The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island Part 26

"No. I tell you I don't believe a lie is ever right."

"I don't believe in lieing in general, but I can see times when I think it might be all right."

"The trouble is, when a fellow begins he goes ahead. He doesn't stop with lies that may not be so bad, but he keeps on and tries it in a good many other ways. No, sir, I haven't any use for a liar. If I give my word I intend to keep it."

Conversation ceased and both boys anxiously were peering before them. The captain already had explained that they were doubtless near the sh.o.r.e of Western Duck Island where their accident had occurred and their companions had been lost. He had explained also that in his judgment it was wisest to go again to the same spot as nearly as possible and there begin their search for the missing boys. He st.u.r.dily maintained his feeling that the boys were not "lost," a confidence, however, that was not shared by his pa.s.sengers as the boat swiftly sped across the surface of the s.h.i.+ning waters.

"I sometimes think the captain is right," said George thoughtfully. "Last night was as calm as a night could well be and, as he said, if the fellows got into trouble they must have tried to look it up."

"I agree with you," said Grant, although the tones of his voice failed to show any strong conviction.

"Don't you worry none about them boys," called the captain again as he saw George and Grant anxiously conferring. "If they are any kind of boys they will take care of themselves. Why, I wouldn't give much for a lad that couldn't protect himself in such a night as last night was. Up on Mackinac Island I have known people who lived for months on fried s...o...b..a.l.l.s. They are not very good as a diet, but they help to keep people from thinking too much about their troubles."

Neither of the boys responded to the flippant words of their captain, although both were aware that he was speaking out of the kindness of his heart.

When nearly three hours had elapsed after they had departed from Mackinac the captain, once more turning to his pa.s.sengers, said, "Yonder lie the sh.o.r.es of Western Duck Island." As he spoke he pointed to a low lying strip of land that could be seen far in advance of them. "My opinion is,"

he continued, "that those boys didn't stay out in their boat all night.

Maybe they landed."

"Is anybody living on the island?" said George quickly.

"Not regular. This time of the year though there may be parties camping out. A bit later in the fall there are plenty of people there shooting ducks."

"That doesn't do us any good," retorted George. "What we want is to find out where those fellows are now and if they got any help on the island."

"You wait a bit," rejoined the captain, "and we'll find out."

Swiftly the little motor-boat approached the sh.o.r.es of the island they were seeking. It too pa.s.sed the long strip of rushes which had been seen the preceding night by John and Fred in their attempts to find a landing place.

The motor-boat at last came to anchor off a rocky sh.o.r.e and at the suggestion of the captain George and Grant climbed into the skiff and hastily casting off at once rowed ash.o.r.e.

"I'll wait for you here," called the captain as the boys clambered up on the bank. "I shouldn't be gone more than an hour. Come back and we'll try it farther down the sh.o.r.e."

The boys agreed to return within the specified time and then after peering eagerly all about them together started toward the woods they could see in the distance.

Just why they walked in this direction neither could explain, but there was somehow a thought in the mind of each that possibly within its shelter a camp or a house might be found.

The hour pa.s.sed and all the efforts of the searching boys were unrewarded. Not a trace of their missing friends had they discovered.

"It's plain enough they aren't here," said George dejectedly.

"That's right," answered Grant, "we've called and shouted and whistled and looked and walked and waited, but we haven't anything for all our pains. I'm beginning to believe the boys aren't here."

"I agree with you as far as this spot is concerned," said George, "but we ought to go on farther down the island before we go back to Mackinac."

"That's right," agreed Grant. "Let's go back to the motor-boat now."

Quickly the two boys started to return to the place where the captain was awaiting their coming. They had gone but a short distance, however, before at George's suggestion they turned to their left and moved toward a sandy stretch of sh.o.r.e which they saw in the distance. "Maybe we'll find a footprint the same as Robinson Crusoe found on his island,"

suggested George striving to speak lightly.

The suggestion was followed and great was the surprise of both boys when they drew near the winding sandy sh.o.r.e of a large cove to see swiftly approaching from the south a motor-boat in the distance.

"Look yonder!" said Grant excitedly seizing his friend by his shoulder as he spoke, and pointing in the direction in which he had discovered the approaching boat. "That isn't our boat, is it?"

"No," answered George positively after a brief silence. "Our boat is up the sh.o.r.e farther."

"Maybe Fred and John are on board."

"That's something n.o.body knows. We'll soon find out."

Quickening the pace at which they were walking the two boys soon arrived at the place they were seeking. Save for an occasional comment the silence was unbroken while they both anxiously watched the motor-boat which could be seen swiftly approaching. Indeed the little boat was marvelously swift and in a brief time the boys were aware that there was only one person on board.

"The fellow is in a hurry anyway," suggested Grant. "Even if he doesn't know what he wants he wants it right away."

At that moment the sound of the footsteps of some one in their rear startled both the young watchers and as they glanced behind them they discovered a man approaching. Apparently he had come from the woods where they had begun their search for their missing friends, but it was quickly manifest that he was as startled by his discovery of the presence of the boys as they had been at his coming.

For a moment it seemed to both George and Grant that the man was about to turn and flee from the spot. However, apparently he thought better and at once advanced toward the place where the boys were standing.

At the same moment the boys looked again at the approaching boat and to the surprise of both of them they recognized the man at the wheel as the one in whose house they had been received on c.o.c.kburn Island several days before.

What the coming of the man implied neither of the boys understood, but at that moment, however, the man who had approached from the woods shouted in his loudest tones to George and Grant. Startled by the unexpected sound the two boys instantly turned and fled quickly from the spot.

CHAPTER XIX SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS

So wearied were Fred and John by the exciting experiences of the day that as soon as they were left to themselves they were sound asleep.

How long they had slept neither was aware when at last both awoke. The little cabin was dark except for a faint light streaming in through the open porthole.

"Where are we, Jack?" called Fred in a low voice.

"Why, don't you know?" replied John. "We're on board that boat that picked us up."

"Oh, yes, I remember now. How are you?"

"All right I guess, though I feel as if I had been breaking stones or lifting weights all my life."

"I guess you wouldn't feel that way if you really had," responded Fred lightly. "A fellow's muscles would get used to the work if he had to do it all the time. Where do you suppose we are?"

"I haven't any idea. We're moving, though, all the time, that's plain."

"Yes, I can hear the swash of the water. I wonder if we are anywhere near Mackinac Island."

"Let's go up and find out," suggested John and hastily the boys left their bunk and made their way to the deck.

The stars were s.h.i.+ning and it was manifest to the boys that the morning light had not yet appeared.