Everybody sat up and took notice when Josh delivered himself after this
strange fashion. If it had been a mere glimpse of some white object
which he claimed to have seen ashore they might have smiled, and let it
go at that. But a boat was a different proposition. They were interested
in boats; and indeed, expecting sooner or later to be visited by a
certain dark craft, fashioned along a piratical type.
"Where did you see it, Josh?" asked George, hastily jumping to his feet;
and almost taking a header into the water; for his delicately balanced
speed craft did not allow such energetic movements with impunity.
"Well, give a feller a chance, won't you?" grumbled the other, as he
clutched the brass railing just in time to save himself. "I'm not in
such a hurry to go after the phantom boat as to want to _swim!_
Besides," he added, as an afterthought, "I haven't forgotten that savage
musky Jack brought in today. If they hang out around this region you
don't catch Josh Purdue doing any bathing, not much."
"But tell us, where did you see this queer boat that moves along as
silent as a specter?" asked Nick.
"Didn't you get on to what I said?" continued the other, impatiently.
"Around that point yonder it seemed to glide. I lost it in the shadows."
"Listen to him hedge, fellows!" cried Nick. "Now he says it 'seemed to
glide.' That is as much as saying he ain't sure whether he was awake or
dreaming."
"I tell you the boat was there," Josh persisted; "and if the mean old
moon hadn't just bobbed behind that cloud up yonder, all of you might
have had a chance to glimpse her."
"But you had one look at her, didn't you?" asked Jack.
"Sure I did. And because I didn't hear any noise of a motor I just had
to stare," came the ready reply.
"Was it a white pleasure boat?" continued Jack.
"Not much. I could have seen that sort right along, moon or no moon. I
know what you're thinking, Jack."
"All right. Was it a dark-colored launch, then?" the other demanded.
"This time it's yes--a long, low, narrow craft, that seemed to just spin
along like a shadow itself. But I know it was a boat, because I could
see the water curling over, where the bow cut through," Josh went on.
"You hear that, fellows?" Jack remarked. "And of course, you understand
what it means to us?"
"That boat was the _Flash_, and Clarence has found us out at last?" said
George; not without a trace of eagerness in his voice; for so well had
his speed launch been behaving of late that he was anxious to test her
against the newer craft of Clarence Macklin.
"Just like him to come sneaking around at night to see how he can do us
some rotten injury," grunted Nick.
"Lit him thry it, that's all," remarked Jimmie, popping his head up.
"I'm thinkin' the gossoon will be sorry for it, wan way or t'other."
"But that means we shall have to keep watch, doesn't it, Jack?"
Of course it was Herb who said this, for he might be set down as the
most timid of the six boys; though there had been times in the past when
even Herb had risen to the occasion, to prove that he could show valor.
"No doubt about that," returned the other, seriously. "You know the
benefit we found in being prepared when on that trip to Dixie land. It
pays to be ready for trouble. Meeting it half way often ends in victory.
Oh! yes, the squad will have to turn out, and take turns tonight."
All this had been carefully arranged beforehand. Jack knew his crowd,
and also what little failings they might be apt to develop. For
instance, he understood that it was hardly the part of wisdom to allow
Nick to stand his spell of sentry duty alone. However willing the fat
boy might declare himself he was apt to be overcome by drowsiness and
fall asleep at his post.
"Think we'd better move out a bit from the shore?" asked Josh, after
they had talked matters over for a further spell, and looked in vain for
the mysterious dark motor boat to appear again around the point of the
wooded island.
"What for?" asked George.
"Sure, the howlding's foine roight here," asserted Jimmie, who had
personally seen to it that the _Tramp's_ anchor was well placed; though
it could be readily tripped in case of a sudden need for a move during a
storm.
"But to tell the honest truth, fellows, I don't just like the looks of
this old island here," admitted the cook of the _Wireless_, boldly.
"I don't see anything the matter with it?" remarked George. "In fact,
simply because it seems deserted is no reason we ought to cut loose, and
change moorings. If it belonged to some millionaire, and had a cottage
perched on the rocks, the chances are ten to one we'd have been asked to
move long before now."
"I agree with George," Jack remarked. "And that was the main reason why
I determined to come here, where it looked so attractive. When fellows
are off on a little trip like this, the very places they should avoid
are those where too much civilization is found. Give me the wild spots
every time."
"Oh! well, I withdraw my motion then," grumbled Josh. "But don't blame
me if anything happens, that's all."
"Would ye be afther listenin' till him?" exclaimed Jimmie, hilariously.
"Sure he do be thinkin' still about that banshee. And Jack, since ye are
to sthand watch wid Josh, be warrned in toime, to look out for throuble.
If wishin' would bring ghosts it's me honest belafe Josh would raise a
whole raft of thim."
But in talking of many other things the boys soon seemed to forget about
these fears on the part of the one who confessed to a belief in
hobgoblins.
When several of the inmates of the gathered boats started to yawn at a
tremendous rate, word was given that they turn in.
"It's eleven o'clock, boys, just think of it?" said Herb, as he lighted
a lantern in order to make up his bed more comfortably; for Herb
believed in getting all the benefit possible out of things, even when on
a cruise.
"And we can count on broad daylight by four o'clock, though we needn't
get up till five," Jack observed. "So I've divided the six hours into
three watches. Josh and myself will stay on duty until one. Then Herb
and Jimmie will take our places, and at three they are to wake up George
and Buster. Understand that, fellows?"
"Yes," came the response, in some cases very sleepily.
"How about you, Josh; think you can stay awake two hours now?" Jack
asked.
"I drank more coffee for supper than usual," the other answered, "and
the way I feel now, I don't seem to care one bit whether I get a wink of
sleep tonight or not."
As things were reduced to a pretty good system by this time, with regard
to the making up of beds, it did not require much time to get these in
readiness. Herb was the only fussy one; and they were threatening to
call him an old maid, and get a cap and gown for him, if he kept on that
way. But Herb paid no attention to all this talk. When he had his mind
made up it required an earthquake to change it.
Finally his lantern went out, although Josh kept it within reach of his
hand, in case he needed light in a hurry while doing his trick as
sentinel.
He and Jack could converse in low tones without disturbing the sleepers,
should they care to do so. Jack meant to exchange a few words
occasionally, if only to convince himself that the other had not been
overtaken by drowsiness.
No longer did the moon peep out from the dark curtains above. The cloud
banks had effectually covered the face of the heavens as with a pall.
Still it did not rain, and thus far there were no other indications of a
brooding storm.
It was impossible to see for any distance around. Even out upon the
water objects were indistinct at fifty feet; and as for the nearby
island it rested there like a black hillock, above which the tips of the
inky pines could be seen outlined against the less opaque sky.
Now and then the night breeze moaned dismally through these treetops,
making a queer sound. Jack noticed that every time this happened there
would be a slight movement in the _Comfort_; and he understood that Josh
must be turning his head to stare toward the island. Josh, then, had not
entirely given up the idea of seeing a ghost; and this uncanny sound
made him remember his prediction.
It was impossible to note the passage of time by the stars, for they
were quite out of sight, and no clock striking could give warning; for
there was not a church within many miles of their anchorage.
So when Jack began to wonder how much longer he and Josh ought to hold
the fort, he had to strike a match and consult the little nickel watch
he carried.
"Gosh! how you scared me!" exclaimed the other sentry, as the match
crackled.
"Half past twelve," Jack remarked, in a low tone. "That means another
half hour for us, Josh. How are you feeling about now?"
"Well," admitted the other, "I guess I was near dozing that time.
Thought somebody shot at me when you scratched that match. How loud
everything sounds at this time of night. Wish that old bird would let up
on that screeching, over on the Canada shore. He makes me tired, for a
fact."
"Depends on the way you look at things," chuckled Jack. "Now, for my
part I rather like to hear a whippoorwill call. Never yet kept me awake
either, like some things would do. Have a bite of this gingerbread,
Josh. Keeping watch is hungry work, after all, I find. Besides, while
your jaws are working, you won't get sleepy."
Josh was nothing averse to a "snack," and so they sat there, eating, and
occasionally exchanging some remark, while the balance of the crowd
slept on.
The boats were anchored far enough apart to avoid striking should a wind
arise. But on account of his desire to keep in touch with Josh, Jack had
seen to it that the stern of each craft was drawn toward the other. In
this fashion then they could have shaken hands by leaning over the
intervening foot or so of water.
It so happened that while Jack was devoting most of his attention to the
watery expanse that stretched away toward the east, Josh on the other
hand found the neighboring island more interesting.
Each acted on his own idea as to the nature of the danger that might
come upon them. With Josh it was the peril that stalks during the middle
of the night, and frightens men through its connection with spectral
forms. Jack, on the other hand, suspected that Clarence and his crony,
Bully Joe, might be planning some sort of a mean raid, that would spoil
the pleasure of the motor boat club.
"Jack!" whispered the occupant of the _Comfort_ in a hoarse voice.
"Well, what do you want?" replied the other lad, serenely.
"I am sure I heard a suspicious noise ashore just then!" Josh continued.
"Oh! rats! You're always hearing things, Josh. Like as not it was only a
poor old 'coon, hunting around on the beach for a fish that has been
cast up. Get it off your mind. It's only a little time longer, and then
you to dreamland."
"There it goes again, Jack! Didn't you catch it that time? I tell you it
means something. Hark! now will you believe me?"
Josh was growing more and more excited. He even raised his voice above
the low tone in which up to now they had conversed. But small danger of
any of those sound sleepers being so easily awakened. It would require a
shaking to accomplish that.
Jack certainly did hear the sounds now. These consisted of a strange
clacking, the nature of which it was impossible to guess. Then would
come a plain, unmistakable groan! No wonder poor Josh shivered, and
turned cold with apprehension, considering what his recent belief had
been.
"Oh, my! there's sure something moving up there, Jack! Don't you see
it--over by that place where we saw the silver birch? Watch it, Jack!
There, look! look!" and as he spoke Josh raised his voice still more
until it almost became a shout.
Movements told that he had finally succeeded in arousing the sleep
squad. Nick was heard to yawn, and grumble, as usual; while Herb poked
his head out from the side curtains to ask what all the row meant.
"Didn't I tell you it would come?" shouted Josh suddenly. "Just look
there on that blamed island, and see what we get for sticking here! Now
laugh at me for believing in ghosts, will you? Herb, can't we cut the
anchor rope, and make a quick getaway? Please say yes, because I'm that
scared I'm shaking all over!"
And every eye was by this time glued upon the strange spectacle ashore
that had given poor Josh his fright.