Finding the Lost Treasure
Page 10
CHAPTER X A NIGHT PROWLER
"Rene!" gasped Desire, darting back toward the tent.
Jack outstripped her, and when she reached the scene, he was just pullinghis small brother out from under a pile of canvas.
"Not hurt," he breathed with relief; "only badly frightened."
He put Rene in Desire's lap, and went to examine the wreckage.
"One stake pulled right out," he reported. "Wonder how that happened. Iknow I had it in tight, and there is practically no wind."
"Could he have done it in any way?" asked Desire, motioning to the littleboy.
"Rene," said Jack, stooping before the child, who was now quiet again,"did you do anything to the rope of the tent to make it fall?"
Rene glanced up into his brother's face upon which shone the rays of thefull moon, and, turning, burrowed deep into Desire's arms.
"Guilty, I guess. Tell me exactly what you did," directed Jack.
"Woke up. Played I was a gull; rope was my string. Hung on it; old thingcame down. Bang!"
"Rene," said Jack, taking the child's face between his hands, and forcinghim to meet his eyes, "you must _never, never_ pull on the ropes of atent, or meddle with any part of it. If you do, you can't sleep in itwith me, but will have to stay in the wagon with the girls."
He picked him up and set him on a nearby stump.
"Now sit right here and think about what I have just said, while Desireand I put the tent up again. Don't move from the place, and watch howmuch extra work you have made for us when we are all so tired."
After the tent was once more in place, Jack returned to Rene.
"Well, are you going to sleep in the tent or in the wagon?"
"In the tent. I won't touch no ropes, nor nothin' again, Jack," promisedthe child, holding up his arms. "An' I'm sorry 'bout making you and Dissywork when you're all tired, 'n' everything--"
"That's a good boy," replied his brother, carrying him off to bed for asecond time.
"Goodnight, Desire," he said, returning to kiss her after Rene wasdisposed of. "If you're timid, call me."
"Yes, but, Jack dear, _please_ don't lie awake to take care of us. We'llbe safe."
Soon the grove was quiet. The moon rose higher and higher, and throughoutthe night kept benevolent watch over the four children sleeping heavilyamong the protective trunks of the old balsam trees. Little creatures ofthe night moved noiselessly over the dried needles on the forest floor soas not to waken the strangers within their midst; and a gentle breezestole quietly in from the Bay to waft its pungent coolness over the tiredtravelers.
A couple of hours passed, the moon had left the woods partly in shadow. Adark figure was stealing carefully among the tree trunks, stopping everyfew minutes to listen.
Beyond a band of moonlight stood the little tent from which could beheard Jack's loud breathing. Nearby was the wagon where all was silent,and from a dark spot beyond it the horses stamped restlessly. Skirtingthe habitations of the human beings, the figure made its way silentlytoward the animals. Then Dapple's loud whinny sounded through the quietwood, answered immediately by that of his mate.
"Get away from our horses!" shrilled Priscilla's voice from the back ofthe wagon.
"What's the matter?" shouted Jack, roused at once by the child's cry.
"Prissy!" cried Desire; "you--"
"Somebody's bothering Dolly and Dapple, Jack!" called Priscilla.
By that time Jack had lighted a couple of lanterns, and he and Desirewere out in the open.
"Stay here and hold one of these," he directed, "while I see what iswrong."
The horses were straining at their tethers when he reached them, butquieted at once under familiar hands. Following an impulse, Jackpresently led them out of the woods and into the little clearing wherethe wagon and tent were placed.
"Will they disturb you if I fasten them to this tree?" he asked Desire.
"Not a bit--I--"
"Did you find anyone?" demanded Priscilla.
"Not a single person. I looked all around before I brought the horsesout."
"You had a bad dream, dear," began Desire, "and--"
"But I didn't. I heard Dapple and Dolly holler just as plain, and theynever do that unless somebody goes near 'em."
Desire looked questioningly at her brother, but he was busy tying theanimals.
"Now," he said firmly, when he had finished his task, "we'll all go backto bed and right to sleep."
He turned briskly into the tent where Rene still slept peacefully, andquietness once more descended upon the forest. Jack, however, looped upthe flap of the tent and lay watching over his little family until thesoft grey light of the early morning began to filter through the trees.