Clarence Young

“ The afternoon exercises passed off successfully, and with farewells from their teachers the three chums, as well as all the lads in the academy, bade [14] good-bye to the place of learning and scattered for the long summer vacation. The motor boys, who were all in the same class, walked down the street, arm in arm, as three fine lads as one could wish for,—tall, strong, full of recourse in times of danger, brave and fearless—excellent types of the American Boy.
“Let’s each think of some plan for a trip,” proposed Ned, as they parted to go to their several homes. ”

“ The hurricane had blown the small floating island clear through the passage into Lake Okeechobee and that big body of water was now accessible from Butterfly Lake.
“There’s the Wanderer!” exclaimed Olivia, pointing ahead, and the others, looking, saw the houseboat moored at the entrance to the passage. They also saw Mr. Seabury pacing the upper deck. At the sight of the motor boat he waved his hands and set up a shout of welcome.
“Father! Father! Here we are!” cried Nellie as Jerry sent the Dartaway straight for the Wanderer. ”

“ The boat, too, needed soaking in the water to close the seams which had dried open on the journey overland.
Bright and early one morning the three boys and the professor, having placed all their baggage on board, took possession of the Dartaway.
“We’re off!” cried Jerry as he gave a long toot to the compressed air whistle. “Now for the manatees, Chunky!”
“Let up on manatees!” pleaded Bob. “Can’t you forget ’em?”
“Yes, but think how disappointed Andy will be,” and Jerry laughed as he gave the wheel a turn, shoved over the gasoline and sparking levers, while Ned cranked the engine. ”

“ The tent was blown down.
Out from under the clinging canvas they struggled into the darkness of the storm, for the wind had extinguished their lanterns. They could not see which way to go to get to their boat, where [125] they knew they would be sheltered, for they had put up the awning before camping out.
Suddenly Bob uttered a cry.
“Something has cut me!”
“Me too!” cried Jerry. “It feels as if a lot of knives were sawing my hands and face.”
“It’s the giant saw-grass!” called the professor. “It grows in this region. The wind is whipping the long blades into our faces. ”

“ Behind them, some distance back, was a dense forest, and, nearer to them was the dreadful saw-grass. Over the stretch of water myriads of birds were flying, while, every now and then, a splash and a shower of glistening drops told that a hungry fish was trying to get an early breakfast. ”

“ My name Ottiby. Me chief! Ugh!”
“An Indian,” murmured Ned.
“He is one of the Seminole tribe,” put in the professor. “I recognize the characteristics.”
“Paddle catch in long grass,” went on Ottiby, [117] as if in excuse for such a child of nature as an Indian letting water get the best of him. “Me go overboard. Get caught in weeds. No can git loose. Steamboat come along. Boy pull Ottiby out. Good boy. Ottiby no forget. Can get canoe?”
This last seemed to be a question which Ned interpreted as a desire on Ottiby’s part to have his boat back again. ”

“ Then, from out of the darkness behind the shaft of illumination were heard the clear tones of a girl’s voice calling:
“Well, dad, we’ve struck land at any rate!”
“It’s a boat!” exclaimed Jerry. “Somebody has landed here in a boat!”
“Girls and women in it,” added Ned, as sounds of several feminine voices were noted. A moment later a man’s tones asked:
“What sort of land have we struck, Rose?”
“Can’t tell, dad,” was the reply. “It’s solid enough at any rate, judging by the way the Wanderer hit it. The searchlight doesn’t show anything but trees, does it Ponto?” ”

“ The professor was nothing if not methodical.
“Then the first thing to be done,” observed Ned, when he and his chums had once more gone over the map to see if they had selected the best route, “is to get the boat ready for the trip by rail. I fancy the Dartaway doesn’t like being shipped on a car. She likes the water too well.”
“No help for it,” remarked Jerry. “Some day we’ll have a big enough boat to sail half way round the world in, and we’ll not have to depend on trains.”
“I wonder if we’ll meet Noddy when we get [26] to Florida,” mused Bob. “Where did he say his cocoanut grove was, Ned?” ”

“ He took his weapon, a combination rifle and shot gun, while the others went on ahead of him.
“Looks as though there was a path here,” said Jerry, pointing to a sort of trail through the woods.
“So it does,” admitted Mr. Snodgrass. “Well, so much the better for us.”
“Unless it has been made by a band of Indians or some ugly negroes,” said Jerry in a low tone. “I’ve read there are some black men who live in the swamps about here, and that they are worse than Indians.”
“Better call to Bob to come up front with his gun,” spoke Ned.
“No, it might alarm the professor,” replied Jerry. ”

“ I wonder what caused this sudden falling away of the water?”
“You’ve got me,” replied Ned. “I’ve puzzled over it until I can’t think straight. But let’s cruise about a bit. It’s hot and we may strike a breeze out on the lake. Perhaps we can find the outlet through which the water is all disappearing.”
To this plan Jerry agreed. It was much cooler with the boat swiftly in motion, and Bob seemed to feel easier. Now and then he would rouse up and ask some question, but, before his chums could answer he would again sink into the stupor of fever. The boat was sent in a wide circle of the lake. ”

“ The supplies were soon put aboard the boat, and once more the travelers took up their voyage. For three days they traveled slowly the length of Lake Okeechobee. At times they kept near shore, attracted by the beauty of the scenery, for there were tall palm and palmetto trees, gracefully festooned with long streamers of Spanish moss. There was a wealth of tropical vegetation, and amid the dense forests there flew flocks of birds of the most brilliant plumage. ”

“ They found themselves in the midst of a patch of everglades, though close to the lake the land was more firm than anywhere else.
“I’d hate to be lost in a swamp like that,” remarked Ned, indicating the vast expanse that lay about them.
“There are paths through it,” said Mr. Snodgrass. “But I guess only the negroes and Indians know them. It would be quite risky for any one unacquainted with them to venture in. [154] The swamp would swallow a man as quickly as if he fell into quicksand.”
“The boat for mine!” exclaimed Bob. “This is worse than the swamp Noddy got fooled on.” ”

“ He made his way to the stern of the craft, where in a locker the boys had stowed their guns. Jerry took out his repeating rifle and loaded it. By this time the boat was well out from shore, close to which the craft had been kept because the water was not so rough there.
“What are you going to do?” asked the professor. After his first glimpse of the turtle he had, apparently, taken no further interest in it, but was intently watching the gyrations of a swarm of little gnats that were flying about the boat.
“Going to shoot the turtle,” replied Jerry. ”

“ Jerry, Bob and Mr. Snodgrass joined Ned at Noddy’s side. The latter looking in wonderment from one to the other, took out a piece of paper and a pencil and, handing them to Jerry, said:
“I am totally deaf. I ate some queer kind of red berries and I’ve lost my hearing. You’ll have to write out your questions for me.”
“What are you doing here?” wrote Jerry.
“I’m camping here until I have that dispute over the cocoanut grove settled,” Noddy replied with something of his old manner. “I’ve got a colored man staying with me. When I found I was deaf I sent him off to the village for some medicine. ”

“ With the storm came a cloud of mosquitoes that made life miserable for the boys. It was stifling to stay in the tent, yet that was their only refuge. They had mosquito netting, and this kept out the most of the pests, but Ned and Jerry had to make frequent trips to the lake for fresh water, and on these occasions the insects pitched on them with great violence. ”

“ He’s used to going in dense woods after insects and finding his way out,” said Bob. “Look at the different places he has been with us—even in the buried city in Mexico—and he got out all right.”
“This is different,” Jerry stated. “The everglades are worse than any forest. If he gets off the firm ground he’ll sink down in the swamp and never be able to get out. Boys, I wish the professor was safely back with us. But there’s no help for it now, and all we can do is to wait. Perhaps I’m too nervous and he may turn up all right, but the attack on the camp looks bad.” ”

“ But though the propeller churned the water the craft did not budge.
“It’s no use,” remarked Ned. “I’ll have to wait until Jerry and the professor come back. I wonder what makes the water flow away? It can’t be the tide.”
He was much puzzled, and the more he thought of it the more he was alarmed. Suppose the lake [187] should suddenly go dry? It would be impossible to get the Dartaway to Lake Okeechobee in that case and they would have to abandon the craft in the everglades. Worse than that they would have hard work in leaving Florida, as they were in an uninhabited part. ”

“ Slade, who was listening to the talk of the boys. “I understand the United States government is after him for his part in the lighthouse plot, and when Uncle Sam wants a man he generally gets him. So I think Bill will not trouble you this trip. Well, have you settled everything?”
“Pretty nearly,” answered Ned. “All except that I’ll have to have some money for my share of the expenses.”
“I expected that!” exclaimed Mr. Slade with a laugh. “It takes money, as well as gasoline, to make a motor boat go. Well I don’t mind, as long as you boys take care of yourselves and don’t get into mischief.” ”

“ Seabury. “We can only advise him.”
At that moment the scientist came back on the upper deck.
“I’m on the right track,” he declared, his eyes shining with excitement. “Those colored men know just where the butterfly has its haunts. I’m going with them. It is only a day’s journey.”
“We’ll go along in the motor boat as far as possible,” said Jerry.
“No, no!” objected Mr. Snodgrass. “We have to go into the swamp where only a canoe can be used. Besides, the puffing of the boat’s engine might frighten the butterfly. I must go alone with these men. They are honest I’m sure. ”

“ I don’t believe those black men know anything about the butterfly.”
“What can we do, father?” asked Rose.
“Nothing, I’m afraid. Yet I’ll be on the watch. The Wanderer is not a fast boat, but I think I’ll keep it near the entrance to Butterfly Lake for a few days. I may be able to render some assistance to the professor.”
When good-byes had been said, and assurances given on the part of Mr. Snodgrass and the boys that they would see their friends of the houseboat again, the Dartaway, towing the canoe with the three negroes, was headed for the stream of water that connected the two lakes. ”

“ Bill Berry did not come back to Cresville, which fact made the three chums rejoice, for they did not wish to see that rascal again.
“Closing exercises this afternoon, which will be short and sweet,” observed Bob, as he and his friends came from the academy at noon, “and then to map out a summer campaign.”
“Yes, we want to get busy,” said Ned. “No use wasting time. You fellows come to my house to-night and we’ll look over some maps and plan a cruise. The motor boat is better than ever with the improvements we put on her last fall.”
“I’ll be there,” called Jerry, as he left his two chums. ”

“ Seabury and his daughters hinted at, and the objections the boys raised, the professor was determined to accompany the colored men. Mr. Seabury went below and took a look at the negroes. He had to admit that they were good-natured appearing enough, with broad grins on their shining, black faces and a manner which seemed to preclude any desire to do any one an injury.
“Since you have to start from Butterfly Lake why not go with us as far as there in the motor boat,” proposed Ned. “The men can follow in their canoe, or we’ll tow them. ”

“ Bob, can you shoot straight?”
“Don’t do any shooting,” advised the scientist. “They are too many for us and it would only make them more savage to fire on them. I must try other measures.”
The professor endeavored to argue with the colored men, but they insisted that the travelers must leave the place at once. There were greedy eyes taking in every detail of the dress of the party and the sight of the boys’ watch chains excited a cupidity that boded no good. The professor saw that their position was a dangerous one.
“I think we had better get out of here,” he said. “Can you walk, Jerry?” ”

“ Hardack, the lighthouse keeper.”
“I’d like to see Noddy get his desserts,” interposed Bob. “He’s done us a lot of mean turns, but, somehow or other he always manages to sneak out of the consequences. If I get a chance I’ll scare him with this message. I’ll tell him the government detectives are after him with a pack of bloodhounds.”
“Better wait until we find him,” advised Jerry. “Lake Okeechobee is a big place and there’s a slim chance that we will meet Noddy.”
“I thought there was something more than a new cocoanut plantation that made him want to hurry out of town,” spoke Ned. ”

“ Slade and bowed to the boys. “I reached town this afternoon, and inquired for Mr. Slade’s store, as I had some business to transact. He heard my name, and remembered me. He invited me to call this evening, and—here I am.”
“Yes, and just in time, too,” cried Ned.
“How is that? Have you just captured a rare [16] specimen of a mosquito or a June bug for me?” and the professor was ready at once to mount his hobby and start off on a scientific discussion.
“Not exactly,” answered Ned, “but we are trying to decide where to go in our motor boat for our vacation. Perhaps you can help us out.” ”