The three remaining boys were quickly added to the heap, dragging the Warrens from off their fallen leader; and the turmoil and confusion that raged about the Warren sitting-room for a moment might have meant the wreck and ruin of a city home, adorned with bric-à-brac, but resulted in no more serious damage than a collection of bruises on the shins and elbows of the participants.
Out of the confusion of arms and legs, however, each individual boy at length withdrew his own, more or less damaged.
Youre a lot of villains! exclaimed George Warren. Wasnt I sound asleep, though? But, oh! perhaps we are not glad to see you.
I tell you what we will do, cried young Joe. We will hurry up and dress and go out in the kitchen and cook up a big omelette
The roar that greeted young Joes words drowned out the rest of the sentence.
Isnt he a wonder, though! exclaimed George Warren. Why, he had his supper only three hours and a half ago, and here he is talking about eating.
I dont care about anything to eat, declared young Joe. I thought the other fellows would like something.
Hes so thoughtful, said Arthur.
Young Joe looked longingly toward the kitchen.
Well, we are not going to keep you awake, said Henry Burns at length, after they had talked over the days adventures. We thought you would like to have us call. Well be round in the morning, though.
But the Warrens wouldnt hear of their going. There were beds enough in the roomy old house for all, as the rest of the family
had not arrived. So up the stairs they scrambled. Twenty minutes later, the fact that young Joe was sleeping soundly was audibly in evidence.
He cant keep me awake, though, exclaimed Harvey. I have had enough for one day to make me sleep, havent you, Henry?
But Henry Burns was asleep already.
The next afternoon, as the crowd of boys sat about the Warren sitting-room, talking and planning, the tall figure of a man strode briskly up the road leading to the cottage. He was dressed in a suit of black, somewhat pretentious for the island population, with a white shirt-front in evidence, and on his head he wore a large, broad-brimmed soft hat. In his hand he carried a cane, which he swung with short, snappy strokes, as a man might who was out of temper.
George Warren, from a window, observed his approach.
Hello! he exclaimed. Here comes the squire. Doesnt look especially pleasant, either. I wonder whats up.
That something or other was up was apparent in the squires manner and expression, as he walked hastily across the piazza and hammered on the door with the head of his cane.
Good morning, Captain Ken began young Joe.
But he got no further. Here, you stop that! cried the squire, advancing into the room and raising his cane threateningly. Dont you ever call me Captain Kendrick again as long as you live. Its no use for you to say you mistake me for him, for you dont.
Young Joe disappeared.
Confound that Joe! said Arthur. He always says the wrong thing.
Captain Kendrick was the squires bitterest enemy; and it was a constant thorn in the squires side that they really did resemble each other slightly.
Good morning, squire, said George Warren, politely. Wont you have a seat?
No, I wont! said Squire Brackett, shortly. I dont need any seat to say what I want to say. I want to talk with those two young scamps over there.
Squire Brackett pointed angrily toward Jack Harvey and Henry Burns.
What can we do for you, squire? inquired Henry Burns, quietly.
Do for me! repeated the squire, his voice rising higher. You have done enough for me already, I should say. What do you mean by running down my sailboat in the bay yesterday? Hadnt you done enough to annoy me already, without smashing into the Seagull and tearing a brand-new sail and ripping things up generally?
What can you do for me, indeed! Well, Ill tell you what you can do: you can pay me forty dollars for a new sail; and you can pay for a new boom to replace the broken one. And theres some rigging that was carried away. That is all I think of now.
The squire paused for breath.
Yes, I guess that is about all, remarked Henry Burns.
But Jack Harvey was on his feet and facing the angry squire. See here, he began, do you mean to say that that young chap we helped out of his scrape blames us for the wreck? Just bring him
Hold on, Jack, said Henry Burns. Take it easy. We were not to blame, so lets not get into a quarrel with the squire. Perhaps he has not heard just how it did happen.
Havent I? roared the squire. Thats impudence added to injury. Didnt my son, Harry, tell me all about it how you ran him down; how you steered in on to him when he was trying his best to keep clear of you? Havent I heard of it, indeed! I have heard all I want to about it. Now, there is only one thing left for you two young men to do, and that is to settle for the damages. That is all I want of you and no impudence.
It wont do you any good to try to lie out of it, he added, as he started for the door. Ive got no time to waste listening to denials. You can just come down to Dakins store and settle to-day or to-morrow, or there will be a lawsuit begun against both of you, or whoever is responsible for you. I guess my son Harrys word is good as a dozen of yours. Hes told me all about it. Good morning to you.