“So you’re goin’ to beat up Jerry Blossom because you’re sore at us?” went on Bob. “You seem to count a good deal on your muscle.”
“Talk’s cheap,” muttered Mac, as he made perfunctory efforts to straighten out the disordered contents of the boat, and then untied his lantern. “But what you goin’ to do ef ye ain’t no money and no eddication? I ain’t never got nothin’ yit in my life ’thouten I fit fur it. Where’s the boys?” he concluded belligerently.
“We’re goin’ into camp up the beach,” answered Bob, who was not unmoved by Mac’s hard words. “They’ll take you in for the night, since you’re shipwrecked. But I’ll tell you somethin’, Mac,” he added, his teeth chattering, “you’ve made a mighty poor beginnin’ toward bustin’ up our club. Come on.” And he started on a run back to the camp. Within a short distance, the two boys ran into Tom and Hal.
The surprise of the other boys can be imagined. Halting in the smoke of the flying spray, the story of the rescue was soon told. Mrs. Allen’s orders were forgotten. A truce was entered into for the night, and the “expelled” member was offered shelter. There was only one return he could make. The stubborn spirit of the hitherto bully was humbled. Hugging his dim lantern under one arm, he reached out a hand to Bob.
“Say, Kid,” he began nervously, “I ain’t askin’ fur no favors from you all—I reckon I ain’t worth ’sociatin’ with—that’s all right,” and his hard voice choked a little. “I’ll tell the truth. I was on my way to burn up the camp. But I’ve had enough. I’m goin’ back. You kids kin have the boat, ef she ain’t split up.”
Bob took Mac’s hand, equally embarrassed.
“I reckon Balfour has saved me twict frum droundin’, an’ I can’t say no more’n ’at I hope I kin do him a turn sometime. Leastways, I’m a goin’ back to town when the blow’s over,” continued Mac.
“Mac,” answered Bob at once, “just forget it. I guess we got blankets enough for all to-night.”
“Fill your arms with wood,” exclaimed Tom, eager to relieve the situation. “Jerry’s makin’ a fire.”
“I got the coffee pot an’ some bread and bacon,” added Hal quickly. “We’ll have some supper if the wind drops enough.”