THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF

Or, Rescuing the Lost Balloonists

by

CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN

Author of _The Outdoor Chums_, _The Outdoor Chums on the Lake_, _The Outdoor Chums after Big Game_, etc. 

1911

CONTENTS

 I UNDER SEALED ORDERS II CAUGHT IN A FIRE TRAP III HEADED SOUTH IV JERRY MEETS TROUBLE HALF WAY V THE FIRST CAMPFIRE VI THE SWAMP FUGITIVE VII A FLORIDA SHERIFF VIII WILL DOES IT IX THE MOTOR-BOAT AND THE PROWLERS X BLUFF'S FIRST 'GATOR XI ALL THE COMFORTS OF SALT WATER XII THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MOTOR XIII LOST IN THE FOG XIV A CRY ACROSS THE LAGOON XV A VISIT TO THE MYSTERIOUS SHARPIE XVI JOE XVII STUCK ON AN OYSTER BAR XVIII TROUBLE XIX WHAT HAPPENED TO JERRY XX LYING IN AMBUSH FOR BIG GAME XXI A STRENUOUS NIGHT XXII THE MESSAGE FROM THE AIR XXIII A DASH UPON THE GULF XXIV THE "NORTHER" XXV THE SECRET OF THE SEALED PACKET--CONCLUSION

CHAPTER I

UNDER SEALED ORDERS

"Now KEEP your word, Frank, and tell us the news!"

"Yes, you got us to come to your house tonight under a promise, remember. What wonderful thing has happened to make you look so tickled?"

"Talk to me about the Sphinx! Frank has the old relic beaten to afrazzle!"

Three boys gathered eagerly around the fourth as they bombarded him afterthis fashion. Frank Langdon looked at the faces of his chums and laughedagain. 

"Well, it would be a shame to keep you squirming on the anxious seat anylonger, boys, and I'm going to take you into my confidence just as fastas I can. Sit down and hold your oars. Jerry, pull that stool up; Will, the settee must do for you and Bluff. Now, are you ready?" he asked, tantalizingly. 

"Crazy to hear!" was the characteristic reply of Bluff, otherwise RichardMasters, son of Centerville's greatest lawyer. 

"Tell me about that, will you?" exclaimed Jerry Wallington. 

"Please go on before we explode!" begged Will Milton. 

"These things always have a beginning, you know. This one happensto be founded on the fact that we are close to our annual Christmasvacation, and that this year it happens that we're going to enjoytwo full weeks--you know that?" said Frank. 

"Of course we do, thanks to that steam-heater getting out of order. Butdon't rehash old stuff. That's history by now. What we want is the meatin the cocoanut. Please hit for the bull's-eye, first chop, " pleadedWill. 

"I was wondering what we would do with ourselves during that time. There's old Jesse Wilcox, the trapper, who invited us up to spend aweek with him and see how he runs out his string of traps in coldweather, catching muskrats, mink, 'coons, foxes and all such things inmore or less abundance. We had about decided that we would accept, and Iwas even getting ready to go when something happened. "

"Talk to me about your tantalizing chaps, did you ever meet up with oneas bad as Frank can be when he knows the rest of us are so keen to hear?"cried Jerry. 

"What was it?" demanded Bluff. 

"I had a letter that changed my mind, " replied Frank. 

"Not from old Jesse?"

"Well, hardly, for I don't believe the old fellow can write. This wasfrom one of my cousins, a fellow several years older than myself. You methim about a year ago when he stopped with us a few days. "

"You must mean Archie Dunn, " said Will. 

"Go up head, Will. Archie it was. I was glad enough to get a letter fromhim, but when I read what he had to propose I thought I should have afit. "

"Just as we will, unless you hurry your yarn, " growled Jerry, movinguneasily. 

"Well, Archie wrote that he had laid out a plan for his amusement thiswinter. You know he is independent, having come into quite a snugfortune. He is as fond of outdoor life as any member of this club, and, having a tutor to accompany him, is able to do lots of splendid stuntsthat less fortunate chaps can only dream about. "

"The lucky dog!" commented Bluff, enviously. 

"It seems that this year he was about to carry out a long-cherished planof his. He purchased a beautiful little motor-boat, about twenty-sevenfeet long, and carrying a twelve horse-power engine. He says she can maketwelve miles an hour if pushed, but being beamy she is as steady as achurch floor and mighty comfortable; just the kind of a craft forcruising along a river or the bays of a coast. "

Jerry groaned. 

"You're killing me by inches! To tell us all this and then ask us tosettle on going up there into the woods for a two-weeks' spin! It's acrime, that's what!" he exclaimed. 

"Wait!" said Frank, mysteriously; and the others immediately drew a bitcloser, almost holding their very breath with eagerness and anticipation. 

"He had this boat taken to a Southern town on the railroad, where anavigable river flows through Northern Florida into the Gulf. Here healso shipped all his provisions, intending to make a start just beforeChristmas, when the unexpected happened. He had an accident--brokethrough the ice when skating, came near being drowned, and has been laidup with pneumonia ever since!"

"Poor chap! That's awful!" declared Bluff. 

"But that isn't the worst by any means, from our standpoint, boys. Hisdoctor has strictly forbidden him to take that voyage this winter and issending him off with his tutor to some baths in Southern Europe or someold place where he may recover his strength. "

The three boys groaned in concert. 

"A rough deal all around, " said Jerry. 

"What a disappointment it must have been, and he with his heart set onthe trip!" exclaimed Will. 

"But they tell us that 'it's a poor wind that blows nobody good. ' So hehas written me this letter, making a proposal, " went on Frank, calmly. 

"What!" shouted Jerry, clutching the arm of his chum. 

"Oh! he hates to leave his fine, dandy little launch there at that town, where there is really no accommodation for her, and would like to havesome one take her over the course to Cedar Keys, Florida, to put her upwith a boat builder he knows. And so he wrote to me, " continued Frank. 

"Do you mean he has asked you to go down there and take that boat, justas he intended doing?" gasped Bluff. 

"Yes, only that instead of taking two months loitering along I could dothe job in ten days, perhaps, " was the answer. 

"Oh! what a lucky dog you are, " sighed Will; "think of the innumerablechances for taking magnificent snapshots along the way. "

"Hold on. I didn't tell you that in his letter he says particularly, 'youand those bully good chums of yours, the whole three--plenty of sleepingaccommodations for the lot aboard!'" cried Frank, with a smile. 

Then there _was_ a scene! Jerry gripped Bluff, and gave him a hug a bearmight have envied, while Will was shaking Frank's hand as though it werea pump handle. 

"Glorious!"

"The finest ever!"

"It beats the Dutch how Frank runs into snaps!"

This last, of course, from Jerry, who was taking his turn now atsqueezing the hand of his chum. 

"But, I'm afraid, fellows, that we won't ever get the consent of ourparents, " sighed Will. "My mother would hate to have me go so far away. You know she only has my twin sister Violet and myself. Oh! it's sure toogood to be true. "

"Now don't cross a river until you come to it, fellows. To tell you thetruth, that part of the programme has already been attended to. My fatherand myself have been the rounds unbeknown to any of you, and got theconsent of Will's mother, as well as the parents of Bluff and Jerry. It'sa settled thing, boys!"

They sat there and stared at each other. Evidently none of them couldfully grasp the wonderful proposition entirely. They thought they must bedreaming. 

"Please don't wake me up; this is too bang-up for anything, " said Will. 

"Frank, your equal never existed. Talk to me about your chums, no fellowsever had such a boss comrade as your fellow-members of the Rod, Gun andCamera Club!" declared Jerry. 

"When do we start?" demanded Bluff, as though ready to run for the trainat that very minute. 

"The day after to-morrow. School closes in one more day, and fatherthought it wouldn't matter much if we slipped off a bit ahead of time. Hewill fix it with the Head all right. So, now you've got to be as busy asbees getting your duffle in readiness between now and the time the traingoes, eight A. M. Sharp. "

"That governor of yours is certainly the finest ever. How did it comethat he fell in with the idea so quickly? Did you have to beg hard?"asked Will. 

"That's the strangest part of it, as I'll tell you presently. He fairlyjumped at the idea when I told him about Cedar Keys. But we must spendthe whole evening settling just what we are to take along with us, "ventured Frank. 

"What did you say about grub?" queried Bluff, whose appetite never failedhim. 

"Archie wants us to accept all he has laid in, and encloses the list. Ineed add only a few little things that I happen to know one or the otherof us fancies especially, and we are fixed for two weeks. You see therewere two of them, and they expected to be afloat two months, so he laidin a large quantity of bacon, coffee, tea, sugar, and all substantials, much more than we can ever use; and I know Archie well enough to makesure they came from the best grocery in New York. "

"Oh! the darling, won't we remember him in our prayers, boys, and hope hegets good and strong over at that cure in Europe? There will be never ameal but that our thanks will ascend for this good deed of Cousin Archie. He belongs to all of us; this club adopts him as its one honorary member;and I hereby propose three cheers for the biggest-hearted chap going. Hip, hip, hurray!"

Doubtless Frank's father and mother exchanged smiles when this heartycheer came to their ears from Frank's den; but Mr. Langdon, even though astaid banker now, never forgot that he had once been a boy himself; andthey understood the enthusiasm that must inevitably sweep over the threechums of Frank when they heard the glorious news. 

So the boys proceeded to go into executive session, and jot down lists ofsuch things as they would be apt to need on the outing. 

"I understand that Archie had some heavy fishing tackle in his supplies, which we can count on to carry us through. Take your heavy rods only, andyour guns, with proper ammunition, " suggested Frank. 

"And I'll lay in a stock of films and such things, for I expect to getlots of fine pictures among those wonderful Southern scenes. I've alwayswanted to see that Spanish moss trailing from the swamp trees like it isin all Southern views. I'm the happiest chap in Centerville tonight, Frank!" exclaimed Will. 

"But see here, " interrupted Bluff, "how about that matter connected withyour good dad, Frank--why was he so pleased at the idea of you going toCedar Keys?"

"Yes, tell us about that, " burst out Jerry. 

"It's a big mystery, fellows. Father smiled and nodded his head when Iread him Archie's letter. 'What a remarkable coincidence. I was justthinking of going to that city myself, or sending a trusted messenger, and now you can do it all for me, ' he said. "

The boys exchanged looks. 

"Don't it just beat all?" remarked Jerry, weakly. 

"Why, we're having the luckiest streak of our lives, that's what. But seehere, Frank, didn't he tell you more?" remarked Bluff, who always wantedto know, being the son of a lawyer. 

"He gave me this little packet, done up in a stout manila envelope, andtold me not to open it until I came in sight of Cedar Keys. Inside wouldbe found full instructions as to what errand he wanted me to carry out. "

"Better and better! We sail under sealed orders, fellows. That should adda little zest to the voyage. I know I'll be consumed with curiosity everyminute of the time wanting to know what under the sun it can be that yourgood dad has waiting for you to do, " said Will, seriously. 

"Well, " remarked Frank, "you see me put the packet away, not to be openeduntil the proper time; and now we'd better go on with our lists. "

CHAPTER II

CAUGHT IN A FIRE TRAP

It was late that night ere the three visitors thought of going home. There was so much to talk over that it seemed as though they could neverbreak away. 

"Listen!" exclaimed Will, finally, as they were about to depart. 

"That's the fire-bell, as sure as you live!" cried Bluff. 

"Tell me about that, will you!" cried Jerry. "A cold night to get burnedout!"

Frank snatched up his coat and cap. 

"I'm going with you, fellows, as far as the corner, anyway, and see if itis a real fire, or a fake, " he remarked. 

Accordingly the quartette rushed out of the door and down the street. There was snow on the ground, and the air was pretty keen. 

"It's a fire all right; look, you can see the light, and the smoke!" saidWill. 

"Say, fellows, isn't that the square, and doesn't it look like it mightbe the Sherman House?" asked Frank. 

"As sure as you live, " replied Bluff. "That would be a tough thing, forthe people there to climb out near midnight, and the mercury hoveringhalf way down to zero!"

"Hurry! Perhaps we can help some!" exclaimed good-hearted Jerry, and theyincreased their pace. 

It was the hotel, beyond all doubt. As the boys came into the open squarethey saw a scene of confusion that thrilled them. Smoke was pouring outof the lower windows of the big frame building, and in some places it wasaccompanied by red tongues of flame, licking up the dry wood. 

"She's a goner!" announced Jerry grimly. 

They saw people come hastily out of the doorway, some scantily clad, andwith blankets around their shoulders. Luckily there were only a fewguests in the hotel, since the best trade came in summer. 

Loud shouts told that the local fire company was coming with theirhand-engine. Probably the Chemical Company would also be on hand, although it was too late for anything to be done but try and saveadjoining buildings, none of which, fortunately enough, were very closeto the doomed hotel. 

Frank and his chums thought that possibly they might help out at pumping, or doing something of the sort. At a fire in a country town every oneassists to carry out furniture, or work the machine, while the regularmembers of the organization enjoy the exclusive privilege of carrying thehose and smashing in windows. 

Amid the greatest excitement the water was finally started. By this timeone end of the building was all on fire, and every person knew it wouldbe a complete wreck before the flames ceased feeding. 

It chanced that the boys were standing near some of those who had issuedforth from the hotel. Among them was the proprietor, plainly excited ashe saw his property going up in smoke and flames, and still getting someconsolation from the fact that he had a good insurance on it all. 

Just then a man came limping and seized hold of the hotel proprietor. 

"Have you seen my brother, the professor?" he demanded, in a tremblingvoice. 

"Oh! that you, Mr. Smythe? Your brother--no, I don't remember seeing him. But I guess everybody got out all right. He must be around somewhere, "replied the other. 

"I've asked a dozen people, and nobody has seen him. I tell you, man, he's asleep up in that room yet, and will be burned to death!" exclaimedthe gentleman, whom Jerry knew quite well. He was very lame and walkedwith difficulty. 

His brother, a balloonist of national reputation, had been visiting himrecently, and on account of some sickness at the house, had taken a roomat the hotel. 

"But no sane man could sleep through all this beastly row; and sure wehaven't seen any one at the windows, have we, boys?" went on the fathotel man. 

"But you don't understand. I tell you he has been unable to sleep forseveral nights, and just before he left me early to-night he took asleeping powder that he said would make him dead to the world for eighthours! He's up in his room yet, and will be lost unless some one goesand drags him out!" cried Mr. Smythe. 

"Which is his room, Mr. Ten Eyck?" demanded an eager voice. 

The stout hotel man looked at the speaker, who was none other than Jerry. 

"You see that window over there at the end of the house, thirdfloor--that's his room! But the stairs must be ablaze by now, boy! Itwould be suicide to think of trying to go up there!" he cried. 

"Come on, Frank; we'll take a look in, anyhow!" shouted Jerry as hedashed off, followed by his chum, equally excited. 

Still, Frank was ordinarily a cool-headed fellow, and accustomed toweighing chances somewhat before imperiling his life. In this case, ofcourse, he knew that more or less risk must be taken if they hoped tosave the sleeping balloonist. 

One look they took in at the front door. The whole place was ablaze. 

"Get out of the way, boys; we're going to put the hose in there!" criedone of the wearers of the fire-hats and coats, as he advanced. 

"No chance there!" exclaimed Frank, in despair, as he moved back. 

Jerry clutched his arm. 

"Come along with me. Perhaps the back stairs may not be burning, yet. They happen to be further along toward the safe side. There's a chance!"he panted. 

Half a minute later they had turned the corner, and were close to therear exit. 

"See, the smoke is coming out, but no fire. Shall we risk it?" asked theeager Jerry. 

Frank swept a quick look above and around. He was weighing the thing inhis mind, so that they might not be carried by impulse to their doom. 

"It's worth while. At the worst we can jump into that tree from thewindow. And it's just terrible to think of the professor sleeping onuntil he is caught. Lead the way, Jerry; you know about it better thanI do. Remember, on the third floor, and turn to the left!"

They darted in. Several persons near by shouted warnings, but thewords fell on deaf ears, for already the daring lads were rushing up thenarrow stairs. Around them the smoke was dense. It smarted their eyesdreadfully, so that they were compelled to rub them from time to time inorder to see at all. 

Reaching the first landing, Jerry turned to the left. Frank had hold ofhis chum's coat, for he did not want to get lost in that smoky interior, and Jerry was the one acquainted with the situation. 

Now they had reached the second flight of stairs. A burst of red firefurther along the hall served to show them for a brief space of time howmatters stood. Up the stairs they stumbled, gaining the upper landing. Again Jerry turned to the left. 

"He said the last room, didn't he?" he gasped. 

"Yes, go on!" answered Frank, still gripping his comrade's garment. 

"Then here's the door!"

"Shut?"

"Yes, and locked, too! What shall we do?" exclaimed Jerry. 

"Kick it in--any old way, but we must be quick!" answered the other. 

Then the two threw themselves upon the door. It quickly gave way beforetheir combined assault. They pushed into the room. The smoke had gained afooting here, but on account of the closed door it was not nearly sobad as in the halls. 

Immediately they saw a figure stretched across the bed. The balloonisthad evidently been overcome by sleep before he thought to undress, anddropped over just as he had come from his lame brother's house. 

"Wake up, professor, the house is on fire!" shouted Frank in the ear ofthe man. 

Jerry, meanwhile, was shaking him vigorously; but all their effortsseemed to be of no avail. The man slept on as peacefully as though ababe, such was the power of the drug he had taken. 

"We can't stay here long, " said Frank, as the smoke thickened in theroom. "And as he won't wake up, why, we'll have to try and carry or draghim down. "

Fortunately, the man was not a very large person, or they might havedespaired of ever accomplishing such a thing. 

"Take hold on that side, Jerry. Now, lift, and drag his heels. That's theonly way we can do, " exclaimed Frank, who feared that even short as theirstay in that room had been they would find conditions changed for theworse when they again reached the hall. 

The professor paid not the least attention to what they were doing. Hehad possibly taken an overdose of his sleeping-powder, and only for thecoming of the two chums must have perished miserably, like a rat in atrap. 

When Frank threw open the door of the room again he uttered a cry ofalarm. The back stairway was a mass of flame. Although hardly more thantwo minutes had passed since they came up those stairs, it was nowmanifestly impossible to pass down again. 

He slammed the door shut and found Jerry staring at him in the halflight. 

"Talk to me about your fiery furnaces, that beats them all!" exclaimedFrank's chum, as he let go the professor's shoulders. "What shall we donow?"

Frank ran over to the window and threw up the sash. He looked out andthen came back to where Jerry stood, trembling with excitement. Frank wasas cool as ever in his life. 

"There's a chance, Jerry, " he shouted. "No fire below! Take hold here;tear up these sheets and knot them into a rope. Work for your life, andif the fire only holds back we may be able to save both the professor andourselves! But work! work!"

CHAPTER III

HEADED SOUTH

They did work with a vim, for the smoke was getting more oppressive witheach passing second; and from the glimpse they had taken of the stairwayit was plain to the boys that presently the fire would wrap the wholesouth end of the building in its grip, when their case would indeed bedesperate. 

Each tore and knotted until as if by magic a long rope was fashioned. True, it might betray them at the last and break, but Frank believedthe sheets to be of good material and nearly new. 

He had not time to even test the frail rope, but fastened it around thesleeping balloonist, under his arms. 

"Now help me lift him over the window-sill, " he cried. 

They had little difficulty in doing that, for the professor was a small, slight man. Once he was passed over the ledge, they began to lower away. 

Frank only hoped in his heart that the fire might restrain its fury for abrief space of time. If it darted out below it must catch the humanburden which they were lowering so speedily. 

Shouts were heard outside. It seemed as though fully an hundred voiceswere raised to applaud the daring feat of the two boys, as the figure ofthe professor was seen coming rapidly down at the end of the rope made oftorn sheets. 

"If it's only long enough!" gasped Jerry. 

"Hurrah! they've got hold of him! He's saved!" roared Frank, as thetremendous pull suddenly ceased. 

They had about reached the end of the rope, so that this happy eventcame just in the nick of time. Frank hurriedly fastened that end to thebed-post. 

"Climb out, Jerry, and slide down. Not a word now, or we may lose ourchance!"

Jerry had been about to object, wishing his chum to go first. He realizedthe truth of what Frank said, however, and how foolish it would be tostand back on a matter so small. Accordingly he clambered over thewindow-sill and vanished from view. 

Frank got in position to follow, and only waited until he had reason tobelieve his chum had reached safety. The rope had done bravely, but itcertainly could never stand the strain of two of them at the same time. 

And even as he waited there was a flash of fire below, as the flames atethrough the sheathing of the house. A tremendous yell went up. 

"Come down, Frank--oh! quick!" he caught above the clamor, and he knewthat it was Will's shrill voice he heard. 

The fire was perilously close to the rope. In a second it might catchand be severed. Frank did not hesitate. He was accustomed to meetingemergencies promptly, and doing the right thing. 

Down he slipped, passing the threatening flame, in fact shooting throughit just as the rope began to be consumed in its hot breath. Frank hadalmost reached the point of safety when he felt his support collapse, andhe dropped downward. 

Something caught him, something that seemed endowed with life--theextended arms of his three chums eagerly fashioned into a net, and he wasnot injured, beyond a little singeing of his hair as he passed throughthe fiery torch. 

The boys were glad to get away from the crowd of enthusiastic admirerswho wanted to lift Frank and Jerry on their shoulders, and carry themaround town in triumph, something that felt repulsive to the lads. 

But the lame brother of the man they had saved, seized upon them ere theywent off. 

"A thousand thanks to you, for your brave deed!" he cried. "You havesaved a human life to-night, boys, and one of more than ordinary value. My brother is employed by the Government to experiment with balloons andaeroplanes, and his discoveries may prove a great thing for our nation incase of a foreign war. To-morrow he will thank you himself, and fromhis heart. Your mothers have cause to be proud of their sons, and I shalltell them so myself. "

From a distance the boys watched the hotel burn, and talked over theaffair just as though they might have been casual watchers, and had noparticular interest in the matter. And yet two of them had come veryclose to sacrificing their young lives in attempting to save that ofanother. 

Both Bluff and Will had suffered tortures while their chums wereinside the doomed structure. Their voices had led all the rest as thesheet-rope fell from the upper window, with the form of the professordangling at the end, for they knew the daring plan of their mates hadbeen a brilliant success. 

The fire did not jump to any of the nearby dwellings or stores, thanks tothe efficient labors of the department, the members of which worked likeTrojans in order to confine it to its original field. 

When it had died down the boys separated once more, and the hearty gripthat passed between them was evidence of the sincere affection that boundthis quartette of clean, manly fellows in common. 

Neither Frank nor Jerry said a word to their parents about the heroicpart they had played in the rescue of Professor Smythe. Imagine theastonishment of Frank's father when that gentleman, in company with hisbrother, a respected business man of Centerville, called at the house, the next morning after breakfast, and related the whole circumstance. 

And when Frank and Jerry were called down from the den, where, in companywith the others, they were doing some packing, they blushed under thehearty words of praise heaped upon them by the two gentlemen. 

"Why, I'm going South myself, boys, " declared the balloonist, when heheard of their contemplated trip, "and wouldn't it be a queer thing nowif we happened to come across one another down in Dixieland? I'm headingfor Atlanta, to steer my big balloon to the eastward at the firstfavorable chance, in order to settle some questions about air currentsthat have long been baffling us all. Depend on it, if I could do you anysort of a favor I'd go far out of my way to try and even up the debt Iowe you. "

Little did any of them suspect under what strange conditions their nextmeeting would really be. 

All Centerville was ringing with the story of the brave exploit of Frankand Jerry. When the latter reached home that noon he was overwhelmedwith hysterical words of praise from his mother; while his father hadcome home from his office, beset by a dozen acquaintances desirous ofcongratulating him on having a son of such heroic mould. 

Jerry was very uneasy under all this favorable comment. He did not liketo be looked upon as differing in any degree from other boys. 

"Any fellow would have done the same thing. We were lucky enough to havethe chance, that's all, " he insisted, as his mother kissed him again andagain, crying a little at the same time at the thought of what might havehappened; while his father gripped his hand and patted him on the backaffectionately. 

By afternoon the boys decided that they had everything packed they couldthink of, and after that they began to try and possess their souls inpatience. 

"No sleep for me to-night, fellows, " declared Jerry, as he prepared to gohome, as supper-time came around. 

"I'd advise you to try and get a few winks if you can. To-morrow nightwe'll be on the train, and not much chance then. It's a lucky thingthat all of us know something about machinery. Our experience with ourmotor-cycles will come in good play now. And here's Jerry been studyingup on the running of an automobile with that retired chauffeur, Garrison, who's teaching Andy Lasher how to run a car. "

"Yes, but, Frank, how about you taking lessons about the engine of amotor-boat? I know you've got several books on the subject since yourfather half promised to put a little craft on Lake Camalot next season, "remarked Jerry. 

"Well, " laughed Frank, fairly caught, "between the lot of us it'll bestrange if we don't know how to handle that dandy boat of CousinArchie's--the _Jessamine_ he calls her. "

"Three cheers for the _Jessamine, _ then!" said Bluff. 

They were given with a will, after which the boys separated. Since thiswould be their last night at home for two weeks they had sensiblydecided to spend it in the bosom of their families. Everything was done, at any rate, so that it was useless to bother about that matter any more. 

In spite of Frank's warning it is very unlikely that any one of the fourslept very soundly. The near future beckoned to them with such grandpossibilities concerning the sport they loved, that they could not get itout of their minds; and innumerable plans for the happy times ahead kepttheir brains busy the major portion of that last night under the parentalroof-trees. 

Finally the morning dawned, with a light snow falling. There was a bustlein at least four homes that day, and presently the intending travelersgathered at the station long before the train was due that would takethem on to Philadelphia, and then, with a change of cars, to thebeckoning sunny Southland. 

And when finally the parting moment came, there were hurried good-byes, the bags were thrown into the baggage car, and as the train pulled outthose of their school friends who had come down to see them off, as wellas their relatives, waved a shower of handkerchiefs amid a chorus ofshouts. 

"Hurrah!" cried Bluff, as he settled down in his seat, "we're on the wayto the greatest time of our lives!"'

CHAPTER IV

JERRY MEETS TROUBLE HALF WAY

"Ain't she a beauty, though?"

"Finest thing ever put in the water! And to think we're going to liveaboard her for nearly two weeks! It's the greatest luck ever!" observedWill. 

"Talk to me about your automobiles and aeroplanes, give me a neat littlemotor-boat for mine. I wouldn't change places with King George just now. "

Frank said nothing, but the smile on his face was a satisfied one. Indeed, it could not well be otherwise. Any boy who loved camping andcruising as much as he did must have been thrilled at the prospect ofrunning that jaunty little craft for a spell, navigating new waterwaysand making discoveries constantly, such as are calculated to please thehearts of hunters and water-dogs in general. 

The motor-boat was one of the most modern make. It had an automobile hoodfor the front, and this could be so extended that the entire boat wasshielded. On the other hand, on sunny days it could be pushed back, allowing of perfect freedom. 

The journey south had been effected without any accident. They were nowstopping at a little hotel in this town on the river where the railroadcrossed. It was a section of Northern Florida. The great and mysteriousGulf of Mexico, they knew, lay not a far stretch away toward the south. Indeed, Jerry had declared he could already smell salt water, though hischums laughed at him, and declared that it was more likely the odor ofthe mud along the bank of the narrow but deep stream down which theyexpected to cruise shortly. 

"All the same, I'll be mighty glad to set eyes on that same gulf, " saidJerry; "I've always wanted to see it, ever since I read about thedoings of those old filibusters who used to lie in wait and seize thetreasure ships going home from the Spanish Main. "

"Listen to him, will you?" broke out Bluff, laughing. "Honest, now, Ibelieve he expects to run across a few of those old fossil pirates, Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and their kind. "

"Well, hardly, but it may be we'll meet up with a few up-to-date piratesbefore we get through--chaps who can charge ten prices for something youjust feel you must have. The times are out of joint, boys. Things havechanged a little, that's all, but the world is just as full of humansharks as ever, " argued Jerry. 

"I guess Jerry's right, fellows, and when that gaunt landlord of the innpresents his little bill perhaps you'll say that the buccaneer camesooner than you expected. Besides, who can say what lies before us? Thereare many swamps to be passed through, I'm told, and they say that morethan one fugitive black, wanted for some crime, lives out in thoseplaces. We must keep our eyes open all the time. "

"And depend on it, Frank knows. He's been picking up information rightand left ever since we got here, " remarked Will, who was, of course, carrying his beloved camera, with which he had taken many splendidpictures of the past exploits of the four chums. 

"When do we get under way?" asked Bluff, eagerly, as he examined theprovisions made for cooking, with a battery of little lamps fashionedto burn kerosene in the shape of gas--Bluff was always interested in allthat pertained to the cooking parts of an expedition. 

"Everything is ready now, " remarked Frank. "We'll go back to the inn, allbut Will, settle our score, and fetch what few things are left. I've gota rough chart of the river, you know, boys, on which we'll have to dependuntil we get to the gulf. "

"And then?" asked Will. 

"Oh, the Government charts will carry us, then, the rest of the way. Theyhave everything down, up to several miles off shore, and all the bayousand cuts besides. Come on, Jerry and Bluff; get busy. "

Left in charge of the boat for half an hour, Will sat there in the warmsunshine, trying to picture what it looked like up around cold, bleakCenterville just then. As he fondled his camera other memories werecalled up, in which it had done its share in the way of perpetuating theexciting events connected with the various outings enjoyed by the fourchums. 

While Will sits thus and lets his mind wander back to other scenes it maybe just as well for us to take a quick survey of these same events, so asto understand something of the ties that held these four boys together. 

They formed the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, and their first outing had beenat the time a storm took part of the Academy roof off, allowing a shortFall vacation on the part of the scholars. At that time they had goneinto the woods, and there encountered a variety of stirring adventures, as set forth in the initial volume of this series called: "The OutdoorChums; or, The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. "

At Thanksgiving time they planned for another little camping trip, overon Wildcat Island, which had quite a bad name on account of the ferociousanimals known to exist in its dense thickets, and also because a wild manwas said to have been seen there many times. What the four chums saw anddid there, and the multitude of remarkable things that came to passwhile they were off on this trip, from the robbery on the steamboat tothe discovery about the wild man, are told in the second book of theseries, entitled: "The Outdoor Chums on the Lake; or, Lively Adventureson Wildcat Island, "

In due time came the summer vacation, and as they had a couple of weeksto be together before going away to seashore or mountains with theirparents, the boys arranged to spend this time in the Sunset Mountains, that lay ten miles back of Newtonport, which place was on the west shoreof the lake, opposite Centerville. The rumor of a ghost that was said tohaunt Oak Ridge did much to draw the boys, and it can be readilyunderstood that before they left their camp in the hills they hadsucceeded in discovering the astonishing truth about that same spectre. Just how this was done, together with many other thrilling episodes, youwill find in the record of the outing as given in the third volume, called: "The Outdoor Chums in the Forest; or, Laying the Ghost of OakRidge. "

By the time Will had run the gamut of these adventures, some of whichcaused him to shiver, while others brought a smile on his face, he heardthe voices of his chums drawing near. 

They soon joined him, each burdened with some more of the outfit in theway of blankets, and clothes-bags made of waterproof canvas. 

These were hastily stowed away, after which the boys began to get busy. Frank had, ere now, closely examined the engine of the launch, andeven started it going so as to get "the hang of the thing, " as he said. He felt that he had nothing to fear with regard to his ability tohandle it. 

"If anything does happen we will have to use the push-poles, and in thatway float down on the swift current until we get to a town, " he said, laughingly; but not one of them had the slightest fear. 

"All aboard for the gulf!" called Will, as he stood by the rail watchingJerry unwarp the hawser that held the nose of the boat down-stream, another securing the stern above. 

Just as soon as this latter was unfastened the boat would begin to movewith the rapid current, and at that time Frank wanted his engine to beworking. 

"Ready, Frank?" called Jerry from astern. 

He could cast off there, recovering the rope as they moved along. 

The engine began to whirr. 

"Say, doesn't that sound encouraging?" ventured Bluff, as the cheerycough smote the air, and announced the whole power of twelve horses to beat their disposal. 

"I only hope she turns out one-half as good as she looks, " remarkedFrank, who believed that the proof of the pudding lay in the eating ofit. 

A minute later, satisfied that everything was working, he shouted:

"Let her go, Jerry!"

Immediately the motor-boat commenced to glide down-stream. Frank foundthat his engine worked like a charm. He could apparently do anything hewanted with it, and the whole apparatus seemed more like a plaything thana powerful motor. 

"A good beginning. Hope it keeps up, " remarked Bluff. 

"Me for a life on the ocean wave, " sang Jerry as he coiled the ropeship-shape, and then going forward climbed up on the bow to look outfor "snags. "

There were numerous abrupt bends to the river just below the Floridatown, and with that swift current it was difficult to navigate aroundthese places successfully. By degrees, of course, Frank expected tobecome more familiar with both the engine and the only way these thingscould be successfully met. He was always wide-awake, and eager to learn. 

Jerry had perched himself on the forward rail, where he could survey thescenery. Will had his camera in his hand, and seemed ready to snap offany remarkable picture that presented itself to his vision. He was keenon taking some views that would embrace the weird, hanging Spanish moss, though Frank told him to have patience, and any number of these wouldcome in time. 

There was not the least warning when the shock came. The boat suddenlybrought up with a bang on some hidden snag, and as Frank involuntarilyshut off the power he had a rapid view of poor Jerry taking a header overthe rail. Immediately after, a tremendous splash announced that he hadstruck the water all right; indeed, as he sprawled with hands and legsoutstretched, one would half suspect it was a gigantic frog that leapedfrom the boat into the deep river. 

CHAPTER V

THE FIRST CAMPFIRE

"Tell me about that, will you!" gasped Jerry, as he bobbed above thesurface. 

He was swimming industriously to keep from being swept down with thecurrent. 

Frank, finding that the motor worked smoothly, and no damage had beendone by the concussion, started it backing just enough to keep the boatsteady. 

He darted to the bow, where Bluff and Will were already hanging. 

"What was it?" called the swimmer, who, now that he was in, seemeddisposed to make a picnic of the affair, after his usual joking way. 

"A snag, of course. I thought you were going to sing out if we came onone?" said Frank. 

"I did, and you all heard me yell, " asserted Jerry. 

"Yes, while you were passing through the air. Much good that would do, "observed Bluff, disposed to refuse such evidence. 

"But there was nothing in sight. The snag must have been down under thesurface, and the water is so brown I couldn't see it. My! but that was avault! Talk about your high divers, there never was a prettier leap thanthat. "

"Just my luck, again!" whimpered Will. "What a magnificent picture of theJumping Frog that would have made in our scrap-book. Why on earth didn'tyou tell me you were going to do it, and I could have been ready to snapyou off?"

"Hear that man, with me down in this ooze, soaked to the skin! Wait tillI find a chance to get at him!" groaned Jerry, shaking his fist upward, in mock anger, though at the time he was grinning amiably. 

"While you are down there, pard, why not take a look, and see if wescraped the paint off the boat's nose when we banged that log, " suggestedpractical Frank. 

"That's so. Make the best of a bad bargain. Why, no; nothing doing, boys. This stem is made of solid brass, and could stand many a hard bump. Ithink Cousin Archie must have been warned in advance, and had her madedoubly staunch, " sang out Jerry. 

"Can you see the snag anywhere around?" asked Frank. 

"Not here. Perhaps we're down below it now. "

"Or it may have been an alligator, fellows. Some of the natives told methere are a few in this old stream, " observed Bluff. 

"Yes, and there he is now!" shouted Will. "He crawled up on the bank todry off, and is going to jump in again! Oh! why _wasn't_ I ready! Lookout, Jerry! He's coming for you!"

Jerry was already in motion. The notion of meeting an alligator mighthave appealed to him, but not under these circumstances. He struck outlike a madman as he struggled to get to a point where he could reach upand clasp the eager hands extended down to him, for he had heard thesplash that announced the reptile's taking to the water. 

Of course, the little six-foot 'gator was by long odds the more scaredof the two, but then Jerry, being a greenhorn, did not know that. Whenfinally the others managed to drag him, dripping, one deck, he waspanting like a tired dog and puffing like a grampus. 

"Talk to me about your narrow squeaks, they don't appeal to me one littlebit!" he gasped. "Where's the old alligator monster now, Will? Did yousnap him off?"

"He never came up again. That's just my luck, you know. "

"Better times coming, Will. You'll take many pictures of 'gators on logsand sunny banks before we finish this little trip, " laughed Frank. 

"Yes, I know what you're laughing at, " grunted Jerry, "and I suppose Idid look like a big frog as I sailed away off the bow. After this thelookout ought to be tied to his seat. It was lucky, though, you had solittle headway on, Frank. We might have ended our cruise half an hourafter we began it. "

The air was balmy, and Jerry seemed nothing loth to sit there and dryoff, as the journey was resumed down the river. 

"Any game along here, do you think?" asked Will presently. 

"They told me there was plenty, only you have to look sharp, and notget lost in the swamps. Men have gone out hunting and never come backagain; though, of course, these were strangers, and not the natives. Nobody ever knew whether they were lost or fell into the hands of someblack criminals who were hanging out hereabouts. "

Jerry volunteered this information. He was always making inquiries inconnection with the possibilities of game. 

"I saw a blue heron just then, swinging downstream below us. And there'ssomething snow-white over there. Yes, it must be a crane standing in thewater, with his fishing-rod ready for business; and there goes a stringof white birds, over yonder. Do you know what they are, Frank?" askedWill. 

"I'm not sure, but I think they belong to the ibis family. Look at that'coon scurrying up that log, running from the water. He's been trying toscoop out a dinner of fish, too. Nearly everything feeds on fish downhere, even many of the wild ducks. Got him that time, did you, Will?"

"I think so, " replied Will complacently, for he had snapped his camerawhile the striped "bushy-tail" was still moving up the slanting log. 

They were making fair progress all the while. So the afternoon began towear away. The current was almost enough to carry them on at the rate ofseveral miles an hour. With the prospect of meeting hidden snags at anyminute, Frank did not deem it wise to put on any speed. That would comewhen they were upon the open gulf, and obstacles no longer worried them. 

They had entered a section that undoubtedly bordered on a swamp. Thetrees grew thicker, and shut out much of the light, so that it seemedactually like dusk. And to the delight of Will, the long streamers ofSpanish moss hung everywhere. 

"Say, perhaps we'd better pull up soon for the night. This sort of workneeds all the eyesight we've got, and it's getting some gloomy just now. I wouldn't dare attempt an exposure with this shadow on everything, "remarked Will. 

"Always something wrong, eh, Will? However, putting the picture-gettingaside, you'll admit that this is a mighty comfy position to be in. There's Bluff writing up the menu he expects to spring on us the firstmeal out, " laughed Frank. 

"I own up I _was_ thinking of something along that line. Wish I had someof the fine oysters they tell us grow down South. Your sister Nelliegave me several recipes to try, and I'm going to spring them on you thefirst chance, see if I don't. "

"Well, I only hope you have better success than the said Nellie usuallyhas. My dad threatens to send her to cooking school before she killsoff the entire family with her experiments. But as to the oysters, youmust wait till we get out of the river. This is fresh water. Mussels orfresh-water clams grow in such places, but hardly oysters, " observedFrank. 

"I'm going to tell Nellie what you said, when we get back, " declaredBluff. 

"Well, it encourages me to know that you expect we will survive theoperation. But then, ten to one they are recipes she clipped from somepaper, and wants you to try for her. I'm going to keep an eye on youwhenever you hang around the fire, remember. You can bear watching, "Frank continued. 

"Glad to hear that, for some people can't, " remarked the other calmly. 

At which the laugh was on Frank; but he took it good-naturedly, asalways. It required a good deal to make him show signs of being provoked;but like most people of that temperament, if ever he did lose his temper, he was apt to be very angry indeed. 

Presently they found what seemed to be a good place to tie up for thenight. A small boat, called the dinghy, or dinky, was trailed behind. This might come in handy whenever they wanted to go ashore while themotor-boat was anchored; or one of the boys might wish to use it forfishing, gathering oysters, or shooting shore birds, later on. 

The ground being high and dry just at that particular spot, they built afire and determined to cook supper ashore. There would likely be plentyof opportunities for doing this aboard, later, and they could not resistthat chance for an open campfire. 

Bluff was assisted by Jerry in getting the first supper. It turned out tobe appetizing. They had been in the woods so much now that even thepoorest cook in the club, Will, was picking up quite a little knowledgeof the art, and felt an occasional desire to show off. 

The boys never got over joking poor Will about his first experience incooking rice, however. He had put the entire four pounds in a pot whilethe rest were away. One of them, coming back to camp presently, foundWill in distress. He had filled every kettle and pannikin with theswelling rice, and despite the glistening heaps the original kettle wasstill boiling up heaps of it, so that it threatened to even smother thefire. 

He knew better now. 

After the meal was over they sat around, taking things easy. Frank waswriting in his logbook, Will monkeying with his camera, while Jerry andBluff sat there discussing something that had to do with their respectivelung power--a question never, as yet, fully settled, although they hadhad many a friendly contest to thresh out this rivalry. 

"Frank, don't look up, please! Listen to me!" said Will in a low voice. 

"Well, what is it?" asked the other, simply pausing in the act of writinga word. 

"I saw something moving over behind that bunch of saw-palmettos on yourleft. Pretending not to be looking, I squinted out of the tail of my eye. What do you think I saw? The head of a black man raised--an awfullywicked-looking head, too, Frank. What had we better do about it?" went onWill, his whispering voice quivering. 

"Nothing. Leave it to me. Don't show any signs of excitement, please, butjust keep on with what you are doing, " and Frank allowed his left hand toslowly creep in the direction where his shotgun lay on the ground. 

CHAPTER VI

THE SWAMP FUGITIVE

"Now, my friend behind the bunch of saw-palmetto, won't you join us?"

Frank had slowly risen, picking up his gun as he gained his feet. Therewas a movement in the quarter where his gaze seemed directed, then ahuman figure began to crawl into the camp, looking more like a great dogthan a man. 

"Great Caesar's ghost!" ejaculated Bluff. 

"Tell me about that, will you!" exclaimed Jerry, making a dive for hisown gun. 

"Quiet, fellows! There's no need of any excitement. It's only a visitorfrom the swamp, come to have a cup of coffee with us, " remarked Franksteadily. 

He made no attempt to aim his weapon, being satisfied to let the negrosee that he was armed, and ready for action. The wretched outcast wasalmost in tatters. He looked thin and haggard, in marked contrast withthe sleek and well-fed darkies the boys had generally noticed sincereaching the Sunny South. 

Having reached a spot in front of Frank, the man arose to his fullheight. There was a look of trouble on his face. He had been hunted likea wolf for so long that naturally he believed every man's hand wasagainst him. 

But Frank saw at once that Will had been mistaken when he remarked uponthe vicious look of the fugitive. He had taken the expression of fear forthat of maliciousness. 

"Well, who are you, and what do you want here?" Frank asked directly. 

The black started, and looked at him a little eagerly. 

"I's got lost in de swamp, boss, 'deedy I has, an' I smelled de vittalsa-cookin', so's I couldn't keep away. Didn't mean to skeer yuh, suah Ididn't. Yuh wouldn't hurt a pore ole brack man, would yuh, little marse?"he droned, still keeping his eyes fastened apprehensively on Frank andhis gun. 

"I guess it's a fairy story he's putting up, Frank. They told me abouthim up at the town. He answers the description of George Walden, allright, " said Bluff. 

Frank saw the man start at mention of the name, and shiver. 

"That's your name, all right, I can see. Now, George, what have you beendoing to make you hide out like this in the swamp?" demanded the othersternly. 

"Reckons as how I ain't wanted 'round dis section, boss. Ain't donenothin' so very ba-ad, but seems like we-uns kain't git on. Some o' thewhite gentlemen dey got it in fo' me, an' it was either a case o' hidin'out er takin' a coat o' tar an' feathers. I reckoned I'd rather lay in deswamp a while. But, boss, I 'clar tuh Moses I'se mighty nigh starved tuhdeath, I is. "

The man had evidently come to the conclusion that these Northern lads, with the motor-boat, could hardly be hunting fugitive blacks in theswamp. He was beginning to recover a little of his courage. 

"How about that, Bluff? What did the people in the town say he had done?"asked Frank. 

"Oh, nothing much, only, just as he says, he's an undesirable citizenaround the place. I think they said he had a weakness for chickens, andcould not keep from sneaking into a coop if half a chance presenteditself, " replied the other. 

Frank smiled. 

"Well, I believe that has never been called more than a weakness witha colored man, in the North. People who keep chickens should see to itthat a poor fellow is not tempted beyond his strength. Locks are cheapenough. Then our friend George has not been doing anything particularlyvillainous?"

"'Deed an' 'deed I ain't, boss. I's only wantin' tuh git outen diskentry. I's got a darter married, an' livin' at Chattanooga. If I kinon'y git up dar, she'd nigh die wid happiness. An' if I felt a littlestronger I'd try an' walk de hull way, so I would, young marse!"exclaimed the other eagerly. 

They could see him sniffing the air, after the manner of a hungry dogthat scents a bone near by. 

"Sit down, George. I'm going to make you a pot of coffee such as younever tasted in all your life, " said Will at this juncture. 

The negro turned his eyes upon him gratefully. He might be ane'er-do-well, and a genuine nuisance around the town on the river wherehe had grown up, but to the generous-hearted lads from the North he wasonly a poor hungry human being, and fortune had been very good to them. 

"And I'll cook him some bacon. I bet it's been a long time since he put abit between his teeth, " declared Bluff, wishing to be in the game. 

"Good for you, boys! I think, myself, that this old fellow may have beenmore sinned against than sinning; though perhaps he's wise in wantingto make a change of base since they're all down on him around here. Weought to show our thanks for the many favors that have been showered onus, and the best way to do it is to help some less fortunate fellow. "

"Talk to me about your Good Samaritan! We've got several of 'em righthere in this camp, and as I don't want to be left out in the cold, I'mgoing to make George here a present of that shirt I took such a disliketo. He won't mind the objectionable color, I reckon, " spoke up Jerry. 

The black man sat there, grinning from ear to ear. He could hardlybelieve his hearing. These campers, whom he had at first feared werethere to drag him back to town, so that he might afford sport for theyoung hotbloods, had turned out to be the only friends he had known formany a day. 

He tried to express his gratitude, but, of course, stumbled so that theytold him they were ready to take it all for granted. 

When the meal was ready he ate until he could contain no more. Jerrywatched him with a queer expression on his face, and for once he realizedhow near starvation a human being may get at times. 

At the same time, George was a bit uneasy. He kept looking around, asthough he feared lest others might appear who would not be so kindlydisposed toward him. Hence, after he had finished his supper, he showed adisposition to depart, telling them that he had a shack in the swamp. 

Frank did not attempt to hinder him, for he saw that the man could notwholly get over his suspicion that there might be some trick back of thisgenerous hospitality. George had evidently been educated in the beliefthat no one ever assisted a black man unless he had an ax to grind. 

Before he went they gave him some bacon and a little can of groundcoffee. As Cousin Archie had supplied much more than they could ever useon the trip, all of them thought they could easily afford to be a bitgenerous, since the occasion had come to their very door, as it were. 

When George had faded away in the shadows the boys resumed the tasks hiscoming had interrupted. Naturally enough, their conversation was inconnection with the great questions which the South had had to strugglewith since the emancipation proclamation had freed so many million blacksand placed them on their own responsibility. 

"I don't suppose any of you want to get the single tent out and sleepashore to-night?" said Frank finally, as he saw his comrades yawning, as if ready to turn in. 

"Not me, " answered Bluff immediately. 

"Some time later on I'm going to try it, but I want to get used to thesequeer scenes first, " remarked Will. 

"He thinks an alligator might crawl up out of the river and gobble himup, " laughed Jerry. 

"Well, we haven't heard from you yet. Are you getting out the tent?"asked Frank. 

"I would, only it's such a bother. On the whole, I'm contented with thesnug little bunky on board, " came the answer, at which Will shrugged hisshoulders, as if to say he knew it would be so. 

"All right, then; let's go aboard. I'll fix up the fire here so it willburn a few hours anyway. Kind of cheerful to see it as a fellow sits outhis watch. This log, pushed over to the blaze, might answer, " observedFrank, suiting the action to his words. 

"Then we do keep a watch?" queried Bluff. 

Frank looked around at their gloomy and impressive surroundings and thenraised his eyebrows in an expressive manner. 

"You just bet we do!" exclaimed Jerry. "Here's a swamp with all manner ofwild animals in it, from alligators and wildcats to mosquitoes by themillion. How do we know but what some of them might take a notion to comeaboard in the night? I can see myself waking up to find a bobtailed catcuddling up under my blanket with me; or a ten-foot 'gator sprawled outacross Will, here, asking to have his picture taken. Tell me about that, will you, fellows?"

"And then there may be other coons in hiding here; chaps who are wantedfor something far more desperate than poor old George. They might murderus all in our sleep. Oh, yes, let us have a watch, by all means. I agreeto sit it out for the first two hours if Frank will take the second, "cried Will. 

So it was settled. They went aboard, and made preparations for sleep. Ofcourse, there were no regular bunks aboard the _Jessamine_, since thespace was too limited to admit of such luxuries. When the cruisers wantedto retire, two of them made beds of the seats, and the others founda suitable couch in the bottom. In case of rain, the automobile top wouldprotect them; but in dry weather it could be left partly off, so as toinsure more air. 

Frank and Will had the seats first on this night, for it had been soarranged that they would change around each night, so as to give everyfellow a chance. As Bluff put it, "just like we were playing a scrub gameof ball, each one getting a chance to pitch and catch in turn. "

Will took up his place on the side toward the shore. It was some littletime before his comrades all settled down, but finally he knew theyslept. He sat there, watching the fire burn near by, and thinking of manyinteresting things, until, on striking a match, and examining his watch, he found that it was time he awoke Frank. 

He took the place of his chum when the other assumed the duties of guard, and being really sleepy by this time, quickly dropped off. 

Frank sat there, with his gun across his knees, also watching the fire. He had little idea that there would anything occur to disturb theserenity of the night, but believed "an ounce of prevention better than apound of cure. "

"The old log seems to do its duty handsomely, after all. I wouldn't besurprised if it was still burning at daylight, " he mused, as he continuedto watch the fire creeping along the dry wood and slowly eating its waytoward the other end. 

Then Frank started, as he saw a distinct movement in a little shadowyspot. It happened that the firelight did not reach this particular place, so that, strive as he might, he could not see distinctly. 

"There's something crawling along right there. I can see a dark figuremove, " he said to himself as he strained his eyesight the harder. 

Of course, his first thought was of the negro whom they had just fed. Perhaps to an irresponsible fellow like poor old George the temptationto try and steal something had been irresistible, and he was now creepingtoward the motor-boat with the intention of getting aboard and layinghands on anything of value. 

Then, again, it might be another entirely, some rascal much more to befeared than George. Frank was not more than half a minute in makingup his mind what the best course for him to pursue under thecircumstances would be. 

"I'll give him a shot, firing far over his head. Whoever it is, thereport must make him skedaddle like hot cakes, " he thought, for he couldnot bear the idea of doing a fellow human being any bodily harm, nomatter whether he were white or black. 

Having so decided, Frank raised his gun a trifle further, so that it boreon the tops of the cabbage palms beyond. Then his finger pressed thetrigger, and with the sudden report he gave a tremendous yell. 

CHAPTER VII

A FLORIDA SHERIFF

There was an upheaval of various blankets, three faces peeped forth, andthen came a wild scramble for weapons. 

"Wow! What is it, Frank!" bellowed Bluff. 

"My camera! Who took it away from where I placed it?"

"Talk to me about that, will you! That fellow will howl after hisblooming box when he goes to cross the Styx after he dies, " gruntedJerry. 

Frank had paid no attention to his comrades. His eyes were glued upon theshadowy spot where he felt positive he had seen some creeping figuredrawing closer to the boat, inch by inch. 

They heard him laugh aloud, as though something he had seen amused him. 

"Was it a thief? And did you shoot him?" asked Will, appalled. 

"A thief, all right; but I didn't shoot the beggar. Wish I had, now, "responded the watch, with regret in his voice. 

"Then it couldn't have been a human thief, for you'd never say that. Didyou see the critter go?" came from Jerry, as he peered forth, gun inhand. 

"I fired high on purpose, for I was afraid it might be poor old Georgesneaking back to see if he could get away with any more of that finebacon. Whatever it was, it made a flying leap back into the shadows. Ithought I heard an angry or startled snarl, but you fellows made so muchconfusion as you bounced up that I couldn't be sure. "

"Jumped away, eh? Then I take it the thing must have been a bobcat, " saidJerry. 

"Something along the cat family, anyway, " replied Frank. 

"Look here! You don't mean to say it was--a panther?" demanded the other. 

"I'm not saying anything; but in the morning we'll go and take a look atthe ground behind that second log over there. If there are any tracks, they ought to tell the story, " remarked Frank, who, no matter howpositive he might feel that this was just what he had seen, would notcommit himself without some proof. 

"That's what I get for waking Frank up so soon. Oh! why didn't I hold outa little while longer? Nothing ever happens when I'm on duty, it seems. Imust be a Jonah, that's what!" sighed Will disconsolately. 

"Why, what would you have done?" demanded Bluff. 

"Shot the intruder, but by snapping the trigger of my little flashlightpistol, and in that way I'd have taken a picture of the beast as itcrouched there. I sat here, holding that pistol, and my camera, ready, for two mortal hours, in vain. I'm the most unlucky dog going. "

"Well, I notice that, after all, you manage to gather in your share ofpictures. The trouble is, you want to corral everything going. Well, meto the bench again for another snooze. Wake me when you get tired ofsitting up, Frank. If the critter comes again, let him have a charge, "said Jerry. 

"I certainly will, if I can make sure that it doesn't happen to be aman, " was the reply of Frank. 

Apparently, the report of the shotgun had alarmed the beast, for hecertainly did not show himself again. Whatever it was, the attractivesmell around the vicinity of the campfire must have drawn him out of theneighboring swamp, just as it had Black George, earlier in the night. 

Both Jerry and Bluff took their turns, and in this way daylight foundthem undisturbed. Jerry had left his shotgun at home, and carried a rifleon this trip. He and Bluff had entered into many an argument because thisnew weapon was a six-shot gun; for Jerry had made all manner of fun overBluff owning a shotgun built after the same principle, nor could theysettle the dispute, Jerry claiming that it was all right in a rifle, as aman hunted big game with that, and his life might be in danger; whilewith the other weapon he usually only shot birds and inoffensive smallanimals; while Bluff declared that what was black for the pot was alsoblack for the kettle. 

Going ashore, soon after getting up, Frank knelt down alongside the logwhere he had seen the shadowy figure bound off. 

"I say, Jerry!" he presently called out. 

"Want me?" asked that worthy, folding up his blanket so that it couldhang and get the breeze, whether they moved on or remained where theywere. 

"Yes. Come here. You'll be interested, I think. "

Jerry quickly reached his side. 

"What's doing?" he asked, eagerly searching with his eyes the ground nearFrank. 

"Bend lower, for the sign is rather faint. What d'ye make of that, andthat? Is it the paw of a bobcat?" asked the one on his knees, with anexpressive smile. 

"Great Jehosaphat! No! Then it was a panther, after all!" cried Jerry. 

"I think I'm safe in saying yes to that question, " replied Frank. 

"And now don't you wish you'd shot him?"

"Well, yes, if I had been positive, which I couldn't be, under thecircumstances, you see. Perhaps I may be lucky enough to run across oneof the breed again when there can be no uncertainty, for I would likevery much to say I'd knocked over a panther, " was the reply Frank made. 

"Say! Shall we cook breakfast again on the shore?" called Will from onboard the boat. 

"We might as well. There will be plenty of occasions when we'll just haveto do it aboard, and this fire seems cheerful like, " replied Jerry. 

Frank agreeing with him, they carried the necessary utensils ashore, andpreparations were begun looking toward the getting of a bounteous meal. 

"Wonder how our good friend, Black George, feels this morning? Hello!We're going to have visitors, I see. Look what's coming down the river, boys!"

As Bluff spoke they ceased eating and turned to gaze upstream. A boat wasadvancing rapidly, with the aid of the current and a pair of stout ashenoars. Several men occupied the craft which was quite roomy. 

"Say, they've got some dogs there. Ain't those bloodhounds, Frank?"whispered Will, for the boat was now close by, the men craning theirnecks to look at the launch. 

"I believe they are. Perhaps this is the sheriff on the run for our blackfriend, George, " returned Frank. 

"Oh! I hope not. I don't believe the poor chap is as dangerous as allthat. I have an idea he's more sinned against than sinning, " repliedWill, who always looked on the better side of those he met, and hence wasan easy mark for sharpers. 

The men in the boat came ashore. Our friends then saw that the dogs wereof a black-and-tan color, with long ears, and the aspect thatdistinguishes bloodhounds. 

"Mornin', neighbors. Takin' a trip down the river, I see. That's right. Like to see youngsters enjyin' themselves. I'm the sheriff o' this heahcounty, an' these gentlemen is my deputies. We're a-lookin' fo' a despritscoundrel thet hes been doin' heaps o' mischief 'round heah. His latestwork was tuh rob the house o' a cotton planter named Davis, an' nighabout kill the old man. We want him, an' we're jest 'bout determinednot tuh go back without the skunk. Don't s'pose yuh could 'a' set eyes onsech a pizen critter, gents?" said the leader. 

He was a tall, lean man, with a hawklike nose and keen blue eyes. He worea long frock coat, considerably the worse for wear, and this, with hisslouch hat, gave him the appearance of a Western marshal, in the eyes ofJerry, at least. 

"Who was this scoundrel?" asked Frank uneasily. 

"His name is Bob Young, an' he's really the son o' a minister upcountry, but long ago his father cast him off as a scamp. He'll sure swing one o'these days, " replied the sheriff, looking keenly at Frank, as though hesuspected he might know something that he wanted to hear. 

"Then he's a white man?" asked the other quickly, and with evidentrelief. 

"Shore he is, an' the toughest ever. Seen any sign o' him, stranger?"

"Not a thing. We had a coon in camp last night, starving, and we fed him. He was Black George, the man they ran out of town some time back, "ventured Frank. 

He saw that the dogs were nosing about, and feared lest they should setout on the trail of the poor wretch by mistake. 

The sheriff laughed. 

"Oh, our time's too valuable to fool away with that black trash. He ain'twuth shootin'. Come on, then, boys. Like tuh sit up with yuh, friends, an' have a snack, but we got to be on the move afore the trail below gitscold. Yuh see, we hed word 'bout Bob, an' we wanter git him this clip, sure. So-long, an' good luck! Thet thar is sure the boss little boat yuhgot. "

And presently the sheriff and his posse faded from view under the longstreamers of hanging Spanish moss that overshadowed the river below. 

"I'm just as glad. He gave me the creeps. That eye of his was fierce, "said Will. 

"Oh, that's because you've got a guilty conscience, I guess, " laughedJerry. "Now to me he was a picture of a strong character that wouldhave made a good showing in our album, " and he looked severely at Will. 

"Oh! What beastly luck! Why didn't I think of it in time? Another chancegone glimmering! I think you fellows are too mean for anything, notto remind me of these things in time. He would have embellished our albumhandsomely--and those dogs, too! How picturesque bloodhounds are! I feelsick. "

Will jumped up, snatched his camera, and stalked off beyond the edge ofthe camp, as if to brood alone. Presently they heard him calling:

"Oh, Frank! Won't you come here for a minute? I'm just taking the pictureof a big snake, and he's as angry as you please. There's a locustsomewhere close by, too, keeping up a tremendous rattling. Please hurry!He won't wait long!"

Frank, followed by Jerry, was off like a shot. His face turned white withsudden apprehension as he ran. Coming upon Will, kneeling there, andwatching, he seized him by the shoulders and whirled him back, exclaiming:

"Why, you greenhorn, don't you know that's a diamond-back rattler, coiledup and ready to launch himself at you?"

CHAPTER VIII

WILL DOES IT

"Talk to me about babes in the woods!" gasped jerry. 

He was staring at the enormous rattler, that still kept up a buzzing withhis rattle, and which sound poor Will had believed was made by a locust. 

"Shoot the thing, Jerry! You've been wise enough to fetch your gun!" saidFrank. 

"That just suits me. Have you got all the snapshots you want, Will?"demanded Jerry, falling on one knee and elevating his rifle. 

"There! He's reforming! You see, he did actually think of me, for once. Oh, yes. I snapped him three times. I rather think he didn't like thesound, for he darted his head at me wickedly. I suspected it might be arattlesnake, though, " replied the photographer calmly. 

Then came a sharp report. 

"Keep back!" called Jerry as the snake's folds suddenly flew out; but itshead was almost blown from its body, and there was no more danger tobe feared. 

"I'll get the rattle, to remind you of your narrow squeak, Will, " saidJerry. 

"That's kind of you, now; but I rather think you are getting it to remindyou of your first shot at game with the new rifle, " remarked Will. 

The others had by now come up to stare at the enormously thick snake, with more or less of a shudder. 

"How about having that skin, to make a belt or something?" suggestedBluff. 

"You're welcome to it, if you can take it off and properly dry if; butyou're so squeamish about snakes I'd hardly think you'd care for thejob, " remarked Jerry. 

"I'll see. I heard Nellie say she always wanted a belt made out of a skinlike that, and perhaps I may try to get it, " concluded Bluff. 

"Are we going to proceed, or put in a day around here, fellows?" askedFrank. 

"I say stay. We may not get another chance at a swamp before we reach theopen gulf, and I want to snap a dozen fine views off around here. I meanto take the little dinghy and push into the swamp a bit, " ventured Will. 

"Say! he's getting real venturesome, ain't he?" laughed Jerry. 

"Next thing he'll be getting lost, and we'll have a deuce of a timefinding him again. Make him take a compass along, Frank, and that oldrevolver of yours, " growled Bluff. 

"Don't you worry about me, now. Perhaps you'll find I'm able to look outfor myself far better than any of you give me credit for, " returned theother, with a show of indignation. 

He went aboard to get ready, taking another roll of films along, for, ashe remarked, there could be no telling what might turn up. 

"Try to keep your wits about you, Will, and don't venture too far away. If in doubt, fire the pistol three times, and we'll answer you, " saidFrank, who was not wholly easy about the exploring trip. 

"Got some grub along?" asked Bluff, for that was a very essential part ofany undertaking, in his eyes. 

"Yes to everything. So-long, fellows! Don't let anybody run away with themotor-boat while I'm gone. " And, with a merry laugh, Will dipped hispaddle into the water, sending the little dinghy gliding toward the morequiet lagoons of the swamp. 

He was soon under the spell of his surroundings. These were so weird thatthe ardent photographer really forgot everything else. As he paddledalong he saw a dozen pictures around him, and when he thought the lightfair enough he took a time exposure. 

So an hour passed away. In all that time he had seen no evidence of life, save a few alligators, some wary 'coons, a 'possum hanging from a tree byits tail, and some birds, mostly crows or bluejays. 

In the water he had noted a variety of snakes. Remembering what Frank hadtold him about these gliding reptiles, Will was careful not to botherwith them; for in all probability they were water moccasins, whose bite, if not so deadly as that of the diamond-back rattler, would cause a woundthat might never heal, since it seems to put a certain poison into theflesh that brings about a running sore. 

Perhaps he ought to go back. He had succeeded in taking all of half adozen good views, besides several of which he was not so certain. 

Then it dawned upon Will that, after all, he was not so sure that he knewwhich way he ought to go. True, he had a compass, and could tell wherethe north lay, as well as all other cardinal points, but the questionwas, did the camp lie east or south of where he happened to be just then?

He cudgeled his brains to try to remember, so as to place himself. 

"Say! Perhaps I am lost, all right, " he remarked, with a laugh, for itdid not look at all serious just then, but more like a joke. 

Then he suddenly remembered that he had the only boat. 

"If they wanted to hunt for me they couldn't do it. To move about in thisswamp without a boat would be impossible; that is, for a stranger; andthe launch could never come here. Guess I'll shoot up a few and get mypoints. "

So saying, he banged away three times. 

Presently there was an answering series of shots, but very far distant. 

"Whew! I didn't dream I'd gone so far, " he said, and having noted thedirection from which the sounds seemed to come, he started to paddlehard. 

After half an hour's work he halted, tired, and perspiring freely. 

"This is no fun, I tell you. Wonder if I'm anywhere near? I might tryagain. "

This time there was no answer. The wind possibly kept those in camp fromhearing the fusilade. Will began to grow alarmed. It was now high noon, and he felt hungry, so he disposed of the lunch he had carried, atBluff's suggestion. Incidentally, he blessed his chum for thinking ofsuch a thing. 

After that he paddled some more, until he grew very tired. 

"This begins to look some serious. What if I have to spend a night here?Gee! I won't like that much, I guess. Hello! What's that over yonder?Seems to me it might be some sort of a shack, made of palmetto leaves. Wonder who lives there? Ugh! What if it turns out to be that desperadothe sheriff is hunting--Bob?"

The idea oppressed him, and he felt like paddling away; but his case wasdesperate, and he determined to creep up and try to ascertain just wholived in the primitive-looking native shack. 

So, finding a chance to land on the little island among the dark watersof the lagoon, he started to advance cautiously in the direction of thedwelling, which was really the first Will had seen made of leaves. 

In spite of his fears, the fever of picture-taking was so strong in hisbreast that he had to stop once and level his camera at the picturesqueshack. Then the familiar click announced that he had secured what hewanted. 

Perhaps that sound may have reached other ears, and been misconstrued tomean something else. Will might have realized this much could he haveseen the dark figure creeping up on him, and lying flat on his stomachmost of the time. 

As the boy reached the lonely shack he was about to put out his hand inan endeavor to draw aside some of the dry leaves so that he might peepwithin, when, without warning, a heavy form fell upon him, flattening himout on the sand. 

CHAPTER IX

THE MOTOR-BOAT AND THE PROWLERS

The unlucky young photographer gave a shriek. He could only think of thatpanther Frank had seen on the previous night, and believed that he wasnow in the power of the ferocious beast. 

As he fell forward he managed to twist himself around so that he layalmost on his back. This enabled him to look up into the face of theman who was pinioning him down so fiercely to the earth. 

"George!" he exclaimed. 

It was the same fugitive black who had visited their camp on thepreceding night. He stared hard at the face of the one he was holdingdown. 

"Gorry! Am it you, young marse?" he exclaimed, as he released his savageclutch, and even attempted to help Will up. 

"Yes. I'm lost, you see. Tried to do too much. Taking pictures in theswamp, and kind of got a little mixed. But I'm glad to meet you again, George. Is this the place where you hold out?"

The negro was breathing hard. He had evidently been greatly excited, under the belief that the creeping form had been one of his enemies, benton effecting his capture, with the idea of furnishing sport for theidlers at the river town, through the medium of a little "tar andfeathers party, " so popular in some sections of the Southern backwoods. 

"I heerd a sound like it wor a gun bein' cocked. Dat must 'a' been deblack box heah, suh. Gorry! but I's glad it wan't dem white trash from detown. I's jest a-gittin' ready tuh vamoose outen heah right smart now. I's gwine tuh Chattanooga, tuh jine my darter. An' dat grub yuh guvme'll kerry me part o' the way. "

"That's all right, George. Suppose you just take the time to paddle meback to our camp. I'll promise you a lot more provisions, and some moneyin the bargain. This is a serious scrape for me, and while my life maynot amount to much, it does seem a pity to waste all the fine views I'vetaken in this old swamp. Will you go?"

"'Deed an' I will, right peart, suh. You-all hev bin mighty good tuh me, an' I ain't gwine tuh forgit dat you sed as how I mightn't be just asbad as dey paint me. Git into de leetle boat, young mars, an' I'll paddleyuh home, " said the old negro, with alacrity. 

"Hold on a minute, George! I want to shoot you first, " observed Will. 

"Gorry! Will it hurt, marse?" asked the other, beginning to look worriedas he saw the mysterious black box being aimed at him. 

"Not one-tenth as bad as having a tooth pulled out, " laughed Will. "Infact, you probably would never know it. Please step back a little. Yousee, I'm trying to get the shack in, too. That's part of the game. "

Will snapped the camera shutter. 

"That's all. Didn't feel it, did you, George?"

"Not so's I kin notice, suh. An' will dat show me an' de leetle shackw'en it's done fixed?" asked the fugitive wonderingly, eyeing the camerawith respect. 

"Fine. And if you leave me your address, or that of your married daughterup in Chattanooga, I promise to send you a copy later on, George. "

"Oh! I'll do dat, marse, 'deed I will! Nebber hed my pictur' took yet. Mygal, she'll be sure surprised tuh see dat!" exclaimed the negro, stillgrinning. 

"Well, we had better go now. Are you sure you can paddle me around towhere the boat is tied up, George?"

"Easy as fallin' off'n a log, suh. Git dar in 'bout a hour er so. " AndGeorge dipped deeply, with the air of one who was accustomed to thepaddle. 

Indeed, Will learned presently that he had a dugout canoe hidden near by, and in which he was accustomed to navigate the intricate channels of thegreat swamp. He had lived out here some time, and knew the placethoroughly. 

Will was sensible enough not to mention the fact that the sheriff and hisposse, together with the two bloodhounds, had passed along that morning. Had he done so, the negro might have taken the alarm, and declined toaccompany him farther. 

Things had turned out well, after all. If he had a faculty for tumblinginto a scrape, at least he was usually fortunate enough to get out againall right. 

Before the hour was really up they came out of the swamp, and in sight ofthe tied-up motorboat. At sight of the dinghy the three boys gave shoutsof delight. 

"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, as he stared at Will, seatedcomfortably in the bow of the short little craft, while the old negro, crouching in a limited area farther aft, plied the spruce paddle. "Hecomes back in style, with a guide to show him the way!"

"Better that than to stay in that gloomy place, eh, Frank? Oh, I gotlost, all right, but happened to find the shack of our good friendGeorge, who rescued me. "

"Ain't he the honest chap, though? Ready to acknowledge the corn, nomatter what the consequences, " declared Bluff. 

"And I promised George some more of our extra provisions, if you have noobjections, fellows. He's going to start for Chattanooga right off. Ididn't mention about the sheriff and his posse, for I was afraid it mightalarm the poor fellow. Better not say anything to him about it, " remarkedWill aside. 

"And they don't want him, anyhow. Give George just what you and Frankthink we can spare. I feel sorry for the old man, too. Say! did you gethis photo this time, Will?" asked Jerry. 

"Thank you, I did, and standing beside that wonderful shack, made ofpalmetto leaves. I'm glad to see that you're beginning to take aninterest in my work. Keep it up, Jerry. We'll all enjoy the pictureslater on, " remarked Will. 

The boys had eaten lunch, but that did not deter them from gettinganother ready, and both Will and the negro did full justice to it. 

"Here, George, is the package of food for you to carry on your long trip. And I want you to take this, also. It's only five dollars, but it mayhelp out on the way to Chattanooga, " said Will, slipping the bill intothe old fellow's black hand. 

George looked at it as though he could not believe his eyes. 

"Five dollahs! Gorry! dat am mo' dan I done see dis t'ree yeahs, suh!Five dollahs! If I kin on'y keep dat till I sees my gal, Cleopatrick, howher eyes'll stick out!" he said, scratching his white wool in delight, while his eyes glistened. 

"Say that name again, will you?" murmured Jerry, gripping the arm ofFrank as if taken suddenly ill. 

"Cleopatrick. Dat's my darter, suh. She merried a right smart nigger, an'he's got a barber shop up dar. His name it am Samuel Parker White, an' ifso be yuh ebber wants tuh send me one ob dat pictur', jest drap it dar. I's over-whelmed wid gratefulness, 'deed I is. Dey won't ebber betroubled wif George Duval 'round these diggin's ag'in, dat's so, suh. "

"But think of the henroosts up there about poor old Chattanooga, " saidJerry in Frank's ear, though the latter frowned at him for saying it. 

After a short time old George took his departure on foot. He said that itwas his intention to start immediately for the North. He had a few thingsat his shack he wanted to get, when he would depart from the soil ofFlorida forever. 

"Happy Florida!" muttered the irrepressible Jerry. 

Nevertheless, each of them shook the old darky's hand, in parting, andwished him the best of good luck. 

"Well, what had we better do, boys?" asked Frank when they foundthemselves once more alone. 

"I'm for getting out, " said Will. 

"That surprises me some, for it was you who wanted to stay, " remarkedBluff. 

"Well, we stayed, didn't we? I only want to mention the fact that I'msatisfied, if the rest of you are. I've secured all the swamp scenes Icare for, " retorted Will. 

"I say move on. We can find a better place than this to sleep to-night. Why, the skeeters nearly carried me away last night, " declared Jerry. 

"And I'm beginning to be anxious, myself, for a glimpse of that wonderfulgulf, not to say a taste of those delicious oysters, " put in Bluff. 

"That settles it, then. Let's get the things aboard, and drop downstreama few miles, anyway. "

Frank suited his action to his words by picking up some of the cookingutensils and starting to clean them. This task was soon accomplished, and by degrees all their property that had been taken ashore was stowedaway on the boat. 

Then finally, Jerry, whose business it seemed to be to mind the hawsers, unfastened the rope that held the bow of the boat, still pointing withthe current, just as they had stopped. 

"Tell me when!" he called out as he stood by to repeat this maneuver withthe second hawser at the stern. 

The motor began to chug away cheerily. 

"There's life about that sound, all right, " laughed Will, who had beenimpressed with the dreadful monotony and stillness of the swamp. 

"Let her loose!" called Frank, at the wheel. 

So they once more started toward the open sea. There were still quite afew miles to be traversed, however, before they could set eyes on thatsame open water. The river was as "crooked as a New York alderman'srecord, " as Jerry declared, and so it was that in order to advance fivemiles in a straight line they were compelled to navigate three times thatdistance on the water. 

When the afternoon had waned they found a good place for a halt. 

Again they cooked a royal supper. When four healthy boys are off on alark of this sort the subject of eating is always one of their chiefconcerns, which must account for the space which it occupies in recordsof cruising and camping trips. 

Will did not go ashore that evening. Indeed, somehow, none of them caredto stay alone, though Jerry did build up quite a roaring fire, justbecause he was fond of seeing the flames leap up in frolic. 

As before, they divided the night into four watches, and this time Willchose to take the one that would bring him on deck from about midnight totwo. 

When it came his turn he sat there holding his camera faithfully, andhoping for something to happen; but it did not come, and he was finallyforced to arouse Bluff to take his place. 

The latter did so rather unwillingly. Bluff was unusually sleepy, itseemed, and inclined to believe that this watch business was all humbug, anyway. What did they need to fear? Possibly there was not a human beingwithin five miles of where the motor-boat was tied up. 

So Bluff grew a bit careless. Two or three times he napped while on duty, and as nothing came of it he made up his mind that there could not be anydanger. So he settled himself more comfortably on the seat and allowedhis eyes to close once more. 

How long he slept Bluff never knew. He was awakened by some sound, but hecould not tell what it was. 

He did not move, but sat there trying to remember just where he was, andafter satisfying his mind with regard to that point, wondered what it wasthat had disturbed his dreams. 

Not hearing any repetition of the noise, he was about to drop off again, his eyes feeling very heavy, when he saw something move. Was that Frank, or one of the other boys, who had been ashore, climbing back to the boat?

Bluff gripped his gun, and kept on the watch. Whoever it might be, heevidently did not want to arouse the sleepers, for he was very carefulhow he stepped after he had come aboard. 

Bluff caught a glimpse of the other's face as the dying fire on shorechanced to flare up. He made the alarming discovery that it was a whiteman, but a stranger; and then and there he remembered about the sheriff'shunt for the desperado!

CHAPTER X

BLUFF'S FIRST 'GATOR

"Don't you move a hand or foot, you rascal!" cried Bluff sternly as hesuddenly sat up, with leveled gun. 

The unknown pillager was only a comparatively few feet away, so that itwas easy for him to see the weapon covered him. Immediately he elevatedhis hands, as if to signify that he surrendered. 

"What is it, Bluff?" asked a quiet voice, and Frank appeared from thebottom of the boat. 

By then the thief must have determined that unless he took chances hewould be made a prisoner. He gave a sudden yell, and threw himself overthe gunwale of the boat. By chance it was the side toward the water, andthey heard the splash that announced his arrival below. 

"Some fellow aboard, bent on stealing everything we had!" exclaimedBluff. 

"Was it George?" gasped Will, aghast at the possibility of suchingratitude. 

"No; a white man. See! There he goes, swimming across the river!"

The light was not very good, but they could see a sort of phosphorescentglow on the water, where some object was struggling for the oppositebank. 

Bluff half leveled his gun, when Frank shoved it aside. 

"You wouldn't want to kill him, even if he is a desperate case. I guesshe got little or nothing. Let him go. The sheriff will be along after himsoon, " he said. 

"But what is that trailing after him, Frank?" echoed Will. 

"Where?" demanded the other quickly. 

"Why, look right there! And whatever it is, it's catching up with himfast, too! I believe it must be an alligator!" exclaimed Will. 

"I had a glimpse of a big fellow hovering under the boat at dusk. I thinkhe was after the refuse we threw over. Would he hurt a swimmer?" askedBluff. 

"I don't know. I wouldn't want to try his appetite, that's all. Could yougive the beast a shot without hitting the man, Bluff?" asked Frankeagerly. 

"Why, yes; for at this short distance the shot won't scatter much. "

As he spoke Bluff took quick aim. He was only too glad to be able to makeuse of his gun in so good a cause. The thief might be all they paintedhim, and yet he was a white man, and a minister's son in the bargain, thesheriff had said. 

With the heavy report there was a combination of sounds. The man in thewater gave a yell, as though he fancied the shot had been aimed at him. Ashort distance away, the water was being threshed wildly by some unwieldyobject. 

"I hit him all right!" shouted the excited marksman. 

Some vigorous language came floating across from where the man was nowdragging himself out of the river. 

"Say, Bob Young! You didn't think we shot at you, did you? There was abig 'gator after you, and he'd got you, too, only for that shot. Bettermake yourself scarce around these regions. The sheriff is after you, withdogs and a posse. "

Frank called this out after the fleeing shadowy figure that was justhalting on the edge of the bank opposite. 

"Thanks!" came in a hoarse voice, followed by a reckless laugh. "Buthe'll find it a hard job to corner me, you bet!"

That was the last they ever saw of Bob Young. In the morning, sureenough, the baying of a hound was heard, and presently along came thesheriff with his two dogs and the grim deputies. 

"Mornin', boys! Reckon yuh may 'a' seen sumpin o' my man this heah time, as he's sure been close tuh yuh!" he called out while still some distanceoff. 

"Yes. He tried to rob us last night, and jumped overboard whendiscovered, " returned Frank. 

"And swam across to the other side. He was followed by a 'gator, thatmight have got him, too, only for our chum, Bluff, here, giving thereptile a shot, " proceeded Jerry; while aside he said: "Get busy, Will, with that shebang of yours. Now's your chance to snap him off!"

"What's that, suh? If anybody tries to snap me off they're sure liabletuh get punctured some!" exclaimed the sheriff, whose ears were as keenas his eyes. 

Frank laughed as he said:

"He means with a camera, Mr. Sheriff. My friend was sorry he didn't getyour picture before, that's all. But if you want to cross over we can letyou use our little dinghy here. "

"Now, that's very considerate o' yuh, suh. I accept with pleasure, andwhen we round that rapscallion up, as we surely will before callin' thegame off, yuh can have the satisfaction of knowing yuh hev helped theforces of law an' order, suh, to put an end tuh the career o' a mostnotorious rascal. I neglected tuh tell yuh before that this Bob Young iswanted fo' many crimes. "

Frank tied a long rope to the dinghy, so that after the sheriff and hismen and dogs were well over he could pull the boat back again. The dogsswam across, and the three men filled the small craft so full that therewas danger of its capsizing. 

However, they managed to get over in safety, and Will took a fine view ofthe strange ferry, with the dogs swimming alongside, while they were inmidstream. The sheriff was so obliging as to actually pose for thepicture. 

"Heah's yuh 'gator over on the bank, suh. He must have crawled out todie, a most unusual thing for the varmints to do, as they generally sinklike a rock, tuh stay down fo' several days!" he called out. 

Then the posse vanished on the fresh trail of the desperado. 

"I rather think they'll get Bob, " ventured Frank. "That sheriff is adetermined man, and he's enlisted in this hunt for keeps. How about goingover to view the remains, Bluff?" he asked as he pulled the dinghy in. 

"That's just what I was about to propose. My first 'gator, so perhaps I'dlike to get his hide, if possible, or some of his teeth, anyway, "returned the other, getting into the small boat with Frank. 

Sure enough, they found a dead alligator up on the bank. The load ofshot, fired at such a short distance, must have gone pretty much like abullet. Some of them had entered his protuberant eyes, and by accidentmust have pierced his brain. 

"A lucky shot, all right. I don't believe it could ever happen again, especially when the one who fired was almost behind the 'gator, "commented Frank. 

"How big is he?" asked the one who had slain the reptile. 

"I should say all of ten feet, perhaps even eleven. They seldom growbigger than twelve down here, I'm told, so this one is something of awhopper. If the alligator man I talked with at Coney Island a year agotold the truth, then this one must be several hundred years old. "

"Whew! Perhaps he saw Columbus land!" suggested Bluff humorously, for hecould not quite believe any such tale. 

He concluded merely to knock out a tooth or two, to remember the event, but when Will heard about it he insisted on being ferried over so as toget a picture of their first Florida 'gator, with the proud Bluffstanding beside it, to prove its length. 

They got under way about eight o'clock. 

Just at that time Jerry said he heard some distant shooting. It seemed tocome from the direction the sheriff and his party had gone, so theywondered if they could have come up with the fugitive Bob, and whetherthose shots had any reference to the two hounds. 

"I think the fellow must have been armed, and unless his gun becameuseless after his bath last night, his first care would be to shoot downthe dogs, so as to cut off pursuit, " ventured Frank. 

They afterward learned, however, by making inquiries, that the sheriffgot his man, wounded, and that Bob later on paid the penalty of hiscrime. 

By noon that day they came to a sawmill, where a party of convicts, underguard, were making cypress shingles. Our boys did not put in, for thesight was anything but pleasing to them; although Will did think it wiseto get a picture of the camp, so as to add variety to his collection. 

About three o'clock they suddenly came to a little town. Here theystopped only a brief time, Frank going ashore to post some letters andpurchase a few things he had on his list. 

Once more they were afloat. 

"I've got some pleasant news for you, fellows, " said Frank, about an houror so after they had lost sight of the settlement in the woods. 

"Along what line?" asked Will. 

"I think I can guess. For some time I've been sniffing the air, and readyto declare that it had a whiff of salt in it!" exclaimed Jerry. 

"And I could, in imagination, smell those fine fat oysters roasting, "said Bluff, smacking his lips in anticipation. 

"You're on, all right. The gulf is close at hand. Indeed, I'm adding alittle speed just now, in the hope that we may be able to open it upbefore night, " remarked Frank. 

"How about that bend, just below? Somehow, it strikes me that once weround that something may be doing. It's just a sneaking notion, but youwait, " ventured Jerry. 

Ten minutes later they swept around the bend in question, and a cry burstfrom every lip, for there, in the light of the declining sun, lay thegreat Mexican Gulf, stretching as far in the distance as the eye couldsee. 

The river cruise was ended, and another kind of adventure lay beforethem. 

CHAPTER XI

ALL THE COMFORTS OF SALT WATER

"Why are you slowing up, Frank?"

"Yes, just when we ought to make a grand burst of speed, too, " saidJerry. 

"You forget that the sun is low, and evening close at hand, " repliedFrank, "Tell me about that, and what it has to do with us. I'm a greeny when itcomes to running a motor-boat. "

"Oh, the boat has little to do with it; but please remember that the Gulfof Mexico is a larger affair than Camalot Lake. In fact, it means theocean, with all that implies. Suppose we were caught off-shore the veryfirst night with no place to go?"

"That would be tough, for a fact. I think I see what you mean, Frank. We'll anchor in the mouth of the river to-night--is that it?" continuedJerry. 

"Just what I wanted to say. Then in the morning, after we have studiedour gulf chart, we can lay out our day's work, if the wind is favorable. "

"Wind! Why, we can go whether it blows or not!" ejaculated Will, who hadalready taken a snapshot of the picture presented by the open waterbeyond the island in the mouth of the river. 

"Particularly when not. If anything of a south wind is on, the waves areapt to stagger such a little boat as this. "

Frank had kept his eyes about him while he talked. He now brought the_Jessamine_ alongside the bank at the most favorable spot he could see. 

Jerry was ashore immediately. 

"Make her additionally secure to-night, " said Frank. 

"Why, what d'ye expect--a hurricane?" And Will looked anxiously at theclear sky. 

"Oh, I guess not; but you see we are now in the region of tides, and achange might swing us around, perhaps break the boat away from shore. We'd feel nice if we woke up in the morning to find ourselves out ofsight of land, " laughed Frank. 

Of course he was joking, but Will looked serious for some time. He evenwent ashore, after Jerry had finished his job, and Frank, watching out ofthe corner of his eye, was amused to see him bending down and examiningthe ropes, as if to make certain they were securely tied. 

Will was the possessor of a different nature from his three chums. Hecould show courage, when necessary, but, as a usual thing, was muchmore given to sentiment, and in physique he could hardly compare with anyof the others. 

Bluff had also gone ashore, and vanished from view. Frank could easilygive a guess as to what sort of an errand he was on. It hardly neededglimpses of him bending over the spots where there were shoals along thetideway to understand that he was looking to see whether the one dearestwish of his heart was about to be fulfilled. 

"I guess he'll find some, at last, " laughed Frank, after calling Jerry'sattention to the fact that the other had gone. 

"Bluff is daft on the subject of oysters, all right. He never seems totire of eating them in season, and yet he says he never picked one upon the spot where it grew. He seems to be coming back, Frank!" exclaimedJerry, who was working with some fishing tackle that he had found aboard, and which Cousin Archie had used before in Southern waters. 

"Hey! They're right here, and in tremendous quantities! Where's thatoyster knife, Frank? Give it to me, please. I want to try a few right onthe bed where they grew. Give me a tin kettle, too, and I'll open a messfor supper!" cried the boy ashore, as he reached the boat. 

"Take care you don't cut your fingers. If these oysters are small, andstand up on edge, in clusters, they're called coon oysters, and have asharp shell that is like a razor, " said Frank as he handed the articlesover. 

"Why coon oysters?" demanded Bluff, who always wanted to know. 

"Perhaps because they lie on shore, exposed at low water, and the 'coonsmanage to get a mess occasionally, " put in the wise Jerry. 

So Bluff hurried away around the bend, to amuse himself to his heart'scontent opening native oysters right where they grew, something he hadlooked forward to doing with almost childish delight. 

Jerry, having arranged his tackle, got ready to do a little fishing, forit was still half an hour to sunset. He had discovered that there weremullet jumping out of the water here and there, "acrobats of the gulf, "Frank called them. 

Among other things aboard the motor-boat they had found a contraptionwhich Frank said was a small Spanish cast-net. It had a row of leadsalong the bottom, with leading strings passing up through a central ring. Frank had read directions how to use this, and he amused himself making afew trials while Jerry was busy. 

At first he came near pulling a few teeth out, for it is a part of theprogram that one of the leads must be held between the teeth while othersare gathered up in the hands as the net is flung out over the water by asharp rotary motion that spreads it open as it strikes. 

The leads instantly sink, covering a space often ten feet or more indiameter; then, by drawing quickly at the rope, the cords are pulledthrough the ring and the net closes in like a purse, holding whateverfish it may have covered when thrown. 

After a few trials Frank succeeded in catching a couple of silver mulletthat had been unable to escape his clumsy attempts. 

"I'll get the hang of it after a while, " he said, as he tossed these intothe little dinghy where Jerry was taking his place, "but those may do youfor bait this evening, old fellow. "

"Bully for you, Frank! Always coming to the rescue. I was just wonderingwhat I should use, and had an eye on some big blue crabs swimming alongthere on the bottom. With the dip-net I might have caught a few. If Bluffsees them he'll never stop talking about fried crabs. " And Jerry pushedoff. 

"Good luck to you, sportsman!" called Frank. 

He had a number of things he wanted to do himself, and only cast anoccasional glance out to where Jerry had anchored the dinghy, oppositeto where the motor-boat was tied up. 

Will was fussing around, doing something or other. He always made somuch bustle whenever he had anything on hand that his chums frequentlycalled him an "old woman, " but this never seemed to bother the ardentphotographer, who pursued his way in spite of laughter or ridicule. 

After a while he came and sat down near where Frank was arranging thethree little single blue-flame stoves that formed the cooking range ofthe boat. 

"I was just thinking, Frank, " said he, "that I've never heard you say aword about that mysterious packet your father entrusted to you beforewe left home. "

"Well, I've often thought about it as I felt it in my pocket, but you seethere's nothing to be done until we sight Cedar Keys. Then I'll break theseal and read further directions, " replied Frank. 

"Of course you've speculated about it?" went on Will. 

"Lots of times, but always arrived at the same old point--that I couldn'tguess in a year what it meant, " laughed the other. 

"Do you think it could be a joke?" asked Will. 

"Never. My dad was too serious when he gave it to me; and besides, henever jokes like that. We must wait a little while, and then learn thetruth. Depend on it, he had a good reason for what he did. I expect we'llget something of a big surprise. "

"There comes Bluff, and I really believe the fellow's got some oystersopened, by the way he carries that kettle, " said Will. 

"And just look at the expression on his face, will you? A fellow who hadwon a first prize in school could hardly seem more tickled. "

"Oh, I've got 'em, all right, boys, about a big quart, too, and only cutmyself half a dozen times, " cried Bluff, laughing as he scrambled aboard. 

"And I give you fair warning that those cuts will hurt worse to-morrowthan they do now. Let me see. Well, they do look pretty fine. I reckonyou've got lots of broken shells in with the oysters, so I'll take careto strain the mess. How shall we have them for the first, boys?" askedFrank. 

"I'm just hankering for scalloped oysters, but perhaps a stew would beeasier to start with. We have the unsweetened milk, you know, and theysay that answers first rate. How are you on that, Frank?"

"I can manage it first rate. Are you fond of a stew, Will?"

"Yes. I like them any way. But I was watching Jerry out there. What underthe sun is he doing?"

Frank cast a quick glance out over the water. 

"He's got a fish on, and it seems to be a big one, too!" he exclaimed. 

"Why, it's pulling his boat around like fun! Look at that, will you? Say!be careful, Jerry, or overboard you go!" shrieked Will. 

"There! He's headed this way, now, and going faster than ever! I neversaw such a thing before, in all my life! What can it be, Frank?" criedBluff, excited. 

"I don't know for certain, but I'd venture to say he's fast to a shark!"answered Frank, hurrying to the side of the motor-boat to see better. 

"A shark! Great Caesar's ghost! What will become of him? Why, the bruteis carrying our pard off! There he goes, faster and faster, and headedstraight out toward the open gulf! Jerry, let him go!" called Will in hisexcitement. 

Jerry, in the little cockleshell of a dinghy, was whirling past as thiscry rang out. He turned to wave a hand at his chums, and they heard himsinging:

"A life on the ocean wave for me, my boys!"

CHAPTER XII

THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MOTOR

"Say! he's going off, dead sure!" exclaimed Will, in distress. 

"He certainly seems to be having a free ride out to sea, " remarked Frank. 

"But that little craft will upset, and let him drown, Frank! Can't youstop him from such mad capers?" continued the other. 

Frank put his hands up to his mouth in such fashion that they formed asort of megaphone, and allowed his voice to carry far. 

"I say, Jerry!" he bawled. 

"Hello!" came faintly from the onrushing fisherman, who was sitting insuch fashion as to properly balance his small pumpkin-seed-shaped craftas it sped over the water, so rapidly as to leave a sheet of white foambehind. 

"Cut loose! Danger!" shouted Frank. 

"Did he hear you, Frank?" asked Will anxiously. 

"I guess so. Anyhow, he seems to be moving toward the bow, where his lineis fast. I hope he has a knife with him, that's all, " replied Frank, straining his eyes to see what was going on, for the sun had set, andalready dusk was just commencing to gather over the water. 

"He always carries one in his fishing bag, " declared Bluff, not a littlealarmed himself over this new source of danger, so utterly foreign toanything they had ever experienced before. 

"There! He's done it! Hurrah!" shouted Will in relief. 

"I bet he hated to let that thing go!" said Bluff, who knew thedetermined nature of the fisherman full well. 

"And he's lost his line, and the hook, too, " commented Will. 

"That's of little consequence, for there are plenty more where they camefrom. I'm glad he was sensible enough not to carry the joke too far, "observed Frank. 

Jerry came paddling slowly back. Apparently he wanted to continue hisfishing, but his good sense told him the hour was really too late. 

"Talk to me about your toboggan slides! What could compare with thatjolly old dash? Peary wasn't in it with me. I've heard of boats pulledby dolphins, but give me a shark every time for a racer. I'm only sorry Ihad to cut loose so soon, " he said as he came aboard. 

"I see you have one mullet left, Jerry. After supper we'll get out acouple of lines, and fish from the motor-boat. Perhaps we can pick upa channel bass or a weakfish, which I am told they call a sea trout downhere. "

"A good idea, Frank. I'll just get the lines ready while you look aftersupper. Glad to see Bluff managed to find his oysters. Perhaps we'll havea rest now, and he'll quit sighing after the same. But they look fine anddandy, too. "

The boys did not wonder so much now at the size of the hooks they hadfound in Cousin Archie's assortment of war material, each of themfastened on a heavy but pliable brass snell, and with copper wire insteadof thread. Florida sea fishing requires such heavy tackle, because one isnever certain whether he may hook a forty-pound channel bass or a shark, and an ordinary hook would be quickly torn loose. 

The oyster stew turned out well. Every one was loud in praise of itssplendid qualities, and Bluff was given to understand that they did notcare how often he supplied the larder with a pail of fresh bivalves. 

He did not seem just quite so eager to promise, and Frank suspected thatthose nasty little cuts on his fingers were beginning to be painful. 

The supper over, the boys sat around, taking it easy, and looking outupon the open space where they knew the mysterious gulf lay, about whichthey had read so much in the past. 

Once they saw lights moving along, which must certainly have belongedto some sort of craft, either a steamer bound for New Orleans, or elsesome private steam yacht, the owner of which was cruising in thesesub-tropical waters for pleasure. 

Jerry had cast out a line from the bow and a second one from the stern. As the depth of water was good, it did not much matter how far from shorethe bait lay. 

"Hope something gets hold before we turn in, " he said, after carrying outhis part of the program. 

"Yes; fresh fish for breakfast wouldn't taste bad, " remarked Bluff. 

"Bah! That's the only thing you think of, Bluff. Now, if you had anygenuine sporting blood in your veins it would be the last thing youbothered about. Let me shoot the game, or catch the fish, and I don'tcare who eats them, " said Jerry. 

"All the same, I noticed that you passed up your dish for a secondhelping of stew, " remarked the other instantly. 

"Pure philanthropy, my dear boy, that's why I did that, " answered Jerry. 

"Huh! How do you make that out?" demanded Bluff. 

"Why, you see, I was afraid you'd make yourself sick eating so much, andout of the goodness of my heart I sacrificed my better feelings in orderto save you. "

Bluff said nothing, but the grunt he gave was deeply significant ofskepticism. 

While they were talking, a while later, Jerry suddenly gave utterance toa whoop, and sprang to where one of the lines was fastened. This he begandragging in, although it seemed to take considerable effort. 

"He's a dandy, all right! Frank, get Cousin Archie's gaff hook, and standready to yank him aboard when I get him alongside!" he called. 

This was finally accomplished, and with considerable splashing amagnificent bronze-backed channel bass, weighing at least twenty pounds, was captured. 

The boys were delighted. Here was a new treat, indeed. In comparison withthe trout and black bass that had, up to now, constituted their only gamefish, this was tremendous. Still, later on, Frank was satisfied that aone-pound black bass, held with a light fly-rod, could give more sport tothe square inch than any fish in Florida waters. 

There was nothing more doing up to the time they went to bed. In themorning they found the hook gone from the other line. Frank said theymust have caught a shark, or else another large bass, which, in twistingabout, had broken the tackle. Still, they were not sorry, for they wouldnot have known what to do with more. 

"That's what I call fresh fish, " said Bluff, as he sighed because hecould not eat another bite of the tempting dish. 

"It does go pretty good, " admitted Jerry, with a wink toward Frank. 

Sometimes Frank was of the opinion that the name of "Bluff" had beenbestowed on the wrong fellow, for Jerry was inclined to play the partmuch more than the one who bore the odium that went with the name. 

"Now to get under way and move out on the gulf!" exclaimed Will, in someexcitement, as the breakfast things were put away and the deck clearedfor action. 

Frank had taken a careful observation, and announced that there did notseem to be any reason why they should linger there longer. His chartshowed him a refuge some fifteen miles along the coast, to the east, where they could run in should it be deemed necessary. If the weatherkept good they could speed another fifteen miles, and make a secondlagoon sheltered behind outlying islands. 

These things are easy enough to plan. It sometimes happens, however, thatin attempting to carry them out a hitch occurs which no one has dreamedpossible. Now, it might come in the shape of sudden winds that kick up atremendous sea; again, there might be a breakdown of the motor, as mayhappen with any boat, no matter how well built. 

They made a flying start, and all the boys were thrilled when they foundthemselves far out from land, and headed along the coast, toward theeast. Later on, of course, their line of travel would be south, as thecoast turned and they drew nearer to their destination, Cedar Keys. 

Everything seemed to be working nicely, and they had soon put half adozen miles behind them. Frank was attending to the motor, while theothers lay about on the deck, watching the heavens or the surroundingwater. 

Not a breath of wind seemed to be blowing, and the sun came down withsummer heat, causing coats to be discarded by all hands. 

"Hey! What's that? Where's the blooming shore gone?" suddenly exclaimedBluff. 

Frank raised his head at the cry. 

"It's a fog coming up!" he said uneasily, for that was the one thing hehad dreaded most of all while out upon the open waters of the big gulf, and no haven near at hand. 

With incredible swiftness the blanket seemed to sweep over the surface ofthe sea. In ten minutes they were completely surrounded, and could notdiscern any object fifty feet away. 

"This is awkward, fellows; but perhaps it may not last long. Meanwhile, we will have to steer by the compass. All of you listen to hear the washof the rollers on the beach, if we happen to get in too close, " saidFrank, trying to keep calm. 

They continued along for half an hour, under reduced speed. Still the fogremained as dense as ever. Frank was wondering if they might not pass thefirst haven without knowing it. He thought it was very unfortunate thatsuch a thing as this should occur on their very first day out. 

"Hello! What are you stopping for?" demanded Jerry suddenly, as the soundof the bustling little motor ceased and the boat slowed down. 

Frank was bending low over the machinery. 

"I don't know, fellows, but something has happened to the motor. Thatstop was none of my doing; but I hope it won't amount to much, " hesaid cheerfully. 

The other three looked at each other uneasily. With the motor brokendown, and surrounded by a treacherous fog, out there on the big gulf, their situation was one well calculated to cause alarm. 

CHAPTER XIII

LOST IN THE FOG

"What's to be done?" asked Will presently. 

"I'm looking the motor over, first of all. Perhaps it's a small matter, and I can fix it up. Sometimes these new machines act a bit cranky. Wantof oil will even bring about trouble. Jerry, you take a look with me. Twoheads are often better than one, " said Frank. 

"Can we do anything?" questioned Bluff. 

"Just try and see if you can hear a sound like water washing up on thebeach. We couldn't land with this boat as though it were smaller. "

"That's a fact. Say! if we were in our canoes, now, how easy it would beto run up on that same beach, lift the jolly little craft out, and goashore! As it is, we must stay afloat, and take the chances of a stormcoming up. "

"Storm!" echoed Will, looking hastily around. "Oh, come, now! You don'tthink there can be any danger of that happening, do you, Frank?"

"Hardly. If a little breeze rises, it may carry this beastly old fogaway, and then we can see where we are. Meanwhile, Jerry and I will tryto find out what it is that makes our motor balk just when we want itmost. "

They sat there for a long while, Bluff and Will looking this way andthat, to see if there was any object near by; but only that heavy blanketof sea fog surrounded them. 

"Do you hear the roll of the water on the shore still?" asked Frankfinally. 

"I haven't for some time, now, " admitted Bluff. 

"And I was just wondering, as I sat here and watched the water as itflowed past, whether we were not drifting out further all the time, "suggested Will. 

"Say! what makes you think that? Seems to me you're always scaring upghosts, and making things look blacker than they are, " grumbled Bluff. 

"Well, you just watch that water passing. What does that mean, eh?Something is moving all the while, and it's either the boat or thetide, " claimed Will. 

Frank stuck his head over the side and gave a look. 

"He's right about it, " was his speedy comment. "The tide is carrying usout all the time, and that's why you don't hear the sound of the rollerson the sand!"

"Wow! You're giving it to us good and hard now. That sounds like trouble. This old gulf is some wide, I know, and it'll take us quite a spellto cross the duck pond at this rate!" exclaimed Bluff in dismay. 

"Can't either of you find out what's wrong with the engine?" asked Will. 

"We think we've guessed it, and we're working on that line now; but itmay take some little time, so don't get impatient, " returned Frank. 

If he felt any alarm himself, his manner did not indicate it; but thenFrank had a faculty for disguising his feelings when it would add to thecomfort of his chums. 

So the old state of affairs continued, he and Jerry with their heads bentlow over the machinery, and the others sitting there on deck, exchangingdoleful words from time to time, and surveying that gray blanket thatwrapped them in. 

"How far do you think we've gone from shore?" asked Will finally. 

"I was just trying to figure out from the way that water runs past. It'sgoing faster than we are, you see. I should say we might have driftedseveral miles since the motor broke down, " replied Bluff soberly. 

"I wonder how deep it is here?"

"Say! what do you talk that way for? Think we'll have to swim for it?"exclaimed Bluff, in new alarm. 

"Oh! I hope not. You see, I was thinking that if we could reach bottom itmight be worth while to anchor here. That would save us from getting anyfurther from the shore, at any rate, " replied the other. 

"Frank! Listen to what Will says!" called Bluff eagerly. 

"What is that?" And Frank's head came into view. 

"He says we might try and see how deep it is here; that perhaps theanchor rope is long enough to reach bottom, and we'd stop drifting out tosea. "

"Good for Will! That's a bright idea, now. Suppose you two fellows tryand see if it will work? Jerry and I seem to be getting on, and there'shope that we'll have things moving presently. "

Accordingly, Bluff took up the anchor, which lay forward, and gentlydropped it into the smooth water. Then he allowed the rope to pass slowlythrough his hands. 

"Why, it's on bottom already! I don't believe it's ten feet deep away outhere, Frank!" he said hurriedly. 

"Yes, I've always read that it was shallow along this coast. That makesit more dangerous for vessels of any draught, for they're apt to goaground. Fasten the cable to that cleat, Bluff. Make it secure, for wedon't want to lose the whole outfit overboard, " remarked Frank. 

"That feels a whole heap better, " remarked Bluff, settling down again. 

"Yes, for we're not moving out further all the time, anyway. Hang thisold fog! Why did it want to come up on our very first day, and beforewe had become used to our strange surroundings?"

"Well, we've got to just take things as we meet 'em, as Frank does. Younotice that he seldom finds fault with the way things happen; just putshis shoulder to the wheel and lifts it out of the rut, " remarked Bluff. 

"Yes, I know that; but every fellow doesn't happen to be built just thesame way. I wish I could take things as cool as he does; but I never evensnap off a picture without feeling more or less excitement quivering mynerves. "

"I don't suppose, now, you could get a decent picture of this?" Bluffsuggested. 

"What! The fog? Bless your innocent heart, no! What do you think it wouldbe like--just a dreary blank plate. You can't see anything, so how couldit show up in a picture?" jeered Will. 

"I wonder some bright genius hasn't discovered some sort of magic glassesthat will let a fellow see through fog? What a blessing they would be tosailors, and the pilots of ferryboats in New York harbor, " observed Bluffthoughtfully. 

"Suppose you devote your spare time to solving that riddle? Listen! Wasthat a shout then?"

"Sounded like it to me; but who would be shouting out here in the fog?"replied Bluff scornfully. 

"Come, now. We may not be the only pebbles on the beach. Perhaps thereare others marooned out here in the fog, and they may be shouting just tokeep their courage up, or for some other purpose, " replied Will stoutly. 

"Well, the fog won't last much longer, anyway, and that's a comfort. "

"How do you know that?" asked Frank, looking up. 

"Because I just felt a puff of air. The wind's going to rise, and thatmeans an end to the fog, " replied Bluff confidently. 

"Well, I only hope we get this motor fixed before it rises too much, " andonce more Frank gave his full attention to his work on the obstinateengine. 

Bluff and Will looked uneasily at each other. 

"What does he mean?" asked the latter. 

"I think he means that if the wind came up strong the sea would rise, andwe couldn't hold out here with our anchor, " replied Bluff. 

"In which case?"

"We'd either be blown out to sea, and be in danger of foundering, or elsedriven toward the shore, perhaps to stick half a mile off and bewrecked. "

"I don't like either of those propositions any too well. Oh! I hope theyget the motor working! I'm so nervous I feel like shouting; and it seemsto me I can hear something moving all the time, " went on Will. 

"Something moving?" echoed his companion, looking at him as if hewondered whether the other could be going out of his mind. 

"Yes, over there to windward, which, I take it, is about due west justnow. Hark! Didn't you hear that?--and close at hand, too! What can itbe?"

"I don't know. Something is moving through the water! I can hear a gurgleand a creaking noise. Do you think it could be a boat bearing down on us?Oh! what if they ran us down in this fog? I say, Frank!" called Bluff, also excited by this time. 

"Well, what now?" demanded the other, again appearing in view. 

"There's something doing over here. Will thinks it may be a boat comingdown on us, full tilt, and liable to grind us to powder. "

Frank listened for just three seconds. Then he made a dive for a locker, as if he thought the situation more or less desperate. 

"What's he after?" exclaimed Will, amazed. 

"That blooming conch-shell horn of Cousin Archie's. He's going to letthose chaps know there's another boat out here, and that they don't ownthe earth, that's what. "

And that was just what Frank meant to do. Seizing the conch-shell, fromwhich the point had been cut, he blew a piercing blast that could havebeen heard a mile off. Again and again he sent out the warning sound, andpresently an answering blast came through the dense fog, now swirlingmadly with the increasing breeze. 

"They're right on us! There! I can just make out the top of a mast!Frank, they will run us down!" shouted Will, while the other continuedto blow his horn with renewed vim, and the advancing gulf sponger cameplunging straight toward the anchored _Jessamine_! It was a thrillingmoment for the four chums. 

CHAPTER XIV

A CRY ACROSS THE LAGOON

"Keep off, there!" shouted Bluff. 

"Luff her, you!" howled Jerry. 

"Too-oo-t! too-oo-t!"

Will was the only one of the quartet unable to give utterance to hisfeelings. He could only cower there, and gape, while the unknown sailingcraft was bearing down straight for the little motor-boat, and apparentlybound to smash her in two. 

Those on the sharpie may have been extremely reckless in thus spreadingtheir canvas to the favoring wind before the fog had lifted enough toallow a decent lookout, but they had some thought for their own safety, however little they cared for that of others. 

Hearing the clamor dead ahead, the fellow at the tiller managed tosuddenly shift the course of the advancing boat, and just in time. Theyswept past the _Jessamine_ with hardly a yard to spare. 

The staring and shivering boys caught a glimpse of several rough men onboard the passing sharpie, and what they thought was a girl's head thrustout of the cabin. 

Some loud and vigorous language was carried back to the ears of the chumsas the fleeing sharpie vanished once more in the fog wreaths. 

"Talk to me about that!" exclaimed Jerry indignantly. "They nearly run usdown through their own carelessness, and then revile us for getting inthe way!"

"Some people never believe there can be two sides to any question. Theyare always in the right, " commented Frank. 

He showed little signs of any excitement; yet, did his chums but know it, there was much of thanksgiving in his heart over the narrow escape. 

Once again he and Jerry set to work at the stubborn motor, while theothers endeavored to keep a sharp lookout. Will, in particular, washolding his head cocked on one side, as though eager to catch the firstfaint sound of any advancing vessel from windward. 

From time to time Bluff amused himself in making dreadful noises with theconch-shell horn, for one has to learn how to sound this before beingable to send a ringing blast that can be heard an almost incredibledistance. 

"Anyhow, the fog's getting thinner all the while, " remarked Willjoyfully. 

"That's a fact, " said Frank, glancing up from his work. 

A minute later there was a whirr. 

"Hurrah! She works!" shouted Jerry. 

"Thank goodness! Then we're saved!" echoed Will. 

"Get up your anchor, Bluff, " remarked Frank quietly. 

This Bluff did with cheerful alacrity, and immediately the littlemotor-boat began to churn the water with her accustomed zeal. 

"How long had we been sitting there?" asked Jerry. 

"Just two hours, " was Frank's reply as he consulted his little nickelwatch. 

"And now what?" demanded Will. 

"We'll move in toward the shore somewhat, and wait for the fog to sweepaway. When that happens perhaps we can get our bearings, and find outwhether we've passed our first intended refuge or not, " returned Frank. 

"But you think we have?" queried Bluff. 

"Yes; and consequently, as we don't want to turn around and go back, wemight as well head for the second harbor. "

"What sort of a place is that?" asked Bluff, always seeking information. 

"As near as I can make out from the chart, it is a lagoon formed by along island that stands as a shelter between the open gulf and the shore. There are many such along the gulf coast, and small vessels are in thehabit of running behind them when the weather outside gets stormy. "

"Hear! hear! Frank's already showing signs of becoming a real old salt. Look there, fellows! Oh! it's gone, now!" cried Jerry, pointing. 

"I had just a glimpse of it. That was land, all right, Jerry; and perhapswe'd better alter our course a bit now, heading due east so as to skirtalong about this distance out. "

So saying, Frank gave the wheel a little whirl, and the motor-boat, inresponse, curved gracefully a few points to the starboard. 

"Don't she run like a duck?" said Bluff enthusiastically. 

"There's the land again, boys! No question but what the fog is beingdriven off by the wind, " remarked Frank. 

They could see the shore from time to time, and every one realized thatthe enshrouding curtain was fast vanishing. 

"But, my! isn't it getting rough?" exclaimed Will. 

His remark caused the others to look at the speaker. 

Frank needed only one glance to tell him the story. Will was alreadybeginning to feel the dreadful nausea of seasickness. The boys wereaccustomed to spending much time on the water, in their canoes, butlittle Lake Camalot, at home, and the big Mexican Gulf, were two entirelyseparate affairs. Indeed, there was only one among them who did notexperience at least a trifling indisposition before this first day'svoyaging on the salt water was done, and that was Frank himself. 

When the fog had entirely vanished the scene was quite picturesque, withthe shore and its palmetto trees standing out beyond the heaving billows;but, alack and alas! the artist of the expedition, for once in his life, seemed not to care a picayune whether he ever took another snapshot againor not. 

Even Bluff's raillery failed to enthuse him, and the look he cast towardthe shore was most pitiful and woebegone. 

Seeing this, Frank took pity on his sick chum. 

"Hand me that camera, Bluff; and you, Jerry, grab hold of this wheelhere. Keep her just as we are, and dodge the big waves as they come, orelse we'll all get a beautiful ducking. "

Saying this, Frank waited until a good chance came, and then snapped offa couple of views of the turbulent scene. 

"Thank you, Frank, for I couldn't have stood up to do it, for a kingdom. I reckon I'll never forget this experience, and every time I see thosepictures I'll have a qualm. Oh! I feel so sick, fellows!" wailed Will. 

They laid him, groaning, on a blanket, under the protecting hood. Noone cared to stay with him more than a minute, for, truth to tell, neither Jerry nor Bluff were in a condition to say how long it might bebefore they would be feeling just as badly as their chum. Fresh air wasinvaluable under such circumstances. 

Frank, as they boomed along in this boisterous manner, was watching theshore. He expected at any time, now, to discover signs of the refugewhich he had mentioned to the others, though it would require sharpeyesight to distinguish the island from the background of shore line. 

"What time is it, Frank?" asked Bluff finally. 

"Oh, about three, I should say. Time has slipped away, you know. "

"What! And nobody ever thought of eating a bite about noon?" exclaimedJerry. 

"Eating!"

Bluff uttered only the one word, but his horrified expression struckFrank as being so comical that he roared with laughter. 

"I give you my word, fellows, that this is the very first time since I'veknown Bluff that the idea of a meal seemed repulsive to him, " hedeclared. 

"Please don't, fellows!" came from Will, under the shelter; and insympathy for him the subject was dropped then and there. 

Jerry interested himself in keeping watch with Frank. Between them theymanaged to decide just where the expected island held forth. The coursewas altered enough to bring them closer, yet at the same time avoidfalling in the trough of the great waves, that might have capsized themotor-boat, once they got a fair sweep at her, broadside on. 

"It's the island, all right!" exclaimed Bluff presently, as they drewnearer. 

"And we will have to take some chances in getting back of the shelter. You see how the wind blows, and the waves run. Now, please don't botherme. It will require some close calculating to just scrape in without adisaster. "

Frank set himself to the task. Mentally, he hoped most fervently that themotor would not take a notion to act contrary just when so much dependedon its stability and faithfulness. 

Gradually the island began to stand out more distinctly, on their right. 

"We're making it, I do believe!" yelled Bluff. 

"Why, sure; and the water is getting less rocky already, " declared Jerry. 

"There you go, copying Frank's salty ways. But I'm not going to disputeit now. I'm only too glad of the chance of resting on smooth water again, whether it happens to be dusty or rocky, " avowed Bluff, looking cheerfulagain. 

Even poor Will managed to drag himself out from his shelter to take adismal, though eager, look. He had the appearance of one who had passedthrough a long siege of illness, such is the rapidity with which thisdreadful malady downs its victims. 

"There's one boat already anchored behind the island further on, "remarked Jerry. 

"I was looking at that fellow, " remarked Frank, "and unless I'm mistaken, that's the identical sharpie which came so close to running us down inthe fog a little while back. "

"You don't say!" exclaimed Will, beginning to grow interested. 

It is wonderful how quickly one recovers from an attack of this sort whensmoother water is reached. Will was commencing to lose a little of hisghastly whiteness already, while Bluff had started to sigh, as though hethought of supper. 

After they had found a safe asylum behind the island Frank thought itbest to anchor. He did not care to go too near that sharpie, for therecollection of the three rough spongers or fishermen on board deterredhim from wanting to renew their acquaintance. 

Bluff immediately bailed out the little dinghy, and set himself to thetask of hunting along the shore for oysters. They saw him dipping his armdown again and again, which would indicate that his quest was provingsuccessful. Even Jerry declared that he was now becoming fairly ravenous, and could enjoy a solid meal. 

"It's going to be a gloomy old night, fellows. Clouds gathering there inthe southwest. From what I've read about the signs, we may have one ofthose northers boom down on us before morning, " remarked Frank. 

They were sitting around, enjoying the supper, as he made this remark. Evening was close at hand. The sun had set in what seemed to be an angryglow, with yellow predominating. 

"Are we safe right here, if the wind chops around, and comes out of thenorth?" asked cautious Will. 

"Yes, for that arm of the land will shield us all right, " declared Jerry. 

So the night set in. Darkness gathered unusually early, it seemed to thechums. They had made all arrangements looking to the raising of thecomplete automobile cover of the boat in case of a downpour. 

"I guess there's nothing to fear from the elements, " remarked Frankfinally. 

"Can there be from any other source?" demanded Will, quick to take thealarm from the tone of Frank's voice. 

"I bet Frank's thinking of those three blooming pirates who wanted tosmash us out on the big water, " declared Bluff quickly. 

"I confess they were in my mind; but, so far, they've paid no attentionto us, and we're a quarter of a mile away from that sharpie. Don'tbother your head about them, Will. Of course, we'll keep a watch, asusual, though. "

"You just make up your mind we will, now. I didn't like the looks of thecrowd a little bit. Some of these wild waterdogs along the gulf coast, they told me, wouldn't object to a little piratical business on the slywhen--"

Jerry stopped short. Over the water, from the direction of the mysteriousanchored sharpie, had come a strange cry, that seemed to be in the voiceof either a woman or a child. The four chums sat there and stared at eachother in consternation, for it seemed as though that pitiful cry wasfor help!

CHAPTER XV

A VISIT TO THE MYSTERIOUS SHARPIE

Jerry made a reach for his gun, that happened to be hanging from a coupleof hooks close by his hand. 

"Oh! What was that?" asked Will in a trembling voice. 

"Sounded to me like a child. I reckon they've got a boy along with 'em, and the brutes are whaling him!" growled Bluff. 

"It's a shame, then, that's what!" declared Will, showing unwonted anger, for, as a usual thing, he seldom gave way to his emotions in this line. 

They listened for a time in silence. Jerry declared that he felt sure heheard a sound not unlike a child crying, but the heavy voices of the mendrowned this. 

"Can't we do anything?" asked Will. 

"Well, we're only a lot of boys, and they are big strapping men. Probablythey've got the law on their side, too, " suggested Frank, shaking hishead. 

"What do you mean by that, Frank?" queried Bluff indignantly. 

"Why, the chances are ten to one that the boy, if it is a boy, mustbelong to one of the men--his own son, I mean--and you know, Mr. Lawyer, that a fellow has to be mighty careful how he steps in between a man andhis son. That same law allows even a brute a certain right to punish arebellious child, " said Frank. 

So they talked it over a long time. Apparently, nothing could be donethat night to ascertain the cause of the outbreak. All was silent nowin the direction of the sharpie, and not even a riding light marked thespot where the boat lay. 

Frank had recommended that they put out their own lights, all but onelantern, which was to be fastened in such a way that it would mark theanchorage of the little modern motor-boat. 

"It'll be an invitation to the sharks to visit us, " remarked Bluff. 

"Not at all. If they mean to drop in on us during the night, the presenceof one lantern, or its absence, will make mighty little difference, "responded Frank. 

"Do you really think they'll do anything?" asked Will pointedly. 

"No, I don't. In the first place, they must know that there's quite acrowd of us aboard. Then such boats as this are apt to carry a few gunsalong. Just sleep in peace, Will. The chances are ten to one the onlything apt to arouse us to-night may be the howl of a norther, " said Franksoothingly. 

About ten o'clock both Bluff and Will began yawning. 

"Go to bed, you fellows. Jerry and I will manage the first and secondwatches between us. If we want help, we'll knock you up, " observed Frank. 

He gave Jerry a wink at the same time, as if to notify him to remain up;and the observant Jerry understood that Frank had a card of some sortup his sleeve. 

"Say, what's in the wind?" he asked in a whisper, when they were leftalone. 

Frank put his finger on his lips, as he said in an equally guarded tone:

"Not so loud. I don't want them to hear. "

"Then you really expect trouble with those rascally spongers?" demandedhis chum. 

"That depends. But I'll tell you what I've decided to do, Jerry. "

"Go on; I'm all ears. "

"After a bit, I'm going to take the dinghy and paddle over to thatsharpie. Somehow or other, I feel that there is some one there in need ofassistance. Perhaps it's none of our business, and I'm silly to eventhink of running such a risk, but something seems to impel me to go; Ican't tell you just what. "

"Not alone, Frank? Why not take me along, too?" pleaded Jerry. 

"No. One can get along in that stumpy little boat fine, while with two itis a clumsy affair. You know that. I only mean to hover near, in thedarkness, and find out, if possible, what's doing. Perhaps I may not gocloser than fifty feet--unless something happens!"

Jerry did not insist. He realized that what Frank said was the truth, forhe had had experience with that same cranky little craft when a secondparty occupied a place in it. 

They sat and talked in low tones for half an hour. Frank made all hisplans, and arranged with his chum a set of signals by means of whichthey might communicate with each other even while both were unseen. 

"It's getting darker all the while, I do believe. Sure you know where tofind that sharpie?" remarked Jerry as he saw his comrade beginning tomake a move. 

"I located her by some palmetto trees that stand up high above all otherson the key there. Unless they've changed their anchorage, which isunlikely, as we would have heard the noise, I can go straight to thespot, " replied Frank confidently. 

"Taking your gun along, of course?"

"I think it wise. Those are tough fellows, and there's no telling whatmight happen. Better be on the safe side, " remarked the other sagely. 

"Well, I'm going to keep my rifle close by, I tell you. And Bluff has hisGatling gun on the hooks, where he can get hold of it in a hurry. But Ihope we don't have any need of them, " continued Jerry as he assistedFrank to climb over into the little dinghy astern, where the light of thelantern did not penetrate. 

"Be careful how you shoot, at any time, and listen for my signal. I'dhate to be peppered with shot, or get a bullet in my shoulder from mychums. "

"Oh, you can depend on me to keep a sharp lookout; and no danger of anyaccident like that. I never act on impulse, like Bluff. Good-by, andgood luck, Frank!"

The dinghy dropped astern with the flowing tide, and was immediatelyswallowed up in the gloom, which, as Jerry truly said, seemed more densethan ever as the clouds gathered overhead and shut out even the light ofthe stars. 

Frank took up the paddle and set to work. He was by this time somethingof an adept in the use of a spruce blade, as most canoeists become intime. That is, he could propel a boat silently, not a swirl or a drippingblade betraying the labor that sent it on. Guides in the Maine woods hadtaught Frank how to approach a deer at night time on a lake withouthardly rippling the water. 

In this wise he approached the spot where he knew he would find themysterious sharpie anchored. 

Presently he could see the tops of its tall masts against the dark sky;but only for the fact that he was looking for this, it would have passedunnoticed. 

There was not a light about the boat. Listening, Frank could hear nosound at first, but as he drew silently nearer he fancied he caught whatseemed to be an occasional deep sigh. Then, as his eyes sought theoutlines of the little gulf vessel he detected what seemed to be a bowedfigure at the stern. 

It was from this point that the sighs seemed to come, and he fancied thatthe huddled-up object must be the figure of a boy, placed on watch whilethe three big hulking men slept in the cabin near by. 

Now he caught the sound of heavy breathing, bordering on snores. From thefact that these suggestive noises were partly muffled, he believed theycame from inside the sharpie's cabin. 

Foot by foot Frank found himself nearing the stern of the sharpie. He didnot need to use the paddle at all, for the current was gently wafting himalong in just the direction he wished to go. 

So softly did he come that when he reached the sharpie's counter all hehad to do was to just put out his hand and fend off. 

He now saw that it was really and truly a boy sitting there. The otherseemed to be not over ten years of age, judging from his size. He wasbarefooted, and without either hat or coat, though the night was gettingcold now. 

Several times he sighed deeply, and once Frank was sure he heard whatseemed to be a stifled sob, as though he would have cried had he dared. 

Obeying an impulse he could not control, Frank put his hand on theother's arm, at the same time whispering softly:

"Don't make a noise, please. I'm from the other boat, and I want to helpyou, if I can. You may trust me, my boy, to the limit!"

The crouching figure started, and Frank saw a small face bent down closeto his own; then a trembling hand caught his, and there came a whisper:

"Oh! if you only could get me out of this scrape! I'll die if I stayhere! They kick me and beat me terribly! Please take me away, mister!"

Frank's first impulse was to draw the lad into the dinghy, then hisnatural caution caused him to hesitate. 

"Who are you, boy?" he whispered. 

"Joe Abercrombie; and I guess it's near killed my mother, because theythink I run away, " came the quick answer. 

"Is your father aboard this boat?"

"I ain't got any father. He's dead long time ago. I live with my motherand sister down at Cedar Keys. Please get me off here, mister! I'll doanything for you, if you only can!" the boy kept on saying, andunconsciously raising his voice in his excitement. 

Frank's determination was taken. He would accept the chances of troubleand assist this poor little chap, whose condition seemed so miserable, as the slave of the trio of big, rough spongers. 

Before he could say another word, or draw the boy into his dinghy, agruff voice came booming out of the cabin:

"Hey! Who yer talkin' to out thar, younker? Wake up, fellers! I reckonwe're boarded by some reptiles! Hank! Carlos! Git at 'em!"

"Oh!" exclaimed the lad piteously. "They've heard us! They're coming outto kill you! Don't stop for me, but go!"

But Frank Langdon was not built that way. 

Chapter XVI

JOE

With one sweep of his arm Frank drew the little fellow into the dinghy. 

Then he snatched up his paddle, and dipped it deeply into the flood. Thecorklike boat answered instantly to the demand, and backed away from theside of the anchored sharpie. 

Even though but a few seconds had passed, the racket aboard the boat hadbecome tremendous by now. The men were shouting at each other as theygroped around in the dark for the boy. 

Frank knew that the very sounds they made were apt to assist him in hisescape, for they helped to drown what little noise he was compelled tomake in his quick and positive work with the paddle. 

Then one of them must have reached the conclusion that the boy had beenkidnapped by some unseen visitor, coming in another boat. 

"Keep still, you fools, an' listen!" he shouted. 

They seemed to guess his reason, for the chorus of loud voices ceased. Frank also stopped paddling, momentarily. He hoped the listening spongerswould be unable to locate him in the darkness. 

"Have they any small boat?" he whispered in the ear of the cowering boy. 

"No. It broke loose three days ago, in a squall, " came the reply. 

"Bully!"

That one word expressed all the gratitude that was in Frank's heart. Itseemed as though fortune was acting mighty kindly toward the rescuingexpedition. 

Just then there came a flash and a sharp report. One of the men had firedin the direction he believed the passing boat to be lying. 

The bullet splashed in the water, and seemed to go humming over thesurface of the lagoon. Then a shout came from the sharpie:

"I seen 'em then! Hey! You thar! Come back with that kid, or it'll be theworse for ye! D'ye hear?"

But Frank, instead of wasting his breath in replying, was once morepaddling industriously. He had changed his course, in the hope thatshould a second bullet follow the first, it might not touch eitherhimself or his charge. 

Just as he anticipated, there was a second shot, followed by half a dozenmore, seemingly fired at random. 

No damage resulted, and Frank believed the incident was closed, atleast as far as immediate results went. He now headed directly forthe motor-boat, the swinging lantern guiding him. 

Those on the sharpie could be heard talking loudly, as though endeavoringto get the truth of the affair, and doubtless making terrible threats asto what they would do to the audacious invader later on. 

Frank gave the signal agreed on with Jerry, and in another minute he waslifting his charge aboard the anchored boat. 

"Don't ask questions now, fellows, " he said, realizing that the otherswere all agog with excitement, and both Bluff and Will consumed withcuriosity. "We must douse the glim, and in the dark change our anchorage. Then, if they come poking over here to-night, looking for us, they won'tfind anybody at home. "

"Hear! hear!" muttered Jerry, who in an emergency always looked to Frankto do the right thing. 

He immediately extinguished the light. 

"Don't make the least noise, if you can help it. Get the anchor off theground, but don't attempt to bring it aboard, " continued Frank in awhisper. 

"Going to start the motor?" asked Bluff. 

"Certainly not! It's shallow here, and the push-pole will have to move usalong. " Saying which, Frank possessed himself of the useful article inquestion, without which no small boat ever cruises in Florida waters. 

"I hope we don't get mixed up, and run afoul of those chaps, " breathedWill. 

"I've got them located, all right. We'll go in closer to the island, that's all. Perhaps they won't come at all until daylight. "

"But if they do, Frank?" asked Bluff. 

"We've got a right to protect ourselves, and we will, " declared the otherbetween his set teeth, for he was now silently pushing with the pole, Jerry having raised the anchor at the bow. 

This sort of thing kept up for ten minutes. By that time Frank knew theywere as close to the shore as prudence allowed. 

"Let the anchor sink slowly, Jerry, and don't make a sound, if you canavoid it, " said Frank. 

"It's already on the bottom. Why, we're in only four feet of water here!"came back the whispered answer. 

"Now what about the boy you pulled off that craft?" asked Bluff. 

"Come here, Joe, " said Frank kindly. 

Instantly he felt a hand clasping his eagerly, and a boyish voiceexclaimed softly:

"Oh! I wanter thank you ever so much for what you did, and my mom'll saythe same thing when she sees you!"

"That's all right, Joe. All of us are only boys, older than you, ofcourse, but ready to hold out a helping hand to a poor chap in trouble. Suppose you tell us, in a whisper now, what brought you aboard thatsharpie. Who are those three men, and how did you happen to be sailingwith them?"

"They're Hank, and Carlos, the Cuban, and my Uncle Ben, " came the reply. 

"Hello! He's got an uncle aboard!" said Jerry uneasily. 

"But he's the worst of the whole lot. He beats me, and calls me badnames. My mother is afraid of him. She didn't want to let me go on thistrip with Uncle Ben, but he just made me. His name is Baxter. You see, he's her brother-in-law, not her real brother. I always called him uncle, but he ain't, either. I hate him, and I'd sooner die than go back thereagain!"

"Don't be afraid, my boy. We have no intention of letting them get youagain. It happens that we're bound for Cedar Keys ourselves, and we'llsee you safely home. Your mother lives there, you say?" went on Frank, patting the trembling little hand, with its hard palm, that told of muchhard work for so young a lad. 

"Yes, sir; but we're awful poor. We used to live in Pensacola when dadwas on his job, but he got killed in his engine long ago. Then mother hada chance to do something in Cedar Keys, and we came on. But things wentwrong, sister got sick, and it's been hard work to get enough to eat. Still, my mother never complains; she ain't one of that kind; and afeller just has to be up and doin' somethin' to help out. That was whyI came along when Uncle Ben promised good wages, and without letting herknow. "

It was a whole life story in a nutshell. Frank had never come so closelyin touch with tragedy before. He continued to squeeze the hand he held, while deep down in his heart the generous fellow was making resolutionsthat would bring a little of sunshine to the Abercrombie home when theylanded in the key city. 

"Well, we'll have lots of time to talk all these things over to-morrow, and the other days to come. The rest of you pile off again, and leave mehere to sit out my watch. I promise to awaken you if anything threatensus, " he said finally. 

A place was easily found for little Joe. Indeed, as Bluff remarked in awhisper, the motorboat seemed capable of expansion. 

"Just like an elevator or an electric car, there's always room for justone more, " was the way he put it. 

Frank sat there, listening and thinking, for a couple of hours at least. There was no alarm. Once he thought he heard sounds such as might be madeby the movement of a push-pole; but if so, the searching party failed tolocate the anchored motor-boat in its new lodgings. 

Jerry took his place a little later, and then Bluff wound up the night, Will being allowed to sleep in peace. 

Frank was up at peep of dawn. The masts of the sharpie stood up plainlythrough the dim light, showing that apparently her anchorage had not beenchanged at all. 

Signs of life were to be seen aboard, and smoke arising from the cabingave evidence that the three rough spongers were getting their frugalbreakfast. Doubtless this caused them to vent their anger anew, for ithad been a part of the boy's work to cook. 

"The anticipated storm petered out, anyway, " remarked Jerry at his elbow. 

"Which may be a good thing for us. Possibly we might want to get out ofhere in a hurry, although I'm averse to running away like a frightenedduck, " remarked Frank. 

"I say stick it out, and give them tit for tat. We're armed, and can makea pretty good showing, " declared Bluff, also turning up after hearingvoices. 

So they began preparations for breakfast, Frank keeping an eye on thesharpie meanwhile. He expected that the trio of spongers would not belikely to pull out without some show of threatening the four whocomprised the crew of the motor-boat. 

Joe proved to be a bright-faced lad, once the grime was removed, underthe influence of salt-water soap and a rough towel. All of the outdoorchums were glad that they had found a chance to be of service to one indistress, for Joe insisted that he never could have stood the viletreatment he was receiving, and meant to run away at the very firstopportunity. 

They were just sitting down to breakfast when Will gave the alarm. 

"They're pulling up anchor, fellows, and hoisting sail. From theappearance of things, we'd better look out for squalls, " he announced. 

Each of the other three quietly reached around and seized a gun. Will, not to be outdone, picked up the instrument with which he did most of hisshooting, his beloved camera, and waited for a chance to snap off theugly faces of the spongers. 

CHAPTER XVII

STUCK ON AN OYSTER BAR

"Do you think they'll attack us, Joe?" asked Jerry as the sharpie beganto head straight for the anchored motor-boat. 

"No, I don't. Them fellers is big cowards, and when they see the gunsthey'll take it out in talking, " came the prompt answer. 

"I believe Joe is right. They must be cowards, or they'd never haveabused a boy as they did him. He showed me a lot of bruises from kickshe's had, " observed Frank, with a gleam in his eye and a look on his facethat told of his detestation for the brute who could, in a temper, knocka child down. 

"Say! Perhaps it might be just as well to get the anchor up, and startthe motor, in case we wanted to move, anyway, " remarked Bluff. 

"A hunky idea!" echoed Jerry. 

Frank himself agreed to it. So while Jerry hastened to get the mudhookaboard, Frank bent down over the motor. They heard him crank it, and thencame the merry and suggestive hum that bespoke business. 

"Now, if we wanted, we could go spinning away, and laugh at them, "observed Will. 

"But we don't intend to, all the same, " said Frank quietly, making hisappearance again, gun in hand. The boat had moved a length or so, andthen floated on the smooth water of the lagoon. 

A shout from the sharpie had told that the spongers believed they meantto run off, and at the same time one of them was seen flourishing a gun. 

"Hold up, there, you rascals, you!" came across the water, and a shotfollowed, the bullet splashing close to the motor-boat. 

"Don't you try that again, there, or we'll give you a broadside! Do youhear?" shouted Frank, as he and his chums lifted their array of weaponsso that the men could easily see what they were up against. 

The sharpie kept pushing on until close by. Then a sudden shifting of therudder caused the boat with the tall masts to "come to" in the wind, withher dingy sails shivering as they hung there lifeless. 

"We want that kid!" called a tall, gaunt man with a red beard. 

"That's Uncle Ben!" exclaimed Joe, who was peeping over the gunwale. 

"Well, you'll have to take it out in wanting, then, because you're notgoing to get him. Joe says you beat him. He prefers to stay with us, andwe're going to take him home to his mother in Cedar Keys. Get that?"called Frank. 

The three men conferred together for a minute or two. 

"Say! my breakfast's getting cold! I wish they'd hurry, " remarked Bluff. 

Will was getting busy himself. The old familiar click announced that hehad secured a picture of the three spongers at a time when they stood outplainly. 

"Hey, you fellers! What yuh mean a-comin' an' stealin' my nephew out o'my boat? He signed for the cruise, he did. It's ag'in the law, what yuhdid, an' yer liable ter git yerselves in trouble, " the red-bearded mannow called. 

"We can stand it if you can. The marks on this boy will settle your casefor you. Better go on about your business. We don't want any fight, butjust make up your minds that if you start it we're going to shoot holesthrough every one of your crowd. That's enough talk. Now, twenty-threefor yours!"

It was seldom that Frank used slang, but just then he was in want of abetter expression by means of which to give vent to his feelings. 

Bluff was already sitting down and eating, though he kept hold of his gunat the same time, like a true soldier on duty. The trio of spongerstalked among themselves for a short time, then, with many harsh words, they pushed their boat around with a pole until the dingy canvas tookthe breeze again, after which they sailed away. 

"A good riddance of bad rubbish, " declared Bluff, with his mouth full ofbacon; and the others voiced his sentiments exactly. 

As for the boy, he was smiling as if tickled over the wonderful changethat had come about in his fortunes. Frank, remembering the limp formsquatting in the stern of the sharpie, so given up to despair and bodilyanguish, could hardly believe that this bright-faced lad was the same. 

They did not linger long after finishing breakfast. 

While the weather remained favorable Frank thought they ought to bemaking further progress along their way. True, Cedar Keys was not sovery far distant, but who could say what difficulties they mightencounter from time to time?

"It will do to loiter when we've arrived within a dozen or two miles ofthe city, " he remarked, and they all admitted the wisdom of his decision. 

They went out the same way they had come in. Joe said it was safer, sincethe lagoon was exceedingly shallow at the east end of the island, andthey stood to get aground if the tide was falling, as seemed to be thecase. 

As they came out from behind the key they discovered the sharpie far awayto the west, careening over under a brisk morning breeze, and lookinglike a dun-colored frightened bird. 

"We're not apt to see anything of that tough lot again, I guess, " quothJerry. 

"They're heading for a favorite ground. I didn't know they hunted spongesso far north, Joe. Key West seems to be the head center for thebusiness. "

"Get a few, but not many. Mostly fishing and turtling. Some look forcoral on the bottom. Lots of ways to earn a living around the water inthe gulf, " replied the boy, in answer to Frank's inquiry. 

"I should say there were. A man need never go hungry in this region if heknows enough to let strong drink alone, " said Will. 

"That's the trouble with Uncle Ben; he's drunk half the time. And when heis he wants to fight everybody. We all tried to keep away from him, "observed Joe. 

They were now out upon the gulf again. Will was a little dubious, remembering his bitter experience of the preceding day, but to hissurprise and delight, he did not seem to feel the least bit sick. Perhaps the motion was entirely different, for they were now runningalmost directly into the light breeze. 

Frank had turned the wheel over to Bluff, and was conning his charts, with Jerry bending over his shoulder. 

"There's where we are right now. Looking along the shore, you can seewhere a key offers the same sort of refuge we enjoyed last night. Incruising along this coast, it's the only thing to do--run behind one ofthose islands each night. Only big boats anchor off shore. It's toodangerous for little craft, for a storm is liable to spring up during thenight. "

In this way Frank went on. They decided that since there seemed to beseveral possible havens ahead, they had better keep right on until theday waned, or they found themselves forced by a change in the weather toseek shelter. 

Jerry had a line trailing astern, with a hook at the end, to which he hadattached a bit of white rag. In less than ten minutes after he threw itout he pulled in a gamy fish that might have weighed a couple of pounds. 

"A cavalli, " said Joe; and they were glad indeed to have a native alongwho could post them on such things as might have puzzled them. 

"Good to eat, is it?" asked Jerry, eyeing the forked tail, which, in thisfish, resembles that of the Spanish mackerel. 

"Fine. Not so good as pompano, but better than bonita, " was Joe'sverdict. 

"All right. He looks good to me, " said Bluff. "Do it some more, Jerry. Weneed a couple more to make good all around. "

"Now, talk to me about that, will you! Listen to how the greedy fellowgauges everybody's appetite by his own voracious longings. "

But in spite of his talk, Jerry, being a sportsman to his finger-tips, ashe was fond of saying, was only too glad to make a second trial. 

This time he had hardly half of his line out when there was a suddenvicious jerk. 

"Wow! Nearly took a finger off then! Look at the line whizz, will you?Must have struck a whale!" he cried. But, after all, it was anothercavalli (sometimes called crevalle), and not much larger than the first. 

So the sport went on until he had brought five to the boat, when he gaveup. 

"Too hard on the fingers, boys. You see, we're spinning along at a livelyclip, and a two-pound fish feels like a ton. I'm all in, " he explained. 

"Well, we want to keep the fish until evening. Will, here, is dying toclean them for us, " said Frank. 

"No! no! That is my part of the work!" exclaimed Joe, nor would he hearof anything else. 

Noon came and went. Their progress was altogether satisfactory. All ofthem admitted that outside of that one puzzling breakdown, the motor wasworking like a charm. It was indeed a pleasure to lie around and see thegreen waves flashing past, with the picturesque shore only a mile or soaway. 

Finally Frank announced that he had discovered the island for which hewas aiming. They had made a splendid day's showing, and logged more thanthirty miles, against a head wind and sea. 

Frank tried to follow the chart, but he knew he would have more or lessdifficulty, for back of the key it was exceedingly shallow, and thechannel narrow. 

Speed was reduced as they started to enter the open bayou. Jerry, up inthe bow, was using the pole as a sounding line, and calling out:

"Two feet! One and three-quarters! One and a half! Hey! Hold up, there!We're on an oyster bar, for sure!" And the grating noise that immediatelyfollowed told that they had lost the narrow channel again. 

CHAPTER XVIII

TROUBLE

"Oysters! Yum! yum! Who said oysters?" cried Bluff, crawling forward tolook. 

"Just jump overboard, and you'll get your fill--millions of 'em around!"declared Jerry, prodding with his pole in an effort to release the bowof the boat, but in vain. 

"Hold on, there! Don't you do it!" cried Frank as Bluff gave indicationsof being half inclined to betake himself to the water. 

"Why not?" asked the hungry oyster fiend plaintively. 

"Because you'll cut your shoes to ribbons on the sharp edges, and perhapsyour feet, in the bargain. Remember what you got before, " said Frank. 

So the impatient one refrained, but he cast many envious looks downward, and a little later could have been seen stretched out on his stomach, prying off bunches of the 'coon oysters with a knife, and enjoying alittle side treat. 

It was easy to run upon the reef, but to get off was another matter, especially with a falling tide. The motor churned the water, but at firstseemed to make no impression. Even when all the boys went aft, so as tolighten the bow, there was no release. 

"Something's holding her, I tell you! It may be one of those octopus fishwe hear so much about, " suggested Will. 

Jerry, who had been pulling on a pair of heavy old shoes, with theintention of going overboard, so as to put his shoulder to the bow, andlifting while the motor worked, looked a little dubious. 

"Humbug! Can't be any such thing, eh, Frank?" he asked, turning to theone in whose opinion he always felt the most implicit faith. 

"What's holding her is that ridge of 'coon oysters. They grip like allcreation, Joe, here, says. Wait till I get some old shoes on, Jerry, andI'll be with you, " he observed. 

Presently both of them were over in the water, which only came to theirknees. 

"Ready, now, Will. When I say the word, turn on all speed astern. Howabout it, pard?" Frank said to Jerry. 

"Right, here, " came the reply. 

"Then go!"

After the motor started working, the two in the water lifted. Just asFrank had anticipated, the thing was easy. Back went the _Jessamine_with a rush; indeed, Jerry was not quick enough in trying to draw himselfaboard, and they left him there, marooned on the 'coon oyster bar. 

"Hi, you! Come back here after me! Think I'm Bluff, and want a mortgageon the whole blooming bed, don't you? Shove me the little dinghy, ifyou're afraid of scratching more of the varnish off Cousin Archie'sboat!" he shouted. 

"Hold on! Please wait! I want to get a picture of him standing there inthe big bay, just as if he owned the sea. It's Neptune, coming out of thewater, you know, " called Will beseechingly. 

So Jerry felt constrained to humor the artist, and assume a positionthat, according to Will's idea, accorded with his condition oflonesomeness. 

"I think we'll just pole along, fellows, and not run the motor. I guesswe don't want to go very far in, anyhow, for we'll have the dickens of atime getting out again in the morning, " remarked Frank. 

"There's some sort of a shack over yonder on the mainland, " remarkedWill. 

Frank took a look. 

"Possibly the place where some of those turtlers put up when out aftertheir game. They keep the green turtles in what they call a 'crawl, 'until ready to set sail for Cedar Keys. I'm told we'll see lots of themthere, " remarked Frank. 

"I can see an old boat drawn up on shore, but not the first sign of lifeabout the place. There's a buzzard sitting on a dead tree--yes, a row of'em! My! I hope there ain't anybody dead in there!"

Will had brought out Frank's marine glasses, and was looking through themas he gave utterance to this forlorn expression. 

"Oh! let up on that, Will! You give a fellow the creeps. Just why shouldthere be any one dead yonder? Buzzards are found everywhere in Florida, millions of 'em. I reckon the shack is deserted. To prove it, I'm goingto paddle over and see, just as soon as we get fast to our mudhookagain, " remarked Jerry. 

"And that will be right now, " said Frank. "Give it a toss, Bluff. Here weseem to be in a little spot deeper than the rest of the bayou, and withroom to swing around with a change of wind without fouling our anchor orgoing aground again on any miserable oyster bed. "

"Look here! I've got a grievance, " remarked Bluff. 

"All right. Let's hear it, " laughed Will. 

"If he takes the dinghy, how in the world am I going to gather theoysters for our supper? Frank said the very next mess we got he wouldgive us scalloped oysters, and I'm just feeling hungry that way, "complained Bluff. 

"Oh, don't worry. I'll be back in half an hour, at the most. Besides, ifyou want to, you can put on these heavy shoes of mine, drop over theside, and wade to the bar. It's warm in the water, and delightful, "remarked Jerry, slipping over into the small boat, with his rifle in hishand. 

"Well, there's no depending on you. Half an hour, did you say? More thanlikely that means about dark, if there's any temptation to hunt ashore. So I suppose I'll just have to duck, and do the great wading act. For Icount it next door to a crime to be so near delicious oysters and nothave them at least once a day. "

Bluff was as good as his word. He put on the heavy shoes, and some oldgarments. Then, getting a bucket, he crept overboard, found that thewater only came to his waist, and, having marked out his course, wasspeedily on a reef, digging at the largest oysters he could find. 

"Boys, they're just the finest ever! Some whoppers out here, too. No'coon oyster about that chap, " and he held up one that was half againas large as his hand. 

Now and then, as he worked, they could see him stop to try an extrafat-looking fellow. When this had been repeated a dozen times, Willreproached him. 

"Where do we come in? Do we get the culls?" he demanded. 

"Why, hang it, my bucket's as full now as it will hold! I'm coming acrossto dump 'em on the deck, and get another helping. Why, I could keep atthis business all day. It's just fascinating, that's what!" called Bluff. 

"I see your finish, all right, my fine boy. You'll never go back toCenterville again. Either you'll turn into an oyster, after devouring somany tons of 'em, or else hire out to the owner of a sharpie engaged inthe business, " laughed Frank. 

He had to admit, though, when Bluff opened one of the big fellows andallowed him a chance to taste its flavor, that they were the best he hadever run across. 

"Barring none, " declared Bluff vigorously, holding the oyster knifealoft. 

"Barring none, " affirmed Frank, also erecting his fingers, as thoughwilling to go on record. 

Then, of course, Will had to try them, also, and also frankly pronouncedthem delicious. 

"Let me have that knife, Bluff, and I'll be opening some while you're offafter another supply. The hatchet will be all you want to loosen anytight ones. Don't look at me that way. I can be trusted not to eat morethan one in five. And my appetite for oysters isn't one-third what yoursis, " laughed Frank. 

Bluff seemed to think he could stand that, for he yielded up the opener. 

"Don't you let that scoffer, Will, have another one. I'll bring backanother bucketful in about ten minutes. There's millions of 'em. They setme wild to think of such riches going to waste. I'll dream about 'em, fellows. "

Grumbling thus, he stalked through the water to the reef, and set to workagain. 

Frank had watched Jerry push in to shore and vanish among the tangledundergrowth. Some little time had passed since, but there was no signof his returning. 

"I guess it's lucky Bluff didn't take his word for it, and wait, " heremarked. 

"Yes, " replied Will, who was watching the fat bivalves drop into thekettle as his chum deftly manipulated the opening knife, "I rather thinkwe'd have missed connections with this savory mess, all right, and all ofus would have been sorry. "

"I wonder if he found anybody in that old shack?" mused Frank, lookingagain. 

"Hardly likely. What would you say, Joe? Ever been ashore here?"

The boy shook his head in the negative. 

"Not me. This is my first trip up this far. Been down the coast, belowCedar Keys, more'n once. But I believe Jerry likes to hunt. Perhaps hemight think it a good time to look around, and see if there happens tobe a deer waiting to be cooked up. "

Frank laughed. 

"You've got Jerry sized up to a pretty fine point, boy. That's hisweakness to a dot, and I wouldn't put it past him to wander off. I onlyhope he doesn't go and get lost. That would delay us, even if nothingworse came of it"

"There!"

As Will made this utterance there came the sharp report of a gun from themainland, and undoubtedly the rifle was that of their absent chum. 

"Wonder what he's struck now?" said Frank. 

There came two more reports, in quick succession. 

Bluff was already hastening in from the oyster bar, staggering under hisload. 

"Hey! D'ye hear all that shooting, fellows? Jerry's in some sort oftrouble, I'll bet my hat!" he shouted excitedly. 

"And we are unable to get ashore, for he has the only boat, and the wateris too shallow to push the big craft in. The question is, what shallwe do?"

Frank looked into the faces of his two chums, and saw by their increasingpallor that they more than shared the fears that were beginning to gnawat his heart in connection with the safety of the genial, good-naturedJerry Wallington. 

CHAPTER XIX

WHAT HAPPENED TO JERRY

"I'd give something for a pair of wings just now!" exclaimed Willregretfully. 

"Or that bally old balloon of Professor Smythe's, eh?" echoed Bluff, ashe surveyed the stretch of water separating them from the mainland. 

"But something _must_ be done! Bluff, get your gun!"

Frank was hastily removing the tennis shoes he wore aboard the boat. 

"What're you going to do?" demanded Will, as Bluff made haste to obey. 

"Two of us must get ashore. Perhaps Jerry needs help. "

"Oh! I see! And you think you can wade there?" queried Will, as he sawFrank drawing on the second pair of heavy shoes, that had already been inthe water. 

"That's what we have to do. Ready, Bluff?" cried Frank, snatching up hisown double-barreled shotgun. 

"Where do I come in?" demanded Will as they slid overboard. 

"You're the goalkeeper this time. Hold the ship, with Joe, here, till weget back. "

"And they've taken all the guns along, " grumbled Will as he watched histwo chums making their splashing way in the direction of the shore. 

Happening to bethink himself of the old revolver on board, Will presentlyarmed himself with the same, and tried to imagine that he presented animposing appearance as the guardian of the motor-boat. Truth to tell, hewould have really been far more dangerous handling his favorite camera, for he did not have it in him to harm a flea, if he could help it. 

Meanwhile, Frank and his comrade were pushing for the shore as rapidly asthe conditions allowed. By exercising a certain amount of discretionthey were able to follow up one of the oyster reefs that thrust out fromthe bank like the fingers of a human hand. 

"We'll make it all right, " declared Bluff presently. 

"Yes, and without getting in deeper than half way up. But I'm wonderingwhy we don't hear anything more from Jerry. He had six charges in hisrifle, you know. "

From Frank's tone it was easy to understand that he was worried. 

"Say, perhaps that was meant for a signal, " suggested Bluff suddenly. 

"There were three shots, just as we've always agreed, but then they werescattered somewhat. I hardly agree with you, Bluff, though it may betrue. I hope it is, and yet Jerry must have known we had no boat. Hewould hardly want us to come ashore unless he was in a mighty seriouspickle. "

"Anyhow, we're nearly there, and must soon know the worst, " said Bluff, whose face looked a bit peaked under the suspense. 

More through accident than design, they landed close to the spot wherethe old palmetto shack could be seen. Frank pointed to an enclosurealong the edge of the bayou, made by piling up logs and pieces of coquinarock. 

"Turtle crawl, " he said, as they hurried past, and Bluff only gave it onelook, for his attention was taken up with the more serious matter thathad brought them ashore. 

Advancing to the shack, Frank looked in, but there did not appear to be aliving soul around. 

He surveyed his surroundings with anxiety. Great live-oaks, with theircrooked limbs covered with the trailing Spanish moss; tall palmettos, and shorter young ones of the same type; gumbo-limbo trees, wild plum, and several wild orange trees, made up the immediate surroundings. 

"Oh! if we only had some idea which way he could have gone!" exclaimedFrank. 

"Perhaps he left a trail, " was the bright thought of Bluff. 

"Almost impossible to map it out in this black sand, " Frank replied; but, nevertheless, he started to look, since there was nothing else to do. 

A dozen impossible things flashed through Frank's brain as he bent overto try and pick up the tracks of his missing chum. Whatever could havehappened to Jerry? Usually he was able to take good care of himself;could it be possible that some inmate of the dilapidated shack had stolenupon him, bent upon robbery? In that case, how account for the shots?

"Let's shout, " said Bluff again. 

"A bright thought, and surely it can do no harm. Let me call singly, Bluff. "

Thereupon Frank lifted up his voice and shouted:

"Jerry! Jerry! Where are you?"

The call rang through the thick jungle under the live-oaks. A smallanimal, possibly a 'coon, scurried through the undergrowth. In anadjacent tree a Florida bluejay gave forth a discordant scream. Afox-squirrel barked saucily, and with a flirt of his bushy tail scrambledaround to the other side of a hickory tree. 

Then came a shout that thrilled them:

"Ahoy, there, Frank!"

"It's Jerry!" cried Bluff, ready to throw his hat into the air. 

Frank himself was tremendously relieved. No matter what had happened, their chum was alive, and could call to them. 

"Hello! What's the matter? Where are you?" he shouted, for the voice ofJerry had come from a little distance away, and seemed strangely muffled. 

"Straight into the woods from the shack!" came back the reply. 

"We're coming to you!" called Frank, still puzzled to know what it allmeant. 

"I wonder what he has dropped into now?" speculated Bluff as he trottedalong at the heels of his leader. 

"Sounds as if he wanted us to come to him, all right. Keep your gunready, Bluff, for there's no telling but what you may need it, " Frankwent on. 

"It's in apple-pie shape for business at the old stand. Jerry laughs atit, but before now he's found that it could help a fellow out of a hole. Suppose you try him again?"

Bluff's suggestion was a good one, and Frank raised his voice in a shout. This time the answer came from a point closer at hand. Still, althoughthey were peering eagerly through the dense foliage, they could seenothing out of the way. 

"This beats the Dutch! Where under the sun can the fellow be?" saidBluff, after they had gone still further. 

"What's that?" asked Frank suddenly, pointing. 

"I declare if it doesn't look some like a dead deer, a little fellow, too; perhaps a fawn, " came from Bluff as he hurried forward. 

"No, it's a full-grown deer, all right, and just killed, too. They runvery small down here, you know. But that doesn't tell us where our chumis, even if he shot the game, and had to fire three times in order todown it, " declared Frank. 

"As sure as you live, here's his gun!" cried Bluff. 

Frank stared at the rifle, that lay at the foot of a particularly biglive-oak, parts of which seemed to be rotting away, as there were deadlimbs strewing the ground underneath it. Then he cast his eyes upward, asif under the impression that he might discover Jerry perched upon a limb, laughing at them. 

"He isn't up there. I've examined every limb on the old tree. What underthe sun do you suppose could have happened to him?" ejaculated Bluff. 

"Hark!" said Frank, holding up his hand. 

"He's laughing at us! I tell you that was Jerry's chuckle, for all theworld! Now, what tomfoolery is he up to, do you suppose? Bringing usashore through all that beastly water just to have a shy at us! Hi, Jerry, you old joker! Show up!" cried Bluff indignantly. 

The only answer was a second laugh, louder than the first. 

"I declare he's up in that blessed tree, after all, and yet for the lifeof me I can't get a squint at him. Serve the old chap right if we wentand took the dinghy back, leaving him to wade, " grumbled Bluff. 

Frank was looking around him. He noticed several little things just then. Among others was the fact that there were scratches on the bark of thebig old oak, as though some one might have scrambled up its trunkrecently. An air-plant lay on the ground, evidently detached during theprogress of that party. 

"I'm beginning to smell a rat, " Frank said, slowly. 

"Then let me in, please. I'm just devoured with curiosity to know what itall means, " pleaded his chum. 

"Listen! Don't you hear a strange buzzing up there?" demanded Frank. 

"Now that you mention it, I believe I do. Sounds to me like a hive ofbees. "

"That's just what it is, and Jerry knew it as soon as he heard it. A hiveof bees in this old live-oak, with perhaps a big store of honey laid up. Bluff, doesn't that tickle your palate? Well, it did Jerry's, for sure. He climbed up!"

"After he had shot that deer, then?" asked Bluff. 

"Undoubtedly. I remember, now, that honey always appealed to Jerry morethan any other sweet stuff. He was remarking, only the last time we hadflapjacks, that it was a beastly blunder we had none of us thought tobring a bottle of honey along. "

"But he isn't up there, now, for I can see the whole tree. Still he keepson chuckling. I can't make it out, Frank. But you know, for I see it inyour face! Where is Jerry?"

Frank deliberately rapped on the trunk of the big oak. 

"Hello, Jerry! Anybody at home in there?" he called. 

"Only a stranger and a pilgrim, who wants to get out the worst way, andcan't, " came in a muffled voice. 

Bluff gave a roar of amazement. 

"Why, he's inside the tree!" he ejaculated. 

"Just what he is. Stepped on some punky, rotten wood above there, thatmust have given way under his weight, and our fine chum shot down intothe hollow trunk of the big king, " laughed Frank. 

"Correct, Frank. Just how it happened. I've tried again and again toclimb up to that hole where I came in, but the plagued walls are tooslippery, and I fell back every time. Please mount the tree, and lower acoat or something for me to get a grip on, " came in muffled tones totheir ears. 

Both Frank and Bluff rolled upon the ground with shrieks of laughter. If the sounds of their merriment carried to the ears of Will, he musthave been greatly mystified as to the cause of the same. 

But Jerry was getting impatient. 

"Hurry up, and get to work! It ain't over nice in here, I tell you, " hecalled; and so the two climbed up the tree to effect his rescue. 

Bluff had a coat, so they lowered that by a sleeve, stretching down asfar as possible. Jerry managed to scramble up far enough to lay holdon the other sleeve, and was, after one or two efforts, assisted to theopening. He came out looking a bit dilapidated, yet just as determinedas ever to get some of that honey before leaving the vicinity. 

The others were not averse to laying in a supply of the same, andpromised to arrange it for the morning, for night was now close at hand, and nothing could be done looking to an attack upon the bee tree. 

They carried the doe down to the water's edge. Jerry had come upon theanimal soon after entering among the trees, and she had startled himby her sudden jump, so that it took three shots from his rifle to dropher. Then, as he stood over his game, the buzzing of the bees hadattracted his attention, as the late comers arrived, laden with honey;and unable to resist the inclination to investigate, he had climbed up, with the disastrous result as stated. 

Bluff and Frank waded out to the motor-boat, allowing Jerry to ferry hisvenison in the little dinghy. Will greeted their coming with delight, forhe saw great possibilities for future feasts in the game acquired. 

Of course he was wild to hear the story, which was told amid muchmerriment all around while they dined off fresh venison steak andscalloped oysters. 

CHAPTER XX

LYING IN AMBUSH FOR BIG GAME

"Nobody lives in that old shack, then?" inquired Will. 

"Only when the turtle season is on, which doesn't happen to be now, "replied Frank. 

"I was afraid there might be a bunch of criminals ashore, and that Jerryhad tumbled into a peck of trouble, " continued the other. 

"Oh, it happened to be only a hollow tree he dropped into, " said the heroof the adventure, who could take a joke even when it happened to be onhimself. 

"There it goes again! Just think what beastly luck! I'm a Jonah, that'swhat! Oh! why didn't you ask me to go, instead of Bluff, Frank? I couldhave snapped him off when he was crawling out of that hole. Just thinkwhat a lovely reminder it would have been in times to come!" wailed Will, pretending to be bitterly disappointed, though Frank imagined he wasassuming this to tantalize Jerry. 

"Talk to me about your artistic temperament! What d'ye call that? Mecrawling out of that old bee tree make a beautiful picture! Yes, I guessit might, for the rest of you, but I'm satisfied to let the episode die anatural death. But wait till we fill up our spare pots and pans with thatdelicious honey! Um! um!" And Jerry smacked his lips as he contemplatedthe feast in store. 

They spent the night quietly enough. Nothing occurred to bother them, save the one annoyance they experienced from sandflies. The tinycreatures attacked them as soon as the breeze died out, and for an houror two proved irritating in the extreme. 

Bluff executed a war dance as he slapped at his invisible persecutors, and wondered if he were going into a fever, his face and neck and armsburned so. Luckily, a night breeze coming up, drove the horde of tinyinsects away, but for several days the boys were rubbing and scratchingat the irritated skin. 

"'Skeeters ain't in it with the little pests!" vowed Jerry, and the wholeparty seemed to be of the same opinion. 

After an early breakfast they made preparations looking to a raid on therich stores of the bee tree. An old piece of netting was made into nets, so as to cover their faces, while gloves protected their hands fairlywell. 

Jerry took them ashore, all but Bluff, who elected to stay by the boat. The others jeered him, and declared that he was afraid of stings; butBluff was not to be taunted into going. 

Joe, who had been up a bee tree before, offered to ascend, and do thework. So the balance of the party were only too glad of the chance toescape that duty. 

The hive was in a big limb that jutted out just above where Jerry hadcrashed through a rotten place marking the spot where another limb hadbroken off long years before. 

"It looks easy. I reckon I can chop her some, and she'll drop of her ownweight, " called the boy. 

He began to use the small camp ax with telling effect. After half an hourof this there was an ominous crack. 

"Look sharp, down there! She's a-comin'!" called Joe. 

Hardly had he spoken than the limb came down with a roar. Instantlythe air was filled with a swarm of thousands of dazed bees. The limbhad split open from the concussion, and a wonderful store of honey wasdisplayed to view. Jerry was wild with delight. 

"Gallons and gallons of the lovely stuff!" he shouted. "Come on, fellows, and get the pails filled! Ouch! That little imp got me, allright! Say! he's inside my veil! Whoop! There's another! I must haveleft an opening!" And for a minute or so he danced around madly, slappingand pawing, until he had managed to dispose of the furious insects. 

By the time he had adjusted his net the others were busy at work. 

"Take only the lighter-colored honey. That dark stuff is old, though Isuppose it's all good still. We can't use a fifth of what there is. Iimagine I know what will happen around here to-night, " said Frank. 

Joe looked up and grinned. 

"Bear come, sure. Smell the honey a mile away, " he remarked, and Franknodded. 

"And if we were wild to get a bear, all we'd have to do would be to sithere and wait, " remarked Will, who had, of course, snapped off a fewviews while his chums were busy, particularly remembering Jerry while hepranced around and fought the busy bees that had invaded his head net. 

"I leave that to the rest, " remarked Frank. 

Having secured all the honey they could carry away, they once morereturned to the shore, and by degrees their sweet cargo was ferried outto the motor-boat. Of course, more or less washing up followed, for theywere all sticky. 

"What is it to be, fellows--go, or stay over?" asked Frank a littlelater. 

Bluff had been told about the chances for bagging a bear, but he did notseem to care much about it. 

"I say go on, " he remarked indifferently. 

"Bear for me, " declared Jerry. 

"How about you, Will?" asked Frank. 

"Oh, I'm with Bluff this time. If it was in the daytime, now, and Ithought I could get a picture of the shoot, I might look at itdifferently. "

"You happen to have run out of flashlight cartridges, then? That's toobad! Well, I side with Jerry, " remarked Frank, smiling. 

"But that makes it a tie. We'll have to toss for it, fellows, " came fromWill. 

"You forget Joe, here. Let him cast the deciding vote. How, Joe?"

The boy grinned, and looked affectionately at Frank. 

"I like bear steak, " he said simply. 

"Hurrah! That settles it, then!" shouted Jerry. 

They just loafed through that day. 

"Take it easy, boys. Strenuous times may be ahead of us yet. Who knows?Besides, we are doing finely. Half the time gone, and we're surely morethan half way along our journey, counting the river trip. We can easilyspare the day. " And Frank set each to amusing himself after his ownparticular fashion. 

Jerry went in the dinghy to try the fishing where the water was deeper, and it was not half an hour before they heard him yelling with delightas his little shallop was being towed around this way and that by a fish. 

"Another shark! He'd better cut loose!" exclaimed Will, in some alarm. 

Joe shook his head. 

"No shark this time. I think he has got fast to a big channel bass. Itruns and then stops, then runs again. Shark keeps on all the while, " heexplained. 

It proved to be the case, for when Jerry came back he proudly exhibited amonster bronze-backed prize that must have weighed more than thirtypounds. 

Of course it was hung up, and a picture taken, with the gallant victor inthe contest standing alongside, stout rod in hand. 

So the evening came at last, and they turned their thoughts to big game. 

Will and Bluff were elected to remain on board, as a penance for havingvoted against staying over. 

"We'll stand for that, all right; but if you should keel over a Bruin, don't you fellows think we're going to let you fool us out of our shareof the prog, " said Bluff. 

It took two trips of the dinghy to land the three hunters. Of course, Joehad only gone along to see the fun, for he had no gun. 

Still, he was capable of advancing some good suggestions, calculated tobe of value to them while lying in ambush for the expected bear. It wasto be expected, for instance, that Bruin would make his appearance fromthe dense thicket beyond the bee tree, so the boys hid themselves ina semicircle, with the broken honey storehouse in plain view. 

A fire had been started at a little distance, for otherwise they musthave been in absolute darkness. Joe said a little thing like that wouldnot keep the bear from coming after he had gotten a good whiff of thepowerful odor of sweetness that filled the air. 

The bees had been hard at work carrying a portion of their store to somenew hive, but there were gallons of it still there. Everything wassmeared with the sticky substance, and Frank felt sure that if a bearexisted within miles of the spot that odor would be a magnet to draw theanimal straight to the spot. 

Talking was positively prohibited, and all the boys could do was to sitas still as the hovering mosquitoes would allow, and watch. 

Once or twice, Frank thought he heard a slight rustling somewhere near. It was not what a lumbering bear would be apt to make, however, andhe concluded that in all probability it must be caused by prowling'coons. 

For the third time he felt positive that his ear had caught a sound, asof a stealthy movement. To his surprise, it seemed to come from the treeunder which he had taken up his station. So he naturally bent his headback in the effort to locate the little animal that must be curiouslyobserving him. 

A thrill passed through his frame as he first of all caught sight of twoyellow eyes that glared at him not more than ten feet above his head. Then he could make out a dark body, about five feet in length, and withsomething moving back and forth at its extreme end. 

Frank caught his breath, and his hands clutched the gun he held. He didnot need any one to tell him that he was gazing up at a panther, crouching overhead, and possibly getting ready to leap down upon him atany second!

CHAPTER XXI

A STRENUOUS NIGHT

Fortunately, Frank was a quick-witted boy. 

He had his gun held in such a position that it required only a simplemovement to swing it upward. To aim, under the conditions, was out of thequestion. He had to depend entirely upon guesswork, or what might becalled intuition. 

Imagine the astonishment of the others, crouching close by, when a flashof flame pierced the darkness, and the crash of Frank's gun was instantlyfollowed by a fierce scream in which both pain and fury were mingled!

Frank had no sooner fired than he threw himself backward. Knowingsomething about the habits of these animals, he understood that thepanther would make its leap, no matter how seriously it might be wounded. 

Frank did not claim to be an acrobat, but he certainly made a record forhimself in the line of back tumbling. 

"Who shot?" shouted Jerry in amazement. 

"Where's the bear?" came from Joe, equally amazed and confused. 

Frank had by this time managed to scramble to his feet. He was somewhatscratched, and would perhaps feel a bit sore from his tremendous effort, but his heart beat high with anticipation when he realized that all wasstill in the quarter where he had been snugly lying. 

"Stir up the fire, Jerry, and fetch a torch here!" he called, holdinghimself in readiness for another shot, if such should be needed. 

"You just bet I will!" cried the other, bounding forward. 

Frank saw him give the smoldering fire a kick that started it into newlife. Then, bending over, he snatched a brand and came running back. 

"Where are you, Frank? What under the sun happened? Not hurt, are you?"was what he was singing out, his voice trembling with eagerness andanxiety. 

"Everything all right, Jerry. Come this way. Now poke the blaze overyonder. "

Jerry gave a shout. 

"Something's moving! It's kicking its last, by the great horn spoon!Frank's got his bear--no, I'll be hanged if it is! A panther, Joe, apanther!"

He stood there like a statue, holding the torch and staring at the sleekgray form stretched out under the tree, and which was, in fact, givingthe very last kick, as he had declared. 

Frank laughed, a little hysterically, it may be assumed, for the strainon his nerves had been tremendous. 

"Unexpected visitor, eh, Jerry? Didn't send out an invitation to thisslippery gentleman, did we? But he insisted on joining the family circle, and I just _had_ to ask him in, " he said, trying to steady his voice, while, unseen by Jerry, his hands were shaking as he clutched his gun. 

"Tell me about that, will you! Oh, yes, he came, all right. That was awarm invitation he couldn't resist. But how did you see him, Frank? Wherewas the sly old cat? Say! he must have jumped for you, I guess, for thatwas just where you were squatting!"

Frank shuddered as he saw that this was true. Only for his quick actionin vacating his position he must have been torn by the poisonous clawsof the dying beast. 

"He was sitting just above my head, on that limb there, " he remarkedquietly. 

"Talk to me about your cute ones, what could equal that? Do you think theold slinker was there all the time?" demanded Jerry, shaking his head. 

"Oh, no. That is out of the question. Our coming must have alarmed him ifhe had been so close by. I imagine he crept through the trees while welay here waiting, like so many mummies. "

"I say, Frank, do panthers like honey?" demanded the other. 

"Well, now, you've got me there. Never having had any experience in thatline, I'm in the dark. How about it, Joe?" laughed Frank. 

"I never heard of one that did. S'pect he was snoopin' around to see whatwe was a-doin' here. Then there was the smell of the blood from the deer, you know, " explained the Florida boy wisely. 

"Why, of course! That's it. But I say, Frank, do we cut out the bear huntnow?"

"That's for you to say. I've had my shot, but if you're satisfied tostay, why, count on me to keep you company. "

"I had my heart set on bear steak. The only thing is, will old Bruin comenow, after all this rumpus?" said Jerry disconsolately. 

"If half that I've heard about his liking for wild honey is true, a dozenrackets like that couldn't keep him away. Joe, you know. Tell us if thatisn't so?" asked Frank. 

"Oh, he'll come, all right, if he smells that honey, " returned the boyconfidently. 

"That settles it, then. We stay a while, at any rate, " declared Frank. 

Jerry was secretly pleased. Perhaps he did have a little streak of envyin his composition, for it galled him to have others succeed in hisbeloved sport while fortune denied him a fair share of the honors. But, taken all in all, Jerry was square enough, and would quickly changeplaces with a companion in a boat when it appeared that all the fish werelying at his end. 

Frank moved his position a little. Then they settled down to wait. Ofcourse, every one of the three boys cast rather frequent and apprehensiveglances up into the branches overhead. Sometimes these panthers hunted inpairs, and how were they to tell but what the mate to Frank's victimmight be even then watching for a chance to leap down upon them?

An hour passed. Then Jerry heard a grunting sound somewhere close by. Itwas accompanied by a rustling in the bushes. 

His pulses thrilled, while Joe, who had taken up a position alongside himafter the adventure with the panther, put out a hand and nudged Jerryseveral times. 

"Bear!" he said, in the lowest of whispers. 

Again and again came the grunting and the swishing of bushes. Bruin wassniffing the delightful aroma of honey. It was so strong that his usualcaution was apparently thrown to the winds, and he pushed forwardstraight toward the spot where the broken tree hive had scattered much ofits delicious contents over the ground. 

Now Jerry could see his bulky figure as he shuffled forward with eagermien. The repeating rifle began to come up, though Jerry was in no hurryto fire. He wanted to get a fair view of the animal's side, so that hecould bring Bruin down with a single shot. 

They could hear the beast grunting in delight as he started in to devoursome of the bees' rich treasure. Perhaps he had long cast an envious eyeon that same tree hive, and hoped for the time to come when a storm mightlay it low. 

Frank held his fire generously. He could have shot the bear severaltimes, and with the buckshot shells that were in his gun had no fearabout killing his game with ease; but it was really Jerry's turn. 

Finally came the sharp report. They saw the bear roll over, try tostagger up again, struggle vehemently, and then gradually grow weaker. 

"Hurrah, Jerry! He's your bag!" shouted Frank, as genuinely happy asthough it had been his own shot that did the business; perhaps more so. 

"Oh! what a night! Bring on your bears and panthers, your crocodiles andtomcats!" cried Jerry. "We can take care of a whole menagerie. Talk to meabout your hunting preserves! Did you ever meet up with anything thatequals this?"

Realizing that the boys on board the motorboat must be consumed witheagerness to know what the result of these two shots might be, Frank nowproposed that they go aboard. 

"We want some sleep, you see. In the morning we'll be able to attend tothese fellows. I guess nothing will bother them until then, " he said. 

He and Joe entered the little dinghy, and it was ferried across the waterto the anchored boat. There they were met by both Will and Bluff, who, being aroused by the first shot, had sat there, swathed in blankets, watching for the return of the mighty Nimrods. 

"What luck?" called Bluff, evidently repenting that he had notaccompanied them. 

"Oh, Jerry got his bear, all right, " sang out Frank indifferently, whilehe kept on pushing the smaller boat closer to the other. 

"But didn't you shoot? Will declared it was your shotgun that awoke usfirst--it must have been hours ago, " went on Bluff curiously. 

"Why, yes. I had a shot at a gray visitor who threatened to jump down onme from the tree. " And Frank began climbing aboard so that Joe could goback after the other chum. 

"What! Do you mean a panther?" burst out Bluff. 

"Sure! Wait till you see the chap, in the morning. Looks like a dandy, "replied Frank, trying to appear unconcerned. 

"Then you got him?"

"It was a case of getting him before he got me. " And then, taking pity onthe boys, who were fairly burning with eagerness to hear, he told how hehad happened to discover the crouching beast that had crept into the treewithout their knowledge. 

Presently Jerry came aboard. Both of the hunters, as well as young Joe, were too sleepy for further conversation. 

"You'll see it all in the morning. And Will, we can hang up the game sothat you'll have a fine shot at the scene, bee tree and all. Every timewe look at it our mouths will water at the thought of all that fine honeygoing to waste, " and with this parting remark Frank crawled under hisblanket. 

Nothing happened to disturb the outdoor chums during the balance ofthe night. With the coming of morning they were astir. Breakfast was ahurried meal. Then they went ashore in detachments, Joe remaining behindto look after the boat. 

Will managed to get a good picture of the trophies, with the two gallanthunters standing beside the defunct bear and panther. Then, after theformer had been washed, being sticky with the honey, Frank assisted Jerryto get the skin off. It was here the boys profited by the advice givenby the old trapper, Jesse Wilcox, when they visited him in his camp aboveRocky Creek, which was a feeder to the lake upon which their home townwas located. 

Before noon they were all aboard again. Both skins had been secured, besides the choice portions of the bear meat. Bluff even managed to fillanother kettle with the honey, though stung unmercifully by the angrybees that were so busily working to transfer their stores to a new home. 

After a bite of lunch they started out again on the gulf, since theconditions invited an afternoon cruise. Frank knew they would find a goodholding place not more than twenty miles further along the shore, and heaimed to reach it before the coming of night. 

It was just four o'clock when they pushed in behind another key and madetheir way to the mainland, for here the water was quite deep. 

"I move for a camp ashore, for a change, " suggested Jerry. 

"Second that motion. My back's nearly broken from these hard boards, "grunted Bluff. "Oh, dear! If we only had our air mattresses along, Frank!"

"Yes, if we only had!" exclaimed Jerry. "Then you'd soon quit claimingthat you had bigger lungs than I've got. You know I beat you in blowingup my bag. "

"Yes, just once more than I came in winner. Isn't that so, Frank?"

Frank poured oil on the troubled waters, but he and Will winked at eachother, for the joke always amused them. 

They erected the tent, and had their jolly campfire, which reminded themof many in the past. It was, of course, thought a good thing to securethe boat with chain and padlock, so that no prowling scamp could make offwith it while they slept, for they meant to keep no watch. 

Joe found a place on board, as there was no room in the tent. Besides, hehad not a temperament that delighted in such things, and would only toogladly have always felt sure of having a good roof over him at night. 

The four boys were a bit crowded. Still, they joked over the thing asthey settled down, and after a time only the glow of the still burningfire told that human beings were somewhere near by. 

They slept soundly, despite the close quarters, since the air was cool, and, for a wonder, no mosquitoes worried them. Those who were dreamingmust have imagined the end of the world had suddenly arrived, for thetent was, without the least warning, knocked down, leaving the fouramazed boys scrambling and shouting under the canvas, and trying to crawlout from the wreckage. 

CHAPTER XXII

THE MESSAGE FROM THE AIR

"What struck us?" And Bluff poked his head out from under the canvas, looking for all the world like a tortoise, Frank thought, as he followedsuit. 

"Tell me about that, will you! Where's the villain who cut the ropes? Ican whip him with one hand!" panted Jerry, struggling in a mess of campnecessities, and kicking around among the aluminum ware that Frank prizedso highly. 

"Where's my camera? Some fellow has run off with my camera!" wailed Will. 

By this time Frank had extricated himself from the wreckage and began toassist the others to regain their feet. No one seemed to be seriouslyinjured, and the mystery was great. What had happened to smash down theirtent in that strange way?

"The ropes were never cut, fellows!" announced Bluff, after a hastyexamination. 

"Something _fell_ on us, that's what!" observed Jerry, shaking that wisehead of his in his obstinate fashion as he surveyed the ruins of thetent. 

Frank seized upon the idea quickly. 

"I believe you've struck the truth, Jerry!" he exclaimed. 

"Then it must have been a shooting-star or a piece off a comet, " saidWill. 

"Not much. I am sure I heard voices calling out, and laughing over thejoke. I tell you somebody's playing a nasty trick on us, that's what!"declared Bluff. 

"Voices, did you say? Are you sure?" demanded Frank, stopping in hisfumbling around the tent, while Jerry was throwing some dead palmettoleaves on the fire to induce a speedy blaze, so that they might have morelight. 

"Yes, I'm sure; and they were out there, too, " continued Bluff, pointingbeyond the motor-boat. 

"I heard 'em, too!" called Joe, at this juncture, as his head appeared inview above the combing of the craft. 

"Out on the bayou?" asked Frank, anxious to solve the strange mystery. 

"Sure! And there was something like the creaking of sails, too. But Idon't think they was makin' fun of us. I kinder thought one of 'em calledout somethin' that sounded like, 'Help us!'" went on Joe breathlessly. 

"Talk to me about your mysteries! Who ever ran up against a worse onethan this?" gasped Jerry, scratching his head, as he shivered in thecool air. 

"What time is it, anyhow?" demanded Will, who had now found his camera, and was feeling satisfied, because it did not appear to have sustainedany injury. 

"Time? I declare if that isn't dawn in the east, fellows! Time we wereup, I guess, " remarked Frank, stooping over again, determined to learnthe secret of the sudden and violent collapse of the tent, accompanied bysuch strange whispering voices that seemed to die away in the distance. 

"Well, all I can say is that if dawn comes with such a swoop down in thisblessed country, it's me back to my native heath again, " grumbled Jerry, who had received a few bruises in the mix-up. Up to now he had paid noattention to them, but they were beginning to make themselves manifest. 

"What's this?"

Frank uttered the cry as he bent over and stared at something which hehad discovered under the canvas. 

"Hold on! I've got my gun handy!" exclaimed Bluff, thinking that if itwere a wild animal his time had come to distinguish himself. 

"Oh! What is it?" echoed Will, crowding near. 

The fire was now leaping madly up as the tinder-like dried palmettoleaves and stalks caught, so that every one could easily see. 

"Why, it's a bag!--a big bean bag!" exclaimed Will, in amazement. "Where, in the name of goodness, did that come from, fellows?"

"A bean bag! Tell me about that, will you?" said Jerry. And then, as hebent over to clutch hold of it, he went on: "Why, as sure as you live, it's a _sand bag_! Who ever could have shied that thing at us and thenrun away?"

Frank was more than startled. He had seen just such bags before, andfilled with sand, too. He knew to what uses they were put. 

"Say! What do you think, that bag is ballast from a balloon or airship?"he cried. 

"Ballast!"

"From an airship!"

The four outdoor chums stood there and stared, first at each other andthen at the suspicious bag that lay there on the canvas. There could beno mistake about its contents, for one seam had broken, and the sand wastrickling out even now. 

"Then a balloon passed over us in the night, and they threw out a sandbag to lighten her! What do you think of that?" gasped Jerry, as ifhardly able to grasp the strangeness of the affair. 

"Why would they want to lighten her?" asked Bluff. 

Frank was quick to perceive facts. 

"Listen, fellows! Joe, here, says the voices were out yonder, toward thekey, and that they gradually grew less distinct. That would happen, youknow, if a balloon were gradually drifting out toward the open gulf. "

"Tell me about that, now! Do you really think they were being run awaywith?" asked Jerry in a tense tone, as he tried to picture the alarm thatmust overwhelm aeronauts under such conditions. 

"Didn't Joe say he was sure he heard some one cry out, 'Help us'?Wouldn't that indicate danger for the balloonists? I tell you what, boys, this was the most remarkable thing that ever happened to us. To thinkthat the sand bag, and maybe an anchor, knocked our tent down with asmash, and didn't kill or seriously injure a single one of us beats therecord! But I'm sorry for those fellows, though. "

"So am I, Frank. I wish we could do something to help them, " remarkedWill. 

"Couldn't we put out right away? They may fall into the gulf any minute, and be drowned! Say! Why not go, Frank?" pursued Jerry. 

"Get some clothes on, the first thing, fellows. We're not going back tobed again now, anyway. The dawn is surely coming on, and we could get outon the gulf in a short time, if we concluded to try it. "

They had left their outer garments aboard the motor-boat, so that it waseasy enough to find them now. Hastily they dressed, all the whilechattering like a lot of magpies. But it might have been noticed thatevery one was in favor of doing something to assist the driftingballoonists, who had apparently gone out to sea in a helpless airship. 

Frank was dressed a little before any of the rest. Something seemed tohave come into his mind, for he hurried ashore again, as if bent uponexamining the sand bag once more. 

"What's he up to?" asked Bluff, for the daylight was now growing strongenough for them to see to some extent. 

"Wants to look at that bean bag of Will's again, I guess. Perhaps hethinks we may have a good supper off the contents, " jeered Jerry. 

"Now I think he expects to get a clue, somehow. Perhaps there may be aname sewed on the old bag. Seems to me, balloonists do that, so thepeople below may report their passing over, especially when there's arace on, " remarked Will calmly. 

"And that's just what he's up to, " declared Bluff, "for you see he'sturning the bag over now. There! He's struck something, by the way hegrabs! It's a letter, fellows, as sure as you live!"

"A letter from the skies! Tell me about that, will you!" whistled Jerryas he bounded ashore and hurried to join Frank. 

"What's doing?" he asked anxiously, as he came to where the other wasstanding, staring at the piece of paper he held in his hand. 

"Remarkable! Who would ever have believed it?" Frank was saying. 

"Well, please take pity on the rest of us, and let us have a littlelight, " Will broke out with. 

"It came from the _Kentucky_, fellows!" Frank observed, shaking his head, as if he could hardly believe his senses. 

"That was the name of the balloon our good friend, Professor JasonSmythe, expected to pilot in the drift from Atlanta to Savannah, to testthe air currents. "

This from Jerry, who was equally amazed. 

"How do you know?" asked Bluff, of course, since he never acceptedanything without abundant proof. 

"The name is sewed on the bag. I found it underneath. But there wassomething more, boys--this letter, written, with others of the same kind, and sent down in the hope that one of them might fall into the hands ofsome person who would notify the government station at Pensacola or CedarKeys. "

"Read it to us, Frank!"

"Yes, don't keep us in suspense. Besides, if we're going to do anything, we'd better not waste so much time here, " Jerry remarked wisely. 

"Then listen. Here is what it says, scribbled so that I can hardly makeit out:

 * * * * *

"'On board the balloon _Kentucky_, and drifting toward the gulf. Ourvalve refuses to work, and we dare not attempt to land in the dark. Ballast nearly gone. We fear we may be swept out to sea. Please notifystation at Pensacola to send assistance--a tug, if possible. We may keepafloat a short time if we fall into the gulf. 

"'JASON SMYTHE. '"

 * * * * *

The boys looked awed at the remarkable coincidence of that sand bag, possibly thrown out at random, striking their tent; and they who knewthe professor so well. 

"But, come, fellows! We must be off! Leave these few things here till weget back. To save that daring aeronaut's life I'd sacrifice ten timesas much!" cried Frank as he leaped aboard the boat and started the motor, while the others tore loose the two remaining hawsers. 

CHAPTER XXIII

A DASH UPON THE GULF

"How About it, Frank? Ought all of us to go?" asked Jerry. 

"Do you think any one wants to remain behind?" asked the party addressed. 

"Speaking for myself, nothing could induce me to stay, " came the reply. 

"So say we all of us, " declared Bluff, who had overheard the question. 

"Besides, I think it wise that we stick together. If anything shouldhappen that we couldn't come back here, it wouldn't matter much. You see, we've been able to tumble most of our stuff aboard in a scramble. It canbe straightened out as we go. All ready, Jerry?" questioned Frank, as theother gave a shout. 

"All ready! Get aboard, and start her. It's light enough to see, now. Oh!I only hope we can find the professor!" cried Jerry as he embarked. 

"If Fortune is kind, we must, boys. Now we're off!"

With these words, firmly spoken, Frank opened up, and the power-boatbegan to move through the water. Fortunately, it was deep in thisshelter, so that they could make decent speed from the beginning. Hadthey anchored in such a shallow bayou as their last stopping place, itmust have taken an hour to get clear of the various oyster bars, runningout in finger-like ridges from the shore. 

Presently they cleared the point of land marking the upper end of thesheltering key, and the limitless gulf lay before them. 

Morning was now rapidly advancing. The far eastern heavens had begun totake on a beautiful rosy flush, such as can be seen in no place in thewide world to better advantage than in Florida, of a winter's morning. 

Every eye was instantly engaged in scouring that expanse of water, searching eagerly for a sign of the castaway balloonists. Frank even hadhis marine glasses leveled, and, first of all, scanned the horizon, hoping that possibly the air craft might have been able to keep afloatthus far through strenuous methods known to such a veteran sky pilot asthe professor. 

He was disappointed, however, for the only things that met his gaze werea few white gulls. 

"What's that floating on the water over yonder, Frank?" demandedsharp-eyed Will, pointing down the coast a little. 

A thrill passed through every heart. Had the lost air voyagers beensighted, and would they be rescued, after all?

Frank had his glasses focussed upon the object almost instantly. 

"Too bad, fellows! Only a bunch of brown pelicans floating on the sea andwaiting until breakfast time comes around, " he said at once. 

A chorus of remarks indicative of disappointment followed. Meantime, asthe speed of the boat was rushed up to near the limit of twelve miles, and they fairly flew over the comparatively smooth gulf, each boycontinued to scan the water, hoping to be the first to report success. 

"How long since they passed over, do you think?" asked practical Bluff. 

"I should say all of an hour, " was Frank's ready response. 

"One good thing, there wasn't any sort of a breeze. If it had beenblowing fairly hard, the balloon would be twenty miles away by now, evenif afloat. "

"That's a fact Bluff; and as there wasn't an air current of more than afew miles an hour, one thing seems positive. "

"What's that, Frank?" demanded Jerry. 

"The balloon must have dropped into the water. If it was still in the airit could be seen through these powerful glasses miles away. "

The others recognized the truth of his words. 

"You seem to be heading straight out. Have you any reason for such athing?" asked Bluff, seeking information. 

"I have. Before we started I carefully noted my bearings. I also madesure that what little air was stirring came direct from the land, which, in this case, was almost due east. You can easily see from that which waythe balloon must have drifted up to the minute it dragged in the water. "

"Frank, what you say is sound, practical good sense. We must come on somesign in a short time, if we keep straight on and the conditions remainthe same. I'm only afraid we may be too late, " remarked Jerry sadly. 

No one else spoke for several minutes as the motor-boat sped merrilyalong on her mission of mercy. It was a time of great strain. They hopedfor the best, and yet were conscious of a terrible fear lest theprofessor and his assistant might have gone down long ere this. 

"The breeze is freshening, " remarked Bluff presently. 

Frank had noted this, too. It was only natural, for after dawn the aircurrents that may have become sluggish during the night were in thehabit of awakening and taking on new life. 

He looked back. The land was several miles away by this time. If theywere fated to meet with success in their errand, something must beshowing up very soon now. 

Sick at heart with apprehension, Frank handed the glasses over to Jerry, and was pretending to pay strict attention to the motor. Truth to tell, his nerves were keyed up to a high tension, as he counted the seconds, and kept hoping for the best. 

Frank had noted one thing that gave him not a little concern. This was inconnection with the fact that the easterly breeze seemed to have bobbedaround to the southwest. Now, from all that he had heard this was aquarter that nearly always brings one of those howling "northers" thatprove such a bane to Florida cruisers. 

"How about that, Joe--is the fact that the wind is in the southwest aptto bring bad weather?" he asked, when he could get the cracker lad aside;for Frank did not wish to further alarm his chums. 

"Most always that happens. When the wind rises now, unless she goes backonce again to the south, you see she will be squally, " returned Joe, alsolowering his voice cautiously. 

"And that squally wind develops into something stronger, I guess?"pursued the Northern boy, always seeking to learn. 

"It jumps around to the northwest like a pompano skipping along the waterin a shoal. Then for three days it blows like a railroad train, out ofthe north, and we all shiver, " was the characteristic reply. 

"Well, I only hope the squall part of it holds off until we pick up thepoor professor. We saved him once from the fire, and now it seems up tous to pull him in out of the wet, if we have any decent sort of luck. "

Noting the look of surprise on the little fellow's brown face, andrealizing that he was totally ignorant in connection with what his wordsmeant, Frank proceeded to tell how the hotel in Centerville was burned, and what a part Jerry and himself had had in the rescue of theballoonist, who had taken a sleeping powder, and lay in his room, unconscious of the tumult and peril. 

Jerry meanwhile was making as good use of the marine glasses as he knewhow. 

"See anything that looks like the wreckage of a balloon on the water?"asked Frank, as he swept the horizon with his naked eye, but in vain. 

"Not a beastly thing, " returned the other, in a disappointed tone. 

"Oh, I'm afraid we've come in the wrong direction, " sighed tender-heartedWill, shaking his head dubiously; "and it's just terrible to think thatthose poor chaps may be drowning right now, and our little boat so nearat hand!"

"Tell me about that, will you? There he goes as usual, making us feellike murderers or something, when we only want a chance to get in ourfine rescuing act. Stop him talking that way, Frank, won't you?" pleadedBluff, who had emptied all the sand out of the bag dropped by thedrifting balloonists, and declared he meant to hang the same up in hisden at home as a memento of the wonderful incident. 

Frank stood up to see the better. 

Carefully he scanned the horizon, beginning at the furthest possiblequarter toward the south, and ranging to one equally improbablenorthward. 

And everywhere it seemed to be the same dead level line, with not a breakthat gave signs of promise. 

"And the strange thing about it all is that there doesn't seem to be asolitary vessel, big or little, in sight anywhere. It would be hard atany other time to find the gulf around here so utterly forsaken, " heremarked, beginning to feel discouraged himself. 

"It certainly looks as though we had the field to ourselves, " remarkedBluff; "here we've come some miles from shore, which is getting'hull-down, ' as the sailors say, in the distance, and yet not a peep ofthe lost balloonists. How much further ought we go, Frank?"

"Just as long as there seems to be the slightest chance of our strikingthose we're looking for, or we can see shore with the glasses. I, forone, would never be satisfied to give up, and then later on feel that wemight have found them if we'd only kept out another mile or two. "

"My sentiments, exactly, " declared Will, who possessed a tender heart, ashis chums knew from experience. 

So the time crept on. 

Frank was bending above the motor, but all the while he kept one eye overhis shoulder on the bow of the boat where his chum stood, still sweepingthe sea ahead with the marine glasses. 

In fact, every one aboard seemed to have his gaze focussed on Jerry bythis time, as though he might be the one to decide whether the hunt hadbetter be abandoned right then and there, or kept up still longer. 

And Frank almost held his breath awaiting the verdict. 

Suddenly he saw Jerry start, and screw the glasses more eagerly to hiseyes, as he craned his neck to see the better. With the increasing windthe waves had commenced to rise a little, consequently any floatingobject might at times be difficult to discern. 

"I had a glimpse of something then, fellows! But, after all, it mighthave been another bunch of old pelicans!" he exclaimed. 

"Not that. Pelicans would not be so far out. They hug pretty close to theshore, where the water is more shallow, and the fish come in to feed. Still, it may have been the fin of a shark cutting the water like thatone--" started Frank, when Jerry interrupted him:

"There it is again! As sure as you live, I believe it's a man clinging tosome sort of wreckage! Here, take the glasses, Frank! Right over there, dead ahead! Now be ready! There! See?"

"It _is_ a man! Yes--two of them! Fellows, we are in time!" cried Frank. 

"Hurrah!" the others shouted in chorus. 

And the breeze, coming off shore, must have carried that volume ofcheering sound to the ears of the almost despairing balloonists as theyclung there to the wreck of their disabled air craft, possibly arrangedto float for a time if it dropped into the sea. 

"Yes. There! I can see one of them waving his hand! Give the poor chapsanother shout, boys! This is great luck for us!" exclaimed Frank, and hisown sturdy voice helped to swell the sound that rolled over the water. 

If it was a happy moment for the rescuers, imagine the feelings of thetwo who clung there, expecting that every minute might see them withoutany support, as the waterlogged balloon sank under them!

Fast though the motor-boat was shooting through the waves, she seemed tofairly crawl, such was the impatience of the young voyagers. 

So they swept alongside the floating balloonists. When Professor Smythediscovered the identity of those who were coming to his aid hisastonishment knew no bounds. It was the most remarkable coincidence hecould remember meeting with in an adventurous career extending overmany years. 

"Was that your camp we passed over, a little while back?" he asked, as, having been helped aboard, and some instruments being passed up byhis assistant, he helped the latter to crawl over the gunwale of themotor-boat. 

"Just what it was, " laughed Frank, "and you came near wrecking us, too. The sand bag struck the tent, and carried it down in a heap. "

"Incredible! And yet that very fact goes to prove my assertion that inwar time dynamite could be easily dropped into a fortress by meansof a dirigible balloon, or an aeroplane. That was a happy thought of mineto send a message. Only I hope none of you brave boys received anyinjury!" cried the professor. 

"Luckily not. But what is to be done with this wreckage?" asked Frank. 

"Nothing. It will sink presently. We have secured all our valuableinstruments and records. I'm only too happy over escaping from a waterygrave. Simms and myself were making up our minds that our time had comewhen you hove in sight. "

"We are heading for Cedar Keys, but in no hurry to get there, professor. What would you like us to do for you?" asked Frank presently, after theyhad given both men blankets to throw about their shoulders, for the airwas "nippy. "

"There is smoke on the horizon, to the west I believe it must be asteamer bound for Tampa. Do you think it would be possible to intercepther and put us aboard?" asked the scientist eagerly. 

Frank took a look at the weather. 

"We'll make a try, anyhow. But to do so we must head straight out, forshe will go miles to the south of us, " he said. 

They sped on for an hour. The land was dim in the distance. It thrilledthem to know they were like a speck out in the midst of the great Gulf ofMexico. By now the coast steamer was in plain view, and signals were madefor her to stop. 

When the captain learned who the two men were, and that he could furtherthe work of the government, he gladly took them aboard; and the last theboys saw of the aeronauts was their waving hats as the steamer went onher way. 

CHAPTER XXIV

THE "NORTHER"

"Is it back to the shore now, Frank?"

"If we are wise we'll lose no time in heading that way, " was the quickresponse. 

"What's the matter? Is there anything wrong?" demanded Jerry, taking thealarm immediately from his chum's manner. 

"I think we are in for another little experience. If you notice, thereare clouds along the horizon. I imagine our long-delayed norther is aboutto swoop down on us before long. "

"Talk to me about the tough luck of that, will you! Of all times, that itshould pick out this to tackle us!" exclaimed Jerry. 

He had seen the dark clouds Frank mentioned, and noted that the wind wasno longer in the east, but had swung around to the southwest almostmagically. 

Of course, they were making as fast time as the motor-boat could boasttoward the dim shore line. How very far away it seemed to be! Will turneda little white as he contemplated the coming storm catching the smallboat out upon the broad bosom of the great gulf. 

In doing an errand of mercy they had unconsciously put their heads in thelion's mouth. 

Those were very anxious minutes for the chums. Each throb of the motorwas taking them closer to the land, but the clouds were rising, andthe wind increasing, all too fast to please Frank. 

When they were about two miles off shore he commenced to scan the scenebefore them with renewed eagerness. Much depended upon whether they wouldhave the good luck to strike in at a place where shelter might be foundagainst the fury of the storm when the waves assumed giant proportions. 

The gallant little boat behaved splendidly, although there were timeswhen it seemed to Will that his heart jumped into his throat with agonyas he imagined that the whirling propeller, exposed to view by the rapidsweep of a billow, might be twisted from its shaft, and ruin come uponthem. 

And the little dinghy floated astern like a duck, riding the rollers withease. Again was that valuable glass brought into use, this time searchingfor a haven, rather than to discover lost balloonists. 

"Frank, " said Jerry presently, "let me take the wheel while you lookthrough the glasses here. I believe I sighted a key just over yonder, where you see that high palmetto. It seems closer than others justbehind. "

One look Frank gave. 

"Boys, there's a chance for us!" he cried, "for that is certainly anisland, and if there only happens to be deep water back of it we can makea harbor. "

"Then you're going to risk it?" demanded Bluff. 

"There's nothing else to be done. If we head straight on we must goashore perhaps half a mile from the land itself. If we try to run downthe coast we will be capsized, because we present our broadside to theseas, and they're getting worse and worse every minute, " declared Frankfirmly. 

"Frank is right. It is our only hope, " said Jerry. 

There were some white faces in the little anxious group as the motor-boatswept resistlessly onward. If all went well, they would find shelterbehind the friendly key before many minutes. Should it shoal up rapidly, they must be hopelessly wrecked, and perhaps drowned, in the whirl offoamy water. 

The sky was by this time covered with black clouds, and the windincreasing to almost hurricane force. Frank knew that they were sweepingonward at more than twenty miles an hour. Once they struck a reef, whilegoing at this pace, and it meant an end to Cousin Archie's pretty boat, and imminent peril concerning themselves. 

Now he could see that he had made no mistake about the key. They sweptaround the northern end of the jutting land, and Jerry, who was clingingin the bow, trying to gain new confidence by thrusting the pole downwardfrom time to time, kept on announcing that he could not strike bottom. 

Gradually Frank steered in such fashion that they gained the protectionof a point. Then the boys broke out into a shout that voiced theirsentiments of thanksgiving at an almost miraculous escape. 

It was not difficult to find a snug harbor after that. Of course, thenorther was soon in full swing, it being really the first genuineexperience our cruisers had met with in that line. 

The air grew very cold, and they were glad to get ashore and build aroaring fire in a sheltered spot. Indeed, it was speedily determined thatthey would hug that same cheery blaze as long as the visitor from thefrigid North remained. 

Heavy rain had accompanied the first of the storm, but this soon ceased, and a steady roar of wind through the palmettos sounded like a railroadtrain passing over a long trestle. The waves breaking on the north end ofthe sand key also added to the wild clamor. 

All that day and the next they were stormbound. Of course, Jerry couldnot be kept idle. Fishing was out of the question during such a blow, buthe discovered that there was plenty of game to be had with Frank'sshotgun. Ducks could be obtained in any number, such as they were. Franktried skinning them to get rid of the fishy flavor, and found it answeredsplendidly. Coots, treated in the same way, afforded a very palatablestew. 

Then on the mainland, where Jerry managed to go by aid of the dinghy, hewas lucky enough to stir up several bevy of quail, from which he tookfair toll. 

Meanwhile Bluff, seized with a sudden sense of his duties as the owner ofa repeating shotgun, hied him away along the protected inner shore of thekey, and managed to gather in a full dozen snipe and shore birds ofvarious species, some of which proved to be very delicious. 

So they passed the time away, making merry, as care-free lads will. OftenFrank and Jerry talked mysteriously together, while little Joe was busilyengaged about the fire. Undoubtedly the two good-hearted boys were tryingto hatch up some sort of scheme whereby the youngster might be benefited. 

On the third day they determined to start out. The sea had gone down todecent proportions, with a promise of several fair days ahead, as isalways the case after a norther has cleared the atmosphere. Besides, their time was nearing an end, and they must get closer to Cedar Keys. 

A long day's run was taken, and as they sought a snug harbor thatafternoon the solemn face of Frank assured his chums that they were nearthe end of their delightful winter vacation. 

"If you look over yonder, fellows, " said Frank as they drifted slowlytoward the harbor that had been selected for the night's anchorage, "you'll see something that will tell you the city on the key is close athand. To-morrow we will wind up our little cruise, I'm sorry to say. "

A groan greeted this announcement, although they had suspected that suchan ending to their happy time was imminent. 

Jerry reluctantly raised the marine glasses. 

"Yes, it's a fact, fellows, " he said slowly. "I can see the wharves andsome of the boats, as well as church steeples. That's Cedar Keys, allright. "

"Then this is our last night in camp. Well, boys, don't let's get theblues. We've had a bully good time, and will never forget what has comeour way. Why, the rescuing of the wrecked balloonists alone paid us forcoming, " said Will. 

They found plenty of water, and anchored in the mouth of the famousSuwanee River, with the busy city something like twelve miles away. 

Once more they went ashore, and on the bank of the stream of which theyhad so many times sung they built their last campfire and put up theirtent. 

"Lucky we bundled those things in before leaving that camp, whensearching for the lost balloonists, " said Will, who was figuring ongetting a picture of the scene in the morning, to finish up his series. 

"Yes, for otherwise we'd have had to sleep on board to-night, " laughedFrank. 

Supper over, they sat around, talking and laughing, in the endeavor toforget the sorrow that gnawed at their boyish hearts. They had enjoyedthis trip so much that it would be with the keenest regret that theyturned their backs on the Sunny South, and once more struck out for thesnow-clad hills of their native land. 

Jerry sang, and Bluff orated to his heart's content. Finally they noticedthat Frank was looking at something he held in his hand. 

"It's the sealed document his father gave him before starting, " saidBluff. 

"Tell me about that, will you! Frank, didn't he give you permission toopen it when you came in sight of Cedar Keys?" cried Jerry eagerly. 

Frank, in reply, was tearing off the end of the envelope, a smile ofexpectation on his face. 

"I guess it's going to turn out a joke, " hazarded Bluff. 

"Now, I've been thinking that perhaps they settled it we should come upby way of the ocean from Jacksonville, " declared Will, "and that's thesurprise. "

"How is it, Frank? Tell us about it!" cried Jerry as he saw the face ofthe other light up when his eyes took in the import of the communicationhe found inside the envelope his father had given him. 

Frank turned around. His gaze did not rest immediately on his chums, butwas given entirely to little Joe, which fact amazed the others stillmore. 

"It's the greatest thing ever, fellows! It makes me so happy I hardlyknow whether I'm dreaming or not! And the best of it is, the wholebusiness is about our little campmate here, Joe Abercrombie!" was what hesaid, seizing the lad's hand warmly. 

CHAPTER XXV

THE SECRET OF THE SEALED PACKET--CONCLUSION

"About me!" exclaimed Joe, looking amazed. 

"Talk to me about surprises!" ejaculated Jerry. "Frank does love to knockus all silly!"

"How could your father know about Joe, here?" demanded skeptical LawyerBluff. 

"Joe, what was your father's name?" asked Frank, eagerness in his brighteyes. 

"Joseph Sprague Abercrombie, " came the immediate response. 

"Hurrah! That settles it!" shouted Frank, throwing his hat into the air. His chums could not ever remember having seen him one-half so excitedbefore. 

"Take pity on us!" cried Will, catching the other by the sleeve. 

"Yes, hurry up and tell, or I'll burst!" ejaculated Bluff. 

Jerry shook Frank, in his earnestness, saying:

"It isn't fair, and you know it! We're chums, and we deserve to be takeninto your confidence. "

"Right you are; and now sit down and listen to me. I'm not going to readthis letter out, but you can look it over later, as you please. My fathersays he was just about to come down to Cedar Keys himself, or send atrusted clerk, for the business is very important, you see. "

"And that was why he smiled when you told him where we meant to bringup?"

"Yes, Bluff, that was the reason. Now you know he is a banker and acapitalist. In times gone by he used to be in Wall Street, so he hadconnection with many men who were investors. One friend of his, namedJoseph Sprague Abercrombie, who was an engineer, entrusted some money tohim to invest in certain stocks. By an unfortunate turn of the marketthose stocks became seemingly valueless. They have lain in his safe forten years. "

"Say! it's growing exciting! I can see what's coming!" cried Bluff. 

"Meanwhile, my father had lost all track of his once boyhood friend Joe. Then, by a strange freak of fate, the corporation that had issued thosestocks suddenly became alive. Everything they owned began to prosper. Their mines turned out rich investments, their timber lands found abig market. The apparently worthless stock, taken from the safe and puton the market at its highest point, brought in a fortune for JosephAbercrombie or his heirs!"

"Hurrah!" shouted Will, embracing little Joe in the exuberance of hisjoy. 

"Talk to me about magic, will you! This thing has the Arabian Nightsbeaten all to a frazzle, and that's what I think!" laughed Jerry, pumpingthe hand of Joe vigorously. 

"My father tried hard to locate his old friend. By degrees he found thathe had gone South, soon after sinking his little savings in what seemedto have been worthless stock. Then he learned that he had lost his lifeon the road, and that his family with but scant means, had moved to CedarKeys, where they were still living, according to what information hecould secure. "

"It's great, that's what! And to think that we should have run across Joehere in such a marvelous way!" said Bluff. 

"Yes, " spoke up the lad quickly, "and I believe you saved my life, too. I'd been killed by them men, my uncle with the rest; or else I'd tried toescape, and might 'a' lost myself ashore, to died in the swamps. I'llnever forget it, never!"

After all, that evening was by long odds the happiest of the whole trip. They sat around the fire until long after midnight. Indeed, it was hardto get any one to admit that he was sleepy in the least degree. 

"Our last camp, fellows. Perhaps we may never be able to all meet undercanvas again, " said Jerry as they finally set about seeking their beds. 

If Jerry could have lifted the curtain of the future a bit he would neverhave ventured that doleful prophecy. There were other camps in store forthe four outdoor chums, many of them, and in a country whither theirlonging souls had often turned--the wilderness around the great Rockies. But it is not our province to mention any of the wonderful adventuresthat were fated to befall them there. All those things will be duly setdown in the next volume of this series, which will be called: "TheOutdoor Chums After Big Game; or, Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness. "

When breakfast had been dispatched in the morning, for the last time thefour outdoor chums took down the dear old khaki tent and folded it awayreverently. They looked upon it as a friend and comforter indeed. 

Then they went aboard the _Jessamine_, and started for the city, whichcould be seen upon the key, over the gleaming, sun-kissed water of thegulf. 

They arrived long before noon, and leaving the boat in the hands of theparty to whom Frank bore a letter from his cousin, the four chumsaccompanied little Joe to his modest home. 

Here the delightful news was broken to the widow of Mr. Langdon's oldboyhood friend. Words would be useless to describe her joy. The cloudshad rolled away as if by magic, and at last she could see a happy futurefor herself and her family, marred by only one keen regret, and that theabsence of the brave man who had died at his post years before. 

Our boys spent a couple of days in Cedar Keys. Letters were found therefrom the home folks. At last they started north once more, to resumetheir school duties, satisfied that they had enjoyed the finest vacationin all their experience. 

Their work in saving the lost balloonists was spoken of in the papers, for the professor would never forget what he owed them. He even tookpains to write to Mr. Langdon and praise the conduct of the boys. 

Safely landed again in Centerville, and once more taking up their schoolwork, we shall have to part from the boys. 

"Well, it was a great outing!" declared Will. 

"Talk to me about good times!" came from Jerry. "We never had a better. "

"Right you are, " added Frank. "And the photos are all dandy. "

"They'll certainly be fine, to keep and look over in years to come, "remarked Will. 

And here we will take leave of the Outdoor Chums and say good-by.