"Well, they can get up a circus if they have to!" laughed Captain Ben. "But here they are," and he pointed to the six little Bunkers, and introduced Daddy and Mother Bunker as well.
"But what I meant when I said you were just in time," went on Captain Ben, "is that we've discovered a nest of tramps here on the island. I think they're the same gang that took my rowboat, and also took some things off the dock. They're down in a little glen—two of the Bunkers saw them—I want you boys to help me catch 'em!"
"Whoopee! That's what we'll do! All aboard!" cried one of the sailor boys.
"But you can't all go," went on Captain Ben. "Some of you must stay with Mrs. Bunker and the children in case the tramps scatter and some of them run this way."
"I could drive 'em away, but they won't let me!" complained Russ, who felt quite indignant that he was not to be allowed to take part in the chase.
"I'll tell you what we'll do, sonny!" said Captain Blake, with a smile. "You and I and one of the sailor boys will stay here as a sort of home guard. The others can go and catch the tramps. And we'll have an extra piece of cake, maybe, for staying at home instead of having the fun of the chase."
"Yes, you shall each have two pieces of cake," promised Mrs. Bunker.
"And I want some!" added Mun Bun, who was generally to be heard from when there was anything like cake to eat.
So it was arranged. Captain Ben, Daddy Bunker and some of the sailor boys went off over the hill, very quietly, toward the place where Rose and Russ had seen the tramps around their camp fire. Captain Blake and a big, hearty, strong sailor boy remained behind as a guard for Mother Bunker and the six little Bunkers. Captain Blake was a jolly man, and he soon had the children laughing with his funny stories.
"Do you know any riddles?" asked Laddie, after a while.