The Hero of Garside School
Page 26
CHAPTER XXV
ON A VOYAGE OF ADVENTURE
Moncrief minor and Plunger, having decided that they would improve uponDefoe's famous story and introduce two Crusoes into their forthcomingadventures instead of one, and having further decided that Hibbertshould be Man Friday, it only remained to put their project intoexecution as soon as possible.
A little way down the river, on the opposite side to that on which theraft was usually moored, was a plantation. It had a thick growth offurze and bushes, and save for the rabbits and squirrels, was quitedesolate during the winter. What better place could be selected for thedesert island?
"Just the ticket," said Plunger, rubbing his hands, after he and Harryhad explored the plantation with a view to their forthcoming enterprise."Couldn't have been better if it had been built for us. We must becareful, though, and not let old Baldhead and the others know anythingabout it. They'll all want to cut in--Sedgefield, Bember, and the rest.I know them. Two Crusoes are quite enough at one time, don't you think?"
Harry quite agreed with Plunger. In fact, he was rather doubtful whethertwo weren't too many--too many by one. But he didn't hint it to Plunger,for fear of bringing up the old dispute.
"Have you sounded the Camel?" Plunger asked presently.
"Not yet; but I don't think he'll mind, except for one thing."
"What's that?"
"Having his face blacked. He's sure to object to that."
"But he needn't know anything about it till we get him over in theplantation; then he can kick and squeal as much as he likes. It won'tmatter. Let's hunt him up now."
The two thereupon went in search of Hibbert. When they found him, Harryinformed him in glowing language of their project for the comingSaturday.
"And just by way of a little treat we thought we'd take you with us,"said Plunger, as Harry concluded his explanation. "It'll be fine fun.When we get on the desert island we can have splendid adventures!"
"Yes, yes; it'll be fine fun, as you say; but I'd rather not," answeredHibbert, for whom the river had little attraction. He somehow feared it."I'll give way to some of the others."
"But you're not going to give way. You're too fond of taking a backseat. You never have any fun; the other fellows have plenty. It's ajolly shame!" exclaimed Plunger, waxing indignant. "It isn't right, isit, Harry?"
"No, it isn't," Harry promptly assented. "I don't see why the Camelshouldn't have as much fun as the rest of us."
"But--but I don't want it. I'm quite content."
"Ah, that's it. You're too content; but we're not. We mean making thingsbetter for you. It's nearly time some alteration was made. Baldry,Sedgefield, and the others would never think of giving you a bit ofpleasure. They're too selfish--aren't they, Harry?"
"Awfully!"
"So we're leaving them out of it, and you're coming with us instead,Hibbert. We'll have a good time, I can tell you."
Plunger spoke with so much earnestness, and was backed up by Harry withno less earnestness, that Hibbert really thought that their sole objectin taking him with them on the raft was to give him "a bit of pleasure."It was perfectly clear also that they would take no denial; so Hibbert,making a virtue of necessity, reluctantly consented.
"Whatever you do don't let out what we're going to do to the otherfellows," was Plunger's parting injunction, "or they'll be eating theirheads off with envy."
Nevertheless, in spite of Plunger's injunction, the secret leaked out.Indeed, it would have been an astonishing thing if it hadn't, for theproposed adventure on the raft had taken such complete possession of themind of Plunger, that he could think of little else. He dreamt about it,and talked it over with Harry at every opportunity. In addition to this,they had been seen carrying parcels in the direction of the plantation.
The long-looked-for Saturday at length came. It had been agreed betweenthe two confederates that, so as to avoid suspicion, Plunger shouldstroll up to the bridge just before the hour the men left off work, andthat Harry should arrive on the scene a few minutes later with Hibbert,from another direction.
"If anybody's about they won't suspect anything," said Plunger. "Weshall meet as if by accident, and keep out of the way till the road'sclear."
Precisely as arranged, Plunger strolled up to the old bridge, which bythis time was almost demolished. The workmen had made fast the raft to astake at the side of the river, and, having received their wages,hastened off at the stroke of twelve. No one heeded Plunger. A fewminutes later, Harry came up with Hibbert, who was trying to look ashappy as possible under the circumstances, but was nevertheless far fromcomfortable. The river always seemed so cruel to him--so treacherous.And somehow it had seemed more cruel, more treacherous, since Paul hadtold him the story of his father's death.
"All serene, Harry," cried Plunger. "The road's clear. We've got it allto ourselves."
"That's good," said Harry. "We're in luck's way. Let's make hay whilethe sun shines. Wait for us on the towing-path, Hibbert. We'll soon bealongside."
Leaving Hibbert on the towing-path, the two boys got on the raft, andproceeded to untie it from the stake to which it was attached. This didnot take them long, and, having secured a punting-pole, they soonbrought the raft to where Hibbert was awaiting them.
"I'd--I'd rather not go," said the boy hesitating.
"Don't talk rubbish. Get on. You don't mean to say you funk it?"
To tell the truth, Hibbert did "funk it," though there seemed so littleto fear; but he was, as we know, a nervous, timid boy. None the less, healways tried to disguise his feelings even to himself.
"Funk--not a bit; but--but I'm never much help, and--and I thought Imight be in the way. It's a jolly raft, isn't he!" he said, as hestepped on.
"Jolly."
Plunger pushed off and they went slowly down the river in the directionof the plantation.
"It's smooth enough here, but what must it be like on the sea, eh?"asked Plunger, after an interval of silence.
"Without any food or water and no sign of a sail."
"Yes, famishing with hunger and casting lots which shall die," addedPlunger cheerfully, glaring at Hibbert, as though he contemplated himfor a victim. Hibbert, pale before, turned to an ashen hue. "Why, what'sthe matter, Camel? Don't you feel well? Seasick?"
"I--I'm all right. Is--isn't it jolly?" answered Hibbert, with a feebleattempt at a smile.
Though Hibbert was far from enjoying himself, in spite of trying toimpress upon himself that he was, his companions were in their element.As they floated along the river, they imagined themselves to beadventurers, bent on discovery and deeds of heroism. All the same Harrybegan to feel that Plunger, as usual, was trying to take up the positionof command, and make him play second fiddle.
"I say, Freddy," he presently burst out, "isn't it time that I did a bitof punting?"
"I'd like you to have a try, I really would; but it's not so easy as itlooks. You've never done any punting, and you don't know how hard itis."
"And what do you know about it? You've never done any of it till now.You're not going to gammon me, Freddy; so hand over the pole."
As Plunger did not seem inclined to give up the pole, Harry caught holdof it, with the intention of enforcing his demands. As he did so, theraft swayed, and Hibbert, crying out in alarm, clutched Harry in turn tosteady himself.
"Don't be an ass, Harry," exclaimed Plunger hotly. "You'll have us overin a minute. We're not on dry land. We're not out for a picnic."
"Give up the pole, then. We were to go halves--share and share alike. Iknow as much about punting as you do; so let me have a turn."
"Put me on land," said Hibbert appealingly, fearing that a strugglewould take place between the two boys.
"Don't be such an awful funk, Camel," exclaimed Plunger roughly. "Letgo, Harry. Don't play about on this bit of wood or over we go. I'm notinsured, if you are. I said we'd go halves, and so we will. Let mefinish punting to the plantation and you shall do the punting back."
"You mean it?"
Satisfied with this promise, Harry let go the pole, much to the reliefof Hibbert. The rest of the voyage was passed without further dispute,and in a little while they reached the plantation in safety. Havingsecured the raft, they made their way into the thicket. Hibberttimorously inquired where they were going.
"We told you we were out for adventures," explained Plunger. "Harry andme are Crusoes--twins, you see."
Hibbert nodded assent, but he could not help thinking that he had neverseen twins who were so utterly unlike each other as the two before him.
"You're to be Friday, Camel."
"Friday--yes," Hibbert feebly assented. "Wha--what's he to do?"
"He's got to discover us--the twin Crusoes."
Hibbert thought that to balance things there ought to be a twin Friday,but he only repeated, "Twin Crusoes--yes." As he did so, he thought heheard a rustling among the bushes, as though some wild beast werecrawling amongst them. He looked round with a shiver, but saw nothing.Plunger and Harry, too intent on their enterprise to hear anything, hadbeen groping about in the thicket for something they had hidden there.Presently Plunger cried, "Got it!"
He drew out a brown-paper parcel from its hiding-place as he spoke,while Harry explained as he did so:
"This is to be a sort of dress rehearsal, you see. The next time we comewe shall be able to do the thing properly."
"Yes, we've only got the hats and Friday's wig, and the stuff for hisface," went on Plunger, as he pitched a brimless felt hat to Harry andclapped one of similar design on his own head. "We mean having the skincoats next time. Here's your wig, Camel--Friday, I mean. Let's see howit fits."
He took from the parcel a wig, which had been skilfully designed from acouple of fluffy woollen table mats, once the property of Mrs. Trounce.Pulling off Hibbert's cap, Plunger fixed this curiously fashioned wig onthe boy's head.
"Fits to a T. Doesn't it, Harry?"
Harry nodded.
"Wish we only had a looking-glass here so that you could see yourself init, Camel," went on Plunger. "You only want painting up a bit, and thereyou are. Hold your face down while Moncrief puts on the artistictouches."
Hibbert feebly protested. He didn't want his face painted.
"Now, look here, Camel," said Plunger, giving his arm a twist which madehim wince, "we're not going to hurt you; so don't be silly. Friday was asavage, you know, and savages don't go about with white faces, and yoursis awfully white. Don't be silly, I say."
Hibbert wriggled for a moment, but seeing that it was useless for him tostruggle further, gave in with as good grace as possible. Harry at oncewent to work on his face. First of all greasing it, he next smeared itwith burnt cork, until Hibbert was as black as a nigger. Thus blackened,and with the rudely fashioned wig as crown, Hibbert presented a curiousappearance indeed. The two burst into laughter when they had finished.Their laughter seemed to echo through the plantation. Suddenly theirlaughter was checked.
"Did you hear it? Strange, wasn't it?" said Plunger.
Hibbert looked tremblingly round. Of a sudden an unearthly yell rent theair, and half a dozen dusky figures leapt from the bushes in thedistance. Flourishing curiously-shaped weapons, very like tomahawks,they rushed, yelling and screaming, towards the bewildered boys.