The Rival Campers Part 34

"Now, first," continued Harvey, taking a long breath and speaking earnestly, "we're sorry we stole that box of yours from off the wharf. We knew it was yours all the time, too, though I said we didn't. Of course we couldn't help knowing. We don't blame you, either, for blowing up the cave-"

"We didn't intend really to blow it up," interrupted Tom. "That was my idea, to burn up some of the stuff, just to get even, and we were nearly scared to death when the explosion came off. We thought you were all killed."

"Well, I believe you now," said Harvey, "although I didn't before. I can see just how it happened, too. The fact is, we had some powder and kerosene there, hidden away. That's what caused it. Well, anyway, we don't blame you for setting the fire, and we shouldn't blame you now, if you had meant to blow up the cave, too. We deserved it."

"We're sorry it happened, anyway," said Bob.

"Now," added Harvey, "there's another thing, and that's the tent. Of course you knew we took it, although you couldn't prove it. You hadn't any doubt about it, had you?"

"Well," replied Tom, "we did kind of think so, although we couldn't be sure."

"Of course you thought so," said Harvey, "because n.o.body else would have done it. However, you are going to get the tent back all right."

"Hooray!" cried Bob.

"You're not half so glad as I am," exclaimed Harvey. "You bet I'm glad we didn't harm it. It's safe and sound, and you wouldn't guess where it is in a hundred years. It's up in the old haunted house, stuffed away in the garret, under the eaves. We didn't dare keep it and we didn't want to destroy it. In fact, we had decided to put it back on the point some day, after we had kept it as long as we wanted to."

"We'll set it up again this afternoon," cried Tom.

"No, you won't," answered Harvey, quickly. "We're going to do that for you, that is, if you will let us. We want to put it up in as good shape as it was before. We'll feel better about it then, eh, fellows?"

"That's right," responded Joe Hinman. And the others nodded a.s.sent.

"Now, one thing more," said Harvey. "You saw what we had in the cave.

There were some things that belonged to Spencer, and one of the first things I do to-day will be to go up there and settle up with him. Then I'll feel as though I was ready to start fair again.

"And now if you fellows will sit down and have some breakfast with us, then we'll sail up right after it and get the tent and have it up for you just as quick as we can. We can't do it any too quick to suit us."

So Tom and Bob seated themselves with their new-found friends. George Baker, who had the fry-pan all heated and a big dish of batter mixed, proceeded to fry a mess of flapjacks, while Joe Hinman poured the coffee.

All the old enmity had vanished in a night, and they laughed and joked as they sat about the campfire like friends of long standing.

Then, when they had finished, and had shaken hands once more all around, and Tom and Bob had departed for the Warren cottage to explain their strange absence, and to acquaint the Warrens with the new turn of affairs, Harvey and his crew got sail on the _Surprise_ and headed up alongsh.o.r.e for the haunted house.

"There," cried George Warren, as the boys appeared in sight a little later, "didn't I tell you, mother, not to worry about Tom and Bob? You ought to know them by this time. They know how to take care of themselves."

"Well, the next time you go off for all night," exclaimed Mrs. Warren, a little impatiently for her, "I wish you would let me know about it beforehand. I don't like to have to worry about you, and I can't help it if you start off in that canoe and don't come back."

"I don't blame you for not liking it," replied Tom, "and we'll try not do it again. But we really couldn't help this. We met with an adventure."

"What, you didn't see the _Eagle_, did you?" cried George Warren.

"No, you're wide of the mark," laughed Tom. "We've given up that hunt for good. No, we had a different sort of an adventure altogether. Where do you suppose we slept last night?"

"With Henry Burns," said young Joe.

"No."

"Down on the beach?" said Arthur.

"No."

"Give it up," said George.

"Well, you wouldn't guess in a hundred times trying," said Tom, "so I'll tell you. It was in Jack Harvey's camp."

"Harvey's camp!" exclaimed the three brothers, in chorus.

"Yes, sir, Harvey's camp."

"I didn't know they were off on a cruise," said George. "Oh, I see, you've been getting even, have you? And how about the camp? Is it still there? What have you done with that?"

"It's still down there," laughed Tom. "We didn't do anything to it at all. In fact, the crew were all there, and Harvey, too. We stayed there because they invited us. And, what's more, we have just had breakfast with them all."

The Warrens stared at Tom in amazement.

"Had breakfast with Harvey and his crew! Oh, say, you fellows, quit fooling now, and tell us where you have been."

"Well," said Tom, "listen and we'll tell you the whole story. We've been having our revenge."

And Tom related the story of the night's adventures.

Good Mrs. Warren fairly hugged them with delight when they had concluded.

"That's just splendid," she cried. "That's a splendid revenge. That's the kind that counts for most. But I want to hear Jack Harvey tell the story now. I know you haven't told half about the rescue. I want to hear him tell how brave you were."

"He'll exaggerate it," said Bob. "He's our friend, you know, now."

"Well, I'm glad enough you are all friends," exclaimed Mrs. Warren. "You must go and tell Henry Burns."

When Jack Harvey and his crew had returned from the haunted house, and had anch.o.r.ed off the point and had brought the tent ash.o.r.e, they found a.s.sembled there to greet them the entire group of comrades, the Warren boys, Henry Burns, and Tom and Bob.

There was a general hand-shaking all around, and then they all set to work to pitch the tent. It didn't take long to do it, either, for Tom and Bob had saved the poles that had supported the canvas, and there were hands enough to jump at every rope and bring it taut into place. And everybody went at it in such good spirit, and everybody was so pleased and so willing to lend a hand, that the tent was up in its old place again almost as quick as it had come down.

Then they rushed off in high spirits to the Warren cottage for the camp-kit and the boxes and the blankets and all the camp equipment, and packed it down on their shoulders as fast as they had ever done anything in all their lives.

And Mrs. Warren did hear the story of the rescue from Jack Harvey's own lips, and was prouder than ever of her boys' friends, Tom and Bob.

Then, when everything was s.h.i.+pshape, and Harvey and his crew were about to take their departure, he said: "We want all you fellows to come down to-morrow evening and take supper with us, the whole of you. You see, I've just got my allowance from the governor, and he's mighty generous to me, more than I deserve. It comes in just at the right time. You'll be sure and come, all of you?"

"We'll be there," answered Henry Burns.

"Indeed we will," said young Joe.

"And remember Joe counts for two when it comes to the supper-table," said George.

"We'll have enough," said Harvey.

"We'll go along with you to your camp," said Tom, "and get our canoe.