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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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Motor Boat Boys Mississippi Cruise</p> +<p> or, The Dash for Dixie</p> +<p>Author: Louis Arundel</p> +<p>Release Date: June 30, 2007 [eBook #21980]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS MISSISSIPPI CRUISE***</p> +<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Al Haines</h3></center><br><br> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p> </p> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="Jack was keeping his hand on the alert, ready to reverse his engine at even a second's warning." BORDER="2" WIDTH="403" HEIGHT="648"> +<H3 CLASS="h3center" STYLE="width: 403px"> +Jack was keeping his hand on the alert, ready to reverse his engine at even a second's warning. +</H3> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +MOTOR BOAT BOYS +<BR> +Mississippi Cruise +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +OR +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +<I>The Dash For Dixie</I> +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +By +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +LOUIS ARUNDEL +</H2> + +<BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +Chicago +<BR> +M. A. DONOHUE & CO. +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H5 ALIGN="center"> +Copyright 1914 +<BR> +by +<BR> +M. A. DONOHUE & CO. +<BR> +CHICAGO +</H5> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<BR> + +<CENTER> + +<TABLE WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">ALL ABOARD FOR DIXIELAND!</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">THE START</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">A HANDICAP AT THE FIRST STATION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">THE SUDDEN PERIL</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">AROUSED AT MIDNIGHT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">STARTLING NEWS FROM NEAR HOME</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">QUITE A SURPRISE PASTY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">LEFT IN THE LURCH</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">THE SWIFT RUN OF THE "TRAMP"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">IN A KENTUCKY COVE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">TURNING THE TABLES ON THE BANK ROBBERS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">"LUCKY JACK!"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">THE "WIRELESS" IN TOW</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">SIGNS OF THE SUNNY SOUTH</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">BUSTER TAKES HOPE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">ERASTUS, THE HOUSEBURNER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">THE SHERIFF'S POSSE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">AT THE MOUTH OF THE SUNFLOWER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">IN THE LAND OF COTTON</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">THE CASTAWAYS OF THE SWAMP</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">BUSTER FACES STARVATION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">THE DISCOVERY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">THE WINNER OF THE CUP—CONCLUSION</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +[Transcriber's note: The following two short stories were in the +original book, but are not related to the above story. No author was +given for them.] +</P> + +<H3> +<A HREF="#chap24">An Awakening at Alvin</A> +</H3> + +<H3> +<A HREF="#chap25">Caught with a Scrap of Paper</A> +</H3> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +THE MOTOR BOAT BOYS' <BR> +MISSISSIPPI CRUISE; +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +or +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +A Dash for the Dixie Cup +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ALL ABOARD FOR DIXIELAND! +</H3> + +<P> +"Aw, quit your kidding, now, George. You know I said I'd stick by you +to the bitter end; and nobody ever knew Nick Longfellow to back water, +did they?" +</P> + +<P> +"I guess you're right about that, Pudding. Your word is your strongest +hold—next to eating. I depend on you to be my boat-mate on that long +cruise, if so be we make a go of the race." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! even if Herb Dickson and Josh Purdue can't get a chance to enter +this old tub of theirs which they call the <I>Comfort</I>, what's to hinder +us from starting when Jack heads his dandy <I>Tramp</I> south; tell me that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing, Nick; only three boats would be better than two, and add to +the fun of the race for the silver cup;" and the speaker, George +Rollins, bent affectionately over the smart, bright engine of a new and +exceedingly narrow motor boat undoubtedly built for speed alone, and +carrying the significant name of <I>Wireless</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm told by Jack that the cup his father is having made is a jim dandy +one, and has the word 'Dixie' engraved on it," the fat boy remarked. +"He says it will be here by tomorrow. Perhaps when the other fellows +show it to their folks, they'll get the word they're waiting for." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, for one I'm not worrying about their not going along," remarked +George, as he rubbed away with a bit of waste. "Why, you know there'll +not be any school till away after Christmas this year, because the +Dunker boys came down with smallpox, and the health board ordered the +building closed. That gives us a hunky-dory vacation. It was what +made me think of going along with Jack in the first place." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," Nick went on; "he just has to be in New Orleans on the first of +December, because that will of his daffy old uncle is to be read then; +and the lawyer sent word that Jack Stormways was a big thing in the +money that's left. And everybody that's mentioned has to be present +when the will's read, or lose their share. That's a punk sort of a +job, ain't it now, George?" +</P> + +<P> +"Let up about that queer old uncle," remarked the other, in a low tone. +"For there's Jack coming right now, with Jimmy Brannagan dangling at +his heels. I guess Jimmy would go through fire and water for Jack, if +he could only do him a good turn." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," observed the fat lad, shaking his head in a positive way he +had, "why shouldn't he when Jack has done so much for him? Ever since +Jimmy's mother died he's lived at Jack's house, and had a chance to +attend school; though for that matter I don't think he'll ever set the +world on fire with his knowledge of books." +</P> + +<P> +"All the same the Irish boy is a shrewd fellow, and you've got to get +up mighty early in the morning to beat him out in an argument," grinned +George, who could look back to numerous occasions when he had confessed +himself a poor second under such conditions. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, look at the big bundle Jack's carrying, would you?" exclaimed +Nick, taking a sudden new interest in matters, and getting to his feet; +for he had been lazily stretched out, watching his comrade work at the +engine of the speed boat, which was like a big cigar in shape, somewhat +near twenty-seven feet in length, by only four and a half beam. +</P> + +<P> +"I honestly believe that's the bully old silver cup Jack's bringing +over to let us see," declared George, also aroused, so that his black +eyes flashed. +</P> + +<P> +"And it's going to be our silver cup some day before long; because, +just as you say, this fine little beauty can cut circles around both +the other motor boats," and the fat boy patted the varnished frame of +the <I>Wireless</I> as he spoke. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure thing," replied George, with a grin; "but don't discourage the +rest by rubbing it in that we've got such a soft snap." +</P> + +<P> +Two other fellows bustled into the big boathouse, where several +launches were resting on the floor on either side of the basin, at the +further end of which the water door was situated. +</P> + +<P> +Jack Stormways was an active lad of about seventeen. His figure was as +straight as that of an Indian, and his face one in which a steady +purpose seemed to abide. Usually of a sunny, cheerful disposition, he +knew how to arouse all dormant faculties in the members of a baseball +or football team of which he might chance to be captain. +</P> + +<P> +Nearly everybody liked Jack Stormways; and even such enemies as he +naturally made during his career in school admitted that they admired +his clean methods of doing things. +</P> + +<P> +His companion, Jimmie Brannagan, was a short-bodied Irish lad, with red +hair and a freckled face; but possessing a sturdy frame, as well as a +ready wit. +</P> + +<P> +"Open it up, and let us have a peep, Jack!" exclaimed George, as the +newcomer placed his package on a bench near by. +</P> + +<P> +"No use asking such sharp chaps as you to guess," observed the other, +laughingly, as he started to follow instructions by unwinding the many +papers that covered the mysterious bulky object. "You see everything, +know everything. Well, what d'ye think of that for a beauty, George +and Buster?" +</P> + +<P> +Poor Nick had about as many names as a prince of the royal blood. His +companions seemed to think that every title signifying something +bouncing should be applied to him at odd times. And so he answered to +anything that came along. +</P> + +<P> +"My gracious! but ain't she a corker, though?" Nick now gasped, as his +eyes seemed to be trying to pop out of his head with admiration. +</P> + +<P> +"Finest ever," observed George, a little envy in his black eyes; for +there were certain weak spots in his disposition that he had to fight +continually, sometimes winning out, and again giving in to the +temptation. +</P> + +<P> +It was certainly a handsome specimen of the Winona silversmith's +cunning, standing almost a foot and a half high, and being decorated +with a magnificent mimic representation of a little motor boat resting +under a live oak tree that overhung the water of a bayou; and which, of +course, represented Dixieland, as could be easily seen from the long +streamers of Spanish moss dangling from the limbs. +</P> + +<P> +Both boys handled the trophy with eager hands. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, that's worth going after," said Nick, finally. "And I'd like to +wager that when Herb and Josh show it to their folks they'll easily get +permission to join us in the long dash to New Orleans." +</P> + +<P> +"And what great times we've already had, laying out the program," +remarked Jack. "That was worth something, alone. The journey's +divided up in about two hundred mile divisions. No boat can leave a +division point until every contestant is there to make an even start. +Only the time <I>consumed between actual stations</I> to be counted in the +final summing up." +</P> + +<P> +"And that other provision about the running time being exactly between +eight in the morning and four in the afternoon is a mighty wise thing," +remarked George. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Nick, "but what worries the crew of the <I>Wireless</I> is what +they're going to do with all the time on their hands. We've planned to +take a gun along, so we can do some shooting as we wait; and then the +fishing ought to be worth while. If necessary, I'll go overboard, and +try those new White Wings I bought. I'm going to have a whole lot of +fun with those contraptions; besides learn how to swim like a duck." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! bother those old junk things; will we ever hear the last of the +wonderful stunts Pudding expects to do with 'em'?" groaned George. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure I saw him sthandin' in two fate of water one day, and flappin' +his wings like a burrd, so I did," declared Jimmie, seriously. "I +wanted him to walk out to dape water, but he said he didn't wish to get +the blissed things wet too suddent like." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, just change the subject, won't you?" begged Nick, turning as red +in the face as a turkey cock. "My time will come, and I'm going to +astonish you fellows. Why, I can float right now, though perhaps you +won't believe it." +</P> + +<P> +"On the contrary, I never believed you could sink," declared George, +derisively, as he surveyed the swelling proportions of his boat mate. +"Talk about needing artificial support to keep you on top; I bet you'd +float like a cork, or a lump of grease, if you only wasn't afraid to +make the try." +</P> + +<P> +"What are we waiting for now?" asked Nick, appealing to Jack, because +that comrade never nagged him. +</P> + +<P> +"Only to find out if the other fellows are going along," was Jack's +reply. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we've just got to know pretty quick," grumbled Nick. "I've been +kept waiting so long I'm wasting away to a mere shadow. If it holds up +much more, why I'll not have the appetite of a poor little dicky bird." +</P> + +<P> +Of course there was a shout at that, for truth to tell Nick seemed +never to get enough to eat. He couldn't cook worth while, and yet was +always first and last at the feast. On the other hand, there was the +long-bodied and lanky Josh Purdue who was a splendid hand at getting up +a camp dinner, yet seldom cared to partake of his tasty dishes, and was +also, they whispered, addicted to dyspepsia tablets! +</P> + +<P> +Between these two there was an almost constant warfare of humorous +badinage in connection with their several weaknesses. Josh would twit +the fat boy on his enormous capacity for stowing "grub" away; and on +the other hand, Nick generally came back with sarcastic remarks about +"shadows," and "living skeletons," and such unpleasant things. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got a pretty good hunch that the thing will be all settled before +another day," remarked Jack, nodding. "And if so, we can get away on +next Monday morning." +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah!" shouted Nick, waving his arms above his head. "Just imagine +what a bully good time we've got ahead of us, cruising down that creek +yonder," and he pointed to where they could see the waters of the +Mississippi flowing past the boathouse. +</P> + +<P> +"I've already made most of the arrangements," announced Jack, "and only +want to know whether there are going to be six of us, or only four, +before ordering the provisions for the start." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, how happy I am!" gurgled Nick, trying to dance in the confined +space alongside the motor boats, and almost falling into the well. +</P> + +<P> +"He always acts that way at the mere mention of the word grub," +declared George. +</P> + +<P> +"Now you wrong me, partner," remonstrated the injured one. "I'm only +anticipating what ge-lorious times you and I will have waiting for the +others to come along—you shooting a cargo of ducks and geese on the +sandbars, and little me sportin' in the tide with my jolly old wings +buoying me up. How can I stand another three days of this agony? +Somebody put me to sleep, and don't let me wake up till the horn blows +for the race to start Monday A. M." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, I like to oblige," observed Jimmie, rolling up his sleeves to +the elbows of his muscular arms. "If so be you wouldn't moind tilling +me av ye'd prefer the jolt on the ind of the chin, or under the lift +ear. I'm not at all particular mesilf, only I like to plase as good +natured a chap as Puddin' Longfellow." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, forget it, won't you, Jimmie? I guess I'll stay awake, after +all; there's so much to see and hear, yes, and eat, too. But seems to +me I just noticed a couple of fellows making this way from the road; +and sure as you live it's Herb and Josh. Look at the big grins they're +carrying, would you? Say, what d'ye think, they've gone and done +it—got permission to take part in the race for the cup. Wow! ain't +that all to the mustard, though?" +</P> + +<P> +The door was darkened by a couple of hurrying figures, as the pair +pushed into the boat house, almost out of breath from hard running, yet +with faces that fairly shone with eagerness to tell the news. +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah for us, fellows!" shouted the leading boy, as he waved his cap +violently above his head; "we're going along, all right. Dad gave in +at last after ma put it up to him. Count the <I>Comfort</I> in that race; +and she's going to give you all the time of your lives, too. Oh, my! +is that the silver cup trophy? Josh, take a look, will you? Won't it +just fit in my den, though? and I can see where they left space for +our illustrious names. Boys, three cheers and a tiger for the +Mississippi cruise!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE START. +</H3> + +<P> +The volume of shouts that went up was so tremendous that several other +fellows who happened to be passing the boathouse came rushing in to +find out what had happened. +</P> + +<P> +They found the six intended Mississippi cruisers shaking hands wildly, +and congratulating each other on their good fortune. +</P> + +<P> +There would be some envious fellows in town from that time on, when the +news that the great race had been finally arranged went abroad; for +hardly a boy but who would wish with all his heart and soul that he had +been lucky enough to be in the game. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, let's see that list of yours, Jack!" said Nick, after the +excitement had in a measure subsided, and they could talk coherently +again. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," observed Josh quickly, "you don't suppose Buster would be able +to sleep a wink unless he knew there was going to be heaps of eatin' +stuff along. For goodness sake, get out your list at the grocer's, +Jack, and let him run it over. If Buster keeps on losing flesh, what +in the world d'ye suppose the blessed old <I>Comfort's</I> going to do for +<I>ballast</I>?" +</P> + +<P> +"There you go," declared Nick, reproachfully, "hitting me below the +belt as usual. Ain't I only thinking of the rest of you when I bother +myself about such a thing as grub? Some people have to be tempted with +dainties, to take their daily rations. As for me a cup of coffee, huh, +give me some bread or crackers, a rasher of bacon with eggs, a potato +baked in the ashes of a camp fire—and I'm as happy as a king." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes," Josh went on, persistently, "I admit all that, provided the +<I>quantity</I> is there. Quality seldom enters into your calculations, +Buster. But say, Jack, let's get busy. We've only got one more day, +then comes Sunday, and the morning after——" +</P> + +<P> +"We're off!" cried George, as he cast a fond look toward his swift +speed boat; and then glanced around in a way that told how much he +pitied these poor "chumps" who actually imagined they had a ghost of a +chance to win the long race. +</P> + +<P> +So for an hour and more they put their wise heads together, and conned +the lists Jack produced. Many changes were suggested, some of which +were made, after they had been discussed <I>pro</I> and <I>con</I>; for Jack was +open to conviction, though as a rule there was little that he had +forgotten, or that could be bettered in the program. +</P> + +<P> +Then each couple started to examine the boat in which they purposed +taking that long dash toward Dixieland. It was of great importance +that as few accidents as possible occur while on the way south. For, +although an accident in itself would not penalize the contestant, if it +happened to occur during the eight working hours there must be a loss +of time that would lessen the chances for winning out. +</P> + +<P> +"There's only one thing I wish," remarked Herb, as they talked over +these matters, and jotted down a few ideas connected with the race. +</P> + +<P> +"What might that be?" asked Nick, eagerly, for he was taking note of +everything that occurred, and casting envious glances toward the fine +trophy on the box. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course," the other went on, "I hope the reliable old <I>Comfort</I> +won't break down once on the trip; and I give you my word I don't +believe she will. But if that <I>has</I> got to happen, I'm wishing it will +be just around four in the afternoon. See the point, fellows?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," replied Jimmie, with a grin. "That gives ye the hull night to +be makin' repairs, and without losin' a blissed minute of time. A wise +guy ye are, so I'm thinkin', Herbie." +</P> + +<P> +A close inspection failed to disclose any structural weakness about any +one of the three boats, or their motive power. Of course, each pilot +was convinced in his own mind that he had the best chance to win. +George relied mainly on speed; Herb placed his dependence on the well +known ability of his broad-beamed boat to stand up before heavy seas, +and always get there safely in the end; while with Jack there was a +combination of these several points of excellence. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," the last named remarked, as they prepared to go home, and the +boathouse was being locked up for the night; "I can see where we're +going to have a warm time of it in the last half of the race." +</P> + +<P> +"How's that?" burst forth the eager Nick. "Tell us, Jack; it ain't +fair to keep anything back. Will they arrest us for breaking the speed +laws down south?" +</P> + +<P> +"See!" cried Herb, instantly, "that's where a guilty conscience works +overtime. It's just what he gets for risking his life in that floating +coffin," and he jerked his thumb disdainfully toward the building they +were leaving. +</P> + +<P> +At that the proud owner of the cigar-shaped craft laughed aloud. +</P> + +<P> +"Green with envy already, Herb!" he exclaimed. "Don't you pay any +attention to what he says, Pudding. We're just going to lick the whole +bunch to a frazzle, and that's easy. Now, Jack, suppose you tell us +what's on your mind? How are we going to have lots of trouble in the +last half, more than in the beginning?" +</P> + +<P> +"When you fellows begin to study those maps of the Mississippi I +brought you, it will open your eyes," Jack went on. "Why, the upper +stretches of this river are as straight as a yard stick compared with +what lies below Memphis. If ever you saw a snake turning and twisting +after you've hit him with a stone you've got an idea of what the big +river is down there in Dixie. It forms loops and bends galore. It +turns back north, runs east, then west and for a short time south. For +ten miles southing you make you have to go thirty." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I understood that was the way; but why should that bother us?" +demanded George. "What's fair for one is fair for all. We'll hug the +easterly shore all we can, and save many a mile." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you will," smiled Jack, "and then again the current races +faster out in the middle, so the boat that ventures may profit by that. +But what I had in mind was the innumerable cut-offs we're apt to +strike." +</P> + +<P> +"Cut-offs!" exclaimed Nick, turning a trifle pale, as though he thought +this had something to do with the favorite southern lynching bee. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I know about those things," declared Herb, carelessly. +"Sometimes a native can save twenty miles by shooting through where a +passage runs across a neck of wooded land. But I guess the good old +<I>Comfort</I> will stick to the main stream. I may be the tortoise in this +race, but there's lots of chances the hares will lie down for a little +nap in the way, and let me go past." +</P> + +<P> +"But it's fair to take advantage of a cut-off, ain't it?" asked George. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course it is, if you want to take the chance of getting twisted, +and losing oodles of hours wandering around in some old swamp," Jack +answered. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, they ought to have those cut-offs marked with buoys, or sign +posts," grumbled George. +</P> + +<P> +"Too many changes taking place all the time," Jack replied, showing how +earnestly he had been studying the field. "They just couldn't do it. +But of all three craft, yours ought to be the last one to want to steal +a march on the rest, George." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well, I don't expect to be compelled to; but then you never know +what's going to happen. Suppose we had a breakdown, and lost many +hours—it might be up to the <I>Wireless</I> to get busy, and wipe out some +of that slack. But I'm going to study that lower river part till I get +it by heart, bet your boots on that, fellows." +</P> + +<P> +"And me ditto," said Nick, quickly. "None of that lost in the swamp +for me. Just think how awful it would be, boys, wandering around day +after day with snakes and alligators waiting to snap you up! Ugh!" +</P> + +<P> +"That isn't the worst of it, Buster; just imagine the food giving out! +Whatever in the wide world would you do?" asked Jack, with a chuckle. +</P> + +<P> +Nick gave a wild look, and then groaned dismally. +</P> + +<P> +"If it came to a case of drawing lots I just know George would pick out +the lucky number, because he often looks at me now as if he'd like to +eat me," he mumbled, no doubt falling to the joke, but nevertheless +with a vein of seriousness in his voice. +</P> + +<P> +On the following day the six boys haunted the boathouse most of the +time. If anything was forgotten it could not have been for lack of +consultations, since they were constantly putting their heads together, +advising, making little changes in the packing and stowing of things, +and running errands back to their homes and the stores. +</P> + +<P> +When they left at eventime they knew of nothing that could be done to +better conditions. Each boat was in prime condition for the southern +dash of many hundreds of miles, possibly over stormy waters, where +perils of various kinds awaited them. +</P> + +<P> +And doubtless never in the history of those several families were such +restless boys known as during the Sunday that followed. The minutes +seemed to drag as if weighted down with stones. +</P> + +<P> +But the longest day has its end, and finally night came. +</P> + +<P> +Alarm clocks had been set for dawn, but in few cases were they needed, +since the boys were up and doing before the gray had actually crept +into the eastern heavens. +</P> + +<P> +At seven o'clock a crowd began to assemble in the vicinity of the +boathouse from which the start was to be made; for the race was the +event of the season. Every boy in town was on the spot, and the +constables had to keep the crowd from actually swarming over and +swamping the busy contestants and their families. +</P> + +<P> +The three motor boats were ready in the water, with burgees flying and +looking as spic and span as human energy could make them. The silver +trophy was in the possession of Jack's father, and had been admired by +hundreds. +</P> + +<P> +As the time set for the start approached, the six boys manifested +considerable nervousness. But this might be expected even of old +campaigners, not to speak of young lads who, up to now, had possibly +never been more than one or two hundred miles away from home. +</P> + +<P> +Jack was really in command, since he had been elected commodore of the +club by unanimous vote. He seemed capable of keeping his head in a +time of excitement, and that meant a great deal. +</P> + +<P> +Everything had been attended to so far as he knew, and they were now +only waiting for the town clock to boom out the hour of eight, when the +starting toot of his conch shell horn would announce that the race was +on. +</P> + +<P> +It was a foregone conclusion that the speed boat would easily take the +lead, for almost everything had been sacrificed in her construction to +the one prime necessity for reeling off the miles. Nick was quivering +all over with anxiety. He might have backed out only that he chanced +to have a stubborn streak in his make-up, and his word had been given. +But he certainly looked far from happy as he faced the gloomy prospect +of days and days cooped up in that cranky craft, where the least +movement abroad [Transcriber's note: aboard?] set up a dizzy wabbling. +</P> + +<P> +"Got your hair parted exactly in the middle, Buster?" shouted a comrade +from the crowd, noting how the fat boy gripped the sides of the boat +every time the pilot made a sudden little movement that caused the +touchy <I>Wireless</I> to bob or roll. +</P> + +<P> +"Better take a teenty more breath in that right lung, Hippo!" called +another, with cruel intent; but Nick only grinned, and waved his hand, +as though utterly indifferent to their jibes. +</P> + +<P> +Jack looked at his little dollar nickel watch for the last time. +</P> + +<P> +"Five minutes more only, fellows!" he announced. "Get aboard, all!" +</P> + +<P> +Presently they were settled in their places, and the engines had been +started to make sure everything was right for the word "go!" +</P> + +<P> +Then the plain sound of the clock in the town hall came to their ears, +as it started to strike the hour. +</P> + +<P> +"Let loose!" called Jack; and immediately gave several sharp toots on +his shell signal horn. +</P> + +<P> +A storm of wild cheers broke out when the trio of handsome boats shot +off as soon as those on the dock had eased the detaining cables. +</P> + +<P> +"Look at the <I>Wireless</I>, will you? Talk about your speed, ain't she +got it to burn, though?" shouted one enthusiast, as the long, +cigar-shaped boat shot ahead, and rapidly opened a gap between herself +and the other contestants. +</P> + +<P> +And minutes before the <I>Tramp</I> and the <I>Comfort</I>, she passed out of +sight around the bend in the river, a mile below the town. +</P> + +<P> +As long as the pilots of the other two craft could see the faintest +sign of the home town they were leaving on this long and doubtless +perilous voyage over unknown waters, they could hear the whoops of the +excited people, as they waved the adventurous cruisers and racers an +adieu, with good wishes for a safe journey. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A HANDICAP AT THE FIRST STATION. +</H3> + +<P> +"We've got to pull up here, Jimmie!" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure; and what time have ye, Jack?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just eleven. We've been booming along for three hours today, besides +the whole eight yesterday, and without a single breakdown, too," and +Jack looked proudly at the little motor which he was bending over and +petting. +</P> + +<P> +"Thims the houses of Clinton we say away ahead there, thin?" asked +Jimmie, as he shaded his eyes with a palm, and stared toward the south. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, on the Illinois shore; and across the way lies Clinton in Iowa. +I used the marine glass which every boat carries, and there isn't a +sign of either the <I>Wireless</I> or the <I>Comfort</I> ahead. That means, +Jimmie, we're the first to arrive at the initial bag or station." +</P> + +<P> +The Irish boy grinned as though tickled. "Sure I can understand why +Herb and Josh are held back by a slow boat; but by the powers where can +that speed boy be? By the way he wint off he might be bringing up in +New Orleans just now," he remarked, humorously. +</P> + +<P> +"If I gave a guess I'd say he was up in some creek, tinkering at that +twenty horsepower engine of his that shakes the whole frame of his boat +whenever he opens the throttle wide," Jack replied. +</P> + +<P> +"Right ye are," declared Jimmie, nodding his head. "And by the toime +we get to the journey's ind I belave on me sowl George and Buster will +know the location of ivery creek along the river." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked the pilot of the boat, as he turned shoreward, "if a +fellow is daft enough to sacrifice everything else for speed, on a long +cruise like this, he must expect to put up with all sorts of trouble. +But I'm sorry for Buster, though." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure he can afford to lose twinty pounds, and not fale it," declared +the Irish boy, sagely. "And so long as the provisions howld out, +Buster won't kick too harrd." +</P> + +<P> +When they had arrived at a certain point not far from the shore the +engine was shut off. +</P> + +<P> +"Now!" sang out Jack, "drop it! Quick, Jimmie!" +</P> + +<P> +With a splash the anchor fell into the water, and presently the jaunty +little motor boat was riding restlessly at the end of her cable; while +the two boys started to get something ready to eat. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie was to act as cook most of the time, since the other inmate of +the <I>Tramp</I> had plenty of things to hold his attention in managing the +engine, and figuring out the course. +</P> + +<P> +First of all Jimmie placed on a firm foundation a neat little +contraption made of brass, and which seemed to be a kerosene stove, +capable of manufacturing gas. It was the pet of the skipper, and had +served him many a time under conditions when a camp fire was out of the +question, on account of pouring rain, or from some other reason. +</P> + +<P> +This Juwel kerosene-burning stove was of German origin. It was primed +with a little alcohol, and when the heat had thus been applied to the +plate a few pumps started the oil to moving, and it was turned into +blue flame gas, very powerful in its capacity for boiling water +speedily. +</P> + +<P> +When the stove was going it made a little crackling, hissing noise, but +nothing to cause annoyance. And its convenience on a cruise of this +sort outweighed any minor faults. +</P> + +<P> +The other boats were equipped with other cooking appliances, the +<I>Wireless</I> having a battery of three lamps, and the <I>Comfort</I> a genuine +gasoline affair, of course of generous proportions as became so big a +craft, on which a dinner for the crowd might have been prepared if +necessary. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie heated some Boston baked beans left over from the preceding +night's supper, and made a pot of coffee. A loaf of bread and some +cheese afforded ample substantial, as Jimmie declared when he could eat +no more. +</P> + +<P> +Still there were no signs of either of the other boats above. They +could see various river craft moving about, but though Jack used his +glasses diligently up to two o'clock he had discovered nothing of the +others. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, this looks bad for a beginning," he observed, as three o'clock +came, and he took the glasses again to sweep the upper river. "Already +we have a start of four hours on both our rivals. Perhaps after all +George may have to explore some of those cut-offs Nick dreads so much, +in order to make up for time lost while tinkering with that blessed old +engine of his, that breaks down once in so often." +</P> + +<P> +He had hardly applied the glasses to his eyes than he gave an +exclamation. +</P> + +<P> +"I wager now that's the bully ould <I>Comfort</I> splashing along in the +middle of the river!" cried Jimmie, who had good eyes of his own and +had been using them to some advantage meanwhile. +</P> + +<P> +"Go up head, Jimmie," said Jack; "for that's just what it is. And as +sure as you live I think I sight the rushing <I>Wireless</I> away back +there, booming along, and cutting through the water like a knife, while +the broad bow of Herb's boat throws the spray flying with every dip! +It's a race for second honors, that's what it is, Jimmie!" +</P> + +<P> +"Whirra! and we're the spectators, so we are!" cried the delighted +Irish lad, as he eagerly reached for the glasses and clapped them to +his eyes. "Yis, ye're right, Jack, it's the speed boat all the same; +and my sowl, how she's rushing things! By the powers, don't I hope the +ould <I>Comfort</I> draws in here ahead. Won't it make George feel down in +the mouth to be last at the stake?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! this is only a beginning," remarked Jack. "Nobody can tell what +is going to happen before we bring up at New Orleans. Depend on it, +Jimmie, all of us will know a heap more by then than we do now." +</P> + +<P> +"Herb sees us," observed Jimmie. "Josh is wavin' a flag. And the boat +heads this way, too, makin' better time than I iver saw her do. Hurrah +for thim! Look at the coffin nail gainin'; but I do believe the tub +will win out afther all, I do that." +</P> + +<P> +And so it proved; for, although George evidently risked considerable, +and shoved on every horsepower his engine was rated at, he could not +quite overtake the big clumsy craft he had affected to despise; so that +the <I>Comfort</I> was alongside before the speed boat was more than within +hailing distance. +</P> + +<P> +Jack himself timed the coming of each craft, as was the duty of the one +first at a station. Thus he knew just what a handicap the other boats +labored under as the result of the initial run. +</P> + +<P> +It was already late in the day, and as they were prohibited from +running after the hour of four, a start was out of the question until +another morning. +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly the three craft made preparations for stopping over another +night. A place was found where they could go ashore and camp, though +meaning to sleep aboard their several boats; a necessity that caused +poor Nick many a groan. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, fellows," he grunted, rubbing himself in various places, "I'm +just covered with bruises after one night of it. No room to turn +without the bally old boat heaving and rolling. I give you my word +there were lots of times I really made up my mind the blessed thing +wanted to turn us both out into the creek. And would you believe it, I +haven't yet been able to find those bully water wings anywhere. Seen +anything of 'em, boys? Oh! I hope you have, because half the fun will +be lost to me if I've gone and left my wings behind." +</P> + +<P> +But no one remembered seeing the articles in question after the last +time the owner had been holding them up for admiration, and which was +on the Saturday before the start. +</P> + +<P> +"So, you did pass the night in a creek, then?" asked Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we did," admitted George, with a shrug of his shoulders. +"Engine began to give trouble before two o'clock, and as we were near +the shore we found a convenient creek, where we pushed in; and I've +been working on that motor pretty much all the time since." +</P> + +<P> +"We saw you both go past this morning," remarked Nick. "But George +wouldn't let me give a toot on my horn. All I did was to cook while he +worked." +</P> + +<P> +"And eat. Don't forget to mention that, please," grumbled the +aforesaid George. "Why, fellows, if he keeps on the way he's started, +I sure don't know how we'll ever get enough grub aboard to keep going. +And besides, such cooking you never saw." +</P> + +<P> +"Here, no complaining," declared Jack. "You knew what you were up +against before you started. And Buster is a willing chap, even if he +has his faults. I've got a man aboard who's in training to equal +Buster's record before this trip ends," and he nodded his head toward +Jimmie, who grinned and answered: +</P> + +<P> +"Indade an' I begin to belave that same mesilf, fellers. I'm hungry +all the time, so I be. It must be in the air. Jack himself is no +slouch whin it comes to stowing away things." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right," laughed Josh, seeing a chance to get in one of his +favorite digs at Nick; "but I can feel for poor old George. He's +tucked in with a cemetery, that devours everything, and keeps yawning +for more." +</P> + +<P> +And so they talked as they made a fire and prepared supper for the +crowd just as the sun hovered over the distant shore to the west. No +one came to bother them, for the place was isolated. A railroad ran +near by, and during the night they heard numerous trains passing along. +But snugly tucked away in their respective boats—much too snugly, Nick +believed—they found little cause for complaint. +</P> + +<P> +Another dawn found them facing a proposition that offered new +possibilities. +</P> + +<P> +"Hey! it's raining!" shouted Josh, he being the first one in the little +fleet to get outside that morning. +</P> + +<P> +But Jack had known this for some time, since he had been awake and +heard the patter of the falling drops on the taut canvas awning that +covered the main part of the <I>Tramp</I>. +</P> + +<P> +After a while the boats were allowed to come closer together, while the +pilots conferred as to the program for the day. +</P> + +<P> +There were one or two feeble protests against starting in the wet; but +on putting it to a vote the decision was reached that they must go on. +</P> + +<P> +"We're not made of sugar or salt," declared Jack; "and besides, haven't +we anticipated just such weather by providing waterproof garments. +Everybody get into their oilskins right away, and slap a real old +sou'wester on their heads. We can afford to laugh at this poor little +storm. Wait till we strike something worth while later on, and then +duck." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," put in George, a little maliciously; "we've just got to be +moving right along, fellows. Satan always finds mischief for idle +hands to do. Buster is supposed to be the deck hand aboard this boat, +and when he hasn't anything else to do his mind keeps wandering in the +line of eating. Suppose we did get really cleaned out some fine day, +am I bound to begin on him for chops?" +</P> + +<P> +All this while they were busy dressing, and Nick made the narrow speed +boat wabble fearfully with his movements as he drew on his oilskins. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I tell you I'm just going to be a complete nervous wreck before +we get done with this fool race," he complained when he had finally +succeeded in donning the wide trousers, the legs of which persisted in +sticking together. +</P> + +<P> +"Get out and walk then," said George, promptly. +</P> + +<P> +"I would if the walking was good," replied Nick; "but it's wet both +above and below; and besides I want to give another look around for my +precious white wings." +</P> + +<P> +At eight o'clock another start was made. As before, the fleet boat +shot ahead, with the <I>Tramp</I> a good second, and the wallowing <I>Comfort</I> +in the rear, Herb and Josh in no way disconcerted because of the poor +beginning. History had a way of repeating itself; and they believed +that the accident to George's cranky engine was only a specimen of many +other troubles and tribulations that would be apt to befall the +ambitious pilot during the progress of the race. +</P> + +<P> +But hardly had the <I>Wireless</I> gone two hundred yards before there was a +tremendous splash heard. +</P> + +<P> +"Arrah now!" burst out Jimmie, who had happened to be looking at the +time, "it's happened just as I knowed it would!" +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" asked Jack, bobbing up from the engine, which had been +taking all of his attention. +</P> + +<P> +"He falled overboard, so he did, just like a sack of corn!" continued +Jimmie. +</P> + +<P> +"Who did——oh! look at all the splashing back of the <I>Wireless</I>! Why +it's Buster and he's holding on to a rope or something! Stop the boat, +George; stop her!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE SUDDEN PERIL. +</H3> + +<P> +Even while Jack Stormways was giving vent to that shout he saw that +George had shut off power, for the swift speed boat no longer rushed +through the water like a thing of life. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile both the other launches were bearing down upon the scene, +with their occupants only too anxious to lend a helping hand. +</P> + +<P> +George had seized hold of the other end of the rope to which the +unfortunate Nick clung so desperately, and was dragging the floundering +fat boy in, hand over hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on, George—not so fast I tell you! I'm full up now with this +nasty yellow water, and can't stand any more. Easy, George! Oh, if I +only had my wings on right now, what a chance to try 'em out!" +</P> + +<P> +In this ridiculous fashion the flapping boy-fish gave vent to his +mingled feelings of reproach and regret as he found himself hauled +close in to the side of the drifting <I>Wireless</I>, until the skipper +managed to get his fingers twisted in the abundant scalplock of his +boat-mate. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, he's got a life preserver on! He couldn't have drowned if he +tried!" exclaimed Josh, as he leaned over the side of the big roomy +<I>Comfort</I>; an act that did not seem to disturb her stability one bit. +</P> + +<P> +"Course I have!" spluttered the dangling Nick, ever ready to take up +cudgels with this adversary, no matter what his condition. "Course I +have," he repeated. "Think me crazy to sail in this cranky message +boat without insurance against a spill? I guess not. And you see what +a wise head Nick has, fellows! Why, hang it, I'd just about been +drowned this time if it hadn't been for this hunky-dory life preserver!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," said Jack, warmly. "And you're a wise boy, all right, +Buster. Just as long as you ride in that speed machine you keep close +to that cork affair. You never know when you'll need it." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," grunted Nick, as he ejected a quart or so of water which +had gotten into his mouth and stomach. "Ugh! get me aboard, please. I +feel wet!" +</P> + +<P> +"Glory! hear that, would ye?" roared Jimmie. "Sure he looks it, too, +by the same token. But it will nade the hull caboodle of us to lift +Buster aboard, for what wid all the wather he's gulped down he must +weigh a ton, so he do." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, he certainly changed his mind, and concluded that the walking was +good, after all!" exclaimed Herb, as he lent a hand toward raising the +young elephant. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," remarked George, who had really been badly frightened, but now +tried to hide his feelings by a little joshing, "and I don't think it's +a bit fair for your own crew to mutiny that way, and turn against the +skipper." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" gasped Nick, half way over the side; "who mutinied?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, the evidence is all against you, Hippo," returned his boatmate. +"Didn't you see him, boys, holding on to a rope, and trying his level +best to keep the dandy little <I>Wireless</I> from getting too great a +start? I'm going to offer that as a protest if I miss getting the +silver Dixie cup." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh!" +</P> + +<P> +That was all Nick could get out, for just then with a grand heave all +around his comrades managed to raise him over the gunwale of the speed +launch, so that he came down on the after deck with a squash, streams +of water running off his saturated garments. +</P> + +<P> +"There's only one thing to do," remarked Jack, "and that's to make a +fresh start when Buster gets into some dry clothes. So hurry up, old +fellow." +</P> + +<P> +"However did you come to do it, Pudding?" demanded Herb, as the three +boats kept company drifting on the current of the river. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I hardly know," grinned the other, as he started to leisurely +undress. "I saw a coil of rope slipping overboard, and remember +bending down to grab it. Guess the frisky little craft must have given +a kick just about then. Next thing I knew I was in the drink, and +swallowing more water than was good for me." +</P> + +<P> +"But you grabbed the rope all right, it seems!" remarked Josh, +sarcastically. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks like it," admitted the other readily; "and I held on, too. My +dad always did say I was a great fellow to keep my grip once I got it. +There's only one thing I'm sorry about." +</P> + +<P> +"Now just quit that right where you are," remarked George. "What do +you take me for, a phonograph with a blank record? Forget about those +silly wings that were going to make a swimmer out of you. A few more +duckings like this at the end of a rope and you'll be a boss paddler." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! do you think so, George! Perhaps, then, once in a while you +wouldn't mind tying a rope under my arms and letting me drop, +easy-like, off the stern here, to learn the strokes. I wouldn't care +very much, if I always had this good old cork thing on." +</P> + +<P> +"You get out!" snorted George, who never knew when his companion was +serious or joking, since his pudgy face was always set in a broad +smile. "What d'ye take me for, hey? Think this is an excursion to +teach fellows who won't try it on at home, how to swim? You've got +another think coming then. Hurry up and get into some dry clothes now. +We want to be off." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! start just when you feel like it; I'm going to take my time. Now +quit joshing me. I'm too full for utterance," and to prove the truth +of his assertion Nick bent over the side to eject another quart of +water he had been forced to swallow, much against his will. +</P> + +<P> +So presently Jack gave the word and again the three boats made a fresh +start, in the same general alignment as before, with the <I>Wireless</I> +ahead, and the big <I>Comfort</I> bringing up the rear. +</P> + +<P> +Half an hour later and Jack, looking around, found that he could no +longer see either of his competitors, the rain and mist utterly +shutting them from view. +</P> + +<P> +For some time, however, the heavy "pant" of the <I>Comfort's</I> exhaust +came booming from the rear, though by slow degrees it grew fainter, +until finally even this sign of her presence failed. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope George will be cautious in this half fog and rain," Jack could +not help remarking, as they continued to run along, and he kept Jimmie +constantly in the bow to report what the prospect ahead might be. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, I was just thinkin' that same," admitted the Irish lad, turning +his head for a minute while speaking. "It's so thick beyant that I do +belave a stameboat might crape up on us unawares, and we not know a +thing about it till we kim slap bang against its bow." +</P> + +<P> +"That's one thing I'm afraid of," remarked Jack. "You notice that I +manage to keep fairly close to the shore, don't you, Jimmie? Once in a +while I glimpse the Illinois bank when the breeze lifts the fog a bit. +I wouldn't like to run out in the middle of the river in this muss. +The only thing I'm wondering is what boats coming up-stream do in a +mess like this? Do they creep along closer to the shore than usual; or +stick to the middle, and whistle from time to time?" +</P> + +<P> +But Jimmie shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"Blest if I know a thing about it, Jack," he admitted. "All the same, +it's me opinion that ye're doin' the right thing. Sure, ye always do, +by the same token," for Jimmie was a great admirer of Jack Stormways, +and ready to stick to him through thick and thin. +</P> + +<P> +"What a lucky thing it was Buster thought to tie that life preserver +on. Only for that he might have been drowned before any of us could +get to him," Jack remarked a short time later. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! after all, he's the wise guy, an' don't ye forget it, Jack. Only +I'm sorry for poor Buster, becase, ye say, he really don't hanker +afther goin' on the thrip at all, it sames. And sure, it must be +pretty tough balancing in that cranky ould boat all the time." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't waste too much pity on Buster, Jimmie," laughed Jack. "When you +come to know him as well as I do you'll understand that a heap of his +agony is put on. To tell the truth, I've often suspected him of being +even a bigger joker than Josh. Besides, he ought to put up with a heap +from George; just think how the skipper has got to eat Buster's cooking +for a couple of weeks, maybe. I wonder if he'll ever live through it. +But perhaps Buster may improve, now that he just has to eat his own +messes." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, he's got his mamy's blissed cook book along," observed the +other, with one of his broad grins. "Didn't I say him studying it like +a gossoon?" +</P> + +<P> +"Poor George! I wouldn't be in his shoes for a cooky. But turn around +again, Jimmie. I don't feel easy about this sort of cruising. That's +why I've cut off some of our speed, you notice. Safety is my play +first, and progress afterward." +</P> + +<P> +"And a bully good motto, Jack, that always gets ye through all sorts of +scrapes, right side up wid care. Ugh! did ye say that floater we +passed? Sure it was a big tree, so it was. And av we'd slapped bang +agin the roots, what a juicy hole they'd have knocked in our shiny +side. Ye swerved just in the nick of time, Jacky, bye." +</P> + +<P> +"Keep watching, and sing out if you see or hear anything." +</P> + +<P> +Jack was keeping his hand on the alert, ready to reverse his engine at +even a second's warning. Then he could swerve, if it became necessary +to avoid some peril that suddenly loomed up ahead. +</P> + +<P> +A train was moving slowly along ashore, and apparently groping its way, +if one could judge from the many signal whistles heard. This rumbling +sound was magnified in the fog until it seemed almost deafening at +times. It annoyed Jack, for he was straining his heading to catch +anything that came up the river. +</P> + +<P> +Still, he had adopted all precautions that might occur to a careful +cruiser, and under the circumstances it seemed a bit silly to think of +halting in his progress down the stream. +</P> + +<P> +Several hours passed thus, with both boys laboring under a constant +strain. +</P> + +<P> +"Would ye moind tilling me the time, Jack, darlint?" asked the Irish +lad, still crouched in the bow as a lookout. +</P> + +<P> +"Just twelve," replied the engineer, straightening up for a change, and +as customary, casting a glance ahead as well as on either side; for if +anything the atmosphere was just as thick as ever—indeed, Jimmie had +more than once referred to it contemptuously as "pea soup!" +</P> + +<P> +"Arrah! would ye moind now if I got a bite of grub? I'm that impty I +suspect me stomach is glued till me backbone." +</P> + +<P> +Jack laughingly gave his consent. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll keep on double duty while you're about it," he remarked; "and +play the part of engineer and pilot. At the same time here goes to +reduce speed another notch, to be on the safe side." +</P> + +<P> +Of course it was useless thinking of having anything hot while going +along at even half speed, much as they would have enjoyed a cup of +coffee to warm them up, for the rain and fog made the air seem chilly. +</P> + +<P> +"But in a race every minute ought to count," remarked Jack, when Jimmie +suggested this thing of stopping half an hour. "This is our running +time, you know. After four o'clock we can hold up all we want. In +fact we have to, as nothing gained by keeping on then counts." +</P> + +<P> +And so they ate a cold "snack," as Jack called it, while pursuing their +course down the river. Jimmie was again perched in the bow, talking +when his jaws were not otherwise taken up in masticating his sandwich. +</P> + +<P> +"Seems to me the fog is lifting just a little," suggested Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't belave it," objected the other. "Me eyes is clane tired +tryin' to say into the mess beyant. Sometimes I do be thinkin' I +glimpse a big stameboat comin' straight for us; and just whin I'm +shoutin' to ye to back wather, I discover that it do be a fraud. Right +now the same delusion sames to strike me, an' sure am I dramin', or is +that something like a house below? Jack, darlint, it moves, sure it +do! The wolf is comin' at last! Back her, Jack, back her, me bye! +It's a stameboat this time right enough, and bearin' dead for us, by +the same token!" +</P> + +<P> +And the boy at the motor knew the emergency which he had been +anticipating for the last three hours had suddenly come upon them, for +a packet was pushing up the river just ahead, and aiming direct for the +little launch! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AROUSED AT MIDNIGHT. +</H3> + +<P> +"Hold tight, Jimmie!" cried Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"I am that!" shrilled the Irish lad, crouched in the bow, with his eyes +staring wildly at the dreadful shape that was swiftly drawing closer to +them, as though bent on running the motor boat down. +</P> + +<P> +Jack had changed his plan at the critical instant. He had a peculiar +faculty for grasping a situation, and solving a problem. Although he +had made up his mind to reverse in a case like this, it flashed over +him that such a course just then would have but one result—the +collision might be deferred for a few seconds; but if the approaching +steamboat continued to advance, it must take place after all. +</P> + +<P> +Better to throw on full power, and try to slide off to one side, thus +giving the big craft the right of way. +</P> + +<P> +It was done in a twinkling. The <I>Tramp</I> shot forward with a jerk; and +had Jimmie not been forewarned he might have found himself thrown +sideways into the river, for the little craft careened badly in making +the swerve. +</P> + +<P> +But she answered gallantly to the call, and glided out of the way just +is the broad bow of the sternwheel steamboat came along, raising a +white, foam-crested wave as she breasted the swift current. +</P> + +<P> +Jack fancied he heard a startled exclamation from up in the pilothouse +of the big craft; but not a word was flung at them. That the man at +the wheel realized how remiss he had been in not signaling oftener, was +made evident, for immediately a long and hoarse whistle broke loose, +even as the steamboat was passing the boys. +</P> + +<P> +"Wow!" gasped Jimmie, as he turned a white face toward his mate; "that +was about as clost a call as I iver want to mate up wid. And sure, +only for your wonderful prisence of moind we might have been run down. +The same 'twas criminal carelessness, so it was. And I'd like to give +the bog-trotter a bit of me moind." +</P> + +<P> +Jack himself had gone through a thrilling experience, which he would +hardly care to have duplicated. He was trembling some too, now that +the necessity for prompt action and quick thought was gone. +</P> + +<P> +"But didn't she respond to the wheel fine though, Jimmie?" he asked: +just as if the boat deserved all the credit. "If it had been the +clumsy old <I>Comfort</I> now, nothing would have saved her, she's so slow +to mind her helm." +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie had ideas of his own about the matter. What they were he did +not choose to put into words just then; but the way his kindling eyes +surveyed his friend made it easy to guess. +</P> + +<P> +"An' did ye notice how soon the pilot blowed his whistle?" he remarked, +as they resumed their course. "Small use that same would have been to +us afther a smash. Sure, I'd taken it for Gabriel's trump calling us +to the resurrection, I would." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, let's forget it if we can, and talk of something more pleasant," +observed Jack, who was now urging the little boat nearer the shore than +ever, since it appeared they had been in the path of up-river craft, +hugging the Illinois bank. +</P> + +<P> +Of course he had again reduced the engine to half speed; and his +vigilance was not in the least relaxed. +</P> + +<P> +"Give me warning if you ever even <I>think</I> you see anything ahead, +Jimmie," he remarked a little later. "Then we can get ready to head +in, while we're trying to make out what it is. But I'll be glad when +this beastly day is over, that's what." +</P> + +<P> +"Amen!" said Jimmie, with due reverence; for that expressed his own +feeling to a dot. +</P> + +<P> +The time crept on slowly. They had passed under the great railroad +bridge at Rock Island, and even navigated the river at this dangerous +point, where craft were moving in many directions. And as the +afternoon wore away, with mile after mile left behind, Jack, who had +taken occasional furtive looks at his maps, concluded from certain +signs that they were within ten miles of Burlington. +</P> + +<P> +"It's nearly four, Jimmie, and we'd better be hunting a place to put in +for the night, I don't just fancy anchoring here on the open water in +this fog. And as to going on, what's the use, when a big city looms up +a few miles ahead? We couldn't get past it without cribbing on the +time that doesn't count. So keep your eyes on the watch for anything +that looks like a creek." +</P> + +<P> +They often saw the gaping mouths of these little tributaries that +emptied their flow of water into the Mississippi; and Jack hoped such +would be the case now, when they were in sore need of a harbor. +</P> + +<P> +When therefore Jimmie presently announced that he believed the signs +were favorable ahead the skipper of the <I>Tramp</I> rejoiced. +</P> + +<P> +"I only hope it's a decent creek, and has some bully good places for +keeping out of sight," Jack declared, as he headed for the opening near +by. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie knew what was on his mind, for they had talked this matter over +with the other fellows more than once. Jack had read lots about the +great Father of Waters, and knew what a highway it has been for scores +of years to a class of criminals who are fleeing from justice. +</P> + +<P> +Of course there are many honest men on the numerous shanty boats that +float down the river, tying up from time to time at some landing, or +hunting a friendly creek mouth in which to pass the night. At the same +time thousands use the water highway as a means for eluding pursuit. +It offers such an easy method of fleeing, after committing a robbery, +or breaking the law in some other way, that the honest traveler must +needs keep his eyes about him constantly while floating on the bosom of +the mighty Mississippi. +</P> + +<P> +The creek proved to be everything Jack could wish. +</P> + +<P> +"This is all right," he said, after they had moved up its tortuous +channel for a little distance, until, coming to a promising spot where +trees and bushes chanced to screen them, the boat was stopped. "We'll +call this our camp for the night, Jimmie, and proceed to make ourselves +as comfortable as the law allows." +</P> + +<P> +"No going ashore to cook dinner this night," remarked Jimmie, as he +surveyed the dripping trees close by. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said Jack, "let's be thankful that we've got such a bully old +tarpaulin to keep the wet off. Suppose we get busy right away with it? +The sooner it's up the quicker we can shake these nasty oilskins; +though I hadn't ought to run them down, because they've served us well +today, and kept us dry as toast. I don't believe you could get wet if +you tried, in these Fish suits." +</P> + +<P> +"Aw! Buster did!" observed the other, with a droll chuckle. +</P> + +<P> +"You're right, he certainly did. But then I didn't mean if you took a +header overboard. Now, up with your end, Jimmie, and fasten it snug. +I've got mine ready; and in a few shakes of a lamb's tail we'll be able +to laugh at the weather." +</P> + +<P> +"And, worse luck, now that we've stopped runnin' it looks like it's +goin' to clear up, so it do," grumbled the other. +</P> + +<P> +"All right," laughed the skipper, "we can stand it. So much the +better, because we've got a big run ahead tomorrow, to make up for the +time lost today. I'd give a cooky to know just where the other boats +are right now. I only hope nothing has happened to either—at least +nothing serious; because there's just bound to be something going amiss +with that engine on the <I>Wireless</I> nearly every day she runs." +</P> + +<P> +Presently the cover was in place, and tautly secured. Under its +shelter both boys doffed their waterproofs and made things look more +shipshape. Jimmie, as usual, was more than ready to get to work with +that dandy little Juwel kerosene gas contraption; and its cheery +humming soon told that supper was under way. +</P> + +<P> +Jack meanwhile found plenty to do in rearranging things in the boat; +for during a day such as they had just endured makeshifts are in order. +</P> + +<P> +Under Jack's schooling Jimmie was beginning to improve in his cooking; +and as he took more or less pride in the results, there was some hope +for him; whereas with Buster it was a thankless task. +</P> + +<P> +They had a few eggs left, and these were made into quite a tasty +omelette. Then a can of corn was opened, to be heated in a saucepan. +This, with a pannikin of tea, and some baker's cakes, constituted their +meal. And as both boys were quite hungry they enjoyed every particle +of the same. +</P> + +<P> +"While they were eating Jack had heard sounds that annoyed him. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid we're pretty close to a road, Jimmie," he had remarked. +"And I only hope no curious party spies the light of our lantern inside +the tent here. I'm not at all anxious to pick up acquaintances." +</P> + +<P> +"So say we all of us, Jack, me bye," the other had replied promptly. +</P> + +<P> +As the sounds of vehicles passing were heard at frequent intervals the +boys determined not to keep the lantern lighted very long after they +had prepared their beds for the night. Sometimes it was their habit to +sit up, and read or talk; but this seemed to be an occasion when it +would be better to crawl in under their blankets and get all the sleep +they could, looking forward to a busy day on the morrow. +</P> + +<P> +"It's eight o'clock!" announced Jack, finally, with a yawn; and as that +had been the time set for retiring, he prepared to "douse the glim" as +he termed it, in sailor's parlance. +</P> + +<P> +"Let her go!" remarked his boatmate, as he snuggled down in his place. +</P> + +<P> +They were of course confined to rather scant space; and many persons +might have found it hard to sleep soundly when in such close quarters. +But healthy boys can stand for almost anything, and think it fun. +</P> + +<P> +So Jack, having arranged his own bed, crawled in, after which he +reached out his hand to extinguish the lantern. One last look he took +at the Marlin shotgun that he had brought along, in the hope and +expectation that he might find use for it during the long cruise. It +was hanging from a couple of pegs just under the coaming of the deck, +and by simply raising his hand he could touch it. +</P> + +<P> +Somehow the very presence of that reliable little shooter seemed to +give Jack a sense of security when they found themselves marooned in an +exceedingly lonely place, with the darkness shutting them in as with a +curtain, and unknown perils impending. +</P> + +<P> +Once the light went out the boys lay there and talked in low tones for +perhaps a full hour. They had much to confer about, with the uncertain +future beckoning them on; and the main history of the cruise yet to be +written. +</P> + +<P> +The last thing Jack remembered hearing as he passed into the land of +sleep was a vehicle rumbling over the bridge that evidently spanned the +creek some little distance above. +</P> + +<P> +Then he knew no more for some time. +</P> + +<P> +The little launch floated on the bosom of the creek, fastened to the +shore. At times she heaved gently, as some wave of larger proportions +than usual came in from the river, possibly caused by a passing +steamboat's suction. But by this time the boys were getting accustomed +to this sort of thing. One night afloat had taken off the newness for +them, and they could sleep now through any ordinary motion. +</P> + +<P> +Something digging him in the ribs aroused Jack. Then a voice whispered +in his ear, and he knew that it was Jimmie. +</P> + +<P> +"Jack, wake up! I hear voices beyand, and I do belave the thaves of +the worrld are comin' to clane us out, so I do!" +</P> + +<P> +"'Sh!" was all Jack made reply; but at the same instant his hand groped +for the reliable gun so close at hand. +</P> + +<P> +Once this was in his possession he gently lifted the flap of the +waterproof tent that covered the boat; for he knew just where to find +this loose portion, left so for an emergency of this sort. +</P> + +<P> +The storm had departed, and the sky was now clear. While it was far +from light without, still to Jack's eyes things looked fairly plain. +And the first thing he saw seemed to be moving figures, two of them, +that were creeping toward the tied-up motor boat. +</P> + +<P> +Now and then they would pause, and then low and significant whispers +would follow. Jack felt a thrill pass over his frame as he began to +quietly thrust the muzzle of the shotgun through the opening of the +tent. He did not intend to aim at the prowlers of course, but hoped +the sudden shot might give them a good fright. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie was creeping toward the bow, as if desirous of seeing all that +went on; when Jack, feeling that he was certainly privileged to defend +his property against pirates, pulled the trigger which his trembling +finger had been pressing; and a sudden roar awoke the echoes of the +night. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +STARTLING NEWS FROM NEAR HOME. +</H3> + +<P> +"Run, ye spalpeens, run wid ye!" whooped Jimmie, as he thrust his +tousled red head through the opening at the bow. +</P> + +<P> +Jack was prepared to repeat the shooting part of the business if there +seemed any necessity; and perhaps the next time he would not be so +particular about aiming so as to miss the prowlers. +</P> + +<P> +But he immediately saw that there would be no need, for already the +pair of would-be thieves could be heard crashing madly through the +undergrowth, in the endeavor to make a safe getaway. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie continued to send derisive shouts after them until Jack advised +that he had better bottle up the balance of his enthusiasm. +</P> + +<P> +"But did ye say how they tumbled over wan another whin ye let go?" +demanded the Irish lad, gleefully. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked the skipper, dryly, "I noticed that they never waited +to leave us a visiting card. And Jimmie, this proves how wise I was to +fetch my gun along. I'd advise every fellow who intends to knock about +along this river to have some way of defending himself in case of need." +</P> + +<P> +With which remark Jack slipped a new shell into the chamber of his +double barrel shotgun. +</P> + +<P> +"Did ye pepper thim good and hot?" asked Jimmie, presently. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! no, I didn't want to do that," said Jack, quickly. "We really had +no business to shoot straight at them unless they were coming aboard. +I just aimed close enough to give them a good scare. And I think I did +the right thing, too." +</P> + +<P> +"By the powers, I bet ye they're runnin' yit!" ventured his boatmate, +confidently. +</P> + +<P> +"They must have hit the road by this time. I only hope they won't +think to come back for another turn," Jack observed, thoughtfully. +</P> + +<P> +"No fear of that, I wager," laughed the Irish lad. "Sure, thim +gossoons know whin the stick is loaded, and they'll niver return to say +what it was wint off. Make your moind aisy about that, Jackey, me bye." +</P> + +<P> +The boys lay down again, but Jack could not sleep. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't like this thing," he said, finally, sitting up. "And it would +be better for us to take turns watching. In that way we'll have some +sleep; and as it is, I don't feel as if I could get a wink. The idea +of waking up to find a couple of greasy hoboes in possession of our +boat gives me a chill." +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie announced himself as favoring the plan, and declared that he was +ready to stand his watch either then or later, just as Jack decided. +</P> + +<P> +And so it was arranged. The balance of the night was divided into two +equal parts, and in this way both of the cruisers managed to obtain a +few hours sleep. +</P> + +<P> +Nothing happened after all, and Jimmie must have been right when he +declared that the pair of thieves had been so badly frightened when the +gun went off so unexpectedly that nothing could induce them to return +to the attack. +</P> + +<P> +All the same Jack was glad to see that it was broad daylight when he +awoke. He found, just as he might have expected, Jimmie at work +getting breakfast. Indeed, it may have been the delightful aroma of +coffee and bacon that helped awaken him, for the interior of the tent +was fragrant with the combination. +</P> + +<P> +Eight o'clock came, and they started from the creek, passing the city +shortly afterward. If their visitors of the preceding night saw them +come out they were sensible enough not to disclose their identity; +though Jimmie did declare he saw two men who might be tramps watching +them from behind the trees below the mouth of the friendly creek. +</P> + +<P> +There were numerous boats upon the river, but although Jack used his +glasses to advantage he could pick up no clue to either the <I>Wireless</I> +or the <I>Comfort</I>. +</P> + +<P> +The day was nice and clear after the fog and rain. +</P> + +<P> +"Here's where we hit it up to make time, and pay for the slow traveling +yesterday," the pilot announced, when he coaxed the steady going little +motor to do its prettiest. +</P> + +<P> +At noon they had reeled off something like sixty-odd miles, the current +having assisted very much in advancing the boat. +</P> + +<P> +Keokuk had been passed, and they were now aiming to reach Quincy by the +middle of the afternoon. Just below this place the second station had +been marked; and if, as was to be expected, George and Buster had +arrived ahead of them, they might anticipate being signaled to draw in. +</P> + +<P> +"It's right funny we don't say anything of the other byes at all," +remarked Jimmie, while they were pushing steadily along, the engine +working with clock-like fidelity, and never missing a stroke. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I don't look at it that way. Unless some accident happens to +George there's never the least chance that we can look in on him in +that racer. And the same applies to the <I>Comfort</I>—if we go on as we +have, they can never hope to catch up with us. And there you are," and +Jack laughed as he spoke. +</P> + +<P> +"Ye mane that we're betwixt the divel and the dape say," observed +Jimmie, with one of his chuckles. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! now that's going it pretty steep," Jack protested. "The <I>Comfort</I> +might come under the head of deep sea, or anything else that's big and +slow and reliable; but it's pretty hard calling George's boat by that +other name. But there's another railroad bridge across the river far +below, unless the glass fools me. And if so, this must be Quincy just +beyond." +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah! thin, we've arrived at the ind of the sicond stage of the +journey, and right side up wid care. If ye choose to hand me the +glass, Jack, I'll be afther lookin' for signs of the sassy little +<I>Wireless</I>." +</P> + +<P> +But it was some time after they had passed under the bridge spanning +the Mississippi that Jimmie was able to announce that he believed he +had discovered the object of his search. +</P> + +<P> +"Let me have a look," remarked Jack; and a minute later he went on: +"There's a boat of some sort anchored close to the shore down there, +and the sun shines on her just as it does on the varnished deck of the +<I>Wireless</I>. Yes, I do believe that's our peerless leader, as George is +so fond of saying. I'm glad to know they've got here all safe and +sound." +</P> + +<P> +Shortly afterward they heard the sound of a horn, and Jimmie answered +with a few vigorous blasts on the conch shell, which had its apex sawed +off to admit of a certain amount of air; though some practice was +necessary before one could produce a far reaching note. +</P> + +<P> +"Thought you'd never get here," said George, as the <I>Tramp</I> swung in +alongside so that the rival crews could shake hands, which they did +heartily. +</P> + +<P> +It turned out that luck had highly favored the leading boat. They had +escaped any catastrophe on the river, even though making fast, and +possibly reckless time. And wonderful to relate, not once had the +engine broken down since last the boats separated. +</P> + +<P> +"That's good news!" exclaimed Jack, when he heard this; and there was +not a trace of envy or malice in his hearty tone. "That would be fine, +if only it kept up all the rest of the trip, eh, Buster?" +</P> + +<P> +"It would be just heavenly," sighed the fat boy; "but I don't expect +it. I know that measly old engine all right; and I just bet you she's +holding in so as to get a good whack at us when she does let go. My! +all I hope is, that the blamed thing don't go up the flue, and scatter +us around. I seriously object to getting wet as a regular diet." +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if the other boat will get here by four?" George ventured; +but none of them pretended to be a prophet, and so his question +remained unanswered. +</P> + +<P> +When the time arrived there was still no sign of the <I>Comfort</I>. +Another hour passed, two of them, and the boys were growing anxious, +with many looks cast up the river. +</P> + +<P> +It had been arranged that if one of the boats had to run "after hours" +in order to join the others at a station, the time stolen should be +charged against that craft's record. And this was how it came that +they were hoping the third boat might yet appear. +</P> + +<P> +But the darkness gathered around them, and they had to give it up for +that day, since they had all promised their folks at home never to run +at night except under an actual necessity. +</P> + +<P> +There being no creek handy the two motor boats remained where they +were, with their mudhooks holding them steady against the never ceasing +flow of the current. +</P> + +<P> +They were close enough to shake hands, though when it came time for +sleep the one nearer the shore hauled off fifty feet or more, so that +there might be smaller chances of a collision. +</P> + +<P> +Nothing occurred during that night to alarm them, though Nick professed +to feel nervous, after having heard of the adventure which Jack and +Jimmie had met with on the other occasion. +</P> + +<P> +In the morning they did not hurry, for they could not leave that +station until the arrival of the third craft, no matter if it meant +several days' delay, such being the conditions of the Dixie cup race. +</P> + +<P> +"There they come!" whooped Nick, after they had finished breakfast; he +had been looking through the glasses which George owned, and of course +his thrilling words quite electrified the others. +</P> + +<P> +"You're right, Buster; that's the steady old <I>Comfort</I>, all the same," +said Jack, as he too leveled his marine glasses up-river way. +</P> + +<P> +"She rides like a big goose," laughed George. +</P> + +<P> +"But mighty comfortable, all the same," sighed Nick, mechanically +rubbing his fat haunches as though they still felt sore from contact +with the sides of the narrow boat, while trying to sleep. +</P> + +<P> +When the steady-going launch brought up alongside, many inquiries were +made as to what had detained them so long. +</P> + +<P> +"Lots of trouble," Herb replied, readily enough; "not with the engine, +for she never missed a note; but Josh here got cold feet after a +steamboat shaved us, and made me cut down speed, so we hardly did more +than crawl with the current for hours. Yesterday we boomed along, +trying to make the riffle in time; but finding we couldn't, we just +stopped about ten miles above for the night." +</P> + +<P> +"And then as we came into Quincy I went ashore to see if there was any +mail. A letter for each of us, Nick, and only a paper for Jack," with +which Josh handed over the articles in question. +</P> + +<P> +As the two boys had not eaten any breakfast, it was decided to wait for +them. Jack after a bit picked up the home paper, and idly started to +open it. +</P> + +<P> +The others immediately heard him utter an exclamation, and looking up, +saw that he seemed to be eagerly reading something he had discovered. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I declare, if that just don't beat the Dutch!" he remarked. +</P> + +<P> +"What does?" cried Nick, all excitement. "Has John Guthrie got new +shingles on his barn; or was old Weatherby seen at church for the first +time in ten years?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," added Josh, "don't keep us waiting so long, Jack. Go on and +tell us what excites you so. Nobody ain't got twins, have they?" +</P> + +<P> +"Say, fellows, it's happened at last. You know the bank over at +Waverly? Well, it's been robbed—cleaned out, the paper says, and +thousands taken. May bust the bank up, if they don't get the thieves. +And what do you think, they say they believe the two men who did the +job have gone down river <I>in a motor boat</I>!" +</P> + +<P> +"A motor boat!" shouted the rest in unison. +</P> + +<P> +"Listen while I read about it, and then tell me what you think about +this description of a suspicious craft that was seen leaving the river +front between midnight and Tuesday morning," saying which he went on to +read the account, while all the others sat there in suspense, drinking +in the news, since they knew that bank in the thriving town mentioned +very well. +</P> + +<P> +"Hear what that reporter says about the suspicious motor boat," said +Jack, in conclusion. "Now, fellows, what craft does that make you +think of?" +</P> + +<P> +"The <I>Tramp</I>!" sang out Nick, immediately. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Jack," said George, soberly. "It sure hits your boat to a T. I +only hope it don't get you fellows into a peck of trouble, that's all!" +</P> + +<P> +But it did, all the same. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +QUITE A SURPRISE PARTY. +</H3> + +<P> +"I say, George, remember me telling you about that suspicious boat I +saw across near the other shore just after we got settled last night?" +said Josh. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on," returned George, quickly. "You don't mean it that way, +Josh. To hear you talk the fellows might think we were running after +hours. Fact is, we reached our stopping place at just ten minutes of +four. How was that for a swift run on a foggy day, one hundred and +thirty miles? And it was just before dusk when the rain let up, that +Josh said he glimpsed a boat that looked like the <I>Tramp</I>, sneaking +along down close by the Missouri bank." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sneaking, that's the word I used," declared Josh, positively; +"because, you see, there was something about the way it went on that +made me think the crew didn't want to attract attention. Of course I +knew right away it wasn't our crowd. But after hearing what Jack read +I'd just like to bet that was the thief boat." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! well, there are heaps of motor boats on the old Mississippi," +laughed Jack, "and I guess the same company that made mine have sold a +dozen of the same model in Illinois and Missouri. Still, it might be +as you say, Josh. And perhaps it will pay all of us to keep an eye out +for these slippery customers." +</P> + +<P> +"What would you do if you happened to come on the boat like yours?" +asked Nick. +</P> + +<P> +"That depends," replied Jack, seriously. "If I felt positive the men +aboard were the chaps who broke open the Waverly bank I'd try to let +the authorities know. But they must be pretty hard cases, and I'd go +mighty slow about trying to grab such customers myself. I'm not hired +to play the part of detective or sheriff. All that stuff I leave to +the proper officials." +</P> + +<P> +"How do we stand on this second leg, Jack?" asked George. +</P> + +<P> +"I've just been figuring it up," replied the other, referring to his +notebook. "It seems that the speed boat made the run in just ten hours +of actual work. We did the same in fourteen hours, twelve minutes; and +the steady old <I>Comfort</I> in eighteen hours, seven minutes. That's as +near correct as it could be figured." +</P> + +<P> +George beamed with gratification. +</P> + +<P> +"Shake, partner," he said, thrusting out a hand to Nick, who looked at +him suspiciously, then examined his hand, and finally gingerly allowed +the other to take hold of a couple of his pudgy fingers. +</P> + +<P> +"You see, we've more than wiped out our first day's loss, and have a +nice little balance in the bargain," George went on. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," laughed Jack, "and a balance is a handy thing to have, whether +in a bank or in a record of days' runs during a long race. I +congratulate you, fellows, and hope you may duplicate the performance." +</P> + +<P> +Herb and Josh seemed in no wise cast down over the poor showing their +boat had made up to date. +</P> + +<P> +"Just you wait," observed the former, positively. "Perhaps we've got a +card or two up our sleeves. We don't tell <I>everything</I> we know, do we, +Josh? And long ago I learned that the race is not always to the swift." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," added his comrade in misfortune, "and it's a long lane that has +no turning. Anyhow, we didn't make any big brag about what we were +goin' to do when we set out; so you see nobody's going to be +disappointed even if we get left. I'm enjoyin' every minute of the +time; and that's more'n some fellers could say," with a meaning look in +the direction of poor fat Nick, who winced, and shook his fist at the +speaker. +</P> + +<P> +It was all of nine o'clock when Jack got the three boats in line, and +had Jimmie toot his conch shell horn as a starting signal. +</P> + +<P> +History repeated itself again that day. +</P> + +<P> +The speed boat shot off like a greyhound released from bonds, the +<I>Comfort</I> wheezed along amiably in the rear, and Jack's craft took up a +midway course. Thus for two hours and more the crew of the <I>Tramp</I> +could watch both competing craft. Then the narrow beamed <I>Wireless</I> +seemed to melt out of sight in the dim distance, nor could Jimmie pick +her up again, though several times he thought he glimpsed her. +</P> + +<P> +Half an hour later, and the other boat had also passed from their ken, +swallowed up in the little wavelets that covered the surface of the +rapidly growing river; for they were now approaching the spot where the +mighty flood of the Missouri joined forces with the swollen current of +the Mississippi, to boom along toward the sunny land of Dixie. +</P> + +<P> +Then they came to where the great city of St. Louis stood. It required +considerable and careful maneuvering to pass safely among the various +river craft they found moving about on the Mississippi at this +important port; but Jack was a keen-eyed pilot, and knew just how to +handle his boat, so that they managed to get by without any serious +trouble, though whistled at by tugs and ferryboats as they bravely cut +along. +</P> + +<P> +The running time was pretty well up when they saw the last of the +metropolis of the Middle West. +</P> + +<P> +"One hour only, and then we must pull up, Jimmie," remarked the skipper. +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis mesilf that's glad to hear the same," replied the other, with a +wry look on his freckled face, and one hand pressing against his +stomach, as if to call attention to its flat condition; for they had +only eaten sparingly at noon. +</P> + +<P> +"You might be keeping a lookout for a harbor," remarked Jack; but not +with any great amount of animation. +</P> + +<P> +Truth to tell, he was wondering whether after all it paid to leave the +river and hide up one of those gloomy looking creeks, where all sorts +of dangers might be lying in wait. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope as how we don't have the same luck we had before," grumbled +Jimmie, who apparently had not forgotten the experience either. +</P> + +<P> +After that he was constantly on the job of looking ahead for signs of a +creek. +</P> + +<P> +"If we don't find the same, thin what?" he asked, when half an hour had +passed without any favorable result from his critical survey of the +nearby shore; creeks he could see in plenty; but none that seemed +navigable for a boat drawing as much water as their craft; and Jack +meant to take no chances of being held fast in the mud on a falling +river. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, we'll just have to stick it out, and anchor. But there's a point +below us that looks favorable, Jimmie, where the brush is heaped up on +a sandbar. Unless I'm greatly mistaken the signs point to a fair-sized +opening there." +</P> + +<P> +And just as Jack said it proved to be just what they were looking for. +</P> + +<P> +"This looks better to me," remarked the skipper as they turned in. +"Plenty of elbow room here. We can go up a little ways, and then +anchor right in the middle of the stream. We'll be free from the wash +of the big New Orleans and St. Louis packets, that nearly upsets our +little boat." +</P> + +<P> +"Yis," added Jimmie, "and just be afther sayin' how dape the water is, +Jack, me bye. 'Twould take a hobo with mighty long legs to wade out +here, and crawl aboord our boat." +</P> + +<P> +"All the same," replied the skipper with grim determination, "it's +another case of four watches during the night, of two hours at a +stretch." +</P> + +<P> +The mudhook was soon down, and good holding ground found. While Jack +busied himself rubbing up the faithful little engine that was serving +them so well, and afterwards poring over the maps of the river he had +secured for each pilot in the long race to New Orleans, the cook +wrestled with supper. +</P> + +<P> +It was a congenial task for Jimmie, and he often sang as he worked. +Jack liked to hear Jimmie warble, for he had a voice like a bird, clear +and sweet, though wholly untrained. +</P> + +<P> +"Another good day takes us below Cairo, and the mouth of the big Ohio," +Jack announced after a while; to which the cook added his blessings, +and hoped everything would run to their liking. +</P> + +<P> +It was five o'clock when they sat down to supper. Jimmie had spread +himself to some purpose on this occasion; that is to say, he had made a +fine stew out of some corned beef taken from a tin, the balance of the +corn, left from a previous meal, but removed from the can after +opening, in order to avoid danger of ptomaine poisoning, and a couple +of cold potatoes cut up into small pieces. +</P> + +<P> +Then he had also opened a can of peaches, to top off with; and they +also devoured the last piece of homemade gingerbread, carried from the +start. +</P> + +<P> +"This is simply great," observed Jack, as he sighed while looking at +his share of the dessert, as though doubtful regarding his capacity. +</P> + +<P> +But no such fears ever assailed Jimmie, who could run even Buster a +race when it came to doing "stunts" along the line of eating. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if there could be any other boat above us?" Jack ventured +after a little while spent in chatting, as night set in. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, now, ye must have seen the same thing I did," declared the +other, quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean to say you noticed that small piece of cotton waste +floating on a bit of board just at dusk?" demanded Jack, curiously. +</P> + +<P> +"I did that, and have been badgerin' me moind about the same iver +since. Truth to till, I was jist about mentionin' it to ye whin ye +spoke," Jimmie declared. +</P> + +<P> +"H'm. Well, I've been figuring it out this way. There's a distinct +current setting out of this big creek. You can see that by the way our +boat hangs with her bow upstream. All right. Then it stands to reason +that that piece of waste was thrown over at some point <I>above</I>. And +then again, it looks as if the other craft might be a motor boat, for +some one has been wiping the engine off. There was fresh oil on that +waste. I could see it passing off on the surface of the water." +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie fairly gasped in his great surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Did I iver hear the loike?" he said. "Next ye'll be tillin' me the +kind of boat it is, I'm thinkin'. Looky here, Jack, ye don't guess now +that it could be that same dhirty craft that was spoken of in the +newspaper—the one as looked like the dear ould <I>Tramp</I>?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! there would hardly be one chance in twenty of that happening," +laughed the other. "Just think of both boats picking out this very +creek, of the scores there may be south of St. Louis? Oh! that would +be too funny for anything. It's just a plain motor boat, I reckon; and +those aboard don't want to make our acquaintance any more than we do +theirs. So there you are." +</P> + +<P> +Jack pretended to dismiss the idea lightly; but nevertheless it +remained with him during the balance of that evening, to give him more +or less cause for speculation and anxiety. +</P> + +<P> +At nine he bade Jimmie go to sleep, as he would sit up until eleven, +when he promised to awaken the other. So the Irish lad, confident that +no evil would befall them while Jack stood watch, curled up in his +blanket, and presently his heavy breathing announced that he had found +solace in slumber. +</P> + +<P> +Promptly at eleven Jack aroused him, and handing over the gun, with +positive directions that he was to be called if anything suspicious +arose, he in turn took to his blanket on the bottom of the cockpit of +the boat. +</P> + +<P> +Why, it seemed that he had hardly lost his senses when he felt Jimmie +shaking him. Just as before the Irish boy was whispering in his ear. +</P> + +<P> +"Wake up, Jack; there's a boat comin' this way!" was what he heard. +</P> + +<P> +"Why," replied the skipper, as he bounced up, "it sounds as if it might +be coming in from the river! I can hear the stroke of oars, a lot of +them, too." +</P> + +<P> +As the two boys poked their heads out of the canvas cover that served +as a tent over the open boat, they could easily see the advancing boat. +</P> + +<P> +"Glory be!" murmured the amazed Jimmie, "we're in a nice pickle, now, +Jack. Sure there's half a dozen of the gossoons, if there's one. And +by the powers, look at 'em heading this way, too! What will we do, +Jack? Lit me have the gun, if so be ye don't want to shoot!" +</P> + +<P> +"Wait!" replied Jack, sternly. "We'll see if we can hold them back +first. Perhaps, when they see that we mean business and are armed, +they may haul off." +</P> + +<P> +Nearer came the boat. It could now be seen that those who handled the +oars were trying to make less noise, as though desirous of not arousing +the sleepers they expected to take by surprise. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Jack called out as sternly as he could: +</P> + +<P> +"Stop there! or it will be the worse for you!" +</P> + +<P> +He also waved the gun that the starlight might glint from its barrel, +and show the men in the boat they were not unarmed. +</P> + +<P> +A man stood up in the bow of the advancing craft, and a heavy voice +shouted: +</P> + +<P> +"It's all up with you, men. You are known, and we demand you to +surrender in the name of the law!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +LEFT IN THE LURCH. +</H3> + +<P> +The two young cruisers in the motor boat +could not say a single word when these +astounding words reached their ears. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile the other craft had drawn +quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out +the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to +be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly +discovered brass buttons. +</P> + +<P> +Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of +trick being played by cunning river vagrants +in order to catch the boys off their guard. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering +to himself, as though he began to believe he +might be dreaming. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't think of offering any resistance, +you rascals!" continued the gruff voice in the +nearby boat; "because we're ready to give you +a volley. Take hold there, Grogan. Now +aboard with you!" +</P> + +<P> +A couple of burly men came sliding into the +natty little motor boat. Then lights flashed in +the faces of the two astonished occupants. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, they're a couple of boys, Cap!" +exclaimed the man who had grasped hold of Jack, +as the glow of his lantern illuminated the face +of the skipper of the <I>Tramp</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Guess you've made a little mistake, +mister," remarked the boy, as calmly as he could, +for he was naturally more or less excited. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on there!" bellowed the leader of the +expedition, as he started to clamber aboard; +"don't let up on 'em a minute, men! Just +remember the account said something about the +thieves being young chaps, with smooth faces. +This is the boat to a dot; and I reckon we've +got our men!" +</P> + +<P> +But even he was more or less shaken when he +came to look into the smiling countenance of +Jack Stormways. +</P> + +<P> +"Take a look around," he said, presently. +"Perhaps you may find the evidence we want, +and the plunder. These are the days of the +young men. I've known mere kids to +undertake jobs that long ago would have staggered +old professionals." +</P> + +<P> +While two of the men were upsetting things +in their eager search, the man who had been +called "Captain" once more turned to Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"Who are you fellows, where'd you come +from, and what are you doing here up this +creek?" he demanded, harshly, as though expecting +to scare the other into a confession of guilt. +</P> + +<P> +"My name is Jack Stormways, and his is +Jimmie Brannagan. We are on our way south +on a little race to New Orleans. There are two +other motor boats in the match, and a prize of +the Dixie silver cup falls to the winner." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you've got that down fine, anyhow," +remarked the big officer, with what sounded +like a sneer. "Perhaps it's the truth, and again +it may be all hatched up to pull the wool over +the eyes of honest officers. What would you +think if I told you there was a thousand +dollars reward out for each of you if taken; and +five times that if the swag is found intact?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'd think some one was valuing me pretty +high, considering that I've never as yet done +anything to make it worth while capturing +me," replied Jack, pleasantly. +</P> + +<P> +His manner was apparently having an effect +on the burly officer, who again surveyed the +face of the boy by the aid of his own dark +lantern. The two men were all this while making +a sad mess of things in the boat, turning +waterproof clothes bags inside out, upsetting the +stores so neatly packed away in order to give +all the room possible, and making things look +"sick" as Jimmie afterwards observed. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that you've got, Grogan?" suddenly +demanded the captain, as he saw one of +the others looking closely at something he had +picked up. +</P> + +<P> +"A newspaper with something marked by a +blue pencil, Cap," replied the other. "And by +the powers, if it ain' an account of that +Waverly robbery, too!" +</P> + +<P> +Immediately the captain became severe +again, and shot a triumphant look at the boy, +even as he let a heavy hand fall on Jack's shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +"Say you so, Grogan?" he exclaimed. +"Hold it out here, so I can see. Well, now, +that looks like a find worth while. A paper +with a marked account of the bank robbery, +and in the possession of these innocent boys. +How would you account for such a thing, my +fine fellow?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing easier, Captain," replied Jack, +readily. "You never heard that we belong in +that little town where the paper is published. +I've been in that bank more than a few times +when over in Waverly on business." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure you have; ain't that just what we're +saying?" declared the man named Grogan. +</P> + +<P> +"Keep still, Grogan, and let me do the talking. +Go on, young fellow; tell how the paper +chances to come in your possession, and who +marked it?" the one in authority continued. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose my father marked that with a +blue pencil, because he knew all of us would be +deeply interested. Besides, when we read the +description of the mysterious motor boat we +recognized that it was a ringer for my own +little <I>Tramp</I> here." +</P> + +<P> +Grogan was apparently inclined to be +incredulous. While he dared not break in again +with any remark of his own, he took occasion +to sniff as loudly as he could, and in this +manner show his utter disbelief in the story given +out by the skipper of the craft they had boarded. +</P> + +<P> +"Then the paper came by mail?" continued +the captain, as he examined it again. +</P> + +<P> +"Surely," replied Jack. "One of my companions +got it at Quincy, where others received +letters; but this was the only thing for me. +You can see the creases plain enough, where it +was folded several times." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," the other went on, cautiously; "it +has that appearance, though any smart chap +could do the same thing if he had his wits +about him. But I suppose you boys can easily +prove you are what you claim?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure we kin!" spoke up Jimmie just then. +"Give me the chanct, and I'll show ye lots of +things to prove I niver had but the one name, +and that was Jimmie Brannagan." +</P> + +<P> +"There's another thing I just thought of, +Captain," Jack broke in with. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, let's have it then. For unless you +satisfy me that you're the parties you say I +shall consider it my duty to take this boat back +with me, and both of you boys in the bargain." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me have the paper, please," said Jack. +"Officer Grogan didn't look inside, or he might +have seen another article, marked with a blue +pencil too." +</P> + +<P> +"Look out, Cap," warned the suspicious +one; "mebbe he just wants to tear it into +finders [Transcriber's note: flinders?], +and destroy incriminating evidence." +</P> + +<P> +"Give him the paper, Grogan; I'll be responsible +for its safety," returned the captain, who +seemed to be drawn more and more toward a +belief in Jack's innocence; for there was +something in the clear gray eyes that met his gaze to +convince him that this lad could never be a +desperate criminal. +</P> + +<P> +So Jack turned the local sheet inside out. +</P> + +<P> +"There it is, Captain; please read it, and see +if you can believe what I told you to be the +truth," and Jack thrust the paper into the +other's grasp. +</P> + +<P> +"What's this?" exclaimed the burly officer, +as he read, "an account of a race to the +Crescent City, in which six young fellows, well +known to most of the readers of this paper, +have entered, the prize to be a magnificent +silver cup donated by Mr. Stormways, the father +of the skipper of the <I>Tramp</I>!" +</P> + +<P> +Grogan uttered a disgusted grunt, as if +keenly disappointed because apparently he had +made a dismal failure in trying to fasten the +robbery upon these two lads. Doubtless he had +been figuring on what he would do with his +share of the prize money, and hated to see his +rosy visions fade away so soon. +</P> + +<P> +"And this is that same little <I>Tramp</I>, sir," +continued Jack, pleasantly; "as you can see for +yourself if you take a look at the stern, where +the name is painted in gold letters. We are +unfortunate enough in having a boat that seems +to resemble the one supposed to have been used +in their flight down the river by the robbers. +But if you care to wait long enough for me to +get out some letters I have, I am sure you will +be convinced of our entire innocence." +</P> + +<P> +"Say no more, Jack," declared the captain, +heartily. "I'm satisfied right now that we've +been misinformed when told that a boat +answering the description of the one in which +those two yeggmen fled, was seen to enter here +this afternoon; and that two young men were +aboard her." +</P> + +<P> +"What time in the afternoon, Captain?" +asked Jack, quietly, though with a purpose in +the question. +</P> + +<P> +"The man who talked to me over the phone, +said he had arrived in the suburb where he +lived at four o'clock. He had been out in his +motor, and was crossing a bridge here when the +boat passed under, going up. He could not be +sure to the minute, but reckoned that was +somewhere around two p. m." +</P> + +<P> +Jack turned to Jimmie. His face shone with +eagerness, for a faint suspicion that had been +creeping into his head was now rapidly +becoming a certainty. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell the captain, Jimmie, when we came in +this creek," he said, quietly. +</P> + +<P> +"Twelve minutes till four, it was, sir," +replied Jimmie, promptly. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! what made you take such exact notice +of the time, may I ask?" the officer went on, +curiously, though plainly interested. +</P> + +<P> +"We are compelled to make a memorandum +of our stoppings. The conditions of the race +forbid any boat to be moving south before +eight in the morning, or after four in the +afternoon. So I can show you in my notebook how +an exact record is kept of such things. It will +be figured on when the race is decided. We are +going by stations you see, Captain, that are +about two hundred miles apart. At each +station we wait for the slowest boat, and then +make a new start." +</P> + +<P> +"It was about four-twenty when the gentleman +called me up," observed the police officer; +"and he had a long way around to go after +leaving here. He could never have made it if +it was your boat he saw." +</P> + +<P> +"There's another thing, Captain," said +Jack, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"Please let me hear what it is, my boy," +returned the other, eagerly now, for he was +beginning to comprehend that this was no +ordinary young chap with whom an error of +judgment had thrown him in contact. +</P> + +<P> +"Did the gentleman in the auto say that the +motor boat went <I>under</I> the bridge at the time +he saw it?" Jack pursued. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what he did say," replied the +captain. "Of course he only had one quick +look as his machine traveled over the bridge +crossing the creek; but even then it seemed to +him the boat had a familiar look. And then, +later on it suddenly dawned on him that it just +fitted a description he had been reading in a +St. Louis paper about the mysterious motor +boat of the bank thieves." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Captain. We have not been up +as far as the bridge, as we anchored right here +when we came in. But, Captain," Jack +continued, earnestly, "both of us believed at the +time that there must be some sort of a motor +boat up yonder, for we saw a piece of oiled +waste floating down on a chip of wood, as if +some one had been wiping an engine, and +thrown it aside." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what do you think of that?" exclaimed +one of the listening officers. "It beats +anything our best detectives could have done. +But say, Cap, I hear something moving close +by. There it is again! There's a boat coming +down, and being poled, too." +</P> + +<P> +"Turn your lights around that way, quick!" +cried the police captain, as though he grasped +the true significance of the sound. +</P> + +<P> +As the men did so the dim outlines of a motor +launch were discovered not far away, with one +man using a pole at the stern to hasten its departure. +</P> + +<P> +Jack understood what it meant, even as must +the officers; for as seen in the faint light from +the dark lanterns the strange boat was an exact +duplicate of his own little <I>Tramp</I>! +</P> + +<P> +"There they go, Cap! Sure it's the rascals +all right!" shouted Grogan, forgetting how he +had been so sure that Jack and Jimmie were +the guilty parties. +</P> + +<P> +Immediately the second man aboard the +other boat must have turned the engine over, +for there sounded a quick popping, and the +launch began to glide through the still waters +of the wide creek with increasing velocity. +</P> + +<P> +"Stop! Hold up, there! You are under +arrest!" bawled the captain, as he started to fire +a pistol he had snatched from his pocket. +</P> + +<P> +The man aboard the fugitive boat ducked; +and as the craft faded away in the darkness of +the night a derisive laugh came floating back to +the ears of the officers. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE SWIFT RUN OF THE TRAMP. +</H3> + +<P> +"I reckon you pinked that feller, Cap!" cried one of the officers. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much," returned the disgusted leader of the expedition. "He only +dropped to avoid getting in the way of flying lead. They're gone, and +left us holding the bag." +</P> + +<P> +"If it hadn't been for these boys we'd a gone further up the creek, and +sure nabbed 'em," grumbled Grogan, sourly. +</P> + +<P> +"That isn't the fault of these boys," replied the captain, quickly. +"They had a right to stay here if they wanted. It's just our tough +luck to hit on the wrong boat. They must have heard something of the +rumpus, and thought it a mighty good time to clear out." +</P> + +<P> +"And all that long row back to town for nothin'," Grogan complained. +</P> + +<P> +"If I only had a fast boat I'd feel like following the rascals. Say, +boys, what's to hinder you taking us down river. Perhaps your little +<I>Tramp</I> might overhaul the other craft, or keep them going till +daylight, when we could corner the yeggs?" and the captain turned upon +Jack with renewed interest. +</P> + +<P> +But the boy was not at all inclined to favor him. In the first place +it would break up the race, since the strict conditions must be +shattered. Then again their promise not to travel after dark except in +case of dire necessity stood in the way. And last but not least, Jack +did not much fancy having that disagreeable officer Grogan as a +passenger for hours at a time; nor did he care to be compelled to +remain awake. +</P> + +<P> +"Sorry, Captain," he remarked, pleasantly, "but the fact is I was +working at my engine when night came on, and it's not in condition for +immediate service. I expected to finish the job while my friend cooked +breakfast. So you see, long before I could get it to working that +sound would be lost, and we'd never raise it again." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! well, if that's the case," said the other, with a quick look +toward the motor of the boat, which even his inexperienced eye could +see was in some measure taken apart, "I reckon we'll just have to call +it off, and make the best of a bad job. But you've interested me a +whole lot, Jack, and I hope you will win your race, my lad." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not thinking much about that," replied the boy, "since the cup was +given by my own dad, you see. But I was wondering whether we might not +get in more trouble below because our boat happens to look like that +other one." +</P> + +<P> +"That's a fact, to be sure. Here," said the captain, as if struck by +an idea, "perhaps I might be of some assistance to you." +</P> + +<P> +He drew out a pencil and paper, and wrote a few lines, signing his name. +</P> + +<P> +"If any police officials bother you, just show them that, and tell them +if they want to call me up on the long distance phone I'll stand +sponsor for you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, Captain, I will," and Jack gladly put the little document +away, hoping at the same time that it would never have to be shown. +</P> + +<P> +And so the disappointed officers clambered back again into their +rowboat, and started on the tiresome journey against the current of the +river. The last the boys heard of them was the grumbling sound of +Grogan's complaining voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that was an experience, sure enough!" exclaimed Jack, as he +looked around at the confusion which abounded aboard the motor boat. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie, who had lighted their own lantern when the police boat pulled +out, was already trying to get things in some sort of order, though +most of the work would have to be left until they had daylight to +assist them. +</P> + +<P> +"And would ye belave it, that sassy little boat was a lyin' beyant the +bridge all the toime we were here, an' us not suspectin' the same!" +Jimmie remarked. +</P> + +<P> +"But how slick they got away," observed Jack. "That chap with the pole +was bent on pushing her past without being discovered, while the other +had his hand on the engine, ready to start things with a rush. It was +a bold venture; and between you and me and the lamp post, Jimmie, I +rather guess the nervy chaps deserved to get off that time." +</P> + +<P> +"Bad luck till 'em," grumbled the other, "jumpin' aboord a gentleman's +boat like that, and turnin' iverything topsy-turvy, so that ye don't +know where ye kin foind a place to slape at all." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! anything will do for the rest of the night. But you lie down, +Jimmie. It was just about time to call me anyhow, and I'll take my +turn on duty," saying which Jack started to arrange his blanket half +way decently, so that later on he could crawl under it again. +</P> + +<P> +The balance of the night passed without further alarm. With the coming +of the morning both boys were astir. Jack anxious to complete his +little job at the engine, and Jimmie, of course, just as desirous of +attending to the vigorous demands of the inner man. +</P> + +<P> +Promptly at eight the start was made, for they were to have a great +trip that day, unless some unexpected trouble arose to alter their +plans. +</P> + +<P> +The current of the river was now very manifest. Jack even ventured out +further upon the vast flood than at any previous time, wishing to get +all the advantage possible, so as to make Cairo before the hour came to +haul in. Both of them noticed a vast difference in their progress. +Even if the current were only a mile an hour faster there than close to +the shore, that must count considerably in their favor during the day. +</P> + +<P> +"It's moighty foine ridin' out here this way, I'm thinkin'," remarked +Jimmie, after they had been booming along for several hours on the +swift tide, with the little engine doing its prettiest all the while. +</P> + +<P> +"You're right," replied Jack, "though I'd just hate to have any +accident happen while it lasts. We're a long ways from shore, Jimmie, +remember." +</P> + +<P> +"But the swimmin's foine, by the same token," was the immediate +response of the ready-witted Irish lad, who never took trouble by the +forelock, believing there was always time enough for worrying after +things had happened. +</P> + +<P> +As had become their habit, they ate a cold lunch at noon, though Jimmie +hinted broadly that it might pay them to pull in closer to the shore, +and anchor, while he made a pot of coffee. +</P> + +<P> +The afternoon began to wane as they came in sight of Cairo on its low +point of land at the junction of the two great streams. +</P> + +<P> +"My sowl, whativer becomes of all the wather?" exclaimed Jimmie, as +they passed the mouth of the Ohio, and could see the great flood of +turgid water that was pouring into the Mississippi, there having +evidently been something of a rain to the eastward recently. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! this is only a swallow to the ocean, Jimmie," laughed his comrade. +"Just wait until we get our first peep at that, and then talk." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure we same just loike a teenty chip on it all, and I'm growing +nervous, so I am," remarked the Irish boy, looking from side to side at +the heaving flood that was bearing the motor boat so swiftly on her way. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," returned Jack, soothingly, "if you observe you'll see that I've +already headed her in toward the shore on the left. That would be +Kentucky now; and somewhere between the junction and the ten mile mark, +as we can guess it, is our next station. I wonder if the <I>Wireless</I> is +there, and has George grown sick waiting." +</P> + +<P> +The boat rolled considerably when Jack steered her slanting with the +current; but there was never a time when the young pilot did not have +her under complete control; and if a wave that was larger than ordinary +swooped down toward them he instantly changed the course so that it +followed behind, and would not strike the <I>Tramp</I> on the counter, and +splash water aboard. +</P> + +<P> +In this fashion, then, they drew nearer the shore. Both boys were on +the lookout, for many crafts had been moving about on the water at the +confluence of the two rivers, though by degrees they left these behind +as they made progress down stream. +</P> + +<P> +"It's afther getting near our toime, I'm thinkin'," remarked Jimmie, +with a shrewd squint up at the sun, pretty well along down the western +heavens. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, we have just enough to find some sort of a refuge for the night," +replied Jack. "You see the current is getting so swift now that it's +dangerous for a small boat like ours to anchor near the shore. When +one of those big packets goes past it draws the water off, and then +lets it come back with a rush. We might be upset, or thrown on the +rocks, and get smashed." +</P> + +<P> +"Thin it's us till a nate little cove, or a swate creek!" exclaimed +Jimmie. "Only I do be hopin' that this toime we run aginst no polace +officers or thaves. It do distarb me more nor I care to be waked up so +suddint loike, and arristed for something I niver did." +</P> + +<P> +On this occasion they were compelled to go a mile or so after the time +had expired, before finding what they sought. But it was worth the +penalty, both thought, as they pushed into the little opening, where +they could rest in peace, without the fear of an upset on account of +the "wash" from passing steamboats. +</P> + +<P> +They remained near the mouth of the creek as long as daylight lasted, +so that a watch could be kept, in order to signal either of the other +boats, should one of them heave in sight. +</P> + +<P> +But there was no such luck. Apparently neither had reached the third +station, for Jack had scanned the shore line for miles just before they +came in, without seeing any sign. +</P> + +<P> +That night passed without any incident of note; although Jimmie +insisted upon having an entry made in the log to the effect that his +first effort at flapjack making proved an elegant success, since not +one of the mess was left. But if the truth were told it would be found +that the cook himself accounted for something like three-fourths of the +number. And then he had the nerve to declare that he had made only one +mistake, which was in limiting the amount of flour used. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks like we might have a nice loafing spell over Sunday for a change +now," remarked Jack on the following morning when, having partaken of +breakfast, they moved down to a position nearer the river, where they +could use the glass to advantage. +</P> + +<P> +"Thin ye don't be sayin' annything of thim whativer?" asked Jimmie, who +was still wrestling with the various kettles and dishes used in +preparing and eating the meal, while his comrade swept the watery waste +with the marine glasses. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing doing, as yet," replied Jack. "But perhaps in an hour or so +we may pick one of them up. Of course it stands to reason the +<I>Comfort</I> is away up there somewhere. I only hope George didn't go on +down past here. After a while perhaps we'd better show ourselves +outside, and anchor there. If he is below he'll see us through his +glasses, and make signs." +</P> + +<P> +It was a long morning to the boys. By turns they went ashore to +stretch their legs, which were beginning to feel very much cramped on +account of the length of time they had been in the confined space of +the small boat. +</P> + +<P> +About two o'clock Jack sighted something that looked promising. +</P> + +<P> +"It's either a big alligator acomin' surgin' and heavin' down the +river, tryin' to drink up all the wather; or ilse it's that bully old +<I>Comfort</I> swimmin' along, wid a bone in her teeth," declared Jimmie, +after he had had a turn with the glasses. +</P> + +<P> +Of course it proved to be the motor boat; and half an hour later they +caught the attention of those aboard, so that a reunion was speedily +accomplished. +</P> + +<P> +"But where's George, and poor old Nick?" asked Herb, as he shook hands +with the skipper and crew of the <I>Tramp</I>, while Josh got the mudhook +overboard. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what is beginning to worry me," admitted Jack. "I knew you +couldn't outrun us here; but they had a great send-off. Of course +something happened. It always will with that cranky speed boat and the +big horsepower motor it carries." +</P> + +<P> +"I warned George that sooner or later it would shake the plagued boat +to pieces," declared Herb. "Hope that didn't happen when they were +away out on that rearing, tearing flood, though. My gracious, how it +does rip along! Guess we could have made six or eight miles an hour +without using our engine." +</P> + +<P> +It was then after three. Another hour passed and not a sign of the +absent boat could they discover. Several false alarms caused a thrill +to pass over the four boys; but night finally drew near without the +hoped-for arrival of the <I>Wireless</I> manifesting itself. +</P> + +<P> +And although they found a snug harbor in the mouth of the creek that +had proved so secure a refuge to the <I>Tramp</I> on the preceding night, +none of the boys rested as well as they might. They were worried over +the strange absence of their two chums, and imagined all sorts of evils +as having overtaken the crew of the <I>Wireless</I>. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +IN A KENTUCKY COVE. +</H3> + +<P> +"Turn out, you sleepy heads! The sun's coming up!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's Jack, of course," grumbled Josh, thrusting his tousled head out +from the curtains of the big launch, and digging his knuckles into his +eyes. "Say, have you been awake all night? Don't you ever sleep, +Jack?" +</P> + +<P> +All were soon astir, and preparations made for a meal. Jimmie, of +course, was keenly awake to the fact that he could pick up a few points +by watching the boss cook of the entire outfit; and hence he turned his +eyes toward the <I>Comfort</I> many times while busy with his own duties. +</P> + +<P> +Jack and Herb took things easy, sitting in the bow of their respective +boats and swapping experiences. Of course both the others had been +deeply interested in the story about the descent of the police and the +daring escape of the mysterious boat manned by the two robbers. And +Herb never wearied asking questions concerning the thrilling events of +that night. +</P> + +<P> +When breakfast was finally a thing of the past, both boats were started +out of the creek. Finding a good anchorage not far distant, they +settled down for a wait, the length of which no one could prophesy. +</P> + +<P> +But Jack, after making preparations for an indefinite stay, electrified +the rest when he declared that he believed he had sighted the missing +launch far up the river and coming like a streak of light. +</P> + +<P> +It was no mistake, as the rest declared once they had taken an +observation. And when the lost boat drew near, such a dreadful clamor +as broke forth, both Jimmie and Josh blowing conch shell and tin horn +for all they were worth; while Nick did his best to drown them out with +his own battered musical instrument. +</P> + +<P> +"Same old story," laughed George, as they came alongside. "Don't rub +it in too hard, fellows. Breakdown right when we were doing the best +stunt of the trip. Only for that it would have been a record breaker +of a run between second and third stations for the <I>Wireless</I>. Gee! +but she can fly when she takes the bit between her teeth." +</P> + +<P> +"And gee! but she can bite though," grunted Nick, as usual rubbing his +haunches and putting on a most forlorn expression. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what's the use of staying here?" remarked Herb. "It's now past +eight, and time we were on the move. It's just a picnic for Josh and +me. We sail along like a big house, and nothing disturbs us. Josh +cooks to beat the band; only I don't believe he eats more'n a bite each +meal himself." +</P> + +<P> +"That's where you're away off, commodore," asserted the other. "Why, +I'm feeling ever so much better since I started. If it keeps on I'll +soon be able to get away with my full share of the prog, as well as the +rest of you—all but Buster. I never want to run a race with that——" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you dare call me a hog," cried the fat boy, pretending to get +ready to hurl a big spoon, which he was wiping, at the cook of the +other boat. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't, leave it to the rest if I did. You're the only one who +mentioned the name at all," grinned Josh, ready to dodge behind his +skipper if necessary. +</P> + +<P> +It being decided to get away without further delay, the start was soon +made, and once more the three boats began their progress toward the +Land of Dixie. +</P> + +<P> +For a change George did not rush off immediately; nor did Jack put on +speed so as to leave the <I>Comfort</I> behind. Truth to tell, they wanted +to chat some more; and talk of future plans when they should get +farther along in the journey. For by now it had been impressed upon +the minds of them all that "the worst was yet to come," as Jack put it. +</P> + +<P> +An hour later and George believed he had loitered long enough. +</P> + +<P> +"My boat is just itching to get a move on, fellows," he called out, as +he started to leave the others. "So by-by until we meet up again at +Station Four." +</P> + +<P> +"Good luck to you!" cried Jack, waving his hand after the speed boys, +one of whom looked anything but happy as he sat there with the life +preserver belted on, and his fat hand clutching the brass after rail. +</P> + +<P> +Presently Jack also considered that the pace was altogether too slow +for him, much as it pleased Josh and Herb. Far ahead they could see +the <I>Wireless</I> looking like a speck on the tumbling waters. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-bye, fellows!" Jack called out as he too increased his speed, and +began to draw ahead of the big launch. +</P> + +<P> +"Off, too, are you?" laughed the easy going Herb. "Well, wait up for +us below. And I say, Jack, if you get the chance, you might grab that +nice fat reward that's out for the apprehension of the robbers. Five +thousand ain't to be picked up every day, I'm telling you. And what +with your great luck I believe it wouldn't be hard for the two of you +to do it. Good-bye! Good luck!" +</P> + +<P> +An hour later and those aboard the <I>Tramp</I> could just barely make out +the last boat in the race. The <I>Wireless</I> had long since vanished from +view in the hazy distance down-river way. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you thinking about, Jimmie?" asked Jack, as he saw his +boatmate sitting there with a queer look on his freckled face. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie grinned, as though tickled with what was passing through his +mind. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, I do be pityin' that poor Buster," he observed. "Did ye not +hear him tellin' how he longed so much to be havin' thim ilegant wings +of his durin' the six hours George was tinkerin' wid the ingine? It +was the chanct of his loife, so it was; and he says he would have been +sportin' in the wather all the toime, learnin' to shwim loike a duck, +by the same token. I've been wonderin' what he did wid the same, and +I've come to the conclusion that he swallowed thim wings!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! that's too much for me to believe, Jimmie," laughed his companion. +"Whatever put such an idea into your head?" +</P> + +<P> +"Becase he ates iverything he says. Josh is right whin he calls him a +human billy goat, so he is. I wouldn't put it past him, now," and +Jimmie shook his head in an obstinate manlier, as if to show he could +not be persuaded differently; so Jack did not waste time trying. +</P> + +<P> +As before, the day wore on, and with the coming of the hour which was +to mark the close of the run they began to carefully watch the bank as +they flew along, in the hope of discovering a friendly haven of refuge. +</P> + +<P> +These things may seem a bit wearisome, but they became an important +part of the daily program with the venturesome small boat cruisers, and +as necessary as partaking of their meals. +</P> + +<P> +Once more luck seemed to favor them, for after a long search Jimmie +discovered what seemed to be a series of little coves, in one of which +they could doubtless find water enough to float the <I>Tramp</I>. +</P> + +<P> +It was almost dusk by now, and they would have to deduct considerable +time from their balance sheet in making up the record for the day's +run, according to the conditions set for the participants in the race. +</P> + +<P> +"Think we can get in?" asked Jack of his mate; for Jimmie was in the +bow, using a pole to test the depth of the water. +</P> + +<P> +"Aisy it is, wid plenty of wather, and to spare," came the reassuring +reply. +</P> + +<P> +So, urging the boat gently on, Jack sent her over the bar and into what +proved to be a splendid little cove, apparently just made for a haven +of refuge to small craft, risking the dangers of the vast river flood. +</P> + +<P> +"Snug as a bug in a rug!" declared Jack, joyfully, as they came to a +stop in the cove, being able to run alongside the bank, which fact +would allow of their going ashore if they chose. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie looked about him a bit nervously. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure it's mesilf is wonderin' if we'll have the luck to run slap up +against that other motor boat agin," he called out, as Jack happened to +be bending over the engine at the moment. +</P> + +<P> +The skipper made no response, as his attention happened to be taken up +just then with something that required a little work. But the words +had been spoken loud enough to have been heard twenty yards away in +that quiet nook. +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't shout so, if I were you, Jimmie," remarked Jack a little +later, as he came back to where the other was getting the tent ready +for erecting over the boat. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, who's agoin' to hear me, sure?" demanded Jimmie, at the same time +casting a nervous glance around at the heavy growth of bushes and trees +that bordered their little cove. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I don't suppose there's a human being within a mile of us right +now," admitted Jack, laughingly; "but all the same it isn't good policy +to tell all you know. Nobody can be sure there isn't some tramp lying +hidden in these woods. And we don't want company, you see." +</P> + +<P> +Frequently after that Jimmie would turn to glance around him, even +while he was building the fire ashore and cooking the supper over it +for a change. He could not get the warning of his boatmate out of his +head, and Jack noticed that for a wonder the usually merry and +light-hearted Irish lad made no attempt to carol any of his favorite +school songs that evening. +</P> + +<P> +They sat there by the fire a long while after eating. The night air +had grown a bit cool, for it was October, when the early frosts nip. +vegetation in the north; and even this far south the coming of night +brings a change from the warm day. +</P> + +<P> +And about nine o'clock Jack, feeling his eyes growing heavy, wondered +whether it would not be wise for them to turn in. They had concluded, +since everything seemed so safe, to try sleeping ashore for a change +from the narrow quarters aboard the little motor boat; and the blankets +were already lying in a heap; in fact, one served Jack as a means of +keeping him from coming in contact with the bare ground as he sat there +writing in his log book and figuring out the respective positions of +the participants in the race, up to that time. +</P> + +<P> +"I say, Jimmie," he began, when, looking around, he discovered that he +was alone, the other having crept away at some time while Jack was +busily employed. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, where under the sun did that boy go to?" Jack said to himself, as +he turned his head this way and that in the endeavor to see some sign +of the missing one. +</P> + +<P> +Presently he made another strange discovery. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I declare, if he didn't take my little Marlin gun along with +him," he muttered, failing to find the weapon where he felt sure he had +laid it down. +</P> + +<P> +This gave him food for more serious thought. He remembered now how +Jimmie had been impressed with that chance remark of his about the +possibility of danger in the shape of concealed hoboes. Evidently, +unable to resist the temptation, Jimmie had silently picked up the gun +and crept away to make the rounds of their immediate neighborhood, his +design being to learn whether there could be any hobo camp near by. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! well, I suppose I'll just have to sit here and wait for him to +come back, after he's had his little turn. A queer boy Jimmie is, and +inclined to be superstitious. Perhaps he's looking for a ghost right +now, or one of those banshee's the Irish people believe in. Hello! I +believe I hear something moving over there! Wonder if that's Jimmie +now?" +</P> + +<P> +Jack had arisen to his feet as he watched to discover what came in +sight. Although he might not have confessed to the fact that he was +excited, still his hand was trembling a little as he held back the +branch of the tree to see better. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course it's Jimmie. But what does he act that way for? Why is he +beckoning to me and holding a finger on his lips, just as if he'd taken +a turn to tell me not to call out. What has the boy discovered now, I +wonder?" +</P> + +<P> +Jack awaited the coming of his comrade, who was crawling along, looking +back every little while as though fearful lest he had been followed. +</P> + +<P> +"What under the sun ails you, Jimmie?" asked Jack, in a low tone, as +the other reached his side. "Have you gone clean daffy, and are you +seeing things that no decent, self-respecting boy ought to see?" +</P> + +<P> +"H'sh!" whispered the other mysteriously; and then after another quick +look in the direction from whence he had just come, he went on +hurriedly: "They're roight over there, Jack, me bye, both of 'em as big +as loife, wid the sassy little motor boat alongside in another cove; +and Jack, they belaves us to be officers of the law, come to take thim +till the bar of justice. I know it, becase I heard 'em talk!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TURNING THE TABLES ON THE BANK ROBBERS. +</H3> + +<P> +"Whew! that's stunning news you bring, Jimmie!" said Jack, looking +keenly at his companion, as if suspecting that possibly the other might +be imagining things. +</P> + +<P> +"I give ye my worrd of honor it's the truth, the whole truth, an' +nothin' but the truth," affirmed the other, raising his right hand in +the most positive manner. +</P> + +<P> +"You saw the men, then?" demanded Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"I was that clost till 'em I could have coughed in their ears, on'y I +didn't, d'ye moind," replied the returned scout, in that convincing +whisper of his. +</P> + +<P> +"And the boat—it looks like ours, does it?" continued the skipper of +the <I>Tramp</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Two peas in the pod couldn't be more aloike. And sure, didn't I hear +the gossoons talkin' an' whisperin' atween thimsilves about us two." +</P> + +<P> +"You did?" exclaimed Jack, more astonished than ever at the sudden +daring exhibited by the Irish lad. "What were they saying, Jimmie?" +</P> + +<P> +"Jist as ye warrned me, thim smarties they do be hearin' what I called +out till yees about the other boat," replied Jimmie. "And that makes +'em decide we're in the employ of the polace, wid the intintion of +running thim to a finish. Glory be, but they're mad clane through, +becase a couple of boys dast chase 'em." +</P> + +<P> +"Mad, are they, and at us?" repeated Jack, as he began to gasp the +situation. "And do you happen to know if they mean to slip away again, +like they did a couple of nights ago?" +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie shrugged his shoulders in his knowing fashion. Probably he also +winked, though Jack failed to catch this part of the performance. +</P> + +<P> +"Wan of thim do be for slippin' off, and showin' a clane pair of heels; +but the other sames to be a wicked sort. He swipes his fist jist so," +making a furious gesture as he spoke, "and will be hanged if he goes +till he taches thim silly fools a lesson." +</P> + +<P> +"Meaning us, I suppose?" Jack asked, softly. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothin' else, me laddybuck. I heerd him say as how burnin' our boat +wouldn't be too harrd a job; or tyin' the both of us till the trees +here, and lavin' us to shout till we got black in the face. Ugh! he's +sure a divvle, all right, is that smooth-faced young thafe of the +worrld. And I'd loike nothin' betther than to be turnin' the tables on +him, so I would." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said Jack, quietly, "perhaps you may, Jimmie." +</P> + +<P> +Jack Stormways was ordinarily a peaceful lad. All his schoolmates were +agreed on that score. And yet once he felt that he had been unjustly +treated he would fight at the drop of the hat. +</P> + +<P> +They had done nothing to injure these two young rascals; and if let +alone the chances were Jack would never have gone out of his way to +inform the public officials as to what he knew about the robbers of the +Waverly bank. +</P> + +<P> +But when he heard that they were planning to do him and his comrade an +ugly turn, something within seemed to rise up in rebellion. If they +wanted war to the knife they could have it. +</P> + +<P> +"Whirra, now, an' do ye mean that, Jack, darlint?" demanded Jimmie. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course we could escape by going out of this in the night. But I +object to running a dangerous river in the dark; and I also don't like +the idea of being chased out of a comfortable berth. So I'm going to +stick here a while longer; and try to give the other side a little +surprise, if so be they come across lots to bother us." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the kind of talk, Jack," Jimmie whispered, excitedly. +"Americans should niver turn their backs on the foe. I'm riddy to back +ye up in annything ye say. Do ye want me to lade the way to where they +sit clost by the wather where the other boat swims?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all," replied Jack. "If there's any aggressive movement made, +it's got to come from their side, not ours. Millions for defense, not +one cent for tribute, you know, Jimmie. Now watch me get busy." +</P> + +<P> +The Irish boy was filled with the most intense curiosity. For the life +of him he could not give the faintest guess as to what his companion +had in his mind. And consequently he watched every movement Jack made +as though eager to solve the puzzle. +</P> + +<P> +He saw Jack go aboard the boat, and when he came back again he seemed +to be carrying some extra clothes. +</P> + +<P> +"Fill up those trousers with dead leaves, trash, anything, so long as +you make them bag out and look like they do when on you. Then button +up the coat, and do the same with that. Do you catch on yet, Jimmie?" +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis dummies ye are afther makin', be me sowl!" gasped the other, as +he hastened to follow out the directions given him; and the grin on his +face told better than words could have done how splendid the idea +seemed to him. +</P> + +<P> +"I've done it when I went to boarding school," said Jack, softly, while +he worked, "and left it for the sophs to grab when they came to haze +me; but I never dreamed then I'd live to see the time I'd try the same +old trick on a couple of bank robbers!" +</P> + +<P> +It did not take them long to finish that part of the job. +</P> + +<P> +"Now," said Jack, "let's try and fix the dinky things under the +blankets so they'll look like a couple of greenies sleeping sweetly, +and dreaming of home." +</P> + +<P> +Again his genius for arranging little details came into play. Jimmie +was only too glad to turn over his dummy to the care of Jack; and it +was not long before it looked as though both boys were lying there, +lost to the world, with the fire burning cheerily close by. +</P> + +<P> +"Nixt!" chirped Jimmie, filled with the excitement of the thing. +</P> + +<P> +"We're going to hide, and wait for them to come. You hunt up a nice +fat shillalah that you can use on the head of one of our visitors when +they get here. Yes, that looks like the billy for you. And remember, +not a peep until I say the word: 'Go!'" +</P> + +<P> +"Yis, and thin?" demanded the eager one. +</P> + +<P> +"Tap the nearest fellow on the head, just hard enough to daze him, +mind. I'll be looking out for the other meanwhile, with the gun. And +I really hope he surrenders peaceably, because I'd hate to fill his +legs full of birdshot, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! what luck we do be havin', Jack, bye. Sure, iverything is comin' +our way, an' the others ain't in the swim at all; excipt that Buster +made wan plunge, and hild on till the rope. Where do we hide? Show me +the place, me laddybuck. Five thousand dollars the captain, he said, +Jack." +</P> + +<P> +"Hush! I'm not doing this for the coin, remember. These fellows have +nothing to fear from me unless they come hunting trouble. Then they'll +find it. People always do, Jimmie," Jack said, as he looked around to +locate the best place where they could hide, and still be within reach +of the spot. +</P> + +<P> +"Right ye are," chuckled the other; "and especially whin they run +aginst Jack Stormways." +</P> + +<P> +"Listen, Jimmie," the other went on. "I've just thought of something. +Look up, and you'll see that the tree is thick just above the place +where the two babes in the wood are sleeping so sweetly. Now, if one +of us chanced to be hiding up there, it would be the easiest thing in +the world to drop down on the back of the chap as he threw himself on +the dummy. How does that strike you?" +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie shrugged his shoulders. +</P> + +<P> +"If ye say the worrd, it's me that will climb up the tree, and lie low. +And sure they used to say Jimmie Brannagan was a born monkey all but +the tail, so they did." +</P> + +<P> +"Then climb now," said Jack, "and keep as quiet as a mouse there, or +sharp eyes might spy you. Remember, when I shout the word, drop like a +brick on the nearest fellow, and be sure you flatten him out, even if +you have to use the stick!" +</P> + +<P> +He watched the Irish boy mount the body of the tree and clamber out +along the limb that hung some ten feet from the ground, until he was +directly over the spot where the two motionless figures lay under the +blankets. +</P> + +<P> +"That will do, Jimmie. You are well hidden there. Quiet now, and +wait!" and with this whisper Jack left the open spot. +</P> + +<P> +In seeking a hiding place he had two things in mind besides +concealment. One was to keep close to the place where the fire burned +lower and lower, so that when the proper time came he could be there to +do his part in the program. The other lay in the line of keeping the +boat under observation, for fear lest the enemy creep aboard and cause +an explosion of some sort that would simply ruin them. +</P> + +<P> +The minutes passed slowly. Jack had to guess at the flight of time; +but it certainly seemed to have wings of lead. Still, an hour had +surely gone, and as yet all was still. +</P> + +<P> +He wondered whether Jimmie could have been mistaken about seeing and +hearing the two bank thieves? Jimmie had something of a vivid +imagination; but then Jack had never known him to make a blunder of +this sort. +</P> + +<P> +Ah! was that really a rustle he had heard just then? To tell the truth +it did seem to spring from the quarter where he expected danger to +appear. Jack raised his eyes for one last look at the hiding place of +his confederate. All seemed as peaceful as a dream in that direction; +and no one could possibly suspect that in the midst of that bunch of +foliage a brawny lad was crouched, ready to drop like a plummet when +given the word. +</P> + +<P> +Yes, the sound was repeated, and as near as Jack could make out it +seemed just what might be expected were an inexperienced person trying +to creep through a thick covert. These two fugitives from justice +might be exceedingly clever in their own field; doubtless they knew +everything pertaining to the art of blowing open safes in country +banks; but as woodsmen they had much to learn, ere they could crawl +through brambles without making a swishing noise. +</P> + +<P> +Jack held himself sternly in. When he found that his hand was +quivering more than he thought necessary, he mentally took himself +sternly to task and put a stop to such silliness, as he termed it. +</P> + +<P> +The wonderful command which he had always possessed over himself had +been the secret of much of his great success on the baseball field, +when the whole game hinged on a single ball which he had to deliver to +a heavy batter. And that batter usually struck out when the pinch +came, for he proved to have less stamina than the opposing pitcher. +</P> + +<P> +Now Jack could see the bushes moving, and knew that something was going +to happen in short order. He hoped Jimmie would be able to master his +end of the job without a blunder; for sometimes the Irish boy, no +matter how willing, had a peculiar faculty for doing the wrong thing. +</P> + +<P> +Jack had both the hammers of his gun drawn back, ready for business. +He remained as motionless as a stone when he saw moving objects creep +into the little opening alongside the cove in which the motor boat lay +moored to a couple of trees. +</P> + +<P> +Of course they were the two desperate rascals come to carry out their +design of injuring the boat of the lads they believed to be in league +with their pursuers, and possibly even harming Jack and his mate in +person. +</P> + +<P> +Several times they raised their heads to look around. Jack could see +their faces at such times, for the fire was not yet dead; and somehow +he fancied that the two were hard looking fellows, just of the stripe +one would expect to find ready to attempt some daring, lawless deed. +</P> + +<P> +Now they were crawling eagerly toward the spot where the blankets +covered the two forms. Then it must be their intention to first secure +the owners of the boat before attempting its destruction. +</P> + +<P> +Jack steeled his heart against anything in the shape of mercy: These +fellows were making the game, and they must take what was coming to +them without whining. +</P> + +<P> +No doubt of it but if the truth were told it would be found that Jack +was pretty white in the face about that time; but his teeth were +pressed hard together, and his heart knew no fear. +</P> + +<P> +Now they were close upon the dummy figures, and Jack got ready to give +the signal that would cause a movement above. But he expected to first +see the leap made, so that Jimmie would have a better chance to drop on +the back of his man. +</P> + +<P> +It was at this most intense moment, when Jack's nerves were all on +edge, that a sudden sound burst forth. +</P> + +<P> +"Ker-choo!" +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie had been almost choked from time to time with the smoke from the +fire, and as luck would have it he broke out in a loud sneeze just as +the two men jumped forward. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"LUCKY JACK!" +</H3> + +<P> +"Go!" cried Jack. +</P> + +<P> +And Jimmie went. +</P> + +<P> +Jack had seen the two men spring upon the blanket-covered dummies, and +knew the cheat would be instantly discovered. A delay of three seconds +just then would mean trouble all around. +</P> + +<P> +Had that unfortunate break on Jimmie's part come about earlier, it must +have played havoc with all Jack's cleverly arranged plans. But the men +were even in the act of jumping and could not stop to investigate just +then. +</P> + +<P> +Before one of them, who was wrestling with the blanket and trying to +sprawl all over the unresisting form beneath it, could grasp the +situation, bang! came a heavy body down between his shoulders, with a +force that made him grunt and flatten out like a pancake. +</P> + +<P> +"Hands up! You are under arrest!" shouted Jack, as he brought his +shotgun on a level with the head of the second man, just as the other +tried to scramble to his knees after learning of the cheat under the +blanket he had assaulted. +</P> + +<P> +Jack was taking a leaf from the police book, and applying it to +advantage. He knew just how thrilling those words had sounded in the +ears of himself and Jimmie and believed in passing them along. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie, by the way, was engaged in rapping the back of his captive's +head with the stout little cudgel he had picked up. At the same time +he kept threatening to add to the force of the taps if the other showed +any inclination to resist. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you surrender?" demanded the boy who held the gun. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess we do. There don't seem to be anything else for us, the worse +luck!" growled the fellow who crouched there on his knees and stared +into the twin tubes of the threatening Marlin double barrel. +</P> + +<P> +"Then lie down on your face, quick now!" commanded Jack, who had been +thinking over what ought to be done in case they safely reached this +point; and had made up his mind. +</P> + +<P> +The desperate young bank robber hesitated. No doubt he was considering +whether he might not take Jack off his guard by a sudden shout and a +quick movement. And Jack guessed exactly what was passing through his +mind. +</P> + +<P> +"It wouldn't be safe for you to try it, let me tell you," he remarked, +assuming as much fierceness as he could. "I've got my finger on both +triggers, and this gun goes off mighty easy. You know what would +happen to you then. Roll over on your face, and don't stop to think +twice about it, either!" +</P> + +<P> +As usual Jack had his way. There was something convincing about his +method of argument that even this young desperado could not combat. +And so with muttered angry words the fellow dropped flat on his face. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, stay that way, if you know what's good for you," Jack went on. +"Jimmie!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yep! Sure I'm here, roight side up wid care, Jack, darlint," chirped +the other, temporarily ceasing his tattoo upon the head of his alarmed +victim. +</P> + +<P> +"Get out your cord," continued the leader, steadily. "Make him cross +his wrists behind his back. Then tie them hard together. If he tries +any funny business you know what to do; and do it so that he'll +understand what hits him, too." +</P> + +<P> +"Indade I will that. D'ye hear the captain, mister? Give us your +other paw, and do ye moind, I've me club handy to clip yees acrost the +cranium if so be ye show anny disrespict till the law. Now, aisy +loike, and the job's done. There ye are, and riddy for the nixt +prisoner!" +</P> + +<P> +Jack meanwhile kept the second fellow under his eye. Whenever the +rascal made the least movement, as though tempted to rebel against the +hard fate that had come upon him, a stern word from his captor was +enough to make him cringe again. +</P> + +<P> +So presently Jimmie mounted his back and treated him exactly as he had +done the first victim. When Jack saw the job completed he drew a long +breath of relief. The beads of perspiration stood out on his brow, +such had been the terrible strain under which he had labored while all +this action was taking place. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank goodness, it's done with!" he exclaimed, as he allowed the gun +to drop, and his muscles to relax. +</P> + +<P> +"And now what are we to do wid these beauties, Jack?" asked Jimmie, as +he also arose and stretched himself; for his long vigil among the +branches of that tree had, as he declared, "tied him all up in a knot." +</P> + +<P> +"Take them along with us and hand them over to the authorities at +Memphis, if we get no chance nearer. Suppose you stay here with them +just now, Jimmie." +</P> + +<P> +"While you drop over to the other cove and see what they do be havin' +in that motor boat of theirs," observed the Irish boy, cheerfully. +"Just as ye say, Jack. Ye know bist, and I'm riddy to folly orders. +But don't be too long, if ye plaise. It moight be lonely for me, I'm +thinkin'." +</P> + +<P> +Jack came back inside of fifteen minutes, during which time Jimmie had +sat there by the resurrected fire, holding the precious Martin, and +keeping a close watch over the two bound robbers. +</P> + +<P> +"Ye found it, all roight, I say, Jack?" announced the guardian of the +camp, as he noticed that his chum was "toting" a fair-sized satchel. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," the other answered, "this holds the stuff they carried off, and +which Mr. Gregory, the president of that Waverly bank, will be mightily +glad to get hold of again. But I know now just why they were so +anxious to capture us." +</P> + +<P> +"They did be thinkin' we was sint afther thim, so I belaved," Jimmie +observed. +</P> + +<P> +"That may be so," said Jack; "but there was another reason. They had +need of our boat." +</P> + +<P> +"But, by the powers, they had wan jist as good; how could they use +both, Jack?" +</P> + +<P> +"Theirs has got a big hole punched in the bow, and must have hit a rock +just when they started to come into the cove. They had tried to mend +it, but I guess that's a job for a practical boatbuilder and not for +amateurs. We'll have to let it stay here, and take our prisoners along +in the <I>Tramp</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"So, that's the way the land lies, do it?" remarked Jimmie. "And whin +they saw us come in this same night, to be sure they made up their +moinds it was the finest bit of luck iver happened, changin' ould lamps +for new." +</P> + +<P> +Jack was not satisfied until he had examined the bonds of the two men +and made them additionally secure. He also tied their ankles together, +avoiding hurting them all he could, yet taking no chances, for he knew +he was dealing with desperate characters. +</P> + +<P> +The fellow whom Jimmie had flattened out like a pancake had nothing to +say, and seemed a gloomy customer. On the other hand, the second +prisoner made out to be a nervy, reckless, happy-go-lucky sort of a +fellow. He joked with the Irish lad, and pretended to be utterly +indifferent as to his fate. +</P> + +<P> +Still Jack distrusted him and meant to keep an eye on him pretty much +all the time, until an opportunity came to hand them over to the +authorities. +</P> + +<P> +It was now about midnight. Both boys were tired, but too excited to +think of doing much in the way of sleeping. So Jack laid out the +balance of the night in watches, and during the six hours remaining he +and Jimmie managed to pick up a little rest; though when morning came +both of them were feeling, as Josh Purdue would have said, "pretty +punk." +</P> + +<P> +They managed to get breakfast, and both of the men were fed after a +fashion, although the cautious Jack would take few chances of allowing +them to have their hands free. +</P> + +<P> +At eight o'clock the little <I>Tramp</I> put out of the cove, and once more +breasted the brawling Mississippi flood that moved ceaselessly +southward. +</P> + +<P> +Jack kept near the Tennessee shore for many reasons. He wished to get +rid of the two prisoners as soon as he could, and meant to go ashore +when he came to the first good-sized town, where he had reason to +believe the captured robbers would be properly taken care of, and the +recovered valuables placed safely, awaiting the claim of the bank +authorities. +</P> + +<P> +On the afternoon of the preceding day they had heard many faint reports +as of guns. Jack had looked the matter up, and was inclined to believe +that these must be caused by duck hunters in the sloughs around +Reelfoot Lake. Occasionally they saw flocks of water fowl on the sand +bars; and Jimmie was wild for a chance to secure one for a meal. +</P> + +<P> +"All in good time," laughed Jack, as the other kept asking why he did +not try to pot some of the game. "We've got our hands full, as it is, +Jimmie. Just wait until we lighten our load, and then you'll find me +ready for sport." +</P> + +<P> +Truth to tell, Jack had too great a load on his mind to think of +pleasure. Until he had handed the prisoners and the plunder over to +the authorities he felt in no humor for fun. Nor might it be a wise +thing to have an empty gun along, even for a brief period of time. The +ugly way one of the men looked at him every little while kept Jack +constantly on the anxious seat; and he feared lest there might be some +unpleasant surprise sprung on himself and Jimmie. +</P> + +<P> +But noon came without their having made up their minds what to do. +</P> + +<P> +"We're getting close to Covington," Jack remarked, after a bit, when +Jimmie proposed that they have a cold snack. "And perhaps we can +lighten ship there. Anyhow, I've about made up my mind to land and +find out." +</P> + +<P> +"And perhaps we may be saved all the trouble, Jack, darlint," remarked +Jimmie, with one of his quizzical chuckles. +</P> + +<P> +This, of course, caused the skipper to lift his head and look down the +river. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! you mean that that launch is heading for us; is that it, Jimmie?" +he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, take the glasses, and ye'll see the glint of brass buttons +aboard the same," remarked the crew of the motor boat, holding out the +magnifiers as he spoke. +</P> + +<P> +Jack whistled, and then laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," he said, "that's good news you are telling me, Jimmie,—for us, +I mean. Nothing could please me better than to be met half way by a +posse of police just now. We've got a little surprise in store for +them, I guess. But I'll have to go ashore after all, for I don't mean +to let that bag go out of my possession without getting a receipt in +full for all it holds." +</P> + +<P> +The launch was coming full-tilt for them. Soon it was so close that +they could see the several police officers who manned it, although they +were apparently trying to keep under cover as much as possible. +</P> + +<P> +Jack kept straight on for the other boat. He even tooted his whistle +several times as though in greeting. And presently the larger launch +came alongside. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks like the boat all right, boys," observed the man who was in the +bow, handling the wheel. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and the description hits these two young scamps to a dot!" echoed +another, as he laid hold of the <I>Tramp</I> and started to clamber over the +side; when he suddenly paused, and stared at something he had +discovered in the bottom of the boat. "Hi! what d'ye think?" he cried. +"They've got a couple of fellers tied up here, neck and crop. Pirates, +all right, you better believe. And here's a bag that's got the loot in +it, I wager. Keep 'em covered, will you, till I slip the bracelets on." +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on, if you please, officer!" called a voice, as a gentleman in +civilian dress suddenly appeared at the side of the police boat. "I'm +afraid there's a little mistake here, after all. We've had a false +clew. I know these boys, and they're not the ones we're after." +</P> + +<P> +Jack stared, as well he might. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, hello! Mr. Gregory!" he cried, perhaps with hardly the reverence +he ought to show toward a bank president; but the astonishment of +seeing the gentleman away down here, so many hundred miles from home, +rather disconcerted him. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it's no other, Jack," replied the other, smiling. "They wired me +that perhaps if I hurried down I might be able to recognize the +valuable bonds that were stolen from our bank, in case they turned up. +We were told that a boat answering the description of the mysterious +one in which the robbers took flight had been sighted on the river; and +for two days now we've been watching. But it must have been your +little boat they meant." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps not, sir," said Jack, quietly. "There was another just like +mine, and we have run across it several times. In fact, the two +fellows who operated it are lying here right now; and that satchel +contains all the stuff they stole from your bank, Mr. Gregory." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE "WIRELESS" IN TOW. +</H3> + +<P> +"What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Gregory, hardly able to grasp the +astounding news that Jack Stormways so modestly launched at him. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you see, we camped in a little cove last night," continued the +boy; "and as luck would have it, these fellows had entered another one +close by. Seems that an accident had happened to their boat, so that, +with a hole stove in her bow, they could not go any farther. So they +figured on stealing our dandy little <I>Tramp</I>, you know, and leaving us +to hold the bag." +</P> + +<P> +The police officers looked at each other and nodded their heads, as if +to say they knew a smart young fellow when they saw one. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and naturally you objected to such a bold procedure, Jack, and +determined to turn the tables on them; was that it?" asked the bank +president, smiling broadly, as though he might be the happiest man in +the country just then. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," Jack made answer. "We set a little trap, and they tumbled +into it. So we tied them up, as you see, though we tried not to treat +the poor chaps too roughly while doing it, and have fed them as well as +we could. I found that bag, and we expected to go ashore at Covington +to turn the men and the property over to the right authorities. And +seeing that it's yours, sir, will you please take it off my hands? I +hope it's all there." +</P> + +<P> +While the boats drifted down-stream Mr. Gregory, with trembling hands, +opened the bag, and proceeded to hastily look over the papers. There +were some thousands of dollars in bank notes tied up in packages; but +he hardly gave these any attention, for the bonds represented the +solvency of his bank. +</P> + +<P> +"Good!" he presently cried, aloud; "I believe they're here, every one. +I'm the happiest man going right now. And, Jack, shake hands with me, +my boy. Your father will have cause to feel proud of you when I tell +him how you've acquitted yourself." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't forget Jimmie Brannagan, Mr. Gregory," said Jack. "He had as +much to do with it as I did. Now, don't you say a single word against +that, Jimmie, do you hear? And, Mr. Gregory, since you've got back +everything, please go as easy as you can with these fellows. They're +hardly more than boys, you see, and perhaps one more chance might be +the making of either of them." +</P> + +<P> +"That speaks well for your heart, Jack, although I'm afraid you're +mistaken in the matter. But I promise you to get as light a sentence +as I can for them. I ought to feel in a forgiving mood, for a terrible +load has been taken off my mind this day, thanks to you boys." +</P> + +<P> +"And how about that same reward we do be hearin' talk of, sir?" asked +Jimmie. +</P> + +<P> +"Jimmie!" exclaimed Jack, frowning; but Mr. Gregory only laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"He's quite correct, Jack," he said promptly. "Jimmie knows his +rights, and isn't afraid to press them. There was a reward offered for +the capture of the thieves, and a larger one for the recovery of the +stolen property. After you come back from this little excursion I want +both of you to drop over and call on me. I'll have something for you +worth while. Perhaps it may be an engrossed resolution of thanks from +the directors of my bank; and possibly it may be something more." +</P> + +<P> +So, after all, Jack did not set foot ashore at Covington when they +arrived opposite the place. The two prisoners had been transferred to +the police launch, with something more substantial in place of the +cords that Jimmie had wound around their wrists; and after each of the +officers had warmly shaken hands with the boys, Mr. Gregory gave them a +last grip, when the larger boat was turned in toward the bank. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that was an adventure worth while!" remarked Jack, as he settled +down to look after his engine and hit up a livelier pace; for Memphis +was a long ways off, and that had been settled on as their next station. +</P> + +<P> +"I do be having to laugh whin I think of poor Buster," observed Jimmie, +with a broad grin on his good-natured countenance. +</P> + +<P> +"Why about the Hippopotamus?" queried the skipper, without looking up. +</P> + +<P> +"What d'ye suppose he will be afther saying now, whin he hears what +happened till us again? Didn't ye listen whin he said, 'Oh, splash! +nothin' iver happens till the wan of us save Jack and Jimmie!' And by +the token it do same to be thrue. We're the broth of boys that git in +the ruction ivery toime." +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if Buster has been overboard again?" mused Jack, smiling at +the recollection of the tremendous splash the fat boy had made the time +he dropped into the Mississippi, and held on by the trailing rope. +</P> + +<P> +"I do be thinkin' ivery toime a big wave comes along; 'there's Buster +takin' wan of his headers again, and makin' the river quake!'" chuckled +Jimmie. +</P> + +<P> +So they beguiled the minutes while lunch was being prepared; which, +since it was only a cold one, did not take much time. Then they sat +and enjoyed themselves, while the <I>Tramp</I> bustled merrily on her way, +and the speeding shore panorama interested them constantly, on account +of the changes taking place. +</P> + +<P> +Occasionally Jack consulted his maps, in order to find out what the +name of some town they were passing might be, and in this way locate +their position. +</P> + +<P> +"Will we make it, do yees think?" asked Jimmie, after one of these +periods of study on the part of the skipper. +</P> + +<P> +"I think so; I hope so," replied the other. "Because, you see, we +ought to pull up there and get ready for a fresh start. So far we've +done just elegant work; but there's no telling what trouble is waiting +for us below. The river gets bigger all the time, until there are +places where you can hardly see across to the low shore on the other +side. And those false cut-off channels will give us the time of our +lives, maybe." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, ye ixpect that George will be waitin' for us all the while +at Memphis?" remarked Jimmie a little later, as he swept the watery +horizon to the south, and the shore line closer by with the fine +glasses. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I suppose so," replied Jack. "That is, if he's managed to pull +through without another blowout or breakdown." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, ye have another guess coming Jack, me bye, and that's no lie," +remarked Jimmie, a smile beginning to creep over his wide face. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you've seen something," declared the other. "Here, take hold of +this wheel and give me the glasses." +</P> + +<P> +He swept the shore line with a careful scrutiny. +</P> + +<P> +"I see him," he remarked presently. "And it's just as you said, +Jimmie; George is in a peck of trouble again with that cranky +high-power engine. They've tied up to the shore and have got the red +flag flying that was to be our signal of distress. Poor Nick; I can +just picture him right now, grunting over all the misfortunes that +haunt them, while the rest of us have had so little trouble. I'm +afraid he'll waste away to mere skin and bones yet." +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Tramp</I> was soon headed for the spot where they could see their +comrades waving their arms wildly as if afraid the second boat in the +race might pass them by. +</P> + +<P> +"Same old story?" asked Jack, as he brought alongside and gripped the +hands of the forlorn shipwrecked travelers. +</P> + +<P> +"Rotten luck!" groaned Nick, shaking his head dolefully. "I'm pining +away, fellows, inch by inch. Why, my clothes are ready to drop off me, +I'm getting so like a scarecrow. Mebbe you don't believe me, but it's +a fact. And I'm that nervous I keep quivering all the time like +a—a——" +</P> + +<P> +"A bowl full of jelly;" burst out Jimmie. "Sure, I do belave ye, +Buster. And as Jack and me sail along so cheerful loike, me thoughts +often fly till ye, and I fale that only for that stubborn will ye'd +have gone and given up long ago." +</P> + +<P> +"What's wrong this time, George?" asked Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! everything now," replied the disgusted skipper of the <I>Wireless</I>. +"No use in my trying to tinker with the job. It will take a practical +machinist to overhaul the plagued contraption. I guess you'll have to +give us a tow to Memphis, where I can put a man to work getting this +engine in some sort of shape." +</P> + +<P> +"All right!" Jack exclaimed. "And the sooner we start the better, if +we want to make it before dark. Get a line out, and we'll fasten to +this cleat at our stern. Then we can talk as we move along; because +Jimmie and myself have got a lovely little fairy story to tell you, to +pass away the time." +</P> + +<P> +Nick looked at the others suspiciously. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, what's been coming your way, I'd just like to know?" he grumbled. +"Never saw such luck as you have in all my life. 'Tain't fair, that's +what. Here I have all the tortures, the scares and the duckings, too, +when I've lost my swimming wings; and you fellows gobble everything +that comes along in the way of fun." +</P> + +<P> +"Sorry," laughed Jack; "but they will keep piling these things upon us. +We have nothing to do with it at all, Buster. Only when it happens, we +just have to get out of the hole the best way we can, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"I just bet, now, you've met up with them old bank smashers again. +Look at 'em grin would you, George. Ten to one they grabbed the +fellers and recovered all that fine boodle we read about! It would be +just like Jack's luck!" +</P> + +<P> +"We did that same, thank ye, Buster," said Jimmie, assuming a proud +attitude, with a hand thrust into the bosom of his coat, and his chest +thrown out. +</P> + +<P> +"They did!" shrieked Buster, falling back. "Do you hear that, George? +Ah, me! why was I born under an unlucky star? Get busy now, Jack, and +tell us all about it. Next to being a hero myself I like to hear about +you doing big things. Reel off the yarn now, and don't you dare hold +back a single thrill." +</P> + +<P> +Of course the other boys were deeply interested in what Jack had to +tell. They stopped him many times to ask questions, under the belief +that he was not going deeply enough into details. But finally the +story was told. +</P> + +<P> +Toward four in the afternoon they began to realize that they were +drawing near a large and busy city on the eastern shore. Boats could +be seen upon the river, and cotton began to be in evidence everywhere. +</P> + +<P> +"This is Memphis, all right," said Jack, as he looked through the +glasses at the buildings on the high bank of the river. +</P> + +<P> +"How long will we stay here?" asked Nick, who had some idea on his +mind, as the others readily understood from his abstracted manner. +</P> + +<P> +"A day or two," replied Jack. "All depends on how long it will take to +have the <I>Wireless</I> engine overhauled thoroughly; and then you know, we +have to wait until the other boys drop along. They may get here +tomorrow. But what do you ask for, Buster?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I was thinking that perhaps I might be able to find a pair at +some store here. They would be apt to keep such splendid life saving +things, I guess," replied Nick, anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"A pair of socks?" asked Jack, pretending not to understand. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, 'tis a pair of oilskin pants he manes," cried Jimmie. "Didn't +ye say how the wans he had on filled out wid air the toime he wint +overboard. 'Tis ilegant loife presarvers they make whin naded!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! quit your kidding, fellows!" said Nick, in disgust. "You know +what I've been shy on all this blessed trip. A pair of wings; not +angel wings, but canvas ones, to keep a new beginner swimmer from +sinking. I tell you I'd never lost all this flesh with worry on this +cranky, wobbly boat if I'd known I had those jolly things along. I do +hope I'll find them in Memphis." +</P> + +<P> +"You just bet I do," declared George, with a sigh. "Because I've heard +nothing else all the journey but your whines about those pesky missing +silly wings. Get a whole dozen sets if you can, Pudding, and it'll +make you any happier. I'll stand the bill, for the sake of the peace +of mind it brings." +</P> + +<P> +"That's just the way he goes on, fellows," said Nick, pretending to +look deeply injured, but slyly winking at Jack. "I never can make a +peep but what George comes down on me. I'm afraid he's getting +dyspepsia. What do you think, why he even began to complain of my +cooking." +</P> + +<P> +George made no verbal reply, only pressed both hands across his +stomach, and looked forlornly at the skipper and crew of the <I>Tramp</I>, +who shouted with laughter. +</P> + +<P> +And in this fashion, with the derelict <I>Wireless</I> bobbing behind, they +finally drew up at the wharf in front of the Memphis levee, where a +score or two of black roustabouts and loungers flocked around them to +look with evident delight upon the two neat little cruisers from the +north. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SIGNS OF THE SUNNY SOUTH. +</H3> + +<P> +"Me for a good juicy beefsteak for supper tonight!" exclaimed Nick, +after they had found a boatbuilder's establishment, in the enclosed +yard of which they could spend the night, their two crafts safely tied +to spiles alongside a little wharf. It had been an understood thing +that, as a condition of the race, no participant must be guilty of +spending a single night under any but a canvas roof. Thus unless in +case of sickness, they must not take shelter in a house of any type. +</P> + +<P> +Consequently each night must be spent either aboard their respective +motor boats, or on shore, with the canopy of heaven for a roof. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, for once I'm with you, old chap," grinned George; "and since +you're such a good judge of prime steak, I appoint you a committee of +one to go forth and forage. But remember that it ought to be an inch +thick, and a yard or two long! That's the way I feel right now about +it." +</P> + +<P> +"Count us in on that deal, too," remarked Jack, looking toward Jimmie, +and receiving a quick affirmative nod. "Duplicate the order. And +while you're about it, Buster, bring a couple of quarts of nice white +onions along." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! my, you're just making my mouth water!" cried the deputy, working +his jaws in an energetic fashion. "Why, I've been half starved on this +trip, up to now, and something desperate's got to be done soon, if you +want my folks to recognize me when I get back home." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," said George promptly. "Just you drop that plagued cook +book overboard the first chance you get, and take a few lessons from +Josh. Then we'll have something that's fit to eat. Just make up your +mind that I'm going to stand over you when this royal steak goes into +the pan, and see that it's done right." +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly Buster was dispatched to market for the party. He made a +fairly decent job of it too; at least they certainly did seem to enjoy +the steak and onions amazingly; and George even condescended to admit +that, under the lash of his reproaches Nick was improving in his +cookery. +</P> + +<P> +"I begin to have hopes of you, Buster," he said, as he lay back after +disposing of his fourth helping, unable to accept the last bite offered +him by the fat boy, who was himself stranded. +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks. I believe myself I am beginning to pick up some. Seems to me +I weigh a pound or so more than an hour ago," grinned Nick, sighing as +he contemplated the small remains of their feast, "though I do hate to +see things go to waste." +</P> + +<P> +"You may say that," remarked George when Buster made such a remark; +"but I don't believe it, judging from the smug way your belt hugs you +just now. I rather think you are fond of seeing things go to waist." +</P> + +<P> +So they sat around and joked as the evening advanced. And the night +passed without any disturbance; although it was a little odd for them +to be so close to a city, and hear the various sounds that floated down +to them in their enclosure below the bluff. +</P> + +<P> +With the coming of morning they were up betimes. Breakfast taken care +of in a little more elaborate manner than customary, on account of +having more time, they considered what they should do waiting for the +coming of the <I>Comfort</I>. +</P> + +<P> +George set out to interview the boat builder, and have a mechanic get +to work on his engine without delay. Nick on his part declared he had +business in town, and would ask for any mail that might be waiting for +the party at the general delivery. +</P> + +<P> +They could give a pretty good guess that the fat boy still had the idea +of hunting up another set of those swimming bags, which he hoped to +fasten to his shoulders in times of need. +</P> + +<P> +He came back when it was toward noon. One look at his despondent face +told Jack the stout lad had met with a grievous disappointment. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing dong, eh, Nick?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"A rotten old town, that's what," grumbled the other, as he disgorged +what mail he had fetched with him. "Been to every sporting-goods +establishment in the whole of bally old Memphis. What d'ye think, most +of 'em didn't know what I meant when I asked for swimming wings? They +looked like they thought me loony. One place they used to keep 'em; +but the man said that the boys along the river learned how to swim when +they was kids a year old, and nobody had any use for such silly things; +so he dumped the last pair he had in the ash bin. Just think what +measly luck! That was only two days ago. See what I missed by your +old machine breaking down on us, George. I might have had that bully +pair." +</P> + +<P> +"I was thinking," said Jack, with a smile at the forlorn expression on +his fat chum's face, "why you didn't depend on that cork life +preserver. You couldn't sink, and if you flapped pretty hard I think +you could learn to paddle after a bit." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! do you really think so, Jack?" cried the sad one, his face +lighting up with a new hope. "It's awful good of you to crack your +brain thinking up such a bully idea for me. And how silly that I never +once jumped on that plan. I'm going to try it the very next time our +engine kicks up a shindy, and holds us up." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you've got another think coming then," burst out George. "For +this machinist assures me that after he's through with the engine it +will run as smooth and regular as—well, that Old Reliable in the +<I>Comfort</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter wid ours?" burst out Jimmie, his fighting blood up +at once. "Sure, we've niver had wan bit of throuble up till now." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! all right. Consider yourself kicked then, ditto, Jimmie," laughed +George. +</P> + +<P> +At three p. m. the <I>Comfort</I> was sighted, sailing along on the current +"like a big ship," as Nick declared. The conch shell lured the third +crew ashore, and once more the party found itself intact. +</P> + +<P> +Herb and Josh had no thrilling adventure to relate. Their voyage up to +date had been a most uneventful one. And how they did listen with wide +open eyes when Jack modestly narrated the astounding event that had +overtaken himself and the crew of the <I>Tramp</I> since last seeing the +others. +</P> + +<P> +"It beats the Dutch," complained Josh, as the story was completed, "how +some fellers are lucky. Why, we've got all our lightning rods out, but +never a thing happened. We go sailing along like a duck in a mill +pond; and it's nothing but cook and stuff with Herb here. I'm sick of +the sight of grub, that's what." +</P> + +<P> +"That will do for you," spoke up his skipper. "You know you've begun +to feel like a fighting cock, so you said. And Josh, you ate twice as +much the last supper we had as I ever knew you to before. I wager that +before this trip is over you'll be rid of that feeling of indigestion +that's been troubling you so long." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," declared Jack, cheerfully. "Nothing like a life in the +open to tone a chap up, give him a sharp appetite, and make his food +agree with him. Why, Josh, the fact is you look a hundred per cent +better right now, don't he boys?"' +</P> + +<P> +"Sure he do that," said Jimmie, readily. "Look at the color in his +cheeks. And, by the powers, his eye shines like it niver did before. +Josh, ye're going to be a well man in a few days more, and kin ate a +house widout falin' it, so you kin." +</P> + +<P> +The machinist, under the spur of double pay from the impatient George, +made it a one day job. True, he had to stay after dark to finish; but +the boys gave him his supper; and before bedtime came he pronounced the +engine of the speed boat as in "apple-pie" shape. +</P> + +<P> +So after all they had not lost much time. Indeed, as it would have +been out of the question to have started at the hour the <I>Comfort</I> +arrived, Jack declared that they had no reason for complaint. +</P> + +<P> +Promptly at eight on the following morning they set out. It was +cloudy, and looked as though it might rain before the day was done. +</P> + +<P> +George, anxious to test his rejuvenated engine, shot away at full +speed, and as usual they lost him in the distance. Still, Jack had a +suspicion that the skipper of the <I>Wireless</I> would not be apt to try +for a distance record on this day, as he had done in the past. +</P> + +<P> +They had talked with many negroes and whites while stopping at Memphis. +The machinist had taken a keen interest in their race; and tried to +give them all the information in his power about the lower Mississippi, +between Memphis and Vicksburg. As he was something of a duck hunter he +knew considerable about the flooded sloughs skirting the wide river. +</P> + +<P> +He had also hinted about a disturbed condition among the planters. +They were having an unusually great amount of trouble with vicious +characters, mostly blacks; and several lynching bees had taken place +within the preceding fortnight. +</P> + +<P> +George had listened to these stories, and made no remark; but somehow +Jack had a little suspicion that from now on the skipper of the speed +boat would try to make it convenient to halt sooner, so as to allow the +<I>Tramp</I> a chance to overtake them. Company under such conditions was a +big part of the enjoyment; and George was, to tell the truth, a trifle +timid when it came to trouble from human sources, though reckless in +other regards. +</P> + +<P> +Several times during the day Jack took occasion to land on various +pleas; so as to have a few words with people they saw gazing at them +with open mouths. He even asked questions too, and learned that a +reign of terror did actually exist through the country to the south, +bordering the big river. +</P> + +<P> +And hence, it caused Jack to smile when just about half-past three he +and Jimmie heard the well known signal blast upon a horn, and looking +ahead saw Nick standing on a point of land, beckoning wildly. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what I expected," said Jack quietly; but he did not take the +pains to explain what he meant to his boatmate. +</P> + +<P> +So the <I>Tramp</I> headed in, to find that there was indeed a creek back of +the jutting point, and that the <I>Wireless</I> was snugly moored to the +shore there. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BUSTER TAKES HOPE. +</H3> + +<P> +"Hello!" called Jack, as he discovered George standing ashore near his +speed boat, waving a hand at him. "What's all this mean? Had another +breakdown already, after that dandy job done to your motor?" +</P> + +<P> +"Shucks! No. Engine seems to be working to beat the band. But the +fact is, Jack, I'm getting tired of camping with only a cemetery for +company. Nick can't think of anything but eating; and those plagued +old wings he misplaced somewhere just before we started on this run. +So I made up my mind I'd hold up at this fine camping site, and spend a +night with you fellows." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," cried Nick, as he came bustling along, "and you'll be glad we +held up, too, when you set eyes on the bully little smoked ham I bought +from a coon this afternoon. I told George it was a shame some of the +others couldn't be along to enjoy a slice; and do you know, he took me +up like a flash, saying he'd been thinking the same thing. So when we +ran across this place we drew in." +</P> + +<P> +"What time was that, Nick?" asked Jack, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"I asked George, and he said half-past one," replied the fat boy, +hastening to get out his prize smoked pork and exhibit the same to the +admiration of Jimmie. +</P> + +<P> +"That so? Well, you did make fast time of it," remarked the skipper of +the <I>Tramp</I>. "No use talking, George, that engine of yours does the +trick; if you can only depend on it from now on, the cup is going to be +yours for a dead certainty." +</P> + +<P> +"Barring some accident, such as being upset in the big waves from +steamboats," remarked Nick, shaking his head dubiously at several +recollections that did not seem to give him much happiness. "My! you +don't know just how we wallow, and nearly flop over on our beam ends at +such times. I think I lose six ounces of flesh every narrow escape we +have from swamping; and I keep wishing I had——" +</P> + +<P> +"Stop right there!" shouted George. "Didn't I say I'd jump you if you +ever gave another peep about those blessed things. Use the wings +nature gave you the right way, and you'll swim like a goose. Why, you +just <I>couldn't</I> go under. You'd be like an empty bottle with a cork in +the neck, floating around." +</P> + +<P> +Jack and Jimmie were laughing heartily at this little passage between +the nervous skipper of the speed boat and his plump crew. But Nick +made no answer, only looked reproachfully at George, as though +wondering to what lengths his ingratitude would take him. +</P> + +<P> +A short time later the others were astonished to see Nick come forth +from the interior of the <I>Wireless</I>, upon which the tent had been +erected, disrobed, but still wearing the cork life preserver about his +body. +</P> + +<P> +The air was none too warm, for it was now about the start of November; +but evidently Nick had made up his mind to put into practice the idea +Jack had advanced, and over which he had evidently been brooding the +live-long day. +</P> + +<P> +He stepped into the water, drew his foot up as if its coldness chilled +him; then with a firm look on his fat face, pushed on until he was +waist deep. Then he turned an appealing look toward Jack, which the +other could not find it in his heart to resist. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Buster," he called out, waving his hand encouragingly. +"Just wait five minutes, and I'll be with you. Perhaps a little +ducking may be a good tonic, and make us enjoy that fine home-smoked +ham you grabbed." +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie was ready to follow suit, but George declared he did not feel +any too warm as it was, and for one, hardly cared to take a bath. So +he busied himself in getting various things ready against supper time. +</P> + +<P> +Jack was an obliging fellow at all times. He realized that this notion +of learning how to swim had become the one dominant idea in the +obstinate mind of the fat boy; and that the sooner he started to take +lessons the quicker they would have peace. +</P> + +<P> +Besides, now that the motor boat boys had organized a regular club, and +expected to take numerous excursions on the water, it was only right +that every member of the organization should know how to save himself +in case of a spill. +</P> + +<P> +And so he willingly started to show Nick how easy it was to float in +the still waters of the lagoon; also what little effort it required to +kick his feet and swing his arms in a way to make forward progress. +</P> + +<P> +George occasionally stepped to the bank to watch operations, and call +out various things, sometimes sarcastic and again complimentary. +</P> + +<P> +"Bully boy!" he yelled after seeing Nick actually keep himself afloat a +whole minute amid the greatest splashing ever known. "You're getting +it down fine, old chap! Keep going next time. Never mind if you use +up all the water in the lagoon. Plenty more in the river, you know!" +</P> + +<P> +Nick felt much encouraged, and that was half the battle. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to keep at it every chance I get, till I've mastered all the +kinks," he declared enthusiastically a short time later, as he came out +and began to rub himself industriously with a towel. "Yes, siree, +before this cruise is over I'll know how to swim even if I did lose +them——" +</P> + +<P> +"Beware!" thundered George. "It's as much as your life is worth to +breathe that name again. From this time on you talk about cork aids to +swimming. And I reckon that I'm just going to be pestered to death +after this with whines, because I won't stop the boat every few miles +to let this elephant disport himself in the water. Next trip we take, +my man, it's you to the <I>Comfort</I>, hear?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I'd made up my mind to that long ago," replied Nick, coolly; +"that is, if Herb will take me, and Josh wants to try balancing himself +on an apple seed. Somehow I just don't seem to fit aboard a speed +boat. I need elbow room." +</P> + +<P> +The night coming on, they started supper. Of course, it was to be +cooked ashore, for even the ardent lover of the narrow-beam boat +admitted that cooking was a most serious problem aboard such a cranky +craft, and he would be only too glad to make use of the camp fire that +had been kindled. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie and Nick busied themselves, as they were supposed to be the +cooks of the two racing craft; but the others were not averse to +lending a hand at times. In this manner then, the meal was made ready; +and had a hungry wanderer come within fifty yards of that spot just +then he must have sniffed the fragrant odors of frying ham and boiling +Java coffee until he would be almost distracted. +</P> + +<P> +The four lads sat around the fire while eating, and laughed as they +spoke of the many things connected with the cruise thus far. +</P> + +<P> +"Wish the others could only happen along just now," remarked Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"That would be nice," admitted George. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, yes," came from Nick, always thinking of his pet subject; "it +wouldn't be very much trouble to cut a couple more slices off that ham, +and slap it in the frying pan. Kind of wish now, myself, I'd cooked a +teenty bit more. Just feel as if a few more mouthfuls would finish me." +</P> + +<P> +The others looked at each other and roared; for certainly Nick had +devoured as much as any two of them; and seeing that Jimmie was a good +feeder that was surely "going some," as George put it. +</P> + +<P> +It felt so "comfy," Nick remarked, sitting there by the fire, that none +of them seemed very anxious to go aboard and seek their beds. The sky +was still clouded over, and the moon, now in its first quarter, hidden +from view; which prospect of rain kept them from thinking of passing +the night ashore, as they might have done had the heavens been clear. +</P> + +<P> +Finally, however, Nick himself began to yawn in a manner that told how +heavy his eyes were getting in the heat of the fire. +</P> + +<P> +"I just hate to crawl in there, fellows," he grunted, as he slowly +arose to his knees, for it was always an effort for the fat boy to get +up, after sitting. "Makes me feel just like I'm in a coffin, to lie in +such narrow quarters. Why, I tell you, the skin's clean off my hips +and shoulders with rubbing against the sides of the boat. I'm going to +be a physical wreck yet, that's what." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if you get used to it now, you needn't worry when the time comes +to leave this old world," was all the satisfaction George gave him. +</P> + +<P> +Jack lay there smiling, as he watched the fat boy heave, and finally +plant one foot on the ground preparatory to getting up. He was never +tired studying Nick, for he had an idea the other was not altogether so +stupid as he seemed; but that he carried on at times just to tease +George. +</P> + +<P> +And as Jack continued to watch, he saw Nick give a sudden start, while +his hands shut in a nervous way. At the time he was apparently looking +beyond the fire, and toward the neighboring woods; for they were +camping in what seemed to be a lonely place, possibly miles from any +human habitation. +</P> + +<P> +Apparently Nick had seen something, or he would not have given that +start. Jack immediately sat up and took notice. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, Buster?" as asked, quickly; and both the others, +hearing what he said, also started up. +</P> + +<P> +The fat boy turned his head around. Signs of great excitement could be +seen in the working of his facial muscles, as well as in his staring +eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"Good gracious!" he exclaimed, "it's a bear, fellows, as sure as you +live!" +</P> + +<P> +"What?" ejaculated Jack, as he made a dive for the Marlin, which he +had, of course, taken ashore with him; while George also looked hastily +around to see where he had laid his rifle. +</P> + +<P> +"Where did you see it?" demanded Jack, gaining his feet. +</P> + +<P> +"It's right inside that big live oak yonder!" cried Nick, pointing a +trembling finger as he spoke. "It must be hollow, because I saw the +beast poke his old head out. He ducked back again like fun when he saw +me looking. A bear, fellows! Just think how many steaks he'd give us, +if we bagged him!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ERASTUS, THE HOUSEBURNER. +</H3> + +<P> +"Hold on, George," said Jack, as he saw the impetuous one start toward +the big tree that had such a profusion of low branches that it was hard +to see distinctly under its canopy. "Go slow now. A bear may turn out +to be a dangerous article if you only wound him." +</P> + +<P> +"But we ought to get him!" declared the other, handling his repeating +rifle eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," cried Nick, from the rear, where he had picked up a +billet of wood and was making several vigorous passes through the air, +as if getting his muscles in trim for the combat. "It would be a shame +to lose the opportunity for unlimited bear steaks. I've always wanted +to taste one; and you know we may not get another such chance. Why, he +just wants to get in our frying pan; that's why he's come so close to +our fire, fellows." +</P> + +<P> +"Keep still," ordered Jack; and when he spoke in that way Nick knew +better than to disobey. +</P> + +<P> +The fact of the matter was, Jack had a strong suspicion that while the +fat boy may have seen <I>something</I> at the time he did, it could hardly +have been a bear. He did not believe such a wary animal would have +remained so long close to where a bunch of noisy boys had camped. And +if he had been sleeping in the hollow of that big live oak he must have +been scared away long since. +</P> + +<P> +"Jimmie, throw a lot of fine stuff on the fire," said Jack. "We want +more light here. That's the ticket," as the flames shot up, and the +whole vicinity was illuminated. "Now, George, you keep close to me, +and we'll advance until we can see if there's anything doing." +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie snatched up a burning brand from the fire, and waving this above +his head, he kept behind the two who had guns. +</P> + +<P> +"That's a clever stunt, Jimmie," remarked Jack; and the others noticed +that his voice did not seem to tremble a single bit, so well did he +have his nerves under control right then. +</P> + +<P> +"Guess it's all a fizzle," grunted George presently. "I can see behind +the tree, and there's no bear there. Buster, you're a fraud." +</P> + +<P> +"No, no, I'm dead sure I saw something that looked like a bear's head," +said the other, vehemently. "Perhaps he's hiding inside the tree, +fellows?" +</P> + +<P> +At that George laughed harshly. He was still trembling from excitement. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," he observed, "there's is a hollow in the tree all right; but +the opening ain't over a foot across; and it would have to be a mighty +thin bear that could push in or out of that." +</P> + +<P> +"Wait," said Jack, quietly. "There may be a way to prove whether +Buster has been fooled, or if he did see something." +</P> + +<P> +He took the torch from Jimmie, and immediately pushed right on under +the drooping limbs of the wide spreading oak. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! he's going to look for the tracks!" cried Nick, still hugging the +neighborhood of the fire. "That's a bright idea, Jack. You're the +swift thing, all right. But take care he don't jump out on you. I +thought I saw something move right then. And if we don't get them bear +steaks I'm going to be mighty sorry, that's what." +</P> + +<P> +Jack paid no attention to what the other said. Already he was stooping +down, and examining the earth, as he held the blazing torch close. +</P> + +<P> +"Any bear sign?" asked George, who stood guard over him, rifle in hand, +and dividing his attention between what Jack was doing and the +surrounding gloomy woods. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a bit," came back the ready answer; "and as I've seen the tracks +of a bear more than once I think I'd know such a thing." +</P> + +<P> +"Told you so," declared George, in a disgusted voice. "Another one of +Buster's false alarms. That's the way he's been doing all along; +seeing snags ahead when there wasn't one, and making me check up in a +hurry, and that was hard on my engine." +</P> + +<P> +"Go slow," observed the boy who was on his knees. "I said there wasn't +any bear tracks, didn't I? But that doesn't mean Buster didn't see +something." +</P> + +<P> +"Goodness gracious! it wasn't a panther, was it?" gasped George. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! no, only a man," replied the other. "Look here, and you'll see +the plain print of his foot and toes in the dirt; and an unusually big +foot, too." +</P> + +<P> +"Barefooted!" exclaimed George, bending eagerly over. +</P> + +<P> +"That's so; but haven't we seen scores of negroes barefooted all +along?" Jack said, positively. +</P> + +<P> +"Then it was a coon. Say, why did he run away, then? Jack, you +remember all they told us above about the troubles down here in the +region around Coahoma county? Don't you believe that this fellow may +have been a desperate negro, hunted by the Regulators, who want to +string him up?" +</P> + +<P> +Jack pretended to laugh, though George detected a vein of uneasiness in +his comrade's manner. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! well," he went on, "I hardly think it's quite as bad as that, +George. But still, he certainly did run away when he found he had been +seen; and that looks bad." +</P> + +<P> +"But what d'ye think brought him here in the first place?" George +pursued. +</P> + +<P> +"Huh!" grunted Nick, breathing in, "that ought to be easy to guess. +Picture yourself hungry as all get-out, and wandering through these +woods, when you suddenly get a sniff of the most delicious odors in the +wide world. Wouldn't you make a bee line for that grub factory, and +see if you couldn't sneak a share off? Huh! some people don't ever +seem to understand the common failing of human nature." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that it, Jack?" asked George. +</P> + +<P> +"I think Buster hit the nail on the head that time," returned the +other. "This man must have been drawn by the smell of our cooking. +He's been watching us from behind this tree. Then when he saw that he +had been discovered he got cold feet, and vamoosed." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we'd better keep watch and watch tonight," said George. +</P> + +<P> +"I meant to suggest that idea anyway," Jack answered. +</P> + +<P> +"Gee! I feel sorry for that poor wretch!" Nick remarked. "Just think +of having a chance to smell all the nice odors and get nothing. It's a +shame, that's what!" +</P> + +<P> +George laughed derisively. +</P> + +<P> +"Listen to him, would you?" he cried. "He's so fond of stuffing +himself, that he feels for a poor skunk that didn't know enough to keep +out of trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"Shame on you, George," Jack burst out with. "I think it does Buster +credit. And I'm going to tie that half loaf of bread to the tree here, +so if our timid black friend comes back, he can get something to keep +him from starving." +</P> + +<P> +"Better go slow," remarked George. "You may get in a peck of trouble +that way, if this fellow happens to be that Erastus we heard about, who +burned the house up in Tunica county here, and is being hunted far and +near. Dangerous business, Jack." +</P> + +<P> +"We don't know anything about it, only that there may be a poor chap +nearly starved nearby. What do you say, Jimmie? I'd like to feel that +I have backing enough," and Jack turned toward the Irish lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Pshaw! no use asking <I>him</I>," snorted George. "Jimmie would give away +the coat on his back, or his last copper. Make it unanimous, then, if +you want, Jack," for already the impetuous skipper of the <I>Wireless</I> +was growing sorry because of his stand. +</P> + +<P> +And so Jack did fasten the partly eaten loaf of bread to the tree in +such a fashion that it could readily be seen should a hungry man come +prowling around again during the night. +</P> + +<P> +Then they went to the boats and sought rest, Jack dividing the night +into two hour watches, during which one of the boys would be on guard. +</P> + +<P> +But nothing came to pass that was out of the way during the period +lasting up to the arrival of dawn. It did not even rain, for the +clouds passed off, and the sun rose as if in for a good day. +</P> + +<P> +Jack upon arising walked to the tree. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks like it's gone!" called out Nick, who was poking his head out +from the curtains of the boat tent. "Hope some wildcat didn't hook it, +though." +</P> + +<P> +"No fear of that," laughed Jack, "for bobcats don't leave a polite note +of thanks behind when they steal a supper. Look here what I found, +stuck to the bark of the tree with a splinter of wood." +</P> + +<P> +He had a very much soiled scrap of paper, upon which someone had +scrawled a few crooked lines. With considerable patience Jack finally +read these words: +</P> + +<P> +"Neber burnd no hows. My cozin Peck he doned it suah. But dey hangs a +culld mans fust down disaways an den tries him fo de crim. Is +innersent, I swars hit. I gotter de bred. I et it, case I mity ni +starve. But I's innersent. Rastus." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what d'ye think of that?" shouted George, who had also appeared, +fully dressed by now. "Better keep that letter of thanks, Jack. We'll +have it framed, and hung in our clubhouse some day." +</P> + +<P> +The others soon appeared, and preparations went on for breakfast, the +fire being revived for the occasion. +</P> + +<P> +Nick kept his eyes on the alert during the entire progress of the meal. +Perhaps he was thinking of the poor, wretched fellow who was being +hunted like a wild animal, and who knew not where his next meal might +come from. +</P> + +<P> +They had just about finished, with considerable to spare in the frying +pan, when Jack held up his hand suddenly, exclaiming: +</P> + +<P> +"Listen, fellows!" +</P> + +<P> +But the sound was so close by that every one of them had heard it as +distinctly as Jack himself; for the baying of a pack of hounds had been +carried on the wings of the early morning wind from a point just to the +north. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE SHERIFF'S POSSE. +</H3> + +<P> +The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange +thrill. It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch +dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to +those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and +his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps +the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night. +</P> + +<P> +"Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, +jumping up. +</P> + +<P> +"All right," remarked Jack, composedly. "I don't see any reason for +being bothered by that. Let 'em come. For one, I'll rather enjoy +seeing a Southern lynching bunch. I've read about 'em lots of times. +And we've sure done nothing to make 'em want to swing us up. If there +ain't too many, perhaps we can let 'em have some good coffee and a bite +of fried ham." +</P> + +<P> +"But—Erastus——," began George. +</P> + +<P> +"We're not supposed to know a blessed thing about the fellow they +accuse of burning a house," said Jack, sternly. "Just act as if you +knew nothing—I mean you, Buster, for if anybody gives the secret away, +it will be you. Mum's the word, now. There, you can tell from that +they're heading down the river bank, and will be here right soon." +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie started to brew a new pot of coffee immediately, taking his cue +from Jack's suggestion. Jimmie had great faith in the soothing effect +of a cup of that same prime Java, and believed that their expected +visitors would feel better disposed toward them if offered the olive +branch. +</P> + +<P> +Presently there was a great stir close by, short barks from a couple of +dogs, and the gruff voices of several men. Then through the +low-hanging foliage the posse broke upon the boys' vision. +</P> + +<P> +There were just three men, one of whom was a sheriff, if the star on +his coat denoted anything. He was a fierce looking-fellow, yet with a +twinkle in his eye as he sniffed the delightful aroma of the coffee. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, it's a passel o' boyees jest," he declared, as though somewhat +surprised and disappointed because he had been hoping to come upon some +fugitives who were being rounded up. "And look at the boats, will ye, +fellers? Some tone to them craft, hey? Howd'ye, boyees! Room thar +alongside yer fire fur three tired and mighty thirsty and hungry coon +hunters?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," replied Jack, pleasantly. "We heard your dogs, and guessed who +you must be; for they told us up above that the sheriff was hunting +with dogs down this way. So we put on a new pot of coffee, sheriff; +and there's enough of this ham left to give you all a few bites, I +guess." +</P> + +<P> +At that the sheriff thrust out a long, brown and sinewy hand. +</P> + +<P> +"That's white of ye, my lad," he said. "We appreciate such neighborly +kindness, don't we, men?" and he turned to his companions, both of whom +were lean looking, dark-faced fellows, heavily armed, and each holding +one of the hounds by a strong leather leash. +</P> + +<P> +"Yuh bet we does, Sheriff. I'm nigh tuckered out with hunger. And +thet thar coffee, my! but she do smell orful fine," with which remark +he proceeded to fasten the end of the leather thong to a sapling close +by. +</P> + +<P> +Jack noticed immediately that both dogs seemed uneasy. They would +sniff the air and whine and pull at their collars, always in the +direction of the big live oak. He really believed that they had caught +the scent of the negro, who had been close by during the night. But +the men were not smart enough to understand this, and imagined that the +animals were only acting strangely because they scented something to +eat. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope they don't get a chance to wander over to that tree," was what +Jack had passing through his mind about that time. "Because if they do +they'll soon give tongue, and the men will know they've struck a fresh +trail." +</P> + +<P> +He devoted himself to entertaining the sheriff and his posse with +accounts of the various adventures that had fallen to the lot of +himself and comrades during their race for the Dixie cup. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a great little job, this heah race of youahs, boyees," the +sheriff remarked, after he had heard about the contest; "but you-all +was saying somethin' 'bout a brace of bank robbers that bothered you. +What happened to the same, if you are in a position to say? As an +officer of the law I'm interested in all such doings, you understand, +suh." +</P> + +<P> +So Jack told of that night when the two escaping thieves, having their +own motor boat smashed by a collision on the rocks, attempted to take +possession of the little <I>Tramp</I>. He had the three men listening +breathlessly until he announced the delivery of the two rascals into +the safe keeping of the officers who came out to meet the boat from +Covington. +</P> + +<P> +"Shake again, young feller," the sheriff said, as he held out that lean +hand. +</P> + +<P> +"I will, if you'll promise not to squeeze quite so hard. You see I've +got lots of use for that hand before this trip's done," laughed Jack. +</P> + +<P> +Then he showed the few lines which had been given by the officer, in +case the boys had any need to prove their honesty further down the +river. +</P> + +<P> +The ham now being ready, the trio of hunters started in. By the time +they had satisfied their hunger the stock of provisions connected with +the expedition had visibly decreased. But every one was satisfied. +Even Nick glowed with ardor, for he was never happier than when +watching someone "filling up"—next to eating himself, he liked to see +others so employed. +</P> + +<P> +Of course the three men were in a very happy mood when the breakfast +had been concluded. They had not dreamed of such a feast half an hour +before. +</P> + +<P> +"Nevah will forget this, boyees, nevah," declared the sheriff, as he +arose, and allowed his belt to loosen a bit. "It was clever of ye to +treat us white. If so be the chance ever comes when we kin return the +favor, call on us; eh, fellers?" +</P> + +<P> +Both the others added their rude but well meant thanks. The delight of +that coffee would doubtless remain a pleasant memory with them for a +long time to come. +</P> + +<P> +"Now we must git along," remarked the sheriff, as he picked up his +rifle. "You see, we're after a passel o' convicts that broke loose +from a camp back country a bit, where they was farmed out to a planter. +We larnd they hit foh the river, like every rascal down hyah does as +soon as he runs; and we 'spect to cornah the same with these fine dawgs +this mawnin'. So long, boyees, and thank ye again foh the feed." +</P> + +<P> +Jack waited to see if the discovery he feared would come. The two men +unfastened the tied dogs, and when the animals tried to pull toward the +oak they jerked the other way. +</P> + +<P> +"Cum along thisaways, yuh fool dawgs!" one of them shouted angrily, as +he again jerked savagely at the leather thong. "Down the river's the +way we'uns mean tuh travel, d'ye heah? Nothin' doin' thatways; and the +scrub's too thick. Git a move on yuh, Kaiser. We 'spect tuh raise a +hot trail 'tween hyah an' Trotter's Point." +</P> + +<P> +And so they moved off, the sheriff turning ere they vanished from view +down the bank of the river, to wave his hand in farewell; to which the +boys of course made a similar reply. +</P> + +<P> +Then, when the posse had faded from view, the four turned and looked at +each other. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the time we were in the swim, Buster," said George, nodding, as +if more than pleased. "You see it pays to stick close to these lucky +fellows. If we'd gone on ahead now we'd have missed all this circus. +</P> + +<P> +"Ain't I just glad we didn't though," declared the fat boy. "Don't +care if they did clean up the last of my nice little ham; plenty more +where that came from, so long as we've got the spuds in our jeans +pockets. My! ain't I glad they don't happen to be chasing after me, +that's all. Did you see the teeth of those hounds, fellows? I bet you +they'd make short work of a poor escaping convict, unless he took to a +tree like a squirrel, and waited to be pulled in." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the way we all feel, I think," remarked Jack, as they stood +there listening to the baying of the hounds, gradually becoming less +distinct as the posse pushed further along the bank of the river. +"They weren't just hunting for Erastus, it seems; but given half a +chance and they'd have pulled him in. On the whole I'm not sorry we +did what we did." +</P> + +<P> +"I say the same," declared Nick, positively. +</P> + +<P> +"Count me in, by the powers," remarked Jimmie. "Sure I know what it +manes till be hungry; and I can understand in me moind how it fales +till be hunted wid such savage beasts. Yis, I'm glad we gave the poor +divile a chanct." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! well, I guess I feel that way too," observed George. "Only, you +know, my dad happens to be a lawyer, and he's always taught me to be +mighty shy about assisting a fugitive from justice, or as he calls it, +compounding a felony. But in this case we believe Erastus to be +innocent. That's right, boys, ain't it?" +</P> + +<P> +"It just is," remarked Jack. "And if I thought the fellow would ever +have the nerve to come back here to this spot, I'd be tempted to leave +something for him—a dollar perhaps, to keep him from starving while he +was getting out of the country." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, time is getting along, and perhaps we'd better be packing up so +as to be ready to start at eight sharp. Tonight we ought to make that +place at the mouth of the Sunflower river, opposite the island in the +big water, which is marked down as Station Number Five in the race." +</P> + +<P> +George, as he spoke, whirled around on his heel. As he did so, the +others heard him ewe utterance to a cry of astonishment. +</P> + +<P> +"Look there, fellows, at what is in my boat!" he cried, pointing. +</P> + +<P> +And the others, upon following the direction of his extended finger, +could only stare at what they saw. Seated in the body of the +<I>Wireless</I> and holding George's rifle, which had been incautiously left +aboard while they ate breakfast, was a big coal-black negro, whom they +could easily guess must be the accused house burner, Erastus! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AT THE MOUTH OF THE SUNFLOWER. +</H3> + +<P> +No one moved immediately. +</P> + +<P> +Nick was gasping for breath; and the sound was not unlike that made by +a porpoise in swishing through the water while rolling. Jack happened +to have his gun in his hand, having just picked it up. But somehow he +hesitated to raise it against a human being. And presently he was glad +the idea had not taken possession of him. +</P> + +<P> +The man in the boat waved his hand toward them, beckoning, Jack +believed. +</P> + +<P> +"Cum long ober hyah, sah. I'se done wanter say sumpin tuh youse all." +</P> + +<P> +He called this out, with one quick glance toward the section of woods +where the sheriff and his posse had last been seen. +</P> + +<P> +Well, that did not seem very hostile, at any rate. Jack started toward +the two boats, and seeing him carrying his Marlin, the negro +immediately elevated both of his arms as high as he could. +</P> + +<P> +"Dat means I ain't agwine tuh do yuh no dirt, sah." He hastened to +call out, "I cud a stole dis yeah leetle boat, if I wanted tuh. Boss, +dar's yuh gun. I might er held yuh off till I got clar; but I didn't +wanter, sah. 'Case I done heerd all dat was sed, an' I knows as how +yuh ain't gwine tuh gib a pore innercent niggah over tuh be hung foh +sumpin' he nebber did do." +</P> + +<P> +They reached his side, and Jack was more than impressed with the truth +written on the fugitive's black face. Frightened Erastus certainly +was, and with good reason; but he did not look like a bad man, Jack +felt. +</P> + +<P> +"Where were you all the time the sheriff and his men were here?" asked +Jack, as a sudden suspicion flashed through his mind, remembering the +frantic actions of the two dogs to get over to the big live oak tree. +</P> + +<P> +The negro grinned until he showed two rows of snowy ivories. +</P> + +<P> +"Right up dar in dat tree, boss," he admitted, "shiverin' all de time, +'case I 'spected dem dawgs'd break loose, and begin yelpin' at de foot +ob de same. If dat had happened it'd be de end ob pore old 'Rastus, +shore." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, now, if that don't beat the Dutch," said Nick. "Say, Jack, +there's some ham left in the pan, and some more coffee in the +pot—shall I give the poor fellow the lot? Might as well be hung for a +sheep as a lamb, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"Go ahead," was the reply. "Do you really mean what you tried to tell +us in that little note, Erastus, and are you innocent of house burning?" +</P> + +<P> +The negro assumed a very serious look. +</P> + +<P> +"Mars," he said, half raising his hand as though upon the witness +stand, and about to take the oath to tell the entire truth, "I reckons +I's done stoled some chickens in mah time; an' p'haps done udder tings +along dem lines, as I reckons I ortenter; but, boss, clar tuh goodness +if ever I sot fire tuh a house, or eben a pigpen in all my life. Cross +my heart if I done it." +</P> + +<P> +"You said a cousin was guilty—was that right?" asked Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"He done tole me he done it, boss. Dat's all I knows. But dey got +arter me, an' w'en dat happens down heah, a pore nigger he better say +hes prayers, 'case he's as good as daid. If I cud on'y git tuh nigh +Friar's Point, mars, I'se gut frien's dat'd see me acrost tuh Arkansaw, +whar I'd be safe. But dat sheriff, he between, an' dem dawgs, dey'd +smell me right quick. If I on'y had a boat I cud do it, boss." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Erastus. Sit down, and eat what there is here. I'm going +to talk it over with my friends. Perhaps we can think up some way to +help you along. Because I'm of the opinion that a live Erastus over in +Arkansaw would be better than a dead one in Mississippi." +</P> + +<P> +So the negro set to work like a starved dog, waited on by Nick, who +watched every mouthful taken, as though filled with envy and awe at the +array of shining teeth and the capacity shown for cutting off a large +wedge of bread and butter. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, what sort of harum-scarum trick have you got up your sleeve, +Jack?" questioned George, uneasily, as the three gathered in a group. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you," replied the other, positively. "I believe this poor +fellow is innocent of any serious wrong-doing, but the fact that he's a +cousin of the guilty party will get him in trouble if he's caught. +Perhaps they'll string him up to save the expense of a trial." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that is a fact," admitted George, "because I've heard my father +telling about it. As a lawyer he doesn't believe in such things, you +know. But I can see you're thinking of assisting this coon down to the +place he wants to reach. Sure you ain't going too strong when you do +that, Jack?" +</P> + +<P> +"I've thought it over," came the steady reply. "And I've made up my +mind that in doing it I'd only be acting in the interest of humanity. +The poor fellow is being hunted like a dog. If he could have a square +show when caught I'd never interfere a bit; but you and I know he would +never get it. As he says, once let a negro get the name down here, no +matter how wrongly, and the game is sure to follow." +</P> + +<P> +"And you propose taking him in your boat, to put him ashore above +Friar's Point—is that it, Jack?" continued the other. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what I do," came the reply. +</P> + +<P> +"All right," remarked George at once. "If my boat was larger I'd say +put him in the <I>Wireless</I>. I don't altogether approve of this +compounding a felony business; but I'm dead sure my dad would tell me +it was better to take the chances that way that have the nasty feeling +that by your actions you've helped hang an innocent person." +</P> + +<P> +"Shake, George!" exclaimed Jack, pleased at this sudden change of mind +on the part of his careful chum, son of a lawyer as he was. +</P> + +<P> +It was so arranged; and when the fugitive was through eating he heard +the decision of the boys with tears streaming down his ebony cheeks. +</P> + +<P> +"Clar tuh goodness I never done no house burnin' in all my life, boss. +An' if I'se kin on'y git clar ob dis kentry I nebber kim back no moah, +nebber. I'se gut a brudder out nigh Little Rock, an' he owns a farm. +I'll stay dar, an' wuk foh him till I kin send foh my fambly," he said, +brokenly, as he kissed the hands of each one of the boys. +</P> + +<P> +So Jack had him lie down in the bottom of the boat, where he could be +hidden under some loose stuff. After that the start was made at +exactly eight; and when they sped down the river at a rapid pace the +negro from time to time poked his head out from his coverings to look +in amazement at the buzzing little motor; and once even ventured to +raise it until he could see how swiftly they were spinning along. +</P> + +<P> +A short time after starting they had heard shouts and had seen their +friends of the sheriff's posse waving from the bank. Jack had spoken +to the concealed black; and for fully fifteen minutes the alarmed +Erastus never so much as moved a finger, lest he in some way betray his +hiding place to keen eyes on the bank. +</P> + +<P> +Before noon came George, who had been in the van, fell back to say that +from the indications he believed they were now not more than five miles +above Friar's Point and that Erastus ought to be put ashore at the +first available chance. +</P> + +<P> +About a mile further on Jack discovered what seemed to be a secluded +cove, and thinking that this might afford a fine chance for the hidden +fugitive to go ashore unseen, the two boats steered for it. +</P> + +<P> +Before having the black man leave, Jack thrust some money in his hand. +</P> + +<P> +"There's an address on a slip of paper—no name, but just the number of +the house in a certain town up north," he said. "And Erastus, if after +you get settled, you care to write and let us know how you're coming +on, we'd be glad to have you. We have taken big chances in helping +you, and it would please us to find out that it wasn't a mistake." +</P> + +<P> +Then Erastus gravely shook hands all around, after which he faded from +their sight in the heavy timber. +</P> + +<P> +"Wonder if we ever will hear from him again?" speculated George. +</P> + +<P> +"If he gets safely across the river I believe we will," replied Jack, +with a positive ring to his voice. "For he looks honest to me, though +perhaps I've had only a small chance to know the Southern black. But +we took the chance, fellows, and something tells me we won't be sorry." +</P> + +<P> +They ate lunch ashore, seeing that they were together, and wanted to +have some apparent excuse for landing. But no one disturbed them, and +a little later the interrupted voyage was resumed again. +</P> + +<P> +George stuck close to the <I>Tramp</I> all the balance of that day. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't seem to pay to run ahead all the time," he remarked when Jack +joked him on this score. "And, besides, it does seem as though you +fellows have a monopoly of all the adventure. Hang the cup, anyway. +It will remain a trophy for the club, no matter who wins. For all of +me the blooming old <I>Comfort</I> may come in ahead yet, because, you know, +we agreed on her having a big handicap on account of her well known +slowness. I'm going to hang by you much of the rest of the trip, +fellows." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Jack, when the hour for the close of the day's run +drew near; "I can see something away below there that looks like the +mouth of the Sunflower river. We're getting in the neighborhood of +that place, anyhow. Take a look yourself, Skipper George, and say +what's what." +</P> + +<P> +Upon doing so the other pilot agreed with him. +</P> + +<P> +"There's the big island ahead, you see, and, according to my map, the +river empties into the Mississippi exactly opposite that. Then, right +along here is where we expect to make Station Number Five; and wait up +for the rest." +</P> + +<P> +As customary they now drew in closer to the shore, and looked for some +favorable nook in which the boats could have a secure harbor during +their stay, be it long or short. +</P> + +<P> +And once that was found, not far from the junction of the two rivers, +Jack made for a point where he set the red flag that, if seen by the +pilot of the <I>Comfort</I>, would inform him that he had arrived at a +stopping place, and that his comrades of the Dixie cup race were nearby. +</P> + +<P> +Having attended to that duty Jack proceeded to take things easy; while +the two rival cooks started to wrestle with the problem of what to have +for the next meal; always a matter of more or less consideration among +campers. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +IN THE LAND OF COTTON. +</H3> + +<P> +"Another day to be spent in idleness," remarked George the next +morning, after the four campers had passed a comfortable night. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that was a part of the figuring when we started on this race," +observed Jack. "We knew Herb and his jolly old <I>Comfort</I> would always +be tagging behind. Besides, there's no particular hurry, since I only +have to be in New Orleans by the beginning of December. To tell the +truth, I'll be sorry that the long cruise must soon come to an end." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that's a fact," admitted the other. "It has been a great thing +for us all. I'm learning new things every day; and as for you fellows +it's been a picnic. Perhaps there may be something stirring for Nick +and myself before the end comes." +</P> + +<P> +There was, plenty of it, as will be presently mentioned. +</P> + +<P> +At ten o'clock the cry arose that the <I>Comfort</I> was in sight. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" cried George, who was fishing around a corner, and had +no opportunity to look up-stream. "You must be mistaken, Jimmie; or +else Herb has taken to running out of hours. Why, that would throw him +only a couple of hours behind our run of the two days." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," laughed Jack, "if you could see how the big boat is booming +along out there near the middle of the river on the swift current, +you'd understand it all. Why, he's got on to it that he can add many +miles a day to his run by avoiding the slower water near the shore." +</P> + +<P> +"I remember they tell us that fools and babes venture where even angels +fear to tread," remarked George. +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't apply that remark to Herb and Josh," said Jack, seriously. +"On the contrary I think it shows wisdom. Their big and safe boat can +run out there in perfect safety; but for you to do much of it, would be +inviting trouble and a spill. But we must attract them in here, or +they may go whirling past on the other side of the island." +</P> + +<P> +So Jack fired his gun twice, while Jimmie and Nick set up a most +dreadful squawking with the several horns possessed by the campers. +</P> + +<P> +"They see us," announced Jack, immediately. "I caught something +waving. And listen to Josh almost bursting his lungs to blow that +battered old horn." +</P> + +<P> +"And they've headed in, too," declared George, who by this time had his +own marine glasses in use. +</P> + +<P> +The skipper and crew of the <I>Comfort</I> arrived in fairly good humor. +</P> + +<P> +"We're already picking up on you fellows," declared Herb, as he stepped +ashore to stretch his stiffened limbs a short time. "From this on look +out; I give you all fair warning. The <I>Comfort</I> is hot on your trail, +and you've got to hump yourselves to keep on even terms with us. As +the current grows fiercer so our chances improve. Once more allow me +to state that the race is not always to the swift." +</P> + +<P> +"Glad to find you so cheerful, Herb," laughed Jack. "As for George +here, he's already arrived at the sensible conclusion that, no matter +who wins the cup, it's going to remain club property, and will likely +be kept at the club house, when we get one." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, has Buster been able to swim across the river yet?" asked Josh, +who never allowed a chance to get in a sly dig at the fat boy to pass +him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I was thinking about doing that job," returned the fat boy, +calmly, but with a knowing wink at his companions; "but George here +wouldn't hold up long enough for me to try it. When I want to paddle +around, he says I've just got to have a rope tied under my arms so he +can yank me back if I get too venturesome." +</P> + +<P> +"That accounts for it, fellows," cried Josh. "I just had a suspicion +that Pudding might be to blame for all the trouble that old chap told +me about when I went ashore at noon today." +</P> + +<P> +"Me to blame for what?" demanded the other, pretending to be annoyed. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you see," Josh went on blandly, "he says to me that when he was +settin' there on the bank try in' to pull in a few buffalo fish for his +dinner, along came a tremendous wave. He vowed that it nigh washed him +away, and called it a cloudburst or something like that; but now I +understand just what it was." +</P> + +<P> +"Sho! you don't say," Nick remarked scornfully; "then suppose you tell +the rest of us about this bright idea that came to you, the only one +you ever had, I guess." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you see, that wave was started when you stepped into the river +for your little sportive paddle. It kept growing bigger all the time +as it rolled down the stream, till it nigh swamped the old fisherman. +I'm almost afraid to hear what calamity may have happened to some of +the lower parishes," grinned Josh. +</P> + +<P> +"But what's this, Jack, you're saying about Erastus?" asked Herb. "Do +you mean to say you chaps have run up against another adventure, while +we were just sailing down on the breast of the bully old river?" +</P> + +<P> +So after that the story had to be told, and Josh listened with open +mouth as he heard about the sheriff and his posse, not to mention the +dogs. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! what we do miss, Herb," he lamented. "That all comes of being on +a slow coach boat. Next time I'm going to try my luck with one of the +others, and let Buster have this soft snap." +</P> + +<P> +"Hurray!" cried the fat boy. "If it wasn't for breaking up the race +I'd go you right now. My! but wouldn't I have room to turn around in +when aboard the <I>Comfort</I>? It's a case of a round man in a square hole +right now, fellows. But he ain't going to stay round much longer, +because, you see, he's getting all the fat rubbed off and will soon be +a living skeleton. I'm going to look out for a job in some freak +museum after this trip." +</P> + +<P> +"If you do then, it'll be as a champion eater or the fat boy," laughed +George. "Your appetite keeps on growing frightfully, and I'd like to +bet you weigh ten pounds more now than when you left home. I can tell +it by the way my boat groans whenever you step aboard. And she sinks +below the line I marked when we started, in spite of the half ton of +grub we've devoured." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! George, you frighten me," declared Nick, in mock alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what's the programme for today, fellows?" asked Josh. +</P> + +<P> +"It's Saturday," said Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and we agreed not to run on Sunday if we could avoid it by being +together," George added. +</P> + +<P> +"This is a fine camp," Jack continued. "And we're only a few miles +below Friar's Point, in case we need a few supplies in the way of eggs, +butter and such things," Josh cut in. +</P> + +<P> +"What say, fellows, shall we camp right here until we are ready for a +fresh start on Monday morning? Buster, are you willing to remain?" +Jack went on, as the president of the motor boat club. +</P> + +<P> +"Me? Oh! I could squat here for a week, provided of course that there +was always plenty of provisions to keep us alive," came the immediate +reply. +</P> + +<P> +"George, what do you say?" +</P> + +<P> +"Stay." +</P> + +<P> +"And Josh, Herb, Jimmie, are you willing to make it unanimous?" Jack +went on. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure I am," replied Josh; "and both Herb and Jimmie are nodding their +heads. So that settles it. Hurrah for Sunflower Camp, and a good +rest." +</P> + +<P> +They always looked back on that camp as one of the peaceful ones of the +trip. Nothing out of the way happened to disturb them. Jack and +George took a run up to Friar's Point to pick up a few needed things; +but in reality to learn in a quiet way if anything had been heard of +Erastus, the fugitive whom they had assisted because of their tender +hearts. +</P> + +<P> +Finding the friend whose name Erastus had given them, they made +cautious inquiries and were pleased to learn that he had just returned +from a visit across the big river in a dilapidated sailboat he owned, +and which neither of the white boys would have ever dared navigate out +upon the broad bosom of the Mississippi. That was as much as Henry +would say, but they could read between the lines that the fugitive was +safe over in Arkansas, where his life would not be in danger. +</P> + +<P> +While here in this camp of course Nick insisted on having some more +swimming lessons. He was the happiest fellow in the wide world when he +actually found that he was able to make progress, still aided by Jack +and the cork life preserver. By degrees, however, his teacher meant to +insist upon his depending entirely on his own powers; and it would not +be long before the cork would be discarded and Nick a full-fledged +swimmer. +</P> + +<P> +Monday came, and with it a cold storm. But they had made up their +minds, and were not to be kept back by such a little thing. So at +eight a start was made, all of them donning their oilskins, and Nick +also wearing a most expansive grin. Josh was forever calling it the +"smile that won't come off," and everyone knew that it was the pride of +being able to keep himself afloat that made Buster so happy. +</P> + +<P> +George was tempted to speed ahead, forgetting his resolve. So +presently each of the three boats moved along in lonely state, miles +separating them by the time afternoon arrived. +</P> + +<P> +Jack and Jimmie found shelter in one of the false channels or cut-offs +that had now begun to be frequent sights along the way. It was a very +wild night they put in, and more than a few times Jack wondered how +their comrades might be faring, only hoping that they were as +comfortable as himself and Jimmie. +</P> + +<P> +All night long the heavy seas banged up against the shore, driven by a +strong northwest wind that reached the proportions of a gale at times. +The boys were more than thankful that they were not exposed to the fury +of the storm, but had a snug harbor where they could ride it out in +safety. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE CASTAWAYS OF THE SWAMP. +</H3> + +<P> +"Looks like we made a big mistake in trying to navigate that short cut +the planter told us about, Jimmie!" +</P> + +<P> +"How long we been in this scrape, I'd loike to know, Jack?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, this is the third day now we've been pushing and poling around, +sometimes thinking we must be getting back to the river again, and then +finding ourselves deeper and deeper in the slough. The worst of it is +our grub heap looks mighty low, Jimmie," and Jack glanced seriously at +his companion. +</P> + +<P> +They had been tempted to take the advice of a friendly planter on the +day after the big storm. In fact, to tell the truth, it was Jimmie's +urging that had influenced the skipper of the <I>Tramp</I> to enter the +opening that yawned before them, and allow the current to swing them +along at a swift pace. +</P> + +<P> +But by degrees, after twisting and turning until they lost all trace of +their bearings, that treacherous current had died away until they found +themselves in a lagoon that seemed as still as death. +</P> + +<P> +They had tried to navigate by means of their propeller. Then, fearful +that the supply of gasolene might become exhausted they had resorted to +the pole. Two days had passed and so far as they could see they were +worse off than ever. +</P> + +<P> +Now and then they came to dry ground on which they set foot with +renewed hopes that were soon dashed again. Jack managed to pot a few +gray squirrels, and they cooked them by a fire made in a hickory ridge. +If it came to the worst Jack said they could catch fish, or shoot some +of the numerous raccoons that eyed them inquisitively. +</P> + +<P> +"Then there are plenty of muskrats in sight," he had added; at which +Jimmie held up his hands in horror, until Jack explained that if +properly cooked the "musquash" of the Indian was considered very good +food and eaten by many French Canadian trappers in the Northwest and +Canada. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course," Jack went on, when Jimmie became curious as to how they +had lost the right channel, "it's of much more importance how we're +ever going to get out of this network of watercourses than how we came +here. But, honestly, I'm afraid we made a mistake in the beginning." +</P> + +<P> +"Took the wrong cut-off, do ye mane?" asked the other. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what struck me, Jimmie. And now, here's the third night +ahead of us and we no nearer escape than in the beginning." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure I do be thinkin' they ought to be happy," remarked the Irish lad, +after they had gone on pushing for another half hour. +</P> + +<P> +"Who do you mean?" asked Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"Herbie and Josh. Don't ye say, Jack, all this time we're flounderin' +around in this place the <I>Comfort</I> is gaining eight hours ivery day." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so, on us," Jack went on, thoughtfully. "But then there's +George to contend with. I suppose they're all waiting at the next +station and wondering what under the sun has happened to the +steadygoing <I>Tramp</I>. The only thing I'm bothering about is the chance +of our being stuck in here for weeks. That would keep me from being +present when that plagued will is read, and I'd lose my share of +uncle's money." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! don't worry about that, me bye," returned the cheery Irish lad. +"Sure, we're bound to run acrost some native cracker sooner or later, +who will be moighty glad for a few dollars to guide us out of this +nasty place. But howld on, Jack, me arrms are that tired wid pushing +through the mud they fale riddy to drop off." +</P> + +<P> +"And as night is coming along I suppose we'd better try and find some +patch of land on which to camp. A fire would cheer us up. How many +matches have we got with us, Jimmie?" +</P> + +<P> +"Och! that's the silly thing for me, Jack. I meant till till yees whin +ye wint shoppin' in that little place of Friar's Point till lay in +another stock; and sure it shlipped me moind intoirely. The supply is +bastely low, so it is. I don't think we've got more'n a dozen or so +lift roight now." +</P> + +<P> +"That's bad," remarked Jack; and immediately added, seeing the gloom on +Jimmie's freckled face, because it had been his fault: "But we won't +worry about it. If it comes to it I believe I know how to make a fire +without matches. I've seen an Indian do it, and even succeeded myself +once with a bow, a pointed stick and some tinder to ignite. Besides, +long before a dozen days we expect to be out of here." +</P> + +<P> +"If we only had Buster along I wouldn't moind so much," remarked +Jimmie, with one of his old time flashes of humor. "For do ye say, +he'd last a week or more in a pinch." +</P> + +<P> +When they finally discovered a dry piece of ground the night was almost +upon them. The moon, more than half full, hung up in the heavens; but +on account of the thick growth of cypress and other trees they could +not expect much light from that source. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks more like a real swamp than anything we've struck yet," declared +Jack, as he looked around at their ghostly surroundings, with the +trailing Spanish moss festooning many of the trees. +</P> + +<P> +"Wow! what's that?" shouted Jimmie, as something went into the dark +water with a tremendous splash. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't see exactly," replied Jack, immediately; "but honestly I +believe that must have been our first alligator taking a plunge." +</P> + +<P> +"An alligator, was it?" echoed the other, nervously. "But why did he +want till make all that splash, Jack, darlint?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, we scared him when he was snooping on the bank, and he thought +the safest thing to do was to dive. Right now perhaps he's floating on +the surface of that black looking lagoon yonder, watching us. He never +saw a motor boat before, and perhaps we're the first whites that have +invaded his home here. But jump ashore and take this line, Jimmie." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, do ye be thinkin' there moight be another of the same waitin' +till grab me by the lig? I'm towld they loike an Irish lad betther +than anything, save a black wan." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, rats! Here, wait for me," and with the words Jack was on the +shore, ready to make the hawser fast to a convenient tree. +</P> + +<P> +Then Jimmie, shamed by the boldness of his boatmate, consented to join +him. A fire soon flashed up, fed with some of the handy fuel. +</P> + +<P> +"Things don't look quite so bad with a cheery blaze, eh, Jimmie?" asked +the skipper of the marooned <I>Tramp</I>, as he glanced around at the weird +picture that met his eyes in every direction. +</P> + +<P> +"Troth, they moight be worse, I suppose," the other admitted +grudgingly; for already they were on short rations, and it may be +remembered that Jimmie was blessed with an appetite second only to the +wonderful capacity of Nick. +</P> + +<P> +"Tomorrow, remember," Jack went on, as he busied himself in various +ways, "I'm going to begin to hunt in earnest all the while we're +looking for an outlet. We may even find a fat wild turkey on one of +these same hard timber ridges. I understand they're known to frequent +such places." +</P> + +<P> +"What if we happen till run acrost a bear?" suggested Jimmie, anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, the chances are the bear would be ten times more scared than +either of us, and put for the canebrake at top speed. Even if he tried +to attack us, you must remember that a charge of shot delivered at +close quarters can penetrate almost as well as a bullet. And I should +aim for his eyes, or back of his fore leg." +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie sighed heavily. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, I'd loike a bear steak just as much as Buster said he would; but +p'raps, Jack, darlint, we'd better be contint wid 'possum, 'coon or +muskrats." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! just as you say, Jimmie. But we haven't run across our bear yet, +so we can't tell just what we'd do. In cases like that, you know, a +fellow has to be governed by circumstances. Suppose the beast was mad, +and insisted on coming at us on his hind legs, ready to squeeze us like +they often do? I would have to shoot then, wouldn't I?" +</P> + +<P> +The supper was soon in progress. Jimmie begrudged everything that they +were compelled to cook. He would remark that the coffee was only going +to last for five more meals; that the rice seemed low, and as for +sugar, he doubted whether it would hold out much longer. +</P> + +<P> +But Jack was not to be disheartened, and had a laughing answer for each +one of these dismal prophecies. +</P> + +<P> +"I do belave that the less ye have to ate the better it tastes," +declared Jimmie, as he sat there polishing his pannikin, in which he +had just had a third helping of rice, eaten without either milk or +sugar this time. +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," laughed Jack. "And the smaller the amount of grub, the +more you think you feel the gnawings of hunger. Suppose, now, we were +cruising on a salt lagoon and our drinking water ran low—why, your +throat would feel parched all the time, just from imagination." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," grinned the other, as he glanced around, "shmall danger of that +botherin' us here, Jack, darlint. We do same till have plinty of +wather. And there do be fish in it, for I seen 'em jump." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! we'll not starve, make up your mind to that. There are wild ducks +in places, too, and lots of squirrels on the hamaks, after the nuts. +We could live here two months, Jimmie, and thrive. I know a few things +that would come in useful; just put that in your pipe and smoke it." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I fale better, now that I've had me fill," declared Jimmie, +getting to his feet to step over to the boat; but he had not gone five +paces than Jack heard him give a shrill yell, as though he had stepped +on a rattlesnake or been jumped on by some hungry wildcat that had been +concealed among the dense branches of the live oak tree under which the +camp fire burned. +</P> + +<P> +And as Jack sprang hurriedly to his feet, snatching up the handy Marlin +gun, he saw Jimmie leaping toward him, wildly waving his arms like +flails. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BUSTER FACES STARVATION. +</H3> + +<P> +"Look out, Jack! They's wan acomin' for us roight now! And he's a big +wan, I'm tillin' yees!" cried Jimmie, gasping for breath. +</P> + +<P> +"One what?" demanded Jack, failing to see any dreadful dragon in sight, +either on the land or the near-by water of the black lagoon. +</P> + +<P> +"An alligator, it is, and sure the granddaddy of the tribe. I jist had +a squint of the baste sneakin' along through the wather. He manes till +surprise us, and it's a foine supper he'll be afther havin' I'm +thinkin'," Jimmie went on, hurriedly. +</P> + +<P> +"Where was this?" Jack asked, wondering whether the Irish boy could be +joking, or if he had really seen something to excite him. +</P> + +<P> +"Look beyant the stump on the idge of the wather, over yander. There, +did ye be savin' that now? Don't till me I'm blind agin, Jack. It's +movin' this way; sure it do be comin' right along. Och I wirra, listen +till that, would yees?" +</P> + +<P> +No wonder Jimmie fell back in dismay, for a most outrageous noise +suddenly broke forth, such as certainly could never have been heard in +that swamp before. But Jack immediately recognized it as the attempt +of Nick to blow the old tin horn that was carried aboard the <I>Wireless</I>. +</P> + +<P> +He shouted at the top of his sturdy voice in reply, and saw the shadowy +moving object head straight for the fire. +</P> + +<P> +"Here's a couple of poor chaps lost in the wilderness," laughed Jack as +the other boat came closer. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! we've only come to find you," retorted Herb. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you finished supper, fellows?" bellowed the fat boy. +</P> + +<P> +Jimmie had by now recovered from his fright. He even pretended that it +had all been assumed, and that he knew from the start the nature of the +suspicious black object which he had discovered creeping toward the +fire. +</P> + +<P> +"Listen till him, would ye, Jack?" he exclaimed, coming forward to +where the speed boat meant to land. "Did ye iver know such a gossoon +in all your loife? Is it supper ye're afther wantin? Sure, ye'll not +foind anny too much grub aboard the <I>Tramp</I> roight now. But such as it +is, ye're as wilcome to as the flowers in May." +</P> + +<P> +Whereupon he started in at once to cook another supply. +</P> + +<P> +"It's lucky ye kim, me byes," he remarked presently, while the others +were sitting about, warming their hands at the fire, and waiting for +supper. "Now, by the same token, we'll not be facin' starvation so +soon." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't count too much on that, Jimmie," observed George, making a face. +"I guess you forget who was with me these three days, and how he can +stow away stuff? Why, we're cleaned out of everything. I was even +talking of cooking our moccasins for soup a while back. For, you see, +my gun's a rifle, and somehow I haven't been able to knock over much +with bullets. We hoped to see a deer or a bear; but nixey up to now." +</P> + +<P> +"Glory be!" exclaimed the sorely dismayed cook of the <I>Tramp</I>, as he +considered what an enormous amount it took to keep Nick going, and he +remembered the scanty stores still remaining in the larder. +</P> + +<P> +"What brought you in this out-of-the-way place, George?" asked Jack. +"Now, don't go to joshing and pretending you knew we were here, because +you didn't. Ten to one you met that planter, too." +</P> + +<P> +"Meaning Mr. Tweed, the gentleman with the crooked nose, and the long, +thin mustache?" George went on. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the man," laughed Jack. "You quizzed him, too, about a +short-cut, and he posted you. Then, just as we did a little later, you +made a blunder and ran into the wrong channel. Confess now." +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what we did," grinned George. "And ever since I've been +listening to the complainings of Buster. Oh! he's starved to death +twenty times, in imagination of course, since we blundered into that +false cut-off. I had to finally threaten to tie him up and gag him if +he didn't stop. And after that he watched me like a hawk. I guess he +thought I meant to eat him up." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it was very suspicious," admitted Nick, soberly, "because, you +see, he even pinched me several times; and I got a horrible notion in +my head that he was trying to see how fat I was." +</P> + +<P> +Then the others burst into a roar, in which Nick himself finally +joined, unable to keep a straight face longer. +</P> + +<P> +They sat up long that night, trying to lay plans that gave some promise +of fulfillment, and take them out of the labyrinth of channels. +</P> + +<P> +"If we stay here much longer Herb is going to have a walkover about +winning the silver cup," George remarked, half complainingly. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, perhaps he do be matin' up wid the same smooth spoken Mr. +Twade," observed Jimmie, with a broad grin. +</P> + +<P> +His suggestion brought out another round of laughter. +</P> + +<P> +"Then be on the lookout tonight, Jimmie," warned George. "And if you +see anything that looks like a big alligator swimming toward us, don't +pour in a broadside too soon, for it may be the old <I>Comfort</I>. Misery +likes company, they say. And just to think of us running across you +fellows here, when our last grain of grub had gone." +</P> + +<P> +"Not much danger of them striking the planter, for they keep to the +middle of the river, while we hugged the shore," Jack observed. "But +when morning comes, I'm going to try the plan I spoke of last." +</P> + +<P> +"I think it a bully one, Jack," affirmed Nick, always full of +confidence in the leader of the expedition. "And if anybody can pull +us out of here it's going to be you. The worst of it is I dasen't go +swimming in this black water. It's just cram full of snakes." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Jack, seriously, "I wouldn't advise you to try it. +Those snakes with the mottled yellow and brown backs are water +moccasins. They are a nasty lot, and can strike to beat the band. +They say that they poison a fellow so that he may never get over having +a running sore. I hit every one I see on the head with my setting +pole." +</P> + +<P> +"And I will, after this," declared Nick. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if you know what's good for you, I just guess you'll be +satisfied to sit quiet, and let me do the pushing," remarked George, +meaningly. "For every time I gave you the job we came near having a +turn over. Excuse me from a swim in this horrible looking water." +</P> + +<P> +During the night there were several alarms. Once an alligator did +actually try to invade the camp, doubtless under the impression that it +might secure something worth while devouring. It happened, too, that +Jimmie was on guard at the time. His yells, accompanied by the double +discharge of the shotgun, brought the others to their feet in wild +dismay. +</P> + +<P> +They were loth to accept the word of the sentinel that he had actually +shot at a scaly invader until he pointed out the spot. Then Jack, with +a brand from the fire, made a hasty examination. +</P> + +<P> +"Jimmie, you're a truthful boy," he declared, "for I can see where a +lot of the shot ploughed up the ground; and here's where claws dug into +it. Yes, and as sure as anything, you hit him, too, for here's a trail +of blood leading to the water's edge. I thought I heard a splash as I +jumped up." +</P> + +<P> +And Jimmie, with this complete vindication, drew himself up proudly, as +if to dare any one to doubt his veracity after that. +</P> + +<P> +"But if you see another alligator," Jack went on, "please don't shoot +at him, when a shout or a firebrand will chase him back to the water +just as well. Because, you see, we may need every shell I have along, +in order to keep the wolf from our door. They count for just so many +'possums, 'coons or muskrats." +</P> + +<P> +That worried Jimmie very much, and he looked sad. For to shorten their +chances of securing game would mean a scanty supply in the larder; and +Jimmie's appetite persisted in calling out at least three times a day +for attention. +</P> + +<P> +Morning found them in a more cheerful frame of mind. Breakfast was +eaten, and now that four had to be fed from the scanty stock of +provisions—George declared that Jimmie and Buster made it equal to six +at the very least—the hole made was shocking. +</P> + +<P> +"I move we don't have another meal today," was the startling +announcement from Nick, as he finished the last morsel left in the +kettle. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said George, "you'll find the rest of us willing enough. But +let's get a move on. We must find a way out of this today sure." +</P> + +<P> +They started out, filled with confidence. Jack's plan was tried in +several different places; but without any success. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, there don't seem to be any current at all," remarked Nick, as he +watched the dead leaf that had been thrown on the water, and which +failed to move save as the faint breeze dictated. +</P> + +<P> +"But we're going to keep on trying all the same," declared George, +firmly. "Sooner or later we'll strike a place where it does show life. +Then we'll just follow after it, and in that way discover an opening +where this water joins the river again." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the talk," said Nick. "I like to hear that kind of stuff. It +shows that George is there with the goods. Just see how he uses that +pole. I tell him he'd make a bully old gondolier over in Venice." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! yes, you're a regular old jollier, Buster," scoffed George, who +had seen the fat boy wink slyly toward Jack. "You just think to keep +me in a good humor while I slave away, and you sit there like a king, +giving orders." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you won't let me stand up and push," complained the other. +</P> + +<P> +"Not unless I'm hankering for a spill. Lead the way, Jack. You know +more about these things than the rest of the bunch. It's up to you to +be our Moses and get us out of the bullrushes." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE DISCOVERY. +</H3> + +<P> +"Oh, joy! she moves!" +</P> + +<P> +It was late in the afternoon when Nick gave utterance to this shout. +For the twentieth time the test had been made, and they could see the +leaf traveling away from the side of the <I>Tramp</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Evidently there was a gentle but decided movement to the water, and +this could not be caused by the breeze, because that had long since +died away. +</P> + +<P> +So, with hope once more stirred into life, they started to follow the +drifting messenger. Its speed gradually increased. In half an hour +there did not seem to any longer be the slightest doubt but that it was +in a genuine current. +</P> + +<P> +When the night began to settle in they were so eager that Jack lighted +one of his acetylene lamps, and kept the now quickly moving leaf under +observation. +</P> + +<P> +"Listen!" exclaimed George, suddenly. +</P> + +<P> +"It's the music of the river, that's what!" cried Nick. +</P> + +<P> +And that turned out to be the truth. None of them had ever believed +they would welcome the sight of that vast billowy flood with one-half +the joy that possessed them as they broke through the overhanging +branches and saw the moonlight falling on the mighty Mississippi. +</P> + +<P> +So they pulled back a bit, and made themselves just as comfortable as +the conditions allowed. There was now no longer any fear of a great +famine in the land. In their pockets they had money; and somewhere not +a great distance below they would strike Greenville, where, doubtless, +supplies could be purchased in any quantity. +</P> + +<P> +So the little Juwel gas stove, and the battery of lamps on board the +<I>Wireless</I> were put to splendid service in getting up a supper to +celebrate this rediscovery of the Mississippi. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe De Soto ever felt one-half the happiness that we +experience," Jack remarked, as they sat in their respective boats, +fastened side by side, and discussed the meal. +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," declared Nick, between mouthfuls. "Because, you know, +he wasn't used to much, and in no danger of having his supplies cut +off. It comes harder on a fellow of today to starve than it used to. +That is, it seems so to me." +</P> + +<P> +Nobody objected to his way of putting it; for truth to tell every one +of the quartette felt delighted with the final outcome of their +adventure. +</P> + +<P> +They made an early start, for after all there was hardly enough food +left to provide for a scanty breakfast—at least Nick called it that, +though the others felt that they had had quite enough. +</P> + +<P> +Arriving at Greenville, a committee was appointed, consisting of Jack +and Nick, to go ashore and lay in some fresh supplies as well as have +gasolene ordered brought down to the boats. Jack also made inquiries, +and learned that a boat answering to the description of the <I>Comfort</I> +had been noticed passing down in the middle of the river several days +back. +</P> + +<P> +"The tortoise has gotten ahead, fellows," he reported, when he once +more joined his chums, laden down with supplies, as was also the +willing Buster. +</P> + +<P> +Nobody cared much now. Somehow the fever of the race had departed from +George's veins. He even declared that from now on he meant to stick +with Jack and enjoy the pleasure of some company besides that of a +fellow whose one thought was cramming. +</P> + +<P> +"But you see that I'm not infallible as a guide," laughed Jack. "Don't +I strike the wrong channel as well as you?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," returned George; and then he added gallantly: "But you got +us all out of the blessed hole neatly, Jack. Goodness knows what would +have become of Buster and me if we hadn't struck you." +</P> + +<P> +"Now, I know what you're thinking about when you look sideways at me," +declared Nick, pretending to show alarm. "And after this I ain't never +going to allow myself to get alone with George Rollins. I tell you, +fellows, he's got cannibal blood in his veins. He scares me, the way +he acts." +</P> + +<P> +It was not a great ways after noon when they saw a red flag waving at a +point ashore. Then came a blast from the fog horn owned by Josh. He +and Herb played it for all they were worth, because this was the very +first chance they had had on the entire trip to welcome their comrades +to a camping site. +</P> + +<P> +Great was the joshing that followed the landing of the two missing +boats. And the skipper of the staunch <I>Comfort</I>, as well as the crew +thereof, laughed as though they would take a fit when they heard what a +mess of it the others had made in trying the cut-off so warmly +recommended by the planter, Mr. Tweed, who meant well, of course, but +came near wrecking the whole expedition. +</P> + +<P> +Their next stop would be in Vicksburg; and when the start was made in +the morning George never got out of hailing distance of the <I>Tramp</I>. +Sometimes he would be ahead; but if so, he would slow down and allow +the other to overtake him. +</P> + +<P> +Another strange thing occurred on this day's run. At no time was the +big <I>Comfort</I> hull down in the distance. It seemed that, by taking +advantage of the swift water away out there in the middle of the river, +Herb's craft could overcome the difference in speed between the <I>Tramp</I> +and herself. +</P> + +<P> +And when at about half-past three the leaders found a place to draw in +for the night, reliable old <I>Comfort</I> came booming along not fifteen +minutes later. +</P> + +<P> +Apparently, then, there was now no reason for their separating. This +idea pleased them all, for they liked the social life of the camp, +where they could exchange yarns, compare notes, josh each other as the +whim seized them, and lay plans for future cruises of the motor boat +club. +</P> + +<P> +Vicksburg was reached without mishap on the next leg of the journey, +although on account of staying in camp over Sunday, it was Monday +afternoon when they looked upon the city made famous during the Civil +War by Grant's persistence and strategy. +</P> + +<P> +At the mouth of the big Yazoo George came near having a serious time of +it; for his cranky little speed boat was caught in a swirl of mingling +waters, and came within an ace of swamping. Only for the action of the +frightened Nick in throwing his great bulk the other way, just by +instinct, the <I>Wireless</I> would have gone completely over. +</P> + +<P> +And Nick was always proud of what he was pleased to term his quick wit +in an emergency. It took the place of those wonderful "wings" in his +conversation; and often George had to threaten dire things unless he +called a halt in his boasting. +</P> + +<P> +On Tuesday they put out together, and that night lay over about half +way down to what had been marked as Station Number Eight. Here a storm +kept them shut up a full day, so that it was Thursday again before they +proceeded. +</P> + +<P> +On Saturday afternoon Jack announced the glad tidings that he believed +they had crossed the border of Louisiana. The others celebrated that +night with an extra grand feed, since Nick had managed to purchase a +couple of chickens from a man he met when George was tinkering with his +engine, and the crew had gone ashore to stretch his dumpy legs. +</P> + +<P> +Now that George did not try to push his speed boat to its limit he +seemed to be having an easy time with the engine. Either that, or else +the machinist up at Memphis had done a "corking good job," as the +master often declared. And on the whole George was coming to realize +that there could be much more pleasure and satisfaction in taking +things moderately, than in being in a constant rush and nervous turmoil. +</P> + +<P> +Nick was in an especially fine humor that evening. Jack had been in +the water with him after they arrived at the camping place, and, to the +great delight of the fat boy, he had discovered that he could actually +swim about as he pleased, and without wearing that cork contraption at +that. He was fairly hilarious with joy. +</P> + +<P> +George had been noticing him, with something like a smile on his face. +Whatever was on his mind, he did not say anything until supper had been +dispatched, and they were grouped around the fire, chatting as usual. +</P> + +<P> +Then George gave Jack a nudge on the sly. +</P> + +<P> +"Watch me," he whispered. +</P> + +<P> +A minute later he called out to Nick, who had just climbed to his feet +to go after his blanket, as he said the ground seemed cold. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait a minute, Buster," he said; "if you're going aboard, just get +that book of funny jokes for me, will you? I think it's in the +cubbyhole where we keep our oilskins, you know. And if you don't feel +it at first, hunt around, even if you have to pull everything there is +in there out." +</P> + +<P> +Just three minutes afterward there was a whoop, and an excited fat boy +came skipping off the deck of the speed boat, waving something wildly +above his head. +</P> + +<P> +"I've found 'em! Just to think of me putting the blessed wings so +carefully away in that same cubbyhole, and then forgetting all about +it? But you knew they were there all the time, I'm dead sure you did, +George! And how cruel of you to let me waste away to skin and bone, +mourning for them!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you never asked me if I knew where you stuck 'em," retorted the +skipper, with a big grin. "And, after all, I rather liked to hear you +grunt about losing 'em." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, a whole lot you did, when you threatened to eat me, or throw me +to the alligators if I kept it up. But I guess you were only bluffing, +George. I don't think you could be quite that barbarous," said Nick, +reproachfully. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what are you going to do with them now?" demanded the other. +"You know how to swim the best ever; and sure you wouldn't be guilty of +wearing those silly wings. And I refuse to carry the cargo any +further. How about it, Buster?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; we want to know," added Jack. +</P> + +<P> +"They'll do for babies, but not fellows who have mastered the noble art +of swimming, so make up your mind," said Josh, grandly. +</P> + +<P> +Nick took one last look at the affairs he had once deemed so essential +to his happiness. Then he calmly strode over, and amid the shouts of +the rest, dropped the swimming wings upon the fire, where they were +speedily reduced to ashes. +</P> + +<P> +"You're right," he observed, moving his arms like a swimmer; "a fellow +who has graduated has no need for artificial fins. I'm in your class +now!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE WINNER OF THE CUP—CONCLUSION. +</H3> + +<P> +"Can anybody tell me what day of the month this is?" asked Nick, who +was making up some sort of private log, which would possibly afford his +companions more or less merriment in future days. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, that's easy," smiled Jack, who had been keeping the official log +of the progress of events, partly because he was at the head of the +club; and then again because he had a right good cause to know how time +flew, since he was due in the Crescent City by December first. "This +is Saturday, and we stay here until Monday, which will mark the +twenty-first of November." +</P> + +<P> +"That gives you another ten days to make the balance of the journey, +and land a winner?" observed George. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Jack, "we'll take our time this week, moving along, and +seeing all the queer sights of the levees that have been built to keep +out the river when it is on the flood stage. Since we may never have +the chance to get down here again we ought to learn all we can about +things." +</P> + +<P> +"And then pull into New Orleans next Saturday; is that the official +program?" asked Herb, from across the fire. +</P> + +<P> +They soon started talking of other things; and so the time flew until +George finally discovered that Nick had actually gone to sleep resting +on one of the skipper's feet. +</P> + +<P> +"I wondered what ailed me," complained poor George, "and began to think +I was getting paralyzed. Won't somebody please give this elephant a +punch, and wake him up? He's got me pinned down so I'm just helpless." +</P> + +<P> +Buster was finally aroused, and convinced that there were softer spots +in which to take his nap than resting on somebody's feet. Then by +degrees the camp became silent, save for the heavy breathing of Nick, +who, whenever he lay on his back, was in the habit of producing the +strangest noises ever heard, and which would have actually frightened +almost any one, unless they knew the cause. +</P> + +<P> +Sunday was always a quiet day with the boys. They just lounged around +and rested up for the morrow. With Nick and Jimmie it meant a glorious +opportunity to try new dishes; or to partake of something which Josh, +the best cook in the whole outfit, got together. +</P> + +<P> +Promptly on Monday they again started south. +</P> + +<P> +There was no haste now. Dixieland had been reached, the air seemed +balmy; and with the time allowance that had been given to the <I>Comfort</I> +it was already an assured fact that Herb would carry off the prize. +</P> + +<P> +Jack was secretly pleased. As his father had given the silver cup, he +felt that he could not well carry it off with a clear conscience. And +George really did not deserve it, after all the mishaps that had come +about as a result of his lack of wisdom. On the whole, Herb had played +the most consistent game, and done the best with the material he had in +hand. +</P> + +<P> +He often tried to get Jack to acknowledge that he had purposely lost +himself in that false cut-off, just so as to eliminate himself from the +race. On such occasions Jack would drag Jimmie forward to prove that +they had discussed the chances of making a miss, and concluded to take +the risk. +</P> + +<P> +For several days they just moved along almost with the current, going +ashore as the whim urged them, to see how cotton was grown and +harvested, make the acquaintance of the Louisiana darkies, a different +breed from any they had known on their long trip, and in the case of +Nick, to pick up a few chickens, or buy some roasting ears that had +survived the touch of frost. +</P> + +<P> +It was thus on Saturday that the little flotilla came to New Orleans, +and the race for the Dixie cup was officially declared to have ended, +with Herb the winner in his steady, reliable big boat, the <I>Comfort</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Monday, the twenty-ninth, Jack hunted up the lawyer with whom he had +been in correspondence, and made his presence in the city legally +known. At the proper time he wended his way with the judge to a quaint +old house, where a few persons had gathered to hear the last will and +testament of the singular gentleman who happened to be Jack's mother's +brother, read. +</P> + +<P> +Well, no matter what Jack came in for, it was a handsome sum, and many +times what he had ever anticipated. Certainly, as the lawyer said, +while warmly congratulating the boy from the north, it was worth coming +after. +</P> + +<P> +Considering what a glorious time he had had cruising down the Father of +Waters, Jack believed that he would have been well paid to have even +his expenses of the trip settled; but to get a fortune was a streak of +great luck. +</P> + +<P> +The six boys did not mean to cruise back again. The current of that +mighty river was too sturdy to buck against in a little +twenty-three-foot motor boat. When they had exhausted the pleasures of +the famous Crescent City they made an arrangement whereby the three +boats would be freighted back home. +</P> + +<P> +That left them free to go where they pleased; and hence, after some +wiring back home to get permission, they took a little run down through +Forida [Transcriber's note: Florida?] as the guests of the fortunate +heir to the fortune. +</P> + +<P> +School would open after New Years, so they had to count on getting back +before then. The sight of the beautiful Indian river inspired them +with a desire to some day come again to the sunny south, and spend a +month or more nosing about on the shallow waters of that remarkable +series of lagoons stretching along the entire east coast. +</P> + +<P> +But meanwhile they had other plans in view for the coming summer, when, +free from the trammels of school, they would be able to once more take +their several boats, starting out on a delightful cruise in quest of +adventure, and perhaps in the line of exploration. +</P> + +<P> +To the delight of Jack, later on that winter he received a long letter +from Erastus, written by his daughter, who, it seemed, had had +considerable schooling, and was intending to be a teacher in the negro +college at Tuskegee. +</P> + +<P> +Erastus had his family with him, and was prospering finely. He +declared he would never forget what the boys had done for him, and his +entire family signed their names to the communication, which the boys +put in the frame that held the other letter from the fugitive black, +found pinned to the live oak after they had left food for him during +the night he was being hunted. +</P> + +<P> +By the time the participants of the race reached the home town again, +they found that every boy within five miles was eager to hear of what +strange things had befallen them during the long journey. +</P> + +<P> +Not one had ever been further down the Mississippi than St. Louis, and +then on a steamboat; so that the mystery of living close to the waters +was unknown to the entire bunch. During the whole of that winter Nick +was kept busy retailing the amazing things he claimed to have seen and +done; until finally the rest of the club had to pass a resolution +declaring that unless he brought this yarn-spinning to a stop he would +surely be drafted to be George's partner again the next summer in the +speed boat. And really Buster had such a horror of such a dreadful +thing happening that from then on no one could get him to open his lips +with regard to the Mississippi cruise. +</P> + +<P> +"It's too much of a temptation for George," he used to say, after +getting as far away from the skipper of the <I>Wireless</I> as he could, in +the club room. "You see, he just can't help having that cannibal blood +in him, for he was born so. But it's wicked in our tempting the poor +chap so. Now, if he has a thin, scrawny fellow, say, like Josh here, +along, he'll gradually overcome this savage appetite. Me for the bully +old <I>Comfort</I> the next time this motor boat club goes on its vacation. +You hear me say it, all. Herb and I have got that settled, haven't we, +Herb?" +</P> + +<P> +And the placid skipper of the big launch would laugh as he replied: +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you did say that you admired my boat, because there was so much +room to stow things away, particularly lockers for grub galore. But I +guess you'll fit better in with me than in either of the other boats; +so let's call it a go. Though I'll miss the fine cooking of Josh, I +tell you." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! next time we'll probably cruise and camp together, and then we all +can enjoy some of his wonderful cooking," Nick hastened to add, feeling +that it might pay to flatter his old enemy a little, if he expected to +profit by it in the future. +</P> + +<P> +And here for the present we must take leave of our motor boat chums, in +the belief that the record of their adventurous dash for the Dixie cup +may have proved pleasant reading to our boys, who will be only too glad +to meet them once again in the succeeding volume of this series, now +published under the name of "The Motor Boat Boys on the St. Lawrence; +or, Solving a Mystery of the Thousand Islands." +</P> + +<P> +Shortly after the return of the club from their Mississippi cruise Jack +and Jimmie had the pleasure of being invited over to take dinner with +Mr. Gregory, the president of the Waverly bank. He gave them a copy of +a resolution of thanks passed by the board of directors after his +return with all the missing funds and securities that had been stolen. +</P> + +<P> +There were also two checks, each of twenty-five hundred dollars, for +the boys, Jack having insisted that it must be share and share alike +between himself and Jimmie. +</P> + +<P> +The boys deposited their money in a savings bank, where it would lie at +compound interest, and be handy in case they were in need of funds at +any future time. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="finis"> +THE END. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AN AWAKENING AT ALVIN. +</H3> + +<P> +Alvin is a small town in eastern Illinois, a short distance north of +Danville, and is a junction of a branch of the Wabash system with the +Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad. The place is large enough to +stand the racket of a small brass band, but not of sufficient +consequence to support a hotel or bakery. It was evident that either +the postal clerk running on the Wabash branch or some person in the +Alvin post-office was stealing ordinary letters and rifling registers. +</P> + +<P> +After a two-hours' consultation on the case by a committee of three, +Henshaw, "Judge" Bedell, and myself, it was unanimously decided that +the work was not being done by the postal clerk. It was too well +performed. No living being on a railroad train, by any known or +unknown art, could cut and reseal a registered package envelope as +artistically as these had been cut and resealed. There was no record +of any work of the kind that approached it. +</P> + +<P> +Could it be the postmaster at Alvin? It certainly had that appearance, +but he was a man who seemed as far above a crime of this kind as +conception could conceive. He had not been disturbed. No one had +written to him and nobody had called. His suspicions, if he had any, +had never been aroused. But there was certain information about the +office we must possess, and we must know more about him and his +methods. Yet, it would not answer for an Inspector to call on him on +any pretense whatever. What should be done? +</P> + +<P> +The postmaster was a druggist, and sold cigars; so we decided to fit +out Bedell as a cigar agent and let him call in the regular course of +business and do a little drumming and pumping. A fancy case was +borrowed of a regular Chicago dealer, into which was neatly packed a +sample box each of McConnel's Perfectos, Con. Mehoney's Shamrocks, Mrs. +Kelly's Pappooses, Carter Harrison's Best, Fred Hill's Favorites, and +Tol. Lawrence's Prides. A team was procured two stations north of +Alvin, and down into the sleepy hamlet Mr. Brooks, the agent of +Chesterfield, Schoolcraft & Browning, quietly wended his way and +presented his card at the Alvin drug store and post-office. +</P> + +<P> +It was harvest time and mid-day trade was quiet, so of course Mr. +Brooks found abundant opportunity to do business without being jostled +about by applicants for tobacco and tanglefoot for medical purposes. +His prices were the most reasonable of any agent who had called since +the war; but that was explained by the fact that this house always +surprised its customers with good goods and low prices, and this was +Mr. Brook's first trip through that section, and his first visit to +Alvin. As a result he remained three hours, sold two dozen boxes of +Perfectos, four dozen Pappooses, a whole case of Lawrence's Prides, and +went to dinner with the postmaster. +</P> + +<P> +When he reached Danville about four o'clock that afternoon, where he +was to report to Henshaw and myself, he was radiant with the enthusiasm +of well earned success. He had studied the Alvin postmaster as +thoroughly as he did the ten commandments when a child; was present +when the Wabash mail arrived and saw the postmaster distribute it alone +for the Eastern Illinois going north; sold him a fine bill of goods, +which was not to be delivered on account of the pressing business of +the house for two weeks; saw the postmaster lock up the office and went +to dinner with him, after which he returned to the office and saw the +postmaster endorse the registers and lock out the mail for the Eastern +Illinois, north; and everything had been done by the postmaster exactly +as a thoroughly honest, upright, conscientious postmaster would do it. +</P> + +<P> +There had not been the first false motion, word or suspicious +circumstance, and he would wager his entire lot of samples that the +postmaster was one of God's noblest works—an honest man. +</P> + +<P> +He admitted, however, that the facts of the losses were stubborn and +that the circumstances were peculiar, and, having now a good knowledge +of all the conditions he thought the tests should be applied. It was +accordingly arranged to remove from the Wabash mail every day for a +week every registered letter of natural origin that would pass through +the Alvin office, and substitute decoy or test letters. +</P> + +<P> +These would remain in the Alvin office about two hours, when they would +be placed in the postal car going north on the Eastern Illinois, where +they could be hastily examined. It was more of a difficult task than +the reader can imagine. The work of preparing the test letters, so +that they would appear exactly like genuine ones that had been mailed +at the various offices along the line of the road, occupied several +days, but by the end of the week we were ready to begin on the +following Monday. +</P> + +<P> +Two lists of the letters to be sent through each day for six days, and +a minute description of the contents of each letter, were prepared. +Henshaw, who was to go along the Wabash and attend to the delicate task +of removing the genuine and substituting the false ones, took one of +the lists, and the other was retained by Bedell and myself, who were to +examine the letters when they came from the office and were placed in +the north bound car. It would necessarily become our duty also, in +case anything was wrong, to strike while the iron was hot and secure +the transgressor. +</P> + +<P> +On Monday the letters came through in good condition. Tuesday and +Wednesday brought no good results. By making haste we could usually +get them out of the pouch and have them examined before the train left +the Alvin station. By so doing it would give us an opportunity to step +off the train, and thereby save time, if the examination proved that +the letters had been meddled with. +</P> + +<P> +On Thursday, while the train was still standing at the depot, we found +our letters, examined them, and, as usual, pronounced them correct. +The train pulled out and had proceeded probably a mile before we had +opened the letters to examine the contents, when, to our surprise, we +discovered that two of the eight had been rifled and the money was +missing. +</P> + +<P> +Quick as lightning the bell cord was pulled, and long before the +engineer had come to a full stop, Bedell and myself could be seen +walking hurriedly down the track toward the station. We entered the +post-office as coolly as though we had called for a prescription +instead of a thief, and found the postmaster handing out the mail that +had just been assorted. Bedell did not look as Brooks did and so he +was not recognized. +</P> + +<P> +We waited patiently, listening to the torturing discords of the Alvin +Silver Cornet Band that was practicing in the room above the store, +till finally the patrons had departed, when I approached the postmaster +and informed him of my unpleasant mission, which, was, in effect, that +some person in the Alvin postoffice had, within the last three hours, +abstracted $67 from the two registered letters that I held in my hand, +and that my friend and myself had called to recover the money. +</P> + +<P> +"Merciful God," said the postmaster, "it is impossible. No person +handled those letters but myself; there is my endorsement; so help me, +I did not open them, and I swear with uplifted hand before my Maker +that this is the truth." As I turned to Bedell, as much as to ask if +he ever heard such a falsehood, the gentle summer breeze wafted in +something that admonished us that the silver cornets were trying to +catch the air of "Dan Tucker." Bedell, feeling sorry for the +postmaster, the band, and me, turned to find relief by reading the +labels on the bottles. +</P> + +<P> +I told the postmaster that while I did not charge him with the crime I +would like to have him satisfy, if he could, that the money taken from +the letters was not then in his possession. To this he most cheerfully +assented, and search was made not only through his clothes, but through +every conceivable place about the office and store where it could +possibly have been secreted. +</P> + +<P> +At length we became satisfied the money was not there, but, of course, +not satisfied that the postmaster had not taken it. I asked him if any +person other than himself ever assisted in handling the mails, and he +answered: "No one." "Does not some person other than yourself have a +key that will unlock either of your store doors?" "Yes." "Who is that +person?" "It is George Havens, the leader of the band." Turning +quickly to Bedell, I said: "The leader of the band has a key to the +rear door, and he steals in while the postmaster is at dinner." +</P> + +<P> +Five minutes later the horn that once through Alvin's hall the soul of +discord shed, now hung as mute on the band-room wall, as though that +soul had fled, and George Havens had been called to account for +appropriating to himself certain funds that had not been contributed +for the purpose of buying instruments, music, and flashy uniforms. But +George had been around the world some himself, and had learned a few +airs and quicksteps not mentioned in the books. He was a hard nut to +crack. +</P> + +<P> +We labored incessantly with him till sundown, and had taken the horns +and band-room apart, had been through his residence, with his wife's +permission, from the bottom of the well to the top of the lightning +rod; had torn up the floors of several neighboring buildings; had been +through the brick-yard and the burying ground, and, in brief, had +completely upset everything in Alvin looking for the $67 which we did +not find. +</P> + +<P> +There could be but one conclusion. Either the leader of the band or +the postmaster had the money, and we were agreed that it was not the +latter. As a last resort we decided to take Havens to Chicago, and, +possibly on the trip up, or during the night in Chicago, we might get +something from him that would clear away the mists. +</P> + +<P> +We reached the city at ten o'clock, without obtaining anything except +the ride, and by 10:30 we had reached the office, where Stuart, whom we +had informed of our coming by wire, was anxiously waiting to relieve us +and spend the night with Havens. About four o'clock in the morning, +Stuart's burning eloquence began to be felt, and, by sunrise, Havens in +tears had confessed everything he had been charged with, and told how +he stealthily entered the rear door of the office and committed the +depredations while the postmaster was at dinner. +</P> + +<P> +Stuart and Havens left for Alvin on an early tram to secure the money; +and as they were digging it up in a grove a few rods back of the Alvin +post-office, the friends of Havens, who up to this time insisted that +he was innocent, concluded, from the appearance of the valuable +articles that were unearthed, that the treasures of Captain Kyd had at +last been found. +</P> + +<P> +The postmaster, who was one of the finest gentlemen I ever met, was so +effected by this terrible affair that soon afterward he sold his +business and moved away. Brooks gave his remaining samples to Stuart, +while poor Havens went to play B flat in prison. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CAUGHT WITH A SCRAP OF PAPER. +</H3> + +<P> +The post-office at Attica, Indiana, had been robbed. Unknown persons +had entered it through a rear window sometime during Sunday night, and +on Monday morning when the mailing clerk arrived, the stove was +scattered in fragments around the floor, the letter boxes had been +emptied, the safe blown open, its entire contents missing, and the room +still retained a strong odor of powder. +</P> + +<P> +It was a genuine robbery, and, for a place of the breadth and thickness +of Attica, it was something much more than an ordinary, every-day +affair. The postmaster had barely enough money left to wire for help. +</P> + +<P> +When I arrived on Wednesday he informed me that no strange persons were +seen in town prior to the robbery, but that on Monday morning about six +o'clock, two young men called at the residence of Mr. James Beasley, a +farmer residing about six miles eastward, and wanted to engage him to +take them to Thorntown, a distance of about twenty miles as an Indiana +crow flies. Beasley was a busy farmer, and, not being in the livery +business, declined. +</P> + +<P> +They than asked the distance to the nearest station on the Wabash +railroad, and when Beasely informed them, they told him if he would +hitch up and take them over they would give him a dollar and a half for +his trouble. +</P> + +<P> +Beasley said he would do it, just to be accommodating, and by so doing +made a blunder. If he had told them he would do it for two dollars and +a half he would have been engaged just the same, and Beasley saw his +mistake, as a great many others do, when it was too late. +</P> + +<P> +The only vehicle handy that morning was a small buggy containing one +seat, and into this the three men placed themselves, Beasley in the +middle, and proceeded to ride to the railroad. While Beasley was +hitching up it occurred to him that it was very singular that two +fine-looking, well-dressed gentlemen should call at his house so early +in the morning and want to hire him to take them to Thorntown, and +finally be satisfied with a mile and a half ride for dollar and a half, +which was a dollar a mile, to another place. +</P> + +<P> +His curiosity was thoroughly aroused, and when he got into the buggy +with them he intended to look them over very closely indeed, and give +them a few questions to crack. +</P> + +<P> +Scarcely had they started before he asked them how it happened that +they came along so early. "Have not been walking all night, have you?" +he asked with a laugh. +</P> + +<P> +The larger one of the two then told Beasley about his lovely home in +Kansas; about his poor mother dying in Ohio; about being on the way to +her funeral; about meeting Mr. Cushman, the other gentleman, on the +train; about Mr. Cushman being on his way to Cornell University, and +last, though not least, about the wreck on the I. B. & W., which +compelled them to leave the train and get across the country to the Big +Four or the Wabash. The reason he mentioned Thorntown particularly was +because he had a wealthy aunt residing there, and he was thinking some +of stopping to make her a short visit. +</P> + +<P> +"But what do you carry in that roll, wrapped in light paper, sticking +up through your inside coat pocket?" asked Beasley. +</P> + +<P> +"A present for my aunt," was the laconic reply. +</P> + +<P> +Turning to Mr. Cushman, the quiet gentleman who was on his way to +college, Beasley asked: "What are you carrying those iron articles for +in your overcoat pocket, that I'm sitting on; you are not going to open +a hardware store in connection with the school, are you?" +</P> + +<P> +Just then they came to a bend in the highway and the depot was visible +only a short distance ahead, and just at that instant, without stopping +to answer the question, Mr. Cushman and the big fellow jumped out, and +the big fellow said they guessed they would walk the remainder of the +way. +</P> + +<P> +"All right," said Beasley, who stopped his horse and commenced to look +for a good place to turn around. On his way back he said to himself: +"they are a queer pair." They were soon out of his mind however, and +in a few minutes more he was home attending to his chores, just as +though he had not received one-fifty for almost nothing. +</P> + +<P> +Tuesday morning the weather was a little lowering, so he concluded to +drive into town and learn how many were killed in the I. B. & W. wreck. +When he learned that there had been no wreck on the I. B. & W. or on +any other railroad, he said to Mrs. Beasley: "How could those fellows, +whom I carried yesterday morning, have had the audacity to tell me such +a cold-blooded falsehood?" +</P> + +<P> +A few minutes later when Mrs. Beasley had heard of the robbery, she +answered the question. +</P> + +<P> +In my interview with Beasley, he informed me that he looked the young +men over very closely, and so firmly were their features impressed upon +his mind that he could pick them out of ten or fifteen thousand. I had +never met a more sanguine man. I arranged with him to take a few days' +vacation, and, in less than an hour and a half after my arrival in +Attica, I was waiting at the railroad station with Beasley for a train +to take us to Indianapolis. +</P> + +<P> +Thorntown, from Beasley's house was directly on a line toward +Indianapolis, and, while there were many other stations nearer to +Beasley's, Thorntown was the only one between LaFayette and +Indianapolis, where every train that passed over the road was sure to +stop. Here was a water tank whose supply was never exhausted, and this +fact we assumed the robbers knew, as well as some others. They knew if +they could reach Thorntown by Monday night they would be able to catch +a south-bound freight that would land them in Indianapolis, and no one +would be the wiser. +</P> + +<P> +All day Thursday, we looked for the mysterious strangers in +Indianapolis. We went everywhere where such persons would likely be. +A thousand men I saw who looked something like them, but every time I +called Beasley's attention to them, he would say, "No." To the +captains of the police Beasley described the men minutely. They could +think of none who answered the descriptions in every particular. +Beasley examined the pictures in the rogue's gallery and in every other +gallery, and all without success. +</P> + +<P> +The captains said they would wager their lives that the men did not +belong to Indianapolis. If they were looking for them they should go +straightway to Dayton, Ohio, "where," said they, "more thieves hang out +than in any place in North America, with the possible exception of +Windsor, Canada." It is true if these men belonged to Dayton, they +would have taken exactly the same course to reach home that they would +have taken to reach Indianapolis. +</P> + +<P> +Friday morning bright and early found us in Dayton, waiting for an +interview with the Chief. Presently he came, and to him and two of his +assistants I told the story and Beasley described the men. They had a +man there who answered the description of Cushman, the quiet gentleman, +and they also knew one who answered for the large one, but they had not +heard that he was out of prison yet. +</P> + +<P> +Handing Beasley an album, containing the pictures of a few of the +well-known notables, the chief asked him to see if he could recognize +any of them. Scarcely had Beasley commenced to turn the leaves of the +book before his eye caught a familiar face, and, jumping from his seat, +he said: "That's the big fellow." +</P> + +<P> +"This was Tettman," they said, "one of the most accomplished safe +workers in the State, and the little red-headed fellow, whom you +describe, is Reddy Jackson, a quiet hard-working robber, though not as +renowned as the former." +</P> + +<P> +The officers assured us that it these men were in Dayton, they would be +only too happy to find and deliver them to us, and with this end in +view every policeman in Dayton was notified to search for them, and to +run them in if possible, while Beasley in high glee took a position on +a prominent corner to scan the passing throngs. +</P> + +<P> +About seven o'clock that evening word came over the wire to +head-quarters that Tettman and Jackson had been safely landed in one of +the station houses. It was quickly arranged to remove them to the +county jail, a more secure place, and it was desired to have Beasley +stand just outside the door of the station house, so that when the +prisoners were marched out to enter the patrol wagon, he might get a +good look at them under an electric light, and thereby make sure that +they were the ones we wanted. +</P> + +<P> +When they passed him he turned to the crowd, and with much complacency +said: "Them's the fellows." +</P> + +<P> +Afterward, while interviewing one of the officers who made the arrest, +as the men were coming out of a notorious saloon, he told us that when +he told Tettman that he wanted him, Tettman instantly put a piece of +paper in his mouth and commenced to chew it. The officer did not like +the looks of the operation and he grabbed the man by the throat and +ordered him not to attempt to swallow what he was chewing. +</P> + +<P> +After considerable of a struggle he secured a portion of the piece of +paper, which he handed to me saying: "I don't know as it amounts to +anything, but I was afraid it might, and so took the precaution to +prevent its destruction; sorry I was not quick enough to get it all." +The little scrap of paper contained the following memoranda: +</P> + +<PRE STYLE="font-family: Courier New; font-size: 12pt"> + 12,427 at 2c. 248.54 + 3,240 " 4c. 129. + 747 " 5c. 3 + 892 " 10c. + 165 speci + 400 du +</PRE> + +<P> +On the preliminary examination before the commissioner in Dayton they +fought bravely. Their case was managed by the best counsel that could +be obtained, who attempted to prove that Tettman and Jackson were in +Dayton the day before the robbery in Attica, the day of the robbery, as +well as the day after. +</P> + +<P> +In fact there was very little proof necessary for their side that they +did not produce, but the quality, unfortunately for them, did not equal +the quantity. +</P> + +<P> +Beasley's straightforward story was accepted by everybody, and when we +proved by the postmaster from Attica that the number and the +denomination of the stamps stolen from his safe corresponded precisely +with the number and the denomination as noted by Tettman on the little +slip of paper, which he attempted to swallow, the case was closed and +the prisoners were sent to Indianapolis for trial. +</P> + +<P> +On the trial the same character of evidence was introduced by the +defendants. Ours was also similar, though in addition to that +introduced in Dayton, we proved that a novel and ingenious brace found +on Tettman's premises in Dayton, which contained irregular and +unnatural features, and which left the same impressions on the safe, +was the only brace in existence that could have performed the work +which the Chief of Police in Attica pronounced "exquisite." +</P> + +<P> +The jury was out just five minutes, and two hours later the two +distinguished travelers, who mistook Beasley for a chump, were enjoying +a free ride to Michigan City, where they are still industriously +working for the State, cracking pig iron instead of safes. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> +<hr class="full" noshade> + +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS MISSISSIPPI CRUISE***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 21980-h.txt or 21980-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/9/8/21980">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/9/8/21980</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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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/21980-h/images/img-front.jpg b/21980-h/images/img-front.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2fc4cf3 --- /dev/null +++ b/21980-h/images/img-front.jpg diff --git a/21980.txt b/21980.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b4735fb --- /dev/null +++ b/21980.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6457 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Motor Boat Boys Mississippi Cruise, by Louis +Arundel + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Motor Boat Boys Mississippi Cruise + or, The Dash for Dixie + + +Author: Louis Arundel + + + +Release Date: June 30, 2007 [eBook #21980] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS MISSISSIPPI +CRUISE*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 21980-h.htm or 21980-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/9/8/21980/21980-h/21980-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/9/8/21980/21980-h.zip) + + + + + +MOTOR BOAT BOYS + +MISSISSIPPI CRUISE + +Or + +The Dash For Dixie + +by + +LOUIS ARUNDEL + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: Jack was keeping his hand on the alert, ready to reverse +his engine at even a second's warning.] + + + + +Chicago +M. A. Donohue & Co. +Copyright 1914 +by +M. A. Donohue & Co. +Chicago + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I. ALL ABOARD FOR DIXIELAND! + II. THE START + III. A HANDICAP AT THE FIRST STATION + IV. THE SUDDEN PERIL + V. AROUSED AT MIDNIGHT + VI. STARTLING NEWS FROM NEAR HOME + VII. QUITE A SURPRISE PASTY + VIII. LEFT IN THE LURCH + IX. THE SWIFT RUN OF THE "TRAMP" + X. IN A KENTUCKY COVE + XI. TURNING THE TABLES ON THE BANK ROBBERS + XII. "LUCKY JACK!" + XIII. THE "WIRELESS" IN TOW + XIV. SIGNS OF THE SUNNY SOUTH + XV. BUSTER TAKES HOPE + XVI. ERASTUS, THE HOUSEBURNER + XVII. THE SHERIFF'S POSSE + XVIII. AT THE MOUTH OF THE SUNFLOWER + XIX. IN THE LAND OF COTTON + XX. THE CASTAWAYS OF THE SWAMP + XXI. BUSTER FACES STARVATION + XXII. THE DISCOVERY + XXIII. THE WINNER OF THE CUP--CONCLUSION + + + +[Transcriber's note: The following two short stories were in the +original book, but are not related to the above story. No author was +given for them.] + +An Awakening at Alvin + +Caught with a Scrap of Paper + + + + +THE MOTOR BOAT BOYS' MISSISSIPPI CRUISE; + +or + +A Dash for the Dixie Cup + + +CHAPTER I. + +ALL ABOARD FOR DIXIELAND! + +"Aw, quit your kidding, now, George. You know I said I'd stick by you +to the bitter end; and nobody ever knew Nick Longfellow to back water, +did they?" + +"I guess you're right about that, Pudding. Your word is your strongest +hold--next to eating. I depend on you to be my boat-mate on that long +cruise, if so be we make a go of the race." + +"Huh! even if Herb Dickson and Josh Purdue can't get a chance to enter +this old tub of theirs which they call the _Comfort_, what's to hinder +us from starting when Jack heads his dandy _Tramp_ south; tell me that?" + +"Nothing, Nick; only three boats would be better than two, and add to +the fun of the race for the silver cup;" and the speaker, George +Rollins, bent affectionately over the smart, bright engine of a new and +exceedingly narrow motor boat undoubtedly built for speed alone, and +carrying the significant name of _Wireless_. + +"I'm told by Jack that the cup his father is having made is a jim dandy +one, and has the word 'Dixie' engraved on it," the fat boy remarked. +"He says it will be here by tomorrow. Perhaps when the other fellows +show it to their folks, they'll get the word they're waiting for." + +"Well, for one I'm not worrying about their not going along," remarked +George, as he rubbed away with a bit of waste. "Why, you know there'll +not be any school till away after Christmas this year, because the +Dunker boys came down with smallpox, and the health board ordered the +building closed. That gives us a hunky-dory vacation. It was what +made me think of going along with Jack in the first place." + +"Yes," Nick went on; "he just has to be in New Orleans on the first of +December, because that will of his daffy old uncle is to be read then; +and the lawyer sent word that Jack Stormways was a big thing in the +money that's left. And everybody that's mentioned has to be present +when the will's read, or lose their share. That's a punk sort of a +job, ain't it now, George?" + +"Let up about that queer old uncle," remarked the other, in a low tone. +"For there's Jack coming right now, with Jimmy Brannagan dangling at +his heels. I guess Jimmy would go through fire and water for Jack, if +he could only do him a good turn." + +"Well," observed the fat lad, shaking his head in a positive way he +had, "why shouldn't he when Jack has done so much for him? Ever since +Jimmy's mother died he's lived at Jack's house, and had a chance to +attend school; though for that matter I don't think he'll ever set the +world on fire with his knowledge of books." + +"All the same the Irish boy is a shrewd fellow, and you've got to get +up mighty early in the morning to beat him out in an argument," grinned +George, who could look back to numerous occasions when he had confessed +himself a poor second under such conditions. + +"Say, look at the big bundle Jack's carrying, would you?" exclaimed +Nick, taking a sudden new interest in matters, and getting to his feet; +for he had been lazily stretched out, watching his comrade work at the +engine of the speed boat, which was like a big cigar in shape, somewhat +near twenty-seven feet in length, by only four and a half beam. + +"I honestly believe that's the bully old silver cup Jack's bringing +over to let us see," declared George, also aroused, so that his black +eyes flashed. + +"And it's going to be our silver cup some day before long; because, +just as you say, this fine little beauty can cut circles around both +the other motor boats," and the fat boy patted the varnished frame of +the _Wireless_ as he spoke. + +"Sure thing," replied George, with a grin; "but don't discourage the +rest by rubbing it in that we've got such a soft snap." + +Two other fellows bustled into the big boathouse, where several +launches were resting on the floor on either side of the basin, at the +further end of which the water door was situated. + +Jack Stormways was an active lad of about seventeen. His figure was as +straight as that of an Indian, and his face one in which a steady +purpose seemed to abide. Usually of a sunny, cheerful disposition, he +knew how to arouse all dormant faculties in the members of a baseball +or football team of which he might chance to be captain. + +Nearly everybody liked Jack Stormways; and even such enemies as he +naturally made during his career in school admitted that they admired +his clean methods of doing things. + +His companion, Jimmie Brannagan, was a short-bodied Irish lad, with red +hair and a freckled face; but possessing a sturdy frame, as well as a +ready wit. + +"Open it up, and let us have a peep, Jack!" exclaimed George, as the +newcomer placed his package on a bench near by. + +"No use asking such sharp chaps as you to guess," observed the other, +laughingly, as he started to follow instructions by unwinding the many +papers that covered the mysterious bulky object. "You see everything, +know everything. Well, what d'ye think of that for a beauty, George +and Buster?" + +Poor Nick had about as many names as a prince of the royal blood. His +companions seemed to think that every title signifying something +bouncing should be applied to him at odd times. And so he answered to +anything that came along. + +"My gracious! but ain't she a corker, though?" Nick now gasped, as his +eyes seemed to be trying to pop out of his head with admiration. + +"Finest ever," observed George, a little envy in his black eyes; for +there were certain weak spots in his disposition that he had to fight +continually, sometimes winning out, and again giving in to the +temptation. + +It was certainly a handsome specimen of the Winona silversmith's +cunning, standing almost a foot and a half high, and being decorated +with a magnificent mimic representation of a little motor boat resting +under a live oak tree that overhung the water of a bayou; and which, of +course, represented Dixieland, as could be easily seen from the long +streamers of Spanish moss dangling from the limbs. + +Both boys handled the trophy with eager hands. + +"Say, that's worth going after," said Nick, finally. "And I'd like to +wager that when Herb and Josh show it to their folks they'll easily get +permission to join us in the long dash to New Orleans." + +"And what great times we've already had, laying out the program," +remarked Jack. "That was worth something, alone. The journey's +divided up in about two hundred mile divisions. No boat can leave a +division point until every contestant is there to make an even start. +Only the time _consumed between actual stations_ to be counted in the +final summing up." + +"And that other provision about the running time being exactly between +eight in the morning and four in the afternoon is a mighty wise thing," +remarked George. + +"Yes," said Nick, "but what worries the crew of the _Wireless_ is what +they're going to do with all the time on their hands. We've planned to +take a gun along, so we can do some shooting as we wait; and then the +fishing ought to be worth while. If necessary, I'll go overboard, and +try those new White Wings I bought. I'm going to have a whole lot of +fun with those contraptions; besides learn how to swim like a duck." + +"Oh! bother those old junk things; will we ever hear the last of the +wonderful stunts Pudding expects to do with 'em'?" groaned George. + +"Sure I saw him sthandin' in two fate of water one day, and flappin' +his wings like a burrd, so I did," declared Jimmie, seriously. "I +wanted him to walk out to dape water, but he said he didn't wish to get +the blissed things wet too suddent like." + +"Say, just change the subject, won't you?" begged Nick, turning as red +in the face as a turkey cock. "My time will come, and I'm going to +astonish you fellows. Why, I can float right now, though perhaps you +won't believe it." + +"On the contrary, I never believed you could sink," declared George, +derisively, as he surveyed the swelling proportions of his boat mate. +"Talk about needing artificial support to keep you on top; I bet you'd +float like a cork, or a lump of grease, if you only wasn't afraid to +make the try." + +"What are we waiting for now?" asked Nick, appealing to Jack, because +that comrade never nagged him. + +"Only to find out if the other fellows are going along," was Jack's +reply. + +"Well, we've just got to know pretty quick," grumbled Nick. "I've been +kept waiting so long I'm wasting away to a mere shadow. If it holds up +much more, why I'll not have the appetite of a poor little dicky bird." + +Of course there was a shout at that, for truth to tell Nick seemed +never to get enough to eat. He couldn't cook worth while, and yet was +always first and last at the feast. On the other hand, there was the +long-bodied and lanky Josh Purdue who was a splendid hand at getting up +a camp dinner, yet seldom cared to partake of his tasty dishes, and was +also, they whispered, addicted to dyspepsia tablets! + +Between these two there was an almost constant warfare of humorous +badinage in connection with their several weaknesses. Josh would twit +the fat boy on his enormous capacity for stowing "grub" away; and on +the other hand, Nick generally came back with sarcastic remarks about +"shadows," and "living skeletons," and such unpleasant things. + +"I've got a pretty good hunch that the thing will be all settled before +another day," remarked Jack, nodding. "And if so, we can get away on +next Monday morning." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Nick, waving his arms above his head. "Just imagine +what a bully good time we've got ahead of us, cruising down that creek +yonder," and he pointed to where they could see the waters of the +Mississippi flowing past the boathouse. + +"I've already made most of the arrangements," announced Jack, "and only +want to know whether there are going to be six of us, or only four, +before ordering the provisions for the start." + +"Oh, how happy I am!" gurgled Nick, trying to dance in the confined +space alongside the motor boats, and almost falling into the well. + +"He always acts that way at the mere mention of the word grub," +declared George. + +"Now you wrong me, partner," remonstrated the injured one. "I'm only +anticipating what ge-lorious times you and I will have waiting for the +others to come along--you shooting a cargo of ducks and geese on the +sandbars, and little me sportin' in the tide with my jolly old wings +buoying me up. How can I stand another three days of this agony? +Somebody put me to sleep, and don't let me wake up till the horn blows +for the race to start Monday A. M." + +"Sure, I like to oblige," observed Jimmie, rolling up his sleeves to +the elbows of his muscular arms. "If so be you wouldn't moind tilling +me av ye'd prefer the jolt on the ind of the chin, or under the lift +ear. I'm not at all particular mesilf, only I like to plase as good +natured a chap as Puddin' Longfellow." + +"Well, forget it, won't you, Jimmie? I guess I'll stay awake, after +all; there's so much to see and hear, yes, and eat, too. But seems to +me I just noticed a couple of fellows making this way from the road; +and sure as you live it's Herb and Josh. Look at the big grins they're +carrying, would you? Say, what d'ye think, they've gone and done +it--got permission to take part in the race for the cup. Wow! ain't +that all to the mustard, though?" + +The door was darkened by a couple of hurrying figures, as the pair +pushed into the boat house, almost out of breath from hard running, yet +with faces that fairly shone with eagerness to tell the news. + +"Hurrah for us, fellows!" shouted the leading boy, as he waved his cap +violently above his head; "we're going along, all right. Dad gave in +at last after ma put it up to him. Count the _Comfort_ in that race; +and she's going to give you all the time of your lives, too. Oh, my! +is that the silver cup trophy? Josh, take a look, will you? Won't it +just fit in my den, though? and I can see where they left space for +our illustrious names. Boys, three cheers and a tiger for the +Mississippi cruise!" + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE START. + +The volume of shouts that went up was so tremendous that several other +fellows who happened to be passing the boathouse came rushing in to +find out what had happened. + +They found the six intended Mississippi cruisers shaking hands wildly, +and congratulating each other on their good fortune. + +There would be some envious fellows in town from that time on, when the +news that the great race had been finally arranged went abroad; for +hardly a boy but who would wish with all his heart and soul that he had +been lucky enough to be in the game. + +"Now, let's see that list of yours, Jack!" said Nick, after the +excitement had in a measure subsided, and they could talk coherently +again. + +"Yes," observed Josh quickly, "you don't suppose Buster would be able +to sleep a wink unless he knew there was going to be heaps of eatin' +stuff along. For goodness sake, get out your list at the grocer's, +Jack, and let him run it over. If Buster keeps on losing flesh, what +in the world d'ye suppose the blessed old _Comfort's_ going to do for +_ballast_?" + +"There you go," declared Nick, reproachfully, "hitting me below the +belt as usual. Ain't I only thinking of the rest of you when I bother +myself about such a thing as grub? Some people have to be tempted with +dainties, to take their daily rations. As for me a cup of coffee, huh, +give me some bread or crackers, a rasher of bacon with eggs, a potato +baked in the ashes of a camp fire--and I'm as happy as a king." + +"Oh, yes," Josh went on, persistently, "I admit all that, provided the +_quantity_ is there. Quality seldom enters into your calculations, +Buster. But say, Jack, let's get busy. We've only got one more day, +then comes Sunday, and the morning after----" + +"We're off!" cried George, as he cast a fond look toward his swift +speed boat; and then glanced around in a way that told how much he +pitied these poor "chumps" who actually imagined they had a ghost of a +chance to win the long race. + +So for an hour and more they put their wise heads together, and conned +the lists Jack produced. Many changes were suggested, some of which +were made, after they had been discussed _pro_ and _con_; for Jack was +open to conviction, though as a rule there was little that he had +forgotten, or that could be bettered in the program. + +Then each couple started to examine the boat in which they purposed +taking that long dash toward Dixieland. It was of great importance +that as few accidents as possible occur while on the way south. For, +although an accident in itself would not penalize the contestant, if it +happened to occur during the eight working hours there must be a loss +of time that would lessen the chances for winning out. + +"There's only one thing I wish," remarked Herb, as they talked over +these matters, and jotted down a few ideas connected with the race. + +"What might that be?" asked Nick, eagerly, for he was taking note of +everything that occurred, and casting envious glances toward the fine +trophy on the box. + +"Of course," the other went on, "I hope the reliable old _Comfort_ +won't break down once on the trip; and I give you my word I don't +believe she will. But if that _has_ got to happen, I'm wishing it will +be just around four in the afternoon. See the point, fellows?" + +"Sure," replied Jimmie, with a grin. "That gives ye the hull night to +be makin' repairs, and without losin' a blissed minute of time. A wise +guy ye are, so I'm thinkin', Herbie." + +A close inspection failed to disclose any structural weakness about any +one of the three boats, or their motive power. Of course, each pilot +was convinced in his own mind that he had the best chance to win. +George relied mainly on speed; Herb placed his dependence on the well +known ability of his broad-beamed boat to stand up before heavy seas, +and always get there safely in the end; while with Jack there was a +combination of these several points of excellence. + +"Well," the last named remarked, as they prepared to go home, and the +boathouse was being locked up for the night; "I can see where we're +going to have a warm time of it in the last half of the race." + +"How's that?" burst forth the eager Nick. "Tell us, Jack; it ain't +fair to keep anything back. Will they arrest us for breaking the speed +laws down south?" + +"See!" cried Herb, instantly, "that's where a guilty conscience works +overtime. It's just what he gets for risking his life in that floating +coffin," and he jerked his thumb disdainfully toward the building they +were leaving. + +At that the proud owner of the cigar-shaped craft laughed aloud. + +"Green with envy already, Herb!" he exclaimed. "Don't you pay any +attention to what he says, Pudding. We're just going to lick the whole +bunch to a frazzle, and that's easy. Now, Jack, suppose you tell us +what's on your mind? How are we going to have lots of trouble in the +last half, more than in the beginning?" + +"When you fellows begin to study those maps of the Mississippi I +brought you, it will open your eyes," Jack went on. "Why, the upper +stretches of this river are as straight as a yard stick compared with +what lies below Memphis. If ever you saw a snake turning and twisting +after you've hit him with a stone you've got an idea of what the big +river is down there in Dixie. It forms loops and bends galore. It +turns back north, runs east, then west and for a short time south. For +ten miles southing you make you have to go thirty." + +"Well, I understood that was the way; but why should that bother us?" +demanded George. "What's fair for one is fair for all. We'll hug the +easterly shore all we can, and save many a mile." + +"Perhaps you will," smiled Jack, "and then again the current races +faster out in the middle, so the boat that ventures may profit by that. +But what I had in mind was the innumerable cut-offs we're apt to +strike." + +"Cut-offs!" exclaimed Nick, turning a trifle pale, as though he thought +this had something to do with the favorite southern lynching bee. + +"Oh! I know about those things," declared Herb, carelessly. +"Sometimes a native can save twenty miles by shooting through where a +passage runs across a neck of wooded land. But I guess the good old +_Comfort_ will stick to the main stream. I may be the tortoise in this +race, but there's lots of chances the hares will lie down for a little +nap in the way, and let me go past." + +"But it's fair to take advantage of a cut-off, ain't it?" asked George. + +"Of course it is, if you want to take the chance of getting twisted, +and losing oodles of hours wandering around in some old swamp," Jack +answered. + +"Well, they ought to have those cut-offs marked with buoys, or sign +posts," grumbled George. + +"Too many changes taking place all the time," Jack replied, showing how +earnestly he had been studying the field. "They just couldn't do it. +But of all three craft, yours ought to be the last one to want to steal +a march on the rest, George." + +"Oh, well, I don't expect to be compelled to; but then you never know +what's going to happen. Suppose we had a breakdown, and lost many +hours--it might be up to the _Wireless_ to get busy, and wipe out some +of that slack. But I'm going to study that lower river part till I get +it by heart, bet your boots on that, fellows." + +"And me ditto," said Nick, quickly. "None of that lost in the swamp +for me. Just think how awful it would be, boys, wandering around day +after day with snakes and alligators waiting to snap you up! Ugh!" + +"That isn't the worst of it, Buster; just imagine the food giving out! +Whatever in the wide world would you do?" asked Jack, with a chuckle. + +Nick gave a wild look, and then groaned dismally. + +"If it came to a case of drawing lots I just know George would pick out +the lucky number, because he often looks at me now as if he'd like to +eat me," he mumbled, no doubt falling to the joke, but nevertheless +with a vein of seriousness in his voice. + +On the following day the six boys haunted the boathouse most of the +time. If anything was forgotten it could not have been for lack of +consultations, since they were constantly putting their heads together, +advising, making little changes in the packing and stowing of things, +and running errands back to their homes and the stores. + +When they left at eventime they knew of nothing that could be done to +better conditions. Each boat was in prime condition for the southern +dash of many hundreds of miles, possibly over stormy waters, where +perils of various kinds awaited them. + +And doubtless never in the history of those several families were such +restless boys known as during the Sunday that followed. The minutes +seemed to drag as if weighted down with stones. + +But the longest day has its end, and finally night came. + +Alarm clocks had been set for dawn, but in few cases were they needed, +since the boys were up and doing before the gray had actually crept +into the eastern heavens. + +At seven o'clock a crowd began to assemble in the vicinity of the +boathouse from which the start was to be made; for the race was the +event of the season. Every boy in town was on the spot, and the +constables had to keep the crowd from actually swarming over and +swamping the busy contestants and their families. + +The three motor boats were ready in the water, with burgees flying and +looking as spic and span as human energy could make them. The silver +trophy was in the possession of Jack's father, and had been admired by +hundreds. + +As the time set for the start approached, the six boys manifested +considerable nervousness. But this might be expected even of old +campaigners, not to speak of young lads who, up to now, had possibly +never been more than one or two hundred miles away from home. + +Jack was really in command, since he had been elected commodore of the +club by unanimous vote. He seemed capable of keeping his head in a +time of excitement, and that meant a great deal. + +Everything had been attended to so far as he knew, and they were now +only waiting for the town clock to boom out the hour of eight, when the +starting toot of his conch shell horn would announce that the race was +on. + +It was a foregone conclusion that the speed boat would easily take the +lead, for almost everything had been sacrificed in her construction to +the one prime necessity for reeling off the miles. Nick was quivering +all over with anxiety. He might have backed out only that he chanced +to have a stubborn streak in his make-up, and his word had been given. +But he certainly looked far from happy as he faced the gloomy prospect +of days and days cooped up in that cranky craft, where the least +movement abroad [Transcriber's note: aboard?] set up a dizzy wabbling. + +"Got your hair parted exactly in the middle, Buster?" shouted a comrade +from the crowd, noting how the fat boy gripped the sides of the boat +every time the pilot made a sudden little movement that caused the +touchy _Wireless_ to bob or roll. + +"Better take a teenty more breath in that right lung, Hippo!" called +another, with cruel intent; but Nick only grinned, and waved his hand, +as though utterly indifferent to their jibes. + +Jack looked at his little dollar nickel watch for the last time. + +"Five minutes more only, fellows!" he announced. "Get aboard, all!" + +Presently they were settled in their places, and the engines had been +started to make sure everything was right for the word "go!" + +Then the plain sound of the clock in the town hall came to their ears, +as it started to strike the hour. + +"Let loose!" called Jack; and immediately gave several sharp toots on +his shell signal horn. + +A storm of wild cheers broke out when the trio of handsome boats shot +off as soon as those on the dock had eased the detaining cables. + +"Look at the _Wireless_, will you? Talk about your speed, ain't she +got it to burn, though?" shouted one enthusiast, as the long, +cigar-shaped boat shot ahead, and rapidly opened a gap between herself +and the other contestants. + +And minutes before the _Tramp_ and the _Comfort_, she passed out of +sight around the bend in the river, a mile below the town. + +As long as the pilots of the other two craft could see the faintest +sign of the home town they were leaving on this long and doubtless +perilous voyage over unknown waters, they could hear the whoops of the +excited people, as they waved the adventurous cruisers and racers an +adieu, with good wishes for a safe journey. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +A HANDICAP AT THE FIRST STATION. + +"We've got to pull up here, Jimmie!" + +"Sure; and what time have ye, Jack?" + +"Just eleven. We've been booming along for three hours today, besides +the whole eight yesterday, and without a single breakdown, too," and +Jack looked proudly at the little motor which he was bending over and +petting. + +"Thims the houses of Clinton we say away ahead there, thin?" asked +Jimmie, as he shaded his eyes with a palm, and stared toward the south. + +"Yes, on the Illinois shore; and across the way lies Clinton in Iowa. +I used the marine glass which every boat carries, and there isn't a +sign of either the _Wireless_ or the _Comfort_ ahead. That means, +Jimmie, we're the first to arrive at the initial bag or station." + +The Irish boy grinned as though tickled. "Sure I can understand why +Herb and Josh are held back by a slow boat; but by the powers where can +that speed boy be? By the way he wint off he might be bringing up in +New Orleans just now," he remarked, humorously. + +"If I gave a guess I'd say he was up in some creek, tinkering at that +twenty horsepower engine of his that shakes the whole frame of his boat +whenever he opens the throttle wide," Jack replied. + +"Right ye are," declared Jimmie, nodding his head. "And by the toime +we get to the journey's ind I belave on me sowl George and Buster will +know the location of ivery creek along the river." + +"Well," remarked the pilot of the boat, as he turned shoreward, "if a +fellow is daft enough to sacrifice everything else for speed, on a long +cruise like this, he must expect to put up with all sorts of trouble. +But I'm sorry for Buster, though." + +"Sure he can afford to lose twinty pounds, and not fale it," declared +the Irish boy, sagely. "And so long as the provisions howld out, +Buster won't kick too harrd." + +When they had arrived at a certain point not far from the shore the +engine was shut off. + +"Now!" sang out Jack, "drop it! Quick, Jimmie!" + +With a splash the anchor fell into the water, and presently the jaunty +little motor boat was riding restlessly at the end of her cable; while +the two boys started to get something ready to eat. + +Jimmie was to act as cook most of the time, since the other inmate of +the _Tramp_ had plenty of things to hold his attention in managing the +engine, and figuring out the course. + +First of all Jimmie placed on a firm foundation a neat little +contraption made of brass, and which seemed to be a kerosene stove, +capable of manufacturing gas. It was the pet of the skipper, and had +served him many a time under conditions when a camp fire was out of the +question, on account of pouring rain, or from some other reason. + +This Juwel kerosene-burning stove was of German origin. It was primed +with a little alcohol, and when the heat had thus been applied to the +plate a few pumps started the oil to moving, and it was turned into +blue flame gas, very powerful in its capacity for boiling water +speedily. + +When the stove was going it made a little crackling, hissing noise, but +nothing to cause annoyance. And its convenience on a cruise of this +sort outweighed any minor faults. + +The other boats were equipped with other cooking appliances, the +_Wireless_ having a battery of three lamps, and the _Comfort_ a genuine +gasoline affair, of course of generous proportions as became so big a +craft, on which a dinner for the crowd might have been prepared if +necessary. + +Jimmie heated some Boston baked beans left over from the preceding +night's supper, and made a pot of coffee. A loaf of bread and some +cheese afforded ample substantial, as Jimmie declared when he could eat +no more. + +Still there were no signs of either of the other boats above. They +could see various river craft moving about, but though Jack used his +glasses diligently up to two o'clock he had discovered nothing of the +others. + +"Say, this looks bad for a beginning," he observed, as three o'clock +came, and he took the glasses again to sweep the upper river. "Already +we have a start of four hours on both our rivals. Perhaps after all +George may have to explore some of those cut-offs Nick dreads so much, +in order to make up for time lost while tinkering with that blessed old +engine of his, that breaks down once in so often." + +He had hardly applied the glasses to his eyes than he gave an +exclamation. + +"I wager now that's the bully ould _Comfort_ splashing along in the +middle of the river!" cried Jimmie, who had good eyes of his own and +had been using them to some advantage meanwhile. + +"Go up head, Jimmie," said Jack; "for that's just what it is. And as +sure as you live I think I sight the rushing _Wireless_ away back +there, booming along, and cutting through the water like a knife, while +the broad bow of Herb's boat throws the spray flying with every dip! +It's a race for second honors, that's what it is, Jimmie!" + +"Whirra! and we're the spectators, so we are!" cried the delighted +Irish lad, as he eagerly reached for the glasses and clapped them to +his eyes. "Yis, ye're right, Jack, it's the speed boat all the same; +and my sowl, how she's rushing things! By the powers, don't I hope the +ould _Comfort_ draws in here ahead. Won't it make George feel down in +the mouth to be last at the stake?" + +"Oh! this is only a beginning," remarked Jack. "Nobody can tell what +is going to happen before we bring up at New Orleans. Depend on it, +Jimmie, all of us will know a heap more by then than we do now." + +"Herb sees us," observed Jimmie. "Josh is wavin' a flag. And the boat +heads this way, too, makin' better time than I iver saw her do. Hurrah +for thim! Look at the coffin nail gainin'; but I do believe the tub +will win out afther all, I do that." + +And so it proved; for, although George evidently risked considerable, +and shoved on every horsepower his engine was rated at, he could not +quite overtake the big clumsy craft he had affected to despise; so that +the _Comfort_ was alongside before the speed boat was more than within +hailing distance. + +Jack himself timed the coming of each craft, as was the duty of the one +first at a station. Thus he knew just what a handicap the other boats +labored under as the result of the initial run. + +It was already late in the day, and as they were prohibited from +running after the hour of four, a start was out of the question until +another morning. + +Accordingly the three craft made preparations for stopping over another +night. A place was found where they could go ashore and camp, though +meaning to sleep aboard their several boats; a necessity that caused +poor Nick many a groan. + +"Why, fellows," he grunted, rubbing himself in various places, "I'm +just covered with bruises after one night of it. No room to turn +without the bally old boat heaving and rolling. I give you my word +there were lots of times I really made up my mind the blessed thing +wanted to turn us both out into the creek. And would you believe it, I +haven't yet been able to find those bully water wings anywhere. Seen +anything of 'em, boys? Oh! I hope you have, because half the fun will +be lost to me if I've gone and left my wings behind." + +But no one remembered seeing the articles in question after the last +time the owner had been holding them up for admiration, and which was +on the Saturday before the start. + +"So, you did pass the night in a creek, then?" asked Jack. + +"That's what we did," admitted George, with a shrug of his shoulders. +"Engine began to give trouble before two o'clock, and as we were near +the shore we found a convenient creek, where we pushed in; and I've +been working on that motor pretty much all the time since." + +"We saw you both go past this morning," remarked Nick. "But George +wouldn't let me give a toot on my horn. All I did was to cook while he +worked." + +"And eat. Don't forget to mention that, please," grumbled the +aforesaid George. "Why, fellows, if he keeps on the way he's started, +I sure don't know how we'll ever get enough grub aboard to keep going. +And besides, such cooking you never saw." + +"Here, no complaining," declared Jack. "You knew what you were up +against before you started. And Buster is a willing chap, even if he +has his faults. I've got a man aboard who's in training to equal +Buster's record before this trip ends," and he nodded his head toward +Jimmie, who grinned and answered: + +"Indade an' I begin to belave that same mesilf, fellers. I'm hungry +all the time, so I be. It must be in the air. Jack himself is no +slouch whin it comes to stowing away things." + +"That's all right," laughed Josh, seeing a chance to get in one of his +favorite digs at Nick; "but I can feel for poor old George. He's +tucked in with a cemetery, that devours everything, and keeps yawning +for more." + +And so they talked as they made a fire and prepared supper for the +crowd just as the sun hovered over the distant shore to the west. No +one came to bother them, for the place was isolated. A railroad ran +near by, and during the night they heard numerous trains passing along. +But snugly tucked away in their respective boats--much too snugly, Nick +believed--they found little cause for complaint. + +Another dawn found them facing a proposition that offered new +possibilities. + +"Hey! it's raining!" shouted Josh, he being the first one in the little +fleet to get outside that morning. + +But Jack had known this for some time, since he had been awake and +heard the patter of the falling drops on the taut canvas awning that +covered the main part of the _Tramp_. + +After a while the boats were allowed to come closer together, while the +pilots conferred as to the program for the day. + +There were one or two feeble protests against starting in the wet; but +on putting it to a vote the decision was reached that they must go on. + +"We're not made of sugar or salt," declared Jack; "and besides, haven't +we anticipated just such weather by providing waterproof garments. +Everybody get into their oilskins right away, and slap a real old +sou'wester on their heads. We can afford to laugh at this poor little +storm. Wait till we strike something worth while later on, and then +duck." + +"Yes," put in George, a little maliciously; "we've just got to be +moving right along, fellows. Satan always finds mischief for idle +hands to do. Buster is supposed to be the deck hand aboard this boat, +and when he hasn't anything else to do his mind keeps wandering in the +line of eating. Suppose we did get really cleaned out some fine day, +am I bound to begin on him for chops?" + +All this while they were busy dressing, and Nick made the narrow speed +boat wabble fearfully with his movements as he drew on his oilskins. + +"Oh! I tell you I'm just going to be a complete nervous wreck before +we get done with this fool race," he complained when he had finally +succeeded in donning the wide trousers, the legs of which persisted in +sticking together. + +"Get out and walk then," said George, promptly. + +"I would if the walking was good," replied Nick; "but it's wet both +above and below; and besides I want to give another look around for my +precious white wings." + +At eight o'clock another start was made. As before, the fleet boat +shot ahead, with the _Tramp_ a good second, and the wallowing _Comfort_ +in the rear, Herb and Josh in no way disconcerted because of the poor +beginning. History had a way of repeating itself; and they believed +that the accident to George's cranky engine was only a specimen of many +other troubles and tribulations that would be apt to befall the +ambitious pilot during the progress of the race. + +But hardly had the _Wireless_ gone two hundred yards before there was a +tremendous splash heard. + +"Arrah now!" burst out Jimmie, who had happened to be looking at the +time, "it's happened just as I knowed it would!" + +"What is it?" asked Jack, bobbing up from the engine, which had been +taking all of his attention. + +"He falled overboard, so he did, just like a sack of corn!" continued +Jimmie. + +"Who did----oh! look at all the splashing back of the _Wireless_! Why +it's Buster and he's holding on to a rope or something! Stop the boat, +George; stop her!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE SUDDEN PERIL. + +Even while Jack Stormways was giving vent to that shout he saw that +George had shut off power, for the swift speed boat no longer rushed +through the water like a thing of life. + +Meanwhile both the other launches were bearing down upon the scene, +with their occupants only too anxious to lend a helping hand. + +George had seized hold of the other end of the rope to which the +unfortunate Nick clung so desperately, and was dragging the floundering +fat boy in, hand over hand. + +"Hold on, George--not so fast I tell you! I'm full up now with this +nasty yellow water, and can't stand any more. Easy, George! Oh, if I +only had my wings on right now, what a chance to try 'em out!" + +In this ridiculous fashion the flapping boy-fish gave vent to his +mingled feelings of reproach and regret as he found himself hauled +close in to the side of the drifting _Wireless_, until the skipper +managed to get his fingers twisted in the abundant scalplock of his +boat-mate. + +"Why, he's got a life preserver on! He couldn't have drowned if he +tried!" exclaimed Josh, as he leaned over the side of the big roomy +_Comfort_; an act that did not seem to disturb her stability one bit. + +"Course I have!" spluttered the dangling Nick, ever ready to take up +cudgels with this adversary, no matter what his condition. "Course I +have," he repeated. "Think me crazy to sail in this cranky message +boat without insurance against a spill? I guess not. And you see what +a wise head Nick has, fellows! Why, hang it, I'd just about been +drowned this time if it hadn't been for this hunky-dory life preserver!" + +"That's so," said Jack, warmly. "And you're a wise boy, all right, +Buster. Just as long as you ride in that speed machine you keep close +to that cork affair. You never know when you'll need it." + +"That's so," grunted Nick, as he ejected a quart or so of water which +had gotten into his mouth and stomach. "Ugh! get me aboard, please. I +feel wet!" + +"Glory! hear that, would ye?" roared Jimmie. "Sure he looks it, too, +by the same token. But it will nade the hull caboodle of us to lift +Buster aboard, for what wid all the wather he's gulped down he must +weigh a ton, so he do." + +"Say, he certainly changed his mind, and concluded that the walking was +good, after all!" exclaimed Herb, as he lent a hand toward raising the +young elephant. + +"Yes," remarked George, who had really been badly frightened, but now +tried to hide his feelings by a little joshing, "and I don't think it's +a bit fair for your own crew to mutiny that way, and turn against the +skipper." + +"What's that?" gasped Nick, half way over the side; "who mutinied?" + +"Why, the evidence is all against you, Hippo," returned his boatmate. +"Didn't you see him, boys, holding on to a rope, and trying his level +best to keep the dandy little _Wireless_ from getting too great a +start? I'm going to offer that as a protest if I miss getting the +silver Dixie cup." + +"Huh!" + +That was all Nick could get out, for just then with a grand heave all +around his comrades managed to raise him over the gunwale of the speed +launch, so that he came down on the after deck with a squash, streams +of water running off his saturated garments. + +"There's only one thing to do," remarked Jack, "and that's to make a +fresh start when Buster gets into some dry clothes. So hurry up, old +fellow." + +"However did you come to do it, Pudding?" demanded Herb, as the three +boats kept company drifting on the current of the river. + +"Well, I hardly know," grinned the other, as he started to leisurely +undress. "I saw a coil of rope slipping overboard, and remember +bending down to grab it. Guess the frisky little craft must have given +a kick just about then. Next thing I knew I was in the drink, and +swallowing more water than was good for me." + +"But you grabbed the rope all right, it seems!" remarked Josh, +sarcastically. + +"Looks like it," admitted the other readily; "and I held on, too. My +dad always did say I was a great fellow to keep my grip once I got it. +There's only one thing I'm sorry about." + +"Now just quit that right where you are," remarked George. "What do +you take me for, a phonograph with a blank record? Forget about those +silly wings that were going to make a swimmer out of you. A few more +duckings like this at the end of a rope and you'll be a boss paddler." + +"Oh! do you think so, George! Perhaps, then, once in a while you +wouldn't mind tying a rope under my arms and letting me drop, +easy-like, off the stern here, to learn the strokes. I wouldn't care +very much, if I always had this good old cork thing on." + +"You get out!" snorted George, who never knew when his companion was +serious or joking, since his pudgy face was always set in a broad +smile. "What d'ye take me for, hey? Think this is an excursion to +teach fellows who won't try it on at home, how to swim? You've got +another think coming then. Hurry up and get into some dry clothes now. +We want to be off." + +"Oh! start just when you feel like it; I'm going to take my time. Now +quit joshing me. I'm too full for utterance," and to prove the truth +of his assertion Nick bent over the side to eject another quart of +water he had been forced to swallow, much against his will. + +So presently Jack gave the word and again the three boats made a fresh +start, in the same general alignment as before, with the _Wireless_ +ahead, and the big _Comfort_ bringing up the rear. + +Half an hour later and Jack, looking around, found that he could no +longer see either of his competitors, the rain and mist utterly +shutting them from view. + +For some time, however, the heavy "pant" of the _Comfort's_ exhaust +came booming from the rear, though by slow degrees it grew fainter, +until finally even this sign of her presence failed. + +"I hope George will be cautious in this half fog and rain," Jack could +not help remarking, as they continued to run along, and he kept Jimmie +constantly in the bow to report what the prospect ahead might be. + +"Sure, I was just thinkin' that same," admitted the Irish lad, turning +his head for a minute while speaking. "It's so thick beyant that I do +belave a stameboat might crape up on us unawares, and we not know a +thing about it till we kim slap bang against its bow." + +"That's one thing I'm afraid of," remarked Jack. "You notice that I +manage to keep fairly close to the shore, don't you, Jimmie? Once in a +while I glimpse the Illinois bank when the breeze lifts the fog a bit. +I wouldn't like to run out in the middle of the river in this muss. +The only thing I'm wondering is what boats coming up-stream do in a +mess like this? Do they creep along closer to the shore than usual; or +stick to the middle, and whistle from time to time?" + +But Jimmie shook his head. + +"Blest if I know a thing about it, Jack," he admitted. "All the same, +it's me opinion that ye're doin' the right thing. Sure, ye always do, +by the same token," for Jimmie was a great admirer of Jack Stormways, +and ready to stick to him through thick and thin. + +"What a lucky thing it was Buster thought to tie that life preserver +on. Only for that he might have been drowned before any of us could +get to him," Jack remarked a short time later. + +"Oh! after all, he's the wise guy, an' don't ye forget it, Jack. Only +I'm sorry for poor Buster, becase, ye say, he really don't hanker +afther goin' on the thrip at all, it sames. And sure, it must be +pretty tough balancing in that cranky ould boat all the time." + +"Don't waste too much pity on Buster, Jimmie," laughed Jack. "When you +come to know him as well as I do you'll understand that a heap of his +agony is put on. To tell the truth, I've often suspected him of being +even a bigger joker than Josh. Besides, he ought to put up with a heap +from George; just think how the skipper has got to eat Buster's cooking +for a couple of weeks, maybe. I wonder if he'll ever live through it. +But perhaps Buster may improve, now that he just has to eat his own +messes." + +"Sure, he's got his mamy's blissed cook book along," observed the +other, with one of his broad grins. "Didn't I say him studying it like +a gossoon?" + +"Poor George! I wouldn't be in his shoes for a cooky. But turn around +again, Jimmie. I don't feel easy about this sort of cruising. That's +why I've cut off some of our speed, you notice. Safety is my play +first, and progress afterward." + +"And a bully good motto, Jack, that always gets ye through all sorts of +scrapes, right side up wid care. Ugh! did ye say that floater we +passed? Sure it was a big tree, so it was. And av we'd slapped bang +agin the roots, what a juicy hole they'd have knocked in our shiny +side. Ye swerved just in the nick of time, Jacky, bye." + +"Keep watching, and sing out if you see or hear anything." + +Jack was keeping his hand on the alert, ready to reverse his engine at +even a second's warning. Then he could swerve, if it became necessary +to avoid some peril that suddenly loomed up ahead. + +A train was moving slowly along ashore, and apparently groping its way, +if one could judge from the many signal whistles heard. This rumbling +sound was magnified in the fog until it seemed almost deafening at +times. It annoyed Jack, for he was straining his heading to catch +anything that came up the river. + +Still, he had adopted all precautions that might occur to a careful +cruiser, and under the circumstances it seemed a bit silly to think of +halting in his progress down the stream. + +Several hours passed thus, with both boys laboring under a constant +strain. + +"Would ye moind tilling me the time, Jack, darlint?" asked the Irish +lad, still crouched in the bow as a lookout. + +"Just twelve," replied the engineer, straightening up for a change, and +as customary, casting a glance ahead as well as on either side; for if +anything the atmosphere was just as thick as ever--indeed, Jimmie had +more than once referred to it contemptuously as "pea soup!" + +"Arrah! would ye moind now if I got a bite of grub? I'm that impty I +suspect me stomach is glued till me backbone." + +Jack laughingly gave his consent. + +"I'll keep on double duty while you're about it," he remarked; "and +play the part of engineer and pilot. At the same time here goes to +reduce speed another notch, to be on the safe side." + +Of course it was useless thinking of having anything hot while going +along at even half speed, much as they would have enjoyed a cup of +coffee to warm them up, for the rain and fog made the air seem chilly. + +"But in a race every minute ought to count," remarked Jack, when Jimmie +suggested this thing of stopping half an hour. "This is our running +time, you know. After four o'clock we can hold up all we want. In +fact we have to, as nothing gained by keeping on then counts." + +And so they ate a cold "snack," as Jack called it, while pursuing their +course down the river. Jimmie was again perched in the bow, talking +when his jaws were not otherwise taken up in masticating his sandwich. + +"Seems to me the fog is lifting just a little," suggested Jack. + +"I don't belave it," objected the other. "Me eyes is clane tired +tryin' to say into the mess beyant. Sometimes I do be thinkin' I +glimpse a big stameboat comin' straight for us; and just whin I'm +shoutin' to ye to back wather, I discover that it do be a fraud. Right +now the same delusion sames to strike me, an' sure am I dramin', or is +that something like a house below? Jack, darlint, it moves, sure it +do! The wolf is comin' at last! Back her, Jack, back her, me bye! +It's a stameboat this time right enough, and bearin' dead for us, by +the same token!" + +And the boy at the motor knew the emergency which he had been +anticipating for the last three hours had suddenly come upon them, for +a packet was pushing up the river just ahead, and aiming direct for the +little launch! + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +AROUSED AT MIDNIGHT. + +"Hold tight, Jimmie!" cried Jack. + +"I am that!" shrilled the Irish lad, crouched in the bow, with his eyes +staring wildly at the dreadful shape that was swiftly drawing closer to +them, as though bent on running the motor boat down. + +Jack had changed his plan at the critical instant. He had a peculiar +faculty for grasping a situation, and solving a problem. Although he +had made up his mind to reverse in a case like this, it flashed over +him that such a course just then would have but one result--the +collision might be deferred for a few seconds; but if the approaching +steamboat continued to advance, it must take place after all. + +Better to throw on full power, and try to slide off to one side, thus +giving the big craft the right of way. + +It was done in a twinkling. The _Tramp_ shot forward with a jerk; and +had Jimmie not been forewarned he might have found himself thrown +sideways into the river, for the little craft careened badly in making +the swerve. + +But she answered gallantly to the call, and glided out of the way just +is the broad bow of the sternwheel steamboat came along, raising a +white, foam-crested wave as she breasted the swift current. + +Jack fancied he heard a startled exclamation from up in the pilothouse +of the big craft; but not a word was flung at them. That the man at +the wheel realized how remiss he had been in not signaling oftener, was +made evident, for immediately a long and hoarse whistle broke loose, +even as the steamboat was passing the boys. + +"Wow!" gasped Jimmie, as he turned a white face toward his mate; "that +was about as clost a call as I iver want to mate up wid. And sure, +only for your wonderful prisence of moind we might have been run down. +The same 'twas criminal carelessness, so it was. And I'd like to give +the bog-trotter a bit of me moind." + +Jack himself had gone through a thrilling experience, which he would +hardly care to have duplicated. He was trembling some too, now that +the necessity for prompt action and quick thought was gone. + +"But didn't she respond to the wheel fine though, Jimmie?" he asked: +just as if the boat deserved all the credit. "If it had been the +clumsy old _Comfort_ now, nothing would have saved her, she's so slow +to mind her helm." + +Jimmie had ideas of his own about the matter. What they were he did +not choose to put into words just then; but the way his kindling eyes +surveyed his friend made it easy to guess. + +"An' did ye notice how soon the pilot blowed his whistle?" he remarked, +as they resumed their course. "Small use that same would have been to +us afther a smash. Sure, I'd taken it for Gabriel's trump calling us +to the resurrection, I would." + +"Well, let's forget it if we can, and talk of something more pleasant," +observed Jack, who was now urging the little boat nearer the shore than +ever, since it appeared they had been in the path of up-river craft, +hugging the Illinois bank. + +Of course he had again reduced the engine to half speed; and his +vigilance was not in the least relaxed. + +"Give me warning if you ever even _think_ you see anything ahead, +Jimmie," he remarked a little later. "Then we can get ready to head +in, while we're trying to make out what it is. But I'll be glad when +this beastly day is over, that's what." + +"Amen!" said Jimmie, with due reverence; for that expressed his own +feeling to a dot. + +The time crept on slowly. They had passed under the great railroad +bridge at Rock Island, and even navigated the river at this dangerous +point, where craft were moving in many directions. And as the +afternoon wore away, with mile after mile left behind, Jack, who had +taken occasional furtive looks at his maps, concluded from certain +signs that they were within ten miles of Burlington. + +"It's nearly four, Jimmie, and we'd better be hunting a place to put in +for the night, I don't just fancy anchoring here on the open water in +this fog. And as to going on, what's the use, when a big city looms up +a few miles ahead? We couldn't get past it without cribbing on the +time that doesn't count. So keep your eyes on the watch for anything +that looks like a creek." + +They often saw the gaping mouths of these little tributaries that +emptied their flow of water into the Mississippi; and Jack hoped such +would be the case now, when they were in sore need of a harbor. + +When therefore Jimmie presently announced that he believed the signs +were favorable ahead the skipper of the _Tramp_ rejoiced. + +"I only hope it's a decent creek, and has some bully good places for +keeping out of sight," Jack declared, as he headed for the opening near +by. + +Jimmie knew what was on his mind, for they had talked this matter over +with the other fellows more than once. Jack had read lots about the +great Father of Waters, and knew what a highway it has been for scores +of years to a class of criminals who are fleeing from justice. + +Of course there are many honest men on the numerous shanty boats that +float down the river, tying up from time to time at some landing, or +hunting a friendly creek mouth in which to pass the night. At the same +time thousands use the water highway as a means for eluding pursuit. +It offers such an easy method of fleeing, after committing a robbery, +or breaking the law in some other way, that the honest traveler must +needs keep his eyes about him constantly while floating on the bosom of +the mighty Mississippi. + +The creek proved to be everything Jack could wish. + +"This is all right," he said, after they had moved up its tortuous +channel for a little distance, until, coming to a promising spot where +trees and bushes chanced to screen them, the boat was stopped. "We'll +call this our camp for the night, Jimmie, and proceed to make ourselves +as comfortable as the law allows." + +"No going ashore to cook dinner this night," remarked Jimmie, as he +surveyed the dripping trees close by. + +"Well," said Jack, "let's be thankful that we've got such a bully old +tarpaulin to keep the wet off. Suppose we get busy right away with it? +The sooner it's up the quicker we can shake these nasty oilskins; +though I hadn't ought to run them down, because they've served us well +today, and kept us dry as toast. I don't believe you could get wet if +you tried, in these Fish suits." + +"Aw! Buster did!" observed the other, with a droll chuckle. + +"You're right, he certainly did. But then I didn't mean if you took a +header overboard. Now, up with your end, Jimmie, and fasten it snug. +I've got mine ready; and in a few shakes of a lamb's tail we'll be able +to laugh at the weather." + +"And, worse luck, now that we've stopped runnin' it looks like it's +goin' to clear up, so it do," grumbled the other. + +"All right," laughed the skipper, "we can stand it. So much the +better, because we've got a big run ahead tomorrow, to make up for the +time lost today. I'd give a cooky to know just where the other boats +are right now. I only hope nothing has happened to either--at least +nothing serious; because there's just bound to be something going amiss +with that engine on the _Wireless_ nearly every day she runs." + +Presently the cover was in place, and tautly secured. Under its +shelter both boys doffed their waterproofs and made things look more +shipshape. Jimmie, as usual, was more than ready to get to work with +that dandy little Juwel kerosene gas contraption; and its cheery +humming soon told that supper was under way. + +Jack meanwhile found plenty to do in rearranging things in the boat; +for during a day such as they had just endured makeshifts are in order. + +Under Jack's schooling Jimmie was beginning to improve in his cooking; +and as he took more or less pride in the results, there was some hope +for him; whereas with Buster it was a thankless task. + +They had a few eggs left, and these were made into quite a tasty +omelette. Then a can of corn was opened, to be heated in a saucepan. +This, with a pannikin of tea, and some baker's cakes, constituted their +meal. And as both boys were quite hungry they enjoyed every particle +of the same. + +"While they were eating Jack had heard sounds that annoyed him. + +"I'm afraid we're pretty close to a road, Jimmie," he had remarked. +"And I only hope no curious party spies the light of our lantern inside +the tent here. I'm not at all anxious to pick up acquaintances." + +"So say we all of us, Jack, me bye," the other had replied promptly. + +As the sounds of vehicles passing were heard at frequent intervals the +boys determined not to keep the lantern lighted very long after they +had prepared their beds for the night. Sometimes it was their habit to +sit up, and read or talk; but this seemed to be an occasion when it +would be better to crawl in under their blankets and get all the sleep +they could, looking forward to a busy day on the morrow. + +"It's eight o'clock!" announced Jack, finally, with a yawn; and as that +had been the time set for retiring, he prepared to "douse the glim" as +he termed it, in sailor's parlance. + +"Let her go!" remarked his boatmate, as he snuggled down in his place. + +They were of course confined to rather scant space; and many persons +might have found it hard to sleep soundly when in such close quarters. +But healthy boys can stand for almost anything, and think it fun. + +So Jack, having arranged his own bed, crawled in, after which he +reached out his hand to extinguish the lantern. One last look he took +at the Marlin shotgun that he had brought along, in the hope and +expectation that he might find use for it during the long cruise. It +was hanging from a couple of pegs just under the coaming of the deck, +and by simply raising his hand he could touch it. + +Somehow the very presence of that reliable little shooter seemed to +give Jack a sense of security when they found themselves marooned in an +exceedingly lonely place, with the darkness shutting them in as with a +curtain, and unknown perils impending. + +Once the light went out the boys lay there and talked in low tones for +perhaps a full hour. They had much to confer about, with the uncertain +future beckoning them on; and the main history of the cruise yet to be +written. + +The last thing Jack remembered hearing as he passed into the land of +sleep was a vehicle rumbling over the bridge that evidently spanned the +creek some little distance above. + +Then he knew no more for some time. + +The little launch floated on the bosom of the creek, fastened to the +shore. At times she heaved gently, as some wave of larger proportions +than usual came in from the river, possibly caused by a passing +steamboat's suction. But by this time the boys were getting accustomed +to this sort of thing. One night afloat had taken off the newness for +them, and they could sleep now through any ordinary motion. + +Something digging him in the ribs aroused Jack. Then a voice whispered +in his ear, and he knew that it was Jimmie. + +"Jack, wake up! I hear voices beyand, and I do belave the thaves of +the worrld are comin' to clane us out, so I do!" + +"'Sh!" was all Jack made reply; but at the same instant his hand groped +for the reliable gun so close at hand. + +Once this was in his possession he gently lifted the flap of the +waterproof tent that covered the boat; for he knew just where to find +this loose portion, left so for an emergency of this sort. + +The storm had departed, and the sky was now clear. While it was far +from light without, still to Jack's eyes things looked fairly plain. +And the first thing he saw seemed to be moving figures, two of them, +that were creeping toward the tied-up motor boat. + +Now and then they would pause, and then low and significant whispers +would follow. Jack felt a thrill pass over his frame as he began to +quietly thrust the muzzle of the shotgun through the opening of the +tent. He did not intend to aim at the prowlers of course, but hoped +the sudden shot might give them a good fright. + +Jimmie was creeping toward the bow, as if desirous of seeing all that +went on; when Jack, feeling that he was certainly privileged to defend +his property against pirates, pulled the trigger which his trembling +finger had been pressing; and a sudden roar awoke the echoes of the +night. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +STARTLING NEWS FROM NEAR HOME. + +"Run, ye spalpeens, run wid ye!" whooped Jimmie, as he thrust his +tousled red head through the opening at the bow. + +Jack was prepared to repeat the shooting part of the business if there +seemed any necessity; and perhaps the next time he would not be so +particular about aiming so as to miss the prowlers. + +But he immediately saw that there would be no need, for already the +pair of would-be thieves could be heard crashing madly through the +undergrowth, in the endeavor to make a safe getaway. + +Jimmie continued to send derisive shouts after them until Jack advised +that he had better bottle up the balance of his enthusiasm. + +"But did ye say how they tumbled over wan another whin ye let go?" +demanded the Irish lad, gleefully. + +"Well," remarked the skipper, dryly, "I noticed that they never waited +to leave us a visiting card. And Jimmie, this proves how wise I was to +fetch my gun along. I'd advise every fellow who intends to knock about +along this river to have some way of defending himself in case of need." + +With which remark Jack slipped a new shell into the chamber of his +double barrel shotgun. + +"Did ye pepper thim good and hot?" asked Jimmie, presently. + +"Oh! no, I didn't want to do that," said Jack, quickly. "We really had +no business to shoot straight at them unless they were coming aboard. +I just aimed close enough to give them a good scare. And I think I did +the right thing, too." + +"By the powers, I bet ye they're runnin' yit!" ventured his boatmate, +confidently. + +"They must have hit the road by this time. I only hope they won't +think to come back for another turn," Jack observed, thoughtfully. + +"No fear of that, I wager," laughed the Irish lad. "Sure, thim +gossoons know whin the stick is loaded, and they'll niver return to say +what it was wint off. Make your moind aisy about that, Jackey, me bye." + +The boys lay down again, but Jack could not sleep. + +"I don't like this thing," he said, finally, sitting up. "And it would +be better for us to take turns watching. In that way we'll have some +sleep; and as it is, I don't feel as if I could get a wink. The idea +of waking up to find a couple of greasy hoboes in possession of our +boat gives me a chill." + +Jimmie announced himself as favoring the plan, and declared that he was +ready to stand his watch either then or later, just as Jack decided. + +And so it was arranged. The balance of the night was divided into two +equal parts, and in this way both of the cruisers managed to obtain a +few hours sleep. + +Nothing happened after all, and Jimmie must have been right when he +declared that the pair of thieves had been so badly frightened when the +gun went off so unexpectedly that nothing could induce them to return +to the attack. + +All the same Jack was glad to see that it was broad daylight when he +awoke. He found, just as he might have expected, Jimmie at work +getting breakfast. Indeed, it may have been the delightful aroma of +coffee and bacon that helped awaken him, for the interior of the tent +was fragrant with the combination. + +Eight o'clock came, and they started from the creek, passing the city +shortly afterward. If their visitors of the preceding night saw them +come out they were sensible enough not to disclose their identity; +though Jimmie did declare he saw two men who might be tramps watching +them from behind the trees below the mouth of the friendly creek. + +There were numerous boats upon the river, but although Jack used his +glasses to advantage he could pick up no clue to either the _Wireless_ +or the _Comfort_. + +The day was nice and clear after the fog and rain. + +"Here's where we hit it up to make time, and pay for the slow traveling +yesterday," the pilot announced, when he coaxed the steady going little +motor to do its prettiest. + +At noon they had reeled off something like sixty-odd miles, the current +having assisted very much in advancing the boat. + +Keokuk had been passed, and they were now aiming to reach Quincy by the +middle of the afternoon. Just below this place the second station had +been marked; and if, as was to be expected, George and Buster had +arrived ahead of them, they might anticipate being signaled to draw in. + +"It's right funny we don't say anything of the other byes at all," +remarked Jimmie, while they were pushing steadily along, the engine +working with clock-like fidelity, and never missing a stroke. + +"Oh! I don't look at it that way. Unless some accident happens to +George there's never the least chance that we can look in on him in +that racer. And the same applies to the _Comfort_--if we go on as we +have, they can never hope to catch up with us. And there you are," and +Jack laughed as he spoke. + +"Ye mane that we're betwixt the divel and the dape say," observed +Jimmie, with one of his chuckles. + +"Oh! now that's going it pretty steep," Jack protested. "The _Comfort_ +might come under the head of deep sea, or anything else that's big and +slow and reliable; but it's pretty hard calling George's boat by that +other name. But there's another railroad bridge across the river far +below, unless the glass fools me. And if so, this must be Quincy just +beyond." + +"Hurrah! thin, we've arrived at the ind of the sicond stage of the +journey, and right side up wid care. If ye choose to hand me the +glass, Jack, I'll be afther lookin' for signs of the sassy little +_Wireless_." + +But it was some time after they had passed under the bridge spanning +the Mississippi that Jimmie was able to announce that he believed he +had discovered the object of his search. + +"Let me have a look," remarked Jack; and a minute later he went on: +"There's a boat of some sort anchored close to the shore down there, +and the sun shines on her just as it does on the varnished deck of the +_Wireless_. Yes, I do believe that's our peerless leader, as George is +so fond of saying. I'm glad to know they've got here all safe and +sound." + +Shortly afterward they heard the sound of a horn, and Jimmie answered +with a few vigorous blasts on the conch shell, which had its apex sawed +off to admit of a certain amount of air; though some practice was +necessary before one could produce a far reaching note. + +"Thought you'd never get here," said George, as the _Tramp_ swung in +alongside so that the rival crews could shake hands, which they did +heartily. + +It turned out that luck had highly favored the leading boat. They had +escaped any catastrophe on the river, even though making fast, and +possibly reckless time. And wonderful to relate, not once had the +engine broken down since last the boats separated. + +"That's good news!" exclaimed Jack, when he heard this; and there was +not a trace of envy or malice in his hearty tone. "That would be fine, +if only it kept up all the rest of the trip, eh, Buster?" + +"It would be just heavenly," sighed the fat boy; "but I don't expect +it. I know that measly old engine all right; and I just bet you she's +holding in so as to get a good whack at us when she does let go. My! +all I hope is, that the blamed thing don't go up the flue, and scatter +us around. I seriously object to getting wet as a regular diet." + +"I wonder if the other boat will get here by four?" George ventured; +but none of them pretended to be a prophet, and so his question +remained unanswered. + +When the time arrived there was still no sign of the _Comfort_. +Another hour passed, two of them, and the boys were growing anxious, +with many looks cast up the river. + +It had been arranged that if one of the boats had to run "after hours" +in order to join the others at a station, the time stolen should be +charged against that craft's record. And this was how it came that +they were hoping the third boat might yet appear. + +But the darkness gathered around them, and they had to give it up for +that day, since they had all promised their folks at home never to run +at night except under an actual necessity. + +There being no creek handy the two motor boats remained where they +were, with their mudhooks holding them steady against the never ceasing +flow of the current. + +They were close enough to shake hands, though when it came time for +sleep the one nearer the shore hauled off fifty feet or more, so that +there might be smaller chances of a collision. + +Nothing occurred during that night to alarm them, though Nick professed +to feel nervous, after having heard of the adventure which Jack and +Jimmie had met with on the other occasion. + +In the morning they did not hurry, for they could not leave that +station until the arrival of the third craft, no matter if it meant +several days' delay, such being the conditions of the Dixie cup race. + +"There they come!" whooped Nick, after they had finished breakfast; he +had been looking through the glasses which George owned, and of course +his thrilling words quite electrified the others. + +"You're right, Buster; that's the steady old _Comfort_, all the same," +said Jack, as he too leveled his marine glasses up-river way. + +"She rides like a big goose," laughed George. + +"But mighty comfortable, all the same," sighed Nick, mechanically +rubbing his fat haunches as though they still felt sore from contact +with the sides of the narrow boat, while trying to sleep. + +When the steady-going launch brought up alongside, many inquiries were +made as to what had detained them so long. + +"Lots of trouble," Herb replied, readily enough; "not with the engine, +for she never missed a note; but Josh here got cold feet after a +steamboat shaved us, and made me cut down speed, so we hardly did more +than crawl with the current for hours. Yesterday we boomed along, +trying to make the riffle in time; but finding we couldn't, we just +stopped about ten miles above for the night." + +"And then as we came into Quincy I went ashore to see if there was any +mail. A letter for each of us, Nick, and only a paper for Jack," with +which Josh handed over the articles in question. + +As the two boys had not eaten any breakfast, it was decided to wait for +them. Jack after a bit picked up the home paper, and idly started to +open it. + +The others immediately heard him utter an exclamation, and looking up, +saw that he seemed to be eagerly reading something he had discovered. + +"Well, I declare, if that just don't beat the Dutch!" he remarked. + +"What does?" cried Nick, all excitement. "Has John Guthrie got new +shingles on his barn; or was old Weatherby seen at church for the first +time in ten years?" + +"Yes," added Josh, "don't keep us waiting so long, Jack. Go on and +tell us what excites you so. Nobody ain't got twins, have they?" + +"Say, fellows, it's happened at last. You know the bank over at +Waverly? Well, it's been robbed--cleaned out, the paper says, and +thousands taken. May bust the bank up, if they don't get the thieves. +And what do you think, they say they believe the two men who did the +job have gone down river _in a motor boat_!" + +"A motor boat!" shouted the rest in unison. + +"Listen while I read about it, and then tell me what you think about +this description of a suspicious craft that was seen leaving the river +front between midnight and Tuesday morning," saying which he went on to +read the account, while all the others sat there in suspense, drinking +in the news, since they knew that bank in the thriving town mentioned +very well. + +"Hear what that reporter says about the suspicious motor boat," said +Jack, in conclusion. "Now, fellows, what craft does that make you +think of?" + +"The _Tramp_!" sang out Nick, immediately. + +"Yes, Jack," said George, soberly. "It sure hits your boat to a T. I +only hope it don't get you fellows into a peck of trouble, that's all!" + +But it did, all the same. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +QUITE A SURPRISE PARTY. + +"I say, George, remember me telling you about that suspicious boat I +saw across near the other shore just after we got settled last night?" +said Josh. + +"Hold on," returned George, quickly. "You don't mean it that way, +Josh. To hear you talk the fellows might think we were running after +hours. Fact is, we reached our stopping place at just ten minutes of +four. How was that for a swift run on a foggy day, one hundred and +thirty miles? And it was just before dusk when the rain let up, that +Josh said he glimpsed a boat that looked like the _Tramp_, sneaking +along down close by the Missouri bank." + +"Yes, sneaking, that's the word I used," declared Josh, positively; +"because, you see, there was something about the way it went on that +made me think the crew didn't want to attract attention. Of course I +knew right away it wasn't our crowd. But after hearing what Jack read +I'd just like to bet that was the thief boat." + +"Oh! well, there are heaps of motor boats on the old Mississippi," +laughed Jack, "and I guess the same company that made mine have sold a +dozen of the same model in Illinois and Missouri. Still, it might be +as you say, Josh. And perhaps it will pay all of us to keep an eye out +for these slippery customers." + +"What would you do if you happened to come on the boat like yours?" +asked Nick. + +"That depends," replied Jack, seriously. "If I felt positive the men +aboard were the chaps who broke open the Waverly bank I'd try to let +the authorities know. But they must be pretty hard cases, and I'd go +mighty slow about trying to grab such customers myself. I'm not hired +to play the part of detective or sheriff. All that stuff I leave to +the proper officials." + +"How do we stand on this second leg, Jack?" asked George. + +"I've just been figuring it up," replied the other, referring to his +notebook. "It seems that the speed boat made the run in just ten hours +of actual work. We did the same in fourteen hours, twelve minutes; and +the steady old _Comfort_ in eighteen hours, seven minutes. That's as +near correct as it could be figured." + +George beamed with gratification. + +"Shake, partner," he said, thrusting out a hand to Nick, who looked at +him suspiciously, then examined his hand, and finally gingerly allowed +the other to take hold of a couple of his pudgy fingers. + +"You see, we've more than wiped out our first day's loss, and have a +nice little balance in the bargain," George went on. + +"Yes," laughed Jack, "and a balance is a handy thing to have, whether +in a bank or in a record of days' runs during a long race. I +congratulate you, fellows, and hope you may duplicate the performance." + +Herb and Josh seemed in no wise cast down over the poor showing their +boat had made up to date. + +"Just you wait," observed the former, positively. "Perhaps we've got a +card or two up our sleeves. We don't tell _everything_ we know, do we, +Josh? And long ago I learned that the race is not always to the swift." + +"Yes," added his comrade in misfortune, "and it's a long lane that has +no turning. Anyhow, we didn't make any big brag about what we were +goin' to do when we set out; so you see nobody's going to be +disappointed even if we get left. I'm enjoyin' every minute of the +time; and that's more'n some fellers could say," with a meaning look in +the direction of poor fat Nick, who winced, and shook his fist at the +speaker. + +It was all of nine o'clock when Jack got the three boats in line, and +had Jimmie toot his conch shell horn as a starting signal. + +History repeated itself again that day. + +The speed boat shot off like a greyhound released from bonds, the +_Comfort_ wheezed along amiably in the rear, and Jack's craft took up a +midway course. Thus for two hours and more the crew of the _Tramp_ +could watch both competing craft. Then the narrow beamed _Wireless_ +seemed to melt out of sight in the dim distance, nor could Jimmie pick +her up again, though several times he thought he glimpsed her. + +Half an hour later, and the other boat had also passed from their ken, +swallowed up in the little wavelets that covered the surface of the +rapidly growing river; for they were now approaching the spot where the +mighty flood of the Missouri joined forces with the swollen current of +the Mississippi, to boom along toward the sunny land of Dixie. + +Then they came to where the great city of St. Louis stood. It required +considerable and careful maneuvering to pass safely among the various +river craft they found moving about on the Mississippi at this +important port; but Jack was a keen-eyed pilot, and knew just how to +handle his boat, so that they managed to get by without any serious +trouble, though whistled at by tugs and ferryboats as they bravely cut +along. + +The running time was pretty well up when they saw the last of the +metropolis of the Middle West. + +"One hour only, and then we must pull up, Jimmie," remarked the skipper. + +"'Tis mesilf that's glad to hear the same," replied the other, with a +wry look on his freckled face, and one hand pressing against his +stomach, as if to call attention to its flat condition; for they had +only eaten sparingly at noon. + +"You might be keeping a lookout for a harbor," remarked Jack; but not +with any great amount of animation. + +Truth to tell, he was wondering whether after all it paid to leave the +river and hide up one of those gloomy looking creeks, where all sorts +of dangers might be lying in wait. + +"I hope as how we don't have the same luck we had before," grumbled +Jimmie, who apparently had not forgotten the experience either. + +After that he was constantly on the job of looking ahead for signs of a +creek. + +"If we don't find the same, thin what?" he asked, when half an hour had +passed without any favorable result from his critical survey of the +nearby shore; creeks he could see in plenty; but none that seemed +navigable for a boat drawing as much water as their craft; and Jack +meant to take no chances of being held fast in the mud on a falling +river. + +"Why, we'll just have to stick it out, and anchor. But there's a point +below us that looks favorable, Jimmie, where the brush is heaped up on +a sandbar. Unless I'm greatly mistaken the signs point to a fair-sized +opening there." + +And just as Jack said it proved to be just what they were looking for. + +"This looks better to me," remarked the skipper as they turned in. +"Plenty of elbow room here. We can go up a little ways, and then +anchor right in the middle of the stream. We'll be free from the wash +of the big New Orleans and St. Louis packets, that nearly upsets our +little boat." + +"Yis," added Jimmie, "and just be afther sayin' how dape the water is, +Jack, me bye. 'Twould take a hobo with mighty long legs to wade out +here, and crawl aboord our boat." + +"All the same," replied the skipper with grim determination, "it's +another case of four watches during the night, of two hours at a +stretch." + +The mudhook was soon down, and good holding ground found. While Jack +busied himself rubbing up the faithful little engine that was serving +them so well, and afterwards poring over the maps of the river he had +secured for each pilot in the long race to New Orleans, the cook +wrestled with supper. + +It was a congenial task for Jimmie, and he often sang as he worked. +Jack liked to hear Jimmie warble, for he had a voice like a bird, clear +and sweet, though wholly untrained. + +"Another good day takes us below Cairo, and the mouth of the big Ohio," +Jack announced after a while; to which the cook added his blessings, +and hoped everything would run to their liking. + +It was five o'clock when they sat down to supper. Jimmie had spread +himself to some purpose on this occasion; that is to say, he had made a +fine stew out of some corned beef taken from a tin, the balance of the +corn, left from a previous meal, but removed from the can after +opening, in order to avoid danger of ptomaine poisoning, and a couple +of cold potatoes cut up into small pieces. + +Then he had also opened a can of peaches, to top off with; and they +also devoured the last piece of homemade gingerbread, carried from the +start. + +"This is simply great," observed Jack, as he sighed while looking at +his share of the dessert, as though doubtful regarding his capacity. + +But no such fears ever assailed Jimmie, who could run even Buster a +race when it came to doing "stunts" along the line of eating. + +"I wonder if there could be any other boat above us?" Jack ventured +after a little while spent in chatting, as night set in. + +"Sure, now, ye must have seen the same thing I did," declared the +other, quickly. + +"Do you mean to say you noticed that small piece of cotton waste +floating on a bit of board just at dusk?" demanded Jack, curiously. + +"I did that, and have been badgerin' me moind about the same iver +since. Truth to till, I was jist about mentionin' it to ye whin ye +spoke," Jimmie declared. + +"H'm. Well, I've been figuring it out this way. There's a distinct +current setting out of this big creek. You can see that by the way our +boat hangs with her bow upstream. All right. Then it stands to reason +that that piece of waste was thrown over at some point _above_. And +then again, it looks as if the other craft might be a motor boat, for +some one has been wiping the engine off. There was fresh oil on that +waste. I could see it passing off on the surface of the water." + +Jimmie fairly gasped in his great surprise. + +"Did I iver hear the loike?" he said. "Next ye'll be tillin' me the +kind of boat it is, I'm thinkin'. Looky here, Jack, ye don't guess now +that it could be that same dhirty craft that was spoken of in the +newspaper--the one as looked like the dear ould _Tramp_?" + +"Oh! there would hardly be one chance in twenty of that happening," +laughed the other. "Just think of both boats picking out this very +creek, of the scores there may be south of St. Louis? Oh! that would +be too funny for anything. It's just a plain motor boat, I reckon; and +those aboard don't want to make our acquaintance any more than we do +theirs. So there you are." + +Jack pretended to dismiss the idea lightly; but nevertheless it +remained with him during the balance of that evening, to give him more +or less cause for speculation and anxiety. + +At nine he bade Jimmie go to sleep, as he would sit up until eleven, +when he promised to awaken the other. So the Irish lad, confident that +no evil would befall them while Jack stood watch, curled up in his +blanket, and presently his heavy breathing announced that he had found +solace in slumber. + +Promptly at eleven Jack aroused him, and handing over the gun, with +positive directions that he was to be called if anything suspicious +arose, he in turn took to his blanket on the bottom of the cockpit of +the boat. + +Why, it seemed that he had hardly lost his senses when he felt Jimmie +shaking him. Just as before the Irish boy was whispering in his ear. + +"Wake up, Jack; there's a boat comin' this way!" was what he heard. + +"Why," replied the skipper, as he bounced up, "it sounds as if it might +be coming in from the river! I can hear the stroke of oars, a lot of +them, too." + +As the two boys poked their heads out of the canvas cover that served +as a tent over the open boat, they could easily see the advancing boat. + +"Glory be!" murmured the amazed Jimmie, "we're in a nice pickle, now, +Jack. Sure there's half a dozen of the gossoons, if there's one. And +by the powers, look at 'em heading this way, too! What will we do, +Jack? Lit me have the gun, if so be ye don't want to shoot!" + +"Wait!" replied Jack, sternly. "We'll see if we can hold them back +first. Perhaps, when they see that we mean business and are armed, +they may haul off." + +Nearer came the boat. It could now be seen that those who handled the +oars were trying to make less noise, as though desirous of not arousing +the sleepers they expected to take by surprise. + +Suddenly Jack called out as sternly as he could: + +"Stop there! or it will be the worse for you!" + +He also waved the gun that the starlight might glint from its barrel, +and show the men in the boat they were not unarmed. + +A man stood up in the bow of the advancing craft, and a heavy voice +shouted: + +"It's all up with you, men. You are known, and we demand you to +surrender in the name of the law!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +LEFT IN THE LURCH. + +The two young cruisers in the motor boat +could not say a single word when these +astounding words reached their ears. + +Meanwhile the other craft had drawn +quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out +the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to +be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly +discovered brass buttons. + +Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of +trick being played by cunning river vagrants +in order to catch the boys off their guard. + +Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering +to himself, as though he began to believe he +might be dreaming. + +"Don't think of offering any resistance, +you rascals!" continued the gruff voice in the +nearby boat; "because we're ready to give you +a volley. Take hold there, Grogan. Now +aboard with you!" + +A couple of burly men came sliding into the +natty little motor boat. Then lights flashed in +the faces of the two astonished occupants. + +"Say, they're a couple of boys, Cap!" +exclaimed the man who had grasped hold of Jack, +as the glow of his lantern illuminated the face +of the skipper of the _Tramp_. + +"Guess you've made a little mistake, +mister," remarked the boy, as calmly as he could, +for he was naturally more or less excited. + +"Hold on there!" bellowed the leader of the +expedition, as he started to clamber aboard; +"don't let up on 'em a minute, men! Just +remember the account said something about the +thieves being young chaps, with smooth faces. +This is the boat to a dot; and I reckon we've +got our men!" + +But even he was more or less shaken when he +came to look into the smiling countenance of +Jack Stormways. + +"Take a look around," he said, presently. +"Perhaps you may find the evidence we want, +and the plunder. These are the days of the +young men. I've known mere kids to +undertake jobs that long ago would have staggered +old professionals." + +While two of the men were upsetting things +in their eager search, the man who had been +called "Captain" once more turned to Jack. + +"Who are you fellows, where'd you come +from, and what are you doing here up this +creek?" he demanded, harshly, as though expecting +to scare the other into a confession of guilt. + +"My name is Jack Stormways, and his is +Jimmie Brannagan. We are on our way south +on a little race to New Orleans. There are two +other motor boats in the match, and a prize of +the Dixie silver cup falls to the winner." + +"Well, you've got that down fine, anyhow," +remarked the big officer, with what sounded +like a sneer. "Perhaps it's the truth, and again +it may be all hatched up to pull the wool over +the eyes of honest officers. What would you +think if I told you there was a thousand +dollars reward out for each of you if taken; and +five times that if the swag is found intact?" + +"I'd think some one was valuing me pretty +high, considering that I've never as yet done +anything to make it worth while capturing +me," replied Jack, pleasantly. + +His manner was apparently having an effect +on the burly officer, who again surveyed the +face of the boy by the aid of his own dark +lantern. The two men were all this while making +a sad mess of things in the boat, turning +waterproof clothes bags inside out, upsetting the +stores so neatly packed away in order to give +all the room possible, and making things look +"sick" as Jimmie afterwards observed. + +"What's that you've got, Grogan?" suddenly +demanded the captain, as he saw one of +the others looking closely at something he had +picked up. + +"A newspaper with something marked by a +blue pencil, Cap," replied the other. "And by +the powers, if it ain' an account of that +Waverly robbery, too!" + +Immediately the captain became severe +again, and shot a triumphant look at the boy, +even as he let a heavy hand fall on Jack's shoulder. + +"Say you so, Grogan?" he exclaimed. +"Hold it out here, so I can see. Well, now, +that looks like a find worth while. A paper +with a marked account of the bank robbery, +and in the possession of these innocent boys. +How would you account for such a thing, my +fine fellow?" + +"Nothing easier, Captain," replied Jack, +readily. "You never heard that we belong in +that little town where the paper is published. +I've been in that bank more than a few times +when over in Waverly on business." + +"Sure you have; ain't that just what we're +saying?" declared the man named Grogan. + +"Keep still, Grogan, and let me do the talking. +Go on, young fellow; tell how the paper +chances to come in your possession, and who +marked it?" the one in authority continued. + +"I suppose my father marked that with a +blue pencil, because he knew all of us would be +deeply interested. Besides, when we read the +description of the mysterious motor boat we +recognized that it was a ringer for my own +little _Tramp_ here." + +Grogan was apparently inclined to be +incredulous. While he dared not break in again +with any remark of his own, he took occasion +to sniff as loudly as he could, and in this +manner show his utter disbelief in the story given +out by the skipper of the craft they had boarded. + +"Then the paper came by mail?" continued +the captain, as he examined it again. + +"Surely," replied Jack. "One of my companions +got it at Quincy, where others received +letters; but this was the only thing for me. +You can see the creases plain enough, where it +was folded several times." + +"Yes," the other went on, cautiously; "it +has that appearance, though any smart chap +could do the same thing if he had his wits +about him. But I suppose you boys can easily +prove you are what you claim?" + +"Sure we kin!" spoke up Jimmie just then. +"Give me the chanct, and I'll show ye lots of +things to prove I niver had but the one name, +and that was Jimmie Brannagan." + +"There's another thing I just thought of, +Captain," Jack broke in with. + +"Well, let's have it then. For unless you +satisfy me that you're the parties you say I +shall consider it my duty to take this boat back +with me, and both of you boys in the bargain." + +"Let me have the paper, please," said Jack. +"Officer Grogan didn't look inside, or he might +have seen another article, marked with a blue +pencil too." + +"Look out, Cap," warned the suspicious +one; "mebbe he just wants to tear it into +finders [Transcriber's note: flinders?], +and destroy incriminating evidence." + +"Give him the paper, Grogan; I'll be responsible +for its safety," returned the captain, who +seemed to be drawn more and more toward a +belief in Jack's innocence; for there was +something in the clear gray eyes that met his gaze to +convince him that this lad could never be a +desperate criminal. + +So Jack turned the local sheet inside out. + +"There it is, Captain; please read it, and see +if you can believe what I told you to be the +truth," and Jack thrust the paper into the +other's grasp. + +"What's this?" exclaimed the burly officer, +as he read, "an account of a race to the +Crescent City, in which six young fellows, well +known to most of the readers of this paper, +have entered, the prize to be a magnificent +silver cup donated by Mr. Stormways, the father +of the skipper of the _Tramp_!" + +Grogan uttered a disgusted grunt, as if +keenly disappointed because apparently he had +made a dismal failure in trying to fasten the +robbery upon these two lads. Doubtless he had +been figuring on what he would do with his +share of the prize money, and hated to see his +rosy visions fade away so soon. + +"And this is that same little _Tramp_, sir," +continued Jack, pleasantly; "as you can see for +yourself if you take a look at the stern, where +the name is painted in gold letters. We are +unfortunate enough in having a boat that seems +to resemble the one supposed to have been used +in their flight down the river by the robbers. +But if you care to wait long enough for me to +get out some letters I have, I am sure you will +be convinced of our entire innocence." + +"Say no more, Jack," declared the captain, +heartily. "I'm satisfied right now that we've +been misinformed when told that a boat +answering the description of the one in which +those two yeggmen fled, was seen to enter here +this afternoon; and that two young men were +aboard her." + +"What time in the afternoon, Captain?" +asked Jack, quietly, though with a purpose in +the question. + +"The man who talked to me over the phone, +said he had arrived in the suburb where he +lived at four o'clock. He had been out in his +motor, and was crossing a bridge here when the +boat passed under, going up. He could not be +sure to the minute, but reckoned that was +somewhere around two p. m." + +Jack turned to Jimmie. His face shone with +eagerness, for a faint suspicion that had been +creeping into his head was now rapidly +becoming a certainty. + +"Tell the captain, Jimmie, when we came in +this creek," he said, quietly. + +"Twelve minutes till four, it was, sir," +replied Jimmie, promptly. + +"Oh! what made you take such exact notice +of the time, may I ask?" the officer went on, +curiously, though plainly interested. + +"We are compelled to make a memorandum +of our stoppings. The conditions of the race +forbid any boat to be moving south before +eight in the morning, or after four in the +afternoon. So I can show you in my notebook how +an exact record is kept of such things. It will +be figured on when the race is decided. We are +going by stations you see, Captain, that are +about two hundred miles apart. At each +station we wait for the slowest boat, and then +make a new start." + +"It was about four-twenty when the gentleman +called me up," observed the police officer; +"and he had a long way around to go after +leaving here. He could never have made it if +it was your boat he saw." + +"There's another thing, Captain," said +Jack, smiling. + +"Please let me hear what it is, my boy," +returned the other, eagerly now, for he was +beginning to comprehend that this was no +ordinary young chap with whom an error of +judgment had thrown him in contact. + +"Did the gentleman in the auto say that the +motor boat went _under_ the bridge at the time +he saw it?" Jack pursued. + +"That's just what he did say," replied the +captain. "Of course he only had one quick +look as his machine traveled over the bridge +crossing the creek; but even then it seemed to +him the boat had a familiar look. And then, +later on it suddenly dawned on him that it just +fitted a description he had been reading in a +St. Louis paper about the mysterious motor +boat of the bank thieves." + +"All right, Captain. We have not been up +as far as the bridge, as we anchored right here +when we came in. But, Captain," Jack +continued, earnestly, "both of us believed at the +time that there must be some sort of a motor +boat up yonder, for we saw a piece of oiled +waste floating down on a chip of wood, as if +some one had been wiping an engine, and +thrown it aside." + +"Well, what do you think of that?" exclaimed +one of the listening officers. "It beats +anything our best detectives could have done. +But say, Cap, I hear something moving close +by. There it is again! There's a boat coming +down, and being poled, too." + +"Turn your lights around that way, quick!" +cried the police captain, as though he grasped +the true significance of the sound. + +As the men did so the dim outlines of a motor +launch were discovered not far away, with one +man using a pole at the stern to hasten its departure. + +Jack understood what it meant, even as must +the officers; for as seen in the faint light from +the dark lanterns the strange boat was an exact +duplicate of his own little _Tramp_! + +"There they go, Cap! Sure it's the rascals +all right!" shouted Grogan, forgetting how he +had been so sure that Jack and Jimmie were +the guilty parties. + +Immediately the second man aboard the +other boat must have turned the engine over, +for there sounded a quick popping, and the +launch began to glide through the still waters +of the wide creek with increasing velocity. + +"Stop! Hold up, there! You are under +arrest!" bawled the captain, as he started to fire +a pistol he had snatched from his pocket. + +The man aboard the fugitive boat ducked; +and as the craft faded away in the darkness of +the night a derisive laugh came floating back to +the ears of the officers. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE SWIFT RUN OF THE TRAMP. + +"I reckon you pinked that feller, Cap!" cried one of the officers. + +"Not much," returned the disgusted leader of the expedition. "He only +dropped to avoid getting in the way of flying lead. They're gone, and +left us holding the bag." + +"If it hadn't been for these boys we'd a gone further up the creek, and +sure nabbed 'em," grumbled Grogan, sourly. + +"That isn't the fault of these boys," replied the captain, quickly. +"They had a right to stay here if they wanted. It's just our tough +luck to hit on the wrong boat. They must have heard something of the +rumpus, and thought it a mighty good time to clear out." + +"And all that long row back to town for nothin'," Grogan complained. + +"If I only had a fast boat I'd feel like following the rascals. Say, +boys, what's to hinder you taking us down river. Perhaps your little +_Tramp_ might overhaul the other craft, or keep them going till +daylight, when we could corner the yeggs?" and the captain turned upon +Jack with renewed interest. + +But the boy was not at all inclined to favor him. In the first place +it would break up the race, since the strict conditions must be +shattered. Then again their promise not to travel after dark except in +case of dire necessity stood in the way. And last but not least, Jack +did not much fancy having that disagreeable officer Grogan as a +passenger for hours at a time; nor did he care to be compelled to +remain awake. + +"Sorry, Captain," he remarked, pleasantly, "but the fact is I was +working at my engine when night came on, and it's not in condition for +immediate service. I expected to finish the job while my friend cooked +breakfast. So you see, long before I could get it to working that +sound would be lost, and we'd never raise it again." + +"Oh! well, if that's the case," said the other, with a quick look +toward the motor of the boat, which even his inexperienced eye could +see was in some measure taken apart, "I reckon we'll just have to call +it off, and make the best of a bad job. But you've interested me a +whole lot, Jack, and I hope you will win your race, my lad." + +"I'm not thinking much about that," replied the boy, "since the cup was +given by my own dad, you see. But I was wondering whether we might not +get in more trouble below because our boat happens to look like that +other one." + +"That's a fact, to be sure. Here," said the captain, as if struck by +an idea, "perhaps I might be of some assistance to you." + +He drew out a pencil and paper, and wrote a few lines, signing his name. + +"If any police officials bother you, just show them that, and tell them +if they want to call me up on the long distance phone I'll stand +sponsor for you." + +"Thank you, Captain, I will," and Jack gladly put the little document +away, hoping at the same time that it would never have to be shown. + +And so the disappointed officers clambered back again into their +rowboat, and started on the tiresome journey against the current of the +river. The last the boys heard of them was the grumbling sound of +Grogan's complaining voice. + +"Well, that was an experience, sure enough!" exclaimed Jack, as he +looked around at the confusion which abounded aboard the motor boat. + +Jimmie, who had lighted their own lantern when the police boat pulled +out, was already trying to get things in some sort of order, though +most of the work would have to be left until they had daylight to +assist them. + +"And would ye belave it, that sassy little boat was a lyin' beyant the +bridge all the toime we were here, an' us not suspectin' the same!" +Jimmie remarked. + +"But how slick they got away," observed Jack. "That chap with the pole +was bent on pushing her past without being discovered, while the other +had his hand on the engine, ready to start things with a rush. It was +a bold venture; and between you and me and the lamp post, Jimmie, I +rather guess the nervy chaps deserved to get off that time." + +"Bad luck till 'em," grumbled the other, "jumpin' aboord a gentleman's +boat like that, and turnin' iverything topsy-turvy, so that ye don't +know where ye kin foind a place to slape at all." + +"Oh! anything will do for the rest of the night. But you lie down, +Jimmie. It was just about time to call me anyhow, and I'll take my +turn on duty," saying which Jack started to arrange his blanket half +way decently, so that later on he could crawl under it again. + +The balance of the night passed without further alarm. With the coming +of the morning both boys were astir. Jack anxious to complete his +little job at the engine, and Jimmie, of course, just as desirous of +attending to the vigorous demands of the inner man. + +Promptly at eight the start was made, for they were to have a great +trip that day, unless some unexpected trouble arose to alter their +plans. + +The current of the river was now very manifest. Jack even ventured out +further upon the vast flood than at any previous time, wishing to get +all the advantage possible, so as to make Cairo before the hour came to +haul in. Both of them noticed a vast difference in their progress. +Even if the current were only a mile an hour faster there than close to +the shore, that must count considerably in their favor during the day. + +"It's moighty foine ridin' out here this way, I'm thinkin'," remarked +Jimmie, after they had been booming along for several hours on the +swift tide, with the little engine doing its prettiest all the while. + +"You're right," replied Jack, "though I'd just hate to have any +accident happen while it lasts. We're a long ways from shore, Jimmie, +remember." + +"But the swimmin's foine, by the same token," was the immediate +response of the ready-witted Irish lad, who never took trouble by the +forelock, believing there was always time enough for worrying after +things had happened. + +As had become their habit, they ate a cold lunch at noon, though Jimmie +hinted broadly that it might pay them to pull in closer to the shore, +and anchor, while he made a pot of coffee. + +The afternoon began to wane as they came in sight of Cairo on its low +point of land at the junction of the two great streams. + +"My sowl, whativer becomes of all the wather?" exclaimed Jimmie, as +they passed the mouth of the Ohio, and could see the great flood of +turgid water that was pouring into the Mississippi, there having +evidently been something of a rain to the eastward recently. + +"Oh! this is only a swallow to the ocean, Jimmie," laughed his comrade. +"Just wait until we get our first peep at that, and then talk." + +"Sure we same just loike a teenty chip on it all, and I'm growing +nervous, so I am," remarked the Irish boy, looking from side to side at +the heaving flood that was bearing the motor boat so swiftly on her way. + +"Well," returned Jack, soothingly, "if you observe you'll see that I've +already headed her in toward the shore on the left. That would be +Kentucky now; and somewhere between the junction and the ten mile mark, +as we can guess it, is our next station. I wonder if the _Wireless_ is +there, and has George grown sick waiting." + +The boat rolled considerably when Jack steered her slanting with the +current; but there was never a time when the young pilot did not have +her under complete control; and if a wave that was larger than ordinary +swooped down toward them he instantly changed the course so that it +followed behind, and would not strike the _Tramp_ on the counter, and +splash water aboard. + +In this fashion, then, they drew nearer the shore. Both boys were on +the lookout, for many crafts had been moving about on the water at the +confluence of the two rivers, though by degrees they left these behind +as they made progress down stream. + +"It's afther getting near our toime, I'm thinkin'," remarked Jimmie, +with a shrewd squint up at the sun, pretty well along down the western +heavens. + +"Yes, we have just enough to find some sort of a refuge for the night," +replied Jack. "You see the current is getting so swift now that it's +dangerous for a small boat like ours to anchor near the shore. When +one of those big packets goes past it draws the water off, and then +lets it come back with a rush. We might be upset, or thrown on the +rocks, and get smashed." + +"Thin it's us till a nate little cove, or a swate creek!" exclaimed +Jimmie. "Only I do be hopin' that this toime we run aginst no polace +officers or thaves. It do distarb me more nor I care to be waked up so +suddint loike, and arristed for something I niver did." + +On this occasion they were compelled to go a mile or so after the time +had expired, before finding what they sought. But it was worth the +penalty, both thought, as they pushed into the little opening, where +they could rest in peace, without the fear of an upset on account of +the "wash" from passing steamboats. + +They remained near the mouth of the creek as long as daylight lasted, +so that a watch could be kept, in order to signal either of the other +boats, should one of them heave in sight. + +But there was no such luck. Apparently neither had reached the third +station, for Jack had scanned the shore line for miles just before they +came in, without seeing any sign. + +That night passed without any incident of note; although Jimmie +insisted upon having an entry made in the log to the effect that his +first effort at flapjack making proved an elegant success, since not +one of the mess was left. But if the truth were told it would be found +that the cook himself accounted for something like three-fourths of the +number. And then he had the nerve to declare that he had made only one +mistake, which was in limiting the amount of flour used. + +"Looks like we might have a nice loafing spell over Sunday for a change +now," remarked Jack on the following morning when, having partaken of +breakfast, they moved down to a position nearer the river, where they +could use the glass to advantage. + +"Thin ye don't be sayin' annything of thim whativer?" asked Jimmie, who +was still wrestling with the various kettles and dishes used in +preparing and eating the meal, while his comrade swept the watery waste +with the marine glasses. + +"Nothing doing, as yet," replied Jack. "But perhaps in an hour or so +we may pick one of them up. Of course it stands to reason the +_Comfort_ is away up there somewhere. I only hope George didn't go on +down past here. After a while perhaps we'd better show ourselves +outside, and anchor there. If he is below he'll see us through his +glasses, and make signs." + +It was a long morning to the boys. By turns they went ashore to +stretch their legs, which were beginning to feel very much cramped on +account of the length of time they had been in the confined space of +the small boat. + +About two o'clock Jack sighted something that looked promising. + +"It's either a big alligator acomin' surgin' and heavin' down the +river, tryin' to drink up all the wather; or ilse it's that bully old +_Comfort_ swimmin' along, wid a bone in her teeth," declared Jimmie, +after he had had a turn with the glasses. + +Of course it proved to be the motor boat; and half an hour later they +caught the attention of those aboard, so that a reunion was speedily +accomplished. + +"But where's George, and poor old Nick?" asked Herb, as he shook hands +with the skipper and crew of the _Tramp_, while Josh got the mudhook +overboard. + +"That's what is beginning to worry me," admitted Jack. "I knew you +couldn't outrun us here; but they had a great send-off. Of course +something happened. It always will with that cranky speed boat and the +big horsepower motor it carries." + +"I warned George that sooner or later it would shake the plagued boat +to pieces," declared Herb. "Hope that didn't happen when they were +away out on that rearing, tearing flood, though. My gracious, how it +does rip along! Guess we could have made six or eight miles an hour +without using our engine." + +It was then after three. Another hour passed and not a sign of the +absent boat could they discover. Several false alarms caused a thrill +to pass over the four boys; but night finally drew near without the +hoped-for arrival of the _Wireless_ manifesting itself. + +And although they found a snug harbor in the mouth of the creek that +had proved so secure a refuge to the _Tramp_ on the preceding night, +none of the boys rested as well as they might. They were worried over +the strange absence of their two chums, and imagined all sorts of evils +as having overtaken the crew of the _Wireless_. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +IN A KENTUCKY COVE. + +"Turn out, you sleepy heads! The sun's coming up!" + +"That's Jack, of course," grumbled Josh, thrusting his tousled head out +from the curtains of the big launch, and digging his knuckles into his +eyes. "Say, have you been awake all night? Don't you ever sleep, +Jack?" + +All were soon astir, and preparations made for a meal. Jimmie, of +course, was keenly awake to the fact that he could pick up a few points +by watching the boss cook of the entire outfit; and hence he turned his +eyes toward the _Comfort_ many times while busy with his own duties. + +Jack and Herb took things easy, sitting in the bow of their respective +boats and swapping experiences. Of course both the others had been +deeply interested in the story about the descent of the police and the +daring escape of the mysterious boat manned by the two robbers. And +Herb never wearied asking questions concerning the thrilling events of +that night. + +When breakfast was finally a thing of the past, both boats were started +out of the creek. Finding a good anchorage not far distant, they +settled down for a wait, the length of which no one could prophesy. + +But Jack, after making preparations for an indefinite stay, electrified +the rest when he declared that he believed he had sighted the missing +launch far up the river and coming like a streak of light. + +It was no mistake, as the rest declared once they had taken an +observation. And when the lost boat drew near, such a dreadful clamor +as broke forth, both Jimmie and Josh blowing conch shell and tin horn +for all they were worth; while Nick did his best to drown them out with +his own battered musical instrument. + +"Same old story," laughed George, as they came alongside. "Don't rub +it in too hard, fellows. Breakdown right when we were doing the best +stunt of the trip. Only for that it would have been a record breaker +of a run between second and third stations for the _Wireless_. Gee! +but she can fly when she takes the bit between her teeth." + +"And gee! but she can bite though," grunted Nick, as usual rubbing his +haunches and putting on a most forlorn expression. + +"Well, what's the use of staying here?" remarked Herb. "It's now past +eight, and time we were on the move. It's just a picnic for Josh and +me. We sail along like a big house, and nothing disturbs us. Josh +cooks to beat the band; only I don't believe he eats more'n a bite each +meal himself." + +"That's where you're away off, commodore," asserted the other. "Why, +I'm feeling ever so much better since I started. If it keeps on I'll +soon be able to get away with my full share of the prog, as well as the +rest of you--all but Buster. I never want to run a race with that----" + +"Don't you dare call me a hog," cried the fat boy, pretending to get +ready to hurl a big spoon, which he was wiping, at the cook of the +other boat. + +"I didn't, leave it to the rest if I did. You're the only one who +mentioned the name at all," grinned Josh, ready to dodge behind his +skipper if necessary. + +It being decided to get away without further delay, the start was soon +made, and once more the three boats began their progress toward the +Land of Dixie. + +For a change George did not rush off immediately; nor did Jack put on +speed so as to leave the _Comfort_ behind. Truth to tell, they wanted +to chat some more; and talk of future plans when they should get +farther along in the journey. For by now it had been impressed upon +the minds of them all that "the worst was yet to come," as Jack put it. + +An hour later and George believed he had loitered long enough. + +"My boat is just itching to get a move on, fellows," he called out, as +he started to leave the others. "So by-by until we meet up again at +Station Four." + +"Good luck to you!" cried Jack, waving his hand after the speed boys, +one of whom looked anything but happy as he sat there with the life +preserver belted on, and his fat hand clutching the brass after rail. + +Presently Jack also considered that the pace was altogether too slow +for him, much as it pleased Josh and Herb. Far ahead they could see +the _Wireless_ looking like a speck on the tumbling waters. + +"Good-bye, fellows!" Jack called out as he too increased his speed, and +began to draw ahead of the big launch. + +"Off, too, are you?" laughed the easy going Herb. "Well, wait up for +us below. And I say, Jack, if you get the chance, you might grab that +nice fat reward that's out for the apprehension of the robbers. Five +thousand ain't to be picked up every day, I'm telling you. And what +with your great luck I believe it wouldn't be hard for the two of you +to do it. Good-bye! Good luck!" + +An hour later and those aboard the _Tramp_ could just barely make out +the last boat in the race. The _Wireless_ had long since vanished from +view in the hazy distance down-river way. + +"What are you thinking about, Jimmie?" asked Jack, as he saw his +boatmate sitting there with a queer look on his freckled face. + +Jimmie grinned, as though tickled with what was passing through his +mind. + +"Sure, I do be pityin' that poor Buster," he observed. "Did ye not +hear him tellin' how he longed so much to be havin' thim ilegant wings +of his durin' the six hours George was tinkerin' wid the ingine? It +was the chanct of his loife, so it was; and he says he would have been +sportin' in the wather all the toime, learnin' to shwim loike a duck, +by the same token. I've been wonderin' what he did wid the same, and +I've come to the conclusion that he swallowed thim wings!" + +"Oh! that's too much for me to believe, Jimmie," laughed his companion. +"Whatever put such an idea into your head?" + +"Becase he ates iverything he says. Josh is right whin he calls him a +human billy goat, so he is. I wouldn't put it past him, now," and +Jimmie shook his head in an obstinate manlier, as if to show he could +not be persuaded differently; so Jack did not waste time trying. + +As before, the day wore on, and with the coming of the hour which was +to mark the close of the run they began to carefully watch the bank as +they flew along, in the hope of discovering a friendly haven of refuge. + +These things may seem a bit wearisome, but they became an important +part of the daily program with the venturesome small boat cruisers, and +as necessary as partaking of their meals. + +Once more luck seemed to favor them, for after a long search Jimmie +discovered what seemed to be a series of little coves, in one of which +they could doubtless find water enough to float the _Tramp_. + +It was almost dusk by now, and they would have to deduct considerable +time from their balance sheet in making up the record for the day's +run, according to the conditions set for the participants in the race. + +"Think we can get in?" asked Jack of his mate; for Jimmie was in the +bow, using a pole to test the depth of the water. + +"Aisy it is, wid plenty of wather, and to spare," came the reassuring +reply. + +So, urging the boat gently on, Jack sent her over the bar and into what +proved to be a splendid little cove, apparently just made for a haven +of refuge to small craft, risking the dangers of the vast river flood. + +"Snug as a bug in a rug!" declared Jack, joyfully, as they came to a +stop in the cove, being able to run alongside the bank, which fact +would allow of their going ashore if they chose. + +Jimmie looked about him a bit nervously. + +"Sure it's mesilf is wonderin' if we'll have the luck to run slap up +against that other motor boat agin," he called out, as Jack happened to +be bending over the engine at the moment. + +The skipper made no response, as his attention happened to be taken up +just then with something that required a little work. But the words +had been spoken loud enough to have been heard twenty yards away in +that quiet nook. + +"I wouldn't shout so, if I were you, Jimmie," remarked Jack a little +later, as he came back to where the other was getting the tent ready +for erecting over the boat. + +"Why, who's agoin' to hear me, sure?" demanded Jimmie, at the same time +casting a nervous glance around at the heavy growth of bushes and trees +that bordered their little cove. + +"Oh! I don't suppose there's a human being within a mile of us right +now," admitted Jack, laughingly; "but all the same it isn't good policy +to tell all you know. Nobody can be sure there isn't some tramp lying +hidden in these woods. And we don't want company, you see." + +Frequently after that Jimmie would turn to glance around him, even +while he was building the fire ashore and cooking the supper over it +for a change. He could not get the warning of his boatmate out of his +head, and Jack noticed that for a wonder the usually merry and +light-hearted Irish lad made no attempt to carol any of his favorite +school songs that evening. + +They sat there by the fire a long while after eating. The night air +had grown a bit cool, for it was October, when the early frosts nip. +vegetation in the north; and even this far south the coming of night +brings a change from the warm day. + +And about nine o'clock Jack, feeling his eyes growing heavy, wondered +whether it would not be wise for them to turn in. They had concluded, +since everything seemed so safe, to try sleeping ashore for a change +from the narrow quarters aboard the little motor boat; and the blankets +were already lying in a heap; in fact, one served Jack as a means of +keeping him from coming in contact with the bare ground as he sat there +writing in his log book and figuring out the respective positions of +the participants in the race, up to that time. + +"I say, Jimmie," he began, when, looking around, he discovered that he +was alone, the other having crept away at some time while Jack was +busily employed. + +"Now, where under the sun did that boy go to?" Jack said to himself, as +he turned his head this way and that in the endeavor to see some sign +of the missing one. + +Presently he made another strange discovery. + +"Well, I declare, if he didn't take my little Marlin gun along with +him," he muttered, failing to find the weapon where he felt sure he had +laid it down. + +This gave him food for more serious thought. He remembered now how +Jimmie had been impressed with that chance remark of his about the +possibility of danger in the shape of concealed hoboes. Evidently, +unable to resist the temptation, Jimmie had silently picked up the gun +and crept away to make the rounds of their immediate neighborhood, his +design being to learn whether there could be any hobo camp near by. + +"Oh! well, I suppose I'll just have to sit here and wait for him to +come back, after he's had his little turn. A queer boy Jimmie is, and +inclined to be superstitious. Perhaps he's looking for a ghost right +now, or one of those banshee's the Irish people believe in. Hello! I +believe I hear something moving over there! Wonder if that's Jimmie +now?" + +Jack had arisen to his feet as he watched to discover what came in +sight. Although he might not have confessed to the fact that he was +excited, still his hand was trembling a little as he held back the +branch of the tree to see better. + +"Of course it's Jimmie. But what does he act that way for? Why is he +beckoning to me and holding a finger on his lips, just as if he'd taken +a turn to tell me not to call out. What has the boy discovered now, I +wonder?" + +Jack awaited the coming of his comrade, who was crawling along, looking +back every little while as though fearful lest he had been followed. + +"What under the sun ails you, Jimmie?" asked Jack, in a low tone, as +the other reached his side. "Have you gone clean daffy, and are you +seeing things that no decent, self-respecting boy ought to see?" + +"H'sh!" whispered the other mysteriously; and then after another quick +look in the direction from whence he had just come, he went on +hurriedly: "They're roight over there, Jack, me bye, both of 'em as big +as loife, wid the sassy little motor boat alongside in another cove; +and Jack, they belaves us to be officers of the law, come to take thim +till the bar of justice. I know it, becase I heard 'em talk!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +TURNING THE TABLES ON THE BANK ROBBERS. + +"Whew! that's stunning news you bring, Jimmie!" said Jack, looking +keenly at his companion, as if suspecting that possibly the other might +be imagining things. + +"I give ye my worrd of honor it's the truth, the whole truth, an' +nothin' but the truth," affirmed the other, raising his right hand in +the most positive manner. + +"You saw the men, then?" demanded Jack. + +"I was that clost till 'em I could have coughed in their ears, on'y I +didn't, d'ye moind," replied the returned scout, in that convincing +whisper of his. + +"And the boat--it looks like ours, does it?" continued the skipper of +the _Tramp_. + +"Two peas in the pod couldn't be more aloike. And sure, didn't I hear +the gossoons talkin' an' whisperin' atween thimsilves about us two." + +"You did?" exclaimed Jack, more astonished than ever at the sudden +daring exhibited by the Irish lad. "What were they saying, Jimmie?" + +"Jist as ye warrned me, thim smarties they do be hearin' what I called +out till yees about the other boat," replied Jimmie. "And that makes +'em decide we're in the employ of the polace, wid the intintion of +running thim to a finish. Glory be, but they're mad clane through, +becase a couple of boys dast chase 'em." + +"Mad, are they, and at us?" repeated Jack, as he began to gasp the +situation. "And do you happen to know if they mean to slip away again, +like they did a couple of nights ago?" + +Jimmie shrugged his shoulders in his knowing fashion. Probably he also +winked, though Jack failed to catch this part of the performance. + +"Wan of thim do be for slippin' off, and showin' a clane pair of heels; +but the other sames to be a wicked sort. He swipes his fist jist so," +making a furious gesture as he spoke, "and will be hanged if he goes +till he taches thim silly fools a lesson." + +"Meaning us, I suppose?" Jack asked, softly. + +"Nothin' else, me laddybuck. I heerd him say as how burnin' our boat +wouldn't be too harrd a job; or tyin' the both of us till the trees +here, and lavin' us to shout till we got black in the face. Ugh! he's +sure a divvle, all right, is that smooth-faced young thafe of the +worrld. And I'd loike nothin' betther than to be turnin' the tables on +him, so I would." + +"Well," said Jack, quietly, "perhaps you may, Jimmie." + +Jack Stormways was ordinarily a peaceful lad. All his schoolmates were +agreed on that score. And yet once he felt that he had been unjustly +treated he would fight at the drop of the hat. + +They had done nothing to injure these two young rascals; and if let +alone the chances were Jack would never have gone out of his way to +inform the public officials as to what he knew about the robbers of the +Waverly bank. + +But when he heard that they were planning to do him and his comrade an +ugly turn, something within seemed to rise up in rebellion. If they +wanted war to the knife they could have it. + +"Whirra, now, an' do ye mean that, Jack, darlint?" demanded Jimmie. + +"Of course we could escape by going out of this in the night. But I +object to running a dangerous river in the dark; and I also don't like +the idea of being chased out of a comfortable berth. So I'm going to +stick here a while longer; and try to give the other side a little +surprise, if so be they come across lots to bother us." + +"That's the kind of talk, Jack," Jimmie whispered, excitedly. +"Americans should niver turn their backs on the foe. I'm riddy to back +ye up in annything ye say. Do ye want me to lade the way to where they +sit clost by the wather where the other boat swims?" + +"Not at all," replied Jack. "If there's any aggressive movement made, +it's got to come from their side, not ours. Millions for defense, not +one cent for tribute, you know, Jimmie. Now watch me get busy." + +The Irish boy was filled with the most intense curiosity. For the life +of him he could not give the faintest guess as to what his companion +had in his mind. And consequently he watched every movement Jack made +as though eager to solve the puzzle. + +He saw Jack go aboard the boat, and when he came back again he seemed +to be carrying some extra clothes. + +"Fill up those trousers with dead leaves, trash, anything, so long as +you make them bag out and look like they do when on you. Then button +up the coat, and do the same with that. Do you catch on yet, Jimmie?" + +"'Tis dummies ye are afther makin', be me sowl!" gasped the other, as +he hastened to follow out the directions given him; and the grin on his +face told better than words could have done how splendid the idea +seemed to him. + +"I've done it when I went to boarding school," said Jack, softly, while +he worked, "and left it for the sophs to grab when they came to haze +me; but I never dreamed then I'd live to see the time I'd try the same +old trick on a couple of bank robbers!" + +It did not take them long to finish that part of the job. + +"Now," said Jack, "let's try and fix the dinky things under the +blankets so they'll look like a couple of greenies sleeping sweetly, +and dreaming of home." + +Again his genius for arranging little details came into play. Jimmie +was only too glad to turn over his dummy to the care of Jack; and it +was not long before it looked as though both boys were lying there, +lost to the world, with the fire burning cheerily close by. + +"Nixt!" chirped Jimmie, filled with the excitement of the thing. + +"We're going to hide, and wait for them to come. You hunt up a nice +fat shillalah that you can use on the head of one of our visitors when +they get here. Yes, that looks like the billy for you. And remember, +not a peep until I say the word: 'Go!'" + +"Yis, and thin?" demanded the eager one. + +"Tap the nearest fellow on the head, just hard enough to daze him, +mind. I'll be looking out for the other meanwhile, with the gun. And +I really hope he surrenders peaceably, because I'd hate to fill his +legs full of birdshot, you know." + +"Oh! what luck we do be havin', Jack, bye. Sure, iverything is comin' +our way, an' the others ain't in the swim at all; excipt that Buster +made wan plunge, and hild on till the rope. Where do we hide? Show me +the place, me laddybuck. Five thousand dollars the captain, he said, +Jack." + +"Hush! I'm not doing this for the coin, remember. These fellows have +nothing to fear from me unless they come hunting trouble. Then they'll +find it. People always do, Jimmie," Jack said, as he looked around to +locate the best place where they could hide, and still be within reach +of the spot. + +"Right ye are," chuckled the other; "and especially whin they run +aginst Jack Stormways." + +"Listen, Jimmie," the other went on. "I've just thought of something. +Look up, and you'll see that the tree is thick just above the place +where the two babes in the wood are sleeping so sweetly. Now, if one +of us chanced to be hiding up there, it would be the easiest thing in +the world to drop down on the back of the chap as he threw himself on +the dummy. How does that strike you?" + +Jimmie shrugged his shoulders. + +"If ye say the worrd, it's me that will climb up the tree, and lie low. +And sure they used to say Jimmie Brannagan was a born monkey all but +the tail, so they did." + +"Then climb now," said Jack, "and keep as quiet as a mouse there, or +sharp eyes might spy you. Remember, when I shout the word, drop like a +brick on the nearest fellow, and be sure you flatten him out, even if +you have to use the stick!" + +He watched the Irish boy mount the body of the tree and clamber out +along the limb that hung some ten feet from the ground, until he was +directly over the spot where the two motionless figures lay under the +blankets. + +"That will do, Jimmie. You are well hidden there. Quiet now, and +wait!" and with this whisper Jack left the open spot. + +In seeking a hiding place he had two things in mind besides +concealment. One was to keep close to the place where the fire burned +lower and lower, so that when the proper time came he could be there to +do his part in the program. The other lay in the line of keeping the +boat under observation, for fear lest the enemy creep aboard and cause +an explosion of some sort that would simply ruin them. + +The minutes passed slowly. Jack had to guess at the flight of time; +but it certainly seemed to have wings of lead. Still, an hour had +surely gone, and as yet all was still. + +He wondered whether Jimmie could have been mistaken about seeing and +hearing the two bank thieves? Jimmie had something of a vivid +imagination; but then Jack had never known him to make a blunder of +this sort. + +Ah! was that really a rustle he had heard just then? To tell the truth +it did seem to spring from the quarter where he expected danger to +appear. Jack raised his eyes for one last look at the hiding place of +his confederate. All seemed as peaceful as a dream in that direction; +and no one could possibly suspect that in the midst of that bunch of +foliage a brawny lad was crouched, ready to drop like a plummet when +given the word. + +Yes, the sound was repeated, and as near as Jack could make out it +seemed just what might be expected were an inexperienced person trying +to creep through a thick covert. These two fugitives from justice +might be exceedingly clever in their own field; doubtless they knew +everything pertaining to the art of blowing open safes in country +banks; but as woodsmen they had much to learn, ere they could crawl +through brambles without making a swishing noise. + +Jack held himself sternly in. When he found that his hand was +quivering more than he thought necessary, he mentally took himself +sternly to task and put a stop to such silliness, as he termed it. + +The wonderful command which he had always possessed over himself had +been the secret of much of his great success on the baseball field, +when the whole game hinged on a single ball which he had to deliver to +a heavy batter. And that batter usually struck out when the pinch +came, for he proved to have less stamina than the opposing pitcher. + +Now Jack could see the bushes moving, and knew that something was going +to happen in short order. He hoped Jimmie would be able to master his +end of the job without a blunder; for sometimes the Irish boy, no +matter how willing, had a peculiar faculty for doing the wrong thing. + +Jack had both the hammers of his gun drawn back, ready for business. +He remained as motionless as a stone when he saw moving objects creep +into the little opening alongside the cove in which the motor boat lay +moored to a couple of trees. + +Of course they were the two desperate rascals come to carry out their +design of injuring the boat of the lads they believed to be in league +with their pursuers, and possibly even harming Jack and his mate in +person. + +Several times they raised their heads to look around. Jack could see +their faces at such times, for the fire was not yet dead; and somehow +he fancied that the two were hard looking fellows, just of the stripe +one would expect to find ready to attempt some daring, lawless deed. + +Now they were crawling eagerly toward the spot where the blankets +covered the two forms. Then it must be their intention to first secure +the owners of the boat before attempting its destruction. + +Jack steeled his heart against anything in the shape of mercy: These +fellows were making the game, and they must take what was coming to +them without whining. + +No doubt of it but if the truth were told it would be found that Jack +was pretty white in the face about that time; but his teeth were +pressed hard together, and his heart knew no fear. + +Now they were close upon the dummy figures, and Jack got ready to give +the signal that would cause a movement above. But he expected to first +see the leap made, so that Jimmie would have a better chance to drop on +the back of his man. + +It was at this most intense moment, when Jack's nerves were all on +edge, that a sudden sound burst forth. + +"Ker-choo!" + +Jimmie had been almost choked from time to time with the smoke from the +fire, and as luck would have it he broke out in a loud sneeze just as +the two men jumped forward. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +"LUCKY JACK!" + +"Go!" cried Jack. + +And Jimmie went. + +Jack had seen the two men spring upon the blanket-covered dummies, and +knew the cheat would be instantly discovered. A delay of three seconds +just then would mean trouble all around. + +Had that unfortunate break on Jimmie's part come about earlier, it must +have played havoc with all Jack's cleverly arranged plans. But the men +were even in the act of jumping and could not stop to investigate just +then. + +Before one of them, who was wrestling with the blanket and trying to +sprawl all over the unresisting form beneath it, could grasp the +situation, bang! came a heavy body down between his shoulders, with a +force that made him grunt and flatten out like a pancake. + +"Hands up! You are under arrest!" shouted Jack, as he brought his +shotgun on a level with the head of the second man, just as the other +tried to scramble to his knees after learning of the cheat under the +blanket he had assaulted. + +Jack was taking a leaf from the police book, and applying it to +advantage. He knew just how thrilling those words had sounded in the +ears of himself and Jimmie and believed in passing them along. + +Jimmie, by the way, was engaged in rapping the back of his captive's +head with the stout little cudgel he had picked up. At the same time +he kept threatening to add to the force of the taps if the other showed +any inclination to resist. + +"Do you surrender?" demanded the boy who held the gun. + +"I guess we do. There don't seem to be anything else for us, the worse +luck!" growled the fellow who crouched there on his knees and stared +into the twin tubes of the threatening Marlin double barrel. + +"Then lie down on your face, quick now!" commanded Jack, who had been +thinking over what ought to be done in case they safely reached this +point; and had made up his mind. + +The desperate young bank robber hesitated. No doubt he was considering +whether he might not take Jack off his guard by a sudden shout and a +quick movement. And Jack guessed exactly what was passing through his +mind. + +"It wouldn't be safe for you to try it, let me tell you," he remarked, +assuming as much fierceness as he could. "I've got my finger on both +triggers, and this gun goes off mighty easy. You know what would +happen to you then. Roll over on your face, and don't stop to think +twice about it, either!" + +As usual Jack had his way. There was something convincing about his +method of argument that even this young desperado could not combat. +And so with muttered angry words the fellow dropped flat on his face. + +"Now, stay that way, if you know what's good for you," Jack went on. +"Jimmie!" + +"Yep! Sure I'm here, roight side up wid care, Jack, darlint," chirped +the other, temporarily ceasing his tattoo upon the head of his alarmed +victim. + +"Get out your cord," continued the leader, steadily. "Make him cross +his wrists behind his back. Then tie them hard together. If he tries +any funny business you know what to do; and do it so that he'll +understand what hits him, too." + +"Indade I will that. D'ye hear the captain, mister? Give us your +other paw, and do ye moind, I've me club handy to clip yees acrost the +cranium if so be ye show anny disrespict till the law. Now, aisy +loike, and the job's done. There ye are, and riddy for the nixt +prisoner!" + +Jack meanwhile kept the second fellow under his eye. Whenever the +rascal made the least movement, as though tempted to rebel against the +hard fate that had come upon him, a stern word from his captor was +enough to make him cringe again. + +So presently Jimmie mounted his back and treated him exactly as he had +done the first victim. When Jack saw the job completed he drew a long +breath of relief. The beads of perspiration stood out on his brow, +such had been the terrible strain under which he had labored while all +this action was taking place. + +"Thank goodness, it's done with!" he exclaimed, as he allowed the gun +to drop, and his muscles to relax. + +"And now what are we to do wid these beauties, Jack?" asked Jimmie, as +he also arose and stretched himself; for his long vigil among the +branches of that tree had, as he declared, "tied him all up in a knot." + +"Take them along with us and hand them over to the authorities at +Memphis, if we get no chance nearer. Suppose you stay here with them +just now, Jimmie." + +"While you drop over to the other cove and see what they do be havin' +in that motor boat of theirs," observed the Irish boy, cheerfully. +"Just as ye say, Jack. Ye know bist, and I'm riddy to folly orders. +But don't be too long, if ye plaise. It moight be lonely for me, I'm +thinkin'." + +Jack came back inside of fifteen minutes, during which time Jimmie had +sat there by the resurrected fire, holding the precious Martin, and +keeping a close watch over the two bound robbers. + +"Ye found it, all roight, I say, Jack?" announced the guardian of the +camp, as he noticed that his chum was "toting" a fair-sized satchel. + +"Yes," the other answered, "this holds the stuff they carried off, and +which Mr. Gregory, the president of that Waverly bank, will be mightily +glad to get hold of again. But I know now just why they were so +anxious to capture us." + +"They did be thinkin' we was sint afther thim, so I belaved," Jimmie +observed. + +"That may be so," said Jack; "but there was another reason. They had +need of our boat." + +"But, by the powers, they had wan jist as good; how could they use +both, Jack?" + +"Theirs has got a big hole punched in the bow, and must have hit a rock +just when they started to come into the cove. They had tried to mend +it, but I guess that's a job for a practical boatbuilder and not for +amateurs. We'll have to let it stay here, and take our prisoners along +in the _Tramp_." + +"So, that's the way the land lies, do it?" remarked Jimmie. "And whin +they saw us come in this same night, to be sure they made up their +moinds it was the finest bit of luck iver happened, changin' ould lamps +for new." + +Jack was not satisfied until he had examined the bonds of the two men +and made them additionally secure. He also tied their ankles together, +avoiding hurting them all he could, yet taking no chances, for he knew +he was dealing with desperate characters. + +The fellow whom Jimmie had flattened out like a pancake had nothing to +say, and seemed a gloomy customer. On the other hand, the second +prisoner made out to be a nervy, reckless, happy-go-lucky sort of a +fellow. He joked with the Irish lad, and pretended to be utterly +indifferent as to his fate. + +Still Jack distrusted him and meant to keep an eye on him pretty much +all the time, until an opportunity came to hand them over to the +authorities. + +It was now about midnight. Both boys were tired, but too excited to +think of doing much in the way of sleeping. So Jack laid out the +balance of the night in watches, and during the six hours remaining he +and Jimmie managed to pick up a little rest; though when morning came +both of them were feeling, as Josh Purdue would have said, "pretty +punk." + +They managed to get breakfast, and both of the men were fed after a +fashion, although the cautious Jack would take few chances of allowing +them to have their hands free. + +At eight o'clock the little _Tramp_ put out of the cove, and once more +breasted the brawling Mississippi flood that moved ceaselessly +southward. + +Jack kept near the Tennessee shore for many reasons. He wished to get +rid of the two prisoners as soon as he could, and meant to go ashore +when he came to the first good-sized town, where he had reason to +believe the captured robbers would be properly taken care of, and the +recovered valuables placed safely, awaiting the claim of the bank +authorities. + +On the afternoon of the preceding day they had heard many faint reports +as of guns. Jack had looked the matter up, and was inclined to believe +that these must be caused by duck hunters in the sloughs around +Reelfoot Lake. Occasionally they saw flocks of water fowl on the sand +bars; and Jimmie was wild for a chance to secure one for a meal. + +"All in good time," laughed Jack, as the other kept asking why he did +not try to pot some of the game. "We've got our hands full, as it is, +Jimmie. Just wait until we lighten our load, and then you'll find me +ready for sport." + +Truth to tell, Jack had too great a load on his mind to think of +pleasure. Until he had handed the prisoners and the plunder over to +the authorities he felt in no humor for fun. Nor might it be a wise +thing to have an empty gun along, even for a brief period of time. The +ugly way one of the men looked at him every little while kept Jack +constantly on the anxious seat; and he feared lest there might be some +unpleasant surprise sprung on himself and Jimmie. + +But noon came without their having made up their minds what to do. + +"We're getting close to Covington," Jack remarked, after a bit, when +Jimmie proposed that they have a cold snack. "And perhaps we can +lighten ship there. Anyhow, I've about made up my mind to land and +find out." + +"And perhaps we may be saved all the trouble, Jack, darlint," remarked +Jimmie, with one of his quizzical chuckles. + +This, of course, caused the skipper to lift his head and look down the +river. + +"Oh! you mean that that launch is heading for us; is that it, Jimmie?" +he asked. + +"Here, take the glasses, and ye'll see the glint of brass buttons +aboard the same," remarked the crew of the motor boat, holding out the +magnifiers as he spoke. + +Jack whistled, and then laughed. + +"Well," he said, "that's good news you are telling me, Jimmie,--for us, +I mean. Nothing could please me better than to be met half way by a +posse of police just now. We've got a little surprise in store for +them, I guess. But I'll have to go ashore after all, for I don't mean +to let that bag go out of my possession without getting a receipt in +full for all it holds." + +The launch was coming full-tilt for them. Soon it was so close that +they could see the several police officers who manned it, although they +were apparently trying to keep under cover as much as possible. + +Jack kept straight on for the other boat. He even tooted his whistle +several times as though in greeting. And presently the larger launch +came alongside. + +"Looks like the boat all right, boys," observed the man who was in the +bow, handling the wheel. + +"Yes, and the description hits these two young scamps to a dot!" echoed +another, as he laid hold of the _Tramp_ and started to clamber over the +side; when he suddenly paused, and stared at something he had +discovered in the bottom of the boat. "Hi! what d'ye think?" he cried. +"They've got a couple of fellers tied up here, neck and crop. Pirates, +all right, you better believe. And here's a bag that's got the loot in +it, I wager. Keep 'em covered, will you, till I slip the bracelets on." + +"Hold on, if you please, officer!" called a voice, as a gentleman in +civilian dress suddenly appeared at the side of the police boat. "I'm +afraid there's a little mistake here, after all. We've had a false +clew. I know these boys, and they're not the ones we're after." + +Jack stared, as well he might. + +"Why, hello! Mr. Gregory!" he cried, perhaps with hardly the reverence +he ought to show toward a bank president; but the astonishment of +seeing the gentleman away down here, so many hundred miles from home, +rather disconcerted him. + +"Yes, it's no other, Jack," replied the other, smiling. "They wired me +that perhaps if I hurried down I might be able to recognize the +valuable bonds that were stolen from our bank, in case they turned up. +We were told that a boat answering the description of the mysterious +one in which the robbers took flight had been sighted on the river; and +for two days now we've been watching. But it must have been your +little boat they meant." + +"Perhaps not, sir," said Jack, quietly. "There was another just like +mine, and we have run across it several times. In fact, the two +fellows who operated it are lying here right now; and that satchel +contains all the stuff they stole from your bank, Mr. Gregory." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE "WIRELESS" IN TOW. + +"What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Gregory, hardly able to grasp the +astounding news that Jack Stormways so modestly launched at him. + +"Why, you see, we camped in a little cove last night," continued the +boy; "and as luck would have it, these fellows had entered another one +close by. Seems that an accident had happened to their boat, so that, +with a hole stove in her bow, they could not go any farther. So they +figured on stealing our dandy little _Tramp_, you know, and leaving us +to hold the bag." + +The police officers looked at each other and nodded their heads, as if +to say they knew a smart young fellow when they saw one. + +"Yes, and naturally you objected to such a bold procedure, Jack, and +determined to turn the tables on them; was that it?" asked the bank +president, smiling broadly, as though he might be the happiest man in +the country just then. + +"Yes, sir," Jack made answer. "We set a little trap, and they tumbled +into it. So we tied them up, as you see, though we tried not to treat +the poor chaps too roughly while doing it, and have fed them as well as +we could. I found that bag, and we expected to go ashore at Covington +to turn the men and the property over to the right authorities. And +seeing that it's yours, sir, will you please take it off my hands? I +hope it's all there." + +While the boats drifted down-stream Mr. Gregory, with trembling hands, +opened the bag, and proceeded to hastily look over the papers. There +were some thousands of dollars in bank notes tied up in packages; but +he hardly gave these any attention, for the bonds represented the +solvency of his bank. + +"Good!" he presently cried, aloud; "I believe they're here, every one. +I'm the happiest man going right now. And, Jack, shake hands with me, +my boy. Your father will have cause to feel proud of you when I tell +him how you've acquitted yourself." + +"Don't forget Jimmie Brannagan, Mr. Gregory," said Jack. "He had as +much to do with it as I did. Now, don't you say a single word against +that, Jimmie, do you hear? And, Mr. Gregory, since you've got back +everything, please go as easy as you can with these fellows. They're +hardly more than boys, you see, and perhaps one more chance might be +the making of either of them." + +"That speaks well for your heart, Jack, although I'm afraid you're +mistaken in the matter. But I promise you to get as light a sentence +as I can for them. I ought to feel in a forgiving mood, for a terrible +load has been taken off my mind this day, thanks to you boys." + +"And how about that same reward we do be hearin' talk of, sir?" asked +Jimmie. + +"Jimmie!" exclaimed Jack, frowning; but Mr. Gregory only laughed. + +"He's quite correct, Jack," he said promptly. "Jimmie knows his +rights, and isn't afraid to press them. There was a reward offered for +the capture of the thieves, and a larger one for the recovery of the +stolen property. After you come back from this little excursion I want +both of you to drop over and call on me. I'll have something for you +worth while. Perhaps it may be an engrossed resolution of thanks from +the directors of my bank; and possibly it may be something more." + +So, after all, Jack did not set foot ashore at Covington when they +arrived opposite the place. The two prisoners had been transferred to +the police launch, with something more substantial in place of the +cords that Jimmie had wound around their wrists; and after each of the +officers had warmly shaken hands with the boys, Mr. Gregory gave them a +last grip, when the larger boat was turned in toward the bank. + +"Well, that was an adventure worth while!" remarked Jack, as he settled +down to look after his engine and hit up a livelier pace; for Memphis +was a long ways off, and that had been settled on as their next station. + +"I do be having to laugh whin I think of poor Buster," observed Jimmie, +with a broad grin on his good-natured countenance. + +"Why about the Hippopotamus?" queried the skipper, without looking up. + +"What d'ye suppose he will be afther saying now, whin he hears what +happened till us again? Didn't ye listen whin he said, 'Oh, splash! +nothin' iver happens till the wan of us save Jack and Jimmie!' And by +the token it do same to be thrue. We're the broth of boys that git in +the ruction ivery toime." + +"I wonder if Buster has been overboard again?" mused Jack, smiling at +the recollection of the tremendous splash the fat boy had made the time +he dropped into the Mississippi, and held on by the trailing rope. + +"I do be thinkin' ivery toime a big wave comes along; 'there's Buster +takin' wan of his headers again, and makin' the river quake!'" chuckled +Jimmie. + +So they beguiled the minutes while lunch was being prepared; which, +since it was only a cold one, did not take much time. Then they sat +and enjoyed themselves, while the _Tramp_ bustled merrily on her way, +and the speeding shore panorama interested them constantly, on account +of the changes taking place. + +Occasionally Jack consulted his maps, in order to find out what the +name of some town they were passing might be, and in this way locate +their position. + +"Will we make it, do yees think?" asked Jimmie, after one of these +periods of study on the part of the skipper. + +"I think so; I hope so," replied the other. "Because, you see, we +ought to pull up there and get ready for a fresh start. So far we've +done just elegant work; but there's no telling what trouble is waiting +for us below. The river gets bigger all the time, until there are +places where you can hardly see across to the low shore on the other +side. And those false cut-off channels will give us the time of our +lives, maybe." + +"Of course, ye ixpect that George will be waitin' for us all the while +at Memphis?" remarked Jimmie a little later, as he swept the watery +horizon to the south, and the shore line closer by with the fine +glasses. + +"Well, I suppose so," replied Jack. "That is, if he's managed to pull +through without another blowout or breakdown." + +"Sure, ye have another guess coming Jack, me bye, and that's no lie," +remarked Jimmie, a smile beginning to creep over his wide face. + +"Then you've seen something," declared the other. "Here, take hold of +this wheel and give me the glasses." + +He swept the shore line with a careful scrutiny. + +"I see him," he remarked presently. "And it's just as you said, +Jimmie; George is in a peck of trouble again with that cranky +high-power engine. They've tied up to the shore and have got the red +flag flying that was to be our signal of distress. Poor Nick; I can +just picture him right now, grunting over all the misfortunes that +haunt them, while the rest of us have had so little trouble. I'm +afraid he'll waste away to mere skin and bones yet." + +The _Tramp_ was soon headed for the spot where they could see their +comrades waving their arms wildly as if afraid the second boat in the +race might pass them by. + +"Same old story?" asked Jack, as he brought alongside and gripped the +hands of the forlorn shipwrecked travelers. + +"Rotten luck!" groaned Nick, shaking his head dolefully. "I'm pining +away, fellows, inch by inch. Why, my clothes are ready to drop off me, +I'm getting so like a scarecrow. Mebbe you don't believe me, but it's +a fact. And I'm that nervous I keep quivering all the time like +a--a----" + +"A bowl full of jelly;" burst out Jimmie. "Sure, I do belave ye, +Buster. And as Jack and me sail along so cheerful loike, me thoughts +often fly till ye, and I fale that only for that stubborn will ye'd +have gone and given up long ago." + +"What's wrong this time, George?" asked Jack. + +"Oh! everything now," replied the disgusted skipper of the _Wireless_. +"No use in my trying to tinker with the job. It will take a practical +machinist to overhaul the plagued contraption. I guess you'll have to +give us a tow to Memphis, where I can put a man to work getting this +engine in some sort of shape." + +"All right!" Jack exclaimed. "And the sooner we start the better, if +we want to make it before dark. Get a line out, and we'll fasten to +this cleat at our stern. Then we can talk as we move along; because +Jimmie and myself have got a lovely little fairy story to tell you, to +pass away the time." + +Nick looked at the others suspiciously. + +"Now, what's been coming your way, I'd just like to know?" he grumbled. +"Never saw such luck as you have in all my life. 'Tain't fair, that's +what. Here I have all the tortures, the scares and the duckings, too, +when I've lost my swimming wings; and you fellows gobble everything +that comes along in the way of fun." + +"Sorry," laughed Jack; "but they will keep piling these things upon us. +We have nothing to do with it at all, Buster. Only when it happens, we +just have to get out of the hole the best way we can, you know." + +"I just bet, now, you've met up with them old bank smashers again. +Look at 'em grin would you, George. Ten to one they grabbed the +fellers and recovered all that fine boodle we read about! It would be +just like Jack's luck!" + +"We did that same, thank ye, Buster," said Jimmie, assuming a proud +attitude, with a hand thrust into the bosom of his coat, and his chest +thrown out. + +"They did!" shrieked Buster, falling back. "Do you hear that, George? +Ah, me! why was I born under an unlucky star? Get busy now, Jack, and +tell us all about it. Next to being a hero myself I like to hear about +you doing big things. Reel off the yarn now, and don't you dare hold +back a single thrill." + +Of course the other boys were deeply interested in what Jack had to +tell. They stopped him many times to ask questions, under the belief +that he was not going deeply enough into details. But finally the +story was told. + +Toward four in the afternoon they began to realize that they were +drawing near a large and busy city on the eastern shore. Boats could +be seen upon the river, and cotton began to be in evidence everywhere. + +"This is Memphis, all right," said Jack, as he looked through the +glasses at the buildings on the high bank of the river. + +"How long will we stay here?" asked Nick, who had some idea on his +mind, as the others readily understood from his abstracted manner. + +"A day or two," replied Jack. "All depends on how long it will take to +have the _Wireless_ engine overhauled thoroughly; and then you know, we +have to wait until the other boys drop along. They may get here +tomorrow. But what do you ask for, Buster?" + +"Why, I was thinking that perhaps I might be able to find a pair at +some store here. They would be apt to keep such splendid life saving +things, I guess," replied Nick, anxiously. + +"A pair of socks?" asked Jack, pretending not to understand. + +"Sure, 'tis a pair of oilskin pants he manes," cried Jimmie. "Didn't +ye say how the wans he had on filled out wid air the toime he wint +overboard. 'Tis ilegant loife presarvers they make whin naded!" + +"Oh! quit your kidding, fellows!" said Nick, in disgust. "You know +what I've been shy on all this blessed trip. A pair of wings; not +angel wings, but canvas ones, to keep a new beginner swimmer from +sinking. I tell you I'd never lost all this flesh with worry on this +cranky, wobbly boat if I'd known I had those jolly things along. I do +hope I'll find them in Memphis." + +"You just bet I do," declared George, with a sigh. "Because I've heard +nothing else all the journey but your whines about those pesky missing +silly wings. Get a whole dozen sets if you can, Pudding, and it'll +make you any happier. I'll stand the bill, for the sake of the peace +of mind it brings." + +"That's just the way he goes on, fellows," said Nick, pretending to +look deeply injured, but slyly winking at Jack. "I never can make a +peep but what George comes down on me. I'm afraid he's getting +dyspepsia. What do you think, why he even began to complain of my +cooking." + +George made no verbal reply, only pressed both hands across his +stomach, and looked forlornly at the skipper and crew of the _Tramp_, +who shouted with laughter. + +And in this fashion, with the derelict _Wireless_ bobbing behind, they +finally drew up at the wharf in front of the Memphis levee, where a +score or two of black roustabouts and loungers flocked around them to +look with evident delight upon the two neat little cruisers from the +north. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +SIGNS OF THE SUNNY SOUTH. + +"Me for a good juicy beefsteak for supper tonight!" exclaimed Nick, +after they had found a boatbuilder's establishment, in the enclosed +yard of which they could spend the night, their two crafts safely tied +to spiles alongside a little wharf. It had been an understood thing +that, as a condition of the race, no participant must be guilty of +spending a single night under any but a canvas roof. Thus unless in +case of sickness, they must not take shelter in a house of any type. + +Consequently each night must be spent either aboard their respective +motor boats, or on shore, with the canopy of heaven for a roof. + +"Well, for once I'm with you, old chap," grinned George; "and since +you're such a good judge of prime steak, I appoint you a committee of +one to go forth and forage. But remember that it ought to be an inch +thick, and a yard or two long! That's the way I feel right now about +it." + +"Count us in on that deal, too," remarked Jack, looking toward Jimmie, +and receiving a quick affirmative nod. "Duplicate the order. And +while you're about it, Buster, bring a couple of quarts of nice white +onions along." + +"Oh! my, you're just making my mouth water!" cried the deputy, working +his jaws in an energetic fashion. "Why, I've been half starved on this +trip, up to now, and something desperate's got to be done soon, if you +want my folks to recognize me when I get back home." + +"All right," said George promptly. "Just you drop that plagued cook +book overboard the first chance you get, and take a few lessons from +Josh. Then we'll have something that's fit to eat. Just make up your +mind that I'm going to stand over you when this royal steak goes into +the pan, and see that it's done right." + +Accordingly Buster was dispatched to market for the party. He made a +fairly decent job of it too; at least they certainly did seem to enjoy +the steak and onions amazingly; and George even condescended to admit +that, under the lash of his reproaches Nick was improving in his +cookery. + +"I begin to have hopes of you, Buster," he said, as he lay back after +disposing of his fourth helping, unable to accept the last bite offered +him by the fat boy, who was himself stranded. + +"Thanks. I believe myself I am beginning to pick up some. Seems to me +I weigh a pound or so more than an hour ago," grinned Nick, sighing as +he contemplated the small remains of their feast, "though I do hate to +see things go to waste." + +"You may say that," remarked George when Buster made such a remark; +"but I don't believe it, judging from the smug way your belt hugs you +just now. I rather think you are fond of seeing things go to waist." + +So they sat around and joked as the evening advanced. And the night +passed without any disturbance; although it was a little odd for them +to be so close to a city, and hear the various sounds that floated down +to them in their enclosure below the bluff. + +With the coming of morning they were up betimes. Breakfast taken care +of in a little more elaborate manner than customary, on account of +having more time, they considered what they should do waiting for the +coming of the _Comfort_. + +George set out to interview the boat builder, and have a mechanic get +to work on his engine without delay. Nick on his part declared he had +business in town, and would ask for any mail that might be waiting for +the party at the general delivery. + +They could give a pretty good guess that the fat boy still had the idea +of hunting up another set of those swimming bags, which he hoped to +fasten to his shoulders in times of need. + +He came back when it was toward noon. One look at his despondent face +told Jack the stout lad had met with a grievous disappointment. + +"Nothing dong, eh, Nick?" he asked. + +"A rotten old town, that's what," grumbled the other, as he disgorged +what mail he had fetched with him. "Been to every sporting-goods +establishment in the whole of bally old Memphis. What d'ye think, most +of 'em didn't know what I meant when I asked for swimming wings? They +looked like they thought me loony. One place they used to keep 'em; +but the man said that the boys along the river learned how to swim when +they was kids a year old, and nobody had any use for such silly things; +so he dumped the last pair he had in the ash bin. Just think what +measly luck! That was only two days ago. See what I missed by your +old machine breaking down on us, George. I might have had that bully +pair." + +"I was thinking," said Jack, with a smile at the forlorn expression on +his fat chum's face, "why you didn't depend on that cork life +preserver. You couldn't sink, and if you flapped pretty hard I think +you could learn to paddle after a bit." + +"Oh! do you really think so, Jack?" cried the sad one, his face +lighting up with a new hope. "It's awful good of you to crack your +brain thinking up such a bully idea for me. And how silly that I never +once jumped on that plan. I'm going to try it the very next time our +engine kicks up a shindy, and holds us up." + +"Well, you've got another think coming then," burst out George. "For +this machinist assures me that after he's through with the engine it +will run as smooth and regular as--well, that Old Reliable in the +_Comfort_. + +"What's the matter wid ours?" burst out Jimmie, his fighting blood up +at once. "Sure, we've niver had wan bit of throuble up till now." + +"Oh! all right. Consider yourself kicked then, ditto, Jimmie," laughed +George. + +At three p. m. the _Comfort_ was sighted, sailing along on the current +"like a big ship," as Nick declared. The conch shell lured the third +crew ashore, and once more the party found itself intact. + +Herb and Josh had no thrilling adventure to relate. Their voyage up to +date had been a most uneventful one. And how they did listen with wide +open eyes when Jack modestly narrated the astounding event that had +overtaken himself and the crew of the _Tramp_ since last seeing the +others. + +"It beats the Dutch," complained Josh, as the story was completed, "how +some fellers are lucky. Why, we've got all our lightning rods out, but +never a thing happened. We go sailing along like a duck in a mill +pond; and it's nothing but cook and stuff with Herb here. I'm sick of +the sight of grub, that's what." + +"That will do for you," spoke up his skipper. "You know you've begun +to feel like a fighting cock, so you said. And Josh, you ate twice as +much the last supper we had as I ever knew you to before. I wager that +before this trip is over you'll be rid of that feeling of indigestion +that's been troubling you so long." + +"That's right," declared Jack, cheerfully. "Nothing like a life in the +open to tone a chap up, give him a sharp appetite, and make his food +agree with him. Why, Josh, the fact is you look a hundred per cent +better right now, don't he boys?"' + +"Sure he do that," said Jimmie, readily. "Look at the color in his +cheeks. And, by the powers, his eye shines like it niver did before. +Josh, ye're going to be a well man in a few days more, and kin ate a +house widout falin' it, so you kin." + +The machinist, under the spur of double pay from the impatient George, +made it a one day job. True, he had to stay after dark to finish; but +the boys gave him his supper; and before bedtime came he pronounced the +engine of the speed boat as in "apple-pie" shape. + +So after all they had not lost much time. Indeed, as it would have +been out of the question to have started at the hour the _Comfort_ +arrived, Jack declared that they had no reason for complaint. + +Promptly at eight on the following morning they set out. It was +cloudy, and looked as though it might rain before the day was done. + +George, anxious to test his rejuvenated engine, shot away at full +speed, and as usual they lost him in the distance. Still, Jack had a +suspicion that the skipper of the _Wireless_ would not be apt to try +for a distance record on this day, as he had done in the past. + +They had talked with many negroes and whites while stopping at Memphis. +The machinist had taken a keen interest in their race; and tried to +give them all the information in his power about the lower Mississippi, +between Memphis and Vicksburg. As he was something of a duck hunter he +knew considerable about the flooded sloughs skirting the wide river. + +He had also hinted about a disturbed condition among the planters. +They were having an unusually great amount of trouble with vicious +characters, mostly blacks; and several lynching bees had taken place +within the preceding fortnight. + +George had listened to these stories, and made no remark; but somehow +Jack had a little suspicion that from now on the skipper of the speed +boat would try to make it convenient to halt sooner, so as to allow the +_Tramp_ a chance to overtake them. Company under such conditions was a +big part of the enjoyment; and George was, to tell the truth, a trifle +timid when it came to trouble from human sources, though reckless in +other regards. + +Several times during the day Jack took occasion to land on various +pleas; so as to have a few words with people they saw gazing at them +with open mouths. He even asked questions too, and learned that a +reign of terror did actually exist through the country to the south, +bordering the big river. + +And hence, it caused Jack to smile when just about half-past three he +and Jimmie heard the well known signal blast upon a horn, and looking +ahead saw Nick standing on a point of land, beckoning wildly. + +"Just what I expected," said Jack quietly; but he did not take the +pains to explain what he meant to his boatmate. + +So the _Tramp_ headed in, to find that there was indeed a creek back of +the jutting point, and that the _Wireless_ was snugly moored to the +shore there. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +BUSTER TAKES HOPE. + +"Hello!" called Jack, as he discovered George standing ashore near his +speed boat, waving a hand at him. "What's all this mean? Had another +breakdown already, after that dandy job done to your motor?" + +"Shucks! No. Engine seems to be working to beat the band. But the +fact is, Jack, I'm getting tired of camping with only a cemetery for +company. Nick can't think of anything but eating; and those plagued +old wings he misplaced somewhere just before we started on this run. +So I made up my mind I'd hold up at this fine camping site, and spend a +night with you fellows." + +"Yes," cried Nick, as he came bustling along, "and you'll be glad we +held up, too, when you set eyes on the bully little smoked ham I bought +from a coon this afternoon. I told George it was a shame some of the +others couldn't be along to enjoy a slice; and do you know, he took me +up like a flash, saying he'd been thinking the same thing. So when we +ran across this place we drew in." + +"What time was that, Nick?" asked Jack, smiling. + +"I asked George, and he said half-past one," replied the fat boy, +hastening to get out his prize smoked pork and exhibit the same to the +admiration of Jimmie. + +"That so? Well, you did make fast time of it," remarked the skipper of +the _Tramp_. "No use talking, George, that engine of yours does the +trick; if you can only depend on it from now on, the cup is going to be +yours for a dead certainty." + +"Barring some accident, such as being upset in the big waves from +steamboats," remarked Nick, shaking his head dubiously at several +recollections that did not seem to give him much happiness. "My! you +don't know just how we wallow, and nearly flop over on our beam ends at +such times. I think I lose six ounces of flesh every narrow escape we +have from swamping; and I keep wishing I had----" + +"Stop right there!" shouted George. "Didn't I say I'd jump you if you +ever gave another peep about those blessed things. Use the wings +nature gave you the right way, and you'll swim like a goose. Why, you +just _couldn't_ go under. You'd be like an empty bottle with a cork in +the neck, floating around." + +Jack and Jimmie were laughing heartily at this little passage between +the nervous skipper of the speed boat and his plump crew. But Nick +made no answer, only looked reproachfully at George, as though +wondering to what lengths his ingratitude would take him. + +A short time later the others were astonished to see Nick come forth +from the interior of the _Wireless_, upon which the tent had been +erected, disrobed, but still wearing the cork life preserver about his +body. + +The air was none too warm, for it was now about the start of November; +but evidently Nick had made up his mind to put into practice the idea +Jack had advanced, and over which he had evidently been brooding the +live-long day. + +He stepped into the water, drew his foot up as if its coldness chilled +him; then with a firm look on his fat face, pushed on until he was +waist deep. Then he turned an appealing look toward Jack, which the +other could not find it in his heart to resist. + +"All right, Buster," he called out, waving his hand encouragingly. +"Just wait five minutes, and I'll be with you. Perhaps a little +ducking may be a good tonic, and make us enjoy that fine home-smoked +ham you grabbed." + +Jimmie was ready to follow suit, but George declared he did not feel +any too warm as it was, and for one, hardly cared to take a bath. So +he busied himself in getting various things ready against supper time. + +Jack was an obliging fellow at all times. He realized that this notion +of learning how to swim had become the one dominant idea in the +obstinate mind of the fat boy; and that the sooner he started to take +lessons the quicker they would have peace. + +Besides, now that the motor boat boys had organized a regular club, and +expected to take numerous excursions on the water, it was only right +that every member of the organization should know how to save himself +in case of a spill. + +And so he willingly started to show Nick how easy it was to float in +the still waters of the lagoon; also what little effort it required to +kick his feet and swing his arms in a way to make forward progress. + +George occasionally stepped to the bank to watch operations, and call +out various things, sometimes sarcastic and again complimentary. + +"Bully boy!" he yelled after seeing Nick actually keep himself afloat a +whole minute amid the greatest splashing ever known. "You're getting +it down fine, old chap! Keep going next time. Never mind if you use +up all the water in the lagoon. Plenty more in the river, you know!" + +Nick felt much encouraged, and that was half the battle. + +"I'm going to keep at it every chance I get, till I've mastered all the +kinks," he declared enthusiastically a short time later, as he came out +and began to rub himself industriously with a towel. "Yes, siree, +before this cruise is over I'll know how to swim even if I did lose +them----" + +"Beware!" thundered George. "It's as much as your life is worth to +breathe that name again. From this time on you talk about cork aids to +swimming. And I reckon that I'm just going to be pestered to death +after this with whines, because I won't stop the boat every few miles +to let this elephant disport himself in the water. Next trip we take, +my man, it's you to the _Comfort_, hear?" + +"Oh! I'd made up my mind to that long ago," replied Nick, coolly; +"that is, if Herb will take me, and Josh wants to try balancing himself +on an apple seed. Somehow I just don't seem to fit aboard a speed +boat. I need elbow room." + +The night coming on, they started supper. Of course, it was to be +cooked ashore, for even the ardent lover of the narrow-beam boat +admitted that cooking was a most serious problem aboard such a cranky +craft, and he would be only too glad to make use of the camp fire that +had been kindled. + +Jimmie and Nick busied themselves, as they were supposed to be the +cooks of the two racing craft; but the others were not averse to +lending a hand at times. In this manner then, the meal was made ready; +and had a hungry wanderer come within fifty yards of that spot just +then he must have sniffed the fragrant odors of frying ham and boiling +Java coffee until he would be almost distracted. + +The four lads sat around the fire while eating, and laughed as they +spoke of the many things connected with the cruise thus far. + +"Wish the others could only happen along just now," remarked Jack. + +"That would be nice," admitted George. + +"Why, yes," came from Nick, always thinking of his pet subject; "it +wouldn't be very much trouble to cut a couple more slices off that ham, +and slap it in the frying pan. Kind of wish now, myself, I'd cooked a +teenty bit more. Just feel as if a few more mouthfuls would finish me." + +The others looked at each other and roared; for certainly Nick had +devoured as much as any two of them; and seeing that Jimmie was a good +feeder that was surely "going some," as George put it. + +It felt so "comfy," Nick remarked, sitting there by the fire, that none +of them seemed very anxious to go aboard and seek their beds. The sky +was still clouded over, and the moon, now in its first quarter, hidden +from view; which prospect of rain kept them from thinking of passing +the night ashore, as they might have done had the heavens been clear. + +Finally, however, Nick himself began to yawn in a manner that told how +heavy his eyes were getting in the heat of the fire. + +"I just hate to crawl in there, fellows," he grunted, as he slowly +arose to his knees, for it was always an effort for the fat boy to get +up, after sitting. "Makes me feel just like I'm in a coffin, to lie in +such narrow quarters. Why, I tell you, the skin's clean off my hips +and shoulders with rubbing against the sides of the boat. I'm going to +be a physical wreck yet, that's what." + +"Well, if you get used to it now, you needn't worry when the time comes +to leave this old world," was all the satisfaction George gave him. + +Jack lay there smiling, as he watched the fat boy heave, and finally +plant one foot on the ground preparatory to getting up. He was never +tired studying Nick, for he had an idea the other was not altogether so +stupid as he seemed; but that he carried on at times just to tease +George. + +And as Jack continued to watch, he saw Nick give a sudden start, while +his hands shut in a nervous way. At the time he was apparently looking +beyond the fire, and toward the neighboring woods; for they were +camping in what seemed to be a lonely place, possibly miles from any +human habitation. + +Apparently Nick had seen something, or he would not have given that +start. Jack immediately sat up and took notice. + +"What's the matter, Buster?" as asked, quickly; and both the others, +hearing what he said, also started up. + +The fat boy turned his head around. Signs of great excitement could be +seen in the working of his facial muscles, as well as in his staring +eyes. + +"Good gracious!" he exclaimed, "it's a bear, fellows, as sure as you +live!" + +"What?" ejaculated Jack, as he made a dive for the Marlin, which he +had, of course, taken ashore with him; while George also looked hastily +around to see where he had laid his rifle. + +"Where did you see it?" demanded Jack, gaining his feet. + +"It's right inside that big live oak yonder!" cried Nick, pointing a +trembling finger as he spoke. "It must be hollow, because I saw the +beast poke his old head out. He ducked back again like fun when he saw +me looking. A bear, fellows! Just think how many steaks he'd give us, +if we bagged him!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +ERASTUS, THE HOUSEBURNER. + +"Hold on, George," said Jack, as he saw the impetuous one start toward +the big tree that had such a profusion of low branches that it was hard +to see distinctly under its canopy. "Go slow now. A bear may turn out +to be a dangerous article if you only wound him." + +"But we ought to get him!" declared the other, handling his repeating +rifle eagerly. + +"That's right," cried Nick, from the rear, where he had picked up a +billet of wood and was making several vigorous passes through the air, +as if getting his muscles in trim for the combat. "It would be a shame +to lose the opportunity for unlimited bear steaks. I've always wanted +to taste one; and you know we may not get another such chance. Why, he +just wants to get in our frying pan; that's why he's come so close to +our fire, fellows." + +"Keep still," ordered Jack; and when he spoke in that way Nick knew +better than to disobey. + +The fact of the matter was, Jack had a strong suspicion that while the +fat boy may have seen _something_ at the time he did, it could hardly +have been a bear. He did not believe such a wary animal would have +remained so long close to where a bunch of noisy boys had camped. And +if he had been sleeping in the hollow of that big live oak he must have +been scared away long since. + +"Jimmie, throw a lot of fine stuff on the fire," said Jack. "We want +more light here. That's the ticket," as the flames shot up, and the +whole vicinity was illuminated. "Now, George, you keep close to me, +and we'll advance until we can see if there's anything doing." + +Jimmie snatched up a burning brand from the fire, and waving this above +his head, he kept behind the two who had guns. + +"That's a clever stunt, Jimmie," remarked Jack; and the others noticed +that his voice did not seem to tremble a single bit, so well did he +have his nerves under control right then. + +"Guess it's all a fizzle," grunted George presently. "I can see behind +the tree, and there's no bear there. Buster, you're a fraud." + +"No, no, I'm dead sure I saw something that looked like a bear's head," +said the other, vehemently. "Perhaps he's hiding inside the tree, +fellows?" + +At that George laughed harshly. He was still trembling from excitement. + +"Well," he observed, "there's is a hollow in the tree all right; but +the opening ain't over a foot across; and it would have to be a mighty +thin bear that could push in or out of that." + +"Wait," said Jack, quietly. "There may be a way to prove whether +Buster has been fooled, or if he did see something." + +He took the torch from Jimmie, and immediately pushed right on under +the drooping limbs of the wide spreading oak. + +"Oh! he's going to look for the tracks!" cried Nick, still hugging the +neighborhood of the fire. "That's a bright idea, Jack. You're the +swift thing, all right. But take care he don't jump out on you. I +thought I saw something move right then. And if we don't get them bear +steaks I'm going to be mighty sorry, that's what." + +Jack paid no attention to what the other said. Already he was stooping +down, and examining the earth, as he held the blazing torch close. + +"Any bear sign?" asked George, who stood guard over him, rifle in hand, +and dividing his attention between what Jack was doing and the +surrounding gloomy woods. + +"Not a bit," came back the ready answer; "and as I've seen the tracks +of a bear more than once I think I'd know such a thing." + +"Told you so," declared George, in a disgusted voice. "Another one of +Buster's false alarms. That's the way he's been doing all along; +seeing snags ahead when there wasn't one, and making me check up in a +hurry, and that was hard on my engine." + +"Go slow," observed the boy who was on his knees. "I said there wasn't +any bear tracks, didn't I? But that doesn't mean Buster didn't see +something." + +"Goodness gracious! it wasn't a panther, was it?" gasped George. + +"Oh! no, only a man," replied the other. "Look here, and you'll see +the plain print of his foot and toes in the dirt; and an unusually big +foot, too." + +"Barefooted!" exclaimed George, bending eagerly over. + +"That's so; but haven't we seen scores of negroes barefooted all +along?" Jack said, positively. + +"Then it was a coon. Say, why did he run away, then? Jack, you +remember all they told us above about the troubles down here in the +region around Coahoma county? Don't you believe that this fellow may +have been a desperate negro, hunted by the Regulators, who want to +string him up?" + +Jack pretended to laugh, though George detected a vein of uneasiness in +his comrade's manner. + +"Oh! well," he went on, "I hardly think it's quite as bad as that, +George. But still, he certainly did run away when he found he had been +seen; and that looks bad." + +"But what d'ye think brought him here in the first place?" George +pursued. + +"Huh!" grunted Nick, breathing in, "that ought to be easy to guess. +Picture yourself hungry as all get-out, and wandering through these +woods, when you suddenly get a sniff of the most delicious odors in the +wide world. Wouldn't you make a bee line for that grub factory, and +see if you couldn't sneak a share off? Huh! some people don't ever +seem to understand the common failing of human nature." + +"Is that it, Jack?" asked George. + +"I think Buster hit the nail on the head that time," returned the +other. "This man must have been drawn by the smell of our cooking. +He's been watching us from behind this tree. Then when he saw that he +had been discovered he got cold feet, and vamoosed." + +"Then we'd better keep watch and watch tonight," said George. + +"I meant to suggest that idea anyway," Jack answered. + +"Gee! I feel sorry for that poor wretch!" Nick remarked. "Just think +of having a chance to smell all the nice odors and get nothing. It's a +shame, that's what!" + +George laughed derisively. + +"Listen to him, would you?" he cried. "He's so fond of stuffing +himself, that he feels for a poor skunk that didn't know enough to keep +out of trouble." + +"Shame on you, George," Jack burst out with. "I think it does Buster +credit. And I'm going to tie that half loaf of bread to the tree here, +so if our timid black friend comes back, he can get something to keep +him from starving." + +"Better go slow," remarked George. "You may get in a peck of trouble +that way, if this fellow happens to be that Erastus we heard about, who +burned the house up in Tunica county here, and is being hunted far and +near. Dangerous business, Jack." + +"We don't know anything about it, only that there may be a poor chap +nearly starved nearby. What do you say, Jimmie? I'd like to feel that +I have backing enough," and Jack turned toward the Irish lad. + +"Pshaw! no use asking _him_," snorted George. "Jimmie would give away +the coat on his back, or his last copper. Make it unanimous, then, if +you want, Jack," for already the impetuous skipper of the _Wireless_ +was growing sorry because of his stand. + +And so Jack did fasten the partly eaten loaf of bread to the tree in +such a fashion that it could readily be seen should a hungry man come +prowling around again during the night. + +Then they went to the boats and sought rest, Jack dividing the night +into two hour watches, during which one of the boys would be on guard. + +But nothing came to pass that was out of the way during the period +lasting up to the arrival of dawn. It did not even rain, for the +clouds passed off, and the sun rose as if in for a good day. + +Jack upon arising walked to the tree. + +"Looks like it's gone!" called out Nick, who was poking his head out +from the curtains of the boat tent. "Hope some wildcat didn't hook it, +though." + +"No fear of that," laughed Jack, "for bobcats don't leave a polite note +of thanks behind when they steal a supper. Look here what I found, +stuck to the bark of the tree with a splinter of wood." + +He had a very much soiled scrap of paper, upon which someone had +scrawled a few crooked lines. With considerable patience Jack finally +read these words: + +"Neber burnd no hows. My cozin Peck he doned it suah. But dey hangs a +culld mans fust down disaways an den tries him fo de crim. Is +innersent, I swars hit. I gotter de bred. I et it, case I mity ni +starve. But I's innersent. Rastus." + +"Well, what d'ye think of that?" shouted George, who had also appeared, +fully dressed by now. "Better keep that letter of thanks, Jack. We'll +have it framed, and hung in our clubhouse some day." + +The others soon appeared, and preparations went on for breakfast, the +fire being revived for the occasion. + +Nick kept his eyes on the alert during the entire progress of the meal. +Perhaps he was thinking of the poor, wretched fellow who was being +hunted like a wild animal, and who knew not where his next meal might +come from. + +They had just about finished, with considerable to spare in the frying +pan, when Jack held up his hand suddenly, exclaiming: + +"Listen, fellows!" + +But the sound was so close by that every one of them had heard it as +distinctly as Jack himself; for the baying of a pack of hounds had been +carried on the wings of the early morning wind from a point just to the +north. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE SHERIFF'S POSSE. + +The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange +thrill. It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch +dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to +those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and +his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps +the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night. + +"Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, +jumping up. + +"All right," remarked Jack, composedly. "I don't see any reason for +being bothered by that. Let 'em come. For one, I'll rather enjoy +seeing a Southern lynching bunch. I've read about 'em lots of times. +And we've sure done nothing to make 'em want to swing us up. If there +ain't too many, perhaps we can let 'em have some good coffee and a bite +of fried ham." + +"But--Erastus----," began George. + +"We're not supposed to know a blessed thing about the fellow they +accuse of burning a house," said Jack, sternly. "Just act as if you +knew nothing--I mean you, Buster, for if anybody gives the secret away, +it will be you. Mum's the word, now. There, you can tell from that +they're heading down the river bank, and will be here right soon." + +Jimmie started to brew a new pot of coffee immediately, taking his cue +from Jack's suggestion. Jimmie had great faith in the soothing effect +of a cup of that same prime Java, and believed that their expected +visitors would feel better disposed toward them if offered the olive +branch. + +Presently there was a great stir close by, short barks from a couple of +dogs, and the gruff voices of several men. Then through the +low-hanging foliage the posse broke upon the boys' vision. + +There were just three men, one of whom was a sheriff, if the star on +his coat denoted anything. He was a fierce looking-fellow, yet with a +twinkle in his eye as he sniffed the delightful aroma of the coffee. + +"Why, it's a passel o' boyees jest," he declared, as though somewhat +surprised and disappointed because he had been hoping to come upon some +fugitives who were being rounded up. "And look at the boats, will ye, +fellers? Some tone to them craft, hey? Howd'ye, boyees! Room thar +alongside yer fire fur three tired and mighty thirsty and hungry coon +hunters?" + +"Sure," replied Jack, pleasantly. "We heard your dogs, and guessed who +you must be; for they told us up above that the sheriff was hunting +with dogs down this way. So we put on a new pot of coffee, sheriff; +and there's enough of this ham left to give you all a few bites, I +guess." + +At that the sheriff thrust out a long, brown and sinewy hand. + +"That's white of ye, my lad," he said. "We appreciate such neighborly +kindness, don't we, men?" and he turned to his companions, both of whom +were lean looking, dark-faced fellows, heavily armed, and each holding +one of the hounds by a strong leather leash. + +"Yuh bet we does, Sheriff. I'm nigh tuckered out with hunger. And +thet thar coffee, my! but she do smell orful fine," with which remark +he proceeded to fasten the end of the leather thong to a sapling close +by. + +Jack noticed immediately that both dogs seemed uneasy. They would +sniff the air and whine and pull at their collars, always in the +direction of the big live oak. He really believed that they had caught +the scent of the negro, who had been close by during the night. But +the men were not smart enough to understand this, and imagined that the +animals were only acting strangely because they scented something to +eat. + +"I hope they don't get a chance to wander over to that tree," was what +Jack had passing through his mind about that time. "Because if they do +they'll soon give tongue, and the men will know they've struck a fresh +trail." + +He devoted himself to entertaining the sheriff and his posse with +accounts of the various adventures that had fallen to the lot of +himself and comrades during their race for the Dixie cup. + +"It's a great little job, this heah race of youahs, boyees," the +sheriff remarked, after he had heard about the contest; "but you-all +was saying somethin' 'bout a brace of bank robbers that bothered you. +What happened to the same, if you are in a position to say? As an +officer of the law I'm interested in all such doings, you understand, +suh." + +So Jack told of that night when the two escaping thieves, having their +own motor boat smashed by a collision on the rocks, attempted to take +possession of the little _Tramp_. He had the three men listening +breathlessly until he announced the delivery of the two rascals into +the safe keeping of the officers who came out to meet the boat from +Covington. + +"Shake again, young feller," the sheriff said, as he held out that lean +hand. + +"I will, if you'll promise not to squeeze quite so hard. You see I've +got lots of use for that hand before this trip's done," laughed Jack. + +Then he showed the few lines which had been given by the officer, in +case the boys had any need to prove their honesty further down the +river. + +The ham now being ready, the trio of hunters started in. By the time +they had satisfied their hunger the stock of provisions connected with +the expedition had visibly decreased. But every one was satisfied. +Even Nick glowed with ardor, for he was never happier than when +watching someone "filling up"--next to eating himself, he liked to see +others so employed. + +Of course the three men were in a very happy mood when the breakfast +had been concluded. They had not dreamed of such a feast half an hour +before. + +"Nevah will forget this, boyees, nevah," declared the sheriff, as he +arose, and allowed his belt to loosen a bit. "It was clever of ye to +treat us white. If so be the chance ever comes when we kin return the +favor, call on us; eh, fellers?" + +Both the others added their rude but well meant thanks. The delight of +that coffee would doubtless remain a pleasant memory with them for a +long time to come. + +"Now we must git along," remarked the sheriff, as he picked up his +rifle. "You see, we're after a passel o' convicts that broke loose +from a camp back country a bit, where they was farmed out to a planter. +We larnd they hit foh the river, like every rascal down hyah does as +soon as he runs; and we 'spect to cornah the same with these fine dawgs +this mawnin'. So long, boyees, and thank ye again foh the feed." + +Jack waited to see if the discovery he feared would come. The two men +unfastened the tied dogs, and when the animals tried to pull toward the +oak they jerked the other way. + +"Cum along thisaways, yuh fool dawgs!" one of them shouted angrily, as +he again jerked savagely at the leather thong. "Down the river's the +way we'uns mean tuh travel, d'ye heah? Nothin' doin' thatways; and the +scrub's too thick. Git a move on yuh, Kaiser. We 'spect tuh raise a +hot trail 'tween hyah an' Trotter's Point." + +And so they moved off, the sheriff turning ere they vanished from view +down the bank of the river, to wave his hand in farewell; to which the +boys of course made a similar reply. + +Then, when the posse had faded from view, the four turned and looked at +each other. + +"That's the time we were in the swim, Buster," said George, nodding, as +if more than pleased. "You see it pays to stick close to these lucky +fellows. If we'd gone on ahead now we'd have missed all this circus. + +"Ain't I just glad we didn't though," declared the fat boy. "Don't +care if they did clean up the last of my nice little ham; plenty more +where that came from, so long as we've got the spuds in our jeans +pockets. My! ain't I glad they don't happen to be chasing after me, +that's all. Did you see the teeth of those hounds, fellows? I bet you +they'd make short work of a poor escaping convict, unless he took to a +tree like a squirrel, and waited to be pulled in." + +"That's the way we all feel, I think," remarked Jack, as they stood +there listening to the baying of the hounds, gradually becoming less +distinct as the posse pushed further along the bank of the river. +"They weren't just hunting for Erastus, it seems; but given half a +chance and they'd have pulled him in. On the whole I'm not sorry we +did what we did." + +"I say the same," declared Nick, positively. + +"Count me in, by the powers," remarked Jimmie. "Sure I know what it +manes till be hungry; and I can understand in me moind how it fales +till be hunted wid such savage beasts. Yis, I'm glad we gave the poor +divile a chanct." + +"Oh! well, I guess I feel that way too," observed George. "Only, you +know, my dad happens to be a lawyer, and he's always taught me to be +mighty shy about assisting a fugitive from justice, or as he calls it, +compounding a felony. But in this case we believe Erastus to be +innocent. That's right, boys, ain't it?" + +"It just is," remarked Jack. "And if I thought the fellow would ever +have the nerve to come back here to this spot, I'd be tempted to leave +something for him--a dollar perhaps, to keep him from starving while he +was getting out of the country." + +"Well, time is getting along, and perhaps we'd better be packing up so +as to be ready to start at eight sharp. Tonight we ought to make that +place at the mouth of the Sunflower river, opposite the island in the +big water, which is marked down as Station Number Five in the race." + +George, as he spoke, whirled around on his heel. As he did so, the +others heard him ewe utterance to a cry of astonishment. + +"Look there, fellows, at what is in my boat!" he cried, pointing. + +And the others, upon following the direction of his extended finger, +could only stare at what they saw. Seated in the body of the +_Wireless_ and holding George's rifle, which had been incautiously left +aboard while they ate breakfast, was a big coal-black negro, whom they +could easily guess must be the accused house burner, Erastus! + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +AT THE MOUTH OF THE SUNFLOWER. + +No one moved immediately. + +Nick was gasping for breath; and the sound was not unlike that made by +a porpoise in swishing through the water while rolling. Jack happened +to have his gun in his hand, having just picked it up. But somehow he +hesitated to raise it against a human being. And presently he was glad +the idea had not taken possession of him. + +The man in the boat waved his hand toward them, beckoning, Jack +believed. + +"Cum long ober hyah, sah. I'se done wanter say sumpin tuh youse all." + +He called this out, with one quick glance toward the section of woods +where the sheriff and his posse had last been seen. + +Well, that did not seem very hostile, at any rate. Jack started toward +the two boats, and seeing him carrying his Marlin, the negro +immediately elevated both of his arms as high as he could. + +"Dat means I ain't agwine tuh do yuh no dirt, sah." He hastened to +call out, "I cud a stole dis yeah leetle boat, if I wanted tuh. Boss, +dar's yuh gun. I might er held yuh off till I got clar; but I didn't +wanter, sah. 'Case I done heerd all dat was sed, an' I knows as how +yuh ain't gwine tuh gib a pore innercent niggah over tuh be hung foh +sumpin' he nebber did do." + +They reached his side, and Jack was more than impressed with the truth +written on the fugitive's black face. Frightened Erastus certainly +was, and with good reason; but he did not look like a bad man, Jack +felt. + +"Where were you all the time the sheriff and his men were here?" asked +Jack, as a sudden suspicion flashed through his mind, remembering the +frantic actions of the two dogs to get over to the big live oak tree. + +The negro grinned until he showed two rows of snowy ivories. + +"Right up dar in dat tree, boss," he admitted, "shiverin' all de time, +'case I 'spected dem dawgs'd break loose, and begin yelpin' at de foot +ob de same. If dat had happened it'd be de end ob pore old 'Rastus, +shore." + +"Well, now, if that don't beat the Dutch," said Nick. "Say, Jack, +there's some ham left in the pan, and some more coffee in the +pot--shall I give the poor fellow the lot? Might as well be hung for a +sheep as a lamb, you know." + +"Go ahead," was the reply. "Do you really mean what you tried to tell +us in that little note, Erastus, and are you innocent of house burning?" + +The negro assumed a very serious look. + +"Mars," he said, half raising his hand as though upon the witness +stand, and about to take the oath to tell the entire truth, "I reckons +I's done stoled some chickens in mah time; an' p'haps done udder tings +along dem lines, as I reckons I ortenter; but, boss, clar tuh goodness +if ever I sot fire tuh a house, or eben a pigpen in all my life. Cross +my heart if I done it." + +"You said a cousin was guilty--was that right?" asked Jack. + +"He done tole me he done it, boss. Dat's all I knows. But dey got +arter me, an' w'en dat happens down heah, a pore nigger he better say +hes prayers, 'case he's as good as daid. If I cud on'y git tuh nigh +Friar's Point, mars, I'se gut frien's dat'd see me acrost tuh Arkansaw, +whar I'd be safe. But dat sheriff, he between, an' dem dawgs, dey'd +smell me right quick. If I on'y had a boat I cud do it, boss." + +"All right, Erastus. Sit down, and eat what there is here. I'm going +to talk it over with my friends. Perhaps we can think up some way to +help you along. Because I'm of the opinion that a live Erastus over in +Arkansaw would be better than a dead one in Mississippi." + +So the negro set to work like a starved dog, waited on by Nick, who +watched every mouthful taken, as though filled with envy and awe at the +array of shining teeth and the capacity shown for cutting off a large +wedge of bread and butter. + +"Now, what sort of harum-scarum trick have you got up your sleeve, +Jack?" questioned George, uneasily, as the three gathered in a group. + +"I'll tell you," replied the other, positively. "I believe this poor +fellow is innocent of any serious wrong-doing, but the fact that he's a +cousin of the guilty party will get him in trouble if he's caught. +Perhaps they'll string him up to save the expense of a trial." + +"Well, that is a fact," admitted George, "because I've heard my father +telling about it. As a lawyer he doesn't believe in such things, you +know. But I can see you're thinking of assisting this coon down to the +place he wants to reach. Sure you ain't going too strong when you do +that, Jack?" + +"I've thought it over," came the steady reply. "And I've made up my +mind that in doing it I'd only be acting in the interest of humanity. +The poor fellow is being hunted like a dog. If he could have a square +show when caught I'd never interfere a bit; but you and I know he would +never get it. As he says, once let a negro get the name down here, no +matter how wrongly, and the game is sure to follow." + +"And you propose taking him in your boat, to put him ashore above +Friar's Point--is that it, Jack?" continued the other. + +"Just what I do," came the reply. + +"All right," remarked George at once. "If my boat was larger I'd say +put him in the _Wireless_. I don't altogether approve of this +compounding a felony business; but I'm dead sure my dad would tell me +it was better to take the chances that way that have the nasty feeling +that by your actions you've helped hang an innocent person." + +"Shake, George!" exclaimed Jack, pleased at this sudden change of mind +on the part of his careful chum, son of a lawyer as he was. + +It was so arranged; and when the fugitive was through eating he heard +the decision of the boys with tears streaming down his ebony cheeks. + +"Clar tuh goodness I never done no house burnin' in all my life, boss. +An' if I'se kin on'y git clar ob dis kentry I nebber kim back no moah, +nebber. I'se gut a brudder out nigh Little Rock, an' he owns a farm. +I'll stay dar, an' wuk foh him till I kin send foh my fambly," he said, +brokenly, as he kissed the hands of each one of the boys. + +So Jack had him lie down in the bottom of the boat, where he could be +hidden under some loose stuff. After that the start was made at +exactly eight; and when they sped down the river at a rapid pace the +negro from time to time poked his head out from his coverings to look +in amazement at the buzzing little motor; and once even ventured to +raise it until he could see how swiftly they were spinning along. + +A short time after starting they had heard shouts and had seen their +friends of the sheriff's posse waving from the bank. Jack had spoken +to the concealed black; and for fully fifteen minutes the alarmed +Erastus never so much as moved a finger, lest he in some way betray his +hiding place to keen eyes on the bank. + +Before noon came George, who had been in the van, fell back to say that +from the indications he believed they were now not more than five miles +above Friar's Point and that Erastus ought to be put ashore at the +first available chance. + +About a mile further on Jack discovered what seemed to be a secluded +cove, and thinking that this might afford a fine chance for the hidden +fugitive to go ashore unseen, the two boats steered for it. + +Before having the black man leave, Jack thrust some money in his hand. + +"There's an address on a slip of paper--no name, but just the number of +the house in a certain town up north," he said. "And Erastus, if after +you get settled, you care to write and let us know how you're coming +on, we'd be glad to have you. We have taken big chances in helping +you, and it would please us to find out that it wasn't a mistake." + +Then Erastus gravely shook hands all around, after which he faded from +their sight in the heavy timber. + +"Wonder if we ever will hear from him again?" speculated George. + +"If he gets safely across the river I believe we will," replied Jack, +with a positive ring to his voice. "For he looks honest to me, though +perhaps I've had only a small chance to know the Southern black. But +we took the chance, fellows, and something tells me we won't be sorry." + +They ate lunch ashore, seeing that they were together, and wanted to +have some apparent excuse for landing. But no one disturbed them, and +a little later the interrupted voyage was resumed again. + +George stuck close to the _Tramp_ all the balance of that day. + +"Don't seem to pay to run ahead all the time," he remarked when Jack +joked him on this score. "And, besides, it does seem as though you +fellows have a monopoly of all the adventure. Hang the cup, anyway. +It will remain a trophy for the club, no matter who wins. For all of +me the blooming old _Comfort_ may come in ahead yet, because, you know, +we agreed on her having a big handicap on account of her well known +slowness. I'm going to hang by you much of the rest of the trip, +fellows." + +"Well," remarked Jack, when the hour for the close of the day's run +drew near; "I can see something away below there that looks like the +mouth of the Sunflower river. We're getting in the neighborhood of +that place, anyhow. Take a look yourself, Skipper George, and say +what's what." + +Upon doing so the other pilot agreed with him. + +"There's the big island ahead, you see, and, according to my map, the +river empties into the Mississippi exactly opposite that. Then, right +along here is where we expect to make Station Number Five; and wait up +for the rest." + +As customary they now drew in closer to the shore, and looked for some +favorable nook in which the boats could have a secure harbor during +their stay, be it long or short. + +And once that was found, not far from the junction of the two rivers, +Jack made for a point where he set the red flag that, if seen by the +pilot of the _Comfort_, would inform him that he had arrived at a +stopping place, and that his comrades of the Dixie cup race were nearby. + +Having attended to that duty Jack proceeded to take things easy; while +the two rival cooks started to wrestle with the problem of what to have +for the next meal; always a matter of more or less consideration among +campers. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +IN THE LAND OF COTTON. + +"Another day to be spent in idleness," remarked George the next +morning, after the four campers had passed a comfortable night. + +"Well, that was a part of the figuring when we started on this race," +observed Jack. "We knew Herb and his jolly old _Comfort_ would always +be tagging behind. Besides, there's no particular hurry, since I only +have to be in New Orleans by the beginning of December. To tell the +truth, I'll be sorry that the long cruise must soon come to an end." + +"Yes, that's a fact," admitted the other. "It has been a great thing +for us all. I'm learning new things every day; and as for you fellows +it's been a picnic. Perhaps there may be something stirring for Nick +and myself before the end comes." + +There was, plenty of it, as will be presently mentioned. + +At ten o'clock the cry arose that the _Comfort_ was in sight. + +"What's that?" cried George, who was fishing around a corner, and had +no opportunity to look up-stream. "You must be mistaken, Jimmie; or +else Herb has taken to running out of hours. Why, that would throw him +only a couple of hours behind our run of the two days." + +"Well," laughed Jack, "if you could see how the big boat is booming +along out there near the middle of the river on the swift current, +you'd understand it all. Why, he's got on to it that he can add many +miles a day to his run by avoiding the slower water near the shore." + +"I remember they tell us that fools and babes venture where even angels +fear to tread," remarked George. + +"I wouldn't apply that remark to Herb and Josh," said Jack, seriously. +"On the contrary I think it shows wisdom. Their big and safe boat can +run out there in perfect safety; but for you to do much of it, would be +inviting trouble and a spill. But we must attract them in here, or +they may go whirling past on the other side of the island." + +So Jack fired his gun twice, while Jimmie and Nick set up a most +dreadful squawking with the several horns possessed by the campers. + +"They see us," announced Jack, immediately. "I caught something +waving. And listen to Josh almost bursting his lungs to blow that +battered old horn." + +"And they've headed in, too," declared George, who by this time had his +own marine glasses in use. + +The skipper and crew of the _Comfort_ arrived in fairly good humor. + +"We're already picking up on you fellows," declared Herb, as he stepped +ashore to stretch his stiffened limbs a short time. "From this on look +out; I give you all fair warning. The _Comfort_ is hot on your trail, +and you've got to hump yourselves to keep on even terms with us. As +the current grows fiercer so our chances improve. Once more allow me +to state that the race is not always to the swift." + +"Glad to find you so cheerful, Herb," laughed Jack. "As for George +here, he's already arrived at the sensible conclusion that, no matter +who wins the cup, it's going to remain club property, and will likely +be kept at the club house, when we get one." + +"Say, has Buster been able to swim across the river yet?" asked Josh, +who never allowed a chance to get in a sly dig at the fat boy to pass +him. + +"Well, I was thinking about doing that job," returned the fat boy, +calmly, but with a knowing wink at his companions; "but George here +wouldn't hold up long enough for me to try it. When I want to paddle +around, he says I've just got to have a rope tied under my arms so he +can yank me back if I get too venturesome." + +"That accounts for it, fellows," cried Josh. "I just had a suspicion +that Pudding might be to blame for all the trouble that old chap told +me about when I went ashore at noon today." + +"Me to blame for what?" demanded the other, pretending to be annoyed. + +"Why, you see," Josh went on blandly, "he says to me that when he was +settin' there on the bank try in' to pull in a few buffalo fish for his +dinner, along came a tremendous wave. He vowed that it nigh washed him +away, and called it a cloudburst or something like that; but now I +understand just what it was." + +"Sho! you don't say," Nick remarked scornfully; "then suppose you tell +the rest of us about this bright idea that came to you, the only one +you ever had, I guess." + +"Why, you see, that wave was started when you stepped into the river +for your little sportive paddle. It kept growing bigger all the time +as it rolled down the stream, till it nigh swamped the old fisherman. +I'm almost afraid to hear what calamity may have happened to some of +the lower parishes," grinned Josh. + +"But what's this, Jack, you're saying about Erastus?" asked Herb. "Do +you mean to say you chaps have run up against another adventure, while +we were just sailing down on the breast of the bully old river?" + +So after that the story had to be told, and Josh listened with open +mouth as he heard about the sheriff and his posse, not to mention the +dogs. + +"Oh! what we do miss, Herb," he lamented. "That all comes of being on +a slow coach boat. Next time I'm going to try my luck with one of the +others, and let Buster have this soft snap." + +"Hurray!" cried the fat boy. "If it wasn't for breaking up the race +I'd go you right now. My! but wouldn't I have room to turn around in +when aboard the _Comfort_? It's a case of a round man in a square hole +right now, fellows. But he ain't going to stay round much longer, +because, you see, he's getting all the fat rubbed off and will soon be +a living skeleton. I'm going to look out for a job in some freak +museum after this trip." + +"If you do then, it'll be as a champion eater or the fat boy," laughed +George. "Your appetite keeps on growing frightfully, and I'd like to +bet you weigh ten pounds more now than when you left home. I can tell +it by the way my boat groans whenever you step aboard. And she sinks +below the line I marked when we started, in spite of the half ton of +grub we've devoured." + +"Oh! George, you frighten me," declared Nick, in mock alarm. + +"Well, what's the programme for today, fellows?" asked Josh. + +"It's Saturday," said Jack. + +"Yes, and we agreed not to run on Sunday if we could avoid it by being +together," George added. + +"This is a fine camp," Jack continued. "And we're only a few miles +below Friar's Point, in case we need a few supplies in the way of eggs, +butter and such things," Josh cut in. + +"What say, fellows, shall we camp right here until we are ready for a +fresh start on Monday morning? Buster, are you willing to remain?" +Jack went on, as the president of the motor boat club. + +"Me? Oh! I could squat here for a week, provided of course that there +was always plenty of provisions to keep us alive," came the immediate +reply. + +"George, what do you say?" + +"Stay." + +"And Josh, Herb, Jimmie, are you willing to make it unanimous?" Jack +went on. + +"Sure I am," replied Josh; "and both Herb and Jimmie are nodding their +heads. So that settles it. Hurrah for Sunflower Camp, and a good +rest." + +They always looked back on that camp as one of the peaceful ones of the +trip. Nothing out of the way happened to disturb them. Jack and +George took a run up to Friar's Point to pick up a few needed things; +but in reality to learn in a quiet way if anything had been heard of +Erastus, the fugitive whom they had assisted because of their tender +hearts. + +Finding the friend whose name Erastus had given them, they made +cautious inquiries and were pleased to learn that he had just returned +from a visit across the big river in a dilapidated sailboat he owned, +and which neither of the white boys would have ever dared navigate out +upon the broad bosom of the Mississippi. That was as much as Henry +would say, but they could read between the lines that the fugitive was +safe over in Arkansas, where his life would not be in danger. + +While here in this camp of course Nick insisted on having some more +swimming lessons. He was the happiest fellow in the wide world when he +actually found that he was able to make progress, still aided by Jack +and the cork life preserver. By degrees, however, his teacher meant to +insist upon his depending entirely on his own powers; and it would not +be long before the cork would be discarded and Nick a full-fledged +swimmer. + +Monday came, and with it a cold storm. But they had made up their +minds, and were not to be kept back by such a little thing. So at +eight a start was made, all of them donning their oilskins, and Nick +also wearing a most expansive grin. Josh was forever calling it the +"smile that won't come off," and everyone knew that it was the pride of +being able to keep himself afloat that made Buster so happy. + +George was tempted to speed ahead, forgetting his resolve. So +presently each of the three boats moved along in lonely state, miles +separating them by the time afternoon arrived. + +Jack and Jimmie found shelter in one of the false channels or cut-offs +that had now begun to be frequent sights along the way. It was a very +wild night they put in, and more than a few times Jack wondered how +their comrades might be faring, only hoping that they were as +comfortable as himself and Jimmie. + +All night long the heavy seas banged up against the shore, driven by a +strong northwest wind that reached the proportions of a gale at times. +The boys were more than thankful that they were not exposed to the fury +of the storm, but had a snug harbor where they could ride it out in +safety. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE CASTAWAYS OF THE SWAMP. + +"Looks like we made a big mistake in trying to navigate that short cut +the planter told us about, Jimmie!" + +"How long we been in this scrape, I'd loike to know, Jack?" + +"Well, this is the third day now we've been pushing and poling around, +sometimes thinking we must be getting back to the river again, and then +finding ourselves deeper and deeper in the slough. The worst of it is +our grub heap looks mighty low, Jimmie," and Jack glanced seriously at +his companion. + +They had been tempted to take the advice of a friendly planter on the +day after the big storm. In fact, to tell the truth, it was Jimmie's +urging that had influenced the skipper of the _Tramp_ to enter the +opening that yawned before them, and allow the current to swing them +along at a swift pace. + +But by degrees, after twisting and turning until they lost all trace of +their bearings, that treacherous current had died away until they found +themselves in a lagoon that seemed as still as death. + +They had tried to navigate by means of their propeller. Then, fearful +that the supply of gasolene might become exhausted they had resorted to +the pole. Two days had passed and so far as they could see they were +worse off than ever. + +Now and then they came to dry ground on which they set foot with +renewed hopes that were soon dashed again. Jack managed to pot a few +gray squirrels, and they cooked them by a fire made in a hickory ridge. +If it came to the worst Jack said they could catch fish, or shoot some +of the numerous raccoons that eyed them inquisitively. + +"Then there are plenty of muskrats in sight," he had added; at which +Jimmie held up his hands in horror, until Jack explained that if +properly cooked the "musquash" of the Indian was considered very good +food and eaten by many French Canadian trappers in the Northwest and +Canada. + +"Of course," Jack went on, when Jimmie became curious as to how they +had lost the right channel, "it's of much more importance how we're +ever going to get out of this network of watercourses than how we came +here. But, honestly, I'm afraid we made a mistake in the beginning." + +"Took the wrong cut-off, do ye mane?" asked the other. + +"That's just what struck me, Jimmie. And now, here's the third night +ahead of us and we no nearer escape than in the beginning." + +"Sure I do be thinkin' they ought to be happy," remarked the Irish lad, +after they had gone on pushing for another half hour. + +"Who do you mean?" asked Jack. + +"Herbie and Josh. Don't ye say, Jack, all this time we're flounderin' +around in this place the _Comfort_ is gaining eight hours ivery day." + +"That's so, on us," Jack went on, thoughtfully. "But then there's +George to contend with. I suppose they're all waiting at the next +station and wondering what under the sun has happened to the +steadygoing _Tramp_. The only thing I'm bothering about is the chance +of our being stuck in here for weeks. That would keep me from being +present when that plagued will is read, and I'd lose my share of +uncle's money." + +"Oh! don't worry about that, me bye," returned the cheery Irish lad. +"Sure, we're bound to run acrost some native cracker sooner or later, +who will be moighty glad for a few dollars to guide us out of this +nasty place. But howld on, Jack, me arrms are that tired wid pushing +through the mud they fale riddy to drop off." + +"And as night is coming along I suppose we'd better try and find some +patch of land on which to camp. A fire would cheer us up. How many +matches have we got with us, Jimmie?" + +"Och! that's the silly thing for me, Jack. I meant till till yees whin +ye wint shoppin' in that little place of Friar's Point till lay in +another stock; and sure it shlipped me moind intoirely. The supply is +bastely low, so it is. I don't think we've got more'n a dozen or so +lift roight now." + +"That's bad," remarked Jack; and immediately added, seeing the gloom on +Jimmie's freckled face, because it had been his fault: "But we won't +worry about it. If it comes to it I believe I know how to make a fire +without matches. I've seen an Indian do it, and even succeeded myself +once with a bow, a pointed stick and some tinder to ignite. Besides, +long before a dozen days we expect to be out of here." + +"If we only had Buster along I wouldn't moind so much," remarked +Jimmie, with one of his old time flashes of humor. "For do ye say, +he'd last a week or more in a pinch." + +When they finally discovered a dry piece of ground the night was almost +upon them. The moon, more than half full, hung up in the heavens; but +on account of the thick growth of cypress and other trees they could +not expect much light from that source. + +"Looks more like a real swamp than anything we've struck yet," declared +Jack, as he looked around at their ghostly surroundings, with the +trailing Spanish moss festooning many of the trees. + +"Wow! what's that?" shouted Jimmie, as something went into the dark +water with a tremendous splash. + +"I didn't see exactly," replied Jack, immediately; "but honestly I +believe that must have been our first alligator taking a plunge." + +"An alligator, was it?" echoed the other, nervously. "But why did he +want till make all that splash, Jack, darlint?" + +"Why, we scared him when he was snooping on the bank, and he thought +the safest thing to do was to dive. Right now perhaps he's floating on +the surface of that black looking lagoon yonder, watching us. He never +saw a motor boat before, and perhaps we're the first whites that have +invaded his home here. But jump ashore and take this line, Jimmie." + +"Sure, do ye be thinkin' there moight be another of the same waitin' +till grab me by the lig? I'm towld they loike an Irish lad betther +than anything, save a black wan." + +"Oh, rats! Here, wait for me," and with the words Jack was on the +shore, ready to make the hawser fast to a convenient tree. + +Then Jimmie, shamed by the boldness of his boatmate, consented to join +him. A fire soon flashed up, fed with some of the handy fuel. + +"Things don't look quite so bad with a cheery blaze, eh, Jimmie?" asked +the skipper of the marooned _Tramp_, as he glanced around at the weird +picture that met his eyes in every direction. + +"Troth, they moight be worse, I suppose," the other admitted +grudgingly; for already they were on short rations, and it may be +remembered that Jimmie was blessed with an appetite second only to the +wonderful capacity of Nick. + +"Tomorrow, remember," Jack went on, as he busied himself in various +ways, "I'm going to begin to hunt in earnest all the while we're +looking for an outlet. We may even find a fat wild turkey on one of +these same hard timber ridges. I understand they're known to frequent +such places." + +"What if we happen till run acrost a bear?" suggested Jimmie, anxiously. + +"Well, the chances are the bear would be ten times more scared than +either of us, and put for the canebrake at top speed. Even if he tried +to attack us, you must remember that a charge of shot delivered at +close quarters can penetrate almost as well as a bullet. And I should +aim for his eyes, or back of his fore leg." + +Jimmie sighed heavily. + +"Sure, I'd loike a bear steak just as much as Buster said he would; but +p'raps, Jack, darlint, we'd better be contint wid 'possum, 'coon or +muskrats." + +"Oh! just as you say, Jimmie. But we haven't run across our bear yet, +so we can't tell just what we'd do. In cases like that, you know, a +fellow has to be governed by circumstances. Suppose the beast was mad, +and insisted on coming at us on his hind legs, ready to squeeze us like +they often do? I would have to shoot then, wouldn't I?" + +The supper was soon in progress. Jimmie begrudged everything that they +were compelled to cook. He would remark that the coffee was only going +to last for five more meals; that the rice seemed low, and as for +sugar, he doubted whether it would hold out much longer. + +But Jack was not to be disheartened, and had a laughing answer for each +one of these dismal prophecies. + +"I do belave that the less ye have to ate the better it tastes," +declared Jimmie, as he sat there polishing his pannikin, in which he +had just had a third helping of rice, eaten without either milk or +sugar this time. + +"That's right," laughed Jack. "And the smaller the amount of grub, the +more you think you feel the gnawings of hunger. Suppose, now, we were +cruising on a salt lagoon and our drinking water ran low--why, your +throat would feel parched all the time, just from imagination." + +"Well," grinned the other, as he glanced around, "shmall danger of that +botherin' us here, Jack, darlint. We do same till have plinty of +wather. And there do be fish in it, for I seen 'em jump." + +"Oh! we'll not starve, make up your mind to that. There are wild ducks +in places, too, and lots of squirrels on the hamaks, after the nuts. +We could live here two months, Jimmie, and thrive. I know a few things +that would come in useful; just put that in your pipe and smoke it." + +"Well, I fale better, now that I've had me fill," declared Jimmie, +getting to his feet to step over to the boat; but he had not gone five +paces than Jack heard him give a shrill yell, as though he had stepped +on a rattlesnake or been jumped on by some hungry wildcat that had been +concealed among the dense branches of the live oak tree under which the +camp fire burned. + +And as Jack sprang hurriedly to his feet, snatching up the handy Marlin +gun, he saw Jimmie leaping toward him, wildly waving his arms like +flails. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +BUSTER FACES STARVATION. + +"Look out, Jack! They's wan acomin' for us roight now! And he's a big +wan, I'm tillin' yees!" cried Jimmie, gasping for breath. + +"One what?" demanded Jack, failing to see any dreadful dragon in sight, +either on the land or the near-by water of the black lagoon. + +"An alligator, it is, and sure the granddaddy of the tribe. I jist had +a squint of the baste sneakin' along through the wather. He manes till +surprise us, and it's a foine supper he'll be afther havin' I'm +thinkin'," Jimmie went on, hurriedly. + +"Where was this?" Jack asked, wondering whether the Irish boy could be +joking, or if he had really seen something to excite him. + +"Look beyant the stump on the idge of the wather, over yander. There, +did ye be savin' that now? Don't till me I'm blind agin, Jack. It's +movin' this way; sure it do be comin' right along. Och I wirra, listen +till that, would yees?" + +No wonder Jimmie fell back in dismay, for a most outrageous noise +suddenly broke forth, such as certainly could never have been heard in +that swamp before. But Jack immediately recognized it as the attempt +of Nick to blow the old tin horn that was carried aboard the _Wireless_. + +He shouted at the top of his sturdy voice in reply, and saw the shadowy +moving object head straight for the fire. + +"Here's a couple of poor chaps lost in the wilderness," laughed Jack as +the other boat came closer. + +"Oh! we've only come to find you," retorted Herb. + +"Have you finished supper, fellows?" bellowed the fat boy. + +Jimmie had by now recovered from his fright. He even pretended that it +had all been assumed, and that he knew from the start the nature of the +suspicious black object which he had discovered creeping toward the +fire. + +"Listen till him, would ye, Jack?" he exclaimed, coming forward to +where the speed boat meant to land. "Did ye iver know such a gossoon +in all your loife? Is it supper ye're afther wantin? Sure, ye'll not +foind anny too much grub aboard the _Tramp_ roight now. But such as it +is, ye're as wilcome to as the flowers in May." + +Whereupon he started in at once to cook another supply. + +"It's lucky ye kim, me byes," he remarked presently, while the others +were sitting about, warming their hands at the fire, and waiting for +supper. "Now, by the same token, we'll not be facin' starvation so +soon." + +"Don't count too much on that, Jimmie," observed George, making a face. +"I guess you forget who was with me these three days, and how he can +stow away stuff? Why, we're cleaned out of everything. I was even +talking of cooking our moccasins for soup a while back. For, you see, +my gun's a rifle, and somehow I haven't been able to knock over much +with bullets. We hoped to see a deer or a bear; but nixey up to now." + +"Glory be!" exclaimed the sorely dismayed cook of the _Tramp_, as he +considered what an enormous amount it took to keep Nick going, and he +remembered the scanty stores still remaining in the larder. + +"What brought you in this out-of-the-way place, George?" asked Jack. +"Now, don't go to joshing and pretending you knew we were here, because +you didn't. Ten to one you met that planter, too." + +"Meaning Mr. Tweed, the gentleman with the crooked nose, and the long, +thin mustache?" George went on. + +"That's the man," laughed Jack. "You quizzed him, too, about a +short-cut, and he posted you. Then, just as we did a little later, you +made a blunder and ran into the wrong channel. Confess now." + +"That's just what we did," grinned George. "And ever since I've been +listening to the complainings of Buster. Oh! he's starved to death +twenty times, in imagination of course, since we blundered into that +false cut-off. I had to finally threaten to tie him up and gag him if +he didn't stop. And after that he watched me like a hawk. I guess he +thought I meant to eat him up." + +"Well, it was very suspicious," admitted Nick, soberly, "because, you +see, he even pinched me several times; and I got a horrible notion in +my head that he was trying to see how fat I was." + +Then the others burst into a roar, in which Nick himself finally +joined, unable to keep a straight face longer. + +They sat up long that night, trying to lay plans that gave some promise +of fulfillment, and take them out of the labyrinth of channels. + +"If we stay here much longer Herb is going to have a walkover about +winning the silver cup," George remarked, half complainingly. + +"Sure, perhaps he do be matin' up wid the same smooth spoken Mr. +Twade," observed Jimmie, with a broad grin. + +His suggestion brought out another round of laughter. + +"Then be on the lookout tonight, Jimmie," warned George. "And if you +see anything that looks like a big alligator swimming toward us, don't +pour in a broadside too soon, for it may be the old _Comfort_. Misery +likes company, they say. And just to think of us running across you +fellows here, when our last grain of grub had gone." + +"Not much danger of them striking the planter, for they keep to the +middle of the river, while we hugged the shore," Jack observed. "But +when morning comes, I'm going to try the plan I spoke of last." + +"I think it a bully one, Jack," affirmed Nick, always full of +confidence in the leader of the expedition. "And if anybody can pull +us out of here it's going to be you. The worst of it is I dasen't go +swimming in this black water. It's just cram full of snakes." + +"Well," remarked Jack, seriously, "I wouldn't advise you to try it. +Those snakes with the mottled yellow and brown backs are water +moccasins. They are a nasty lot, and can strike to beat the band. +They say that they poison a fellow so that he may never get over having +a running sore. I hit every one I see on the head with my setting +pole." + +"And I will, after this," declared Nick. + +"Well, if you know what's good for you, I just guess you'll be +satisfied to sit quiet, and let me do the pushing," remarked George, +meaningly. "For every time I gave you the job we came near having a +turn over. Excuse me from a swim in this horrible looking water." + +During the night there were several alarms. Once an alligator did +actually try to invade the camp, doubtless under the impression that it +might secure something worth while devouring. It happened, too, that +Jimmie was on guard at the time. His yells, accompanied by the double +discharge of the shotgun, brought the others to their feet in wild +dismay. + +They were loth to accept the word of the sentinel that he had actually +shot at a scaly invader until he pointed out the spot. Then Jack, with +a brand from the fire, made a hasty examination. + +"Jimmie, you're a truthful boy," he declared, "for I can see where a +lot of the shot ploughed up the ground; and here's where claws dug into +it. Yes, and as sure as anything, you hit him, too, for here's a trail +of blood leading to the water's edge. I thought I heard a splash as I +jumped up." + +And Jimmie, with this complete vindication, drew himself up proudly, as +if to dare any one to doubt his veracity after that. + +"But if you see another alligator," Jack went on, "please don't shoot +at him, when a shout or a firebrand will chase him back to the water +just as well. Because, you see, we may need every shell I have along, +in order to keep the wolf from our door. They count for just so many +'possums, 'coons or muskrats." + +That worried Jimmie very much, and he looked sad. For to shorten their +chances of securing game would mean a scanty supply in the larder; and +Jimmie's appetite persisted in calling out at least three times a day +for attention. + +Morning found them in a more cheerful frame of mind. Breakfast was +eaten, and now that four had to be fed from the scanty stock of +provisions--George declared that Jimmie and Buster made it equal to six +at the very least--the hole made was shocking. + +"I move we don't have another meal today," was the startling +announcement from Nick, as he finished the last morsel left in the +kettle. + +"Well," said George, "you'll find the rest of us willing enough. But +let's get a move on. We must find a way out of this today sure." + +They started out, filled with confidence. Jack's plan was tried in +several different places; but without any success. + +"Say, there don't seem to be any current at all," remarked Nick, as he +watched the dead leaf that had been thrown on the water, and which +failed to move save as the faint breeze dictated. + +"But we're going to keep on trying all the same," declared George, +firmly. "Sooner or later we'll strike a place where it does show life. +Then we'll just follow after it, and in that way discover an opening +where this water joins the river again." + +"That's the talk," said Nick. "I like to hear that kind of stuff. It +shows that George is there with the goods. Just see how he uses that +pole. I tell him he'd make a bully old gondolier over in Venice." + +"Oh! yes, you're a regular old jollier, Buster," scoffed George, who +had seen the fat boy wink slyly toward Jack. "You just think to keep +me in a good humor while I slave away, and you sit there like a king, +giving orders." + +"Well, you won't let me stand up and push," complained the other. + +"Not unless I'm hankering for a spill. Lead the way, Jack. You know +more about these things than the rest of the bunch. It's up to you to +be our Moses and get us out of the bullrushes." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE DISCOVERY. + +"Oh, joy! she moves!" + +It was late in the afternoon when Nick gave utterance to this shout. +For the twentieth time the test had been made, and they could see the +leaf traveling away from the side of the _Tramp_. + +Evidently there was a gentle but decided movement to the water, and +this could not be caused by the breeze, because that had long since +died away. + +So, with hope once more stirred into life, they started to follow the +drifting messenger. Its speed gradually increased. In half an hour +there did not seem to any longer be the slightest doubt but that it was +in a genuine current. + +When the night began to settle in they were so eager that Jack lighted +one of his acetylene lamps, and kept the now quickly moving leaf under +observation. + +"Listen!" exclaimed George, suddenly. + +"It's the music of the river, that's what!" cried Nick. + +And that turned out to be the truth. None of them had ever believed +they would welcome the sight of that vast billowy flood with one-half +the joy that possessed them as they broke through the overhanging +branches and saw the moonlight falling on the mighty Mississippi. + +So they pulled back a bit, and made themselves just as comfortable as +the conditions allowed. There was now no longer any fear of a great +famine in the land. In their pockets they had money; and somewhere not +a great distance below they would strike Greenville, where, doubtless, +supplies could be purchased in any quantity. + +So the little Juwel gas stove, and the battery of lamps on board the +_Wireless_ were put to splendid service in getting up a supper to +celebrate this rediscovery of the Mississippi. + +"I don't believe De Soto ever felt one-half the happiness that we +experience," Jack remarked, as they sat in their respective boats, +fastened side by side, and discussed the meal. + +"That's right," declared Nick, between mouthfuls. "Because, you know, +he wasn't used to much, and in no danger of having his supplies cut +off. It comes harder on a fellow of today to starve than it used to. +That is, it seems so to me." + +Nobody objected to his way of putting it; for truth to tell every one +of the quartette felt delighted with the final outcome of their +adventure. + +They made an early start, for after all there was hardly enough food +left to provide for a scanty breakfast--at least Nick called it that, +though the others felt that they had had quite enough. + +Arriving at Greenville, a committee was appointed, consisting of Jack +and Nick, to go ashore and lay in some fresh supplies as well as have +gasolene ordered brought down to the boats. Jack also made inquiries, +and learned that a boat answering to the description of the _Comfort_ +had been noticed passing down in the middle of the river several days +back. + +"The tortoise has gotten ahead, fellows," he reported, when he once +more joined his chums, laden down with supplies, as was also the +willing Buster. + +Nobody cared much now. Somehow the fever of the race had departed from +George's veins. He even declared that from now on he meant to stick +with Jack and enjoy the pleasure of some company besides that of a +fellow whose one thought was cramming. + +"But you see that I'm not infallible as a guide," laughed Jack. "Don't +I strike the wrong channel as well as you?" + +"That's so," returned George; and then he added gallantly: "But you got +us all out of the blessed hole neatly, Jack. Goodness knows what would +have become of Buster and me if we hadn't struck you." + +"Now, I know what you're thinking about when you look sideways at me," +declared Nick, pretending to show alarm. "And after this I ain't never +going to allow myself to get alone with George Rollins. I tell you, +fellows, he's got cannibal blood in his veins. He scares me, the way +he acts." + +It was not a great ways after noon when they saw a red flag waving at a +point ashore. Then came a blast from the fog horn owned by Josh. He +and Herb played it for all they were worth, because this was the very +first chance they had had on the entire trip to welcome their comrades +to a camping site. + +Great was the joshing that followed the landing of the two missing +boats. And the skipper of the staunch _Comfort_, as well as the crew +thereof, laughed as though they would take a fit when they heard what a +mess of it the others had made in trying the cut-off so warmly +recommended by the planter, Mr. Tweed, who meant well, of course, but +came near wrecking the whole expedition. + +Their next stop would be in Vicksburg; and when the start was made in +the morning George never got out of hailing distance of the _Tramp_. +Sometimes he would be ahead; but if so, he would slow down and allow +the other to overtake him. + +Another strange thing occurred on this day's run. At no time was the +big _Comfort_ hull down in the distance. It seemed that, by taking +advantage of the swift water away out there in the middle of the river, +Herb's craft could overcome the difference in speed between the _Tramp_ +and herself. + +And when at about half-past three the leaders found a place to draw in +for the night, reliable old _Comfort_ came booming along not fifteen +minutes later. + +Apparently, then, there was now no reason for their separating. This +idea pleased them all, for they liked the social life of the camp, +where they could exchange yarns, compare notes, josh each other as the +whim seized them, and lay plans for future cruises of the motor boat +club. + +Vicksburg was reached without mishap on the next leg of the journey, +although on account of staying in camp over Sunday, it was Monday +afternoon when they looked upon the city made famous during the Civil +War by Grant's persistence and strategy. + +At the mouth of the big Yazoo George came near having a serious time of +it; for his cranky little speed boat was caught in a swirl of mingling +waters, and came within an ace of swamping. Only for the action of the +frightened Nick in throwing his great bulk the other way, just by +instinct, the _Wireless_ would have gone completely over. + +And Nick was always proud of what he was pleased to term his quick wit +in an emergency. It took the place of those wonderful "wings" in his +conversation; and often George had to threaten dire things unless he +called a halt in his boasting. + +On Tuesday they put out together, and that night lay over about half +way down to what had been marked as Station Number Eight. Here a storm +kept them shut up a full day, so that it was Thursday again before they +proceeded. + +On Saturday afternoon Jack announced the glad tidings that he believed +they had crossed the border of Louisiana. The others celebrated that +night with an extra grand feed, since Nick had managed to purchase a +couple of chickens from a man he met when George was tinkering with his +engine, and the crew had gone ashore to stretch his dumpy legs. + +Now that George did not try to push his speed boat to its limit he +seemed to be having an easy time with the engine. Either that, or else +the machinist up at Memphis had done a "corking good job," as the +master often declared. And on the whole George was coming to realize +that there could be much more pleasure and satisfaction in taking +things moderately, than in being in a constant rush and nervous turmoil. + +Nick was in an especially fine humor that evening. Jack had been in +the water with him after they arrived at the camping place, and, to the +great delight of the fat boy, he had discovered that he could actually +swim about as he pleased, and without wearing that cork contraption at +that. He was fairly hilarious with joy. + +George had been noticing him, with something like a smile on his face. +Whatever was on his mind, he did not say anything until supper had been +dispatched, and they were grouped around the fire, chatting as usual. + +Then George gave Jack a nudge on the sly. + +"Watch me," he whispered. + +A minute later he called out to Nick, who had just climbed to his feet +to go after his blanket, as he said the ground seemed cold. + +"Wait a minute, Buster," he said; "if you're going aboard, just get +that book of funny jokes for me, will you? I think it's in the +cubbyhole where we keep our oilskins, you know. And if you don't feel +it at first, hunt around, even if you have to pull everything there is +in there out." + +Just three minutes afterward there was a whoop, and an excited fat boy +came skipping off the deck of the speed boat, waving something wildly +above his head. + +"I've found 'em! Just to think of me putting the blessed wings so +carefully away in that same cubbyhole, and then forgetting all about +it? But you knew they were there all the time, I'm dead sure you did, +George! And how cruel of you to let me waste away to skin and bone, +mourning for them!" + +"Well, you never asked me if I knew where you stuck 'em," retorted the +skipper, with a big grin. "And, after all, I rather liked to hear you +grunt about losing 'em." + +"Yes, a whole lot you did, when you threatened to eat me, or throw me +to the alligators if I kept it up. But I guess you were only bluffing, +George. I don't think you could be quite that barbarous," said Nick, +reproachfully. + +"Well, what are you going to do with them now?" demanded the other. +"You know how to swim the best ever; and sure you wouldn't be guilty of +wearing those silly wings. And I refuse to carry the cargo any +further. How about it, Buster?" + +"Yes; we want to know," added Jack. + +"They'll do for babies, but not fellows who have mastered the noble art +of swimming, so make up your mind," said Josh, grandly. + +Nick took one last look at the affairs he had once deemed so essential +to his happiness. Then he calmly strode over, and amid the shouts of +the rest, dropped the swimming wings upon the fire, where they were +speedily reduced to ashes. + +"You're right," he observed, moving his arms like a swimmer; "a fellow +who has graduated has no need for artificial fins. I'm in your class +now!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE WINNER OF THE CUP--CONCLUSION. + +"Can anybody tell me what day of the month this is?" asked Nick, who +was making up some sort of private log, which would possibly afford his +companions more or less merriment in future days. + +"Why, that's easy," smiled Jack, who had been keeping the official log +of the progress of events, partly because he was at the head of the +club; and then again because he had a right good cause to know how time +flew, since he was due in the Crescent City by December first. "This +is Saturday, and we stay here until Monday, which will mark the +twenty-first of November." + +"That gives you another ten days to make the balance of the journey, +and land a winner?" observed George. + +"Yes," said Jack, "we'll take our time this week, moving along, and +seeing all the queer sights of the levees that have been built to keep +out the river when it is on the flood stage. Since we may never have +the chance to get down here again we ought to learn all we can about +things." + +"And then pull into New Orleans next Saturday; is that the official +program?" asked Herb, from across the fire. + +They soon started talking of other things; and so the time flew until +George finally discovered that Nick had actually gone to sleep resting +on one of the skipper's feet. + +"I wondered what ailed me," complained poor George, "and began to think +I was getting paralyzed. Won't somebody please give this elephant a +punch, and wake him up? He's got me pinned down so I'm just helpless." + +Buster was finally aroused, and convinced that there were softer spots +in which to take his nap than resting on somebody's feet. Then by +degrees the camp became silent, save for the heavy breathing of Nick, +who, whenever he lay on his back, was in the habit of producing the +strangest noises ever heard, and which would have actually frightened +almost any one, unless they knew the cause. + +Sunday was always a quiet day with the boys. They just lounged around +and rested up for the morrow. With Nick and Jimmie it meant a glorious +opportunity to try new dishes; or to partake of something which Josh, +the best cook in the whole outfit, got together. + +Promptly on Monday they again started south. + +There was no haste now. Dixieland had been reached, the air seemed +balmy; and with the time allowance that had been given to the _Comfort_ +it was already an assured fact that Herb would carry off the prize. + +Jack was secretly pleased. As his father had given the silver cup, he +felt that he could not well carry it off with a clear conscience. And +George really did not deserve it, after all the mishaps that had come +about as a result of his lack of wisdom. On the whole, Herb had played +the most consistent game, and done the best with the material he had in +hand. + +He often tried to get Jack to acknowledge that he had purposely lost +himself in that false cut-off, just so as to eliminate himself from the +race. On such occasions Jack would drag Jimmie forward to prove that +they had discussed the chances of making a miss, and concluded to take +the risk. + +For several days they just moved along almost with the current, going +ashore as the whim urged them, to see how cotton was grown and +harvested, make the acquaintance of the Louisiana darkies, a different +breed from any they had known on their long trip, and in the case of +Nick, to pick up a few chickens, or buy some roasting ears that had +survived the touch of frost. + +It was thus on Saturday that the little flotilla came to New Orleans, +and the race for the Dixie cup was officially declared to have ended, +with Herb the winner in his steady, reliable big boat, the _Comfort_. + +Monday, the twenty-ninth, Jack hunted up the lawyer with whom he had +been in correspondence, and made his presence in the city legally +known. At the proper time he wended his way with the judge to a quaint +old house, where a few persons had gathered to hear the last will and +testament of the singular gentleman who happened to be Jack's mother's +brother, read. + +Well, no matter what Jack came in for, it was a handsome sum, and many +times what he had ever anticipated. Certainly, as the lawyer said, +while warmly congratulating the boy from the north, it was worth coming +after. + +Considering what a glorious time he had had cruising down the Father of +Waters, Jack believed that he would have been well paid to have even +his expenses of the trip settled; but to get a fortune was a streak of +great luck. + +The six boys did not mean to cruise back again. The current of that +mighty river was too sturdy to buck against in a little +twenty-three-foot motor boat. When they had exhausted the pleasures of +the famous Crescent City they made an arrangement whereby the three +boats would be freighted back home. + +That left them free to go where they pleased; and hence, after some +wiring back home to get permission, they took a little run down through +Forida [Transcriber's note: Florida?] as the guests of the fortunate +heir to the fortune. + +School would open after New Years, so they had to count on getting back +before then. The sight of the beautiful Indian river inspired them +with a desire to some day come again to the sunny south, and spend a +month or more nosing about on the shallow waters of that remarkable +series of lagoons stretching along the entire east coast. + +But meanwhile they had other plans in view for the coming summer, when, +free from the trammels of school, they would be able to once more take +their several boats, starting out on a delightful cruise in quest of +adventure, and perhaps in the line of exploration. + +To the delight of Jack, later on that winter he received a long letter +from Erastus, written by his daughter, who, it seemed, had had +considerable schooling, and was intending to be a teacher in the negro +college at Tuskegee. + +Erastus had his family with him, and was prospering finely. He +declared he would never forget what the boys had done for him, and his +entire family signed their names to the communication, which the boys +put in the frame that held the other letter from the fugitive black, +found pinned to the live oak after they had left food for him during +the night he was being hunted. + +By the time the participants of the race reached the home town again, +they found that every boy within five miles was eager to hear of what +strange things had befallen them during the long journey. + +Not one had ever been further down the Mississippi than St. Louis, and +then on a steamboat; so that the mystery of living close to the waters +was unknown to the entire bunch. During the whole of that winter Nick +was kept busy retailing the amazing things he claimed to have seen and +done; until finally the rest of the club had to pass a resolution +declaring that unless he brought this yarn-spinning to a stop he would +surely be drafted to be George's partner again the next summer in the +speed boat. And really Buster had such a horror of such a dreadful +thing happening that from then on no one could get him to open his lips +with regard to the Mississippi cruise. + +"It's too much of a temptation for George," he used to say, after +getting as far away from the skipper of the _Wireless_ as he could, in +the club room. "You see, he just can't help having that cannibal blood +in him, for he was born so. But it's wicked in our tempting the poor +chap so. Now, if he has a thin, scrawny fellow, say, like Josh here, +along, he'll gradually overcome this savage appetite. Me for the bully +old _Comfort_ the next time this motor boat club goes on its vacation. +You hear me say it, all. Herb and I have got that settled, haven't we, +Herb?" + +And the placid skipper of the big launch would laugh as he replied: + +"Well, you did say that you admired my boat, because there was so much +room to stow things away, particularly lockers for grub galore. But I +guess you'll fit better in with me than in either of the other boats; +so let's call it a go. Though I'll miss the fine cooking of Josh, I +tell you." + +"Oh! next time we'll probably cruise and camp together, and then we all +can enjoy some of his wonderful cooking," Nick hastened to add, feeling +that it might pay to flatter his old enemy a little, if he expected to +profit by it in the future. + +And here for the present we must take leave of our motor boat chums, in +the belief that the record of their adventurous dash for the Dixie cup +may have proved pleasant reading to our boys, who will be only too glad +to meet them once again in the succeeding volume of this series, now +published under the name of "The Motor Boat Boys on the St. Lawrence; +or, Solving a Mystery of the Thousand Islands." + +Shortly after the return of the club from their Mississippi cruise Jack +and Jimmie had the pleasure of being invited over to take dinner with +Mr. Gregory, the president of the Waverly bank. He gave them a copy of +a resolution of thanks passed by the board of directors after his +return with all the missing funds and securities that had been stolen. + +There were also two checks, each of twenty-five hundred dollars, for +the boys, Jack having insisted that it must be share and share alike +between himself and Jimmie. + +The boys deposited their money in a savings bank, where it would lie at +compound interest, and be handy in case they were in need of funds at +any future time. + + + + +THE END. + + + + + + +AN AWAKENING AT ALVIN. + +Alvin is a small town in eastern Illinois, a short distance north of +Danville, and is a junction of a branch of the Wabash system with the +Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad. The place is large enough to +stand the racket of a small brass band, but not of sufficient +consequence to support a hotel or bakery. It was evident that either +the postal clerk running on the Wabash branch or some person in the +Alvin post-office was stealing ordinary letters and rifling registers. + +After a two-hours' consultation on the case by a committee of three, +Henshaw, "Judge" Bedell, and myself, it was unanimously decided that +the work was not being done by the postal clerk. It was too well +performed. No living being on a railroad train, by any known or +unknown art, could cut and reseal a registered package envelope as +artistically as these had been cut and resealed. There was no record +of any work of the kind that approached it. + +Could it be the postmaster at Alvin? It certainly had that appearance, +but he was a man who seemed as far above a crime of this kind as +conception could conceive. He had not been disturbed. No one had +written to him and nobody had called. His suspicions, if he had any, +had never been aroused. But there was certain information about the +office we must possess, and we must know more about him and his +methods. Yet, it would not answer for an Inspector to call on him on +any pretense whatever. What should be done? + +The postmaster was a druggist, and sold cigars; so we decided to fit +out Bedell as a cigar agent and let him call in the regular course of +business and do a little drumming and pumping. A fancy case was +borrowed of a regular Chicago dealer, into which was neatly packed a +sample box each of McConnel's Perfectos, Con. Mehoney's Shamrocks, Mrs. +Kelly's Pappooses, Carter Harrison's Best, Fred Hill's Favorites, and +Tol. Lawrence's Prides. A team was procured two stations north of +Alvin, and down into the sleepy hamlet Mr. Brooks, the agent of +Chesterfield, Schoolcraft & Browning, quietly wended his way and +presented his card at the Alvin drug store and post-office. + +It was harvest time and mid-day trade was quiet, so of course Mr. +Brooks found abundant opportunity to do business without being jostled +about by applicants for tobacco and tanglefoot for medical purposes. +His prices were the most reasonable of any agent who had called since +the war; but that was explained by the fact that this house always +surprised its customers with good goods and low prices, and this was +Mr. Brook's first trip through that section, and his first visit to +Alvin. As a result he remained three hours, sold two dozen boxes of +Perfectos, four dozen Pappooses, a whole case of Lawrence's Prides, and +went to dinner with the postmaster. + +When he reached Danville about four o'clock that afternoon, where he +was to report to Henshaw and myself, he was radiant with the enthusiasm +of well earned success. He had studied the Alvin postmaster as +thoroughly as he did the ten commandments when a child; was present +when the Wabash mail arrived and saw the postmaster distribute it alone +for the Eastern Illinois going north; sold him a fine bill of goods, +which was not to be delivered on account of the pressing business of +the house for two weeks; saw the postmaster lock up the office and went +to dinner with him, after which he returned to the office and saw the +postmaster endorse the registers and lock out the mail for the Eastern +Illinois, north; and everything had been done by the postmaster exactly +as a thoroughly honest, upright, conscientious postmaster would do it. + +There had not been the first false motion, word or suspicious +circumstance, and he would wager his entire lot of samples that the +postmaster was one of God's noblest works--an honest man. + +He admitted, however, that the facts of the losses were stubborn and +that the circumstances were peculiar, and, having now a good knowledge +of all the conditions he thought the tests should be applied. It was +accordingly arranged to remove from the Wabash mail every day for a +week every registered letter of natural origin that would pass through +the Alvin office, and substitute decoy or test letters. + +These would remain in the Alvin office about two hours, when they would +be placed in the postal car going north on the Eastern Illinois, where +they could be hastily examined. It was more of a difficult task than +the reader can imagine. The work of preparing the test letters, so +that they would appear exactly like genuine ones that had been mailed +at the various offices along the line of the road, occupied several +days, but by the end of the week we were ready to begin on the +following Monday. + +Two lists of the letters to be sent through each day for six days, and +a minute description of the contents of each letter, were prepared. +Henshaw, who was to go along the Wabash and attend to the delicate task +of removing the genuine and substituting the false ones, took one of +the lists, and the other was retained by Bedell and myself, who were to +examine the letters when they came from the office and were placed in +the north bound car. It would necessarily become our duty also, in +case anything was wrong, to strike while the iron was hot and secure +the transgressor. + +On Monday the letters came through in good condition. Tuesday and +Wednesday brought no good results. By making haste we could usually +get them out of the pouch and have them examined before the train left +the Alvin station. By so doing it would give us an opportunity to step +off the train, and thereby save time, if the examination proved that +the letters had been meddled with. + +On Thursday, while the train was still standing at the depot, we found +our letters, examined them, and, as usual, pronounced them correct. +The train pulled out and had proceeded probably a mile before we had +opened the letters to examine the contents, when, to our surprise, we +discovered that two of the eight had been rifled and the money was +missing. + +Quick as lightning the bell cord was pulled, and long before the +engineer had come to a full stop, Bedell and myself could be seen +walking hurriedly down the track toward the station. We entered the +post-office as coolly as though we had called for a prescription +instead of a thief, and found the postmaster handing out the mail that +had just been assorted. Bedell did not look as Brooks did and so he +was not recognized. + +We waited patiently, listening to the torturing discords of the Alvin +Silver Cornet Band that was practicing in the room above the store, +till finally the patrons had departed, when I approached the postmaster +and informed him of my unpleasant mission, which, was, in effect, that +some person in the Alvin postoffice had, within the last three hours, +abstracted $67 from the two registered letters that I held in my hand, +and that my friend and myself had called to recover the money. + +"Merciful God," said the postmaster, "it is impossible. No person +handled those letters but myself; there is my endorsement; so help me, +I did not open them, and I swear with uplifted hand before my Maker +that this is the truth." As I turned to Bedell, as much as to ask if +he ever heard such a falsehood, the gentle summer breeze wafted in +something that admonished us that the silver cornets were trying to +catch the air of "Dan Tucker." Bedell, feeling sorry for the +postmaster, the band, and me, turned to find relief by reading the +labels on the bottles. + +I told the postmaster that while I did not charge him with the crime I +would like to have him satisfy, if he could, that the money taken from +the letters was not then in his possession. To this he most cheerfully +assented, and search was made not only through his clothes, but through +every conceivable place about the office and store where it could +possibly have been secreted. + +At length we became satisfied the money was not there, but, of course, +not satisfied that the postmaster had not taken it. I asked him if any +person other than himself ever assisted in handling the mails, and he +answered: "No one." "Does not some person other than yourself have a +key that will unlock either of your store doors?" "Yes." "Who is that +person?" "It is George Havens, the leader of the band." Turning +quickly to Bedell, I said: "The leader of the band has a key to the +rear door, and he steals in while the postmaster is at dinner." + +Five minutes later the horn that once through Alvin's hall the soul of +discord shed, now hung as mute on the band-room wall, as though that +soul had fled, and George Havens had been called to account for +appropriating to himself certain funds that had not been contributed +for the purpose of buying instruments, music, and flashy uniforms. But +George had been around the world some himself, and had learned a few +airs and quicksteps not mentioned in the books. He was a hard nut to +crack. + +We labored incessantly with him till sundown, and had taken the horns +and band-room apart, had been through his residence, with his wife's +permission, from the bottom of the well to the top of the lightning +rod; had torn up the floors of several neighboring buildings; had been +through the brick-yard and the burying ground, and, in brief, had +completely upset everything in Alvin looking for the $67 which we did +not find. + +There could be but one conclusion. Either the leader of the band or +the postmaster had the money, and we were agreed that it was not the +latter. As a last resort we decided to take Havens to Chicago, and, +possibly on the trip up, or during the night in Chicago, we might get +something from him that would clear away the mists. + +We reached the city at ten o'clock, without obtaining anything except +the ride, and by 10:30 we had reached the office, where Stuart, whom we +had informed of our coming by wire, was anxiously waiting to relieve us +and spend the night with Havens. About four o'clock in the morning, +Stuart's burning eloquence began to be felt, and, by sunrise, Havens in +tears had confessed everything he had been charged with, and told how +he stealthily entered the rear door of the office and committed the +depredations while the postmaster was at dinner. + +Stuart and Havens left for Alvin on an early tram to secure the money; +and as they were digging it up in a grove a few rods back of the Alvin +post-office, the friends of Havens, who up to this time insisted that +he was innocent, concluded, from the appearance of the valuable +articles that were unearthed, that the treasures of Captain Kyd had at +last been found. + +The postmaster, who was one of the finest gentlemen I ever met, was so +effected by this terrible affair that soon afterward he sold his +business and moved away. Brooks gave his remaining samples to Stuart, +while poor Havens went to play B flat in prison. + + + + +CAUGHT WITH A SCRAP OF PAPER. + +The post-office at Attica, Indiana, had been robbed. Unknown persons +had entered it through a rear window sometime during Sunday night, and +on Monday morning when the mailing clerk arrived, the stove was +scattered in fragments around the floor, the letter boxes had been +emptied, the safe blown open, its entire contents missing, and the room +still retained a strong odor of powder. + +It was a genuine robbery, and, for a place of the breadth and thickness +of Attica, it was something much more than an ordinary, every-day +affair. The postmaster had barely enough money left to wire for help. + +When I arrived on Wednesday he informed me that no strange persons were +seen in town prior to the robbery, but that on Monday morning about six +o'clock, two young men called at the residence of Mr. James Beasley, a +farmer residing about six miles eastward, and wanted to engage him to +take them to Thorntown, a distance of about twenty miles as an Indiana +crow flies. Beasley was a busy farmer, and, not being in the livery +business, declined. + +They than asked the distance to the nearest station on the Wabash +railroad, and when Beasely informed them, they told him if he would +hitch up and take them over they would give him a dollar and a half for +his trouble. + +Beasley said he would do it, just to be accommodating, and by so doing +made a blunder. If he had told them he would do it for two dollars and +a half he would have been engaged just the same, and Beasley saw his +mistake, as a great many others do, when it was too late. + +The only vehicle handy that morning was a small buggy containing one +seat, and into this the three men placed themselves, Beasley in the +middle, and proceeded to ride to the railroad. While Beasley was +hitching up it occurred to him that it was very singular that two +fine-looking, well-dressed gentlemen should call at his house so early +in the morning and want to hire him to take them to Thorntown, and +finally be satisfied with a mile and a half ride for dollar and a half, +which was a dollar a mile, to another place. + +His curiosity was thoroughly aroused, and when he got into the buggy +with them he intended to look them over very closely indeed, and give +them a few questions to crack. + +Scarcely had they started before he asked them how it happened that +they came along so early. "Have not been walking all night, have you?" +he asked with a laugh. + +The larger one of the two then told Beasley about his lovely home in +Kansas; about his poor mother dying in Ohio; about being on the way to +her funeral; about meeting Mr. Cushman, the other gentleman, on the +train; about Mr. Cushman being on his way to Cornell University, and +last, though not least, about the wreck on the I. B. & W., which +compelled them to leave the train and get across the country to the Big +Four or the Wabash. The reason he mentioned Thorntown particularly was +because he had a wealthy aunt residing there, and he was thinking some +of stopping to make her a short visit. + +"But what do you carry in that roll, wrapped in light paper, sticking +up through your inside coat pocket?" asked Beasley. + +"A present for my aunt," was the laconic reply. + +Turning to Mr. Cushman, the quiet gentleman who was on his way to +college, Beasley asked: "What are you carrying those iron articles for +in your overcoat pocket, that I'm sitting on; you are not going to open +a hardware store in connection with the school, are you?" + +Just then they came to a bend in the highway and the depot was visible +only a short distance ahead, and just at that instant, without stopping +to answer the question, Mr. Cushman and the big fellow jumped out, and +the big fellow said they guessed they would walk the remainder of the +way. + +"All right," said Beasley, who stopped his horse and commenced to look +for a good place to turn around. On his way back he said to himself: +"they are a queer pair." They were soon out of his mind however, and +in a few minutes more he was home attending to his chores, just as +though he had not received one-fifty for almost nothing. + +Tuesday morning the weather was a little lowering, so he concluded to +drive into town and learn how many were killed in the I. B. & W. wreck. +When he learned that there had been no wreck on the I. B. & W. or on +any other railroad, he said to Mrs. Beasley: "How could those fellows, +whom I carried yesterday morning, have had the audacity to tell me such +a cold-blooded falsehood?" + +A few minutes later when Mrs. Beasley had heard of the robbery, she +answered the question. + +In my interview with Beasley, he informed me that he looked the young +men over very closely, and so firmly were their features impressed upon +his mind that he could pick them out of ten or fifteen thousand. I had +never met a more sanguine man. I arranged with him to take a few days' +vacation, and, in less than an hour and a half after my arrival in +Attica, I was waiting at the railroad station with Beasley for a train +to take us to Indianapolis. + +Thorntown, from Beasley's house was directly on a line toward +Indianapolis, and, while there were many other stations nearer to +Beasley's, Thorntown was the only one between LaFayette and +Indianapolis, where every train that passed over the road was sure to +stop. Here was a water tank whose supply was never exhausted, and this +fact we assumed the robbers knew, as well as some others. They knew if +they could reach Thorntown by Monday night they would be able to catch +a south-bound freight that would land them in Indianapolis, and no one +would be the wiser. + +All day Thursday, we looked for the mysterious strangers in +Indianapolis. We went everywhere where such persons would likely be. +A thousand men I saw who looked something like them, but every time I +called Beasley's attention to them, he would say, "No." To the +captains of the police Beasley described the men minutely. They could +think of none who answered the descriptions in every particular. +Beasley examined the pictures in the rogue's gallery and in every other +gallery, and all without success. + +The captains said they would wager their lives that the men did not +belong to Indianapolis. If they were looking for them they should go +straightway to Dayton, Ohio, "where," said they, "more thieves hang out +than in any place in North America, with the possible exception of +Windsor, Canada." It is true if these men belonged to Dayton, they +would have taken exactly the same course to reach home that they would +have taken to reach Indianapolis. + +Friday morning bright and early found us in Dayton, waiting for an +interview with the Chief. Presently he came, and to him and two of his +assistants I told the story and Beasley described the men. They had a +man there who answered the description of Cushman, the quiet gentleman, +and they also knew one who answered for the large one, but they had not +heard that he was out of prison yet. + +Handing Beasley an album, containing the pictures of a few of the +well-known notables, the chief asked him to see if he could recognize +any of them. Scarcely had Beasley commenced to turn the leaves of the +book before his eye caught a familiar face, and, jumping from his seat, +he said: "That's the big fellow." + +"This was Tettman," they said, "one of the most accomplished safe +workers in the State, and the little red-headed fellow, whom you +describe, is Reddy Jackson, a quiet hard-working robber, though not as +renowned as the former." + +The officers assured us that it these men were in Dayton, they would be +only too happy to find and deliver them to us, and with this end in +view every policeman in Dayton was notified to search for them, and to +run them in if possible, while Beasley in high glee took a position on +a prominent corner to scan the passing throngs. + +About seven o'clock that evening word came over the wire to +head-quarters that Tettman and Jackson had been safely landed in one of +the station houses. It was quickly arranged to remove them to the +county jail, a more secure place, and it was desired to have Beasley +stand just outside the door of the station house, so that when the +prisoners were marched out to enter the patrol wagon, he might get a +good look at them under an electric light, and thereby make sure that +they were the ones we wanted. + +When they passed him he turned to the crowd, and with much complacency +said: "Them's the fellows." + +Afterward, while interviewing one of the officers who made the arrest, +as the men were coming out of a notorious saloon, he told us that when +he told Tettman that he wanted him, Tettman instantly put a piece of +paper in his mouth and commenced to chew it. The officer did not like +the looks of the operation and he grabbed the man by the throat and +ordered him not to attempt to swallow what he was chewing. + +After considerable of a struggle he secured a portion of the piece of +paper, which he handed to me saying: "I don't know as it amounts to +anything, but I was afraid it might, and so took the precaution to +prevent its destruction; sorry I was not quick enough to get it all." +The little scrap of paper contained the following memoranda: + + 12,427 at 2c. 248.54 + 3,240 " 4c. 129. + 747 " 5c. 3 + 892 " 10c. + 165 speci + 400 du + +On the preliminary examination before the commissioner in Dayton they +fought bravely. Their case was managed by the best counsel that could +be obtained, who attempted to prove that Tettman and Jackson were in +Dayton the day before the robbery in Attica, the day of the robbery, as +well as the day after. + +In fact there was very little proof necessary for their side that they +did not produce, but the quality, unfortunately for them, did not equal +the quantity. + +Beasley's straightforward story was accepted by everybody, and when we +proved by the postmaster from Attica that the number and the +denomination of the stamps stolen from his safe corresponded precisely +with the number and the denomination as noted by Tettman on the little +slip of paper, which he attempted to swallow, the case was closed and +the prisoners were sent to Indianapolis for trial. + +On the trial the same character of evidence was introduced by the +defendants. Ours was also similar, though in addition to that +introduced in Dayton, we proved that a novel and ingenious brace found +on Tettman's premises in Dayton, which contained irregular and +unnatural features, and which left the same impressions on the safe, +was the only brace in existence that could have performed the work +which the Chief of Police in Attica pronounced "exquisite." + +The jury was out just five minutes, and two hours later the two +distinguished travelers, who mistook Beasley for a chump, were enjoying +a free ride to Michigan City, where they are still industriously +working for the State, cracking pig iron instead of safes. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT BOYS MISSISSIPPI CRUISE*** + + +******* This file should be named 21980.txt or 21980.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/9/8/21980 + + + +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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