Parkhurst Boys Part 45

"What's the row? What is it?" asked Gayford.

"You wouldn't guess what that little thing is," said Tubbs.

"What is it? Can't you speak?"

"Well, if you must know, it's our boat. The anchor wasn't tied, you know!"

"The boat! You great b.o.o.by!" cried one and all, springing to their feet and rushing in the direction of the pier, upsetting and trampling over the unhappy Tubbs as they did so.

"What on earth shall we do?" gasped Gayford, as he ran by Bowler's side.

"We must swim for it," said Bowler. "It's our only chance."

"Can't do it. She's half a mile out."

"It's all up with us if we can't get her!" groaned Bowler.

They reached the landing-stage, and there, sure enough, danced the "Eliza" half a mile out at sea.

"I'll try it," said Bowler, flinging off his coat.

"What, to swim? You'll do nothing of the sort," said Gayford, seizing his friend by main force.

"I tell you it's our only chance," cried Bowler. "Let go, do you hear?"

"No, I won't, old man. We must make the best of it. It'll be more like New Swishford than ever now."

This last argument had more effect with Bowler than any other, and he slowly put on his coat.

"I vote we souse that idiot, Tubbs, till he's black in the face," said Crashford viciously.

"What's the use of that?" asked Bowler. "The fact is, you fellows,"

said he, "we're regularly in for it now, and the sooner we make up our minds what we shall do the better."

"Let's make a waft," said Braintree, mindful of his _Wobinson Cwusoe_.

"Where's your wood?" asked Wallas.

"Let's hoist a signal, anyhow," said Wester.

"No one to see it if you do," said Wallas.

"Let's have some grub," said Crashford.

This last suggestion met with general approval. They had had no breakfast to speak of, and after their voyage and excitement hunger was beginning to a.s.sert itself. The one brown-paper parcel rescued from the "Eliza" was forthwith handed in and p.r.o.nounced common property. It happened to be the parcel bearing Tubbs's name, and contained, besides a seventh part of the provisions, Tubbs's voluntary contributions to the general store--namely, the crib to Sall.u.s.t, and the guide to the environs of Tunbridge Wells. These, it was proposed and seconded, should be handed over to the owner as his share of the good things contained in the parcel, but Bowler and Gayford interfered on his behalf; and after having been reprimanded with a severity that took away his appet.i.te, he was allowed to partake of a portion of potted shrimp and a potted peach, together with a small slice of cake. Bowler groaned to see what a hole even this frugal repast made in the provisions, and consulted Gayford in an undertone on the possibility of slaying a seagull and the merits of raw poultry generally.

Rather dolefully the provisions were packed up and deposited in a ledge in the rocks, while the party proceeded to wander about the island in search of board and lodging. The charms of Long Stork Island had fallen off greatly in the short interval, and the sea-fog, which was beginning to wrap it round and hide the mainland from view, seemed like a wet blanket both on the spirits and persons of the adventurers.

After much dreary search a hollow was found on the hill-side, which by fastening together three or four ulsters might be roofed over sufficiently well to keep out the rain or cold if required. As to food, the island provided absolutely nothing except the chance of raw poultry already mentioned and a few sh.e.l.l-fish on the rocks.

The day wore on, and the fog turned to drizzle and the drizzle to rain.

They held out against it as long as they could, but had to take shelter at last, and herd together in their extemporised cabin.

Here a painful discussion ensued, "I hope you're satisfied now!" growled Wallas. "This is mess enough to please even you, Bowler."

"What do you mean?" retorted Gayford; "a lot you've done for the public good. There are plenty of seagulls about without you to croak, too."

"I wish my umbwellah hadn't gone out to sea," observed Braintree, shivering.

"By the way," said Crashford, "didn't I see it lying on the rocks. I'll just run and see," and off he started.

"When shall we ever get away?" asked Wester. "We may get starved here."

"They're sure to see us or find us out in a day or two," said Bowler.

"A day or two!" exclaimed Wallas; "do you really mean we've got to stay here without food or shelter a day or two? I wish your New Swishford was in the middle of the sea."

"So it is," dryly observed Bowler.

"Fine fools you've made of us with your humbug and child's play,"

growled the other.

"_You_ don't want much making," retorted Bowler; "and if you want to talk any more, you can talk to some one else."

Wallas accepted the invitation, and growled all round till everybody was sick of him.

After a long absence Crashford returned without the umbrella.

"I couldn't find it," said he, sitting down. "It's gone."

"But you found the peaches, you blackguard!" said Bowler, springing up and pointing to some juicy remains still clinging to the delinquent's coat. And in his righteous indignation he dealt the traitor a blow which sent him out of the tent.

A fight ensued there and then between Bowler and Crashford, unhappily, to the disadvantage of the former, who was no match for the practised hand opposed to him. The company interposed after a few rounds, and none too soon for the damaged though still lion-hearted Bowler.

Crashford profited nothing by his victory, for it was decided unanimously to exclude him from the tent till he chose to apologise for his treachery; and meanwhile the remains of the slender provisions were taken into safe custody out of his reach.

The day wore on, and the rain fell heavier and heavier upon the ulster- roof over their heads. The wind whistled drearily above them, and the mainland was entirely lost to sight. As far as they were concerned they might be in the real New Swishford, a thousand miles from the nearest land.

They huddled together silently, no one caring much to speak. Only Braintree broke the monotony by shivering audibly, and the footsteps of Crashford, as he paced up and down outside to keep warm, added a dreary variety to the silence.

The afternoon drew on, and at last Bowler said--

"Better let the beggar in."

"Hadn't we better all turn out and see what's to be done?" said Gayford.

"We shall only come to grief here. The grub won't hold out for another meal, and then it'll be something more than a joke."

"Come on, then, you fellows," said Bowler. And the roof was hauled down, and the party turned dismally out once more to seek their fortune.