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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20134-h.zip b/20134-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..32ac60e --- /dev/null +++ b/20134-h.zip diff --git a/20134-h/20134-h.htm b/20134-h/20134-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ae60926 --- /dev/null +++ b/20134-h/20134-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6423 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove, by Laura Lee Hope</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + .right {text-align: right;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + .blockquot2{margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 30%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 75%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas +Tree Cove, by Laura Lee Hope</h1> +<pre> +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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove</p> +<p>Author: Laura Lee Hope</p> +<p>Release Date: December 19, 2006 [eBook #20134]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, J. P. W. Fraser, Emmy,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net/)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<div class='bbox'> +<h1>BUNNY BROWN<br />AND HIS SISTER SUE<br />AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>LAURA LEE HOPE</h2> + +<div class='center'> +AUTHOR OF<br /> +THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES, THE BOBBSEY<br /> +TWINS SERIES, THE OUTDOOR GIRLS<br /> +SERIES, THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS<br /> +SERIES, THE MAKE-BELIEVE<br /> +SERIES, ETC.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br />Illustrated<br /> +<br /><br /> +<br /><br /> +NEW YORK<br /> +GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +PUBLISHERS<br /><br /> +</div></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><small>Made in the United States of America</small></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='bbox'> +<h2>BOOKS</h2> + +<h3>BY LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES</h3> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES</h3> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN WASHINGTON</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES</h3> + +<div class='center'>(Six Titles)</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE MAKE-BELIEVE SERIES</h3> + +<div class='center'>(Seven Titles)</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</h3> + +<div class='center'>(Ten Titles)</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'> +GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +PUBLISHERS NEW YORK<br /> +<br /></div> +</div> +<div class='center'><br /> +Copyright, 1920, by<br /> +GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +<br /> +<small>Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove</small><br /> +<br /></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 252px;"> +<img src="images/p001.jpg" width="252" height="400" alt="MRS. SLATER AND SUE WATCH BUNNY AND HARRY BRING IN THE BOX." title="MRS. SLATER AND SUE WATCH BUNNY AND HARRY BRING IN THE BOX." /> +<span class="caption">MRS. SLATER AND SUE WATCH BUNNY AND HARRY BRING IN THE BOX.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove.</i><br /> + +<i>Frontispiece</i>—(<i><a href='#Page_210'>Page 210</a></i>)</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">chapter</span></td><td align='left'></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Big Dog</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In the Carpenter Shop</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_12'>12</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Diamond Ring</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_23'>23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Daddy Brings News</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_38'>38</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Adrift</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_47'>47</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Strange Dog</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_59'>59</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Sleep-Walker</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_68'>68</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Collision</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_78'>78</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Merry Goat</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_89'>89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In the Storm</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_103'>103</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Where Is Bunny</span>?</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_114'>114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Christmas Tree Cove</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_121'>121</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Crash</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_133'>133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In the Dark</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_140'>140</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Bunny's Toe</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Overboard</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_161'>161</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The New Boy</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_170'>170</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Held Fast</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_178'>178</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Another Storm</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_187'>187</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Floating Box</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_198'>198</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mr. Ravenwood</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_205'>205</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Surprising Letter</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_213'>213</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'>"<span class="smcap">That's the Dog</span>!"</td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_221'>221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In the Boat</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_228'>228</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">What Stopped the Engine</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_238'>238</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>BUNNY BROWN<br />AND HIS SISTER SUE<br />AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE BIG DOG</h3> + + +<p>"Come on, Bunny, let's just have one more teeter-tauter!" cried Sue, +dancing around on the grass of the yard. "Just one more!" and she raced +over toward a board, put across a sawhorse, swaying up and down as +though inviting children to have a seesaw.</p> + +<p>"We can't teeter-tauter any more, Sue," objected Bunny Brown. "We have +to go to the store for mother."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know we have to go; but we can go after we've had another seesaw +just the same, can't we?"</p> + +<p>Bunny Brown, who was carrying by the leather handle a black handbag his +mother had given him, looked first at his sister and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> then at the board +on the sawhorse, gently moving up and down in the summer breeze.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Sue again, "and this time she danced off toward the +swaying board, singing as she did so:</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Teeter-tauter"> +<tr><td align='left'>"Teeter-tauter</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: .5em;">Bread and water,</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: .5em;">First your son and</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: .5em;">Then your daughter."</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>Bunny Brown stood still for a moment, looking back toward the house, out +of which he and Sue had come a little while before.</p> + +<p>"Mother told us to go to the store," said Bunny slowly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we're going. I'll go with you in a minute—just as soon as I +have a seesaw," said Sue. "And, besides, mother didn't say we were <i>not</i> +to. If she had told us <i>not</i> to teeter-tauter I wouldn't do it, of +course. But she didn't, Bunny! You know she didn't!"</p> + +<p>"No, that's so; she didn't," agreed Bunny. "Well, I'll play it with you +a little while."</p> + +<p>"That's nice," laughed Sue. "'Cause it isn't any fun teetering and +tautering all by your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>self. You stay down on the ground all the while, +lessen you jump yourself up, and then you don't stay—you just bump."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Bunny. "I've been bumped lots of times all alone."</p> + +<p>He was getting on the end of the seesaw, opposite that on which Sue had +taken her place, when the little girl noticed that her brother still +carried the small, black bag. Mother Brown called it a pocketbook, but +it would have taken a larger pocket than she ever had to hold the bag. +It was, however, a sort of large purse, and she had given it to Bunny +Brown and his sister Sue a little while before to carry to the store.</p> + +<p>"Put that on the bench," called Sue, when she saw that her brother had +the purse, holding it by the leather handle. "You can't teeter-tauter +and hold on with that in your hand."</p> + +<p>There was a bench not far away from the seesaw—a bench under a shady +tree—and Mrs. Brown often sat there with the children on warm summer +afternoons and told them stories or read to them from a book.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess I can teeter better if I don't have this," agreed Bunny. +"Hold on, Sue, I'm going to get off."</p> + +<p>"All right, I'm ready," his sister answered. You know if you get off a +seesaw without telling the boy or girl on the other end what you are +going to do, somebody is going to be bumped hard. Bunny Brown didn't +want that.</p> + +<p>Sue put her fat, chubby little legs down on the ground and held herself +up, while Bunny ran across the grass and laid the pocketbook on the +bench. I suppose I had better call it, as Mrs. Brown did, a pocketbook, +and then we shall not get mixed up. But, as I said before, you couldn't +really put it in a pocket.</p> + +<p>"Seesaw, Margery Daw!" sang Sue, as Bunny came back to play with her. +"Now we'll have some fun!"</p> + +<p>And the children did. Up and down they went on the board their father +had sent up from his boat dock for them to play with. He had also sent +up the sawhorse. A sawhorse, you know, is made of wood, and, though it +has legs, it can't run. It's just a sort of thin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> bench, and a seesaw +board can easily be put across it.</p> + +<p>Bunny Brown and his sister Sue were gaily swaying up and down on the +seesaw, and, for the time, they had forgotten all about the fact that +their mother had sent them to the store to pay a bill, and also to get +some groceries. They had not meant to stay so long, but you know how it +is when you get to seesawing.</p> + +<p>"It's just the finest fun ever!" cried Sue.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry for boys and girls that ain't got any seesaws," said her +brother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess a lot of boys and girls have 'em, Bunny. Daddy said so, +once."</p> + +<p>"Did he? I didn't hear him."</p> + +<p>Up and down, up and down went the children, laughing and having a +splendid time. Sue felt so happy she began to sing a little song and +Bunny joined in. It was the old ditty of the Cow that Jumped Over the +Moon.</p> + +<p>"We'd better go now, Sue!" called Bunny, after a while. "We can seesaw +when we get back."</p> + +<p>"Oh, just five more times up and down!" pleaded the little girl, shaking +her curls and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> fairly laughing out of her eyes. "Just five more!"</p> + +<p>"All right!" agreed Bunny. "Just five—that's all!"</p> + +<p>Again the board swayed up and down, and when Sue was just sorrowfully +counting the last of the five, shouting and laughter were heard in the +street in front of the Brown house.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's Mary Watson and Sadie West!" cried Sue.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and Charlie Star and Harry Bentley!" added Bunny. "Come on in and +have a lot of fun!" he called, as two boys and two girls came past the +gate. "We can take turns seesawing."</p> + +<p>"That'll be fun!" said Charlie.</p> + +<p>"Can't we get another board and make another seesaw?" asked Harry. "We +can't all get on that one. It'll break."</p> + +<p>"I guess we can find another board," said Bunny. "I'll go and ask my +mother."</p> + +<p>"No!" said Sue quickly. "You'd better not, Bunny!"</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked her brother, in surprise.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Cause if you go in now mother will know we didn't go to the store, and +she might not like it. We'd better go now and let Charlie and Harry and +Sadie and Mary have the teeter-tauter until we come back," suggested +Sue. "It'll hold four, our board will, but not six."</p> + +<p>Bunny Brown thought this over a minute.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess we had better do that," he said. Then, speaking to his +playmates, he added: "We have to go to the store, Charlie, Sue and I. +You can play on the seesaw until we come back. And then, maybe, we can +find another board, and make two teeters."</p> + +<p>"I have a board over in my yard. I'll get that," offered Charlie, "if we +can get another sawhorse."</p> + +<p>"We'll look when we come back," suggested Sue. "Come on, Bunny."</p> + +<p>Sue got off the seesaw, as did her brother, and their places were taken +by Charlie, Harry, Mary and Sadie. Though Sue was a little younger than +Bunny, she often led him when there was something to do, either in work +or play. And just now there was work to do.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was not hard work, only going to the store for their mother with the +pocketbook to pay a bill at the grocer's and get some things for supper. +And it was work Bunny Brown and his sister Sue liked, for often when +they went to the grocer's he gave each a sweet cracker to eat on the way +home.</p> + +<p>Bunny, followed by Sue, started for the bench where the pocketbook had +been left. But, before they reached it, and all of a sudden, a big +yellow dog bounced into the yard from the street. It leaped the fence +and stood for a moment looking at the children.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a dandy dog!" cried Charlie.</p> + +<p>"Is that your dog, Splash, come back?" asked Harry, for Bunny and his +sister had once owned a dog of that name. Splash had run away or been +stolen in the winter and had never come back.</p> + +<p>"No, that isn't Splash," said Bunny. "He's a nice dog, though. Here, +boy!" he called.</p> + +<p>The dog, that had come to a stop, turned suddenly on hearing himself +spoken to. He gave one bound over toward the bench, and a moment later +caught in his mouth the leather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> handle of Mrs. Brown's black pocketbook +and darted away.</p> + +<p>Over the fence he jumped, out into the street, so quickly that the +children could hardly follow him with their eyes. But it was only an +instant that Bunny Brown remained still, watching the dog. Then he gave +a cry:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sue! The dog has mother's pocketbook and the money! Come on! We've +got to get it away from him!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" echoed Sue.</p> + +<p>Bunny ran out of the yard and into the street, following the dog. Sue +followed her brother. The four other children, being on the seesaw, +could not move so quickly, and by the time they did get off the board, +taking turns carefully, so no one would get bounced, Bunny Brown and his +sister Sue were out of sight, down the street and around a corner, +chasing after the dog that had snatched up their mother's pocketbook.</p> + +<p>"We've got to get him!" cried Bunny, looking back at his sister. "Come +on!"</p> + +<p>"I am a-comin' on!" she panted, half out of breath.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + +<p>The big yellow dog was in plain sight, bounding along and still holding +in his mouth, as Bunny could see, the dangling pocketbook.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the animal turned into some building, and was at once out of +sight.</p> + +<p>"Where'd he go?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"Into Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop," her brother answered. "I saw him go +in. We can get him easy now."</p> + +<p>On they ran, Bunny Brown and his sister Sue. A few seconds later they +stood in front of the open door of a carpenter shop built near the +sidewalk. Within they could see piles of lumber and boards and heaps of +sawdust and shavings. The dog was not in sight, but Bunny and Sue knew +he must be somewhere in the shop. They scurried through the piles of +sawdust and shavings toward the back of the shop, looking eagerly on all +sides for a sight of the dog.</p> + +<p>"Where is he?" asked Sue. "Oh, Bunny, if that pocketbook and the money +are lost!"</p> + +<p>"We'll find it!" exclaimed Bunny. "We'll make the dog give it back!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>As he spoke there was a noise at the door by which the children had +entered the carpenter shop. The door was quickly slammed shut, and a key +was turned. Then a harsh voice cried:</p> + +<p>"Now I've got you! You sha'n't play tricks on me any more! I've got you +locked up now!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>IN THE CARPENTER SHOP</h3> + + +<p>Bunny Brown and his sister Sue were so surprised at hearing that harsh +voice, and at hearing the door slammed shut and locked behind them, that +they just stood and looked at each other in the carpenter shop. They +forgot, for the moment, all about the big yellow dog and the pocketbook +he had carried away. Then Bunny managed to find his voice and he cried:</p> + +<p>"Who was that, Sue?"</p> + +<p>"I—I guess it was Mr. Foswick," she answered. "I'm almost sure it was."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Bunny, "I guess it was. But what did he want to lock us in +for? We didn't do anything. We just came in to get mother's pocketbook +and the grocery money away from the dog."</p> + +<p>"I p'sume he made a mistake," said Sue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> "He must have thought we were +the bad boys that tease him. I saw some of 'em come in once and scatter +the sawdust all over. And I heard Mr. Foswick say he'd fix 'em if he +caught 'em. He must have thought we was them," she added, letting her +English get badly tangled in her excitement.</p> + +<p>"I guess so," agreed Bunny. "Well, we'll tell him we aren't. Come on, +Sue!"</p> + +<p>Giving up, for the time being, their search in the carpenter shop for +the strange, big yellow dog, Bunny and Sue walked back toward the front +door, which had been slammed shut. And while they are seeking to make +Mr. Foswick understand that he had made a mistake, and had punished the +wrong children, I shall have a moment or two to tell my new readers +something about the characters whose adventures I hope to relate to you +in this story.</p> + +<p>The town of Bellemere, which was on the seacoast and near a small river, +was the home of Bunny Brown and his sister Sue. Their father, Walter +Brown, was in the boat and fish business, owning a wharf, where he had +his office. Men and boys worked for him, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> one big boy, Bunker Blue, +was a great friend of Bunny and his sister. In the Brown home was also +Uncle Tad, an old soldier.</p> + +<p>In the first book of this series, called "Bunny Brown and His Sister +Sue," I told you many of the things that happened to the children. After +that they went to Grandpa's farm, and played circus, and there are books +about both those happy times. Next the children paid a visit to Aunt +Lu's city home, and from there they went to Camp Rest-a-While.</p> + +<p>In the big woods Bunny and Sue had many adventures, and they had so much +fun on their auto tour that I could hardly get it all in one book.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Brown bought a Shetland pony for the children they were +delighted, and they had as much fun with it as they did in giving a +show. That is the name of the book just before the present one you are +reading—"Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Giving a Show." In that volume +you may learn how a stranded company of players came to Bellemere, and +what happened. Bunny and Sue,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> as well as some of their playmates, were +actors and actresses in the show, and Splash, the dog, did a trick also. +But Splash had run away, or been taken away, during the winter that had +just passed, and Bunny and Sue no longer had a dog.</p> + +<p>Perhaps they thought they might induce the big one that had jumped into +the yard to come and live with them, after they had taken the pocketbook +away from him. He was not quite the same sort of dog as Splash, but he +seemed very nice. Bunny and Sue kept hoping Splash would return or be +brought back, but, up to the time this story opens, that had not come +about.</p> + +<p>The show the two Brown children gave was talked about for a long time in +Bellemere. Of course, Bunny and Sue had had help in giving it, and the +show was also a means of helping others. Now winter had passed, spring +had come and gone, and it was early summer. Bunny and Sue had been +playing in the yard before going to the store for their mother when the +strange dog had sprung over the fence, snatched up the pocketbook, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +had run off with it, darting into the carpenter shop.</p> + +<p>"I don't see anything of him," said Sue, as she and Bunny made their way +amid the piles of boards and lumber and over piles of sawdust and +shavings toward the door.</p> + +<p>"You don't see anything of who?" asked Bunny. "Mr. Foswick or the big +dog?"</p> + +<p>"The dog," answered Sue. "I couldn't see Mr. Foswick, 'cause he's +outside. He shut the door on us."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Bunny, "so he did. Well, maybe we can open it."</p> + +<p>But, alas! when Bunny and Sue tried the door they found it locked tight. +Bunny had been afraid of that, for he thought he had heard a key turned +in the lock. But he had not wanted to say anything to Sue until he made +sure.</p> + +<p>Rattle and pull at the door as the children did, and turn the knob, +which they also did several times, the door remained shut.</p> + +<p>"We—we're locked in!" said Sue in a sort of gasping voice, looking at +Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed her brother, and he tried to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> speak cheerfully, for he was +a year older than Sue, and, besides, boys oughtn't to be frightened as +easily as girls, Bunny thought. "But I guess we can get out," Bunny went +on. "Mr. Foswick thinks we're some of the bad boys that bother him. +We'll just yell and tell him we aren't."</p> + +<p>"All right—you yell," suggested Sue.</p> + +<p>So Bunny shouted as loudly as he could:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Foswick! We didn't do anything! We didn't scatter your sawdust! You +locked us in by mistake! Let us out, please!"</p> + +<p>Then he waited and listened, and so did Sue. There was no answer.</p> + +<p>"I guess you didn't yell loud enough," said Sue. "Try again, Bunny."</p> + +<p>Bunny did so. Once more he shouted through the closed door, or at least +at the closed door. He shouted loudly, hoping the carpenter would hear +him and open the door.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Foswick! We didn't do anything!" yelled Bunny Brown.</p> + +<p>Still there was silence. No one came to let the children out.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'd better both yell," suggested<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> Sue. "You can shout louder +than I can, Bunny, but it isn't loud enough. We've both got to yell."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I better guess we had," agreed the small boy.</p> + +<p>Standing close to one another near the door, they lifted their voices in +a shout, saying:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Foswick! Mr. Foswick! <i>We—didn't—do—anything!</i>"</p> + +<p>They called this several times, but no answer came to them.</p> + +<p>"I guess he's gone away," said Sue, after a bit.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess so," agreed Bunny. "Well, we've got to get out by +ourselves, then."</p> + +<p>"How can we?" his sister wanted to know. "The door's locked, and we +can't break it down. It's a big door, Bunny."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know it is," he answered. "But there's windows. I'll open a +window and we can get out of one of them. They aren't high from the +ground. We got out of a window once when Bunker Blue, by mistake, locked +us in the shed on the dock, and we can get out a window now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope we can!" cried Sue. "And can we get the dog out of the +window, too, Bunny?"</p> + +<p>"The dog!" exclaimed Bunny, forgetting for the moment about the animal. +"Oh, I guess we won't have to get him out. He isn't here."</p> + +<p>"But he ran in here," insisted Sue. "We saw him come into this carpenter +shop."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Bunny. "But he isn't here now. If he was we'd see him or +hear him."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he's hiding," suggested Sue. "Maybe he's afraid 'cause he took +mother's pocketbook and the money in it, and he's hiding in the sawdust +or shavings."</p> + +<p>"Maybe," Bunny admitted. "Well, I'll call to him to come out. He only +took the pocketbook in fun, I guess. Here, Splash, come on out! We won't +hurt you!" he cried, moving back toward the center of the shop and away +from the locked front door. "Come on, Splash!"</p> + +<p>"His name isn't Splash!" objected Sue. "This isn't our nice dog Splash +that ran away, and I wish he'd come back."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know he isn't Splash," agreed Bunny. "But it might be. And Splash is +a dog's name, and if this dog hears me call it he may come out. Come on, +old fellow!" he called again coaxingly. But no dog crawled out from +under the shavings, sawdust, or piles of boards.</p> + +<p>"Where can he be?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"I guess he ran out the back door," suggested Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Then maybe we can get out there, too!" cried the little girl, and she +and her brother, with the same thought, ran to the rear of the shop.</p> + +<p>"Here is the door," said Bunny, as he pointed it out.</p> + +<p>It was a large affair that slid back from the middle of the wall to one +corner. It was tight shut.</p> + +<p>"And it's locked, too," cried Sue, pointing to a big padlock.</p> + +<p>To make sure, her brother tried the padlock. Sure enough, it was locked, +and the key was nowhere in sight.</p> + +<p>"I can slide the door a little bit," said Bunny, and by hard work he +managed to move<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> it about an inch. This allowed a little of the breeze +to come into the carpenter shop but that was all.</p> + +<p>"We can't get out through that crack," protested Sue, pouting. "Nobody +could. Oh, dear! I don't see why this old carpenter shop has got to have +all the doors locked."</p> + +<p>"Hum, that's funny!" said Bunny Brown.</p> + +<p>"How do you s'pose that dog got out with both doors locked?" asked Sue +of her brother.</p> + +<p>Bunny paused to think. Then an idea came to him.</p> + +<p>"He must have jumped out a window, that dog did," he said. "There must +be a window open, and he got out that way. And that's how we can get +out, Sue. We'll crawl out a window just like that dog jumped out. Now +we're all right. Mr. Foswick locked us in his carpenter shop by mistake, +but we can get out a window."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" agreed Sue, and she felt happier now.</p> + +<p>But again came disappointment. When the children made the rounds of the +shop, looking on both sides, they not only saw that not a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> window was +open, but when Bunny tried to raise one he could not.</p> + +<p>"Are they stuck?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Bunny. "They're nailed shut! Every window in this shop is +nailed shut, Sue, and the doors are both locked!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Sue in a faint voice, and she looked at her brother in a +way he felt sure meant she was going to cry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE DIAMOND RING</h3> + + +<p>Whistling as cheerfully as he could, Bunny Brown glanced all around the +carpenter shop.</p> + +<p>"Are you whistling for the dog?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"No, not zactly," Bunny answered. "I'm just whistlin' for myself. I'm +going to do something."</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>She knew that whenever Bunny was making anything, such as a boat out of +a piece of wood or a sidewalk scooter from an old roller skate, he +always whistled. The more he worked the louder he whistled.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to make now?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not going zactly to <i>make</i> anything," Bunny explained. "I'm +just going to <i>do</i> something. I'm going to open one of these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> windows so +we can get out, same as the dog did."</p> + +<p>"But he didn't get out of a window," objected Sue. "How could he, if +they were nailed shut before we came in? And they must 'a' been, 'cause +we didn't hear Mr. Foswick hammering."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess the windows have been nailed shut maybe a long time," +agreed Bunny. "But, anyhow, the dog got out and we can get out."</p> + +<p>"But how could he get out if both doors are locked and the windows +nailed shut?" Sue wanted to know.</p> + +<p>Bunny could not answer that. Besides, he had other things to look after. +He wanted to get himself and his sister out of the carpenter shop before +Sue began to cry. Bunny didn't like crying girls, even his sister, +though he felt sorry for them.</p> + +<p>"I can take a hammer and pull the nails out of a window where it's +nailed shut, and then I can raise it and we can crawl out," explained +Bunny to his sister. "There's sure to be a hammer in a carpenter shop."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>There were, several of them, lying around on the benches and sawhorses +that seemed to fill the place. There were other tools, also; sharp +chisels and planes, but Bunny and Sue knew enough not to touch these. +The children might have been cut if they had handled the sharp tools. +Mr. Brown kept sharp tools at his dock for mending old boats and making +new ones, so Bunny and his sister knew something about carpentry.</p> + +<p>"I guess this hammer will be a good one," said Bunny, picking up one +with a claw on the end for pulling out nails. He had often seen Bunker +Blue at the boat dock use just such a hammer as this.</p> + +<p>Bunny climbed up on a workbench near a window which, as he could look +out and see, was only a short distance from the ground. If that window +could be opened, the little boy and his sister could easily drop out and +not be hurt in the least.</p> + +<p>"Can you get it open?" asked Sue anxiously, as she watched Bunny climb +upon the dusty carpenter bench.</p> + +<p>"Oh, sure!" he answered. "We'll be out in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> a little while now; and then +we can go and hunt that big dog that has our mother's pocketbook."</p> + +<p>"And the money, too," added Sue. "We've got to get the money and go to +the store, Bunny."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's right," he agreed.</p> + +<p>With the hammer in his hand, he began looking over the window. He wanted +to see where the heads of the nails were sticking out, so he could slip +the claw of the hammer under them and pull them out by prying on the +handle. Bunny had not only pulled out nails himself before this, but he +had watched his father and Bunker Blue do it.</p> + +<p>Bunny Brown also knew how windows were nailed shut. Once the Browns +owned a little cottage on an island in the river. They sometimes spent +their summer vacations in the cottage, and in the fall, when winter was +approaching and the cottage was to be closed, the windows were nailed +shut from the inside.</p> + +<p>Once Bunny had helped his father nail the windows shut, and once he had +helped pull<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> the nails out the next summer when the cottage was to be +opened. So Bunny was now looking for the heads of nails in the window of +Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop.</p> + +<p>The first window he looked at was so tightly nailed, with all the heads +driven so far into the wood, that Bunny could get the claw of the hammer +under none of them. He made his way along the bench to the next window. +This window was nearer the street.</p> + +<p>"Can you open that one?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess so!" exclaimed Bunny.</p> + +<p>The little boy saw a nail head sticking out. He slipped the claw of the +hammer under it and pressed hard on the handle.</p> + +<p>Whether Bunny had not put the claw far enough under the nail, or whether +the head was so small that the claw slipped off, neither of the children +knew. But what happened was that Bunny's hand slipped, the hammer also +slipped away from his grasp, and the next moment, with a crash and +tinkle of glass, the hammer broke through the window and fell outside.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bunny! are you hurt?" cried Sue, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> once she had seen her mother +cut her hand trying to open a window that stuck.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not hurt," answered her brother. "But the hammer's gone out."</p> + +<p>"You can get another. There's lots here," said Sue.</p> + +<p>"But I can't fix the window," said Bunny, rather sadly. "It's all +busted!"</p> + +<p>"It wasn't your fault!" said Sue stormily. "Mr. Foswick ought never to +have locked us in, and then you wouldn't have to try to unnail a window +to get out! It's his fault!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe it is," said Bunny, leaning forward to look out of the broken +window.</p> + +<p>"Don't try to crawl out!" exclaimed Sue. "You might get cut!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to," said Bunny. "I was just seeing how far it was and +where the hammer went. It's on the grass, and it isn't far out of the +window at all. If we could only crawl out——"</p> + +<p>"And get all cut on the glass? I guess not!" cried Sue. "Oh, Bunny!" she +suddenly exclaimed. "Look! There goes Mr. Reinberg, who keeps the +drygoods store. Call to him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> through the broken window, and he'll get us +out!"</p> + +<p>Through the window, which he had broken with the hammer, Bunny had a +glimpse of the street. As Sue had said, the drygoods merchant was just +then passing.</p> + +<p>"Hi!" suddenly called Bunny. "Let us out, please! Help us out, Mr. +Reinberg!"</p> + +<p>The merchant looked up, down, and sideways. He could not at first tell +where the voice was coming from.</p> + +<p>"Who are you and where are you?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"I'm Bunny Brown, and my sister Sue is with me," came the answer from +the little boy. "And we're locked in Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop."</p> + +<p>"Oh, now I see you!" said the drygoods store man, glancing toward Bunny, +who could be seen through the window. "So you're locked in, are you? How +did it happen?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Foswick locked us in," said Bunny.</p> + +<p>"He did! What for?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess he thought we were bad boys. But Sue isn't a boy; she's a +girl," explained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> Bunny. "If you could only open a door, or pull the +nails out of one of the windows, we could get out. I was trying to pull +out a nail and I broke the glass."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't believe I can get you out either way," said Mr. Reinberg, +and Bunny and Sue felt much disappointed. "I haven't a key to the door, +and I can't reach in and pull out the nails," went on the drygoods +merchant, as he came down the side alley and talked to Bunny through the +hole in the glass.</p> + +<p>"But I'll go over to Mr. Foswick's house, which isn't far away, and get +him to come and let you out," went on Mr. Reinberg. "I'll go right away, +Bunny. Don't be afraid."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; we're not," Bunny answered, as cheerfully as he could.</p> + +<p>After the man had gone away it seemed more lonely in the old carpenter +shop than ever to Bunny Brown and his sister Sue. They walked away from +the window and Sue sat down on a bench.</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose he'll be long?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Maybe not—Mr. Foswick doesn't live far."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>To amuse himself and his sister Bunny picked up a handful of nails and +laid out a long railroad track. Then he got a big bolt and pretended +that was a locomotive and shoved it along the track.</p> + +<p>"Where does the train run to?" asked the little girl.</p> + +<p>"New York, Chicago and—and Camp Rest-A-While," said Bunny—the last +name being that of a place where they had once had a delightful +vacation.</p> + +<p>He and Sue did not have long to wait. Soon along came the old carpenter +and Mr. Reinberg.</p> + +<p>"Dear me! I didn't know I'd locked Bunny and Sue in," said Mr. Foswick, +as he opened the front door, unlocking it with a big key. "I thought it +was some of those pesky boys. They run in when I have the door open, and +when I'm away in the back part of the shop, and busy, they scatter the +shavings and sawdust all about.</p> + +<p>"They came in once this afternoon," said Mr. Foswick, "and I made up my +mind if they did it again I'd teach 'em a lesson. So I locked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> my back +door, and I went into the alley near my front door. I knew all the +windows were nailed shut.</p> + +<p>"Then, when I was in the alley, I heard somebody run into my shop, and, +quick as I could, I ran out, pulled the door shut, and locked 'em in. I +supposed it was some of those pesky boys, and I was going to keep 'em +locked up until I could go get their fathers and tell 'em how they +pester me. I didn't have a notion, Bunny, that it was you and Sue, or +I'd never have done such a thing—never!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Brown often hired Mr. Foswick to do carpentry, and the rather +crabbed and cross old man did not want to offend a good customer.</p> + +<p>"I'm very sorry about this thing I did, Bunny and Sue," went on Mr. +Foswick. "I'd no idea it was you I'd locked up. I supposed it was those +pesky boys. Both doors were locked—I made sure of that—and the windows +were nailed shut. I keep 'em shut so nobody can get in at night."</p> + +<p>"Bunny tried to open one of the windows with a hammer," said Sue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And I—I guess I broke it—I mean the window," said Bunny. "I didn't +mean to."</p> + +<p>"Oh, broke a window, did you?" exclaimed Mr. Foswick, and he seemed +surprised.</p> + +<p>"If they hadn't broken the glass I might not have heard them calling," +said the drygoods merchant.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I guess you couldn't help it; and a broken window won't cost +much to fix," said the old carpenter. "I'm sorry you had all that +trouble, and I'm glad you're neither of you cut. Tell your pa and ma I'm +real sorry."</p> + +<p>"We will," promised Bunny.</p> + +<p>And then, after Bunny and Sue had started home on the run, for it was +getting late and toward supper time, Sue suddenly thought of something. +She turned back.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bunny!" she cried. "We forgot to ask Mr. Foswick about the dog!"</p> + +<p>"So we did! The dog that has mother's pocketbook. Maybe he saw him run +out of the carpenter shop, and noticed which way he went. Let's go back +and ask him."</p> + +<p>Back they turned, to find Mr. Foswick nailing a board over the broken +pane of glass.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, you haven't come back to stay the rest of the night, have you?" +asked the old carpenter, smiling at them over his dusty spectacles.</p> + +<p>"No, sir. We came back about the dog," said Bunny. "We were chasing a +strange dog that had mother's pocketbook, and he ran in here. That's why +we came in," the boy explained, and he told how they had been playing +with the seesaw when the strange animal jumped into the Brown yard.</p> + +<p>"Did you see him come out of your shop?" asked Sue. "'Cause he wasn't in +there when we were."</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't see any dog," said Mr. Foswick. "But there are some holes +at the back where he could have crawled out. That's what he must have +done. He didn't come out the front door. But we'll take a look."</p> + +<p>It did not take the carpenter and the children long to search through +the shop and make sure there was no dog there. As Mr. Foswick had said, +there were several holes in the back wall of his shop, out of which a +dog might have crawled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What can we do?" asked Sue, looking at her brother after the +unsuccessful search.</p> + +<p>"We've got to go home and tell mother," said Bunny. "Then we can maybe +find the dog and the pocketbook somewhere else. It isn't here."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't see anything of it," remarked Mr. Foswick, looking around +his little shop. "You'd better go and tell your folks. They may be +worried about you. And tell 'em I'm sorry for locking you in."</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue hurried home. They found Mrs. Brown looking up and down +the street for them. The other children had gone away.</p> + +<p>"Where have you been?" asked Mother Brown. "It is very late for little +people to be out alone. And where is my pocketbook and the groceries I +sent you for? Where is my pocketbook?" She looked at Bunny and then at +his sister, noting their empty hands.</p> + +<p>"A big dog ran off with your pocketbook, Mother," explained Bunny. "He +jumped into the yard and picked it up off the bench when Sue was +teeter-tautering with me. Then he ran into Mr. Foswick's shop, and we +ran after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> him, and we got locked in, and I broke a window, and we +couldn't find the dog nor your pocketbook."</p> + +<p>"Nor the money, either," added Sue. "There was money in the pocketbook, +wasn't there, Mother?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown did not answer that question at once.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say a strange dog ran off with the pocketbook and +everything in it?" she asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mother," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown in a faint voice, and she sank with +white face into a chair. Mr. Brown, who had just come in, sprang to his +wife's side.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't take on so!" he exclaimed. "The loss of the pocketbook isn't +much. Was there a great amount of money in it?"</p> + +<p>"A five-dollar bill," his wife answered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, we shall not worry over that if we never find it," he went +on. "And you can get another purse." Daddy Brown was smiling.</p> + +<p>"But you don't understand!" cried Mother<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> Brown. "Just before I sent the +children to the store I was doing something in the kitchen. I took off +the beautiful diamond engagement ring you gave me, and put it in the +pocketbook. I meant to take it out in a moment, but Mrs. Newton came +over, and I forgot it. Then I slipped a five-dollar bill in the purse +and gave it to the children to go to the store. Oh, dear! what shall I +do?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Brown looked serious.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure the diamond ring was in the pocketbook?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied his wife, and there were tears in her eyes. "The dog ran +away with the five-dollar bill, the pocketbook and my beautiful diamond +ring! Oh, what shall I do? What a terrible loss!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>DADDY BRINGS NEWS</h3> + + +<p>Bunny Brown and his sister Sue did not know what to do or what to say +when they saw how bad their mother felt. There were tears in her eyes as +she looked at the finger which had held the diamond ring.</p> + +<p>The little boy and girl well knew the "sparkler," as they sometimes +called it. Daddy had given it to mother before their wedding, and Mrs. +Brown prized it very much.</p> + +<p>"It was very careless of me to put my lovely ring in the pocketbook, and +then to forget all about it and let you children take it to the store," +said Mother Brown.</p> + +<p>"But are you sure you did put it in the pocketbook?" asked Mr. Brown +again. "You may have done that, my dear, and then have taken it out +again and carried the diamond<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> ring into the house before Bunny and Sue +went to the store. Try to think." And he sat down beside his wife while +the little boy and his sister looked on wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"I know I left the ring in the pocketbook," replied Mrs. Brown, wiping +her eyes on her handkerchief. "I didn't think of it until a little while +ago, and then I thought Bunny and Sue would bring it back with the +change from the five-dollar bill. The ring was inside the middle part of +the pocketbook, and they wouldn't have to open that to get at the money. +Oh, children, did a dog really run away with the pocketbook?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he really did," said Bunny.</p> + +<p>"And he run into the carpenter shop, and we ran after him, and Mr. +Foswick locked us in, and he was sorry, and Bunny broke a window, and he +was sorry, too," explained Sue, almost in one long breath.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's quite a story," said Mr. Brown. "Let's hear it all over +again."</p> + +<p>So Bunny and Sue told all that had happened, from the time they had been +teetering until they were let out of the carpenter shop<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> after Mr. +Reinberg had heard them calling through the broken window.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what shall I do?" asked Mrs. Brown once more, when the story was +finished.</p> + +<p>"There is only one thing to do," said Mr. Brown. "I'll go back to the +carpenter shop, and Mr. Foswick and I will look for the pocketbook. The +dog probably dropped it among the shavings."</p> + +<p>"Let us come, too," said Bunny. "We can show you where the dog ran in +the front door that was open."</p> + +<p>"I think I can see that place all right myself," answered Mr. Brown. +"You children get your supper. I'll be back in a little while."</p> + +<p>It was not a very joyful supper for Bunny Brown and his sister Sue. +Every once in a while they would see tears in their mother's eyes, and +they could not help but feel it was partly their fault that the diamond +ring was lost.</p> + +<p>For if Bunny and Sue had gone to the store as soon as their mother had +told them to go, and had not stopped to play on the seesaw, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> had not +put the pocketbook down on the bench where the dog so easily reached it, +all this trouble would not have come upon their mother.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown must have known that Bunny and Sue were thinking this, for +she very kindly said to them:</p> + +<p>"Now, don't worry, my dears. Perhaps daddy will find the pocketbook, and +the money and ring safely in it. I know you wanted to play, and that is +why you did not go to the store at once. But never mind. Mother should +not have left the ring in the pocketbook. It is largely mother's own +fault. Anyway, daddy will come back with the ring."</p> + +<p>But Daddy Brown did not. Bunny and Sue had finished their supper, Mrs. +Brown taking only a cup of tea, when their father came in. It needed +only a look at his face to show that he had found nothing.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't it there?" his wife asked, as he sat up to the table, though, to +tell the truth, he did not feel much like eating. He felt bad because +his wife was so unhappy about her lost diamond ring.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Foswick and I searched the carpenter shop as well as we could," +said Mr. Brown. "It was rather dark in there, and we could not see much. +But we found no pocketbook."</p> + +<p>"Did you find the dog?" asked Sue eagerly.</p> + +<p>"No, he had run out," said Mr. Brown. "We saw where he had scattered the +sawdust and shavings, though. Was it a dog you ever saw before, Bunny?"</p> + +<p>"No, Daddy," answered the little boy. "He was a big, strange, new dog. I +wish we had him, 'cause we haven't any dog, now that Splash has run +away."</p> + +<p>"I guess this dog has run away, also," said Mr. Brown. "There wasn't a +trace of him; nor of the pocketbook, either. But Mr. Foswick and I are +going to look in the shop again to-morrow by daylight. It may be the dog +dropped the pocketbook, and it got kicked under a pile of sawdust or +shavings."</p> + +<p>"Did you see the place where I broke the window with the hammer?" asked +Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the window was still broken," answered his father, who began to +eat his supper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was not at all a cheerful evening in the Brown home. Never before had +Bunny and Sue felt so unhappy—at least, they could not remember such a +time. They did not feel like playing as they generally did, though it +was a warm early summer night, and lovely to be out of doors.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, dears," said Mrs. Brown, when she was putting them to bed. +"Perhaps we shall find the ring to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"And the money, too," added Bunny. "Five dollars is a lot to lose."</p> + +<p>"Maybe the dog ate it," suggested Sue.</p> + +<p>"How could he?" asked her brother.</p> + +<p>"Well, didn't Splash once chew up my picture-book? He ate one of the +paper leaves that had on it about Bo Peep and her sheep," said Sue. "A +five-dollar bill is paper, and so was my Mother Goose book, and Splash +ate that."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't believe the dog ate the money," said Mrs. Brown. "It is +probably still in the pocketbook with my ring wherever the dog dropped +it. I should not mind the loss of the money if I could only get back my +lovely dia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>mond ring. But go to sleep, dears. To-morrow we may have good +news."</p> + +<p>And so Bunny and Sue went to sleep. They were up early the next morning, +but not so early as Mr. Brown, who, their mother said, had gone to the +carpenter shop to help Mr. Foswick look among the sawdust and shavings.</p> + +<p>After a while Bunny and Sue went out in the yard to play with some of +the boys and girls who lived near by. And to them Bunny and his sister +told the story of what the strange dog had done.</p> + +<p>"I am sure I saw that big yellow dog," cried Lulu Dare, one of the +girls. "It was down near Bradley's livery stable."</p> + +<p>"Oh, maybe he's down by the livery stable now!" exclaimed Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Let us go and see," added his sister Sue.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think the dog is there now," said Lulu. "He wasn't standing +still. He was running along."</p> + +<p>"Did he have anything in his mouth?"</p> + +<p>"Only his tongue and that was hanging out at first. Then he stopped to +get a drink at that box where Mr. Bradley waters his horses,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> and then +his tongue didn't hang out any more."</p> + +<p>"Say, did that dog have a spot on his left leg?" asked one of the boys.</p> + +<p>"Yes—a long, up-and-down spot."</p> + +<p>"Then he wasn't the dog who took the pocketbook. That old dog belongs at +the hotel and he never comes up this way at all."</p> + +<p>"Let us make sure," said Bunny; and a little later all of the boys and +girls visited the hotel. One of the boys was a nephew of the proprietor +so they had little trouble in getting the man's attention.</p> + +<p>"No, my dog wouldn't do such a thing," said the hotel man. "He hasn't +been up your way. It must have been some other dog." And then the boys +and girls went home.</p> + +<p>A little later Bunny went into the house to get some cookies, and then +he asked his mother if his father had come back with the ring.</p> + +<p>"No, he telephoned that he and Mr. Foswick went all over the shop, but +they could not find the pocketbook," she said. "The dog must have +carried it farther off."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" sighed Bunny Brown. "What are you going to do, Mother?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't know just what daddy is going to do," she answered. "He said he +would talk it over when he came home to lunch. But don't worry. Run out +and play. Here are your cookies."</p> + +<p>Bunny wanted to help his mother, but he soon forgot all about the ring, +the pocketbook, and the five dollars in the jolly times he and Sue and +their playmates had in the yard.</p> + +<p>Soon after the twelve o'clock whistles blew, Bunny saw his father coming +along the street on his way home to lunch.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Daddy! did you find mother's ring?" called the little boy, as he +ran to meet his father.</p> + +<p>"No, not yet," was the answer. "But I have some good news for all of +you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, maybe he's found Splash or the other dog!" cried Sue, as she, also, +ran to meet her father.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>ADRIFT</h3> + + +<p>The faces of Bunny and Sue shone with delight as they hurried along, one +on one side and one on the other of their father, each having hold of a +hand. Mr. Brown, too, was more joyful than he had been the night before +when the story of the lost ring had been told.</p> + +<p>"Did you find Splash?" asked Sue, as she tripped along.</p> + +<p>"No, I am sorry to say I did not," replied Mr. Brown. "I guess you will +have to give Splash up as lost. Though he may run back again some day as +suddenly as he ran off."</p> + +<p>"And didn't you find the other dog—the one that took mother's ring in +the pocketbook?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>His father shook his head.</p> + +<p>"There was no sign of the other dog, either," Mr. Brown answered. "He +must have been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> a stray dog that just ran through the town. A sort of +tramp dog, I fancy."</p> + +<p>"Then there isn't any good news," remarked Bunny, and he grew a little +sad and unhappy again.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is good news; though it isn't about mother's ring," said Mr. +Brown.</p> + +<p>"Nor about a dog?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't about a dog, either," her father said. "Come along, and +we'll tell mother. Perhaps it will cheer her up."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown looked sharply at her husband when he entered the house with +the two children. She wanted to see if she could tell, by his face, +whether he had any better word than that which he had telephoned after +his visit to the carpenter shop.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, in answer to her look, "we didn't find the pocketbook. +But Mr. Foswick is going to have a regular house-cleaning in his shop. +He is going to get the sawdust and shavings out of the way, and then we +can make a better search."</p> + +<p>"I hope he will be careful when he takes them out," said Mrs. Brown. "My +pocket<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>book was not very large, and it might easily be thrown away in a +shovelful of shavings or sawdust."</p> + +<p>"He will be very careful," her husband promised. "He is very sorry he +locked Bunny and Sue in his shop, very sorry indeed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we didn't mind!" exclaimed Bunny. "We were scared a little, at +first, but not much. Only I broke the window."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Foswick didn't seem to mind that much," went on Mr. Brown. "The +'pesky' boys, as he calls them, certainly do bother him a lot by running +in the open front door when he is busy in the back of his shop. They +scatter the sawdust and shavings all about."</p> + +<p>"Maybe some of those boys ran in and took my pocketbook and ring," +suggested Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," explained Bunny. "We ran right in after the dog, and there +were no big boys around. We didn't see the dog run out, but Mr. Foswick +said there were holes in the back of his shop and he could get out that +way."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Mr. Brown, "he could. And he may have done so. We are +going to look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> around in the back of the shop as soon as the inside is +cleaned out."</p> + +<p>"I do hope he will be careful," murmured Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"Why, the dog won't bite him!" exclaimed Bunny. "He ran away, that dog +did!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I mean I hope Mr. Foswick will be careful about looking in the +shavings and sawdust for my pocketbook," said Mother Brown.</p> + +<p>"I will send Bunker Blue over to help him look," promised Mr. Brown. +"Bunker is a very careful lad."</p> + +<p>"But what story are you going to tell us, Daddy?" asked Sue, as she +climbed up in her father's lap.</p> + +<p>"A story! This time of day?" exclaimed Mrs. Brown, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"She means the news," said Mr. Brown. "I have some for you, and I hope +you will think it is good, though it isn't about your lost diamond ring. +Did you children ever hear of Christmas Tree Cove?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Christmas Tree Cove!" exclaimed Bunny. "Oh, I know where that is! It's +up the river back of the bay. Is the dog there, Daddy?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" laughed his father. "Can't you think of anything but dogs, +Bunny boy? Well, as long as you know where Christmas Tree Cove is, how +would you like to go there to spend the summer?" As he spoke he looked +at his wife.</p> + +<p>"Do you really mean it?" she inquired, her face brightening.</p> + +<p>"Oh, won't that be fun!" cried Bunny and Sue together, almost like +twins, though Bunny was a year older than his sister.</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope you will have some fun there," said their father. "Now +let's have lunch, and while we are eating I can tell you all about it."</p> + +<p>"Is this the news you meant, Daddy?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the answer.</p> + +<p>Christmas Tree Cove, as I may as well explain to you, was a sort of bay, +or wide place, in Turtle River, which ran into Sandport Bay. The town of +Bellemere, where Bunny and his sister lived, was partly on Sandport Bay +and partly on the ocean. The bay extended back of the town, and if one +sailed up the bay or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> went up in a motor boat one would come, after a +while, to Turtle River. I suppose it was called that because it had so +many turtles in it, and sometimes Bunny and Sue had caught them.</p> + +<p>Christmas Tree Cove was so named because on the banks of it were many +evergreen trees, called Christmas trees by the children, and also by +some of the grown folk. And the cove had in it a few little islands. It +was a place where camping parties sometimes went, and often there were +picnics held there.</p> + +<p>"What is going on at Christmas Tree Cove that you should want to take us +there?" asked Mrs. Brown, as she passed her husband some sliced peaches.</p> + +<p>"I have been trying to think of a nice place where you and the children +might spend the summer," he answered, "and when I heard that Captain +Ross had his motor boat <i>Fairy</i> to hire for trips, I thought it would be +just the chance for us.</p> + +<p>"There is a bungalow at Christmas Tree Cove I can hire for the summer, +and, if you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> want to go, we can all pile on board the <i>Fairy</i> and make +the trip."</p> + +<p>"Would you come, too?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I would be with you part of the time," said Mr. Brown. "Of course +I should also have to be at my dock down here in Bellemere part of the +time to look after business, but I could come up and down. Christmas +Tree Cove is not far away, and there are boats going up and down the +river and the bay each week. So, if you think you will like it, we will +spend the summer in a bungalow at Christmas Tree Cove."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll just love it!" cried Sue, dancing around and clapping her fat +hands.</p> + +<p>"Will you like it, Mother?" asked Bunny. "Even if you don't find your +diamond ring?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear, I think I shall like it there," said Mrs. Brown, with a +smile. "Though, of course, I want to find my diamond ring that the dog +carried away. I hope Bunker Blue finds it in the shavings or the sawdust +of Mr. Foswick's shop before we go."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, too," said Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Then it's decided. We shall go to Christ<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>mas Tree Cove," said Mr. +Brown. "I am sure you will have a nice summer. I'll tell Captain Ross +that we will hire his boat for the trip and the voyage back."</p> + +<p>"Is he the funny Captain Ross who is always cracking jokes or asking +riddles?" Mrs. Brown asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's Captain Dick Ross," her husband replied. "He's very jolly, +and I'm sure the children will like him. In fact, they may see him and +his boat this afternoon if they wish."</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Bunny eagerly. And Sue waited for the answer.</p> + +<p>"He is down at my dock, with his boat <i>Fairy</i>," was the answer. "He is +having some repairs made to it. The boat is a sailing boat with a motor +in it, so it can travel both ways. If you like, Bunny and Sue, you may +come down to the dock with me and see Cap'n Dick!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! Oh!" exclaimed the children in delight, and they hurried through +their meal that they might go with their father.</p> + +<p>On the way to the boat and the fish dock,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> where Mr. Brown carried on +his business, the children and their father stopped at Mr. Foswick's +carpenter shop to ask if anything had been found.</p> + +<p>"No, not yet," answered the old man, looking at Bunny and Sue through +his spectacles all dim and dusty with wood dust. "But I haven't got all +the sawdust and shavings out yet. I hope to find your wife's ring."</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Mr. Brown. "She feels quite bad over the loss, and I'm +afraid she will not have a happy summer even at Christmas Tree Cove."</p> + +<p>"It is too bad," agreed Mr. Foswick. "Well, when Bunker Blue comes this +afternoon, he and I will go all over the place. You haven't seen +anything of the dog since, have you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No," answered Bunny, while Sue shook her head.</p> + +<p>"I'll send Bunker Blue back as soon as I get to the dock," promised Mr. +Brown, and then he and the children went on.</p> + +<p>Tied up at the end of the wharf was the boat <i>Fairy</i>, of which jolly Mr. +Ross was captain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"May we go on board?" asked Bunny, as they ran down the pier while their +father was telling Bunker Blue to make a good search in the sawdust and +shavings for the pocketbook containing the diamond ring.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Mr. Brown. "I think Captain Ross is on board himself, +puttering away in the cabin."</p> + +<p>But he was not, though that did not matter to Bunny and Sue. They knew a +great deal about boats, having lived near water all their lives and +their father having been in the boat business for years.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" called Bunny to his sister, and they easily jumped from the +dock to the deck of the <i>Fairy</i>. No one was on board, it seemed, and +Bunny and Sue enjoyed themselves by running about. They thought what fun +it would be to make the trip to Christmas Tree Cove in such a craft.</p> + +<p>"Let's make-believe I'm the captain and you're the cook," said Bunny to +his sister after a while. "I'll go down in the cabin, and you must bring +me my dinner, and we'll pretend there's a storm."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Sue, and then began this little game, one of many +with which the children amused themselves.</p> + +<p>"Now, you know, I'm a reg'lar captain," said Bunny, putting on his most +important manner. "So you must serve me real nice."</p> + +<p>"Real captains have uniforms," said Sue. "You ought to have a +uniform—and if I am to be the cook I ought to have a big white apron."</p> + +<p>"I'll look for a uniform," said Bunny, and after hunting around a bit +found a storm coat and a rubber hat. "I'll put these on."</p> + +<p>The coat was much too big for him and so was the hat. But he did not +mind this. Then Sue hunted around and at last found a white apron a good +deal soiled.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't like that," she pouted. "It's not a bit clean. Good cooks +always have real clean aprons."</p> + +<p>"There is a clean towel—you pin that on for an apron," suggested Bunny. +And then he did the pinning himself.</p> + +<p>They were both down in the cabin, and Bunny was making believe he was +very hun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>gry and he was asking Sue to bring him some more "plum duff" +when the little girl gave a sudden cry.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Bunny, as he sat at Captain Ross's cabin +table.</p> + +<p>"We're moving!" cried Sue. "The <i>Fairy</i> is moving away! She isn't fast +to the wharf any more!"</p> + +<p>With a cry, Bunny scrambled up on deck.</p> + +<p>Surely enough, the boat was adrift and he and Sue were alone on board!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE STRANGE DOG</h3> + + +<p>Sue followed her brother Bunny up on the deck of the <i>Fairy</i>. They were +quite a distance out from the dock now, and were drifting farther and +farther each minute, for the tide was running out. Sandport Bay +connected with the ocean, and twice every day there is a great movement +of the water in the ocean, called the tide. The tides make the water +high twice each twenty-four hours, and then the tides get low, or run +out. The moon and sun are thought to cause the tides, as you will learn +when you get a little older and have to study about such things.</p> + +<p>And the tide, after having run up into Sandport Bay, was now running +out, or ebbing, and in some way it was taking the <i>Fairy</i> with it, +floating the boat along as the rain water in the gutter floats chips +along.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How do you s'pose we got loose?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, lessen the rope came unhitched," Bunny answered. "But if +Cap'n Ross tied his boat to the dock, I don't see how it could come +unhitched."</p> + +<p>Bunny was enough of a sailor to know that no boat captain ever tied such +a knot as could easily come loose. And yet this is what seemed to have +happened. For when Bunny and Sue ran to the side of the <i>Fairy</i> to look +over, they saw, trailing in the water, the long rope, or cable, by which +the boat had been made fast to the dock. As Bunny had said, it had come +"unhitched." The children did not know how this had happened.</p> + +<p>But there they were, alone on rather a large sailing boat, which also +had a gasolene motor, like that in a motor boat, to make it travel when +there was no wind to blow on the sails. And each moment they were being +carried by the tide farther and farther away from their father's dock.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue looked across the water toward the wharf whereon Mr. Brown +had his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> office. They could not see their father, nor any one else. The +dock was deserted.</p> + +<p>"What are we going to do?" asked Sue; and there was a catch in her +voice, as though she was frightened; and she was.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Bunny slowly, "I guess maybe we'd better call."</p> + +<p>"Call!" exclaimed Sue. "What for?"</p> + +<p>"So daddy or Cap'n Ross will hear us and come and get us."</p> + +<p>"How are they going to come and get us?" asked Sue. "They can't swim +that far."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, they could!" declared Bunny. "But I don't s'pose they'll have +to swim. They can come and get us in a boat."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" cried Sue, more joyfully. "So they can. And I wish they +would. Let's call, Bunny!"</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 255px;"> +<img src="images/p074.jpg" width="255" height="400" alt="BUNNY AND SUE SHOUTED FOR HELP." title="BUNNY AND SUE SHOUTED FOR HELP." /> +<span class="caption">BUNNY AND SUE SHOUTED FOR HELP.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove.</i> <i>Page 61</i></div> + +<p>Together the two children raised their voices in a shout. They were +healthy and strong and had excellent voices. And, as sound carries a +long distance over open water, the shouts of Bunny and Sue were heard on +Mr. Brown's dock.</p> + +<p>As it happened, the children's father was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> in the office talking with +Captain Ross about the coming trip to Christmas Tree Cove when they +heard the cries of distress.</p> + +<p>"That's Bunny and Sue!" exclaimed Mr. Brown, leaping from his chair.</p> + +<p>"Gracious sakes alive! I hope they haven't fallen overboard!" shouted +Captain Ross.</p> + +<p>"I think they know enough not to do that," Mr. Brown answered.</p> + +<p>He ran out on the wharf, followed by the captain and some of the men who +worked for Mr. Brown. There they saw the <i>Fairy</i> drifting out into the +bay, and they could see the figures of Bunny and Sue at the boat rail.</p> + +<p>"Stay there! We'll send a boat for you!" called Mr. Brown, making a sort +of trumpet of his hands. "Stay on board! You'll be all right."</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue heard him and felt better. They had no notion, of course, +of jumping overboard and trying to swim to shore. They knew they were +safe on the <i>Fairy</i> while it was in the rather quiet water of Sandport +Bay. Out on the rough ocean it would be a different matter, though they +had sailed on the open<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> sea with their father and mother, of course in a +larger boat.</p> + +<p>"How are we going to get 'em back?" asked one of Mr. Brown's men.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll do that easily enough," was the answer. "Bring around the big +motor boat. We'll have to tow the <i>Fairy</i> back here. I don't see how she +ever got adrift," went on Mr. Brown. "I'm sure neither Bunny nor Sue +loosened the cable."</p> + +<p>"I'm positive they didn't," said Captain Ross. "It must have been that +greenhorn cabin boy I had. I hired him yesterday, and let him go this +morning because he didn't know one end of a rope from the other. I told +him to make the <i>Fairy</i> fast to your dock while I came up here to talk +to you. But he must have tied a grannie's or a landlubber's knot, and +she pulled loose. I'm glad I'm rid of that boy!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Mr. Brown, "a boy who doesn't know enough to tie a safe +knot isn't of much use around boats. But there's no great harm done. She +isn't drifting fast, and the motor boat will soon pick her up."</p> + +<p>"I'll go along with you," offered Captain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> Ross, and soon he and Mr. +Brown, with one of the dock men, were racing after the drifting <i>Fairy</i>.</p> + +<p>On deck Bunny Brown and his sister Sue watched the rescue.</p> + +<p>"It's just like being shipwrecked, isn't it, Bunny?" suggested Sue, as +they sat down on deck to wait.</p> + +<p>"Yes. It's fun when you know daddy is coming," said the little boy.</p> + +<p>In a short time the motor boat reached the drifting <i>Fairy</i>. Mr. Brown +and Captain Ross went on board, and you can just imagine how glad Bunny +and Sue were to see them.</p> + +<p>"Guess you'll have to tow us back," said Captain Ross to Mr. Brown. "The +motor of my boat needs fixing. That's one reason why I tied up at your +dock. There isn't enough wind to blow us back against the tide that's +running out now."</p> + +<p>"My motor boat will tow you back all right," said Mr. Brown.</p> + +<p>And while this was being done Bunny and Sue sat on the deck of the +<i>Fairy</i> with their father and Captain Ross.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, you had quite an adventure, didn't you?" laughed Captain Ross, +taking Sue up on his knees. "And it reminds me of a riddle. When is a +boat not a boat?"</p> + +<p>"When is a boat not a boat?" repeated Bunny. "Why, a boat is always a +boat, Cap'n Ross, lessen you mean it's like a house 'cause people +sometimes live in it."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't mean that," chuckled Captain Ross. "I'll ask you again. +When is a boat not a boat? Can you guess?"</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue shook their heads sideways to say "No."</p> + +<p>"Do you give up?" asked Captain Ross.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue shook their heads up and down to say "Yes."</p> + +<p>"When is a boat not a boat?" asked the Captain again. "When she's a +<i>drift</i>, of course, like this one of mine was! Ho! Ho!" and he laughed +heartily. "You see a boat's not a boat when she's adrift—a sort of snow +<i>drift!</i> Ha! Ha! That's a riddle," and he laughed so heartily that Sue +slipped from his lap.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue laughed also, and they liked Captain Ross.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here we are now, all shipshape and Bristol fashion!" went on the +captain as the motor boat towed the <i>Fairy</i> back to the wharf. This time +Captain Ross tied the rope himself to make sure it would not come loose +again.</p> + +<p>"May we stay on the boat?" asked Bunny, as his father started back up to +his office with Captain Ross.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you may play on board until it's time to go home to supper," +promised Mr. Brown. "But don't fall overboard and don't go adrift +again."</p> + +<p>"No, we won't!" said Bunny.</p> + +<p>"If you do I'll never tell you any more riddles," laughed Captain Ross.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what fun we'll have when the boat goes to Christmas Tree Cove and +takes us there!" shouted Sue, as she and Bunny played about the deck.</p> + +<p>The children had almost forgotten about their mother's lost ring and +pocketbook, to say nothing of the five-dollar bill. But that afternoon, +when they were going home with their father, they saw something that +brought the loss back to their minds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>They were walking along the street with Daddy Brown when, all of a +sudden, Bunny cried:</p> + +<p>"There he is! There! There!"</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked his father.</p> + +<p>"That big dog that took mother's pocketbook in his mouth and bounced +away with it!" was the answer. "There he goes!"</p> + +<p>Bunny pointed out a large, yellowish-brown dog just running around the +corner of the next street. Then Bunny pulled his hand from his father's +and raced after the strange animal.</p> + +<p>"I'll make him show me where mother's ring and pocketbook are!" cried +Bunny as he ran down the street.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE SLEEP-WALKER</h3> + + +<p>So quickly did Bunny Brown pull away from his father to run after the +strange dog that Mr. Brown had no chance to call to the little boy to be +careful. Sue, however, who had hold of her father's other hand, seemed +anxious.</p> + +<p>"Maybe the dog will bite Bunny!" exclaimed the little girl. "Sometimes +Splash used to growl if you took a bone away from him, and maybe this +dog will growl if Bunny takes the pocketbook away from him."</p> + +<p>"That might happen if the dog had mother's pocketbook," replied Mr. +Brown. "But I didn't see him have it, and I don't believe Bunny knows, +for sure, whether or not this is the same dog."</p> + +<p>"Maybe if he hasn't the pocketbook in his mouth he has it hid somewhere, +and he's go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>ing to dig it up just as Splash used to dig up the bones +he hid," went on Sue. "Let's go and look, Daddy!"</p> + +<p>This was just what Mr. Brown wanted to do—to see what happened to +Bunny, who had turned the corner running after the strange dog. So, +taking a firmer hold of Sue's hand, daddy started to run. When they +turned the corner they could see the chubby legs of Bunny working to and +fro as he ran along some distance ahead of them. Ahead of him the big, +yellow dog was also racing along and Bunny could be heard calling:</p> + +<p>"Stop! Hold on there! Come back with my mother's pocketbook and her +diamond ring!"</p> + +<p>Several persons in the street were attracted by the shouts of the boy +and his race after the dog.</p> + +<p>"There'll be more excitement here in a little while than I want," +thought Mr. Brown. "People will think there has been a theft, and they +will join in the chase. Then the dog may get excited and bite some one. +I must catch Bunny and stop him from shouting."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now Sue could not, of course, run as fast as could her father, and, +though her legs worked to and fro in her very best style, Bunny was +getting far ahead of them.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to pick you up and carry you, Sue," said her father. And, +stooping, he caught her up in his arms. It was easier for him to run +fast this way, and he knew he would soon catch up to Bunny. As for the +small boy, he was still chasing the dog. And the dog seemed to know he +was being chased, for he ran on, looking back now and then, but never +stopping.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Mr. Brown?" asked a man who knew the fish dealer, as +he saw Sue's father hurrying down the street, carrying her and racing +after Bunny. "Has anything happened?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, not much," was the answer. "My boy is trying to catch that strange +dog, and I don't want him to—the dog might bite him."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said the man.</p> + +<p>"Stop, Bunny! Stop!" cried Mr. Brown, getting within calling distance of +his little son. "Don't run after the dog any more!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But I want to get mother's pocketbook and ring," Sue's brother +answered, as he slowed up and looked back.</p> + +<p>"That dog hasn't it," went on Mr. Brown. "He has nothing in his mouth, +and——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he has something in his mouth. It's red and I can see it sticking +out!" interrupted Sue eagerly. "Maybe it's mother's pocketbook, Bunny."</p> + +<p>"It's his tongue!" declared Bunny. "It's the dog's red tongue you see. +Mother's pocketbook was black."</p> + +<p>"Well, this dog hasn't it, at any rate," went on Mr. Brown with a smile, +as he put Sue down on the sidewalk beside Bunny, with whom he had now +caught up. "And even if this were the same dog, we could not make him +understand that we wanted him to take us to the place where he dropped +the purse."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it's the same dog," insisted Bunny. "But he's gone now, +anyhow."</p> + +<p>This was true. Just as Bunny stopped after his father called to him the +dog ran into an alley between two buildings, and though Mr. Brown, again +holding his two children by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> hands, looked in, there was no sight of +the animal.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's gone," agreed Mr. Brown.</p> + +<p>"You scared him, chasing after him like that, you did," went on Sue to +her brother. "Didn't he, Daddy?" she asked her father.</p> + +<p>"I guess the dog didn't need much scaring," said Mr. Brown. "Are you +sure he's the same one, Bunny?"</p> + +<p>Of this Bunny was quite positive, though Sue was not so much so. The +animal looked like the one that had snatched the pocketbook off the +bench and had run into Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop with it. But that +was as far as Sue could go.</p> + +<p>The crowd which had started to gather when it saw the chase, now began +to separate when it found there was to be no more excitement, and Mr. +Brown took a short cut through the back streets home with Bunny and Sue.</p> + +<p>"We had a lot of adventures, Mother!" said Bunny, when they reached the +house. "We got adrift on a boat, and we had a tow back, and I saw the +dog that had your pocketbook, and I chased him and—and——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And I know a riddle about when is a snowdrift like a boat," broke in +Sue, not wanting Bunny to receive all the attention.</p> + +<p>"Gracious!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. "What does all this mean?" she asked +her husband. "Did you really get back my pocketbook? Oh, if my ring has +been found——"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to say it hasn't," her husband said. "Bunny did think he saw +the dog that took it, but I very much doubt that."</p> + +<p>"And what's that about being adrift?"</p> + +<p>"They were on the <i>Fairy</i>, and she floated out a little way from the +dock."</p> + +<p>"That's rather dangerous," said Mother Brown. "If such things are going +to happen it will not be safe for us to go to Christmas Tree Cove."</p> + +<p>"Oh, can't we go?" cried Bunny and Sue, thinking their mother was going +to call off the trip.</p> + +<p>"There was no danger," their father said, and he explained how it had +happened. "It was not the fault of Bunny and Sue," he added. "The boat +might have drifted off with any one on board."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But it is strange if that dog should still be around here, after +running off with my pocketbook," went on Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"I am not at all sure it was the same dog," her husband said. "Though +Bunny may have thought it looked the same. But did you have any report +from Mr. Foswick or Bunker Blue about their search in the carpenter shop +for the pocketbook?" he asked his wife.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered. "Bunker Blue and Mr. Foswick looked carefully. They +swept out the shop, which hasn't happened in over a year, I imagine; but +all they found was an old pair of spectacles Mr. Foswick lost six months +back. Bunker was here a little while ago, and said there was no use of +searching any further. He went back to the dock, as you told him to."</p> + +<p>"It's too bad," said Mr. Brown. "Still, it can't be helped, and it shall +not spoil our trip to Christmas Tree Cove. Can you be ready to start day +after to-morrow?" he asked his wife.</p> + +<p>"I think so," she answered. "How many of us are going?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The children, of course, and you and Uncle Tad; and I'll send Bunker +along to help when I am not there."</p> + +<p>"Oh, aren't you going, Daddy?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll start with you," Mr. Brown promised. "But I can't always be +with you. I shall have to spend part of each week here at my boat and +fish dock. But Bunker will be with you all summer, and so will Uncle +Tad."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad he's going!" exclaimed Bunny. "He'll be lots of fun!"</p> + +<p>"So will Captain Ross!" added Sue. "He can ask awful funny riddles."</p> + +<p>During supper the plans for the summer vacation at Christmas Tree Cove +were talked over, the children becoming more and more jolly and excited +as they thought of the fun ahead of them. After the meal Bunny and Sue +went out in the yard to play. George Watson, Harry Bentley and Charlie +Star had a race with Bunny, while Mary Watson, Sadie West and Helen +Newton brought their jumping ropes and the four little girls had a great +game. Of course Bunny and Sue told about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> the coming trip and, +naturally, all the other children wished they could go.</p> + +<p>"Maybe we can come up on a picnic and see you," said Harry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope you can!" exclaimed Sue.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Brown sat on the porch in the evening glow, watching the +children at play and talking over what it would be necessary to take on +the little voyage which would start aboard the <i>Fairy</i>. Every once in a +while Mrs. Brown would give a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Are you thinking of your lost pocketbook?" her husband asked.</p> + +<p>"I am thinking more of my lovely engagement ring," she answered.</p> + +<p>"It is too bad," he agreed. "But never mind. Perhaps it may be found."</p> + +<p>"No, I am afraid it never will be," she went on. "You had better come +into the house now," she called to Bunny and Sue. "It is getting late, +and you'll have plenty to do to-morrow to get ready for the trip to +Christmas Tree Cove."</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue said good-night to their playmates, and were soon ready +for bed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> Their father and mother sat up a little later. They were about +to retire when a noise on the stairs caused them to look out into the +hall.</p> + +<p>There was Bunny, in his blue pajamas, coming down the stairs. His eyes +were wide open, but they had a funny look in them.</p> + +<p>"I know where it is!" he said. "That dog has it on his tail."</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Mr. Brown. "What do you mean, Bunny? What has the dog on +his tail?"</p> + +<p>"Mother's diamond ring," was the answer. "I'm going to get it. The dog +is asleep on the shavings in the carpenter shop."</p> + +<p>Bunny came down a few more stairs, and his mother, looking at him, +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"He's walking in his sleep!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>A COLLISION</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Brown caught the little boy up in his arms. Somehow, Bunny seemed +much smaller in his pajamas.</p> + +<p>"Wake up, Bunny! Wake up!" his father said, gently shaking him. "What's +the matter?"</p> + +<p>"I've got to find it. I know where it is—on the end of the dog's tail. +And Sue——" Bunny stopped suddenly. A change came over his face, and a +different look flashed into his eyes.</p> + +<p>"What—what's the matter? What am I down here for?" he asked +wonderingly. And then his parents knew he was fully awake.</p> + +<p>"You have been walking in your sleep, dear," said his mother. "That's +something you haven't done for a long time. The day had too much +excitement in it for you. Are you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> all right now?" and she patted his +cheeks as he nestled in his father's arms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. I'm all right now," Bunny said. "I had a funny dream. I +thought the dog came to me and said the diamond ring was on the end of +his tail, and I was going to get one of Mr. Foswick's hammers and knock +it off. The dog was on a bed of shavings in the carpenter shop +and—and——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and then you got out of bed and walked in your sleep," finished +his father, with a laugh. "I must see if Sue is all right."</p> + +<p>She was. In her little bed she was slumbering peacefully, and Bunny was +soon back with his head on the pillow.</p> + +<p>"Poor little dears!" said their mother, as the lights were put out and +the house locked for the night. "They are thinking too hard about the +lost ring. I mustn't let them see that I care so much, or it will spoil +their summer at Christmas Tree Cove."</p> + +<p>"Yes, forget your loss if you can," suggested her husband.</p> + +<p>There was much to do the next day—so much that only once in a while did +Bunny and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> Sue think of the strange dog that had run away with their +mother's pocketbook and diamond ring. Bunker Blue was busy, also, and so +was Uncle Tad, helping to get ready for the trip.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue wanted to help pack, but their mother said they could best +help by running on errands. One of these took them to the carpenter shop +of Mr. Foswick for a piece of wood Bunker wanted to nail across certain +shutters in the house, which was to be closed for the summer.</p> + +<p>"Well, have you come to take another look for the ring?" asked the +carpenter. "It isn't here. Bunker Blue and I looked all over."</p> + +<p>"I don't see what that dog could have done with it," said Bunny, as he +glanced around the newly-swept shop. "He surely came in here with the +pocketbook."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I saw the dog running around my yard," admitted the carpenter. +"But I didn't see him have anything. Well, it's one of those things that +never will be found, I s'pose. Here's the wood you want, and I'll not +lock you in this time," and he smiled at Bunny and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> Sue as he thought of +what had happened the other night.</p> + +<p>Another errand took the children down to their father's dock, and there +they saw Bunker Blue and Captain Ross working aboard the <i>Fairy</i>.</p> + +<p>"I'm getting her in good shape for you, messmates!" called the jolly +sailor. "And it reminds me of a riddle. Do you see that barrel of water +there?" he asked, pointing to one on deck.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see it," admitted Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Well, here's a riddle about it," went on the captain. "That barrel, +we'll say, weighs ten pounds when it is empty. Now, what could I fill it +with so it would weigh only seven pounds?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Captain Ross, if that barrel weighs <i>ten</i> pounds when it hasn't +got anything in it, you couldn't fill it with anything to make it weigh +<i>seven</i> pounds. It would weigh <i>more</i> than ten pounds if you filled it +with anything."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, it wouldn't!" the sailor said. "If I filled it full of holes, +boring 'em in with one of Mr. Foswick's augers, then the barrel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +wouldn't weigh so much, would it? I'd cut a lot of wood out of the sides +when I made the holes. Ha! Ha!"</p> + +<p>Bunny thought it over for a minute. Then he laughed.</p> + +<p>"That's a pretty good riddle," he said.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you like it," went on Captain Ross. "After this, when anybody +asks what you can fill a barrel or a box with to make it weigh less, +just tell 'em to fill it full of holes! Ha! Ha!" and he clapped his big +hand down on his bigger leg and laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue laughed also, and they knew they were going to have a +jolly time on the trip to Christmas Tree Cove with Captain Ross to sail +the <i>Fairy</i>, or, if there was no wind, to send the craft through the +water by her gasolene engine.</p> + +<p>This engine Bunker Blue was working on to mend, as it had been broken +just before the two Bunker children went adrift from their father's +dock.</p> + +<p>"Will it be ready to sail to-morrow?" asked Bunny, as he watched Bunker +hammering away at the motor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," was the answer. "There isn't much the matter with her. We'll +be able to pull out in the morning."</p> + +<p>And by hard work everything was finished that night on board the +<i>Fairy</i>. Uncle Tad, the jolly old soldier, announced that he had his +"knapsack" packed and enough "rations" to last him for a week, anyhow.</p> + +<p>As they were to make an early morning start, Bunny and Sue had said +good-bye to their boy and girl friends the evening before. As they +walked past Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop with Uncle Tad, who went down +the street with them at the last minute to buy something Mrs. Brown +wanted, the children looked at the wood-working place.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't it be funny if that dog should be hiding around here?" asked +Sue of her brother.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he agreed, "it would be. But I don't see him."</p> + +<p>"I guess if he is here he's hiding," Sue went on. "Maybe there's a hole +under the floor of the shop and he's there, just as once at Grandpa's +farm in the country we found where a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> hen had her nest under the floor +in the barn. And it had eggs in it!"</p> + +<p>"Dogs don't make nests like hens," said Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know that!" retorted Sue. "But maybe this dog hid the pocketbook +under the boards in the shop floor."</p> + +<p>"I hardly think so," put in Uncle Tad. "He probably dropped that +pocketbook in the street, and either some one picked it up and kept it, +or else it was dropped down a sewer."</p> + +<p>"But if anybody found it, wouldn't we have got it back?" asked Bunny. +"Daddy put an advertisement in the paper."</p> + +<p>"Maybe we would and maybe we wouldn't," said Uncle Tad. "Anyhow, it's +gone."</p> + +<p>Bright and early the next morning Bunny Brown and his sister Sue went +aboard the <i>Fairy</i>, which was tied at their father's dock. The Brown +home had been shut up, the things that were needed had been put on board +the boat, Mrs. Brown was keeping an eye on the children to see that they +did not stray away, and Uncle Tad was stowing away the baggage in the +cabin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>Soon Mr. Brown, Bunker Blue, and Captain Ross would come on board and +the voyage would start.</p> + +<p>The <i>Fairy</i> was large enough for the whole family, as well as the +"crew," to sleep on board. The crew generally was made up of Captain +Ross and a man and a boy. But this time Mr. Brown was going to take the +place of the man, and Bunker Blue would be the "boy," so that it was +more of a family party. Mr. Brown had known Captain Ross for many years, +and the children felt as though he were as nearly related to them as was +Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>"All aboard!" called the captain, as he came down the wharf from Mr. +Brown's office, accompanied by Mr. Brown and Bunker Blue. "Are you all +aboard?" and he smiled at Bunny and Sue.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we're here," Bunny answered.</p> + +<p>"Isn't he funny, Mother?" whispered Sue. "He can look right at us, and +yet he wants to know if we're here!"</p> + +<p>"It's just his joking way," said Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"I've got another good riddle for you, youngsters," called Captain Ross, +as he made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> his way along the deck. "What kind of tree would scare a +cat?"</p> + +<p>"There wouldn't any tree scare a cat," declared Bunny. "I've seen a cat +climb up a tree lots of times. Cats aren't scared of trees!"</p> + +<p>"Well, wouldn't a dogwood tree scare a cat?" chuckled the sailor. "Ha! +Ha! I'm sure it would. I don't believe you could get a cat to climb a +<i>dog</i>wood tree!" he went on.</p> + +<p>"That <i>is</i> a funny riddle!" declared Bunny. "I'm going to tell it to +Charlie Star when we come back from Christmas Tree Cove."</p> + +<p>"We'd better get there first," went on Captain Ross, still chuckling at +his riddle. "Cast off, Bunker Blue!"</p> + +<p>Bunker loosed the ropes that held the <i>Fairy</i> to the wharf, and the boat +slowly drifted away.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we've really started!" cried Sue, as she saw the open water between +the rail and the string-piece of the wharf.</p> + +<p>"We'll go faster than this!" exclaimed Bunny. "Wait till Bunker Blue +starts the motor."</p> + +<p>As there was not enough wind to allow the sails to be used, it was +needful to start the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> motor, and soon it was chugging away, sending the +<i>Fairy</i> swiftly along through the water.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue were delighted with the trip. They sat in camp-chairs on +deck and watched the different sights. They expected to cruise about on +the boat for perhaps three days before going to the Cove. They could +sleep in the little bunks with which the boat was provided.</p> + +<p>"It's a funny way to go to bed," said Sue, after looking at the bunks +for the tenth time.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you can sleep here just as well as at home," answered her +brother.</p> + +<p>"You'd better not walk in your sleep, Bunny, 'cause you might walk +overboard."</p> + +<p>"I ain't going to walk in my sleep any more," answered Bunny. "I told +daddy I wasn't."</p> + +<p>"Maybe you can't help it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can. You wait and see."</p> + +<p>It was toward the close of the afternoon, and Bunny and Sue were +beginning to wonder how much longer it would be before supper was ready, +when, as they stood near Bunker, who was steering, the children saw a +canoe with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> two young men and two young women in it being slowly paddled +across the bay.</p> + +<p>"They'd better watch where they're going," said Bunker Blue. "They seem +to be aiming to cross our bows, and if they do—— Look out there!" he +suddenly cried, as the canoe turned. "Do you want to be run down?"</p> + +<p>The next moment there was a collision. The <i>Fairy</i> struck the small +boat, upsetting it and spilling into the water the two young men and the +young women.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Oh!" cried Sue. "We've run over 'em!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE MERRY GOAT</h3> + + +<p>Bunny Brown, who had been sitting near his sister Sue on the deck of the +<i>Fairy</i>, had jumped to his feet and run to the rail, or side of the +boat, as the little girl cried out that their craft had run over the +canoe. That was really what had happened. The two young men and the +young women in the canoe had got in the way of the motor boat, and had +been struck.</p> + +<p>"Man overboard!" yelled Bunny. He had often enough heard that cry on his +father's boat and on the pier, for more than once boys or men had fallen +off into the water. Sometimes on warm summer days the boys pushed each +other off, just for fun.</p> + +<p>And often, at such times, the cry would be raised:</p> + +<p>"Man overboard!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bunny knew what that meant. It meant that somebody ought to jump to the +rescue or throw into the water something the person who had fallen in +could grab. There were, on his father's dock, a number of life +buoys—round rings of cork covered with canvas and having a long rope +attached to them. And there were some of these same things on the deck +of the <i>Fairy</i>.</p> + +<p>"Man overboard!" cried Bunny again, and, running to the nearest life +ring, he took it off the hook and sent it spinning into the water. Bunny +knew that the end of the rope was fast to the rail, so the buoy would +not be lost.</p> + +<p>Bunker Blue also acted quickly. Near the wheel by which the <i>Fairy</i> was +steered was a wire, which, when pulled, shut off the motor down in the +hold of the craft. Bunker Blue pulled this wire, and the boat began to +slow up. Then Bunker leaped to the side of the <i>Fairy</i> near Bunny, and +Bunker caught up another life ring and tossed it over the rail.</p> + +<p>As Bunny and Sue leaned over to catch sight of the four people in the +water, Captain Ross and Daddy Brown came hurrying up on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> deck from the +little cabin, where they had been talking with Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" cried Captain Ross. "Did we hit anything, Bunker?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a canoe with four people in it. We ran 'em down. They crossed +right in front of our bows! I'll get 'em!"</p> + +<p>The next minute Bunker peeled off his coat, slipped from his feet the +loose, rubber-soled shoes he wore, and leaped over the rail.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Oh!" gasped Sue.</p> + +<p>"He's going to save 'em!" cried Bunny. "I wish I could jump in and——"</p> + +<p>"Don't dare try that, Bunny Brown!" cried his mother, who heard what he +started to say, and she put a hand on his shoulder to hold him.</p> + +<p>"They're all right," reported Mr. Brown, looking over the side of the +boat. "All four of them can swim, and the young men have given the young +ladies the life rings. They don't seem to be much frightened. Bunker is +swimming for the canoe. I guess they'll be all right."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it looks so," said Captain Ross, also<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> taking a look over the +side. "Though the canoe may be stove in so it'll leak. Mighty foolish of +'em to try to cross in front of our bows! I expect we'll have to take +'em all on board here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we must!" cried Mrs. Brown. "But what shall we do about dry +clothes for them? Possibly I can let the young ladies have some of my +extra dresses, but the young men——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess we can fit 'em out," broke in Captain Ross. "It's warm, and +they won't want much. First thing to do is to get 'em on board I reckon. +How about you?" he called down to the struggling people in the water. +"Need any more help?"</p> + +<p>"We're all right," answered one of the young men. "But will you take us +aboard? The canoe's smashed!"</p> + +<p>"Sure, we'll take you on board," answered the captain.</p> + +<p>And then, as Bunny and Sue watched, they saw their father and Captain +Ross help pull up to the deck of the <i>Fairy</i> first the two young women, +dripping wet. They looked very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> much bedraggled, but they were laughing +and did not seem to mind what had happened.</p> + +<p>Next the two young men scrambled up, pulling themselves by means of the +ropes from the life buoys. And last of all came Bunker Blue. He had the +rope of the smashed and overturned canoe in one hand and was towing it +along as he swam slowly. It was not easy work to drag the canoe through +the water, submerged as it was, but Bunker did it, fastening the canoe +rope to the rail of the <i>Fairy</i>.</p> + +<p>Then he scrambled up on deck, shook the water from his face and hair, +and said:</p> + +<p>"I'll get a boat hook and fish up the paddles. They're floating around +down there."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't bother," urged one of the young ladies. "It was all my fault. +I steered the canoe right in your way. We ran into you—you didn't run +into us."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad you feel that way about it," said Captain Ross, while +Bunny and Sue watched the little puddles and streams of water dripping +from the recent occupants of the canoe and from Bunker Blue.</p> + +<p>"Is the canoe worth saving?" asked Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> Brown, as he looked down to +where it now floated at the side of the <i>Fairy</i>, held fast by the line +Bunker had brought on board.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," said one of the young men. "It was an old one, and +now the side is stove in. Let it go. It will drift ashore anyhow, and we +can get it later if we want to. You might save the paddles if you can. +I'll help," he offered.</p> + +<p>"I'll help," offered the other young man, and while these two, with +Bunker, sought to save the paddles with boat hooks, the broken canoe was +cast loose from the <i>Fairy</i> and allowed to drift off.</p> + +<p>"If you'll come down to the cabin with me," said Mrs. Brown to the young +ladies, "I'll see if I can lend you some other clothes while yours are +drying."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't bother!" said one of the young ladies. "It was all just fun. +We had on old clothes, for we half expected to be upset before we got +back."</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Brown insisted on making them change, and so she led them down +into the cabin. Uncle Tad helped in the work of re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>covering the paddles, +and then he suggested that the two young men might also like to take off +their wet things.</p> + +<p>"Oh, not at all," said one. "We're used to being wet. And we'll soon +dry, anyhow. It was very decent of you to jump in after us," he said to +Bunker. "As it happens, we can all swim pretty well, and it isn't the +first time we've been upset. But I was afraid one of the girls might +have been hurt. As it is, we're all right."</p> + +<p>"And mighty lucky you are to be that way," commented Captain Ross. "I'm +glad it was no worse. Now where do you want to be set ashore?"</p> + +<p>"We're staying at that hotel," said Mr. Watson, for such was the name of +one of the young men. He pointed to a large seaside resort on the shore +not far away.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll head for the dock," decided the captain, and soon the +<i>Fairy</i> was moving along again, the floating paddles having been +recovered.</p> + +<p>The young ladies soon came on deck, wearing some garments belonging to +Mrs. Brown.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> They were laughing and joking at the upset. The young men +refused to change, saying it was not worth while.</p> + +<p>"It's too bad you lost your canoe," said Bunny, as he and his sister +listened to the talk of the rescued party.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was only an old one I owned," said Mr. Watson. "It isn't a great +loss. I'm afraid you girls had some things sunk, though," he added. +"There wasn't much time to save anything."</p> + +<p>"I lost my pocketbook," said one of the young women, who was called +Mildred by her companions. "There was only about a dollar in it, +though," she added.</p> + +<p>"My mother lost her pocketbook, and it had five dollars and her diamond +ring in it," put in Sue.</p> + +<p>"Did you? Do you mean to-day?" asked the other young lady, who had been +addressed as Grace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. It was some time ago," explained Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"A dog took it," volunteered Bunny. "And he ran into a carpenter shop, +and we ran after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> him—Sue and I did—and we got locked in and I busted +a window and——"</p> + +<p>"He's going into all the details!" laughed Mr. Brown.</p> + +<p>But the young men and the young women were so interested in what the +children said that they had to hear the whole story.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I hope you get your engagement ring back," said Mildred to +Mrs. Brown, and the young lady looked at her own hand, on which sparkled +a diamond. Perhaps it was her engagement ring.</p> + +<p>"It is too much to hope for," replied Mrs. Brown. "I am trying not to +think of it."</p> + +<p>"Did you see me throw the life buoy to you?" asked Bunny, changing the +subject.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I didn't," answered Grace with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"And my eyes were too full of water," added Mildred.</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, I threw one in to you," went on Bunny.</p> + +<p>"And I yelled when I saw you get run over," added Sue, just as if that, +too, had helped.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm sure you did all you could," declared Mr. Watson. "And it was all +our own fault that we got in your way. But no one is hurt, and we're +little the worse for our adventure."</p> + +<p>The <i>Fairy</i> slowly headed toward the dock near the big summer hotel, +which was one of a number at a well-known resort on the bay. Some other +boats had come up after having seen the canoe run down, but when it was +found no help was needed, they sheered off again.</p> + +<p>"How can we return your things to you?" asked the young ladies of Mrs. +Brown, as they prepared to go ashore when the boat tied up at the dock.</p> + +<p>"There is no special hurry," was the answer. "We are going to Christmas +Tree Cove for the summer. You can send them there."</p> + +<p>"I have a better plan," said Mr. Brown. "Why should we not stay here +over night? We can tie up at this dock and go ashore for an evening of +enjoyment. That will give the young ladies a chance to get into other +dry clothes and give you back yours," he said to his wife.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! Let's stay!" cried Bunny. "We can have a lot of fun on shore!"</p> + +<p>"And there's a merry-go-round!" added Sue. "I can see it!"</p> + +<p>She pointed to one of the popular summer attractions set up near the +hotel on the beach.</p> + +<p>"Very well, we'll stay," said Mother Brown; and so it was arranged.</p> + +<p>The four young people went ashore, the young ladies in borrowed clothes, +and the men, in their own damp garments, carrying the paddles. They +attracted some little attention from the crowd on the dock. It was very +evident what had happened. But as canoe upsets are very common at shore +resorts in the summer, no one took it very seriously, especially as no +one was drowned or hurt.</p> + +<p>"We'll send back your things in the morning," called Mildred and Grace +to Mrs. Brown, as they went up to the hotel.</p> + +<p>"You'll find us right here," said Captain Ross. "I'm mighty glad it was +no worse," he said to his friends on the <i>Fairy</i>. "I should hate to have +your summer outing spoiled by an accident, even if it was the fault of +those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> in the canoe. But it reminds me of a riddle. See if you can guess +it, Bunny and Sue. What goes under the water and over the water and +never touches the water?"</p> + +<p>"A fish!" guessed Bunny.</p> + +<p>"A fish is always in the water," cried Sue, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, so it is," said her brother.</p> + +<p>"Say it again," begged Sue.</p> + +<p>The jolly captain did so, and when Bunny and Sue gave up, after several +wrong guesses, the seaman said:</p> + +<p>"A man walking over a bridge with a pail of water on his head. He goes +<i>over</i> the water, and he's <i>under</i> the water in the pail, and yet he +doesn't touch the water."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's a good riddle!" laughed Bunny. "I'm going to fool Bunker on +that."</p> + +<p>"If the water pail upset and spilled on him then the water would touch +him," said Sue, after a moment of thought. "And if he fell in the water +he'd be wet."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you aren't supposed to do that in riddles," returned Captain +Ross.</p> + +<p>After supper on the <i>Fairy</i>, Uncle Tad took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> the two children on +shore, Bunny and Sue having secured their mother's permission to ride on +the merry-go-round. It was a big affair, playing jolly tunes, and the +animals were large and gaily painted.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue had a number of rides, always begging for "just one more," +until Uncle Tad finally said:</p> + +<p>"No, that's enough! You'll be ill if you whirl around any more. Come, +we'll walk around and look at things, and then we'll go back to the +boat."</p> + +<p>He led them around to see the other attractions at the little park near +the big hotel. Somehow or other, Bunny wandered away from Uncle Tad and +Sue while Sue and the old soldier were looking at a man blowing colored +glass into birds, feathers, balloons and other fantastic shapes.</p> + +<p>But finally Uncle Tad said:</p> + +<p>"Come, Sue, we must be going now. Where's Bunny?"</p> + +<p>"He was here a minute ago," answered Bunny's sister.</p> + +<p>She looked around. They were on a plaza,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> or open space, at one end of +which stood the musical merry-go-round. At the other end was a drive +where little ponies and carts could be hired for short rides.</p> + +<p>As Sue and Uncle Tad looked, there suddenly dashed from this place a +large, white goat. And on the back of the goat was Bunny Brown, clinging +fast!</p> + +<p>"Oh, look! Look!" cried Sue. "It's a merry-go-round goat! It's a merry +goat, and Bunny's having a ride on his back!"</p> + +<p>As she spoke the animal dashed straight for the whirling carousel, and +Bunny's face, showing some fright, was turned toward his uncle and his +sister.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>IN THE STORM</h3> + + +<p>Before Sue and Uncle Tad could do anything, even if they had known what +to do, something very queer happened. The goat, on whose back Bunny was +riding, jumped up on the big, circular platform of the merry-go-round. +It was on this platform that the wooden animals, birds, and fishes were +built, and where, also, were the broad wooden seats for older folk, who +did not like to get on the back of a lion or a camel and be twirled +around.</p> + +<p>The platform was broad, for boys and girls had to step up on it to make +their way to whatever animal they wanted to sit on, and the men who +collected the tickets also had to walk around on this wooden platform +while the machine was in motion. And it was in motion when the live goat +jumped on it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was plenty of room for "Billy" on the merry-go-round, though why +he jumped up on it I cannot say. You can hardly ever tell why a goat +does things, anyhow.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/p108.jpg" width="250" height="400" alt="THE GOAT LEAPED UPON THE MOVING MERRY-GO-ROUND." title="THE GOAT LEAPED UPON THE MOVING MERRY-GO-ROUND." /> +<span class="caption">THE GOAT LEAPED UPON THE MOVING MERRY-GO-ROUND.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove.</i> <i>Page 104</i></div> + +<p>Right up on the moving merry-go-round leaped the goat, with Bunny +clinging to the long hair of his back. The goat slid along until he came +up beside a lion, on whose back a frowsy young person was riding.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my!" cried this girl, "one of the wooden animals has come to life." +She screamed and would have fallen from the lion, Sue thought, but for +the fact that a young man was standing beside her. He had come around to +collect her ticket and when he heard her scream and saw her sway back +and forth he grasped her.</p> + +<p>"Sit still!" advised the ticket-taker.</p> + +<p>"But look! Look!" cried the girl. "One of the wooden animals has come to +life! Oh, I'm so afraid! And look! He has a little boy on his back!"</p> + +<p>The goat on which Bunny was riding was quite large, really as big as one +of the wooden goats of the merry-go-round, and, as the make-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>believe +creatures were painted to resemble the real animals as nearly as +possible, the sight was a surprising one.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed the young man ticket-taker. "It isn't one of the +wooden animals! It's a real goat from the ones over by the ponies. He's +alive, of course."</p> + +<p>The frowsy girl giggled.</p> + +<p>"And I'm alive, too!" added Bunny, his hands wound in the goat's long +hair. "But I didn't want to ride the goat up here!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bunny! Bunny!" shouted Sue from the outer edge of the +merry-go-round, which she and Uncle Tad had now reached. "Look out, +Bunny, or you'll fall off!"</p> + +<p>There was a laugh from the crowd of evening pleasure-seekers that had +gathered at the shore resort.</p> + +<p>"I am holding on!" cried Bunny. "Whoa now, goat!" he called.</p> + +<p>"Stop the machine!" exclaimed Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>"All right; we'll stop it," said the ticket-taker, who still held to the +frowsy young person on the back of the lion.</p> + +<p>The goat seemed quiet enough now. After<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> it had jumped up on the moving +platform, with Bunny on its back, the animal just stood there, looking +around. Perhaps it felt quite at home with the wooden horses, the +ostriches, lions, tigers, camels, and other creatures so gaily painted +and with pieces of looking glass stuck all over them.</p> + +<p>Slowly the merry-go-round came to a stop, and the ticket-taker, letting +go of the girl, who had not fallen from the back of the lion, hurried to +Bunny's side.</p> + +<p>"I'll lift you off," he said.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," answered Bunny. A moment later he was walking over to join +Sue and Uncle Tad, while a man stepped from the crowd and took charge of +the goat, which he led to the edge of the platform. The goat leaped down +and off as Bunny had done.</p> + +<p>"I hope my goat didn't hurt you when he ran away with you," said the +man, walking up to Bunny, Sue, and Uncle Tad and leading the horned +creature.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, he didn't hurt me," Bunny answered. "But I didn't think he'd +run away with me just 'cause I got on his back."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He isn't used to having boys and girls on his back unless he wears a +saddle," the man explained.</p> + +<p>"Did you jump on the goat's back, Bunny?" asked Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't exactly <i>jump</i> on," replied the little boy. "I was +leaning over, looking at him, and I sort of wanted to see how it would +feel to get on his back. And I did, and then he ran up on the +merry-go-round with me. But I held on so I wouldn't fall."</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing you did!" declared Sue.</p> + +<p>"How did it happen?" asked Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>"All I know about it is this," said the man who owned the goat. "I have +a few of these Billies and Nannies for children that don't want a +ponyback ride. But I was getting the goats ready to put in the stable +for the night, and I'd taken off the saddles. I had my back turned, and +the first I knew I heard a shout. I turned and saw this boy on Nero's +back, heading for the merry-go-round. I followed as fast as I could. +Nero is a gentle goat, but I couldn't tell what he'd do when he got +mixed up with the wooden animals," he finished.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," said Uncle Tad, "that's so. You did wrong, Bunny, to get on the +goat's back without asking permission."</p> + +<p>"I—I didn't mean to," said the little boy. "When you and Sue were +looking at the glass-blower I went over to look at the ponies and the +goats. And I just sort of leaned over this goat, and, first I remember, +I was on his back and he ran away with me."</p> + +<p>"There's no harm done," said the goat's owner, as the people in the +crowd smiled and laughed at what had happened. "Come over in the morning +and I'll let you have a regular ride on a saddle—you and your sister," +he added as he looked at Sue.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she answered. "I'll come if mother will let me."</p> + +<p>"I guess we have to go on to Christmas Tree Cove in the morning," +announced Bunny. "Anyhow, I'm much obliged for this ride," he said. +"Nero's a good goat," and he patted the head of the animal.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's a good goat," agreed the owner.</p> + +<p>Then he took his horned steed back to the pony stand, the merry-go-round +started off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> again with the loud music, and Uncle Tad took Bunny and Sue +back to the <i>Fairy</i>.</p> + +<p>Of course there was considerable talk and some laughter on board the +boat when the story was told of Bunny's goat ride. His mother, laughing, +told him never to do such a thing again, and, of course, Bunny said he +wouldn't.</p> + +<p>"Did you like that ride?" questioned Sue, when they were getting ready +to go to bed.</p> + +<p>"I did and I didn't," was Bunny's answer. "I got on the goat so +sudden-like I didn't have time to make up my mind about it. He was an +awful quick goat, Nero was."</p> + +<p>"I guess most goats are quick. Once I saw a goat go after a man who was +pasting up bills on a board. My, but that man had to run to get out of +the way!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe the goat wanted his bills or his paste," said Bunny. "I once +heard that goats love to eat billboard paper just for the paste on it."</p> + +<p>"Maybe so."</p> + +<p>Bright and early the next morning Bunker Blue arose and began to wash +down the decks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> of the boat. As he was splashing the water around in his +bare feet with his trousers rolled up, a young man with a bundle under +his arm came down to the dock.</p> + +<p>"Here are the dresses and things Mrs. Brown lent to the young ladies," +said the young man. "They are very much obliged. I brought them early, +for I thought maybe you'd want to get an early start."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe we are going to leave soon," answered Bunker. "But I +don't like the looks of the weather," he added. "It seems to me we are +going to have a storm. If you get another canoe and paddle out in it," +he said, "I wouldn't go too far from shore."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I'll be careful," was the answer.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue awakened and got ready for breakfast, and Bunker told +about the visit of the young man. Then the children went out on deck to +look at the sea and sky.</p> + +<p>I say the "sea," though really it was all part of Sandport Bay, and not +exactly the open ocean, though it was a very large body of water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you think it's going to rain, Bunker?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"I think it's going to rain and blow, too," answered the fish and boat +boy, who had learned to read the weather signs. "But the <i>Fairy</i> is able +to stand it, I think. How are you after your goat ride, Bunny?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I feel fine!" declared the little boy. "But I want to get to +Christmas Tree Cove before long."</p> + +<p>"So do I," added Sue. "I'm going to make a little bungalow there for my +dolls."</p> + +<p>"And I'm going to make one to camp in," declared her brother.</p> + +<p>They started off right after breakfast, and as Bunny and Sue played +around on the deck they could see their father and Captain Ross talking +together and looking up at the sky every now and then.</p> + +<p>"We'll keep near shore," they heard the captain say. "Then if the storm +breaks we can tie up."</p> + +<p>But, though the clouds scudded across the sky all day, the storm did not +break. It was black and lowering when evening came, but,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> after another +look all around, Bunny heard the captain say to their father and mother:</p> + +<p>"We may as well keep on. It may blow over, and if we tie up over night +it will take us just so much longer to get there. I'd better keep on, +don't you think?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Brown, "keep on."</p> + +<p>So the <i>Fairy</i> kept on through the waters of the bay. Bunny and Sue, +after being allowed out on deck to watch the distant twinkling lights of +other vessels, were put to bed in their bunks, and Mrs. Brown fastened +some broad canvas straps up in front of their berths.</p> + +<p>"What are they for?" asked Sue, as she kissed her mother good night.</p> + +<p>"So you won't fall out if the boat rolls and rocks too much in the +storm," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I like to be out in a storm!" exclaimed Bunny.</p> + +<p>"I do if it's not too hard a storm," said Sue.</p> + +<p>"I think this will be only a small one," replied Mrs. Brown, but as she +went out on deck and felt the strong wind and noticed how high the waves +were she felt a trifle uneasy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<p>Some hours later Bunny and Sue were each awakened about the same time by +feeling themselves being tossed about in their berths. Bunny was flung +up against the canvas straps his mother had fastened, and at first he +did not know what was happening. Then he heard Sue ask:</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid," said Bunny. "It's only the storm, I guess. Oh, feel +that!" he cried, and as he spoke the <i>Fairy</i> seemed to be trying to +stand on her "head."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>WHERE IS BUNNY?</h3> + + +<p>Sue Brown did not know quite what to do. As she cuddled up in the little +berth aboard the <i>Fairy</i>, she felt herself being tossed over toward the +edge. At first she was afraid she would be thrown out on the cabin +floor, but the strips of canvas her mother had fastened in place stopped +the little girl from having a fall, just as they had stopped Bunny.</p> + +<p>Sue looked up at the tiny electric light, operated by a storage battery. +Captain Ross had put it there so the children would not be in the dark +if they awakened in the night and needed something.</p> + +<p>"Bunny! Bunny!" exclaimed Sue, "I don't like a storm on a boat at +night!"</p> + +<p>Before Bunny could answer his sister the door of the little stateroom +where they were was opened and Mother Brown looked in.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> She was dressed, +and her head, face and hair were wet as though she had been out in the +storm. And she really had, for a moment.</p> + +<p>"So you're awake, children," she said. "The storm is a bad one, and we +are heading for a quiet cove where we will soon be sheltered and more +quiet."</p> + +<p>"Can't I get up, Mother, and dress?" asked Bunny. "Maybe we'll have to +get off the <i>Fairy</i> and into the rowboat, and I want my clothes on."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you may get up and dress," said Mrs. Brown. "But there is no +danger that we shall have to take to the small boat. It is just a severe +summer storm, with much wind and rain, but not much else."</p> + +<p>"Does it thunder and lightning?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"No; or you would have heard it and seen it before this," her mother +said. "Here, Sue, I'll take you over in my room and you may dress there. +Bunny, can you manage by yourself?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mother," he answered.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown carried Sue in her arms to the room across the main cabin. It +was not easy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> work with the boat pitching and tossing as it was, but +finally the affair was managed, and Sue had her clothes put on. Bunny +dressed himself, though not without some difficulty, for when he tried +to stand on his right foot to put his left shoe on he slid across the +little room and against the opposite wall. But he was not hurt.</p> + +<p>Soon all of them except Captain Ross were in the main cabin. In answer +to a question about the sailor, Mr. Brown said:</p> + +<p>"He's out steering the boat. He wants to bring her safe into Clam Cove, +he says, and then we'll anchor for the night. But he thought it best for +us all to be dressed. The storm is worse than any of us thought it would +be."</p> + +<p>After the first feeling had worn off of being suddenly awakened in the +night, Bunny and Sue did not mind it much. They sat around, looking a +little anxiously at their father or mother as the boat plunged and +rolled, but when they saw how calm their father, mother, Uncle Tad and +Bunker Blue were, the children took heart also.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here are some cookies," said their mother, bringing out a bag from a +locker. "I'd give you some milk to drink, only it would spill the way +the boat is rocking."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Brown, with a smile, "there'd be as much milk on the +floor, I imagine, as the children would drink."</p> + +<p>The storm grew worse instead of less, but Captain Ross was a good +seaman, and in about an hour he brought the <i>Fairy</i> into a sheltered +harbor known as Clam Cove, because of the number of clams that were dug +there.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll ride easier," said Bunker Blue. "I'll go up and help get the +anchor over," he added.</p> + +<p>Soon Bunny Brown and his sister Sue heard sounds on deck which told of +the big anchor being put over the side, and then the boat came to rest. +She still pitched and tossed a little, but not nearly as much as before. +The wind still blew and the rain came down in pelting drops. But the +craft was water-tight and it was, as Bunker Blue said, "as dry as a +bone" inside.</p> + +<p>"You children can go back to your berths<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> now," said Mother Brown, when +the cookies had all been eaten. "I don't believe you'll be tossed out +now."</p> + +<p>"All right," assented Bunny and Sue, for they were beginning to feel +sleepy in spite of the excitement of having been awakened by the storm.</p> + +<p>And soon, save for the uneasy motion of the storm, which was not felt +much in Clam Cove, there was once again calm aboard the <i>Fairy</i>.</p> + +<p>In the morning, though the wind was still high, the rain had stopped. +The outer bay, though, was a mass of big waves, and after one look at +them Captain Ross said:</p> + +<p>"I think we'd better stay here until it quiets down. We could navigate, +but there's no special hurry."</p> + +<p>"No," agreed Mr. Brown, "there isn't. We are not due at Christmas Tree +Cove at any special time, so we'll take it easy."</p> + +<p>"Then we can watch the clam boats," said Bunny. "I like to watch them."</p> + +<p>The clam boats were of two kinds, large rowing craft in which one or two +men went out and with a long-handled rake pulled clams<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> up from the +bottom of the cove. The other boats were sailing craft. They would start +at one side of Clam Cove, spread their sails in a certain way, and drift +across the stretch of water. Over the side of the boat were tossed big +rakes with long, iron teeth. These rakes, fastened to ropes attached to +the boat, dragged over the bottom of the cove much as the fishermen in +the small boats dragged their rakes.</p> + +<p>Of course the sailboats could use much larger rakes and cover a wider +part of the cove. Now and then the men on board the sailboats would haul +up the rakes, which were shaped something like a man's hand is when half +closed and all the fingers and the thumb are spread out. The clams were +dumped on deck, afterward to be washed and sorted.</p> + +<p>The sight was not new to any of the Browns, and of course Bunker, Uncle +Tad, and Captain Ross had often taken part in clam raking. But Bunny and +Sue never tired of watching it. Now they sat on deck, as much out of the +wind as possible, and looked at the drifting boats and at the clammers +in their dorries.</p> + +<p>The storm was passing. Gradually the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> wind was dying out and the waves +were getting smaller.</p> + +<p>"I think we can start again by this afternoon," said Mr. Brown, coming +up on deck following a short nap in the cabin. He had felt sleepy after +dinner.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we can leave before evening if you say so," replied Captain Ross. +"How are you enjoying it?" he asked Sue. "Let's see, I know a riddle +about a clam, if I can think of it. Let me see now, I wonder——"</p> + +<p>"Where's Bunny?" asked Mrs. Brown, coming up on the deck at that moment.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't he with you?" asked her husband.</p> + +<p>"No, he didn't come down. I asked Bunker some time ago about him, and +Bunker said he was on deck with Sue. But he isn't. Where is Bunny?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS TREE COVE</h3> + + +<p>When a family is making a trip on a boat and one of the children becomes +lost, or is missing, there is always more worry than if the same thing +happened on land. For the first thing a father and a mother think of +when on a boat and they do not see their children or know where they +are, is that the missing child has fallen into the lake, river or +ocean—whatever the body of water may be.</p> + +<p>So when Mrs. Brown came up on the deck of the <i>Fairy</i> and did not see +Bunny, who she had thought was with Sue, she asked at once where he was.</p> + +<p>And when Mr. Brown heard his wife say that Bunny had not come to the +cabin he, too, began to wonder where the little boy was.</p> + +<p>"Where did Bunny go, Sue?" asked Mother Brown. "Wasn't he sitting here +with you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, he was here a little while ago," answered Sue. "And then I was +watching two of the sailboats to see if they would bump together, and I +didn't look at Bunny. When I did look he was gone, but I thought he was +downstairs."</p> + +<p>"He isn't," said Mrs. Brown, "and he isn't here on deck. Oh, if he——"</p> + +<p>She did not finish what she was going to say, but quickly ran to the +side of the boat and looked down into the water, as if she might see +Bunny paddling around there. The <i>Fairy</i> was still anchored in Clam +Cove, waiting for the storm to blow out.</p> + +<p>"Is Bunny in swimming?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Captain Ross, who was up "for'ard," as he +called it, meaning the front of the boat. He and Bunker Blue were +mending one of the sails. "Anything wrong, Mrs. Brown?" asked the jolly +old sailor.</p> + +<p>"I can't find Bunny," she answered. "He was here with Sue a moment ago. +Oh, I'm afraid Bunny——"</p> + +<p>"Now, don't think that anything has hap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>pened!" interrupted Mr. Brown. +"He's probably hiding somewhere."</p> + +<p>"Bunny wouldn't do that," declared his mother.</p> + +<p>"No, we weren't playing hide and go seek," said Sue.</p> + +<p>"Then he must be downstairs in one of the cabins, or he is asleep in his +berth," said Mr. Brown. "I'll look."</p> + +<p>"I'll help," offered Uncle Tad, who, himself, had been taking a nap in +his berth.</p> + +<p>"I suppose he must be down below if he isn't up here," said Mrs. Brown, +hoping this was true. "I want to look, too."</p> + +<p>Sue was beginning to be a bit frightened now, and she started to follow +the others below, while Captain Ross and Bunker Blue, seeing how worried +Mr. and Mrs. Brown were, dropped the sail on which they were working and +decided to join in the search.</p> + +<p>It did not take them long to make a search of the boat below decks. No +Bunny was to be found. He was not in his own bunk, nor in that of any +one else, nor was he in the small room where the gasolene motor was +built,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> though Bunny liked to go there to watch the whirring wheels when +the motor was in motion.</p> + +<p>"Where can he be?" exclaimed Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, Sue gave a joyful cry and clapped her hands.</p> + +<p>"I think I know where he is!" exclaimed the little girl. "I just +happened to think about it. Come on!"</p> + +<p>Wonderingly they followed her. Sue ran to the stern of the <i>Fairy</i>, +where the steering wheel was placed. Here was a small rowboat turned +bottomside up. It was kept for the purpose of going to and from shore +when the larger craft was anchored out in the bay.</p> + +<p>Going close to this overturned boat Sue leaned down so she could look +under it. The two ends of the boat, being higher than the middle, raised +it slightly from the deck, leaving a sort of long, narrow slot. And Sue +called into this slot:</p> + +<p>"Bunny! are you there? Answer me. Are you there?"</p> + +<p>For an instant there was no reply, and Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> Brown, who had begun to +think she should have looked there first, was about to conclude that, +after all, it was a wrong guess, when suddenly a voice answered:</p> + +<p>"Yes; here I am."</p> + +<p>The boat tilted to one side and out from beneath it came rolling Bunny +Brown. He seemed sleepy, and his clothes were mussed while his hair was +rumpled. And there was a queer look on his face.</p> + +<p>"Why, Bunny! Bunny Brown, what possessed you to crawl under that boat +and go to sleep?" asked his mother. "You have frightened us! We thought +perhaps you had fallen overboard."</p> + +<p>"No," said Bunny slowly, shaking his head, "I didn't."</p> + +<p>"We see you didn't," said his father, a bit sternly. "But why did you +hide under the boat?"</p> + +<p>"I wasn't hiding," answered Bunny. "And if I had fallen overboard into +the water you would have heard me yell," he went on, speaking slowly.</p> + +<p>"I suppose so," agreed Mr. Brown. "But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> if you weren't hiding under that +boat, what were you doing?"</p> + +<p>"I was—I was thinking," answered Bunny sheepishly.</p> + +<p>"Thinking!" exclaimed his mother.</p> + +<p>"Yes, about the dog that took your pocketbook," went on the little boy. +"I wanted to be in a quiet place where I could think about him and maybe +guess where he was so I could make him give back your diamond ring, +Mother. So I crawled under the boat. It was nice and warm there, and the +wind didn't blow on me, and I was thinking and I was thinking, and——"</p> + +<p>"And then you fell asleep, didn't you?" asked Uncle Tad, as they all +stood around Bunny on deck.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess I did," was the answer. "And I didn't dream about the dog, +either."</p> + +<p>"Did you think of any way to find him?" asked Captain Ross.</p> + +<p>"No," answered Bunny, "I didn't. But I wish I could."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mustn't think any more about that dog," said his mother, with a +smile, as she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> patted the little boy's tousled head. "I'll manage to get +along without my diamond ring, though I would like to have it back."</p> + +<p>"Well, I couldn't think," complained Bunny, with a sigh. "I guess maybe +I was too sleepy."</p> + +<p>"Better not hide yourself away again," cautioned his father. "You must +be extra careful aboard a boat so your mother will not have to worry, or +this trip to Christmas Tree Cove will not be any pleasure to her."</p> + +<p>"When shall we get there—to the place where the Christmas trees are, +Daddy?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"Oh, to-morrow, I guess," answered Captain Ross. "I'll land you up +there, and then I'll cruise back. And I'll come after you, to bring you +home, whenever you want me," he added to Mr. Brown.</p> + +<p>"We're going to stay all summer," said Bunny. "Wouldn't it be funny if +we could find that big dog and your pocketbook at the Cove, Mother?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that could never happen!" declared Sue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>So the lost Bunny was found, and then it was nearly time to get supper. +The wind had all died out now, and it was so calm in the cove that +Captain Ross decided to start the boat without further delay.</p> + +<p>"We can tie up wherever you want to over night, or we can anchor out in +the bay, or keep on going," he said to his passengers.</p> + +<p>"I think we'd better keep on going," said Mrs. Brown. "I shall worry +less about Bunny and Sue when they are lost if it happens on dry land. +I'll know then that they haven't fallen overboard."</p> + +<p>"We could fall in off shore, just the same as off a boat," suggested +Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Not quite so easily. And you must be careful when you get to the +bungalow in Christmas Tree Cove," said Daddy Brown. "The bungalow is +right on the shore, but the water is shallow for a long distance out," +he went on.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not going to fall in!" declared Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll start and travel all night," said Captain Ross. "Speaking of +falling into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> water," he said, with a jolly laugh, "can you tell me +the answer to this riddle, Bunny or Sue? Why should you tie a cake of +soap around your neck when you go in swimming?"</p> + +<p>"I never tied a cake of soap around my neck," said the little girl.</p> + +<p>"I like to play the cake of soap is a boat in the bathtub," remarked +Bunny. "It's lots of fun."</p> + +<p>"But this is a riddle," went on the seaman. "Why should you tie a cake +of soap around your neck if you go in swimming in deep water?"</p> + +<p>"It can't be for you to eat if you get hungry," said Bunny, "can it, +Captain Ross?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not!" cried his sister. "How could you eat a cake of <i>soap?</i>"</p> + +<p>"You could if it was a chocolate cake," returned the little boy. "But +that isn't the answer to the riddle. Please tell us, Captain," he +begged, as Bunker Blue began to pull up the anchor.</p> + +<p>"When you go swimming in deep water and get carried too far out, if you +have a cake of soap tied around your neck it might wash you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> ashore! Ha! +Ha! Ha!" laughed the jolly old sailor. "Do you see, Bunny—Sue? If you +had a cake of soap on your neck it could <i>wash you ashore</i>. Soap washes, +you know."</p> + +<p>"That's a pretty good riddle," said Uncle Tad, while the two children +laughed. "I must remember that to tell my old friend Joe Jamison when I +get back to Bellemere. A cake of soap washes you ashore! Ha! Ha!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know a lot of better ones than that," said Captain Ross. "Only I +can't think of 'em just now. Well, all clear, Bunker?" he called.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"Then start the motor."</p> + +<p>And soon the <i>Fairy</i> was under way again.</p> + +<p>Supper was served as the boat slipped through the blue water of the big +bay. It was a calm, quiet, peaceful night, quite different from the one +of the storm, and Bunny and Sue did not have to be strapped in their +bunks. They slept well, and when they came on deck in the morning they +looked over toward shore.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a lot of Santa Claus trees!" cried Sue. "Look, Bunny!"</p> + +<p>"That's Christmas Tree Cove up there,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> said Captain Ross, pointing to +the evergreens where they were thickest. "We'll soon be there."</p> + +<p>"And, oh, what fun we'll have!" cried Bunny. "I'm going to dig clams and +catch crabs, and we'll have a clambake on shore, Sue."</p> + +<p>"And my dolls can come to it, can't they?" asked the little girl. "I +brought some of my dolls with me, but they're packed up," she added.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, your dolls can come to the clambake," agreed Bunny. "Will +there be any other boys up at Christmas Tree Cove to play with?" he +asked his father.</p> + +<p>"Or girls?" Sue wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Yes. It is quite a summer resort," was the answer. "I fancy you will +have plenty of playmates."</p> + +<p>"I had better be getting things ready to go ashore, I suppose," said +Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered her husband. "I'll help you."</p> + +<p>They were just going down into the cabin, and Bunny and Sue were on +deck, looking at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> the distant green trees, when there was a sudden +shock, a bump, and the boat keeled far over to one side. It seemed as if +the <i>Fairy</i> had struck something in the water.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we're going to sink!" cried Sue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>A CRASH</h3> + + +<p>Bunker Blue, who was at the steering wheel of the <i>Fairy</i>, heard the +dull noise, felt the shock, and saw the boat tip over to one side. +Instantly he pulled the wire which shut off the motor, and then he +turned the steering wheel over, trying to make the boat come upright +again.</p> + +<p>This the craft did, though Sue kept on calling:</p> + +<p>"We're going to sink!"</p> + +<p>Soon the boat was resting quietly in the water, on a "level keel," as a +sailor would say, and floating slowly along.</p> + +<p>"Now we're all right, Sue!" said Bunny. "Stop your yelling! We're not +going to sink!"</p> + +<p>"How do you know?" she asked. "We bumped into something, and maybe +there's a hole, and the water's coming in, and——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just then Mr. and Mrs. Brown came running up on deck, followed by Uncle +Tad and Captain Ross. The old seaman, with an anxious look around, +called to Bunker Blue.</p> + +<p>"What happened? Did some one run into us?"</p> + +<p>"Felt more as if we ran into something," Bunker answered. "But I didn't +see so much as a canoe."</p> + +<p>"We struck something under water, of that I'm sure," said Captain Ross. +"We'd better take a look. We're near shore, anyhow, and it won't take +long to row over if we have to," he added. "But we surely did hit +something."</p> + +<p>"Maybe it was a whale," suggested Sue.</p> + +<p>"Whales don't come up in the bay. They're too big and fat," declared +Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe then it was a shark," the little girl went on. "They're not +so fat."</p> + +<p>Captain Ross and Mr. Brown hurried below deck again, but presently came +up, and the seaman said:</p> + +<p>"We can't find anything wrong below—no leak or anything. We may have +hit a big, submerged log or piece of a wreck. Start the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> motor again, +Bunker, and we'll see if that's all right."</p> + +<p>The gasolene engine was not damaged, but something else was wrong. As +soon as the machinery started there was a trembling and throbbing +throughout the whole boat, but she did not move ahead.</p> + +<p>"I see what the matter is!" said Captain Ross. "The propeller is broken. +It hit something."</p> + +<p>"Oh, can't we go to Christmas Tree Cove?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"We'll get there somehow," answered Captain Ross. "But the propeller is +surely broken."</p> + +<p>And so it proved. The propeller, you know, is something like an electric +fan. It whirls around underwater and pushes the boat ahead. The +propeller on the <i>Fairy</i> had struck a floating log and had been broken, +as they found out later.</p> + +<p>"If we can't go by means of the engine we can sail," remarked Captain +Ross, when it was found that the boat would not move an inch, no matter +how fast the motor whirled around.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> "Hoist the sail, Bunker. We'll get +Bunny Brown and his sister Sue to Christmas Tree Cove yet! Hoist the +sail!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's lots of fun to sail!" cried Bunny.</p> + +<p>"I like it better than motoring!" added Sue, who was no longer yelling.</p> + +<p>Soon the white sail was hoisted, and, as the wind blew, the <i>Fairy</i> +slipped easily along through the water. There was no "jiggle" now, as +Bunny called it, for the motor was not running like a sewing machine +down in the hold of the boat.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer the boat approached the shore. The clumps of green +trees became more plain. Soon little houses and bungalows could be seen. +Then the children saw a long dock extending out into the water.</p> + +<p>"That's where we tie up," said Captain Ross. "I think the wind will hold +until we get there."</p> + +<p>"It's too bad you had such bad luck bringing us here," said Mrs. Brown. +"I'm sorry, Captain, that your boat is broken."</p> + +<p>"Oh, a smashed propeller isn't anything," he answered, with a laugh. "I +was going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> get a new one, anyhow. I'll just land you folks and then +I'll sail back to Bellemere and have my boat fixed."</p> + +<p>"And then you can come back and get us," said Sue; "but not for a long, +long time, 'cause Bunny and I are going to stay at Christmas Tree Cove +and have fun."</p> + +<p>"That's what we are!" said Bunny Brown.</p> + +<p>Slowly the boat swept up to the dock. Then the sail was lowered, and she +was tied fast. Next began the work of unloading the things the Browns +had brought with them to keep house all summer in the little bungalow, +which was not far from the dock.</p> + +<p>Mr. Brown, Uncle Tad, Captain Ross and Bunker Blue unloaded the things, +and Mr. Brown hired a man to cart them to the bungalow. Bunny and Sue +said good-bye to Captain Ross, who, with the help of a man whom he could +hire at Christmas Tree Cove, would sail his boat back later that day. +Then the children, with their mother, walked up a little hill to the +little house where they hoped to spend many happy days.</p> + +<p>"Oh, isn't it pretty!" exclaimed Sue, as she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> strolled up the path, +bordered with clam shells. "It's awful nice here."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will like it," said Mrs. Madden, the woman who had been +engaged by Mr. Brown to open the bungalow and sweep it out in readiness +for the family. "I live near here, and we like it very much," she added, +as she held the door open for Mrs. Brown and the children.</p> + +<p>"Can you catch any fish?" asked Bunny, looking down toward the water and +the dock where his father and the others were lifting things out from +the boat.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, there's fine fishing and clamming and crabbing," said Mrs. +Madden. "My boy and girl will show you the best places."</p> + +<p>"That will be nice," said Mrs. Brown. "Now we'll have a look at the +place." Neither Mother Brown nor the children had yet seen the bungalow +which Mr. Brown had engaged for them.</p> + +<p>They went inside, and while Mrs. Madden was showing Mrs. Brown about the +house Bunny and Sue ran off by themselves to see what they could find.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Madden was just pointing out to Mrs. Brown what a pleasant place +the dining-room was, giving a view of the bay, when suddenly a great +crash sounded throughout the house. It was followed by silence, and then +Sue's voice rang out, saying:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mother! Come quick! Bunny's in! Bunny's in!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>IN THE DARK</h3> + + +<p>Mrs. Brown, who had been looking at the beautiful view of Christmas Tree +Cove from the window of the bungalow dining-room, turned to Mrs. Madden +when Sue's cry rang out.</p> + +<p>"Something has happened to those children!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. "Where +are they calling from? I must go to them."</p> + +<p>"That cry sounded as if it came from the pantry," answered the other +woman. "It's just through that door," and she pointed.</p> + +<p>As Mother Brown started for the place Sue called again:</p> + +<p>"Please come quick! Bunny's in and he can't get out!"</p> + +<p>"What can't he get out of?" asked Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>Mother Brown pushed open the door lead<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>ing into the pantry, and there +she saw a strange sight. Sue was standing beside Bunny and trying to +pull him out of a barrel in which he was doubled up in a funny way, +almost as a clown in a circus sometimes doubles himself up to slide +through a keg. Only Bunny was not sliding through. He was doubled up and +stuck in the barrel.</p> + +<p>"He's in," explained Sue, "and I can't get him out."</p> + +<p>"And I can't get out either!" added Bunny. "I'm stuck!"</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt?" asked his mother.</p> + +<p>"No, not 'zactly," he replied. "'Cept it sort of pinches me."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown did not stop to ask how it had happened. She took hold of +Bunny on one side, and Mrs. Madden took hold of him on the other. Then, +while Sue helped them hold down on the barrel, they pulled up on the +little fellow and soon had him out. Luckily the edge of the barrel was +smooth and without any nails, so that Bunny was not scratched nor were +his clothes torn.</p> + +<p>"Now tell me about it," said his mother, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> she set him on the floor +and led him and Sue out of the small pantry.</p> + +<p>"Well, I—I was climbing up on the barrel to see if there was anything +to eat on the shelves," explained Bunny Brown. "And some boards were on +the barrel. I stepped on them, but they slipped; and then——"</p> + +<p>"And then Bunny slipped!" broke in Sue. "I saw him slip, but I couldn't +stop him."</p> + +<p>"And then I went right on down into the barrel," resumed Bunny. "And I +was stuck there, and Sue hollored like anything, and—well, I didn't +find a single thing to eat," he ended.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't order any food for you, as I didn't know just what you'd +want," explained Mrs. Madden. "If you're hungry," she said to the +children, "you can come over to my cottage—it isn't far—and I can give +you some bread and milk."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am hungry!" said Bunny.</p> + +<p>"So'm I," added Sue.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't think of troubling you," put in Mrs. Brown. "We have some +things on the boat, and——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I've just baked some cookies," went on Mrs. Madden, who lived at +Christmas Tree Cove all the year around. "I'm sure the children would +like them. My boy and girl, who are about the same age as yours, like my +cookies very much;" and she smiled at Bunny and Sue.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mother," began Bunny, "couldn't we——"</p> + +<p>"Let me take them over and give them a little lunch while you are +getting things to rights," urged the kind woman to Mrs. Brown. "It will +be no trouble at all, and Rose and Jimmie will be glad to see them."</p> + +<p>"Are they your children?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear. And they'll be glad if you'll play with them."</p> + +<p>"Very well, they may go. And thank you very much for the invitation," +said Mrs. Brown. "It will be better to have them out of the way when the +men are bringing in the trunks and things. But I hope they will give you +no trouble. Don't fall into any more barrels, Bunny!"</p> + +<p>"I won't," promised the little boy. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> wouldn't 'a' fallen in this one +if the boards hadn't slipped."</p> + +<p>"It's the flour barrel," explained Mrs. Madden. "The family that was +here last year used to have a regular cover for the barrel, but one of +the boys took the cover to make a boat of, and after that they put some +loose boards back on."</p> + +<p>"I'll have Mr. Brown make a new cover for the barrel," said Mrs. Brown. +"But that doesn't mean, Bunny, that you may climb on it again," she +added.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I won't," he agreed. "I was just climbing up to see if there was +anything to eat on the pantry shelves. But I won't have to do that if +you're going to give us some cookies," he added, looking at Mrs. Madden.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm going to give you some cookies," she laughed. "Come along. +I'll bring them back safely," she added.</p> + +<p>So, while Mr. Brown, Captain Ross, Bunker Blue and Uncle Tad carried the +things up to the bungalow from the boat and dock, Bunny and Sue followed +Mrs. Madden to her cottage not far from the bungalow. Mr. Madden was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> a +clammer and fisherman, and his wife did some work for the summer +colonists.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue saw a little boy and girl of about their own ages looking +at them as they neared the cottage.</p> + +<p>"Here are some new playmates for you, Jimmie and Rose," said their +mother. "They are hungry, too."</p> + +<p>"And my brother Bunny fell in a barrel when he was looking for something +to eat on the pantry shelves," explained Sue.</p> + +<p>"Did it hurt you?" Jimmie Madden wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"No; it was fun," laughed Bunny Brown, and then he told of that +adventure.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Madden brought out some glasses of milk, slices of bread and jam, +and also a plateful of cookies, at the sight of which the eyes of Bunny +and Sue opened wide with delight. Then followed a pleasant little play +party on the shady porch of the cottage.</p> + +<p>Rose and Jimmie told of the fun to be had at Christmas Tree Cove—how +there were shallow wading places, deeper pools for bathing, and little +nooks where one could fish.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Can you go out in a boat?" asked Jimmie of Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if somebody bigger goes with us," Bunny answered. "We can get my +Uncle Tad to take us out."</p> + +<p>"Sometimes Rose and I go out with my father when he's fishing or digging +clams," said the Christmas Tree Cove lad. "I can dig clams at low tide."</p> + +<p>"I've done that, too," said Bunny. "We live on Sandport Bay."</p> + +<p>The four children talked and played until it was time for Bunny and Sue +to run back to the bungalow. They found that all the things had been +brought up from the boat and that Captain Ross had sailed away again. +The bungalow was furnished, and Mrs. Brown had only to bring such things +as knives and forks for the table, linen for the beds, and the clothes +they were to wear.</p> + +<p>A grocer and a butcher had called while Bunny and Sue were at the Madden +cottage, and now supper was being prepared by Bunker Blue and Uncle Tad, +each of them being almost as good a cook as was Mrs. Brown.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown and her husband were busy making up the beds for the night, +and as Bunny and Sue came racing in, almost as hungry as though they had +not been given a lunch by Mrs. Madden, their mother called to them:</p> + +<p>"Get washed for supper now, children."</p> + +<p>A little later they were sitting down to their first meal in the +bungalow at Christmas Tree Cove.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you are going to like it here?" asked Daddy Brown.</p> + +<p>"It's dandy!" exclaimed Bunny, being careful not to talk with his mouth +too full of bread and butter. "And Jimmie is a nice boy."</p> + +<p>"I like Rose, too," said Sue.</p> + +<p>After supper the children ran over to the cottage to play again, and +before bedtime they walked along the sandy beach with their father and +mother. But pretty soon it was noticed that Bunny and Sue were not +saying much, and their walk was becoming slow.</p> + +<p>"Time for little sailors to turn in!" said Mother Brown, and soon Bunny +and Sue were slumbering in little white beds in the bungalow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>The rest of the family, except Bunker Blue, sat up rather late, talking +over the events of the past few days. They had enjoyed the trip to +Christmas Tree Cove, all except the storm.</p> + +<p>"I know we'll have a lovely summer," said Mrs. Brown, as she and her +husband went to bed.</p> + +<p>When they were passing Bunny's room a dog barked in the distance. The +little fellow seemed to hear it, for he sat up in bed and cried:</p> + +<p>"There! There he is! There's the dog that has your ring, Mother! I'm +going to get it!"</p> + +<p>"He's talking in his sleep again," whispered Mr. Brown.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed his wife in a low voice. "The loss of the pocketbook seems +to get on his mind. Go to sleep, Bunny," she murmured to him, going into +his room, and pressing his head down on the pillow. Then he turned over +and went off to Slumberland again.</p> + +<p>The next day and the many that followed were full of joy for Bunny Brown +and his sister Sue. They played with Rose and Jimmie, they waded in the +water, they sailed little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> boats, and they made houses in the sand. +Often, as they sat on the beach, Bunny would look back toward the thick +green clumps of evergreen trees which gave the place its name.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't we go and take a walk in them?" he asked Jimmie one day.</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the answer. "Only you want to be careful."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"'Cause the woods are awful thick. You can't see your way very well, and +once Rose and I got lost."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we wouldn't go in very far," said Bunny. "Some day I'm going into +those woods."</p> + +<p>Two or three days after that, when he and Sue had played in the sand +until they were tired, Bunny said:</p> + +<p>"Let's go to the woods!"</p> + +<p>"All right!" agreed Sue. "Shall we get Jimmie and Rose?"</p> + +<p>"No, let's go by ourselves," said her brother. "I want to see if we can +find our way all by ourselves."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>And so, not telling their father or mother or Uncle Tad or Bunker Blue +anything about it, off the two children started.</p> + +<p>It was pleasant, shady and cool in the evergreen woods of Christmas Tree +Cove. On the ground were brown pine needles and the shorter ones from +the spruces and the hemlocks. Here and there the sun shone down through +the thick branches, but not too much. It was like being in a green +bower.</p> + +<p>On and on wandered Bunny and Sue, thinking what a nice place it was. +They found pine cones and odd stones, with, here and there, a bright +flower.</p> + +<p>All of a sudden Sue looked around.</p> + +<p>"Bunny, it's getting dark," she said. "I can't see the sun any more. I +guess it's night, and we'd better go back home."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it's night," said the little boy. "I guess the trees +are so thick we can't see the sun. But we can go home. I'm getting +hungry, anyhow. Come on."</p> + +<p>They turned about to go back, and walked on for some time. Sue took hold +of Bunny's hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's getting terrible dark," she said. "Where's home, Bunny?"</p> + +<p>The little boy looked around.</p> + +<p>"I—I guess it isn't far," he said. "But it is dark, Sue. I wish I had a +flashlight. Next time I'm going to bring one. But we'll soon be home."</p> + +<p>However, they were not. It rapidly grew darker, and at last Bunny Brown +knew what had happened.</p> + +<p>"We're lost, and it's going to be a dark night," he said, holding more +tightly to Sue's hand. "We're lost in the Christmas trees!" he added, +and his sister gave a little cry and held tightly to him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>BUNNY'S TOE</h3> + + +<p>For some little time Bunny Brown and his sister Sue stood among the +Christmas trees, as they called the evergreens that lined the shore of +the cove. The night seemed to get darker and darker. It was really only +dusk, and it was much lighter out on the open beach than it was under +the trees. But the trouble was that Bunny and Sue were in among the +evergreens and they thought it later than it really was.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bunny, what are we going to do?" asked his sister after a while, +during which she had held tightly to his hand and looked about.</p> + +<p>Bunny was looking around also, trying to think what was the best thing +to do. He was older than his sister, and he felt that he must take care +of her and not frighten her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I—I guess we'd better walk along, Sue," said Bunny at last.</p> + +<p>"But maybe then we'll get lost more," Sue suggested.</p> + +<p>"We can't be lost any more than we are," declared Bunny. "We can't see +our bungalow and we don't know where it is and—and, well, we'd better +walk on."</p> + +<p>Bunny looked at his sister. He saw her lips beginning to tremble, dark +as it was under the trees. And when Sue's lips quivered in that way +Bunny knew what it meant.</p> + +<p>"Sue, are you going to cry?" he asked, coming to a stop after they had +walked on a little way. "Are you going to cry—real?"</p> + +<p>"I—I was, Bunny," she answered. "Don't you want me to?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't!" he said, very decidedly. "It's of no use to cry, 'cause +you can't find your house that way, and it makes your nose hurt. Don't +cry, Sue."</p> + +<p>"All right, I won't," bravely agreed the little girl. "I won't cry real, +I'll just cry make-believe."</p> + +<p>And then and there some tears rolled out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> of her eyes, down her cheeks, +and dropped on the ground. Sue also "sniffled" a little, and she seemed +to be holding back gasping, choking sounds in her throat.</p> + +<p>Bunny looked at her in some surprise. He saw the salty tears on her +cheeks.</p> + +<p>"That's awful like real crying, Sue," he said.</p> + +<p>"Well, it isn't. It's only <i>make-believe</i>, like—like the crying we saw +the lady do in the mov-movin' pictures!" exclaimed Sue, choking back +what was really a real sob. "I'm only making believe," she went on. "But +if we don't stop being lost pretty soon, Bunny, maybe I'll have to cry +real."</p> + +<p>"Well," answered the little boy, with a sigh, as he took a firmer hold +of Sue's hand, "maybe you will."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/p158.jpg" width="250" height="400" alt="BUNNY AND SUE GET LOST IN THE WOODS." title="BUNNY AND SUE GET LOST IN THE WOODS." /> +<span class="caption">BUNNY AND SUE GET LOST IN THE WOODS.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove.</i> <i>Page 154</i></div> + +<p>Then the children walked on together, making their way through the dark +Christmas woods. They really did not know where they were going. It was +some time since Bunny had glimpsed a sight of the bungalow.</p> + +<p>All at once, as they walked along, they heard the distant bark of a dog. +At once Sue<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> stood still and pulled her brother to a stop also.</p> + +<p>"Bunny! did you hear that?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied, "I did. It's nothing but a dog, and he's a good way +off, 'cause his bark was real little."</p> + +<p>"But, Bunny! maybe it's the dog that took mother's pocketbook and ring," +Sue went on. "If it is we ought to chase him!" She was forgetting her +fear of being lost now in the excitement over hearing the dog bark and +in thinking he might be the one that had caused the loss of the diamond +ring.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" whispered Bunny.</p> + +<p>He and Sue stood in the fast-darkening woods and to their ears the bark +of the dog sounded fainter now.</p> + +<p>"He's going away," announced Bunny. "Anyhow, I don't s'pose he was the +same dog. That dog never could get away up here. It must be some other +one."</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe it is," agreed Sue. "Oh, Bunny, when are we going to get +home?" she asked, and this time it sounded very much as though she were +going to cry in earnest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess we'll be home pretty soon now," said Bunny hopefully. "Let's +walk over this way;" and he pointed to a new path that crossed the one +they had been walking along for some time.</p> + +<p>Sue was very willing to leave it to Bunny, and she walked along beside +her brother, never once letting go his hand. All at once the children +heard a rustling in the leaves of the bushes that grew amid the trees. +They could hear little sticks being broken, as though some one were +stepping on them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bunny!" exclaimed Sue, shrinking close to her brother, "maybe it is +the dog coming after us!"</p> + +<p>"It couldn't be," said Bunny quickly. "If it was the dog he'd bark, +wouldn't he?"</p> + +<p>"I guess he would," Sue answered. "But we—we'd, better look out, +Bunny."</p> + +<p>"I'll get a stick," offered the little boy, "and if it's a bad dog +I'll——"</p> + +<p>He was interrupted by a cry from Sue—a joyful cry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bunny," shouted the little girl, "it isn't a dog at all! It's +Bunker Blue! Here he is!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> Did you come for us, Bunker?" she asked, as +Mr. Brown's boat boy came brushing his way through the shrubbery.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've been looking for you," answered Bunker. "Your mother was +getting worried, but Rose and Jimmie Madden said they'd seen you come up +into these woods, and I thought I'd find you here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad you did, Bunker!" cried Sue, catching hold of one of +his hands. "We were lost—Bunny and I were—and we heard a dog bark; and +maybe he was the one that took my mother's pocketbook. Did you hear him, +Bunker?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I heard him, Sue," he said, with a smile at the children who were +no longer lost. "But it isn't the same dog, I'm pretty sure. That +pocketbook and ring are gone forever, I guess. Now come on home."</p> + +<p>"Do you know the way?" asked Sue, as Bunny took hold of Bunker's other +hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. And it isn't far to the bungalow," answered the fish boy. "You +couldn't see it on account of the thick trees."</p> + +<p>And, surely enough, in a little while he led<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> them out on the path to +the beach and they were soon at the bungalow again.</p> + +<p>"You must not go off into these woods alone again," said Mrs. Brown. +"They are thicker and darker than the woods at home, Bunny, and it is +easier for you to get lost in them. Don't go to them alone again."</p> + +<p>"No'm, I won't," promised the little fellow. "But wouldn't it have been +fine, Mother, if we could have found the dog that took your diamond +ring?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Bunny, it would be lovely," said Mrs. Brown. "But I'm afraid that +will never happen."</p> + +<p>There were so many things to do to have fun at Christmas Tree Cove that +Bunny Brown and his sister Sue hardly knew what to play at first. Each +day brought new joys. They could build houses on the sand, paddle or +bathe in the cool, shallow water, sail tiny boats which Uncle Tad made +for them, or take walks with their mother.</p> + +<p>Daddy Brown stayed for several days at the cove, and then he had to go +back to Bellemere to his dock and boat business. But he said he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> would +come to the cove again as soon as he could.</p> + +<p>Uncle Tad and Bunker stayed at the bungalow to help Mrs. Brown, and +Bunker often took Bunny and Sue out in a rowboat on the quiet waters of +the cove.</p> + +<p>One day Mrs. Brown took some sewing, packed a small basket of lunch, and +said to the children:</p> + +<p>"Now, Bunny and Sue, we will have a little picnic all by ourselves. +Bunker and Uncle Tad are going fishing, so we will go down to the beach +and stay all the afternoon. We will eat our lunch there, and while I sit +and sew you children can play around."</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue thought this would be fun, and soon they started off. It +was a beautiful day, sunny but not too hot, and soon Mrs. Brown was busy +with her needle while Sue and her brother played on the sand.</p> + +<p>Mother Brown was trying to thread a very fine needle, which seemed to +have closed its eye and gone to sleep, when suddenly Sue came running up +to her so fast that she almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> overturned the sun umbrella which Mrs. +Brown had raised to make a shade.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mother! Mother!" gasped Sue, so out of breath that she could hardly +speak. "Oh, Mother! Come quick!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Mrs. Brown, getting quickly to her feet.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's Bunny's toe! It's Bunny's toe!" was all Sue said, and, +catching hold of her mother's hand, she pulled her down toward the +water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>OVERBOARD</h3> + + +<p>Mrs. Brown was used to seeing things happen to Bunny and Sue. They were +lively children, getting into mischief fully as often as other tots of +their same age did, and it was not unusual to have one of them hurt +slightly.</p> + +<p>So when Sue ran up to her mother and began to cry out about Bunny's toe, +Mrs. Brown looked down the beach where she had left the two children +playing. There she saw Bunny dancing around on one foot in a shallow +pool of water, left there when the tide went out. And as he danced on +one foot Bunny held the other up in the air, and he was crying something +which his mother could not hear.</p> + +<p>"Sue," asked Mrs. Brown, as she hurried down the slope leading to the +beach proper, "did Bunny step on a broken bottle and cut his toe?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, Mother, it isn't that," answered the little girl. "I don't know +just what it is. I was making a little house on the sand, and Bunny was +wading in the water. All of a sudden he yelled, and told me to go and +get you 'cause there was something the matter with his toe."</p> + +<p>"He probably cut himself," said Mrs. Brown, and she began to search in +her pocket for an extra handkerchief. It would not be the first time +Bunny or Sue had suffered a cut foot because of stepping on a sharp +shell or a piece of glass while in wading.</p> + +<p>But when Mrs. Brown and Sue reached the edge of the little pool in which +Bunny was hopping about on one foot, holding himself up by leaning on a +piece of driftwood he had picked up and was using as a crutch, his +mother saw what the matter was.</p> + +<p>"Take it off my toe! Take it off my toe!" cried Bunny.</p> + +<p>"It's a big, pinching crab," said Mrs. Brown. "Oh, Bunny, I'm so sorry! +Come out of the water and I'll make it let go of you. Come out!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p>By this time Sue, also, had seen the cause of the trouble. A big crab +had been caught when the tide went down, and was in the pool of water, +which, surrounded by sand, was like a little lake. Bunny must have +stepped on the creature when wading. It had nipped the big toe of his +left foot, and was holding on, though Bunny had raised his foot out of +the water as far as he could.</p> + +<p>"Come here, Bunny. I'll get him off for you," his mother called.</p> + +<p>"I can't come! How am I going to walk on one foot?" and Bunny howled, +for the crab was pinching hard.</p> + +<p>"Can't you skip, as we do when we play hopscotch?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"Maybe," her brother answered.</p> + +<p>He was about to try it, and his mother was just going to tell him that a +better way would be to dip his foot back in the water when the crab +might swim away, when the pinching creature decided to let go anyhow. It +loosened its claws and dropped with a splash into the puddle of water.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's gone! He let go my toe!" cried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> Bunny, and then he ran up the +sandy shore as fast as he could go.</p> + +<p>"Let me see where he pinched you," said Mrs. Brown, when Bunny had +reached her side. "Is it bleeding?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess it is! And maybe he pinched my whole toe off," said Bunny, +almost ready to cry.</p> + +<p>He held up his bare foot, and his mother looked at the toe. It was quite +red, but the skin was not broken and there was no blood.</p> + +<p>"Is it—is it off?" asked Bunny, his voice trembling.</p> + +<p>"No, you silly boy, it isn't even bleeding," laughed his mother.</p> + +<p>"Well, it—it felt as if it was off," said Bunny. "I don't like crabs."</p> + +<p>"No, they aren't very pleasant when they nip you," agreed his mother. +"But this one took such a big pinch and his claw was so much over your +toe nail that he really did very little damage. You'd better not wade in +that pool any more."</p> + +<p>"I won't," decided Bunny.</p> + +<p>He sat down and softly rubbed his toe where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> the crab had pinched him. +As Mrs. Brown had said, there was no blood, though it does not take much +of a nip from even a small crab to break the skin and cause a bleeding. +And sometimes the pinch of a crab, where it does draw blood, becomes +very sore.</p> + +<p>However, Bunny was well out of this adventure, and when he had got over +his fright his mother took him and Sue up under the shady umbrella and +gave them some lunch.</p> + +<p>"But I don't want any more crabs to bite me," said Bunny.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the day was spent in happy fashion, though Bunny waded +in no more pools.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad the crab didn't pinch me," said Sue, as she wiggled her toes +in the soft sand. "'Cause my foot's littler than Bunny's," she went on, +holding it near his, "and maybe that crab would have taken hold of two +of my toes, and bitten them all off."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think that wouldn't have happened," said Mrs. Brown. "A crab +doesn't really want to nip children just for fun. They'll get away from +you if they can; but if they think you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> are going to hurt them they'll +open their claws and pinch. Bunny must have stepped on the one that took +hold of his toe."</p> + +<p>"Maybe I did," said Bunny. "I stepped on something, and I thought it was +a clam shell, but it wiggled out from under my foot and then my toe was +grabbed."</p> + +<p>When Bunny and Sue went back to the bungalow that night they saw Bunker +Blue busy at work on a small boat at the dock, which was at the end of +the walk leading down from "Bark Lodge," as their place was named, for +it was made of logs with the bark on.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing, Bunker?" Sue called to him.</p> + +<p>"I got bit by a crab!" announced Bunny, not giving the fish boy time to +answer. "He held on to my toe and I lifted him right out of the water, +same as we catch crabs on a string and fishhead."</p> + +<p>"Is that so?" asked Bunker, and he went on hammering away at the boat. +It was another craft than the one Mr. Brown had hired for the use of his +family.</p> + +<p>"What are you making?" Bunny wanted to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> know, satisfied, now that he had +told the story of the crab.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm making a little sailboat," answered Bunker. "A man on the other +side of the cove, where your Uncle Tad and I were fishing to-day, sold +me this boat cheap, and I'm going to rig up a sail for it. I don't want +to row around all summer, so I'm going to sail."</p> + +<p>"Oh, can we go with you?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"I can help you sail, can't I, Bunker?" questioned Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if your mother lets you," was the answer.</p> + +<p>After supper Uncle Tad helped Bunker put the sail on the boat. It was +not a very large boat nor did it have a very large sail, but the fish +boy said it would do for cruising about the cove.</p> + +<p>"May we sail with him, Mother?" asked Bunny the next day, when Bunker +announced that the boat was ready for a trial.</p> + +<p>"Is it safe?" asked Mrs. Brown of the tall lad.</p> + +<p>"I think so," he answered. "I'll give it a tryout by myself first, +though."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue watched Bunker Blue sailing to and fro in Christmas Tree +Cove, and finally he headed back for the dock.</p> + +<p>"I'll take Bunny and Sue out now if you'll let them come with me," said +Bunker to Mrs. Brown, who, with the children, was watching the trial of +the new sailboat.</p> + +<p>"Very well. But be careful and don't go too far!" cautioned the +children's mother.</p> + +<p>Delighted by the prospect of a ride before the wind around the cove, +Bunny and Sue got into the boat. There was just about room enough for +three. Bunker had rigged up a rudder on the boat and there was a small +centerboard in the middle to keep the craft from tipping over in a hard +blow.</p> + +<p>"All aboard!" cried Bunny, pretending to help Sue to her place.</p> + +<p>"All aboard!" answered Bunker, as he pulled over the tiller and let the +boat swing out from the dock. Then for some time the children sailed +about the cove, while Mrs. Brown watched them from the bank. Mr. Brown +was to come up to the cove that night on the evening train, to stay for +several days.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>As Mrs. Brown was watching, she saw something dark slide suddenly over +the side of the sailboat, and at the same time she heard Sue's screams +and saw Bunker let go the sail and make a grab for an object in the +water.</p> + +<p>"Bunny has fallen overboard!" cried his mother, springing to her feet +and running down to the dock. "Uncle Tad, come quickly! Bunny has fallen +overboard!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE NEW BOY</h3> + + +<p>Uncle Tad, who was mending a broken fishing rod just outside the +bungalow, heard Mrs. Brown's cry and saw her running down to the dock. +He also looked across the cove and saw the sailboat in which he knew +Bunny and Sue had gone for a ride with Bunker Blue. And then Uncle Tad +guessed what had happened.</p> + +<p>"Man overboard!" he cried, though of course Bunny was only a little boy. +But that is what is always said when anybody—man, woman, or +child—falls into the water.</p> + +<p>"Man overboard!"</p> + +<p>Uncle Tad raced down to the dock and saw Mrs. Brown trying to loosen the +rope that held to the pier the boat Mr. Brown had hired for the summer.</p> + +<p>"Let me do it," said Uncle Tad, who knew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> considerable about boats from +having lived so long with the Browns.</p> + +<p>Just then a voice behind Mrs. Brown cried:</p> + +<p>"He's got him out! Bunker Blue has got him out!" And there, on the pier, +stood Jimmie Madden with his sister Rose. He pointed across to the now +motionless sailboat.</p> + +<p>Uncle Tad and Mrs. Brown had not looked at it for the last few seconds, +as they were busy trying to get ready the other boat to go to the +rescue. But, looking now, they saw Bunker Blue lift Bunny Brown from the +water. And a moment later Bunker's voice rang out as he called:</p> + +<p>"You don't need to come! Bunny is all right! I'll soon bring him to +shore!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown, and she dropped the rope she +had been trying to loosen, while Uncle Tad, who had knelt down on the +pier to do the same thing, stood up.</p> + +<p>As Jimmie had said and Uncle Tad and Mother Brown had seen, Bunker had +pulled Bunny from the water, and a little later the sail was filled with +wind and was bringing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> boat to the dock. Bunny and Sue could be seen +sitting safely in it, and Bunny did not appear much the worse from +having fallen overboard, though, of course, he was soaking wet.</p> + +<p>"I saw him fall in," explained Jimmie Madden. "Then I ran over here."</p> + +<p>"And I ran over, too," said his sister Rose.</p> + +<p>"I could 'a' jumped in and got him out if he'd been near shore. I can +swim," went on Jimmie, who was a regular seashore boy and quite at home +in the water.</p> + +<p>"I can swim, too," went on Rose.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad neither of you had to jump in after Bunny," said Mrs. Brown, +as the boat neared the dock. "I wonder how Bunny happened to fall +overboard."</p> + +<p>This was explained when the wet, dripping little chap was helped out of +the boat to which Bunker had fitted a sail.</p> + +<p>"He saw something floating in the water," said Bunker, "and he reached +for it, though I told him not to, as I was going about. But he did, and +he lost his balance, and in he went."</p> + +<p>"But Bunker got him right out again!" Sue made haste to say.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It wasn't Bunker's fault," added Bunny. "He told me not to lean over."</p> + +<p>"Then you should have minded," said his mother. "It was very wrong of +you, Bunny, to do that. I told you to mind Bunker when you went out with +him. Now, as a punishment, you may not go sailing again this week."</p> + +<p>And though Bunny cried and said he would never disobey again, he was +punished just as his mother said he must be. Sue was allowed to go for a +sail, while Bunny had to stay on shore.</p> + +<p>"You must be made to understand that you have done wrong," his mother +said.</p> + +<p>There was really very little danger, for the water in the cove was not +deep, and Bunker was such a good swimmer that he, very likely, could +have managed to get out both Bunny Brown and his sister Sue if they had +fallen in together.</p> + +<p>After his days of punishment, however, Bunny was allowed to go sailing +again, and Bunker even let him steer a little, which made Bunny very +happy.</p> + +<p>"Some day I am going to learn all about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> steering," declared Bunny to +Sue, "and then I'll be able to take out a boat all alone."</p> + +<p>"You be careful, Bunny Brown, or maybe the boat will sail off with you," +warned Sue, earnestly. "And it might sail 'way off to—to Boston, or—or +China—or—or Mexico."</p> + +<p>"It couldn't sail that far. I wouldn't let it."</p> + +<p>"It might run away with you."</p> + +<p>"Boats can't run—they sail. You ought to know that."</p> + +<p>"It could sail away ever so far, if it wanted to, Bunny Brown. An' if it +sailed 'way off to—to China, how ever would you get back?"</p> + +<p>"I'd sail back."</p> + +<p>"How could you if you didn't know the way?"</p> + +<p>"I'd ask some—some Chinaman. I know how to talk to 'em. I can talk to +that Chinaman who has the laundry near the school."</p> + +<p>"Huh! He ain't a real Chinaman—he's an American Chinaman. I mean a real +Chinaman Chinaman—that can't talk like we do."</p> + +<p>"I'd find a way—just you wait and see," said Bunny confidently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>The summer days passed pleasantly at Christmas Tree Cove. Mr. Brown +found it possible to come up more often than he had expected, and he and +his wife, with the children, Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue, went on +excursions on land and water.</p> + +<p>Often when her husband would arrive at the bungalow, coming up from his +dock office at Bellemere, Mrs. Brown would ask:</p> + +<p>"Did you hear anything about the strange dog or my lost pocketbook and +ring?"</p> + +<p>And her husband would shake his head and answer:</p> + +<p>"There is no news. I saw Mr. Foswick, the carpenter. He said he keeps +looking around his shop, thinking he may find the things the dog +dropped, but they have not been discovered yet."</p> + +<p>Then Mrs. Brown would be sad for a little while as she thought of her +lovely diamond engagement ring, but she did not let Bunny or Sue see +that she was unhappy.</p> + +<p>One afternoon it was very hot at Christmas Tree Cove. The sun's rays +beat down and there was scarcely any breeze.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come on, kiddies!" called Mother Brown to Bunny and Sue. "We will put +on our bathing suits and go down to the water. If there is any cool +place this hot day it is there."</p> + +<p>Of course Bunny and Sue were delighted with this. They never tired of +bathing, and soon they were splashing about in the cove. They were not +the only ones, for many of the neighboring cottagers and bungalow +residents took advantage of the water to cool off.</p> + +<p>"Be careful and don't go out too far!" called Mrs. Brown to Bunny and +Sue, as she went up on the beach to talk to some friends, leaving the +children in the water. "The tide is coming in."</p> + +<p>"We'll be careful!" promised Bunny. "Here, Sue, give me your hand and +we'll wade out to the float."</p> + +<p>The float was made of some planks fastened to empty barrels, and it was +a fine place to play. As Sue and Bunny were wading out they noticed a +boy whom they had not seen before wading beside them.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" said Bunny, in friendly spirit. "Did you just come?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes. We came to the hotel last night," was the answer. "I never was at +the ocean before. We're going to stay all through August."</p> + +<p>"This isn't the ocean," said Bunny. "It's just Christmas Tree Cove. The +ocean is lots bigger."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see it," said the new boy.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" suddenly called Sue. "Here comes a big wave!"</p> + +<p>She had just time to take a tighter hold of Bunny and turn, but the new +boy did not seem to know much about bathing or waves. He stood waiting, +and, an instant later he was knocked down and his head went under +water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>HELD FAST</h3> + + +<p>The first that Mrs. Brown knew of what was happening was when a woman +near her screamed. Then this woman hurried down the sands to the edge of +the water in which Bunny, Sue, and a number of other children were +bathing.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown had been talking to several women of the summer bungalow +colony near Bark Lodge, and one of these ladies had just remarked that a +new family had come to the hotel.</p> + +<p>"It is Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Slater," Mrs. Brown was told. "They have a +little boy named Harry, about as old as your Bunny."</p> + +<p>And just as Mrs. Blaney, who was telling this to Mrs. Brown, finished, +Mrs. Brown heard a woman scream and saw her run down to the water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's Mrs. Slater now," said Mrs. Blaney. "I wonder what the matter +is."</p> + +<p>"Her little boy was just knocked down by a big wave," said another woman +who had been sitting on the sand talking to Mrs. Brown. "Perhaps we had +better go and help her."</p> + +<p>It was Harry Slater, the new boy to whom Bunny had been talking, who had +been knocked down and rolled over by the big wave. His mother, sitting +on the beach, had seen what had taken place. Then she had screamed and +had hurried down the sands.</p> + +<p>But, as it happened, Bunny Brown was nearer at hand to give the needed +help. He and Sue were used to the big waves, which came in Christmas +Tree Cove only when one of the large excursion steamers stopped at a +nearby dock. The propeller of the steamer sent the waves rushing inshore +almost like the surf of the larger ocean outside.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the wave knocked him down!" cried Sue, who had seen the mass of +water coming, and had held to Bunny while they turned a little and +jumped so they did not fall. "Look, Bunny, he's down in the water!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know!" exclaimed Bunny! "I see him! I'll get him up!"</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue had lived so long in Bellemere near the water that, young +as they were, they knew the thing to do when people fall into or down in +the water is to get them out as soon as possible, in order that they may +not be smothered.</p> + +<p>So, as soon as he had made sure that Sue was all right, Bunny leaned +down, and, catching hold of Harry Slater, the new boy, who was +floundering around under water, lifted him up. It was easy for Bunny to +do this, as a body in water weighs less than outside.</p> + +<p>Thus Bunny easily lifted Harry up and held him on his feet, while the +new boy choked and gasped to get his breath. By this time his mother was +at the edge of the water, where the waves broke on the sand, and she was +just going to go in, all dressed as she was, for she did not wear a +bathing suit.</p> + +<p>"Harry," cried Mrs. Slater, "mother is coming!"</p> + +<p>"There isn't any need, lady!" said Duncan Porter, the life-saver who was +always on duty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> during the bathing hour. "I'll bring him in to you. But, +anyhow, Bunny has him safe."</p> + +<p>The guard, who had been on another part of the beach, had run up when he +heard Mrs. Slater scream, and now he waded out and brought Harry to +shore in his arms. The new boy was more frightened than hurt, and was +soon all right again, though he coughed a little because of the water he +had swallowed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry Slater, you were nearly drowned!" cried some of the other +children.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he wasn't in much danger," said the life guard. "I'd have had him +out in another second or two. But, as it was, Bunny Brown got him out of +the water all right."</p> + +<p>"How can I thank you?" said Harry's mother, as she gave Bunny a hug, all +wet as he was, for he and Sue, with many other children, had followed +the life-saver to shore when he carried the choking, gasping new boy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it wasn't anything much!" protested Bunny, who did not like a fuss +being made over him. "The big wave just knocked him down, and I picked +him up."</p> + +<p>"He's a brave and clever little boy!" said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> several ladies on the beach, +and if Bunny had not been so tanned and sunburned he might have blushed.</p> + +<p>"It was a big wave knocked him down," said Sue. "One of the steamer +waves. You have to look out for 'em! I saw him go down and I yelled."</p> + +<p>"You were both very watchful of Harry," said Mrs. Slater. "Your mother +should be proud of you children."</p> + +<p>"There's my mother now," said Bunny, pointing to Mrs. Brown, who had +come down with a number of other women.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that Bunny, Sue and the new boy became acquainted and Mrs. +Slater also formed a friendship for Mrs. Brown. Soon the excitement had +passed and the children were in bathing again, while their mothers +either bathed, too, or sat on the beach and talked. Bunny and Sue liked +Harry, and you may be sure the new boy was very thankful to Bunny Brown +for pulling him up out of the water.</p> + +<p>"Do they have bigger waves in the ocean than the one that knocked me +down?" asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> Harry, when the three children were once more having a +good time in the bathing pool.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess they do!" cried Sue. "He should see some of the big waves, +shouldn't he, Bunny?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'd like to see 'em," said Harry, with a laugh. "But I wouldn't +want to be knocked down by 'em—not if they were bigger than the wave +that hit me."</p> + +<p>"The waves in the ocean are ever so much bigger," went on Bunny. "And in +a storm they're twice as big."</p> + +<p>"We were in a storm coming here," explained Sue. "We were on a boat and +it rocked like anything, didn't it, Bunny?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it rocked a lot," he agreed. "Come on," he called to his sister. +"Let's go over and dig clams."</p> + +<p>"Where can you dig clams?" asked Harry eagerly. Anything about the +seashore interested him, as it was his first summer at the beach.</p> + +<p>"They get hard clams away out in the cove," explained Bunny. "But soft +clams grow over there where the tide is out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Clams don't grow," declared Sue. "They aren't like apples."</p> + +<p>"Yes, clams do grow," declared Bunny. "Else how could a little clam get +to be a big one. They grow over there, in that place where there isn't +any water," went on Bunny. "And when the tide is out we dig for 'em."</p> + +<p>"I was up on my grandpa's farm once, and I helped dig for potatoes in +the ground," said Harry. "But I never dug for clams. I'd like to."</p> + +<p>"We'll show you how," offered Bunny. "Mother lets us dig soft clams, and +she makes chowder of 'em. Come on, we'll go over and dig clams."</p> + +<p>Harry was very glad of this chance for fun, and when Mrs. Brown had said +her two children might go, and when Mrs. Slater had also consented to +let her boy accompany his two new playmates, they set off.</p> + +<p>"There isn't any water on the flats when the tide is out," said Mrs. +Brown. "Bunny and Sue often go there to dig clams, and we can see them +from here."</p> + +<p>Soft clams are not like hard clams. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> shell is a sort of bluish black +and is quite thin, so it is easily crushed. The soft clam is long and +thin, instead of being almost round, like a hard clam.</p> + +<p>A soft clam lives down in the mud or sand under water. Within his shell +the soft clam has a long tube, which seems as if made of rubber, for it +can be stretched out greatly, or made so small as to fit inside the +shell.</p> + +<p>When the tide covered the low flats at one part of Christmas Tree Cove +the soft clams could not be found. But when the tide went out it left +bare a large space of sand and sticky mud, or muck. Then was the time to +dig soft clams.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue knew how to do it. They used a little shovel, though a +regular clammer uses a short-handled hoe, digging the wet earth away +much as a farmer digs away the earth from a hill of potatoes. Down under +the surface the clams are found.</p> + +<p>"Here's a good place to dig," said Bunny, as he led Sue and Harry +through little pools of water to the clam flats. "Sue, you hold the +basket and Harry and I will dig."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, this time I will, 'cause Harry's new," answered Sue. "But after +this I'll dig, too."</p> + +<p>Bunny had brought two shovels, and, giving the new boy one, Sue's +brother used the other. He dug a hole in the mucky, black sand, and +Harry did likewise.</p> + +<p>"When you see something that looks like a black stone pick it up," +advised Bunny. "'Cause that's a clam."</p> + +<p>The two boys dug away for some time, and at last Harry cried:</p> + +<p>"I got one!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's a soft clam, and a nice big one," declared Bunny. "And I've +got one myself!"</p> + +<p>Soon the two little boys had found a number of clams, which they put in +the basket Sue held. Bunny was just digging out an extra large one when, +all of a sudden, Sue cried:</p> + +<p>"Bunny, I'm stuck! I can't get my feet up! Oh, Oh!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe a big clam has hold of her," said Harry. "What'll we do, Bunny?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>ANOTHER STORM</h3> + + +<p>The two boys stopped their clam-digging and stood staring at Sue, who +was holding the basket of shellfish and looking at her brother and +Harry.</p> + +<p>"I'm stuck fast!" cried Sue again. "I can't lift up either of my legs, +Bunny! What shall I do?"</p> + +<p>"Is it a clam that has hold of you?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"Clams don't grab hold of you like crabs," declared Bunny. "Once a crab +got hold of my toe, and it pinched like anything."</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's a crab, then," said Harry.</p> + +<p>"This isn't a crab or a clam," said Sue. "But my feet are all tight in +the mud, and I can't lift 'em out! Look!"</p> + +<p>She struggled hard, trying first to lift one foot and then the other. +But she only swayed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> in a little pool of water that collected around her +bare legs.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know what the matter is!" exclaimed Bunny, as he looked again at +his sister. "It's like getting into a muck hole in the swamp. There's a +lot of soft sand and muck here on the flats, and you've stepped into one +of the holes, Sue."</p> + +<p>"Shall I—shall I sink down through the hole all the way to—to China?" +asked the little girl, and it looked as if she might be going to cry, as +she had the time she and Bunny were lost in the Christmas Tree woods.</p> + +<p>"We'll get you up," said Bunny. "Come on, Harry. You take hold of Sue on +one side and I'll take hold of her on the other. Then maybe she can lift +up her own legs."</p> + +<p>The boys went toward her.</p> + +<p>"Take the basket of clams," directed Sue. "I don't want to spill 'em!"</p> + +<p>She handed Bunny the basket of soft clams which the two boys had dug, +and Bunny set it on top of the pile of dirt that had been piled up as he +and Harry dug holes to get at the shellfish. Then the two boys stood, +one on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> either side of Sue, so she could put her hands on their +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Maybe we'll get stuck in the mud, too," suggested Harry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess not," said Bunny. "Anyhow, if we do, it'll be fun."</p> + +<p>Seeing Bunny and Harry about to help her, Sue felt better. She gave up +the notion of crying, and began to pull up, first on one foot and then +on the other.</p> + +<p>At first it seemed that neither one would move, so sticky was the mud +and muck. But at last Sue felt one giving, and she cried:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm getting loose! I'm getting loose, Bunny!"</p> + +<p>"Pull harder!" directed her brother. "Pull as hard as you can!"</p> + +<p>Just about this time Mrs. Brown, who was sitting on the sand under the +sun umbrella talking to Mrs. Slater, happened to look over toward the +children who had gone clam-digging. She saw Bunny and Harry standing +close to Sue, and she knew, by the way the children were acting, that +something had happened.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Mrs. Slater, too, looked toward the three children.</p> + +<p>"Is Harry in trouble again?" asked his mother.</p> + +<p>"No, this time it seems to be Sue," said Mrs. Brown. "I think she is +stuck in the mud."</p> + +<p>"Is that serious?" asked Mrs. Slater, for she had not been to the +seashore enough to know anything about clam-digging.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there is no danger," said Mrs. Brown. "They may get very muddy. But +they have on their bathing suits, and can easily wash. However, we might +walk over as near as we can go, so they may see us."</p> + +<p>"Very well," agreed Mrs. Slater. "I don't want Harry frightened again +to-day."</p> + +<p>But she need not have worried. The children were laughing as Sue used +the two boys like a pair of crutches to help her lift her feet from the +muck. Soon she had pulled loose, and she held one foot out so she could +see it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, look!" cried the little girl. "There's so much mud on my foot I +can't see my toes wiggle!"</p> + +<p>And this was really so.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It looks as if you had a black shoe on," added Bunny. "Come on now, +you'd better step away from here if you don't want to get stuck again, +Sue."</p> + +<p>"And I'm getting stuck myself!" exclaimed Harry, as he felt one foot +sinking. "Is it all like this on the clam flats?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered Bunny, "only in some places. It was all right where you +and I stood."</p> + +<p>By this time Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Slater had reached the edge of the clam +flats, and they saw that the three children were all right. Harry and +Bunny again started to dig for the shellfish and Sue held the basket for +them. But she took care to stand on a big flat stone, so there was no +more danger of sinking down.</p> + +<p>"Mother!" cried Harry, when he saw Mrs. Slater with Mrs. Brown, "digging +clams is lots of fun, and Sue got stuck in the mud."</p> + +<p>"So we saw," his mother answered. "The seashore is a funny place. You +don't seem to know what will happen on land or in the water."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is all right when you get used to it,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> said Mrs. Brown, +laughing. "Have you enough clams, Bunny?"</p> + +<p>"Not quite," he answered. "I like lots of 'em in my chowder."</p> + +<p>"Well, you may dig a few more. We'll sit here and wait for you," said +his mother, and, finding a place on shore where a clump of trees gave a +little shade, she and Mrs. Slater sat down.</p> + +<p>Bunny, Sue, and Harry kept on digging, Sue finally insisting on taking a +turn with the shovel.</p> + +<p>"I'm coming to the seashore every year," declared Harry, as he dug out +an extra large clam. "I guess my dog would like it here, too. He's fond +of water."</p> + +<p>"Where is your dog?" asked Bunny. "I didn't see you have any."</p> + +<p>"We didn't bring him with us 'cause he's lost," said Harry, leaning on +his shovel. "He's an awful nice dog, too. We were going to bring him +here with us, but one day, when we were out in the automobile, he jumped +out and ran away and we never saw him again."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We had a dog Splash, and he ran away, too," said Sue.</p> + +<p>"My dog would carry things in his mouth," went on Harry. "He used to +carry our paper, and sometimes he would take things you didn't want him +to, and carry them away."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bunny!" suddenly exclaimed Sue, "that's just what the big yellow +dog did. He took mother's pocketbook when we didn't want him to and +carried it away. Maybe this is the same dog!"</p> + +<p>"What kind of a dog was yours?" asked Bunny of his new friend.</p> + +<p>"He was a big yellow one," was the answer. "But he was never here in +this place, 'cause we were never here ourselves before this summer. So +he couldn't have taken your mother's pocketbook."</p> + +<p>"But the pocketbook wasn't taken from here," said Bunny. "It was where +we live—in Bellemere. And it was a big, yellow dog! Could your dog run +fast?" he asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, terribly fast. But what's that about your mother's +pocketbook?"</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue told the story by turns, how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> they had seen the dog +running away with the pocketbook containing the five-dollar bill and +their mother's diamond ring.</p> + +<p>"And he ran into a carpenter shop, and we ran in after him, and Mr. +Foswick locked us in, and Bunny broke a window, and we had a terrible +time!" explained Sue.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe that was my dog," said Harry. "But Sandy—that was my +dog's name—would carry away lots of things in his mouth. I wish I had +him back. My father said he'd give a lot of money to find him—a reward, +you know."</p> + +<p>"And I guess my father would give a reward if he could get back my +mother's diamond ring," added Sue. "But he can't. Bunker Blue says it's +gone forever."</p> + +<p>"Children! Children!" called Mrs. Brown from the shore. "I think we had +better go now. It is getting late and it looks as if we might have +another storm. Come along. You have clams enough."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess we have," said Bunny, looking in the basket.</p> + +<p>The children started for the mainland, stop<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>ping in a little pool to +wash the mud off themselves and also to cleanse their shovels.</p> + +<p>Bunny "sozzled" the basket of clams in the water to wash them, and when +Mrs. Brown explained how she made them into chowder Mrs. Slater +remarked:</p> + +<p>"I wish they served that at the hotel."</p> + +<p>"Won't you and Harry come over and have supper with us this evening?" +asked Mrs. Brown. "We'll give you some of the chowder then."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Mother, please do!" begged Harry, and Mrs. Slater consented.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you more about my lost dog when I come over to-night," called +Harry to Bunny and Sue, as they parted.</p> + +<p>That evening Mrs. Slater and her son Harry were guests of the Browns at +supper, at which was served the chowder made from the clams dug by the +children that afternoon.</p> + +<p>"It is delicious!" said Mrs. Slater, as she was helped to a second +plateful.</p> + +<p>"I like it lots!" declared Harry. "I guess Sandy would, too, if he was +here."</p> + +<p>"What's this about your dog being lost?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> asked Mr. Brown, for he had +heard the children talking about it.</p> + +<p>"We did lose a very valuable animal," explained Mrs. Slater. "We were +out automobiling one day, and in driving through a place called +Bellemere, on Sandport Bay——"</p> + +<p>"Bellemere!" cried Bunny Brown. "Why, that's where we live!"</p> + +<p>"That's where our dog was lost," said Mrs. Slater, smiling at him. "For +some reason he leaped out of the auto and went bounding away down the +street. My husband stopped and tried to get him back, but he would not +come. And he has been lost ever since. Harry misses him very much."</p> + +<p>"What day was it that your dog ran away?" asked Mr. Brown, with a look +at his wife.</p> + +<p>"Why, it was—let me see," answered Mrs. Slater slowly. "It was on——"</p> + +<p>Her words were interrupted by a loud crash of thunder that shook the +bungalow, and all the electric lights suddenly went out.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Bunny, Sue, and Harry, all at the same time.</p> + +<p>"I presume we're in for another storm,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> said Mr. Brown. "Sit still +until I light some candles. Often the electric lights go out in a severe +thunderstorm."</p> + +<p>As Mr. Brown arose to strike a match another loud clap of thunder pealed +out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>THE FLOATING BOX</h3> + + +<p>The electric light service in Christmas Tree Cove was uncertain in +storms, and Mr. Brown always kept a supply of candles on hand, as well +as some kerosene lamps. Soon there was plenty of light in the room, and +as supper was about over when the storm broke the family and their two +visitors went into the sitting-room of the bungalow.</p> + +<p>"I don't like storms," said Harry, and he kept close to his mother.</p> + +<p>"There isn't any danger," remarked Mr. Brown. "The lightning hardly ever +strikes near the ocean or the bay. I think it may hit out far from +shore. But no houses have ever been struck up here."</p> + +<p>"I guess the Christmas trees keep it away," said Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," laughed his mother. "It isn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> bad, now that the worst +outburst is over. Come, Harry, tell us about your lost dog. We have lost +one, too."</p> + +<p>So, while the thunder boomed and the lightning flashed, Mrs. Slater and +Harry told about their dog Sandy.</p> + +<p>"And so he left us in Bellemere, and we haven't seen him since," +finished Harry's mother.</p> + +<p>"How strange!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. "He left you the same day the +strange dog ran into our yard, where Bunny and Sue were playing seesaw, +and grabbed up my pocketbook. I wonder if, by any chance, it could be +the same animal in both cases."</p> + +<p>"This dog was a big, yellow one," said Bunny, and he described the +animal that had caused him and Sue so much trouble.</p> + +<p>"Sandy was yellow in color," remarked Mrs. Slater. "But I would not call +him a very large dog."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the dog that took my wife's pocketbook and diamond ring seemed +larger to Bunny and Sue than he really was," said Mr. Brown. "He rushed +into the yard and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> out again so quickly that he may have looked extra +big."</p> + +<p>"It would be very strange if it should turn out to be our dog who made +so much trouble over your pocketbook," went on Harry's mother. "Sandy +did have a bad habit of running off with things. We tried to break him +of it. And, now that I recall it, he took one of my gloves when he +leaped out of the auto that day."</p> + +<p>"The big, yellow dog that came into our yard and took my mother's +pocketbook didn't have any gloves on," explained Sue.</p> + +<p>"No, he wouldn't be likely to have any on," agreed Mrs. Slater. "But he +might have carried one in his mouth."</p> + +<p>"I didn't see it," said Bunny, shaking his head. "But he took the +pocketbook in his mouth and ran away."</p> + +<p>They talked over the dog matter for some time, and then, as the storm +seemed to be growing worse again, Mrs. Slater began to think it was time +for her and Harry to go back to the hotel. A closed automobile was +called from the village, and in that the lady<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> and her son prepared to +go to their hotel. It was then about eight o'clock in the evening.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Slater has advertised for our lost dog," his wife said, as she was +departing. "If we ever find him, Bunny and Sue can look at Sandy and +make sure whether or not he is the dog that ran into their yard. Though, +of course, that will not bring back your ring, I am sorry to say," she +added.</p> + +<p>The storm kept up all night and part of the next day. It rained hard and +the wind blew, though the thunder and lightning were soon over. It +settled into what the cove dwellers called a "nor'easter," and it was +not at all pleasant.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue could not go out to play, but Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue +amused the children indoors. Mr. Brown had to go back to Bellemere, but +he went on the train, as the bay was so rough the boat did not run, and +Captain Ross had not returned with the <i>Fairy</i>.</p> + +<p>"I wish Harry could come over and play with us," said Bunny on the +second day of the storm, as he stood with his nose pressed against the +window.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It will be clear to-morrow," said Bunker Blue, who had come in from a +trip to the store. "The wind is working around and the sun will be out +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue certainly hoped so, and when they arose the next morning +the first thing they did was to run to the window and look out +anxiously.</p> + +<p>Bunker's prophecy had come true. The sun was shining and the wind was no +longer blowing, though the water in the bay was still rough.</p> + +<p>"Let's go down to the beach!" cried Bunny, as soon as breakfast was +over. "Maybe we'll find a lot of things washed up on shore."</p> + +<p>This was not unusual, for the storms along the coast, even in summer, +sometimes caused wrecks, and parts of them were often washed up on the +beach.</p> + +<p>"Yes, let's," agreed Sue.</p> + +<p>A little later Bunny and Sue were running down to the sandy shore, and +there they saw their new friend Harry, who was walking along with his +mother.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't it a terrible storm?" called Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> Slater, when she saw the two +Brown children. "I never remember a worse one!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was bad," agreed Bunny. "It was worse than when we were on the +<i>Fairy</i>. Did you see anything washed up?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Not yet," replied Harry. "What do you find after a storm?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, lots of things," answered Bunny. "Once I saw a whale washed up on +shore. He was awful big."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could see a whale washed up," said Harry longingly.</p> + +<p>He looked across the tumbling waters of Christmas Tree Cove, as though +he might catch sight of some monster of the sea. But there was nothing +in view just then.</p> + +<p>The three children, with Mrs. Slater, walked along a little farther. +Suddenly Sue, who was a short distance ahead, gave a delighted cry.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Bunny. "A cocoanut?" Once a ship laden with +cocoanuts had been wrecked and the shore strewn with the nuts.</p> + +<p>"Is it a whale?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"It's a big box," answered Sue, pointing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> "Look, it's floating out +there, and I guess it's coming to shore right here."</p> + +<p>The others looked toward the object at which Sue pointed and saw, +bobbing up and down in the waves, what appeared to be a large chest. The +wind and tide were fast bringing it up to where they stood on the +beach.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>MR. RAVENWOOD</h3> + + +<p>Bunny Brown and his sister Sue stood with Harry Slater and his mother on +the beach and watched the wind and the tide bringing nearer and nearer +to shore the floating box. As it came into plainer view, the children +could see that it was no ordinary refuse of the sea, like a broken +orange or lemon box, some of which floated ashore at Bellemere.</p> + +<p>"That's a nice, good box," said Bunny, as he watched it bobbing up and +down on the waves. "It's a box just like Mr. Foswick, the carpenter, +makes."</p> + +<p>"And it isn't broken, either," added Sue. Usually the boxes she and her +brother found on the beach were empty and smashed.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it has something in it," suggested Harry. "Oh, wouldn't it be +funny if my dog was in it!" he cried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How could your dog be in it, dear?" asked his mother. "Sandy was lost +on shore. How could he be out in the ocean?"</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe, after he jumped out of our auto he went on a boat and +maybe the boat sank and he got in this box, like a little boat, and now +he's coming back to me," explained Harry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you mustn't hope for any such good luck as that," said his +mother, with a smile. "If Sandy were in that box you would hear him +barking. And, besides, that box seems to be tightly nailed or screwed +shut. We'll soon see what's in it, for it is coming ashore," she added.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's Sandy," insisted Harry.</p> + +<p>"I don't think there's any dog in it," Sue remarked. "But maybe there's +pirates' gold."</p> + +<p>"Maybe," assented Bunny.</p> + +<p>"What's pirates' gold?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"It's gold the robber pirates take off ships," explained Bunny. "And +they put it in boxes, and then they bring it on shore and bury it in the +sand, and then they make a map in red ink so they won't forget where +they buried the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> box, and then they go off and get more gold, the +pirates do."</p> + +<p>"What makes 'em bury the gold they already have?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"So nobody can find it," explained Bunny.</p> + +<p>Bunny and Sue liked to hear tales of the sea. Bunker Blue had told them +some, and I am afraid they were not altogether true, however interesting +they were.</p> + +<p>"But that can't be a pirates' box," said Sue, "'cause I don't see any +pirates, and they wouldn't send a box to shore all by itself."</p> + +<p>"No," agreed Bunny, "I guess they wouldn't, 'cause a box couldn't bury +itself in the sand. But I think there's something in this box."</p> + +<p>"It does seem so," said Mrs. Slater, who was now quite as interested as +were the children. "Look," she went on. "It is going to come ashore at +that little point. Let's walk out on it, and we can pull it up on the +sand."</p> + +<p>A little tongue of land extended out into the water near the spot where +they were standing, and soon Bunny, his sister, and Harry and Mrs. +Slater were out on the very tip of it, wait<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>ing for the box to be washed +ashore. The tide was rising, and the waves were still rather high on +account of the storm.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer the box came, but when it was almost at the point of +land it seemed about to be washed away, farther up the coast.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is going past us!" exclaimed Mrs. Slater.</p> + +<p>"I can wade in and get it!" said Bunny. "I'll take off my shoes and +stockings and get it," and, sitting down, he began to do this.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to take off my shoes. You can get it without me, Bunny," +remarked Sue.</p> + +<p>"May I wade in, Mother?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"It isn't deep," said Bunny, as Mrs. Slater hesitated. "And we won't +have to wade out very far."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Harry's mother, with a smile. "You two boys may wade +in, and Sue and I will watch you. But maybe the box will be too heavy +for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" exclaimed Bunny, as Harry began taking off his shoes and +stockings. "Things in the water move easy. I can push or pull a big boat +all alone, if it's in the water,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> but I can't if it's on land. And the +box isn't very big."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what's in it," said Sue, as her brother and Harry prepared to +wade out. "Maybe it's a lot of dolls from China."</p> + +<p>"What makes you think it might be that?" asked Mrs. Slater, as she put +the boys' shoes and stockings up on the sand.</p> + +<p>"Once some Chinese dolls came ashore at Bellemere," said Sue. "I got +one, but her eyes were washed out. I always had to make believe she was +asleep."</p> + +<p>"How did they happen to come ashore?" asked Mrs. Slater.</p> + +<p>"A ship that was coming from China got wrecked," explained Sue, "and the +boxes with the dolls in washed up on shore. But I guess this isn't a +doll box," she added.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look so," said Harry's mother. "It seems to be a very heavy +case, such as machinery comes in, but of course there can't be machinery +in it, or it would sink."</p> + +<p>"And there can't be a dog in it, or he'd smother," added Sue, "'cause +the cover is nailed on tight."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> + +<p>The box was near the point of land now, and Bunny and Harry were wading +out to get it. Mrs. Slater and Sue could see that the box was a square +one, about three feet long, and as many high and wide. And there was a +cover on it.</p> + +<p>"Catch hold now!" cried Bunny to Harry, and the two boys took hold of +the sides of the box and easily guided it up to the beach. It soon +grounded in the shallow water, but it was so heavy that when Bunny and +Harry had got it to the shore of the point of land they could move it no +farther.</p> + +<p>"It's nailed tight shut all around," Bunny said, as he looked on all +four sides.</p> + +<p>"Ain't there a cover that you can put back like on a trunk?" Sue wanted +to know.</p> + +<p>"No, there ain't," answered Harry, "for if there was the hinges would +show—they always do."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what do you think can really be in it?" cried Sue, dancing around +in excitement.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's a boat chest of some sort," suggested Bunny, who had heard +Captain Ross speak of such things.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + +<p>"From China?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess it couldn't come from as far away as that."</p> + +<p>"Course it couldn't," declared Harry.</p> + +<p>"Children, I think we have made quite a find," said Mrs. Slater, as she +looked carefully at the box. "I wonder to whom it belongs."</p> + +<p>"There's a name printed on it over here," said Bunny, pointing to the +side of the box turned away from shore.</p> + +<p>"What does it say?" asked Mrs. Slater, for she could not look without +stepping into the water.</p> + +<p>"There's an F and an R and an A and an N and a K," said Bunny slowly.</p> + +<p>"That spells Frank," said Mrs. Slater. "What else is there?"</p> + +<p>Bunny spelled out the rest of the name, and also an address.</p> + +<p>"Well, then it would seem this box belongs to a Mr. Frank Ravenwood of +Sea Gate," said Harry's mother. "Is there anything else on that side, +Bunny?"</p> + +<p>"No'm," he answered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Frank Ravenwood, of Sea Gate," went on Mrs. Slater. "Where is Sea Gate, +Bunny?"</p> + +<p>"It's on the coast, just down below where we live," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"Then we can write and tell Mr. Ravenwood of Sea Gate that we have his +box that was washed ashore," went on Harry's mother. "But we must get it +higher up on the beach or it will wash away again. I wonder——"</p> + +<p>But she suddenly stopped, for Sue gave a cry of alarm and pointed toward +shore.</p> + +<p>"Oh, look!" exclaimed the little girl. "Look!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>THE SURPRISING LETTER</h3> + + +<p>Mrs. Slater was so interested in looking at the strange box which had +been washed up on shore, and was thinking so deeply about the name of +Frank Ravenwood which Bunny spelled for her that, for the moment, she +did not quite understand what Sue meant.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Sue?" she asked the little girl, for Sue kept on pointing +toward something behind Mrs. Slater.</p> + +<p>"The tide!" exclaimed Bunny's sister. "The tide's coming up and it's +washing over the sand and we're on an island! We can't get back lessen +we wade!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Slater gave a startled cry, and looked toward where Sue pointed.</p> + +<p>Surely enough, while they had been watching the box and while Bunny and +Harry had been getting it to shore the tide had risen and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> now covered +part of the strip of sand on which they had all walked out. As Sue said, +it was an island, and the only way to get to shore was to wade.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take off my shoes and stockings!" cried the little girl, +hopping up on the box and beginning to loosen her laces. "You'd better +take off your shoes, too, Mrs. Slater. If you don't you'll get your feet +wet when you have to wade to shore. Course you haven't got your mother +here to scold you if you get your shoes wet, but maybe your husband +mightn't like it," went on Sue. "You can wade same as I can."</p> + +<p>"We don't have to take off our shoes and stockings, 'cause we have 'em +off already," said Bunny. "Harry and I can wade."</p> + +<p>"It looks as if I'd have to do that," said Harry's mother. "I wonder if +the water is very deep," she went on, as she looked at the water which +had covered the shore end of the little tongue of land.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't deep!" declared Bunny, and he waded out into it. "But it +keeps on getting deeper when the tide comes up. You'd better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> take your +shoes and stockings off now, Mrs. Slater, else maybe it'll be away up +over your head soon."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't want that to happen," she said, with a laugh. "I believe I +shall have to do as you children have done, and go barefoot," and she +glanced at Sue, who, by this time, had off her shoes and stockings.</p> + +<p>Harry's mother looked at the stretch of water separating the little +party from the mainland. As Bunny had said, it would get deeper the +higher the tide rose, though, of course, it would not go over Mrs. +Slater's head. She sat down on the box, as Sue had done, and was just +beginning to take off her shoes when a voice called to them.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute! I'm coming to get you!" was what they all heard, and, +looking up, Bunny Brown saw Bunker Blue rowing along in his sailboat. +The sail, however, was not up now.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bunker, come and get us!" cried Sue. "We're caught by the tide, +and——"</p> + +<p>"And we found a box and maybe it has pirate gold in it!" sang out Bunny. +"Look,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> Bunker!" and the little boy pointed to the box on the sand. It +was still partly in the water.</p> + +<p>"I see," answered Bunker Blue. "I noticed that you'd been caught by the +tide, so I came in the boat to get you. Wait there, Mrs. Slater," he +went on. "There's no need of getting your feet wet."</p> + +<p>In a little while Bunker rowed up to the place where the box rested and +where Bunny, Sue, and the others stood around it, the three children +barefooted. The little tongue, or peninsula, of land, was now an island, +rapidly growing smaller in size as the tide rose.</p> + +<p>"Get in the boat and I'll row you to shore," said Bunker, as he grounded +his craft in the sand.</p> + +<p>"Have we got to leave the box here?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"No, I'll come back and get that after I land you," said the fish boy.</p> + +<p>So they all got into the boat, and it did not take Bunker Blue long to +row them to shore. Then he went back, and, after a little hard work, he +managed to get the box into his boat.</p> + +<p>"I'll row this box down to the dock," called<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> Bunker to those on shore. +"You walk along the beach until you meet me. Then we can see what's in +it."</p> + +<p>This was done, and soon Uncle Tad and Mrs. Brown were down on the little +pier of Christmas Tree Cove, looking at the box and wondering what could +be in it.</p> + +<p>"It's heavy, whatever it is," said Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>"Pirate gold is always heavy, I guess," said Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it couldn't be gold!" declared Bunker Blue. "If it was gold in the +box I never could have lifted it."</p> + +<p>"Let's open it!" suggested Sue.</p> + +<p>"No, we must not do that," said Mrs. Brown. "When your father comes home +to-night I'll have him write to this Mr. Frank Ravenwood of Sea Gate. In +the letter daddy can explain how the box was found, and Mr. Ravenwood +can come here and get it if he wishes to. Until then, Bunker, you had +better take it up to the woodshed, where it will be safe from harm."</p> + +<p>Uncle Tad and Bunker put the box on a wheelbarrow, and it was soon +stored in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> woodshed back of the bungalow. For some time Bunny, Sue +and Harry wondered what could be in it, but, after a while, the children +ran off to play in the sand, and to wade and paddle in the water.</p> + +<p>"Let's build a big sand fort," suggested Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, make it a doll house," cried Sue.</p> + +<p>"All right, a doll house," said Harry, who was beginning to like Sue as +much as he did Bunny.</p> + +<p>So they built a wonderful doll house of sand, with four rooms and an +elegant driveway. But just as it was completed the whole thing caved in.</p> + +<p>"My! ain't I glad none of my dolls were in that," declared Sue.</p> + +<p>Mr. Brown came up to his summer home that night, and, after looking at +the box, wrote a letter to Mr. Ravenwood, telling how it had been found. +This letter was mailed to Sea Gate, and then followed a time of waiting. +In the letter Mr. Brown had told how Bunny, Sue, and Harry Slater had +found the box.</p> + +<p>"I wonder when we'll get an answer," re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>marked Bunny several times in +the next two days.</p> + +<p>"If the box is at all valuable Mr. Ravenwood ought to answer daddy's +letter very soon," said Mrs. Brown. "I don't see how the box got into +the bay and floated all the way up here from Sea Gate. It is quite a +distance."</p> + +<p>Three days after the strange find, when Bunny, Sue, and Harry were +playing with Rose and Jimmie Madden near the bungalow one afternoon, +Uncle Tad came up from the village with the mail.</p> + +<p>"Here's a letter from Mr. Ravenwood, children!" said the old soldier.</p> + +<p>"Oh, goody!" exclaimed Sue.</p> + +<p>"Did he say his box had pirate gold in?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I didn't open the letter," answered Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Brown soon read the note and, as she did so, a look of surprise +came over her face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is Mr. Ravenwood's box," said Bunny's mother. "He is coming +here to-morrow in his motor boat to get it. But here is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> something else +very strange. I'll read it to you," she went on. Then she read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"'Thank you, very much, for saving my valuable +box. I see a little boy named Harry Slater helped +in saving it. I wonder if he is any relation to a +Mr. Thomas Slater who has been advertising for a +lost yellow dog. I have found such a dog, and I am +going to bring him to Christmas Tree Cove in my +motor boat when I come after my box. If this is +the lost dog that is being advertised for, Harry +may have him back.'" </p></div> + +<p>"Oh, I wonder if that is my dog!" exclaimed Harry.</p> + +<p>"And if it is, I wonder if he can tell us where he left mother's +pocketbook," said Bunny Brown.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>"THAT'S THE DOG!"</h3> + + +<p>When Daddy Brown came up to Christmas Tree Cove from his dock in +Bellemere that evening he, of course, was told about the letter from Mr. +Ravenwood.</p> + +<p>"I am glad that we can give him back his box," said Bunny's father. "But +what is this about a dog?"</p> + +<p>"You know we had a big dog named Sandy, of whom we were very fond," said +Mrs. Slater, who, with Harry, was paying a call after supper on the +Browns. "As I have told Bunny and Sue, one day, when we were out in our +auto looking for a place to spend the summer, Sandy leaped out and ran +away. We did all we could to get him back, but he disappeared, and we +had to go on without him, much to Harry's sorrow.</p> + +<p>"The place where Sandy leaped from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> auto and ran away was Bellemere, +and we were quite surprised when we got here to find that you people +lived there," went on Mrs. Slater, nodding at Mrs. Brown and her family.</p> + +<p>"And maybe it was Sandy who ran in the yard and took the pocketbook when +Sue and I were having a seesaw out in the barn," suggested Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Of course it is possible," admitted Mr. Brown, when there had been more +talk and it was discovered that the Sandy dog was lost the very same day +that Mrs. Brown's pocketbook was picked up off the bench and carried +away by a strange yellow animal that then ran into Mr. Foswick's +carpenter shop.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sandy could very easily have run down the street on which your +house is located," said Harry's mother. "As I told the children, he had +a habit of taking things in his mouth and running away with them. And he +might have picked up the pocketbook. Of course it seems a very strange +thing to have happened, but it is possible."</p> + +<p>"How did Mr. Ravenwood get the dog which he says in his letter he has?" +asked Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> Brown, while Bunny and the others listened carefully.</p> + +<p>"It is not certain this is our dog," went on Mrs. Slater. "We shall know +that when he comes here after his box. I see how it may have happened. +After Sandy disappeared my husband put advertisements about him in many +seashore papers. He asked that word of finding of the dog be sent to him +at his city office or to me here at Christmas Tree Cove. The +advertisements spoke of how fond Harry was of Sandy. I hope Harry is not +disappointed, and that this will prove to be his dog. And I hope your +wife will find her pocketbook and diamond ring."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she will now!" exclaimed Harry.</p> + +<p>"That is too much," said Bunny's mother. "I have given up hope of ever +seeing my beautiful ring again. Even if it was your dog that ran in and +picked up the pocketbook, he must have dropped it in some out-of-the-way +place, and there is no telling where it is."</p> + +<p>"No, unfortunately, Sandy can not talk," said Mrs. Slater.</p> + +<p>"But he can sit up on his hind legs and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> beg!" exclaimed Harry. "Oh, I +do hope I get him back!"</p> + +<p>"So do I!" echoed Bunny and Sue.</p> + +<p>The next day was such an anxious one for the children, who were waiting +for the appearance of Mr. Ravenwood in his motor boat with the dog he +had found, that Mrs. Brown finally said:</p> + +<p>"Come, kiddies, we'll go for a little picnic down on the beach."</p> + +<p>"May Harry come?" asked Bunny, for Harry was over at the bungalow +playing with Bunny and Sue.</p> + +<p>"Yes. And we'll invite Harry's mother and Bunker Blue and Uncle Tad," +said Mrs. Brown. "We'll spend the afternoon on the beach. It will make +the time pass more quickly."</p> + +<p>Indeed the time did seem to drag for Bunny, Sue, and Harry. They did not +know just what time to expect Mr. Ravenwood in his boat, to claim his +box and to bring the strange dog. Every now and again the children would +ask:</p> + +<p>"When do you think he'll come?"</p> + +<p>Then, at last, Mrs. Brown had decided on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> the picnic as a means of +keeping them quiet.</p> + +<p>Picnics were often held at Christmas Tree Cove, and could be quickly got +up. All that was necessary to do was to put up a lunch and go down to +one of the many nice places on the beach.</p> + +<p>Harry was sent over to the hotel to ask his mother if he might go, and +also to invite her to be one of the party, and soon Mrs. Slater was on +her way back to Bark Lodge with her little son.</p> + +<p>"It is very nice of you, Mrs. Brown, to ask us," said Mrs. Slater.</p> + +<p>"I shall have just as much fun as the children," replied the mother of +Bunny and Sue Brown.</p> + +<p>Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue were also delighted to go, and Bunny wanted to +take his shovel and dig for soft clams and have a clambake on the beach.</p> + +<p>"Not now, dear," said his mother. "It is quite a lot of work, and you +get so muddy digging clams. After a while, when daddy can be with us, we +may have a big bake on the beach some night."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And maybe Mr. Ravenwood will come!" exclaimed Sue.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he will," agreed her mother.</p> + +<p>A little later they were all seated on the sands, the older folk in the +shade of some sun umbrellas that Bunker Blue and Uncle Tad put up, while +Bunny, Sue, and Harry played out in the sunshine. They were tanned as +brown as autumn leaves and no longer sunburned.</p> + +<p>The children dug holes in the sand, made miniature cities and railroads, +built tunnels which caved in, and finally started to make a cabin of +driftwood.</p> + +<p>Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue were helping at this, and they planned to make +a regular thatched roof of seaweed. The little shack on the sand was +half done when the puffing of a motor boat was heard near shore and a +voice hailed the little party.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me where Christmas Tree Cove is?" asked a young man in the +boat.</p> + +<p>"It is right here," answered Mrs. Brown, waving her hand toward the +groups of evergreens on the shore.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bunny, Sue, and Harry looked at the man in the boat, and then at +something else. And the something else was a big, yellow dog that stood +on one of the seats. At the sight of this animal Mrs. Slater stood up +and Harry cried:</p> + +<p>"There's Sandy! That's my Sandy all right!"</p> + +<p>Instantly, at the sound of the little boy's voice, the dog gave a loud +bark and leaped into the bay to swim to shore. He reached the sand and +ran at full speed toward the party of picnickers. As he ran, Bunny Brown +cried:</p> + +<p>"That's the dog! That's the dog that took my mother's pocketbook and +diamond ring!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>IN THE BOAT</h3> + + +<p>Nearer and nearer to the picnic party on the beach raced the big, yellow +dog. He was barking in delight and his tail was wagging from side to +side.</p> + +<p>"He'll get us wet!" exclaimed Mrs. Slater. "Down, Sandy! Down!" she +commanded.</p> + +<p>Instantly the dog stopped and began to shake himself vigorously, sending +the water in a shower from his shaggy coat.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he minded you! He's your dog all right, isn't he?" cried Bunny.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's my Sandy," answered Harry. "He always minds sometimes."</p> + +<p>At the sound of his young master's voice the dog, with another joyful +bark, again leaped forward. He had stopped to get rid of as much of the +water as possible, but a moment later he was jumping and tumbling about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +Harry and Mrs. Slater, while the little boy, caring not at all about the +dog's damp coat, was hugging his pet.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sandy! Sandy! I'm so glad you came back!" cried Harry.</p> + +<p>"Is it really your dog?" asked Mrs. Brown of her friend.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Mrs. Slater. "Oh, do be quiet, you crazy animal," she +said, as he leaped up and tried to put his tongue on her face.</p> + +<p>"He wants to kiss you," said Sue.</p> + +<p>Then the dog turned to Sue, and he really did "kiss" her, for Sue was +sitting down and the dog easily reached her tanned cheeks with his red +tongue.</p> + +<p>"Be careful," warned Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sandy is gentle and loves children," said Harry's mother. "But I +fancy that young man in the boat wants some explanation," she went on. +"Though, since we have told him this is Christmas Tree Cove, he must +have guessed that we are the people to whom the dog belongs."</p> + +<p>The man in the boat had stopped his engine, and the craft was now +grounded in the sand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> not far from where the picnic was being held. A +four-pronged anchor was tossed out to prevent the motor boat from +drifting away, and then the young man came up the beach. He was smiling +pleasantly, and as he took off his cap and bowed to the ladies he said:</p> + +<p>"Davy Jones seems to have found out where he belongs all right. I +presume this is Harry Slater," he went on, looking at the boy around +whom the dog was leaping.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Mrs. Slater. "And this is Mr. Ravenwood?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the reply. "I called the dog Davy Jones, for he seemed to +love the sea, and I didn't know what his right name was. He is evidently +yours."</p> + +<p>"Sandy belongs to us," returned Mrs. Slater. "It is all rather a strange +story from the time Sandy ran away from us until we found your box and +learned that you had our dog. But there is a stranger part to it still, +it seems, if what Bunny and Sue think proves to be true."</p> + +<p>"What is that?" asked Mr. Ravenwood.</p> + +<p>Then he was told about the missing pocketbook and ring.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are you sure, children, that this is the same dog that ran into the +yard that day and made off with my pocketbook?" asked Mrs. Brown of +Bunny and Sue.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" declared Bunny. "He runs just the same, and he barks just the +same, and he looks just the same."</p> + +<p>Sue agreed with this, and when Mrs. Slater told again what a habit Sandy +had of carrying things off in his mouth it was decided that this was the +animal that had caused Bunny and Sue so much trouble, including the +locking in at Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop.</p> + +<p>"How did you get Sandy?" asked Mrs. Slater of Mr. Ravenwood.</p> + +<p>"He came to me," was the answer. "I am a sort of carpenter myself," he +went on. "I make things of wood, called patterns. They are for the use +of foundries in casting objects in metal. The box you found is full of +wooden patterns, and that is why it floated away up here after I lost +it."</p> + +<p>"How did you lose it?" asked Sue.</p> + +<p>"And isn't there <i>any</i> pirate gold in the box?" asked Bunny, much +disappointed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, not a bit of pirate gold, or any other kind," laughed Mr. +Ravenwood. "I wish there might be some real, good gold in it, but such +things don't happen outside of books, I'm afraid," he added. "Perhaps I +had better tell you the whole story," he suggested.</p> + +<p>"I should like to hear it," said Mrs. Brown. "That is, unless you want +to go up to our woodshed and make sure it is your box we have found."</p> + +<p>"No," was the reply. "I am pretty certain, from your description of it +and from the fact that it has my name on it, that it is mine. Now I will +tell you how Davy Jones, as I called him, or Sandy, as you call him, +came to me.</p> + +<p>"I was in my motor boat one day at a dock in Bellemere, getting some +wood to take to my shop in Sea Gate to make into patterns. I was just +about to start off when this big, yellow dog came running along the +pier. He jumped into my boat and made himself at home. I tried to make +him go ashore, but he wouldn't. As I had no time to get out myself and +tie him up, I took him with me back to Sea Gate. He proved to be very +friendly, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> though I was sure he was a valuable animal and that some +one would want him back, I had no time then to make inquiries. I just +kept him and took him home with me."</p> + +<p>"Did he have a pocketbook when he jumped into your boat?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't believe he did," answered Mr. Ravenwood. "He had nothing in +his mouth that I recall; though, to tell you the truth, my back was +turned when he leaped aboard."</p> + +<p>"He couldn't have had my pocketbook," said Mrs. Brown. "If this is the +same dog that was in our yard, and he seems to be, he either dropped my +purse in the carpenter shop or else in some other place which we shall +never know. The shop has been searched, but where else to look no one +knows."</p> + +<p>"Well, as I said," went on Mr. Ravenwood, "Sandy came aboard my boat and +I kept him. It was not until the other day that I noticed an +advertisement about him, and then I knew what to do with him. That was +the day after I lost my box."</p> + +<p>"How did you lose that?" asked Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>"I lost it overboard out of my boat in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> fierce storm of the other +night," was the answer. "I had packed the box full of wooden patterns, +put it in my boat, and I had lettered my name and address on it in +readiness for sending it away by express. I was also going to put the +name of the place where the box was to go, but I was called away just +then to the telephone at the dock in Sea Gate, and when I came back I +was thinking so much about something else that I forgot all about +putting the other name on the box. I started out in my boat to take the +box across the bay to the express office, and I was caught in the storm. +I was nearly capsized and had to put back to shore, the box tipping +overboard and floating off. I was glad enough to let it go and get +safely back myself."</p> + +<p>"And did Sandy go overboard, too?" asked Harry, his arms about his dog's +neck.</p> + +<p>"No, I had left Sandy on shore," answered Mr. Ravenwood. "Though he +always wanted to go with me; didn't you, old fellow?" he asked, and the +dog wagged his tail to show how happy he was.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's about all there is to my story,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> said Mr. Ravenwood. +"After the storm was over I set out in search of my box of patterns, for +I knew they would float, but I could not find them. Sandy went with me +on these trips. Then I got Mr. Brown's letter, telling me that the box +with my name on was here in Christmas Tree Cove, and, at the same time, +I noticed the advertisement in one of the papers about the lost dog.</p> + +<p>"I connected the two names, and then I thought the best thing to do was +to bring Sandy here and see if he belonged to you folks. And I am glad +to know that he does," he went on. "And now, if I may get my box and pay +any expenses there may be attached to it——"</p> + +<p>"There aren't any expenses," interrupted Mrs. Brown, with a smile. "The +box is in our shed, and you are welcome to it at any time. But won't you +have lunch with us? The children were so anxious for you to come that I +thought this would make the time pass more quickly. We did not dream of +your coming to us here."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad I did," said the young man, as he took a sandwich which Sue +passed him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then there was a happy time on the beach, different parts of the strange +stories being told over and over again. Sandy seemed to be thoroughly +enjoying himself, and he eagerly ate the pieces of bread and meat the +children tossed to him.</p> + +<p>At last, however, the time came to go home. Mr. Brown was expected up +from Bellemere and Mr. Ravenwood said he would wait over and meet him.</p> + +<p>"We can all get in my boat, and ride to the dock," proposed the young +pattern-maker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that will be fun!" cried Bunny. "Come on!"</p> + +<p>The lunch baskets were gathered up, and as they went down the beach to +Mr. Ravenwood's boat Sue put her arms around Sandy's neck, looked into +the brown eyes of the dog, and said very seriously:</p> + +<p>"Can't you tell what you did with my mother's pocketbook and diamond +ring?"</p> + +<p>Sandy only wagged his tail, gave a little bark, and raced off after +Harry and Bunny, who were getting into the boat.</p> + +<p>"All aboard!" called Mr. Ravenwood, as he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> helped in Mrs. Brown and Mrs. +Slater. "All aboard!"</p> + +<p>"I'll push off and you can start the engine," offered Bunker Blue. "I'm +used to it and I can hop on after she gets started."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Mr. Ravenwood, and he went back to the stern of the +craft where the gasolene motor was placed under a cover made of wood, to +keep out the rain and the salty spray.</p> + +<p>Bunker pushed the bow of the boat free from the sand and then leaped on +board himself.</p> + +<p>"Start her up!" he cried to Mr. Ravenwood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>WHAT STOPPED THE ENGINE</h3> + + +<p>With a chug-chug the motor boat started down along the sandy shore of +Christmas Tree Cove. The children sat up in front, at the bow, as it is +called, and Harry's recently recovered dog was with them, being petted +first by one and then the other of the three little friends. Mrs. Brown +and Mrs. Slater sat behind the children, and in the back, or stern, near +the engine, were Mr. Ravenwood and Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue.</p> + +<p>"Which dock shall I steer for?" asked Mr. Ravenwood, as the boat moved +out from shore.</p> + +<p>"Right there," and Uncle Tad pointed to the one nearest Bark Lodge.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is strange how things happen in this world," said Uncle +Tad, as he and Mr. Ravenwood were talking about the finding of the +floating box and the recovery of Sandy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> "If we could only find the lost +pocketbook and the diamond ring now, I would say it might be almost like +a fairy story."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Mr. Ravenwood, "it certainly might be called that." He was +listening to the noise of the engine as he sat with one hand on the +steering wheel.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Bunker Blue. "Anything wrong?"</p> + +<p>"The motor sounds rather strange," answered the pattern-maker. "I was +just wondering——"</p> + +<p>He did not finish the sentence before the engine suddenly stopped with a +sort of wheeze and groan which showed something was wrong.</p> + +<p>"Something's caught in the flywheel," declared Bunker Blue.</p> + +<p>"That's what it sounds like to me," added Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>"We'll have a look," stated Mr. Ravenwood, as he shut off the gasolene +supply and opened the electric switch. Then he proceeded to lift the +wooden covering of the engine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Bunny Brown, looking back.</p> + +<p>"The engine has stopped," his mother told him.</p> + +<p>"What made it?" Sue wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"That's what Mr. Ravenwood is trying to find out," said Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>Idly the boat floated on the water while Mr. Ravenwood looked in the +covering case and around the flywheel.</p> + +<p>"There's something jammed down under the flywheel, between it and the +keel of the boat," he said. "I can just feel it. Seems to be a bit of +rag or cotton waste that I use to wipe off the oil and grease from my +hands and to polish the machinery. Wait, I can get it out," he went on, +as he thrust his arm down deeper. "I have my hand on it, but it is +jammed in pretty tight and——"</p> + +<p>He gave a grunt and a pull, and then up came his arm, and in his hand he +held something black, which dripped with water and oil.</p> + +<p>"There it is," said the young man. "It must have been in the pit for +some time to get so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> soaked as that. I don't remember dropping anything +in there. In fact, I'm very careful, for there isn't much room between +the rim of the flywheel and the keel, and even a small bit of waste will +stop the wheel, just as this did."</p> + +<p>"Is it waste?" asked Uncle Tad.</p> + +<p>"No, it doesn't seem to be," was Mr. Ravenwood's answer. "Why—why——" +he went on in surprise, as he laid the object down on top of the engine +cover and examined it. "Why, it's an old leather pocketbook!"</p> + +<p>"A pocketbook!" cried Bunny Brown and his sister Sue, and they looked at +one another with startled eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what it is—an old pocketbook," went on Mr. Ravenwood. "How +in the world it ever came here I can't imagine, unless——"</p> + +<p>"Is it really a pocketbook?" asked Mrs. Brown in a strange voice, and +her face was slightly pale as she turned to look at what had been taken +out from under the engine. "Let me see it."</p> + +<p>"Don't touch it!" cautioned Mr. Ravenwood. "It's soaked with oil and +grease."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is in it—if anything?" went on Bunny's mother, in that same +strange voice.</p> + +<p>"I'll look," offered Mr. Ravenwood. "My hands can't get much more oily."</p> + +<p>While the others eagerly watched, he opened the object, which really was +a water and oil-soaked pocketbook, and he thrust his fingers down in the +different compartments.</p> + +<p>"Seems to have a little money in," he said, as he took out some nickles +and pennies, and laid them on the cover. "Here's a—well, I declare, +it's a five-dollar bill!" he said, as he opened a piece of paper. "It's +covered with oil and grease, but it can be washed clean and will be as +good as ever."</p> + +<p>"A five-dollar bill!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. "Oh, is there—is there +anything else in the pocketbook? If there is, it must be——"</p> + +<p>Mr. Ravenwood thrust his fingers into another section. A strange look +came over his face as he drew out and held up in the sunlight something +that gleamed and glinted and sparkled.</p> + +<p>"A diamond ring!" he cried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, it's my mother's! It's my mother's!" shouted Bunny Brown. "Give it +to her!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Ravenwood wiped the diamond ring on a clean bit of white waste, and +then handed it to Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is mine. It's my diamond engagement ring that was in the +pocketbook the dog took away! Oh, how glad I am!" she said, and there +were tears in her eyes as she slipped the ring on her finger.</p> + +<p>"Of all the remarkable happenings!" exclaimed Mrs. Slater.</p> + +<p>"Just like a fairy story!" laughed Sue.</p> + +<p>"Did Sandy drop the pocketbook in the boat?" asked Bunny.</p> + +<p>"I think that must be how it happened," answered Mr. Ravenwood, as he +looked in the purse for anything more that it might contain; but there +was nothing. "Do you want it saved?" he asked Mrs. Brown.</p> + +<p>"No, it was an old pocketbook and you might as well toss it overboard," +she answered. "I have all I wanted out of it—my diamond ring."</p> + +<p>"Well, we got the money back, too," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> Bunny. "Can you really wash a +five-dollar bill?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," Uncle Tad assured him. "I'll wash this and iron it and make +it look like new." And this he did a little later.</p> + +<p>The old pocketbook was tossed overboard. It sank in a circle of rainbow +colors, caused by the oil on it, and as the boat started off again Mrs. +Brown looked joyfully at her diamond ring so strangely recovered.</p> + +<p>"I see how it must have happened," said Mr. Ravenwood, as they landed at +the dock. "Sandy must have had the pocketbook in his mouth when he +leaped aboard my boat, but I didn't notice it, as my back was turned. He +must have dropped it inside the engine box, which was open, and it has +been there ever since. To-day it worked its way under the wheel and +stopped the machinery, or I might not have found it until I laid the +boat up for the winter, when I always take the engine out to clean it."</p> + +<p>"I think that is how it really did happen," said Mrs. Slater. "Sandy, +you were a bad dog to take the pocketbook!" and she shook her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> finger at +him. Sandy hung his head for a moment, but he was soon wagging his tail +joyfully as Bunny, Sue, and Harry petted him.</p> + +<p>And so Mrs. Brown's pocketbook and diamond ring, so strangely taken +away, were found again. Sandy did not drop the purse in the carpenter +shop, as was supposed. He carried it out again in his mouth, and kept it +until he leaped aboard the boat, when he dropped it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ravenwood looked at the box in the woodshed, declaring it to be the +one that had been lost overboard in the storm.</p> + +<p>"So each one has his own again," said the young pattern-maker. "I have +my box, Harry has his dog, and Mrs. Brown has her diamond ring."</p> + +<p>There was much rejoicing, as you may imagine, and when Daddy Brown came +up that night he had to hear the whole story over and over again.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ravenwood departed that evening, taking his box with him and +promising to call and see the Browns in Bellemere when they returned +home.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the joyous days at Christmas Tree Cove were not yet over. Many happy +times followed, and Bunny Brown and his sister Sue were in the midst of +them. They had some adventures, also, but every one agreed that the one +of the lost and found diamond ring and dog was the most remarkable. And +now, for a time, we shall take leave of our little friends, perhaps to +meet them again in new scenes.</p> + + +<h2>THE END</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i><b><span class="u">This Isn't All!</span></b></i></h2> + +<div class="blockquot2">Would you like to know what became of the good +friends you have made in this book?<br /> +<br /> +Would you like to read other stories continuing +their adventures and experiences, or other books +quite as entertaining by the same author?<br /> +<br /> +On the <i>reverse side</i> of the wrapper which comes +with this book, you will find a wonderful list of +stories which you can buy at the same store where +you got this book. </div> + +<h3><i>Don't throw away the Wrapper</i></h3> + +<div class="blockquot2"><i>Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want +some day to have. But in case you do mislay it, +write to the Publishers for a complete catalog.</i></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books, Etc.</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding.</b><br /> + +<b>Each Volume Complete in Itself.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>These stories are eagerly welcomed by the little folks from about five +to ten years of age. Their eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively +doings of inquisitive little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful +sister Sue.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE"> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP-REST-A-WHILE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE SUNNY SOUTH</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE KEEPING STORE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR TRICK DOG</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT A SUGAR CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON THE ROLLING OCEAN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON JACK FROST ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT SHORE ACRES</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT BERRY HILL</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <i>Publishers</i>, NEW YORK</b></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS</h2> + +<div class='center'>For Little Men and Women</div> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of "The Bunny Brown Series," Etc.</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding.</b><br /> + +<b>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>These books for boys and girls between the ages of three and ten stand +among children and their parents of this generation where the books of +Louisa May Alcott stood in former days. The haps and mishaps of this +inimitable pair of twins, their many adventures and experiences are a +source of keen delight to imaginative children.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE COUNTY FAIR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS CAMPING OUT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND BABY MAY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS KEEPING HOUSE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CLOVERBANK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CHERRY CORNERS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND THEIR SCHOOLMATES</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS TREASURE HUNTING</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SPRUCE LAKE</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</b></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of The Bobbsey Twins Books, The Bunny Brown Series, The Blythe +Girls Books, Etc.</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding.</b><br /> + +<b>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>Delightful stories for little boys and girls which sprung into immediate +popularity. To know the six little Bunkers is to take them at once to +your heart, they are so intensely human, so full of fun and cute +sayings. Each story has a little plot of its own—one that can be easily +followed—and all are written in Miss Hope's most entertaining manner. +Clean, wholesome volumes which ought to be on the bookshelf of every +child in the land.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MAMMY JUNE'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT FARMER JOEL'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MILLER NED'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT INDIAN JOHN'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT HAPPY JIM'S</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT SKIPPER BOB'S</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <i>Publishers</i>, NEW YORK</b></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS</h2> + +<h3>By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE</h3> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by</b><br /> +<b>WALTER S. ROGERS</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>Honey Bunch is a dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to +take her to your heart at once.</p> + +<p>Little girls everywhere will want to discover what interesting +experiences she is having wherever she goes.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST AUTO TOUR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP ON THE OCEAN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP WEST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST SUMMER ON AN ISLAND</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <i>Publishers</i>, NEW YORK</b></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS</h2> + +<div class='center'><b>Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE MARJORIE BOOKS</h3> + +<p>Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of +goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will +see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE MARJORIE BOOKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S VACATION</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE IN COMMAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S MAYTIME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE AT SEACOTE</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES</h3> + +<p>Introducing Dorinda Fayre—a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a +little slow, and Dorothy Rose—a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, +high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS</h3> + +<p>Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, +their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories +"really true" to young readers.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>DICK AND DOLLY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="smcap">Publishers, New York</span></b></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<p> </p> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Note:</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors have been repaired.</p></div> + +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 20134-h.txt or 20134-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/3/20134">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/3/20134</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove + + +Author: Laura Lee Hope + + + +Release Date: December 19, 2006 [eBook #20134] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT +CHRISTMAS TREE COVE*** + + +E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, J. P. W. Fraser, Emmy, and +the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team +(https://www.pgdp.net/) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 20134-h.htm or 20134-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/3/20134/20134-h/20134-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/3/20134/20134-h.zip) + + + + + +BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE + +by + +LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of +The Bunny Brown Series, The Bobbsey Twins Series, +The Outdoor Girls Series, The Six Little Bunkers Series, +The Make-Believe Series, Etc. + +Illustrated + + + + + + + +[Illustration: MRS. SLATER AND SUE WATCH BUNNY AND HARRY BRING IN THE +BOX. +_Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove._ +_Frontispiece_--(_Page 210_)] + + + +New York +Grosset & Dunlap +Publishers +Made in the United States of America + + + * * * * * + + +BOOKS + +BY LAURA LEE HOPE + + +12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. + + +THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES + + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES + + THE BOBBSEY TWINS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN WASHINGTON + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST + + +THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES + +(Six Titles) + + +THE MAKE-BELIEVE SERIES + +(Seven Titles) + + +THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES + +(Ten Titles) + + +GROSSET & DUNLAP +PUBLISHERS NEW YORK + + + * * * * * + + +Copyright, 1920, by +Grosset & Dunlap + +Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. THE BIG DOG 1 + + II. IN THE CARPENTER SHOP 12 + + III. THE DIAMOND RING 23 + + IV. DADDY BRINGS NEWS 38 + + V. ADRIFT 47 + + VI. THE STRANGE DOG 59 + + VII. THE SLEEP-WALKER 68 + + VIII. A COLLISION 78 + + IX. THE MERRY GOAT 89 + + X. IN THE STORM 103 + + XI. WHERE IS BUNNY? 114 + + XII. CHRISTMAS TREE COVE 121 + + XIII. A CRASH 133 + + XIV. IN THE DARK 140 + + XV. BUNNY'S TOE 152 + + XVI. OVERBOARD 161 + + XVII. THE NEW BOY 170 + + XVIII. HELD FAST 178 + + XIX. ANOTHER STORM 187 + + XX. THE FLOATING BOX 198 + + XXI. MR. RAVENWOOD 205 + + XXII. THE SURPRISING LETTER 213 + + XXIII. "THAT'S THE DOG!" 221 + + XXIV. IN THE BOAT 228 + + XXV. WHAT STOPPED THE ENGINE 238 + + + + +BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE BIG DOG + + +"Come on, Bunny, let's just have one more teeter-tauter!" cried Sue, +dancing around on the grass of the yard. "Just one more!" and she raced +over toward a board, put across a sawhorse, swaying up and down as +though inviting children to have a seesaw. + +"We can't teeter-tauter any more, Sue," objected Bunny Brown. "We have +to go to the store for mother." + +"Yes, I know we have to go; but we can go after we've had another seesaw +just the same, can't we?" + +Bunny Brown, who was carrying by the leather handle a black handbag his +mother had given him, looked first at his sister and then at the board +on the sawhorse, gently moving up and down in the summer breeze. + +"Come on!" cried Sue again, "and this time she danced off toward the +swaying board, singing as she did so: + + "Teeter-tauter + Bread and water, + First your son and + Then your daughter." + +Bunny Brown stood still for a moment, looking back toward the house, out +of which he and Sue had come a little while before. + +"Mother told us to go to the store," said Bunny slowly. + +"Yes, and we're going. I'll go with you in a minute--just as soon as I +have a seesaw," said Sue. "And, besides, mother didn't say we were _not_ +to. If she had told us _not_ to teeter-tauter I wouldn't do it, of +course. But she didn't, Bunny! You know she didn't!" + +"No, that's so; she didn't," agreed Bunny. "Well, I'll play it with you +a little while." + +"That's nice," laughed Sue. "'Cause it isn't any fun teetering and +tautering all by yourself. You stay down on the ground all the while, +lessen you jump yourself up, and then you don't stay--you just bump." + +"Yes," agreed Bunny. "I've been bumped lots of times all alone." + +He was getting on the end of the seesaw, opposite that on which Sue had +taken her place, when the little girl noticed that her brother still +carried the small, black bag. Mother Brown called it a pocketbook, but +it would have taken a larger pocket than she ever had to hold the bag. +It was, however, a sort of large purse, and she had given it to Bunny +Brown and his sister Sue a little while before to carry to the store. + +"Put that on the bench," called Sue, when she saw that her brother had +the purse, holding it by the leather handle. "You can't teeter-tauter +and hold on with that in your hand." + +There was a bench not far away from the seesaw--a bench under a shady +tree--and Mrs. Brown often sat there with the children on warm summer +afternoons and told them stories or read to them from a book. + +"Yes, I guess I can teeter better if I don't have this," agreed Bunny. +"Hold on, Sue, I'm going to get off." + +"All right, I'm ready," his sister answered. You know if you get off a +seesaw without telling the boy or girl on the other end what you are +going to do, somebody is going to be bumped hard. Bunny Brown didn't +want that. + +Sue put her fat, chubby little legs down on the ground and held herself +up, while Bunny ran across the grass and laid the pocketbook on the +bench. I suppose I had better call it, as Mrs. Brown did, a pocketbook, +and then we shall not get mixed up. But, as I said before, you couldn't +really put it in a pocket. + +"Seesaw, Margery Daw!" sang Sue, as Bunny came back to play with her. +"Now we'll have some fun!" + +And the children did. Up and down they went on the board their father +had sent up from his boat dock for them to play with. He had also sent +up the sawhorse. A sawhorse, you know, is made of wood, and, though it +has legs, it can't run. It's just a sort of thin bench, and a seesaw +board can easily be put across it. + +Bunny Brown and his sister Sue were gaily swaying up and down on the +seesaw, and, for the time, they had forgotten all about the fact that +their mother had sent them to the store to pay a bill, and also to get +some groceries. They had not meant to stay so long, but you know how it +is when you get to seesawing. + +"It's just the finest fun ever!" cried Sue. + +"I'm sorry for boys and girls that ain't got any seesaws," said her +brother. + +"Oh, I guess a lot of boys and girls have 'em, Bunny. Daddy said so, +once." + +"Did he? I didn't hear him." + +Up and down, up and down went the children, laughing and having a +splendid time. Sue felt so happy she began to sing a little song and +Bunny joined in. It was the old ditty of the Cow that Jumped Over the +Moon. + +"We'd better go now, Sue!" called Bunny, after a while. "We can seesaw +when we get back." + +"Oh, just five more times up and down!" pleaded the little girl, shaking +her curls and fairly laughing out of her eyes. "Just five more!" + +"All right!" agreed Bunny. "Just five--that's all!" + +Again the board swayed up and down, and when Sue was just sorrowfully +counting the last of the five, shouting and laughter were heard in the +street in front of the Brown house. + +"Oh, there's Mary Watson and Sadie West!" cried Sue. + +"Yes, and Charlie Star and Harry Bentley!" added Bunny. "Come on in and +have a lot of fun!" he called, as two boys and two girls came past the +gate. "We can take turns seesawing." + +"That'll be fun!" said Charlie. + +"Can't we get another board and make another seesaw?" asked Harry. "We +can't all get on that one. It'll break." + +"I guess we can find another board," said Bunny. "I'll go and ask my +mother." + +"No!" said Sue quickly. "You'd better not, Bunny!" + +"Why?" asked her brother, in surprise. + +"'Cause if you go in now mother will know we didn't go to the store, and +she might not like it. We'd better go now and let Charlie and Harry and +Sadie and Mary have the teeter-tauter until we come back," suggested +Sue. "It'll hold four, our board will, but not six." + +Bunny Brown thought this over a minute. + +"Yes, I guess we had better do that," he said. Then, speaking to his +playmates, he added: "We have to go to the store, Charlie, Sue and I. +You can play on the seesaw until we come back. And then, maybe, we can +find another board, and make two teeters." + +"I have a board over in my yard. I'll get that," offered Charlie, "if we +can get another sawhorse." + +"We'll look when we come back," suggested Sue. "Come on, Bunny." + +Sue got off the seesaw, as did her brother, and their places were taken +by Charlie, Harry, Mary and Sadie. Though Sue was a little younger than +Bunny, she often led him when there was something to do, either in work +or play. And just now there was work to do. + +It was not hard work, only going to the store for their mother with the +pocketbook to pay a bill at the grocer's and get some things for supper. +And it was work Bunny Brown and his sister Sue liked, for often when +they went to the grocer's he gave each a sweet cracker to eat on the way +home. + +Bunny, followed by Sue, started for the bench where the pocketbook had +been left. But, before they reached it, and all of a sudden, a big +yellow dog bounced into the yard from the street. It leaped the fence +and stood for a moment looking at the children. + +"Oh, what a dandy dog!" cried Charlie. + +"Is that your dog, Splash, come back?" asked Harry, for Bunny and his +sister had once owned a dog of that name. Splash had run away or been +stolen in the winter and had never come back. + +"No, that isn't Splash," said Bunny. "He's a nice dog, though. Here, +boy!" he called. + +The dog, that had come to a stop, turned suddenly on hearing himself +spoken to. He gave one bound over toward the bench, and a moment later +caught in his mouth the leather handle of Mrs. Brown's black pocketbook +and darted away. + +Over the fence he jumped, out into the street, so quickly that the +children could hardly follow him with their eyes. But it was only an +instant that Bunny Brown remained still, watching the dog. Then he gave +a cry: + +"Oh, Sue! The dog has mother's pocketbook and the money! Come on! We've +got to get it away from him!" + +"Oh, yes!" echoed Sue. + +Bunny ran out of the yard and into the street, following the dog. Sue +followed her brother. The four other children, being on the seesaw, +could not move so quickly, and by the time they did get off the board, +taking turns carefully, so no one would get bounced, Bunny Brown and his +sister Sue were out of sight, down the street and around a corner, +chasing after the dog that had snatched up their mother's pocketbook. + +"We've got to get him!" cried Bunny, looking back at his sister. "Come +on!" + +"I am a-comin' on!" she panted, half out of breath. + +The big yellow dog was in plain sight, bounding along and still holding +in his mouth, as Bunny could see, the dangling pocketbook. + +Suddenly the animal turned into some building, and was at once out of +sight. + +"Where'd he go?" asked Sue. + +"Into Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop," her brother answered. "I saw him go +in. We can get him easy now." + +On they ran, Bunny Brown and his sister Sue. A few seconds later they +stood in front of the open door of a carpenter shop built near the +sidewalk. Within they could see piles of lumber and boards and heaps of +sawdust and shavings. The dog was not in sight, but Bunny and Sue knew +he must be somewhere in the shop. They scurried through the piles of +sawdust and shavings toward the back of the shop, looking eagerly on all +sides for a sight of the dog. + +"Where is he?" asked Sue. "Oh, Bunny, if that pocketbook and the money +are lost!" + +"We'll find it!" exclaimed Bunny. "We'll make the dog give it back!" + +As he spoke there was a noise at the door by which the children had +entered the carpenter shop. The door was quickly slammed shut, and a key +was turned. Then a harsh voice cried: + +"Now I've got you! You sha'n't play tricks on me any more! I've got you +locked up now!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +IN THE CARPENTER SHOP + + +Bunny Brown and his sister Sue were so surprised at hearing that harsh +voice, and at hearing the door slammed shut and locked behind them, that +they just stood and looked at each other in the carpenter shop. They +forgot, for the moment, all about the big yellow dog and the pocketbook +he had carried away. Then Bunny managed to find his voice and he cried: + +"Who was that, Sue?" + +"I--I guess it was Mr. Foswick," she answered. "I'm almost sure it was." + +"Yes," agreed Bunny, "I guess it was. But what did he want to lock us in +for? We didn't do anything. We just came in to get mother's pocketbook +and the grocery money away from the dog." + +"I p'sume he made a mistake," said Sue. "He must have thought we were +the bad boys that tease him. I saw some of 'em come in once and scatter +the sawdust all over. And I heard Mr. Foswick say he'd fix 'em if he +caught 'em. He must have thought we was them," she added, letting her +English get badly tangled in her excitement. + +"I guess so," agreed Bunny. "Well, we'll tell him we aren't. Come on, +Sue!" + +Giving up, for the time being, their search in the carpenter shop for +the strange, big yellow dog, Bunny and Sue walked back toward the front +door, which had been slammed shut. And while they are seeking to make +Mr. Foswick understand that he had made a mistake, and had punished the +wrong children, I shall have a moment or two to tell my new readers +something about the characters whose adventures I hope to relate to you +in this story. + +The town of Bellemere, which was on the seacoast and near a small river, +was the home of Bunny Brown and his sister Sue. Their father, Walter +Brown, was in the boat and fish business, owning a wharf, where he had +his office. Men and boys worked for him, and one big boy, Bunker Blue, +was a great friend of Bunny and his sister. In the Brown home was also +Uncle Tad, an old soldier. + +In the first book of this series, called "Bunny Brown and His Sister +Sue," I told you many of the things that happened to the children. After +that they went to Grandpa's farm, and played circus, and there are books +about both those happy times. Next the children paid a visit to Aunt +Lu's city home, and from there they went to Camp Rest-a-While. + +In the big woods Bunny and Sue had many adventures, and they had so much +fun on their auto tour that I could hardly get it all in one book. + +When Mr. Brown bought a Shetland pony for the children they were +delighted, and they had as much fun with it as they did in giving a +show. That is the name of the book just before the present one you are +reading--"Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Giving a Show." In that volume +you may learn how a stranded company of players came to Bellemere, and +what happened. Bunny and Sue, as well as some of their playmates, were +actors and actresses in the show, and Splash, the dog, did a trick also. +But Splash had run away, or been taken away, during the winter that had +just passed, and Bunny and Sue no longer had a dog. + +Perhaps they thought they might induce the big one that had jumped into +the yard to come and live with them, after they had taken the pocketbook +away from him. He was not quite the same sort of dog as Splash, but he +seemed very nice. Bunny and Sue kept hoping Splash would return or be +brought back, but, up to the time this story opens, that had not come +about. + +The show the two Brown children gave was talked about for a long time in +Bellemere. Of course, Bunny and Sue had had help in giving it, and the +show was also a means of helping others. Now winter had passed, spring +had come and gone, and it was early summer. Bunny and Sue had been +playing in the yard before going to the store for their mother when the +strange dog had sprung over the fence, snatched up the pocketbook, and +had run off with it, darting into the carpenter shop. + +"I don't see anything of him," said Sue, as she and Bunny made their way +amid the piles of boards and lumber and over piles of sawdust and +shavings toward the door. + +"You don't see anything of who?" asked Bunny. "Mr. Foswick or the big +dog?" + +"The dog," answered Sue. "I couldn't see Mr. Foswick, 'cause he's +outside. He shut the door on us." + +"Yes," agreed Bunny, "so he did. Well, maybe we can open it." + +But, alas! when Bunny and Sue tried the door they found it locked tight. +Bunny had been afraid of that, for he thought he had heard a key turned +in the lock. But he had not wanted to say anything to Sue until he made +sure. + +Rattle and pull at the door as the children did, and turn the knob, +which they also did several times, the door remained shut. + +"We--we're locked in!" said Sue in a sort of gasping voice, looking at +Bunny. + +"Yes," agreed her brother, and he tried to speak cheerfully, for he was +a year older than Sue, and, besides, boys oughtn't to be frightened as +easily as girls, Bunny thought. "But I guess we can get out," Bunny went +on. "Mr. Foswick thinks we're some of the bad boys that bother him. +We'll just yell and tell him we aren't." + +"All right--you yell," suggested Sue. + +So Bunny shouted as loudly as he could: + +"Mr. Foswick! We didn't do anything! We didn't scatter your sawdust! You +locked us in by mistake! Let us out, please!" + +Then he waited and listened, and so did Sue. There was no answer. + +"I guess you didn't yell loud enough," said Sue. "Try again, Bunny." + +Bunny did so. Once more he shouted through the closed door, or at least +at the closed door. He shouted loudly, hoping the carpenter would hear +him and open the door. + +"Mr. Foswick! We didn't do anything!" yelled Bunny Brown. + +Still there was silence. No one came to let the children out. + +"I guess we'd better both yell," suggested Sue. "You can shout louder +than I can, Bunny, but it isn't loud enough. We've both got to yell." + +"Yes, I better guess we had," agreed the small boy. + +Standing close to one another near the door, they lifted their voices in +a shout, saying: + +"Mr. Foswick! Mr. Foswick! _We--didn't--do--anything!_" + +They called this several times, but no answer came to them. + +"I guess he's gone away," said Sue, after a bit. + +"Yes, I guess so," agreed Bunny. "Well, we've got to get out by +ourselves, then." + +"How can we?" his sister wanted to know. "The door's locked, and we +can't break it down. It's a big door, Bunny." + +"Yes, I know it is," he answered. "But there's windows. I'll open a +window and we can get out of one of them. They aren't high from the +ground. We got out of a window once when Bunker Blue, by mistake, locked +us in the shed on the dock, and we can get out a window now." + +"Oh, I hope we can!" cried Sue. "And can we get the dog out of the +window, too, Bunny?" + +"The dog!" exclaimed Bunny, forgetting for the moment about the animal. +"Oh, I guess we won't have to get him out. He isn't here." + +"But he ran in here," insisted Sue. "We saw him come into this carpenter +shop." + +"Yes," agreed Bunny. "But he isn't here now. If he was we'd see him or +hear him." + +"Maybe he's hiding," suggested Sue. "Maybe he's afraid 'cause he took +mother's pocketbook and the money in it, and he's hiding in the sawdust +or shavings." + +"Maybe," Bunny admitted. "Well, I'll call to him to come out. He only +took the pocketbook in fun, I guess. Here, Splash, come on out! We won't +hurt you!" he cried, moving back toward the center of the shop and away +from the locked front door. "Come on, Splash!" + +"His name isn't Splash!" objected Sue. "This isn't our nice dog Splash +that ran away, and I wish he'd come back." + +"I know he isn't Splash," agreed Bunny. "But it might be. And Splash is +a dog's name, and if this dog hears me call it he may come out. Come on, +old fellow!" he called again coaxingly. But no dog crawled out from +under the shavings, sawdust, or piles of boards. + +"Where can he be?" asked Sue. + +"I guess he ran out the back door," suggested Bunny. + +"Then maybe we can get out there, too!" cried the little girl, and she +and her brother, with the same thought, ran to the rear of the shop. + +"Here is the door," said Bunny, as he pointed it out. + +It was a large affair that slid back from the middle of the wall to one +corner. It was tight shut. + +"And it's locked, too," cried Sue, pointing to a big padlock. + +To make sure, her brother tried the padlock. Sure enough, it was locked, +and the key was nowhere in sight. + +"I can slide the door a little bit," said Bunny, and by hard work he +managed to move it about an inch. This allowed a little of the breeze +to come into the carpenter shop but that was all. + +"We can't get out through that crack," protested Sue, pouting. "Nobody +could. Oh, dear! I don't see why this old carpenter shop has got to have +all the doors locked." + +"Hum, that's funny!" said Bunny Brown. + +"How do you s'pose that dog got out with both doors locked?" asked Sue +of her brother. + +Bunny paused to think. Then an idea came to him. + +"He must have jumped out a window, that dog did," he said. "There must +be a window open, and he got out that way. And that's how we can get +out, Sue. We'll crawl out a window just like that dog jumped out. Now +we're all right. Mr. Foswick locked us in his carpenter shop by mistake, +but we can get out a window." + +"Oh, yes!" agreed Sue, and she felt happier now. + +But again came disappointment. When the children made the rounds of the +shop, looking on both sides, they not only saw that not a window was +open, but when Bunny tried to raise one he could not. + +"Are they stuck?" asked Sue. + +"No," replied Bunny. "They're nailed shut! Every window in this shop is +nailed shut, Sue, and the doors are both locked!" + +"Oh!" exclaimed Sue in a faint voice, and she looked at her brother in a +way he felt sure meant she was going to cry. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE DIAMOND RING + + +Whistling as cheerfully as he could, Bunny Brown glanced all around the +carpenter shop. + +"Are you whistling for the dog?" asked Sue. + +"No, not zactly," Bunny answered. "I'm just whistlin' for myself. I'm +going to do something." + +"What?" asked Sue. + +She knew that whenever Bunny was making anything, such as a boat out of +a piece of wood or a sidewalk scooter from an old roller skate, he +always whistled. The more he worked the louder he whistled. + +"What are you going to make now?" asked Sue. + +"Oh, I'm not going zactly to _make_ anything," Bunny explained. "I'm +just going to _do_ something. I'm going to open one of these windows so +we can get out, same as the dog did." + +"But he didn't get out of a window," objected Sue. "How could he, if +they were nailed shut before we came in? And they must 'a' been, 'cause +we didn't hear Mr. Foswick hammering." + +"Yes, I guess the windows have been nailed shut maybe a long time," +agreed Bunny. "But, anyhow, the dog got out and we can get out." + +"But how could he get out if both doors are locked and the windows +nailed shut?" Sue wanted to know. + +Bunny could not answer that. Besides, he had other things to look after. +He wanted to get himself and his sister out of the carpenter shop before +Sue began to cry. Bunny didn't like crying girls, even his sister, +though he felt sorry for them. + +"I can take a hammer and pull the nails out of a window where it's +nailed shut, and then I can raise it and we can crawl out," explained +Bunny to his sister. "There's sure to be a hammer in a carpenter shop." + +There were, several of them, lying around on the benches and sawhorses +that seemed to fill the place. There were other tools, also; sharp +chisels and planes, but Bunny and Sue knew enough not to touch these. +The children might have been cut if they had handled the sharp tools. +Mr. Brown kept sharp tools at his dock for mending old boats and making +new ones, so Bunny and his sister knew something about carpentry. + +"I guess this hammer will be a good one," said Bunny, picking up one +with a claw on the end for pulling out nails. He had often seen Bunker +Blue at the boat dock use just such a hammer as this. + +Bunny climbed up on a workbench near a window which, as he could look +out and see, was only a short distance from the ground. If that window +could be opened, the little boy and his sister could easily drop out and +not be hurt in the least. + +"Can you get it open?" asked Sue anxiously, as she watched Bunny climb +upon the dusty carpenter bench. + +"Oh, sure!" he answered. "We'll be out in a little while now; and then +we can go and hunt that big dog that has our mother's pocketbook." + +"And the money, too," added Sue. "We've got to get the money and go to +the store, Bunny." + +"Yes, that's right," he agreed. + +With the hammer in his hand, he began looking over the window. He wanted +to see where the heads of the nails were sticking out, so he could slip +the claw of the hammer under them and pull them out by prying on the +handle. Bunny had not only pulled out nails himself before this, but he +had watched his father and Bunker Blue do it. + +Bunny Brown also knew how windows were nailed shut. Once the Browns +owned a little cottage on an island in the river. They sometimes spent +their summer vacations in the cottage, and in the fall, when winter was +approaching and the cottage was to be closed, the windows were nailed +shut from the inside. + +Once Bunny had helped his father nail the windows shut, and once he had +helped pull the nails out the next summer when the cottage was to be +opened. So Bunny was now looking for the heads of nails in the window of +Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop. + +The first window he looked at was so tightly nailed, with all the heads +driven so far into the wood, that Bunny could get the claw of the hammer +under none of them. He made his way along the bench to the next window. +This window was nearer the street. + +"Can you open that one?" asked Sue. + +"Yes, I guess so!" exclaimed Bunny. + +The little boy saw a nail head sticking out. He slipped the claw of the +hammer under it and pressed hard on the handle. + +Whether Bunny had not put the claw far enough under the nail, or whether +the head was so small that the claw slipped off, neither of the children +knew. But what happened was that Bunny's hand slipped, the hammer also +slipped away from his grasp, and the next moment, with a crash and +tinkle of glass, the hammer broke through the window and fell outside. + +"Oh, Bunny! are you hurt?" cried Sue, for once she had seen her mother +cut her hand trying to open a window that stuck. + +"No, I'm not hurt," answered her brother. "But the hammer's gone out." + +"You can get another. There's lots here," said Sue. + +"But I can't fix the window," said Bunny, rather sadly. "It's all +busted!" + +"It wasn't your fault!" said Sue stormily. "Mr. Foswick ought never to +have locked us in, and then you wouldn't have to try to unnail a window +to get out! It's his fault!" + +"Maybe it is," said Bunny, leaning forward to look out of the broken +window. + +"Don't try to crawl out!" exclaimed Sue. "You might get cut!" + +"I'm not going to," said Bunny. "I was just seeing how far it was and +where the hammer went. It's on the grass, and it isn't far out of the +window at all. If we could only crawl out----" + +"And get all cut on the glass? I guess not!" cried Sue. "Oh, Bunny!" she +suddenly exclaimed. "Look! There goes Mr. Reinberg, who keeps the +drygoods store. Call to him through the broken window, and he'll get us +out!" + +Through the window, which he had broken with the hammer, Bunny had a +glimpse of the street. As Sue had said, the drygoods merchant was just +then passing. + +"Hi!" suddenly called Bunny. "Let us out, please! Help us out, Mr. +Reinberg!" + +The merchant looked up, down, and sideways. He could not at first tell +where the voice was coming from. + +"Who are you and where are you?" he demanded. + +"I'm Bunny Brown, and my sister Sue is with me," came the answer from +the little boy. "And we're locked in Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop." + +"Oh, now I see you!" said the drygoods store man, glancing toward Bunny, +who could be seen through the window. "So you're locked in, are you? How +did it happen?" + +"Mr. Foswick locked us in," said Bunny. + +"He did! What for?" + +"Oh, I guess he thought we were bad boys. But Sue isn't a boy; she's a +girl," explained Bunny. "If you could only open a door, or pull the +nails out of one of the windows, we could get out. I was trying to pull +out a nail and I broke the glass." + +"Well, I don't believe I can get you out either way," said Mr. Reinberg, +and Bunny and Sue felt much disappointed. "I haven't a key to the door, +and I can't reach in and pull out the nails," went on the drygoods +merchant, as he came down the side alley and talked to Bunny through the +hole in the glass. + +"But I'll go over to Mr. Foswick's house, which isn't far away, and get +him to come and let you out," went on Mr. Reinberg. "I'll go right away, +Bunny. Don't be afraid." + +"Thank you; we're not," Bunny answered, as cheerfully as he could. + +After the man had gone away it seemed more lonely in the old carpenter +shop than ever to Bunny Brown and his sister Sue. They walked away from +the window and Sue sat down on a bench. + +"Do you suppose he'll be long?" she asked. + +"Maybe not--Mr. Foswick doesn't live far." + +To amuse himself and his sister Bunny picked up a handful of nails and +laid out a long railroad track. Then he got a big bolt and pretended +that was a locomotive and shoved it along the track. + +"Where does the train run to?" asked the little girl. + +"New York, Chicago and--and Camp Rest-A-While," said Bunny--the last +name being that of a place where they had once had a delightful +vacation. + +He and Sue did not have long to wait. Soon along came the old carpenter +and Mr. Reinberg. + +"Dear me! I didn't know I'd locked Bunny and Sue in," said Mr. Foswick, +as he opened the front door, unlocking it with a big key. "I thought it +was some of those pesky boys. They run in when I have the door open, and +when I'm away in the back part of the shop, and busy, they scatter the +shavings and sawdust all about. + +"They came in once this afternoon," said Mr. Foswick, "and I made up my +mind if they did it again I'd teach 'em a lesson. So I locked my back +door, and I went into the alley near my front door. I knew all the +windows were nailed shut. + +"Then, when I was in the alley, I heard somebody run into my shop, and, +quick as I could, I ran out, pulled the door shut, and locked 'em in. I +supposed it was some of those pesky boys, and I was going to keep 'em +locked up until I could go get their fathers and tell 'em how they +pester me. I didn't have a notion, Bunny, that it was you and Sue, or +I'd never have done such a thing--never!" + +Mr. Brown often hired Mr. Foswick to do carpentry, and the rather +crabbed and cross old man did not want to offend a good customer. + +"I'm very sorry about this thing I did, Bunny and Sue," went on Mr. +Foswick. "I'd no idea it was you I'd locked up. I supposed it was those +pesky boys. Both doors were locked--I made sure of that--and the windows +were nailed shut. I keep 'em shut so nobody can get in at night." + +"Bunny tried to open one of the windows with a hammer," said Sue. + +"And I--I guess I broke it--I mean the window," said Bunny. "I didn't +mean to." + +"Oh, broke a window, did you?" exclaimed Mr. Foswick, and he seemed +surprised. + +"If they hadn't broken the glass I might not have heard them calling," +said the drygoods merchant. + +"Oh, well, I guess you couldn't help it; and a broken window won't cost +much to fix," said the old carpenter. "I'm sorry you had all that +trouble, and I'm glad you're neither of you cut. Tell your pa and ma I'm +real sorry." + +"We will," promised Bunny. + +And then, after Bunny and Sue had started home on the run, for it was +getting late and toward supper time, Sue suddenly thought of something. +She turned back. + +"Oh, Bunny!" she cried. "We forgot to ask Mr. Foswick about the dog!" + +"So we did! The dog that has mother's pocketbook. Maybe he saw him run +out of the carpenter shop, and noticed which way he went. Let's go back +and ask him." + +Back they turned, to find Mr. Foswick nailing a board over the broken +pane of glass. + +"Well, you haven't come back to stay the rest of the night, have you?" +asked the old carpenter, smiling at them over his dusty spectacles. + +"No, sir. We came back about the dog," said Bunny. "We were chasing a +strange dog that had mother's pocketbook, and he ran in here. That's why +we came in," the boy explained, and he told how they had been playing +with the seesaw when the strange animal jumped into the Brown yard. + +"Did you see him come out of your shop?" asked Sue. "'Cause he wasn't in +there when we were." + +"No, I didn't see any dog," said Mr. Foswick. "But there are some holes +at the back where he could have crawled out. That's what he must have +done. He didn't come out the front door. But we'll take a look." + +It did not take the carpenter and the children long to search through +the shop and make sure there was no dog there. As Mr. Foswick had said, +there were several holes in the back wall of his shop, out of which a +dog might have crawled. + +"What can we do?" asked Sue, looking at her brother after the +unsuccessful search. + +"We've got to go home and tell mother," said Bunny. "Then we can maybe +find the dog and the pocketbook somewhere else. It isn't here." + +"No, I don't see anything of it," remarked Mr. Foswick, looking around +his little shop. "You'd better go and tell your folks. They may be +worried about you. And tell 'em I'm sorry for locking you in." + +Bunny and Sue hurried home. They found Mrs. Brown looking up and down +the street for them. The other children had gone away. + +"Where have you been?" asked Mother Brown. "It is very late for little +people to be out alone. And where is my pocketbook and the groceries I +sent you for? Where is my pocketbook?" She looked at Bunny and then at +his sister, noting their empty hands. + +"A big dog ran off with your pocketbook, Mother," explained Bunny. "He +jumped into the yard and picked it up off the bench when Sue was +teeter-tautering with me. Then he ran into Mr. Foswick's shop, and we +ran after him, and we got locked in, and I broke a window, and we +couldn't find the dog nor your pocketbook." + +"Nor the money, either," added Sue. "There was money in the pocketbook, +wasn't there, Mother?" + +Mrs. Brown did not answer that question at once. + +"Do you mean to say a strange dog ran off with the pocketbook and +everything in it?" she asked Bunny. + +"Yes, Mother," he answered. + +"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown in a faint voice, and she sank with +white face into a chair. Mr. Brown, who had just come in, sprang to his +wife's side. + +"Oh, don't take on so!" he exclaimed. "The loss of the pocketbook isn't +much. Was there a great amount of money in it?" + +"A five-dollar bill," his wife answered. + +"Oh, well, we shall not worry over that if we never find it," he went +on. "And you can get another purse." Daddy Brown was smiling. + +"But you don't understand!" cried Mother Brown. "Just before I sent the +children to the store I was doing something in the kitchen. I took off +the beautiful diamond engagement ring you gave me, and put it in the +pocketbook. I meant to take it out in a moment, but Mrs. Newton came +over, and I forgot it. Then I slipped a five-dollar bill in the purse +and gave it to the children to go to the store. Oh, dear! what shall I +do?" + +Mr. Brown looked serious. + +"Are you sure the diamond ring was in the pocketbook?" he asked. + +"Yes," replied his wife, and there were tears in her eyes. "The dog ran +away with the five-dollar bill, the pocketbook and my beautiful diamond +ring! Oh, what shall I do? What a terrible loss!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +DADDY BRINGS NEWS + + +Bunny Brown and his sister Sue did not know what to do or what to say +when they saw how bad their mother felt. There were tears in her eyes as +she looked at the finger which had held the diamond ring. + +The little boy and girl well knew the "sparkler," as they sometimes +called it. Daddy had given it to mother before their wedding, and Mrs. +Brown prized it very much. + +"It was very careless of me to put my lovely ring in the pocketbook, and +then to forget all about it and let you children take it to the store," +said Mother Brown. + +"But are you sure you did put it in the pocketbook?" asked Mr. Brown +again. "You may have done that, my dear, and then have taken it out +again and carried the diamond ring into the house before Bunny and Sue +went to the store. Try to think." And he sat down beside his wife while +the little boy and his sister looked on wonderingly. + +"I know I left the ring in the pocketbook," replied Mrs. Brown, wiping +her eyes on her handkerchief. "I didn't think of it until a little while +ago, and then I thought Bunny and Sue would bring it back with the +change from the five-dollar bill. The ring was inside the middle part of +the pocketbook, and they wouldn't have to open that to get at the money. +Oh, children, did a dog really run away with the pocketbook?" + +"Yes, he really did," said Bunny. + +"And he run into the carpenter shop, and we ran after him, and Mr. +Foswick locked us in, and he was sorry, and Bunny broke a window, and he +was sorry, too," explained Sue, almost in one long breath. + +"Well, that's quite a story," said Mr. Brown. "Let's hear it all over +again." + +So Bunny and Sue told all that had happened, from the time they had been +teetering until they were let out of the carpenter shop after Mr. +Reinberg had heard them calling through the broken window. + +"Oh, what shall I do?" asked Mrs. Brown once more, when the story was +finished. + +"There is only one thing to do," said Mr. Brown. "I'll go back to the +carpenter shop, and Mr. Foswick and I will look for the pocketbook. The +dog probably dropped it among the shavings." + +"Let us come, too," said Bunny. "We can show you where the dog ran in +the front door that was open." + +"I think I can see that place all right myself," answered Mr. Brown. +"You children get your supper. I'll be back in a little while." + +It was not a very joyful supper for Bunny Brown and his sister Sue. +Every once in a while they would see tears in their mother's eyes, and +they could not help but feel it was partly their fault that the diamond +ring was lost. + +For if Bunny and Sue had gone to the store as soon as their mother had +told them to go, and had not stopped to play on the seesaw, and had not +put the pocketbook down on the bench where the dog so easily reached it, +all this trouble would not have come upon their mother. + +Mrs. Brown must have known that Bunny and Sue were thinking this, for +she very kindly said to them: + +"Now, don't worry, my dears. Perhaps daddy will find the pocketbook, and +the money and ring safely in it. I know you wanted to play, and that is +why you did not go to the store at once. But never mind. Mother should +not have left the ring in the pocketbook. It is largely mother's own +fault. Anyway, daddy will come back with the ring." + +But Daddy Brown did not. Bunny and Sue had finished their supper, Mrs. +Brown taking only a cup of tea, when their father came in. It needed +only a look at his face to show that he had found nothing. + +"Wasn't it there?" his wife asked, as he sat up to the table, though, to +tell the truth, he did not feel much like eating. He felt bad because +his wife was so unhappy about her lost diamond ring. + +"Mr. Foswick and I searched the carpenter shop as well as we could," +said Mr. Brown. "It was rather dark in there, and we could not see much. +But we found no pocketbook." + +"Did you find the dog?" asked Sue eagerly. + +"No, he had run out," said Mr. Brown. "We saw where he had scattered the +sawdust and shavings, though. Was it a dog you ever saw before, Bunny?" + +"No, Daddy," answered the little boy. "He was a big, strange, new dog. I +wish we had him, 'cause we haven't any dog, now that Splash has run +away." + +"I guess this dog has run away, also," said Mr. Brown. "There wasn't a +trace of him; nor of the pocketbook, either. But Mr. Foswick and I are +going to look in the shop again to-morrow by daylight. It may be the dog +dropped the pocketbook, and it got kicked under a pile of sawdust or +shavings." + +"Did you see the place where I broke the window with the hammer?" asked +Bunny. + +"Yes, the window was still broken," answered his father, who began to +eat his supper. + +It was not at all a cheerful evening in the Brown home. Never before had +Bunny and Sue felt so unhappy--at least, they could not remember such a +time. They did not feel like playing as they generally did, though it +was a warm early summer night, and lovely to be out of doors. + +"Never mind, dears," said Mrs. Brown, when she was putting them to bed. +"Perhaps we shall find the ring to-morrow." + +"And the money, too," added Bunny. "Five dollars is a lot to lose." + +"Maybe the dog ate it," suggested Sue. + +"How could he?" asked her brother. + +"Well, didn't Splash once chew up my picture-book? He ate one of the +paper leaves that had on it about Bo Peep and her sheep," said Sue. "A +five-dollar bill is paper, and so was my Mother Goose book, and Splash +ate that." + +"No, I don't believe the dog ate the money," said Mrs. Brown. "It is +probably still in the pocketbook with my ring wherever the dog dropped +it. I should not mind the loss of the money if I could only get back my +lovely diamond ring. But go to sleep, dears. To-morrow we may have good +news." + +And so Bunny and Sue went to sleep. They were up early the next morning, +but not so early as Mr. Brown, who, their mother said, had gone to the +carpenter shop to help Mr. Foswick look among the sawdust and shavings. + +After a while Bunny and Sue went out in the yard to play with some of +the boys and girls who lived near by. And to them Bunny and his sister +told the story of what the strange dog had done. + +"I am sure I saw that big yellow dog," cried Lulu Dare, one of the +girls. "It was down near Bradley's livery stable." + +"Oh, maybe he's down by the livery stable now!" exclaimed Bunny. + +"Let us go and see," added his sister Sue. + +"No, I don't think the dog is there now," said Lulu. "He wasn't standing +still. He was running along." + +"Did he have anything in his mouth?" + +"Only his tongue and that was hanging out at first. Then he stopped to +get a drink at that box where Mr. Bradley waters his horses, and then +his tongue didn't hang out any more." + +"Say, did that dog have a spot on his left leg?" asked one of the boys. + +"Yes--a long, up-and-down spot." + +"Then he wasn't the dog who took the pocketbook. That old dog belongs at +the hotel and he never comes up this way at all." + +"Let us make sure," said Bunny; and a little later all of the boys and +girls visited the hotel. One of the boys was a nephew of the proprietor +so they had little trouble in getting the man's attention. + +"No, my dog wouldn't do such a thing," said the hotel man. "He hasn't +been up your way. It must have been some other dog." And then the boys +and girls went home. + +A little later Bunny went into the house to get some cookies, and then +he asked his mother if his father had come back with the ring. + +"No, he telephoned that he and Mr. Foswick went all over the shop, but +they could not find the pocketbook," she said. "The dog must have +carried it farther off." + +"Oh, dear!" sighed Bunny Brown. "What are you going to do, Mother?" + +"I don't know just what daddy is going to do," she answered. "He said he +would talk it over when he came home to lunch. But don't worry. Run out +and play. Here are your cookies." + +Bunny wanted to help his mother, but he soon forgot all about the ring, +the pocketbook, and the five dollars in the jolly times he and Sue and +their playmates had in the yard. + +Soon after the twelve o'clock whistles blew, Bunny saw his father coming +along the street on his way home to lunch. + +"Oh, Daddy! did you find mother's ring?" called the little boy, as he +ran to meet his father. + +"No, not yet," was the answer. "But I have some good news for all of +you." + +"Oh, maybe he's found Splash or the other dog!" cried Sue, as she, also, +ran to meet her father. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ADRIFT + + +The faces of Bunny and Sue shone with delight as they hurried along, one +on one side and one on the other of their father, each having hold of a +hand. Mr. Brown, too, was more joyful than he had been the night before +when the story of the lost ring had been told. + +"Did you find Splash?" asked Sue, as she tripped along. + +"No, I am sorry to say I did not," replied Mr. Brown. "I guess you will +have to give Splash up as lost. Though he may run back again some day as +suddenly as he ran off." + +"And didn't you find the other dog--the one that took mother's ring in +the pocketbook?" asked Bunny. + +His father shook his head. + +"There was no sign of the other dog, either," Mr. Brown answered. "He +must have been a stray dog that just ran through the town. A sort of +tramp dog, I fancy." + +"Then there isn't any good news," remarked Bunny, and he grew a little +sad and unhappy again. + +"Yes, there is good news; though it isn't about mother's ring," said Mr. +Brown. + +"Nor about a dog?" asked Sue. + +"No, it isn't about a dog, either," her father said. "Come along, and +we'll tell mother. Perhaps it will cheer her up." + +Mrs. Brown looked sharply at her husband when he entered the house with +the two children. She wanted to see if she could tell, by his face, +whether he had any better word than that which he had telephoned after +his visit to the carpenter shop. + +"No," he said, in answer to her look, "we didn't find the pocketbook. +But Mr. Foswick is going to have a regular house-cleaning in his shop. +He is going to get the sawdust and shavings out of the way, and then we +can make a better search." + +"I hope he will be careful when he takes them out," said Mrs. Brown. "My +pocketbook was not very large, and it might easily be thrown away in a +shovelful of shavings or sawdust." + +"He will be very careful," her husband promised. "He is very sorry he +locked Bunny and Sue in his shop, very sorry indeed." + +"Oh, we didn't mind!" exclaimed Bunny. "We were scared a little, at +first, but not much. Only I broke the window." + +"Mr. Foswick didn't seem to mind that much," went on Mr. Brown. "The +'pesky' boys, as he calls them, certainly do bother him a lot by running +in the open front door when he is busy in the back of his shop. They +scatter the sawdust and shavings all about." + +"Maybe some of those boys ran in and took my pocketbook and ring," +suggested Mrs. Brown. + +"Oh, no," explained Bunny. "We ran right in after the dog, and there +were no big boys around. We didn't see the dog run out, but Mr. Foswick +said there were holes in the back of his shop and he could get out that +way." + +"Yes," agreed Mr. Brown, "he could. And he may have done so. We are +going to look around in the back of the shop as soon as the inside is +cleaned out." + +"I do hope he will be careful," murmured Mrs. Brown. + +"Why, the dog won't bite him!" exclaimed Bunny. "He ran away, that dog +did!" + +"Oh, I mean I hope Mr. Foswick will be careful about looking in the +shavings and sawdust for my pocketbook," said Mother Brown. + +"I will send Bunker Blue over to help him look," promised Mr. Brown. +"Bunker is a very careful lad." + +"But what story are you going to tell us, Daddy?" asked Sue, as she +climbed up in her father's lap. + +"A story! This time of day?" exclaimed Mrs. Brown, in surprise. + +"She means the news," said Mr. Brown. "I have some for you, and I hope +you will think it is good, though it isn't about your lost diamond ring. +Did you children ever hear of Christmas Tree Cove?" he asked. + +"Christmas Tree Cove!" exclaimed Bunny. "Oh, I know where that is! It's +up the river back of the bay. Is the dog there, Daddy?" + +"Oh, no!" laughed his father. "Can't you think of anything but dogs, +Bunny boy? Well, as long as you know where Christmas Tree Cove is, how +would you like to go there to spend the summer?" As he spoke he looked +at his wife. + +"Do you really mean it?" she inquired, her face brightening. + +"Oh, won't that be fun!" cried Bunny and Sue together, almost like +twins, though Bunny was a year older than his sister. + +"Well, I hope you will have some fun there," said their father. "Now +let's have lunch, and while we are eating I can tell you all about it." + +"Is this the news you meant, Daddy?" asked Bunny. + +"Yes," was the answer. + +Christmas Tree Cove, as I may as well explain to you, was a sort of bay, +or wide place, in Turtle River, which ran into Sandport Bay. The town of +Bellemere, where Bunny and his sister lived, was partly on Sandport Bay +and partly on the ocean. The bay extended back of the town, and if one +sailed up the bay or went up in a motor boat one would come, after a +while, to Turtle River. I suppose it was called that because it had so +many turtles in it, and sometimes Bunny and Sue had caught them. + +Christmas Tree Cove was so named because on the banks of it were many +evergreen trees, called Christmas trees by the children, and also by +some of the grown folk. And the cove had in it a few little islands. It +was a place where camping parties sometimes went, and often there were +picnics held there. + +"What is going on at Christmas Tree Cove that you should want to take us +there?" asked Mrs. Brown, as she passed her husband some sliced peaches. + +"I have been trying to think of a nice place where you and the children +might spend the summer," he answered, "and when I heard that Captain +Ross had his motor boat _Fairy_ to hire for trips, I thought it would be +just the chance for us. + +"There is a bungalow at Christmas Tree Cove I can hire for the summer, +and, if you want to go, we can all pile on board the _Fairy_ and make +the trip." + +"Would you come, too?" asked Bunny. + +"Yes, I would be with you part of the time," said Mr. Brown. "Of course +I should also have to be at my dock down here in Bellemere part of the +time to look after business, but I could come up and down. Christmas +Tree Cove is not far away, and there are boats going up and down the +river and the bay each week. So, if you think you will like it, we will +spend the summer in a bungalow at Christmas Tree Cove." + +"Oh, we'll just love it!" cried Sue, dancing around and clapping her fat +hands. + +"Will you like it, Mother?" asked Bunny. "Even if you don't find your +diamond ring?" + +"Yes, my dear, I think I shall like it there," said Mrs. Brown, with a +smile. "Though, of course, I want to find my diamond ring that the dog +carried away. I hope Bunker Blue finds it in the shavings or the sawdust +of Mr. Foswick's shop before we go." + +"I hope so, too," said Bunny. + +"Then it's decided. We shall go to Christmas Tree Cove," said Mr. +Brown. "I am sure you will have a nice summer. I'll tell Captain Ross +that we will hire his boat for the trip and the voyage back." + +"Is he the funny Captain Ross who is always cracking jokes or asking +riddles?" Mrs. Brown asked. + +"Yes, that's Captain Dick Ross," her husband replied. "He's very jolly, +and I'm sure the children will like him. In fact, they may see him and +his boat this afternoon if they wish." + +"How?" asked Bunny eagerly. And Sue waited for the answer. + +"He is down at my dock, with his boat _Fairy_," was the answer. "He is +having some repairs made to it. The boat is a sailing boat with a motor +in it, so it can travel both ways. If you like, Bunny and Sue, you may +come down to the dock with me and see Cap'n Dick!" + +"Oh! Oh!" exclaimed the children in delight, and they hurried through +their meal that they might go with their father. + +On the way to the boat and the fish dock, where Mr. Brown carried on +his business, the children and their father stopped at Mr. Foswick's +carpenter shop to ask if anything had been found. + +"No, not yet," answered the old man, looking at Bunny and Sue through +his spectacles all dim and dusty with wood dust. "But I haven't got all +the sawdust and shavings out yet. I hope to find your wife's ring." + +"So do I," said Mr. Brown. "She feels quite bad over the loss, and I'm +afraid she will not have a happy summer even at Christmas Tree Cove." + +"It is too bad," agreed Mr. Foswick. "Well, when Bunker Blue comes this +afternoon, he and I will go all over the place. You haven't seen +anything of the dog since, have you?" he asked. + +"No," answered Bunny, while Sue shook her head. + +"I'll send Bunker Blue back as soon as I get to the dock," promised Mr. +Brown, and then he and the children went on. + +Tied up at the end of the wharf was the boat _Fairy_, of which jolly Mr. +Ross was captain. + +"May we go on board?" asked Bunny, as they ran down the pier while their +father was telling Bunker Blue to make a good search in the sawdust and +shavings for the pocketbook containing the diamond ring. + +"Yes," answered Mr. Brown. "I think Captain Ross is on board himself, +puttering away in the cabin." + +But he was not, though that did not matter to Bunny and Sue. They knew a +great deal about boats, having lived near water all their lives and +their father having been in the boat business for years. + +"Come on!" called Bunny to his sister, and they easily jumped from the +dock to the deck of the _Fairy_. No one was on board, it seemed, and +Bunny and Sue enjoyed themselves by running about. They thought what fun +it would be to make the trip to Christmas Tree Cove in such a craft. + +"Let's make-believe I'm the captain and you're the cook," said Bunny to +his sister after a while. "I'll go down in the cabin, and you must bring +me my dinner, and we'll pretend there's a storm." + +"All right," agreed Sue, and then began this little game, one of many +with which the children amused themselves. + +"Now, you know, I'm a reg'lar captain," said Bunny, putting on his most +important manner. "So you must serve me real nice." + +"Real captains have uniforms," said Sue. "You ought to have a +uniform--and if I am to be the cook I ought to have a big white apron." + +"I'll look for a uniform," said Bunny, and after hunting around a bit +found a storm coat and a rubber hat. "I'll put these on." + +The coat was much too big for him and so was the hat. But he did not +mind this. Then Sue hunted around and at last found a white apron a good +deal soiled. + +"Oh, I don't like that," she pouted. "It's not a bit clean. Good cooks +always have real clean aprons." + +"There is a clean towel--you pin that on for an apron," suggested Bunny. +And then he did the pinning himself. + +They were both down in the cabin, and Bunny was making believe he was +very hungry and he was asking Sue to bring him some more "plum duff" +when the little girl gave a sudden cry. + +"What's the matter?" asked Bunny, as he sat at Captain Ross's cabin +table. + +"We're moving!" cried Sue. "The _Fairy_ is moving away! She isn't fast +to the wharf any more!" + +With a cry, Bunny scrambled up on deck. + +Surely enough, the boat was adrift and he and Sue were alone on board! + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE STRANGE DOG + + +Sue followed her brother Bunny up on the deck of the _Fairy_. They were +quite a distance out from the dock now, and were drifting farther and +farther each minute, for the tide was running out. Sandport Bay +connected with the ocean, and twice every day there is a great movement +of the water in the ocean, called the tide. The tides make the water +high twice each twenty-four hours, and then the tides get low, or run +out. The moon and sun are thought to cause the tides, as you will learn +when you get a little older and have to study about such things. + +And the tide, after having run up into Sandport Bay, was now running +out, or ebbing, and in some way it was taking the _Fairy_ with it, +floating the boat along as the rain water in the gutter floats chips +along. + +"How do you s'pose we got loose?" asked Sue. + +"I don't know, lessen the rope came unhitched," Bunny answered. "But if +Cap'n Ross tied his boat to the dock, I don't see how it could come +unhitched." + +Bunny was enough of a sailor to know that no boat captain ever tied such +a knot as could easily come loose. And yet this is what seemed to have +happened. For when Bunny and Sue ran to the side of the _Fairy_ to look +over, they saw, trailing in the water, the long rope, or cable, by which +the boat had been made fast to the dock. As Bunny had said, it had come +"unhitched." The children did not know how this had happened. + +But there they were, alone on rather a large sailing boat, which also +had a gasolene motor, like that in a motor boat, to make it travel when +there was no wind to blow on the sails. And each moment they were being +carried by the tide farther and farther away from their father's dock. + +Bunny and Sue looked across the water toward the wharf whereon Mr. Brown +had his office. They could not see their father, nor any one else. The +dock was deserted. + +"What are we going to do?" asked Sue; and there was a catch in her +voice, as though she was frightened; and she was. + +"Well," said Bunny slowly, "I guess maybe we'd better call." + +"Call!" exclaimed Sue. "What for?" + +"So daddy or Cap'n Ross will hear us and come and get us." + +"How are they going to come and get us?" asked Sue. "They can't swim +that far." + +"Oh, yes, they could!" declared Bunny. "But I don't s'pose they'll have +to swim. They can come and get us in a boat." + +"Oh, yes!" cried Sue, more joyfully. "So they can. And I wish they +would. Let's call, Bunny!" + + +[Illustration: BUNNY AND SUE SHOUTED FOR HELP. + +_Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove._ _Page 61_] + +Together the two children raised their voices in a shout. They were +healthy and strong and had excellent voices. And, as sound carries a +long distance over open water, the shouts of Bunny and Sue were heard on +Mr. Brown's dock. + +As it happened, the children's father was in the office talking with +Captain Ross about the coming trip to Christmas Tree Cove when they +heard the cries of distress. + +"That's Bunny and Sue!" exclaimed Mr. Brown, leaping from his chair. + +"Gracious sakes alive! I hope they haven't fallen overboard!" shouted +Captain Ross. + +"I think they know enough not to do that," Mr. Brown answered. + +He ran out on the wharf, followed by the captain and some of the men who +worked for Mr. Brown. There they saw the _Fairy_ drifting out into the +bay, and they could see the figures of Bunny and Sue at the boat rail. + +"Stay there! We'll send a boat for you!" called Mr. Brown, making a sort +of trumpet of his hands. "Stay on board! You'll be all right." + +Bunny and Sue heard him and felt better. They had no notion, of course, +of jumping overboard and trying to swim to shore. They knew they were +safe on the _Fairy_ while it was in the rather quiet water of Sandport +Bay. Out on the rough ocean it would be a different matter, though they +had sailed on the open sea with their father and mother, of course in a +larger boat. + +"How are we going to get 'em back?" asked one of Mr. Brown's men. + +"Oh, we'll do that easily enough," was the answer. "Bring around the big +motor boat. We'll have to tow the _Fairy_ back here. I don't see how she +ever got adrift," went on Mr. Brown. "I'm sure neither Bunny nor Sue +loosened the cable." + +"I'm positive they didn't," said Captain Ross. "It must have been that +greenhorn cabin boy I had. I hired him yesterday, and let him go this +morning because he didn't know one end of a rope from the other. I told +him to make the _Fairy_ fast to your dock while I came up here to talk +to you. But he must have tied a grannie's or a landlubber's knot, and +she pulled loose. I'm glad I'm rid of that boy!" + +"Yes," agreed Mr. Brown, "a boy who doesn't know enough to tie a safe +knot isn't of much use around boats. But there's no great harm done. She +isn't drifting fast, and the motor boat will soon pick her up." + +"I'll go along with you," offered Captain Ross, and soon he and Mr. +Brown, with one of the dock men, were racing after the drifting _Fairy_. + +On deck Bunny Brown and his sister Sue watched the rescue. + +"It's just like being shipwrecked, isn't it, Bunny?" suggested Sue, as +they sat down on deck to wait. + +"Yes. It's fun when you know daddy is coming," said the little boy. + +In a short time the motor boat reached the drifting _Fairy_. Mr. Brown +and Captain Ross went on board, and you can just imagine how glad Bunny +and Sue were to see them. + +"Guess you'll have to tow us back," said Captain Ross to Mr. Brown. "The +motor of my boat needs fixing. That's one reason why I tied up at your +dock. There isn't enough wind to blow us back against the tide that's +running out now." + +"My motor boat will tow you back all right," said Mr. Brown. + +And while this was being done Bunny and Sue sat on the deck of the +_Fairy_ with their father and Captain Ross. + +"Well, you had quite an adventure, didn't you?" laughed Captain Ross, +taking Sue up on his knees. "And it reminds me of a riddle. When is a +boat not a boat?" + +"When is a boat not a boat?" repeated Bunny. "Why, a boat is always a +boat, Cap'n Ross, lessen you mean it's like a house 'cause people +sometimes live in it." + +"No, I don't mean that," chuckled Captain Ross. "I'll ask you again. +When is a boat not a boat? Can you guess?" + +Bunny and Sue shook their heads sideways to say "No." + +"Do you give up?" asked Captain Ross. + +Bunny and Sue shook their heads up and down to say "Yes." + +"When is a boat not a boat?" asked the Captain again. "When she's a +_drift_, of course, like this one of mine was! Ho! Ho!" and he laughed +heartily. "You see a boat's not a boat when she's adrift--a sort of snow +_drift_! Ha! Ha! That's a riddle," and he laughed so heartily that Sue +slipped from his lap. + +Bunny and Sue laughed also, and they liked Captain Ross. + +"Here we are now, all shipshape and Bristol fashion!" went on the +captain as the motor boat towed the _Fairy_ back to the wharf. This time +Captain Ross tied the rope himself to make sure it would not come loose +again. + +"May we stay on the boat?" asked Bunny, as his father started back up to +his office with Captain Ross. + +"Yes, you may play on board until it's time to go home to supper," +promised Mr. Brown. "But don't fall overboard and don't go adrift +again." + +"No, we won't!" said Bunny. + +"If you do I'll never tell you any more riddles," laughed Captain Ross. + +"Oh, what fun we'll have when the boat goes to Christmas Tree Cove and +takes us there!" shouted Sue, as she and Bunny played about the deck. + +The children had almost forgotten about their mother's lost ring and +pocketbook, to say nothing of the five-dollar bill. But that afternoon, +when they were going home with their father, they saw something that +brought the loss back to their minds. + +They were walking along the street with Daddy Brown when, all of a +sudden, Bunny cried: + +"There he is! There! There!" + +"Who?" asked his father. + +"That big dog that took mother's pocketbook in his mouth and bounced +away with it!" was the answer. "There he goes!" + +Bunny pointed out a large, yellowish-brown dog just running around the +corner of the next street. Then Bunny pulled his hand from his father's +and raced after the strange animal. + +"I'll make him show me where mother's ring and pocketbook are!" cried +Bunny as he ran down the street. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SLEEP-WALKER + + +So quickly did Bunny Brown pull away from his father to run after the +strange dog that Mr. Brown had no chance to call to the little boy to be +careful. Sue, however, who had hold of her father's other hand, seemed +anxious. + +"Maybe the dog will bite Bunny!" exclaimed the little girl. "Sometimes +Splash used to growl if you took a bone away from him, and maybe this +dog will growl if Bunny takes the pocketbook away from him." + +"That might happen if the dog had mother's pocketbook," replied Mr. +Brown. "But I didn't see him have it, and I don't believe Bunny knows, +for sure, whether or not this is the same dog." + +"Maybe if he hasn't the pocketbook in his mouth he has it hid somewhere, +and he's going to dig it up just as Splash used to dig up the bones +he hid," went on Sue. "Let's go and look, Daddy!" + +This was just what Mr. Brown wanted to do--to see what happened to +Bunny, who had turned the corner running after the strange dog. So, +taking a firmer hold of Sue's hand, daddy started to run. When they +turned the corner they could see the chubby legs of Bunny working to and +fro as he ran along some distance ahead of them. Ahead of him the big, +yellow dog was also racing along and Bunny could be heard calling: + +"Stop! Hold on there! Come back with my mother's pocketbook and her +diamond ring!" + +Several persons in the street were attracted by the shouts of the boy +and his race after the dog. + +"There'll be more excitement here in a little while than I want," +thought Mr. Brown. "People will think there has been a theft, and they +will join in the chase. Then the dog may get excited and bite some one. +I must catch Bunny and stop him from shouting." + +Now Sue could not, of course, run as fast as could her father, and, +though her legs worked to and fro in her very best style, Bunny was +getting far ahead of them. + +"I'll have to pick you up and carry you, Sue," said her father. And, +stooping, he caught her up in his arms. It was easier for him to run +fast this way, and he knew he would soon catch up to Bunny. As for the +small boy, he was still chasing the dog. And the dog seemed to know he +was being chased, for he ran on, looking back now and then, but never +stopping. + +"What's the matter, Mr. Brown?" asked a man who knew the fish dealer, as +he saw Sue's father hurrying down the street, carrying her and racing +after Bunny. "Has anything happened?" + +"Oh, not much," was the answer. "My boy is trying to catch that strange +dog, and I don't want him to--the dog might bite him." + +"That's so," said the man. + +"Stop, Bunny! Stop!" cried Mr. Brown, getting within calling distance of +his little son. "Don't run after the dog any more!" + +"But I want to get mother's pocketbook and ring," Sue's brother +answered, as he slowed up and looked back. + +"That dog hasn't it," went on Mr. Brown. "He has nothing in his mouth, +and----" + +"Oh, he has something in his mouth. It's red and I can see it sticking +out!" interrupted Sue eagerly. "Maybe it's mother's pocketbook, Bunny." + +"It's his tongue!" declared Bunny. "It's the dog's red tongue you see. +Mother's pocketbook was black." + +"Well, this dog hasn't it, at any rate," went on Mr. Brown with a smile, +as he put Sue down on the sidewalk beside Bunny, with whom he had now +caught up. "And even if this were the same dog, we could not make him +understand that we wanted him to take us to the place where he dropped +the purse." + +"I'm sure it's the same dog," insisted Bunny. "But he's gone now, +anyhow." + +This was true. Just as Bunny stopped after his father called to him the +dog ran into an alley between two buildings, and though Mr. Brown, again +holding his two children by the hands, looked in, there was no sight of +the animal. + +"Yes, he's gone," agreed Mr. Brown. + +"You scared him, chasing after him like that, you did," went on Sue to +her brother. "Didn't he, Daddy?" she asked her father. + +"I guess the dog didn't need much scaring," said Mr. Brown. "Are you +sure he's the same one, Bunny?" + +Of this Bunny was quite positive, though Sue was not so much so. The +animal looked like the one that had snatched the pocketbook off the +bench and had run into Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop with it. But that +was as far as Sue could go. + +The crowd which had started to gather when it saw the chase, now began +to separate when it found there was to be no more excitement, and Mr. +Brown took a short cut through the back streets home with Bunny and Sue. + +"We had a lot of adventures, Mother!" said Bunny, when they reached the +house. "We got adrift on a boat, and we had a tow back, and I saw the +dog that had your pocketbook, and I chased him and--and----" + +"And I know a riddle about when is a snowdrift like a boat," broke in +Sue, not wanting Bunny to receive all the attention. + +"Gracious!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. "What does all this mean?" she asked +her husband. "Did you really get back my pocketbook? Oh, if my ring has +been found----" + +"I'm sorry to say it hasn't," her husband said. "Bunny did think he saw +the dog that took it, but I very much doubt that." + +"And what's that about being adrift?" + +"They were on the _Fairy_, and she floated out a little way from the +dock." + +"That's rather dangerous," said Mother Brown. "If such things are going +to happen it will not be safe for us to go to Christmas Tree Cove." + +"Oh, can't we go?" cried Bunny and Sue, thinking their mother was going +to call off the trip. + +"There was no danger," their father said, and he explained how it had +happened. "It was not the fault of Bunny and Sue," he added. "The boat +might have drifted off with any one on board." + +"But it is strange if that dog should still be around here, after +running off with my pocketbook," went on Mrs. Brown. + +"I am not at all sure it was the same dog," her husband said. "Though +Bunny may have thought it looked the same. But did you have any report +from Mr. Foswick or Bunker Blue about their search in the carpenter shop +for the pocketbook?" he asked his wife. + +"Yes," she answered. "Bunker Blue and Mr. Foswick looked carefully. They +swept out the shop, which hasn't happened in over a year, I imagine; but +all they found was an old pair of spectacles Mr. Foswick lost six months +back. Bunker was here a little while ago, and said there was no use of +searching any further. He went back to the dock, as you told him to." + +"It's too bad," said Mr. Brown. "Still, it can't be helped, and it shall +not spoil our trip to Christmas Tree Cove. Can you be ready to start day +after to-morrow?" he asked his wife. + +"I think so," she answered. "How many of us are going?" + +"The children, of course, and you and Uncle Tad; and I'll send Bunker +along to help when I am not there." + +"Oh, aren't you going, Daddy?" asked Bunny. + +"Yes, I'll start with you," Mr. Brown promised. "But I can't always be +with you. I shall have to spend part of each week here at my boat and +fish dock. But Bunker will be with you all summer, and so will Uncle +Tad." + +"I'm glad he's going!" exclaimed Bunny. "He'll be lots of fun!" + +"So will Captain Ross!" added Sue. "He can ask awful funny riddles." + +During supper the plans for the summer vacation at Christmas Tree Cove +were talked over, the children becoming more and more jolly and excited +as they thought of the fun ahead of them. After the meal Bunny and Sue +went out in the yard to play. George Watson, Harry Bentley and Charlie +Star had a race with Bunny, while Mary Watson, Sadie West and Helen +Newton brought their jumping ropes and the four little girls had a great +game. Of course Bunny and Sue told about the coming trip and, +naturally, all the other children wished they could go. + +"Maybe we can come up on a picnic and see you," said Harry. + +"Oh, I hope you can!" exclaimed Sue. + +Mr. and Mrs. Brown sat on the porch in the evening glow, watching the +children at play and talking over what it would be necessary to take on +the little voyage which would start aboard the _Fairy_. Every once in a +while Mrs. Brown would give a sigh. + +"Are you thinking of your lost pocketbook?" her husband asked. + +"I am thinking more of my lovely engagement ring," she answered. + +"It is too bad," he agreed. "But never mind. Perhaps it may be found." + +"No, I am afraid it never will be," she went on. "You had better come +into the house now," she called to Bunny and Sue. "It is getting late, +and you'll have plenty to do to-morrow to get ready for the trip to +Christmas Tree Cove." + +Bunny and Sue said good-night to their playmates, and were soon ready +for bed. Their father and mother sat up a little later. They were about +to retire when a noise on the stairs caused them to look out into the +hall. + +There was Bunny, in his blue pajamas, coming down the stairs. His eyes +were wide open, but they had a funny look in them. + +"I know where it is!" he said. "That dog has it on his tail." + +"What?" asked Mr. Brown. "What do you mean, Bunny? What has the dog on +his tail?" + +"Mother's diamond ring," was the answer. "I'm going to get it. The dog +is asleep on the shavings in the carpenter shop." + +Bunny came down a few more stairs, and his mother, looking at him, +exclaimed: + +"He's walking in his sleep!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A COLLISION + + +Mr. Brown caught the little boy up in his arms. Somehow, Bunny seemed +much smaller in his pajamas. + +"Wake up, Bunny! Wake up!" his father said, gently shaking him. "What's +the matter?" + +"I've got to find it. I know where it is--on the end of the dog's tail. +And Sue----" Bunny stopped suddenly. A change came over his face, and a +different look flashed into his eyes. + +"What--what's the matter? What am I down here for?" he asked +wonderingly. And then his parents knew he was fully awake. + +"You have been walking in your sleep, dear," said his mother. "That's +something you haven't done for a long time. The day had too much +excitement in it for you. Are you all right now?" and she patted his +cheeks as he nestled in his father's arms. + +"Oh, yes. I'm all right now," Bunny said. "I had a funny dream. I +thought the dog came to me and said the diamond ring was on the end of +his tail, and I was going to get one of Mr. Foswick's hammers and knock +it off. The dog was on a bed of shavings in the carpenter shop +and--and----" + +"Yes, and then you got out of bed and walked in your sleep," finished +his father, with a laugh. "I must see if Sue is all right." + +She was. In her little bed she was slumbering peacefully, and Bunny was +soon back with his head on the pillow. + +"Poor little dears!" said their mother, as the lights were put out and +the house locked for the night. "They are thinking too hard about the +lost ring. I mustn't let them see that I care so much, or it will spoil +their summer at Christmas Tree Cove." + +"Yes, forget your loss if you can," suggested her husband. + +There was much to do the next day--so much that only once in a while did +Bunny and Sue think of the strange dog that had run away with their +mother's pocketbook and diamond ring. Bunker Blue was busy, also, and so +was Uncle Tad, helping to get ready for the trip. + +Bunny and Sue wanted to help pack, but their mother said they could best +help by running on errands. One of these took them to the carpenter shop +of Mr. Foswick for a piece of wood Bunker wanted to nail across certain +shutters in the house, which was to be closed for the summer. + +"Well, have you come to take another look for the ring?" asked the +carpenter. "It isn't here. Bunker Blue and I looked all over." + +"I don't see what that dog could have done with it," said Bunny, as he +glanced around the newly-swept shop. "He surely came in here with the +pocketbook." + +"Yes, I saw the dog running around my yard," admitted the carpenter. +"But I didn't see him have anything. Well, it's one of those things that +never will be found, I s'pose. Here's the wood you want, and I'll not +lock you in this time," and he smiled at Bunny and Sue as he thought of +what had happened the other night. + +Another errand took the children down to their father's dock, and there +they saw Bunker Blue and Captain Ross working aboard the _Fairy_. + +"I'm getting her in good shape for you, messmates!" called the jolly +sailor. "And it reminds me of a riddle. Do you see that barrel of water +there?" he asked, pointing to one on deck. + +"Yes, I see it," admitted Bunny. + +"Well, here's a riddle about it," went on the captain. "That barrel, +we'll say, weighs ten pounds when it is empty. Now, what could I fill it +with so it would weigh only seven pounds?" + +"Why, Captain Ross, if that barrel weighs _ten_ pounds when it hasn't +got anything in it, you couldn't fill it with anything to make it weigh +_seven_ pounds. It would weigh _more_ than ten pounds if you filled it +with anything." + +"Oh, no, it wouldn't!" the sailor said. "If I filled it full of holes, +boring 'em in with one of Mr. Foswick's augers, then the barrel +wouldn't weigh so much, would it? I'd cut a lot of wood out of the sides +when I made the holes. Ha! Ha!" + +Bunny thought it over for a minute. Then he laughed. + +"That's a pretty good riddle," he said. + +"I'm glad you like it," went on Captain Ross. "After this, when anybody +asks what you can fill a barrel or a box with to make it weigh less, +just tell 'em to fill it full of holes! Ha! Ha!" and he clapped his big +hand down on his bigger leg and laughed heartily. + +Bunny and Sue laughed also, and they knew they were going to have a +jolly time on the trip to Christmas Tree Cove with Captain Ross to sail +the _Fairy_, or, if there was no wind, to send the craft through the +water by her gasolene engine. + +This engine Bunker Blue was working on to mend, as it had been broken +just before the two Bunker children went adrift from their father's +dock. + +"Will it be ready to sail to-morrow?" asked Bunny, as he watched Bunker +hammering away at the motor. + +"Oh, yes," was the answer. "There isn't much the matter with her. We'll +be able to pull out in the morning." + +And by hard work everything was finished that night on board the +_Fairy_. Uncle Tad, the jolly old soldier, announced that he had his +"knapsack" packed and enough "rations" to last him for a week, anyhow. + +As they were to make an early morning start, Bunny and Sue had said +good-bye to their boy and girl friends the evening before. As they +walked past Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop with Uncle Tad, who went down +the street with them at the last minute to buy something Mrs. Brown +wanted, the children looked at the wood-working place. + +"Wouldn't it be funny if that dog should be hiding around here?" asked +Sue of her brother. + +"Yes," he agreed, "it would be. But I don't see him." + +"I guess if he is here he's hiding," Sue went on. "Maybe there's a hole +under the floor of the shop and he's there, just as once at Grandpa's +farm in the country we found where a hen had her nest under the floor +in the barn. And it had eggs in it!" + +"Dogs don't make nests like hens," said Bunny. + +"Oh, I know that!" retorted Sue. "But maybe this dog hid the pocketbook +under the boards in the shop floor." + +"I hardly think so," put in Uncle Tad. "He probably dropped that +pocketbook in the street, and either some one picked it up and kept it, +or else it was dropped down a sewer." + +"But if anybody found it, wouldn't we have got it back?" asked Bunny. +"Daddy put an advertisement in the paper." + +"Maybe we would and maybe we wouldn't," said Uncle Tad. "Anyhow, it's +gone." + +Bright and early the next morning Bunny Brown and his sister Sue went +aboard the _Fairy_, which was tied at their father's dock. The Brown +home had been shut up, the things that were needed had been put on board +the boat, Mrs. Brown was keeping an eye on the children to see that they +did not stray away, and Uncle Tad was stowing away the baggage in the +cabin. + +Soon Mr. Brown, Bunker Blue, and Captain Ross would come on board and +the voyage would start. + +The _Fairy_ was large enough for the whole family, as well as the +"crew," to sleep on board. The crew generally was made up of Captain +Ross and a man and a boy. But this time Mr. Brown was going to take the +place of the man, and Bunker Blue would be the "boy," so that it was +more of a family party. Mr. Brown had known Captain Ross for many years, +and the children felt as though he were as nearly related to them as was +Uncle Tad. + +"All aboard!" called the captain, as he came down the wharf from Mr. +Brown's office, accompanied by Mr. Brown and Bunker Blue. "Are you all +aboard?" and he smiled at Bunny and Sue. + +"Yes, we're here," Bunny answered. + +"Isn't he funny, Mother?" whispered Sue. "He can look right at us, and +yet he wants to know if we're here!" + +"It's just his joking way," said Mrs. Brown. + +"I've got another good riddle for you, youngsters," called Captain Ross, +as he made his way along the deck. "What kind of tree would scare a +cat?" + +"There wouldn't any tree scare a cat," declared Bunny. "I've seen a cat +climb up a tree lots of times. Cats aren't scared of trees!" + +"Well, wouldn't a dogwood tree scare a cat?" chuckled the sailor. "Ha! +Ha! I'm sure it would. I don't believe you could get a cat to climb a +_dog_wood tree!" he went on. + +"That _is_ a funny riddle!" declared Bunny. "I'm going to tell it to +Charlie Star when we come back from Christmas Tree Cove." + +"We'd better get there first," went on Captain Ross, still chuckling at +his riddle. "Cast off, Bunker Blue!" + +Bunker loosed the ropes that held the _Fairy_ to the wharf, and the boat +slowly drifted away. + +"Oh, we've really started!" cried Sue, as she saw the open water between +the rail and the string-piece of the wharf. + +"We'll go faster than this!" exclaimed Bunny. "Wait till Bunker Blue +starts the motor." + +As there was not enough wind to allow the sails to be used, it was +needful to start the motor, and soon it was chugging away, sending the +_Fairy_ swiftly along through the water. + +Bunny and Sue were delighted with the trip. They sat in camp-chairs on +deck and watched the different sights. They expected to cruise about on +the boat for perhaps three days before going to the Cove. They could +sleep in the little bunks with which the boat was provided. + +"It's a funny way to go to bed," said Sue, after looking at the bunks +for the tenth time. + +"Well, I guess you can sleep here just as well as at home," answered her +brother. + +"You'd better not walk in your sleep, Bunny, 'cause you might walk +overboard." + +"I ain't going to walk in my sleep any more," answered Bunny. "I told +daddy I wasn't." + +"Maybe you can't help it." + +"Yes, I can. You wait and see." + +It was toward the close of the afternoon, and Bunny and Sue were +beginning to wonder how much longer it would be before supper was ready, +when, as they stood near Bunker, who was steering, the children saw a +canoe with two young men and two young women in it being slowly paddled +across the bay. + +"They'd better watch where they're going," said Bunker Blue. "They seem +to be aiming to cross our bows, and if they do---- Look out there!" he +suddenly cried, as the canoe turned. "Do you want to be run down?" + +The next moment there was a collision. The _Fairy_ struck the small +boat, upsetting it and spilling into the water the two young men and the +young women. + +"Oh! Oh!" cried Sue. "We've run over 'em!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE MERRY GOAT + + +Bunny Brown, who had been sitting near his sister Sue on the deck of the +_Fairy_, had jumped to his feet and run to the rail, or side of the +boat, as the little girl cried out that their craft had run over the +canoe. That was really what had happened. The two young men and the +young women in the canoe had got in the way of the motor boat, and had +been struck. + +"Man overboard!" yelled Bunny. He had often enough heard that cry on his +father's boat and on the pier, for more than once boys or men had fallen +off into the water. Sometimes on warm summer days the boys pushed each +other off, just for fun. + +And often, at such times, the cry would be raised: + +"Man overboard!" + +Bunny knew what that meant. It meant that somebody ought to jump to the +rescue or throw into the water something the person who had fallen in +could grab. There were, on his father's dock, a number of life +buoys--round rings of cork covered with canvas and having a long rope +attached to them. And there were some of these same things on the deck +of the _Fairy_. + +"Man overboard!" cried Bunny again, and, running to the nearest life +ring, he took it off the hook and sent it spinning into the water. Bunny +knew that the end of the rope was fast to the rail, so the buoy would +not be lost. + +Bunker Blue also acted quickly. Near the wheel by which the _Fairy_ was +steered was a wire, which, when pulled, shut off the motor down in the +hold of the craft. Bunker Blue pulled this wire, and the boat began to +slow up. Then Bunker leaped to the side of the _Fairy_ near Bunny, and +Bunker caught up another life ring and tossed it over the rail. + +As Bunny and Sue leaned over to catch sight of the four people in the +water, Captain Ross and Daddy Brown came hurrying up on deck from the +little cabin, where they had been talking with Mrs. Brown. + +"What's the matter?" cried Captain Ross. "Did we hit anything, Bunker?" + +"Yes, a canoe with four people in it. We ran 'em down. They crossed +right in front of our bows! I'll get 'em!" + +The next minute Bunker peeled off his coat, slipped from his feet the +loose, rubber-soled shoes he wore, and leaped over the rail. + +"Oh! Oh!" gasped Sue. + +"He's going to save 'em!" cried Bunny. "I wish I could jump in and----" + +"Don't dare try that, Bunny Brown!" cried his mother, who heard what he +started to say, and she put a hand on his shoulder to hold him. + +"They're all right," reported Mr. Brown, looking over the side of the +boat. "All four of them can swim, and the young men have given the young +ladies the life rings. They don't seem to be much frightened. Bunker is +swimming for the canoe. I guess they'll be all right." + +"Yes, it looks so," said Captain Ross, also taking a look over the +side. "Though the canoe may be stove in so it'll leak. Mighty foolish of +'em to try to cross in front of our bows! I expect we'll have to take +'em all on board here." + +"Oh, yes, we must!" cried Mrs. Brown. "But what shall we do about dry +clothes for them? Possibly I can let the young ladies have some of my +extra dresses, but the young men----" + +"Oh, I guess we can fit 'em out," broke in Captain Ross. "It's warm, and +they won't want much. First thing to do is to get 'em on board I reckon. +How about you?" he called down to the struggling people in the water. +"Need any more help?" + +"We're all right," answered one of the young men. "But will you take us +aboard? The canoe's smashed!" + +"Sure, we'll take you on board," answered the captain. + +And then, as Bunny and Sue watched, they saw their father and Captain +Ross help pull up to the deck of the _Fairy_ first the two young women, +dripping wet. They looked very much bedraggled, but they were laughing +and did not seem to mind what had happened. + +Next the two young men scrambled up, pulling themselves by means of the +ropes from the life buoys. And last of all came Bunker Blue. He had the +rope of the smashed and overturned canoe in one hand and was towing it +along as he swam slowly. It was not easy work to drag the canoe through +the water, submerged as it was, but Bunker did it, fastening the canoe +rope to the rail of the _Fairy_. + +Then he scrambled up on deck, shook the water from his face and hair, +and said: + +"I'll get a boat hook and fish up the paddles. They're floating around +down there." + +"Oh, don't bother," urged one of the young ladies. "It was all my fault. +I steered the canoe right in your way. We ran into you--you didn't run +into us." + +"Well, I'm glad you feel that way about it," said Captain Ross, while +Bunny and Sue watched the little puddles and streams of water dripping +from the recent occupants of the canoe and from Bunker Blue. + +"Is the canoe worth saving?" asked Mr. Brown, as he looked down to +where it now floated at the side of the _Fairy_, held fast by the line +Bunker had brought on board. + +"I don't think so," said one of the young men. "It was an old one, and +now the side is stove in. Let it go. It will drift ashore anyhow, and we +can get it later if we want to. You might save the paddles if you can. +I'll help," he offered. + +"I'll help," offered the other young man, and while these two, with +Bunker, sought to save the paddles with boat hooks, the broken canoe was +cast loose from the _Fairy_ and allowed to drift off. + +"If you'll come down to the cabin with me," said Mrs. Brown to the young +ladies, "I'll see if I can lend you some other clothes while yours are +drying." + +"Oh, don't bother!" said one of the young ladies. "It was all just fun. +We had on old clothes, for we half expected to be upset before we got +back." + +But Mrs. Brown insisted on making them change, and so she led them down +into the cabin. Uncle Tad helped in the work of recovering the paddles, +and then he suggested that the two young men might also like to take off +their wet things. + +"Oh, not at all," said one. "We're used to being wet. And we'll soon +dry, anyhow. It was very decent of you to jump in after us," he said to +Bunker. "As it happens, we can all swim pretty well, and it isn't the +first time we've been upset. But I was afraid one of the girls might +have been hurt. As it is, we're all right." + +"And mighty lucky you are to be that way," commented Captain Ross. "I'm +glad it was no worse. Now where do you want to be set ashore?" + +"We're staying at that hotel," said Mr. Watson, for such was the name of +one of the young men. He pointed to a large seaside resort on the shore +not far away. + +"Well, we'll head for the dock," decided the captain, and soon the +_Fairy_ was moving along again, the floating paddles having been +recovered. + +The young ladies soon came on deck, wearing some garments belonging to +Mrs. Brown. They were laughing and joking at the upset. The young men +refused to change, saying it was not worth while. + +"It's too bad you lost your canoe," said Bunny, as he and his sister +listened to the talk of the rescued party. + +"Oh, it was only an old one I owned," said Mr. Watson. "It isn't a great +loss. I'm afraid you girls had some things sunk, though," he added. +"There wasn't much time to save anything." + +"I lost my pocketbook," said one of the young women, who was called +Mildred by her companions. "There was only about a dollar in it, +though," she added. + +"My mother lost her pocketbook, and it had five dollars and her diamond +ring in it," put in Sue. + +"Did you? Do you mean to-day?" asked the other young lady, who had been +addressed as Grace. + +"Oh, no. It was some time ago," explained Mrs. Brown. + +"A dog took it," volunteered Bunny. "And he ran into a carpenter shop, +and we ran after him--Sue and I did--and we got locked in and I busted +a window and----" + +"He's going into all the details!" laughed Mr. Brown. + +But the young men and the young women were so interested in what the +children said that they had to hear the whole story. + +"I'm sure I hope you get your engagement ring back," said Mildred to +Mrs. Brown, and the young lady looked at her own hand, on which sparkled +a diamond. Perhaps it was her engagement ring. + +"It is too much to hope for," replied Mrs. Brown. "I am trying not to +think of it." + +"Did you see me throw the life buoy to you?" asked Bunny, changing the +subject. + +"I'm afraid I didn't," answered Grace with a laugh. + +"And my eyes were too full of water," added Mildred. + +"Well, anyhow, I threw one in to you," went on Bunny. + +"And I yelled when I saw you get run over," added Sue, just as if that, +too, had helped. + +"I'm sure you did all you could," declared Mr. Watson. "And it was all +our own fault that we got in your way. But no one is hurt, and we're +little the worse for our adventure." + +The _Fairy_ slowly headed toward the dock near the big summer hotel, +which was one of a number at a well-known resort on the bay. Some other +boats had come up after having seen the canoe run down, but when it was +found no help was needed, they sheered off again. + +"How can we return your things to you?" asked the young ladies of Mrs. +Brown, as they prepared to go ashore when the boat tied up at the dock. + +"There is no special hurry," was the answer. "We are going to Christmas +Tree Cove for the summer. You can send them there." + +"I have a better plan," said Mr. Brown. "Why should we not stay here +over night? We can tie up at this dock and go ashore for an evening of +enjoyment. That will give the young ladies a chance to get into other +dry clothes and give you back yours," he said to his wife. + +"Oh, yes! Let's stay!" cried Bunny. "We can have a lot of fun on shore!" + +"And there's a merry-go-round!" added Sue. "I can see it!" + +She pointed to one of the popular summer attractions set up near the +hotel on the beach. + +"Very well, we'll stay," said Mother Brown; and so it was arranged. + +The four young people went ashore, the young ladies in borrowed clothes, +and the men, in their own damp garments, carrying the paddles. They +attracted some little attention from the crowd on the dock. It was very +evident what had happened. But as canoe upsets are very common at shore +resorts in the summer, no one took it very seriously, especially as no +one was drowned or hurt. + +"We'll send back your things in the morning," called Mildred and Grace +to Mrs. Brown, as they went up to the hotel. + +"You'll find us right here," said Captain Ross. "I'm mighty glad it was +no worse," he said to his friends on the _Fairy_. "I should hate to have +your summer outing spoiled by an accident, even if it was the fault of +those in the canoe. But it reminds me of a riddle. See if you can guess +it, Bunny and Sue. What goes under the water and over the water and +never touches the water?" + +"A fish!" guessed Bunny. + +"A fish is always in the water," cried Sue, laughing. + +"Oh, so it is," said her brother. + +"Say it again," begged Sue. + +The jolly captain did so, and when Bunny and Sue gave up, after several +wrong guesses, the seaman said: + +"A man walking over a bridge with a pail of water on his head. He goes +_over_ the water, and he's _under_ the water in the pail, and yet he +doesn't touch the water." + +"Oh, that's a good riddle!" laughed Bunny. "I'm going to fool Bunker on +that." + +"If the water pail upset and spilled on him then the water would touch +him," said Sue, after a moment of thought. "And if he fell in the water +he'd be wet." + +"Yes, but you aren't supposed to do that in riddles," returned Captain +Ross. + +After supper on the _Fairy_, Uncle Tad took the two children on +shore, Bunny and Sue having secured their mother's permission to ride on +the merry-go-round. It was a big affair, playing jolly tunes, and the +animals were large and gaily painted. + +Bunny and Sue had a number of rides, always begging for "just one more," +until Uncle Tad finally said: + +"No, that's enough! You'll be ill if you whirl around any more. Come, +we'll walk around and look at things, and then we'll go back to the +boat." + +He led them around to see the other attractions at the little park near +the big hotel. Somehow or other, Bunny wandered away from Uncle Tad and +Sue while Sue and the old soldier were looking at a man blowing colored +glass into birds, feathers, balloons and other fantastic shapes. + +But finally Uncle Tad said: + +"Come, Sue, we must be going now. Where's Bunny?" + +"He was here a minute ago," answered Bunny's sister. + +She looked around. They were on a plaza, or open space, at one end of +which stood the musical merry-go-round. At the other end was a drive +where little ponies and carts could be hired for short rides. + +As Sue and Uncle Tad looked, there suddenly dashed from this place a +large, white goat. And on the back of the goat was Bunny Brown, clinging +fast! + +"Oh, look! Look!" cried Sue. "It's a merry-go-round goat! It's a merry +goat, and Bunny's having a ride on his back!" + +As she spoke the animal dashed straight for the whirling carousel, and +Bunny's face, showing some fright, was turned toward his uncle and his +sister. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN THE STORM + + +Before Sue and Uncle Tad could do anything, even if they had known what +to do, something very queer happened. The goat, on whose back Bunny was +riding, jumped up on the big, circular platform of the merry-go-round. +It was on this platform that the wooden animals, birds, and fishes were +built, and where, also, were the broad wooden seats for older folk, who +did not like to get on the back of a lion or a camel and be twirled +around. + +The platform was broad, for boys and girls had to step up on it to make +their way to whatever animal they wanted to sit on, and the men who +collected the tickets also had to walk around on this wooden platform +while the machine was in motion. And it was in motion when the live goat +jumped on it. + +There was plenty of room for "Billy" on the merry-go-round, though why +he jumped up on it I cannot say. You can hardly ever tell why a goat +does things, anyhow. + +[Illustration: THE GOAT LEAPED UPON THE MOVING MERRY-GO-ROUND. + +_Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove._ _Page 104_] + +Right up on the moving merry-go-round leaped the goat, with Bunny +clinging to the long hair of his back. The goat slid along until he came +up beside a lion, on whose back a frowsy young person was riding. + +"Oh, my!" cried this girl, "one of the wooden animals has come to life." +She screamed and would have fallen from the lion, Sue thought, but for +the fact that a young man was standing beside her. He had come around to +collect her ticket and when he heard her scream and saw her sway back +and forth he grasped her. + +"Sit still!" advised the ticket-taker. + +"But look! Look!" cried the girl. "One of the wooden animals has come to +life! Oh, I'm so afraid! And look! He has a little boy on his back!" + +The goat on which Bunny was riding was quite large, really as big as one +of the wooden goats of the merry-go-round, and, as the make-believe +creatures were painted to resemble the real animals as nearly as +possible, the sight was a surprising one. + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed the young man ticket-taker. "It isn't one of the +wooden animals! It's a real goat from the ones over by the ponies. He's +alive, of course." + +The frowsy girl giggled. + +"And I'm alive, too!" added Bunny, his hands wound in the goat's long +hair. "But I didn't want to ride the goat up here!" + +"Oh, Bunny! Bunny!" shouted Sue from the outer edge of the +merry-go-round, which she and Uncle Tad had now reached. "Look out, +Bunny, or you'll fall off!" + +There was a laugh from the crowd of evening pleasure-seekers that had +gathered at the shore resort. + +"I am holding on!" cried Bunny. "Whoa now, goat!" he called. + +"Stop the machine!" exclaimed Uncle Tad. + +"All right; we'll stop it," said the ticket-taker, who still held to the +frowsy young person on the back of the lion. + +The goat seemed quiet enough now. After it had jumped up on the moving +platform, with Bunny on its back, the animal just stood there, looking +around. Perhaps it felt quite at home with the wooden horses, the +ostriches, lions, tigers, camels, and other creatures so gaily painted +and with pieces of looking glass stuck all over them. + +Slowly the merry-go-round came to a stop, and the ticket-taker, letting +go of the girl, who had not fallen from the back of the lion, hurried to +Bunny's side. + +"I'll lift you off," he said. + +"Thank you," answered Bunny. A moment later he was walking over to join +Sue and Uncle Tad, while a man stepped from the crowd and took charge of +the goat, which he led to the edge of the platform. The goat leaped down +and off as Bunny had done. + +"I hope my goat didn't hurt you when he ran away with you," said the +man, walking up to Bunny, Sue, and Uncle Tad and leading the horned +creature. + +"Oh, no, he didn't hurt me," Bunny answered. "But I didn't think he'd +run away with me just 'cause I got on his back." + +"He isn't used to having boys and girls on his back unless he wears a +saddle," the man explained. + +"Did you jump on the goat's back, Bunny?" asked Uncle Tad. + +"Well, I didn't exactly _jump_ on," replied the little boy. "I was +leaning over, looking at him, and I sort of wanted to see how it would +feel to get on his back. And I did, and then he ran up on the +merry-go-round with me. But I held on so I wouldn't fall." + +"It's a good thing you did!" declared Sue. + +"How did it happen?" asked Uncle Tad. + +"All I know about it is this," said the man who owned the goat. "I have +a few of these Billies and Nannies for children that don't want a +ponyback ride. But I was getting the goats ready to put in the stable +for the night, and I'd taken off the saddles. I had my back turned, and +the first I knew I heard a shout. I turned and saw this boy on Nero's +back, heading for the merry-go-round. I followed as fast as I could. +Nero is a gentle goat, but I couldn't tell what he'd do when he got +mixed up with the wooden animals," he finished. + +"No," said Uncle Tad, "that's so. You did wrong, Bunny, to get on the +goat's back without asking permission." + +"I--I didn't mean to," said the little boy. "When you and Sue were +looking at the glass-blower I went over to look at the ponies and the +goats. And I just sort of leaned over this goat, and, first I remember, +I was on his back and he ran away with me." + +"There's no harm done," said the goat's owner, as the people in the +crowd smiled and laughed at what had happened. "Come over in the morning +and I'll let you have a regular ride on a saddle--you and your sister," +he added as he looked at Sue. + +"Thank you," she answered. "I'll come if mother will let me." + +"I guess we have to go on to Christmas Tree Cove in the morning," +announced Bunny. "Anyhow, I'm much obliged for this ride," he said. +"Nero's a good goat," and he patted the head of the animal. + +"Yes, he's a good goat," agreed the owner. + +Then he took his horned steed back to the pony stand, the merry-go-round +started off again with the loud music, and Uncle Tad took Bunny and Sue +back to the _Fairy_. + +Of course there was considerable talk and some laughter on board the +boat when the story was told of Bunny's goat ride. His mother, laughing, +told him never to do such a thing again, and, of course, Bunny said he +wouldn't. + +"Did you like that ride?" questioned Sue, when they were getting ready +to go to bed. + +"I did and I didn't," was Bunny's answer. "I got on the goat so +sudden-like I didn't have time to make up my mind about it. He was an +awful quick goat, Nero was." + +"I guess most goats are quick. Once I saw a goat go after a man who was +pasting up bills on a board. My, but that man had to run to get out of +the way!" + +"Maybe the goat wanted his bills or his paste," said Bunny. "I once +heard that goats love to eat billboard paper just for the paste on it." + +"Maybe so." + +Bright and early the next morning Bunker Blue arose and began to wash +down the decks of the boat. As he was splashing the water around in his +bare feet with his trousers rolled up, a young man with a bundle under +his arm came down to the dock. + +"Here are the dresses and things Mrs. Brown lent to the young ladies," +said the young man. "They are very much obliged. I brought them early, +for I thought maybe you'd want to get an early start." + +"Yes, I believe we are going to leave soon," answered Bunker. "But I +don't like the looks of the weather," he added. "It seems to me we are +going to have a storm. If you get another canoe and paddle out in it," +he said, "I wouldn't go too far from shore." + +"Thank you, I'll be careful," was the answer. + +Bunny and Sue awakened and got ready for breakfast, and Bunker told +about the visit of the young man. Then the children went out on deck to +look at the sea and sky. + +I say the "sea," though really it was all part of Sandport Bay, and not +exactly the open ocean, though it was a very large body of water. + +"Do you think it's going to rain, Bunker?" asked Sue. + +"I think it's going to rain and blow, too," answered the fish and boat +boy, who had learned to read the weather signs. "But the _Fairy_ is able +to stand it, I think. How are you after your goat ride, Bunny?" + +"Oh, I feel fine!" declared the little boy. "But I want to get to +Christmas Tree Cove before long." + +"So do I," added Sue. "I'm going to make a little bungalow there for my +dolls." + +"And I'm going to make one to camp in," declared her brother. + +They started off right after breakfast, and as Bunny and Sue played +around on the deck they could see their father and Captain Ross talking +together and looking up at the sky every now and then. + +"We'll keep near shore," they heard the captain say. "Then if the storm +breaks we can tie up." + +But, though the clouds scudded across the sky all day, the storm did not +break. It was black and lowering when evening came, but, after another +look all around, Bunny heard the captain say to their father and mother: + +"We may as well keep on. It may blow over, and if we tie up over night +it will take us just so much longer to get there. I'd better keep on, +don't you think?" + +"Yes," said Mr. Brown, "keep on." + +So the _Fairy_ kept on through the waters of the bay. Bunny and Sue, +after being allowed out on deck to watch the distant twinkling lights of +other vessels, were put to bed in their bunks, and Mrs. Brown fastened +some broad canvas straps up in front of their berths. + +"What are they for?" asked Sue, as she kissed her mother good night. + +"So you won't fall out if the boat rolls and rocks too much in the +storm," was the answer. + +"Oh, I like to be out in a storm!" exclaimed Bunny. + +"I do if it's not too hard a storm," said Sue. + +"I think this will be only a small one," replied Mrs. Brown, but as she +went out on deck and felt the strong wind and noticed how high the waves +were she felt a trifle uneasy. + +Some hours later Bunny and Sue were each awakened about the same time by +feeling themselves being tossed about in their berths. Bunny was flung +up against the canvas straps his mother had fastened, and at first he +did not know what was happening. Then he heard Sue ask: + +"What's the matter?" + +"Don't be afraid," said Bunny. "It's only the storm, I guess. Oh, feel +that!" he cried, and as he spoke the _Fairy_ seemed to be trying to +stand on her "head." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +WHERE IS BUNNY? + + +Sue Brown did not know quite what to do. As she cuddled up in the little +berth aboard the _Fairy_, she felt herself being tossed over toward the +edge. At first she was afraid she would be thrown out on the cabin +floor, but the strips of canvas her mother had fastened in place stopped +the little girl from having a fall, just as they had stopped Bunny. + +Sue looked up at the tiny electric light, operated by a storage battery. +Captain Ross had put it there so the children would not be in the dark +if they awakened in the night and needed something. + +"Bunny! Bunny!" exclaimed Sue, "I don't like a storm on a boat at +night!" + +Before Bunny could answer his sister the door of the little stateroom +where they were was opened and Mother Brown looked in. She was dressed, +and her head, face and hair were wet as though she had been out in the +storm. And she really had, for a moment. + +"So you're awake, children," she said. "The storm is a bad one, and we +are heading for a quiet cove where we will soon be sheltered and more +quiet." + +"Can't I get up, Mother, and dress?" asked Bunny. "Maybe we'll have to +get off the _Fairy_ and into the rowboat, and I want my clothes on." + +"Yes, you may get up and dress," said Mrs. Brown. "But there is no +danger that we shall have to take to the small boat. It is just a severe +summer storm, with much wind and rain, but not much else." + +"Does it thunder and lightning?" asked Sue. + +"No; or you would have heard it and seen it before this," her mother +said. "Here, Sue, I'll take you over in my room and you may dress there. +Bunny, can you manage by yourself?" + +"Yes, Mother," he answered. + +Mrs. Brown carried Sue in her arms to the room across the main cabin. It +was not easy work with the boat pitching and tossing as it was, but +finally the affair was managed, and Sue had her clothes put on. Bunny +dressed himself, though not without some difficulty, for when he tried +to stand on his right foot to put his left shoe on he slid across the +little room and against the opposite wall. But he was not hurt. + +Soon all of them except Captain Ross were in the main cabin. In answer +to a question about the sailor, Mr. Brown said: + +"He's out steering the boat. He wants to bring her safe into Clam Cove, +he says, and then we'll anchor for the night. But he thought it best for +us all to be dressed. The storm is worse than any of us thought it would +be." + +After the first feeling had worn off of being suddenly awakened in the +night, Bunny and Sue did not mind it much. They sat around, looking a +little anxiously at their father or mother as the boat plunged and +rolled, but when they saw how calm their father, mother, Uncle Tad and +Bunker Blue were, the children took heart also. + +"Here are some cookies," said their mother, bringing out a bag from a +locker. "I'd give you some milk to drink, only it would spill the way +the boat is rocking." + +"Yes," said Mr. Brown, with a smile, "there'd be as much milk on the +floor, I imagine, as the children would drink." + +The storm grew worse instead of less, but Captain Ross was a good +seaman, and in about an hour he brought the _Fairy_ into a sheltered +harbor known as Clam Cove, because of the number of clams that were dug +there. + +"Now we'll ride easier," said Bunker Blue. "I'll go up and help get the +anchor over," he added. + +Soon Bunny Brown and his sister Sue heard sounds on deck which told of +the big anchor being put over the side, and then the boat came to rest. +She still pitched and tossed a little, but not nearly as much as before. +The wind still blew and the rain came down in pelting drops. But the +craft was water-tight and it was, as Bunker Blue said, "as dry as a +bone" inside. + +"You children can go back to your berths now," said Mother Brown, when +the cookies had all been eaten. "I don't believe you'll be tossed out +now." + +"All right," assented Bunny and Sue, for they were beginning to feel +sleepy in spite of the excitement of having been awakened by the storm. + +And soon, save for the uneasy motion of the storm, which was not felt +much in Clam Cove, there was once again calm aboard the _Fairy_. + +In the morning, though the wind was still high, the rain had stopped. +The outer bay, though, was a mass of big waves, and after one look at +them Captain Ross said: + +"I think we'd better stay here until it quiets down. We could navigate, +but there's no special hurry." + +"No," agreed Mr. Brown, "there isn't. We are not due at Christmas Tree +Cove at any special time, so we'll take it easy." + +"Then we can watch the clam boats," said Bunny. "I like to watch them." + +The clam boats were of two kinds, large rowing craft in which one or two +men went out and with a long-handled rake pulled clams up from the +bottom of the cove. The other boats were sailing craft. They would start +at one side of Clam Cove, spread their sails in a certain way, and drift +across the stretch of water. Over the side of the boat were tossed big +rakes with long, iron teeth. These rakes, fastened to ropes attached to +the boat, dragged over the bottom of the cove much as the fishermen in +the small boats dragged their rakes. + +Of course the sailboats could use much larger rakes and cover a wider +part of the cove. Now and then the men on board the sailboats would haul +up the rakes, which were shaped something like a man's hand is when half +closed and all the fingers and the thumb are spread out. The clams were +dumped on deck, afterward to be washed and sorted. + +The sight was not new to any of the Browns, and of course Bunker, Uncle +Tad, and Captain Ross had often taken part in clam raking. But Bunny and +Sue never tired of watching it. Now they sat on deck, as much out of the +wind as possible, and looked at the drifting boats and at the clammers +in their dorries. + +The storm was passing. Gradually the wind was dying out and the waves +were getting smaller. + +"I think we can start again by this afternoon," said Mr. Brown, coming +up on deck following a short nap in the cabin. He had felt sleepy after +dinner. + +"Yes, we can leave before evening if you say so," replied Captain Ross. +"How are you enjoying it?" he asked Sue. "Let's see, I know a riddle +about a clam, if I can think of it. Let me see now, I wonder----" + +"Where's Bunny?" asked Mrs. Brown, coming up on the deck at that moment. + +"Wasn't he with you?" asked her husband. + +"No, he didn't come down. I asked Bunker some time ago about him, and +Bunker said he was on deck with Sue. But he isn't. Where is Bunny?" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +CHRISTMAS TREE COVE + + +When a family is making a trip on a boat and one of the children becomes +lost, or is missing, there is always more worry than if the same thing +happened on land. For the first thing a father and a mother think of +when on a boat and they do not see their children or know where they +are, is that the missing child has fallen into the lake, river or +ocean--whatever the body of water may be. + +So when Mrs. Brown came up on the deck of the _Fairy_ and did not see +Bunny, who she had thought was with Sue, she asked at once where he was. + +And when Mr. Brown heard his wife say that Bunny had not come to the +cabin he, too, began to wonder where the little boy was. + +"Where did Bunny go, Sue?" asked Mother Brown. "Wasn't he sitting here +with you?" + +"Yes, he was here a little while ago," answered Sue. "And then I was +watching two of the sailboats to see if they would bump together, and I +didn't look at Bunny. When I did look he was gone, but I thought he was +downstairs." + +"He isn't," said Mrs. Brown, "and he isn't here on deck. Oh, if he----" + +She did not finish what she was going to say, but quickly ran to the +side of the boat and looked down into the water, as if she might see +Bunny paddling around there. The _Fairy_ was still anchored in Clam +Cove, waiting for the storm to blow out. + +"Is Bunny in swimming?" asked Sue. + +"What's the matter?" asked Captain Ross, who was up "for'ard," as he +called it, meaning the front of the boat. He and Bunker Blue were +mending one of the sails. "Anything wrong, Mrs. Brown?" asked the jolly +old sailor. + +"I can't find Bunny," she answered. "He was here with Sue a moment ago. +Oh, I'm afraid Bunny----" + +"Now, don't think that anything has happened!" interrupted Mr. Brown. +"He's probably hiding somewhere." + +"Bunny wouldn't do that," declared his mother. + +"No, we weren't playing hide and go seek," said Sue. + +"Then he must be downstairs in one of the cabins, or he is asleep in his +berth," said Mr. Brown. "I'll look." + +"I'll help," offered Uncle Tad, who, himself, had been taking a nap in +his berth. + +"I suppose he must be down below if he isn't up here," said Mrs. Brown, +hoping this was true. "I want to look, too." + +Sue was beginning to be a bit frightened now, and she started to follow +the others below, while Captain Ross and Bunker Blue, seeing how worried +Mr. and Mrs. Brown were, dropped the sail on which they were working and +decided to join in the search. + +It did not take them long to make a search of the boat below decks. No +Bunny was to be found. He was not in his own bunk, nor in that of any +one else, nor was he in the small room where the gasolene motor was +built, though Bunny liked to go there to watch the whirring wheels when +the motor was in motion. + +"Where can he be?" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. + +Then, suddenly, Sue gave a joyful cry and clapped her hands. + +"I think I know where he is!" exclaimed the little girl. "I just +happened to think about it. Come on!" + +Wonderingly they followed her. Sue ran to the stern of the _Fairy_, +where the steering wheel was placed. Here was a small rowboat turned +bottomside up. It was kept for the purpose of going to and from shore +when the larger craft was anchored out in the bay. + +Going close to this overturned boat Sue leaned down so she could look +under it. The two ends of the boat, being higher than the middle, raised +it slightly from the deck, leaving a sort of long, narrow slot. And Sue +called into this slot: + +"Bunny! are you there? Answer me. Are you there?" + +For an instant there was no reply, and Mrs. Brown, who had begun to +think she should have looked there first, was about to conclude that, +after all, it was a wrong guess, when suddenly a voice answered: + +"Yes; here I am." + +The boat tilted to one side and out from beneath it came rolling Bunny +Brown. He seemed sleepy, and his clothes were mussed while his hair was +rumpled. And there was a queer look on his face. + +"Why, Bunny! Bunny Brown, what possessed you to crawl under that boat +and go to sleep?" asked his mother. "You have frightened us! We thought +perhaps you had fallen overboard." + +"No," said Bunny slowly, shaking his head, "I didn't." + +"We see you didn't," said his father, a bit sternly. "But why did you +hide under the boat?" + +"I wasn't hiding," answered Bunny. "And if I had fallen overboard into +the water you would have heard me yell," he went on, speaking slowly. + +"I suppose so," agreed Mr. Brown. "But if you weren't hiding under that +boat, what were you doing?" + +"I was--I was thinking," answered Bunny sheepishly. + +"Thinking!" exclaimed his mother. + +"Yes, about the dog that took your pocketbook," went on the little boy. +"I wanted to be in a quiet place where I could think about him and maybe +guess where he was so I could make him give back your diamond ring, +Mother. So I crawled under the boat. It was nice and warm there, and the +wind didn't blow on me, and I was thinking and I was thinking, and----" + +"And then you fell asleep, didn't you?" asked Uncle Tad, as they all +stood around Bunny on deck. + +"Yes, I guess I did," was the answer. "And I didn't dream about the dog, +either." + +"Did you think of any way to find him?" asked Captain Ross. + +"No," answered Bunny, "I didn't. But I wish I could." + +"Oh, you mustn't think any more about that dog," said his mother, with a +smile, as she patted the little boy's tousled head. "I'll manage to get +along without my diamond ring, though I would like to have it back." + +"Well, I couldn't think," complained Bunny, with a sigh. "I guess maybe +I was too sleepy." + +"Better not hide yourself away again," cautioned his father. "You must +be extra careful aboard a boat so your mother will not have to worry, or +this trip to Christmas Tree Cove will not be any pleasure to her." + +"When shall we get there--to the place where the Christmas trees are, +Daddy?" asked Sue. + +"Oh, to-morrow, I guess," answered Captain Ross. "I'll land you up +there, and then I'll cruise back. And I'll come after you, to bring you +home, whenever you want me," he added to Mr. Brown. + +"We're going to stay all summer," said Bunny. "Wouldn't it be funny if +we could find that big dog and your pocketbook at the Cove, Mother?" he +asked. + +"Oh, that could never happen!" declared Sue. + +So the lost Bunny was found, and then it was nearly time to get supper. +The wind had all died out now, and it was so calm in the cove that +Captain Ross decided to start the boat without further delay. + +"We can tie up wherever you want to over night, or we can anchor out in +the bay, or keep on going," he said to his passengers. + +"I think we'd better keep on going," said Mrs. Brown. "I shall worry +less about Bunny and Sue when they are lost if it happens on dry land. +I'll know then that they haven't fallen overboard." + +"We could fall in off shore, just the same as off a boat," suggested +Bunny. + +"Not quite so easily. And you must be careful when you get to the +bungalow in Christmas Tree Cove," said Daddy Brown. "The bungalow is +right on the shore, but the water is shallow for a long distance out," +he went on. + +"Oh, I'm not going to fall in!" declared Bunny. + +"Then we'll start and travel all night," said Captain Ross. "Speaking of +falling into the water," he said, with a jolly laugh, "can you tell me +the answer to this riddle, Bunny or Sue? Why should you tie a cake of +soap around your neck when you go in swimming?" + +"I never tied a cake of soap around my neck," said the little girl. + +"I like to play the cake of soap is a boat in the bathtub," remarked +Bunny. "It's lots of fun." + +"But this is a riddle," went on the seaman. "Why should you tie a cake +of soap around your neck if you go in swimming in deep water?" + +"It can't be for you to eat if you get hungry," said Bunny, "can it, +Captain Ross?" + +"Of course not!" cried his sister. "How could you eat a cake of _soap_?" + +"You could if it was a chocolate cake," returned the little boy. "But +that isn't the answer to the riddle. Please tell us, Captain," he +begged, as Bunker Blue began to pull up the anchor. + +"When you go swimming in deep water and get carried too far out, if you +have a cake of soap tied around your neck it might wash you ashore! Ha! +Ha! Ha!" laughed the jolly old sailor. "Do you see, Bunny--Sue? If you +had a cake of soap on your neck it could _wash you ashore_. Soap washes, +you know." + +"That's a pretty good riddle," said Uncle Tad, while the two children +laughed. "I must remember that to tell my old friend Joe Jamison when I +get back to Bellemere. A cake of soap washes you ashore! Ha! Ha!" + +"Oh, I know a lot of better ones than that," said Captain Ross. "Only I +can't think of 'em just now. Well, all clear, Bunker?" he called. + +"Yes, sir," was the answer. + +"Then start the motor." + +And soon the _Fairy_ was under way again. + +Supper was served as the boat slipped through the blue water of the big +bay. It was a calm, quiet, peaceful night, quite different from the one +of the storm, and Bunny and Sue did not have to be strapped in their +bunks. They slept well, and when they came on deck in the morning they +looked over toward shore. + +"Oh, what a lot of Santa Claus trees!" cried Sue. "Look, Bunny!" + +"That's Christmas Tree Cove up there," said Captain Ross, pointing to +the evergreens where they were thickest. "We'll soon be there." + +"And, oh, what fun we'll have!" cried Bunny. "I'm going to dig clams and +catch crabs, and we'll have a clambake on shore, Sue." + +"And my dolls can come to it, can't they?" asked the little girl. "I +brought some of my dolls with me, but they're packed up," she added. + +"Oh, yes, your dolls can come to the clambake," agreed Bunny. "Will +there be any other boys up at Christmas Tree Cove to play with?" he +asked his father. + +"Or girls?" Sue wanted to know. + +"Yes. It is quite a summer resort," was the answer. "I fancy you will +have plenty of playmates." + +"I had better be getting things ready to go ashore, I suppose," said +Mrs. Brown. + +"Yes," answered her husband. "I'll help you." + +They were just going down into the cabin, and Bunny and Sue were on +deck, looking at the distant green trees, when there was a sudden +shock, a bump, and the boat keeled far over to one side. It seemed as if +the _Fairy_ had struck something in the water. + +"Oh, we're going to sink!" cried Sue. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A CRASH + + +Bunker Blue, who was at the steering wheel of the _Fairy_, heard the +dull noise, felt the shock, and saw the boat tip over to one side. +Instantly he pulled the wire which shut off the motor, and then he +turned the steering wheel over, trying to make the boat come upright +again. + +This the craft did, though Sue kept on calling: + +"We're going to sink!" + +Soon the boat was resting quietly in the water, on a "level keel," as a +sailor would say, and floating slowly along. + +"Now we're all right, Sue!" said Bunny. "Stop your yelling! We're not +going to sink!" + +"How do you know?" she asked. "We bumped into something, and maybe +there's a hole, and the water's coming in, and----" + +Just then Mr. and Mrs. Brown came running up on deck, followed by Uncle +Tad and Captain Ross. The old seaman, with an anxious look around, +called to Bunker Blue. + +"What happened? Did some one run into us?" + +"Felt more as if we ran into something," Bunker answered. "But I didn't +see so much as a canoe." + +"We struck something under water, of that I'm sure," said Captain Ross. +"We'd better take a look. We're near shore, anyhow, and it won't take +long to row over if we have to," he added. "But we surely did hit +something." + +"Maybe it was a whale," suggested Sue. + +"Whales don't come up in the bay. They're too big and fat," declared +Bunny. + +"Well, maybe then it was a shark," the little girl went on. "They're not +so fat." + +Captain Ross and Mr. Brown hurried below deck again, but presently came +up, and the seaman said: + +"We can't find anything wrong below--no leak or anything. We may have +hit a big, submerged log or piece of a wreck. Start the motor again, +Bunker, and we'll see if that's all right." + +The gasolene engine was not damaged, but something else was wrong. As +soon as the machinery started there was a trembling and throbbing +throughout the whole boat, but she did not move ahead. + +"I see what the matter is!" said Captain Ross. "The propeller is broken. +It hit something." + +"Oh, can't we go to Christmas Tree Cove?" asked Sue. + +"We'll get there somehow," answered Captain Ross. "But the propeller is +surely broken." + +And so it proved. The propeller, you know, is something like an electric +fan. It whirls around underwater and pushes the boat ahead. The +propeller on the _Fairy_ had struck a floating log and had been broken, +as they found out later. + +"If we can't go by means of the engine we can sail," remarked Captain +Ross, when it was found that the boat would not move an inch, no matter +how fast the motor whirled around. "Hoist the sail, Bunker. We'll get +Bunny Brown and his sister Sue to Christmas Tree Cove yet! Hoist the +sail!" + +"Oh, it's lots of fun to sail!" cried Bunny. + +"I like it better than motoring!" added Sue, who was no longer yelling. + +Soon the white sail was hoisted, and, as the wind blew, the _Fairy_ +slipped easily along through the water. There was no "jiggle" now, as +Bunny called it, for the motor was not running like a sewing machine +down in the hold of the boat. + +Nearer and nearer the boat approached the shore. The clumps of green +trees became more plain. Soon little houses and bungalows could be seen. +Then the children saw a long dock extending out into the water. + +"That's where we tie up," said Captain Ross. "I think the wind will hold +until we get there." + +"It's too bad you had such bad luck bringing us here," said Mrs. Brown. +"I'm sorry, Captain, that your boat is broken." + +"Oh, a smashed propeller isn't anything," he answered, with a laugh. "I +was going to get a new one, anyhow. I'll just land you folks and then +I'll sail back to Bellemere and have my boat fixed." + +"And then you can come back and get us," said Sue; "but not for a long, +long time, 'cause Bunny and I are going to stay at Christmas Tree Cove +and have fun." + +"That's what we are!" said Bunny Brown. + +Slowly the boat swept up to the dock. Then the sail was lowered, and she +was tied fast. Next began the work of unloading the things the Browns +had brought with them to keep house all summer in the little bungalow, +which was not far from the dock. + +Mr. Brown, Uncle Tad, Captain Ross and Bunker Blue unloaded the things, +and Mr. Brown hired a man to cart them to the bungalow. Bunny and Sue +said good-bye to Captain Ross, who, with the help of a man whom he could +hire at Christmas Tree Cove, would sail his boat back later that day. +Then the children, with their mother, walked up a little hill to the +little house where they hoped to spend many happy days. + +"Oh, isn't it pretty!" exclaimed Sue, as she strolled up the path, +bordered with clam shells. "It's awful nice here." + +"I hope you will like it," said Mrs. Madden, the woman who had been +engaged by Mr. Brown to open the bungalow and sweep it out in readiness +for the family. "I live near here, and we like it very much," she added, +as she held the door open for Mrs. Brown and the children. + +"Can you catch any fish?" asked Bunny, looking down toward the water and +the dock where his father and the others were lifting things out from +the boat. + +"Oh, yes, there's fine fishing and clamming and crabbing," said Mrs. +Madden. "My boy and girl will show you the best places." + +"That will be nice," said Mrs. Brown. "Now we'll have a look at the +place." Neither Mother Brown nor the children had yet seen the bungalow +which Mr. Brown had engaged for them. + +They went inside, and while Mrs. Madden was showing Mrs. Brown about the +house Bunny and Sue ran off by themselves to see what they could find. + +Mrs. Madden was just pointing out to Mrs. Brown what a pleasant place +the dining-room was, giving a view of the bay, when suddenly a great +crash sounded throughout the house. It was followed by silence, and then +Sue's voice rang out, saying: + +"Oh, Mother! Come quick! Bunny's in! Bunny's in!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +IN THE DARK + + +Mrs. Brown, who had been looking at the beautiful view of Christmas Tree +Cove from the window of the bungalow dining-room, turned to Mrs. Madden +when Sue's cry rang out. + +"Something has happened to those children!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. "Where +are they calling from? I must go to them." + +"That cry sounded as if it came from the pantry," answered the other +woman. "It's just through that door," and she pointed. + +As Mother Brown started for the place Sue called again: + +"Please come quick! Bunny's in and he can't get out!" + +"What can't he get out of?" asked Mrs. Brown. + +Mother Brown pushed open the door leading into the pantry, and there +she saw a strange sight. Sue was standing beside Bunny and trying to +pull him out of a barrel in which he was doubled up in a funny way, +almost as a clown in a circus sometimes doubles himself up to slide +through a keg. Only Bunny was not sliding through. He was doubled up and +stuck in the barrel. + +"He's in," explained Sue, "and I can't get him out." + +"And I can't get out either!" added Bunny. "I'm stuck!" + +"Are you hurt?" asked his mother. + +"No, not 'zactly," he replied. "'Cept it sort of pinches me." + +Mrs. Brown did not stop to ask how it had happened. She took hold of +Bunny on one side, and Mrs. Madden took hold of him on the other. Then, +while Sue helped them hold down on the barrel, they pulled up on the +little fellow and soon had him out. Luckily the edge of the barrel was +smooth and without any nails, so that Bunny was not scratched nor were +his clothes torn. + +"Now tell me about it," said his mother, as she set him on the floor +and led him and Sue out of the small pantry. + +"Well, I--I was climbing up on the barrel to see if there was anything +to eat on the shelves," explained Bunny Brown. "And some boards were on +the barrel. I stepped on them, but they slipped; and then----" + +"And then Bunny slipped!" broke in Sue. "I saw him slip, but I couldn't +stop him." + +"And then I went right on down into the barrel," resumed Bunny. "And I +was stuck there, and Sue hollored like anything, and--well, I didn't +find a single thing to eat," he ended. + +"No, I didn't order any food for you, as I didn't know just what you'd +want," explained Mrs. Madden. "If you're hungry," she said to the +children, "you can come over to my cottage--it isn't far--and I can give +you some bread and milk." + +"Oh, I am hungry!" said Bunny. + +"So'm I," added Sue. + +"I couldn't think of troubling you," put in Mrs. Brown. "We have some +things on the boat, and----" + +"I've just baked some cookies," went on Mrs. Madden, who lived at +Christmas Tree Cove all the year around. "I'm sure the children would +like them. My boy and girl, who are about the same age as yours, like my +cookies very much;" and she smiled at Bunny and Sue. + +"Oh, Mother," began Bunny, "couldn't we----" + +"Let me take them over and give them a little lunch while you are +getting things to rights," urged the kind woman to Mrs. Brown. "It will +be no trouble at all, and Rose and Jimmie will be glad to see them." + +"Are they your children?" asked Bunny. + +"Yes, dear. And they'll be glad if you'll play with them." + +"Very well, they may go. And thank you very much for the invitation," +said Mrs. Brown. "It will be better to have them out of the way when the +men are bringing in the trunks and things. But I hope they will give you +no trouble. Don't fall into any more barrels, Bunny!" + +"I won't," promised the little boy. "I wouldn't 'a' fallen in this one +if the boards hadn't slipped." + +"It's the flour barrel," explained Mrs. Madden. "The family that was +here last year used to have a regular cover for the barrel, but one of +the boys took the cover to make a boat of, and after that they put some +loose boards back on." + +"I'll have Mr. Brown make a new cover for the barrel," said Mrs. Brown. +"But that doesn't mean, Bunny, that you may climb on it again," she +added. + +"Oh, I won't," he agreed. "I was just climbing up to see if there was +anything to eat on the pantry shelves. But I won't have to do that if +you're going to give us some cookies," he added, looking at Mrs. Madden. + +"Yes, I'm going to give you some cookies," she laughed. "Come along. +I'll bring them back safely," she added. + +So, while Mr. Brown, Captain Ross, Bunker Blue and Uncle Tad carried the +things up to the bungalow from the boat and dock, Bunny and Sue followed +Mrs. Madden to her cottage not far from the bungalow. Mr. Madden was a +clammer and fisherman, and his wife did some work for the summer +colonists. + +Bunny and Sue saw a little boy and girl of about their own ages looking +at them as they neared the cottage. + +"Here are some new playmates for you, Jimmie and Rose," said their +mother. "They are hungry, too." + +"And my brother Bunny fell in a barrel when he was looking for something +to eat on the pantry shelves," explained Sue. + +"Did it hurt you?" Jimmie Madden wanted to know. + +"No; it was fun," laughed Bunny Brown, and then he told of that +adventure. + +Mrs. Madden brought out some glasses of milk, slices of bread and jam, +and also a plateful of cookies, at the sight of which the eyes of Bunny +and Sue opened wide with delight. Then followed a pleasant little play +party on the shady porch of the cottage. + +Rose and Jimmie told of the fun to be had at Christmas Tree Cove--how +there were shallow wading places, deeper pools for bathing, and little +nooks where one could fish. + +"Can you go out in a boat?" asked Jimmie of Bunny. + +"Yes, if somebody bigger goes with us," Bunny answered. "We can get my +Uncle Tad to take us out." + +"Sometimes Rose and I go out with my father when he's fishing or digging +clams," said the Christmas Tree Cove lad. "I can dig clams at low tide." + +"I've done that, too," said Bunny. "We live on Sandport Bay." + +The four children talked and played until it was time for Bunny and Sue +to run back to the bungalow. They found that all the things had been +brought up from the boat and that Captain Ross had sailed away again. +The bungalow was furnished, and Mrs. Brown had only to bring such things +as knives and forks for the table, linen for the beds, and the clothes +they were to wear. + +A grocer and a butcher had called while Bunny and Sue were at the Madden +cottage, and now supper was being prepared by Bunker Blue and Uncle Tad, +each of them being almost as good a cook as was Mrs. Brown. + +Mrs. Brown and her husband were busy making up the beds for the night, +and as Bunny and Sue came racing in, almost as hungry as though they had +not been given a lunch by Mrs. Madden, their mother called to them: + +"Get washed for supper now, children." + +A little later they were sitting down to their first meal in the +bungalow at Christmas Tree Cove. + +"Do you think you are going to like it here?" asked Daddy Brown. + +"It's dandy!" exclaimed Bunny, being careful not to talk with his mouth +too full of bread and butter. "And Jimmie is a nice boy." + +"I like Rose, too," said Sue. + +After supper the children ran over to the cottage to play again, and +before bedtime they walked along the sandy beach with their father and +mother. But pretty soon it was noticed that Bunny and Sue were not +saying much, and their walk was becoming slow. + +"Time for little sailors to turn in!" said Mother Brown, and soon Bunny +and Sue were slumbering in little white beds in the bungalow. + +The rest of the family, except Bunker Blue, sat up rather late, talking +over the events of the past few days. They had enjoyed the trip to +Christmas Tree Cove, all except the storm. + +"I know we'll have a lovely summer," said Mrs. Brown, as she and her +husband went to bed. + +When they were passing Bunny's room a dog barked in the distance. The +little fellow seemed to hear it, for he sat up in bed and cried: + +"There! There he is! There's the dog that has your ring, Mother! I'm +going to get it!" + +"He's talking in his sleep again," whispered Mr. Brown. + +"Yes," agreed his wife in a low voice. "The loss of the pocketbook seems +to get on his mind. Go to sleep, Bunny," she murmured to him, going into +his room, and pressing his head down on the pillow. Then he turned over +and went off to Slumberland again. + +The next day and the many that followed were full of joy for Bunny Brown +and his sister Sue. They played with Rose and Jimmie, they waded in the +water, they sailed little boats, and they made houses in the sand. +Often, as they sat on the beach, Bunny would look back toward the thick +green clumps of evergreen trees which gave the place its name. + +"Couldn't we go and take a walk in them?" he asked Jimmie one day. + +"Yes," was the answer. "Only you want to be careful." + +"Why?" asked Bunny. + +"'Cause the woods are awful thick. You can't see your way very well, and +once Rose and I got lost." + +"Oh, we wouldn't go in very far," said Bunny. "Some day I'm going into +those woods." + +Two or three days after that, when he and Sue had played in the sand +until they were tired, Bunny said: + +"Let's go to the woods!" + +"All right!" agreed Sue. "Shall we get Jimmie and Rose?" + +"No, let's go by ourselves," said her brother. "I want to see if we can +find our way all by ourselves." + +And so, not telling their father or mother or Uncle Tad or Bunker Blue +anything about it, off the two children started. + +It was pleasant, shady and cool in the evergreen woods of Christmas Tree +Cove. On the ground were brown pine needles and the shorter ones from +the spruces and the hemlocks. Here and there the sun shone down through +the thick branches, but not too much. It was like being in a green +bower. + +On and on wandered Bunny and Sue, thinking what a nice place it was. +They found pine cones and odd stones, with, here and there, a bright +flower. + +All of a sudden Sue looked around. + +"Bunny, it's getting dark," she said. "I can't see the sun any more. I +guess it's night, and we'd better go back home." + +"I don't believe it's night," said the little boy. "I guess the trees +are so thick we can't see the sun. But we can go home. I'm getting +hungry, anyhow. Come on." + +They turned about to go back, and walked on for some time. Sue took hold +of Bunny's hand. + +"It's getting terrible dark," she said. "Where's home, Bunny?" + +The little boy looked around. + +"I--I guess it isn't far," he said. "But it is dark, Sue. I wish I had a +flashlight. Next time I'm going to bring one. But we'll soon be home." + +However, they were not. It rapidly grew darker, and at last Bunny Brown +knew what had happened. + +"We're lost, and it's going to be a dark night," he said, holding more +tightly to Sue's hand. "We're lost in the Christmas trees!" he added, +and his sister gave a little cry and held tightly to him. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +BUNNY'S TOE + + +For some little time Bunny Brown and his sister Sue stood among the +Christmas trees, as they called the evergreens that lined the shore of +the cove. The night seemed to get darker and darker. It was really only +dusk, and it was much lighter out on the open beach than it was under +the trees. But the trouble was that Bunny and Sue were in among the +evergreens and they thought it later than it really was. + +"Oh, Bunny, what are we going to do?" asked his sister after a while, +during which she had held tightly to his hand and looked about. + +Bunny was looking around also, trying to think what was the best thing +to do. He was older than his sister, and he felt that he must take care +of her and not frighten her. + +"I--I guess we'd better walk along, Sue," said Bunny at last. + +"But maybe then we'll get lost more," Sue suggested. + +"We can't be lost any more than we are," declared Bunny. "We can't see +our bungalow and we don't know where it is and--and, well, we'd better +walk on." + +Bunny looked at his sister. He saw her lips beginning to tremble, dark +as it was under the trees. And when Sue's lips quivered in that way +Bunny knew what it meant. + +"Sue, are you going to cry?" he asked, coming to a stop after they had +walked on a little way. "Are you going to cry--real?" + +"I--I was, Bunny," she answered. "Don't you want me to?" + +"No, I don't!" he said, very decidedly. "It's of no use to cry, 'cause +you can't find your house that way, and it makes your nose hurt. Don't +cry, Sue." + +"All right, I won't," bravely agreed the little girl. "I won't cry real, +I'll just cry make-believe." + +And then and there some tears rolled out of her eyes, down her cheeks, +and dropped on the ground. Sue also "sniffled" a little, and she seemed +to be holding back gasping, choking sounds in her throat. + +Bunny looked at her in some surprise. He saw the salty tears on her +cheeks. + +"That's awful like real crying, Sue," he said. + +"Well, it isn't. It's only _make-believe_, like--like the crying we saw +the lady do in the mov-movin' pictures!" exclaimed Sue, choking back +what was really a real sob. "I'm only making believe," she went on. "But +if we don't stop being lost pretty soon, Bunny, maybe I'll have to cry +real." + +"Well," answered the little boy, with a sigh, as he took a firmer hold +of Sue's hand, "maybe you will." + +[Illustration: BUNNY AND SUE GET LOST IN THE WOODS. + +_Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove._ _Page 154_] + +Then the children walked on together, making their way through the dark +Christmas woods. They really did not know where they were going. It was +some time since Bunny had glimpsed a sight of the bungalow. + +All at once, as they walked along, they heard the distant bark of a dog. +At once Sue stood still and pulled her brother to a stop also. + +"Bunny! did you hear that?" she asked. + +"Yes," he replied, "I did. It's nothing but a dog, and he's a good way +off, 'cause his bark was real little." + +"But, Bunny! maybe it's the dog that took mother's pocketbook and ring," +Sue went on. "If it is we ought to chase him!" She was forgetting her +fear of being lost now in the excitement over hearing the dog bark and +in thinking he might be the one that had caused the loss of the diamond +ring. + +"Listen!" whispered Bunny. + +He and Sue stood in the fast-darkening woods and to their ears the bark +of the dog sounded fainter now. + +"He's going away," announced Bunny. "Anyhow, I don't s'pose he was the +same dog. That dog never could get away up here. It must be some other +one." + +"Well, maybe it is," agreed Sue. "Oh, Bunny, when are we going to get +home?" she asked, and this time it sounded very much as though she were +going to cry in earnest. + +"I guess we'll be home pretty soon now," said Bunny hopefully. "Let's +walk over this way;" and he pointed to a new path that crossed the one +they had been walking along for some time. + +Sue was very willing to leave it to Bunny, and she walked along beside +her brother, never once letting go his hand. All at once the children +heard a rustling in the leaves of the bushes that grew amid the trees. +They could hear little sticks being broken, as though some one were +stepping on them. + +"Oh, Bunny!" exclaimed Sue, shrinking close to her brother, "maybe it is +the dog coming after us!" + +"It couldn't be," said Bunny quickly. "If it was the dog he'd bark, +wouldn't he?" + +"I guess he would," Sue answered. "But we--we'd, better look out, +Bunny." + +"I'll get a stick," offered the little boy, "and if it's a bad dog +I'll----" + +He was interrupted by a cry from Sue--a joyful cry. + +"Oh, Bunny," shouted the little girl, "it isn't a dog at all! It's +Bunker Blue! Here he is! Did you come for us, Bunker?" she asked, as +Mr. Brown's boat boy came brushing his way through the shrubbery. + +"Yes, I've been looking for you," answered Bunker. "Your mother was +getting worried, but Rose and Jimmie Madden said they'd seen you come up +into these woods, and I thought I'd find you here." + +"Oh, I'm so glad you did, Bunker!" cried Sue, catching hold of one of +his hands. "We were lost--Bunny and I were--and we heard a dog bark; and +maybe he was the one that took my mother's pocketbook. Did you hear him, +Bunker?" + +"Yes, I heard him, Sue," he said, with a smile at the children who were +no longer lost. "But it isn't the same dog, I'm pretty sure. That +pocketbook and ring are gone forever, I guess. Now come on home." + +"Do you know the way?" asked Sue, as Bunny took hold of Bunker's other +hand. + +"Oh, yes. And it isn't far to the bungalow," answered the fish boy. "You +couldn't see it on account of the thick trees." + +And, surely enough, in a little while he led them out on the path to +the beach and they were soon at the bungalow again. + +"You must not go off into these woods alone again," said Mrs. Brown. +"They are thicker and darker than the woods at home, Bunny, and it is +easier for you to get lost in them. Don't go to them alone again." + +"No'm, I won't," promised the little fellow. "But wouldn't it have been +fine, Mother, if we could have found the dog that took your diamond +ring?" + +"Yes, Bunny, it would be lovely," said Mrs. Brown. "But I'm afraid that +will never happen." + +There were so many things to do to have fun at Christmas Tree Cove that +Bunny Brown and his sister Sue hardly knew what to play at first. Each +day brought new joys. They could build houses on the sand, paddle or +bathe in the cool, shallow water, sail tiny boats which Uncle Tad made +for them, or take walks with their mother. + +Daddy Brown stayed for several days at the cove, and then he had to go +back to Bellemere to his dock and boat business. But he said he would +come to the cove again as soon as he could. + +Uncle Tad and Bunker stayed at the bungalow to help Mrs. Brown, and +Bunker often took Bunny and Sue out in a rowboat on the quiet waters of +the cove. + +One day Mrs. Brown took some sewing, packed a small basket of lunch, and +said to the children: + +"Now, Bunny and Sue, we will have a little picnic all by ourselves. +Bunker and Uncle Tad are going fishing, so we will go down to the beach +and stay all the afternoon. We will eat our lunch there, and while I sit +and sew you children can play around." + +Bunny and Sue thought this would be fun, and soon they started off. It +was a beautiful day, sunny but not too hot, and soon Mrs. Brown was busy +with her needle while Sue and her brother played on the sand. + +Mother Brown was trying to thread a very fine needle, which seemed to +have closed its eye and gone to sleep, when suddenly Sue came running up +to her so fast that she almost overturned the sun umbrella which Mrs. +Brown had raised to make a shade. + +"Oh, Mother! Mother!" gasped Sue, so out of breath that she could hardly +speak. "Oh, Mother! Come quick!" + +"What's the matter?" asked Mrs. Brown, getting quickly to her feet. + +"Oh, it's Bunny's toe! It's Bunny's toe!" was all Sue said, and, +catching hold of her mother's hand, she pulled her down toward the +water. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +OVERBOARD + + +Mrs. Brown was used to seeing things happen to Bunny and Sue. They were +lively children, getting into mischief fully as often as other tots of +their same age did, and it was not unusual to have one of them hurt +slightly. + +So when Sue ran up to her mother and began to cry out about Bunny's toe, +Mrs. Brown looked down the beach where she had left the two children +playing. There she saw Bunny dancing around on one foot in a shallow +pool of water, left there when the tide went out. And as he danced on +one foot Bunny held the other up in the air, and he was crying something +which his mother could not hear. + +"Sue," asked Mrs. Brown, as she hurried down the slope leading to the +beach proper, "did Bunny step on a broken bottle and cut his toe?" + +"No, Mother, it isn't that," answered the little girl. "I don't know +just what it is. I was making a little house on the sand, and Bunny was +wading in the water. All of a sudden he yelled, and told me to go and +get you 'cause there was something the matter with his toe." + +"He probably cut himself," said Mrs. Brown, and she began to search in +her pocket for an extra handkerchief. It would not be the first time +Bunny or Sue had suffered a cut foot because of stepping on a sharp +shell or a piece of glass while in wading. + +But when Mrs. Brown and Sue reached the edge of the little pool in which +Bunny was hopping about on one foot, holding himself up by leaning on a +piece of driftwood he had picked up and was using as a crutch, his +mother saw what the matter was. + +"Take it off my toe! Take it off my toe!" cried Bunny. + +"It's a big, pinching crab," said Mrs. Brown. "Oh, Bunny, I'm so sorry! +Come out of the water and I'll make it let go of you. Come out!" + +By this time Sue, also, had seen the cause of the trouble. A big crab +had been caught when the tide went down, and was in the pool of water, +which, surrounded by sand, was like a little lake. Bunny must have +stepped on the creature when wading. It had nipped the big toe of his +left foot, and was holding on, though Bunny had raised his foot out of +the water as far as he could. + +"Come here, Bunny. I'll get him off for you," his mother called. + +"I can't come! How am I going to walk on one foot?" and Bunny howled, +for the crab was pinching hard. + +"Can't you skip, as we do when we play hopscotch?" asked Sue. + +"Maybe," her brother answered. + +He was about to try it, and his mother was just going to tell him that a +better way would be to dip his foot back in the water when the crab +might swim away, when the pinching creature decided to let go anyhow. It +loosened its claws and dropped with a splash into the puddle of water. + +"Oh, he's gone! He let go my toe!" cried Bunny, and then he ran up the +sandy shore as fast as he could go. + +"Let me see where he pinched you," said Mrs. Brown, when Bunny had +reached her side. "Is it bleeding?" + +"Yes, I guess it is! And maybe he pinched my whole toe off," said Bunny, +almost ready to cry. + +He held up his bare foot, and his mother looked at the toe. It was quite +red, but the skin was not broken and there was no blood. + +"Is it--is it off?" asked Bunny, his voice trembling. + +"No, you silly boy, it isn't even bleeding," laughed his mother. + +"Well, it--it felt as if it was off," said Bunny. "I don't like crabs." + +"No, they aren't very pleasant when they nip you," agreed his mother. +"But this one took such a big pinch and his claw was so much over your +toe nail that he really did very little damage. You'd better not wade in +that pool any more." + +"I won't," decided Bunny. + +He sat down and softly rubbed his toe where the crab had pinched him. +As Mrs. Brown had said, there was no blood, though it does not take much +of a nip from even a small crab to break the skin and cause a bleeding. +And sometimes the pinch of a crab, where it does draw blood, becomes +very sore. + +However, Bunny was well out of this adventure, and when he had got over +his fright his mother took him and Sue up under the shady umbrella and +gave them some lunch. + +"But I don't want any more crabs to bite me," said Bunny. + +The remainder of the day was spent in happy fashion, though Bunny waded +in no more pools. + +"I'm glad the crab didn't pinch me," said Sue, as she wiggled her toes +in the soft sand. "'Cause my foot's littler than Bunny's," she went on, +holding it near his, "and maybe that crab would have taken hold of two +of my toes, and bitten them all off." + +"Oh, I think that wouldn't have happened," said Mrs. Brown. "A crab +doesn't really want to nip children just for fun. They'll get away from +you if they can; but if they think you are going to hurt them they'll +open their claws and pinch. Bunny must have stepped on the one that took +hold of his toe." + +"Maybe I did," said Bunny. "I stepped on something, and I thought it was +a clam shell, but it wiggled out from under my foot and then my toe was +grabbed." + +When Bunny and Sue went back to the bungalow that night they saw Bunker +Blue busy at work on a small boat at the dock, which was at the end of +the walk leading down from "Bark Lodge," as their place was named, for +it was made of logs with the bark on. + +"What are you doing, Bunker?" Sue called to him. + +"I got bit by a crab!" announced Bunny, not giving the fish boy time to +answer. "He held on to my toe and I lifted him right out of the water, +same as we catch crabs on a string and fishhead." + +"Is that so?" asked Bunker, and he went on hammering away at the boat. +It was another craft than the one Mr. Brown had hired for the use of his +family. + +"What are you making?" Bunny wanted to know, satisfied, now that he had +told the story of the crab. + +"Oh, I'm making a little sailboat," answered Bunker. "A man on the other +side of the cove, where your Uncle Tad and I were fishing to-day, sold +me this boat cheap, and I'm going to rig up a sail for it. I don't want +to row around all summer, so I'm going to sail." + +"Oh, can we go with you?" asked Sue. + +"I can help you sail, can't I, Bunker?" questioned Bunny. + +"Yes, if your mother lets you," was the answer. + +After supper Uncle Tad helped Bunker put the sail on the boat. It was +not a very large boat nor did it have a very large sail, but the fish +boy said it would do for cruising about the cove. + +"May we sail with him, Mother?" asked Bunny the next day, when Bunker +announced that the boat was ready for a trial. + +"Is it safe?" asked Mrs. Brown of the tall lad. + +"I think so," he answered. "I'll give it a tryout by myself first, +though." + +Bunny and Sue watched Bunker Blue sailing to and fro in Christmas Tree +Cove, and finally he headed back for the dock. + +"I'll take Bunny and Sue out now if you'll let them come with me," said +Bunker to Mrs. Brown, who, with the children, was watching the trial of +the new sailboat. + +"Very well. But be careful and don't go too far!" cautioned the +children's mother. + +Delighted by the prospect of a ride before the wind around the cove, +Bunny and Sue got into the boat. There was just about room enough for +three. Bunker had rigged up a rudder on the boat and there was a small +centerboard in the middle to keep the craft from tipping over in a hard +blow. + +"All aboard!" cried Bunny, pretending to help Sue to her place. + +"All aboard!" answered Bunker, as he pulled over the tiller and let the +boat swing out from the dock. Then for some time the children sailed +about the cove, while Mrs. Brown watched them from the bank. Mr. Brown +was to come up to the cove that night on the evening train, to stay for +several days. + +As Mrs. Brown was watching, she saw something dark slide suddenly over +the side of the sailboat, and at the same time she heard Sue's screams +and saw Bunker let go the sail and make a grab for an object in the +water. + +"Bunny has fallen overboard!" cried his mother, springing to her feet +and running down to the dock. "Uncle Tad, come quickly! Bunny has fallen +overboard!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE NEW BOY + + +Uncle Tad, who was mending a broken fishing rod just outside the +bungalow, heard Mrs. Brown's cry and saw her running down to the dock. +He also looked across the cove and saw the sailboat in which he knew +Bunny and Sue had gone for a ride with Bunker Blue. And then Uncle Tad +guessed what had happened. + +"Man overboard!" he cried, though of course Bunny was only a little boy. +But that is what is always said when anybody--man, woman, or +child--falls into the water. + +"Man overboard!" + +Uncle Tad raced down to the dock and saw Mrs. Brown trying to loosen the +rope that held to the pier the boat Mr. Brown had hired for the summer. + +"Let me do it," said Uncle Tad, who knew considerable about boats from +having lived so long with the Browns. + +Just then a voice behind Mrs. Brown cried: + +"He's got him out! Bunker Blue has got him out!" And there, on the pier, +stood Jimmie Madden with his sister Rose. He pointed across to the now +motionless sailboat. + +Uncle Tad and Mrs. Brown had not looked at it for the last few seconds, +as they were busy trying to get ready the other boat to go to the +rescue. But, looking now, they saw Bunker Blue lift Bunny Brown from the +water. And a moment later Bunker's voice rang out as he called: + +"You don't need to come! Bunny is all right! I'll soon bring him to +shore!" + +"Oh, I'm so glad!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown, and she dropped the rope she +had been trying to loosen, while Uncle Tad, who had knelt down on the +pier to do the same thing, stood up. + +As Jimmie had said and Uncle Tad and Mother Brown had seen, Bunker had +pulled Bunny from the water, and a little later the sail was filled with +wind and was bringing the boat to the dock. Bunny and Sue could be seen +sitting safely in it, and Bunny did not appear much the worse from +having fallen overboard, though, of course, he was soaking wet. + +"I saw him fall in," explained Jimmie Madden. "Then I ran over here." + +"And I ran over, too," said his sister Rose. + +"I could 'a' jumped in and got him out if he'd been near shore. I can +swim," went on Jimmie, who was a regular seashore boy and quite at home +in the water. + +"I can swim, too," went on Rose. + +"I'm glad neither of you had to jump in after Bunny," said Mrs. Brown, +as the boat neared the dock. "I wonder how Bunny happened to fall +overboard." + +This was explained when the wet, dripping little chap was helped out of +the boat to which Bunker had fitted a sail. + +"He saw something floating in the water," said Bunker, "and he reached +for it, though I told him not to, as I was going about. But he did, and +he lost his balance, and in he went." + +"But Bunker got him right out again!" Sue made haste to say. + +"It wasn't Bunker's fault," added Bunny. "He told me not to lean over." + +"Then you should have minded," said his mother. "It was very wrong of +you, Bunny, to do that. I told you to mind Bunker when you went out with +him. Now, as a punishment, you may not go sailing again this week." + +And though Bunny cried and said he would never disobey again, he was +punished just as his mother said he must be. Sue was allowed to go for a +sail, while Bunny had to stay on shore. + +"You must be made to understand that you have done wrong," his mother +said. + +There was really very little danger, for the water in the cove was not +deep, and Bunker was such a good swimmer that he, very likely, could +have managed to get out both Bunny Brown and his sister Sue if they had +fallen in together. + +After his days of punishment, however, Bunny was allowed to go sailing +again, and Bunker even let him steer a little, which made Bunny very +happy. + +"Some day I am going to learn all about steering," declared Bunny to +Sue, "and then I'll be able to take out a boat all alone." + +"You be careful, Bunny Brown, or maybe the boat will sail off with you," +warned Sue, earnestly. "And it might sail 'way off to--to Boston, or--or +China--or--or Mexico." + +"It couldn't sail that far. I wouldn't let it." + +"It might run away with you." + +"Boats can't run--they sail. You ought to know that." + +"It could sail away ever so far, if it wanted to, Bunny Brown. An' if it +sailed 'way off to--to China, how ever would you get back?" + +"I'd sail back." + +"How could you if you didn't know the way?" + +"I'd ask some--some Chinaman. I know how to talk to 'em. I can talk to +that Chinaman who has the laundry near the school." + +"Huh! He ain't a real Chinaman--he's an American Chinaman. I mean a real +Chinaman Chinaman--that can't talk like we do." + +"I'd find a way--just you wait and see," said Bunny confidently. + +The summer days passed pleasantly at Christmas Tree Cove. Mr. Brown +found it possible to come up more often than he had expected, and he and +his wife, with the children, Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue, went on +excursions on land and water. + +Often when her husband would arrive at the bungalow, coming up from his +dock office at Bellemere, Mrs. Brown would ask: + +"Did you hear anything about the strange dog or my lost pocketbook and +ring?" + +And her husband would shake his head and answer: + +"There is no news. I saw Mr. Foswick, the carpenter. He said he keeps +looking around his shop, thinking he may find the things the dog +dropped, but they have not been discovered yet." + +Then Mrs. Brown would be sad for a little while as she thought of her +lovely diamond engagement ring, but she did not let Bunny or Sue see +that she was unhappy. + +One afternoon it was very hot at Christmas Tree Cove. The sun's rays +beat down and there was scarcely any breeze. + +"Come on, kiddies!" called Mother Brown to Bunny and Sue. "We will put +on our bathing suits and go down to the water. If there is any cool +place this hot day it is there." + +Of course Bunny and Sue were delighted with this. They never tired of +bathing, and soon they were splashing about in the cove. They were not +the only ones, for many of the neighboring cottagers and bungalow +residents took advantage of the water to cool off. + +"Be careful and don't go out too far!" called Mrs. Brown to Bunny and +Sue, as she went up on the beach to talk to some friends, leaving the +children in the water. "The tide is coming in." + +"We'll be careful!" promised Bunny. "Here, Sue, give me your hand and +we'll wade out to the float." + +The float was made of some planks fastened to empty barrels, and it was +a fine place to play. As Sue and Bunny were wading out they noticed a +boy whom they had not seen before wading beside them. + +"Hello!" said Bunny, in friendly spirit. "Did you just come?" + +"Yes. We came to the hotel last night," was the answer. "I never was at +the ocean before. We're going to stay all through August." + +"This isn't the ocean," said Bunny. "It's just Christmas Tree Cove. The +ocean is lots bigger." + +"I'd like to see it," said the new boy. + +"Look out!" suddenly called Sue. "Here comes a big wave!" + +She had just time to take a tighter hold of Bunny and turn, but the new +boy did not seem to know much about bathing or waves. He stood waiting, +and, an instant later he was knocked down and his head went under +water. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +HELD FAST + + +The first that Mrs. Brown knew of what was happening was when a woman +near her screamed. Then this woman hurried down the sands to the edge of +the water in which Bunny, Sue, and a number of other children were +bathing. + +Mrs. Brown had been talking to several women of the summer bungalow +colony near Bark Lodge, and one of these ladies had just remarked that a +new family had come to the hotel. + +"It is Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Slater," Mrs. Brown was told. "They have a +little boy named Harry, about as old as your Bunny." + +And just as Mrs. Blaney, who was telling this to Mrs. Brown, finished, +Mrs. Brown heard a woman scream and saw her run down to the water. + +"That's Mrs. Slater now," said Mrs. Blaney. "I wonder what the matter +is." + +"Her little boy was just knocked down by a big wave," said another woman +who had been sitting on the sand talking to Mrs. Brown. "Perhaps we had +better go and help her." + +It was Harry Slater, the new boy to whom Bunny had been talking, who had +been knocked down and rolled over by the big wave. His mother, sitting +on the beach, had seen what had taken place. Then she had screamed and +had hurried down the sands. + +But, as it happened, Bunny Brown was nearer at hand to give the needed +help. He and Sue were used to the big waves, which came in Christmas +Tree Cove only when one of the large excursion steamers stopped at a +nearby dock. The propeller of the steamer sent the waves rushing inshore +almost like the surf of the larger ocean outside. + +"Oh, the wave knocked him down!" cried Sue, who had seen the mass of +water coming, and had held to Bunny while they turned a little and +jumped so they did not fall. "Look, Bunny, he's down in the water!" + +"I know!" exclaimed Bunny! "I see him! I'll get him up!" + +Bunny and Sue had lived so long in Bellemere near the water that, young +as they were, they knew the thing to do when people fall into or down in +the water is to get them out as soon as possible, in order that they may +not be smothered. + +So, as soon as he had made sure that Sue was all right, Bunny leaned +down, and, catching hold of Harry Slater, the new boy, who was +floundering around under water, lifted him up. It was easy for Bunny to +do this, as a body in water weighs less than outside. + +Thus Bunny easily lifted Harry up and held him on his feet, while the +new boy choked and gasped to get his breath. By this time his mother was +at the edge of the water, where the waves broke on the sand, and she was +just going to go in, all dressed as she was, for she did not wear a +bathing suit. + +"Harry," cried Mrs. Slater, "mother is coming!" + +"There isn't any need, lady!" said Duncan Porter, the life-saver who was +always on duty during the bathing hour. "I'll bring him in to you. But, +anyhow, Bunny has him safe." + +The guard, who had been on another part of the beach, had run up when he +heard Mrs. Slater scream, and now he waded out and brought Harry to +shore in his arms. The new boy was more frightened than hurt, and was +soon all right again, though he coughed a little because of the water he +had swallowed. + +"Oh, Harry Slater, you were nearly drowned!" cried some of the other +children. + +"Oh, he wasn't in much danger," said the life guard. "I'd have had him +out in another second or two. But, as it was, Bunny Brown got him out of +the water all right." + +"How can I thank you?" said Harry's mother, as she gave Bunny a hug, all +wet as he was, for he and Sue, with many other children, had followed +the life-saver to shore when he carried the choking, gasping new boy. + +"Oh, it wasn't anything much!" protested Bunny, who did not like a fuss +being made over him. "The big wave just knocked him down, and I picked +him up." + +"He's a brave and clever little boy!" said several ladies on the beach, +and if Bunny had not been so tanned and sunburned he might have blushed. + +"It was a big wave knocked him down," said Sue. "One of the steamer +waves. You have to look out for 'em! I saw him go down and I yelled." + +"You were both very watchful of Harry," said Mrs. Slater. "Your mother +should be proud of you children." + +"There's my mother now," said Bunny, pointing to Mrs. Brown, who had +come down with a number of other women. + +Thus it was that Bunny, Sue and the new boy became acquainted and Mrs. +Slater also formed a friendship for Mrs. Brown. Soon the excitement had +passed and the children were in bathing again, while their mothers +either bathed, too, or sat on the beach and talked. Bunny and Sue liked +Harry, and you may be sure the new boy was very thankful to Bunny Brown +for pulling him up out of the water. + +"Do they have bigger waves in the ocean than the one that knocked me +down?" asked Harry, when the three children were once more having a +good time in the bathing pool. + +"Oh, I guess they do!" cried Sue. "He should see some of the big waves, +shouldn't he, Bunny?" + +"Well, I'd like to see 'em," said Harry, with a laugh. "But I wouldn't +want to be knocked down by 'em--not if they were bigger than the wave +that hit me." + +"The waves in the ocean are ever so much bigger," went on Bunny. "And in +a storm they're twice as big." + +"We were in a storm coming here," explained Sue. "We were on a boat and +it rocked like anything, didn't it, Bunny?" + +"Yes, it rocked a lot," he agreed. "Come on," he called to his sister. +"Let's go over and dig clams." + +"Where can you dig clams?" asked Harry eagerly. Anything about the +seashore interested him, as it was his first summer at the beach. + +"They get hard clams away out in the cove," explained Bunny. "But soft +clams grow over there where the tide is out." + +"Clams don't grow," declared Sue. "They aren't like apples." + +"Yes, clams do grow," declared Bunny. "Else how could a little clam get +to be a big one. They grow over there, in that place where there isn't +any water," went on Bunny. "And when the tide is out we dig for 'em." + +"I was up on my grandpa's farm once, and I helped dig for potatoes in +the ground," said Harry. "But I never dug for clams. I'd like to." + +"We'll show you how," offered Bunny. "Mother lets us dig soft clams, and +she makes chowder of 'em. Come on, we'll go over and dig clams." + +Harry was very glad of this chance for fun, and when Mrs. Brown had said +her two children might go, and when Mrs. Slater had also consented to +let her boy accompany his two new playmates, they set off. + +"There isn't any water on the flats when the tide is out," said Mrs. +Brown. "Bunny and Sue often go there to dig clams, and we can see them +from here." + +Soft clams are not like hard clams. The shell is a sort of bluish black +and is quite thin, so it is easily crushed. The soft clam is long and +thin, instead of being almost round, like a hard clam. + +A soft clam lives down in the mud or sand under water. Within his shell +the soft clam has a long tube, which seems as if made of rubber, for it +can be stretched out greatly, or made so small as to fit inside the +shell. + +When the tide covered the low flats at one part of Christmas Tree Cove +the soft clams could not be found. But when the tide went out it left +bare a large space of sand and sticky mud, or muck. Then was the time to +dig soft clams. + +Bunny and Sue knew how to do it. They used a little shovel, though a +regular clammer uses a short-handled hoe, digging the wet earth away +much as a farmer digs away the earth from a hill of potatoes. Down under +the surface the clams are found. + +"Here's a good place to dig," said Bunny, as he led Sue and Harry +through little pools of water to the clam flats. "Sue, you hold the +basket and Harry and I will dig." + +"Well, this time I will, 'cause Harry's new," answered Sue. "But after +this I'll dig, too." + +Bunny had brought two shovels, and, giving the new boy one, Sue's +brother used the other. He dug a hole in the mucky, black sand, and +Harry did likewise. + +"When you see something that looks like a black stone pick it up," +advised Bunny. "'Cause that's a clam." + +The two boys dug away for some time, and at last Harry cried: + +"I got one!" + +"Yes, that's a soft clam, and a nice big one," declared Bunny. "And I've +got one myself!" + +Soon the two little boys had found a number of clams, which they put in +the basket Sue held. Bunny was just digging out an extra large one when, +all of a sudden, Sue cried: + +"Bunny, I'm stuck! I can't get my feet up! Oh, Oh!" + +"Maybe a big clam has hold of her," said Harry. "What'll we do, Bunny?" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +ANOTHER STORM + + +The two boys stopped their clam-digging and stood staring at Sue, who +was holding the basket of shellfish and looking at her brother and +Harry. + +"I'm stuck fast!" cried Sue again. "I can't lift up either of my legs, +Bunny! What shall I do?" + +"Is it a clam that has hold of you?" asked Harry. + +"Clams don't grab hold of you like crabs," declared Bunny. "Once a crab +got hold of my toe, and it pinched like anything." + +"Maybe it's a crab, then," said Harry. + +"This isn't a crab or a clam," said Sue. "But my feet are all tight in +the mud, and I can't lift 'em out! Look!" + +She struggled hard, trying first to lift one foot and then the other. +But she only swayed in a little pool of water that collected around her +bare legs. + +"Oh, I know what the matter is!" exclaimed Bunny, as he looked again at +his sister. "It's like getting into a muck hole in the swamp. There's a +lot of soft sand and muck here on the flats, and you've stepped into one +of the holes, Sue." + +"Shall I--shall I sink down through the hole all the way to--to China?" +asked the little girl, and it looked as if she might be going to cry, as +she had the time she and Bunny were lost in the Christmas Tree woods. + +"We'll get you up," said Bunny. "Come on, Harry. You take hold of Sue on +one side and I'll take hold of her on the other. Then maybe she can lift +up her own legs." + +The boys went toward her. + +"Take the basket of clams," directed Sue. "I don't want to spill 'em!" + +She handed Bunny the basket of soft clams which the two boys had dug, +and Bunny set it on top of the pile of dirt that had been piled up as he +and Harry dug holes to get at the shellfish. Then the two boys stood, +one on either side of Sue, so she could put her hands on their +shoulders. + +"Maybe we'll get stuck in the mud, too," suggested Harry. + +"Oh, I guess not," said Bunny. "Anyhow, if we do, it'll be fun." + +Seeing Bunny and Harry about to help her, Sue felt better. She gave up +the notion of crying, and began to pull up, first on one foot and then +on the other. + +At first it seemed that neither one would move, so sticky was the mud +and muck. But at last Sue felt one giving, and she cried: + +"Oh, I'm getting loose! I'm getting loose, Bunny!" + +"Pull harder!" directed her brother. "Pull as hard as you can!" + +Just about this time Mrs. Brown, who was sitting on the sand under the +sun umbrella talking to Mrs. Slater, happened to look over toward the +children who had gone clam-digging. She saw Bunny and Harry standing +close to Sue, and she knew, by the way the children were acting, that +something had happened. + +Then Mrs. Slater, too, looked toward the three children. + +"Is Harry in trouble again?" asked his mother. + +"No, this time it seems to be Sue," said Mrs. Brown. "I think she is +stuck in the mud." + +"Is that serious?" asked Mrs. Slater, for she had not been to the +seashore enough to know anything about clam-digging. + +"Oh, there is no danger," said Mrs. Brown. "They may get very muddy. But +they have on their bathing suits, and can easily wash. However, we might +walk over as near as we can go, so they may see us." + +"Very well," agreed Mrs. Slater. "I don't want Harry frightened again +to-day." + +But she need not have worried. The children were laughing as Sue used +the two boys like a pair of crutches to help her lift her feet from the +muck. Soon she had pulled loose, and she held one foot out so she could +see it. + +"Oh, look!" cried the little girl. "There's so much mud on my foot I +can't see my toes wiggle!" + +And this was really so. + +"It looks as if you had a black shoe on," added Bunny. "Come on now, +you'd better step away from here if you don't want to get stuck again, +Sue." + +"And I'm getting stuck myself!" exclaimed Harry, as he felt one foot +sinking. "Is it all like this on the clam flats?" + +"No," answered Bunny, "only in some places. It was all right where you +and I stood." + +By this time Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Slater had reached the edge of the clam +flats, and they saw that the three children were all right. Harry and +Bunny again started to dig for the shellfish and Sue held the basket for +them. But she took care to stand on a big flat stone, so there was no +more danger of sinking down. + +"Mother!" cried Harry, when he saw Mrs. Slater with Mrs. Brown, "digging +clams is lots of fun, and Sue got stuck in the mud." + +"So we saw," his mother answered. "The seashore is a funny place. You +don't seem to know what will happen on land or in the water." + +"Oh, it is all right when you get used to it," said Mrs. Brown, +laughing. "Have you enough clams, Bunny?" + +"Not quite," he answered. "I like lots of 'em in my chowder." + +"Well, you may dig a few more. We'll sit here and wait for you," said +his mother, and, finding a place on shore where a clump of trees gave a +little shade, she and Mrs. Slater sat down. + +Bunny, Sue, and Harry kept on digging, Sue finally insisting on taking a +turn with the shovel. + +"I'm coming to the seashore every year," declared Harry, as he dug out +an extra large clam. "I guess my dog would like it here, too. He's fond +of water." + +"Where is your dog?" asked Bunny. "I didn't see you have any." + +"We didn't bring him with us 'cause he's lost," said Harry, leaning on +his shovel. "He's an awful nice dog, too. We were going to bring him +here with us, but one day, when we were out in the automobile, he jumped +out and ran away and we never saw him again." + +"We had a dog Splash, and he ran away, too," said Sue. + +"My dog would carry things in his mouth," went on Harry. "He used to +carry our paper, and sometimes he would take things you didn't want him +to, and carry them away." + +"Oh, Bunny!" suddenly exclaimed Sue, "that's just what the big yellow +dog did. He took mother's pocketbook when we didn't want him to and +carried it away. Maybe this is the same dog!" + +"What kind of a dog was yours?" asked Bunny of his new friend. + +"He was a big yellow one," was the answer. "But he was never here in +this place, 'cause we were never here ourselves before this summer. So +he couldn't have taken your mother's pocketbook." + +"But the pocketbook wasn't taken from here," said Bunny. "It was where +we live--in Bellemere. And it was a big, yellow dog! Could your dog run +fast?" he asked Harry. + +"Oh, yes, terribly fast. But what's that about your mother's +pocketbook?" + +Bunny and Sue told the story by turns, how they had seen the dog +running away with the pocketbook containing the five-dollar bill and +their mother's diamond ring. + +"And he ran into a carpenter shop, and we ran in after him, and Mr. +Foswick locked us in, and Bunny broke a window, and we had a terrible +time!" explained Sue. + +"I don't believe that was my dog," said Harry. "But Sandy--that was my +dog's name--would carry away lots of things in his mouth. I wish I had +him back. My father said he'd give a lot of money to find him--a reward, +you know." + +"And I guess my father would give a reward if he could get back my +mother's diamond ring," added Sue. "But he can't. Bunker Blue says it's +gone forever." + +"Children! Children!" called Mrs. Brown from the shore. "I think we had +better go now. It is getting late and it looks as if we might have +another storm. Come along. You have clams enough." + +"Yes, I guess we have," said Bunny, looking in the basket. + +The children started for the mainland, stopping in a little pool to +wash the mud off themselves and also to cleanse their shovels. + +Bunny "sozzled" the basket of clams in the water to wash them, and when +Mrs. Brown explained how she made them into chowder Mrs. Slater +remarked: + +"I wish they served that at the hotel." + +"Won't you and Harry come over and have supper with us this evening?" +asked Mrs. Brown. "We'll give you some of the chowder then." + +"Oh, yes, Mother, please do!" begged Harry, and Mrs. Slater consented. + +"I'll tell you more about my lost dog when I come over to-night," called +Harry to Bunny and Sue, as they parted. + +That evening Mrs. Slater and her son Harry were guests of the Browns at +supper, at which was served the chowder made from the clams dug by the +children that afternoon. + +"It is delicious!" said Mrs. Slater, as she was helped to a second +plateful. + +"I like it lots!" declared Harry. "I guess Sandy would, too, if he was +here." + +"What's this about your dog being lost?" asked Mr. Brown, for he had +heard the children talking about it. + +"We did lose a very valuable animal," explained Mrs. Slater. "We were +out automobiling one day, and in driving through a place called +Bellemere, on Sandport Bay----" + +"Bellemere!" cried Bunny Brown. "Why, that's where we live!" + +"That's where our dog was lost," said Mrs. Slater, smiling at him. "For +some reason he leaped out of the auto and went bounding away down the +street. My husband stopped and tried to get him back, but he would not +come. And he has been lost ever since. Harry misses him very much." + +"What day was it that your dog ran away?" asked Mr. Brown, with a look +at his wife. + +"Why, it was--let me see," answered Mrs. Slater slowly. "It was on----" + +Her words were interrupted by a loud crash of thunder that shook the +bungalow, and all the electric lights suddenly went out. + +"Oh!" cried Bunny, Sue, and Harry, all at the same time. + +"I presume we're in for another storm," said Mr. Brown. "Sit still +until I light some candles. Often the electric lights go out in a severe +thunderstorm." + +As Mr. Brown arose to strike a match another loud clap of thunder pealed +out. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE FLOATING BOX + + +The electric light service in Christmas Tree Cove was uncertain in +storms, and Mr. Brown always kept a supply of candles on hand, as well +as some kerosene lamps. Soon there was plenty of light in the room, and +as supper was about over when the storm broke the family and their two +visitors went into the sitting-room of the bungalow. + +"I don't like storms," said Harry, and he kept close to his mother. + +"There isn't any danger," remarked Mr. Brown. "The lightning hardly ever +strikes near the ocean or the bay. I think it may hit out far from +shore. But no houses have ever been struck up here." + +"I guess the Christmas trees keep it away," said Bunny. + +"Perhaps," laughed his mother. "It isn't bad, now that the worst +outburst is over. Come, Harry, tell us about your lost dog. We have lost +one, too." + +So, while the thunder boomed and the lightning flashed, Mrs. Slater and +Harry told about their dog Sandy. + +"And so he left us in Bellemere, and we haven't seen him since," +finished Harry's mother. + +"How strange!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. "He left you the same day the +strange dog ran into our yard, where Bunny and Sue were playing seesaw, +and grabbed up my pocketbook. I wonder if, by any chance, it could be +the same animal in both cases." + +"This dog was a big, yellow one," said Bunny, and he described the +animal that had caused him and Sue so much trouble. + +"Sandy was yellow in color," remarked Mrs. Slater. "But I would not call +him a very large dog." + +"Perhaps the dog that took my wife's pocketbook and diamond ring seemed +larger to Bunny and Sue than he really was," said Mr. Brown. "He rushed +into the yard and out again so quickly that he may have looked extra +big." + +"It would be very strange if it should turn out to be our dog who made +so much trouble over your pocketbook," went on Harry's mother. "Sandy +did have a bad habit of running off with things. We tried to break him +of it. And, now that I recall it, he took one of my gloves when he +leaped out of the auto that day." + +"The big, yellow dog that came into our yard and took my mother's +pocketbook didn't have any gloves on," explained Sue. + +"No, he wouldn't be likely to have any on," agreed Mrs. Slater. "But he +might have carried one in his mouth." + +"I didn't see it," said Bunny, shaking his head. "But he took the +pocketbook in his mouth and ran away." + +They talked over the dog matter for some time, and then, as the storm +seemed to be growing worse again, Mrs. Slater began to think it was time +for her and Harry to go back to the hotel. A closed automobile was +called from the village, and in that the lady and her son prepared to +go to their hotel. It was then about eight o'clock in the evening. + +"Mr. Slater has advertised for our lost dog," his wife said, as she was +departing. "If we ever find him, Bunny and Sue can look at Sandy and +make sure whether or not he is the dog that ran into their yard. Though, +of course, that will not bring back your ring, I am sorry to say," she +added. + +The storm kept up all night and part of the next day. It rained hard and +the wind blew, though the thunder and lightning were soon over. It +settled into what the cove dwellers called a "nor'easter," and it was +not at all pleasant. + +Bunny and Sue could not go out to play, but Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue +amused the children indoors. Mr. Brown had to go back to Bellemere, but +he went on the train, as the bay was so rough the boat did not run, and +Captain Ross had not returned with the _Fairy_. + +"I wish Harry could come over and play with us," said Bunny on the +second day of the storm, as he stood with his nose pressed against the +window. + +"It will be clear to-morrow," said Bunker Blue, who had come in from a +trip to the store. "The wind is working around and the sun will be out +to-morrow." + +Bunny and Sue certainly hoped so, and when they arose the next morning +the first thing they did was to run to the window and look out +anxiously. + +Bunker's prophecy had come true. The sun was shining and the wind was no +longer blowing, though the water in the bay was still rough. + +"Let's go down to the beach!" cried Bunny, as soon as breakfast was +over. "Maybe we'll find a lot of things washed up on shore." + +This was not unusual, for the storms along the coast, even in summer, +sometimes caused wrecks, and parts of them were often washed up on the +beach. + +"Yes, let's," agreed Sue. + +A little later Bunny and Sue were running down to the sandy shore, and +there they saw their new friend Harry, who was walking along with his +mother. + +"Wasn't it a terrible storm?" called Mrs. Slater, when she saw the two +Brown children. "I never remember a worse one!" + +"Yes, it was bad," agreed Bunny. "It was worse than when we were on the +_Fairy_. Did you see anything washed up?" he asked. + +"Not yet," replied Harry. "What do you find after a storm?" + +"Oh, lots of things," answered Bunny. "Once I saw a whale washed up on +shore. He was awful big." + +"I wish I could see a whale washed up," said Harry longingly. + +He looked across the tumbling waters of Christmas Tree Cove, as though +he might catch sight of some monster of the sea. But there was nothing +in view just then. + +The three children, with Mrs. Slater, walked along a little farther. +Suddenly Sue, who was a short distance ahead, gave a delighted cry. + +"What is it?" asked Bunny. "A cocoanut?" Once a ship laden with +cocoanuts had been wrecked and the shore strewn with the nuts. + +"Is it a whale?" asked Harry. + +"It's a big box," answered Sue, pointing. "Look, it's floating out +there, and I guess it's coming to shore right here." + +The others looked toward the object at which Sue pointed and saw, +bobbing up and down in the waves, what appeared to be a large chest. The +wind and tide were fast bringing it up to where they stood on the +beach. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +MR. RAVENWOOD + + +Bunny Brown and his sister Sue stood with Harry Slater and his mother on +the beach and watched the wind and the tide bringing nearer and nearer +to shore the floating box. As it came into plainer view, the children +could see that it was no ordinary refuse of the sea, like a broken +orange or lemon box, some of which floated ashore at Bellemere. + +"That's a nice, good box," said Bunny, as he watched it bobbing up and +down on the waves. "It's a box just like Mr. Foswick, the carpenter, +makes." + +"And it isn't broken, either," added Sue. Usually the boxes she and her +brother found on the beach were empty and smashed. + +"Maybe it has something in it," suggested Harry. "Oh, wouldn't it be +funny if my dog was in it!" he cried. + +"How could your dog be in it, dear?" asked his mother. "Sandy was lost +on shore. How could he be out in the ocean?" + +"Well, maybe, after he jumped out of our auto he went on a boat and +maybe the boat sank and he got in this box, like a little boat, and now +he's coming back to me," explained Harry. + +"Oh, no, you mustn't hope for any such good luck as that," said his +mother, with a smile. "If Sandy were in that box you would hear him +barking. And, besides, that box seems to be tightly nailed or screwed +shut. We'll soon see what's in it, for it is coming ashore," she added. + +"Maybe it's Sandy," insisted Harry. + +"I don't think there's any dog in it," Sue remarked. "But maybe there's +pirates' gold." + +"Maybe," assented Bunny. + +"What's pirates' gold?" asked Harry. + +"It's gold the robber pirates take off ships," explained Bunny. "And +they put it in boxes, and then they bring it on shore and bury it in the +sand, and then they make a map in red ink so they won't forget where +they buried the box, and then they go off and get more gold, the +pirates do." + +"What makes 'em bury the gold they already have?" asked Harry. + +"So nobody can find it," explained Bunny. + +Bunny and Sue liked to hear tales of the sea. Bunker Blue had told them +some, and I am afraid they were not altogether true, however interesting +they were. + +"But that can't be a pirates' box," said Sue, "'cause I don't see any +pirates, and they wouldn't send a box to shore all by itself." + +"No," agreed Bunny, "I guess they wouldn't, 'cause a box couldn't bury +itself in the sand. But I think there's something in this box." + +"It does seem so," said Mrs. Slater, who was now quite as interested as +were the children. "Look," she went on. "It is going to come ashore at +that little point. Let's walk out on it, and we can pull it up on the +sand." + +A little tongue of land extended out into the water near the spot where +they were standing, and soon Bunny, his sister, and Harry and Mrs. +Slater were out on the very tip of it, waiting for the box to be washed +ashore. The tide was rising, and the waves were still rather high on +account of the storm. + +Nearer and nearer the box came, but when it was almost at the point of +land it seemed about to be washed away, farther up the coast. + +"Oh, it is going past us!" exclaimed Mrs. Slater. + +"I can wade in and get it!" said Bunny. "I'll take off my shoes and +stockings and get it," and, sitting down, he began to do this. + +"I don't want to take off my shoes. You can get it without me, Bunny," +remarked Sue. + +"May I wade in, Mother?" asked Harry. + +"It isn't deep," said Bunny, as Mrs. Slater hesitated. "And we won't +have to wade out very far." + +"All right," agreed Harry's mother, with a smile. "You two boys may wade +in, and Sue and I will watch you. But maybe the box will be too heavy +for you." + +"Oh, no!" exclaimed Bunny, as Harry began taking off his shoes and +stockings. "Things in the water move easy. I can push or pull a big boat +all alone, if it's in the water, but I can't if it's on land. And the +box isn't very big." + +"I wonder what's in it," said Sue, as her brother and Harry prepared to +wade out. "Maybe it's a lot of dolls from China." + +"What makes you think it might be that?" asked Mrs. Slater, as she put +the boys' shoes and stockings up on the sand. + +"Once some Chinese dolls came ashore at Bellemere," said Sue. "I got +one, but her eyes were washed out. I always had to make believe she was +asleep." + +"How did they happen to come ashore?" asked Mrs. Slater. + +"A ship that was coming from China got wrecked," explained Sue, "and the +boxes with the dolls in washed up on shore. But I guess this isn't a +doll box," she added. + +"It doesn't look so," said Harry's mother. "It seems to be a very heavy +case, such as machinery comes in, but of course there can't be machinery +in it, or it would sink." + +"And there can't be a dog in it, or he'd smother," added Sue, "'cause +the cover is nailed on tight." + +The box was near the point of land now, and Bunny and Harry were wading +out to get it. Mrs. Slater and Sue could see that the box was a square +one, about three feet long, and as many high and wide. And there was a +cover on it. + +"Catch hold now!" cried Bunny to Harry, and the two boys took hold of +the sides of the box and easily guided it up to the beach. It soon +grounded in the shallow water, but it was so heavy that when Bunny and +Harry had got it to the shore of the point of land they could move it no +farther. + +"It's nailed tight shut all around," Bunny said, as he looked on all +four sides. + +"Ain't there a cover that you can put back like on a trunk?" Sue wanted +to know. + +"No, there ain't," answered Harry, "for if there was the hinges would +show--they always do." + +"Oh, what do you think can really be in it?" cried Sue, dancing around +in excitement. + +"Maybe it's a boat chest of some sort," suggested Bunny, who had heard +Captain Ross speak of such things. + +"From China?" + +"Oh, I guess it couldn't come from as far away as that." + +"Course it couldn't," declared Harry. + +"Children, I think we have made quite a find," said Mrs. Slater, as she +looked carefully at the box. "I wonder to whom it belongs." + +"There's a name printed on it over here," said Bunny, pointing to the +side of the box turned away from shore. + +"What does it say?" asked Mrs. Slater, for she could not look without +stepping into the water. + +"There's an F and an R and an A and an N and a K," said Bunny slowly. + +"That spells Frank," said Mrs. Slater. "What else is there?" + +Bunny spelled out the rest of the name, and also an address. + +"Well, then it would seem this box belongs to a Mr. Frank Ravenwood of +Sea Gate," said Harry's mother. "Is there anything else on that side, +Bunny?" + +"No'm," he answered. + +"Frank Ravenwood, of Sea Gate," went on Mrs. Slater. "Where is Sea Gate, +Bunny?" + +"It's on the coast, just down below where we live," was the answer. + +"Then we can write and tell Mr. Ravenwood of Sea Gate that we have his +box that was washed ashore," went on Harry's mother. "But we must get it +higher up on the beach or it will wash away again. I wonder----" + +But she suddenly stopped, for Sue gave a cry of alarm and pointed toward +shore. + +"Oh, look!" exclaimed the little girl. "Look!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE SURPRISING LETTER + + +Mrs. Slater was so interested in looking at the strange box which had +been washed up on shore, and was thinking so deeply about the name of +Frank Ravenwood which Bunny spelled for her that, for the moment, she +did not quite understand what Sue meant. + +"What is it, Sue?" she asked the little girl, for Sue kept on pointing +toward something behind Mrs. Slater. + +"The tide!" exclaimed Bunny's sister. "The tide's coming up and it's +washing over the sand and we're on an island! We can't get back lessen +we wade!" + +Mrs. Slater gave a startled cry, and looked toward where Sue pointed. + +Surely enough, while they had been watching the box and while Bunny and +Harry had been getting it to shore the tide had risen and now covered +part of the strip of sand on which they had all walked out. As Sue said, +it was an island, and the only way to get to shore was to wade. + +"I'm going to take off my shoes and stockings!" cried the little girl, +hopping up on the box and beginning to loosen her laces. "You'd better +take off your shoes, too, Mrs. Slater. If you don't you'll get your feet +wet when you have to wade to shore. Course you haven't got your mother +here to scold you if you get your shoes wet, but maybe your husband +mightn't like it," went on Sue. "You can wade same as I can." + +"We don't have to take off our shoes and stockings, 'cause we have 'em +off already," said Bunny. "Harry and I can wade." + +"It looks as if I'd have to do that," said Harry's mother. "I wonder if +the water is very deep," she went on, as she looked at the water which +had covered the shore end of the little tongue of land. + +"No, it isn't deep!" declared Bunny, and he waded out into it. "But it +keeps on getting deeper when the tide comes up. You'd better take your +shoes and stockings off now, Mrs. Slater, else maybe it'll be away up +over your head soon." + +"I shouldn't want that to happen," she said, with a laugh. "I believe I +shall have to do as you children have done, and go barefoot," and she +glanced at Sue, who, by this time, had off her shoes and stockings. + +Harry's mother looked at the stretch of water separating the little +party from the mainland. As Bunny had said, it would get deeper the +higher the tide rose, though, of course, it would not go over Mrs. +Slater's head. She sat down on the box, as Sue had done, and was just +beginning to take off her shoes when a voice called to them. + +"Wait a minute! I'm coming to get you!" was what they all heard, and, +looking up, Bunny Brown saw Bunker Blue rowing along in his sailboat. +The sail, however, was not up now. + +"Oh, Bunker, come and get us!" cried Sue. "We're caught by the tide, +and----" + +"And we found a box and maybe it has pirate gold in it!" sang out Bunny. +"Look, Bunker!" and the little boy pointed to the box on the sand. It +was still partly in the water. + +"I see," answered Bunker Blue. "I noticed that you'd been caught by the +tide, so I came in the boat to get you. Wait there, Mrs. Slater," he +went on. "There's no need of getting your feet wet." + +In a little while Bunker rowed up to the place where the box rested and +where Bunny, Sue, and the others stood around it, the three children +barefooted. The little tongue, or peninsula, of land, was now an island, +rapidly growing smaller in size as the tide rose. + +"Get in the boat and I'll row you to shore," said Bunker, as he grounded +his craft in the sand. + +"Have we got to leave the box here?" asked Bunny. + +"No, I'll come back and get that after I land you," said the fish boy. + +So they all got into the boat, and it did not take Bunker Blue long to +row them to shore. Then he went back, and, after a little hard work, he +managed to get the box into his boat. + +"I'll row this box down to the dock," called Bunker to those on shore. +"You walk along the beach until you meet me. Then we can see what's in +it." + +This was done, and soon Uncle Tad and Mrs. Brown were down on the little +pier of Christmas Tree Cove, looking at the box and wondering what could +be in it. + +"It's heavy, whatever it is," said Uncle Tad. + +"Pirate gold is always heavy, I guess," said Bunny. + +"Oh, it couldn't be gold!" declared Bunker Blue. "If it was gold in the +box I never could have lifted it." + +"Let's open it!" suggested Sue. + +"No, we must not do that," said Mrs. Brown. "When your father comes home +to-night I'll have him write to this Mr. Frank Ravenwood of Sea Gate. In +the letter daddy can explain how the box was found, and Mr. Ravenwood +can come here and get it if he wishes to. Until then, Bunker, you had +better take it up to the woodshed, where it will be safe from harm." + +Uncle Tad and Bunker put the box on a wheelbarrow, and it was soon +stored in the woodshed back of the bungalow. For some time Bunny, Sue +and Harry wondered what could be in it, but, after a while, the children +ran off to play in the sand, and to wade and paddle in the water. + +"Let's build a big sand fort," suggested Bunny. + +"Oh, no, make it a doll house," cried Sue. + +"All right, a doll house," said Harry, who was beginning to like Sue as +much as he did Bunny. + +So they built a wonderful doll house of sand, with four rooms and an +elegant driveway. But just as it was completed the whole thing caved in. + +"My! ain't I glad none of my dolls were in that," declared Sue. + +Mr. Brown came up to his summer home that night, and, after looking at +the box, wrote a letter to Mr. Ravenwood, telling how it had been found. +This letter was mailed to Sea Gate, and then followed a time of waiting. +In the letter Mr. Brown had told how Bunny, Sue, and Harry Slater had +found the box. + +"I wonder when we'll get an answer," remarked Bunny several times in +the next two days. + +"If the box is at all valuable Mr. Ravenwood ought to answer daddy's +letter very soon," said Mrs. Brown. "I don't see how the box got into +the bay and floated all the way up here from Sea Gate. It is quite a +distance." + +Three days after the strange find, when Bunny, Sue, and Harry were +playing with Rose and Jimmie Madden near the bungalow one afternoon, +Uncle Tad came up from the village with the mail. + +"Here's a letter from Mr. Ravenwood, children!" said the old soldier. + +"Oh, goody!" exclaimed Sue. + +"Did he say his box had pirate gold in?" asked Bunny. + +"I don't know. I didn't open the letter," answered Uncle Tad. + +But Mrs. Brown soon read the note and, as she did so, a look of surprise +came over her face. + +"Yes, that is Mr. Ravenwood's box," said Bunny's mother. "He is coming +here to-morrow in his motor boat to get it. But here is something else +very strange. I'll read it to you," she went on. Then she read: + + "'Thank you, very much, for saving my valuable + box. I see a little boy named Harry Slater helped + in saving it. I wonder if he is any relation to a + Mr. Thomas Slater who has been advertising for a + lost yellow dog. I have found such a dog, and I am + going to bring him to Christmas Tree Cove in my + motor boat when I come after my box. If this is + the lost dog that is being advertised for, Harry + may have him back.'" + +"Oh, I wonder if that is my dog!" exclaimed Harry. + +"And if it is, I wonder if he can tell us where he left mother's +pocketbook," said Bunny Brown. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +"THAT'S THE DOG!" + + +When Daddy Brown came up to Christmas Tree Cove from his dock in +Bellemere that evening he, of course, was told about the letter from Mr. +Ravenwood. + +"I am glad that we can give him back his box," said Bunny's father. "But +what is this about a dog?" + +"You know we had a big dog named Sandy, of whom we were very fond," said +Mrs. Slater, who, with Harry, was paying a call after supper on the +Browns. "As I have told Bunny and Sue, one day, when we were out in our +auto looking for a place to spend the summer, Sandy leaped out and ran +away. We did all we could to get him back, but he disappeared, and we +had to go on without him, much to Harry's sorrow. + +"The place where Sandy leaped from the auto and ran away was Bellemere, +and we were quite surprised when we got here to find that you people +lived there," went on Mrs. Slater, nodding at Mrs. Brown and her family. + +"And maybe it was Sandy who ran in the yard and took the pocketbook when +Sue and I were having a seesaw out in the barn," suggested Bunny. + +"Of course it is possible," admitted Mr. Brown, when there had been more +talk and it was discovered that the Sandy dog was lost the very same day +that Mrs. Brown's pocketbook was picked up off the bench and carried +away by a strange yellow animal that then ran into Mr. Foswick's +carpenter shop. + +"Yes, Sandy could very easily have run down the street on which your +house is located," said Harry's mother. "As I told the children, he had +a habit of taking things in his mouth and running away with them. And he +might have picked up the pocketbook. Of course it seems a very strange +thing to have happened, but it is possible." + +"How did Mr. Ravenwood get the dog which he says in his letter he has?" +asked Mr. Brown, while Bunny and the others listened carefully. + +"It is not certain this is our dog," went on Mrs. Slater. "We shall know +that when he comes here after his box. I see how it may have happened. +After Sandy disappeared my husband put advertisements about him in many +seashore papers. He asked that word of finding of the dog be sent to him +at his city office or to me here at Christmas Tree Cove. The +advertisements spoke of how fond Harry was of Sandy. I hope Harry is not +disappointed, and that this will prove to be his dog. And I hope your +wife will find her pocketbook and diamond ring." + +"Oh, she will now!" exclaimed Harry. + +"That is too much," said Bunny's mother. "I have given up hope of ever +seeing my beautiful ring again. Even if it was your dog that ran in and +picked up the pocketbook, he must have dropped it in some out-of-the-way +place, and there is no telling where it is." + +"No, unfortunately, Sandy can not talk," said Mrs. Slater. + +"But he can sit up on his hind legs and beg!" exclaimed Harry. "Oh, I +do hope I get him back!" + +"So do I!" echoed Bunny and Sue. + +The next day was such an anxious one for the children, who were waiting +for the appearance of Mr. Ravenwood in his motor boat with the dog he +had found, that Mrs. Brown finally said: + +"Come, kiddies, we'll go for a little picnic down on the beach." + +"May Harry come?" asked Bunny, for Harry was over at the bungalow +playing with Bunny and Sue. + +"Yes. And we'll invite Harry's mother and Bunker Blue and Uncle Tad," +said Mrs. Brown. "We'll spend the afternoon on the beach. It will make +the time pass more quickly." + +Indeed the time did seem to drag for Bunny, Sue, and Harry. They did not +know just what time to expect Mr. Ravenwood in his boat, to claim his +box and to bring the strange dog. Every now and again the children would +ask: + +"When do you think he'll come?" + +Then, at last, Mrs. Brown had decided on the picnic as a means of +keeping them quiet. + +Picnics were often held at Christmas Tree Cove, and could be quickly got +up. All that was necessary to do was to put up a lunch and go down to +one of the many nice places on the beach. + +Harry was sent over to the hotel to ask his mother if he might go, and +also to invite her to be one of the party, and soon Mrs. Slater was on +her way back to Bark Lodge with her little son. + +"It is very nice of you, Mrs. Brown, to ask us," said Mrs. Slater. + +"I shall have just as much fun as the children," replied the mother of +Bunny and Sue Brown. + +Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue were also delighted to go, and Bunny wanted to +take his shovel and dig for soft clams and have a clambake on the beach. + +"Not now, dear," said his mother. "It is quite a lot of work, and you +get so muddy digging clams. After a while, when daddy can be with us, we +may have a big bake on the beach some night." + +"And maybe Mr. Ravenwood will come!" exclaimed Sue. + +"Maybe he will," agreed her mother. + +A little later they were all seated on the sands, the older folk in the +shade of some sun umbrellas that Bunker Blue and Uncle Tad put up, while +Bunny, Sue, and Harry played out in the sunshine. They were tanned as +brown as autumn leaves and no longer sunburned. + +The children dug holes in the sand, made miniature cities and railroads, +built tunnels which caved in, and finally started to make a cabin of +driftwood. + +Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue were helping at this, and they planned to make +a regular thatched roof of seaweed. The little shack on the sand was +half done when the puffing of a motor boat was heard near shore and a +voice hailed the little party. + +"Can you tell me where Christmas Tree Cove is?" asked a young man in the +boat. + +"It is right here," answered Mrs. Brown, waving her hand toward the +groups of evergreens on the shore. + +Bunny, Sue, and Harry looked at the man in the boat, and then at +something else. And the something else was a big, yellow dog that stood +on one of the seats. At the sight of this animal Mrs. Slater stood up +and Harry cried: + +"There's Sandy! That's my Sandy all right!" + +Instantly, at the sound of the little boy's voice, the dog gave a loud +bark and leaped into the bay to swim to shore. He reached the sand and +ran at full speed toward the party of picnickers. As he ran, Bunny Brown +cried: + +"That's the dog! That's the dog that took my mother's pocketbook and +diamond ring!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +IN THE BOAT + + +Nearer and nearer to the picnic party on the beach raced the big, yellow +dog. He was barking in delight and his tail was wagging from side to +side. + +"He'll get us wet!" exclaimed Mrs. Slater. "Down, Sandy! Down!" she +commanded. + +Instantly the dog stopped and began to shake himself vigorously, sending +the water in a shower from his shaggy coat. + +"Oh, he minded you! He's your dog all right, isn't he?" cried Bunny. + +"Yes, he's my Sandy," answered Harry. "He always minds sometimes." + +At the sound of his young master's voice the dog, with another joyful +bark, again leaped forward. He had stopped to get rid of as much of the +water as possible, but a moment later he was jumping and tumbling about +Harry and Mrs. Slater, while the little boy, caring not at all about the +dog's damp coat, was hugging his pet. + +"Oh, Sandy! Sandy! I'm so glad you came back!" cried Harry. + +"Is it really your dog?" asked Mrs. Brown of her friend. + +"Yes," answered Mrs. Slater. "Oh, do be quiet, you crazy animal," she +said, as he leaped up and tried to put his tongue on her face. + +"He wants to kiss you," said Sue. + +Then the dog turned to Sue, and he really did "kiss" her, for Sue was +sitting down and the dog easily reached her tanned cheeks with his red +tongue. + +"Be careful," warned Mrs. Brown. + +"Oh, Sandy is gentle and loves children," said Harry's mother. "But I +fancy that young man in the boat wants some explanation," she went on. +"Though, since we have told him this is Christmas Tree Cove, he must +have guessed that we are the people to whom the dog belongs." + +The man in the boat had stopped his engine, and the craft was now +grounded in the sand not far from where the picnic was being held. A +four-pronged anchor was tossed out to prevent the motor boat from +drifting away, and then the young man came up the beach. He was smiling +pleasantly, and as he took off his cap and bowed to the ladies he said: + +"Davy Jones seems to have found out where he belongs all right. I +presume this is Harry Slater," he went on, looking at the boy around +whom the dog was leaping. + +"Yes," answered Mrs. Slater. "And this is Mr. Ravenwood?" + +"Yes," was the reply. "I called the dog Davy Jones, for he seemed to +love the sea, and I didn't know what his right name was. He is evidently +yours." + +"Sandy belongs to us," returned Mrs. Slater. "It is all rather a strange +story from the time Sandy ran away from us until we found your box and +learned that you had our dog. But there is a stranger part to it still, +it seems, if what Bunny and Sue think proves to be true." + +"What is that?" asked Mr. Ravenwood. + +Then he was told about the missing pocketbook and ring. + +"Are you sure, children, that this is the same dog that ran into the +yard that day and made off with my pocketbook?" asked Mrs. Brown of +Bunny and Sue. + +"Oh, yes!" declared Bunny. "He runs just the same, and he barks just the +same, and he looks just the same." + +Sue agreed with this, and when Mrs. Slater told again what a habit Sandy +had of carrying things off in his mouth it was decided that this was the +animal that had caused Bunny and Sue so much trouble, including the +locking in at Mr. Foswick's carpenter shop. + +"How did you get Sandy?" asked Mrs. Slater of Mr. Ravenwood. + +"He came to me," was the answer. "I am a sort of carpenter myself," he +went on. "I make things of wood, called patterns. They are for the use +of foundries in casting objects in metal. The box you found is full of +wooden patterns, and that is why it floated away up here after I lost +it." + +"How did you lose it?" asked Sue. + +"And isn't there _any_ pirate gold in the box?" asked Bunny, much +disappointed. + +"No, not a bit of pirate gold, or any other kind," laughed Mr. +Ravenwood. "I wish there might be some real, good gold in it, but such +things don't happen outside of books, I'm afraid," he added. "Perhaps I +had better tell you the whole story," he suggested. + +"I should like to hear it," said Mrs. Brown. "That is, unless you want +to go up to our woodshed and make sure it is your box we have found." + +"No," was the reply. "I am pretty certain, from your description of it +and from the fact that it has my name on it, that it is mine. Now I will +tell you how Davy Jones, as I called him, or Sandy, as you call him, +came to me. + +"I was in my motor boat one day at a dock in Bellemere, getting some +wood to take to my shop in Sea Gate to make into patterns. I was just +about to start off when this big, yellow dog came running along the +pier. He jumped into my boat and made himself at home. I tried to make +him go ashore, but he wouldn't. As I had no time to get out myself and +tie him up, I took him with me back to Sea Gate. He proved to be very +friendly, and though I was sure he was a valuable animal and that some +one would want him back, I had no time then to make inquiries. I just +kept him and took him home with me." + +"Did he have a pocketbook when he jumped into your boat?" asked Bunny. + +"No, I don't believe he did," answered Mr. Ravenwood. "He had nothing in +his mouth that I recall; though, to tell you the truth, my back was +turned when he leaped aboard." + +"He couldn't have had my pocketbook," said Mrs. Brown. "If this is the +same dog that was in our yard, and he seems to be, he either dropped my +purse in the carpenter shop or else in some other place which we shall +never know. The shop has been searched, but where else to look no one +knows." + +"Well, as I said," went on Mr. Ravenwood, "Sandy came aboard my boat and +I kept him. It was not until the other day that I noticed an +advertisement about him, and then I knew what to do with him. That was +the day after I lost my box." + +"How did you lose that?" asked Uncle Tad. + +"I lost it overboard out of my boat in the fierce storm of the other +night," was the answer. "I had packed the box full of wooden patterns, +put it in my boat, and I had lettered my name and address on it in +readiness for sending it away by express. I was also going to put the +name of the place where the box was to go, but I was called away just +then to the telephone at the dock in Sea Gate, and when I came back I +was thinking so much about something else that I forgot all about +putting the other name on the box. I started out in my boat to take the +box across the bay to the express office, and I was caught in the storm. +I was nearly capsized and had to put back to shore, the box tipping +overboard and floating off. I was glad enough to let it go and get +safely back myself." + +"And did Sandy go overboard, too?" asked Harry, his arms about his dog's +neck. + +"No, I had left Sandy on shore," answered Mr. Ravenwood. "Though he +always wanted to go with me; didn't you, old fellow?" he asked, and the +dog wagged his tail to show how happy he was. + +"Well, that's about all there is to my story," said Mr. Ravenwood. +"After the storm was over I set out in search of my box of patterns, for +I knew they would float, but I could not find them. Sandy went with me +on these trips. Then I got Mr. Brown's letter, telling me that the box +with my name on was here in Christmas Tree Cove, and, at the same time, +I noticed the advertisement in one of the papers about the lost dog. + +"I connected the two names, and then I thought the best thing to do was +to bring Sandy here and see if he belonged to you folks. And I am glad +to know that he does," he went on. "And now, if I may get my box and pay +any expenses there may be attached to it----" + +"There aren't any expenses," interrupted Mrs. Brown, with a smile. "The +box is in our shed, and you are welcome to it at any time. But won't you +have lunch with us? The children were so anxious for you to come that I +thought this would make the time pass more quickly. We did not dream of +your coming to us here." + +"I'm glad I did," said the young man, as he took a sandwich which Sue +passed him. + +Then there was a happy time on the beach, different parts of the strange +stories being told over and over again. Sandy seemed to be thoroughly +enjoying himself, and he eagerly ate the pieces of bread and meat the +children tossed to him. + +At last, however, the time came to go home. Mr. Brown was expected up +from Bellemere and Mr. Ravenwood said he would wait over and meet him. + +"We can all get in my boat, and ride to the dock," proposed the young +pattern-maker. + +"Oh, that will be fun!" cried Bunny. "Come on!" + +The lunch baskets were gathered up, and as they went down the beach to +Mr. Ravenwood's boat Sue put her arms around Sandy's neck, looked into +the brown eyes of the dog, and said very seriously: + +"Can't you tell what you did with my mother's pocketbook and diamond +ring?" + +Sandy only wagged his tail, gave a little bark, and raced off after +Harry and Bunny, who were getting into the boat. + +"All aboard!" called Mr. Ravenwood, as he helped in Mrs. Brown and Mrs. +Slater. "All aboard!" + +"I'll push off and you can start the engine," offered Bunker Blue. "I'm +used to it and I can hop on after she gets started." + +"All right," said Mr. Ravenwood, and he went back to the stern of the +craft where the gasolene motor was placed under a cover made of wood, to +keep out the rain and the salty spray. + +Bunker pushed the bow of the boat free from the sand and then leaped on +board himself. + +"Start her up!" he cried to Mr. Ravenwood. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +WHAT STOPPED THE ENGINE + + +With a chug-chug the motor boat started down along the sandy shore of +Christmas Tree Cove. The children sat up in front, at the bow, as it is +called, and Harry's recently recovered dog was with them, being petted +first by one and then the other of the three little friends. Mrs. Brown +and Mrs. Slater sat behind the children, and in the back, or stern, near +the engine, were Mr. Ravenwood and Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue. + +"Which dock shall I steer for?" asked Mr. Ravenwood, as the boat moved +out from shore. + +"Right there," and Uncle Tad pointed to the one nearest Bark Lodge. + +"It certainly is strange how things happen in this world," said Uncle +Tad, as he and Mr. Ravenwood were talking about the finding of the +floating box and the recovery of Sandy. "If we could only find the lost +pocketbook and the diamond ring now, I would say it might be almost like +a fairy story." + +"Yes," agreed Mr. Ravenwood, "it certainly might be called that." He was +listening to the noise of the engine as he sat with one hand on the +steering wheel. + +"What's the matter?" asked Bunker Blue. "Anything wrong?" + +"The motor sounds rather strange," answered the pattern-maker. "I was +just wondering----" + +He did not finish the sentence before the engine suddenly stopped with a +sort of wheeze and groan which showed something was wrong. + +"Something's caught in the flywheel," declared Bunker Blue. + +"That's what it sounds like to me," added Uncle Tad. + +"We'll have a look," stated Mr. Ravenwood, as he shut off the gasolene +supply and opened the electric switch. Then he proceeded to lift the +wooden covering of the engine. + +"What's the matter?" asked Bunny Brown, looking back. + +"The engine has stopped," his mother told him. + +"What made it?" Sue wanted to know. + +"That's what Mr. Ravenwood is trying to find out," said Uncle Tad. + +Idly the boat floated on the water while Mr. Ravenwood looked in the +covering case and around the flywheel. + +"There's something jammed down under the flywheel, between it and the +keel of the boat," he said. "I can just feel it. Seems to be a bit of +rag or cotton waste that I use to wipe off the oil and grease from my +hands and to polish the machinery. Wait, I can get it out," he went on, +as he thrust his arm down deeper. "I have my hand on it, but it is +jammed in pretty tight and----" + +He gave a grunt and a pull, and then up came his arm, and in his hand he +held something black, which dripped with water and oil. + +"There it is," said the young man. "It must have been in the pit for +some time to get so soaked as that. I don't remember dropping anything +in there. In fact, I'm very careful, for there isn't much room between +the rim of the flywheel and the keel, and even a small bit of waste will +stop the wheel, just as this did." + +"Is it waste?" asked Uncle Tad. + +"No, it doesn't seem to be," was Mr. Ravenwood's answer. "Why--why----" +he went on in surprise, as he laid the object down on top of the engine +cover and examined it. "Why, it's an old leather pocketbook!" + +"A pocketbook!" cried Bunny Brown and his sister Sue, and they looked at +one another with startled eyes. + +"Yes, that's what it is--an old pocketbook," went on Mr. Ravenwood. "How +in the world it ever came here I can't imagine, unless----" + +"Is it really a pocketbook?" asked Mrs. Brown in a strange voice, and +her face was slightly pale as she turned to look at what had been taken +out from under the engine. "Let me see it." + +"Don't touch it!" cautioned Mr. Ravenwood. "It's soaked with oil and +grease." + +"What is in it--if anything?" went on Bunny's mother, in that same +strange voice. + +"I'll look," offered Mr. Ravenwood. "My hands can't get much more oily." + +While the others eagerly watched, he opened the object, which really was +a water and oil-soaked pocketbook, and he thrust his fingers down in the +different compartments. + +"Seems to have a little money in," he said, as he took out some nickles +and pennies, and laid them on the cover. "Here's a--well, I declare, +it's a five-dollar bill!" he said, as he opened a piece of paper. "It's +covered with oil and grease, but it can be washed clean and will be as +good as ever." + +"A five-dollar bill!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. "Oh, is there--is there +anything else in the pocketbook? If there is, it must be----" + +Mr. Ravenwood thrust his fingers into another section. A strange look +came over his face as he drew out and held up in the sunlight something +that gleamed and glinted and sparkled. + +"A diamond ring!" he cried. + +"Oh, it's my mother's! It's my mother's!" shouted Bunny Brown. "Give it +to her!" + +Mr. Ravenwood wiped the diamond ring on a clean bit of white waste, and +then handed it to Mrs. Brown. + +"Yes, it is mine. It's my diamond engagement ring that was in the +pocketbook the dog took away! Oh, how glad I am!" she said, and there +were tears in her eyes as she slipped the ring on her finger. + +"Of all the remarkable happenings!" exclaimed Mrs. Slater. + +"Just like a fairy story!" laughed Sue. + +"Did Sandy drop the pocketbook in the boat?" asked Bunny. + +"I think that must be how it happened," answered Mr. Ravenwood, as he +looked in the purse for anything more that it might contain; but there +was nothing. "Do you want it saved?" he asked Mrs. Brown. + +"No, it was an old pocketbook and you might as well toss it overboard," +she answered. "I have all I wanted out of it--my diamond ring." + +"Well, we got the money back, too," said Bunny. "Can you really wash a +five-dollar bill?" he asked. + +"Oh, yes," Uncle Tad assured him. "I'll wash this and iron it and make +it look like new." And this he did a little later. + +The old pocketbook was tossed overboard. It sank in a circle of rainbow +colors, caused by the oil on it, and as the boat started off again Mrs. +Brown looked joyfully at her diamond ring so strangely recovered. + +"I see how it must have happened," said Mr. Ravenwood, as they landed at +the dock. "Sandy must have had the pocketbook in his mouth when he +leaped aboard my boat, but I didn't notice it, as my back was turned. He +must have dropped it inside the engine box, which was open, and it has +been there ever since. To-day it worked its way under the wheel and +stopped the machinery, or I might not have found it until I laid the +boat up for the winter, when I always take the engine out to clean it." + +"I think that is how it really did happen," said Mrs. Slater. "Sandy, +you were a bad dog to take the pocketbook!" and she shook her finger at +him. Sandy hung his head for a moment, but he was soon wagging his tail +joyfully as Bunny, Sue, and Harry petted him. + +And so Mrs. Brown's pocketbook and diamond ring, so strangely taken +away, were found again. Sandy did not drop the purse in the carpenter +shop, as was supposed. He carried it out again in his mouth, and kept it +until he leaped aboard the boat, when he dropped it. + +Mr. Ravenwood looked at the box in the woodshed, declaring it to be the +one that had been lost overboard in the storm. + +"So each one has his own again," said the young pattern-maker. "I have +my box, Harry has his dog, and Mrs. Brown has her diamond ring." + +There was much rejoicing, as you may imagine, and when Daddy Brown came +up that night he had to hear the whole story over and over again. + +Mr. Ravenwood departed that evening, taking his box with him and +promising to call and see the Browns in Bellemere when they returned +home. + +But the joyous days at Christmas Tree Cove were not yet over. Many happy +times followed, and Bunny Brown and his sister Sue were in the midst of +them. They had some adventures, also, but every one agreed that the one +of the lost and found diamond ring and dog was the most remarkable. And +now, for a time, we shall take leave of our little friends, perhaps to +meet them again in new scenes. + + + + + * * * * * + + + +_This Isn't All!_ + + Would you like to know what became of the good + friends you have made in this book? + + Would you like to read other stories continuing + their adventures and experiences, or other books + quite as entertaining by the same author? + + On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes + with this book, you will find a wonderful list of + stories which you can buy at the same store where + you got this book. + +_Don't throw away the Wrapper_ + + _Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want + some day to have. But in case you do mislay it, + write to the Publishers for a complete catalog._ + + + + +THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books, Etc. + +Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding. + +Each Volume Complete in Itself. + +These stories are eagerly welcomed by the little folks from about five +to ten years of age. Their eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively +doings of inquisitive little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful +sister Sue. + + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP-REST-A-WHILE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE SUNNY SOUTH + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE KEEPING STORE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR TRICK DOG + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT A SUGAR CAMP + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON THE ROLLING OCEAN + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON JACK FROST ISLAND + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT SHORE ACRES + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT BERRY HILL + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK + + + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS + +For Little Men and Women + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of "The Bunny Brown Series," Etc. + +Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding. + +Every Volume Complete in Itself. + +These books for boys and girls between the ages of three and ten stand +among children and their parents of this generation where the books of +Louisa May Alcott stood in former days. The haps and mishaps of this +inimitable pair of twins, their many adventures and experiences are a +source of keen delight to imaginative children. + + THE BOBBSEY TWINS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE COUNTY FAIR + THE BOBBSEY TWINS CAMPING OUT + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND BABY MAY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS KEEPING HOUSE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CLOVERBANK + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CHERRY CORNERS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND THEIR SCHOOLMATES + THE BOBBSEY TWINS TREASURE HUNTING + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SPRUCE LAKE + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + +SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of The Bobbsey Twins Books, The Bunny Brown Series, The Blythe +Girls Books, Etc. + +Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding. + +Every Volume Complete in Itself. + +Delightful stories for little boys and girls which sprung into immediate +popularity. To know the six little Bunkers is to take them at once to +your heart, they are so intensely human, so full of fun and cute +sayings. Each story has a little plot of its own--one that can be easily +followed--and all are written in Miss Hope's most entertaining manner. +Clean, wholesome volumes which ought to be on the bookshelf of every +child in the land. + + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MAMMY JUNE'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT FARMER JOEL'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MILLER NED'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT INDIAN JOHN'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT HAPPY JIM'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT SKIPPER BOB'S + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK + + + + +THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS + +By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE + +Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by + +WALTER S. ROGERS + +Honey Bunch is a dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to +take her to your heart at once. + +Little girls everywhere will want to discover what interesting +experiences she is having wherever she goes. + + HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST AUTO TOUR + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP ON THE OCEAN + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP WEST + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST SUMMER ON AN ISLAND + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK + + + + +CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS + +Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. + +THE MARJORIE BOOKS + +Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of +goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will +see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure. + + MARJORIE'S VACATION + MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS + MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND + MARJORIE IN COMMAND + MARJORIE'S MAYTIME + MARJORIE AT SEACOTE + +THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES + +Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a +little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, +high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes. + + TWO LITTLE WOMEN + TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE + TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY + +THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS + +Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, +their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories +"really true" to young readers. + + DICK AND DOLLY + DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + + * * * * * + + + +Transcriber's note: + + Obvious punctuation errors have been repaired. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT +CHRISTMAS TREE COVE*** + + +******* This file should be named 20134.txt or 20134.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/3/20134 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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