Part 24 (1/2)
”I know my business, Mitch' Jenkins,” he said. ”They ain't a-goin' to give me the slip this time.”
Then followed a tramp of about two miles to the point of the island where the slackers had left their bateau. Much of the route was covered with dense thicket and bramble-infested jungle, and the boys suffered.
Sometimes, when they stumbled and fell, or pushed through th.o.r.n.y brush, being unable to use their arms and hands, they received painful scratches or blows on face or head. Finally Ted rebelled, throwing himself down and persisting doggedly at all threatened costs.
”I won't go another step until you untie our hands,” he declared, setting his teeth. ”You can beat me if you are devil enough,” he informed Jackson, with blazing eyes and unflinching calm, ”but I won't budge.”
Jackson swore furiously and lifted his foot to kick, but was checked by Jenkins, who said:
”And if you beat him, you may have to beat me.”
Then the two men glared at and paid their respects to each other in unprintable language. Hubert hoped that they would fight hard and long, and that in the midst of it he and Ted might run away; but, as usual, the cowardice beneath Sweet Jackson's bullying exterior showed itself.
He discharged much violent language, but prudently declined the contest of physical strength offered by Jenkins.
”What did you come in this swamp for, anyhow?” he demanded. ”You ain't worth a cent.”
”You kin find out what I'm worth if you want to,” goaded Jenkins.
”Oh, shucks!” cried Jackson, with a show of vast disgust; and taking out his knife, he cut both Ted's and Hubert's bonds, intimating that he washed his hands of the consequences.
After that peace was restored, the tramp was resumed, and more rapid progress was made.
XXI
They landed on Deserters' Island late in the afternoon. The news of their arrival appeared to reach the camp ahead of the captive boys, for as soon as they followed the upward path through the swamp-cane to the outskirts of the familiar clearing they saw July running to meet them.
The negro's smiling expressions of delight at sight of them were checked by his recollection that they were returning to captivity.
”I sho is sorry dey cotch you if I is glad to see you,” he apologized.
”But, Cap'n Ted, you won't have such a hard time dis time 'cause de gen'l'mens is got back an' now de dawgs'll have to keep dey place.”
Ted did not wait for an explanation of this mysterious announcement, for he now saw Buck Hardy standing near the sleeping-loft and ran eagerly toward him.
”Oh, Mr. Hardy,” he cried, in enormous relief and satisfaction, ”I'm _so_ glad to see you. We've had a terrible time since you left. I--I--I hope your mother is better.”
Buck smiled down on the delighted boy, warmly clasping his hand.
”She's all right now, thank you, kid,” he said. ”Sorry I had to stay outside so long. Just got back two hours ago--with Peters and Jones. So you've had a terrible time, eh? July has been tellin' me, but he don't know it all, and I want to know it all up to this minute. Did Sweet Jackson do anything to you after he caught you? Did he--whip you--or----”
”He would have, if it hadn't been for Mr. Jenkins.”
”Tell me all about it.”
After walking into the clearing attended by the pleased and garrulous negro, Hubert shook hands with Al Peters and Bud Jones, but awaited his turn to speak to Buck Hardy, not wis.h.i.+ng to interrupt the big slacker's earnest conversation with Ted. As he looked around, Hubert saw Billy seated a short distance away and wondered why he seemed to take no interest in their arrival. Judging from past experience, he would have expected the half-wit not only to be pleased but even to caper around him and Ted, giggling and shouting his expressions of gratification. But now Billy seemed to be intently contemplating some object in the gra.s.s at his feet and to be oblivious of everything else.
The news of the return of Hardy, Peters and Jones evidently reached Jackson before he came up from the landing, for when he appeared he had a conscious and depressed air. He spoke a perfunctory greeting to Peters and Jones and then, as he busied himself about the camp, his roving glance frequently returned in a stealthy sort of way to Buck Hardy where he stood questioning and listening to Ted. His manner was expectant and he probably was not surprised when Buck, turning from the boy toward the groups near the fire, called out:
”Sweet Jackson!”