CHAPTER IXTHE SIGNAL ROCKET
Abner Peake made no comment until the end had been reached.
Then he smote one hand into the palm of the other, and relieved his feelings in the expressive way one would expect a coast "cracker" to do.
"This sorter thing has got to stop! It's sure the limit wen them varmints set about burnin' a honest man's buildin's up! I'll take the law into my own hands onless somethin' is did soon. P'raps that parson kin manage to rouse up the village, and upset old Dilks. Ef so be it falls through I'm gwine to take a hand, no matter what happens."
He immediately told the whole story to his companions at the station, and they, of course, sympathized with him to a man.
"That Dilks gang has got to be run out of Ashley, root and branch, daddy and sons, for they're all alike," declared the keeper, Mr. Frazer, who was a man of considerable intelligence—indeed, no one could hold the position he did unless fairly educatedand able to manage the various concerns connected with the station. "It's a burning shame that the families of men who are away from home in the service of the Government can't be left unmolested. I'm going to take the matter up with the authorities the next time the boat comes to this station."
The life savers asked Darry many questions, but he was careful not to fully commit himself with regard to identifying the three culprits.
"Course he couldn't say, boys. Don't forget Darry's new in this section, and most o' the boys is strangers to him. But he's put his trade-mark on one as won't forget it in a hurry. And for me I'd be willing to wager my week's pay that young Jim Dilks was leadin' them raiders in their rascally work," declared one of the crew, a stalwart young fellow named Sandy Monks.
By this time the storm began to break, and it became necessary for the keeper to make good use of his glass in the endeavor to place any vessel chancing to be within range, so that in case of trouble later in the night they would have some idea as to the character of the imperiled craft.
Darry watched everything that was done with eager eyes.
After an early supper, in which he participated with the men of the station, he saw the guard thathad the first patrol don their storm clothes, and prepare to pass out to tramp the beach, exchanging checks when they met other members of the next patrol to prove that through the livelong night they had been alive to their duty.
Abner was on the second watch. He had consented to let the boy go out with him, and share his lonely tramp, for he seemed to realize that just then it was the most ardent wish in the heart of our hero to become a life saver like himself.
The rain came down in sheets, and the thunder rattled, while lightning played in strange fashion all around; but this storm was not in the same class with the dreadful West India hurricane that had sent the poorFalconon to the cruel reefs, to wind up her voyaging forever.
Darry might have liked to sit up and listen to the men tell about former experiences; but the keeper chased them to their beds, knowing that it was necessary to secure some sleep, since they must remain up the latter half of the night.
A hand touching his face aroused Darry.
"Time to git up, lad, if so be yuh wants to go along," came a voice which he recognized as belonging to Abner, though he had been dreaming of the captain.
He was quickly dressed and out of doors.
It seemed to be still raining, and the wind howled worse than ever, though but little thunder accompanied the vivid flashes of lightning.
Having been giving some spare waterproof garments in the shape of oilskins, and a sou'wester, Darry felt himself prepared to face any conditions that might arise during his long walk with his friend.
Taking lantern and coster lights for signalling, Abner set out, another patrol going in the opposite direction.
Those who had been out for hours had returned to the station in an almost exhausted condition, and at the time Abner and Darry left they were warming up with a cup of coffee, strong spirits being absolutely forbidden while on duty.
Darry asked questions when the wind allowed of his speaking, which was not all the time, to be sure.
He wanted to know how the patrol learned when a ship was in distress, and Abner answered that sometimes they saw lights on the reefs; again the lightning betrayed the perilous condition of the recked vessel; but usually they learned of the need of assistance through rockets sent up by those on board, and which were answered by the coast guard.
Captain Harley had not been given a chance to send such an appeal for help, since he had been swept overboard just after the brigantine struck; besides,the vessel was a complete wreck at the time, and without a single stick in place could never have utilized the breeches buoy even had a line been shot out across her bows by means of the Lyle gun.
In two hours they had gone to the end of their route, and exchanged checks with the other patrol coming from the south. Then the return journey was begun.
Almost an hour had elapsed since turning back, and they were possibly more than half way to the station, when suddenly Darry, who chanced to be looking out to sea, discovered an ascending trail of fire that seemed to mount to the very clouds, when it broke, to show a flash of brilliant light.
"See!" he had exclaimed, dragging at the sleeve of his companion's coat, for Abner was plodding along steadily, as if his mind was made up to the effect that there was going to be no call for help on this night.
"A rocket! a signal!" cried the old life saver, at once alive to the occasion.
His first act was to unwrap one of the coster lights, and set it on fire.
This was intended to inform those on board the ship that their call for assistance had been seen, and that the lifeboat would soon be started if conditions allowed of its getting through the surf; for thereare occasionally times when the sea runs so high that it proves beyond human endeavor to launch the boat.
Having thus done his duty, so far as he could, Abner set out on a run for the station, knowing that unless the full crew was on hand all efforts to send out the boat would be useless.
Darry kept at his heels, though he could have outrun the older man had he so desired, being sturdy and young.
Stumbling along, sometimes falling flat as they met with obstacles in the darkness, they finally came within sight of the lights of the station.
Here they found all excitement, for the signal rockets had of course been seen by the lookout, and all was in readiness to run the boat out of its shed.
Darry found that he could certainly make himself useful in giving a helping hand, and with a will the boat was hurried down to the edge of the water that rolled up on the beach.
All they waited for now was the coming of one man, whose beat happened to be a little longer than any other, but who should have shown up ere now.
As the minutes passed the anxiety of the helmsman grew apace, for those on the stranded vessel were sending more rockets up, as though they believed their peril to be very great.
The men stood at their places, ready to push at the word, and then leap aboard.
Darry was with them, eager and alert; indeed, he had done such good service up to now that the stout Mr. Frazer cast an eye toward him more than once, as though tempted to ask him to take the place of the missing man, who must have had an accident on the way, perhaps spraining an ankle over some unseen obstacle that came in his way as he ran headlong.
Darry saw him talking with Abner, who looked his way, and shook his head as if hardly willing to give his consent.
Just as his hopes ran high, and the words seemed trembling on the lips of the helmsman a shout was heard and the missing man came limping down to take his place without a complaint, though as it afterwards turned out he had a bad sprain.
Then the wild word was given, the men heaved, the surf boat ran into the water, with the men jumping aboard, oars flashed out on either side, and were dipped deep, after which the boat plunged into the next wave, rode on its crest like a duck, made a forward move, and then darkness shut it from the gaze of the lad left behind.
CHAPTER XJIM THE BULLY
Although he could not accompany the life savers in the boat Darry had been given duties to perform, which he went about with a vim.
One of these was to keep the fire burning, so that it might serve as a beacon to the life savers as they toiled at the oars.
What with the darkness, and the flying spray that seemed almost as dense as fog, it was a difficult task to hold their bearings, and this glare upon the clouds overhead was essential.
By this time several other men arrived on the scene, having taken chances upon the bay when it was seen that the night would be stormy.
They were only too willing to assist, and as time passed many anxious looks were cast out upon the dashing sea in expectation of seeing the boat returning, possibly with some of the passengers or crew of the vessel in danger.
Finally a loud shout was heard:
"There they come!"
Upon the top of an incoming billow the lifeboat was seen perched, with the men laboring at the oars to keep it steady, and the steersman standing at his post, every muscle strained to hold the craft from broaching to.
It was a wild sight, and every nerve in Darry's body seemed to thrill as he kept his eyes glued upon that careening boat.
On it came, sweeping in with the wash of the agitated sea, until finally it was carried far up the beach, where men, rushing in waist deep, seized hold and prevented the undertow from dragging it out again.
Then the crew jumped out to lend their aid.
Darry saw that quite a number of strangers were aboard, who had undoubtedly been taken from the vessel.
They were passengers, the captain and crew refusing to abandon their craft.
The steamer being head on, was not in as bad a condition as might otherwise have been the case; and as the storm promised to be short-lived, the commander had decided to try and await the coming of tugs from the city to drag his vessel off.
The telephone to the mainland was immediately put to good use, and a message sent to a salvage company that would bring a couple of strong sea-going tugs to the scene inside of ten hours.
Abner had labored with the rest.
He was more or less tired when Darry found him, after the boat had been drawn up on the beach, but not housed, since it might be needed again; but this sort of thing was an old story in his life, and in comparison with some of his labors the adventure of the night had been rather tame.
In the morning Darry started across the bay again, homeward bound.
He was sorry to leave the beach, so much was his heart wrapped up in the work of the life savers.
The day was bright and fine after the short storm which had seemed to clear the air wonderfully.
He could see a few boats moving about, some of them oyster sloops or dredgers, other pleasure craft belonging to the rich sportsmen who had already commenced to drift down in pursuit of their regular fall shooting.
Occasionally the distant dull boom of a gun told that a few ducks were paying toll on their passage south.
Darry looked longingly at a splendid motor-boat that went swiftly past him.
The young fellow on board seemed to be having a most delightful time, and it was only natural for any boy to envy him.
It was noon when our hero arrived home. Mrs.Peake was interested in all he had to tell about the trip of the life savers.
"We get used to hearing these things," she said, "but all the same it keeps the wives of the life savers feeling anxious. Some night it happens one of the crew of the lifeboat goes out and does not return. At any time it may be my turn. I know three widows now."
"I think they ought to pick out the unmarried men," remarked Darry, who had himself been considering this very subject.
"They do, I believe, as far as they can; but we must have bread, and the number of available surfmen is small. But those who win their living from the sea learn to expect these things sooner or later. It is only a question of time."
After a bit of lunch Darry was sent to the village on an errand.
This was how he happened to see Jim Dilks again.
The meeting occurred just before Darry reached the grocer's, and as Jim was totally unaware of his coming he had no chance to assume airs.
Darry looked at him eagerly, as though expecting to make a discovery; and this anticipation met with no disappointment.
There could be no doubt about Jim limping, andonce he instinctively put his hand back of him as if to rub a spot that pained more or less.
Darry understood what it meant, and that he had not sent that shower of fine bird shot after the trio of desperate young scamps in vain.
If Hank Squires wanted positive evidence as to who had been connected with the firing of Mrs. Peake's out-buildings he could find it upon an examination of the person of Jim Dilks.
When the good-for-nothing caught sight of Darry it was surprising how he stiffened up and walked as upright as a drum-major.
Darry had lost all respect for the prowess of the young ruffian, after that one trial of strength, when he had found Jim so lacking in everything that goes to make up a fighter. He had the feeling that he could snap his fingers in the other's face.
Being a boy he could not help from addressing the ex-bully, and rubbing it in a little, for Jim was scowling at him ferociously.
"Hello, Jim, how's the sprain—or was it rheumatism you had in your wrist? Sorry to see it's gone down now into one of your legs, and makes you limp. I tell you what's good for that sort of thing. First, be sure to take out any foreign substance, such as gravel,leador anything like that; then wash it well and rub on some sort of ointment. Follow thedirections and it will work fine," he said, as soberly as though he meant every word.
If anything, Jim scowled worse than before, since his guilty soul knew that this boy suspected his connection with the lawless act of the recent night.
"Saw yer comin' acrost the bay this mornin'; say, was yer over on ther beach with the life savers? Did a boat go ter pieces on the reefs?" he asked.
Darry saw that the other was swallowing his resentment in order to pick up information, and he remembered what dark stories he had heard in connection with the men who formed the companions of Jim's father—that they were termed wreckers, and some said they had reached a point of desperation where they did not hesitate to lure a vessel upon the reefs in order to profit from the goods that would float ashore after she went to pieces.
Possibly the older Dilks and his cronies may have been abroad on the preceding night, hovering around in hopes of a windfall; and Jim was eager to learn whether such a chance had come.
"Not last night, I'm glad to say. There was a steamer aground, but only the passengers would come ashore, the captain and crew remaining on board waiting for the tugs to arrive," replied Darry.
Jim's face fell several degrees.
He would have been satisfied to hear that a dozenpoor sailors had been lost if it meant a big haul for the wreckers of the coast.
"Say, be yer goin' to stay 'round this district," asked the bully, changing the subject suddenly.
"Well, Mrs. Peake wants me to remain with her, and so does Abner. I'm thinking about it. When I make my mind up I'll let you know, Jim. If it's stay, why we can have it all over again. I want to warn you, Jim. You're going to get yourself into trouble if you keep on the way you're bent now. There's a law that sends a man to the penitentiary for setting fire to a neighbor's house," he said, as sternly as he could.
"Never set fire ter a house," declared Jim, quickly.
"Well, it doesn't matter whether it's a house or a barn or a hencoop. If Hank Squires could only find some positive evidence against you he says he'd lock you up right now; and Jim, I know how he could get all the evidence he needs."
"'Taint so," flashed out the bully, but looking alarmed all the same; while his hand half instinctively sought his rear.
"I think that an examination of those ragged trousers you wear would show where a few fine bird-shot peppered you as you ran. Perhaps both the other fellows got a touch of the same medicine, too, so you'd have company, Jim, when you went up."
"It's a lie. I never sot that pigpen on fire!"
"Oh! you know it was a pigpen, then, do you? I spoke of a chicken coop only."
"Heerd 'em torkin' about it. Thet ole busybody, Miss Pepper, she war in ther store wen I was gittin' somethin' fur mam, and she sed as how she'd run this village if she war a man, an' the feller as set fire ter a honest woman's pigpen 'd git his'n right peart. Like fun she wud," returned Jim, quickly.
"She's got her eye on you, Jim. She believes you led that gang. Going, eh, good-bye."
CHAPTER XIA GLORIOUS PROSPECT
Jim had heard enough. He was beginning to be a bit afraid lest this sturdy new boy who had mastered him so easily in their late encounter, take a notion to investigate his condition physically; and there were several little punctures that just then Jim did not care to have seen.
Darry watched the bully saunter away, and it made him smile to see what an effort the other kept up his careless demeanor, when every step must have caused him more or less pain.
Perhaps Jim, in spite of his bombastic manner, might have received a lesson, and would be a little more careful after this how he acted.
So he walked to the store, completed his purchases, and was waiting for them to be tied up when who should enter but the young fellow he had seen in the beautiful cedar motor-boat out on the bay.
He was dressed like a sportsman, and there was a frank, genial air about him that quite attracted Darry.
Apparently he had dropped in to get his mail, for he walked over to the little cubby hole where a clerk sat.
As his eyes in roving around chanced to fall on Darry, and the latter saw him give a positive start, and he seemed to be staring at him as though more than casually interested.
Then he spoke to the clerk, who looked out toward Darry and apparently went on to explain that he was a stranger in the community, having been on a brigantine recently wrecked on the deadly reefs off the shore.
The young man sauntered around until Darry left.
Just as our hero put the last of the small shanties that formed the outskirts of Ashley behind him he caught the sound of hurrying steps.
Thinking of Jim and his ugly promise of future trouble he half turned, but to his surprise and pleasure he saw that it was the owner of the launch, and that apparently the youth was hurrying to overtake him.
What his curiosity was founded on Darry could not say; but presumed the other had liked his looks and wanted to strike up an acquaintance.
It would not be the first time such a thing had happened to him.
"Good morning, or rather good afternoon," saidthe stranger. "I believe they told me your name was Darry, and that you are stopping with one of the life savers. My name is Paul Singleton, and I'm down here, partly for my health, and also to enjoy the shooting. It turns out to be pretty lonely work, and I'm looking for a congenial companion to keep me company and help with the decoys later. I'm willing to pay anything reasonable, and I carry enough grub for half a dozen. My boat is small, but affords ample sleeping accommodations for two. How would you like to try it," and the youth smiled broadly.
Darry was thrilled at the prospect, although he could not see his way clear to accept it just then.
First of all he would not think of doing so without consulting Abner, who had been so kind, and who expected him to remain with the little family; then, it was nice to believe that Mrs. Peake would feel sorry to lose him; and last of all he knew little or nothing about the bay or the ways of guides, and the duties connected with the profession.
"I'd like it first-rate, but just now I don't see how I could accept," he replied.
"If it's a question of wages—" began the young man, who was watching the various expressions flit over Darry's face with an eager eye.
"Not at all. I was only thinking of my duty to Abner Peake and his wife, who have been so good tome. Perhaps later on I might accept, providing you have not already filled the place."
"I suppose you know best, but somehow I've taken a notion I'd like to have you along with me, Darry. For a week or two I mean to just knock around here, sometimes ashore and again afloat. Perhaps when the shooting begins in earnest you may be able to give me a different answer."
"At any rate by that time I shall know more about the bay and the habits of the ducks that drop in here. I'm a stranger, you see, Mr. Singleton, and though I've done some hunting in India and other places where our ship lay at anchor for weeks, I know little about this sport. I can cook as well as the next fellow, and of course know something about boats, though more used to sails than gasoline."
"You're too modest, Darry. Some chaps would have jumped at the chance to have a fine time. But I like you all the better for it. I see you are in a hurry, so I won't detain you any longer. It's understood then that if you can get off later you'll come to me?"
"I'll only be too glad to do so, Mr. Singleton," was Darry's answer.
The young fellow thrust out his hand, while his gaze still-remained riveted on Darry's face.
As the boy walked rapidly away, feeling a sense of overpowering delight at the prospect ahead if allthings went well, something caused him to glance back, and he saw Paul Singleton shaking his head while sauntering toward the village, as if something puzzled him greatly.
Darry could not understand what ailed the other, or how anything about his appearance should attract so fine a young gentleman.
He told Mrs. Peake about it, and while she looked displeased at first, Darry was so apparently loth to leave her that the better element in the woman's nature soon pushed to the front.
"Of course you can go, after a little. There's nothing to prevent. It will be a fine thing for you, and may lead to something better. We have put through one winter without a man in the house, and can again. Time was when all my children were little, and even then Abner used to be away most of the time. Don't worry about us, Darry. When the time comes, I say, go," was what she remarked.
How the skies were brightening for him!
And only a few days back he had faced such a gloomy prospect that it appalled him!
Now he whistled as he worked, rubbing up the various traps taken from Joe's box, and preparing to sally out for his first experience in trying to catch the muskrats that haunted the borders of the watercourses in the marshes near by.
Carrying that invaluable little notebook along for reference in case he should become puzzled about anything, and with a few traps slung over his shoulder Darry followed the paths along the edge of the marsh until he reached one that seemed to enter the waste land.
Joe had designated this as his favorite tramp, since it paralleled the creek, and the burrows of the little fur-bearing animals could be easily located.
Presently Darry was busily engaged in examining the bank, and it was not long before he had found what he sought.
This was a hole just below the water line.
There were also the tracks of the occupants close by, showing just how they issued from their snug home to forage for food.
He carefully set his trap under a few inches of water, so that the first rat coming forth and starting to climb the bank would set his hind feet in it.
The chain he fastened to a stake out in the creek.
This was done in order that the little rodent would be quickly drowned.
Trappers invariably follow this rule when after water animals, and it is not always through a spirit of mercy toward the victim that actuates their motive, but the fact that they would otherwise losemany a catch, since the captive in despair over its inability to escape would gnaw its foot off.
Having finished with the trap, Darry walked further into the marsh. It was a lonely place, seldom visited save by a few hunters in the season, who looked for mallard ducks there; or it might be some boy trapper, endeavoring to make a few dollars by catching some of the shy denizens wearing marketable fur coats.
Here a brace of snipe went spinning away, and a little further a blue crane got up and flapped off, his long legs sticking out like fishing poles.
In an hour or so the boy had placed all his traps. He had followed Joe's directions to the letter, and the morning would show as to whether he was to make a success of the venture.
One thing was positive, and it was this, that even should he find nothing in the traps he did not mean to give up; if he had made a mistake, then it must be rectified, even if he had to secure some old boat in order to carry out his operations without leaving a scent behind to alarm the game.
It was late in the afternoon when he reached home.
The twins ran to meet him as though already they looked upon him in the light of a member of the little family.
Darry threw first one and then the other up into the air, while they shrieked with laughter, and he could see that Mrs. Peake was looking on approvingly, as if her desolated mother heart was warming toward this lad who had never known what it was to have any one love him.
He had been thinking much that afternoon of Paul Singleton, even repeating the name of the young man over and over, as though striving to remember whether he could have ever heard it before, which did not seem likely.
And it was not so much anticipation of the good times coming that engaged his thought as that queer look on the face of Paul while they had been talking.
What could it mean?
CHAPTER XIITHE STOLEN TRAPS
In the morning Darry occupied himself repairing the damage done by the fire.
After he had done all the chores, even to assisting Mrs. Peake wash the breakfast dishes, and there seemed nothing else to be undertaken, he took Joe's shotgun on his shoulder and walked toward the marsh.
The woman, seeing how much he looked like her lost boy with the gun and the clothes, had a good cry when left to herself; but Darry did not know this.
As he approached his first trap he found himself fairly tingling with eagerness.
This was not because of the value involved in the skin of a muskrat, though it seemed as though each year the price was soaring as furs became more scarce; but he wanted to feel that he had learned his lesson well, and followed out the instructions given in Joe's little handbook.
The trap was gone!
He saw this with the first glance he cast over the low bank.
Did it have a victim in its jaws or had some marauder stolen it?
With a stick he groped in the deeper water, and catching something in the crotch he presently drew ashore the trap.
He had caught his first prize.
Of course he understood that when compared with the mink and the fox, a muskrat is an ignorant little beast at best, and easily captured; but for a beginning it was worth feeling proud over.
Setting the trap again in the hope that there might be others in the burrow, one of which would set his foot in trouble on the succeeding night, Darry went on.
He found only one more victim to the half dozen traps.
Perhaps he had been too careless with the others and left plain traces of his presence that had warned the cunning rodents.
Having placed all his traps in the water again, he started back home, swinging the two "muskies" in one hand, while carrying his gun in the other.
After leaving the marsh he chanced to look backand was surprised to see a boy come out and start on a run toward the village.
Darry had very little acquaintance with the village lads, and could not make up his mind whether he had ever seen this fellow before or not; but once or twice he thought he detected evidence of a limp in his gait when he fell into a walk, and this brought to mind Jim and his two cronies.
It was not Jim, but at the same time there was no reason why it should not be one of his bodyguard, "the fellows who sneezed when Jim took snuff," as Mrs. Peake had said in speaking of the lot.
Suppose this did happen to be Sim Clark or Bowser, what had he been doing in the marsh?
Could it be possible that the fellow had been spying on him, and was now hastening to report to his chief?
They might think to annoy him by stealing the traps he had placed, or at least robbing them of any game.
Darry shut his teeth hard at the idea.
He made up his mind that he would go out earlier on the following day, even if, in order to do so, he had to get up long before daylight to accomplish his various chores.
No doubt he made rather a sorry mess of the job when he came to removing those first pelts—at leastit took him half a dozen times as long as a more experienced trapper would have needed in order to accomplish the task.
Still, when he finally had them fastened to a couple of boards left by Joe, he felt that he had reason to be satisfied with his first attempt.
Mrs. Peake declared they seemed to look all right, and as each represented a cash money value of some forty or fifty cents, Darry realized that there was a little gold mine awaiting him in that swamp, providing those miserable followers of Jim allowed him to work it.
Several times he awoke during the night and started up, thinking he heard suspicious sounds again, but they proved false alarms.
He was glad to see the first peep of day, and quickly tumbled out to set about his various duties of starting the fire, bringing in water and wood, and later on chopping a supply of fuel sufficient to last through the day.
When Mrs. Peake gave him permission to go Darry hurried off.
Again he carried the gun, thinking he might find a chance to bag a fine fat duck or two, which Mrs. Peake declared she would be glad to have for dinner.
Arriving at the scene of his first triumph of theprevious day, he discovered once more that the trap was gone from the bank.
Again he fished for it with the crotched stick, but despite his efforts there was no trap forthcoming.
Finally, filled with a sudden suspicion, he crawled down to examine the stake in the water to which the chain had been secured.
The stake was there all right but no trap rewarded his search.
With his heart beating doubly fast, Darry sped along the path to where he had located his second trap, only to find it also missing.
Now he knew that it could be no accident, but a base plot to upset all his calculations and deprive him of the fruits of his industry.
The thing that angered him most of all was the fact that he must face Mrs. Peake and tell her he had lost the treasures she valued so highly.
He shut his teeth together firmly.
"They won't keep them, not if I know it," he muttered. "I'll find out where they hide them. I'll get 'em again, sure as I live!"
The thieves had apparently done their evil work well. Not a single trap did he find in the various places where he had left them.
But one thing he saw that gave him a savage satisfaction, and this was the fact that there were footprintsaround the last one, in which the muddy water had not yet had time to become clear.
Darry believed from this that those who had rifled his belongings could not have left the scene more than a few minutes.
Perhaps if he were smart he could overtake them and demand restitution.
It stood to reason that the rascals could not have returned along the same path, for he would have met them.
He bent down to examine the ground and could easily see where the marks of several wet and heavy shoes continued along the trial that followed the creek.
Darry immediately started off on a run.
Hardly five minutes later, as he turned a bend, he had a glimpse of a figure just leaving the path and entering the woods bordering the swamp.
So far as he knew he had not been noticed; but to make sure he crept along under the shelter of neighboring bushes until he reached the place where the moving figure had caught his eye.
Voices now came to his ear, and it was easy enough to follow the three slouching figures that kept pushing deeper into the swamp.
He even saw his precious traps on their backs, togetherwith several muskrats which Jim himself carried.
Perhaps their first idea was to throw the traps into the oozy water of the swamp, so that they could never be found again; but then those steel contraptions represented a cash value of a dollar or so, and money appealed strongly to these fellows; so they hung on, with the idea of placing them in a hollow tree, where, later, they could be found and sold.
Darry knew that he was going to recover his own, and he now watched the movements of the three with more or less curiosity.
All the while he kept drawing nearer, fearful lest they discover him before he could get close enough to hold them up; for should they run in different directions he could not expect to accomplish his end.
Then he saw what brought them to this place.
A rude shack made of stray boards, and branches from trees loomed up.
It was evidently a secret hide-out of the gang, where they came when matters got too warm either at home or among the neighbors whose hen roosts they had been pillaging.
When Darry saw Jim throw his bunch of game on the ground, he knew his chase was at an end, and that presently, when he felt good and ready, he could turn the tables on his enemies.
Lying there watching them start a fire and prepare to cook something they had brought along, he even chuckled to imagine how surprised the trio of young rascals would be when he popped up like a jack-in-the-box.
CHAPTER XIIIJOE'S SHOTGUN SECURES A SUPPER
One of the fellows with Jim, and whom he addressed as Sim, gathered the six stolen traps together and held them up laughingly.
"A bully find, fellers; but if I had me way I'd let 'em lie and snooped the musky out every day. Why it'd be like takin' candy from the baby, that's what. But Jim there wanted to kerry off the hull bunch," he said, swinging the traps idly to and fro.
"I wanted ter let him know I allers kep' me word. When he finds 'em gone I bet yer he knows who's had a hand in it; but he caint prove nothin'. I kin snap me fingers in his face, an' tell him ter chase hisself. Here, Bowser, git that fire goin' in a hurry. I'm pretty near starved. The ole man chased me outen the house last night, an' ther ole woman won't give me a bite. Reckon I'll hev ter hustle fur meself arter this. Dad's as mad as hops 'cause he aint hed a chanct ter pick up any stuff on the beach fur three moons. If it keeps on, him and his gang 'll hev ter do sumpin different ter make biz good."
Darry did not care to linger any longer.
He wanted those traps and the animals that had been taken from them, and he meant to have them.
"Why, hello, boys!"
The three young rascals sprang erect when they heard these words, and their amazement can be imagined at discovering the object of their recent raid standing there not twenty feet away, holding Joe Peake's old shotgun carelessly in his hands.
In that moment the real nature of each of them showed itself—Sim Clark darted into cover and ran away at the top of his speed like the coward he was, Bowser fell on his knees and wrung his hands, being weak when it came to a showdown; but Jim Dilks, ruffian as he was, scorned to do either, and stood his ground, like a wolf brought to bay and showing its fangs.
"I see you have been so kind as to gather a few traps of mine together. And as I live if you haven't relieved me of the trouble of fishing for several rats. Very kind of you, Jim. Now, don't say a word, and just keep where you are, or by accident something might happen. Guess you know what shot feels like when it hits. Once ought to be enough, and this time you're so close it might be serious. Now, listen to me, once and for all, Jim Dilks, and you Bowser, I'm going right back and set these traps where Ithink I'll find more game. You touch a finger to one of them at your peril. I'll let Hank Squires know all about this shack here, and what you've been up to. The first trap that is missing means the whole three of you behind the bars. That's all."
Jim never opened his mouth. He was awed for the time being, and watched Darry pick up the traps, together with the three muskrats, swing the lot over his shoulder and walk away.
The boy did not know but what they might attempt to jump upon him yet and kept on the alert; but when he presently looked back upon hearing a shout, he found that Jim was only relieving his wounded feelings by kicking the kneeling Bowser vigorously.
Darry did just as he had said he would.
He went a little further into the marsh, thinking that since so many feet had been trampling around the bank of the creek the game might have become shy; but he set the six traps, and even marked the tree nearest each, so that the location could be easily found by himself or others, inclined that way.
Such bold tactics would do more to keep Jim and his set from disturbing the traps than the utmost secrecy.
When Darry went back home, he thought it best not to say anything about his adventure to Mrs.Peake; but having occasion to go to the village later in the day he sought out the constable, whom he found cleaning up his garden patch and burning the refuse.
Old Hank amused him. The fellow was always indulging in mysterious hints as to what he was going to do some day soon, and doubtless his intentions were all right, but, as Miss Pepper had truly said, he lacked the backbone to carry them out.
Old Jim Dilks and his crew of trouble breeders had dominated the vicinity so long now that it was hard to break away from their sway.
The officer of the law was in his shirt sleeves, so that his fine nickel badge could not shine upon his manly breast; but as he saw Darry approach, and scented coming business, he drew his tall figure up as if in that way he could at least represent the majesty of the law.
Hank had an idea that he possessed an eye that was a terror to evil-doers, when to tell the truth his gaze was as mild and peaceful as that of a babe.
"Glad to see you, Darry. Hope there ain't been any more doings up at your place? I'm laying for the slippery rascals, and hope to have them dead to rights soon; but you know men in my profession have to go slow. A mistake is a serious thing in theeye of the law," he said, offering his hand in a friendly fashion.
"There's nothing wrong up at the house, sir; but I wanted to tell you something I think you ought to know, in case the time comes when you might want to find Jim Dilks and his gang and they were not at home," began Darry.
The constable quailed a trifle, then grew stern.
"Big Jim or little Jim, which?" he said, anxiously.
"The boy who has tried to make things so warm for me. He and his crowd have a shack in the swamp, where they camp out from time to time. That's where you'll find them when wanted."
"Sure that's interesting news, lad. Can you tell me just where to look?"
He heaved a sigh of relief—then there was not any need of immediate haste, and Hank was a true Southern "cracker," always ready to postpone action.
"Leave the path along the creek just where it makes that sharp bend. A fallen tree marks the spot. Head due south until you sight a big live oak, the only one I noticed. The shack lies under its spreading branches, Mr. Squires. I thought you ought to know. Besides, I told Jim and his crowd I meant to inform you."
"What! you saw Jim there, and his crowd withhim? I wonder they let you get out of the swamp without a beating," exclaimed the constable, surprised, and looking at this newcomer as though he could hardly believe his senses.
"They knew better. The fact is, sir, I had a shotgun with me. Perhaps they may have had a recent experience with such a little tool. But no matter, they let me gather up my traps and the three muskrats taken from them, and never offered to put out a hand to stop me."
"Traps—muskrats—look here, now I begin to see light, and can give a guess how it came you were there in that swamp. You followed the rascals there."
"To tell the truth, I did, for I was determined to get back what they had taken."
"Bully for you, lad. If you had dropped in on us some time back we might have had a different class of boys around here by now. You're a reformer, that's what you are. First you knocks that tyrant Jim down; then you pepper him with shot after he has fired the pigpen of your new home, and now you brave him in his own dooryard. That's reforming all right, and I hope you keep at it until you've reformed the ugly beggar into the penitentiary. I begin to pluck up hope that soon public spirit will be so aroused that we can do somethingright. Would you mind shaking hands with me again, Darry. It does me good, sure it does."
Of course Darry complied, though he had his doubts as to whether Mr. Squires would ever have the nerve to connect himself with any movement looking to the purging of Ashley village of its rough element.
In fact, if anything were ever done he believed such women as Miss Pepper would be the ones to run the evil-doers out of town, and put up the bars.
Darry had taken the three animals home, pleased to know that after all half his traps had found victims on this second day.
He judged from this that he was doing very well, and with a little more experience could consider himself a full-fledged trapper.
Later in the afternoon he thought of the ducks, and passing out upon the marsh walked until he discovered several feeding among the wild rice, when he started to creep up on them with infinite cunning.
Reaching at last a bunch of grass as near as he could hope to go he waited until two were close together, when he fired his right barrel.
As the remaining mallard started to rise in a clumsy fashion Darry gave him the benefit of the other barrel.
When Mrs. Peake saw what fine birds he had securedshe was loud in her praise, for their coming meant at least one good meal without cost, and every cent counted in this little family.
Again Darry busied himself with his pelts.
He was pleased to find how much easier the job seemed after his experience of the preceding day; and when the skins had been stretched upon the boards they had a cleaner look that satisfied the eye.
After that he plucked the three ducks for the good woman, saving her a task she never fancied, and winning her thanks.
Then he looked after the gun, believing that it is wise to always keep such a weapon in the best of order, since it serves its owner faithfully when called upon.
"I had some visitors while you were away," announced Mrs. Peake, when after supper they were seated by the table.
Darry looked up from his work of whittling more stretching boards, interested at once.