The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island Part 10

"What's that you say?" retorted the captain. "It's no such thing. It's no such thing. I don't care about that man any more than I do about--you."

"You have a strange way of showing it, then," suggested Fred with a laugh.

"I tell you what I'll do, boys," said the captain at last. "If we don't have any luck here by noon I'll take you across the channel and we'll try it 'long c.o.c.kburn Island."

"But we haven't any right to fish there. That's in Canadian waters," said John quickly.

"Well, I have a permit," explained the captain.

"Good for us, too?" inquired Fred.

"Yes, good for you, too."

Both boys were somewhat dubious as to the extent of the permission secured by the captain, but they made no protest. Swiftly the little boat was rowed across the intervening waters and in a brief time, under the shelter of the bluffs of the island they were seeking, preparations were made for resuming their sport.

"We don't want many fish just now," said the captain.

"That's lucky for us," laughed Fred.

"What I mean is, that we want something for dinner, but that's about all.

After dinner we'll see what we can do with our luck."

When the time came for landing, the captain turned to the boys and said, "Before I start a fire I want to go up to that house yonder for a minute."

"We'll go with you," suggested Fred, winking at John as he spoke.

"No, no," said the captain sharply. "You stay right here on the sh.o.r.e. If you want to you can start a fire and have things goin' so that when I come back everything will be ready."

"What do you suppose is the matter with the captain?" inquired John after the departure of their guide.

"Why he's either afraid of or he doesn't like that Mr. b.u.t.ton. Maybe he's the man that wrote that letter."

"More likely he's the man that the other fellow wrote the letter about,"

laughed John. "I think myself that the old fellow will bear watching."

"I haven't seen anything in him that I thought was wrong," said Fred.

"Naturally he doesn't waste very much affection on the officials of the law."

"I don't see why he shouldn't," broke in John. "Unless there's something wrong with him."

"There may be something wrong as far as the law is concerned, but I guess the old fellow himself thinks he's right. You know there are a good many people that do that."

"What do you suppose he's up to?"

"I don't believe anybody knows, not even the captain himself. I guess it's his general principles. He's opposed to everything."

"Do you think this Mr. b.u.t.ton is anything more than he appears to be?"

"I'm not sure," said Fred thoughtfully. "It may be that he knows a good deal more than he explains and it may be that letter he got, which was sent to me first, has made him suspicious of the captain. I don't myself believe there's anything the matter with the captain anyway."

"Look yonder!" said John quickly, dropping the fish, which he was cleaning, as he spoke. "Isn't that Mr. b.u.t.ton himself?"

Hastily looking in the direction indicated by his friend Fred was silent for a moment and then said, "That's just who it is. What do you suppose he's doing here on this island?"

"He isn't on the island yet. I'll tell you later what he does, that is, if he lands. Don't let him see us."

Hastily moving behind the high bushes, though neither boy could explain just why he did so, they watched their fellow-guest, as his skiff was swiftly sent ash.o.r.e and Mr. b.u.t.ton himself stepped out upon the land.

It was plain that he was not aware of the presence of the boys and that all his movements were being keenly watched.

The interest of the boys, however, was speedily increased and in a brief time both were highly excited when they saw Mr. b.u.t.ton take from his pocket a revolver, which he inspected carefully and after he had returned it to its place he at once started toward the house in the distance.

It was the same rude, little shanty in which the boys had found refuge the preceding day. Now, however the sun was shining brightly and the clear waters of the lake were reflecting its beams. There were no signs of life about the house on the sh.o.r.e, but both boys excitedly watched Mr.

b.u.t.ton as he made his way across the fields and after a brief time approached the side door of the house and then entered the little building.

"Let's go up to the house, too," suggested Fred quickly.

"What for?"

"Why, there's no reason why we shouldn't go and if there's any fun going on we want to be on hand."

"I'm with you," said John cordially, and as soon as they had banked their fire both boys started across the open field toward the house in the distance.

"I'm telling you," said Fred in a low voice, "there's something going on up in that house."

"You always make a mountain out of a mole hill."

"Well, perhaps I do, but I'm sure there's something doing and they may need us before long."

"Yes, probably they are wondering now why we don't come," laughed John.

"Just you wait," retorted Fred. "You'll see I'm right."

"If I thought you were, I know of one fellow who wouldn't go near that house."

"But you're going just the same," said Fred positively.

There was no delay and after the boys had crossed the field they approached the kitchen-door of the rude, little house where Fred made known their presence by his noisy summons.

CHAPTER VIII LEFT BEHIND

In response to Fred's knock the door was opened by the little j.a.panese servant. He stared blankly at the boys and then broke into another of his loud laughs.

"Is there any one here?" inquired Fred.