Part 27 (1/2)
”It was you, was it, Barney?” said Tim, as he stepped into the boat.
”I'll bet it was,” replied the fellow, standing upon the defensive.
”Take that, then,” continued the ”chief,” as he brought his fist down upon the rebel with such force that he tumbled over the side of the boat into the water. ”You want to get up a mutiny--don't you?”
The fellow scrambled ash.o.r.e, wet through and s.h.i.+vering with cold.
”You'll catch it for that, Tim Bunker!” growled Barney.
”I'll teach you to mind. Now, Charley, put off, and don't be so stiff with them yet. They are not such chicken-hearted pups as the Zephyrs, I can tell you;” and Tim stepped ash.o.r.e.
”Take your oars; if you only do as I tell you, we shall get along very well,” said Charles. ”We can't do anything unless you mind.”
He then showed them how to get their oars out, and how to start together; but they did not feel interest enough in the process to pay much attention to what he said, and several ineffectual attempts were made before they got a fair start.
”Hallo! Ain't you going to take me?” shouted Barney, from the sh.o.r.e, as they were leaving.
”Will you obey orders?”
”Yes; but I won't be kicked.”
”n.o.body wants to kick you,” replied Charles, who, deeming that the rebel had made a satisfactory concession, put back after him.
”This ducking will be the death of me,” said Barney, as he got into the boat.
”A little hard pulling will warm you, and when we get back, we shall make a fire on the island,” answered Charles, in a conciliatory tone, ”Now, ready--pull!”
The Rovers worked better now, and the Zephyr moved with tolerable rapidity towards the sh.o.r.e; but it was very dark under the shadow of the trees, and Charles could not readily find the place where the materials for the tent had been concealed. Each of the crew thought he knew more about the business than the c.o.xswain; and in the sc.r.a.pe the Zephyr was run aground, heeled over on one side, and filled half full of water.
It required some time to bail her out; but it was accomplished at last, the stakes and poles put on board, and they rowed off to the island again. Tim had arrived before him, and had landed the stores.
”Where are the matches, Tim?” asked Charles.
”What are you going to do?”
”Make a fire.”
”What for?”
”Some of us are wet, and we can't see to put up the tents without it.”
”But a fire will betray us.”
”What matter? We are safe from pursuit.”
”Go it, then,” replied Tim, as he handed Charles a bunch of matches.
The fire was kindled, and it cast a cheerful light over the scene of their operations.
”Now, Rovers, form a ring round the fire,” said Tim, ”and we will fix things for the future.”