Part 14 (1/2)

”We'll have a look,” suggested Cora. Attached to the small galley, in which was a gasoline stove, was a sort of cupboard. An inspection of this did not reveal as much as Cora had hoped for.

”There isn't a great deal left; is there?” she said.

”I should say not!” cried Jack, peering over his sister's shoulder.

”Fellows, we've got to rustle for the grub! Don't all speak at once.

Listen to that!” and he signaled for silence, which, when it came, enabled them all to hear the swish and patter of the raindrops on the roof.

”I'll go,” offered Walter. ”I'm hungrier than any of you, I guess, and I have a pair of rubbers in my valise.”

”Regular fireman you are,” commented Jack. ”Why didn't you bring rubber boots?”

”And I see Cora has an umbrella,” Walter went on, ignoring Jack's sarcasm. ”I'll go out in the rain, and--”

”Give a correct imitation of a duck doing its Christmas shopping!” gibed Jack. ”Wally, you're all right!”

”If you had some of his public spirit we'd all be better off,” said Cora.

”Oh, don't um be mad at um's 'ittle bruver!” mocked Jack.

”Oh, quit it!” begged his sister.

”Where can you get anything to eat around here?” asked Paul.

”I don't know, but I can forage for it. The presence of that fisherman clearly proves that this is an inhabited land, and where there are inhabitants there must be food. I may find a country store, or, if I can't find that, I'll find a house, describe our plight in such moving words as I am able to command, and buy what they'll sell.”

”I'd like a cup of tea,” murmured Belle. ”My nerves--”

”Are nothing to what they'll be when the ghosts of Camp Surprise begin to make the stairs stand on their head,” broke in Jack.

”We have tea,” Cora said. ”I'll put the kettle on at once. It seems a pity to have you go out in this storm, though, Walter.”

”I don't mind a bit. I'm glad to do it.”

”He'll say anything as long as there are ladies present,” declared Jack.

”But wait until you're gone. He'll say you drove him to it.”

Walter paid no attention to his tormenting chum, but began talking to Cora as to what best he had better try to get in the way of food, provided he could find a store or a house where some might be obtained.

And then, having donned his rubbers, and taking Cora's umbrella, Walter set off on his quest. It was still raining hard, but the thunder and lightning had ceased some time since.

While he was gone the others began their preparations for spending the night on board. The girls would occupy the main cabin, where there were four berths. The after part of the boat had been enclosed in heavy curtains when the rain set in, and here the boys could sleep on the locker cus.h.i.+ons spread on the floor. They had done it on one or two other occasions.

There were a few blankets, besides those for the bunks, but the boys said they would not need many coverings, as the night was warm.

Cora put the kettle on the gasoline stove, and as soon as it boiled, tea was made. There was condensed milk in the larder, and sugar for those who wished it, though Bess bewailed the lack of lemon, for she wanted to ”reduce” she said, and some one had told her lemon juice in tea was helpful.

Cora was setting out what remained of the sandwiches and cake, and Jack was eyeing, rather dubiously, the apology for a meal, when they heard a hail: