The terrible spectacle was witnessed by unengaged soldiers, men at camp, and the now homeless people of the burning town; but
Davis to Mrs. Parke.
But there is generally something doubtful under all of the quiet and constructive plays George favors so readily, doubted Mrs. Parke.
Mother, if you dont believe we are going to build something great and worth while, ask Jim. He never tells fibs! said George, with such a disappointed expression in his eyes that said My own mother hesitates to trust me, that both ladies hastened to assure him that they fully trusted him.
So the mothers were sent off on the drive, and the two armies continued their plans for a grand fight.
The moment luncheon was over Martha crept to the back door and thence to the store-room that was built out from the butlers pantry. The servants were all downstairs eating lunch and talking, so the time was most opportune for a raid. Jim was already there trying to pry up lids of cereal cartons and other boxes.
Heahs some mos empty, said he, the moment Martha appeared in the store-room.
Theyre all right! Even if there is a little oatmeal and rice in some of em so much the better, cause we must try to fish em out of the water when the Yanks throw the cargo in, said Martha, carrying the three boxes to the window, and dropping them out on the grass where George stood waiting.
Besides the three boxes used for cereal, Jim found a real tea-caddy, but it was more than half full, so Martha emptied the contents on a newspaper spread on the floor behind the door.
Also they found a soap box and the contents was emptied on top of the tea for want of a better place. A cardboard drum that had held dried fruit or other viands, stood on the shelf with some stuff in it lumpy and pulverized together.
What is this? asked Martha, taking up a lump.
Ah donno, but maybe yo kin tell ef yo tas it, suggested Jim.
So Martha carefully touched the lump to her tongue, but the moment it came in contact with the pink tip, the washing-soda burned and smarted horribly.
Martha dropped it and held her mouth frantically, while Jim implored her not to make a noise or they would be ketched. But the venture was enough for Martha, who hurried out of the room to seek a drink of cooling water.
Jim, thinking it a shame to leave a nice drum there after such a painful experience, emptied the soda upon the soap and orange pekoe tea and dropped the drum from the window. He then climbed up and dropped himself out upon the grass, where George waited.
Wheres Martha? queried Jack.
Makin soap-suds, Ah reckon, giggled Jim.
Making what? demanded George, surprised.
Wall, shes went fer a drink an ef dat sody sticks to her tongue shell have suds all inside her mouf, wont she? said Jim.
Marthas appearance quieted any fears for her safety, however, and soon after all were running to the creek with their burdens of boxes and broomstick guns.
The raft was heavy and hard to move, but finally all hands heaved and tugged and moved it inch by inch nearer the water. The bank of the stream was about three feet above the surface of the water, so when the raft was half over the bank they expected to see it plunge headlong in with a splash, but it stuck on the jagged trunk of a tree, and the children tried in vain to dislodge it.
Then Jack had an inspiration.
Well use the broomsticks and pry her off!
Fine idea! Here, John, you stand there and pry under her with this stick. Jim can stand there just opposite you, while Jack and I, being strongest, will pry and shove from the back to shove her over, said George.
Obediently, John took his place and Jim stood on a flat stone opposite, but on the lower side of the raft. When the signal was given by Martha, all four shoved and worked together and the raft moved an inch more nearer the water.
Fine! Now, boys, once more! shouted Jack.
Again the signal sounded, and all four pried and pushed. Suddenly the weight of the raft carried it forward with great momentum, dislodging the stone upon which Jim stood and pushed with his broomstick. He lost his balance and fell upon the raft just as it submerged in the creek.
Jim went with it, and as the mud that was stirred up from the bottom of the sluggish stream when the heavy corner of the raft dug down through the water immediately clung to him, Jim was an object for pity when he sputtered up from the water.
Dear me! The first man overboard and neither side ready for the act! sighed Anne seriously.
Arent you ashamed of yourself, Jim, to go and spoil the battle like that? demanded Martha, justly angry.
Huccome Ah feel shamed? Diden dat ole warship give me struggle enough widdout yo all blamin me fer a wettin? cried Jim defensively, trying to rub the mud from his eyes.
Well, now that
youre wet, youd better be the captain on the ship. Get the raft back here to shore so we can load her up with tea, ordered Jack.
Whose going to be British and who the Yanks? asked John.
Im always George Washington in these fights, hinted George.