BARELY IN TIME
"Dear Oliver, This'd be a fine time for you to sneak back for a visit. Them Forresters done goed off to Kentucky, horse-tradin'. All six of 'em. Your friend, Jody."
"I'm sure glad you wrote and let me know them black-beards was away, Jody. This has been a right nice two days," Oliver said.
"You ain't leavin' a'ready?" Penny asked.
"Not yit. But I wanta go git acquainted in Volusia agin whilst I kin. Then, I'll be back here awhiles longer."
"I'm glad o' that." Jody smiled. "I sure have missed you, Oliver."
Oliver tousled the boy's hair and went out all smiles.
Volusia welcomed him back with open arms; Oliver had many friends who were exceedingly pleased to see him. He was used to such homecomings, being a sailor, but this time was very special, because he had feared never to be able to come this way again.
They came upon him without warning. Two of the Forresters, Pack and Gabby, had returned from Kentucky ahead of the other four. Jody had been told by Mr. and Mrs. Forrester to expect the return of these two in April, but he had hoped that their return would hold off until late April. It was now only early April. But these two Forresters had returned just the same. Today, they had come to Volusia on business. And now, they had come upon Lem's unfinished business.
Oliver stopped short upon sight of them. He realized that two were not much better odds than three. He was already brutally aware of what multiples of Forresters could do. He made a break for it.
They charged after him in earnest. Oliver never stood a chance. Pack caught him in a flying tackle. With the wind thus knocked out of him, Oliver stood even less of a chance of fighting them off, if indeed, he had ever had one. They pinned him to the ground.
"Now, Lem'll be right sorry he missed this," Gabby commented.
"I ain't sure he should miss it," Pack replied.
"What you mean?"
"Hit'll jest be a few days 'til the rest git back. Mebbe we should keep Oliver for 'em."
"Now that ain't a bad idea."
"We kin take him back to our place and keep him tied up. He'd make the best kinda homecomin' present for Lem, now wouldn't he?"
"You mighty right."
"Git some rope. I'll hold him...."
Two days later, Jody was frantic. "Where kin Oliver be??"
"Now boy, he ain't said how long he'd be stayin' in Volusia. He has many other friends besides us, you know," Penny tried to reassure him.
"Well, I wisht he'd said how long he'd be. 'Cause I'm worryin'. Mr. and Mrs. Forrester said two of 'em'd be back in April. They ain't said when in April. I jest got a feelin'...."
"Let's not panic yit. Give him another day-two."
Jody didn't want to give him another day. A feeling of dread was building in his heart, a feeling that he couldn't shake. He decided that he had no choice but to take matters into his own hands. He would sneak to Forresters' Island and see for himself if any of the men were back yet.
As Jody crouched in the bushes outside of the Forrester cabin, he was subjected to a horrifying sight. Lem, Buck, Mill-wheel, and Arch were just riding in from their trip. Pack and Gabby were coming out to greet them. A feeling of terror clutched at Jody's throat. He knew with unreasoning certainty that something was dreadfully wrong. His worst fears were confirmed immediately as he eavesdropped on their conversation.
"Lem," Pack said as he grinned conspiratorially, "Gabby and me got a leetle present for you."
"Hit's a big surprise." Gabby's eyes twinkled.
"What you talkin' 'bout?" Lem was curious.
"Somethin' we found for you in Volusia two days ago," Pack teased, drawing out the suspense.
"Somethin' you've allus wanted." Gabby chuckled.
"And we know you'll find a use for it right away." Pack laughed, thoroughly enjoying dragging out their big moment.
But Lem had never been a patient sort. "What in tarnation?" he demanded.
Volusia, Jody thought, two days ago! Oliver! He instantly had no doubt. But where would they have put him? Jody tried desperately to think, but his extreme fear was numbing his brain. Then it came to him. He would search the house first merely because the men were closest to it; if he didn't start there and fast, the opportunity would be forever lost to him. Whereas if Oliver were in the barn, Jody might still have time to look there next. Without further hesitation, he crept through the bushes and climbed carefully through the window of one of the men's bedrooms. He looked around in the gloom. No Oliver. He opened the door, praying for it not to squeak, and slipped soundlessly into the next bedroom. Still no Oliver. Jody was becoming so frightened that he wondered if the pounding of his own heart could be heard by the men outside of the cabin. He moved on quietly to the next bedroom. Oliver. On the floor. Bound and gagged.
Stifling a cry, Jody dropped to the floor beside him and fumbled with the bonds. His fingers seemed suddenly leaden and clumsy, and refused to obey. His fright had become a tangible thing that sat on him and weighed him down heavily and oppressively. Oliver's eyes opened and looked at him with desperate, disbelieving hope.
Jody heard the Forresters enter the main room of their cabin. He heard them clearly through the bedroom door.
"All right, Pack, what's this all 'bout?" Buck wondered.
"Yeah," Mill-wheel chimed in, "what's the big secret?"
Pack was not ready to answer yet. Jody could almost see his leering grin in his mind.
"Come on, give," Arch coaxed.
"We put the surprise in your bedroom, Lem," Gabby said.
"Well, what is it?" Lem demanded testily. His brothers' theatrics were getting on his nerves.
"Lemme put it this way," Pack hinted. "We had it imported all the way from Boston."
"Boston!!!" the four most recent arrivals chorused.
The last knot came open in Jody's hands. Heavy footfalls approached in the hall. Oliver struggled awkwardly to his feet after two days of cramps and numbness. A large hand gripped the doorknob noisily. Jody rolled deftly to his feet. The doorknob began to turn. Jody vaulted through the window, and Oliver dove out after him. The door opened. Jody and Oliver fought their way clear of the bushes and ran.