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diff --git a/41434.txt b/41434.txt deleted file mode 100644 index bc14f09..0000000 --- a/41434.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7145 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Launch Boys' Cruise in the Deerfoot, by -Edward S. Ellis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Launch Boys' Cruise in the Deerfoot - -Author: Edward S. Ellis - -Illustrator: Burton Donnel Hughes - -Release Date: November 21, 2012 [EBook #41434] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LAUNCH BOYS' CRUISE IN THE DEERFOOT *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE LAUNCH BOYS SERIES - - The Launch Boys' Cruise In the Deerfoot - - BY EDWARD S. ELLIS - - Author of "The Flying Boys Series," "Deerfoot Series," etc., etc. - - - ILLUSTRATED BY - BURTON DONNEL HUGHES - - THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY - PHILADELPHIA - - Copyright, 1912, by - THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY - PRINTED IN U. S. A. - - - - -[Illustration: THE BIG SHIP WAS STILL COMING TOWARD HIM] - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. BETWEEN TWO FIRES 9 - - II. LIVELY TIMES 19 - - III. MIKE MURPHY 29 - - IV. A LOAN TO CAPTAIN LANDON 39 - - V. A MOTOR BOAT 50 - - VI. CAPTAIN AND CREW 58 - - VII. ONE AUGUST DAY 69 - - VIII. A PASSING GLIMPSE 81 - - IX. NO MAN'S LAND 92 - - X. THE LURE OF GOLD 104 - - XI. A MISSING MOTOR BOAT 114 - - XII. IN THE TELEGRAPH OFFICE 125 - - XIII. A SLIGHT MISTAKE 136 - - XIV. A FRIEND IN NEED 145 - - XV. A GLIMPSE OF SOMETHING 156 - - XVI. ON BARTER ISLAND 166 - - XVII. THE MAN IN GRAY 176 - - XVIII. AT THE INLET 186 - - XIX. NOT NEAR EITHER BANK 196 - - XX. A DISAPPOINTMENT 206 - - XXI. A TELEGRAM 216 - - XXII. FOUND 226 - - XXIII. CAPTAIN AND MATE 236 - - XXIV. "THIS IS WHERE I STOP" 247 - - XXV. GOOD NEWS 257 - - XXVI. DISQUIETING NEWS 267 - - XXVII. AN ALARMING FACT 277 - - XXVIII. THE CRY ACROSS THE WATERS 287 - - XXIX. MAROONED 296 - - XXX. A NEW ENGLAND HOME COMING 308 - - XXXI. THE MAN IN GRAY 319 - - - - -The Launch Boys' Cruise in the Deerfoot - - - - -CHAPTER I - -BETWEEN TWO FIRES - - -I once heard the bravest officer I ever knew declare that the height of -absurdity was for a person to boast that he did not know the meaning of -fear. "Such a man is either a fool or the truth is not in him," was the -terse expression of the gallant soldier. - -Now it would have been hard to find a more courageous youth than Alvin -Landon, who had just entered his seventeenth year, and yet he admits -that on a certain soft moonlit night in summer he felt decidedly -"creepy," and I believe you and I would have felt the same in his -situation. He was walking homeward and had come to a stretch of pine -forest that was no more than an eighth of a mile in length. The road was -so direct that when you entered the wood you could see the opening at -the farther side, where you came again upon meadows and cultivated -fields. The highway was so broad that only a portion of it was shaded -and there was no excuse for one losing his way even when the moon and -stars failed to give light. All you had to do was to "keep in the middle -of the road" and plod straight on. - -But when the orb of night rode high in the sky and the course was marked -as plainly as at midday, there was always the deep gloom on the right -and left, into which the keenest eye could not penetrate. A boy's -imagination was apt to people the obscurity with frightful creatures -crouching and waiting for a chance to pounce upon him. - -Alvin was a student in a preparatory school on the Hudson, where he was -making ready for his admission to the United States Military Academy at -West Point. The appointment had been guaranteed his father, a wealthy -capitalist, by one of the Congressmen of his district, but nearly two -years had to pass before the lad would be old enough to become a cadet, -and pass the rigid mental and physical examination required of every one -enrolled in the most admirable military institution in the world. - -On this mild August night he was going home from the little cove where -his motor boat nestled under the shed built for its protection. His chum -Chester Haynes, about his own age, lived within a hundred yards of the -shelter of the craft, so that it was always under his eye, when not -dashing up the Kennebec or some of its tributaries, or cruising over the -broad waters of Casco Bay. On their return from an all-day excursion, -they reached Chester's home so late that Alvin stayed to supper. It was -dark when he set out for his own home, a good half mile north, the last -part of the walk leading through the odorous pines of which I have made -mention. - -The lad had no weapon, for he needed none. His father was opposed to -the too free use of firearms by boys and insisted that when a lad found -it necessary to carry a pistol for protection it was time for him to -stay within doors where no one could harm him. - -The youth was impatient because of a certain nervousness which came to -him when he stepped into the pulseless gloom and saw far ahead the broad -silvery door opening into the open country beyond. - -"About all the Indians in this part of the world," he mused, yielding to -a whimsical fancy, "are at Oldtown; the others are making baskets, bows -and arrows, moccasins and trinkets to sell to summer visitors. There -used to be bears and panthers and wolves and deer in Maine, but most of -them are in the upper part. I shouldn't dare to shoot a buck or moose if -he came plunging at me with antlers lowered, for it is the close season -and a fellow can't satisfy the wardens by saying he had to shoot in -self-defence. As for other kinds of wild animals, there's no use of -thinking of them. - -"I should be ashamed to let Chester know I felt creepy to-night, when I -have been through these woods so often without a thought of anything -wrong. But it does seem to me that some sort of mischief is brooding in -the air----" - -"_Tu-whit-tu-whoo-oo!_" - -Alvin must have leaped a foot from the ground. He was sure he felt his -cap rise several inches above his crown, with still an upward tendency. -Then he softly laughed. - -"Only a screech owl, but that hoot when you are not expecting it is -startling enough to make a fellow jump. It seems to me nature might have -given that bird a more cheerful voice, say like the thrush or -nightingale. Then it would be pleasant to listen to his music after -dark. I remember when I was a little codger and was coming home late one -night, near Crow's Nest, one of those things began hooting right over my -head and I didn't stop running till I tumbled through the gate. I think -I have a little more sense now than in those days." - -It did not add to his peace of mind when he glanced behind him to see a -shadowy form coming toward him from the rear and keeping so close to the -line of obscurity on his right that only a flitting glimpse of him was -caught. Few situations are more nerve-racking than the discovery at -night of an unknown person dogging your footsteps. He may be a friend or -an enemy--more likely the latter--and you see only evil intent in his -stealthy pursuit. - -But Alvin's good sense quieted his fears and he resumed his course, -still holding the middle of the road, alert and watchful. - -"He can't mean any harm," he thought, "for every one in this part of the -country is a neighbor of the others. I shall be glad to have his company -and will lag so that he will soon overtake me--hello!" - -It was at this juncture that two ghost-like figures suddenly whisked -across the road in front. They seemed to be in a hurry and acted as if -they wished to escape observation--though why they should feel thus was -more than Alvin could guess. It dawned upon him that he was between two -fires. - -"It's queer that so many strangers are abroad to-night, though they have -as much right to tramp through the country as I." - -At the time of learning the rather disquieting fact, young Landon had -gone two-thirds of the way through the wood, so that the couple in front -were near the open country. Striving to convince himself that he had no -cause for misgiving, he still felt uneasy as he moved stealthily -forward. He gave no thought to the one behind, for it was easy to avoid -him. His interest centered upon the two in front, with whom he was quite -sure to come in contact. They were no longer in sight, but whether they -were walking in the broad ribbon of shadow at the side of the highway, -or awaiting his approach, was impossible to tell. - -He stopped and listened. The one dismal hoot of the owl seemed to have -satisfied the bird, which remained silent. The straining ear failed to -catch the slightest footfall. Recalling the feathery dust upon which he -was stepping, Alvin knew that no one could hear his footfalls. - -For the first time, he now left the band of illumination, moving into -the darkness on his left. There he could be invisible to every one not -less than four or five paces away. - -"If they don't wish me to see them, there's no reason why they should -see me," was the thought which impelled him. Gradually he slackened his -pace until he stood still. Then with all his senses keyed to a high -tension he did some hard thinking. Despite his ridicule of his own -fears, he could not shake off the suspicion that mischief was brooding -over him. The two men in front and the third at the rear belonged to the -same party. - -"They mean to rob me," muttered Alvin, compressing his lips. - -The belief seemed reasonable, for he was worthy of the attention of one -or more yeggmen. He carried a gold watch, the gift of his father, a -valuable pin in his scarf, a present from his mother, and always had a -generous amount of money with him. Many a youth in his situation would -have meekly surrendered his property upon the demand of a company of -criminals against whom it was impossible to prevail, but our young -friend was made of sterner stuff. He would not yield so long as he could -fight, and his bosom burned with righteous anger at the thought that -such an outrage was possible in these later days. - -All the same, he was too sensible to invite a physical encounter so long -as there was a good chance of avoiding it. The wisest thing to do was to -step noiselessly in among the pines at his side, pick his way for a few -rods, and then wait for the danger to pass; or he could continue to -steal forward, shaping his course so as to reach the open country, so -far to one side of the highway that no one would see him. - -You will smile when I tell you why Alvin Landon did not follow this -plan. - -"They may suspect what I'm doing and sneak along the edge of the wood to -catch me as I come out. Then I'll have to run for it, and I'll be hanged -if I'll run from all the yeggmen in the State of Maine!" - -He listened intensely, not stirring a muscle for several minutes. Once -he fancied he heard a faint rustling a little way behind him, but it -might have been a falling leaf. At the front the silence was like that -of the tomb. - -"They're waiting for me. Very well!" - -Instead of keeping within the darkness, he stepped back into the middle -of the road and strode forward with his usual pace. He did not carry so -much as a cane or broken limb with which to defend himself. All at once -he began whistling that popular college air, "When I saw Sweet Nellie -Home." He would not admit to himself that it was because he felt the -slightest fear, but somehow or other, the music seemed to take the place -of a companion. He began to suspect that it might not be so bad after -all for a frightened lad thus to cheer himself when picking his course -through a dark reach of woods. - -"At any rate it can't tell them where I am, for all of them already know -it," was his conclusion. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -LIVELY TIMES - - -As Alvin Landon drew near the open country he gave his thoughts wholly -to the two strangers in front, ceasing to look back or listen for the -one at the rear. The keen eyes strove to penetrate the silent gloom on -his right and left, but they saw nothing. Probably fifty feet intervened -between him and the full flood of moonlight, when, with more startling -effect than that caused by the hooting of the owl, a sepulchral voice -sounded through the stillness: - -"_Hold on there, pard!_" - -It was purely instinctive on the part of the youth that he made a bound -forward and dashed off on a dead run. Not until he burst into the bright -illumination did he awaken to the fact that he was doing the very -opposite of what he intended and actually playing the coward. The fact -that his natural courage had come back was proved at the same moment of -his abrupt stoppage, for the sharp report of a pistol rang out from -directly behind him. The space was so short that it was evident the shot -had been fired not to harm him, but to check his flight. - -At the moment of halting, he whirled around and saw a youth who could -have been no older than himself charging impetuously upon him. Alvin's -halt was so instant and so unexpected on the part of his pursuer that -they would have collided but for the fugitive's fist, which shot out and -landed with full force upon the face of the other. Alvin knew how to -strike hard, and the energy which he threw into the effort was -intensified by the swift approach of his assailant. - -No blow could have been more effective. With a grunt, his foe tumbled -headlong, flapped over on his back and lay as if dead. Had he been the -only enemy, the combat would have ended then and there, for never was an -antagonist knocked out more emphatically, but his companion now dashed -into the fray. - -He was somewhat older than the one who had come to grief, but still -lacked full maturity. Too cautious to make the mistake of the other, he -checked himself while just beyond the fist that had done such admirable -work. With an oath he shouted: - -"I'll teach you how to kill my pal." - -"I don't need any teaching; come on and I'll serve you the same way," -replied Alvin, eager for the attack to be made. - -His opponent came on. He had learned from the rashness of his partner, -for after putting up his hands, like a professional pugilist, he began -feinting and circling about Alvin, in the search for an inviting -opening. The latter did not forget the instruction he had received from -Professor Donovan and stood on his guard, equally vigilant for an -advantage. - -The elder had made a complete circle about Alvin, who turned as on a -pivot to meet his attack, and was just quick enough to parry the vicious -blow launched at him, but not quick enough to counter effectively. The -next instant the fist of the taller fellow came in contact with the -chest of Alvin, who was driven back several paces. His foe attempted to -follow it up, but was staggered by a facer delivered straight and true. -Then our young friend in turn pressed the other, who, bewildered by the -rapidity and fierceness of the assault, made a rush to clinch. - -Nothing could have suited Alvin better and he met the effort with a -storm of furious blows. The chief one was aimed at the chin, and had it -landed the result would have been a knockout, but it was a trifle short. -Determined not to be denied, Alvin pressed on with all the power at his -command. "Keep cool and strike straight," was the motto of his -instructor at the gymnasium, and though he was enraged he heeded the -wise advice. - -Nearly a score of blows were exchanged with such rapidity that a -spectator could not have kept track of them, and then Alvin "got there." -The thud was followed by an almost complete somersault of the victim. -The master was prompted to push his success by attacking his enemy -before he could rise, but another law flashed upon Alvin. "Never strike -a man when he is down," a chivalrous policy when the rules of the game -govern both contestants. It was doubtful whether Alvin would have -received similar consideration had the situation been reversed, but he -could not feel sure of that until the proof was given. He therefore -calmly waited for the other to rise, when he would be upon him like a -tiger. - -A minute or two passed before the fallen one recovered enough to begin -climbing to his feet. He could have risen sooner, but deceived his -conqueror by feigning weakness and fumbled aimlessly about as if too -groggy to get his bearings. But he was helping in a treacherous trick. - -As Alvin stood, his back was toward the first miscreant, who recovered -from his stupor while his companion still lay on the ground. Our young -friend gave no thought to the one, whom he believed to be out of the -affair altogether. - -The same young man, however, gave quick thought to him. Bounding to his -feet he sneaked up unseen and struck a blow that drove Alvin forward so -violently that he had to make a leap over the second assailant to avoid -falling upon him. It was a wonder that he was not struck down senseless. -As it was, he was partially stunned, but rallied in a flash. - -Now it would have been sensible and no disgrace to the heroic lad, when -he found himself confronted by two muscular and enraged youths, to dash -at full speed for home. But he did nothing of the kind. - -"Come on, both of you!" he called out. "I'm not afraid and you haven't -got me yet!" - -It would be a pleasure to record that our young friend defeated the -couple, but such a triumph in the nature of things was impossible. -Either of them would have given him all he could do, and the two united -were sure to overcome him. With his stubborn resolve to have it out with -them he must have suffered but for an unexpected turn of events. - -You remember that a third stranger was approaching from the other -direction. In the hurricane rush of the fight, Alvin forgot about him, -but he now arrived and threw himself with a vengeance into the affray. -His bursting upon the scene convinced the lone defender that the time -had come to show his ability as a sprinter. While quite ready to oppose -two, he knew he could not stand up against three. Before he started, -however, he saw with a thrill that the new arrival had attacked with -unrestrainable fierceness the one who had just struck Alvin. In other -words, instead of being an enemy he was a much-needed ally. - -This stranger did not utter a word at first, but attended strictly to -business, and that he was a master of it was proved by his first blow, -which sent the fellow staggering backward finally falling with his heels -kicking toward the orb of night. There was no thought of chivalry on the -part of the conquerer, who landed again as he was climbing to his feet. - -"Let up!" protested the victim. "Do you want to kill a fellow?" - -"Begorrah, ye guessed it right the fust time!" was the reply of the -friend, who turned to Alvin: - -"If ye'll smash that spalpeen I'll be attending to the same wid this -one." - -The slight diversion was enough to give the dazed victim on the ground -time to come to his feet, when he turned and was off like a deer in the -direction whence had come his conqueror. Determined not to be despoiled -of his victory, the Irish lad--as his accent showed him to be--pursued -at the highest bent of speed. But his short legs were not equal to the -task, and the terrified assailant made such excellent time that a few -minutes sufficed to carry him beyond all danger. The "broth of a boy" -would not give up at first. The two held their places in the middle of -the highway, so that both were in plain sight, with the fugitive -steadily drawing away. - -"Howld on, ye spalpeen!" shouted the pursuer. "I'm not through wid ye!" - -But he who fled was glad enough to be through with the business, and -kept up his desperate flight until the other ceased and turned back to -learn how matters were going with the friend to whose aid he had -rushed. - -A somewhat similar story was to be told of the second miscreant, who had -seized the chance to take to flight in the opposite direction. In this -case, the fleet footed Alvin proved the superior in speed and within a -hundred yards overtook him. The moment he was within reach he let drive -and his fist landed in the back of the other's neck. Inasmuch as he was -going at his highest speed and the blow sent his head and shoulders -forward with additional swiftness, the inevitable result was that he -fell, his face plowing the dirt and his hat flying a dozen feet from -him. - -Before he could rise, Alvin was upon him. The fellow threw up his hands -to protect his countenance and whined: - -"Please don't hit me again! I'm half killed now!" - -The cringing appeal changed Alvin's indignation to disgusted pity. He -unclenched his fingers and dropped his hands. - -"Get up! I won't hit you, though you deserve it." - -His victim seemed to be in doubt and slowly came to his feet still -whining: - -"We didn't know it was you; it was a mistake." - -"It does look that way," was the grim comment of Alvin. "Get up, I say; -you have nothing to fear from me." - -The fellow was in doubt. He slowly rose, but the instant he stood erect, -he was off again as if propelled from a catapult. Alvin, instead of -pursuing and overtaking him, stood still and laughed. - -"Come back and get your hat!" he shouted, but the fugitive did not abate -his speed and made the dust fly until he vanished in the moonlight. - -Yielding to an impulse, Alvin walked to where the headgear lay and -picked it up. It was a valuable chip hat, such as is fashionable in -summer in all parts of the country. The captor was wondering whether it -contained the fellow's name. The moonlight was not strong enough for him -to see distinctly, and, bringing out his rubber safe from his hip -pocket, he struck a match to aid in the scrutiny. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -MIKE MURPHY - - -Holding the tiny flicker of flame in the hollow of the hat, Alvin saw in -fancy gilt letters, pasted on the silk lining, the following: - -"NOXON O" - -"That's a queer name," he reflected. "I never heard anything like it." - -"Do ye know ye're holding the same upside down?" - -The Irish lad, panting from his exertion in running, stood grinning at -Alvin's elbow. "'Spose ye turns the hat round so as to revarse the -same." - -Alvin did so and then read "O NOXON." - -"It's the oddest name I ever saw, for 'NOXON' reads the same upside down -and backwards--Ugh!" - -Seized with a sudden loathing, he sent the hat skimming a dozen feet -away. His feeling was as if he had grasped a serpent. Then he turned -and impulsively offered his hand to the Irish lad. - -"Shake! You were a friend in need." - -"It's mesilf that's under deep obligations to yersilf." - -"How do you make that out?" - -"Didn't ye give me the finest chance for a shindy that I've had since I -lift Tipperary? I haven't had so much fun since Pat Geoghaghan almost -whaled the life out of me at home." - -"Who are you?" - -"Mike Murphy, at your sarvice." - -And the grinning lad lifted his straw hat and bowed with the grace of a -crusader. - -"Where do you live?" - -"Up the road a wee bit, wid me father and mither." - -"Are you the son of Pat Murphy?" asked the astonished Alvin. - -"He has the honor, according to his own story, of being me dad." - -"Why, he's father's caretaker. I remember he told me some time ago that -he had a boy seventeen years old that he had sent word to in Ireland to -come over and join him. And you are he! Why, I'm so glad I should like -to shake hands with you again." - -"I'm nothing loath, but I say that hat ye threw away is more of the -fashion in this part of the wurruld than in Tipperary, and if ye have no -objections I'll make a trade." - -And the Irish lad walked to where the headgear lay, picked it up and -pulled it on his crown. - -"It's a parfect fit--as the tramp said when he bounced around the kind -leddy's yard--don't I look swaat in the same?" - -Alvin could not help laughing outright, for the hat was at least a size -too small for the proud new owner, and perched on his crown made his -appearance more comical than it had been formed by nature. - -"I knew ye would be plased, as me uncle said when the docther towld him -he would be able to handle his shillaleh inside of a waak and meet his -engagement with Dennis O'Shaugnessey at Donnybrook fair. Me dad tached -me always to be honest." - -To prove which Mike laid down his battered straw hat beside the road, -where the seeker of the better headgear would have no trouble in -finding it. "And if it's all the same, Alvin, we'll adjourn to our home, -for I'm so hungry I could ate me own grandmither." - -"How did you know my name?" asked the surprised Alvin. - -"Arrah, now, hasn't me dad and mither been writing me since they moved -into this part of the wurruld and spaking of yersilf? It was yer telling -me that me dad was your dad's caretaker that towld the rist. Ef I had -known it was yersilf I would have hit that spalpeen harder." - -"You did well as it was. But I say, Mike, when did you arrive in Maine?" - -"Only three days since. Having had directions from me dad, as soon as I -got ashore in New York I made fur the railway station, where I wint to -slaap in the cars and woke up in Portland. Thar I had time to ate -breakfast and ride in the train to Bath, where I meant to board the -steamboat _Gardiner_. I had half a minute to sprint down the hill to the -wharf, but the time was up before I got there and the men pulled in the -plank when I was twinty faat away. I'm told the Captain niver tarries -ten seconds for anybody." - -"That's true," replied Alvin, "for I have seen him steam away when by -waiting half a minute he would have gained five or six passengers." - -"So I had to tarry for the other steamer, which lift me off at -Southport, and I walked the rist of the way to the home of me parents. I -mind dad towld me the same was four or five miles, but I think it was -six hundred full. I found me parents yesterday." - -"I remember now that your father said he expected you about this time, -but it had slipped my mind, and having been away all day I had no chance -to learn of your coming. But I can tell you, Mike, I'm mighty glad to -know you." - -"The same to yersilf," was the hearty response of the Irish lad. In -fact, considering the circumstances in which the two met, to say nothing -of their congenial dispositions, nothing was more natural than that they -should form a strong liking for each other. They walked side by side, -sometimes in the dusty road or over the well-marked path on the right or -left, and talking of everything that came into their minds. - -"How was it you happened to be passing over this road to-night when I -found myself in so great need of you?" asked Alvin. - -"Me dad sint me this noon down to Cape Newagen to inquire for some -letters he didn't ixpect, and then to keep on to Squirrel Island and buy -him a pound of 'bacca and to be sure to walk all the way and be back in -time for supper, which I much fear me I sha'n't be able to do." - -"How did you make out?" asked the amused Alvin. - -"As well as might be ixpected," gravely replied Mike, "being there ain't -any store at Cape Newagen and I should have to walk under water for near -two miles or swim to Squirrel Island, barring the fact that I can't swim -a stroke to save me life." - -"What did your father mean by sending you on such a fool errand?" - -Mike chuckled. - -"It was a joke on me. I've tried to break him of the habit, but he can't -help indulging in the same whin he gits the chance. He was so glad to -have me wid him that he found an excuse for whaling me afore last night -and then played this trick on me." - -"Didn't your mother tell you better?" - -"Arrah, but she's worse nor him; she said I would enj'y the walk and I -may say I did though I couldn't extind the same as far as they had -planned for me. Can you suggist something I kin do, Alvin, by the which -I can git aven wid the owld folks fur the fun they've had wid me?" - -"I am not able to think of anything just now." - -"Ah, I have it!" broke in the Irish youth, snapping his fingers. "It has -been the rule all me life that whin I got into a fight I must report the -whole sarcumstances of the same to dad. If I licked the other chap, it -was all right and he or mither give me an extra pratie at dinner, but if -I was bested, then dad made himself tired using his strap over me back -and legs. He's in high favor of me exercising my fists on others, but -never will agraa that I don't do a hanus wrong when I git licked. 'It's -such a bad habit,' he explains, that it's his dooty to whale it out of -me." - -"What has your fight to-night to do with playing a joke on him?" - -"Why, don't you see that I'll make him think fur a time that it was -mesilf that was knocked skyhigh, and after he's lambasted me till he -can't do so any more, and I kin hardly stand, you and me will tell him -the truth." - -"Where will be the joke in that? It seems to me it will be wholly on -you." - -"Don't ye observe that he and mither will feel so bad whin they find how -they have aboosed me that they'll give me two praties instid of one and -then I'll have the laugh on them." - -"It takes an Irishman or Irish boy to think up such a joke as that," was -the comment of Alvin, as the two just then came in sight of the small -log structure in which Pat Murphy and his wife made their home, while a -light twinkled beyond from the windows of the larger building, where -Alvin lived with his parents during the summer. A half mile to the south -toward Cape Newagen was the more moderate dwelling, during the sultry -season, of Chester Haynes, his chum from whom he had parted an hour or -two previous to making the acquaintance of Mike Murphy. As they drew -near the structure, Mike stepped in front and opened the door, with -Alvin at his heels. Within, sat the father calmly smoking his pipe, -while his tall, muscular but pleasant-faced wife by the table in the -middle of the room with spectacles on her nose was busily sewing. The -light was acetylene, furnished from the same source that supplied the -large bungalow only a few paces distant. - -"Good evening, Pat, and the top of the evening to you, Mrs. Murphy. You -see I have brought Mike safely home to you." - -Alvin was a favorite with the couple, who warmly greeted him. The boy -was fond of calling at the humble dwelling and chatting with the two. -Sometimes he took a meal with them, insisting that the food was much -better than was provided by the professional chef in his own home. No -surer means of reaching the heart of the honest woman could have been -thought of, and though she insisted that the lad had kissed the blarney -stone, she was none the less pleased by his kind words. - -"Mither, I'm that near starved," said Mike, dropping into the nearest -chair, "that I should perish if I had a dozen more paces to walk." - -"Yer supper has been waiting for more than an hour, and if ye'll pass -into the kitchen ye may eat your fill." - -Mike took a step in the direction, but was halted by his father. - -"Where is the 'bacca I ordered ye to bring from Squirrel Island?" - -"They're out of the kind ye smoke, dad, and that which the storekeeper -showed me was that poor I wouldn't have anything to do wid the same." - -"And the litters at Cape Newagen?" - -"They're expicting the one from King George that ye were looking fur, -but it won't be in until the next steamer." - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -A LOAN TO CAPTAIN LANDON - - -The elder Murphy looked at his son with a quizzical expression and then -glanced at the hat which had been hung on a peg behind the door. - -"And where did ye get that?" - -"Traded me owld one for it, but I had to go through a foight before the -ither chap would give his consint." - -The father's face brightened. - -"So ye've been in anither foight, have ye, and only well landed in -Ameriky." - -"I niver had a foiner one," replied the son, still standing in the open -door which led to the kitchen; "it makes me heart glad when I think of -the same." - -"And which licked?" - -Mike was quick to seize the opportunity for which he was waiting. With a -downcast expression, he humbly asked: - -"Do ye expict me to win _ivery_ time, dad?" - -"Av coorse I do; haven't I trained ye up to that shtyle of fightin'?" - -"Suppose, dad, the ither chap is bigger and stronger--what do ye ixpict -of me?" - -"Ye know yoursilf what to expict when ye disgraces the name of Murphy." - -Laying his pipe on the table beside which his wife was sitting, the -parent grimly rose and moved toward the door on the other side of the -room that opened into the small apartment where the firewood was stored -from wetting by rain. The three knew the meaning of the movement: he was -seeking the heavy strap that was looped over a big spike. He had brought -it from Tipperary two years before and must have kept it against the -coming of his heir, knowing he would have use for it. - -"Have done wid yer supper," he said to Mike, "and after the same, I'll -do me dooty by ye." - -The grinning lad was still standing in the kitchen door. The action of -his father turned his back toward the youth, who winked at Alvin, -stepped across the threshold and sat down at the end of the table where -he was in sight, but the greater portion of the table itself was hidden. - -Although the moonlight had given the visitor a good view of his young -friend, the glow of the lamp now showed his face and features with the -distinctness of midday. Alvin was sure he had never seen so homely a -youth. The countenance was broad and covered with so many freckles that -they showed on the tips of his large ears. The nose was an emphatic pug, -and the mouth wide and filled with large white teeth, upon which no -dentist could have found a pin speck. His short hair was the color of a -well burned brick, stood straight up from the crown and projected like -quills from the sides of his head, his complexion being of the same hue -as the hair. - -Although of stocky build, being hardly as tall as Alvin, the frame of -the Irish youth was a model of strength and grace. There were few of his -age who in a rough and tumble bout could hold their own with him. The -night being sultry, he wore no coat or waistcoat, but the shirt, -guiltless of tie, was clean, as were the trousers supported by a belt -encircling the sturdy waist. His dusty tan shoes were neatly tied and -the yellow socks which matched them could not have been less soiled. - -The best "feature" about Mike Murphy was his good nature. His spirits -were irrepressible, and he was always ready with quip and wit. Looking -into the broad shining face one was reminded of the remark made about -Abraham Lincoln: he was so homely that he crossed the line and became -handsome. - -Alvin's chair being near the front door with Mike in plain sight, he -kept his eyes upon him for a minute or two. He saw him reach his fork -across the table and bring a huge baked potato to his plate. He twisted -it apart in the middle so as to expose the flaky whiteness and then -snapped the fingers of both hands at his sides. With a grin he looked at -Alvin and asked: - -"Do ye know what's the hottest thing in the wurruld?" - -"How about a live coal of fire?" - -"Arrah, now, it's the inside of a baked pratie; a coal of fire is a -cooling breeze alongside the same. Be the same towken, can ye tell me -the cowldest thing on airth?" - -"A piece of ice will do very well." - -"Ye're off: it's the handle of a pitchfork on a frosty mornin'; if ye -don't belave it try the expirimint for yersilf. But I must attind to -plaisure, as me cousin said whin he grabbed his shillaleh and attacked -his loved brother." - -Mike now gave his whole attention to the meal. When it is remembered -that he was ravenously hungry and the provision bountiful, enough is -said. His father came back into the sitting room, tossed the heavy strap -on the stand, beside which his wife was still serenely sewing, picked up -his pipe and by sucking vigorously upon it renewed the fire that had -nearly gone out. He crossed his legs and slowly rocked to and fro, -glancing hospitably at Alvin. - -While the latter was greatly amused by what he had seen and heard, he -was also distressed for his friend Mike, whose idea of a joke was -unique. There could be no mistaking the meaning of his father's -actions. The son was due for a sharp castigation and was certain to -receive it unless the caller interposed with a truthful statement of the -recent occurrence. - -Alvin rose from his chair and stepping to the kitchen door, gently -closed it. Mrs. Murphy looked up through her spectacles. - -"I don't wonder that ye wants to shet out the noise Mike makes whin -aiting, fur the same is scand'lous." - -"It isn't that, but I don't wish him to hear what I say to you." - -"Shall I tell him to hold a finger of aich hand in his ears while he's -aiting?" asked the mother without a smile. - -"He might find that inconvenient. Mike told you the truth when he said -he was in a fight to-night." - -"I don't doubt the same, but I demands to know why he 'lowed himself to -git licked?" said the father, with no little heat. - -"He wasn't licked: it was the other fellow who got the worst of it." - -"Why, thin, did the spalpeen say it was himself that was bested?" - -"Begging your pardon, Pat, he did not. He stated a general truth, which -no one can deny, to the effect that a fellow like him takes a chance of -being defeated now and then. Listen to my story." - -Thereupon Alvin related the incidents with which you are familiar, -adding: - -"If it hadn't been for Mike's arrival and his brave fight in my behalf, -I should have been badly beaten and robbed. The first wretch even fired -a pistol during the rumpus." - -"Did he kill aither of ye?" asked the startled father. - -"The shot was not aimed at me or him, but was meant to scare me into -stopping and giving up. If I had thought of it I should have taken the -weapon from him and given it to Mike. Let me tell you," added Alvin -impressively, "both of you ought to be proud of such a son as Mike." - -"So we are," quietly remarked the mother, without looking up or checking -her flying needle. - -"There isn't a pluckier lad in the world. He came to my help like a -whirlwind, and the way he sailed into the fellow who struck me from -behind showed Mike to be a hero." - -The father reached out and grasped the loop of leather lying on the -stand. Rising to his feet he passed into the small room where the stove -wood was piled and hung the strap again upon the metal peg. As he came -back and resumed his seat he sighed. It looked as if he was -disappointed. - -"What do you intend to do with him, Pat?" - -"Train him up in the way he should go. Whin the school opens at -Southport he will attind there, and whin he's at home I'll find enough -to kaap him out of mischief." - -"School will not open until September, which is several weeks away. I -want you to lend Mike to me until then." - -Mrs. Murphy stopped her sewing for the moment and looked at their -visitor. Her husband removed the pipe from his mouth and also stared at -him. - -"Lind him to ye!" he repeated. "And phwat would you do wid him?" - -"You know father bought me a motor boat, which arrived a few days ago. -Chester Haynes and I have had great fun cruising up the Kennebec and -different bays and streams, and we are going to keep at it until we have -to go home. We want Mike to join us and share our sport, just as long as -Chester and I are in this part of the world. You won't refuse me the -favor?" - -It was evident that the parents were pleased with the request. The proud -mother said: - -"Mike is so gintle that he'll be a good companion for anyone." - -"Yis; because of his gintleness," repeated the father grimly. "But it -saams to me ye're too kind, Alvin; he won't be able to airn his kaap and -the indulgence ye'll give him." - -"Won't earn them! Why, we don't intend to hire him; it's the pleasure we -shall have in the company of such a good fellow as Mike. Besides," added -Alvin, lowering his voice, "I have a feeling that we're not through with -those two fellows who attacked me to-night. Mike won't be satisfied -until he has paid the one who ran away from him and left his hat -behind." - -"Ye're wilcome to the lad," assented his father, "and I take it as very -good on yer part, which is what ivery one has a right to ixpict from -yersilf and father." - -"No blarneying, Pat," protested their caller. "I am obliged to you for -granting my request, for the favor will be wholly given to us." - -"Now it's yersilf that's blarneying," said Pat. - -The kitchen door softly opened and the grinning, red-faced Mike came -into the room and sat down near his young friend. - -"I overheerd ivery word that was said, Captain, and it's Mike Murphy -that's thankful for yer kindness. I'm wid ye to the ind." - -The others laughed at the use of the title by the Irish youth, who -explained: - -"Av coorse it's 'Captain Landon,' being that ye're the owner of the -motor boat, as ye calls the same." - -"And you shall be my first mate," said Alvin. - -"Won't Chister, as ye name him, be jealous and indulge in mootiny?" - -"No fear of that; we'll satisfy him by making him second mate, while all -three will form the crew. And now I must bid you good night. I shall -call for you as soon as we are through breakfast to-morrow morning." - -With which our young friend went to his own home. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -A MOTOR BOAT - - -The first time you stepped aboard a motor boat you were impressed by the -looks of the engine and the numerous appliances which when rightly -handled drive the craft through the water at the rate of ten, fifteen, -twenty and sometimes more miles an hour. You thought it would be hard to -learn to manage the boat and know how to overcome the different kinds of -trouble that are almost certain to arise. But the task, after all, is -simple and with patience you can soon master it. - -In the first place let us find out the principle which governs the -smooth, swift progress of the structure. I shall be as brief and pointed -as possible. - -As a foundation, we need a good supply of clean, strained gasoline in -the tank. Unless the fluid is free from all impurities it is likely to -clog and interfere with the working of the machinery. The tank is so -placed that its elevation is sufficient to cause the gasoline to flow by -gravity through the pipe, which is connected by an automatic valve with -the carburettor, admitting just enough to answer the purpose desired. As -the gasoline is sprayed into the carburettor a quantity of air is drawn -in from the outside. The two mingle and form a highly explosive gas. To -start, you give the fly-wheel a rapid swing, which causes the piston to -move downward. This action sucks the gaseous mixture into the cylinder -through the inlet valve. The further movement of the fly-wheel causes -the piston to move upward, compressing the gas into small volume. While -the gas is thus compressed it is exploded by means of an electric spark. -The violent expansion of the burning gas drives the piston downward with -great force. The movement opens the exhaust valve, the burnt gases -escape through the exhaust pipe and the fresh mixture is drawn in again -to be compressed and exploded as before. If the engine has more than one -cylinder the same process is repeated in each one. This is the -operation which is continued so long as the supply of gasoline holds -out. - -In the steam engine the vapor acts alternately on each side of the -piston head, but in motor boats and automobiles it acts only on one -side. The speed with which this is done is amazing and the same may be -said of the steam engine. - -The swift rise and fall of the piston acting through the connecting rod -turns the shaft directly below, which whirls the screw around at the -stern. The electric spark that explodes the vapor is generated by a dry -battery or by a magneto-electric machine driven by the motor itself. -There is also the "make and break" spark, to which we need give no -attention. The two ends of the wires in the spark plug which is screwed -into the cylinder are separated by a space barely the twentieth part of -an inch, across which the spark leaps, giving out an intensely hot -flash. - -You understand, of course, that I have given simply the principle and -method of operation of the engine belonging to a motor boat. There are -many parts that must operate smoothly and with the minimum of friction. -Lubricating oil is as essential as gasoline; the ignition battery must -be kept dry; you must know how to operate the reversing lever, to shut -off, to start and to hold the desired speed. Except when racing or under -some pressing necessity, the swiftest progress is rarely attained, for -it is trying to all parts of the engine and consumes a good deal of -fuel, which cannot be bought for a trifling price. - -You would be confused by any attempt on my part to give a technical -description of all the motor appliances, nor is there need to do so. If -you have just bought a motor boat, you will be taught how to control and -manage it by a practical instructor, and such instruction is better than -pages of directions. To show the truth of what I have just said, I will -quote a single paragraph from the description of the boat concerning -which I shall have a good deal to say in the course of my story. - -"The keel is of white oak, with specially bent elm frames. Planking of -selected Laguna mahogany, finished thickness one-half inch, in narrow -strakes and uniform seams, secured to frames by copper boat nails, -riveted over copper washers, all fastenings being of bronze or copper to -withstand salt water. Seams of hull caulked with special cotton payed -and puttied. Outside of mahogany planking, finished in natural wood with -spar varnish. Watertight bulkheads fore and aft which assist in floating -the launch in case of accident. Decks and interior woodwork finished in -selected Laguna mahogany. Steam bent quartered oak or mahogany coaming -extending around cockpit." - -Alvin Landon's launch was thirty-five feet long, with six-cylinder, -sixty-horse power motor and a guaranteed speed of twenty-four miles an -hour. The motor was placed under the forward deck, where it was fully -protected by a hinged metal deck. To become somewhat technical again let -me proceed: - -All the valves were placed on the same side, the camshaft (operating -the valves) as well as the pump shaft being mounted on ball bearings. -The crankcase was of tough aluminum alloy, and lubrication was well -provided for, being kept at a constant level in the crankcase by a -geared oil pump. A gear-driven pump circulated the necessary cooling -water for the cylinders, which passed out through the copper exhaust -pipe at the stern. Only one operating lever was employed and that was -placed directly at the helmsman's left hand. The gasoline tank contained -fifty gallons and was under the after deck with a pan below it for -safety's sake, draining overboard. The propeller wheel and shaft were of -bronze. - -Alvin's motor boat, thus partially described, included the necessary -deck hardware, "such as brass chocks and cleats, flag pole sockets and -flag poles, ventilators to engine compartment, rubber matting for floor, -cushions and upholstered backs for seats, three sailing lights, oars, -rowlocks and sockets, compressed air whistle with tank, two pairs of -cork fenders, bell, foghorn, boat hook and portable bilge pump, six -life preservers (as required by the U. S. Government), a twenty-pound -folding anchor and a hundred feet of strong manila rope." - -We must not forget the glass wind-shield. Passengers and crew were -always guarded against flying spray and sweep of wind and rain. Nothing -that forethought could provide for the safety and comfort of all was -forgotten. - -Suppose young Captain Landon stepped on board the _Deerfoot_ with the -intention of starting out on a cruise. He would first turn on the switch -which controls the electric current for the jump spark, open the valve -that allows the gasoline to flow from the tank into the carburettor, -swing around the fly-wheel and then assume charge of the lever and -steering gear. But lo! the engine refuses to respond. There is no -motion. What is the cause? - -There may be a dozen of them. In the first place, the battery may be -worn out; there may be a lack of compression due to leaky valves; -perhaps, after all, he forgot to place the switch key in position; the -spark plugs may be fouled or cracked, the gasoline shut off, the gas -mixture imperfect, no gasoline in the tank, water in the cylinder caused -by a leak from the water jacket, or water in the gasoline. - -It may be that when the launch has covered a good many miles the engine -suddenly stops. The cause may be faulty ignition, because of a -disconnected wire or a loose terminal, exhaustion of the gasoline, or -derangement of the magneto, or poor carburettor adjustment. - -But I have said enough to give you an idea of what the expert handler of -a motor boat must understand. It may seem almost a hopeless task, but, -as I stated at the beginning of this chapter, patience and application -will enable you to overcome all difficulties and make the handling of -the craft an unalloyed pleasure. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -CAPTAIN AND CREW - - -When the elder Landon received a report from the principal of the -military school on the Hudson to the effect that Alvin led all his -classmates in their studies and had not once been brought under -discipline, he was glad to fulfil the promise made months before, and -bought him a handsome motor launch, the selection of which was left to -the youth himself. The craft was shipped to Portland, Maine, there set -afloat in the capacious bay and sped northeastward for forty miles or -so, to the bungalow which the banker had erected a year before on -Southport Island. The retreat was to be used by him and his family as a -restful refuge from the feverish work which kept him in New York most of -the year, with occasional flying trips to the great cities in the West -or as far as the Pacific coast. - -One condition the parent insisted upon: Alvin was not to run the launch -alone until an expert pronounced him qualified to do so. Thus it was -that when the boat headed up Casco Bay, Captain Abe Daboll, from the -factory, was aboard and directed things. He had overseen the -construction of the launch and knew all about it from stem to stern. He -was there under engagement to deliver it to the bungalow, or rather as -near as he could approach the building, and to remain and instruct Alvin -in every point necessary for him to know. - -Several facts joined to make the youth an apt pupil. He was naturally -bright and was intensely interested in all that related to motor boats. -While awaiting the completion of his launch, he read and studied many -catalogues, circulars and books relating to such craft, and rode in a -number. He asked questions and studied the working of the machinery and -handling of the launch until his instructor looked at him in wonderment. - -"I never saw your equal," he said admiringly; "by and by you will be -answering _my_ questions and telling _me_ how to run things." - -The smiling youth knew this was exaggeration, for something new seemed -to be turning up continually, and there were turns where he thought he -knew the way, only to find when put to the test that he was totally -ignorant. But as I said, he learned fast and after a week's stay at the -home of Mr. Landon, during every day of which--excepting Sunday--the two -went on a cruise with Alvin at the helm, the man said that nothing more -remained for him to show his pupil. This remark followed a stormy day -when the launch went far south beyond Damariscove Island and was caught -in a rough sea. - -"It was the real test," said the expert to the banker. "I never raised -my hand or made a suggestion when we were plunging through the big seas, -for neither was necessary. You needn't be afraid to trust yourself with -him anywhere and in any weather." - -Now that I am through with my rather lengthy, but perhaps necessary -introduction, let us proceed with the story I have set out to tell. - -On the morning following the battle of Alvin with his assailants, and -his pleasing meeting with Mike Murphy, the youth called at the home of -the Irish lad, carrying in his hand a yachting cap in addition to the -one he wore on his own head. Across the front were the gilt letters -_Deerfoot_. - -"I bought an extra one when I had my suit made," he explained, "and it -looks to me as if it will fit you. A straw hat isn't handy to wear when -sailing, even though you may loop the string around its band into your -button hole. If the season was not so far along, I should order a -yachting suit for you, Mike. You know a mate ought to be in uniform. But -we shall have to wait till next summer." - -The grinning lad gingerly took the white cap in hand, turned it about -and then pulled it over his crown. He was in front of his own home, and -his father as he smoked his pipe looked on, the mother being out of -sight within the house. The headgear fitted perfectly. - -"It's a pity to waste such fine wear on the hid of so ugly looking a -spalpeen," remarked the father; "in trooth it ill becomes him." - -"How can ye have the heart to blame me, dad, that I was born wid such a -close resimblance to yersilf that if we was the same age mither couldn't -till us apart?" - -The parent was about to reply to this personal remark, but ignored his -offspring and spoke to Alvin. - -"Ye have a foine day for a sail, Captain." - -"It is perfect." - -"And Chister Haynes goes wid yes?" - -"We are partners all the way through and he's expecting me." - -"The sicond mate hasn't the honor of an acquaintance with the first -mate, but it won't take us long to larn aich ither's ways," said Mike, -bubbling over with high spirits and the promise of a day of rare -enjoyment. "The mate hasn't the right to make suggistions to the -captain, but if he had he would venture to obsarve that he is wasting -vallyble time talking wid a gentleman who can't tell a gasoline launch -from a lobster pot----" - -"Be the same token he can till a lobster when he sees him," exclaimed -the parent in pretended wrath, making a dive for his son, who eluded him -by darting into the highway. Alvin waved a good-by to Pat and the youths -hurried away, anxious to be out on the water. - -While following the road toward the home of Chester Haynes, Mike took -off his cap and admiringly surveyed it. He noted the patent leather -visor, the gilt buttons to which the chin strap was attached, and then -spelled out the name on the front. - -"I 'spose that is what your boat is called, Captain?" he remarked -inquiringly. - -"Yes; you know it's the fashion for sailors on a man-of-war thus to show -the name of the ship to which they belong." - -"But why didn't the sign painter git the word roight?" - -"What do you mean, Mike? Isn't that the correct way to spell -'_Deerfoot_'?" - -"I 'spose the first part might go, as me uncle obsarved whin the front -of his shanty fell down, but the rear is wrong." - -"You mean 'foot.' What is wrong about it?" - -"The same should be 'fut': that's the way we spell it in Ireland." - -"We have a different method here," gravely remarked Alvin. - -"And if I may ask, Captain, where did you git the name from?" - -"Have you ever read about Deerfoot the Shawanoe? He was such a wonderful -young Indian that I guess he never lived. But Chester and I became fond -of him, and when Chester thought it would be a good idea to name the -boat for him I was glad to do so." - -"Deerfut the Shenanigan," repeated Mike. "Where can I maat the -gintleman?" - -"Oh, he's been dead these many years,--long before you or I was born." - -"Wurrah, wurrah, what a pity!" and Mike sighed as if from regret. "Are -you sure that isn't him that's coming up the road?" - -A youth of about the age of Alvin, but of lighter build, and dressed -like him in yachting costume, came into sight around a slight bend in -the highway. - -"That's Chester; he's so anxious to take advantage of this beautiful day -that he has come to meet us, though he might have used the boat for part -of the way since he is well able to handle it." - -A few minutes later Chester and Mike were introduced. No one could help -being pleased with the good-natured Irish youth, and the two warmly -shook hands. - -"Mike did me such a fine service last night that I must tell you about -it," remarked Alvin as the three walked southward. - -"Arrah, now, ye make me blush," protested Mike, "as I said whin they -crowned me Queen of May in the owld counthry." - -Alvin, however, related the whole story and you may be sure it lost none -in the narration. Mike insisted that the Captain had done a great deal -more than he to bring about a glorious victory. - -"I believe every word Alvin has told me," was the comment of Chester; -"and I am proud to have you with us as a friend." - -"Such being the case," added Alvin, "I have as a slight token of my -appreciation, made Mike my first mate, with you as second, and all three -as the crew of the _Deerfoot_." - -"There couldn't be a finer appointment," assented Chester. "I suppose, -Mate Murphy, you know all about sailing a boat?" - -"I larned the trade in the owld counthry, by sailing me mither's old -shoe in a tub of water; I 'spose the same is all that is nicessary." - -"That is sufficient, but," and the manner of Chester was grave, "you two -make light of what is a pretty serious matter. That attack upon you was -a crime that ought to be punished." - -"I'm thinking it _has_ been," said Mike; "I belave the rapscallions are -of the same mind." - -"No doubt they meant to rob you." - -"And would have succeeded but for Mike. We never saw them before, have -no idea who they are, or how they came to be in this part of Maine, nor -where they have gone." - -"Would you know either if you met him by day?" - -"I am not sure, though the moonlight gave me a pretty fair view. It -wasn't a time for a calm inspection." - -"I'm sure I would know the chap that I had the run in wid," said Mike. - -"How?" - -"By his black eye and smashed nose." - -"They might help. They were dressed well, but I can't understand what -caused them to visit Southport and to lie in wait for me." - -"Have there been any burglaries or robberies in the neighborhood?" - -"None, so far as I have heard. You know there have been a number of post -office robberies among the towns to the north, but it can't be that -those two fellows have had anything to do with them." - -"Probably not, and yet it is not impossible. I often wonder why there -are not more crimes of that kind at the seaside and mountain resorts, -where there are so many opportunities offered. The couple you ran -against may belong to some gang who have decided to change their field -of operations." - -"If so we shall soon hear of them again." - -"Arrah, now, if we could only maat them agin!" sighed the wistful Mike. -"It would make me young once more." - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -ONE AUGUST DAY - - -"Well, here we are!" - -It was Captain Alvin Landon who uttered the exclamation as the three -came to a halt on the shore at the point nearest the moorings of the -gasoline launch _Deerfoot_, left there the night before. - -She made a pretty picture, with her graceful lines, shining varnish, -polished brass work and cleanliness everywhere. The steersman in the -cockpit was guarded by a wind-shield of thick glass. At the stern -floated a flag displaying an anchor surrounded by a circle of stars with -the stripes as shown in our national emblem. At the bow flew a burgee or -small swallow-tailed flag of blue upon which was the word _Deerfoot_ in -gold. The bunting was always taken in when the boat lay up for the -night, but in daytime and in clear weather it was displayed on the -launch. - -Not only could one sleep with some comfort on such a craft by using the -convertible seats, but food could be prepared on an oil stove. In -cruising, however, among the numerous islands and bays, it was so easy -to go ashore for an excellent meal that Captain Landon followed the -rule. - -The water was so deep close to land that the three easily sprang aboard, -the Captain being last in order to cast off the line that held the boat -in place. It was the first time that Mike Murphy had ever placed foot on -a craft of that nature. While Chester hustled about, Alvin quickly -joining him, he gaped around in silent amazement. He felt that in his -ignorance of everything the best course for him was to do nothing -without the advice of his young friends. He sank down gingerly on one of -the seats and watched them. - -He saw the Captain thrust the switch plug into place, though with no -idea of what he meant by doing so, while Chester took a peep into the -gasoline tank in the stern. Then Alvin opened the hinged deck which -covered the big six cylinder motor, climbed forward to the fly-wheel, -and swung it back and forth until it circled over. Instantly there -followed a smooth whirr, and he closed the forward deck over the motor -and took his seat behind the wind-shield where he grasped the wheel -which, as on an automobile, controlled the steering gear. The control -lever, as has been stated, was on his left. Alvin pushed this forward -until the clutch took hold, and with a churning of the screw at the -stern the boat moved ahead and quickly attained a good degree of speed. -The wind was so slight that the surface of the water was scarcely -rippled, and no motion could be felt except the vibration of the -powerful engine. - -The bow and stern lines having been neatly coiled down and everything -being adjusted, with Captain Alvin seated and loosely grasping the -steering wheel, the two mates took their places behind him, prepared to -enjoy the outing to the full. Youth, high health, with every surrounding -circumstance favorable--what can bring more happiness to a human being? -They come to us only once and let us make the most of them. - -"Is it permitted to spake to the man at the wheel?" called Mike to the -Captain, who, looking over his shoulder, nodded his head. - -"So long as you speak good sense." - -"Which the same is what I does always; why couldn't ye take a run over -to Ireland this morning, now that ye are headed that way?" - -"It's worth thinking about, but we shall have to wait till another time. -Better become acquainted with a part of the Maine coast first." - -The launch was speeding to the northeast in the direction of Squirrel -Island, which has long been one of the most popular of summer resorts. -This beautiful spot is not quite a mile long and has a varied scenery -that surprises every one who visits the place. The deep water around the -wharf is as clear as crystal, so that at high tide one can look down and -see clearly the rocky bottom twenty feet below. The coast abounds with -prodigious rocks tumbled together by some stupendous convulsion of -nature and against which the waves dash with amazing power during a -storm, and throw the spray high in air and far inland. There are shady -woods of balsam and fir where one may stroll in the cool twilight over -the velvet carpet, meandering along the bewitching "Lover's Walk," with -which nearly every section is provided, or threading his way through the -dense bushes which brush him lovingly as he follows the faintly marked -paths. Overhead, when the crow sentinels catch sight of him, they caw -their warnings to their comrades. There are shadowy glens, gaping -fissures, whose corresponding faces show that at some remote age they -were split apart by a terrific upheaval, a gray barn with its threshing -machine and air of quiet country life, rows of neat cottages, a little -white wooden church, perched like a rooster gathering himself and about -to crow and flap his wings, the Casino, smooth, grassy slopes, and at -the northern end of the island, the roomy Squirrel Inn, crowded with -visitors attracted by the cool and bracing air, from the opening to the -close of summer. - -Our young friends had no intention of calling there, but, circling to -the westward of the island, headed for Boothbay Harbor nestling three -miles to the northward. A number of girls loitering on the broad porch -of the hotel and a group playing tennis waved their handkerchiefs; the -young Captain answered with a tooting of his whistle, and Mike Murphy -rising to his feet swung his cap over his head. - -To the right stretched Linekin Bay, to the head of Linekin Neck, beyond -which courses the Damariscotta River, bristling with islets, picturesque -and beautiful beyond compare. Captain Landon turned slightly to the -left, still heading with unabated speed for Boothbay Harbor. He saw -coming toward him a little steamer from whose bow the water spread in a -foaming wake. It was the craft which makes regular trips between -Boothbay Harbor and Squirrel Island through the summer season, stopping -at other places when passengers wish it. One of these is Spruce Point, -where little parties often go ashore over the rickety dock, and, -striking into the shady woods, follow the winding path along the rocky -coast known as the "Indian Trail," for more than two miles, when, after -passing Mount Pisgah and crossing a long bridge, they find themselves in -the town of which I have spoken. - -As the two boats rapidly approached, passing within a short distance of -each other, the head and shoulders of the captain of the _Nellie G._ -showed in the pilot-house. He was a tall, handsome man with dark -whiskers, who, when saluted by the _Deerfoot_, reached up and pulled the -whistle cord of his own craft. Every one knows Captain Williams of -Bowdoinham and is glad to see him turn an honest penny each summer. His -boat, one of the prettiest in those waters, had been built wholly by -himself, and the name painted in big letters on the front of the -wheelhouse is that of his wife. - -To the left and almost touching Southport is Capitol Island, a little -nearer, Burnt, and then Mouse, all as picturesque as they can be. The -pathway arched with trees completely shades the sloping walk that leads -to the hotel on Mouse Island. A government light on Burnt Island throws -out its warning rays at momentary intervals through the night. When fog -settles down, the light gives place to a tolling bell. - -Entering the broad harbor, our friends saw a score or more of vessels -grouped around at anchor, or moored at the wharves. There was a -magnificent yacht, the property of a multimillionaire of national -reputation; another luxurious craft, the representative of a Boston -club, a five-masted schooner, veteran ships, two of which had voyaged -from the other side of the world, a decayed and rotting hull near the -long bridge, where it tipped a little to one side in the mud, and was -wholly under water when the tide was in, as it had been for years. An -excursion steamer from Bath was just arriving, while others were taking -on passengers for some of the towns not far off. - -Alvin, having slowed down by lessening the amount of gas admitted to -the cylinders with the throttle lever on the wheel, rounded to at one of -the floats, where a man who had noted his approach caught the loop of -rope tossed to him and slipped it over the mooring pile set in place for -that purpose. The steersman pulled the control lever back to the -vertical position, releasing the propeller shaft from connection with -the motor. A further pull backward threw in the reverse gear, and the -launch came to rest beside the float and the lever was returned to the -vertical position. - -"I'll look after it while you are gone," he said and Alvin nodded. -Captain and crew then attended to stopping the motor by turning the -switch to the "off" position, putting out fenders to avoid scratching, -making bow and stern lines fast to deck cleats and putting everything in -shipshape order. - -The three then climbed the steps to the upper level, passed the -storehouses and ascended the moderate hill to the principal street of -the well-known town of Boothbay Harbor. There was little that was -noteworthy in the rather long avenue, lined with the usual stores, a -bank and amusement hall and a number of pretty residences, and I should -make no reference to it except for an incident that befell the visitors. - -Having gone to the end of the street, that is, until the eastern -terminal gave way to the open country, they turned about to retrace -their steps to the boat, for it was much more pleasant to be skimming -over the water. The temperature at Boothbay Harbor is generally five or -ten degrees higher than at Squirrel Island. - -The three sauntered along, pausing now and then to look into the store -windows, admiring the displays of Indian trinkets offered for sale, and -approached the corner where they were to turn down the hill to the -wharf. At that moment they saw a man of dark complexion, with a big -mustache, and accompanied by a large lad, both in yachting costume, come -out of Hodgdon's store, which is devoted to the sale of hats, caps, -boots, shoes, clothing and other necessities. The two took the opposite -course, following the main street in the direction of the ball grounds. - -Neither Alvin nor Chester did more than glance at the couple, for there -was nothing unusual in their appearance, but Mike started. - -"Did ye obsarve thim?" he asked, lowering his voice. - -"Yes; but there are plenty others on the street that are as -interesting." - -"Come wid me," whispered Mike, "say nothing." - -He whisked into the store, his wondering companions at his heels. They -left the situation to him. - -"Will ye oblige me by saying whither the two that has just passed out -bought anything of ye?" asked Mike of the rotund, smiling clerk, who, -hesitating a moment, answered: - -"The younger one bought a yachting cap, or rather traded one for his old -straw hat, for which I allowed him a nickel, which is all it's worth and -more too, I'm beginning to think." - -He held up the dilapidated headgear which he caught up from under the -counter. - -"Do ye recognize the same?" asked Mike, in a whisper of Alvin. - -"Can it be possible!" exclaimed the young Captain. - -"It's the identycal hat I wore last night whin we had our ilegant -shindy!" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -A PASSING GLIMPSE - - -Mike Murphy, even in the flurry of the moment, could not forget his -innate courtesy. He handed back the old hat to the puzzled clerk and -bowed. - -"I thank ye very much for yer kindness, and now, lads, come wid me." - -He hurried out of the door, the two following closely. - -"What do you mean to do?" asked Alvin. - -"Folly the chap and finish the shindy I started wid him," replied the -Irish lad, staring in the direction taken by the couple. "Ye can luk on -and kaap back the man, so that I'll git fair play wid the ither." - -"You are not on the Southport road, Mike," warned Alvin, "and you will -be arrested before you can land a blow and probably locked up." - -"It'll be worth it," replied the other, scenting the battle like a war -horse. "Bad luck to it! where is the spalpeen?" - -The three were looking keenly up the street, but, brief as was the -interval, the couple had vanished. - -There are a number of lesser streets which lead inland at right angles -to the main avenue of Boothbay Harbor, and almost as many that are mere -alleys on the other side, through which one may pass to the different -wharves. It will be seen, therefore, that there was nothing strange in -the disappearance of the strangers in whom our friends were so much -interested. - -"They can't have gone fur," exclaimed the impatient Mike, hesitating for -the moment as to what was best to do, and feeling the value of every -passing minute and fearing lest the opportunity be lost. - -"They must have come in a boat," suggested Chester, "and have turned -down one of the by-streets to the water. But what is the purpose of -chasing them?" - -"So we may catch 'em," was the reply of Mike, who feeling there was a -possibility that they might have turned the other way, addressed -Chester: - -"Cross to the ither side of the main street and hurry by the corners, -looking up aich as ye do so; if they've turned that way, they're still -in sight." - -There was sense in the plan. Chester ran across the avenue and walked -rapidly, glancing up each opening as he came to it. He meant merely to -keep the couple in sight until he could learn something more of them. At -the same time he was wise enough to avoid drawing attention to himself. -He passed well beyond the hotel without catching sight of the man and -boy and finally stopped, convinced that it was useless to go farther. - -Alvin Landon was of the same mind with him. As matters stood, nothing -was to be gained by accusing the youth of assault and attempted robbery, -for no proof could be brought forward. Moreover, his companion at that -time was absent, the man now with him having been seen for the first -time by Alvin and Mike a few minutes before. - -"It will be well to learn something of the two," the Captain thought to -himself, "but it will be a mistake to make them suspect us, as they are -sure to do if they find we are dogging them. As for Mike pitching in and -starting another fight, it will be the height of folly. I won't allow -it." - -The two were walking side by side and going so fast that several persons -looked curiously at them. - -"Take it easy," advised Alvin. - -"The same is what I'll do whin I comes up wid the spalpeen, that stole -me hat where I'd flung it in the road." - -"Keep cool and if you get sight of them, don't go nearer, but watch----" - -"There they be now!" exclaimed Mike at the first glance down one of the -alleys on their left, and, before Alvin could check him, he dashed off -at his best speed. His progress might have been satisfactory, but when -half way down the hill some one pushed the front of a wheelbarrow -through a door and across the way. Its appearance was so unexpected and -close that Mike could not check himself nor had he time in which to -gather for the leap that would clear it. He struck the obstacle fairly -and went over, landing on his hands and knees, while the barrow in turn -toppled upon him. The urchin who had caused the mischief turned and fled -in a panic, before the indignant Mike could chastise him. - -Alvin rested his hand against the nearest building and laughed until he -could hardly save himself from falling. Resuming his uncertain walk he -called: - -"Are you hurt, Mike?" - -"Oh, no," replied the lad, rubbing his shins and screwing up his face -with the smart of the bumps he had received; "as me second cousin said -whin he fell from the steeple, I've only broke both legs, one arm and -bent me head out of shape--nothin' worth the mintion. I come nigh -forgettin' my arrant." - -And unmindful of the hurts, which were trifling, he dashed down the -slope, arriving a minute later at the wharf, where a dozen men and -several boys were loading or unloading craft, or boarding or coming -ashore from some boat. Although Mike would not admit it, he had fixed -his suspicion upon a man who when he turned his face proved to be fully -fifty years old, while his companion was a lusty colored youth. He -glanced here and there and at all the craft in sight. Possibly his eyes -rested upon the right one, but he saw neither of the persons whom he -sought, and faced about as Alvin joined him. - -"They have give us the slip--bad cess to 'em, for I make nothing of the -spalpeens among them in sight." - -The two scanned all the craft that suggested ownership by the strangers, -but it was in vain. Then they made their way along the wharves to where -they had left the _Deerfoot_. Chester was awaiting them and shook his -head as they approached. Alvin paid the man who had looked after the -boat in his absence, and after casting off and starting the motor, the -three headed for Christmas Cove, where the Captain said they would have -dinner, though they would arrive before the regular hour for that meal. -Progress was so easy that conversation kept up with the Captain while -he held the steering wheel. - -"I suspect from what we saw awhile ago that the fellows whom Mike and I -met last night belong to a gang. One of them is a man and there may be -others." - -"It is lucky the younger did not recognize either of you," said Chester. -"Do you think he would do so if you met face to face?" - -"There is no reason why he should not, for Mike identified him with only -a passing glance. You must remember that the sky was clear and the moon -bright." - -"It's mesilf that belaves we imprissed ourselves upon their memory," -said Mike so gravely that the others knew he meant the words as a jest. -Alvin was silent for a moment and then turned his head, for the wheel -required little attention. - -"Mike, you acknowledge me as Captain and that my mate must obey orders?" - -The remark was a question. The youth rose promptly to his feet and -touched his forefinger to the front of his cap. - -"I await yer orders, Captain." - -"If we meet that fellow whose name we believe to be 'Noxon' you must not -show that you have any suspicion of his identity, nor must you make any -move against him without first consulting me." - -Mike looked at the second mate. - -"Isn't that enough to timpt one to mootiny? I obsarve that Mr. Noxon's -right eye was of a bootiful black and blue color and the ither should be -painted to match the same. It was him that was the thaif who stole me -hat." - -"Didn't you take _his_ cap?" - -"It was a fair prize of war--there's a moighty difference, as the lawyer -said whin he larned it was the ither man's ox that was gored. But as I -flung my tile away and he come back to git his own, I sha'n't lay it up -agin him." - -As the _Deerfoot_ sped northeast again, the sharp cutwater splitting the -wavelets to the tune of the big motor's humming, and following the main -line of the Maine coast, the boys saw the small, low-lying Ram Island -and its light on their right, with Linekin Neck on the left, and Inner -Heron Island showing in front. Gliding between this and the ledges -known as the Thread of Life, they speedily rounded to at the wharf at -Christmas Cove. As elsewhere, there were yachts, sailboats and various -kinds of craft at anchor or secured to the floats. To one of the latter -the three friends made the launch fast and passed over the pier and by -the hall where entertainments and religious services are held. The water -so far north as Maine is as a rule too cold for popular bathing. At -Christmas Cove this difficulty is overcome by a goodly sized pool into -which the salt water is admitted at high tide, when the gates are closed -and it is held until the time comes for changing it. - -The opportunity was too good to be lost, and the youngsters each rented -a suit and a bath house, from which they emerged and plunged delightedly -into the pool. It will be remembered that Mike Murphy could not swim a -stroke, but the pond is prepared for such persons, and all he had to do -was to keep away from the corner near the gates, which is the only place -where the water is beyond one's depth. Alvin and Chester were fine -swimmers and dived and frolicked until they were sated. They tried to -teach the rudiments of swimming to their comrade, but he made no -progress and they had to give over the attempt for the time. - -It was but a short climb to the Hollywood Inn, where the genial Landlord -Thorpe gave them welcome and they wrote their names in the ledger. Then -they walked out on the rear porch to admire the romantic scenery, while -awaiting the dinner hour. On one side was the placid Cove, making up -from the Damariscotta River and dotted with pleasure craft; on the -other, John's Bay and the broad Atlantic. Pointing toward the historical -Pemaquid Point, on the opposite side of the Bay, Alvin said to his -companions: - -"All looks calm and peaceful now, but how different it was on that -September day in 1813!" - -They turned inquiringly toward him. - -"Right off yonder the American brig _Enterprise_ of fourteen guns, -commanded by Captain Burrows, fought the British _Boxer_, also of -fourteen guns. It was a desperate battle in which both captains were -killed and the British vessel captured. The prize was taken into -Portland harbor, and the two commanders lie buried side by side in the -city." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -NO MAN'S LAND - - -Lying a short distance off the Maine coast is an island which belongs to -nobody and is therefore referred to as No Man's Land. If you look for it -on the map you will find it marked as Muscongus. It is also known as -Loud's Island, in honor of the first settler. The strange state of -affairs came about in this way: - -The Lincolnshire or Muscongus Patent, granted in 1630 by the Council of -Plymouth to Beauchamp and Leverett, included the land from the seaboard, -between the Muscongus and Penobscot rivers, for a certain distance -inland, but made no mention of the island on the south. The grant passed -to General Samuel Waldo, and was the origin of most of the land titles -in that section of Maine. - -One of the most honored names in colonial England is that of Samoset, -the Wampanoag Indian, who met the first Plymouth settlers with the -English greeting, "Welcome, Englishmen!" He had picked up a few words -from the fishermen who made their headquarters at Monhegan, an island -ten miles farther out to sea. Samoset was accustomed to spend his -summers on Muscongus. If you dig in the sand on the island you will be -pretty sure to find relics of the aboriginal occupation of the place. - -Captain Loud commanded a privateer in the service of George III, and one -day lost his temper in a dispute over some prize money. The quarrel -waxed so hot that he declared in his rage he would never lift his hand -again in the service of the king, even to save the monarch's head. Such -_lese majeste_ was sure to bring serious consequences to the peppery old -salt, so he hurriedly sailed for Boston on his brig. While coasting the -province of Maine, he came upon Muscongus, and was so charmed that he -spent the remainder of his life there. In some way that no one can -explain, the United States surveyors overlooked this island, three miles -in length and a mile broad, and the mistake has never been corrected. -Muscongus therefore remains no man's land. - -It is well wooded and watered and has a picturesque shore, with rocky -coves, white sandy beaches, and an attractive appearance from every -direction. No steamer ever stops there, and it is rather ticklish -business to pick your way over the crags to the dilapidated landing and -so on to the firm land beyond. - -The unique condition of Muscongus causes some queer things. For a long -time, the people, who now number a hundred and twenty-five, paid taxes -to the township of Bristol on the mainland two miles away. Every year -the tax collector sailed or rowed over to Muscongus and marked in chalk -on each door the amount of taxes due from that family. He gave his -receipt for payment of the same by rubbing out the chalked figures. - -This was a pleasing but one-sided arrangement. Bristol gained the sole -advantage and by and by the Muscongus folks awoke to the fact. Then they -refused to pay any taxes unless the collector showed legal authority -for his assessment. The chalk marks were rubbed off the doors and after -some spirited scenes the collector withdrew, since, as has been shown, -he had no legal means of enforcing his demands. Since then Muscongus has -been the only community in New England which is not taxed, except so far -as it chooses to impose the burden upon itself. - -Among the islanders every man was a Democrat with a single exception. At -the Congressional election on the mainland the Republican candidate was -unpopular, but the vote of Muscongus was cast for and elected him. The -canvassers, however, threw out the vote because of the refusal to pay -taxes. This was just before the Civil War, and in the words of the -chronicler of Muscongus: "That was the end of all things here in -connection with the mainland." - -You need not be reminded that as the great war went on the government -was forced to resort to drafting to obtain the soldiers it needed. -Muscongus was included in the Bristol district, but the inhabitants -warned the authorities that any attempt to enforce the draft would cause -bloodshed. Some of them, however, were alarmed at the thought of -fighting the national government. At a mass meeting the community voted -to donate nine hundred dollars toward the expense of the war, and a -number paid three hundred dollars apiece for substitutes, though none -volunteered. These contributions meant many sacrifices to the poor -fisher folk. - -A man living on Muscongus had once served in the regular army, and a -certain major at Bristol determined to secure him for Uncle Sam. The -officer was taken over to the island in a small sailboat, and made his -way to the home of the veteran he wanted. He was absent, but his wife -was in the kitchen peeling potatoes. A few minutes later the major's -companions awaiting him at the shore saw him dash through the door and -run at his highest speed for the boat. A few paces behind him, holding -the pan of potatoes against her side with one hand, and snatching them -out with the other, she bombarded the terrified fugitive. She could -throw, too, with the force and accuracy of a short stop of the -professional league, and every missile landed. She kept up the -bombardment all the way to the waterside, by which time her ammunition -was used up. When the battered major stepped ashore at Bristol he -exclaimed: - -"Thunderation! if I had a regiment of women like her I'd capture -Richmond in three days!" - -The foregoing facts Captain Alvin Landon related to Chester Haynes and -Mike Murphy one sunshiny forenoon as the _Deerfoot_ swept past the -numerous islands between Cape Newagen and Pemaquid Point, and rounded to -at the rickety landing on the southern side of Muscongus. The boys -stepped out upon the rocks, leaping and climbing to the wabbling support -over which they picked their way to the solid earth. A few rods distant -a goodly sized sailboat was moored, the passengers having already gone -up the sloping bank and inland. Hardly a fair summer day goes by -without bringing visitors to one of the most interesting spots on the -coast of Maine. - -Since the excursion was likely to take most of the afternoon, our young -friends brought their lunch with them. At the crest of the slope, they -sat down on the grass under a group of trees, and with keen appetites -ate the last morsel of their meal. Then followed a stroll, with ears and -eyes open. They found the islanders courteous, hospitable and ready to -answer all questions. One of the first interesting facts learned by the -youthful callers was that nearly all the people were blue-eyed, and the -men straight, tall, rugged and with a physique superior to that of their -neighbors on the mainland. Several descendants of the Loud and other -pioneers were met, one or two of whom were approaching the century mark. -Contentment was everywhere, and all were proud of their independent -lives with not the slightest wish to change it. Some of the men seek -their wives outside of the little model republic, and more than one -husband has been drawn to the island by the attraction of a pair of -violet eyes and the sweet disposition of a coy maiden. It has been -charged that there is a mental and physical deterioration because of -intermarriages between relatives, but nothing of the kind seems to have -occurred. - -Muscongus knows little, except by hearsay, of crime and pauperism. All -the doors are left unlocked at night, and a drunken person is never -seen. Should any fall in need of charity it is given cheerfully. Years -ago there was an aged couple whose five sons were lost at sea, and who -were unable to provide for themselves. They were supported in comfort in -their own home as long as they lived. - -Of course there has to be some form of government. It is of the simplest -nature. All general meetings are held in the little schoolhouse, the -only public building on the island. The presiding officer is chosen by -acclamation, and is always the school agent and superintendent of -business of the community. An open discussion follows of the measures -needed for the public welfare, and whatever rules are adopted are -obeyed without protest. - -In former years the porgy industry was the chief support. But that -declined and was succeeded by lobster and mackerel fishing, which does -not pay so well. Every family owns a little farm, the soil is good, and -all live in modest comfort. The neat, tidy houses nestling among the -firs are surrounded by fruit trees trim and productive. The small -library in the schoolhouse is free to all. - -As to religious services, a prayer meeting is held every Sunday evening -in the schoolhouse and Sunday School in the afternoon, but there is no -resident minister. Occasionally the clergyman at Friendship, near -Bristol, comes over to preach, and the faithful coast missionary who -works among remote islanders and lighthouse keepers brings reading -matter and ministers to the spiritual wants of the people. Among the -islanders are Free Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Red Men, -who conduct the funeral services. - -"It calls to mind the ould counthry," said Mike Murphy, when the -_Deerfoot_ had started homeward. - -"How?" asked Chester at his side. - -"It's so different; think if ye can of any part of Ireland living for a -waak, lit alone months and years, widout a shindy." - -"There are few sections in our own country of which that can be said." - -"It taxes me mind to thry to draw the painful picter; let us think of -something else." - -Since the weather was favorable, Captain Landon made a circuit farther -south, leaving the small White Islands on his left, the Hypocrites on -his right, and so on into the broad bay, whose western boundary is -Southport. - -"I say, Captain," suddenly called Mike. - -"What is it?" asked Landon, looking partly round. - -"If ye have no objiction I should like to take a thrick at the wheel." - -"All right; come over here." - -In a twinkling the two had changed places. As Mike assumed his duty, he -added: - -"I've been obsarving ye so close that I belave I can run the battleship -as well as yersilf. I have noted that whin ye wish to turn to the right, -ye move the wheel around that way, sarving it according whin ye wish to -head t'other way. 'Spose now ye find it nicessary to go backward?" - -"Pull over the reversing lever; the wheel has nothing to do with that." - -"I'll remimber the same. Hullo!" added Mike in some excitement. "I -obsarve a ship ahead; do ye think it's a pirate?" - -His companions laughed and Alvin answered: - -"That is the steamer _Enterprise_, which runs from Portland to East -Boothbay and back on alternate days, calling at different points." - -"I mustn't run her down," said Mike, swinging over the wheel so as to -pass her bow; "she's right in our path." - -"Don't change your course; she has plenty of time to get out of your -way." - -"Begorrah! do ye maan to say _she is moving_?" - -His companions scrutinized the lumbering craft for a minute as if in -doubt. It was Chester who said: - -"I think she is." - -"Better make sure," remarked Mike heading the launch to the south, thus -contributing his part to a joke which has been fashionable for years in -that section of the Union over the sluggishness of the freight and -passenger steamer named. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE LURE OF GOLD - - -It was borne in upon Gideon Landon when he rounded the half century mark -that he must let up in his intense application to his vast moneyed -interests or break down. He hated to think of stopping, even for a brief -season, but nature gave her unerring warning and the specialist whom he -consulted spoke tersely and to the point: - -"Take a vacation every year or die." - -The capitalist recalled the habit of Bismarck, the great German -Chancellor, who when worn out by the crushing cares of office hied away -to his cabin in the pine woods, and gave orders to the sentinels at the -gate to shoot all visitors unless they came directly from the King. So -Landon built him a palatial bungalow, as he called it, near the southern -end of Southport Island. The logs, all with their bark on, were a foot -in diameter. From the outside, the structure looked rough and rugged, -and little more than a good imitation of the dwellings of the New -England pioneers; but you had only to peep through the windows to note -its splendid furnishings. The finest of oriental rugs covered the floor; -chairs, tables and lounges were of the richest make, and the hundreds of -choice books in their mahogany cases cost twice as many dollars. A -modern machine furnished the acetylene light, the broad fireplace could -take in a half cord of wood when the weather was too cool for comfort -without it, and the beds on the upper floors were as soft and inviting -as those in the banker's city residence. In short, everything that -wealth could provide and for which there was a wish was at the service -of the inmates. He offered to send a Chickering piano, but his wife did -not think it worth while, as she had no daughter and neither she nor her -husband played. Alvin had been taking lessons, for several years, but he -objected to keeping up practice during vacation and his parents decided -that his views were well founded. - -"Here I shall loaf and rest for six weeks!" exclaimed the owner, when -the chauffeur carried him, his wife and two servants from the town of -Southport to the new home. - -Alvin had gone thither the week before, and was looked after by Pat -Murphy, the caretaker, and his wife, who had been long in the service of -the banker. - -One cause of Landon taking this step was the example of his old friend -Franklin Haynes, who had only one child--Chester, with whom you have -become acquainted. His enthusiastic accounts of the tonic effect of the -air, confirmed by his own renewed vigor and tanned skin, decided the -elder in his course. The Haynes bungalow was smaller and more modest -than Landon's, the two being separated by a half mile of woods and open -country. This, however, was of no account, for the Landon auto skimmed -over the interval in a few minutes and the interchange of visits went on -day and night. The two families played bridge, dined, automobiled and -cruised with each other, while the boys were inseparable. - -This went on for a fortnight, when a break came. Landon and Haynes were -interested in a large financial deal, in which the latter believed he -was wronged. There was a sharp quarrel and the friendly relations -between the two, including their wives, snapped apart. All bridge -playing ceased, and the long summer hours became so deadly dull for Mrs. -Landon that she gladly accepted the invitation of a friend, hurried to -New York and sailed with her for England and the continent. Haynes spent -his time mainly in fishing and reading, but kept away from the home of -his rich neighbor, who was equally careful not to approach the other's -residence. - -Both men, however, were too sensible to let their quarrel affect their -sons. Not the slightest shadow could come between those chums, who -visited back and forth, just as they had always done, stopping over -night wherever convenient, and as happy as two clean-minded, healthy -youngsters ought to be. The Landon auto was at the disposal of the lads -whenever they cared for it, but the youths had become interested in -motor boating and gave little attention to the land vehicle. - -The unpleasant break to which I have referred occurred about a fortnight -before my introduction of the two lads to you. Landon never had any -liking for athletics or sport. Every favorable morning his chauffeur -took him to the little cluster of houses called Southport, at the head -of the island, where he got his letters, New York newspapers and such -supplies as happened to be needed at the house. This used up most of the -first half of the day. After lunch he read, slept and loafed, never -using the auto and caring nothing for the motor launch which was -continually cruising over the water. - -This went well enough for ten days or so, by which time the banker grew -restless. Sleeping so much robbed him of rest at night. Classic works -lost their charm and the "best sellers" bored him. He yawned, strolled -about his place, and pitied every man who was doomed to spend his life -in the Pine Tree State. True, he was gaining weight and his appetite -became keen, but he smoked too much and was discontented. The lure of -Wall Street was drawing him more powerfully every day. He longed to -plunge into the excitement with his old time zest, and to enjoy the -thrill that came when success ended a financial battle. - -He was lolling in his hammock at the front of the bungalow one -afternoon, trying to read and to smoke one of his heavy black cigars, -and succeeding in neither task, when Davis Dunning, his chauffeur, -glummer than usual because there was no excuse for his taking any more -joy rides, halted the machine at the side of the roadway. Throwing out -the clutch, he hurried up the walk and handed his employer a telegram -that had been 'phoned over from Boothbay Harbor to Southport, where the -chauffeur found it awaiting him when he made his daily run thither, this -time unaccompanied by his employer. - -No message could have been more welcome. It told the banker that the -recent stir in steel and other stocks made it necessary for him to -return to New York as soon as possible and to stay "a few days." He was -alert on the instant. If he could reach Portland that evening he would -board the express and be in New York the next morning. - -"It must be done!" he exclaimed, aware that there was no necessity for -such haste. Consultation with Dunning, however, convinced him that the -course for an automobile was too roundabout and there was too much -ferrying to make the hurried journey feasible. He decided to go to Bath -by steamer, and then by rail on the morrow, easily reaching Portland in -time for the ride by night to the metropolis. - -This gave him opportunity to explain matters to Alvin, who was told to -remain at Southport until the time came for him to re-enter school. The -son was sorry to lose the company of his father, whose affection he -returned, but it is not in boy nature to mourn for one from whom he did -not expect to be parted long. The only thing in creation in which he -felt pleasure and interest just then was in sailing his motor boat. - -At the time of leaving Southport, Mr. Landon expected to return in the -course of a week and said so to his son, but the call of business was -stronger than that of the fine woods and salt water of Maine. He easily -found the necessity for staying in New York until the time remaining for -his vacation was so brief that he wrote Alvin it was not worth while to -rejoin him. - -So it came about that his son remained in the big bungalow, looked after -by two servants, not to mention Pat Murphy the caretaker and his wife. -Chester Haynes stayed with his parents in their modest home a mile to -the southward, while the irrepressible Mike was at both homes more than -his own. He had become as fond of boating as his two friends and set out -to learn all about the craft. It did not take him long to become a good -steersman and by and by he could start and stop the _Deerfoot_, though -he shrank from attempting to bring her beside a wharf or float. In -threading through the shipping at the different harbors, either Alvin or -Chester took the wheel, one boy being almost equal in expertness to the -other, both in handling the launch and taking care of the machinery. - -There seemed no end to the romantic excursions that tempted the young -navigators forth. Sometimes they fished, but preferred to glide through -the smooth inland waters, where every scene was new and seemingly more -romantic than the others. They landed at Pemaquid Beach and listened to -the story of the old fort as told by the local historian, who proved -that the date was correct which is painted on the stone wall and says a -settlement was made there before the one at Jamestown. They passed up -the short wide inlet known as John's River, and turning round cut across -to the Damariscotta, which they ascended to Newcastle, with picturesque -scenery all the way. - -The boys were somewhat late in starting one morning and the sky was -threatening, but with the folding top as a protection if needed, and the -opportunity to halt when and wherever they choose, the agreement was -unanimous that they should go up the Sheepscot to Wiscasset, eat dinner -there and return at their leisure. - -"It is well worth the trip," said Alvin, whose eyes sparkled with the -memory of the passage which he had made more than once. Chester was -equally enthusiastic. - -"I'm riddy to sarve as a sacrifice," replied Mike, "as me friend Terry -McGarrity remarked whin he entered the strife that was to prove which -could ate the most mince pie inside of half an hour." - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -A MISSING MOTOR BOAT - - -Swinging into the broad expanse of Sheepscot Bay, the _Deerfoot_ moved -smoothly up the river which bears the same name. Captain Landon held her -to the moderate speed of fifteen miles or so an hour. There was no call -for haste and he was wise not to strain the engine unnecessarily. To -increase the rate would be imitating the man who drives his automobile -at the highest clip, when he has to concentrate his attention upon the -machine, with no appreciation of the beauties of the country through -which he is plunging, and continually threatened by fatal accidents. - -Alvin held the wheel, while Chester and Mike, seated behind him, kept -intelligent trace of their progress by means of the fine map of the -United States Geological Survey. The first point identified was Lower -Mark Island on the right and close to Southport, then came Cat Ledges, -Jold, Cedarbrush, the Hendrick Light, on the same side, while across -loomed the pretty station known as Five Islands, one of the regular -stopping places of the steamers going north or south. Omitting the -smaller places, the next point which interested our friends was the Isle -of Springs, one of the best known summer resorts in Sheepscot River. The -landing was crowded with passengers, waiting for the steamer _Gardiner_ -from Augusta, the capital of the State, and on its way to rush through -the strait north of Southport to its destination, Ocean Point beyond -Squirrel Island. - -The peculiarity about this plucky little steamer is that no craft that -ever plowed through those waters is so dependable. Again and again she -has made the long trip and not been out a single minute at any of the -numerous landings. She has been called the "Pony of the Kennebec," and -nothing less than an explosion of her boiler or a collision with another -craft would make her tardy anywhere. - -"There are many persons along the river and on the islands who set -their watches and clocks by the _Gardiner_," said Alvin, speaking over -his shoulder. - -He glanced at his watch. - -"I don't know when she is due at the Isle of Springs, but as I figure it -she ought to be in sight now." - -"And, begorrah! there she comes!" exclaimed Mike, pointing to the left -toward Goose Rock Passage, leading from Knubble Bay to Sheepscot. The -foaming billows tumbled away from the prow, as the boat drove -resistlessly forward, and the whistle sounded for the landing. Many a -time when rounding Capitol Island to the northwest of Squirrel, with a -storm raging, the spray and water have been flung clean over the pilot -house and slid over the upper deck and streamed away off the stern. - -Chester Haynes saluted with the whistle, but the captain of the -_Gardiner_ gave no heed. His eye was upon the landing toward which he -was steaming. When the freight had been tumbled ashore and the waiting -cargo taken aboard, the gang planks were drawn in, lines cast off, and -though a dozen passengers might be pointing toward the pier, shouting -and waving hats or umbrellas, all would be left. - -The resinous pine trees formerly including firs, larches and true cedars -so thick that no spaces showed between, grew all the way down the rocky -hills to the water's edge. The river, without a ripple except such as -was made by passing craft, was as crystalline as a mountain spring. Here -and there a rude drawing was scratched in the face of the cliffs, the -work of the Indians who lived in that part of Maine before the Pilgrims -landed at Plymouth. It was one continuous dream which never loses its -charm for those who make the trip, no matter how often. - -The sky remained overcast, though no rain fell, when the _Deerfoot_ -drove through the Eddy, where the current narrows and is very swift and -deep. A bridge connects the mainland with Davis Island. The launch sat -so low that there was no call to the bridge tender to open the draw. As -it shot under, the peaks of the flagstaffs showed a foot below the -planking. - -They were now approaching the pretty town of Wiscasset, from which came -the faint thrill of a locomotive whistle, as notice that at that point a -traveler could change from boats to cars. The launch was sweeping round -a bend in the river when Mike pointed to the right with the question: - -"Phwat's that?" - -"It is the famous blockhouse, built in 1807 for the protection of -Wiscasset, four miles away, but it was never used because the town was -never in danger." - -The interesting structure, which you may have seen when gliding past in -a boat, is octagonal in form, with one window on each face of the lower -story, except on the one containing a narrow door approached by a single -step of wood. As was the fashion in building blockhouses, the second -story overhangs the first and on each face of this upper story is a -square window with a long loop-hole placed horizontally on either side. -The flat roof is surmounted by a slender cupola, also octagonal, with a -window occupying nearly all the space of each face. The whole building -is covered with shingles and for a long time after its erection it was -surrounded by an elaborate system of earthworks. - -The _Deerfoot_ slackened its speed as it came opposite. Mike Murphy -showed special interest in the old faded building. - -"It suggists the palace of me grandfather, the Duke De Sassy," said he. -"If ye have no great objiction, Captain, I should be glad of a closer -look at it." - -Since the day was at their disposal, the youthful captain was quite -willing to halt and inspect the historic structure. He turned the bow -toward the bank, and stopped in deep water a few feet from land. Mike -cleared the intervening distance in an easy jump, taking the end of the -bow line which he made fast to a convenient tree. Chester at the same -time had cast out the anchor from the stern and made fast the cable to a -cleat on the after or stern deck. The launch was thus held immovable and -safe from injury. In the meanwhile, Alvin had employed himself in -shutting down the motor, turning off the gasoline and air tank valves -and making ready to leave the launch in its usual good order. - -Mike said: - -"I have a brilliant suggistion to make to ye, as me uncle said when he -arranged to foight six men, by taking on one each day instead of -engaging them all at once. The same is that we indoolge in our noon -repast on shore." - -The plans of the lads when they left home was to have dinner at the -hotel in Wiscasset, but they had been so delayed by their leisurely -ascent of the river that the meridian was past. A supply of sandwiches, -ginger ale and sarsaparilla was laid in so as to be prepared for -contingencies, and it need not be said that all had keen appetites. -Chester remarked that it was only a brief run to the little town ahead. -Moreover, it was more convenient to eat on the launch, where they could -spread the food on one of the seats or the cover of the cockpit. But -every boy would rather chew a venison or bear steak, though tough as -leather, in preference to a tender, juicy bit of beef, and eating in -the woods is tenfold more enticing than in a house or on a boat. -Besides, they had been sitting so long that the change would be a -relief. Accordingly, Chester and Mike gathered up the big paper bags -which held the lunch, and the bottles of soft stuff, and leaped lightly -ashore. - -The little party walked the short distance to the primitive blockhouse, -and passing a little way beyond sat down on the pine burrs and grass and -tackled the food. The clear air, the odorous breath of the forest, and -the soft ripple of the stream flowing past, gave the repast a charm -beyond that which the Waldorf-Astoria can impart to its guests. - -"It makes me sigh," said Mike when the last morsel of food had -disappeared and he drew the napkin across his lips, "to think that only -a few waaks are lift to us of this bliss of life." - -"Yes," replied Captain Alvin; "the days fly fast; soon I shall have to -go back to school and study so hard there will be mighty little time -left for play." - -"The same here," added Chester in a lugubrious voice. "I don't suppose -there would be half as much fun in this sport if we took it straight -along." - -"I'm willing to try the same for tin or twinty years; it's mesilf that -doesn't belave I'd grow weary in less time than thot. Couldn't ye -persuade your dad, you j'ining company wid him, Chister, to give the -thing a thrial for that long?" - -Alvin shook his head. - -"Suppose our parents should be so foolish, do you think your father and -mother would allow you to squander your time like that?" - -Mike removed his cap and scratched his head. - -"I'm afeard there'd be objiction from that side of the house. Ye see -that twinty years from now dad, if he's alive, which God grant, will be -an old man; thrue I'd be in me prime, and if he was too overbearing wid -me, I could lay him over me knee and spank him, but I'd sorter hate to -do that, bekase of the kindness he had shown me in days gone by. -Besides," added Mike, with a big wink, "me mither would be sure to take -dad's part, and I'm convinced that twinty years from now she'll be -bigger and stronger than to-day. With the two united in battle array -agin me, I'd hev no ch'ice but to take to the woods. Yes; we'll have to -give up the idea which sthruck me so favorable at first. What do ye -intind to do with the _Deerfoot_, Captain, when the summer is gone?" - -"Draw her out on land and cover her with canvas for the winter, so as to -keep her in condition for a bigger outing next year." - -"That maans, I 'spose, ye'll carry her in the house and put her to bed -and kiver her up the same as a sick baby?" - -"Hardly that, but she will need and will receive the best of -care--hark!" - -The three were silent for a minute. Faintly but distinctly all caught -the distant whirr from the exhaust of a speed launch. They quickly noted -that the sound grew less audible--proof that the launch was speeding -away from them. - -At first it seemed to be in the direction of Wiscasset, but when they -were barely able to hear the noise, they agreed that it was from down -the river. Inasmuch as they had not met any boat on their way to this -point, they were puzzled to understand how the craft could have passed -them without being seen. The only explanation was that it had come -nearly to the blockhouse from below, and then owing to some cause had -turned about and gone back. - -"That's queer," remarked Alvin, as a sudden suspicion flashed over him. -He sprang to his feet and ran round the building, the others at his -heels, for the same dread was with them. In a moment Alvin halted with -the exclamation: - -"Some one has run off with our launch!" - -Such was the fact. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -IN THE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - - -"Maybe it slipped free and floated off," said Chester, who did not pause -until he reached the water's edge. - -"Mebbe she climbed out of the river and wint round t'other side of the -blockhouse," suggested Mike, who regretted the next moment his ill-timed -jest and joined Chester, with Alvin only a pace or two behind them. - -There was a brief hope that Chester was right and that the motor boat -had worked free and drifted down stream, but it was quickly evident that -that was impossible. The bow line and anchor would have held if not -disturbed by some one. - -Then, too, what meant the muffled exhaust heard a few minutes before? It -could have been caused only by the starting of the motor. Alvin, who -showed quicker wit than his companions, examined the ground at the -water's edge. He quickly read the solution. - -"There are the footprints of several people in the soft earth. All is as -plain as day." - -"All what?" asked Chester. - -"The manner of the _Deerfoot's_ going." - -"Give us your explanation." - -"While we sat behind the blockhouse eating lunch, two or three or -perhaps more persons came out of the woods and walked to this spot; they -cast off the bow line, sprang aboard; one of them drew the boat out over -the stern anchor and tripped it; they did not start the engine till they -had drifted round the bend below; then they headed for Sheepscot Bay and -are well on their way there, running at full speed as they do not need -to spare the launch." - -"Bedad! I b'lave ye're right," said Mike, compressing his lips. "I'm -off!" - -"What do you mean?" asked the astonished Captain. - -"I'm going to run a race wid the same to Cape Newagen!" - -"Why, you have no more chance of overtaking the boat than you have of -out-swimming the _Mauretania_." - -But Mike made no reply. Spitting on his hands and rubbing them together, -he broke into a lope and quickly passed from sight in the woods. - -Despite the alarming situation, Alvin and Chester looked in each other's -face and laughed. - -"Did you ever know of anything so crazy?" asked the Captain. - -"Never; the idea of putting his short legs against a boat that can run -twenty odd miles an hour and has a good start, is worthy of Mike Murphy -alone." - -"But we must do something," said the puzzled Alvin; "some one has stolen -the launch and should be headed off." - -"How shall we do it?" - -"The easiest way is to cross the long bridge to Wiscasset on the other -side of the river and telegraph to different points down stream." - -They were about to start when Alvin said: - -"I ought not to have allowed Mike to go off as he did. He is so rash -and headlong that he will be sure to run into trouble. If we go to -Wiscasset, we shall be separated so long that we shall lose him -altogether. If I had only put the switch plug in my pocket they could -not have started the motor without a lot of time and trouble!" - -"Why not follow him down stream?" - -"That plan was in my mind. The boat hasn't had time to go far. Suppose -we try Point Quarry. That is the lowest village of Edgecomb township, -where Cross River turns off and runs into the Back River, which follows -the course of the Sheepscot and joins it lower down. At Point Quarry the -stream is so narrow that the _Deerfoot_ is sure to be seen." - -"Provided some one happens to be looking." - -"Many of these small places have telegraph lines open in the summer, but -are closed in winter. A road leads from Charmount to Point Quarry, which -isn't more than four or five miles away. Less than half of that distance -will take us to Charmount. Come on." - -The boys lost no time. Both had studied their map so closely before -leaving home and on their way up the Sheepscot that they had no fear of -going astray. The surrounding country is sparsely settled, with -prosperous farms here and there lining the highway. The walking was good -and the sky had cleared within the last few hours. The lads were -athletic, and were impelled by impatience and resentment toward whoever -had taken such a liberty with another's property. - -Two miles took them to a point where a branch road led off at right -angles in the direction of the Sheepscot and consequently to the meager -settlement of Charmount, below the eddy, where a wooden bridge joins the -mainland to Davis Island. They met no vehicles or footmen, though they -passed a number of tidy looking houses and saw men at work in the -fields. Their destination was less than a mile off and they reached it -in due time. They found a young woman in charge of the telegraph -instrument, who in answer to their inquiry said she could send a message -to Point Quarry, where the station would be closed in a few weeks. - -The youths while on the road had formulated what to say by telegraph. -Since they had no acquaintance at either place, Alvin addressed his -inquiry to the operator, who happened also to be a young woman. This was -the message: - -"Will you be good enough to tell me, if you can, whether a motor boat -has passed down the river within the last few minutes?" - -In a brief while, an unexpectedly favorable reply was returned. It was -addressed, however, to the young woman herself, who after writing it -down rose to her feet and called to Alvin. - -"Here is your answer. Miss Prentiss says that it isn't her business to -keep watch of boats passing up and down stream, her salary being so big -that she has no time to give attention to anything except the affairs of -her office." - -"I suppose that is meant as sarcasm," commented Alvin. - -"It does sound like it, but she adds that the fisherman, Pete Davis, -came into the office directly after your message reached her, and she -asked him your question. He told her that such a boat as you speak of -had gone past under full speed only a few minutes before and he read the -name _Deerfoot_ on her bow." - -"That's it!" exclaimed Alvin. "Did the fisherman say anything more?" - -"Probably he did, but Miss Prentiss hasn't reported it. Is there -anything further I can do for you?" - -"Nothing--thank you." - -As he spoke, he passed a half dollar tip to her, whereupon she beamingly -expressed her gratitude. In truth she was so pleased that she smiled -more broadly than ever into the handsome face of the youth before her. -Alvin suspected she was ready for a mild flirtation, but he was in no -mood for such frivolity and was about to turn away, when Chester spoke -in a low voice: - -"She has something more to say to you." - -"Well?" he remarked inquiringly, returning the sunny gaze of the young -woman. - -"Do you know anyone by the name of Mike Murphy?" - -Alvin laughed. - -"I rather think we do; he came up on the boat with us, and is rushing -down the river in the hope of overtaking it." - -"Well, he stopped in here and sent a telegram about it." - -"Is it possible? Let me see it." - -She shook her head. - -"Not without an order from court; the rules do not permit anything of -that kind." - -"We won't tell anybody." - -"I know you won't, for you will never have anything to tell." - -She turned and looked down at the last sheet of yellow paper on her -file. Then she grew red in the face and shook with mirth. - -"To whom did Mike send his message?" - -"I wish I dare tell you; it is the funniest thing that has ever happened -in the office since I have been here. You couldn't guess in ten years." - -"We have hardly that much time to spend in trying, so we shall have to -give it up." - -"When you see your friend say to him from me that his message was -forwarded just as he directed." - -"Where did he tell you to deliver the reply?" - -"He said nothing of that. I have a suspicion that there won't be any -reply to his telegram." - -Alvin was turning away again, when the miss, leaning on her desk and -tapping her pretty white teeth with the end of her lead pencil smilingly -asked: - -"Would you really like to see Mike Murphy's telegram?" - -"It would be of great help to us in our search for the stolen boat," -replied Alvin, stepping closer to her. - -Chester remained standing by the outer door, with hands thrust in his -pockets. He read the signs aright. - -"She has taken a fancy to him," he reflected, "and as there doesn't -happen to be much business on hand just now is disposed to flirt a -little, but Alvin isn't." - -"How much will you pay for a sight of the message?" - -"Anything in reason." - -"And you will never, never, never tell?" - -"I give you my pledge that I will not whisper it to any person." - -"How about your friend back there? He has a hangdog look which I don't -like." - -"I'll answer for him; there are worse fellows, though not many. -Chester!" commanded Alvin, turning abruptly upon him, "get out of sight -and wait for me." - -"Yes, sir," meekly answered the youth, turning about and passing into -the open air, where he added to himself, with a broader grin than -before: - -"He doesn't suspect she's kidding him, but that's what she's doing." - -The young Captain beamed upon the miss. - -"Now I'm ready to have a look at my friend's telegram." - -"You haven't said how much you will pay," she replied, with a coquettish -glance at the expectant youth. - -"How much do you ask?" - -"Is it worth five dollars?" - -"That's a pretty big price, but I'll give it." - -"It isn't enough." - -"Name your charge then." - -"Fifty thousand dollars; I can't do it for a cent less." - -Alvin read the pert miss aright. He soberly reached into his pocket and -drew out his wallet. - -"I haven't that much with me; will you take my promissory note?" - -"Nothing but cash goes here." - -"Some other day--good day." - -He lifted his cap and passed out doors to join his grinning friend. The -two started off at a brisk pace and had not taken a dozen steps when -they ran straight into trouble. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A SLIGHT MISTAKE - - -An automobile chugging along at the rate of thirty miles an hour whirled -around a bend in the road from the eastward and approached the youths, -who halted and looked wonderingly at it. The youthful chauffeur bent -over the steering wheel, and beside him sat a bearded, grim-looking man -in middle life, with a big brass badge on his breast. The two were the -only occupants of the car, the broad rear seat being unoccupied. - -The moment the constable, as he was, caught sight of the lads, he raised -his hand to signify he had business with them. At the same time the -chauffeur slowed up in front of Alvin and Chester. The officer leaped -out before the car had hardly stopped and strode toward them. - -"I want you!" was his crisp remark. - -"What do you want of us?" asked the astonished Alvin. - -"I'll blame soon show you. No shenanigan! Hand over your pistols." - -"We haven't any; you are the only one hereabouts that's armed," said the -Captain, observing that the man had drawn a revolver. - -"In here with you! I've no time to fool!" - -The lads resented his peremptory manner. Chester asked: - -"Why should we get into your auto? We prefer to choose our own company; -we don't like your looks." - -"I know mighty well you don't, nor do I like _your_ looks, but that -makes no difference. In with you, I say, or I'll blow your heads off!" - -The alarming words and action of the officer left no doubt of his -earnestness. Alvin replied: - -"We have a right to know why you arrest us; we have done nothing -unlawful." - -"I don't mind reminding you that the Rockledge post office was robbed -last night. Banet Raymond the postmaster said it was done by three -scoundrels--all wearing masks and dressed in yachting clothes. They -came this way; where's the other fellow?" - -"We had a companion with us when we came up the Sheepscot, but he's gone -in search of our boat that some one stole from us a little while ago." - -"You're the skeezicks I'm after; we'll soon have the third burglar." - -"What do you mean to do with us?" asked Alvin. "Where is your warrant?" - -"I don't need any." - -Neither he nor Chester was alarmed. The arrest could have but one issue, -since sooner or later their identity would be proved; but the situation -was exasperating, for it promised to interfere with their capture of the -stolen boat or at least cause serious delay in making the search. It was -dangerous to trifle with an officer who was in no mood to accept any -excuse from the couple whom he believed to be criminals. He added: - -"Robbing a post office is a crime against Uncle Sam, and he's a pretty -hard proposition to buck against. If you have a story to tell me, I'll -give you three minutes to do it in." - -The two stepped beside the auto, the glum chauffeur silently watching -them. - -"It's all well enough for you to be so bumptious in the performance of -what you may think is your duty," said Alvin, looking into the iron -countenance, "but I suppose you have made a mistake once or twice in -your lifetime." - -"What's that got to do with this business? Who are you?" - -"My name is Alvin Landon and my friend here is Chester Haynes. Our -parents each have a summer home on Southport, opposite Squirrel Island. -My father made me a present of a motor boat a short time ago; we have -been cruising about the bay and islands for several weeks; this morning -we left home with a companion, an Irish lad named Mike Murphy; we -stopped at the blockhouse up the river and went ashore to eat our lunch; -while we were doing so, some one ran off with the boat; Mike has gone on -a run down stream to see if he can overtake it; we walked to this place -and sent a telegram to Point Quarry, inquiring about the craft and -learned it had passed there a few minutes before, headed down stream. -There you have our story straight and true: what have you to say about -it?" - -"I don't believe a word of it. Anyhow, you'll have the chance to tell it -in court, where you're certain to get justice done you." - -The officer handed his weapon to the chauffeur. - -"Keep your eye on 'em, Tim, and at the first move, shoot!" - -"Yes, sir," responded the chauffeur, showing by his looks that he would -have been quite glad of an excuse for displaying his markmanship upon -one or both of the prisoners. - -His hands thus freed, the officer ran them deftly over the clothing of -each lad from his shoulders to his knees, to assure himself they carried -no weapons. The search was satisfactory. - -"Throwed your guns away, I 'spose. Now for the bracelets." - -He whipped out a pair of handcuffs, at sight of which Alvin recoiled -with a flush of shame. - -"Don't do that, please; we'll give our parole. With your pistol you are -not afraid of two unarmed boys." - -The appeal touched the pride of the officer, who dropped the handcuffs -into the side pocket of his coat. - -"Of course I'm not afeared of you, but you might try to give me the -slip, if a chance should happen to come your way." - -"We will not, for we have nothing to fear." - -"All right. You," addressing Alvin, "will sit in front while I take your -friend with me on the back seat." - -Brief as was the conversation between the constable and his prisoners, -it attracted the attention of several men, women and young persons, who -gathered round the automobile, and catching the meaning of the incident -from the remarks of those concerned, naturally indulged in remarks. - -"Seems to me that this part of Maine has become a favorite tramping -ground for yeggmen and post office robbers," said a man in white -flannels, with a tennis racquet in one hand and two tennis balls in the -other. "These gentlemen have begun young." - -"Who would think it of them?" asked the sweet girl at his side. - -"Can't judge a fellow by his looks." - -"Which is fortunate for you, Algernon." - -He lifted his hat in mock obeisance. - -An older man, probably a member of the same party of players, spoke -oracularly: - -"You needn't say that, Gwendolen; you _can_ judge a person by his looks. -Now just to look at the face of that chap on the front seat. He is -rather handsome, but it is easy to see that the stamp of crime is there, -as plain as the sun at noonday. Like enough he is a tough from the -Bowery of New York." - -"And the one on the rear seat beside the officer isn't any better," said -a middle-aged woman, peering through her eyeglasses. "Just think of two -as young as they robbing a post office for a few paltry dollars, and -almost beating the life out of the old postmaster! Ugh! it would serve -them right if they were lynched." - -Every word of this and many more were heard by Alvin and Chester during -their brief debate with the officer. It "added to the gayety of nations" -and caused Alvin to turn his head and say to his friend: - -"Give a dog a bad name, Chester--you know the rest. We don't seem to -have made a very good impression in Charmount. I never knew I looked so -much like a double-dyed villain." - -"I have noticed it many times and it has caused me much pain." - -"It might distress me, if we both were not in the same boat." - -"We have often been in the same boat, but I don't know that we ever -shall be again. Ah, you have one friend in Charmount." - -"Who is he?" asked Alvin, with quick interest. - -"It's a _she_; cast your eye toward the telegraph office." - -As Alvin did so, he saw the sweet-looking telegraphist in the door and -watching proceedings. He could not resist the temptation to touch his -fingers to his lips and waft them toward her. Nothing daunted, she -replied similarly, whereat most of the spectators were shocked. - -"I should hold her in tender regard," said Alvin, "if she didn't ask -such a big price for a look at Mike's telegram." - -"How much does she want?" - -"Fifty thousand dollars." - -"Why didn't you give it her?" - -"I didn't happen to have the change with me; can you help me out?" - -"I should like to help us both out, but the officer might object." - -The chauffeur was backing and turning, and now headed the machine over -the road by which he had brought his employer to this spot. - -"Where to now?" asked Alvin of their gaoler. - -"Augusta--as straight and fast as we can travel." - -But Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes down to the present time have never -seen the capital of the State of Maine. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -A FRIEND IN NEED - - -The automobile with the constable and two prisoners sped down the road, -aiming to stride the main highway leading northward to Augusta. It was a -good run, but the machine ought to make it before night closed in, for -the days were long and the course was favorable. The officer could have -boarded the _Gardiner_ at one of the stopping places and made the -journey by water, but nothing was to be gained by so doing. - -The chauffeur slowed down and honked as he drew near the turn in the -roadway. Just then he saw another auto coming from the north and curving -about to enter the road leading to Charmount. It was similar to the car -in which our friends were riding and held only one passenger who sat -beside the chauffeur, the rear seat being empty. - -Something in the appearance of the former struck Alvin as familiar. He -was middle-aged, neatly dressed, with sandy mustache and slightly -stooping shoulders. He looked sharply at the youth as the machines drew -nearer. A moment before they came opposite, he called out: - -"Hello, Alvin! where are you going? Gabe, what's up?" - -The latter query was addressed to the constable, the two being old -acquaintances. Each ordered his chauffeur to stop, and they obeyed, with -the machines side by side. - -It was at this juncture that Chester, who was the first to recognize the -man, called to his companion: - -"It's Mr. Keyes Richards from Boothbay Harbor. He used to own the -Squirrel Inn, but has shifted over to Mouse Island." - -"How do you, do, Mr. Richards?" saluted Alvin. "We are glad to meet -you." - -"But I say what are you doing in this part of the world?" continued the -puzzled Richards. - -"Ask _him_," replied Alvin, jerking his head toward the officer behind -him. - -"Where did you pick up your passengers, Gabe?" inquired the other of -the officer, who was somewhat puzzled by the turn matters were taking. - -"Do you know them?" was his question. - -"Well, rather; they're particular friends of mine; they are staying for -the summer on Southport. Are you kidnapping them?" - -"That's what he is doing," Chester took upon himself to reply. - -Alvin, feeling the humor of the scene, clasped his hands and rolled his -eyes toward heaven: - -"Oh save us, kind sir! Save us, for he means to eat us up, and then hang -us and burn us at the stake. May I not rush to your loving arms, Mr. -Richards, before it is too late?" - -Richards was more mystified than ever. He didn't know what to make of it -all. He kept his gaze upon his old friend the officer, and waited for -him to speak. The constable's face had turned crimson, for he was -beginning to suspect the truth. - -"You have heard of the robbery of the post office at Rockledge, Keyes?" - -"Yes; I look for news of something of the kind every few days. What has -that to do with my young friends being in a position that looks as if -they are your prisoners?" - -"Banet Raymond tells me that that robbery was done by three men wearing -yachting suits. These two are dressed that way and they admit they had -another chap with them, but he's run off, so I arrested them on -suspicion--what in thunder are you laughing at?" - -Keyes Richards had thrown back his head and his laughter might have been -heard half a mile away. As soon as he could speak, he said: - -"So you took those two youngsters for burglars of the post office at -Rockledge! The joke is on you, Gabe, and I'll make sure all your friends -hear of it. Haw! haw! haw!" - -The poor officer squirmed and asked sullenly: - -"How should I know who they were? I never saw 'em before." - -"You've had enough experience to judge a little by looks; your own small -amount of sense ought to tell you better than this." - -"That's what I did go by. Don't you think that they look like a couple -of desperate criminals?" - -And the officer turned his head, scrutinized the youth at his side and -then leaned over and squinted at Alvin, as if he saw both for the first -time. Chester felt sympathy for the man, and waiting for Richards to -recover from his renewed outburst said: - -"We must be hard looking fellows, for every one in the crowd who saw us -leave Charmount agreed that we were a couple of villains." - -"And one woman thought lynching wasn't too good for us." - -"Well, Gabe, do you intend to carry them to Augusta?" - -"Of course not, now that you vouch for them--unless they want to go -there," he added. - -"Can you take us with you, Mr. Richards?" - -"I am on my way to Charmount to board the boat for Boothbay. I shall be -glad to have your company." - -"Have we your permission, officer?" asked Alvin, looking round at their -guardian, as he partly rose to his feet. - -The constable was uneasy. Moving about in his seat, he asked: - -"I say, young men, you haven't any hard feelings agin me?" - -Keyes Richards overheard the question and his waggishness could not be -repressed. - -"You boys have a clear case against Gabe; you ought to have no trouble -in soaking him for ten or twenty thousand dollars damages." - -"Is that a fact?" asked Alvin, pausing in stepping from one car to -another, as if suddenly impressed by the idea. - -"Gabe owns one of the finest farms in Lincoln county; you will have no -trouble at all to get it from him." - -The officer would have been scared almost out of his wits had he not -caught the wink of Richards and the responsive smile of Alvin. The -sympathetic youth replied: - -"It is all right, officer, though we should have felt different if you -had put those handcuffs on us. We have had a little fun and don't mind -it. Good-by." - -Each boy shook hands with the grim fellow, who was vastly relieved by -their good will. - -"You know we have to take chances now and then, but I always try to do -my duty regardless of consequences." - -"You have a hard job before you, Gabe, but I hope you will win; no one -deserves it more," said Richards. - -And the parties separated in the best of humor. - -The run to Charmount was quickly made. Nearly all who saw the departure -of the officer with the prisoners witnessed their return in the company -of Keyes H. Richards, who was well known to nearly everybody from -Augusta to the mouth of the Kennebec. He saluted a number of persons and -the chauffeur who had brought him to that point circled his machine -about, and skimmed off after the fleeing constable, who must have been -many miles up the road by that time. - -It was some minutes before the little group could understand the turn of -affairs. Alvin lifted his cap to the woman who had thought that he and -his companion deserved lynching and said: - -"If you feel that we should be executed we are here to receive our -sentence." - -She stared at the impudent youngster, sniffed and flirted away without -reply. The tennis player who insisted that the looks of the lads proved -their villainy did not at first quite grasp the situation. He aimlessly -patted his hip with his racquet and looked and wondered. Alvin with his -winsome grin addressed him: - -"We are unlucky that our faces give us away, but it can't be helped. The -constable became so disgusted with us that he turned his prisoners over -to Mr. Richards." - -"Does he know you?" asked the other unabashed. - -"It looks that way, doesn't it?" - -"I have no doubt he was the third burglar who stuck up the Rockledge -post office. You are all tarred with the same stick. However, I'll -promise to drop in on you if they send you to Atlanta to keep company -with Uncle Sam's guests--for I intend to make a business trip South next -month." - -"Are you sure it is solely on _business_?" was the pointed inquiry of -Chester. - -"That is the present outlook, but if this post office robbing industry -picks up a little more, you and I might join hands and whack up." - -"Chester, we aren't making much here," said Alvin. "Suppose we pay our -respects to the pert young lady who rattles the telegraph key." - -They walked into the little building, while Richards stayed outside and -explained that the fathers of the boys owned about half the city of New -York and most of the railway lines westward to the Rocky Mountains; that -they would probably buy Southport, Squirrel, Outer Heron and a number of -other islands by the close of next season; that their sons were two of -the finest-grained young gentlemen that had ever honored Maine with a -visit; that young Landon was the owner of the prettiest motor boat ever -seen in those waters, and that it was stolen exactly as they had -described, and he was going to give them all the help he could in -recovering it. If any one of his listeners wished to earn a handsome -reward, all he had to do was to find the boat. Suffice it to say, the -story of Mr. Richards made a sensation, and Alvin and Chester became -objects of profounder interest than when they were prisoners charged -with the crime of robbing a post office. - -The young heroes never heard anything of these amazing yarns, for they -had entered the telegraph office to see the bright-eyed operator who had -had her fling at them. She glanced up from her table as she finished -clicking off a message, and remarked: - -"Out on bail I suppose; the next thing no doubt, you will skip." - -"Would you blame us?" asked Alvin. "The punishment for that sort of -thing is pretty severe." - -"Ten or twenty years, I believe." - -"Something like that, with considerable off for good behavior." - -"You're not likely to get any allowance for _that_--there's your boat!" -she exclaimed, as the hoarse whistle of a steamer sounded from the -river. Alvin would have liked to make appropriate reply to this irony, -but really he had no time to think one up. He and his chum hurried out, -merely calling good-by to her. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -A GLIMPSE OF SOMETHING - - -The steamer was a small one running between Wiscasset and Boothbay -Harbor by way of the Sheepscot. She rounded gracefully to at the wharf -at Charmount, making fast with the ease of long habit, and amid the -trucks, laden with freight and shoved and pulled by trotting men, nearly -a dozen passengers hurried aboard, among them being Mr. Richards and his -young friends. - -Leaving Alvin and Chester to themselves, Richards entered the pilot -house where he shook hands with the captain and sat down. The visitor -was welcome wherever he went, for every one knew him as among the most -trustworthy of men. During the brief halt at the landing, Richards told -his story to which the captain listened attentively. - -"I have noticed that boat," he remarked; "she is one of the prettiest in -these parts; it was a daring piece of thievery, and is sure to get the -scamps into trouble." - -"I want you to keep a lookout on the way to Squirrel." - -"Don't I always do that, Keyes?" - -"I am not certain; but a good many folks think so, and that's as good as -if you really did attend to business. Now, if the launch has kept going, -of course we shall see nothing of her." - -"And if she hasn't kept going and doesn't wish to be seen by us, she -won't have any trouble in hiding. There are lots of places where you -couldn't glimpse her with a telescope. I won't forget, and will give you -what help I can." - -Just then the captain signalled to the engineer, the screw of the -steamer began churning and she swung out into the crystalline current. -Richards kept his seat behind the captain, the two exchanging remarks -now and then and both scanning the water and banks as they glided past. -Several times the caller slipped out of the small pilot house, and, -shading his eyes with one hand, studied the shore like an eagle -watching its prey. They passed small sailboats, exchanged toots with -other steamers and made their landings nearly always on time. - -While Mr. Richards was scrutinizing the banks, islands and the mouths of -the small bays and inlets, Alvin and Chester were similarly engaged. -They seated themselves at the extreme stern under the awning where the -view on the right and left was as unobstructed as it could be. - -They had come to the belief that the persons who robbed the Rockledge -post-office included the two whom they saw at Boothbay Harbor, and that -one of the couple took part in the attack upon Alvin when making his way -home some nights before. - -"When you remember that they were the same number as ourselves and that -they wore yachting suits, it is easy to understand how the constable -made his mistake." - -"Not forgetting our villainous looks," added Chester. - -"I understand there have been so many post office robberies in this part -of Maine that there is no doubt that a well-organized gang is at work." - -"And these three belong to it." - -"There are more beside them. It looks as if they have divided a certain -part of the State among them, and our acquaintances have been given this -section. There are several facts about this business which I don't -understand." - -"It's the same with me. For instance, why should those fellows steal -your boat? They have one of their own." - -"It may be so far off that they could reach it much sooner with the help -they got from the _Deerfoot_." - -"I don't see how that can be, for they must have come up the river in -their own craft and meant to go back to it with their booty. They would -be sure to leave it at the most convenient place, which would be as near -if not nearer than where we went ashore at the blockhouse." - -"That would seem so, but if true they must have known they would add to -their danger by stealing another boat. No, Alvin, we are off in our -guesses." - -"Can you do any better?" - -"No, but you remember when studying in our school history the capture -of Major Andre, that the British sloop-of-war _Vulture_ went up the -Hudson to take him on board after his meeting with Benedict Arnold. The -spy would have been saved that way, if the sloop hadn't been forced to -drop down stream, so that when Andre needed it, the vessel was not -there. Now suppose it was something like that with these people." - -Alvin thought over this view of the situation, but shook his head. - -"It doesn't strike me as likely. But what's the use of guessing? The -most curious part of it all to me is that they should have come along -when we were sitting behind the blockhouse and find the _Deerfoot_ -waiting for them. A few minutes earlier or later and nothing of the kind -could have happened. Then, too, we hadn't a thought of halting there -till Mike's curiosity caused us to go ashore. Do you know, Chester, I am -more anxious about Mike than about the motor boat?" - -"I don't understand why." - -"We are sure to get back the launch sooner or later, but, as I said, -Mike is so headlong, so fond of a shindy, as he calls it, and so eager -to get another chance at the fellow who ran away from him, that he is -likely to run into trouble." - -"He has been doing that all his life, and yet has managed to fight his -way out. I haven't any fear of his not being able to do so this time." - -"It seems to me that if we don't get any trace of the _Deerfoot_ on the -way down, we may as well get off at Southport and send despatches to all -the points along the river, asking that a lookout be kept for our boat, -and word be sent to me as soon as anything is picked up. I am not -worrying about the launch, only that those villains are robbing us of a -lot of fun which we counted upon." - -"We'll take the advice of Mr. Richards; he may think that Boothbay -Harbor, where he lives, is the best point to send out inquiries." - -Now, our young friends cannot be censured because they talked in their -ordinary tones, taking no pains to keep what they said from those around -them. They were equally blameless in not noticing a certain gentleman -who sat two or three paces away on the bench which curved around the -upper deck, apparently absorbed in reading the last copy of the Lewiston -_Journal_. He smoked a big black cigar and seemed to be interested -solely in his paper. None the less, he had taken his seat for the -purpose of hearing the conversation, and he did not allow a word to -elude him. He wore a gray business suit, with a white Fedora hat, a -colored shirt and a modest striped necktie. The face was strong, with -clean cut features, and was shaven clean of all beard. His eyes were -gray and his manner alert. Most of the time he held the paper so high -above his crossed legs that his face would have been invisible to the -boys had they looked at him. But there were three other men, as many -women, and a couple of children near that were equally interesting to -Alvin and Chester, who feeling they had nothing to conceal, made no -effort to conceal it. - -"There would be a good hiding place for the _Deerfoot_," suddenly -exclaimed Alvin, springing to his feet and indicating a part of Barter -Island, whose northern end is just below Point Quarry, from which it is -separated by Cross River. Thence it reaches southward for nearly five -miles, not far from Sawyer Island and the Isle of Springs. - -The point indicated by Alvin was near the southern extremity of Barter -Island, and was a small inlet, inclosed by dense pines on all sides, and -curving slightly to the north a little distance from the stream. The -opening was broad enough to admit any of the steamers which pass up and -down the river, though none of them ever turns in, since there is no -cause for doing so. Had the _Deerfoot_ chosen to make the entrance, it -could have been screened from sight by the turn of the small bay, and -the thickly wooded shores. - -As the boat glided swiftly past the boys scrutinized every part of the -inlet in their field of vision, but saw nothing to give hope that it was -the hiding place of the stolen launch. It was not to be wondered at, for -they had already passed a score of places that offered just as safe -refuge. - -Neither Alvin nor Chester noticed that the man in a gray suit turned -partly round, dropped his paper on his knee, and also studied the little -bay upon which their gaze was fixed. He wore no glasses, for his sharp -eyes did not need artificial help. Even had his action been observed by -the youths, they would have thought nothing of it, for the exclamation -of Alvin caused several of the passengers to take the same survey. - -The steamer had hardly passed the bit of water and the boys were still -standing, when Mr. Richards came out of the pilot house and hurried to -them. - -"Did you see anything?" he asked. - -"No; did you?" asked Alvin in turn. - -"I am not certain, but the captain and I caught a glimpse of something -which we thought might be the stern or bow of a motor boat like yours, -though as likely as not it was nothing of the kind." - -"Can you get the captain to put us ashore?" eagerly asked Alvin. "I'll -pay him for his trouble." - -Richards shook his head and smiled. - -"He wouldn't do it for a thousand dollars; there is no place to make a -landing, though he might use one of the boats to have you rowed to land. -He halts only at certain fixed points." - -"What is the best we can do?" - -"Do you mean to find out what it is that is lying in that inlet?" - -Alvin replied that such was the wish of himself and his companion. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -ON BARTER ISLAND - - -"All you have to do is to get off at Sawyer Island, our next landing, -and walk back to this inlet." - -"Can we go by land?" asked Alvin. - -"No trouble. There are two or three bridges to cross and you may have a -little tramping to do at the end of your journey, but it is easy." - -"How far is it?" - -"Something like three miles--perhaps a little more." - -"That's nothing for us; we shan't mind it." - -"It will carry you close to darkness, but that need make no difference. -The sky has cleared somewhat, but I don't believe you will have any -moonlight." - -"That may be an advantage; at any rate let us hope so." - -Sawyer Island, possibly a tenth as large as Barter, had been in sight -for some time, and the steamer speedily drew up beside the rather -rickety landing. It happened that no passengers and only a few boxes of -freight were taken aboard. Only three persons left the boat--the two -youths and the gentleman in a gray suit, who seemed to spend most of his -time in reading the Lewiston _Journal_. This fact led Alvin and Chester -to look at him with some interest. He carried a small handbag, and -appeared to be confused after stepping ashore. He looked about for a -minute or two and then addressed the agent, an elderly man with a yellow -tuft of whiskers on his chin, no coat or waistcoat, a pair of trousers -whose tops were tucked in his boots, and a single suspender which made -the garments hang lopsided in a seemingly uncomfortable manner. - -"I beg your pardon, friend, but isn't this the Isle of Springs?" - -"Not much," replied the agent, with a grin that displayed two rows of -big yellow teeth. "This is Sawyer Island." - -"My gracious! you don't say so!" exclaimed the new arrival in no little -astonishment. "How is that?" - -"It's 'cause it happens to be so; can't you read?" - -"What do you mean by such a question?" - -"There are the words painted on the front of that shanty in big enough -letters to read as fur as you can see 'em." - -The man glared at them. - -"Was there ever such stupidity? If I signalled the steamer do you think -she would come back and take me up?" - -"I rayther think not, but you might try it." - -And he did try it. Snatching off his hat he swung it over his head and -shouted at the top of his voice. - -"Hold on there! You've left me behind! Come back!" - -Several deck hands on the boat must have seen the frantic passenger, who -ran to the edge of the wharf, and added his handbag to the circlings, -while he kept up his shoutings. Alvin and Chester, as much amused as the -agent, fancied they could see the grins on the faces of several of the -men on the steamer. One of them waggishly crooked a forefinger as an -invitation for him to come aboard, but none the less the boat steamed -straight on to the Isle of Springs. - -"You might swim, stranger," suggested the agent. - -Ignoring the sarcasm, the other asked: - -"Can't I hire a boat to take me across?" - -"No diffikilty if you've got money." - -By this time the youths felt that they had had enough of the scene, and -turned to follow the road nearly to the other side of the island, where -it joined the one leading to Hodgdon Island and then extended across -that to the bridge connection with Barter. They had made so careful a -study of the map that they had no fear of going wrong. They might not -have been in such haste, had not the afternoon been drawing to a close -and night certain to be near when they should reach their destination. - -The day was comparatively cool, for be it remembered that while we are -smothering with summer heat in States farther south, there is little of -it on the coast of Maine, except occasionally during the middle of the -day. - -Something more than half a mile brought the youths to the first turn, -when they went due north to the skeleton-like bridge which joins the two -islands that have been named. They had walked so briskly that upon -reaching the farther end they paused for a brief breathing spell. -Naturally they looked about them--across the comparatively narrow strait -to Hodgdon Island, to the right toward the mainland, and westward in the -direction of the Sheepscot River. Leaning against the railing, they next -gazed back over the bridge which they had just trodden. At the end was a -man resting like themselves and in the same attitude. - -"It's odd that he is the first person we have seen since we started," -remarked Alvin. "Since we didn't meet him he must be going the same way -as ourselves." - -"Neither of us is doing much going just now," said Chester. "Have you -thought, Alvin, that we haven't a pistol between us?" - -"What of it?" - -"We may need it before we are through with this business." - -"I remember father telling me that when he was a young man he visited -Texas and at Austin had a long talk with Ben Thomson." - -"Who was Ben Thomson?" asked the wondering Chester. - -"One of the greatest desperadoes that that State ever produced. He -looked like a dandified young clerk or preacher, but it was said of him -that in all his career he never missed the man at whom he fired. The -governor found him a pleasant fellow to talk with and they became quite -chummy. When asked his advice about carrying a revolver, Ben told him -never to do it--at least while in Texas. 'If you do,' said Ben, 'it will -be the death of you as sure as you are now alive. You can't draw half as -quick as the bad men whom you are likely to run against, and the fact -that you are carrying a gun will bring the other's acquittal in any -court where the case may be tried. But if you are unarmed, no one will -molest you, for only the meanest coward will attack an unarmed man.' -Now, what I think is, that we are safer without a revolver than with -one. Neither of us is an expert and we should have no show with these -post office robbers if we got into a fight where guns were used." - -Chester was not satisfied with this view of the situation. - -"From what I have heard, such persons don't wait to find out whether -another is armed before firing upon him, and in spite of what you say, I -wish I had a loaded Smith and Wesson, or a Colt in my hip pocket." - -"Well, you haven't nor have I. The governor has no patience with this -fashion among boys of carrying deadly weapons. The temptation to use -them when there is no need is too great." - -Chester shook his head in dissent, and as they resumed their walk -discussed the near future, for it was prudent to do so. After they had -crossed the second bridge at the northern end of Hodgdon Island, he -said: - -"It can't be much farther to that inlet where we may or may not find the -_Deerfoot_. It is time we made up our minds what to do. Suppose we come -upon your boat with the thieves in charge, shall we tell them they have -been very naughty and must go away and let us have the property without -making any fuss?" - -Alvin laughed. - -"Maybe that's as good a plan as any. I believe I can convince them that -the wisest thing for them to do is to turn the boat over to us and clear -out." - -"If they are desperate enough to rob post offices and steal a motor -launch, they are not the ones to give it up for the asking. There!" -exclaimed Chester stopping short, "we forgot something." - -"What is it?" - -"We meant to have telegrams sent out to different points from Boothbay -Harbor, asking lots of persons to keep a lookout for the _Deerfoot_." - -"What's the need of that when we have found her?" - -"It isn't certain we have found her, but it can't be helped now." - -They resumed their walk, and in due time trod the soil of Barter Island, -by crossing another long wooden bridge. They had met on the way a -rickety wagon, a carriage and one automobile, but no person on foot. A -mile or so farther they came upon a hamlet, where it seemed prudent to -ask a few questions. Night was so near that it was important that they -should make no mistake in their course. They learned that from this -cluster of houses a single highway led to the western coast of Barter -Island. Barely a half mile beyond the terminus of this road was the -inlet upon which they had centered their hopes. Mr. Richards had told -them that they would have to tramp this distance, but would probably -find a path which would make the task easy. Although minute knowledge -was necessary to enable one to speak definitely, yet Mr. Richards -reminded them that the fact of there being dwellings at varying -distances all along the coast proved that there must be means of -communication between them. - -The boys knew they were within a half mile of the inlet when they paused -more to consult than to rest. The road was lined on both sides by a -vigorous growth of fir. To the rear it reached several hundred yards -nearly straight, but curved sharply a little way off in front. By -accident, Chester's face was turned toward the road behind them. The two -had not spoken a dozen words when Chester remarked without any -excitement: - -"I wonder who it is that's coming this way; probably some countryman or -fisherman." Alvin looked back. - -"I don't see anyone." - -"He dodged to one side among the trees when he saw us." - -"What made him do that?" - -"I wish I knew." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -THE MAN IN GRAY - - -Naturally the boys were curious to know the meaning of the stranger's -conduct. They could not see why anyone travelling the same way with -themselves should wish to avoid observation. It would seem that he would -have hurried forward for the sake of company in this lonely region. -Could it be he was really trying to keep out of sight? - -Chester's added explanation left no doubt on this point. - -"It was accidental on my part. I happened to be looking at the very -point where the road makes a turn, when I caught a glimpse of something -moving on the edge of my field of vision as if coming this way. Before I -could do more than see it was a person, he slipped to the side among the -trees. That I think proves he does not wish to be seen by us." - -"He must have known _you_ saw _him_." - -"No; the chances were a hundred to one against either of us noticing -him, though we might have done so had he come two steps nearer. Not -doubting that he was secure, he whisked out of sight for the time." - -"He might have done that by leaping backward instead of sideways." - -"I don't see any choice between the two methods. I am beginning to -suspect that for some reason he is interested in us. How is it, Alvin, -that we never had a suspicion of anything of that kind?" - -"Because we had no reason for it." - -"Now it would be odd if that man is the one who rested at one end of the -first bridge while we were doing the same at the other." - -"And has been dogging us ever since. It is easy enough to find out. Come -on!" - -Avoiding the manner of those who had detected anything amiss, the youths -faced south once more, and, neither hastening nor retarding their pace, -walked along the middle of the highway until they had passed beyond the -bend which hid them from the sight of the individual whose actions were -anything but reassuring. - -"Now!" whispered Alvin. - -As he spoke, he stepped into the wood on their right, his companion -doing the same. There was no undergrowth and they threaded their way for -several rods and then were unable to find a tree with a trunk large -enough to hide their bodies. Doing the best they could, they fixed their -gaze upon the highway, along which they expected to see the man come -within the succeeding few minutes. - -An impulse led Alvin to glance at his watch just at the moment he placed -himself behind the trunk of a pine not more than six inches in diameter. -After waiting seemingly longer than necessary, he examined his timepiece -again. The minutes pass slowly to those who are in suspense, but surely -the interval ought to have brought the stranger into view. But he was as -yet invisible. A quarter of an hour dragged by and still nothing was to -be seen of him. Alvin looked across at Chester, who was a few paces off, -also partially hidden from sight of anyone passing over the highway. - -"What do you make of it?" asked the puzzled Captain of the _Deerfoot_. - -"How long have we been waiting?" - -"A half hour." - -"Then he isn't coming," said Chester, stepping forth and walking toward -the road; "we are throwing away time and it is already growing dark." - -On the edge of the highway the two halted and peered to the right and -left. Not a person was in sight. - -"He has turned back," said Alvin. - -"Why should he do that?" - -"He must have known we saw him." - -"More likely he dived into the wood and made a circle so as to come back -to the road between us and the inlet. He can't be far off." - -"He has had plenty of time to get out of sight." - -"Perhaps not." - -Led by the hope, the boys hastened to the next turn, which gave them -sight of a hundred yards or more before it wound out of view again. - -"There he is!" whispered Alvin excitedly. - -"No; it is not he." - -A large boy in a straw hat, with loose flapping linen duster and bare -feet was strolling toward them. He kept in the middle of the road, for -the walking was as good there as on either side. With his hands in his -trousers pockets and whistling softly to himself he lounged forward. He -started as the lads stepped out from among the trees. - -"Gosh! you give me a scare!" he exclaimed with a grin. "Who be you?" - -"Friends," Alvin took it upon himself to answer. "Who are you?" - -"Henry Perkins," was the prompt response from the youth, whose manner -showed that he was not at ease. - -"Where do you live?" - -"Up the road, not fur, near this end of the bridge to Hodgdon Island." - -"Where are you coming from now?" - -The youth hesitated a moment and then with his unrelaxing grin answered: - -"I spent the day with my cousin Burt Eggles over at Westport; he rowed -me across the Sheepscot, and as I told you I'm on my way hum; if I -don't arriv there purty blamed soon, the old man will give me an -all-fired licking." - -"Did you meet anybody on the road?" - -Henry Perkins shook his head several times. - -"Didn't meet nobody; there ain't many folks in this part of the kentry." - -"Well," said Alvin, "you may go on home now; if your 'old man' is cross -with you tell him you were stopped on the road." - -"Haw! haw! he mought ask how long I was stopped. Wal, I'm off." - -He strode forward with long steps, as if anxious to get away from the -couple who asked such personal questions. He had gone only a few paces -when he abruptly halted, looked around at the two, who were amusedly -watching him, and exclaimed: - -"Gosh! I furgot something--I'm sorry," he added, using the catch phrase, -which was beginning to take the place of the conventional "excuse me," -or "I beg pardon." - -"What is that?" - -"I _did_ meet a feller a little way down the road." - -The youths were interested on the instant. - -"Do you know who he was?" asked Alvin. - -"Never seen him afore; didn't ask his name; don't spose he'd told me if -I had; I nodded and he nodded; neither of us didn't speak; that's all." - -"How was he dressed?" - -"Had on a soft, light hat, gray suit and carried a handbag." - -"Thank you, Henry, good night." - -"I 'spose I was so rattled at fust I didn't think of him when you asked -me if I'd met anybody. Wal, so 'long." - -"What do you make of it now?" asked Alvin of his chum, as they resumed -their walk toward the inlet. - -"That's the man we saw pretending to rest at the further end of the -first bridge; he's the one who sat near us on the steamer reading a -newspaper, and he left the boat when we did. That swinging of his hat -and yelling for the steamer to come back and pick him up was a bluff. He -got off because _we_ did and he has been following us ever since." - -Neither could doubt this self-evident fact, which was enough to make -them graver than usual. - -The man in gray must have known from the actions of the youths that one -if not both had discovered him while he was passing over the road behind -them. He had, as Chester suspected, turned in among the pines and made a -circuit by which he came out in advance of them. This might never have -become known but for the meeting between him and Henry Perkins. - -But the disturbing question remained to be answered: who was he and what -did he mean by his actions? - -"I believe he is one of the post office gang," said Alvin. - -"So do I," assented his companion; "he knew from what we said on the -boat that we are hunting the stolen launch and he means to be on the -ground when we find it." - -"What for?" - -"Aye, there's the rub; whatever it may be it doesn't mean any good to -us. We have another criminal to buck against and one that's likely to -get the best of us. I wish now that I had two revolvers and you a -repeating rifle." - -"Wishing can do no good. We'll win if we can." - -It was characteristic of these two young Americans that to neither came -a thought of turning back. It was more than probable that they would run -into personal peril, but none the less they cheerfully took the risk. - -When they reached the end of the highway which has its beginnings on the -southern point of Barter Island, it was fully dark. In the single small -house that stood there a light was burning, and a form flitted between -it and the curtain of the window. - -"Alvin, I have just found out something," said his chum. - -"What's that?" - -"I was never hungrier in my life." - -"The same here and have been for an hour or two." - -"Let's go in and get something to eat." - -No railings or fence showed in front of the little faded structure upon -whose door Chester gently knocked. It was opened by an elderly woman, -who was engaged in setting the table. In answer to her inquiring looks -Chester said: - -"Good evening! Can we buy something to eat?" - -"No, sir; we don't sell food; we give it to them as needs it!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -AT THE INLET - - -It was not the thin, meek-looking woman who uttered these words of -welcome. The tones were so thunderous that both the lads were startled, -and they did not see the speaker, until they stepped across the -threshold. He was an old man, one who must have been near eighty, who -was sitting near the front window, smoking a corncob pipe. His face was -weazened and wrinkled, his white hair thin and his shoulders stooping, -but his little eyes twinkled kindly and he wore no glasses. He was in -his shirt sleeves and his waistcoat hung loosely and unbuttoned down the -front. His clean, coarse white shirt showed no necktie, but there was a -pleasing neatness about his trousers and thick shoes. - -Alvin and Chester removed their caps and saluted the couple. The woman -had not spoken and for a long time kept silent. - -"Take a cheer! take a cheer!" added the old man, holding his pipe in -one hand while he waved the other toward seats; "take a couple if you -like." - -The wonder about the old fellow was his voice. Never had the callers -heard so deep and resounding a bass. It was literally like thunder. Each -asked himself what it was a half century before. - -There was no mistaking his hospitality. Probably in his loneliness he -welcomed any callers, no matter who they might be. He smiled upon the -youths, who noticed that there was not a tooth visible. - -"Bless my heart! It does my old eyes good to look upon two such handsome -chaps as you! Your faces be clean, your eyes bright, you wear purty good -clothes and I don't b'lieve you use terbacker." - -"No," said Alvin; "we haven't begun yet." - -"My! my! you don't know what you've missed, but there's time 'nough; -wait till you're as old as me afore you start. How old do you think I -am?" - -The pleased lads scanned the wrinkled countenance as if trying to make -up their minds. It was Chester who answered for both: - -"You must be past sixty-five--pretty close to seventy." - -The remark was diplomatic, for both knew he was a good deal older. The -man threw back his head and shook with mirth. - -"Do you hear that, Peggy? They think I'm purty close to seventy! That's -the best joke I've heerd since I was a boy. He! he! Why, young man," he -added, abruptly checking his laughter, "I'll be eighty-three come next -Christmas. I was a Christmas gift to my father and mother." - -"You don't mean it!" replied Alvin, with a shake of his head. - -The wife paused in crossing the floor and laughed, but without the least -sound. - -"I don't mean it, eh? Ask Peggy." - -The youths looked inquiringly and she nodded several times in -confirmation, but remained mute. - -"We can't doubt _her_," said Chester. "You are surely a wonder, Mr.----" - -"Folks don't call me mister; I'm Uncle Ben--Ben Trotwood. Who might you -be?" - -There was no need of evasion, and Alvin briefly told all the important -facts. Having given their names, he related how their motor boat had -been stolen while they were taking lunch that day in the woods near the -blockhouse. It was not worth while to mention Mike Murphy. - -"Consarn such scamps!" exclaimed Uncle Ben. "They oughter be made to -smart. But when Peggy opened the door I think you said something 'bout -devouring food." - -"We are hungry." - -"Wal," said the old man, rising briskly from his chair in answer to a -nod from his wife, "supper's ready and we'll all set by. If you want to -please us you won't leave a crumb on the table." - -"Then we'll be sure to please you." - -It was a most enjoyable meal of which our young friends partook, after -Uncle Ben had said grace as was his invariable custom. The food was -plain but excellently cooked and there was an abundance. The host was as -spry as a man of half his years, and presided, his wife pouring out tea -which never tasted better to Alvin and Chester. Each of the lads, when -no one was watching him, slipped a dollar bill under his plate, where it -was not likely to be seen until after they had gone. - -The kindliness of the old man as well as that of the mute wife made the -guests feel at home. Toward the close of the meal Chester said: - -"Uncle Ben, you've got the most wonderful voice I ever heard." - -Plainly the old man was pleased. - -"It ain't a sarcumstance to what it was when I was younger. They asked -me to sing bass in the church at Trevett, but I nearly busted -proceedings. The folks said that when I let out my voice, they couldn't -hear anybody else in the choir." - -"It is easy to believe that." - -"Then," added Uncle Ben whimsically, "they made me pay for several panes -of glass that they insisted my voice had broke. I stood that, till one -Sunday, a boy begun yelling that he was afeard of that big black bear in -the gallery and he like to have went into fits ontil I put on the -brakes. Then I quit, plumb disgusted." - -"Don't you find it rather lonely here?" - -"Sometimes when the children wait too long to visit us." - -"How many children have you?" - -"Seven boys and six girls. We lost three afore they growed up." - -"You are rich indeed," said Chester admiringly. - -And then the wife spoke for the first time: - -"We ought to be thankful and _we are_!" - -It came out that all the sons and daughters were well married and lived -within a radius of little more than fifty miles. Each family had often -urged the old couple to make their home with it, but they preferred to -live by themselves. There was no danger of their suffering for anything -that affection could provide. - -Alvin and Chester would have been glad to stay over night, as they were -urged to do, but they decided to push on and learn what they could with -the least possible delay. While daylight would have been more favorable, -in many respects, for their task, they feared that the thieves would -make off with the _Deerfoot_ before daylight. The intrusion of the man -in gray added a zest to the search that had something to do with their -haste. - -Since Uncle Ben rarely went beyond sight of his humble home, he could -tell them nothing of the launch. He admitted that most of the time when -he sat by the front window smoking, he dozed or was fully asleep. He had -seen no one pass the house during the afternoon except the boy, Henry -Perkins. The man in gray might have gone by, but Uncle Ben knew nothing -of it. - -Promising to call if they ever came into the neighborhood again, the -youths bade the old couple good night. They hurried, for the wife had -begun clearing away the things from the table, and was sure to discover -the tip that each had left. They chuckled because they got clear of the -home without such mishap. - -It will be remembered that night had descended some time before, and the -clouded sky veiled the moon. The path of which Uncle Ben told them was -well defined, but in the dense gloom it was hard to keep it. Alvin, -taking the lead, spread out his arms and swept them in front of his face -to prevent collisions with projecting limbs. Once or twice he strayed to -one side, but with the help of Chester regained the trail and they -pushed on in good spirits, glad that they had not far to go. The -temperature was so mild that they felt no discomfort from the lack of -extra clothing. - -As they drew near the inlet their caution increased. Alvin in front -stepped as softly as an Indian scout entering the camp of an enemy. -Chester was equally careful and for some time neither spoke. With the -deep gloom inclosing them on every hand, they were mutually invisible. - -Suddenly Chester bumped lightly into his companion. - -"What's the matter?" he asked in a whisper. - -"I'm out of the path again." - -"I don't see that that makes any difference; we must be close to the -bay. Push on!" - -They felt their way in silence for a few minutes and then stopped once -more. Not the slightest sound was given out by the water that was -somewhere near them. Alvin hesitated, as he was afraid of a mis-step. - -At this juncture, when the two stood motionless and uncertain, nature, -singularly enough, came to their relief. The laboring moon for a few -seconds shone partly through the heavy clouds that were drifting before -its face, and the dim illumination revealed that two paces farther would -have taken them into the inlet. Scarcely was this discovery made when -blank night again shut them in. - -"Well, here we are," said Alvin; "and what comes next?" - -After all that had been said and done, it dawned upon both at this -moment that their whole venture was foolish to the last degree. Suppose -they located the _Deerfoot_, they would be powerless to do anything -more. Two unarmed youths could not retake it from the thieves, and they -might grope around the place for the whole night without learning the -truth. If they had been able to reach the spot before night, or, failing -in that, had waited till the morrow, their eyes would have quickly told -them all they wished to know. - -Standing side by side nonplussed for the moment, Alvin sniffed several -times. - -"Do you notice it?" he asked in a guarded undertone. - -"Notice what?" - -"I smell a cigar; somebody is near us." - -Chester tested his smelling apparatus and replied: - -"You are right; the odor is in the air." - -"It reminds me of the kind the governor smokes; and is therefore a -mighty good one." - -"It is the man in gray; he smoked nearly all the time on the boat." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -NOT NEAR EITHER BANK - - -Having convinced themselves that the man in gray was near at hand, the -next question Alvin and Chester asked themselves was whether he knew of -_their_ proximity. It would seem not, for they had moved with the -silence of shadows, and spoken in the most guarded of undertones. -Moreover, it was not to be supposed that he would smoke a cigar, knowing -the liability of betraying himself, just as he had done. Further, there -was the danger of the glowing end catching the eye of anyone in the -vicinity. The youths peered here and there in the obscurity in quest of -a tiny torch, but failed to see it. - -While speculating over the situation an unexpected shift took place. -Chester laid his hand on the arm of his comrade and whispered: - -"Look out on the water!" - -A point of light glowed like a tiny star from a spot directly opposite, -but quite a way from shore. It was of a neutral or yellow color, and the -reflection of the rays showed a few feet from where it shone above the -surface. The gleaming speck, however, was too small to tell anything -more. - -"I believe that's on the _Deerfoot_!" whispered Chester. - -"It may be, but it's on the other side of the inlet; we shall not learn -anything more while standing here." - -A new problem was thus presented. They could stay where they were until -daylight told them the truth, go back to Uncle Ben's house and sleep in -a comfortable bed, or pick their way through the wood and darkness to -the other side of the water. After a few minutes' consultation they -decided to follow the last course. - -Once nigh enough to the launch to touch it with outstretched hand they -would have no trouble in identifying it, no matter how profound the -gloom. While each youth saw the imprudence of the action, he was -impelled by the dread that the thieves would give them the slip, and be -almost beyond tracing within the following few hours. If they had run -into this place for shelter, there was no guessing how long they would -stay. - -The task before the lads was formidable. They did not know the width of -the inlet around whose head they must thread their course in order to -reach the point where the _Deerfoot_ or possibly some other motor boat -was lying. The distance might be brief or prove too great to be -traversed during the night. None the less they decided to try it. - -The star still shone a little above the silent surface which was as -smooth as a mirror. The light did not seem to be far off--a fact which -led our young friends to believe they would not have to walk far to -reach their destination. - -The immediate cause for misgiving was the man with the cigar. The most -careful snuffing failed to tell the direction from which the vapor -floated, and not a breath of air stirred the stillness. Whether the -youths moving eastward would be going toward or from him could not be -guessed. They could only trust to providence. - -"The slightest sound will give us away," said Alvin as he took the lead. -"Keep so near that you can touch me with your hand; I'll feel every inch -of the way." - -It should not be long before they would be far enough from the man in -gray to move with more freedom. The plan was to make a circuit around -the head of the inlet and come back to the spot where the _Deerfoot_ -nestled under the wooded bank. How long it would require to complete -this semi-circle remained to be seen. - -When twenty minutes had gone by and they had progressed several rods, -Alvin paused and said in his guarded undertone: - -"I don't smell the cigar; do you?" - -Chester called his nose into action and replied: - -"I don't detect any odor." - -"That means we have got away from him." - -"Or that he has finished his cigar and thrown away the stump. Push on." - -To avoid mishap, they kept several yards from the water. The task was so -hard that it would have been impossible but for the help given by the -moon. The sky had cleared considerably, so that the dim light shone at -brief intervals upon the water. Another blessing was appreciated by the -venturesome youths. The pine woods were free from briers and -undergrowth, the ground being soft, spongy and dry under their feet, -because of the cones and spines which had accumulated for many and many -a year. Still again, the inlet had no tributaries--at any rate the boys -did not come upon any, so they were not troubled in that respect. It was -simply a cove whose sole supply of water came from the broad Sheepscot. - -Such being the favoring conditions, Alvin and Chester made better -progress than either expected when setting out. Now and then Alvin led -the way to the water's edge in quest of the beacon which had served them -so well thus far. It still gleamed with a calm, unwinking clearness like -the point of an incandescent light. - -A gratifying discovery came sooner than the youths expected--they were -turning the head of the inlet and coming back on the other side from -the shore first reached. If all went well they ought to arrive at the -right spot within the next half hour. They ran against an unimportant -difficulty, however. A vigorous growth of underbrush clogged their -progress, but having left the mysterious stranger behind, they felt no -need of further care with their footsteps. - -It was yet comparatively early in the night when they completed the -broad half circle and came opposite the point of their first arrival. -The occasional clearing of the moon had been of much help, and they had -every reason to be satisfied with their progress. But before coming to a -pause, they were puzzled by a discovery for which at first they could -not account. - -The gleaming point that had served as a guide was nowhere near them. It -seemed like an ignis fatuus that recedes as the traveller tries to -approach it. So far as the lads could judge they were no closer to the -light than before. - -"That's the queerest thing I ever saw," said Alvin, as he and his -companion stood on the edge of the wood. "I thought we should run right -against the boat, and now there is no chance of doing so." - -"It must have crossed to the other shore while we were passing round the -head of the inlet," suggested Chester, as much perplexed as his chum. - -"Then we shall have to turn back." - -"And have it give us the slip again. That can't be the explanation, -Alvin; we should have heard the engine in the stillness. Ah! I have it! -The _Deerfoot_ is not near either bank, but anchored in the middle of -the cove or beside a small island." - -This obviously was the explanation, but it did not improve the -situation, so far as the searchers were concerned. With the partial -illumination given now and then by the moon they could not catch the -faintest outlines of the boat. It might have been a dozen miles away. - -"It looks as if we were up against it," remarked Alvin, with a sigh. "We -shall have to wait until daylight and may as well go back to Uncle -Ben's." - -Chester was silent for a minute or two. He was turning over a project in -his mind. - -"The boat can't be far off," he said. "What do you say to my taking off -my clothing and swimming out to it?" - -The proposal struck Alvin dumb at first. His friend added: - -"It will be easy; it won't take me long to go there and back." - -"Suppose you are seen?" - -"I have no fear of that; they won't be expecting anything of the kind -and I shall learn something worth while." - -"I won't agree to it," replied Alvin decisively; "it may look simple to -you, but there is more danger than you suspect. No, give it up. It is -_my_ boat and if anyone chose to risk his life to recover it he should -be myself, and I'll be hanged if _I'll_ try it." - -"All right; you are the Captain and I am only second mate, but it -grieves me to have you turn down my proposition. Sh! you heard that?" - -From the direction of the launch came the sound of a sneeze. In the -profound stillness there was no mistaking the nature of the noise. - -"I wonder if our friend is catching cold," was the whimsical remark of -Chester; "it sounds that way," he added as the person, whoever he was, -sneezed a second, third and fourth time in quick succession and then -rested. - -"Suppose I call to him to be careful," suggested Chester. - -"Do so if you choose, but it strikes me that we are the ones who need to -be careful." - -"Hello! the light is gone." - -Such was the fact. Not the slightest illumination pierced the gloom that -was now on every hand. - -"I guess they have gone to bed," remarked Chester, "and that is what we -might as well do. The weather is so mild that we can sleep on the soft -carpet in the woods without risk; it's a long walk to Uncle Ben's and we -want to be on hand at the first peep of day." - -"I can't say that I fancy spending the night out of doors." - -"It will be easy to start a fire." - -"And have it seen by those on the boat." - -"We can go so far back that there will be no danger of that." - -"What about breakfast?" - -"We can reach Uncle Ben's in time for that." - -"I have been suspecting, Chester, for the last hour that we have been -making fools of ourselves and now I haven't any doubt of it." - -"I hadn't from the first. Hist! do you hear that?" - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -A DISAPPOINTMENT - - -Through the soft, impenetrable darkness stole the almost inaudible sound -of a paddle, and strangely enough, only a single stroke was heard. The -listening youths agreed that the point whence it came was to the north -of the islet, and it was Chester Haynes who was keen witted enough to -hit upon the explanation. - -"Whoever it is he is trying not to betray himself; he is using his oar -as a paddle, to avoid the sound of rowing." - -"But _we_ heard him," said Alvin. - -"He made a slight slip and may do it again." - -They listened intently for several minutes, but the stillness was -unbroken. This continued for some time, when suddenly the sound was -heard, fainter than before--so faintly indeed that had not the two been -closely attentive they would not have noted it. - -"Another slip," remarked Chester; "I guess he doesn't know how to handle -a paddle very well. But he has got ahead, for he isn't where he was when -we first heard him." - -"He seems to be between us and the islet." - -"He may be coming this way!" - -As if in answer to the thought, the few rays of moonlight which fell -upon the water at that moment revealed the dim outlines of a small boat -that was heading toward the very spot where the friends were standing. - -"Let's make a change of base," whispered Chester, hastily turning to the -north, but halting where they could see the boat without being visible -themselves. - -With the weak light, they could trace it quite clearly. The craft was of -the ordinary structure, so small that it would not have carried more -than two or three persons, and had nothing in the nature of a sail. - -A man was seated in the middle holding a single paddle which he swayed -first on one side and then on the other. The observers suspected his -identity before the nose of the little boat slid up the bank and it came -to rest. Gently laying down the paddle, as if guarding against -discovery, the man rose to his feet and stepped out. As he did so, he -grasped a small handbag in one hand and moved with the alert nimbleness -of a boy. He was the man in the gray suit, who seemed to have formed the -habit of intruding into the plans of Alvin and Chester. They waited -motionless and silent until he disappeared in the wood. - -"Chester," said his friend, "I'll give you eleven cents if you will -explain that." - -"And I'll give you twelve if you'll clear it up for me." - -"I wonder now if he isn't acting as a sentinel for the others. He knows -we are somewhere in the neighborhood and has set out to keep track of -us." - -The theory might seem reasonable to the boys, but would not hold water, -for, after all, the action of the stranger did not agree with it. They -felt it idle to try to guess, and gave it up. Alvin had proposed that -they should stay no longer in the wood, but return to the hospitable -home of Uncle Ben. Though it would be late when they reached there, they -would be welcome, but both shrank from meeting the couple after the -discovery of the money they had placed under their plates. - -"Hold on, Alvin," whispered the other; "let's play a trick on that -fellow that keeps nosing into our business." - -"How?" - -"Let's use his boat to get a closer view of the _Deerfoot_." - -It was a rash thing to do, but it appealed to the young Captain. - -"All right; I'm with you. We must hurry, for he is likely to come back -any moment." - -Had they taken time for reflection, they probably would have given up -the plan, but boys of their age and younger are not apt to "look before -they leap." Without hesitation, they walked to where the frail boat lay -against the bank and Alvin shoved it clear. The water seemed to be deep -close to land, and the Captain took up the paddle, remarking that the -craft bore some resemblance to a canoe. They half expected that the man -would dash forward and call them to account, but nothing was seen or -heard of him, and the gloom swallowed them from sight of any person on -land. - -Now that the chance was theirs to settle the question which had -perplexed them so long it was important to consider each step. Alvin had -had experience in managing a small boat and he handled the paddle with -more skill than the former occupant, for the ripple which he caused -could not have been heard a dozen feet away. As the distance from shore -increased, they ceased to whisper. One knew the right thing to do as -well as the other, and Chester realized that he could give no directions -of value. - -It seemed to Alvin that since those on the launch knew the direction -taken by one of their number, they would expect him to return over the -same course. Instead, therefore, of making straight for the motor boat, -the Captain turned to the right, so as to approach the bow or stern. -Before he caught sight of the craft, he made a complete circuit of the -islet, keeping just near enough to trace its outlines and that of the -launch. The former was merely a mass of sand, consisting of about an -acre and without a tree or shrub upon it. It must have been nearly -submerged when the tide was high. - -Seated in the prow of the small boat, Chester Haynes peered with all the -power of eyesight at his command into the darkness, partly lighted up -now and then by the moon. This made the illumination treacherous and -uncertain and caused misgivings to both. Alvin glanced up at the rolling -clouds, striving to avoid betraying himself to anyone on board. The -presumption was that all had gone to sleep, leaving the duty of -protection to their friend, the man in gray. - -A look at the masses of vapor in the sky told Alvin that the heavy -obscurity would last for several minutes. He dipped the paddle deeper -and stole toward the bow of the launch that was beginning to show -vaguely. By and by he saw the sharp cutwater rising several feet above -the water, the staff with its drooping flag, and the glass shield just -aft of the motor compartment. - -"Sh! sh! back quick!" - -Chester whispered the warning, and Alvin without pausing to ask the -reason swung the paddle so powerfully that the gentle forward motion was -checked, and the boat moved in the other direction. Two or three strokes -carried it so far that the launch and all pertaining to it were -swallowed up in the gloom. - -Waiting till it was safe to speak, the Captain asked: - -"What did you see, Chester?" - -"A man," was the reply. - -"In what part of the launch?" - -"He was standing in front of the cockpit, about half way between it and -the flagstaff." - -"Then he saw us." - -"No; for he was looking toward the shore to which this boat had gone. -Had he turned his head, he must have noticed us." - -Alvin held the reverse motion until they felt it safe to talk without -dropping into whispers. - -"What harm could have come if he had seen us?" asked the Captain, "I -favor going straight up to the _Deerfoot_, stepping aboard and ordering -the thieves to turn her over to us." - -"Before doing so, one thing ought to be settled." - -"What is that?" - -"Find out whether it _is_ the _Deerfoot_." - -"Of course it is; what other boat could it be? We act as if we were -afraid to claim our own property." - -"_Your_ property you mean, Captain. If I may advise, it is that you make -another circuit around the islet and come up to the launch from the -rear. I don't think there is a second man on watch, and, if there isn't, -we shall be less likely to attract the first one's notice." - -"I'll do as you say, though I see no sense in it." - -With the utmost care the islet was circumnavigated as before, and the -stealthy approach from the rear was made. Alvin depended upon his -companion to give him warning, and while he remained silent the small -boat glided forward like a shadow cast by the moon. - -The man who had been seen standing near the prow would have been in -sight had he held his position, and since he was invisible, he must have -gone away. With the acme of caution, Alvin stole along the side of the -launch, keeping just far enough off to avoid grazing her, until he came -once more to the bow. - -This period being one of the total eclipses of the moon, he could do no -more than trace the outlines of the boat, whose familiar appearance -filled him with burning indignation that thieves should have dared to -lay hands upon it. There was not a breath of air stirring, and Chester -who still clung to his doubts, now drew his rubber safe from his pocket -and scratched a match over the corrugated bottom. As the tiny flame -flickered, he held it up in front of the gilt letters on the side of the -prow. Each saw them plainly, long enough to note that the name painted -there was not _Deerfoot_ but _Water Witch_! - -Alvin was astounded and disgusted beyond expression. Without a word, he -turned the head of the little boat toward the shore which they had left -a short time before, and did not speak until they reached land. He was -impatient, because he plainly heard his companion chuckling. - -"Let's give up looking for the _Deerfoot_," exclaimed the Captain, "and -see whether we can find Mike Murphy." - -"I'm with you," was the hearty response of Chester. - -Indeed it is high time that we, too, started upon the same errand. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -A TELEGRAM - - -You will remember that Mike Murphy, the Irish laddie, was brimful of -pluck, powerful and sturdy of build and with little in the nature of -fear in his make-up. His short legs, however, were not meant for -fleetness, and he never would have won fame as a sprinter. When he -parted company with Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes, only one purpose -controlled him--that was to regain possession of the stolen motor boat -_Deerfoot_ and incidentally to administer proper punishment to the -thieves who had so boldly stolen the craft. - -He loped down the road, until he was panting from the exertion, when he -dropped to a rapid walk, still burning with high resolve. With no -clearly defined plan in mind, he turned off at the intersection of the -highways, and soon reached Charmount, one of the regular landings where -the little steamers for Boothbay Harbor halted to let off and take on -passengers. - -"The right thing for mesilf to do is to sind a tilegram," was his -conclusion. "I don't mind that I ever done anything ov the kind excipt -to forward one by wireless when our steamer was in the middle of the -Atlantic. Howsumiver, that was sint by other folks and I hadn't anything -to do wid it excipt to listen to the crackling and spitting and -sparkling of the machine and to watch for the message flying out the -windy, which the same I didn't observe." - -His naturally red face was redder than usual, and he breathed fast, when -he stepped up to the little window. - -"I have a message that I wish to go over the wires as fast as -lightning," was his announcement, after raising his cap and saluting the -young lady. - -"That's the way all telegrams go," she replied, looking smilingly up -from her chair in front of the instrument. - -"Thank ye kindly." - -"All you have to do is to write it out and pay the cost." - -"And how much will the same be?" - -"That depends on the number of words and the distance it has to be sent. -Write it out." - -A pile of yellow blanks lay on the inclined planed board which served as -a desk, and there was a cheap pencil secured by a string, but no chair. -A sender had to stand while writing his message. Mike tried to act as if -he was used to such things. First he thrust the end of the pencil in his -mouth to moisten the lead and began his hard task. - -He was so long at it that the bright young miss looked up several times -to see how he was getting on. Through the narrow window she saw him -laboring harder than he had ever labored in his life. His tongue was -out, his eyes rolling, his cap shoved back from his perspiring forehead -and he grunted, standing first on one foot and then on the other, -crossing out words, writing them over again and scratching his head in -sore perplexity. She made no comment, but busied herself with other work -until more than a quarter of an hour had passed. - -Finally the toil was over and he shoved the little sheet of paper -through the window. - -"Whew! but that was a big job, as me uncle said when he tipped over the -house of Pat O'Keily. You'll excuse me bad penmanship, if you plaise." - -The operator took the paper from him and with wrinkled brow read the -following amazing effusion: - - "CHARMOUNT, MAIN, Orgust---- - - "_General George Washington, - President of the U. S. America_: - - "RESPICTED SIR AND BROTHER: - - "There has been the biggest outrage that has happened in a thousand - years. A pirut ship come up the Sheepscot River to-day and while me - and Captain Landon and Second Mate Haynes--it's mesilf that is - first mate--was eating our frugle repast behind the blockhouse, the - same piruts boarded our frigate the _Deerfut_ and run off wid her. - If we had seen the thaives we would have knocked their heads off. - Send one of your torpeder distroyers or a battleship and go for the - piruts bald-headed. - - "Kind regards to the missis and hoping you are well I subscribe - mesilf yours with great respict, - - "MIKE MURPHY." - -The Irish youth watched the face of the miss as she studied the message -for several minutes. Mike had a fair education, and although he limped -in his spelling, on the whole he did well. By and by the operator looked -into his face with perplexity and asked: - -"Why under the sun do you address your message to General Washington?" - -"Isn't he Prisident of the United States? I remimber reading the same in -me school history at home in Tipperary." - -"He was the first President, but that was a long time ago and he has -been dead more than a hundred years." - -"Then he isn't in the City of Washington, eh?" - -"No, he is in heaven, where you may be sure he has a front seat." - -"You couldn't forward the same to him?" asked Mike, his eyes twinkling. - -"I am afraid not; that station isn't in our line, though I hope you and -I will arrive there one of these days." - -She drew her pencil through the immortal name. - -"You wish to have this sent to the President?" - -"Av coorse; what might his name be?" - -"William H. Taft." - -"And his addriss is Washington?" - -"That's his official address, but he stops there only now and then each -year." - -"Where might he be now?" - -"Somewhere out West or on the Pacific coast or down at Panama--in fact, -almost anywhere except at the capital of our country." - -"Then can't he be raiched by telegraph?" asked Mike in dismay. - -"Oh, yes; all you have to do is to address your telegram to Washington, -just as you have done. They know there where to find him and your -message will be forwarded." - -"Very well. There is the money to pay for the same." - -Mike laid a silver quarter on the stand-up desk where she could reach -it. But she was busy just then counting the words by tipping them off -with the point of her pencil. When through she beamed upon him and -announced that the cost would be a little more than five dollars. - -"Woorah! woorah! what is it you're sayin'? All the funds I have wid me -is about half what you jist named." - -"You can save three-fourths of the cost by striking out the unnecessary -words. Let me help you." - -She obligingly edited the copy. It seemed to Mike that every word was -indispensable, but she convinced him to the contrary and finally -succeeded in boiling down the message so that the cost of the -transmission was reduced to a dollar and a half. Although, as the lad -had intimated, his funds were moderate, he paid the sum and the miss -lost no time in placing the telegram on the wire. - -We have no record of its fate after reaching the national capital. It -may have started to find the President on his never ending travels. If -so, it no doubt caused him a hearty laugh, but I am afraid he speedily -forgot it and the money expended by Mike was wasted. - -He thanked the miss for her aid and bade her good-day. Just then the -hoarse whistle of a steamer fell upon their ears. - -"Phwat's that?" asked Mike, stopping short and looking at her. She -glanced through the window before replying. - -"It's the _Nahanada_ on her way to Boothbay Harbor." - -"Ain't that lucky now!" he exclaimed, hurrying to the landing where he -joined the half dozen passengers in boarding her. - -The well-known steamer _Nahanada_ was returning from an excursion to -Wiscasset, with a large party from Boothbay Harbor. You will bear in -mind that Mike Murphy's departure down the Sheepscot from Charmount -preceded that of his friends by more than an hour. - -Now that he had time to rest and think, he did both. Like the other two -youths, he chose his seat on the upper deck at the extreme rear, where -he had a good view of both shores in descending the Sheepscot. He was -not in a mood for conversation, and though several were seated near him, -he gave them no attention. In this respect, he had the advantage over -his friends, who as you will recall not only said a good many things to -each other, but were overheard, as they discovered too late, by the man -dressed in gray, who mixed strangely in their affairs afterward. - -It was impossible that the steamer should overtake the motor boat, -provided the latter held her usual speed. Mike did not expect anything -of the kind, but, like Alvin and Chester, thought the _Deerfoot_ was -likely to stop on its way and wait until darkness in which to continue -its flight. The thieves would know that strenuous efforts would be made -quickly to recover the launch, and would try to escape recognition by -the simple method named. - -This was shrewd reasoning, and was justified by what followed. A few -miles below Sawyer Island, where Chester and Alvin left the steamer, -projects the southern end of Westport, which intrudes like a vast wedge -between the Sheepscot on the right and Montsweag Bay and Knubble Bay on -the left. The island is about a dozen miles long, with a width at its -broadest part of three miles or so. Around the lower end sweeps Goose -Rock Passage, through which boats make their way to the Kennebec to the -westward. The width of the Sheepscot at that portion is nearly two -miles. Mike Murphy was on the alert and scanned the shores to the right -and left as well as every craft that suggested any resemblance to the -_Deerfoot_, but saw nothing to awaken hope until the _Nahanada_ turned -to call at Isle of Springs. - -Knowing nothing of interest was there, Mike rose to his feet and scanned -the opposite shore. He saw a boat disappearing in a small bay, a little -to the north of Brooks Point, as the southern extremity of Westport is -called. He caught only a passing glimpse when the intervening land shut -it from sight, but he exclaimed: - -"Begorrah! it's the _Deerfut_, or me name isn't Mike Murphy!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -FOUND - - -You will remember that Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes landed at Sawyer -Island and made their way to the lower end of Barter Island, where they -failed to find the stolen launch. The point which had caught the -attention of Mike Murphy was several miles distant, on the other side of -Sheepscot Bay and half as far from the landing at Isle of Springs. - -While failure attended the efforts of the couple, it now looked as if -good fortune had marked Mike Murphy for its own. He waited at Isle of -Springs until the _Nahanada_ resumed her way to Boothbay Harbor, when he -looked around for some means of getting to the point on Westport which -deeply interested him. - -Among the loungers he noticed an elderly man, stoop-shouldered, thin, -without coat or waistcoat, a scraggly tuft of whiskers on his chin, -thumbs thrust behind the lower part of his suspenders in front, and -solely occupied in chewing tobacco and frequently irrigating the -immediately surrounding territory. - -"The top of the day to ye!" said Mike, with a military salute. "Will yer -engagements allow ye to take me on a little v'yage?" - -The old fellow's stare showed that he did not catch the meaning of the -question. - -"Are you axing me to take you out in a boat?" he queried in turn; "for -if you be, I may say that that's 'bout my size. Where do you want to be -tooken?" - -Mike pointed across the river. - -"You mean Jewett Cove, huh?" said the other. - -After a little further talk, Mike found that the place named was a half -mile north of his destination. He explained where he wished to be -landed. - -"Sartinly, of course. I kin take you thar, though it's a powerful row; -thar ain't enough breeze to make a sail of any use, and I don't own a -motor boat like some folks round here as is putting on airs. Yas; I'll -take you thar; when do you want to start?" - -"As soon as ye can git ready--but howld on! How much do ye mean to -charge for a little row like that?" - -"A little row!" repeated the old man scornfully. "Do you want me to -bring you back?" - -"Begorrah! I niver thought of that; I haven't made up me mind, and ye -haven't answered my respictful question." - -The other chewed vigorously, spat and finally said: - -"It's worth twenty-five cents to take you 'cross and fifteen more to -bring you back." - -Mike was astonished. Although his funds were running low, his natural -generosity would not be denied. - -"I will pay ye half a dollar to row me over and if ye bring me back it -will be another fifty cints--but I'm not certain as to me coming back." - -The trip might prove a failure. In fact the more Mike pondered the more -probable seemed such a result. At the wharf a wise precaution occurred -to him. - -"Being as there's no saying whin I return, it will be wise for me to -take along a snack of food. So bide ye here till I procure the same." - -He hurried to the nearest grocery store where he bought a couple of -sandwiches and was back in a few minutes. - -"I should think" grinned the boatman in an attempt to be facetious, -"that the best place to carry them things is inside." - -"Ye're right and ye can make up yer mind that's where they will find a -lodging place by and by. I'm riddy." - -The old man bent to his oars and headed across the Sheepscot, leaving -the islet of Whittom on the south, and aiming for a point due west of -Isle of Springs. It was, as he had declared, a long and hard row, but -those muscles had been toughened by years of toil and seemed tireless. -The swaying was slow but as steady as clockwork, and Mike sitting in the -stern admired the rower, who paused only once and then for but a moment -in which to wrench off with his yellow teeth a chew of tobacco from the -plug which he carried in his pocket. - -The shore in front was covered with a vigorous growth of fir, which, as -is so general in Maine, found root to the very water's edge. The ground -sloped upward, but the height was moderate. Mike had been half inclined -to direct the boatman to row directly into the little bay. This would be -the quickest way to decide whether the _Deerfoot_ was there, but he -deemed it wiser to make a stealthy approach. He wished to descend upon -the thieves without any notice. Besides, if they learned his purpose, -they were likely, as he well knew, to elude him, as they could readily -do. - -Standing on the shore, he turned to the old man: - -"As I obsarved, I'm not sure whether I'll be coming this way agin. Would -ye mind waiting here for three or four days till the quistion is -settled?" - -His face was so serious that the other thought he was in earnest. Mike -hastened to explain: - -"Tarry until ye obsarve a motor launch comin' out of the cove; whin ye -see the same, ye may go home; all ye have to mind is to wait and -obsarve for mesilf." - -The boatman nodded and Mike departed. He moved along the inlet, which -was a great deal broader and deeper than the one visited by Alvin and -Chester later on the same day. He had to thread his way for two or three -hundred yards through the woods where there was no path, before turning -the bend which until then hid the boat from sight. He was still -advancing, all the time in sight of the sweep of water, when he stopped -with the sudden exclamation: - -"Woorah, now! but doesn't that beat all creation!" - -Good cause indeed had he for excitement, for he saw the stolen -_Deerfoot_ not more than fifty feet away. It was his good fortune to -find it with less than a tenth of the labor and pains vainly taken by -his friends. - -He stood for some minutes studying the beautiful model, whose name he -read in artistic letters on the bow. The picture was one to delight, and -it expresses only a small part of his emotions to say that he was -delighted beyond measure. - -No person was to be seen on board, and he cautiously pushed on until he -came to the margin of the water. The boat was moored by a line looped -about the small trunk of a tree, that seemed to be leaning out from the -bank as if bending its head for that purpose, and by the anchor line -made fast to the bow. The craft was as motionless and silent as a tomb. - -Quickly succeeding the thrill of pleasure was that of hot rage against -those who had stolen the boat. He was more eager to meet them than to -take possession of the property. But if on board they would be in sight, -for though it was possible for two or three persons to find cramped -quarters for sleep, they would not avail themselves of such unless -driven by necessity. - -"They have gone away fur a bit," was the conclusion of Mike, who the -next minute stepped lightly aboard. - -"It strikes me that this isn't the best place to linger, as Tim Hurley -said whin the lion jumped out of the cage after him. It isn't mesilf -that has kept an eye on Captain Alvin fur the past few days without -larning how to handle a motor boat." - -Whoever had withdrawn the switch plug had left it lying on the seat used -by the steersman. Mike thrust it in place, and going down into the -engine compartment gave a powerful swing to the heavy fly-wheel. -Instantly the engine responded in the way with which he had become -familiar. He seated himself, grasped the steering wheel and having -pushed the control lever forward waited for the beautiful craft to shoot -forward. But though the screw revolved furiously the boat did not -advance a foot. - -"That's mighty qu'ar," he muttered, staring about him. "What's hendering -the cratur?" - -Still puzzled and with some misgiving, he pulled over the reversing -lever. Instantly the boat drew back, but only for a pace or two when it -halted again, with the prow swinging gently to one side. Then the lever -was moved forward and on the instant the craft made a dive, only to -fetch up so abruptly that Mike came nigh pitching from his seat. - -He rose and anxiously peered around. The explanation suddenly broke upon -him. - -"Arrah, I might have knowed I'd forgot something, as Dennis Tiernan -remarked whin he landed in Ameriky and found he had lift his wife behind -in Ireland." - -Shutting off the power, Mike sprang ashore, uncoiled the rope from the -trunk and tossed it aboard. He sprang after it and after taking in the -anchor, set the screw revolving again. - -There was no trouble now. The _Deerfoot_ curved out into the bay, and -sped forward with arrowy swiftness. Feeling himself master of the -situation, Mike's heart rose with blissful anticipation. - -"It's the aisiest thing in the world to run a motor boat like the -_Deerfut_. All ye have to do is to turn on the power and kaap things -right. Phwat the dickens is _that_?" - -A stone weighing more than a pound whizzed in front of his face, missing -his pug nose by a half inch, and splashed into the bay beyond. He -whirled his head around to learn the meaning and instantly learned it. -Two well-dressed young men were standing on the shore at the spot where -the boat had been moored. One of them had hurled the missile which -missed Mike so narrowly, and the other was in the act of letting fly -with the other. Had not Mike ducked he would have caught it fair and -square. - -"Bring that boat back, you thief, and take a pounding!" shouted one as -he stooped to find another stone. - -"Begorrah, and that's what I'll do mighty quick!" called back Mike, -shifting the wheel so that the boat began a wide sweeping curve that -would speedily bring her to land again. "If ye'll wait there foive -minutes ye may enj'y the most hivenly shindy of yer lives." - -How he yearned to get within reach of the miscreants, who stopped their -bombardment as if as eager as he for the encounter! - -"Have patience, ye spalpeens, and I'll accommodate ye!" called back -Mike, heading straight for the pair. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -CAPTAIN AND MATE - - -Mike Murphy would have given the launch a speed of fifty miles an hour -had it been in his power, so impatient was he to reach the thieves who -had not only stolen the launch, but had insulted and defied him. He -would not pause to secure the _Deerfoot_, but would leap ashore the -instant he was within reach of it. - -Taunting and gibing him, the miscreants waited until hardly a dozen -yards separated them. Then they wheeled about and dashed into the woods -as fast as they could go! Though there were two and each was older than -he, they dared not meet him in fair fight! - -Mike could have cried with rage and disappointment. He shouted his -reproaches, hoping to anger them into coming back and standing their -ground, and kept the launch going until her bow nearly touched the -bank. Had there been any possibility of success, he would have made -after them. But they buried themselves among the trees and he never saw -them again. - -During those brief moments he had so plain a sight of their faces that -he would have recognized them anywhere. He was surprised to know that he -had never seen either before. They were not the couple with whom he and -Alvin Landon had had the encounter some nights previous and who, both -believed, were the thieves of the motor boat. Not to make a mystery of a -comparatively unimportant matter, I may say that facts which afterward -came to light showed that these young men had nothing to do with the -robbery of the post offices in southern Maine, nor, so far as known, -with any other crime, excepting the theft of the _Deerfoot_. Even in -taking that they did not intend to keep or try to sell it. They were a -couple of "city chaps" who, happening upon the craft by accident, -yielded to the temptation to play a practical joke upon the unknown -owners. Both had some knowledge of motor boating, and knowing that -instant measures would be taken to recover the property, and beginning -also to feel some misgivings as to the consequences, they ran into the -cove with the intention of abandoning the _Deerfoot_, to be found sooner -or later by the right parties. They were but a short distance off when -the sound of the exhaust told them that some one had come aboard and -they hastened back to learn who it was. Uncertain whether Mike Murphy -had any more right to it than themselves they opened a bombardment, but -when he so promptly accepted their challenge, they wasted no time in -effecting a change of base, which carried them far beyond harm. - -Convinced that it was out of his power to bring the couple to account, -Mike once more headed for the mouth of the small bay. He did not forget -the boatman and swerved in to where he was patiently waiting. The youth -was in high spirits over his success, barring his latest disappointment, -and ran in quite close to the man. - -"I won't naad ye," he called, "but ye've airned yer fee all the same." - -Taking a half dollar from his pocket, Mike stood up. - -"Howld yersilf riddy!" he said, motioning to toss the coin to him. - -The boatman sprang to his feet and eagerly held his bony hands -outspread. When the couple were nearest Mike tossed the silver piece, -and he deftly caught it, though the motion of the launch came within a -hair of carrying the money beyond reach. - -"Thank you kindly; you're a gentleman." - -"Which the same is what all me acquaintances remark whin they get a -squar' look at me winsome countenance," said Mike, settling back in his -seat. - -Now that he was once more plowing the waters of the broad Sheepscot, he -spent a minute or two debating with himself what he ought to do. - -"Fortinitly I haven't any Captain or mate to consult--being that I'm -both." - -His first thought was to head up the river in quest of his friends, but -he did not know where to look for them. They would have left Charmount -long before he could reach that point, and it would have taken many -hours to stop at all the intermediate landings in the effort to trace -them. Moreover, a not unnatural longing came over him to make the utmost -of the privilege at his command. A thrilling pride filled him when he -realized that he was the sole occupant of the _Deerfoot_, with no one to -say nay to his plans. The handsome craft was obedient to his slightest -whim and he could go whither he chose. The engine was working with -perfect smoothness, and though lacking full practical knowledge, he -believed he could run hither and yon for several days without trouble. -Furthermore, his waggish disposition manifested itself. - -"I might as well give Alvin and Chester a run fur their money; they let -the boat get away from them and it's mesilf that has the chance to taich -them a big moral lesson; so here goes, as me second cousin said whin the -bull throwed him over the fence." - -Midway in the channel, Mike turned the bow of the launch southward, -leaving the Isle of Springs well to the left. A little later he shot -past McMahans on his right, then Dog Fish Head opposite, followed by -Hendrick Light, Cedarbrush Island, Cat Ledges and finally Lower Mark. - -He was now in Sheepscot Bay, fully four miles across. Although he did -not know the names of the points and islands, his close study of the map -had given him a general knowledge and he knew precisely where he was -when he glided around Cape Newagen, which, as we remember, is the most -southern reach of the big island of Southport. There his parents lived -and Alvin and Chester made their summer home. Running close in shore he -coasted northward and soon saw plainly the dwelling of Chester Haynes, -but no person was in sight. A little farther the handsome residence of -Mr. Landon--that is, when he chose to spend a few weeks there--rose to -view. - -Mike preferred that his father should not see him, for he feared the -consequences, but it so happened that the old gentleman had come down -to the shore to fish and was seated on the rocks thus engaged. The very -moment in which he caught sight of the launch he recognized it and rose -to his feet. - -"Hello, dad!" shouted Mike, waving his hand at him. - -"Are ye alone?" asked the astonished parent. - -"That's what I am, as yer brother said whin he fell overboard." - -"Where are the byes?" - -"I left them up the river; they'll be back agin one of these days." - -Inasmuch as Mike showed no purpose of stopping, the father thought it -time to assert his authority. - -"What do ye maan, ye spalpeen, by such outrageous thricks? Come right to -land, and resave the whaling ye desarve. Do ye hear me?" - -"Thank ye, dad, for yer kind permission to take a sail; it's me -intintion to return be morning or mayhap before. Don't worry, and tell -mither I'm all right." - -"Ye'll be all right whin I lays me hands on ye!" - -The parent flung down his line and ran leaping along the rocks in the -effort to keep abreast of the launch. He shook his fist and shouted: - -"Turn into land, confound ye! I'm aching to lay hands onto ye! DO YE -HAAR ME?" - -"Ye always was a kind dad and I'll bring ye a pound of 'bacca from -Boothbay or Squirrel Island. Good luck to ye!" - -And with a parting wave Mike turned away his head and gave his attention -to guiding the craft which by a freak of fortune had come under his sole -control. - -"I wonder if it will be aisy to make dad think the motion of the boat -raised such a wind that it twisted his words so they didn't carry right. -I doubt not that him and me will be obleeged to have a sittlement and -I'll be the one to come out sicond best, as was the case wid all the -folks that I had a shindy with." - -No wonder the Irish lad was exhilarated. He was seated in the cockpit of -the finest motor launch seen for a long time in those waters, with his -hands resting upon the wheel and the boat as obedient to his lightest -touch as a gentle horse to the rein of its driver. The breeze caused by -its swift motion made the flags at the prow and stern flutter and whip, -and now and then give out a snapping sound. The sharp bow cut the clear -cold water like a knife, sending a fanlike spread of foam that widened -and lost itself behind the churning screw. The wind-shield guarded his -face from so much as a zephyr, and the consciousness that among all the -boats big and small in sight at varying distances, there was not one -that could hold its own with the _Deerfoot_, was enough to stir his -blood and make him shout for very joy. - -Mike was in a varying mood. His first impulse was to make for Boothbay -Harbor, but he felt some misgiving about threading his way among the -many craft that are always anchored or moored there. With the steamers -coming and going, he might become confused over the signals and the -right of way, with disastrous results to the launch. He had not yet -learned the meaning of the toots of the whistle which Captain Alvin gave -when crossing the bow of a larger boat, or when meeting it. - -He was only prudent, therefore, when he turned from the larger town and -sped toward Squirrel Island. He observed the _Nellie G._ in the act of -moving aside to make room for a mail steamer that had whistled its -wishes, and half a hundred men, women and children were gathered on the -wharf, with nothing to do but to watch the arrival and departure of -boats. - -There were so many constantly going and coming at the height of the -summer season that the only person, so far as Mike could see, who gave -him a look was Captain Williams of the _Nellie G._ Mike had meant to -land, but he feared he would become involved in a tangle, and sheered -off. Captain Williams had backed out so far that he was brought up -alongside the _Deerfoot_. He had done so often what he was now doing -that it was instinctive on his part. He could have gone through the -manoeuvre with his eyes shut. - -"Where are Alvin and Chester?" he asked from his little pilot house as -he was gliding past. - -"I lift them behind. If ye maat them before I do, Captain, tell 'em I've -slipped off on a little thrip to the owld counthry, but will soon -return." - -"I'll tell them what you told me," said Captain Williams, giving his -attention to his return to the wharf. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -"THIS IS WHERE I STOP" - - -Night was closing in when Mike Murphy pointed the _Deerfoot_ northward -and circled around the end of Squirrel Island, and turning eastward -glided midway between it and Ocean Point, the lower extremity of Linekin -Neck. He was now headed toward the ocean, and passed above Ram Island -light. That being accomplished, he caught the swell of the Atlantic, -long and heaving, but not enough so to cause him the least misgiving. - -He was doing a very rash thing. He ought to have gone to Southport and -there awaited the return of his friends, but the reckless bent of his -disposition caused him to make this excursion preparatory to returning -home. - -"It will be something to brag about to the byes, as dad used to say whin -his friends carried him home after he'd been battered up by them that -engaged in a friendly dispoot with him." - -He decided to keep to the eastward until clear of the numerous islands, -and then make a circuit and return to Southport. - -Now the National Motor Boat law contains a number of rigid requirements, -of which Mike Murphy knew nothing. Such ignorance was excusable, since -he had never been on the launch at night. His lack of knowledge on these -points was almost certain to bring serious trouble. - -In the first place, the _Deerfoot_ belonged to what is known as the -Second Class of motor boats, which includes all that are twenty-six feet -or more and less than forty feet in length. Such craft are required to -display at night a bright white light as near the stem as practicable -and a white light aft to show all around the horizon. With these -safeguards a motor boat can be easily located, except in a fog, when the -foghorn must be kept going. As Mike plunged through the gloom he never -thought of the necessity of displaying lights. It would be a miracle, -therefore, if he was not overtaken by disaster. - -And yet it may be doubted whether such a precaution would have helped -him, since he was equally ignorant of the rules of the road. If an -approaching steamer or large craft sounded a single blast from its -whistle, he would not have suspected that it was an order for him to go -to starboard, or the right, or that two whistle blasts directed him to -turn to port, or the opposite direction. Such are the rules by day. For -government at night, the following doggerel is helpful: - - "When both side lights you see ahead, - Port your helm and show your red, - Green to green, or red to red, - Perfect safety, go ahead. - - When upon your port is seen, - A stranger's starboard light of green, - There's not so much for you to do, - For green to port keeps clear of you." - -All this, I repeat, was unknown to Mike, who having gone half a dozen -miles to sea, decided it was time to circle about and return home. He -retained a fair idea of his bearings. The distant glimmer of lights to -the westward indicated, as he believed, Squirrel Island. Ram Island -light was nearer, and the blinking star farthest away was the government -warning on Burnt Island. - -All this was true, and the youth sitting with his hands on the wheel and -gliding swiftly forward saw nothing to cause alarm. This -self-complacency, however, was suddenly broken by the abrupt appearance -of a white light dead ahead. A second glance told him it was not far off -and was rapidly bearing down upon him. He swung over the steering wheel, -so as to go to the right, but the next instant he saw that the big ship -was still coming toward him as if determined to run him down. - -The startled Mike was so rattled for the moment, that instead of using -his whistle, he sprang to his feet and shouted: - -"Kaap off! kaap off, or I'll run over ye!" - -It may be doubted whether his voice carried to anyone on the schooner, -for none there could know that a small boat was directly ahead. Mike -heard the rush of the water against her towering bow, saw the gleam of -several lights, and for a moment believed it was all over with him. -There were precious few seconds at his command, but pulling himself -together, he whirled the wheel around and the next minute slid along the -length of the black hull, so near that he could have touched it with his -outstretched hand. One of the wondering crew chanced to catch sight of -the small craft as it shot by and called out: - -"What boat is that?" - -"The _Olympic_ just come in from Cork!" - -"You fool! where are your lights?" - -"Don't need 'em. Ye may thank yer stars that I didn't run ye down and -split ye in two, but don't get too gay wid me." - -It was a close call. Mike remembered now that he ought to have displayed -lights, but he hesitated to leave the wheel for that purpose, and it -seemed to him that nothing of the kind was likely to be repeated. - -"There'll be more lights showing by and by and I can git along without -'em." - -He did not dream that he was flagrantly violating the law and was liable -to be punished therefore. His anxiety was now to get back to Southport -without more delay. - -"It isn't on account of dad," he said to himself, "for he was so mad two -hours ago that he can't get any madder, but it's mesilf that's beginning -to feel lonely." - -He had been so much interested with every phase of his novel experience -that, strange as it may seem, up to this time he had forgotten the lunch -which he bought at the Isle of Springs before the boatman rowed him -across to Westport. Suddenly it struck him that he was never in all his -life so hungry. The sandwiches were somewhat mashed out of shape from -having been carried so long in his pocket, but they could not have -tasted better. - -"The one sad fayture about 'em is that there isn't a dozen times as -many, as Barney O'Toole remarked whin he found he had only two -Corkonians to fight. - -"I won't say anything about this ghost of a maal whin I arrive at home, -and mither will be so touched wid pity that after reminding dad to give -me a big whaling she will allow me to ate up all that happens to be in -the house." - -A few minutes later, Mike became aware of a wonderfully strange thing: -Burnt Island light instead of winking at him from the westward had -danced round to the extremity of Linekin Neck, on the north. Not to be -outdone, Ram Island light had whisked far up in the same direction. -Other illuminations had also taken part in the mix-up till things were -topsy turvy. - -You know that when a person is lost, the points of the compass seem to -go astray, which peculiar fact will explain the mystification of Mike -Murphy. He was sensible enough, however, to know that the confusion was -with himself, and he held the boat to a true course. Not long after, he -was startled by striking some obstruction, though so slight that it did -not jar the craft. - -"And phwat could that be?" he asked, rising with one hand on the wheel -while he peered into the gloom. "It couldn't have been that ship that -got swung round and got in my way, and I run her down. If it was the -same, she warn't showing any lights--ah! I mind what it is. The -_Deerfut_ has run over somebody's lobster pot, which the same signifies -that it's mesilf that is the biggest lobster of all fur coming thus out -of me road." - -It will be recalled that the night was unusually dark, relieved now and -then by bits of moonlight which struggled through the clouds. At no -time, however, was Mike able to see more than a few rods in any -direction. As a rule, he could barely make out the flag fluttering at -the bow. - -Just beyond the point where he ran over the lobster pot, a rift in the -clouds revealed the vague outlines of a small rowboat, and the head and -shoulders of two men. If they carried a lighted lantern, it was in the -bottom of their craft, and Mike saw nothing of it. They were so far to -the right that there was no danger of collision, and he hailed them. - -"Ship ahoy! Where bound?" - -"None of yer bus'ness," was the answer. "Who are you?" - -"The same to yersilf; if I had ye on boord I'd hammer some good manners -into ye." - -These threatening words evidently scared the couple, who, not knowing -how many were on the larger boat, decided not to run any risk. Mike, -despite his brief sojourn in Maine, had heard of the illegal practice of -many persons on the coast who gathered lobsters of less length than the -law prescribes. He could not avoid giving the men a parting shot: - -"I'll mind to report that ye are the spalpeens that are scooping in -short lobsters." - -They made no reply, for it is not impossible that the youth spoke the -truth when he made the charge. - -"I'm hoping that the world will soon get tired of twisting round the -wrong way, for it's hard to convince mesilf that I'm not right, which -the same don't often happen wid me. As I figure out it's a straight -coorse to Southport. If me dad has forgot to show a signal light at home -or at Mr. Landon's, I may run down the island before I obsarves the -same--phwat does that maan?" - -The engine was plainly going badly, and the trouble steadily grew more -marked. He had not the remotest idea of the cause. - -"I wonder now if the same is growing tired; I oughter been more marciful -and give the ingine a rist." - -He listened closely, and a fear crept into his throat. If a breakdown -should take place, he would be in bad situation, not knowing what to do -and far beyond all help. - -Suddenly the engine came to a dead standstill. He swung the fly-wheel -around but there was no response. The _Deerfoot_ was out of commission. -He sighed: - -"Here's where I stop, as Terence O'Flaherty said whin he walked aginst -the side of his house." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -GOOD NEWS - - -You will remember that Captain Alvin Landon and Second Mate Chester -Haynes were disappointed, as in the nature of things was inevitable, in -their search for the stolen motor boat _Deerfoot_, in the cove or small -inlet at the lower end of Barter Island. The only glimpse they caught of -a person on the launch, which bore a marked resemblance to their own, -was when they first sighted the boat launch. Nothing was seen or heard -of him afterward. - -With the stealthy care used in the approach, Alvin backwatered until the -_Water Witch_ had faded from view in the darkness. Then he headed toward -the southern shore, landing as nearly as he could at the spot where they -first entered the small boat. - -It would have been an advantage had they taken an opposite course, -thereby shortening the distance they would have to walk, but they -wished to keep all knowledge of what they had done from the man in gray, -and therefore returned the borrowed boat to its former place. They -agreed that it was not best to spend the night in the woods as they had -thought of doing. They might penetrate to a depth that would make it -safe to kindle a fire, but they were without extra garments, and now -that all necessity of staying in the neighborhood had passed, they were -anxious to get away from it as soon as possible. The stolen launch must -be sought for elsewhere, and they were concerned for the safety of Mike -Murphy, whose impulsive aggressiveness was almost certain to lead him -into trouble by this time. - -Accordingly, the two once more tramped around the head of the inlet, and -with better fortune than might have been expected, struck the beginning -of the highway on which stood the humble home of Uncle Ben Trotwood. The -hour was so late that they were sure the couple had gone to bed long -before, but were pleased to catch a twinkle of light from the front -window, beside which the old man was so fond of sitting. - -The knock of Alvin was promptly answered by the thunderous "Come in!" -and the two stepped across the threshold. - -"You hardly expected us back so soon," said Alvin, after the salutation, -"but it was a choice of spending the night out doors or sleeping under -your roof." - -Uncle Ben was seated in his rocking chair, slowly puffing his pipe. -Peggy his wife had finished her sewing and was making ready to go -upstairs. - -"Young chaps, you're welcome. I jedge you've been disapp'inted." - -"Yes," answered Alvin, who thereupon told his story. - -"Our motor boat is somewhere else; I don't see how anyone can go far -with it, and we're sure of getting on its track to-morrow. At any rate -we sha'n't rest till we have it back." - -"That little boat you've been telling me about b'longs to my son Jim. If -I had thought I'd told you of it, for I can see it would have sarved you -well. But it's a qu'ar story you tell me. Who is that man you speak of -as was dressed in gray?" - -"He's one of the post office robbers, of course," was the confident -reply of Chester. - -"I don't understand some of the things he's done," remarked Uncle Ben. - -"It looks as if he has been keeping tabs on us." - -Uncle Ben seemed to fall into a brown study or he was debating some -question with himself. He was gazing at the cheap picture on the -opposite wall, but saw it no more than he did the other three persons in -the room. His wife knew his moods and studied the wrinkled countenance, -as did Alvin and Chester. Finally she ended the stillness by sharply -asking: - -"Why don't you speak, Benjamin? I know what's in your mind." - -He pulled himself abruptly together. - -"If you know, what's the use of my telling?" - -"That these young gentlemen may larn, though your thoughts ain't wuth -much." - -He took a whiff or two, removed the pipe and with a whimsical grin -remarked: - -"I was just thinking--Oh pshaw! what's the use?" - -He shook his head and refused to explain further. It may seem a small -matter hardly worth the telling, but it would have been well had he made -his explanation. The alert brain of the octogenarian had glimpsed -something of which the youths had not as yet caught the faintest -glimmer. - -"Do you know what I think?" he asked, bending his kindly eyes upon his -callers. - -"We are waiting to learn," was Alvin's quick reply. - -"It's time we all went to bed; Peggy will show you your room and I'll -foller as soon as I finish this and a couple of pipes more. Off with -you!" - -The old lady lighted the candle from another that was burning in an -old-fashioned candlestick on the mantel and nodded to them to follow -her. At the head of the short stairs she pushed open a door leading into -a small room, furnished with a bed, a rag carpet, and everything the -pink of neatness. Stepping within she set the light on the small stand, -and then with an odd smile on her worn countenance said almost in a -whisper: - -"I found what you put under your plates, but didn't let _him_ know about -it; he would have made me give back the money to you, and I know you -didn't want me to do that." - -"Of course not," said Chester a little taken back, as was also his -companion; "that was meant for you and we wish you to keep it." - -"That's what I thought. Ben is cranky. To-morrow morning at breakfast, -you must be careful he doesn't catch you when you do it again. Good -night and pleasant dreams." - -The boys looked in each other's faces, and laughed after closing the -door. - -"Uncle Ben's wife is more thrifty than he," said Alvin; "but I am glad -she kept the money, for she deserves it." - -"And we mustn't forget that pointed hint she let fall. But, Alvin, my -supply of funds is running low. You will have to help me out if we stay -here for a week." - -"I have enough to see us through, but I don't believe there will be -much more expense on our trip home." - -A few minutes later they snuggled down in the soft bed and slept as -sweetly as a couple of infants. - -It need not be said that neither forgot to slip a tip under his plate at -the breakfast table and made sure that Uncle Ben did not observe the -act. It may have been because Peggy was expecting it that she saw it and -smiled. Alvin and Chester could feel only pleasure over the little -by-play, for nothing could surpass her kindness and hospitality to them. - -"Wal," was the cheery remark of Uncle Ben, as he lighted his pipe the -moment the morning meal was over, "I 'spose you'll be back in time for -supper." - -"Hardly, though we should be mighty glad to come." - -"I'm sorry, but you know you're as welcome as the birds in spring." - -"We know that and we cannot thank you too much. I wish you would allow -us to pay you something for all you have done." - -"None of that!" warned Uncle Ben, with a peremptory wave of his hand. -"We don't keep a hotel, and wish more folks would come and oftener." - -The lads had decided upon retracing the course of the day before. That -was to walk back to Sawyer Island and there take the first steamer -south, keeping the same keen lookout on the way for the _Deerfoot_, but -making no halt unless they actually caught sight of the motor boat. - -The jaunt from Barter to Sawyer Island was play for two rugged youths, -accustomed to athletics and brisk exercise, and was made in a little -more than an hour. The day promised to be warm and sunshiny, but would -not be oppressive, and they felt no fatigue when they reached the -well-known landing. Upon inquiry they were told that the _Island Belle_ -on its way to Boothbay Harbor would not arrive until nearly two hours, -and for that period they must content themselves as best they could. - -"Why not send a telegram to Mr. Richards?" asked Chester. "He knows what -we are trying to do, and, like the good fellow he is, will help us all -he can. He may have picked up something worth telling." - -"Mike would say, if he were here, the suggestion is a good one, as some -of his relatives remarked when they were invited to take a hand in a -shindy. I'll do it." - -Stepping into the little post office, which reminded them of the one at -Charmount and its bright young miss, Alvin sent a brief inquiry to K. H. -Richards, Boothbay Harbor: - - "Please let me know whether you have learned anything of the - _Deerfoot_. I shall be here for not quite two hours. - - "ALVIN LANDON." - -"More than likely Mr. Richards isn't at home; he is continually on the -go and may be in Portland or Augusta," said Chester. - -"I think the message will catch him; I remember the bank of which he is -president holds a regular meeting of directors to-day and he rarely -misses any of them." - -Barely half an hour had elapsed, when the young man who was the operator -called to the youths as they strolled into the room: - -"Here's your answer." - -Alvin took the yellow slip. Chester stood at his elbow and read the -message over his shoulder. - - "Your boat has been found. - - "K. H. RICHARDS." - -"Gee!" exclaimed the delighted Alvin; "isn't that fine? I didn't count -on such good luck as that." - -"But why didn't he give some particulars? He could have sent several -words more without extra cost. Not a thing about Mike. We have enough -time to learn something. Try it again." - -In a twinkling, a second message flashed over the wire. Mr. Richards was -begged to telegraph at Alvin's expense, giving fuller information, and -especially whether Mike Murphy had had anything to do with the recovery -of the motor boat. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -DISQUIETING NEWS - - -The reply to the telegram was delayed so long that the _Island Belle_ -was in sight when the operator handed it to the impatient Alvin. - - "Mr. Richards has gone to Mouse Island. No saying when he will - return. - - "G. R. WESTERFIELD." - -"We shall have to wait till we get home," commented Chester, "and that -won't be long." - -The well-known steamer _Island Belle_ is a good boat of moderate speed, -and pursuing its winding course was moored at the wharf in Boothbay -Harbor before noon. The boys had kept a sharp lookout for the stolen -launch, but did not get a glimpse of it. Beyond the brief message of Mr. -Richards they were wholly in the dark, and since he was absent they did -not know whom to question. They could easily have hired a boat to take -them to Mouse Island, less than two miles away, but the chances were -that when they reached there they would learn that their friend had gone -somewhere else. - -While the youths stood debating on the low float, they observed the -_Nellie G._ coming in. The genial bewhiskered Captain Williams in the -pilot house recognized them and waved his hand. Then for a few minutes -he was busy making fast and seeing that his passengers landed safely. -Everybody knows and likes the captain, and as soon as he was at leisure -the boys stepped up to him and shook hands warmly. - -"I'm glad you've got your boat back," he remarked, when they had talked -for a few minutes. - -"We heard that it had been found," said Alvin, "but we haven't seen it -since it was stolen yesterday. Have you?" - -"I saw it yesterday afternoon when I was over at Squirrel Island." - -"Where?" asked the astonished Alvin. - -"Why, I talked with the wild Irishman who had it in charge." - -"Do you mean Mike Murphy?" - -"I'm not certain of his last name, but they call him Mike, and he is -redheaded, with the most freckled face I ever saw." - -"That's our Mike!" exclaimed the delighted Chester. "Tell us about it." - -"There isn't much to tell," replied Captain Williams. "I had just backed -out to make room for a steamer, when I saw the _Deerfoot_ going by and -headed north. That Irish lad was at the steering wheel and was grinning -so hard that the corners of his mouth touched his ears. Not seeing -either of you, I asked him where you were. He said he had left you -behind, and if I met you before he did I was to say he had slipped off -on a little trip to the 'owld counthry.'" - -"That identifies him as much as his looks. Did you see anything more of -him?" - -"I had to give attention to the _Nellie_, but I caught sight of him as -he started round the upper end of Squirrel and turned to the eastward. -That's the course he would follow," added Captain Williams, with a -smile, "if he meant to take the voyage he spoke of." - -For the first time since hearing the good news, each of the youths felt -misgiving. While it was impossible that Mike Murphy had any intention of -going far out, he did not need to proceed many miles to run into -alarming danger. His knowledge of motor boats was so limited that the -slightest difficulty with the engine would render him helpless. He had -done an exceedingly rash thing, though in truth no more than was to be -expected of him. A full night had passed since he was met by Captain -Williams, who in answer to the anxious question of Alvin repeated that -he had not seen or heard of the _Deerfoot_ since late on the preceding -afternoon. With his usual shrewdness, he added: - -"If you want my advice it is that you hire a launch and start after that -boat of yours and don't throw away any time in doing so." - -"Your advice is good," said Alvin gratefully, "and shall be followed." - -Bidding good day to their friend, they set out to hire a launch--an easy -thing to do during the summer season at Boothbay, when boatmen reap -their harvest. The boys found exactly what they wanted in the shape of a -28-foot runabout, forty horse power, four-cylinder gasoline engine, with -a guaranteed speed of twenty miles an hour. It belonged to a wealthy -visitor, who having been suddenly called to New York on business, gave -his man permission to pick up an honest penny or two by means of the -pleasure boat left behind. Although such craft are easily provided with -an automobile type of canopy as a protection against the weather, there -was none on the _Shark_. But there was a plate glass wind-shield -forward, which shut out the flying spray when the boat was going at high -speed. The seats were athwartship and would accommodate four persons at -a pinch and were tastefully upholstered in leather. - -The young man who had charge of the _Shark_ was glum and reserved, but -inasmuch as Alvin promptly agreed to his somewhat exorbitant terms, he -was anxious to oblige. Alvin thought it best to explain the situation -before they started. - -"George" listened silently until the story was finished, when he nodded -his head: - -"I know the _Deerfoot_; ain't a finer craft in these waters. Wish I -owned her." - -"When did you see her last?" - -"Yesterday afternoon." - -"Where?" - -"Just off Southport. The Irish bonehead was talking with his father, as -I suppose it was, while going past without stopping." - -This was interesting information. George was asked to go first to the -shore of that island, as near as he could get to the home of Alvin and -that of the caretaker, Pat Murphy, the father of Mike. The run was about -five miles past Mouse, Burnt, Capitol and opposite the lower end of -Squirrel Island. Just to show what the _Shark_ could do she covered the -distance in eighteen minutes. - -The faint hope that the _Deerfoot_ would be found at the small landing -constructed for her did not last long, for she would have been in sight -almost from the first, and nothing was to be seen of her. Pat Murphy was -not visible, but a few tootings of the compressed air whistle brought -him from his house, where he was eating his midday meal. - -So great was his haste indeed that he left his hat behind. While he was -hurrying to the rocks, his wife opened the door and stood apparently -motionless to hear what passed. - -"Hello, Pat!" called Alvin. "Do you know where Mike is?" - -"Bedad! it's mesilf that wish I did!" called back the angry parent. -"Didn't he sail by here yester afternoon, his chist sticking out and -himsilf putting on airs and pretending he didn't understand what I said -whin I towld him to come ashore?" - -"He ought to be ashamed of himself, but you mustn't feel too bitter -toward him; it was the first time he had a chance to handle our boat." - -"And how the dooce did he git that same chance? What were ye thinking -of, Alvin, to let such a blunderhead manage yer craft? Aye, he's a -blunderhead and the son of a bigger one." - -"No one will deny what ye last said," remarked the wife in the door. -Even the glum George smiled at the man who did not catch the full -meaning of his own words. - -"Wait till the spalpeen coomes home," added Pat, with a shake of his -head, "and I'll squar' things wid him." - -"You have seen nothing of him to-day?" - -"I haven't saan a smell--bad cess to him!" - -"Well, we hope to bring him home very soon." - -"It's mesilf that is hoping ye'll soon do it." - -Alvin gave the word to George, who set the engine going and headed to -the northeast. "I wish I could find some one who met Mike and the -_Deerfoot_ after his father and Captain Williams saw her." - -"I did," calmly spoke the boatman. - -"You!" exclaimed the amazed Alvin; "what do you mean?" - -"I saw him just as it was growing dark." - -"Where?" - -"A gentleman and lady took the walk yesterday afternoon from Boothbay -over the Indian Trail to Spruce Point, where I met them late in the -afternoon. Then the water being very calm, I went round to Ocean Point -at the end of Linekin Neck, where they went ashore for a half hour or -so. I stayed in my boat waiting for them, when I happened to look south -toward Ram Island, expecting the light to show pretty soon. While I was -staring I caught sight of your boat, the _Deerfoot_, heading out to -sea." - -"Are you sure you weren't mistaken?" asked Chester. "Couldn't it have -been some other boat that resembles her?" - -"I might have thought so if I hadn't used my glasses--them that are -lying on the seat alongside of you. When I took a good look through -them, everything was as plain as the nose on your face." - -"Did you notice the one at the wheel?" - -"So plain there couldn't be any mistake about it. It was that redheaded -Irish chap that you've been talking about." - -"And he was alone?" - -"If there was anyone with him he kept out of sight." - -"Did you watch the _Deerfoot_ after that?" - -"For only a few minutes; my folks soon came back, not staying as long as -they intended, but when they stepped aboard I cast one more look out to -sea. It was so dark by that time that I could just see the boat fading -from sight. She was still headed straight to the eastward, as if the -fool really meant to try to cross the Atlantic. I should have used the -glasses again, but I was too busy attending to my boat. As I circled -about to start for home, Ram Island light flashed out, so you can know -the day was pretty well gone." - -"And you have seen nothing of the _Deerfoot_ since?" asked Alvin, with a -sinking heart. - -"No; I don't believe anyone else has; and," added George, dropping his -voice, "I don't believe you will ever see Mike Murphy again!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -AN ALARMING FACT - - -Neither Alvin nor Chester asked their companion to explain his startling -words, for there was no need to do so: only one meaning could be given -them. - -"How far dare you venture out with the _Shark_?" asked Alvin of the -master of the little boat. - -He shook his head. - -"She isn't built for rough weather." - -"I know that, but the sea is unusually calm, and there isn't the -slightest danger." - -"Not just now, but there's no saying when a blow may come up that will -swamp me before I can run to cover." - -"I have no wish to ask you to go into danger and will only request you -to push out as far as you are willing." - -George must have known something of the youth who had hired him, that he -was the son of a very wealthy father, and willingly paid a high price -for one's services. The boatman scanned the sky and different points of -the compass. So far as he could judge, the weather would remain fair for -hours to come. In the hope of heartening him Chester said: - -"With your boat capable of making twenty miles an hour, you can turn -back whenever you think best and run into one of the many harbors in -half an hour." - -"True enough," grinned George, "if I'm within reach of 'em. I don't mind -trying it a little while longer, but not for many miles." - -He slowed down, for the spray dashed over the wind-shield, and it was -plain the swells were increasing, or rather the boat was plunging into a -region where they were growing larger. - -The chums did not say anything to him for a considerable time. He could -tell them nothing more and they ought not to distract his attention. -They were in a fever of dread, for never before had the outlook been so -gloomy for Mike Murphy. The youths even hesitated to speak to each -other, for neither could say anything of a cheering nature. Alvin picked -up the binoculars and rising to his feet and steadying himself as the -prow rose and dived, carefully scanned the far-reaching half circle of -the Atlantic. The form of a brig dimly observable by the naked eye, as -it headed toward Pemaquid Point, was brought out with a distinctness -that caused an exclamation of surprise. - -"What a fine instrument! It equals those our government buys from -Germany for the use of the army and navy. Chester, look at that fishing -boat toward Inner Heron Island." - -His companion stood up, balanced himself, shaded his brow and wrinkled -his forehead with the strain of the attempt. - -"I see the two men as plainly as if they were no more than a hundred -feet away." - -He slowly swept the horizon and enjoyed the visual feast to the full. -Far out to sea the smoke of a steamer trailed against the sky, the hull -hidden by the convexity of the earth, and nearer in a schooner had -caught enough wind to belly her sails and cause her to heel over as she -sped outward. Pemaquid Point showed clearly to the northwest. The fort, -more than two centuries old, is at Pemaquid Beach several miles north. -Nearer rose Thrumbcap Island, south of the Thread of Life ledges, Crow -Island, and large Rutherford Island, almost cut in two by Christmas -Cove. To the left was Inner Heron, and on the other side of the broad -mouth of the Damariscotta River, the long, narrow Linekin Neck reaching -northward to East Boothbay. Scanning the sweep of water to the south and -west many other islands were seen--Ram, Fisherman, the Hypocrites, -White, Outer Heron, Damariscove, Pumpkin and some so small that they are -not known by any name. - -But nowhere on the waste of heaving water did the eager eye discern the -lost _Deerfoot_, though boats of varying sizes and models trailed across -the field of vision. Alvin joined in the scrutiny, but with no more -success, and was thus engaged when he became aware of a sharp turn in -the course of the _Shark_. Looking down at the wheelman, he saw that -the boat was making a circle. - -"What's the matter, George?" he asked, though he knew the meaning of the -movement. - -"It won't do to go any farther; I've already pushed too many miles out." - -"There's nothing to be gained by taking the same route back; turn south -so as to pass below Fisherman Island." - -"I don't see any objection to that," muttered George, doing as -requested, and holding the boat to a fairly moderate speed. - -The runabout was now heading southwest, with the purpose of thus -continuing for a couple of miles, when she would swing round and make -for Squirrel Island and so on to Boothbay Harbor. - -She was still driving in that direction, when George said to Alvin: - -"You have run your motor boat often enough to understand her pretty -well." - -"I hope so." - -"There isn't much left for him to learn," was the comment of Chester. - -"Take the wheel for a bit; you know the course as well as me." - -"I am glad to relieve you," said Alvin, quickly changing places with the -young man. - -"It isn't that, but I suspect my eyes are a little better than yours; I -want to use the glass awhile." - -For several minutes the silence was broken only by the splash of the -water against the bow of the runabout, which plowed her way with ease -and grace. Chester Haynes resumed his seat and gave his chief attention -to George, who was on his feet and slowly sweeping the visible horizon. -The binoculars moved deliberately to and fro, with none of the three -speaking a word. - -By and by the young man held the instrument pointed to the north, a -little to the right of the narrow fringe of islands with the odd name of -the Hypocrites. He was not studying this insignificant group, but, as -has been said, was looking a little to one side, toward Inner Heron, -three miles away. Pausing in the circling of the glasses, he held them -immovable for two or three minutes. - -"It looks as if he sees something," reflected Chester, with his eyes on -the man, while Alvin simply peered ahead and held the _Shark_ to her -course. George muttered something, but Chester could not catch the -words. Suddenly he lowered the binoculars and asked Alvin to change -places again with him. When this was done he handed the instrument to -the youth, with the direction: - -"Point her that way," indicating the north, "and if you study closely -you'll notice something." - -Without reply, Alvin spread his feet apart to steady himself and -levelled the glass at the point named. The next moment he exclaimed in -great excitement: - -"By gracious! I certainly believe it's the _Deerfoot_!" - -Chester sprang up and reached for the binoculars, but his chum was not -ready to hand them over. - -"It looks like her, but I'm not certain. What do you say, George?" - -"It's her," was the ungrammatical but emphatic response. - -The news almost overcame Alvin, who, passing the glasses to Chester, -dropped into his seat, that he might pull himself together. - -The launch was a mile off and in so plain sight that the wonder was it -had not been seen before. It was headed diagonally toward Linekin Neck -and seemed to be going very slowly. - -"Let me have another look," said George, who retained his place at the -wheel, while at the same time manipulating the instrument. - -This time he did not continue his scrutiny as long as before. While so -engaged, the youths used their unassisted eyes. The _Deerfoot_, as she -undoubtedly was, could be seen in the position named, though of course -with less distinctness than through the binoculars. - -"She doesn't seem to make much progress," remarked Alvin, with an -inquiring look at George, who swung the wheel over so as to head toward -the motor boat. He did not reply to the words of the youth, to whom he -again handed the instrument. Alvin persisted: - -"How do you explain it?" - -"She only moves as the current carries her." - -"Do you mean she is drifting?" - -"That's it." - -A look told Alvin the young man had spoken the truth. - -"That means she has broken down," suggested Chester, uttering the -thought that was in both of the minds of his companions. - -"It can't mean anything else," said George, who evidently kept back some -of his fancies. - -"Whistle to him," suggested Alvin. - -A series of tootings were sent out. They were not loud, but in the -stillness must have gone beyond the _Deerfoot_. The three listened, but -heard no response. - -"I knew there wouldn't be," commented George. - -"Why not?" - -He shook his head, but did not speak further. - -After another study of his own boat through the glass, Alvin remarked -uneasily: - -"I don't see anything of Mike. George, did you notice him?" - -George shook his head without looking round. - -"What do you think, Chester?" asked his friend. - -"Probably he has been up all night and has fallen asleep," was the reply -of Chester, spoken with so much confidence that for the moment it -quieted the alarm of the other. - -"That would be just like Mike. Something has gone wrong with the engine -and he hasn't the first idea of what he should do to repair it; so when -worn out, he has lain down and gone to sleep. We shall have the joke on -Mike when we see him." - -George's lips were compressed and he remained silent until half the -intervening distance was passed; then he looked over his shoulder. - -"Young men, the reason you don't see Mike _is because he isn't on that -boat_!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -THE CRY ACROSS THE WATERS - - -The words of George struck Alvin and Chester like "the knell of doom." -They looked in each other's faces, white and silent for a brief spell; -then Alvin whispered: - -"He must have fallen overboard." - -"And he couldn't swim a stroke," added Chester, in the same husky -undertone. - -They said no more, but, keeping their feet, stared at the _Deerfoot_ -wallowing in the gentle sea, like a helpless wreck. A faint hope sprang -up in their hearts that, after all, Mike might have been overcome by -sleep and would be found curled up in the cockpit. They could not see -the bottom of the compartment until quite near. Then a single searching -glance told them it was empty. He might have crept under the deck -forward or aft, but it was hardly possible he had done so. - -George ran the _Shark_ with skill close beside the other boat. The -moment it was within reach Alvin leaped across, landing on the stern, -from which he bounded down into the cockpit and peered into the -obscurity in front. That too was devoid of a sign of life. He and his -chum were the only ones on the motor boat. - -Now that their worst fears seemed to be confirmed a strange calmness -came over both. Their voices were low but even, as are those of people -in the presence of death. - -"What do you think stopped the boat?" asked Chester. - -"It is easy to find out." - -His first action answered the question. A glance into the gasoline tank -showed that it was empty of all fluid. The source of power had been used -up. - -"There may have been other causes, but that was enough," remarked Alvin. -"I'll look into things on our way back." - -His first plan was to borrow enough gasoline from George to run the -_Deerfoot_ on the homeward trip, but George thought he had none to -spare. - -"I can tow you to town," he added. - -"That will do as well." - -The tow-line was passed over the bow and George made it fast to a cleat -on the stern deck of the _Shark_. Then he resumed his moderate speed -toward Boothbay Harbor. It was not a long run and Alvin spent much of -the time in inspecting the mechanism of his motor boat. To repress so -far as he could his profound grief, he kept up a running commentary or -explanation to Chester, who really did not require it, for he knew a -good deal about motor boats. But he listened as if it were all new to -him, and asked questions. His purpose was the same as his friend's: they -talked about everything else in the vain effort to keep their minds from -the awful theme that bowed them both with a sorrow they had never known -before. - -"If when the ignition system is in good order, the carburettor properly -adjusted and the compression cocks closed, there is a lack of power, it -may be due to carbon or some foreign substance on the seats of the -exhaust or inlet valves. Even so small a thing as a flake of metal or of -emery left from a former grinding may lodge on the valve seat or under -the valve stem and cause loss of power, or a crack in the head of the -piston or cylinder or a broken or worn piston ring may give the same -result." - -"I have heard of those and other causes," said Chester, as the two sat -side by side, "but what is the most common one?" - -"The valves, when they need grinding. I have not had that trouble yet -with the _Deerfoot_, and when I do I shall not try to do the grinding -myself. The work is so delicate that it should be done only by an expert -mechanic." - -"What causes backfiring, through the carburettor, Alvin?" - -"The ignition of the gas in the inlet pipe by a flame in the cylinder -left over from a former explosion after the inlet valve opens, or by too -weak a mixture, by dirt in the carburettor, a leaky inlet valve, or too -small a fuel pipe. I have known an open throttle and late spark to cause -backfiring. If with low speed and a little more feeding of fuel the -backfiring continues, you must look for carbon deposits in the -combustion chamber." - -"Many persons are puzzled by explosions in the muffler. Are you?" - -"I learned from my instructor that they are produced by an unignited -charge entering the muffler and being fired by the hot gases from the -next explosion in the cylinder. This does no harm, and if the muffler is -strong is a good thing, for it blows out the smoke and dirt that have -accumulated." - -"The trouble with--with--_him_, you say, was the lack of fuel." - -"Yes, but he might have had plenty of gasoline and found the engine dead -on his hands. Water or dirt in the carburettor plays the mischief." - -And so the questions and answers went on--so many of them that you would -find their reading tedious. The pitiful part of the whole business was -that, as I have said, Chester could have made clear everything asked as -well as his chum and the chum knew it. It was a pathetic attempt to hold -their minds from the one gruesome, oppressive truth. - -But they were too manly to shirk their duty. Nothing was to be gained by -turning from that which sooner or later must be faced. Two of the -saddest calls upon them must be answered. - -"Shall we search for the body before letting his father and mother -know?" asked Chester, when they had passed McKown Point and were -entering the harbor of Boothbay. - -"I don't know what is best. They will soon hear of it and will be -frantic until the body is found." - -"It is not likely to come up and float for several days, and there's no -saying where the currents will take it. A few years ago a fisherman was -drowned off the eastern side of Squirrel and was found a week later -several miles up the Damariscotta. Some one will come upon poor Mike -sooner or later, when not looking for him." - -"Our search may be a short one, for I don't think the body will drift -far for some time to come. We must not stop until it is found." - -"Now no one beside ourselves knows what has happened except George, who -is towing us. We will get him to say nothing about it, until he has -permission from us. In that way the secret will be safe for a few days." - -George gave his promise, and the boys decided not to make the woeful -truth known to the parents until all hope of recovering the body through -their efforts was gone. - -For years a huge box-like structure has floated in the harbor of -Boothbay, upon which is painted in big letters the announcement that it -has gasoline for sale. Towed beside this, Alvin speedily had his tank -filled with the fuel. The inspection which he had made of his launch -showed that nothing was the matter with it, and when put to the test the -engine ran with its usual ease and smoothness. He paid George for his -services, taking the occasion to remind him of his pledge to say nothing -about their unfortunate friend until he received permission. Then, -without going to the float or wharf, where many landings are made, Alvin -whirled over the wheel, turned the boat round and headed southward -toward the Atlantic Ocean. - -Naturally it seemed to them that their search should begin in the -neighborhood of where the drifting _Deerfoot_ was discovered. It was -strange that with vessels of all kinds passing at no great distance none -of them had noticed the plight of the motor boat. Had it not been taken -in tow by the runabout, it could not have remained an estray much -longer. - -Passing to the eastward of Squirrel Island, Alvin continued southward -until he had rounded Fisherman, when he diverged so as to leave the -Hypocrites on his left and the upper of the White Islands on his right. -This brought him into the section where the derelict had been sighted. - -"Now," said Chester, who sat directly behind his chum and close enough -for both to talk freely, "if poor Mike had known how to swim there might -be a faint hope that he had reached one of the small islands not far -off." - -"I can't understand how he could have fallen overboard; it would seem -that when he found himself going, he would have grasped something. He -might have seized hold of one of the propeller blades." - -"To do that he would have had to keep himself afloat for a brief time, -and we know he could not do that." - -Alvin always carried a pair of binoculars on the boat, though they were -not the equal in excellence of those belonging on the runabout. Chester -made continual use of these, while the Captain depended upon his -unassisted eyes to scan the waste of waters. He held the _Deerfoot_ to a -low speed, for he meant to make the search as thorough as he could. - -"There's no saying how far out to sea Mike went before turning back----" - -"_Hark!_" gasped Alvin, almost leaping from his seat. - -And then through the soft still air they heard the call: - -"_Arrah, now, ye spalpeens! Come to me arms and obsarve me give an -imitation of a gintleman starving to death!_" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -MAROONED - - -To say the least, Mike Murphy was much disquieted when the engine of the -_Deerfoot_ stopped dead and the boat began drifting in the darkness, no -one could say whither. Not knowing the right thing to do, he seized hold -of the fly-wheel, swung it back and forth and part way round, and then -suddenly let go, as he had seen Alvin Landon do many times. Since there -was no fuel in the tank, it need not be said that this effort was -fruitless. - -"Whew!" he exclaimed at last as he straightened up; "if there was -somebody here to tell me the right thing to do I'd do the same mighty -quick, but this part of my eddycation was niglicted, as me grandmither -said when the taicher asked her if she knowed the alphabet. - -"I 'spose now that there be lots of handles which if I turned 'em the -right way would start this old thing, but if I swung 'em the wrong -way--as I'd be sure to do--I'd bust her b'iler. So I'll not try." - -He sat down in one of the chairs to think, and his musings ran riot, but -the end was always the same: it was utterly beyond his power to help -himself out of the dilemma. - -"I'll have to drift and drift till morning comes; then if I'm not too -fur out on the ocean somebody will pick me up. I'm thinking the same is -a good idee to lay low, as me cousin remarked whin he was knocked down. -Some boat is likely to run into me 'cause I haven't any lights burning, -and as she's going by I'll grab her--whisht! phwat's that?" he asked -himself, with a new thrill of alarm. - -The sound that had startled him was a distinct jar of the boat. At that -moment, it was so dark he could not see beyond the flag at the bow of -the launch. Nothing amiss was discerned in that direction, but a second -bump caused him to glance to the left, and then he received the answer -to his question. - -The boat had drifted against a pile of rocks, which come down to the -edge of the sea on one of the two little uninhabited masses of sand and -stones, known as the White Islands. This was the northern one, opposite -Fisherman Island, from which it is separated by more than a mile of the -sea. - -The sudden discovery rattled Mike for the moment and caused him to do a -foolish thing, which he never would have done had he taken a half minute -for reflection. His dread was that the boat would be battered to pieces -on the rocks. With no thought of his own safety, he sprang from the -cockpit, placed one foot on the gunwale and leaped as far as he could, -his purpose being to push the craft clear. With all his strength--and he -possessed a good deal of it--he barely succeeded. He fell on his face -and knees, and had he not clutched desperately and seized a craggy point -he would have slipped back into the water. - -What he ought to have done, as he recalled the next instant, was to use -the pole on the boat to press against the rocks and shove the launch -clear. That would have been easy and effective, but it was too late now -to think of it. - -The reactive force of his body as he leaped drove the boat back -perceptibly. Inasmuch as the current had swept it forward in the first -place, the action would have been repeated but for a curious condition -which quickly showed itself. Had the boat struck farther south, its -return after being forced away would have occurred. Had it first drifted -farther north it would have cleared the islet altogether, and continued -floating toward the lower end of Southport, but it so came about that -when the current regained control of the launch and shoved it westward -again, it just cleared the northern end of the mass of rocks and was -swallowed up in the enshrouding gloom. - -Mike Murphy stumbled as near as he could to the _Deerfoot_ and stared -out in the darkness. A moment after it disappeared a partial clearing of -the clouds in front of the moon brought it dimly into sight again. This -lasted but a brief interval when it vanished for good. - -"Good-by," called the lad. "I did the best fur ye that I knowed, and -now ye must take care of yersilf, which the same has to be done by Mike -Murphy." - -The youth was a philosopher, and with his rugged health and naturally -buoyant spirits he took the rosiest view he could of his situation. It -was clear that in more than one respect he was better off on this mass -of rocks and sand than in the launch--that is, during the darkness. So -long as he was afloat with no lights burning, he was in great danger of -being run down by some larger boat. In the event of such a calamity he -was liable to be caught in a crush where his life preserver could not -save him. - -But no such fate could overtake the lad while on the islet. The -_Mauretania_ or _Lusitania_ or even the _Olympic_ could not run into -that collection of rocks and sand without getting the worst of it. - -Now, as has been shown, Mike was really safer where he had landed, for -no harm could come to him on White Island, yet his situation was -anything but pleasant. He was marooned and could not leave his ocean -prison without help. There was little hope of anything of the kind so -long as night remained with him, but the morrow ought to bring rescue. -Until then he must content himself as best he could. - -But he was not the one to sit down with folded hands. Nature had gifted -him with a powerful voice and he fancied he might turn it to use. A -twinkling light gliding or bobbing over the water here and there showed -that not all the world was asleep. His own experience told him he had -neighbors. Accordingly he lifted up his voice and shouted with might and -main: - -"Hilp! hilp! somebody come to me hilp!" - -He directed the tones toward different points of the compass, but a half -hour passed, during which perforce he often rested, without any sign of -success. And then he was thrilled by what resembled a lantern, twinkling -from the direction of the Hypocrites to the westward. He renewed his -call, and to add force to it, waved his arms and danced up and down on -the rock to whose top he had climbed, though of course such antics were -of no help. - -Fifteen minutes removed all doubt. The light, sinking and falling with -the moderate waves, was drawing nearer. Although his voice had grown -husky, he spared it not. - -"Right this way! Don't be afeard! I won't hurt ye! Hurry up, ye -spalpeens!" - -A hundred yards or so off--too far for him to see the boat or its -occupants--the rowers paused. From out the gloom came the call: - -"Hello there! what's the matter?" - -"I'm shipwrecked! Come and take me off!" - -The words must have sounded suspicious to those for whom they were -intended. - -"How came you to be cast away?" - -"I landed here awhile ago and when I warn't looking me owld boat slipped -from me, bad cess to her!" - -This was less satisfactory to the two men, who were probably robbing -lobster pots. They talked together for a few minutes, though the anxious -listener could not hear what they said. - -"What boat was it?" asked the one who acted as spokesman. - -"The _Deerfut_--a motor boat that b'longs to me friend Alvin Landon, -whose dad owns half the city of New York. He'll give ye a million -dollars fur taking care of Mike Murphy, which is mesilf." - -This announcement had an altogether different effect from what the youth -expected. - -"If you're worth that much we'll let some one else earn the money. Good -night!" - -It was an act of wanton cruelty, but it is a fact none the less that the -couple closed their ears to the appeal and rowed away in the darkness. -When certain that they were deserting him Mike changed the tenor of his -prayer and urged them to come back long enough to receive the -chastisement he was aching to give them. - -It was a bitter disappointment, but the lad felt he had more cause to be -grateful to heaven that he had to repine. - -"I may as well make up me mind to stay here a bit, as Jim O'Toole said -whin he begun his ten years sintence in jail. The weather is mild, and -though it looks like rain I don't think it will come yet awhile. I'll -saak me couch and go to sleep." - -The danger of bruises from a fall prevented his groping long for -shelter. Exposed to the open sea the islet was swept by a gentle breeze -which brought the ocean's coolness with it. After much care and -patience, he found a place where he was quite well screened. Passing his -hands over the rough surface, he said with a touch of his waggishness -which seemed never to leave him: - -"This is softer than anywhere ilse, as me mother said whin she took her -hands out of the dough and laid 'em on me head." - -Mike never forgot his prayers, and when he lay down he was in a thankful -frame of mind despite the trying experiences through which he had -passed. Quite soon he was sleeping as profoundly as if in his bed at -home. Such is the reward of good habits and right living. - -The night must have been well along when he sank into unconsciousness. -That his tired body needed the rest was proved by the fact that he did -not open his eyes until half the next day was past. He felt stiff and -cramped from lying so long on his hard couch, and it was several minutes -before he recalled all the events of the preceding day and night. - -Climbing to the top of the highest rock he gazed out over the waters. He -felt no concern for the _Deerfoot_, which had played him the shabby -trick, for if he saw it he could expect nothing from it. His most -poignant consciousness was that he never was so hungry in his life. He -could not recall that he had ever gone without food so long, and his -craving gave him more anxiety than did the future. - -In whichever direction he turned his gaze he saw small boats, schooners, -brigs, steamers and various kinds of vessels, most of them too far off -for him to hope to attract their attention. The nearest was a schooner, -more than a mile away and gliding northward. It so happened that much -the larger number of craft were heading outward. Mike shrewdly -reflected: - -"If they pick me up they'll niver turn round to take me home, but will -speed away to the ither side of the world. I must catch one of 'em -that's coming in, so he won't lose time in giving me a lift." - -He picked his way to the southern end of the islet, where a broad sweep -of water separated him from the other bit of land, and gazed out over -the vast Atlantic which swept from horizon to horizon. - -"I would display a flag of distriss on the top of a pole, if it warn't -fur two raisons. The first is I haven't any pole to erict on these -rocks, and the ither is that I'd have to use me own clothes for the -flag, which the same would be apt to drive away all hilp." - -Mike Murphy cut a strange figure, dancing, shouting, swinging his arms -and waving his cap, but sad to say not a solitary person seemed to see -him, or else he not did think it worth while to give further attention -to the marooned youth. - -"It looks loike it will be a failure, as Tim Ryan said whin he tried to -throw the prize bull over a stone wall." - -Accordingly, Mike returned to the upper end of the islet to learn -whether any hope lay in that direction. His growing fear was that he was -in danger of starving to death. - -"Anither night will doot," he said, despairing for the moment--"PHWAT!" - -The first look northward showed him the _Deerfoot_, speeding past barely -a fourth of a mile distant. Had he not spent so much time at the other -end of his refuge he would have observed her long before. - -He stood for a spell unable to believe the evidence of his senses. Then, -when the glorious truth burst upon him, he uttered the words that have -already been recorded. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -A NEW ENGLAND HOME COMING - - -The amazement of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes was as overwhelming as -that of Mike Murphy. For a brief while they stared across the water, -without the Captain shifting the wheel. It is said that a person's voice -is the surest means of disclosing his identity, but Mike's tones did not -sound natural because of their hoarseness. There was no mistaking that -sturdy figure, however, that stood on the top of one of the rocks, -acting like a lunatic, as indeed he was for the moment. - -The boat was brought as close to shore as was safe, where Mike stood -waiting. Letting go of the wheel, Alvin stepped forward and reached out -his hand, which was grasped by the lad, who leaped aboard. The scene -that followed would have brought moisture to the eyes of the most -indifferent spectator. Alvin flung his arms about the neck of Mike, -with a fervent "Thank God!" and Mike responded in kind. Then Chester did -the same, and for a moment none spoke because he could not. - -"Arrah, now! don't be childers! Brace up the same as mesilf and be a -mon! Did ye iver see me betray sich foolish waakness? It's mesilf that's -ashamed----" - -Mike's voice suddenly broke, and dropping onto the nearest seat, he -impulsively covered his face with his hands and with heaving shoulders -sobbed as if the fountains of his grief were broken up. His friends -smiled, but it was through their tears. The boat drifted from the rocks, -and for some length of time the propeller was motionless. - -Mike was the first to recover his self-control. He was laughing as with -his handkerchief he wiped his eyes. - -"Begorra! it's a fool that I am, as Jerry Connolly remarked whin he -mistook a billiard ball for a pratie. I say, byes, will ye do me a -favor?" - -"There isn't anything we wouldn't gladly do for you," replied Alvin, -taking his place at the wheel and moving the lever which set the screw -revolving. - -"Both of ye sarch yer clothes and saa whither ye haven't a few loaves of -bread, some biled praties and a pound or two of maat hidden in the -same." - -"I'm sorry to say, Mike," replied Chester, "that we haven't a mouthful -of food here on board. We have already had our dinner." - -"And the only maal I've got is the one I've got to git." - -"We'll make all haste to Boothbay where you shall have the biggest feast -of your life," said Alvin, giving the craft full speed with her nose -pointed to the northwest. - -"And whin I'm through there'll be a famine started in the town, as was -always the case whin dad took his dinner in any of the near-by places at -home." - -As the _Deerfoot_ cut her way through the water with a speed that sent -the spray flying over the wind-shield, Mike told his story, which you -may be sure was listened to with rapt interest by his friends. They in -turn gave him all the facts that were new to him, and each fervently -thanked God for His great mercy. - -The afternoon was nearly gone when the _Deerfoot_ settled to rest beside -the floating wharf, and was made fast and left in charge of the same man -who had done similar duty before. Then the three walked briskly up the -steps and street to the hotel. - -"The bist plan will be to order dinner for the thraa of us," whispered -Mike; "that will be classy." - -"We have had our midday meal," said Alvin, "and the regular dinner time -is an hour or more away." - -"Whist now, I'll see that none of the stuff is wasted." - -Suffice it to say that great as was the strain upon the resources of the -hotel, it proved equal to the call, and Mike ate the biggest meal of his -life. Alvin and Chester sat at the table with him, each drinking a cup -of tea, but preferring no food until the usual time. You may be sure the -hour was a merry one, and the guest did not stop feasting until the -limit of his capacity was reached. - -When they passed down the main street and turned off to the landing, it -had become fully dark and lights were showing in the stores and houses. -Both Alvin and Chester noted a peculiar fact: most of those whom they -met stared curiously at Mike Murphy. The chums observed the same thing -on their way up the street, but it was more marked on their return. - -"I'm not to blame if I'm so much purtier than aither of ye, that I -compil the admiration of others. It has been the same wheriver I -strayed." - -This was the explanation given by the subject of the scrutiny. The -youths were too modest to differ with their genial companion, but the -man left in charge of the boat glanced sharply at the Irish lad, and -said to Alvin: - -"I'm mighty glad." - -"Mighty glad of what?" asked the surprised Captain. - -"That that chap wasn't drowned." - -"Why should he be drowned more than we or you?" - -"I can't say that he should," replied the other, adding naught in the -way of enlightenment. Alvin was annoyed, but said nothing further, and -soon the _Deerfoot_, with lights burning, was gliding at moderate speed -down the bay and along the eastern coast of Southport Island. There, as -you will recall, were the homes of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes, near -the shore and almost opposite Squirrel Island. Chester had accepted his -friend's invitation to spend the night with him. This made it -unnecessary to run the _Deerfoot_ to the shelter provided for her near -the dwelling of Chester. The promise of fair weather was so marked that -there was no hesitation in mooring the launch in the open without the -canvas which would have been stretched over the exposed parts to protect -them from possible rain. - -The night was clear, with the stars shining. Later the moon would -appear, but our friends were so familiar with the way that they would -not have hesitated had the gloom been much deeper. They were within a -mile of Alvin's home when they caught sight of the lights and outlines -of a small boat on the opposite course. It was farther out than they, -and they could not see distinctly until they came opposite, with barely -a hundred feet between them. It was going very much faster than they -themselves. - -"Alvin," said Chester in some excitement, "I believe that is the -_Shark_." - -"It looks like her. What can she have been doing down here?" - -Chester shouted: - -"Hello, George!" - -There was no reply, though the man aboard could not have failed to hear -them. - -"You must have been mistaken," said Alvin. - -"I'm sure I was not, though I can't imagine why he didn't answer. Well, -it's a small matter anyway." - -Mike who had been silent for some time now spoke: - -"Byes, I'm a wee bit unaisy, as Jim Concannon said whin he found his -trousers was on fire at the top and bottom." - -"What about?" asked Chester. - -"I'm fearing that the account which dad has piled up agin me is so big -that he will lack the strength to square it." - -"He will be so glad to see you back that I'm sure he will think of -naught else," assured Alvin. - -"Whin I say to him that I didn't understand his words at the time I was -sailing by yisterday and he ordered me to come ashore, he won't cridit -the same. Ye see he doesn't--ah! I have it fixed!" exclaimed Mike, -delighted with the idea that had flashed into his brain. - -"Let's hear it." - -"I'll linger behind while ye two go forrid and say to dad and mither -that poor Mike has been drowned." - -"Why in the name of common sense should we say _that_?" asked the -astonished Chester. - -"I want ye to break the news of me coming gintly; after they have -digisted the story of me drowning, ye can say yer tongue slipped and ye -meant to say I come near drowning but didn't quite make it." - -"That's the most original way of telling news," said Alvin, with a -laugh. "I can't see how it will be of much help, but I'll do what I -can. What have you to suggest, Chester?" - -"It's clear that unless we pave the way for Mike he is in for a big -trouncing. I advise that he stay on the boat while we go forward and -call upon his folks. We can prove to them that he has been in great -danger and soften the heart, I hope, of his father." - -"And thin whin the right moment comes I'll appear to 'em," said Mike, -who was pleased with the scheme. "But how will I know whin that right -moment arrives?" he asked. - -"One of us will open the front door and whistle." - -"Don't whistle too soon or wait too long, as Jack Mulrooney did whin he -ate a green persimmon before whistlin' fur his dog." - -Fearing that the noise of the launch might attract the attention of the -father of Mike, and bring him out doors, the son curled down in the -cockpit, where he could not be seen by anyone on shore. Chester sprang -out and made the launch fast and Alvin followed him. Before they left, -Mike raised his head. - -"Are you sure the _Deerfut_ won't play me the same trick it did last -night and run away wid me?" he asked. - -"No fear of that; if it does, you know how to run it?" - -"Have ye 'nough gas in the b'iler?" - -"Oh, keep still and don't show yourself, or I shall tell your father you -are here and waiting for the licking he is saving for you." - -Mike dropped down out of sight, and though he immediately thought of -several important questions to ask, did not do so. He must now wait with -all the patience he could summon for the signal that it was prudent for -him to show himself. - -It was only a brief walk to the care-taker's house, and the light -shining through the window and the sound of voices told that the couple -were at home. But in the very act of opening the door, the boys paused. - -"What does that mean?" asked Alvin of his companion. - -"I don't understand it," was the reply. - -Mrs. Murphy was sobbing and lamenting like a woman distracted. Her -husband seemed to be silent, as if holding himself in better control. -Finally they caught some of her wailing exclamations: - -"Poor Micky! the darlint is drowned and it's me heart that is broke! -Wurrah! wurrah! woe is me!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -THE MAN IN GRAY - - -You know there are some people who can never keep a secret. We have all -met them, much to our disgust. George, the "chauffeur" of the little -runabout launch _Shark_, was such a person. Possibly when he gave his -promise to Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes not to reveal what then -seemed the fate of Mike Murphy, he meant to do as he said, but somehow -or other he was not equal to the task. - -He kept mum on the dreadful subject until he had secured his boat and -walked up the street past Hodgdon's well-known store, when he met an -acquaintance with whom he briefly chatted. By the time they had -finished, he had told him, under a solemn pledge to mention it to no -one, all about the sad death of the Irish lad from drowning. Within the -following hour this friend told the story to three others, all of whom -agreed upon their sacred honor to say nothing about it to anyone. They -kept the promise as well as George himself, who broke it three or four -times more in the period named. One of the depositaries of the gruesome -news was the guard who stood watch over the _Deerfoot_, while the owner -and his companions went to the hotel to see that the hunger of the -marooned young gentleman was appeased. This statement will explain the -curious glances at the little group as they moved about the town, as -well as the remark of the guard upon their return to the motor boat. - -As night approached, George was impressed with his duty of acquainting -the parents of Mike with the dreadful blow that had befallen them. They -must hear of it sooner or later, and it was best that they should get it -straight. Accordingly he motored thither, completing what I fear was not -an unwelcome task in time to meet the _Deerfoot_ engaged on the same -errand. Of course he heard the hail of Chester. He did not reply, for he -was in no mood to make explanations and receive censure for what he had -done from a high sense of duty--as the offender always insists in -similar circumstances. - -Everything was so plain to Alvin and Chester that throughout the -conversation that followed their entrance into the home of Pat Murphy, -they did not once ask the much afflicted parents of the source from -which they had received their information. - -The father was sitting in his chair at the side of the room bowed and -silent in grief that was too deep for him to seek solace from his pipe. -The wife sat on the other side of the room, rocking to and fro, flinging -her apron over her face, the tears flowing down her cheeks, and her -features twisted with anguish. So absorbed were they in their sorrow -that they hardly glanced at the boys and did not address them. - -Alvin could not restrain his sympathy at sight of the suffering of the -couple, the father's none the less than the mother's because it was -mute. The youth's promise to Mike was thrown to the winds and he called -out: - -"Stop your mourning! Mike hasn't been drowned!" - -"Phwat's that ye say?" demanded the father, who half rising from his -chair was staring at the lad as if doubting the words that had reached -him. The wife, grasping each side of her apron with a hand and about to -fling it upward, was equally quick in checking herself and with her -mouth wide open she hoarsely exclaimed: - -"Phwat! Say that agin!" - -"Mike is alive and well as he ever was in his life." - -They still stared, dazed and unable for the moment to speak another -word. The callers sat down. - -"I say again that Mike is well and safe. He spent last night on a little -island not many miles away and we brought him back in the _Deerfoot_." - -The mother still gazed and clutched her apron. Her husband showed that -he caught the meaning of what he had heard. - -"And where is Mike?" - -The question recalled Alvin's promise to pave the way for his friend's -return to his home. - -"Before I tell you," said the Captain, "you must give me your pledge -that you will not punish him for what happened last night. Will you do -so?" - -"That I will," was the unhesitating answer. "He desarves a licking, but -we'll call it square--that is," was the qualifying condition, "so far as -_this_ thing is consarned." - -"What! lick me baby Mike!" exclaimed the glad mother; "not in a thousand -years! Where is the darlint that I may kiss the hid off him?" - -"Remember, Pat, what you just said. Mike isn't to be blamed for what -took place and you should be as thankful----" - -Just then a terrific crash was heard in the kitchen, the door to which -was closed. The mother, in her highly wrought state, screamed and sprang -to her feet. Her husband snatched up the candle from the stand in the -middle of the room and ran to learn what the uproar meant, with his wife -just behind him. - -It seemed to be a night for the general breaking of promises. It will be -remembered that Mike had agreed to stay on board the _Deerfoot_ until he -saw the door of his home opened by one of his friends and heard a -whistle as notice that the path had been cleared and he might go -forward. The two, however, had hardly entered the building when Mike -changed his mind. With a refreshing forgetfulness of what he had lately -passed through, he said: - -"It's mesilf that is in danger of catching a cowld in my hid, as Larry -McCarty said after slaaping in an ice box, and in stepping ashore, I may -as well step a little furder." - -Thus it came about that Alvin and Chester were no more than fairly -inside the small house when Mike moved softly to the door and listened -to the voices within. He was disappointed in not being able to -distinguish everything said, though it will be recalled that no one -spoke in whispers. - -Suddenly it occurred to the boy that he could do much better if within -the house itself. The darkness of the kitchen showed that the door -connecting that with the sitting room was closed. He knew he could hear -more plainly from the smaller room. - -Being in darkness, he had to depend upon the sense of feeling. It was no -trouble to raise the sash without making any noise. When lifted well up, -the catch held it in place and he began crawling stealthily through. He -saw the thin line of light under the door and heard what was being said -on the other side. Knowing the room so well he needed no illumination to -guide him. He balanced himself for a moment and then dropped lightly to -the floor. More properly he tried to do so, but unaware of the chair in -his way, he tumbled over that, which in turn tumbled over him, and -caused the crash that startled those in the sitting room and brought his -parents to learn what it all meant. - -One glance at the sturdy figure struggling to his feet and muttering -impatient exclamations told the mother who he was. Thrusting her husband -aside, she rushed forward, straightened up the overturned chair, and -dropping into it, seized her boy with both arms: - -"Praised be! Me own darlint! Me baby! Bliss yer heart!" - -She was striving frantically to pull him upon her lap and would have -succeeded had Mike not been larger than she and strongly opposed to -acting the part of an infant. There was good-natured strife between them -for a minute or two, with the laughing father and two youths looking on. -Then Mike triumphed, forced his parent upon one knee, and with an arm -around her ample waist began bouncing her up and down with a vigor that -broke her words apart, though it did not prevent her from grasping him -about his neck and crying with joy. - -"Arrah, mither, but it's yersilf that makes a fine barrel of jelly. Hist -now! can't ye sit still," he protested, bouncing her harder than ever. - -Alvin and Chester held their sides, for it was the funniest spectacle -upon which they had ever looked. By and by Mike released the happy -victim, and all returned to the larger room, where they sat down. Alvin -said: - -"It's been fixed, Mike. The slate is wiped out up to this night. You and -your father begin over again in the morning." - -"Does he spake the thruth, dad?" asked the lad gravely. - -"Alvin always does the same, but ye can make up yer moind ye'll be in my -debt afore the morrow's night." - -"I don't doubt it, as Barney Foord said whin he was voted the biggest -fool in siven counties. Whisht!" - -A timid knock sounded and Mike sprang up and opened the outer door. -Mollie, one of the maids, stood smiling. - -"There's a gintleman waiting fur ye at home," she explained. - -"Waiting to see me?" repeated the surprised Alvin, rising to his feet. - -"That's what he said and he will bide till ye returns." - -"Well, good night, folks!" called Alvin to the happy family. "Come, -Chester." - -The two went out together, wondering who the caller could be. The brief -distance was quickly traversed, and, passing through the front door, -they turned into the handsomely furnished library. - -As the lads entered, a man rose. - -"You are Alvin Landon, I believe," he inquired, "and you," turning to -his companion, "are his friend, Chester Haynes." - -If ever two youths were astonished, when they made courteous reply to -the salutation, they were our young friends, for the caller who thus -addressed them was the man in gray that had followed them to the inlet -on Barter Island and had now come to Alvin's home at Southport. - -"If you can spare me a few minutes I have something of importance to say -to you," he added as he took the seat to which Alvin waved him. - -It proved an important interview indeed, but the revelation made by the -man in gray and the events which followed there-from will be told in the -second volume of the Launch Boys Series entitled "The Launch Boys' -Adventures in Northern Waters." - -THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Launch Boys' Cruise in the Deerfoot, by -Edward S. 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