The Go Ahead Boys in the Island Camp Part 34

"Tell us what you're talking about first," said John, beginning to get a little bit angry. "Stop talking in riddles."

Fred explained how his stomach had come in contact with George's foot and how, as a result, they had both been compelled to give up the race.

The tale provided much amus.e.m.e.nt to the listeners and even Hugh, who had partly revived, joined in the laughter.

"I'm no mule though," insisted George.

"You've got a kick like one just the same," laughed Fred. "Tell me," he continued, "who won the race."

"Grant won," replied Mr. Maxwell.

"Good work, Grant," cried Fred. "Who was second?"

"Thomas."

"When you tell me who was third you'll also tell me whether we won the meet or not. Who was it?"

"John was third," said Grant.

"John?" exclaimed George in mock surprise. "It can't be possible."

"Don't get so fresh," said John and he gave George a violent push which sent him flying off the end of the wharf into the water.

"Serves him right," said Fred approvingly. "He's very much too fresh."

George came to the surface, gasping and choking.

"Congratulations, String," he cried as soon as he had shaken the water out of his eyes. "Glad you got a place; I thought you would."

"You can't keep that fellow down," laughed Fred. "There's no use in trying. He's fresh and he knows it, but no matter what you do to him he keeps it up just the same."

"He's not fresh," laughed Mr. Maxwell. "He's just full of spirits."

"I don't know what we'd do without him anyway," said Grant feelingly.

"There are not many dull moments when Pop is around."

"I would suggest," said Mr. Maxwell, "that you boys go and put your clothes on. The sun is beginning to go down and it'll be cold soon."

"I'm cold now," exclaimed John. "I'm going to get my clothes all right."

He hurried off towards the tent closely followed by the seven other boys. A brisk rub down with heavy towels soon got their blood to circulating once more and no one felt any ill effects from all their exercises and exertion of the day.

"Now I shall present the prizes," said Mr. Maxwell when the boys were a.s.sembled in front of the tent. "The blue team wins the meet by the margin of eight points to six. I congratulate them and take great pleasure in presenting to them the big American flag. They all know how I feel about it and I expect them to treat it as it should be treated."

"Three cheers for the blue team," cried Thomas l.u.s.tily and they were given with a will, as Grant stepped forward to receive the trophy.

"And now the second prize," said Mr. Maxwell. "It's not as big as the first but the size doesn't count. Everything depends on whether our hearts are with the flag or not. If I should happen to come back to this lake unexpectedly any time this summer I shall expect to see both these flags flying in front of their respective tents."

"We'll promise that all right," said Thomas readily, and as he took the emblem from Mr. Maxwell's hand, Grant led a cheer for the red team.

"One more prize," continued Mr. Maxwell. "I brought something which I decided should go to the boy who in my judgment gave the best individual performance. That is who in any one event showed the most nerve and grit. Perhaps he didn't win the event but he worked hardest and that is what to my mind deserves the credit."

He produced a large four-bladed pocket knife and held it up for the eight boys to see. This was a surprise to them all and they looked at one another in amazement. They also cast many envious glances at the knife which was certainly a beauty and one of which any boy could well be proud.

"It was an awful job deciding," said Mr. Maxwell. "Every one did so well I was almost in despair as to whom to give it to. I have finally decided, however, and I feel sure you'll all think the boy deserves it."

Not one of the boys had the least idea who was to become the fortunate owner of the knife and in keen suspense they all waited.

"I will now ask the winner to step forward," continued Mr. Maxwell. "I watched him closely in the contest which I think ent.i.tles him to the prize and I don't remember ever having seen a finer exhibition of pluck.

I know just how tired he was and how much nerve he required to keep himself going. He didn't win the race himself but he did win the meet for his team and I think he should have the credit. John, here is your knife. That was a great race you swam a few minutes ago."

John was completely taken by surprise. He had not for a moment expected that he was to be the fortunate one and he was almost overcome.

"Yea, String!" shouted George heartily. "Let's give the old thin fellow three cheers."

Congratulations were in order and there was much laughter and fun. Every one was in excellent spirits and all p.r.o.nounced the meet a decided success. The day was fast waning now and the party of visitors prepared to leave the island for their camp at the other end of the land. The four Go Ahead boys escorted them to their boat and good-bys were said.

Promises that the eight boys would see one another soon were made and the Spruce weighed anchor and glided out of the little harbor.

"Well," exclaimed Grant when their guests had gone, "I think we had a pretty fine time to-day."

"We certainly did," agreed Fred. "What we want now is a pole for our flag. It ought to be set right up in front of the tent there."

"I'll get the ax right now and we'll go and cut one," said George. "Come along, Fred."

CHAPTER XXIV-IN QUEST OF GAME

The days and weeks slipped by and still the life in the island camp did not pall on on the four Go Ahead boys. They were busy every moment with the thousand and one duties and pleasures of camp life and the summer days drifted by like a succession of pleasant dreams.

One of the boys' favorite occupations was shooting at a target. Fred was the owner of a little twenty-two caliber, hammerless rifle, and many an hour was spent by the boys in practice with this small gun. It was surprising how skillful they had become.

Grant and John were lying on the wharf one afternoon trying to shoot the heads off some water lilies that grew near the sh.o.r.e on the opposite side of the harbor.

"Now just suppose that one was an Indian," exclaimed John, taking careful aim at an unsuspecting lily bud. The sharp spit of the little rifle followed and the bullet struck the water some two feet the other side of the "Indian."

"You'll have to do better than that," laughed Grant. "We'll all be scalped in a minute unless you get him. Let me try."

John pa.s.sed over the gun and on his first attempt Grant split the bulb clearly in halves.

"Good shot, Grant," exclaimed John. "You saved our lives."

"Just suppose that had been a lion or a tiger or a rhinoceros or some animal like that charging down upon us," said Grant. "Suppose we were caught in a little ravine and we either had to kill the animal or be killed ourselves. What would you do?"

"I'd probably be so scared I'd faint or something," laughed John.

"It would take nerve all right, wouldn't it?"