a shoal. Then for three days it blows like a railroad train, out of
+the north, and we all shiver," was the characteristic reply.
+
+"Well, I only hope the squall part of it holds off until we pick up the
+poor professor. We saved him once from the fire, and now it seems up to
+us to pull him in out of the wet, if we have any decent sort of luck."
+
+Noting the look of surprise on the little fellow's brown face, and
+realizing that he was totally ignorant in connection with what his words
+meant, Frank proceeded to tell how the hotel in Centerville was burned,
+and what a part Jerry and himself had had in the rescue of the
+balloonist, who had taken a sleeping powder, and lay in his room,
+unconscious of the tumult and peril.
+
+Jerry meanwhile was making as good use of the marine glasses as he knew
+how.
+
+"See anything that looks like the wreckage of a balloon on the water?"
+asked Frank, as he swept the horizon with his naked eye, but in vain.
+
+"Not a beastly thing," returned the other, in a disappointed tone.
+
+"Oh, I'm afraid we've come in the wrong direction," sighed tender-hearted
+Will, shaking his head dubiously; "and it's just terrible to think that
+those poor chaps may be drowning right now, and our little boat so near
+at hand!"
+
+"Tell me about that, will you? There he goes as usual, making us feel
+like murderers or something, when we only want a chance to get in our
+fine rescuing act. Stop him talking that way, Frank, won't you?" pleaded
+Bluff, who had emptied all the sand out of the bag dropped by the
+drifting balloonists, and declared he meant to hang the same up in his
+den at home as a memento of the wonderful incident.
+
+Frank stood up to see the better.
+
+Carefully he scanned the horizon, beginning at the furthest possible
+quarter toward the south, and ranging to one equally improbable
+northward.
+
+And everywhere it seemed to be the same dead level line, with not a break
+that gave signs of promise.
+
+"And the strange thing about it all is that there doesn't seem to be a
+solitary vessel, big or little, in sight anywhere. It would be hard at
+any other time to find the gulf around here so utterly forsaken," he
+remarked, beginning to feel discouraged himself.
+
+"It certainly looks as though we had the field to ourselves," remarked
+Bluff; "here we've come some miles from shore, which is getting
+'hull-down,' as the sailors say, in the distance, and yet not a peep of
+the lost balloonists. How much further ought we go, Frank?"
+
+"Just as long as there seems to be the slightest chance of our striking
+those we're looking for, or we can see shore with the glasses. I, for
+one, would never be satisfied to give up, and then later on feel that we
+might have found them if we'd only kept out another mile or two."
+
+"My sentiments, exactly," declared Will, who possessed a tender heart, as
+his chums knew from experience.
+
+So the time crept on.
+
+Frank was bending above the motor, but all the while he kept one eye over
+his shoulder on the bow of the boat where his chum stood, still sweeping
+the sea ahead with the marine glasses.
+
+In fact, every one aboard seemed to have his gaze focussed on Jerry by
+this time, as though he might be the one to decide whether the hunt had
+better be abandoned right then and there, or kept up still longer.
+
+And Frank almost held his breath awaiting the verdict.
+
+Suddenly he saw Jerry start, and screw the glasses more eagerly to his
+eyes, as he craned his neck to see the better. With the increasing wind
+the waves had commenced to rise a little, consequently any floating
+object might at times be difficult to discern.
+
+"I had a glimpse of something then, fellows! But, after all, it might
+have been another bunch of old pelicans!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Not that. Pelicans would not be so far out. They hug pretty close to the
+shore, where the water is more shallow, and the fish come in to feed.
+Still, it may have been the fin of a shark cutting the water like that
+one--" started Frank, when Jerry interrupted him:
+
+"There it is again! As sure as you live, I believe it's a man clinging to
+some sort of wreckage! Here, take the glasses, Frank! Right over there,
+dead ahead! Now be ready! There! See?"
+
+"It _is_ a man! Yes--two of them! Fellows, we are in time!" cried Frank.
+
+"Hurrah!" the others shouted in chorus.
+
+And the breeze, coming off shore, must have carried that volume of
+cheering sound to the ears of the almost despairing balloonists as they
+clung there to the wreck of their disabled air craft, possibly arranged
+to float for a time if it dropped into the sea.
+
+"Yes. There! I can see one of them waving his hand! Give the poor chaps
+another shout, boys! This is great luck for us!" exclaimed Frank, and his
+own sturdy voice helped to swell the sound that rolled over the water.
+
+If it was a happy moment for the rescuers, imagine the feelings of the
+two who clung there, expecting that every minute might see them without
+any support, as the waterlogged balloon sank under them!
+
+Fast though the motor-boat was shooting through the waves, she seemed to
+fairly crawl, such was the impatience of the young voyagers.
+
+So they swept alongside the floating balloonists. When Professor Smythe
+discovered the identity of those who were coming to his aid his
+astonishment knew no bounds. It was the most remarkable coincidence he
+could remember meeting with in an adventurous career extending over
+many years.
+
+"Was that your camp we passed over, a little while back?" he asked,
+as, having been helped aboard, and some instruments being passed up by
+his assistant, he helped the latter to crawl over the gunwale of the
+motor-boat.
+
+"Just what it was," laughed Frank, "and you came near wrecking us, too.
+The sand bag struck the tent, and carried it down in a heap."
+
+"Incredible! And yet that very fact goes to prove my assertion that in
+war time dynamite could be easily dropped into a fortress by means
+of a dirigible balloon, or an aeroplane. That was a happy thought of mine
+to send a message. Only I hope none of you brave boys received any
+injury!" cried the professor.
+
+"Luckily not. But what is to be done with this wreckage?" asked Frank.
+
+"Nothing. It will sink presently. We have secured all our valuable
+instruments and records. I'm only too happy over escaping from a watery
+grave. Simms and myself were making up our minds that our time had come
+when you hove in sight."
+
+"We are heading for Cedar Keys, but in no hurry to get there, professor.
+What would you like us to do for you?" asked Frank presently, after they
+had given both men blankets to throw about their shoulders, for the air
+was "nippy."
+
+"There is smoke on the horizon, to the west I believe it must be a
+steamer bound for Tampa. Do you think it would be possible to intercept
+her and put us aboard?" asked the scientist eagerly.
+
+Frank took a look at the weather.
+
+"We'll make a try, anyhow. But to do so we must head straight out, for
+she will go miles to the south of us," he said.
+
+They sped on for an hour. The land was dim in the distance. It thrilled
+them to know they were like a speck out in the midst of the great Gulf of
+Mexico. By now the coast steamer was in plain view, and signals were made
+for her to stop.
+
+When the captain learned who the two men were, and that he could further
+the work of the government, he gladly took them aboard; and the last the
+boys saw of the aeronauts was their waving hats as the steamer went on
+her way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE "NORTHER"
+
+
+"Is it back to the shore now, Frank?"
+
+"If we are wise we'll lose no time in heading that way," was the quick
+response.
+
+"What's the matter? Is there anything wrong?" demanded Jerry, taking the
+alarm immediately from his chum's manner.
+
+"I think we are in for another little experience. If you notice, there
+are clouds along the horizon. I imagine our long-delayed norther is about
+to swoop down on us before long."
+
+"Talk to me about the tough luck of that, will you! Of all times, that it
+should pick out this to tackle us!" exclaimed Jerry.
+
+He had seen the dark clouds Frank mentioned, and noted that the wind was
+no longer in the east, but had swung around to the southwest almost
+magically.
+
+Of course, they were making as fast time as the motor-boat could boast
+toward the dim shore line. How very far away it seemed to be! Will turned
+a little white as he contemplated the coming storm catching the small
+boat out upon the broad bosom of the great gulf.
+
+In doing an errand of mercy they had unconsciously put their heads in the
+lion's mouth.
+
+Those were very anxious minutes for the chums. Each throb of the motor
+was taking them closer to the land, but the clouds were rising, and
+the wind increasing, all too fast to please Frank.
+
+When they were about two miles off shore he commenced to scan the scene
+before them with renewed eagerness. Much depended upon whether they would
+have the good luck to strike in at a place where shelter might be found
+against the fury of the storm when the waves assumed giant proportions.
+
+The gallant little boat behaved splendidly, although there were times
+when it seemed to Will that his heart jumped into his throat with agony
+as he imagined that the whirling propeller, exposed to view by the rapid
+sweep of a billow, might be twisted from its shaft, and ruin come upon
+them.
+
+And the little dinghy floated astern like a duck, riding the rollers with
+ease. Again was that valuable glass brought into use, this time searching
+for a haven, rather than to discover lost balloonists.
+
+"Frank," said Jerry presently, "let me take the wheel while you look
+through the glasses here. I believe I sighted a key just over yonder,
+where you see that high palmetto. It seems closer than others just
+behind."
+
+One look Frank gave.
+
+"Boys, there's a chance for us!" he cried, "for that is certainly an
+island, and if there only happens to be deep water back of it we can make
+a harbor."
+
+"Then you're going to risk it?" demanded Bluff.
+
+"There's nothing else to be done. If we head straight on we must go
+ashore perhaps half a mile from the land itself. If we try to run down
+the coast we will be capsized, because we present our broadside to the
+seas, and they're getting worse and worse every minute," declared Frank
+firmly.
+
+"Frank is right. It is our only hope," said Jerry.
+
+There were some white faces in the little anxious group as the motor-boat
+swept resistlessly onward. If all went well, they would find shelter
+behind the friendly key before many minutes. Should it shoal up rapidly,
+they must be hopelessly wrecked, and perhaps drowned, in the whirl of
+foamy water.
+
+The sky was by this time covered with black clouds, and the wind
+increasing to almost hurricane force. Frank knew that they were sweeping
+onward at more than twenty miles an hour. Once they struck a reef, while
+going at this pace, and it meant an end to Cousin Archie's pretty boat,
+and imminent peril concerning themselves.
+
+Now he could see that he had made no mistake about the key. They swept
+around the northern end of the jutting land, and Jerry, who was clinging
+in the bow, trying to gain new confidence by thrusting the pole downward
+from time to time, kept on announcing that he could not strike bottom.
+
+Gradually Frank steered in such fashion that they gained the protection
+of a point. Then the boys broke out into a shout that voiced their
+sentiments of thanksgiving at an almost miraculous escape.
+
+It was not difficult to find a snug harbor after that. Of course, the
+norther was soon in full swing, it being really the first genuine
+experience our cruisers had met with in that line.
+
+The air grew very cold, and they were glad to get ashore and build a
+roaring fire in a sheltered spot. Indeed, it was speedily determined that
+they would hug that same cheery blaze as long as the visitor from the
+frigid North remained.
+
+Heavy rain had accompanied the first of the storm, but this soon ceased,
+and a steady roar of wind through the palmettos sounded like a railroad
+train passing over a long trestle. The waves breaking on the north end of
+the sand key also added to the wild clamor.
+
+All that day and the next they were stormbound. Of course, Jerry could
+not be kept idle. Fishing was out of the question during such a blow, but
+he discovered that there was plenty of game to be had with Frank's
+shotgun. Ducks could be obtained in any number, such as they were. Frank
+tried skinning them to get rid of the fishy flavor, and found it answered
+splendidly. Coots, treated in the same way, afforded a very palatable
+stew.
+
+Then on the mainland, where Jerry managed to go by aid of the dinghy, he
+was lucky enough to stir up several bevy of quail, from which he took
+fair toll.
+
+Meanwhile Bluff, seized with a sudden sense of his duties as the owner of
+a repeating shotgun, hied him away along the protected inner shore of the
+key, and managed to gather in a full dozen snipe and shore birds of
+various species, some of which proved to be very delicious.
+
+So they passed the time away, making merry, as care-free lads will. Often
+Frank and Jerry talked mysteriously together, while little Joe was busily
+engaged about the fire. Undoubtedly the two good-hearted boys were trying
+to hatch up some sort of scheme whereby the youngster might be benefited.
+
+On the third day they determined to start out. The sea had gone down to
+decent proportions, with a promise of several fair days ahead, as is
+always the case after a norther has cleared the atmosphere. Besides,
+their time was nearing an end, and they must get closer to Cedar Keys.
+
+A long day's run was taken, and as they sought a snug harbor that
+afternoon the solemn face of Frank assured his chums that they were near
+the end of their delightful winter vacation.
+
+"If you look over yonder, fellows," said Frank as they drifted slowly
+toward the harbor that had been selected for the night's anchorage,
+"you'll see something that will tell you the city on the key is close at
+hand. To-morrow we will wind up our little cruise, I'm sorry to say."
+
+A groan greeted this announcement, although they had suspected that such
+an ending to their happy time was imminent.
+
+Jerry reluctantly raised the marine glasses.
+
+"Yes, it's a fact, fellows," he said slowly. "I can see the wharves and
+some of the boats, as well as church steeples. That's Cedar Keys, all
+right."
+
+"Then this is our last night in camp. Well, boys, don't let's get the
+blues. We've had a bully good time, and will never forget what has come
+our way. Why, the rescuing of the wrecked balloonists alone paid us for
+coming," said Will.
+
+They found plenty of water, and anchored in the mouth of the famous
+Suwanee River, with the busy city something like twelve miles away.
+
+Once more they went ashore, and on the bank of the stream of which they
+had so many times sung they built their last campfire and put up their
+tent.
+
+"Lucky we bundled those things in before leaving that camp, when
+searching for the lost balloonists," said Will, who was figuring on
+getting a picture of the scene in the morning, to finish up his series.
+
+"Yes, for otherwise we'd have had to sleep on board to-night," laughed
+Frank.
+
+Supper over, they sat around, talking and laughing, in the endeavor to
+forget the sorrow that gnawed at their boyish hearts. They had enjoyed
+this trip so much that it would be with the keenest regret that they
+turned their backs on the Sunny South, and once more struck out for the
+snow-clad hills of their native land.
+
+Jerry sang, and Bluff orated to his heart's content. Finally they noticed
+that Frank was looking at something he held in his hand.
+
+"It's the sealed document his father gave him before starting," said
+Bluff.
+
+"Tell me about that, will you! Frank, didn't he give you permission to
+open it when you came in sight of Cedar Keys?" cried Jerry eagerly.
+
+Frank, in reply, was tearing off the end of the envelope, a smile of
+expectation on his face.
+
+"I guess it's going to turn out a joke," hazarded Bluff.
+
+"Now, I've been thinking that perhaps they settled it we should come up
+by way of the ocean from Jacksonville," declared Will, "and that's the
+surprise."
+
+"How is it, Frank? Tell us about it!" cried Jerry as he saw the face of
+the other light up when his eyes took in the import of the communication
+he found inside the envelope his father had given him.
+
+Frank turned around. His gaze did not rest immediately on his chums, but
+was given entirely to little Joe, which fact amazed the others still
+more.
+
+"It's the greatest thing ever, fellows! It makes me so happy I hardly
+know whether I'm dreaming or not! And the best of it is, the whole
+business is about our little campmate here, Joe Abercrombie!" was what he
+said, seizing the lad's hand warmly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+THE SECRET OF THE SEALED PACKET--CONCLUSION
+
+
+"About me!" exclaimed Joe, looking amazed.
+
+"Talk to me about surprises!" ejaculated Jerry. "Frank does love to knock
+us all silly!"
+
+"How could your father know about Joe, here?" demanded skeptical Lawyer
+Bluff.
+
+"Joe, what was your father's name?" asked Frank, eagerness in his bright
+eyes.
+
+"Joseph Sprague Abercrombie," came the immediate response.
+
+"Hurrah! That settles it!" shouted Frank, throwing his hat into the air.
+His chums could not ever remember having seen him one-half so excited
+before.
+
+"Take pity on us!" cried Will, catching the other by the sleeve.
+
+"Yes, hurry up and tell, or I'll burst!" ejaculated Bluff.
+
+Jerry shook Frank, in his earnestness, saying:
+
+"It isn't fair, and you know it! We're chums, and we deserve to be taken
+into your confidence."
+
+"Right you are; and now sit down and listen to me. I'm not going to read
+this letter out, but you can look it over later, as you please. My father
+says he was just about to come down to Cedar Keys himself, or send a
+trusted clerk, for the business is very important, you see."
+
+"And that was why he smiled when you told him where we meant to bring
+up?"
+
+"Yes, Bluff, that was the reason. Now you know he is a banker and a
+capitalist. In times gone by he used to be in Wall Street, so he had
+connection with many men who were investors. One friend of his, named
+Joseph Sprague Abercrombie, who was an engineer, entrusted some money to
+him to invest in certain stocks. By an unfortunate turn of the market
+those stocks became seemingly valueless. They have lain in his safe for
+ten years."
+
+"Say! it's growing exciting! I can see what's coming!" cried Bluff.
+
+"Meanwhile, my father had lost all track of his once boyhood friend Joe.
+Then, by a strange freak of fate, the corporation that had issued those
+stocks suddenly became alive. Everything they owned began to prosper.
+Their mines turned out rich investments, their timber lands found a
+big market. The apparently worthless stock, taken from the safe and put
+on the market at its highest point, brought in a fortune for Joseph
+Abercrombie or his heirs!"
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted Will, embracing little Joe in the exuberance of his
+joy.
+
+"Talk to me about magic, will you! This thing has the Arabian Nights
+beaten all to a frazzle, and that's what I think!" laughed Jerry, pumping
+the hand of Joe vigorously.
+
+"My father tried hard to locate his old friend. By degrees he found that
+he had gone South, soon after sinking his little savings in what seemed
+to have been worthless stock. Then he learned that he had lost his life
+on the road, and that his family with but scant means, had moved to Cedar
+Keys, where they were still living, according to what information he
+could secure."
+
+"It's great, that's what! And to think that we should have run across Joe
+here in such a marvelous way!" said Bluff.
+
+"Yes," spoke up the lad quickly, "and I believe you saved my life, too.
+I'd been killed by them men, my uncle with the rest; or else I'd tried to
+escape, and might 'a' lost myself ashore, to died in the swamps. I'll
+never forget it, never!"
+
+After all, that evening was by long odds the happiest of the whole trip.
+They sat around the fire until long after midnight. Indeed, it was hard
+to get any one to admit that he was sleepy in the least degree.
+
+"Our last camp, fellows. Perhaps we may never be able to all meet under
+canvas again," said Jerry as they finally set about seeking their beds.
+
+If Jerry could have lifted the curtain of the future a bit he would never
+have ventured that doleful prophecy. There were other camps in store for
+the four outdoor chums, many of them, and in a country whither their
+longing souls had often turned--the wilderness around the great Rockies.
+But it is not our province to mention any of the wonderful adventures
+that were fated to befall them there. All those things will be duly set
+down in the next volume of this series, which will be called: "The
+Outdoor Chums After Big Game; or, Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness."
+
+When breakfast had been dispatched in the morning, for the last time the
+four outdoor chums took down the dear old khaki tent and folded it away
+reverently. They looked upon it as a friend and comforter indeed.
+
+Then they went aboard the _Jessamine_, and started for the city, which
+could be seen upon the key, over the gleaming, sun-kissed water of the
+gulf.
+
+They arrived long before noon, and leaving the boat in the hands of the
+party to whom Frank bore a letter from his cousin, the four chums
+accompanied little Joe to his modest home.
+
+Here the delightful news was broken to the widow of Mr. Langdon's old
+boyhood friend. Words would be useless to describe her joy. The clouds
+had rolled away as if by magic, and at last she could see a happy future
+for herself and her family, marred by only one keen regret, and that the
+absence of the brave man who had died at his post years before.
+
+Our boys spent a couple of days in Cedar Keys. Letters were found there
+from the home folks. At last they started north once more, to resume
+their school duties, satisfied that they had enjoyed the finest vacation
+in all their experience.
+
+Their work in saving the lost balloonists was spoken of in the papers,
+for the professor would never forget what he owed them. He even took
+pains to write to Mr. Langdon and praise the conduct of the boys.
+
+Safely landed again in Centerville, and once more taking up their school
+work, we shall have to part from the boys.
+
+"Well, it was a great outing!" declared Will.
+
+"Talk to me about good times!" came from Jerry. "We never had a better."
+
+"Right you are," added Frank. "And the photos are all dandy."
+
+"They'll certainly be fine, to keep and look over in years to come,"
+remarked Will.
+
+And here we will take leave of the Outdoor Chums and say good-by.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF***
+
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