Frank and Andy Afloat / Or, The Cave on the Island

e boys had no difficulty in coming up to her in their boat. Now they were ready to lower the small craft they carried slung on davits at the stern. This was a new addition to the Gu

k. "Then we can leave the Gull to drif

and then Frank assisted his bro

gray-bearded monkey is getting ready to shin up after me, and there'

he operation of

inst it ourselves if we board

d to board her until I get th

to do it?" his brot

to the man. It's queer how he happened to have s

Andy slid down the rope falls, after tossing two pairs of oars into the boat, and unhooked the b

nswer to another frantic appeal fo

d monkeys!" was the frightened reply. "

ded Andy, when he and his brother

ring them from a ship t

p near Seabright way

loose?" Frank

nd when I looked down I saw a big snake crawling up. I gave one yell and scudded across the deck. Then I saw a monkey making faces at me from the

savage?" a

n. "Get aboard here and drive the critters away so I can come down. One of

id, or we couldn't have

what we can do. Wh

asts, told me to keep 'em below, and I did, but I didn't t

ought," went on Frank. "Wait

ow their boat t

eave me!" wa

," shouted back t

oing to do?" as

ub, and my revolver with

s that

'll

d the weapon, directing Andy to pack in a bag all the spare food on board, for the bo

peaches, some peanuts and a lot of s

sh, and bring along t

guess that

o your game n

ed milk, too," went on

's a coupl

and another dish. Now

de of the lighter again

ome aboard?" asked Frank of the

e's not a snake or monkey near there

l do. Make our boat fast, Andy,

ether in play or anger was not evident. Forward were several large snakes contentedly sunning themselves on deck. There did not seem to be so muc

s of peaches and pour them over the crackers in the dish. Do the same with the condensed milk, onl

had paid no attention to the boys, for the brothers had worked silently,

Frank. "Come over here, Andy, and w

ral crackers toward the group of monkeys. There was a movement among them, and the chattering broke out doubly loud. One monkey grabbed a cracker in each paw,

ilk, and, as it is well known that these reptiles a

eys grouped about the hole in the deck, eagerly devouring the food.

ly leaped down the dark hole, and the snakes with angry hisses followe

nging from under the canvas. His brother fo

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

killed you," spoke Frank. "But w

ay, I reckon. My! but I'm obliged to you boys! How much d

"We're glad we could help you. I gu

p the hatch clo

y cargoes for me. Well, I'll get along now, I guess. Say, I'd like to make you boys a present. I

m," spoke Frank. "And my mother

re you are," and he drew forth a basket from under a pi

the man for them, and making sure that the hatch cover was on tight, the brothers rowed back to their craft

g any chances,"

. "Well, let's see if we can pic

the dory, and they felt that it would be useless

e," proposed Frank

iece of string and some strong paper, and pro

ith that; give it to some o

answer. "I'm going to have a little fun with i

doesn't have fun with

asket of lobsters up on the pier, and then, as they were rather heavy, and as a delivery wagon fro

der boy of his brother, as t

nd I'm going to make him a present of this lobster. It's a lively on

at a distance. The town dude, attired more gorgeously than

. "I'm sorry about wha

's a little pr

out the

ked Chet suspiciou

ndy took off his hat. Chet did likewise, making an elaborate bow. At the same time he let slide to the sidewal

want to be seen carrying a bundle, especially

," murmured Chet, as he r

"Where have you been, Andy? I

ave been

hink that was so romantic! Does he know who he is yet?" For the

least idea,"

that before, didn't I?" he asked in confusion, for the dude's powers

"But say, Chet, why do

ve y

eing how his joke would turn out-especially

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; somethin

she sc

e matter?"

ip, and held on, while the would-be joker danced about on one leg, holding the other