OFF FOR HERMIT ISLAND.
It took Jerry and his father some little time to get back their breath
sufficiently to leave the woods and make their way to the road.
"You came in the nick of time, father," said the lad. "In another five
minutes I would have been tarred and feathered."
"Tell me about the whole affair, son," said the old farmer; and Jerry did
so.
"The good-for-nothing rascals!" cried the old farmer. "If they touch you
again I'll have 'em all up before the squire."
"That won't help us, father," replied Jerry. "They are rich, you know.
They would get off somehow."
"Then I'll take it out of their hides."
Mr. Upton told how Towser had led the way into the woods. Jerry had always
loved the farm dog, but now he thought more of him than ever.
"Good boy," he said. "You shall go with us when we take our outing--that
is, if father will let you go."
"Yes, Jerry, take him along. He may help you out of some more trouble,"
replied Mr. Upton.
It was rather late when they arrived home. Mrs. Upton was shocked to learn
of what had occurred, but glad to learn that Jerry had escaped his
enemies.
The next day the young oarsman told Harry Parker and the other boys of his
adventure. Harry was very indignant.
"Those Rockpoint boys ought to be driven out of the state."
"I dun racken I'll carry my hoss pistol after dis," said Blumpo. "Da don't
cotch dis chile for to tar and feather him!"
A week later Jerry, Harry, and Blumpo started up the lake on a ten days'
outing.
They were in Harry's largest row-boat, the one that had a sail, and
carried with them a tent and a good stock of ammunition. Jerry and Harry
were armed with guns, and Blumpo carried his "hoss pistol" and a rusty
spear.
They were bound for Hermit Island, a wild but beautiful patch of land
situated almost at the end of Otasco Lake. The island was so called
because it was said by some that the place was inhabited by an old hermit
who lived in a cave and never showed himself to visitors.
Some did not believe this story, for try as hard as they could, they had
never been able to locate the strange creature, who was said to have a
white beard to his waist, and white hair equally long.
The day that the trio started away was a fine one, and the boys were in
excellent spirits.
"I trust we have no more squalls," remarked Harry, as they glided along,
the sail set and the oars out.
"No storm to-day," returned Jerry. "We are going to have at least three or
four days of fine weather."
"Say, I wondah if I could shoot a bar wid dis yere gun," put in Blumpo, as
he held up his pistol.
"You might if you threw the pistol at the bear when you pulled the
trigger," laughed Jerry. "Sure as you are born, Blumpo, that pistol will
go to pieces if you try to fire it."
"Den I'll fire it dis way," replied the homeless youth, and swung the
weapon as if to heave it away.
An hour passed, during which the boys laid their plans for a camp and
talked over what they would do.
"I hope we have good hunting and fishing," said Jerry.
"So do I," returned Harry. "And I likewise hope we find the hermit, if
there really is such a creature."
"Maybe he won't want us on his island," put in Blumpo. "He may be an ugly
feller."
"We'll risk it, Blumpo."
"I ain't in fer stirrin' up no hornets' nest," went on the homeless youth.
"I jess like ter lay around an' take it easy under de trees--a-listening
to--"
"'The tumble bugs tumbling around,' as the song says," laughed Jerry.
"Blumpo, you must get more ambition in you. Come, row up lively. It's a
good long distance to the island, and we must make it before sundown."
All three braced up, and the big boat went forward at an increased rate of
speed.
"Hullo!" cried Harry, presently. "Jerry, doesn't that look like Si Peters'
yacht?"
And Harry pointed over to the west shore of the lake, where a craft had
just emerged from behind a small headland.
"It is the Peters' yacht, sure enough," replied Jerry, after studying the
craft.
"If she cums dis way, we'll hab lively times," remarked Blumpo.
"That's true, Blumpo. Come, maybe we can get away from her."
The boys kept steadily on their course, and for a long time those on the
yacht seemed to pay no attention to them.
But after awhile the big boat put on another tack, and fifteen minutes
later it was within hailing distance. Then they saw that Si Peters and
Crosby were in posession. They had with them five other Rockpoint lads,
including Banner and Graves.
"Hi, you fellows, stop rowing!" yelled Peters at the top of his voice.
"Mind your own business, Si Peters," retorted Harry.
"You won't stop?"
"No. Leave us alone."
"We want you to give up Jerry Upton."
"Give him up?"
"Exactly. Come up alongside and let him jump on board of the yacht."
"That's as cool as a cake of ice!" cried Jerry. "You want everything,
don't you?"
"We are going to get square with you, Jerry Upton!" put in Wash Crosby.
"Let us pull away as fast as we can," whispered Harry. "Those chaps mean
trouble."
"Dat's de talk," said Blumpo, who was the worst scared of the three.
They bent to their oars, and soon moved off a hundred feet or more.
Then Si Peters ran out to the jib of the yacht.
"Stop!" he commanded. "Pull another yard and you'll be sorry for it."
"We'll risk it," replied Jerry.
"We'll run you down!"
"You won't dare!" yelled Harry, in alarm.
"Won't we? Just see if we won't!"
At once Si Peters gave some directions to Wash Crosby, who was at the
wheel. The course of the yacht was slightly changed, and now the craft was
headed directly for the boat containing our friends.
"Anudder smash-up, shuah as you're born!" groaned Blumpo, and he prepared
to leap into the lake.
"Stay where you are!" ordered Jerry. "I'll check their little game."
Reaching into a locker, the young oarsman brought out his gun. Leaping on
one of the seats, he pointed the weapon at Si Peters' head.
"Sheer off!" he cried. "Sheer off, or I'll fire on you!"