Frank laughed. He really could not help it, the sight of Pet going
overboard with such a great tossing of arms and legs was so comical. But
at the same time he did not forget to reach over and reclaim the
floating paddle.
He was already holding on to the recovered boat, when, with a great
splurge and splashing, Pet appeared on the surface of the water,
swimming as well as his clothes would permit. Fortunately the fellow was
a regular water-dog, and able to easily sustain himself under any
circumstances when in the lake; though doubtless he found his bath
rather cold at this early season of the year.
"Think yuh done sumpin smart, I reckon, Langdon! I'll get even with yuh
for it, see if I don't!" he snorted, sustaining himself by vigorous
strokes.
"Better get ashore before your clothes drag you down. Do your blowing
afterwards, Peters. You're a thief, that's all, and ought to be landed
behind the bars for such work as this. Go on, now, before I get real mad
and chase you ashore."
Possibly the fellow feared that Frank might take a notion to do as he
threatened, for he had a healthy respect concerning the other's prowess.
At any rate he started to swim away with lusty strokes. One might have
thought a bear was in the water, such was the noise he made.
Frank found the painter of the recovered canoe. This he fastened to a
cleat, and then, making a turn, headed back to the camp.
Those who were anxiously listening caught a glimpse of the two boats as
they turned the point.
"He's got it back all right!" cried Will, in excitement.
"Bully for Frank! He's equal to the whole Peters crowd!" called Bluff;
from which it could easily be understood that neither of these boys had
been in any doubt as to whom they had to thank for the stealing of the
boat.
Frank landed in a few minutes. Beyond breathing a little harder than
usual he showed no signs of his recent chase.
"This time we'll make sure that all the boats are fast. It was a bad
break for you to leave that one loose. But we have had so many strange
things happen since we landed on Wildcat Island that a fellow can hardly
be blamed for letting a cog slip occasionally. Lend a hand, Bluff," said
Frank.
That was his way. He realized that no one could be perfect, that he
sometimes made mistakes himself, and others should be forgiven if they
occasionally neglected to do the things that were expected of them.
And that was the secret of why the other fellows all admired Frank above
any of their companions: he could forgive another's fault, but was very
severe with himself when he happened to fall short.
They secured the boats and carried the paddles into camp.
Will seemed inconsolable. He had heard that tremendous splash, and
already understood what had caused it.
"Oh! if I could only have caught that fellow just in the act of taking
that header, what a beaut it would have been. Too bad that such glorious
chances escape me all the time," he moaned.
But the others had too serious a problem to consider to pay much
attention to the complaints of the amateur photographer.
"How about going to Centerville?" asked Bluff, as they sat there near
the revived camp fire to talk it over.
"That can wait a while. Plenty of time between now and morning, Bluff,"
answered the one addressed, as he poked the fire reflectively.
"But you've got something on your mind," argued Bluff, shrewdly.
"What makes you think that?" demanded Frank, smiling.
"I can see it in your eyes; they give you away. So let's hear what it
is, for you see we're all equally interested," replied his chum,
eagerly.
"Well, of course it's about Jerry," began Frank.
"That goes without saying. You're not thinking of starting out in the
night to make another hunt for him, are you?" demanded Will, arousing to
the fact that perhaps he might be left alone in camp, and under the
circumstances he would not enjoy that very much.
"Somehow a new idea has flashed into my head. I don't know that there is
anything to it, but somehow I'm unable to dismiss it. The fact of Pet
Peters being bold enough to sneak up here and try to make way with one
of our canoes gave me this thought," said Frank.
"Go on, please," urged Will, while Bluff awaited the disclosure with
equal anxiety.
"Perhaps those fellows are responsible for Jerry's disappearance!"
"What! the Peters crowd? Strange that none of us thought of that
before," declared Bluff.
"Then you agree with me that there is a chance that way?" asked Frank.
"I wouldn't put it past them a minute," replied Bluff.
"But what would they want with him? They're not so desperate as the
hoboes, and, besides, you remember that Mr. Dodd warned them he meant to
run the lot in if they kept pestering us," ventured Will.
"Oh! that was away last Fall. Those fellows have forgotten all about
that by this time. Frank, I'm inclined to agree with you. In that case,
what had we better do? Take the guns and make a sudden attack on their
camp?"
Bluff, always ready for trouble, reached out his hand toward Jerry's gun
as he spoke, showing his willingness to follow up his suggestion by
immediate action.
"Not so fast, my hearty. If we attacked their camp and then found that
they had nothing to do with Jerry's kidnapping we'd be in a nice pickle,
wouldn't we? After that they could say we were a lot of savages, as well
as they."
"But something should be done!" expostulated Bluff.
"And I propose to do it. In other words I mean to take a little stroll
around the point, and see what their camp looks like," remarked Frank,
rising.
"If you find they've got our chum, promise to come back for us. We want
to have a hand in bringing about his release. You will, won't you,
Frank?" asked Bluff.
"I promise you, boys. Keep Jerry's gun with you, and stay on guard.
Don't shoot in a hurry, because you might pepper me, and that's
something I object to. Now I'm off."
"Good luck to you, Frank, and take care of yourself," said Will.
Frank made his way into the brush. He could have approached the other
camp with far less trouble had he chosen to keep along the edge of the
water. It struck him, however, that the enemy might anticipate a raid of
some sort after their recent miserable attempt to cripple the members of
the Rod, Gun and Camera Club in their resources, and be on the watch for
stragglers along the beach.
They would possibly not dream that any one would take all the trouble to
push through the dense brush, and climb the hill, at the base of which
they had squatted upon landing.
Frank was in no hurry. He knew that Pet's companions would be all
excited over his bedraggled condition when he reached shore. Still, it
was hardly probable that they would venture to take up the cudgels, and
attempt any more mischief, that night at least.
He remembered what a healthy respect these fellows entertained for the
guns in the possession of the club members. They were more apt to take
it out in making all manner of tremendous plans against the peace of the
campers which they would hardly be likely to carry out when their anger
had had a chance to cool.
As he drew near the place, Frank found that a little hill interposed,
just as the abrupt bluff did in the case of their own camp. This he
would have to climb ere he could look down upon those he had come to
observe.
There was more or less difficulty in reaching the top of this little
elevation.
"They must go around here when entering the woods," Frank concluded,
after he had finally gained the top of the rise.
He hardly liked the idea of returning along the same difficult lines;
but when he felt this disinclination he was really worrying over
something that was fated never to come about.
By degrees he pushed forward until he found himself on the edge of a
little declivity. Down below he could see the old dingy tent which he
knew so well, also the fire of the Peters crowd.
The boys were gathered around, watching Pet, partly disrobed, trying to
warm himself near the blaze; but if he was shivering outwardly with the
cold, he seemed to be burning within, to judge from the motions he made
while talking.
"Evidently Pet is making a vow to settle my hash the first time we meet.
But I don't seem to be trembling, that I can discover. I know Pet of
old, and how easy he can change his mind," Frank told himself, as he
watched.
Unable to see just as well as he wished from where he first knelt, he
moved a little to the left, as that seemed to promise a better view.
It was the last straw upon the camel's back. Already, though Frank did
not know it, the treacherous soil was giving way under his weight, and
this move on his part aggravated the trouble.
He felt himself slipping, tried to catch hold of a nearby bush, which
gave way in his frenzied grasp, and down the steep incline he plunged!