“Look at the muscles in his arms, would you?” cried Andy Hale. “Huh! no wonder he smashed that first trap of yours to flinders, Dan. After this I can easily believe the stories about a gorilla tying a gun-barrel into a knot.”
The sight of the beast sitting so close to them, though unable to do them injury, was so fascinating that Mr. Bartlett had to order the boys back to the camp.
“And remember,” he added sternly, “not one of you except Dan or Dick must ever approach this place without special permission. What that rascal might do should any one fall into the pit I am not prepared to say. So far we’ve managed to get on without any serious trouble; and we don’t want our camping trip to be marred by tragedy. Please remember those are my positive orders, and I shall hold each one of you responsible for any disobedience.”
The boys had never seen Mr. Bartlett so serious, and his words made a deep impression on even Nat and his two reckless cronies. But the camp director knew it was no time for trifling; and he believed in closing the stable-door before the horse was stolen, not afterwards, when it was too late.
Breakfast followed, after which preparations were made looking to the departure of the guests. All of them declared they had enjoyed their too brief stay greatly, and shook hands with each member of the camp guard. The berries had been placed in the carriers provided and were loaded into one of the boats, which Elmer and Peg offered to row over to the landing.
Mr. Bartlett had been privately asked by the minister to select Asa Gardner to help Leslie ferry the three guests across to where their car awaited them. Of course, Mr. Holwell had an object in so doing, wishing Asa to understand that he was considered a member in good standing of the party, and that whatever the past held in the shape of regrets need not bother him a particle now.
Asa looked quite cheerful. With the capture of the thieving gorilla the last doubt had been removed from his mind. Dick secretly found himself rejoicing with the boy who had had to fight so desperately in order to conquer his evil tendencies. He meant to keep in close touch with Asa after this, realizing that the person who has won a victory over himself deserves ten times more credit than those who have never had to engage in a fight with their weak natures.
In good time the car started back toward Cliffwood, with a long journey before the travelers. And across the intervening water came the cheers of those who from the distant island watched the departure of the guests. A few half wished they, too, were starting for dear old Cliffwood. It was only natural that a feeling akin to home-sickness should for a moment grip their young hearts. But all this was soon forgotten, when they began to plan for another day of good times.
CHAPTER XXIX
CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY
“Feel like coming with me this morning, Leslie?” asked Dick, after one party had set off to fill the pails with berries, and while another group was busy catching minnows for bait, as the supply had got somewhat low in the reservoir where the bait was kept.