by E. J. Craine
XI
THE CRY FOR HELP
Neither of the boys slept soundly that night. Their dreams were troubledby a conglomeration of their experiences since their arrival at NorthHero, the weird boom of the waves as Champlain rose steadily, and aconfusion of people going by in search of places of safety. Severaltimes men stopped to inquire for lodgings or routes, and it seemed as ifa dozen dogs howled gloomily. But above it all, toward morning, therewas one sound that came to their subconscious minds and they stirredfitfully as if trying to shake off a nightmare. Then suddenly they awokeand sat up. It was still dark, that pitch darkness that is so thick justbefore the first streaks of dawn brush the sky.
"I say, Buddy, did you hear anyone call?" Jim whispered.
"I was just going to ask you the same question," Bob answered. "Ithought I heard a cry for help." They sat listening tensely, strainingtheir ears to distinguish the call that had broken into their sleep, butcould make out nothing more than the sighing of the wind through thebowing trees and the noises they had been hearing before. Jim started toslip into his shoes and Bob followed his example.
"Let's get some clothes on, I can't sleep any more, can you?"
"No. Gosh, Jim, this is spooky." They slipped their trousers andsweaters on over their pajamas, without stopping to don shirts. In twominutes they were dressed and made their way carefully to the rim of thewater. "We'd better have a flashlight or we'll be stepping into it."
"I've got the little one in my pocket." Jim took it out and pressed thebutton. Its faint tray cast a round glow, not very bright, butsufficient to show them where to step. Austin led the way while Bobfollowed close at his heels and finally they stopped on the edge of acliff and stood listening tensely. For what seemed like an hour,although it was less than a minute, the world was oddly hushed, as if ittoo were listening, then, clear and unmistakable from north of them,somewhere on the lake, came a terrified cry and a shout for help.
"Let's get Her Highness. Somebody's out there," Bob whispered, and asfast as they could they ran to the carriage shed, where the plane wasbumping the top of her wings on the high roof of the ceiling. In orderto get inside the boys climbed through the window on the opposite end,and even then had to wade ankle deep in water. They lost no time ingetting ready, just enough to be sure that all was well and there wasplenty of gas in the tanks.
"All O. K.," Jim announced taking the pilot's seat.
"Right with you. I say, Old Man, we never can hear anything with theengine going, and we can't see much through this pitch."
"I know it, and we don't dare stay on the water or we are likely to geta tree in the works, but we've got to take a chance. That voice soundedas if it's a little north, didn't you think so?"
"Yes, and sort of far away--muffled." They floated out into the cove,all lights on, and Jim gasped as he saw that the wind had changed duringthe night and the water on that side was dangerously full of wreckage.He set his lips grimly, opened the throttle, raced out over greatrollers that teetered them even more than the day they returned fromBurlington in the storm. Her Highness lost no time in lifting herselfabove the danger and soared up two hundred feet as her nose was broughtabout and her course was set north by north west.
Anxiously Bob leaned over as far as his safety-strap would permit andscanned the blackness beneath them hoping to catch sight of somethingwhich would account for what they were seeking. Jim sent the plane inwide circles in order to give Bob a chance to see as far as possible,and although their lights helped some, they seemed to make the rest ofthe night even darker. For ten minutes they rode in a fruitless search,each time coming around a little further north.
"Jim, things I can make out are being carried fast toward the south.Perhaps we're too far up," Bob said through the tube, and Jim nodded. Hechanged the procedure, while the younger boy watched. Five minutes morethey circled, then Jim decided to climb. He tipped Her Highness' nose ata sharp angle and zoomed two thousand feet just as fast as she couldscramble through the air, then he shut off the motor and let her glide.The lake beneath them seemed a regular bedlam of sound, and as theydrifted forward at as gradual a descent as possible, they finally pickedup a frantic call.
"It's over there," Jim exclaimed and his buddy agreed. The plane was solow now that they dared glide no longer, so Jim set the engine goingfull blast as they made for the place.
"There's a light." Bob clutched his arm and pointed. Whoever had criedout evidently had some dry matches or a cigarette lighter and was tryingto help them locate him. In a moment they were riding in close circles,and then they made out what looked like the roof of a portable summerhouse. They couldn't tell what was on top of it, but by that time themorning light began to break slowly.
"What the heck can we do?"
"Tie the lariats together," Jim directed. That was but the work of amoment, then Bob put a weight on one end of it and threw it over.
"If he can grab it, we can give him a tow." Jim nodded, so Bob leanedover again. "Come a little lower." Her Highness obeyed, and with thehelp of the speaking tube, they at last managed to get the plane inproper position, and almost instantly there was a tug as the rope wascaught. It was evident that since they had come to him the stranded manhad been using his head, for he managed to keep from being dragged offthe roof, and even made the end of the lariat fast to a rod that stuckout near the metal chimney.
"She's coming," Bob shouted--"Go easy or she'll be banged to bits."
Sturdily Her Highness taxied forward just as low as she could. Bob kepthis eyes on the house they were towing, and several times he caught hisbreath sharply as a particularly heavy plank, a broken tree, or adrowned animal came thumping into it. As it got lighter, the boy wasamazed to see that the roof held more than just the man, who had flunghimself on his face, his body sprawled out flat as he kept a woman and atiny baby from being jarred off.
"Oh, great guns," Bob whistled.
"Throw off the line," Jim directed. They were in the cove now, andalready Mr. Fenton and several men were on the shore, while two strongyoung fellows were in the row boats, prepared to shove out and help. Thewaves battered them all angrily, but Her Highness had to soar up out ofthe way, and after a few minutes in the air where she waggled her wingsgaily over her victory, she was brought down again, and the FlyingBuddies hurried to learn about the man and his family.
"Are they all right, Aunt Belle?" Bob called as they went into thekitchen.
"Yes. Here, you hold the little fellow a minute, while I stir this." Shepromptly dumped the baby into her nephew's arms, and Jim grinned at hisbrother's discomfort.
"Will it break, Mrs. Fenton?"
"Break--" She looked at Bob and laughed, "No, certainly not, if it cancome alive through such a night. They were driven to the roof hours agobecause the floors of those cottages are fastened to the ground andcan't get away--"
"I don't know how I can ever thank you fellows--" said the rescued manas he came into the kitchen.
"Aw, please don't try. We thought we heard you call, so we went to seewhat it was all about," Jim said quickly, but he had to take the handthat was extended to him.
"If I had been alone I wouldn't have howled, but with my wife and baby Ihad to do anything I could. We were asleep, and it seemed as if anearth-quake gave us a broadside and we were full of water. We justmanaged to get some blankets to keep the baby warm, and climb throughthe window. We were on the veranda roof first, but that wasn't verysecure, so we got on the main part. It was good we moved, for the othersections were battered off--"
"My land sakes alive--how awful. Here now, you take this in to your wifeand tell her to drink every bit of it like a good girl, and just as soonas I get some more dry things on the baby, she can have him back. He isa cunning little fellow--" Bob was no end relieved that his services asa nurse were no longer required.
"Buster," he chuckled as he handed the baby to his aunt.
"My land sakes alive. How did you boys
happen to get that man and hisfolks? I never saw the like--never. I thought you were asleep by thebarn, and then, all of a sudden, some one said you were out down thelake and you were coming in slow like. Fent got the glasses and sawthose folks--my land sakes alive, I never saw the like of it. How didyou happen to be out there?"
"We couldn't sleep, and we thought we heard someone call, so we wentout. Reckon we better get dressed, we haven't got much on," he added,because several people were trooping into the kitchen and he didn't wantto be the center of an admiration meeting.
"Come down as soon as you're ready and have breakfast. You must be moststarved both of you." There is nothing like an early morning rescueparty to sharpen the appetite, so the boys did not take long to getready. Jim went down first and just as he came into the living room, thetelephone, which was a party line, gave a long persistent ring.
"That's forever ringing," Mrs. Fenton called to him. "Will you answerit? I can't put down the baby for a minute."
"Glad to." Jim took down the receiver and heard the operator.
"Please do not try to use your telephone until further notice, unlessthe call is _very_ important. The lines are congested. The Selectmenhave given orders that no one is to try to cross the bridges--either atthe north or south end of North Hero Island. Please tell people on theroad they cannot go any further." The girl repeated the same thing threetimes to be sure that everybody got it, then there came a click as sheclosed the connection. Austin gave the message to Mrs. Fenton, whosighed heavily.
"My land sakes alive--there, there, you are almost ready, little fellow.This is a nice baby! Now you can go to your mother." She hustled theinfant to his parents and then hustled back to serve her hungryhousehold. During the meal two serious-faced men came to the house.
"We heard that your nephews dragged in a family that might have beendrowned, Fent," one of them started.
"Yes they did," Mr. Fenton admitted and introduced the boys to the men,who shook hands gravely.
"I've heard that there are some families stranded on the islands, and itmay be that some of the summer colonies have suffered just as thatfamily you brought in. We were wondering if you will help us get anyothers, if there are any. We have several good strong power boats, butwe would waste a great deal of time trying to locate people and mightnot find them all."
"If you will fly around and watch for signal fires or flags, then wecould send the boats directly and take them off," the other added.
"Of course we'll be mighty glad to help," Bob declared promptly.
"Thank you. Another thing, there may be some who haven't had much to eatfor a couple of days, not being able to use their boats. Could you dropfood to them?"
"Sure thing," Jim replied. "We'll take some weights along because wedon't usually carry anything like that. We just happened to have onethis morning or we might not have been able to give that fellow a tow."
"Thank you. We'll arrange to have boats and rafts at four points of theisland. If you find anyone, give the word to the nearest party. I'llshow you about where they are." He took a map from his pocket andpointed to four places that would be used for stations. "You can comedown on the water to speak to the men we'll have there?"
"Yes, we'll manage."
"That will be good. We appreciate your help." Then he turned to Mrs.Fenton. "My wife and some of the neighbors in the village are packingboxes of food, sandwiches, coffee and milk. We'll send a truck--it oughtto be here in a quarter of an hour--and the boys can take it with themand use their own judgment about dropping it."
"I can fix them some--"
"Judging by the number of people you have taken in I think that you aredoing your share, Mrs. Fenton. We won't ask you to do any more," the manreplied. "Now, I'll telephone to the boatmen--"
"They just told us not to use the phone," Jim explained.
"They will give me a connection," the man smiled. In a minute he wasgiving information, directions and instructions, and finally the rescuework was well organized. By the time the boys were ready to take off,the truck appeared with boxes of food, and the chauffeur helped themstore it in the plane.
"We're lucky to have you fellows here," the man said, when finally thetask was accomplished.
"We're in luck to be here," Bob grinned. "My mother always said that I'dlike this place, and I do."
"Come along." Jim waved to the men, opened the throttle and Her Highnesstore across the cove, rose and started on her errand of mercy. Sheseemed to appreciate the importance of the work before her, and neverdid an airplane behave more beautifully. They went circling north on thelake and were about to turn when Bob shouted! through the tube.
"There's a raft load, look at it!" Jim glanced in the direction hisstep-brother pointed and saw the crude raft being whirled like a top andit was a marvel that the thing held together. The boys saw two boys,young fellows, some household effects, and a little girl. Austin glancedat the map, picked out the nearest station, and they raced to it, comingdown where the water happened to be fairly smooth.
"There's a raft out there," Bob shouted. Instantly the engine of thepower boat gave a bellow almost as furious as the plane's, and off theparty scooted, cutting through the waves and sending a rolling sheet offoam on either side of them. Her Highness raced back to be sure therescuers did not miss their goal, and in a few minutes the first job wasbeing done well.
"Not a bad stunt," Bob grinned and then the Flying Buddies started towork again. They discovered families huddled on tiny bits of land thathad been cut off by the water, others on great rocks and a number onfloating buildings that threatened to fall to pieces any minute. Eachtime they led the way for the power-boats and had the satisfaction ofknowing that all were saved. About noon the four power-boats were out,besides several smaller motor-boats and the boys spied two more familiesstranded helplessly, so they decided to drop food.
"I'll tell them the men will come for them," Bob announced. He proceededto write the message in the box and dropped it over. In that particulargroup they counted ten people, so they dropped more boxes. Then on theycircled. The men of the party waved their thanks and an hour later, HerHighness returned, escorting the boats. The work went on for hours untilfinally one of the men at a station shouted,
"Mrs. Fenton says that you fellows must come and eat."
"We'll stay a while longer--"
"No, you mustn't. You show us this bunch, then go home and tank up. It'sthe Selectmen's orders and you have to obey."
"All right," Jim agreed, then he looked at the dial. It was half pastone and he could hardly believe his eyes. So the orders were obeyed, andHer Highness too had to be tanked up for her gas supply was dangerouslylow. In the afternoon the boys went up again, and although they circledmiles they discovered only two more people who needed rescuing, thenBob, who was piloting, had an idea.
"I say, Buddy, I'm going to hop down on Fisher's Island and find Corso."
"We saw them earlier and they were all right," answered Jim.
"I know, but they might not be by morning. Let's just make sure."
"Suits me," Jim acquiesced. Her Highness was brought about and was sooncircling over Fisher's Island, which was more than half submerged, butit did not look as if anyone on it would be in any immediate danger.Soon Bob picked out a landing spot on an open space where the ground washigh and fairly smooth. Presently the plane was on the ground, and theboys began to look about. It did not take them long to locate theforeign man, who came to meet them.
"Burnam left?" he questioned anxiously.
"He surely did. Went on to Canada, and he can't get back because bothbridges are closed until the flood goes down," Jim explained.
"It is good that he is gone, but we cannot get away," Corso said, and hescowled thoughtfully. "It may not be many days before he discovers thatyou tricked him, then he will come back. He is very determined."
"I guess it must be pretty bad with you if you feel that way," Bob putin quickly. He couldn't help wondering why the man was afraid.
"Tell you what, we'll take you across to New York. Will that help?" Jimoffered cordially.
"It would be much help. Come." He led the way through a strip of woodsand around a boulder, where the man stopped, gave a low whistle, waitedfor a response, then they went on and in a minute they came to a wellsheltered spot where the trees grew high and thick and the cliff formeda semi-circle protection with an overhanging top.
"Whew," whistled Bob in astonishment. Back from the opening stood themysterious boy, straight as a die, but instead of overalls and brownshirt, he wore a long white garment of some very fine material, and overthat was a richly embroidered coat, brilliant with peacock-feathertrimming. On his head was a deep fringe arrangement and at his feet astrong box. The lid was open and its contents made the brothers think ofsome Arabian Night treasure.
"You signaled, my uncle!" He spoke in perfect English, and the mananswered, briefly in their own tongue, whatever that was. "It is well,"the boy nodded. Then he turned toward Jim and about his lips was a faintsmile. "It was considered best that I do not permit it to be known thatI understand your language."
"Holy Hoofs, and we were being little helpfuls trying to teach you," Jimexploded.
"You have been most generous to us, also the Fentons."
"Well, we're glad to have been," Bob replied a bit weakly.
"My uncle knows men and I too recognize those who are trustworthy, eventhough I am only twelve years old--"
"Only twelve. Why, you are as tall as I am."
"Today I am twelve. Because of your great kindness I shall impart to youa little about the reason I am here, if you are interested--"
"I say, we've been busting to know ever since we first saw you, but youneedn't tell us a thing unless you want to," Jim assured him.
"You need bust no longer." Across the boy's face a smile flashed. "Letus be seated. We shall be free from interruption." He spoke as if hewere some great personage giving an audience, but there was somethingabout his whole bearing that made the step-brothers have perfect faithin him. They seated themselves on the ground close to him, while hisuncle stood on guard.
"Maybe you better dose this," Bob suggested. "We didn't see anyone elseon the island, but you never can tell. Is that what Burnam's after?"
"Burnam is after much more than this," replied the boy, and he droppedthe lid, shutting the contents from sight. "I was born in a far land.Its name I shall keep. Five hundred years ago my people were greatrulers of a happy nation. It was ruthlessly invaded, conquered, andgreat works wantonly destroyed. A few of my fathers escaped destruction,they tried to get back their land but their efforts were fruitless.Later, they united secretly and hid their vast treasure which theconqueror could never find. They kept together generation aftergeneration, although few outsiders are aware that any of the pure bloodare alive." The boy paused, but his audience made no comment.
"In my conquered land there is a beautiful statue to one of my blood whofought successfully and helped free the nation from the devastator'syoke." A gleam of pride shone in the boy's eyes.
"Did they get it back?" Bob whispered.
"No, but they got rid of the--the yoke. In the generations the number ofmen of my race has grown. It is now like a vast army, secretly governedby wise men. Many are scattered in different countries, learning thebest of the white men's way of living, keeping the best of their ownknowledge of life. There are still parts of my country that areunsettled, and one day we shall unite there. We shall be versed in thegreatest sciences, and never again can we be conquered or put to rout byignorance or brute force--we shall be the conquerors, and we shall ridourselves of the waste races as your uncle rids the garden of rankworthless weeds that would choke and smother the good about them." Therewas no malice in the boy's tone, no bravado in his manner, he spokeimpersonally and without bitterness. His eyes shone with a fineintelligence, he made his statements quietly, and once his eyes wanderedto the horizon as if they beheld that future.
"Accurate records are being kept by every generation and broughttogether. I have been taught the ancient arts of my fathers, I haveworked with the soil as my fathers did, and now that I am twelve yearsold, I am ready to study the sciences, the languages, highermathematics--the classics." He broke off a moment, then went on. "I maynot live to see the establishment of my race, it may not come forhundreds of years, but it will come when we are fully prepared to takethe reins and hold them firmly." His eyes rested first on Bob, then Jim."Whether it is years hence, or centuries, because of what you have donefor one of our princes, the men of your tribe, James Austin, and ofyours, Bob Caldwell, will be spared, even though they be inferior, theywill be given a chance. I have spoken, and my uncle has written it intothe records."
"Gosh," Bob gasped. "If they aren't any good, don't bother with them."His face flushed suddenly, he didn't know why, but he felt that weeds ofall kinds should be destroyed.
"Now, before you take us to New York, I will give you each a token. Giveit to your son, and your son's son, and on, for one day it will find itsway back to my land." He opened the box, drew out two large greenstones. They were oblong in shape, some marks had been worked into them,and into a groove in one side was a tiny many-colored tube of exquisiteenameling. The boy pressed an invisible spring and the tube openedrevealing a slip of parchment covered closely with fine writing.
"I say--" Jim started to protest, but the boy paid no attention to him.
"Keep these always, they are fine emeralds. Here are smaller pieces." Hepicked up two rings. "Wear these and wherever you are seen by any of mypeople you will be helped and protected." He handed the jewels to hisamazed companions, then went on, "Mr. Fenton has been losing histurkeys. Watch the man who is taking care of them, watch him closely."
"Thundering rattlers, is he the thief?"
"He is a naturally dishonest man. Watch him closely and you will learnwhat happened to the turkeys."
"Thanks a lot, old man--gee, Uncle Norman will be no end obliged to you,and gosh, he is already, for that bog you drained is still dry--"
"It will remain dry--" the boy assured him.
"Maybe we'd better be starting," Jim suggested, "that is, if you are ina hurry to get to New York."
"We shall be glad to hurry."
"I say," Jim put in, "You know, maybe I'm a nut, but if you people, Imean you and your uncle, would kind of act like ordinary people, notwear anything that looks a bit different, or act as if you are trying tokeep out of sight, you wouldn't attract attention--nobody would pay anyattention to you at all, except maybe in a little place like North Hero,where everybody knows everybody else," he finished hurriedly. The boysat thoughtfully for a moment, then he smiled end held out his hand.
"Thank you, it is excellent advice."
"When you are by yourselves you can act naturally, I mean as you doanyway, but you look as if you are different, you seem to know more--"
"Thank you, we will do that, and I hope we meet again, Jim Austin andBob Caldwell."
"If you come to Texas, look us up. This is where we live." He gave theboy a card, with the address scrawled on the back.
"We will get ready," Corso interrupted.
"Well, I say, where does this Burnam come in?" Jim asked.
"He was employed to do some task for one of our people and he suspectedthat somewhere great wealth must be stored. He saw me once in myfather's house. When his work was done, he was paid and dismissed, andtaken away, so that he could not find the place again, but he came uponmy uncle and myself on your western coast. He believes that I know thesecret and tried twice to kidnap me, but he has failed each time, and hewill fail again, for it is written in the forecasts that I shall live toa great age and that my enemies shall perish. One day you found a box,it held knotted strings. Long before writing, or signs, tribes madetheir records by that method, I know the language of the knots in thecolored strings."
"Why, I've read of that, learned it in school, old language," Bobexclaimed with en
thusiasm.
XII
DETECTIVES
"I say, what a pair of nuts we are. We don't know that boy's name." Jim,who was in the passenger seat beside his step-brother, made theannouncement with disgust. Bob made a grimace.
"We do take first prize. Do you think that pair are batty?"
"Not as batty as some of the rest of us," Jim declared emphatically.
"That's what I think. I say, let's not do any talking about them. Youknow, sometimes a little thing starts things and evidently this Burnambird isn't letting any grass grow under his feet."
"That's a first-rate idea." They had just left Corso and his nephew inone of the small towns in the northern part of New York state, and thecouple had taken a train south. Now the boys were about ready to returnto North Hero.
"I'm telling the cock-eyed world that we are landing on the turkey farmand somebody's going to talk turkey. It won't be us," Bob declared.
"Atta boy. You know, Buddy, we agreed with what that boy said justbecause we've been suspicious of Hezzy all along, but we couldn'tconvince your uncle nor any of the Selectmen on anything as thin asthat. We've got to get something on the fellow; something no one will beable to think isn't real proof."
"That's right," Bob acknowledged. "It's getting kind of late. Suppose wedrop down there. If Hezzy's around we can get the lay of things, andmaybe find evidence enough so Uncle Norman can act on it. We'll have tobe mighty careful, or Burley will be suspicious."
"We might say we need a little gas, that our tanks are empty," Jimsuggested. "And ask about the dog, if he's getting over that sickness."
"Yes, that's the idea. I've been wondering--if Hezzy is getting awaywith the turkeys, he wouldn't want a good watch dog around. I've got akind of hunch we'd better be ready to act with a snap."
"Suits me. Let her go." Bob opened the throttle and presently they werein the air, each thinking soberly of what might be before them. As Jimrecalled the weird experiences of the afternoon and the interview withthe foreign boy, it all seemed mighty unreal, but he had to admit thatthe emerald ring on his middle finger was not a dream, and the jewel inhis shirt pocket pressed against his chest was substantial enough. Theair was heavy with clouds that hung low, and the boy knew that anotherstorm was brewing. He hoped it wouldn't be a bad one, for the Vermontershad already suffered terrific loss because of the late rains and theflooding lake which was sweeping everything before it. Looking down hecould see the thrashing waves, and the whimsical idea came to him thatthe lake was determined to go somewhere.
"A river has more fun," he grinned to himself. Bob's mind was fullyoccupied with his job of piloting, but it did not take long to crossChamplain. It was dark enough now so that homes were being lighted up.The bright window squares began to look like jewels suspended on arapidly darkening background. In a little while night would be uponthem. As they approached Isle La Motte they were riding five thousandfeet up, and suddenly Jim noticed two other planes flash through theclouds from the north. He wondered if it was their friend the mailpilot, but the hour was not right, and besides there would not be two.He touched Bob on the arm, and pointed.
"There's a couple of planes." Bob picked them out a moment later, thenboth boys sat tense and astonished as they noticed that the flyingmachines were circling above the eastern side of the turkey farm.Through breaks in the mist the boys saw that the machines were bothlarge ones, big enough to carry considerable freight or severalpassengers. Why they should be maneuvering through the clouds above IsleLa Motte was puzzling, so Bob, as he watched them, guided Her Highnessin a wide circle a thousand feet higher. He was confident their presencewould not be observed or heard as long as the other engines were racing.Keeping the planes within their range of vision was difficult, andseveral times they lost sight of them, but succeeded in picking them upagain. Jim had his eyes fast to the glasses, and suddenly he made out aman standing upright on one of the wings. A second man jumped out of thecock-pit and joined the first, then a third and a fourth got on to theother side of the fuselage. It took an instant for the boy to guess whatthey were going to do, then he shouted.
"They are going to jump!"
"Over the lake."
"The farm. I'm going after them." As soon as the words were out of hismouth he was busy with the safety straps, and as he unbuckled himself henoticed their lariats coiled about the hooks. Instinctively, but with noidea for what he might use them, the young ranch boy reached for thelong plaited leather ropes. It was natural to have them in his hands,and he hopped out of the cock-pit.
"I'll land over there and join you as fast as I can," Bob bellowed, andalthough Jim could understand only one or two of the words, he guessedthe rest and nodded. He glanced down again and by that time counted fivefigures dropping through the clouds, but instead of white silkparachutes blossoming out above them, the huge umbrellas were some darkcolor which was soon lost in the haze. Without waiting any longer, Jimhopped over, while Bob maneuvered to keep out of his way, then the pilotturned about and started for the nearest shore of the lake.
While dropping through the air toward the Fenton turkey farm, Jim'sbrain was working like a trip hammer. His parachute was white andtherefore conspicuous. He did not want to land before the other jumpersnor did he want to be too near them. As soon as he was clear of HerHighness, he pulled the cord, and calling to his mind a detailed pictureof the property, he guided himself far enough to the north so that hewould be over the forest. He hoped that the others would be too occupiedin their own arrival to do much looking around. The parachute floatedhim gently, and by spilling air carefully, he managed to keep from,being carried from the course he wanted to follow. Sometimes the mistwas so thick that he couldn't see a thing in any direction, and then hewould be drifting through breaks light enough so that he could keep hisbearings. His drop was a thousand feet more than the men he wasinterested in, and each one of them, he noticed, let himself go morethan half of the distance before pulling the cords which opened the"chutes."
"Wow, there are more," the boy exclaimed and he counted ten tumblers."What in heck are they up to?" He couldn't answer the question and hedidn't try, but concentrated all his attention in observing as much aspossible. The first man landed on the smooth space which was familiar toJim, and he saw someone coming to meet the new arrival. The chap lookedamazingly like Hezzy, and the boy whistled. He saw the fellow freehimself from his trappings, then the pair scooted out of sight. By thetime Jim was nearly ready to land, he had seen the ten drop out of thefog, and each one scooted away as quickly as possible. The boy glancedbeneath and saw he was coming to what looked like a grove of youngmaples or willows, and he smiled with satisfaction. They were not verytall and promised him a safe landing. In a moment more it was made, thenhe too ducked out of the straps as fast as his fingers could unbucklethem. Expertly he folded the "umbrella" and hung it where he could findit again, then made his way stealthily toward the clearing. The fog wasrolling from the east but did not seem inclined to settle, and thathelped him a lot. At the edge of the woods, his lariat in hand, he stoodtrying to pick out the spot on which the men had landed. At last hediscovered it, and he made another discovery. Just a few feet belowwhere he was standing was the edge of a long, narrow fine-wire enclosedpen, such as were made for young turkeys on the other side of the farm.
"The mystery begins to clear," he muttered softly.
Stepping carefully so he would start not the slightest commotion he madethe way toward the pen, and then he saw there was a shelter over a largesection. The place was built of old boards and seemed to have been madeto appear as inconspicuous as possible. Listening tensely, Jim was surethat he could hear the queer noise young turkeys make, but he didn'tdare to scrutinize more closely. He was determined to find where Hezzyand the ten men were located. It occurred to him that they might bealready making their way to the old farm house, which was certainly bigenough to accommodate them all without crowding, but at the same time hehad a
hunch that an investigation of his immediate surroundings would bemore to the point for the present.
Before going any further Jim listened for the planes, but not an engineroared in the skies. He thought that the two had proceeded away from theplace as soon as their passengers discharged themselves and the boywondered if these men landing on Isle La Motte had anything to do withthe gang which Allen Ruhel and Bradshaw had raided. The officers hadsaid that a few got away, but of course they could not know how many.These might be left-overs who had been compelled to keep in hiding untilthey arranged for a safe get-away from Canada. The more he thought, themore suppositions flashed through his brain. Suddenly he heard a muffledstep, as if made by a man walking cautiously in rubber boots and the boydodged quickly behind the biggest tree, then dropped to his stomach andmade a tiny opening in the underbrush so he could look through. For abreathless minute he waited, then into his range of vision came two men,one wearing an all-over aviation suit.
"One of the ten," Jim grinned to himself, "and friend Hezzy." They werecoming toward the pen, and the poultry man's face was black with scowls.
"I got them here all right," he muttered, "But how can I get them away?Where in blazes is Pedro?"
"Now, keep your shirt on, can't you? You've got the birds, nobody knowsa thing about them, and we'll get them away as fast as we can. I don'tknow where Pedro is, I told you, but I think he's in the States heresomewhere. One of the boys discovered that the Mounties, blast them, arehanging around the ravine. We can't go in it, but we do know that someof the gang went off with the Canuck. He's probably helping to keep themunder cover. You look after your end here--"
"Well, I've been looking after my end, but blast it all, how can I keepthe gang--ten new ones, under cover? The islands are half of them underwater. Know what that means?"
"Sure, they won't be bothering you," the air-man answered promptly.
"That's where you ain't got a grain of sense. There's probably a hundredpeople got their homes washed from under them. Everybody will be makingroom for them--and there isn't a house in Isle La Motte will take careof so many. The Fenton's will offer it--if they haven't already fixed tofill it up," Hezzy growled furiously.
"Whew, that's so, but they ain't likely to bring 'em across tonight,that's sure. They can't use the bridges even to walk on, and no NorthHero man will bring a boat across until the lake isn't so rough, that'sa cinch. You sit tight and keep a watch so you can slip 'em out ifanyone shows up. This'll be a grand place to stay tonight, and in themorning some of the planes will be back, then we can make a get-away,part of us, before daylight. What do you want to do over here?"
"See that the water pans are filled," Hezzy replied sullenly.
"All right, go to it, I'll cross to the house and catch up with theother fellows. Don't hang around too long--"
"I gotta see they're all right for the night or they'll be dying on me,"Hezzy insisted. The pair separated, and Jim watched the strange manstrike off through the dusk, while the poultry man made his way furtheralong the turkey pen.
"Now," whispered Jim. He jumped to his feet as nimbly and quietly as acat, and tip-toed after the air-man. Half a dozen plans bobbed into theboy's mind, but none seemed feasible. If he could only capture the pairwhile they were separated he might accomplish something, but how, wasthe question. He hesitated a moment as he thought of going back andfastening Hezzy in the temporary turkey house, but that didn't seem goodbecause he was sure the man could break his way out. By that time thestranger was almost across the clearing, and then the boy made adecision. Swiftly he ran, being careful to make no noise, and as he drewcloser the lariats in his hand were being looped into shape. It was onlythe work of a moment to coil one, then taking a quick jump forward, theboy cast the loop. It swished low along the ground straight to its goal,rose over the fellow's foot as he made a step, then jumping behind asmall tree, the boy jerked it taut and the chap went down on his facewith a hard thump.
"Hope he landed on a rock," Jim muttered as he hauled it expertly.
It was evident that the fellow had knocked the wind out of himself inhis fall, for he did not struggle, and in a second Jim was standing overhim, trussing him tightly like a chicken.
"He--grr--" Austin's handkerchief was stuffed into his mouth just intime to prevent further explosives.
"Grr, yourself," Jim grinned pleasantly. At last assured that the fellowwas helpless, the boy rolled him to a tree, and fastened him to that sohe could not get away. "Now, ta-ta," he said softly, and taking a lastglance at the knots, he hurried back toward the pen where he hoped tocapture the unsuspecting Hezzy. He wished he had another rope, but hehadn't, so he picked up a good stout stick and a couple of rocks. Thusarmed, he ran at top speed, then he stopped suddenly and gasped. He sawHezzy was not alone. There was another chap with him, and the other chapwas putting up a rattling good fight, although Burley was bound to bethe victor. Down the pair went and Jim recognized that pair of arms andlegs. It was Bob. In a moment he would be out.
"Howling pole cats," Jim yelled. Hezzy glanced over his shoulder towardthe new attacker, but the stick came down on his head with a sickeningthud and he stretched out beside his would be victim.
"Little Jimmy, my brother. Let me kiss you--"
"I'll knock your block off. How did you happen to get into the scrap?"
"Was coming valiantly to save you from destruction when I stumbled onthis pen." The boy got to his feet, then sat down on his enemy. "Startedto do a bit of rubbering when our esteemed friend arrived. He was veryrude, in fact be promised to send me to hell, I believe he called theplace."
"Thoughtful of him. Well, I've got the big boss, I think, tied up backthere with our ropes. Better let me have your belt so we can arrangeHezzy as safely." Belts and neckties were used to secure the man's handsand feet, and into his mouth was stuffed a gag to keep him from gettingboisterous, then the step-brothers took a minute to discuss thesituation.
"Tell you what," Jim proposed finally. "You go back for Her Highness,and land her down here. I'll strike a match so that you can drop close,then we'll give these boys a ride to North Hero. The Selectmen can lodgethem in jail away from all danger, and somebody else can come later andcollect the gang in the house."
"Guess that's the brightest plan, Buddy," Bob agreed, and he set off toget the plane. Half an hour later they dropped down in the cove, and asone of the Selectmen was at the Fenton's, he heard the charge, andarrested the pair without further ceremony.
"My land sakes alive, Bob, why, it just don't seem possible Hezzy--"
"Well, we have the goods on him, Aunt Belle, and let me tell yousomething. There are hundreds of turkeys in that pen over there, guessyour loss won't be so bad after all. Gosh, I'm glad--"
"Well--er--gosh, Bob, I am too--now then, there goes the telephone. Youanswer it, I'm so excited I can't talk straight." Bob went, and afterlistening a moment he repeated.
"Yes, now, is this right? You have a telegram from Texas, that fivethousand dollars has been deposited in the Burlington bank for Mrs.Fenton because my mother, that is, Mrs. Austin, read of the flood andthought her sister could use it. Right?" A pause, "Thanks!" The boyshung up and turned to his aunt who was leaning helplessly against thedoor frame. "Get that, Aunt Belle!" She gave a little choking sob, andbig tears ran down her cheeks.
"Yes, Bob--I did--that's just like your mother--she wouldn't even takethe--time to find out if we needed it--b-but just sent it so we couldhave it--"
"Of course," Jim laughed. "That's just like her, I know. She's bully."
"My land--why my land, you haven't had a bite of supper, you must bestarved." Then she flew about to get it ready and Bob turned on theradio.
"Weather report. Fair and warm, tonight and tomorrow," he announced.
"Good news," Mr. Fenton remarked as he came into the room.
"We've got so much good news," his wife beamed. But before the boys gota chance to eat the meal, the Selectmen came, three of them, and askedto be taken across to Isle La Motte.
They wanted to round up the men inthe old house before they could get away, so Jim took them over. Therewasn't even a fight, and it didn't take the officers long to learn thatthe ten were men who had come across the border without authority, andthey were hand-cuffed, placed under guard, and held for deportation.
"We're much obliged, young man," one of the Selectmen smiled at the boyand held out his hand. "You've done a lot for all of us and we hope thatyou will stay with us as long as you can."
"Oh, thank you. If you don't need me any more, I'll fly back or Bobwon't leave me a smell of supper."
"Fly away. I think by morning the bridges will be safe so we can usethem, but if they are not, and you'll pay us a visit here, I'll befurther in your debt--yours and the plane's."
It didn't take long for Jim to get home, and he found that there wasstill plenty to eat. When he had "tanked up" comfortably, he glanced atthe green emerald ring on his finger, then at his brother.
"Say, Buddy, suppose we'll ever be lucky enough to meet that kid again?"
"I have a big hunch we will," Bob declared with satisfaction.