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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-03 06:02:30 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-03 06:02:30 -0800 |
| commit | 9c554a9004c7ffab357da4cb4f54a2451f9bf1da (patch) | |
| tree | 5531f6f9a70c76b7e15d9338df04e26b12a080d6 /39732-h/39732-h.htm | |
| parent | 7df08af683bcbf7c31a8648fe01ee3bbe2709223 (diff) | |
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+ float: left; + margin-right: 1em } + +.align-right { clear: right; + float: right; + margin-left: 1em } + +.align-center { margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto } + +div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } + +/* SECTIONS */ + +body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } + +/* compact list items containing just one p */ +li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } + +.first { margin-top: 0 !important; + text-indent: 0 !important } +.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } + +span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } +img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } +span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } + +.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } + +/* PAGINATION */ + +@media screen { + .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage + { margin: 10% 0; } + + div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage + { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } + + .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } +} + +@media print { + div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } + div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } + + .vfill { margin-top: 20% } + h2.title { margin-top: 20% } +} + +</style> +<title>BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH</title> +<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> +<meta name="PG.Title" content="Budd Boyd's Triumph" /> +<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<meta name="DC.Creator" content="William Pendleton Chipman" /> +<meta name="DC.Created" content="1889" /> +<meta name="PG.Id" content="39732" /> +<meta name="PG.Released" content="2012-05-18" /> +<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> +<meta name="DC.Title" content="Budd Boyd's Triumph or, The Boy-Firm of Fox Island" /> + +<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> +<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> +<meta content="Budd Boyd's Triumph or, The Boy-Firm of Fox Island" name="DCTERMS.title" /> +<meta content="budd.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> +<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> +<meta content="2012-05-19T02:55:39.843285+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> +<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> +<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> +<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39732" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> +<meta content="William Pendleton Chipman" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> +<meta content="2012-05-18" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> +<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> +<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.19b4 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> +<style type="text/css"> +.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.toc-pageref { float: right } +pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39732 ***</div> +<div class="document" id="budd-boyd-s-triumph"> +<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH</h1> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> +</div> +<div class="clearpage"> +</div> +<div class="align-None container coverpage"> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 47%" id="figure-21"> +<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +Cover art</div> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +</div> +<div class="align-None center container titlepage white-space-pre-line"> +<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line x-large">BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH;</p> +<p class="medium pnext white-space-pre-line">OR,</p> +<p class="large pnext white-space-pre-line">THE BOY-FIRM OF FOX ISLAND.</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">By WILLIAM PENDLETON CHIPMAN,</p> +<p class="pnext small white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Author of</em></p> +<p class="pnext white-space-pre-line">"Roy Gilbert's Search," "The Mill-Boy of the Genesee,"<br /> +"The Black Forge Mills," etc., etc.</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst small white-space-pre-line">ILLUSTRATED.</p> +<p class="pnext small white-space-pre-line">NEW YORK:</p> +<p class="pnext white-space-pre-line">A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER.</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +</div> +<div class="align-None center container verso white-space-pre-line"> +<p class="pfirst small white-space-pre-line">COPYRIGHT 1890, BY A. L. BURT.</p> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="id1"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">CONTENTS</h2> +<div class="container contents"> +<ul class="compact simple toc-list"> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-i-budd-seeks-employment" id="id2">CHAPTER I.--BUDD SEEKS EMPLOYMENT.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ii-a-slight-misunderstanding" id="id3">CHAPTER II.--A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iii-against-wind-and-tide" id="id4">CHAPTER III.--AGAINST WIND AND TIDE.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iv-a-new-friend" id="id5">CHAPTER IV.--A NEW FRIEND.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-v-mr-benton-s-wrath" id="id6">CHAPTER V.--MR. BENTON'S WRATH.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vi-the-new-firm" id="id7">CHAPTER VI.--THE NEW FIRM.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vii-business-booms" id="id8">CHAPTER VII.--BUSINESS BOOMS.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-viii-the-lost-ox-cart" id="id9">CHAPTER VIII.--THE LOST OX-CART.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ix-the-three-intruders" id="id10">CHAPTER IX.--THE THREE INTRUDERS.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-x-budd-s-story" id="id11">CHAPTER X.--BUDD'S STORY.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xi-an-unfortunate-predicament" id="id12">CHAPTER XI.--AN UNFORTUNATE PREDICAMENT.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xii-budd-s-trial" id="id13">CHAPTER XII.--BUDD'S TRIAL.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiii-mr-benton-s-little-game" id="id14">CHAPTER XIII.--MR. BENTON'S LITTLE GAME.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiv-two-opportunities" id="id15">CHAPTER XIV.--TWO OPPORTUNITIES.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xv-budd-entrapped" id="id16">CHAPTER XV.--BUDD ENTRAPPED.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xvi-judd-makes-an-important-discovery" id="id17">CHAPTER XVI.--JUDD MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xvii-budd-s-escape" id="id18">CHAPTER XVII.--BUDD'S ESCAPE.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xviii-caught" id="id19">CHAPTER XVIII.--CAUGHT.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xix-mr-johnson-is-astonished" id="id20">CHAPTER XIX.--MR. JOHNSON IS ASTONISHED.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xx-the-confession" id="id21">CHAPTER XX.--THE CONFESSION.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxi-father-and-son" id="id22">CHAPTER XXI.--FATHER AND SON.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxii-an-exciting-adventure" id="id23">CHAPTER XXII.--AN EXCITING ADVENTURE.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxiii-a-manly-rescue" id="id24">CHAPTER XXIII.--A MANLY RESCUE.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxiv-the-firm-s-profits" id="id25">CHAPTER XXIV.--THE FIRM'S PROFITS.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxv-mr-johnson-s-munificence" id="id26">CHAPTER XXV.--MR. JOHNSON'S MUNIFICENCE.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-bear-and-the-bomb-shell" id="id27">THE BEAR AND THE BOMB SHELL.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#an-afternoon-at-sagamore-pond" id="id28">AN AFTERNOON AT SAGAMORE POND.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#how-jack-went-tiger-hunting" id="id29">HOW JACK WENT TIGER-HUNTING.</a></p> +</li> +</ul> +</div> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<p class="center pfirst x-large">BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-i-budd-seeks-employment"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id2">CHAPTER I.--BUDD SEEKS EMPLOYMENT.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">It was a raw, cold, day in the month of March. +Since early morning the clouds had been +gathering, and they now hung dark and heavy over both +land and sea. The wind, too, which had for hours +been steadily increasing in violence, now blew little +short of a gale. It evidently was going to be a +terrible night, and that night was near at hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">No one realized this more than the young lad, +who, with a small bundle in one hand and a stout +staff in the other, was walking rapidly along the +highway that runs near the west shore of Narragansett +Bay. He was a lad that would have attracted +attention anywhere. Tall for his age, which could +not have been far from sixteen years, he was also of +good proportions, and walked with an ease and +stride which suggested reserved strength and +muscular development.</p> +<p class="pnext">But it was the lad's face that was the most noticeable. +Frank, open, of singular beauty in feature and +outline, there were also upon it unmistakable +evidences of intelligence, resoluteness, and honesty of +purpose. A close observer might also have detected +traces of suffering or of sorrow on it--possibly of +some great burden hard to bear.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lad was none too warmly clad for the chilly +air and piercing wind, and now and then drew his +light overcoat about him as though even his rapid +walking did not make him entirely comfortable. +He also looked eagerly ahead, like one who was +watching for some signs of his destination. He +drew a sigh of relief as he reached the foot of a +steep hill, and said aloud:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I must be near the place, now. They said it +was at the top of the first long hill I came to, and +this must be the hill."</p> +<p class="pnext">As he spoke he quickened his pace to a run, and +soon reached the summit, quite out of breath, but +with a genial warmth in his body that he had not +experienced for some hours.</p> +<p class="pnext">Pausing now a moment to catch his breath, he +looked about him. Dim as was the light of the +fast-falling evening, he could not help giving an +exclamation of delight at the vision he beheld. To +the north and west of him he saw the twinkling +lights of several villages through which he had +already passed. To the east of him was the bay, +its tossing waves capped with white, its islands like +so many dark gems on the bosom of the angry +waters. To the south there was first a stretch of +land, and then the broad expanse of the well-nigh +boundless ocean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It must be a beautiful place to live, and I hope +to find a home here," he remarked, as he resumed +his journey.</p> +<p class="pnext">A few rods farther on he came to a farm-house, +and turned up to its nearest door. As he was about +to knock, a man came from the barn-yard, a little +distance away, and accosted him:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good-evening!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good-evening!" responded the lad.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is this Mr. Benton?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No; I'm Mr. Wright," answered the man, +pleasantly. "Benton lives on the next farm. You will +have to turn into the next gateway and go down the +lane, as his house stands some distance from the road."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I was told," explained the lad, "that he wished +to hire help, and I hoped to get work there. Could +you tell me what the prospect is?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The man had now reached the boy's side, and was +looking him over with evident curiosity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well," he replied, slowly, "I think he wants to +get a young fellow for the coming season, and hadn't +hired anyone the last I knew. But I guess you must +be a stranger in these parts."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," the lad answered, briefly; and then +thanking the man for his information he turned away.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I thought so," the man called after him, "else +you wouldn't want to go there to work."</p> +<p class="pnext">The boy scarcely gave heed to the remark then; +but it was not long before he knew by hard +experience the meaning of it.</p> +<p class="pnext">A quarter of a mile farther on he reached a gate, +and passing through it, he hastened down the +narrow lane till he came to a long, low, dilapidated +house; but in the darkness, which had by this time +fallen, he was not able to form any definite idea of +his surroundings.</p> +<p class="pnext">A feeble light came forth from a back window, +and guided by this, he found the rear door of the +building. To his knock there was a chorus of +responses. Dogs barked, children screamed, and above +the din a gruff voice shouted:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come in!"</p> +<p class="pnext">A little disconcerted by the unusual sounds, the +lad, instead of obeying the invitation, knocked +again. Then there was a heavy step across the +floor, the door swung open with a jerk, and a tall, +raw-boned man, shaggy-bearded and shock-haired, +stood on the threshold.</p> +<p class="pnext">Eying the lad for a moment in surprise, he asked, +somewhat surlily:</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you want, youngster?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are you Mr. Benton?" the lad asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes; what of it?" the man answered, sharply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I was told you wanted help, and I have called to +see about it," explained the boy.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come in, then," said the man, and his tones were +wonderfully modified.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lad now obeyed, and found himself in a large +room, evidently the kitchen and living-room all in +one. There was no carpet on the floor, and a stove, +a table and a half-dozen chairs constituted its furniture.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two large dogs lay before the fire, growling +sullenly. A woman and four small children were +seated at the table. An empty chair and an +unemptied plate showed that Mr. Benton had been +eating when he was called to the door.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was food enough upon the table, but its +disorderly arrangement, and the hap-hazard way in +which each child was helping itself, caused the lad +to give an involuntary shudder as his host invited +him to sit down "an' take a bite while they talked +over business together."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton evidently meant to give his caller a +most flattering impression of his hospitality, for he +heaped the lad's plate with cold pork, brown bread, +and vegetables, and even called on his wife to get +some of that "apple sass" for the young stranger.</p> +<p class="pnext">The boy was hungry, and the food was, after all, +wholesome, and he stowed away a quantity that +surprised himself, if not his host. When supper was +eaten, Mr. Benton pushed back his chair and +abruptly asked his guest:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who are ye?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Budd Boyd," promptly answered the lad.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's a kinder cur'us name, now ain't it?" +questioned Mr. Benton. "I dunno any Boyds round +here. Where be ye from?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I came from Massachusetts," replied Budd, with +the air of one who had studied his answer; but it +seemed for some reason to be very satisfactory to +his questioner.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Any parents?" next inquired Mr. Benton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My mother is dead, and my father is not keeping +house now. I'm to look out for myself," said +the lad, somewhat hesitatingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I guess ye ain't used to farm work, be ye?" +now inquired Mr. Benton, doubtingly, and looking +at Budd's hands, which were as white and soft as a +lady's.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, sir; but I'm willing to learn," said the lad.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Of course ye can't expect much in the way of +wages," remarked Mr. Benton, cautiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, not until I can do my full share of work," +said Budd, indifferently.</p> +<p class="pnext">A light gleamed for a moment in Mr. Benton's eyes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I might give ye ten dollars a month an' board, +beginnin' the fust of the month, ye to work round +for yer board till then," he ventured.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well," responded the lad; and immediately +after he added:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've walked a good ways to-day, and if you don't +mind, I'll go to my room."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Purhaps we'd better draw up a paper of agreement, +an' both of us sign it," suggested Mr. Benton, +rubbing his hands vigorously together, as though +well pleased with himself and everybody else.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right, if that is your custom," said Budd. +"Draw up the paper, and I'll sign it."</p> +<p class="pnext">After considerable effort, Mr. Benton produced +the following document:</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">On this 20 day of March Budd Boyd, a miner of +Mass., agres to work for me, John Benton. He's to +begin work April fust, an' work 6 munths, at 10 +dollers an' bord. He's to work til the fust for his +bord. If he quits work before his time is up he's to +have no pay. To this I agree.</p> +<p class="pnext">JOHN BENTON, on his part.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">Budd read the paper, and could scarcely suppress +a smile as he signed his name under Mr. Benton's, +and in imitation of him, added the words "on his +part" after the signature. He knew, however +much importance Mr. Benton might attach to it, +that as a legal document it had no special force. He +simply set the whole act down as one of the whims +of his employer, and gave no more thought to the +matter. But it was destined to serve that gentleman's +purpose, nevertheless, until taken forcibly +from him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton now showed Budd up to a back room +on the second floor, and telling him that he would +call him early in the morning, bade him good-night.</p> +<p class="pnext">The room the lad had entered was bare and cold. +A single chair, a narrow bedstead, a rude rack on +the wall to hang his garments upon, were all it +contained. Yet it was evidently with some satisfaction +that the lad opened his bundle, hung up the few +clothes it held, and prepared for bed. As he drew +the quilts over himself he murmured:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't think I ever had more uncomfortable +quarters in my life, and the outlook for the next six +months, at least, is far from encouraging. Still, I +would not go back to what I have left behind for +anything."</p> +<p class="pnext">He was tired. The rain that was now falling +heavily upon the roof just over his head acted as a +sedative and lulled him to sleep. But his was not +an unbroken rest, for at times he tossed to and fro, +and muttered strange sentences. One was, "Father +never did it; how could they treat him so?" Another, +"I can never face them again; no, never!" Still +another, "Thank Heaven, mother never lived +to know the worst!" After that the troubled sleeper +must have had pleasanter dreams, for he murmured +the words, "Mother; father; a home at last!" From +these, however, he was rudely awakened by a +gruff call:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Budd! Budd! get up and come out to the barn."</p> +<p class="pnext">Dazed, bewildered, he arose, and groped about in +the darkness for his clothing. By the time he was +dressed a full consciousness of his situation had come +back to him, and with a stout heart he went out, to +begin what was to him equally new duties and a new life.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ii-a-slight-misunderstanding"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id3">CHAPTER II.--A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">It was still dark, and the rain fell in torrents as +Budd opened the kitchen door and ran hastily +out to the barn, where Mrs. Benton, who was +making preparations for breakfast, had told him he +would find her husband. He noticed the kitchen +time-piece as he passed through the room, and knew +it was not yet four o'clock. Early rising was +evidently one of the things to be expected in his new +home.</p> +<p class="pnext">Reaching the barn quite drenched, Budd found +Mr. Benton engaged in feeding a dozen or more +gaunt and ill-kept cows, who seized the musty hay +thrown down to them with an avidity that suggested, +on their part, a scarcity of rations. The same +untidiness that marked the house was to be seen about +the barn also, which, if anything, was in a more +dilapidated condition than the former.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good-morning, Mr. Benton. What can I do to +assist you?" asked Budd, pleasantly, as soon as he +entered the barn.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hum! I don't suppose ye can milk?" was the +rather ungracious response.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, sir; but I'm willing to learn," replied Budd, +good-naturedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, I'll see 'bout that after awhile. I suppose +ye might as well begin now as any time. But fust +git up on that mow an' throw down more hay. +These pesky critters eat more'n their necks are +wuth," said Mr. Benton, kicking savagely at a cow +that was reaching out for the wad of hay he was +carrying by her.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd obeyed with alacrity; and when that job +was finished it was followed by others, including the +milking, wherein the lad proved an apt scholar, +until nearly six o'clock, when Mrs. Benton's shrill +voice summoned them to breakfast. That meal, +possibly on account of Budd's want of the good +appetite he had had the night before, seemed to him +greatly inferior to his supper. The coffee was bitter +and sweetened with molasses, the johnny-cakes were +burnt, and the meat and vegetables were cold. He +did his best to eat heartily of the unsavory food, +however--partly that he might not seem to his +employer over-fastidious in taste, and partly because +the morning's work had taught him that he should +need all the strength he could obtain ere his day's +task was over. Stormy though it was, he felt sure +Mr. Benton would find enough for him to do.</p> +<p class="pnext">In fact, long before the first of April came, Budd +realized fully the force of the words Mr. Wright had +shouted after him the night he stopped there to +inquire the way to Mr. Benton's. Had he really +known his employer and family, he certainly would +not have been over-anxious to have hired out to him +for the season; for the dilapidated condition of the +buildings and the untidiness and disorder that +marked everything about the place were not, after +all, the worst features with which Budd had to deal. +He soon found that his employer was a hard, cruel, +grasping tyrant, while his wife was a complete +termagant, scolding and fault-finding incessantly from +morning until night. There was not an animal on +the place that escaped the abuse of the master, and +not even the master himself escaped the tirades of +the mistress.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd, by faithfully performing every task +assigned him, and thus frequently doing twice over +what a lad of his age should have been expected to +do, tried to win the approval of both Mr. Benton +and his wife. He soon found this impossible, and +so contented himself with doing what he felt to be +right, and cheerfully bore the scoldings that soon +became an hourly occurrence.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was indeed astonishing with what good nature +the lad bore both the work and the abuse put upon +him. Mr. Benton attributed it to the paper he had +asked the boy to sign, and chuckled to himself at +the thought that Budd's fear of losing his wages +kept him so industrious and docile. He confidentially +admitted to his wife, one day, that the lad was +worth twice what he had agreed to pay him; "only +I ain't paid him nothin' as yit," he added, with a +knowing look, which his wife seemed to understand, +for she replied:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now ye are up to another of yer capers, John +Benton. There never was a man on the earth +meaner than ye are!"</p> +<p class="pnext">But Mr. Wright, who knew his neighbors well, +could in no way account for the lad's willingness to +endure what he knew he must be enduring, and +finally his curiosity got the better of him; for, +meeting Budd one day as he was returning from the +nearest village, he drew up his horses and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Budd, do you know you are the profoundest +example of human patience I ever saw?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No; is that so?" replied Budd, with a laugh. +"What makes you think so?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well," remarked Mr. Wright, leaning on his +wagon-seat and looking down into the smiling +countenance before him, "I have lived here beside +John Benton and his wife ten years, and know them +well enough to be sure that an angel direct from +Heaven couldn't long stand their abuse; and yet +you have actually been there four weeks, and are +still as cheerful as a lark on one of these beautiful +spring mornings. Will you just explain to me how +you manage to stand it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">While he was speaking a far-away look had come +into the lad's eyes, and a shudder shook his robust +frame as though he saw something very disagreeable +to himself; but he answered, quietly enough:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Wright, there are some things in this world +harder to bear than either work or abuse, and I +prefer even to live with John Benton's family than to +go back to the life I have left behind me."</p> +<p class="pnext">With these words Budd started up his oxen and +went on, leaving Mr. Wright to resume his journey +more mystified than ever.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the first day of May Budd asked Mr. Benton +for the previous month's pay.</p> +<p class="pnext">They were at work putting in corn, and the lad's +request took his employer so by surprise that his +hoe-handle dropped from his grasp.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me pay ye now!" he exclaimed. "What are ye +thinkin' of?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, as though another idea had come to his +mind, he said, persuasively:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ye don't need no money, an' 'twill be better to +have yer pay all in a bunch. Jes' think how much +'twill be--sixty dollers, an' all yer own."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But I have a special use for the money," persisted +Budd; "and as I have earned it, I should think you +might give it to me."</p> +<p class="pnext">He spoke all the more emphatically because he +knew that Mr. Benton had quite a sum of money by +him, and that he could easily pay him if he chose to +do so.</p> +<p class="pnext">For reply, Mr. Benton put his hand into his +pocket, and taking out his wallet, opened it. From +it he then took the paper of agreement that Budd +and he had signed. This he slowly spelled out, and +when he had finished, asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Does this here paper say anythin' 'bout my +payin' ye every munth?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, sir," Budd reluctantly admitted.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But it does say, if ye quit yer work 'fore yer +time is up ye are to have no pay, doesn't it?" +inquired the man, significantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," the lad replied, now realizing how +mean and contemptible his employer was, and what +had been his real object in drawing up that paper.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, how can I know ye are goin' to stay with +me yer whole time till it's up?" he asked, with a +show of triumph in his tones.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you mean to say you don't intend to pay me +anything until October?" asked Budd, indignantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's the agreement," replied Mr. Benton, +coolly, returning the paper to his wallet and placing +it in his pocket. "If ye'll keep yer part, I'll keep +mine."</p> +<p class="pnext">He now picked up his hoe and resumed his work.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the first time since he came to the farm Budd +felt an impulse to leave his employer. It was with +great difficulty indeed that he refrained from +throwing down his hoe, going to the house after his few +effects, and quitting the place forever. But he did, +and went resolutely on with his work. Fortunate +for him was it, though he did not know it then, that +he did so. Later on, he could see that the ruling of +his spirit that day won for him, if not a city, +certainly the happiest results, though severe trials +stood between him and their consummation.</p> +<p class="pnext">That night, at as early an hour as possible, Budd +sought his little room. Closing the door carefully +after him, he walked over to the rude rack on the +wall and took down his light overcoat. From an +inside pocket he took a long wallet, and from the +wallet a postal card. Addressing it with a pencil +to "N. B. Johnson, Esq., No. 127 Sumner Street, +Boston, Mass.," he wrote rapidly and in tiniest +characters, on the reverse side, without giving place or +date, the following words:</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">DEAR SIR:--I promised you last March to send +you some money each month until the total amount +remaining due to you was paid. I have secured +work at a small compensation, but find, through a +misunderstanding with my employer, that I am not +to have my pay until the six months for which I +have hired out are ended. At that time you may +expect a remittance from me. I am very sorry to +make this change in my original plans, but cannot +help it, and trust you will be satisfied with this +arrangement. Truly yours,</p> +<p class="pnext">BUDD BOYD.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">It was several days later, however, before Budd +had an opportunity to go up to the neighboring +village. When he did go, he took care not to drop the +postal into the post-office, but handed it directly to +a mail agent upon a passing train. His reason for +this act could not be easily misunderstood. +Evidently he did not care that the Mr. Johnson to +whom he had written should know his exact +whereabouts. But his precaution was unnecessary, for +before the summer months had fairly come he was to +see Mr. Johnson under circumstances most trying to +himself.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iii-against-wind-and-tide"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id4">CHAPTER III.--AGAINST WIND AND TIDE.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Not a great distance north of the farm of +Mr. Benton, and stretching some distance +along the shore of the bay, there is a singular +formation of sand and rocks known as "The +Hummocks." A small cove lies south and west of the +formation, while the main bay stretches out to its +widest extent from the east. The only point, then, +where "The Hummocks" touch the main-land is at +the north; and even this point of contact is so +narrow as to simply furnish a roadway down onto +"The Hummocks" themselves.</p> +<p class="pnext">Of these hummocks, for there are but two, the +northern one is much the smaller, embracing +perhaps an acre of rough soil, covered with a stunted +grass, and dotted here and there with red cedars. +The southern one, on the other hand, covered like +its smaller mate with a scanty vegetation and +scattered trees, broadens out so as to nearly land-lock +the cove behind it, and causes its waters to rush in +or out, according to the tide, through an exceedingly +contracted passage-way at its extreme southern end, +popularly called "the narrows." The point of +contact of the southern with the northern hummock, +like the northern hummock with the main-land, is +also very narrow; and to its narrowness is added +another feature: it is so low, or in more technical +language it is so nearly on a level with the +high-water mark, that when there happens to be a strong +wind from either the northeast or the southeast, +the waters of the bay, on the incoming tide, will +rush with great force over the slight barrier and +mingle with the waters of the cove, making an +island, for the time, of the larger and more southern +hummock.</p> +<p class="pnext">Perhaps half or three-quarters of a mile off shore, +and a little to the northeast of these hummocks, +there is an island of an irregular shape, and a few +acres in extent, that bears the name of Fox Island. +The name has belonged to it since Colonial days, +but the reason therefor is unknown, unless at some +remote period some solitary animal of that specific +genus which gives the island its title may have there +made its home.</p> +<p class="pnext">This island had in later years, however, a more +illustrious if not less solitary inhabitant. A +gentleman of some means, tired of society, or for some +reason at enmity with it, crossed over from the +main-land, erected a small house, dug a well, set out +trees, planted a garden, and built a wharf--in fact +set up thereon a complete habitation. Not long, +however, did he endure his self-imposed solitude. +Scarcely were his arrangements completed when an +unfortunate accident caused his death, and the +island and its improvements were left to be the +home of the sea-fowls or the temporary abode of +some passing fisherman.</p> +<p class="pnext">This extended description has been given here +because it is essential that the reader should form +some definite idea of the island and its relation to +"The Hummocks," for on and about them no small +portion of our young hero's summer was destined to +be spent.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton owned what is termed "a shore +privilege" on the lower half of the southern hummock, +and the peculiar situation of that rocky formation +to the bay made it a valuable one, for heavy winds +from any eastern or southern quarter brought onto +the beach there immense quantities of sea-weed, so +highly prized by the farmer as a fertilizer.</p> +<p class="pnext">During the fall and winter months previous to +Budd's coming to the farm, owing to the repeated +storms there had been landed on "The Hummocks" +so large and unusual an amount of this weed that +Mr. Benton had contented himself with simply +gathering it into a huge pile on the summit thereof, +above high-water mark, intending to remove it to +the farm in the spring. So it fell to Budd's lot to +cart from the heap to the farm as the weed was +needed, and one day near the middle of May found +him engaged in this work.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a cloudy, threatening day. The wind was +from the southeast, and blew with a freshness that +promised a severe storm before the day was over. +Perhaps it was on this account that Mr. Benton had +directed the lad to engage in this particular work. +He was himself obliged to be off on business, and +this was a job at which Budd could work alone, and +the weather was hardly propitious for any other +undertaking. So immediately after breakfast Budd +yoked the oxen to the cart and started for his first +load.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There ain't over four loads more down there, an' +if ye work spry ye can git it all up by nite," +Mr. Benton shouted after him as he drove off.</p> +<p class="pnext">The distance to "The Hummocks" from the farm +was such that with the slow-walking oxen one load +for each half-day had been regarded as a sufficient +task. But Budd knew he had an early start, and +he determined to do his best to bring all the weed +home that day. He therefore quickened the pace of +the oxen, and before nine o'clock had made his first +return to the farm. Unloading with haste, he +immediately started back for his second load. When +he crossed from the north to the south hummock he +noticed the incoming tide was nearly across the +roadway, but thought little of it.</p> +<p class="pnext">On examining the heap of weed, he became +convinced that by loading heavily he could carry what +remained at two loads. He therefore pitched away +until in his judgment half of the heap was upon his +cart. It made a tremendous load; but the oxen +were stout, and bending their necks to the yoke, +they at Budd's command started slowly off.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he approached the narrow passage-way he +noticed the tide had gained rapidly, and was now +sweeping over it with considerable force and depth. +Jumping upon the tongue of the cart, he urged his +oxen through the tossing waves. To his consternation +the water came well up around the oxen's +backs, and had he not quickly scrambled to the top +of his load he would have got thoroughly drenched.</p> +<p class="pnext">The cattle, however, raised their noses as high as +possible and plunged bravely through the flood, and +soon emerged on the other side with their load +unharmed. The rest of the journey home was made +without difficulty, and Budd at dinner-time had the +satisfaction of knowing that two-thirds of his +appointed work was already accomplished.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton had not yet arrived home, and hurrying +through dinner, the lad hastened off for his +third and last load, hoping to get back to the farm +with it before his employer came. Hardly had he +started, however, when it began to rain, and as he +passed down onto the first hummock the wind was +blowing with a velocity that made it almost +impossible for the oxen to stand before it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly, however, the passage across the first +hummock was made, and Budd approached the +narrow roadway leading to the other; then he stopped +the oxen in sheer amazement. In front of him was +a strip of surging and tossing water of uncertain +depth, and he instinctively felt that there was a +grave risk in attempting to push through to the +other side. But he was anxious to secure his load. +He had passed through safely enough before, and he +resolved to attempt the crossing now, counting on +nothing worse than a severe drenching.</p> +<p class="pnext">This was a grave mistake, and Budd would have +realized it had he only stopped to think that there +was quite a difference between his situation now and +when he had made his successful crossing before +dinner. Then he had a loaded cart, the wind and +tide were both in his favor, and the water had not +reached either its present depth or expanse. Now +his cart was empty, a significant and important +fact; the wind was blowing with greater force and +directly against him; while the tide, as he would +have seen had he watched it closely, had now turned, +and was rushing back from the cove and out into +the open bay with a strength almost irresistible.</p> +<p class="pnext">But unmindful of these things, Budd bade his +oxen go on; and though they at first shrunk from +entering the angry waters, he plied the stinging +blows of the lash until they began the passage. +For a rod they went steadily on, though the waves +dashed over their backs and rushed into the cart, +wetting Budd to the knees. Then there came +suddenly a huge billow, rolling outward, that lifted the +cart and oxen from the road-bed and swept them +out into the bay.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 46%" id="figure-22"> +<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-024.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +Budd plied the stinging blows of the lash until suddenly a huge billow lifted the cart and oxen from the road-bed and swept them into the bay.</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">The moment Budd realized that the cart was afloat +and the oxen were swimming for their lives, his +impulse was not to save himself, but the unfortunate +beasts that through his rashness had been brought +into danger. Springing, therefore, between them, +he caught hold of the yoke with one hand, and with +the other wrenched out the iron pin that fastened +it to the tongue, and thus freed them from the cart. +In the effort, however, he lost his hold upon the +yoke, and the next minute found himself left alone, +struggling with the angry billows.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was now forced to look out for himself, and +could not watch the fate of the oxen, even had he +had an inclination to do so. Indeed, with his +water-soaked clothing, which greatly impeded his efforts, +there was already a serious question whether he +would be able to reach the shore, good swimmer +though he was. With a strength born from the +very sense of the danger that overwhelmed him he +turned his face toward the fast receding shore and +swam manfully for it. For a time he seemed to be +gaining, but both wind and tide were against him, +and his strength was soon exhausted. Slowly he +felt himself sinking. Already the waves were +dashing over his head. He made one spasmodic effort to +regain the surface; then he had a faint consciousness +of being caught by a huge billow and hurled +against some hard object, and all was blank.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iv-a-new-friend"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id5">CHAPTER IV.--A NEW FRIEND.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">How long Budd remained unconscious he +never exactly knew. It must have been some +hours, however, for when he recovered sufficiently +to look about him it was night; at least a darkness +almost thick enough to be felt was all around him. +He could hear the wind whistling fiercely above his +head, yet he felt it not. He could hear the sound of +dashing waves but faintly, as though some distance +away. He was evidently lying upon a hard board +or floor; yet to it there was a gentle, undulating +motion, like that of a boat in some sheltered harbor, +or drawn, bow up, onto a sandy beach.</p> +<p class="pnext">With difficulty he sat up. His clothes were +heavy with water, and he was stiff and numb from +cold and exposure. He put out his right hand, and +it rested upon a short board partition; he stretched +out his left hand, and it touched a similar one, about +the same distance away. Then he knew he was in +the body of his ox-cart, which had in some way +become detached from its wheels. It must have been +this into which he had been providentially thrown +just as he had lost consciousness. But <em class="italics">where</em> was +the cart-body?</p> +<p class="pnext">Certainly it was no longer tossed about by the +angry waters of the bay. Where, then, had it +landed? He rose up, and his head came so forcibly +in contact with a heavy planking that he was +thrown off his feet. Rubbing the bruised spot +tenderly, he crept along to the side of the cart-bed and +put out his hand as far as possible; but it touched +nothing. Slowly stepping ever the side, he found +himself standing in a few inches of water. Walking +directly ahead a few steps, he came up against a +solid wall, that extended either way farther than he +could reach.</p> +<p class="pnext">He now knew that he was under some wharf, +where the waves had tossed the cart-bed. This +accounted for the planking above his head, for his +hearing the whistling wind without feeling it, for +the sound of the dashing of the waves at such a +distance from him, and for the heavy darkness settled +around. But <em class="italics">what</em> wharf was it? Which way +should he go to find the opening by which he had +entered?</p> +<p class="pnext">He straightened himself up and looked steadily +first in one and then in an opposite direction. He +soon became convinced that to the left he could see +a little more clearly than to the right, and that it +was from that direction that came what little air he +could feel stirring. In that direction, then, he +determined to go.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he advanced the water deepened, and the roof +became more elevated. Not only could he now +stand erect, but the planking was higher above his +head than he could reach. Soon the stone wall +ceased, and wooden piles heavily boarded took its +place. Now he saw a light space just ahead; the +wind fanned his cheek; the opening was not far +off; but the water was up to his neck, and he must +swim for it. A few strokes, and he was in the open +air. It was very dark, yet not with the intenseness +he had experienced under the wharf. The wind and +the rain beat fiercely upon him. Unless some house +were near, he had better return under the dock for +shelter and wait for morning.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the little strength that remained to him +he drew himself up onto the wharf and looked +anxiously about him. As he looked, a great hope +sprung up within his heart. Not far away, and +gleaming brightly through the thick darkness, was +a light. With a hoarse cry of exultation he +staggered to his feet and went toward it. Brief as the +walk was, it exhausted him. He was afraid that he +would not reach the house from whose window he +now knew the light shone forth, and in his despair +he shouted:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Help! Help!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The next instant the door of the building swung +open, letting out a flood of light upon the exhausted +lad, and a voice asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who are you? Where are you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here!" answered Budd, feebly, stretching out +his hands toward the stranger, who sprung forward +and caught him just as he was falling helplessly at +his feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">The stranger was a youth no older nor larger than +Budd himself; but he showed that he possessed +enormous strength by lifting his helpless companion in +his arms and carrying him into the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">Closing the door against the storm, he went to +work upon Budd with a directness and skill that +showed he knew just what to do for an exhausted +person. The wet clothing was stripped off; the +numbed and chilled body was rubbed until the blood +began to circulate freely through it; dry clothing +and a warm blanket were then wrapped about the +recovering lad, and he was laid upon a rude pallet +of straw before the rusty stove, in which, however, +a good fire was burning. Nor did the young +stranger's attention to his unexpected guest end +here. From some unseen quarter he brought forth +a tin cup, and filled it with hot coffee from a pot on +the stove. Milk and sugar were also fished out of +their hiding-places and added to the beverage; then +the whole was put to Budd's lips, with the simple +comment:</p> +<p class="pnext">"There; drink that down, and I'll warrant you'll +be kicking round here as lively as a kitten, in a few +minutes."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd drained the offered cup, and then said, gratefully:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't know how I shall ever repay you for +your kindness to me. I was pretty near used up, I +declare."</p> +<p class="pnext">The young host took the cup from his guest without +a word and refilled it. Sipping this slowly off +himself, he eyed his visitor until he had finished it; +then he asked, abruptly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Will you tell me how you came here, Budd Boyd?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where am I? Who are you?" asked Budd, +surprised that the lad had called him by name, and +sure that he had never seen him before.</p> +<p class="pnext">The boy-host gave a comical shrug of his +shoulders, and with a flourishing gesture answered:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am Judd Floyd, at your service. This is Fox +Island, where I have for the present taken up my +solitary abode, and am monarch of all I survey. +But how came you here in all this tempest? Did +you see my light streaming far across the watery +deep, and attempt to walk over? Hanged if I +wouldn't think so, from the looks of your clothes!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Weak as he was, Budd could not help laughing at +the serio-comic air of his companion, but as briefly +as possible he related his adventure.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Twas a close shave, now, wasn't it?" Judd said, +with a shrill whistle, as Budd concluded. "I don't +want to try that sail, at least on that kind of a craft, +such a night as this, you bet. Lucky for you I was +here, else you might have perished from sheer +exhaustion before morning."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd at once admitted this; then he asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"But how is it that you knew me? And how +long have you been here?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh! I've seen you up at the village with +Benton's ox-team, and inquired your name. I couldn't +help remembering it, for it sounds much like my +own. Yours is Budd Boyd, and mine is Judd Floyd. +Guess we must be sort of second-rate twins," said +the irrepressible Judd with a comical grin; and +indeed the lads, in size, figure and features, were not +unlike.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How long have I been here?" he went on.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Just a week to-night, by actual count. You see, +I have lived, as far back as I can remember, in +an old shanty just out of the village. Pop got +drunk as a steady business, and ma took in washing +and ironing to keep our souls and bodies together. +I know now I didn't help her as much as I ought, +but she would keep me in school, and I did try to +help her, out of school hours. But last winter she +got rather tired of this world, and went where I +trust she has peace and rest. She deserves them, for +she never had them here;" and the lad tried to keep +back the tears that would gather in his eyes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, after her death pop carried on worse than +ever, and so the town authorities sent him up to the +State Farm for a six-month term as an habitual +drunkard. Then the same worthy individuals that +disposed of him talked of putting me on the Poor +Farm down there on Quidnessett Neck; but I had a +slight objection to the arrangement, and the next +morning I was among the missing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'd been over here before, and knew there was +an old stove, a chair or two, and some other odd +pieces of furniture in the house; so I packed up a +few necessary traps at the shanty, stowed them +aboard pop's old boat, and came over here by night. +Here, too, I've remained in undisputed possession +ever since."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you live?" asked Budd, with a good +deal of curiosity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh! that's easy enough," said Judd, with a +laugh. "I catch fish and dig clams. Some I eat; +the rest I sell. That enables me to purchase what +groceries and provisions I may want. I was over to +the village and made some purchases early this +morning. By and by, when the watering-places +open up, I can get odd jobs enough. I shall fare as +well as I have ever done, I assure you. I'm no +pauper--not if I know myself. By the way, won't +you have something to eat?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Without waiting for Budd to answer, he drew up +before the fire a large box. On this he spread a +cloth; then he brought out some cold ham, some +fresh bread, butter, cookies, poured out another cup +of coffee, and remarked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've eaten supper already, but help yourself. +There's more, when this is gone."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd accepted his host's hospitality and made out +a comfortable meal.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then Judd said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm sorry I've no bed for you to sleep on. That +old pallet is all I brought over, but you are welcome +to that. I'll roll up in a blanket and sleep on the +floor. It won't be the first time I've done it;" and +soon both boys were sound asleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next morning Budd felt quite like himself; +but the storm still raged, and he was obliged to +remain quietly with his new friend. Toward noon, +however, the force of the tempest was spent, and +Judd announced his willingness to take the anxious +lad over to the main-land after dinner.</p> +<p class="pnext">So not far from one o'clock they embarked in +Judd's boat, and a half-hour later landed safely on +"The Hummocks." Budd could find no trace of +either the oxen or the missing wheels of the cart, +and with a heavy heart he started off for Mr. Benton's.</p> +<p class="pnext">As Judd parted with him he remarked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I say, Budd, I wouldn't be in your shoes for a +good deal. There is no knowing what old Benton +will do to you for losing his cart and oxen. You'd +better go back to the island with me, and let him +think you are dead."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," said Budd. "My duty is to go to him and +tell him the whole story, let the consequences be +what they may, and I shall do it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I always did admire pluck," replied Judd, in +undisguised admiration, "and you have it. I'd rather +take your sail of last night than go back and face +the old tyrant. Only, if he kicks you off of the +farm, remember you are welcome to go pards with +me on the island. It's better than no place to lay +your head."</p> +<p class="pnext">Thanking him for the invitation, which he knew +was as genuine as it was rough, Budd turned away +and walked slowly along the roadway leading to +Mr. Benton's, wondering greatly what that cruel +and grasping man would really say and do when he +learned of the serious loss he had sustained. +Doubtless the fact that he had been so long away had led +Mr. Benton to believe that he had perished. Would +not his providential deliverance from a watery +grave awaken such feelings of gratitude, even in +that stony heart, that the pecuniary loss he had +experienced would be forgotten by the avaricious man? +Budd hoped so; and yet it was with terrible +misgivings he went bravely on, to meet whatever fate +might be in store for him.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-v-mr-benton-s-wrath"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id6">CHAPTER V.--MR. BENTON'S WRATH.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">As Budd drew near to the farm of Mr. Wright +he was greatly tempted to go in and talk over +with him the unfortunate predicament into which +his adventure had brought him; but he was saved +that trouble, for as he got opposite that gentleman's +residence he came out and hailed the lad.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hello, Budd!" he exclaimed. "You have, then, +survived last night's storm. We are glad to know +it, for we had given you up for lost."</p> +<p class="pnext">His words re-assured Budd's troubled spirit +somewhat, for he now knew that he had been missed, +and possibly searched for. Anxious, therefore, to +know just how his absence had been regarded, he +went forward to meet Mr. Wright, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, I pulled through, though at one time I did +not expect to do so. What did you think had +become of me and my team?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, when night came and you didn't return +home, Benton thought you probably had got shut +onto the lower hummock by the tide, and would be +around all right in a few hours, so he said nothing +to any of us about your prolonged absence; but this +morning, when the oxen arrived home without you +or the cart, he was a little frightened, and came +directly over here for me and my man to go with +him to look you up. As we went along down to +'The Hummocks' we made inquiries about you, but +could not ascertain that you had been seen since one +o'clock yesterday, when you were on your +downward trip for seaweed. Arriving at 'The +Hummocks,' we carefully searched them from one end to +the other, but found no trace of you or the cart, +though we came across a sheltered spot, back of a +clump of trees, where the oxen had evidently stayed +all night. The sea-weed we saw had not been +taken, and so we knew that you hadn't got across +to the lower hummock. There was but one +inference--that the wind and tide had carried you out +to sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Benton,' says I, 'the oxen, cart and lad were +all taken off the roadway by some huge billow, and +the first thing the lad thought of was to free the +oxen, and they got ashore; but the cart and boy +have gone no one knows where. Just as likely as +not they are lying out there under the tossing +waves. I guess we'd better go up the shore a piece, +however, and see if we can find anything of them.' So +we went up the coast as far as the village, but +saw nothing of you, and could find no one that had. +Finally we gave up the search and came home. +Tell me, though, how you escaped?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd related in substance the story already +familiar to the reader--not, however, without frequent +interruptions from Mr. Wright, who seemed anxious +to know more of the details, and also repeatedly +declared it was the most marvelous escape he ever +heard of. At length Mr. Wright seemed satisfied, +and Budd was permitted to ask the question he cared +most of all to ask:</p> +<p class="pnext">"How did Mr. Benton seem to feel when he came +to the conclusion that I and the cart had been swept +out to sea?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, to tell you the truth," replied Mr. Wright, +bluntly, "he seemed to care a good deal more for +the loss of the cart than he did for you. He danced +around there on the beach, cursing what he called +your folly, and telling how much the cart had cost +him only last fall. I at last got tired of his talking, +and told him you were of more account than all the +carts that had been made since the world began, and +that if he had a spark of decency about him he +would shut his mouth. I suggested, also, that you +would never have been lost if he hadn't set you to +drawing sea-weed on a day that he was old enough +and experienced enough to know it wasn't a safe +thing to do in that particular locality, and that I +wasn't sure but he could be held accountable to the +law for your death. That scared him, so he came +right off home, and was as dumb as a beast all the way."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you think he'll do when he finds I'm +alive, but the cart is lost?" asked Budd, a little +anxiously, it must be confessed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, he ought not to say or do anything," +answered Mr. Wright, with a little show of +indignation in his tones. "The body of the cart can be +towed back to 'The Hummocks,' and it is possible +that the wheels and under-gear may yet turn up. +But even if they are not recovered, what does the +loss amount to compared with your safety? Still I +have already learned that you can never know what +John Benton may do, and I guess I had better be +somewhere around when you tell him your story. +You go on over and face the music, and I'll follow +along in time to interfere if there is any serious +trouble between you."</p> +<p class="pnext">Thanking Mr. Wright for his kind offer, Budd, +with a much lighter heart than he had had for +twenty-four hours, went on toward home. He went +directly into the house, on arriving there, and +almost frightened Mrs. Benton to death by his +sudden and unexpected appearance. He succeeded in +convincing her, however, that it was really he, and +that he had providentially been saved. Nor could +he help noticing that she seemed greatly relieved in +mind to find that he was really alive and unharmed; +and taking encouragement from that fact, he went +off to the barn, where he had learned Mr. Benton was.</p> +<p class="pnext">The farmer was down upon his knees on the +threshing-floor mending a horse-cultivator when the +lad entered and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, Mr. Benton, I'm back at last, and ready +to report for my prolonged absence."</p> +<p class="pnext">At his words Mr. Benton leaped to his feet, and +for a moment seemed not to know what to say. It +was very evident that he had never expected to see +the boy again. Taking advantage of his embarrassment, +Budd went on:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm glad, too, to learn that the oxen reached +home unharmed. I did my best to save them, +though I nearly lost my own life doing so."</p> +<p class="pnext">Before he could say more Mr. Benton broke +angrily in upon him:</p> +<p class="pnext">"But ye lost the cart, ye little rascal, an' I gin +twenty-five dollers fer it at auction only las' fall; an' +I'd like to know who's goin' to pay me fer that?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I can, if it is necessary," replied Budd, swelling +with indignation; "but before I do it I shall want +some one else's opinion about it other than your +own. Though I may have been a little rash in +undertaking to cross the roadbed while the tide was so +high, I am in no other sense to blame, and I would +like to see anyone else do better than I did under +the circumstances;" and Budd rapidly described the +trying ordeal through which he had passed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hum!" remarked Mr. Benton, sneeringly, as the +lad finished his story. "Ye were sca't to death at a +little runnin' water. If ye'd stayed in the cart an' +let the oxen alone, they'd have fetched ye an' the +cart out all rite. 'Twas all yer own fault."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd's cheeks burned with resentment.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was not," he emphatically declared.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't ye tell me I lie!" said Mr. Benton, +savagely, picking up one of the handles of the +cultivator that had been detached from the machine and +lay upon the barn-floor near him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am sure the oxen would have drowned had I +not freed them from the cart," answered Budd, +firmly, "and any reasonable person would tell you +the same thing."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Take that, ye young whelp!" cried Mr. Benton, +raising the cultivator-handle and bringing it down +with a force sufficient to have killed the boy had it +hit him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fortunately for Budd he saw the stick coming, +and jumped quickly to one side. The force of the +blow fell upon the barn-floor; but Mr. Benton +immediately recovered himself and rushed down upon +the lad. Seeing that there was no alternative, Budd +grappled with him, and then began a terrible +struggle for the mastery. Had the lad possessed his +usual strength he might have come off victor, for he +had caught his antagonist directly under the +armpits with a powerful hug, and thus had decidedly +the advantage in his hold. But he was still weak +from his trying experience of the night before, and +that more than counterbalanced the advantage he +had secured in position.</p> +<p class="pnext">Up and down the threshing-floor the contestants +went; against stanchion and post and door were +they hurled; over and upon the heterogeneous +articles scattered about the floor they stumbled; finally +Budd's foot struck upon some unseen object that +rolled under it, and he fell heavily upon the floor, +with Mr. Benton on top of him. With a shout of +triumph the angry man sat down upon the lad's +breast, and with his clinched fist began to pound +him. He had struck but two blows, however, when +he was caught by the collar, dragged unceremoniously +off from the prostrate boy, and thrown with +no gentle hand back against the nearest stanchion. +Then the voice of Mr. Wright was heard sternly +saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand there, you miserable coward; and let me +tell you, if you lay the weight of your finger on that +lad again I'll give you the worst thrashing you ever +had in your life!"</p> +<p class="pnext">At those words, Mr. Benton cowered back against +the nearest mow and remained motionless. +Experience had already taught him that he could not +trifle with Peter Wright.</p> +<p class="pnext">Helping Budd to his feet, Mr. Wright asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are you hurt? I was delayed longer at the +house than I expected, or this miserable wretch +would not have had a chance to lay his hand upon +you. Tell me just what he has done?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd gave a fair account of the contest from +beginning to end, and declared that he was not +seriously hurt, though he did not know what might +have happened but for Mr. Wright's opportune +arrival.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton sullenly admitted the truth of the +boy's story, but whiningly declared he had not +meant to hurt him, but only to give him a +wholesome lesson, so that he wouldn't destroy any more +property for him in such a reckless manner.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I might believe your statement had I not caught +you in the very act of pounding him," said +Mr. Wright, with emphasis; "and surely striking at +him with one of the handles of that cultivator looks +almost as though you meant to kill him. This, too, +when he is not your boy, nor bound out to you, and +you had no more right to chastise him than you +have to strike me. I don't know whether the boy +has any friends or not, but as long as I am a +member of the Town Council he shall be regarded as a +ward of the town, and over him we shall throw our +protection and care. I suspect you have imposed +upon him ever since he has been with you. What +kind of a bargain have you made with him, anyway?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I give him ten dollers a munth an' bord for six +munths, which, as he knowed nuthin' 'bout farm in' +when he come, is fair pay," explained Mr. Benton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No it is not, and you know it as well as anyone. +He has done a man's work ever since he has been +with you; and admitting his ignorance on some +things, fifteen dollars a month is little enough. +Does he pay you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">This last question was addressed to Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, sir," he said. "You see, the night I hired +out to him he drew up a paper for me to sign, and +in that, though I did not so understand it at the +time, he is to pay me only at the end of the six +months. At least that is his interpretation of the +paper."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Benton, let me see it," demanded Mr. Wright.</p> +<p class="pnext">With evident reluctance Mr. Benton took the +paper from his pocket-book and handed it to his +neighbor.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Wright read it over carefully; then he +deliberately tore it up, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">"The paper is worthless, for there are no witnesses; +but even if there were, it could be set aside, +as you have taken an unfair advantage of the lad. +You meant to get rid of paying him anything, and +I suspected it, for it is an old trick of yours."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd here explained how Mr. Benton had used +the paper at the time he had asked for his first +month's pay.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Exactly," said Mr. Wright; "it served his +purpose then, and would every time you asked for +money until he had got ready to get rid of you. +Then he would have seen to it that you quitted the +farm before the six months were up, and so refused +to pay you your wages. Now admit, Benton, that +that was your game."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton, thus appealed to, looked sheepish +enough, but would not admit that it had been his +purpose to defraud the lad. He was afraid that +Budd might demand the amount due him and leave +at once. This he did not want the boy to do, for +he preferred to have him remain, even though he +should have to pay him full wages. He was hardly +prepared, however, for Mr. Wright's next demand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here, Benton," he said, as the man was about to +return his wallet to his pocket, "before you put that +away I want you to pay Budd twenty dollars."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But his two months are not up yet," objected Benton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Never mind, he has earned it," said Mr. Wright; +and as the man, to Budd's great astonishment, +meekly handed over two ten-dollar bills, Mr. Wright +with a twinkle in his eyes added:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now put another ten along with the others, +Benton, for the assault you have made upon the lad. +If you don't, I'll have you arrested before morning +for assault and battery, and it will cost you twice +that amount at least."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton refused; begged off; offered half the +amount; but Mr. Wright was inexorable, and the +miserable man finally handed Budd another ten-dollar bill.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now," said Mr. Wright to Budd, "go to the +house and pack up your things, and get ready to go +with me. I don't propose to leave you in Benton's +clutches any longer; there is no knowing what he +might do to you."</p> +<p class="pnext">And notwithstanding the pleadings and promises +of Mr. Benton, Mr. Wright fifteen minutes later +departed, with Budd by his side.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vi-the-new-firm"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id7">CHAPTER VI.--THE NEW FIRM.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">If Budd, as he walked along toward Mr. Wright's, +was filled with secret exultation at the +happy turn in his affairs, it was, to say the least, +pardonable. Bruised and sore though he was from +his struggle with Mr. Benton, he had nevertheless, +through the opportune interference of Mr. Wright, +come off victor. With two months' pay in his +pocket, and ten dollars more for the assault to which +he had been subjected, he was not disposed to +grumble; in fact he was quite ready to forgive the +miserable man who had so ruthlessly attacked him. +But there was one thing that piqued his curiosity +and led him soon to say:</p> +<p class="pnext">"There is something I would like to have you +explain, Mr. Wright."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is it?" Mr. Wright asked, pleasantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why was Mr. Benton so docile in your presence? +I should never have believed that he would +have cowered down so to any man."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Wright laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There are several reasons for it," he said. +"Tyrants are almost always cowards at heart, and +Mr. Benton is no exception to the rule. Ten years ago, +when I came here, I was continually in trouble with +him. First it was my cattle; then my children; at +last our boundary line. I caught him one day +actually setting over my fence. I remonstrated with +him, and he, in his anger, struck me with his ox-lash. +Snatching it from his hand, I whipped him until he +begged for mercy. Of course he brought suit +against me, and I brought a counter-suit. I was +fortunate enough to win both cases, and the costs and +fines that he had to pay amounted to over one +hundred dollars. I also had him put under heavy bonds +to keep the peace, and from that time have had no +serious trouble with him. In fact he seems to both +fear and respect me. Catching him to-night in the +very act of assaulting you gave me a decided +advantage; and though I have doubtless gone beyond any +real right I possessed in my dealing with him, he +was not in a condition to dispute it. You and I will +have no further trouble with him."</p> +<p class="pnext">But in this last assertion Mr. Wright was wrong, +at least so far as Budd was concerned.</p> +<p class="pnext">On reaching the house, Mr. Wright opened the +door and motioned Budd to enter, at the same time +saying to his wife:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here, Sarah, can you find a place for this lad for +awhile? I've taken him out of Benton's clutches," +and he related to her, in substance, the happenings +at his neighbor's farm.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, yes, I think so," the lady replied, giving +Budd a hearty and motherly welcome, which at +once caused him to feel at home.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd was shown to a chamber, where he deposited +his bundle. Though no larger than the one he +had occupied when at Mr. Benton's, and containing +scarcely more furniture, there was nevertheless an +air of comfort and neatness about it that awakened +old and sweet memories in the boy's mind. A bright +bit of carpet was on the floor, a white curtain was +at the open window, while snowy sheets and +pillow-cases upon the bed suggested sweet repose. Tears +stood in the lad's eyes as he returned down-stairs +and tried to again thank Mr. Wright for the deep +interest he had shown in him, an entire stranger.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, well," said Mr. Wright, not without some +emotion; "I don't know as I deserve any special +thanks for what I have done. I couldn't leave you +over there and have any peace of conscience. I +don't know, any more than you do, what the +outcome of my act will be, so far as your future is +concerned. I would gladly hire you, but have now all +the help I need. You are welcome, however, to +stay here until you can find a place. With what +Benton has given you, you will be just as well off +should you not get work under a month. I've no +fear but what you'll do enough to pay your board, +and we will both keep an eye out for something +suitable for you to do."</p> +<p class="pnext">Though Budd regretted greatly that Mr. Wright +could not hire him, he gratefully accepted the +arrangement proposed, and determined that his +benefactor should have no cause to complain of either +his want of gratitude or willingness to be of help.</p> +<p class="pnext">With this idea in mind he followed Mr. Wright +out to the barn, and helped him and his man do the +chores. He seemed almost intuitively to know +what was the next thing to be done; and so pleased +was Mr. Wright with his readiness and tact that he +confided to his wife, that night, that he didn't know +but they had better try and keep the lad. The very +next day, however, there was destined to come to +Budd an opening which was to change measurably +his life, and prove an important link in the solution +of the mystery which was apparently hanging over him.</p> +<p class="pnext">He worked all the forenoon of the next day for +Mr. Wright, but at that gentleman's request went +with him in the afternoon up to the village.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps we shall be able to find some place for +you," Mr. Wright had said as they drove off.</p> +<p class="pnext">Reaching the village, Mr. Wright left Budd to +look out for the team while he attended to some +matters of business. As the lad sat in the wagon +holding the horses Judd Floyd came hurriedly down +the street on his way toward the wharf. He had a +market-basket on his arm filled with bundles, and +had evidently been purchasing provisions to take +over to his island home. He readily espied Budd, +and recognizing Mr. Wright's team, suddenly +stopped, remarking:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hello! changed masters, have you? Shows +your wisdom. But tell us about it."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd shook the speaker's extended hand warmly, +and telling him to put his basket into the wagon, +and to get up on the seat, he gave him a faithful +account of himself from the time he had left Judd on +"The Hummocks" until he had now met him again.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So you are out of a job," he remarked, as Budd +concluded. "Now, isn't that jolly! You can come +over to the island with me, and we'll go into the +fish and clam business together. I'll guarantee as +good wages as you were getting, and you'll be your +own boss at the same time."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is that so?" asked Budd, with some show of interest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Of course it's so," replied Judd, with remarkable +emphasis on the first two words. "I've averaged +fifty cents for every day I've been on the island; +and so can you, if you'll come. We ought to do +better, for with two we can enlarge our business +many ways."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How's that?" asked Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before Judd could answer, Mr. Wright came back +to the wagon. That lad eyed him a little apprehensively +at first, evidently fearing lest he might, as a +member of the Town Board, call him to an account +for his sudden disappearance from the shanty near +the village a few days before. But Mr. Wright's +words at once re-assured him, for he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you do, Judd? I'm glad to see you, and +to hear so good an account of you as Budd has given +me." Then lowering his voice, so as not to be heard +by anyone passing, he added: "You need have no +fear of the Town Board, my lad, as long as you +show a disposition to be industrious and take care of +yourself. We wish you every success."</p> +<p class="pnext">"He was just asking me to go over to the island +and enter into partnership with him," explained +Budd; "he says I can make as much as I was +getting from Mr. Benton."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And not have half as rough an experience," +Judd chimed in, with a laugh.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you expect to make it, Judd?" Mr. Wright +asked, a little doubtingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Selling fish and clams; taking out fishing-parties; +doing odd jobs at the watering-places," answered +Judd, pithily. "There's money in it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you think so?" asked Budd of Mr. Wright.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There may be," he answered, musingly. "Judd +knows better than I do. Of course it is now a little +late to hire out among the farmers. You have +some money as capital. I'm not sure but you could, +if prudent and industrious, do as well at this as at +anything else for the summer months."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come along over to the island with me and stay +to-night. If I don't convince you this thing is +practicable, then I'll set you ashore at 'The Hummocks' +in the morning, and you can go back to Mr. Wright's +until you find another job," said Judd, enthusiastically.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Wright laughed a little.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Go on, Budd," he advised; "and if I can be of +any help to either of you, call on me. All success +to the new firm!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd immediately leaped from the wagon, +followed by Judd, and then the two boys went hastily +down to the wharf where their boat was tied. +Embarking therein, each took an oar and pulled for the +island, their minds brimful of the prospective partnership.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not, however, until the island was reached +and supper eaten that the lads settled themselves +for what they called their "business" talk. The +sun was just setting; the air was soft and balmy; +scarcely a ripple was on the water. Taking seats +upon the rocks south of the house, and where they +could look for miles down the bay, they began the +all-important conversation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd was the first to speak.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here, Judd," he said, "let us begin at the very +root of things. Who does this island belong to?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why, I believe there are two or three parties +claiming it," replied Judd. "But why do you ask? +It has always been regarded as common property. +Even the fellow that built the house here paid no +rent for the island."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That has nothing to do with our case," interposed +Budd, promptly. "We must have a right to +be here--a right we can defend against all comers. +Who are the proper parties to see about leasing the +island."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A Mr. Fowler, who lives near Mr. Wright, and +two men named Scott, over in the western part of +the town; but I don't believe they will object to our +staying here, if Mr. Wright will see them about it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We will find out in the morning," Budd said, +decisively, "and I'll mark that as the first item of +business to attend to. Now as to our stock in trade. I +have thirty dollars that can go in as my part of the +capital. What can you furnish?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd looked a little crestfallen, at his companion's +words.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why," he said, "I can't put in much. I have +the boat----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Which is worth how much?" interrupted Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps ten dollars," replied his partner, with a +look of encouragement. "It's a pretty good yawl; +and then I have a little over five dollars in money; +that is all."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, it is not," Budd said. "How about the +things over at the shanty? They are yours, are +they not?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes; and as the shanty don't belong to pop, +they ought to be moved. If we get the island, we +can bring everything over here, and set up +housekeeping in pretty decent style."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Exactly," went on Budd, smilingly; "and while +they are yours, I shall be having the benefit of them, +and that is worth considerable. But there is one +thing you possess more valuable yet, and for which +you ought to have full allowance."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you mean?" asked Judd, in wonder.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Knowledge of the business," responded Budd. +"I can row or sail a boat--have been used to that +all my life; but I know nothing of this bay, its +fishing or clamming-grounds, and I am almost a +stranger in the community, while you are well known. +Now, I'll tell you what I'm willing to do, though to +my mind I shall have the best of the bargain. I'll +put in my thirty dollars against your boat, your +household goods, and your fuller knowledge of the +grounds on which we are to operate, and we'll be +equal partners--provided, of course, we can hire the +island. What do you say?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd arose from his seat with a sparkling face +and crossed over to where his chum was sitting.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here's my hand on it; and I say, Budd, you are +a brick," was his rather ambiguous but expressive +answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd had caught something of his companion's +enthusiasm, and with intense eagerness he continued:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now as to our plan of operations. In this you +must be the chief adviser."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thirty-five dollars in money as a basis," said +Judd, slowly. "If we only had a hundred, I would +say invest in a fish-pound. As it is, we will have to +content ourselves with smaller operations at first. +A gill-net would work nicely over in 'the narrows' +at the south of 'The Hummocks,' and would cost +about eight dollars. We must have that."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you work it?" inquired Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It has large meshes, and you can stretch it right +across 'the narrows,' fastening it to stakes on either +side so as to keep it upright. The leads on the +lower edge keep that down to the bottom. We will +set it at night just at the turning of the tide to go +out: then whatever fish are up the cove will come +down against it, and more or less of them will get +their heads through the meshes and be caught. Six +hours after, the tide will turn, and all fish going +into the cove will come up against the opposite side, +and some of them will be caught. In the morning +we will pull it, and leave it up until the next night. +We ought to get as many fish that way as we can +with our hooks--perhaps more; and thus we will +have a double quantity to dispose of," exclaimed Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good!" exclaimed his comrade. "What next?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We must put in some lobster-pots also; but +those we can make, and two dollars will buy all the +necessary lumber. That will take ten dollars, and +leave us twenty-five. With that we must buy the +sloop Sea Witch, and then we can take out sailing +or fishing-parties in good shape, as well as make the +wind do a large part of our work for us. It will +save lots of time and labor, as well as add to our +revenue."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It can't be much of a boat for that money," remarked Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You wouldn't say so, if you had seen her," +declared Judd. "She is eighteen feet long, has a +small cabin, is rigged with sail and jib, and cost just +seventy-five dollars last summer. She belongs to a +rich man who spent the summer here a year ago. +He had her built for his son, who knew no more +about a boat than a two-year-old child. He +capsized her one day, and nearly lost his life, and now +she is for sale. Nothing is the matter with her, +except she carries too much canvas. Cut off a foot of +her mast, trim down her sail and jib, ballast her a +little more heavily, and I'll warrant her to outsail +anything of her length about here, and to be a good +boat in a heavy sea also. I've examined her a dozen +times, and talked with the man that made her. He'll +tell you that it's just as I say. Of course her +misfortune has prejudiced people against her, and that +is why she can be bought so low. Once get her +fixed, and we can sail her under a reef until we have +earned the money to pay for the alterations. I +wouldn't take a dollar less for her than she +originally cost."</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right! I'm ready to accept your judgment, +and we certainly will be equipped better than I +expected," remarked Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then we must advertise our new firm and +business by posters and in the local paper. I guess the +printer will do the work for us and take his pay in +trade, for I've sold him fish several times," went on +Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, we must do that," admitted his partner; +"and we'll draw up our advertisement to-night. In +the morning you can set me over onto 'The +Hummocks,' and I will go up to Mr. Wright's, and +consult with him about the hiring of the island and get +my things. I'll join you in the village, where you +can await my coming; and if we are successful in +getting the island, we will make the other purchases, +and by night be in readiness to begin moving your +goods over here. By Monday next we can be all +equipped for business."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let us keep together through all the +arrangements," suggested Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well," consented Budd; and they returned +to the house for the night.</p> +<p class="pnext">Early the next morning the young partners set +out upon the various business enterprises necessary +to complete their arrangements. Mr. Wright +willingly went with them to see the owners of the +island, and they secured it at a rental of two dollars +per month, and took a written lease to that effect. +The sailboat, lumber and gill-net were purchased in +rapid succession, and the matter of advertising +placed in the printer's hands. The next day the +household articles were removed from the shanty to +the island and arranged in the house. Only the +three rooms on the ground floor were needed by the +lads, and were settled as kitchen, sitting-room and +bedroom. That day, also, posters were scattered +about the village, and an advertisement appeared in +the columns of the village weekly, as follows:</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center medium pfirst">NEW FIRM! NEW FIRM!</p> +<p class="center pnext small">BOYD & FLOYD.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">We, the undersigned, would announce to the +citizens of this community that we have this day +formed a partnership, to be known as Boyd & Floyd. +Our headquarters will be at Fox Island, which we +have rented of the owners. We shall have fish, +oysters, clams, lobsters and scallops for sale, each in +their season. On Tuesdays and Fridays of each +week we shall be in the surrounding villages, ready +to fill all orders in our line. On the other days of +the week all orders dropped in the village post-office, +Box 118, will secure prompt attention. Hotels +and boarding-houses will be supplied at wholesale +rates. Sailing or fishing-parties will be taken out +in our sloop Sea Witch at reasonable prices. This +boat is to be remodeled, and made sea-worthy in +every respect. By honest dealing, fair charges, and +prompt attention, we hope to secure our share of +your patronage.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">BUDD BOYD.<br /> +JUDD FLOYD.</p> +<p class="left medium pnext white-space-pre-line">Fox Island, May 20, 18--.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">It was late on Saturday evening when the lads +got back to the island after carrying around their +posters. They were very tired from their long +tramp of the day and the other work their plans +had necessitated; but they were contented, for they +felt that their firm was now fully organized and +launched out upon the world.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vii-business-booms"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id8">CHAPTER VII.--BUSINESS BOOMS.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The cry, "Wake up, Budd! All hands +ahoy!" greeted Budd's ears early Monday +morning. He opened his eyes at the command.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sun had not yet risen. The faint light of +early dawn was coming in through the last window +of the room. Judd was out of bed and busily +dressing, and he it was who had given the call. The +next moment Budd was beside him, and they +chatted away like magpies as they completed their +dressing. The whole outline for the day's work +was soon laid out.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It will be low tide at nine o'clock, and we must +have breakfast eaten and be on our clamming-grounds +at least two hours before that," Judd said, +by way of beginning the conversation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And where is it you said we would go?" Budd +responded.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Down the bay to the upper end of Plum Beach +Point," was the answer. "There hasn't been much +digging there this season, and we ought to find +clams plenty and of good size. We'll dig there +until the turn of the tide; then we'll go across the +bay, under the lee of Conanicut, where there is a +sunken ledge, off which, if I'm not much mistaken, +I'll show you as good fishing as you ever enjoyed."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What'll we be likely to catch?" Budd then +inquired, just as they both entered the kitchen and +began preparations for breakfast.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rock-bass, tautog, and the everywhere-present +and forever-biting sea-perch," Judd laughingly answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What about the gill-net?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, we'll put that in just at night, and get +another run of fish entirely different. Scup, +butterfish, and succoteague, or weak-fish, will probably be +the principal kinds we shall haul then. That will +give us quite a variety for our sale to-morrow," +explained Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">Breakfast was eaten, a lunch packed, and lines, +baskets and hoes stowed on board the sloop by +sunrise. In fact the golden orb peeped above +Conanicut, and sent a dazzling gleam down across the +dancing waters, just as the lads weighed anchor, +hoisted the sails, and with a gentle breeze from the +northwest started down the bay. A half-hour later +they had run within fifty yards of Plum Beach +Point, where they anchored. Putting baskets and +hoes in the yawl, which was in tow, they cast off +the painter and rowed ashore. The tide was well +out. Under the click of the hoes the clams sent up +their tiny spouts of water, revealing their hiding-places; +and, throwing off their coats, the boys were +soon at work.</p> +<p class="pnext">For over two hours they toiled without +interruption; then Judd, who had been watching the waves +for an instant, cried out:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hold up, Budd! The tide has turned, and we +must be off for our fishing-grounds. First, however, +we will wash and sort over these bivalves--the large +and sound ones for the trade, the small and broken +ones for bait. Here goes!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Suiting the action to the word, he emptied his +basket in a shallow pool close beside him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd followed his example, and with many an +exclamation of delight at the quantity they had +obtained, the lads soon completed this work, and +entering the yawl pulled back to the sloop. Ten +minutes later she was tacking across the bay for the +fishing-grounds, known as "Hazard's pork-barrel."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd soon found that his comrade had not +over-estimated the piscatorial possibilities of the place. +Scarcely were their baited hooks cast into the briny +deep when the fish began to bite with a steadiness +and greed that would have delighted the most +ambitious angler. For three hours this continued, then +suddenly all the biting ceased.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Our luck is over for to-day," Judd announced, +pulling in his lines. "We may as well weigh anchor +and start for home."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We have done well, anyway," Budd said, with +a touch of pride, as he gazed at the fish they had +caught.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We needn't be ashamed of the morning's work," +put in his partner, laconically. "We'll find a great +many mornings when we won't do as well."</p> +<p class="pnext">The fish had been thrown, as they were caught, +into a sort of "well" that Judd had arranged in the +bow of the sloop for them, and the boys did not +overhaul them until they had reached the island. +Here, however, they were sorted and put into +"cars" that were anchored just off the wharf.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Twenty tautog, a dozen rock-bass and three +dozen sea-perch make quite a showing," commented +Budd as the sorting was finished. "Do you suppose +we will sell all of them?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not any of the sea-perch," replied Judd. "Some +of those we must eat ourselves. There are several +ways to cook them, and you won't find them bad +eating. We shall want the rest of them as bait for +our lobster-pots. All the other fish will sell, +however, without trouble."</p> +<p class="pnext">The lads had eaten their luncheon while sailing +homeward, but their appetites were only partially +appeased, and so they immediately set about +preparing what they called their "chief" meal. The +fire was kindled, and a large kettle partly filled with +water fresh from the well was put over it. Then a +dozen of the larger perch were dressed, cut into +small pieces, and put into the kettle just as the +water reached a boiling-point; some potatoes, nicely +peeled and sliced, were now added; and salt, pepper, +a few slices of salt pork, and an onion or two, for +seasoning, followed, and soon the delightful aroma +of a fish-chowder began to fill the kitchen. While +that was cooking the table was set, the johnny-cake +baked, and the coffee made. In a little over an +hour after landing the boys had everything in +readiness, and sat down to a dinner that, as they +expressed it, was "fit for a king." Good appetites +made it indeed a royal feast, and scarcely a vestige +of the chowder remained when the lads rose from +the table.</p> +<p class="pnext">An hour or two of rest followed the clearing of +the table, but just about six o'clock the partners put +the gill-net into the yawl and pulled over to "the +narrows," at the south of "The Hummocks." Before +dark the net was stretched into place, made +secure to stout stakes, and the boys were ready to +return home.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The tide is nearly out now," remarked Judd as +they were leaving, "and so our best catch to-night +will be on the incoming tide. To get the full +advantage of this place, we want first an outgoing, +then an incoming tide upon the net; but of course +we have got to run our chances on that."</p> +<p class="pnext">When back at the island, the day's work for the +lads was by no means done. During the evening +the kitchen was turned into a workshop, and with +an old lobster-pot for a pattern, the partners began +the manufacture of their new ones. Four of these +were completely finished before they went to bed, +and Judd expressed his satisfaction in the words:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Four pots already done; and if, to-morrow +night, we can finish four more, we shall have eight +to put in on Wednesday morning, which will +doubtless furnish us with some lobsters for our Friday +trade."</p> +<p class="pnext">At the pulling of the gill-net the next morning +there was not as large a catch as the boys had hoped +for; still what fish they did get were of good size +and of the very best quality. There were six +succoteague, weighing from two to four pounds each, +one blue-fish, four scup and a striped bass.</p> +<p class="pnext">Returning to the island for their other fish and +the clams, the lads' plans for the day were speedily +arranged. Budd was to take the yawl and a minor +part of the stock in trade, and landing at "The +Hummocks," was to secure, if possible, a horse and +wagon of the nearest farmer, and peddle through +the manufacturing villages in the western part of +the county, while Judd was to take the larger part +of the stock into the sloop and go up to the large +town, a mile and a half up the bay. Each lad had +provided himself with a note-book to take orders +for their Friday trade; and wishing each other the +best of success, they went their different ways.</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd was the first to return to the island, arriving +there about two o'clock with nearly all of his stock +disposed of, and three dollars and twenty cents in +cash in his pocket. Budd arrived an hour later, +having sold everything he had carried, but had only +two dollars and ten cents to show for his sales, as +he had paid the farmer a dollar for the use of his +horse and wagon.</p> +<p class="pnext">Five dollars and a half was not, however, a bad +showing for their first day's sale; and greatly +encouraged by the outlook, the boys discussed further +plans for the increase of their business.</p> +<p class="pnext">The rest of the week was given to hard work. In +no sense could it be said the lads were idle. Neither +one thought of making their undertaking a mere +pleasure; it was their <em class="italics">business</em>, and as such must +have their best thought and their hardest labor. +They took pride not only in success, but it must be +the very best success they could possibly achieve.</p> +<p class="pnext">The eight lobster-pots were put down Wednesday +morning just off Thurston's Rocks, three miles down +the bay. Each night saw a few more made, and +each day a few more put down, until there was a +string of the tiny buoys marking their whereabouts +for two miles along the coast. Fish were angled +for and clams were dug; and when one place failed +others were visited, until the due quota of each had +been secured. The gill-net was hauled and reset +with all the regularity of the rising and setting sun. +On Friday morning the persistent efforts of the lads +had been fairly rewarded, and with double the +amount of stock they had had on the previous +Tuesday they set out, each to go his chosen route. +But the demand equaled the supply, and both boys +returned to the island without fish or bivalve.</p> +<p class="pnext">The firm had agreed that Saturday should be +their home day--the day they repaired their net, +and traps, and pots, overhauled and fixed their +boats, and attended to such other work as was +necessary to keep their island and house in thorough +order. On that night, too, they were to cast up +accounts for each week, and find their financial +standing.</p> +<p class="pnext">The partners sat in their little sitting-room when +this first casting was made and the result of the +week announced:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Twelve dollars and fifty-two cents above all +expenses," declared Budd, who had been appointed +the book-keeper for the firm.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not a bad amount for our first week," said +Judd. Then with a quizzical look he asked, "Do +you want to go back to Benton's, chum?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, I guess not," replied Budd with a smile; +"but haven't we enough cash on hand now to have +the alterations made in the sloop?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, I think so," replied his partner; "and if +you are agreed, we'll take her down to Saunderstown, +Monday morning, and leave her there for the +alterations. We ought to get her again by +Wednesday or Thursday, and can spare her better the +fore part of the week than the last."</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right," consented Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">It would be altogether too long a story, however +interesting it might be, to follow the lads in their +work day by day. Not every day was a fortunate +one; nor did they always sell their stock +completely out. Still, as June came in there began to +be some demand for the sloop for fishing or sailing-parties, +and this helped out the revenue. There +also came occasionally an unusual haul of fish, which +added no small sum of money to their treasury.</p> +<p class="pnext">For instance, one June morning the lads were +running down the bay to visit their lobster-pots. +All at once Budd, who was forward, called out:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Judd, look at this school of fish!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The lad addressed glanced in the direction his +companion had pointed, and the next moment had +altered the course of the sloop and was running +directly for the school. When within a few rods of +it he exclaimed:</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is as I thought; they are mackerel, and we +are in luck. Get out our lines, take off the sinkers, +and tie on some bits of white rag as quick as you can."</p> +<p class="pnext">In wonder, Budd obeyed the directions. Meantime +Judd had brought the sloop directly into the +head of the school, and put up her helm and lashed it.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now throw over your lines, and pull in as fast +as possible," were Judd's orders.</p> +<p class="pnext">What sport followed! Up and down through +that school, and it was an immense one, the sloop +went, the lines trolling behind. In and out were +the lines drawn and thrown until the boys' arms +ached, and their backs felt like breaking. Larger +and larger grew the pile of great mackerel on the +bottom of the sloop, until the lads could literally +fish no longer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Enough!" Budd cried. "I'm satisfied. Let us quit."</p> +<p class="pnext">His comrade was not loath to follow his suggestion. +A counting revealed the astonishing fact that +over three hundred mackerel had been caught, +and they were sold that afternoon in the city of +Newport, where the lads carried them, for +twenty-five dollars.</p> +<p class="pnext">But just about the time the summer hotels were +opening a circumstance happened that put the young +partners in a position to do a larger work than even +their ambitions had anticipated.</p> +<p class="pnext">A few days after the surprising capture of +mackerel the lads had taken a fishing-party down to +Beaver Tail. On the return, late in the afternoon, +and just as the sloop passed Dutch Island, Budd +called his chum's attention to another sloop just +ahead of them that had suddenly luffed up into the +wind and nearly capsized. A moment later she fell +off before the wind, her sail flapped loosely at the +mast, and then it was seen that the man at the tiller +had disappeared.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Has the man fallen overboard?" was Budd's +startling question.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," replied Judd, putting up his helm and +running down toward the other sloop. "That is Ben +Taylor's boat, and he is subject to fits. He has +fallen into one, and that has let the vessel fall off +before the wind."</p> +<p class="pnext">A few minutes later the Sea Witch ran alongside +of the drifting sloop; and, as Judd had said, her +owner was lying in her bottom, unconscious. After +a little consultation, Budd and one of the +fishing-party boarded the craft, and carrying the man into +the cabin and laying him in a berth, they put the +boat before the wind and followed the Sea Witch up +the bay to Wickford, where the unfortunate man +belonged.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was then taken to his home and a doctor +summoned, who pronounced the man alive, and under +skillfully-applied restoratives he soon began to +recover. Budd waited just long enough to know the +man was out of danger; then he joined Judd at the +wharf, and together they sailed off to their island +home.</p> +<p class="pnext">Three or four mornings later they were surprised +by a visit from Mr. Taylor himself. After thanking +the lads for the part they had taken in his rescue, he +said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"The doctor tells me I'm liable to have these turns +almost any time, and with recurring frequency. +That makes my wife opposed to my going on the +water any longer, and I've come over to see if you +lads won't take my business."</p> +<p class="pnext">The boys knew he was the owner of three fish-pounds +at various points on the bay, and with some +eagerness they asked him his terms.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well," he said slowly, "I thought if you were +willing to take my pounds off my hands, and the +contract I have with city parties for the fish, I'd +give you two-thirds of the net profits. The other +third ought to be a fair percentage on the money I +have invested. Then if you chaps should want to +buy the pounds right out, you shall have them for +what they cost me."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was altogether too good an opportunity to let +pass, and the boys promptly accepted the offer.</p> +<p class="pnext">They still kept the home trade they had built +up, but shipped to city parties all the fish they had +exceeding the home demand, and thus found themselves +in the possession of a weekly income that +they had scarcely dreamed of. It was very plain +that unless some unforeseen circumstance came in to +prevent, their business had taken a boom that would +insure them a most successful season.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-viii-the-lost-ox-cart"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id9">CHAPTER VIII.--THE LOST OX-CART.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">It is Saturday, the seventeenth of June, and +therefore just four weeks since the new firm +was fairly organized. The partners still use this +day of the week for their special home duties. Let +us, then, cross over to the island, take a peep at +them, and see how they prosper.</p> +<p class="pnext">As our visit is through the mind only, we will go +to the house first. The windows and doors are +open, and the balmy air of the early summer is +circulating through the rooms with its life-giving +and purifying powers. This suggests that the lads +cannot be far away, though we do not find them +within the building. They will not, however, object +to our <em class="italics">mental</em> inspection of the premises, and +therefore we may safely enter.</p> +<p class="pnext">This room is the kitchen, reaching across the +whole width of the house, and occupying what may +be termed the west end of the structure. We notice +that the carpetless floor is still damp, where it has +been scrubbed to snowy whiteness; the stove shines +with its glossy blackness; pots, kettles, dishes, chairs +and table are all in place, and an air of exquisite +neatness pervades the room.</p> +<p class="pnext">Passing to our right we enter the sitting-room, +not so large as the kitchen, and occupying the +southeast corner of the house. There is a carpet on +the floor--the only one Judd's mother possessed. A +small table stands in the center of the room, and on +it rests a lamp, a paper or two, and some books. A +few cane-seated chairs, an old-fashioned and roomy +lounge, and curtains at the two windows, complete +the furnishings.</p> +<p class="pnext">Back of the sitting-room is the bedroom, just +large enough to contain the bedstead, the +washstand, the bureau and two chairs. One thing, +however, attracts our special attention. The bed is not +a mere collection of blankets, thrown together and +never disturbed. On the contrary, it would rival +the thriftiest housewife's for its plump feather-bed, +its white sheets and pillow-cases, and the neatness +with which it is made. All the rooms, in fact, have +by their neat appearance disclosed to us what we +have already suspected--the lads have here <em class="italics">a home</em>, +and not a mere abiding-place.</p> +<p class="pnext">As we leave the house by the kitchen door we +find just at the western end of the building a huge +pile of stove-wood; and north of this, between the +house and well, a small garden-patch, already green +with its vegetables. Judd had begun this before +Budd came; then it was enlarged somewhat, and +now promises to be an important item toward their +support.</p> +<p class="pnext">Trusting the reader is not tired with this lengthy +description, and assuring him it is really necessary +for the better understanding of the chapters that +are immediately to follow, we will go on with our +story.</p> +<p class="pnext">Taking the well-beaten path running west from +the kitchen door we are soon at the wharf, where +we find the young partners busily at work. Judd +is repairing one of their pound-nets, which he has +spread out upon the grass just back of the dock. +The hole is a large one, for a ten-foot shark went +through the pound the morning before, letting out +no one knows how many fish, and compelling the +lads to take up the net for extensive repairs; but +they know this is a circumstance they must +occasionally look for, and Judd's cheery whistle, as he +works, shows that he has met with no special +discouragement in the mishap.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd is on board the sloop, which is anchored a +little north of the wharf and within its shelter, +scrubbing down her deck. Before a great while he +finishes, and jumping into the yawl, sculls it rapidly +to the shore. As he passes the outer end of the +dock he pauses a moment and bends down to look +underneath it. Then he brings the boat up into +the opening, and catching hold of the top planking +calls out:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I say, Judd, I'm going under here to take a look +at the cart-bed. I meant before this time to have +taken it across to 'The Hummocks,' where Mr. Benton +could get it. Perhaps I can do it to-day."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hold on a few minutes," responded Judd, looking +over to where his partner was, "and I'll go with +you. You'll need help, and a lantern also. Go to +the house and get that, and a stout rope; by that +time I'll be through here."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd secured the yawl and went on to the house. +Meantime Judd's needle flew swiftly in and out, +and when his chum arrived with the necessary +articles the last stitch in the seine had been taken.</p> +<p class="pnext">Entering the boat, the lads pushed slowly in +under the wharf, and soon came to the cart-bed +which had brought Budd so providentially over to +the island. It had been partly filled with sand by +the tides, and was covered with a green slime; but +the boys were dressed for dirty work, and soon got +the unwieldy body in a condition to launch. Then +hitching the rope to it, they fastened the other end +to the yawl and slowly rowed out, dragging the +cart-bed after them.</p> +<p class="pnext">They now took it on shore, and with sand and +broom and water scoured it until thoroughly clean; +then they again fastened it to the yawl and started +for "The Hummocks." It was a long pull and a +hard one, but at length their task was accomplished, +and the cart-body was safely landed on the north +hummock and dragged up above high-water mark.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There," said Budd, panting with his exertions; +"I wish I could find the under-gear, and then I +could return the whole vehicle to its owner, safe +and sound."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Possibly we might find it if we searched for it," +replied Judd, walking down to the roadway between +"The Hummocks" and where his comrade had been +swept off. Turning about, he looked off toward the +island. "There," he said, with a wave of his +hand--"a straight line from here touches the open end +of the dock. Along that line somewhere you were +thrown into the cart-bed, probably as it came to the +surface; and beneath that spot, or somewhere near +it, lies the wheels. How far off shore were you +when that happened?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I can't tell," answered Budd. "It seemed to +me a terrible long distance, and yet it may not have +been. If we only had a water-glass we might row +over to the island from this point, examining the +bottom of the bay the whole distance."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is a water-glass?" asked his chum, with +interest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think I can make one," replied Budd, with +energy. "You want a board tube about eighteen +inches deep, with a glass set in at one end. You +then put your face at the other and put the glass +end a little beneath the surface, and the bottom +of the sea for some distance around can be seen."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll make one right away and try it," declared +Judd, with enthusiasm. "If it works well, we can +use it for a good many purposes. There is an +eight-by-ten pane of glass over at the house. Is that +large enough?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think so--come on," responded his +companion; and the next moment the yawl was on its +way back to the island with a speed that fairly +made the water foam at its bow.</p> +<p class="pnext">It took but a half-hour to make the glass. Four +boards of the requisite length were nailed together, +forming a tube of just the size to take in the pane +of glass at one end. A half-inch inside of this end +a row of tacks were driven nearly to their head; +then the glass was carefully dropped down until it +rested upon them. Another row of tacks driven +just outside of the glass completed the arrangement +for holding it in place, and the instrument was +finished. It now only remained to try it, and Budd +ran down to the yawl, followed by his chum. They +pushed the boat forty or fifty feet off shore, and +put the water-glass to its test. To their delight it +proved a perfect success, and through it the tiniest +objects on the sea-bottom were clearly discernible.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We had better go over to the point where the +cart was swept off into the bay, to begin our search. +Doubtless the under-gear is nearer that shore than +this," suggested Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">His companion made no objection, and for the +second time that morning they crossed to "The +Hummocks."</p> +<p class="pnext">Once opposite the road-bed, Judd took both oars +and backed water slowly toward the wharf on the +island, while Budd sat in the stern of the yawl, and +with his head in the tube watched the bottom of the +bay.</p> +<p class="pnext">Rod after rod was gone over, when Budd +suddenly removed his head from the tube with an +exclamation of surprise.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I say, Judd, the bottom here is covered solid +with scallops, and the bed seems to extend as far as +I can see in either direction."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let me see," answered Judd, pulling in his oars +and joining his companion at the stern of the boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">Taking the glass, he examined the sea-bottom for +some minutes intently.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is as you say," he exclaimed, joyfully. "Let +us see if we can find the size of the bed. Row, if +you will, to the south, while I watch."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd good-naturedly took the oars and pulled in +the direction indicated. He had gone about fifty +feet when Judd motioned him to stop.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The bed ends here," he explained, removing his +head from the glass. "Now row slowly east."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd did as directed for ten or twelve rods; +then Judd again motioned him to stop.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is the width of the bed," he explained. +"Now row north."</p> +<p class="pnext">Again the boat shot in that direction, and for a +long distance, until Judd shouted:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hurrah!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is it?" asked Budd, excitedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That ends the bed; and did you ever see such a +one before? It must be all of two hundred feet in +width and four or five hundred in length, and that +means bushels of scallops and many a dollar for us +when the law is off in September."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd needed no further explanation from his +partner. He had heard him say again and again +that they must keep a sharp lookout for the beds of +these valuable bivalves, and here was a tremendous +one right almost at their island. He, too, joined in +his companion's hurrah.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I guess the glass has paid for its construction +already," he commented, joining his chum at the +stern.</p> +<p class="pnext">Almost unconsciously he took the glass and looked +through it. The yawl had drifted a little to the +right of the place where Judd had given his hurrah, +and was almost directly in line of the island's wharf. +Budd looked but an instant, then he sprung to his +feet and swung his hat.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Judd," was his astonishing declaration, "those +cart-wheels are just below us, and at the very +north-east corner of the scallop-bed. The sea-bottom goes +off suddenly, and the wheels are down the bank, +and the tongue is almost upright in the water!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You don't say so!" cried Judd, no less elated +than his comrade. Then suddenly he added: "That +explains, too, chum, how the cart-bed was thrown +off, and it must have been somewhere near here you +were tossed within it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," assented Budd; "but how are we going +to get the gear on shore?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let me take a look at it," said Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">It took a moment or two to locate the under-gear, +and then Judd examined the sea-bottom carefully. +He finally arose from the examination with the air +of one who had come to a decision.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Give me that rope," he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd handed him the rope that had been used to +drag the cart-bed over to "The Hummocks."</p> +<p class="pnext">Making a running-noose in one end, Judd lowered +it into the water, at the same time directing Budd +to hold the yawl steady. Again and again he +seemed to get his rope in the position he desired, +but it slipped away. Finally he gave a quick jerk, +and then a cry of exultation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My noose has caught over the tongue and back +of the iron clevis, and no power can pull it away. +Let us see now if we can start the wheels."</p> +<p class="pnext">He fastened the rope at the stern of the yawl and +took one oar. Budd took the other, and together +they pulled with all their strength; but the wheels +did not move. After several fruitless attempts to +start the ponderous under-gear the lads gave it up, +and looked around for some other way of +accomplishing their purpose.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If it was not so far off shore," remarked Budd, +"we could run our rope in there and hitch a pair +of oxen to it, and then I guess the wheels would +have to come."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What the oxen can't do our sloop can," said +Judd with animation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is that?" asked Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Furnish us with power," was the reply. "See--the +wind is rising. By afternoon we will have a +strong breeze from the southwest. We'll come +down here with the sloop, make fast, and take our +first tack to the northeast; that will haul the +wheels out from the sand in which they are +imbedded. Then we'll make a tack due west and run +the wheels just as near inshore as we can with the +sloop; after that we can use the yawl to finish the +work."</p> +<p class="pnext">A piece of board that lay in the bottom of the +yawl was fastened as a buoy to the rope, and then +the lads returned to the island, to wait until the +rising wind had reached a sufficient velocity to +warrant their undertaking.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not far from three o'clock that afternoon +when they boarded the sloop and ran down to their +improvised buoy. Another rope was fastened to +that which had already been attached to the +cart-tongue, and this, after its other end had been made +secure to the stern of the sloop, was coiled in such a +way that it would easily pay out as the boat ran off +before the stiff breeze.</p> +<p class="pnext">As soon as all was in readiness the head of the +Sea Witch was brought round before the wind and +her full sails spread. Away she went like an arrow, +and the rope uncoiled with a swiftness that made +the lads brace themselves for the shock they knew +would immediately come. But it was not so much +of a shock as they had anticipated. The rope +suddenly stiffened, there was a quick jerk, and then the +sloop kept on her course, her speed somewhat +diminished by the load she was evidently towing +behind her.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We have started them," the boys cried +simultaneously; and then Judd, who was at the helm, +brought the sloop around on her downward tack.</p> +<p class="pnext">With no apparent difficulty the Sea Witch +dragged her load, and skirting the shore, she was +run down until nearly opposite the smaller +hummock. Then she was anchored, and with the yawl +the lads completed the work of landing the +under-gear. Then they dragged the wheels up to the +cart-bed, and the long-separated parts were once +more united.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now," said Budd, as he gazed at the restored +vehicle, "I believe I will go up to the next farm +and get a yoke of oxen, and surprise Mr. Benton by +bringing it home. That will end the business, and +I shall have a great load off my mind."</p> +<p class="pnext">"While you go up for the oxen, I'll take the sloop +back to the island and return in the yawl," said +Judd. "I want to go with you and hear what the +old man will say."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd got the oxen and yoked them to the tongue. +The iron pin that he had so hastily pulled out at the +time he had been swept away was gone, and he was +obliged to make a wooden one before he could +secure the yoke. He had barely got it done when +Judd returned, and they drove off for Mr. Benton's.</p> +<p class="pnext">They found him at home, on their arrival, and he +came quickly out to see his long-lost cart. The rays +of the sun had nearly dried its exterior, and it +scarcely looked the worse for its hard usage. Over +and over the man examined the vehicle, but said not +a word until Budd took off the oxen. Then his eye +caught sight of the wooden tongue pin, and he +asked, sharply:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where's the iron pin that was in there when you +lost the cart?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"On the sea-bottom, I suppose," answered Budd. +"You didn't expect me to hang on to it, did you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," said the man, slowly, "but I should 'a' +thought ye'd 'a' got me another."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How much will one cost?" asked Budd, in disgust.</p> +<p class="pnext">"As much as a quarter," replied Mr. Benton.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here it is," said Budd, handing that amount to +him, "and I hope you are now satisfied?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, unless"--rather hesitatingly--"unless +ye've a mind to pay me fer the time it has been +gone."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I won't pay you a single cent for it! I haven't +used your cart!" responded Budd, out of all patience.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lads then turned and left the man, who had +in no way thanked them for restoring his cart, nor +seemed to appreciate the toil they had undergone +for its restoration.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was night before the boys had returned the +borrowed oxen to their owner, paid for their use, +and reached their boat. Almost out of patience +with themselves for having neglected some of their +own work to render a favor to an ungrateful man, +they embarked and rowed rapidly for the island. +Reaching the wharf a few minutes later, they +secured the boat and started for the house. +Suddenly Judd caught his companion's arm, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">"What light is that?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Only a few rods off shore, and coming directly for +the island, was a light. Soon it was near enough for +the lads to distinguish, even in the darkness, a boat +containing three men, one of whom was in the bow, +and held a lighted lantern in his hand. As the boat +reached the shore they heard this man distinctly saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">"This is the island, and the house is a few rods in +that direction. We'll find a good shelter for the +night, and may perhaps find it worth our while to +keep quietly here for some time."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd drew his chum back into the shadow of an +adjacent tree and whispered:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let us find out who they are before me make +ourselves known."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then the two lads crept carefully along the western +shore of the island until opposite the house; then +they crossed their garden-patch and concealed +themselves behind the huge wood-pile, waiting for the +new-comers to approach, and wondering what +purpose had brought them to the island.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ix-the-three-intruders"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id10">CHAPTER IX.--THE THREE INTRUDERS.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The lads did not have long to wait. Scarcely +had they recovered breath from their rapid +running when the three intruders appeared. The +one in advance carried the lantern, and all carried +gripsacks.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They have come to stay," whispered Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he asked, softly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are the doors locked, Judd?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, and windows fastened," was the answer, +given in the same low whisper. "I fortunately +attended to that when I came over with the sloop."</p> +<p class="pnext">The men reached the house and tried the kitchen +door, but it withstood their most vigorous blows.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't understand this," remarked the man with +the lantern. "You could get in easily enough when +I was over here early in the spring."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps some one is living here now," suggested +one of his companions, cautiously. "There is a +wood-pile just beyond the corner."</p> +<p class="pnext">"So there is," assented the first speaker, holding +up his lantern so that its rays fell on the heap; "but +if there is anyone here, I should have thought our +knocking would have aroused him."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It may be some fisherman who has not yet come +home," remarked the third man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll try a window," said the leader; and he +stepped to the one just at the left of the door.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is also fastened," he added, after trying it, +"but it is with a stick just above it. Tom, hand me +your cutter, and I'll take out a glass and remove +the stick."</p> +<p class="pnext">The man addressed opened his gripsack. For a +moment the listening lads heard the ring of metallic +tools striking together; then the searcher seemed to +find what he wanted, and handed his companion the +instrument he had asked for.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was now heard for an instant a sharp +scratching sound, followed by a jingle of glass, and +then the window was raised up.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We can get in now," remarked the one who had +opened the window; and tossing in his gripsack, he +sprung in after it, followed by his companions.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd and his partner rose and crept under the +window, listening eagerly yet apprehensively for +the next words the men should speak, for they now +suspected the character of their visitors, and knew it +would go hard with them if they were discovered.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Some one does live here, boys, sure enough. +These things weren't here at all a few months ago," +said the leader, a moment later.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, whoever they are, evidently they are not +here just now, and we'll look around. Perhaps +we'll find something worth taking, even if we have +to leave," said the man who had been called Tom.</p> +<p class="pnext">As his voice reached the listening boys, Budd +caught Judd's arm convulsively.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I believe I know that man," he whispered into +his astonished comrade's ear.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right," was the response of the other men to +Tom's suggestion, and they passed on into the +sitting-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd nudged his chum, crept around to the east +end of the house, and stood up by the sitting room +window. The curtain was lowered, but not quite +far enough to reach the sill, and through this +narrow opening he gave a quick look at the three +men. Then he pulled Judd, who had followed +him, back into the shadow of the building and said, +hoarsely:</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is as I thought. The man they call Tom is +Thomas H. Bagsley, who worked in the same office +with my father for several years, and he is as big a +rascal as there is outside of prison-walls. If I only +had him in my power I'd wring a confession out of +him that would change my whole future life;" and +there was a bitterness in the lad's words that was +akin to hatred.</p> +<p class="pnext">As though to substantiate Budd's declaration, a +singular thing happened within the house. There +came a sharp exclamation that led the boys to again +look through the window into the room. The man +called Tom stood by the center-table, with Budd's +Bible open in his hand, staring at the fly-leaf, and it +was he from whom the exclamation had come.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's the matter?" asked his companions.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I want you to read that name," he said savagely +to them; and looking over his shoulder they read:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Budd Boyd. From his mother, Mary Boyd."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, what of it?" asked one of the men.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He's the son of Henry Boyd," answered Tom, +shrilly. "I knew he'd left Boston, but didn't +suppose he had come down this way. We'd better +leave before he gets his eyes on me."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why?" asked the same man who had spoken before.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Because," answered the leader of the trio, "Tom +played a little trick that sent the father to prison, +where he is to-day, and he is afraid the son will take +revenge on him should he catch sight of him."</p> +<p class="pnext">Tom swore a fearful oath.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not if I know myself," he replied, fiercely. "Let +me see the son, and I'll serve him worse than the +father. All I fear is he may see me and recognize +me; then the little job we contemplate will have +to be given over. He'd set the authorities to +watching us, and the sooner we got out the neighborhood +the better."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hadn't we better keep watch here till the lad +returns, and then drop him off the island?" +suggested the leader, coolly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, if we were sure he was alone," answered +Tom, readily. "But I don't believe he is. Likely +as not there is a family living here, and they may +have gone over to one of the villages for something, +and when the moon is up will return. Before that +time we must be gone."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, perhaps you are right," the leader +answered. "We can row over to Hope Island and +make a stay there over Sunday, or until we have +formed our plans. I believe there is no one there +as yet."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is old Johnson's summer residence, isn't +it?" asked Tom.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes. Are you afraid of him, too?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No more than I am of the boy. In fact, I'd like +to ransack the house over there, if the way is clear +to do so."</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right; we'll go over there pretty soon, then. +But let us first see what there is for us here. Jed +had better run down by the boat, however, and +keep watch, while you and I pick up the things."</p> +<p class="pnext">Jed departed, at his leader's suggestion, and the +two lads deemed it wise for them to keep out of his +way, and so worked cautiously back to the west +side of the island, where they could embark upon +their boat at the first evidence of their being +discovered by the intruders.</p> +<p class="pnext">As they sat down near the wharf Judd said, in +low tones:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I wish we had some way to scare those fellows +off before they make a very extended search of the +house. I'm afraid they may find our money."</p> +<p class="pnext">Before Budd could answer there was a sound of +steps coming down the path toward the wharf. It +was evidently one of the robbers, but he came only +a short distance.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Jed! Jed!" he called in low but distinct tones. +"We have found just the jolliest supper! Come on +up and help us eat it."</p> +<p class="pnext">Jed, who was down by his boat, immediately +joined the speaker, and the two went hurriedly back +to the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I wish we had something to eat, too," +commented Judd, as the two men disappeared. "I +confess, after working as we did this afternoon, I'm +hungry."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll have something in a few minutes, and +those fellows will leave the house a good deal +quicker than they got into it--see if they don't," +answered Budd. "You just stay right here a few +minutes;" and then he ran down the wharf, jumped +into the yawl, and sculled quietly over to the sloop.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not over five minutes before he returned +with an old gun, that had belonged to Judd's father, +and which the boys kept on the sloop, having an +occasional use for it, as they went about the bay, to +shoot sea-fowl with, or the more voracious denizens +of the sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come on!" he said to Judd; and again the boys +approached the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">Taking their station once more behind the +wood-pile, Budd called out, in stern tones:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hello, Judd! There is some one in the house! +Hurry up with the gun!"</p> +<p class="pnext">A great commotion in the house instantly followed +his words. The robbers evidently were at the +kitchen-table eating when he cried out, and each +grabbing up his gripsack, sprung for the window. +As they tumbled, one over the other, out onto the +ground, Budd raised the gun and fired one barrel +into the air.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not a sound save that of running followed the +report, and it was apparent that the intruders were +making the best time possible for their boat. The +two boys followed them to the shore, and Budd +again fired into the air as the light craft swiftly +disappeared in the darkness--not, however, until there +had been two or three quick flashes from the boat, +followed by sharp reports, and some pistol-balls had +whistled harmlessly above the lads' heads.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hurrying back to the house, the boys made a +careful examination of their rooms. In the bedroom and +sitting-room nothing had been disturbed; and in the +kitchen the broken window, the lighted lantern, and +the partially-eaten food upon the table, were the +only evidences of the robbers' visit.</p> +<p class="pnext">Somewhat excited, and very watchful lest the +intruders should return, the boys ate their +long-delayed supper, and then entered the sitting-room. +Budd sat down by the center-table and took up the +Bible that had caused the robber Tom so much +surprise. His face flushed greatly, and he seemed +deeply moved by the emotions with which he was +struggling. At length he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Judd, you heard enough from Thomas Bagsley's +lips to-night to prove he was the man I had declared +him to be. You also heard him allude to my father. +In justice to that father's memory, and also that you +may know who I am and how I came to be here, I +will now tell you what I have never before disclosed +to a single person."</p> +<p class="pnext">With these words Budd began a story which +explained the mystery that had hung over him ever +since he had appeared in that neighborhood, and +revealed the tremendous burden that was weighing +down his young life.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-x-budd-s-story"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id11">CHAPTER X.--BUDD'S STORY.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Said he, "My father's name is Henry Boyd, +and my mother's, Mary Boyd, and my home +until last March was in Boston, Mass. Father and +mother had been brought up in the western part of +that State, and were married there, but soon after +my birth they removed to Boston, and father +entered the store of N. B. Johnson, the wholesale dry +goods dealer on Sumner Street."</p> +<p class="pnext">"He's the man who has spent the last summer or +two on Hope Island," interrupted Judd, "and the +one Bagsley called old Johnson."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," assented Budd; "though I did not know, +until he alluded to it to-night, that it was down this +way that Mr. Johnson spent his summers.</p> +<p class="pnext">"To go on with my story, however. Father +slowly worked his way up from one position to +another until he was Mr. Johnson's confidential clerk, +and held that position until last fall. Of course his +salary was a comfortable one, and we lived nicely +out in the Roxbury suburbs. I was kept constantly +in school, and as I seemed interested in my studies +father determined that I should have a college +education, and with that aim in view I last September +entered the Boston Latin School.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How little we know what is before us," +continued Budd after a momentary pause. "Had +anyone then told me what I was to pass through in less +than a year I should have thought it simply +impossible. In order to have you understand what is to +follow I must, however, go back a little in my +explanation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"When I was about twelve years old, mother +began to show signs of a decline. She had had a fever, +and never fully recovered. Still, as she was able to +be around most of the time and direct our one +servant in the care of the house, I, at least, thought +but little about it. Not so with father, however. +Always thoughtful of others rather than of himself, +he watched mother with an ever-increasing anxiety +until a year ago last spring. Mother then +contracted a severe cold, and it was soon only too +apparent that she had entered the first stages of a +quick consumption.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All that summer she grew worse, and last +October she was so feeble her physician declared that +the only hope of saving her life was to take her +immediately to a warmer climate for the winter. +Father determined that this should be done, but +how he was to accomplish it he did not know. +Mother was too feeble to go without him and a +woman attendant. The fall drive at the store had +begun, and father could not well be spared. Then, +too, there was the expense that would necessarily +follow. This was an important item; for though +father had always had good pay, he had, on account +of his heavy expenses, saved scarcely anything.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Father spoke to Mr. Johnson about a leave of +absence, and he reluctantly consented that father +should be gone long enough to take mother to +Florida and arrange for her comfort there. The +woman who was taking care of her consented to go +and stay there with her; and much as father and +mother hated to be separated, this seemed the only +thing that could be done. Father had about two +hundred dollars on hand, and deemed this enough +to meet the expenses of taking mother down to +Deland, the place where they had decided to go. He +then intended to send mother money each month, +or as it should be needed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So our house was given up. The goods were +stored. A boarding-place was secured for me, and +on the first of the next week father and mother +were to start. I shall never forget that last evening +we all spent together," and Budd's voice grew +husky. "It was at a friend's of the family, where +mother had been temporarily removed while the +household goods were being packed and stored. We +were alone in mother's room, and it almost seems as +if mother knew she should never see me again, +except for the brief moment I should say good-by to +her at the depot the following morning. So she told +me her last wishes, and gave me her blessing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"While we sat there a knock came at the door, +and mother's nurse entered.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Here, Mr. Boyd,' she said, 'is a letter for you. +It has just been left at the door.'</p> +<p class="pnext">"Father took it, and noticing the firm-name on +the corner of the envelope, tore it open with some +misgiving. It proved, however, to be a great cause +for rejoicing to us all, and no one dreamed that it +was otherwise than authentic. Written on the +regular firm note-paper, and with the firm-heading, it +ran:</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="left medium pfirst">BOSTON, Mass., Oct. 15, 18--.</p> +<p class="left medium pnext">MR. HENRY BOYD:</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Dear Sir</em>--Possibly my reluctance to allow you a +leave of absence may have led you to believe I do +not sympathize with you in your wife's illness; but +as a proof that I do, and also as a token of my +appreciation of your long and faithful service, I +inclose a check for five hundred ($500) dollars. +Trusting you will return to us at the earliest possible +moment, and that your wife's sojourn in a warmer +climate may completely restore her to health,</p> +<dl class="docutils left medium white-space-pre-line"> +<dt class="white-space-pre-line">I remain, yours truly,</dt> +<dd class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first last pfirst white-space-pre-line">N. B. JOHNSON.</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">"Now, father had seen more or less of Mr. Johnson's +writing every day for years, and the quaint, +cramped penmanship of the letter, with the familiar +signature at the close, seemed identically those that +were also upon the check. That was the regular +firm-check also, and the number and perforation +were in strict accordance with the firm-usages, and +therefore father, with a grateful heart, wrote a note +of thanks, and gave it to me to mail to Mr. Johnson +as I went back to my boarding-place. With joyful +hearts, too--joyful in spite of mother's feebleness--father +and mother set out at an early hour the next +morning for the South. They had taken this +unexpected generosity of Mr. Johnson as a good omen, +and neither had any suspicion that a cloud was +gathering above their heads that would soon mean +death to one and an incarceration in prison-walls for +the other.</p> +<p class="pnext">"In New York father was known, and he thought +it wiser to cash his check there than wait until he +got farther South; so the next morning he delayed +one train, and at the opening of the bank where he +was acquainted presented his check for payment. +The money was handed him without any hesitation, +and two hours later he, with his little party, had +resumed the journey.</p> +<p class="pnext">"At Richmond, Charleston and Jacksonville they +made brief stops, that mother might rest, and it was +not until the following week that they arrived at +their destination. Imagine, now, father's surprise, +when he registered at the hotel in Deland, to have +an officer immediately step forward and arrest him +for forgery and theft. As soon as father recovered +his composure he demanded a full explanation of the +outrage, and at whose instigation the charges had +been made. He was completely overwhelmed when +told that it was Mr. Johnson, and that he was +charged not only with the forging of the check, but +also with taking a thousand dollars in cash from the +office safe.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Father sent for a lawyer and consulted with him, +hoping to arrange the affair in some way so that +mother would have no knowledge of it, and having +arranged for her comfort, he would then return to +Boston and face the charges, sure that he could +prove them false. But father was a stranger. No +one was ready to offer bail for him, and the officer +clamored for his immediate requisition. There +seemed but one alternative. Mother must be told, +and father return immediately to Boston.</p> +<p class="pnext">"When mother was told, the shock seemed to give +her new strength, and she declared she would not +leave father while he was in trouble. The whole +party started on their return, therefore, with the +officer. In New York mother was taken with a +hemorrhage, brought on, the doctors said, by +excitement and overdoing, and in six hours she was a +corpse.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I saw the account of father's arrest in that +morning's paper, and a few hours later got a +telegram from father announcing mother's death, and +that night met him at the depot and took charge of +the corpse, while the officer took father to jail.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The weeks that followed I cannot tell you of," +continued Budd, after a paroxysm of sobs. "Mother +was buried, and father's trial came. Some friends +had rallied about him, good counsel was secured, and +we hoped confidently for his acquittal. Father told +his story just as it was, but Mr. Johnson declared +he never either wrote the letter or sent the check; +and Bagsley, who had been an under-clerk in the +office, and had succeeded to father's position, +produced bits of paper that he declared he had found +hid in the office, on which there had evidently been +constant practice to imitate the firm-name. This +testimony, together with the known facts that father +needed the money, and was the only clerk in the +office that at that time had access to the safe and +check-book, convicted him. His story, and the +drawing of the check and the sending of it to the +house, were declared to be simply plans on his part +to cover his crimes in mother's and his friends' eyes, +and account to them for the extra money he +possessed, until he got safely out of the State. The +thousand dollars that had disappeared from the safe +he was supposed to have concealed. At the end, +those who had claimed to be friends deserted him, +and Mr. Johnson was openly complimented on the +promptness with which he had acted. The Judge +who presided at the trial seemed to have caught the +popular belief, for he, when pronouncing the +sentences, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Had the prisoner confessed his guilt and thrown +himself upon the mercy of the Court, he might have +received the Court's clemency, since they were his +first offenses. His obdurateness, however, compels +me to make the sentences correspondingly harsh. I +therefore sentence him on the first charge to seven +years, and on the second charge to five years, at +hard labor in the State's prison; the second sentence +to begin when the first has ended.'</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was last January when this took place. From +that time I knew not a happy hour until I left the +city. Our former friends refused to receive me at +their homes; school-mates treated me coldly or met +me with sneers; even the lady with whom I boarded +told me I must leave. I at length determined to +seek a home where I was not known.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The lawyer who had defended father at his trial +seemed friendly, and to him I went. From him I +learned that father had returned to Mr. Johnson the +five hundred dollars he had got on the forged check, +and that he had told Mr. Johnson if he ever lived to +get out of prison he should pay the other thousand. +'You believe I have taken it,' he had said, 'and I +will not allow myself to rest until you at least are +convinced that I have not a cent that belongs to +you.' The lawyer also added that father's own +money had paid the expenses South and return, and +also mother's funeral expenses, but that he had +received no compensation for his services.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Through him I therefore disposed of all the +household goods, selling even my own, father's and +mother's watches; in fact, everything that would +sell. After paying the lawyer in full, and all other +bills, I found I had five hundred and four dollars +and seventy-five cents.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I took five hundred of this and went to Mr. Johnson's +office. He was not in, and I sat down to +await his coming. Bagsley was at the desk father +had occupied so long, and he scowled darkly at me. +I had always felt that he could tell all about the +forged check and the thousand dollars if he were +willing to do so, and I fixed my eyes steadily upon +him. He grew uneasy at my fixed gaze, and +evidently would have spoken to me had not the +presence of the other clerks prevented.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Johnson soon came in, and though he seemed +annoyed to see me, did not refuse my request to +see him privately. Once in his inner office, I took +out the money I had brought and handed it to him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'I pay this money, Mr. Johnson,' I said, 'not +because father ever took a dollar from you, but +because you believe he did. This five hundred +makes an even thousand. The other five hundred I +will pay as soon as I can earn it. Will you give me +a receipt for this?'"</p> +<p class="pnext">Without a word he filled out the receipt, but on +handing it to me he said, not unkindly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Will you tell me who did take it? If I knew +I had wronged your father I would not leave a +stone unturned until I had made him full amends.'</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Of course I have my suspicions,' I replied, +'but it is another thing to prove them.'</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Do you mean Bagsley?' he asked, lowering his +voice and tapping thoughtfully on the desk with his +fingers.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Mr. Johnson,' I suddenly cried, a light flashing +in upon my mind, 'did you, the morning father +started South, get a note from him thanking you +for the check?' and as he shook his head in reply, I +went on: 'Well, the night before, I mailed one to +you. Who opened your mail that morning?'</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Bagsley,' he replied; 'but how did he get +access to the safe, and what could have been his +motive in so cruelly wronging your father, if +guilty?'</p> +<p class="pnext">"'I don't know any more than you,' I answered, +turning to go. As I laid my hand upon the office +door it opened, and Bagsley appeared. By the look +of rage on his face as he glanced at me I knew he +had been listening to our conversation. He walked +over to Mr. Johnson with a handful of papers he +wanted him to sign, and I departed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Going back to the place where I was stopping, I +remained all night, and early the next morning took +my pack and started out of the city. I had so little +money I had decided to walk to Providence, looking +for work all the way. Barely had I turned the first +street corner when I ran into Bagsley. He at once +recognized me, and catching me by the arm, hissed +out the words:</p> +<p class="pnext">"'You young rascal! I've a good mind to throttle +you; and I will if you ever come about the office +again telling stories about me!' Then he shook me +and hurled me from him with a force that sent me +into the nearest gutter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thoroughly angered by the treatment I had +received, I sprung to my feet and foolishly said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Bagsley, it was you who forged that check and +sent it to father to cover your theft of the thousand +dollars, and I'll prove it yet!'</p> +<p class="pnext">"He came toward me, his eyes flashing with a +murderous light and his fists clinched. I expected +ah encounter with him that would only end in +serious injury to one or the other of us, and braced +myself for it. But just then he caught sight of a +gentleman coming down the street, and shaking his +fist in my face, he muttered:</p> +<p class="pnext">"'The next time I meet you I'll kill you!' and +then he turned the corner and disappeared.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I now know by his words here to-night that he +has been looking for me, and thus found out that I +had left the city. His presence here indicates also +that he has been discharged for some reason from +Mr. Johnson's employ, and is allied with a gang of +burglars. This only strengthens my belief that he +is guilty of the crimes for which my father is now +in prison.</p> +<p class="pnext">"As to my tramp, it was a long and severe one. +I reached Providence finally without money and no +prospect of work. Every effort there to secure a +job failed, and I continued my tramp. In the +village over here I heard of Benton, and that he +wanted a lad about my age. It was cold, a storm +threatened, I was hungry, and had nowhere to lay +my head. His offer I was at the time thankful to +accept, and began my work for him."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Does your father know where you are?" asked +Judd, as his partner finished and bowed his head +upon the table to conceal the emotions the narrating +of his story had awakened.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I went to see him before I paid Mr. Johnson," +Budd replied without raising his head, "and had his +approval of my course. After I hired out to +Mr. Benton I sent a brief line to him explaining that I +had found work. I did not give my address, for I +was afraid if I got a letter from the prison my +story might come out, and I should have to seek a +home in some other place. I tell you, Judd, it's a +heavy burden I carry--one that will blight my +whole life, and that has already, as you see, changed +my whole future."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, Budd, I know it," replied his companion; +"and yet you know, and your father knows, he is +innocent, while I know my father is everything that +the people of this community may care to call him. +Your mother was confident of your father's +innocence, and died before she knew of his imprisonment, +while my mother all her married life had the +burden of knowing she was married to a brute. +Surely there is much yet for you to be thankful for, +and perhaps Bagsley's presence here means that you +are yet to prove his guilt and set your father free. +Some light has been thrown on the matter by this +incident of to-night."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are right, Judd, and I will take heart at +your words. The darkest hour seems to have +passed, and light has begun to come. I am +pleasantly situated, and can soon send Mr. Johnson a +payment on the last five hundred dollars. In some +way, too, Bagsley may be led to confess the part he +has played, and then father can go free, and here +I'll have a home to which he can come until we +plan for the future. But whatever comes, and +whatever plans are made, there will always be a place for +you. Brief as the time has been since I knew you, I +love you like a brother."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We will be brothers," Judd declared. "Through +thick and thin we'll stand by each other;" and with +a hearty shake of the hands the lads went to bed, +and were soon asleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">And neither one for a single moment supposed +that before the coming week was over a darker +cloud and a heavier burden would fall upon Budd's +heart, and that Judd's declaration would have a +severe test.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xi-an-unfortunate-predicament"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id12">CHAPTER XI.--AN UNFORTUNATE PREDICAMENT.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The young partners on the following day +talked over the adventure they had had with +the burglars, and decided to say nothing about the +affair to any one else for the present.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Those fellows are up to some crime," Budd had +declared, "and possibly, if we say nothing about +their visit here, but keep a careful watch up and +down the bay, we may discover what it is and bring +them to justice.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Once get Bagsley into jail charged with some +crime, and he may be willing to acknowledge his +guilt respecting the one of which my father has been +convicted. Especially may this be so if he should +be able to lighten his sentence on the later charge +by a confession of the first; and if we are the means +of his and his companions' arrest, we may have the +power to bring about such an arrangement. Then +my father's release is certain."</p> +<p class="pnext">To all of which Judd agreed, and from that day +the lads became a self-appointed vigilance committee +patrolling the bay.</p> +<p class="pnext">On both the following Monday and Tuesday +mornings, when the lads came to haul their nets at +the three pounds, they were delighted to find in +each the largest catches of fish they had yet made; +and it was nearly dark on Tuesday evening as they +got into their sloop at the village wharf, after +shipping off the large excess of fish they had had over +the demand of the home trade.</p> +<p class="pnext">As Budd cast off the last rope and stepped forward +to hoist the sails of the Sea Witch, preparatory +to a departure for the island, a gentleman came +hurriedly to the dock and called out:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hello, there, boys; hold on a moment. I want +to see you!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd threw the man a rope, and the sloop was +refastened to the wharf.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are you Boyd & Floyd of Fox Island?" the +stranger asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," replied the lads.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And you sometimes take out sailing-parties, do +you not?" was the next inquiry; and again the +young partners responded in the affirmative.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am Mr. Dane," continued the gentleman, "and +am over here with a party of friends, and we wish +you to take us across the bay to Bristol to-morrow. +Can you do it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you wish to be simply taken over, or over +and back?" asked Budd, as spokesman for the firm.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Just landed there. We are from that side, and +thought, instead of going around by either Newport +or Providence, we would get you to set us over," +explained Mr. Dane.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What time do you wish to go, and how many +are there in the party?" asked Budd, with a prompt +business air.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Six, with myself; and we would prefer not to +go until afternoon, leaving here, say, about two +o'clock."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd consulted with his partner; then he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, we can take you over."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What are the charges?" inquired Mr. Dane, as +though the proposed trip depended greatly upon them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Three dollars for the party," answered Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is fifty cents each, and is much less than it +will cost us to go around," Mr. Dane commented to +himself.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he said to the boys:</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right; we'll give it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"One of us will be here at the appointed hour, if +a suitable day for the trip," said Budd, casting off +the fastenings of the sloop for the second time; and +a moment later she was gliding down the harbor.</p> +<p class="pnext">By half-past one o'clock the next day the lads had +got their regular work so well in hand that Judd +could easily finish the balance by night, and Budd +entered the Sea Witch and sailed over to the village.</p> +<p class="pnext">The weather was delightful, and the breeze a +strong one, so he tied up at the village wharf five +minutes before the appointed hour. But the party +he was to take over the bay was as prompt as +himself, and before the town clock had struck two all +were on board, and the sloop had begun the passage.</p> +<p class="pnext">The wind was a southerly one, and running out +by the lighthouse, Budd took his first tack directly +for the lower end of Prudence Island. When he +reached that, and threw around his tiller for his +second tack, it brought the wind almost directly +astern, and he ran straight for Bristol harbor, +where he safely landed his passengers in less than +two hours.</p> +<p class="pnext">The party were delighted with the trip, and +promptly paid the amount that had been agreed +upon. As they turned away from the landing, +Mr. Dane handed Budd one of his business cards, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">"You see, I'm in the grocery business just up the +street here. Whenever over this way, give us a call."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd thanked the gentleman and put the card in +his pocket, scarcely realizing how soon it was to +prove serviceable. Then he said, laughingly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"We are in want of some groceries at the island. +I guess I'll go up to your store, and see if I can +trade better there than at our village. It will +enable me, also, to go directly home from here."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come on; I go by there on my way to the +house, and will see that you are fairly treated," +said Mr. Dane, in reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">A few rods up the street they came to the store, +and Mr. Dane himself waited upon Budd, and made +a generous reduction, as the lad paid for the things.</p> +<p class="pnext">Returning to the boat as soon as his purchases +were made, Budd cast off the lines and began his +return passage. The wind, blowing as it did +strongly from a southern quarter, compelled him +to take quite a different course from the one taken +when he had come over.</p> +<p class="pnext">Once out of Mount Hope Bay, he ran for the +north of Prudence Island. Passing that on his left, +he tacked down by Patience Island toward the +mouth of the Potowomot River, on the main shore. +His third tack, to the southeast, brought him under +the lee of Hope Island, and from there he expected +to make his last tack directly for home.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he came up under Hope Island, however, he +recalled the words of Tom Bagsley on the previous +Saturday evening about this island being Mr. Johnson's +summer residence; and remembering, also, +that Tom and his companions had left Fox Island +intending to make Hope Island their rendezvous for +a few days, a strong desire took possession of him +to land on the island and see if the burglars were +still there, or had ransacked the house and left.</p> +<p class="pnext">Like an inspiration the thought came to him that +here might be his chance to bring a charge against +his enemy. If the house had indeed been robbed, +his own and Judd's testimony as to the declaration +they had heard from the robbers' lips surely ought +to be sufficient to warrant their arrest for the deed. +He resolved, then, to land and make an investigation; +and if he found traces of the crime, as he felt +sure he would, then he would report to Mr. Johnson +at once.</p> +<p class="pnext">He knew he was running some danger of discovery +by a man who would not hesitate to take his +life, but he believed the risk was very slight. If +the house had been robbed, he argued, then the men +had already departed. He believed this all the +more strongly because it was quite time for +Mr. Johnson to come to the island for the summer; and +the men, also knowing this, would not be apt to +make a long sojourn there. So he ran in as close to +the island as possible and anchored the sloop. Then, +jumping into the yawl, he went on shore, and +climbing up the steep bank, started boldly across +the fields toward the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">He would have hesitated long before doing this, +however, had he been aware that Mr. Johnson had +only that morning come to the island, bringing +some men with him, to arrange for his summer +sojourn; and finding that the house had indeed been +robbed, and believing, from unmistakable evidences, +that a gang of men were making the house a place +of rendezvous, he had left everything just as it had +been found, and was lying in wait with his men for +the burglars' return.</p> +<p class="pnext">Unconscious of all this, Budd went directly on to +the house, and found the shutters torn off from one +window and the window open. Listening a +moment, and hearing no sound of anyone within the +house, he leaped into the window and began his +search of the rooms.</p> +<p class="pnext">On every side were the signs of the robbers' +presence. The table was covered with unwashed dishes, +beds had been slept in, and drawers and closets torn +open. Budd of course could not tell what had been +carried off, but he felt sure that many things had +been taken.</p> +<p class="pnext">From down-stairs he went upstairs, and wandered +through room after room until convinced that the +burglars had left no part of the house unvisited; +then he retraced his steps to the window by which +he had entered.</p> +<p class="pnext">Exulting in his heart at the discovery he had +made, for he believed it was one link in the chain +toward his father's freedom, and utterly unconscious +of any danger to himself, he put his feet out of the +window and lowered himself to the ground.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he heard hurried steps behind him, and a +loud shout close at hand; but before he could turn +about and face the unseen danger strong hands +seized him and a stern voice said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"So it is you, you young rascal, that has been +robbing me, and this is the place you have got, but +cannot send me any money until fall! Not until +you sell the articles you have stolen, I suppose!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Full of consternation, and wondering how he +could explain the awkward predicament in which he +found himself, Budd turned and stood face to face +with Mr. Johnson.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xii-budd-s-trial"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id13">CHAPTER XII.--BUDD'S TRIAL.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">For a moment Budd stood before the angry +man abashed, and not knowing what to say. +Then the consciousness of his innocence of any +wrong came to his rescue, and he quietly said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Johnson, I have not robbed your house, nor +have I ever been on the island before to-day. If +you will permit me to explain, I will tell you how I +came to be here."</p> +<p class="pnext">"None of your lies to me!" angrily answered +Mr. Johnson. "Your father tried that when he robbed +me, and now you want to make use of the same +trick! But whatever story you have got to tell you +may tell in the court-room, as he did; and, like him, +you'll find it won't save you from prison-walls;" and +he checked every effort of Budd to speak.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bring a rope here," he said to one of his men, +"and bind this fellow's arms behind his back, and +get ready to go with me over to the west shore. +I shall want your testimony to corroborate mine, +that we found the young rascal in the house. The +rest of you can now put the house in order."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How shall we go over to the main-land?" asked +the man, after he had finished tying Budd's arms.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll go in the prisoner's boat," replied +Mr. Johnson, "and Bill, here, can come over after us +to-morrow noon. We can't swear out a warrant +and have the boy tried before that time."</p> +<p class="pnext">With Budd between them, the two men now +proceeded down to the shore where the yawl was +lying, and pushing her off, Went on board the sloop.</p> +<p class="pnext">Scarcely had Mr. Johnson got on board the Sea +Witch, however, when he noticed the bundles Budd +had put on board at Bristol, and he directed his +man to examine them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They contain a ham, some crackers, cheese and +sugar," he reported.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There is another proof of your guilt!" said +Mr. Johnson, sternly, to Budd. "You had brought +along your provisions for another sojourn at the +house."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then why did I not carry them up there?" +retorted Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson was at first puzzled for an answer, +but at length said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"You must have had accomplices, and it may be +you only stopped at the house while on your way to +your present rendezvous to see what else you could +find."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But I had nothing when I got out of the window," +replied Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he added, earnestly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"If you will just let me explain, Mr. Johnson, you +will see that I had good reason for being on your +island."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very likely," said Mr. Johnson, with a sarcasm +that stung the lad to the quick. "But there is just +one chance I'll give you. If you will tell where +the rest of your gang is, and help us to capture +them, I'll do my best to save you; otherwise the +law must take its course."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How can I, when I have no accomplices and +have not robbed you?" asked Budd, out of patience +with the obstinacy of the angry man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The saying that 'A lie well stuck to is as good +as the truth' won't apply in your case, at least," +remarked Mr. Johnson, with rising anger; and for +the remainder of the passage he in no way addressed +his prisoner.</p> +<p class="pnext">Arriving at the village which Budd had left only +five hours before under such happy circumstances, +Mr. Johnson left him on the boat, with the hired +man to look out for him, while he went in search of +the proper authorities to perfect the lad's arrest. +He had no difficulty in finding the officers, and at +eight o'clock Budd had been put into the village +lock-up, with his preliminary trial before the local +justice assigned for ten o'clock the next day.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Budd was in no sense desponding; his head +was never clearer, nor had he ever thought more +rapidly or planned better to meet a grave emergency. +He was growing older and wiser very fast. He +knew, moreover, what were his rights.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Avery," he had said to the constable, as he +was about to leave him for the night, "I want +Mr. John Benton and Peter Wright subpoenaed to +appear as witnesses for me in the morning. I also +want a messenger sent over to Fox Island for Judd +Floyd. Mr. Ben Taylor will go, and my boat, as +you know, is at the wharf. Please hurry this part +of my request, for I have got to send Judd over to +Bristol before my trial. Of course I will pay all +necessary expenses."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Avery promised to attend to these matters, +and evidently did so at once, for at nine o'clock he +appeared again with Judd Floyd, and also announced +that the two witnesses named had had due notice to +appear at the trial.</p> +<p class="pnext">As soon as Judd and he were left alone Budd +took Mr. Dane's card from his pocket, and asked +his chum if he would go over to Bristol for that +gentleman and bring him over as a witness.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I shall prove," he said, "that I have never been +on Hope Island before this afternoon, and that will +clear me from the charge brought against me; for +Mr. Johnson has not put into his warrant that I +robbed the house to-day, as he knew such a charge +could not be sustained, but that I committed the +burglary some time between the 1st of April (when +he was last on there) and to-day.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I shall, of course, depend upon you as the +principal witness as to my residing on Fox Island.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Wright and Mr. Benton can testify as to +where I was previous to my joining you, and +Mr. Dane can testify that I did not go to Hope Island +while with him; that I bought my provisions there +for our use on Fox Island; and that I did not leave +there until after four o'clock to-day. Perhaps it is +not really necessary to have Mr. Dane's testimony, +but I had rather he would be here, and you can tell +him that I will pay his expenses, and also pay him +for his time."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll bring him back, sure," promised Judd, rising +to go.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he drew near to Budd and whispered:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Shall you allude to the visit of Bagsley and his +gang to Fox Island, and what they said about Hope +Island? That will be an important item, but it will +give them the clew we are trying to follow up."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, it won't be necessary to mention that. At +the worst they can only bind me over to a higher +court, and before that trial can come off I believe +we shall have found Bagsley, and that will clear me. +I don't see how, after I have proved I was never on +the island before to-day, they can hold me a single +moment."</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd held the same opinion, and hurried off to +carry out his partner's request.</p> +<p class="pnext">At ten o'clock the next morning the little village +court-room was crowded, for criminal trials were a +novelty then, and Budd's case had awakened a good +deal of curiosity.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Trial Justice was a little, fussy man, knowing +far more about his grocery store down the street +than he did about law; but he had put on a pompous +air, and tried to manifest a dignity equal to the +important occasion.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson and man were there, and with them +the one lawyer the village afforded as Prosecuting +Attorney. It looked as though Mr. Johnson was +afraid he could not prove his case, and had sought +all the possible help he at that short notice could +obtain.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd's witnesses were all there also, Judd and +Mr. Dane having arrived an hour before, and Mr. Benton +and Mr. Wright having come in as the court +was called.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd was his own lawyer, and from his smiling +face one would have thought he felt fully able to +cope with the attorney for the prosecution.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the charge was read, the lad in loud, clear +tones, answered "Not guilty," and the trial began.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson was the first witness, and he stated +briefly the condition in which he had found his +house on arriving there the morning before, and how +he had laid in wait for the return of the burglars. +He described Budd's appearance, his entrance to the +house, and his capture. As he ended his testimony, +the lawyer, evidently having been previously +instructed, asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have you ever seen the prisoner previous to the +time of his capture?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," replied Mr. Johnson. "I have known him, +and his father before him, for years."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where is his father?" asked the lawyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I object to that question," cried Budd, jumping +to his feet, his cheeks all aflame with indignation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before the Justice could give his ruling the +answer had been given, loud and clear:</p> +<p class="pnext">"In the Massachusetts State Prison, serving out +a twelve years' sentence for forgery and theft."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd sunk back in his chair sick at heart, and +almost in despair. The mischief had been done, and +the crowd knew the dread secret he had so long hid +within his own bosom. He felt for a moment that +he would have been glad to have had the prison-walls +close around him, too, shutting him from the +gaze of all eyes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nor was the answer lost in its influence on the +Justice.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think," he said, slowly, "that anything that +throws light on the prisoner's previous life or +training will be in order here. It will help the Court to +decide whether he would have been likely to commit +the crime with which he is charged;" and the man +tried to conceal the curiosity which was already +beaming from his face.</p> +<p class="pnext">Without further interruption Mr. Johnson told +his side of the story, with which the reader is +already familiar, and left the stand, having given +Justice and audience alike the impression that +Mr. Boyd was a most hardened criminal, and that the +son was already following in his father's footsteps.</p> +<p class="pnext">His hired man then took the stand, and corroborated +his employer's testimony respecting the burglary +and the capture of the prisoner. Then the +prosecution rested its case.</p> +<p class="pnext">While Mr. Johnson was telling about Budd's +father the lad sat with head bowed, and appeared +to no longer care what became of himself; but just +before the hired man finished his testimony Judd +leaned over and whispered in his comrade's ear:</p> +<p class="pnext">"For your father's sake, make a defense."</p> +<p class="pnext">He could not have whispered more effective +words. Budd at once raised his head and proudly +faced the Court, and when the prosecution had +done he rose quickly to his feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The charge with which I am accused," he said, +taking the paper up, "reads that I entered +Mr. Johnson's house some time between April 1st and +yesterday, June 20th. It does not specify any +charge for yesterday at all, as I forced no entrance +into the house, nor took anything away. I shall, +then, prove to this Court that previous to yesterday +I had never been upon Hope Island. I will also tell +why I went there."</p> +<p class="pnext">With these words he called Mr. Benton as his first +witness. Mr. Wright followed, and then Judd +Floyd and Mr. Dane came in the order named.</p> +<p class="pnext">All swore positively that if the prisoner had been +upon Hope Island during the specific time each was +called to testify to, they would certainly have known it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd, realizing that his partner's liberty depended +largely upon his testimony, with note-book in hand +told where, from day to day, he and Budd had been, +and what they had done. The testimony was +absolute, and should have been conclusive.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd then had himself put under oath, and +testified that though he knew Hope Island was +Mr. Johnson's summer residence, no thought had ever +come to him to visit it until the previous afternoon, +when he found himself near the island.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I then felt," he continued, "a curiosity to see +the place, and landing, went, as they have testified, +boldly across the fields, because I had nothing to be +ashamed of. Finding a window open, I at once +concluded that burglars had been there, and I went +in to see to what extent the property had been +injured, and it was my purpose to report to +Mr. Johnson at once the crime that had been committed. +Now I would like Mr. Johnson to be put upon the +stand, that I may ask him a few questions."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson, with evident reluctance, took the +witness-chair for his cross-examination.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How long had my father worked for you previous +to the crime he is said to have committed?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fifteen or sixteen years," was the reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why did you keep him so long in your employ?" +Budd now asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I object," said the Prosecuting Attorney.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Your Honor," said Budd, "the prosecution have +tried to injure my character to-day by telling about +my father. They have told only evil. I wish now +to show there is some good."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't know as Mr. Johnson is obliged to answer +these questions," said the Justice, nodding blandly +to the wealthy man, "but he may, if he chooses."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I decline to answer," said Mr. Johnson, after +consulting with his attorney.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I will ask the witness one other question--one +with reference to myself--with the Court's +permission," said Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have I not, Mr. Johnson, paid you a portion of +the money you claim my father took from you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I decline to answer that question also," replied +Mr. Johnson, noticing that his attorney shook his +head negatively.</p> +<p class="pnext">"May I then put in this paper as testimony?" +asked Budd, taking a slip from his pocket and +extending it toward the Justice. "It is Mr. Johnson's +receipt for five hundred dollars that I paid him last +March."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hardly think it would be proper," said the +Justice, looking toward Mr. Johnson for his +approval of the ruling.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I then rest my case," said Budd, shortly, and +with some show of indignation.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Prosecuting Attorney now began his argument. +He dwelt mainly upon the facts that Budd +had been found where he ought not to have been, +and that Judd Floyd, as his partner, was of course +interested in acquitting the prisoner. Though that +witness had shown where he and the accused were +in the daytime since May 20th, he had failed to show +where they were in the <em class="italics">nights</em>, and the burglary +had doubtless been committed in the night time; +burglaries usually were. He concluded by reminding +the Justice that it was not for him to find the +prisoner guilty; but if, in his judgment, he thought +there was a <em class="italics">probability</em> of his guilt, it was his duty +to bind him over to a higher court.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd, already aware that the Justice seemed to +favor the prosecution, simply stated in his +argument for the defense what he had proved by his +witnesses, and that that acquitted him of the special +charge included in the warrant. He alluded to the +general good character he had borne since he came +into the neighborhood, and concluded with the words:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am innocent of the crime with which I am +accused. My father is also innocent of the crime +for which he is in prison to-day. One link in the +chain of establishing his innocence I have already +discovered. Whatever may be the decision of the Court +to-day respecting myself, as sure as there is a just +God in Heaven, a few weeks more will see every +shadow of disgrace swept away from our names."</p> +<p class="pnext">So positive were the lad's tones, so triumphant his +gestures, so confident his looks, that many of the +audience were thrilled as though they heard a voice +of prophecy--a prophecy soon to be fulfilled.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Justice may himself have felt, somewhat, the +influence of the lad's declaration, for he gathered up +his papers with an unsteady hand, and looked +uneasily about the room and into the upturned faces +waiting for his decision. The stillness grew +oppressive. Finally the eye of the Justice rested upon +Mr. Johnson, who was gazing expectantly up into +the little man's face, and the great and wealthy +man's wish became the law of the baser one's soul:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think," he said, speaking sharply and looking +directly at Mr. Johnson, "there is sufficient +probability of the prisoner's guilt to warrant my binding +him over to the higher court, which meets at the +county seat in November."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, to Budd:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll fix your bond at one thousand dollars, and +unless you can furnish a bondsman I will have to +commit you to the county jail to await your trial."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiii-mr-benton-s-little-game"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id14">CHAPTER XIII.--MR. BENTON'S LITTLE GAME.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Budd was partially prepared for the Trial +Justice's decision, as it was but the natural result +of the bias he had shown in his rulings; but the +excessive amount of the bond astonished him and +filled him with alarm. He had thought, in case he +was bound over to the higher court, the bond would +be fixed at a few hundred dollars, and that some of +his or Judd's friends would be willing to become +surety for so small an amount; but when the +Justice named the sum of one thousand dollars he felt +there was but one alternative--he must go to jail.</p> +<p class="pnext">His alarm at the prospect was not due so much to +the fact that he shrunk from confinement in the +jail as that the confinement would defeat his whole +plans. Just as he had some hope of proving his +father's innocence, and of rescuing him from an +unjust imprisonment, his hopes were to be ruthlessly +crushed, his purpose thwarted, and he himself +stigmatized as a criminal. It was with difficultly that +he could restrain the hot tears that were struggling +to flow.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Justice had been rapidly filling out a paper +since he had rendered his decision, and now he +looked up:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Your bond is ready," he said. "Whom do you +name for bondsman?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have none," faltered the lad, "unless some +gentleman here will give bond for me."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Wright, who sat near the boy, felt that this +touching appeal was meant for him, and at once +there began a struggle in his heart. He had always +liked Budd. So far as he knew, Budd had always +been perfectly honorable; and he could not help +thinking the lad had established his innocence +beyond a shadow of a doubt. Still Mr. Johnson's +testimony as to the father's character had had its +influence upon him, and he was not quite sure it would +be just wise to become the boy's bondsman. While +he hesitated, he and the others in the court-room +were surprised to hear a voice say:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll sign his bond."</p> +<p class="pnext">The speaker was Mr. Benton, and that gentleman +walked forward to the Justice's stand and +deliberately wrote his name across the paper.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I guess that'll stand the law," he remarked; and +before Budd could even thank him he strode from +the court-room, as though ashamed of his act.</p> +<p class="pnext">No sooner had he disappeared than Mr. Wright +walked up to the Justice's desk, saying, quietly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Put my name on the bond also. Two bondsmen +are better than one;" and he wrote his name under +that of Mr. Benton's.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, crossing over to Budd's side, he shook +hands with him, remarking:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Benton got the start of me; but I have +shown my good-will, all the same. Shall we go, now?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd thought, by his look more than his words, +that he desired to see him alone, and so followed +him out of the court-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">When they reached the street, Mr. Wright took +Budd by the arm and led him away from the throng +that was pouring out of the building, and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Look out for Mr. Benton. His name on your bond +to-day means mischief. I don't know what game he +is about to play, but by putting my own there I hope +to baffle him."</p> +<p class="pnext">Before Budd could express his surprise at +Mr. Wright's words they were joined by Judd and +Mr. Dane. That gentleman shook hands with the +released lad and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Had I been known to the Justice I should have +offered myself for your bondsman, though you +should never have needed one. How in the world +that thick-headed Justice could have given such a +decision is a mystery to me. I----"</p> +<p class="pnext">But what the speaker was to have said was cut +short by a nudge from Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson and the Justice were passing, and +that his words had been heard was only too evident +by Mr. Johnson's frown and the Justice's ridiculous +action.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I fine you ten dollars for contempt of court," he +said, angrily, stopping and facing Mr. Dane.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I believe your court is adjourned, and I am on +the public highway, expressing my private opinion to +friends," replied Mr. Dane, coolly. "But I am not +surprised at your want of judgment. It is only on a +par with that you showed in the court-room, and +suggests the fact that this town is sadly in need of +at least one new Justice."</p> +<p class="pnext">A laugh from the gathering crowd sent the hot +blood to the Justice's face, and catching some idea +of the foolish position into which he had allowed +himself to be drawn by his anger, he hurried off +down the street.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Will you return to Bristol at once?" Budd asked. +"If so, we will arrange to take you over."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," replied Mr. Dane; "I have business in +Providence, and will go round that way. Good-by;" +and refusing to take the slightest compensation for +coming over as a witness, he shook hands with +Mr. Wright and the lads and departed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd spoke a few words in a low tone to his +partner; then he said to Mr. Wright:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can you go over to the island with us? There +is something special we wish to talk over with you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"My man is down here with me, and can drive the +team along to 'The Hummocks' and wait for me +there, if you will put me ashore after this matter is +talked over," answered Mr. Wright.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lads consented to that arrangement gladly, and +a few minutes later, with Mr. Wright on board the +sloop with them, they sailed for home.</p> +<p class="pnext">As soon as they were a short distance off shore, +Budd left his partner to look out for the boat, and in +low tones told Mr. Wright the true story of his +father's trial and imprisonment. He then related +Judd's and his own experience with Bagsley and his +companions, and stated that this was the real +purpose that called him over to Hope Island.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why didn't you tell this in the court-room? It +would have acquitted you," said Mr. Wright, in +astonishment.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Because the burglars are still around here +contemplating some more daring crime, and we are +watching for them, and hope to cause their arrest," +explained Budd, going on to relate how he believed +this would react in his father's favor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What we want of you," continued Budd, "is to +come over to the island and see the window, with its +cut pane, and the lantern the burglars left behind, +so that you can testify as to these facts at the trial +before the higher court."</p> +<p class="pnext">A few moments later the island was reached, and +Mr. Wright was taken from point to point, the +whole story of that night's experience was told +anew, and the evidence of it exhibited.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I wish you all success in your plans," Mr. Wright +said, as he got into the yawl to be taken over to +"The Hummocks," where they could see his team +was already waiting. "But don't run into any +danger; and as soon as you locate the rascals, notify +the authorities without waiting for them to commit +any other crime. Their visit here and over at +Hope Island is enough to send them up for a long +term of years."</p> +<p class="pnext">As he parted with them on the main shore he +said to Budd:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I ought to tell you that for a few minutes I +hesitated about becoming your bondsman, and +Mr. Benton's act led me to a decision. I now thoroughly +believe in your and your father's innocence, and +shall stand by you, whatever comes. Only, look +out for Mr. Benton."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What does he mean?" asked Judd, as the sloop +started down the bay to visit the pounds, which the +incidents of the morning had till then prevented.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He is sure Mr. Benton did not sign my bond +from any good motive; and I confess it does seem +queer, come to think of it. What do you suppose +he is up to?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't know any more than you do," responded +his chum; "but, like Mr. Wright, I distrust him. +And there is one thing you may be sure of. If he +is up to any game he will show himself very soon; +he isn't going to give you time to run away and +make him pay that thousand dollars. You see, he +don't know Mr. Wright signed the bond also, for he +had left the court-room before that was done."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's so," said Budd, thoughtfully; "and I +think, with you, we shall hear from him before a +great while, if his act sprung from any sinister +motive."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There is your man," Judd announced a few +hours later, as they approached their wharf; and +Mr. Benton was indeed sitting on the dock, +awaiting their coming.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How are you, boys, and what luck with your +fish?" he remarked pleasantly, as they came ashore.</p> +<p class="pnext">The young partners responded good-naturedly, +and he watched them as they sorted and put their +fish into the "cars."</p> +<p class="pnext">"My, what a large one!" he exclaimed, as Budd +picked up a six-pound mackerel, and was about to +toss it into the proper "car."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Would you like it?" asked the lad; and as +Mr. Benton gave assent he tossed it into the man's boat, +which had been fastened near by.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have you been here long waiting for us?" Judd +asked, with a wink at his chum.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, yes," responded Mr. Benton. "I come +over here 'bout as soon as I could after I went home +from the village; but you'd gone."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We hadn't been to the pounds to-day, and so +hurried off to them," explained Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I thought that was it," said Mr. Benton, +following the lads on to the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come in and take supper with us," said Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't know but I will, seeing I have a little +business with ye."</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd gave his partner a significant look.</p> +<p class="pnext">Supper was soon ready, and they sat down at the +table. Mr. Benton showed that whatever his +business with them was he had not lost his appetite, and +a half-hour elapsed before the meal was finished. +Then Budd led the way into the sitting-room, and +showing Mr. Benton to a chair, ventured to hasten +matters by asking:</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is your business, Mr. Benton?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ahem! ahem!" said he, as though clearing his +throat from some impediment. "I signed yer bond +fer ye to-day, Budd, or else ye'd now be on yer way +to Kingston jail. Hev ye thought o' that?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you really think so?" responded Budd, and +waiting for Mr. Benton to go on.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, ye would," said the man, shortly; "an' ye +know it, well as I do."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was very good of you," said the boy, meaningly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"An' I thought, as I'd done ye the favor, ye might +pay me back that thirty dollers that don't belong to +ye," said the miser, coming to the point of his +business with Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why should I? It belonged to me, not to you," +Budd retorted.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No it don't, either. Ye have quit work, an' +'cordin' to the barg'in it never did belong to ye."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What will you do if I don't pay it?" asked +Budd, as though yielding.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll go an' cancel the bond, an' have ye in jail +'fore mornin'," he said, savagely.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And if I do pay it you will cancel the bond, just +the same, and land me in jail. Confess, now, that's +your game," remarked Budd, seeing through +Mr. Benton's purpose.</p> +<p class="pnext">The man twisted in his chair.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ye'd better pay it," he finally said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not one cent," replied Budd, decidedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then I'll go to the village right off an' cancel +the bond, an' bring down the officer," declared +Mr. Benton, grabbing up his hat and starting for the +door.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a laugh Budd and his partner followed the +man to his boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">He got into it and rowed off a rod or two from +the shore; then he paused and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ye'd better change yer mind, Budd."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you know I'll be here when you get +back?" asked Budd, mischievously. "I can take the +sloop and be miles away from here before you get +to the village."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Judd, ye hold on to him!" cried the man in +alarm; "I command ye in the name o' the law to +do so!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd laughed, and catching the spirit of mischief +Budd had displayed, asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"What'll you give me, if I do?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A doller," said Mr. Benton, with some hesitation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh! Budd will give me more than that to let +him go," replied Judd, "and you will have the +thousand dollars to pay!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll give ye five dollers," cried Mr. Benton, in +alarm.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Budd will give ten to go free," was the answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll give ye 'leven," said the man, desperately; +and in his eagerness he rowed back inshore.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where's the money? It must be cash down," +said Judd, seriously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I left my money at home 'fore I come down +here," explained the man, "fer I didn't know what +ye fellers might do; but I'll pay ye to-morrow."</p> +<p class="pnext">Before Judd could make answer, Budd, pitying +the man, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I promise not to go away before morning, Mr. Benton. +But even if you go to the village, no officer +will return with you, for after you left Mr. Wright +also signed my bond."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton gave an exclamation of anger.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He's always interferin' with me," he said; "but +I'll go up an' see if it's as you say. Remember yer +promise now," and he rowed off toward the village.</p> +<p class="pnext">He found, on arriving there, that Budd had told +the truth, but succeeded in getting his own name +released after much persuasion; and realizing that +his little game had been completely baffled, he +started sullenly for home.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he passed Fox Island his anger was again +aroused, and he exclaimed, bitterly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Twas all owin' to Wright's meddlin', an' that's +what made Budd so lively. I wish I could get hold +of su'thin' o' his; he'd not see it ag'in till he paid +me them thirty dollers."</p> +<p class="pnext">His eye just then caught the outline of the boys' +sloop through the darkness.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have it!" exclaimed he. "I'll take their +boats;" and without thinking that his act was theft +he rowed quietly in to the island.</p> +<p class="pnext">Five minutes later he sailed off in the sloop, +having the yawl and his own boat in tow.</p> +<p class="pnext">Going down the bay a mile, he ran the boats into +a secluded bay adjacent to his own land, and then +tramping up to his house for chains and padlocks, he +fastened them all securely. Then he tramped up +the hill to his house chuckling to himself:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've not only got twice the value o' them thirty +dollers, but I've taken away every means for the +boys to leave the island."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiv-two-opportunities"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id15">CHAPTER XIV.--TWO OPPORTUNITIES.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">When Mr. Benton, in his chuckling, had +declared that he had taken away every means +the young firm had for reaching the main shore, he +overlooked two important facts: first, that the island +at its nearest point was not over a half-mile from +the main-land; and, second, that there was an +abundance of material on the island from which to +construct a temporary float, even were there not +other ways of effecting a landing.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now the events of the previous chapter, it will +be remembered, occurred on a Thursday; +consequently the next day was Friday, and the young +firm's greatest salesday of all the week. The trial +and the incidents antecedent to it had greatly +hindered the lads' work, also; and when they +retired at an early hour on Thursday night, +therefore, it was with a determination to be up the next +morning long before their usual time, which was in +no sense late.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was, moreover, a special reason for the +boys to be up early this particular morning, for a +telegram the day before had brought an order for +an extra supply of fish to be shipped that morning +by the earliest train to the city. That train left at +six o'clock, and the fish must be packed and at the +depot before that hour. So it happened that the +lads were up at a little past three o'clock, and +breakfast was eaten and they were out at the +wharf before four.</p> +<p class="pnext">Immediately after their first exclamations of +surprise at the disappearance of the boats Judd asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who do you suppose has taken them, chum?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"One of two parties," responded Budd, promptly; +"either Bagsley and his gang, or Mr. Benton."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It makes a vast difference to us which," remarked +Judd, with his favorite whistle. "How are +we going to find out which party it was?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"By using a little reason, first of all things," said +Budd, with a smile. "There are some things that +make it improbable that it was Bagsley and his +companions. To have taken the boats they must +have been prowling around here before last night, +and that isn't likely, for with our sharp lookout we +would have discovered some trace of them. Again, +if it were him and his crew, they must have +discovered that you were my only companion here, and +they would have done something more serious than +simply to take the boats. I don't say that these are +positive proofs that they are not the ones who have +taken the boats, but they make it look at least +improbable. Then, again, if it were those fellows, +they have carried out 'the little job' they talked of, +and used the boats as a means of escape. If we +don't hear within a few hours of some burglary +near at hand, I shall feel conclusively that they are +not guilty of this act."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You think, then, that Benton has done it?" +inquired Judd. "What could have been his object?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Just this," replied his partner, earnestly: "He +left the house angry that he had been baffled in his +purpose. Coming down by the wharf, here, he +thought of the boats, and has taken them, either to +hold them until I pay him the thirty dollars he has +asked for, or by shutting us on the island and +hindering our work he hopes to find a partial +revenge for his disappointment."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But don't he know it was a theft?" asked Judd, +hotly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He probably don't call it so, and may not really +mean to keep the boats; but the law will put that +interpretation upon his act, and that gives us a great +opportunity."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you mean?" asked Judd, a little mystified.</p> +<p class="pnext">"To have him arrested, and, even if we do not +push the matter to the end, frighten him so +thoroughly he will let us alone after this;" and Budd +went on to explain that this had been Mr. Wright's +way of dealing with the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But before we can do this we will have to get +ashore, and then our fish must be at the depot +before six o'clock," said Judd, dryly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I know it," assented his comrade, "and we must +stop this talk and go ashore. Once on shore, you +must go to the village and get Ben Taylor's boat for +the day and come back here. Meanwhile I will +go down along the shore, and see if Mr. Benton has +taken the boats down to that little cove adjacent to +his farm. I'll try and be back at 'The +Hummocks,' so you can pick me up as you come down +with the boat. It is about four o'clock, now, and +by five we must be back here; then, by stirring +lively, we can get the fish packed and down to the +depot in time for the train."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You talk just as though we could go right over +to the main shore without the slightest trouble," +said Judd, laughingly. "Are you going to walk over?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," said Budd, briefly; "but I'm going to put +my clothes into our smallest tub, and pushing that +ahead of me, swim over. We could, of course, make +a raft, but we haven't the time for it;" and Budd +ran back to the house, appearing again in a moment +with the tub.</p> +<p class="pnext">He found his companion already undressing, and +not three minutes had elapsed before both boys, +pushing the tub before them, were swimming for +the nearest point of the main shore. They were +equally good swimmers, and in about fifteen minutes +reached the point, and dressing, each hurried off his +appointed way.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd's way was down across "The Hummocks" +to "the narrows," which he was obliged to swim; +but as the distance was short, he managed to do it +carrying his clothes in a bundle on his head. Dressing +again, he ran along the shore to the cove he had +mentioned, and laughed aloud when he came to the +boats so securely padlocked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My dear Mr. Benton," he said, mockingly, as he +started back up the bay, "had you hitched them +with a tow-line I would not have disturbed them. +You will yourself be glad to bring them back before +the day is over."</p> +<p class="pnext">He re-swam "the narrows," and reached the +point of land opposite the island before Judd had +returned. But he had not long to wait; and when +he had taken a seat in Mr. Taylor's yawl with his +partner, under their united strokes the light boat +sped through the water like a racer. With quick +and dexterous hands the fish were packed, and ten +minutes before the appointed hour the box was +landed at the railroad station.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd had told his chum, as soon as he had +rejoined him, of the discovery he had made, and so +the young partners went directly from the depot to +the house of the proper officer for swearing out a +warrant against Mr. Benton, and in half an hour +Mr. Avery, the constable, was driving toward that +gentleman's residence with the warrant in his +pocket.</p> +<p class="pnext">Arriving at the farm a little past seven o'clock, he +was told that Mr. Benton had gone down to the +shore. He followed him down there, and found the +unsuspecting man standing by the stolen boats.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good-morning, Mr. Benton," he said. "You +have quite a collection of craft here. Isn't that +Boyd & Floyd's sloop and yawl?"</p> +<p class="pnext">It seems almost incredible that Mr. Benton did +not even now suspect the officer's errand, or the +nature of his own act; and realizing this, Mr. Avery +enjoyed the situation immensely.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, yes," assented the farmer. "Ye see, Budd +owes me, an' I thought I'd take his sloop until he +paid me."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But running off in the night with another +person's property is not a legal way to collect one's +debts," said the officer, dryly, "and I am obliged to +arrest you for stealing those boats. You will hardly +deny the theft now, since your own confession;" and +the officer took out his warrant.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton fairly shook with excitement and rage.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me 'rested!" he cried. "Who's dared to do it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have," remarked the officer, quietly; "and you +can come along with me without fuss or I'll put +these on you;" and he took a pair of iron bracelets +from his pocket.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the first time comprehending the real +situation into which his thoughtless act of the night +before had brought him, the man turned pale and +stammered out the words:</p> +<p class="pnext">"But I didn't really mean to keep the boats. I +only took them to bring Budd to terms, an' then I +was goin' to let him have them ag'in."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It looks as though you did mean to keep them; +you certainly have secured them very thoroughly," +responded the officer, significantly. "But as to your +real motive, you can settle that with the Court. +But I cannot stop here talking with you. Would +you like to go to the house and change your clothes +before you go with me, Mr. Benton?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Go where with you--up to the village?" asked +he, quickly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No; I've got to take you to the county jail. +Your offense, owing to the amount you have taken, +is made returnable to the Court of Common Pleas, +and that does not sit until September. I shall have +to take you to the jail until the time for your trial," +explained Mr. Avery.</p> +<p class="pnext">Dazed and overwhelmed at the prospect before +him, Mr. Benton followed the officer back to the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">"See here," he said, as they reached the threshold +and a sudden hope came to him, "can't I settle this +with the boys? I don't want to go to jail. I've no +one to look out for things, it's a'most hayin' time, +and I want to be here to home. I'll take the boats +right back, if ye say so."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You will have to see the lads for yourself," said +Mr. Avery, shortly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't you take me where they are an' let me +talk it over with them?" he asked, eagerly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, if you will pay for it," consented +Mr. Avery. "My orders were to arrest you and carry +you to jail, and that is all the law will allow me to +collect fees for; but if you will pay me for my +time, I'm willing to ride around with you all day."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How much will ye charge?" asked Mr. Benton, cautiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thirty cents an hour," said the officer, looking +at his watch.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a hard thing for the grasping man to do, +but he finally consented; and taking him into his +buggy, Mr. Avery drove off in search of the boys.</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd was found in the village, but would consent +to no settlement until his partner was found. There +was little prospect of finding Budd until he returned +from his peddling trip, and Mr. Benton groaned +more and more as the hours ran by and he knew it +was adding to the amount he should have to pay the +officer. But he soon found that amount was but a +trifle compared with what he should have to pay +before the young firm consented to his release.</p> +<p class="pnext">About two o'clock Budd came back to the village, +where he had agreed to meet Judd in anticipation of +the very event for which his presence was now +desired. The lads had time to talk the matter over +before they saw Mr. Benton, and when he appeared +they were ready to state their terms.</p> +<p class="pnext">After listening to Mr. Benton's proposition to +return the boats, Budd, as spokesman for the firm, +replied:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Benton's act not only caused us a great deal +of personal annoyance, but it interfered with our +business arrangements. Again, we do not know how +soon he may annoy us in some other way. We +propose to make this affair a good lesson to him, and we +will therefore settle it on three conditions:</p> +<p class="pnext">"First, that he shall return the boats unharmed +to our dock at the island.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Second, that he pay all costs that have accrued +on account of his arrest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Third, that he pay us twenty-five dollars for the +annoyance and business delays he has caused, and +give bonds for his future good behavior.</p> +<p class="pnext">"These are the only conditions on which we will +settle, and he can accept them or stand his trial in +court."</p> +<p class="pnext">After a great deal of protestation Mr. Benton +agreed to all but the giving of bonds for his good +behavior, and as he solemnly promised to let them +alone in the future, the lads yielded. The money +was paid to them, the costs were settled, the boats +returned before night, and the young firm withdrew +their complaint.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You have completely silenced one of your +enemies, Budd," remarked Judd, that evening. +"Now, if only some opportunity will come for you +to bring Bagsley into a spot where you can dictate +your terms, your triumph will be complete."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hope it may," was the response.</p> +<p class="pnext">That opportunity was nearer at hand than either +of the lads thought, for on the following Monday +the whole community was startled by learning that +the most daring robbery ever committed in that +vicinity had taken place some time between the +hours of twelve o'clock on Saturday night and six +o'clock on Monday morning. A jeweler's store on +the main street of the village had during that time +been entered and completely gutted. Watches, +gold and silverware, jewelry and precious stones, +had been carried away to the amount of over five +thousand dollars.</p> +<p class="pnext">The store ran back from the main street to a +narrow alley. A window opening on this alley had +been forced, the safe blown open, and all the stock +of any real value carried off. The work had +evidently been done by experts, and they had +disappeared without leaving a single trace behind them.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd learned of the robbery about ten o'clock on +Monday morning. He had gone over to the village +in the sloop to make a deposit of money and checks +at the bank, for the young firm had reached the +dignity of having a bank account, and while in the +banking-rooms had his attention called to a poster +which had already appeared about the village. It +read:</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center medium pfirst">$1,500 REWARD.</p> +<p class="pnext">One thousand dollars will be paid for the arrest +and conviction of the burglars who entered our +store some time between the hours of twelve o'clock +on Saturday night, June 24th, and six o'clock on +Monday morning, June 26th. Five hundred dollars +additional will be given for the return of the goods +that were carried off, or ten per cent. of that +amount for each thousand dollars worth of goods +restored.</p> +<dl class="docutils left medium white-space-pre-line"> +<dt class="white-space-pre-line">Respectfully,</dt> +<dd class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first last pfirst white-space-pre-line">CLAPP & ST. JOHN.</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">After inquiring of the bank-teller more of the +particulars respecting the robbery, Budd went +around to the store and made a careful examination +of the premises. He found the shutter of the +window had been opened by forcing some powerful +instrument under the iron bar that ran across the +outside, and thus prying the bar out of its socket. +Then a pane of glass had been cut out as neatly and +deftly as the one over at the island. The fastening +of the window had in this way been reached, and +the window shoved up. As soon as Budd had +noticed these details he left the building and started +down toward his boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That was the work of Bagsley and his gang," he +murmured, "and our opportunity, if we can only +find them, has come."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xv-budd-entrapped"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id16">CHAPTER XV.--BUDD ENTRAPPED.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Just before Budd reached the wharf he +noticed another poster tacked up on the side of +a storehouse, and paused to read it, that he might +be sure of the terms under which the reward was +offered.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he stood there a well-dressed stranger came +up behind him, and also paused to read the notice.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is quite a reward," he remarked, after +reading it; "a nice little sum for some one to earn. +Do you know whether any particular persons are +suspected of the crime?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"They are simply believed to have been experts," +answered Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was a neat job, that's a fact," said the man, +complacently.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then as Budd turned away he asked, politely:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you know of any one about the wharf here +who has boats to let?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have a sloop," replied Budd, "that I use to +take out sailing-parties."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is it near here? Could I see it?" asked the +man, looking Budd carefully over from head to foot.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lad led the way down to the dock and pointed +out the Sea Witch.</p> +<p class="pnext">"She would do nicely," said the man, jumping +into her and examining her cabin. "Is she a fast +sailer?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing of her size on this bay can overhaul +her," replied Budd, with a touch of pride.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Indeed!" remarked the man, with apparent +satisfaction. "What do you ask a day for her use?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We never let her except myself or my partner +go with her," explained Budd, "and our prices +depend on the party and the time we are gone."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Which of course is a very nice way to arrange +it, I'm sure," said the stranger.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, to come to business. My name is Wilson--Thomas +Kortright Wilson--a direct descendant of +James Wilson, of Philadelphia, one of the Signers +of the Declaration of Independence, and once a +Judge of the United States Supreme Court. +Doubtless you have heard of him;" and Mr. Wilson said +this with an air and tone that implied "You are +very ignorant if you have not."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd modestly admitted that he had heard of +that distinguished gentleman, and then his +companion went on:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am camping out with a party of friends upon +Patience Island. We have been there a week, but +we can stand it no longer. It is horribly lonesome +there; not a house on the island, not a solitary +person there but ourselves. There is no gunning or +fishing worth speaking of, and this morning the +boys voted for a change, and sent me over here to +hire a boat to take us and our camping outfit to Block +Island, so I rowed over in that boat," and Mr. Wilson +here pointed to a small skiff a few rods below the +wharf, "and walked up the street till I met you. +It is wonderful good fortune that I should have run +in with you at once. Now, what will you ask to +move our camp?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"How many are there in your party, and how +much of an outfit have you?" asked Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There are five of us, and we have only a few +traps; you can carry everything at one trip," said +Mr. Wilson, briskly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I ought to have five dollars," Budd declared: +"and I shall have to go home before I can make the +trip."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, can you go right after dinner?" asked the +stranger.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, at one o'clock I'll be here," said the lad.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right; we'll give you your price. Meantime, +where can I get a good dinner?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd gave him directions how to find the leading +hotel, and then cast off the fastenings of the sloop +and sped away for the island.</p> +<p class="pnext">Promptly at one o'clock he was at the village, and +as he took Mr. Wilson on board he asked if he +should run down and take the gentleman's skiff in +tow; for, expecting to do this, he had left his own +yawl with Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, never mind that; it isn't worth taking with +us," replied Mr. Wilson.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd thought it a little strange, but had not the +slightest suspicion that the skiff was not the +property of the stranger, and that his story about +crossing over in it that morning was a sheer fabrication.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was another statement in the man's story +that would have seemed very strange to Budd had +he only thought of it. He had stated that he and +his party had been camping out on Patience Island +for a week; yet the island was small, and Budd had +himself been down by it but five days before, and +at that time there was no sign of a camping-party +upon it. But utterly unconscious of the man's +falsehoods, the lad sailed straight on into what was +destined to be the most trying experience through +which he had yet passed.</p> +<p class="pnext">The gentleman chatted away pleasantly as he sat +by Budd in the stern of the sloop. He asked +questions about the islands and the main-land they were +passing. He wanted to know how long before they +would reach Patience Island, and how long it would +take to run out to Block Island with that breeze. +He assured Budd his companions would have +everything packed on their arrival, and there would be no +unnecessary delay in starting on their long trip.</p> +<p class="pnext">As they neared the island of their destination he +informed the lad that the camp had been on the east +side, and on running around the south end, Budd +saw, no great distance away, the place of the +encampment. It was true the tent was down, and the +boxes and bags were piled close by the shore, but +this was just as Mr. Wilson had said it would be; +and when four men came out from behind a large +rock, and walked down to the heap of stuff, Budd said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"They are ready and waiting for us, it seems, +Mr. Wilson; but I can't get in to the shore with the +sloop, and how will you get your goods on board? +You ought to have brought your skiff."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They have a boat, a better one; that's why I +left the other," said he; "but run in as close as you +can and anchor, and I'll tell them to load up and +come on board."</p> +<p class="pnext">Not a shadow of the coming evil was as yet +apparent to the unsuspicious boy. Giving his whole +attention to his sloop, he only cast the merest glance +at the men on shore until he had anchored. At +liberty now, however, he looked steadily at the men, to +whom Mr. Wilson was already shouting. Then he +gave a sharp cry of alarm, and drawing his +pocket-knife he sprung forward to cut the anchor-cable. +His words were:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Gracious! There is Bagsley, and you are the robbers!"</p> +<p class="pnext">But quick as he was, Mr. Wilson was quicker. +Springing upon the lad, he bore him down upon the +forward deck and called loudly for help. Two of +the men on shore jumped into a yawl that lay +hidden behind a projecting rock, and without stopping +to load their stuff pushed out to the sloop. One of +the men was Bagsley himself, and when he had +assisted Mr. Wilson in tying the lad, hand and foot, +he gave a look at him, and then with a terrible oath +exclaimed:</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is Budd Boyd! Where did you run in with him?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Wilson briefly explained how he had hired +the boy, not supposing for an instant that he knew +any of the gang. "But," he went on, "the moment +the lad caught sight of you he called your name, and +said we were the robbers. He then tried to cut the +anchor-cable, but I spoiled that little game. The +question is, what shall we do with him?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tie a big stone to his neck and to his feet and +drop him overboard," answered Bagsley. "I told +him I'd kill him the next time I saw him. He'll be +sure to give us away, too, if we let him go, and our +only safety is to put him out of the way."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd, as he lay bound only a few feet away, +shuddered at the coolness with which the villain said +these words, and felt that his very moments were +numbered. To his surprise, however, the man who +had come off from the shore with Bagsley, and +whom he recognized as the leader of the gang +when they were at Fox Island, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, there is to be no murder, boys, as long as we +can get along without it. Put the boy into the +yawl and take him ashore. We'll change our plans, +and put him where he cannot give any alarm until +we are out of all danger."</p> +<p class="pnext">Wilson and Bagsley lifted the lad into the boat, +and the captain following them, they rowed ashore.</p> +<p class="pnext">A hurried consultation was now held, but in such +low tones that Budd could only catch here and +there a word. He was able to recognize, however, +in one of the two men who had remained on the +island while the captain and Bagsley came to +Wilson's help, the third man of the trio that had been +at his home. The other man, like Wilson, was a +stranger, and had evidently joined the gang since +the time of that visitation. After awhile he caught +the words of the leader of the party:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I tell you, boys, that is the only safe way for us +to do. As we'll fix the lad, he can't get away for a +day or two, perhaps longer, and by that time we will +be where he cannot harm us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"If he ever gets away he'll mark me for this +affair, and will leave no stone unturned till I'm +found," said Bagsley, moodily.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think even you will be satisfied with the way +we'll fix him," laughed the leader. "Untie his +feet, get another rope, and bring him on."</p> +<p class="pnext">Bagsley obeyed with alacrity, and the captain led +the way over into the center of the island where a +small depression in the surface cut off all view of +the bay. A tree stood very near the lowest point +of the hollow, and standing Budd up against the +trunk of this, the captain, with Bagsley's help, tied +him so firmly to it that there seemed no possibility +of his untying himself.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 46%" id="figure-23"> +<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-154.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +The captain with Bagsley's help tied Budd so firmly to the tree that there seemed no possibility of his untying himself.</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">"There, Bagsley," the leader now said, stepping +off a few feet to view the lad, "he is where he can +see no one, and no one can see him. He may +possibly attract the attention of some passing boat by +hallooing, but it is a mere chance. He may possibly +untie himself after awhile, but that, too, is a mere +possibility. His friends, searching for him, will go +to Block Island first; and if, after awhile, they +think of coming here, they may be in time to rescue +him, and they may not. Still you and I don't know +that he will die here, and our consciences need not +be troubled with any thoughts of his murder, for +we know, and can make oath to it, that we left him +here alive and in good health; only, his +opportunities for locomotion are exceedingly limited."</p> +<p class="pnext">With this heartless remark the two villains walked +slowly away, leaving Budd to his uncertain fate.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvi-judd-makes-an-important-discovery"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id17">CHAPTER XVI.--JUDD MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">An hour or so after Budd had sailed away +from Fox Island to meet Mr. Wilson at the +village and go on the prearranged trip, Judd got +into the yawl and started down the bay to visit the +fish-pounds. Some impulse came to him, as he rowed +along, to first visit (though it was contrary to their +usual way of doing) the pound over on the shore of +Conanicut Island. Just before reaching it he +happened to glance up the bay, and saw the Sea Witch +tacking down toward him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Budd will get down along here before I leave +the pound," he remarked to himself, "and I'll hail +him and find out what time he expects to get back +to-night."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he rowed leisurely on to the pound and +began his work. It was no easy job to handle the +seine alone; and for those readers who are not +familiar with this fish-trap, so common to the New +England coast, we will accompany Judd in his task.</p> +<p class="pnext">It is low tide, and thus the very best time for the +work, as the net is now fully exposed to view, and +can therefore be the more readily examined for any +breaks, and all foreign substances that have collected +in its meshes can be the more easily discovered and +removed. The various times of day, then, at which +the young firm have heretofore been represented as +visiting the pounds were not a mere matter of +choice on their part, but were the times that the +ebbing tide had made it best to do so, and it is the +same reason that has brought Judd here just at this +hour.</p> +<p class="pnext">He rows in to the first stake, just a few feet below +low-water mark, where his leader begins. Slowly +along this he works his way toward the pound, five +hundred feet off shore. He sees that every stake is +still firm, and that the net is stretched tautly +between the posts; that the sinkers are still holding +its lower edge down to the bottom of the bay, and +that its upper edge is properly attached to the top +of each stake.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here and there he pulls away a bunch of +seaweed, or some floating log or plank that the tide +has brought up against the net, and which, if +allowed to remain there, might under a heavy sea do +great damage to the leader. By and by he has +reached the great circular pound or trap, which, like +a tremendous basin, rounds out each way from his +lead-line; and now the hard work begins. Round +and round the basin he goes, pulling here and +pulling there, all the while drawing the great purse +into a smaller circumference, and nearer to the +surface. The splashing and boiling water within, here +and there the flash of a fin, and then a tremendous +surge to the right or the left, as the case may be, +tell of the fish imprisoned in the seine.</p> +<p class="pnext">More than once Judd wishes for his partner's +strong arm to help him; more than once the +struggling mass of fish pull back into the deep all the +slack seine, compelling the lad to do his work over +again; but at last he is successful, and the fish are +bagged into a corner of the net, and held there +so firmly that there is no possible escape. The +scoop-net is now brought into play, and rapidly the +fish are dipped up and emptied down into the +bottom of the yawl. When the last one has been +removed the great purse-net is again lowered into +the water, and the openings at each side of the +leader, wide at the outer edge, but extremely +narrow at the inner, are properly adjusted, and the +work for that day is over--unless, indeed, some +huge rent in the meshes of the seine compel it to be +loosened from its stakes and carried ashore for +extensive repairs.</p> +<p class="pnext">This time there is no rent, and Judd has about +got the net into its place, when, glancing up, he +sees that the next tack of the Sea Witch will bring +her down near him. Adjusting the net here and +there, he waits for her approach. Ten minutes later +she is evidently as near to him as she is coming, for +her tiller is thrown about, and slowly she swings +around for the next tack. He raises his hands to his +mouth, like a trumpet, and is about to utter a +prolonged whoop, to attract Budd's attention; but no +sound issues from his lips. Instead, he drops his +hands, catches hold of the net, pulls his yawl rapidly +around to the leader, and then works along it +toward the shore.</p> +<p class="pnext">Why is this sudden change? Because, as the sail +of the Sea Witch swung slowly around for the +reverse tack, he saw Budd was not on board. Nor +was this all. In three of those passengers he +recognized Bagsley and his two companions when at Fox +Island eight or ten days before, and like a flash it +comes to him that Budd is a prisoner, and the +robbers are running away with the sloop.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he works his way to the shore he watches the +sloop furtively, to be sure that his action has not +awakened any suspicion on the part of the men in +her; but he knows there is little danger of this, for +though he recognizes them, they are not likely to +think that he, who is at work so innocently there +by that fish-trap, is the other owner of the boat, and +has already divined their purpose.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not too fast, so as not to specially attract their +attention, he goes along the leader, stopping just an +instant now and then in mere pretense to adjust the +netting. But the moment their tack has taken the +sloop so far across the bay that his movements +cannot be readily discerned, he suddenly becomes the +very embodiment of activity and purpose.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two or three vigorous pulls send the yawl +inshore, where it is promptly secured beyond the +reach of a rising tide, for Judd has no idea just +when he will come to claim it again. Even the fish +are forgotten as the boy runs rapidly up the west +slope of the island to the nearest farm-house; and +he gives a cry of joy, as he reaches it, to find the +farmer, with whom he is slightly acquainted, just +driving his horse and wagon out of the yard.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are you going down to Jamestown Ferry, Mr. Niles?" +he eagerly asks.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, jump in," replies the kind-hearted farmer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd waits for no second invitation, but springing +into the wagon, he points off to the west bay, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you see that sloop over under the west +shore, Mr. Niles?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," replies he, "and it looks like yours."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is; and a gang of fellows are running off with +her, and I wish you would get me to the ferry about +as quick as you can. I want to get over to +Newport, hire a tug, and head them off before they +reach Beaver Tail, if possible. I'll pay you +whatever you ask for driving me down there," was +Judd's surprising statement.</p> +<p class="pnext">The interest of the farmer was at once awakened.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sho', now, you don't say so!" he exclaimed. +"Lor'! I'll get you there for the next boat over to +the city, and won't ask you anything, either. I just +hope you'll get them;" and the farmer plied his +whip to the horse with a force that sent him tearing +down the island at a rate that must have been +a source of astonishment to the usually sedate animal.</p> +<p class="pnext">He kept his promise, too, and drove on to the +ferry wharf just in time for Judd to jump on the +already moving boat as she left on her half-past +three o'clock trip. At four o'clock, therefore, he +was in the city, and running up to Thames Street, +he hurried around to the wharf of the Providence +and Newport Steamboat Company, where he had +noticed that a tug with her steam up was lying.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he turned off from the street onto the passageway +leading to the wharf he saw just ahead of him +Mr. Avery, the constable. Quickening his pace to a +run, Judd overtook him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Avery," he exclaimed, "where are you going?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Home on the next boat," replied Mr. Avery, +shaking hands with the lad, "and while I was +waiting for the boat I walked around here. But did +you wish to see me for anything special?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Drawing him to one side, Judd in a low voice told +him of the discovery he had made, and what he had +come to the city for.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now," he said, "I want you to come along with +me, if we can agree as to the division of the reward."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Budd, you say, is in their clutches, and he +certainly deserves one share; you ought to have a +second for your discovery; and I a third, for going +with you, chartering the tug, running a risk of the +capture, and assuming the legal responsibility of the +arrest. How does that strike you?" asked Mr. Avery, +with the tones of a man who wanted to do +the fair thing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Agreed; and we have no time to lose," responded +Judd. "There is a tug right below here with her +steam up."</p> +<p class="pnext">Two minutes later the officer and lad stood on the +dock looking down into a neat and trim tug, named +the Thetis.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ho! ho!" exclaimed Mr. Avery as he read her +name. "I know her captain, and I wonder where +he is."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Right here, Avery," exclaimed a voice behind +them. "What do you wish?"</p> +<p class="pnext">They turned to see a great six-footer coming +toward them, and as he reached the dock he went on:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I thought it was you, Avery, as I came down the +street behind you. How are you all at home?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well, Captain Bradley," replied Mr. Avery.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he introduced Judd, and proceeded to state +his business.</p> +<p class="pnext">The stalwart captain pulled his beard vigorously +as the officer told his story, and then he said, +heartily:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm your man, Avery. Steam is up, and we can +be off in five minutes. If we don't catch the rascals +you are to give me twenty dollars; if we do, make +it one hundred."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Avery, after consulting with Judd, agreed to +this, and then he suggested putting on a number of +extra men.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, of course I will, if you want them," said +the captain; "but I have three men beside myself, +and I'm good for any two of those rascals. You +and the boy make six in all. We have two guns +and two revolvers on board, and if you will wait five +minutes I'll borrow a couple more;" and as +Mr. Avery nodded his approval, he disappeared around +the corner of an adjacent building.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the specified time he returned with revolvers +and a Winchester rifle.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I happened to think that this," holding out the +rifle, "was up here in an office, and brought it along +also," he exclaimed. "It may come handy if we +have to back off and take the robbers at long range."</p> +<p class="pnext">But while this large collection of deadly weapons +may have been wise it was hardly necessary, as the +sequel will prove.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not far from half-past four o'clock when the +tug left the wharf. She steamed rapidly around the +lighthouse, and down by Fort Adams to the mouth +the of bay.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Avery and Judd stood on her bow, looking +eagerly off toward the great expanse of ocean +opening up to their view. Both were confident that if +the burglars had ever intended to go over to Block +Island their plan would be changed on discovering +that Budd knew them. The question of greatest +moment to them, then, was, had the Sea Witch, on +leaving the bay, gone to the east or to the west? for +they were sure she had already had time enough to +reach the open sea. Their hope was, and to this +end the tug was pushed rapidly forward, that they +might reach Beaver Tail before the sloop had +entirely disappeared.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you suppose they have carried Budd off as a +prisoner?" asked Judd of Mr. Avery as they stood +there together.</p> +<p class="pnext">He asked the question with much anxiety, for +there had been a growing fear at his heart that a +worse calamity might have befallen his chum.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It depends largely upon how he came to fall into +their hands," said Mr. Avery, slowly. "If they have +watched for him, and purposely enticed him away, +the probabilities are that he is on board the sloop, +and that they will dispose of him in such a way that +he cannot be traced. By your tale, this Bagsley is +equal to so serious a crime. On the other hand, if +that Wilson hired him ignorantly, and not until they +reached the island, where his companions were, was +it known who he really was, then I am inclined to +think they have left him on the island, but bound in +such a way that he cannot escape until rescued by +his friends. This would give them ample time to +get out of the way with their booty before he could +give an alarm, and is probably the thing they have +done. But we cannot really tell until we overhaul them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If I were asked to give my idea of the burglars' +plans from beginning to end," the officer went on +with a smile, "it would be about this: Wilson, and +the other robber you did not know, have been the +forerunners of the other men, and have doubtless +hung about the village for some time, locating the +store and planning for the robbery. Bagsley and +his gang came to Fox Island intending to make that +a rendezvous until their confederates notified them +everything was ready; but finding that was +inhabited, they went to Hope Island and robbed +Mr. Johnson's house of all that they needed to make a +camping outfit, and have been all the time on +Patience Island, waiting for their allies' message. +When it came, they dropped over to the village, +gutted the store, and returned with one of their +confederates to Patience Island, while the other, +Wilson, remained behind to see what effect the +robbery had on the community, and what efforts were +put forth to find the criminals. If, in his judgment, +it seemed best to leave the neighborhood, he was to +hire a boat to take them as a camping-party over to +Block Island, where they would have quietly +separated and sought places of safety.</p> +<p class="pnext">"When Wilson appeared, however, bringing a lad +who knew one of their number, they were forced to +plan differently, and so they ran away with the +sloop, intending doubtless to go to some quiet nook +up or down the coast, scuttle her, and then disappear +without leaving a clew as to the direction they had +gone. But here we are, rounding out into the +ocean; and now where is your boat?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Anxiously Judd scanned the surface of the water +to the westward. Numerous sails of all sizes were +discernible as far as Point Judith, but not one of +them, he was sure, could be the Sea Witch. If the +burglars had gone in that direction they had already +disappeared around the distant point. But to have +sailed that way would have been against a strong +southwest wind, necessitating constant tacking, and as +fast a sailer as the sloop was, Judd was confident she +had not had time enough to accomplish that feat. +He therefore turned at once, and hopefully, to scan +the eastern horizon. His look was but for a +moment; then he exclaimed, triumphantly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"There she is, Mr. Avery."</p> +<p class="pnext">He pointed out a small sloop about two miles +away, which was sailing due east.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Has the captain a glass?" he then asked; "though +without one I am quite positive she is the sloop," he +added, quickly.</p> +<p class="pnext">A glass was brought him, and adjusting it to his +eye, he looked long and anxiously at the retreating +boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">"One, two, three, four," he counted, slowly. "Ah! yes, +there is the fifth man 'way forward; and the +color and rig of the vessel make it sure she is the +Sea Witch."</p> +<p class="pnext">Captain Bradley stood beside him, and at his +words gave the requisite orders for the course of the +tug to be changed. Fresh fuel was thrown on her +fires, and with full steam on she bounded off toward +the distant sloop at a high rate of speed.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvii-budd-s-escape"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id18">CHAPTER XVII.--BUDD'S ESCAPE.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">As Budd watched the retreating forms of the +robbers, so unceremoniously abandoning him +on Patience Island, he was very far from being +disposed to grumble at his fate. On the other hand, +he felt extremely grateful; for his condition, +deplorable as it was, was a great deal better than he had +expected it would be when he found he had fallen +into Bagsley hands. He was, as the captain of the +robber-gang had declared, alive and in good health, +and he knew he could hold out until his absence +should alarm Judd and send him to his rescue, even +if he could not free himself. But of this latter he +did not yet despair; for while lying in the yawl, +waiting for the decision of the burglars as to what +should be done with him, he had found he could +slightly work his wrists in the cords that bound +them, and he hoped, after some effort, to get them +free. But lest the men should at the last moment of +their departure take a notion to revisit him, he +decided to make no effort in this direction until sure +he was alone.</p> +<p class="pnext">Around about him he could see the evidences of an +encampment, and he quickly concluded that this had +been the rendezvous of Bagsley and his companions +since robbing Mr. Johnson's house on Hope Island. +Their tent could not have been seen by anyone +passing up or down the bay, and so they ran very little +risk of discovery, while they were sufficiently near +the scene of their robbery to easily communicate +with their confederates, for such he now knew +Wilson and the other strangers to be. But it was not +until later that Budd learned that Mr. Johnson's +house had been made to furnish the principal +essentials of the burglars' camping outfit.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd now wondered which way the villains would +go with the sloop, for he felt sure the Block Island +plan had been abandoned. If they went down the +bay, Judd, whom he knew was at the fish-pounds, +would be likely to see them, and a great hope came +to the bound lad that his partner might recognize +the fleeing robbers; for he then knew Judd would +at once suspect their plans and try to capture them. +This hope now became his inspiration and his prayer.</p> +<p class="pnext">But he did not mean for a single instant to give +up his own efforts to escape and to warn the proper +authorities of his discovery; for Budd was not +thinking so much of the reward that had been +offered for the apprehension of the burglars as he +was of the bringing of them to justice, and thus +securing a hold upon Bagsley. Still, first in his +thoughts was the releasing of his father and the +vindication of his name.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had been bound with his hands in front of +him, tied simply at the wrists. He had been secured +to the tree by wrappings of the cord from his feet +to his shoulders, and the knot that held the cord was +on the opposite side of the tree. His first effort was, +then, to slip the rope from his wrists. This he +accomplished after quite a struggle, that bruised and +lacerated his arms and hands until they bled.</p> +<p class="pnext">His next effort was to raise his arms up out from +the wrappings of the cord that bound him to the +tree. First the right, then the left arm was released, +and to Budd's satisfaction he found their release +loosened the cord so that he could move himself a +little in his wrappings. Had he only had his +jackknife, the question of release would have been +decided in a moment; but this he had lost in his +struggle with Wilson on the sloop's deck. He must, +then, find some other way to remove the rope.</p> +<p class="pnext">The ground where the tree stood was uneven, +being higher where he was than on the opposite +side of the tree. Could he not, then, work slowly +about the tree inside of his wrappings until he could +with his right hand reach the knot that secured the +rope? He knew it must be slow work, and he must +be sure the rope did not turn with him, or else his +efforts would be in vain. He determined to make +the attempt.</p> +<p class="pnext">First he strained his wrappings to their fullest +extent, and then, before they could slip back against +him, he made a sudden hitch to the right. He +thought he gained a trifle, and thus encouraged, he +tried again. Once, twice, ten, fifty times he +repeated the effort, and then he knew he had gained. +Objects had been brought into vision that he had +not seen when first bound to the tree; objects he +had seen were now lost to view.</p> +<p class="pnext">All that afternoon, with frequent intervals of +rest, he kept up his struggle, and just at dark he +found he could touch the end of the rope that +formed the knot, and a thrill of joy filled his heart. +A few minutes later he was able to take a full, +strong hold upon this end of the rope, and from that +moment his progress was accelerated. Then, tired, +aching in every bone, with his coat worn thread-bare +by its constant rubbing against the tree, he at +length reached a place where he could use both +hands upon the knot and untie it. To unwind the +wrappings was now but a few minutes' work, and +somewhere about six hours after he had been +fastened to the tree he found himself free again.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was, however, too dark for him to attempt to +leave the island, or to search out a way to leave it; +and so, crawling under the shelter of the great rock +from behind which the robbers had first appeared +that afternoon, he, without supper and without +covering, laid himself down to sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a restless, wakeful sleep, and with the very +first show of morning light Budd was astir. He +first ran up and down the shore until his quickened +blood brought warmth to his chilled body; for +though it was summer weather, there had been a +dampness and low temperature in the sea air +sufficient to make him uncomfortable. Then he sought +along the beach for some signs of shell-fish, and +soon found clinging to the rocks some yellow +mussels. Though not the most delicious of bivalves he +managed to swallow a dozen or two of them, and +their sharp, peppery taste served as a stimulant. +A drink of brackish water from a tiny stream trickling +down a rock into the sea completed his breakfast.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the sun rose, Budd's spirits rose with it, and +he searched the island completely around for some +log or plank, on which he could venture to leave the +island. He was not successful in his search, +however, and finally came back to his starting-point +empty-handed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've got to swim for it," he commented, "and if +I do that, Prudence Island should be my landing-place. +Once there, I can get food, and doubtless a +boat to take me over to the west shore."</p> +<p class="pnext">With these words he walked along to the south-east +point of the island, and looked across to its +nearest and larger neighbor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It would not be much of a swim if I had a +decent breakfast to work upon," he said to himself; +"but I shall have to wait until I get over there +before I get it.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I presume I might wait awhile, and some boat +would come along and take me off," he went on, +gazing up and down the bay. "But the quickest +way is to depend on myself, and it is time I was +going, if I am going to put any one on Bagsley's +track. I wonder where Judd is, and if he has +started to look me up?"</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no one to answer his question, and he +did not stop long to deliberate.</p> +<p class="pnext">Taking off his clothes, he wrapped them in as +small a bundle as possible, and tying them together +with his suspenders he fastened them on top of his +head. He then entered the water, and swam slowly +across the narrow channel that separated him from +Prudence Island. He was quite used up when he +crawled out on the beach and began to dress +himself. Then he walked down along the narrow neck +of land that is at the north end of the island until +he came to a farm-house, where he stopped and +asked for food.</p> +<p class="pnext">He simply told the farmer that he had got left +on Patience Island, and had remained there all +night; that he had with the coming morning swam +across to that island, and would like, first, some +food, and then to secure a boat to take him across +to the main shore. The farmer at once asked him +into breakfast, which was already upon the table, +but told him he would have to go farther down the +island to obtain a boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd accepted the kind invitation, and ate with +relish the food put before him; and if the greatest +compliment that can be paid a housewife is to show +an appreciation of her cookery, then that farmer's +wife received from Budd that morning a stupendous +compliment.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had a little money with him, and on leaving +he offered to pay his host for the breakfast; but the +man refused.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I may be in the same box some day," he +remarked, "and it I'm not, some one else may be +whom you can help. So just pass the favor on to him."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd readily promised to do this, and with a +hearty "Thank you" for his entertainment, hurried +down the shore.</p> +<p class="pnext">His breakfast had given him new strength, his +bath in the cool salt water had soothed his bruised +and aching body, and he felt equal to almost his +usual amount of work. When, therefore, he stopped +at the house where he had been told he could secure +a boat and received the reply:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I can let you have a boat, but you will have to +row yourself over, and bring back the boat at your +earliest convenience, for we are too busy to spare a +single hand," he accepted the offer.</p> +<p class="pnext">The farmer accompanied him down to the shore, +and showing him which boat he was to take, +cautioned him about being sure to return it. Budd +assured the man that he need have no fears on that +score; but he little knew how soon he was to return it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Shoving off the boat, he embarked upon it and +rowed rapidly out into the bay. Hope Island was +plainly visible to the west, and he shaped his course +so as to pass the south end of it, for he had no desire +to visit Mr. Johnson again. Yet he of his own +accord was in an hour to land there and hold a +remarkable interview with that gentleman. So little +is it that we really know what we shall do from +hour to hour.</p> +<p class="pnext">Half the distance between the two islands had +been accomplished, and Budd had a clear, +uninterrupted view down between Prudence and Conanicut +Islands into the east bay. His first glance in that +direction filled him with sheer amazement, for just +emerging from the east passage, and coming directly +toward him, was a sloop, and even at that distance +he had no difficulty in recognizing her as the Sea +Witch. He could see but two persons upon her, and +yet there might be more in the cabin. Was it the +burglars returning to carry out some forgotten or +newly-formed purpose, and should he flee from them +as for his life? Or had Judd, as he had hoped and +prayed, rescued the sloop from the robbers' hands, +and was he now coming to look for his missing chum?</p> +<p class="pnext">These were questions Budd could not answer, and +with a deep misgiving he turned the bow of his boat +and rowed directly for Hope Island, believing that +it was preferable to meet Mr. Johnson and his hot +displeasure to falling again into the hands of +Bagsley and his gang.</p> +<p class="pnext">But before he had rowed half the distance +necessary to reach the island the sloop had come up +before the morning breeze with a rapidity to be in +hailing distance. Then there rang out from her +three such yells as only Judd could give; and full of +surprise and joy, Budd turned about his boat and +went down to meet her.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xviii-caught"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id19">CHAPTER XVIII.--CAUGHT.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">It was in truth the Sea Witch, and in order to +understand how she appeared off Hope Island so +early that morning we must go back a few hours in +our story.</p> +<p class="pnext">We left Judd and Mr. Avery standing upon the +forward deck of the tug Thetis not far from five +o'clock the evening before. The tug was off Beaver +Tail, and had just sighted and begun her chase after +the retreating sloop. The wind was a strong one +from the southwest, and the Sea Witch was so +rapid a sailer that at six o'clock the tug, though +running at a high rate of speed, had not gained over +a half-mile upon her. At seven o'clock they were +still a mile apart, and it was now evident that +before the tug could overhaul her darkness would have +closed around.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lest the suspicion of the burglars might be +aroused, Mr. Avery had requested Captain Bradley +to keep the tug a point or two off of the exact +course of the sloop; so it happened that while the +Sea Witch was steadily working up toward the east +shore of Buzzard's Bay the Thetis was on a course +that would have carried her into Vineyard Sound. +But Cuttyhunk Island was now just ahead, and the +tug must soon alter her course or she would lose +sight of the sloop.</p> +<p class="pnext">Captain Bradley was about to give the necessary +orders to effect this change, when a movement on +the part of the Sea Witch caused him to alter his +purpose. Her helm had been thrown up, and +swinging to the right, she ran directly into +Chuttyhunk Island.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The rascals are going to hold on there to-night," +said the captain as he watched the sloop's course, +"or else hold up to a later hour, and then run into +the main shore and separate. But whatever their +purpose, we have got them. I know like a book the +cove they have entered, and we'll keep up the east +side of the island and land some one to watch their +movements. Before morning I'll promise to bag the +whole gang."</p> +<p class="pnext">A few minutes after the Thetis ran in under the +east shore of Cuttyhunk, and a boat landed the +captain, Mr. Avery and Judd. Slowly and cautiously, +under the lead of the stalwart captain, they made +their way across to the west side. Here they found +a little cove, and close inshore, and sheltered by its +curving arms, lay the Sea Witch at anchor. A light +was in her cabin, and a boat with two men in it was +just pushing off from her side.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We are just in time, and may learn something +to our advantage," whispered the captain, as he +drew his companions back into the shelter of a +clump of trees.</p> +<p class="pnext">The boat from the sloop landed almost directly +opposite the concealed men, and the two robbers +jumped out and pulled it farther up the beach.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There," said one, "that will stay there until we +come back. The captain said we would find the +water down here to the right. Take the bucket and +come on."</p> +<p class="pnext">The man addressed took a pail from the boat and +followed the speaker down the shore.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That proves that the leader of the gang is +acquainted with this cove, and their coming here +was intentional," remarked Captain Bradley in an +undertone as the men disappeared. "Fifty yards +to the south is a small spring, but a man must have +been here before to know of it. So much then we +have learned, and we may get some more important +facts out of these fellows before they go back to the +sloop."</p> +<p class="pnext">Soon the men came back to their boat, one bringing +the bucket of water, and the other an armful of +dead sticks he had gathered up. Putting their +burdens into the boat, they sat down upon the bow, +filled their pipes, and lighting them began to smoke, +evidently in no hurry to depart.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I say, Tom," said one of them in a moment, "do +you suppose we are going to get out of this scrape +all right?" and there was apprehension in his voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh! I think so," carelessly answered the other. +"I see no reason to believe we are even suspected; +and to-morrow we will run down in the neighborhood +of Hyannis, wait until after dark, then scuttle +the sloop, and separate. From different stations in +that vicinity we can work into Boston, and once +there, dispose of the booty, divide up, and be off to +some other part of the country for another job. It's +a good, stiff haul we've made this time; a cool +thousand apiece."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is Bagsley," Judd said to his companions in +a suppressed whisper.</p> +<p class="pnext">The burglars finished their smoke without any +further conversation that was of special value to the +listeners, and then pushed off the boat and went +back to the sloop.</p> +<p class="pnext">As soon as they were out of hearing Judd turned +to Captain Bradley and asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Couldn't we bring your yawl across to this cove, +captain?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think so. What then?" he asked, with interest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, then let us go back to the tug and give +your men orders to bring her around to this side of +the island, and lie in wait off the southern point of +the cove. Then we will return to the shore in the +yawl, bring it over here, and wait until the burglars +are quiet for the night. At the proper time we will +go silently off to the sloop, shut down her hatch, +give the tug the signal to come on, and boat and +men are ours."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Avery and the captain discussed the plan at +some length. It would involve hard work, but +would offer two special advantages: They would +approach the sloop from a quarter that danger +would be the least suspected, and hence the chances +of success would be materially strengthened. Again, +in case of discovery, a force would be on both the +sea and the land side of the Sea Witch, and the +burglars would be less likely to escape. With a +little change in the details, Judd's suggestion was +adopted.</p> +<p class="pnext">The captain went back to the tug and gave orders +for her to go around to the other side of the island; +he then returned to the shore, and under the united +efforts of the trio the yawl was carried over to the +cove and safely launched there. Then the lad was +sent down to the southern point to watch for the +arrival of the tug. When a light was flashed three +times in succession from her starboard quarter he +was to know that she was in readiness and waiting +only for a return signal to steam down into the +cove. Going back with this information to Mr. Avery +and Captain Bradley, the boat was then to be +shoved off and the visit to the sloop made.</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd reached the point safely and began his +watch. A half-hour passed, and then through the +darkness he saw the light of the tug for a brief +moment as she rounded the southern end of Cuttyhunk +and came due north. She came slowly, that as little +sound as possible might escape her, and another +half-hour elapsed before he received the signal. Then +every light about the vessel suddenly went out, and +the most watchful observer would not have suspected +she was lying in wait there.</p> +<p class="pnext">Rising from the ground, Judd swiftly but +noiselessly went along the shore toward the place where +his companions were waiting for his return. He had +nearly reached the spot where he thought the boat +ought to be, when a dark form rose up suddenly +before him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Captain," he exclaimed, in a low tone.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," was the reply, and Captain Bradley stepped +along to his side. "I thought you were long in +coming," he then explained, "and so had started to look +you up."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Has there been any movement on the part of the +burglars?" the lad asked, as they now went on to +the boat, where they found Mr. Avery.</p> +<p class="pnext">"None," replied the captain. "We occasionally +hear sounds of laughter, and think they are all in +the cabin, and the question arises whether we had +better go off at once or wait until all is quiet on the +sloop."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They will be likely to set a watch later," said +Judd quickly. "If we can run off now and get +under the starboard side of the sloop without being +discovered, I will agree to shut down the hatch and +fasten it before a single one can escape. We shall +then have them at a disadvantage, and can compel +them to come out one by one, and disarm and bind them."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, we will try it," was the decision of his +companions, and the boat was pushed off and slowly +sculled by Captain Bradley toward the sloop.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Avery sat amidships, while Judd occupied the +extreme bow. All had their revolvers in readiness +and were alert for the very first indication that they +had been discovered.</p> +<p class="pnext">Silently the boat approached the sloop, which +swung bow toward it. In and under the shadow +cast even in the darkness by her bow the yawl +swiftly shot, and then stopped. The voices of the +burglars could be distinctly heard, and they were +evidently making the night ring with their songs +and laughter. Sounds of drinking and feasting +suggested, also, that they were still at their supper. +No one was on deck, and no thought of capture had +apparently come to the robbers' minds.</p> +<p class="pnext">Again the yawl moved silently forward, and +paused under the starboard quarter of the sloop, +and just adjacent to her cabin. Judd knew his time +for action had come, and he arose and braced +himself for it.</p> +<p class="pnext">The opening into the cabin was for convenience +and ventilation made in two parts--one upright, the +other horizontal. The upright portion was a door, +and swung upon hinges from the starboard side of +the cabin toward its larboard end. The horizontal +part was a sliding hatch at the top of the cabin, and +to close it, it had to be shoved toward the stern-end +of the cabin, directly over the upright, where it +fastened down into its place with an iron clamp. Both +swinging door and sliding hatch were made of solid +wood, and when closed and fastened could not easily +be opened from the inside of the cabin.</p> +<p class="pnext">All this Judd knew; and he was, moreover, at +the one point where he could reach both parts that +were to be closed without himself being seen. For a +brief moment he steadied himself on the bow of the +yawl; then laying one hand on the rail of the sloop, +he jumped lightly on board. His weight swayed +the craft somewhat, but before the burglars, +surprised at the sudden lurch, could spring even to +their feet, he had reached the opening. In an +instant his left hand swung-to the upright door and +his right hand shoved the slide into place; down +came the clamp with a jerk; the iron bar was +thrust into the socket, and all was secure before the +burglars had recovered from their first shock of +surprise.</p> +<p class="pnext">Loud curses now followed, and heavy blows were +struck upon the closed door. Then a voice cried:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Open that hatch, or we'll fire through it!" and +the click of a revolver was heard.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Two can play at that game, my hearties," rang +out the voice of the stalwart captain as he sprung +on board, followed by Mr. Avery.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he drew his revolver and fired twice in the +air. It was the signal for the tug to approach.</p> +<p class="pnext">These movements on the part of the captors were +not without their effect on the imprisoned men. A +silence suddenly fell upon them, broken at length +by the leader of the gang asking:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who are you, and what do you mean by closing +us up in here? You will find it is a joke we will +not stand."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And you will find it is no joke at all," responded +Mr. Avery, promptly. "I am an officer in pursuit +of you on three or four charges, the last and least +of which is running away with this sloop. We have +a tug close at hand, and outnumber you in men and +weapons, as well as in the advantage of situation. +So I advise you to keep perfectly quiet."</p> +<p class="pnext">The sound of the approaching tug was plainly +discernible, to confirm his words, and silence again +fell on the discomfited burglars.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We are in Massachusetts waters; how dare you +trouble us?" one of the men, after awhile, called out.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I believe a man has a right to his property +wherever he finds it," responded Mr. Avery, coolly; +"and one of the owners of this sloop is on board +now. We are just going to hitch on to the craft, at +his request, and tow her home. It is your misfortune +to be in her just at this time, but we cannot +stop now to let you get off. As to your arrest, we'll +see to that when we are in Rhode Island waters."</p> +<p class="pnext">The tug had now come alongside of the captured +vessel, and her anchor was weighed and she was +lashed to the larger boat, so that a passage from one +to the other could be easily made. Then the word +was given, and the Thetis steamed rapidly off on +her return.</p> +<p class="pnext">When out so far from land that any escape of the +prisoners was impossible, the door of the sloop's +cabin was unfastened, and the men were ordered out +one lay one. Bagsley and the leader of the gang +showed a little disposition to fight at first, but when +their three comrades yielded they evidently thought +discretion the better part of valor, and sullenly +obeyed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Each one, as he came out, was disarmed and +bound; then all were returned to the cabin of the +sloop. Bagsley, when he first caught sight of Judd +Floyd, seemed to think that he was Budd Boyd, but +learned his mistake at once when he was questioned +as to Budd's whereabouts, and angrily refused to +tell. One of his companions, however, revealed that +the lad had been left bound on Patience Island, +and Mr. Avery consented, at Judd's urgent request, +to visit the island early in the morning and release Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">At midnight, or a little after, the Thetis was in +Newport. A strong guard was placed over the +captured men, and Mr. Avery and Judd took +possession of two of the tug's bunks, and slept soundly +until early morning. Then a breakfast was +furnished the prisoners one by one, after which they +were again bound securely and replaced in the cabin +of the sloop. Mr. Avery drew his check for one +hundred dollars and gave it to Captain Bradley; +then he and Judd entered the sloop and set sail for +Patience Island.</p> +<p class="pnext">As they came out of the east passage they saw a +boat with a single occupant crossing over from +Prudence Island toward the south end of Hope, and the +moment it turned and was pulled rapidly for the +latter Judd suspected who the occupant was. When +a little nearer, he was sure it was Budd, whom he +was seeking, and who had in some way escaped +from his bonds; so he sent forth the three yells that +he knew his partner would recognize, and which +caused him to turn about, and with both surprise +and joy come on to meet the approaching sloop; a +surprise and joy that was destined to merge into a +feeling of triumph when he learned what and whom +the sloop contained.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xix-mr-johnson-is-astonished"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id20">CHAPTER XIX.--MR. JOHNSON IS ASTONISHED.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The Sea Witch was luffed up into the wind as +Budd came alongside, and in another moment +he had leaped on board of her, and was shaking +hands with his chum and with the constable. A +single glance through the open door of the cabin +now revealed to him the prisoners, and too full of +happiness at the sudden revelation to speak, he +turned toward Judd an inquiring look.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," he said proudly, at once interpreting his +partner's look, and understanding something of his +feelings, "we have got the burglars, their booty, +and all their traps."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tell me about it," Budd managed to say.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, your story comes first," remonstrated Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">So Budd began with his meeting of Mr. Wilson +at the village the afternoon before, and told all he +had passed through until he had run in with the +sloop. When he had done, Judd and Mr. Avery +together gave him a full account of the chase and +capture of the burglars from the moment that Judd +had discovered them running away with the Sea Witch.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then Judd said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"We were on our way up to Patience Island to +release you, after which we were going into Hope +Island to notify Mr. Johnson of the burglars' +capture. Mr. Avery thinks much of the camping stuff +they have was taken from his house, and that he +may wish to bring action against them simultaneously +with Clapp & St. John. Now that we have +met you, however, we are saved the trip up to +Patience, and we will go directly over to Hope Island."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Run over to Prudence and let me return this +boat first," said Budd. "I don't need it now, and it +will save a trip over here on purpose to bring it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"So it will," assented Judd; and the sloop was +headed in that direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">The farmer was surprised to have his boat +returned within a half-hour of the time it had been +taken, but opened his eyes in wider astonishment when +Mr. Avery, who was acquainted with him, gave him +a full account of Budd's experiences and showed him +the prisoners.</p> +<p class="pnext">The run across to Hope Island was made in less +than another half-hour, and Budd, at the request of +his companions, who knew he had special reasons +for seeing Mr. Johnson, landed and went up toward +that gentleman's residence.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he approached the building he could not help +noticing the changes that had taken place since he +was there scarcely a week before. The shutters +were off of the house, windows were open, lawns +were mown, chairs and settees were out on the +veranda, and everywhere there were signs of occupancy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Walking boldly up to the front door, Budd rang +the bell. A servant answered his ring, and the lad +politely asked her if Mr. Johnson was at home.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," she replied; and then, evidently +thinking from the boy's appearance he was looking for +work, she added, "but he has all the help he +desires."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd smiled a little.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I do not wish work, but desire to see Mr. Johnson +on important business," he replied, with a +marked emphasis on the next to the last word.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who shall I tell him wishes to see him?" the +girl asked, doubtfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A gentleman," answered Budd, fearing to give +his own name, and thus be refused an interview +with the man he sought.</p> +<p class="pnext">The girl hesitatingly showed Budd into the +reception-room and went off to call her master.</p> +<p class="pnext">With some doubts as to the reception he should +receive, but elated at the revelations he had to +make, the lad arose to meet Mr. Johnson as he +entered. Before he could speak a word, however, +he was recognized, and the gentleman exclaimed, +angrily:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Budd Boyd! How dare you enter my house, sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have business with you, Mr. Johnson," Budd +replied gravely, and with dignity.</p> +<p class="pnext">Something in his quiet tones and self-possessed +manner soothed Mr. Johnson's anger, and he asked, +shortly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"May I sit down, sir? I have several most +astonishing revelations to make," said Budd, +noticing the impression he had made.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson without a word motioned the boy to +a chair, and taking one near by, waited for him to +speak.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you remember the conversation I had with +you about Thomas H. Bagsley, when in your office +last March?" Budd now asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I do," said the gentleman addressed, briefly and +haughtily.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You may remember that as I left your office he +entered, making it evident that he had been +listening to our conversation," continued the lad.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What makes you think so?" asked Mr. Johnson +with a start, and for the first time beginning to +show an interest in the conversation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Because of his own words and threats to me the +next morning," responded Budd; and he rapidly +described the altercation that then occurred.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I immediately left the city," he went on, "and +did not see Bagsley again until a week ago last +Saturday evening. But meanwhile he left your +employ."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," assented Mr. Johnson, "he was thoroughly +incompetent for his duties; and, then"--he +hesitated a moment, but eventually finished his +sentence--"and, then, I felt I could not trust him."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Your fears were well grounded," said Budd, +with a little secret exultation over Mr. Johnson's +admission.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he described the visit of Bagsley and his +two companions to Fox Island, and the statements +and declarations he and his partner had overheard.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was this visit to our island, Mr. Johnson, that +sent me over to your island last Wednesday, when +I was so unfortunate as to place myself in your +hands and be arrested as the party who had robbed +your house," he added.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That does nicely for a story," replied Mr. Johnson, +incredulously; "but if true, why didn't +you at once tell me, or make it known at least at +your trial? It looks altogether like an ingenious +attempt on your and your partner's part to get me +to withdraw my charge against you."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I admit it, sir," he said; "but if you remember, +I did beg you to hear my story, and had you +consented I should have told you all this at that time. +In the court I did not wish to tell it, for I had +another purpose in mind;" and he rapidly explained +to Mr. Johnson what he hoped to achieve from +Bagsley's arrest, and that he was fearful, if he had +disclosed what he did know about his enemy and +his gang at the time of his own trial, it would have +been premature and would have thwarted his purpose.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson listened respectfully, but at the close +of Budd's lengthy explanation declared he was not +yet convinced of the truth of the lad's statements.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am not through," said Budd with another +laugh, for he knew the proofs of the truth of all +his declarations were not many rods away. "You +have heard of the extensive robbery of Clapp & +St. John's store over at the village?" he now asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, I heard of it last evening," Mr. Johnson +admitted.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That robbery was committed by Bagsley and his +gang, and they robbed your house here," said Budd, +quietly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you know? Where are the proofs of +your statement?" cried Mr. Johnson, springing +excitedly to his feet. "Prove that to me, and I will +withdraw my case against you before sunset!" and +he walked up and down the room like a man about +to receive some unpleasant revelation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And try with me to secure Bagsley's confession +of the crime he committed, and for which my father +is now in prison?" asked Budd, with scarcely a less +show of excitement.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson paused in front of the lad and looked +at him sharply for a minute; but the lad did not +flinch under his gaze.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," he then said, firmly; "I promise that, also. +Prove to me those two things--that the robbery +here and the one in the village were alike committed +by a gang of burglars of which Bagsley is one, and +I shall believe he was capable--yes, guilty--of the +crime your father stands charged with to-day; for, +mark, I now admit that there are reasons to believe +that he did, at the time that act was committed, +know the combination to my safe, and thus had free +access to my money and my check-book.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I now confess to you that I let my copy of the +combination-number lie overnight on my private +office desk, and though it was lying there +undisturbed the next morning, Bagsley may have seen it. +This is why I have distrusted him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It has also been a secret that has accused me +every time I thought of your father and of you. I +could not bear to think I had sent an innocent +person to prison, and a part of my severity to you has +grown out of the fact that if you were proved to be +of a thievish disposition it would seem to substantiate, +in a measure at least, your father's guilt. It +was at least quieting to my conscience to have it +prove so, and for this I doubtless have too strongly +worked against you.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So I say, only prove your statements, and +instead of your enemy I am your friend, and I pledge +you that I will try to undo all the wrong I have +done your father and yourself," and there was an +earnestness and sincerity in his tones that convinced +Budd that he meant just what he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Johnson," he exclaimed, "get your hat and +come with me."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Down to your dock. My sloop, the Sea Witch, +is there, and on board are the five burglars, their +booty from the store and from your house, guarded +by Mr. Avery, the constable, and my partner, Judd Floyd."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson looked at the lad for an instant as +though he doubted his sanity; then he led the way +into the hall, took his hat and a stout cane from the +rack, and replied:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm ready."</p> +<p class="pnext">As they walked down to the wharf, Budd rapidly +related the principal events connected with the +finding and capture of the burglars, and exhibited his +own lacerated wrists as proof of the part he had +borne in the affair.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm just astonished! I'm just astonished!" was +Mr. Johnson's ejaculation during this recital.</p> +<p class="pnext">They reached the sloop, and Mr. Johnson looked +with his own eyes upon Bagsley and his confederates. +He even overhauled and identified much +among their traps as having been taken from his +house.</p> +<p class="pnext">He then had Mr. Avery and the lads recount to +him again the whole story of the robbers' capture. +He also listened respectfully to Mr. Avery's +suggestion that he should come over to the village, and +identifying there his property, swear out a warrant +against the men, that a double charge might be +sustained against them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I will do it," he replied. "I will come over +immediately."</p> +<p class="pnext">He spoke to Bagsley, expressing regret at having +found him such a criminal, but received only curses +in return.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length he seemed to be satisfied with his own +investigations, and with the story he had heard.</p> +<p class="pnext">Laying his hand on Budd's head he said, solemnly:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I never meant to wrong you at all, my dear lad. +I never meant to send your innocent father, for I +feel instinctively now he is innocent, to prison. I +never meant to hasten your invalid mother's death. +Tell me you forgive me, lad, for unless you do I can +never forgive myself."</p> +<p class="pnext">Tears streamed down Budd's cheeks, and with +them went much of the anger he had cherished +toward the speaker.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I believe you," he said; "only, leave no stone +unturned to set my father free and to put him right +in the eyes of the world, and I freely forgive you all +the suffering and unhappiness you have unintentionally +caused me."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I solemnly promise it; and believe me there is +yet happiness for both father and son," said +Mr. Johnson fervently; and wiping his own eyes, he +went ashore, to complete his arrangements for +visiting the village.</p> +<p class="pnext">And Budd, with a joy he could not tell, assisted +his chum in getting the sloop ready for the passage +over to the main land, where their arrival with their +prisoners was to create a profound sensation, and +win for himself and partner not only the offered +reward, but friends and fame.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xx-the-confession"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id21">CHAPTER XX.--THE CONFESSION.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"The burglars are captured!" "They are now +in the lock-up!" "Avery, the constable, and +those boys of Fox Island, brought them here in the +Sea Witch!" "They say every dollar's worth of +the stolen goods is recovered!" "The examination +is at two o'clock this afternoon!"</p> +<p class="pnext">These and a hundred other similar exclamations +ran along the streets of the village, were repeated +in shop and store and house, discussed on the +street-corners, and carried out into the surrounding +country, within two hours after the sloop had tied up at +the public wharf.</p> +<p class="pnext">And yet very little was really known, for on +arriving at the dock Mr. Avery had left the sloop and +prisoners in charge of the two lads while he went +quietly up the street and sought an interview with +Clapp & St. John, the jewelers. The immediate +outcome of that interview was that two closely-covered +carriages were driven down to the wharf, and +the prisoners were hastily put into these and driven +rapidly up to the lock-up, where they were quickly +incarcerated. Almost as quickly, a huge express +wagon went down to the dock, and bags, gripsacks +and bundles, containing the robbers' booty and +traps, were transferred from the sloop to the +waiting vehicle, covered with a large sail-cloth, and +driven off to Clapp & St. John's place of business, +where they were safely stored. Then warrants +were sworn out in rapid succession by Clapp & +St. John, by Mr. Johnson, for he had arrived at the +village almost as soon as the Sea Witch, and by the +lads themselves, against the criminals.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just what the specific charges were, and how the +burglars had been found, was not generally known; +but enough had been seen by the inhabitants of that +staid community to excite their curiosity, and to set +their tongues a-wagging with a velocity that in any +other bodily member would have been absolutely +dangerous.</p> +<p class="pnext">So it happened that when the hour of the burglars' +examination came a crowd had gathered in the +court-room that filled it to its utmost capacity, and +a larger crowd was in the court-yard and the +adjacent street. Through this assembly the prisoners +were with great difficulty taken, and their trial +began.</p> +<p class="pnext">But if the eager audience were expecting any +special developments they were doomed to +disappointment, for when the warrant charging the +prisoners with feloniously entering and robbing +Clapp & St. John's store was read, each burglar in +his turn waived examination, and was bound over, +without bonds, to the higher court.</p> +<p class="pnext">Something of a surprise swept over the audience, +however, when the prisoners were again arraigned +and a second warrant was read, charging them with +the burglary of Mr. Johnson's house on Hope Island. +To this, as in the first instance, the accused +responded by waiving an examination, and were again +bound over, without bonds, to the next term of the +superior court.</p> +<p class="pnext">Many of the audience evidently thought this +ended the judicial proceedings, and they arose to +leave the room. The prisoners, too, apparently +thought the same, for they turned toward the +officers who were guarding them as though +expecting to be immediately taken away.</p> +<p class="pnext">But for the third time they were called to the +bar, and a deathlike stillness fell upon the throng +as a third warrant was read, charging three of the +prisoners with having forcibly entered, with the +intent of robbing, the house on Fox Island, on +Saturday night, June 17th. Then there was a +hurried consultation between the leader of the gang, +who had given the name of Brill, and Bagsley and +the third man of the party who was accused of this +crime, and who answered to the name of Hawkins.</p> +<p class="pnext">The result of the consultation was that the three +men for the third time waived an examination, and +for the third time were bound over to the higher +court.</p> +<p class="pnext">As though getting impatient with the whole +proceedings, the Justice immediately called the five +men to the bar to listen to the reading of a fourth +warrant, which charged the entire party with +"having taken the sloop Sea Witch, with force of +arms, from her lawful owner, and having, with great +detriment to said owner's bodily health and +disadvantage to his property and business, run off with +the same." With hopeless faces and sinking hearts +the prisoners no longer waived an examination but +pleaded guilty to the charge, and, as on the three +former charges, were bound over to the superior +court.</p> +<p class="pnext">While the audience was slowly dispersing, the +papers for the commitment of the prisoners to the +county jail were filled out by the presiding Justice, +and then, under a strong guard, they were taken +out to the waiting carriages and driven rapidly off +toward the county-seat. Before sunset this had +been reached, and the criminals placed in separate +cells within the strong walls of the jail.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson and Budd had both agreed that it +would be wiser to postpone their interview with +Bagsley until he had been committed to jail and +knew the full consequences of the criminal acts with +which he and his confederates had been charged. +They hoped, too, that his solitary confinement might +subdue his resentful spirit to such an extent that he +would be willing to listen to the proposition they +had to make. They therefore arranged to go up to +Kingston together early in the coming week for the +interview, on which their hopes so largely centered. +But unknown to them a series of circumstances +were already beginning to work in their behalf.</p> +<p class="pnext">The first step in the series began right in the +court-room. While the audience was dispersing and +the Justice was filling out the commitment-papers +the prisoners were huddled close together within +the court-room railing. The officers allowed them +to converse together, thinking, doubtless, it would +be the last time they could do so for a number of +weeks, if not for a number of years. Brill, the +leader of the gang, changed his position a little so +as to bring him beside Bagsley, and then he said, in +a low tone:</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is a hard outlook for us, Tom."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," his companion replied, gloomily.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It can't be less than twenty years on all the +charges," continued Brill, cautiously, lest his words +should be overheard by the attending officers.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you think so?" asked Bagsley.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, unless you can work on the sympathies of +old Johnson and that boy to let us off on some of +the charges," remarked the leader, significantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you mean? They are more bitter +against me than all the rest of you," responded +Bagsley, with some irritation in his tones.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, and for cause; but suppose you remove +that cause?" said Brill, pointedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And get myself in a worse scrape," snapped +Bagsley.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not necessarily; you can put your conditions, +and help yourself and the rest of us," was the hasty +reply; for the papers were now completed, and the +officers were handcuffing the prisoners together +previous to leading them from the room.</p> +<p class="pnext">Enough had been said, however, to excite in Bagsley's +heart a hope he would not be slow to follow up.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next step in the series of circumstances +working favorably for the fulfillment of Budd's purpose +occurred the next day, way off among the hills of +New Hampshire. Bagsley, it will be remembered, +was known, and however it may have been with his +companions, he was not able to conceal his identity +under a false name. The newspapers, therefore, +recording the capture of the burglars, gave his +name in full; and one of those papers went into the +boyhood home of the unfortunate man, carrying +dismay to his aged father and mother still abiding +there. The name was that of their only son, from +whom they had not heard in long months, and of +whose career they had for a long time had misgiving.</p> +<p class="pnext">So the aged father sat down, and with trembling +hand wrote to the keeper of the jail asking for +further particulars as to the robbery, and a complete +identification, if possible, of the prisoner who bore +his son's name. This letter in due time reached the +jailer, and was at once taken to Bagsley's cell. He +bore up bravely under the words the father had +penned, but when he read at the bottom of the +sheet a single line in the mother's handwriting--that +line reading "If you are our Tommy, let us +know at once, and we'll come to you and spare no +expense to save you"--he broke completely down. +The memory of his mother--of her love, that had +ever stood ready to shield him--had touched his +heart. He was not as hardened as he himself had +thought, and a desire to see his mother once more +before the prison-walls closed upon him for long +years, and to hear from her own lips that she +forgave her wayward boy, led him to answer his +father's letter.</p> +<p class="pnext">So the third and last step in this chain of +circumstances began when his letter, two days later, +reached the little mountain village. Closing up +their little home, the aged father and mother drew +from the savings bank their small hoard of +hard-earned money and set out for the place of their +son's incarceration. Everyone they met seemed +to understand that some heavy affliction had fallen +upon the gray-haired couple, and with kind words +and willing hands they were helped on their way, +and on the Monday following the arrest of the +criminals they reached the door of the Kingston +jail and asked to see their boy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Without delay they were taken to Bagsley's cell, +and then ensued an interview too sacred but for the +angels of heaven to have witnessed. In humble +contrition the penitent man disclosed to his +broken-hearted parents the whole story of his criminal life, +and acknowledged that there was no possible escape +from long years of confinement unless Mr. Johnson +and Budd Boyd could be persuaded to withdraw +their charges against him. So the next morning +the father started off to find the lad and the +gentleman who held so much of his son's fate in their +hands, and met them on their way up to the county-seat +to hold an interview with his son. Under these +circumstances it was not hard to effect an +agreement, and Bagsley consented to make a full and +complete vindication of Henry Boyd if Mr. Johnson's +charge and the two charges of Boyd & Floyd +against him and his associates were withdrawn. +This was what both Mr. Johnson and Budd were +willing to do, and the confession of such vital +importance to two persons at least--Budd and his +father--was duly drawn up and signed.</p> +<p class="pnext">It stated in substance that Bagsley, on entering +Mr. Johnson's employ, had been detected in light +pilfering by Mr. Boyd, but upon his making full +restitution and promising to never be guilty of such +an act again Mr. Boyd had consented to keep the +matter from Mr. Johnson. Instead of being +grateful to Mr. Boyd for thus shielding him from +Mr. Johnson's anger, Bagsley had resolved to have his +revenge for what he termed Boyd's unwarranted +interference with that which was none of his business. +The opportunity came when Mr. Johnson carelessly +left the combination-number of the safe upon his +private desk. Making a copy of it, Bagsley had +taken the thousand dollars for himself, and forged +the check and sent it with the accompanying letter +to Mr. Boyd's house just as he was about to start for +the South with his invalid wife. He had opened +and destroyed the letter of thanks that Mr. Boyd +had sent Mr. Johnson upon receiving the check, and +the result of his plans had been exactly what he had +anticipated. Mr. Boyd was arrested, tried and +convicted of the two crimes, forgery and theft, while +he who had really committed the acts had been +unsuspected.</p> +<p class="pnext">The confession went on to state that Bagsley had +overheard all that passed between Budd and Mr. Johnson +in the private office, and believing that Budd +was working to prove his guilt he had assaulted him +on the next day. Not content with this, he had +sought for the lad repeatedly to frighten him into +silence, but at length learned he had left the city.</p> +<p class="pnext">His connection with the criminals had come about +in a perfectly natural way through the dissipated +habits he had formed. When in a gambling-saloon +one night he had run in with Brill, who, finding that +Bagsley had plenty of money, accused him of having +taken the thousand dollars for which Henry Boyd +had been arrested. Bagsley at first denied this, but +being unable to account for the money in any other +way, he finally admitted it.</p> +<p class="pnext">From that hour Brill had a hold upon him, and +led him from one crime to another until the series +of crimes for which he and his companions had now +been arrested.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a particularity of detail throughout the +whole confession that evinced its truth, and with +the document in his pocket Mr. Johnson took the +first train for Boston, to place in the hands of the +Governor and his Council, the matter of Henry +Boyd's pardon for a crime he had never committed; +while Budd drove off home, to immediately write +and send to his father a letter giving a full account +of the events that had transpired in the last few +days, and setting forth the prospect of his--the +father's--release, as soon as the legal steps necessary +for it could be complied with.</p> +<p class="pnext">As we shall now lose sight of Bagsley in our story, +it may be stated here that he and his companions in +crime were duly arraigned for the burglary of Clapp +& St. John's jewelry store, at the November term of +the superior court, and knowing that the evidence +of their guilt was absolute, they thought it wiser to +plead guilty and throw themselves upon the mercy +of the Court. The other charges were not brought +up against them, but they were known, and without +doubt had much to do with the heavy sentence that +was pronounced upon them, namely--ten years each +at hard labor in the State Penitentiary.</p> +<p class="pnext">The reward offered for their arrest and conviction +was in due time paid over to Mr. Avery and the two +lads. Mr. Avery, finding the part he had played in +the affair had obtained for him a popularity that +was destined to give him the office of County Sheriff +at the next election, magnanimously insisted that +the hundred dollars paid the captain of the tug +should come out of his portion of the reward alone; +so that the young firm received an even thousand +dollars as their compensation for the trying +experiences they had undergone in discovering and +bringing to justice the gang of criminals.</p> +<p class="pnext">But a full month before this money was paid +over, an event happened that to Budd at least far +transcended any amount of pecuniary gain. It was +the reception, through the post-office, of a large +official document from the Governor of Massachusetts, +announcing the full pardon and ordering the +immediate release of Henry Boyd. Along with it +came a personal note from the Governor pleasantly +suggesting that the son, who had so thoroughly +believed in and worked for the establishment of the +father's innocence, should be the one to first carry +the good news to the pardoned man.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxi-father-and-son"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id22">CHAPTER XXI.--FATHER AND SON.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The weeks that had elapsed between the +confession of Bagsley and the reception of the +important document from the Governor of Massachusetts +had hung heavily on Budd's hands. He +chafed under the legal technicalities that seemed to +be constantly arising to delay a result that he knew +was inevitable, and which he thought ought to +come immediately. Still his hope sustained him, +and with his partner he attended strictly to the +work in which they were engaged.</p> +<p class="pnext">Business, too, accumulated upon their hands. The +notoriety they had achieved in capturing the +burglars had made it quite the thing to patronize the +young firm, and from every side there poured into +them an increase of trade. The summer hotels +along the bay found it quite to their interest to +announce that the fish upon their tables came +directly from the pounds of Boyd & Floyd. Sailing +and fishing-parties sought eagerly for the services +of the lads and their sloop Sea Witch, that had +such a romantic history. So night and day the +young firm were busy, and their bank account +grew apace.</p> +<p class="pnext">But there was another work during these weeks +that claimed Budd's attention. Believing that his +father would prefer to come back to the island with +him, and make a temporary home there until their +plans for the future could be arranged, he spent +all his spare moments in making his island home +more attractive.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Johnson had on the day he had accompanied +the lad up to the county jail returned to him the +five hundred dollars he had paid that gentleman the +previous March, and, along with that sum, its +accumulated interest. A portion of this money Budd +now spent for carpets and furniture.</p> +<p class="pnext">The bedroom down-stairs, and which he and Judd +had always occupied, was refurnished expressly for +Mr. Boyd. The furniture which had been in there +was carried upstairs, where a room was fixed for +the lads. Another room upstairs was also furnished +with a bedroom set, and it was Budd himself who +gave a reason for doing it:</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is for your father, Judd, when he comes from +the State Farm. We'll bring him over here, where +he'll be away from temptation, and try and make a +man of him;" and Judd thanked his chum for the +suggestion with glistening eyes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Other arrangements were also made about the +house and grounds, in which Budd was ably seconded +by his partner, and on the October morning that +the Governor's pardon came everything was in +readiness for Mr. Boyd's coming.</p> +<p class="pnext">That afternoon's train carried Budd to Boston. +He arrived in the city too late to visit the prison +that day, but having expected this, he was in no +sense disappointed. In fact he had come to the +city at this time purposely, for he had a few items +of business to transact before he visited his father, +and they could be attended to while he waited for +the coming morning, which at the earliest possible +hour he had determined should see his father's +liberation. These items of business are of interest to +us, and so we will follow him as he attends to them.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hastening through to Washington Street with the +pace of one who knew just where he was going, he +hurried down that street until he reached a large +tailoring establishment. Entering this, he asked +for the proprietor, and was immediately shown to +the private office. Introducing himself with the +air of one who was expected, he asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"You have, of course, received and filled my order?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes sir," said the gentleman, pleasantly, and +pointing to a handsome valise and a large package +at one side of the office. "In that valise you will +find shirts, collars, underwear, stockings, neckties, +and a medium suit of clothing. In the package is a +handsome overcoat, a fine Prince Albert suit, hat, +shoes--in fact a complete outfit, and good enough +for any man. They will be sent to your hotel at +the appointed hour to-morrow, and we guarantee +the fit, if your measures were correct."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd thanked him, and then asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Was the check I forwarded with the order +sufficiently large in amount to pay for everything?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, and a little to spare. Here is the receipted +bill and change that the cashier sent here in +anticipation of your coming. I had the bundles brought +here also, in case you should care to examine them."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, sir; I rely upon your judgment," replied +the lad. "You may send the packages to me +to-night, however, at the United States Hotel;" and +he took his leave.</p> +<p class="pnext">He now walked down to the hotel he had named, +and registering his name, was shown to a room.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before the supper-hour the packages had arrived +from the tailoring establishment, and were at his +request sent up to his room. He now examined their +contents, and his face glowed with satisfaction as he +saw how well his orders had been executed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Father need not be ashamed to call on the +Governor himself with those clothes on," he said softly +to himself, not knowing they would be put to that use.</p> +<p class="pnext">When his supper was eaten he left the hotel and +walked briskly off toward the business quarter of the +city again, and reaching the office of a well-known +daily paper, he entered and asked for the managing +editor. On the assurance that his business was +important he was shown up to that worthy's sanctum.</p> +<p class="pnext">With no hesitation he told who he was, and the +object of his visit to Boston.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My wish," he continued, "is to have your paper +to-morrow kindly notice my father's return to public +life; and if you believe in his innocence, do your part +toward the vindication of his good name. I ask that +you will give as conspicuous a place in your paper to +his release as you did to his trial and conviction, and +am willing to pay you for the space."</p> +<p class="pnext">The editor laughed a little.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You show your appreciation of the value of the +press as a molder of public sentiment," he then said. +"But, my dear boy, Mr. Johnson has preceded you +in this request. The first page of every daily in this +city, to-morrow, will notice your father's release, and +every editorial page will comment upon and welcome +his return to public life.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why shouldn't we?" he added, bluntly. "Mr. Johnson +has paid handsomely for it. He certainly +is leaving no stone unturned to restore your father +to his old standing in the community. From the +hour of Bagsley's confession, for he telegraphed the +fact here at once, he has seen to it that every step +toward your father's release has been duly noticed +by the public press."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then the man, with a few inquiries as to Mr. Boyd's +plans after his release, dismissed his young +visitor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have no more offices to visit, then," Budd +remarked on reaching the street, "thanks to +Mr. Johnson. I'll buy a copy of every paper to-morrow, +however, so father can see just what they do say."</p> +<p class="pnext">He now turned his steps toward the quarter of the +city where he had formerly lived, and walked slowly +over the familiar ground. Then he went around by +the school he had last attended, and gazed up at the +windows of the room where he used to sit. His +thoughts now turned toward his former acquaintances +and friends, and he felt a little pardonable +exultation as he remembered how, at every breakfast-table +of the city, on the following morning, his +father's innocence would be discussed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am not sure," he admitted to himself, as he +walked back toward his hotel, "but that I should be +glad to come back here and take up the old life--if," +he added, after a brief pause, "Judd could only +come with me."</p> +<p class="pnext">And though he did not know it then, that very +thing was to eventually happen.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not far from half-past eight o'clock the next +morning Budd put his packages into a hack, and +entering it, gave the order to the driver:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Go over to the State Prison in Charlestown."</p> +<p class="pnext">With a peculiar look at his young passenger the +driver mounted his box and drove away. A +half-hour or so later he stopped at the massive entrance +of the institution named, and Budd alighted. +Requesting the hackman to remain until his return, he +took up his bundles and went into the warden's +office.</p> +<p class="pnext">Upon showing the official document of the +Governor to the clerk in waiting he politely +requested Budd to take a seat while he went to call +his superior officer. The warden soon entered, and +telling Budd he had expected him, he led the way +into the prison building. Down one corridor and +into another they went, the heart of the lad beating +loudly as he drew nearer to the father he had not +seen for months. Suddenly the warden stopped +before a cell and unlocked the door.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You may enter and break the news to your +father," he said to Budd in a low voice. "A little +later I will send a man for you, and you and your +father can come down to the office, where there is a +dressing-room which he can use to get ready for his +departure."</p> +<p class="pnext">With these words he motioned the lad to enter +the cell; then he gently closed the door, without +locking it, and hurried away, leaving father and son +alone. Surely nothing ever became him better.</p> +<p class="pnext">As Budd entered the cell, his father arose from +the stool on which he was sitting, and with a glad +cry came toward him. The next instant they were +in each other's arms, and sobbing on each other's +shoulders. But the tears they shed were tears of joy, +for Mr. Boyd had rightly conjectured that his son's +presence meant his immediate release, and though +not entirely unexpected, yet it still came with +sufficient suddenness to move him to tears.</p> +<p class="pnext">Soon they both grew calmer, and then Budd +produced the Governor's pardon, and related to his +father the story of its coming, and the Governor's +suggestion that had accompanied it. He then +produced a half-dozen morning papers, and pointed out +to his father the flaming announcements of his +release, and the editorial notes of welcome that +signaled his return to public life.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You need not be ashamed to go anywhere in the +city, father," the lad exclaimed, triumphantly; "and +I have brought you clothing fit for a king. A home +is ready for you, too, where you can rest awhile and +plan for the future. There is the man's step +outside, now, who has been sent up for us; so come."</p> +<p class="pnext">Leaning proudly on the arm of his boy, who had +accomplished so much, Mr. Boyd walked down to +the office, where the warden kindly greeted him, +and the few details essential to his release were +attended to. Then he was shown into an adjacent +dressing-room where the packages Budd had brought +had already been carried, and from this he emerged +a half-hour later looking, as the happy boy declared, +"Just like his own father."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd now took up the valise that contained +Mr. Boyd's spare clothing, and telling his father the +carriage was in waiting, started for the door.</p> +<p class="pnext">"One moment, Mr. Boyd," the warden said. +"Here is a note the Governor has sent here for you."</p> +<p class="pnext">In surprise, Mr. Boyd took the note and hastily +opened it. There was but a brief line.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="left medium pfirst">EXECUTIVE MANSION, October 5th.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Mr. Henry Boyd and Son:</em>--You are both +requested to dine with me at two o'clock this +afternoon, where you will meet some old and some new +friends.</p> +<p class="left medium pnext">THE GOVERNOR.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">It was with emotions no words can express that +both father and son entered their carriage and were +driven off to their hotel. Never had the sun shone +so brightly; never had the autumn foliage looked +half so beautiful; never had the old, familiar streets +and buildings seemed so dear. In their very +happiness they were silent until nearly to their +destination; then Mr. Boyd broke the silence by saying, +tremulously:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, Budd! if your mother only knew of my +vindication! If she had only lived to see this day!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"She does know of it," replied Budd, simply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I believe it; and, like myself, she is proud of +her boy;" and Mr. Boyd looked lovingly down +into the face of his son.</p> +<p class="pnext">The dinner at the Executive mansion was a simple +affair, the Governor seeming to understand Mr. Boyd's +feelings in this respect. There were there +the members of the Executive Council; the Judge +who had presided at Mr. Boyd's trial; Mr. Johnson; +Mr. Boyd's lawyer, and a half-dozen prominent +business men that Mr. Boyd had been accustomed +to meet in other days. They all congratulated him +warmly upon his established innocence, and assured +him of their friendship and help when he had +decided upon his future business plans.</p> +<p class="pnext">He thanked them all for their expressions of +kindness, but added, with evident pride:</p> +<p class="pnext">"My son has a home for me, and there I will go +for the present."</p> +<p class="pnext">At four o'clock he and Budd left the city; at +five they were in Providence, and at six they were +at their village depot, where they were met by +Judd. Ten minutes later they were on the Sea +Witch, bound for the island.</p> +<p class="pnext">As they reached their own wharf Mr. Boyd +stepped out of the boat and looked around him. +Then he said tenderly, almost reverently:</p> +<p class="pnext">"This is your home, Budd, and my home, +now--inexpressibly dear, because of what my boy has +here proved himself to be."</p> +<p class="pnext">Later on, and when reclining in an easy-chair +beside the sitting-room fire, he heard in detail the +experiences through which the lads had passed. +The young partners sat where he could look them +both full in the face. Possibly their strong likeness +to each other may have suggested the question, for +he abruptly asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Judd, what is your father's name?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Silas Torr Floyd," answered the wondering boy.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And your mother's?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Helen Budd, before she was married," replied +Judd. "That is one reason why I thought Budd's +name so funny when I first heard it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are, then, cousins," was Mr. Boyd's astonishing +declaration.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you make that out, sir?" the lads +exclaimed in one breath.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My wife and your mother, Judd, were sisters," +explained Mr. Boyd. "They were married about +the same time, and used to joke each other about +one having married a Boyd and the other a Floyd. +When Budd was born his mother gave him her +surname for his Christian name; and when, a few +weeks later, Judd was born, his mother laughingly +gave him the Christian name he bears, saying she +would make it as near like Budd's as possible.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We soon separated, I moving into Boston, and +Judd's father going West. For a time we kept up a +correspondence, but it grew less and less frequent, +and finally entirely ceased. But your parents must +have returned East, Judd, and I cannot understand +why they did not communicate with me, unless your +mother's pride was such that she did not wish us to +know her husband had become a drunkard."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think that is it," said Judd, thoughtfully; "for +whenever I asked about her relatives, she never +would tell me anything about them."</p> +<p class="pnext">The newly-discovered relationship was discussed +for a time, and facts and dates were brought +forward to substantiate it. Then Judd said, with +much the same grimace he had used months before:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I told you some time ago, Budd, that we were +second-rate twins, and now it has turned out that +we are first-rate cousins!"</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxii-an-exciting-adventure"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id23">CHAPTER XXII.--AN EXCITING ADVENTURE.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"Good morning, father! Would you like to go +with us to the fish-traps, or will you remain +here and rest?"</p> +<p class="pnext">It was the morning after Mr. Boyd's arrival at +the island, and as yet barely six o'clock. Budd had +come to the door of his father's room, and finding +him awake had thus accosted him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Boyd looked up at his boy with a cheerful smile.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good morning, Budd!" he responded. "You +are around early here, aren't you? Well, I like to +see promptness and industry in any one; and as an +encouragement, if not an example, to you and Judd, +I'll go right along with you. How soon shall I be +ready?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Breakfast will be on the table in ten minutes, +and in course of a half-hour we must be off," +answered Budd. "Is there anything I can do for +you, father?"</p> +<p class="pnext">There was manifest affection in the lad's tones as +he asked this question, and his face beamed with an +irrepressible joy. The great purpose of his heart +had been accomplished; his father was not only at +liberty, but with him, and he had nothing more to ask.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, my son," replied Mr. Boyd, with no less +show of affection; "I'll be with you presently."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd went back to the kitchen and assisted Judd +in the few preparations necessary to complete the +breakfast, and when Mr. Boyd joined the lads a few +minutes later all was in readiness for them to sit +down to the table; and within the prescribed +half-hour the meal had been dispatched and all were on +board the Sea Witch.</p> +<p class="pnext">Her moorings were speedily cast off, and with a +strong southeast wind to contend against she tacked +down the bay. The first run carried her close +under the west shore of the bay, and just before she +was put about for her second tack, Budd, who was +forward, noticed a large flat-boat coming out from a +small cove right ahead of them. A single glance +showed him that the one sail of the boat was furled, +and that his old employer, Mr. Benton, was pulling +her along against the stiff breeze with an enormous +pair of sweeps.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where did Mr. Benton get that boat, and what +is he doing with her, Judd?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All I know about it," replied Judd, eying the +clumsy craft, "is that he had her down on Plum +Beach, yesterday, loading her with sand. Where +he got her I can't say. Perhaps he knocked her +together himself; I should judge so, from her build. +She won't stand a rough sea long, though; and +unless he hurries around with his load to-day, she'll go +down under him, I'm thinking."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are we going to have a storm right away?" +asked Mr. Boyd, looking up at the mackerel-sky.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," replied Judd, promptly. "When the +wind blows as fresh as this from the southeast, it +won't take over six hours to bring a regular gale. +That's one reason we have hurried off to the traps +so early this morning. I'll agree to show you all +the rough weather you'll care to see before we get +back to the island;" and the lad spoke with a +positiveness that gave a convincing force to all his +words.</p> +<p class="pnext">On account of the strong head-wind the lads had +thought it best to first work down along the west +shore and visit the two traps on that side of the bay, +and then, with the breeze on their starboard, run +over to their trap under Canonicut Island. This +would give them, also, a stern-breeze for their return +home.</p> +<p class="pnext">In carrying out this plan they ran on their third +tack close enough to Mr. Benton to hail him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good-morning, Mr. Benton," Budd cried out. +"Shall we take you in tow and leave you at the +beach?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He made the offer, for he had noticed that the old +man was making but slow progress against the +head-wind. A surly refusal of the offered help was, +however, the only answer he received. It was quite +evident that Mr. Benton, while he had steadily let the +young partners alone since his last encounter with +them, had never forgiven them for the advantage +they had then gained.</p> +<p class="pnext">A few minutes after passing Mr. Benton the first +fish-trap was reached, and the lads soon emptied it +of its "catch" with all the quickness and dexterity +for which they were noted. Mr. Boyd assisted them +somewhat, but laughingly declared that "he would +have to serve a regular apprenticeship at the +business before he could hope to compete with them."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh! you would learn how to do it sooner than +you think," remarked Budd, giving the huge net a +vigorous pull that sent it slowly back to its place. +"I was as great a novice at the work as you are +when Judd took me into partnership; but I soon +caught the knack, and rather like the business now."</p> +<p class="pnext">"He proved an apt scholar, and has outstripped +his teacher," put in Judd, laughingly. "I sometimes +find it hard work to keep up my end with him. But +we are ready now, I believe, to work down to the +lower trap."</p> +<p class="pnext">The anchor of the sloop was raised, and her sails +adjusted for the brief run around Plum Beach Point +to the other fish-pound. As she passed along the +sandy shore, on which the huge breakers were +rolling with a constantly increasing power, the boys +noticed that Mr. Benton had already beached his boat, +and had commenced to load her with sand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He ought to know better than to put a flat-bottomed +boat on there with the wind from this quarter," +observed Judd, sagely. "If the wind increases, +as I think it will, she'll pound to pieces there in no +time; and even if he's lucky enough to get her off +before that happens, he can't get up into his cove +with her to-day."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why not?" asked Mr. Boyd, with some show of interest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Because she has no keel or center-board, and +can't hold herself for a moment against the wind. +Just as sure as he clears the point with her the wind +will drive her straight ahead for our island, or by the +west end of it, on to the 'The Hummocks.' See if +it don't turn out as I tell you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are right," Budd quietly assented--"unless, +as you suggested, before she goes down under him. +That sand is heavy, and if he only puts on a half-load, +it will sink her well down into the water. A rough +sea may flood her, and between the water and the +sand she will surely sink. Possibly he will think of +this, and be wise enough to leave her where she is +at the risk of her being stove up."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't think so," went on Judd, quickly. "The +first board that starts off of her will make him think +she is going to pieces right there, and to save her he +will try to get her off shore, and that means no +chance for the boat, and only half a chance for himself."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Cannot you run in near enough to warn him of +his danger?" asked Mr. Boyd. "Perhaps, if he +came right off the beach now, and before the gale +comes on, he could save himself and the boat, too."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Little will he care for our warning," replied +Judd; "but then we can give it, all the same. Go +forward, Budd, and shout to him;" and he put up +the helm and ran the sloop in as near the beach as +he felt it was safe to go.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mr. Benton," shouted Budd, "your boat will soon +pound to pieces there; and if you delay long about +putting off shore there will be great risk about your +getting into your cove. The wind is increasing +every minute, and will soon blow a gale."</p> +<p class="pnext">The old man turned slowly around and looked off +toward the sloop.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll 'tend to my bizness, if ye'll 'tend to your'n," +he curtly replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What did I tell you?" said Judd, as the sloop +slowly swung off toward the fish-pound, now no +great distance away. "He'll stay there for his load, +whatever happens. He don't propose to have either +Budd or me give him advice."</p> +<p class="pnext">Before Mr. Boyd could make any reply there came +a sharp cry from Budd, who was still on the bow of +the sloop.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Quick, Judd, or our trap will be destroyed! +There is a porpoise in it, and he has already noticed +our approach."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We can't save the net!" exclaimed Judd, springing +to his feet, and looking at the huge cetacean +that had raised his head above the surface of the +water, and within the inclosure of the seine. "He +will go through it like a shot! Our only hope is to +save the fish!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps I can get him," cried Budd, running aft +and drawing the yawl close up to the sloop.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next moment he had leaped into it, and casting +off the painter, he sculled rapidly toward the pound.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he reached the upper side of the trap, the +porpoise made a quick lunge against the opposite side; +but the stout netting and firmly-driven stakes +withstood its effort to break through. Seeing his +opportunity, Budd pulled in his oar and caught up an old +harpoon that lay in the bottom of the yawl, and +which was kept there to be used upon the sharks +that frequently entered the traps.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was but the work of a moment to fasten the +weapon to the bow-line of the yawl, and then Budd +threw it with all his strength at the struggling +monster. The sharp point struck the porpoise near the +center of its back, and penetrated through the thick +hide to the depth of several inches.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hurrah! I've got him!" shouted Budd, seizing +hold of the bow-line and beginning to haul it in.</p> +<p class="pnext">Scarcely were the words out of his mouth when +the rope was jerked from his hand with a force that +sent him over backward in the yawl. Then he +heard a crash, and a moment after felt the boat +moving through the water a terrific rate of speed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Crawling up onto his knees and grasping hold of +the sides of the yawl, he looked about him. The +cetacean had cleared itself from the trap and was +going down the bay with the boat in tow. Already +the sloop was several rods in the rear, and Judd was +shouting to Budd to cut the rope that fastened the +yawl to the harpoon, so firmly imbedded in the +porpoise's back.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 74%" id="figure-24"> +<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-224.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +Grasping hold of the sides of the yawl Budd saw that the porpoise was going down the bay at a terrific rate of speed, with the boat in tow.</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">Holding on to the yawl with one hand, Budd took +his jack-knife from his pocket with the other and +opened it with his teeth. He then crept along to +the bow of the boat and raised his hand to sever the +line. That moment there was a movement on the +part of his singular steed that led him to change his +mind. The cetacean turned and ran obliquely for +the shore, and hoping to yet secure the monster, +Budd refrained from cutting the rope.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Look out for the net, first, then come on and +pick me up," he shouted back to Judd. "I'll cut +the line at the first show of danger."</p> +<p class="pnext">The wind evidently carried his words back to his +companions with sufficient distinctness to be +comprehended, for they at once returned to the pound, +beyond which they had already passed in pursuing +the fleeing yawl, and Budd was left to continue his +wild ride unattended.</p> +<p class="pnext">To state the exact truth, the lad was immensely +enjoying the peculiar situation in which he found +himself. As long as the porpoise kept at the surface +of the water he knew he was safe, and he watched +its movements sharply, so as to cut the bow-line the +moment he dived.</p> +<p class="pnext">But no such movement was to be detected. As +though stricken with panic, and bent on suicide, the +cetacean fled onward until opposite the huge cliff on +the west shore of the bay known as Thurston's +Rocks, and then it turned and ran directly inshore.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is sure death to go in there," muttered Budd +at this movement of his steed, "and I don't propose +to go on to that cliff with you."</p> +<p class="pnext">With knife raised he waited until the porpoise +was within a few rods of the shore; then with a +quick stroke he severed the rope, and dropping the +knife, seized his oars. By a vigorous use of these +he staid the impetus of the yawl and turned its bow +into the wind. Before he had accomplished this, +however, the cetacean had dashed headlong upon +the cliff, and now tossed helplessly upon the surface +of the water.</p> +<p class="pnext">For a few minutes Budd held the yawl in check, +and watched his huge victim. He did not dare go +nearer to the cliff, for he knew the waves were +dashing upon it with a force that would crush the boat as +though but a cockle-shell, and yet he longed to +secure his prey.</p> +<p class="pnext">He ran his eyes along the rocks. Just beyond the +place where the porpoise lay was a shelving ledge, +upon which he knew he could get if once on shore, +and from the ledge he believed he could reach +the rope that was fastened to the cetacean. But +where could he land?</p> +<p class="pnext">Above him, a dozen rods or so, was the old +tumbled-down wharf of the long-disused "North +Ferry." Rowing slowly up toward this, he was +able to bring in the yawl against the north, and +hence the sheltered, side.</p> +<p class="pnext">Securing the boat against any possible escape, he +ran quickly down the shore. Once opposite the +shelving rock, he with difficulty descended to the +water's edge, and regardless of wet feet and wet +arms soon caught hold of the rope which the +dashing waves brought within his reach. He found also, +to his delight, that the rope was long enough to be +carried around the trunk of a red cedar that grew +out of a crevice in the cliff just above high-water +mark.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having securely fastened the line, Budd stood on +the ledge a few minutes, watching the motionless +porpoise. The rising tide lifted it upon the ledge +quite near him, and the rope slackened somewhat as +it was relieved of the cetacean's weight.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll take another half-hitch around the harpoon, +and drive that deeper into the porpoise; then he +can't get away, and we'll come and get him after +the storm is over," Budd thought.</p> +<p class="pnext">Carrying out his thought, he made the half-hitch +about the harpoon with the slackened rope; then he +seized hold of the protruding weapon and pressed it +down into the motionless body of the cetacean with +all his strength.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next moment the monster, which had +apparently only been stunned by its dash upon the +cliff, and was now revived by the terrible thrust of +the lance into its vitals, gave a sudden and +tremendous plunge, which snapped the cord by which it +was fastened to the cedar as though it was but tow, +and lad and cetacean together rolled off from the +rocks into the angry waters.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxiii-a-manly-rescue"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id24">CHAPTER XXIII.--A MANLY RESCUE.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Fortunately for Budd, he was thrown by +the terrible lunge of the porpoise more than ten +feet out into the dashing waves, and he had the +presence of mind, the moment he rose to the surface of +the water, to strike boldly off shore. In this way +he soon placed himself beyond any fear of being +dashed back upon the rocks.</p> +<p class="pnext">He could see, also, that the sloop had already left +the fish-trap and was bearing down toward him, but +was yet a long distance away. He resolved, therefore, +to swim up to the old wharf where he had left +the yawl.</p> +<p class="pnext">Burdened as he was with his water-soaked clothing, +it is doubtful that he could have done this, short +as the distance was, had not both wind and tide +been in his favor. As it was, he only reached the +yawl after a hard struggle, and crawled into it quite +out of breath.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the sloop, from which he had, ever since his +sudden and unexpected bath, been watched with +anxiety, came in near the wharf, however, he was +sufficiently recovered to pull slowly off to her.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are you hurt, Budd?" Mr. Boyd asked, +anxiously, as he helped the lad on board.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh! no," Budd replied, with a laugh--"a little +uncomfortable from my cold bath and tired with my +long swim in the rough sea is all; soon as I put on +dry clothing I shall be all right."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How came you to fall off of the cliff?" asked +Judd, hardly able to suppress his merriment at the +ridiculous figure his chum presented in his dripping +clothing. "We were too far off to see just how it +happened."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll tell you as soon as I have changed these duds +for something more comfortable," replied Budd, +good-naturedly, and descending to the cabin, where +he knew there were some old clothes kept for just +such an emergency as that into which his adventure +with the porpoise had brought him.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was soon, with his father's help, comfortably +clad, and back onto the deck of the sloop. With a +good deal of <em class="italics">éclat</em> he then related all the details of +his adventure, ending with the wish that he might +have secured the cetacean.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We can get him, for there he is," said Judd.</p> +<p class="pnext">While Budd had been telling his story, the sloop +had been slowly brought down opposite the cliff, +and, as Judd had declared, the porpoise was still +lying at its base. The thrust that Budd had given +it just before his involuntary bath had evidently +been a fatal one, for the water all about the cetacean +was dyed with blood, and though the monster +struggled, it was but feebly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How would you get him?" asked Budd, quickly, +watching the porpoise in its dying struggles.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If your father will look out for the sloop I'll get +you to set me ashore at the wharf," explained Judd. +"I'll take a coil of rope and the boat-hook with me, +and I don't believe but what I can in some way +fasten a line on to the fellow and throw the other +end off here to you, for as soon as you have landed +me you will want to row back here with the yawl. +After picking up the end of the line you want to +carry it on board the sloop, and then return to the +wharf for me. Meantime your father can run up +along the shore with the sloop, towing the porpoise +after her, and when we have got back on board +we'll find some way to take the fellow on to the +island with us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But is he worth all that trouble?" asked Mr. Boyd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, yes," both lads quickly answered. "What +oil we shall get out of him will more than pay for +our trouble and the damage he has done to the fish-trap."</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd's plan was therefore carried out in every +important detail. The lad succeeded in hooking up the +piece of rope still remaining on the harpoon, and to +this spliced one end of the coil he had carried with +him. He then threw the balance of the rope off +to his waiting partner, and the work of attaching it +to the stern of the sloop was speedily done.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, when back on the sloop, Judd skillfully +passed a stout rope through the strong jaws of the +cetacean, and brought him close up under the stern +of the vessel and alongside of the yawl; then, with +both in tow, the Sea Witch rapidly filled away for +the opposite side of the bay.</p> +<p class="pnext">The wind had already increased to such violence +that before the passage across was fully made it was +found necessary to take a large reef in the mainsail +of the sloop; and the waves were rolling so high +that, but for the fact that the fish-trap was directly +under the lee of Canonicut Island, it could not have +been attended to.</p> +<p class="pnext">Indeed, Mr. Boyd thought it wiser to remain in +the sloop while the lads drew and reset the net from +the yawl, and when their task was finished, and they +had returned to the Sea Witch, he remarked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"You told me I would see all the rough weather +I cared to before our return home, Judd, and I freely +confess you were right. I shall be glad when we +reach the island."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That will be in a very short time, now," responded +Judd, as he assisted his chum in getting the sloop +ready for her home trip. "We shan't have to carry +anything but our jib, either."</p> +<p class="pnext">The speed with which the sloop darted off before +the heavy wind warranted his assertion. Their +course led them near enough to Plum Beach Point +for them to see that Mr. Benton had filled his +flatboat with sand, and was now trying to work the +craft off around the point.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had one of his huge sweeps braced against the +side of the boat, and thus pushed it off shore, while +he, step by step, worked it along toward the extreme +end of the sandy beach. His object was clear. If +he could only get the craft around the point, it was +evidently his intention to embark upon it and +attempt to run up the bay.</p> +<p class="pnext">The rapidity with which the Sea Witch was +running soon carried her occupants out of sight of the +man and brought them near their island home. +Fortunately their wharf was at the northwest end +of the island, and thus in a measure sheltered from +the high sea, if not from the sweep of the wind, and +they made their landing in safety.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sloop was moored in the most sheltered nook +the island afforded, the fish, porpoise and yawl were +brought on shore, and all was in readiness for the +trio to seek the shelter of the house. Bracing +themselves against the strong, piercing wind, they started +along the path that led to their dwelling, when a +sudden call from Judd, who was in the rear, caused +his companions to stop.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Look!" the lad exclaimed; "Benton has actually +got his boat around the point, and is now driving +helplessly before the gale!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd and his father looked off in the direction +that Judd had indicated, and saw that his declaration +was only too true. A mile or so away was the +flatboat, sunk nearly to her gunwales in the water, while +her one sail flapped loosely in the wind. Mr. Benton +was making no attempt to guide the craft, but +stood near the swaying mast, clutching it, evidently +in sheer desperation. One look told the horrified +spectators what had happened. The boat had sprung +a leak, and was settling beneath the angry waves.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Boyd and the lads watched anxiously the +boat's progress. A few minutes later it had arrived +near enough for them to distinguish Mr. Benton's +face, as he clung, pale and terrified, to the slender +mast. Certainly he now realized the danger he was +in, and knew that he was powerless to avert it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Three minutes more and the boat would reach the +island, for which it was directly coming. Would it +keep afloat so long? No! for at that instant a +powerful gust of wind swept down upon it, causing +it to tremble from stem to stern. For a moment the +ill-fated craft seemed to try to shake off the blow, +and then, as a tremendous wave dashed over it, it +careened, struggled to right itself, then sunk beneath +the dashing waves.</p> +<p class="pnext">Through the heavy rain that now began to fall, +the anxious watchers looked for the unfortunate +man, and they soon discovered him battling with the +angry sea. Another moment and Budd had sprung +into the yawl that was moored at the wharf, and +before he could be prevented had seized the oars and +was pulling off toward the struggling man.</p> +<p class="pnext">The wind was against him, and the boat was +tossed like a bit of cork upon the waves; still he +slowly approached the spot where he had last seen +his old employer. It was evidently a hard struggle, +but with bare head and resolute face the heroic lad +pulled on. At length he reached Mr. Benton, and +with great difficulty drew him into the little boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">The wind lulled for an instant, and, laying his +exhausted companion down in the yawl, Budd took +advantage of the circumstance and turned the +tossing boat for the island.</p> +<p class="pnext">Half the distance, under his vigorous stroke, was +gained, when the wind swept down in greater fury +upon him. It is seldom such a gust of wind is +experienced in northern latitudes. Trees were +overturned, the water was dashed high in the air, and +even houses were unroofed by that terrible blast.</p> +<p class="pnext">When it had passed, Mr. Boyd and Judd arose +from the ground to which they had fallen and +looked for the yawl. It lay capsized a few rods +away, while Budd, with one arm supporting the +unconscious form of Mr. Benton, was struggling to +reach the shore. But his strength soon failed, and +the huge waves rolled within the reach of the +waiting man and boy--for both had rushed into the +angry waters--two unconscious forms.</p> +<p class="pnext">As soon as possible, first Budd, and then Mr. Benton, +was carried into the house, and with haste +their wet clothing was removed, and their cold +limbs chafed until the returning warmth told that +their sluggish blood was again in circulation, and +their lives were spared.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then a fire was built, blankets warmed, and coffee +made. Wrapped up in one, and thoroughly dosed +with the other, the man and boy were then put in +bed, and were soon quietly sleeping.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was night when Mr. Benton aroused and found +Judd sitting by his bedside.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How came I here?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, I suppose the chief reason you are here," +replied Judd, bluntly, "is because Budd, at the risk +of his own life, went off in the yawl after you;" and +he then briefly told the story of the man's rescue.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Budd is all right, then?" the man asked, with +some show of feeling.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, his father is with him; and when I was in +there, a short time ago, he was sleeping nicely," +answered Judd, shortly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton said no more, and after taking the +food and warm drink Judd brought him, he soon +went to sleep again.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was morning when he awoke and found his +clothes nicely dried by his bedside. Dressing +himself, he went out to the kitchen, where he found +Mr. Boyd and the two lads. Budd, with the exception +of a little paleness, seemed quite like himself.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Benton made no allusion to his rescue whatever, +and the inmates of the house did not speak of +it. After breakfast, however, the man turned to +Judd and asked if he could be set ashore.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not while it storms so," replied Judd, in surprise. +"A small boat couldn't live in this sea, and +even with the sloop there would be a grave risk. +You will have to wait until the storm is over, Mr. Benton."</p> +<p class="pnext">The man made no reply, but Budd asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Did the yawl come ashore all right?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was stove up a little before I could get out +and attend to it," replied Judd; "but we can fix it +easily as soon as the weather will permit."</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no cessation of the storm until night, +and on account of the needful repairs to the yawl, +Mr. Benton was obliged to remain on the island +until another morning.</p> +<p class="pnext">During the whole time he in no way mentioned +the great risk Budd had undergone in his behalf, +but just before his departure on the second morning +he remarked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I 'spose ye don't hate me no longer, Budd?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have never hated you, Mr. Benton," Budd +promptly replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I dunno as ye have," he assented; "ye don't act +as though ye did, anyway, an' I'll be friends, if ye +will."</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd shook the hand which was offered him, and +without another word Mr. Benton took his departure. +Knowing the man as he did, the lad was almost +surprised that he should have shown as much feeling +as he had; but he was greatly surprised at what +soon followed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meeting Mr. Wright a few days later, that +gentleman accosted him with the question:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I say, Budd, what have you been doing to Mr. Benton?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing bad, I hope," responded the boy, with +a laugh.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I guess not, either," said Mr. Wright; "but I +tell you I was taken aback when he came over to +my house the other day and actually asked my +forgiveness for whatever wrong he had done me, and +promised to be a good neighbor from this time +forward. Little by little I got the whole story of how +you rescued him, and then I knew the cause of the +change in him. I tell you, the day of the impossible +hasn't come yet."</p> +<p class="pnext">And Budd thought so a few days later when he +received from Mr. Benton himself a fine gold watch +as a token of gratitude for the noble favor he had +done him.</p> +<p class="pnext">On one of the inside cases was Budd's name, and +the date of his brave act. The outside cases were +plain, with a single exception. The upper lid was +engraved with an olive-leaf--emblematic of the +peace that was now fully assured between the lad +and himself.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who would have thought the old miser would +have been so generous!" exclaimed Judd, as he +looked the watch over.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Or possessed so much poetic sentiment," added +Mr. Boyd, laughingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He must have had some good in him, with all +his faults, or ho would never have so quickly +changed," said Budd, thoughtfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">A declaration his companions readily accepted.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxiv-the-firm-s-profits"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id25">CHAPTER XXIV.--THE FIRM'S PROFITS.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The story now moves forward a few weeks. +It is November, and Thanksgiving is close at +hand. The fishing season is also nearly over. In +fact the business of the young firm has for some +time been principally the shipping of oysters to the +neighboring towns and cities. Not that they had +beds of these delicious bivalves, but had made +arrangements with the owner of an extensive plat a +a few miles up the bay to market the oysters on +shares.</p> +<p class="pnext">Into all the work of the young partners Mr. Boyd +had entered with zest; and under the healthful +exercise and invigorating sea-air his usually slender +frame grew strong, his muscles toughened perceptibly, +and so hearty an appetite was created that he +himself laughingly declared he had never eaten so +in his life, and he guessed it never would be satisfied.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was another inmate of the island home +now, also. One day Judd had taken a trip up to +the State Farm, and when he returned his father +came with him, sober and in his right mind. He at +first seemed somewhat ashamed to meet Mr. Boyd, +who had known him in the days of his early +manhood, and before the accursed habit of drink had +become fastened upon him; but his brother-in-law +met him so kindly, and seemed so thoroughly interested +in his reformation, that he, too, began to take +heart, and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"If I can only keep away from the sight and +smell of the abominable stuff, perhaps I can be a man."</p> +<p class="pnext">So he remained for the most part upon the island. +He was particularly skillful in cutting out oysters, +and this soon became his recognized part of the +young firm's business.</p> +<p class="pnext">There had been frequent talks between the +inmates of the island home as to what they should +do as the winter months came on. Delightful as +the place was for the warmer months of the year, it +was too bleak for a winter abode. Then, too, there +would soon be but little work in which they could +engage. But as the weather still remained mild and +pleasant, no definite plan was agreed upon; in fact +they were all loath to leave a spot that for many +reasons had become inexpressibly dear to them.</p> +<p class="pnext">So the week before Thanksgiving came, and found +them still at the island. The work for the day was +over, and they had gathered, as was their custom, +about the cozy sitting-room fire. The two fathers +were reading, while the boys were busy with their +accounts.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There are nearly one hundred dollars out in +small bills that we shall have to collect before we +can tell just what our season's work is going to +amount to," Budd said in a low tone to his partner.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, you call off the names and amounts, and I +will fill out the statements, and we'll send them out +at once," Judd responded, drawing a small writing-desk +toward him.</p> +<p class="pnext">For an hour or longer the lads were engaged in +this work; but it was at length finished, and the +account-books were put away.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll tell you, Judd, what I want to do before we +leave here," Budd now said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is it?" his partner asked, with interest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Go off for a good long sail; make a day of +pleasure of it. For months we have had nothing +but business, and I should really like to put a dinner +on board the sloop, and fuel, so we can make our +tea or coffee, and all of us go off for a day's +cruise."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where would you go?" inquired Judd, laughingly. +"There are very few places around here +that you have not visited."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh! go just where we took a notion to go," +Budd replied. "The enjoyable part of the trip +would be in not having a definite place fixed before +we started."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, if to-morrow should prove as pleasant as +to-day has been, you couldn't choose a better time +for going," went on his chum. "Father and Uncle +Henry, what do you think of Budd's idea?"</p> +<p class="pnext">All four were soon busy discussing the suggestion, +and they went to their rooms with the understanding +that if the morrow proved a fine day the trip +should be undertaken.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lads were up early, and found the day was +promising to be all that they could ask. The +preparations were rapidly made, therefore, and at +nine o'clock all necessary provisions had been +stowed on board the sloop and they were ready to +embark.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here, Budd; we are to go where you take a +notion to go, so you can take the helm," cried out +Judd, hurrying to cast off the sloop's fastenings and +to hoist her jib and sail.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd took the assigned place, and turned the bow +of the Sea Witch down the bay. The wind was +from the northwest, and they went along at a good +rate of speed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Arriving at the mouth of the bay, Budd turned +the sloop to the west and ran in close to the shore, +so as to have a good view of the Pier, whose hotels +and cottages, closed for the season, made it seem like +a deserted city. On they went until Point Judith +was reached; then Budd put up the helm and ran +directly out to sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">The north light of Block Island was passed on the +left, and along the west shore of that gem of the +sea the boat sped. At the southern end the sloop +was turned to the east, and it was evident that Budd +was going to run around the island. It was now +after twelve o'clock, and Judd asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Shall you land for dinner, Budd, or shall I get it +ready in the cabin?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We are not going to land anywhere until we +touch our own dock," said Budd, in high glee. "I +came out for a sail, and I'm going to have it. You +can get dinner ready when you like."</p> +<p class="pnext">Judd went into the cabin, built a fire in the tiny +stove, and soon the fragrant odor of coffee filled the +air. After awhile he announced dinner, and Mr. Boyd +and Mr. Floyd went down to partake of it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd, left alone on deck, and, as he afterward +said, taken with a freak, put the sloop about again +and ran off to sea. Those at dinner thought little +of it until they felt the sloop suddenly heave up into +the wind and heard Budd call out:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here, Judd, quick; I want you."</p> +<p class="pnext">They all jumped to their feet and rushed out of +the cabin. The sloop was miles off the southeast of +Block Island, which looked like a mere cloud at the +northwest. Her sails flapped idly in the wind, her +helm was lashed, and Budd, with the scoop-net in +band, was trying to reach several large bunches of +grayish matter that were tossing a few feet away +upon the waves.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is it?" asked Judd, coming to Budd's +assistance, and letting the sloop off a little so she +would swing nearer to the object his partner was +endeavoring to reach.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't know," answered Budd, catching the +largest bunch in his net and drawing it on board, +"but I'll soon find out."</p> +<p class="pnext">But the more he examined the object, the more +puzzled he was. While grayish in color at a distance, +on close inspection it proved to be variegated, +like marble. It also had a fatty, oily appearance, +but was solid to the touch, and when rubbed gave +forth a peculiar sweet, earthy odor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you call it, father?" he at length asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is evidently a fatty matter of some kind, but +I cannot tell its precise nature," Mr. Boyd replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Floyd, however, with a sparkle in his eye, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"My opinion is, lad, that you had better get the +rest of it, for if I mistake not you have found a +treasure."</p> +<p class="pnext">As he spoke he took from his pocket a knife and +cut off a thin slice of the matter, and applied a +lighted match to it. It flashed almost like powder, +and the sweet odor was strongly noticeable.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I thought so," he said, "though I never saw +any of the stuff but once before, and then only a +tiny piece. It's ambergris, and it's worth dollars +and dollars a pound."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've read about it," said Budd, quickly. "It is +a substance that forms in the intestines of the +whale, and is occasionally found floating on the sea +or thrown upon the shore. They use it in the +manufacture of perfumery and cordials; and as +Uncle Silas says, it is very valuable. Here, Judd, +help me to get the rest of it."</p> +<p class="pnext">Elated at their discovery, the boys worked the +sloop down near the other pieces, and gathered +them all up. There were a half dozen in all, the +largest being the one that Budd had first secured, +while one or two were comparatively small in size.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How many pounds do you think there are of +it, Uncle Silas?" asked Budd, when all had been +secured.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nigh on to thirty pounds, I reckon," he said, +lifting the pieces one by one.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is the biggest haul, then, we have made this +season," remarked Judd, with open eyes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I rather think so," was Budd's emphatic response.</p> +<p class="pnext">The ambergris was placed in a tub the lads had +on board and taken down into the cabin. Then the +sloop resumed her cruise, which was now in the +direction of the Brenton Reef lightship. From +there she went up through the east passage to +Newport, where, contrary to Budd's declaration a +few hours before, a landing was made.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the lad's opinion, circumstances sometimes +justified an alteration in one's plans, and he was +anxious to ascertain if the substance he had found +was really the commercial ambergris it was thought +to be. So the stop was made, and with a small +piece of the substance in hand he went up to a large +drug store, and submitted it to the inspection of the +proprietor.</p> +<p class="pnext">The apothecary, after looking at the substance +attentively, went into a back room. He was gone +so long that Budd began to get impatient; but he, +on returning, explained his long absence in these +words:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have subjected this to every known test, and +it proves genuine. Have you much of it? And +where did you find it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Budd gave a full account of his finding the +substance, and stated how much he believed he had. +Then he ventured to ask its value.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is seldom, in these waters, that so much is +found," replied the druggist, "though there was a +parallel case with yours a few summers ago on the +shore of Cape Cod. As to the amount you will +receive for it, that depends on the supply on hand +at this time, far the larger portion of this material +now used in the country being imported. No retail +druggist would want to buy a hundredth part of +what you have. But I'll tell you what I am willing +to do. We, as you may know, have a branch house +in New York City. If you are a mind to leave +your find with me, I will try and dispose of it for you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What would you ask for your trouble?" asked Budd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well," said the man, smilingly, "I think we +ought to have five per cent. of the net amount received."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll go down and consult with my partner in the +find," said the lad, "and if we decide to accept the +offer we will bring it right up here."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well," the druggist replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">A consultation with Judd and the two fathers was +immediately held, and the result was the lads took +the ambergris up to the store. On reaching there +it was weighed and found to fall a little short of the +lads' expectations, as there were but twenty-six and +one-half pounds of it.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not a bad find, I assure you," said the proprietor +of the store, filling out a receipt for the substance, +which he handed to the boys. "In about a week +you may expect a check from me, and I will +guarantee it will exceed two thousand dollars."</p> +<p class="pnext">It came within four days, however, and was +drawn for the amount of two thousand five hundred +and seventeen dollars and fifty cents, the ambergris +having sold readily for one hundred dollars a pound; +and the druggist, having deducted his five per cent, +commission, remitted the balance to the lads.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not a bad sum for deposit, chum," remarked +Budd complacently, as he looked the check over. +"Now, if we can finish collecting our bills, we can +draw a balance-sheet on Thanksgiving-day and see +what our profits for the season have been."</p> +<p class="pnext">Though the inmates of the Fox Island house had +received an urgent invitation to spend Thanksgiving +with Mr. Johnson in Boston they had declined, +preferring to spend it at their own home.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the day came, it found the affairs of the +young firm practically closed up for the season. +The pound-nets had been taken up, cleaned, and +returned to Mr. Taylor, the owner. Crates and cars +and traps were stored in an unused room over the +kitchen. Bills were collected, and all expenses paid. +The balance-sheet of the firm was drawn, and after +dinner it was read and discussed with much pride +and interest on the part of the young partners.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Our receipts have been as follows," and Budd +read this to his attentive listeners:</p> +<pre class="literal-block"> +From the fish-pounds, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $331.27 +From fish secured in other ways, . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.74 +From clams, lobsters, scallops and oysters, . . . . . . 195.20 +From sailing and fishing-parties, . . . . . . . . . . . 115.00 +From Mr. Benton, as a compensation for taking our boats, 25.00 +Our part of Clapp & St. John's reward, . . . . . . . . . 1,000.00 +Sale of ambergris, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,517.50 + ---------- +Making a total of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,223.71 +Our total expenses have been . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263.19 + ---------- +Leaving a net balance of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,960.52 +</pre> +<p class="pfirst">"This gives to each partner the handsome income +of $1,980.26. Hurrah!" and the lad waved high +in the air the balance-sheet he had been reading.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But what pleases me," said Judd, "is that +without the unexpected amounts that have come from +the reward and the remarkable find, we have had a +profitable season. Take the profits of our business +alone, and we have the nice sum of four hundred +and forty-three dollars and two cents, or over two +hundred dollars apiece for the season. That is a +better average than I promised you when you came +here, Budd."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, indeed," replied Budd, warmly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he said to his father:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Of course I have drawn something for personal +expenses, and so has Judd; but on looking over our +bank account we find we have on deposit nearly +thirty-seven hundred dollars; so Judd has authorized +me to say that if you would like to have that +amount to go into business with, you are welcome +to it. With what you have left of the money +Mr. Johnson refunded, you would have a capital larger +than a good many men have started with."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I thank you kindly for the offer," said Mr. Boyd +with much feeling, "and in a few days we will see +what had better be done. I have enjoyed staying +here very much, and have gained a good deal of +strength from this life; but I am beginning to feel +I ought to be doing something more remunerative, +before a great while. You--and Judd, too--however +much you like the business you have engaged +in, are capable of something better, and ought to be +in some good school. Perhaps we can arrange the +matter so that a portion of this money can be used +for your immediate expenses in this direction, while +I, with the balance, enter business life again. I have +a feeling I should prefer a small business by myself +than to accept a clerkship under another;" and +Mr. Boyd dropped his head upon his hand in deep +thought.</p> +<p class="pnext">At about the same hour Mr. Johnson sat in his +library in his palatial residence in Boston, thinking +no less deeply. After awhile he exclaimed, aloud:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I will do it!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he took up his pen and wrote a brief note. +Placing it in an envelope, he addressed it to Mr. Boyd, +and ringing the bell, he gave it to the servant +who answered his ring, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have John carry that out to the nearest box."</p> +<p class="pnext">Brief as that note was, it was destined to change, +and for the better, the plans that were slowly +forming in Mr. Boyd's mind for not only himself but the +other dwellers in that island home.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxv-mr-johnson-s-munificence"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id26">CHAPTER XXV.--MR. JOHNSON'S MUNIFICENCE.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">On the following Saturday the two lads went +over to the village, their principal errand being +to secure a boarding-place for themselves and fathers, +for it had been decided to leave the island the coming +week. Then Mr. Boyd was going on to Boston to +see about entering business, and also about putting +the boys into some good school. Mr. Floyd had +asked that his brother-in-law would so arrange the +business that work might be found for him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't care so much for wages," he had +explained, "as to be near you and the lads. I want +you all to help me watch myself."</p> +<p class="pnext">The young partners soon found a boarding-house +where they could obtain a parlor and two +sleeping-rooms, with board, at what seemed to them a +reasonable figure, and promising to give their +decision early the next week they left the house. +On their way back to the sloop they stepped into +the post-office for their mail, and were handed a +letter for Mr. Boyd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is from Mr. Johnson," said Budd, as he +glanced at the address. "I wonder what he wants +of father?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing bad, you can be sure," replied Judd. +"The day has gone by for either you or your father +to fear anything from that source. I am not sure +but the greatest of your triumphs has been to win +him for a friend."</p> +<p class="pnext">"He certainly is a friend now," Budd admitted, +his heart going out strongly toward the man he had +once counted his enemy; but he little thought what +the outcome of that letter was to be.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I presume we are taking our last sail for months, +at least, in our sloop," he remarked, as they took +their places in the boat and sailed off down the +harbor. "She seems like a near friend to me, and I +shall be sorry when we leave her."</p> +<p class="pnext">"So shall I," assented Judd; "but still I confess +I am glad we are going on with our schooling. I +had hoped for nothing, however, quite as grand as +we probably shall have;" and there was more truth +in his words then he himself knew.</p> +<p class="pnext">They were still discussing the plans they hoped +to realize when they reached the island. Mr. Boyd +was at the wharf, and immediately opened the +letter Budd gave him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hold on!" he a moment later cried out, as Budd +was about to take the sloop to her anchorage. "This +letter has laid in the office ever since yesterday noon. +Mr. Johnson simply says he is coming down to-night +to remain over Sunday with us, and wants you +to meet him at the six o'clock train. One of you +will have to go back to the village after him."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We will both go," replied Judd; "there is +nothing else to do."</p> +<p class="pnext">So the sloop was put in readiness for the return +trip to the village.</p> +<p class="pnext">Whatever Mr. Johnson's coming meant he in no +way disclosed to the lads as they met him at the +depot. He greeted then; cordially, but seemed +anxious to reach the island, and was unusually silent +and preoccupied in mind the whole way over.</p> +<p class="pnext">His meeting of Mr. Boyd at the wharf was warm, +almost affectionate, and in a way indicated his +purpose in making this visit.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My dear Henry," he said, grasping Mr. Boyd's +hand, "I have found I cannot get along without +you, and so have come to make you an important +proposal--important to me, at least, if not to you."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Boyd led the way up to the house, while the +lads secured the boat for the night. Supper was on +the table, and as soon as the boys came in all sat +down to eat it. When it was finished, Mr. Boyd, +turning to Mr. Johnson, asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Did you wish to see me alone, sir?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No; all of you are more or less interested in what +I have to say, and I will wait until the boys have +cleared away the table and can join us in the sitting-room."</p> +<p class="pnext">Curiosity to know just what was coming hastened +the lads' movements, and in a very few minutes all +were seated about the fire, and Mr. Johnson began:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Henry, I want to ask, first of all, if you have +really forgiven me the part that I innocently played +in securing your imprisonment? This boy has," and +he laid his hand on Budd's head; "but I have +thought you, who were the greatest sufferer, still held +a little resentment against me. Is it not so?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have always thought my years of faithfulness +to you ought to have counted for something when I +was accused of forgery, but you seemed to jump at +once to the conclusion that I must be guilty, and so +you would in no way admit that my explanation +might be the true one," Mr. Boyd replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then he went on, with marked hesitation:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't think I have felt just right toward you +since then--not, perhaps, as I ought to feel. Your +mistake may have been a natural one; still you +seemed to me to be too hasty in your judgment."</p> +<p class="pnext">"So I was," admitted Mr. Johnson, frankly; "and +the same fault led me to misjudge your boy also. +But, Henry, I have learned my lesson well, I believe, +and you hold a higher place in my estimation now +than ever before, while this boy has my heart."</p> +<p class="pnext">He paused a moment, visibly affected by his own +words, then went rapidly on:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Henry, I am getting to be an old man, my business +is getting larger than I can manage, and since +you have been away from me I see how much you +were the real head of the whole concern. I have +come, therefore, to ask you to show your forgiveness +of the wrong I have done you by coming back to me, +not as my confidential clerk, but as my equal +partner in the new firm of Johnson & Boyd, the whole +business to be under your direct management and +care. In fact, Henry, the papers are all here ready +for your signature. You can look them over and +see if the conditions are satisfactory before you give +your answer. But I trust you will find it in your +heart to accept my offer."</p> +<p class="pnext">He took from his pocket a package of papers and +handed them over to Mr. Boyd, who took them +mechanically, for he seemed completely overwhelmed +at Mr. Johnson's magnificent offer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, my lads," said Mr. Johnson, turning to +Budd and Judd, "I have a proposition to make you. +I have no children, as you know, and my great house +in the city needs some young life. I have watched +and admired the industry and uprightness you boys +have this summer displayed. But you ought to do +something better than the work you have been +doing, however honorable that may be. You want +first the school and then the college; after that the +business or professional life. I invite you, then, to +come to my home as my boys, to be educated as my +sons, and to be my heirs. Do not think I mean by +this a separation from your fathers; we will find a +place in the house for them, for there can be found +work at the store for Mr. Floyd, and thus you can +all be where you can see each other every day. +What I want is to have you with me, so that your +fresh young lives will enliven mine, and teach me +how to soften the hard, stern heart that has twice +led me to commit acts I must to my dying day +regret;" and now the tears ran down the old man's +cheeks unhindered.</p> +<p class="pnext">This was but the opening of the great plan that +had entered Mr. Johnson's heart and mind as he sat +alone in his library on Thanksgiving evening and +exclaimed:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I will do it!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Little by little he unfolded all his hopes +concerning the lads in whom he had become so interested; +step by step he made known what he wanted to do +for the middle-aged men, one of whom he had so +cruelly wronged; until, as they listened, his hearers +became bewildered with the man's large-heartedness +and munificence.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Mr. Johnson's purpose was accomplished, for +he left the island Monday morning accompanied by +Mr. Boyd, and the lads and Mr. Floyd were to +follow as soon as the house could be closed up and +the household matters adjusted.</p> +<p class="pnext">This was quite an undertaking, however, since +everything was to be disposed of but the Sea +Witch, for it was now evident that the young firm +of Fox Island had closed up their business for good, +and the young partners were to enter upon an +altogether different career. Still, the same elements of +character--patience, industry, energy and quickness +to know and use an opportunity--which had made +the firm a success, we may be sure would mark their +new career.</p> +<p class="pnext">That it was these elements that had largely +contributed to the lads' success is clearly apparent; for +those who succeeded to their business under even +more favorable auspices soon abandoned it, and +to-day only the tumble-down wharf, the half-filled +cellar-way, and the moss-grown well, mark the +place where Budd and his partner had their island home.</p> +<p class="pnext">But they, grown now to manhood, and busy with +the cares of their professional lives, think often of +the summer when first they met, and talk over the +experiences under which they learned some of their +most valuable lessons and triumphed over burdens +that seemed too great to bear.</p> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="the-bear-and-the-bomb-shell"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id27">THE BEAR AND THE BOMB SHELL.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">During the early months of the California gold +fever the brig Janet entered the harbor of +San Francisco. Her freight was intended to supply +the wants of the diggers, and it was the most +extraordinary cargo that was ever put into the hold of +any seagoing vessel, except, indeed, those vessels +which sailed to California at this particular time.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were pickaxes and shovels, powder and +boots, needles and coffee, spikes and tea, horseshoes +and tobacco; there were wooden houses ready to be +put up; canvas tents and mattresses; there were +jackknives, hatchets, revolvers, rifles, socks, books, +hats, clothes, barrels of flour, soap, coal, towels, +sugar, potatoes, grindstones, locks, quack medicines, +old periodicals, cheap watches, buttons, cotton, +glass, tape, bottles, jewsharps, nails, rubbers; and +everything else that the imaginative mind of a +wild speculator could possibly think of as being +likely to sell to a young and rich but destitute +community.</p> +<p class="pnext">Whether the speculation was successful or not, is +no business of ours. My business is with Tom Allan, +the cabin boy of the Janet.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Janet took out about fifty passengers on +their way to the gold diggings. Allan was a stout +lad of about seventeen. When he left home he had +no idea of digging gold, but the talk of the +passengers on the way out fairly turned the heads of the +crew of the Janet, and even of the officers, so that +when the brig reached San Francisco, and the +passengers landed, the entire crew, together with the +cook, the second mate, and even the first mate, +landed with them.</p> +<p class="pnext">The captain was left alone with the cabin boy. +The captain was in despair. He couldn't get +anybody to unload his vessel. He couldn't get any crew +to take her away. And so the end of it was that +Allan yielded to the universal feeling and took his +departure from the ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">For about a year he led a queer kind of a life. +He worked at various diggings without much +success, until at length he got possession of a +claim all to himself, in a remote locality, which +he proceeded to work at with desperate determination.</p> +<p class="pnext">He erected a little hut, and made himself as +comfortable as possible, and set to work vigorously, and +soon found, to his great delight, that the claim was +one of unusual richness.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last, then, after more than a year of adverse +fortune, he saw his way to success.</p> +<p class="pnext">One day he was hard at work. He had found a +rich vein of quartz in which the gold was very +plentiful, so much so, indeed, that it was possible for +him to extract it by his own clumsy tools without +having recourse to a crushing mill.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had that day been drilling a hole to make +ready for a blast, and was working away diligently +with his drill. The hole was just finished, when +suddenly he was startled by a deep and formidable +growl close behind him.</p> +<p class="pnext">So great was the shock of this unexpected interruption, +that the drill dropped from his hands, and +he turned around in horror. That horror was +increased by the sight that he saw. For there, not +a dozen yards away, was a monstrous grizzly bear--one +of the largest of his species, crouching low, +and regarding him with eyes that gleamed like coals +of fire.</p> +<p class="pnext">One look was enough. The next instant, without +stopping to take a second glance, Allan darted +off with the mad speed of one who is running +for life, while the huge bear came springing after him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Such a race as that, if prolonged, could have had +but one termination; and this Allan knew but too well.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he ran, therefore, he looked all around to see +if there was any chance of escape. But there was +none whatever. There was no high cliff up which +he might climb--no narrow crevice in the rocks +where he might seek shelter.</p> +<p class="pnext">The country was a barren one, with rocks of +different sizes scattered about, here and there. Among +these there did not appear anything that offered a +hope of escape from the ravening monster that pursued him.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last, as he looked despairingly around, he saw +one thing which offered a faint prospect of escape. +It was an enormous granite boulder which arose +in the midst of the plain, surrounded by smaller +boulders.</p> +<p class="pnext">This one was about thirty feet high, and its sides +were smooth and convex. In front of this grew a +slender tree, and Allan thought that if he could climb +the tree, he might be able to get upon the boulder +and set his enemy at defiance.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no time to lose, so he at once acted +upon this idea. He rushed to the tree, seizing it +with the grasp of despair, and by vigorous exertions +climbed to the top.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here he was on a level with the top of the +granite boulder, and was able, by a violent effort, to +get upon it. The top of the boulder was flat, and +it had been roughened and scarred and worn by +the storms of centuries, so that Allan found a firm +foothold.</p> +<p class="pnext">The moment that he reached this place of refuge +he turned to look at his enemy.</p> +<p class="pnext">The grizzly bear was close behind him, and as +Allan turned he beheld him grasping the tree and +trying to climb. But the tree was too slender for the +enormous limbs of the bear. He could not grasp it +firmly. As the bear began to perceive this, he +growled wrathfully and ominously, and finally +desisted from the attempt.</p> +<p class="pnext">But he did not desist from his pursuit. On the +contrary he drew back a few feet, and sitting on +his hind quarters, he regarded Allan with a look +of grim and patient watchfulness that was terrible +to encounter.</p> +<p class="pnext">On finding that the bear could not climb the tree, +Allan experienced a feeling of relief so great that +his fear and despair departed. He accordingly +looked down calmly upon his enemy, and expected +that in a short time he would give up his pursuit +and go away. But the bear did nothing of the +kind. As long as Allan looked at him, he looked +at Allan, and showed a power of patient watchfulness +that was in the highest degree creditable +to his bearship, but in the last degree distressing to +Allan.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hours passed, and Allan gave up all ideas of +escape for that night. He therefore prepared to +pass the night as best he could. After all it was not +uncomfortable. The rock was hard, it is true, but +Allan's California life had habituated him to hard +beds, so that he could sleep even here. And sleep +he did. Slumber came over him after sunset, and he +slept on as only a California miner can, until some +time after sunrise.</p> +<p class="pnext">On awaking his first thoughts were about his +enemy. Slowly and cautiously he raised his head +and looked down. That one short glance was +enough. For there, in the same place, lay the +grizzly bear, with his head upraised in such a way +that his fierce, keen eyes encountered those of Allan +as he looked anxiously down. At this sight Allan +sank back, and a feeling of utter despair came over him.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was both hungry and thirsty. His bones also +were sore from a sleep on this rough resting place, +and the misery of his confinement affected his mind. +But what could he do? Again and again the +question occurred, What could he do?</p> +<p class="pnext">In his despair there at last came to him one idea +which held out to him a chance of escape. It was +a very original idea, and could only have occurred +to one like him in his last extremity.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had no arms, but he had his horn full of blasting +powder, and in his pockets he had also his blasting +fuse. He had matches also.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now, though he had no firearms, yet in these he +had the material by which firearms gave all their +efficiency. Necessity is the mother of invention, +and so Allan's dire necessity roused all the +inventive faculty of his mind.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a plan which could only be tried once. If +it failed he was lost; if it succeeded he was saved. +He could not wait; so he at once prepared to put +his plan in execution.</p> +<p class="pnext">He took his powder-horn, filled as it was with +blasting powder, and in this he inserted a piece of +blasting fuse.</p> +<p class="pnext">It thus became a bomb shell, roughly made, it is +true, yet none the less effective for all that. Then +he took off his shirt, and tearing it up into small +ribbons, he formed a long line. Fastening this +to the horn he lighted the fuse, and then slowly +lowered it.</p> +<p class="pnext">At this extraordinary proceeding, all the +well-known curiosity of the bear was aroused. He +watched the horn solemnly, as it descended, and +then as it came low down, he walked up to it and +smelled it.</p> +<p class="pnext">The smell of the burning fuse was offensive, and +he expressed his disgust by a low growl.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last the horn lay on the ground.</p> +<p class="pnext">The bear was both puzzled and offended. He put +his nose close down to it, and snuffed again and +again at the butt of the horn. From above Allan +watched with a quick-beating heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly there rang out a tremendous explosion, +and a great cloud of smoke rolled up, hiding +everything from view. Allan peered cautiously through +this, but could see nothing for a long time.</p> +<p class="pnext">But though nothing met his eyes, his ears were +aware of a chaos of sounds--fierce growls of rage +and pain--howls, shrieks and yells, all of which +proved plainly that very severe damage had been +done to somebody.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last the smoke cleared away, and then Allan +saw the bear. From his head, and breast, and +forepaws the hair was all singed off; the skin was +blackened to the hue of soot; his fiery eyes gleamed no +more; they were tight shut, and with growls of +agony the monster rushed frantically about, tossing, +and jumping, and rolling over and over. The +explosion had blinded him, and the fierce animal, in +his blindness, presented a spectacle that was terrible +to witness.</p> +<p class="pnext">In his wild leaps and tumbles he went about +in all directions, not knowing where. His agony +had driven from him all thoughts of his late enemy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Allan now sprang to the tree and quickly +descended. He ran to his hut and seized his rifle and +revolver. Then he hurried back. The bear was +still writhing and rolling about in his blindness. +One well directed shot, however, put an end to the +monster's sufferings.</p> +<p class="pnext">Allan did not care about remaining much longer +in this place, but soon after he returned to San +Francisco, bringing with him a sufficient amount of +gold to satisfy his wishes, and with this he brought +the skin of the grizzly bear.</p> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="an-afternoon-at-sagamore-pond"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id28">AN AFTERNOON AT SAGAMORE POND.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">It was about the middle of March. We were +fishing up at the Sagamore Pond--Rod +Nichols and myself; fishing through the ice for +pickerel.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the country in this part of Maine was first +settled, the Sagamore, as well as all the other ponds +and lakes, abounded with lake trout, or, as they +were then called, <em class="italics">togue</em> trout--great, broad-backed +fellows, weighing from twelve to twenty pounds. +But it was foolishly supposed by the early settlers +that it would be better to have pickerel instead, of +trout in these waters. So pickerel were put into +nearly every pond and lake in this section. They +are the most voracious of fish, very strong and +savage, and soon destroyed the trout.</p> +<p class="pnext">Those of the Sagamore are larger than the pickerel +in most of the ponds. It takes a strong line to +get them out of the water. Through a hole in the +ice this is more easily done; but it is no small job to +cut such a hole when the ice is two feet thick. Rod +and I were an hour and a half hacking ours with a +hatchet, that afternoon.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not far from the shore--eight or ten rods, +perhaps--but between us and the bank there was a +wide, open place, worn away, or thawed, by a +"springhole" along the shore. The afternoon +sunbeams, falling on the glass-bright surface, were +reflected under the ice, and lighted up the water as +far out as where we had made our hole. We could +thus see all that was going on under us, though the +water was nearly twenty feet deep.</p> +<p class="pnext">We had fished in this place before, and knew how +to take advantage of this clear water, for it's always +pleasant to see what one's about. It is fully half +the sport to see the fish biting.</p> +<p class="pnext">After skimming our hole, we dropped in a hook +baited with a <em class="italics">shiner</em>--we had a jug full of them--and +waited for a bite; watched and waited patiently +and confidently, but it didn't come. Not a fish +could be seen in all the clear depths beneath. +This was unusual, as well as vexatious, for the +Sagamore was known to be well stocked with +pickerel, and they generally took the hook readily. But +an hour passed without so much as a nibble at our bait.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a fine, sunny afternoon. Everything was +still. There was not even the cawing of crows to +be heard. Presently, looking across to the shore, +we saw a large black creature watching us from an +old pine stump, that was some four or five rods from +the water.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fisher-cat, isn't it?" said Rod.</p> +<p class="pnext">It did look like one, certainly. It was black, and +about the same size.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Suppose he'd show fight if we should go round +there?" continued Rod, looking leisurely for the +hatchet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Poor success fishing had made him a little +pugnacious, I suppose; and a scrimmage with a +fisher-cat, or carcajoe, when you can get one to face about, +isn't bad fun for those who enjoy such sport, and +are willing to run the risk of getting scratched and +bitten.</p> +<p class="pnext">In explanation, I should say that the "fisher-cat" +is a member of the weasel family. Naturalists call +it the <em class="italics">Mustela Canadensis</em>, or Canada weasel; a +pretty big weasel, to be sure. Hunters and trappers +hate it most heartily, for it will follow them all day +on their rounds, taking the bait out of their traps as +fast as they can set them.</p> +<p class="pnext">Well, if we could not catch any pickerel, perhaps +a little fracas with Mr. Snarly-face, over there, +would be the next best thing; and I was just +drawing up my line, when there came a heavy tug at +the bait, nearly jerking the line from my hands. +There was not only one tug, but a series of tugs and +rushes to and fro, making the water fairly boil in +the hole.</p> +<p class="pnext">I had hooked a big one, and he was testing the +line to the utmost, and rasping it across the sharp +edges of the ice. Holding it steadily, however, +the struggle gradually ceased, and looking down +into the water, we saw a noble fellow, slowly +waving his fins on the sand, at the bottom of the +pond.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Isn't he a thumper!" exclaimed Rod. "Five +or six pounds, certain! Fish enough for one day."</p> +<p class="pnext">He had become pretty docile, and I had drawn +him up within six or seven feet of the surface, when, +with a sudden plunge, a long, dark animal darted +through the water, and seizing the fish, passed +out of sight under the ice, like a black streak. +I pulled sharply at the line, once, twice--then it +snapped.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here was a surprise.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What on earth was that?" cried Rod.</p> +<p class="pnext">But there was nothing further to be seen. A +few bubbles came struggling up through the water, +but the creature had gone, and so had the fish.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It couldn't have been that fisher-cat," said Rod.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, indeed! Who ever heard of a fisher-cat, +or any other cat, swimming ten rods under water!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"But he is gone from the stump."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, let him go. That wasn't him."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What was it, then?"</p> +<p class="pnext">That was a question easier asked than answered. +We were fairly "stuck," as Rod expressed it, and +stood staring into the hole. Suddenly there was a +wavy motion, deep down, below the surface, and we +saw the creature shoot back, by the hole, with the +fish in his mouth. We had just a dim, refractive +glimpse, and he had passed, going toward the shore. +We looked in that direction, and a few seconds +after, saw a flat, black head pop up a moment into +sight from the open water, and, then it disappeared. +We watched for some minutes, but it did not come +up again.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather a strange performance, anyhow," muttered Rod.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But let's go round to the shore, and see if we +can find the fisher."</p> +<p class="pnext">Going to the shore, we saw that the bank shelved +off abruptly into deep water; and in one place it +was worn smooth, and was icy, as if some animal +had been sliding from it down into the pond. Other +than this there were no traces.</p> +<p class="pnext">So, first cutting a couple of stout clubs, we went +to the pine stump, where we had seen what we had +taken for a fisher. He was gone; but we +discovered a hole in the top of the stump, that went +down under the ground, and looking into it saw a +broad, black muzzle, and a pair of wicked little eyes +gleaming up at us.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hollo!" cried Rod, "here he is;" thrusting in +his stick. The head vanished.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But that's no fisher; their noses do not look +like that. It was too big and <em class="italics">blunt</em>. I'll tell you +what," exclaimed he suddenly; "it's an otter! +That was one out in the pond, too. Did you ever +see one?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nor I; but I've heard old Hughy Olives tell +about them; and that's just what this is."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What about them? Will they fight much?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fight when cornered, Hughy says, like young +tigers, too. Dogs are no match for them. But their +fur's valuable."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's so. We must get this one if we can."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There may be more than one. They live two +and three together, sometimes, Hughy said, in +burrows, opening under water. This couldn't +be the one that stole our fish, either. It might +have been though; for this hole probably leads +out into the water, under the bank. Let's see if it +doesn't."</p> +<p class="pnext">We ran to the edge and looked over. The water +was six or seven feet deep.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stamp on the ground," said I.</p> +<p class="pnext">Rod did so; and a moment after I saw a long, +slim animal glide out from under the bank and dart +off beneath the ice--then another.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, here he is; two of them."</p> +<p class="pnext">They didn't come up in the open water, but +must have gone off under the ice. I suppose +there were air-holes through it, where they came up +to breathe.</p> +<p class="pnext">They were otters; no doubt of it. But how to +catch them; that was the next question.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hughy spoke of setting traps for them," said +Rod.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So we can! Your father's old bear-trap! Set it +down under the bank here, where their burrow opens +out into the water."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Agreed."</p> +<p class="pnext">And home we went after the trap. It was nearly +three miles, but we were soon there, and took the +trap from the garret, where it had been resting for +a dozen years. It was heavy, and must have +weighed sixty or seventy pounds. But we hung it +on a pole, and resting the ends of the pole on our +shoulders, started for the pond; and a fine sweat it +gave us before we reached our destination.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next thing was to set it. The springs were +so rusty and stiff that we had to use a lever to bend +them, and we came near getting caught in it once +or twice; but it was set properly at last, and <em class="italics">sinking</em> +it at the entrance of the burrow we chained it to an +old root.</p> +<p class="pnext">This done, we filled in stones, and stopped the +hole in the stump at the upper end of the den, to +prevent the otters from getting out there. Then +we went home, for it was considerably after sunset. +We had our trap on their doorstep, as Rod said; +they could neither go in nor out without climbing +over it.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next afternoon we went to see what success +attended our efforts. There was nothing stirring +about the stump, and creeping cautiously down the +bank, we looked over. The trap had been sprung +and drawn up into the burrow, partly out of sight. +Pulling it out by the chain, sure enough, there was +a long, sleek, black fellow in it fast by one of his +chubby legs. But he was quite dead--drowned.</p> +<p class="pnext">The great weight of the trap had prevented his +coming to the surface. And although an otter +can remain under water for nearly two minutes, +yet at the end of that time he must come to the +surface, like any air-breathing animal, or be +suffocated.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were jubilant. Taking him out, we +carefully replaced the trap in its old position and +went home with our game, where, calling in the +assistance and advice of old Hughy, we proceeded +to take off the skin according to standard +rules.</p> +<p class="pnext">The fur was of a light brown color, thickly +interspersed with black hairs, which gives the animal +at a little distance the appearance of being wholly +black. The ears were small and far apart, and the +feet short and webbed like a goose. The entire +length of the animal, including its tail, was nearly +five feet; but Hughy thought this one rather above +the average size.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next day we caught another otter--a smaller +one; and about a fortnight after, a third met his +fate in the jaws of the old trap.</p> +<p class="pnext">We received twelve dollars apiece for these skins, +and felt very well satisfied with oar afternoon's +sport at the Sagamore.</p> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="how-jack-went-tiger-hunting"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id29">HOW JACK WENT TIGER-HUNTING.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Jack was reading Du Chaillu. He spent a good +deal more time that night over Du Chaillu than +over his Latin.</p> +<p class="pnext">His mother and Bessy were seated by the fire, +and presently he came over and turned his back to +the grate, putting his hands behind him, with a +swaggering way he had.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've got an idea, mother!" he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm glad of that." said Bessy, under her breath. +Mrs. Leigh shook her head at her.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, my son?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Du Chaillu's in this country, you know?" Jack's +face was red, and his voice like a trumpet, from +excitement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I believe he is."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, I know it, ma'am! I saw in the paper he was +lecturing in New York. And he's going back to +Africa next fall. And I--I've made up my mind to +go with him!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Bessy stared.</p> +<p class="pnext">"To Africa?" said Mrs. Leigh, folding her hem.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, mother." Jack was a little damped to find +his views received so quietly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is, with your permission. But you see all +through this book he is inviting the boys to go. He +was but a lad when he killed his first lion. He +says nothing would delight him more than to take +some fine courageous fellow into the jungle, and +teach him how to trap elephants and hunt tigers. +Oh, if I could wing a tiger with my gun!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Will you thread my needle, Bessy? I think if +you wait, you will be a better shot in a year or two, +probably, Jack."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You think I couldn't stand it," blustered Jack. +"Why, I've got muscles on me like iron. I tell +you, nothing would please me better than footing +it through the jungle for months, eating leopard +and monkey steaks, and fighting gorillas. Those +negroes were poor stuff for hunters, I think! +Used to give out in a week or two. So did Du +Chaillu. Why, I could go on for months, and never +complain."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who was that whining over his grammar, +awhile ago?" asked his sister.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's a very different matter," stammered Jack +angrily. "What kind of sense is there in +<em class="italics">amaba--bis--bus</em>! That's stuff! If I had a chance with my +gun now, at a lion, say--</p> +<p class="pnext">"If you cannot conquer nouns and verbs, Jack," +said Mrs. Leigh, "I am not afraid for the wild beasts."</p> +<p class="pnext">"As for Bess, she needn't laugh," growled Jack. +"What does a girl know, with her curls, and paniers, +and folderols? She never even read Du Chaillu;" +and he stamped into the dining-room and began to +kick off his boots.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You should not tease your brother, Bessy."</p> +<p class="pnext">Bessy laughed. She was a fat, pretty, good-tempered +girl, very fond of Jack and just as fond of +squabbling with him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He is such a fellow to brag, mamma. Now I +know he'll be at it again. There he comes."</p> +<p class="pnext">Jack came in and leaned with his elbows on the +table, watching his mother and thinking.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now Du Chaillu and those fellows," he broke +out, "had a way of skulking behind trees and +shooting at animals from ambush. I don't approve +of that. I would not do that. The way to meet a +wild beast is to fix your eye on him boldly. Look +him straight in the eye. What are you laughing at, +Bess? I tell you scientific men say there's nothing +like the power of the human eye. Then when I had +him fixed, I'd take aim deliberately and fire. I'd +have him at an advantage, you see. Mother, there's +a fire! I hear the bells!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can I go? Just to see where it is? Only to the +corner? I won't go a step beyond the corner, I +promise you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well, Jack, I trust you."</p> +<p class="pnext">Jack's word, when he gave it, was as good as his +oath, and although the street was quite dark, yet as +they lived in a quiet part of the city his mother saw +him go without fear.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a good deal of noise and confusion +outside. An engine ran past and men shouting; +but in half an hour Mrs. Leigh and Bessy heard +Jack coming leisurely up the steps, whistling and +talking.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here, sir! Wheet! wheet! This way. In +with you. Gracious, mother, how dark this hall is! +Why don't Ann? Wheet--wheet! There!" opening +the back door, "stay there till morning." He +shut and locked the door again and came into the +parlor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Twasn't much of a fire--near two miles +off--somewhere about the Northern mills."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There was great confusion," said Mrs. Leigh.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There always is. Now if I was the captain of a +fire company, I'd manage differently. I'd say to this +man, go here, and to that man, go there, and they +should not dare to utter a word. Then the fires +would be put out."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who was that in the hall, Jack?" inquired Bessy.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A big dog; a most tremendous fellow. He +came running alongside of me on the street, and +turned up the steps as I did. Somebody's lost him, +I suppose. I put him in the yard till daylight, and +then I can see him and look up his owner."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Was he a pretty dog?" said Bess eagerly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How could I tell? I told you I didn't see him. +As he brushed by me, I felt that he was a strapping +fellow. The hall's as dark as pitch."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You didn't fix him with your eye, then?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Jack said nothing, but lighted his candle and went +to bed.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next morning he was awakened by a +thumping at the door, and in rushed Bessy, wild +with excitement, the morning newspaper in her +hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"O, Jack, listen to this!" jumping on the bed and +beginning to read breathlessly:</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">"ESCAPE OF WILD ANIMALS.--The fire of last night +communicated with the stables where the animals +connected with Drivers' Menagerie were stored for +the winter, and several of them escaped. They +were promptly pursued and captured, with the +exception of the Bengal tiger, that was last seen +making its way toward the southern part of the city. +At the hour of our going to press no traces have +been found of the animal."</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">Bessy laid down the paper. Her eyes were set +deeper in her head than usual, and they burned +like coals. "Jack!" she gasped, "what do you think?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Jack's face, and neck, and very ears were scarlet. +He stammered, and did not seem nearly so +tumultuous as usual.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think it's in our back yard," he said, at last. +"I wish you'd get out of this, Bessy. I'll--I'll get +up and call a policeman."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A policeman! What on earth can he do with a +tiger?" cried Bessy, in discomfiture. "Why, I +thought for sure, Jack, you'd fix him with your eye; +or wing him. Sha'n't I bring you your gun to wing him?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps I will," said Jack loftily. "But I must +be dressed first."</p> +<p class="pnext">Bessy went out, but stood just outside of the +door, trembling and quaking, her hand on the +knob. Her mother had gone out early. Usually she +had very little dependence on Jack, or his bravery, +but anything in the shape of man or boy is a comfort +to a frightened woman, and all of Jack's boasting +came back soothingly now to Bessy. In half a +minute Jack had scrambled into his clothes and was out.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have you seen it? Where is it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's in the coal-shed; in the darkest end. Ann's +got the back doors tight locked and bolted, and she's +up in bed with the pillow over her head. There's +your gun, Jack."</p> +<p class="pnext">Jack took the gun, and still in his stocking feet, +went on tiptoe to reconnoiter. From the second-story +window he saw that the yard was quite +clear. Just by the house stood the coal-shed, +dingy and dirty enough at ordinary times, but now +covered with the mystery and horror of an African +jungle.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You think it's in there, do you?" he said, under +his breath.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, Ann heard it! Such a horrible roar! Up +in the very back part. How will you get at it to +shoot it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll call in the police as soon as I'm sure it's +the tiger. If it was in the jungle I'd face it. But +such animals are always doubly furious for being +confined."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's a knot hole in the shed. You can peep, +Jack. He won't see you."</p> +<p class="pnext">But Jack was growing unaccountably pale, +and his teeth were chattering. "I'd--I'd rather +not open the door--on your account, Bess. He +might run in."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fire your gun and he'll dash out into the yard!" +cried Bess, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, in +her excitement. "Good gracious! what will the +girls say at school when they hear we've had a real +tiger in our shed. If you'd only shoot him, and we'd +have him stuffed."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I mean to shoot when he comes out."</p> +<p class="pnext">But Jack's fingers shook so as he adjusted the +trigger that one would have thought he had the palsy.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll tell you what to do!" shouted Bessy, +clapping her hands. "I'll go down to the kitchen +window, and throw a bone out in front of the shed-door, +and when he rushes out for it, you look if it's the +tiger or not."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Unless you'd rather throw the bone," hesitated +Bessy, her heart giving way.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's not the least danger for you, Bessy. And +I'm a better judge of tigers. I'm more familiar +with their habits than you."</p> +<p class="pnext">Off went Bessy, and finding a half-eaten roast of +beef in the pantry, she opened the kitchen window, +her heart choking her as she did it, and flung it out +with all her strength. There was a rush from the +shed, but Bessy had closed the shutters and was flying +up the stairs. Halfway up stood Jack, pale +and breathless.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Was it the tiger?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, Jack!" Bessy clasped her hands. "Is he--is +he big?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, he's a monster. His eyes are like coals of +fire." Jack jerked out the words as he dashed down +the stairs and out of the front door, shouting, +"Police! police!"</p> +<p class="pnext">One can easily guess what followed then. When +Mrs. Leigh came home from market, a dense crowd +packed the street for half a square from her house, +on the outskirts of which skirmished women, with +babies in their arms, boys open-mouthed, and +cart-men cracking their whips, whose horses stood +waiting in a crowd at the corner. In front of the door +stood one of the vans of the menagerie. Wild cries +of "The tiger!" "The lion!" resounded from side +to side, and every time the door opened the crowd +fell back, expecting him to charge on them. Way +was made for Mrs. Leigh. Everybody looked at +her with respect.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He's in your house, ma'am."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was your son that discovered him."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Leigh hurried in, terrified at the thought of +what might have befallen her children. The house +was filled with men. Policemen were in full force +to keep order. The keepers from the menagerie had +a net suspended over the door of the shed, to catch +the tiger when it should rush out. Half a dozen +men stood with guns ready pointed, in case he should +attack them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But don't fire, unless in case of absolute +necessity," pleaded the keeper. "Consider the cost, +gentlemen. That beast is worth, as he stands, two +thousand dollars."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's your two thousand dollars to us?" +growled one of the men, cocking his gun. "Consider +our lives."</p> +<p class="pnext">Nobody as yet had seen the tiger but Jack, who +stood in an upper window, the observed of all +observers.</p> +<p class="pnext">The keepers went on with their preparations. It +was their plan to shoot into the shed, over the tiger's +head, and when he charged on them, capture him +in the net.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let every man take care of himself," said the +keeper. "Fire if we do not secure him. Are you +ready, men?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The men, with pale faces, lowered the net. "All right!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Look out, then. One, two, three!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bang!" went the pistol over the beast's head. +There was a moment's pause, and then a fierce dash +and a shriek from the people, caught up and echoed +by the crowd outside. The men tugged at their net +and caught--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Brown's big yellow dog!" shouted the policemen.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where's that young coward that fooled us?" The +keepers raged and the crowd cheered.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Jack had hidden away with his shame and +could not be found. He never was known to brag +again.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> +</div> +<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> +<div class="backmatter"> +</div> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39732 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |