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HAPPY
fre
DAYS
The Small Boy’s Trouble.
Before they had arithmetic,
. Or telescopes, or cl
> Or biackboards, maps ‘and copybooks—
: When they could only talk.”
Before Columbus came to show
e world geography,
What did they teach the little boys
Who went to school like me?
There wasn’t any grammar then,
They couldn’t read or spell,
For books were not invented yet—
I think ’twas just as well.
‘
There were not any rows of dates,
r laws, or wars, or kin:
Or generals, or victories,
Or any of those things.
There couldn't then be much fo 9 learn}
There wasn’t much to
’Twas very nice to be a boy
Ten thousand years ago. :
For history. had not t pegun,
And int the schools I don'ts see what
The children had to
= Now always there is more to learn—
How history foes ‘ow!
And every day they fihd new things
They think we ought to know.
And if it must ze oy ike this,
I'm glad I
For boys ten thousead years. from now
Will not have time to pi
[This story commenced in No. 272]
THOSE
Harclay Huys
THE SHIP THAT WAS LOST IN THE FOG
By GASTON GARNE,
- Author of 335, ” “His Last Chance,” Hold-
9 Hi in,” “Enchanted Mountain, ’*
“The Boy Cliff Climbers,” ete.
CHAPTER XXII. _
BEN HAS A CLOSE CALL,
hen the retreating wave caught Ben
Barclay and nd the latter made a des-
perate effort to clutch at the rocks and hold
back, and in doing so kicked poor Ben, who
was a little in advance, in the face, dazing
him for the moment.
It was just as well that this happened so.
Had it been otherwise Rand would un-
doubtedly have grabbed id of Ben and
the fate of the villain would also have been
the fate of the boy.
as both were swept out of the
cave in an instant, I Rand giving one despair-
ing yell as they w
It was the last Ben ever saw of the man
when the water swallowed them both up
- there at the foot of the cliffs, and as he was
never afterward geep-or heard of by an:
there can be-no doubt that he was
drowned and his body carried out to sea.
n Barclay’s fate would have been
just the same if the boy had been anything
but the cool-headed fellow that he
“If I can keep try head I may bet saved,”
was the thoughti which flashed over him,
“but if I get rattled I’m a goner sure.”
With a strong effort of mind he threw
aside all fear and handled himself just as if
he was in swimming for the fun of the
thing.
In a minute he was on the surface and
_ his first care was to keep himself there.
Ben could swim in any fashion; he was a
regular water dog; there was no young fel-
low who could equal him anywhere along
the Massachusetts coast.
The first thing he did was to work his
arms out of his coat and let that go; then
he managed to kick on is shoes and next
he threw aside his ves
is and feet we ‘e now compara-
. tively free and he had a much better chance
With one anxious look around for Rand,
which amounted to nothing, of course, he
struck out boldly for a rocky point at the
extreme end of the island
This was his only chance to keep clear of
the breakers; he Seemed to take in the
situation at a single glan
e had forced his way through the break-
ers already, and to attempt a landing any-
where near the cave with the tide running
in would be sure death, for nothing could
save him from being dashed to pieces on
the rocks. .
Before dark he had noticed that the tide
took a strong sweep around the lower point
of the island and that there lay a stretch of
beach and the place was comparatively free
from breakers,
Now all this came over Ben like a flash
and he at once set to work to carry out the
ee
plan and likely enough might have suc-
ceeded in making a landing on the lower
end of the ins if it had not been that all
at once, looking up, ne “aw a small boat
bobbing about ahead o!
As it afterward furned Mout it was the
boat from the cove, which, being insecurely .|
placed before the storm came on, had gone
adrift.
Of course the discovery sent all Ben’s
plans flying to the four winds.
He struck ‘out boldly for the boat,
clutched at it and got it, and, without
much difficulty, climbed in. Ben felt as
strong as a horse and able to hold out in-
definitely up to the moment he climbed into
the boat. .
all in an instant his strength
seemed to leave him and he sank down in
the bottom of the boat and was off in a
faint before he had time to realize what
had happened.
at? ‘orn out nature had asserted herself at
"sicanwhtle the boat went bobbing about
heaving water, the oes rain
falling Pitilessly upon the poor
x wy five minutes passed and Ben never
Then he suddenly sat up in the boat and
stared around.
eavens! ‘What’s come over me?” he
thought “I was all right a minute ago
now—no oars! That's bad. I’ve got to
ante by thunder, I’d almost rather be in
the water. I shall freeze to death here.”
The boat was gradually working toward
the rocky point at the end of the island, be-
ing carried on by the tide.
Once past that there was no telling what
direction it might take. The tide w:
most at its height now and when it took
the turn the boat was sure to be carried out
to sea.
Ben fully appreciated this danger. They
were well ou ym the island and he saw
that there was little chance of making a
landing unless something was done, so he
wrenched off one of the seats, and, using
it for a paddle, did manage to work the
boat in a little.
He was still at it when-all at once he
a ane water and
paying little heed to the si
That was the time Ben t porolay learned
Ore loud a voice fe had.
stood up in the boat, waved his hands
wildy, galled, once fairly yelled
omenis he could hot tell
waether he had been seen or
tug kept steadily on ner course,
which would hardly bring her to the boat,
Ben thought, and then all at once she tooka
turn and headed straight for him.
As she drew nearer Gen saw a man stand-
ing at the bow looking at him. He put his
hand alongside his mouth and yelled:
“Hello the boat! Hello!* Hello!”
“Hello! Tug ahoy! Take me aboard,
will your" shouted Ben.
We'll get you!” was the an-
swer and in a few moments more a line
-was thrown to Ben, who eagerly seized it
and the boat came alongside the tug.
“Why, bless my heart, it’s one of those
Barclay boys!” cried fhe man, lending Ben
a hand to come aboa:
“That's what, Mr. “Milles” said Ben, as
his feet “ruched the deck. low the
world did you ever come here?”
t was the constable and. ‘the big tug
Ajax, of Manchester, one of the most pow-
erful towboats on Massachusetts Bay.
“Which is it, Bill or Ben?” demanded the
constable. “Where’s Squire Vanderbeek?
Where's your brother? What’s become of
the Rocket? Speak up, boy! Tell me all
that has occurred!” -
CHAPTER XXIII.
IN THE HANDS OF A HARD GANG.
Having seen Ben Barclay safe on board
et back to the island
J
Ajax Bill lay bound hand and foot on the
floor pete ‘ore the fire up at the house on the
isla
fe stood looking down at him dis
mally, while Mr. Vanderbeek sat tied to a
chair, white and scared, In the midst of
five as tough looking citizens as one could
wish to see.
Crissy was not present. She was locked
in a room upstairs awaiting whatever fate
Big Jake Randall, the leader of this des-
perate band, might decide was to be hers.
as the situation and from appear-
ances ity would seem that Bill and his party
had proved easy game for these men, but it
was not exactly that way, for Bill had
shown fight and Mr. Vanderbeek had strug-
sled desperately when Crissy was first
taken,
But there could only be one end to it, out-
numbered as they we:
The men had come swooping down upon
them, and as gach was armed with a rifle,
there was nothing to do but to surrender,
but before Bill was willing to accept the
situation he had given two of the gang
pretty sore heads.
As soon as the party was captured they
were taken up to the house and disposed
of in the manner already described., One
addressed as Big Jake, a man who stood six
feet four in his stockings, was strutting
about the room talking after a fashion
which showed pretty clearly that he was
decidedly drunk, and, indeed, all the others
were in pretty much the same condition,
as far as Bill could see.
“Now then you!” cried Big Jake at last,
after he had said a lot about people who
came prowling about other people's | prop-
erty where they were not wanted. “Now,
hen, who the blazes are you, anyway, and
what brings you on Hog Island? Don’t tell
me it was just the storm. I know blamed
well that you had some other motive for
coming here. I’m a bad man, I am. So's
those other fellers. 1 bad men.
‘There hain’t a good one in the hull lot of
us. This is our house and we don’t allow
no visitors. Speak up, you long nosed
snoozer, or you on the floor. -I don’t care
which, Speak up and tell us who you
are!”
“That's just what Tve been trying to do,
my good friend, but you seem determined
to do all the talking. My name is Vander-
beek. I live down at Manchester. We were
blown out to sea and the storm brought us
here. This is a queer kind of hospitality
ou are showing Ws J r mus| say.”
“Tt’s my kind,
“well, y suppose we shall have to take
you as we find you, but I was going to
say——
“Wait!” -
“Well, what now?”
“Don’t ask who I am and who these gents
are with me and what we are doing on this
island and why we don’t want no visitors
and why we’ve made prisoners of you in-
stead of taking you in and putting you to
bed and giving you all you or eat and
drink—-don’t ask none of them things.”
at had _no such intention, my near sir,”
replied Mr. Vanderbeek, blandly. “We
don’t expect it. I was only about to say
I am a rich man and I am prepared
to pay well for my freedom and that of my
daughter and these young men.’
“The deuce you are! What do you mean
by that?”
“Y mean business. If you will put us
ashore on the mainland at some point
wane we can get proper shelter for the
night.
“Can’t be done in this storm, boss. We
have had enough of it. We don’t risk our
lives again.”
&
“In the morning, then. Where is this
island, any
“Find out, "Wha t will you pay if I put
you ashore within a mile of Portsmouth,
New Hampshire?”
“T’ll give you a hundred dollars,” replied
Mr. Vanderbeek, with the air of a man who
was making a liberal offer.
“Ha ! ha!” laughed Big Jake. ‘“That’s
recht "Boss make it five thousand and it’s
ae Vanderbeek talked and haggled, but
to no purpose, ig Jake stuck to his price,
“Well, I'll do it said the millionaire at
last, “but, of course, I shall have to write
you a check. I have no money about me,
as you are already aware, seeing that you
have been {hrough my pockets.”
ck won’t go,” said Big Jake, de-
cidedly, “but it can be arranged. One of
our boys will go with you clean to Ports-
mouth, where you can raise your money.
The girl can remain here till you return
with thi
“No!” eried Mr. Vanderbeek. “That
knocks it all out. I won’t do that at all.”
“It is the only way 1 it will work, boss.”
“But let m:
“Say nothing mn mT have had a drink,”
broke in Jake. “Bill Tundy, get the whisky
jug out. Nate Dow, get up to the west room
and bring me down a coat you'll find hang-
ing in the closet; mine is wet through and
I want to change i
simple commands these, but they al-
tered “the whole situation, as will presently
be si mn Meanwhile let us say a word
about B)
went terribly against the grain for
Bill to lie a helpless prisoner there on the
floor, and the thought of Crissy’s desperate
situation, a prisoner in the grands of these
ruffians, drove him half
Like his brother, Bin ‘Narclay was a
worker; he never could stay idle one mo-
ment, and as soon as the attention of these
men was turned away from him Bill went
ork on the cords which bound his
hands behind him. If he could break them
he would be free, for his legs were not tied.
“Dave,” he breathed. “Dave,”
Dave drew nearer. The sharp little fel-
low was all ready to hel
“Can't you cut that cord?” breathed Bill
in an voice so low that nobody but Dave
g
“Dave winked, but made ne other answer,
He drew nearer to Bill, though, and worked
his way behind him withoce being observed.
It was just at this m
Tundy and Nate Dow started in to obey the
While Nate left the
y threw open the door of the
closet in which the chest had been con-
cealed.
‘in an instant the room became a
scene of confusion,
<“What’s this here chest?” cried Tundy.
*“Hello! Must t belong to these folks. Get
it out and see what’s in it,” responded Jake,
Mr. Vanderbeck groaned. Bill had told
|. Wrenched the weapon aw:
him about the chest being in the closet and
he rene’ what was comin;
the lid and Tunay yelled:
“Money! Money! It’s f of money!
There must be a million dollars here!” |
At the same 3 instant Nate Dow came run-
ning in show’
“Gee, fellers, there’ sya dead man estat
in the west room. A corpse in the bed
Gee, it gave me such a er
Nobody paid the slightest attention to
him; everybody was crowding about the
chest; Big Jake and Tundy were pulling
over the packages of bills.
“This settles it!” exclaimed Jake. “This
boodle is good enough for us. These fellers
must all die to-night, but we’ll spare the
al.”
“Now, Dave!” breathed Bill.
Dave had drawn a jackknife, and, stoop-
ing and while pretending to tie his shoe,
with one slash he cut the cord which bound
Bill’s hands together.
Nobody. saw him, nobody gues:
“Spare us!” cried Mr. Yondwboe “Keep
the chest and let us go free.”
He d no more than spoken than Bill
Barclay suddenly leaped up, swinging a
heavy, (poker above his head.
much,” he cried. “I don’t give up
80, Come on, every one of you. I’m good
for you all.”
It was a daring break—no mistake about
that, but then Bill had never known what
it was to be afraid.
4s he shouted he made a rush forward.
nm came the poker on the back of Big
Jake's head with a crushing force.
Wi ‘oan the man tumbled over back-
ward, while Dave gave Tundy a stinger be-
tween the eyes which tumbled him over,
‘All was now confusion as the other three
rushed at the boy:
Quick as a fash ‘Bill gave Nate Dow the
knockout and made for the next man, when
pe Jake’s foot came out and tripped him
geen him!” he roared. Kil him quick!
Kill him ny Ow
CHAPTER XXIV,
CONCLUSION.
It was all over ni
Bill was a prisoner again, standing with
his back against the wall, covered with a
revolver, while poor Dave, knocked out by a
in a heap by the
“Well, I vow!” cried Big jake, wiping the
blood from his head, “this is the greatest
note ever I see; boys, ta The
game’s in our hands,
man up alongside the boy; we'll bring this
little prayer meetin’ to a close right now.”
Mr. Vanderbeek was untied from the
shalt and stood against “the wall’ beside
then; you, too, say your prayers,”
hissed Big Jake, “for I’m going to do you
the sea, What money is this? Where did
it com come from? Who's that dead man up-
“Tt you will give me time I'll tell you
all about it,” said Bill, “Don’t kill my
friend here. He did nothing to you. Take
him at his word. Keep the chest and let
him go away with his daughter. As for
me, I expect no mercy at your hands.”
“No, n ou won't get any,” hissed Big
Jake. Cm soreheaded if ever a man was,
nd you made me so. Here, give me that
He had raised the cocked revolver and
covered poor Bill when the sound of hurry-
ing feet reached the ears of all in the
r
‘oom.
If he had looked at the window an in-
him, but | there was no time for any discov-
eries n
Tundy 8 sprang to shoot the bolt, but be-
fore he could reach the door it was thrown
violently open and Ben Barclay, followed
by Constable Miller and twenty men, came
bursting Into the r
“Ben!” shouted Bill, ‘and, heedless of the
revolver, he made a dash for Big Jake,
‘ay, and, with one
blow of his fist, felle¢ him to the "floor. ,
im up, boys! Back him up!”
shone a big-bearded man, who came in
behind the constable and then the end of
the troubles or ane Barclay boys came in
less than a m x
“Who are they?” replied the big-bearded
man in answer to Mr. Vanderbeek’s eager
question. “Wh: e worst gang of sme
glers that ever operated on this coast. I a
the sheriff of Rock:
our boat to the bottom.
drowned if it hadn’t happened that your
friend, the constable, came along in tho
tug Ajax, Mr. Vanderbeek, and rescued us.
Rist after that we picked up this young
ur servants, Miss——. Your
daughter, I presume, sir, Thank goodness
we arrived here in time to settle these
feiows before they could do »-you any fur
eet tight at ane
ee
ro
Se et