Part 31 (1/2)

”Baa-a-a-a-a!” bleated Nicknack as he scrambled out after most of the sand had been shoveled off his back. ”Baa-a-a-a!”

”My! I guess he's glad to get out!” cried Ted.

”I guess so!” agreed the lollypop man. ”I got here just as the dirt caved in on him, and I began to dig as soon as I tied Trouble out of the way so he'd be safe.”

”But how did you come to be here?” asked Grandpa Martin.

”And how did our goat get here?” asked Janet.

”I saw Trouble leading him along by the strap on his horns,” explained Mr. Sander. ”I guess he must have taken him out of his stable when you folks weren't looking. Trouble led the goat up on top of the pile of sand near the hole. I called to him to be careful.

”Just as I did so the sand slid down and I saw the goat go down into the hole. Baby William fell down, but he didn't slide in with the dirt. Then I ran and picked him up, and I tied him to the tree with a piece of rope I found fast to a pail. I thought that was the best way to keep him out of danger while I dug out the goat.”

”I guess it was,” said Grandpa Martin.

”Poor Trouble cried when I tied him fast, but I knew crying wouldn't hurt him, and falling under a lot of sand might. I dug as fast as I could, for I knew how you Curlytops loved your goat. He's all right, I guess.”

And Nicknack was none the worse for having been buried under the sliding sand. As they learned afterward Trouble had slipped off to have some fun by himself with the pet animal. Baby William had, somehow, found his way to the ”gold mine,” and pretending the pile of sand was a mountain had led Nicknack up it. Then had come the slide down into the big hole which Hal and the Curlytops had dug. If it had not been for Mr. Sander appearing when he did, poor Nicknack might have died.

”But, Trouble. You must never, never, never go away again alone with Nicknack!” warned Mother Martin. ”Never! Do you hear?”

”Me won't!” promised the little fellow.

”And you children mustn't dig any more deep holes,” said Grandpa Martin.

”There isn't any gold on this island, so don't look for it.”

”But what are the tramps looking for?” Ted asked.

”I can't tell you. But, no matter about that, don't dig any more deep holes. They're dangerous!”

”We won't!” promised the Curlytops and Hal.

”How did you come to pay a visit to Star Island, Mr. Sander?” asked the children's mother.

”Well, I'm stopping for the night on the main sh.o.r.e just across from here,” was the answer, ”so, having had my supper and having made my bed in my red wagon, I thought I'd come over and pay you a visit. I heard you were camping here, so I borrowed a boat and rowed over. I walked along this path, and I happened to see Trouble and the goat. Then I knew I had found the right place, but I did not imagine I'd have to come to the rescue of my friend Nicknack,” and with a laugh he patted the s.h.a.ggy coat of the animal, that rubbed up against the kind lollypop man.

”Well, come back to the tent and visit a while,” was Grandpa Martin's invitation. ”We're ever so much obliged to you.”

”What does all this mean about tramps and a gold mine?” asked Mr.

Sander. ”If there's gold to be had in an easier way than by selling hot waffles from a red wagon with a white horse to pull it, I'd like to know about it,” he added with a jolly laugh.

”Oh, ho! Oh, ho!” he cried. ”Hot waffles do I sell. Hot waffles I love well!”

”Did you bring any with you?” asked Ted eagerly.

”Indeed I did, my little Curlytop. They may not be hot now, but maybe your mother can warm them on the stove,” and picking up a package he had laid down near the tree to which he had tied Trouble, the lollypop man gave it to Mrs. Martin with a low bow.

”Waffles for the Curlytops,” he said laughing.