Motor Boat Boys on the Great Lakes; or, Exploring the Mystic Isle of Mackinac

“Ready here!” answered Clarence, briskly.

“Same here, Jack!” called George, hovering over his engine, which was running at about its next to slowest notch.

“Then go!” shouted the starter; and instantly both craft shot forward like arrows, while the rattle of their exhausts sounded as if a battle were in progress.

CHAPTER XVI

“WIRELESS DAY”

“Hurrah!” shouted Josh, wildly excited, and glad for once to be on the narrow speed boat.

“May the best one win!” called Jack, as he watched the rivals drawing ahead of the two slower boats.

“That means us!” laughed Bully Joe.

“Just wait and see!” answered Josh; between whom and Joe there had always been more or less bad blood.

Herb had given his staunch engine all it could stand; and as the Tramp stood by him, they were soon left far in the lurch.

“Talk to me about speed,” observed Herb, as Jack turned his face that way, “strikes me the Wireless has her work cut out for today, to beat Clarence.”

“You heard what he said about the improvement made when at the machinist’s. It was a knot an hour increase, I believe,” Jack remarked, casting a look down at the throbbing motor of the Tramp.

“That’s right,” Herb spoke up. “But you know we did some tinkering to George’s engine, and he has always said that it ran better afterwards. Anyhow, it looks like a pretty race.”

“I think so with you, Herb,” Jack admitted. “Judging from here, they’re running neck and neck now.”

“Yes,” continued the other, “but don’t forget that tricky Clarence is always up to something. Two to one he’s got a bit more speed held in reserve.”

“Well, George knows him like a book,” laughed Jack. “And make up your mind he’ll keep something held back himself. Don’t you remember he did before? Possibly Clarence may be the one to run up against a surprise after a while.”

As the racers drew farther and farther away, those in the other boats began to think of other things. None of them had half the interest in the outcome of the rivalry as did George. With him there were many old accounts to square; and he meant to make a good job of it, if he had his way about the matter.

For some miles the two speedy motor boats kept along, neither appearing to gain half a length on the other. If one seemed to be going ahead, the skipper immediately busied himself stopping the advantage. It was as if both were holding themselves in for the home stretch.

Josh was on needles and pins all this while. He paid little attention to what lay in the rear. Part of his time was taken up in scanning the watery waste ahead, through the powerful marine glasses. And when not thus employed he sat there, quivering with suspense, wondering whether there would come a sudden stoppage of the engine, which might spring from one of its eccentric tantrums.

But, strange to say, the motor seemed to be doing its best today, as if bent on meriting all the good things its builders had said in their catalogue.

“I see it!” suddenly hoarsely whispered Josh, in a mysterious way, as though he did not wish those in the other craft to overhear him.

“You mean the little bay at the mouth of the river?” queried George, setting his teeth hard together; for he knew that the crisis so long awaited was at hand.

“Sure, look for yourself, George,” handing him the glasses.

“Yes, I believe you’re right,” returned the skipper of the Wireless, as he once more turned his attention to his engine. “Now, get in the middle of the boat, Josh, and don’t move any more than you can help.”

“You’re going to open up, then?” asked the tall, ungainly lad, feverishly.

“I am. Are you ready?” George went on.

“My hair is parted exactly in the middle, I believe,” chuckled Josh. “You know Buster used to say that was one thing you made him do when he was on board here. Let her go, George! Get the jump on him; it may count in the end!”

A shout from Bully Joe was the first knowledge Clarence had that his rival had taken the bit in his teeth, and shot ahead. Instantly the speed of the Flash was increased; and the two powerful engines began to throb like little giants; while the sound of the exhausts, from which the mufflers had been entirely removed, was like the tattoo of a couple of snare drums calling the long roll.

Josh steadied himself as best he could; though when the boat was rushing through the water at this frightful speed it did not seem so cranky as when at rest.

“George, we’re gaining on him!” he said, in a husky voice that trembled with the excitement under which Josh labored.

“I see we are; and still I could get a bit more out of old Wireless if hard pushed. Don’t worry, Josh; we’re bound to show Clarence up for a bluffer this time, sure.”

“If only something don’t happen!” gasped the anxious Josh, with an intake of breath that was like a big sigh.

“Make your mind easy on that score,” said George, positively. “Nothing is going to break down. She’s running as smooth as silk, and never missing a stroke. Oh! ain’t this great, though? I’ve looked forward to this ever so long. Wouldn’t I like to be close enough right now to see the look on Clarence’s face.”

“It’s as long as a foot rule, I warrant you!” chuckled Josh. “Don’t I know them two fellows though? They take a beat hard. Ten to one that if you are ahead when we come to the bay, they’ll go on past, and never enter at all.”

“Well, now, that wouldn’t surprise me one little bit,” remarked George.

Slowly but surely was the Flash falling behind, or rather the other boat forging ahead. Doubtless Clarence must be trying every device known to ambitious racing skippers in order to just coax a little more speed from his engine; but it was now keyed up to top-notch, and utterly incapable of doing a particle better.

Already Clarence must know that he was badly beaten, unless fortune stepped in to bring about an accident to the Wireless.

“That’s what he’s playing for now,” said George, when his companion suggested this very thing. “But I reckon Clarence will find himself barking up the wrong tree. This race has just got to be mine. You hear me warble, Josh?”

It was not often George spouted slang; but the excitement had seized upon him to such an extent now, that he hardly did know what he was saying.

Minutes crept along.

Now the Flash was a stone’s throw in the rear, and losing all the while.

“Careful about the turn, George,” cautioned Josh, as they came near where the bay opened up. “We don’t want to lose this thing at the last stretch. Now you’re safe to turn in. Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! siss! boom! crash! we win!”

The Wireless safely made the turn, and thus Josh announced her victory.

“What did I tell you,” Josh went on. “Look at ’em, George! They’re spinning on right past, and don’t mean to come in at all. Clarence won’t even look this way, but keeps staring ahead. Talk to me about taking a beat to heart, there never was a fellow as bad as Macklin, in baseball, hockey or any sport. Well, good-bye to you, fellows! Come again when you can’t stay so long. It’s Wireless day, you know!”

There was no answer to the shout with which Josh wound up his remarks. He saw Bully Joe wave his hand in a derisive way, and then the Flash passed by at full speed, as though the race were still on.

There was a big camp on the shore, and several boats drawn up on the beach. Many signs told that this was one of the favorite places along the north shore for the white fish men to gather. Doubtless innumerable barrels of this delicate inhabitant of the Great Lakes were shipped from this coast during each season; with the supply still undiminished.

It had been agreed upon that George was not to go ashore until the rest of the little motor boat fleet arrived. This was not for half an hour or so, since the Comfort was not capable of doing better than ten miles an hour, and the more speedy Tramp had to accommodate her pace to that of the steady boat.

Nick and the rest gave the victor a good cheer as they turned the point, and entered the bay at the mouth of the famous trout river.

Then the three craft made for the beach, off which they anchored, to go ashore in the smaller boats.

There were some shanties and tents in sight, with a number of rough looking men; who however seemed glad to welcome the boys. The smell of fish was everywhere, as was natural.

“Do you happen to have a young fellow here in this camp by the name of Andy Fosdick?” Jack asked a man who seemed to be the boss.

“Yes, but just now he’s out at work. There’s a boat coming in and p’raps Andy may be one of the crew,” the other replied.

They waited until the boat landed, and those who were in it jumped out. Jack could use his judgment, and he immediately selected a sturdy looking young chap, with a skin the color of an Indian’s, as the one they sought.

“Come along, fellows,” he said to his chums; “and we’ll find out.”

He made straight for the young man; who, seeing the procession approaching, and all eyes glued eagerly on him, stood there looking curious, and a bit apprehensive, Jack thought.

“Are you Andrew Fosdick?” Jack asked, as they reached the spot where the other stood, one hand resting on the edge of the boat, from which his comrades were already shoveling their catch of fish.

“That’s my name, though I generally answer to plain Andy,” replied the fisherman wondering doubtless what all this meant, and why these boys should want to see him.

“Bully!” exclaimed Nick. “Found him the first shot! We’re sure in great luck on this cruise, fellows!”

“Tell him what you want with him, Jack,” urged Herb, who saw the other was being consumed with anxiety.

“We have come straight from your father, Andy,” said Jack, softly. “He wants you to come home to him.”

Then they saw a hard look pass over the dark face of Andy Fosdick.

“It ain’t no use, boys,” he said, bitterly. “He run me off long ago, and I don’t go back there again. I’m gettin’ to forget my name even is Fosdick, and that settles it.”

CHAPTER XVII

CAUGHT NAPPING

Jack was shocked at the words and manner of the young fisherman. His chums even half turned away in disgust, believing that their mission was doomed to failure. But Jack did not give up a thing so easily.

“Wait,” he said, quietly; “I don’t believe you know, Andy. When did you hear from home last?”

“Never once,” gritted the other, morosely, showing that his wrongs had eaten into his very soul. “Didn’t want to, neither. Made up my mind I cud take care of myself. Done it too, all these years. Got money laid up; and goin’ to be married in the fall.”

“Then you didn’t know your mother was dead?” Jack went on.

“Oh!” exclaimed Andy, starting, and showing signs of emotion. “I never heard that Ma was gone! Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t see her again. She was never so bitter as dad; but only weak like.”

Jack heard him sigh, and knew a start had been made.

“Listen, Andy,” he went on; “your father is subject to strokes. One of them will carry him off. It may be today, or tomorrow, but not a great while can he stay here. He is bitterly sorry for what he did. He wants to tell you so, to ask you to forgive him before he too dies.”

Andy’s head fell on his broad chest, and Jack believed he saw his frame quiver with some sort of gathering emotion.

“He has made his will, and left you everything, Andy,” he continued. “If you are to be married, that will be your home. He begged us to find you, to tell you all this; and that if you would only come back to forgive him, he would die happy. Won’t you do that, Andy? Once he goes, the chance can never come to you again; and you’re bound to feel mighty sorry as the years go by.”

Nick nudged George, and whispered.

“Did you ever hear the beat of that, George? Ain’t our Jack the born lawyer though? He ought to be in your dad’s office, studying for the bar, that’s what.”

“Hold your horses, Buster!” answered the one addressed, eagerly waiting to see what effect Jack’s logic might have upon Andy.

The struggle however was short. Presently the young fisherman glanced up; and as soon as he could see the look on his bronzed face Jack knew his case was won.

“I’ll go back to the old man,” he said, firmly. “I guess ’taint right he shud die and not have a chance to say what’s on his mind. And thank ye for tellin’ me.”

“But when will you go?” Jack continued. “There is need of haste, because nobody can say just how long he may live.”

“A boat’ll be along this arternoon, and we ship some barrels on her. Guess the boss’ll let me off when he larns the reason,” Andy replied.

“If you like, I’ll tell him the whole story?” Jack suggested.

And this he did a little later. He found the boss full of sympathy, rough man as he seemed to be. And Andy readily received permission to break the contract he had made for the season.

“Well, what’s doing now?” queried Herb, as the bunch wandered around, observing the various interesting phases of the fishermen’s business; for a boat was loading with barrels full of the catch, which were going direct to the Soo, from where they would be carried by express to Chicago, or other distributing points.

“Too late to go on today,” said Jack. “Besides, I want to have a try with some of the big speckled trout that they tell me lie around here. They take plenty, but have to throw them back, or eat them, as the law does not allow any sale of trout. Think of a seven pounder on my rod.”

“Well, get at it then, Jack,” laughed George. “You’ll never be happy till you do hook a monster. We’ll promise to help you eat him, all right; eh, fellows?”

“All he can bring in, and then some,” declared Nick; making his mouth move in a suggestive way that caused his mates to laugh.

“Be careful, Buster,” warned Herb. “You know you said you meant to cut down on your grub. Instead of losing, you’re gaining weight every day. If you keep on like that, Rosie won’t know you when we get back home.”

But Nick only grinned as he replied calmly: “Well, Rosie ain’t the whole thing. There are others, perhaps.”

“Listen to the traitor, would you?” exclaimed Josh. “Won’t I tell on him, though, when we get back? I bet he’s thinking right now of that cute little elephant, Sallie Bliss!”

“All right,” admitted Nick, brazenly. “Who’s got a better right, tell me? And even you admit that she is cute. Just mind your own business, Josh Purdue. The fact is, you’re just green with envy because of my noble figure. Pity you couldn’t have a little of my fat on your bones!”

“Noble figure!” exclaimed Josh, pretending to be near a fainting spell. “Shades of my ancestors, excuse me! I may be envious, but I ain’t conceited, like some people, and that’s the truth.”

Jack left them in this sort of warm argument; but he knew that no matter what was said, Nick and Josh would not openly quarrel.

He asked numerous questions as to the most likely spots for the big trout; and having secured some bait, started into business. While thus employed he saw the steamer come along, and the boat loaded with barrels go out to meet her, as she stopped her engines.

“There’s Andy stepping aboard, carrying his grip,” Jack said to himself. “And I’m glad he proved so sensible. The old man will be wild to have him again. Yes, it was a lucky day for him in more ways than one when we started for his house to get a supply of butter, eggs and milk. Nick thought the luck was all on our side; but he can never see far beyond meal time.”

As the afternoon grew on, and the steamer became hazy in the distance, Jack began to have some bites. And then came the thrilling moment when he found himself engaged with one of those famous monster speckled beauties for which this region is noted, and specimens of which he had seen in the breeding ponds of the Soo government fish hatchery.

It was a glorious fight, never to be forgotten; and at last Jack had his prize in his hands. Nor did the luck stop there. The fish were hungry, apparently; for in less than five minutes Number Two gave him even a harder struggle than the other victim; and in this case also Jack won out.

So they did have trout galore for supper; and even Nick was surfeited for once. All of the boys declared that they had never tasted anything finer than these big Lake Superior trout, freshly taken from the icy waters of the big reservoir, and cooked as only Josh Purdue could do it.

“Yum! yum!” Nick went on, after being actually pressed in vain to have another helping; “I’d like to stay right here for a month. Seems to me I’d never get tired of that pink flesh trout. Don’t ever want to hear mention of a Mississippi catfish again after this.”

“How about Canada kitties?” asked Herb, maliciously.

Nick declined to answer. That was a subject on which his comrades knew his mind full well; and he did not mean to argue it again.

Mutely he pointed to the skin of the lynx which had fallen to his gun, mutilated a little, to be sure, by the charge of shot that had been the means of its death; but worth its weight in silver to the fat Nimrod; and Herb closed up like a clam.

In the morning they prepared to go on again; though Herb and Jack had, when by themselves, seriously talked over the subject; and were beginning to arrive at the conclusion that this tremendous fresh water sea was hardly the best cruising ground for such small craft as the motor boats; and that they would be wise to cut short their former intention of reaching Duluth.

“Better keep an eye out for dirty weather, boys!” the boss of the camp had observed, when shaking hands as they said good-bye.

Nick could see no signs of anything ahead that looked like a storm; and he was inclined to believe the other must be wrong in his guess.

“Must be one of them old croakers we hear so much about,” he remarked to Herb, as they went on along the coast of the Big Lake. “Always expecting things to happen that don’t come to pass. I don’t see any storm, do you?”

“Not a sign,” replied the skipper of the Comfort; who was anxiously keeping tabs on his engine, as though he had reason to fear a repetition of the former trouble.

But in the end it proved to be George who brought the little expedition to a halt. After acting so splendidly in that fierce race with the Flash, lo and behold, the motor of the Wireless broke down during the early afternoon.

They tinkered at it for an hour and more, Jack coming over to take a hand; but apparently little progress was made. Jack was worried. They were too far away from the fish camp to think of towing the disabled boat back; and a harbor did not offer within reaching distance beyond.

The afternoon began to wane, and there seemed nothing for it but that the three motor boats should anchor just where they were, and pass the night on the open water. All would be well if the weather remained fair, and no strong southerly wind arose during the night. Jack did not like to think what might happen in case such a thing did come about.

So as night came on they made things as snug as possible, ate supper aboard, and determined to keep up their courage, in the belief that nothing would happen to alarm them.

But about an hour after midnight Jack, being on the watch, was thrilled to hear a sudden and entirely unexpected boom of thunder.

Instantly everybody was awake, and stirring; loud voices began to be heard, as the others thrust their heads out of the tarpaulin covers that served as boat tents when the crews slept aboard; and excitement reigned.

The very thing that Jack had dreaded most of all seemed on the verge of coming about; since they were caught on the open lake at night, with a storm threatening.

CHAPTER XVIII

A NIGHT OF ANXIETY

“Hey! here’s Nick getting into his cork jacket already!” called Herb.

“All right,” said the one in question, firmly. “Think I want to get washed out on that pond without something to hold me up? Remember, I’m a new beginner when it comes to swimming. And then I’ve got more to hold up than the rest of you.”

“Well, help me get this tent down first,” remonstrated Herb. “We don’t want to be caught by a storm with these things up, you know.”

“But it might rain?” Nick protested.

“Let it. We’ve got oilskins; and perhaps there’ll be plenty of time left to get into the same. Take hold there.”

Herb was right; and the crews of all the little motor boats had already started to stow away the big covers. Jack kept things as snug as possible aboard the Tramp, in case of a downpour; and that was not at all the thing he feared most.

They were within fifty feet of cruel looking rocks. If the wind broke out from any quarter that would send the big billows churning against that barrier, the fate of the motor boat fleet could be easily guessed.

In a little while everything had been done that seemed possible; after which they could only sit there, and await whatever was to be handed out to them.

Nick and Josh were plainly nervous; and even Jimmie showed some signs of apprehension, nor could they be blamed for this timidity.

“What if one of the boats is swept away?” suggested Josh; who, being in the narrow-beam Wireless understood that he had much less chance for safety than those who manned the other craft.

“No danger of that happening,” Jack replied, quickly. “The only thing we have to fear is being smashed up against these rocks. Our boats would cave in like puff balls.”

“That’s what,” Josh went on. “Perhaps fellows, we ought to go ashore in the dinkies while we have the chance. Even if we lost the boats we’d save our lives. And I promised my folk at home I wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks, you know.”

But George only sniffed at the idea.

“Rats!” he exclaimed. “There you go just as usual, magnifying the danger, Josh. As for me, I’m going to stick like glue to this old Wireless. Just see me deserting her because a little squall chances to blow up. Get ashore if you feel like it. And you too, Buster; only remember, if we should be blown miles away, you two fellows would be apt to starve to death in this lonely region.”

“That settles it,” said Nick, immediately.

If there was any chance of his starving, he stood ready to accept all sorts of perils rather than face that possibility. And doubtless George knew all this when he put the case so strenuously.

Josh too decided that he did not want to go ashore. If the others could stand the danger, he would too.

“It may not be so bad for us, fellows,” observed Jack. “Because, if you look up, you’ll see that the clouds are coming from the land side. And every bang of thunder up to now has been from that direction too. The storm this time doesn’t mean to cross the lake, and hit this shore. And unless it changes around, we’ll be protected from it by these very rocks we feared so much!”

“Bully! bully! Good for you, Jack!” cried Nick, as if greatly relieved. “I’m feeling so much better I almost believe my lost appetite is returning.”

“Well, it’s so, ain’t it?” demanded the other.

“Sure it is,” echoed Jimmie, with delight in his voice.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard this long while,” remarked George, who despite his seeming valor, was secretly much distressed over the outlook.

The thunder increased in violence. Then they heard the sweep of the wind through the pines and hemlocks on the shore. And in less than ten minutes the rain was pouring down like a deluge.

They had secured things so that little harm would be done. Still, the outlook was far from attractive, with several hours of darkness ahead; during which they must keep on constant guard, not knowing at what minute the wind might take a notion to veer around to some quarter, that would send the waves dashing against the rockbound shore so near by.

It seemed as severe a gale as the one they had experienced only a short time before. Indeed, Jack was of the opinion that the wind was even greater, though they did not feel it the same way, because of the shelter obtained from the land.

They would never be apt to forget that night, no matter how time passed. Watching was serious business for Nick; and three times he was known to creep over to where Herb kept his cracker bag, doubtless to interest himself in a little “snack,” so as to briefly forget his other troubles.