The Young Marooners on the Florida Coast

by John Henry Goldfrap

  CHAPTER XXVIII

  PLANS--VISIT TO THE PRAIRIE--DISCOVERIES--SHOE MAKING--WATERFOWL

  The severe exercise of the two preceding days was more than Harold'sankle, in its state of partial recovery, could endure without injury.For several days afterwards he was compelled to rest it from allunnecessary labour, and to relieve its pain by frequent and copiousapplications of cold water.

  Sam's wounded limbs were rapidly regaining strength, and he insistedthat they were well enough to be used; but Robert refused to indulgehim.

  "We must risk nothing in the case," said he. "It is so important tohave you able to help us build our boat, that I think you had bettercontinue in bed one week too long than leave it one day too soon. Youmust be content to rest your arm for full five weeks, and your leg forsix or seven."

  Mary and Frank had listened with deep interest to the account which theboys gave of the old Indian settlement, with its open prairie, vinecovered forest, orange grove, and sparkling spring; and begged soearnestly for the privilege of accompanying them on their next visit,that they gave their consent. The only difficulty foreseen in the case,was that of leaving Sam alone; but when this was made known to him, heremoved all objection by saying:

  "Wuddah gwine hu't me?[#] Jes load one gun, and put um by my side. Itake care o' myself."

  [#] What is going to hurt me?

  The object of their visit was not one of mere enjoyment. They had waitedfor deliverance until they were convinced that it was vain to rely uponanything except their own exertions. It was now between five and sixweeks since they had landed upon the island. There had been somestrange fatality attending all the efforts that they were sure had beenmade on their behalf, and now they must try to help themselves.

  The exploration had resulted in the discovery of beautiful timber, ofevery size, fit for boats, and near the water's edge. They well knew itwould be a herculean task for persons of their age and education, andpossessed of so few tools, to dig out, from these trees, a boat largeenough to carry them all home; but they were compelled to do this, or toremain where they were. Having consulted with Sam, upon whose judgmentin matters of work they relied far more than on their own, they resolvedto build not one large boat but two of moderate dimensions, which mightif necessary be lashed firmly together; and for this purpose to selectnear the water two cypresses of three feet diameter, which should befelled as soon as possible. Their visit to the prairie was for thepurpose of selecting these trees, in the low ground near the river.

  The four set out in fine spirits early on the morning of Tuesday,November 30th, and continued their walk direct and without incident tothe Indian hut. Notwithstanding the gloomy association of the solitarygrave inside the deserted house, Mary and Frank were captivated with thewild beauty of the scene. The soft green grass of the prairie--themagnificent wall of forest trees enclosing the peaceful plain--the peachtrees over the hut--the oranges and the limes glancing through theirdark green leaves--and the bright bubbling spring that flowed sosingularly from its living curb--all combined to enchant them. It wasso delightful a contrast to the bare and sterile sand of their presentencampment, that they plead at once for a removal there. This, ofcourse, had occurred to the minds of the others also; but there were twoserious objections to it. One was that here they would be out of sightof vessels passing at sea; and the other (which they kept to themselves)was that here they should be more in danger from wild beasts. Theyreplied that they also preferred the prairie, but that they could notremove until Sam was better able to travel.

  Having enjoyed to their satisfaction the view of the hut and itspremises, Harold took Frank, and, followed by Fidelle, went in onedirection, while Robert and Mary, with Mum, went in another, to searchfor trees suitable in size and location for their boats. In the courseof an hour they returned, having marked a large number, and at the sametime having added to their knowledge of the resources of the island.Harold discovered a fine patch of Coontah or arrowroot, from which abeautiful flour can be manufactured; and hard by a multitude of plants,with soft velvet-like leaves, of three feet diameter, having a largebulbous root resembling a turnip, and which Robert pronounced to be thetanyah, a vegetable whose taste is somewhat like that of a mealy potato.The other company went to the river, where Robert discovered an old boatlanding, on one side of which was a large oyster bank, and on the othera deep eddy of the stream, in which trout and other fish were leapingabout a fallen tree. Mary's discovery was more pleasant than useful.It was a bed of the fragrant calamus or sweet flag, from which shegathered a handful of roots, and washing them clean, brought them as apresent to the others. Frank was quite chagrined to see that he haddiscovered nothing new or valuable, and he did not recover hisequanimity for some minutes. While the seniors lingered cheerfullyaround the remains of their dinner, discussing the merits of theirdelightful island and the prospect of their return home, Mary suddenlyinquired:

  "But where is Frank? I have not seen him for half an hour."

  Nor had any one else; for, unsatisfied with only one orange allowed himfor dessert, while there were so many on the trees, and secretly hopingto find something valuable to announce, he had quietly slipped away, andhad stealthily climbed one of the orange trees, from which he plucked anorange for each of his four pockets, then with Fidelle at his side hehad strolled a little farther into the forest, eating as he went.

  The boys, startled by Mary's question, sprang instantly to their feet,realizing vividly the danger to which he was exposed from wild beasts,but of which they had said nothing to him or to her. Scarcely, however,had their halloo sounded among the trees, than they saw him and hisfaithful companion approaching leisurely through the small thicket ofwild plums.

  "You thoughtless little boy," said Robert, upbraidingly; "why did you gooff by yourself in these dangerous woods? Did you not know they arefull of bears and panthers?"

  "No, I didn't," Frank replied.

  "Well, I now tell you that they are," continued Robert, "and that youmust never again go there unless one of us is with you. But what tookyou there this time?"

  "Humph," grunted Frank; "don't you suppose I want to find something newand good as well as the rest of you? and I have found it, too."

  "Indeed," said Harold; "what is it, Frank?"

  "You must all guess," he answered, looking very proud, "all of youguess. What is the best thing in the world?"

  "I will say," answered Mary, "that one of the best things in the worldis a little boy who always tries to do right."

  "But it is no boy," Frank continued; "it is something sweet. Guess thesweetest thing in the world."

  "I think," said Robert, inclined to amuse himself, "that the sweetest_looking_ things in the world are those pretty little girls we used tomeet on King Street, in Charleston."

  "No, no," said Frank; "it is neither boys nor girls, but something toeat. What is the sweetest thing in the world to eat?"

  "If we were in town," Harold replied, "I should guess candy andsugar-plums; but, as we are in the wild woods, I guess honey."

  "Yes, that's it," said Frank, triumphantly; "I have found a bee-tree."

  "And why do you think it is a bee-tree?" asked Mary, incredulously.

  "Because I saw the bees," he replied, in confident tones.

  "Why, Frank," said Robert, laughing, "the bees you saw may have theirhives miles and miles away."

  "No, they have not," Frank stoutly maintained. "I have seen them goingand coming out of their own hole just as they do at home."

  "That sounds very much as if Frank is right, after all," argued Harold;"let us go and see for ourselves. But how came you to find the tree,Frank?"

  "While I was eating my orange," he replied, "a bee lit on my hand, andbegan to suck the juice there. I was not afraid of him, for I knew thathe would not sting me if I did not hurt him; and more than that, Ialways love to look at bees. Well, he sucked till he had got juiceenough, then he flew right up into a tree a little way off, and
wentinto a hole. While I was looking at that hole, I saw many other beesgoing in or coming out; and then I knew that it was a bee-tree, becauseI had heard Riley talk about them at Bellevue. And, Cousin Harold, didyou not put up some brimstone for taking bee-trees?"

  "That I did, my dear little cousin," answered Harold, pleased with thisunexpected allusion. "I have no doubt, from what you say, that you havefound a real bee-tree; and, in that case, you have beat us all. Take usto see it."

  They all went in joyous mood, and sure enough there was a good sizedtree, with a knot-hole about twenty feet above ground, with plenty ofbees passing in and out of it. The smell, too, of honey was decidedlystrong, showing that the hive was old and plentifully stored.

  It may be as well to state here, as elsewhere, that before many days thetree was felled, and that it supplied them with such an abundance ofhoney that a portion of it was, at Harold's suggestion, stowed away inskin bags, hair side outward. Some of it was beautifully white andclear. This was kept in the comb. The remainder was strained, and thewax was moulded into large cakes for future use. The bees, poorcreatures! were all suffocated with the fumes of burning sulphur throwninto the hollow of the tree before it was opened. A few recovered, andfor days hovered around their ruined home, until finally they allperished. It made Frank's kind heart very sad to see them, and severaltimes he was stung while watching their movements and trying to helpthem.

  After spending a delightful day, they returned about sunset to the tent.Sam's white teeth glistened when they approached the door. It had beena lonely day with him, but their return compensated for his solitude.

  From this time forth the boys had before their minds a fixed object tobe accomplished--the felling of those trees, and converting them intoboats. But what should be the plan of their procedure while engaged inthe work? They could go every morning, and return every evening--adistance altogether of eight miles; or they could spend several nightsin succession at the prairie, leaving Frank and Mary with Sam; or theycould remove everything to the place of their labour. As to the firsttwo of these plans, it was so manifestly improper to leave the twoyounger ones for hours and days together, in a wild country, infestedwith wild beasts, and unprotected, except by a lame, bedridden negro,who was unable to protect himself, that they did not entertain them fora moment. It was finally resolved to delay their regular operationsuntil the next week, by which time they hoped to be able, partly bywater and partly by land, to transport everything, and take up theirpermanent abode at the prairie.

  With this conclusion, they set about those little preparations whichthey could foresee as being necessary to an undivided use of their timeafter entering upon their work. Their clothes, and particularly theirshoes, began to give signs of decay. Frank's shoes had for some timebeen gaping incontinently at the toes, looking for all the world, Samsaid, as if they were laughing.

  Harold, foreseeing the necessity before it occurred, had put somedeer-skins in soak, wrapped up in lime made from burnt oyster shells;and after removing the hair loosened by this means, had stretched themin the sun, and softened them by frequent applications of suet. Theskins were ready now for use; and as soon as it was determined to delaytheir visit to the prairie, he brought one of them to the tent, andcalling to Frank, said,

  "Lend me your foot a minute, Master Frank, and I will give you a pair ofmoccasins."

  "Not the _snakes_, I hope," replied Frank.

  "No, but something of the same name," said Harold; "I am going to turnshoemaker, and make you a pair of Indian shoes. I need a pair myself."

  "And so do I--and I!" echoed Robert and Mary.

  "Indeed, at this rate," said Harold, "we may as well all turnshoemakers, and fit ourselves out in Indian style."

  Harold planted Frank's foot upon the leather, which he drew up closearound it, and marked at the heel, toe, and instep. He then cut itaccording to the measure, and there being but one short seam at theheel, and another from the toe to the instep, the sewing was soonfinished. Frank tried it on, and for a first attempt the fit was verygood. The fellow to this was barely completed, before two reports ofRobert's gun, following in quick succession, came lumbering down theriver. Fidelle pricked up her ears, and Harold, recalling vividly thepanther scene, gave her the word to "hie on," and seizing his own gunfollowed rapidly along the shore. He had not proceeded far before aturn in the bluff revealed the figure of Robert, moving about the beach,and throwing at something in the water. He saw, too, that when Fidellecame up, Robert patted her, and pointing to the river, she plunged inand brought out a dark looking object, which she laid on a pile alreadyat his feet. Arriving at the spot, he saw six water-fowl, between thesize of a duck and a goose, of a kind entirely new to him, and whichRobert assured him were brant.

  "O Harold!" Robert exclaimed, "the shore was lined with them. I creptbehind the bluff and killed four at my first shot, and three at mysecond, though one of them fell in the marsh and is lost. A littlefurther up was a large flock of mallards, feeding upon the acorns of thelive oak. I could have killed even more of them than of these, but Ipreferred the brant."

  "You startled me," said Harold; "I did not know you had left the tentuntil I heard your gun, and then fearing you had got into anotherpanther scrape, I dispatched Fidelle to your aid."

  "She was exactly what I wanted, though I am thankful to say for apleasanter purpose. See how fat these birds are!"

  They gathered up the game, and returned to the tent. All were rejoicedat the new variety of provisions, for they had begun to weary of theold. The brant proved quite as pleasant as Robert anticipated, andalternated occasionally with wild ducks, constituted for a long time animportant addition to their stores.

  For two days they were occupied with their new art of shoe making, andso expert did they become, that Harold said he doubted whether oldTorgah himself could make much better moccasins than those manufacturedby themselves. There was one improvement, however, which they made uponthe usual Indian mode--a stout sole, made of several thicknesses of thefirmest part of the leather as a defence against thorns and cock-spurs,so abundant in the sandy soil of the coast.