CHAPTER XVI
ON BARTER ISLAND
"All you have to do is to get off at Sawyer Island, our next landing,and walk back to this inlet."
"Can we go by land?" asked Alvin.
"No trouble. There are two or three bridges to cross and you may have alittle tramping to do at the end of your journey, but it is easy."
"How far is it?"
"Something like three miles--perhaps a little more."
"That's nothing for us; we shan't mind it."
"It will carry you close to darkness, but that need make no difference.The sky has cleared somewhat, but I don't believe you will have anymoonlight."
"That may be an advantage; at any rate let us hope so."
Sawyer Island, possibly a tenth as large as Barter, had been in sightfor some time, and the steamer speedily drew up beside the ratherrickety landing. It happened that no passengers and only a few boxes offreight were taken aboard. Only three persons left the boat--the twoyouths and the gentleman in a gray suit, who seemed to spend most of histime in reading the Lewiston _Journal_. This fact led Alvin and Chesterto look at him with some interest. He carried a small handbag, andappeared to be confused after stepping ashore. He looked about for aminute or two and then addressed the agent, an elderly man with a yellowtuft of whiskers on his chin, no coat or waistcoat, a pair of trouserswhose tops were tucked in his boots, and a single suspender which madethe garments hang lopsided in a seemingly uncomfortable manner.
"I beg your pardon, friend, but isn't this the Isle of Springs?"
"Not much," replied the agent, with a grin that displayed two rows ofbig yellow teeth. "This is Sawyer Island."
"My gracious! you don't say so!" exclaimed the new arrival in no littleastonishment. "How is that?"
"It's 'cause it happens to be so; can't you read?"
"What do you mean by such a question?"
"There are the words painted on the front of that shanty in big enoughletters to read as fur as you can see 'em."
The man glared at them.
"Was there ever such stupidity? If I signalled the steamer do you thinkshe would come back and take me up?"
"I rayther think not, but you might try it."
And he did try it. Snatching off his hat he swung it over his head andshouted at the top of his voice.
"Hold on there! You've left me behind! Come back!"
Several deck hands on the boat must have seen the frantic passenger, whoran to the edge of the wharf, and added his handbag to the circlings,while he kept up his shoutings. Alvin and Chester, as much amused as theagent, fancied they could see the grins on the faces of several of themen on the steamer. One of them waggishly crooked a forefinger as aninvitation for him to come aboard, but none the less the boat steamedstraight on to the Isle of Springs.
"You might swim, stranger," suggested the agent.
Ignoring the sarcasm, the other asked:
"Can't I hire a boat to take me across?"
"No diffikilty if you've got money."
By this time the youths felt that they had had enough of the scene, andturned to follow the road nearly to the other side of the island, whereit joined the one leading to Hodgdon Island and then extended acrossthat to the bridge connection with Barter. They had made so careful astudy of the map that they had no fear of going wrong. They might nothave been in such haste, had not the afternoon been drawing to a closeand night certain to be near when they should reach their destination.
The day was comparatively cool, for be it remembered that while we aresmothering with summer heat in States farther south, there is little ofit on the coast of Maine, except occasionally during the middle of theday.
Something more than half a mile brought the youths to the first turn,when they went due north to the skeleton-like bridge which joins the twoislands that have been named. They had walked so briskly that uponreaching the farther end they paused for a brief breathing spell.Naturally they looked about them--across the comparatively narrow straitto Hodgdon Island, to the right toward the mainland, and westward in thedirection of the Sheepscot River. Leaning against the railing, they nextgazed back over the bridge which they had just trodden. At the end was aman resting like themselves and in the same attitude.
"It's odd that he is the first person we have seen since we started,"remarked Alvin. "Since we didn't meet him he must be going the same wayas ourselves."
"Neither of us is doing much going just now," said Chester. "Have youthought, Alvin, that we haven't a pistol between us?"
"What of it?"
"We may need it before we are through with this business."
"I remember father telling me that when he was a young man he visitedTexas and at Austin had a long talk with Ben Thomson."
"Who was Ben Thomson?" asked the wondering Chester.
"One of the greatest desperadoes that that State ever produced. Helooked like a dandified young clerk or preacher, but it was said of himthat in all his career he never missed the man at whom he fired. Thegovernor found him a pleasant fellow to talk with and they became quitechummy. When asked his advice about carrying a revolver, Ben told himnever to do it--at least while in Texas. 'If you do,' said Ben, 'it willbe the death of you as sure as you are now alive. You can't draw half asquick as the bad men whom you are likely to run against, and the factthat you are carrying a gun will bring the other's acquittal in anycourt where the case may be tried. But if you are unarmed, no one willmolest you, for only the meanest coward will attack an unarmed man.'Now, what I think is, that we are safer without a revolver than withone. Neither of us is an expert and we should have no show with thesepost office robbers if we got into a fight where guns were used."
Chester was not satisfied with this view of the situation.
"From what I have heard, such persons don't wait to find out whetheranother is armed before firing upon him, and in spite of what you say, Iwish I had a loaded Smith and Wesson, or a Colt in my hip pocket."
"Well, you haven't nor have I. The governor has no patience with thisfashion among boys of carrying deadly weapons. The temptation to usethem when there is no need is too great."
Chester shook his head in dissent, and as they resumed their walkdiscussed the near future, for it was prudent to do so. After they hadcrossed the second bridge at the northern end of Hodgdon Island, hesaid:
"It can't be much farther to that inlet where we may or may not find the_Deerfoot_. It is time we made up our minds what to do. Suppose we comeupon your boat with the thieves in charge, shall we tell them they havebeen very naughty and must go away and let us have the property withoutmaking any fuss?"
Alvin laughed.
"Maybe that's as good a plan as any. I believe I can convince them thatthe wisest thing for them to do is to turn the boat over to us and clearout."
"If they are desperate enough to rob post offices and steal a motorlaunch, they are not the ones to give it up for the asking. There!"exclaimed Chester stopping short, "we forgot something."
"What is it?"
"We meant to have telegrams sent out to different points from BoothbayHarbor, asking lots of persons to keep a lookout for the _Deerfoot_."
"What's the need of that when we have found her?"
"It isn't certain we have found her, but it can't be helped now."
They resumed their walk, and in due time trod the soil of Barter Island,by crossing another long wooden bridge. They had met on the way arickety wagon, a carriage and one automobile, but no person on foot. Amile or so farther they came upon a hamlet, where it seemed prudent toask a few questions. Night was so near that it was important that theyshould make no mistake in their course. They learned that from thiscluster of houses a single highway led to the western coast of BarterIsland. Barely a half mile beyond the terminus of this road was theinlet upon which they had centered their hopes. Mr. Richards had toldthem that they would have to tramp this distance, but would probablyfind a path which would make the task easy. Although minute knowledgewas necessary to ena
ble one to speak definitely, yet Mr. Richardsreminded them that the fact of there being dwellings at varyingdistances all along the coast proved that there must be means ofcommunication between them.
The boys knew they were within a half mile of the inlet when they pausedmore to consult than to rest. The road was lined on both sides by avigorous growth of fir. To the rear it reached several hundred yardsnearly straight, but curved sharply a little way off in front. Byaccident, Chester's face was turned toward the road behind them. The twohad not spoken a dozen words when Chester remarked without anyexcitement:
"I wonder who it is that's coming this way; probably some countryman orfisherman." Alvin looked back.
"I don't see anyone."
"He dodged to one side among the trees when he saw us."
"What made him do that?"
"I wish I knew."