[CHAPTER II]
THE STRANGE WORK OF A WILDERNESS EXILE
Captain Joe Anderson’s real home was in the north on one of the great lakes. As a young man he had devoted much of his time to yachting. Therefore, when he and Mrs. Anderson sought a winter home in the south, he built his bungalow on the wide, baylike Indian River.
To this salubrious spot Captain Joe and his wife hastened each fall. With no servants, Mrs. Anderson saw to the few household needs. Living on the shore of the biggest and most beautiful body of boating water in America, Captain Joe gave every daylight hour to sailing and making boats.
Just to the left of his trim little cottage was a low, wide building. Therein, when summer came, Captain Anderson stored his boats. These ran from his well-known sailing yacht “Valkaria,” down through smaller craft for fishing and cruising to three or four skiffs or rowboats. He had no power-boats and, as Andy Leighton soon learned, had no patience with those who owned or operated them.
At this time of the year, with his boats safely moored at the long pier, which extended 150 yards out into the shallow river, the boathouse was a boat shop. Here, when he was not on the water sailing with Mrs. Anderson, Captain Joe was busy, slowly working into shape some new water craft. Some days, when it rained or a norther brought a chill to the balmy spot, he would kindle a fire in the big stove in the boathouse, and, his tools lying idle, sit and read.
Before Mrs. Leighton and Andy had even come in sight of the light in the Anderson home the captain had rejoined them.
“I don’t know how we are going to repay you for your kindness, Captain Anderson,” Andy’s mother began.
“I know one way,” answered their rescuer good-humoredly. “Your brother-in-law’s home isn’t much of a place, but if you and your son can see your way to livin’ there awhile each winter, that’ll be all the reward I want. It gets pretty lonesome down here sometimes for Mrs. Anderson.”
Then the two older persons began to exchange talk about their northern homes and possible mutual friends. At the first opportunity, Andy broke in: