“Think yuh done sumpin smart, I reckon, Langdon! I’ll get even with yuh for it, see if I don’t!” he snorted, sustaining himself by vigorous strokes.
“Better get ashore before your clothes drag you down. Do your blowing afterwards, Peters. You’re a thief, that’s all, and ought to be landed behind the bars for such work as this. Go on, now, before I get real mad and chase you ashore.”
Possibly the fellow feared that Frank might take a notion to do as he threatened, for he had a healthy respect concerning the other’s prowess. At any rate he started to swim away with lusty strokes. One might have thought a bear was in the water, such was the noise he made.
Frank found the painter of the recovered canoe. This he fastened to a cleat, and then, making a turn, headed back to the camp.
Those who were anxiously listening caught a glimpse of the two boats as they turned the point.
“He’s got it back all right!” cried Will, in excitement.
“Bully for Frank! He’s equal to the whole Peters crowd!” called Bluff; from which it could easily be understood that neither of these boys had been in any doubt as to whom they had to thank for the stealing of the boat.
Frank landed in a few minutes. Beyond breathing a little harder than usual he showed no signs of his recent chase.
“This time we’ll make sure that all the boats are fast. It was a bad break for you to leave that one loose. But we have had so many strange things happen since we landed on Wildcat Island that a fellow can hardly be blamed for letting a cog slip occasionally. Lend a hand, Bluff,” said Frank.
That was his way. He realized that no one could be perfect, that he sometimes made mistakes himself, and others should be forgiven if they occasionally neglected to do the things that were expected of them.