One monkey grabbed a cracker in each paw, but they were immediately s.n.a.t.c.hed from him by some of his mates. Then the whole crowd caught sight of the food around the open hatch and made a mad dash for it.
At the same time the snakes must have smelled the milk, and, as it is well known that these reptiles are very fond of this liquid, they crawled toward it.
"Now"s my chance!" exclaimed Frank, when he saw the snakes and monkeys grouped about the hole in the deck, eagerly devouring the food. He raised his revolver in the air and fired several shots rapidly.
The effect was almost magical. With screams of fright the monkeys fairly leaped down the dark hole, and the snakes with angry hisses followed them. In less than five seconds not an animal or reptile was on deck.
"Quick! The hatch cover!" cried Frank, springing from under the canvas. His brother followed and the cover was clapped into place.
"Good enough!" yelled the man, climbing down from the mast, and a.s.sisting the boys to make the cover fast. "Now I"ve got the critters where I want "em, and I"ll keep "em there until I get to the dock.
Then the man that owns "em can take "em out. I won"t. That was a slick trick, all right, boys. I"d never thought of that. You saved my life."
"Oh, I guess they wouldn"t have killed you," spoke Frank. "But what"s going to be done with them?"
"They"re to go in some sort of summer show up Seabright way, I reckon.
My! but I"m obliged to you boys! How much do I owe you?" and the man made a motion toward his pocket.
"Nothing," answered Frank quickly. "We"re glad we could help you. I guess you won"t have any more trouble."
"Not if you keep the hatch closed," added Andy.
"And you can make up your mind that I will!" answered the man decidedly. "No more snake or monkey cargoes for me. Well, I"ll get along now, I guess. Say, I"d like to make you boys a present. I"ve got some prime lobsters that a fellow gave me. They"re all alive.
Won"t you take some along?"
"Well, we generally can eat them," spoke Frank. "And my mother is very fond of lobster salad."
"Don"t say another word," exclaimed the lighterman. "Here you are,"
and he drew forth a basket from under a pile of bagging at the foot of the mast. "Take "em along."
There were a dozen fine, large lobsters in the basket as Andy ascertained by a peep, and then after thanking the man for them, and making sure that the hatch cover was on tight, the brothers rowed back to their craft. As they sailed away they saw the man carrying a small ketch anchor and placing it on top of the hatch cover.
"He isn"t taking any chances," remarked Frank.
"Indeed not," agreed his brother. "Well, let"s see if we can pick up that mysterious man again."
They looked all about, but there was no sign of the dory, and they felt that it would be useless to sail about in search, as it was getting late.
"Let"s put for home," proposed Frank, and Andy a.s.sented.
When nearing their mooring place Andy got a piece of string and some strong paper, and proceeded to wrap up one of the largest lobsters.
"What are you going to do with that; give it to some of your girls?"
asked Frank.
"Hu! I guess not," was the somewhat indignant answer. "I"m going to have a little fun with it. There are more than we need in that basket."
"Look out that some one doesn"t have fun with you," warned his brother.
"Oh, I can take care of myself," answered Andy with a grin. He a.s.sisted his brother to carry the basket of lobsters up on the pier, and then, as they were rather heavy, and as a delivery wagon from a grocery where Mrs. Racer traded was at hand, Frank decided to send the sh.e.l.l fish home in that.
"Coming along?" asked the elder boy of his brother, as the delivery vehicle drove off.
"Yes, but I want to have some fun first. I see Chet Sedley coming, and I"m going to make him a present of this lobster. It"s a lively one, and he won"t know what"s in the paper--until he opens it. Watch me."
Frank shook his head, but smiled. He followed his brother at a distance. The town dude, attired more gorgeously than before, saw Andy approaching, and was about to turn aside.
"Hold on," called Andy. "I"m sorry about what happened a while ago, Chet, and here"s a little present for you."
He held out the package.
"What"s in it?" asked Chet suspiciously, as he took it.
"Why--er----" began Andy, but just then Mabel Chase, one of the prettiest girls in Harbor View, approached, and Andy took off his hat.
Chet did likewise, making an elaborate bow. At the same time he let slide to the sidewalk the package containing the lobster, and he gave it a shove with his foot so that it would be in back of him.
For Chet was a very proud youth, and did not want to be seen carrying a bundle, especially by a young lady whose good opinion he desired.
"Charming day, Miss Chase," murmured Chet, as he resumed an upright position.
"Delightful," agreed the girl. "Where have you been, Andy? I haven"t seen you in some time."
"Oh, we have been sailing."
"Have you rescued any more strange boys?" she went on. "Oh, I think that was so romantic! Does he know who he is yet?" For the story of Paul Gale was well known in Harbor View by this time.
"He hasn"t the least idea," answered Andy.
"Beautiful day," observed Chet, edging nearer to the girl. "Oh, I said that before, didn"t I?" he asked in confusion, for the dude"s powers of talk were rather limited. "I mean, do you think it"s going to rain?"
"Hardly," replied Andy. "But say, Chet, why don"t you open the present I gave you?"
Andy could not resist the opportunity of seeing how his joke would turn out--especially when there was a girl present to witness it.
"Oh, I--I don"t want to now," replied Chet, and he took a step backward. Accidentally he stepped on the paper containing the large lobster. The string slipped off. There was a rustling movement in the wrapping and the paper suddenly opened. Something of a sort of greenish hue came into view; something with big claws. Neither Chet nor Andy noticed it, for they were both talking to Miss Mabel. The girl saw the lobster slowly reach up one large claw.
"Oh!" she screamed.
"What"s the matter?" asked Andy.
He knew a moment later, for the crustacean caught him by the left ankle in a firm grip, and held on, while the would-be joker danced about on one leg, holding the other up in the air with the lobster dangling from, it. The tables were effectually turned.
CHAPTER IX
"THAR SHE BLOWS!"
"Take him off!" yelled Andy, dancing about. "Grab him, Chet. Wow!