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Woodcraft Boys at Sunset Island

<h2>CHAPTER THIRTEEN THIEVES IN THE NIGHT</h2> BILLY had a habit of waking about dawn and stepping out of his tent to look around and gauge the weather for the day. So, it happened about three o’clock one morning, that he indulged in his usual nocturnal survey. The bay was calm in that still dark hour before dawn. Bill was about to retire after making his prognostications when the muffled chugging of a motor-launch and the sound of a boat bumping against something in the back bay off the float-stage, instantly rendered him alert. He knew the Islanders were wrapped in slumber so he investigated, creeping down under cover of the firs to a vantage point near the shore. It was too dark to see anything, but the muffled sounds convinced Billy that somebody was “monkeying” with their precious lobsters. Quietly he stole back and woke the Captain and the boys. With many cautions for silence, they slipped into trousers and sweaters, thrust feet into sneakers,235 and rushed to surprise the marauders—Billy not forgetting his rifle. The unavoidable sounds made by the Islanders in leaving the float-stage were warning enough, so before they were well off in Billy’s launch the strange craft was flying toward the south. “It’s up with our main-topsails, lads, and after her away,” sang Billy in his glory as he gave the engine more gas. They could not seem to lessen the distance between the escaping thieves and their own boat, however, even though the pursuers, knowing the local waters well, were able to take some short cuts. “Well, their launch is a lee-tle speedier than mine,” wofully admitted Billy. “But they’re not gaining much, Bill! Let’s keep it up to the finish!” urged Fred. Down through Gilkey’s Harbour, out past Job’s Island, and into East Penobscot Bay, the thieves led the chase. “Say, Cap’n, can’t I fire a shot across their bows?” begged Billy. “Might as well, son,” replied the Captain. But the thieves paid no attention to this nautical command to stop. “They must be headin’ fer Pulpit Harbour, on North Haven,” declared the Captain, taking his bearings. Billy simply couldn’t stand the thought of their getting236 away. “Oh, Captain, just let me take one shot at their boat!” The Captain hesitated too long, for silence gives consent. So Billy, quick to take advantage of it, aimed for the engine of the fleeing launch. “Gee whiz! you hit it!” yelled Paul, excitedly. “You winged her all right!” admitted Captain Ed, with a grin of satisfaction now that the deed was done. After that they drew up on the crippled boat and were close behind when she dashed in behind the big rock that marks the entrance to this blind harbour on North Haven. Then the thieves beached their launch and took to the woods. When the Sunset Islanders landed and examined the deserted launch, they found she was nearly out of gasoline as well as having had one of her spark plugs shot away. “Guess she just had to put in here—she couldn’t go much further,” said Fred. “I don’t believe they’re any Pulpit Rock fellers—I know all the folks ’round here ’cause my wife’s a North Haven woman, you know,” remarked the Captain. “Oh, joy! Here’s our lobsters!” shouted Dudley, with great relief. “And what’s this?” cried Paul, holding up the cushions and steamer-rugs from Uncle Billy’s launch. “Well, I swan!” breathed the Captain amazed.237 “Lobsters is one thing, but when it comes to taking chattels—that’s another!” “What’re we going to do now, Cap’n?” asked Billy. “I’m awful hungry!” hinted Paul. “Guess it must be most noon,” ventured Dudley. The Captain and Fred laughed and assured the boys that it couldn’t be more than six or seven o’clock. The sun was shining gloriously and being up so early made the boys think it was ages since the hurry-call for the chase. “We’ll have breakfast at my father-in-law’s,” was the Captain’s welcome announcement, indicating a white house that showed above the trees on the point. “Let’s take out our spark-plug as well as the one left in the other launch,” advised Fred, acting upon his suggestion. Captain Jotham, Captain Ed’s father-in-law, was a jolly old man with a fringe of white whiskers framing his apple-red face, while his upper lip was carefully shaven. “Well, well! hain’t seen ye since a month o’ Sundays!” was his hearty welcome to his son-in-law. “Come in—come in and set!” Then the old Captain’s motherly wife appeared and soon after, the hungry mariners were “stokin’ up” on coffee and doughnuts, with two kinds of pie cut in generous triangles. The boys exchanged looks of intense delight—the dream of their lives come true! They had heard about238 New Englanders eating pie and doughnuts for breakfast, but they had deemed it a legend for they had never had an opportunity to test the truth. Now, they found they were quite equal to the fact, although Mrs. Remington would have been horrified at her boys eating such a morning meal! When the story of the get-away and pursuit of the thieves was finished, Captain Jotham planned with Captain Ed how to capture the marauders. “Anyway, Ed, I’m the Constabule, you know!” “Sure ’nough! And you’ll be doin’ your duty to nab them rascals,” assented Captain Ed. So, armed with an old Winchester, Constable Jotham Heald left the house followed by the rest of the party—Billy also armed with his trusty rifle. Hearing the exciting story, one neighbour after another joined the posse in the quest. “Say, Jotham!” bawled an old salt just back from Rockland, “Bet’cher them fellers air the same es is wanted fer other things than lobsters!” “That’s right, Jotham! I heared tell thar war a launch stolen down Camden way—thar’s a reward out fer news of the thieves and the launch—shoulden’ wonder but what this is it!” added another hearty fisherman, as they passed the thieves’ craft. The hope of reward added to the zest of the pursuit and before they left the shore every active or able member of the settlement had joined the posse and had spent that reward! 239 Meantime, the thieves had reached a remote part of the wooded shore and fearing capture had hidden in a natural cave. Here, they collected a heap of stones to use for ammunition and provided heavy clubs in case of attack. They had not anticipated such an army, however, but had intended “rushing” the boys, figuring that the single rifle of the offensives could be rendered useless by the sudden surprise. The trail grew clearer to the “home defenders” as they neared the granite cave; even Paul could see that cobble-stones had recently been removed from the ground. The two fugitives, hearing a babel of many voices, peered from the gloom of the cave. When they saw the crowd headed by a constable (as was distinctly shown by the badge of office shining resplendent from his flowered suspenders) with a gun, they looked at each other in fear. “In the name of the law, surrender!” bawled Captain Jotham, aiming his Winchester at the dark opening of the cave. With the actual cowardliness of the unarmed criminal, the two men sneaked out holding up their trembling hands in token of submission. “Where’s them bracelets, Ed?” shouted the constable. And the two men were handcuffed while the crowd looked on in intense satisfaction. It was the first time240 the boys had ever seen handcuffs used and it had a most subduing effect on their plastic minds. It was high noon when the posse dispersed before the Heald homestead, and hunger added to fatigue had so quieted the Islanders that they presented quite a contrast to the eager rush and hullabaloo of the morning. Captain Jotham’s wife, accustomed as she was to hearty appetites, had provided amply for the demand. Hot biscuits, jam, honey, preserves, and more pie fraternised on the checkered red-and-white table cloth, while smothered haddock and boiled potatoes provided pyramids of delicious if humble provender. And full justice was done that meal by the Representatives of the Law! The topic of conversation centred about the reward and Captain Jotham promised to take charge of the division so that the Islanders would receive their exact share. “But don’t set your hopes too high, boys—you won’t be millionaires on that reward—if we get it!” said the constable. “Why, the whole launch ain’t wuth more’n a hundred, or even less!” added Captain Ed. That morning, Mose had been awakened by the noise of Billy’s launch as the boys started in pursuit of the thieves. By the time he was half-dressed, however, and down by the float only a chugging of the two engines could be heard by the nonplussed cook. 241 The morning passed without sight or sound of the Islanders so Mose became worried. He tramped back and forth from Treasure Cove to the float-stage and then down to the South End, dragging the spy-glass with him. He almost forgot to eat so deserted and worried was he. Then, late in the afternoon, when it seemed to him that he was doomed to remain a Second Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday combined in one, he heard a faint echo over the water, and anxiously glued his eye to the spy-glass. There were familiar forms approaching in Billy’s launch! Mose was so relieved to find them all safe at home that the unusually wide grin on his generous mouth almost met at the back of his round head and elicited a warning from the Captain: “Take care, Mose, the top of your head will come off!” The whole thrilling tale of the adventure was told Mose while they all sat about the supper-table, and many were the interruptions in the telling as one or another boy remembered a detail of that chase and capture. While waiting for dessert, the boys nodded and dozed, and finally, Fred yawned and got up from the table. “Say, Mose, I’m so tired my jaws won’t move! Keep my dish of pudding for breakfast.” When the other boys followed Fred’s action, Mose242 could hardly believe his eyes and ears—not wait for their favourite pudding! The next morning Anna appeared with her charge, Teddy. “I got a letter from your mother yesterday that she’ll be home soon, so I thought I’d better come over and help Mose clear away the too-apparent traces of your ‘bachelor-hall.’” Although the boys would not admit it, they were glad to see little Teddy and Anna again, and Fred picked up his brother and carried him off for the time the governess was occupied in helping Mose. As they worked, Mose remarked: “‘Deed Ah t’ink it’s high time d’ Missus is comin’ home. Ah tek notice dat none ob dese ’ructions ob bein’ pirates er shootin’ thieves happen when she’s heah!” “I agree with you there, Mose, but I think we’re lucky to have any Islanders sound and alive to meet her at the homecoming,” added Anna, with a sigh. The day the Lady of the Island was expected, the boys started for Rosemary to meet her there. Everything had been left in readiness at the foot of the flag-pole so that Mose could hoist the flag when the signal came from the returning launch. At that signal, the young Islanders were to sing “My Country ’tis of Thee” and “Our America,” while the flag was hoisted and waved from its position on the big rock of Treasure Cove. <div class="figcenter width600"> <ANTIMG src="images/i-242a.jpg" width-obs="600" height-obs="413" alt="" /> <div class="caption">MOVIES—“THE PIRATES OF SUNSET.”</div> </div> <div class="figcenter width600"> <ANTIMG src="images/i-242b.jpg" width-obs="600" height-obs="430" alt="" /> <div class="caption">THE OLD WRECK IN CROW COVE. Woodcraft Boys at Sunset Island. Page 244</div> </div> 243 Everything went off as planned, and Mrs. Remington was greatly pleased at the demonstration of patriotism shown by the young folks. “I don’t know how it happened that your father and I never had the broken flag-staff replaced this summer, but so much takes place every time he is with us, that it naturally was left for a time when there was nothing else to do and that never happens!” explained Mrs. Remington, in apology for the neglect. Then added: “Now, however, we have a far better staff than the old one and I want to thank you for the forethought and labour.” “You must thank Captain Ed, too—he helped a lot!” said truthful and loyal Billy. “Indeed I do, and he knows it! And for all his care of you,” said his mother, taking Captain Ed’s hand in hers. At the earnest words of appreciation the Captain’s memory reviewed recent events—piracy and posse were hardly to be considered as acts of care-taking, and the conscientious Captain’s sense of justice rebuked him in accepting the gratitude. “Oh, well,” thought he to himself, “‘all’s well that ends well’ and no one got in trouble!” Elizabeth and Edith had accompanied their mother home and were glad to be back on their dear old island, although they had enjoyed their visit immensely. The morning following Mrs. Remington’s return, Elizabeth said, “Mother, we want our annual clam-bake244 and it can’t be postponed much longer ’cause Trixie is going back home!” “Well, Uncle Tom is coming over to-day to give the boys another lesson in target-shooting and we will give him the invitation to carry to the Cove people, and we can tell the Isola Bella family about it when we go there to dinner to-night!” “Gee! I’m glad we got those lobsters of ours back again!” murmured Billy. During the next few days every one worked hard to have this clam-bake surpass those of former years. Clams were dug, fish were caught, the Captain’s broilers were requisitioned, while Rosemary and Isola Bella promised to supply the ice-cream and cakes. The day before the fête Elizabeth was brooding deeply while assisting her mother with candy-making. Suddenly, she said, “Oh, dear! I do wish father could be with us to-morrow!” Her mother smiled and said, “Well, wish hard enough and see what happens! We used to say ‘If wishes were horses all beggars might ride,’ but you might change that to say ‘If wishes are motors our father will arrive!’” Elizabeth eyed her mother suspiciously and saw a look that caused her to clap her hands. “Oh, mother! goody-good! I know he is coming!” And away flew Elizabeth to spread the wonderful news to all on the Island. “Say, that’s the best yet!” cried the boys. 245 “There’s no one can broil lobsters like father!” declared Billy. “And we want him to award that prize he offered for the biggest one,” added Dudley. “That’s right. He said ‘in a month’s catch,’ and the time is up,” admitted Fred. Eleven A.M. of the great feast-day found Mr. Remington at Rosemary, the little plan of the extra week-end visit having been found possible of fulfilment. Fred and Billy met their father in the new launch. On the trip to Sunset Island, Billy proudly displayed its speed and his efficiency in managing the motor. Fred regaled his father with a very full account of the pirates and the chase of the thieves to Pulpit Harbour. As the elder of the trio listened to the story he chuckled and thought to himself, “Chips of the Old Block.” But, very seriously he remarked, “Boys, what did your mother say to all this?” “Oh, father! We haven’t told her all we told you!” gasped they. And by the time Mrs. Remington did hear most of the details of the exploits, the flight of time had shed its halo about the daring and possible dangers her boys had incurred. That noon, the sun shone down upon a fleet of visiting craft loaded with eager and hungry clam-bakers. Not only were the Rosemary and Isola Bella families246 fully represented but many guests also accompanied them. Mr. Remington broiled lobsters, Captain Ed steamed clams, the boys dished fish-chowder and Mose broiled young chickens until it seemed the world would be feasted that day. But all disappeared as if by magic and still the clam-bakers found out-of-way corners where cake and ice-cream could be stored! At last, at peace with all earthly things, the visitors sat down to enjoy the entertainment about to be furnished by the Woodcrafters. “Our first number on the programme will be A Moving Picture Drama of ‘The Katahdin Pirates,’” announced Fred. And a realistic scene took place in which one of the male visitors was dragged out and became a helpless victim of piracy as practised by Sunset Islanders. The production was one of Fred’s first attempts at play-writing, and received due applause as such. Little Red Riding Hood was then acted but the wolf looked suspiciously like the cinnamon bear of the masked ball on Isola Bella. The wood-chopper played his part so enthusiastically that it brought an encore, and so Edith was once more swallowed in the steamer-rugs of her grandmother’s bed, and once more disgorged. After this, Mr. Remington very seriously announced that the prize offered by him for the largest and heaviest lobster came near to being twins. The only point247 that saved this awful monstrosity was the fact that a claw on one was larger than those of the other! Thus, Paul was recompensed for his encounter with a lobster’s claw during the first “catch” of the season. Paul was so delighted with winning the first prize that he went about showing each guest the claws of the fine lobster he had caught—and promising Trixie a print of the photograph he had taken of it the day before. Dancing in the Council Ring helped digestion and the victrola Uncle Tom brought over that day furnished music. Among other farewells that evening, Trixie’s were especially prolonged as she was to leave Rosemary on the morrow. During his unexpected visit of three days, Mr. Remington took an active interest in the target practice and the boys received many important and wise advices. With target-practice, fishing, canoeing, and other sports, the days flew by, while weekly councils in the Ring marked the attainment of Woodcraft Honours. The outdoor life had tanned and hardened Paul and Dudley so that they were a credit to the Island. Moreover, the boys were now of real service in camp life, having learned to row, be of help in sailing, expert in swimming, knowing something of first aid, and being able to cook a simple camp meal. Then came a letter in the morning mail one day248 and upon reading it Mrs. Remington announced: “Mrs. Baker says the trip is all arranged. The girls of Wickeecheokee Band and the boys of the Grey Fox Band are crazy to come with Dr. Baker and Mr. Hubert when they motor to Maine. So she has changed her plans of coming with the doctor.” “Oh, that’s too bad! I know she would have enjoyed a visit with you, mother,” said Elizabeth. “What will they do, then?” asked Billy eagerly, trying to hide his pleasure at hearing that Fiji and Bob Baker would accompany the doctor instead of Mrs. Baker. “Why, Mr. Hubert will take the big touring car and take Janet, Zan Baker, Nita Brampton, Elena Marsh and Paul’s sister Hilda—the original five who started Wickeecheokee Band of Wako Tribe, while Dr. Baker will use his new seven-passenger car to carry Fiji and Bob Baker, Jack Hubert, Harold Everett and the luggage.” “Why, Jane and Jack Hubert are with their mother at Woodchuck Camp in the Adirondacks!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “Yes, but Mrs. Baker and Miss Miller are going from the city to the Hubert Camp and visit there while Jane and Jack take the two places in the cars to come on here with the other Woodcrafters,” explained Mrs. Remington. Wild expressions of delight came from every boy249 and girl present and then Billy quieted them with a practical remark. “Say, those Bands won’t let us put anything over on them in a Grand Council, I bet!” “That’s right! We ought to put on steam and show the Grey Foxes what we have done this summer!” cried Dudley. “Fiji Baker told my sister that they meant to ‘saw wood’ on the farm this summer, so’s they could show ‘some’ work at the Grand Council in New York in the fall,” added Paul. “What’s more, they must have known of this visit some time ago, and been hitting it up to show off when they get here,” suggested Fred. “Say, boys, wouldn’t it be great fun to hold one mighty Council with the Pentagoet Tribe as host together with the girls of The Big Lodge of Wako Tribe, and their Little Lodge where Paul, Edith and Teddy first started in Woodcraft Work?” volunteered Elizabeth. “Don’t forget the Grey Foxes, too!” added Dudley. “Oh, yes, let’s! I want to show Hilda how I have improved this summer,” urged Paul. The others smiled encouragingly at the boy in whom there surely had been miracles wrought since he joined Woodcraft. In place of the whining and discontented ways he had acquired a happy optimism; the shirking of duties was now a forgotten habit, the irregular eating, oversleeping, prevarications and other undesirable250 qualities were now gone for good. And good normal ideas and character-forming exercises took their place. “Mrs. Baker said, that the doctor has been so over-worked that he needs a change, so Mr. Hubert planned this outing to entice him. They will motor from the Adirondacks in easy stages and then spend the third week-end of August in Camden, so that we can have them over to visit the Island for a day at least!” said Mrs. Remington, looking again at the letter from Mrs. Baker. “If we hold that last Grand Council when the visiting Tribes are here why not let that occasion be used to crown Fred a Sagamore? He has just won his twenty-fourth feather with the sailing coup,” suggested Elizabeth, eagerly. “That is a splendid idea, Lizzie!” cried Billy, using that tabooed nickname for his sister. “We can have some grand water sports as well as other fun,” instantly quoth Fred, to cover the too evident pleasure he felt at the proposition. “We can have a ‘Spearing the Sturgeon,’ a canoe tag, and a tub-tilting contest as well as a Talk Fest and other fun!” said Dudley, anxious to add his quota. “Say, don’t you boys go and forget we girls are in on this Council!” warned Elizabeth, with a menacing look. “Of course!” responded Paul, magnanimously. “And we’re going to claim Honours for different things, too! I’m going to finish my Hostess and251 Shingebis Degrees as well as my Handicraft coups,” continued Elizabeth. “I guess those girls of Wako Tribe will have some stunts to show, too,” added Edith. “I think I will plan a programme that will give each Woodcrafter time and opportunity to show what he or she has done this summer,” suggested Mrs. Remington. “Yes, mother, do that!” came a chorus of voices, so the Lady of the Island produced an elaborate programme that later was entered in the Tally Book as one of the Grand Councils—and the best ever held on the Island. From that day until the time the expected tourists were to arrive, many hours were given to finishing up the lists for claiming coups and Honours. Birds, flowers, insects and fish were catalogued and learned by every one until the required number for each coup or honour were secured. Athletics and Camp Crafts were displayed to the necessary witnesses until Fred declared that he would demand the pay for the office for Recording Secretary if the writing kept up much longer. But all mundane things have an end and so has the waiting for an important event. Uncle Bill and Mr. Remington met at last on their ‘insular plane’ just before the arrival of the guests at Camden. They proved to be of great assistance252 when it came to arranging the rules and regulations of the water-sports planned. Then the day the touring cars arrived at Rosemary, every Islander was up and ready to jump into the launch immediately after breakfast. They intended to act as escort for Uncle Tom’s power-boat which would convey the visitors. The Council Ring had been elaborately decorated with totems painted on the round and oval bread-boards salvaged from the wrecked Katahdin, and flags waved in the breeze—the glorious Stars and Stripes evident above all. <hr class="divider" /> 253 <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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