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diff --git a/44951-0.txt b/44951-0.txt index 0e11543..cffecd5 100644 --- a/44951-0.txt +++ b/44951-0.txt @@ -1,35 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys in Strange Waters, by Clarence Young - -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 Motor Boys in Strange Waters - or, Lost in a Floating Forest - -Author: Clarence Young - -Release Date: February 17, 2014 [EBook #44951] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44951 *** [Illustration: THE CREATURE WAS LASHING ABOUT IN A DEATH STRUGGLE] @@ -6718,360 +6687,4 @@ makes an absorbing tale. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Motor Boys in Strange Waters - or, Lost in a Floating Forest - -Author: Clarence Young - -Release Date: February 17, 2014 [EBook #44951] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - -[Illustration: THE CREATURE WAS LASHING ABOUT IN A DEATH STRUGGLE] - - - - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN - STRANGE WATERS - - Or - - Lost in a Floating Forest - - - BY - CLARENCE YOUNG - - Author of - "The Racer Boys Series" and "The Jack Ranger Series." - - - ILLUSTRATED - - - NEW YORK - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY - - - - -BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG - -=THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES= - -(_=Trade Mark, Reg. U. S. Pat. Of.=_) - -12mo. Illustrated - - THE MOTOR BOYS - Or Chums Through Thick and Thin - THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND - Or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO - Or The Secret of the Buried City - THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS - Or The Hermit of Lost Lake - THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT - Or The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC - Or The Mystery of the Lighthouse - THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - Or Lost in a Floating Forest - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC - Or The Young Derelict Hunters - THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS - Or A Trip for Fame and Fortune - - -=THE JACK RANGER SERIES= - -12mo. Finely Illustrated - - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS - Or The Rivals of Washington Hall - JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP - Or From Boarding School to Ranch and Range - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES - Or Track, Gridiron and Diamond - JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE - Or The Wreck of the Polly Ann - JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB - Or From Schoolroom to Camp and Trail - - - Copyright, 1909, by - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - - Printed in U. S. A. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. NODDY'S COCOANUT PLANTATION 1 - II. PROFESSOR SNODGRASS ARRIVES 9 - III. OFF FOR FLORIDA 22 - IV. THE GIANT TURTLE 35 - V. THE PROFESSOR'S TRICK 43 - VI. BOB GETS A SCARE 50 - VII. KILLING A MANATEE 59 - VIII. A MISFORTUNE 69 - IX. NEWS OF NODDY 77 - X. AFLOAT ONCE MORE 84 - XI. THE HOUSEBOAT 92 - XII. JERRY IS HURT 100 - XIII. THE SEMINOLE CHIEF 109 - XIV. CAUGHT IN SAW GRASS 118 - XV. THE BIG SNAKE 126 - XVI. AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER 134 - XVII. INTO A STRANGE LAKE 142 - XVIII. THE WANDERER AGAIN 152 - XIX. A PLOT FOILED 159 - XX. BOB TAKEN ILL 168 - XXI. JERRY SEEKS AID 175 - XXII. THE RECEDING WATER 183 - XXIII. THE PROFESSOR RETURNS 191 - XXIV. IN THE FLOATING FOREST 199 - XXV. A CRY FOR HELP 207 - XXVI. THE PLIGHT OF THE GIRLS 215 - XXVII. OTTIBY TO THE RESCUE 221 - XXVIII. THE HURRICANE 229 - XXIX. NODDY'S DANGER 234 - XXX. THE BUTTERFLIES--CONCLUSION 242 - - - - -THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - - - - -CHAPTER I - -NODDY'S COCOANUT PLANTATION - - -"Shut your eyes," called Bob Baker to his friend Jerry Hopkins, as the -two boys sat in the library of Bob's home. - -"What for?" - -"Never mind. Just shut 'em; that's all." - -"No tricks now. I don't want a mouthful of salt, or find that I'm all -tangled up in a folding chair." - -"No, this is something on my own account. Shut your eyes." - -"All right. Here goes." - -Jerry accommodatingly closed his eyelids. He opened them almost -immediately as he heard a loud thump in the room. - -"What was that?" he asked. - -"That was yours truly," explained Bob. - -"What doing?" - -"I threw my Latin grammar and my algebra over there behind the -bookcase." - -"What in the world did you do that for?" - -"Because I don't want to see 'em again until after vacation, and I -didn't want to see where they fell for fear I'd be tempted to do some -studying to work off my conditions. And I didn't want you to see where -they went to for fear you'd tell me. So I just shut my eyes and let -'em go. They're safe, and when they clean house in the fall they'll -find 'em. It'll be time enough then to begin studying. Vacation's here! -Hurrah for a good time with nothing to do but have fun!" - -"That's so; to-day is the last one for school for more than two -months," remarked Jerry. - -"As if you'd forgotten it!" - -"Well, I wasn't thinking of it, though I'm glad we don't have to do any -more studying for a while. There'll only be the closing exercises this -afternoon and then--" - -"Yes, then what?" asked Bob. "What are we going to do with ourselves -this vacation?" - -"Go somewhere in our motor boat I guess," replied Jerry. "But isn't -that a Latin grammar I see sticking out under the edge of the -bookcase?" and he pretended to start to pull forth the volume. - -"Don't you dare touch it!" cried Bob. "Shut your eyes so you can't see -it!" - -Jerry, however, dodging Bob's outstretched arms, reached for the book. - -"It's a sea story!" he exclaimed. "Looks like a good one, too, from the -pictures." - -"Give it to me! I was looking all over for that. Guess I must have -dislodged it when I threw my school books back there. It is a corking -good yarn." - -"Well, Chunky," went on Jerry (giving Bob the nickname fastened on him -because of his overabundance of flesh), "are the adventures in that -anything like those we had last summer down at Harmon Beach?" - -"Couldn't touch 'em! Those were 'adventures as were adventures,' as -Salt-Water Sam would say," remarked Bob, giving his trousers a nautical -hitch in memory of the odd character to which he referred. "I only hope -we are as lucky in striking a good time this summer as we were on the -Atlantic coast." - -"We generally have been pretty fortunate in that respect," said Jerry. -"I haven't thought much about it this year. I studied rather hard to -win the prize scholarship." - -"Yes, and you got it, which is more to the point, Jerry. As for me, the -harder I bone away the less I seem to know. I don't want to hear school -mentioned again for three months. What do you say to having something -to eat?" - -"Just had my breakfast. Besides it's most time to go to--Oh, I forgot, -you don't want me to mention school. Well, I'll call it the place of -learning." - -"Nobody will be on time this last day," responded Bob. "I had breakfast -myself, but it was an early one, and I can eat again." - -"Never saw the time when you couldn't," observed Jerry, taking care to -get beyond the reach of Bob's fist. - -"Have a glass of milk, Jerry." - -"Well, I don't mind that." - -"I'm going to have some and a bit of bread and jam," went on Bob, as he -disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. - -He came back presently with what looked like enough for a substantial -meal for two hungry boys. Jerry said nothing, as he was familiar with -the eating capacity of his chum. - -"Here comes Ned!" exclaimed Jerry as he finished his glass of milk. -"Better get some more jam, Bob." - -"I will," and before Jerry could stop him Bob had hurried off again. He -returned with more refreshments just as Ned Slade came in. - -"Are you fellows going to school to-day?" asked the newcomer. "It's -almost nine o'clock." - -"Breakfast is now being served in the dining car!" cried Jerry, -imitating the porters on the Pullman coaches. "It's Bob's second -attempt," he explained. - -"You did your share," retorted Bob. "Have some, Ned?" - -"No, thanks. Three meals a day are enough for me," and Ned sat down in -a chair to watch Bob eat. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry. "You look excited." - -"I met Noddy Nixon, on my way here." - -"You don't mean it! So he's back in town again. Did you have a quarrel -with him?" - -"Not exactly,--but we had a discussion. I can't stand him. He makes me -mad every time I meet him, and when I thought of how he and Bill Berry -tried to wreck that vessel down on the coast,--though I guess Noddy -didn't realize what a game Bill was playing--why I feel as though I -wanted to thrash Noddy." - -"Don't blame you," said Bob, finishing the last of the jam and bread -and butter. "What did he have to say?" - -"Oh, a lot of things, but principally that he was going down to Florida -to take possession of a cocoanut plantation he's purchased, or which he -thinks he's bought. I think it's all in his mind." - -"Cocoanut plantation!" exclaimed Bob. - -"Down in Florida?" inquired Jerry. - -"Yes. This is how he happened to mention it," went on Ned. "I was going -past him on the street without speaking, though I was so surprised at -seeing him that I wanted to ask where he came from. However, he saved -me the trouble. He hailed me and, in that sneering way of his, he -said he had something that was better than the gold mine in which we -own shares. I didn't ask him what it was, but he told me. Said he had -bought a cocoanut grove or farm, or whatever they call 'em, and was -going to get rich. He said he was going down in a week or so to live on -the land and be a wealthy man." - -"Do you s'pose he meant it?" asked Bob. "I'm very fond of cocoanut pie." - -"Go ahead," remarked Jerry with a laugh. "You've got Chunky interested, -Ned, as soon as you mention something good to eat." - -"I guess Noddy was in earnest all right," went on Ned. "He insisted -on showing me a lot of papers. It appears he bought the land through -seeing an advertisement in a magazine. You pay so much down and so -much a month, and the advertisement says you can make enough raising -cocoanuts to meet all your monthly installments. Noddy said he had -secured a big tract down there." - -"Where'd he get the money?" asked Bob. - -"From his father, I s'pose. Mr. Nixon is rich, and Noddy is the only -child. That's what makes him spoiled." - -"When's he going down to the land of the everglades?" inquired Jerry. - -"He starts in a week." - -"In what part of Florida is his cocoanut plantation located?" asked Bob. - -"Near Lake Okeechobee." - -"I'd like to go to Florida," observed Bob. "It's a nice place to read -about. Lovely climate, nothing to do but gather oranges, bananas and -cocoanuts, watch the manatees and turtles, lie in the shade and--and--" - -"Get eaten up with sand fleas," put in Jerry. "They have 'em down there -as big as sparrows." - -"I guess if we're going anywhere we'd better be starting for school!" -exclaimed Ned. "It's after nine o'clock." - -The three chums left Bob's house and strolled along the street in the -direction of the academy they attended. Ned continued his recital -of his encounter with Noddy, the town bully who, on more than one -occasion, had proved himself the enemy of the three friends. - -"Oh, he talked a lot about how rich he was going to be," went on Ned. -"He thinks his cocoanut grove is going to put our gold mine in the -shade. Says he'll buy us out in a few months. He was so excited that I -guess he forgot all about how he acted down at Harmon Beach last summer -until I asked him if he calculated to wreck any steamers on the Florida -coast. That made him mad and we had quite a discussion. That's what -ruffled me up. I left him spouting about what he expected to do with -his cocoanuts." - -"I guess all the cocoanuts he'll raise wouldn't make enough pies to -satisfy Bob's appetite," remarked Jerry. "But we'd better hurry, if we -want to get to school before noon." - -None of the chums realized what a part Noddy and his cocoanut -plantation were to play in their experiences that summer, nor in what -an unexpected manner they were to render the bully a service. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -PROFESSOR SNODGRASS ARRIVES - - -The three chums quickened their pace and were soon at the academy, -where they were greeted by a number of boy friends. - -"Where are you fellows going this vacation? Out west, down to Mexico -or the North Pole? Lots of fun--never say die--right side up with -care--automobiles--motor boats--flying machines--don't stop--red -flag--danger--never mind--go on--whoop!" - -"Let up, Andy Rush!" exclaimed Jerry, laughing. "Give us a chance to -catch our breath, please," and he looked at a small boy who, in the -stress of excitement, (which was the state he was continually in), was -trying to talk to the three chums at once. - -"But I want to know," insisted Andy. - -"We don't know ourselves," replied Bob. "Go get a drink of ice water, -Andy. Your windpipe must be hot after all that." - -There was a general laugh at the small boy's expense, and then -the pupils went inside. While they are thus off the stage for a -brief period opportunity will be afforded to make the reader better -acquainted with them. - -The three chums, who, because of their long association with each -other, and the part an automobile and motor boat had played in their -adventures, had come to be known as the "Motor Boys," lived in the -town of Cresville, not far from Boston. They were Jerry Hopkins, son -of a widow who was well-to-do, Ned Slade, whose father owned a large -department store, and Bob Baker, the offspring of a rich banker. - -In the first volume of this series, entitled "The Motor Boys," was -related how the chums became possessed of motor cycles and how, by -taking part in races, they won a large touring car. Their adventures on -the motor cycles were more than equalled by those that happened to them -when they had their auto, as was told in the second book, "The Motor -Boys Overland." They conducted a successful search for a gold mine in -Nevada, and aided an old prospector in securing it, though Noddy Nixon -and his crony Bill Berry tried to get it away from them. It was on this -trip that the boys became acquainted with Professor Uriah Snodgrass, a -learned man whose hobby was collecting bugs and butterflies. - -In recognition of their aid the boys were given shares in the gold -mine, which paid well. It was this mine to which Noddy referred when he -boasted to Ned of his cocoanut grove. - -At the suggestion of Professor Snodgrass the boys decided to take -another trip, as described in the third volume of this series, "The -Motor Boys in Mexico." In this they discovered a buried ancient city, -had fights with the Mexicans, and Bob was kidnapped but escaped. - -Deciding to visit their mine on their way back to the United States, -the three chums had rather a hard time of it. Their doings and the -things that happened to them are told in the fourth book of the series, -"The Motor Boys Across the Plains." They rescued a small boy from the -hands of a bad gang of men, and this boy proved to be the son of a -queer hermit, who lived on the shores of a lake. - -The boys reached home safely, and with quite a sum of money to their -credit. With part of this they purchased a fine, large motor boat, -called the _Dartaway_. In her they had a series of adventures on river -and lake, as related in "The Motor Boys Afloat." They took part in -races, won a prize, discovered the mystery of a strange schooner and -cleared up the robbery of Mr. Slade's department store. - -But more exciting times awaited them. Their next vacation (for all -their fun was had during the summers when there was no school) was -spent at Harmon Beach, on the Atlantic coast, as recorded by me in -"The Motor Boys on the Atlantic." There they made the acquaintance -of "Salt-Water Sam," an old sailor and whaler, and with him made a -successful chase after a whale and a shark. They also uncovered a plot -to change the signals in a lighthouse, so that a steamer might be lured -on the rocks, foiling the men, and aiding the aged keeper and his niece -Jess. - -Noddy Nixon, as the partner of Bill Berry (though Noddy claimed he did -not know of the enormity of the offense) had a hand in the lighthouse -plot. As soon as it failed Bill Berry disappeared and Noddy was not to -be found for some time. Then, as there was no charge against him, Noddy -returned to his home. His father would believe nothing wrong concerning -him, and the bully was soon as bold as before. Being well supplied with -money he had spent some of it in buying land in Florida, as Ned has -already related. Bill Berry did not come back to Cresville, which fact -made the three chums rejoice, for they did not wish to see that rascal -again. - -"Closing exercises this afternoon, which will be short and sweet," -observed Bob, as he and his friends came from the academy at noon, "and -then to map out a summer campaign." - -"Yes, we want to get busy," said Ned. "No use wasting time. You fellows -come to my house to-night and we'll look over some maps and plan a -cruise. The motor boat is better than ever with the improvements we put -on her last fall." - -"I'll be there," called Jerry, as he left his two chums. "I've got to -go on an errand for my mother now, but I'll be on hand after supper." - -"So will I," added Bob. "I may be a little late though, because--" - -"Because he has to eat so much supper; eh, Chunky?" and Jerry laughed -as he shot that parting shaft. - -"I promise to provide a light lunch at ten o'clock if you'll stay that -late," called Ned. "So long!" - -The afternoon exercises passed off successfully, and with farewells -from their teachers the three chums, as well as all the lads in the -academy, bade good-bye to the place of learning and scattered for the -long summer vacation. The motor boys, who were all in the same class, -walked down the street, arm in arm, as three fine lads as one could -wish for,--tall, strong, full of recourse in times of danger, brave and -fearless--excellent types of the American Boy. - -"Let's each think of some plan for a trip," proposed Ned, as they -parted to go to their several homes. "We can talk 'em all over -to-night." - -A few hours later the three chums were at Ned's house. On the library -table he had spread out a number of geographies, guide books and maps, -and the boys were soon pouring over them. They talked a perfect babble, -the only things that could be distinguished now and then being such -expressions as: - -"How about a trip to Maine?" - -"What's the matter with doing the Gulf of Mexico?" - -"We could go to Cuba if the weather kept good." - -"The Bermudas aren't so very far off." - -"Say, we'll never settle anything this way," called Ned after an hour -had been spent in fruitless discussion. "I've got a plan." - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"Let each one write on a slip of paper the place he'd like to go to. -We'll drop the slips in a hat and one of us, blindfolded, can pull a -slip out. We'll go wherever the slip says." - -"Suits me," exclaimed Bob, and Jerry nodded assent. - -Pencils and paper were provided, and the boys were about to write down -their choices when there came a knock on the library door. A moment -later the portal opened and Mr. Slade was looking in on the chums. - -"A visitor to see you," he announced. - -"To see who?" asked Ned. - -"All three of you. Let me present Professor Uriah Snodgrass." - -"Professor Snodgrass!" exclaimed the three boys in a surprised chorus. -"Where did he come from?" - -"I just arrived," announced a little man with very large spectacles, as -he stepped past Mr. Slade and bowed to the boys. "I reached town this -afternoon, and inquired for Mr. Slade's store, as I had some business -to transact. He heard my name, and remembered me. He invited me to call -this evening, and--here I am." - -"Yes, and just in time, too," cried Ned. - -"How is that? Have you just captured a rare specimen of a mosquito or -a June bug for me?" and the professor was ready at once to mount his -hobby and start off on a scientific discussion. - -"Not exactly," answered Ned, "but we are trying to decide where to go -in our motor boat for our vacation. Perhaps you can help us out." - -"I'm afraid not," the professor replied. "I never took a vacation in -my life, and I do not know where would be a good place to spend one. I -know where I am going this summer." - -"Where?" asked Jerry. - -"I am going to Florida, to search for a very rare butterfly. It is -pink, with blue and gold wings, and a certain museum has offered me -five thousand dollars for a perfect specimen. It is to be found in -Florida only, and I am off for the everglades next week." - -"That's a lot of money for a butterfly," remarked Ned. - -"Yes, but the museum can afford it," went on the scientist. "No other -scientific place in the world has this kind of a butterfly and the -museum I speak of will be the envy of all the others. But it is not -only for the money that would come to me that I would like to get that -butterfly. - -"If I succeed I hope to get a position with the museum. A sort of -commission to travel for them into all parts of the world after -curious bugs and relics. That is my ambition, and that is why I am -going to try for this butterfly. It means a great deal to me, as, all -my life, I have wanted to be on the staff of some good museum, in order -to search for curiosities for it. So you see it is not only the five -thousand dollars I am after, though, of course that sum will be very -acceptable." - -"Do you think you can find the butterfly?" asked Mr. Slade, much -interested. - -"I hope so," replied Uriah Snodgrass. "As I have said, it is very rare, -and very difficult to catch. I have read of a number of specimens being -found but they were in poor condition, or discolored, and it is for the -rare coloring of this species that it is desired by the museum." - -"I hope you are successful," answered Ned's father. "I have often -wondered, when looking at the collection of insects in a museum, how -they got so many different kinds. Now I understand. It is due to the -efforts of such men as you." - -Jerry arose from his chair. The light of excitement gleamed in his eyes. - -"I have it, fellows," he cried. - -"What! Not that rare pink butterfly?" cried the professor, showing -great interest. - -"No, but a plan. Let's go to Florida in the _Dartaway_. It will be a -fine trip. We'll take you with us, Professor. There's lots of room." - -For a moment no one spoke. Jerry stood up looking from his chums to the -professor, and then to Mr. Slade. - -"I would like nothing better than to go with you boys," Mr. Snodgrass -answered. "When can you start?" - -"To-morrow!" cried Ned. "That's a fine idea, Jerry! That beats drawing -papers from a hat. Florida it is! What do you say, Bob?" - -"Couldn't be better. I always was fond of oranges and cocoanuts." - -"Then we're off for the everglades!" exclaimed Ned, beginning to do a -dance around the room. "Can we go, father?" - -"Well, I presume it's no use saying no, so I may as well consent," -answered Mr. Slade. "But I guess it will take you longer than until -to-morrow to get ready." - -"We can start next week," put in Jerry. "That will suit the professor." - -"Excellent," spoke the scientist, as he began creeping up on an -unsuspecting June bug that was crawling on the table. - -"That settles it!" remarked Ned. "Now let's get a geography and lay -out a line of march." - -"Is my son here?" asked a woman's voice, and the boys looked up to see -Jerry's mother and Mrs. Slade standing in the library door. - -"Here I am," replied Jerry. "What is it, mother?" - -"I was calling in this neighborhood," went on Mrs. Hopkins. "I knew you -were here and I thought I'd step in and ask you to take me home." - -"Of course I will, mother. We were just planning another cruise." - -"You're always doing that," said Mrs. Hopkins with a sigh. "I can't see -why you boys don't stay home one vacation." - -"We want to see the world," declared Ned. "This time we are going to -Florida." - -"Florida?" asked Mrs. Hopkins as if surprised. - -"Why not, mother?" asked Jerry. - -"Oh, I suppose that place is as safe as any. I was just thinking of -something," Mrs. Hopkins went on. "I once bought some land in Florida, -but after I got the deed I received word that the property was -practically worthless and I never did anything about it. I have the old -deed home now." - -"Where is this land, mother?" asked Jerry. "I never heard you speak of -it." - -"No, because I was sorry I lost the money I paid for it. The land is -somewhere in the central part of the state I believe. I'll show you the -deed when we get home." - -"Yes, and if we get to Florida we'll look up this property," went on -the widow's son. "Perhaps it has increased in value. This gives us -another reason for going to the everglades," and he laughed. - -Once more the three boys began scanning the maps and guide books, while -Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. Slade conversed about household matters. A little -later Jerry escorted his mother home and she showed him the old deed, -of which he took possession. - -"Who knows but what it may prove valuable," he said. - -"I hope it does," remarked Mrs. Hopkins. "I would like to get my money -back." - -Jerry returned to Ned's house, promising his mother to come home again -as soon as more details of the proposed trip were settled. - -"Don't lose that deed," cautioned Mrs. Hopkins. - -Jerry, with a laugh, promised to keep it safely. He found his chums -still discussing the best means of getting to the land of the -everglades. They little realized what lay before them, nor what was to -happen before they reached Cresville again. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -OFF FOR FLORIDA - - -At first the boys had an idea they could go down the Atlantic coast in -their motor boat, and so reach the beautiful land for which they were -bound. But the professor pointed out the terrors of Cape Hatteras, -which is a menace to even big vessels, so the chums decided on another -plan. They would ship the boat from Cresville to St. Augustine and -travel there themselves by rail. From St. Augustine they could start -down the coast, and go up the Indian river. - -"Can't we stop there a while?" asked Bob at this point. - -"What for?" inquired Jerry. - -"Why that's where the best oranges in the world grow," explained Bob, -as if that was reason enough. "Indian river oranges are fine!" - -"You can stay there," said Jerry. "We'll go on to the everglades." - -"I'm not going to stay all alone," remonstrated Bob. "You might wait -while a fellow gathered a few oranges, though," and he assumed an -injured air. - -"The trouble is your idea of a 'few' would mean a boat load," came from -Ned. "But I guess we can gather some as we sail along." - -"Where do you plan to go from Indian River?" asked Mr. Slade. - -"We'll land at Titusville," replied Jerry, running his finger along the -map, "and then--" - -He was interrupted by a sudden movement on the part of Professor -Snodgrass, who had ceased to take part in the conversation, and an -instant later the room was in darkness. - -"I've got him!" cried the scientist eagerly. "He's in my hand on the -table, but I'm tangled up in the gas lamp hose. I must have touched the -stop-cock and turned off the light. Don't move, please, any of you. -Some one strike a light so I can see to put my prize safely away." - -"What is it?" asked Mr. Slade as he ignited one of the gas jets of the -chandelier. - -"One of the rarest specimens of June bugs," was the professor's answer. -"I saw him crawling on the table and I made a grab for him. He was -right under the gas hose hanging down from the chandelier to the table -lamp, but I didn't think of that. I hope I didn't hurt any one." - -"No, you only scared Bob out of his appetite," said Ned. - -"No, you didn't!" exclaimed Bob. "I'm as hungry as--I thought you said -you were going to give us a lunch, Ned? I'm ready--" Then he stopped, -in confusion, for the others burst out into a laugh at him. - -"Don't worry, Chunky. You'll get your lunch in time," spoke Ned. "But -let's get this trip settled first. Have you ever traveled in Florida, -Professor?" - -"I caught some of the finest snakes there you ever saw," replied the -scientist. "I have been over a considerable part of the state, and I'll -be glad to renew my acquaintance with it again." - -"Then you can tell us if our plan is a good one," went on Ned, -informing Mr. Snodgrass of what the boys proposed to do. From -Titusville, Ned explained, they would go by rail, with their boat, to -Lake Tohopekaliga, through the canal connecting that body of water with -Lake Hatchenana, across the latter lake, and again by canal to Lake -Kissimmee. From there they would go by the Kissimmee river to Lake -Okeechobee. - -"That will give you plenty of opportunity for testing your motor boat," -said the professor. "I think the route is a good one. The lower part -of Lake Okeechobee is wild enough to suit any one, and I may be able -to find there the rare butterfly for which I am searching. I will be -very glad to go with you, and I'll be ready to start any time you boys -fix." - -Having given that much attention to the proposed trip, the scientist -devoted himself to the June bug, which was struggling to escape from -his hand. Mr. Snodgrass produced a small box, with a perforated cover, -and in it shut the protesting captive. - -That done he jotted down in his note book certain facts about the bug, -its size, date of capture and the circumstances under which the catch -was made. The professor was nothing if not methodical. - -"Then the first thing to be done," observed Ned, when he and his chums -had once more gone over the map to see if they had selected the best -route, "is to get the boat ready for the trip by rail. I fancy the -_Dartaway_ doesn't like being shipped on a car. She likes the water too -well." - -"No help for it," remarked Jerry. "Some day we'll have a big enough -boat to sail half way round the world in, and we'll not have to depend -on trains." - -"I wonder if we'll meet Noddy when we get to Florida," mused Bob. -"Where did he say his cocoanut grove was, Ned?" - -"He didn't say, exactly, except that it wasn't far from Lake Okeechobee, -and I didn't care enough to ask him. It's somewhere in the lower part, I -believe. But I hardly think we'll meet him. Hope we don't, for we always -have bad luck as soon as he or Bill Berry turns up." - -"I guess Bill will keep out of sight for some time to come," remarked -Mr. Slade, who was listening to the talk of the boys. "I understand the -United States government is after him for his part in the lighthouse -plot, and when Uncle Sam wants a man he generally gets him. So I think -Bill will not trouble you this trip. Well, have you settled everything?" - -"Pretty nearly," answered Ned. "All except that I'll have to have some -money for my share of the expenses." - -"I expected that!" exclaimed Mr. Slade with a laugh. "It takes money, -as well as gasoline, to make a motor boat go. Well I don't mind, as -long as you boys take care of yourselves and don't get into mischief." - -As the parents of the boys were well off there was no difficulty on the -score of funds, though, for that matter, the lads' shares in the gold -mine were more than sufficient to pay their way on the various trips -they made. - -They discussed their plans in detail, now and then appealing to -Professor Snodgrass for his opinion, but the scientist was busy looking -for a specimen of a black snapping bug which had flown in through a -hole in the screen to get at the light, so he paid little attention to -what the boys were saying. - -"Well, I guess that's all," announced Ned, as he closed the big -geography. "We'll start getting the boat crated up to-morrow." - -"Is that all?" asked Bob, with rather a blank look. - -"Yes, what else is there to discuss?" inquired Ned. - -"Chunky would like to discuss that lunch you promised," said Jerry with -a laugh. "Eh, Chunky?" - -"Well--" began Bob, looking somewhat sheepishly at Mr. Slade. - -"Don't mind me," put in that gentleman. "Go ahead with whatever you had -planned. The professor and I will go out on the porch. I'll smoke a -cigar to drive the mosquitoes over to Mr. Snodgrass so he can catch 'em -and sell 'em to a museum," and he laughed. - -The boys had their lunch, and, in justice to Bob it must be said that -Ned and Jerry ate almost as much as he did. They talked, between bites, -of their trip, and indulged in all sorts of conjectures as to what -adventures might lie before them. They imagined strange enough ones, -but they were as nothing to what really befell them when they got to -the land of the everglades. - -The little party broke up about midnight, with mutual promises on the -part of the chums to meet early the next morning and get the _Dartaway_ -in shape for the long trip. - -They met at the river dock, where their boat was kept, and gave the -craft a good overhauling. Some changes had been made in the craft since -the trip on the Atlantic coast. The boat was more powerful, and was so -arranged that they could sleep on board, for it had a portable awning -and side curtains that could completely enclose the craft. Larger -bunkers for the stowing away of provisions and water had been put in, -the machinery had been overhauled and, save for a few minor changes, -the _Dartaway_ was ready for a long trip. These changes were made -during the next two days, and then the boat was enclosed in a stout -cradle. It was put aboard a flat car and, at the end of the week, had -started on the journey to St. Augustine. - -As the boys were walking up the street from the depot they met a man -with a small gray moustache, who looked sharply at them. - -"Excuse me," he said, "but can you tell me where I can find a Mr. Noddy -Nixon? I'm a stranger in town, and I want to see him on business." - -"We can show you where he lives," replied Jerry, "but he isn't home." - -"Where has he gone?" and the man looked surprised at the news. - -"He told me he was going to Florida, to look at a cocoanut grove he had -purchased," interposed Ned. - -"What part, if I may ask?" - -"Near Lake Okeechobee." - -"That's where we're going," put in Bob, who was rather impetuous. - -"Indeed! Are you friends of his?" - -"Not exactly," replied Ned, stiffly. - -"Then you're not going together?" - -"No, he has already started. We're going from St. Augustine in our -motor boat," came from Bob. - -"Do you expect to see young Nixon there?" - -"I don't believe we will," remarked Jerry, wondering at the man's -questions. - -"If you do I wish you would hand him this paper--no, I think perhaps -I had better try and send it through the regular channels," and the -man seemed in doubt. "Would you give him a message if you saw him?" he -asked. - -"We'd be glad to do you a favor," said Ned. "What's it about?" - -"Just tell him to come home at once," was the answer, and the man -seemed very much in earnest. "It is very important. I can't tell you -just what, but say to him that if he does not come voluntarily we will -have to--. No, perhaps you had better not say that. It might frighten -him, and we don't want to do that. Just tell him to come home to attend -to a matter of which he has already received official notice," and the -man returned a bundle of papers to his pocket. - -"We'll do it," spoke up Ned, "though we're not sure of seeing him." - -"I understand. It's only a chance, but I will be glad to take advantage -of it, and I will appreciate it very much if you can get that message -to him." - -The man moved off up the street, leaving the three boys somewhat -puzzled. - -"I wonder who he was?" asked Bob. - -"Don't you know?" inquired Jerry. - -"No; who was he?" - -"One of the government inspectors of lighthouses. I saw him down at -Harmon Beach after Noddy and Bill, and the others in the gang, tried to -wreck the steamer by showing false lights." - -"Then he's after Noddy for his part in that!" exclaimed Ned. "But I -thought they weren't going to prosecute Noddy?" - -"Maybe they want him for a witness against Bill Berry," suggested -Jerry. "At any rate we'll give him the message if we see him. He's -to come home to attend to a matter of which he has already received -official notice. Probably he's been subpoenaed and has skipped out for -fear of arrest. Maybe that's why he said he was going to his cocoanut -grove. Say, boys, I'll wager Noddy has gone to Florida to hide!" - -"But why doesn't the government attend to its own affairs and not ask -us to tell Noddy to come back?" inquired Ned. "That's a queer way of -doing business." - -"Perhaps they haven't any officials down near Lake Okeechobee," -replied Jerry. "It's rather desolate down there, I guess, and it would -be hard work to hunt around for an unknown cocoanut plantation and -locate Noddy. Maybe the matter is not of much importance, and that man -may think we'll do to deliver the message. Anyway I believe I'm right -and that Noddy has fled from Cresville because he's afraid of something -in connection with the attempt to wreck the steamer, and his part in -the attack on Mr. Hardack, the lighthouse keeper." - -"I'd like to see Noddy get his desserts," interposed Bob. "He's done us -a lot of mean turns, but, somehow or other he always manages to sneak -out of the consequences. If I get a chance I'll scare him with this -message. I'll tell him the government detectives are after him with a -pack of bloodhounds." - -"Better wait until we find him," advised Jerry. "Lake Okeechobee is a -big place and there's a slim chance that we will meet Noddy." - -"I thought there was something more than a new cocoanut plantation that -made him want to hurry out of town," spoke Ned. "I remember now he -acted, while he was talking to me, as if he was afraid of some one." - -"That was your imagination," said Jerry with a laugh. "But come on; -let's go home and get ready for the trip, and let Noddy's affairs take -care of themselves." - -The boys packed their belongings, bade their friends good-bye and, on -Wednesday of the following week, were ready to start on their trip to -the quaint old city of St. Augustine. - -"I hope the boat is there, waiting for us," remarked Bob. - -"Yes. It wouldn't be much of a joke if it went astray," agreed Jerry. - -"All ready?" asked Professor Snodgrass, as he came down to the depot. - -"All ready," replied Ned. - -The scientist seemed to have suddenly increased in size, for he bulged -out on all sides. - -"What is it?" asked Jerry, looking in wonder at his learned friend. - -"What? Oh, those are specimen boxes I put in my pockets. I had no room -for them in my trunks," Mr. Snodgrass answered. "I also have a portable -net for capturing insects with. I must lose no opportunities. I may see -some valuable insects on my way down." - -"Here comes the train!" exclaimed Bob, as a whistle sounded in the -distance. "Get your baggage together!" - -There was a confused scramble, as there always is at the last minute, -no matter what preliminary preparations have been made. The boys and -the professor gathered up their grips, for their trunks had been -checked. The train rolled into the station. They scrambled up the -steps, and got seats together. Just as the train was pulling out of the -depot the boys heard some one yelling at them. - -"Hold on! Wait a minute! Stop! I want to speak to you!" was the cry. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE GIANT TURTLE - - -The three chums thrust their heads from the windows nearest them. - -"It's Andy Rush!" exclaimed Jerry, as he caught sight of the boyish -figure running down the station platform. "Wonder what he wants?" - -By this time Andy was under the windows on the side of the car where -the boys sat. The train had not yet gathered much headway. - -"What is it?" asked Ned. "Has anything happened?" for the small chap -seemed quite excited. - -"I wanted to see you last night--couldn't--had too much to do--got -up early this morning--came down here on the run--saw the train -moving--yelled--engineer wouldn't stop--say--if you catch any manatees -down there--Florida I mean--save me a little one--I want to tame -it--will--you--please--can't talk any--more! Out--of--breath!" - -By this time Andy was being distanced by the train and his wind was -almost expended. - -"I'll bring you one!" cried Bob, who was good natured and always ready -to accommodate a friend. "I'll bring you one, Andy," and he waved his -hand to the excited boy. - -"I say, Professor," went on Bob, a little later, "are there any -manatees in Florida?" - -"There used to be quite a number but I'm afraid they have been mostly -killed off. Still there may be a few. Why?" - -"A friend of mine wants one and I promised to bring him a little one. -If you happen to see any, please let me know." - -"I wonder if Bob has any idea of the size of a manatee or sea-cow?" put -in Jerry, with a little smile. "How large do they grow, Professor?" - -"Well I have seen them weighing nearly a thousand pounds, but I suppose -the average is nearer eight hundred." - -"There you are, Bob!" exclaimed Ned with a laugh. "You see what you've -promised to send to Andy." - -"I meant a baby one," and Bob seemed confused. - -"I think even a baby manatee will be beyond your abilities to ship up -North," Mr. Snodgrass answered. "They are of good size but rather -delicate. They have to be transported in tanks of salt water and even -the museums have difficulty in getting them and keeping them alive. I'm -afraid Andy will have to be content with some other kind of pet." - -"I hadn't any idea they were as big as that," murmured Bob. "Never -mind, I'll get him something else." - -"Try a nice pine snake, about ten feet long, or a copper-head, or a -wild loon, or a turtle," suggested Ned. "Andy won't care what you -bring, as long as it's a souvenir from Florida. Ship him a chunk of the -everglades." - -"Well, I guess you make mistakes sometimes, so you needn't be so -smart!" exclaimed Bob, a bit sensitive at the fun being poked at him. - -"That's all right, Chunky," consoled Jerry. "I see they have a dining -car on this train so you needn't go hungry, at all events." - -"Is there, really?" asked Bob. "That'll be fine. I always like to eat -in a dining car. I wish it was time for dinner." - -The journey by train was an uneventful one. In due time the travelers -arrived at St. Augustine, and found that their boat had reached there -in good condition. They arranged to have the empty cradle sent to -Titusville, where they would again begin to travel by train until they -reached Kissimmee City, on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga. - -"Then for a long voyage on water!" exclaimed Ned, as they left the -freight house, having seen to the transportation of their boat to the -harbor of St. Augustine. - -They spent one day in St. Augustine, buying provisions and a supply of -gasoline for the _Dartaway_. The boat, too, needed soaking in the water -to close the seams which had dried open on the journey overland. - -Bright and early one morning the three boys and the professor, having -placed all their baggage on board, took possession of the _Dartaway_. - -"We're off!" cried Jerry as he gave a long toot to the compressed air -whistle. "Now for the manatees, Chunky!" - -"Let up on manatees!" pleaded Bob. "Can't you forget 'em?" - -"Yes, but think how disappointed Andy will be," and Jerry laughed as he -gave the wheel a turn, shoved over the gasoline and sparking levers, -while Ned cranked the engine. - -There was a sort of sigh from the _Dartaway's_ motor, a cough, a -wheeze, and then a series of throbs that told that the engine was in -working order. A mass of foam appeared at the stern where the screw -was churning the water, and the boat moved out of the harbor of the -historic city. - -It was a beautiful day and the boys were in excellent spirits over the -successful start of their trip. The engine was working to a charm, and -the _Dartaway_ seemed like a thing alive, so well did she answer to the -slightest turn of the steering wheel. - -"Isn't this glorious!" exclaimed Jerry, as he sat in the bow. "Can you -beat this, fellows?" - -"Not in a thousand years!" cried Ned enthusiastically. "Let Noddy -Nixon have his cocoanut groves, but give me a motor boat and a trip to -Florida!" - -"Wait a minute! Hold on! Stop the boat!" cried the professor suddenly. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry, slowing down the engine. "Did you -lose something?" - -The scientist seemed to be struggling to get at something in the bottom -of the boat. - -"It's a very rare dragon fly," he said as he brought out a butterfly -net. "I just saw him floating on a bit of wood. I must have him for my -collection. He's worth a hundred dollars!" - -The professor made a sudden lunge, thrusting his long-handled net over -the side of the craft. He would have gone overboard had not Ned caught -him by the waist and held him. - -The net went into the water with a splash, but, despite his undignified -position the professor managed to bring it aboard. He looked into it -anxiously. - -"I got him!" he exclaimed. "A perfect specimen! Oh, boys, this voyage -has started most excellently for me!" - -"It would have been the other kind of a start if I hadn't caught you," -observed Ned. - -"Thank you, my dear young friend," spoke the professor, as he carefully -dried the dragon fly and placed it in his cyanide bottle to kill it -painlessly for preservation. "I appreciate what you did for me, but -I would rather fall overboard a dozen times than miss this beautiful -specimen." - -Jerry started the engine again, and soon the _Dartaway_ was cutting -through the water at a fast speed. Jerry had asked the advice of -some sea captains in St. Augustine and they had told him to keep in -the Matanzas river instead of standing out to sea, and, on reaching -Matanzas inlet to use that as a means of getting out on the Atlantic. -This plan was followed, and at noon they emerged on the ocean, which -they greeted with a cheer. - -"Here we are again!" cried Ned. "Guess you haven't forgotten us, Old -Salt Horse! How's Father Neptune, anyhow? We had some tussles with you -last year when Salt-Water Sam was aboard. If he was here he'd sing this -song," and Ned, hitching his trousers up in true nautical fashion, -delivered himself of this classic which the old sailor used to sing: - - "It was on the isle of Nankum, - Near the land of Timbuctoo - That poor old Sam fell overboard one night. - There was a great commotion - In the middle of the ocean - Sure he gave the sharks and whales - A terrible fright." - -"Good!" cried Bob. "Give us the second verse." - -"There isn't any second verse." - -"Oh, well, the third then. I'm not particular," and Bob began to -investigate one of the food lockers. - -"Here! Keep out of there until dinner time," called Jerry. - -"It's dinner time now. Long past noon," remarked Bob. - -"Wait until we make that point of land then, and--" - -What Jerry was going to say he never finished, for at that instant the -_Dartaway_ hit something with a force that threw Ned, who was standing -up, off his feet and into the bottom of the craft. - -"What's that?" cried Bob. - -"Must have hit a rock!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Is the boat sinking? If it is let me put a life preserver on my -specimen boxes!" begged the professor. - -Jerry had instantly shut off the power and was peering over the bow. - -"Don't seem to be any rock," he murmured. "We have deep water here." - -Then, to the surprise of all on board, the _Dartaway_ began to move -through the water at a fast rate. - -"Did you turn on the power?" cried Jerry to Ned, who was nearest the -engine. - -"No! The motor isn't going!" - -"But we are!" - -The professor looked over the side of the boat. Then, pointing to -something in the water just ahead, he said: - -"We are being towed by a giant turtle!" - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE PROFESSOR'S TRICK - - -The boys looked to where the scientist pointed. Some large shape could -be seen just under the surface of the water, which was being churned -into foam by the action of the creature's flippers. - -"How did that get hold of us?" asked Bob. "Has it got us in its mouth?" - -"The anchor got loose and dangled over the side," explained Jerry as he -made a hasty examination. "One of the flukes must have caught under the -turtle's shell after we rammed it. Now the creature is carrying us out -to sea!" - -"Cut the rope!" cried Ned. "He'll swamp us!" - -"No! No!" shouted Jerry. "We can't afford to lose our anchor. We'll -need it later on." - -"But how are we going to get rid of the turtle?" asked Bob. "He'll -swamp us if he gets us away out in the rough water." - -The situation was indeed a grave one. The turtle, doubtless imagining -it had the best of some enemy, was increasing its speed. With the -anchor caught under a forward flipper, where it offered no impediment -to swimming, the big creature was towing the _Dartaway_ as easily as it -might a piece of driftwood. - -"Reverse the engine!" suggested Ned. - -"I don't want to do that," objected Jerry. "He's pulling so strong that -if we start the motor on the reverse we may damage the boat." - -"But we've got to do something," put in Bob. - -"I have it!" cried Jerry. "I'll shoot the turtle!" - -He made his way to the stern of the craft, where in a locker the boys -had stowed their guns. Jerry took out his repeating rifle and loaded -it. By this time the boat was well out from shore, close to which the -craft had been kept because the water was not so rough there. - -"What are you going to do?" asked the professor. After his first -glimpse of the turtle he had, apparently, taken no further interest in -it, but was intently watching the gyrations of a swarm of little gnats -that were flying about the boat. - -"Going to shoot the turtle," replied Jerry. "We can't get rid of him -any other way, and there's no telling where he'll take us." - -"But you can't shoot him," said the scientist, steadying himself -against the rocking of the boat, which was now among some big rollers. - -"Why not?" - -"In the first place he is so far down under the water that the bullets -would glance off, and never touch him. And, if by some chance they -should hit him, his shell is thick enough to make them seem like dried -peas." - -"I'll aim at his head," proposed Jerry, anxious to use his rifle on the -creature. - -"I fancy he has his head well drawn back under his protecting shell," -Mr. Snodgrass went on. - -"Try for a flipper," put in Ned. - -"His flippers are mostly only muscle and cartilage," declared the -professor. "He wouldn't mind a bullet through them any more than you -would if you stuck a pin in the calloused part of the palm of your -hand." - -"Then what can we do?" asked Jerry, who was beginning to be a little -frightened at the prospect before them. The turtle seemed tireless. - -"I'll have to try a trick," the scientist announced. "Have you a -fishing rod aboard?" - -"Several of them," replied Jerry. "But do you think you can catch him -on a hook and line?" - -"Scarcely. But get the longest pole you have, please. I'll show you -something that I think will make Mr. Turtle let go of our anchor." - -Wondering what their friend was about to do the boys watched him -select a strong line from the supply they had brought along. Next the -professor fastened on a large hook, using a strong wire snell. - -"Got any meat aboard," was the scientist's next question. - -"Some canned stuff," replied Bob, who could be depended on to know what -was in the larder. - -"That will do. Get me a large firm piece." - -Bob opened some corned beef, and soon the professor had baited the -hook. Then he took his position in the bow and, with the rod extended -at the end of which dangled the line, hook and meat, he prepared to put -his trick into operation. - -Fortunately the rope to which the anchor was attached had caught on -a cleat after paying out a little as the turtle fouled the fluke. -This permitted the creature to go but a short distance ahead of the -_Dartaway_ which it was towing. Otherwise the scientist might have been -unable to do as he did. - -While the boys watched him Uriah Snodgrass lowered the bait into the -water, just ahead of the little ripples that indicated where the -turtle's head was located. - -"He's surely going to try to catch the turtle," said Bob in a low -voice. "I hope he does. I've heard that turtle soup and steaks are fine -eating." - -"Can't you let up on eating at a time like this?" demanded Jerry in a -sharp whisper. - -The professor was leaning forward in an expectant attitude. It did look -as though he hoped to catch the turtle as one angles after a wary fish. -To a certain extent, that was what happened. The big creature saw the -bait dangling in front of it. The rush of the water through which it -was gliding swept the meat nearer. It liked the smell of the canned -corned beef, though probably it was a new item on the turtle's bill of -fare. At any rate the matter of towing that troublesome object, which -persisted in following it need not interfere with a meal. The turtle -decided to take the meat. - -Just as it was about to grasp the bait in the horny beak, strong enough -to shear through a man's foot, the professor, who was on the watch with -sharp eyes, moved it ahead a little, and then to one side. The turtle -doubtless thought the thing was alive and this made it all the more -anxious to get the food. There was a flurry of the strong flippers. -The turtle turned to one side to follow the tempting morsel. - -Cautiously the professor moved the rod and bait until he was holding it -over the side of the boat instead of out from the bow. The turtle kept -turning to reach the meat which was held just a few inches beyond its -nose. - -[Illustration: THE TURTLE KEPT TURNING TO REACH THE MEAT] - -Suddenly there was a rush in the water and the pole bent almost double. -The reel sent out a shrill screech. - -"I've hooked him!" cried the professor. "He's free from the rope now! -Start the engine, Jerry!" - -Jerry lost no time in doing this. The chug-chug of the motor was soon -heard and the _Dartaway_ forged ahead, freed from its deep-sea captor. - -"Haul up the anchor!" called the professor to Ned. "We don't want any -more happenings like that. Bob, put the wheel around and send us toward -shore. It's too rough out here." - -The three boys were busy attending to the boat, while the scientist was -still holding the tauted line and the bent pole over the side of the -craft. An instant later there sounded a sharp snap. - -"The line's broken!" cried the professor. "There goes the turtle!" - -He pointed ahead to where a flurry in the water indicated the presence -of the creature. "Well, I hope he likes his canned beef with hook -dressing. At any rate we're well rid of him, though I would liked to -have had him for a specimen." - -"That was quite a trick," observed Jerry, as he took charge of the -steering wheel. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -BOB GETS A SCARE - - -Professor Snodgrass wound back on the reel what remained of the line. -Then he unjointed the pole. - -"Yes," he remarked. "I thought that was about the only way we could -make the turtle let go of the rope. I enticed him around to one side, -and that, naturally, made the rope drop from under his flipper. We'll -have to be more careful after this." - -Speeding the motor up, Jerry soon had the boat near shore, and he -directed the course along the coast in comparatively quiet water. - -They came into a small sheltered bay and, in a little cove where palm -trees came down almost to the water's edge, forming an ideal spot to -rest, they went ashore. - -"I think I'll take a little walk into the interior while you boys -get dinner," remarked the professor, taking his butterfly net and -the cyanide bottle which he used for painlessly killing insects he -captured. - -"Don't get lost," advised Ned. - -"If you see any orange groves let me know," called Bob. - -The three boys were soon busy setting up their portable stove and -preparing a meal, using the canned provisions they had brought along. - -"How about fish?" asked Ned. "Looks as though there ought to be some in -this cove." - -"Try your luck," said Jerry. - -Ned got out his tackle and soon was casting in off a small point of -land that stuck out into deep water. In a little while he had caught -several fine specimens, and they were soon in the frying pan with some -strips of bacon. - -"Smells just like a restaurant," spoke Bob, taking long breaths. - -"It will be better if it tastes like one," observed Jerry, who was -superintending the cooking. "I am a little out of practice." - -"Wonder why the professor doesn't come back," remarked Ned, when dinner -was ready to serve. "I think he must be hungry." - -"Probably he is, but he doesn't know it," suggested Bob. "Very likely -he's chasing after a red, white and blue ant." - -"I'll go after him," volunteered Jerry. "You fellows go on eating. -Don't wait for me." - -He started off in the direction taken by the professor while Bob, too -hungry to stand on ceremony, began to do ample justice to the food. -Ned joined him, and they were nearly finished before the scientist and -Jerry appeared coming through the grove of palm trees. - -"What's Jerry got in his arms?" asked Ned. - -"I don't know. The professor is laden down with the same thing, -evidently." - -"They're oranges!" cried Bob, as he caught sight of the yellow objects. -"They've found a grove of orange trees! I wish I'd gone along!" - -"Here are some of the specimens the professor captured," remarked Jerry -with a laugh, and he placed his fruit on the grass. - -"Where do they grow?" asked Bob eagerly, beginning to extract the juice -from a large orange. - -"About half a mile back," Mr. Snodgrass replied. "I met the owner of -the grove and he invited me to take as many as I wanted." - -After dinner they took up their journey again, and that night slept on -the boat, anchored in a little harbor about forty miles further down -the coast. - -They had an early breakfast and after making some minor adjustments -to the engine started off again. The weather continued pleasant, -though there was quite a swell on, and riding in the boat was not as -comfortable as it had been the previous day. - -"We'll reach Mosquito Inlet about noon," announced Jerry looking at the -map in the guide book. - -"Very good," said the professor. - -"I'd say it was very bad," put in Ned, making a wry face. "I'm not very -fond of mosquitoes." - -"I need a few more specimens to complete my collection," the scientist -added. - -"What is Mosquito Inlet?" asked Bob. - -"It's an entrance from the ocean to what is called Hillsborough river," -replied Jerry. "It's really a part of the sea, but the book says -it's a fine route for boats, and we'll take it. From there, by means -of the Haulover Canal, we can get right into Indian river and reach -Titusville." - -"Then let's do it by all means," suggested Bob. "This motion is a -little too much for me." - -In fact the rolling and pitching of the _Dartaway_ under the influence -of the ocean swell, was not very agreeable, and all the travelers were -glad when they reached the inlet and speeded through it to the quiet -waters of Hillsborough River. - -They ate lunch aboard without stopping, as it was low tide, and not -easy to go ashore across the stretch of mud revealed by the receding -water. That evening they emerged into Indian River, a beautiful stretch -of water about one hundred and fifty miles long, almost as straight as -an arrow, and separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land. Its -waters are salt like the ocean, and it is affected by the tides. - -As dusk settled down the boys found the scene one of much beauty. On -their left they could catch occasional glimpses of the masts of ocean -vessels sailing close to the coast to avoid the powerful Gulf stream. -On their right was a forest of palmetto and other trees, forming a sort -of screen for the orange groves beyond. - -"It smells just like--just like--" and Bob paused for a comparison. - -"Just like a wedding party," finished Jerry as he took in deep breaths -of the orange-perfumed air. - -The river was widening as they advanced, and the air was filled with -flocks of ducks and geese returning from their feeding grounds. - -"I'm going to try for some!" exclaimed Bob, preparing to get out his -shot gun. - -"Better not to-night," advised the professor. "It's getting dark and -you couldn't see to pick them up if they fell into the water." - -"I'll have some to-morrow," declared Bob. "I'm very fond of roast duck." - -It seemed to grow dark suddenly with the quickness that is always -noticed in southern countries. Ned, who had taken his place at the -steering wheel, looked down at the water and gave a startled cry. - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"It's on fire!" exclaimed Bob, as he glanced over the side. - -Indeed it did seem as though the river was ablaze. For a space of a -hundred feet or more ahead of the bow, and on either side, there were -long lines and streamers of fire, crossed and recrossed as though some -giant lace-making machine was weaving a pattern in colors of glowing, -golden yellow. - -"A beautiful display of the phosphorescent qualities of this stream," -observed the professor. "Very beautiful. It is caused by the fish -swimming about," the scientist explained. "They agitate the water, -which possesses suspended in it a quantity of phosphorous and when it -is disturbed it seems to glow like fire. I have often read about it, -but I have seldom witnessed it. It is almost light enough to see to -catch specimens by." - -"The guide book speaks of it," said Jerry. "I ought to have known what -it was. But I guess we'd better think of camping. We can't go any -farther to-night." - -Lanterns were lighted, and with the searchlight glowing in the bow, to -enable them to select a good place to land, the boat was sent toward -shore. All the way there they seemed to be moving through a river of -fire. - -They found a good landing place, and soon had their camp arranged for -the night. It was decided to sleep ashore as it was somewhat crowded on -board. Accordingly, mosquito canopies were arranged, and after supper -the boys prepared their beds under a shelter tent which was erected. - -"I'm going to make me a mattress," said Bob, as, carrying a lantern, he -went down to the edge of the river. - -"What of; Spanish moss?" asked Ned. "I've read there's lots of that in -Florida." - -"That would be fine," replied Chunky. "But I don't see any around. No, -I'm going to make it of grass." - -He proceeded to pull a lot of long bladed herbage from the bank of the -river, and soon had himself a soft nest under the shelter of the tent. - -"Guess I'll beat you all at sleeping to-night," said Bob, as he -stretched out in his clothes on the grass. The others had wrapped -themselves up in their blankets. - -"Go ahead," murmured Ned. "I'm satisfied with what I've got. I could -sleep on a bare plank." - -Soon deep breathing told that all the occupants of the camp were far -off in slumber-land. It was after midnight when all the others were -suddenly aroused by a series of frightened yells from Bob. - -"Something's got me! It's got hold of my foot! It's dragging me to the -river!" he cried. - -Ned and Jerry leaped to their feet. Jerry grabbed his gun which was -near him on the ground. The professor snatched down the lantern from a -pole in front of the tent and flashed it in Bob's direction. - -"It's an alligator!" yelled Ned, pointing to some big black object. -"Fire, Jerry!" - -Jerry raised his rifle, but, as he did so Bob pulled his foot away -from whatever creature had hold of him and ran toward his companions -who had gathered in a group some distance from the tent. - -"Shoot it! It tried to eat me up!" he yelled. - -Jerry fired point blank, but he evidently missed for the black object, -dimly seen in the shadows cast by the lantern seemed to flop away. An -instant later a loud splash told that it had entered the river. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -KILLING A MANATEE - - -"What was it?" cried Jerry. - -"I don't know," answered Bob, who was almost too frightened to speak. -"I was dreaming one of you fellows was pulling me from bed by my foot -and I woke up to discover that some animal had me. I looked and saw -something black! Then I yelled." - -"Let's make an examination," suggested the professor. "Is your foot -much hurt?" - -"A little," admitted Bob. - -But an investigation showed that though his shoe was dented as if by -the marks of broad teeth, the leather had not been penetrated, and, on -taking off his shoe, Bob found his foot was only bruised. - -"There are the tracks of where the beast came from the river," said -Jerry, pointing to the unmistakable path of some large animal. It had -come up the river bank, straight to the bed Bob had so carefully made. - -"Must have been a crocodile," insisted Ned. - -"There aren't any in Florida," said the professor. "The alligators are -not found in this region, either. Whatever it was Bob, you baited it -yourself." - -"How?" - -"Why, when you pulled that grass you left a long trail of it from the -river bank right to the tent. The creature simply followed it up, -eating as it went, and when it struck your bunk I suppose it thought -it had quite a feast. I guess the taking hold of your foot was only -accidental." - -"Maybe it was a sort of walking fish," suggested Jerry. - -"I have an idea what it was," the professor answered. - -"A snake?" asked Bob, and he turned paler than before. - -"No, not a snake. I'll tell you in the morning. Better go to bed now. -We'll light several more lanterns and I think they will keep away any -other creatures." - -Bob declared he had had enough of his grass bed, so he got some -blankets from the boat and stretched out under the tent between Ned and -Jerry, and as far as possible from the river. - -"Whatever it was, it's not going to nab me again," he said, as he fell -into an uneasy slumber. - -There were no further disturbances that night, and in the morning the -boys gazed curiously at the broad path made by Bob's midnight visitor. - -"Looks as though it was as big as a cow," said Jerry as he saw the -marks. - -"Maybe it was," remarked the professor. - -"Don't see what cows would be doing in the river," observed Ned, but -Mr. Snodgrass only smiled. - -"What's the program this morning?" asked Bob after breakfast had been -disposed of and the things packed back into the boat. "Where are we -going, Jerry?" - -"Let's keep right on down this river," suggested Ned. "It's a fine -place." - -"Not for me!" exclaimed Bob. "At least if we do I'm going to sleep on -the boat. No more cows for mine." - -"We're going to Titusville," declared Jerry. "Of course it would be -nice to voyage down this river, and, according to my guide book it's -a beautiful sail. But if we want to get to Lake Okeechobee we'll have -to change to rail transportation for a while and embark again on Lake -Tohopekaliga." - -"I guess that will suit me as well," the professor announced. "I must -soon begin to look for that rare butterfly. It is found in the region -of the lakes, and I may be fortunate enough to run across a specimen -very soon." - -"How are you going to know it when you see it?" asked Ned. - -"By its color, for one thing. It is pink, and has blue and gold wings. -Then it feeds in a peculiar manner. It spreads its wings out when -taking nectar from a flower, and is frequently mistaken for a blossom. -I hope I shall find several such butterflies." - -"We'll help you look for them," offered Jerry, as he started the boat. - -It was but a short run from the head of the Indian river, where the -travelers had entered, to Titusville, and, in order to enjoy the -unusual scenery, Jerry ran the craft at slow speed. The boys watched -the river as it stretched out before them, now narrowing and again -widening, while they puffed slowly past groves of palmetto trees that -the orange growers depended on as a screen for their groves, which -might otherwise be frosted by the cold winds from the Atlantic. - -"Can't we go ashore and get some fruit?" asked Bob, when they had -traveled some miles. - -"I guess the owners would have no objection if we took some," said -the professor. "I understand they always invite visitors to help -themselves." - -The boys decided to act on this suggestion, and soon the boat was -anchored at the shore and the four voyagers went inland until they -found an orange grove. They met an overseer who invited them to gather -all they could eat. - -"These are much better than the others we had," spoke Bob, biting into -a luscious fruit. - -"He's getting to be quite an expert," declared Jerry. - -Once more they boarded the boat and Jerry put it well out toward the -middle of the river which was very broad at this point. - -"There, I guess I've had all the juice there is in that orange!" -exclaimed Bob, as he tossed the mass of skin and pulp overboard. "Hand -me another, Ned." - -As the orange which Bob threw away struck the water, there was a sudden -rush as though some large creature had grabbed the pulp. - -"What was that?" cried Bob, as he saw some big object swimming just -beneath the surface. - -"Made enough fuss for a whale or shark," observed Ned. - -"It was after the orange, but I guess it didn't like it, for it didn't -eat it." - -"Throw another in," suggested the professor. "We'll see what it is." - -Jerry tossed some fruit overboard. There was a swirl in the river, and -a mass of foam, just ahead of the _Dartaway_. The creature seemed to -inspect the floating oranges, and then ignore them. - -"Look out!" cried Ned suddenly. "It's coming this way, Jerry!" - -Jerry saw something approaching the craft. He whirled the wheel over, -and speeded up the engine, just in time to avoid whatever it was. - -"That's an ugly beast," remarked Bob. "Mad, I guess, because we didn't -give it something it liked to eat." - -"Here it comes again!" yelled Ned, and this time the boys saw the -creature, just under the surface of the water, approaching the boat on -the port side. - -"He's going to hit us!" yelled Bob. "Look out, Jerry!" - -Jerry gave a glance over his shoulder. He saw the mass of water piled -up in front of the on-rushing creature. He increased the speed of -the boat, and endeavored to steer it out of the path of the animal, -whatever it was. But the creature was not going to let the boat -escape. It changed its course, and, an instant later, the _Dartaway_ -careened under a violent shock. - -There was a splash, as of some heavy object striking the water. - -"Bob's overboard!" yelled Ned, throwing his chum a cork ring, attached -to a rope. "He's going to ram us again, Jerry!" - -There was great confusion on the _Dartaway_. Jerry had reversed -the engine, and was looking about to catch sight of Bob, who was -floundering around in the water. - -"There it comes!" shouted Ned. - -Once more the creature was returning to the attack. But this time it -did not strike the boat. The reversing of the engine had brought the -craft to a stop, and it was beginning to go astern. This caused the -creature to shoot just across the bows. - -"It's a seal!" yelled Jerry, who caught a passing glimpse of a big -brown body just under the water. "Hand me a gun and I'll shoot it!" - -By this time Bob had grasped the cork ring, and the professor, who had -hold of the rope, was pulling the boy aboard. Ned reached a rifle from -the locker and passed it to Jerry, who had shut off the power so he -would not have to steer the boat. - -"Can you see it?" cried Ned. - -"He's coming at us again," replied Jerry. - -"Shoot it in the head!" called the professor, not desisting from his -work of rescuing Bob. - -"You take a gun, Ned!" shouted Jerry. "I may miss!" - -Ned secured another weapon, and hurried to the bow to stand beside -his chum. Both boys could see where the creature was by reason of the -disturbance in the water. - -"I see its head!" spoke Ned in a whisper. "It's just like a seal." - -He took as careful aim as he could, as also did Jerry. The two rifles -were discharged together, and as the bullets struck the water they sent -up little jets of spray. Then followed a great commotion, and the river -in that vicinity was churned to foam. - -"We must have hit him!" yelled Jerry. - -"We sure did!" added Ned. "The water is red!" - -The crimson color was spreading over the surface. The creature was -lashing about evidently in a death struggle. - -"Once more!" cried Ned, as he worked the lever of his repeating rifle, -and Jerry followed his example. They fired again. - -This time they could hear the thud of the bullets as they struck. There -was a cessation of the beast's struggles, and the water grew quieter. - -"Guess that finished him," observed Jerry, peering forward. "He's done -for." - -"What was it?" asked Ned. - -"Give me a hand here!" called the professor. "I want to lift Bob in." - -The two marksmen turned from their inspection of the thing in the water -at the bow of the _Dartaway_ to assist in getting their chum aboard. - -"Did you think you needed a bath, Chunky?" asked Ned. - -"I--I got--one--whether--I needed it--or--or not," spluttered Bob, as -he got rid of the water in his eyes, nose, ears and mouth. "Give me a -hand." - -They helped him into the boat, dripping wet, but otherwise uninjured, -as Bob was fat, and floated well, in spite of the handicap of his -clothes. - -"What was it, a whale?" asked the wet one. "Did he put a hole in the -boat?" - -"Guess we're not much damaged," replied Jerry. "But I haven't yet seen -what the thing was, unless it's a seal." - -"There it is," observed Mr. Snodgrass, as he pointed to a big brown -object floating on the water. "It's a manatee or sea-cow. I didn't -expect to meet with any, as they are almost gone from this part of the -world." - -"A manatee!" exclaimed Bob, in consternation. "It's a good thing I -didn't try to bring one to Andy Rush!" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -A MISFORTUNE - - -Jerry started the engine, and, at slow speed, put the boat close over -to the big creature, which was now quite dead. - -"I hadn't any idea they were so large," said Ned. - -"As I told you before, they sometimes weigh nearly a thousand pounds," -the professor said. "They are harmless, but I suppose this one must -be an old one, and a sort of king of this section of the river. Very -likely he didn't like our boat to disturb his feeding ground. By the -way, Bob, I think he's a friend of yours." - -"A friend of mine?" - -"Yes, that one, or one just like it, tried to bite your foot last -night." - -"Was that what had hold of my foot?" - -"That was the creature," replied the scientist. "I was pretty sure of -it before, but I didn't want to say so until I had some proof. I had no -idea there were any in this river, and I fancy we shall see no more. -Well, boys, you had quite an experience. Many hunters would give a good -deal for the chance of killing a manatee, though I don't see much sport -in it myself." - -"What are they good for?" asked Jerry. - -"Various purposes. I suppose some years ago the Seminole Indians were -very glad to eat them. But I don't believe we'll take it along with us. -It would be too much trouble. If it was alive a museum might pay a good -price for it. But, Bob, I hope you're not in danger of taking cold from -your bath." - -"Not in the least," replied Chunky with a laugh. "It's so warm in the -water that I'd like to stay in all day." - -They helped him wring out his clothes and they were hung up to dry, -while he donned some spare garments. - -"Now for Titusville!" cried Jerry, as he speeded up the motor. - -They reached the city about noon, and as they wanted to get the boat -ready for another overland journey they decided to have dinner on board -before going ashore to make their arrangements. - -When they got to the freight office they found that the cradle, in -which the _Dartaway_ was to be shipped, had arrived. They engaged men -to get the boat from the water, and, having seen it safely put on a -flat car for shipment, they bought their tickets for Kissimmee City, -where they were again to begin water travel. - -Though the railway journey was interesting, and gave the boys glimpses -of persons and scenery they were unfamiliar with, they were anxious for -it to be over so they might again feel the throb of the _Dartaway's_ -engine. - -Owing to a wreck on the road they missed connections and they had to -lay over one night at a small village. The next day travel was slow, -and they did not reach Kissimmee City until nightfall. - -"I hope our boat's here," said Jerry as he got off the train. "These -railroads don't have enough travel to make them as fast as those in the -north." - -"Maybe it was in the freight wreck that delayed us," suggested Bob. - -"There you go, Old Calamity Howler!" exclaimed Ned. "What do you want -to go suggesting any such thing as that for?" - -"I didn't mean anything," responded Bob, rather surprised at Ned's -explosion. - -"I was just thinking the same thing myself," Ned went, "and I didn't -want my bad presentment to be seconded." - -"You fellows are talking nonsense," spoke Jerry. "Come on until we find -a hotel. Then I'll inquire about the boat. But where is the professor?" - -"He was here a moment ago," replied Ned. - -"There he is," said Bob, pointing to the figure of the scientist. Mr. -Snodgrass was on his hands and knees on the depot platform, while near -him, in the glare of a lamp, stood a small crowd. - -"Is he hurt?" asked Bob, in some alarm. - -"More likely he's trying to catch a new specimen of a hop-toad," was -Jerry's idea. - -As the boys approached the professor they saw he had in his hand a -small net with which he was endeavoring to capture something. - -"Did yo' lose anything, stranger?" asked a tall langy southerner, as he -observed the professor. "If yo' did, say the word and we'll all jine in -an' help yo' look for it, suah!" - -"Thank you," replied the scientist, not looking up from his occupation. -"I just saw a very rare specimen of a red flea, and I want to catch it -for my collection." - -"A flea!" exclaimed the southerner, while the others in the crowd -looked as though they thought the professor had gone crazy. - -"Yes, a beautiful red flea, and very rare." - -"Excuse me, stranger," went on the man who had first spoken, "no -offense, yo' understand, but if yo' want about seven million of them -fleas I reckon we can accommodate yo'. I've got a dog that'd give a -good bit to git rid of 'em, an' I reckon as how some others I know can -supply yo'. Take 'em all, an' welcome, but don't turn 'em loose again -in Kissimmee City." - -"Thank you," replied the scientist, as though some one had presented -him with a large sum of money. "I only require one or two. The kind I -seek is not as common as you think. There! I have him," and he made a -sudden movement with the tiny net, imprisoning the hopping red captive. - -"All kinds of fleas is too common around heah," observed the tall man. - -"That's right," chorused his companions. - -But the professor was intent only on his captive. He carefully placed -it in a bottle and then turned to look for the boys. He had been -oblivious to everything, save the red flea, since he had first seen the -creature. - -The travelers found a hotel and, after arranging for their rooms, the -three boys decided to visit the freight station and inquire about the -_Dartaway_. - -They found the office deserted, and, after tramping about the platform, -and calling out in vain for some one of whom they might make inquiries, -they saw, approaching, a little colored boy. - -"Wuz yo' uns a-lookin' fer any one?" he asked. - -"Where's the freight agent?" asked Jerry. - -"Oh, he's over to Buck Johnson's." - -"Where's Johnson's?" - -"Down the road, about two hoots an' a holler." - -"How far is that?" asked Ned, to whom this description of distance was -new. - -"I doan't rightly know, but ef yo' go twice as fur as yo' kin hoot, an' -then as fur as yo' kin holler, yo'll find him, but I don't guess he'll -come." - -"Why not?" - -"'Cause he's at a dorg fight, an' he hates t' come away from a dorg -fight." - -"Can you tell him we'd like to see him about our boat?" inquired Jerry, -holding up a shining quarter. - -"Mister, I'd go fo' miles fer two bits," replied the little darky, -calling the twenty-five cent piece by its southern name. He seized the -money as though he feared it would vanish, and started off on a run. - -Whether "two hoots and a holler" was only a short distance, or whether -the freight agent hurried away from the dog fight because of the small -negro's description of the three travelers who were so lavish with -"two-bit pieces" was not disclosed. At any rate a man was soon seen -slouching down the platform. - -"Was yo'-uns lookin' fer me?" he asked. - -"Are you the freight agent?" inquired Jerry. - -"That's what I be. I'm here nights, but Jim Peterson is here day -times. We don't do much business nights, an' I jest took an hour or so -off--er--fer amusement," he added. "We was havin' a sort of athletic -contest. What kin I do fer yo'? Was yo' expectin' some freight?" - -Jerry smiled at the man's idea of an athletic contest in conjunction -with a dog fight, and answered: - -"We're expecting a motor boat, shipped from Titusville." - -"A motor boat?" - -"It's called the _Dartaway_," added Ned, to help the agent's memory. - -"A boat, eh?" and he seemed provokingly slow. "Well, now, I'm terrible -sorry to disappoint yo' gentlemen." - -"Hasn't it come?" asked Bob. - -"No, an' guess it won't," said the agent in drawling tones. "I got word -last night that some boat that was comin' heah was all busted to pieces -in a freight wreck!" - -"The _Dartaway_ smashed!" exclaimed Jerry, and the hearts of all the -lads sank at the news of such a misfortune. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -NEWS OF NODDY - - -For several seconds no one spoke. The boys stood staring at one another -and the agent started to go away, evidently believing he had done his -part. - -"Can you give us any particulars?" asked Jerry at last. "Where is the -boat? Perhaps we can have it fixed." - -"It's at Longwood, about ten miles from here," the agent replied, "but -there's no trains to-night. Yo'-uns will have to wait until mornin'." - -"I'll never sleep a wink," declared Ned. "Think of the _Dartaway_ being -smashed!" And he gave something like a groan. - -"If she is smashed the railroad company will have to pay heavy -damages," declared Jerry. "They've spoiled our whole vacation trip! -Can't you give us any particulars?" he went on, turning to the agent. -"Maybe we could hire a carriage and drive to Longwood. We've got to -find out something about our boat." - -"Yes, I guess yo' could drive there," the agent replied. "But I -wouldn't advise yo' to, after dark. The roads are bad and dangerous. -Why can't yo' wait until mornin'?" - -"We're too anxious," declared Bob. - -"Can't we telegraph?" inquired Ned. - -"The telegraph office is closed after supper," announced the agent, -and, with their last hope gone, of getting any particulars that night, -the boys turned away. They went back to the hotel. - -"We'll tell the professor," said Bob. "Maybe he can help us out." - -When the scientist was made acquainted with the news he was much -surprised. - -"That spoils my plan of catching the prize butterfly," he remarked. -"I've got to make other arrangements." - -"Did you ever have anything lost by a railroad?" asked Jerry. - -"Once." - -"Was it smashed?" - -"Partly." - -"What did you do to find it and get it back?" - -"Oh, the railroad company was glad enough to assist me," answered the -scientist. - -"How?" inquired Jerry, and the boys looked interested. - -"Why I once shipped a case of very valuable white rats," Mr. Snodgrass -went on. "It was in a wreck, or something, and the railroad lost track -of the case; I couldn't get trace of it. But in a little while I -received urgent letters calling on me to take my white rats away. It -seems the case had been side tracked after the accident and sent to -a lonely station where the agent was a woman. The rats got loose and -frightened her almost to death. She wired to headquarters threatening -to resign unless the rats were taken away. In that way the claim agent -heard--" - -But what the professor was going to say he never finished, for, at that -moment some kind of a bug came flying into the room through the opened -window, and the scientist was after it at once. With his long-handled -net in his hand he pursued the insect about the room. - -"Now I have it!" Mr. Snodgrass cried as the bug alighted on the upper -part of the door. He was bringing his upraised net down to catch it -when the portal opened and a colored man entered, bearing a pitcher of -ice water. His head came just in the right place and an instant later -the professor had brought his net down on the woolly pate of the negro. - -The startled colored man dropped the pitcher of water, which splashed -all over himself and the professor, and then the darky let out a yell. - -"I'm cotched! He's got me in de net! I'm a gone coon! Leggo! I ain't -done nuffin! It were Sam Johnson as done it! Please, good Mr. Man let -me go!" - -He struggled to get the net off his head, and the professor -endeavored to assist him, but their efforts only seemed to make the -mosquito-fabric cling the tighter, until the yells of the colored man -brought several guests out into the corridor on the run, thinking the -hotel might be afire. - -"Help 'em, Ned!" called Jerry, who was laughing so he could not go to -the aid of the two. - -"Help 'em yourself," responded Ned, almost doubled up with mirth at the -sight of the struggling figures. - -At length the two managed to extricate themselves, and the professor, -taking his net from the colored man's head, carefully examined it for -possible rents. - -"Did I hurt you?" asked the scientist. - -"No, I cain't 'zactly say as how 'yo hurted me," the colored man -replied with a grin, "but yo' done mos' scaired me t' def!" - -"I'm very sorry," went on Mr. Snodgrass. "I was after a bug!" - -"I thought yo' were after me!" and the bearer of the ice water gazed at -the broken pitcher. - -"Well, here's something to buy salve for your head," and the professor -gave the man a half dollar. - -"Landy! Fo' bits!" exclaimed the delighted negro. - -None of the boys slept well that night, on account of thinking about -their boat. All hoped against hope that it might not be so badly -damaged but what it could be repaired. - -They paid an early visit to the railroad office, the professor going -with them. Mr. Snodgrass, in spite of his scientific training, knew -how to talk business, and he soon had the agent wiring for particulars -concerning the motor boat. - -"Tell 'em to send it here, no matter how badly it's smashed," put in -Jerry. - -"Yes, we want our boat," added Bob. - -"In a hurry," was Ned's contribution to the general orders. - -"My, but yo' folks from the North are in a powerful rush," observed the -agent with a smile. "We-uns down here take life easier. I'll do my best -for yo'. The night man left word that yo' uns was frettin' an' stewin' -about yo' boat. Yo' uns is jest like another feller from the North. -He was here a while ago, an' he were raisin' Hail Columbia 'cause the -train was behind time. Said he were goin' to his cocoanut plantation -near Lake Okeechobee an' wanted to git there in a hurry." - -"Cocoanut plantation?" asked Jerry, a sudden idea coming into his brain. - -"Yep; that's what he said. Looked rather young to be ownin' a -plantation. He was about the age of yo' lads. Seemed to think a good -deal of himself, an' give a powerful lot of orders." - -"What was his name?" asked Ned eagerly. - -"Let's see, now. It was a curious sort of name. Shaky--no, it wasn't -Shaky--Sleepy--no, that ain't it either--Noddy--that's what it was. -Noddy Nixon!" - -"Noddy Nixon down here!" cried Jerry. "How long ago?" - -"He was at this station a week ago to-day," replied the agent. "Had to -stay over one night because he missed a train, and he tried to make out -it was my fault." - -"Just like Noddy," murmured Ned. "So he's down here? Maybe we'll meet -him." - -"Hope not," remarked Jerry. - -"Hark!" exclaimed the agent, as he listened to the clicking of the -telegraph instrument. "There's a message from Longwood. It's about you' -boat." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -AFLOAT ONCE MORE - - -How the boys wished they understood the mysterious clicking of dots and -dashes that came over the wires, so they might interpret the message -which meant so much to them! They watched the agent as he wrote down -the words that he evolved from the sounds of the clicking instrument. -Then, with what the boys thought was exasperating coolness, he clicked -back something in answer, and slowly arose from his chair. - -"Good news," he said. "It wasn't your boat that was smashed. It was -some rowboats being sent to a steamship company on Lake Okeechobee. -Your boat was in the wreck, but was only scratched a bit. It will be -here this afternoon." - -"Hurrah!" yelled Jerry. - -"That's the kind of news we like to hear!" exploded Ned. - -"What a relief!" ejaculated Bob. - -"Well, yo' uns seem quite pleased," remarked the agent. "Can I do -anything else for yo'?" - -"You've done more than enough, in locating our boat," said Jerry. "Is -it on the way now?" - -"The agent at Longwood says they're making up a freight train now to -send here. It's due shortly after one o'clock. Queer how things will -get mixed up sometimes when there's a wreck. I'm glad it wasn't yo' -boat. But yo' Northerners are always in such a hurry! By the way, was -that Noddy fellow any relation of yours?" - -"We know him," answered Jerry. - -"I reckoned yo' uns must have, 'cause he was in the same kind of a -rush," the agent explained, as if proud of his discernment. - -The boys went back to the hotel for breakfast, which even Bob had -forgone in order to get earlier news of the boat. Now, with feelings -greatly relieved, they ate the morning meal. - -"We might as well arrange for some one to cart the boat to the lake," -suggested Jerry as they arose from the table. - -"Maybe we'd better look for a shop where we can have it repaired," put -in Ned. "It may need a lot of attention." - -"Hope not," spoke Jerry, though he thought Ned's idea a good one. - -They found near the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga a boat builder, who -agreed to take charge of the _Dartaway_, do whatever was necessary and -transport it to the water for them. Then there was nothing to do but to -wait. - -It seemed a long time until noon, and from then until one o'clock, when -the freight was due, the boys thought the clocks had all gone on a -strike. But at length, as they waited on the depot platform, they heard -a shrill whistle. - -"There she comes!" cried Ned. "Now to learn the worst." - -"Or the best," remarked Jerry, who was of a more hopeful turn of mind. - -"I see it!" exclaimed Bob, as the freight train passed them to draw up -to the long platform. "Doesn't seem to be in such bad shape!" - -The formalities of paying the freight and getting possession of the -craft was soon over. The cradle was left at the depot in readiness for -their return after cruising about Lake Okeechobee, and the motor boat -was taken on a truck to the repair shop. - -Carpenters were soon busy on the craft, and, though the boys were -anxious to get her into the water they had to wait over another night. -This made them rather impatient but it just suited the professor, who -found many more forms of insect life than he had anticipated, and he -was kept busy capturing them, much to the astonishment of the citizens -of the place, who voted him almost, if not completely, insane. - -By the second morning of their stay in Kissimmee City the _Dartaway_ -was ready to be put into the water. - -"Hurrah! She's afloat once more!" cried Ned, as he saw their craft -moored at the lake dock. - -They waited until noon to allow the seams to soak up, and then, having -taken on some fresh provisions, and succeeded in coaxing the professor -from his search after a peculiar pink fly he had heard infested the -region, they were off. - -It did not take them long to traverse Lake Tohopekaliga, which is a -small body of water. They caught some fine fish in it, and had dinner -on shore. Through an artificial canal they reached Lake Hatchenana, -and, crossing that, and again traversing a canal they emerged, late -that afternoon, upon Lake Kissimmee, the largest body of water between -them and Lake Okeechobee. - -"This beats railroad travel," announced Ned, as he sat in the bows, -steering. "No dust, no cinders, no smoke, no--" - -"No smash-ups!" finished Bob. "We were lucky to get out of it as we -did." - -"What's the program for to-night?" asked the professor of Jerry, who -had, in a measure, assumed charge of the trip. - -"There's an island in the middle of this lake," he answered. "I was -thinking we might camp on it." - -"I'm going to put up a net to prevent the manatees from getting at me," -announced Bob with a laugh. - -"No danger of them here," spoke the professor. "But I think we'll need -a net to keep away the gnats and mosquitoes." - -This proved a correct surmise. When they landed on the island in the -lake, which piece of land, as far as they could see, was deserted, they -were met with a swarm of winged pests that made life miserable. - -"This is awful!" exclaimed Bob, slapping about with both hands at the -cloud of insects about his head. - -"I think I can do something to make it more bearable," Uriah Snodgrass -announced, as he began to delve among his possessions. "Here is a -chemical preparation, which, if you rub it on your hands and faces, -will, I think, keep the mosquitoes and black flies away." - -The boys gladly availed themselves of the stuff, and, after generous -applications, they found, that though the insects still hovered about -them, they were not bitten. - -Preparations for supper were hastily made, and a fire built in the -portable stove. A "smudge" was also made, to keep off most of the -mosquitoes and, after this, the travelers were more comfortable. - -"It's warm enough to sleep in the open to-night," announced Jerry when -the question of erecting the tent was raised. "No use getting it out, -and we can start off so much earlier in the morning if we don't have it -to bother with." - -The other boys were willing, so, after lighting some lanterns, and -clearing a place amid a clump of trees, the sleeping blankets were -spread out there and the boys turned in. - -The professor, as usual, remained up to arrange the specimens he had -collected during the day, making entries in his book by the light of a -lantern suspended over a butter tub which he used as a table. He was -still at this when the boys fell asleep. - -Ned was dreaming that he was in swimming and that Bob and Jerry was -splashing water on him, when he awoke with a start, to find he was -soaking wet. It was pitch dark, and Ned, at first, did not know what to -make of it. It seemed as if some one was dashing a pail of water over -him as he lay on the ground. - -"Here! Let up!" he cried. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry, awaking at the same time. Then Bob -added his inquiry, and the professor, who had retired at midnight, -called to the boys. - -"It's raining cats and dogs!" cried Ned, scrambling to his feet. "I'm -wet through. The lanterns are drowned out! We should have put up the -tent!" - -"Raining!" exclaimed Jerry. "I guess it's a cloud-burst from the way -I'm getting it!" - -It was a drenching downpour, but otherwise the storm was not violent. -It had begun to shower gently and from that had rapidly increased to a -torrent of water dripping from the clouds. - -"Light a lantern somebody!" called Ned. "Let's make for the boat! We -can keep dry there!" - -"My matches are all wet!" announced Jerry. - -"So are mine!" added Bob. - -"I have some dry ones!" the scientist called. "Wait a minute!" - -They could hear him moving about in the darkness and rain, seeking for -a sheltered place in which to strike a light. Suddenly the blackness -was illuminated by a brilliant white glare. It shone full in the faces -of the travelers, who, much startled, turned to see what it was. They -heard some object strike the island near where their boat was moored, -and then the light went out, making the blackness more intense than -before. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -THE HOUSEBOAT - - -"Lightning!" cried Bob. - -"Must have struck here!" remarked Ned. - -"Did you ever see lightning so near at hand and not hear thunder?" -asked Jerry. "It was a searchlight, I think." - -"A searchlight in this deserted region?" inquired Ned. "Guess again, -Jerry." - -No sooner had he spoken than there came the intense white glare again. -This time there was no mistaking it. It was the flare of an acetylene -gas lantern. - -"An automobile!" cried Bob. - -"On the lake?" asked Ned. Then suddenly changing the subject; "Wow! I -wish I had an umbrella for a few minutes!" He felt a stream of water -running down his back. - -The white shaft of light played about, now on the trees, now on the -water, and again full into the faces of the bewildered travelers, who -stood in the downpour, not knowing what to do. Then, from out of the -darkness behind the shaft of illumination were heard the clear tones of -a girl's voice calling: - -"Well, dad, we've struck land at any rate!" - -"It's a boat!" exclaimed Jerry. "Somebody has landed here in a boat!" - -"Girls and women in it," added Ned, as sounds of several feminine -voices were noted. A moment later a man's tones asked: - -"What sort of land have we struck, Rose?" - -"Can't tell, dad," was the reply. "It's solid enough at any rate, -judging by the way the _Wanderer_ hit it. The searchlight doesn't show -anything but trees, does it Ponto?" - -"No, indeedy," replied a negro. "But, 'scuse me, Miss Rose, I done -thought I seed some pursons a minute ago when I done flashed de lantern -straight ahead." - -"Persons, Ponto? Then for mercy sakes, flash it that way again, and -perhaps they'll tell us where we are." - -Once more the searchlight shone in the faces of the boys and the -professor, and this time the girl, who had been speaking to the negro, -saw the travelers. - -"Can you tell us where we are?" she called, raising her voice to be -heard above the roar of the storm. - -"On an island in Lake Kissimmee," replied Jerry. "What boat is that?" - -"The houseboat _Wanderer_." - -"What is it, Rose?" called another girl's voice from somewhere in the -darkness back of the lantern. - -"Some boys and a man," replied Rose. - -"Girls! Girls!" exclaimed the voice of the gentleman aboard the -_Wanderer_. "Stop that chattering! If there are persons out in the rain -why don't you ask them to come aboard out of the storm? Ponto, run out -the gangplank!" - -"Yas, sah, right away, sah!" - -There was a creaking of ropes and the rumble of a plank being hauled -across the deck. - -"Excuse me," spoke the one who had been called Rose, addressing the -three boys and the professor. "Won't you come aboard out of the wet?" - -"Thank you, I believe we will," answered Jerry, and, as the plank which -the negro thrust out touched the bank Jerry stepped on it, followed by -his chums and Mr. Snodgrass. A moment later they were under the shelter -of the houseboat, standing at the entrance to a snug little cabin, in -which were three young ladies and an elderly gentleman. - -"Glad to welcome you," said the man. "My name is Nathan Seabury. These -are my daughters, Rose, Nellie and Olivia," indicating each one in -turn. "We are traveling about on this houseboat. The girls pretend it -is for my health, but I strongly suspect it is for their own." - -"Now father!" exclaimed Olivia, whom Jerry decided was the prettiest of -the three, "you know you're not well, and it's time for your medicine." - -"Not until morning, young lady!" and Mr. Seabury winked at the -professor. - -"Allow me to introduce myself and these boys," spoke Mr. Snodgrass, -handing out a card, inscribed with his name and the initials of the -various societies to which he belonged. Then he gave the names of the -boys, and briefly told of their travels. - -"We started from Kissimmee City about two weeks ago," explained Mr. -Seabury, "and we have been drifting slowly along ever since, enjoying -life here. Last night the small motor, which serves to propel our boat -at a moderate speed, broke. We anchored but the rope must have slipped, -for the first thing we knew we were adrift in the storm. Then we hit -this place, and--well, here we are." - -"This is an island," said Jerry. "We camped here for the night, but the -storm woke us up and--" - -"Why you are all soaking wet!" interrupted Nellie. "You will catch -cold. Ponto, light the fire and heat some water. I'll make some hot -lemonade!" - -"Nellie is always afraid some one will catch cold," explained her -father. - -"Don't go to any trouble on our account," said Ned, for which Bob -wanted to kick him, as he was wet and hungry, and it looked as if there -were good things to eat aboard the _Wanderer_. - -The colored man soon had a fire going in the stove, and the kettle -was put on to boil, while Nellie busied herself in making not only -hot lemonade, but coffee as well, and setting out some things more -substantial, at the sight of which Bob's drooping spirits revived. - -"I'm sorry I can't offer you some dry garments," said Mr. Seabury with -a smile, "but the fact is my boys are all girls. I might help the -professor out--but the others--" - -"We have plenty of dry things in our boat," said Ned. "I'll go and get -them." - -The plan was voted a good one. Aided by the searchlight, which -was turned to illuminate the path from the houseboat to where the -_Dartaway_ was moored Ned, borrowing a big raincoat from Mr. Seabury, -went to the craft, and, from the waterproof lockers took out dry -garments for himself and the others of his party. These he held under -the raincoat and brought aboard the _Wanderer_. - -The boys and the professor removed their wet clothes and put on dry -ones in one of the spare rooms of the houseboat, and then sat down to -the meal which Nellie and her sisters, aided by Jeanette, a colored -servant, had prepared. - -It was still raining hard, and, as the houseboat was large, Mr. -Seabury's invitation, that the boys and the professor stay aboard until -morning was accepted. The _Dartaway's_ bunks had not been made up, and -to arrange them in the darkness and rain would have been quite a task. -So the travelers were grateful for the unexpected hospitality afforded. - -It cleared off in the morning, and when the boys and Mr. Snodgrass -arose they looked out on a scene of beauty. The island lay in the -middle of a large blue lake that was fringed all around with big trees, -the green foliage of which looked fresh and clean after the shower. - -"It's your turn to get breakfast, Bob," observed Jerry. "Skip ashore -and start a fire." - -"I was just going to ask you to do me the honor to take breakfast with -me," put in Mr. Seabury, coming on deck. "I'd be very pleased to have -you." - -Ned was going to refuse, as he thought the addition of four to the -eating accommodations of the _Wanderer_ might prove too great a strain, -but Mr. Seabury anticipated him. - -"I am not altogether unselfish in asking you," he went on. "I am -anxious to have you look at our engine. Ponto doesn't seem to be able -to find out what the trouble is, though usually he can fix it. So if -you'll stay to breakfast and then look at my motor I'll be very much -obliged." - -"We will!" exclaimed Bob, before any of the others could answer. - -"Then I'll go below and see that the girls have things in readiness," -said the owner of the houseboat. "We are living unconventionally here," -he added. "I find the climate is very good for my nerves, which are -more at fault than my general health." - -While breakfast was being prepared the boys looked over the _Wanderer_. -They found it a first-class houseboat, with many improvements and -conveniences. - -"We'll give Bob a chance to fix the motor, he was so anxious to stay," -said Ned to Jerry. "I'd like to see him sweating over it." - -"You've got to help," stipulated Bob. "You're just as anxious to stay -to breakfast as I am, only you're afraid to say so. Come on, there's -the bell!" - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -JERRY IS HURT - - -Breakfast aboard the _Wanderer_ was afterward voted by the boys as the -best meal they had ever eaten. The three girls who were jolly and full -of fun, made the occasion lively with the description of their travels, -to which the boys added an account of some of their adventures. - -"I wish I was a man!" exclaimed Rose, when Jerry had told of their trip -to the buried city in Mexico. "That's what I should like to do." - -"Maybe you'll find some ancient ruins where you are going," suggested -Ned. - -"We's going to Lake Okeechobee," responded Olivia. "I guess we'll find -nothing but swamps." - -"I believe there is a remnant of several tribes of Seminole Indians -there," put in Jerry. "Perhaps you'll discover a prehistoric city." - -"Oh, are there really Indians?" asked Nellie. "How perfectly terrible! -I'd like to see a little pappoose, but I'd be afraid of a full blooded -Indian!" - -While the young people talked in this strain Mr. Snodgrass and Mr. -Seabury were discussing deeper subjects. Mr. Seabury, it developed, was -quite wealthy, and had helped to found several scientific schools. He -was quite interested in the professor's nature studies, and wanted to -know all about the rare butterfly the scientist was seeking. - -"I'll keep a lookout for it," promised the owner of the _Wanderer_. "If -I see one I'll catch it for you." - -"So will I!" exclaimed Rose, who had listened to the ending of the -conversation. "I'm fond of animals." - -"The--er--butterfly isn't exactly an animal," spoke the professor with -a smile. "But I would be very glad if you could catch one for me." - -"I suppose you'll get to Lake Okeechobee ahead of us," said Nellie to -Jerry. "If you do we may see you there. It's rather a large body of -water, according to the map, but I expect you will navigate most of it." - -"We plan to make a circuit of it," answered Ned. "We may find some one -we know there." - -"Who?" asked the girl, but before Ned could state that he referred to -Noddy Nixon, Mr. Seabury called out: - -"Now would one of you boys mind looking at our engine? I'd like to get -under way again." - -"There's your chance, Bob!" whispered Ned, but Bob did not have to -undertake the job, for Jerry, who had a natural fondness for machinery, -was soon tinkering away at the motor. He found that the mechanism which -controlled the electric spark was out of order and, though it was no -easy matter to adjust, he soon had the machine working better than ever. - -Mr. Seabury was very grateful, and pressed the boys and Mr. Snodgrass -to spend several days aboard the _Wanderer_. The chums were half-minded -to, but the professor was impatient to begin the hunt for the rare -butterfly, the haunts of which were farther south, so they prepared to -leave their island camp. - -The hot sun and wind soon dried out the wetness of the night before, -and when everything had been packed aboard the _Dartaway_ the boys bade -their host and his pretty daughters good-bye. Then, voicing the hope -that they would meet again soon, those in the motor boat started down -the lake toward the Kissimmee river, while the _Wanderer_ followed more -slowly. - -"They're a nice lot of girls," observed Bob with a sigh, as a turn of -the lake hid the houseboat from sight. "Very nice girls." - -"Which one?" asked Jerry with a smile. - -"All of 'em!" - -"A very fine man!" was the professor's comment on Mr. Seabury. "He has -traveled much and has seen many strange insects. A very learned man." - -They were now in a fine region, a country higher than the usual low -level of Florida, and noted for the variety of its crops. They passed -through several large cattle ranges and again through long stretches of -dense forests. Now and then they would come to a little colony where -fruit growers had settled. At noon they went ashore near a little -village and had dinner. - -"Boys!" exclaimed the professor, as they prepared to resume their -journey, "I've had good news!" - -"Did some one tell you where to find that butterfly?" asked Bob. - -"No, but a man in the village said there was a curious mound about ten -miles below here, a mound erected by a prehistoric race, I believe. I -must investigate it. Who knows but I shall find some valuable relics?" - -"You mean a heap of dirt such as the Ohio mound builders put up?" asked -Ned. - -"The same, my boy, only I think this one will be richer in historical -treasures. The man said it was seldom visited by any one in this -region. He was guiding a hunting party one day and discovered it. Come, -we must hurry off. I want to see it before dark." - -Once more the _Dartaway_ was sent ahead. The river wound in and out -in the dense forest, now broadening and again narrowing. Sometimes it -was quite shallow and then would come a deep place, in which several -varieties of fish could be observed in the clear depths. Bob wanted to -catch some for supper, but the professor was anxious to keep on, so no -stop was made. - -"I think that's the place!" Mr. Snodgrass exclaimed after several -hours. "The man said when I saw three big palmetto trees on a little -point of land to go ashore and then walk due west. There are the three -trees," and he pointed to them. - -"Doesn't look like a very inviting region," remarked Jerry as he sent -the boat over toward the little point. "But I suppose that makes it all -the better for the mound. Well, professor, we'll go ashore and see what -we can find." - -Mooring the boat to the bank, the boys leaped out, the professor -pausing to take several specimen boxes and his butterfly net. - -"Guess I'll take my gun," announced Bob, turning back. "I might get a -shot at something." - -He took his weapon, a combination rifle and shot gun, while the others -went on ahead of him. - -"Looks as though there was a path here," said Jerry, pointing to a sort -of trail through the woods. - -"So it does," admitted Mr. Snodgrass. "Well, so much the better for us." - -"Unless it has been made by a band of Indians or some ugly negroes," -said Jerry in a low tone. "I've read there are some black men who live -in the swamps about here, and that they are worse than Indians." - -"Better call to Bob to come up front with his gun," spoke Ned. - -"No, it might alarm the professor," replied Jerry. "But keep your eyes -open." - -They followed the path, which wound in and out among the trees. -Suddenly the professor, who had made his way to the fore, uttered a cry. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry, looking to see that Bob, with his -gun, was close by. - -"The mound!" cried the scientist, pointing to a large hill to be seen -through the masses of moss hanging from the trees. - -"It's a mound, sure enough," admitted Jerry. "Let's see what it's like." - -As they approached they saw that it was undoubtedly the work of human -hands. It was shaped like a pyramid, and on either side stretched level -land, covered with a dense growth of forest or underbrush. - -"There are steps leading to the top!" cried Bob, who had gone around to -the far side of the artificial hill. The others joined him and saw him -ascending a rude flight of stairs made of stones set into the side of -the mound. - -"Better go slow," advised Jerry. "No telling what's up there." - -"Let me look for relics!" exclaimed the professor, and he hurried past -Bob. "I'm sure there must be lots of them in this place." - -Bob stood aside while Jerry, who, as usual, assumed the leadership when -there was a hint of danger, took the rifle. Then he started to follow -the professor. - -Jerry had not taken half a dozen steps when he trod on a loose stone. -He nearly fell backward but recovered himself by an effort. In doing -so, however, he leaned too far to one side. The next instant he had -fallen and slid to the bottom of the mound. - -The hammer of the gun came in contact with a stone or stick, and the -weapon was discharged with a loud report. Fortunately the muzzle was -pointed upward, and the bullet endangered no one. - -"Are you hurt?" cried Ned and Bob, hurrying to Jerry's aid. - -They noticed that his face was white and drawn. - -"I'm--afraid so," he murmured, clenching his teeth to keep back a -murmur of pain. - -"Where is it?" asked Ned. - -"My leg!" - -They noticed that his left leg was doubled under him. As tenderly as -they could they lifted him up. As they did so Bob saw a stream of blood -trickling from Jerry's foot. - -"You're shot!" he cried. "Oh Jerry!" - -"No, it isn't the bullet," said Jerry. "I think I ran a sharp stone -through my shoe as I fell." - -The two chums bent closer to look. - -"It's an Indian arrow head!" exclaimed Ned as he saw the long sharp -piece of flint piercing the side of Jerry's shoe. "I'll pull it out." - -He tried, but it was imbedded in the flesh more firmly than he had -thought. - -"Oh!" exclaimed Jerry, and then the terrible pain, as Ned tried to -withdraw the ancient weapon, made him faint. - -"Professor!" cried Bob. "Jerry's hurt!" - -The scientist had disappeared on the top of the mound. Hardly had the -echoes of Bob's voice died away than from the forest surrounding the -mound there emerged a band of ugly-looking negroes. They started to run -toward the boys just as Mr. Snodgrass, hearing the call of distress, -began to descend the stone steps. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE SEMINOLE CHIEF - - -Jerry's faintness however, was of short duration. When Ned ceased -trying to extract the stone the terrible pain subsided, for the time -being, and Jerry opened his eyes. - -"Let the professor take it out," he murmured. "He can do it." Then he -caught sight of the advancing negroes. "Where's the gun?" he asked. - -Bob had secured it after Jerry's fall, and at this, he raised it in -readiness, though he did not point it at the black men. At the sight -of it, however, they stopped. One of them, who seemed to be a leader, -raised his hand and called out: - -"What yo' uns want heah?" - -"We came to look at this curious mound," replied the professor, -speaking in conciliatory tones. "We were looking for relics. Why? -What has happened?" he exclaimed as he saw the blood on Jerry's foot. -Evidently he had not heard Bob's cry. - -"I ran an Indian arrow head into my foot," answered Jerry. "I guess -you'll have to get it out, Professor." - -"Looks as though we were going to have trouble with these negroes," put -in Ned. "We must look out." - -"Yo' uns had better make tracks away from heah!" went on the leader of -the black men. "We don't like strangers heah!" - -"We can't go until I attend to this lad's injury," spoke Mr. Snodgrass -firmly. "Lie down Jerry, and I'll get the arrow out. This confirms my -suspicions that the mound was built by Indians." - -"I'm pretty sure of it, judging from the way my foot feels," said the -injured lad. - -He was sitting on one of the lower stone steps, and Ned was taking off -his shoe and stocking. He had to cut the leather and cloth in order to -remove them from around the arrow head which was still sticking firmly -into the fleshy part of Jerry's foot. The latter bore the pain bravely, -though he had to grit his teeth to keep from yelling as Ned's hands -came in contact with the stone, moving it in the tender wound. - -"Git away from heah!" ordered the negro leader. "This is our property -an' we don't want nobody heah!" - -"You'll have to wait until I fix up this lad's foot," insisted the -professor. - -"We uns ain't goin' to wait." - -The negroes had gathered around their leader and seemed as if about to -advance on the professor and the three boys. They were an ugly looking -lot. - -"Look out for trouble," said Ned in a low tone. "I wish we'd brought -our guns. Bob, can you shoot straight?" - -"Don't do any shooting," advised the scientist. "They are too many for -us and it would only make them more savage to fire on them. I must try -other measures." - -The professor endeavored to argue with the colored men, but they -insisted that the travelers must leave the place at once. There were -greedy eyes taking in every detail of the dress of the party and the -sight of the boys' watch chains excited a cupidity that boded no good. -The professor saw that their position was a dangerous one. - -"I think we had better get out of here," he said. "Can you walk, Jerry?" - -"I'm afraid not." - -One look at his foot showed that it would be out of the question. Even -with the arrow head removed it would be a task, and the professor -dared not extract the weapon, as, while he was doing so the negroes -might rush on them. Probably the worst that would happen would be -robbery, but the travelers were in no humor to be despoiled of their -possessions. - -"We'll have to carry him," said Ned. "You and I can manage it, Mr. -Snodgrass. Bob can act as an escort with the gun, and when we are in -the boat you can attend to Jerry." - -This was voted the only feasible plan. Jerry's foot was not bleeding -much, as the arrow in the wound prevented a heavy hemorrhage. Still the -lad was weak from the pain. - -"Are yo' uns goin' to git out of heah?" demanded the leading negro -again, and he advanced menacingly. - -"We're glad to get out of the neighborhood where such inhospitable -people live," remarked Mr. Snodgrass, as he slung his collecting box -over his shoulder by a strap, and prepared to help carry Jerry. - -Bob brought up in the rear with the gun, after Ned had gone to the -aid of the scientist, and perhaps the sight of the weapon prevented a -hostile demonstration on the part of the black men. They followed the -travelers for a short distance, as they went on with the wounded lad -along the path that led to where they had left the _Dartaway_. - -"I hope they don't give us any more trouble," remarked Bob, as they -neared their craft. "If they have boats they may come after us." - -"They'd have to have pretty good boats to get ahead of ours," observed -Ned. - -It was no easy task to transport Jerry along the narrow path, and, -several times, the professor and Ned had to rest. But they finally made -a turn in the trail that put them on the straight stretch which led -directly to the boat. - -"There she is!" cried Ned. "Now we're all right!" - -As he spoke there was a rustling in the grass along the path. Bob, with -ready gun, turned quickly. The boys had a glimpse of several dusky -faces peering at them. - -"The negroes!" exclaimed Ned. "They're following us!" - -"Hurry on!" spoke Bob. "Get into the boat and start up. They'll not -come very near as long as we have a gun!" - -Even as he spoke the black men seemed to melt away like shadows and -the rustling was heard no longer. On they hurried to the _Dartaway_. -Jerry was placed on a pile of cushions, and Ned started the motor. As -the boat swung out toward the middle of the river they saw, emerging -from the bushes and standing on the shore, half a score of negroes, who -shook their fists at the travelers. - -"We're well rid of them," murmured the professor, as he prepared -to extract the arrow head from Jerry's foot. "But I wish I could -have stayed at that mound. It was filled with historical relics and -treasures, I'm sure." - -With Ned steering the boat, which, after it had gotten well away from -the hostile negroes was sent along at slow speed, the professor called -to Bob to assist him in affording relief to Jerry. The scientist saw -that he would have to cut the weapon from the lad's flesh, as the barbs -held it too firmly to allow it being removed in any other way. - -"Can you stand some pain?" asked Mr. Snodgrass. - -"Go ahead," replied Jerry grimly. - -"If I only had some chloroform," went on the scientist, "I could give -you a whiff of it, and it would numb your senses a little. But I -haven't any. I guess you'll have to stand it, my boy. I'll be as gentle -as I can." - -The professor carried a small set of surgical instruments with him, -for use in dissecting the animals and insects he collected. He now -produced several shining knives, at the sight of which Jerry did not -have the most cheerful feelings in the world. But he knew the arrow -head must be removed. - -Mr. Snodgrass cleansed the knives in some antiseptic liquid he had -among his possessions, and then made ready to cut the weapon out. - -"Keep the boat as steady as possible," he called to Ned. "Bob, you hold -Jerry's foot. It will soon be out." - -Jerry had a dim remembrance that he had heard some one say that before. -He recalled that it was a dentist. A faint feeling was overcoming him. - -Suddenly Ned uttered a cry, and pointed ahead. The professor suspended -his surgical preparations and looked up. So did Bob and Jerry. The -latter was on the point of fainting. - -What they saw was a canoe, containing a solitary figure, crossing the -river. As they watched they saw the frail craft upset, and, a moment -later the man who was in it was struggling in the water. - -"Go to his rescue! Never mind me!" cried Jerry. "I can wait. Save the -man!" - -At a nod from the professor Ned speeded up the engine and steered the -boat toward where the man had disappeared beneath the surface of the -river. In a few seconds the _Dartaway_ was at the place. - -"Can you see him?" asked Bob. - -"Yes, he's right here!" exclaimed Ned, reversing the screw and bringing -the motor craft to a stop. "Pass me the boat hook, Bob. He seems to be -held down by a tangle of grass or weeds!" - -Bob passed the hook forward. Ned lowered it into the water and caught -the blunt point in the clothing of the submerged man. With Bob's aid he -drew him to the surface. - -As the man's head came out of the water he shook it to relieve himself -of the water. Then, taking a long breath, which showed that he had held -it while deprived of air, he uttered a grunt and proceeded to climb -into the _Dartaway_. - -"He's a negro!" exclaimed Bob in a whisper. - -"Me no black man!" exclaimed the rescued one, shaking himself like a -dog and thereby splashing water over all in the boat. "Me Indian. My -name Ottiby. Me chief! Ugh!" - -"An Indian," murmured Ned. - -"He is one of the Seminole tribe," put in the professor. "I recognize -the characteristics." - -"Paddle catch in long grass," went on Ottiby, as if in excuse for such -a child of nature as an Indian letting water get the best of him. "Me -go overboard. Get caught in weeds. No can git loose. Steamboat come -along. Boy pull Ottiby out. Good boy. Ottiby no forget. Can get canoe?" - -This last seemed to be a question which Ned interpreted as a desire on -Ottiby's part to have his boat back again. Accordingly the _Dartaway_ -was sent ahead again, and the frail craft, which was hollowed from -a log, was secured, together with the paddle which had come to the -surface. - -"Good!" spoke Ottiby with a grunt, when he saw his property secure. "Me -no forget white man and boys," and he looked at the travelers. - -As he caught sight of the knife in the professor's hand, and saw -Jerry's bared foot, with the bloody arrow head sticking in it, the -Indian gave a start of surprise. - -"Boy hurt?" he asked. Then, without waiting for an answer. "Cut out -arrow. Me know. Go ashore. Me get somet'ing stop pain. Ottiby know. Put -ashore!" - -"Steer the boat to land, Ned," said the professor. "I believe we saved -this Indian in the nick of time. He probably knows of some plant that I -can use to make it less painful for Jerry while I cut the arrow out." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -CAUGHT IN SAW GRASS - - -Ottiby made his way to the stern where he held the rope fastened to his -canoe, by which it was being towed. Though he had been near to death -he seemed perfectly at his ease now, with no regard of what might have -happened if the travelers in the speedy _Dartaway_ had not come along. -But that he was not ungrateful was shown by his quick thought in the -matter of Jerry. - -The motor boat was moored in a little cove but, even before it was made -fast Ottiby had leaped ashore and disappeared in the woods. - -"Looks as if he was running away," said Ned. - -"No danger," replied the professor. "He's going for the plant, I -believe." - -The professor was correct. In about ten minutes Ottiby returned. In his -hand he held several long roots. Mr. Snodgrass tried to discover what -they were, but the chief knew only the Indian name for them, and they -were a species of plant with which the scientist was not familiar. - -"Me make foot feel no pain," said Ottiby as he took the roots and -rolled them into a compact mass. This he wet in the river and then he -pounded the fibers with a wooden club he had picked up in the woods. -When he had the roots into a sort of rude plaster he laid it on Jerry's -foot, over the wound. - -"So like Indians do," Ottiby said. "Wait while then can cut and no -feel." - -In about five minutes Jerry exclaimed. - -"It feels as if my foot was going to sleep." - -"Then the stuff is working," remarked Mr. Snodgrass. "We'll wait a -while longer and then I'll take the arrow head out. I'm glad we rescued -Ottiby." - -As a test of the power of the Indian's medicine the professor, after -waiting a while longer, stuck a pin in Jerry's foot near the wound. - -"I don't feel it a bit," the lad said. - -"Then I'll operate," announced Mr. Snodgrass. Jerry closed his eyes as -he did not like to see the action of the knife. In a few minutes the -scientist announced that it was all over and that the arrow head was -out. He showed it to Jerry, and an ugly enough weapon it was. - -"I hope it isn't poisonous," remarked Jerry. - -"Not much danger of that, I think," said Mr. Snodgrass. "If there was -ever poison on it the stuff has lost its power, for the head must have -lain on the ground for a hundred years or more. Now I'd like to have -some healing medium with which to bind up the wound. I wonder if Ottiby -knows of some herbs I might use." - -He inquired of the Indian, explaining as well as he could what was -wanted. The chief nodded his head, and once more disappeared in the -woods. He was not gone so long this time, and, when he returned he had -a bunch of leaves. These he bruised up and bound on Jerry's foot. - -"How do you feel?" asked the professor when the rude dressing had been -applied. - -"It's beginning to pain some, but I can stand it." - -"The numbing effect of the roots is wearing off," said the scientist. -"It will hurt for a while, I expect, and then perhaps the leaves will -make it better." - -"Well, we've had a rather strenuous afternoon," remarked Bob, when -Jerry had been comfortably propped up with cushions. "Now what's next -on the program? Supper I believe." - -"You're not going to give anyone else a chance to vote, are you, -Chunky?" cried Ned. "Never mind, I believe you're right. Come on, and -we'll get a meal ready." - -The old Indian, who had not taken the trouble to remove his wet clothes -sat on the stern of the _Dartaway_ watching with curious eyes the -preparations for the meal. - -"Shall we ask him to stay?" inquired Bob of the professor. "He looks -hungry." - -"Stay? Eat?" inquired the scientist of the Indian, making motions -toward the victuals which the boys were laying out. - -"Me stay," was the laconic answer. - -After the early supper it was decided they should camp where they were -for the night, until they saw how Jerry's sore foot was. The bunks -were made up and the mosquito canopy spread, as, with the approach of -darkness, myriads of these and other insects made life miserable. - -Ottiby watched these preparations with wonder in his eyes, but said -nothing. It was dusk when he got into his canoe and began to paddle off. - -"Me see yo' some more," he promised as he disappeared amid the -darkening shadows. "Ottiby no forget." - -"He's a queer customer," remarked Bob, as the Indian's boat passed -around a bend in the river. - -"He's a mighty good one," put in Jerry. "My foot feels fine." - -Next morning an examination of the wound showed, to the experienced -eyes of the professor, that it was doing well, though it would take a -week to heal. They decided to find a comfortable place to camp and go -ashore, as there would be more room to move about. - -Jerry wanted his companions to continue the voyage but the scientist -decided they might get to some place unfavorable to the lad's speedy -recovery, and he overruled the proposition. - -They went down the river a few miles the next day and found a sort of -clearing, near a little cove, which made an ideal place to stop. There -they remained about ten days. During that time the professor hunted -bugs and butterflies to his heart's content. He was constantly on the -lookout for the prize specimen with the blue and gold wings, but saw no -trace of it. However, he was not discouraged, as he had not counted on -coming across it until he got to Lake Okeechobee. - -The leaves which the Indian bound on Jerry's foot proved a wonderful -medicine. At the end of ten days the wound was healed, and Jerry could, -by using care, walk on his injured foot. - -"I guess it's about time to resume our trip," he remarked one morning, -when he found he could get along fairly well. "I'm anxious to get out -on the big lake in our boat." - -Accordingly camp was struck, and once more the travelers were dropping -down the Kissimmee river. They traveled slowly, and about three days -later they found themselves on a broad lagoon, which, by the map, they -knew opened into Lake Okeechobee. - -"Speed her up! We want to reach the lake before night!" exclaimed Jerry -to Bob, who was at the wheel. Jerry was still acting the part of an -invalid passenger. - -"Maybe we'd better keep near shore," remarked the professor. "It looks -as if a bad storm was brewing." - -During the last hour the sky had become overcast with masses of dull, -leaden clouds. The wind too was increasing in power and the waters -of the lagoon began to break into waves in the midst of which the -_Dartaway_ pitched and tossed. - -"I think it would be wise to go ashore," said Jerry. "We'd better camp -there for the night. We can go out on the lake in the morning." - -Bob put the wheel over and they landed at a place where tall green -grass came down almost to the water's edge. - -"We'll have to hustle to get the tent up if we're going to sleep here -to-night," said Ned. "That long grass looks as if there might be snakes -in it." - -"If there are perhaps I can get a few specimens," spoke Mr. Snodgrass. -"But come on, boys. The storm will soon be upon us." - -Bob and Ned, aided by the scientist, and by Jerry, who could perform -light tasks, soon had the tent up. They securely moored the _Dartaway_, -and then set about making things comfortable for the night. The wind -was increasing in force, and a few drops of rain fell, but the boys -knew their tent was a strong and dry one, and securely put up. - -They went to bed early, as it had been a tiresome day. Shortly before -midnight they were all awakened by a crash. Then it seemed as if a -giant hand had lifted their tent from the ground. An instant later they -felt a deluge of rain. - -"Secure the tent! Hold it down! Grab the ropes!" yelled Ned. - -Bob and the professor sprang to aid him, but they were too late. The -tent was blown down. - -Out from under the clinging canvas they struggled into the darkness of -the storm, for the wind had extinguished their lanterns. They could not -see which way to go to get to their boat, where they knew they would -be sheltered, for they had put up the awning before camping out. - -Suddenly Bob uttered a cry. - -"Something has cut me!" - -"Me too!" cried Jerry. "It feels as if a lot of knives were sawing my -hands and face." - -"It's the giant saw-grass!" called the professor. "It grows in this -region. The wind is whipping the long blades into our faces. Stoop -down, boys, or you'll be badly cut!" - -They tried to do this, but it seemed as if the saw-grass was all over. -In the darkness they had plunged into a patch of the dreaded stuff. -The serrated edges of the rush-like growth scarified their skin like -knives, and the boys and the professor were soon bleeding from several -places. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE BIG SNAKE - - -Dangerous indeed was the plight of the travelers. In the darkness, -and with the storm at its height, they were entangled in the patch of -saw-grass, and could not discover which way to escape from it. The wind -lashed the keen edges across their hands and faces again and again. - -"Stand still!" cried the professor. "The more we move the worse it is! -Has any one any matches?" - -"I have!" cried Bob, "but I don't believe I can light 'em in this -downpour." - -"Try," suggested Mr. Snodgrass. - -Bob tried, but with no success. Then Ned uttered a cry. - -"This way!" he called as a flash of lightning illuminated the scene for -a brief instant. "I can see the water!" - -The others made their way toward the sound of his voice. Bewildered, -however, as they were by the storm and dense blackness which followed -the lightning flash, they rushed but the deeper into the terrible -grass. - -"Come on!" cried Ned, who, by good fortune had succeeded in reaching -an open place near the water, where there was none of the sharp grass. -"Move when you see the flashes!" - -"Hurry to the boat!" called Mr. Snodgrass. "I hope it hasn't slipped -its moorings in the storm." - -That was a trick which the tempest had not played on the travelers. -They found their craft safe, and were soon aboard and under the stout -awning which kept off the fury of the wind and rain. In a moment Ned -had found the switch that controlled the small electric lights on the -boat, which were worked by a storage battery. Then in the security of -the little cabin the four looked at one another. - -"This is about the worst yet!" exclaimed Jerry, as he limped over to -a stool and sat down. The storm made his wounded foot, which was not -quite healed, hurt more than usual. "Your face is a sight, Bob. Looks -as if a cat had been at you." - -"The same to you and more of it," responded Ned. "I guess we all bear -the marks of the saw-grass." - -This was so, for the fine keen edges of nature's peculiar weapons had -left their record on the hands and faces of all the travelers. - -"I think this is where some of the leaves the Indian chief used on -Jerry's foot would come in handy," remarked Ned. - -"If we only had some," retorted Bob with a groan. "Even some witch -hazel wouldn't be so bad, though it smarts at first." - -"I have some of the leaves," the professor said. "I observed what kind -of a plant they were from and gathered a supply the other day. I will -get them." - -Removing most of their soaked garments, and wringing out the water, the -boys and the scientist were soon busy pounding up the leaves to make -a sort of ointment for their scratches. The foliage gave out a sticky -salve which, when applied to the cuts made by the grass, soothed them. - -"We look like a lot of Seminole Indians with our war paint on," -remarked Ned, and indeed the four did present a curious sight, for they -were daubed with green stuff in streaks and patches. - -"Now for some hot coffee," announced Bob, as he set the gasoline -stove going. "That will make us feel as well inside as the leaves do -outside." - -"Trust Chunky for knowing what's good for the inside," retorted Ned. -"However go ahead, Bob. We're all with you." - -Warmed and exhilarated by the hot drink the travelers listened with -better spirits to the patter of the rain on the awning. They got out -some dry garments from the lockers and then, making up the folding -bunks with which the _Dartaway_ was provided, they spent the rest of -the night in comparative comfort. - -The storm was over at sunrise, and as the boys peered from the -curtained cabin they gazed out on scene of beauty. They were on the -shore of a broad lagoon which gave entrance into Lake Okeechobee. -Behind them, some distance back, was a dense forest, and, nearer to -them was the dreadful saw-grass. Over the stretch of water myriads of -birds were flying, while, every now and then, a splash and a shower of -glistening drops told that a hungry fish was trying to get an early -breakfast. - -"How do you boys feel?" asked Mr. Snodgrass. - -"Much better," announced Jerry, and the others said the same. The pain -from their cuts and scratches was all gone, so quick-acting was the -Indian's remedy. After breakfast they went ashore and got the tent and -camp stuff which, though much scattered, had not suffered any material -damage. - -"No more camping on this shore!" exclaimed Ned as he looked at the -waving saw-grass. - -"I must get some specimens," the scientist said. "I have read about the -peculiar properties of this plant but I never came across it before." - -"You want to put gloves on if you try to go in there," cautioned Jerry, -and this the professor did. In that way he was able to secure some of -the grass for his cabinet of curiosities, which was already assuming -large proportions. - -"Now for Lake Okeechobee proper!" cried Bob as the boat was once more -started off. They were soon out of the lagoon and in due time emerged -around a point of land and beheld, stretched out before them the -largest lake of Florida, a beautiful sight under the gleaming southern -sun. - -"Hurrah for the everglades!" cried Ned. - -"And Noddy Nixon's cocoanut grove," added Jerry. "I wonder if we'll see -him?" He also thought of the deed to the land his mother had bought, -and vaguely dwelt on the possibility of locating it. - -"Now I must get seriously to work and look for my rare butterfly," -remarked the professor, as he began to rummage among his nets and other -insect-catching accessories. "I hope you boys will be on the watch for -it, as it means a great deal to me." - -They assured him that they would, and then Ned, who was steering, -increased the speed of the motor until the boat shot along at a fast -rate through the blue waters of the lake. - -"Look there!" cried Bob suddenly, pointing just ahead. - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"A big fish leaped half way out of the water. There must be fine sport -here. I'm going to try to catch some for dinner, as it's almost noon." - -"Go ahead," remarked Ned. "I'll slow down for you." - -Bob baited his hook and, in a short time had caught a fine fish. Then -Jerry joined him in the sport, and in half an hour they had enough for -a meal. They went ashore, and Jerry, who volunteered to act as cook, -quickly had the finny specimens frying in bacon fat which browned to a -golden hue the corn meal into which the fish were dipped. - -There wasn't much left when they cleared away the wooden dishes that -they used, and then, after a consultation, it was decided to camp for a -few days at the spot where they had landed. This would give their cuts -a chance to heal and by making short excursions here and there they -could get acquainted with the character of the lake. - -It was on the third day of their camping out on the shore of Lake -Okeechobee that, as they were returning in the motor boat one afternoon -Jerry, who had taken the wheel, suddenly called out: - -"Doesn't that sound like some one in our camp?" - -They were close to where they usually moored the boat, about fifty feet -from where the tent was set up. - -"Some one is rattling away among the pots and pans," remarked Ned. -"Maybe it's some of those negroes who have followed us." - -"Or Seminole Indians," added Bob. - -"More likely some animal," observed the professor. - -"Then it had better leave before I take a shot at it," exclaimed Bob, -getting his gun in readiness. - -The boat was approaching closer, and the noise amid the camp stuff -could be plainly heard. It sounded as though some animal like a cow was -nosing among a lot of tin pails after something to eat. Jerry shut off -the power and the boat slowly drifted to the shore. - -"Let me get at him!" cried Bob. - -"Look out! It may be a manatee!" cautioned Ned with a laugh. - -But his laugh was stopped short for, an instant later they all beheld -something that almost made their hearts stop beating. - -They could look into the midst of the camp, and there, in front of the -tent, writhing about in a confusion of dishes and food, was an immense -snake! - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER - - -"Quick with that gun, Bob!" cried Jerry. "Now's your chance for a shot!" - -Bob raised his weapon and fired, but his nervousness, and the sudden -terror into which the sight of the reptile threw him, made his aim -unsteady. The bullet cut the branches of a tree four feet above the -serpent. - -"Let me try!" exclaimed the professor. "I think I can get him." - -Bob handed over the gun. - -"No, I don't mean with that," and the scientist began making a slip -noose with a rope. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Jerry. - -"I'm going to try to capture that snake alive," answered Mr. Snodgrass. -"I recognize it as a valuable specimen of a water reptile, something -like the giant boas of the tropics. If I can capture it and ship it up -north I will get a good sum from the museum. Steady with the boat and -let me get ashore." - -"The snake will kill you!" cried Bob. - -"No, they are comparatively harmless," remarked the scientist. "The -only danger is in being caught in their powerful coils. They are not -poisonous." - -"Excuse me from that sort of a job," murmured Ned. - -By this time the boat had run ashore, the keel grating on the gravel at -the edge of the lake. The professor had made a running noose and held -it extended in front of him by means of the boat hook. - -"I'll try and get close enough to the reptile to slip the noose over -his head," he remarked to Jerry. "When I do, send the boat back into -the lake and I think we'll have him just where we want him." - -"Suppose he tackles you?" asked Bob. - -"I'm not afraid. I've handled snakes before," announced Uriah Snodgrass -confidently. - -He cautiously approached the reptile. The big serpent seemed to be -searching in the camp for something to eat. It crawled here and there, -poking its ugly head into all the openings visible and overturning -several boxes. - -"It's a whopper!" cried Ned as a nearer view showed the real size of -the reptile. - -Meanwhile the professor was approaching closer and closer, holding the -dangling noose ready to slip over the serpent's head. Suddenly the -creature raised itself so that the scientist thought he had a chance. -He rushed forward with a cry to the boys to be in readiness. Ned shoved -the boat off shore and Jerry stood ready to start the motor, while Bob -had secured the end of the rope about a cleat. - -All at once the snake caught sight of the man advancing with the rope. -It must have been aware of the hostile intentions of the professor for -it instantly gave vent to a loud hiss and coiled up ready for action. - -"Look out, Mr. Snodgrass!" called Jerry. "He's got an ugly look!" - -The professor did not reply. Stepping cautiously he kept on advancing, -holding his noose in readiness. It was a brave act but probably only -a person who would dare much in the interests of science would have -undertaken it. - -Suddenly the professor cast his noose. Now either he was not an expert -in the use of the lasso, or the snake instinctively knew how to avoid -such dangers. At any rate the reptile swayed its head to one side and -the rope fell harmlessly to the ground. The next instant the snake had -uncoiled and was wiggling straight for the professor. - -"Run!" cried Bob. - -"Jump!" advised Jerry. - -"Hit him with a club!" was Ned's caution. - -The professor did not heed the advice. With a bravery, worthy perhaps -of a better cause, he made a spring not away from but right at the -snake. He explained afterward that he hoped to grab it around the neck -and choke it. - -But he missed his aim, and the next moment there was a confused tangle -of man and snake on the ground. All the boys could see was a striped -tail threshing about while, every now and then, the professor's legs -were visible. He had some sort of a grip, but it was not the right -kind, on the reptile. - -[Illustration: THERE WAS A CONFUSED TANGLE OF MAN AND SNAKE ON THE -GROUND] - -"We must go ashore and help him! He'll be killed!" shouted Ned. - -"Give me the gun, Bob!" yelled Jerry. "I'll try a shot." - -"Don't hit the professor," cautioned Bob. - -Ned leaped ashore, followed by his companions who waded through the -intervening shallow water. They ran toward where the professor was -still struggling with the snake. But, by the time they arrived the -battle was over. Or, rather, it was a retreat. The snake, probably the -worst scared reptile in Florida at that moment, was headed for the -water, and, as the professor was stretched out on his back, where a -movement of the strong folds had thrown him the snake glided into the -lake and disappeared amid a series of ripples. - -"There he goes!" cried Bob, while Jerry sent several bullets from -the magazine rifle after it. But it was too late. The snake got away -unharmed. - -"Too bad I missed him," remarked the professor as he got up and brushed -the dirt from his clothes. "It would have been a valuable specimen." - -"Lucky it didn't crush you to death," said Jerry. "It was a monster." - -"I've seen larger ones," observed Mr. Snodgrass. "I must make a note of -this. I will write a scientific paper about it." - -Fortunately the travelers had returned to camp before the snake had -time to do much damage. Some fresh fish, which the boys depended on -for their meal, were eaten, and the place was in confusion from the -investigations of the reptile. - -"I am glad he didn't take it into his head to come in the night," -remarked Bob. "He'd have scared us all to death." - -Matters were soon straightened out, the professor proceeding to note -down facts about the reptile as calmly as though he had not been in -danger of serious injury, if not death, from the encounter. - -"If I could only have gotten hold of him around the neck," he said, -"I'd have him a captive now." - -"It's just as well," remarked Ned. "He would have been unhandy to cart -around, and, if you got your prize butterfly the snake might have eaten -him up." - -"That's so," admitted the scientist, finding some consolation in this -thought. - -It was on the afternoon of the next day when, as they were in the -boat, making their way along the eastern shore of the lake, that they -approached a small settlement. - -"Here's civilization," remarked Jerry as he saw the cluster of houses. -"I didn't suppose any one lived here." - -"Oh, there are several fruit growers in this vicinity," replied the -professor, "but after this I guess we'll find the lake lonesome enough -for we'll soon be among the everglades." - -They went ashore as they needed some supplies and gasoline. While their -order was being filled at the village store the boys strolled out a -distance into the country. - -"We'll be back in a little while, professor," remarked Jerry, as the -scientist elected to remain in the store, having caught sight of a -curious kind of black bug on the wall. - -The village was so small that the boys had soon passed its confines. -They walked along a little stream and saw, just ahead of them, two -figures. As they approached nearer they could hear persons in dispute. - -"Seems to me as if I had heard that one voice somewhere before," -remarked Ned. - -"It does sound familiar," agreed Jerry. - -The person with his back to the boys was saying: - -"I tell you this isn't my land. I know what I'm talking about. You're -in possession of my cocoanut grove, and I want it! I didn't buy this -old swamp!" and the figure turned and pointed to a morass on the edge -of which he was standing. - -"You don't know what you're talking about!" exclaimed the other, a man. -"I've owned this cocoanut grove for years. You've been swindled, that's -what's the matter." - -"I tell you I'm going to have my rights!" retorted the other. Then he -turned and the three motor boat boys, with one accord exclaimed: - -"Noddy Nixon!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -INTO A STRANGE LAKE - - -Whether Noddy or the three chums were the more surprised it would be -hard to say. Though they had a vague idea they might come across the -Cresville bully in Florida, the motor boys did not give it serious -consideration, hardly believing Noddy's story about the cocoanut grove. -As for Noddy he had no intimation that the boys were coming to Florida -and his astonishment, at suddenly seeing them, was very great. His -first remark was characteristic of him. - -"Are you fellows sneaking after me to try and cheat me out of my -grove?" he asked. - -"Not much!" ejaculated Jerry. "We didn't know you were here." - -"I don't believe you!" retorted Noddy angrily. "You're always trying to -do me some injury. Anyhow this man has possession of my cocoanut grove, -that I paid my money for, and I'm going to have it." - -"How do you know this isn't your grove?" asked the man with a smile, -indicating the swamp land. - -"Because the magazine advertisement that I answered said all the groves -the company sold were on high ground. I followed the directions in -reaching this place and this is the only grove on high ground around -here. So it must be mine." - -"That's your way of looking at it," replied the man. "But it doesn't -happen to be the right one. My name is Carter. If you make some -inquiries in the village you will find that I have owned this grove for -the last twenty years, and that my father owned it before me." - -"I don't believe you!" snapped Noddy. "It's a plot to cheat me out of -my money." - -"Look here!" exclaimed Mr. Carter. "If I didn't think you were so young -and foolish that you didn't know any better I'd make you apologize for -that. As it is I'm not going to take any notice of you. Are these young -friends of yours? If they are I'd advise them to take you away before -you get into trouble with that temper of yours, and the unpleasant way -you have of using your tongue." - -"We know him," Jerry hastened to say, motioning toward Noddy. "I can't -say we're friends of his, nor is he of us. But as we come from the -same town we'd be glad to do what we can for him, though he has done us -several mean turns." - -"I don't want any of your help!" exclaimed Noddy. "You can mind your -own business, Jerry Hopkins, and you too, Bob and Ned. I can get along -without you. I'm going to get possession of my cocoanut grove and I'll -have this man arrested for keeping it!" - -"You're talking foolishly," interposed Mr. Carter. - -"I'll sue you!" retorted the Cresville bully. "I tell you I paid a -deposit on this grove and I'm going to have it." - -"I'm sorry for you, but I think you have been cheated," went on Mr. -Carter. "I know that company which pretended to sell you this land. -It is a swindling concern. A number of persons have been fooled into -buying land here and when they came to take possession of it they found -it was a swamp. But you are the first one who tried to lay claim to my -land," he added, with a grin. - -"You'll find this no laughing matter!" cried Noddy, his anger getting -the best of him. "I tell you I'm going to have my rights. I'll see a -lawyer." - -"Then you'd better start now," said Mr. Carter. "There isn't any in -this village, and the nearest one is twenty miles away. We don't have -much use for lawyers down here." - -"I'll go right away!" cried Noddy. "I'll have my rights, I tell you!" - -"Maybe your acquaintances will take you to a lawyer," went on Mr. -Carter, who seemed anxious to bring Noddy to his senses. "Any one will -tell you that you have been swindled." - -"I'll go alone and find some one to take up my case," exclaimed the -Cresville youth. "I don't want any help from Jerry Hopkins or any of -his gang, either." - -"We're not a gang!" objected Bob. "If you say that again, Noddy Nixon, -I'll--" - -"Go easy," whispered Jerry to his chum. "Let him alone." - -"You'll suffer for this!" ejaculated Noddy, glowering at Mr. Carter. -"I'll have the law on you! My father is a rich man and he'll help me -get my rights. I'll have you arrested for stealing my cocoanut grove!" - -"There! You've said enough!" responded the man. "I'll not take any more -of your insults! You're on my land and I order you off. What's more, -if you threaten me again I'll tie you up and take you before a justice -of the peace! Now move on!" - -Mr. Carter looked so angry, and so much in earnest, that, big bully as -he was, Noddy was frightened. He muttered something below his breath -but he moved off Mr. Carter's land, and on to the edge of the swamp -which constituted the "cocoanut grove" of which he had boasted. - -"Come on, boys," said Jerry in a low voice. "If we stay here we may get -involved in some trouble with Noddy. He doesn't want our aid, and I'm -glad of it. I'd hate to take him into our boat. Let's leave him alone." - -They started away. - -"I'll fix you for following me!" exclaimed Noddy as he saw the three -chums leaving him. "I'll get even with you!" - -"I hope he comes to his senses soon," remarked Mr. Carter, as he walked -toward the village with the three chums. "He is very hot tempered. He -arrived in town a few days ago and created quite a stir by talking -about the big cocoanut grove he had come to claim. When he found out -that it was only a swamp that the swindlers had worked off on him he -wanted to get my land, saying a mistake had been made. For several -days he's been seeking to lay claim to my grove, one of the few near -here, until I got tired of his foolishness. Do you know much about him?" - -Jerry told Mr. Carter enough of Noddy to make that gentleman understand -what sort of a youth the Cresville bully was. Mr. Carter said he was -sorry for him, but that he could not afford to give up his land because -Noddy had been fooled. - -Learning that the chums were in no particular hurry, Mr. Carter invited -them up to his house. He gave them a lunch and brought out some fresh -cocoanuts, in a green state, which is when they are at their best for -eating. He called one of his negro helpers and told him to open some of -the nuts for the boys. - -The negro set up in the ground a stake, sharpened on the end. Then, -holding the nut, encased in its husky fibrous covering in both hands, -he brought it down on the point of the stick with a slanting motion. -The sharp point cut through the husk in an instant and the nut was -exposed. Then the end was chopped off with a big knife and the -interior, consisting of "milk" and soft pulp, was ready to eat. - -"I never knew cocoanuts were so good!" exclaimed Bob, as he tackled his -fourth one, for they did not eat the rind or hard white part. - -"No, nor no one else does who gets only the ripe ones which are shipped -north," explained Mr. Carter. "We never think of eating anything but -the milk and soft pulp of the partly ripe ones." - -Presently the boys bade their host good-bye and started for the village -store where they had left the professor catching bugs. - -"There!" exclaimed Jerry, when they were almost at the place. "We -forgot something." - -"What?" asked Ned. - -"We didn't give Noddy the message the man gave us. We didn't tell him -the government detective wanted to see him." - -"Let's go back," suggested Bob. - -"I believe you're thinking more of the cocoanuts than you are of -Noddy," interposed Jerry. "No, I guess it will keep. Noddy will either -go back home, in which case the detective can see him himself, or he -will stay here and try to get a grove from some one. If he does the -latter we'll stop on our way back and give him the message." - -Jerry's chums thought this the best plan, so they kept on, dismissing -from their minds the thought of Noddy and his trouble. They found the -professor in his element, catching bug after bug, to the no small -amusement of the crowd of natives that had gathered to watch him. - -The supplies were soon put aboard the boat, and once more the travelers -took up their voyage. For three days they traveled slowly the length of -Lake Okeechobee. At times they kept near shore, attracted by the beauty -of the scenery, for there were tall palm and palmetto trees, gracefully -festooned with long streamers of Spanish moss. There was a wealth of -tropical vegetation, and amid the dense forests there flew flocks of -birds of the most brilliant plumage. - -Now and then they saw big snakes, and they passed several alligators -without at first knowing what the saurians were, as they looked so much -like floating logs of wood. When they did discover that the "logs" were -alive the boys tried several shots at them but without success. - -They camped on shore one night but the mosquitoes and fleas were so bad -that thereafter they stayed on the boat until out of that district. -They caught several fine messes of fish and had a glorious time. At -the close of the fourth day they approached the end of the lake. By -reference to the map they discovered that they were near to the land -of the everglades, those trackless patches of dense swamp, lonely and -dangerous, inhabited only by negroes and Indians. - -"We ought to see signs of my prize butterfly soon," remarked the -professor as the boat was speeding along. "I hope I shall soon capture -a specimen." - -"There's some kind of a butterfly!" exclaimed Bob, pointing ahead to -where a brilliantly-colored insect was flying over the water. - -"Quick!" cried the professor. "Speed up the boat, Jerry. It looks like -one!" - -The craft was put after the butterfly which was winging its way -toward shore. As the _Dartaway_ advanced the boys noticed that they -were entering a narrow part of the lake. The width of water quickly -decreased until they were in what corresponded to a river. - -"This is queer," said Jerry. "The map doesn't show any place like this." - -"Keep on!" cried the scientist, anxious only about the butterfly. - -The insect led them a long chase. Straight ahead it flew, and, as the -travelers went on they found themselves between two closely wooded -banks. - -"We've left Lake Okeechobee behind!" exclaimed Ned. - -Hardly had he spoken ere the view changed. They rounded a point of land -and came out on a broad sheet of dark green water. - -"It's another lake!" exclaimed Jerry. "It must be a strange one, as -there is nothing in the guide book about it, or on the map. Boys, maybe -we've discovered a new lake!" - -"It's big enough!" remarked Ned, as he pointed to the distant shore -that marked the boundary. - -"Yes, and it's full of alligators!" cried Bob, indicating several long -black objects floating in the placid water. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE WANDERER AGAIN - - -"Give me a gun!" cried Ned. "I'm going to try and hit one in the eye. -I've read that's the place to shoot 'em!" - -Jerry steered the boat over to one of the "logs." Ned, who had secured -his rifle from the locker, took aim at the nearest creature. He was -just about to pull the trigger, having drawn a bead on what he supposed -was the eye of the saurian, when the alligator raised its tail and gave -the water a slap that sounded like a clap of thunder. In an instant all -the other alligators disappeared, the one who had given timely warning -diving with its fellows. - -"Just my luck!" cried Ned. "But I'll get one yet." - -"There goes my butterfly!" exclaimed the professor, as he saw the -winged creature, he had been so anxiously watching, take flight over -the woods, where it was soon lost to view. "But, after all I don't -believe it was the kind I wanted, though it bore a close resemblance," -with which reflection the scientist comforted himself. "However, that -shows me we are in the right locality. I'm glad we discovered this new -lake, boys." - -"Let's name it," suggested Ned. - -"Call it Alligator Lake," put in Jerry. - -"No, Butterfly Lake would be better," suggested Bob, "because the -professor hopes to catch his prize specimen here." - -"Good idea," agreed Jerry. "Butterfly Lake it is." - -Seeing a little cove about a mile ahead, Jerry steered the boat in that -direction and, as it was found to be a good stopping place, the craft -was moored near the edge of the water. The boys and the professor went -ashore. They found themselves in the midst of a patch of everglades, -though close to the lake the land was more firm than anywhere else. - -"I'd hate to be lost in a swamp like that," remarked Ned, indicating -the vast expanse that lay about them. - -"There are paths through it," said Mr. Snodgrass. "But I guess only -the negroes and Indians know them. It would be quite risky for any one -unacquainted with them to venture in. The swamp would swallow a man as -quickly as if he fell into quicksand." - -"The boat for mine!" exclaimed Bob. "This is worse than the swamp Noddy -got fooled on." - -While supper was being prepared, the professor got out his nets and -cyanide bottle in readiness for a chase after the prize butterfly. - -"I'll begin the search the first thing in the morning," he said, and he -was up before daylight, walking along the shores of the lake looking -for the brilliant creature with a pink body and blue and gold wings. -However, the kind of insect he wanted seemed to be very scarce, and he -came back empty-handed after the boys had finished their meal, rather -tired but not a bit discouraged. "I'll get it yet," he said. "We'll -cruise along the shores." - -They found the strange lake was quite a large body of water. The -lower end of it was so filled with stumps that they did not venture -to take the boat in for fear of striking a snag and stoving a hole in -the bottom. But, though they covered many miles they did not catch a -glimpse of the rare butterfly. - -Bob and Ned tried several shots at alligators, of which there were -many, but, though Bob was sure, once, that he hit one, the saurian did -not give any evidence of it, and sank from sight. - -If the scientist did not get the butterfly he wanted, he was successful -in capturing a number of other specimens of insects, which seemed to -delight him almost as much as if he had the pink and blue beauty. - -"Even if I can't get the five thousand dollars," he said, "perhaps I -can bring back to the museum enough valuable specimens so that I will -get the position I want." - -"Oh, we'll get that butterfly for you," said Jerry, who was anxious to -help the professor. - -"Suppose we go back toward the river that connects Lake Okeechobee and -Butterfly Lake," suggested Ned. "That's where we saw the butterfly that -looked like the one you want." - -"A good idea," replied Mr. Snodgrass. "I'm sure it is to be found in -this vicinity, as all the books say it is usually to be seen in company -with the butterfly with plain blue wings, and that is the one we chased -yesterday." - -Accordingly the _Dartaway_ was swung around, and was soon speeding -toward the narrow stretch of water that connected the two lakes. As -they entered it the boys noticed that there was a current flowing from -Butterfly Lake into Lake Okeechobee. - -"I hadn't noticed that before," said Jerry. "Butterfly Lake must be one -of the feeders of the larger body of water." - -As the _Dartaway_ emerged from the "river" upon the bosom of Lake -Okeechobee once more Jerry pointed ahead and cried out: - -"Look there, boys!" - -"It's another boat!" said Bob. - -"A houseboat to judge by the looks of it," put in Ned. - -"I think it's our old friend the _Wanderer_," remarked Jerry. "I'll see -if they answer our signal." - -He gave three toots on the compressed air whistle, and a moment later -they were replied to from the houseboat, which was about a mile away. -Then something like a white handkerchief was waved from the deck. - -"They see us!" exclaimed Bob. "Those are the girls." - -"Put over there, Jerry," said Ned. "I'd like to see 'em again." - -"Which one?" asked Jerry with a laugh, and Ned blushed a bit. - -Mr. Seabury and his three daughters were glad to meet the boys once -more. The professor and the youths were invited aboard and, though -Mr. Snodgrass wanted to continue his search for the butterfly, he was -induced to accept the invitation. - -"We'll help you look for that curious insect," said Rose Seabury. "We -are going to stay on Lake Okeechobee for some time, and perhaps we'll -come across it." - -"I hope you do," remarked the scientist. "I shall be very much obliged -to you if you find a specimen and I'll share the reward with you." - -"Oh, I didn't mean that!" exclaimed the young lady. "I'm sure if I -could be a little aid to the advancement of science it would be reward -enough." - -Several pleasant hours were spent aboard the _Wanderer_ and after -dinner, for which Mr. Seabury insisted that his guests remain, they all -sat on the cool upper deck viewing the beauties of the lake. - -"Isn't that a canoe putting out from shore?" asked the owner of the -houseboat, pointing to a small object on the water. - -"That's what it is," answered Nellie, looking through a pair of marine -glasses. "There are negroes in it." - -"Oh, those ugly black men!" exclaimed Olivia. "I can't bear them. They -are not like the colored men up north." - -"They seem to be headed this way," went on Mr. Seabury, taking the -glasses from his daughter. "I wonder what they want?" - -The canoe rapidly approached. In a short time it was close enough so -that, without the aid of glasses, there could be made out in it three -negroes. They were paddling straight for the houseboat, to which the -_Dartaway_ was made fast. When the small craft came within hailing -distance one of the negroes called out: - -"Is a gen'men dar what's lookin' fo' rare bugs an' butterflies?" - -"I am," replied Mr. Snodgrass. "I particularly want a pink butterfly -with blue and gold wings." - -"We knows whar to find him!" exclaimed the foremost paddler. "We'll -show yo' if yo' uns'll come along." - -"I wouldn't go with them if I were you," said Mr. Seabury in low tones. -"They may be very treacherous." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -A PLOT FOILED - - -"Wait until I speak to them," replied Mr. Snodgrass, preparing to -descend to the lower deck. "I must not lose a chance to get that -butterfly." - -He was soon in conversation with the colored men, who explained they -had heard of the scientist's object from one of their number who had -come from the village where the travelers had last stopped, and where -the professor had talked of the butterfly. - -"I hope he doesn't allow himself to be persuaded to accompany those -men," said Mr. Seabury to the three boys. "I believe they would kill -him for what valuables he carried, once they got him off in the swamp." - -"Are they as bad as that?" asked Ned. - -"They are worse than the Seminole Indians," declared Mr. Seabury. "I -would sooner trust one of the latter than a negro of the everglades." - -"I hope the professor doesn't go," remarked Rose. "I like him so much. -He's just like a very old friend of mine who was a teacher in the -college I attended." - -"Mr. Snodgrass is his own master," said Mr. Seabury. "We can only -advise him." - -At that moment the scientist came back on the upper deck. - -"I'm on the right track," he declared, his eyes shining with -excitement. "Those colored men know just where the butterfly has its -haunts. I'm going with them. It is only a day's journey." - -"We'll go along in the motor boat as far as possible," said Jerry. - -"No, no!" objected Mr. Snodgrass. "We have to go into the swamp where -only a canoe can be used. Besides, the puffing of the boat's engine -might frighten the butterfly. I must go alone with these men. They are -honest I'm sure. They will make a camp for the night and they say they -have food enough for me also." - -"Of course you know your own business," said Mr. Seabury, "but I -wouldn't trust them, professor." - -"Oh, I'm sure they will not harm me," the scientist replied. "Besides, -I have nothing they could steal. I have promised to pay them well if -they bring me to the place where I can get my prize butterfly." - -"Where is the place?" asked Jerry. - -"It lies to the east of the lake we discovered," replied the scientist. -"I must start at once. Those butterflies are scarce and I can't afford -to take any chances on losing one." - -In spite of the dangers that Mr. Seabury and his daughters hinted at, -and the objections the boys raised, the professor was determined to -accompany the colored men. Mr. Seabury went below and took a look at -the negroes. He had to admit that they were good-natured appearing -enough, with broad grins on their shining, black faces and a manner -which seemed to preclude any desire to do any one an injury. - -"Since you have to start from Butterfly Lake why not go with us as -far as there in the motor boat," proposed Ned. "The men can follow in -their canoe, or we'll tow them. Then we can make a permanent camp, and -you'll know where to head for when you get ready to come back with your -butterfly." - -This seemed a good idea to the professor and he agreed to it. The -colored men made no objection, but, on the other hand, seemed to favor -the proposition, which made Mr. Seabury all the more suspicious. - -"I believe those negroes are up to some trick," he said to his -daughters as their visitors prepared to leave. "I can't say what it is, -but I'm very suspicious. I don't believe those black men know anything -about the butterfly." - -"What can we do, father?" asked Rose. - -"Nothing, I'm afraid. Yet I'll be on the watch. The _Wanderer_ is not -a fast boat, but I think I'll keep it near the entrance to Butterfly -Lake for a few days. I may be able to render some assistance to the -professor." - -When good-byes had been said, and assurances given on the part of -Mr. Snodgrass and the boys that they would see their friends of the -houseboat again, the _Dartaway_, towing the canoe with the three -negroes, was headed for the stream of water that connected the two -lakes. - -A good place for a camp was found near a small stream that flowed -through the everglades, and up which watercourse the negroes said they -proposed taking the professor in the canoe to search for the butterfly. - -"We'll be waiting here for you," remarked Jerry, as the scientist got -his butterfly-catching accessories together. - -"No telling when I'll be back," answered Uriah Snodgrass. "I'm going to -get that prize insect, and it may take longer than these men think." - -"Oh, yo'll git yo' butterfly," said one of the negroes with a broad -grin. "We knows whar dere's lots ob 'em." - -"Hadn't you better wait until morning?" suggested Ned. "It's well along -in the afternoon now, and you can make an early start to-morrow." - -But the professor would hear of no delay. He had often spent many hours -in the open while searching for curiosities of nature, and a night in -the everglades did not alarm him. The negroes said they would find -some sort of shelter, and, having packed up some food, the scientist -announced he was ready. - -With mingled feelings the boys watched their friend go off in the canoe -with the colored men. They were disturbed by a vague uneasiness, but -none of them could tell what it was. - -"Well," remarked Ned, when a turn of the sluggish swamp stream hid the -canoe from sight, "we've no time to lose. We must make camp before it -gets dark." - -Willing hands made light work of setting up the tent and moving into -it blankets and bed clothing for the night. The _Dartaway_ was moored -in a little cove, and after supper Bob and Ned took their guns and set -out for a shot at some loons, of which there were many about the lake. -Jerry carried his rifle, hoping to get a chance at an alligator. - -The boys followed the edge of the lake, keeping watch for anything in -the way of game. They saw several loons, but the queer, big birds were -so far away that a shot was impossible. As Bob walked along, a little -in advance, he came to a sudden stop behind a clump of bushes. - -"Easy!" he exclaimed in a whisper. "I see one!" - -He took careful aim and pulled the trigger. When the smoke had cleared -away the three chums looked eagerly over the water where, a second -before, a big bird had been seen. - -"You've blown him to pieces!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Missed him altogether," said Jerry with a smile. "Loons, you know, -dive at the flash of the gun, and they're under water before the shot -gets anywhere near them." - -An instant later the big bird bobbed up from the water, some distance -away from the spot where Bob had fired at it. - -"There he is!" cried Ned. - -He took a quick shot, but it seemed to be only fun for the bird, that -instantly dived under the water again. - -"Why don't you play fair!" exclaimed Bob in disgust. "I never saw such -a bird." - -"That's the only protection it's got against guns," said Jerry. "You -can't blame it. You'd do the same. Besides, what good are they after -you shoot 'em? You can't eat 'em." - -"Sour grapes!" remarked Ned with a laugh. "But I guess you're right, -Jerry. We can't hit 'em, at any rate." - -They walked on for some distance farther and then, as it was getting -dusk, returned to camp. - -"I don't believe I'll have to have any one sing me to sleep to-night," -said Bob as he prepared for bed. "I'm dead tired. How about you, Ned?" - -"I guess I can get along without a dose of soothing syrup." - -"I was thinking we'd better stand watch," remarked Jerry. - -"Why?" asked Ned. - -"To tell you the truth I don't like the idea of those colored men being -in this neighborhood. Where there are three I think there are sure to -be more. Of course they may be harmless enough, but I have an idea they -are desperate men, and our camp and boat offers quite a temptation to -them." - -"Oh, I don't believe they'll bother us," said Bob. "Let's get what -sleep we can. Leave a lantern where we can light it in a hurry if we -hear any suspicious noises." - -Ned sided with Bob, and Jerry, somewhat against his will, gave in to -them. However, he determined to stay awake as long as he could. He also -arranged some fishing lines about the camp so that if any intruders -came in they would trip on them and bring down a collection of pots and -pans which he arranged to fall at the slightest disturbance. - -"That will do for a burglar alarm," he said. - -Jerry's intention of remaining awake was well meant, but nature -asserted herself and he was soon slumbering as soundly as his chums. - -It was well that Jerry had set his burglar alarm, or, otherwise the -sleep-locked eyes of the boys never would have detected the stealthy -approach of several dark figures that stole around the camp about -midnight. They were figures that crept closer and closer with silent -footsteps, figures that whispered now and then among themselves, and, -had any one been listening, they would have easily recognized the -whispers as those of negro voices. - -But the fish lines did not sleep. They did their duty and, when one of -the men caught his foot in a cord, and brought down, with a resounding -clatter and crash, a pile of tins, the three boys awoke with a start. - -"Quick! The guns!" cried Jerry. - -He struck a match and lighted a lantern which was ready at hand, no -lights having been left burning because they attracted mosquitoes and -other insects. - -Bob and Ned grabbed their rifles. An instant later the gleam of a -lantern shone out, and disclosed several negroes about the _Dartaway_. -Some were in the craft and others appeared to be shoving her off the -bank on which her keel rested. - -"They're stealing our boat!" yelled Bob. - -An instant later he fired, purposely aiming over the heads of the -intruders. Ned followed his example. There was a yell of terror from -the black men and, with one accord they seemed to disappear from sight. -Jerry ran out with the lantern. - -"I think we foiled their plot," he remarked, as he saw that the boat -was still in place, though on the point of floating away. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -BOB TAKEN ILL - - -Securing the boat, Jerry took a survey of the camp. Ned and Bob had -lighted other lanterns and, by their gleams, it could be seen that -nothing had been taken. The improvised burglar alarm had given timely -notice, or the boys might have mourned the loss of the _Dartaway_, as -well as other of their possessions. - -"They seem to have gotten away," remarked Jerry, coming back from where -he had made the motor boat fast. "I wonder how they got here?" - -"In a canoe," answered Ned, pointing to the marks of where the keel -of one had rested on the little beach of the lake. "But what was that -tremendous racket?" - -"A little invention of mine," and Jerry explained it. - -"I wonder who they were?" asked Bob. - -"Some of the same negroes with whom the professor has gone off," -replied Jerry. - -"Do you really think so?" - -"I do. I believe it is all a part of a scheme to rob him and us. Those -men wanted to get him out of the way so they could plunder our camp. I -guess they thought we were boys who had never been out alone before." - -"They think differently now," observed Bob. "I reckon my bullet went -uncomfortably close to some of 'em." - -"We may have scared them off for the time being," went on Jerry, "but -we've got to be on the watch. Our camp represents a lot of wealth to -those colored men, and they'll stop at nothing, short of a gun, to get -it. It'll have to be watch and watch after this." - -"You're right," agreed Ned. "We should have done it at first. But it's -not too late, thanks to the fish-line burglar alarm." - -The boys arranged to spend the rest of the night taking turns at -standing guard, but their precautions were needless, for they were not -disturbed again. In the morning they made a more careful examination -and, by the tracks in the mud, came to the conclusion that at least -five men had endeavored to loot the camp. - -"What about the professor?" asked Bob, when they had discussed the -occurrences of the night. - -"I'm worried about him," admitted Jerry. "He's such an innocent and -trusting gentleman that he'd do anything those scoundrels asked him to. -I suppose by this time they have him several miles away from here." - -"Do you think they'll harm him?" asked Ned. - -"Maybe not. They'll certainly rob him, and they may turn him adrift in -the everglades, and that's the worst thing they could do. He'll never -be able to find his way out." - -"Is it as bad as that?" asked Ned. - -"I don't want to take too gloomy a view of it," went on Jerry, "but you -must admit it looks serious." - -"Still, the professor is a smart man. He's used to going in dense -woods after insects and finding his way out," said Bob. "Look at the -different places he has been with us--even in the buried city in -Mexico--and he got out all right." - -"This is different," Jerry stated. "The everglades are worse than any -forest. If he gets off the firm ground he'll sink down in the swamp and -never be able to get out. Boys, I wish the professor was safely back -with us. But there's no help for it now, and all we can do is to wait. -Perhaps I'm too nervous and he may turn up all right, but the attack on -the camp looks bad." - -"Poor old professor!" murmured Ned. "I'd hate to have anything happen -to him." - -"So would I," put in Bob, "but I guess, as Jerry says, there's nothing -to be done but to wait." - -The day seemed very long, for they were watching for the return of -the scientist. No one had the heart to do anything, and the boys sat -listlessly about the camp, even Bob having a poor appetite for his -meals. - -Toward afternoon Ned proposed that they take their guns and a walk -along the edge of the lake, not going far away from camp. - -"We might see something to shoot at," he said. "It will make the time -pass quicker, and if there are any negroes hiding about they'll hear -the guns and know we're on the watch." - -The plan was agreed to, and the boys tried several shots at loons and -alligators. Jerry succeeded in wounding one of the big saurians, but -the creature buried itself in the mud and the boys could not get it. - -"We'll take the boat to-morrow," said Ned, "and have a try at some of -these big lizards. If we could skin one or two we'd have some nice -hides to show for our trip." - -"Excuse me from skinning alligators," remarked Bob, making a wry face. -"The weather is too hot." - -As they started back for camp Bob espied a bush laden with yellow -fruit. He approached it on the run. - -"Just what I've been wishing for!" he exclaimed, pulling off some and -beginning to eat them. - -"Hold on!" cried Jerry. "What are those things? They may be poison." - -"They're mangoes," answered Bob, eating his second one. - -"Are you sure?" and Jerry looked doubtful. - -"Of course," answered the always-hungry youth. "I've read about them -and I know." - -"Better leave 'em alone," advised Jerry. "They may be the mango fruit, -but I wouldn't take any chances. Besides, if they are mangoes, this -variety, from having grown in the everglades, may be poisonous." - -"They don't taste so," remarked Bob, continuing to eat the fruit, which -smelled delicious and had a fine appearance. "Better have some, Ned." - -"No, thanks. Camp stuff is good enough for me when I'm not sure of what -the other is." - -Bob continued to enjoy himself on the fruit, which certainly was -tempting. He only laughed at the warnings of his companions, and filled -his pockets with the yellow things, a number of which he took back to -camp. - -In accordance with the plan of the previous night, the boys maintained -a watch. The fish-line alarm was set again, and with a lantern burning -down near the boat, where it would disclose any persons who might try -to sneak up and cut the mooring lines, Ned and Jerry prepared to turn -in. It was Bob's turn to stand first watch. The boys had not lost their -uneasy feeling concerning the professor, and they hoped every moment to -hear his cheery hail as he returned. - -"Don't you wish you'd brought some of the mangoes?" asked Bob of his -chums, producing some of the yellow fruit as he prepared to begin his -tour of duty. "This will keep me awake." - -"Call us at the slightest sign of danger," cautioned Jerry, as he went -inside the tent. - -It seemed that he and Ned had been sleeping but a short time when they -were suddenly aroused by Bob shaking them. - -"What is it? The negroes again?" asked Jerry as he sat up and grabbed -his gun. - -"No," replied Bob in a faint voice. "Oh, Jerry, I'm awful sick! I guess -it was those mangoes. I can hardly stand! Can't you do something for -me?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -JERRY SEEKS AID - - -Jerry was up in an instant and soon lit a lantern. By the glimmer of -it he saw that Bob was indeed a very sick youth. The lad's face was -flushed, his hands were cold and clammy and his face and head were hot -with a burning fever. His eyes had an unnaturally bright look, his -breath came fast, and in short gasps. - -"Why Bob!" exclaimed Ned. "What is the matter?" - -"It came on me suddenly," said the unfortunate lad, sitting down on the -ground in the tent. "I was going to eat some more of the mangoes when, -all at once, I was seized with a fit of trembling." - -As he spoke a series of tremors shook his body, and he seemed about to -fall over. Jerry caught him. - -"Quick, Ned!" he exclaimed. "Help me get Bob to bed. Then we'll see -what we can do." - -They undressed Bob, who continued to shake and shiver for he had a -chill alternating with his fever. Then, while Jerry and Ned were -worrying over the matter and pondering what to do, the poor lad's -temperature suddenly went up and he was in a higher fever. - -"We've got to do something to bring that down," remarked Jerry. "What -did they give you when you were sick, Ned?" and Jerry looked at his -chum. - -"It's so long since I was sick I've forgotten," was the answer. "Have -we any medicine at all?" - -"Mother made me bring some quinine along, and a few other things, like -witch hazel and sticking plaster, but I don't believe any of them are -good for fevers. I'll look in the box." - -Jerry proceeded to investigate the small case of simple remedies his -mother had packed, but which had never been opened. The chums were -seldom ill, and when they were they usually let nature adjust itself. -But they realized that something must be done for Bob. - -"'Spirits of nitre,'" read Ned from the label of one of the bottles. -"Say, Jerry, this is the stuff for fevers. I remember my mother used to -use it when I was a little chap. Let's give him some." - -Jerry read the label on the bottle. The nitre, according to the -directions, was good for fevers and they decided to give Bob a larger -dose than was called for, as they had an idea the stuff was for -children, and that a full grown youth would need more. - -Anxiously they waited for the remedy to have some effect. Every now and -then they would place their hands on Bob's head or wrist to note the -warmth of his body. To their worriment he seemed to be getting hotter -instead of cooler. The fever indeed was rising fast and poor Bob was in -a bad way. - -"Doesn't seem to be strong enough," said Jerry after three hours of -dreary watching. They had dressed and sat in the tent which was dimly -lighted by a lantern. - -"Let's give him some more," Ned suggested. - -Another dose was administered, though Bob fought against taking it. The -youth was hardly conscious of what he was doing. He lay with closed -eyes, his face red and flushed from the fever, and his breath coming in -short, labored gasps. - -Suddenly the sick boy raised himself up on the cot where he had been -placed. - -"There he is!" he exclaimed. - -"Who?" asked Jerry, thinking Bob saw some one. - -"That alligator! He has the big snake and they are both being chased -by the sea cow! Where's my gun?" - -"Out of his head," whispered Ned, as he gently pressed Bob back on the -bed. "What shall we do?" - -Jerry did not know what to say. This was a new complication, for their -journeys heretofore had been free from the worry of serious illness. - -"My, but he's hot!" went on Ned, feeling of Bob's hand. "We ought to -have an ice bag for him." - -"No ice here, but I've just thought of something we can do." - -"What?" - -"Dip cloths in water and put 'em on him. That'll help some." - -"Good idea." - -They dipped several large handkerchiefs into the lake, wrung them -out, and laid them on Bob's forehead, neck and chest. It was a crude -expedient but it was the best they could do. In the hot climate the -water evaporated quickly and the cloths were made cooler from this -cause than they otherwise would have been. Bob seemed a little easier, -though he continued to moan and murmur in his delirium. - -It was a long, weary night and, when the gray dawn began to show, Ned -and Jerry were two very much alarmed youths. - -"If the professor would only come back!" exclaimed Ned. "He'd know what -to do for Bob. He always carries medicine with him. I wish he would -come." - -"Maybe he left some of his medicines in the boat." - -"If he did I wouldn't risk using them. We might give Bob the wrong -thing." - -"That's so. I wonder if anything could have happened to Mr. Snodgrass?" - -"I hope not," responded Ned. "Still he ought to be back by this time." - -"Give me some ice water!" suddenly called Bob, sitting up on the cot. - -"I wish we had some," said Jerry in a low voice as he gently pushed his -chum's head back on the pillow. "He's on fire," he added, turning to -Ned. - -"Give him some more nitre." - -The medicine was administered with considerable difficulty for, as the -fever progressed Bob fought against taking it, as the stuff was not -very pleasant. Still Ned and Jerry knew it was the only thing they had, -and they fairly forced Bob to swallow it. - -The day was worse than the night, though at times the patient dozed and -was quiet. The two youths listened for every sound that might indicate -the return of the professor but he did not come. It grew hotter and -hotter and then it began to rain. - -With the storm came a cloud of mosquitoes that made life miserable for -the boys. It was stifling to stay in the tent, yet that was their only -refuge. They had mosquito netting, and this kept out the most of the -pests, but Ned and Jerry had to make frequent trips to the lake for -fresh water, and on these occasions the insects pitched on them with -great violence. - -Bob grew worse, and the two watchers were much alarmed. They did not -know what to do. They only had a little of the nitre left and it did -not seem to be doing any good. The truth was Bob needed a much stronger -remedy than that which the boys had. - -All day long the rain fell and the next night was one of the worst -the boys had ever put in. They took turns sitting up with Bob who -continually cried for ice water when there was none to be had. Ned and -Jerry lived on cold victuals. As for Bob he only sipped a little water -now and then. - -"Do you think he'll die?" asked Ned in gloomy accents, as Jerry awoke -to take his turn at watching. - -"No! Of course not. What makes you think that?" - -"Because he doesn't seem to get any better." - -"He can't get better at once. I think it was that yellow fruit he ate -which has made him sick. You and I didn't take any and we're all right." - -"Then Bob is poisoned." - -"I'm afraid so. Still this may be the worst of it. As long as he has -gotten along so far, with nothing more than a high fever, I'm sure -he'll pull through." - -But the fever was bad enough. Bob began to weaken under the attack. The -second day he could not raise himself in bed. He reclined there with -closed eyes and his breathing was more labored. - -"Why doesn't the professor come!" exclaimed Ned. - -"I tell you what I believe!" exclaimed Jerry. "Mr. Snodgrass is being -detained by those negroes!" - -"Do you think so?" - -"I do. I believe they had a plot to get possession of all our things. -We scared off those who came to the camp but the others have Mr. -Snodgrass a captive, I'm sure." - -"What are we going to do? If Bob doesn't get some other medicine -soon--he'll die." - -"I know what I'm going to do!" said Jerry in determined tones. - -"What?" - -"I'm going to find the professor!" - -"How can you?" - -"I'm going to follow that little stream," and Jerry pointed to the one -up which the scientist had journeyed in the canoe with the negroes. - -"But you have no boat. The _Dartaway_ draws too much to take up that -creek." - -"I know it. I'm going to walk. I see there is a sort of path along the -edge of the stream. I'm going to see where it leads to. I may not find -the professor, but I'll try and find some one who can help us. Maybe -I can run across a band of Indians and get some of their remedies. If -only Ottiby was here he'd be able to give Bob something to make him -well. Will you be afraid to stay here alone with Bob, Ned?" - -"No, of course not. But hurry back. There's no telling what may happen." - -"I'll bring the professor back with me, or some medicine for Bob," said -Jerry, as he prepared for his journey. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -THE RECEDING WATER - - -Jerry started off early the next morning. The rain had ceased but there -was a thick fog and, because of the moist vegetation of the tropics, -water fairly dripped from the trees, festooned as they were with long -streamers of moss and vines. - -"I hate to leave you, Ned," Jerry remarked as he shouldered his gun -and put some bread and pieces of bacon into his pocket. "But it can't -be helped. I'll try and get back by night, even if I don't find the -professor." - -"Do the best you can, Jerry. I'll look after Bob." - -It was with no small sense of loneliness that Ned watched Jerry -disappear into the forest. The trees soon hid him from sight and -then Ned set about getting the camp in some sort of order, for they -had rather neglected it of late. Bob turned and tossed on his couch. -The fever still burned within him but he was much weaker and did not -need to be so closely watched. For want of something better Ned -administered more nitre, and Bob no longer fought against taking it. - -"Poor Bob!" said Ned with a sigh. "I'd rather you'd kick up a fuss. I'd -know then you had some life left in you." - -But Bob meekly swallowed the mixture, and when Ned took his arm from -under his chum's head it fell back listlessly on the pillow. - -Ned thought the day would never end. He had not the heart to cook -anything and ate the remainder of the cold food. He sat in front of the -tent gloomily looking at the lake and wondering whether Jerry would -find the professor. - -Now and then Bob would call out but when Ned hurried in he would -find his chum murmuring in delirium. All he could do was to wet the -fever-parched lips with water, and renew the damp cloths on the -sufferer's head and chest. - -"Poor Bob," said Ned with a sigh. "I wish you hadn't eaten that strange -fruit." - -As the afternoon wore away Ned listened anxiously for the sound of -Jerry's returning footsteps. For want of something better to do to -while away the time he began cleaning the engine of the _Dartaway_. - -It was while doing this that he happened to look at the edge of the -lake. Something queer about it attracted his attention. - -"If I didn't know differently," he said to himself, "I'd say the tide -was falling. It looks just as if the water was lower." - -Feeling sure that such a thing was impossible, Ned went on working at -the engine. A little later he again gazed over the side of the boat. -This time he started in surprise. - -"I'm positive that stone wasn't so far out of water the last time -I looked," he said, speaking aloud. "I wonder if this lake can be -connected with the ocean in some manner, and is affected by the tide? -No, it can't be, or we'd have noticed it before. Yet the water is -surely running away." - -He got out of the _Dartaway_. He was much alarmed to see that nearly -half of the craft was now out of the lake, whereas a while before only -the bow-end had rested on the sandy beach. - -"The lake is surely lowering," Ned went on. "I must watch and see how -fast it is falling." - -He marked where the water came on shore and sat down to wait. He was -too much worried to be able to go on working. Bob called, and he went -in to see what was wanted. He gave his chum a drink and administered -some more medicine. He was in the tent a half hour, and when he came -out he was surprised to see that the water was half an inch from the -mark. - -"It's falling at the rate of an inch an hour," said Ned. "This is -getting serious. I wish Jerry and the professor would come back." - -Ned watched the lake. There was no mistake about it, the water was -slowly falling. More and more of the _Dartaway's_ keel was exposed. - -"This'll never do!" exclaimed Ned. "In a short time the boat will be -aground and we'll have a hard time getting it afloat again. I must -shove it further into the lake." - -He tried to do it but found the task was beyond his strength. Pull, -push and tug as he did he could not stir the boat. The stern, with -the screw, was still in deep water and he started the engine on the -reverse, hoping to be able to have the craft move out further into the -lake under its own power. But though the propeller churned the water -the craft did not budge. - -"It's no use," remarked Ned. "I'll have to wait until Jerry and the -professor come back. I wonder what makes the water flow away? It can't -be the tide." - -He was much puzzled, and the more he thought of it the more he was -alarmed. Suppose the lake should suddenly go dry? It would be -impossible to get the _Dartaway_ to Lake Okeechobee in that case and -they would have to abandon the craft in the everglades. Worse than -that they would have hard work in leaving Florida, as they were in an -uninhabited part. - -"We certainly are up against it!" exclaimed Ned, as he shut off the -engine after his fruitless attempt. "What in the world am I going to -do?" - -There was no one to answer his question, and once more he sat down -despondently in front of the tent and gazed at the receding water. - -It was beginning to get dusk and Ned knew it would soon be dark as -there was practically no twilight in this semi-tropical land. - -"I wish Jerry would come back," he murmured. "I don't like the idea of -staying here alone with Bob all night." - -He went into the tent to give the patient a drink. As he was coming -out he heard the crackling of underbrush. It indicated the approach -of some one. Ned hurried to the flap of the tent. He saw through the -semi-darkness a figure approaching. - -"Jerry!" he called. - -"Yes, it's me, Ned. How's Bob?" - -"No better. Did you find the professor?" - -"No. I went as far as I could. The path ended in a deep swamp and I -couldn't see any way to get across. I had to come back. Is everything -all right?" - -"No, Jerry. I'm afraid we're in for a streak of bad luck." - -"How so?" - -"Butterfly Lake is lowering." - -"The lake lowering! What do you mean?" - -"I hardly know myself. Either it's connected with the ocean and the -tide is falling, or the bottom has dropped out." - -"This lake isn't connected with the tide." - -"Then there's a leak in it." - -"Are you sure, Ned?" - -"Take a look." - -The two youths hurried down to the edge of the water. Ned pointed to -the _Dartaway_. The water had receded so much that the propellor was -part way out. - -"You know how it was when we left it," said Ned. "Now look at it. I -tried to get the boat off into deeper water but I couldn't. Queer, -isn't it?" - -"More than queer," responded Jerry in tired accents, for he was very -weary. "This is serious, Ned. We'll have to do something." - -"Better have something to eat first," suggested Ned. "You're played -out. I'll make some coffee." - -He lighted the fire and soon had some of the steaming beverage ready. -He took some and so did Jerry. Then they looked at Bob. The poor chap -was no better, but the boys were a little encouraged that he was no -worse. - -"He's holding his own," remarked Ned. - -"Yes, but if the fever doesn't break up soon he'll--" - -Jerry didn't finish, and Ned did not ask him what he meant. - -"The nitre is all gone," went on Ned. "I don't know what to give him -now." - -"We'll bathe him in witch hazel," suggested Jerry. "That has alcohol in -it, and I've heard that's what they wash fever patients in. It may do -him some good." - -Bob did seem a little more comfortable after Ned and Jerry had sponged -him with the witch hazel, of which they had a large bottle. But the -fever was soon raging again, and poor Bob tossed more restlessly than -before, while he murmured in his delirium of ice water and other -cooling drinks. - -Morning came at last. As soon as it was light Jerry hurried down to the -lake. What he saw caused him to cry out in surprise. The _Dartaway_ -was now ten feet from the edge. - -"There's only thing to do!" exclaimed Jerry. - -"What is that?" asked Ned. - -"We've got to get the boat into the deep water. Otherwise it will soon -be so far away we can't float her." - -"How are you going to do it?" - -"We'll have to cut down some small trees for rollers and edge it along -that way." - -"But what about Bob?" - -"We'll have to put him on board first." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -THE PROFESSOR RETURNS - - -Urged on by the seriousness of their plight, the two boys lost no time -in getting to work. With small axes which formed a part of their camp -accessories they chopped down several palmetto trees. They were of soft -wood and easy to work. Ned and Jerry soon had several rollers made. - -These were placed in position to slide the boat on them into the lake, -which kept receding. - -"How we going to get back into Lake Okeechobee," asked Ned. "The -connecting river must be dried up by this time." - -"Probably it is, but we've got to get the _Dartaway_ afloat now or -never. We'll have to take our chances on getting out of here." - -Before rolling the boat down into the receding water the awning was put -up and a bunk gotten ready for Bob. Then he was carried down into it. -He was too sick to know or care what was going on. - -"Now for some hard work," remarked Jerry, as he and Ned got ready to -move the _Dartaway_. - -They found it a difficult task. More than once they felt like giving -up but they knew they must proceed if they were to have the use of -their craft. It took them almost half a day to accomplish it. They used -long branches of trees for levers and, inch by inch the motor boat was -shoved astern until the propellor dipped once more into the lake. - -"Almost done!" exclaimed Ned with a sigh. - -"Yes, thank goodness," echoed Jerry. - -Half an hour more of work and the craft floated. The boys brought their -camp stuff and packed it into the boat, striking the tent since they -could no longer remain on shore so far away from the water. Fortunately -the falling of the lake left exposed a hard shell beach instead of a -lot of soft mud, or the boys would never have been able to make trips -back and forth with their camping accessories. - -"Now what?" asked Ned as they sat in the boat. - -"We'll have to wait here, or in this neighborhood, for the professor," -said Jerry. "He's liable to come back at any minute." - -"If he comes back at all!" - -"It does look bad," admitted Jerry, in answer to Ned's gloomy words. -"But I guess he can take care of himself." - -"Those negroes are ugly customers," said Ned. "I wish we could come -across Mr. Seabury again. He might be able to suggest a plan." - -"I'm afraid we'll not see him in a hurry. He can't get to us and we -can't get to him with the river that connected the two lakes all dried -up. I wonder what caused this sudden falling away of the water?" - -"You've got me," replied Ned. "I've puzzled over it until I can't think -straight. But let's cruise about a bit. It's hot and we may strike a -breeze out on the lake. Perhaps we can find the outlet through which -the water is all disappearing." - -To this plan Jerry agreed. It was much cooler with the boat swiftly -in motion, and Bob seemed to feel easier. Now and then he would rouse -up and ask some question, but, before his chums could answer he would -again sink into the stupor of fever. The boat was sent in a wide -circle of the lake. It was so large that it did not seem to have grown -appreciably smaller when the chums looked at it some distance from -shore. But once the beach was approached the appearance of rocks that -had long been under water told the story. - -"We don't want to go very far away from where we were camped," said -Jerry. "It would be too bad if the professor should come back and not -find us. We must keep within sight of where we were." - -They passed the afternoon cruising about in sight of where they had -last seen Mr. Snodgrass. When it grew dark, lanterns were lighted and -hung about the boat. - -"He can see them from shore and hail us," remarked Jerry. - -"Hark!" cried Bob, suddenly sitting up in his bunk. "My mother is -calling me! I'm coming!" he cried and began throwing off the light -covering which Jerry had placed over him. - -"His mind is wandering," said Ned as he hurried to his chum's side. "He -fancies he hears some one calling." - -At that moment there came a voice from out of the darkness. A voice -sounding far away. - -"Boys! Where are you?" came across the water. - -"What's that?" cried Jerry. - -"The professor!" exclaimed Ned. "It's his voice!" - -Jerry sprang to the engine and set it in motion. - -"We're coming!" yelled Ned. - -Jerry opened the muffler and the sound of the motor's explosions -sounded loud on the still night. - -"He'll hear that better than he will our shouts," he remarked, as he -steered the boat toward where the camp had been. - -Bob grew quieter as the motion of the boat soothed him. In a short time -the craft was close enough to shore, for the professor's voice to be -plainly heard. - -"What's the matter?" he called. - -"Bottom dropped out of the lake," cried Ned, giving his favorite reason -for the strange action of the water. "We'll come as close as we can. -Are you all right?" - -"Fairly so," answered Mr. Snodgrass. - -He was soon aboard and, in a few words, the boys told him what had -happened since he went away. - -"Bob sick!" the scientist exclaimed. "Let me look at him. I have some -medicine among my things." - -By the light of a lantern Mr. Snodgrass examined Bob. He seemed grave -when he had finished and at once began searching among his boxes. - -"Is he--is he very bad?" asked Jerry. - -"I'm afraid so," was the reply. "The fever has been allowed to run too -long. You did the best you could, but the medicine you had was not -strong enough. What I have will hardly answer but it is the best I can -do. It may break up the fever. I'll try it at any rate." - -The professor soon had a dose mixed and gave it to Bob. In a little -while the lad's breathing was easier, and he seemed to be sleeping more -naturally. - -"Perhaps it will do," said the scientist, as he felt of the patient's -pulse. - -"Now tell us about yourself," urged Ned. "We were very anxious about -you. What happened?" - -"Well, I had rather a narrow escape. Mr. Seabury was right about those -scoundrels. They wanted to rob me, and had no intention of leading me -to where I could find the rare butterfly. I discovered this when it -came night and they said it was two days' journey further on. I wanted -to come back, as I knew you would be worried, but they acted so ugly I -thought I had better do as they wished. I stayed with them in a rude -camp they made, but I didn't go to sleep. I heard something which made -me think they might attack you boys." - -"They did but we drove 'em off," said Jerry. - -"Good for you! Well, I insisted on being led to the butterflies the -next day, but they kept making excuses. Finally I managed to get away -by a trick and I started for our camp. - -"I lost my way and had to spend another night in the everglades. -Fortunately I had my compass with me and I had taken note of the -general direction we traveled in. There are some trails through the -everglades and I managed to follow them. At last I struck the one along -the stream on which they had taken me in their canoe and I knew I was -safe. But I didn't get my butterfly. Now what is this about the falling -lake?" - -The boys told him, and Mr. Snodgrass looked worried. He could not -explain the phenomenon, but said they would make an investigation in -the morning. - -In spite of his weariness the scientist insisted on sitting up that -night with Bob. The boat was anchored well off from shore but near -enough to be pulled in by a rope and in the morning Bob was much better -though very weak. - -"I think he'll come around," remarked the professor. "I'd like a -different kind of medicine for him, but perhaps we can find Mr. Seabury -and his houseboat. He has quite a stock of drugs, he told me." - -"We can't get to him unless we find another outlet of the lake," said -Jerry. - -"Very well, then we'll look for one," answered Uriah Snodgrass. "Let's -make a tour of this body of water." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -IN THE FLOATING FOREST - - -Putting into operation the suggestion of the professor the boys started -the _Dartaway_ off after breakfast on a tour of the lake. The day was -cloudy and there was a stiff breeze which kicked up something of a sea, -but the motor craft was able to weather heavier waves than any the boys -encountered. - -"There must be an outlet to account for the water flowing away," -remarked the professor, as they speeded along. Bob continued to improve -slightly though he was far from well. His delirium had left him, -however, and he was very weak. - -They traveled many miles around the shores of the lake but discovered -nothing in the way of an outlet. The water seemed to be lowering -rapidly. - -"This is getting serious," remarked the professor as he closely scanned -the surface of the lake. "We've got to do something." - -"The question is--what?" said Ned. - -"We had better go a little farther," continued the scientist. "Then if -we do not discover something, we'll camp for the night. In the morning -we may have better luck." - -It was well along in the afternoon now and Jerry, who was at the wheel, -speeded up the engine to send the craft ahead faster in order to cover -as much of the lake as possible. But no explanation of the phenomenon -rewarded the efforts of the travelers. - -"That looks like a good place to camp," said Jerry, pointing ahead to -a clump of forest. The shores were of sloping gravel and the receding -water has not left exposed a lot of mud. "We can't do better than to -put up there," he added. - -"Are we going ashore?" asked Ned. - -"I think it will be wise," replied Uriah Snodgrass. "Bob is restless in -the narrow bunk and he needs a change." - -The sick boy had dozed off and took no part in the discussion. - -The _Dartaway_ was headed for the place Jerry had indicated, and in a -short time the travelers were ashore with Ned and Jerry making camp and -erecting the tent, while the professor looked after Bob. The boat was -moored by a long rope some distance from shore as they did not want to -find it aground in the morning in case the waters should continue to -recede. They could wade out to it, as the shore was sloping. - -Bob did seem a little better when placed on a comfortable cot in the -tent. However, he took no interest in what was going on but lay with -closed eyes, for the fever still burned in his veins in spite of the -medicine administered by the professor. - -"I must get something stronger for Bob," he said. "If I was near a -drug store I would have no trouble, but out here I'm afraid I can find -nothing that will completely break the high fever. If I met our old -Indian friend he might be able to suggest to me some vegetable remedy." - -"We'd better made everything doubly secure to-night," remarked Jerry as -they prepared to retire. - -"Why?" asked Ned. - -"Because there's going to be a storm, and, if I'm not much mistaken, a -tough one." - -Indeed it did look as though Jerry's prophecy was likely to be -fulfilled. The sun had long since sunk down behind a bank of ominous -looking clouds, and now a fitful wind was springing up, sighing through -the palmetto trees and swaying the long streamers of vines like big -pendulums. Whenever the wind died away momentarily there was a curious -hush over everything, that magnified slight sounds. It grew darker but -with a peculiar yellow cast that gave objects a sickly hue. - -"We're in for a heavy blow," remarked the professor. "Look well to the -guy ropes, boys." - -They needed no urging, but set to with a will, the scientist helping -them, to make their camp secure. As the hours went by, and the signs of -the storm did not increase, they had hopes that it might pass away. - -Ned and the professor stretched themselves out on their cots while -Jerry, who had agreed to take first watch, sat just outside the tent -watching the fitful play of lightning in the western sky. - -"I guess it's coming after all," he said to himself as the flashes grew -more brilliant. Now and then low mutterings of thunder could be heard, -and the wind, which, for the last half hour had died away, suddenly -sprang up with an increased violence. - -Suddenly there sounded a shrill shrieking as though some gigantic -whistle had been blown. So startling was it that Jerry sprang to his -feet thinking that, in some unaccountable way, a steamer had gotten on -Butterfly Lake. But an instant later he knew it was the hurricane, for -the force of it nearly blew the tent over. - -"All hands to help hold things down!" yelled Jerry, springing to a guy -rope as the canvas undulated under the force of the powerful wind. - -Fortunately Ned and the professor were light sleepers. They sprang up -and went to Jerry's assistance. The tent seemed determined to give in -to the wind and collapse, but the three held on until the first fury -of the blast had passed by. It settled down to a heavy blow but the -ropes held. Then with a dash of stinging globules the rain came, and -the storm was fairly on. The three outside the tent were drenched in an -instant, and hastened inside. - -Bob had awakened from the noise of the tempest. He sat up, half -frightened, but when Jerry assured him everything was safe he turned -over and dozed off again, so powerful a hold did the fever have on him. - -It was a night such as the travelers had seldom experienced on any -of their journeys, and they had been in some tight places. There was -almost a continuous rattle and roar of thunder and the lightning was -incessant. Mingled with the rain was the boom of the lake waves on the -shore, for the wind kicked up quite a disturbance on the large body of -water. - -"I hope our boat's safe," remarked Jerry as there sounded a fiercer -burst of the storm. - -It seemed as if morning would never come but at last there was a -perceptible lifting of the darkness and the storm seemed to abate some. -Ned put on an oil-skin coat, and, donning a pair of rubber boots, -ventured out. No sooner had he emerged from the tent than he gave a -shout which brought the professor and Jerry to the tent flap. - -"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Snodgrass. - -"We're adrift!" - -"Adrift! What do you mean? We're not on the boat!" - -"No, but we're on something that's floating. Look over there at those -trees on shore and you can see that we're moving!" - -Jerry and the professor looked. Getting two tall trees in range they -could easily note that they were moving, as the position of the trees -changed with reference to themselves. - -"What could have happened?" asked Jerry. - -"We must have landed on an island instead of on the mainland," said -Ned. "In some way the island got adrift." - -"I think we landed on the main land all right," said Uriah Snodgrass, -"but what happened was this: These everglades are not much more than -floating masses of vegetation, several feet thick it is true, and -capable of supporting large trees. But the fury of the storm probably -cut off from the main land the portion we're on. It floated off and -took us with it. We're in the middle of the lake." - -"Where's our boat?" asked Jerry. - -"Back where you moored it, probably, unless it has also drifted with -us," replied Mr. Snodgrass. - -"Then we're in for a lot of trouble," exclaimed Ned. "What shall we do?" - -"We'd better make some explorations," suggested the professor. "It's -stopped raining. We'll try and discover how large our island is." - -They looked to see that Bob was comfortable, and found him sleeping. -Placing some water where he could reach it, the three set off expecting -to be back in half an hour or so. - -Through the woods they went, seeking to get to the other side of the -floating island to look for their boat. It was hard work tramping -through the underbrush, and they needed all the protection which their -heavy oil-skin coats and rubber boots gave them. On and on they went, -taking little heed of direction, for they were all anxious and worried. - -But the island seemed very large. They had left the shores and were -well into the interior. It was dark and gloomy for the sky was -overcast. Suddenly the professor called: - -"Boys, let's halt a minute." - -Ned and Jerry stopped. They looked at their companion. - -"I'm afraid we've done rather a foolish thing," he said. "Have either -of you a compass?" - -The boys said they had not. - -"Neither have I," went on Mr. Snodgrass. "I left mine in the tent. We -should have been more careful. I don't know in what direction we are -going, nor which way to go back. This island is larger than I thought." - -"Do you think we're lost?" asked Ned, in some alarm. - -"Yes, boys, it looks very much as though we were lost in a floating -forest, and I think we'll have trouble in getting back to camp." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -A CRY FOR HELP - - -With anxious faces the travelers looked at one another. The alarm -caused by the discovery that they were on a floating island made -them forget their usual caution. Even so seasoned a tourist as Uriah -Snodgrass had been at fault, and he did not cease to blame himself for -it. - -"We'll do the best we can," he said. "This is more my fault than any -one else's, as I proposed it in such a hurry." - -"Can't we follow our trail back?" asked Ned. - -"We can try, but I fancy we wandered over rather a crooked one." - -This they found to be true. They managed to follow their tracks -for some distance but soon lost the trail amid the trees and dense -underbrush. - -They had come off without breakfast and the pangs of hunger began to -make themselves manifest. As for the professor, once the first shock of -being lost had passed, he became so much interested in catching some -curious bugs that he paid little attention to the boys. However, they -kept him in sight, for it would not do to become separated in this -dense forest. - -"If we'd only told Bob to fire a gun or do something in case we didn't -return soon," remarked Ned with a sigh. "Poor Bob! I wish we were back -where he is." - -"No use wishing," spoke up Jerry. "We've got to keep on. Maybe we'll -hit the trail soon." - -On and on they wandered but only, it seemed, to get the more hopelessly -lost. The two boys were much alarmed, but the scientist, his whole mind -given over to collecting bugs, was somewhat indifferent. - -"Hark! What was that?" cried Ned suddenly. - -"Sounded like a gun," said Jerry. - -"It was a gun," replied Ned. "It was over this way," and he pointed to -the left. "Come on. Maybe it's a party of hunters." - -Calling to the professor, the boys turned in the direction from which -the report had come. They had not gone far before another gun shot was -heard and they knew they were in the right direction, but toward whom -they were going they did know. - -"Anyway it's some person or persons," argued Ned. "We can help them or -they can help us. We'll have company if we are lost." - -The gun continued to be fired at intervals and but for this the three -would not have known how to proceed. The reports sound very close now -and in about ten minutes the two boys and the professor saw something -white glimmering before them in the light of the sun that was just -breaking through the clouds. - -"There's the lake! There's water! We're on the shore!" cried Jerry. - -A few moments later they had emerged from the dense forest and saw -before them their own tent with Bob at the entrance loading and firing -his rifle. - -"Good boy!" cried Ned. "How did you think to do it, old chap? How are -you?" - -"I was worried when I found you all gone," said the invalid. "I thought -you might have gone off in the woods and, as I looked out of the tent -I thought I saw the land moving. That scared me and I got up. I feared -I was on a floating island so I fired the gun to call you back as I -didn't know what had happened while you were away." - -"You're on a floating island all right," remarked Jerry. "We got lost -in the woods, looking for some way out of the difficulty, and your -firing gave us the right direction." - -"How do you feel, Bob?" asked the professor. - -"A little better, I think." - -But Bob's flushed face and unnaturally bright eye did not bear out this -statement. - -"You had better go back to bed," decided Mr. Snodgrass. "I'll give you -some more medicine. I think you are getting a touch of malaria mixed -with your fever." - -The exertion of getting out of bed and firing the gun had greatly -weakened Bob and he was much worse. They ate a hurried breakfast, and -the professor gave the patient some more medicine. - -"We ought to look for our boat," said Ned. "If we lose that it's all up -with us. Suppose we walk along shore. We may get a sight of it." - -"Good idea," agreed Uriah Snodgrass. "I'll stay here with Bob and you -and Jerry can move in opposite directions. You can't get lost if you -follow the shore and the one who first sights the boat can fire three -shots and they will call the other to him." - -Ned and Jerry agreed that this was a good plan and started off. Ned -walked quickly along the shore, keeping a watch for the _Dartaway_ but -the sight of her did not reward his eyes. As he was proceeding, having -tramped for over two hours, he heard a noise in the bushes just ahead -of him where a little point of land jutted out into the lake. - -"Some one is coming," reasoned the lad, holding his gun in readiness as -he thought of the ugly negroes. - -An instant later a figure came into view. Ned started as he caught -sight of it. He could not see it distinctly but he observed a gun -barrel. Then he had a glimpse of a red cap. - -"Jerry!" he called. "Is that you?" - -"That's who it is! I was just thinking I had met an Indian or a colored -man. See anything of the boat?" and Jerry stepped from behind the -bushes and confronted his chum. - -"Not a sign. Did you?" - -"No, and between us, we completed the circuit of the island. Must be -about six miles around it." - -"No boat," murmured Ned. "What are we going to do?" - -"Land only knows. This island is still floating, and it seems to be -continually moving in the same general direction--that is south. Maybe -the boat is drifting also and we'll catch up to her or she will with -us." - -"I hope so. But we'd better go back now. I hate to take bad news to the -professor, though." - -There was no help for it, however, and soon the two youths were -tramping back toward camp. The scientist was much disappointed that -they had not been successful, but he was more worried over Bob's -condition. - -"I'm afraid of the result if he doesn't get different medicine soon," -he said. - -The day was a gloomy one in spite of the fine weather that followed the -storm. The campers were in no mood for doing anything and sat about -listlessly, now and then taking an observation to see how their island -was behaving. It seemed to be about in the middle of the big lake, -though moving slowly southward. - -"It's bound to fetch up somewhere," observed Ned. - -"If it doesn't strike some low place in the lake and become anchored," -replied Jerry. "But I don't see that we can do anything. We might swim -off when it gets near the mainland, but we'll be in a bad way without -our boat." - -There were uneasy sleepers in camp that night. Early in the morning Ned -and Jerry were up to see if, by any chance, their boat had drifted near -them. - -"We'll take another tramp along shore," proposed Jerry. - -Once more they started off. Jerry had gone about two miles when he -heard three shots fired. - -"That's the signal!" he exclaimed. "Ned must have sighted the -_Dartaway_!" - -He hurried back, passing through the camp and telling the professor -what he believed had happened. Nor was he mistaken. He found Ned pacing -up and down the shore, stripped to his underwear and ready to plunge -into the lake. - -"Do you see it?" called Jerry. - -"Looks like her off there," and Ned pointed to a speck on the lake. -"I'm going to swim out to her." - -"Is it safe? There might be alligators or big snakes." - -"I've got to take a chance. We can never get away from here without the -boat. You watch me and if you see anything that looks dangerous--why -shoot." - -Ned waded out into the water until he got to his depth and then he -began swimming. Jerry anxiously watched for a sight of some big reptile -or saurian but his fears were groundless. In half an hour Ned had -reached the floating object. - -"I wonder if it's the boat?" said Jerry to himself. - -His question was answered a moment later for, over the surface of the -lake sounded the explosions that told that Ned had started the engine -of the _Dartaway_. - -In a short time the boat was close in shore. Jerry waded out to her and -then, in their recovered craft, the chums headed for camp, where they -found the professor much delighted at their success. - -To avoid a repetition of the floating away of the boat they tied her by -a long rope to a tree close to the tent. Then, in much better spirits, -they sat down to plan what next to do. - -"I think we'd better all get into the boat and hunt for the outlet of -this lake," said Mr. Snodgrass. "There is no question but what the one -leading into Lake Okeechobee is closed. There must be another or the -water would not continue to fall. I believe that--" - -The professor's belief was destined to remain unannounced, for at that -instant there sounded a cry over the water. - -"Help! Help! Help!" - -"Those are girls' voices!" remarked Jerry, springing to his feet. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -THE PLIGHT OF THE GIRLS - - -Once more over the water sounded the cry for help. It was evident -that several persons were calling and, as the boys and the professor -listened, they found that the appeal came from around a point of land -that jutted out into the lake from the floating island, not far from -the camp. - -"Get into the boat!" called Ned to Jerry, as the latter hurried down to -the shore. "We'll find 'em." - -The two were soon in the _Dartaway_ and the engine was started. As the -motor craft moved out of the little cove in front of camp the boys saw -before them three girls in a boat. - -"Help us!" cried the young ladies. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry. - -"We've caught a big fish and it's towing the boat!" - -"More likely an alligator!" exclaimed Ned. "Put a little more speed on, -Jerry. Why, if they aren't Mr. Seabury's daughters! The houseboat must -be nearby!" - -"Sure enough!" answered Jerry. "That's good news. We can get some -medicine for Bob now." - -Though the rowboat was moving at good speed the _Dartaway_ soon caught -up to it. Ned and Jerry saw three very much frightened girls who waved -their hands to them as the boys approached. - -"They're from the _Dartaway_!" cried Rose. "I'm so glad to see them!" - -"Quick!" exclaimed Olivia. "Something has been towing us for an hour!" - -"What is it?" asked Ned, as he tried to peer beneath the water. - -"Oh, a terrible big fish," answered Nellie. - -In a few moments the rowboat was fast to the motor craft and the -smaller one came to a stop. Then there was a flurry in the water just -ahead, and an ugly black snout was thrust up. - -"An alligator!" exclaimed Jerry. He grabbed for his gun and sent a -bullet into the saurian. A greater commotion beneath the surface of the -lake, which was tinged with red, showed that the leaden missile had -gone home. - -"You killed him!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Yes, but it wasn't much of a kill," responded his chum as the -alligator came to the surface, disclosing the fact that it was a small -one, only about five feet long. "Regular baby. How did you girls come -to get fast to it?" - -"We didn't. It got fast to us," replied Olivia. "Rose had baited a big -hook on a stout line, expecting to catch a shark I guess. We laughed at -her but she said she'd catch something with it." - -"And I did," cried Rose. "I let it trail over the side and the first -thing I knew something took my bait and hook and the boat began to move -off. We were scared to death." - -"How did you get here? Where is the houseboat? We left you on Lake -Okeechobee," inquired Jerry. - -"Isn't this Lake Okeechobee?" asked Rose in some alarm. - -"We named it Butterfly Lake," said Jerry, and he told what had happened -since they last visited Mr. Seabury and his daughters. - -"That's queer," said Rose. "We have been cruising about on some -lake, and we supposed it was Lake Okeechobee. I noticed that we went -through quite a narrow place the other evening, made a short circuit -and returned to it, but I thought nothing of it. We anchored the boat -near the passage and we've been there ever since except to-day when we -thought we'd go fishing." - -"Where is this narrow place you speak of; near the one where we were?" -asked Jerry, much interested. - -"No, off that way," and Rose pointed to the south. "Our houseboat is -there yet. We must hurry back or father will be alarmed." - -"You must have found another outlet between the two lakes," was Jerry's -opinion. "That's just what we want as we can't use the one we came -through, owing to the lowering of Butterfly Lake. Have you noticed -that?" - -"Yes," answered Olivia. "Our boat was nearly ashore. But father says -these lakes frequently get low in the summer time when there is not -much rain." - -"We've had enough rain for the last week or so," replied Ned. "However, -no harm is done if we can get back to Lake Okeechobee the way you came -into this lake. We'll tow you back to the place." - -The girls thought this was a good plan. They inquired after the -professor and Bob, and were sorry to learn of the latter's illness. - -"I'm sure father has some medicine that would make him better," said -Nellie. "He has a regular drug store aboard the _Wanderer_. Did the -professor get his wonderful butterfly?" - -"No," replied Jerry and he related the scientist's experience with the -ugly negroes. - -The _Dartaway_, towing the rowboat, was headed back toward where the -girls said their houseboat lay. As they passed the camp Jerry called -to the professor to let him know where they were going, and promising -to ask Mr. Seabury for a list of the medicines he had so that the -professor might select some for Bob. - -"Now you girls will have to tell us which way to steer," suggested Ned, -when they had been puffing along for some distance. "How far did that -alligator tow you?" - -"It seemed like fifty miles," replied Rose with a laugh. - -"It was about an hour," said Olivia, with more regard for correct -details. - -"Then we ought to be there soon," declared Jerry. "That alligator -wasn't going very fast." - -"There's the place!" suddenly exclaimed Nellie. "I remember it by the -three dead trees on a little point of land," and she indicated where -she meant. - -Jerry headed the _Dartaway_ in that direction. He scanned the shore, -which they were approaching, for a sight of an outlet from Butterfly -Lake. As he drew nearer he could see nothing that looked like a -passage. - -"Are you sure this is the place?" he asked the girls. - -"Positive," they all assured him, as they had all taken note of the -three dead trees. - -"It's strange, but I can't see any way out of the lake at this point," -spoke Jerry, standing up and gazing ahead. - -"I know it's the place!" insisted Nellie. "There, girls, see my -handkerchief that I dropped as I was baiting my hook!" - -She pointed to the piece of linen on the bank. There was no mistaking -this bit of evidence. Jerry ran the boat ashore and got out. The girls -followed him and Nellie recovered her handkerchief. - -"This is the place we came through," she said. "The houseboat was -moored right here." - -"But now it's gone and the passage is closed up!" exclaimed Jerry. -"Something very strange has happened." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -OTTIBY TO THE RESCUE - - -For a moment following Jerry's announcement the girls did not know what -to say. The news startled them. - -"Do you mean to tell us that the passage by which we entered here from -Lake Okeechobee is closed?" asked Nellie. - -"It seems to be," replied Jerry. - -"And the houseboat is gone?" asked Rose. - -"Where is it?" asked Ned. "You left it here and now it has disappeared!" - -"Poor father!" exclaimed Olivia. "What can have happened to him?" and -she looked at the startled countenances of her sisters. - -The girls were very much frightened, not only at the disappearance of -their houseboat but because of the strange happening that had closed -the passage, and they were alarmed on account of their father. - -"What shall we do?" asked Rose. "Perhaps those wicked colored men or -some Seminole Indians have captured father." - -"Don't talk of such horrid things!" exclaimed Nellie. "We never should -have left him alone!" - -"The best thing you can do is to come to our camp," suggested Ned. "We -can tell the professor what has happened and perhaps he can suggest -a way out of it. Maybe the passage has become blocked by a mass of -floating vegetation, or an island such as we are on." - -"Are you on a floating island?" asked Olivia. - -"Yes, a regular floating forest," answered Jerry. "I think you had -better come with us." - -There was nothing else to do, and the girls got into the motor boat -while their small craft was towed by the _Dartaway_. In a short time -they arrived at the camp. The professor met them at the shore. He look -worried, and Ned asked: - -"Is anything the matter?" - -"Bob is out of his mind again," replied the scientist. "He seems much -worse. Did you bring a list of medicines? I find I shall need several -kinds." - -"The houseboat is gone," said Jerry. - -"Gone?" and the professor's face looked blank. - -"And poor, dear papa is gone with her," put in Rose. - -Jerry quickly explained what had happened and Ned spoke of his theory. - -"I believe you're right," agreed Uriah Snodgrass. "We are in strange -waters and things have happened that I never would dream of. But, -girls, don't worry. I'm sure your father is all right. I wish I could -find him, as I am worried about Bob, and I'm sure he would have the -very medicine I need to make the boy well." - -"Let me assist in nursing him," said Olivia. "It will help to take my -mind off our troubles." - -"We'll aid you," added Rose and Nellie, and the three young ladies -went into the tent where Bob was tossing in the delirium of fever. The -professor was glad enough of their help and they at once bathed Bob's -head, face and arms in witch hazel which gave him some relief. They -also kept wet cloths on his brow to reduce the fever. - -"Now, boys, we've got a serious problem ahead of us," said Mr. -Snodgrass as he beckoned Ned and Jerry to follow him out of earshot -of the tent. "It seems that we are caught in a sort of trap. We're on -a lake from which there appears to be no outlet, and it is constantly -falling. In a little while there'll be no water in it and if we want -to get back home we'll have to walk." - -"But there must be an outlet or how does the water get out?" asked Ned. - -"I'm afraid the outlet is one that we can't use," replied the -scientist. "I mean an underground one." - -"What's to be done?" inquired Jerry. - -"I have thought of a plan," Uriah Snodgrass continued, "but it is going -to be difficult for we have no tools for working." - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"We might cut a channel through the obstruction that is blocking the -passage through which the girls came." - -"Or we might haul the boat overland," added Ned. - -"Providing the floating island which blocks the passage is not too -great in extent," put in Jerry. - -This was a new phase of the matter. Clearly they could not dig a canal -of any great length, with the primitive tools at their command. Nor -could they haul the _Dartaway_ overland any long distance. - -"It looks as if we were up against it," said Jerry with a doleful sigh. -"We'll have to think of another plan." - -At that moment there was a cry from the tent and the professor hurried -to it, to find that Bob was struggling to leave his cot because of a -fever delusion that there was a big snake near him. The girls were -frightened and it required all Mr. Snodgrass's strength to hold Bob -down until the spell passed. After that Ned, Jerry or the professor -remained on duty with one of the girls, caring for the patient. - -The camp was anything but a cheerful place. The girls wore anxious -looks, and the two boys, in spite of their past experience in getting -out of serious difficulties, had lost some of their good spirits. The -professor did not give way to gloomy thoughts, but it was clear that he -was worried. - -In this way two days passed. Ned and Jerry took turns in cruising about -in the _Dartaway_, looking for some means of egress from the lake, -but none was to be seen. It was at the close of the second day that -Jerry, returning in the motor boat, saw a small craft approaching their -island, which was still drifting slowly. - -"It's a canoe," he said, as he made the _Dartaway_ fast and waded -ashore to camp. "I hope it doesn't contain an advance guard of ugly -negroes or Indians." - -Thinking it best to be on the safe side, Jerry quietly summoned the -professor and Ned. They got their guns and waited on shore. The canoe -continued to approach. The three girls were in the tent with Bob. - -"There are two men in it," said Jerry. - -"Then I guess we can take care of them," remarked the professor. - -"If there aren't a lot more to follow," added Ned. - -On came the canoe. The two paddlers sent it forward at a swift pace. - -"They're Indians," observed Jerry a little later. "One of 'em looks -just like Ottiby." - -"It is Ottiby!" exclaimed the professor. - -This was confirmed a few minutes later, when the Seminole chief stepped -ashore, followed by another bronze-skinned individual. - -"Ugh!" grunted the chief. "Glad to see. This my son, Skamore." - -"We're glad to see you," replied the professor. "We're in a bad fix and -perhaps you can help us, as you know a lot about these queer lakes." - -"Me help. Yo' help Ottiby, Ottiby help yo'," and with that the Indian -squatted down and began to smoke a pipe, which example his son followed. - -Waiting until the red-men had recovered from the exertion of their -paddling, the professor told them of the plight of the party, and also -of Bob's illness. He asked if Ottiby did not know of something that was -good for fevers. The chief grunted and spoke to his son who, without a -word, glided off into the woods. - -Then Ottiby began to talk. He said his son would search for a certain -plant that the Indians used when they had fevers. As for the blocking -of the passage, that was another matter. Ottiby said he and his son -had come to the lake to fish. He knew of no outlet from it other than -the two already described. One was impassable as it was blocked by the -falling of the water and the other was closed by a mass of land--a -veritable floating island. The Indian said he had reached the lake by -an overland route; he and his son carrying their canoe. - -"But me help yo'," finished the Indian. "We go look at place in -mornin'." - -Hardly had he spoken than his son came hurrying back through the -bushes. His hands were empty, showing that his search for the plant had -been unsuccessful. But there was a queer look on his face. He spoke -some words to his father, at which the old chief started. - -"What is the matter?" asked the professor. - -"Hurricane coming," was the answer. "Look out, or all blow 'way." - -As he spoke there sounded a deep moaning sound through the trees of the -floating forest. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -THE HURRICANE - - -The words of the Seminole chief's son were startling enough, and, -coupled as they were with the strange sound of the wind, alarmed the -boys and the professor. - -"What's the matter?" asked Rose, coming to the tent flap as she heard -the commotion outside. It was the first time the girls were made aware -of the presence of the Indians. The professor explained, asking the -young ladies to remain cool as the danger might not be as great as they -feared. - -"Oh! What will become of papa?" cried Nellie. "His houseboat may be -wrecked!" - -"Maybe the chief knows something of the _Wanderer_," suggested Olivia -to Mr. Snodgrass. "Ask him, please." - -To the surprise of all the Indian chief said he had seen the houseboat -on Lake Okeechobee on his way to Butterfly Lake. He described the -location and this showed it had moved away from the blocked passage. -Ottiby had not tried to enter Butterfly Lake through that waterway and -so, was not aware that it was choked up. - -"He has seen father's boat!" exclaimed Nellie. "Was he all right?" - -"Him walk back and forth on deck quick," replied the Indian with a -smile. - -Never had the boys seen such a disturbance of the elements. The rain -came down in sheets and the tent, made of double canvas as it was, -leaked like a sieve. There was such power to the wind that, had the -tent not been protected by the surrounding forest, it would have been -blown over. - -The girls were very much frightened, and cowered down in a corner under -such coverings as they could secure to keep the rain from leaking in on -them. Bob was protected with his chums' raincoats and, throughout the -hurricane, kept murmuring in his delirium about pleasant sunshiny days. - -At last the storm reached its height. The tent seemed fairly to lift -loose from the guy ropes, but they were strong and well fastened, and -the fury of the wind was cheated. The thunder appeared to gather all -its powers for a tremendous clap, following such a stroke of lightning -that it seemed as if the whole heavens were a mass of flame. Then with -an increase in the fall of rain, which lasted for ten minutes and -completed the drenching of everyone in the tent, the tropical outburst -was over. - -Lanterns which had blown out were relighted and the flaps of the canvas -house opened. Ned and Jerry hurried out to wring some of the water -from their clothes, while the professor sent them to the motor boat, -which had been covered with a heavy tarpaulin, for some dry clothes for -Bob. The lightning still flickered behind a mass of clouds in the east -and brought out in sharp outline the tops of the trees on the distant -mainland. Jerry looked at them for a moment. Then he called out: - -"Our island's floating away faster than before!" - -It needed but a glance to show this. Because of the fury of the -hurricane the floating forest had been torn loose from the temporary -anchorage on the bottom of the lake and was being swept along like a -boat. - -"I wish it would take us somewhere so's we could get off this lake," -remarked Bob, as he pulled the _Dartaway_ in and proceeded to get the -clothes from the lockers. - -In the morning they found themselves several miles from where they had -been the night before. The day was a fine one after the storm, and the -girls forgot their fright and the discomforts of wet clothes. - -"Look!" cried Rose suddenly, pointing ahead. "There are the three dead -trees that marked where we left the houseboat." - -"So they are," added Olivia. "Maybe this island will float over there -and we can see if the houseboat is waiting for us." - -"But you forget the blocked passage," said Nellie. - -The island, on which the party was, continued to move slower and slower -as the wind died out. Jerry, who was aiding Ned in the task of getting -breakfast, went down to the shore of the floating island for a pail of -water. He saw the three dead trees, and noted the girls looking at them -and talking about what has happened since they went fishing. He also -saw something else. - -What it was caused him to drop his pail and set up a shout. The -professor and Ned, followed by Ottiby and his son, came running up to -him. - -"What is it?" asked Ned. - -"The passage!" cried Jerry. "See, it is clear now. The hurricane must -have blown the mass of trees and vegetation away and we can get into -Lake Okeechobee now!" - -"Then we can get back to papa on the houseboat!" exclaimed Olivia. -"Oh, girls, isn't it fine! The very storm we were so afraid of has done -us a favor!" - -"I'll make sure of it," Jerry went on, as he and Ned got into the -_Dartaway_. The girls insisted on going also, and soon the five were -puffing toward where could be seen a narrow stream leading from -Butterfly Lake. In a short time they were up to it and Jerry's surmise -was found to be correct. The hurricane had blown the small floating -island clear through the passage into Lake Okeechobee and that big body -of water was now accessible from Butterfly Lake. - -"There's the _Wanderer_!" exclaimed Olivia, pointing ahead, and the -others, looking, saw the houseboat moored at the entrance to the -passage. They also saw Mr. Seabury pacing the upper deck. At the sight -of the motor boat he waved his hands and set up a shout of welcome. - -"Father! Father! Here we are!" cried Nellie as Jerry sent the -_Dartaway_ straight for the _Wanderer_. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -NODDY'S DANGER - - -They were all on board a few minutes later. Mr. Seabury did his best -to hug his three daughters at once and shake hands with Ned and Jerry. -As for the talk--well, it would have taken half a dozen phonographs of -extra power to register all that was said in a short time. - -"There isn't so much to tell," said Mr. Seabury. "When you girls went -out in the boat, leaving the _Wanderer_ about where she is moored now -I was dozing on deck. Pretty soon Ponto called my attention to a swarm -of butterflies some distance away. I had in mind the professor and his -search and I thought I might find just what he wanted. - -"We went after them, but they gave us quite a chase, and when we -thought we had them the whole lot flew inland and we lost sight of -them. Then, when we came back where we had been moored, near the -passage, we found it was gone. I was never so surprised in my life and -I thought I had made a mistake. I didn't know what to do and Ponto was -so frightened he was of no service. Then my old rheumatic trouble came -back with a rush and I had to take to bed. But when the storm ceased -I got better. I found the boat had dragged her anchor, so I had Ponto -start the motor this morning and put us back as near as possible to -where the passage had been. To my surprise it was open again. That's -all there is to it. I don't care what happened as long as I have you -girls back." - -"Nor we as long as we have you," said Olivia, with another hugging in -which her sisters joined her. - -The boys and Mr. Seabury discussed what had happened and came to the -conclusion that all around the two lakes, as well as in them, must -be large masses of floating vegetation in the form of islands which -drifted here and there. The falling of Butterfly Lake would have -affected Lake Okeechobee by drawing water from it through the second -passage had not the small island acted as a dam. When the passage was -opened by the hurricane blowing the island out of the way, there would -have been a strong current from Lake Okeechobee into the other body of -water but for the fact that the smaller lake suddenly ceased falling. - -The boys learned later, from Chief Ottiby, that Butterfly Lake was a -strange one and frequently fell as the water flowed off through some -unknown opening. Then it would as suddenly cease, and regain its former -level. This was now taking place, and the water was again rising. - -"Well, you boys certainly have had some queer experiences since coming -here," remarked Mr. Seabury when all that had happened in the last few -days had been told. "I have been wondering what you came to Florida -for." - -"We came for several reasons," said Jerry. "The professor wanted to -get his rare butterfly, but he hasn't got it yet. We boys wanted some -adventures and we also had a message to deliver to an acquaintance." - -"Yes, and we forgot to deliver it," put in Ned. - -"We will later, however," resumed Jerry. "Also I was going to look up -some land my mother owns somewhere down here." - -"Where is it?" - -"I don't know exactly, but I suppose the deed tells." Later the widow's -son showed Mr. Seabury the document. - -"So your mother thinks this land is valueless, eh?" asked the owner of -the _Wanderer_. - -"She always said she wished she had back the money she paid for it." - -"Well, she's likely to get it," went on Mr. Seabury. - -"Where is it?" - -"Just outside of Kissimmee City. I happen to own a hotel there and -this land is next to it. For several years I have tried to get in -communication with the owner but was not successful. Now I do so by -accident." - -"Why did you want to find the owner?" - -"Because I want to buy the land. I intend to build an addition to my -hotel, as the place where it is located has become quite a summer -colony. I will give your mother a good price for the lot. Do you think -she will sell it?" - -"I'm sure she will. In fact I think I'm safe in offering it to you at a -fair price. I don't know what it is worth, but I'm willing to leave it -to you." - -"No, I don't do business that way. When you get to Kissimmee City, -you can telegraph your mother about the land. You can have it valued -by some real estate dealer, and I'll pay you whatever he says it is -worth. Is that satisfactory?" And Jerry said it was. - -"We mustn't forget Bob!" exclaimed Ned, after this business was -concluded. "The professor wants to know what kinds of medicine you -have, Mr. Seabury. Bob has a bad fever." - -"I have several kinds. I'll take some of them with me and go to your -camp." - -In a short time Mr. Seabury, with Ned and Jerry, was in the motor boat -speeding toward the camp. The three girls were left on the _Wanderer_. - -The professor was glad to see Mr. Seabury, and the two men discussed -Bob's case. The youth was still in the stupor of the high fever, and -Mr. Seabury looked grave as he examined him. However, he administered -some strong medicine. - -Whether the fever had run its course, or whether the medicine Mr. -Seabury gave him was responsible, was not determined, but it was -certain by evening Bob was much better. He continued to improve, and -by the next day the fever had entirely left him. Yet he was far from -strong. - -As the climate of Lake Okeechobee was not doing Mr. Seabury any good he -determined to proceed back north. He left a supply of medicines for Bob -and, expressing the hope that the professor would be successful in his -search for the rare butterfly, prepared to start the _Wanderer_ on her -homeward trip. He agreed to meet Jerry in Kissimmee City in three weeks -and complete the land sale in case Mrs. Hopkins agreed to it. - -There was a little feeling of sadness when the three boys bade the -three girls good-bye, for they had grown to be very good friends. They -expressed the hope that they would meet again soon, and then, with -three toots of her whistle, which were answered from the motor boat, -the _Wanderer_ puffed up Lake Okeechobee. - -The boys and the professor decided to remain in camp another week to -allow Bob to recover fully. At the end of that time they started back -up north, following the shores of Lake Okeechobee, for Mr. Snodgrass -was anxious about getting the rare butterfly. Chief Ottiby and his son -remained on the other lake, as they wanted to do some fishing. - -The _Dartaway_ was not sent along at a very fast speed, as the -professor wanted time to scan the shores in his search for insects. He -began to fear he must return north without the butterfly which meant so -much to him, and the boys, appreciating his feelings, redoubled their -watchfulness in the hope of discovering the creature. - -"This looks like a good place for butterflies," said Mr. Snodgrass one -afternoon, pointing to a little cove which was bordered with woodland -on the edge of a swamp. "Suppose we camp here for a few days?" - -The boys were willing, and the boat was headed toward shore. There was -a long strip of firm land before the swamp was reached and on this the -tent was erected. Then, while the professor, with long rubber boots -on, went into the morass to look for the butterfly the boys walked in -another direction. - -They had not gone very far when Jerry, who was in the lead, called out: - -"Somebody else is camping here." - -"Why?" asked Bob, who had fully recovered from his illness. - -"There's a tent." - -"Can't be much of a party in that," observed Ned. "It's only about big -enough for one." - -"Yes, and I guess there's the 'one,'" observed Bob, pointing to where a -solitary figure stood on a little hummock near the edge of the swamp. -Jerry took one look at the figure and uttered an exclamation. - -"Boys! If that isn't Noddy Nixon I'm a Dutchman!" - -"Noddy Nixon?" repeated Bob. - -"It sure is," added Ned. "But look there! An alligator is right behind -him!" - -"And he doesn't see it!" cried Jerry. - -It was true enough. Noddy was standing with his back to the saurian. He -seemed to be gazing off into the swamp as if looking for some one. - -"Hurry up and put a bullet into it!" yelled Bob, for Jerry had brought -his gun along. - -"We haven't time! Let's yell to Noddy to jump out of the way of its -tail!" suggested Ned. "Now all together!" - -They united their voices in a shout of warning but Noddy never turned. - -"He must be deaf!" exclaimed Jerry. "I'll have to try a shot, but it's -pretty long." - -There was nothing else to do. He raised the rifle and fired. The -alligator gave a spring into the air and Noddy wheeled around. - -"He heard that!" cried Ned, springing forward. The alligator was -evidently mortally wounded. Noddy gave one look at the leaping, -writhing saurian almost at his feet. Then he looked at the three chums -who were running toward him. An instant later he had disappeared into -the swamp-forest. - -[Illustration: NODDY GAVE ONE LOOK AT THE WRITHING SAURIAN] - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -THE BUTTERFLIES--CONCLUSION - - -"Well of all the queer actions!" exclaimed Jerry as he reached the spot -where the alligator was stretched out dead. "I think Noddy must be -crazy!" - -They discussed the matter at some length and decided they had better -tell the professor about it. They found the scientist tired out with -his long and unsuccessful search for the rare butterfly. - -"Maybe Noddy's troubles have sent him temporarily out of his mind," -said Mr. Snodgrass. "I think it is our duty to do what we can for him, -even if he has, in the past, acted as the enemy of you boys. We'll go -see him in the morning." - -They started off early the next day for Noddy's camp. As they -approached they saw the youth standing in the same place he had -occupied the previous day. - -"Hey, Noddy!" called Jerry when still some distance away from him. - -"The wind is blowing the wrong way. He can't hear you," remarked Mr. -Snodgrass. "Try again." - -"Noddy!" called Jerry. Still Noddy did not turn his head. Then all -three boys united in a chorus of shouts. The Cresville bully gave no -indication of having heard them. - -"He's deaf!" exclaimed the professor, and this view of the matter -was confirmed a moment later when Ned, having touched Noddy on the -shoulder, was confronted by a very much surprised youth. Jerry, Bob -and Mr. Snodgrass joined Ned at Noddy's side. The latter looking in -wonderment from one to the other, took out a piece of paper and a -pencil and, handing them to Jerry, said: - -"I am totally deaf. I ate some queer kind of red berries and I've lost -my hearing. You'll have to write out your questions for me." - -"What are you doing here?" wrote Jerry. - -"I'm camping here until I have that dispute over the cocoanut grove -settled," Noddy replied with something of his old manner. "I've got a -colored man staying with me. When I found I was deaf I sent him off to -the village for some medicine. He hasn't come back and I guess he ran -away with my money. I was watching for him to come on a path through -the swamp yesterday when that alligator got after me. I couldn't hear -you when you yelled at me, but I felt the ground tremble when the -alligator threshed around after you shot it. I was so frightened that I -ran away." - -The professor, who was impressed by Noddy's plight, urged him to -accompany the boys back north. The three chums were willing to let -by-gones be by-gones, and aid their former enemy, who was glad enough -to accept help. His money was all gone and his food supplies running -low. What he would have done had not the boys discovered him would be -hard to say. - -Noddy's tent was taken down and he was brought to the other camp. -There, made miserable by his deafness and his failure to secure a -cocoanut grove, he sat apart, refusing to talk. - -That evening, when the three chums were beginning to wonder if Mr. -Snodgrass had not become lost in the swamp, they heard a shouting along -the path that led through the morass. - -"That sounds like him," said Bob. - -"It is!" exclaimed Ned a moment later as the professor came into view. -He was fairly leaping up and down, holding something in his hands. - -"Did a snake bite you?" inquired Jerry anxiously. - -"No! I've got three of the butterflies! I caught them in the swamp a -few minutes ago!" cried the delighted professor, and, hurrying up to -the boys he showed in a little glass-sided box, the beautiful insects. -The bodies were pink, while the large wings were of mingled blue and -gold. - -"I've got them!" repeated Mr. Snodgrass. "They were feeding on some -beautiful flowers and first I thought they were blossoms, but their -wings moved and I put the net over them. Now I'll get the reward and a -commission to travel all over the world for the museum. Oh, boys! This -has been a most delightful trip!" - -"With certain parts left out," murmured Jerry, and Bob agreed with him. - -"We'll start back to-morrow," went on the scientist. "I want to get -these butterflies to the museum as soon as possible." - -They broke camp the next morning. Noddy, sullen and unhappy, -accompanied them. Now that his mind was at peace from having secured -his prize, the professor began to study Noddy's case. He learned what -the red berries were, and by looking in some of his scientific books -discovered a remedy. This he administered the unfortunate youth who, in -a few days, had his hearing completely restored. - -"We'd better give him the message now," said Jerry one afternoon, and, -as communication was now easier Noddy was told of being wanted as a -witness in the lighthouse matter. He said nothing on hearing this, but -showed by his manner that he was alarmed. - -"I don't believe he'll answer that summons," ventured Jerry, and he was -right. The next morning Noddy's bunk in the _Dartaway_ was vacant. He -had slipped away in the night. However, the chums did not worry about -him as they were near Kissimmee City and they thought Noddy could take -care of himself, now that his hearing was restored. - -Mr. Seabury was found at the hotel adjoining the land Jerry's mother -owned. In response to a telegram from her son, Mrs. Hopkins authorized -him to sell the land to Mr. Seabury, and it was disposed of for a -goodly sum. - -"You must stay at my hotel for a week or so," said the gentleman to the -boys. To this they agreed. Uriah Snodgrass, however, took the first -train he could get for the north. - -"Where are you going next?" asked Rose, of Jerry one day. - -"We haven't made up our minds," answered Jerry. "Where are you going?" - -"We three girls are probably going with papa to California. He thinks -the climate there may do him good." - -"I'd like to go to California myself," put in Ned. - -"Yes, and sail on the Pacific," added Bob. "Say, that would be fine, -eh?" he cried. - -"We'd like to meet you out there," said Nellie. - -"It would be glorious!" cried Jerry. And how they did meet, and what -strange adventures befell all, will be told in another volume, which -I shall call, "The Motor Boys on the Pacific; Or, The Young Derelict -Hunters." It was an outing that none of them ever forgot. - -"Well, there's nothing to keep us down south any longer, I guess," -remarked Jerry one morning. "What do you say that we start back north? -The professor has gone on with his butterflies, I've sold mother's -land, and we did Noddy a good turn." - -"Not to mention that we had more adventures than we counted on," said -Bob. - -"And met some nice girls," added Ned, with a sigh, for Ned had rather a -soft spot in his heart for all young ladies. - -"Then let's arrange to go home," urged Jerry, and they did. - -So here, for a time, we will take leave of the motor boys. That they -were destined to take part in many more incidents seems very probable, -for they were boys who did not hesitate to undertake anything that -offered a spice of novelty, nor were they deterred by a little -flavoring of danger. - - -THE END. - - -Printed in U. S. A. - - - - -THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES - -By CLARENCE YOUNG - -_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid_ - - -[Illustration] - - The Motor Boys - _or Chums Through Thick and Thin_ - - The Motor Boys Overland - _or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune_ - - The Motor Boys In Mexico - _or The Secret of The Buried City_ - - The Motor Boys Across the Plains - _or The Hermit of Lost Lake_ - - The Motor Boys Afloat - _or The Cruise of the Dartaway_ - - The Motor Boys on the Atlantic - _or The Mystery of the Lighthouse_ - - The Motor Boys in Strange Waters - _or Lost in a Floating Forest_ - - The Motor Boys on the Pacific - _or The Young Derelict Hunters_ - - The Motor Boys in the Clouds - _or A Trip for Fame and Fortune_ - - The Motor Boys Over the Rockies - _or A Mystery of the Air_ - - The Motor Boys Over the Ocean - _or a Marvelous Rescue in Mid-Air_ - - The Motor Boys on the Wing - _or Seeking the Airship Treasure_ - - The Motor Boys After a Fortune - _or The Hut on Snake Island_ - - The Motor Boys on the Border - _or Sixty Nuggets of Gold_ - - The Motor Boys Under the Sea - _or From Airship to Submarine_ - - The Motor Boys on Road and River - _or Racing to Save a Life_ - - -THE MOTOR BOYS SECOND SERIES - -BY CLARENCE YOUNG - - Ned, Bob and Jerry at Boxwood Hall - _or The Motor Boys as Freshmen_ - - Ned, Bob and Jerry on a Ranch - _or The Motor Boys Among the Cowboys_ - - Ned, Bob and Jerry in the Army - _or The Motor Boys as Volunteers_ - - Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line - _or The Motor Boys Fighting for Uncle Sam_ - - Ned, Bob and Jerry Bound for Home - _or The Motor Boys on the Wrecked Troopship_ - - - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York - - - - -THE BASEBALL JOE SERIES - -BY LESTER CHADWICK - -_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid_ - - -[Illustration] - - BASEBALL JOE OF THE SILVER STARS - _or The Rivals of Riverside_ - -Joe is an everyday country boy who loves to play baseball and -particularly to pitch. - - - BASEBALL JOE ON THE SCHOOL NINE - _or Pitching for the Blue Banner_ - -Joe's great ambition was to go to boarding school and play on the -school team. - - - BASEBALL JOE AT YALE - _or Pitching for the College Championship_ - -Joe goes to Yale University. In his second year he becomes a varsity -pitcher and pitches in several big games. - - - BASEBALL JOE IN THE CENTRAL LEAGUE - _or Making Good as a Professional Pitcher_ - -In this volume the scene of action is shifted from Yale college to a -baseball league of our Central States. - - - BASEBALL JOE IN THE BIG LEAGUE - _or A Young Pitcher's Hardest Struggles_ - -From the Central League Joe is drafted into the St. Louis Nationals. A -corking baseball story all fans will enjoy. - - - BASEBALL JOE ON THE GIANTS - _or Making Good as a Twirler in the Metropolis_ - -How Joe was traded to the Giants and became their mainstay in the box -makes an interesting baseball story. - - - BASEBALL JOE IN THE WORLD SERIES - _or Pitching for the Championship_ - -The rivalry was of course of the keenest, and what Joe did to win the -series is told in a manner to thrill the most jaded reader. - - - BASEBALL JOE AROUND THE WORLD - _or Pitching on a Grand Tour_ - -The Giants and the All-Americans tour the world, playing in many -foreign countries. - - - BASEBALL JOE: HOME RUN KING - _or The Greatest Pitcher and Batter on Record_ - -Joe cultivates his handling of the bat until he becomes the greatest -batter in the game. - - - _Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ - - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York - - - - -THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES - -BY LESTER CHADWICK - -_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_ - -_=Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid=_ - - -[Illustration] - -_Mr. Chadwick has played on the diamond and on the gridiron himself._ - - - 1. THE RIVAL PITCHERS - _A Story of College Baseball_ - -Tom Parsons, a "hayseed," makes good on the scrub team of Randall -College. - - - 2. A QUARTERBACK'S PLUCK - _A Story of College Football_ - -A football story, told in Mr. Chadwick's best style, that is bound to -grip the reader from the start. - - - 3. BATTING TO WIN - _A Story of College Baseball_ - -Tom Parsons and his friends Phil and Sid are the leading players on -Randall College team. There is a great game. - - - 4. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN - _A Story of College Football_ - -After having to reorganize their team at the last moment, Randall makes -a touchdown that won a big game. - - - 5. FOR THE HONOR OF RANDALL - _A Story of College Athletics_ - -The winning of the hurdle race and long-distance run is extremely -exciting. - - - 6. THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS - _A Story of College Water Sports_ - -Tom, Phil and Sid prove as good at aquatic sports as they are on track, -gridiron and diamond. - - - _Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ - - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York - - - - -THE JACK RANGER SERIES - -BY CLARENCE YOUNG - -_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_ - -_=Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid=_ - - -[Illustration] - -_Lively stories of outdoor sports and adventure every boy will want to -read._ - - - 1. JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL DAYS - _or The Rivals of Washington Hall_ - -You will love Jack Ranger--you simply can't help it. He is bright and -cheery, and earnest in all he does. - - - 2. JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP - _or From Boarding School to Ranch and Range_ - -This volume takes the hero to the great West. Jack is anxious to clear -up the mystery surrounding his father's disappearance. - - - 3. JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES - _or Track, Gridiron and Diamond_ - -Jack gets back to Washington Hall and goes in for all sorts of school -games. There are numerous contests on the athletic field. - - - 4. JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE - _or The Wreck of the Polly Ann_ - -How Jack was carried off to sea against his will makes a "yarn" no boy -will want to miss. - - - 5. JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB - _or From Schoolroom to Camp and Trail_ - -Jack organizes a gun club and with his chums goes in quest of big game. -They have many adventures in the mountains. - - - 6. JACK RANGER'S TREASURE BOX - _or The Outing of the Schoolboy Yachtsmen_ - -Jack receives a box from his father and it is stolen. How he regains it -makes an absorbing tale. - - - _Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ - - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York - - - - - Transcriber's Notes: - - --Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); text in - bold by "equal" signs (=bold=). - - --Printer, punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently - corrected. - - --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. - - --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys in Strange Waters, by Clarence Young - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS *** - -***** This file should be named 44951-8.txt or 44951-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/9/5/44951/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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 Motor Boys in Strange Waters - or, Lost in a Floating Forest - -Author: Clarence Young - -Release Date: February 17, 2014 [EBook #44951] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44951 ***</div> <div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="600" height="936" @@ -9181,381 +9143,6 @@ it makes an absorbing tale.</p></li> <p>Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.</p> </div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys in Strange Waters, by Clarence Young - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS *** - -***** This file should be named 44951-h.htm or 44951-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/9/5/44951/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44951 ***</div> </body> </html> diff --git a/44951.txt b/44951.txt deleted file mode 100644 index bae1d40..0000000 --- a/44951.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7077 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys in Strange Waters, by Clarence Young - -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 Motor Boys in Strange Waters - or, Lost in a Floating Forest - -Author: Clarence Young - -Release Date: February 17, 2014 [EBook #44951] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - -[Illustration: THE CREATURE WAS LASHING ABOUT IN A DEATH STRUGGLE] - - - - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN - STRANGE WATERS - - Or - - Lost in a Floating Forest - - - BY - CLARENCE YOUNG - - Author of - "The Racer Boys Series" and "The Jack Ranger Series." - - - ILLUSTRATED - - - NEW YORK - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY - - - - -BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG - -=THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES= - -(_=Trade Mark, Reg. U. S. Pat. Of.=_) - -12mo. Illustrated - - THE MOTOR BOYS - Or Chums Through Thick and Thin - THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND - Or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO - Or The Secret of the Buried City - THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS - Or The Hermit of Lost Lake - THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT - Or The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC - Or The Mystery of the Lighthouse - THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - Or Lost in a Floating Forest - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC - Or The Young Derelict Hunters - THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS - Or A Trip for Fame and Fortune - - -=THE JACK RANGER SERIES= - -12mo. Finely Illustrated - - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS - Or The Rivals of Washington Hall - JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP - Or From Boarding School to Ranch and Range - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES - Or Track, Gridiron and Diamond - JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE - Or The Wreck of the Polly Ann - JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB - Or From Schoolroom to Camp and Trail - - - Copyright, 1909, by - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - - Printed in U. S. A. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. NODDY'S COCOANUT PLANTATION 1 - II. PROFESSOR SNODGRASS ARRIVES 9 - III. OFF FOR FLORIDA 22 - IV. THE GIANT TURTLE 35 - V. THE PROFESSOR'S TRICK 43 - VI. BOB GETS A SCARE 50 - VII. KILLING A MANATEE 59 - VIII. A MISFORTUNE 69 - IX. NEWS OF NODDY 77 - X. AFLOAT ONCE MORE 84 - XI. THE HOUSEBOAT 92 - XII. JERRY IS HURT 100 - XIII. THE SEMINOLE CHIEF 109 - XIV. CAUGHT IN SAW GRASS 118 - XV. THE BIG SNAKE 126 - XVI. AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER 134 - XVII. INTO A STRANGE LAKE 142 - XVIII. THE WANDERER AGAIN 152 - XIX. A PLOT FOILED 159 - XX. BOB TAKEN ILL 168 - XXI. JERRY SEEKS AID 175 - XXII. THE RECEDING WATER 183 - XXIII. THE PROFESSOR RETURNS 191 - XXIV. IN THE FLOATING FOREST 199 - XXV. A CRY FOR HELP 207 - XXVI. THE PLIGHT OF THE GIRLS 215 - XXVII. OTTIBY TO THE RESCUE 221 - XXVIII. THE HURRICANE 229 - XXIX. NODDY'S DANGER 234 - XXX. THE BUTTERFLIES--CONCLUSION 242 - - - - -THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - - - - -CHAPTER I - -NODDY'S COCOANUT PLANTATION - - -"Shut your eyes," called Bob Baker to his friend Jerry Hopkins, as the -two boys sat in the library of Bob's home. - -"What for?" - -"Never mind. Just shut 'em; that's all." - -"No tricks now. I don't want a mouthful of salt, or find that I'm all -tangled up in a folding chair." - -"No, this is something on my own account. Shut your eyes." - -"All right. Here goes." - -Jerry accommodatingly closed his eyelids. He opened them almost -immediately as he heard a loud thump in the room. - -"What was that?" he asked. - -"That was yours truly," explained Bob. - -"What doing?" - -"I threw my Latin grammar and my algebra over there behind the -bookcase." - -"What in the world did you do that for?" - -"Because I don't want to see 'em again until after vacation, and I -didn't want to see where they fell for fear I'd be tempted to do some -studying to work off my conditions. And I didn't want you to see where -they went to for fear you'd tell me. So I just shut my eyes and let -'em go. They're safe, and when they clean house in the fall they'll -find 'em. It'll be time enough then to begin studying. Vacation's here! -Hurrah for a good time with nothing to do but have fun!" - -"That's so; to-day is the last one for school for more than two -months," remarked Jerry. - -"As if you'd forgotten it!" - -"Well, I wasn't thinking of it, though I'm glad we don't have to do any -more studying for a while. There'll only be the closing exercises this -afternoon and then--" - -"Yes, then what?" asked Bob. "What are we going to do with ourselves -this vacation?" - -"Go somewhere in our motor boat I guess," replied Jerry. "But isn't -that a Latin grammar I see sticking out under the edge of the -bookcase?" and he pretended to start to pull forth the volume. - -"Don't you dare touch it!" cried Bob. "Shut your eyes so you can't see -it!" - -Jerry, however, dodging Bob's outstretched arms, reached for the book. - -"It's a sea story!" he exclaimed. "Looks like a good one, too, from the -pictures." - -"Give it to me! I was looking all over for that. Guess I must have -dislodged it when I threw my school books back there. It is a corking -good yarn." - -"Well, Chunky," went on Jerry (giving Bob the nickname fastened on him -because of his overabundance of flesh), "are the adventures in that -anything like those we had last summer down at Harmon Beach?" - -"Couldn't touch 'em! Those were 'adventures as were adventures,' as -Salt-Water Sam would say," remarked Bob, giving his trousers a nautical -hitch in memory of the odd character to which he referred. "I only hope -we are as lucky in striking a good time this summer as we were on the -Atlantic coast." - -"We generally have been pretty fortunate in that respect," said Jerry. -"I haven't thought much about it this year. I studied rather hard to -win the prize scholarship." - -"Yes, and you got it, which is more to the point, Jerry. As for me, the -harder I bone away the less I seem to know. I don't want to hear school -mentioned again for three months. What do you say to having something -to eat?" - -"Just had my breakfast. Besides it's most time to go to--Oh, I forgot, -you don't want me to mention school. Well, I'll call it the place of -learning." - -"Nobody will be on time this last day," responded Bob. "I had breakfast -myself, but it was an early one, and I can eat again." - -"Never saw the time when you couldn't," observed Jerry, taking care to -get beyond the reach of Bob's fist. - -"Have a glass of milk, Jerry." - -"Well, I don't mind that." - -"I'm going to have some and a bit of bread and jam," went on Bob, as he -disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. - -He came back presently with what looked like enough for a substantial -meal for two hungry boys. Jerry said nothing, as he was familiar with -the eating capacity of his chum. - -"Here comes Ned!" exclaimed Jerry as he finished his glass of milk. -"Better get some more jam, Bob." - -"I will," and before Jerry could stop him Bob had hurried off again. He -returned with more refreshments just as Ned Slade came in. - -"Are you fellows going to school to-day?" asked the newcomer. "It's -almost nine o'clock." - -"Breakfast is now being served in the dining car!" cried Jerry, -imitating the porters on the Pullman coaches. "It's Bob's second -attempt," he explained. - -"You did your share," retorted Bob. "Have some, Ned?" - -"No, thanks. Three meals a day are enough for me," and Ned sat down in -a chair to watch Bob eat. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry. "You look excited." - -"I met Noddy Nixon, on my way here." - -"You don't mean it! So he's back in town again. Did you have a quarrel -with him?" - -"Not exactly,--but we had a discussion. I can't stand him. He makes me -mad every time I meet him, and when I thought of how he and Bill Berry -tried to wreck that vessel down on the coast,--though I guess Noddy -didn't realize what a game Bill was playing--why I feel as though I -wanted to thrash Noddy." - -"Don't blame you," said Bob, finishing the last of the jam and bread -and butter. "What did he have to say?" - -"Oh, a lot of things, but principally that he was going down to Florida -to take possession of a cocoanut plantation he's purchased, or which he -thinks he's bought. I think it's all in his mind." - -"Cocoanut plantation!" exclaimed Bob. - -"Down in Florida?" inquired Jerry. - -"Yes. This is how he happened to mention it," went on Ned. "I was going -past him on the street without speaking, though I was so surprised at -seeing him that I wanted to ask where he came from. However, he saved -me the trouble. He hailed me and, in that sneering way of his, he -said he had something that was better than the gold mine in which we -own shares. I didn't ask him what it was, but he told me. Said he had -bought a cocoanut grove or farm, or whatever they call 'em, and was -going to get rich. He said he was going down in a week or so to live on -the land and be a wealthy man." - -"Do you s'pose he meant it?" asked Bob. "I'm very fond of cocoanut pie." - -"Go ahead," remarked Jerry with a laugh. "You've got Chunky interested, -Ned, as soon as you mention something good to eat." - -"I guess Noddy was in earnest all right," went on Ned. "He insisted -on showing me a lot of papers. It appears he bought the land through -seeing an advertisement in a magazine. You pay so much down and so -much a month, and the advertisement says you can make enough raising -cocoanuts to meet all your monthly installments. Noddy said he had -secured a big tract down there." - -"Where'd he get the money?" asked Bob. - -"From his father, I s'pose. Mr. Nixon is rich, and Noddy is the only -child. That's what makes him spoiled." - -"When's he going down to the land of the everglades?" inquired Jerry. - -"He starts in a week." - -"In what part of Florida is his cocoanut plantation located?" asked Bob. - -"Near Lake Okeechobee." - -"I'd like to go to Florida," observed Bob. "It's a nice place to read -about. Lovely climate, nothing to do but gather oranges, bananas and -cocoanuts, watch the manatees and turtles, lie in the shade and--and--" - -"Get eaten up with sand fleas," put in Jerry. "They have 'em down there -as big as sparrows." - -"I guess if we're going anywhere we'd better be starting for school!" -exclaimed Ned. "It's after nine o'clock." - -The three chums left Bob's house and strolled along the street in the -direction of the academy they attended. Ned continued his recital -of his encounter with Noddy, the town bully who, on more than one -occasion, had proved himself the enemy of the three friends. - -"Oh, he talked a lot about how rich he was going to be," went on Ned. -"He thinks his cocoanut grove is going to put our gold mine in the -shade. Says he'll buy us out in a few months. He was so excited that I -guess he forgot all about how he acted down at Harmon Beach last summer -until I asked him if he calculated to wreck any steamers on the Florida -coast. That made him mad and we had quite a discussion. That's what -ruffled me up. I left him spouting about what he expected to do with -his cocoanuts." - -"I guess all the cocoanuts he'll raise wouldn't make enough pies to -satisfy Bob's appetite," remarked Jerry. "But we'd better hurry, if we -want to get to school before noon." - -None of the chums realized what a part Noddy and his cocoanut -plantation were to play in their experiences that summer, nor in what -an unexpected manner they were to render the bully a service. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -PROFESSOR SNODGRASS ARRIVES - - -The three chums quickened their pace and were soon at the academy, -where they were greeted by a number of boy friends. - -"Where are you fellows going this vacation? Out west, down to Mexico -or the North Pole? Lots of fun--never say die--right side up with -care--automobiles--motor boats--flying machines--don't stop--red -flag--danger--never mind--go on--whoop!" - -"Let up, Andy Rush!" exclaimed Jerry, laughing. "Give us a chance to -catch our breath, please," and he looked at a small boy who, in the -stress of excitement, (which was the state he was continually in), was -trying to talk to the three chums at once. - -"But I want to know," insisted Andy. - -"We don't know ourselves," replied Bob. "Go get a drink of ice water, -Andy. Your windpipe must be hot after all that." - -There was a general laugh at the small boy's expense, and then -the pupils went inside. While they are thus off the stage for a -brief period opportunity will be afforded to make the reader better -acquainted with them. - -The three chums, who, because of their long association with each -other, and the part an automobile and motor boat had played in their -adventures, had come to be known as the "Motor Boys," lived in the -town of Cresville, not far from Boston. They were Jerry Hopkins, son -of a widow who was well-to-do, Ned Slade, whose father owned a large -department store, and Bob Baker, the offspring of a rich banker. - -In the first volume of this series, entitled "The Motor Boys," was -related how the chums became possessed of motor cycles and how, by -taking part in races, they won a large touring car. Their adventures on -the motor cycles were more than equalled by those that happened to them -when they had their auto, as was told in the second book, "The Motor -Boys Overland." They conducted a successful search for a gold mine in -Nevada, and aided an old prospector in securing it, though Noddy Nixon -and his crony Bill Berry tried to get it away from them. It was on this -trip that the boys became acquainted with Professor Uriah Snodgrass, a -learned man whose hobby was collecting bugs and butterflies. - -In recognition of their aid the boys were given shares in the gold -mine, which paid well. It was this mine to which Noddy referred when he -boasted to Ned of his cocoanut grove. - -At the suggestion of Professor Snodgrass the boys decided to take -another trip, as described in the third volume of this series, "The -Motor Boys in Mexico." In this they discovered a buried ancient city, -had fights with the Mexicans, and Bob was kidnapped but escaped. - -Deciding to visit their mine on their way back to the United States, -the three chums had rather a hard time of it. Their doings and the -things that happened to them are told in the fourth book of the series, -"The Motor Boys Across the Plains." They rescued a small boy from the -hands of a bad gang of men, and this boy proved to be the son of a -queer hermit, who lived on the shores of a lake. - -The boys reached home safely, and with quite a sum of money to their -credit. With part of this they purchased a fine, large motor boat, -called the _Dartaway_. In her they had a series of adventures on river -and lake, as related in "The Motor Boys Afloat." They took part in -races, won a prize, discovered the mystery of a strange schooner and -cleared up the robbery of Mr. Slade's department store. - -But more exciting times awaited them. Their next vacation (for all -their fun was had during the summers when there was no school) was -spent at Harmon Beach, on the Atlantic coast, as recorded by me in -"The Motor Boys on the Atlantic." There they made the acquaintance -of "Salt-Water Sam," an old sailor and whaler, and with him made a -successful chase after a whale and a shark. They also uncovered a plot -to change the signals in a lighthouse, so that a steamer might be lured -on the rocks, foiling the men, and aiding the aged keeper and his niece -Jess. - -Noddy Nixon, as the partner of Bill Berry (though Noddy claimed he did -not know of the enormity of the offense) had a hand in the lighthouse -plot. As soon as it failed Bill Berry disappeared and Noddy was not to -be found for some time. Then, as there was no charge against him, Noddy -returned to his home. His father would believe nothing wrong concerning -him, and the bully was soon as bold as before. Being well supplied with -money he had spent some of it in buying land in Florida, as Ned has -already related. Bill Berry did not come back to Cresville, which fact -made the three chums rejoice, for they did not wish to see that rascal -again. - -"Closing exercises this afternoon, which will be short and sweet," -observed Bob, as he and his friends came from the academy at noon, "and -then to map out a summer campaign." - -"Yes, we want to get busy," said Ned. "No use wasting time. You fellows -come to my house to-night and we'll look over some maps and plan a -cruise. The motor boat is better than ever with the improvements we put -on her last fall." - -"I'll be there," called Jerry, as he left his two chums. "I've got to -go on an errand for my mother now, but I'll be on hand after supper." - -"So will I," added Bob. "I may be a little late though, because--" - -"Because he has to eat so much supper; eh, Chunky?" and Jerry laughed -as he shot that parting shaft. - -"I promise to provide a light lunch at ten o'clock if you'll stay that -late," called Ned. "So long!" - -The afternoon exercises passed off successfully, and with farewells -from their teachers the three chums, as well as all the lads in the -academy, bade good-bye to the place of learning and scattered for the -long summer vacation. The motor boys, who were all in the same class, -walked down the street, arm in arm, as three fine lads as one could -wish for,--tall, strong, full of recourse in times of danger, brave and -fearless--excellent types of the American Boy. - -"Let's each think of some plan for a trip," proposed Ned, as they -parted to go to their several homes. "We can talk 'em all over -to-night." - -A few hours later the three chums were at Ned's house. On the library -table he had spread out a number of geographies, guide books and maps, -and the boys were soon pouring over them. They talked a perfect babble, -the only things that could be distinguished now and then being such -expressions as: - -"How about a trip to Maine?" - -"What's the matter with doing the Gulf of Mexico?" - -"We could go to Cuba if the weather kept good." - -"The Bermudas aren't so very far off." - -"Say, we'll never settle anything this way," called Ned after an hour -had been spent in fruitless discussion. "I've got a plan." - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"Let each one write on a slip of paper the place he'd like to go to. -We'll drop the slips in a hat and one of us, blindfolded, can pull a -slip out. We'll go wherever the slip says." - -"Suits me," exclaimed Bob, and Jerry nodded assent. - -Pencils and paper were provided, and the boys were about to write down -their choices when there came a knock on the library door. A moment -later the portal opened and Mr. Slade was looking in on the chums. - -"A visitor to see you," he announced. - -"To see who?" asked Ned. - -"All three of you. Let me present Professor Uriah Snodgrass." - -"Professor Snodgrass!" exclaimed the three boys in a surprised chorus. -"Where did he come from?" - -"I just arrived," announced a little man with very large spectacles, as -he stepped past Mr. Slade and bowed to the boys. "I reached town this -afternoon, and inquired for Mr. Slade's store, as I had some business -to transact. He heard my name, and remembered me. He invited me to call -this evening, and--here I am." - -"Yes, and just in time, too," cried Ned. - -"How is that? Have you just captured a rare specimen of a mosquito or -a June bug for me?" and the professor was ready at once to mount his -hobby and start off on a scientific discussion. - -"Not exactly," answered Ned, "but we are trying to decide where to go -in our motor boat for our vacation. Perhaps you can help us out." - -"I'm afraid not," the professor replied. "I never took a vacation in -my life, and I do not know where would be a good place to spend one. I -know where I am going this summer." - -"Where?" asked Jerry. - -"I am going to Florida, to search for a very rare butterfly. It is -pink, with blue and gold wings, and a certain museum has offered me -five thousand dollars for a perfect specimen. It is to be found in -Florida only, and I am off for the everglades next week." - -"That's a lot of money for a butterfly," remarked Ned. - -"Yes, but the museum can afford it," went on the scientist. "No other -scientific place in the world has this kind of a butterfly and the -museum I speak of will be the envy of all the others. But it is not -only for the money that would come to me that I would like to get that -butterfly. - -"If I succeed I hope to get a position with the museum. A sort of -commission to travel for them into all parts of the world after -curious bugs and relics. That is my ambition, and that is why I am -going to try for this butterfly. It means a great deal to me, as, all -my life, I have wanted to be on the staff of some good museum, in order -to search for curiosities for it. So you see it is not only the five -thousand dollars I am after, though, of course that sum will be very -acceptable." - -"Do you think you can find the butterfly?" asked Mr. Slade, much -interested. - -"I hope so," replied Uriah Snodgrass. "As I have said, it is very rare, -and very difficult to catch. I have read of a number of specimens being -found but they were in poor condition, or discolored, and it is for the -rare coloring of this species that it is desired by the museum." - -"I hope you are successful," answered Ned's father. "I have often -wondered, when looking at the collection of insects in a museum, how -they got so many different kinds. Now I understand. It is due to the -efforts of such men as you." - -Jerry arose from his chair. The light of excitement gleamed in his eyes. - -"I have it, fellows," he cried. - -"What! Not that rare pink butterfly?" cried the professor, showing -great interest. - -"No, but a plan. Let's go to Florida in the _Dartaway_. It will be a -fine trip. We'll take you with us, Professor. There's lots of room." - -For a moment no one spoke. Jerry stood up looking from his chums to the -professor, and then to Mr. Slade. - -"I would like nothing better than to go with you boys," Mr. Snodgrass -answered. "When can you start?" - -"To-morrow!" cried Ned. "That's a fine idea, Jerry! That beats drawing -papers from a hat. Florida it is! What do you say, Bob?" - -"Couldn't be better. I always was fond of oranges and cocoanuts." - -"Then we're off for the everglades!" exclaimed Ned, beginning to do a -dance around the room. "Can we go, father?" - -"Well, I presume it's no use saying no, so I may as well consent," -answered Mr. Slade. "But I guess it will take you longer than until -to-morrow to get ready." - -"We can start next week," put in Jerry. "That will suit the professor." - -"Excellent," spoke the scientist, as he began creeping up on an -unsuspecting June bug that was crawling on the table. - -"That settles it!" remarked Ned. "Now let's get a geography and lay -out a line of march." - -"Is my son here?" asked a woman's voice, and the boys looked up to see -Jerry's mother and Mrs. Slade standing in the library door. - -"Here I am," replied Jerry. "What is it, mother?" - -"I was calling in this neighborhood," went on Mrs. Hopkins. "I knew you -were here and I thought I'd step in and ask you to take me home." - -"Of course I will, mother. We were just planning another cruise." - -"You're always doing that," said Mrs. Hopkins with a sigh. "I can't see -why you boys don't stay home one vacation." - -"We want to see the world," declared Ned. "This time we are going to -Florida." - -"Florida?" asked Mrs. Hopkins as if surprised. - -"Why not, mother?" asked Jerry. - -"Oh, I suppose that place is as safe as any. I was just thinking of -something," Mrs. Hopkins went on. "I once bought some land in Florida, -but after I got the deed I received word that the property was -practically worthless and I never did anything about it. I have the old -deed home now." - -"Where is this land, mother?" asked Jerry. "I never heard you speak of -it." - -"No, because I was sorry I lost the money I paid for it. The land is -somewhere in the central part of the state I believe. I'll show you the -deed when we get home." - -"Yes, and if we get to Florida we'll look up this property," went on -the widow's son. "Perhaps it has increased in value. This gives us -another reason for going to the everglades," and he laughed. - -Once more the three boys began scanning the maps and guide books, while -Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. Slade conversed about household matters. A little -later Jerry escorted his mother home and she showed him the old deed, -of which he took possession. - -"Who knows but what it may prove valuable," he said. - -"I hope it does," remarked Mrs. Hopkins. "I would like to get my money -back." - -Jerry returned to Ned's house, promising his mother to come home again -as soon as more details of the proposed trip were settled. - -"Don't lose that deed," cautioned Mrs. Hopkins. - -Jerry, with a laugh, promised to keep it safely. He found his chums -still discussing the best means of getting to the land of the -everglades. They little realized what lay before them, nor what was to -happen before they reached Cresville again. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -OFF FOR FLORIDA - - -At first the boys had an idea they could go down the Atlantic coast in -their motor boat, and so reach the beautiful land for which they were -bound. But the professor pointed out the terrors of Cape Hatteras, -which is a menace to even big vessels, so the chums decided on another -plan. They would ship the boat from Cresville to St. Augustine and -travel there themselves by rail. From St. Augustine they could start -down the coast, and go up the Indian river. - -"Can't we stop there a while?" asked Bob at this point. - -"What for?" inquired Jerry. - -"Why that's where the best oranges in the world grow," explained Bob, -as if that was reason enough. "Indian river oranges are fine!" - -"You can stay there," said Jerry. "We'll go on to the everglades." - -"I'm not going to stay all alone," remonstrated Bob. "You might wait -while a fellow gathered a few oranges, though," and he assumed an -injured air. - -"The trouble is your idea of a 'few' would mean a boat load," came from -Ned. "But I guess we can gather some as we sail along." - -"Where do you plan to go from Indian River?" asked Mr. Slade. - -"We'll land at Titusville," replied Jerry, running his finger along the -map, "and then--" - -He was interrupted by a sudden movement on the part of Professor -Snodgrass, who had ceased to take part in the conversation, and an -instant later the room was in darkness. - -"I've got him!" cried the scientist eagerly. "He's in my hand on the -table, but I'm tangled up in the gas lamp hose. I must have touched the -stop-cock and turned off the light. Don't move, please, any of you. -Some one strike a light so I can see to put my prize safely away." - -"What is it?" asked Mr. Slade as he ignited one of the gas jets of the -chandelier. - -"One of the rarest specimens of June bugs," was the professor's answer. -"I saw him crawling on the table and I made a grab for him. He was -right under the gas hose hanging down from the chandelier to the table -lamp, but I didn't think of that. I hope I didn't hurt any one." - -"No, you only scared Bob out of his appetite," said Ned. - -"No, you didn't!" exclaimed Bob. "I'm as hungry as--I thought you said -you were going to give us a lunch, Ned? I'm ready--" Then he stopped, -in confusion, for the others burst out into a laugh at him. - -"Don't worry, Chunky. You'll get your lunch in time," spoke Ned. "But -let's get this trip settled first. Have you ever traveled in Florida, -Professor?" - -"I caught some of the finest snakes there you ever saw," replied the -scientist. "I have been over a considerable part of the state, and I'll -be glad to renew my acquaintance with it again." - -"Then you can tell us if our plan is a good one," went on Ned, -informing Mr. Snodgrass of what the boys proposed to do. From -Titusville, Ned explained, they would go by rail, with their boat, to -Lake Tohopekaliga, through the canal connecting that body of water with -Lake Hatchenana, across the latter lake, and again by canal to Lake -Kissimmee. From there they would go by the Kissimmee river to Lake -Okeechobee. - -"That will give you plenty of opportunity for testing your motor boat," -said the professor. "I think the route is a good one. The lower part -of Lake Okeechobee is wild enough to suit any one, and I may be able -to find there the rare butterfly for which I am searching. I will be -very glad to go with you, and I'll be ready to start any time you boys -fix." - -Having given that much attention to the proposed trip, the scientist -devoted himself to the June bug, which was struggling to escape from -his hand. Mr. Snodgrass produced a small box, with a perforated cover, -and in it shut the protesting captive. - -That done he jotted down in his note book certain facts about the bug, -its size, date of capture and the circumstances under which the catch -was made. The professor was nothing if not methodical. - -"Then the first thing to be done," observed Ned, when he and his chums -had once more gone over the map to see if they had selected the best -route, "is to get the boat ready for the trip by rail. I fancy the -_Dartaway_ doesn't like being shipped on a car. She likes the water too -well." - -"No help for it," remarked Jerry. "Some day we'll have a big enough -boat to sail half way round the world in, and we'll not have to depend -on trains." - -"I wonder if we'll meet Noddy when we get to Florida," mused Bob. -"Where did he say his cocoanut grove was, Ned?" - -"He didn't say, exactly, except that it wasn't far from Lake Okeechobee, -and I didn't care enough to ask him. It's somewhere in the lower part, I -believe. But I hardly think we'll meet him. Hope we don't, for we always -have bad luck as soon as he or Bill Berry turns up." - -"I guess Bill will keep out of sight for some time to come," remarked -Mr. Slade, who was listening to the talk of the boys. "I understand the -United States government is after him for his part in the lighthouse -plot, and when Uncle Sam wants a man he generally gets him. So I think -Bill will not trouble you this trip. Well, have you settled everything?" - -"Pretty nearly," answered Ned. "All except that I'll have to have some -money for my share of the expenses." - -"I expected that!" exclaimed Mr. Slade with a laugh. "It takes money, -as well as gasoline, to make a motor boat go. Well I don't mind, as -long as you boys take care of yourselves and don't get into mischief." - -As the parents of the boys were well off there was no difficulty on the -score of funds, though, for that matter, the lads' shares in the gold -mine were more than sufficient to pay their way on the various trips -they made. - -They discussed their plans in detail, now and then appealing to -Professor Snodgrass for his opinion, but the scientist was busy looking -for a specimen of a black snapping bug which had flown in through a -hole in the screen to get at the light, so he paid little attention to -what the boys were saying. - -"Well, I guess that's all," announced Ned, as he closed the big -geography. "We'll start getting the boat crated up to-morrow." - -"Is that all?" asked Bob, with rather a blank look. - -"Yes, what else is there to discuss?" inquired Ned. - -"Chunky would like to discuss that lunch you promised," said Jerry with -a laugh. "Eh, Chunky?" - -"Well--" began Bob, looking somewhat sheepishly at Mr. Slade. - -"Don't mind me," put in that gentleman. "Go ahead with whatever you had -planned. The professor and I will go out on the porch. I'll smoke a -cigar to drive the mosquitoes over to Mr. Snodgrass so he can catch 'em -and sell 'em to a museum," and he laughed. - -The boys had their lunch, and, in justice to Bob it must be said that -Ned and Jerry ate almost as much as he did. They talked, between bites, -of their trip, and indulged in all sorts of conjectures as to what -adventures might lie before them. They imagined strange enough ones, -but they were as nothing to what really befell them when they got to -the land of the everglades. - -The little party broke up about midnight, with mutual promises on the -part of the chums to meet early the next morning and get the _Dartaway_ -in shape for the long trip. - -They met at the river dock, where their boat was kept, and gave the -craft a good overhauling. Some changes had been made in the craft since -the trip on the Atlantic coast. The boat was more powerful, and was so -arranged that they could sleep on board, for it had a portable awning -and side curtains that could completely enclose the craft. Larger -bunkers for the stowing away of provisions and water had been put in, -the machinery had been overhauled and, save for a few minor changes, -the _Dartaway_ was ready for a long trip. These changes were made -during the next two days, and then the boat was enclosed in a stout -cradle. It was put aboard a flat car and, at the end of the week, had -started on the journey to St. Augustine. - -As the boys were walking up the street from the depot they met a man -with a small gray moustache, who looked sharply at them. - -"Excuse me," he said, "but can you tell me where I can find a Mr. Noddy -Nixon? I'm a stranger in town, and I want to see him on business." - -"We can show you where he lives," replied Jerry, "but he isn't home." - -"Where has he gone?" and the man looked surprised at the news. - -"He told me he was going to Florida, to look at a cocoanut grove he had -purchased," interposed Ned. - -"What part, if I may ask?" - -"Near Lake Okeechobee." - -"That's where we're going," put in Bob, who was rather impetuous. - -"Indeed! Are you friends of his?" - -"Not exactly," replied Ned, stiffly. - -"Then you're not going together?" - -"No, he has already started. We're going from St. Augustine in our -motor boat," came from Bob. - -"Do you expect to see young Nixon there?" - -"I don't believe we will," remarked Jerry, wondering at the man's -questions. - -"If you do I wish you would hand him this paper--no, I think perhaps -I had better try and send it through the regular channels," and the -man seemed in doubt. "Would you give him a message if you saw him?" he -asked. - -"We'd be glad to do you a favor," said Ned. "What's it about?" - -"Just tell him to come home at once," was the answer, and the man -seemed very much in earnest. "It is very important. I can't tell you -just what, but say to him that if he does not come voluntarily we will -have to--. No, perhaps you had better not say that. It might frighten -him, and we don't want to do that. Just tell him to come home to attend -to a matter of which he has already received official notice," and the -man returned a bundle of papers to his pocket. - -"We'll do it," spoke up Ned, "though we're not sure of seeing him." - -"I understand. It's only a chance, but I will be glad to take advantage -of it, and I will appreciate it very much if you can get that message -to him." - -The man moved off up the street, leaving the three boys somewhat -puzzled. - -"I wonder who he was?" asked Bob. - -"Don't you know?" inquired Jerry. - -"No; who was he?" - -"One of the government inspectors of lighthouses. I saw him down at -Harmon Beach after Noddy and Bill, and the others in the gang, tried to -wreck the steamer by showing false lights." - -"Then he's after Noddy for his part in that!" exclaimed Ned. "But I -thought they weren't going to prosecute Noddy?" - -"Maybe they want him for a witness against Bill Berry," suggested -Jerry. "At any rate we'll give him the message if we see him. He's -to come home to attend to a matter of which he has already received -official notice. Probably he's been subpoenaed and has skipped out for -fear of arrest. Maybe that's why he said he was going to his cocoanut -grove. Say, boys, I'll wager Noddy has gone to Florida to hide!" - -"But why doesn't the government attend to its own affairs and not ask -us to tell Noddy to come back?" inquired Ned. "That's a queer way of -doing business." - -"Perhaps they haven't any officials down near Lake Okeechobee," -replied Jerry. "It's rather desolate down there, I guess, and it would -be hard work to hunt around for an unknown cocoanut plantation and -locate Noddy. Maybe the matter is not of much importance, and that man -may think we'll do to deliver the message. Anyway I believe I'm right -and that Noddy has fled from Cresville because he's afraid of something -in connection with the attempt to wreck the steamer, and his part in -the attack on Mr. Hardack, the lighthouse keeper." - -"I'd like to see Noddy get his desserts," interposed Bob. "He's done us -a lot of mean turns, but, somehow or other he always manages to sneak -out of the consequences. If I get a chance I'll scare him with this -message. I'll tell him the government detectives are after him with a -pack of bloodhounds." - -"Better wait until we find him," advised Jerry. "Lake Okeechobee is a -big place and there's a slim chance that we will meet Noddy." - -"I thought there was something more than a new cocoanut plantation that -made him want to hurry out of town," spoke Ned. "I remember now he -acted, while he was talking to me, as if he was afraid of some one." - -"That was your imagination," said Jerry with a laugh. "But come on; -let's go home and get ready for the trip, and let Noddy's affairs take -care of themselves." - -The boys packed their belongings, bade their friends good-bye and, on -Wednesday of the following week, were ready to start on their trip to -the quaint old city of St. Augustine. - -"I hope the boat is there, waiting for us," remarked Bob. - -"Yes. It wouldn't be much of a joke if it went astray," agreed Jerry. - -"All ready?" asked Professor Snodgrass, as he came down to the depot. - -"All ready," replied Ned. - -The scientist seemed to have suddenly increased in size, for he bulged -out on all sides. - -"What is it?" asked Jerry, looking in wonder at his learned friend. - -"What? Oh, those are specimen boxes I put in my pockets. I had no room -for them in my trunks," Mr. Snodgrass answered. "I also have a portable -net for capturing insects with. I must lose no opportunities. I may see -some valuable insects on my way down." - -"Here comes the train!" exclaimed Bob, as a whistle sounded in the -distance. "Get your baggage together!" - -There was a confused scramble, as there always is at the last minute, -no matter what preliminary preparations have been made. The boys and -the professor gathered up their grips, for their trunks had been -checked. The train rolled into the station. They scrambled up the -steps, and got seats together. Just as the train was pulling out of the -depot the boys heard some one yelling at them. - -"Hold on! Wait a minute! Stop! I want to speak to you!" was the cry. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE GIANT TURTLE - - -The three chums thrust their heads from the windows nearest them. - -"It's Andy Rush!" exclaimed Jerry, as he caught sight of the boyish -figure running down the station platform. "Wonder what he wants?" - -By this time Andy was under the windows on the side of the car where -the boys sat. The train had not yet gathered much headway. - -"What is it?" asked Ned. "Has anything happened?" for the small chap -seemed quite excited. - -"I wanted to see you last night--couldn't--had too much to do--got -up early this morning--came down here on the run--saw the train -moving--yelled--engineer wouldn't stop--say--if you catch any manatees -down there--Florida I mean--save me a little one--I want to tame -it--will--you--please--can't talk any--more! Out--of--breath!" - -By this time Andy was being distanced by the train and his wind was -almost expended. - -"I'll bring you one!" cried Bob, who was good natured and always ready -to accommodate a friend. "I'll bring you one, Andy," and he waved his -hand to the excited boy. - -"I say, Professor," went on Bob, a little later, "are there any -manatees in Florida?" - -"There used to be quite a number but I'm afraid they have been mostly -killed off. Still there may be a few. Why?" - -"A friend of mine wants one and I promised to bring him a little one. -If you happen to see any, please let me know." - -"I wonder if Bob has any idea of the size of a manatee or sea-cow?" put -in Jerry, with a little smile. "How large do they grow, Professor?" - -"Well I have seen them weighing nearly a thousand pounds, but I suppose -the average is nearer eight hundred." - -"There you are, Bob!" exclaimed Ned with a laugh. "You see what you've -promised to send to Andy." - -"I meant a baby one," and Bob seemed confused. - -"I think even a baby manatee will be beyond your abilities to ship up -North," Mr. Snodgrass answered. "They are of good size but rather -delicate. They have to be transported in tanks of salt water and even -the museums have difficulty in getting them and keeping them alive. I'm -afraid Andy will have to be content with some other kind of pet." - -"I hadn't any idea they were as big as that," murmured Bob. "Never -mind, I'll get him something else." - -"Try a nice pine snake, about ten feet long, or a copper-head, or a -wild loon, or a turtle," suggested Ned. "Andy won't care what you -bring, as long as it's a souvenir from Florida. Ship him a chunk of the -everglades." - -"Well, I guess you make mistakes sometimes, so you needn't be so -smart!" exclaimed Bob, a bit sensitive at the fun being poked at him. - -"That's all right, Chunky," consoled Jerry. "I see they have a dining -car on this train so you needn't go hungry, at all events." - -"Is there, really?" asked Bob. "That'll be fine. I always like to eat -in a dining car. I wish it was time for dinner." - -The journey by train was an uneventful one. In due time the travelers -arrived at St. Augustine, and found that their boat had reached there -in good condition. They arranged to have the empty cradle sent to -Titusville, where they would again begin to travel by train until they -reached Kissimmee City, on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga. - -"Then for a long voyage on water!" exclaimed Ned, as they left the -freight house, having seen to the transportation of their boat to the -harbor of St. Augustine. - -They spent one day in St. Augustine, buying provisions and a supply of -gasoline for the _Dartaway_. The boat, too, needed soaking in the water -to close the seams which had dried open on the journey overland. - -Bright and early one morning the three boys and the professor, having -placed all their baggage on board, took possession of the _Dartaway_. - -"We're off!" cried Jerry as he gave a long toot to the compressed air -whistle. "Now for the manatees, Chunky!" - -"Let up on manatees!" pleaded Bob. "Can't you forget 'em?" - -"Yes, but think how disappointed Andy will be," and Jerry laughed as he -gave the wheel a turn, shoved over the gasoline and sparking levers, -while Ned cranked the engine. - -There was a sort of sigh from the _Dartaway's_ motor, a cough, a -wheeze, and then a series of throbs that told that the engine was in -working order. A mass of foam appeared at the stern where the screw -was churning the water, and the boat moved out of the harbor of the -historic city. - -It was a beautiful day and the boys were in excellent spirits over the -successful start of their trip. The engine was working to a charm, and -the _Dartaway_ seemed like a thing alive, so well did she answer to the -slightest turn of the steering wheel. - -"Isn't this glorious!" exclaimed Jerry, as he sat in the bow. "Can you -beat this, fellows?" - -"Not in a thousand years!" cried Ned enthusiastically. "Let Noddy -Nixon have his cocoanut groves, but give me a motor boat and a trip to -Florida!" - -"Wait a minute! Hold on! Stop the boat!" cried the professor suddenly. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry, slowing down the engine. "Did you -lose something?" - -The scientist seemed to be struggling to get at something in the bottom -of the boat. - -"It's a very rare dragon fly," he said as he brought out a butterfly -net. "I just saw him floating on a bit of wood. I must have him for my -collection. He's worth a hundred dollars!" - -The professor made a sudden lunge, thrusting his long-handled net over -the side of the craft. He would have gone overboard had not Ned caught -him by the waist and held him. - -The net went into the water with a splash, but, despite his undignified -position the professor managed to bring it aboard. He looked into it -anxiously. - -"I got him!" he exclaimed. "A perfect specimen! Oh, boys, this voyage -has started most excellently for me!" - -"It would have been the other kind of a start if I hadn't caught you," -observed Ned. - -"Thank you, my dear young friend," spoke the professor, as he carefully -dried the dragon fly and placed it in his cyanide bottle to kill it -painlessly for preservation. "I appreciate what you did for me, but -I would rather fall overboard a dozen times than miss this beautiful -specimen." - -Jerry started the engine again, and soon the _Dartaway_ was cutting -through the water at a fast speed. Jerry had asked the advice of -some sea captains in St. Augustine and they had told him to keep in -the Matanzas river instead of standing out to sea, and, on reaching -Matanzas inlet to use that as a means of getting out on the Atlantic. -This plan was followed, and at noon they emerged on the ocean, which -they greeted with a cheer. - -"Here we are again!" cried Ned. "Guess you haven't forgotten us, Old -Salt Horse! How's Father Neptune, anyhow? We had some tussles with you -last year when Salt-Water Sam was aboard. If he was here he'd sing this -song," and Ned, hitching his trousers up in true nautical fashion, -delivered himself of this classic which the old sailor used to sing: - - "It was on the isle of Nankum, - Near the land of Timbuctoo - That poor old Sam fell overboard one night. - There was a great commotion - In the middle of the ocean - Sure he gave the sharks and whales - A terrible fright." - -"Good!" cried Bob. "Give us the second verse." - -"There isn't any second verse." - -"Oh, well, the third then. I'm not particular," and Bob began to -investigate one of the food lockers. - -"Here! Keep out of there until dinner time," called Jerry. - -"It's dinner time now. Long past noon," remarked Bob. - -"Wait until we make that point of land then, and--" - -What Jerry was going to say he never finished, for at that instant the -_Dartaway_ hit something with a force that threw Ned, who was standing -up, off his feet and into the bottom of the craft. - -"What's that?" cried Bob. - -"Must have hit a rock!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Is the boat sinking? If it is let me put a life preserver on my -specimen boxes!" begged the professor. - -Jerry had instantly shut off the power and was peering over the bow. - -"Don't seem to be any rock," he murmured. "We have deep water here." - -Then, to the surprise of all on board, the _Dartaway_ began to move -through the water at a fast rate. - -"Did you turn on the power?" cried Jerry to Ned, who was nearest the -engine. - -"No! The motor isn't going!" - -"But we are!" - -The professor looked over the side of the boat. Then, pointing to -something in the water just ahead, he said: - -"We are being towed by a giant turtle!" - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE PROFESSOR'S TRICK - - -The boys looked to where the scientist pointed. Some large shape could -be seen just under the surface of the water, which was being churned -into foam by the action of the creature's flippers. - -"How did that get hold of us?" asked Bob. "Has it got us in its mouth?" - -"The anchor got loose and dangled over the side," explained Jerry as he -made a hasty examination. "One of the flukes must have caught under the -turtle's shell after we rammed it. Now the creature is carrying us out -to sea!" - -"Cut the rope!" cried Ned. "He'll swamp us!" - -"No! No!" shouted Jerry. "We can't afford to lose our anchor. We'll -need it later on." - -"But how are we going to get rid of the turtle?" asked Bob. "He'll -swamp us if he gets us away out in the rough water." - -The situation was indeed a grave one. The turtle, doubtless imagining -it had the best of some enemy, was increasing its speed. With the -anchor caught under a forward flipper, where it offered no impediment -to swimming, the big creature was towing the _Dartaway_ as easily as it -might a piece of driftwood. - -"Reverse the engine!" suggested Ned. - -"I don't want to do that," objected Jerry. "He's pulling so strong that -if we start the motor on the reverse we may damage the boat." - -"But we've got to do something," put in Bob. - -"I have it!" cried Jerry. "I'll shoot the turtle!" - -He made his way to the stern of the craft, where in a locker the boys -had stowed their guns. Jerry took out his repeating rifle and loaded -it. By this time the boat was well out from shore, close to which the -craft had been kept because the water was not so rough there. - -"What are you going to do?" asked the professor. After his first -glimpse of the turtle he had, apparently, taken no further interest in -it, but was intently watching the gyrations of a swarm of little gnats -that were flying about the boat. - -"Going to shoot the turtle," replied Jerry. "We can't get rid of him -any other way, and there's no telling where he'll take us." - -"But you can't shoot him," said the scientist, steadying himself -against the rocking of the boat, which was now among some big rollers. - -"Why not?" - -"In the first place he is so far down under the water that the bullets -would glance off, and never touch him. And, if by some chance they -should hit him, his shell is thick enough to make them seem like dried -peas." - -"I'll aim at his head," proposed Jerry, anxious to use his rifle on the -creature. - -"I fancy he has his head well drawn back under his protecting shell," -Mr. Snodgrass went on. - -"Try for a flipper," put in Ned. - -"His flippers are mostly only muscle and cartilage," declared the -professor. "He wouldn't mind a bullet through them any more than you -would if you stuck a pin in the calloused part of the palm of your -hand." - -"Then what can we do?" asked Jerry, who was beginning to be a little -frightened at the prospect before them. The turtle seemed tireless. - -"I'll have to try a trick," the scientist announced. "Have you a -fishing rod aboard?" - -"Several of them," replied Jerry. "But do you think you can catch him -on a hook and line?" - -"Scarcely. But get the longest pole you have, please. I'll show you -something that I think will make Mr. Turtle let go of our anchor." - -Wondering what their friend was about to do the boys watched him -select a strong line from the supply they had brought along. Next the -professor fastened on a large hook, using a strong wire snell. - -"Got any meat aboard," was the scientist's next question. - -"Some canned stuff," replied Bob, who could be depended on to know what -was in the larder. - -"That will do. Get me a large firm piece." - -Bob opened some corned beef, and soon the professor had baited the -hook. Then he took his position in the bow and, with the rod extended -at the end of which dangled the line, hook and meat, he prepared to put -his trick into operation. - -Fortunately the rope to which the anchor was attached had caught on -a cleat after paying out a little as the turtle fouled the fluke. -This permitted the creature to go but a short distance ahead of the -_Dartaway_ which it was towing. Otherwise the scientist might have been -unable to do as he did. - -While the boys watched him Uriah Snodgrass lowered the bait into the -water, just ahead of the little ripples that indicated where the -turtle's head was located. - -"He's surely going to try to catch the turtle," said Bob in a low -voice. "I hope he does. I've heard that turtle soup and steaks are fine -eating." - -"Can't you let up on eating at a time like this?" demanded Jerry in a -sharp whisper. - -The professor was leaning forward in an expectant attitude. It did look -as though he hoped to catch the turtle as one angles after a wary fish. -To a certain extent, that was what happened. The big creature saw the -bait dangling in front of it. The rush of the water through which it -was gliding swept the meat nearer. It liked the smell of the canned -corned beef, though probably it was a new item on the turtle's bill of -fare. At any rate the matter of towing that troublesome object, which -persisted in following it need not interfere with a meal. The turtle -decided to take the meat. - -Just as it was about to grasp the bait in the horny beak, strong enough -to shear through a man's foot, the professor, who was on the watch with -sharp eyes, moved it ahead a little, and then to one side. The turtle -doubtless thought the thing was alive and this made it all the more -anxious to get the food. There was a flurry of the strong flippers. -The turtle turned to one side to follow the tempting morsel. - -Cautiously the professor moved the rod and bait until he was holding it -over the side of the boat instead of out from the bow. The turtle kept -turning to reach the meat which was held just a few inches beyond its -nose. - -[Illustration: THE TURTLE KEPT TURNING TO REACH THE MEAT] - -Suddenly there was a rush in the water and the pole bent almost double. -The reel sent out a shrill screech. - -"I've hooked him!" cried the professor. "He's free from the rope now! -Start the engine, Jerry!" - -Jerry lost no time in doing this. The chug-chug of the motor was soon -heard and the _Dartaway_ forged ahead, freed from its deep-sea captor. - -"Haul up the anchor!" called the professor to Ned. "We don't want any -more happenings like that. Bob, put the wheel around and send us toward -shore. It's too rough out here." - -The three boys were busy attending to the boat, while the scientist was -still holding the tauted line and the bent pole over the side of the -craft. An instant later there sounded a sharp snap. - -"The line's broken!" cried the professor. "There goes the turtle!" - -He pointed ahead to where a flurry in the water indicated the presence -of the creature. "Well, I hope he likes his canned beef with hook -dressing. At any rate we're well rid of him, though I would liked to -have had him for a specimen." - -"That was quite a trick," observed Jerry, as he took charge of the -steering wheel. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -BOB GETS A SCARE - - -Professor Snodgrass wound back on the reel what remained of the line. -Then he unjointed the pole. - -"Yes," he remarked. "I thought that was about the only way we could -make the turtle let go of the rope. I enticed him around to one side, -and that, naturally, made the rope drop from under his flipper. We'll -have to be more careful after this." - -Speeding the motor up, Jerry soon had the boat near shore, and he -directed the course along the coast in comparatively quiet water. - -They came into a small sheltered bay and, in a little cove where palm -trees came down almost to the water's edge, forming an ideal spot to -rest, they went ashore. - -"I think I'll take a little walk into the interior while you boys -get dinner," remarked the professor, taking his butterfly net and -the cyanide bottle which he used for painlessly killing insects he -captured. - -"Don't get lost," advised Ned. - -"If you see any orange groves let me know," called Bob. - -The three boys were soon busy setting up their portable stove and -preparing a meal, using the canned provisions they had brought along. - -"How about fish?" asked Ned. "Looks as though there ought to be some in -this cove." - -"Try your luck," said Jerry. - -Ned got out his tackle and soon was casting in off a small point of -land that stuck out into deep water. In a little while he had caught -several fine specimens, and they were soon in the frying pan with some -strips of bacon. - -"Smells just like a restaurant," spoke Bob, taking long breaths. - -"It will be better if it tastes like one," observed Jerry, who was -superintending the cooking. "I am a little out of practice." - -"Wonder why the professor doesn't come back," remarked Ned, when dinner -was ready to serve. "I think he must be hungry." - -"Probably he is, but he doesn't know it," suggested Bob. "Very likely -he's chasing after a red, white and blue ant." - -"I'll go after him," volunteered Jerry. "You fellows go on eating. -Don't wait for me." - -He started off in the direction taken by the professor while Bob, too -hungry to stand on ceremony, began to do ample justice to the food. -Ned joined him, and they were nearly finished before the scientist and -Jerry appeared coming through the grove of palm trees. - -"What's Jerry got in his arms?" asked Ned. - -"I don't know. The professor is laden down with the same thing, -evidently." - -"They're oranges!" cried Bob, as he caught sight of the yellow objects. -"They've found a grove of orange trees! I wish I'd gone along!" - -"Here are some of the specimens the professor captured," remarked Jerry -with a laugh, and he placed his fruit on the grass. - -"Where do they grow?" asked Bob eagerly, beginning to extract the juice -from a large orange. - -"About half a mile back," Mr. Snodgrass replied. "I met the owner of -the grove and he invited me to take as many as I wanted." - -After dinner they took up their journey again, and that night slept on -the boat, anchored in a little harbor about forty miles further down -the coast. - -They had an early breakfast and after making some minor adjustments -to the engine started off again. The weather continued pleasant, -though there was quite a swell on, and riding in the boat was not as -comfortable as it had been the previous day. - -"We'll reach Mosquito Inlet about noon," announced Jerry looking at the -map in the guide book. - -"Very good," said the professor. - -"I'd say it was very bad," put in Ned, making a wry face. "I'm not very -fond of mosquitoes." - -"I need a few more specimens to complete my collection," the scientist -added. - -"What is Mosquito Inlet?" asked Bob. - -"It's an entrance from the ocean to what is called Hillsborough river," -replied Jerry. "It's really a part of the sea, but the book says -it's a fine route for boats, and we'll take it. From there, by means -of the Haulover Canal, we can get right into Indian river and reach -Titusville." - -"Then let's do it by all means," suggested Bob. "This motion is a -little too much for me." - -In fact the rolling and pitching of the _Dartaway_ under the influence -of the ocean swell, was not very agreeable, and all the travelers were -glad when they reached the inlet and speeded through it to the quiet -waters of Hillsborough River. - -They ate lunch aboard without stopping, as it was low tide, and not -easy to go ashore across the stretch of mud revealed by the receding -water. That evening they emerged into Indian River, a beautiful stretch -of water about one hundred and fifty miles long, almost as straight as -an arrow, and separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land. Its -waters are salt like the ocean, and it is affected by the tides. - -As dusk settled down the boys found the scene one of much beauty. On -their left they could catch occasional glimpses of the masts of ocean -vessels sailing close to the coast to avoid the powerful Gulf stream. -On their right was a forest of palmetto and other trees, forming a sort -of screen for the orange groves beyond. - -"It smells just like--just like--" and Bob paused for a comparison. - -"Just like a wedding party," finished Jerry as he took in deep breaths -of the orange-perfumed air. - -The river was widening as they advanced, and the air was filled with -flocks of ducks and geese returning from their feeding grounds. - -"I'm going to try for some!" exclaimed Bob, preparing to get out his -shot gun. - -"Better not to-night," advised the professor. "It's getting dark and -you couldn't see to pick them up if they fell into the water." - -"I'll have some to-morrow," declared Bob. "I'm very fond of roast duck." - -It seemed to grow dark suddenly with the quickness that is always -noticed in southern countries. Ned, who had taken his place at the -steering wheel, looked down at the water and gave a startled cry. - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"It's on fire!" exclaimed Bob, as he glanced over the side. - -Indeed it did seem as though the river was ablaze. For a space of a -hundred feet or more ahead of the bow, and on either side, there were -long lines and streamers of fire, crossed and recrossed as though some -giant lace-making machine was weaving a pattern in colors of glowing, -golden yellow. - -"A beautiful display of the phosphorescent qualities of this stream," -observed the professor. "Very beautiful. It is caused by the fish -swimming about," the scientist explained. "They agitate the water, -which possesses suspended in it a quantity of phosphorous and when it -is disturbed it seems to glow like fire. I have often read about it, -but I have seldom witnessed it. It is almost light enough to see to -catch specimens by." - -"The guide book speaks of it," said Jerry. "I ought to have known what -it was. But I guess we'd better think of camping. We can't go any -farther to-night." - -Lanterns were lighted, and with the searchlight glowing in the bow, to -enable them to select a good place to land, the boat was sent toward -shore. All the way there they seemed to be moving through a river of -fire. - -They found a good landing place, and soon had their camp arranged for -the night. It was decided to sleep ashore as it was somewhat crowded on -board. Accordingly, mosquito canopies were arranged, and after supper -the boys prepared their beds under a shelter tent which was erected. - -"I'm going to make me a mattress," said Bob, as, carrying a lantern, he -went down to the edge of the river. - -"What of; Spanish moss?" asked Ned. "I've read there's lots of that in -Florida." - -"That would be fine," replied Chunky. "But I don't see any around. No, -I'm going to make it of grass." - -He proceeded to pull a lot of long bladed herbage from the bank of the -river, and soon had himself a soft nest under the shelter of the tent. - -"Guess I'll beat you all at sleeping to-night," said Bob, as he -stretched out in his clothes on the grass. The others had wrapped -themselves up in their blankets. - -"Go ahead," murmured Ned. "I'm satisfied with what I've got. I could -sleep on a bare plank." - -Soon deep breathing told that all the occupants of the camp were far -off in slumber-land. It was after midnight when all the others were -suddenly aroused by a series of frightened yells from Bob. - -"Something's got me! It's got hold of my foot! It's dragging me to the -river!" he cried. - -Ned and Jerry leaped to their feet. Jerry grabbed his gun which was -near him on the ground. The professor snatched down the lantern from a -pole in front of the tent and flashed it in Bob's direction. - -"It's an alligator!" yelled Ned, pointing to some big black object. -"Fire, Jerry!" - -Jerry raised his rifle, but, as he did so Bob pulled his foot away -from whatever creature had hold of him and ran toward his companions -who had gathered in a group some distance from the tent. - -"Shoot it! It tried to eat me up!" he yelled. - -Jerry fired point blank, but he evidently missed for the black object, -dimly seen in the shadows cast by the lantern seemed to flop away. An -instant later a loud splash told that it had entered the river. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -KILLING A MANATEE - - -"What was it?" cried Jerry. - -"I don't know," answered Bob, who was almost too frightened to speak. -"I was dreaming one of you fellows was pulling me from bed by my foot -and I woke up to discover that some animal had me. I looked and saw -something black! Then I yelled." - -"Let's make an examination," suggested the professor. "Is your foot -much hurt?" - -"A little," admitted Bob. - -But an investigation showed that though his shoe was dented as if by -the marks of broad teeth, the leather had not been penetrated, and, on -taking off his shoe, Bob found his foot was only bruised. - -"There are the tracks of where the beast came from the river," said -Jerry, pointing to the unmistakable path of some large animal. It had -come up the river bank, straight to the bed Bob had so carefully made. - -"Must have been a crocodile," insisted Ned. - -"There aren't any in Florida," said the professor. "The alligators are -not found in this region, either. Whatever it was Bob, you baited it -yourself." - -"How?" - -"Why, when you pulled that grass you left a long trail of it from the -river bank right to the tent. The creature simply followed it up, -eating as it went, and when it struck your bunk I suppose it thought -it had quite a feast. I guess the taking hold of your foot was only -accidental." - -"Maybe it was a sort of walking fish," suggested Jerry. - -"I have an idea what it was," the professor answered. - -"A snake?" asked Bob, and he turned paler than before. - -"No, not a snake. I'll tell you in the morning. Better go to bed now. -We'll light several more lanterns and I think they will keep away any -other creatures." - -Bob declared he had had enough of his grass bed, so he got some -blankets from the boat and stretched out under the tent between Ned and -Jerry, and as far as possible from the river. - -"Whatever it was, it's not going to nab me again," he said, as he fell -into an uneasy slumber. - -There were no further disturbances that night, and in the morning the -boys gazed curiously at the broad path made by Bob's midnight visitor. - -"Looks as though it was as big as a cow," said Jerry as he saw the -marks. - -"Maybe it was," remarked the professor. - -"Don't see what cows would be doing in the river," observed Ned, but -Mr. Snodgrass only smiled. - -"What's the program this morning?" asked Bob after breakfast had been -disposed of and the things packed back into the boat. "Where are we -going, Jerry?" - -"Let's keep right on down this river," suggested Ned. "It's a fine -place." - -"Not for me!" exclaimed Bob. "At least if we do I'm going to sleep on -the boat. No more cows for mine." - -"We're going to Titusville," declared Jerry. "Of course it would be -nice to voyage down this river, and, according to my guide book it's -a beautiful sail. But if we want to get to Lake Okeechobee we'll have -to change to rail transportation for a while and embark again on Lake -Tohopekaliga." - -"I guess that will suit me as well," the professor announced. "I must -soon begin to look for that rare butterfly. It is found in the region -of the lakes, and I may be fortunate enough to run across a specimen -very soon." - -"How are you going to know it when you see it?" asked Ned. - -"By its color, for one thing. It is pink, and has blue and gold wings. -Then it feeds in a peculiar manner. It spreads its wings out when -taking nectar from a flower, and is frequently mistaken for a blossom. -I hope I shall find several such butterflies." - -"We'll help you look for them," offered Jerry, as he started the boat. - -It was but a short run from the head of the Indian river, where the -travelers had entered, to Titusville, and, in order to enjoy the -unusual scenery, Jerry ran the craft at slow speed. The boys watched -the river as it stretched out before them, now narrowing and again -widening, while they puffed slowly past groves of palmetto trees that -the orange growers depended on as a screen for their groves, which -might otherwise be frosted by the cold winds from the Atlantic. - -"Can't we go ashore and get some fruit?" asked Bob, when they had -traveled some miles. - -"I guess the owners would have no objection if we took some," said -the professor. "I understand they always invite visitors to help -themselves." - -The boys decided to act on this suggestion, and soon the boat was -anchored at the shore and the four voyagers went inland until they -found an orange grove. They met an overseer who invited them to gather -all they could eat. - -"These are much better than the others we had," spoke Bob, biting into -a luscious fruit. - -"He's getting to be quite an expert," declared Jerry. - -Once more they boarded the boat and Jerry put it well out toward the -middle of the river which was very broad at this point. - -"There, I guess I've had all the juice there is in that orange!" -exclaimed Bob, as he tossed the mass of skin and pulp overboard. "Hand -me another, Ned." - -As the orange which Bob threw away struck the water, there was a sudden -rush as though some large creature had grabbed the pulp. - -"What was that?" cried Bob, as he saw some big object swimming just -beneath the surface. - -"Made enough fuss for a whale or shark," observed Ned. - -"It was after the orange, but I guess it didn't like it, for it didn't -eat it." - -"Throw another in," suggested the professor. "We'll see what it is." - -Jerry tossed some fruit overboard. There was a swirl in the river, and -a mass of foam, just ahead of the _Dartaway_. The creature seemed to -inspect the floating oranges, and then ignore them. - -"Look out!" cried Ned suddenly. "It's coming this way, Jerry!" - -Jerry saw something approaching the craft. He whirled the wheel over, -and speeded up the engine, just in time to avoid whatever it was. - -"That's an ugly beast," remarked Bob. "Mad, I guess, because we didn't -give it something it liked to eat." - -"Here it comes again!" yelled Ned, and this time the boys saw the -creature, just under the surface of the water, approaching the boat on -the port side. - -"He's going to hit us!" yelled Bob. "Look out, Jerry!" - -Jerry gave a glance over his shoulder. He saw the mass of water piled -up in front of the on-rushing creature. He increased the speed of -the boat, and endeavored to steer it out of the path of the animal, -whatever it was. But the creature was not going to let the boat -escape. It changed its course, and, an instant later, the _Dartaway_ -careened under a violent shock. - -There was a splash, as of some heavy object striking the water. - -"Bob's overboard!" yelled Ned, throwing his chum a cork ring, attached -to a rope. "He's going to ram us again, Jerry!" - -There was great confusion on the _Dartaway_. Jerry had reversed -the engine, and was looking about to catch sight of Bob, who was -floundering around in the water. - -"There it comes!" shouted Ned. - -Once more the creature was returning to the attack. But this time it -did not strike the boat. The reversing of the engine had brought the -craft to a stop, and it was beginning to go astern. This caused the -creature to shoot just across the bows. - -"It's a seal!" yelled Jerry, who caught a passing glimpse of a big -brown body just under the water. "Hand me a gun and I'll shoot it!" - -By this time Bob had grasped the cork ring, and the professor, who had -hold of the rope, was pulling the boy aboard. Ned reached a rifle from -the locker and passed it to Jerry, who had shut off the power so he -would not have to steer the boat. - -"Can you see it?" cried Ned. - -"He's coming at us again," replied Jerry. - -"Shoot it in the head!" called the professor, not desisting from his -work of rescuing Bob. - -"You take a gun, Ned!" shouted Jerry. "I may miss!" - -Ned secured another weapon, and hurried to the bow to stand beside -his chum. Both boys could see where the creature was by reason of the -disturbance in the water. - -"I see its head!" spoke Ned in a whisper. "It's just like a seal." - -He took as careful aim as he could, as also did Jerry. The two rifles -were discharged together, and as the bullets struck the water they sent -up little jets of spray. Then followed a great commotion, and the river -in that vicinity was churned to foam. - -"We must have hit him!" yelled Jerry. - -"We sure did!" added Ned. "The water is red!" - -The crimson color was spreading over the surface. The creature was -lashing about evidently in a death struggle. - -"Once more!" cried Ned, as he worked the lever of his repeating rifle, -and Jerry followed his example. They fired again. - -This time they could hear the thud of the bullets as they struck. There -was a cessation of the beast's struggles, and the water grew quieter. - -"Guess that finished him," observed Jerry, peering forward. "He's done -for." - -"What was it?" asked Ned. - -"Give me a hand here!" called the professor. "I want to lift Bob in." - -The two marksmen turned from their inspection of the thing in the water -at the bow of the _Dartaway_ to assist in getting their chum aboard. - -"Did you think you needed a bath, Chunky?" asked Ned. - -"I--I got--one--whether--I needed it--or--or not," spluttered Bob, as -he got rid of the water in his eyes, nose, ears and mouth. "Give me a -hand." - -They helped him into the boat, dripping wet, but otherwise uninjured, -as Bob was fat, and floated well, in spite of the handicap of his -clothes. - -"What was it, a whale?" asked the wet one. "Did he put a hole in the -boat?" - -"Guess we're not much damaged," replied Jerry. "But I haven't yet seen -what the thing was, unless it's a seal." - -"There it is," observed Mr. Snodgrass, as he pointed to a big brown -object floating on the water. "It's a manatee or sea-cow. I didn't -expect to meet with any, as they are almost gone from this part of the -world." - -"A manatee!" exclaimed Bob, in consternation. "It's a good thing I -didn't try to bring one to Andy Rush!" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -A MISFORTUNE - - -Jerry started the engine, and, at slow speed, put the boat close over -to the big creature, which was now quite dead. - -"I hadn't any idea they were so large," said Ned. - -"As I told you before, they sometimes weigh nearly a thousand pounds," -the professor said. "They are harmless, but I suppose this one must -be an old one, and a sort of king of this section of the river. Very -likely he didn't like our boat to disturb his feeding ground. By the -way, Bob, I think he's a friend of yours." - -"A friend of mine?" - -"Yes, that one, or one just like it, tried to bite your foot last -night." - -"Was that what had hold of my foot?" - -"That was the creature," replied the scientist. "I was pretty sure of -it before, but I didn't want to say so until I had some proof. I had no -idea there were any in this river, and I fancy we shall see no more. -Well, boys, you had quite an experience. Many hunters would give a good -deal for the chance of killing a manatee, though I don't see much sport -in it myself." - -"What are they good for?" asked Jerry. - -"Various purposes. I suppose some years ago the Seminole Indians were -very glad to eat them. But I don't believe we'll take it along with us. -It would be too much trouble. If it was alive a museum might pay a good -price for it. But, Bob, I hope you're not in danger of taking cold from -your bath." - -"Not in the least," replied Chunky with a laugh. "It's so warm in the -water that I'd like to stay in all day." - -They helped him wring out his clothes and they were hung up to dry, -while he donned some spare garments. - -"Now for Titusville!" cried Jerry, as he speeded up the motor. - -They reached the city about noon, and as they wanted to get the boat -ready for another overland journey they decided to have dinner on board -before going ashore to make their arrangements. - -When they got to the freight office they found that the cradle, in -which the _Dartaway_ was to be shipped, had arrived. They engaged men -to get the boat from the water, and, having seen it safely put on a -flat car for shipment, they bought their tickets for Kissimmee City, -where they were again to begin water travel. - -Though the railway journey was interesting, and gave the boys glimpses -of persons and scenery they were unfamiliar with, they were anxious for -it to be over so they might again feel the throb of the _Dartaway's_ -engine. - -Owing to a wreck on the road they missed connections and they had to -lay over one night at a small village. The next day travel was slow, -and they did not reach Kissimmee City until nightfall. - -"I hope our boat's here," said Jerry as he got off the train. "These -railroads don't have enough travel to make them as fast as those in the -north." - -"Maybe it was in the freight wreck that delayed us," suggested Bob. - -"There you go, Old Calamity Howler!" exclaimed Ned. "What do you want -to go suggesting any such thing as that for?" - -"I didn't mean anything," responded Bob, rather surprised at Ned's -explosion. - -"I was just thinking the same thing myself," Ned went, "and I didn't -want my bad presentment to be seconded." - -"You fellows are talking nonsense," spoke Jerry. "Come on until we find -a hotel. Then I'll inquire about the boat. But where is the professor?" - -"He was here a moment ago," replied Ned. - -"There he is," said Bob, pointing to the figure of the scientist. Mr. -Snodgrass was on his hands and knees on the depot platform, while near -him, in the glare of a lamp, stood a small crowd. - -"Is he hurt?" asked Bob, in some alarm. - -"More likely he's trying to catch a new specimen of a hop-toad," was -Jerry's idea. - -As the boys approached the professor they saw he had in his hand a -small net with which he was endeavoring to capture something. - -"Did yo' lose anything, stranger?" asked a tall langy southerner, as he -observed the professor. "If yo' did, say the word and we'll all jine in -an' help yo' look for it, suah!" - -"Thank you," replied the scientist, not looking up from his occupation. -"I just saw a very rare specimen of a red flea, and I want to catch it -for my collection." - -"A flea!" exclaimed the southerner, while the others in the crowd -looked as though they thought the professor had gone crazy. - -"Yes, a beautiful red flea, and very rare." - -"Excuse me, stranger," went on the man who had first spoken, "no -offense, yo' understand, but if yo' want about seven million of them -fleas I reckon we can accommodate yo'. I've got a dog that'd give a -good bit to git rid of 'em, an' I reckon as how some others I know can -supply yo'. Take 'em all, an' welcome, but don't turn 'em loose again -in Kissimmee City." - -"Thank you," replied the scientist, as though some one had presented -him with a large sum of money. "I only require one or two. The kind I -seek is not as common as you think. There! I have him," and he made a -sudden movement with the tiny net, imprisoning the hopping red captive. - -"All kinds of fleas is too common around heah," observed the tall man. - -"That's right," chorused his companions. - -But the professor was intent only on his captive. He carefully placed -it in a bottle and then turned to look for the boys. He had been -oblivious to everything, save the red flea, since he had first seen the -creature. - -The travelers found a hotel and, after arranging for their rooms, the -three boys decided to visit the freight station and inquire about the -_Dartaway_. - -They found the office deserted, and, after tramping about the platform, -and calling out in vain for some one of whom they might make inquiries, -they saw, approaching, a little colored boy. - -"Wuz yo' uns a-lookin' fer any one?" he asked. - -"Where's the freight agent?" asked Jerry. - -"Oh, he's over to Buck Johnson's." - -"Where's Johnson's?" - -"Down the road, about two hoots an' a holler." - -"How far is that?" asked Ned, to whom this description of distance was -new. - -"I doan't rightly know, but ef yo' go twice as fur as yo' kin hoot, an' -then as fur as yo' kin holler, yo'll find him, but I don't guess he'll -come." - -"Why not?" - -"'Cause he's at a dorg fight, an' he hates t' come away from a dorg -fight." - -"Can you tell him we'd like to see him about our boat?" inquired Jerry, -holding up a shining quarter. - -"Mister, I'd go fo' miles fer two bits," replied the little darky, -calling the twenty-five cent piece by its southern name. He seized the -money as though he feared it would vanish, and started off on a run. - -Whether "two hoots and a holler" was only a short distance, or whether -the freight agent hurried away from the dog fight because of the small -negro's description of the three travelers who were so lavish with -"two-bit pieces" was not disclosed. At any rate a man was soon seen -slouching down the platform. - -"Was yo'-uns lookin' fer me?" he asked. - -"Are you the freight agent?" inquired Jerry. - -"That's what I be. I'm here nights, but Jim Peterson is here day -times. We don't do much business nights, an' I jest took an hour or so -off--er--fer amusement," he added. "We was havin' a sort of athletic -contest. What kin I do fer yo'? Was yo' expectin' some freight?" - -Jerry smiled at the man's idea of an athletic contest in conjunction -with a dog fight, and answered: - -"We're expecting a motor boat, shipped from Titusville." - -"A motor boat?" - -"It's called the _Dartaway_," added Ned, to help the agent's memory. - -"A boat, eh?" and he seemed provokingly slow. "Well, now, I'm terrible -sorry to disappoint yo' gentlemen." - -"Hasn't it come?" asked Bob. - -"No, an' guess it won't," said the agent in drawling tones. "I got word -last night that some boat that was comin' heah was all busted to pieces -in a freight wreck!" - -"The _Dartaway_ smashed!" exclaimed Jerry, and the hearts of all the -lads sank at the news of such a misfortune. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -NEWS OF NODDY - - -For several seconds no one spoke. The boys stood staring at one another -and the agent started to go away, evidently believing he had done his -part. - -"Can you give us any particulars?" asked Jerry at last. "Where is the -boat? Perhaps we can have it fixed." - -"It's at Longwood, about ten miles from here," the agent replied, "but -there's no trains to-night. Yo'-uns will have to wait until mornin'." - -"I'll never sleep a wink," declared Ned. "Think of the _Dartaway_ being -smashed!" And he gave something like a groan. - -"If she is smashed the railroad company will have to pay heavy -damages," declared Jerry. "They've spoiled our whole vacation trip! -Can't you give us any particulars?" he went on, turning to the agent. -"Maybe we could hire a carriage and drive to Longwood. We've got to -find out something about our boat." - -"Yes, I guess yo' could drive there," the agent replied. "But I -wouldn't advise yo' to, after dark. The roads are bad and dangerous. -Why can't yo' wait until mornin'?" - -"We're too anxious," declared Bob. - -"Can't we telegraph?" inquired Ned. - -"The telegraph office is closed after supper," announced the agent, -and, with their last hope gone, of getting any particulars that night, -the boys turned away. They went back to the hotel. - -"We'll tell the professor," said Bob. "Maybe he can help us out." - -When the scientist was made acquainted with the news he was much -surprised. - -"That spoils my plan of catching the prize butterfly," he remarked. -"I've got to make other arrangements." - -"Did you ever have anything lost by a railroad?" asked Jerry. - -"Once." - -"Was it smashed?" - -"Partly." - -"What did you do to find it and get it back?" - -"Oh, the railroad company was glad enough to assist me," answered the -scientist. - -"How?" inquired Jerry, and the boys looked interested. - -"Why I once shipped a case of very valuable white rats," Mr. Snodgrass -went on. "It was in a wreck, or something, and the railroad lost track -of the case; I couldn't get trace of it. But in a little while I -received urgent letters calling on me to take my white rats away. It -seems the case had been side tracked after the accident and sent to -a lonely station where the agent was a woman. The rats got loose and -frightened her almost to death. She wired to headquarters threatening -to resign unless the rats were taken away. In that way the claim agent -heard--" - -But what the professor was going to say he never finished, for, at that -moment some kind of a bug came flying into the room through the opened -window, and the scientist was after it at once. With his long-handled -net in his hand he pursued the insect about the room. - -"Now I have it!" Mr. Snodgrass cried as the bug alighted on the upper -part of the door. He was bringing his upraised net down to catch it -when the portal opened and a colored man entered, bearing a pitcher of -ice water. His head came just in the right place and an instant later -the professor had brought his net down on the woolly pate of the negro. - -The startled colored man dropped the pitcher of water, which splashed -all over himself and the professor, and then the darky let out a yell. - -"I'm cotched! He's got me in de net! I'm a gone coon! Leggo! I ain't -done nuffin! It were Sam Johnson as done it! Please, good Mr. Man let -me go!" - -He struggled to get the net off his head, and the professor -endeavored to assist him, but their efforts only seemed to make the -mosquito-fabric cling the tighter, until the yells of the colored man -brought several guests out into the corridor on the run, thinking the -hotel might be afire. - -"Help 'em, Ned!" called Jerry, who was laughing so he could not go to -the aid of the two. - -"Help 'em yourself," responded Ned, almost doubled up with mirth at the -sight of the struggling figures. - -At length the two managed to extricate themselves, and the professor, -taking his net from the colored man's head, carefully examined it for -possible rents. - -"Did I hurt you?" asked the scientist. - -"No, I cain't 'zactly say as how 'yo hurted me," the colored man -replied with a grin, "but yo' done mos' scaired me t' def!" - -"I'm very sorry," went on Mr. Snodgrass. "I was after a bug!" - -"I thought yo' were after me!" and the bearer of the ice water gazed at -the broken pitcher. - -"Well, here's something to buy salve for your head," and the professor -gave the man a half dollar. - -"Landy! Fo' bits!" exclaimed the delighted negro. - -None of the boys slept well that night, on account of thinking about -their boat. All hoped against hope that it might not be so badly -damaged but what it could be repaired. - -They paid an early visit to the railroad office, the professor going -with them. Mr. Snodgrass, in spite of his scientific training, knew -how to talk business, and he soon had the agent wiring for particulars -concerning the motor boat. - -"Tell 'em to send it here, no matter how badly it's smashed," put in -Jerry. - -"Yes, we want our boat," added Bob. - -"In a hurry," was Ned's contribution to the general orders. - -"My, but yo' folks from the North are in a powerful rush," observed the -agent with a smile. "We-uns down here take life easier. I'll do my best -for yo'. The night man left word that yo' uns was frettin' an' stewin' -about yo' boat. Yo' uns is jest like another feller from the North. -He was here a while ago, an' he were raisin' Hail Columbia 'cause the -train was behind time. Said he were goin' to his cocoanut plantation -near Lake Okeechobee an' wanted to git there in a hurry." - -"Cocoanut plantation?" asked Jerry, a sudden idea coming into his brain. - -"Yep; that's what he said. Looked rather young to be ownin' a -plantation. He was about the age of yo' lads. Seemed to think a good -deal of himself, an' give a powerful lot of orders." - -"What was his name?" asked Ned eagerly. - -"Let's see, now. It was a curious sort of name. Shaky--no, it wasn't -Shaky--Sleepy--no, that ain't it either--Noddy--that's what it was. -Noddy Nixon!" - -"Noddy Nixon down here!" cried Jerry. "How long ago?" - -"He was at this station a week ago to-day," replied the agent. "Had to -stay over one night because he missed a train, and he tried to make out -it was my fault." - -"Just like Noddy," murmured Ned. "So he's down here? Maybe we'll meet -him." - -"Hope not," remarked Jerry. - -"Hark!" exclaimed the agent, as he listened to the clicking of the -telegraph instrument. "There's a message from Longwood. It's about you' -boat." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -AFLOAT ONCE MORE - - -How the boys wished they understood the mysterious clicking of dots and -dashes that came over the wires, so they might interpret the message -which meant so much to them! They watched the agent as he wrote down -the words that he evolved from the sounds of the clicking instrument. -Then, with what the boys thought was exasperating coolness, he clicked -back something in answer, and slowly arose from his chair. - -"Good news," he said. "It wasn't your boat that was smashed. It was -some rowboats being sent to a steamship company on Lake Okeechobee. -Your boat was in the wreck, but was only scratched a bit. It will be -here this afternoon." - -"Hurrah!" yelled Jerry. - -"That's the kind of news we like to hear!" exploded Ned. - -"What a relief!" ejaculated Bob. - -"Well, yo' uns seem quite pleased," remarked the agent. "Can I do -anything else for yo'?" - -"You've done more than enough, in locating our boat," said Jerry. "Is -it on the way now?" - -"The agent at Longwood says they're making up a freight train now to -send here. It's due shortly after one o'clock. Queer how things will -get mixed up sometimes when there's a wreck. I'm glad it wasn't yo' -boat. But yo' Northerners are always in such a hurry! By the way, was -that Noddy fellow any relation of yours?" - -"We know him," answered Jerry. - -"I reckoned yo' uns must have, 'cause he was in the same kind of a -rush," the agent explained, as if proud of his discernment. - -The boys went back to the hotel for breakfast, which even Bob had -forgone in order to get earlier news of the boat. Now, with feelings -greatly relieved, they ate the morning meal. - -"We might as well arrange for some one to cart the boat to the lake," -suggested Jerry as they arose from the table. - -"Maybe we'd better look for a shop where we can have it repaired," put -in Ned. "It may need a lot of attention." - -"Hope not," spoke Jerry, though he thought Ned's idea a good one. - -They found near the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga a boat builder, who -agreed to take charge of the _Dartaway_, do whatever was necessary and -transport it to the water for them. Then there was nothing to do but to -wait. - -It seemed a long time until noon, and from then until one o'clock, when -the freight was due, the boys thought the clocks had all gone on a -strike. But at length, as they waited on the depot platform, they heard -a shrill whistle. - -"There she comes!" cried Ned. "Now to learn the worst." - -"Or the best," remarked Jerry, who was of a more hopeful turn of mind. - -"I see it!" exclaimed Bob, as the freight train passed them to draw up -to the long platform. "Doesn't seem to be in such bad shape!" - -The formalities of paying the freight and getting possession of the -craft was soon over. The cradle was left at the depot in readiness for -their return after cruising about Lake Okeechobee, and the motor boat -was taken on a truck to the repair shop. - -Carpenters were soon busy on the craft, and, though the boys were -anxious to get her into the water they had to wait over another night. -This made them rather impatient but it just suited the professor, who -found many more forms of insect life than he had anticipated, and he -was kept busy capturing them, much to the astonishment of the citizens -of the place, who voted him almost, if not completely, insane. - -By the second morning of their stay in Kissimmee City the _Dartaway_ -was ready to be put into the water. - -"Hurrah! She's afloat once more!" cried Ned, as he saw their craft -moored at the lake dock. - -They waited until noon to allow the seams to soak up, and then, having -taken on some fresh provisions, and succeeded in coaxing the professor -from his search after a peculiar pink fly he had heard infested the -region, they were off. - -It did not take them long to traverse Lake Tohopekaliga, which is a -small body of water. They caught some fine fish in it, and had dinner -on shore. Through an artificial canal they reached Lake Hatchenana, -and, crossing that, and again traversing a canal they emerged, late -that afternoon, upon Lake Kissimmee, the largest body of water between -them and Lake Okeechobee. - -"This beats railroad travel," announced Ned, as he sat in the bows, -steering. "No dust, no cinders, no smoke, no--" - -"No smash-ups!" finished Bob. "We were lucky to get out of it as we -did." - -"What's the program for to-night?" asked the professor of Jerry, who -had, in a measure, assumed charge of the trip. - -"There's an island in the middle of this lake," he answered. "I was -thinking we might camp on it." - -"I'm going to put up a net to prevent the manatees from getting at me," -announced Bob with a laugh. - -"No danger of them here," spoke the professor. "But I think we'll need -a net to keep away the gnats and mosquitoes." - -This proved a correct surmise. When they landed on the island in the -lake, which piece of land, as far as they could see, was deserted, they -were met with a swarm of winged pests that made life miserable. - -"This is awful!" exclaimed Bob, slapping about with both hands at the -cloud of insects about his head. - -"I think I can do something to make it more bearable," Uriah Snodgrass -announced, as he began to delve among his possessions. "Here is a -chemical preparation, which, if you rub it on your hands and faces, -will, I think, keep the mosquitoes and black flies away." - -The boys gladly availed themselves of the stuff, and, after generous -applications, they found, that though the insects still hovered about -them, they were not bitten. - -Preparations for supper were hastily made, and a fire built in the -portable stove. A "smudge" was also made, to keep off most of the -mosquitoes and, after this, the travelers were more comfortable. - -"It's warm enough to sleep in the open to-night," announced Jerry when -the question of erecting the tent was raised. "No use getting it out, -and we can start off so much earlier in the morning if we don't have it -to bother with." - -The other boys were willing, so, after lighting some lanterns, and -clearing a place amid a clump of trees, the sleeping blankets were -spread out there and the boys turned in. - -The professor, as usual, remained up to arrange the specimens he had -collected during the day, making entries in his book by the light of a -lantern suspended over a butter tub which he used as a table. He was -still at this when the boys fell asleep. - -Ned was dreaming that he was in swimming and that Bob and Jerry was -splashing water on him, when he awoke with a start, to find he was -soaking wet. It was pitch dark, and Ned, at first, did not know what to -make of it. It seemed as if some one was dashing a pail of water over -him as he lay on the ground. - -"Here! Let up!" he cried. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry, awaking at the same time. Then Bob -added his inquiry, and the professor, who had retired at midnight, -called to the boys. - -"It's raining cats and dogs!" cried Ned, scrambling to his feet. "I'm -wet through. The lanterns are drowned out! We should have put up the -tent!" - -"Raining!" exclaimed Jerry. "I guess it's a cloud-burst from the way -I'm getting it!" - -It was a drenching downpour, but otherwise the storm was not violent. -It had begun to shower gently and from that had rapidly increased to a -torrent of water dripping from the clouds. - -"Light a lantern somebody!" called Ned. "Let's make for the boat! We -can keep dry there!" - -"My matches are all wet!" announced Jerry. - -"So are mine!" added Bob. - -"I have some dry ones!" the scientist called. "Wait a minute!" - -They could hear him moving about in the darkness and rain, seeking for -a sheltered place in which to strike a light. Suddenly the blackness -was illuminated by a brilliant white glare. It shone full in the faces -of the travelers, who, much startled, turned to see what it was. They -heard some object strike the island near where their boat was moored, -and then the light went out, making the blackness more intense than -before. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -THE HOUSEBOAT - - -"Lightning!" cried Bob. - -"Must have struck here!" remarked Ned. - -"Did you ever see lightning so near at hand and not hear thunder?" -asked Jerry. "It was a searchlight, I think." - -"A searchlight in this deserted region?" inquired Ned. "Guess again, -Jerry." - -No sooner had he spoken than there came the intense white glare again. -This time there was no mistaking it. It was the flare of an acetylene -gas lantern. - -"An automobile!" cried Bob. - -"On the lake?" asked Ned. Then suddenly changing the subject; "Wow! I -wish I had an umbrella for a few minutes!" He felt a stream of water -running down his back. - -The white shaft of light played about, now on the trees, now on the -water, and again full into the faces of the bewildered travelers, who -stood in the downpour, not knowing what to do. Then, from out of the -darkness behind the shaft of illumination were heard the clear tones of -a girl's voice calling: - -"Well, dad, we've struck land at any rate!" - -"It's a boat!" exclaimed Jerry. "Somebody has landed here in a boat!" - -"Girls and women in it," added Ned, as sounds of several feminine -voices were noted. A moment later a man's tones asked: - -"What sort of land have we struck, Rose?" - -"Can't tell, dad," was the reply. "It's solid enough at any rate, -judging by the way the _Wanderer_ hit it. The searchlight doesn't show -anything but trees, does it Ponto?" - -"No, indeedy," replied a negro. "But, 'scuse me, Miss Rose, I done -thought I seed some pursons a minute ago when I done flashed de lantern -straight ahead." - -"Persons, Ponto? Then for mercy sakes, flash it that way again, and -perhaps they'll tell us where we are." - -Once more the searchlight shone in the faces of the boys and the -professor, and this time the girl, who had been speaking to the negro, -saw the travelers. - -"Can you tell us where we are?" she called, raising her voice to be -heard above the roar of the storm. - -"On an island in Lake Kissimmee," replied Jerry. "What boat is that?" - -"The houseboat _Wanderer_." - -"What is it, Rose?" called another girl's voice from somewhere in the -darkness back of the lantern. - -"Some boys and a man," replied Rose. - -"Girls! Girls!" exclaimed the voice of the gentleman aboard the -_Wanderer_. "Stop that chattering! If there are persons out in the rain -why don't you ask them to come aboard out of the storm? Ponto, run out -the gangplank!" - -"Yas, sah, right away, sah!" - -There was a creaking of ropes and the rumble of a plank being hauled -across the deck. - -"Excuse me," spoke the one who had been called Rose, addressing the -three boys and the professor. "Won't you come aboard out of the wet?" - -"Thank you, I believe we will," answered Jerry, and, as the plank which -the negro thrust out touched the bank Jerry stepped on it, followed by -his chums and Mr. Snodgrass. A moment later they were under the shelter -of the houseboat, standing at the entrance to a snug little cabin, in -which were three young ladies and an elderly gentleman. - -"Glad to welcome you," said the man. "My name is Nathan Seabury. These -are my daughters, Rose, Nellie and Olivia," indicating each one in -turn. "We are traveling about on this houseboat. The girls pretend it -is for my health, but I strongly suspect it is for their own." - -"Now father!" exclaimed Olivia, whom Jerry decided was the prettiest of -the three, "you know you're not well, and it's time for your medicine." - -"Not until morning, young lady!" and Mr. Seabury winked at the -professor. - -"Allow me to introduce myself and these boys," spoke Mr. Snodgrass, -handing out a card, inscribed with his name and the initials of the -various societies to which he belonged. Then he gave the names of the -boys, and briefly told of their travels. - -"We started from Kissimmee City about two weeks ago," explained Mr. -Seabury, "and we have been drifting slowly along ever since, enjoying -life here. Last night the small motor, which serves to propel our boat -at a moderate speed, broke. We anchored but the rope must have slipped, -for the first thing we knew we were adrift in the storm. Then we hit -this place, and--well, here we are." - -"This is an island," said Jerry. "We camped here for the night, but the -storm woke us up and--" - -"Why you are all soaking wet!" interrupted Nellie. "You will catch -cold. Ponto, light the fire and heat some water. I'll make some hot -lemonade!" - -"Nellie is always afraid some one will catch cold," explained her -father. - -"Don't go to any trouble on our account," said Ned, for which Bob -wanted to kick him, as he was wet and hungry, and it looked as if there -were good things to eat aboard the _Wanderer_. - -The colored man soon had a fire going in the stove, and the kettle -was put on to boil, while Nellie busied herself in making not only -hot lemonade, but coffee as well, and setting out some things more -substantial, at the sight of which Bob's drooping spirits revived. - -"I'm sorry I can't offer you some dry garments," said Mr. Seabury with -a smile, "but the fact is my boys are all girls. I might help the -professor out--but the others--" - -"We have plenty of dry things in our boat," said Ned. "I'll go and get -them." - -The plan was voted a good one. Aided by the searchlight, which -was turned to illuminate the path from the houseboat to where the -_Dartaway_ was moored Ned, borrowing a big raincoat from Mr. Seabury, -went to the craft, and, from the waterproof lockers took out dry -garments for himself and the others of his party. These he held under -the raincoat and brought aboard the _Wanderer_. - -The boys and the professor removed their wet clothes and put on dry -ones in one of the spare rooms of the houseboat, and then sat down to -the meal which Nellie and her sisters, aided by Jeanette, a colored -servant, had prepared. - -It was still raining hard, and, as the houseboat was large, Mr. -Seabury's invitation, that the boys and the professor stay aboard until -morning was accepted. The _Dartaway's_ bunks had not been made up, and -to arrange them in the darkness and rain would have been quite a task. -So the travelers were grateful for the unexpected hospitality afforded. - -It cleared off in the morning, and when the boys and Mr. Snodgrass -arose they looked out on a scene of beauty. The island lay in the -middle of a large blue lake that was fringed all around with big trees, -the green foliage of which looked fresh and clean after the shower. - -"It's your turn to get breakfast, Bob," observed Jerry. "Skip ashore -and start a fire." - -"I was just going to ask you to do me the honor to take breakfast with -me," put in Mr. Seabury, coming on deck. "I'd be very pleased to have -you." - -Ned was going to refuse, as he thought the addition of four to the -eating accommodations of the _Wanderer_ might prove too great a strain, -but Mr. Seabury anticipated him. - -"I am not altogether unselfish in asking you," he went on. "I am -anxious to have you look at our engine. Ponto doesn't seem to be able -to find out what the trouble is, though usually he can fix it. So if -you'll stay to breakfast and then look at my motor I'll be very much -obliged." - -"We will!" exclaimed Bob, before any of the others could answer. - -"Then I'll go below and see that the girls have things in readiness," -said the owner of the houseboat. "We are living unconventionally here," -he added. "I find the climate is very good for my nerves, which are -more at fault than my general health." - -While breakfast was being prepared the boys looked over the _Wanderer_. -They found it a first-class houseboat, with many improvements and -conveniences. - -"We'll give Bob a chance to fix the motor, he was so anxious to stay," -said Ned to Jerry. "I'd like to see him sweating over it." - -"You've got to help," stipulated Bob. "You're just as anxious to stay -to breakfast as I am, only you're afraid to say so. Come on, there's -the bell!" - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -JERRY IS HURT - - -Breakfast aboard the _Wanderer_ was afterward voted by the boys as the -best meal they had ever eaten. The three girls who were jolly and full -of fun, made the occasion lively with the description of their travels, -to which the boys added an account of some of their adventures. - -"I wish I was a man!" exclaimed Rose, when Jerry had told of their trip -to the buried city in Mexico. "That's what I should like to do." - -"Maybe you'll find some ancient ruins where you are going," suggested -Ned. - -"We's going to Lake Okeechobee," responded Olivia. "I guess we'll find -nothing but swamps." - -"I believe there is a remnant of several tribes of Seminole Indians -there," put in Jerry. "Perhaps you'll discover a prehistoric city." - -"Oh, are there really Indians?" asked Nellie. "How perfectly terrible! -I'd like to see a little pappoose, but I'd be afraid of a full blooded -Indian!" - -While the young people talked in this strain Mr. Snodgrass and Mr. -Seabury were discussing deeper subjects. Mr. Seabury, it developed, was -quite wealthy, and had helped to found several scientific schools. He -was quite interested in the professor's nature studies, and wanted to -know all about the rare butterfly the scientist was seeking. - -"I'll keep a lookout for it," promised the owner of the _Wanderer_. "If -I see one I'll catch it for you." - -"So will I!" exclaimed Rose, who had listened to the ending of the -conversation. "I'm fond of animals." - -"The--er--butterfly isn't exactly an animal," spoke the professor with -a smile. "But I would be very glad if you could catch one for me." - -"I suppose you'll get to Lake Okeechobee ahead of us," said Nellie to -Jerry. "If you do we may see you there. It's rather a large body of -water, according to the map, but I expect you will navigate most of it." - -"We plan to make a circuit of it," answered Ned. "We may find some one -we know there." - -"Who?" asked the girl, but before Ned could state that he referred to -Noddy Nixon, Mr. Seabury called out: - -"Now would one of you boys mind looking at our engine? I'd like to get -under way again." - -"There's your chance, Bob!" whispered Ned, but Bob did not have to -undertake the job, for Jerry, who had a natural fondness for machinery, -was soon tinkering away at the motor. He found that the mechanism which -controlled the electric spark was out of order and, though it was no -easy matter to adjust, he soon had the machine working better than ever. - -Mr. Seabury was very grateful, and pressed the boys and Mr. Snodgrass -to spend several days aboard the _Wanderer_. The chums were half-minded -to, but the professor was impatient to begin the hunt for the rare -butterfly, the haunts of which were farther south, so they prepared to -leave their island camp. - -The hot sun and wind soon dried out the wetness of the night before, -and when everything had been packed aboard the _Dartaway_ the boys bade -their host and his pretty daughters good-bye. Then, voicing the hope -that they would meet again soon, those in the motor boat started down -the lake toward the Kissimmee river, while the _Wanderer_ followed more -slowly. - -"They're a nice lot of girls," observed Bob with a sigh, as a turn of -the lake hid the houseboat from sight. "Very nice girls." - -"Which one?" asked Jerry with a smile. - -"All of 'em!" - -"A very fine man!" was the professor's comment on Mr. Seabury. "He has -traveled much and has seen many strange insects. A very learned man." - -They were now in a fine region, a country higher than the usual low -level of Florida, and noted for the variety of its crops. They passed -through several large cattle ranges and again through long stretches of -dense forests. Now and then they would come to a little colony where -fruit growers had settled. At noon they went ashore near a little -village and had dinner. - -"Boys!" exclaimed the professor, as they prepared to resume their -journey, "I've had good news!" - -"Did some one tell you where to find that butterfly?" asked Bob. - -"No, but a man in the village said there was a curious mound about ten -miles below here, a mound erected by a prehistoric race, I believe. I -must investigate it. Who knows but I shall find some valuable relics?" - -"You mean a heap of dirt such as the Ohio mound builders put up?" asked -Ned. - -"The same, my boy, only I think this one will be richer in historical -treasures. The man said it was seldom visited by any one in this -region. He was guiding a hunting party one day and discovered it. Come, -we must hurry off. I want to see it before dark." - -Once more the _Dartaway_ was sent ahead. The river wound in and out -in the dense forest, now broadening and again narrowing. Sometimes it -was quite shallow and then would come a deep place, in which several -varieties of fish could be observed in the clear depths. Bob wanted to -catch some for supper, but the professor was anxious to keep on, so no -stop was made. - -"I think that's the place!" Mr. Snodgrass exclaimed after several -hours. "The man said when I saw three big palmetto trees on a little -point of land to go ashore and then walk due west. There are the three -trees," and he pointed to them. - -"Doesn't look like a very inviting region," remarked Jerry as he sent -the boat over toward the little point. "But I suppose that makes it all -the better for the mound. Well, professor, we'll go ashore and see what -we can find." - -Mooring the boat to the bank, the boys leaped out, the professor -pausing to take several specimen boxes and his butterfly net. - -"Guess I'll take my gun," announced Bob, turning back. "I might get a -shot at something." - -He took his weapon, a combination rifle and shot gun, while the others -went on ahead of him. - -"Looks as though there was a path here," said Jerry, pointing to a sort -of trail through the woods. - -"So it does," admitted Mr. Snodgrass. "Well, so much the better for us." - -"Unless it has been made by a band of Indians or some ugly negroes," -said Jerry in a low tone. "I've read there are some black men who live -in the swamps about here, and that they are worse than Indians." - -"Better call to Bob to come up front with his gun," spoke Ned. - -"No, it might alarm the professor," replied Jerry. "But keep your eyes -open." - -They followed the path, which wound in and out among the trees. -Suddenly the professor, who had made his way to the fore, uttered a cry. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry, looking to see that Bob, with his -gun, was close by. - -"The mound!" cried the scientist, pointing to a large hill to be seen -through the masses of moss hanging from the trees. - -"It's a mound, sure enough," admitted Jerry. "Let's see what it's like." - -As they approached they saw that it was undoubtedly the work of human -hands. It was shaped like a pyramid, and on either side stretched level -land, covered with a dense growth of forest or underbrush. - -"There are steps leading to the top!" cried Bob, who had gone around to -the far side of the artificial hill. The others joined him and saw him -ascending a rude flight of stairs made of stones set into the side of -the mound. - -"Better go slow," advised Jerry. "No telling what's up there." - -"Let me look for relics!" exclaimed the professor, and he hurried past -Bob. "I'm sure there must be lots of them in this place." - -Bob stood aside while Jerry, who, as usual, assumed the leadership when -there was a hint of danger, took the rifle. Then he started to follow -the professor. - -Jerry had not taken half a dozen steps when he trod on a loose stone. -He nearly fell backward but recovered himself by an effort. In doing -so, however, he leaned too far to one side. The next instant he had -fallen and slid to the bottom of the mound. - -The hammer of the gun came in contact with a stone or stick, and the -weapon was discharged with a loud report. Fortunately the muzzle was -pointed upward, and the bullet endangered no one. - -"Are you hurt?" cried Ned and Bob, hurrying to Jerry's aid. - -They noticed that his face was white and drawn. - -"I'm--afraid so," he murmured, clenching his teeth to keep back a -murmur of pain. - -"Where is it?" asked Ned. - -"My leg!" - -They noticed that his left leg was doubled under him. As tenderly as -they could they lifted him up. As they did so Bob saw a stream of blood -trickling from Jerry's foot. - -"You're shot!" he cried. "Oh Jerry!" - -"No, it isn't the bullet," said Jerry. "I think I ran a sharp stone -through my shoe as I fell." - -The two chums bent closer to look. - -"It's an Indian arrow head!" exclaimed Ned as he saw the long sharp -piece of flint piercing the side of Jerry's shoe. "I'll pull it out." - -He tried, but it was imbedded in the flesh more firmly than he had -thought. - -"Oh!" exclaimed Jerry, and then the terrible pain, as Ned tried to -withdraw the ancient weapon, made him faint. - -"Professor!" cried Bob. "Jerry's hurt!" - -The scientist had disappeared on the top of the mound. Hardly had the -echoes of Bob's voice died away than from the forest surrounding the -mound there emerged a band of ugly-looking negroes. They started to run -toward the boys just as Mr. Snodgrass, hearing the call of distress, -began to descend the stone steps. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE SEMINOLE CHIEF - - -Jerry's faintness however, was of short duration. When Ned ceased -trying to extract the stone the terrible pain subsided, for the time -being, and Jerry opened his eyes. - -"Let the professor take it out," he murmured. "He can do it." Then he -caught sight of the advancing negroes. "Where's the gun?" he asked. - -Bob had secured it after Jerry's fall, and at this, he raised it in -readiness, though he did not point it at the black men. At the sight -of it, however, they stopped. One of them, who seemed to be a leader, -raised his hand and called out: - -"What yo' uns want heah?" - -"We came to look at this curious mound," replied the professor, -speaking in conciliatory tones. "We were looking for relics. Why? -What has happened?" he exclaimed as he saw the blood on Jerry's foot. -Evidently he had not heard Bob's cry. - -"I ran an Indian arrow head into my foot," answered Jerry. "I guess -you'll have to get it out, Professor." - -"Looks as though we were going to have trouble with these negroes," put -in Ned. "We must look out." - -"Yo' uns had better make tracks away from heah!" went on the leader of -the black men. "We don't like strangers heah!" - -"We can't go until I attend to this lad's injury," spoke Mr. Snodgrass -firmly. "Lie down Jerry, and I'll get the arrow out. This confirms my -suspicions that the mound was built by Indians." - -"I'm pretty sure of it, judging from the way my foot feels," said the -injured lad. - -He was sitting on one of the lower stone steps, and Ned was taking off -his shoe and stocking. He had to cut the leather and cloth in order to -remove them from around the arrow head which was still sticking firmly -into the fleshy part of Jerry's foot. The latter bore the pain bravely, -though he had to grit his teeth to keep from yelling as Ned's hands -came in contact with the stone, moving it in the tender wound. - -"Git away from heah!" ordered the negro leader. "This is our property -an' we don't want nobody heah!" - -"You'll have to wait until I fix up this lad's foot," insisted the -professor. - -"We uns ain't goin' to wait." - -The negroes had gathered around their leader and seemed as if about to -advance on the professor and the three boys. They were an ugly looking -lot. - -"Look out for trouble," said Ned in a low tone. "I wish we'd brought -our guns. Bob, can you shoot straight?" - -"Don't do any shooting," advised the scientist. "They are too many for -us and it would only make them more savage to fire on them. I must try -other measures." - -The professor endeavored to argue with the colored men, but they -insisted that the travelers must leave the place at once. There were -greedy eyes taking in every detail of the dress of the party and the -sight of the boys' watch chains excited a cupidity that boded no good. -The professor saw that their position was a dangerous one. - -"I think we had better get out of here," he said. "Can you walk, Jerry?" - -"I'm afraid not." - -One look at his foot showed that it would be out of the question. Even -with the arrow head removed it would be a task, and the professor -dared not extract the weapon, as, while he was doing so the negroes -might rush on them. Probably the worst that would happen would be -robbery, but the travelers were in no humor to be despoiled of their -possessions. - -"We'll have to carry him," said Ned. "You and I can manage it, Mr. -Snodgrass. Bob can act as an escort with the gun, and when we are in -the boat you can attend to Jerry." - -This was voted the only feasible plan. Jerry's foot was not bleeding -much, as the arrow in the wound prevented a heavy hemorrhage. Still the -lad was weak from the pain. - -"Are yo' uns goin' to git out of heah?" demanded the leading negro -again, and he advanced menacingly. - -"We're glad to get out of the neighborhood where such inhospitable -people live," remarked Mr. Snodgrass, as he slung his collecting box -over his shoulder by a strap, and prepared to help carry Jerry. - -Bob brought up in the rear with the gun, after Ned had gone to the -aid of the scientist, and perhaps the sight of the weapon prevented a -hostile demonstration on the part of the black men. They followed the -travelers for a short distance, as they went on with the wounded lad -along the path that led to where they had left the _Dartaway_. - -"I hope they don't give us any more trouble," remarked Bob, as they -neared their craft. "If they have boats they may come after us." - -"They'd have to have pretty good boats to get ahead of ours," observed -Ned. - -It was no easy task to transport Jerry along the narrow path, and, -several times, the professor and Ned had to rest. But they finally made -a turn in the trail that put them on the straight stretch which led -directly to the boat. - -"There she is!" cried Ned. "Now we're all right!" - -As he spoke there was a rustling in the grass along the path. Bob, with -ready gun, turned quickly. The boys had a glimpse of several dusky -faces peering at them. - -"The negroes!" exclaimed Ned. "They're following us!" - -"Hurry on!" spoke Bob. "Get into the boat and start up. They'll not -come very near as long as we have a gun!" - -Even as he spoke the black men seemed to melt away like shadows and -the rustling was heard no longer. On they hurried to the _Dartaway_. -Jerry was placed on a pile of cushions, and Ned started the motor. As -the boat swung out toward the middle of the river they saw, emerging -from the bushes and standing on the shore, half a score of negroes, who -shook their fists at the travelers. - -"We're well rid of them," murmured the professor, as he prepared -to extract the arrow head from Jerry's foot. "But I wish I could -have stayed at that mound. It was filled with historical relics and -treasures, I'm sure." - -With Ned steering the boat, which, after it had gotten well away from -the hostile negroes was sent along at slow speed, the professor called -to Bob to assist him in affording relief to Jerry. The scientist saw -that he would have to cut the weapon from the lad's flesh, as the barbs -held it too firmly to allow it being removed in any other way. - -"Can you stand some pain?" asked Mr. Snodgrass. - -"Go ahead," replied Jerry grimly. - -"If I only had some chloroform," went on the scientist, "I could give -you a whiff of it, and it would numb your senses a little. But I -haven't any. I guess you'll have to stand it, my boy. I'll be as gentle -as I can." - -The professor carried a small set of surgical instruments with him, -for use in dissecting the animals and insects he collected. He now -produced several shining knives, at the sight of which Jerry did not -have the most cheerful feelings in the world. But he knew the arrow -head must be removed. - -Mr. Snodgrass cleansed the knives in some antiseptic liquid he had -among his possessions, and then made ready to cut the weapon out. - -"Keep the boat as steady as possible," he called to Ned. "Bob, you hold -Jerry's foot. It will soon be out." - -Jerry had a dim remembrance that he had heard some one say that before. -He recalled that it was a dentist. A faint feeling was overcoming him. - -Suddenly Ned uttered a cry, and pointed ahead. The professor suspended -his surgical preparations and looked up. So did Bob and Jerry. The -latter was on the point of fainting. - -What they saw was a canoe, containing a solitary figure, crossing the -river. As they watched they saw the frail craft upset, and, a moment -later the man who was in it was struggling in the water. - -"Go to his rescue! Never mind me!" cried Jerry. "I can wait. Save the -man!" - -At a nod from the professor Ned speeded up the engine and steered the -boat toward where the man had disappeared beneath the surface of the -river. In a few seconds the _Dartaway_ was at the place. - -"Can you see him?" asked Bob. - -"Yes, he's right here!" exclaimed Ned, reversing the screw and bringing -the motor craft to a stop. "Pass me the boat hook, Bob. He seems to be -held down by a tangle of grass or weeds!" - -Bob passed the hook forward. Ned lowered it into the water and caught -the blunt point in the clothing of the submerged man. With Bob's aid he -drew him to the surface. - -As the man's head came out of the water he shook it to relieve himself -of the water. Then, taking a long breath, which showed that he had held -it while deprived of air, he uttered a grunt and proceeded to climb -into the _Dartaway_. - -"He's a negro!" exclaimed Bob in a whisper. - -"Me no black man!" exclaimed the rescued one, shaking himself like a -dog and thereby splashing water over all in the boat. "Me Indian. My -name Ottiby. Me chief! Ugh!" - -"An Indian," murmured Ned. - -"He is one of the Seminole tribe," put in the professor. "I recognize -the characteristics." - -"Paddle catch in long grass," went on Ottiby, as if in excuse for such -a child of nature as an Indian letting water get the best of him. "Me -go overboard. Get caught in weeds. No can git loose. Steamboat come -along. Boy pull Ottiby out. Good boy. Ottiby no forget. Can get canoe?" - -This last seemed to be a question which Ned interpreted as a desire on -Ottiby's part to have his boat back again. Accordingly the _Dartaway_ -was sent ahead again, and the frail craft, which was hollowed from -a log, was secured, together with the paddle which had come to the -surface. - -"Good!" spoke Ottiby with a grunt, when he saw his property secure. "Me -no forget white man and boys," and he looked at the travelers. - -As he caught sight of the knife in the professor's hand, and saw -Jerry's bared foot, with the bloody arrow head sticking in it, the -Indian gave a start of surprise. - -"Boy hurt?" he asked. Then, without waiting for an answer. "Cut out -arrow. Me know. Go ashore. Me get somet'ing stop pain. Ottiby know. Put -ashore!" - -"Steer the boat to land, Ned," said the professor. "I believe we saved -this Indian in the nick of time. He probably knows of some plant that I -can use to make it less painful for Jerry while I cut the arrow out." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -CAUGHT IN SAW GRASS - - -Ottiby made his way to the stern where he held the rope fastened to his -canoe, by which it was being towed. Though he had been near to death -he seemed perfectly at his ease now, with no regard of what might have -happened if the travelers in the speedy _Dartaway_ had not come along. -But that he was not ungrateful was shown by his quick thought in the -matter of Jerry. - -The motor boat was moored in a little cove but, even before it was made -fast Ottiby had leaped ashore and disappeared in the woods. - -"Looks as if he was running away," said Ned. - -"No danger," replied the professor. "He's going for the plant, I -believe." - -The professor was correct. In about ten minutes Ottiby returned. In his -hand he held several long roots. Mr. Snodgrass tried to discover what -they were, but the chief knew only the Indian name for them, and they -were a species of plant with which the scientist was not familiar. - -"Me make foot feel no pain," said Ottiby as he took the roots and -rolled them into a compact mass. This he wet in the river and then he -pounded the fibers with a wooden club he had picked up in the woods. -When he had the roots into a sort of rude plaster he laid it on Jerry's -foot, over the wound. - -"So like Indians do," Ottiby said. "Wait while then can cut and no -feel." - -In about five minutes Jerry exclaimed. - -"It feels as if my foot was going to sleep." - -"Then the stuff is working," remarked Mr. Snodgrass. "We'll wait a -while longer and then I'll take the arrow head out. I'm glad we rescued -Ottiby." - -As a test of the power of the Indian's medicine the professor, after -waiting a while longer, stuck a pin in Jerry's foot near the wound. - -"I don't feel it a bit," the lad said. - -"Then I'll operate," announced Mr. Snodgrass. Jerry closed his eyes as -he did not like to see the action of the knife. In a few minutes the -scientist announced that it was all over and that the arrow head was -out. He showed it to Jerry, and an ugly enough weapon it was. - -"I hope it isn't poisonous," remarked Jerry. - -"Not much danger of that, I think," said Mr. Snodgrass. "If there was -ever poison on it the stuff has lost its power, for the head must have -lain on the ground for a hundred years or more. Now I'd like to have -some healing medium with which to bind up the wound. I wonder if Ottiby -knows of some herbs I might use." - -He inquired of the Indian, explaining as well as he could what was -wanted. The chief nodded his head, and once more disappeared in the -woods. He was not gone so long this time, and, when he returned he had -a bunch of leaves. These he bruised up and bound on Jerry's foot. - -"How do you feel?" asked the professor when the rude dressing had been -applied. - -"It's beginning to pain some, but I can stand it." - -"The numbing effect of the roots is wearing off," said the scientist. -"It will hurt for a while, I expect, and then perhaps the leaves will -make it better." - -"Well, we've had a rather strenuous afternoon," remarked Bob, when -Jerry had been comfortably propped up with cushions. "Now what's next -on the program? Supper I believe." - -"You're not going to give anyone else a chance to vote, are you, -Chunky?" cried Ned. "Never mind, I believe you're right. Come on, and -we'll get a meal ready." - -The old Indian, who had not taken the trouble to remove his wet clothes -sat on the stern of the _Dartaway_ watching with curious eyes the -preparations for the meal. - -"Shall we ask him to stay?" inquired Bob of the professor. "He looks -hungry." - -"Stay? Eat?" inquired the scientist of the Indian, making motions -toward the victuals which the boys were laying out. - -"Me stay," was the laconic answer. - -After the early supper it was decided they should camp where they were -for the night, until they saw how Jerry's sore foot was. The bunks -were made up and the mosquito canopy spread, as, with the approach of -darkness, myriads of these and other insects made life miserable. - -Ottiby watched these preparations with wonder in his eyes, but said -nothing. It was dusk when he got into his canoe and began to paddle off. - -"Me see yo' some more," he promised as he disappeared amid the -darkening shadows. "Ottiby no forget." - -"He's a queer customer," remarked Bob, as the Indian's boat passed -around a bend in the river. - -"He's a mighty good one," put in Jerry. "My foot feels fine." - -Next morning an examination of the wound showed, to the experienced -eyes of the professor, that it was doing well, though it would take a -week to heal. They decided to find a comfortable place to camp and go -ashore, as there would be more room to move about. - -Jerry wanted his companions to continue the voyage but the scientist -decided they might get to some place unfavorable to the lad's speedy -recovery, and he overruled the proposition. - -They went down the river a few miles the next day and found a sort of -clearing, near a little cove, which made an ideal place to stop. There -they remained about ten days. During that time the professor hunted -bugs and butterflies to his heart's content. He was constantly on the -lookout for the prize specimen with the blue and gold wings, but saw no -trace of it. However, he was not discouraged, as he had not counted on -coming across it until he got to Lake Okeechobee. - -The leaves which the Indian bound on Jerry's foot proved a wonderful -medicine. At the end of ten days the wound was healed, and Jerry could, -by using care, walk on his injured foot. - -"I guess it's about time to resume our trip," he remarked one morning, -when he found he could get along fairly well. "I'm anxious to get out -on the big lake in our boat." - -Accordingly camp was struck, and once more the travelers were dropping -down the Kissimmee river. They traveled slowly, and about three days -later they found themselves on a broad lagoon, which, by the map, they -knew opened into Lake Okeechobee. - -"Speed her up! We want to reach the lake before night!" exclaimed Jerry -to Bob, who was at the wheel. Jerry was still acting the part of an -invalid passenger. - -"Maybe we'd better keep near shore," remarked the professor. "It looks -as if a bad storm was brewing." - -During the last hour the sky had become overcast with masses of dull, -leaden clouds. The wind too was increasing in power and the waters -of the lagoon began to break into waves in the midst of which the -_Dartaway_ pitched and tossed. - -"I think it would be wise to go ashore," said Jerry. "We'd better camp -there for the night. We can go out on the lake in the morning." - -Bob put the wheel over and they landed at a place where tall green -grass came down almost to the water's edge. - -"We'll have to hustle to get the tent up if we're going to sleep here -to-night," said Ned. "That long grass looks as if there might be snakes -in it." - -"If there are perhaps I can get a few specimens," spoke Mr. Snodgrass. -"But come on, boys. The storm will soon be upon us." - -Bob and Ned, aided by the scientist, and by Jerry, who could perform -light tasks, soon had the tent up. They securely moored the _Dartaway_, -and then set about making things comfortable for the night. The wind -was increasing in force, and a few drops of rain fell, but the boys -knew their tent was a strong and dry one, and securely put up. - -They went to bed early, as it had been a tiresome day. Shortly before -midnight they were all awakened by a crash. Then it seemed as if a -giant hand had lifted their tent from the ground. An instant later they -felt a deluge of rain. - -"Secure the tent! Hold it down! Grab the ropes!" yelled Ned. - -Bob and the professor sprang to aid him, but they were too late. The -tent was blown down. - -Out from under the clinging canvas they struggled into the darkness of -the storm, for the wind had extinguished their lanterns. They could not -see which way to go to get to their boat, where they knew they would -be sheltered, for they had put up the awning before camping out. - -Suddenly Bob uttered a cry. - -"Something has cut me!" - -"Me too!" cried Jerry. "It feels as if a lot of knives were sawing my -hands and face." - -"It's the giant saw-grass!" called the professor. "It grows in this -region. The wind is whipping the long blades into our faces. Stoop -down, boys, or you'll be badly cut!" - -They tried to do this, but it seemed as if the saw-grass was all over. -In the darkness they had plunged into a patch of the dreaded stuff. -The serrated edges of the rush-like growth scarified their skin like -knives, and the boys and the professor were soon bleeding from several -places. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE BIG SNAKE - - -Dangerous indeed was the plight of the travelers. In the darkness, -and with the storm at its height, they were entangled in the patch of -saw-grass, and could not discover which way to escape from it. The wind -lashed the keen edges across their hands and faces again and again. - -"Stand still!" cried the professor. "The more we move the worse it is! -Has any one any matches?" - -"I have!" cried Bob, "but I don't believe I can light 'em in this -downpour." - -"Try," suggested Mr. Snodgrass. - -Bob tried, but with no success. Then Ned uttered a cry. - -"This way!" he called as a flash of lightning illuminated the scene for -a brief instant. "I can see the water!" - -The others made their way toward the sound of his voice. Bewildered, -however, as they were by the storm and dense blackness which followed -the lightning flash, they rushed but the deeper into the terrible -grass. - -"Come on!" cried Ned, who, by good fortune had succeeded in reaching -an open place near the water, where there was none of the sharp grass. -"Move when you see the flashes!" - -"Hurry to the boat!" called Mr. Snodgrass. "I hope it hasn't slipped -its moorings in the storm." - -That was a trick which the tempest had not played on the travelers. -They found their craft safe, and were soon aboard and under the stout -awning which kept off the fury of the wind and rain. In a moment Ned -had found the switch that controlled the small electric lights on the -boat, which were worked by a storage battery. Then in the security of -the little cabin the four looked at one another. - -"This is about the worst yet!" exclaimed Jerry, as he limped over to -a stool and sat down. The storm made his wounded foot, which was not -quite healed, hurt more than usual. "Your face is a sight, Bob. Looks -as if a cat had been at you." - -"The same to you and more of it," responded Ned. "I guess we all bear -the marks of the saw-grass." - -This was so, for the fine keen edges of nature's peculiar weapons had -left their record on the hands and faces of all the travelers. - -"I think this is where some of the leaves the Indian chief used on -Jerry's foot would come in handy," remarked Ned. - -"If we only had some," retorted Bob with a groan. "Even some witch -hazel wouldn't be so bad, though it smarts at first." - -"I have some of the leaves," the professor said. "I observed what kind -of a plant they were from and gathered a supply the other day. I will -get them." - -Removing most of their soaked garments, and wringing out the water, the -boys and the scientist were soon busy pounding up the leaves to make -a sort of ointment for their scratches. The foliage gave out a sticky -salve which, when applied to the cuts made by the grass, soothed them. - -"We look like a lot of Seminole Indians with our war paint on," -remarked Ned, and indeed the four did present a curious sight, for they -were daubed with green stuff in streaks and patches. - -"Now for some hot coffee," announced Bob, as he set the gasoline -stove going. "That will make us feel as well inside as the leaves do -outside." - -"Trust Chunky for knowing what's good for the inside," retorted Ned. -"However go ahead, Bob. We're all with you." - -Warmed and exhilarated by the hot drink the travelers listened with -better spirits to the patter of the rain on the awning. They got out -some dry garments from the lockers and then, making up the folding -bunks with which the _Dartaway_ was provided, they spent the rest of -the night in comparative comfort. - -The storm was over at sunrise, and as the boys peered from the -curtained cabin they gazed out on scene of beauty. They were on the -shore of a broad lagoon which gave entrance into Lake Okeechobee. -Behind them, some distance back, was a dense forest, and, nearer to -them was the dreadful saw-grass. Over the stretch of water myriads of -birds were flying, while, every now and then, a splash and a shower of -glistening drops told that a hungry fish was trying to get an early -breakfast. - -"How do you boys feel?" asked Mr. Snodgrass. - -"Much better," announced Jerry, and the others said the same. The pain -from their cuts and scratches was all gone, so quick-acting was the -Indian's remedy. After breakfast they went ashore and got the tent and -camp stuff which, though much scattered, had not suffered any material -damage. - -"No more camping on this shore!" exclaimed Ned as he looked at the -waving saw-grass. - -"I must get some specimens," the scientist said. "I have read about the -peculiar properties of this plant but I never came across it before." - -"You want to put gloves on if you try to go in there," cautioned Jerry, -and this the professor did. In that way he was able to secure some of -the grass for his cabinet of curiosities, which was already assuming -large proportions. - -"Now for Lake Okeechobee proper!" cried Bob as the boat was once more -started off. They were soon out of the lagoon and in due time emerged -around a point of land and beheld, stretched out before them the -largest lake of Florida, a beautiful sight under the gleaming southern -sun. - -"Hurrah for the everglades!" cried Ned. - -"And Noddy Nixon's cocoanut grove," added Jerry. "I wonder if we'll see -him?" He also thought of the deed to the land his mother had bought, -and vaguely dwelt on the possibility of locating it. - -"Now I must get seriously to work and look for my rare butterfly," -remarked the professor, as he began to rummage among his nets and other -insect-catching accessories. "I hope you boys will be on the watch for -it, as it means a great deal to me." - -They assured him that they would, and then Ned, who was steering, -increased the speed of the motor until the boat shot along at a fast -rate through the blue waters of the lake. - -"Look there!" cried Bob suddenly, pointing just ahead. - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"A big fish leaped half way out of the water. There must be fine sport -here. I'm going to try to catch some for dinner, as it's almost noon." - -"Go ahead," remarked Ned. "I'll slow down for you." - -Bob baited his hook and, in a short time had caught a fine fish. Then -Jerry joined him in the sport, and in half an hour they had enough for -a meal. They went ashore, and Jerry, who volunteered to act as cook, -quickly had the finny specimens frying in bacon fat which browned to a -golden hue the corn meal into which the fish were dipped. - -There wasn't much left when they cleared away the wooden dishes that -they used, and then, after a consultation, it was decided to camp for a -few days at the spot where they had landed. This would give their cuts -a chance to heal and by making short excursions here and there they -could get acquainted with the character of the lake. - -It was on the third day of their camping out on the shore of Lake -Okeechobee that, as they were returning in the motor boat one afternoon -Jerry, who had taken the wheel, suddenly called out: - -"Doesn't that sound like some one in our camp?" - -They were close to where they usually moored the boat, about fifty feet -from where the tent was set up. - -"Some one is rattling away among the pots and pans," remarked Ned. -"Maybe it's some of those negroes who have followed us." - -"Or Seminole Indians," added Bob. - -"More likely some animal," observed the professor. - -"Then it had better leave before I take a shot at it," exclaimed Bob, -getting his gun in readiness. - -The boat was approaching closer, and the noise amid the camp stuff -could be plainly heard. It sounded as though some animal like a cow was -nosing among a lot of tin pails after something to eat. Jerry shut off -the power and the boat slowly drifted to the shore. - -"Let me get at him!" cried Bob. - -"Look out! It may be a manatee!" cautioned Ned with a laugh. - -But his laugh was stopped short for, an instant later they all beheld -something that almost made their hearts stop beating. - -They could look into the midst of the camp, and there, in front of the -tent, writhing about in a confusion of dishes and food, was an immense -snake! - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER - - -"Quick with that gun, Bob!" cried Jerry. "Now's your chance for a shot!" - -Bob raised his weapon and fired, but his nervousness, and the sudden -terror into which the sight of the reptile threw him, made his aim -unsteady. The bullet cut the branches of a tree four feet above the -serpent. - -"Let me try!" exclaimed the professor. "I think I can get him." - -Bob handed over the gun. - -"No, I don't mean with that," and the scientist began making a slip -noose with a rope. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Jerry. - -"I'm going to try to capture that snake alive," answered Mr. Snodgrass. -"I recognize it as a valuable specimen of a water reptile, something -like the giant boas of the tropics. If I can capture it and ship it up -north I will get a good sum from the museum. Steady with the boat and -let me get ashore." - -"The snake will kill you!" cried Bob. - -"No, they are comparatively harmless," remarked the scientist. "The -only danger is in being caught in their powerful coils. They are not -poisonous." - -"Excuse me from that sort of a job," murmured Ned. - -By this time the boat had run ashore, the keel grating on the gravel at -the edge of the lake. The professor had made a running noose and held -it extended in front of him by means of the boat hook. - -"I'll try and get close enough to the reptile to slip the noose over -his head," he remarked to Jerry. "When I do, send the boat back into -the lake and I think we'll have him just where we want him." - -"Suppose he tackles you?" asked Bob. - -"I'm not afraid. I've handled snakes before," announced Uriah Snodgrass -confidently. - -He cautiously approached the reptile. The big serpent seemed to be -searching in the camp for something to eat. It crawled here and there, -poking its ugly head into all the openings visible and overturning -several boxes. - -"It's a whopper!" cried Ned as a nearer view showed the real size of -the reptile. - -Meanwhile the professor was approaching closer and closer, holding the -dangling noose ready to slip over the serpent's head. Suddenly the -creature raised itself so that the scientist thought he had a chance. -He rushed forward with a cry to the boys to be in readiness. Ned shoved -the boat off shore and Jerry stood ready to start the motor, while Bob -had secured the end of the rope about a cleat. - -All at once the snake caught sight of the man advancing with the rope. -It must have been aware of the hostile intentions of the professor for -it instantly gave vent to a loud hiss and coiled up ready for action. - -"Look out, Mr. Snodgrass!" called Jerry. "He's got an ugly look!" - -The professor did not reply. Stepping cautiously he kept on advancing, -holding his noose in readiness. It was a brave act but probably only -a person who would dare much in the interests of science would have -undertaken it. - -Suddenly the professor cast his noose. Now either he was not an expert -in the use of the lasso, or the snake instinctively knew how to avoid -such dangers. At any rate the reptile swayed its head to one side and -the rope fell harmlessly to the ground. The next instant the snake had -uncoiled and was wiggling straight for the professor. - -"Run!" cried Bob. - -"Jump!" advised Jerry. - -"Hit him with a club!" was Ned's caution. - -The professor did not heed the advice. With a bravery, worthy perhaps -of a better cause, he made a spring not away from but right at the -snake. He explained afterward that he hoped to grab it around the neck -and choke it. - -But he missed his aim, and the next moment there was a confused tangle -of man and snake on the ground. All the boys could see was a striped -tail threshing about while, every now and then, the professor's legs -were visible. He had some sort of a grip, but it was not the right -kind, on the reptile. - -[Illustration: THERE WAS A CONFUSED TANGLE OF MAN AND SNAKE ON THE -GROUND] - -"We must go ashore and help him! He'll be killed!" shouted Ned. - -"Give me the gun, Bob!" yelled Jerry. "I'll try a shot." - -"Don't hit the professor," cautioned Bob. - -Ned leaped ashore, followed by his companions who waded through the -intervening shallow water. They ran toward where the professor was -still struggling with the snake. But, by the time they arrived the -battle was over. Or, rather, it was a retreat. The snake, probably the -worst scared reptile in Florida at that moment, was headed for the -water, and, as the professor was stretched out on his back, where a -movement of the strong folds had thrown him the snake glided into the -lake and disappeared amid a series of ripples. - -"There he goes!" cried Bob, while Jerry sent several bullets from -the magazine rifle after it. But it was too late. The snake got away -unharmed. - -"Too bad I missed him," remarked the professor as he got up and brushed -the dirt from his clothes. "It would have been a valuable specimen." - -"Lucky it didn't crush you to death," said Jerry. "It was a monster." - -"I've seen larger ones," observed Mr. Snodgrass. "I must make a note of -this. I will write a scientific paper about it." - -Fortunately the travelers had returned to camp before the snake had -time to do much damage. Some fresh fish, which the boys depended on -for their meal, were eaten, and the place was in confusion from the -investigations of the reptile. - -"I am glad he didn't take it into his head to come in the night," -remarked Bob. "He'd have scared us all to death." - -Matters were soon straightened out, the professor proceeding to note -down facts about the reptile as calmly as though he had not been in -danger of serious injury, if not death, from the encounter. - -"If I could only have gotten hold of him around the neck," he said, -"I'd have him a captive now." - -"It's just as well," remarked Ned. "He would have been unhandy to cart -around, and, if you got your prize butterfly the snake might have eaten -him up." - -"That's so," admitted the scientist, finding some consolation in this -thought. - -It was on the afternoon of the next day when, as they were in the -boat, making their way along the eastern shore of the lake, that they -approached a small settlement. - -"Here's civilization," remarked Jerry as he saw the cluster of houses. -"I didn't suppose any one lived here." - -"Oh, there are several fruit growers in this vicinity," replied the -professor, "but after this I guess we'll find the lake lonesome enough -for we'll soon be among the everglades." - -They went ashore as they needed some supplies and gasoline. While their -order was being filled at the village store the boys strolled out a -distance into the country. - -"We'll be back in a little while, professor," remarked Jerry, as the -scientist elected to remain in the store, having caught sight of a -curious kind of black bug on the wall. - -The village was so small that the boys had soon passed its confines. -They walked along a little stream and saw, just ahead of them, two -figures. As they approached nearer they could hear persons in dispute. - -"Seems to me as if I had heard that one voice somewhere before," -remarked Ned. - -"It does sound familiar," agreed Jerry. - -The person with his back to the boys was saying: - -"I tell you this isn't my land. I know what I'm talking about. You're -in possession of my cocoanut grove, and I want it! I didn't buy this -old swamp!" and the figure turned and pointed to a morass on the edge -of which he was standing. - -"You don't know what you're talking about!" exclaimed the other, a man. -"I've owned this cocoanut grove for years. You've been swindled, that's -what's the matter." - -"I tell you I'm going to have my rights!" retorted the other. Then he -turned and the three motor boat boys, with one accord exclaimed: - -"Noddy Nixon!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -INTO A STRANGE LAKE - - -Whether Noddy or the three chums were the more surprised it would be -hard to say. Though they had a vague idea they might come across the -Cresville bully in Florida, the motor boys did not give it serious -consideration, hardly believing Noddy's story about the cocoanut grove. -As for Noddy he had no intimation that the boys were coming to Florida -and his astonishment, at suddenly seeing them, was very great. His -first remark was characteristic of him. - -"Are you fellows sneaking after me to try and cheat me out of my -grove?" he asked. - -"Not much!" ejaculated Jerry. "We didn't know you were here." - -"I don't believe you!" retorted Noddy angrily. "You're always trying to -do me some injury. Anyhow this man has possession of my cocoanut grove, -that I paid my money for, and I'm going to have it." - -"How do you know this isn't your grove?" asked the man with a smile, -indicating the swamp land. - -"Because the magazine advertisement that I answered said all the groves -the company sold were on high ground. I followed the directions in -reaching this place and this is the only grove on high ground around -here. So it must be mine." - -"That's your way of looking at it," replied the man. "But it doesn't -happen to be the right one. My name is Carter. If you make some -inquiries in the village you will find that I have owned this grove for -the last twenty years, and that my father owned it before me." - -"I don't believe you!" snapped Noddy. "It's a plot to cheat me out of -my money." - -"Look here!" exclaimed Mr. Carter. "If I didn't think you were so young -and foolish that you didn't know any better I'd make you apologize for -that. As it is I'm not going to take any notice of you. Are these young -friends of yours? If they are I'd advise them to take you away before -you get into trouble with that temper of yours, and the unpleasant way -you have of using your tongue." - -"We know him," Jerry hastened to say, motioning toward Noddy. "I can't -say we're friends of his, nor is he of us. But as we come from the -same town we'd be glad to do what we can for him, though he has done us -several mean turns." - -"I don't want any of your help!" exclaimed Noddy. "You can mind your -own business, Jerry Hopkins, and you too, Bob and Ned. I can get along -without you. I'm going to get possession of my cocoanut grove and I'll -have this man arrested for keeping it!" - -"You're talking foolishly," interposed Mr. Carter. - -"I'll sue you!" retorted the Cresville bully. "I tell you I paid a -deposit on this grove and I'm going to have it." - -"I'm sorry for you, but I think you have been cheated," went on Mr. -Carter. "I know that company which pretended to sell you this land. -It is a swindling concern. A number of persons have been fooled into -buying land here and when they came to take possession of it they found -it was a swamp. But you are the first one who tried to lay claim to my -land," he added, with a grin. - -"You'll find this no laughing matter!" cried Noddy, his anger getting -the best of him. "I tell you I'm going to have my rights. I'll see a -lawyer." - -"Then you'd better start now," said Mr. Carter. "There isn't any in -this village, and the nearest one is twenty miles away. We don't have -much use for lawyers down here." - -"I'll go right away!" cried Noddy. "I'll have my rights, I tell you!" - -"Maybe your acquaintances will take you to a lawyer," went on Mr. -Carter, who seemed anxious to bring Noddy to his senses. "Any one will -tell you that you have been swindled." - -"I'll go alone and find some one to take up my case," exclaimed the -Cresville youth. "I don't want any help from Jerry Hopkins or any of -his gang, either." - -"We're not a gang!" objected Bob. "If you say that again, Noddy Nixon, -I'll--" - -"Go easy," whispered Jerry to his chum. "Let him alone." - -"You'll suffer for this!" ejaculated Noddy, glowering at Mr. Carter. -"I'll have the law on you! My father is a rich man and he'll help me -get my rights. I'll have you arrested for stealing my cocoanut grove!" - -"There! You've said enough!" responded the man. "I'll not take any more -of your insults! You're on my land and I order you off. What's more, -if you threaten me again I'll tie you up and take you before a justice -of the peace! Now move on!" - -Mr. Carter looked so angry, and so much in earnest, that, big bully as -he was, Noddy was frightened. He muttered something below his breath -but he moved off Mr. Carter's land, and on to the edge of the swamp -which constituted the "cocoanut grove" of which he had boasted. - -"Come on, boys," said Jerry in a low voice. "If we stay here we may get -involved in some trouble with Noddy. He doesn't want our aid, and I'm -glad of it. I'd hate to take him into our boat. Let's leave him alone." - -They started away. - -"I'll fix you for following me!" exclaimed Noddy as he saw the three -chums leaving him. "I'll get even with you!" - -"I hope he comes to his senses soon," remarked Mr. Carter, as he walked -toward the village with the three chums. "He is very hot tempered. He -arrived in town a few days ago and created quite a stir by talking -about the big cocoanut grove he had come to claim. When he found out -that it was only a swamp that the swindlers had worked off on him he -wanted to get my land, saying a mistake had been made. For several -days he's been seeking to lay claim to my grove, one of the few near -here, until I got tired of his foolishness. Do you know much about him?" - -Jerry told Mr. Carter enough of Noddy to make that gentleman understand -what sort of a youth the Cresville bully was. Mr. Carter said he was -sorry for him, but that he could not afford to give up his land because -Noddy had been fooled. - -Learning that the chums were in no particular hurry, Mr. Carter invited -them up to his house. He gave them a lunch and brought out some fresh -cocoanuts, in a green state, which is when they are at their best for -eating. He called one of his negro helpers and told him to open some of -the nuts for the boys. - -The negro set up in the ground a stake, sharpened on the end. Then, -holding the nut, encased in its husky fibrous covering in both hands, -he brought it down on the point of the stick with a slanting motion. -The sharp point cut through the husk in an instant and the nut was -exposed. Then the end was chopped off with a big knife and the -interior, consisting of "milk" and soft pulp, was ready to eat. - -"I never knew cocoanuts were so good!" exclaimed Bob, as he tackled his -fourth one, for they did not eat the rind or hard white part. - -"No, nor no one else does who gets only the ripe ones which are shipped -north," explained Mr. Carter. "We never think of eating anything but -the milk and soft pulp of the partly ripe ones." - -Presently the boys bade their host good-bye and started for the village -store where they had left the professor catching bugs. - -"There!" exclaimed Jerry, when they were almost at the place. "We -forgot something." - -"What?" asked Ned. - -"We didn't give Noddy the message the man gave us. We didn't tell him -the government detective wanted to see him." - -"Let's go back," suggested Bob. - -"I believe you're thinking more of the cocoanuts than you are of -Noddy," interposed Jerry. "No, I guess it will keep. Noddy will either -go back home, in which case the detective can see him himself, or he -will stay here and try to get a grove from some one. If he does the -latter we'll stop on our way back and give him the message." - -Jerry's chums thought this the best plan, so they kept on, dismissing -from their minds the thought of Noddy and his trouble. They found the -professor in his element, catching bug after bug, to the no small -amusement of the crowd of natives that had gathered to watch him. - -The supplies were soon put aboard the boat, and once more the travelers -took up their voyage. For three days they traveled slowly the length of -Lake Okeechobee. At times they kept near shore, attracted by the beauty -of the scenery, for there were tall palm and palmetto trees, gracefully -festooned with long streamers of Spanish moss. There was a wealth of -tropical vegetation, and amid the dense forests there flew flocks of -birds of the most brilliant plumage. - -Now and then they saw big snakes, and they passed several alligators -without at first knowing what the saurians were, as they looked so much -like floating logs of wood. When they did discover that the "logs" were -alive the boys tried several shots at them but without success. - -They camped on shore one night but the mosquitoes and fleas were so bad -that thereafter they stayed on the boat until out of that district. -They caught several fine messes of fish and had a glorious time. At -the close of the fourth day they approached the end of the lake. By -reference to the map they discovered that they were near to the land -of the everglades, those trackless patches of dense swamp, lonely and -dangerous, inhabited only by negroes and Indians. - -"We ought to see signs of my prize butterfly soon," remarked the -professor as the boat was speeding along. "I hope I shall soon capture -a specimen." - -"There's some kind of a butterfly!" exclaimed Bob, pointing ahead to -where a brilliantly-colored insect was flying over the water. - -"Quick!" cried the professor. "Speed up the boat, Jerry. It looks like -one!" - -The craft was put after the butterfly which was winging its way -toward shore. As the _Dartaway_ advanced the boys noticed that they -were entering a narrow part of the lake. The width of water quickly -decreased until they were in what corresponded to a river. - -"This is queer," said Jerry. "The map doesn't show any place like this." - -"Keep on!" cried the scientist, anxious only about the butterfly. - -The insect led them a long chase. Straight ahead it flew, and, as the -travelers went on they found themselves between two closely wooded -banks. - -"We've left Lake Okeechobee behind!" exclaimed Ned. - -Hardly had he spoken ere the view changed. They rounded a point of land -and came out on a broad sheet of dark green water. - -"It's another lake!" exclaimed Jerry. "It must be a strange one, as -there is nothing in the guide book about it, or on the map. Boys, maybe -we've discovered a new lake!" - -"It's big enough!" remarked Ned, as he pointed to the distant shore -that marked the boundary. - -"Yes, and it's full of alligators!" cried Bob, indicating several long -black objects floating in the placid water. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE WANDERER AGAIN - - -"Give me a gun!" cried Ned. "I'm going to try and hit one in the eye. -I've read that's the place to shoot 'em!" - -Jerry steered the boat over to one of the "logs." Ned, who had secured -his rifle from the locker, took aim at the nearest creature. He was -just about to pull the trigger, having drawn a bead on what he supposed -was the eye of the saurian, when the alligator raised its tail and gave -the water a slap that sounded like a clap of thunder. In an instant all -the other alligators disappeared, the one who had given timely warning -diving with its fellows. - -"Just my luck!" cried Ned. "But I'll get one yet." - -"There goes my butterfly!" exclaimed the professor, as he saw the -winged creature, he had been so anxiously watching, take flight over -the woods, where it was soon lost to view. "But, after all I don't -believe it was the kind I wanted, though it bore a close resemblance," -with which reflection the scientist comforted himself. "However, that -shows me we are in the right locality. I'm glad we discovered this new -lake, boys." - -"Let's name it," suggested Ned. - -"Call it Alligator Lake," put in Jerry. - -"No, Butterfly Lake would be better," suggested Bob, "because the -professor hopes to catch his prize specimen here." - -"Good idea," agreed Jerry. "Butterfly Lake it is." - -Seeing a little cove about a mile ahead, Jerry steered the boat in that -direction and, as it was found to be a good stopping place, the craft -was moored near the edge of the water. The boys and the professor went -ashore. They found themselves in the midst of a patch of everglades, -though close to the lake the land was more firm than anywhere else. - -"I'd hate to be lost in a swamp like that," remarked Ned, indicating -the vast expanse that lay about them. - -"There are paths through it," said Mr. Snodgrass. "But I guess only -the negroes and Indians know them. It would be quite risky for any one -unacquainted with them to venture in. The swamp would swallow a man as -quickly as if he fell into quicksand." - -"The boat for mine!" exclaimed Bob. "This is worse than the swamp Noddy -got fooled on." - -While supper was being prepared, the professor got out his nets and -cyanide bottle in readiness for a chase after the prize butterfly. - -"I'll begin the search the first thing in the morning," he said, and he -was up before daylight, walking along the shores of the lake looking -for the brilliant creature with a pink body and blue and gold wings. -However, the kind of insect he wanted seemed to be very scarce, and he -came back empty-handed after the boys had finished their meal, rather -tired but not a bit discouraged. "I'll get it yet," he said. "We'll -cruise along the shores." - -They found the strange lake was quite a large body of water. The -lower end of it was so filled with stumps that they did not venture -to take the boat in for fear of striking a snag and stoving a hole in -the bottom. But, though they covered many miles they did not catch a -glimpse of the rare butterfly. - -Bob and Ned tried several shots at alligators, of which there were -many, but, though Bob was sure, once, that he hit one, the saurian did -not give any evidence of it, and sank from sight. - -If the scientist did not get the butterfly he wanted, he was successful -in capturing a number of other specimens of insects, which seemed to -delight him almost as much as if he had the pink and blue beauty. - -"Even if I can't get the five thousand dollars," he said, "perhaps I -can bring back to the museum enough valuable specimens so that I will -get the position I want." - -"Oh, we'll get that butterfly for you," said Jerry, who was anxious to -help the professor. - -"Suppose we go back toward the river that connects Lake Okeechobee and -Butterfly Lake," suggested Ned. "That's where we saw the butterfly that -looked like the one you want." - -"A good idea," replied Mr. Snodgrass. "I'm sure it is to be found in -this vicinity, as all the books say it is usually to be seen in company -with the butterfly with plain blue wings, and that is the one we chased -yesterday." - -Accordingly the _Dartaway_ was swung around, and was soon speeding -toward the narrow stretch of water that connected the two lakes. As -they entered it the boys noticed that there was a current flowing from -Butterfly Lake into Lake Okeechobee. - -"I hadn't noticed that before," said Jerry. "Butterfly Lake must be one -of the feeders of the larger body of water." - -As the _Dartaway_ emerged from the "river" upon the bosom of Lake -Okeechobee once more Jerry pointed ahead and cried out: - -"Look there, boys!" - -"It's another boat!" said Bob. - -"A houseboat to judge by the looks of it," put in Ned. - -"I think it's our old friend the _Wanderer_," remarked Jerry. "I'll see -if they answer our signal." - -He gave three toots on the compressed air whistle, and a moment later -they were replied to from the houseboat, which was about a mile away. -Then something like a white handkerchief was waved from the deck. - -"They see us!" exclaimed Bob. "Those are the girls." - -"Put over there, Jerry," said Ned. "I'd like to see 'em again." - -"Which one?" asked Jerry with a laugh, and Ned blushed a bit. - -Mr. Seabury and his three daughters were glad to meet the boys once -more. The professor and the youths were invited aboard and, though -Mr. Snodgrass wanted to continue his search for the butterfly, he was -induced to accept the invitation. - -"We'll help you look for that curious insect," said Rose Seabury. "We -are going to stay on Lake Okeechobee for some time, and perhaps we'll -come across it." - -"I hope you do," remarked the scientist. "I shall be very much obliged -to you if you find a specimen and I'll share the reward with you." - -"Oh, I didn't mean that!" exclaimed the young lady. "I'm sure if I -could be a little aid to the advancement of science it would be reward -enough." - -Several pleasant hours were spent aboard the _Wanderer_ and after -dinner, for which Mr. Seabury insisted that his guests remain, they all -sat on the cool upper deck viewing the beauties of the lake. - -"Isn't that a canoe putting out from shore?" asked the owner of the -houseboat, pointing to a small object on the water. - -"That's what it is," answered Nellie, looking through a pair of marine -glasses. "There are negroes in it." - -"Oh, those ugly black men!" exclaimed Olivia. "I can't bear them. They -are not like the colored men up north." - -"They seem to be headed this way," went on Mr. Seabury, taking the -glasses from his daughter. "I wonder what they want?" - -The canoe rapidly approached. In a short time it was close enough so -that, without the aid of glasses, there could be made out in it three -negroes. They were paddling straight for the houseboat, to which the -_Dartaway_ was made fast. When the small craft came within hailing -distance one of the negroes called out: - -"Is a gen'men dar what's lookin' fo' rare bugs an' butterflies?" - -"I am," replied Mr. Snodgrass. "I particularly want a pink butterfly -with blue and gold wings." - -"We knows whar to find him!" exclaimed the foremost paddler. "We'll -show yo' if yo' uns'll come along." - -"I wouldn't go with them if I were you," said Mr. Seabury in low tones. -"They may be very treacherous." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -A PLOT FOILED - - -"Wait until I speak to them," replied Mr. Snodgrass, preparing to -descend to the lower deck. "I must not lose a chance to get that -butterfly." - -He was soon in conversation with the colored men, who explained they -had heard of the scientist's object from one of their number who had -come from the village where the travelers had last stopped, and where -the professor had talked of the butterfly. - -"I hope he doesn't allow himself to be persuaded to accompany those -men," said Mr. Seabury to the three boys. "I believe they would kill -him for what valuables he carried, once they got him off in the swamp." - -"Are they as bad as that?" asked Ned. - -"They are worse than the Seminole Indians," declared Mr. Seabury. "I -would sooner trust one of the latter than a negro of the everglades." - -"I hope the professor doesn't go," remarked Rose. "I like him so much. -He's just like a very old friend of mine who was a teacher in the -college I attended." - -"Mr. Snodgrass is his own master," said Mr. Seabury. "We can only -advise him." - -At that moment the scientist came back on the upper deck. - -"I'm on the right track," he declared, his eyes shining with -excitement. "Those colored men know just where the butterfly has its -haunts. I'm going with them. It is only a day's journey." - -"We'll go along in the motor boat as far as possible," said Jerry. - -"No, no!" objected Mr. Snodgrass. "We have to go into the swamp where -only a canoe can be used. Besides, the puffing of the boat's engine -might frighten the butterfly. I must go alone with these men. They are -honest I'm sure. They will make a camp for the night and they say they -have food enough for me also." - -"Of course you know your own business," said Mr. Seabury, "but I -wouldn't trust them, professor." - -"Oh, I'm sure they will not harm me," the scientist replied. "Besides, -I have nothing they could steal. I have promised to pay them well if -they bring me to the place where I can get my prize butterfly." - -"Where is the place?" asked Jerry. - -"It lies to the east of the lake we discovered," replied the scientist. -"I must start at once. Those butterflies are scarce and I can't afford -to take any chances on losing one." - -In spite of the dangers that Mr. Seabury and his daughters hinted at, -and the objections the boys raised, the professor was determined to -accompany the colored men. Mr. Seabury went below and took a look at -the negroes. He had to admit that they were good-natured appearing -enough, with broad grins on their shining, black faces and a manner -which seemed to preclude any desire to do any one an injury. - -"Since you have to start from Butterfly Lake why not go with us as -far as there in the motor boat," proposed Ned. "The men can follow in -their canoe, or we'll tow them. Then we can make a permanent camp, and -you'll know where to head for when you get ready to come back with your -butterfly." - -This seemed a good idea to the professor and he agreed to it. The -colored men made no objection, but, on the other hand, seemed to favor -the proposition, which made Mr. Seabury all the more suspicious. - -"I believe those negroes are up to some trick," he said to his -daughters as their visitors prepared to leave. "I can't say what it is, -but I'm very suspicious. I don't believe those black men know anything -about the butterfly." - -"What can we do, father?" asked Rose. - -"Nothing, I'm afraid. Yet I'll be on the watch. The _Wanderer_ is not -a fast boat, but I think I'll keep it near the entrance to Butterfly -Lake for a few days. I may be able to render some assistance to the -professor." - -When good-byes had been said, and assurances given on the part of -Mr. Snodgrass and the boys that they would see their friends of the -houseboat again, the _Dartaway_, towing the canoe with the three -negroes, was headed for the stream of water that connected the two -lakes. - -A good place for a camp was found near a small stream that flowed -through the everglades, and up which watercourse the negroes said they -proposed taking the professor in the canoe to search for the butterfly. - -"We'll be waiting here for you," remarked Jerry, as the scientist got -his butterfly-catching accessories together. - -"No telling when I'll be back," answered Uriah Snodgrass. "I'm going to -get that prize insect, and it may take longer than these men think." - -"Oh, yo'll git yo' butterfly," said one of the negroes with a broad -grin. "We knows whar dere's lots ob 'em." - -"Hadn't you better wait until morning?" suggested Ned. "It's well along -in the afternoon now, and you can make an early start to-morrow." - -But the professor would hear of no delay. He had often spent many hours -in the open while searching for curiosities of nature, and a night in -the everglades did not alarm him. The negroes said they would find -some sort of shelter, and, having packed up some food, the scientist -announced he was ready. - -With mingled feelings the boys watched their friend go off in the canoe -with the colored men. They were disturbed by a vague uneasiness, but -none of them could tell what it was. - -"Well," remarked Ned, when a turn of the sluggish swamp stream hid the -canoe from sight, "we've no time to lose. We must make camp before it -gets dark." - -Willing hands made light work of setting up the tent and moving into -it blankets and bed clothing for the night. The _Dartaway_ was moored -in a little cove, and after supper Bob and Ned took their guns and set -out for a shot at some loons, of which there were many about the lake. -Jerry carried his rifle, hoping to get a chance at an alligator. - -The boys followed the edge of the lake, keeping watch for anything in -the way of game. They saw several loons, but the queer, big birds were -so far away that a shot was impossible. As Bob walked along, a little -in advance, he came to a sudden stop behind a clump of bushes. - -"Easy!" he exclaimed in a whisper. "I see one!" - -He took careful aim and pulled the trigger. When the smoke had cleared -away the three chums looked eagerly over the water where, a second -before, a big bird had been seen. - -"You've blown him to pieces!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Missed him altogether," said Jerry with a smile. "Loons, you know, -dive at the flash of the gun, and they're under water before the shot -gets anywhere near them." - -An instant later the big bird bobbed up from the water, some distance -away from the spot where Bob had fired at it. - -"There he is!" cried Ned. - -He took a quick shot, but it seemed to be only fun for the bird, that -instantly dived under the water again. - -"Why don't you play fair!" exclaimed Bob in disgust. "I never saw such -a bird." - -"That's the only protection it's got against guns," said Jerry. "You -can't blame it. You'd do the same. Besides, what good are they after -you shoot 'em? You can't eat 'em." - -"Sour grapes!" remarked Ned with a laugh. "But I guess you're right, -Jerry. We can't hit 'em, at any rate." - -They walked on for some distance farther and then, as it was getting -dusk, returned to camp. - -"I don't believe I'll have to have any one sing me to sleep to-night," -said Bob as he prepared for bed. "I'm dead tired. How about you, Ned?" - -"I guess I can get along without a dose of soothing syrup." - -"I was thinking we'd better stand watch," remarked Jerry. - -"Why?" asked Ned. - -"To tell you the truth I don't like the idea of those colored men being -in this neighborhood. Where there are three I think there are sure to -be more. Of course they may be harmless enough, but I have an idea they -are desperate men, and our camp and boat offers quite a temptation to -them." - -"Oh, I don't believe they'll bother us," said Bob. "Let's get what -sleep we can. Leave a lantern where we can light it in a hurry if we -hear any suspicious noises." - -Ned sided with Bob, and Jerry, somewhat against his will, gave in to -them. However, he determined to stay awake as long as he could. He also -arranged some fishing lines about the camp so that if any intruders -came in they would trip on them and bring down a collection of pots and -pans which he arranged to fall at the slightest disturbance. - -"That will do for a burglar alarm," he said. - -Jerry's intention of remaining awake was well meant, but nature -asserted herself and he was soon slumbering as soundly as his chums. - -It was well that Jerry had set his burglar alarm, or, otherwise the -sleep-locked eyes of the boys never would have detected the stealthy -approach of several dark figures that stole around the camp about -midnight. They were figures that crept closer and closer with silent -footsteps, figures that whispered now and then among themselves, and, -had any one been listening, they would have easily recognized the -whispers as those of negro voices. - -But the fish lines did not sleep. They did their duty and, when one of -the men caught his foot in a cord, and brought down, with a resounding -clatter and crash, a pile of tins, the three boys awoke with a start. - -"Quick! The guns!" cried Jerry. - -He struck a match and lighted a lantern which was ready at hand, no -lights having been left burning because they attracted mosquitoes and -other insects. - -Bob and Ned grabbed their rifles. An instant later the gleam of a -lantern shone out, and disclosed several negroes about the _Dartaway_. -Some were in the craft and others appeared to be shoving her off the -bank on which her keel rested. - -"They're stealing our boat!" yelled Bob. - -An instant later he fired, purposely aiming over the heads of the -intruders. Ned followed his example. There was a yell of terror from -the black men and, with one accord they seemed to disappear from sight. -Jerry ran out with the lantern. - -"I think we foiled their plot," he remarked, as he saw that the boat -was still in place, though on the point of floating away. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -BOB TAKEN ILL - - -Securing the boat, Jerry took a survey of the camp. Ned and Bob had -lighted other lanterns and, by their gleams, it could be seen that -nothing had been taken. The improvised burglar alarm had given timely -notice, or the boys might have mourned the loss of the _Dartaway_, as -well as other of their possessions. - -"They seem to have gotten away," remarked Jerry, coming back from where -he had made the motor boat fast. "I wonder how they got here?" - -"In a canoe," answered Ned, pointing to the marks of where the keel -of one had rested on the little beach of the lake. "But what was that -tremendous racket?" - -"A little invention of mine," and Jerry explained it. - -"I wonder who they were?" asked Bob. - -"Some of the same negroes with whom the professor has gone off," -replied Jerry. - -"Do you really think so?" - -"I do. I believe it is all a part of a scheme to rob him and us. Those -men wanted to get him out of the way so they could plunder our camp. I -guess they thought we were boys who had never been out alone before." - -"They think differently now," observed Bob. "I reckon my bullet went -uncomfortably close to some of 'em." - -"We may have scared them off for the time being," went on Jerry, "but -we've got to be on the watch. Our camp represents a lot of wealth to -those colored men, and they'll stop at nothing, short of a gun, to get -it. It'll have to be watch and watch after this." - -"You're right," agreed Ned. "We should have done it at first. But it's -not too late, thanks to the fish-line burglar alarm." - -The boys arranged to spend the rest of the night taking turns at -standing guard, but their precautions were needless, for they were not -disturbed again. In the morning they made a more careful examination -and, by the tracks in the mud, came to the conclusion that at least -five men had endeavored to loot the camp. - -"What about the professor?" asked Bob, when they had discussed the -occurrences of the night. - -"I'm worried about him," admitted Jerry. "He's such an innocent and -trusting gentleman that he'd do anything those scoundrels asked him to. -I suppose by this time they have him several miles away from here." - -"Do you think they'll harm him?" asked Ned. - -"Maybe not. They'll certainly rob him, and they may turn him adrift in -the everglades, and that's the worst thing they could do. He'll never -be able to find his way out." - -"Is it as bad as that?" asked Ned. - -"I don't want to take too gloomy a view of it," went on Jerry, "but you -must admit it looks serious." - -"Still, the professor is a smart man. He's used to going in dense -woods after insects and finding his way out," said Bob. "Look at the -different places he has been with us--even in the buried city in -Mexico--and he got out all right." - -"This is different," Jerry stated. "The everglades are worse than any -forest. If he gets off the firm ground he'll sink down in the swamp and -never be able to get out. Boys, I wish the professor was safely back -with us. But there's no help for it now, and all we can do is to wait. -Perhaps I'm too nervous and he may turn up all right, but the attack on -the camp looks bad." - -"Poor old professor!" murmured Ned. "I'd hate to have anything happen -to him." - -"So would I," put in Bob, "but I guess, as Jerry says, there's nothing -to be done but to wait." - -The day seemed very long, for they were watching for the return of -the scientist. No one had the heart to do anything, and the boys sat -listlessly about the camp, even Bob having a poor appetite for his -meals. - -Toward afternoon Ned proposed that they take their guns and a walk -along the edge of the lake, not going far away from camp. - -"We might see something to shoot at," he said. "It will make the time -pass quicker, and if there are any negroes hiding about they'll hear -the guns and know we're on the watch." - -The plan was agreed to, and the boys tried several shots at loons and -alligators. Jerry succeeded in wounding one of the big saurians, but -the creature buried itself in the mud and the boys could not get it. - -"We'll take the boat to-morrow," said Ned, "and have a try at some of -these big lizards. If we could skin one or two we'd have some nice -hides to show for our trip." - -"Excuse me from skinning alligators," remarked Bob, making a wry face. -"The weather is too hot." - -As they started back for camp Bob espied a bush laden with yellow -fruit. He approached it on the run. - -"Just what I've been wishing for!" he exclaimed, pulling off some and -beginning to eat them. - -"Hold on!" cried Jerry. "What are those things? They may be poison." - -"They're mangoes," answered Bob, eating his second one. - -"Are you sure?" and Jerry looked doubtful. - -"Of course," answered the always-hungry youth. "I've read about them -and I know." - -"Better leave 'em alone," advised Jerry. "They may be the mango fruit, -but I wouldn't take any chances. Besides, if they are mangoes, this -variety, from having grown in the everglades, may be poisonous." - -"They don't taste so," remarked Bob, continuing to eat the fruit, which -smelled delicious and had a fine appearance. "Better have some, Ned." - -"No, thanks. Camp stuff is good enough for me when I'm not sure of what -the other is." - -Bob continued to enjoy himself on the fruit, which certainly was -tempting. He only laughed at the warnings of his companions, and filled -his pockets with the yellow things, a number of which he took back to -camp. - -In accordance with the plan of the previous night, the boys maintained -a watch. The fish-line alarm was set again, and with a lantern burning -down near the boat, where it would disclose any persons who might try -to sneak up and cut the mooring lines, Ned and Jerry prepared to turn -in. It was Bob's turn to stand first watch. The boys had not lost their -uneasy feeling concerning the professor, and they hoped every moment to -hear his cheery hail as he returned. - -"Don't you wish you'd brought some of the mangoes?" asked Bob of his -chums, producing some of the yellow fruit as he prepared to begin his -tour of duty. "This will keep me awake." - -"Call us at the slightest sign of danger," cautioned Jerry, as he went -inside the tent. - -It seemed that he and Ned had been sleeping but a short time when they -were suddenly aroused by Bob shaking them. - -"What is it? The negroes again?" asked Jerry as he sat up and grabbed -his gun. - -"No," replied Bob in a faint voice. "Oh, Jerry, I'm awful sick! I guess -it was those mangoes. I can hardly stand! Can't you do something for -me?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -JERRY SEEKS AID - - -Jerry was up in an instant and soon lit a lantern. By the glimmer of -it he saw that Bob was indeed a very sick youth. The lad's face was -flushed, his hands were cold and clammy and his face and head were hot -with a burning fever. His eyes had an unnaturally bright look, his -breath came fast, and in short gasps. - -"Why Bob!" exclaimed Ned. "What is the matter?" - -"It came on me suddenly," said the unfortunate lad, sitting down on the -ground in the tent. "I was going to eat some more of the mangoes when, -all at once, I was seized with a fit of trembling." - -As he spoke a series of tremors shook his body, and he seemed about to -fall over. Jerry caught him. - -"Quick, Ned!" he exclaimed. "Help me get Bob to bed. Then we'll see -what we can do." - -They undressed Bob, who continued to shake and shiver for he had a -chill alternating with his fever. Then, while Jerry and Ned were -worrying over the matter and pondering what to do, the poor lad's -temperature suddenly went up and he was in a higher fever. - -"We've got to do something to bring that down," remarked Jerry. "What -did they give you when you were sick, Ned?" and Jerry looked at his -chum. - -"It's so long since I was sick I've forgotten," was the answer. "Have -we any medicine at all?" - -"Mother made me bring some quinine along, and a few other things, like -witch hazel and sticking plaster, but I don't believe any of them are -good for fevers. I'll look in the box." - -Jerry proceeded to investigate the small case of simple remedies his -mother had packed, but which had never been opened. The chums were -seldom ill, and when they were they usually let nature adjust itself. -But they realized that something must be done for Bob. - -"'Spirits of nitre,'" read Ned from the label of one of the bottles. -"Say, Jerry, this is the stuff for fevers. I remember my mother used to -use it when I was a little chap. Let's give him some." - -Jerry read the label on the bottle. The nitre, according to the -directions, was good for fevers and they decided to give Bob a larger -dose than was called for, as they had an idea the stuff was for -children, and that a full grown youth would need more. - -Anxiously they waited for the remedy to have some effect. Every now and -then they would place their hands on Bob's head or wrist to note the -warmth of his body. To their worriment he seemed to be getting hotter -instead of cooler. The fever indeed was rising fast and poor Bob was in -a bad way. - -"Doesn't seem to be strong enough," said Jerry after three hours of -dreary watching. They had dressed and sat in the tent which was dimly -lighted by a lantern. - -"Let's give him some more," Ned suggested. - -Another dose was administered, though Bob fought against taking it. The -youth was hardly conscious of what he was doing. He lay with closed -eyes, his face red and flushed from the fever, and his breath coming in -short, labored gasps. - -Suddenly the sick boy raised himself up on the cot where he had been -placed. - -"There he is!" he exclaimed. - -"Who?" asked Jerry, thinking Bob saw some one. - -"That alligator! He has the big snake and they are both being chased -by the sea cow! Where's my gun?" - -"Out of his head," whispered Ned, as he gently pressed Bob back on the -bed. "What shall we do?" - -Jerry did not know what to say. This was a new complication, for their -journeys heretofore had been free from the worry of serious illness. - -"My, but he's hot!" went on Ned, feeling of Bob's hand. "We ought to -have an ice bag for him." - -"No ice here, but I've just thought of something we can do." - -"What?" - -"Dip cloths in water and put 'em on him. That'll help some." - -"Good idea." - -They dipped several large handkerchiefs into the lake, wrung them -out, and laid them on Bob's forehead, neck and chest. It was a crude -expedient but it was the best they could do. In the hot climate the -water evaporated quickly and the cloths were made cooler from this -cause than they otherwise would have been. Bob seemed a little easier, -though he continued to moan and murmur in his delirium. - -It was a long, weary night and, when the gray dawn began to show, Ned -and Jerry were two very much alarmed youths. - -"If the professor would only come back!" exclaimed Ned. "He'd know what -to do for Bob. He always carries medicine with him. I wish he would -come." - -"Maybe he left some of his medicines in the boat." - -"If he did I wouldn't risk using them. We might give Bob the wrong -thing." - -"That's so. I wonder if anything could have happened to Mr. Snodgrass?" - -"I hope not," responded Ned. "Still he ought to be back by this time." - -"Give me some ice water!" suddenly called Bob, sitting up on the cot. - -"I wish we had some," said Jerry in a low voice as he gently pushed his -chum's head back on the pillow. "He's on fire," he added, turning to -Ned. - -"Give him some more nitre." - -The medicine was administered with considerable difficulty for, as the -fever progressed Bob fought against taking it, as the stuff was not -very pleasant. Still Ned and Jerry knew it was the only thing they had, -and they fairly forced Bob to swallow it. - -The day was worse than the night, though at times the patient dozed and -was quiet. The two youths listened for every sound that might indicate -the return of the professor but he did not come. It grew hotter and -hotter and then it began to rain. - -With the storm came a cloud of mosquitoes that made life miserable for -the boys. It was stifling to stay in the tent, yet that was their only -refuge. They had mosquito netting, and this kept out the most of the -pests, but Ned and Jerry had to make frequent trips to the lake for -fresh water, and on these occasions the insects pitched on them with -great violence. - -Bob grew worse, and the two watchers were much alarmed. They did not -know what to do. They only had a little of the nitre left and it did -not seem to be doing any good. The truth was Bob needed a much stronger -remedy than that which the boys had. - -All day long the rain fell and the next night was one of the worst -the boys had ever put in. They took turns sitting up with Bob who -continually cried for ice water when there was none to be had. Ned and -Jerry lived on cold victuals. As for Bob he only sipped a little water -now and then. - -"Do you think he'll die?" asked Ned in gloomy accents, as Jerry awoke -to take his turn at watching. - -"No! Of course not. What makes you think that?" - -"Because he doesn't seem to get any better." - -"He can't get better at once. I think it was that yellow fruit he ate -which has made him sick. You and I didn't take any and we're all right." - -"Then Bob is poisoned." - -"I'm afraid so. Still this may be the worst of it. As long as he has -gotten along so far, with nothing more than a high fever, I'm sure -he'll pull through." - -But the fever was bad enough. Bob began to weaken under the attack. The -second day he could not raise himself in bed. He reclined there with -closed eyes and his breathing was more labored. - -"Why doesn't the professor come!" exclaimed Ned. - -"I tell you what I believe!" exclaimed Jerry. "Mr. Snodgrass is being -detained by those negroes!" - -"Do you think so?" - -"I do. I believe they had a plot to get possession of all our things. -We scared off those who came to the camp but the others have Mr. -Snodgrass a captive, I'm sure." - -"What are we going to do? If Bob doesn't get some other medicine -soon--he'll die." - -"I know what I'm going to do!" said Jerry in determined tones. - -"What?" - -"I'm going to find the professor!" - -"How can you?" - -"I'm going to follow that little stream," and Jerry pointed to the one -up which the scientist had journeyed in the canoe with the negroes. - -"But you have no boat. The _Dartaway_ draws too much to take up that -creek." - -"I know it. I'm going to walk. I see there is a sort of path along the -edge of the stream. I'm going to see where it leads to. I may not find -the professor, but I'll try and find some one who can help us. Maybe -I can run across a band of Indians and get some of their remedies. If -only Ottiby was here he'd be able to give Bob something to make him -well. Will you be afraid to stay here alone with Bob, Ned?" - -"No, of course not. But hurry back. There's no telling what may happen." - -"I'll bring the professor back with me, or some medicine for Bob," said -Jerry, as he prepared for his journey. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -THE RECEDING WATER - - -Jerry started off early the next morning. The rain had ceased but there -was a thick fog and, because of the moist vegetation of the tropics, -water fairly dripped from the trees, festooned as they were with long -streamers of moss and vines. - -"I hate to leave you, Ned," Jerry remarked as he shouldered his gun -and put some bread and pieces of bacon into his pocket. "But it can't -be helped. I'll try and get back by night, even if I don't find the -professor." - -"Do the best you can, Jerry. I'll look after Bob." - -It was with no small sense of loneliness that Ned watched Jerry -disappear into the forest. The trees soon hid him from sight and -then Ned set about getting the camp in some sort of order, for they -had rather neglected it of late. Bob turned and tossed on his couch. -The fever still burned within him but he was much weaker and did not -need to be so closely watched. For want of something better Ned -administered more nitre, and Bob no longer fought against taking it. - -"Poor Bob!" said Ned with a sigh. "I'd rather you'd kick up a fuss. I'd -know then you had some life left in you." - -But Bob meekly swallowed the mixture, and when Ned took his arm from -under his chum's head it fell back listlessly on the pillow. - -Ned thought the day would never end. He had not the heart to cook -anything and ate the remainder of the cold food. He sat in front of the -tent gloomily looking at the lake and wondering whether Jerry would -find the professor. - -Now and then Bob would call out but when Ned hurried in he would -find his chum murmuring in delirium. All he could do was to wet the -fever-parched lips with water, and renew the damp cloths on the -sufferer's head and chest. - -"Poor Bob," said Ned with a sigh. "I wish you hadn't eaten that strange -fruit." - -As the afternoon wore away Ned listened anxiously for the sound of -Jerry's returning footsteps. For want of something better to do to -while away the time he began cleaning the engine of the _Dartaway_. - -It was while doing this that he happened to look at the edge of the -lake. Something queer about it attracted his attention. - -"If I didn't know differently," he said to himself, "I'd say the tide -was falling. It looks just as if the water was lower." - -Feeling sure that such a thing was impossible, Ned went on working at -the engine. A little later he again gazed over the side of the boat. -This time he started in surprise. - -"I'm positive that stone wasn't so far out of water the last time -I looked," he said, speaking aloud. "I wonder if this lake can be -connected with the ocean in some manner, and is affected by the tide? -No, it can't be, or we'd have noticed it before. Yet the water is -surely running away." - -He got out of the _Dartaway_. He was much alarmed to see that nearly -half of the craft was now out of the lake, whereas a while before only -the bow-end had rested on the sandy beach. - -"The lake is surely lowering," Ned went on. "I must watch and see how -fast it is falling." - -He marked where the water came on shore and sat down to wait. He was -too much worried to be able to go on working. Bob called, and he went -in to see what was wanted. He gave his chum a drink and administered -some more medicine. He was in the tent a half hour, and when he came -out he was surprised to see that the water was half an inch from the -mark. - -"It's falling at the rate of an inch an hour," said Ned. "This is -getting serious. I wish Jerry and the professor would come back." - -Ned watched the lake. There was no mistake about it, the water was -slowly falling. More and more of the _Dartaway's_ keel was exposed. - -"This'll never do!" exclaimed Ned. "In a short time the boat will be -aground and we'll have a hard time getting it afloat again. I must -shove it further into the lake." - -He tried to do it but found the task was beyond his strength. Pull, -push and tug as he did he could not stir the boat. The stern, with -the screw, was still in deep water and he started the engine on the -reverse, hoping to be able to have the craft move out further into the -lake under its own power. But though the propeller churned the water -the craft did not budge. - -"It's no use," remarked Ned. "I'll have to wait until Jerry and the -professor come back. I wonder what makes the water flow away? It can't -be the tide." - -He was much puzzled, and the more he thought of it the more he was -alarmed. Suppose the lake should suddenly go dry? It would be -impossible to get the _Dartaway_ to Lake Okeechobee in that case and -they would have to abandon the craft in the everglades. Worse than -that they would have hard work in leaving Florida, as they were in an -uninhabited part. - -"We certainly are up against it!" exclaimed Ned, as he shut off the -engine after his fruitless attempt. "What in the world am I going to -do?" - -There was no one to answer his question, and once more he sat down -despondently in front of the tent and gazed at the receding water. - -It was beginning to get dusk and Ned knew it would soon be dark as -there was practically no twilight in this semi-tropical land. - -"I wish Jerry would come back," he murmured. "I don't like the idea of -staying here alone with Bob all night." - -He went into the tent to give the patient a drink. As he was coming -out he heard the crackling of underbrush. It indicated the approach -of some one. Ned hurried to the flap of the tent. He saw through the -semi-darkness a figure approaching. - -"Jerry!" he called. - -"Yes, it's me, Ned. How's Bob?" - -"No better. Did you find the professor?" - -"No. I went as far as I could. The path ended in a deep swamp and I -couldn't see any way to get across. I had to come back. Is everything -all right?" - -"No, Jerry. I'm afraid we're in for a streak of bad luck." - -"How so?" - -"Butterfly Lake is lowering." - -"The lake lowering! What do you mean?" - -"I hardly know myself. Either it's connected with the ocean and the -tide is falling, or the bottom has dropped out." - -"This lake isn't connected with the tide." - -"Then there's a leak in it." - -"Are you sure, Ned?" - -"Take a look." - -The two youths hurried down to the edge of the water. Ned pointed to -the _Dartaway_. The water had receded so much that the propellor was -part way out. - -"You know how it was when we left it," said Ned. "Now look at it. I -tried to get the boat off into deeper water but I couldn't. Queer, -isn't it?" - -"More than queer," responded Jerry in tired accents, for he was very -weary. "This is serious, Ned. We'll have to do something." - -"Better have something to eat first," suggested Ned. "You're played -out. I'll make some coffee." - -He lighted the fire and soon had some of the steaming beverage ready. -He took some and so did Jerry. Then they looked at Bob. The poor chap -was no better, but the boys were a little encouraged that he was no -worse. - -"He's holding his own," remarked Ned. - -"Yes, but if the fever doesn't break up soon he'll--" - -Jerry didn't finish, and Ned did not ask him what he meant. - -"The nitre is all gone," went on Ned. "I don't know what to give him -now." - -"We'll bathe him in witch hazel," suggested Jerry. "That has alcohol in -it, and I've heard that's what they wash fever patients in. It may do -him some good." - -Bob did seem a little more comfortable after Ned and Jerry had sponged -him with the witch hazel, of which they had a large bottle. But the -fever was soon raging again, and poor Bob tossed more restlessly than -before, while he murmured in his delirium of ice water and other -cooling drinks. - -Morning came at last. As soon as it was light Jerry hurried down to the -lake. What he saw caused him to cry out in surprise. The _Dartaway_ -was now ten feet from the edge. - -"There's only thing to do!" exclaimed Jerry. - -"What is that?" asked Ned. - -"We've got to get the boat into the deep water. Otherwise it will soon -be so far away we can't float her." - -"How are you going to do it?" - -"We'll have to cut down some small trees for rollers and edge it along -that way." - -"But what about Bob?" - -"We'll have to put him on board first." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -THE PROFESSOR RETURNS - - -Urged on by the seriousness of their plight, the two boys lost no time -in getting to work. With small axes which formed a part of their camp -accessories they chopped down several palmetto trees. They were of soft -wood and easy to work. Ned and Jerry soon had several rollers made. - -These were placed in position to slide the boat on them into the lake, -which kept receding. - -"How we going to get back into Lake Okeechobee," asked Ned. "The -connecting river must be dried up by this time." - -"Probably it is, but we've got to get the _Dartaway_ afloat now or -never. We'll have to take our chances on getting out of here." - -Before rolling the boat down into the receding water the awning was put -up and a bunk gotten ready for Bob. Then he was carried down into it. -He was too sick to know or care what was going on. - -"Now for some hard work," remarked Jerry, as he and Ned got ready to -move the _Dartaway_. - -They found it a difficult task. More than once they felt like giving -up but they knew they must proceed if they were to have the use of -their craft. It took them almost half a day to accomplish it. They used -long branches of trees for levers and, inch by inch the motor boat was -shoved astern until the propellor dipped once more into the lake. - -"Almost done!" exclaimed Ned with a sigh. - -"Yes, thank goodness," echoed Jerry. - -Half an hour more of work and the craft floated. The boys brought their -camp stuff and packed it into the boat, striking the tent since they -could no longer remain on shore so far away from the water. Fortunately -the falling of the lake left exposed a hard shell beach instead of a -lot of soft mud, or the boys would never have been able to make trips -back and forth with their camping accessories. - -"Now what?" asked Ned as they sat in the boat. - -"We'll have to wait here, or in this neighborhood, for the professor," -said Jerry. "He's liable to come back at any minute." - -"If he comes back at all!" - -"It does look bad," admitted Jerry, in answer to Ned's gloomy words. -"But I guess he can take care of himself." - -"Those negroes are ugly customers," said Ned. "I wish we could come -across Mr. Seabury again. He might be able to suggest a plan." - -"I'm afraid we'll not see him in a hurry. He can't get to us and we -can't get to him with the river that connected the two lakes all dried -up. I wonder what caused this sudden falling away of the water?" - -"You've got me," replied Ned. "I've puzzled over it until I can't think -straight. But let's cruise about a bit. It's hot and we may strike a -breeze out on the lake. Perhaps we can find the outlet through which -the water is all disappearing." - -To this plan Jerry agreed. It was much cooler with the boat swiftly -in motion, and Bob seemed to feel easier. Now and then he would rouse -up and ask some question, but, before his chums could answer he would -again sink into the stupor of fever. The boat was sent in a wide -circle of the lake. It was so large that it did not seem to have grown -appreciably smaller when the chums looked at it some distance from -shore. But once the beach was approached the appearance of rocks that -had long been under water told the story. - -"We don't want to go very far away from where we were camped," said -Jerry. "It would be too bad if the professor should come back and not -find us. We must keep within sight of where we were." - -They passed the afternoon cruising about in sight of where they had -last seen Mr. Snodgrass. When it grew dark, lanterns were lighted and -hung about the boat. - -"He can see them from shore and hail us," remarked Jerry. - -"Hark!" cried Bob, suddenly sitting up in his bunk. "My mother is -calling me! I'm coming!" he cried and began throwing off the light -covering which Jerry had placed over him. - -"His mind is wandering," said Ned as he hurried to his chum's side. "He -fancies he hears some one calling." - -At that moment there came a voice from out of the darkness. A voice -sounding far away. - -"Boys! Where are you?" came across the water. - -"What's that?" cried Jerry. - -"The professor!" exclaimed Ned. "It's his voice!" - -Jerry sprang to the engine and set it in motion. - -"We're coming!" yelled Ned. - -Jerry opened the muffler and the sound of the motor's explosions -sounded loud on the still night. - -"He'll hear that better than he will our shouts," he remarked, as he -steered the boat toward where the camp had been. - -Bob grew quieter as the motion of the boat soothed him. In a short time -the craft was close enough to shore, for the professor's voice to be -plainly heard. - -"What's the matter?" he called. - -"Bottom dropped out of the lake," cried Ned, giving his favorite reason -for the strange action of the water. "We'll come as close as we can. -Are you all right?" - -"Fairly so," answered Mr. Snodgrass. - -He was soon aboard and, in a few words, the boys told him what had -happened since he went away. - -"Bob sick!" the scientist exclaimed. "Let me look at him. I have some -medicine among my things." - -By the light of a lantern Mr. Snodgrass examined Bob. He seemed grave -when he had finished and at once began searching among his boxes. - -"Is he--is he very bad?" asked Jerry. - -"I'm afraid so," was the reply. "The fever has been allowed to run too -long. You did the best you could, but the medicine you had was not -strong enough. What I have will hardly answer but it is the best I can -do. It may break up the fever. I'll try it at any rate." - -The professor soon had a dose mixed and gave it to Bob. In a little -while the lad's breathing was easier, and he seemed to be sleeping more -naturally. - -"Perhaps it will do," said the scientist, as he felt of the patient's -pulse. - -"Now tell us about yourself," urged Ned. "We were very anxious about -you. What happened?" - -"Well, I had rather a narrow escape. Mr. Seabury was right about those -scoundrels. They wanted to rob me, and had no intention of leading me -to where I could find the rare butterfly. I discovered this when it -came night and they said it was two days' journey further on. I wanted -to come back, as I knew you would be worried, but they acted so ugly I -thought I had better do as they wished. I stayed with them in a rude -camp they made, but I didn't go to sleep. I heard something which made -me think they might attack you boys." - -"They did but we drove 'em off," said Jerry. - -"Good for you! Well, I insisted on being led to the butterflies the -next day, but they kept making excuses. Finally I managed to get away -by a trick and I started for our camp. - -"I lost my way and had to spend another night in the everglades. -Fortunately I had my compass with me and I had taken note of the -general direction we traveled in. There are some trails through the -everglades and I managed to follow them. At last I struck the one along -the stream on which they had taken me in their canoe and I knew I was -safe. But I didn't get my butterfly. Now what is this about the falling -lake?" - -The boys told him, and Mr. Snodgrass looked worried. He could not -explain the phenomenon, but said they would make an investigation in -the morning. - -In spite of his weariness the scientist insisted on sitting up that -night with Bob. The boat was anchored well off from shore but near -enough to be pulled in by a rope and in the morning Bob was much better -though very weak. - -"I think he'll come around," remarked the professor. "I'd like a -different kind of medicine for him, but perhaps we can find Mr. Seabury -and his houseboat. He has quite a stock of drugs, he told me." - -"We can't get to him unless we find another outlet of the lake," said -Jerry. - -"Very well, then we'll look for one," answered Uriah Snodgrass. "Let's -make a tour of this body of water." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -IN THE FLOATING FOREST - - -Putting into operation the suggestion of the professor the boys started -the _Dartaway_ off after breakfast on a tour of the lake. The day was -cloudy and there was a stiff breeze which kicked up something of a sea, -but the motor craft was able to weather heavier waves than any the boys -encountered. - -"There must be an outlet to account for the water flowing away," -remarked the professor, as they speeded along. Bob continued to improve -slightly though he was far from well. His delirium had left him, -however, and he was very weak. - -They traveled many miles around the shores of the lake but discovered -nothing in the way of an outlet. The water seemed to be lowering -rapidly. - -"This is getting serious," remarked the professor as he closely scanned -the surface of the lake. "We've got to do something." - -"The question is--what?" said Ned. - -"We had better go a little farther," continued the scientist. "Then if -we do not discover something, we'll camp for the night. In the morning -we may have better luck." - -It was well along in the afternoon now and Jerry, who was at the wheel, -speeded up the engine to send the craft ahead faster in order to cover -as much of the lake as possible. But no explanation of the phenomenon -rewarded the efforts of the travelers. - -"That looks like a good place to camp," said Jerry, pointing ahead to -a clump of forest. The shores were of sloping gravel and the receding -water has not left exposed a lot of mud. "We can't do better than to -put up there," he added. - -"Are we going ashore?" asked Ned. - -"I think it will be wise," replied Uriah Snodgrass. "Bob is restless in -the narrow bunk and he needs a change." - -The sick boy had dozed off and took no part in the discussion. - -The _Dartaway_ was headed for the place Jerry had indicated, and in a -short time the travelers were ashore with Ned and Jerry making camp and -erecting the tent, while the professor looked after Bob. The boat was -moored by a long rope some distance from shore as they did not want to -find it aground in the morning in case the waters should continue to -recede. They could wade out to it, as the shore was sloping. - -Bob did seem a little better when placed on a comfortable cot in the -tent. However, he took no interest in what was going on but lay with -closed eyes, for the fever still burned in his veins in spite of the -medicine administered by the professor. - -"I must get something stronger for Bob," he said. "If I was near a -drug store I would have no trouble, but out here I'm afraid I can find -nothing that will completely break the high fever. If I met our old -Indian friend he might be able to suggest to me some vegetable remedy." - -"We'd better made everything doubly secure to-night," remarked Jerry as -they prepared to retire. - -"Why?" asked Ned. - -"Because there's going to be a storm, and, if I'm not much mistaken, a -tough one." - -Indeed it did look as though Jerry's prophecy was likely to be -fulfilled. The sun had long since sunk down behind a bank of ominous -looking clouds, and now a fitful wind was springing up, sighing through -the palmetto trees and swaying the long streamers of vines like big -pendulums. Whenever the wind died away momentarily there was a curious -hush over everything, that magnified slight sounds. It grew darker but -with a peculiar yellow cast that gave objects a sickly hue. - -"We're in for a heavy blow," remarked the professor. "Look well to the -guy ropes, boys." - -They needed no urging, but set to with a will, the scientist helping -them, to make their camp secure. As the hours went by, and the signs of -the storm did not increase, they had hopes that it might pass away. - -Ned and the professor stretched themselves out on their cots while -Jerry, who had agreed to take first watch, sat just outside the tent -watching the fitful play of lightning in the western sky. - -"I guess it's coming after all," he said to himself as the flashes grew -more brilliant. Now and then low mutterings of thunder could be heard, -and the wind, which, for the last half hour had died away, suddenly -sprang up with an increased violence. - -Suddenly there sounded a shrill shrieking as though some gigantic -whistle had been blown. So startling was it that Jerry sprang to his -feet thinking that, in some unaccountable way, a steamer had gotten on -Butterfly Lake. But an instant later he knew it was the hurricane, for -the force of it nearly blew the tent over. - -"All hands to help hold things down!" yelled Jerry, springing to a guy -rope as the canvas undulated under the force of the powerful wind. - -Fortunately Ned and the professor were light sleepers. They sprang up -and went to Jerry's assistance. The tent seemed determined to give in -to the wind and collapse, but the three held on until the first fury -of the blast had passed by. It settled down to a heavy blow but the -ropes held. Then with a dash of stinging globules the rain came, and -the storm was fairly on. The three outside the tent were drenched in an -instant, and hastened inside. - -Bob had awakened from the noise of the tempest. He sat up, half -frightened, but when Jerry assured him everything was safe he turned -over and dozed off again, so powerful a hold did the fever have on him. - -It was a night such as the travelers had seldom experienced on any -of their journeys, and they had been in some tight places. There was -almost a continuous rattle and roar of thunder and the lightning was -incessant. Mingled with the rain was the boom of the lake waves on the -shore, for the wind kicked up quite a disturbance on the large body of -water. - -"I hope our boat's safe," remarked Jerry as there sounded a fiercer -burst of the storm. - -It seemed as if morning would never come but at last there was a -perceptible lifting of the darkness and the storm seemed to abate some. -Ned put on an oil-skin coat, and, donning a pair of rubber boots, -ventured out. No sooner had he emerged from the tent than he gave a -shout which brought the professor and Jerry to the tent flap. - -"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Snodgrass. - -"We're adrift!" - -"Adrift! What do you mean? We're not on the boat!" - -"No, but we're on something that's floating. Look over there at those -trees on shore and you can see that we're moving!" - -Jerry and the professor looked. Getting two tall trees in range they -could easily note that they were moving, as the position of the trees -changed with reference to themselves. - -"What could have happened?" asked Jerry. - -"We must have landed on an island instead of on the mainland," said -Ned. "In some way the island got adrift." - -"I think we landed on the main land all right," said Uriah Snodgrass, -"but what happened was this: These everglades are not much more than -floating masses of vegetation, several feet thick it is true, and -capable of supporting large trees. But the fury of the storm probably -cut off from the main land the portion we're on. It floated off and -took us with it. We're in the middle of the lake." - -"Where's our boat?" asked Jerry. - -"Back where you moored it, probably, unless it has also drifted with -us," replied Mr. Snodgrass. - -"Then we're in for a lot of trouble," exclaimed Ned. "What shall we do?" - -"We'd better make some explorations," suggested the professor. "It's -stopped raining. We'll try and discover how large our island is." - -They looked to see that Bob was comfortable, and found him sleeping. -Placing some water where he could reach it, the three set off expecting -to be back in half an hour or so. - -Through the woods they went, seeking to get to the other side of the -floating island to look for their boat. It was hard work tramping -through the underbrush, and they needed all the protection which their -heavy oil-skin coats and rubber boots gave them. On and on they went, -taking little heed of direction, for they were all anxious and worried. - -But the island seemed very large. They had left the shores and were -well into the interior. It was dark and gloomy for the sky was -overcast. Suddenly the professor called: - -"Boys, let's halt a minute." - -Ned and Jerry stopped. They looked at their companion. - -"I'm afraid we've done rather a foolish thing," he said. "Have either -of you a compass?" - -The boys said they had not. - -"Neither have I," went on Mr. Snodgrass. "I left mine in the tent. We -should have been more careful. I don't know in what direction we are -going, nor which way to go back. This island is larger than I thought." - -"Do you think we're lost?" asked Ned, in some alarm. - -"Yes, boys, it looks very much as though we were lost in a floating -forest, and I think we'll have trouble in getting back to camp." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -A CRY FOR HELP - - -With anxious faces the travelers looked at one another. The alarm -caused by the discovery that they were on a floating island made -them forget their usual caution. Even so seasoned a tourist as Uriah -Snodgrass had been at fault, and he did not cease to blame himself for -it. - -"We'll do the best we can," he said. "This is more my fault than any -one else's, as I proposed it in such a hurry." - -"Can't we follow our trail back?" asked Ned. - -"We can try, but I fancy we wandered over rather a crooked one." - -This they found to be true. They managed to follow their tracks -for some distance but soon lost the trail amid the trees and dense -underbrush. - -They had come off without breakfast and the pangs of hunger began to -make themselves manifest. As for the professor, once the first shock of -being lost had passed, he became so much interested in catching some -curious bugs that he paid little attention to the boys. However, they -kept him in sight, for it would not do to become separated in this -dense forest. - -"If we'd only told Bob to fire a gun or do something in case we didn't -return soon," remarked Ned with a sigh. "Poor Bob! I wish we were back -where he is." - -"No use wishing," spoke up Jerry. "We've got to keep on. Maybe we'll -hit the trail soon." - -On and on they wandered but only, it seemed, to get the more hopelessly -lost. The two boys were much alarmed, but the scientist, his whole mind -given over to collecting bugs, was somewhat indifferent. - -"Hark! What was that?" cried Ned suddenly. - -"Sounded like a gun," said Jerry. - -"It was a gun," replied Ned. "It was over this way," and he pointed to -the left. "Come on. Maybe it's a party of hunters." - -Calling to the professor, the boys turned in the direction from which -the report had come. They had not gone far before another gun shot was -heard and they knew they were in the right direction, but toward whom -they were going they did know. - -"Anyway it's some person or persons," argued Ned. "We can help them or -they can help us. We'll have company if we are lost." - -The gun continued to be fired at intervals and but for this the three -would not have known how to proceed. The reports sound very close now -and in about ten minutes the two boys and the professor saw something -white glimmering before them in the light of the sun that was just -breaking through the clouds. - -"There's the lake! There's water! We're on the shore!" cried Jerry. - -A few moments later they had emerged from the dense forest and saw -before them their own tent with Bob at the entrance loading and firing -his rifle. - -"Good boy!" cried Ned. "How did you think to do it, old chap? How are -you?" - -"I was worried when I found you all gone," said the invalid. "I thought -you might have gone off in the woods and, as I looked out of the tent -I thought I saw the land moving. That scared me and I got up. I feared -I was on a floating island so I fired the gun to call you back as I -didn't know what had happened while you were away." - -"You're on a floating island all right," remarked Jerry. "We got lost -in the woods, looking for some way out of the difficulty, and your -firing gave us the right direction." - -"How do you feel, Bob?" asked the professor. - -"A little better, I think." - -But Bob's flushed face and unnaturally bright eye did not bear out this -statement. - -"You had better go back to bed," decided Mr. Snodgrass. "I'll give you -some more medicine. I think you are getting a touch of malaria mixed -with your fever." - -The exertion of getting out of bed and firing the gun had greatly -weakened Bob and he was much worse. They ate a hurried breakfast, and -the professor gave the patient some more medicine. - -"We ought to look for our boat," said Ned. "If we lose that it's all up -with us. Suppose we walk along shore. We may get a sight of it." - -"Good idea," agreed Uriah Snodgrass. "I'll stay here with Bob and you -and Jerry can move in opposite directions. You can't get lost if you -follow the shore and the one who first sights the boat can fire three -shots and they will call the other to him." - -Ned and Jerry agreed that this was a good plan and started off. Ned -walked quickly along the shore, keeping a watch for the _Dartaway_ but -the sight of her did not reward his eyes. As he was proceeding, having -tramped for over two hours, he heard a noise in the bushes just ahead -of him where a little point of land jutted out into the lake. - -"Some one is coming," reasoned the lad, holding his gun in readiness as -he thought of the ugly negroes. - -An instant later a figure came into view. Ned started as he caught -sight of it. He could not see it distinctly but he observed a gun -barrel. Then he had a glimpse of a red cap. - -"Jerry!" he called. "Is that you?" - -"That's who it is! I was just thinking I had met an Indian or a colored -man. See anything of the boat?" and Jerry stepped from behind the -bushes and confronted his chum. - -"Not a sign. Did you?" - -"No, and between us, we completed the circuit of the island. Must be -about six miles around it." - -"No boat," murmured Ned. "What are we going to do?" - -"Land only knows. This island is still floating, and it seems to be -continually moving in the same general direction--that is south. Maybe -the boat is drifting also and we'll catch up to her or she will with -us." - -"I hope so. But we'd better go back now. I hate to take bad news to the -professor, though." - -There was no help for it, however, and soon the two youths were -tramping back toward camp. The scientist was much disappointed that -they had not been successful, but he was more worried over Bob's -condition. - -"I'm afraid of the result if he doesn't get different medicine soon," -he said. - -The day was a gloomy one in spite of the fine weather that followed the -storm. The campers were in no mood for doing anything and sat about -listlessly, now and then taking an observation to see how their island -was behaving. It seemed to be about in the middle of the big lake, -though moving slowly southward. - -"It's bound to fetch up somewhere," observed Ned. - -"If it doesn't strike some low place in the lake and become anchored," -replied Jerry. "But I don't see that we can do anything. We might swim -off when it gets near the mainland, but we'll be in a bad way without -our boat." - -There were uneasy sleepers in camp that night. Early in the morning Ned -and Jerry were up to see if, by any chance, their boat had drifted near -them. - -"We'll take another tramp along shore," proposed Jerry. - -Once more they started off. Jerry had gone about two miles when he -heard three shots fired. - -"That's the signal!" he exclaimed. "Ned must have sighted the -_Dartaway_!" - -He hurried back, passing through the camp and telling the professor -what he believed had happened. Nor was he mistaken. He found Ned pacing -up and down the shore, stripped to his underwear and ready to plunge -into the lake. - -"Do you see it?" called Jerry. - -"Looks like her off there," and Ned pointed to a speck on the lake. -"I'm going to swim out to her." - -"Is it safe? There might be alligators or big snakes." - -"I've got to take a chance. We can never get away from here without the -boat. You watch me and if you see anything that looks dangerous--why -shoot." - -Ned waded out into the water until he got to his depth and then he -began swimming. Jerry anxiously watched for a sight of some big reptile -or saurian but his fears were groundless. In half an hour Ned had -reached the floating object. - -"I wonder if it's the boat?" said Jerry to himself. - -His question was answered a moment later for, over the surface of the -lake sounded the explosions that told that Ned had started the engine -of the _Dartaway_. - -In a short time the boat was close in shore. Jerry waded out to her and -then, in their recovered craft, the chums headed for camp, where they -found the professor much delighted at their success. - -To avoid a repetition of the floating away of the boat they tied her by -a long rope to a tree close to the tent. Then, in much better spirits, -they sat down to plan what next to do. - -"I think we'd better all get into the boat and hunt for the outlet of -this lake," said Mr. Snodgrass. "There is no question but what the one -leading into Lake Okeechobee is closed. There must be another or the -water would not continue to fall. I believe that--" - -The professor's belief was destined to remain unannounced, for at that -instant there sounded a cry over the water. - -"Help! Help! Help!" - -"Those are girls' voices!" remarked Jerry, springing to his feet. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -THE PLIGHT OF THE GIRLS - - -Once more over the water sounded the cry for help. It was evident -that several persons were calling and, as the boys and the professor -listened, they found that the appeal came from around a point of land -that jutted out into the lake from the floating island, not far from -the camp. - -"Get into the boat!" called Ned to Jerry, as the latter hurried down to -the shore. "We'll find 'em." - -The two were soon in the _Dartaway_ and the engine was started. As the -motor craft moved out of the little cove in front of camp the boys saw -before them three girls in a boat. - -"Help us!" cried the young ladies. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry. - -"We've caught a big fish and it's towing the boat!" - -"More likely an alligator!" exclaimed Ned. "Put a little more speed on, -Jerry. Why, if they aren't Mr. Seabury's daughters! The houseboat must -be nearby!" - -"Sure enough!" answered Jerry. "That's good news. We can get some -medicine for Bob now." - -Though the rowboat was moving at good speed the _Dartaway_ soon caught -up to it. Ned and Jerry saw three very much frightened girls who waved -their hands to them as the boys approached. - -"They're from the _Dartaway_!" cried Rose. "I'm so glad to see them!" - -"Quick!" exclaimed Olivia. "Something has been towing us for an hour!" - -"What is it?" asked Ned, as he tried to peer beneath the water. - -"Oh, a terrible big fish," answered Nellie. - -In a few moments the rowboat was fast to the motor craft and the -smaller one came to a stop. Then there was a flurry in the water just -ahead, and an ugly black snout was thrust up. - -"An alligator!" exclaimed Jerry. He grabbed for his gun and sent a -bullet into the saurian. A greater commotion beneath the surface of the -lake, which was tinged with red, showed that the leaden missile had -gone home. - -"You killed him!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Yes, but it wasn't much of a kill," responded his chum as the -alligator came to the surface, disclosing the fact that it was a small -one, only about five feet long. "Regular baby. How did you girls come -to get fast to it?" - -"We didn't. It got fast to us," replied Olivia. "Rose had baited a big -hook on a stout line, expecting to catch a shark I guess. We laughed at -her but she said she'd catch something with it." - -"And I did," cried Rose. "I let it trail over the side and the first -thing I knew something took my bait and hook and the boat began to move -off. We were scared to death." - -"How did you get here? Where is the houseboat? We left you on Lake -Okeechobee," inquired Jerry. - -"Isn't this Lake Okeechobee?" asked Rose in some alarm. - -"We named it Butterfly Lake," said Jerry, and he told what had happened -since they last visited Mr. Seabury and his daughters. - -"That's queer," said Rose. "We have been cruising about on some -lake, and we supposed it was Lake Okeechobee. I noticed that we went -through quite a narrow place the other evening, made a short circuit -and returned to it, but I thought nothing of it. We anchored the boat -near the passage and we've been there ever since except to-day when we -thought we'd go fishing." - -"Where is this narrow place you speak of; near the one where we were?" -asked Jerry, much interested. - -"No, off that way," and Rose pointed to the south. "Our houseboat is -there yet. We must hurry back or father will be alarmed." - -"You must have found another outlet between the two lakes," was Jerry's -opinion. "That's just what we want as we can't use the one we came -through, owing to the lowering of Butterfly Lake. Have you noticed -that?" - -"Yes," answered Olivia. "Our boat was nearly ashore. But father says -these lakes frequently get low in the summer time when there is not -much rain." - -"We've had enough rain for the last week or so," replied Ned. "However, -no harm is done if we can get back to Lake Okeechobee the way you came -into this lake. We'll tow you back to the place." - -The girls thought this was a good plan. They inquired after the -professor and Bob, and were sorry to learn of the latter's illness. - -"I'm sure father has some medicine that would make him better," said -Nellie. "He has a regular drug store aboard the _Wanderer_. Did the -professor get his wonderful butterfly?" - -"No," replied Jerry and he related the scientist's experience with the -ugly negroes. - -The _Dartaway_, towing the rowboat, was headed back toward where the -girls said their houseboat lay. As they passed the camp Jerry called -to the professor to let him know where they were going, and promising -to ask Mr. Seabury for a list of the medicines he had so that the -professor might select some for Bob. - -"Now you girls will have to tell us which way to steer," suggested Ned, -when they had been puffing along for some distance. "How far did that -alligator tow you?" - -"It seemed like fifty miles," replied Rose with a laugh. - -"It was about an hour," said Olivia, with more regard for correct -details. - -"Then we ought to be there soon," declared Jerry. "That alligator -wasn't going very fast." - -"There's the place!" suddenly exclaimed Nellie. "I remember it by the -three dead trees on a little point of land," and she indicated where -she meant. - -Jerry headed the _Dartaway_ in that direction. He scanned the shore, -which they were approaching, for a sight of an outlet from Butterfly -Lake. As he drew nearer he could see nothing that looked like a -passage. - -"Are you sure this is the place?" he asked the girls. - -"Positive," they all assured him, as they had all taken note of the -three dead trees. - -"It's strange, but I can't see any way out of the lake at this point," -spoke Jerry, standing up and gazing ahead. - -"I know it's the place!" insisted Nellie. "There, girls, see my -handkerchief that I dropped as I was baiting my hook!" - -She pointed to the piece of linen on the bank. There was no mistaking -this bit of evidence. Jerry ran the boat ashore and got out. The girls -followed him and Nellie recovered her handkerchief. - -"This is the place we came through," she said. "The houseboat was -moored right here." - -"But now it's gone and the passage is closed up!" exclaimed Jerry. -"Something very strange has happened." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -OTTIBY TO THE RESCUE - - -For a moment following Jerry's announcement the girls did not know what -to say. The news startled them. - -"Do you mean to tell us that the passage by which we entered here from -Lake Okeechobee is closed?" asked Nellie. - -"It seems to be," replied Jerry. - -"And the houseboat is gone?" asked Rose. - -"Where is it?" asked Ned. "You left it here and now it has disappeared!" - -"Poor father!" exclaimed Olivia. "What can have happened to him?" and -she looked at the startled countenances of her sisters. - -The girls were very much frightened, not only at the disappearance of -their houseboat but because of the strange happening that had closed -the passage, and they were alarmed on account of their father. - -"What shall we do?" asked Rose. "Perhaps those wicked colored men or -some Seminole Indians have captured father." - -"Don't talk of such horrid things!" exclaimed Nellie. "We never should -have left him alone!" - -"The best thing you can do is to come to our camp," suggested Ned. "We -can tell the professor what has happened and perhaps he can suggest -a way out of it. Maybe the passage has become blocked by a mass of -floating vegetation, or an island such as we are on." - -"Are you on a floating island?" asked Olivia. - -"Yes, a regular floating forest," answered Jerry. "I think you had -better come with us." - -There was nothing else to do, and the girls got into the motor boat -while their small craft was towed by the _Dartaway_. In a short time -they arrived at the camp. The professor met them at the shore. He look -worried, and Ned asked: - -"Is anything the matter?" - -"Bob is out of his mind again," replied the scientist. "He seems much -worse. Did you bring a list of medicines? I find I shall need several -kinds." - -"The houseboat is gone," said Jerry. - -"Gone?" and the professor's face looked blank. - -"And poor, dear papa is gone with her," put in Rose. - -Jerry quickly explained what had happened and Ned spoke of his theory. - -"I believe you're right," agreed Uriah Snodgrass. "We are in strange -waters and things have happened that I never would dream of. But, -girls, don't worry. I'm sure your father is all right. I wish I could -find him, as I am worried about Bob, and I'm sure he would have the -very medicine I need to make the boy well." - -"Let me assist in nursing him," said Olivia. "It will help to take my -mind off our troubles." - -"We'll aid you," added Rose and Nellie, and the three young ladies -went into the tent where Bob was tossing in the delirium of fever. The -professor was glad enough of their help and they at once bathed Bob's -head, face and arms in witch hazel which gave him some relief. They -also kept wet cloths on his brow to reduce the fever. - -"Now, boys, we've got a serious problem ahead of us," said Mr. -Snodgrass as he beckoned Ned and Jerry to follow him out of earshot -of the tent. "It seems that we are caught in a sort of trap. We're on -a lake from which there appears to be no outlet, and it is constantly -falling. In a little while there'll be no water in it and if we want -to get back home we'll have to walk." - -"But there must be an outlet or how does the water get out?" asked Ned. - -"I'm afraid the outlet is one that we can't use," replied the -scientist. "I mean an underground one." - -"What's to be done?" inquired Jerry. - -"I have thought of a plan," Uriah Snodgrass continued, "but it is going -to be difficult for we have no tools for working." - -"What is it?" asked Jerry. - -"We might cut a channel through the obstruction that is blocking the -passage through which the girls came." - -"Or we might haul the boat overland," added Ned. - -"Providing the floating island which blocks the passage is not too -great in extent," put in Jerry. - -This was a new phase of the matter. Clearly they could not dig a canal -of any great length, with the primitive tools at their command. Nor -could they haul the _Dartaway_ overland any long distance. - -"It looks as if we were up against it," said Jerry with a doleful sigh. -"We'll have to think of another plan." - -At that moment there was a cry from the tent and the professor hurried -to it, to find that Bob was struggling to leave his cot because of a -fever delusion that there was a big snake near him. The girls were -frightened and it required all Mr. Snodgrass's strength to hold Bob -down until the spell passed. After that Ned, Jerry or the professor -remained on duty with one of the girls, caring for the patient. - -The camp was anything but a cheerful place. The girls wore anxious -looks, and the two boys, in spite of their past experience in getting -out of serious difficulties, had lost some of their good spirits. The -professor did not give way to gloomy thoughts, but it was clear that he -was worried. - -In this way two days passed. Ned and Jerry took turns in cruising about -in the _Dartaway_, looking for some means of egress from the lake, -but none was to be seen. It was at the close of the second day that -Jerry, returning in the motor boat, saw a small craft approaching their -island, which was still drifting slowly. - -"It's a canoe," he said, as he made the _Dartaway_ fast and waded -ashore to camp. "I hope it doesn't contain an advance guard of ugly -negroes or Indians." - -Thinking it best to be on the safe side, Jerry quietly summoned the -professor and Ned. They got their guns and waited on shore. The canoe -continued to approach. The three girls were in the tent with Bob. - -"There are two men in it," said Jerry. - -"Then I guess we can take care of them," remarked the professor. - -"If there aren't a lot more to follow," added Ned. - -On came the canoe. The two paddlers sent it forward at a swift pace. - -"They're Indians," observed Jerry a little later. "One of 'em looks -just like Ottiby." - -"It is Ottiby!" exclaimed the professor. - -This was confirmed a few minutes later, when the Seminole chief stepped -ashore, followed by another bronze-skinned individual. - -"Ugh!" grunted the chief. "Glad to see. This my son, Skamore." - -"We're glad to see you," replied the professor. "We're in a bad fix and -perhaps you can help us, as you know a lot about these queer lakes." - -"Me help. Yo' help Ottiby, Ottiby help yo'," and with that the Indian -squatted down and began to smoke a pipe, which example his son followed. - -Waiting until the red-men had recovered from the exertion of their -paddling, the professor told them of the plight of the party, and also -of Bob's illness. He asked if Ottiby did not know of something that was -good for fevers. The chief grunted and spoke to his son who, without a -word, glided off into the woods. - -Then Ottiby began to talk. He said his son would search for a certain -plant that the Indians used when they had fevers. As for the blocking -of the passage, that was another matter. Ottiby said he and his son -had come to the lake to fish. He knew of no outlet from it other than -the two already described. One was impassable as it was blocked by the -falling of the water and the other was closed by a mass of land--a -veritable floating island. The Indian said he had reached the lake by -an overland route; he and his son carrying their canoe. - -"But me help yo'," finished the Indian. "We go look at place in -mornin'." - -Hardly had he spoken than his son came hurrying back through the -bushes. His hands were empty, showing that his search for the plant had -been unsuccessful. But there was a queer look on his face. He spoke -some words to his father, at which the old chief started. - -"What is the matter?" asked the professor. - -"Hurricane coming," was the answer. "Look out, or all blow 'way." - -As he spoke there sounded a deep moaning sound through the trees of the -floating forest. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -THE HURRICANE - - -The words of the Seminole chief's son were startling enough, and, -coupled as they were with the strange sound of the wind, alarmed the -boys and the professor. - -"What's the matter?" asked Rose, coming to the tent flap as she heard -the commotion outside. It was the first time the girls were made aware -of the presence of the Indians. The professor explained, asking the -young ladies to remain cool as the danger might not be as great as they -feared. - -"Oh! What will become of papa?" cried Nellie. "His houseboat may be -wrecked!" - -"Maybe the chief knows something of the _Wanderer_," suggested Olivia -to Mr. Snodgrass. "Ask him, please." - -To the surprise of all the Indian chief said he had seen the houseboat -on Lake Okeechobee on his way to Butterfly Lake. He described the -location and this showed it had moved away from the blocked passage. -Ottiby had not tried to enter Butterfly Lake through that waterway and -so, was not aware that it was choked up. - -"He has seen father's boat!" exclaimed Nellie. "Was he all right?" - -"Him walk back and forth on deck quick," replied the Indian with a -smile. - -Never had the boys seen such a disturbance of the elements. The rain -came down in sheets and the tent, made of double canvas as it was, -leaked like a sieve. There was such power to the wind that, had the -tent not been protected by the surrounding forest, it would have been -blown over. - -The girls were very much frightened, and cowered down in a corner under -such coverings as they could secure to keep the rain from leaking in on -them. Bob was protected with his chums' raincoats and, throughout the -hurricane, kept murmuring in his delirium about pleasant sunshiny days. - -At last the storm reached its height. The tent seemed fairly to lift -loose from the guy ropes, but they were strong and well fastened, and -the fury of the wind was cheated. The thunder appeared to gather all -its powers for a tremendous clap, following such a stroke of lightning -that it seemed as if the whole heavens were a mass of flame. Then with -an increase in the fall of rain, which lasted for ten minutes and -completed the drenching of everyone in the tent, the tropical outburst -was over. - -Lanterns which had blown out were relighted and the flaps of the canvas -house opened. Ned and Jerry hurried out to wring some of the water -from their clothes, while the professor sent them to the motor boat, -which had been covered with a heavy tarpaulin, for some dry clothes for -Bob. The lightning still flickered behind a mass of clouds in the east -and brought out in sharp outline the tops of the trees on the distant -mainland. Jerry looked at them for a moment. Then he called out: - -"Our island's floating away faster than before!" - -It needed but a glance to show this. Because of the fury of the -hurricane the floating forest had been torn loose from the temporary -anchorage on the bottom of the lake and was being swept along like a -boat. - -"I wish it would take us somewhere so's we could get off this lake," -remarked Bob, as he pulled the _Dartaway_ in and proceeded to get the -clothes from the lockers. - -In the morning they found themselves several miles from where they had -been the night before. The day was a fine one after the storm, and the -girls forgot their fright and the discomforts of wet clothes. - -"Look!" cried Rose suddenly, pointing ahead. "There are the three dead -trees that marked where we left the houseboat." - -"So they are," added Olivia. "Maybe this island will float over there -and we can see if the houseboat is waiting for us." - -"But you forget the blocked passage," said Nellie. - -The island, on which the party was, continued to move slower and slower -as the wind died out. Jerry, who was aiding Ned in the task of getting -breakfast, went down to the shore of the floating island for a pail of -water. He saw the three dead trees, and noted the girls looking at them -and talking about what has happened since they went fishing. He also -saw something else. - -What it was caused him to drop his pail and set up a shout. The -professor and Ned, followed by Ottiby and his son, came running up to -him. - -"What is it?" asked Ned. - -"The passage!" cried Jerry. "See, it is clear now. The hurricane must -have blown the mass of trees and vegetation away and we can get into -Lake Okeechobee now!" - -"Then we can get back to papa on the houseboat!" exclaimed Olivia. -"Oh, girls, isn't it fine! The very storm we were so afraid of has done -us a favor!" - -"I'll make sure of it," Jerry went on, as he and Ned got into the -_Dartaway_. The girls insisted on going also, and soon the five were -puffing toward where could be seen a narrow stream leading from -Butterfly Lake. In a short time they were up to it and Jerry's surmise -was found to be correct. The hurricane had blown the small floating -island clear through the passage into Lake Okeechobee and that big body -of water was now accessible from Butterfly Lake. - -"There's the _Wanderer_!" exclaimed Olivia, pointing ahead, and the -others, looking, saw the houseboat moored at the entrance to the -passage. They also saw Mr. Seabury pacing the upper deck. At the sight -of the motor boat he waved his hands and set up a shout of welcome. - -"Father! Father! Here we are!" cried Nellie as Jerry sent the -_Dartaway_ straight for the _Wanderer_. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -NODDY'S DANGER - - -They were all on board a few minutes later. Mr. Seabury did his best -to hug his three daughters at once and shake hands with Ned and Jerry. -As for the talk--well, it would have taken half a dozen phonographs of -extra power to register all that was said in a short time. - -"There isn't so much to tell," said Mr. Seabury. "When you girls went -out in the boat, leaving the _Wanderer_ about where she is moored now -I was dozing on deck. Pretty soon Ponto called my attention to a swarm -of butterflies some distance away. I had in mind the professor and his -search and I thought I might find just what he wanted. - -"We went after them, but they gave us quite a chase, and when we -thought we had them the whole lot flew inland and we lost sight of -them. Then, when we came back where we had been moored, near the -passage, we found it was gone. I was never so surprised in my life and -I thought I had made a mistake. I didn't know what to do and Ponto was -so frightened he was of no service. Then my old rheumatic trouble came -back with a rush and I had to take to bed. But when the storm ceased -I got better. I found the boat had dragged her anchor, so I had Ponto -start the motor this morning and put us back as near as possible to -where the passage had been. To my surprise it was open again. That's -all there is to it. I don't care what happened as long as I have you -girls back." - -"Nor we as long as we have you," said Olivia, with another hugging in -which her sisters joined her. - -The boys and Mr. Seabury discussed what had happened and came to the -conclusion that all around the two lakes, as well as in them, must -be large masses of floating vegetation in the form of islands which -drifted here and there. The falling of Butterfly Lake would have -affected Lake Okeechobee by drawing water from it through the second -passage had not the small island acted as a dam. When the passage was -opened by the hurricane blowing the island out of the way, there would -have been a strong current from Lake Okeechobee into the other body of -water but for the fact that the smaller lake suddenly ceased falling. - -The boys learned later, from Chief Ottiby, that Butterfly Lake was a -strange one and frequently fell as the water flowed off through some -unknown opening. Then it would as suddenly cease, and regain its former -level. This was now taking place, and the water was again rising. - -"Well, you boys certainly have had some queer experiences since coming -here," remarked Mr. Seabury when all that had happened in the last few -days had been told. "I have been wondering what you came to Florida -for." - -"We came for several reasons," said Jerry. "The professor wanted to -get his rare butterfly, but he hasn't got it yet. We boys wanted some -adventures and we also had a message to deliver to an acquaintance." - -"Yes, and we forgot to deliver it," put in Ned. - -"We will later, however," resumed Jerry. "Also I was going to look up -some land my mother owns somewhere down here." - -"Where is it?" - -"I don't know exactly, but I suppose the deed tells." Later the widow's -son showed Mr. Seabury the document. - -"So your mother thinks this land is valueless, eh?" asked the owner of -the _Wanderer_. - -"She always said she wished she had back the money she paid for it." - -"Well, she's likely to get it," went on Mr. Seabury. - -"Where is it?" - -"Just outside of Kissimmee City. I happen to own a hotel there and -this land is next to it. For several years I have tried to get in -communication with the owner but was not successful. Now I do so by -accident." - -"Why did you want to find the owner?" - -"Because I want to buy the land. I intend to build an addition to my -hotel, as the place where it is located has become quite a summer -colony. I will give your mother a good price for the lot. Do you think -she will sell it?" - -"I'm sure she will. In fact I think I'm safe in offering it to you at a -fair price. I don't know what it is worth, but I'm willing to leave it -to you." - -"No, I don't do business that way. When you get to Kissimmee City, -you can telegraph your mother about the land. You can have it valued -by some real estate dealer, and I'll pay you whatever he says it is -worth. Is that satisfactory?" And Jerry said it was. - -"We mustn't forget Bob!" exclaimed Ned, after this business was -concluded. "The professor wants to know what kinds of medicine you -have, Mr. Seabury. Bob has a bad fever." - -"I have several kinds. I'll take some of them with me and go to your -camp." - -In a short time Mr. Seabury, with Ned and Jerry, was in the motor boat -speeding toward the camp. The three girls were left on the _Wanderer_. - -The professor was glad to see Mr. Seabury, and the two men discussed -Bob's case. The youth was still in the stupor of the high fever, and -Mr. Seabury looked grave as he examined him. However, he administered -some strong medicine. - -Whether the fever had run its course, or whether the medicine Mr. -Seabury gave him was responsible, was not determined, but it was -certain by evening Bob was much better. He continued to improve, and -by the next day the fever had entirely left him. Yet he was far from -strong. - -As the climate of Lake Okeechobee was not doing Mr. Seabury any good he -determined to proceed back north. He left a supply of medicines for Bob -and, expressing the hope that the professor would be successful in his -search for the rare butterfly, prepared to start the _Wanderer_ on her -homeward trip. He agreed to meet Jerry in Kissimmee City in three weeks -and complete the land sale in case Mrs. Hopkins agreed to it. - -There was a little feeling of sadness when the three boys bade the -three girls good-bye, for they had grown to be very good friends. They -expressed the hope that they would meet again soon, and then, with -three toots of her whistle, which were answered from the motor boat, -the _Wanderer_ puffed up Lake Okeechobee. - -The boys and the professor decided to remain in camp another week to -allow Bob to recover fully. At the end of that time they started back -up north, following the shores of Lake Okeechobee, for Mr. Snodgrass -was anxious about getting the rare butterfly. Chief Ottiby and his son -remained on the other lake, as they wanted to do some fishing. - -The _Dartaway_ was not sent along at a very fast speed, as the -professor wanted time to scan the shores in his search for insects. He -began to fear he must return north without the butterfly which meant so -much to him, and the boys, appreciating his feelings, redoubled their -watchfulness in the hope of discovering the creature. - -"This looks like a good place for butterflies," said Mr. Snodgrass one -afternoon, pointing to a little cove which was bordered with woodland -on the edge of a swamp. "Suppose we camp here for a few days?" - -The boys were willing, and the boat was headed toward shore. There was -a long strip of firm land before the swamp was reached and on this the -tent was erected. Then, while the professor, with long rubber boots -on, went into the morass to look for the butterfly the boys walked in -another direction. - -They had not gone very far when Jerry, who was in the lead, called out: - -"Somebody else is camping here." - -"Why?" asked Bob, who had fully recovered from his illness. - -"There's a tent." - -"Can't be much of a party in that," observed Ned. "It's only about big -enough for one." - -"Yes, and I guess there's the 'one,'" observed Bob, pointing to where a -solitary figure stood on a little hummock near the edge of the swamp. -Jerry took one look at the figure and uttered an exclamation. - -"Boys! If that isn't Noddy Nixon I'm a Dutchman!" - -"Noddy Nixon?" repeated Bob. - -"It sure is," added Ned. "But look there! An alligator is right behind -him!" - -"And he doesn't see it!" cried Jerry. - -It was true enough. Noddy was standing with his back to the saurian. He -seemed to be gazing off into the swamp as if looking for some one. - -"Hurry up and put a bullet into it!" yelled Bob, for Jerry had brought -his gun along. - -"We haven't time! Let's yell to Noddy to jump out of the way of its -tail!" suggested Ned. "Now all together!" - -They united their voices in a shout of warning but Noddy never turned. - -"He must be deaf!" exclaimed Jerry. "I'll have to try a shot, but it's -pretty long." - -There was nothing else to do. He raised the rifle and fired. The -alligator gave a spring into the air and Noddy wheeled around. - -"He heard that!" cried Ned, springing forward. The alligator was -evidently mortally wounded. Noddy gave one look at the leaping, -writhing saurian almost at his feet. Then he looked at the three chums -who were running toward him. An instant later he had disappeared into -the swamp-forest. - -[Illustration: NODDY GAVE ONE LOOK AT THE WRITHING SAURIAN] - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -THE BUTTERFLIES--CONCLUSION - - -"Well of all the queer actions!" exclaimed Jerry as he reached the spot -where the alligator was stretched out dead. "I think Noddy must be -crazy!" - -They discussed the matter at some length and decided they had better -tell the professor about it. They found the scientist tired out with -his long and unsuccessful search for the rare butterfly. - -"Maybe Noddy's troubles have sent him temporarily out of his mind," -said Mr. Snodgrass. "I think it is our duty to do what we can for him, -even if he has, in the past, acted as the enemy of you boys. We'll go -see him in the morning." - -They started off early the next day for Noddy's camp. As they -approached they saw the youth standing in the same place he had -occupied the previous day. - -"Hey, Noddy!" called Jerry when still some distance away from him. - -"The wind is blowing the wrong way. He can't hear you," remarked Mr. -Snodgrass. "Try again." - -"Noddy!" called Jerry. Still Noddy did not turn his head. Then all -three boys united in a chorus of shouts. The Cresville bully gave no -indication of having heard them. - -"He's deaf!" exclaimed the professor, and this view of the matter -was confirmed a moment later when Ned, having touched Noddy on the -shoulder, was confronted by a very much surprised youth. Jerry, Bob -and Mr. Snodgrass joined Ned at Noddy's side. The latter looking in -wonderment from one to the other, took out a piece of paper and a -pencil and, handing them to Jerry, said: - -"I am totally deaf. I ate some queer kind of red berries and I've lost -my hearing. You'll have to write out your questions for me." - -"What are you doing here?" wrote Jerry. - -"I'm camping here until I have that dispute over the cocoanut grove -settled," Noddy replied with something of his old manner. "I've got a -colored man staying with me. When I found I was deaf I sent him off to -the village for some medicine. He hasn't come back and I guess he ran -away with my money. I was watching for him to come on a path through -the swamp yesterday when that alligator got after me. I couldn't hear -you when you yelled at me, but I felt the ground tremble when the -alligator threshed around after you shot it. I was so frightened that I -ran away." - -The professor, who was impressed by Noddy's plight, urged him to -accompany the boys back north. The three chums were willing to let -by-gones be by-gones, and aid their former enemy, who was glad enough -to accept help. His money was all gone and his food supplies running -low. What he would have done had not the boys discovered him would be -hard to say. - -Noddy's tent was taken down and he was brought to the other camp. -There, made miserable by his deafness and his failure to secure a -cocoanut grove, he sat apart, refusing to talk. - -That evening, when the three chums were beginning to wonder if Mr. -Snodgrass had not become lost in the swamp, they heard a shouting along -the path that led through the morass. - -"That sounds like him," said Bob. - -"It is!" exclaimed Ned a moment later as the professor came into view. -He was fairly leaping up and down, holding something in his hands. - -"Did a snake bite you?" inquired Jerry anxiously. - -"No! I've got three of the butterflies! I caught them in the swamp a -few minutes ago!" cried the delighted professor, and, hurrying up to -the boys he showed in a little glass-sided box, the beautiful insects. -The bodies were pink, while the large wings were of mingled blue and -gold. - -"I've got them!" repeated Mr. Snodgrass. "They were feeding on some -beautiful flowers and first I thought they were blossoms, but their -wings moved and I put the net over them. Now I'll get the reward and a -commission to travel all over the world for the museum. Oh, boys! This -has been a most delightful trip!" - -"With certain parts left out," murmured Jerry, and Bob agreed with him. - -"We'll start back to-morrow," went on the scientist. "I want to get -these butterflies to the museum as soon as possible." - -They broke camp the next morning. Noddy, sullen and unhappy, -accompanied them. Now that his mind was at peace from having secured -his prize, the professor began to study Noddy's case. He learned what -the red berries were, and by looking in some of his scientific books -discovered a remedy. This he administered the unfortunate youth who, in -a few days, had his hearing completely restored. - -"We'd better give him the message now," said Jerry one afternoon, and, -as communication was now easier Noddy was told of being wanted as a -witness in the lighthouse matter. He said nothing on hearing this, but -showed by his manner that he was alarmed. - -"I don't believe he'll answer that summons," ventured Jerry, and he was -right. The next morning Noddy's bunk in the _Dartaway_ was vacant. He -had slipped away in the night. However, the chums did not worry about -him as they were near Kissimmee City and they thought Noddy could take -care of himself, now that his hearing was restored. - -Mr. Seabury was found at the hotel adjoining the land Jerry's mother -owned. In response to a telegram from her son, Mrs. Hopkins authorized -him to sell the land to Mr. Seabury, and it was disposed of for a -goodly sum. - -"You must stay at my hotel for a week or so," said the gentleman to the -boys. To this they agreed. Uriah Snodgrass, however, took the first -train he could get for the north. - -"Where are you going next?" asked Rose, of Jerry one day. - -"We haven't made up our minds," answered Jerry. "Where are you going?" - -"We three girls are probably going with papa to California. He thinks -the climate there may do him good." - -"I'd like to go to California myself," put in Ned. - -"Yes, and sail on the Pacific," added Bob. "Say, that would be fine, -eh?" he cried. - -"We'd like to meet you out there," said Nellie. - -"It would be glorious!" cried Jerry. And how they did meet, and what -strange adventures befell all, will be told in another volume, which -I shall call, "The Motor Boys on the Pacific; Or, The Young Derelict -Hunters." It was an outing that none of them ever forgot. - -"Well, there's nothing to keep us down south any longer, I guess," -remarked Jerry one morning. "What do you say that we start back north? -The professor has gone on with his butterflies, I've sold mother's -land, and we did Noddy a good turn." - -"Not to mention that we had more adventures than we counted on," said -Bob. - -"And met some nice girls," added Ned, with a sigh, for Ned had rather a -soft spot in his heart for all young ladies. - -"Then let's arrange to go home," urged Jerry, and they did. - -So here, for a time, we will take leave of the motor boys. That they -were destined to take part in many more incidents seems very probable, -for they were boys who did not hesitate to undertake anything that -offered a spice of novelty, nor were they deterred by a little -flavoring of danger. - - -THE END. - - -Printed in U. S. A. - - - - -THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES - -By CLARENCE YOUNG - -_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid_ - - -[Illustration] - - The Motor Boys - _or Chums Through Thick and Thin_ - - The Motor Boys Overland - _or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune_ - - The Motor Boys In Mexico - _or The Secret of The Buried City_ - - The Motor Boys Across the Plains - _or The Hermit of Lost Lake_ - - The Motor Boys Afloat - _or The Cruise of the Dartaway_ - - The Motor Boys on the Atlantic - _or The Mystery of the Lighthouse_ - - The Motor Boys in Strange Waters - _or Lost in a Floating Forest_ - - The Motor Boys on the Pacific - _or The Young Derelict Hunters_ - - The Motor Boys in the Clouds - _or A Trip for Fame and Fortune_ - - The Motor Boys Over the Rockies - _or A Mystery of the Air_ - - The Motor Boys Over the Ocean - _or a Marvelous Rescue in Mid-Air_ - - The Motor Boys on the Wing - _or Seeking the Airship Treasure_ - - The Motor Boys After a Fortune - _or The Hut on Snake Island_ - - The Motor Boys on the Border - _or Sixty Nuggets of Gold_ - - The Motor Boys Under the Sea - _or From Airship to Submarine_ - - The Motor Boys on Road and River - _or Racing to Save a Life_ - - -THE MOTOR BOYS SECOND SERIES - -BY CLARENCE YOUNG - - Ned, Bob and Jerry at Boxwood Hall - _or The Motor Boys as Freshmen_ - - Ned, Bob and Jerry on a Ranch - _or The Motor Boys Among the Cowboys_ - - Ned, Bob and Jerry in the Army - _or The Motor Boys as Volunteers_ - - Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line - _or The Motor Boys Fighting for Uncle Sam_ - - Ned, Bob and Jerry Bound for Home - _or The Motor Boys on the Wrecked Troopship_ - - - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York - - - - -THE BASEBALL JOE SERIES - -BY LESTER CHADWICK - -_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid_ - - -[Illustration] - - BASEBALL JOE OF THE SILVER STARS - _or The Rivals of Riverside_ - -Joe is an everyday country boy who loves to play baseball and -particularly to pitch. - - - BASEBALL JOE ON THE SCHOOL NINE - _or Pitching for the Blue Banner_ - -Joe's great ambition was to go to boarding school and play on the -school team. - - - BASEBALL JOE AT YALE - _or Pitching for the College Championship_ - -Joe goes to Yale University. In his second year he becomes a varsity -pitcher and pitches in several big games. - - - BASEBALL JOE IN THE CENTRAL LEAGUE - _or Making Good as a Professional Pitcher_ - -In this volume the scene of action is shifted from Yale college to a -baseball league of our Central States. - - - BASEBALL JOE IN THE BIG LEAGUE - _or A Young Pitcher's Hardest Struggles_ - -From the Central League Joe is drafted into the St. Louis Nationals. A -corking baseball story all fans will enjoy. - - - BASEBALL JOE ON THE GIANTS - _or Making Good as a Twirler in the Metropolis_ - -How Joe was traded to the Giants and became their mainstay in the box -makes an interesting baseball story. - - - BASEBALL JOE IN THE WORLD SERIES - _or Pitching for the Championship_ - -The rivalry was of course of the keenest, and what Joe did to win the -series is told in a manner to thrill the most jaded reader. - - - BASEBALL JOE AROUND THE WORLD - _or Pitching on a Grand Tour_ - -The Giants and the All-Americans tour the world, playing in many -foreign countries. - - - BASEBALL JOE: HOME RUN KING - _or The Greatest Pitcher and Batter on Record_ - -Joe cultivates his handling of the bat until he becomes the greatest -batter in the game. - - - _Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ - - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York - - - - -THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES - -BY LESTER CHADWICK - -_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_ - -_=Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid=_ - - -[Illustration] - -_Mr. Chadwick has played on the diamond and on the gridiron himself._ - - - 1. THE RIVAL PITCHERS - _A Story of College Baseball_ - -Tom Parsons, a "hayseed," makes good on the scrub team of Randall -College. - - - 2. A QUARTERBACK'S PLUCK - _A Story of College Football_ - -A football story, told in Mr. Chadwick's best style, that is bound to -grip the reader from the start. - - - 3. BATTING TO WIN - _A Story of College Baseball_ - -Tom Parsons and his friends Phil and Sid are the leading players on -Randall College team. There is a great game. - - - 4. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN - _A Story of College Football_ - -After having to reorganize their team at the last moment, Randall makes -a touchdown that won a big game. - - - 5. FOR THE HONOR OF RANDALL - _A Story of College Athletics_ - -The winning of the hurdle race and long-distance run is extremely -exciting. - - - 6. THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS - _A Story of College Water Sports_ - -Tom, Phil and Sid prove as good at aquatic sports as they are on track, -gridiron and diamond. - - - _Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ - - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York - - - - -THE JACK RANGER SERIES - -BY CLARENCE YOUNG - -_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_ - -_=Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid=_ - - -[Illustration] - -_Lively stories of outdoor sports and adventure every boy will want to -read._ - - - 1. JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL DAYS - _or The Rivals of Washington Hall_ - -You will love Jack Ranger--you simply can't help it. He is bright and -cheery, and earnest in all he does. - - - 2. JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP - _or From Boarding School to Ranch and Range_ - -This volume takes the hero to the great West. Jack is anxious to clear -up the mystery surrounding his father's disappearance. - - - 3. JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES - _or Track, Gridiron and Diamond_ - -Jack gets back to Washington Hall and goes in for all sorts of school -games. There are numerous contests on the athletic field. - - - 4. JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE - _or The Wreck of the Polly Ann_ - -How Jack was carried off to sea against his will makes a "yarn" no boy -will want to miss. - - - 5. JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB - _or From Schoolroom to Camp and Trail_ - -Jack organizes a gun club and with his chums goes in quest of big game. -They have many adventures in the mountains. - - - 6. JACK RANGER'S TREASURE BOX - _or The Outing of the Schoolboy Yachtsmen_ - -Jack receives a box from his father and it is stolen. How he regains it -makes an absorbing tale. - - - _Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ - - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York - - - - - Transcriber's Notes: - - --Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); text in - bold by "equal" signs (=bold=). - - --Printer, punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently - corrected. - - --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. - - --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys in Strange Waters, by Clarence Young - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS *** - -***** This file should be named 44951.txt or 44951.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/9/5/44951/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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