Then, much against their will, they made the others turn about and drag them back to where they had started from, towing the hermit’s craft behind.
Peters and Crosby were in a perfect rage, but could do nothing, as Jerry pretended to be very savage and itching to shoot them.
The island reached, Jerry made the Peters’ crowd beach the boat and clean her.
“Now take your yacht and begone!” he commanded, and the crowd hurried off in double-quick order. As the yacht drifted away the hermit laughed heartily.
“Cleverly done!” he said. “Jerry Upton, you are a smart lad.”
The boys spent one more day on the island and then left for home. The hermit went along, and created some surprise when he appeared on the streets of Lakeview with Blumpo, his son.
All the boys were glad that the homeless youth had found a father, who would endeavor to make something out of the good-natured and honest lad.
There was also a surprise for our hero and Harry.
Si Peters and his gang had been arrested for burning down a barn belonging to Harry’s father.
The Rockpoint lads tried to beg off, but the authorities took the matter in hand, and every one of them was sent to the reformatory.