<h2><SPAN name="ix" id="ix"></SPAN>CHAPTER NINE<br/> <small>THE NIGHT OF THE MASKED BALL</small></h2>
<p class="noi"><span class="dropcap">T</span>HE night so anxiously anticipated came at last.
As there was no moon everything lay in velvety
blackness. This was considered opportune as it helped
to hide the maskers when the launches landed them on
the wharf of Isola Bella.</p>
<p>Fudge Attic presented a bright contrast to the darkness
out of doors, for it was gay with lights and
coloured bunting and the paraffine waxed floor all
ready waiting for impatient feet. Bridget, stationed
just off the landing of the stairway, queened it over
a huge punch-bowl filled with lemonade, while the
laundry had been transformed into a buffet given in
charge of Mose.</p>
<p>The music was furnished by the two captains, one
with his fiddle and the other with a concertina. As it
was impossible for both to play and keep time together,
they alternated in the demonstration of their
art.</p>
<p>Lanciers and quadrilles were the popular dances
with the captains, so they tuned up for a grand
march to begin with. The maskers, in couples,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</SPAN></span>
waited to take part although “every couple was not a
pair.”</p>
<p>A Grand Pasha with a diamond sunburst in the
front of his turban led a Red Cross nurse around the
attic; following came a Knight in (tin) armour with
a Gypsy Maiden. Then came a Happy Hooligan and
a Girlie Girl; next, Little Red Riding Hood and a
Pumpkin Clown and directly at their heels ran the two
bears on all fours, sniffing eagerly at the basket carried
by their prospective victim.</p>
<p>The Trail of the Lonesome Pine came stately and
slowly all by herself—the branches taking up such a
spread of room. After her danced the Yellow Kid
with the Spanish Maid who shook a tambourine tinkling
with bells. A bewitching Japanese consorted
with a well-filled Laundry Bag and the News-of-the-Day
came with a Breton peasant carrying a swaddled
babe. Last but not least the Pirate of Penzance
marched with a Pierrette.</p>
<p>With an excruciating wail from the fiddle, the
march ended and a breathless instant ensued when
every one tried to pierce the disguise of the others.
No one would speak for fear of being identified by
“next friends.” The two bears could growl of course,
and this they did to their own great satisfaction.</p>
<p>Captain Ed shouted in his most nautical voice,
“Take yer pardners for the lanciers!”</p>
<p>In feigned tones cavaliers invited Nurse, Bag and
Jap to step the light fantastic with them, while Bears<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</SPAN></span>
clung to a Pine and Red Riding Hood until the sets
were all made up.</p>
<p>At the command “Salute pardners!” heads bowed
low and the two bears swayed bearfully from side to
side. Then at the call “Swing corners!” both bears
tried to hug the little Jap girl so closely that she
cried out to the Pasha for help.</p>
<p>During this lively dance the Lonesome-Pine Flo-Flo
left much of her Trail upon the floor and Mose
found it necessary to hurriedly sweep up the branches
with a broom.</p>
<p>Before the lanciers ended most of the maskers were
identified and therefore were known by their Christian
names. The Pasha, however, insisted upon the
deference due his rank and resented the familiar appellation
of “Uncle Bill.”</p>
<p>Suddenly, from the admiring circle drawn up about
the Grand Pasha, Miriam’s voice piped forth: “Why,
papa! You’ve got on mamma’s sunburst of diamonds!”</p>
<p>“S-sh—you impertinent Jap! Don’t you know that
Girlie Girl hasn’t discovered my decoration? Let me
bask in its rays while I may,” came from the Pasha
in wary accents.</p>
<p>At that moment the Tin Knight rattled up while the
Polar Bear growled out, “Listen to the Ford Car approaching.”</p>
<p>As Red Riding Hood turned to watch the Knight
in Armour trying to keep his tin-can plates in order, a<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</SPAN></span>
revelation came to her and she cried, “Oh, <em>now</em>
<SPAN name="pronoun" id="pronoun"></SPAN><ins title="Original has I I">I</ins> know what all that hammering in the pump-house
was for! But where did you find all the old empty
cans, Fred?”</p>
<p>The concertina now squawked out to its full length
and caused every one to choose a mate for the dance.
Captain Benton bawled, “All ready for a polker,” and
started the musical atrocity wheezing. At the same
time his body swayed and pitched like a ship in a
storm, keeping time with every long-drawn out extension
of the bellows. As his vivid imagination
pictured the old-time dances he used to step so merrily
with his best girl, the faster sounded the wails
from the concertina and more
<SPAN name="erratic" id="erratic"></SPAN><ins title="Original has eratic">erratic</ins> grew the time,
until finally, the dance ended in a wild riot.</p>
<p>Uncle Bill decided this was the time to calm excitement
by refreshing the inner man, particularly as
the little tots had to go to bed. So every one trooped
down to the well-filled laundry table where Mose was
kept busy handing our refreshments. Then once
more back in the attic, the fun waxed fast and furious
until Uncle Tom called for attention!</p>
<p>“I am now about to distribute slips of paper for
each one to write down the name of the costume considered
the winner. Whoever receives the most votes
will be presented with a prize. The one considered
having the funniest or oddest costume will also receive
a prize.”</p>
<p>This announcement was received with loud acclamations<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</SPAN></span>
of satisfaction and surprise, for it was not
known before. During the comparative quiet while
all were pondering the merits of the costumes, a loud
“Boom! Bang” came like a blast from the back bay.</p>
<p>Every one rushed to the eastern windows of the
attic and Captain Ed, being there first, yelled, “Fire!
Fire!”</p>
<p>The others gazed wildly from the windows as a
long sheet of flame forked up into the darkness of
the night.</p>
<p>“Boom! Boom! Bang!” came again and a mighty
Fourth of July display glittered back of the dark firs
fringing the shore. By this time, the Pasha, grabbing
a large fire-extinguisher, tore down the stairs and
went headlong down to the beach. The rest of the
maskers were not slow to follow so that before the
third explosion sounded they all were near enough
to see by the reflection of the flare that a blazing
launch was stranded on Isola Bella and already, like
a torch, one of the fir trees was burning fiercely.</p>
<p>The danger was evident to all for even the youngest
Islander knew that if once the firs caught fire, the
entire island was doomed; not only the trees and
buildings but also the peat-like soil would burn off of
the rocks.</p>
<p>The frantic Pasha, minus turban and sunburst and
with only one Turkish shawl trailing from his shoulders,
plied the chemicals incessantly while the Tin
Knight and the dusky Major-Domo of the buffet tore<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</SPAN></span>
down blazing fragments of neighbouring trees and the
erst-while musicians bravely exerted their muscular
strength in pushing off the burning launch from the
wharf. And they finally succeeded but at the cost
of hair and hands. Uncle Tom, Yellow Kid and the
Two Bears quickly formed a bucket brigade of all
the other maskers, and with their aid the last spark
burning on the island was deluged and extinguished.</p>
<p>After the terrific battle and excitement with the
fire had calmed down a forlorn group were discovered
huddled on the rocks near the wharf. The owner
of the doomed launch gazed hopelessly at the burning
boat while his wife cried pitifully by his side.</p>
<p>Their story was soon told. The man was returning
from Belfast with three barrels of gasoline on board.
The gasoline caught fire—how, he could not tell.</p>
<p>Uncle Bill concluded that a back-fire from the
engine ignited the fumes from a leaky tank and of
course it took but a moment to wrap the entire launch
in flame.</p>
<p>The man and his wife had taken to their small boat
as soon as the fire burst forth, knowing of the awful
danger incurred from the presence of the three barrels
of gasoline. Even though they had escaped before the
explosions, both of them were burned, the man’s hands
being severely blistered.</p>
<p>It was long after midnight before the burns and
blisters had been given first-aid treatment; then a<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</SPAN></span>
smudged and frazzled Masquerade Party were free to
go to bed.</p>
<p>The water-soaked Yellow Kid escorted a smoke-streaked
Pierrette and a skeleton Pine—nothing now
but a few threads and sticks left of the green plumes—to
the Orion and home. Thankful indeed, were
they that the fire had left them the Orion in which
to go home.</p>
<p>As for the Sunset Islanders: they were so excited
that no thought of sleep was entertained. It was
nearly dawn before the last whisper was silenced in
their tents. And then, Bill was heard to say, “Let’s go
over to Isola Bella the first thing in the morning and
have a look at the wreck!”</p>
<p>And his mother called, “If you boys don’t go to
sleep there won’t be any morning, because you’ll
sleep into the late afternoon.”</p>
<p>However, boys never fail to wake up early if there
is a circus or some other great excitement to be enjoyed,
so all of the Island boys were up and ready to
start for Uncle Bill’s the moment breakfast was
over.</p>
<p>Their intent was to view the wreck and take pictures
of the charred remains, but once having landed
on the wharf they found Uncle Bill with downcast
expression—a most unusual thing.</p>
<p>“Boys,” said he, taking them into his confidence,
“you remember the Pasha’s diamond sunburst of last
night?”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</SPAN></span>
Yes, they all did.</p>
<p>“Well, somehow, the Pasha in his undignified exit
from the ball-room lost his turban. Of course the
sunburst was with it. The turban has been found but
no sunburst!”</p>
<p>“Gee! What did Aunt Miriam say?” cried Billy,
sympathetically.</p>
<p>“Well—she is annoyed!”</p>
<p>“We’ll help you look for it, Uncle Bill,” instantly
volunteered the boys from Sunset Island.</p>
<p>“Start right in now—the sooner the quicker for
me!” replied Uncle Bill.</p>
<p>But the most careful and minute search by the
boys failed to locate anything like a brooch. Finally,
every one on Isola Bella was enlisted in the campaign,
but without success. Several old croquet balls,
some tennis balls, a lost doll of Betty’s and other valueless
miscellany were combed out from the tall ferns
but no diamonds.</p>
<p>Then Bill yelled with joy. “I’ve got it! Here is
the bunch of sparkles!”</p>
<p>Every one ran swiftly to be in “at the death,” but
it turned out to be a bit of broken cut-glass that lay
hidden in the dew-covered green moss.</p>
<p>The indefatigable work of the hunters had to be
rewarded whether the pin was found or not, so all
were invited to sit down to a well-laden table for
lunch.</p>
<p>They sat discussing all possible and impossible<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</SPAN></span>
places where the diamonds might be, but Aunt Miriam
refused to be comforted and Uncle Bill seemed quite
unnatural in his rôle of penitent.</p>
<p>“Well, Miriam, you may have lost the diamonds
but still you are more fortunate than that poor man
and his wife who lost their launch last night,” remarked
Uncle Bill, surprised at his wife’s unusual
persistence in harping on her loss.</p>
<p>“But <em>I</em> didn’t lose it—you are the guilty one!” said
she.</p>
<p>“If I had that blamed old sunburst in my hand
to make you happy again, I’d help stake that poor
old duffer to a new launch! I swear I would!” declared
Uncle Bill, recklessly.</p>
<p>Quietly then, Aunt Miriam rose from her chair and
came around the table to lean over his shoulder. He
thought she was about to pat him consolingly on the
head and say, “Never mind, dear.”</p>
<p>So he raised his hand to clasp hers in token of her
ready sympathy when his fingers closed over something
that gave him a sharp jab.</p>
<p>“Ouch—by heck! That pesky pin!”</p>
<p>He held it out and looked hard at the cause of his
recent generous offer while every one laughed freely
at his predicament.</p>
<p>“Oh, thou false and treacherous woman! Had I
back once more the salty tears I shed o’er yon ferns
while seeking for this glittering bauble! Moved by<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</SPAN></span>
your pretended distress we have wasted the golden
moments of this glorious day for naught!”</p>
<p>The Islanders laughed again while Aunt Miriam
smiled.</p>
<p>“But it was not wasted time nor loss of tears—for
both impelled you to act the Good Samaritan,” said
his wife.</p>
<p>“Boys, how much do you suppose I’ll <em>have</em> to donate
now, to ease off my conscience regarding that launch?”
asked Uncle Bill.</p>
<p>Opinions varied. Billy, taking the part of his namesake
thought the man deserved little because of his
evident carelessness in carrying gasoline in barrels
on his launch.</p>
<p>Fred suggested that every one chip in to help, but
Fred had a larger allowance than the younger boys,
so Paul, Billy and Dudley made no reply to this plan.</p>
<p>Then, as usual, the feminine contingent carried the
vote in the interests of charity and Uncle Bill was
mulcted a goodly sum.</p>
<p>“But what I want to know is, ‘Where did Aunt
Miriam find that sunburst?’” queried Fred.</p>
<p>And amid appreciative smiles, that fair lady told
how, amid the excited rush from Fudge Attic the
night before, she had found the diamond brooch
sparkling on the floor. She had quietly retrieved it
but had no thought of playing any joke on the Pasha
until she saw his very preoccupied manner and his
avoidance of conversation with her. She was not supposed<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</SPAN></span>
to have missed the jewel and he was postponing
the evil time as long as possible.</p>
<p>After lunch, several games of tennis were enjoyed
and when it came time to return to Sunset Island
Elizabeth said, “I may as well sail back with you, I
suppose.”</p>
<p>“Yes, ’cause we’re all going to Belfast in the morning
to replenish the commissary department,” answered
Fred.</p>
<p>“Who’s going?” demanded Paul, eagerly.</p>
<p>“Everybody who wants to—we are taking the
Medric and expect to spend the day.”</p>
<p>“I suppose you’ll see us up there too, then, as we
are going to Belfast to shop before Uncle Bill goes
away—he expects to leave here next week, you know,”
said Aunt Miriam.</p>
<p>“Oh, won’t we have fun in Belfast—all together!”
cried Miriam.</p>
<p>Billy seemed to be thinking of a plan formed the
moment he heard Uncle Bill would be in Belfast the
next day. So now he turned to ask a question.</p>
<p>“Say, Uncle Bill, you know, one time father said I
could have the old engine that was taken from the
launch he sold two years ago. Do you think you
could help me sell that engine in Belfast and get
enough for it to help mother think she can afford to
add the rest of the price for a launch?”</p>
<p>Uncle Bill’s eyes twinkled. “Well, not a brand new<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</SPAN></span>
launch exactly, but it will help buy that old one you’ve
had your eye on for the past month!”</p>
<p>“How much does the owner want for it, Billy?”
asked Fred.</p>
<p>“Sixty dollars—and every one says it’s the biggest
bargain at that price!” exclaimed Billy, eagerly.</p>
<p>“That’s a good business idea of yours, Billy—about
the old engine. Suppose you take it with you to-morrow
and we will see how much we can raise on it,”
responded Uncle Bill.</p>
<p>“Thanks, awfully, Uncle Bill!”</p>
<p>When it came to trading the old launch engine the
next day Uncle Bill and his namesake proved themselves
to be almost as good Yankees at bargaining as
the man who bought it. And the fifteen dollars paid
Billy looked mighty good to him as it meant that he
was so much nearer the goal of his heart’s desire.</p>
<p>The chief reason for the Islanders being so eager to
go to Belfast was soon revealed after the arrival of the
boats. An earnest pilgrimage started at the ironmonger’s
the moment the trade of the engine was consummated,
and continuing up the hilly street ended at
the ice-cream soda-fountain of the drug store.</p>
<p>The proprietor made his own syrups and cream and
the cooling beverages he dispensed were like nectar.
The adults of the party appreciated this fully as much
as the juveniles.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</SPAN></span>
Much to Teddy’s joy, they all happened to be in Belfast
the day which was the one advertised by the
druggist offering a balloon to every one who made
a ten-cent purchase. Thus it came to pass that the
downward trail of the Sunset Islanders was marked
by shreds of exploded rubber “Zeppelins.”</p>
<p>Loaded down to the gunwales so that the “lee-scuppers
ran with blood” of beets, tomatoes, corn, onions
and other fruit (?) the Medric turned her prow to the
south and Sunset Isle.</p>
<p>A peaceful calm brooded over the members of the
party—the lunch at the Belfast tea-room had been
supplemented by many extras in the grocery store so
that no one missed Mose’s generous midday fare.</p>
<p>“Say, Billy, got any more of them cocoanut
jumbles?” asked Dudley, wistfully, after a silence.</p>
<p>“No—I only got a dozen. Ask Edith for some
of her ginger-snaps.”</p>
<p>“I’ve got a bag of peanuts—Virginia Jumbos. Want
some?” asked Elizabeth.</p>
<p>“Children, <em>do</em> remember your poor weary stomachs!
They will be crying for rest if you don’t!” sighed Mrs.
Remington.</p>
<p>And the ever thoughtful children, wishing to allay
their mother’s sighs and fears, rather than limit their
gustatory joys moved forward where the Captain
stood with Fred steering the boat.</p>
<p>“It’s a lucky thing for us that this Belfast trip only<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</SPAN></span>
happens once in a while,” remarked Anna, meaningly.</p>
<p>While cracking and chewing the two quarts of hot
peanuts offered by Elizabeth, the Islanders bethought
them of one of the Captain’s stories.</p>
<p>“Say, Captain, how about those pirates that sailed
the seas—any up around here in olden times?” hinted
Billy.</p>
<p>“We-ll, I’ve hearn tell of some. They do say that
Cap’n Kidd plied his trade in these waters, too. But
the worst feller ever known was Manum. Why, he
was so wicked there’s a song about <em>him</em>! And my
father said it didn’t half do the pirate justice, either!”</p>
<p>“Oh, do let us hear it, Captain!” urged the children.</p>
<p>With deprecatory coughs and some clearings of the
throat the Captain began singing in a nasal tenor the
ballad of Bold Manum, a curious rhyme with a salty
flavour:</p>
<div style="page-break-after: always"></div>
<div class="poem">
<div class="verse">
<div class="line">Bold Manum went to sea one day</div>
<div class="line indent">And it was dreary too,</div>
<div class="line">The dreariest day that ever was seen—</div>
<div class="line indent">All in the foggy dew.</div>
</div>
<div class="verse">
<div class="line">Oh, we spied a lofty sh-i-ip,</div>
<div class="line indent">To the leeward of us she lay;</div>
<div class="line">“And it’s up with our main-topsails, lads,</div>
<div class="line indent">And after her away.”</div>
</div>
<div class="verse">
<div class="line">Oh, we bore right down upon her,</div>
<div class="line indent">And sheered up ’longside;</div>
<div class="line">And with a speaking tru-um-pet,</div>
<div class="line indent">“Where are you bound?” he cried.</div>
</div>
<div class="verse">
<div class="line">“Where are you bound,” cried Manum,</div>
<div class="line indent">“Be sure you answer true,</div>
<div class="line">For I have lost my longitude</div>
<div class="line indent">Way back a day or two.”</div>
</div>
<div class="verse">
<div class="line">“Oh, we are the ‘Fame of New York,’</div>
<div class="line indent">To Lisbon we are bound;</div>
<div class="line">Our captain’s name is R. D. Craig,</div>
<div class="line indent">A native of that town.”</div>
</div><div class="verse">
<div class="line">“You lie, you lie,” cried Manum,</div>
<div class="line indent">“For such a thing can’t be;</div>
<div class="line">Come lower your top-sails on your caps</div>
<div class="line indent">And fall down under my lee.”</div>
</div><div class="verse">
<div class="line">Oh, these bold and thirsty pirates</div>
<div class="line indent">With their swords right in their hand</div>
<div class="line">They leapt aboard the merchant man</div>
<div class="line indent">And murdered every man.</div>
</div><div class="verse">
<div class="line">Oh, these bold and thirsty pirates,</div>
<div class="line indent">They ransacked everything,</div>
<div class="line">Until they found a fair damsel,</div>
<div class="line indent">Aft in the waist cab-ing.</div>
</div><div class="verse">
<div class="line">She sat playing on her ha-a-rp,</div>
<div class="line indent">Right merrilie did she sing:</div>
<div class="line">“Home, Home sweet ho-o-me,</div>
<div class="line indent">There’s no place like home.</div>
<div class="line">I followed my true lover</div>
<div class="line indent">Which caus-ed me to roam.”</div>
</div><div class="verse">
<div class="line">Oh, some they cursed, and some they swore</div>
<div class="line indent">They’d have her for a wife:</div>
<div class="line">When up stepped Bold Manum, saying,</div>
<div class="line indent">“Oh, I will end all strife!”</div>
</div><div class="verse">
<div class="line">Oh, he rushed upon that fair damsel.</div>
<div class="line indent">Without any fear or dread,</div>
<div class="line">And catching her by her long fair hair,</div>
<div class="line indent">He slivered off her head!</div>
</div></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</SPAN></span>
Captain Ed sang the pirate’s song with such vivid
interpretation and dramatic gesticulations that his
audience felt a delightful shiver run along their spines.
When he finished, a wild applause rewarded his effort.</p>
<p>Then Elizabeth was stirred to emulate the Captain’s
donation to music so she offered to sing another old-time
sailors’ song called “Strike, Strike the Bell.”</p>
<p>This was a favourite with Fred and Billy so they
joined in and soon every one took up the refrain:</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <div class="caption">STRIKE, STRIKE THE BELL!</div>
<ANTIMG src="images/strike_bell.jpg" width-obs="600" height-obs="353" alt="" />
<div class="caption hidehand"><SPAN href="music/strike_bell.mid">Listen</SPAN></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry-container">
<div class="poem"><div class="verse">
<div class="line">Forward is the lookout man walking on his beat</div>
<div class="line indent">Up and down the fo’castle with cold hands and feet.</div>
<div class="line">Thinking of his father, and mother as well,</div>
<div class="line indent">And wishing you would hurry up, and strike, strike the bell!</div>
</div></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry-container">
<div class="poem">
<p class="center">Refrain:</p>
<div class="verse">
<div class="line">Strike the bell now, second mate, and send the watch below,</div>
<div class="line">Look away to windward and you’ll see it’s going to blow.</div>
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</SPAN></span>
<div class="line">Look in the glass and you’ll find it as well,</div>
<div class="line">And a-wishing you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell!</div>
</div></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry-container">
<div class="poem">
<div class="verse">
<div class="line">Aft is the steersman a-standing at his wheel</div>
<div class="line indent">Tapping now at his toe now at his heel;</div>
<div class="line">Thinking of his true-love who in her home doth dwell</div>
<div class="line indent">And wishing you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.</div>
</div></div>
</div>
<div class="poetry-container">
<div class="poem">
<p class="center">Refrain:</p>
<div class="verse">
<div class="line">Strike the bell now, second mate, and send the watch below,</div>
<div class="line">Look away to windward and you’ll see it’s going to blow.</div>
<div class="line">Look in the glass and you’ll find it as well,</div>
<div class="line">And a-wishing you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell!</div>
</div></div>
</div>
<p>The song ended, the peanut bag was emptied, and
the crackers all gone, when the Medric came to glide
up close to the float-stage. The passengers jumped
off and rushed up to the bungalow calling for Mose.</p>
<p>“Supper most ready, Mose? We’re all as hungry
as wolves!” cried each and every one of the young
Islanders; but Anna exchanged looks with Mrs. Remington,
who shook her head over the ever-recurrent
question: “Are the stomachs of young people lined
with a metal that never wears out?”</p>
<hr class="divider" />
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</SPAN></span>
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