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diff --git a/39732-0.txt b/39732-0.txt index 2f2b2ee..3247682 100644 --- a/39732-0.txt +++ b/39732-0.txt @@ -1,28 +1,4 @@ - BUDD BOYD’S TRIUMPH - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Budd Boyd’s Triumph - or, The Boy-Firm of Fox Island - -Author: William Pendleton Chipman - -Release Date: May 18, 2012 [EBook #39732] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUDD BOYD’S TRIUMPH *** - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39732 *** Produced by Al Haines. @@ -7679,376 +7655,4 @@ crowd cheered. But Jack had hidden away with his shame and could not be found. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Budd Boyd's Triumph - or, The Boy-Firm of Fox Island - -Author: William Pendleton Chipman - -Release Date: May 18, 2012 [EBook #39732] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - - -[Illustration: Cover art] - - - - - BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH; - - OR, - - THE BOY-FIRM OF FOX ISLAND. - - - By WILLIAM PENDLETON CHIPMAN, - - _Author of_ - - "Roy Gilbert's Search," "The Mill-Boy of the Genesee," - "The Black Forge Mills," etc., etc. - - - - - ILLUSTRATED. - - NEW YORK: - - A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER. - - - - - COPYRIGHT 1890, BY A. L. BURT. - - - - ---- - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I.--BUDD SEEKS EMPLOYMENT. - CHAPTER II.--A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING. - CHAPTER III.--AGAINST WIND AND TIDE. - CHAPTER IV.--A NEW FRIEND. - CHAPTER V.--MR. BENTON'S WRATH. - CHAPTER VI.--THE NEW FIRM. - CHAPTER VII.--BUSINESS BOOMS. - CHAPTER VIII.--THE LOST OX-CART. - CHAPTER IX.--THE THREE INTRUDERS. - CHAPTER X.--BUDD'S STORY. - CHAPTER XI.--AN UNFORTUNATE PREDICAMENT. - CHAPTER XII.--BUDD'S TRIAL. - CHAPTER XIII.--MR. BENTON'S LITTLE GAME. - CHAPTER XIV.--TWO OPPORTUNITIES. - CHAPTER XV.--BUDD ENTRAPPED. - CHAPTER XVI.--JUDD MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. - CHAPTER XVII.--BUDD'S ESCAPE. - CHAPTER XVIII.--CAUGHT. - CHAPTER XIX.--MR. JOHNSON IS ASTONISHED. - CHAPTER XX.--THE CONFESSION. - CHAPTER XXI.--FATHER AND SON. - CHAPTER XXII.--AN EXCITING ADVENTURE. - CHAPTER XXIII.--A MANLY RESCUE. - CHAPTER XXIV.--THE FIRM'S PROFITS. - CHAPTER XXV.--MR. JOHNSON'S MUNIFICENCE. - THE BEAR AND THE BOMB SHELL. - AN AFTERNOON AT SAGAMORE POND. - HOW JACK WENT TIGER-HUNTING. - - ---- - - - - - BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH. - - - - -CHAPTER I.--BUDD SEEKS EMPLOYMENT. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"It must be a beautiful place to live, and I hope to find a home here," -he remarked, as he resumed his journey. - -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: - -"Good-evening!" - -"Good-evening!" responded the lad. - -Then he asked: - -"Is this Mr. Benton?" - -"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." - -"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?" - -The man had now reached the boy's side, and was looking him over with -evident curiosity. - -"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." - -"Yes," the lad answered, briefly; and then thanking the man for his -information he turned away. - -"I thought so," the man called after him, "else you wouldn't want to go -there to work." - -The boy scarcely gave heed to the remark then; but it was not long -before he knew by hard experience the meaning of it. - -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. - -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: - -"Come in!" - -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. - -Eying the lad for a moment in surprise, he asked, somewhat surlily: - -"What do you want, youngster?" - -"Are you Mr. Benton?" the lad asked. - -"Yes; what of it?" the man answered, sharply. - -"I was told you wanted help, and I have called to see about it," -explained the boy. - -"Come in, then," said the man, and his tones were wonderfully modified. - -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. - -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. - -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." - -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. - -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: - -"Who are ye?" - -"Budd Boyd," promptly answered the lad. - -"That's a kinder cur'us name, now ain't it?" questioned Mr. Benton. "I -dunno any Boyds round here. Where be ye from?" - -"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. - -"Any parents?" next inquired Mr. Benton. - -"My mother is dead, and my father is not keeping house now. I'm to look -out for myself," said the lad, somewhat hesitatingly. - -"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. - -"No, sir; but I'm willing to learn," said the lad. - -"Of course ye can't expect much in the way of wages," remarked Mr. -Benton, cautiously. - -"No, not until I can do my full share of work," said Budd, -indifferently. - -A light gleamed for a moment in Mr. Benton's eyes. - -"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. - -"Very well," responded the lad; and immediately after he added: - -"I've walked a good ways to-day, and if you don't mind, I'll go to my -room." - -"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. - -"All right, if that is your custom," said Budd. "Draw up the paper, and -I'll sign it." - -After considerable effort, Mr. Benton produced the following document: - - -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. - -JOHN BENTON, on his part. - - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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: - -"Budd! Budd! get up and come out to the barn." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER II.--A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING. - - -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. - -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. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Benton. What can I do to assist you?" asked Budd, -pleasantly, as soon as he entered the barn. - -"Hum! I don't suppose ye can milk?" was the rather ungracious response. - -"No, sir; but I'm willing to learn," replied Budd, good-naturedly. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"Now ye are up to another of yer capers, John Benton. There never was a -man on the earth meaner than ye are!" - -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: - -"Budd, do you know you are the profoundest example of human patience I -ever saw?" - -"No; is that so?" replied Budd, with a laugh. "What makes you think so?" - -"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?" - -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: - -"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." - -With these words Budd started up his oxen and went on, leaving Mr. -Wright to resume his journey more mystified than ever. - -On the first day of May Budd asked Mr. Benton for the previous month's -pay. - -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. - -"Me pay ye now!" he exclaimed. "What are ye thinkin' of?" - -Then, as though another idea had come to his mind, he said, -persuasively: - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"Does this here paper say anythin' 'bout my payin' ye every munth?" - -"No, sir," Budd reluctantly admitted. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Do you mean to say you don't intend to pay me anything until October?" -asked Budd, indignantly. - -"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." - -He now picked up his hoe and resumed his work. - -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. - -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: - - -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, - -BUDD BOYD. - - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER III.--AGAINST WIND AND TIDE. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -[Illustration: 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.] - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER IV.--A NEW FRIEND. - - -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. - -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 _where_ -was the cart-body? - -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. - -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 _what_ wharf was it? Which way should he -go to find the opening by which he had entered? - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"Help! Help!" - -The next instant the door of the building swung open, letting out a -flood of light upon the exhausted lad, and a voice asked: - -"Who are you? Where are you?" - -"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. - -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. - -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: - -"There; drink that down, and I'll warrant you'll be kicking round here -as lively as a kitten, in a few minutes." - -Budd drained the offered cup, and then said, gratefully: - -"I don't know how I shall ever repay you for your kindness to me. I was -pretty near used up, I declare." - -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: - -"Will you tell me how you came here, Budd Boyd?" - -"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. - -The boy-host gave a comical shrug of his shoulders, and with a -flourishing gesture answered: - -"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!" - -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. - -"'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." - -Budd at once admitted this; then he asked: - -"But how is it that you knew me? And how long have you been here?" - -"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. - -"How long have I been here?" he went on. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"How do you live?" asked Budd, with a good deal of curiosity. - -"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?" - -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: - -"I've eaten supper already, but help yourself. There's more, when this -is gone." - -Budd accepted his host's hospitality and made out a comfortable meal. - -Then Judd said: - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -As Judd parted with him he remarked: - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER V.--MR. BENTON'S WRATH. - - -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. - -"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." - -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: - -"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?" - -"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. - -"'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?" - -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: - -"How did Mr. Benton seem to feel when he came to the conclusion that I -and the cart had been swept out to sea?" - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -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. - -The farmer was down upon his knees on the threshing-floor mending a -horse-cultivator when the lad entered and said: - -"Well, Mr. Benton, I'm back at last, and ready to report for my -prolonged absence." - -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: - -"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." - -Before he could say more Mr. Benton broke angrily in upon him: - -"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?" - -"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. - -"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." - -Budd's cheeks burned with resentment. - -"It was not," he emphatically declared. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -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: - -"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!" - -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. - -Helping Budd to his feet, Mr. Wright asked: - -"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?" - -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. - -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. - -"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?" - -"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. - -"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?" - -This last question was addressed to Budd. - -"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." - -"Benton, let me see it," demanded Mr. Wright. - -With evident reluctance Mr. Benton took the paper from his pocket-book -and handed it to his neighbor. - -Mr. Wright read it over carefully; then he deliberately tore it up, -saying: - -"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." - -Budd here explained how Mr. Benton had used the paper at the time he had -asked for his first month's pay. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -"But his two months are not up yet," objected Benton. - -"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: - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -And notwithstanding the pleadings and promises of Mr. Benton, Mr. Wright -fifteen minutes later departed, with Budd by his side. - - - - -CHAPTER VI.--THE NEW FIRM. - - -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: - -"There is something I would like to have you explain, Mr. Wright." - -"What is it?" Mr. Wright asked, pleasantly. - -"Why was Mr. Benton so docile in your presence? I should never have -believed that he would have cowered down so to any man." - -Mr. Wright laughed. - -"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." - -But in this last assertion Mr. Wright was wrong, at least so far as Budd -was concerned. - -On reaching the house, Mr. Wright opened the door and motioned Budd to -enter, at the same time saying to his wife: - -"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. - -"Oh, yes, I think so," the lady replied, giving Budd a hearty and -motherly welcome, which at once caused him to feel at home. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Perhaps we shall be able to find some place for you," Mr. Wright had -said as they drove off. - -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: - -"Hello! changed masters, have you? Shows your wisdom. But tell us -about it." - -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. - -"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." - -"Is that so?" asked Budd, with some show of interest. - -"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." - -"How's that?" asked Budd. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -"And not have half as rough an experience," Judd chimed in, with a -laugh. - -"How do you expect to make it, Judd?" Mr. Wright asked, a little -doubtingly. - -"Selling fish and clams; taking out fishing-parties; doing odd jobs at -the watering-places," answered Judd, pithily. "There's money in it." - -"Do you think so?" asked Budd of Mr. Wright. - -"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." - -"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. - -Mr. Wright laughed a little. - -"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!" - -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. - -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. - -Budd was the first to speak. - -"Here, Judd," he said, "let us begin at the very root of things. Who -does this island belong to?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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?" - -Judd looked a little crestfallen, at his companion's words. - -"Why," he said, "I can't put in much. I have the boat----" - -"Which is worth how much?" interrupted Budd. - -"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." - -"No, it is not," Budd said. "How about the things over at the shanty? -They are yours, are they not?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"What do you mean?" asked Judd, in wonder. - -"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?" - -Judd arose from his seat with a sparkling face and crossed over to where -his chum was sitting. - -"Here's my hand on it; and I say, Budd, you are a brick," was his rather -ambiguous but expressive answer. - -Budd had caught something of his companion's enthusiasm, and with -intense eagerness he continued: - -"Now as to our plan of operations. In this you must be the chief -adviser." - -"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." - -"How do you work it?" inquired Budd. - -"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. - -"Good!" exclaimed his comrade. "What next?" - -"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." - -"It can't be much of a boat for that money," remarked Budd. - -"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." - -"All right! I'm ready to accept your judgment, and we certainly will be -equipped better than I expected," remarked Budd. - -"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. - -"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." - -"Let us keep together through all the arrangements," suggested Judd. - -"Very well," consented Budd; and they returned to the house for the -night. - -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: - - - NEW FIRM! NEW FIRM! - - BOYD & FLOYD. - - -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. - - -BUDD BOYD. -JUDD FLOYD. - -Fox Island, May 20, 18--. - - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER VII.--BUSINESS BOOMS. - - -The cry, "Wake up, Budd! All hands ahoy!" greeted Budd's ears early -Monday morning. He opened his eyes at the command. - -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. - -"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. - -"And where is it you said we would go?" Budd responded. - -"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." - -"What'll we be likely to catch?" Budd then inquired, just as they both -entered the kitchen and began preparations for breakfast. - -"Rock-bass, tautog, and the everywhere-present and forever-biting -sea-perch," Judd laughingly answered. - -"What about the gill-net?" - -"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. - -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. - -For over two hours they toiled without interruption; then Judd, who had -been watching the waves for an instant, cried out: - -"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!" - -Suiting the action to the word, he emptied his basket in a shallow pool -close beside him. - -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." - -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. - -"Our luck is over for to-day," Judd announced, pulling in his lines. -"We may as well weigh anchor and start for home." - -"We have done well, anyway," Budd said, with a touch of pride, as he -gazed at the fish they had caught. - -"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." - -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. - -"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?" - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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 _business_, 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. - -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. - -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. - -The partners sat in their little sitting-room when this first casting -was made and the result of the week announced: - -"Twelve dollars and fifty-two cents above all expenses," declared Budd, -who had been appointed the book-keeper for the firm. - -"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?" - -"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?" - -"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." - -"All right," consented Judd. - -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. - -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: - -"Judd, look at this school of fish!" - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -"Now throw over your lines, and pull in as fast as possible," were -Judd's orders. - -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. - -"Enough!" Budd cried. "I'm satisfied. Let us quit." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Has the man fallen overboard?" was Budd's startling question. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -It was altogether too good an opportunity to let pass, and the boys -promptly accepted the offer. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII.--THE LOST OX-CART. - - -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. - -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 -_mental_ inspection of the premises, and therefore we may safely enter. - -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. - -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. - -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 _a -home_, and not a mere abiding-place. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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." - -"What is a water-glass?" asked his chum, with interest. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -His companion made no objection, and for the second time that morning -they crossed to "The Hummocks." - -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. - -Rod after rod was gone over, when Budd suddenly removed his head from -the tube with an exclamation of surprise. - -"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." - -"Let me see," answered Judd, pulling in his oars and joining his -companion at the stern of the boat. - -Taking the glass, he examined the sea-bottom for some minutes intently. - -"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." - -Budd good-naturedly took the oars and pulled in the direction indicated. -He had gone about fifty feet when Judd motioned him to stop. - -"The bed ends here," he explained, removing his head from the glass. -"Now row slowly east." - -Budd did as directed for ten or twelve rods; then Judd again motioned -him to stop. - -"That is the width of the bed," he explained. "Now row north." - -Again the boat shot in that direction, and for a long distance, until -Judd shouted: - -"Hurrah!" - -"What is it?" asked Budd, excitedly. - -"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." - -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. - -"I guess the glass has paid for its construction already," he commented, -joining his chum at the stern. - -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. - -"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!" - -"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." - -"Yes," assented Budd; "but how are we going to get the gear on shore?" - -"Let me take a look at it," said Judd. - -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. - -"Give me that rope," he said. - -Budd handed him the rope that had been used to drag the cart-bed over to -"The Hummocks." - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -"What the oxen can't do our sloop can," said Judd with animation. - -"What is that?" asked Budd. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"We have started them," the boys cried simultaneously; and then Judd, -who was at the helm, brought the sloop around on her downward tack. - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"Where's the iron pin that was in there when you lost the cart?" - -"On the sea-bottom, I suppose," answered Budd. "You didn't expect me to -hang on to it, did you?" - -"No," said the man, slowly, "but I should 'a' thought ye'd 'a' got me -another." - -"How much will one cost?" asked Budd, in disgust. - -"As much as a quarter," replied Mr. Benton. - -"Here it is," said Budd, handing that amount to him, "and I hope you are -now satisfied?" - -"Yes, unless"--rather hesitatingly--"unless ye've a mind to pay me fer -the time it has been gone." - -"I won't pay you a single cent for it! I haven't used your cart!" -responded Budd, out of all patience. - -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. - -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: - -"What light is that?" - -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: - -"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." - -Budd drew his chum back into the shadow of an adjacent tree and -whispered: - -"Let us find out who they are before me make ourselves known." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER IX.--THE THREE INTRUDERS. - - -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. - -"They have come to stay," whispered Budd. - -Then he asked, softly: - -"Are the doors locked, Judd?" - -"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." - -The men reached the house and tried the kitchen door, but it withstood -their most vigorous blows. - -"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." - -"Perhaps some one is living here now," suggested one of his companions, -cautiously. "There is a wood-pile just beyond the corner." - -"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." - -"It may be some fisherman who has not yet come home," remarked the third -man. - -"We'll try a window," said the leader; and he stepped to the one just at -the left of the door. - -"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." - -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. - -There was now heard for an instant a sharp scratching sound, followed by -a jingle of glass, and then the window was raised up. - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -As his voice reached the listening boys, Budd caught Judd's arm -convulsively. - -"I believe I know that man," he whispered into his astonished comrade's -ear. - -"All right," was the response of the other men to Tom's suggestion, and -they passed on into the sitting-room. - -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: - -"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. - -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. - -"What's the matter?" asked his companions. - -"I want you to read that name," he said savagely to them; and looking -over his shoulder they read: - -"Budd Boyd. From his mother, Mary Boyd." - -"Well, what of it?" asked one of the men. - -"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." - -"Why?" asked the same man who had spoken before. - -"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." - -Tom swore a fearful oath. - -"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." - -"Hadn't we better keep watch here till the lad returns, and then drop -him off the island?" suggested the leader, coolly. - -"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." - -"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." - -"That is old Johnson's summer residence, isn't it?" asked Tom. - -"Yes. Are you afraid of him, too?" - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -As they sat down near the wharf Judd said, in low tones: - -"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." - -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. - -"Jed! Jed!" he called in low but distinct tones. "We have found just -the jolliest supper! Come on up and help us eat it." - -Jed, who was down by his boat, immediately joined the speaker, and the -two went hurriedly back to the house. - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -"Come on!" he said to Judd; and again the boys approached the house. - -Taking their station once more behind the wood-pile, Budd called out, in -stern tones: - -"Hello, Judd! There is some one in the house! Hurry up with the gun!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER X.--BUDD'S STORY. - - -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." - -"He's the man who has spent the last summer or two on Hope Island," -interrupted Judd, "and the one Bagsley called old Johnson." - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"While we sat there a knock came at the door, and mother's nurse -entered. - -"'Here, Mr. Boyd,' she said, 'is a letter for you. It has just been left -at the door.' - -"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: - - -BOSTON, Mass., Oct. 15, 18--. - -MR. HENRY BOYD: - -_Dear Sir_--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, - -I remain, yours truly, - N. B. JOHNSON. - - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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: - -"'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.' - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"'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?'" - -Without a word he filled out the receipt, but on handing it to me he -said, not unkindly: - -"'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.' - -"'Of course I have my suspicions,' I replied, 'but it is another thing -to prove them.' - -"'Do you mean Bagsley?' he asked, lowering his voice and tapping -thoughtfully on the desk with his fingers. - -"'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?' - -"'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?' - -"'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. - -"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: - -"'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. - -"Thoroughly angered by the treatment I had received, I sprung to my feet -and foolishly said: - -"'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!' - -"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: - -"'The next time I meet you I'll kill you!' and then he turned the corner -and disappeared. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XI.--AN UNFORTUNATE PREDICAMENT. - - -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. - -"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. - -"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." - -To all of which Judd agreed, and from that day the lads became a -self-appointed vigilance committee patrolling the bay. - -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. - -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: - -"Hello, there, boys; hold on a moment. I want to see you!" - -Judd threw the man a rope, and the sloop was refastened to the wharf. - -"Are you Boyd & Floyd of Fox Island?" the stranger asked. - -"Yes, sir," replied the lads. - -"And you sometimes take out sailing-parties, do you not?" was the next -inquiry; and again the young partners responded in the affirmative. - -"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?" - -"Do you wish to be simply taken over, or over and back?" asked Budd, as -spokesman for the firm. - -"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. - -"What time do you wish to go, and how many are there in the party?" -asked Budd, with a prompt business air. - -"Six, with myself; and we would prefer not to go until afternoon, -leaving here, say, about two o'clock." - -Budd consulted with his partner; then he said: - -"Yes, we can take you over." - -"What are the charges?" inquired Mr. Dane, as though the proposed trip -depended greatly upon them. - -"Three dollars for the party," answered Budd. - -"That is fifty cents each, and is much less than it will cost us to go -around," Mr. Dane commented to himself. - -Then he said to the boys: - -"All right; we'll give it." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"You see, I'm in the grocery business just up the street here. Whenever -over this way, give us a call." - -Budd thanked the gentleman and put the card in his pocket, scarcely -realizing how soon it was to prove serviceable. Then he said, -laughingly: - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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!" - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XII.--BUDD'S TRIAL. - - -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: - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -"How shall we go over to the main-land?" asked the man, after he had -finished tying Budd's arms. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"They contain a ham, some crackers, cheese and sugar," he reported. - -"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." - -"Then why did I not carry them up there?" retorted Budd. - -Mr. Johnson was at first puzzled for an answer, but at length said: - -"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." - -"But I had nothing when I got out of the window," replied Budd. - -Then he added, earnestly: - -"If you will just let me explain, Mr. Johnson, you will see that I had -good reason for being on your island." - -"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." - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"I shall, of course, depend upon you as the principal witness as to my -residing on Fox Island. - -"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." - -"I'll bring him back, sure," promised Judd, rising to go. - -Then he drew near to Budd and whispered: - -"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." - -"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." - -Judd held the same opinion, and hurried off to carry out his partner's -request. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -When the charge was read, the lad in loud, clear tones, answered "Not -guilty," and the trial began. - -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: - -"Have you ever seen the prisoner previous to the time of his capture?" - -"Yes," replied Mr. Johnson. "I have known him, and his father before -him, for years." - -"Where is his father?" asked the lawyer. - -"I object to that question," cried Budd, jumping to his feet, his cheeks -all aflame with indignation. - -Before the Justice could give his ruling the answer had been given, loud -and clear: - -"In the Massachusetts State Prison, serving out a twelve years' sentence -for forgery and theft." - -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. - -Nor was the answer lost in its influence on the Justice. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"For your father's sake, make a defense." - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -Mr. Johnson, with evident reluctance, took the witness-chair for his -cross-examination. - -"How long had my father worked for you previous to the crime he is said -to have committed?" - -"Fifteen or sixteen years," was the reply. - -"Why did you keep him so long in your employ?" Budd now asked. - -"I object," said the Prosecuting Attorney. - -"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." - -"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." - -"I decline to answer," said Mr. Johnson, after consulting with his -attorney. - -"I will ask the witness one other question--one with reference to -myself--with the Court's permission," said Budd. - -"Have I not, Mr. Johnson, paid you a portion of the money you claim my -father took from you?" - -"I decline to answer that question also," replied Mr. Johnson, noticing -that his attorney shook his head negatively. - -"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." - -"I hardly think it would be proper," said the Justice, looking toward -Mr. Johnson for his approval of the ruling. - -"I then rest my case," said Budd, shortly, and with some show of -indignation. - -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 _nights_, 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 _probability_ of his guilt, it was -his duty to bind him over to a higher court. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -Then, to Budd: - -"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." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII.--MR. BENTON'S LITTLE GAME. - - -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. - -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. - -The Justice had been rapidly filling out a paper since he had rendered -his decision, and now he looked up: - -"Your bond is ready," he said. "Whom do you name for bondsman?" - -"I have none," faltered the lad, "unless some gentleman here will give -bond for me." - -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: - -"I'll sign his bond." - -The speaker was Mr. Benton, and that gentleman walked forward to the -Justice's stand and deliberately wrote his name across the paper. - -"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. - -No sooner had he disappeared than Mr. Wright walked up to the Justice's -desk, saying, quietly: - -"Put my name on the bond also. Two bondsmen are better than one;" and -he wrote his name under that of Mr. Benton's. - -Then, crossing over to Budd's side, he shook hands with him, remarking: - -"Mr. Benton got the start of me; but I have shown my good-will, all the -same. Shall we go, now?" - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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: - -"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----" - -But what the speaker was to have said was cut short by a nudge from -Judd. - -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. - -"I fine you ten dollars for contempt of court," he said, angrily, -stopping and facing Mr. Dane. - -"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." - -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. - -"Will you return to Bristol at once?" Budd asked. "If so, we will -arrange to take you over." - -"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. - -Budd spoke a few words in a low tone to his partner; then he said to Mr. -Wright: - -"Can you go over to the island with us? There is something special we -wish to talk over with you." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"Why didn't you tell this in the court-room? It would have acquitted -you," said Mr. Wright, in astonishment. - -"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. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -As he parted with them on the main shore he said to Budd: - -"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." - -"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. - -"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?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -"How are you, boys, and what luck with your fish?" he remarked -pleasantly, as they came ashore. - -The young partners responded good-naturedly, and he watched them as they -sorted and put their fish into the "cars." - -"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." - -"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. - -"Have you been here long waiting for us?" Judd asked, with a wink at his -chum. - -"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." - -"We hadn't been to the pounds to-day, and so hurried off to them," -explained Budd. - -"I thought that was it," said Mr. Benton, following the lads on to the -house. - -"Come in and take supper with us," said Budd. - -"I don't know but I will, seeing I have a little business with ye." - -Judd gave his partner a significant look. - -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: - -"What is your business, Mr. Benton?" - -"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?" - -"Do you really think so?" responded Budd, and waiting for Mr. Benton to -go on. - -"Yes, ye would," said the man, shortly; "an' ye know it, well as I do." - -"It was very good of you," said the boy, meaningly. - -"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. - -"Why should I? It belonged to me, not to you," Budd retorted. - -"No it don't, either. Ye have quit work, an' 'cordin' to the barg'in it -never did belong to ye." - -"What will you do if I don't pay it?" asked Budd, as though yielding. - -"I'll go an' cancel the bond, an' have ye in jail 'fore mornin'," he -said, savagely. - -"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. - -The man twisted in his chair. - -"Ye'd better pay it," he finally said. - -"Not one cent," replied Budd, decidedly. - -"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. - -With a laugh Budd and his partner followed the man to his boat. - -He got into it and rowed off a rod or two from the shore; then he paused -and said: - -"Ye'd better change yer mind, Budd." - -"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." - -"Judd, ye hold on to him!" cried the man in alarm; "I command ye in the -name o' the law to do so!" - -Judd laughed, and catching the spirit of mischief Budd had displayed, -asked: - -"What'll you give me, if I do?" - -"A doller," said Mr. Benton, with some hesitation. - -"Oh! Budd will give me more than that to let him go," replied Judd, -"and you will have the thousand dollars to pay!" - -"I'll give ye five dollers," cried Mr. Benton, in alarm. - -"Budd will give ten to go free," was the answer. - -"I'll give ye 'leven," said the man, desperately; and in his eagerness -he rowed back inshore. - -"Where's the money? It must be cash down," said Judd, seriously. - -"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." - -Before Judd could make answer, Budd, pitying the man, said: - -"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." - -Mr. Benton gave an exclamation of anger. - -"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. - -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. - -As he passed Fox Island his anger was again aroused, and he exclaimed, -bitterly: - -"'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." - -His eye just then caught the outline of the boys' sloop through the -darkness. - -"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. - -Five minutes later he sailed off in the sloop, having the yawl and his -own boat in tow. - -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: - -"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." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV.--TWO OPPORTUNITIES. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Immediately after their first exclamations of surprise at the -disappearance of the boats Judd asked: - -"Who do you suppose has taken them, chum?" - -"One of two parties," responded Budd, promptly; "either Bagsley and his -gang, or Mr. Benton." - -"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?" - -"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." - -"You think, then, that Benton has done it?" inquired Judd. "What could -have been his object?" - -"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." - -"But don't he know it was a theft?" asked Judd, hotly. - -"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." - -"What do you mean?" asked Judd, a little mystified. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Benton," he said. "You have quite a collection of -craft here. Isn't that Boyd & Floyd's sloop and yawl?" - -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. - -"Well, yes," assented the farmer. "Ye see, Budd owes me, an' I thought -I'd take his sloop until he paid me." - -"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. - -Mr. Benton fairly shook with excitement and rage. - -"Me 'rested!" he cried. "Who's dared to do it?" - -"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. - -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: - -"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." - -"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?" - -"Go where with you--up to the village?" asked he, quickly. - -"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. - -Dazed and overwhelmed at the prospect before him, Mr. Benton followed -the officer back to the house. - -"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." - -"You will have to see the lads for yourself," said Mr. Avery, shortly. - -"Can't you take me where they are an' let me talk it over with them?" he -asked, eagerly. - -"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." - -"How much will ye charge?" asked Mr. Benton, cautiously. - -"Thirty cents an hour," said the officer, looking at his watch. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -After listening to Mr. Benton's proposition to return the boats, Budd, -as spokesman for the firm, replied: - -"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: - -"First, that he shall return the boats unharmed to our dock at the -island. - -"Second, that he pay all costs that have accrued on account of his -arrest. - -"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. - -"These are the only conditions on which we will settle, and he can -accept them or stand his trial in court." - -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. - -"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." - -"I hope it may," was the response. - -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. - -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. - -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: - - - $1,500 REWARD. - -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. - -Respectfully, - CLAPP & ST. JOHN. - - -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. - -"That was the work of Bagsley and his gang," he murmured, "and our -opportunity, if we can only find them, has come." - - - - -CHAPTER XV.--BUDD ENTRAPPED. - - -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. - -As he stood there a well-dressed stranger came up behind him, and also -paused to read the notice. - -"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?" - -"They are simply believed to have been experts," answered Budd. - -"It was a neat job, that's a fact," said the man, complacently. - -Then as Budd turned away he asked, politely: - -"Do you know of any one about the wharf here who has boats to let?" - -"I have a sloop," replied Budd, "that I use to take out -sailing-parties." - -"Is it near here? Could I see it?" asked the man, looking Budd -carefully over from head to foot. - -The lad led the way down to the dock and pointed out the Sea Witch. - -"She would do nicely," said the man, jumping into her and examining her -cabin. "Is she a fast sailer?" - -"Nothing of her size on this bay can overhaul her," replied Budd, with a -touch of pride. - -"Indeed!" remarked the man, with apparent satisfaction. "What do you -ask a day for her use?" - -"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." - -"Which of course is a very nice way to arrange it, I'm sure," said the -stranger. - -"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." - -Budd modestly admitted that he had heard of that distinguished -gentleman, and then his companion went on: - -"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?" - -"How many are there in your party, and how much of an outfit have you?" -asked Budd. - -"There are five of us, and we have only a few traps; you can carry -everything at one trip," said Mr. Wilson, briskly. - -"I ought to have five dollars," Budd declared: "and I shall have to go -home before I can make the trip." - -"Well, can you go right after dinner?" asked the stranger. - -"Yes, at one o'clock I'll be here," said the lad. - -"All right; we'll give you your price. Meantime, where can I get a good -dinner?" - -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. - -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. - -"No, never mind that; it isn't worth taking with us," replied Mr. -Wilson. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -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: - -"Gracious! There is Bagsley, and you are the robbers!" - -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: - -"It is Budd Boyd! Where did you run in with him?" - -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?" - -"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." - -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: - -"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." - -Wilson and Bagsley lifted the lad into the boat, and the captain -following them, they rowed ashore. - -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: - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -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. - -[Illustration: The captain with Bagsley's help tied Budd so firmly to -the tree that there seemed no possibility of his untying himself.] - -"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." - -With this heartless remark the two villains walked slowly away, leaving -Budd to his uncertain fate. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI.--JUDD MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. - - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Are you going down to Jamestown Ferry, Mr. Niles?" he eagerly asks. - -"Yes, jump in," replies the kind-hearted farmer. - -Judd waits for no second invitation, but springing into the wagon, he -points off to the west bay, saying: - -"Do you see that sloop over under the west shore, Mr. Niles?" - -"Yes," replies he, "and it looks like yours." - -"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. - -The interest of the farmer was at once awakened. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"Mr. Avery," he exclaimed, "where are you going?" - -"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?" - -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. - -"Now," he said, "I want you to come along with me, if we can agree as to -the division of the reward." - -"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. - -"Agreed; and we have no time to lose," responded Judd. "There is a tug -right below here with her steam up." - -Two minutes later the officer and lad stood on the dock looking down -into a neat and trim tug, named the Thetis. - -"Ho! ho!" exclaimed Mr. Avery as he read her name. "I know her captain, -and I wonder where he is." - -"Right here, Avery," exclaimed a voice behind them. "What do you wish?" - -They turned to see a great six-footer coming toward them, and as he -reached the dock he went on: - -"I thought it was you, Avery, as I came down the street behind you. How -are you all at home?" - -"Very well, Captain Bradley," replied Mr. Avery. - -Then he introduced Judd, and proceeded to state his business. - -The stalwart captain pulled his beard vigorously as the officer told his -story, and then he said, heartily: - -"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." - -Mr. Avery, after consulting with Judd, agreed to this, and then he -suggested putting on a number of extra men. - -"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. - -In the specified time he returned with revolvers and a Winchester rifle. - -"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." - -But while this large collection of deadly weapons may have been wise it -was hardly necessary, as the sequel will prove. - -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. - -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. - -"Do you suppose they have carried Budd off as a prisoner?" asked Judd of -Mr. Avery as they stood there together. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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?" - -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: - -"There she is, Mr. Avery." - -He pointed out a small sloop about two miles away, which was sailing due -east. - -"Has the captain a glass?" he then asked; "though without one I am quite -positive she is the sloop," he added, quickly. - -A glass was brought him, and adjusting it to his eye, he looked long and -anxiously at the retreating boat. - -"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." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII.--BUDD'S ESCAPE. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -With these words he walked along to the south-east point of the island, -and looked across to its nearest and larger neighbor. - -"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. - -"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?" - -There was no one to answer his question, and he did not stop long to -deliberate. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -He had a little money with him, and on leaving he offered to pay his -host for the breakfast; but the man refused. - -"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." - -Budd readily promised to do this, and with a hearty "Thank you" for his -entertainment, hurried down the shore. - -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: - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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? - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII.--CAUGHT. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -"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." - -The man addressed took a pail from the boat and followed the speaker -down the shore. - -"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." - -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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"That is Bagsley," Judd said to his companions in a suppressed whisper. - -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. - -As soon as they were out of hearing Judd turned to Captain Bradley and -asked: - -"Couldn't we bring your yawl across to this cove, captain?" - -"I think so. What then?" he asked, with interest. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Captain," he exclaimed, in a low tone. - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Loud curses now followed, and heavy blows were struck upon the closed -door. Then a voice cried: - -"Open that hatch, or we'll fire through it!" and the click of a revolver -was heard. - -"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. - -Then he drew his revolver and fired twice in the air. It was the signal -for the tug to approach. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -The sound of the approaching tug was plainly discernible, to confirm his -words, and silence again fell on the discomfited burglars. - -"We are in Massachusetts waters; how dare you trouble us?" one of the -men, after awhile, called out. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX.--MR. JOHNSON IS ASTONISHED. - - -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. - -"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." - -"Tell me about it," Budd managed to say. - -"No, your story comes first," remonstrated Judd. - -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. - -Then Judd said: - -"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." - -"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." - -"So it will," assented Judd; and the sloop was headed in that direction. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -Budd smiled a little. - -"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. - -"Who shall I tell him wishes to see him?" the girl asked, doubtfully. - -"A gentleman," answered Budd, fearing to give his own name, and thus be -refused an interview with the man he sought. - -The girl hesitatingly showed Budd into the reception-room and went off -to call her master. - -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: - -"Budd Boyd! How dare you enter my house, sir?" - -"I have business with you, Mr. Johnson," Budd replied gravely, and with -dignity. - -Something in his quiet tones and self-possessed manner soothed Mr. -Johnson's anger, and he asked, shortly: - -"What is it?" - -"May I sit down, sir? I have several most astonishing revelations to -make," said Budd, noticing the impression he had made. - -Mr. Johnson without a word motioned the boy to a chair, and taking one -near by, waited for him to speak. - -"Do you remember the conversation I had with you about Thomas H. -Bagsley, when in your office last March?" Budd now asked. - -"I do," said the gentleman addressed, briefly and haughtily. - -"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. - -"What makes you think so?" asked Mr. Johnson with a start, and for the -first time beginning to show an interest in the conversation. - -"Because of his own words and threats to me the next morning," responded -Budd; and he rapidly described the altercation that then occurred. - -"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." - -"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." - -"Your fears were well grounded," said Budd, with a little secret -exultation over Mr. Johnson's admission. - -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. - -"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. - -"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." - -Budd laughed. - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -"Yes, I heard of it last evening," Mr. Johnson admitted. - -"That robbery was committed by Bagsley and his gang, and they robbed -your house here," said Budd, quietly. - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Mr. Johnson," he exclaimed, "get your hat and come with me." - -"Where?" he asked. - -"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." - -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: - -"I'm ready." - -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. - -"I'm just astonished! I'm just astonished!" was Mr. Johnson's -ejaculation during this recital. - -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. - -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. - -"I will do it," he replied. "I will come over immediately." - -He spoke to Bagsley, expressing regret at having found him such a -criminal, but received only curses in return. - -At length he seemed to be satisfied with his own investigations, and -with the story he had heard. - -Laying his hand on Budd's head he said, solemnly: - -"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." - -Tears streamed down Budd's cheeks, and with them went much of the anger -he had cherished toward the speaker. - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XX.--THE CONFESSION. - - -"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!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"It is a hard outlook for us, Tom." - -"Yes," his companion replied, gloomily. - -"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. - -"Do you think so?" asked Bagsley. - -"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. - -"What do you mean? They are more bitter against me than all the rest of -you," responded Bagsley, with some irritation in his tones. - -"Yes, and for cause; but suppose you remove that cause?" said Brill, -pointedly. - -"And get myself in a worse scrape," snapped Bagsley. - -"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. - -Enough had been said, however, to excite in Bagsley's heart a hope he -would not be slow to follow up. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI.--FATHER AND SON. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"You have, of course, received and filled my order?" - -"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." - -Budd thanked him, and then asked: - -"Was the check I forwarded with the order sufficiently large in amount -to pay for everything?" - -"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." - -"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. - -He now walked down to the hotel he had named, and registering his name, -was shown to a room. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -With no hesitation he told who he was, and the object of his visit to -Boston. - -"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." - -The editor laughed a little. - -"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. - -"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." - -Then the man, with a few inquiries as to Mr. Boyd's plans after his -release, dismissed his young visitor. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -And though he did not know it then, that very thing was to eventually -happen. - -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: - -"Go over to the State Prison in Charlestown." - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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." - -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. - -"One moment, Mr. Boyd," the warden said. "Here is a note the Governor -has sent here for you." - -In surprise, Mr. Boyd took the note and hastily opened it. There was -but a brief line. - - -EXECUTIVE MANSION, October 5th. - -_Mr. Henry Boyd and Son:_--You are both requested to dine with me at two -o'clock this afternoon, where you will meet some old and some new -friends. - -THE GOVERNOR. - - -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: - -"Oh, Budd! if your mother only knew of my vindication! If she had only -lived to see this day!" - -"She does know of it," replied Budd, simply. - -"I believe it; and, like myself, she is proud of her boy;" and Mr. Boyd -looked lovingly down into the face of his son. - -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. - -He thanked them all for their expressions of kindness, but added, with -evident pride: - -"My son has a home for me, and there I will go for the present." - -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. - -As they reached their own wharf Mr. Boyd stepped out of the boat and -looked around him. Then he said tenderly, almost reverently: - -"This is your home, Budd, and my home, now--inexpressibly dear, because -of what my boy has here proved himself to be." - -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: - -"Judd, what is your father's name?" - -"Silas Torr Floyd," answered the wondering boy. - -"And your mother's?" - -"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." - -"You are, then, cousins," was Mr. Boyd's astonishing declaration. - -"How do you make that out, sir?" the lads exclaimed in one breath. - -"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. - -"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." - -"I think that is it," said Judd, thoughtfully; "for whenever I asked -about her relatives, she never would tell me anything about them." - -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: - -"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!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII.--AN EXCITING ADVENTURE. - - -"Good morning, father! Would you like to go with us to the fish-traps, -or will you remain here and rest?" - -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. - -Mr. Boyd looked up at his boy with a cheerful smile. - -"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?" - -"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?" - -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. - -"No, my son," replied Mr. Boyd, with no less show of affection; "I'll be -with you presently." - -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. - -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. - -"Where did Mr. Benton get that boat, and what is he doing with her, -Judd?" he asked. - -"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." - -"Are we going to have a storm right away?" asked Mr. Boyd, looking up at -the mackerel-sky. - -"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. - -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. - -In carrying out this plan they ran on their third tack close enough to -Mr. Benton to hail him. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Benton," Budd cried out. "Shall we take you in tow -and leave you at the beach?" - -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. - -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." - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -"Why not?" asked Mr. Boyd, with some show of interest. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -The old man turned slowly around and looked off toward the sloop. - -"I'll 'tend to my bizness, if ye'll 'tend to your'n," he curtly replied. - -"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." - -Before Mr. Boyd could make any reply there came a sharp cry from Budd, -who was still on the bow of the sloop. - -"Quick, Judd, or our trap will be destroyed! There is a porpoise in it, -and he has already noticed our approach." - -"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!" - -"Perhaps I can get him," cried Budd, running aft and drawing the yawl -close up to the sloop. - -The next moment he had leaped into it, and casting off the painter, he -sculled rapidly toward the pound. - -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. - -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. - -"Hurrah! I've got him!" shouted Budd, seizing hold of the bow-line and -beginning to haul it in. - -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. - -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. - -[Illustration: 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.] - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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? - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII.--A MANLY RESCUE. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Are you hurt, Budd?" Mr. Boyd asked, anxiously, as he helped the lad on -board. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -He was soon, with his father's help, comfortably clad, and back onto the -deck of the sloop. With a good deal of _clat_ he then related all the -details of his adventure, ending with the wish that he might have -secured the cetacean. - -"We can get him, for there he is," said Judd. - -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. - -"How would you get him?" asked Budd, quickly, watching the porpoise in -its dying struggles. - -"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." - -"But is he worth all that trouble?" asked Mr. Boyd. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Look!" the lad exclaimed; "Benton has actually got his boat around the -point, and is now driving helplessly before the gale!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -It was night when Mr. Benton aroused and found Judd sitting by his -bedside. - -"How came I here?" he asked. - -"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. - -"Budd is all right, then?" the man asked, with some show of feeling. - -"Yes, his father is with him; and when I was in there, a short time ago, -he was sleeping nicely," answered Judd, shortly. - -Mr. Benton said no more, and after taking the food and warm drink Judd -brought him, he soon went to sleep again. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -The man made no reply, but Budd asked: - -"Did the yawl come ashore all right?" - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"I 'spose ye don't hate me no longer, Budd?" - -"I have never hated you, Mr. Benton," Budd promptly replied. - -"I dunno as ye have," he assented; "ye don't act as though ye did, -anyway, an' I'll be friends, if ye will." - -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. - -Meeting Mr. Wright a few days later, that gentleman accosted him with -the question: - -"I say, Budd, what have you been doing to Mr. Benton?" - -"Nothing bad, I hope," responded the boy, with a laugh. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"Who would have thought the old miser would have been so generous!" -exclaimed Judd, as he looked the watch over. - -"Or possessed so much poetic sentiment," added Mr. Boyd, laughingly. - -"He must have had some good in him, with all his faults, or ho would -never have so quickly changed," said Budd, thoughtfully. - -A declaration his companions readily accepted. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV.--THE FIRM'S PROFITS. - - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"If I can only keep away from the sight and smell of the abominable -stuff, perhaps I can be a man." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -"I'll tell you, Judd, what I want to do before we leave here," Budd now -said. - -"What is it?" his partner asked, with interest. - -"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." - -"Where would you go?" inquired Judd, laughingly. "There are very few -places around here that you have not visited." - -"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." - -"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?" - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"Shall you land for dinner, Budd, or shall I get it ready in the cabin?" - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"Here, Judd, quick; I want you." - -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. - -"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. - -"I don't know," answered Budd, catching the largest bunch in his net and -drawing it on board, "but I'll soon find out." - -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. - -"What do you call it, father?" he at length asked. - -"It is evidently a fatty matter of some kind, but I cannot tell its -precise nature," Mr. Boyd replied. - -Mr. Floyd, however, with a sparkle in his eye, said: - -"My opinion is, lad, that you had better get the rest of it, for if I -mistake not you have found a treasure." - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -"How many pounds do you think there are of it, Uncle Silas?" asked Budd, -when all had been secured. - -"Nigh on to thirty pounds, I reckon," he said, lifting the pieces one by -one. - -"It is the biggest haul, then, we have made this season," remarked Judd, -with open eyes. - -"I rather think so," was Budd's emphatic response. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"I have subjected this to every known test, and it proves genuine. Have -you much of it? And where did you find it?" - -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. - -"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." - -"What would you ask for your trouble?" asked Budd. - -"Well," said the man, smilingly, "I think we ought to have five per -cent. of the net amount received." - -"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." - -"Very well," the druggist replied. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"Our receipts have been as follows," and Budd read this to his attentive -listeners: - - 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 - -"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. - -"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." - -"Yes, indeed," replied Budd, warmly. - -Then he said to his father: - -"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." - -"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. - -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: - -"I will do it!" - -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: - -"Have John carry that out to the nearest box." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV.--MR. JOHNSON'S MUNIFICENCE. - - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -"It is from Mr. Johnson," said Budd, as he glanced at the address. "I -wonder what he wants of father?" - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -"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." - -"We will both go," replied Judd; "there is nothing else to do." - -So the sloop was put in readiness for the return trip to the village. - -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. - -His meeting of Mr. Boyd at the wharf was warm, almost affectionate, and -in a way indicated his purpose in making this visit. - -"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." - -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: - -"Did you wish to see me alone, sir?" - -"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." - -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: - -"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?" - -"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. - -Then he went on, with marked hesitation: - -"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." - -"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." - -He paused a moment, visibly affected by his own words, then went rapidly -on: - -"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." - -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. - -"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. - -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: - -"I will do it!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - ---- - - - - -THE BEAR AND THE BOMB SHELL. - - -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. - -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. - -Whether the speculation was successful or not, is no business of ours. -My business is with Tom Allan, the cabin boy of the Janet. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -At last, then, after more than a year of adverse fortune, he saw his way -to success. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Such a race as that, if prolonged, could have had but one termination; -and this Allan knew but too well. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The moment that he reached this place of refuge he turned to look at his -enemy. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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? - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -He took his powder-horn, filled as it was with blasting powder, and in -this he inserted a piece of blasting fuse. - -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. - -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. - -The smell of the burning fuse was offensive, and he expressed his -disgust by a low growl. - -At last the horn lay on the ground. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - ---- - - - - -AN AFTERNOON AT SAGAMORE POND. - - -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. - -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, _togue_ 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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -After skimming our hole, we dropped in a hook baited with a _shiner_--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. - -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. - -"Fisher-cat, isn't it?" said Rod. - -It did look like one, certainly. It was black, and about the same size. - -"Suppose he'd show fight if we should go round there?" continued Rod, -looking leisurely for the hatchet. - -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. - -In explanation, I should say that the "fisher-cat" is a member of the -weasel family. Naturalists call it the _Mustela Canadensis_, 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. - -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. - -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. - -"Isn't he a thumper!" exclaimed Rod. "Five or six pounds, certain! -Fish enough for one day." - -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. - -Here was a surprise. - -"What on earth was that?" cried Rod. - -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. - -"It couldn't have been that fisher-cat," said Rod. - -"No, indeed! Who ever heard of a fisher-cat, or any other cat, swimming -ten rods under water!" - -"But he is gone from the stump." - -"Well, let him go. That wasn't him." - -"What was it, then?" - -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. - -"Rather a strange performance, anyhow," muttered Rod. - -"But let's go round to the shore, and see if we can find the fisher." - -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. - -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. - -"Hollo!" cried Rod, "here he is;" thrusting in his stick. The head -vanished. - -"But that's no fisher; their noses do not look like that. It was too -big and _blunt_. 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?" - -"No." - -"Nor I; but I've heard old Hughy Olives tell about them; and that's just -what this is." - -"What about them? Will they fight much?" - -"Fight when cornered, Hughy says, like young tigers, too. Dogs are no -match for them. But their fur's valuable." - -"That's so. We must get this one if we can." - -"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." - -We ran to the edge and looked over. The water was six or seven feet -deep. - -"Stamp on the ground," said I. - -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. - -"Yes, here he is; two of them." - -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. - -They were otters; no doubt of it. But how to catch them; that was the -next question. - -"Hughy spoke of setting traps for them," said Rod. - -"So we can! Your father's old bear-trap! Set it down under the bank -here, where their burrow opens out into the water." - -"Agreed." - -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. - -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 _sinking_ it at -the entrance of the burrow we chained it to an old root. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -We received twelve dollars apiece for these skins, and felt very well -satisfied with oar afternoon's sport at the Sagamore. - - ---- - - - - -HOW JACK WENT TIGER-HUNTING. - - -Jack was reading Du Chaillu. He spent a good deal more time that night -over Du Chaillu than over his Latin. - -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. - -"I've got an idea, mother!" he said. - -"I'm glad of that." said Bessy, under her breath. Mrs. Leigh shook her -head at her. - -"Well, my son?" - -"Du Chaillu's in this country, you know?" Jack's face was red, and his -voice like a trumpet, from excitement. - -"I believe he is." - -"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!" - -Bessy stared. - -"To Africa?" said Mrs. Leigh, folding her hem. - -"Yes, mother." Jack was a little damped to find his views received so -quietly. - -"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!" - -"Will you thread my needle, Bessy? I think if you wait, you will be a -better shot in a year or two, probably, Jack." - -"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." - -"Who was that whining over his grammar, awhile ago?" asked his sister. - -"That's a very different matter," stammered Jack angrily. "What kind of -sense is there in _amaba--bis--bus_! That's stuff! If I had a chance -with my gun now, at a lion, say-- - -"If you cannot conquer nouns and verbs, Jack," said Mrs. Leigh, "I am -not afraid for the wild beasts." - -"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. - -"You should not tease your brother, Bessy." - -Bessy laughed. She was a fat, pretty, good-tempered girl, very fond of -Jack and just as fond of squabbling with him. - -"He is such a fellow to brag, mamma. Now I know he'll be at it again. -There he comes." - -Jack came in and leaned with his elbows on the table, watching his -mother and thinking. - -"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!" - -"Yes." - -"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." - -"Very well, Jack, I trust you." - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"'Twasn't much of a fire--near two miles off--somewhere about the -Northern mills." - -"There was great confusion," said Mrs. Leigh. - -"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." - -"Who was that in the hall, Jack?" inquired Bessy. - -"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." - -"Was he a pretty dog?" said Bess eagerly. - -"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." - -"You didn't fix him with your eye, then?" - -Jack said nothing, but lighted his candle and went to bed. - -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. - -"O, Jack, listen to this!" jumping on the bed and beginning to read -breathlessly: - - -"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." - - -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?" - -Jack's face, and neck, and very ears were scarlet. He stammered, and did -not seem nearly so tumultuous as usual. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"Perhaps I will," said Jack loftily. "But I must be dressed first." - -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. - -"Have you seen it? Where is it?" - -"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." - -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. - -"You think it's in there, do you?" he said, under his breath. - -"Oh, Ann heard it! Such a horrible roar! Up in the very back part. -How will you get at it to shoot it?" - -"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." - -"There's a knot hole in the shed. You can peep, Jack. He won't see -you." - -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." - -"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." - -"I mean to shoot when he comes out." - -But Jack's fingers shook so as he adjusted the trigger that one would -have thought he had the palsy. - -"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." - -"Very well." - -"Unless you'd rather throw the bone," hesitated Bessy, her heart giving -way. - -"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." - -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. - -"Was it the tiger?" - -"Yes." - -"Oh, Jack!" Bessy clasped her hands. "Is he--is he big?" - -"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!" - -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. - -"He's in your house, ma'am." - -"It was your son that discovered him." - -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. - -"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." - -"What's your two thousand dollars to us?" growled one of the men, -cocking his gun. "Consider our lives." - -Nobody as yet had seen the tiger but Jack, who stood in an upper window, -the observed of all observers. - -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. - -"Let every man take care of himself," said the keeper. "Fire if we do -not secure him. Are you ready, men?" - -The men, with pale faces, lowered the net. "All right!" - -"Look out, then. One, two, three!" - -"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-- - -"Brown's big yellow dog!" shouted the policemen. - -"Where's that young coward that fooled us?" The keepers raged and the -crowd cheered. - -But Jack had hidden away with his shame and could not be found. He -never was known to brag again. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39732 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a -registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, -unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything -for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the <a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a> -included with this eBook or online at -<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a>.</p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container noindent white-space-pre-line" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst white-space-pre-line"><span class="white-space-pre-line">Title: Budd Boyd's Triumph<br /> - or, The Boy-Firm of Fox Island<br /> -<br /> -Author: William Pendleton Chipman<br /> -<br /> -Release Date: May 18, 2012 [EBook #39732]<br /> -<br /> -Language: English<br /> -<br /> -Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line">*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH</span> ***</p> <div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> </div> <p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> @@ -8504,347 +8478,6 @@ again.</p> <!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> <div class="backmatter"> </div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line">*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH</span> ***</p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">A Word from Project Gutenberg</h2> -<p class="pfirst">We will update this book if we find any errors.</p> -<p class="pnext">This book can be found under: <a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39732"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39732</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext">Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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-
-===================
-BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH
-===================
-
-.. meta::
- :PG.Id: 39732
- :PG.Title: Budd Boyd's Triumph
- :PG.Released: 2012-05-18
- :PG.Rights: Public Domain
- :PG.Producer: Al Haines
- :DC.Creator: William Pendleton Chipman
- :DC.Title: Budd Boyd's Triumph
- or, The Boy-Firm of Fox Island
- :DC.Language: en
- :DC.Created: 1889
- :coverpage: images/img-cover.jpg
-
-.. pgheader::
-
-.. clearpage::
-
-.. container:: coverpage
-
- .. vspace:: 3
-
- .. figure:: images/img-cover.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: Cover art
-
- Cover art
-
- .. vspace:: 4
-
-.. container:: titlepage center white-space-pre-line
-
- .. class:: x-large
-
- BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH;
-
- .. class:: medium
-
- OR,
-
- .. class:: large
-
- THE BOY-FIRM OF FOX ISLAND.
-
- .. vspace:: 2
-
- .. class:: medium
-
- By WILLIAM PENDLETON CHIPMAN,
-
- .. class:: small
-
- *Author of*
-
- "Roy Gilbert's Search," "The Mill-Boy of the Genesee,"
- "The Black Forge Mills," etc., etc.
-
- .. vspace:: 4
-
- .. class:: small
-
- ILLUSTRATED.
-
- .. class:: small
-
- NEW YORK:
-
- \A. \L. BURT, PUBLISHER.
-
- .. vspace:: 4
-
-.. container:: verso center white-space-pre-line
-
- .. class:: small
-
- COPYRIGHT 1890, BY \A. \L. BURT.
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-----
-
-.. contents:: CONTENTS
- :depth: 1
- :backlinks: entry
-
-----
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center x-large
-
-BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH.
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-CHAPTER I.--BUDD SEEKS EMPLOYMENT.
-==================================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"It must be a beautiful place to live, and I hope
-to find a home here," he remarked, as he resumed
-his journey.
-
-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:
-
-"Good-evening!"
-
-"Good-evening!" responded the lad.
-
-Then he asked:
-
-"Is this Mr. Benton?"
-
-"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."
-
-"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?"
-
-The man had now reached the boy's side, and was
-looking him over with evident curiosity.
-
-"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."
-
-"Yes," the lad answered, briefly; and then
-thanking the man for his information he turned away.
-
-"I thought so," the man called after him, "else
-you wouldn't want to go there to work."
-
-The boy scarcely gave heed to the remark then;
-but it was not long before he knew by hard
-experience the meaning of it.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Come in!"
-
-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.
-
-Eying the lad for a moment in surprise, he asked,
-somewhat surlily:
-
-"What do you want, youngster?"
-
-"Are you Mr. Benton?" the lad asked.
-
-"Yes; what of it?" the man answered, sharply.
-
-"I was told you wanted help, and I have called to
-see about it," explained the boy.
-
-"Come in, then," said the man, and his tones were
-wonderfully modified.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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."
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Who are ye?"
-
-"Budd Boyd," promptly answered the lad.
-
-"That's a kinder cur'us name, now ain't it?"
-questioned Mr. Benton. "I dunno any Boyds round
-here. Where be ye from?"
-
-"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.
-
-"Any parents?" next inquired Mr. Benton.
-
-"My mother is dead, and my father is not keeping
-house now. I'm to look out for myself," said
-the lad, somewhat hesitatingly.
-
-"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.
-
-"No, sir; but I'm willing to learn," said the lad.
-
-"Of course ye can't expect much in the way of
-wages," remarked Mr. Benton, cautiously.
-
-"No, not until I can do my full share of work,"
-said Budd, indifferently.
-
-A light gleamed for a moment in Mr. Benton's eyes.
-
-"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.
-
-"Very well," responded the lad; and immediately
-after he added:
-
-"I've walked a good ways to-day, and if you don't
-mind, I'll go to my room."
-
-"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.
-
-"All right, if that is your custom," said Budd.
-"Draw up the paper, and I'll sign it."
-
-After considerable effort, Mr. Benton produced
-the following document:
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-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.
-
-JOHN BENTON, on his part.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-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:
-
-"Budd! Budd! get up and come out to the barn."
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER II.--A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING.
-=======================================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Good-morning, Mr. Benton. What can I do to
-assist you?" asked Budd, pleasantly, as soon as he
-entered the barn.
-
-"Hum! I don't suppose ye can milk?" was the
-rather ungracious response.
-
-"No, sir; but I'm willing to learn," replied Budd,
-good-naturedly.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Now ye are up to another of yer capers, John
-Benton. There never was a man on the earth
-meaner than ye are!"
-
-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:
-
-"Budd, do you know you are the profoundest
-example of human patience I ever saw?"
-
-"No; is that so?" replied Budd, with a laugh.
-"What makes you think so?"
-
-"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?"
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-With these words Budd started up his oxen and
-went on, leaving Mr. Wright to resume his journey
-more mystified than ever.
-
-On the first day of May Budd asked Mr. Benton
-for the previous month's pay.
-
-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.
-
-"Me pay ye now!" he exclaimed. "What are ye
-thinkin' of?"
-
-Then, as though another idea had come to his
-mind, he said, persuasively:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Does this here paper say anythin' 'bout my
-payin' ye every munth?"
-
-"No, sir," Budd reluctantly admitted.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"Do you mean to say you don't intend to pay me
-anything until October?" asked Budd, indignantly.
-
-"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."
-
-He now picked up his hoe and resumed his work.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-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,
-
-BUDD BOYD.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER III.--AGAINST WIND AND TIDE.
-====================================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-.. figure:: images/img-024.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: Budd plied the stinging blows of the lash
-
- 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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IV.--A NEW FRIEND.
-==========================
-
-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.
-
-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 *where* was
-the cart-body?
-
-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.
-
-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 *what* wharf was it? Which way
-should he go to find the opening by which he had
-entered?
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Help! Help!"
-
-The next instant the door of the building swung
-open, letting out a flood of light upon the exhausted
-lad, and a voice asked:
-
-"Who are you? Where are you?"
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"There; drink that down, and I'll warrant you'll
-be kicking round here as lively as a kitten, in a few
-minutes."
-
-Budd drained the offered cup, and then said, gratefully:
-
-"I don't know how I shall ever repay you for
-your kindness to me. I was pretty near used up, I
-declare."
-
-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:
-
-"Will you tell me how you came here, Budd Boyd?"
-
-"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.
-
-The boy-host gave a comical shrug of his
-shoulders, and with a flourishing gesture answered:
-
-"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!"
-
-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.
-
-"'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."
-
-Budd at once admitted this; then he asked:
-
-"But how is it that you knew me? And how
-long have you been here?"
-
-"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.
-
-"How long have I been here?" he went on.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"How do you live?" asked Budd, with a good
-deal of curiosity.
-
-"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?"
-
-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:
-
-"I've eaten supper already, but help yourself.
-There's more, when this is gone."
-
-Budd accepted his host's hospitality and made out
-a comfortable meal.
-
-Then Judd said:
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-As Judd parted with him he remarked:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER V.--MR. BENTON'S WRATH.
-===============================
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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:
-
-"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?"
-
-"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.
-
-"'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?"
-
-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:
-
-"How did Mr. Benton seem to feel when he came
-to the conclusion that I and the cart had been swept
-out to sea?"
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-The farmer was down upon his knees on the
-threshing-floor mending a horse-cultivator when the
-lad entered and said:
-
-"Well, Mr. Benton, I'm back at last, and ready
-to report for my prolonged absence."
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-Before he could say more Mr. Benton broke
-angrily in upon him:
-
-"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?"
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-Budd's cheeks burned with resentment.
-
-"It was not," he emphatically declared.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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!"
-
-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.
-
-Helping Budd to his feet, Mr. Wright asked:
-
-"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?"
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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?"
-
-"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.
-
-"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?"
-
-This last question was addressed to Budd.
-
-"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."
-
-"Benton, let me see it," demanded Mr. Wright.
-
-With evident reluctance Mr. Benton took the
-paper from his pocket-book and handed it to his
-neighbor.
-
-Mr. Wright read it over carefully; then he
-deliberately tore it up, saying:
-
-"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."
-
-Budd here explained how Mr. Benton had used
-the paper at the time he had asked for his first
-month's pay.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"But his two months are not up yet," objected Benton.
-
-"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:
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-And notwithstanding the pleadings and promises
-of Mr. Benton, Mr. Wright fifteen minutes later
-departed, with Budd by his side.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VI.--THE NEW FIRM.
-==========================
-
-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:
-
-"There is something I would like to have you
-explain, Mr. Wright."
-
-"What is it?" Mr. Wright asked, pleasantly.
-
-"Why was Mr. Benton so docile in your presence?
-I should never have believed that he would
-have cowered down so to any man."
-
-Mr. Wright laughed.
-
-"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."
-
-But in this last assertion Mr. Wright was wrong,
-at least so far as Budd was concerned.
-
-On reaching the house, Mr. Wright opened the
-door and motioned Budd to enter, at the same time
-saying to his wife:
-
-"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.
-
-"Oh, yes, I think so," the lady replied, giving
-Budd a hearty and motherly welcome, which at
-once caused him to feel at home.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Perhaps we shall be able to find some place for
-you," Mr. Wright had said as they drove off.
-
-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:
-
-"Hello! changed masters, have you? Shows
-your wisdom. But tell us about it."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"Is that so?" asked Budd, with some show of interest.
-
-"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."
-
-"How's that?" asked Budd.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"And not have half as rough an experience,"
-Judd chimed in, with a laugh.
-
-"How do you expect to make it, Judd?" Mr. Wright
-asked, a little doubtingly.
-
-"Selling fish and clams; taking out fishing-parties;
-doing odd jobs at the watering-places," answered
-Judd, pithily. "There's money in it."
-
-"Do you think so?" asked Budd of Mr. Wright.
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-Mr. Wright laughed a little.
-
-"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!"
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-Budd was the first to speak.
-
-"Here, Judd," he said, "let us begin at the very
-root of things. Who does this island belong to?"
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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?"
-
-Judd looked a little crestfallen, at his companion's
-words.
-
-"Why," he said, "I can't put in much. I have
-the boat----"
-
-"Which is worth how much?" interrupted Budd.
-
-"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."
-
-"No, it is not," Budd said. "How about the
-things over at the shanty? They are yours, are
-they not?"
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"What do you mean?" asked Judd, in wonder.
-
-"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?"
-
-Judd arose from his seat with a sparkling face
-and crossed over to where his chum was sitting.
-
-"Here's my hand on it; and I say, Budd, you are
-a brick," was his rather ambiguous but expressive
-answer.
-
-Budd had caught something of his companion's
-enthusiasm, and with intense eagerness he continued:
-
-"Now as to our plan of operations. In this you
-must be the chief adviser."
-
-"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."
-
-"How do you work it?" inquired Budd.
-
-"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.
-
-"Good!" exclaimed his comrade. "What next?"
-
-"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."
-
-"It can't be much of a boat for that money," remarked Budd.
-
-"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."
-
-"All right! I'm ready to accept your judgment,
-and we certainly will be equipped better than I
-expected," remarked Budd.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"Let us keep together through all the
-arrangements," suggested Judd.
-
-"Very well," consented Budd; and they returned
-to the house for the night.
-
-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:
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
-NEW FIRM! NEW FIRM!
-
-.. class:: center small
-
-BOYD & FLOYD.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-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.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. class:: left medium white-space-pre-line
-
- BUDD BOYD.
- JUDD FLOYD.
-
- Fox Island, May 20, 18--.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VII.--BUSINESS BOOMS.
-=============================
-
-The cry, "Wake up, Budd! All hands
-ahoy!" greeted Budd's ears early Monday
-morning. He opened his eyes at the command.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"And where is it you said we would go?" Budd
-responded.
-
-"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."
-
-"What'll we be likely to catch?" Budd then
-inquired, just as they both entered the kitchen and
-began preparations for breakfast.
-
-"Rock-bass, tautog, and the everywhere-present
-and forever-biting sea-perch," Judd laughingly answered.
-
-"What about the gill-net?"
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-For over two hours they toiled without
-interruption; then Judd, who had been watching the waves
-for an instant, cried out:
-
-"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!"
-
-Suiting the action to the word, he emptied his
-basket in a shallow pool close beside him.
-
-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."
-
-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.
-
-"Our luck is over for to-day," Judd announced,
-pulling in his lines. "We may as well weigh anchor
-and start for home."
-
-"We have done well, anyway," Budd said, with
-a touch of pride, as he gazed at the fish they had
-caught.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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?"
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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 *business*, 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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-The partners sat in their little sitting-room when
-this first casting was made and the result of the
-week announced:
-
-"Twelve dollars and fifty-two cents above all
-expenses," declared Budd, who had been appointed
-the book-keeper for the firm.
-
-"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?"
-
-"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?"
-
-"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."
-
-"All right," consented Judd.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Judd, look at this school of fish!"
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"Now throw over your lines, and pull in as fast
-as possible," were Judd's orders.
-
-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.
-
-"Enough!" Budd cried. "I'm satisfied. Let us quit."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Has the man fallen overboard?" was Budd's
-startling question.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-It was altogether too good an opportunity to let
-pass, and the boys promptly accepted the offer.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VIII.--THE LOST OX-CART.
-================================
-
-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.
-
-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 *mental* inspection of the premises, and
-therefore we may safely enter.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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 *a home*,
-and not a mere abiding-place.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"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?"
-
-"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."
-
-"What is a water-glass?" asked his chum, with
-interest.
-
-"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."
-
-"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?"
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-His companion made no objection, and for the
-second time that morning they crossed to "The
-Hummocks."
-
-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.
-
-Rod after rod was gone over, when Budd
-suddenly removed his head from the tube with an
-exclamation of surprise.
-
-"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."
-
-"Let me see," answered Judd, pulling in his oars
-and joining his companion at the stern of the boat.
-
-Taking the glass, he examined the sea-bottom for
-some minutes intently.
-
-"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."
-
-Budd good-naturedly took the oars and pulled in
-the direction indicated. He had gone about fifty
-feet when Judd motioned him to stop.
-
-"The bed ends here," he explained, removing his
-head from the glass. "Now row slowly east."
-
-Budd did as directed for ten or twelve rods;
-then Judd again motioned him to stop.
-
-"That is the width of the bed," he explained.
-"Now row north."
-
-Again the boat shot in that direction, and for a
-long distance, until Judd shouted:
-
-"Hurrah!"
-
-"What is it?" asked Budd, excitedly.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"I guess the glass has paid for its construction
-already," he commented, joining his chum at the
-stern.
-
-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.
-
-"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!"
-
-"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."
-
-"Yes," assented Budd; "but how are we going
-to get the gear on shore?"
-
-"Let me take a look at it," said Judd.
-
-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.
-
-"Give me that rope," he said.
-
-Budd handed him the rope that had been used to
-drag the cart-bed over to "The Hummocks."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"What the oxen can't do our sloop can," said
-Judd with animation.
-
-"What is that?" asked Budd.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"We have started them," the boys cried
-simultaneously; and then Judd, who was at the helm,
-brought the sloop around on her downward tack.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Where's the iron pin that was in there when you
-lost the cart?"
-
-"On the sea-bottom, I suppose," answered Budd.
-"You didn't expect me to hang on to it, did you?"
-
-"No," said the man, slowly, "but I should 'a'
-thought ye'd 'a' got me another."
-
-"How much will one cost?" asked Budd, in disgust.
-
-"As much as a quarter," replied Mr. Benton.
-
-"Here it is," said Budd, handing that amount to
-him, "and I hope you are now satisfied?"
-
-"Yes, unless"--rather hesitatingly--"unless
-ye've a mind to pay me fer the time it has been
-gone."
-
-"I won't pay you a single cent for it! I haven't
-used your cart!" responded Budd, out of all patience.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"What light is that?"
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-Budd drew his chum back into the shadow of an
-adjacent tree and whispered:
-
-"Let us find out who they are before me make
-ourselves known."
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IX.--THE THREE INTRUDERS.
-=================================
-
-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.
-
-"They have come to stay," whispered Budd.
-
-Then he asked, softly:
-
-"Are the doors locked, Judd?"
-
-"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."
-
-The men reached the house and tried the kitchen
-door, but it withstood their most vigorous blows.
-
-"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."
-
-"Perhaps some one is living here now," suggested
-one of his companions, cautiously. "There is a
-wood-pile just beyond the corner."
-
-"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."
-
-"It may be some fisherman who has not yet come
-home," remarked the third man.
-
-"We'll try a window," said the leader; and he
-stepped to the one just at the left of the door.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-There was now heard for an instant a sharp
-scratching sound, followed by a jingle of glass, and
-then the window was raised up.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-As his voice reached the listening boys, Budd
-caught Judd's arm convulsively.
-
-"I believe I know that man," he whispered into
-his astonished comrade's ear.
-
-"All right," was the response of the other men to
-Tom's suggestion, and they passed on into the
-sitting-room.
-
-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:
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-"What's the matter?" asked his companions.
-
-"I want you to read that name," he said savagely
-to them; and looking over his shoulder they read:
-
-"Budd Boyd. From his mother, Mary Boyd."
-
-"Well, what of it?" asked one of the men.
-
-"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."
-
-"Why?" asked the same man who had spoken before.
-
-"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."
-
-Tom swore a fearful oath.
-
-"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."
-
-"Hadn't we better keep watch here till the lad
-returns, and then drop him off the island?"
-suggested the leader, coolly.
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"That is old Johnson's summer residence, isn't
-it?" asked Tom.
-
-"Yes. Are you afraid of him, too?"
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-As they sat down near the wharf Judd said, in
-low tones:
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"Jed! Jed!" he called in low but distinct tones.
-"We have found just the jolliest supper! Come on
-up and help us eat it."
-
-Jed, who was down by his boat, immediately
-joined the speaker, and the two went hurriedly back
-to the house.
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-"Come on!" he said to Judd; and again the boys
-approached the house.
-
-Taking their station once more behind the
-wood-pile, Budd called out, in stern tones:
-
-"Hello, Judd! There is some one in the house!
-Hurry up with the gun!"
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER X.--BUDD'S STORY.
-=========================
-
-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."
-
-"He's the man who has spent the last summer or
-two on Hope Island," interrupted Judd, "and the
-one Bagsley called old Johnson."
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"While we sat there a knock came at the door,
-and mother's nurse entered.
-
-"'Here, Mr. Boyd,' she said, 'is a letter for you.
-It has just been left at the door.'
-
-"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:
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. class:: left medium
-
- BOSTON, Mass., Oct. 15, 18--.
-
- MR. HENRY BOYD:
-
-*Dear Sir*--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,
-
-.. class:: left medium white-space-pre-line
-
- I remain, yours truly,
- \N. \B. JOHNSON.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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:
-
-"'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.'
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"'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?'"
-
-Without a word he filled out the receipt, but on
-handing it to me he said, not unkindly:
-
-"'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.'
-
-"'Of course I have my suspicions,' I replied,
-'but it is another thing to prove them.'
-
-"'Do you mean Bagsley?' he asked, lowering his
-voice and tapping thoughtfully on the desk with his
-fingers.
-
-"'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?'
-
-"'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?'
-
-"'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.
-
-"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:
-
-"'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.
-
-"Thoroughly angered by the treatment I had
-received, I sprung to my feet and foolishly said:
-
-"'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!'
-
-"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:
-
-"'The next time I meet you I'll kill you!' and
-then he turned the corner and disappeared.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XI.--AN UNFORTUNATE PREDICAMENT.
-========================================
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-To all of which Judd agreed, and from that day
-the lads became a self-appointed vigilance committee
-patrolling the bay.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Hello, there, boys; hold on a moment. I want
-to see you!"
-
-Judd threw the man a rope, and the sloop was
-refastened to the wharf.
-
-"Are you Boyd & Floyd of Fox Island?" the
-stranger asked.
-
-"Yes, sir," replied the lads.
-
-"And you sometimes take out sailing-parties, do
-you not?" was the next inquiry; and again the
-young partners responded in the affirmative.
-
-"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?"
-
-"Do you wish to be simply taken over, or over
-and back?" asked Budd, as spokesman for the firm.
-
-"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.
-
-"What time do you wish to go, and how many
-are there in the party?" asked Budd, with a prompt
-business air.
-
-"Six, with myself; and we would prefer not to
-go until afternoon, leaving here, say, about two
-o'clock."
-
-Budd consulted with his partner; then he said:
-
-"Yes, we can take you over."
-
-"What are the charges?" inquired Mr. Dane, as
-though the proposed trip depended greatly upon them.
-
-"Three dollars for the party," answered Budd.
-
-"That is fifty cents each, and is much less than it
-will cost us to go around," Mr. Dane commented to
-himself.
-
-Then he said to the boys:
-
-"All right; we'll give it."
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"You see, I'm in the grocery business just up the
-street here. Whenever over this way, give us a call."
-
-Budd thanked the gentleman and put the card in
-his pocket, scarcely realizing how soon it was to
-prove serviceable. Then he said, laughingly:
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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!"
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XII.--BUDD'S TRIAL.
-===========================
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"How shall we go over to the main-land?" asked
-the man, after he had finished tying Budd's arms.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"They contain a ham, some crackers, cheese and
-sugar," he reported.
-
-"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."
-
-"Then why did I not carry them up there?"
-retorted Budd.
-
-Mr. Johnson was at first puzzled for an answer,
-but at length said:
-
-"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."
-
-"But I had nothing when I got out of the window,"
-replied Budd.
-
-Then he added, earnestly:
-
-"If you will just let me explain, Mr. Johnson, you
-will see that I had good reason for being on your
-island."
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"I shall, of course, depend upon you as the
-principal witness as to my residing on Fox Island.
-
-"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."
-
-"I'll bring him back, sure," promised Judd, rising
-to go.
-
-Then he drew near to Budd and whispered:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-Judd held the same opinion, and hurried off to
-carry out his partner's request.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-When the charge was read, the lad in loud, clear
-tones, answered "Not guilty," and the trial began.
-
-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:
-
-"Have you ever seen the prisoner previous to the
-time of his capture?"
-
-"Yes," replied Mr. Johnson. "I have known him,
-and his father before him, for years."
-
-"Where is his father?" asked the lawyer.
-
-"I object to that question," cried Budd, jumping
-to his feet, his cheeks all aflame with indignation.
-
-Before the Justice could give his ruling the
-answer had been given, loud and clear:
-
-"In the Massachusetts State Prison, serving out
-a twelve years' sentence for forgery and theft."
-
-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.
-
-Nor was the answer lost in its influence on the
-Justice.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"For your father's sake, make a defense."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-Mr. Johnson, with evident reluctance, took the
-witness-chair for his cross-examination.
-
-"How long had my father worked for you previous
-to the crime he is said to have committed?"
-
-"Fifteen or sixteen years," was the reply.
-
-"Why did you keep him so long in your employ?"
-Budd now asked.
-
-"I object," said the Prosecuting Attorney.
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"I decline to answer," said Mr. Johnson, after
-consulting with his attorney.
-
-"I will ask the witness one other question--one
-with reference to myself--with the Court's
-permission," said Budd.
-
-"Have I not, Mr. Johnson, paid you a portion of
-the money you claim my father took from you?"
-
-"I decline to answer that question also," replied
-Mr. Johnson, noticing that his attorney shook his
-head negatively.
-
-"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."
-
-"I hardly think it would be proper," said the
-Justice, looking toward Mr. Johnson for his
-approval of the ruling.
-
-"I then rest my case," said Budd, shortly, and
-with some show of indignation.
-
-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 *nights*, 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 *probability* of his guilt, it was his duty
-to bind him over to a higher court.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-Then, to Budd:
-
-"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."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIII.--MR. BENTON'S LITTLE GAME.
-========================================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-The Justice had been rapidly filling out a paper
-since he had rendered his decision, and now he
-looked up:
-
-"Your bond is ready," he said. "Whom do you
-name for bondsman?"
-
-"I have none," faltered the lad, "unless some
-gentleman here will give bond for me."
-
-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:
-
-"I'll sign his bond."
-
-The speaker was Mr. Benton, and that gentleman
-walked forward to the Justice's stand and
-deliberately wrote his name across the paper.
-
-"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.
-
-No sooner had he disappeared than Mr. Wright
-walked up to the Justice's desk, saying, quietly:
-
-"Put my name on the bond also. Two bondsmen
-are better than one;" and he wrote his name under
-that of Mr. Benton's.
-
-Then, crossing over to Budd's side, he shook
-hands with him, remarking:
-
-"Mr. Benton got the start of me; but I have
-shown my good-will, all the same. Shall we go, now?"
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-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:
-
-"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----"
-
-But what the speaker was to have said was cut
-short by a nudge from Judd.
-
-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.
-
-"I fine you ten dollars for contempt of court," he
-said, angrily, stopping and facing Mr. Dane.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"Will you return to Bristol at once?" Budd asked.
-"If so, we will arrange to take you over."
-
-"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.
-
-Budd spoke a few words in a low tone to his
-partner; then he said to Mr. Wright:
-
-"Can you go over to the island with us? There
-is something special we wish to talk over with you."
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Why didn't you tell this in the court-room? It
-would have acquitted you," said Mr. Wright, in
-astonishment.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-As he parted with them on the main shore he
-said to Budd:
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"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?"
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"How are you, boys, and what luck with your
-fish?" he remarked pleasantly, as they came ashore.
-
-The young partners responded good-naturedly,
-and he watched them as they sorted and put their
-fish into the "cars."
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"Have you been here long waiting for us?" Judd
-asked, with a wink at his chum.
-
-"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."
-
-"We hadn't been to the pounds to-day, and so
-hurried off to them," explained Budd.
-
-"I thought that was it," said Mr. Benton,
-following the lads on to the house.
-
-"Come in and take supper with us," said Budd.
-
-"I don't know but I will, seeing I have a little
-business with ye."
-
-Judd gave his partner a significant look.
-
-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:
-
-"What is your business, Mr. Benton?"
-
-"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?"
-
-"Do you really think so?" responded Budd, and
-waiting for Mr. Benton to go on.
-
-"Yes, ye would," said the man, shortly; "an' ye
-know it, well as I do."
-
-"It was very good of you," said the boy, meaningly.
-
-"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.
-
-"Why should I? It belonged to me, not to you,"
-Budd retorted.
-
-"No it don't, either. Ye have quit work, an'
-'cordin' to the barg'in it never did belong to ye."
-
-"What will you do if I don't pay it?" asked
-Budd, as though yielding.
-
-"I'll go an' cancel the bond, an' have ye in jail
-'fore mornin'," he said, savagely.
-
-"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.
-
-The man twisted in his chair.
-
-"Ye'd better pay it," he finally said.
-
-"Not one cent," replied Budd, decidedly.
-
-"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.
-
-With a laugh Budd and his partner followed the
-man to his boat.
-
-He got into it and rowed off a rod or two from
-the shore; then he paused and said:
-
-"Ye'd better change yer mind, Budd."
-
-"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."
-
-"Judd, ye hold on to him!" cried the man in
-alarm; "I command ye in the name o' the law to
-do so!"
-
-Judd laughed, and catching the spirit of mischief
-Budd had displayed, asked:
-
-"What'll you give me, if I do?"
-
-"A doller," said Mr. Benton, with some hesitation.
-
-"Oh! Budd will give me more than that to let
-him go," replied Judd, "and you will have the
-thousand dollars to pay!"
-
-"I'll give ye five dollers," cried Mr. Benton, in
-alarm.
-
-"Budd will give ten to go free," was the answer.
-
-"I'll give ye 'leven," said the man, desperately;
-and in his eagerness he rowed back inshore.
-
-"Where's the money? It must be cash down,"
-said Judd, seriously.
-
-"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."
-
-Before Judd could make answer, Budd, pitying
-the man, said:
-
-"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."
-
-Mr. Benton gave an exclamation of anger.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-As he passed Fox Island his anger was again
-aroused, and he exclaimed, bitterly:
-
-"'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."
-
-His eye just then caught the outline of the boys'
-sloop through the darkness.
-
-"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.
-
-Five minutes later he sailed off in the sloop,
-having the yawl and his own boat in tow.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIV.--TWO OPPORTUNITIES.
-================================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-Immediately after their first exclamations of
-surprise at the disappearance of the boats Judd asked:
-
-"Who do you suppose has taken them, chum?"
-
-"One of two parties," responded Budd, promptly;
-"either Bagsley and his gang, or Mr. Benton."
-
-"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?"
-
-"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."
-
-"You think, then, that Benton has done it?"
-inquired Judd. "What could have been his object?"
-
-"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."
-
-"But don't he know it was a theft?" asked Judd,
-hotly.
-
-"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."
-
-"What do you mean?" asked Judd, a little mystified.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"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?"
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Good-morning, Mr. Benton," he said. "You
-have quite a collection of craft here. Isn't that
-Boyd & Floyd's sloop and yawl?"
-
-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.
-
-"Well, yes," assented the farmer. "Ye see, Budd
-owes me, an' I thought I'd take his sloop until he
-paid me."
-
-"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.
-
-Mr. Benton fairly shook with excitement and rage.
-
-"Me 'rested!" he cried. "Who's dared to do it?"
-
-"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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-"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?"
-
-"Go where with you--up to the village?" asked
-he, quickly.
-
-"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.
-
-Dazed and overwhelmed at the prospect before
-him, Mr. Benton followed the officer back to the house.
-
-"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."
-
-"You will have to see the lads for yourself," said
-Mr. Avery, shortly.
-
-"Can't you take me where they are an' let me
-talk it over with them?" he asked, eagerly.
-
-"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."
-
-"How much will ye charge?" asked Mr. Benton, cautiously.
-
-"Thirty cents an hour," said the officer, looking
-at his watch.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-After listening to Mr. Benton's proposition to
-return the boats, Budd, as spokesman for the firm,
-replied:
-
-"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:
-
-"First, that he shall return the boats unharmed
-to our dock at the island.
-
-"Second, that he pay all costs that have accrued
-on account of his arrest.
-
-"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.
-
-"These are the only conditions on which we will
-settle, and he can accept them or stand his trial in
-court."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"I hope it may," was the response.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- $1,500 REWARD.
-
-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.
-
-.. class:: left medium white-space-pre-line
-
- Respectfully,
- CLAPP & ST. JOHN.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-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.
-
-"That was the work of Bagsley and his gang," he
-murmured, "and our opportunity, if we can only
-find them, has come."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XV.--BUDD ENTRAPPED.
-============================
-
-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.
-
-As he stood there a well-dressed stranger came
-up behind him, and also paused to read the notice.
-
-"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?"
-
-"They are simply believed to have been experts,"
-answered Budd.
-
-"It was a neat job, that's a fact," said the man,
-complacently.
-
-Then as Budd turned away he asked, politely:
-
-"Do you know of any one about the wharf here
-who has boats to let?"
-
-"I have a sloop," replied Budd, "that I use to
-take out sailing-parties."
-
-"Is it near here? Could I see it?" asked the
-man, looking Budd carefully over from head to foot.
-
-The lad led the way down to the dock and pointed
-out the Sea Witch.
-
-"She would do nicely," said the man, jumping
-into her and examining her cabin. "Is she a fast
-sailer?"
-
-"Nothing of her size on this bay can overhaul
-her," replied Budd, with a touch of pride.
-
-"Indeed!" remarked the man, with apparent
-satisfaction. "What do you ask a day for her use?"
-
-"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."
-
-"Which of course is a very nice way to arrange
-it, I'm sure," said the stranger.
-
-"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."
-
-Budd modestly admitted that he had heard of
-that distinguished gentleman, and then his
-companion went on:
-
-"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?"
-
-"How many are there in your party, and how
-much of an outfit have you?" asked Budd.
-
-"There are five of us, and we have only a few
-traps; you can carry everything at one trip," said
-Mr. Wilson, briskly.
-
-"I ought to have five dollars," Budd declared:
-"and I shall have to go home before I can make the
-trip."
-
-"Well, can you go right after dinner?" asked the
-stranger.
-
-"Yes, at one o'clock I'll be here," said the lad.
-
-"All right; we'll give you your price. Meantime,
-where can I get a good dinner?"
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"No, never mind that; it isn't worth taking with
-us," replied Mr. Wilson.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-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:
-
-"Gracious! There is Bagsley, and you are the robbers!"
-
-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:
-
-"It is Budd Boyd! Where did you run in with him?"
-
-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?"
-
-"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."
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-Wilson and Bagsley lifted the lad into the boat,
-and the captain following them, they rowed ashore.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-.. figure:: images/img-154.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: The captain with Bagsley's help tied Budd so firmly to the tree that there seemed no possibility of his untying himself.
-
- The captain with Bagsley's help tied Budd so firmly to the tree that there seemed no possibility of his untying himself.
-
-"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."
-
-With this heartless remark the two villains walked
-slowly away, leaving Budd to his uncertain fate.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVI.--JUDD MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
-================================================
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Are you going down to Jamestown Ferry, Mr. Niles?"
-he eagerly asks.
-
-"Yes, jump in," replies the kind-hearted farmer.
-
-Judd waits for no second invitation, but springing
-into the wagon, he points off to the west bay, saying:
-
-"Do you see that sloop over under the west
-shore, Mr. Niles?"
-
-"Yes," replies he, "and it looks like yours."
-
-"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.
-
-The interest of the farmer was at once awakened.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Mr. Avery," he exclaimed, "where are you going?"
-
-"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?"
-
-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.
-
-"Now," he said, "I want you to come along with
-me, if we can agree as to the division of the reward."
-
-"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.
-
-"Agreed; and we have no time to lose," responded
-Judd. "There is a tug right below here with her
-steam up."
-
-Two minutes later the officer and lad stood on the
-dock looking down into a neat and trim tug, named
-the Thetis.
-
-"Ho! ho!" exclaimed Mr. Avery as he read her
-name. "I know her captain, and I wonder where
-he is."
-
-"Right here, Avery," exclaimed a voice behind
-them. "What do you wish?"
-
-They turned to see a great six-footer coming
-toward them, and as he reached the dock he went on:
-
-"I thought it was you, Avery, as I came down the
-street behind you. How are you all at home?"
-
-"Very well, Captain Bradley," replied Mr. Avery.
-
-Then he introduced Judd, and proceeded to state
-his business.
-
-The stalwart captain pulled his beard vigorously
-as the officer told his story, and then he said,
-heartily:
-
-"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."
-
-Mr. Avery, after consulting with Judd, agreed to
-this, and then he suggested putting on a number of
-extra men.
-
-"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.
-
-In the specified time he returned with revolvers
-and a Winchester rifle.
-
-"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."
-
-But while this large collection of deadly weapons
-may have been wise it was hardly necessary, as the
-sequel will prove.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Do you suppose they have carried Budd off as a
-prisoner?" asked Judd of Mr. Avery as they stood
-there together.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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?"
-
-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:
-
-"There she is, Mr. Avery."
-
-He pointed out a small sloop about two miles
-away, which was sailing due east.
-
-"Has the captain a glass?" he then asked; "though
-without one I am quite positive she is the sloop," he
-added, quickly.
-
-A glass was brought him, and adjusting it to his
-eye, he looked long and anxiously at the retreating
-boat.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVII.--BUDD'S ESCAPE.
-=============================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-With these words he walked along to the south-east
-point of the island, and looked across to its
-nearest and larger neighbor.
-
-"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.
-
-"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?"
-
-There was no one to answer his question, and he
-did not stop long to deliberate.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-He had a little money with him, and on leaving
-he offered to pay his host for the breakfast; but the
-man refused.
-
-"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."
-
-Budd readily promised to do this, and with a
-hearty "Thank you" for his entertainment, hurried
-down the shore.
-
-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:
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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?
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XVIII.--CAUGHT.
-=======================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-The man addressed took a pail from the boat and
-followed the speaker down the shore.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"That is Bagsley," Judd said to his companions in
-a suppressed whisper.
-
-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.
-
-As soon as they were out of hearing Judd turned
-to Captain Bradley and asked:
-
-"Couldn't we bring your yawl across to this cove,
-captain?"
-
-"I think so. What then?" he asked, with interest.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Captain," he exclaimed, in a low tone.
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-Loud curses now followed, and heavy blows were
-struck upon the closed door. Then a voice cried:
-
-"Open that hatch, or we'll fire through it!" and
-the click of a revolver was heard.
-
-"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.
-
-Then he drew his revolver and fired twice in the
-air. It was the signal for the tug to approach.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-The sound of the approaching tug was plainly
-discernible, to confirm his words, and silence again
-fell on the discomfited burglars.
-
-"We are in Massachusetts waters; how dare you
-trouble us?" one of the men, after awhile, called out.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIX.--MR. JOHNSON IS ASTONISHED.
-========================================
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"Tell me about it," Budd managed to say.
-
-"No, your story comes first," remonstrated Judd.
-
-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.
-
-Then Judd said:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"So it will," assented Judd; and the sloop was
-headed in that direction.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-Budd smiled a little.
-
-"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.
-
-"Who shall I tell him wishes to see him?" the
-girl asked, doubtfully.
-
-"A gentleman," answered Budd, fearing to give
-his own name, and thus be refused an interview
-with the man he sought.
-
-The girl hesitatingly showed Budd into the
-reception-room and went off to call her master.
-
-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:
-
-"Budd Boyd! How dare you enter my house, sir?"
-
-"I have business with you, Mr. Johnson," Budd
-replied gravely, and with dignity.
-
-Something in his quiet tones and self-possessed
-manner soothed Mr. Johnson's anger, and he asked,
-shortly:
-
-"What is it?"
-
-"May I sit down, sir? I have several most
-astonishing revelations to make," said Budd,
-noticing the impression he had made.
-
-Mr. Johnson without a word motioned the boy to
-a chair, and taking one near by, waited for him to
-speak.
-
-"Do you remember the conversation I had with
-you about Thomas H. Bagsley, when in your office
-last March?" Budd now asked.
-
-"I do," said the gentleman addressed, briefly and
-haughtily.
-
-"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.
-
-"What makes you think so?" asked Mr. Johnson
-with a start, and for the first time beginning to
-show an interest in the conversation.
-
-"Because of his own words and threats to me the
-next morning," responded Budd; and he rapidly
-described the altercation that then occurred.
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"Your fears were well grounded," said Budd,
-with a little secret exultation over Mr. Johnson's
-admission.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-Budd laughed.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"Yes, I heard of it last evening," Mr. Johnson
-admitted.
-
-"That robbery was committed by Bagsley and his
-gang, and they robbed your house here," said Budd,
-quietly.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-"Mr. Johnson," he exclaimed, "get your hat and
-come with me."
-
-"Where?" he asked.
-
-"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."
-
-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:
-
-"I'm ready."
-
-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.
-
-"I'm just astonished! I'm just astonished!" was
-Mr. Johnson's ejaculation during this recital.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"I will do it," he replied. "I will come over
-immediately."
-
-He spoke to Bagsley, expressing regret at having
-found him such a criminal, but received only curses
-in return.
-
-At length he seemed to be satisfied with his own
-investigations, and with the story he had heard.
-
-Laying his hand on Budd's head he said, solemnly:
-
-"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."
-
-Tears streamed down Budd's cheeks, and with
-them went much of the anger he had cherished
-toward the speaker.
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XX.--THE CONFESSION.
-============================
-
-"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!"
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"It is a hard outlook for us, Tom."
-
-"Yes," his companion replied, gloomily.
-
-"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.
-
-"Do you think so?" asked Bagsley.
-
-"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.
-
-"What do you mean? They are more bitter
-against me than all the rest of you," responded
-Bagsley, with some irritation in his tones.
-
-"Yes, and for cause; but suppose you remove
-that cause?" said Brill, pointedly.
-
-"And get myself in a worse scrape," snapped
-Bagsley.
-
-"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.
-
-Enough had been said, however, to excite in Bagsley's
-heart a hope he would not be slow to follow up.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXI.--FATHER AND SON.
-=============================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"You have, of course, received and filled my order?"
-
-"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."
-
-Budd thanked him, and then asked:
-
-"Was the check I forwarded with the order
-sufficiently large in amount to pay for everything?"
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-He now walked down to the hotel he had named,
-and registering his name, was shown to a room.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-With no hesitation he told who he was, and the
-object of his visit to Boston.
-
-"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."
-
-The editor laughed a little.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-Then the man, with a few inquiries as to Mr. Boyd's
-plans after his release, dismissed his young
-visitor.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-And though he did not know it then, that very
-thing was to eventually happen.
-
-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:
-
-"Go over to the State Prison in Charlestown."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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."
-
-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.
-
-"One moment, Mr. Boyd," the warden said.
-"Here is a note the Governor has sent here for you."
-
-In surprise, Mr. Boyd took the note and hastily
-opened it. There was but a brief line.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. class:: left medium
-
- EXECUTIVE MANSION, October 5th.
-
-*Mr. Henry Boyd and Son:*--You are both
-requested to dine with me at two o'clock this
-afternoon, where you will meet some old and some new
-friends.
-
-.. class:: left medium
-
- THE GOVERNOR.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-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:
-
-"Oh, Budd! if your mother only knew of my
-vindication! If she had only lived to see this day!"
-
-"She does know of it," replied Budd, simply.
-
-"I believe it; and, like myself, she is proud of
-her boy;" and Mr. Boyd looked lovingly down
-into the face of his son.
-
-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.
-
-He thanked them all for their expressions of
-kindness, but added, with evident pride:
-
-"My son has a home for me, and there I will go
-for the present."
-
-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.
-
-As they reached their own wharf Mr. Boyd
-stepped out of the boat and looked around him.
-Then he said tenderly, almost reverently:
-
-"This is your home, Budd, and my home,
-now--inexpressibly dear, because of what my boy has
-here proved himself to be."
-
-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:
-
-"Judd, what is your father's name?"
-
-"Silas Torr Floyd," answered the wondering boy.
-
-"And your mother's?"
-
-"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."
-
-"You are, then, cousins," was Mr. Boyd's astonishing
-declaration.
-
-"How do you make that out, sir?" the lads
-exclaimed in one breath.
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"I think that is it," said Judd, thoughtfully; "for
-whenever I asked about her relatives, she never
-would tell me anything about them."
-
-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:
-
-"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!"
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXII.--AN EXCITING ADVENTURE.
-=====================================
-
-"Good morning, father! Would you like to go
-with us to the fish-traps, or will you remain
-here and rest?"
-
-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.
-
-Mr. Boyd looked up at his boy with a cheerful smile.
-
-"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?"
-
-"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?"
-
-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.
-
-"No, my son," replied Mr. Boyd, with no less
-show of affection; "I'll be with you presently."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Where did Mr. Benton get that boat, and what
-is he doing with her, Judd?" he asked.
-
-"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."
-
-"Are we going to have a storm right away?"
-asked Mr. Boyd, looking up at the mackerel-sky.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-In carrying out this plan they ran on their third
-tack close enough to Mr. Benton to hail him.
-
-"Good-morning, Mr. Benton," Budd cried out.
-"Shall we take you in tow and leave you at the
-beach?"
-
-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.
-
-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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"Why not?" asked Mr. Boyd, with some show of interest.
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-The old man turned slowly around and looked off
-toward the sloop.
-
-"I'll 'tend to my bizness, if ye'll 'tend to your'n,"
-he curtly replied.
-
-"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."
-
-Before Mr. Boyd could make any reply there came
-a sharp cry from Budd, who was still on the bow of
-the sloop.
-
-"Quick, Judd, or our trap will be destroyed!
-There is a porpoise in it, and he has already noticed
-our approach."
-
-"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!"
-
-"Perhaps I can get him," cried Budd, running aft
-and drawing the yawl close up to the sloop.
-
-The next moment he had leaped into it, and casting
-off the painter, he sculled rapidly toward the pound.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Hurrah! I've got him!" shouted Budd, seizing
-hold of the bow-line and beginning to haul it in.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-.. figure:: images/img-224.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: 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.
-
- 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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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?
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIII.--A MANLY RESCUE.
-===============================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Are you hurt, Budd?" Mr. Boyd asked,
-anxiously, as he helped the lad on board.
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-He was soon, with his father's help, comfortably
-clad, and back onto the deck of the sloop. With a
-good deal of *éclat* he then related all the details of
-his adventure, ending with the wish that he might
-have secured the cetacean.
-
-"We can get him, for there he is," said Judd.
-
-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.
-
-"How would you get him?" asked Budd, quickly,
-watching the porpoise in its dying struggles.
-
-"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."
-
-"But is he worth all that trouble?" asked Mr. Boyd.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Look!" the lad exclaimed; "Benton has actually
-got his boat around the point, and is now driving
-helplessly before the gale!"
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-It was night when Mr. Benton aroused and found
-Judd sitting by his bedside.
-
-"How came I here?" he asked.
-
-"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.
-
-"Budd is all right, then?" the man asked, with
-some show of feeling.
-
-"Yes, his father is with him; and when I was in
-there, a short time ago, he was sleeping nicely,"
-answered Judd, shortly.
-
-Mr. Benton said no more, and after taking the
-food and warm drink Judd brought him, he soon
-went to sleep again.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-The man made no reply, but Budd asked:
-
-"Did the yawl come ashore all right?"
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"I 'spose ye don't hate me no longer, Budd?"
-
-"I have never hated you, Mr. Benton," Budd
-promptly replied.
-
-"I dunno as ye have," he assented; "ye don't act
-as though ye did, anyway, an' I'll be friends, if ye
-will."
-
-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.
-
-Meeting Mr. Wright a few days later, that
-gentleman accosted him with the question:
-
-"I say, Budd, what have you been doing to Mr. Benton?"
-
-"Nothing bad, I hope," responded the boy, with
-a laugh.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Who would have thought the old miser would
-have been so generous!" exclaimed Judd, as he
-looked the watch over.
-
-"Or possessed so much poetic sentiment," added
-Mr. Boyd, laughingly.
-
-"He must have had some good in him, with all
-his faults, or ho would never have so quickly
-changed," said Budd, thoughtfully.
-
-A declaration his companions readily accepted.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXIV.--THE FIRM'S PROFITS.
-==================================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"If I can only keep away from the sight and
-smell of the abominable stuff, perhaps I can be a man."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-"I'll tell you, Judd, what I want to do before we
-leave here," Budd now said.
-
-"What is it?" his partner asked, with interest.
-
-"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."
-
-"Where would you go?" inquired Judd, laughingly.
-"There are very few places around here
-that you have not visited."
-
-"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."
-
-"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?"
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Shall you land for dinner, Budd, or shall I get it
-ready in the cabin?"
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"Here, Judd, quick; I want you."
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"I don't know," answered Budd, catching the
-largest bunch in his net and drawing it on board,
-"but I'll soon find out."
-
-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.
-
-"What do you call it, father?" he at length asked.
-
-"It is evidently a fatty matter of some kind, but
-I cannot tell its precise nature," Mr. Boyd replied.
-
-Mr. Floyd, however, with a sparkle in his eye, said:
-
-"My opinion is, lad, that you had better get the
-rest of it, for if I mistake not you have found a
-treasure."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"How many pounds do you think there are of
-it, Uncle Silas?" asked Budd, when all had been
-secured.
-
-"Nigh on to thirty pounds, I reckon," he said,
-lifting the pieces one by one.
-
-"It is the biggest haul, then, we have made this
-season," remarked Judd, with open eyes.
-
-"I rather think so," was Budd's emphatic response.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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:
-
-"I have subjected this to every known test, and
-it proves genuine. Have you much of it? And
-where did you find it?"
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"What would you ask for your trouble?" asked Budd.
-
-"Well," said the man, smilingly, "I think we
-ought to have five per cent. of the net amount received."
-
-"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."
-
-"Very well," the druggist replied.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Our receipts have been as follows," and Budd
-read this to his attentive listeners:
-
-::
-
- 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
-
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"Yes, indeed," replied Budd, warmly.
-
-Then he said to his father:
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-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:
-
-"I will do it!"
-
-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:
-
-"Have John carry that out to the nearest box."
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XXV.--MR. JOHNSON'S MUNIFICENCE.
-========================================
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"It is from Mr. Johnson," said Budd, as he
-glanced at the address. "I wonder what he wants
-of father?"
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-"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."
-
-"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.
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"We will both go," replied Judd; "there is
-nothing else to do."
-
-So the sloop was put in readiness for the return
-trip to the village.
-
-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.
-
-His meeting of Mr. Boyd at the wharf was warm,
-almost affectionate, and in a way indicated his
-purpose in making this visit.
-
-"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."
-
-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:
-
-"Did you wish to see me alone, sir?"
-
-"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."
-
-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:
-
-"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?"
-
-"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.
-
-Then he went on, with marked hesitation:
-
-"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."
-
-"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."
-
-He paused a moment, visibly affected by his own
-words, then went rapidly on:
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-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:
-
-"I will do it!"
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-----
-
-
-
-
-THE BEAR AND THE BOMB SHELL.
-============================
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-Whether the speculation was successful or not, is
-no business of ours. My business is with Tom Allan,
-the cabin boy of the Janet.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-At last, then, after more than a year of adverse
-fortune, he saw his way to success.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-Such a race as that, if prolonged, could have had
-but one termination; and this Allan knew but too well.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-The moment that he reached this place of refuge
-he turned to look at his enemy.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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?
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-He took his powder-horn, filled as it was with
-blasting powder, and in this he inserted a piece of
-blasting fuse.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-The smell of the burning fuse was offensive, and
-he expressed his disgust by a low growl.
-
-At last the horn lay on the ground.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-
-
-
-----
-
-
-
-
-AN AFTERNOON AT SAGAMORE POND.
-==============================
-
-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.
-
-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, *togue* 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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-After skimming our hole, we dropped in a hook
-baited with a *shiner*--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.
-
-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.
-
-"Fisher-cat, isn't it?" said Rod.
-
-It did look like one, certainly. It was black, and
-about the same size.
-
-"Suppose he'd show fight if we should go round
-there?" continued Rod, looking leisurely for the
-hatchet.
-
-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.
-
-In explanation, I should say that the "fisher-cat"
-is a member of the weasel family. Naturalists call
-it the *Mustela Canadensis*, 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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Isn't he a thumper!" exclaimed Rod. "Five
-or six pounds, certain! Fish enough for one day."
-
-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.
-
-Here was a surprise.
-
-"What on earth was that?" cried Rod.
-
-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.
-
-"It couldn't have been that fisher-cat," said Rod.
-
-"No, indeed! Who ever heard of a fisher-cat,
-or any other cat, swimming ten rods under water!"
-
-"But he is gone from the stump."
-
-"Well, let him go. That wasn't him."
-
-"What was it, then?"
-
-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.
-
-"Rather a strange performance, anyhow," muttered Rod.
-
-"But let's go round to the shore, and see if we
-can find the fisher."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"Hollo!" cried Rod, "here he is;" thrusting in
-his stick. The head vanished.
-
-"But that's no fisher; their noses do not look
-like that. It was too big and *blunt*. 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?"
-
-"No."
-
-"Nor I; but I've heard old Hughy Olives tell
-about them; and that's just what this is."
-
-"What about them? Will they fight much?"
-
-"Fight when cornered, Hughy says, like young
-tigers, too. Dogs are no match for them. But their
-fur's valuable."
-
-"That's so. We must get this one if we can."
-
-"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."
-
-We ran to the edge and looked over. The water
-was six or seven feet deep.
-
-"Stamp on the ground," said I.
-
-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.
-
-"Yes, here he is; two of them."
-
-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.
-
-They were otters; no doubt of it. But how to
-catch them; that was the next question.
-
-"Hughy spoke of setting traps for them," said
-Rod.
-
-"So we can! Your father's old bear-trap! Set it
-down under the bank here, where their burrow opens
-out into the water."
-
-"Agreed."
-
-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.
-
-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 *sinking*
-it at the entrance of the burrow we chained it to an
-old root.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-We received twelve dollars apiece for these skins,
-and felt very well satisfied with oar afternoon's
-sport at the Sagamore.
-
-
-
-
-----
-
-
-
-
-HOW JACK WENT TIGER-HUNTING.
-============================
-
-Jack was reading Du Chaillu. He spent a good
-deal more time that night over Du Chaillu than
-over his Latin.
-
-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.
-
-"I've got an idea, mother!" he said.
-
-"I'm glad of that." said Bessy, under her breath.
-Mrs. Leigh shook her head at her.
-
-"Well, my son?"
-
-"Du Chaillu's in this country, you know?" Jack's
-face was red, and his voice like a trumpet, from
-excitement.
-
-"I believe he is."
-
-"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!"
-
-Bessy stared.
-
-"To Africa?" said Mrs. Leigh, folding her hem.
-
-"Yes, mother." Jack was a little damped to find
-his views received so quietly.
-
-"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!"
-
-"Will you thread my needle, Bessy? I think if
-you wait, you will be a better shot in a year or two,
-probably, Jack."
-
-"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."
-
-"Who was that whining over his grammar,
-awhile ago?" asked his sister.
-
-"That's a very different matter," stammered Jack
-angrily. "What kind of sense is there in
-*amaba--bis--bus*! That's stuff! If I had a chance with my
-gun now, at a lion, say--
-
-"If you cannot conquer nouns and verbs, Jack,"
-said Mrs. Leigh, "I am not afraid for the wild beasts."
-
-"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.
-
-"You should not tease your brother, Bessy."
-
-Bessy laughed. She was a fat, pretty, good-tempered
-girl, very fond of Jack and just as fond of
-squabbling with him.
-
-"He is such a fellow to brag, mamma. Now I
-know he'll be at it again. There he comes."
-
-Jack came in and leaned with his elbows on the
-table, watching his mother and thinking.
-
-"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!"
-
-"Yes."
-
-"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."
-
-"Very well, Jack, I trust you."
-
-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.
-
-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.
-
-"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.
-
-"'Twasn't much of a fire--near two miles
-off--somewhere about the Northern mills."
-
-"There was great confusion," said Mrs. Leigh.
-
-"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."
-
-"Who was that in the hall, Jack?" inquired Bessy.
-
-"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."
-
-"Was he a pretty dog?" said Bess eagerly.
-
-"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."
-
-"You didn't fix him with your eye, then?"
-
-Jack said nothing, but lighted his candle and went
-to bed.
-
-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.
-
-"O, Jack, listen to this!" jumping on the bed and
-beginning to read breathlessly:
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-"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."
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-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?"
-
-Jack's face, and neck, and very ears were scarlet.
-He stammered, and did not seem nearly so
-tumultuous as usual.
-
-"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."
-
-"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?"
-
-"Perhaps I will," said Jack loftily. "But I must
-be dressed first."
-
-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.
-
-"Have you seen it? Where is it?"
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"You think it's in there, do you?" he said, under
-his breath.
-
-"Oh, Ann heard it! Such a horrible roar! Up
-in the very back part. How will you get at it to
-shoot it?"
-
-"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."
-
-"There's a knot hole in the shed. You can peep,
-Jack. He won't see you."
-
-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."
-
-"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."
-
-"I mean to shoot when he comes out."
-
-But Jack's fingers shook so as he adjusted the
-trigger that one would have thought he had the palsy.
-
-"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."
-
-"Very well."
-
-"Unless you'd rather throw the bone," hesitated
-Bessy, her heart giving way.
-
-"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."
-
-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.
-
-"Was it the tiger?"
-
-"Yes."
-
-"Oh, Jack!" Bessy clasped her hands. "Is he--is
-he big?"
-
-"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!"
-
-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.
-
-"He's in your house, ma'am."
-
-"It was your son that discovered him."
-
-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.
-
-"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."
-
-"What's your two thousand dollars to us?"
-growled one of the men, cocking his gun. "Consider
-our lives."
-
-Nobody as yet had seen the tiger but Jack, who
-stood in an upper window, the observed of all
-observers.
-
-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.
-
-"Let every man take care of himself," said the
-keeper. "Fire if we do not secure him. Are you
-ready, men?"
-
-The men, with pale faces, lowered the net. "All right!"
-
-"Look out, then. One, two, three!"
-
-"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--
-
-"Brown's big yellow dog!" shouted the policemen.
-
-"Where's that young coward that fooled us?" The
-keepers raged and the crowd cheered.
-
-But Jack had hidden away with his shame and
-could not be found. He never was known to brag
-again.
-
-.. vspace:: 6
-
-.. pgfooter::
diff --git a/39732-rst/images/img-024.jpg b/39732-rst/images/img-024.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 710b851..0000000 --- a/39732-rst/images/img-024.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39732-rst/images/img-154.jpg b/39732-rst/images/img-154.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 16e7352..0000000 --- a/39732-rst/images/img-154.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39732-rst/images/img-224.jpg b/39732-rst/images/img-224.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c31195d..0000000 --- a/39732-rst/images/img-224.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39732-rst/images/img-cover.jpg b/39732-rst/images/img-cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c930282..0000000 --- a/39732-rst/images/img-cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39732.txt b/39732.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 61a398e..0000000 --- a/39732.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8060 +0,0 @@ - BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Budd Boyd's Triumph - or, The Boy-Firm of Fox Island - -Author: William Pendleton Chipman - -Release Date: May 18, 2012 [EBook #39732] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - - -[Illustration: Cover art] - - - - - BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH; - - OR, - - THE BOY-FIRM OF FOX ISLAND. - - - By WILLIAM PENDLETON CHIPMAN, - - _Author of_ - - "Roy Gilbert's Search," "The Mill-Boy of the Genesee," - "The Black Forge Mills," etc., etc. - - - - - ILLUSTRATED. - - NEW YORK: - - A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER. - - - - - COPYRIGHT 1890, BY A. L. BURT. - - - - ---- - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I.--BUDD SEEKS EMPLOYMENT. - CHAPTER II.--A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING. - CHAPTER III.--AGAINST WIND AND TIDE. - CHAPTER IV.--A NEW FRIEND. - CHAPTER V.--MR. BENTON'S WRATH. - CHAPTER VI.--THE NEW FIRM. - CHAPTER VII.--BUSINESS BOOMS. - CHAPTER VIII.--THE LOST OX-CART. - CHAPTER IX.--THE THREE INTRUDERS. - CHAPTER X.--BUDD'S STORY. - CHAPTER XI.--AN UNFORTUNATE PREDICAMENT. - CHAPTER XII.--BUDD'S TRIAL. - CHAPTER XIII.--MR. BENTON'S LITTLE GAME. - CHAPTER XIV.--TWO OPPORTUNITIES. - CHAPTER XV.--BUDD ENTRAPPED. - CHAPTER XVI.--JUDD MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. - CHAPTER XVII.--BUDD'S ESCAPE. - CHAPTER XVIII.--CAUGHT. - CHAPTER XIX.--MR. JOHNSON IS ASTONISHED. - CHAPTER XX.--THE CONFESSION. - CHAPTER XXI.--FATHER AND SON. - CHAPTER XXII.--AN EXCITING ADVENTURE. - CHAPTER XXIII.--A MANLY RESCUE. - CHAPTER XXIV.--THE FIRM'S PROFITS. - CHAPTER XXV.--MR. JOHNSON'S MUNIFICENCE. - THE BEAR AND THE BOMB SHELL. - AN AFTERNOON AT SAGAMORE POND. - HOW JACK WENT TIGER-HUNTING. - - ---- - - - - - BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH. - - - - -CHAPTER I.--BUDD SEEKS EMPLOYMENT. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"It must be a beautiful place to live, and I hope to find a home here," -he remarked, as he resumed his journey. - -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: - -"Good-evening!" - -"Good-evening!" responded the lad. - -Then he asked: - -"Is this Mr. Benton?" - -"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." - -"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?" - -The man had now reached the boy's side, and was looking him over with -evident curiosity. - -"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." - -"Yes," the lad answered, briefly; and then thanking the man for his -information he turned away. - -"I thought so," the man called after him, "else you wouldn't want to go -there to work." - -The boy scarcely gave heed to the remark then; but it was not long -before he knew by hard experience the meaning of it. - -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. - -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: - -"Come in!" - -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. - -Eying the lad for a moment in surprise, he asked, somewhat surlily: - -"What do you want, youngster?" - -"Are you Mr. Benton?" the lad asked. - -"Yes; what of it?" the man answered, sharply. - -"I was told you wanted help, and I have called to see about it," -explained the boy. - -"Come in, then," said the man, and his tones were wonderfully modified. - -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. - -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. - -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." - -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. - -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: - -"Who are ye?" - -"Budd Boyd," promptly answered the lad. - -"That's a kinder cur'us name, now ain't it?" questioned Mr. Benton. "I -dunno any Boyds round here. Where be ye from?" - -"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. - -"Any parents?" next inquired Mr. Benton. - -"My mother is dead, and my father is not keeping house now. I'm to look -out for myself," said the lad, somewhat hesitatingly. - -"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. - -"No, sir; but I'm willing to learn," said the lad. - -"Of course ye can't expect much in the way of wages," remarked Mr. -Benton, cautiously. - -"No, not until I can do my full share of work," said Budd, -indifferently. - -A light gleamed for a moment in Mr. Benton's eyes. - -"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. - -"Very well," responded the lad; and immediately after he added: - -"I've walked a good ways to-day, and if you don't mind, I'll go to my -room." - -"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. - -"All right, if that is your custom," said Budd. "Draw up the paper, and -I'll sign it." - -After considerable effort, Mr. Benton produced the following document: - - -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. - -JOHN BENTON, on his part. - - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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: - -"Budd! Budd! get up and come out to the barn." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER II.--A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING. - - -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. - -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. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Benton. What can I do to assist you?" asked Budd, -pleasantly, as soon as he entered the barn. - -"Hum! I don't suppose ye can milk?" was the rather ungracious response. - -"No, sir; but I'm willing to learn," replied Budd, good-naturedly. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"Now ye are up to another of yer capers, John Benton. There never was a -man on the earth meaner than ye are!" - -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: - -"Budd, do you know you are the profoundest example of human patience I -ever saw?" - -"No; is that so?" replied Budd, with a laugh. "What makes you think so?" - -"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?" - -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: - -"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." - -With these words Budd started up his oxen and went on, leaving Mr. -Wright to resume his journey more mystified than ever. - -On the first day of May Budd asked Mr. Benton for the previous month's -pay. - -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. - -"Me pay ye now!" he exclaimed. "What are ye thinkin' of?" - -Then, as though another idea had come to his mind, he said, -persuasively: - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"Does this here paper say anythin' 'bout my payin' ye every munth?" - -"No, sir," Budd reluctantly admitted. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Do you mean to say you don't intend to pay me anything until October?" -asked Budd, indignantly. - -"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." - -He now picked up his hoe and resumed his work. - -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. - -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: - - -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, - -BUDD BOYD. - - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER III.--AGAINST WIND AND TIDE. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -[Illustration: 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.] - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER IV.--A NEW FRIEND. - - -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. - -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 _where_ -was the cart-body? - -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. - -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 _what_ wharf was it? Which way should he -go to find the opening by which he had entered? - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"Help! Help!" - -The next instant the door of the building swung open, letting out a -flood of light upon the exhausted lad, and a voice asked: - -"Who are you? Where are you?" - -"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. - -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. - -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: - -"There; drink that down, and I'll warrant you'll be kicking round here -as lively as a kitten, in a few minutes." - -Budd drained the offered cup, and then said, gratefully: - -"I don't know how I shall ever repay you for your kindness to me. I was -pretty near used up, I declare." - -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: - -"Will you tell me how you came here, Budd Boyd?" - -"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. - -The boy-host gave a comical shrug of his shoulders, and with a -flourishing gesture answered: - -"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!" - -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. - -"'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." - -Budd at once admitted this; then he asked: - -"But how is it that you knew me? And how long have you been here?" - -"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. - -"How long have I been here?" he went on. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"How do you live?" asked Budd, with a good deal of curiosity. - -"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?" - -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: - -"I've eaten supper already, but help yourself. There's more, when this -is gone." - -Budd accepted his host's hospitality and made out a comfortable meal. - -Then Judd said: - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -As Judd parted with him he remarked: - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER V.--MR. BENTON'S WRATH. - - -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. - -"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." - -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: - -"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?" - -"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. - -"'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?" - -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: - -"How did Mr. Benton seem to feel when he came to the conclusion that I -and the cart had been swept out to sea?" - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -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. - -The farmer was down upon his knees on the threshing-floor mending a -horse-cultivator when the lad entered and said: - -"Well, Mr. Benton, I'm back at last, and ready to report for my -prolonged absence." - -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: - -"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." - -Before he could say more Mr. Benton broke angrily in upon him: - -"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?" - -"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. - -"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." - -Budd's cheeks burned with resentment. - -"It was not," he emphatically declared. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -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: - -"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!" - -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. - -Helping Budd to his feet, Mr. Wright asked: - -"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?" - -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. - -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. - -"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?" - -"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. - -"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?" - -This last question was addressed to Budd. - -"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." - -"Benton, let me see it," demanded Mr. Wright. - -With evident reluctance Mr. Benton took the paper from his pocket-book -and handed it to his neighbor. - -Mr. Wright read it over carefully; then he deliberately tore it up, -saying: - -"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." - -Budd here explained how Mr. Benton had used the paper at the time he had -asked for his first month's pay. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -"But his two months are not up yet," objected Benton. - -"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: - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -And notwithstanding the pleadings and promises of Mr. Benton, Mr. Wright -fifteen minutes later departed, with Budd by his side. - - - - -CHAPTER VI.--THE NEW FIRM. - - -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: - -"There is something I would like to have you explain, Mr. Wright." - -"What is it?" Mr. Wright asked, pleasantly. - -"Why was Mr. Benton so docile in your presence? I should never have -believed that he would have cowered down so to any man." - -Mr. Wright laughed. - -"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." - -But in this last assertion Mr. Wright was wrong, at least so far as Budd -was concerned. - -On reaching the house, Mr. Wright opened the door and motioned Budd to -enter, at the same time saying to his wife: - -"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. - -"Oh, yes, I think so," the lady replied, giving Budd a hearty and -motherly welcome, which at once caused him to feel at home. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Perhaps we shall be able to find some place for you," Mr. Wright had -said as they drove off. - -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: - -"Hello! changed masters, have you? Shows your wisdom. But tell us -about it." - -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. - -"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." - -"Is that so?" asked Budd, with some show of interest. - -"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." - -"How's that?" asked Budd. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -"And not have half as rough an experience," Judd chimed in, with a -laugh. - -"How do you expect to make it, Judd?" Mr. Wright asked, a little -doubtingly. - -"Selling fish and clams; taking out fishing-parties; doing odd jobs at -the watering-places," answered Judd, pithily. "There's money in it." - -"Do you think so?" asked Budd of Mr. Wright. - -"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." - -"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. - -Mr. Wright laughed a little. - -"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!" - -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. - -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. - -Budd was the first to speak. - -"Here, Judd," he said, "let us begin at the very root of things. Who -does this island belong to?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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?" - -Judd looked a little crestfallen, at his companion's words. - -"Why," he said, "I can't put in much. I have the boat----" - -"Which is worth how much?" interrupted Budd. - -"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." - -"No, it is not," Budd said. "How about the things over at the shanty? -They are yours, are they not?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"What do you mean?" asked Judd, in wonder. - -"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?" - -Judd arose from his seat with a sparkling face and crossed over to where -his chum was sitting. - -"Here's my hand on it; and I say, Budd, you are a brick," was his rather -ambiguous but expressive answer. - -Budd had caught something of his companion's enthusiasm, and with -intense eagerness he continued: - -"Now as to our plan of operations. In this you must be the chief -adviser." - -"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." - -"How do you work it?" inquired Budd. - -"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. - -"Good!" exclaimed his comrade. "What next?" - -"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." - -"It can't be much of a boat for that money," remarked Budd. - -"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." - -"All right! I'm ready to accept your judgment, and we certainly will be -equipped better than I expected," remarked Budd. - -"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. - -"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." - -"Let us keep together through all the arrangements," suggested Judd. - -"Very well," consented Budd; and they returned to the house for the -night. - -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: - - - NEW FIRM! NEW FIRM! - - BOYD & FLOYD. - - -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. - - -BUDD BOYD. -JUDD FLOYD. - -Fox Island, May 20, 18--. - - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER VII.--BUSINESS BOOMS. - - -The cry, "Wake up, Budd! All hands ahoy!" greeted Budd's ears early -Monday morning. He opened his eyes at the command. - -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. - -"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. - -"And where is it you said we would go?" Budd responded. - -"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." - -"What'll we be likely to catch?" Budd then inquired, just as they both -entered the kitchen and began preparations for breakfast. - -"Rock-bass, tautog, and the everywhere-present and forever-biting -sea-perch," Judd laughingly answered. - -"What about the gill-net?" - -"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. - -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. - -For over two hours they toiled without interruption; then Judd, who had -been watching the waves for an instant, cried out: - -"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!" - -Suiting the action to the word, he emptied his basket in a shallow pool -close beside him. - -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." - -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. - -"Our luck is over for to-day," Judd announced, pulling in his lines. -"We may as well weigh anchor and start for home." - -"We have done well, anyway," Budd said, with a touch of pride, as he -gazed at the fish they had caught. - -"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." - -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. - -"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?" - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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 _business_, 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. - -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. - -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. - -The partners sat in their little sitting-room when this first casting -was made and the result of the week announced: - -"Twelve dollars and fifty-two cents above all expenses," declared Budd, -who had been appointed the book-keeper for the firm. - -"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?" - -"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?" - -"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." - -"All right," consented Judd. - -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. - -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: - -"Judd, look at this school of fish!" - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -"Now throw over your lines, and pull in as fast as possible," were -Judd's orders. - -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. - -"Enough!" Budd cried. "I'm satisfied. Let us quit." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Has the man fallen overboard?" was Budd's startling question. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -It was altogether too good an opportunity to let pass, and the boys -promptly accepted the offer. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII.--THE LOST OX-CART. - - -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. - -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 -_mental_ inspection of the premises, and therefore we may safely enter. - -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. - -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. - -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 _a -home_, and not a mere abiding-place. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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." - -"What is a water-glass?" asked his chum, with interest. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -His companion made no objection, and for the second time that morning -they crossed to "The Hummocks." - -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. - -Rod after rod was gone over, when Budd suddenly removed his head from -the tube with an exclamation of surprise. - -"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." - -"Let me see," answered Judd, pulling in his oars and joining his -companion at the stern of the boat. - -Taking the glass, he examined the sea-bottom for some minutes intently. - -"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." - -Budd good-naturedly took the oars and pulled in the direction indicated. -He had gone about fifty feet when Judd motioned him to stop. - -"The bed ends here," he explained, removing his head from the glass. -"Now row slowly east." - -Budd did as directed for ten or twelve rods; then Judd again motioned -him to stop. - -"That is the width of the bed," he explained. "Now row north." - -Again the boat shot in that direction, and for a long distance, until -Judd shouted: - -"Hurrah!" - -"What is it?" asked Budd, excitedly. - -"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." - -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. - -"I guess the glass has paid for its construction already," he commented, -joining his chum at the stern. - -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. - -"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!" - -"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." - -"Yes," assented Budd; "but how are we going to get the gear on shore?" - -"Let me take a look at it," said Judd. - -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. - -"Give me that rope," he said. - -Budd handed him the rope that had been used to drag the cart-bed over to -"The Hummocks." - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -"What the oxen can't do our sloop can," said Judd with animation. - -"What is that?" asked Budd. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"We have started them," the boys cried simultaneously; and then Judd, -who was at the helm, brought the sloop around on her downward tack. - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"Where's the iron pin that was in there when you lost the cart?" - -"On the sea-bottom, I suppose," answered Budd. "You didn't expect me to -hang on to it, did you?" - -"No," said the man, slowly, "but I should 'a' thought ye'd 'a' got me -another." - -"How much will one cost?" asked Budd, in disgust. - -"As much as a quarter," replied Mr. Benton. - -"Here it is," said Budd, handing that amount to him, "and I hope you are -now satisfied?" - -"Yes, unless"--rather hesitatingly--"unless ye've a mind to pay me fer -the time it has been gone." - -"I won't pay you a single cent for it! I haven't used your cart!" -responded Budd, out of all patience. - -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. - -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: - -"What light is that?" - -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: - -"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." - -Budd drew his chum back into the shadow of an adjacent tree and -whispered: - -"Let us find out who they are before me make ourselves known." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER IX.--THE THREE INTRUDERS. - - -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. - -"They have come to stay," whispered Budd. - -Then he asked, softly: - -"Are the doors locked, Judd?" - -"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." - -The men reached the house and tried the kitchen door, but it withstood -their most vigorous blows. - -"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." - -"Perhaps some one is living here now," suggested one of his companions, -cautiously. "There is a wood-pile just beyond the corner." - -"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." - -"It may be some fisherman who has not yet come home," remarked the third -man. - -"We'll try a window," said the leader; and he stepped to the one just at -the left of the door. - -"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." - -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. - -There was now heard for an instant a sharp scratching sound, followed by -a jingle of glass, and then the window was raised up. - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -As his voice reached the listening boys, Budd caught Judd's arm -convulsively. - -"I believe I know that man," he whispered into his astonished comrade's -ear. - -"All right," was the response of the other men to Tom's suggestion, and -they passed on into the sitting-room. - -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: - -"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. - -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. - -"What's the matter?" asked his companions. - -"I want you to read that name," he said savagely to them; and looking -over his shoulder they read: - -"Budd Boyd. From his mother, Mary Boyd." - -"Well, what of it?" asked one of the men. - -"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." - -"Why?" asked the same man who had spoken before. - -"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." - -Tom swore a fearful oath. - -"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." - -"Hadn't we better keep watch here till the lad returns, and then drop -him off the island?" suggested the leader, coolly. - -"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." - -"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." - -"That is old Johnson's summer residence, isn't it?" asked Tom. - -"Yes. Are you afraid of him, too?" - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -As they sat down near the wharf Judd said, in low tones: - -"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." - -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. - -"Jed! Jed!" he called in low but distinct tones. "We have found just -the jolliest supper! Come on up and help us eat it." - -Jed, who was down by his boat, immediately joined the speaker, and the -two went hurriedly back to the house. - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -"Come on!" he said to Judd; and again the boys approached the house. - -Taking their station once more behind the wood-pile, Budd called out, in -stern tones: - -"Hello, Judd! There is some one in the house! Hurry up with the gun!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER X.--BUDD'S STORY. - - -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." - -"He's the man who has spent the last summer or two on Hope Island," -interrupted Judd, "and the one Bagsley called old Johnson." - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"While we sat there a knock came at the door, and mother's nurse -entered. - -"'Here, Mr. Boyd,' she said, 'is a letter for you. It has just been left -at the door.' - -"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: - - -BOSTON, Mass., Oct. 15, 18--. - -MR. HENRY BOYD: - -_Dear Sir_--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, - -I remain, yours truly, - N. B. JOHNSON. - - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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: - -"'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.' - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"'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?'" - -Without a word he filled out the receipt, but on handing it to me he -said, not unkindly: - -"'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.' - -"'Of course I have my suspicions,' I replied, 'but it is another thing -to prove them.' - -"'Do you mean Bagsley?' he asked, lowering his voice and tapping -thoughtfully on the desk with his fingers. - -"'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?' - -"'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?' - -"'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. - -"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: - -"'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. - -"Thoroughly angered by the treatment I had received, I sprung to my feet -and foolishly said: - -"'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!' - -"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: - -"'The next time I meet you I'll kill you!' and then he turned the corner -and disappeared. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XI.--AN UNFORTUNATE PREDICAMENT. - - -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. - -"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. - -"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." - -To all of which Judd agreed, and from that day the lads became a -self-appointed vigilance committee patrolling the bay. - -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. - -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: - -"Hello, there, boys; hold on a moment. I want to see you!" - -Judd threw the man a rope, and the sloop was refastened to the wharf. - -"Are you Boyd & Floyd of Fox Island?" the stranger asked. - -"Yes, sir," replied the lads. - -"And you sometimes take out sailing-parties, do you not?" was the next -inquiry; and again the young partners responded in the affirmative. - -"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?" - -"Do you wish to be simply taken over, or over and back?" asked Budd, as -spokesman for the firm. - -"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. - -"What time do you wish to go, and how many are there in the party?" -asked Budd, with a prompt business air. - -"Six, with myself; and we would prefer not to go until afternoon, -leaving here, say, about two o'clock." - -Budd consulted with his partner; then he said: - -"Yes, we can take you over." - -"What are the charges?" inquired Mr. Dane, as though the proposed trip -depended greatly upon them. - -"Three dollars for the party," answered Budd. - -"That is fifty cents each, and is much less than it will cost us to go -around," Mr. Dane commented to himself. - -Then he said to the boys: - -"All right; we'll give it." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"You see, I'm in the grocery business just up the street here. Whenever -over this way, give us a call." - -Budd thanked the gentleman and put the card in his pocket, scarcely -realizing how soon it was to prove serviceable. Then he said, -laughingly: - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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!" - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XII.--BUDD'S TRIAL. - - -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: - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -"How shall we go over to the main-land?" asked the man, after he had -finished tying Budd's arms. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"They contain a ham, some crackers, cheese and sugar," he reported. - -"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." - -"Then why did I not carry them up there?" retorted Budd. - -Mr. Johnson was at first puzzled for an answer, but at length said: - -"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." - -"But I had nothing when I got out of the window," replied Budd. - -Then he added, earnestly: - -"If you will just let me explain, Mr. Johnson, you will see that I had -good reason for being on your island." - -"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." - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"I shall, of course, depend upon you as the principal witness as to my -residing on Fox Island. - -"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." - -"I'll bring him back, sure," promised Judd, rising to go. - -Then he drew near to Budd and whispered: - -"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." - -"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." - -Judd held the same opinion, and hurried off to carry out his partner's -request. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -When the charge was read, the lad in loud, clear tones, answered "Not -guilty," and the trial began. - -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: - -"Have you ever seen the prisoner previous to the time of his capture?" - -"Yes," replied Mr. Johnson. "I have known him, and his father before -him, for years." - -"Where is his father?" asked the lawyer. - -"I object to that question," cried Budd, jumping to his feet, his cheeks -all aflame with indignation. - -Before the Justice could give his ruling the answer had been given, loud -and clear: - -"In the Massachusetts State Prison, serving out a twelve years' sentence -for forgery and theft." - -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. - -Nor was the answer lost in its influence on the Justice. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"For your father's sake, make a defense." - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -Mr. Johnson, with evident reluctance, took the witness-chair for his -cross-examination. - -"How long had my father worked for you previous to the crime he is said -to have committed?" - -"Fifteen or sixteen years," was the reply. - -"Why did you keep him so long in your employ?" Budd now asked. - -"I object," said the Prosecuting Attorney. - -"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." - -"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." - -"I decline to answer," said Mr. Johnson, after consulting with his -attorney. - -"I will ask the witness one other question--one with reference to -myself--with the Court's permission," said Budd. - -"Have I not, Mr. Johnson, paid you a portion of the money you claim my -father took from you?" - -"I decline to answer that question also," replied Mr. Johnson, noticing -that his attorney shook his head negatively. - -"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." - -"I hardly think it would be proper," said the Justice, looking toward -Mr. Johnson for his approval of the ruling. - -"I then rest my case," said Budd, shortly, and with some show of -indignation. - -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 _nights_, 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 _probability_ of his guilt, it was -his duty to bind him over to a higher court. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -Then, to Budd: - -"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." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII.--MR. BENTON'S LITTLE GAME. - - -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. - -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. - -The Justice had been rapidly filling out a paper since he had rendered -his decision, and now he looked up: - -"Your bond is ready," he said. "Whom do you name for bondsman?" - -"I have none," faltered the lad, "unless some gentleman here will give -bond for me." - -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: - -"I'll sign his bond." - -The speaker was Mr. Benton, and that gentleman walked forward to the -Justice's stand and deliberately wrote his name across the paper. - -"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. - -No sooner had he disappeared than Mr. Wright walked up to the Justice's -desk, saying, quietly: - -"Put my name on the bond also. Two bondsmen are better than one;" and -he wrote his name under that of Mr. Benton's. - -Then, crossing over to Budd's side, he shook hands with him, remarking: - -"Mr. Benton got the start of me; but I have shown my good-will, all the -same. Shall we go, now?" - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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: - -"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----" - -But what the speaker was to have said was cut short by a nudge from -Judd. - -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. - -"I fine you ten dollars for contempt of court," he said, angrily, -stopping and facing Mr. Dane. - -"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." - -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. - -"Will you return to Bristol at once?" Budd asked. "If so, we will -arrange to take you over." - -"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. - -Budd spoke a few words in a low tone to his partner; then he said to Mr. -Wright: - -"Can you go over to the island with us? There is something special we -wish to talk over with you." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"Why didn't you tell this in the court-room? It would have acquitted -you," said Mr. Wright, in astonishment. - -"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. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -As he parted with them on the main shore he said to Budd: - -"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." - -"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. - -"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?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -"How are you, boys, and what luck with your fish?" he remarked -pleasantly, as they came ashore. - -The young partners responded good-naturedly, and he watched them as they -sorted and put their fish into the "cars." - -"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." - -"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. - -"Have you been here long waiting for us?" Judd asked, with a wink at his -chum. - -"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." - -"We hadn't been to the pounds to-day, and so hurried off to them," -explained Budd. - -"I thought that was it," said Mr. Benton, following the lads on to the -house. - -"Come in and take supper with us," said Budd. - -"I don't know but I will, seeing I have a little business with ye." - -Judd gave his partner a significant look. - -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: - -"What is your business, Mr. Benton?" - -"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?" - -"Do you really think so?" responded Budd, and waiting for Mr. Benton to -go on. - -"Yes, ye would," said the man, shortly; "an' ye know it, well as I do." - -"It was very good of you," said the boy, meaningly. - -"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. - -"Why should I? It belonged to me, not to you," Budd retorted. - -"No it don't, either. Ye have quit work, an' 'cordin' to the barg'in it -never did belong to ye." - -"What will you do if I don't pay it?" asked Budd, as though yielding. - -"I'll go an' cancel the bond, an' have ye in jail 'fore mornin'," he -said, savagely. - -"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. - -The man twisted in his chair. - -"Ye'd better pay it," he finally said. - -"Not one cent," replied Budd, decidedly. - -"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. - -With a laugh Budd and his partner followed the man to his boat. - -He got into it and rowed off a rod or two from the shore; then he paused -and said: - -"Ye'd better change yer mind, Budd." - -"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." - -"Judd, ye hold on to him!" cried the man in alarm; "I command ye in the -name o' the law to do so!" - -Judd laughed, and catching the spirit of mischief Budd had displayed, -asked: - -"What'll you give me, if I do?" - -"A doller," said Mr. Benton, with some hesitation. - -"Oh! Budd will give me more than that to let him go," replied Judd, -"and you will have the thousand dollars to pay!" - -"I'll give ye five dollers," cried Mr. Benton, in alarm. - -"Budd will give ten to go free," was the answer. - -"I'll give ye 'leven," said the man, desperately; and in his eagerness -he rowed back inshore. - -"Where's the money? It must be cash down," said Judd, seriously. - -"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." - -Before Judd could make answer, Budd, pitying the man, said: - -"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." - -Mr. Benton gave an exclamation of anger. - -"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. - -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. - -As he passed Fox Island his anger was again aroused, and he exclaimed, -bitterly: - -"'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." - -His eye just then caught the outline of the boys' sloop through the -darkness. - -"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. - -Five minutes later he sailed off in the sloop, having the yawl and his -own boat in tow. - -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: - -"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." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV.--TWO OPPORTUNITIES. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Immediately after their first exclamations of surprise at the -disappearance of the boats Judd asked: - -"Who do you suppose has taken them, chum?" - -"One of two parties," responded Budd, promptly; "either Bagsley and his -gang, or Mr. Benton." - -"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?" - -"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." - -"You think, then, that Benton has done it?" inquired Judd. "What could -have been his object?" - -"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." - -"But don't he know it was a theft?" asked Judd, hotly. - -"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." - -"What do you mean?" asked Judd, a little mystified. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Benton," he said. "You have quite a collection of -craft here. Isn't that Boyd & Floyd's sloop and yawl?" - -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. - -"Well, yes," assented the farmer. "Ye see, Budd owes me, an' I thought -I'd take his sloop until he paid me." - -"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. - -Mr. Benton fairly shook with excitement and rage. - -"Me 'rested!" he cried. "Who's dared to do it?" - -"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. - -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: - -"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." - -"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?" - -"Go where with you--up to the village?" asked he, quickly. - -"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. - -Dazed and overwhelmed at the prospect before him, Mr. Benton followed -the officer back to the house. - -"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." - -"You will have to see the lads for yourself," said Mr. Avery, shortly. - -"Can't you take me where they are an' let me talk it over with them?" he -asked, eagerly. - -"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." - -"How much will ye charge?" asked Mr. Benton, cautiously. - -"Thirty cents an hour," said the officer, looking at his watch. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -After listening to Mr. Benton's proposition to return the boats, Budd, -as spokesman for the firm, replied: - -"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: - -"First, that he shall return the boats unharmed to our dock at the -island. - -"Second, that he pay all costs that have accrued on account of his -arrest. - -"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. - -"These are the only conditions on which we will settle, and he can -accept them or stand his trial in court." - -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. - -"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." - -"I hope it may," was the response. - -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. - -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. - -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: - - - $1,500 REWARD. - -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. - -Respectfully, - CLAPP & ST. JOHN. - - -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. - -"That was the work of Bagsley and his gang," he murmured, "and our -opportunity, if we can only find them, has come." - - - - -CHAPTER XV.--BUDD ENTRAPPED. - - -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. - -As he stood there a well-dressed stranger came up behind him, and also -paused to read the notice. - -"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?" - -"They are simply believed to have been experts," answered Budd. - -"It was a neat job, that's a fact," said the man, complacently. - -Then as Budd turned away he asked, politely: - -"Do you know of any one about the wharf here who has boats to let?" - -"I have a sloop," replied Budd, "that I use to take out -sailing-parties." - -"Is it near here? Could I see it?" asked the man, looking Budd -carefully over from head to foot. - -The lad led the way down to the dock and pointed out the Sea Witch. - -"She would do nicely," said the man, jumping into her and examining her -cabin. "Is she a fast sailer?" - -"Nothing of her size on this bay can overhaul her," replied Budd, with a -touch of pride. - -"Indeed!" remarked the man, with apparent satisfaction. "What do you -ask a day for her use?" - -"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." - -"Which of course is a very nice way to arrange it, I'm sure," said the -stranger. - -"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." - -Budd modestly admitted that he had heard of that distinguished -gentleman, and then his companion went on: - -"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?" - -"How many are there in your party, and how much of an outfit have you?" -asked Budd. - -"There are five of us, and we have only a few traps; you can carry -everything at one trip," said Mr. Wilson, briskly. - -"I ought to have five dollars," Budd declared: "and I shall have to go -home before I can make the trip." - -"Well, can you go right after dinner?" asked the stranger. - -"Yes, at one o'clock I'll be here," said the lad. - -"All right; we'll give you your price. Meantime, where can I get a good -dinner?" - -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. - -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. - -"No, never mind that; it isn't worth taking with us," replied Mr. -Wilson. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -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: - -"Gracious! There is Bagsley, and you are the robbers!" - -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: - -"It is Budd Boyd! Where did you run in with him?" - -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?" - -"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." - -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: - -"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." - -Wilson and Bagsley lifted the lad into the boat, and the captain -following them, they rowed ashore. - -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: - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -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. - -[Illustration: The captain with Bagsley's help tied Budd so firmly to -the tree that there seemed no possibility of his untying himself.] - -"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." - -With this heartless remark the two villains walked slowly away, leaving -Budd to his uncertain fate. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI.--JUDD MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. - - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Are you going down to Jamestown Ferry, Mr. Niles?" he eagerly asks. - -"Yes, jump in," replies the kind-hearted farmer. - -Judd waits for no second invitation, but springing into the wagon, he -points off to the west bay, saying: - -"Do you see that sloop over under the west shore, Mr. Niles?" - -"Yes," replies he, "and it looks like yours." - -"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. - -The interest of the farmer was at once awakened. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"Mr. Avery," he exclaimed, "where are you going?" - -"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?" - -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. - -"Now," he said, "I want you to come along with me, if we can agree as to -the division of the reward." - -"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. - -"Agreed; and we have no time to lose," responded Judd. "There is a tug -right below here with her steam up." - -Two minutes later the officer and lad stood on the dock looking down -into a neat and trim tug, named the Thetis. - -"Ho! ho!" exclaimed Mr. Avery as he read her name. "I know her captain, -and I wonder where he is." - -"Right here, Avery," exclaimed a voice behind them. "What do you wish?" - -They turned to see a great six-footer coming toward them, and as he -reached the dock he went on: - -"I thought it was you, Avery, as I came down the street behind you. How -are you all at home?" - -"Very well, Captain Bradley," replied Mr. Avery. - -Then he introduced Judd, and proceeded to state his business. - -The stalwart captain pulled his beard vigorously as the officer told his -story, and then he said, heartily: - -"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." - -Mr. Avery, after consulting with Judd, agreed to this, and then he -suggested putting on a number of extra men. - -"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. - -In the specified time he returned with revolvers and a Winchester rifle. - -"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." - -But while this large collection of deadly weapons may have been wise it -was hardly necessary, as the sequel will prove. - -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. - -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. - -"Do you suppose they have carried Budd off as a prisoner?" asked Judd of -Mr. Avery as they stood there together. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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?" - -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: - -"There she is, Mr. Avery." - -He pointed out a small sloop about two miles away, which was sailing due -east. - -"Has the captain a glass?" he then asked; "though without one I am quite -positive she is the sloop," he added, quickly. - -A glass was brought him, and adjusting it to his eye, he looked long and -anxiously at the retreating boat. - -"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." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII.--BUDD'S ESCAPE. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -With these words he walked along to the south-east point of the island, -and looked across to its nearest and larger neighbor. - -"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. - -"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?" - -There was no one to answer his question, and he did not stop long to -deliberate. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -He had a little money with him, and on leaving he offered to pay his -host for the breakfast; but the man refused. - -"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." - -Budd readily promised to do this, and with a hearty "Thank you" for his -entertainment, hurried down the shore. - -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: - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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? - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII.--CAUGHT. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -"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." - -The man addressed took a pail from the boat and followed the speaker -down the shore. - -"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." - -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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"That is Bagsley," Judd said to his companions in a suppressed whisper. - -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. - -As soon as they were out of hearing Judd turned to Captain Bradley and -asked: - -"Couldn't we bring your yawl across to this cove, captain?" - -"I think so. What then?" he asked, with interest. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Captain," he exclaimed, in a low tone. - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Loud curses now followed, and heavy blows were struck upon the closed -door. Then a voice cried: - -"Open that hatch, or we'll fire through it!" and the click of a revolver -was heard. - -"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. - -Then he drew his revolver and fired twice in the air. It was the signal -for the tug to approach. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -The sound of the approaching tug was plainly discernible, to confirm his -words, and silence again fell on the discomfited burglars. - -"We are in Massachusetts waters; how dare you trouble us?" one of the -men, after awhile, called out. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX.--MR. JOHNSON IS ASTONISHED. - - -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. - -"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." - -"Tell me about it," Budd managed to say. - -"No, your story comes first," remonstrated Judd. - -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. - -Then Judd said: - -"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." - -"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." - -"So it will," assented Judd; and the sloop was headed in that direction. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -Budd smiled a little. - -"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. - -"Who shall I tell him wishes to see him?" the girl asked, doubtfully. - -"A gentleman," answered Budd, fearing to give his own name, and thus be -refused an interview with the man he sought. - -The girl hesitatingly showed Budd into the reception-room and went off -to call her master. - -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: - -"Budd Boyd! How dare you enter my house, sir?" - -"I have business with you, Mr. Johnson," Budd replied gravely, and with -dignity. - -Something in his quiet tones and self-possessed manner soothed Mr. -Johnson's anger, and he asked, shortly: - -"What is it?" - -"May I sit down, sir? I have several most astonishing revelations to -make," said Budd, noticing the impression he had made. - -Mr. Johnson without a word motioned the boy to a chair, and taking one -near by, waited for him to speak. - -"Do you remember the conversation I had with you about Thomas H. -Bagsley, when in your office last March?" Budd now asked. - -"I do," said the gentleman addressed, briefly and haughtily. - -"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. - -"What makes you think so?" asked Mr. Johnson with a start, and for the -first time beginning to show an interest in the conversation. - -"Because of his own words and threats to me the next morning," responded -Budd; and he rapidly described the altercation that then occurred. - -"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." - -"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." - -"Your fears were well grounded," said Budd, with a little secret -exultation over Mr. Johnson's admission. - -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. - -"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. - -"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." - -Budd laughed. - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -"Yes, I heard of it last evening," Mr. Johnson admitted. - -"That robbery was committed by Bagsley and his gang, and they robbed -your house here," said Budd, quietly. - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Mr. Johnson," he exclaimed, "get your hat and come with me." - -"Where?" he asked. - -"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." - -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: - -"I'm ready." - -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. - -"I'm just astonished! I'm just astonished!" was Mr. Johnson's -ejaculation during this recital. - -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. - -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. - -"I will do it," he replied. "I will come over immediately." - -He spoke to Bagsley, expressing regret at having found him such a -criminal, but received only curses in return. - -At length he seemed to be satisfied with his own investigations, and -with the story he had heard. - -Laying his hand on Budd's head he said, solemnly: - -"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." - -Tears streamed down Budd's cheeks, and with them went much of the anger -he had cherished toward the speaker. - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XX.--THE CONFESSION. - - -"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!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"It is a hard outlook for us, Tom." - -"Yes," his companion replied, gloomily. - -"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. - -"Do you think so?" asked Bagsley. - -"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. - -"What do you mean? They are more bitter against me than all the rest of -you," responded Bagsley, with some irritation in his tones. - -"Yes, and for cause; but suppose you remove that cause?" said Brill, -pointedly. - -"And get myself in a worse scrape," snapped Bagsley. - -"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. - -Enough had been said, however, to excite in Bagsley's heart a hope he -would not be slow to follow up. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI.--FATHER AND SON. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"You have, of course, received and filled my order?" - -"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." - -Budd thanked him, and then asked: - -"Was the check I forwarded with the order sufficiently large in amount -to pay for everything?" - -"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." - -"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. - -He now walked down to the hotel he had named, and registering his name, -was shown to a room. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -With no hesitation he told who he was, and the object of his visit to -Boston. - -"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." - -The editor laughed a little. - -"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. - -"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." - -Then the man, with a few inquiries as to Mr. Boyd's plans after his -release, dismissed his young visitor. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -And though he did not know it then, that very thing was to eventually -happen. - -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: - -"Go over to the State Prison in Charlestown." - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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." - -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. - -"One moment, Mr. Boyd," the warden said. "Here is a note the Governor -has sent here for you." - -In surprise, Mr. Boyd took the note and hastily opened it. There was -but a brief line. - - -EXECUTIVE MANSION, October 5th. - -_Mr. Henry Boyd and Son:_--You are both requested to dine with me at two -o'clock this afternoon, where you will meet some old and some new -friends. - -THE GOVERNOR. - - -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: - -"Oh, Budd! if your mother only knew of my vindication! If she had only -lived to see this day!" - -"She does know of it," replied Budd, simply. - -"I believe it; and, like myself, she is proud of her boy;" and Mr. Boyd -looked lovingly down into the face of his son. - -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. - -He thanked them all for their expressions of kindness, but added, with -evident pride: - -"My son has a home for me, and there I will go for the present." - -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. - -As they reached their own wharf Mr. Boyd stepped out of the boat and -looked around him. Then he said tenderly, almost reverently: - -"This is your home, Budd, and my home, now--inexpressibly dear, because -of what my boy has here proved himself to be." - -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: - -"Judd, what is your father's name?" - -"Silas Torr Floyd," answered the wondering boy. - -"And your mother's?" - -"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." - -"You are, then, cousins," was Mr. Boyd's astonishing declaration. - -"How do you make that out, sir?" the lads exclaimed in one breath. - -"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. - -"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." - -"I think that is it," said Judd, thoughtfully; "for whenever I asked -about her relatives, she never would tell me anything about them." - -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: - -"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!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII.--AN EXCITING ADVENTURE. - - -"Good morning, father! Would you like to go with us to the fish-traps, -or will you remain here and rest?" - -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. - -Mr. Boyd looked up at his boy with a cheerful smile. - -"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?" - -"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?" - -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. - -"No, my son," replied Mr. Boyd, with no less show of affection; "I'll be -with you presently." - -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. - -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. - -"Where did Mr. Benton get that boat, and what is he doing with her, -Judd?" he asked. - -"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." - -"Are we going to have a storm right away?" asked Mr. Boyd, looking up at -the mackerel-sky. - -"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. - -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. - -In carrying out this plan they ran on their third tack close enough to -Mr. Benton to hail him. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Benton," Budd cried out. "Shall we take you in tow -and leave you at the beach?" - -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. - -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." - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -"Why not?" asked Mr. Boyd, with some show of interest. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -The old man turned slowly around and looked off toward the sloop. - -"I'll 'tend to my bizness, if ye'll 'tend to your'n," he curtly replied. - -"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." - -Before Mr. Boyd could make any reply there came a sharp cry from Budd, -who was still on the bow of the sloop. - -"Quick, Judd, or our trap will be destroyed! There is a porpoise in it, -and he has already noticed our approach." - -"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!" - -"Perhaps I can get him," cried Budd, running aft and drawing the yawl -close up to the sloop. - -The next moment he had leaped into it, and casting off the painter, he -sculled rapidly toward the pound. - -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. - -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. - -"Hurrah! I've got him!" shouted Budd, seizing hold of the bow-line and -beginning to haul it in. - -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. - -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. - -[Illustration: 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.] - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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? - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII.--A MANLY RESCUE. - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Are you hurt, Budd?" Mr. Boyd asked, anxiously, as he helped the lad on -board. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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. - -He was soon, with his father's help, comfortably clad, and back onto the -deck of the sloop. With a good deal of _eclat_ he then related all the -details of his adventure, ending with the wish that he might have -secured the cetacean. - -"We can get him, for there he is," said Judd. - -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. - -"How would you get him?" asked Budd, quickly, watching the porpoise in -its dying struggles. - -"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." - -"But is he worth all that trouble?" asked Mr. Boyd. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Look!" the lad exclaimed; "Benton has actually got his boat around the -point, and is now driving helplessly before the gale!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -It was night when Mr. Benton aroused and found Judd sitting by his -bedside. - -"How came I here?" he asked. - -"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. - -"Budd is all right, then?" the man asked, with some show of feeling. - -"Yes, his father is with him; and when I was in there, a short time ago, -he was sleeping nicely," answered Judd, shortly. - -Mr. Benton said no more, and after taking the food and warm drink Judd -brought him, he soon went to sleep again. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -The man made no reply, but Budd asked: - -"Did the yawl come ashore all right?" - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"I 'spose ye don't hate me no longer, Budd?" - -"I have never hated you, Mr. Benton," Budd promptly replied. - -"I dunno as ye have," he assented; "ye don't act as though ye did, -anyway, an' I'll be friends, if ye will." - -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. - -Meeting Mr. Wright a few days later, that gentleman accosted him with -the question: - -"I say, Budd, what have you been doing to Mr. Benton?" - -"Nothing bad, I hope," responded the boy, with a laugh. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"Who would have thought the old miser would have been so generous!" -exclaimed Judd, as he looked the watch over. - -"Or possessed so much poetic sentiment," added Mr. Boyd, laughingly. - -"He must have had some good in him, with all his faults, or ho would -never have so quickly changed," said Budd, thoughtfully. - -A declaration his companions readily accepted. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV.--THE FIRM'S PROFITS. - - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"If I can only keep away from the sight and smell of the abominable -stuff, perhaps I can be a man." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -"I'll tell you, Judd, what I want to do before we leave here," Budd now -said. - -"What is it?" his partner asked, with interest. - -"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." - -"Where would you go?" inquired Judd, laughingly. "There are very few -places around here that you have not visited." - -"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." - -"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?" - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"Shall you land for dinner, Budd, or shall I get it ready in the cabin?" - -"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." - -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. - -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: - -"Here, Judd, quick; I want you." - -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. - -"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. - -"I don't know," answered Budd, catching the largest bunch in his net and -drawing it on board, "but I'll soon find out." - -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. - -"What do you call it, father?" he at length asked. - -"It is evidently a fatty matter of some kind, but I cannot tell its -precise nature," Mr. Boyd replied. - -Mr. Floyd, however, with a sparkle in his eye, said: - -"My opinion is, lad, that you had better get the rest of it, for if I -mistake not you have found a treasure." - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -"How many pounds do you think there are of it, Uncle Silas?" asked Budd, -when all had been secured. - -"Nigh on to thirty pounds, I reckon," he said, lifting the pieces one by -one. - -"It is the biggest haul, then, we have made this season," remarked Judd, -with open eyes. - -"I rather think so," was Budd's emphatic response. - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"I have subjected this to every known test, and it proves genuine. Have -you much of it? And where did you find it?" - -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. - -"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." - -"What would you ask for your trouble?" asked Budd. - -"Well," said the man, smilingly, "I think we ought to have five per -cent. of the net amount received." - -"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." - -"Very well," the druggist replied. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"Our receipts have been as follows," and Budd read this to his attentive -listeners: - - 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 - -"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. - -"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." - -"Yes, indeed," replied Budd, warmly. - -Then he said to his father: - -"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." - -"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. - -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: - -"I will do it!" - -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: - -"Have John carry that out to the nearest box." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV.--MR. JOHNSON'S MUNIFICENCE. - - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -"It is from Mr. Johnson," said Budd, as he glanced at the address. "I -wonder what he wants of father?" - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -"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." - -"We will both go," replied Judd; "there is nothing else to do." - -So the sloop was put in readiness for the return trip to the village. - -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. - -His meeting of Mr. Boyd at the wharf was warm, almost affectionate, and -in a way indicated his purpose in making this visit. - -"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." - -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: - -"Did you wish to see me alone, sir?" - -"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." - -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: - -"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?" - -"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. - -Then he went on, with marked hesitation: - -"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." - -"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." - -He paused a moment, visibly affected by his own words, then went rapidly -on: - -"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." - -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. - -"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. - -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: - -"I will do it!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - ---- - - - - -THE BEAR AND THE BOMB SHELL. - - -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. - -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. - -Whether the speculation was successful or not, is no business of ours. -My business is with Tom Allan, the cabin boy of the Janet. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -At last, then, after more than a year of adverse fortune, he saw his way -to success. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Such a race as that, if prolonged, could have had but one termination; -and this Allan knew but too well. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The moment that he reached this place of refuge he turned to look at his -enemy. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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? - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -He took his powder-horn, filled as it was with blasting powder, and in -this he inserted a piece of blasting fuse. - -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. - -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. - -The smell of the burning fuse was offensive, and he expressed his -disgust by a low growl. - -At last the horn lay on the ground. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - ---- - - - - -AN AFTERNOON AT SAGAMORE POND. - - -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. - -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, _togue_ 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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -After skimming our hole, we dropped in a hook baited with a _shiner_--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. - -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. - -"Fisher-cat, isn't it?" said Rod. - -It did look like one, certainly. It was black, and about the same size. - -"Suppose he'd show fight if we should go round there?" continued Rod, -looking leisurely for the hatchet. - -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. - -In explanation, I should say that the "fisher-cat" is a member of the -weasel family. Naturalists call it the _Mustela Canadensis_, 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. - -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. - -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. - -"Isn't he a thumper!" exclaimed Rod. "Five or six pounds, certain! -Fish enough for one day." - -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. - -Here was a surprise. - -"What on earth was that?" cried Rod. - -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. - -"It couldn't have been that fisher-cat," said Rod. - -"No, indeed! Who ever heard of a fisher-cat, or any other cat, swimming -ten rods under water!" - -"But he is gone from the stump." - -"Well, let him go. That wasn't him." - -"What was it, then?" - -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. - -"Rather a strange performance, anyhow," muttered Rod. - -"But let's go round to the shore, and see if we can find the fisher." - -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. - -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. - -"Hollo!" cried Rod, "here he is;" thrusting in his stick. The head -vanished. - -"But that's no fisher; their noses do not look like that. It was too -big and _blunt_. 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?" - -"No." - -"Nor I; but I've heard old Hughy Olives tell about them; and that's just -what this is." - -"What about them? Will they fight much?" - -"Fight when cornered, Hughy says, like young tigers, too. Dogs are no -match for them. But their fur's valuable." - -"That's so. We must get this one if we can." - -"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." - -We ran to the edge and looked over. The water was six or seven feet -deep. - -"Stamp on the ground," said I. - -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. - -"Yes, here he is; two of them." - -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. - -They were otters; no doubt of it. But how to catch them; that was the -next question. - -"Hughy spoke of setting traps for them," said Rod. - -"So we can! Your father's old bear-trap! Set it down under the bank -here, where their burrow opens out into the water." - -"Agreed." - -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. - -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 _sinking_ it at -the entrance of the burrow we chained it to an old root. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -We received twelve dollars apiece for these skins, and felt very well -satisfied with oar afternoon's sport at the Sagamore. - - ---- - - - - -HOW JACK WENT TIGER-HUNTING. - - -Jack was reading Du Chaillu. He spent a good deal more time that night -over Du Chaillu than over his Latin. - -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. - -"I've got an idea, mother!" he said. - -"I'm glad of that." said Bessy, under her breath. Mrs. Leigh shook her -head at her. - -"Well, my son?" - -"Du Chaillu's in this country, you know?" Jack's face was red, and his -voice like a trumpet, from excitement. - -"I believe he is." - -"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!" - -Bessy stared. - -"To Africa?" said Mrs. Leigh, folding her hem. - -"Yes, mother." Jack was a little damped to find his views received so -quietly. - -"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!" - -"Will you thread my needle, Bessy? I think if you wait, you will be a -better shot in a year or two, probably, Jack." - -"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." - -"Who was that whining over his grammar, awhile ago?" asked his sister. - -"That's a very different matter," stammered Jack angrily. "What kind of -sense is there in _amaba--bis--bus_! That's stuff! If I had a chance -with my gun now, at a lion, say-- - -"If you cannot conquer nouns and verbs, Jack," said Mrs. Leigh, "I am -not afraid for the wild beasts." - -"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. - -"You should not tease your brother, Bessy." - -Bessy laughed. She was a fat, pretty, good-tempered girl, very fond of -Jack and just as fond of squabbling with him. - -"He is such a fellow to brag, mamma. Now I know he'll be at it again. -There he comes." - -Jack came in and leaned with his elbows on the table, watching his -mother and thinking. - -"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!" - -"Yes." - -"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." - -"Very well, Jack, I trust you." - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"'Twasn't much of a fire--near two miles off--somewhere about the -Northern mills." - -"There was great confusion," said Mrs. Leigh. - -"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." - -"Who was that in the hall, Jack?" inquired Bessy. - -"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." - -"Was he a pretty dog?" said Bess eagerly. - -"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." - -"You didn't fix him with your eye, then?" - -Jack said nothing, but lighted his candle and went to bed. - -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. - -"O, Jack, listen to this!" jumping on the bed and beginning to read -breathlessly: - - -"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." - - -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?" - -Jack's face, and neck, and very ears were scarlet. He stammered, and did -not seem nearly so tumultuous as usual. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"Perhaps I will," said Jack loftily. "But I must be dressed first." - -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. - -"Have you seen it? Where is it?" - -"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." - -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. - -"You think it's in there, do you?" he said, under his breath. - -"Oh, Ann heard it! Such a horrible roar! Up in the very back part. -How will you get at it to shoot it?" - -"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." - -"There's a knot hole in the shed. You can peep, Jack. He won't see -you." - -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." - -"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." - -"I mean to shoot when he comes out." - -But Jack's fingers shook so as he adjusted the trigger that one would -have thought he had the palsy. - -"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." - -"Very well." - -"Unless you'd rather throw the bone," hesitated Bessy, her heart giving -way. - -"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." - -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. - -"Was it the tiger?" - -"Yes." - -"Oh, Jack!" Bessy clasped her hands. "Is he--is he big?" - -"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!" - -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. - -"He's in your house, ma'am." - -"It was your son that discovered him." - -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. - -"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." - -"What's your two thousand dollars to us?" growled one of the men, -cocking his gun. "Consider our lives." - -Nobody as yet had seen the tiger but Jack, who stood in an upper window, -the observed of all observers. - -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. - -"Let every man take care of himself," said the keeper. "Fire if we do -not secure him. Are you ready, men?" - -The men, with pale faces, lowered the net. "All right!" - -"Look out, then. One, two, three!" - -"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-- - -"Brown's big yellow dog!" shouted the policemen. - -"Where's that young coward that fooled us?" The keepers raged and the -crowd cheered. - -But Jack had hidden away with his shame and could not be found. He -never was known to brag again. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39732 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a -registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, -unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything -for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. 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