CHAPTER VII
TIED UP AT MACKINAC ISLAND
"All aboard!"
It was Nick who shouted this aloud on the following morning. They hadarisen at dawn, and prepared a hasty breakfast. Josh had looked out forthis on the preceding evening, for he had cooked a pot of grits, whichbeing sliced while cold was fried in butter after being dipped in egg.Only several fryingpans were needed for the job, on account of theextreme fondness Nick had for that particular dish. But long ago hiscomrades had learned to view such an assertion on the part of the fatboy with suspicion; because it was discovered that the present treat was_always_ the one Buster adored most.
The waves still seemed larger than might prove comfortable, but therewas a fair chance of their going down later on in the day. Besides,George was gaining more confidence in his narrow boat, as he came toknow it better; and he possessed something of a reckless spirit inaddition.
"Ain't this just glorious!" exclaimed Nick, when they had gotten fullystarted, and passing beyond the protecting point, felt the full forceof the waves.
Not a voice was raised in dissent; even Josh, while looking a littleanxious, refused to put up a complaint as the _Wireless_ ducked andbowed and slid along through the troubled waters like a "drunken duck,"as Nick termed it aside to Herb.
But just as they had anticipated, things improved as the day advanced.The breeze grew lighter; and while it came over many miles of water,the sea was not threatening. Besides, there is such a thing asgrowing accustomed to such things. What in the beginning might exciteapprehension, after a while would be accepted as the natural thing, andeven looked upon with indifference.
They kept this up until after the noon hour, and splendid progress wasmade, so Jack declared. As he had been elected the commodore of thefleet, and kept tab of the charts, they always depended on what he saidas being positive.
Finding a good opportunity to get ashore about this time the boysaccepted it by a unanimous vote. So many hours aboard small boats givesone a cramp, and under such conditions a chance to stretch is alwaysacceptable.
Their stay was not long, for all of them were anxious to reach thebeautiful island known as Mackinac by evening. So once more the fleetput out, and in a clump bucked into the northwest breeze and the sea.
They were now heading due northwest, and about three in the afternoonGeorge declared he could see land dead ahead which he believed must beBois Blanc Island.
"I reckon now you're just about right," said Jack, after he hadconsulted his map, and then in turn peeped through his marine glasses."For the way we head, there couldn't be any other land straight on. Ifthat's so, fellows, we'll raise the hilly island just beyond prettysoon."
Before four they could get a sight of what seemed a little green gem setin the glittering sea of water.
"That's Mackinac, all right," observed George. "I can see white dotsamong the green, that stand for the houses. We're going to get theretoday, fellows. Told you so, Buster. Me for a juicy steak tonight then."
"Oh! don't mention it, please," gasped Nick. "You make my mouth fairlywater. And if our boss cook would only suggest fried onions along withit, my cup of joy would be running over."
"Sure," called out Josh, "if you promise to peel the tear-getters. Weneed such a heap to satisfy that enormous appetite of yours, not tomention some others I know, that I refuse to undertake the job."
"Oh! all right; count on me!" cried Nick, looking around as thoughanxious to begin work at once, a proceeding that George vetoed on thespot.
"I need my eyes to see how to steer, thank you, Buster," he declared."You just hold in your horses. Plenty of time. Besides, most of theonions are aboard the _Comfort_ along with Josh."
An hour later they were approaching the magic isle that has won afame all its own as a picture of beauty seldom equalled, and neverexcelled--green with its grass and foliage, and with many snow whitecottages and hotels showing through this dark background.
"Did you ever see anything like it?" asked Jack, as the three boats spedonward.
"Never," replied several of the others.
"I'm glad we'll soon be there!" declared Nick; but everybody knewwithout asking, that he was thinking about that beefsteak and onions,rather than the joy of reaching such a pretty shore.
"Look at the old blockhouse up on the hill!" remarked Herb.
"Yes, I've been reading up on this place, and history tells about somelively times around here during the War of 1812. Seems the Britishthought Mackinac a good place to have possession of. They sent out anexpedition, and came ashore in the night, surprising the little Americangarrison."
"That was tough," grunted Josh. "Like to hear things the other way.Thought Americans never got taken by surprise."
"Oh! well," laughed Jack; "you want to read history again, my boy. But Inotice a good many steamers around. I reckon most of those bound throughto Chicago stop here, as well as the Lake Superior ones. There's a boatcoming in full of people. The _Islander_ she's called. That must be theboat going over to the Snow Islands every day. There's another back ofher, perhaps coming down from the Soo. Seems quite a lively place,fellows."
"You bet it is. We must take a run around the island tomorrow, beforegoing on. Never do to pass this by, as we may not be here again in ahurry," Herb remarked.
Approaching the shore they began to look out a suitable place where thesmall boats might be tied up for the time they expected to remain. Thiswas not easy to find, since they had to take care and not get in the wayof any large craft that might be going out.
After all it was Nick who discovered the opening. Josh declared thatthe fat boy's vision was sharpened by the clamorous demands of hisappetite; but Nick, as usual, paid little attention to such slurs.
"Who's going ashore to find a butcher shop?" he demanded, as they beganto draw close in to the shore, and get ready to tie up.
"I appoint you a committee of one to secure the steak," said Jack,solemnly; "and remember, don't let it be a bit over one inch thick, andweigh more than five pounds."
"Good gracious! that wouldn't be even a pound apiece!" expostulatedNick.
"All right! we expect to have some other things along with it,remember," Jack continued. "You know the penalty of disobedience toorders, Buster?"
"Deprived of food allowance for twenty-four hours!" broke in Josh.
Nick only groaned; and presently finding a chance to creep ashore hehurried off on his delightful errand. For when there was anythingconnected with meals to be done, Nick was as spry as anybody in camp.
It was some little time before he showed up again.
"Wow! look at what's coming, would you?" shouted Josh, suddenly.
Of course it was Nick, laden with various packages, and grinningamiably.
"It's all right, Jack," he announced as he came ambling along. "Itdoesn't weigh a fraction over five pounds. Oh! I was mighty particularabout that, I tell you. Had him cut off pieces of the tail till it gotdown to an even thing."
"Here, somebody help him, or he'll take a header into the brink, andlose half of what he's hugging so tight!" called Herb, and Jimmiestarted to obey.
"But what's in all these other packages?" asked Jack, pretending tofrown.
"Why, onions, just onions and then more onions!" came the bland reply;at which the others burst out into a roar, causing Nick to look at themin pity. "You fellows can laugh all you please," he said in lofty scorn;"it don't feaze me one little bit. I was afraid we might fall short, andso I bought a half peck at the butcher's. Then, while I was comingalong, I saw some white ones, and couldn't resist the temptation to geta couple of quarts. They go fine raw when you feel just nippy, you see,along with a piece of pilot bread."
"But there's still another package; how about that, Buster?" askedGeorge.
"Why," answered the other, slowly; "after I started off with the whiteones would you believe it I discovered a lot of those fine big Spanishonions in a confectioner's store. I just couldn't resist the temptationto get half a dollar's wort
h. Mightn't have the chance again, you know,fellows. It's my treat this time."
"Thank goodness! we've really got enough of something to satisfy Puddingfor once!" cried Josh, as he received the various packages.
"Look at the steak, Josh," said the provider, proudly. "Guess I ought toknow a good thing in that line. It's streaked with fat, and is bound tojust melt away in your mouth."
Josh admitted that it did look tempting; and later on the entire partyagreed that Nick had profited by his hobby.
When starting upon this extended trip the motor boat boys had agreedthat on no account would they sleep under the roof of a house, unless incase of sickness. So even at Mackinac they must keep to their boats.
Several of them went ashore to see what the place looked like under theelectric lights, returning an hour or so later, ready for bed. Thoseleft behind had attended to all necessary arrangements, so that littletime was lost.
As customary, the watches were made up of two, on different boats, andso selected that Nick would be paired with Jack himself; because thecommodore was suspicious of Buster's ability to remain awake with anyone else as his sentry mate.
It happened that while these two were taking the first turn, and Jackevery once in a while would poke Buster with a setting pole he kepthandy, something not down on the bills came to pass. The first thingthat Jack knew about it was when Nick gave vent to a shrill screech, andscrambled to his knees, holding on to some struggling object that seemedto scratch and snarl and act in a way that was altogether mysterious.And of course the whole six boys were immediately awake, sitting up toask all sorts of questions.
Motor Boat Boys on the Great Lakes; or, Exploring the Mystic Isle of Mackinac Page 7