CHAPTER XII THE CRIMSON SPOT
The next morning Florence lay dreaming luxuriously in bed. Withoutknowing why, she thought of smiling Tim O'Hara and his Adventurers' Clubof the air. On her last trip to the mainland she had found a letter fromhim.
"The radio program is going big," he wrote. "It's a grand spot, coast tocoast. We are looking forward to your coming. As soon as the battle ofIsle Royale is over, wire me, collect, and I'll get off a round tripticket for you that every hour."
"To speak over the radio," she thought, as she thrilled at the prospect,"a chain broadcast, coast to coast! What would that be like?" She had notthe slightest idea, but hers was the right to dream. And dream she did.
Jeanne, who had risen at dawn to watch the matchless sunrise from overthe dark waters of Superior, suddenly burst into the room.
"Come, my dear!" she exclaimed. "It's slacks and hiking boots today!"
"What's happened?" Florence asked.
"There's to be a mountain climbing. It's Mt. Franklin, only five hundredfeet high, but you can see the fire from there."
"It's worth doing, if we have no more serious business," Florence agreed.
"Oh, yes!" Jeanne exclaimed. "Your gray-haired friend is back. He saysthere's good news for you."
"Good news?" The big girl's heart leaped. She was in her clothes and outof doors before Jeanne could catch her breath.
"Come inside and have your morning coffee," Colonel Colby invited, aftergreetings had been exchanged. "Dave has gone in. I have something to sayto you both."
He was tantalizingly slow in coming to the point, but after he had talkedof moose, salmon, trout, Snug Harbor and big timber, and after themorning coffee was over, clearing his throat, he satisfied theircuriosity.
"I have been in touch with my Department by short wave radio. We areobliged to revise our plans--" Pausing, he looked at his youngcompanions, then went on, slowly,
"I truly hate doing this. I think it would be splendid training for youryoung souls if you were allowed to return home for a month or two hencewith empty pockets, but fired by the realization that you have made areal contribution to the happiness of your fellow men, as you surelyhave.
"However," he cleared his throat again, "there is your grandfather'sinterest to be considered. He is a splendid man. I know him well. He canill afford to lose.
"What's still more important," he paused for a space of seconds, "thetruth is, we need your boat."
"You do!"
"Absolutely." The colonel leaned forward. "When men are to be moved byhundreds, a large craft like the _Iroquois_ is best. But when we have wonthis major battle with the fire, which we hope to do in a few days--twoweeks, at most--there will remain weeks of mopping up to be done. Menwill be scattered here and there all over the island, putting out spotfires, cutting down charred trees, digging out burning peat bogs. Theymust have food and other supplies. Their officers must be moved fromplace to place. For such a task the _Wanderer_, that can turn around onits own shadow and can enter every little cove with safety, is just thecraft.
"So-o," he added, as his listeners waited in breathless suspense, "in thename of our Government I am going to requisition your boat for perhapseight weeks. The pay shall be four hundred and twenty-five dollars perweek, and you shall be supplied fuel and oil without cost."
"But--"
"The matter has been gone into quite carefully," the colonel held up ahand for silence. "We have decided that this will be a fair settlement.And you," he threw back his head and laughed, "you can't do a thing aboutit!"
"Do anything about it!" Dave enthused. "Four hundred and twenty-five aweek, for two months. We'll pay off the debt!"
Florence let out a low "Hurray! Boy! That sure is a break for us!"
"No," the colonel counseled. "Don't say that. It is not a matter of luck.The best things of life do not come by chance. You have been tried andhave proven yourselves worthy of trust. Having discovered an opportunityto do a real service, you did it without thought of reward. Time aftertime in my long life, I have seen men who placed service before rewardled by their very attitude into higher things.
"Well, that's settled then." He rose from his chair. "I doubt if we shallneed the services of the _Wanderer_ today. At least you may stand by herefor further orders."
"Thank you, sir." Dave rose to salute in a soldierly fashion.
Florence's head was fairly bursting. What wonderful good fortune! Theywere to carry on this fight, to do all the good possible, to help savethe island and its people. "And be paid for it!" she whispered. "Howgrand!"
It is little wonder that she should be ready for a picnic. When Daveassured her that he, with the help of Katie and Ruben, could take care ofany emergency that might arise, she and Jeanne joined the hikers, who,after a long walk, were to view the fire from the peak of Mt. Franklin.
Recalling her experience on that other occasion when she climbed theridge, she slung the heavy field glasses over her shoulder.
"May see a moose," she laughed. "Or perhaps a bear!"
"There are no bears on the island," someone corrected.
"All right," she laughed, "then I'll look for some other creature." Sheknew what. Nor was she to be disappointed.
Two hours later they were standing on the crest of the ridge, lookingdown the length of the island, where great clouds of smoke were risingand drifting away across the water. The nearest fire, Florence estimated,could not now be three miles from the spot where they now stood.
"If a strong wind came up--blowing this way--" She shuddered as shespoke.
"Yes," said Jeanne, "that would be tragic!"
And so it would be. Back of them were woods and water, picturesquecottages and happy people. Before them, fire.
"Look, Jeanne!" With trembling hands Florence passed the field glasses toher companion. "There on the rocks close to that dark cluster of sprucetrees, right between three fires--do you see anything there?"
"Yes." Jeanne spoke very slowly. "There is a spot--a crimson spot. Itmoves. It is a man."
"Or perhaps a boy," said Florence. "Listen, Jeanne," the big girl's lipswere a straight line, "I am going to that spot!"
"Oh, no!" Jeanne protested.
"Yes." Florence was serious. "If that is the firebug, I shall get him."
"See that trail?" She pointed to a narrow break in the forest. "It leadsto the head of the harbor. I'm going down that on the run. If you wishyou may follow me to the camp and the dock at the end of the trail."
"I shall follow," said Jeanne.
"Wait for me there."
Florence was away.