"At what?" asked Mollie.
"I--I don't know."
"Well, it was very kind of them," said Betty. "We might have had to staythere a long time."
"And I'm going to tell Uncle Stonington," spoke Amy. "He may want tohire men, for there are many more oranges to pick."
Grace sat thoughtfully on the cushions, neglecting even to eat herchocolates.
"'A penny for your thoughts,'" offered Betty.
"I was just wondering," said Grace slowly, "that perhaps that man mightknow something of the labor contractor who has Will in the toils. I wishI had thought to ask."
"That's so!" cried Mollie. "But we can find him again. It will give ussomething to do, Betty. We can come up the river again."
"And I'll be sure to keep away from that sand bar," declared the LittleCaptain.
Mr. and Mrs. Stonington were quite alarmed when the girls told of theiradventure.
"They weren't in any real danger," declared Mr. Hammond, the overseer."The river isn't deep nor swift, and there are boats going up and downquite often."
"But what about those rough men?" asked Mrs. Stonington.
"Oh, rough is the worst thing you can say against them. They aren'treally bad. Belton has the best supply of laborers around here. Probablyhe was taking those men down to Hanson's grove. We will need pickersourselves next week, Mr. Stonington, and I don't believe we can do anybetter than to get them from Belton."
"Very well, Mr. Hammond; whatever you say."
"And that will be a chance to repay him for his kindness to us," addedBetty.
"And perhaps we can get some news of my brother," spoke Grace,wistfully, for there had come no word from those who were searching forthe missing youth.
"I'd like to go and ask myself," went on Grace.
"Well, there's no reason why you shouldn't," said Mr. Hammond. "I'll begoing up the river in a day or so, and if you think we'll hire of BeltonI'll tell him so," he said to Mr. Stonington.
"Yes, if you like, Mr. Hammond."
"All right, then I'll pilot the girls to his camp if their boat willhold me."
"Indeed it will!" exclaimed Betty, "and you can tell me how to avoidsand bars."
"Belton's place is a little way into the interior from the river," wenton Mr. Hammond, "but it's a safe road."
"Then we'll go," decided Betty.
The next few days were filled with small incidents of little interest.The girls motored about, and did some fishing in the river, catching avariety of specimens, few of which were pronounced fit for the table.But they enjoyed themselves very much.
They wandered about in the orange grove, eating as much of the deliciousfruit as they chose. Sometimes they took walks with Mrs. Stonington, whowas slowly regaining her health. Mr. Stonington was kept busy seeing tothe details of the business, that was new to him.
One night Mr. Hammond said:
"I think we'll need those pickers to-morrow, or next day, Mr.Stonington."
"Very well, then get them. The girls can take you up to Belton's camp."
"And perhaps I can get some word of Will," observed Grace hopefully.
The trip up the river was devoid of incident, except that Betty nearlyran on another sand bar, being warned just in time by Mr. Hammond. Thenthey reached the landing where Belton's boat was moored.
"That shows he's in camp," said the foreman, as he helped the girls tiethe _Gem_. Then they struck off into the interior, not a few doubtstugging at the girls' hearts. It was very wild and desolate, theEverglades being not far distant.
CHAPTER XII
A WARNING
Trailing vines hung from great trees on either side of the path. Largebunches of Spanish moss festooned other monarchs of the forest, whichseemed gloomy indeed as the girls gazed off into it. Now and then somecreature of the woods, disturbed by the passage of the party, would takeflight and scurry off, fly away or slink deeper into the fastness,according to its nature.
"Ugh!" exclaimed Grace in a low voice, as she walked along behind Betty,"I don't like it here!"
"Why not?" asked Mollie, who was in the rear of Grace. "I think it ismost romantic. Just think--we may be treading over the very ground wherede Leon and his men searched for that fountain of perpetual youth."
"What was that?" asked Mr. Hammond, turning about interestedly.
"Oh, one of the old discoverers was searching for a fountain to keep himyoung," explained Betty, with a smile.
"Huh! He'd better be careful of what he drinks in these woods," said theoverseer. "There's water that's deadly poison, to say nothing of themoccasins and copperheads in some of the swamps. If that fellow is afriend of yours warn him to be careful."
"Oh, he died some years ago," explained Mollie, trying not to laugh.
"Oh, well, then that's all right," and the overseer seemed relieved."Yes, you want to be careful of what you drink in these wilds. Of coursea good clear spring is all right, and generally you'll find a cocoanutshell, or something like that, near it to drink from. That's a sign it'sgood water."
"What are those other things?" asked Amy. "Cottontails--did you callthem--do you mean rabbits?"
"No, indeed. I mean snakes."
"Oh!" screamed the girls in chorus.
"They call 'em cotton mouths because their lips are white," Mr. Hammondexplained, "and it looks as though they were chewing cotton. They'redeadly too, and so are the copperheads, which look just like that color.Be careful of 'em."
"I--I don't believe I want to go any farther," faltered Grace, hangingback.
"Oh, there's none along this trail!" the overseer hastened to assureher. "It's only where there's not much travel. Just keep a sharplookout--that's all."
They went on in Indian file, for the path was narrow. As they penetrateddeeper into the interior the woods became more and more gloomy untileven brave Betty began to feel a bit doubtful as to the wisdom ofcoming. But she knew Mr. Hammond could be trusted to see that no harmcame to them.
The path widened now and they came to a little clearing. On one edge ofit stood a hut before which was an old man--so old in fact that to theoutdoor girls he seemed like a wizened monkey.
"Mercy! Who's that?" whispered Mollie.
"An Indian," answered Mr. Hammond.
"An Indian?" queried Betty.
"Yes, one of the Seminoles. He's all right, and a friend of mine. Hello,Ko-dah!" called Mr. Hammond, adding something in a sort of jargon, towhich the aged man replied. He seemed more like a negro than an Indian.
"He claims to be over a hundred years old," went on Mr. Hammond, as heand the party passed through the clearing. "And he sure looks it. Hiswife is nearly as old."
As they went on they heard ahead of them the not unpleasant strains of anegro melody.
"What's that?" asked Grace, coming to a stop.
"We're near Belton's place," explained the foreman. "He keeps quite alot of hands in readiness, and they pass away the time singing andeating until they're hired. I hope he has some good ones for us. Theoranges need picking quickly now."
A minute later the party emerged into a large clearing about which weregrouped many huts, in front of which, and lolling in the shade of some,were a score or more of colored men. They set up a call for "Boss," asMr. Hammond came in sight.
"Howdy, Hammond!" greeted the labor contractor, as he came out of thebest-looking house in the clearing. "Why, it's the girls I hauled offthe sand bar!" he added, as he recognized Betty and her chums. "Did youget home all right?"
"Yes, and we've come to do as you said, and hire some help for Mr.Stonington," ventured Betty, blushing a bit at her boldness.
"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Belton. "I've got just the kind of pickers youwant, Hammond. Quick, cheerful lot of boys, that will work from sunriseto sunset."
"That's what you always say," laughed Mr. Hammond. "I guess they won'tbe much worse than the usual run. Now let's talk business," and the twomen walked off to one side.
"Oh, I forgot," called the contractor. "Young ladies, my w
ife is up inthat cabin," and he pointed to the one he had just left. "She'll be gladto see you and make you a cup of tea. Sue!" he called, "take care of Mr.Stonington's girls!" and a woman appearing in the doorway waved afriendly greeting to the chums.
Over the teacups, in a cleaner and neater cabin than one would suspectit to be from a glance at the outside, the girls told of their trip.Mrs. Belton said her husband had told her of their predicament on thesand bar.
"How do you like it in Florida?" she asked, after a pause.
"I'd like it better if I could find my brother," said Grace. "He'shere--lost--in some turpentine swamp, we are afraid. I wonder if Mr.Belton could give us any information, since he is in the laborcontracting business?"
"You can ask him when he comes back," said his wife.
"And if we can get any trace of Will we'll go there and get him out ofthe clutches of those men," went on Grace.
Mrs. Belton started from her chair.
"Don't you do it, honey! Don't you do it!" she exclaimed earnestly."Keep away from the turpentine camps whatever you do. There's adesperate lot of men there--convicts a lot of 'em, and there's worse menguarding 'em. Keep away if you know what is good for you," and shelooked earnestly at Grace, who paled as she thought of poor Will.
CHAPTER XIII
A STRANGE TOW
Betty, as well as Grace, Mollie and Amy, seemed much taken aback by theearnest words of Mrs. Belton. The wife of the labor contractor seemedunder stress of some excitement, as she faced the girls after thewarning.
"Don't go!" she went on. "Don't any of you think of going! I used tothink my husband dealt with a rough enough class of men, but those inthe interior--in the turpentine camps, and cypress swamps--oh, they arethe most lawless element you can imagine. And no wonder, for no men,unless they are compelled, will work with those contractors. They haveto keep their men just like prisoners."
"Oh, dear, don't tell me any more!" begged Grace, her eyes filling withtears as she thought of her brother.
"But perhaps Will isn't treated as the others are," suggested Betty,giving the woman a look she understood. "He went there under differentcircumstances than the others, and he may receive consideration."
"Of course I don't know all the circumstances," went on Mrs. Belton asshe nodded at Betty to show that she would be more careful in what shesaid. "He may be favored. Of course not all the contractors are cruel,but they have to deal with a bad class of men, and that makes themharsh, perhaps. But take my advice, and don't go near one of thoseplaces under any circumstances. Please don't!"
"Don't go where?" asked her husband, coming in at that moment with Mr.Hammond. "Are the girls thinking of going cruising among theEverglades?" and he laughed heartily. Betty was beginning to like himvery much, as were the other girls. He was rough, and uncouth, but heseemed honest and sincere, and his wife, a hard-working woman, had givenof her best hospitality to the visitors.
"No, they weren't talking of the Everglades," said Mrs. Belton. "Thisyoung lady thinks her brother may have been taken to one of theturpentine camps, or other camps in the interior, and she wants torescue him. I was telling her to keep away."
"And that's good advice," agreed Mr. Belton, more seriously than he hadyet spoken. "I don't mind mixing up with some men, but those contractlaborers are pretty bad. My men are nothing to them, though I do get ahard customer once in a while."
"But what can we do?" Grace besought. "If Will is there we must get himaway! Of course I'm not sure, but papa is looking everywhere for him,and the best clue we got was that he was somewhere in the interior ofhere."
"Then take my advice, and let the authorities do the searching," saidMr. Belton. "The season won't last much longer, and they may discharge alot of their men--these contractors may. Then your brother could comeout of his own accord."
"Oh, but it is so long to wait!" cried Grace. "Surely there must be someway," and she looked pleadingly at the two men.
"Well, I don't know," said Mr. Belton slowly. "I'll do all I can to helpyou, and so will any of my men. And I think Hammond, here, will say thesame thing."
"Surely!" exclaimed the overseer. "But the question is--what could wedo?"
"We'd first have to locate the camp," said the labor man. "After that wecould talk business. It would depend on who was running it, and where itwas. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll keep my eyes and ears open, andwhen I hear anything I'll let you know, Miss. What sort of a lookingyoung man might your brother be?"
Grace described Will accurately, enough so that Mr. Belton said he wouldknow him if he saw or heard of him.
"And now are you young ladies ready to go back?" asked Mr. Hammond, ashe smiled at Betty and her chums.
"Quite," she answered. "We have had a good view of the interior ofFlorida."
"Oh, shucks!" exclaimed the labor contractor. "Begging your pardon,Miss, for that kind of talk. But you haven't seen anything of theinterior yet. There's parts I wouldn't want to trust myself to, not withall of my men behind me, and I'm not a scary sort of an individual,either. There's parts no one has ever been in, I reckon. Don't you sayso, Hammond?"
"That's what I do!" was the emphatic answer. "Well, are you ready,girls?"
They left, bidding Mr. and Mrs. Belton good-bye, and Grace receivedrenewed promises that all possible would be done to locate her brother.
Mr. Belton promised to bring a boat-load of laborers to the orange grovein the morning, and as the visitors left they heard the soft strains ofone of the negro songs following them through the deep woods. Theeffect was weird in the extreme, especially when they reached the denserparts of the forest.
Good time was made back to "Orangeade," as the girls had christened thebungalow in the grove, the boat running well. Mr. Hammond complimentedthe girls on the manner in which they ran the craft, each taking a turnat steering, while the overseer imparted instructions as to various sandbars and shallow places along the course.
Mr. Stonington was much interested in the report brought back by thegirls regarding the lawlessness of the interior camps, and he agreedwith Mr. Hammond that if any attempt at a rescue should be made a numberof reliable men must be taken along.
"And I must write to father!" exclaimed Grace, "and ask if he has anyclues. He may be able to give us some aid in locating the neighborhoodof the camp. Oh, if Will could only know we are here, and would send usa letter! Just think, girls! He doesn't even know we are in Florida!"
"It does seem strange," remarked Mollie. "Usually wherever we go we seethe boys once in a while."
"It is lonesome without them," said Betty impulsively. "I wonder ifthere is any chance of them coming down this summer?"
"It's winter--up where they are," remarked Amy.
"Oh, every place is summer to Betty when she thinks of a certain youngman; summer and orange blossoms," drawled Grace.
"Don't be silly!" snapped Betty, with a vivid blush. "You know I meant_all_ the boys--not one!"
"Selfish girl--she wants them all!" laughed Mollie.
Glorious were they--those winter days in Florida, where the outdoorgirls enjoyed themselves to the utmost. Had it not been for one littlerift in the lute, their pleasure and happiness would have beencomplete--and that rift was the absence of Will. Grace seemed to feel itmore keenly as day passed day and no word came.
Her father did write saying that the inquiry was progressing slowly, andthat it would take some time to have scanned each list of minoroffenders who had been "hired" out to contractors under an old law,operative only in certain cases. As for naming any special localitywhere Will might be, that was impossible, as yet.
Mrs. Stonington seemed very much improved by her stay in the South, butshe was not yet out of danger, the doctor said, and must use care. Herhusband and Amy were still anxious about her, and watched her carefully;for, though she was no relation to Amy, she still acted, and in realitywas, almost as a mother to the girl.
Amy's newly-found brother paid one visit to the bungalow in the orangegrove, but could no
t stay long, as his business was increasing. Hereported all well in Deepdale.
"By the way," he said with a chuckle, "those old friends of yours, AliceJallow and Kittie Rossmore, have started a sort of automobile club. Iguess they're trying to rival you."
"They're not friends of ours," said Mollie quickly, "and as for beingrivals--we refuse to consider them as such."
"Well, I don't blame you."
The orange picking was in full swing now, and the girls spent many happydays in the grove. They learned many new ways of eating oranges, andmarveled at the difference in flavor of the fruit picked from the trees,from that as they recalled it in the North.
The laborers supplied by Mr. Belton had proved to be good workers, andmore were sent for, the girls taking Mr. Hammond up to the clearing inthe motor boat to arrange about them. Grace hoped to have some news ofher brother, but the contractor said he had not been able to get anyclues.
It was about a week after this, on a fine sunny day, not as warm as someof its predecessors, that Betty proposed a trip in her motor boat.
"Let's go quite a distance up the river," she suggested. "There are newsights to see, Mr. Hammond says, and no bars to run upon after we passthe landing where Mr. Belton docks. We may find some new streams orlakes to explore, for we've been all over Lake Chad." This was so, thegirls soon having exhausted the possibilities of that body of water.
"I'm willing," agreed Mollie.
"And we can take our lunch, and stay all day," added Grace. "Oh dear! Iwish someone would invent non-melting chocolate!" she complained, forher fingers were stained with the half-liquid confection.