  Water at once began to pour into the skiff but the boys were so near the land that neither was greatly alarmed. By a few vigorous strokes the little boat was quickly sent ashore. Leaping out upon the dry land both Fred and John seized the gunwale and together brought the skiff far up from the water. “That’s a pretty kettle of fish,” said Fred. “Just look at it! There is a big leak. You must have stove a hole in the bottom.” “Turn it over and let’s see,” suggested John. In a moment the boat was overturned and the fears of the boys were confirmed when they discovered that the blow against the jagged rock, although it had not torn a hole in the bottom of the skiff, had nevertheless sprung it in such a manner that it was leaking badly. “How are we ever going to get back to Mackinac Island?” said Fred. “I guess we won’t have to go in this boat,” answered John. “Just now, the thing for us to do is to look around here and find out whether we are really Robinson Crusoes or there are some people living here who can give us some breakfast.” “That’s all right,” said Fred, more cheerfully at the mention of the possibility of a morning meal. “You run up the shore in one direction and I will go down the other way. We’ll come back in about five or ten minutes and we’ll report.” Fred’s suggestion was agreed to by his friend and the boys at once started along the banks which were only a few yards back from the shore. More than the allotted time had passed when the two boys returned. Neither had been able to discover any tokens of the presence of people dwelling or camping on the island. “It looks pretty dark,” said Fred more disconsolately. “It’s easy to go back,” said John solemnly, “but it takes some nerve and grit to go ahead. I never yet knew a boat that drifted up the stream. If you leave it alone and don’t do anything it will go down stream every time.” “You speak like a philosopher, as I told you,” said Fred. “I wonder sometimes how one small head can carry all you know.” “And that’s not original either, I have heard that before. What’s that yonder?” he suddenly added. At the question both boys turned and looked out over the waters of the lake. In the distance a tiny speck could be seen, but it was plainly moving toward the place where they were standing. The sun had risen by this time and the quiet waters of the lake were flooded with its beams. “It’s a a motor-boat,” declared John after a brief silence. “You’re right once in your life, Jack,” acknowledged Fred. “That’s just what it is and it’s coming straight toward the place where we are.” “So you had all your crying for nothing. It doesn’t pay to give up when there’s still any chance to go ahead.” “We’ll wait and see. Perhaps we’ll know more an hour from now than we do just at this minute.” Eagerly the boys watched the coming of the motor-boat. It steadily became more distinct and not many minutes had elapsed before both boys were convinced that the little boat was nearly of the size of the Gadabout. Then they were able to distinguish two men on board, one at the wheel and one seated in the stern. “I thought at first it might be the Gadabout,” said Fred in a low voice. “So did I,” joined in John. “I can see now that it isn’t.” “So can I. What do you suppose it is?” “I haven’t the remotest idea. If we wait long enough we’ll find out.” “What do you suppose that boat is coming here for?” inquired Fred. “That’s another thing you’ll have to wait to find out. You’re a great lad. You make me think of what the headmaster said the other day.” “What did he say?” inquired Fred. “He often makes remarks to you that I don’t hear, and some of them I am very glad I don’t.” “That’s all right, too,” said John. “What he told us the other day was that children and savages are the people that are the most likely to give way to their feelings. They laugh and cry when strong people keep quiet.” “What do you mean by that?” demanded Fred sharply. “I don’t mean anything. I’m just telling you what the headmaster said.” “They are going to land right in here,” said Fred abruptly, as the motor-boat slightly changed its course and apparently was approaching the very place where the boys had made their unfortunate landing. “Let’s go farther back,” suggested John. “Maybe it is some more of this strange business. It won’t do any harm if they don’t see us and I don’t believe they have yet because they wouldn’t be looking for anybody where we are.” “Come ahead,” suggested Fred, quickly acting upon the advice of his companion. Drawing farther back and yet still remaining in a position from which they were able to see the approaching boat, the boys were confident that they would not be seen. Both excitedly were watching the coming boat. In a brief time the power was shut off and the anchor was cast overboard. Then in a small skiff, which the motor-boat had in tow, the man who had been at the wheel quickly rowed toward the shore. “Do you see who that is?” whispered Fred in great excitement. “I do,” replied John quickly. “It is that man that we saw on Cockburn Island. It is the same one that came over to Mackinac. What do you suppose he’s coming here for?” “You know just as much about it as I do. If we keep still we may be able to learn more in a little while.” The excitement of the watching boys did not decrease when they saw the man, who now they were convinced was indeed their recent reluctant host on Cockburn Island, step quickly ashore and then draw his boat up on the beach. Apparently the presence of the other skiff had not yet been noted. Indeed, the boys were quite confident it had not been discovered, as the place where they had landed was around a little bend in a small cove. The actions of the man, however, soon became more mysterious and puzzling. Out of his pocket he took a small package and seating himself upon a rock he proceeded to open it. There were occasional flashes of light that were reflected in the eyes of the boys, although neither were able to discover the contents. After carefully refolding the package the man restored it to his pocket and then advancing toward the higher bank stopped for a moment there and peered intently all about him. Apparently satisfied that he was unobserved the mysterious stranger then advanced rapidly toward some woods in the distance. He had, however, gone only a part of the intervening distance when another man was seen approaching from the midst of the trees and in a brief time the two men met. There was a hasty consultation which greatly interested the boys, although they were unable to discover its purpose. They were convinced, however, or at least Fred was positive, that there had been an exchange of packages made by the two men and then instead of returning to the shore the man whom they had been watching advanced beside the stranger and soon both were lost to sight within the borders of the woods. Meanwhile the motor-boat had been left in charge of the man who had come to the island with the mysterious visitor. Neither of the boys had obtained a clear look at him until Fred suggested, “What’s the use? We’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Come on, let’s go and speak to the man on board the motor-boat.” John hesitated a moment and then quickly followed his friend, as they advanced openly along the shore. “Do you see who that is?” whispered Fred, clutching John by the arm. “Yes, I do,” answered John. “It’s that little Jap that we saw on Cockburn Island.” “That’s exactly who it is. What do you suppose he’s doing here?” “He’s not doing much of anything just now. I should guess that he is in charge of the boat until his boss comes back. I’m going to hail him.” In response to John’s hail the little Japanese quickly turned and glanced in the direction from which the unexpected call had come. “He doesn’t understand English, don’t you remember?” said Fred. “I know he pretended that he didn’t, but we’ll see how much he knows now. Got anything to eat on board?” called John, turning once more toward the motor-boat. The first feeling of alarm or surprise had passed and the little manservant now broke into another of his loud and unmusical laughs. “Got any breakfast? Got anything on board to eat?” again called John. It was plain now that the Japanese understood what was said, for in broken English he explained that he had some articles of food on the motor-boat. “I wonder if you’ll sell us some?” inquired Fred eagerly. “We’ll come aboard and see what you have got.” Quickly taking the stranger’s skiff the boys rowed out to the motor-boat and after they had made it fast, stepped on board. The Japanese seldom spoke, but in a brief time he handed each of the boys two sandwiches, which they eagerly took and quickly ate. “How much do we owe you?” asked John. Again laughing loudly the Japanese shook his head and it was manifest that they would be unable to pay for the slight repast they had received. “When did you come from Cockburn Island?” inquired Fred. The question was not answered and John quickly broke in, “When are you going back? That’s a good deal more to the purpose. Do you suppose your boss would be willing to take us over to Mackinac?” The Japanese laughed, but still did not answer. “We’ll pay him well for it,” said John. “How far is this place from Mackinac anyway?” “’Bout forty mile,” answered the Japanese. “Whew!” said Fred. “We’re a good ways out of our course, aren’t we?” |
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