The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island — Story, Setting & Ideas

Never had either been in such peril before.

Fred had sunk into his seat so that only his head appeared above the gunwale. John, whose seat was in the stern of the skiff, was so tall that he was unable to follow the example of his friend and was clinging tenaciously to the sides of the boat. Meanwhile, the mate successfully keeping the skiff headed for the shore, was watchful of every movement of his passengers.

When ten minutes had elapsed it was manifest that the anxiety of the oarsman was increasing, as they drew near the shore. Without explaining his purpose he did his utmost to change the direction so that they would move in a course parallel to the shore, but, labor as he might, he was unable to accomplish his purpose. Directly upon the rocky border of Cockburn Island the gale was driving the little boat.

Once more the mate exerted his strength to his utmost as he strove to guide the little skiff toward a cove not far away. For a time it seemed as if his efforts were to succeed. But at that moment the wind became even stronger than before and the howling of the tempest increased.

The boys had a sudden vision of an opening in the rocky shore, then there was a crash and both found themselves struggling in the water.

When they arose to the surface they saw that before them the waters were still. The sheltered cove promised a degree of safety such as a moment before they had scarcely dared to hope for. Fishing rods, coats, cooking utensils, tackle, all things had been thrown into the water when the boat had struck the jutting rock. All these facts, however, were ignored in the efforts of both boys to gain the beach before them, for they now could see a sandy stretch not more than forty feet in length that marked the limit of the waters. And it was only twenty yards away.

"All right, Fred?" called John as he swam near his friend.

"All right," sputtered Fred. "How is it with you?"

"I'm all right here. Have you seen the mate?"

"Yes, he's ahead of us."

Even as he spoke the mate could be seen rising to his feet in the shallower waters and a moment later he gained the refuge of the sandy beach.

It was not long before the boys also gained the same place of safety, although before their arrival the oarsman had disappeared from sight.

As soon as the boys stood on the shore they shook themselves much as dogs might do when they come out of the water and then in a moment the thought of the peril of their friends came back to their minds.

"What do you suppose has happened to Grant and George?" said Fred in a low voice.

"I think they must be all right," replied John, although his expression of confidence was belied by the tones of his voice. "What shall we do?"

"Better go up on the bluff. Perhaps there we'll see the _Gadabout_ or the skiff. They must have been driven in the same direction that we were."

"I don't think so. You see the _Gadabout_ was in the lee of that point. The last I saw of the skiff it was on the other side of the point too. I think that Grant and George probably have gone back to the _Gadabout_ and are all right. Very likely they are talking about us at this very minute and are scared at what may have happened."

"Can't we signal them?" inquired Fred anxiously.

"Signal them? No. We haven't anything to signal with in the first place and they can't see us in the second."

"The storm is going down," suggested Fred. "They say the lake up here gets quiet almost as quickly as it gets stirred up."

"It can't get quiet any too soon to suit me," said John dryly. "Where's the mate?"

"I don't know. I don't see him anywhere."

Both boys looked carefully along the shore, but no trace of the missing oarsmen was discovered.

The rain had ceased by this time and the sky was clearing. Not a sign of the presence of the _Gadabout_ was to be seen on the waters before them. The oarsmen had disappeared and each boy for a moment gazed anxiously at his companion.

"Look yonder!" said John, suddenly pointing as he spoke to a spot in the direction of the interior of the island.

"What is it?" said Fred.

"Why, there's a house up yonder. Don't you see it?"

"I don't care what you call it, but I see smoke coming out of the chimney. We'll go up there and get somebody to help us."