“Where’s them bracelets, Ed?” shouted the constable.
And the two men were handcuffed while the crowd looked on in intense satisfaction. It was the first time the boys had ever seen handcuffs used and it had a most subduing effect on their plastic minds.
It was high noon when the posse dispersed before the Heald homestead, and hunger added to fatigue had so quieted the Islanders that they presented quite a contrast to the eager rush and hullabaloo of the morning.
Captain Jotham’s wife, accustomed as she was to hearty appetites, had provided amply for the demand. Hot biscuits, jam, honey, preserves, and more pie fraternised on the checkered red-and-white table cloth, while smothered haddock and boiled potatoes provided pyramids of delicious if humble provender. And full justice was done that meal by the Representatives of the Law!
The topic of conversation centred about the reward and Captain Jotham promised to take charge of the division so that the Islanders would receive their exact share.
“But don’t set your hopes too high, boys—you won’t be millionaires on that reward—if we get it!” said the constable.
“Why, the whole launch ain’t wuth more’n a hundred, or even less!” added Captain Ed.
That morning, Mose had been awakened by the noise of Billy’s launch as the boys started in pursuit of the thieves. By the time he was half-dressed, however, and down by the float only a chugging of the two engines could be heard by the nonplussed cook.
The morning passed without sight or sound of the Islanders so Mose became worried. He tramped back and forth from Treasure Cove to the float-stage and then down to the South End, dragging the spy-glass with him.
He almost forgot to eat so deserted and worried was he. Then, late in the afternoon, when it seemed to him that he was doomed to remain a Second Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday combined in one, he heard a faint echo over the water, and anxiously glued his eye to the spy-glass. There were familiar forms approaching in Billy’s launch!