The Adventure League

by Hilda T. Skae

CHAPTER XII

SURROUNDED

'Twelfth of August,' said Allan; 'Pater's out on the moors with Mr. Graham, slow day for us; suppose we take the boat and go fishing for crabs!'

'All right, let's,' said Marjorie; 'Harry's in a fidgety mood and will be quarrelling with some one presently if he has nothing to do.'

'I say, you fellows,' cried Allan, 'we're going crab fishing. Come along and let's rummage out the lines, Reggie. We must be sure and get enough for all. Tricksy, you might ask Duncan to put some provisions in a basket for us, as we shan't be home for tea or supper. Let's hurry up or we'll lose the best of the afternoon.'

The various belongings having been collected, the boys and girls trooped down to the cove and began loosening the Craft.

Laddie and Carlo, who had followed uninvited, came and stood by the boat, pricking up their ears.

'Can't take you, Laddie,' said Allan; 'we're going a long way and there's no room for you in the boat.'

Laddie smiled an intelligent dog smile and wagged his tail as though to say, 'I'll wait and see whether you won't change your mind, young sir.'

'Come now, a good shove all together,' said Allan; and the boat ran down to the water.

'All right; chuck in the things, Reggie; and now, girls, will you take your places.'

They all seated themselves and the Craft was pushed off.

'Go home, Laddie,' called out Reggie to the two dogs, who were standing side by side on the shore, looking pitifully disappointed.

The dogs remained looking after the boat for a minute or two; then they gave each other a resigned glance and turned tail and trotted off, having evidently made up their minds to seek consolation in some other form of amusement.

The boat was rowed to where a bottom of weedy stones showed through the water, then Allan began to explain to his guests the method of fishing.

'You see this weight on the end of the line,' he said, 'and there's a bit of scarlet cloth attached; well, you let down the line to the stones and then draw it up again like this, and keep doing so until the crabs come out to see what's the matter; then you dance it up and down in front of them until they get into a rage, and catch hold of it; then you draw it up on board and the silly asses are too angry to let go and you catch them, don't you see?'

'Jolly fun,' said Harry, and a smile overspread Gerald's features. 'I suppose you get a lot of them that way?'

'Yes,' said Marjorie, 'but don't jump about so, Harry; you're making the boat bob from side to side.'

Harry muttered something and drew back into the boat. All the lines were flung out, and every now and again an irate crab was drawn up, clinging obstinately to the string.

The sport proved most absorbing, but after a little, Tricksy happening to look towards the shore drew Marjorie's attention to two figures standing on the hillside.

'What's the matter, Marjorie?' said Reggie, as the girl changed colour.

Following the direction of her eyes his attitude stiffened, and Allan and Hamish looked to see what was the matter.

'It's Gibbie MacKerrach,' said Reggie, 'and he's talking to Andrew MacPeters.'

The combination had an ominous sound, and they all looked extremely concerned.

'What's the matter?' asked Harry.

'It's that gipsy lad who used to like Neil so much,' said Allan; 'the other is the fellow who we suspect may have been the thief. It's to be hoped that he is not making Gibbie tell him things that will do harm to Neil.'

'Which one is the gipsy?' asked Harry. 'I heard father say that they were camping on the moor not far from the Corrachin Caves.'

Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie looked at each other with startled eyes. Then Allan said, 'Pull away from here, will you, Reggie, and don't let them see us if you can help it. It would be better that Andrew should not know that we saw him with Gibbie.'

'Now,' said Allan, after the boat had been rowed out of sight. 'We can try some deep-sea fishing.'

Reggie caught a small haddock which was divided among the party for bait, and the lines were thrown out again.

In a little while Reggie drew in a small cod, and a minute afterwards a good-sized haddock was found to be on Harry's line.

'Gently, Harry, gently, you'll get the line broken,' said Hamish warningly as Harry sprang up and Gerald danced about in his seat, to the great discomfort of Tricksy.

'There you are!' cried Marjorie, as the fish was drawn leaping and struggling into the boat.

'Hullo!' said Harry triumphantly; 'it's a fine big one and no mistake!'

'It's a good size,' said Marjorie, 'but, Harry, would you mind not kicking my feet as you jump about.'

Harry muttered an apology, and just at that moment Hamish drew in a big cod, then two little haddocks were pulled up by Tricksy.

'Gerald, look at your line,' cried Harry, springing forward, and Gerald pulled in a haddock, while Allan and Hamish steadied the boat, which had been set rocking by Harry's sudden movement.

It was a beautiful evening, and the fish were taking well, but sport was spoiled by the incapacity of the Grahams to keep still. If Harry hooked a fish Gerald sprang up to look, and if any one else had a take Harry pranced backwards and forwards until it was drawn on board.

At last Hamish suggested that it was time to row to the Pirates' Island and have tea in the Den.

'Yes, I think so,' said Marjorie, somewhat irritably. 'I've had my ankles tripped over quite often enough as it is.'

'And I've been trying to keep my feet out of the way,' said Tricksy, rather dolefully, 'but one has to put them somewhere, you know.'

'Have you been so uncomfortable?' said Harry, looking round with serene unconsciousness; 'Hamish's boots are rather big.'

A smile travelled round the group as the lines were hastily wound up.

'You'll feel better after tea,' said Hamish soothingly.

The sun was already low when they landed, and Marjorie and Tricksy went into the cottage at once to get tea ready while Reggie fetched peats, and Allan and Hamish lingered behind to secure the Craft.

The Grahams, finding themselves with no special duties, wandered aimlessly about, getting into the way of the busy people.

'We've had a jolly fine take, haven't we?' said Harry, sauntering up to Reggie, who was busy at the peat-stack.

'Not bad,' said Reggie briefly. 'Here, take an armful of these, will you, and carry them into the house.'

Harry carried in the peats and set them down by the fire-place, where Marjorie was busy frying fish, while Tricksy was making bannocks at the table.

'I say, Marjorie,' began Harry, 'we've had fine sport, haven't we?'

'Yes,' replied Marjorie absently.

Harry looked at the two girls, who went on quietly and busily with their work.

'I caught as many as Allan, didn't I?' he began again.

'I'm sure I don't know,' said Marjorie indifferently. She was tired and the peat smoke was making her eyes smart, and it irritated her to see Harry doing nothing.

'But surely you kept count,' persisted Harry; 'I caught more than Hamish, anyhow.'

'I wasn't looking,' said Marjorie. 'If you caught more than Hamish to-day it was more than you do when you go trout fishing. I wish you would go away now, Harry, and not talk to me until tea is ready.'

'Let her alone, Harry,' remonstrated Gerald, who had followed his brother into the hut; but Harry was in a teasing mood and Marjorie's reply had stung him.

'Cross patch!' he muttered, giving her elbow a shove.

Marjorie had not been prepared for the movement, which jerked some of the fish into the fire. In an instant she turned round and pinned Harry against the wall, while her eyes blazed.

'Harry! you struck a lady!—Apologise!'

'No, I won't,' muttered Harry, struggling to free himself. His arms were held as in a vice.

'Are you going to apologise for having hit a lady?' reiterated Marjorie.

'No,' replied Harry, trying desperately to free himself, and becoming aware that the other boys were nearing the door of the hut.

The struggle was prolonged for a minute or two, and then, just as the boys, to Harry's unspeakable confusion, were on the point of coming in, Marjorie slowly relaxed her hold and let him go.

Harry left the cottage, followed by Gerald, and seated himself on the turf dyke with his chin resting on his hands. For a long time he gazed blankly in front of him, and neither boy spoke.

At last Harry began, 'I say, Gerald, do you think they saw?'

'Yes,' answered Gerald; 'I'm afraid they did.'

Harry dropped his chin on his hands again and reflected.

'Do you think it was because of that that they didn't come in at first?' he queried after awhile.

'I think so,' said Gerald; 'they didn't want to have to interfere.'

A long pause followed. Harry gazed seawards, absorbed in gloomy reflections.

'It was awfully stupid of you to go on teasing her,' said Gerald; 'any one could have seen that she was going to lose her temper. She's so strong too; always rowing and climbing, and doing things like a boy.'

'Don't tell the boys at school,' said Harry, after a long time; then he relapsed into silence again.

Suddenly he pulled himself together, and jumped off the dyke just as Marjorie was coming out of the hut.

'Look here,' he began, planting himself in front of her, with a flush rising to his face; 'I apologise! but it's because I shouldn't have hit you and not because you held me.'

'It's all right,' said Marjorie, who was sorry that she had lost her temper; 'don't let's think of it any more but come and have tea.'

The other boys tried to drown any lingering embarrassment by talking very fast, and the meal became an animated, if not a merry one.

'Hark,' said Reggie suddenly, 'what's that?'

They all became silent and listened, Allan standing up. A deep rushing noise was filling the cottage, and rapidly increasing in volume.

'It's the tide-way,' said Reggie; 'we've forgotten to keep a look-out.'

All trooped out of the cottage and looked at the angry current which was sweeping past both shores of the island.

'Here's a jolly go,' said Allan; 'we shan't get home to-night.'

Tricksy looked frightened and Harry amazed, but Marjorie's face cleared and she jumped up and clapped her hands with glee.

'Oh, hooray, hooray,' she said; 'just what I always wanted. We'll have to spend the night in the cottage. Oh, what fun!'

'But won't Mrs. Stewart be frightened?' suggested Gerald, the thoughtful boy.

'Not she,' said Marjorie; 'she knows that we can take care of ourselves; besides, Father and Mr. Stewart made us promise that if we were surrounded by a tide-way we were not to try to come home, however long we might have to wait. It would be quite impossible for us to row across. We must make up our minds to spend the night here.'

They remained out of doors a little longer, discussing the situation, while the red turned to grey beyond the far-off islands; then they went indoors to make preparations for the night.

Fresh peats were cast on the fire, and the stores of cut heather were brought out and laid on the floor to serve as beds. Marjorie lighted the lamp which hung from the ceiling, and its smoky glare lighted up a circle of eager, wakeful faces.

The novelty of their surroundings, together with the voice of the current, which was running deep and swift round their tiny strip of an island, took from them all disposition to sleep during the early part of the night. It was not until the lamp had burnt out, and Tricksy's head had sunk heavily against Marjorie's knee that the rushing became fainter and finally died away, and one by one the listeners dropped to sleep upon their heather couches.

It was about midnight when Marjorie awoke, aroused by a slight noise, and the flames from the peats showed her Allan staring in front of him with wakeful eyes, and listening.

'What is it?' she asked.

'Hush, don't wake the others. There it is again—now, hark.'

Marjorie listened, and in the calm night she distinctly heard the grating of oars in rowlocks and the sound of a boat's bows dividing the water.

'It's some one coming for us,' she said.

'No, for they would have called out before they got so near.'

Marjorie jumped into a sitting posture and her eyes gleamed.

'What if it should be the smugglers?' she suggested.

She was not frightened, only excited, for the situation promised some adventure.

'It's more likely to be Neil,' said Allan. 'He comes here sometimes. Let's go out and see, but tread softly and don't disturb the youngsters.'

They threaded their way cautiously among the sleepers, shivering a little with the chilliness of the air and with excitement, and stood out of doors in the cool quiet night.

'Crouch down, Marjorie, and keep behind the dyke,' said Allan. 'Let's make certain that it is Neil before we show ourselves.'

By this time the boat was close to the shore, and its occupant sprang out.

The cloudy moonlight showed the face and figure to be those of Neil.

'Stand up, Marjorie; let him see it's a girl,' said Allan, 'and he'll know that he's safe.'

Marjorie stood up, and called 'Neil! Hist! Neil!'

The figure turned round.

'Who is that?' asked a voice in Gaelic.

'It's Marjorie, Neil; and Allan.'

Neil carefully secured the boat and came forward.

'What are you doing here, Miss Marjorie, at this time of night? and Allan too? Has anything happened?'

'We're shipwrecked, Neil; or rather we've been cut off by the tide-way,' said Marjorie.

'The others are here,' said Allan, 'in the cottage; you're quite safe. Come along.'

They entered very softly, Neil dragging his limbs as though he were fatigued.

'What's the row?' inquired Reggie, opening his eyes.

'Hush, don't wake the others,' said Marjorie; but already Harry had stirred on his heather couch.

'It's Neil,' said Allan, as the boy sprang up, wide awake. 'He's going to stay here till morning.'

'Neil?' repeated Harry. 'Oh, I say, what a lark. Gerald, wake up, you lazy beggar, here's Neil at last—Neil, I tell you; get up,' and he administered a shove to his sleeping brother.

By this time all the inmates of the cottage were awake, Hamish being the last to open a pair of bewildered, sleepy eyes. Room was made for Neil at the fire, the smouldering peats were roused to life, and the boys and girls clustered round, staring and asking questions, much too excited to think of sleep.

'How is your mother, Neil?' asked Tricksy, whose dark eyes looked bigger and darker than ever between surprise and sleepiness.

'She iss better, thank you, Miss Tricksy. I will have left her sleeping quietly, and I will pe coming here so that I can be going back early to see how she iss in the morning.'

Then after a little hesitation he added, 'She has made me promise that I'll go away now. Rob MacLean's boat goes to-morrow evening.'

'Oh, what a sell!' exclaimed Harry, who had been sitting cross-legged by his hero and looking up in his face with sparkling eyes. 'I mean,' he added, somewhat confusedly, as he saw the faces of the others, 'I'm sorry you have to go; it would have been such fun if you could have stayed.'

They conversed a little longer, but quietly, for the darkness and silence which reigned outside their little shelter, and the monotonous lapping of the waves made them drowsy; and one by one they dropped to sleep.

Marjorie was the first to awaken. The clear morning light was already filling the hut, and the others were lying around and breathing heavily.

She rose and went out of doors.

The sun had not yet risen, but the clouds in the east were red. Some gulls were rising languidly above the shimmering water.

Marjorie stood looking about her for a minute or two; then she ran into the cottage.

'Allan,' she cried, 'wake up! There are some people standing on the shore; your father and Mr. Graham and some others and Laddie is with them. They are just going to launch the boat. Get up, quick; there's no time to lose!'

Neil was already on his feet, the events of the past few months having taught him to keep on the alert; and the others had begun to open their eyes and stretch themselves.

'Hullo,' said Reggie, grasping the situation, 'boat coming over here; that will never do.'

'Hurry up,' said Allan, 'or they'll be across before you know where you are.'

'You had better wait until we've gone,' said Marjorie to Neil. 'Stay in the cottage, or they may see you.'

Hastily saying good-bye they ran down to the shore, but stopped short in dismay.

The boat was gone.

'Comes of not having fastened her securely,'. said Allan; 'the current has carried her away.'

'What shall we do?' said Marjorie. 'We'll have every one coming to the island. Hide Neil; let's pile all the heather on the top of him——'

'What's the matter?' cried Neil from the hut. 'Why are you waiting?'

'The boat's gone,' they cried.

Neil came out.

'Mine's still there, on the other side,' he said. 'Take her, and some of you can come back for me.'

'Oh, Neil, we couldn't do that! What if any one were to come in the meanwhile?'

'We must risk it. It will be better than bringing the whole boat-load upon us. Quick, get in; they will be shoving down the boat.'

In another minute they had pushed off, leaving Neil behind.

When the boat left the island the figures on shore stood still and waited; and half-way across Marjorie waved her handkerchief.

'It's Father,' said Tricksy, 'with Mr. Graham and Duncan and a lot of others; and there's Laddie jumping about and barking.'

'Allan,' said Marjorie, touching his arm, 'there's Andrew MacPeters, do you see him? standing behind the others.'

The boat glided in beside the landing stones, while a row of anxious faces watched and waited.

'Down, Laddie,' said Mr. Stewart, as the collie rushed forward with a joyful welcome. 'So there you are,' he said to the young people. 'You are not cold, are you?'

'We're all right, Father,' said Allan. 'We landed on that island yesterday evening and we were surrounded by the tide-way so we could not return. I hope Mother was not anxious. We thought you would rather we stayed there than tried to cross when the current was flowing.'

'You were quite right not to try to get back under these circumstances,' said Mr. Stewart gravely; and the young people knew that he had been anxious, although he did not wish to blame them.

Mr. Graham said nothing, but after his eyes had travelled over the group, and he had, as Tricksy afterwards expressed it, 'counted his boys,' he placed himself between them and set off in the direction of Ardnavoir, still without speaking except to ask them whether they had wet feet.

Reggie, as the quickest runner, was sent on ahead to tell his mother that they had returned, and a brisk walk brought them all to the house.

'By the way,' said Mr. Stewart as the young people were refreshing themselves with a good breakfast; 'what man was that who was with you on the island?'

A startled movement went round the group, and Allan looked at his father without replying.

'That man who helped you with the boat,' said Mr. Stewart; 'he stayed behind after you left; who was he?'