The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island Part 12

Again the little j.a.panese, who had the faculty of apparently being in different places at the same time, faced them as they entered. This time he did not greet their coming with his usual loud laughter, but as he made no protest the boys entered and Fred said to him, "Did you get some supper for us?"

Either the j.a.panese did not understand, or he continued his pretense, for he shook his head, though his expression was not unfriendly.

Both boys had suspected when they returned that the j.a.panese was about to bar their entrance. Either they were mistaken, or he had changed his plan for now he busied himself in his duties about the kitchen, apparently ignoring the presence of the two uninvited guests.

A few minutes later both boys were startled by what they were certain was the voice of a woman calling from the head of the stairway.

"Mikado," called the woman, "did you let those boys in again?"

Whether the j.a.panese understood or not he ran to the foot of the stairway and a low conversation between him and the woman who had called him followed, of which neither Fred nor John was able to distinguish any word.

"You better give them some supper," at last she said in tones that the boys plainly heard. "Tell them to go away then. We haven't any place for them to sleep."

A candle was burning on a little side table in the kitchen and in its dim light each boy was able to see the face of his companion. It was plain to each that the other was now seriously perplexed. However, a few minutes later, the j.a.panese entered the room with a tray on which he had a simple supper to which by a motion of his head he invited the boys.

"Do you see how dark it is?" whispered John to Fred.

"Yes," replied Fred as he glanced out of the window. There were no stars to be seen in the sky and the wind as it whistled about the corner of the little building gave forth sounds that were weird and strange.

The boys seldom spoke throughout the meal and when at last they arose, one of them took some money from his pocket and handed it to the j.a.panese, who served them.

Quickly the little man took the money and thrust it into his pocket. No language was required for the transaction and it was clearly manifest that he understood the action of his guest.

"Let's go down to the sh.o.r.e again," suggested Fred. "Perhaps one of the boats has come in and the fellows are looking for us now."

Both boys ran swiftly on their return but when they arrived on the bluff once more they were doomed to disappointment. Not a boat was to be seen in the dim light. Nor was any light to be seen as they looked out over the waters. Somehow the darkness itself seemed to be startling.

"There isn't any boat here and there isn't any boat coming," said Fred at last.

"What shall we do?" inquired John.

"There's only one thing for us to do," said Fred, "and that's to go back to the house. We'll have to explain to them why we haven't left, and I don't believe that woman, even if she didn't want us to see her, will turn us out on a night like this. We'll tell her that we'll pay for our lodging and I guess she'll let us in."

Neither boy, however, was confident of his welcome when they once more retraced their way and started back toward the little house which now itself was wrapped in darkness. Not even the beams of the candle now could be seen s.h.i.+ning through the kitchen windows.

CHAPTER IX THE LOST SKIFF

Slowly the boys again crossed the familiar field. In their distraction the various objects a.s.sumed grotesque forms in the dim light. The swaying branch of a low tree seemed almost like the extended arm of a waiting man. Every sound that came from the waters startled them. The cry of the night birds was unusually weird and penetrating.

Neither of the boys was willing to acknowledge that he was afraid, but nevertheless they kept closely together and did not speak until once more they were standing before the kitchen door.

Both were startled when not far away they heard the sound of a deep growl. They had not seen any dogs about the premises in their previous visits and both were startled by the unexpected sound.

In their haste and alarm they both began to rap upon the door. The dog, still growling, did not advance upon them, but they could see the dim outline of his form as he stood near the corner of the house.

There was no sound within and no response was given to their summons. Nor when they repeated their knocking, as they did several times, was any heed paid them.

"What shall we do?" whispered Fred, looking up into the face of his companion. "There must be somebody in here."

"Open the door," suggested John.

Fred reached for the latch, and, doing his utmost to be quiet in his action in order to avoid undue attention on the part of the dog, tried to open the door.

The door, however, was locked or bolted and although both boys pushed against it with their shoulders they were unable to move it. For the first time they were aware now how ma.s.sive and strong the door was.

"It isn't much like an ordinary kitchen door," whispered Fred as they abandoned their effort.

"I should say not," responded John. "We can't get in and that's the only thing I can see plainly around here."

"I wish George and Grant were here."

"So do I, but if wishes were horses, beggars might ride. Is that dog creeping any nearer to us?"

"I don't see that it is. I guess all there is left for us is to go back to the sh.o.r.e and wait."

"We seem to be left on all sides, don't we?"

"Pretty much, and I hope that dog thinks so too."

Cautiously withdrawing from the kitchen door the boys slowly moved toward the corner of the house. Not far before them was a pile of wood and in case they should be attacked by the growling brute, they were hopeful that there they might find some weapon of defense.

Suddenly both boys found themselves in need. With another growl the dog advanced upon the boys as soon as they had pa.s.sed the corner.

Leaping to the wood-pile John drew forth a stick three or four feet in length and only about two inches in diameter. Fred was less fortunate and unable to secure a weapon he darted toward the opposite side of the pile.

Meanwhile John was compelled to face the dog. As the savage animal leaped forward John struck at it, but either his blow was too slow, or he did not see plainly in the dim light, for he failed to stop its progress. He had, however, almost succeeded in dodging the brute, which fastened its teeth in his trousers and steadily held John in his grip.

"Hit him! Hit him!" said John excitedly. "He's got me and I can't get away!"

In response to the appeal of his comrade Fred hastily took a stick from the wood-pile and advanced upon their common enemy. The dog, however, still clung to John in spite of the boy's desperate attempts to use his club.

Lifting the stick which he carried Fred brought it down with all his force upon the back of the dog, which still was growling and clinging to its prisoner. There was a loud yelp of pain and relinquis.h.i.+ng its hold the dog fled howling back to the house.

Without waiting to discover the reception which awaited the animal, both Fred and John started swiftly across the field toward the sh.o.r.e.

Frequently they glanced behind them, but it was manifest that the dog was not pursuing them.

"He's got a backache," suggested Fred, "or else he's homesick. He doesn't want to leave the house."

"I hope he doesn't," said John heartily. "I didn't know there was any dog around there."

"Nor I. I don't know where they kept him."

"If they will only keep him now that's all I want."