Books: The House Boat Boys

S >> St. George Rathborne >> The House Boat Boys

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Then the show was before him!

His attention was immediately attracted to a moving object that
continued to leap upward with wriggling movements, and then fall
back again to the ground, to obtain new footing and try again.

And each attempt was being greeted by disdainful remarks from
Maurice, who could be seen dangling his legs some seven feet or so
up in a friendly tree.

Thad breathed freer.

He knew now that his chum had been wise enough to take refuge
among the branches of this tree when he lost hold of the ax with
which he had been defending himself.

And since he seemed so very merry now, it was evident that he had
not been badly injured by the teeth of the brute.

Thad began to push his Marlin forward, as though he might mean
business from the start.

He did not fancy the looks of the big dog, which was of a dingy
yellow-color, and as large as a two-month-old calf.

Possibly he belonged to some farmer within a mile or so of the
spot; or it might be that he was a stray beast, drawn back to the
original state of his kind by the call of the wild.

Thad did not try to find out, and indeed, there was no possible
way in which he could ascertain, since the dog could not talk.

Maurice had apparently become aware of his presence, for just then
he called out.

"Take care, Thad, he's a holy terror of a brute. If you shoot be
sure you get him, or he'll jump you like he did me. He's mad clear
through. Hi! look out. he's scented you and he's coming!"

Thad needed no warning, for he had been watching the big buff dog
every second of the time.

He dropped on one knee, and threw the Marlin up to his shoulder
with a resolute air. Thad could hardly be said to be an expert
shot, for his opportunities to go out hunting had never been very
numerous; still, he possessed nerve, and could aim straight,
which, after all, were qualities standing him in better stead just
then than experience.

The beast was coming all right, there could be no doubt about
that; and his appearance, with that hair bristling along above his
shoulders, was anything but pacifying.

To the kneeling lad the rush of a lion in the African wilds could
not have seemed more fierce.

He waited just three seconds, until Maurice, fearing that his chum
might be almost paralyzed with fright, gave a shriek to startle
him into action.

But Thad had done the wise thing after all; he wanted the dog to
get close enough to warrant the bird-shot to possess all the
deadly attributes of a bullet.

Of course there was more danger of his missing entirely; but
Thad's mind was fully made up that he just could not and would not
do any thing of the sort.

Then his finger pressed first one trigger, and almost
simultaneously the other, of the double-barrel.

The deafening report was accompanied by what seemed to be a
piercing yelp or two, after which there was silence.

Maurice had jumped down out of his tree as soon as the shots told
that there was no further danger of his being hit by any stray
leaden pellet; and seizing upon the handy ax he bounced across the
glade toward the scene of hostilities.

"Thad!" he shouted eagerly, as he ran, waving the ax in the air,
and ready to resume the battle, if so be it seemed necessary.

"All right here, old hoss!" came the cheery answer, that made the
other experience immediate relief.

And then Maurice looked toward the spot where he had had his last
glimpse of his late enemy.

Something was moving amid the snow that covered the ground.

"You got him, Thad; he's kicking his last!" yelled the excited
Maurice, as he gazed with distended eyes at the feeble struggles
that marked the passing of the powerful brute.

By the time the marksman had reached the spot the animal had given
up the ghost; but even in death he presented a ferocious aspect
that made Maurice shiver.

"Phew! that was an exciting little time," he said, wiping his
forehead, as though somewhat overheated by his recent exertions.

"Where d'ye suppose he came from?" asked the other, as he bent
over the victim of the steady-shooting gun, and shrugged his
shoulders at sight of the bared white teeth, so wicked in
appearance.

"I don't know. Looks to me like he might be a wild dog; but
perhaps he belongs to some shanty-boat crowd below here. I wouldn't
be too ready to tell about this until we're well away. It might
breed trouble for us, you see," said Maurice, sagely.

"But he tackled you without cause, and any fellow is allowed to
defend himself," expostulated the other.

"That's good logic, generally; but the owner of the dog never
looks at things from the right side. He'd blame you for shooting,
and say we ought to have chased the beast off with pea-shooters.
Well, he kept me jumping right lively up to the time I lost my
grip on this old ax. Then I got up in that blessed tree, though
I'll never know just how I did the trick. H'm! that old gun of
mine is some shooter, ain't she? My! how you knocked a hole in the
critter. That was going some, for you. Thad, don't you forget it,
son."

Now that he was ashore Thad assisted in getting the wood down to
the edge of the water.

Here some of it was fastened to a spare rope which could be
carried out to the floating boat, when the firewood might be
hauled aboard.

Thad paddled out first, so as to draw the laden dinghy after him;
then Maurice used the second rope to get it back ashore, loaded it
with the results of his chopping, after which the other did his
part.

In this fashion the entire amount of fuel was finally taken
aboard.

"I think we have enough to last us for some time now," remarked
Maurice, after he had in the end allowed Thad to draw him out just
as the cargoes of wood had been taken aboard.

And as Thad once more pushed a couple of shells into the chambers
of the little old Marlin he shook his head, observing:

"I'd hate to think what would have happened if I'd just missed
that ugly customer when I pulled those triggers. For he was coming
at me like a house afire, and with blood in his eyes. But, I
didn't, all the same, and what's the use bothering over it? Is the
storm going down any, d'ye think, Maurice?"

But Maurice could not say that it was in the least.

CHAPTER X.

"NOT TODAY," SAID THAD.

"I wonder how long this measly old storm is going to keep us
here?" Maurice was saying, that afternoon, as he stood on the
after-deck of the anchored shanty-boat, and looked at the wild
scene out on the raging river.

They had seen not a sign of life thus far around them, since dawn.
Even the few boats moving at this late season of the year on the
Father of Waters seemed to have been bottled up in such harbors as
could be found conveniently near at the time the storm broke
loose.

"You called me a weather sharp because I said it was due; and now
you want me to give a guess about the end--is that it, Maurice?"
asked the other, smiling.

"Well, if you can hit it as good this time, and encourage a poor
ship-wrecked mariner I'd be obliged."

"Say, it ain't as bad as that. We've got a lot to be thankful for,
I reckon, with this bully old boat to hold us, and keep out the
cold. For one you don't hear me kicking," returned Thad,
earnestly.

"Oh! come off; you know mighty well that I'm the last boy to run
up the white flag. Everything's lovely, and the goose hangs high;
anyhow, it will later on if I get a crack at one on a sandbar
further down the river. But what do you think of the prospects for
clearing?" went on Maurice, turning to his chum.

"Not good for anything today. P'raps the old storm will blow
itself out tonight, and in the morning we may drop out of here.

"Oh! well, it's too late now to think of going on today, so after
all it don't matter much We can pull some more wood on board
before night, and laugh at the cold," remarked Maurice.

"Perhaps we'd better be doing it right away, then," observed Thad,
with a glance at the west; "for dark comes sudden like at this
time of year, you know."

"All right. Get the ax and I'll see to the gun, Thad."

"Thinking of more dogs, eh?"

"Well, no; to tell the truth I had the master of one dog in my
mind right then," came the reply, as Maurice entered the cabin to
take the Marlin off the hook on the wall.

Thad looked a bit thoughtful, but said nothing.

Perhaps they were not so very far away from some shanty-boat that
had sought refuge in a friendly cove from the gale; and he knew
the general habit of these floating people was to harbor at least
one dog to each craft, sometimes half a dozen.

That gun might come in handy should they find themselves
confronted by an angry dog owner, demanding the reason why they
had shot his canine property.

So they left their home craft, and paddled ashore in the little
tender, one at a time.

The ax was soon at work, and the chips flying under the lusty
strokes of both boys by turns.

Thad had been more or less impressed by what his chum said. While
Maurice worked with the ax he managed to sit by the fire they had
started, seemingly to keep warm, but in reality because the
shotgun had been leaned against a neighboring tree.

And ordinarily Thad was far from being timid by nature; so that it
must have been some sort of prophetic warning that bade him stick
to the camp.

"Guess we've got about enough, eh, Thad?" demanded the other, as
he threw the tool down, and breathing heavily, sat alongside his
chum on the convenient log near the blaze.

"As much as we can get aboard, anyhow. With night only an hour off
the quicker we begin to navigate the better for us. Here goes,"
and with that Thad started to carry the chopped wood down to where
the small boat awaited its cargo.

They were busily engaged in doing this, and had really managed to
get most of the fuel aboard, with Maurice pulling from the deck of
the anchored craft, and his chum doing the work ashore, when Thad
heard crunching footsteps above the spot where he crouched.

Looking up he saw a bearded face thrust out from the bank; and
almost instinctively he knew that the prediction of his companion
was about to come true.

Was this the owner of the dead brute that lay not more than eighty
or one hundred feet away?

Thad felt a sudden cold chill. He was certainly not a coward by
nature, and had proved this at various times in the past; still,
there was an ugly scowl on that red-bearded face that surely stood
for new trouble.

And Thad was glad that he had insisted upon keeping the gun ashore
with him while he performed his end of the duty of transporting
the wood to the shanty-boat.

He also remembered that it was close beside him, where he could
lay a hand on it quickly if need be.

Then the man spoke, and his voice was just as disagreeable as his
face seemed to be--a heavy rumble with more or less of threat
under the surface.

"So, here ye be, hey? Wot business hed yer ter shoot up my dawg;
tell me that, consarn ye?"

Perhaps he said something much stronger than the concluding words;
but that does not matter.

Thad gave the signal to his chum to pull, for he had the last of
the wood stocked in the dinghy. Then he turned his attention to
the man who had addressed him.

If his face was white it was only natural; but his voice did not
quiver in the least.

"I admit that I shot the dog. He was trying to kill my friend, who
was busy cutting wood. I'd do it again, and so would any one. What
business have you letting such a savage dog loose?"

Even while talking he edged a trifle toward the spot where the gun
was standing against the bank. The man might take a notion to
slide down, with the intention of attacking him, and Thad wanted
to make sure of his line of defense, like a wise general always
should.

"Hey! wot's thet ye say? I got a boat just a leettle way below
hyer, an' my dorg's got a right ter run loose. Ye owns up ye
shooted ther pore critter, does yer? I gotter a notion right now
ter give yer sumpin ter pay back fur wot ye done!"

He actually threw himself over the edge of the little bluff, being
angered by such talk on the part of a boy.

Maurice gave a shout from the boat.

"Look out, there, what you're doing, or I'll shoot you full of
holes!" was what he whooped; but since the only weapon they
possessed was at that moment ashore it can be understood that he
was only seeking to fill the man with sudden consternation.

Perhaps it did work to some extent, for the big fellow rather
hesitated as he cast an apprehensive glance out toward the shanty-
boat.

Those few seconds were worth much to Thad.

He had started for the place where the gun stood, and which,
unfortunately, happened to be close to where the man had landed.
Indeed, had the fellow been aware of the fact in the beginning he
might easily have cut Thad off from his coveted weapon.

But knowing the absolute necessity for obtaining a grip on the
Marlin, the boy plunged forward, regardless of the fact that in so
doing he had to advance toward the enemy.

His aggressive movement rather puzzled the other, until he saw the
gun leaning there against the bank. Then he gave a howl, and also
projected his bulk forward, evidently with the expectation of
reaching the firearm first.

But he was just three seconds too late.

Thad snatched the weapon up, and drawing back both hammers, held
it in a threatening attitude.

"Keep back, there, or I'll do the same to you I did to your dog!"
cried the excited but resolute boy.

The fellow saw something in the attitude of the lad to give him
cause for prudence; and he immediately drew up, throwing out both
hands in a sudden spasm of alarm.

"Hi! hold on thar, sonny, don't ye pull them triggers hard! It'd
be jest murder, 'cause I ain't got nary weepon by me, I swar. I
didn't go ter mean any thin' hard. Corse ye done right ter shoot
the ornery dawg if he war atryin' ter eat yer pard up. Yuh see I
didn't know ther hull facts in ther case, I didn't. Let up easy,
now, bub; drap thet gun, won't yer?" he whined.

"Don't do it, Thad!" shouted Maurice, dancing about on the deck of
the flat in his excitement; "don't you trust him an inch, I tell
you! Make him vamoose the ranch--tell him to clear out, or you'll
pepper his hide."

But Thad needed no such entreaty on the part of his chum to know
only too well that not the slightest reliance could be placed on
the honor of such a rough customer.

He continued to cover the man.

"If you take one step this way I'll let fly!" he said,
impressively.

"But I ain't holdin' no grudge agin you-uns now 'bout thet dawg.
Reckons it's better the critter's got his, 'cause the missus sez
as how he acted like he wos agwine mad," expostulated the man; but
there was a gleam in his eyes that Thad did not like, and he would
not take chances.

"All right, if that's the case; but all the same you threatened
me, and I'm not going to trust you close. Just back up along the
beach, and if you make the first move to do anything I'm going to
shoot. Now, twenty-three for yours, mister, skidoo! We don't want
your company; not today," said Thad.

The man looked at him. He must have seen something in the
determined manner of the lad to influence him in reaching a
decision. That boy would keep his word; he was ready to shoot if
crossed; and the way in which he had killed the brute of a dog
proved his skill with the gun he was fondling now.

"Oh! all right, bub, I'll clear out, if yuh sez so; but if I ever
get a chanct tuh even up this hyer score I'm gwine tuh do hit,
sure's yer born!"

He moved away, muttering, and looking angrily toward the lad; but
not once did the latter show signs of weakening.

When the big fellow had vanished from sight, Thad hastened to draw
the dinghy, which Maurice had hastily emptied, back to the beach.

"Just sit in it and keep an eye toward the bank, Thad," sang out
the chum on the boat, "and leave it to me to drag you out here.
That chap means mischief, unless I'm mistaken."

Since his own thoughts coincided with those expressed by Maurice,
Thad was satisfied to obey instructions. He squatted low in the
small craft, handled the gun in a way that any one ashore could
not help seeing, and kept watch along the line.

When he was almost there he saw the man break cover, almost
directly opposite, and could even note the look of disappointment
on his face as he discovered how the boy had eluded his clutches.

He shouted out something which neither of them wholly understood;
but there could be no mistaking the ugly manner in which that fist
was shaken toward them.

"Don't notice him, and he'll go away soon. It's getting dusk
already, you know, and cold enough to freeze his red nose."

Maurice proved to be something of a prophet, for sure enough
presently the man, finding that his derisive words met with no
response, concluded that lingering in the vicinity did not pay.

"There, he's gone," announced Thad, finally.

"A good riddance of bad rubbish," echoed his chum.

"I hope we don't have visitors in the night," remarked Thad.

"Um; so that is what was on your mind. Well, now, I hardly think
that fellow, or any of his crowd will have the nerve to come here
and try to swim out to us; and you see they can't get aboard any
other way, having no boat. Still--"

"You mean that we had better be on the safe side, and keep watch?"
suggested Thad.

"I was just going to say something along that style. It wouldn't
be a bad idea, you know."

"Well, I always did believe that it's better to keep from getting
a cold, than to be able to cure one."

But evidently the man must have determined that, with a gun in
their possession, the boys were not to be easily taken by
surprise, for he did not show up during the entire night, much to
the relief of both young shanty-boat cruisers.

Perhaps he had no companions to back him up in a desperate
enterprise; or it may be that the comforts of his own cabin
appealed too much to him on this stormy night.

Be the cause what it might, both lads were satisfied to have the
night pass without any alarm; though several times when Thad was
on guard some prowling raccoon or skunk on the shore gave him
cause to fancy that the anticipated trouble was on the point of
breaking loose.

Who the man was, and what manner of boat he possessed neither of
them ever knew; for they caught no glimpse of any craft just below
their stopping place when eventually the chance came to continue
the voyage.

CHAPTER XI.

NEARING THE SUNNY SOUTH.

During the second night the storm began to die away, and when
another dawn came the sun actually shone, though the country
looked bleak and cold under the blanket of snow that had fallen.

Just as soon as it was advisable they broke away from their
holding ground and once more started down the river, which was
still pretty rough; but both boys were so sick and tired of that
place they wanted to leave it for new scenes.

They were a little anxious lest in some way the rough owner of
that miserable dog would bob up and give them trouble, and not
until some miles had been navigated did they breathe freely.

And every mile they put behind them meant that they were so much
closer to the genial sunny South, of which they had heard so much.
After this frigid experience they were of the opinion that they
could not reach that balmy region any too soon to suit them.

During the day the wind went down, and when afternoon was waning
they sighted the town of Hickman, which was not a great distance
from the Tennessee line--the mere mention of this fact caused Thad
to give a cheer.

Now, they knew that it was not advisable to stop long at any river
town, for fear of trouble with some of the rougher element that
haunted the docks, but as some of their supplies had become low,
and needed replenishing, they drew in, and Maurice went ashore to
make a purchase, while Thad guarded the boat.

Contrary to their fears nothing happened to give them cause for
alarm, and as for the fellows around the landing, Thad found them
about on a par with the usual loungers, good-natured chaff
predominating. Indeed, one of them even made him a present of a
little yellow cur that had a pair of bright eyes and an
affectionate muzzle, which tickled Thad immensely, he had longed
so much for a pet.

They got away from Hickman at a quarter to four, with a clear sky
and frosty atmosphere that promised good sailing weather on the
morrow.

The yellow dog was immediately named Dixie, and took to his new
title from the start, being a lively little chap, full of fun, and
as frisky as they make them.

He promised to be great company for the boys, and something of a
watchdog, too, when the occasion warranted it, for his sharp bark
upon hearing any foreign sound was enough to arouse the heaviest
sleeper.

Thad declared he would now be able to sleep with both eyes shut,
for up to this time he had been compelled to keep one half open.

Just as Maurice feared they failed to find any place at which to
tie up as darkness came on, and it looked as though they would
finally have to depend on their anchor and a stout cable.

As they slowly floated along close to the shore Thad's sharp eyes
finally detected an opening, which looked very much as though some
stream entered the river at this point, and upon pushing in to
investigate they found that it was indeed so.

And so they rested comfortably after all, though Maurice was a
little fearful lest they be paid a visit by some of the rough
characters floating around the levee at Hickman, and who would
suppose the little shanty-boat could not have gone many miles
down-stream before pulling up for the night.

Fortunately for their peace of mind this did not happen. Perhaps
it was the cold night that deterred them, or it may have been that
Thad had made friends with the Hickman fellows--no matter, they
saw nothing of visitors, and in the morning got away in grand
style, with Dixie barking a farewell to the creek that had served
them so well as a harbor of refuge.

So they continued on their voyage, always making progress when it
was at all possible; and with each day's setting sun drawing
nearer the goal of their hopes, the great city on the lower
Mississippi, where Maurice was to meet his uncle, and speak a good
word for his chum.

It took them a full week to reach Memphis, for they had poor days
as well as good ones, and there were various causes to delay them.

Maurice found a chance to use his gun again one evening when they
had tied up in a convenient cove. It seemed that the ducks had a
liking for that very spot and from tune to time a little flock
would come spinning around the point with the intention of
alighting there, where they would be protected from the strong
wind that was blowing outside.

As soon as he discovered what was going on Maurice snatched up his
gun and with a belt of shells dropped into the dinghy, paddling
over to the point, where he landed, and hiding among some bushes
awaited events.

They were not long in coming either, for in less than five minutes
a venturesome band of half a dozen teal came swinging in. Too late
they saw the boat tied up in the cove, and wheeled to depart, when
there was a bang! bang! and several concluded to defer their
departure.

Out came Maurice, and paddling around he picked up three birds, to
the immense delight of Thad, who issued from the cabin at the
sound of the reports, and of course executed one of his
incomparable hornpipes on the deck at the prospect of another
round of game for dinner.

But Maurice was not yet done; this was pretty fair for a start,
but there should be more to follow; so he once again ensconced
himself in the bushes and waited.

His patience was rewarded, for in less than another five minutes
more birds began to head in, and he was kept busy banging away,
with such success that after the battle was over eight lay upon
the still water of the bayou, while several more had floated off
down the stream.

Not wishing to let any get away after shooting them, the young
sportsman put out in chase in his dinghy, and succeeded in finding
two; meanwhile Thad, with one of the poles, succeeded in
retrieving five of those in the lagoon.

Altogether it was a banner evening, and no wonder they felt joyful
as they sat around the late supper; for Thad, with his mouth
watering, so he said, for duck, insisted upon preparing a couple
right away.

It is not often a fellow can make a fine meal from a duck that two
hours previous has been plunging through the atmosphere from the
north with a speed of possibly eighty miles an hour; but all
manner of things may come to pass to those who voyage down the
mighty Mississippi on a shanty-boat.

The night in this secluded cove was another pleasant experience
which they must always look back to with delight; so it is a
cruise of this sort is marked by its red and white stones, the one
indicating trouble, the other joy unspeakable.

Maurice was not yet done with his business as a provider of viands
for the table, and going ashore as the moonlight tempted him, gun
in hand, he prowled around and presently had his suspicions
confirmed, for he came upon a fat 'possum that yielded up the
ghost at the summons of the Marlin gun.

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