Part 16 (1/2)
The punt was already under way. Preston and his three men worked the craft out slowly into the drifting ice. The grinding of the cakes against the sides of the boat did not frighten any of the pa.s.sengers--unless perhaps Mrs. Tingley herself. She felt responsible for the safety of this whole party of her daughter's school friends.
The wind was not strong and the drift of the broken ice was slow.
Therefore there was really no danger to be apprehended. The punt was worked along its course with considerable ease.
The boys had to take their turns at the sweeps; but Tom found time to slip back to Ruth before they were half-way across to the island.
”Too bad the old fellow doesn't fall overboard,” he growled in Ruth's ear.
”Isn't he a snarly old customer?”
”But I suppose the constable has the warrant,” Ruth returned, smiling. ”So Mr. Blent's elimination from the scene would not help Jerry much.”
”I tell you what--you've got to fight fire with fire,” observed Tom, after a moment of deep reflection.
”Well? What meanest thou, Sir Oracle?”
”Why, they haven't any business to arrest Jerry.”
”Agreed.”
”Then let's tip him off so that he can run.”
”Where will he run to?” demanded Ruth, eagerly.
”Say! that's a big island. And I bet he knows his way all over it.”
”Oh! the caves!” exclaimed Ruth.
”What's that?”
”He told me there were caves in it. He can hide in one. And we can get food to him. Great, Tom--great!”
”Sure it's great. When your Uncle Dudley----”
”But how are we going to warn Jerry to run before this constable catches him?” interposed Ruth, with less confidence.
”How? You leave that to me,” Tom returned, mysteriously.
CHAPTER XIV
THE HUE AND CRY
Ruth and Tom Cameron had no further opportunity of speaking together until the punt came very close to the island. Here the current ran more swiftly and the ice-blocks seemed to have been cleared away.
There was a new stone dock, and up the slight rise from it, about a hundred yards back from the sh.o.r.e, was the heavily-framed lodge. It consisted of two stories, the upper one extending over the lower. Big beams crossed at the corners of this upper story and the outer walls were of roughly hewn logs. The great veranda was arranged for screening, in the summer, but now the west side was enclosed with gla.s.s. It was an expensive and comfortable looking camp.
There were several men on the dock as the punt came in, but Jerry Sheming was not in sight. Tom had, from time to time, been seen whispering with the boys. They all now gathered in the bow of the slowly moving punt, ready to leap ash.o.r.e the moment she b.u.mped into the dock.
”Do be careful, boys,” begged Mrs. Tingley. ”Don't fall into the water, or get hurt. I certainly shall be glad when Mr. Tingley comes up for Christmas and takes all this responsibility off my hands.”