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

by John Kendrick Bangs

  CHAPTER XIII.--MR. BENTON'S LITTLE GAME.

  Budd was partially prepared for the Trial Justice's decision, as it wasbut the natural result of the bias he had shown in his rulings; but theexcessive amount of the bond astonished him and filled him with alarm.He had thought, in case he was bound over to the higher court, the bondwould be fixed at a few hundred dollars, and that some of his or Judd'sfriends would be willing to become surety for so small an amount; butwhen the Justice named the sum of one thousand dollars he felt there wasbut one alternative--he must go to jail.

  His alarm at the prospect was not due so much to the fact that he shrunkfrom confinement in the jail as that the confinement would defeat hiswhole plans. Just as he had some hope of proving his father'sinnocence, and of rescuing him from an unjust imprisonment, his hopeswere to be ruthlessly crushed, his purpose thwarted, and he himselfstigmatized as a criminal. It was with difficultly that he couldrestrain the hot tears that were struggling to flow.

  The Justice had been rapidly filling out a paper since he had renderedhis decision, and now he looked up:

  "Your bond is ready," he said. "Whom do you name for bondsman?"

  "I have none," faltered the lad, "unless some gentleman here will givebond for me."

  Mr. Wright, who sat near the boy, felt that this touching appeal wasmeant for him, and at once there began a struggle in his heart. He hadalways liked Budd. So far as he knew, Budd had always been perfectlyhonorable; and he could not help thinking the lad had established hisinnocence beyond a shadow of a doubt. Still Mr. Johnson's testimony asto the father's character had had its influence upon him, and he was notquite sure it would be just wise to become the boy's bondsman. While hehesitated, he and the others in the court-room were surprised to hear avoice say:

  "I'll sign his bond."

  The speaker was Mr. Benton, and that gentleman walked forward to theJustice's stand and deliberately wrote his name across the paper.

  "I guess that'll stand the law," he remarked; and before Budd could eventhank him he strode from the court-room, as though ashamed of his act.

  No sooner had he disappeared than Mr. Wright walked up to the Justice'sdesk, saying, quietly:

  "Put my name on the bond also. Two bondsmen are better than one;" andhe wrote his name under that of Mr. Benton's.

  Then, crossing over to Budd's side, he shook hands with him, remarking:

  "Mr. Benton got the start of me; but I have shown my good-will, all thesame. Shall we go, now?"

  Budd thought, by his look more than his words, that he desired to seehim alone, and so followed him out of the court-room.

  When they reached the street, Mr. Wright took Budd by the arm and ledhim away from the throng that was pouring out of the building, and said:

  "Look out for Mr. Benton. His name on your bond to-day means mischief.I don't know what game he is about to play, but by putting my own thereI hope to baffle him."

  Before Budd could express his surprise at Mr. Wright's words they werejoined by Judd and Mr. Dane. That gentleman shook hands with thereleased lad and said:

  "Had I been known to the Justice I should have offered myself for yourbondsman, though you should never have needed one. How in the worldthat thick-headed Justice could have given such a decision is a mysteryto me. I----"

  But what the speaker was to have said was cut short by a nudge fromJudd.

  Mr. Johnson and the Justice were passing, and that his words had beenheard was only too evident by Mr. Johnson's frown and the Justice'sridiculous action.

  "I fine you ten dollars for contempt of court," he said, angrily,stopping and facing Mr. Dane.

  "I believe your court is adjourned, and I am on the public highway,expressing my private opinion to friends," replied Mr. Dane, coolly."But I am not surprised at your want of judgment. It is only on a parwith that you showed in the court-room, and suggests the fact that thistown is sadly in need of at least one new Justice."

  A laugh from the gathering crowd sent the hot blood to the Justice'sface, and catching some idea of the foolish position into which he hadallowed himself to be drawn by his anger, he hurried off down thestreet.

  "Will you return to Bristol at once?" Budd asked. "If so, we willarrange to take you over."

  "No," replied Mr. Dane; "I have business in Providence, and will goround that way. Good-by;" and refusing to take the slightestcompensation for coming over as a witness, he shook hands with Mr.Wright and the lads and departed.

  Budd spoke a few words in a low tone to his partner; then he said to Mr.Wright:

  "Can you go over to the island with us? There is something special wewish to talk over with you."

  "My man is down here with me, and can drive the team along to 'TheHummocks' and wait for me there, if you will put me ashore after thismatter is talked over," answered Mr. Wright.

  The lads consented to that arrangement gladly, and a few minutes later,with Mr. Wright on board the sloop with them, they sailed for home.

  As soon as they were a short distance off shore, Budd left his partnerto look out for the boat, and in low tones told Mr. Wright the truestory of his father's trial and imprisonment. He then related Judd'sand his own experience with Bagsley and his companions, and stated thatthis was the real purpose that called him over to Hope Island.

  "Why didn't you tell this in the court-room? It would have acquittedyou," said Mr. Wright, in astonishment.

  "Because the burglars are still around here contemplating some moredaring crime, and we are watching for them, and hope to cause theirarrest," explained Budd, going on to relate how he believed this wouldreact in his father's favor.

  "What we want of you," continued Budd, "is to come over to the islandand see the window, with its cut pane, and the lantern the burglars leftbehind, so that you can testify as to these facts at the trial beforethe higher court."

  A few moments later the island was reached, and Mr. Wright was takenfrom point to point, the whole story of that night's experience was toldanew, and the evidence of it exhibited.

  "I wish you all success in your plans," Mr. Wright said, as he got intothe yawl to be taken over to "The Hummocks," where they could see histeam was already waiting. "But don't run into any danger; and as soonas you locate the rascals, notify the authorities without waiting forthem to commit any other crime. Their visit here and over at HopeIsland is enough to send them up for a long term of years."

  As he parted with them on the main shore he said to Budd:

  "I ought to tell you that for a few minutes I hesitated about becomingyour bondsman, and Mr. Benton's act led me to a decision. I nowthoroughly believe in your and your father's innocence, and shall standby you, whatever comes. Only, look out for Mr. Benton."

  "What does he mean?" asked Judd, as the sloop started down the bay tovisit the pounds, which the incidents of the morning had till thenprevented.

  "He is sure Mr. Benton did not sign my bond from any good motive; and Iconfess it does seem queer, come to think of it. What do you suppose heis up to?"

  "I don't know any more than you do," responded his chum; "but, like Mr.Wright, I distrust him. And there is one thing you may be sure of. Ifhe is up to any game he will show himself very soon; he isn't going togive you time to run away and make him pay that thousand dollars. Yousee, he don't know Mr. Wright signed the bond also, for he had left thecourt-room before that was done."

  "That's so," said Budd, thoughtfully; "and I think, with you, we shallhear from him before a great while, if his act sprung from any sinistermotive."

  "There is your man," Judd announced a few hours later, as theyapproached their wharf; and Mr. Benton was indeed sitting on the dock,awaiting their coming.

  "How are you, boys, and what luck with your fish?" he remarkedpleasantly, as they came ashore.

  The young partners responded good-naturedly, and he watched them as theysorted and put their fish into the "cars."

  "My, what a large one!" he exclaimed, as Budd picked up a six-poundmackerel
, and was about to toss it into the proper "car."

  "Would you like it?" asked the lad; and as Mr. Benton gave assent hetossed it into the man's boat, which had been fastened near by.

  "Have you been here long waiting for us?" Judd asked, with a wink at hischum.

  "Well, yes," responded Mr. Benton. "I come over here 'bout as soon as Icould after I went home from the village; but you'd gone."

  "We hadn't been to the pounds to-day, and so hurried off to them,"explained Budd.

  "I thought that was it," said Mr. Benton, following the lads on to thehouse.

  "Come in and take supper with us," said Budd.

  "I don't know but I will, seeing I have a little business with ye."

  Judd gave his partner a significant look.

  Supper was soon ready, and they sat down at the table. Mr. Bentonshowed that whatever his business with them was he had not lost hisappetite, and a half-hour elapsed before the meal was finished. ThenBudd led the way into the sitting-room, and showing Mr. Benton to achair, ventured to hasten matters by asking:

  "What is your business, Mr. Benton?"

  "Ahem! ahem!" said he, as though clearing his throat from someimpediment. "I signed yer bond fer ye to-day, Budd, or else ye'd now beon yer way to Kingston jail. Hev ye thought o' that?"

  "Do you really think so?" responded Budd, and waiting for Mr. Benton togo on.

  "Yes, ye would," said the man, shortly; "an' ye know it, well as I do."

  "It was very good of you," said the boy, meaningly.

  "An' I thought, as I'd done ye the favor, ye might pay me back thatthirty dollers that don't belong to ye," said the miser, coming to thepoint of his business with Budd.

  "Why should I? It belonged to me, not to you," Budd retorted.

  "No it don't, either. Ye have quit work, an' 'cordin' to the barg'in itnever did belong to ye."

  "What will you do if I don't pay it?" asked Budd, as though yielding.

  "I'll go an' cancel the bond, an' have ye in jail 'fore mornin'," hesaid, savagely.

  "And if I do pay it you will cancel the bond, just the same, and land mein jail. Confess, now, that's your game," remarked Budd, seeing throughMr. Benton's purpose.

  The man twisted in his chair.

  "Ye'd better pay it," he finally said.

  "Not one cent," replied Budd, decidedly.

  "Then I'll go to the village right off an' cancel the bond, an' bringdown the officer," declared Mr. Benton, grabbing up his hat and startingfor the door.

  With a laugh Budd and his partner followed the man to his boat.

  He got into it and rowed off a rod or two from the shore; then he pausedand said:

  "Ye'd better change yer mind, Budd."

  "How do you know I'll be here when you get back?" asked Budd,mischievously. "I can take the sloop and be miles away from here beforeyou get to the village."

  "Judd, ye hold on to him!" cried the man in alarm; "I command ye in thename o' the law to do so!"

  Judd laughed, and catching the spirit of mischief Budd had displayed,asked:

  "What'll you give me, if I do?"

  "A doller," said Mr. Benton, with some hesitation.

  "Oh! Budd will give me more than that to let him go," replied Judd,"and you will have the thousand dollars to pay!"

  "I'll give ye five dollers," cried Mr. Benton, in alarm.

  "Budd will give ten to go free," was the answer.

  "I'll give ye 'leven," said the man, desperately; and in his eagernesshe rowed back inshore.

  "Where's the money? It must be cash down," said Judd, seriously.

  "I left my money at home 'fore I come down here," explained the man,"fer I didn't know what ye fellers might do; but I'll pay ye to-morrow."

  Before Judd could make answer, Budd, pitying the man, said:

  "I promise not to go away before morning, Mr. Benton. But even if you goto the village, no officer will return with you, for after you left Mr.Wright also signed my bond."

  Mr. Benton gave an exclamation of anger.

  "He's always interferin' with me," he said; "but I'll go up an' see ifit's as you say. Remember yer promise now," and he rowed off toward thevillage.

  He found, on arriving there, that Budd had told the truth, but succeededin getting his own name released after much persuasion; and realizingthat his little game had been completely baffled, he started sullenlyfor home.

  As he passed Fox Island his anger was again aroused, and he exclaimed,bitterly:

  "'Twas all owin' to Wright's meddlin', an' that's what made Budd solively. I wish I could get hold of su'thin' o' his; he'd not see itag'in till he paid me them thirty dollers."

  His eye just then caught the outline of the boys' sloop through thedarkness.

  "I have it!" exclaimed he. "I'll take their boats;" and withoutthinking that his act was theft he rowed quietly in to the island.

  Five minutes later he sailed off in the sloop, having the yawl and hisown boat in tow.

  Going down the bay a mile, he ran the boats into a secluded bay adjacentto his own land, and then tramping up to his house for chains andpadlocks, he fastened them all securely. Then he tramped up the hill tohis house chuckling to himself:

  "I've not only got twice the value o' them thirty dollers, but I'vetaken away every means for the boys to leave the island."