Two good loads were sent off, with a number of the boys along to get things started ashore. They were under the charge of Mr. Bartlett and the physical culture director, and had orders to put up the tents and fasten them with extra care, as there could be no telling how much wind would come if the storm finally descended on them, and it would be necessary to have some shelter both for themselves and for their provisions.
When later on the boats returned only two boys came with them, the rest of the party staying on the island in order to get the camp started. Another load was sent off, and with it went a second detachment of the boys, as well as the smiling black cook. All this took considerable time. No one dared mention such a thing as stopping to eat until everything had been safely transferred to the island where the camp was to be pitched.
“There’s only enough stuff left here for a single load now,” called out Dick, as both boats started off for the third time. “Send one of them back with a fellow to row. I’ll be waiting here to clean up.”
It was almost half an hour later when he discovered the boat approaching the shore. Dick was somewhat surprised to see that the boy who wielded the oars was Asa Gardner; and he also noted that the boy had a pretty fair stroke. His cheeks were rosy for one of his usually pale complexion. His eyes, too, sparkled as though Asa was enjoying the experience as far as it had gone.
“You’re surprised at seeing me, I know, Dick,” Asa said, as he drew in to the land. “I just begged Leslie to let me bring the boat back, and he agreed. The others are working like beavers to get the tents up and everything safe before it starts to rain. Do you think we’ll be caught in the storm, Dick?”
There was a little vein of anxiety in the boy’s voice, Dick fancied, as though Asa might already be repenting of his temerity in venturing across the wide waste of waters on such a risky errand.
“Let’s get the stuff packed aboard as soon as we can,” said Dick, as he took up a bundle of blankets and tossed them into the skiff. “The storm is likely to hold off another hour, but then it may catch us half-way over. But you said you could swim, didn’t you, Asa?”
“Oh! yes, pretty well,” replied the other.
A few minutes sufficed to complete the packing. Dick wanted things to be securely fastened in case they met with a heavy sea.
“Now we’re off,” he said, as he entered the boat. “I’ll start rowing, because you must be tired, Asa. If it should get very rough I may have to call on you to take an oar to help out, for two are better than one at such times, you know.”