“Lower your sail,” called Andy to Frank. “Then we can leave the Gull to drift while we pull over and see what’s up.”
The canvas came down on the run, and then Frank assisted his brother in lowering the small boat.
“Hurry! Hurry!” begged the man on the mast of the lighter. “One big gray-bearded monkey is getting ready to shin up after me, and there’s a twenty-foot snake wiggling this way from the after hatch. Hurry!”
Andy paused in the operation of lowering the boat.
“Say, we’re going to be up against it ourselves if we board that lighter,” he said to Frank.
“I know it, but I don’t intend to board her until I get those creatures out of our way.”
“But how you going to do it?” his brother wanted to know.
“I’ll make some plan after we row over and talk to the man. It’s queer how he happened to have such a cargo6, and how they got loose. Lower away.”
The little craft took the water easily and was soon riding under the stern of the Gull. Frank and Andy slid down the rope falls, after tossing two pairs of oars7 into the boat, and unhooked the blocks, leaving them dangling8 to be used on their return to hoist9 the boat up to the davits again.
“We’re coming!” yelled Frank, in answer to another frantic10 appeal for aid. “How many of them are there?”
“About a million snakes and ten thousand monkeys!” was the frightened reply. “Come on! I can’t hang here much longer.”
“Where did they come from?” demanded Andy, when he and his brother were near the side of the lighter.
“I got a job of transferring them from a ship that’s just in from South America, to a dock up near Seabright way,” answered the man.
“How’d they get loose?” Frank wanted to know.
“Hanged if I know,” was the reply. “I was sailing along easy like, when all of a sudden I felt something on my leg. It was sort of squeezin’ me, and when I looked down I saw a big snake crawling up. I gave one yell and scudded11 across the deck. Then I saw a monkey making faces at me from the hatchway. The long tailed beasts must have broken out of their cages, and then the monkeys let the snakes loose. I climbed up here, and here I am.”
“Are they savage12?” asked Andy.
“Say, for the love of lobsters14 don’t ask so many questions!” begged the man. “Get aboard here and drive the critters away so I can come down. One of the monkeys cast off the main sheet and spilled the wind out of the sail.”
“It’s a good thing he did, or we couldn’t have come up to you,” called Frank. “We’ll see what we can do. Where are the cages?”
“Down in the hold. The steamer captain, when I took the beasts, told me to keep ’em below, and I did, but I didn’t think they’d get loose so I didn’t have the hatch covers on.”
“Well, it’s easier than I thought,” went on Frank. “Wait a minute and we’ll be back.”
He started to row their boat toward the Gull.
“Oh, don’t leave me!” wailed15 the man.
“I’m not going to,” shouted back the elder Racer boy.
“What are you going to do?” asked his brother.
“Go back and get some grub, and my revolver with blank cartridges16 in it.”
“What’s that for?”
“You’ll see.”
The brothers were soon aboard their own sailing craft again, and Frank quickly secured the weapon, directing Andy to pack in a bag all the spare food on board, for the boys usually kept a supply in a small galley17, in case they were ever becalmed over night.
“Here’s some crackers18, some cans of peaches, some peanuts and a lot of stale popcorn20 balls,” announced Andy.
“That’ll do. Get a dish, and bring along the can opener,” ordered Frank. “I guess that will do.”
“Oh, I’m on to your game now,” said Andy.
“I’ll want some condensed milk, too,” went on the older boy. “Got any?”
“Yes, here’s a couple of cans.”
“Good, bring ’em along and another dish. Now I guess we’re ready.”
They were soon at the side of the lighter again with their odd collection.
“Where is the safest place to come aboard?” asked Frank of the man, who was still up the mast.
“Right amidships,” he answered. “There’s not a snake or monkey near there now, and it’s right by the open hatch.”
“Good!” answered Frank. “That’ll do. Make our boat fast, Andy, and follow me. Bring the grub.”
His brother obeyed, and soon the two lads were aboard the lighter. They saw a group of monkeys aft, chattering21 and wrestling among themselves, whether in play or anger was not evident. Forward were several large snakes contentedly22 sunning themselves on deck. There did not seem to be so much danger as the man had said, though doubtless if the monkeys were really aroused they might injure some one, as several were very large specimens23.
“Quick now!” called Frank to Andy. “Help me spread out this grub near the open hatch. Open the cans of peaches and pour them over the crackers in the dish. Do the same with the condensed milk, only put that in a separate dish. It’s lucky the snakes are forward, they’ll get a whiff of it there.”
Soon there was an array of food about the open hatch. So far the monkeys had paid no attention to the boys, for the brothers had worked silently, the man on the mast watching them curiously24, but still afraid to come down.
“Now I guess we’re ready,” announced Frank. “Come over here, Andy, and we’ll hide under this pile of canvas.”
With his revolver in readiness, Frank led the way, followed by his brother. When they were both concealed25 from view Frank reached out his hand, and tossed several crackers toward the group of monkeys. There was a movement among them, and the chattering broke out doubly loud. One monkey grabbed a cracker19 in each paw, but they were immediately snatched from him by some of his mates. Then the whole crowd caught sight of the food around the open hatch and made a mad dash for it.
At the same time the snakes must have smelled the milk, and, as it is well known that these reptiles27 are very fond of this liquid, they crawled toward it.
“Now’s my chance!” exclaimed Frank, when he saw the snakes and monkeys grouped about the hole in the deck, eagerly devouring28 the food. He raised his revolver in the air and fired several shots rapidly.
The effect was almost magical. With screams of fright the monkeys fairly leaped down the dark hole, and the snakes with angry hisses29 followed them. In less than five seconds not an animal or reptile26 was on deck.
“Quick! The hatch cover!” cried Frank, springing from under the canvas. His brother followed and the cover was clapped into place.
“Good enough!” yelled the man, climbing down from the mast, and assisting the boys to make the cover fast. “Now I’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 can take ’em out. I won’t. That was a slick trick, all right, boys. I’d never thought of that. You saved my life.”
“Oh, I guess they wouldn’t have killed you,” spoke30 Frank. “But what’s going to be done with them?”
“They’re to go in some sort of summer show up Seabright way, I reckon. My! but I’m obliged to you boys! How much do I owe you?” and the man made a motion toward his pocket.
“Nothing,” answered Frank quickly. “We’re glad we could help you. I guess you won’t have any more trouble.”
“Not if you keep the hatch closed,” added Andy.
“And you can make up your mind that I will!” answered the man decidedly. “No more snake or monkey cargoes32 for me. Well, I’ll get along now, I guess. Say, I’d like to make you boys a present. I’ve got some prime lobsters that a fellow gave me. They’re all alive. Won’t you take some along?”
“Well, we generally can eat them,” spoke Frank. “And my mother is very fond of lobster13 salad.”
“Don’t say another word,” exclaimed the lighterman33. “Here you are,” and he drew forth34 a basket from under a pile of bagging at the foot of the mast. “Take ’em along.”
There were a dozen fine, large lobsters in the basket as Andy ascertained35 by a peep, and then, after thanking the man for them, and making sure that the hatch cover was on tight, the brothers rowed back to their craft. As they sailed away they saw the man carrying a small ketch anchor and placing it on top of the hatch cover.
“He isn’t taking any chances,” remarked Frank.
“Indeed not,” agreed his brother. “Well, let’s see if we can pick up that mysterious man again.”
They looked all about, but there was no sign of the dory, and they felt that it would be useless to sail about in search, as it was getting late.
“Let’s put for home,” proposed Frank, and Andy assented36.
When nearing their mooring37 place Andy got a piece of string and some strong paper, and proceeded to wrap up one of the largest lobsters.
“What are you going to do with that; give it to some of your girls?” asked Frank.
“Hu! I guess not,” was the somewhat indignant answer. “I’m going to have a little fun with it. There are more than we need in that basket.”
“Look out that some one doesn’t have fun with you,” warned his brother.
“Oh, I can take care of myself,” answered Andy with a grin. He assisted his brother to carry the basket of lobsters up on the pier38, and then, as they were rather heavy, and as a delivery wagon39 from a grocery where Mrs. Racer traded was at hand, Frank decided31 to send the shell fish home in that.
“Coming along?” asked the elder boy of his brother, as the delivery vehicle drove off.
“Yes, but I want to have some fun first. I see Chet Sedley coming, and I’m going to make him a present of this lobster. It’s a lively one, and he won’t know what’s in the paper—until he opens it. Watch me.”
Frank shook his head, but smiled. He followed his brother at a distance. The town dude, attired40 more gorgeously than before, saw Andy approaching, and was about to turn aside.
“Hold on,” called Andy. “I’m sorry about what happened a while ago, Chet, and here’s a little present for you.”
He held out the package.
“What’s in it?” asked Chet suspiciously, as he took it.
“Why—er—” began Andy, but just then Mabel Chase, one of the prettiest girls in Harbor View, approached, and Andy took off his hat Chet did likewise, making an elaborate bow. At the same time he let slide to the sidewalk the package containing the lobster, and he gave it a shove with his foot so that it would be in back of him.
For Chet was a very proud youth, and did not want to be seen carrying a bundle, especially by a young lady whose good opinion he desired.
“Charming day, Miss Chase,” murmured Chet, as he resumed an upright position.
“Delightful,” agreed the girl. “Where have you been, Andy? I haven’t seen you in some time.”
“Oh, we have been sailing.”
“Have you rescued any more strange boys?” she went on. “Oh, I think that was so romantic! Does he know who he is yet?” For the story of Paul Gale was well known in Harbor View by this time.
“He hasn’t the least idea,” answered Andy.
“Beautiful day,” observed Chet, edging nearer to the girl. “Oh, I said that before, didn’t I?” he asked in confusion, for the dude’s powers of talk were rather limited. “I mean, do you think it’s going to rain?”
“Hardly,” replied Andy. “But say, Chet, why don’t you open the present I gave you?”
Andy could not resist the opportunity of seeing how his joke would turn out—especially when there was a girl present to witness it.
“Oh, I—I don’t want to now,” replied Chet, and he took a step backward. Accidentally he stepped on the paper containing the large lobster. The string slipped off. There was a rustling41 movement in the wrapping and the paper suddenly opened. Something of a sort of greenish hue42 came into view; something with big claws. Neither Chet nor Andy noticed it, for they were both talking to Miss Mabel. The girl saw the lobster slowly reach up one large claw.
“Oh!” she screamed.
“What’s the matter?” asked Andy.
He knew a moment later, for the crustacean43 caught him by the left ankle in a firm grip, and held on, while the would-be joker danced about on one leg, holding the other up in the air with the lobster dangling from it. The tables were effectually turned.
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收听单词发音
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1
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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gull
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| n.鸥；受骗的人；v.欺诈 | |
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gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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7
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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8
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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9
hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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scudded
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| v.（尤指船、舰或云彩）笔直、高速而平稳地移动( scud的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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13
lobster
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| n.龙虾，龙虾肉 | |
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14
lobsters
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| 龙虾( lobster的名词复数 )； 龙虾肉 | |
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15
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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17
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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18
crackers
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| adj.精神错乱的，癫狂的n.爆竹( cracker的名词复数 )；薄脆饼干；（认为）十分愉快的事；迷人的姑娘 | |
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cracker
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| n.（无甜味的）薄脆饼干 | |
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popcorn
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| n.爆米花 | |
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21
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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23
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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24
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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25
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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26
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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28
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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30
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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cargoes
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| n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负 | |
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lighterman
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| n.驳船夫 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
mooring
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| n.停泊处；系泊用具，系船具；下锚v.停泊，系泊（船只）(moor的现在分词) | |
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38
pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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39
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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40
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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42
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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43
crustacean
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| n.甲壳动物；adj.甲壳纲的 | |
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