  Slowly the boys again crossed the familiar field. In their distraction the various objects assumed grotesque forms in the dim light. The swaying branch of a low tree seemed almost like the extended arm of a waiting man. Every sound that came from the waters startled them. The cry of the night birds was unusually weird and penetrating. Neither of the boys was willing to acknowledge that he was afraid, but nevertheless they kept closely together and did not speak until once more they were standing before the kitchen door. Both were startled when not far away they heard the sound of a deep growl. They had not seen any dogs about the premises in their previous visits and both were startled by the unexpected sound. In their haste and alarm they both began to rap upon the door. The dog, still growling, did not advance upon them, but they could see the dim outline of his form as he stood near the corner of the house. There was no sound within and no response was given to their summons. Nor when they repeated their knocking, as they did several times, was any heed paid them. “What shall we do?” whispered Fred, looking up into the face of his companion. “There must be somebody in here.” “Open the door,” suggested John. Fred reached for the latch, and, doing his utmost to be quiet in his action in order to avoid undue attention on the part of the dog, tried to open the door. The door, however, was locked or bolted and although both boys pushed against it with their shoulders they were unable to move it. For the first time they were aware now how massive and strong the door was. “It isn’t much like an ordinary kitchen door,” whispered Fred as they abandoned their effort. “I should say not,” responded John. “We can’t get in and that’s the only thing I can see plainly around here.” “I wish George and Grant were here.” “So do I, but if wishes were horses, beggars might ride. Is that dog creeping any nearer to us?” “I don’t see that it is. I guess all there is left for us is to go back to the shore and wait.” “We seem to be left on all sides, don’t we?” “Pretty much, and I hope that dog thinks so too.” Cautiously withdrawing from the kitchen door the boys slowly moved toward the corner of the house. Not far before them was a pile of wood and in case they should be attacked by the growling brute, they were hopeful that there they might find some weapon of defense. Suddenly both boys found themselves in need. With another growl the dog advanced upon the boys as soon as they had passed the corner. Leaping to the wood-pile John drew forth a stick three or four feet in length and only about two inches in diameter. Fred was less fortunate and unable to secure a weapon he darted toward the opposite side of the pile. Meanwhile John was compelled to face the dog. As the savage animal leaped forward John struck at it, but either his blow was too slow, or he did not see plainly in the dim light, for he failed to stop its progress. He had, however, almost succeeded in dodging the brute, which fastened its teeth in his trousers and steadily held John in his grip. “Hit him! Hit him!” said John excitedly. “He’s got me and I can’t get away!” In response to the appeal of his comrade Fred hastily took a stick from the wood-pile and advanced upon their common enemy. The dog, however, still clung to John in spite of the boy’s desperate attempts to use his club. Lifting the stick which he carried Fred brought it down with all his force upon the back of the dog, which still was growling and clinging to its prisoner. There was a loud yelp of pain and relinquishing its hold the dog fled howling back to the house. Without waiting to discover the reception which awaited the animal, both Fred and John started swiftly across the field toward the shore. Frequently they glanced behind them, but it was manifest that the dog was not pursuing them. “He’s got a backache,” suggested Fred, “or else he’s homesick. He doesn’t want to leave the house.” “I hope he doesn’t,” said John heartily. “I didn’t know there was any dog around there.” “Nor I. I don’t know where they kept him.” “If they will only keep him now that’s all I want.” Nothing more was said until at last the boys arrived at the shore. Both looked keenly out over the waters hoping to discover some trace of their friends. In the dim light, however, they were unable to discover the presence of any boat on the waters or of any parties on the bluff. The night air was becoming cooler, although the breeze which had arisen at sunset had now died away. For several minutes the boys stood waiting and listening upon the shore and then Fred in a loud whisper said hastily, “Listen, Jack. Do you hear anything?” “On the water?” inquired John. “Yes.” Both boys listened intently and in a brief time John said eagerly, “I do hear something. To me it is like the sound of oars in oarlocks.” “That’s it. That’s it exactly,” said Fred. “There’s a boat out there somewhere, only we can’t see it. Let’s get behind these bushes and wait until it comes nearer.” Acting upon Fred’s suggestion they quickly took their places behind a low growth of bushes only a few feet back from the water. There they were still able to see what occurred on the lake, and at the same time in the dim light would not be readily discovered by any parties that were approaching. Not many minutes elapsed before the dim outlines of the skiff were discerned. There was only one occupant and he was rowing toward the shore, apparently unconcerned whether or not his presence was known. “Ahoy, there!” called John abruptly. The sound of the oars abruptly ceased and a brief period of tense silence followed. “Who’s in the skiff?” called John. “Wait until I come ashore and I’ll tell you,” came the reply. With a few sturdy strokes the oarsman sent the light little skiff ashore and as he stepped out on the ground both boys were startled when they discovered the newcomer to be Mr. Button. Why he should be coming from the lake was something they could not explain. “Where’s the Gadabout?” demanded Fred eagerly. “I haven’t seen it.” “Haven’t you seen anything of the other boys?” “Not a trace of them.” “What do you suppose has become of them?” demanded John, who was beginning to be seriously troubled by the failure of his friends to appear. “I cannot say,” replied Mr. Button. “What are you doing here?” “That’s what we should like to know ourselves,” replied Fred ruefully. “We can’t get into the house and we haven’t any boat so it looks very much as if we would have to stay here on the shore all night.” “Can’t you get into the house?” inquired Mr. Button. “No, sir. We have been up there two or three times. The doors are locked and no one pays any attention to us when we rap. Besides they have got a dog there and he’s a savage brute. He got John by the trousers and wouldn’t let go until I hit him on the back with a stick of wood.” “Was it John or the dog you hit?” inquired Mr. Button dryly. “The dog, of course. What are we going to do now, Mr. Button?” “I think I can get you over to the shore of Drummond Island, but I should like very much to have you wait a little while before we start.” “All right,” replied both boys together. “Meanwhile,” suggested Mr. Button, “I would like to have you come with me up the shore as far as that cove where the mate left his skiff after it was stove in. It isn’t more than one hundred yards or so from here.” The boys readily consented after they had assisted Mr. Button to haul his boat farther up on the beach. Whatever the purpose in the mind of the man was he did not explain, nor were the boys able to conjecture what it was after they had walked along the shore as far as the cove and then had returned to the spot where the skiff in which Mr. Button had come had been left. Their consternation, however, was great when after a vain search they were convinced that the skiff was gone. That it could have drifted away was impossible. All three were alike convinced of that fact. There was not much wind now and the little boat had been hauled so far from the water that it was impossible for it to drift away. There was only one conclusion and that was that some one had taken it. For a moment they stood in silence after they were convinced that the boat indeed was gone, and then the boys, keenly excited, turned to their companion demanding what he would suggest as the next thing to be done. |
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