Budd Boyd's Triumph; or, The Boy-Firm of Fox Island

by William P. Chipman

"Furnish us with power," was the reply. "See--the wind is rising. By afternoon we will have a strong breeze from the southwest. We'll come down here with the sloop, make fast, and take our first tack to the northeast; that will haul the wheels out from the sand in which they are imbedded. Then we'll make a tack due west and run the wheels just as near inshore as we can with the sloop; after that we can use the yawl to finish the work."

A piece of board that lay in the bottom of the yawl was fastened as a buoy to the rope, and then the lads returned to the island, to wait until the rising wind had reached a sufficient velocity to warrant their undertaking.

It was not far from three o'clock that afternoon when they boarded the sloop and ran down to their improvised buoy. Another rope was fastened to that which had already been attached to the cart-tongue, and this, after its other end had been made secure to the stern of the sloop, was coiled in such a way that it would easily pay out as the boat ran off before the stiff breeze.

As soon as all was in readiness the head of the Sea Witch was brought round before the wind and her full sails spread. Away she went like an arrow, and the rope uncoiled with a swiftness that made the lads brace themselves for the shock they knew would immediately come. But it was not so much of a shock as they had anticipated. The rope suddenly stiffened, there was a quick jerk, and then the sloop kept on her course, her speed somewhat diminished by the load she was evidently towing behind her.

"We have started them," the boys cried simultaneously; and then Judd, who was at the helm, brought the sloop around on her downward tack.

With no apparent difficulty the Sea Witch dragged her load, and skirting the shore, she was run down until nearly opposite the smaller hummock. Then she was anchored, and with the yawl the lads completed the work of landing the under-gear. Then they dragged the wheels up to the cart-bed, and the long-separated parts were once more united.

"Now," said Budd, as he gazed at the restored vehicle, "I believe I will go up to the next farm and get a yoke of oxen, and surprise Mr. Benton by bringing it home. That will end the business, and I shall have a great load off my mind."

"While you go up for the oxen, I'll take the sloop back to the island and return in the yawl," said Judd. "I want to go with you and hear what the old man will say."

Budd got the oxen and yoked them to the tongue. The iron pin that he had so hastily pulled out at the time he had been swept away was gone, and he was obliged to make a wooden one before he could secure the yoke. He had barely got it done when Judd returned, and they drove off for Mr. Benton's.

They found him at home, on their arrival, and he came quickly out to see his long-lost cart. The rays of the sun had nearly dried its exterior, and it scarcely looked the worse for its hard usage. Over and over the man examined the vehicle, but said not a word until Budd took off the oxen. Then his eye caught sight of the wooden tongue pin, and he asked, sharply: