t hidden up to then, and sent the most mournful notes across
the water after the departing voyagers. It was so like a funeral dirge
that Davy Jones thrust his fingers in his ears; and then shook a fist at
the stout bugler; who however kept on with his sad refrain until Allan
put a stop to it.

And so the scout-master backed, by his two valiant assistants, set out
to learn what the secret of the mysterious island might be; nor did any
of the trio suspect right then in the beginning of the voyage what
strange results would follow this invasion of the haunt of the unknown
prowlers.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE PATCHED SHOE AGAIN.

Those on the shore, after the bugle's sad refrain had been silenced,
gave the departing adventurers a last cheer, and a wave of their
campaign hats. Over the water sounds carry unusually clear; and Thad and
his mates smiled when they distinctly heard Step-hen bawling from the
interior of the tent where he had his sleeping quarters:

"Hey, you fellers, which one of you hid my coat? None of your tricks
now; don't I know that I hung it up all right last night, when I came to
bed; and blessed if I can find it now? Funny how it's always _my_ things
that go wandering around loose. Own up now; and whoever hid it just come
right in here, and show me where it is!"

"The same careless Step-hen," remarked Thad; "always leaving his things
around loose, and then ready to accuse some one else of hiding them. To
hear him talk you'd believe in the bad fairies, and that they just took
their spite out mixing his clothes and things up, while he slept. I
wonder if he can ever be cured of that trick. He'll never pass for a
merit badge till he does, that's sure. Neatness in a scout is one of the
first things to be won."

Davy was handling the paddle. While he did not show the proficiency that
the Maine boy, Allan Hollister, could boast, or Bob White, who loved
everything pertaining to the water, still Davy did manage to keep the
prow of the canoe in a fairly straight line for the island, as he dipped
first on one side and then on the other.

Thinking the chance to show Davy a few points in the art of paddling
ought not be lost, the scout master took the spruce blade, which was a
home-made one, from his hands. By turning the canoe around, and using
the stern as the bow, he was able to illustrate his meaning easily
enough.

"Now, it is not necessary to change from one side to the other as often
as you do, Dav