THE CAPTURE
"Well, Tad," said Mr. Bunker, when he saw the "runaway boy," which was
the name he was often called, "it has been some time since we saw you
last."
"Yes, Mr. Bunker, it has," went on Tad. "I'm sorry I caused you so much
trouble."
"Oh, you didn't cause us so much trouble as you did your father," said
Captain Ben. "He came here one night, very late, inquiring about you,
and----"
"Yes, I know," interrupted Tad. "And I'm sorry I made him so much
trouble. But it's all right now, and I'm never going to run away again.
That's what I came over to tell you."
"Is this the news?" asked Russ, and he began to feel a little
disappointed.
"No, it isn't all the news," Tad went on. "After I ran away, and you
brought me part of the way back, I was going to take the trolley car
to my home in Avalon, just as I said I would. But I got sort of scared
after I went away from you. I was afraid to go home, so I didn't."
"Oh, so that's why your father came here looking for you!" exclaimed
Daddy Bunker. "We often wondered if you ever did go back home."
"Yes, I went a few days after that," Tad said. "And my father was good
to me, and when I told him how kind you folks were to me, he said I
must come right over and thank you, and let you know I was safe at home
again.
"Well, I was going to, but I kept putting it off. But at last my father
and mother decided I must come, so when I got some new clothes and new
shoes I decided to come, and here I am. I just came in on the trolley
car."
"Did you come to tell us about your new shoes and new suit?" Rose asked.
"Oh, I have more news than that!" exclaimed Tad. "Do you want to know
where to find those tramps?" he asked suddenly.
"Tramps? What do you know about the tramps?" asked Captain Ben. "Have
they been over in Avalon, too, taking things?"
"No, I don't think so," answered Tad. "But we heard, over there, about
a gang of tramps being chased off an island and down toward Oyster
Cove. And just now, when I was getting off the trolley car down by the
railroad station, I saw a lot of tramps hiding in the bushes."
"You did?" cried Daddy Bunker. "What were they doing there?"
"Just hiding," answered Tad. "I was near enough to hear what they were
saying, and they spoke about a motor boat. That's what made me think
maybe they were the same tramps you chased."
"I wouldn't be a bit surprised!" exclaimed Captain Ben. "This is
great news, Tad. Come on!" he called to Daddy Bunker. "We'll get some
policemen and round up these fellows. We'll capture them, and send them
to jail. Then maybe I'll get back my rowboat they took, and if we find
the motor boat we can give that back to whoever owns it."
"Maybe the tramps are hiding in the bushes to steal a train of cars,"
suggested Laddie.
"They couldn't carry off a train of cars, that's sure," said Captain
Ben, with a laugh. "Probably they're hiding there so they can get
aboard a freight train when one stops. I guess they want to get away
from here, and they think a freight train will take them away so they
won't be captured. But we'll get after them. Just where did you see the
ragged men, Tad?"
The former runaway boy told, and Captain Ben called the police station
on the telephone and asked that two or three policemen be sent to his
bungalow. From there the capture party could start for the tramps'
hiding place in the bushes by the railroad.
"I'll go along with you and show you the place," Tad offered.
The policemen soon arrived at Captain Ben's bungalow, and then he and
Daddy Bunker set out, with Tad to lead the way to where the ragged men
were hiding.
"Oh, Mother, can't we go and see the tramps run?" begged Rose.
"Yes!" added Russ. "They won't chase us with the policemen there to
make 'em be good! Let's go!"
"Well, we'll go and look on from a distance," said Mrs. Bunker. So,
with the six little Bunkers in charge she started for the railroad.
It was all over in a little while. Daddy Bunker, Captain Ben, and the
police officers silently made their way to the place where the ragged
men were hiding. They surrounded it, so the tramps could not get away,
and soon the vagrants were all captured. They did not fight at all, for
they seemed to be cowards.
One by one they were led out, pushed into a wagon and taken to jail. Of
course the six little Bunkers did not go near the jail. But they had
seen the tramps caught and this was enough for them. Tad was warmly
thanked by Captain Ben, Daddy Bunker and others for telling where the
troublesome men might be caught.
"Did you get your rowboat?" asked Russ of Captain Ben, when the marine
came back after the tramps were locked up.
"They didn't exactly have it with them," laughed Captain Ben, "but I
made them tell me where it was hidden. And the motor boat is there
also. It was stolen from a friend of mine. He'll be glad to get it
back--as glad as I am to get my rowboat and my wrist watch--only,
of course, the tramps didn't have that. But the ragged men will not
trouble any one for a long time, now."
"Did any of them have Mrs. Brown's jewelry?" asked Mother Bunker.
"Not as far as we could learn," her husband answered. "These tramps
said they were never near the Brown place."
"That's too bad. I'm sorry, I mean, that Mrs. Brown won't get back her
rings and things," Mother Bunker went on. "But I'm glad these men have
been captured. Now we don't need to worry about them, for the children
have been a little frightened, I think."
While it may have been true that these particular tramps were not the
ones that robbed Mrs. Brown, yet it was some like them, as the Bunkers
learned later. For another gang of ragged men were arrested not far
from Grand View, and some of these had a few of the trinkets taken from
the farmhouse. These were given back to Mrs. Brown, and, later still,
more of her jewelry was recovered from other tramps, so that most of
her ornaments were restored.
As for Tad, he seemed to have got all over his runaway habits. He
admitted he had been a very foolish little boy, and said he never
was going to do anything like that again. Often after the tramps had
been caught and sent away, Tad came over to play with the six little
Bunkers. One day they had quite an adventure.
Back of Captain Ben's bungalow was a barn. That is, it had been a
barn at one time, but after Captain Ben bought the place, and had an
automobile in place of a horse, he did not use much of the stable,
needing only room enough for his car. But the barn made a fine place
for the six little Bunkers to play, and one afternoon, when Tad had
called, Russ said:
"Let's go out to the barn and have some fun!"
"All right!" Tad agreed.
Rose had gone for a walk with her mother and Margy, but Mun Bun and
Laddie remained behind to play with Russ and Tad. Daddy Bunker and
Captain Ben had gone fishing in the motor boat, and they went out quite
a distance in the bay.
"Let's play hide and go seek!" proposed Tad, and this was agreed to.
It was Tad's turn to close his eyes and give the others a chance to
slip into various hiding places so Tad could not find them after he had
opened his eyes.
"Ready or not I'm coming!" cried Tad, when he had counted up to five
hundred, by fives.
"Wait a minute. I isn't hided yet!" cried Mun Bun, and Laddie, who had
picked out a good place behind a pile of boards on the first floor of
the old barn, saw his little brother going up the stairs that led to a
loft over the place where the horses used to be stabled.
"Don't fall, Mun Bun!" called Laddie in a whisper.
"I won't!" answered the little fellow.
"I'll count a hundred more," offered Tad, and this time, when he called
"ready or not I'm coming," no one objected. They were all well hidden.
When Tad went away from "home," to look for Russ and the others, Laddie
managed to slip in "free," so he did not have to be "it." Russ also
tried it, but he was not so lucky, and he was "spied" by Tad, and it
was Russ's turn to blind his eyes next.
"Where's Mun Bun?" asked Russ, as Tad beat him to the "home."
"He went up there," and Laddie pointed to the stairs.
"Oh, he oughtn't go up there!" exclaimed Russ. "He might fall. Come on
down, Mun Bun," he called.
"All right," was the answer, faint and far away. There was the sound of
footsteps on the loft floor overhead and then suddenly the noise of a
fall, and the voice of Mun Bun burst out crying.
"Oh, I falled! I falled!" wailed the little fellow. "I falled down a
hole, and I can't get out!"
At the same time there was the sound of shoes kicking on wood, and
the sound came from one of the mangers, or the place in the old horse
stalls where the animals were given their feed.
"He must have fallen down through the place where they put the hay!"
cried Russ, and he and Tad hurried to the stall. Just as they reached
it Mun Bun stood up in the manger, which was like a long, narrow box.
He was covered with wisps of hay, and he was crying, but a quick look
showed that he was not hurt.
"What happened?" asked Russ, as he lifted his little brother down out
of the manger.
"Oh, I was hiding upstairs, and I walked across the floor, and then I
falled down a hole, and I thought I couldn't get out, but I did," said
Mun Bun.
"I see how it happened," remarked Tad. "There's a hole cut through the
floor upstairs, and a sort of chute that comes down into the horse
stall manger. They used to shove hay down that chute, and there must
have been some still stuck in it. Mun Bun fell down the hole, and he
wasn't hurt on account of the hay."
So, that was how it had happened. Mun Bun had stepped into the hay
chute, and, there being a wad of old fodder still in it, he had been
dropped down gently, almost as though down a dumb waiter shaft, into
the manger below.
"Well, you didn't find me, anyhow, I comed down myself," said Mun Bun
when he had stopped crying and had been brushed off by Russ and Tad.
Then the boys played hide and seek a little longer, but Mun Bun did
not again go up into the loft of the barn to play.
When the game was over they went back to the house. Mun Bun said he was
hungry, and Russ admitted that he, too, could eat some bread and jam.
"If mother's there she'll give us some," he said to Tad. "But if she
isn't we can get it ourselves."
However, Mrs. Bunker had returned from her walk with Rose, Margy and
Vi, and she gave the boys and girls, including the visitor, some
generous slices of bread, spread thick with raspberry jam which she had
made from berries the children picked on Captain Ben's place.
Just as the six little Bunkers finished this late afternoon lunch,
there was a shouting down at the dock. At first Mrs. Bunker thought
something had happened, but when she saw her husband and Captain Ben
getting out of the motor boat, holding up long strings of fish they had
caught, she knew the reason for the joyful noise.
"Oh, what dandy fish!" cried Russ. "I wish I could catch some!"
"We'll take you along next time," promised his father.
Laddie, who had gone to the boat to look in and see if any more fish
were there, suddenly uttered a cry of pain.
"Oh, did you get stuck on a hook?" exclaimed his mother.
"No, but a big crab bit me!" cried Laddie, and he danced around with
a crab clinging to his finger until his father took off the pinching
creature.
"This crab took told of the bait on my hook," explained Mr. Bunker,
"and he clung on until I lifted him into the boat. I forgot he was
there. Never mind, Laddie, he didn't make your finger bleed." For the
crab had taken hold of the little boy's finger at a thick part, and no
blood was drawn.
The six little Bunkers looked at the fish their father and Captain Ben
had caught, and a little later some of the fish were fried for supper.
"Oh, this is the nicest place we were ever at," said Rose with a happy
little song, when the time came for Tad to take the trolley car back to
Avalon.
"I wish we could always have two vacations every year," remarked Russ.
"I want to make another boat before we go back home."
"And I want to think of another riddle," Laddie exclaimed.
"When are we going back? Will school open soon? Can we come here again?
What are we going to do to-morrow?" asked Vi.
"Oh, what a lot of questions!" laughed her mother. "We are not going
back right away. We shall still have some fun at Captain Ben's."
And so we will leave the six Little Bunkers, hoping to meet them again
amid new scenes.
THE END
* * * * *
BOOKS By LAURA LEE HOPE
THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN'S
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES
(Nine Titles)
* * * * *
THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books
Wrapper and text illustrations drawn by
FLORENCE ENGLAND NOSWORTHY
These stories by the author of the "Bobbsey Twins" Books are eagerly
welcomed by the little folks from about five to ten years of age. Their
eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively doings of inquisitive
little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful sister Sue.
Bunny was a lively little boy, very inquisitive. When he did anything,
Sue followed his leadership. They had many adventures, some comical in
the extreme.
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE
* * * * *
THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS
For Little Men and Women
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of "The Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.
Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. Books that
charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they never tire.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST
* * * * *
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES
By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN
The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, sons of wealthy men of
a small city located on a lake. The boys love outdoor life, and are
greatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture taking. They have
motor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and during their vacations go
everywhere and have all sorts of thrilling adventures. The stories give
full directions for camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animals
and prepare the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim,
etc. Full of the spirit of outdoor life.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS
Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE
Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST
Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF
Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME
Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON A HOUSEBOAT
Or The Rivals of the Mississippi.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS
Or The Rival Hunters at Lumber Run.
THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT
Or The Golden Cup Mystery.
* * * * *
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH SERIES
By GERTRUDE W. MORRISON
Here is a series full of the spirit of high school life of to-day. The
girls are real flesh-and-blood characters, and we follow them with
interest in school and out. There are many contested matches on track
and field, and on the water, as well as doings in the classroom and on
the school stage. There is plenty of fun and excitement, all clean,
pure and wholesome.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH
Or Rivals for all Honors.
A stirring tale of high school life, full of fun, with a touch of
mystery and a strange initiation.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH ON LAKE LUNA
Or The Crew That Won.
Telling of water sports and fun galore, and of fine times in camp.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH AT BASKETBALL
Or The Great Gymnasium Mystery.
Here we have a number of thrilling contests at basketball and in
addition, the solving of a mystery which had bothered the high school
authorities for a long while.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH ON THE STAGE
Or The Play That Took the Prize.
How the girls went in for theatricals and how one of them wrote a play
which afterward was made over for the professional stage and brought in
some much-needed money.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH ON TRACK AND FIELD
Or The Girl Champions of the School League.
This story takes in high school athletics in their most approved and
up-to-date fashion. Full of fun and excitement.
THE GIRLS OF CENTRAL HIGH IN CAMP
Or The Old Professor's Secret.
The girls went camping on Acorn Island and had a delightful time at
boating, swimming and picnic parties.
* * * * *
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SERIES
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of "The Bobbsey Twins Series."
The adventures of Ruth and Alice DeVere. Their father, a widower, is an
actor who has taken up work for the "movies." Both girls wish to aid
him in his work and visit various localities to act in all sorts of
pictures.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS
Or First Appearance in Photo Dramas.
Having lost his voice, the father of the girls goes into the movies and
the girls follow. Tells how many "parlor dramas" are filmed.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT OAK FARM
Or Queer Happenings While Taking Rural Plays.
Full of fun in the country, the haps and mishaps of taking film plays,
and giving an account of two unusual discoveries.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOWBOUND
Or The Proof on the Film.
A tale of winter adventures in the wilderness, showing how the
photo-play actors sometimes suffer.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS UNDER THE PALMS
Or Lost in the Wilds of Florida.
How they went to the land of palms, played many parts in dramas before
the camera; were lost, and aided others who were also lost.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT ROCKY RANCH
Or Great Days Among the Cowboys.
All who have ever seen moving pictures of the great West will want to
know just how they are made. This volume gives every detail and is full
of clean fun and excitement.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT SEA
Or a Pictured Shipwreck that Became Real.
A thrilling account of the girls' experiences on the water.
THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS IN WAR PLAYS
Or The Sham Battles at Oak Farm.
The girls play important parts in big battle scenes and have plenty of
hard work along with considerable fun.
* * * * *
THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
Moving pictures and photo plays are famous the world over, and in this
line of books the reader is given a full description of how the films
are made--the scenes of little dramas, indoors and out, trick pictures
to satisfy the curious, soul-stirring pictures of city affairs, life
in the Wild West, among the cowboys and Indians, thrilling rescues
along the seacoast, the daring of picture hunters in the jungle among
savage beasts, and the great risks run in picturing conditions in a
land of earthquakes. The volumes teem with adventures and will be found
interesting from first chapter to last.
THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS
Or Perils of a Great City Depicted.
THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE WEST
Or Taking Scenes Among the Cowboys and Indians.
THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS ON THE COAST
Or Showing the Perils of the Deep.
THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE
Or Stirring Times Among the Wild Animals.
THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN EARTHQUAKE LAND
Or Working Amid Many Perils.
THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS AND THE FLOOD
Or Perilous Days on the Mississippi.
THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS AT PANAMA
Or Stirring Adventures Along the Great Canal.
THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS UNDER THE SEA
Or The Treasure of the Lost Ship.