THE ROUNDING UP
Quietly and as speedily as possible the scouts boarded the tender, and
soon reached the _Roaring Bess_. They shivered as they stood upon the
yacht, and longed to be home in their own warm beds. A heavy fog was
drifting up the river, which made the air very chilly. To most of the
boys this meant greater discomfort, but to the captain it brought
considerable satisfaction. It was just what he needed to aid him in
his undertaking. In a few low words he outlined his plan to the
scouts, and told those who remained behind to be perfectly still.
There were several blankets he had stored away in a locker, which they
could use to make them comfortable.
Taking with him only Rod and Phil, as they were the oldest boys, the
captain entered the tender, seized the oars, and began to pull away
straight for the motor-boat. The fact that this latter had been run
ashore made him certain that it was a small boat, and could, therefore,
be easily drawn off the beach. The tide had risen somewhat since the
robbers had landed, which would make the task much easier.
The fog was now thicker than ever, which made it necessary to advance
very cautiously. Rod crouched in the bow, with his eyes fixed intently
ahead. For a time he could see nothing, as everything was blotted out
by the fog. The heavy moisture dampened his clothes, and drifted into
his face. Phil was seated astern, shivering with cold and fear. He
had no liking for this adventure, and would rather be back on the yacht.
Presently Rod caught sight of the motor-boat, and whispered to the
captain to go slow. Soon they were near the shore, and as they drew up
close to the strange craft they found that she was floating on the
rising tide, and was almost adrift. With difficulty the captain
suppressed a chuckle of satisfaction, as he quickly made a rope fast to
the motor-boat, gave it to Rod, seized once more his oars, and swung
the tender about, and drew away from the shore. When at a safe
distance from land he fastened the rope to the bow of the motor-boat,
tied it to the seat of the tender, and then with a sigh of relief
settled down to long steady strokes. Not a word was spoken now, but
the three night adventurers thrilled with excitement. The boys felt no
longer cold, as they were so excited over what they had accomplished.
After some hard pulling, the captain drew up alongside of the yacht.
The rest of the scouts were eagerly awaiting his return.
"There's no wind," the captain remarked, "so that thing's got to tow us
out of this. I guess I know enough about an engine to handle that one
all right. Rod, you steer the yacht, while I manage that old tub."
Though the fog was still thick, the light of early morn was making
itself felt which was of much assistance as the captain scrambled on
board the motor-boat. It took him but a few moments to examine the
engine, start it, and head the boat out into the middle of the river,
with the _Roaring Bess_ and tender trailing behind. When everything
was going to his complete satisfaction, he leaned back and fairly shook
with suppressed laughter. He knew now that he had those rascals
prisoners for a few hours at least, and in that time much could be done.
The engine was of six horse-power, and the craft an ordinary
rafting-boat, built especially for towing. It accordingly made good
progress up the river, and in about an hour's time the captain was able
to pull up at Hillcrest wharf. He came here instead of going to his
own shore on purpose to send a telephone message to the city. He had
thought all this out, and knew that there was no time to be lost.
Near the wharf lived the storekeeper, who had charge of the telephone,
and with some difficulty he was awakened by heavy thumps upon the door
of his house. He was astonished to see Captain Josh standing outside,
and it was several minutes before he realised what was wanted.
"Want to telephone, eh?" he at last queried.
"Sure. Haven't I been tryin' to tell ye that fer the last five
minutes?"
"Very important?"
"Should say so. D'ye s'pose I'd be prowlin' around at this time of the
mornin' if it wasn't?"
It took the storekeeper some time to get Central in the city, and to
become connected with the Police Station. Then the captain stepped to
the 'phone and gave his message. "They're on the island now," he said
in conclusion, "and I'll keep a good watch out. Ye'd better send some
men up at once.
"They're a stupid lot of blockheads down there," he growled, as he hung
up the receiver. "They didn't know where Kidd's Island is--jist think
of that. And they wanted to know how long it would take a motor-boat
to reach the place."
"I guess they'll get a hustle on, though," the storekeeper replied. "I
see there's a reward of one hundred dollars offered for the capture of
those robbers."
"There is!" the captain exclaimed. "How did ye hear that?"
"Why, it was in yesterday morning's paper. Here it is; you can read it
for yourself."
"Well, I declare!" and the captain scratched his head. "I didn't see
that. H'm, 'for the capture of the men who assaulted and robbed an
unknown man at Sheer's Alley,'" he read. "Guess we'll come in fer that
money, or I'm much mistaken."
"But you haven't captured them yet," the store-keeper reminded him.
"We've got them over there, though," the captain retorted.
"But they're not captured yet, remember. You haven't got your hands on
them. I don't believe you can claim that money unless you give those
chaps up to the police."
The captain went back to the boat in a very thoughtful mood. The offer
of the reward placed the whole affair in a new light now. One hundred
dollars! It was just what the scouts needed to help them, and it would
be money well earned, at that. What a pity to let others win the
reward after what he and the boys had done.
All the scouts except Rod had gone home, and this was for the best.
The captain did not want too many around lest they should spoil the
plan he had in his mind. Making the _Roaring Bess_ fast to the wharf,
he and Rod boarded the motorboat and started for home. It took them
only a few minutes to reach the shore, and they surprised Mrs. Britt as
she was lighting the kitchen fire.
"Stay and have breakfast with us, Rodney," was her friendly invitation,
after the captain had briefly related their experience on the island.
"You must be hungry after such an adventure."
Rod was only too willing to remain, and during the meal they discussed
all that had taken place during the night.
"We must take those rascals ourselves," the captain remarked. "It
would never do to allow the police to come here and land them after we
have done the rounding up."
"But how will we do it?" Rod enquired. "Maybe they carry revolvers.
Won't they shoot us down if we go near them?"
"Leave that to me, lad," and the captain smiled as his eyes roved to a
rifle standing in a corner of the room. "But come, we haven't any time
to lose. I imagine the police are on their way now. It will take them
from one and a half to two hours to run up from the city. It all
depends upon what kind of a boat they've got. I expect it will be a
fast one, though, fer they can't afford to dilly-dally."
With nothing to tow now, it did not take them long to reach the island.
They landed near where the scouts had camped during the night, and
pulling the boat well up on the shore, they made their way to the place
where they had left the robbers. The captain went ahead, while Rod
followed close at his heels. The boy's heart was beating fast now, for
he knew that a great adventure was soon to take place. He felt proud
that the captain had chosen him for this important undertaking, and he
was determined not to show the least sign of fear no matter what
happened.
As they approached the place they advanced most cautiously, bending
low, and stepping softly so as not to make the slightest noise.
Reaching the big rock, they crouched behind it for a few seconds, and
listened. Hearing nothing, the captain peered carefully over the edge.
Drawing quickly back, he motioned to Rod not to make the least sound.
"They're jist wakin' up," he whispered, "and there's bound to be
trouble when they find their boat gone."
This was exactly what happened. Soon the voices of the men were heard
in an excited conversation. The captain again looked upon them from
his concealed position and saw them straining their eyes in an effort
to locate their boat.
"She's gone adrift," one of them exclaimed. "Why didn't ye tie her?"
and he turned angrily upon his companion.
"It was as much your business as mine," was the retort. "Ye always
blame me fer everything. But it's no use wranglin' over it now. We've
overslept ourselves, and a pretty mess we're in. If we don't get that
boat we're stuck on this island."
"Maybe she's drifted along the shore somewhere," the other suggested.
"There's been no wind, so she can't be far away."
"There's a tide, though, which is just as bad. This is a mess, sure."
"Well, talkin' won't do any good," his companion replied. "I'm goin'
to hunt along the shore."
He had taken but a step when a deep voice from above startled him,
causing him to pause and look quickly up. As he did so, his face
underwent a marvellous change of fear and rage, for there was the
captain, looking calmly along the barrel of his rifle.
"Stay jist where ye are," was the imperative order. "If one of yez
move, I'll shoot quicker'n blazes. Yer boat's all right, so don't
worry about her."
A stream of angry oaths now leaped from the robbers' lips, as they
realised the helplessness of their position. They did not dare to
move, as they were too close to the frowning muzzle of the
over-shadowing rifle.
"It's no use to talk that way," the captain warned, "so jist shet yer
dirty mouths. I've heard sich gab before, and it doesn't jar me in the
least."
"Who are you, anyway?" one of the men demanded, "and how dare ye hold
us up? Ye'll pay dear fer this."
"Is that so? It doesn't matter who I am; ye'll find that out soon
enough."
"What d'ye mean?" was the reply.
"Never mind. I'm not here to argue with the like of you. There'll be
others who kin do that better. All that I want yez to do now is to
behave yerselves, and do as I order."
"Well, what d'ye want us to do? Spit it out, and don't be long about
it either."
"Don't git on yer high-horse," the captain warned. "I'm not used to be
talked to in that manner. I never allowed it when I was aboard the
_Flyin' Queen_, and I guess I'm too old to change now. What I want yez
to do is to strip off yer duds, that is, yer pants and jackets."
"Do what?"
"Didn't ye hear me? Git out of yer duds, but keep yer faces this way.
Don't lower yer eyes, or I'll shoot."
At this strange order the foiled men stared in amazement, and for once
their tongues were silent.
"D'ye hear me?" the captain roared. "Strip at once, or I'll blow yer
measly carcasses to pieces. Never mind the reason; I'll keep that to
myself."
Seeing that their captor was not to be fooled with any longer, the
prisoners did as they were commanded, and soon they were standing in
nothing but their underclothes. They suspected now the purpose of this
move, and their hearts filled with rage.
"There, that's better," the captain commented. "I'm glad to see that
ye're so obedient. It has saved yez from a great deal of trouble at
present. But before we go on with our interestin' proceedin's, I want
yez to go down there by the water. Git along with yez," he continued,
as the men hesitated. "Don't worry about yer clothes; they'll be all
right. My, yez do look fine. Too bad there isn't a picnic of some
kind here this mornin'. But, then, I guess that'll come later."
When the men had obeyed his orders, and were standing close to the edge
of the water, the captain moved about the edge of the rock, closely
followed by Rod. He kept his eyes fixed upon the robbers, and then
ordered the boy to gather up the clothes and carry them up among the
trees. Seeing what was being done, the cornered men once more gave
vent to their feelings.
"Talk all yez like now," the captain remarked, as he sat down upon a
drift-log. "It'd be a pity to spoil yer enjoyment, seein' that soon ye
won't be able to talk so free."
By this time Rod had placed the clothes in a safe place and, coming
back, sat down by the captain's side.
"Did ye bring the guns with ye?" the latter asked.
"Yes, here they are," and Rod held up two revolvers. "I found them in
the pockets, and thought it best to bring them with me."
"Ye did right, lad," and the captain took one in his hand. "Fine
weapon, that, and loaded up to the muzzle. Wouldn't yez like to have
it, eh?" and he held it out to the captives. "Too bad, isn't it, that
I've got to keep it? But this toy isn't safe fer every one to handle,
so I'll look after both myself."
By this time the fog had begun to lift from the face of the water, and
in the distance the outline of the shore of the mainland could be
faintly discerned. Then houses and hills came into view. The sun had
already started forth on its daily course, and was now swinging over
the tops of the pointed pines which lined the upper end of the island.
The fog gradually disappeared, fading away in soft filmy wreaths. Not
a breath of wind stirred the surface of the water. The captain often
turned his eyes down stream for some sign of the boat from the city.
Why were the police so long in coming? he asked himself. He had
expected them at the island in two hours at the most, and still they
were nowhere in sight. He was getting very impatient sitting there,
keeping the captives under such strict guard. He determined to have
something to say later about the slowness of the police. He would
write an article for the paper, that was what he would do. If that was
the way they always acted, was it any wonder that crimes were so
frequent?
Another hour passed, and when the captain's patience was strained to
the utmost, a large motor-boat suddenly rounded the lower end of the
island, and slowed up right in front of where the capture had taken
place. A number of men were on board, who looked curiously upon the
strange scene before them.
An officer, with several of his men, came ashore, when the two robbers
were at once hand-cuffed, and hustled on board the boat. Rod now
brought down their clothes, which were thoroughly searched, and
everything taken from the pockets.
"It took yez a mighty long time to come from the city," Captain Josh at
length blurted out.
"It was the fog which delayed us," the officer explained. "We couldn't
see a foot ahead of us."
"H'm, so that was the trouble," and the captain gave a grunt of
disgust. "Why didn't ye bring some one along who knows the river?
I've been holdin' them chaps down fer three solid hours. I guess the
lad here and me have earned our money this time all right."
"What money?" the officer sharply asked.
"The reward, of course; the hundred dollars offered fer the capture of
them chaps."
"Oh, we'll look after that," was the nettled reply.
"Ye will, will ye? I guess ye'll git up earlier than ye did this
mornin' if ye do. I'll stand by my scouts, and don't let me catch ye
tryin' any tricks on me. There, ye'd better git off now, fer I want to
go home. Take good care that them chaps don't git away. Come, Rod,
let's be off."