Theres no show for that warm supper to-night, Im afraid, said Harvey, as they turned the bluff and stood slowly into the harbour.
The immediate answer to this remark was an Ahoy, there, on board the Viking ! from across the water. The next moment, the familiar canoe shot into sight and Tom Harris and Bob White were quickly on deck.
We beat you fellows by a few minutes, said Tom Harris, laughing at Harvey.
Look out for Jack, said Henry Burns, with a wink at the other two. He has been having so much fun that he doesnt want any more. And, besides, hes starving and so am I; and we might eat little boys up if they plague us.
Why, whats the matter? asked Tom, observing that Harvey was half-scowling as he smiled at Henry Burnss sally.
Oh, we have been entertaining a friend up the bay, answered Henry Burns, and he didnt appreciate what Jack did for him. Seriously now, I dont blame Jack for being furious. And Henry Burns gave a graphic account of the adventure.
When he had finished, both Tom Harris and Bob White gave vent to whistles of surprise.
Say, exclaimed Bob White, you couldnt guess who that young chap is, if you tried a hundred years.
Why, do you know him, then? cried Jack Harvey.
Yes, and you will know him, too, before the summer is over, replied Bob White. Thats Harry Brackett, Squire Bracketts son.
Didnt know he had any, exclaimed Harvey.
Neither did we till this summer, said Bob White. He dropped in on us one day, early, and wanted to borrow some money. That was up in Benton. He said he must have it, to get right back to Southport; and Toms father let him have a little. But we saw him several days after that driving about the streets with a hired rig. So thats where the money went, and I think Mr. Harris will never see the money again. Hes been off to school for two years, so he says; but if he has learned anything except how to smoke, he doesnt show it.
But, never mind that now, added Bob. Lets get the Viking in to anchorage and made snug, for you know theres something waiting for you over to the camp.
What! You dont mean you have kept supper waiting for us all this time? cried Henry Burns, joyfully.
Oh, but you are a pair of bricks! exclaimed Harvey, as Bob White nodded an affirmative. I can smell that fish chowder that Bob makes clear out here.
A few minutes later, the four boys, weighting the canoe down almost to the gunwales, were gliding in it across the water to a point of land fronting the harbour, where, through the darkness, the vague outlines of a tent were to be discerned. Soon the canoe grazed along a shelf of ledge, upon which they stepped. Tom Harris sprang up the bank and vanished inside the tent. Then the light of a lantern shone out, illuminating the canvas, and Tom Harris, as host, stood in the doorway, holding aside the flap for them to enter.
Inside the tent, which had a floor of matched boards, freighted down from up the river for the purpose, it was comfortable and cosy. Along either side, a bunk was set up, made of spruce poles, with boards nailed across, and hay mattresses spread over these. There were two roughly made chairs, which, with the bunks, provided sufficient seats for all. At the farther end of the tent, on a box, beside another big wooden box that served for a locker, was an oil-stove, which was now lighted and upon which there rested an enormous stew-pan.
The cover being removed from this, there issued forth an aroma of fish chowder that brought a broad grin even to the face of Jack Harvey.
Hooray! he yelled,
grasping Bob White about the waist, giving him a bearlike embrace, and releasing him only to bestow an appreciative blow upon his broad back. Its the real thing. Its one of Bobs best. It is a year since I had one, but I remember it like an old friend.
You get the first helping, for the compliment, said Bob White, ladle in hand.
And only to think, said Henry Burns, some moments later, as he leaned back comfortably, spoon in hand, that that was Squire Bracketts son we helped out of the scrape. He certainly has the squires pleasing manner, hasnt he, Jack?
Henry, replied Jack Harvey, solemnly, dont you mention that young Brackett again to me to-night. If you do, Ill put sail on the Viking and go out after him.
Then I wont say another word, exclaimed Henry Burns. For my part, I hope never to set eyes on him again.
Unfortunately, that wish was not to be gratified.
CHAPTER IV. SQUIRE BRACKETT DISCOMFITED
Didnt have a chance, replied Bob. We went up to the cottage, but there wasnt anybody there. Then we met Billy Cook, and he said he saw all three of them away up the island this afternoon.
Henry Burns went to the door of the tent and looked over the point of land, up the sweep of the cove.
They have come back, he exclaimed. Theres a light in the cottage. Come on, lets hurry up and eat, and get over there.
But at that very moment the light went out.
Hello! he said. There they go, off to bed. Guess they must be tired. Too bad, for I simply cannot stand it, not to go over to the cottage to-night just to look at the cottage, if nothing more. And I am afraid if I do, I may make a little noise, accidentally, and wake one of them up.