Part 31 (2/2)

It was after breakfast--which Liz served with all the spirit and cheerfulness, so Bobby said, of an Egyptian mummy with the mumps!--that they first spied the big barge coming from the north sh.o.r.e of the lake.

The slow-moving craft was under sail and there were several men aboard of her, as well as a pack of dogs which now and then gave tongue.

Immediately the Barnacle went raving mad. The sigh and sound of so many canines heading toward the island that had been his own domain for a week, quite drove the Barnacle out of such few senses as he possessed.

He barked at the barge from the heights where the camp stood; then he raced down to the sh.o.r.e and emitted a salvo of barks from the landing on that side of the island. Then he raced back again, and so returned to the sh.o.r.e--alternating in his rushes in the craziest possible way.

Meanwhile the barge drew nearer and nearer. The general question at the girls' camp was: ”Why were the men and dogs coming to Acorn Island?”

”They can't land here without a permit,” Bobby declared. ”The Rocky River Lumber Company has posted the island.”

”And what sort of game can they hunt with hounds this time of year?”

demanded Jess.

”Those are bloodhounds,” said her mother, calmly. ”English bloodhounds.”

”Goodness!” squealed Bobby, suddenly. ”Bloodhounds? Don't you all feel just like Eliza crossing the ice, girls?”

”Not much!” cried Dora, laughing. ”On a hot day like this?”

The cicadas were filing their saws in the tops of the trees and the promise of one of the hottest days of the season danced in the s.h.i.+mmer of haze over the water.

”Do you really suppose they are coming here with those dogs?” repeated Nell.

”They have no business to land,” said Bobby, again serious.

”I know who they are!” Jess cried, suddenly.

”Who?” asked her mother.

”Chet said something about a sheriff coming to the boys' camp over yonder. And he had a pack of bloodhounds with him.”

”But why should an officer of the law come _here_?” queried Mrs.

Morse.

Laura, and Jess, and Bobby looked at each other. Of course, Mother Wit had understood the approach of the barge from the first; but she had said nothing. Now Jess and Bobby burst out with:

”Oh! he must be after that young man.”

”What young man?” was the chorus of the other campers.

”The young man who is with Professor Dimp,” said the thoughtless Bobby. ”Isn't that it, Laura?”

Laura groaned. The cat was out of the bag now, and she foresaw much trouble in the camp on Acorn Island.

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