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 getting 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. “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 about 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 Consta_bule_, 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!
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 time 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.
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, Mose 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.
[Illustration: MOVIES--“THE PIRATES OF SUNSET.”]
[Illustration: THE OLD WRECK IN CROW COVE.
_Woodcraft Boys at Sunset Island._ _Page 244_]
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-bake 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.
“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 families 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 point 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 day 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 boy 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 undesirable 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 and 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
assistance 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.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE TWENTY-FOURTH FEATHER
Early in the morning of the festive day, Mose came to Mrs. Remington
with a question expressed in his troubled eyes.
“We ain’t got dishes enough, nohow, fer de big crowd yo’ all is
expectin’,” said he.
“Why, Mose! What about all those shooks of wooden plates salvaged from
the wreck--and the other wooden things?” said she.
“Oh, Ah diden’ know yo’ all woul’ want t’ use dem fo’ Noo Yoak
comp’ny,” apologised Mose, who wanted to put “the best foot foremost”
with expected strangers.
“You know, it isn’t the dishes they’ll notice, Mose, but what’s on
them!” declared Mrs. Remington wisely.
“Ah s’pose so!” conceded the half-convinced cook.
The Great Convocation having safely arrived on Sunset Island, the
morning was devoted to all sorts of athletics and water-sport contests.
The Grey Fox boys acquitted themselves admirably for such young
beginners in Woodcraft, and they seized the chance in the presence of
so many witnesses to win _coups_ for “chinning the bar,” “hop, step,
and jump” and other games.
The canoe-tag was a laughable affair--naturally, the contestants wore
bathing suits. Uncle Tom and Uncle Bill loaned their canoes to the
visitors for the day.
“Tell you what, boys, this makes me feel young again!” exclaimed Uncle
Bill, as he laughed at certain tricks.
“Why, Uncle Bill! You’re not old,” defended Billy.
“No indeed, he is just as young as any of us!” said Fred.
“About as young as Teddy, for instance,” laughed Mrs. Remington.
“Yes, as young and as foolish,” added Aunt Miriam.
And Uncle Bill quickly diverted every one’s attention to a beautiful
schooner ploughing through the waves of the bay.
That day the luncheon was a picnic affair, for all of the Rosemary and
Isola Bella relatives brought huge hampers of food. Immediately after
the lunch a cleanup brigade got rid of the debris before the final
preparations were made for the Grand Council.
Then, the boys’ and girls’ tents were filled with excited Woodcrafters
adding the finishing touches to their ceremonial costumes. For,
whatever else was lacking in the suitcases of the Wako Girls and Grey
Fox Boys, it was not the tiniest or bulkiest item of their Woodcraft
Council Robes! No indeed!