Four Afloat: Being the Adventures of the Big Four on the Water

  CHAPTER XXV--WHEREIN THE _VAGABOND_ STARTS FOR HOME AND THE STORY ENDS

  The _Vagabond_ lay peacefully at anchor at the mouth of HempsteadHarbor. It was almost midnight and a ragged-looking moon was tingeingthe quiet water with silver light. In the cabin the crew were preparingfor bed. Spencer had finished his narrative of events and was sitting onthe edge of Bob's berth looking almost happy.

  "Then we guessed right about the empty boat," said Nelson.

  "Yes," answered Spencer. "They seen me from the _Henry_ the first thing.And when they had me aboard the captain told Joe--that's the feller withthe rings in his ears--to stave a hole in the bottom of your boat. So hedid, with a boat hook."

  "And he didn't lick you for running away?" asked Bob incredulously.Spencer shook his head.

  "No, he was too glad to get me back. He kept askin' me if I thought Iwas smart as he was. He'd lost his cook the night before--ran off, hedid--and so he said I was to cook. I've been cooking ever since."

  "Hasn't he licked you since then?" Tom inquired.

  "Oh, yes, once or twice," replied Spencer cheerfully. "But not to hurtmuch. But if he'd got me to-night I guess he'd just about have wallopedthe skin off'n me!"

  "You think he suspected something was up this evening, do you?" askedBob.

  "Yes, 'cause he was watchin' me all the time till I turned in, just likehe was a cat. There was only him and Joe aboard, 'cause he'd let theothers go off. When I sneaked out I guess he heard me--the captain, Imean; Joe was asleep. But I guess he thought I would try to make for thestreet, 'cause he went over to the wharf after me. If he hadn't Iwouldn't have made it, I guess."

  "Lucky he did," said Bob. "I'll bet he saw us at supper. Well, all'swell that ends well, Spencer. We'll have you at home in the morning, andif you'll take my advice you'll stay there!"

  "I'm a-goin' to," was the answer. "Ma, she won't let him take me awayagain."

  "Good," said Bob. "Let's turn in. Did you fix Spencer's bunk, Dan?"

  "Yes, it's all ready," was the answer. "As for me, I'll bet I can sleepa few lines to-night. This thing of kidnaping folks is interesting, butwearing."

  "Yes," yawned Tom. "It makes you sleepy to be shot at."

  The next morning the _Vagabond_ took up her journey for Mullen's Cove.It was a sixty-mile trip, but the launch made it in record time,something under five hours and a half, turning into Mattituck Inlet at alittle before two in the afternoon. Spencer begged them to go home withhim.

  "At the top of the sandy road he turned and waved themfarewell."]

  "Ma," he said earnestly, "she'd like to thank you fellers for bein' sogood to me."

  But the four were shy of gratitude and so Spencer was set ashore a milefrom his home, his belongings knotted up in a blue cotton shirt underhis arm. They watched him out of sight. At the top of the sandy road heturned and waved them farewell with the bundle. Then he passed fromsight.

  "All aboard!" cried Dan. "Swing her around, Mr. Navigating Officer. Ho,for the deep blue sea!"

  "We'll make Shelter Island," said Nelson, "and have a civilized dinneronce more. Does that suit you chaps?"

  "Sounds good to me," answered Tom.

  "Me, too," said Bob.

  "Any old place will suit me," cried Dan as he seized Barry and tried towaltz him about the cockpit. "Any old place so long as it's on thewater. A sailor's life for us, eh, Barry?"

  And Barry barked wildly, possibly in assent.

  THE END