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diff --git a/40585.txt b/40585.txt deleted file mode 100644 index deb03ef..0000000 --- a/40585.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7072 +0,0 @@ - COMRADES ON RIVER AND LAKE - - - - -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: Comrades on River and Lake - -Author: Ralph Victor - -Release Date: August 26, 2012 [EBook #40585] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMRADES ON RIVER AND LAKE *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net. - - - - - - COMRADES ON RIVER AND LAKE - - - BY - - - RALPH VICTOR - - - AUTHOR OF "THE BOY SCOUTS SERIES," ETC. - - - ILLUSTRATED BY S. SCHNEIDER - - - New York - THE PLATT & PECK CO. - - - - - THE COMRADES SERIES - - By RALPH VICTOR - -Ralph Victor is probably the best equipped writer of up-to-date boys' -stories of the present day. He has traveled or lived in every land, has -shot big game with Sears in India, has voyaged with Jack London, and was -a war correspondent in Natal and Japan. The lure of life in the open has -always been his, and his experiences have been thrilling and many. - -In this series the author gets full opportunity to exhibit his unusual -talent for the description of American field sports and the boys who -take part in them, with a dash to arouse the enthusiasm of every reader. - - Comrades in Camp - Comrades in New York - Comrades on the Ranch - Comrades in New Mexico - Comrades on the Great Divide - Comrades at School - Comrades at Winton Hall - Comrades on Winton Oval - Comrades on River and Lake - Comrades with the Winton Cadets - - Illustrated, 12mo, Cloth - Price per Volume, 40 Cents - - Copyright, 1910, by The Platt & Peck Co. - - - - -[Illustration: YOU WILL HAVE NO NEED FOR YOUR WEAPON.] - - - - -Contents - - - CHAPTER I--THE COMRADES LEAVE WINTON - CHAPTER II--THE FIRST NIGHT OUT - CHAPTER III--THE RACE - CHAPTER IV--THE FIGHT ON THE CATBOAT - CHAPTER V--THE BOYS ARRIVE AT BERT'S - CHAPTER VI--GETTING READY FOR THE GAME - CHAPTER VII--THE BASEBALL GAME - CHAPTER VIII--THE GAME END - CHAPTER IX--ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN - CHAPTER X--A SURPRISE IN THE DARK - CHAPTER XI--A LIVELY EVENING - CHAPTER XII--THE FIGHT ON THE LAKE - CHAPTER XIII--DOWN THE RICHELIEU RIVER - CHAPTER XIV--IN MONTREAL - CHAPTER XV--THE THOUSAND ISLANDS AT LAST - CHAPTER XVI--MR. LAWRENCE OF WINNSOCKET LODGE - CHAPTER XVII--MYSTERY - CHAPTER XVIII--THE MYSTERY DEEPENS - CHAPTER XIX--IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES - CHAPTER XX--A CAPTURE - CHAPTER XXI--AT BAY - CHAPTER XXII--THE REVENUE OFFICERS - CHAPTER XXIII--A SURPRISE FROM MR. LAWRENCE - CHAPTER XXIV--IN MORTONVILLE AGAIN - CHAPTER XXV--CONCLUSION - - - - -CHAPTER I--THE COMRADES LEAVE WINTON - - -Commencement days were coming, and soon the members of the first class -would leave Winton Hall to return no more. They were a fine lot of boys, -verging into manhood, and Commandant Cullum was proud of the fact that -he had been instrumental in turning them out with a military training -and good education to face the battle of life. - -Vacation was but a week away when one afternoon Fleet Kenby dashed into -the room occupied by his chums, Chot Duncan and Tom Pratt. - -"Sh----" he cried. - -"Well, what?" interrupted Chot. - -"Yes; what?" echoed Tom. - -"Well, I wanted to tell you fellows that----" - -"Well, why don't you tell us?" - -"Yes, don't get that old habit of cutting off your sentences just when -you've aroused our curiosity." - -"Give me a chance to----" - -"Surely; take it!" - -"Help yourself, old boy. If you see any chances lying around loose, -absorb them." - -"Now, see here," said Fleet, "you've tried this game on me several times -and I'm getting tired of it." - -"He's tired of our game," said Chot, with a glance at Tom. - -"He's tired of our game," said Tom, returning Chot's look. - -"Comes in here arousing our curiosity, then refuses to tell us what he's -getting at." - -"Then says he's tired of our game." - -"I don't see any game." - -"Neither do I." - -"Well, I do," fumed Fleet. "I won't tell you now; I'll get out of -here--that's what I'll do." - -He made a dash for the door, but Tom blocked the passage. - -"No, you don't," said he. "You're going to tell us what you came in to -tell us, whether you want to tell us or not. Make up your mind to that." - -Then Tom gave the fleshy lad a punch that sent him into Chot's arms, and -Chot shoved him on to one of the beds in a sitting posture. Then the -boys tipped Fleet over, one sat on his chest, the other on his feet, and -despite his struggles, he was unable to do anything but writhe and -twist. - -"Nice way to treat a fellow," he cried. "Nice--" - -"Whoa!" shouted Tom. "Now, tell us what you were going to." - -"I refuse!" - -"Then take this," said Chot, and plunging his fingers into Fleet's ribs, -he tickled him until he fairly squealed. - -"Oh, I'll tell--I'll tell!" cried Fleet. "You fellows think you're -smart, don't you, but I'll get square for this." - -"Oh, he's going to get square," said Chot. "He don't want anything out -of that box we received from home to-day." - -"No; express packages from Mortonville don't interest Fleet," Tom -replied. - -"Especially when they contain jam and cookies." - -"Eh? What's that?" cried Fleet, trying to sit up. He stopped struggling. - -"I was just speaking to Tom," Chot replied. "You and I, Tom, will eat -raspberry jam, chocolate cake, currant jelly and brown bread." - -"Oh, yum, yum!" cried Fleet. "Let me up this minute and I'll forget you -ever sat on me." - -"Shall we let him up?" asked Tom. - -"May as well. I think he has learned his lesson. The next time he has -something to tell us, he'll tell it, and not make us ask him over and -over." - -A moment later Fleet was on his feet. - -"Where's the box?" he demanded, looking around. - -"First, what are you going to tell us?" - -"Aw--that can wait--I'm hungry." - -"You're always hungry. Tell us." - -"Well, the canoes have come," said Fleet. "I came in to tell you so Pod -wouldn't hear." - -"Pod's came with ours?" - -"Yes; and mine came in from Mortonville. Funny, wasn't it, they all came -on the same day?" - -"Yes," said Chot "I ordered Pod's name put on his. I thought that would -please him." - -They were planning the way to tell Pod of his good fortune, when the -little fellow came dashing into the room. - -"What do you think?" he cried. "There's a package of freight down at the -depot for me, and I don't even know what it is." - -"That so?" said the Comrades in the same breath. No one cracked a smile -and Pod continued: - -"Will you fellows go down with me? There may be freight charges. If so, -I shall want to borrow a little till I get my next allowance from Mr. -Hounson." - -"That'll be all right," said Chot. "We were going down to the depot, -anyway. Fleet has ordered his canoe sent over from Mortonville and it -should be here to-day." - -The boys left the barracks together and walked toward the depot. Pod was -scarcely able to conceal his curiosity. Never before had he received a -package of any nature, and he wondered who could have sent him this. - -When the boys entered the depot freight room a few moments later and saw -the four canoes spread out before them, all were thrilled with delight. - -There was Fleet's canoe from Mortonville, and three brand new ones that -had come by freight from New York. And staring up from one of them in -the blackest of black letters was the name "Pod Meelick." - -"Say, fellows, am I dreaming?" cried Pod. "That--that surely isn't for -me?" - -"Must be--your name is on it," said Tom. - -"But I never ordered anything like that--I--" - -Seeing tears in the little lad's eyes, the Comrades burst into a roar of -laughter, and Pod after a moment joined them, but his was a laugh -bordering on the hysterical. It was several minutes before they got him -calmed down, and told him that the canoe was a present from the -Experience Club. - -"And you mean--you mean that I am going on your canoe trip?" asked Pod, -his eyes fairly bulging from their sockets. - -"If you will do us the honor," said Chot. - -"Oh, this is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was just -wondering what I would do during vacation. It would certainly have been -lonesome in Bayville after the good times I've had." - -They arranged to have the canoes taken to the Winton boat house, where -they could be kept until the day after commencement, when the boys were -to start on their summer trip up the river. - -On their way back to the school the boys met Truem Wright, who came -toward them along the sidewalk in front of the gym. Truem looked rather -glum, they thought, and to show their good will each of the boys spoke -courteously to him. - -"I've been looking for you fellows," he surprised them by saying. -"I--I----" - -"Come along with us, Truem," said Chot, kindly, as the other hesitated. - -"Well, if you don't mind," he said, and falling into step with them, -walked on toward the barracks. "Vacation's pretty near," Truem went on -after a moment, looking at the ground as he walked along, "and I hate to -leave Winton without telling you boys what you've done for me." - -"What we've done for you!" gasped Tom, with a queer look at his chums. - -"Yes, what you've done for me. You've made me see myself as I was. I -know now that I've been a cad--I knew it all along, but didn't have -sense enough to admit it. You fellows have always been on the square -with me, while I've tried to injure you on every occasion. I'm sorry for -everything I've done. I'm tired of having the whole school down on me, -and feeling that I have no friends among the cadets except certain ones -whose friendship is not desirable. I don't ask you to take me into your -set--I realize that would be asking too much--but I want to ask you -right out to be my friends." - -When Truem paused there was a moment of silence. This was broken by Pod. - -"Do you include me in that, Truem?" he asked. - -"Yes, kid, of course I do. I've treated you worse than anyone, because I -picked on you for years back in Bayville. I'm sorry for that, too. I -want to earn the regard and friendship of you all." - -"You've earned that already, Truem, by expressing sorrow for what you've -done," said Chot. "We've never had anything against you--in fact, we've -always thought that you had the material in you for the making of a -mighty nice fellow, and now that you've found it out yourself, no one -will be readier to offer you friendship than we. Am I right, boys?" - -"You bet you are," said Fleet. - -"You've treated us rather meanly, Truem," said Tom, who was the most -reluctant to give in. "But a man who can pitch a baseball game as well -as you can't be very bad, so here's my hand, and I'm your friend as long -as you want me to be." - -Each of the boys shook hands with Truem. And as they did so they looked -up to see Bert Creighton, Wilkes Davis, Dan Kirlicks and Randy Denton -approaching. With the Comrades and Pod, these boys had become known at -Winton as the inseparable eight. - -"We've taken Truem into the fold, fellows," said Chot, in answer to the -looks of surprise on their faces. - -"I'm sorry for everything," said Truem. "I want your friendship. Can I -have it?" - -"You can have anything I've got if Chot Duncan says so," said Wilkes -Davis, extending his hand. The other boys made remarks appropriate to -the occasion, then all tried to make Truem feel at home, and when they -reached the barracks had succeeded in relieving him of the most of his -embarrassment. - -The boys soon began to get ready for their canoe trip. One of the first -things they did was to arrange with Commandant Cullum to leave their ice -yachts in the Winton boat house during the summer. The boat house was a -commodious one, and the yachts were pulled up onto a platform in one -end, and covered with pieces of tarpaulin. - -"I wish I could take the voyage with you," said Truem Wright, one day, -when the Comrades were busy laying in a small stock of provisions and -otherwise equipping their canoes for the trip. - -"You're welcome, if you can get a canoe," said Tom. - -"It's too late for that now," said Truem. The tone in which he said it -told plainly that he wished it wasn't. - -"Well, I'll tell you what you do. By the middle of July we'll be in camp -somewhere among the Thousand Islands. You'll be welcome there at any -time, Truem. Shall we look for you?" - -"Yes," responded the Bayville boy, a grateful look in his eyes. "I'll be -there all right, and thank you." - -"Come along and be one of us. The more the merrier." - -Truem became the wonder of the other boys. To those who had known him as -an enemy, the change was a revelation of what could happen when a boy -realized that he was a cad and was anxious to make amends. With Truem -making friends, and Roy Damon already on fairly intimate terms, the -Comrades had but one enemy left--Dill Newman. - -"And he's going to be against us during our entire course at Winton," -said Tom, to which Chot and Fleet nodded a vigorous assent. - -It was arranged before the boys parted from Bert Creighton that they -should stay at least a week at his home on Lake George. - -"And who knows," said Bert, "I may go on up the country with you." - -The day after commencement the academy was deserted. All of the cadets -were anxious to be off to their homes or on vacation trips, and finally -only the Comrades and Pod were left. They had sent their trunks to their -homes in Mortonville intending to go after them before the fall term -opened. - -Toward evening of the day after commencement, when the sun was getting -ready to dip behind the hills on the west bank of the river, they pushed -out into the stream, these four strong, sturdy fellows, on a journey -that was to be full of surprising adventures. - - - - -CHAPTER II--THE FIRST NIGHT OUT - - -Pod had never paddled a canoe, but took to it naturally, his greatest -fault being that he paddled too swiftly, and soon found his arms aching -from the severe strain. Pod's canoe, like those of Chot and Tom, was of -the Canadian open pattern, about sixteen feet in length and perhaps -thirty inches wide. Cushions, filled with cork shavings, served as seats -for the young canoeists, with their feet resting on a stretcher to give -them a good brace. Then there was a cushioned back-rest against which -each boy leaned with a sense of comfort and security. In this easy -position, the work of paddling was done, and Pod began to taste the -delights of canoeing, though the muscles across his abdomen, which were -brought into play with every stroke, soon grew sore, and a realization -forced itself upon him that they would be still sorer by morning. - -The boys proceeded up the river at a very leisurely pace. There was no -hurry, and Pod could not paddle rapidly anyway. The little fellow found -great difficulty in keeping his canoe on a straight course with a single -blade paddle, but after a little the knack of turning his blade at the -end of the stroke, so as to keep in one direction came to him as it -comes naturally to all who practice. He found that this turn of the -paddle was done by the wrist, and that when once acquired it was a very -simple matter to keep the bow headed the right way. - -Fleet was the only boy in the party using a double-bladed paddle, but -Fleet's canoe was twenty feet long, rather broad of beam, and capable of -holding three persons. It was a much more formidable looking craft than -those owned by the other boys. Fleet, however, had paddled the big canoe -all his life, and the handling of the double blade was as easy for him -as "rolling off a log." - -Chot and Tom, too, were experts, but neither liked the double blade, -preferring the lighter one, as well as a lighter craft. - -In Fleet's canoe was stored most of the provisions, some cooking -utensils and a small tent, intended to afford shelter during a storm, -when the boys were in camp and sleep was necessary. Each boy carried as -his individual luggage a suit case containing a dark business suit, a -couple of extra shirts, collars, a pair of patent leather shoes, and -other articles necessary to make a natty appearance if the occasion -arose. Ordinarily they would need only their rowing clothes, which -consisted of a soft shirt, a pair of old trousers and light-soled tan -shoes. Each boy carried a sweater for use when the nights were cool, or -when he became overheated before landing. - -The breeze had entirely died away by the time the canoes were a mile up -the river, and the boys paddled easily along, keeping abreast of Pod, so -that if by chance, his canoe "turned turtle," they would be on hand to -render assistance. - -The little fellow evidently suspected their purpose, for he said: - -"Don't worry about me. I can swim, can't I?" - -"Guess you can," said Chot, "and a ducking won't hurt you, but we're -going to stay right with you anyway." - -"I'm not going to upset. This is easy." - -"Don't brag," said Fleet, as he pushed his paddle deep into the river -and sent his big cruiser flying a length ahead, then slowed down till -the other boys caught up with him. "Nobody ever went canoeing that -didn't get upset, and you'll get yours sooner or later. Better in the -old Hudson, too, than in the rapids of the St. Lawrence." - -"And that's no gentle dream," said Tom, reverting to slang--a thing he -seldom did. - -"By the way, how long is it going to take us to reach the St Lawrence?" -asked Pod. - -"Don't know," said Chot. "We've no way of calculating. In the first -place, we don't know how long we'll be at the Creighton's; in the second -place, we're not going to hurry. This is a vacation and we're going to -take things easy--or at least, I am." - -"An easy time and plenty to eat--that's my motto," said Fleet, and -immediately relapsed into verse: - - There was a young fellow from Winton - Whose stomach he never was stintin'; - He'd eat day or night - When dark or when light, - Oh, he was a regular spinton. - -"A regular what?" cried Tom, as he stopped paddling for an instant and -looked up in surprise. - -"A 'spinton'," repeated Fleet, with a chuckle. - -"What the dickens is that?" - -"Don't you know what a spinton is?" asked Fleet. - -"No; never heard of it." - -"I'm surprised at your ignorance." - -"Well, suppose you enlighten us," said Chot. - -"Can't," replied Fleet. "Don't know what it is myself." - -"Then why did you use it?" - -"Because it rhymed with Winton," replied the fleshy lad, with a grin. - -"By the way," said Pod, "speaking of jokes." - -"Now, who said anything about jokes?" Fleet demanded. - -"Well, you had your little fling, didn't you? Give me a chance. Speaking -of jokes, what is the best time by the clock to tell a joke?" - -"Oh, give it up," cried the other boys in unison. - -"A joke is best appreciated when it strikes one," said the little -fellow. He laughed so loudly that his paddle slipped and he came near -capsizing. Then it was the turn of the others to laugh, and they made -the water ring with their shouts. - -"Wish he'd gone over on that one," said Fleet. "A little water might -dampen his enthusiasm for making bad puns." - -"The question now is, where are we going to spend the night?" said Tom. - -The sun had long since disappeared behind the highlands, and evening was -nearly upon them. - -"Well, it's moonlight," said Chot. "I thought we'd keep on at a slow -pace until Pod feels tired. Then we can go ashore, make a little camp, -and snooze till morning in the open." - -"Ah! that sounds good to me," said Fleet. "We'll also eat in the open." - -"You'll have to open the 'eat' before you can eat in the open," said -Pod. - -"That'll do for you, youngster," said Fleet. "Jokes are barred until -to-morrow." - -"I'm down." - -"And you'll be out too, if you don't watch how you're paddling," said -Chot. - -Pod was evidently about "all in," for his strokes were often wobbly, at -which times he failed to control his canoe, and came near ramming one of -the other boys. - -"I'm good for another mile or so," said Pod. "I know every muscle in my -body will ache to-morrow, so I want to keep limber as long as I can." - -Finally the moon came out from behind a cloud and shed its radiance over -the water, which appeared beautiful indeed in the soft yellow light. The -boys were loath to leave the river, but Pod finally admitted that his -arms were stiff and that he could not paddle much farther. As near as -they could calculate they had covered eight miles, when Chot gave the -order to swing in toward the shore. - -A fine shady nook lay before them, where the green grass tempted them. -All were hungry, so after pulling the canoes up on to the shore, the -boys picked them up and carried them up on the grassy knoll, where, with -trees all around them, they made preparations to camp for the night. - -What boy has not thrilled with pride when he slept in the open, often -with no covering save the blue canopy, studded with stars, and a moon -throwing its soft rays in his face? American boys love this life, and -lose no opportunity to go camping, hunting and fishing. The Comrades -were no exception to the rule--in fact, were never quite satisfied when -forced to stay indoors. - -As soon as the canoes were pulled high and dry on the knoll, Chot began -to give orders, showing what an expert camper he was. Indeed his -experience was considerable as the reader may learn from the previous -books of this series which commenced with "Comrades in Camp" and "In New -York." Then followed the stories of the South West "Ranch," "New Mexico" -and "Great Divide." Later "School," "Winton Hall" and "Oval." - -It had been decided that Chot should be the guiding spirit of this -vacation; that all disputes were to be settled by him, and that he was -to map out the route, say how long they should stay in a certain -place--in fact, take the entire responsibility for creating the best of -good times on the trip. - -"Tom, you and Fleet throw out that tent, and while Pod and I are putting -it up, get out a couple of cans of those cold beans, slice some cold -ham, cut some bread, and put the water bottles where we can get hold of -them. If any of you fellows feel like coffee we will build a fire and -I'll make it for you." - -"Yum, yum, coffee!" said Fleet. "That certainly listens well." - -"I think so too," said Tom. - -"Well, I believe I could drink a cup or so myself," Chot admitted. - -Chot and Pod unrolled the tent, which was "V" shaped, with no sides, -being intended merely for a roof. They stretched it between the trees, -spread four blankets on the soft grass, took the cushions out of the -canoes, and the sleeping quarters of the party were ready for occupancy. - -Then each boy turned his attention to the preparing of the meal. The -coffee was soon steaming in a kettle over the fire, kindled by Pod with -some dry leaves and branches. Tom cut slices of rye bread, and spread -tempting pieces of boiled ham between them. Fleet opened two cans of -beans, and a jar of raspberry jam, and all was ready. - -To say that the boys enjoyed their first meal would be but half -expressing it. Fleet ate everything that was put before him and cried -for more. - -"These beans are the finest I've ever had," said he, though his mouth -was so full that his words were hardly intelligible to his chums. - -"Don't forget your table manners," said Tom. "Remember your mother -taught you not to talk with your mouth full." - -"He's not talking," said Pod. "He's only trying." - -"Blub--blub--blub--I'll--I'll--gug--gug--gug--get--you--fuh--fuh--blub--blub----" -spluttered Fleet. - -"Swallow it!" cried Chot, "and don't do it again. We're running a -respectable boarding house--not a pig pen." - -Fleet swallowed as Chot told him, coughed violently, then seized one of -the water bottles and drank long and hard. - -"Leave the bottle, and we'll fill it again," said Tom. - -With tears in his eyes Fleet waved his hand for them to desist. Pod -jumped up and patted him on the back with no gentle force, which -straightened the fleshy one out in a hurry. - -"What do you think you're doing, anyway?" he demanded, glaring at his -little comrade. "I'm no punching bag!" - -"That so? Thought you were." - -"Fleet has eaten enough to last him three days," said Chot. "Remember, -fellows, he gets nothing but water during that time. There must be -something left for the rest of us." - -"Humph! I'd like to see you fellows keep me from eating!" snorted Fleet. - -"Oh, you'd like to? Well, then, watch us." - -It was ten o'clock when the boys had finished telling stories and -discussing their trip. By that time all were sleepy, and Pod was -beginning to feel lame all over. - -"Gee! I hate to lie down, fellows," he said. "I know I won't be able to -move in the morning." - -Then the boys rolled up in their blankets, and fifteen minutes later -were so deep in Slumberland that not even Fleet's snoring created an -impression. - - - - -CHAPTER III--THE RACE - - -"Oh! Oh! Oh!" - -A startled cry rang through the little camp shortly after daybreak the -next morning. - -Chot Duncan sprang up as if he had been shot, and Tom was not far behind -him. - -"What was that?" he cried. - -They glanced around among the trees. A few birds were twittering in the -branches, but otherwise the camp was apparently undisturbed. - -"Sounds like someone in distress," said Tom. - -"Eh? What's the matter, fellows?" cried Fleet, as he struggled up, -rubbing his eyes. - -"Heard a noise of some kind," said Chot. "Woke me up." - -"Oh! Oh! Oh!" The cry came again in mournful tones, and from the -blankets right at their feet. Looking down, the boys saw Pod, his face -distorted apparently in great pain. - -"What's the matter--are you sick?" Chot asked, kneeling beside his -little comrade. - -"Sick nothing!" growled Pod. "There isn't a muscle in my body that I can -move. I don't know what I'm going to do, fellows. You'll have to go off -and leave me." - -"Well, won't that be too bad?" said Fleet. "Of course, we'll go and -leave you. Won't give you anything to eat, either. We are cold, -heartless creatures, Podsy, and we don't care what happens to you." - -"Shut up with your sermons, Fleet Kenby. If you had my back and stomach, -and arms and legs, and feet and----" - -"And a few other things, why, then I'd be Pod Meelick, wouldn't I?" and -Fleet grinned broadly. - -"Stop laughing at me! This is no laughing matter! Lend a hand, Chot, and -see if I can sit up." - -Chot pulled the little fellow carefully into a sitting position, Pod -letting off a groan or a shriek at every move. - -"Oh, dear, I've counted so much on the delights of canoeing, fellows. -I--I never thought I'd have to go through this--honest I didn't." - -"Oh, be a man!" advised Fleet. - -"Be one yourself!" was Pod's retort. - -"We'll limber you up, youngster," said Chot. - -"No, no! Keep away! What are you going to do with me?" - -"Give you what you need--a bath and a rub down." - -In a jiffy they had stripped Pod's clothes off and put on his swimming -trunks, and with Pod between them, groaning at every step, Chot and Tom -rushed down to the water's edge and plunged into the stream, followed -more leisurely by Fleet. - -Pod went under the water and came up puffing. - -"Swimming will limber you up," said Tom, "and a good rub down will -finish the business off." - -Pod sent up a protest, but the water was deep where his chums had -carried him, and he was forced to exert himself to keep afloat. -Gradually some of the lameness left him, as stiff muscles began to -limber under the exercise, and after a ten minutes swim, while still -lame he was able to scramble up on to the knoll with some degree of -comfort. The boys had each brought a rough bath towel, and these were -now brought into play and their skins rubbed until they shone with a -ruddy glow. Perfect pictures of modern young athletes were these lads, -as they stood there on the river bank, their fine muscular development -showing to its full advantage, their breaths coming in the long, even -way that denotes strong lungs. - -"I surely feel better," said Pod. "Gee, when I woke up, though! I hate -to think about it." - -"Don't," said Fleet, laconically. - -"I don't need your advice," said Pod. "What I need is a cup of coffee." - -"We all need that," said Chot. - -"And some bread and jam," said Fleet, smacking his lips. - -"Who ever heard of bread and jam for breakfast?" asked Tom. - -"I have," asserted Fleet. - -"That's on the lunch or dinner bill of fare," said Pod. - -"No; it's on the Fleet Kenby bill of fare," said that worthy, "and that -means any time of the day or night the spirit moves me." - -"Fleet's right," said Chot. "When it comes to eating, he moves both day -and night. Why, I've known him to wake up in the night with a craving -for pickles." - -"Wish I had a pickle now," said Fleet. - -"Oh, you do?" said Chot. "Well, there happens to be a bottle in your -canoe. We'll open it." - -"Why--er--never mind," said Fleet. "I--I think I'd rather save the -pickles for later in the day." - -"Bluffer!" cried Pod. - -"You're the bluffer!" replied Fleet, and gave chase to the little -fellow. He caught him about fifty yards from the knoll, then the two ran -a foot race back to camp, Pod winning by a narrow margin. - -"You can't run, you big porpoise," he taunted. - -"Maybe not," was Fleet's reply, "but I can eat better now. I needed a -little violent exercise." - -The boys soon sat down to bread, cold beans and coffee--not a very -substantial meal, but one eminently satisfactory when campers-out wake -up hungry. - -Fifteen minutes after the meal was over everything was packed into the -canoes and the boys again shoved off into the river and headed up -stream. - -Pod continued to emit a few groans at intervals, but after a while -paddling became easier, and the groans finally ceased. The boys set an -easy pace for the little fellow, and the canoes turned bend after bend -of the mighty river. Catskill was soon passed, then Hudson on the -opposite side, and soon Athens came into view. The boys soon rounded a -big bend above Athens, and with the sun behind a cloud and all feeling -in fine fettle, Fleet proposed a race. - -"I'd hate to race you," said Pod. - -"Why?" - -"Because you take the sting of defeat too hard." - -"Now, you're joking again. What do you other fellows say? Shall we -race?" - -"I'm willing," said Chot. - -"And I," said Tom. - -"Well, I hope you fellows will wait for me when you've finished--that's -all I've got to say," said Pod. - -"See that cat-boat moored to the wharf on the east shore?" asked Chot. - -The boys nodded. - -"We'll race till we're even with that, and the winner has to set them up -at the first place we strike ice cream soda." - -"The loser, you mean," said Fleet. "I don't want to win this race and -set them up in the bargain." - -"Well, the loser, then," said Chot, winking at Tom. - -Pod, of course, was not in the race. He was too inexperienced as yet to -push his canoe at such a rapid pace, even though he could have stood the -strain. - -Chot and Tom removed the cushions from their canoes, and fitted in a -cross-piece, on which they sat with their feet braced well in under. -Fleet, however, could not manage his double-bladed paddle in this -fashion, and continued to sit on his cushion, his feet braced out in -front of him. - -Pod watched the boys line up, and when all were even gave the word to -go. Three paddles dipped simultaneously into the water and the canoes -shot away up the river at a rapid pace. Pod paddled leisurely along in -their wake, they having agreed to wait until he came up with them. - -Tom took the lead at the start, with Fleet second and Chot last. The -cat-boat to which they were racing was perhaps a mile up stream. - -Fleet was puffing from his exertion at the end of a half-mile, but had -the satisfaction of knowing that he led his chums by a full length. The -big double paddle fell on either side with rhythmic precision. But Fleet -was doomed to disappointment, for when within a quarter of a mile of the -finish, both Chot and Tom paddled rapidly past him, smiled into his -face, and crossed the finish line neck and neck. - -"That was a put up job," said Fleet. "But as long as the winner sets -them up, I don't care." - -"But the winner doesn't set them up," said Chot. "You remember we -changed that to the loser at your suggestion." - -"That's so; we did," Fleet reluctantly admitted, after a moment's -thought. "In other words, little Fleetsy gets the warm end of the -proposition all around." - -"That's about the size of it," said Tom. - -"Methinks I see a village ahead. Thinkest thou, Tomsy, couldst get ice -cream sodas there?" asked Chot. - -"Ay, ay, me lord," responded Tom, in a mock serious voice. - -They paddled just enough to keep the canoes from drifting with the -current down stream, and soon Pod caught up with them. - -"Hope I get in on the ice cream soda," he said. - -"Of course," said Chot. "Fleet has very kindly agreed to furnish all we -can drink." - -"I have not," said Fleet. "Once around, if you please. After that, -someone else foots the bill." - -Half an hour later they landed at a small village on the west bank, and -were lucky enough to strike a combination soda fountain, drug store and -post-office right on the river front. They chipped in a nickel apiece to -get a boy to watch their canoes, then proceeded to drink ice cream soda -to their hearts' content. It was nearly noon, so the boys concluded to -buy some sandwiches for lunch, which would be eaten in the canoes -farther up the river. Then they could provide a heavier meal at night. -Fleet was reluctant to agree, believing that a juicy steak, some French -fried potatoes and an omelet would set better on his stomach than a -sandwich, but his chums argued him out of this. - -"You can't paddle well on a full stomach," said Chot. - -"If he can't paddle well on a full stomach, let him turn over on his -back," said Pod, then dodged when Fleet made a pass at him. - -They found a crowd of boys collected about the canoes, but the boy they -had hired as guard was defiantly standing them off, and nothing had been -touched. The boys chipped in and gave the little fellow an extra coin, -and the urchin immediately decided that the canoeists were "bricks." - -The boys pushed off into the stream again. The sun was rather warm now, -and paddling was not any great delight, so they contented themselves -with a slow, easy movement. This was kept up for the better part of two -hours, when an incident occurred that relieved the monotony of the -cruise. - -The boys were hugging the west shore, hoping the sun would soon hurry -behind the highlands, when upon turning a bend in the river, a catboat -was seen in midstream, headed south. She was perhaps a quarter of a mile -away from them, and they could easily make out the form of a young lad -at the tiller. It was some time before he caught sight of the canoes, -but when he did, he started up in amazement. They saw him lash the -tiller and tip-toe to the door of the little cabin down which he looked -in a furtive manner. Then he advanced to the side of the boat and -beckoned to the boys in the canoes. - -"Wonder what that means?" said Fleet. - -"He wants us to approach," said Chot. "Guess we'd better see what he -wants." - -So they headed their canoes out into the stream, and at the same instant -the boy seized the tiller of the boat and brought her around to the wind -so that she lay, her sails flapping idly, waiting for them to come up. - - - - -CHAPTER IV--THE FIGHT ON THE CATBOAT - - -"Looks like he's afraid of something," said Pod. - -"Sure; this is the haunted sloop you've read about," Fleet responded. - -"If you can make a sloop out of a catboat, you're a dandy, Fleet Kenby," -said Pod. "Don't you know that a sloop has a bowsprit and a jib?" - -Fleet was silent. He saw that his anxiety to bring in the "haunts," had -led him into making a nautical error, so he subsided. - -As the canoes approached the catboat, the lad at the tiller held his -hand to his lips for silence, then pointed significantly toward the -cabin. - -"It may be a catboat, but it's haunted all right," said Fleet. "Don't -you think we'd better clear out of this?" - -"I don't see as this is half as scary as that hut I was shut up in on -the east side of the river the night Kenton Karnes and his gang played -kidnappers," said Pod. - -"Well, let's see what this boy wants," said Chot. "He is evidently in -great fear from someone in that cabin." - -"Some_one_?" said Fleet. "You mean some_thing_!" - -"I mean what I said." - -"Push up alongside, fellows," said Tom, "and keep quiet unless the boy -talks. He's trying to impress us to be silent." - -The lad was still holding the nose of the boat to the wind, and the sail -still flapped in the breeze. - -The boys paddled up alongside, worked their way around to the stern, -where again the lad held a finger to his lips. On the stern of the -catboat were the words: "Nellie B. of Troy." - -"What's the matter?" asked Chot in a low tone. - -"Sh! Easy there," was the lad's reply. "Captain's drunk. Can you fellows -take me off this blooming boat?" - -"Why do you want to leave?" - -"Because I don't belong here. He kidnapped me--shanghaied me, I guess -you'd call it." - -"He did?" - -"Yes; my name is Ted Lanham. I live at Greenbush. He got me while I was -in swimming. He's awful, fellows," and to prove the truth of his -assertion, he pulled up his sleeve, showing several large black and blue -spots on each of his arms. - -"Why, that's a dirty shame!" cried Fleet "And you say this captain is in -that cabin?" - -"Sh! Yes; he's in there, but he's about half shot." - -"Well, we'll get him for this!" said Fleet, whose sympathies had gone -out to the unfortunate lad. - -"You can't do it; he's six-foot tall and weighs over two hundred." - -"Don't care if he weighs a million. There's enough of us to take care of -him." - -"I have a better plan," said Chot. "You say you live at Greenbush?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, we're headed in that direction. Your canoe will hold two, Fleet. -Suppose we just take Ted off and leave the catboat to drift where she -pleases." - -Fleet did not like this idea. Of course, he wanted to take Ted in his -canoe and carry him home; he had intended doing just that. But first, -seeing the lad had been mistreated, he wanted to mete out some sort of -punishment to the captain. - -The plans of the boys were taken out of their hands in a most sudden -manner. There was a bellow as if from a mad bull, and the next moment -their startled gaze was focused upon the burly figure of a man in the -cabin doorway. As the boy had said, he was a big man, and just now his -eyes were inflamed, his hair tousled and his face as red as a beet, -which made him look more ferocious than ever. - -"What does this mean?" he roared. "Who stopped my boat?" - -"I did," said Ted Lanham, a defiant note in his voice. Now that he had -the Comrades and Pod to back him up, his courage began to return. - -"Oh, ye did, did ye?" cried the captain. "You stopped my boat, did ye? -Well, I'll learn ye how to interfere with my plans--I'll learn ye!" - -"He's never been to school," piped Pod. "He said, I'll learn ye'," at -which there was a laugh from the other boys. - -Ted Lanham left the tiller and ran around the cabin, as the big captain -staggered toward him. - -"Did you kidnap that boy?" asked Chot. - -"Well, what if I did?" was the leering reply. "Who are you, that you -interfere in my business?" - -"The boy's business is our business, and we'll make your business our -business until we get that boy out of your clutches." - -"So ye're goin' to try an' take the boy, are ye? Well, just come ahead. -I'm good for th' whole pack an' parcel of ye." - -"Oh, you are?" cried Chot, his eyes blazing with anger. A peculiar smile -played about his lips, which Tom and Fleet had grown to recognize as -denoting great emotion. And now, as Chot sprang on to the deck of the -catboat, yelling for Tom and Fleet to follow, the boys knew there would -be "something doing." - -"Do you want me?" asked Pod. - -"No; you stay and watch the canoes. And you, Ted, climb over the stern -into Fleet's canoe--that big one over there on the end." - -By this time Tom and Fleet had followed Chot on to the deck of the -catboat, and with a bellow of rage the big captain rushed toward them. - -"Into the water with him!" cried Chot, "and keep out of the way of his -fists. If he thinks he can beat the Experience Club, he's badly fooled." - -"That he is," said Fleet. - -Then the boys scattered so that, turn as he might, there was always a -boy behind the captain. He realized that he was in a tight corner, but -in his half-drunken rage he was blind to his best interests, so he -rushed at Chot, who seemed to him to be the aggressor in the fight. - -Chot easily evaded the rush, stepped lightly to one side, put out his -foot, and the captain stumbled over it and sprawled his length on the -deck. He arose, cursing, and rushed again. This time Tom was in his way. -Tom, too, sidestepped and when the captain was even with him, gave him a -blow in the stomach that doubled him up and sent him reeling on to the -roof of the little cabin. - -"My turn now!" cried Fleet, and before the captain could recover from -Tom's blow, or realize what was about to happen, the fleshy lad had -lifted him almost bodily, shoved him to the edge of the boat and toppled -him into the river. At this there were shouts of delight from Pod and -Ted. - -The captain came up, puffing, and shaking the water out of his eyes -after the fashion of an expert swimmer. The water had somewhat cooled -his ambition for a fight, and he looked rather meek as he swam toward -the side of the boat and started to scramble up. Here he met with a -surprise, however. The Comrades blocked his way, and the moment he put a -hand on the rail, it was loosened by one of the boys and the captain -shoved back into the water. - -"You're not goin' to let me drown, are ye?" he demanded. - -"Oh, no--not yet, at least, but before you are allowed aboard the boat, -we want to hear you say that you kidnapped Ted Lanham, and that you now -relinquish all claim to his services," said Chot. - -"I don't know what his name is, but I picked him up. I had to have -someone to work my boat." - -"While you could drink and sleep, eh?" demanded Tom. "A fine specimen of -humanity, you are." - -"Oh, let up, won't ye? I know when I've had enough. It was three against -one, an' no man can fight such odds." - -"Glad you realize it," said Fleet. "Do you relinquish all claim to his -services?" - -"See nothin' else to do," he sputtered, "lemme aboard. You go your way -an' I'll go mine. But if I ever meet ye again, look out!" - -"You'll never meet us again," said Chot. - -"Not if we see you first, anyway," said Fleet. - -They allowed him to scramble on deck, watching him warily, however, -fearing treachery. But the captain was evidently sincere when he said -that the odds were too great, and when the boys scrambled over the stern -into their canoes, he was unlashing the tiller. Then the catboat swung -around so that wind caught her sail, and moved off down the river. The -captain sat in the stern, gazing stolidly ahead. Not once did he turn to -look at the boys in the canoes, or even signify that he knew they were -there. The matter was evidently a forgotten incident with him. - -"Well, he's a cool one all right," said Fleet - -"Too cool for me," said Ted Lanham, who was now sitting comfortably in -the bow of Fleet's canoe, while Fleet had moved his cushions toward the -stern to balance the craft. - -"Do your folks live at Greenbush, Ted?" asked Chot, as the canoes moved -off up the river. - -"My mother," said the boy. "Guess she's wondering where I am." - -"When did the kidnapping occur?" - -"About three hours ago. I take a swim in the river every morning, and -when the catboat came toward me, I thought the captain wanted to ask me -some questions. So I got my clothes and climbed on board, at his -request. Then he shut me in the cabin until he got out of sight of the -village, when he took me out and licked me, and told me I belonged to -him." - -"What nerve!" cried Tom. "Sorry we didn't duck him again for that." - -"May have a chance yet," said Fleet. - -"I hope we've seen the last of him," said Chot. - -"I'll be careful when I go swimmin' after this," said Ted. "Guess I was -a little too far from shore." - -"Well you had no means of knowing that he was going to kidnap you. -Kidnapping is an unusual occurrence on the old Hudson," said Tom. - -The canoes were moving rapidly up stream now, and during the afternoon -Ted's home was sighted. Greenbush was a pretty village on the east bank -of the river, and the Comrades stayed over long enough to partake of the -hospitality of Ted's mother. Mrs. Lanham received them warmly, after Ted -had told of his experience, and thanked them for their efforts on behalf -of her son. - -She fixed a fine dinner for them, greatly to Fleet's delight. During the -meal one of the boys happened to mention Winton, at which Mrs. Lanham -became immediately interested. - -"I hope to have money enough to send Ted to Winton next year," said she. - -"We're all from Winton, and we'd like nothing better than to have Ted -there in the fall," said Chot. - -"Well, if that's where you fellows belong, it won't be my fault if I'm -not there," said Ted. - -It was nearly two o'clock when they took leave of Ted and his mother, -and pushed off into the river again. They liked Ted and resolved to make -his stay at Winton a pleasant one should he be so fortunate as to enter -the academy at the beginning of the fall term. - -It was but a short distance from Greenbush to Albany, and toward evening -the young canoeists found themselves in the river off that city, with -the great dome of the capital building shining against the western sky. - - - - -CHAPTER V--THE BOYS ARRIVE AT BERT'S - - -Strange to say, none of the Comrades had ever been to Albany before, and -the sights of the capital were a great delight to them. Deciding that it -would be time well spent, they went through the capitol building, Chot -and Fleet going first, and returning to stay with the canoes while Tom -and Pod made the trip. - -A new stock of provisions were secured, most of which were put in -Fleet's canoe, and late in the afternoon the boys pushed out from among -the steamers and small craft, and threading their way through the river -traffic, soon left Albany behind. - -Some two hours later, just as dusk was falling, the lights of another -city loomed up on the east shore. - -"Troy," said Chot. "At least I suppose it is. I've never been there, but -I know it isn't far from Albany." - -"Gee, but there's a lot of cities up this way," said Pod, to whom such -sights were novel. The little fellow had never stirred from Bayville -except to neighboring towns, until he entered Winton the previous fall, -and the trip up the Hudson was like a glimpse into fairyland for him. It -pleased the Comrades immensely to see Pod enjoying himself. They were -doubly glad now that they had "chipped in" and bought him a canoe. - -The boys having eaten heartily in Albany, it was decided not to stop at -Troy. Darkness was falling, the moon would soon be up, and as each boy -was feeling fine, it was thought best to paddle along by moonlight until -a suitable camping place was found. - -So they continued at a leisurely pace past the city, and were soon in -the open river above. The Hudson was growing narrower now, but this -detracted not at all from its beauty, and the boys were loath to leave -off paddling, but the need of sleep finally led them to seek a camping -place. - -It was some time before they found a spot that looked nice enough to -spend the night in. Past Cohoes, Lansingburg and Waterford they went, -and finally turned in toward a pretty grove on the east bank. Here, -under the rays of the moon, they again made their camp, much in the -fashion they had on a previous occasion. - -The canoes were pulled high and dry on the bank and carried well back -among the trees. Then the tent was stretched, and soon the Comrades were -ready for bed. They could not withstand the temptation to stop and talk -a while, however, and as a fitting accompaniment to their conversation, -Chot and Fleet prepared a lunch, which was washed down with cold water -from a nearby spring. - -"Speaking of lawyers," said Pod, "do you know----?" - -"Now, who said anything about lawyers?" demanded Fleet. - -"Well, speaking of them, anyway, what would you say if you had occasion -to do business with one and he charged only a nominal fee?" - -"I should say," replied Fleet, "that it was quite fee-nominal." - -So surprised was Pod at having Fleet answer one of his jokes, that for a -moment he stared, open-mouthed, at his comrade. Fleet, pleased at his -ready answer, was laughing heartily, and after a moment Chot and Tom -joined in, much to Pod's chagrin. - -"Think you're smart, don't you, Fleet Kenby?" cried the little fellow. - -"A little too smart for you that time, anyway." - -"Well, since you're so smart to-night, I suppose you know what the -patient said when he went to consult two dentists who were brothers, and -it took both of them to pull his tooth?" - -"No; I am forced frankly and unreservedly to admit, Mr. Meelick, that I -do not know what the patient said," returned Fleet, in a tone that -exasperated Pod. - -"Nor I," said Chot. - -"What did the patient say, Pod?" Tom demanded. - -"He said, 'Just see what two brothers can do when they pull together'," -and Pod commenced to chuckle. - -But none of the others cracked a smile. Of course, they all understood -the joke, but simply to irritate Pod, they pretended that they did not. - -"I say, he said, 'Just see what two brothers can do when they pull -together'," repeated Pod. "Don't you see--pull together--two of them?" - -"'Pull together--two of them'," echoed Tom, looking inquiringly at Chot. - -"Yes; there were evidently two brothers," said Chot. "Don't you -understand, Tom? They were dentists. They didn't want to pull the tooth -for this patient, but----" - -"Oh, you don't catch it yet," said Pod. He was exasperated as he always -was when one of his jokes fell flat. "This patient had a sense of -humor----" - -"Oh, I see it now," said Fleet. "The patient had a sense of humor, -fellows, so he went to have his tooth pulled. That's the funniest thing -I ever heard," and Fleet laughed uproariously. - -"No; you haven't caught the point yet, Fleet," said Chot. "The point to -this joke lies in the fact that the patient went to see two dentists at -one time. He stood there watching them for a moment, you understand, -trying to decide which one he wanted to pull his tooth. Each of the -dentists wanted to pull the tooth, but the patient only wanted one of -the dentists to pull the tooth. Well, can't you see--er--that is, to -say----" - -"I understand perfectly," said Tom. "The joke is that both of the -dentists wanted to pull the same tooth. That was funny, wasn't it?" - -"I don't believe you've quite got it yet," said Fleet. "You see when -this patient entered the dentist's office----" - -There is no knowing how long this might have continued, had not Pod -arose with a snort of disgust and announced his intention of going to -bed. - -Pod's anger did not last long, however, and in the morning he had -forgotten that there ever was such a thing as a joke about two dentists. - -The boys were astir before sun-up. A fire was kindled and a pot of -coffee made, and well satisfied so far as the inner boy was concerned, -the boys pushed their canoes out in the stream just as Old Sol came -peeping over the hills to the east. - -"I want to make a good day of it," said Chot. "We should be in Sandy -Hill by to-morrow noon." - -"Sandy Hill?" inquired Fleet. "Where is that, and why do you say we -should be there?" - -"Because there is where we leave the Hudson." - -"Do you mean that we have a portage so soon?" - -"Not exactly a portage because we do not carry our canoes. But we take -the train at Sandy Point for Lake George Station on the southern end of -Lake George, which is only eight miles from Bert Creighton's home near -Kattskill Bay." - -"Do you suppose Bert is looking for us so soon?" - -"I told him we'd be only a few days--not more than a week, at the -most--getting to his place." - -"I didn't realize we'd covered that much ground." - -"That much water, you mean," said Pod. - -"Very well; I stand corrected." - -Chot's predictions came pretty near working out, too, as the other boys -found. A steady gait, with occasional periods of rest, sent them up the -river to within eight miles of Fort Edward by ten o'clock that night. -That was the biggest day's paddling since they had left Winton, and each -of the boys was glad to roll up in his blanket and sleep after the usual -bed time lunch. - -They were up with the sun again, however, and after a plunge in the -river, felt greatly refreshed and in fine fettle for another day's work. - -Just as the siren of a factory on the west shore was announcing the -arrival of the noon hour, the Comrades sighted Sandy Point, and ten -minutes later had made a landing, arranged with a boy to guard their -canoes, and were eating ravenously in a neighboring restaurant, where -new milk and juicy steaks, the latter smothered in onions and cream -potatoes, made them glad they were able for a time to forsake the river. - -The meal over, the Comrades went to the depot and inquired about the -next train for Lake George Station. They were informed by the agent that -two-thirty was the time. The station was thirteen miles distant, and the -run was made in about thirty minutes. The train was what is known in -railroad circles as a "local," and stopped at all stations en route. - -The railroad was not far from the river, and the Comrades had no trouble -in carrying their canoes to the depot, where they had them checked, -after first purchasing tickets for Lake George Station. - -It was three o'clock when they picked up the canoes at the latter place -and started for the shore of the lake. They did not stop in the village, -as they were anxious to reach Bert's home before dark. A light breeze -was ruffling the surface of the lake when they embarked, but not enough -to in any way disturb the canoes. With the wind at their backs, and -hugging the east shore, the boys paddled rapidly away from Lake George -Station. Three coves, or arms, of the lake, jut into the land in this -vicinity, all within the space of eight miles. On the third of these was -the village of Kattskill Bay, near where Bert Creighton lived with his -parents. - -Chot had the topography of the region well in mind from Bert's -description, and from a map of Lake George and vicinity which he carried -in his pocket, and toward evening he turned his canoe sharply to the -right, as a stretch of water, which he felt must be the right cove, lay -before them. - -"This looks good to me," said Fleet, as the green meadows and -comfortable-looking groves came into sight. "I don't wonder that Bert -Creighton thinks he lives in the only place in the world." - -"Look at the cows grazing on the hillside yonder," said Pod. "Hope they -belong to Bert. That means fresh milk and butter, buttermilk and eggs, -and----" - -"Whoa!" cried Tom. "If you get eggs from those cows, you'll be doing -something miraculous, Podsy." - -"Oh, I didn't mean that," said Pod. "But where there are cows there are -usually chickens, and eggs seem to go naturally with milk and butter." - -"Don't discuss such subjects," said Fleet. "You make me hungry." - -"Oh, you're always hungry--couldn't fill you up if they poured a -perpetual stream of food down your throat," said Pod. - -"Nothing like a good appetite," said Fleet. "If I look at these hills -and dales much longer, I shall break forth into verse." - -"Then don't look at them," advised Chot. - -"I believe I feel a poem coming on." - -"Well, put on the safety valve. Hello! Who's that? As I live, it's Bert -Creighton!" - -Sure enough, there was Bert, standing at the end of a little wharf that -jutted out into the lake. He was yelling and waving his hat at them. -Stretching behind him was a pretty meadow, and farther on a hill on -which sat a farmhouse--Bert's home, the Comrades felt. - -It was with thankful hearts that they turned their canoes in toward the -wharf and grasped the hand of their old chum again. - -"Gee! but I'm glad to see you fellows up here," said Bert. "Been looking -for you since yesterday," and he led the way up a broad path toward the -house. - - - - -CHAPTER VI--GETTING READY FOR THE GAME - - -The welcome extended the Comrades and Pod by Bert's parents was cordial -in every sense of the word. The big farm was placed at their disposal, -and Mrs. Creighton exerted herself to the utmost to provide delicacies -that would tempt them, and in this she succeeded beyond her fondest -expectations. - -It pleased her to see these healthy young fellows eat, and Fleet, -especially, was an unending source of delight to her, for when he was -not praising her cooking, he was smacking his lips in the keenest -enjoyment. By that, it is not meant that Fleet's table manners were bad; -on the contrary, no boy ever paid more attention to the conventions of -eating than he, except when camping in the woods, or on some other -informal occasion, with only his chums to see him. - -The boys slept soundly the first night and arose in the morning to -plunge with Bert into the waters of Lake George. Then, after a rub-down -that set the blood tingling all through their bodies, they sat down to -wheat cakes, maple syrup and coffee, with generous dishes of -strawberries and cream on the side. - -"You fellows may as well limber up your arms," said Bert when breakfast -was over, and the boys had spent half an hour talking over old times. - -"That's so; Bert promised us a game of baseball," said Chot. "How about -it, Bert?" - -"It's all arranged. Cleverdale has a mighty good team for a country -village, and they have agreed to come down to-morrow for a game in our -big pasture." - -"Well, isn't that clever of Cleverdale?" said Pod. - -"Here! Don't spring any more of those," warned Bert. "I don't believe I -could stand the pressure." - -"Oh, Pod's been misbehaving all the way up," said Tom. - -"Well, I had plenty of company," responded the little fellow. "Fleet -Kenby fairly disgraced us all, and I failed to observe where any of the -other members of our party earned any special bouquets for deportment." - -"Listen at the language!" cried Fleet, as he put his hands on Pod's head -and began an examination, much after the fashion of a phrenologist. -"Yes; here's where it came from. This, gentlemen, is the bump of -knowledge, considerably enlarged though colliding with its neighbor, the -bump of conceit. The latter bump, which, you will observe, lies right -above the ear, is bounded on the north by a wisp of hair, on the south -by----" - -But Pod had stood all he intended to stand, and diving suddenly between -Fleet's legs, he toppled the fleshy one over on the grass, he, himself, -escaping a fall by an agile spring. - -Fleet sat where he had fallen, grinning. He enjoyed his innocent battles -with Pod and was not at all angry when, occasionally, his little chum -got the better of him. - -Bert brought forth a ball and bat, as well as several gloves and mitts. - -"I have a collection," said he, by way of explanation. - -"We don't need the gloves; we brought our own, and nothing feels so -comfortable on your hand as your own glove," said Chot. Then the boys -proceeded to get their gloves out of the canoes. Fleet fished out his -big first baseman's mitt, and began to limber himself by striking with -his bare fist in the hollow spot, which was deep from the constant -pounding of the balls. - -"But, I say, Bert," Fleet asked, "you say we are to play Cleverdale -to-morrow?" - -"Yes." - -"How? There are only five of us. Have they a full nine?" - -"Yes, and we will have our full nine players also. There will be five -young fellows here in the morning to stay all day with us--boys who live -in the neighborhood of Kattskill Bay, and who are anxious to acquire -Cleverdale's scalp. You see, there's not enough of us here to make a -team, so we are availing ourselves of the opportunity to secure some -real college talent, and expect to win from Cleverdale very handily." - -"Oh, you flatterer!" cried Pod. "Real college talent! Is that us?" he -demanded turning on Fleet. - -"Well, it's me, anyway," was Fleet's reply. "You don't think I play -first base for Winton for nothing, do you, youngster? And don't forget -that you are Terrible Podsy, king of the shortstops." - -"And you are Flippant Fleetsy, the bum first baseman," Pod replied, -dodging behind Chot, as Fleet made a move toward him. - -The boys went out into the big pasture where they found a fine diamond, -with the grass close-cropped by the constant feeding of the cows, -perfectly level and worn smooth on the base lines. The boys uttered -exclamations of delight. - -"There's nothing like a good ground, free from rough spots," said Tom. -"But I had no idea we'd find a ground up here as smooth as this." - -"Well, I'm beginning to find lots of wonderful things around here," said -Fleet. "Take those pancakes Mrs. Creighton made this morning, for -instance." - -The other boys laughed as Fleet smacked his lips. - -"What I am figuring on now," Fleet continued, "is how to get word to her -to have another batch to-morrow morning." - -"I'll tell her," said Bert, amused at Fleet's perpetual desire for food. - -"Thought maybe you would if I mentioned it," said Fleet. - -The boys took turns batting flies and grounders, Chot taking most of the -burden because he was to pitch, and needed very little practice on the -diamond. So he batted to Pod and Bert, who threw the ball to Fleet at -first. Fleet, in turn, threw to Tom who stood at the plate, his big -catcher's mitt on his hand. Tom caught the balls and tossed them to -Chot, who would then bat them out again. - -Every now and then Pod would dash swiftly to second, when Fleet was -throwing the ball home, and Tom would seize it and shoot it down to the -second cushion with all his old-time speed. Pod would then seize the -sphere and put it on an imaginary runner, and throw to Fleet again to -catch an imaginary runner at that bag. - -"This seems like old times," said Fleet. "There are many outdoor games, -but after all there is only one." - -"There are many, and yet there's only one. There's a riddle for -you--figure it out!" cried Pod. - -After a while, breathing heavily from their exertions, for the morning -was warm, Pod, Bert and Fleet decided to stop. Then Chot took the ball -and threw for fifteen minutes to Tom, speeding them in as his arm grew -more limber, until the ball became but a mere flash in the atmosphere as -it passed from one chum to the other. - -Then, practice over, the boys stretched themselves out in the shade of a -big oak tree for an hour of solid comfort. - -"If Dan, Randy and Wilkes were here, I'd be perfectly happy," said Bert. -"But I suppose it's impossible for all of us to be together the whole -year round." - -"And I wouldn't mind in the least if Truem Wright were here," said Chot, -which remark occasioned some surprise among his comrades. - -"Well, I've forgotten the mean things he did," said Tom. "But I haven't -taken him to my heart sufficiently to wish he was here at this moment." - -"I look at it this way," said Chot. "Truem was a cad of the first water, -as many boys are who have well-to-do parents, and have wanted for -nothing during the time they are growing up to go to college. Unless -such a boy has a strong grip on himself he'll grow supercilious, and may -be led into doing spiteful things just as Truem was. We gave Truem what -he deserved when we were in Bayville on our vacation that summer, and he -took a strong dislike to us from that moment. But after he came to -Winton his eyes gradually opened, and he saw that we were trying to act -squarely with everyone. Then a longing for real companionship came into -his heart, as it will sooner or later come to every boy who goes to the -bad, and he finally mustered up the courage to tell us that he wanted us -to be his friends. And I tell you, fellows, it takes a lot of courage to -ask a thing like that of the boys who have been always on the other -side, and whom you have been fighting for months. But Truem did it, and -now, I say we should have enough interest in his future welfare to lead -him along the right path, take him into our set, if need be, and show -him that we are glad from the bottom of our hearts to help him. Those -are my sentiments." - -There had been not the slightest interruption while Chot was speaking. -Each listener had a serious look on his face, for he saw that Chot was -in deadly earnest, and when he had finished, each boy felt that their -chum was right. Truem had earned the right to their friendship and they -should see that he never regretted it. - -Bert was the first to speak. - -"You are right, Chot, and Truem will have no warmer friend than I next -term," he said. - -The others hastened to assure Chot that they felt the same way, and the -matter was dropped. - -"By the way, Chot," said Bert, suddenly, winking at the other boys, -"what ever became of Lucy Pendleton?" - -"Why do you ask me?" queried Chot. - -"Well--er--because I thought you were somewhat interested in her." - -"Oh, no," drawled Fleet. "He isn't interested. I'll never forget the -time, just the same, that he let Tom and I do all the work on our -telephone line so that he could talk to her." - -"Correct," said Tom, "but Chot would never admit it." - -"But all joking aside," said Bert, "where is Lucy to spend the summer?" - -"After a short visit at Mortonville, she will stay with her aunt, Mrs. -Dashworth, at Stockdale," said Chot. - -"I thought she had a father somewhere," said Pod. - -The Comrades exchanged glances. Lucy did have a father, but he was not -all a man should be, as the Comrades had every reason to know. During -the winter he had come to Mrs. Dashworth's and sent for Chot to ask him -to raise enough money to do the preliminary work on a Colorado mining -claim which he had staked out. This Chot had done for Lucy's sake, -forcing Pendleton to give Lucy a fifth interest, and a fifth interest -each to Tom and himself. Pendleton was now in the west, trying to -interest capital in the venture. Chot and Tom had little faith in the -claim's panning out well, but for Lucy's sake they had given Luther -Pendleton a chance. - -Chot had been more inclined to do this than Tom, who had taken an -instinctive dislike to Pendleton when Pendleton had been bookkeeper at -the brass works in Mortonville, and had, upon the death of Tom's father, -exacted the sum of one thousand dollars from Tom and his mother, -alleging that Mr. Pratt had made away with that much of the company's -funds. Tom knew positively that his father had been innocent of the -charge, for by accident a phonograph had recorded part of a conversation -between Mr. Pratt and someone connected with the brass works, in Tom's -attic room, but Mr. Pratt had been taken suddenly ill and was unable to -reveal the name of the man who was trying to do him injury. - -These things now recurred to the Comrades, and especially to Tom, who -sat for an instant gazing gloomily out over the lake. - -"Someone wronged my father--someone wronged him, and I'm going to find -him yet, if only to let my mother know that not the slightest stain -rested on my father's character. I must--I will find this man!" and Tom -gritted his teeth, as he silently made this resolve. - -His reverie was broken by the sound of the horn calling them to dinner, -and springing up they all raced for the house, Fleet leading the entire -distance, as a vision of fried eggs, new potatoes and apple pie appeared -before his eyes. - - - - -CHAPTER VII--THE BASEBALL GAME - - - THE CREIGHTONS. - - Meelick, ss - Creighton, 2b - Kenby, 1b - Pratt, c - Duncan, p - Jones, rf - Day, 3b - Lorrens, lf - Smeed, cf - - CLEVERDALE. - - King, lf - Cotton, 2b - Gregg, c - Biddle, rf - Corker, 3b - Strange, ss - Burton, cf - Windle, 1b - Johnson, p - - Umpire: Mr. Creighton - -When the teams lined up for the fray in the big Creighton pasture the -next day, that is the way the line-up looked. Bert's father, who was a -baseball enthusiast, and noted for his squareness in all things, was -chosen umpire by the mutual consent of both sides, after a short -conference between Bert and Waldy Biddle, the captain of the Cleverdale -team. - -Jones, Day, Lorrens and Smeed, who filled out the Creighton team, were -players of no mean merit, but a little light on batting, so Bert put -them at the lower end of the batting list, preferring to bring as much -of the old Winton talent into play at the start as possible. - -Both teams showed up well in the preliminary practice, and the -spectators from Cleverdale and the surrounding farming country settled -down with an expectant hush, as Mr. Creighton cried: - -"Play ball!" - -Bert had won the toss for innings, and took the field, sending Chot into -the box, himself going to second, from which point of vantage he could -watch each move of the game. - -King, the Cleverdale left fielder, was the first to face Chot, and he -appeared to be confident, for he smiled in a way that made Chot resolve -to teach him a few things about pitched balls. - -Chot sent over a wide out, which started straight toward King, then -curved over the plate. The batter let it pass and Mr. Creighton called a -strike. - -This made King smile all the harder. But when Chot sent over a hard, -straight ball, fairly sizzling with speed, and he struck at it and -missed, he did not appear so confident. - -Chot smiled as he noted the look of amazement on King's face, and with a -quick movement he sent over one of his best drops. King then showed his -inexperience with such balls by striking fully a foot over it. He -retired, rather crestfallen, giving place to Cotton. - -Cotton appeared fully as confident as the boy who had preceded him, and -after twice fouling the ball, he knocked a little pop-up which Day -gathered in off third without trouble. - -Gregg tried to bunt, but missed and a strike was called. He then tried -to hit it out, and in this, also, he was unsuccessful, for Chot sent -over some of his balls, and the Cleverdale player had struck out before -he realized it. - -The farming contingent, which was rooting for the Creightons, cheered as -Bert's team came in from the field. - -"Even in the rural districts the great national game has a strong hold," -said Tom. - -"Yes; it seems that the entire country goes out of its way to do homage -to baseball and those who play it," said Chot. - -Pod felt natural in being the first to bat, for he had led the Winton -batting list during the entire series of games with Winton's closest -rival, Jackson College. The series had been won by Winton, three games -out of five, and Pod, as well as the Comrades had contributed not a -little toward the victories. - -Pod pleased Bert, as well as the other boys by knocking a single between -first and second. The ball was recovered by Captain Biddle, and Johnson -turned to find Bert facing him at the plate. - -Not to be outdone by Pod, Bert sent a hot one down the third base line, -taking two bases and advancing Pod to third. The little fellow was about -to try for the plate, when Chot stopped him at the third cushion. - -"Don't be greedy," Chot said. "We'll try and get you home somehow." - -Pod grinned. - -"This suits me," he said. - -Fleet was at bat, and after letting two go by, he sent a long fly into -center field, which Burton caught after a long run. Immediately Pod -dashed for the plate, and though the fielder made a good throw to -Cotton, who, in turn, sent the ball to Gregg, he was safe by a good -margin. - -Tom went out on a grounder to Corker, who threw to first. Then Chot -pounded out a double into right, Bert scoring the second run for his -team. - -Then Jones struck out, retiring the side. - -The Cleverdale boys tried hard to score in the first of the second, but -Biddle went out on a grounder to Pod, Corker struck out, and Strange -flied out to Lorrens. - -The Creightons did not fare much better in the last half of the inning. -Day reached first on balls, but was thrown out trying to pilfer second. -Lorrens knocked a pretty single into left, but Smeed flied out to -Burton, and Pod ended the inning by sending a hot liner straight into -the hands of Windle. - -Burton led off for Cleverdale in the first of the third, and succeeded -in working Chot for a base on balls. Windle, who followed, put him on -second with a single to center. - -Johnson struck out, proving very weak at the bat, as the majority of -pitchers do. - -King bunted down the third base line, filling the bases, and a hum of -excitement ran through the ranks of the Cleverdale rooters. Three men on -bases and only one out! It looked good for their team. - -But they had never seen Chot Duncan work himself out of a tight place, -so they were treated to a little exhibition of real baseball that made -them open their eyes in wonder, and which made Bert Creighton, from his -position on second, chuckle with delight. Bert was furnishing a real -baseball game for his friends on Lake George, and he wanted them to have -occasion to remember the boys from Winton Hall. - -Chot eyed Cotton calmly, then signals not noticeable to anyone passed -between he and Tom. It was the same old battery of Duncan and Pratt -using their brains when the occasion demanded sensational work, and they -had never yet failed to pull off a play planned in this manner. - -Chot raised his arm in a leisurely way, and to all appearances the ball -was to be an easy one; but when it flashed over the plate it went with -the speed of the wind, and Cotton let it pass because he had no time to -strike at it. The umpire called a strike. - -Tom took his time about returning the ball to the diamond, and when he -raised his arm to throw he snapped it down to Fleet with such speed that -Fleet caught King several feet off the bag and put the ball on him in a -hurry. This was an old trick worked on many occasions by the Comrades, -and especially with teams which were not familiar with their mode of -playing. - -Two men were out, King walking back among the other Cleverdale players -with an expression of disgust on his face. - -The Cleverdale coachers were yelling loudly now trying to rattle Chot, -and Burton was told to take a big lead toward home. Two were out and he -must run on anything. It never occurred to the Cleverdale boys that the -Comrades would try the same trick two times in succession, but on the -next ball thrown Tom sent it like a shot to Day, at third and the latter -made a pretty catch and put Burton out before the Cleverdale man -realized what had happened. - -The Creighton rooters fairly made the welkin ring with their cheers as -Bert's team came in for their turn at bat. - -Then the Creightons got busy. Bert, himself, led off for his team, and -the last of the third will probably be long remembered by the players of -the Cleverdale team. Bert smashed out a corking single to right. - -Fleet, who followed, hit the ball a resounding crack and put it into the -farther end of the pasture, far over Burton's head. It was a clean home -run, and he circled the bases, sending Bert in before him. - -Tom followed this with a two-bagger over King's head in left, and Chot -hit the ball between right and center for another homer, sending Tom in -ahead of him. - -Then Johnson was taken out of the box and another boy, Nibbins, -substituted. Nibbins threw over two or three to warm up, then faced -Jones in a confident manner. - -Jones, however, singled to right, and easily made first. Day was given a -base on balls, Lorrens advanced both runners with a bunt down the first -base line and the bases were full. - -Smeed was up, and Nibbins, in trying to fool him with some swift ins, -hit him lightly on the shoulder, forcing Jones in from third. - -"Oh, my, what a picnic!" cried someone. - -Then Pod knocked a single over first and Day and Lorrens scored. - -Then to show the uncertainty of baseball, with Bert, Fleet and Tom up in -succession, and no one out, Bert popped up a little fly which Nibbins -caught, Fleet struck out in trying to slam out another extra base hit, -and Tom knocked a weak grounder to Strange who threw him out at first. - -The Creightons had scored seven runs and the score now stood 9 to 0 in -their favor. - -Far from being discouraged, the Cleverdale boys started the fourth -inning as if they meant to tie the score in a hurry. - -"All together, now, boys," cried Captain Biddle, "No game is lost till -the last man is out in the ninth, so let's get busy." - -But Chot Duncan was in too good form to allow the Cleverdale boys -anything he did not see fit to, and he retired Cotton, Gregg and Biddle -in one two three order, striking out Gregg and causing Cotton and Biddle -to knock little grounders that were easily handled. - -Chot led off for Winton in the last of the fourth. He knocked a pretty -single, but succeeded only in reaching first that inning, for Jones -flied out to Cotton, Day went out on a little fly to Nibbins and Lorrens -struck out. - -"What's the use?" queried Fleet, as he went out to his position in the -first of the fifth. "Too hot to play baseball. I'd rather lie down under -that old oak again. It's hard to keep awake out here." - -But he was awakened in a manner that put him on his mettle a moment -later, for Corker struck the first ball Chot offered him and sent it on -a bee line for the Creighton first baseman. Fleet had hardly been -prepared for such a swift one, and he was late in jumping into the air, -with the result that the ball touched his fingers, bounded off and went -shooting down the right foul line. Jones chased it, but was unable to -keep Corker from taking second. - -Then Chot issued a pass to Strange, who grinned as he trotted down to -first. - -Burton did not look dangerous, but he bunted unexpectedly and Day, who -tried to field the ball, fumbled it until it was too late for a throw. -The bases were full with no one out. - -"Watch them now, boys," cried Captain Biddle. "We know the tricks of the -Creighton battery, and they'll never be able to work us again. Here's -where we start to even things." - -Which shows that they did not know the reputation of the Winton boys, -and when Bert Creighton saw Tom deliberately wink at Chot, he knew that -his chums had something up their sleeves and he waited in anxious -expectancy to see just what it was. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--THE GAME END - - -"The bases full and no one out!" - -How many times has this cry shaken the nerves of the home rooter, as he -saw his favorite players apparently in a hole they could not get out of -without allowing one or more scores? - -The friends of Bert Creighton and the other Kattskill Bay boys, while -confident that the boys from Winton possessed the ability to help Bert -win a victory, saw no loop-hole for shutting off the scores of the -Cleverdale team in the fifth inning. - -Remembering the two plays of the previous inning, the Cleverdale runners -were hugging the bases, watching eagle-eyed for a throw from either Chot -or Tom. But the Winton battery proceeded to ignore the runners -apparently. - -Never had Windle batted at such an array of curves, mixed with swift -balls and slow balls, as Chot Duncan served up to him during the next -two minutes. The best he succeeded in doing was a foul tip which counted -as a strike. With two strikes and no balls, he felt that he must hit the -next one, but he did not figure on the drop, and again Chot sent his man -along the strike-out route with his old reliable "fooler." - -"Hit it out, Johnson!" cried Biddle. "A single will do." - -"Johnson isn't making singles to-day," muttered Fleet. Then he grinned -in delight as Chot threw a swift in, and the Cleverdale pitcher struck -and missed. Another in the same place brought a second effort from -Johnson, this also unsuccessful. Then the drop again, and Johnson -retired as Mr. Creighton cried: - -"Batter out!" - -King was facing Chot now. He was reputed to be the best and quickest man -in getting to first of any of the Cleverdale players, and he had -resolved to show Chot that he could not strike him out again. - -Chot cast his eye around the bases now. The runners were still hugging -close. Chot was tempted to let King hit it, and trust to the Creighton -fielders to get under the ball, but decided not to take a chance. Then, -suddenly, he resorted to a style of throwing that he had not used in a -long time--the underhand method. Chot had mastered this style long -since, and could throw ins and outs with equal facility, and with as -much speed as he ordinarily used for his other delivery. - -King was disconcerted. He had never seen balls come whizzing over the -plate in just this fashion. One strike, two strikes, were called and -King began to be alive to the fact that he was apt to go the way the -other batters had. Then suddenly Chot swung his arm over his shoulder -and the reliable drop went shooting into Tom's mitt. King had hit at it -and missed. Chot had struck out three men with the bases full. - -"Oh, there are different methods of doing it," said Fleet, as he -carelessly threw his mitt down near the base and walked in with the -other Creighton players. - -Smeed tried to get a hit for his side in the last of the fifth, and -succeeded in sending a grounder to short. He was thrown out. Pod beat -out a bunt but Bert surprised his friends by striking out. Fleet lifted -a long fly into center, but Burton was playing deep and had little -trouble getting under it. - -Cleverdale again looked dangerous in the sixth, but again Chot and Tom, -with Bert's assistance, cut off two runs when it seemed that the rival -side must score. - -Tom led off for Winton. Getting a ball where he wanted it after a strike -and two balls had been called, he sent the sphere into deep right for -three bases. - -Chot struck the first ball pitched, and it went sailing between left and -center, out into the tall grass, where it was recovered some minutes -later by the combined efforts of Burton and King! By the time the ball -was thrown into the diamond, Chot had made a complete circle of the -bases, sending Tom in ahead of him. - -"Gee whiz! Eleven to nothing," said Fleet. "This game should have a -poem." - -"Not if we know ourselves!" cried Pod. "Let well enough alone. Don't -bring down a hoodoo by turning loose any bad verse." - -"Speaking of women," said Pod. "Did----" - -"Who said anything about women?" Fleet demanded. - -"Well, speaking of them, anyway, I know a school teacher who is so -industrious that she is knitting all the time while she is teaching." - -"Get out!" cried Fleet. "How can a school teacher knit and teach at the -same time?" - -"This teacher is knitting her eyebrows," said Pod, and dodged out of the -way as Fleet made a dash for him. The Kattskill Bay boys laughed -heartily at Pod's joke, which caused Fleet to remark: - -"If you heard as many of them as we do, they wouldn't be funny." - -"And if you heard as many bad verses as we do," said Pod, "you'd hate to -travel in the company we travel in." - -Fleet glared at him but said nothing, and a moment later, when Jones -went out on a grounder to Corker, all interest became centered on the -game. - -Day flied out to Burton and Lorrens went out on a grounder, Strange to -Windle. - -Believing the seventh might be their lucky inning, the Cleverdale boys -tried their utmost to score. The cry with them grew to be not, "Can we -win?" but "Can we save ourselves from a shut-out?" Captain Biddle -thought they could. Chot Duncan had resolved they shouldn't. - -Strange was up for Cleverdale, and he knocked a single into right. No -man had yet tried to steal a base on Tom, so Strange resolved to be the -one to humiliate Bert Creighton's catcher. He was a swift runner, and -felt that with a good lead he could make it. With the first ball Chot -threw, he was off for second. Burton, knowing that Strange was going to -attempt a steal, struck wildly at the ball to bother Tom. - -But Tom was always at his best in situations of this kind, and with -apparently no effort he shot the ball down to Bert, who put it on -Strange when he was ten feet from the bag, Tom having anticipated the -runner and thrown that far to the right, where Bert stood just a foot or -so back of the base line. - -A cheer went up from the Creighton rooters. This was the sort of playing -they liked best to see. - -Burton knocked a little fly back of second which Pod caught easily. - -Windle hit the ball hard, but it was a liner straight to Bert, and the -second baseman smothered it in his glove, retiring the side. - -The seventh was over and still Cleverdale had not made a score. - -"Why don't you give them just one?" cried someone, as Bert and his -players came in for their turn at bat. - -"Give 'em one and they'll want a dozen," replied Bert, smiling. "A coat -of whitewash will look good on Cleverdale." - -The Creightons then proceeded to add another run to their already large -list. Smeed secured a base on balls. Pod struck out, but Bert advanced -his center fielder to second with a sacrifice, and Smeed came home a -moment later on Fleet's long hit between first and second. Tom flied out -to King, and the side was out. - -Johnson struck out as usual, Chot giving him no opportunity to hit the -ball. He seemed afraid to stand up to the plate, and a batter who is -timid is easy prey for the opposing pitcher. - -King pounded out a two-bagger, Smeed getting the ball in center in time -to hold him on the second bag. - -Cotton bunted safely, King taking third, and Gregg advanced to the -plate. Gregg was the Cleverdale slugger. He did not always hit the ball, -but when he did it usually went somewhere. He stood in his favorite -position to wait for a suitable ball, knowing that one of his long hits -now would score both King and Cotton. - -A moment later he was walking slowly down to first. Chot had -deliberately given him his base on balls. - -"I don't like that," he said, glaring at Chot. - -"Sorry," responded the latter and made ready to throw to Captain Biddle, -who, with the bases full and no one out, was confident that he could -save his side from a whitewash, at least. - -He struck viciously at the first ball thrown, but missed. He tried -again, but Chot was using all the speed he had, resolved that the -Cleverdale team should be whitewashed until the end. Two strikes were -called on Biddle. Then came one just where he wanted it--or, so it -seemed to him. He struck with all his might, and succeeded in tipping -the ball. Not enough to deflect it from its course however, and it -landed in Tom's mitt and Biddle was out. - -Corker knocked a long fly into left, but Lorrens had no difficulty in -getting under it, and the first of the eighth was over. - -Winton went out in one, two, three order, in the last half of the -inning, and the ninth opened with Strange at the bat. Cleverdale was -resolved to have another try at scoring. - -Strange succeeded in bunting safely, Tom getting the ball, but fumbling -it until it was too late to throw to Fleet. - -Burton waited and got his base on balls. Chot had sent over a couple of -teasers and the umpire had ruled them balls, and Chot realized when too -late that he had made a mistake. - -Two men on bases and no one out. - -Windle was up, a look of determination on his face. - -Then Chot commenced to burn them over. Such dazzling speed had never -been seen in the Creighton pasture before. Mr. Creighton nearly forgot -that he was umpiring in his amazement at the way Chot sent the balls -whizzing over the plate. - -A strike was called, then Windle struck at two more; but he might as -well have tried to hit a bullet from a gun. He was called out on -strikes. - -Johnson surprised everyone by hitting the ball, but it went straight -into Pod's hands, forcing Strange at third. - -Everyone was on tip-toe with excitement as King drove the sphere into -deep right for what seemed to be an extra-base hit. Burton, who was on -second, raced for home with all his speed. Then Jones, who had been -running back to get under the ball, saw that it was going over his head, -and with a supreme effort shot into the air and caught the sphere with -one hand. It was a sensational catch and received a round of cheers. - -The game was over and the score stood: Creightons 12, Cleverdale 0. - -The little animosities of the game were soon forgotten when it was -learned that Mrs. Creighton had prepared a fine supper on the lawn back -of the farm-house, and the boys hurriedly gathered up their -paraphernalia and went in that direction, while the crowd began to -disperse. - -The supper was an enjoyable one in every sense of the word, and songs -and jokes were heard on all sides. Pod was allowed to turn loose a few -of his latest, and he kept the table in a roar for the better part of -the time. - -Finally the Cleverdale boys took their leave, after shaking hands warmly -with the boys from Winton, and inviting them to the Lake George country -again the following summer. - -"When," said Captain Biddle, smiling, "we'll try and make things more -interesting for you." - - - - -CHAPTER IX--ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN - - -The next few days were happy ones for the boys from Winton, for the -Creightons extended every hospitality that lay in their power. Riding -horseback, going to the village in the spring wagon, hoeing corn and -potatoes in the big garden back of the farm house, and the consuming of -practically all the good things Mrs. Creighton put before -them--especially by Fleet--served to make the time pass quickly. - -One day, however, Chot gave notice that the journey was to be resumed -the following morning, and the other boys with a sigh of regret, packed -their belongings into the canoes and made ready to shove off into the -lake at daybreak. - -Greatly to their satisfaction Bert, after a short talk with his parents, -announced his intention of going with them. - -"That's fine," said Chot. "I've been hating to ask you because I was -sure you were going to say you could not go." - -So Bert's canoe was packed with a few things he most desired to carry, -and placed in the water at the edge of the lake with the others before -the boys went to bed that night. - -When they arose, the sun was just peeping over the hill-top. They found -that Mrs. Creighton had prepared one of her fine breakfasts of wheat -cakes and maple syrup, with coffee and pure cream on the side, and the -way they ate and the comments they made were very gratifying to her. She -would miss their smiling faces and good appetites, she told them, as -they were leaving. - -"There is nothing so inspiring to the woman who prepares a meal as to -have people eat it and know they enjoy it," said she. - -The boys assured her that they had never had better things to eat in -their lives, and after a hearty handshake all around, with Mr. and Mrs. -Creighton standing on the little wharf, waving their hands, the five -canoes pushed off and went skimming over the water to the northward. - -"We'll keep along the east shore for a while," said Bert, "until we see -how much of a breeze is coming up to-day. It gets pretty rough out in -the middle there sometimes--rough for canoes, I mean." - -They accepted his advice, knowing that he was familiar with every corner -of the lake, and paddled easily for nothing was to be gained by -hurrying. - -Bert showed himself to be a fine canoeist. They all admired his long, -graceful stroke with the single blade. His canoe was of the Canadian -pattern, much like those owned by Chot, Tom and Pod, and of about the -same size. - -"Reminds me of the Spanish Armada, going into battle," said Fleet, as he -cast his eye over the little squadron. "Eh, how about it, Admiral -Duncan?" - -"Ay, ay, Christopher Columbus. Shift your lee bow until you sight -Hurricane Island, then hold a straight course for Cape Cod light. Don't -give up the ship until we have met the enemy and they are ours. Reply by -wireless if you receive my message distinctly." - -"Message received distinctly," said Fleet "England expects every man to -do his duty." - -"Speaking of England," said Bert, "when we are going up Lake Champlain -I'll show you where McDonough fought his famous battle in 1814." - -"That will be interesting," said Tom. "I have always admired the way he -riddled the English fleet. I don't believe there has ever been a naval -battle in which greater wisdom was displayed by the commanding officers -than in the battle of Plattsburg Bay." - -"As far as battles go," said Chot, "this is a famous locality. All -during the colonial days and even in the War of the Revolution, this was -a familiar stamping ground for the soldiers of America, England and -France, to say nothing of the Indians." - -"That's so. Fort Ticonderoga must be around here somewhere," said Pod. - -"I doubt if we shall see old Ticonderoga," said Bert. "It will be some -miles below us when we enter Lake Champlain, and we can not visit it -without losing considerable time." - -"And we don't want to do that," said Fleet. "I'm anxious to get into the -old St Lawrence." - -"You won't be so anxious by the time you're shooting some of the -rapids," said Tom. "I'm not so sure but I shall be in favor of a portage -around several spots in that stream." - -"Humph! I'm not afraid," said Fleet. - -"Nor am I," Tom replied. "But I don't see any use in risking our necks, -and maybe turning our trip into a funeral, when we can be happy by being -careful." - -"Well, that's a matter we can decide when we come to it," said Chot. - -In the early afternoon the boys pulled in to the shore and ate lunch in -a shady nook. Many good things had been placed in the canoes by Mrs. -Creighton, and the boys felt especially grateful for them now that they -were leaving the Creighton farm behind, and would soon have only the -memory of the things they had eaten there. - -"Apple butter!" cried Fleet, as he unscrewed the lid to a glass jar, and -took a generous spoonful of the contents. "Yum, yum! I tell you, -fellows, this is what I call living high." - -The others were too busy eating to reply, and Fleet munched his bread -and apple butter in silence. - -Lunch over, they pushed out into lake again. They were in the narrower -portion now, which stretched ahead for some twenty miles. The breeze was -from the south and very light, and the boys did not hesitate to paddle -out into the lake where, with the bows still headed northward, they -skimmed along at a rapid pace. The sun soon went behind a cloud, and as -evening approached and the air grew cooler, the boys increased their -pace. - -They were well up the lake by dark, with the prospects of being in Lake -Champlain by noon of the following day. - -Camp was made, as usual, under a clump of trees, the tent was stretched, -and a small fire was kindled for coffee. The fire was allowed to burn -until bed time, because the moon was not up and the darkness was -intense. It was nine o'clock when they sought their blankets, feeling -tired from the exertions of the day. Ten minutes later they were all -asleep. - -Shortly after midnight, they were awakened by what seemed an unearthly -noise. Chot was the first to realize that the silence of the camp had -been invaded by some sort of a man or beast, and sitting up he rubbed -his eyes and stared about him. The moon was just showing signs of -rising, and a pale glow suffused the lake and shore, but in the deep -shadows of the trees little could be seen, as yet, and as Chot continued -to gaze about him, the trees and bushes began to assume fantastic -shapes. - -"Wonder if I've been dreaming?" he muttered. "Guess I'll wake the other -fellows, and we'll have a look around." - -Bert and Fleet were already awake, and Tom and Pod were quickly aroused -and advised to keep still. - -"What's the matter?" whispered Pod, who began to tremble, at being -aroused from his sleep in such a manner. - -"There's something or somebody in the camp," Chot replied, in a low -tone. "Don't say a word, fellows. Just sit here and watch. In ten -minutes the moon will be over that hill and shining right through the -trees. Then we can see what's going on." - -Huddled in a little group, Pod's heart beating a tattoo, the boys waited -for the appearance of Old Luna. They were not afraid, these fellows, but -no one wants to go after an unseen enemy in the dark, and they were -merely taking the best means to discover the intruder, and to handle the -situation in the best way that suggested itself. - -Gradually the world grew lighter, and finally the moon poked its golden -rim over the distant hill, then farther and farther until the light -finally burst over the land with a brilliant radiance. - -Then, suddenly, Chot burst into a roar of laughter. - -"What's the matter?" cried the others. - -"Matter?" he replied. "Can't you see what startled me?" and following -the direction of his finger, they saw half a dozen cows grazing under -trees. - -"One of those animals must have bellowed in my ear." - -Relieved to find that there was nothing near but cows, the other boys -laughed too. - -"Maybe you scared the cow, Chot--who knows?" cried Fleet. - -Then, as if to set their fears entirely at rest, one of the cows sent a -plaintive "Mooh-h-h!" echoing through the trees. - -"Oh, pshaw! I'm sorry I woke up now," said Fleet, and with a yawn he -dropped back into his blanket. - -The others followed more leisurely, and soon all were slumbering -peacefully again. This time nothing disturbed them, until they were -awakened at dawn by the twittering of birds in the trees overhead. - -Coffee, rolls, and jam served as their breakfast and at seven o'clock -they pushed off into the lake again. - -Two hours later they entered the little stream that connects Lake George -with Lake Champlain. Paddling became easier here and they made good -time, and shortly after eleven sighted the larger lake. Lake Champlain -was in the form of a bay where they entered it, and seeing a town on the -right, they concluded to stop there for dinner. The town proved to be -Delano, a pretty little village, where they were able to secure most -everything that appealed to them in the way of food. - -Well satisfied, but not inclined to labor very heavily, they again -pushed off, wielding their paddles slowly as they moved up the lake. - -Toward evening they came to where two points of land jutted out into the -water, one from either side. Between them was a narrow passage of water, -while beyond, the lake was five or six miles wide, and apparently wider -still in the distance. - -"This is Crown Point on our left and Chimney Point on our right," said -Bert. "I came up here once in a small sail boat. I think this will be a -fine place to camp to-night." - -The boys agreeing, they pitched their tents on the Crown Point side and -began to prepare the evening meal. While they were at work, they heard -voices nearby and looked up to see two strange-looking men approaching -along the shore of the lake. It was rapidly growing dusk, and the -features of the strangers could not be distinguished. They had -apparently not seen the boys, for they were discussing something in low -tones. - -Then one of the men placed a finger to his lips and the talking ceased. -They were looking straight toward the camp, the fire having attracted -their attention. The next instant both men were off like the wind, -crashing through the under-brush and after a moment the darkness -swallowed them up. - -The boys stood with open mouths staring after them. - -"Well, what do you make of that?" asked Bert. - -"Don't know what to make of it," said Chot. "But I know one -thing--there's something suspicious going on around here." - -And the others agreed. - - - - -CHAPTER X--A SURPRISE IN THE DARK - - -"Hope we don't run into any counterfeiters," said Pod. "I've heard that -such people frequented lonely spots on the lake shore." - -"I'm afraid they are criminals of some sort," said Chot. "Otherwise they -would not be afraid of a bunch of young fellows like us." - -"Wonder where they went?" - -"They started north, but may be going west or south by this time." - -They continued to discuss the strange incident during the meal. The -thought that suspicious characters might be in the neighborhood did not -disturb their appetites, however, and when at last they arose from their -improvised lunch table, not a vestige of food remained. - -Fleet, as usual, had carried on the brunt of the eating, and he grunted -uncomfortably as he arose and signified his intention of going to bed. - -"Don't go to bed on a full stomach," advised Chot. - -"I'm not; I'm going to bed on my back." - -"Oh, pshaw! I cracked that one myself," said Pod. - -"No; not that one." - -"Well, one just like it." - -"I didn't hear it," said Fleet. - -"Yes, you did hear it, and you've got to stop telling my jokes and -palming them off for new ones." - -"Everyone knows that's not new. I read that in one of the comic papers -when I was a little boy." - -"You're not much more than that now," sniffed Pod. - -"Go ahead," said Fleet, good-naturedly. "You can't make me mad after a -meal like that." - -"Stop quarreling, you fellows," said Chot. "I read that joke myself -three years ago." - -"You see!" said Fleet, triumphantly. - -"No, I don't see," said Pod. "The first time I ever heard it was when I -cracked it." - -"Say, fellows, let's have a few songs," suggested Bert. - -"What! on a full stomach," protested Fleet. - -"Not on a full stomach--on a bunch of notes," said Pod, and burst into a -roar of laughter. "Ha, ha ha! Got you that time, all right. You steal my -joke from me, then I give it back to you with interest." - -"I don't see the point," said Fleet. - -"No; but you'll feel it if you sit down on that snake, there." - -"Wow!" cried Fleet, who was nearly in a sitting posture. He sprang into -the air with more speed than grace. "Snake!" he cried looking about him. -"Where's any snake?" - -"In your boots," said Pod, and again the laugh was on Fleet. - -Then the boys hummed a few airs to get in tune with each other, and -finally broke forth with a volume of song that rolled out across the -water and probably carried to the other shore, for sound carries well on -a still night: - - Here's to good old Winton, drink her down, - Drink her down! - Oh, here's to good old Winton, drink her down! - She is merry, she's sublime, - We are here from every clime, - And we're having a good time, - Drink her down! - -Fleet had an excellent bass voice, and the boys followed the usual -custom of singing the song down to the three lines which rhyme. Then -they would pause and Fleet would come in with some new lines out of his -inexhaustible supply, and the other boys would join in again on the last -"Drink her down!" For instance: - - Here's to good old Winton, drink her down, - Drink her down! - Oh, here's to good old Winton, drink her down! - -Then Fleet alone: - - We are on a trip, you know, - But we're moving mighty slow, - Get up, boys, let 'er go---- - -Then all together: - - Drink her down! - -This was kept up indefinitely, for Fleet would improvise rhymes for his -three lines as long as the boys cared to sing. These rhymes were not -always sensible, but were often very funny, and it was in the hope that -he would sing the funny ones, that the boys encouraged him. - -After the "Winton" song, the boys drifted off into "Old Folks At Home," -"Old Black Joe," "Nellie Gray," and several other old melodies, and when -the last note had died away over the lake, there was a pause. Then from -Fleet: - - Jim-uh Jackson was a great-uh big-uh fat coon! - He-uh didn't want nothin' but a chunk of the moon; - He-uh---- - -Here the others broke in, and forced him to desist. Fleet's craze for -"coon" songs was a sore spot with them. Not to be outdone now, however, -Fleet went off into: - - By the old mill stream I'm waiting, - Rosie, dear-r-r-r-r! - -Fleet held the last note as long as possible, and the boys waited -patiently until he had finished. - -"Fleet's a fine singer of illustrated songs," said Chot. "He's missed -his vocation. Instead of going to school, he should be at work in a -moving picture theatre." - -"Aw, cut that out!" growled Fleet. "I never sing a pretty ballad but -what you tell me that." - -"It's because we're trying to rid you of your depraved taste for silly -songs," said Tom. - -"Depraved taste!" snorted Fleet. "I'd like to know why you're always -telling me that?" - -"Because," said Tom, "those songs are composed merely to suit the -popular taste. Many of them bring their publishers fabulous sums, but -they are mighty poor contributions to our American music, though I'll -admit that they have their place." - -"Tom is right," said Chot "Lots of songs are written in half an hour. A -music publisher gets an idea. He rings up his lyric writer and tells him -about it. The lyric writer gets busy, and probably dashes off two or -three verses in ten minutes, much the same way as you compose yours, -Fleet. Then the composer takes the words, and very often within the same -space of time he has fitted a melody to them. Then, of course, the -orchestration has to be made, the song is given to the printers, a lurid -cover is designed, and the first thing you know it's in the music -stores, selling at the rate of many thousand copies a day." - -"Oh, well," said Fleet, "your sermons are very pretty, but I don't see -why I should not sing what I please, when I please." - -Fleet always made some such reply as this, but invariably he did not -sing any more ballads or "coon" songs for some time. - -"By the way," said Pod, "speaking of birds----" - -"Who said anything about birds?" demanded Fleet. - -"Well, speaking of them, anyway, did it ever occur to you that they were -especially noted for their courage?" - -"They're not," said Fleet "Most of them are cowards." - -"Well," said Pod, "they die game." - -"They die ga----oh, gee! that's a bad one. I'm going to bed on that," -cried Fleet. - -"Glad I found something to send you to bed on besides a full stomach," -laughed Pod. - -Fleet did not reply, but began making preparations to lie down under the -tent. The other boys gradually arose, stretched themselves and also -prepared to retire. - -While they were fixing their blankets, there was a sudden low cry from -Chot. - -"Sh! Listen!" - -For a few seconds there was a profound silence. - -Then the sound of voices, came to their ears from up the lake, mingled -with the muffled splash of oars. Someone was approaching camp in a -rowboat; that was evident, though nothing could be seen. It was very -dark now, the camp fire having almost entirely died away. True, the -stars were out, and the boys could see their reflection in the waters of -the lake, but beyond imagining that they could see a dark splotch on the -surface of the water, they could make but nothing. - -As the boys stood listening, the talking ceased, but every few seconds -the soft splash of an oar, or the clank of an oar-lock came to them from -the lake. - -"Someone is trying to surprise us," said Chot, in a low whisper, as the -others gathered around him. "It may be the men whom we saw earlier in -the evening. They may be figuring on holding us up." - -"Say, they wouldn't get much," whispered Pod. - -"Sh! Let's gather a big bunch of that dry grass we used to kindle our -fire with, and have it handy where we can touch a match to it. Then -we'll wait for these men to land, and see what their intentions are." - -Pod agreed to get the grass ready and he crept silently off to the -right, where he gathered quite a pile of it. He also put a lot of dry -boughs and twigs on the hay, so that once a fire was started it would -continue for some time after the hay had been consumed. Then he rejoined -the others. - -The low murmur of voices could again be heard, followed, by the -splashing sound as before. The boat was evidently approaching slowly. - -"They're wondering if we're asleep," whispered Chot. "And of course, we -are, to all intents and purposes." - -Not a sound was made in the little camp, and gradually the noise from -the lake grew louder. Soon the splash of the oars could be plainly -heard, and then the sound of voices speaking in whispered tones. What -was said could not be made out for they did not speak loud enough to -have awakened even a light sleeper. - -Then the sound of a boat being drawn partly upon the beach came to them, -and a low voice said: - -"Make her fast, Hank!" - -There was a low-muttered response to this, which the boys did not catch, -and then by lying close to the ground, they could make out the figures -of two men against the starlit sky. The figures moved slowly up the -slight incline leading from the edge of the lake to the Comrades' camp. -So softly did they come that save for the occasional snapping of a twig, -not a sound was made. - -"It's a good thing we were not asleep," thought Chot. "They'd have -caught us napping, sure." - -"I wonder where they are, Dave?" said a low voice, after a moment "I'm -sure this is the spot." - -"Sure, it's the spot. Didn't we hear 'em singing down this way not -fifteen minutes ago?" - -"That's right." - -"Guess they must 'a' thought there wasn't no one about." - -"Guess they must have. Say! what was that?" - -"I didn't hear anything." - -It was Pod, who, at Chot's order, was crawling again toward the pile of -dry hay and sticks, with the command to touch them off the minute Chot -whistled twice. - -The men were nearly upon them now, still moving cautiously, when -suddenly one of them made out the dim outlines of the tent. - -"I see something white," he said in a low, startled tone. - -"Yes; I see it, too," was the reply. "Get ready to rush 'em, Hank!" - -The words were hardly uttered when Chot gave the signal to Pod. There -was the crack of a match, the hay ignited quickly, and as the flames -sprang up, throwing a yellow glare over the camp, the boys sprang to -their feet, prepared to grapple with the intruders. But imagine their -surprise when they found themselves gazing into the barrels of four -revolvers, and a stentorian voice cried out: - -"Hands up! By thunder, we've got you now!" - - - - -CHAPTER XI--A LIVELY EVENING - - -For a moment none of the boys said a word. Then Chot burst into a laugh, -believing the best thing to do was to "jolly" the men. - -"Yes; you've got us all right, but I think some explanations are in -order." - -"You're right, young fellow," said one of the men. "Explanations are in -order, and you're going to make 'em." - -"What is there to explain?" - -"Lots o' things." - -"For instance?" - -"Never mind for instance. Hank, line this bunch up over yonder, then put -some more trash on that fire so it won't go out I think we've got the -fellows we want, all right." - -Hank jammed two immense pistols into his belt and did as his companion -ordered. Hank was a young man, probably twenty years old, heavy set, -with the appearance of having always lived off the fat of the land. The -other--Dave, he had been called by Hank--was long and lean with a -scraggly mustache, a man of at least forty. - -"These are not the men we saw earlier in the evening," said Chot in a -low tone to the other boys. - -"No; I don't see the slightest similarity in their appearance," Tom -replied. - -"This don't appear to be a hold up, either," said Bert. "This man Dave -talks like he thinks we're criminals of some sort." - -"Well, we'll find out in a minute, just what he means," said Chot. - -While Hank was heaping brush on the fire, Dave stood with his revolvers -leveled at the boys, whom Hank had huddled in a little group, so that -all were in easy range. - -"Now, you fellers stand still," said Dave. "We don't want any monkey -business." - -"Do we look like we're trying to run away?" asked Tom. "Don't -worry--we're going to stay right here and find out what all this means. -We've nothing to run for." - -"Oh, is that so? Well, maybe I can convince you different. Here now, -Hank. Get out your revolvers and watch these fellers close, while I -question 'em." - -Hank did as he was bidden, seeming to take great pleasure in leveling -his weapons at the boys. - -"Point those things in the air, can't you?" asked Fleet, nervously. "I -know you don't want to shoot us, but one of them might go off by -accident, and I'm not ready to give up this canoe trip just yet." - -"Canoe trip?" queried Dave, suspiciously. "Where's the canoes?" - -"Right before your eyes, old man," said Chot, pointing to where the -canoes were lying beneath one of the trees. - -"Don't call me 'old man'!" snapped Dave. "I won't stand for nothin' like -that!" - -Then he walked over and took a look at the canoes. - -"Where'd you pick 'em up?" he asked. - -"I don't know that it's any of your business," Chot replied, "Isn't it -about time you were telling us why you've got us standing here at the -point of your revolvers? We haven't done anything to you." - -"Oh, you haven't, eh? Well, maybe not, but I'll bet you know who robbed -my house last night, all right. Oh, you fellers think you can wriggle -out of this business, but we've got you dead to rights, ain't we, Hank?" - -"Certainly have," was Hank's reply. - -"You say your house was robbed last night?" - -It was Chot who put the question. - -"Yes; you know very well it was robbed." - -"I knew nothing of the kind. We were not in this neighborhood last -night." - -"Then how comes it I find you trespassin' on my property?" demanded -Dave. "Tell me that." - -"We didn't know it was your property. We came up the lake in our canoes, -searching for a place to camp for the night. This seemed to be the -nicest looking spot, so we came ashore." - -"That's a pretty good tale, but it won't work. You ain't got no proof." - -"We have plenty of proof. You say your house was robbed last night?" - -"Yes, sir; last night. The thieves got away with eighty dollars in gold -that I had locked in a bureau drawer." - -"Well, last night we camped on the shores of Lake George, and at noon -to-day we entered Lake Champlain and took dinner at a little village -called Delano." - -"Delano? Look out--I know where that is. I may take a notion to -telephone down there and look you fellers up." - -"Just what we're trying to get you to do. Practically the whole village -saw us land there, and saw us start north after we had eaten our meal. -So now that we have some basis of proof on which to proceed, suppose you -look us up, and let's have done with this nonsense." - -Dave and Hank whispered together a moment, then the former said: - -"Step out here, one by one, so I can get a good look at you." - -Fleet was the first to obey this command. - -Dave and Hank looked him up and down, then shook their heads. - -"Nope," said Hank, "that can't be him." - -Each of the other boys in turn underwent the close scrutiny of their -captors, and when the inspection was over both Dave and Hank seemed in a -quandary. - -"Don't none of 'em answer the description," said Hank, a dismal note in -his voice. "What we goin' to do now?" - -"Do I take it from your remarks that one of you saw these thieves?" -asked Chot. - -"Yes," returned Dave, and there was a more civil note in his voice. "My -old woman saw 'em both, and one of 'em pretty distinctly. He was a big -man--bigger'n any of you fellers. I guess we owe you an apology. You're -not the thieves, but still you're trespassing on my land. I don't allow -no campers here." - -"Now, look here, Mr.--er----" began Chot. - -"Higgins, sir--Dave Higgins." - -"All right, Mr. Higgins. Now, do you realize that you've laid a very -grave charge at our door, placing us under suspicion, as well as under -the noses of your revolvers, without giving us a chance to explain who -we are? Wait a minute--don't interrupt. I'm going to give you a bit of -our family history. We're cadets from Winton Hall, a military school on -the Hudson, and we're on our way to the Thousand Islands in the St. -Lawrence River. We camped peacefully on your land--at least, you say -it's yours------" - -"And I can prove that easy enough, too," said Dave. - -"Well, we camped peacefully, here, not knowing that we were trespassing. -We intend only to stay till sunrise before proceeding on up the lake. So -now, after knowing this, with a full opportunity to investigate our -record as we came up the river and through Lake George, you must either -exonerate us from all blame, either as thieves or trespassers, or we'll -stay here till you prove that we're guilty. And if you don't prove it, -someone will go to jail--and it won't be us." - -"Oh, say, now, boys, we didn't mean no harm," said Dave. "We didn't know -who you was, and we thought sure we'd got track of the fellers that -stole the money. But we're willin' to admit our mistake, and just to -make things square, you stay here just as long as you please, and before -you leave to-morrow come over to my house, which is right across on -Chimney Point, and set down to the finest breakfast you've had in many a -day. Is that fair?" - -"Entirely satisfactory to us, Mr. Higgins, and now, just to show you -that our hearts are in the right place, let me say that we saw two -suspicious looking characters on the shore here about dusk to-night." - -"You did? Where are they now?" - -"That I am unable to say. We were just lighting our fire when they came -up, and when they discovered that there were others about, they lit out -up the shore as hard as they could go." - -"What did they look like--do you remember?" - -"We couldn't see their features plainly, but one was an extremely large -man, wearing a light felt hat. The other, as I remember, was somewhat -smaller. Both had on dark clothes." - -"Them's the fellers," said Dave Higgins, decisively. "We've been on the -wrong trail all evening, Hank. The only thing we can do now is wait till -to-morrow and try and locate 'em by telephone in some of the neighborin' -towns. I'm sorry to have troubled you boys this way," he added, turning -to the young canoeists. - -"Oh, that's all right," said Chot. "Your mistake was a perfectly natural -one." - -Now that Dave Higgins seemed disposed to do the right thing, the boys -felt no animosity toward him for the summary fashion in which he and his -friend, Hank, had held them up. - -"Well, Hank and I'll leave you now," said Higgins, "and mind you, we'll -look for you over to the house for breakfast. Will you come?" - -Chot looked inquiringly at the other boys. - -"Any wheat cakes and maple syrup?" asked Fleet, his mouth watering. - -"Bushels of 'em," was Dave Higgins' reply. - -"Then count me in." - -"I think you may look for all of us, Mr. Higgins," said Chot, "and thank -you." - -"Oh, that's all right, boys. Good night." - -"Good night, Mr. Higgins." - -"Good night," said Hank. - -"Good night," responded the boys. - -They heard Dave and Hank discussing the robbery as they entered the -skiff and pushed off into the lake. The sound of oars grew softer and -softer, and finally died away altogether. - -Without further discussion of the events of the night, the boys sought -their blankets, and nothing more occurred to disturb their slumbers. - -They were up with the sun for a bath in the lake, and when they finally -embarked and paddled across in the direction of the big white house they -could see shining through the trees on Chimney Point, they were hungry -enough to have eaten plain corn meal and water. - -But no such repast as this was set before them; on the contrary, they -sat down to a table fairly loaded with good things. Dave Higgins and his -wife seemed anxious to correct the mistake the former had made of taking -the boys for thieves, and the result was wheat cakes, maple syrup, -coffee, hot muffins, and fried potatoes, with eggs cooked in any style -for those who desired them. - -New milk was also provided in abundant quantities, and when the boys had -finished and were telling the Higgins family good-bye at the edge of the -lake, and wishing them every success in apprehending the robbers, they -felt as if they would not care to eat again for a week. - -They soon left Crown and Chimney Points behind, as they paddled rapidly -up the lake, which broadened out now into a fine body of water, dotted -here and there with small craft, both of the sailing and motor variety. - -The boys were about to settle down into their slow, even strokes, for -the sun was getting high in the heavens and the heat becoming intense, -when an incident occurred which served to relieve the monotony of the -day. - - - - -CHAPTER XII--THE FIGHT ON THE LAKE - - -Fleet was the first to notice a skiff containing two men, well out in -the middle of the lake and making on a tangent for the east shore. - -"Look!" he cried. "What'll you bet that those are not Dave Higgins' -robbers?" - -"I don't think that would be a safe bet," said Bert. "What do you think, -Chot?" - -"They are too far away for me to judge accurately, but from this -distance I should say there was a marked resemblance." - -"I wish Higgins were here," said Tom. - -"Well, it's two miles to his place. Too far to go, because the men would -then have too great a start," said Chot. "I believe the best plan will -be to overtake them, make sure they are the ones we suspect, and if so, -capture them and hold them until we can communicate with Higgins or the -authorities. What do you say?" - -All of the boys expressed great eagerness to do this, so they quickened -their gait until the canoes were fairly flying through the water. It did -not matter now if the perspiration ran down their faces, into their -eyes, and down their backs inside their shirts; they did not feel the -exertion with an adventure in prospect. No real American boy does. - -The figures in the skiff were nearly a mile away, but the comrades soon -cut this distance down to three-quarters, and headed for a spot that -would cross the path of the other craft within the next ten or fifteen -minutes, if the men held their present course. - -The men in the boat had evidently not noticed the boys in the canoes, -and when they finally did discover them, the canoes were between them -and the shore for which they were heading. - -They stopped rowing for a moment and the boys could see them holding a -consultation. There was no doubt now but that the men were the -suspicious-looking characters they had seen on the shore the previous -night. - -"Wonder what they're going to do now," said Fleet. - -"They're trying to decide whether we are interested in them or not," -Chot replied. "I think they are waiting in the hope that we will cross -their course and continue on up the lake. Shows they don't want to come -to close quarters with us." - -"What will we do--wait for them?" - -"No; for we're apt to find that they can wait as long as we. I think we -had better do away with any deception. They suspect that we are watching -them, so let's paddle over there and tell them just what we are here -for." - -"Yes," said Tom, "for these are the parties we're after. Look at the -size of that fellow at the oars. He certainly answers the description -given by Mrs. Higgins, who saw him as he was getting away with the -money." - -So the canoes were turned and the boys paddled easily across the -intervening distance. - -"Let's surround them," said Chot in a low tone, and the canoes separated -until they were approaching the men in the skiff from every side. - -Five boys with determined looks on their faces are no mean antagonists, -especially when no matter in what direction you turn you find one of -them, and the men in the skiff were evidently perplexed. - -"Hello!" said Chot, by way of greeting. - -"Hello, yourself!" returned the smaller of the men. "What do you think -you are doing?" - -"We're surrounding you," said Chot, "and now we'll ask you to give an -account of yourselves." - -"Well, just ask away, sonny." - -"Yes, don't be bashful. If there's anything we can tell you, don't fail -to mention it," said the big man. - -He was apparently resting easily on his oars, but Chot noticed that he -was in a position where he could send the skiff spinning ahead in an -instant. - -Pod, as if guessing what was passing in Chot's mind, pushed his canoe -around until he was directly behind the man at the oars, and straight in -the path of the skiff. - -"To make a long story short," said Chot, "we didn't know who you were -when you ran into our camp on the lake shore last night." - -"Don't know what you're talking about," said the smaller man. "We've -never seen you fellows before." - -"That tale won't go. We saw you last night, and we'd know you again if -we met you in China, so there's no use trying to evade the issue. What -is more, we know you are the men who robbed Dave Higgins' house two -nights ago." - -At this the men burst into a laugh, but it was an unnatural laugh, and -could not deceive the keen ears of the boys from Winton. - -"Young man," said the bigger of the men, "if it wasn't so funny, your -talk would be impertinent. Why, we live at Westport, farther up the -lake. This is Henry Skidmore and I am William Truesdale. We are -merchants, and we have been taking a little outing." - -"That being the case," said Chot, "of course you won't object to going -to Westport with us and giving proof of what you say?" - -"That's asking too much. Westport is five miles from here, at least, and -we would be losing too much time. However, you boys can stop off there -as you pass and inquire as to our characters." - -"Yes, we'll do that--I don't think!" said Fleet, rather contemptuously. -"The best thing we can do with these men, Chot, is to take them to Dave -Higgins so his wife can identify them." - -"I think so, too," said Bert. "That's the easiest way out of the -matter." - -"Now, look here," said the big man, glowering at them from under his -heavy eyebrows, and speaking in a voice that rumbled like a smoldering -volcano, "this has gone far enough. We're bound for the east shore over -there, and you will follow us at your peril." - -"We're going to hand you over to the authorities, and it may as well be -on the east shore as anywhere," said Chot. - -"Then look out for us," warned the man at the oars. He sent the skiff -shooting ahead as he spoke, rammed squarely into Pod's canoe, upsetting -it and throwing the little fellow into the water. The skiff shuddered -from the force of the impact, careened to one side, righted itself, and -sped on. - -"After them!" shouted Fleet, "I'll attend to Pod." - -Following his suggestion, Chot, Tom and Bert started in pursuit of the -skiff, which they had no difficulty in overtaking, because they could -paddle all around any man with a heavy skiff and an ordinary pair of -oars. - -Fleet ran his canoe over to where Pod, grinning good naturedly, was -clinging to the bottom of the upturned craft. - -"Got me that time," said the little fellow, "but I guess a bath won't -hurt me." - -With the aid of Fleet the canoe was righted. Then Pod swam to where his -suitcase and paddle were floating on the surface of the lake, and pushed -them toward the canoe. Then, climbing aboard while Fleet steadied the -craft, the boys set out in pursuit of their chums. - -In the meantime the other boys had come up with the men in the skiff, -and keeping out of their way, ran alongside so that they could land -first, and intercept the suspects as they came ashore. - -Finally, the man at the oars grew angry, and pulling a revolver from his -pocket, leveled it at Bert, who was the nearest the skiff. - -"Now you drop that paddle or I'll plug you, kid," he said. "This -foolishness has gone far enough." - -So interested were the men in finding out what Bert would do in the face -of such an argument, they forgot Chot who was on the other side of them, -and who, with his usual quick-wittedness, lost no time in acting. -Dropping his paddle, he seized his suitcase, and standing erect in the -canoe, threw it with all his might straight at the head of the man with -the revolver. - -An earthquake could not have been more surprising or more destructive at -that moment. True to its aim went the suitcase. It contained Chot's best -suit of clothes and other wearing apparel, but this did not enter into -the argument at that time. The case struck the big man on the side of -the head. His grasp on the revolver loosened and the weapon fell with a -splash into the lake. The big man, stunned by the blow, after a futile -attempt to regain his balance, followed, capsizing the skiff and -throwing his companion into the water. - -"Hurrah!" cried Tom. - -"Hurrah! Hurrah!" echoed Fleet and Pod, who came up at this moment. - -The boys now had their adversaries where they wanted them--at a decided -disadvantage. - -"Take that skiff, Fleet, and tow it out of the way," ordered Chot. "You, -Pod, pick up my suit case. Now, boys, let's attend to our friends." - -The men were swimming around in an effort to keep afloat, afraid to -approach the canoes for fear of further violence. - -"You'll have to help me, boys," cried the smaller of the men, suddenly. -"My friend's losing his strength. Guess that blow on the head sort o' -queered him." - -At first the boys thought this was merely a feint to gain time, but one -look at the big man made them change their minds. His eyes were closed, -his face was pale, and he was gasping for breath. - -Fortunately, they were not far from the east shore now, and a sandy -beach stretched out into the lake. With the help of the boys in the -canoe they towed the apparently unconscious man into shallow water, and -helped get him up on the grass under some trees where an effort was made -to revive him. - -On the side of his head was a big lump, caused by the blow from the suit -case. A feeling of pity stole over Chot that he had been forced to adopt -such measures, but with Bert threatened by a revolver, he felt that he -had been fully justified. - -Fleet brought a cup of water from a well in a nearby pasture and the -boys bathed the temples of the big man, and forced some of the cool -water down his throat. After a few minutes he gasped and opened his -eyes, and a little later was able to sit up against a tree. - -As soon as Chot found that the injured man was coming around, he sent -Pod to a farmhouse which could be seen in the distance, to find if they -had the rural 'phone service, and if so, to communicate with Dave -Higgins and ask him to come at once with some officers and take charge -of the prisoners. Pod found the 'phone and after some little trouble -succeeded in getting his man. He explained the adventure on the lake, -and Higgins agreed to come right up with Hank and a couple of -constables. - -In the interval, the boys made the injured man comfortable, bathing his -head with witch hazel. Both he and the other man, as well as Pod, took -this occasion to shed their clothes and spread them in the sun to dry, -wrapping themselves in blankets in the meantime. - -It was nearly noon when Higgins arrived with the officers. The men were -searched and in the big man's pocket most of the Higgins' money was -found contained in the little sack in which Higgins had always kept it. -The men confessed to the robbery, pleading hard luck and starvation. -They said good-bye good-naturedly, as Higgins and the officers led them -to the boat and started with them for Chimney Point. - -The boys ate their lunch on the shore, after which they pushed off -again, touched Westport in the middle of the afternoon for ice cream -soda, and camped on the west shore near Split Rock Mountain for the -night. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--DOWN THE RICHELIEU RIVER - - -Split Rock Mountain was the most delightful place the Comrades had yet -discovered in which to make a camp. The day had been rather a strenuous -one, and the boys were glad to seek comfortable blankets under the -tent-top. - -Nothing occurred to mar the peaceful quiet of the night, and the boys -awoke at sun-up for their usual morning plunge in the lake. Breakfast, -consisting of coffee, bread and butter, and canned meat, was eaten with -a relish, and then the boys pushed out into the lake again, eager to be -on their way. They were getting well up into New York State now, and -would soon cross the line into Canada. - -The next night they spent on the east shore, some miles above -Burlington, and the afternoon of the following day found them off -Plattsburg, famous in history through the great naval battle in -Plattsburg Bay, in which Thomas McDonough, commanding the American -squadron, had vanquished the English commander, Downie, in a battle -lasting two and one-half hours, at the end of which time Downie and many -of his officers had been killed, and the British ships were disabled and -obliged to strike their colors. The American squadron was badly injured, -too, but the victory over the British was most complete and probably did -more toward bringing an end to the war than any other single event. - -A feeling of awe stole over the boys as they realized that they were on -the spot where one of America's greatest naval heroes had won undying -renown. - -"Makes a fellow feel like fighting, himself," said Pod. - -"Well, if you want to fight yourself, why don't you do it?" said Fleet. - -"There you go putting a wrong construction on my words," snapped the -little fellow. "I mean, it makes you feel like you'd like -to--to--well--like--to----" - -"Fight yourself," said Fleet. "Sure; you told us that before." - -Hugging the shore of Grand Isle, the boys finally left Plattsburg -behind. Canoeing was a pleasure now, as the weather was cooler, and a -fine breeze from the south tempered the heat, and fairly pushed the -canoes to the northward with its power. - -Between Isle La Motte and the Vermont mainland they paddled, camping -again on a promontory jutting out into the lake a few miles below -Rouses' Point. - -"I tell you, fellows, this is real life," said Fleet, and for a wonder -Pod agreed with him. The grandeur of the scenery held a strange -fascination for Pod, who had traveled so little. He had pictured such -things very frequently, but this trip was beyond his wildest dreams, and -for an entire day and a half he forgot to crack a joke--something so -unusual that the boys commented upon it. - -"Well, how's this one?" he asked, as they all sat on the shore of the -lake, after pitching the tent and preparing things for the night. - -"How's what one?" demanded Fleet. - -"Well, give me a chance to tell it, won't you?" - -"Surely; proceed." - -"Why was the man who had been rolling all night in a steamer berth, mad -when the steward opened the door in the morning and spoke to him?" - -"Give it up," said Chot. - -"Because the steward asked him if he wouldn't have a fresh roll for -breakfast." - -"Bad," commented Bert. - -"Then how's this one?" said Pod. "Why is the ocean like a good -housekeeper?" - -"Oh, we'll give that one up, too?" - -"Because it is very tidy." - -"I can't stand this; I'm going to bed," Fleet announced. - -"Oh, don't go to bed, yet; recite some verses," suggested Chot. - -It was surprising how quickly Fleet's manner underwent a change at that. - -"Why, I'll be glad to oblige if you fellows really want to hear them," -said Fleet, seating himself again. - -"Oh, delighted," said Tom in a dismal tone, which made Pod snicker, and -Bert laugh out loud. - -"But if you're going to laugh at me I don't care to recite," said Fleet. - -"Oh, go on," said Tom. "Don't mind me." - -He really liked to hear Fleet's compositions, but was reluctant in -telling Fleet so, fearing that Fleet, through the kindness of his heart, -would overburden them with verses. - -"I have composed a very touching little thing entitled, 'A Mosquito Bite -On the Arm Is Worth Two On the Nose.'" - -"Sounds like a minstrel show," said Pod. - -"Maybe it is," said Chot. "Anyway, I heard a few alleged jokes flying -around loose awhile ago." - -"Yes; and there are more where those came from," said Pod. - -"Well, it's up to Fleet now," said Chot. "Proceed Fleetsy." - -Fleet proceeded to rattle off a half dozen verses about camping in New -Jersey with mosquitoes for companions and ending with "a bite on the -arm, is better than two on the nose, oh, tarm." Then he paused. - -"Well, go on; finish it," advised Tom. - -"It's finished," said Fleet. - -"What! you don't mean that you have the nerve to perpetrate a thing like -that on us and call it a poem?" - -"Surely." - -"Well, if that isn't the worst I ever heard. Don't you ever, ever start -anything like that again." - -"What I want to know," said Bert, "is the meaning of the word, 'tarm'." - -"'Tarm?'" repeated Fleet. "I used no such word." - -"'Is better than two on the nose, oh, tarm,' is the last line." - -"Oh, that's so. Well you fellows know what 'tarm' means, don't you?" - -"No; we don't. Tell us." - -"Why tarm means that if--er--well----" - -"A very lucid explanation," said Pod. "I didn't know the word had so -much meaning." - -"Oh, you make me tired," said Fleet. - -"And you make us tired, reeling off your fake verses, and then because -you're at a loss for something to rhyme with arm, bring in a word that -has no meaning." - -"If you fellows don't like my verses why do you ask me to recite?" - -"We won't any more; be sure of that," said Chot. "The idea. 'Tarm!' -That's a fine word, and your explanation of its meaning was so clear. -Guess you'd better seek your little bed, my boy." - -And without another word Fleet obeyed. He knew they were right. The poem -had been a makeshift piece of work from beginning to end, and only his -eagerness to oblige when they asked for something had led him to recite -it. Fleet had a fine talent for rhyming, which would eventually develop -into something substantial, but he had a very bad habit of composing his -verses quickly, hardly revising them, and throwing in rhymes that were -not permissable. To get him out of this habit the boys were now -determined, and the lesson on the shore of the lake was but the opening -gun in the campaign. - -The boys followed their usual plan in the morning of taking a bath in -the lake before breakfast. The water was smooth and deep, and they swam -and splashed about for half an hour before finally crawling out for a -rub down. Then a cup of coffee and such eatables as they had in the -canoes made them feel fit for another day's work. - -They were virtually in the Richelieu River now, which broadens out at -its source until it would be difficult to tell where Lake Champlain -leaves off and the river begins. - -The boys found the Richelieu to be a treacherous stream. Rapids and -whirlpools of a rather timid variety abounded on all sides, and -frequently they were forced to steer their canoes in between huge -boulders which reared themselves out of the stream. - -This was new sport to each of them, and the fact that there was just a -touch of danger made the trip down the Richelieu all the more enjoyable. - -Very little paddling was necessary. The swift current, moving -relentlessly onward to join its forces with that of the mighty St. -Lawrence, swept them along at a rapid rate--in many instances much more -rapid than they would have desired, but there was nothing to do but cast -themselves on the mercy of the water, steering in and out among the -rocks as best they could. - -The river abounded with innumerable small islands, and had an -exasperating propensity for splitting up into small channels, into any -one of which the canoes might shoot. Some of these were narrow, and -through them the waters flowed like a mill race, to emerge, perhaps, on -the broad bosom of a peaceful river beyond. - -It was a fascinating stream, its waters cool like those of the majority -of Canadian rivers. - -The boys spent the night at St. Johns, passing Iberville at dusk and -shooting under the great railroad bridge that spans the river between -these two cities. - -Their journey from here on was uneventful, except that they were kept -constantly on the alert by the varying moods of the river; now moving -peacefully along over an almost placid bosom, now plunging into another -narrow channel between two islands, where the waters were swift and -dangerous. - -But the boys got safely through it all, and were forced to admit that -the experience had been worth a great deal to them. No one could go down -the Richelieu into the St. Lawrence without knowing considerable about -the intricacies of canoeing, and even Pod's chest swelled with pride to -think of what he had been through. - -Two days after leaving St. Johns the boys arrived at Sorel and saw the -mighty St. Lawrence before them, the waters of the Richelieu flowing -peacefully into the larger stream at this point, with no suggestion of -the rough spots lying between the mouth and the source. - -"Gee! what a river!" exclaimed Pod, as he let his eyes roam out over the -great stream, until they rested on the shore in the distance. Islands to -the number of hundreds dot the surface of the river above Montreal, and -many of these were visible from Sorel. - -The boys ate a hearty dinner before entering their canoes again, and it -was one o'clock in the afternoon when they pushed off into the St. -Lawrence, heading in a southwesterly direction. - -"This is going to be a pull against the current, fellows," said Chot, -"but I guess we can make it." - -"Seems hard though, after floating down the Richelieu the way we did," -Tom responded. - -But they paddled easily, and while their progress was slow compared to -their journey down the Richelieu, the shore slowly faded in the -distance. Situated on a great bend in the river some distance above -Sorel, is Montreal, the metropolis of Canada, of which the boys had -heard so much, and here they arrived the next afternoon, after spending -the night on one of the smaller islands. It had been decided to spend at -least one day ashore before continuing the journey up the river. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--IN MONTREAL - - -Montreal, a city rich in historic interest, was a place of great -fascination for the Comrades and their chums. It was Pod's first visit -to a city of any size, and his curious stares and delighted exclamations -were both pleasing and amusing to the other boys. - -"If I didn't know better," Pod remarked, as they started up town, having -left their canoes in charge of a boat captain on the river front, "I'd -say Montreal was bigger than New York." - -"Montreal has 350,000 people," said Chot; "at least, that's what my -guide-book says." - -They were walking along one of the principal business thoroughfares, -when Tom collided with a young fellow who was hurrying in an opposite -direction. Each begged the other's pardon, then Tom uttered an -exclamation of delight. - -"Well, look who's here!" he cried. - -"Eh?" said the other. "Well, if it isn't Tom Pratt." - -"What are you doing in Montreal, Sam Green?" - -"I might ask the same of you," returned Sam, for it was indeed the -Bayville boy whom they had met during their summer in camp, and later in -New York, where Sam was a cub reporter on the _Leader_, his Uncle Jim, -who was one of the editors, having secured him the place. "And here's -Chot Duncan, and Fleet Kenby, and who's this? Pod Meelick, as I live! -Well, youngster, I am certainly surprised to see you up here." - -"And this is our friend, Bert Creighton," said Chot, as the boys were -shaking hands all around. - -"I am glad to know you, Mr. Green," said Bert. - -"Same here," was the reply, "only make it plain Sam. Mr. Green doesn't -sound natural." - -"All right, Sam," said Bert. - -"But you haven't told us what you're doing in Montreal, Sam," said Tom. - -"No; and you fellows haven't told me what you're doing here. Turn about -is fair play." - -"We're on a canoe trip," Tom explained. "We started at Winton Hall on -the Hudson, came up through the lakes and the Richelieu River into the -St. Lawrence, thence to Montreal." - -"What! are you fellows at Winton now?" - -"Yes; we've just finished our first year." - -"I heard that Truem Wright was there," said Sam. - -"Yes, and he seems disposed to be good now, so we have taken him into -the fold. But come, Sam, what are you doing in Canada?" - -"I'm on a two weeks' vacation." - -"Are you still on the _Leader_?" - -"Surely; I'm the police reporter now. I expect to land the city desk one -of these fine days." - -"The city desk?" queried Pod, a blank look on his face. - -"He means that he hopes someday to be city editor," said Chot, who was -familiar with newspaper terms. "And are you going to be a newspaperman -all your life, Sam?" - -"Looks that way. Had a hard time at first. You remember when you fellows -were in New York? I was pretty green then, but I'm getting over that. -Being a reporter has lost its glamour now, and I've settled down to -business. They tell me I write some pretty good stories, and Uncle Jim -says he'll make me city editor just as soon as I've had a little more -experience." - -"I'll bet it's a fine life," said Pod, to whom anything connected with a -city appealed. - -"It is if you like it," said Sam. "Pay isn't great, but there's a chance -to make a pretty decent living." - -Sam had turned now and was walking up the street with the boys. He was -thoroughly familiar with Montreal, and learning that his friends wanted -to see some of the interesting points in the city, agreed to pilot them -around. - -They visited, in turn, the great Church of Notre Dame; the old -French-Canadian market place, with its French signs and throngs of -French-Canadians, who still adhere to the tongue and customs of France; -the Chateau de Ramezay, once the residence of the French governors, -where the treaty was negotiated that lost an empire to France; the -ancient Seminary of St. Sulpice, and many other spots, including a tour -along the river front, where craft of all shapes and sizes, from -ocean-going vessels to the smallest of fishing smacks, were to be -observed. - -"And you say you are bound for the Thousand Islands?" queried Sam, as -the boys finally entered one of the city's pretty parks and seated -themselves on a bench for a chat. - -"Yes; we expect to leave in the morning," Chot replied. - -"In your canoes?" - -"Surely." - -"Of course, you know that you can't canoe very far up the St. Lawrence?" - -"We can't? How is that, Sam?" - -"The rapids, my boy. Fiercest things you ever saw. Reminds me of Niagara -above the falls. I shot the Lachine Rapids, just above Montreal, in a -steamer the other day, and I want to tell you there was some excitement -on board." - -"And canoes cannot go through the rapids?" - -"Well, I should say not--that is, going up stream, and I shouldn't -advise anyone to try and shoot the rapids coming down. It's bad enough -when you're on a steamer." - -"But I understood that you could paddle all the way to the Thousand -Islands from Montreal," said Chot, a disappointed note in his voice. - -"And so you can, but you'll have to use the canals." - -"The canals?" - -"Yes; didn't you know of them?" - -The boys were forced to confess their ignorance. - -"The Canadian government," continued Sam, "has constructed canals around -all the rapids, and there are plenty of them between here and Lake -Ontario, I assure you. Otherwise the steamers could not get back up the -river. But you can use the river part of the way, all right. For -instance, you first pass through the Lachine Canal. Then you cross the -mouth of the Ottawa River, and enter the Soulanges Canal, which enters -the St. Lawrence again near Coteau Landing. Then you can use the river -to Cornwall where you enter the Cornwall Canal. This takes you around -the Long Sault Rapids. You go from this into the Rapids du Plat Canal, -which takes you around Rapids du Plat. Then the Galops Canal takes you -around the Galops Rapids. That lands you in Prescott. From there on to -the Thousand Islands is smooth sailing, except that you'll have to -paddle against a pretty strong current." - -The boys found a map in one of the railway offices, and Sam pointed out -the canals which were plainly marked. - -"I'll just take one of these maps to refer to," said Chot. "Funny I had -never noticed those canals." - -The boys invited Sam to go to the Thousand Islands with them, as Fleet's -canoe would hold two persons, but he said his vacation was nearly over, -and that he would be due in New York by the time the Comrades reached -their destination. - -"I expect to see you all in New York again one of these days, and I hope -to be able to show you a good time," he said. - -"Well, we certainly had an abundance of excitement on our last visit," -said Tom. "What, with the burning hotel, and the chase of the smugglers, -and various and sundry smaller happenings, we were kept pretty much on -the move." - -"Well, I'll try and see that you don't burn out next time, anyway," -smiled Sam. - -"Why, that fire was the means of winning for Fleet undying renown," said -Chot. - -"Oh, pshaw! it did nothing of the kind," protested the fleshy lad. - -"Well, you rescued Mr. Shelton's little child from the building, and we -got an invitation to visit his ranch in New Mexico." - -"Did you go?" asked Sam. - -"Did we go?" repeated Tom, laying great emphasis on the words. "Catch us -refusing an invitation like that." - -"To refuse invitations of any nature that demand traveling is not in -line with the policy of the Experience Club," said Chot. "We spent quite -a bit of time in the west before returning to find that our parents had -decided to send us to Winton Hall." - -The boys bade Sam good-bye with feelings of regret, for, while their -acquaintance with him had not been of an intimate nature, they had -always liked him and were glad of his company at any time. - -Upon leaving Sam the boys went down to the river front where they had -left their canoes. - -"We had better get out of the city before dark," said Chot, "and find a -good camping place, if possible." - -"Yes; for if we spent the night in the city we would have to leave our -canoes with a stranger, and I'm not in favor of that," said Bert. - -They found their canoes in the same condition as when they left them, -floating alongside the fishing sloop. The captain of the sloop, a -French-Canadian, sat on the deck nearby, smoking a short-stemmed pipe. -When the boys appeared he arose with a grunt and helped them from the -wharf on to the deck. - -"You lak de ceetey--eh?" he inquired, leering at them through beady -black eyes. - -"Yes; it's a fine town," said Chot. "We like it very much." - -"Oh, Montreal, she pretty good place," said the captain. "I leeve here -all my life. I lak it, too." - -The boys asked the captain to direct them to the Lachine Canal, which he -did. Then they paid him for keeping the canoes while they were up town. -He pocketed the change with an indifferent gesture, as much as to say -that money did not represent a great deal to him. Then the boys paddled -off up the river, past steamers and other crafts, large and small. -Entering the canal, which runs right through the heart of the city of -Montreal, to enter the river again at Lachine, on the southern shore of -the island, the boys paddled rapidly along. - -There was a difference in the atmosphere, now; the humidity in evidence -during certain portions of the day in the early stages of their trip, -was now absent, the air was cool and invigorating, and while the sun was -rather warm at times, it was not that suffocating heat that made them -stop all labor until the air grew cooler. - -Soon they arrived at the Lachine end of the Canal, and as they paddled -out into the open water again, and headed for Isle Perrot, which could -be seen in the distance, they could see the dangerous Lachine Rapids off -to their left, churning the river into foam, and roaring like a -miniature Niagara. - -"No wonder they had to build a canal," said Fleet. - -"It's a wonder to me that those rapids are passable from any direction," -said Bert. - -"But they are. See that steamer! She's just getting into them." - -Following the direction of Chot's extended hand, they saw one of the -river boats which ply between Toronto, Thousand Islands, Montreal and -Quebec, just as she was entering the rapids. Swaying from side to side, -turning first this way, then that, as a skilful pilot guided her through -the safer spots, she raced ahead at a rapid pace, with all steam shut -off. - -"Say, I'd like to be on her," said Pod. - -"Maybe you wouldn't after you got in the rapids," said Fleet. - -"I think it would be a fine trip." - -"I agree with you," said Chot. "A little excitement is healthy." - -Tom and Bert nodded their heads to signify their approval of this -remark. - -"But we can't go everywhere or do everything during one vacation," said -Chot, "so let's be satisfied with our trip as originally planned. By the -time we've had enough of the Thousand Islands we'll have to make a -bee-line for Mortonville if we expect to spend any time with our folks -before the fall term opens." - -"And I must go to Bayville. Mr. Hounson would never forgive me if I -passed him by," said Pod. - -"Naturally not," said Chot. "He's your benefactor. You owe him -everything." - -"I know I do," said the little fellow earnestly. "If it hadn't been for -him I never would have been able to enter Winton." - -"I wonder how our telephone is getting along?" ventured Fleet. - -"Very well, no doubt," said Chot. "Our folks have been making good use -of it. There was nothing to do but have the batteries restored -occasionally." - -"And we'll use it again, won't we?" cried Fleet, delighted at the -thought. - -"Surely," said Tom. "I feel that we had a hard enough time getting it -up, with Chot shirking his duty to talk to Lucy Pendleton, that we ought -to get all the good we can out of it." - -It was fast growing dark, but the boys saw a number of lights on Isle -Perrot, and headed toward one of these with the intention of seeking out -a camping place. - - - - -CHAPTER XV--THE THOUSAND ISLANDS AT LAST - - -No more delightful camping ground could be imagined than that discovered -by the boys on Isle Perrot. Lying at the mouth of the Ottawa River, the -arms of which pass on either side, as they flow into the larger stream -on their way to the sea, the island is at all times tempered by cooling -breezes, and the nights, especially, are so comfortable that once the -traveler reaches the island he is loath to leave it. - -The boys had no difficulty in finding a grove in which to pitch their -tent. There was one near the water's edge on the south shore. Across -from here, Chot found by consulting his map, was Cascade Point, at the -eastern end of the Soulanges Canal. This canal would carry them a great -many miles around Cascades, Split Rock, Cedars and Coteau Rapids to -Coteau Landing, where they would enter the river proper again. - -Nothing occurred to disturb their slumbers. They awoke before sun-up, -and despite the chilliness of the atmosphere, took a plunge in the cool -waters of the river. - -By seven-thirty they were on their way again, and paddling across the -few intervening miles, they entered the Soulanges Canal. Here, of -course, the water was smooth and still, and they moved along at a good -rate, though the current somewhat retarded their progress. - -Late in the afternoon they arrived at Coteau's Landing, where they -decided to spend another night. This spot is one of the most interesting -on the St. Lawrence. Stretching out before them was Lake St. Francis, -over which, by utilizing Clark and Grand Islands, one of our large -railway systems has erected a bridge, almost at the head of Coteau -Rapids. It is a magnificent piece of railway construction, and brought -forth many admiring comments from the boys. - -The next day's journey took them as far as Cornwall, and they camped -that night on the banks of the Cornwall Canal, after laying in a supply -of provisions in the city. - -Starting again in the early morning, the boys paddled through the canal, -emerging at the upper edge of the Long Sault Rapids, and, hugging the -shore, arrived late that night in Morrisburg. - -By strenuous labors the following day they negotiated both the Rapid -Plat and Galops Canals, arriving the next night at Prescott. - -"Gee! but that's some traveling," said Pod, as they were pitching their -tent again on the shore of the river. - -"Well, we are past the last of the rapids," said Chot. "Everything -should be smooth sailing--or, rather paddling--into Rockport, which is -within easy distance of practically every one of the Thousand Islands." - -"Say, are there really a thousand of them?" asked Fleet. - -"I suppose there are--very likely more, but you must remember that many -of them are but mere suggestions of islands--little tufts of grass, as -it were, sticking up in the river." - -"I hope we'll be able to find a good place in which to make our camp," -said Tom. - -"My idea," said Chot, "is to scout around among the islands for a few -days to see if we can't rent some sort of a cottage or lodge, where we -can be comfortable in both pleasant and stormy weather, without -depending too much on our little tent." - -"That's a fine idea," said Bert, "but, somehow, I imagine all such -places are rented." - -"Possibly. At the same time, people come and go all summer long. If we -watch our chance we may be able to get what we want." - -"Don't you think that idea deserves a poem?" asked Bert, slyly winking -at Chot. - -"Oh, by all means," said Chot, returning the wink. - -Not since the evening they had subjected his verses to such severe -criticism had Fleet attempted to recite. It was as if all thoughts of -such things had been driven from his mind. - -"Now, don't start anything," he advised them. "You didn't appreciate my -last effort, so I've decided to recite my verses to the trees -hereafter." - -"Well, just imagine we're the trees," said Pod--"and perhaps we are; we -all have trunks." - -"And they're pretty well packed after that supper we ate," smiled Chot. - -They kept urging Fleet to recite, but he stolidly refused. Finally, some -one suggested a song, and in this Fleet joined with a zest. But when -they tried to start the Winton song, and waited on the second verse for -him to come in with his original lines, there was blank silence. - -"What's the matter with you?" asked Tom. - -"Nothing," replied Fleet, "only I'm not in the mood for original verses -to-night." - -So they fell into the old-time darkey melodies, then into the choruses -of several popular ballads, in all of which Fleet joined with -enthusiasm; but at every suggestion of original matter from him, he -turned a deaf ear. - -"Well, if Fleet won't recite, I'll crack a joke," said Pod. "Did you -fellows ever hear of the man who had no flowers, yet kept a hot house?" - -"No; how was that?" asked Bert. - -"He had a scolding wife," was Pod's reply. "And did you ever hear of the -little boy at school whom a visiting gentleman asked if his family ever -played baseball?" - -"No; starts off like a chestnut, but I've never heard it," said Tom. -"What did bright little Willie say?" - -"Bright little Willie said: 'Yes; me and mother play--I bawl and she -makes the base hits.'" - -At this there was a laugh in which Fleet joined. Noticing Fleet's good -humor, they tried again to get him to recite, but he shook his head. - -"No; the next time you fellows hear from me you won't be inclined to -jolly quite so much," he said. - -"Eh? What do you mean by that?" asked Tom. - -"Never mind; let's change the subject." - -The boys were silent. Could this be their chum who, formerly, had hardly -waited to be asked to recite--who would spring eagerly up on the -slightest provocation and reel off rhymes by the dozen? They wondered -what had come over him, but decided to let the matter drop for the -moment. - -"Fleet's got something up his sleeve," said Chot, a little later when -the boys were preparing for bed and Fleet was, for the moment, out of -earshot. - -"I suppose we hurt his feelings the other night," said Bert. "We were a -little severe." - -"But we needed to be," said Tom. "Those were the worst verses he has -ever recited. I want to see his work improve, not get worse." - -"But you must remember," said Pod, always ready to stick up for Fleet, -in spite of their many disagreements, "that no one can recite verses on -a minute's notice and keep the standard up all the time. I'll admit that -Tom is right about the quality, but we ought to ease up on him now. I -believe we have taught him his lesson, so let's give him a chance to -forget it, and I don't believe he'll try to run in any more fake rhymes -on us." - -"Sh! don't let him hear you," said Bert. - -Fleet, who had been rummaging in his canoe, was returning and the boys -turned the talk into other channels. - -They decided to make the rest of the canoe trip by easy stages, so -starting early the next morning, they stopped off at Prescott for -supplies, and continued on along the north shore to Brockville, where -they had dinner. - -After leaving Brockville, so many little islands dotted the surface of -the river that the boys began to believe they were approaching their -destination. These islands continued at intervals all the way to -Rockport, fronting which city, late one afternoon, they sat in their -canoes, viewing the famous summer resort of the St. Lawrence. The -Thousand Islands lay before them, many dotted with cottages and tents, -others, too small for comfortable living, uninhabited. - -Somewhere out among those islands the boys were going to camp, and they -could hardly wait until morning to set out in their quest of a suitable -spot. - -To those boys not familiar with the location of the Thousand Islands, it -may be well to say that they spread out from the waters of Lake Ontario -on the southwest to a narrow stretch of the St. Lawrence on the -northeast, some thirty-eight miles distant, forming a chain, or -archipelago, through which the clear, bright waters of the river go -racing swiftly. They are composed of islands of all sizes, from a -surface no larger than an ordinary dry-goods box, over which the water -moves, to that of a substantial size, several miles in circumference, -containing some villages, and, in one instance, an inland lake--the Lake -of the Isles. - -Hundreds of the islands contain no habitation, but stand, their rich, -loamy surfaces covered with trees, in whose branches birds come to -build. These islands remain undisturbed, save when pleasure seekers from -some more populous center push their boats into the quiet reaches of -their waters on a summer's day. - -There are really many more than a thousand of the islands, the lowest -estimate being fifteen hundred, the highest eighteen hundred. And -flowing in between them, winding this way and that, the river is limpid, -fast-moving and deep, the depth varying from thirty to sixty feet. - -The delights of the region had a strong grip on the young canoeists -when, after a night spent in Rockport, they set out in the early morning -in search of a lonely isle, where they could rest in peace and comfort -for a few weeks, enjoying boating, fishing or reading, as the case might -be. - -In and out among the many channels they went, paddling with slow, easy -strokes, now going against a strong current, now with it, until, -finally, they found innumerable little islands stretching on all sides, -none of which were, apparently, inhabited. - -It is a law commonly observed in the Thousand Islands that camping -privileges upon any of the uninhabited islands are free, so the boys -began to look about for a good-sized island which would meet their -approval from every standpoint. - -"There's a fine-looking island," said Bert, pointing to where, over the -tops of two or three smaller islands, a wooded knoll came into view, -looking cool and shady. - -"Yes, and there's some sort of a house on it, too," said Tom. - -"May be just what we want," said Chot. "Let's go over there, anyway, and -perhaps the occupant of the house can direct us to a good camping -ground." - -"But let's get an uninhabited island," said Pod. - -"Yes; let's be Crusoes or nothing," said Fleet. "Pod will make a good -'man Friday.'" - -"Hey, you, don't start anything like that, or I'll ram your old craft -and send you to the bottom," said Pod. - -"Ram away," replied Fleet. - -He well knew which craft would be the first to capsize if Pod kept his -word. - -"Well, I'll let you off this time," said Pod. - -"For which I am deeply grateful," said Fleet, a slight tinge of sarcasm -in his voice. - -They soon reached the island under discussion, and landing, pulled their -canoes up on the shore and fastened them securely to some of the smaller -trees. - -Then, as they started up the slight incline toward the lodge which -topped the rise, a man came out on the verandah and stood, regarding -them curiously. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI--MR. LAWRENCE OF WINNSOCKET LODGE - - -"Welcome to the island!" cried a cheerful voice, as the boys approached -the lodge, and, looking up they saw that the stranger had removed a -cigar from his mouth and was smiling genially. - -He was an attractive-looking man of perhaps thirty-five, slightly bald, -his temples tinged with gray. He was fully six feet tall and of a -magnificent physique. - -"Thank you, sir," Chot responded. "We have no wish to intrude, but we -are searching for a camping place." - -"And the island looked good to you, eh?" - -"Oh, we did not intend camping here." - -"Well, there, what if you did. It's a pleasure I assure you to have you -visit me. I so seldom see anyone who is sociable." - -He came down to the foot of the steps, hand out-stretched to greet them. - -"I am Jared Lawrence of Boston," he told them. "This is my summer -cottage. I call it Winnsocket Lodge." - -"And it's a beauty all right," said Fleet, after Chot had introduced -each in turn--"just the sort of a place to have in the Thousand -Islands." - -The other boys echoed Fleet's sentiments. - -"I suppose you wouldn't think of accepting a proposition from us for a -month or so, Mr. Lawrence?" queried Chot. - -"You mean that you want to rent the lodge?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Well, now, that might be arranged easier than you imagine. But come in, -all of you, and make yourselves comfortable." - -He led the way on to the spacious verandah which looked out over a -portion of the river and afforded an excellent view of many of the other -islands. - -"You see," continued Mr. Lawrence, "I am in a secluded spot, yet when I -feel lonesome, I can watch the boats over yonder plying up and down the -stream." - -"Do you live alone, then?" asked Tom. - -"Well, yes, except for my Japanese cook and valet. I suppose I may as -well admit boys, that I am a bachelor," and he smiled rather -indulgently. "I am fortunately able to come here with Hoki and spend the -summers, going back to Boston in September or October to again take up -my business duties." - -He did not state what these duties were, but the boys felt that he must -be either a banker or a broker, to be able to leave his work for an -entire summer on a stretch, and they secretly envied him his ease. - -Soon they were seated on the verandah, their coats having been taken by -Hoki, an intelligent looking little Jap, dressed in a white suit. The -Jap then brought two tables which he placed in front of the boys. Then -they could hear him cracking ice somewhere in the rear of the building, -and presently he emerged with a mammoth pitcher of lemonade. - -"I knew you boys must be thirsty," said Mr Lawrence, "hence told Hoki to -find the largest pitcher in the house. You see, I was a boy once -myself." - -The boys began to like Mr. Lawrence from the start, and as for the -cooling beverage brought by Hoki, nothing would have been more welcome. -Soon they found themselves feeling comfortable not only from a physical -standpoint, but thoroughly at ease at Winnsocket Lodge, and wishing that -some trick of fate would cause Mr. Lawrence to rent them the premises -for the time of their stay. - -As if divining what was passing in their minds, after a moment's -silence, in which he appeared to be debating something to himself, Mr. -Lawrence said: - -"I find it imperative that I take a short journey, probably leaving -to-morrow. I had intended leaving Hoki in charge of Winnsocket Lodge, -but I am inclined to believe that I could not do better than leave it in -the hands of you boys." - -The Comrades and their chums exchanged glances of mingled joy and -amazement, and Mr. Lawrence, stopping only to take a couple of draws -from his cigar, continued: - -"I may be gone two or three days; the time may stretch into two or three -weeks. I am going on special business, and it is impossible to say just -when I can accomplish what I desire. The lodge is well stocked with -provisions, and Hoki is a fine servant. He will obey you as implicitly -as he does me if I say the word." - -"But, Mr. Lawrence," said Chot, "I feel that we should protest against -your kind offer. We don't want to take advantage of your hospitality. We -would rather rent--" - -"That's just it; you boys want to rent the lodge, but the lodge is not -for rent. You are simply a fine lot of young fellows, athletes everyone, -I imagine, and I am very fond of young men. I trust you thoroughly, and -I ask you to stay at Winnsocket Lodge until my return--to stay as my -guests, taking care of my property, at the same time going where you -please, when you please, in search of such amusement as you may desire. -The rent you boys could afford would be nothing to me. I say to you, -frankly, that the money would not be of the slightest use, as I now have -all I can care for with any peace of mind." - -"Since you put it in that light, and speaking for us all, sir," said -Chot, "I will say that we accept your kind offer, and will show you that -we can take the very best care of your property while you are away." - -"I have no doubt of that. You will find plenty of sleeping -accommodations both downstairs and up. I frequently have house parties -here, and I provided sufficient room for everyone when I built the -lodge." - -And it was to these rooms that the boys were shown that night, after -they had been taken through the lodge by their host. The lodge was -constructed after expensive plans, mostly of rough wood, but solid and -substantial, and with interior fittings that might have gone well in a -Boston brownstone front. There were six rooms below--a living room, a -dining room, a kitchen and three bedrooms, with a bath in a convenient -spot to each of the latter. Upstairs there were a large bedroom, a -smaller bedroom and a large compartment used as a plunder-room, in which -fishing nets, tackle, hunting apparatus and many other things were -stored. The house was fitted with electric lights, generated, Mr. -Lawrence told them, by a small dynamo in the cellar, or basement. - -Expressing a curiosity to see this, the boys were taken below by their -host. The basement, built entirely of stone, was damp and cool. In one -end a small dynamo-room had been partitioned off, and in this was the -dynamo and batteries that served to light the lodge in such a brilliant -fashion. - -The cellar contained several barrels of wine--or, so the boys judged -from their appearance--countless jars of fine fruit, packed away on -shelves, as well as many other things that demanded a cool place for -safe keeping. Mr. Lawrence was, indeed, well supplied for a summer's -outing. - -The boys were curious to know more about him, but he did not volunteer -any further information, and they were too well bred to appear at all -inquisitive. - -Tom and Chot were given the bedroom just to the rear of the one occupied -by Mr. Lawrence, with Bert occupying a bedroom still farther back. Fleet -and Pod were taken to the large chamber upstairs, and Hoki occupied the -little one next to it. - -With this arrangement, the boys retired, ignorant of the deep mysteries -connected with Winnsocket Lodge, as well as of the many thrilling -adventures which were to befall them before they took their departure. - -The first inkling that there were mysterious doings in the lodge came to -Chot and Tom when, upon awaking almost simultaneously in the middle of -the night, they heard a low, scraping sound from the direction of Mr. -Lawrence's chamber. It ceased after a moment, was again renewed, then -ceased again. - -"That was a strange noise," said Tom, in a whisper. "I wonder what it -can be?" - -"You can search me," was Chot's reply, also in a whisper. "It might be -taken for a dozen different things." - -"What, for instance?" - -"Well, I don't believe I'd know just how to guess. It may be in Mr. -Lawrence's room, and again it may have come from the basement." - -"You're right," said Tom. "I hadn't thought of the basement." - -"Well, it's stopped, anyway. I don't suppose anyone is going to carry us -off." - -"No; but let me be sure the door leading into the hall is locked. It's -best to take no chances." - -Tom tip-toed softly to the door and tried the lock. The boys had -fastened the door before going to bed, and Tom found that, apparently, -it had not been disturbed. Then going to the windows which looked out -over the island to the east, Tom peered into the night. The windows were -up, as both boys were great believers in fresh air. - -The lodge stood on stilts, as it were, and Tom knew that it was at least -seven feet from the ground to the window sill. No chance for anyone to -enter the house that way, unless aided by another, or by means of a -ladder. - -As Tom listened there was not a sound save for the faint stirring of the -trees. The breeze had about died out. Off to the left Tom could see -several lights glistening across the river, and far in the distance a -bright, white glare in the sky marked the location of Rockport. - -After a moment he came to bed again. For some time the boys lay awake -discussing the strange noises in low tones, but finally fell asleep -again. - -Sometime later they were again wakened, this time by the same scraping -sound as before. It continued for an even longer period, but finally -ceased altogether. - -A feeling of vague uneasiness began to steal over the boys. Try as they -might, they could think of no solution of the sound. There were no -animals of any sort on the island, they knew, so the noise must come -from some human agency. But just what they were unable to determine to -their satisfaction. - -After discussing the matter in low tones for a time, they were ready to -have another try at sleeping, when a noise from without caused them to -tip-toe to the windows with suppressed excitement. - -Here they listened intently. A conglomeration of small sounds came to -them, but they were unable to distinguish any certain ones, until, -finally, they heard the chug-chug of a motor-boat. The sounds grew more -frequent but of less volume, and they decided that the little craft must -be moving away from the island. - -The sound died away entirely as the motor-boat apparently lost herself -among the little islands surrounding the one on which stood Winnsocket -Lodge. - -Chot and Tom grew wide awake speculating over the matter, with the -result that there was little sleep for them during the remainder of the -night. They decided that it must have been in the neighborhood of three -o'clock when they heard the motor-boat leave the island, for some two -hours later it began to grow light, and soon the sun peeped over the -islands to the east. - -When they arose they found Hoki in the kitchen preparing breakfast. He -grinned and nodded a Cheerful, "Good morning to you, sirs," in his -quaint, broken English. - -"Good morning, Hoki," said Chot. "That coffee smells mighty fine." - -"Glad you like," was the Jap's response. "I take pleasure in making the -service for you, sirs." - -"He means it's a pleasure to serve us," said Chot, as a look of -perplexity stole over Tom's face. - -Hoki grinned and nodded at this. - -As they were talking to Hoki, Bert came out of a nearby room, rubbing -his eyes, and a moment later Fleet and Pod came downstairs, feeling fine -after a morning plunge in the tub. - -Hoki bustled back and forth between the kitchen and the diningroom, and -soon announced breakfast. - -"But we're to wait for Mr. Lawrence, of course," said Chot. - -"No wait," said Hoki, gravely. "It gives me greatest pleasure to accept -you as masters of lodge. My master, he not here--he go away in the -night!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII--MYSTERY - - -"Mr. Lawrence has left the island!" Chot exclaimed, and again Hoki -nodded. - -"He said tell young gentlemens take much possession, and he will either -return or come back before long," said the Jap, gravely. - -In spite of the fact that they were surprised at the sudden turn of -events, the boys were forced to laugh at Hoki's quaint methods of -speech. - -"I understood he was not to go away until to-day," said Chot. - -Hoki shrugged his shoulders and smiled. - -"I hesitate to express myself," he said; "at same time, must have been -to-day when he left, sirs, for clock had some time past chimed -midnight." - -"That's so," said Tom. "It must have been three o'clock at least when we -were up the last time. Er--Hoki, did your master leave in a motor-boat?" - -"I am pleased to explain to you that he did," was the Jap's reply. - -"I heard that boat," said Fleet. "The chug-chug of the engine woke me -up. I don't know what time it was but it must have been getting on -toward morning." - -Then Fleet caught a significant look from Chot, and said no more. - -Breakfast was eaten in silence, save for desultory comment on what they -were going to do during the day. There was plenty of fishing tackle in -the lodge, they knew, and Fleet and Pod decided that they would try and -land some of the denizens of the St. Lawrence. - -"Hoki, can you go fishing with us?" Fleet asked, as the Jap come into -the diningroom again, bearing a large platter of pan-cakes. - -"I will take pleasure in accepting of kind request," said he. "I be fine -fisherman--sometimes," and he grinned broadly. - -Tom and Chot decided to paddle around the island in their canoes, while -Bert elected to stay at the lodge and read, as Mr. Lawrence's library -held forth great temptations. - -"I've had enough paddling for sometime," he said, "and I'm going to take -it easy for a day or so." - -That is the way matters were arranged for the day's pleasure, and about -nine o'clock, Pod and Fleet, having selected what tackle they needed -from Mr. Lawrence's plunder room, went off to the other end of the -little island, about a hundred yards distant from the lodge. Hoki went -with them. - -Chot and Tom got into their canoes and paddled along the shore in the -shade of the trees, taking care to keep within easy distance of the -lodge. - -The last the boys saw of Bert he was stretched out in a hammock on the -shady side of the verandah, with one of Victor Hugo's volumes in his -hand. - -Finally, having paddled around to the end of the island, and teased -Fleet and Pod because, as yet, no fish had taken their hooks, Chot and -Tom decided to cross the intervening space of a quarter of a mile to -another island, which looked cool and inviting with its massive shade -trees and short, green grass. - -As they went they glanced up at the lodge and saw Bert still in the -hammock; but one hand was extended over the side now, and in this he -held the book. - -"Asleep!" said Chot, and Tom nodded, smiling. - -"It's drowsy weather. He'd have felt much better to have come with us." - -"Well, he didn't think so, and everyone to his own taste," Chot replied. - -Reaching their destination, the boys drew their canoes up on the bank -and lay down on the soft grass. They had a plain view of the front of -Winnsocket Lodge, as well as of the boys fishing on the end of the -island. - -"This wouldn't be a bad spot for a camp," said Chot, as he let his -glance roam around. "If Mr. Lawrence returns before we are ready to -leave the islands, we can come over here and pitch our tent." - -"That's a good plan," said Tom. "It would surely be comfortable out in -the open here." - -"Say, it's funny, isn't it?" mused Chot. - -"I don't see anything funny." - -"Well, queer, then." - -"What's queer?" - -"Why, the way Mr. Lawrence left the lodge?" - -"In the motor-boat, you mean?" - -"Not that so much, but why didn't he wait till daylight?" - -"I couldn't say, Chot; it's too much of a problem for me. What were the -noises in the night? Had Mr. Lawrence anything to do with them? What -this and what that? One might go on asking questions forever, but -finding the answers is another matter." - -"Well, he must have had urgent reasons for leaving at that time of -night. No man wants to have his sleep disturbed to take a journey that -can just as well be taken by daylight." - -"Then I suppose this was a journey that couldn't be taken by daylight." - -They were still discussing the matter of their host's disappearance, and -the strange noises of the night, when they were startled by a yell from -Bert, and turning their gaze in the direction of the lodge, saw him -start up from the hammock and stand for an instant in a listening -attitude. Then, looking over toward them, he beckoned to them in such a -vigorous way that they knew he meant come at once. As they pushed their -canoes into the water and jumped aboard, they saw him dash madly into -the lodge. - -Fleet, Pod and Hoki had heard the cry, and dropping their fishing -tackle, they, too, rushed toward the lodge Pod leading by several -lengths. - -"Something wrong, sure," said Chot, between clenched teeth. "A little -faster, Tom; we may be needed." - -The other boys reached the lodge first and disappeared within just as -Chot and Tom were pulling their canoes up on the island. When they had -negotiated the slight rise and entered the building, there was no one to -be seen. - -Fleet came perspiring out of the basement a moment later, followed by -Pod and Hoki. Their faces were white and they were shaking in every -limb. - -"What's the matter?" Chot demanded, seizing Fleet's arm and shaking him -violently. - -"It's--it's Bert," was the reply. - -"Well, what about him? Where is he?" - -"We don't know; we can't find him. Did you hear him cry out?" - -"Yes; and we came as quickly as we could. He must be in the lodge." - -"No," said Pod, firmly; "he isn't. We've searched it from top to -bottom." - -"Well, you searched too hurriedly then. Come, Tom; let's see if we can -find the meaning of all this." - -"Surely; he's bound to be here. Let's go into the basement first." - -"All right. Are the lights on below, Hoki?" - -"Yes, sirs; all on," was the Jap's reply. "We find them on when we -return to lodge." - -"You found them on?" Chot exclaimed. - -"Yes, sirs." - -"Shows, then, that Bert went below. Come on, Tom. You other fellows can -come or not, as you chose." - -"No, no," said Hoki, with a shudder. "I not care to go--I know--I know! -You go, sirs; Hoki stay behind." - -The boys exchanged glances. The Jap was visibly frightened, and it -occurred to Chot and Tom that perhaps he knew more about Winnsocket -Lodge than he cared to tell. - -"I'll go with you," said Pod. - -"Well, you stay with Hoki, Fleet," said Chot, winking significantly, and -the fleshy lad nodded. He knew that wink; it meant, "And watch him, -too." - -It was as Hoki had said; the lights were all on in the basement. They -were controlled by a little button at the head of the basement stairs, -and Bert, if he had rushed suddenly below, could easily have turned it. -Either this was what had happened, or it had been turned on by other -parties before Bert entered the lodge. - -The boys could not prevent a creepy sensation from possessing them, as -they moved slowly down the stairs into the big cellar. A breath of cool -air met their nostrils as they reached the foot of the steps and glanced -about them. - -"Bert--oh, Bert!" Chot called. His voice echoed and re-echoed through -the place, but there was no response. - -"That strange," said Tom. - -They explored the cellar from one end to the other, but no trace of -their missing chum was found. They searched diligently for a secret -door, though where it could possibly have led had they found it, they -could not imagine. - -"Well, there's no use staying down here any longer," said Chot. "Bert -has disappeared, that's all, and, very likely, of his own free will." - -"I don't know about that," said Pod, with a dubious shake of the head. - -"Well, I don't see what could have happened to him," said Tom. - -"There's no way to tell what has happened unless we can first decide -just why he cried out, then dashed so hurriedly inside," said Chot. "He -was excited--that we know--and the most natural surmise is that he heard -someone rummaging about the basement." - -They returned to the first floor of the lodge, and found Fleet and Hoki -eagerly awaiting them. From the expression on Fleet's face they knew -that nothing unusual had happened while they were below. - -The top story was then gone over, with the same result. Either through -his own volition or by some means which the Comrades were unable at -present to fathom, Bert Creighton had mysteriously disappeared. - -"I knew you wouldn't find him," said Fleet. "He's just gone--that's -all--vanished into thin air. I don't know what we'll ever say to his -folks." - -"Oh, shut up with that sort of chatter," said Chot, severely. "You make -me tired! Nothing serious has happened to Bert." - -"Then where is he?" demanded Fleet, his voice quivering with suppressed -excitement. - -"That's what we'll have to find out. We can't do it in a minute; we've -no Sherlock Holmes among us. This much I know, though: No matter how -unnatural this may seem, it has happened in a perfectly natural manner, -and we'll find a way to solve it." - -"Well, you've more confidence in your solving abilities than I have," -said Fleet. - -"You're scared--that's what's the matter with you." - -"I'm not!" - -"Oh, very well; deny it, if you want, but we'll draw our own -conclusions, just the same." - -Fleet subsided at this, and the boys seated themselves on the verandah -to await lunch which Hoki said he would prepare at once. - -The mystery of the lodge did not interfere with their appetites, and -they continued to discuss Bert's disappearance as they ate. They tried -to make some connection between the noises in the night, Mr. Lawrence's -departure in the motor-boat, and the disappearance of their chum, but, -try as they might, they could form no plausible connection. - -They decided to leave the lodge no more until the mystery was solved, so -they hung around all the afternoon, half-expecting Bert to make his -appearance and explain away the things that perplexed them. But -supper-time came, and no Bert. - -At six they ate again, Hoki preparing a meal fit for a king. They were -living off the fat of the land, so to speak, and had Bert been with -them, they would have been perfectly happy. - -After dinner they sat on the verandah and watched it grow dark--not -without a feeling of dread, though, it must be admitted. All sorts of -things might happen in the lodge under cover of darkness. They knew not -what to be prepared for, but something seemed to tell them that above -all places, the basement was the one spot to keep their eyes on. - -"Hoki," said Chot, suddenly, when the Jap had finished the kitchen work -and joined them on the verandah, "are there any guns about the place?" - -"Oh, yes, sirs; as many as six, sirs. Would you have them delivered?" - -"Where are they kept?" - -"In my master's private chamber, if you please, sirs." - -"Then lead the way to them, Hoki. Come, Tom! The rest of you stay here -till we return." - -They followed the Jap into the lodge, and, true to his word, Hoki found -a case containing six revolvers in Mr. Lawrence's apartment. - -The boys appropriated them all, loading them carefully, and placed an -extra supply of cartridges in their pockets. Tom and Chot took two -revolvers each, dividing the other two with Fleet and Pod, together with -cartridges and orders to keep the weapons handy for instant use. - -The revolvers gave the boys a certain feeling of security that had been -absent before, and they were just settling comfortably down on the -verandah when they were startled by a voice from the river. Somewhere -between Winnsocket Lodge and the island to the south a man or boy was in -deep trouble. They could tell that from the mournful tones which reached -them. - -"Help, help!" said the voice. "Come quick! Help, help!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII--THE MYSTERY DEEPENS - - -"It must be Bert!" cried Fleet. - -"I don't know," said Chot. "I wish we had a light. I expect we'd better -make for the canoes." - -"Help, help!" came the cry again, this time fainter than before. - -"Wait," said Hoki. - -He dashed into the lodge and turned a button that flooded the gallery -with light. Then the boys saw him spring to a small contrivance on one -end of the verandah, and which until now had passed unnoticed by them. - -The next instant they knew it was a small searchlight, for a streak of -white light shot suddenly out on to the river, moved here and there -under Hoki's skillful manipulation, then settled down upon a spot where -the figure of a man or boy could be seen clinging to the bottom of an -upturned skiff. - -"Now, go," said Hoki. "I wait by light." - -"And I'll stay with you," said Fleet, and Chot nodded a vigorous assent. - -Chot, Tom and Pod ran quickly down to the bank where they had left their -canoes, and pushing them into the water, paddled rapidly in the -direction of the light. - -"That doesn't look like Bert," said Tom. - -"Help, fellows--I'm all in," said the voice again, and there was -something strangely familiar about it. - -"That doesn't look like Bert," said Tom, again, "and it isn't Bert." - -"No; it's--it's Truem Wright!" cried Chot, as the canoes drew closer. - -"It's Truem all right," growled that person. - -"Well, what do you think of that?" cried Pod. - -"I don't think much of it," said Truem. "I'm glad I've found you -fellows. Been searching for you the whole afternoon. But help me out of -this--this water's pretty cool for an evening bath." - -Chot and Tom, one on either side, steadied Pod's canoe until Truem could -crawl in. Then Chot secured the painter of the upturned skiff and the -canoes started for the landing again, Chot towing Truem's upturned boat. - -The boys were curious to know what had happened to Truem, but decided -not to question him until he had been supplied with dry clothes. - -Hoki turned off the searchlight as the boys climbed the steps leading to -the verandah, and came forward to see if he could be of assistance. - -Truem shook hands with Fleet, as Chot turned to the Jap. - -"You might find a suit of old clothes, some underwear and anything -that's handy, Hoki," said Chot. - -"I find plenty," was the Jap's reply. "You wait." - -They heard him rummaging in Mr. Lawrence's room and finally he emerged -with all the necessary articles. Chot and Tom then took Truem into their -room where, when he had stripped, they rubbed him with a rough towel -until his skin fairly shone. - -A little later, when the boys were again on the verandah, Truem told his -story. - -"I arrived at Clayton on the New York side, yesterday morning," he said. -"Of course, I had no idea where you fellows were, so one place was as -good as another to make a start from--in fact, I've had better luck -finding you than I thought I should. I took a little passenger launch -from Clayton over to Wellesley Island. The launch only went as far as -Westminster Park, however, so I bargained with a boatman for a skiff. He -wouldn't rent to a stranger, so I bought it outright. - -"That was yesterday afternoon. I spent the night on a little island -where a party was camping. They generously shared what they had with me -and gave me a place to sleep. I told them I was hunting you fellows, and -that you would probably be in one of the most secluded parts of the -river, so they directed me this way. I rowed in and out around the -islands all day until about an hour ago, when I caught sight of the roof -of this lodge. Well, I was two miles away, and it was growing dusk. I -wondered if I'd be able to keep a course for the place. Then your lights -came on and I steered my course by that. - -"As I passed that island to the north of you, I heard men talking in low -tones, and thought once I'd stop and ask who lived over here. But I -decided to keep on, for the men, whoever they were, had no lights out, -and I didn't like to stop without knowing something about whom I was -going to meet. So I started around the east end of this island, judging -from the lights where the front of the building was, and as I lay off -the island out there wondering where I'd better land, I heard some sort -of a boat coming toward me in the dark. It was a big rowboat. She had no -lights out; neither had I. Well, she hit me, bowling me over in a hurry. -There were three men in her, I believe. I heard a low laugh as she swept -by and was lost in the darkness. Then, I shouted for help." - -"In what direction was the other boat going, Truem?" asked Chot. - -"I should say that she was heading around the east point there toward -the north island. The oars were muffled, and she came upon me before I -knew it." - -"That sounds rather suspicious," said Tom. "Muffled oars and no lights. -That's in strict disobedience to the navigation laws, I am sure. Looks -like there's something shady going on around here." - -"Sh!" cried Chot. He looked quickly around to see if the Jap was in -earshot. But Hoki was in the kitchen preparing some lunch for Truem, and -could not hear. - -Then, in low tones, the boys told Truem of their adventures since -arriving at Winnsocket Lodge, ending with the disappearance of Bert. - -"That's the strangest part of all--how Bert could disappear so -mysteriously," said Truem. "Are you sure there's not some sort of a -secret door in the cellar?" - -"We've been over every corner of it," said Chot. - -"Well, we'd better go over it again by daylight." - -"We will. What bothers me is why Bert ran into the lodge so quickly. -Something must have startled him into action, for he motioned to us to -come and disappeared inside like a flash." - -"Well, it's too deep for me," said Fleet. "I'm afraid something has -happened to him." - -"And I'm afraid to go to bed to-night," said Pod. - -"That suggests to me that it will be a good plan to sit up, two at a -time, and watch," said Chot. - -"Including Hoki?" inquired Tom. - -"Yes; I'll take the Jap as my partner. We'll stand the first watch till -twelve; then Tom and Pod can take it up till three, and Truem and Fleet -can watch from three till daylight." - -"That's a good plan," said Tom. "If there's anything going on around -here--and we are positive that there is--we'd best find out about it as -soon as we can. We don't want to spoil our vacation. Who knows, to-night -some of us may get a clue to Bert's disappearance." - -While Truem was eating his lunch, Chot explained matters to Hoki, and -asked the Jap to stand the first watch with him. - -"Oh, sirs," he said, trembling as he surveyed them, "it is better that -all go to bed and peacefully slumber. May be if you sit up you will -great dissatisfaction have, perhaps danger, before morning." - -"Look here, Hoki," said Chot, sternly. "What do you know about this -lodge?" - -"Oh, nothing, sirs; I request that you belief have." - -"Well, there are some mighty strange things going on in this vicinity. -One of our number has mysteriously disappeared--before our eyes, you -might say. Don't you think you could make a pretty good guess as to what -has become of him?" - -"Don't me ask, sirs," replied Hoki. "See, I prostrate my bended knees on -the carpet you before that you believe me when I say I nothing know." - -The Jap spoke earnestly, as he fell into a kneeling posture in front of -Chot. - -"Get up, Hoki," commanded Chot. "There is no need to kneel. We'll take -your word for it." - -But it was easily apparent that Hoki knew more than he would tell. He -was afraid, no doubt, of Mr. Lawrence. Beg and plead with him as they -might during the rest of the evening, he maintained the strictest -secrecy. Anything he knew of the lodge--anything of the mysterious -happenings of the previous day and night--would remain locked within his -breast. Hoki was at least faithful to his master, and the boys admired -him for it. - -"Well, we won't ask you anything more, Hoki," said Chot, finally. - -"I thanks make, sir." - -"But you must stand watch with me till midnight." - -"Oh, no, sir; I protest that--" - -"Protesting will do no good. If we agree not to question you, you must, -in turn, agree to aid us all you can without betraying your master." - -The Jap said nothing more, but wandered around with a scared look on his -face. From the top to the bottom of the house, he went, now pacing -restlessly up and down the big hall, now climbing the stairs to the -upper floor, then down again and on to the verandah. - -"I'm afraid Hoki will bear watching," said Chot, who had been observing -his movements. - -"I don't believe he'd attempt any violence," said Tom. - -"No; on the contrary, I believe he likes us and would be glad to help -us. But something frightens him and makes him hold his tongue. Mr. -Lawrence, for instance, may have sworn him to secrecy on some sacred -Japanese oath, which Hoki would rather die than break. I have heard of -such things." - -"If he'd only tell us what he knows of Bert's disappearance, I wouldn't -ask him a thing about his master," said Fleet. - -"No; I'd be willing to take Bert and quit the lodge," said Pod. - -"Not I," said Chot "This mystery has aroused my curiosity, and I mean to -see the bottom of it before I stir off the island. No matter how strange -things may seem, there is a plausible explanation for everything and -we've got to find it." - -"Chot is right," said Truem; "there's nothing supernatural about this. -Someone is working a mighty clever scheme--that's all. I, like Chot, -want to get at the bottom of it." - -"And I," said Tom. - -"Oh, you fellows needn't think Pod and I are going to leave you in the -lurch," said Fleet. "We're in the thing till the finish, even if it's -our finish too." - -"We know that," said Chot. "You fellows who are to stand the later -watches had better get some sleep. It's nine-thirty. I'll corral Hoki -and try and cure him of his nervousness. Then I'll put out the lights -and see if I can discover any deep, dark mysteries!" - -Pod shuddered slightly at Chot's words, but Chot laughed. - -"Of course you fellows will sleep in the downstairs room, so as to be -handy if I want you," he said. "If you hear the sound of a scuffle or a -revolver shot, you'll know there's something doing." - -So the other boys went off to bed, Tom and Pod taking the room occupied -the previous night by Chot and Tom, and Truem and Fleet using the one -occupied by Bert. - -"Here, Hoki," said Chot. "Come out and sit down." - -The Jap came silently on to the verandah. He did not seem inclined to -talk, and Chot decided not to force the conversation. He preferred to be -silent, anyway, that his ear might catch any unusual sound either in or -out of the lodge. - -The evening passed without incident until nearly twelve, and Chot arose -with a yawn to awaken Tom and Pod, when, as he stepped into the hall, he -heard a faint cry coming apparently from the basement. He listened -intently. The voice was that of Bert Creighton, and it sounded miles -away. - -"Chot! Tom! Help!" it said. "I'm caught--I'm caught! Help! Help!" - -Chot lost no time in acting; springing quickly to the room occupied by -Tom and Pod, he threw open the door and cried out for them to get up. -Then, turning on the lights in the hall, he hurried toward the door -leading into the basement, while Hoki, in apparent terror, crouched on -the stairway leading above. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX--IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES - - -Tremblingly Chot Duncan paused on the stairs leading into the basement -of the lodge, one hand on the electric button, the other holding a -revolver. Bert Creighton's appealing cry was still ringing in his ears, -and he knew not what would be disclosed when the basement was flooded -with light. - -Then, as he heard Tom and Pod tumbling out of bed behind him, he gave -the button a twist, and a yellow glow quickly banished the darkness. - -Chot stood, amazement written on every line of his features, for the -basement was empty--there was not a sound to be heard; not a soul to be -seen. - -Still holding his weapon in readiness for use, Chot advanced cautiously -down the stairs. - -"What's the matter?" he heard Tom ask, as he and Pod started into the -basement. - -Truem and Fleet could be heard slipping on their shoes, and Chot felt -decidedly relieved when they, also, came down the basement steps. - -A thorough search was made, no one speaking a word for the space of -several moments. Then Chot broke the silence: - -"I heard Bert Creighton's voice calling for help. I'd know it anywhere. -It came from the basement, but sounded at a distance, as if he might be -concealed somewhere and unable to get out." - -"Then let's make a more thorough search," said Truem. "There is some -secret about Winnsocket Lodge of which we are in ignorance." - -"Must be a secret room down here somewhere," said Tom. "I can offer no -other solution." - -"Well, perhaps you'll be kind enough to show us where it is," said -Fleet. - -"It may be worked by a spring in the wall," Tom earnestly replied. "I -know that sounds like a fairy tale, but such things exist even to-day in -some of the old colonial mansions of Canada, so why shouldn't a clever -man like this Mr. Lawrence adopt the scheme if it served his ends?" - -"Well, we'll make a search, anyway," said Chot. - -Then each took a section of the basement wall and the investigation -began. They felt carefully over every inch of surface, even taking the -fruit jars off the shelves and peering intently behind them. Luckily the -lights were so arranged as to be moveable to almost any part of the -basement, and shadows were quickly dispelled whenever the boys desired. - -"Hello, what's this?" said Chot suddenly. - -Instantly every boy stopped searching and rushed to his side, knowing -from the tone in which he spoke that he had made an important discovery. - -Chot had worked his way around on his section of the wall until he was -beneath the stairs. Here, in a little nook, carefully concealed from the -eyes of any who were not making a most thorough search, was a small -metal tube projecting several inches from the wall, attached to which -was a rubber tube of the same dimensions. - -"Sh!" said Chot, as the others gathered about him. "This is a speaking -tube, though where it leads I haven't the slightest idea." - -He put his ear to the end of the tube, and greatly to his surprise, he -heard voices. - -"Hold still, boys, and I believe our mystery will be a mystery no -longer," he said, in a low tone. "I hear people talking. Let me see if I -can catch what they say." - -The voices were evidently some little distance from the other end of the -tube but as absolute silence reigned in the basement, Chot could, by -straining, catch nearly every word. - -"I tell you I will get to that speaking tube," he heard Bert Creighton -say. - -There were several exclamations of anger at this, and the sound of a -scuffle. Then Chot caught the magic words that unfolded to him at least -one of the many mysteries that had been perplexing the boys since their -arrival at Winnsocket Lodge. - -"You think I don't know your schemes, but I do," Bert went on, "and I'm -going to inform the authorities on you the first chance I get. You know -what the government will do to smugglers." - -"Smugglers!" muttered Chot. "Ah!" - -"Of course, we know what they'll do if they catch us," said another -voice. "But you'll never have a chance to inform on us. It was only by -accident that you ever heard us in the basement of the lodge, and even -then, if you had been sensible enough not to investigate, you would now -be safe with your friends. As it is, you're in a pretty bad fix." - -"I'll appeal to Mr. Lawrence when he returns." - -"Well, what do you think he'll do? Don't you suppose he's as heavily -involved in this business as we?" - -"He's involved more than we," growled another voice. - -"Well you fellows see that the kid doesn't get to the speaking tube -again. His friends are probably asleep, but because they didn't hear his -first cry is no sign another wouldn't wake them. We've got trouble -enough without ever letting them know this island is inhabited." - -"I don't see what the boss ever let the kids stay in the lodge for in -the first place. He's always taking desperate chances," said one of the -others. - -"Well, he's never been caught yet." - -"No; but he will be," came in the tones of Bert. - -Then the voices moved out of range and all was still. Quickly Chot -repeated to the other boys what he had heard. - -"Bert's cry," he said, "must have come through the tube. No wonder it -sounded distant." - -"The mystery, then, is a mystery no longer," said Truem. - -"I see you are thinking of the same thing as I," said Chot. "The -smugglers have a rendezvous on the island to the north, and that is -where they are holding Bert captive." - -"Yes," said Truem, "and those are the voices I heard the other night, -and it was the smugglers' boat, very likely, which capsized my skiff." - -"And it is evident from the conversation Chot heard that our friend, Mr. -Lawrence, is the leader of the band," said Tom. "That I think, is to me -the most surprising of all." - -"Yet, it is no doubt true," said Chot. "You will remember reading in the -papers some time ago how different articles were mysteriously brought -across the Canadian border, and how the revenue officers were perplexed -and had failed to apprehend the smugglers. Well, the officers have -simply not had the opportunities for investigation that we have had, -that's all." - -"Then the launch we heard the other night was taking smuggled articles -to the other island?" said Pod. - -"No," said Chot; "the launch was either bringing smuggled articles from -the other island to the lodge, or taking them from the lodge to some -point in the United States. There's very little stuff taken from the -United States into Canada, strange to say. The contraband stuff all -comes the other way." - -"There's one thing we haven't found out yet," said Fleet. "How do they -get the stuff into the lodge?" - -"By some secret tunnel surely. There must be a compartment to the -basement of which we are still in ignorance, as Truem said a while ago, -in spite of the fact that we believe we have been over every inch of -space." - -"Then the best thing to do, seems to me," said Tom, "is to search for an -opening of some sort on the north side of this island." - -"That will be our plan," said Chot. - -"And Bert's capture is not so much of a mystery now," said Truem. "He -evidently heard the smugglers rummaging in the cellar, knew he was about -to make a discovery of some sort, motioned you fellows to come, and went -to investigate. Then the smugglers captured him, and took him out -through the secret passage before any of you could reach the lodge. They -may have stayed in the tunnel until the excitement simmered down--who -knows?" - -"Well, I believe we have the advantage of them now," said Chot. "We know -their secret. They do not know we know it, and we are thus better -prepared to take action to get Bert out of their clutches and hand the -smugglers over to justice." - -"I wonder if Mr. Lawrence is on the other island?" said Fleet. - -"If you want my opinion," said Chot, "Mr. Lawrence went off the other -night with a launch full of smuggled goods. The scraping sounds Tom and -I heard in the night were evidently caused by the removal of cases of -some sort that had been brought to the lodge from the north island, and -I believe Mr. Lawrence went with them to some secret nook where he can -safely land the goods on the New York shore." - -"But why should he want to bring them to the lodge before taking them to -this other rendezvous?" Pod queried. - -"There is only one way in which I can explain that," said Chot. "The -boundary line between the United States and Canada must run between -these two islands. Thus, while the island to the north is in Canada, -Winnsocket Lodge is in the United States, and once goods are brought -here they have been carried over the first and most dangerous stage of -their journey." - -"What do you think they smuggle?" - -"A little of everything, perhaps, but I should say mostly valuable laces -and precious stones, including diamonds, of course, brought into Canada -through Labrador or some other secluded spot." - -"No wonder Mr. Lawrence told us that the money we could pay him for the -rent of the lodge would be of no use," said Fleet. - -"But we're forgetting Hoki," said Truem. "I hope he hasn't deserted us -in the excitement." - -They immediately went upstairs, intending to plan out a course of action -before morning, as they did not want to leave Bert in the enemy's hands -any longer than was absolutely necessary. - -They found Hoki still crouching at the foot of the staircase when they -reached the first floor. The Jap's eyes were fairly bulging with terror. -At the sight of the boys he cried out to them not to hurt him. - -It look Chot some time to convince the Jap that they intended him no -bodily harm, and when he finally succeeded in winning him over the boys -knew they had won a warm friend. Chot explained to Hoki that Mr. -Lawrence would eventually be apprehended by the authorities, and that -unless Hoki was prepared to ally himself with them, he would be arrested -with the other smugglers. - -Once the Jap had made up his mind to do a certain thing, nothing could -turn him from it. All he asked, he told Chot, was protection from Mr. -Lawrence if he became angry, and this the boys gladly promised. Hoki -knew of the smuggling, but had been sworn to secrecy by his master. He -knew none of the details he told them, except that the men had a secret -way of getting into the lodge. - -The boys did not try to sleep any more that night, fearing another -appeal for help from Bert, and they sat on the verandah until daylight -broke grayly over the islands. At sun-up Hoki served them with coffee -and cakes, and they ate ravenously, for the little Jap's cooking suited -their tastes to perfection. - -During the early morning they mapped out a plan of action. It was a -certainty, they felt, that the smugglers would soon enter the lodge -again, believing the boys to be in ignorance of their secret. The tunnel -must be on the shore towards the other island, and while the boys did -not care to make a search for it in broad daylight, as the shore was in -plain view from the smugglers' retreat, they felt that they could pretty -nearly guess its location. - -Truem, then was to watch the shore end of the passage every night until -the smugglers entered it, then find a means to close it behind them, so -their only mode of exit would be through the basement of the lodge. This -sounded like a big undertaking, but Truem volunteered for the task. He -was to be armed with a revolver and a good supply of cartridges. - -Tom, Fleet and Pod were to keep watch in the basement of the lodge, also -heavily armed, prepared to take the smugglers by surprise should they -reveal their mode of entrance. - -While this was taking place Chot and Hoki were to go in Fleet's big -canoe to the north island, there to find and liberate Bert, overpowering -his guards if need be, and returning to the lodge in time to be of -assistance to Truem or the boys in the basement, as the exigencies of -the case might demand. - -Every boy was determined, knowing that if he did his share the smugglers -would be captured. Then there would be but two things left to do to make -the job complete--the notifying of the United States authorities, and -the capture of Mr. Lawrence on his return to the lodge. - -What bothered the boys was the fact that Mr. Lawrence had taken them -into the lodge and left them in charge during his absence. They could -find no plausible reason for his action, but felt that this, like -everything else connected with the plans of the smugglers, would be -revealed in time. - -So, with their plans thoroughly mapped out, the boys took turns sleeping -through the afternoon and early evening, and at night prepared to play -their respective parts in the little drama should the smugglers again -enter the secret passage leading to the lodge. - - - - -CHAPTER XX--A CAPTURE - - -Though the boys kept a vigilant watch all through the night, nothing -occurred to disturb the tranquility of Winnsocket Lodge. Truem sat on -the shore, hoping the smugglers would enter the secret passage, but not -a boat of any description came near the island. He felt at times an -almost uncontrollable desire to search for the passage anyway, as that -shore of the island was covered with rocks and trailing vines, any of -which might hide the entrance. But to successfully prosecute his search -he would need a light, and this might arouse the suspicion of the -smugglers. - -In the meantime, Tom, Pod and Fleet sat on the basement steps, waiting a -signal from Truem that the men were in the passage, or another message -from Bert through the speaking tube. Bert, however, was being kept away -from the tube, they felt sure, and would find no way of communicating -with his chums again. - -Chot and Hoki sat on the broad verandah, ready to dash at a moment's -notice down to the river's edge, and enter Fleet's canoe. - -In this way the night was passed. Hoki served breakfast at sun-up, and -again the boys took turns sleeping, with a cold plunge in the bath-tub -on awaking. By night they were in fine fettle again, and felt no effects -from the loss of sleep the night before. - -The same plan was followed again, the lights being extinguished early in -the evening, the boys assuming the same positions, except that Pod was -stationed at a small window in the back hall, looking out toward where -Truem was keeping watch on the shore, as well as toward the north -island. - -About eleven-thirty Pod heard the soft splash of oars, mingled with the -sound of voices, wafted indistinctly to him over the water. - -"I think they're coming fellows!" he cried, dashing back to the stairway -on which sat Tom and Fleet. - -"What makes you think so?" queried Tom. - -"I can hear voices and the splash of oars." - -"Well, tell Chot and Hoki, then come back here with us." - -Pod sprang to obey, and a moment later Chot and the Jap were moving -silently down the slope toward the water's edge. - -"We'll work silently around the end of the island, and may have an -opportunity to help Truem," said Chot, in a whisper, and Hoki gave his -hand a squeeze to signify that he understood. - -In the meantime, let us see what Truem was doing. He had heard the first -faint splash of oars, and he crouched low behind some shrubbery, trying -to make out the form of the boat, which he knew was heading straight for -Winnsocket Lodge. The splash of oars became louder, and voices more -distinct, but as yet he could make out nothing in the darkness. - -Finally, however, a dark object came indistinctly before his vision, and -soon he could make out the outline of a big rowboat, moving almost -directly toward him. As near as he could judge the boat had three -occupants, but this was merely guesswork on his part, because in the -uncertainty of the darkness, he saw at times more, and at times less. - -But a few minutes elapsed before the boat was drawn up against the bank. -Then Truem saw the forms of four men leap out. One of them held a -painter with which he made the boat fast to a stake. - -The smugglers stood talking in low tones for the space of a minute, -though to the excited Truem it seemed a great deal longer. Then they -moved up the shore a few yards, and disappeared, one after the other, -behind two large rocks which were practically covered with shrubbery. - -Just at this moment the canoe containing Chot and Hoki came softly -around the end of the island. For a moment Truem was uncertain as to -whether the new arrivals were friends or enemies. Then he recognized the -outlines of Fleet's canoe, and a feeling of relief swept over him. - -"Sh!" he called, in a low tone, as the canoe came up to the bank. -"They've just entered the passage." - -"Did you see where it was?" asked Chot. - -"Yes." - -"Did they leave a guard in their boat?" - -"No." - -"Wait a second, then. Hoki, you stay here. Sit still and hold the canoe -to the bank, for I may come back in a hurry." Chot leaped ashore as he -spoke. "Come on, Truem; show me where they went and perhaps I can help -you bottle them up." - -"This way," said Truem, as he moved silently up the shore to the point -where he had seen the men disappear. - -"Wait, now," said Chot. "I've got a little pocket light that I found in -the lodge. I believe we'll be safe in using it." - -But almost as he spoke both he and Truem observed something which caused -them to stare in silent amazement. A crack of yellow light was to be -seen among the vines, and pushing them aside, they saw a long, straight -passage leading on a slight incline toward the lodge. On the ceiling was -a row of lights which made the passageway almost as light as day. - -"Well, what do you think of that?" cried Truem. - -"Another illustration of the ingenuity of our friend, Mr. Lawrence," -Chot replied. - -"How are we going to block the passageway?" whispered Truem. - -"I don't see any way to block it," said Chot; "there's no sign of a -door, and it would take all night to fill it with rocks--and even then -they could easily work their way out. I don't see anything to do, Truem, -but follow them up the passageway and place them between two fires, and -if the smugglers go as far as the basement, they'll find themselves -covered by the revolvers of the boys. Coming in the nature of a -surprise, that should accomplish the result we most desire. But should -they escape and come back down the passageway, another surprise will be -awaiting them, and we'll cover them from this end." - -"What about Hoki?" - -"Let him stay in the canoe. I shall probably go to the north island -after this fracas is over." - -Silently Chot and Truem stole up the passageway toward the house, -admiring the construction of the place as they went. It was at least six -feet in height, made entirely of concrete, and about fifty feet in -length. - -They could see the entire length of the passageway up to where it took a -sharp turn, as they judged, directly under the lodge. The smugglers were -nowhere in sight. - -"They must have gone into a room of some sort, either next to or under -the basement," whispered Chot. - -This impression was confirmed a moment later when they came to a huge -oak door which effectually blocked the passage. - -"Why, this is just what we're looking for," said Truem. "See here, Chot; -we can fasten this from the outside, and the smugglers can never get out -unless they batter it down, and they won't try that if we let them know -we're waiting out here for them." - -"A good idea," said Chot. "Can you fasten it?" - -Truem nodded and fastened the door by means of a massive hook. Then the -boys sat down on the stone floor of the tunnel to await developments. - -In the meantime, the boys in the basement were waiting expectantly for -the coming of the smugglers. They had seen Chot and Hoki leave the -lodge, and knew the time was approaching for the capture they had -planned. - -What bothered them greatly, was the way the smugglers would enter the -basement, and to guard against a surprise, they decided to separate; so -Pod was stationed on the steps leading above in easy reach of the -electric button, Fleet crouched in the corner near where the canned -fruit was stored, and Tom in another corner back of the stairway and a -few feet beyond the speaking tube. - -The boys pictured in their minds a plan of the cellar and the relative -positions of each other, then Tom gave the signal for lights out and Pod -turned the button which flooded the cellar with darkness. On the cry, -"Lights!" from Tom, he was to turn the button again, when the boys would -cover the smugglers with their revolvers and demand their surrender. - -Their plan thoroughly mapped out in this fashion, they became silent. - -Some minutes passed before they had any sign of the approach of the -smugglers. Then they heard the creaking of door hinges. Just where this -door was located they could not determine, but it seemed beneath the -basement. Then they could hear voices discussing something in low tones. - -Then, suddenly, Tom heard a low, scraping sound almost at his side, -where a large empty vinegar barrel had stood, and reaching out his hand -to touch the barrel, he felt it move slowly upward! - -There was, then, an opening in the floor of the basement, not the walls, -which the barrel had at least partly concealed. He drew back against the -wall, so that the smugglers would not brush against him in making their -ascent into the basement. - -"It's dark as pitch," he heard a voice say. "But I'll get a light. The -kids are all asleep long ago. Bill, you make for the stairway and switch -on the lights. We want to get out of this as soon as we can." - -There was a grunted response to this, and the boys could hear the man -called Bill tip-toeing toward the stairway. Pod and Fleet had heard the -conversation, and knowing that they were prepared to act, when he heard -the footfalls of the man, Bill, on the bottom step, Tom called quickly: - -"Lights!" - -Pod snapped the button, and instantly the basement was flooded with a -yellow glow. - -"Hands up!" cried the three boys in unison, as they covered the three -men who appeared before them. The fourth man had been only partly -through the trap-door when the lights came on, and he dropped quickly -back, pulling the trap shut behind him. - -Pod found himself covering the burly Bill, who had paused with one foot -on the steps. Fleet took the man nearest him, evidently the leader of -the little party, and Tom covered the other man who was near the -trap-door, and not more than four feet away from him. - -For a few seconds, following the command of the boys, there was complete -silence. It was broken by a laugh from the man whom Fleet was covering. - -"Well, it looks like you'd made a good haul this time, kids," he said. -"Just what can we do for you?" - -"Stand right still until we tell you to move," said Fleet. - -"This is a nice mess!" growled the fellow called Bill. - -"A bloomin' bad one, say I," said the man Tom was covering, speaking -with a slight accent that marked him at once for an Englishman. - -"Sorry you gentlemen find yourselves in such a predicament," said Tom, -"but there have been altogether too many mysteries about this lodge to -suit us." - -"What you going to do with us?" queried Bill. - -"Never mind; you'll learn that soon enough. How many more are there of -you?" - -"There's six in the room below and four more in the passageway," said -the leader, lying glibly. "So you'd better let us go, and take a sneak -while you can. We'll get the best of you in the end." - -"There's only one more in your party," said Tom, making a shrewd guess, -"and I guess we'll find a way to get him." - -"Oh, you won't get any of the others," said Bill. "They're out on the -river by this time. Don't you s'pose we leave things clear for our -escape when we come over here?" - -"You are no doubt deluding yourselves into believing that your friend -below will get safely back to the other island," said Tom, "but it -happens that we have three of our boys at the other end of the tunnel, -all heavily armed. Now, figure it out, if you can." - -"And somebody's getting in his fine work," cried Fleet, as the dull -sound of a revolver shot came to them from below. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI--AT BAY - - -Let us leave the boys in the cellar and see what Chot and Truem were -doing in the passageway, as well as the cause of the revolver shot which -had been audible to those above. - -After closing the massive door and fastening it securely, Chot and Truem -waited silently in the passageway for the developments they were sure -would not be long in coming. - -After a few minutes they heard sudden footsteps in the room beyond the -door, then some one began rattling the door in a strenuous effort to get -out. Of course, this was the fourth member of the smuggler quartet, who -had escaped down the trap when Pod switched on the lights. But Chot and -Truem, not knowing how their chums were faring in the basement, thought -the entire band of smugglers was making an effort to escape. - -So when the door began to tremble, Chot called in a loud tone: - -"Stop, or I'll shoot you through the door!" - -Evidently surprised at finding enemies in the passageway, as well as in -the basement, the man inside ceased his efforts. But he said nothing, -and after a short pause, Chot said again: - -"Do you surrender?" - -"Yes," came the voice from within. - -"Well, we're going to open the door, and you're to come through with -your hands in the air--and _empty_! Do you understand?" - -"Yes." - -"You agree?" - -"Yes." - -"All right; Truem, open the door just enough to let him through," said -Chot, taking up a position half behind the door, his revolver ready for -use. - -Truem did as requested, and the form of a man came quickly through, and -seeing Chot, leveled a revolver at him and fired. - -But Truem had seen the move, and he knocked up the smuggler's arm. The -bullet whistled harmlessly against the ceiling of the passageway. Then -the smuggler found that he had tackled more than he could handle, for -both boys leaped on him, threw him quickly to the floor, and choked him -into complete submission. - -"I surrender," he cried faintly, as Chot's grip tightened on his throat. - -"You told us that before, then tried treachery," said Truem. "Don't let -go of him, Chot." - -But such an appealing look came into the man's eyes that Chot, after -taking his revolver, and feeling in his pockets for other weapons, -released him and jumped to his feet. - -The smuggler was dazed. His head had struck the stone floor with no -gentle force, and he gasped slightly as he drew his lungs full of air. - -"You've got me, all right," he said. "There ain't no more fight in me." - -"Where are the others?" - -"In the same fix, I guess. I was the last man through the trap, and just -as I was about half way up, some feller switched on the lights and -covered my three pals. Then I dropped back. I didn't know there was -anyone on this end." - -"The boys must have captured the other men," said Truem. - -"Suppose you go to the trap and call while I watch our friend here," -said Chot. - -Truem nodded and sprang instantly away. He had no difficulty in finding -the stairs leading above, and ascending part way, he called: - -"Tom--oh, Tom!" - -"Well, what is it?" Tom replied. - -"It's Truem. Have you got the smugglers?" - -"We have three of them." - -"Well, Chot and I have the other man. There were only four." - -"I knew you were lying to me," Truem heard Tom say to one of the men -above. Then he called down to Truem: - -"You fellows can bring your prisoner up through the trap." - -"All right," shouted Truem; "we'll be there in just a minute." - -He communicated Tom's request to Chot, and the latter marched his -prisoner into the chamber. Then Truem pushed the trap-door open, and in -this way the boys ascended into the basement of the lodge, revolvers -ready for any emergency. - -But they saw that their chums had indeed been successful in their -capture of the other smugglers, Fleet having completely disarmed the men -while Tom and Pod covered them. The smugglers were now huddled together -in one corner, and the man brought up by Chot and Truem was placed among -them. - -"Now, to rescue Bert," said Chot. - -"I s'pose that's your pal that we've got on the other island?" said the -leader of the smugglers. - -"Yes." - -"Well, you'll never get him, for there's ten men over there, and they'll -be coming to see what's wrong with us in a few minutes." - -"And they'll find out," said Tom. "But I don't believe your story of ten -men. You told us a lie before, and the man who lies once will lie as -often as the occasion demands." - -"Leave it to me," said Chot, "and don't fail to keep a strict watch on -these men. If I need you I'll let you know through the speaking tube." - -"Let me know, anyway, when you get away with Bert," said Tom. - -Chot nodded his head and descended quickly into the lower chamber. It -was but the matter of a minute to run down the passageway to where Hoki -was still sitting in the canoe. - -"It's me, Hoki," said Chot. "Did you think I had deserted you?" - -"No think so," replied the Jap. "You, sirs, must have had pretty much of -a fine time." - -Chot laughed and explained to Hoki what had happened. The Jap could -hardly contain himself for joy, but became still at Chot's request, as, -picking up a paddle, Chot sent the big canoe away from the shore, headed -toward the north island. - -Fearing that some of the smugglers' companions might be waiting on the -shore for their comrades' return, Chot sent the canoe around to the side -of the island. - -Before landing he lay for the space of several minutes listening -intently for some sign of the presence of other smugglers. But the -island was dark and still, so making the canoe fast to a small tree on -the shore, he and Hoki effected a landing, and stood considering the -best method to accomplish the purpose for which they had come. - -The island was heavily-wooded and presented many difficulties to Chot -and the little Jap. They had no means of knowing any of the plans of the -island, and were in complete ignorance as to the location of the -smugglers' quarters. - -But they had come for a purpose, and starting blindly ahead toward the -center of the island, Chot softly told the Jap to follow. - -They made very little noise, and held their revolvers ready for use. - -Reaching the top of an incline, similar in many respects to the one on -which stood Winnsocket Lodge, they paused perplexed. The island was not -a large one, and Chot felt that they must be in close proximity to the -smugglers' rendezvous. - -"See!" whispered Hoki, suddenly. "Light!" - -Following the direction of the Jap's extended finger, Chot saw a yellow -streak, seemingly in the ground a few yards distant. Closer examination, -however, revealed a huge wooden door leading into the hillside, and -peering through the crack Chot saw a sight which amazed as well as -delighted him. - -Sitting on a stool in one end of the apartment, his hands bound behind -him, was Bert Creighton, while nearby, reading by an ill-smelling oil -lamp, was a man--apparently the only member of the smuggler band left on -the island. - -"Hoki, when you open the door, I'll rush in and cover him," said Chot. - -"With greatest of pleasure," replied the little Jap, and seizing the -huge door by a strap which hung outside, he gave a strong pull. The -portal swung wide, and Chot, revolver in hand sprang through the opening -into the smugglers' chamber. - -"Hands up!" he cried, covering the smuggler before the latter could make -a move toward his own weapon. - -"Chot!" cried Bert, starting up. "Hurrah!" - -"Cut Bert loose, Hoki," commanded Chot, still keeping his eye on the -smuggler, who was so surprised he was for a moment speechless. - -"What does this mean?" he cried out, at last. - -"It means that the smugglers of the St. Lawrence are a thing of the -past," Chot replied, as he grasped Bert's outstretched hand. "We have -your pals, safe and sound. Are there any more of you?" - -"Yes; lots of us," responded the man. "There's two of them behind you -now." - -Chot smiled, but did not turn. - -"You can't fool me by that old ruse," he said. - -"He lies, anyway," said Bert. "If you've got the four men who went to -the lodge you've got them all. What are you going to do with this man?" - -"Put him with the rest." - -"But how?" - -"I'll show you. Where's the speaking tube?" - -Bert pointed it out, and calling up Tom, Chot informed him of the -success of the trip to the north island, and asked him to send Pod over -in his canoe for the prisoner. - -"Tell him to head straight across for the island," he said. - -Turning out the light in the chamber, and lighting a lantern for use on -the shore, the boys went out, closing the door. With Hoki and Bert -guarding the smuggler, Chot went back to where he had left Fleet's -canoe, entered it, and paddled around to the other side of the island, -just as he heard Pod calling out to know where to land. - -Chot gave him directions to head for the light, and a few minutes later -the smuggler, bound hand and foot, was bundled into Pod's canoe, and the -little fellow was paddling back toward the lodge, while Bert, Chot and -Hoki followed in Fleet's larger craft. - -There was a scene of rejoicing at the lodge that night. The prisoners -were all securely bound, and the boys took turns in guarding them -through the night. - -Bert told his story before the boys retired. He had been aroused from -his sleep in the hammock by strange noises in the lodge, and had cried -out almost before he realized it. Then, believing that some of the -mysteries that had puzzled them were about to be solved, he had run -inside, motioning Chot and Tom to follow. The smugglers had evidently -thought the boys all out of the lodge, for Bert surprised them, as well -as himself, by dashing in among them. Then he had been taken captive and -carried out through the tunnel, the trap-door dosed behind leaving no -trace. - -"Had you fellows looked out of the rear window you could have seen them -carrying me across to the north island in their boats," said Bert. - -"We were too busy speculating as to what had become of you," smiled Chot -"I'm glad we have you safely back." - -As Hoki was getting breakfast the following morning, the boys were -startled to hear several blasts from a boat's siren, and looking out -from the verandah of the lodge they saw a motor-boat about two-thirds of -a mile distant, and headed straight for the island. - -"It's Mr. Lawrence!" cried Chot. "Act as if nothing has happened, -fellows, and we'll nab him, too!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII--THE REVENUE OFFICERS - - -The motor-boat was a trim little craft, some forty feet in length, with -a cabin forward, and an open deck aft, the latter covered with an awning -and containing several chairs. - -As she drew nearer Chot uttered an exclamation of astonishment, for -plainly visible at the bow was a small brass swivel gun, evidently of -the rapid fire variety. - -"Mr. Lawrence is evidently prepared for war," said Fleet. "I didn't know -they used such weapons on private yachts." - -"That's no private yacht," said Chot, who was studying the boat -intently; "see that American flag at the stern and the man in a blue -uniform at the wheel. That, fellows, is a government boat, probably in -the revenue service. She is of a fine size to wind in and out among -these islands." - -"But what can she be wanting at Winnsocket Lodge?" asked Pod, perplexed. - -"That I can't say, but, very likely, the officers are on the trail of -the smugglers. They may have taken Mr. Lawrence captive, and are now on -the lookout for the rest of the band." - -"We'd better go meet them," said Tom. "That will show our good will." - -"Yes; Pod, you go down and tell Bert to watch the prisoners while we are -gone, and don't say anything before the smugglers about the officers -being here." - -Pod hurried away to do Chot's bidding, and Chot, Tom, Fleet and Truem -went down to the little wharf toward which the motor-boat was heading. - -The noise of her engines soon ceased, and describing a pretty circle, -she came drifting up to the landing. Two men--one in the bow, the other -in the stern--threw painters to the boys, who made them fast to posts on -the wharf. - -"Is this Winnsocket Lodge?" asked an officer, as he sprang ashore and -eyed the boys keenly. - -"Yes, sir," Chot responded. - -"Do you live here?" - -"No; we are a party of cadets from Winton Hall on the Hudson. We came up -here in canoes, then remained as the guests of a Mr. Lawrence, who left -the day after we arrived." - -"Do you know where he is?" - -"No, sir; he went away in the night in a motor-boat." - -"I am Lieutenant Weston Winters of the United States revenue service," -the officer went on, extending his hand. "We have been trying to trace -to their hiding place a band of smugglers. We have every reason to -believe that this Mr. Lawrence is the leader of the band. Have there -been any unusual happenings since your arrival?" - -"There has been nothing else," Chot replied, smiling. "As for the -smugglers, we have captured the entire band with the exception of Mr. -Lawrence, and we were getting ready to take him, too, believing at first -that this was his boat." - -Of course, Lieutenant Winters wanted the details, and Chot related their -adventures from the moment they met Mr. Lawrence until the release of -Bert Creighton from the smugglers' lair the previous night. - -"And you have these men safe in the cellar?" asked Lieutenant Winters, a -merry twinkle in his eyes. - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then I don't see much use of Uncle Sam keeping his officers in the St. -Lawrence. You have done your country a noble service, boys, and one -which will not be forgotten." - -"We have simply tried to do our duty as citizens," returned Chot, -earnestly. - -"And you have more than succeeded. Now, let me see the captives." - -The boys led the way to the lodge, Lieutenant Winters following with two -of his men. - -Down into the basement they went where Bert sat with a revolver, -guarding the prisoners. - -"H'm! A bunch of beauties," was Lieutenant Winter's comment. "There is -'Dandy Dick' Short, whom we have been wanting for some time, who was -formerly a notorious smuggler on the gulf coast; and Larry Nexton, and -Bill Gerry, and Flitty Gray, and, who's this--oh, yes, and Joe -Silverton. Why, these are all old friends, boys--and old hands at the -smuggling business. They have been trying to elude our clutches for a -long time." - -"And it looks like we succeeded pretty well," said Dandy Dick Short, the -leader of the band. A sneer curled his lip. "It was left to a bunch of -kids to catch us when we were not looking." - -"Then all credit to the 'kids,' as you call them," said Lieutenant -Winters, warmly. "The result has been accomplished, and I think I am -safe in saying that you won't do any more smuggling for some years to -come. How long have you been working for Lawrence?" - -The men looked at each other, but said nothing. - -"Don't want to squeal on him, eh? Oh, that's all right. I'm glad to see -that there is still some honor among thieves. We'll get him, all right. -He knows nothing of what's happened here, and when he returns he'll find -a little surprise waiting for him." - -Still the men said nothing. - -"That's all right, boys, just hold your tongues." The lieutenant turned -to Chot. "I'll leave my two men to take charge of these fellows. We're -going to stay at the lodge until Lawrence returns." - -"That suits us," said Chot. "We'll all wait, and if we boys can render -any further assistance, just command us." - -The two men from the revenue boat were placed as guards over the -prisoners, thus relieving the boys of all responsibility in this regard. - -Lieutenant Winters took up his abode at the lodge, sending the -motor-boat around to the east end of the island, where, in a little -cove, she was concealed from view from the north island, as well as the -approaches from the west and south, by one of which routes Mr. Lawrence -would be sure to come on his return to the island. - -"Lawrence will no doubt come as he went, in the night," said Lieutenant -Winters, "so we had best arrange a watch." - -"He will probably enter by means of the secret passage," said Tom. "That -is the way he left, I am sure." - -"In other words," said the lieutenant, "believing that you know nothing -of the underground exit, he will probably seek to enter his room in the -night and appear before you at the breakfast table as a complete -surprise." - -"That's the way he likes to do things, I should say, from what little -opportunity I have had for observation," Tom replied. - -"Does anyone know what Mr. Lawrence does in Boston?" asked Pod. - -"I understand he is a diamond merchant," said Lieutenant Winters, "and -that is one reason why we have been so anxious to catch him. The duty on -precious stones is something enormous, and the government stands to lose -considerable as long as such clever smugglers remain at liberty." - -Chot took occasion to explain the assistance the Jap had rendered them, -telling the officer how the Oriental had feared Mr. Lawrence, who had -kept him at all times in a state of subjection and humility. - -"I am sure the little Jap never did a wrong thing in his life," said -Chot--"in fact, we found that he knew absolutely nothing about the -smuggling, except that something mysterious was going on in the lodge. I -doubt if he even understood what the word, 'smuggling' meant." - -"Very likely you are right," replied the lieutenant, "and I assure you -that I have no desire to place him in custody. I should like to have him -where I can reach him, however, in case I need his testimony at the -trial of the smugglers." - -Hoki was delighted when informed that the officers had no designs on his -peace and happiness. He declared his life-long devotion to the boys, and -expressed an ardent desire to learn some American trade or business -where he could always be near them. He had saved over a thousand dollars -in his two years' service with Mr. Lawrence, he told them, the smuggler -chief having been generous in his reward for Hoki's faithful work. - -"Mr. Lawrence can't be all bad," said Fleet, "when he treats Hoki so -well." - -"At any rate," said Chot, "this has given me an idea regarding Hoki." -After a moment's pause in which he was apparently thinking deeply, he -said: "Hoki, how would you like to go to an American school?" - -"It would give me greatest of pleasure, sirs, if my money is -sufficiently large enough to accomplish such desires as you mention," -replied Hoki. - -"I believe a few years at Winton would make a good American out of you. -You already read English do you not?" - -"Yes; I read quite well, thank you, sirs." - -"Then I believe we can induce Commandant Cullum to take you in." - -"It will give me much joy, believe me, sirs," said the little Jap. - -The prospect of being near the Comrades and their chums appealed to him -more than anything else. - -The boys resolved to take the Jap to Mortonville as their guest at the -end of the canoe trip, from which place negotiations could be carried on -with the commandant at Winton, looking to Hoki's entry into the school. -He would be unable to pass a rigid examination, they knew, but in the -case of foreigners exceptions had often been made in other schools, and -they felt sure that Commandant Cullum would make it possible for the Jap -to attend his institution. - -A plan of action was agreed upon before any of the inmates of Winnsocket -Lodge retired that night. If Mr. Lawrence cared to return to the lodge, -he was to be allowed to enter and go secretly to his room. A man would -then be stationed outside his door, and another in the yard outside, to -guard against any tricks, and in the morning the leader would be -informed of the capture of his band. - -As the chief would probably enter the lodge through the basement, the -smugglers were removed to one of the upper rooms of the lodge, that they -might have no opportunity for disclosing their capture prematurely. Two -men still remained on guard over them. - -It was assumed that Mr. Lawrence would return in a motor-boat, as he had -left, and Lieutenant Winters arranged that at a signal from him--a light -placed in an upstairs window on the side where the government boat was -moored--the "Lucia," as the government boat was named, was to go in -pursuit of the boat which landed Mr. Lawrence, overhaul and capture her, -returning thence to the island to take the prisoners to the New York -shore. - -Nothing occurred the first night, but shortly after midnight on the -second the sound of a motor-boat was wafted over the water to Lieutenant -Winters and Tom, who were doing guard duty. Every light had been -extinguished, and from the rear window they waited for some sign that -the smuggler chief was returning. - -They had not long to wait, for the motor-boat came up to the shore of -the island at a rapid pace. It was a perfect starlit night, and while -the craft had no lights out, they could make out her dark outline -against the water. There was some conversation which they were unable to -catch, then the figure of a man sprang ashore and made for the mouth of -the passage. - -Lieutenant Winters called softly to one of his men to flash the signal -to the "Lucia," and a moment later they heard the government boat move -out of the cove and shoot around the end of the island in pursuit. - -Tom ran quickly to his room and crawled in bed, and presently the -lieutenant heard a soft, scraping sound in the basement, then light -footfalls on the stairs. Mr. Lawrence made no attempt to strike a light, -being thoroughly familiar with every foot of the lodge, and he tip-toed -softly to the door of his room, entered and closed it with scarcely a -sound. - -"Ah!" breathed the revenue man. "The most important bird is caught at -last." - -Then he sat down outside the door of the smuggler chief to await the -coming of day. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII--A SURPRISE FROM MR. LAWRENCE - - -When Mr. Lawrence entered the diningroom the following morning to greet -his young guests, he was surprised to observe Lieutenant Winters and two -men from the "Lucia" seated at his table. Hoki had prepared breakfast at -Chot's request, and the boys were all instructed to act as if nothing -unusual had occurred. - -The boys greeted their host with a cordial "Good morning," as he entered -the room, looking spick and span in a light duck suit. Then Chot arose. -Lieutenant Winters and his men also got up. - -"Mr. Lawrence," said Chot, "you left us in charge of Winnsocket Lodge, -so when these gentlemen arrived yesterday in a boat, and signified their -intention of awaiting your return, I invited them to partake of our -hospitality. Was I right?" - -"Perfectly," replied the smuggler chief. "Winnsocket Lodge has always -been noted for its hospitality." - -"This, then, is Lieutenant Winters of the United States revenue boat, -'Lucia'," Chot continued. - -Both Mr. Lawrence and the lieutenant bowed. - -"I have a few matters of importance to discuss with you, Mr. Lawrence," -said the lieutenant. - -"Pray, be seated," said the master of the lodge, in a courteous tone. -"After breakfast I shall be most happy to talk to you." - -There was nothing in his tone to indicate that he felt any uneasiness -over the visit of the revenue men. On the contrary, he appeared to be in -particularly jovial spirits, for he fell to laughing and chatting gaily. - -Lieutenant Winters and the boys, not to be outdone entered into the -spirit of the occasion, and the meal passed off pleasantly, Hoki serving -in his best style and earning many golden opinions from his master and -the others for his fine cooking. - -The meal over, the entire party adjourned to the spacious living-room of -the lodge, where, after offering the officer and his men some of the -best of his cigars, Mr. Lawrence said: - -"Lieutenant Winters, I should be blind, indeed, did I not divine your -purpose in visiting Winnsocket Lodge." - -"I have no desire, sir, to keep my purpose a secret." - -"Well, before we settle the matter that lies between us, let me ask you -if you have heard of Stanwood Gray?" - -"Many times," returned the officer, rather surprised at the question. "I -doubt if there is a man in the United States revenue or secret service -who has not heard of him, though I dare say few have seen him." - -"He is, then, a person of some note?" - -"He is probably the most efficient man now in the service of the United -States government," returned Lieutenant Winters. - -"H'm, yes--I see. You will pardon me for seeming inquisitive, and -particularly when you have come to question me, rather than allow me to -question you, but are you not comparatively new to the service on the -St. Lawrence?" - -"Yes, sir; I have been here only a few months," replied the lieutenant. - -"H'm, yes; transferred from the gulf service, I believe?" - -"Why, yes, but I was not aware that such knowledge was in your -possession." - -"I know a great many things, Lieutenant Winters, that I am not credited -with knowing. I know, for instance, that when you were transferred to -this part of the country, you were given a letter to be delivered in -person to Stanwood Gray, if you chanced to meet him." - -"I--I--why, I beg your pardon, sir, but--" - -The lieutenant paused in confusion. - -What manner of man was this smuggler chief, who knew so many of the -government secrets? No wonder he had been able to so long elude the -officials. - -Mr. Lawrence suddenly arose. The lieutenant got up just as quickly, and -his hand flew instinctively to his belt, where it reposed lightly on the -handle of his revolver. - -Mr. Lawrence laughed. - -"You will have no need for your weapon, lieutenant," he said, smiling. -"I am not at all the dangerous man I may seem to you; and it may -surprise you to learn that Lawrence is not my real name." - -"That does not surprise me in the least, sir--in fact, I had already set -it down as an alias." - -"But what if I were to tell you that I am Stanwood Gray?" - -"I would say to you, 'Prove it'." - -"That, perhaps, can be done easier than you imagine. You were given a -secret code by which you might determine at any time the true identity -of any man you suspected of being the secret service man. You might with -profit, try that code on me." - -The lieutenant seemed dazed. Could it be possible that Lawrence, the -smuggler, was indeed none other than the famous Stanwood Gray? He would -try the code and see. - -Drawing himself erect, the lieutenant saluted three times in rapid -succession. In response Mr. Lawrence saluted twice. - -"Can you direct me to the gate?" inquired the lieutenant. - -"The gate is four leagues from the south buoy," returned Mr. Lawrence, -in language which, to the astonished boys, was unintelligible, but the -meaning of which Lieutenant Winters seemed to fully appreciate. - -"When was the wreck?" he asked. - -"On May the 10th." - -"Will you show me the buoy?" - -"I will." - -Without further ceremony Mr. Lawrence unbuttoned his vest, and took from -an inside pocket what appeared to be a small vial. In this vial was a -piece of paper, several inches in extent, but which had been rolled -tightly to allow its passage through the neck of the little glass tube. - -This paper Mr. Lawrence handed to Lieutenant Winters, who seized it and -eagerly scanned its contents. It proved to be a certificate of -identification, carried by secret service men, and shown only upon the -most imperative occasions. The certificate was made out in the name of -Mr. Stanwood Gray! - -"I believe you now, Mr. Gray, but I wish to say that I have never been -more completely surprised in my life," said Lieutenant Winters. - -"Then you will readily appreciate the fact that I have to be in a -position at all times to become a surprise, both to my friends and to -those who are not my friends." - -"I do appreciate that." - -"And now," said Stanwood Gray, as he noticed the surprised looks on the -faces of the Comrades and their chums, "a few words of explanation from -me will not come amiss." - -"You will pardon me a moment, I know, Mr. Gray," said the lieutenant, -"but are you aware that the smugglers have been captured?" - -"No; I was not aware of it. When did it occur?" - -"Within the last two days, and it was encompassed by your guests, the -boys, without further aid." - -"Then if I have surprised you by revealing my true identity, you have, -in turn, surprised me by this piece of good news. Boys, I congratulate -you, and I trust that you are not still wishing that I were a smuggler." - -"No; it was one of the biggest disappointments we had ever known when -suspicion was connected with you," said Chot. - -"Well, perhaps you'd better let me tell my story." - -They eagerly agreed, and he told how he had taken the lodge some two -years before with the intention of breaking up a notorious band of -smugglers. There had been at least a dozen in the band at that time, -making their rendezvous on the north island. - -Stanwood Gray had won their confidence and good will after much effort, -by constructing the secret passage and explaining to them the advantages -of getting goods across the line by such a method. He was finally looked -upon as their leader. Gradually, then, the band had dwindled, as he had -captured the smugglers one by one when away on his mysterious trips, -carrying to the remainder of the band various stories concerning the -death or disappearance of their comrades. - -"You will wonder, no doubt, why I have allowed the band to remain in -existence so long. It is because there are a number of prominent men -behind the smuggling on whom I have never succeeded in collecting -evidence. I am happy to say, however that now my proofs have about been -completed, and within the next two weeks I expect to make some -accusations that will cause a sensation in the newspapers." - -The boys were allowed to question Mr. Gray at will. Hoki, they learned -had never suspected his true identity. When told that they were -arranging to send the Jap to Winton, Mr. Gray expressed his pleasure and -said that he would have been forced soon to dispense with his services. - -"What I fail to understand, Mr. Gray," said Lieutenant Winters, "is how -you managed to get away with the spoils and return the smugglers enough -money to keep them satisfied." - -"Money to satisfy the smugglers was often taken from a reserve fund -which is kept for such purposes, while the smuggled goods were delivered -to parties in the states, minus the duty. In order that this arrangement -should not become known to the smugglers, I was forced each time to -dispose of the goods to different parties." - -"And the motor-boat which you are using--that is in your private -service, I suppose?" - -"Yes. And that reminds me that I should send for the boat, as I shall be -forced to leave the island at once." - -"I will save you the trouble of sending for it," said Lieutenant -Winters, with a smile. "When you landed I flashed a signal to the -captain of the 'Lucia' and he overhauled your craft. She is now lying -alongside the government launch in the cove on the east end of the -island." - -"Your plan was very well carried out, and does you great credit. The -proper authorities shall know of your good service," said Stanwood Gray. - -"Thank you, sir," responded the lieutenant, greatly pleased. - -"And as for the boys who have been my guests," said Mr. Gray, "they, -also, shall be remembered in a very substantial manner." - -"We have often wondered why you ever took us in at all," said Chot. - -"Because affairs were approaching a crisis in my case against the -smugglers, and I felt that upon my return from this trip I might need -your service--and then, as I explained before, I am very fond of boys." - -Mr. Gray decided not to see or speak to the captured smugglers. - -"Let them still think of me as Mr. Lawrence, and that I have been -captured and taken away," he said, and Lieutenant Winters agreed. - -Stanwood Gray left the lodge again that night, leaving the boys in full -charge. Following, shortly, went Lieutenant Winters in the "Lucia," with -the smuggler captives. - -"I don't know when I shall return," said Mr. Gray, just before his -departure, "but until I do the lodge is in your care. If you run short -of provisions, Hoki knows where to get more, and you can have them -charged to me. Should you be forced to leave before I get back, lock the -lodge, leave the key at this address, and send me a wire at this one. It -will be forwarded to me wherever I may be. Now, enjoy yourselves, and be -comforted by the thought that you will be disturbed no more by midnight -prowlers--at least, none of the smuggler variety." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV--IN MORTONVILLE AGAIN - - -The next few days were ones of great enjoyment for the young canoeists. -Their fondest dreams of life among the Thousand Islands were realized; -for bathing, boating, fishing, and occasionally some scrub games of -baseball, with access to the really fine library of the lodge, served to -occupy their time. - -Hoki still acted in the capacity of cook, preferring to serve the boys -in this way as long as they should remain at the lodge. The matter of -Mr. Gray's double identity had been explained to the Jap, and he had at -last reversed his opinion of his former master; he now stood in fear of -him no longer. Mr. Gray's deception of Hoki had only been a part of his -well-devised plan to lose his real identity completely. - -One day in the early part of August Stanwood Gray arrived in his -motor-boat, his face wreathed in smiles. He had succeeded in winding up -the case of the smugglers, he said, and the matter was now at rest until -their trial came up at the fall term of court. - -"I am going to put in three weeks of solid rest," he said, "before going -to another part of the country to look into an affair of an entirely -different nature. I have been a long time on the case of the smugglers, -but the final result entirely justified my judgment in the matter. You -boys were of great assistance, and I am glad to be able to present you -each with a little token of the government's appreciation." - -He handed each of the boys a personal letter from the chief of the -United States secret service, thanking them warmly for the part they had -played in the breaking up of the smugglers. To say the boys were -delighted would be expressing it mildly indeed. - -A few days after Mr. Gray's arrival the boys took their leave, camping -one night on the island to the south, and sleeping in the open, then -paddling on to the New York shore. - -At Clayton they took a train for their homes, Bert Creighton going back -to Lake George, the Comrades to Mortonville, and Truem and Pod to -Bayville, where they would spend the few remaining days of their -vacation. Hoki, of course went with the Comrades. All of the boys looked -eagerly forward to another meeting at Winton in September. - -This was the first time the Comrades had seen their folks since going to -Stockdale Preparatory School the previous fall, and the welcome given -them, not only by relatives, but friends, as well, was a royal one. -Hoki's reception was also a warm one, and during his stay he was -considerable of a curiosity to the villagers. - -Tom's mother, since the death of his father, was living at the house of -a relative, and here Tom took his meals, making his headquarters at -other times in the old home where he had an attic fitted up in a similar -fashion to those of Chot and Fleet. The house had been rented by one of -Mr. Duncan's employes, who generously accorded Tom full privilege to do -as he pleased. The attic had remained practically undisturbed, and Tom -found great pleasure in rummaging among his books and mechanical -contrivances. - -The Comrades' trunks had been sent home before they left Winton, -together with Tom's phonograph and Chot's miniature windmill, on both of -which inventions the boys expected to eventually realize great returns. -Considerable remained on each to put them in shape for a first class -marketable commodity, and during the days they were idling away their -time they undertook to perfect them. - -Tom was working faithfully one day when the private telephone which -connected his attic with those of Chot and Fleet, rang loudly. - -"Hello!" cried Tom, taking down the receiver. - -"This is Chot." - -"Oh, hello, Chot!" - -"Hello! Hello!" Fleet broke in at this instant. - -"Hello, yourself," returned Chot. "Listen fellows, I want you to come -over here immediately. I want your advice on something of great -importance." - -"Look for us," said both Tom and Fleet, and hanging up their receivers, -both boys hurried in the direction of the Duncan home. - -"What is it?" cried Fleet, out of breath, he being the first to arrive. - -"Curb your impatience till Tom gets here," Chot replied. - -Tom arrived about a minute after Fleet, his face plainly expressing his -curiosity. - -"What's wrong?" he asked. - -"That's what I want to find out," said Chot. "I have just received a -letter from Luther Pendleton." - -"Well, what does he want this time?" growled Tom. - -"More money, of course. Listen to what he says: - - "'Dear Chot: - - No doubt you will be surprised to hear from me after this long - silence, but I assure you that the reason I have not written is - because I have had no good news for you regarding the mine. The - money you advanced me at Stockdale was not sufficient to - accomplish the result we desired, and unless more funds can be - raised for the same purpose, I can do nothing. I dislike to ask - another favor, but you will understand the situation thoroughly. - I haven't been able to interest capital in the proposition, as - yet, but I still have great hopes if I can have funds to carry - out my plans. It will take another thousand dollars at - least--perhaps more--but I will try and make out with that sum. - - Trusting you will give this your immediate attention, I am your - friend, etc!' - -"Now what do you think of that, fellows?" - -"I think what I've always thought," said Tom. "Luther Pendleton is a -rascal, and he's going to get his just deserts some of these fine days." - -"Admitting that to be true," said Chot, "the most important question is, -should we let go of the proposition entirely, and figure that the money -already given Pendleton is just so much lost, or shall we trust him a -little farther, and if he still fails, take other means of looking after -our interests in the property?" - -"I should be in favor," said Tom, "of letting it go by the board." - -"Of course, I haven't the thousand dollars," said Chot, "and the only -way I should be willing to take hold of the matter again would be to -first explain to my father what the other money was used for, and ask -his advice in the matter." - -"I think that's a good plan," said Fleet, "and I will further suggest -that we talk the matter over with my father, also; I believe he might -advance me the money to get in on the deal." - -"Well, of course," said Tom, "I am in only through the kindness of Chot -and his father. I own a fifth share, but it has not cost me one cent, -except that I have obligated myself to pay for it, as well as for the -money Mr. Duncan is advancing to send me to Winton, after I leave school -and branch out into business for myself." - -"Your invention will realize more than enough to pay your debts," said -Chot, "so there's no need to worry over that. However, I should hate to -go farther into this proposition without your consent, Tom." - -"Oh, I'll agree to anything you think best after you have talked the -matter with your fathers," said Tom. - -It was decided to lay the matter before Mr. Duncan and Mr. Kenby that -night, and the boys immediately arranged for a conference. Mr. Duncan -had often wondered, he said, what Chot had done with the money asked for -so mysteriously while at Winton, but had never sought to question him, -knowing that Chot would tell him in good time. - -The conference was held in Chot's attic room, and the matter of the mine -laid before Mr. Duncan and Mr. Kenby in detail. Chot told of Luther -Pendleton's visit to Stockdale, how he had sent for him and made the -proposition, and how for Lucy's sake, more than anything else, Chot had -wired Mr. Duncan for the money. - -"You and Tom, then, own a fifth share each?" Mr. Duncan asked. - -"Yes, and another fifth is held by Lucy. Pendleton kept two-fifths as -his share for working the proposition." - -"Well there's nothing unfair about that, but if matters ever came to a -crisis, it would depend on Lucy entirely as to which way the stock would -go. Do you understand what I mean? If Lucy leaned toward her father he -would have the controlling interest. If she leaned toward you, the -advantage would be on your side." - -The boys nodded to signify that they understood. - -"Pendleton is a shrewd fellow," said Mr. Kenby, "and while we may not -like him personally, I do not believe he would bother with a mining -proposition at all if he did not see money in it." - -"That's true," said Mr. Duncan. "Like yourself I have some confidence in -the actual value of the property. What I am afraid of is that Pendleton -is seeking a way to eventually crowd the boys out of the proposition -altogether. There is only one way to remedy such a thing--that is -through a controlling interest in the mine, and that the boys have not -got." - -"Then let me suggest that we induce Lucy to part with her share to -Fleet," said Mr. Kenby. "That will give the boys a three-fifths -interest, and will overcome the difficulty you mention." - -"A good idea," said Mr. Duncan. "Chot shall write to Lucy at once. She -is in Stockdale with her aunt--or, at least, she said that was where she -was going when she left here a few weeks since." - -"I'll write to her to-night," said Chot, which called forth a wink from -Fleet. Chot understood the wink but paid no attention to it, and Fleet -subsided. - -"Be careful how you word the letter," said Mr. Duncan. "It is a delicate -subject for her, and there is no use to offend her or prejudice her -against her father." - -"Leave that to me," said Chot. "I had a perfect understanding with her -at the time the papers were signed. She loves her father, I think, but -knows he does not always deal squarely." - -"An awful position for a girl to be in," said Mr. Kenby, with a grave -shake of the head. "It's lucky that Lucy has an aunt to stay with." - -"It is," said Chot. "Mrs. Dashworth does not like Mr. Pendleton, and -will always look after Lucy's welfare." - -"Well, if she does not, there are others who will," said Chot's father, -in a grim tone that sent a thrill through each of the boys. - -"I'll tell you, fellows," said Chot, when Mr. Duncan and Mr. Kenby had -gone down into the library for a smoke before retiring, "this mine is -going to cause us trouble. I can feel it in die air. That is, unless we -relinquish all claim to it, and that I'm sure none of us are inclined to -do." - -"No; not in the face of facts made clear to-night," said Tom. "Something -has always told me that Luther Pendleton was a rascal of the first -water. I cannot say what has made me believe this--instinct, -perhaps--but ever since that day at the brass works, after my father -died, when he told me of the obligation we would have to pay, I have -mistrusted him." - -"Pendleton may know more of your father's accounts than he cares to -admit," said Fleet. - -"I have often thought that, and am waiting such a time as I can confront -him with something substantial in the way of proof to that effect," said -Tom. - -"It has always seemed to me," said Chot, "that Luther Pendleton was not -the sort of man to be the father of a fine girl like Lucy. I heartily -wish he was not her father, for you must realize that regard for her -would hold us back in this matter, when otherwise we would be inclined -to see Pendleton severely punished." - -"It is for Lucy's sake that I have never quite expressed my sentiments -with regard to her father," said Tom. - -The boys finally separated for the night, Fleet going home with his -father, and Tom to his attic den where he had a comfortable bed. - -Chot sat up late, writing first to Commandant Cullum about Hoki, and -then to Lucy. He went into considerable detail in the latter, asking -Lucy if she would transfer the stock to Fleet for a sum to be agreed -upon. - -He mailed the letters in the morning. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV--CONCLUSION - - -For the next few days Fleet kept away from his chums for the greater -part of the time, and when they pressed him to know how he was occupying -his time, he merely winked, and said: - -"Wait and see." - -Hour after hour he spent in his den, the door locked, and the only way -they could communicate with him at such a time was by means of a -telephone, and then his answers were sometimes short. - -"I'm awfully busy," he said one day to Chot, when his chum rang him up -and asked him to go swimming in the creek. "Sorry, but I'll have to ring -off." - -And that was all Chot could get out of him. So he and Tom and Hoki went -off to the creek together, speculating on what Fleet was doing, but not -reaching any satisfactory conclusion. - -"It may be an invention of some sort," said Tom. - -"No; I believe not," said Chot. "Fleet is not of an inventive turn of -mind. He's a good electrician and a good general mechanic, but when it -comes to originating ideas along these lines, he has never displayed any -talent." - -"That's right," Tom replied. "Well, I suppose he will tell us about it -in due time." - -At last one day Fleet came out of his den, his face wreathed in smiles, -and when he went to the post office he carried a package of considerable -size, which he stamped and mailed. - -Then he joined in the activities with the other boys. Excursions to the -woods, canoeing on the creek, with daily swims in the cool waters, -served to make the time pass quickly. - -Hoki was initiated into the mysteries of an athletic life. He already -knew considerable of his own jiu-jitsu, and he, in turn, taught the boys -considerable of this, and much of their time was spent in becoming -perfect in it, as its many advantages were manifest. - -Learned in connection with scientific boxing, it would prove formidable -against any sort of an antagonist, they felt. - -Hoki was a continual source of delight to them, his quaint manners and -methods of speech causing them to laugh uproariously on all occasions. -This the little Jap took good naturedly. It did not discourage him in -the least. He was determined to learn thoroughly American ways and -customs, and in exchange for the knowledge given him by the boys, told -them many wonderful things about the land of the Mikado. - -One afternoon a little incident occurred that proved beyond any doubt -the Jap's loyalty to the Comrades. - -Hoki had been down to the post office on an errand for Chot and Tom and -was returning when he was accosted by several of the village boys, led -by a young bully, named Carter Dane. Carter had never liked the -Comrades, and insisted that since they had been away a year to school -they were "stuck up," and did not care for the company of their former -associates. - -"Watch me have some fun with this Jap," he remarked, a sneer curling his -lip, as he saw Hoki approaching along the road. - -The little Jap was moving at a good pace, despite the hotness of the -afternoon, and was right upon the boys, who were sitting on a fence in -the shade, before he saw them. Then, to show his good will, he grinned -and bowed. - -"What do you mean by speaking to your betters?" cried Carter Dane, as he -confronted the Jap. - -He towered at least a head over Hoki, and was built after a stocky -fashion, with plenty of muscle and strength from a life lived mostly in -the open air. - -"No understand," said Hoki, pausing and backing away a little, as if in -doubt as to Carter's purpose. - -"No, I guess you don't understand," continued the bully. "No Jap ever -understands anything worth understanding. I don't know why those fellows -ever brought you to Mortonville, but I do know one thing--you can't -speak to every boy you meet in the village." - -Hoki said nothing, unable to fathom Carter's motive for talking thus. He -could not see where one whom he had never harmed could have a motive for -wishing to do him injury. - -"So you're afraid, eh?" demanded the bully. "I thought so. You get that -from Chot Duncan and his crowd." - -"Chot Duncan all right!" said Hoki. His face was expressionless, but his -little black eyes fairly snapped fire as he glared at his antagonist. - -"Oh, he is, is he?" said Carter, advancing toward him. "I think I'd -better teach you a lesson. You can't talk impudently to your betters. -Don't you know that?" - -"You're not my better," said the Jap boy, and as he spoke he -straightened up and waited for Carter to approach. - -Then, as the bully struck out straight from the shoulder, intending to -lay Hoki out with one blow, something surprising happened. The Jap -sidestepped, linked his arm around the bully's neck, and sent him -hurtling over his shoulder into the roadway, where he lay, white and -still. - -"You've killed him!" cried one of the other boys. - -"No, kill," said Jap, grimly. "Could kill, but don't want to kill--this -time. Tell him it my pleasure is that he avoid me in future." - -And with that Hoki started on up the road. - -"Here, here," cried one of the boys; "you can't go yet. Wait till we -find how badly he's hurt." - -"He only stunned," Hoki replied. "Should you wish me, it would me great -pleasure give to entertain you at the mansion of Mr. Duncan." - -Then Hoki went on, while the boys assisted Carter Dane to his feet. -Carter and the other boys started immediately for the Duncan residence, -bent on vengeance, followed by several villagers who had seen the -affair. - -By the time they arrived, Hoki had told his story, and Chot, Tom and -Fleet, with the Jap, were out in the yard, ready to receive them. - -"Chot Duncan, you've got to give us that Jap," said Carter Dane. - -"What do you want with the Jap?" Chot calmly asked. - -"He played me a dirty trick down there, and we're going to beat him." - -"What about the trick you played him, Dane?" - -"I played him no trick." - -"He says you stopped him in the road and threatened him, telling him not -to talk to his betters, and from what I know of your reputation, I'm -inclined to believe him." - -"Of course you'll take his word before mine, but these boys saw the -affair." - -Several of the boys nodded, but they did not seem at all anxious to -confirm Dane's statements. - -"I saw it, too," said one of the villagers, "and the Jap was in no way -to blame. Dane confronted him and made him fight, and then got mad -because the Jap threw him over his shoulder into the road. The Jap's got -pluck and I admire him for it." - -"That's right," said several of the others. - -"Now, listen to me, Dane," said Chot. "Hoki is under our protection. I -brought him to Mortonville as my guest. When you insult him you insult -me. I want you to beg his pardon right now, or you'll have me to settle -with." - -"I won't!" - -"Very well." Chot rolled up his sleeves and leaped quickly over the -fence into the road. "You and I had it once before, about two years ago, -Dane, and you know what happened. Will you beg his pardon?" - -"Aw, I don't want to fight you," growled the bully. "I didn't mean -anything. It was only a joke as far as I was concerned." - -"Then let's call it a joke. It reacted on you, that's all. Do you beg -his pardon?" - -"Yes; I beg his pardon." - -"All right. The next time I bring anyone to Mortonville as my guest, you -either be civil to him or leave him alone. Understand?" - -But Carter Dane's only response was a growl, as he slunk off down the -road. - -Hoki rose even in the estimation of the Comrades by his thrashing of the -bully, and when a letter arrived the following day from Commandant -Cullum, telling them that he would be glad to receive the Jap at Winton, -and overlook some deficiencies in his education, everyone was delighted, -Hoki most of all. - -The same mail brought a letter from Lucy. It was a big official-looking -envelope, and when Chot opened it, he saw besides the letter the -certificate of stock. The letter read, in part, as follows: - - "Dear Chot: - - "I am sending the mining stock as you request. Do as you wish - with it. As I told you before, the matter is entirely in your - hands. I know that whatever you do will be right. Have been - staying with my aunt since leaving Mortonville. Hope to see you - again before the fall term of school opens. I shall be at - Professor Pinchum's Academy as usual." - -There were several other things in the letter which Chot did not read -aloud to Tom and Fleet. But he saw the wink that passed between them, -and seizing a couple of the sofa pillows from a couch in his den, sent -them hurtling at the heads of his chums. - -The certificate was shown to Mr. Duncan and Mr. Kenby, a check was made -out for one thousand dollars in favor of Lucy, and another in favor of -Luther Pendleton. In case the mine never amounted to anything, Lucy -would have her thousand. Mr. Kenby insisted on this, and the boys knew -that his generous heart was overflowing with kindness toward the girl -who had been placed in such an unfortunate position. - -"Someday we shall perhaps be able to do more for her," said he. - -"If the mine pans out, you three boys and Lucy shall divide your -three-fifths share among you, and something seems to tell me that -Pendleton is not fooling his time away out there for nothing," said Mr. -Duncan. - -So with that the matter was allowed to rest, and the time was now -approaching when the boys would go back to Winton. They could not -foresee the incidents to be recorded in "Winton Hall Cadets," the next -book of this series, and went enthusiastically about the preparations -for their leave taking. - -The opening date for the fall term was September 7, and three days -before they left they received a letter from Pod, another from Truem -Wright, and still another from Bert Creighton, telling the days they -were starting for school. The day before leaving letters came from -Wilkes Davis, Randy Denton and Dan Kirlicks, with the information that -they, too, were leaving at once for Winton. - -"Looks like it's going to be a grand reunion," said Fleet, "and I'll bet -you fellows won't jolly me any more about not being a poet." - -As he spoke he held up triumphantly a letter he had just received from a -New York publishing house. Then the truth of Fleet's secret work in his -den dawned upon Chot and Tom. - -"They accepted the manuscript I sent them, and will use one of my nature -poems," Fleet continued. "Now congratulate me, you lobsters, and I'll -forgive what you said to me on the trip that night." - -Of course they congratulated him. They had known all along that he was -destined to make his mark and if their criticism had been at times -severe, they felt that it was now bearing results, though, of course, -they did not tell Fleet that. - - - THE END. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMRADES ON RIVER AND LAKE *** - - - - -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/40585 - -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. 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