Classic Audiobook Collection - The Bobbsey Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope ~ Full Audiobook [adventure]

Episode Date: July 31, 2023

The Bobbsey Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope audiobook. Genre: adventure The Bobbsey twins are off to spend a summer full of fun and adventures on Blueberry Island. They will encounter a cave, and gypsies, and other things I won't tell you about. You can find out by listening to this book! As with many children's books written during this time in history, there are racial stereotypes that would not pass muster today. To edit them out would be to erase history, so I'm reading the book, as is. There is a 'fat black mammy' named Dinah, and gypsies (of undetermined geographical origin) who naturally steal because they don't know any better. These stereotypes can act as a good springboard for educating your child on how far we have come, and how far we still need to go, to erase racism altogether. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 01 (00:13:15) Chapter 02 (00:27:43) Chapter 03 (00:37:57) Chapter 04 (00:49:41) Chapter 05 (01:03:05) Chapter 06 (01:12:31) Chapter 07 (01:22:49) Chapter 08 (01:36:07) Chapter 09 (01:50:34) Chapter 10 (02:00:12) Chapter 11 (02:15:35) Chapter 12 (02:27:57) Chapter 13 (02:38:09) Chapter 14 (02:53:14) Chapter 15 (03:02:57) Chapter 16 (03:12:47) Chapter 17 (03:24:49) Chapter 18 (03:35:58) Chapter 19 (03:47:01) Chapter 20 (03:55:31) Chapter 21 (04:05:40) Chapter 22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope The Gypsies Oh dear, I wish we weren't going home. So do I. Can't we stay out a little while longer? Why, Flossy and Freddy Bobsey cried Nan, the older sister of the two small twins, who had spoken. A few minutes ago you were in a hurry to get home. Yes, they said they were so hungry they couldn't wait to see what Dino was going to have for

supper, said Bert Bobsey. How about that, Freddy? Well, I'm hungry yet, said the little boy, who was sitting beside his sister, Flossie, in a boat that was being rowed over the blue waters of Lake Matoka. I am hungry and I want some of Dinah's pie, but I'd like to stay out longer. So would I, added Flossy, it's so nice on the lake, and maybe tomorrow it will rain. Well, what if it does, ask Nan, you didn't expect to come out on the lake again. "'Then to-morrow, did you?' "'Maybe,' answered Flossie, as she smoothed out the dress of a doll she was holding in her lap.

"'I'd like to come out on the lake and have a picnic every day,' said Freddy, leaning over the edge of the boat to see if a small ship, to which he had fastened a string, was being pulled safely along. "'Don't do that,' cried Nan quickly. "'Do you want to fall in?' "'No,' answered Freddy slowly, as though he had been thinking, that perhaps a wedding in the lake might not be so bad after all.

No, I don't want to fall in now, because whenever I go in swimming, I get terrible hungry, and I don't want to be any hungrier than I am now. Oh, so that's the only reason, is it? Ask Bert with a laugh. Well, just keep inside the boat until we get on shore, and then you can fall out if you want to.

How am I going to fall out when the boat's on shore? asked Freddie. Boats can't go. on land anyhow, Bert Bobsy. That will be something for you to think about, and then maybe you won't lean over and scare Nan, said Bert, smiling. Do you want I should land you at your father's lumber dock, or shall I row on down near the house, Bert? asked a man who was pulling at the oars of the boat. It won't make any difference to me. I've got lots of time. Then, Jack, row us down near the house, if you don't mind, beg Nan. I want to get these.

two fat twins ashore as soon as i can freddie especially if he's going to almost fall overboard when i'm not looking i'm not going to fall overboard cried the little fat fellow can't i row jack not now freddie i'm in a hurry answered the man one of the workers from mr bobbsey's lumber yard but you told bert just now that you had lots of time insisted freddy well um i haven't time to let you row "'Oh, Freddy. Maybe I will some other day.' And Jack looked at Bert and smiled while he said to himself, "'You've got to get up early in the morning to match a smart chap like him, meaning Freddy, of course. A short time before the Bobsy twins had returned from the city of New York, where they had spent a part of the winter, now it was spring and would soon be summer,

and as the day was a fine warm one, they had gone on a little picnic taking their lunch with them and pretending to camp on one of the many islands in the lake. Now they were on their way home. Well, here you are safe on shore, announced Jack, as the twins called Mr. Henderson, the man whom their father had sent with them to manage the boat. Yes, and there goes Freddy falling overboard, cried Bert with a laugh, as his little fat brother stumbled over a coil of rope on the dock and tumbled down. It's a good thing you didn't do that in the boat, little fat fireman. I didn't hurt myself anyhow, said Freddie as he got up. Come on, Flossy, let's run home. I'm terrible hungry. So am I, added his sister, who was as fat as he in just the same size. The two smaller bobsy twins started on ahead, while Bert, after seeing that the boat was well tied, followed on more slowly with his sister Nan. It was a nice ride we had, Nan said, wasn't it, Bert?

Yes, it's great out on the lake. I wonder if we'll ever go camping as we talked of when we were in New York. Maybe. Let's tease Mother to let us. All right, you ask her and I'll ask Father. There's one island in the lake where... But Bert did not have a chance to finish what he was going to say, for just then Flossie and Freddy,

who had hurried on ahead, came running back, surprise showing on their faces. Oh, Bert, cried Freddy, it's here, it's come. Can we go to see it, asked Flossie? Oh, I just want to. What's here? What do you want to see? What is it?

Ask Bert and Nan together, taking turns at the questions. The circus is here, answered Freddy. Circus, asked Bird and surprise. Yep, we saw the wagons, went on, flossy. They're all red and yellow, and they've got looking glasses all over the sides, and they have rumbly wheels like thunder, and horses with bells on, and you'd better save a little of your breath to eat some of the good things you think Dinah is going to cook, said Nan with a laugh, as she put her arms around her small sister. Now, what is this all about?

It's a circus, cried Freddy. We saw the wagons going along the street where our houses, added Flossie, all red and yellow, and, oh, look, she suddenly cried, there they are now. She pointed excitedly down the side street, on which the Bobsy twins then were, toward the main street of Lakeport, where the Bobsey family lived. Nan and Bird, as well as Flossy and Freddie, saw three or four big wagons gaily painted red and yellow, and with glittering pieces of looking glass on their sides. The prancing horses drawing the wagons had bells around their necks, and a merry tinkling jingle sounded, making music wherever the horses went. Bert and Nan gave one look at the wagons, and then they both laughed. Flossy and Freddie

glanced up in surprise at their older brother and sister. Look what they thought was a circus, chuckled Bert. Isn't it? asked Flossy, isn't that a circus? "'No, dear,' answered Nan. "'Don't laugh so much,' she said to Bert, "'as she saw that the two small twins felt hurt. "'They do look something like circus wagons.' "'They are circus wagons,' declared Freddy, "'and pretty soon the elephants will come past.

"'I like elephants.' "'You won't see any elephants to-day,' said Bert. "'That isn't a circus procession.' "'What is it?' Flossie demanded. "'Those are gypsy wagons, explained Nan. Gypsies, you know, are those queer people who are dark-skinned. They wear rings in their ears and live in wagons like those. They ride all over the country and tell fortunes. I wanted to have my fortune told by a gypsy once, but Mother wouldn't let me, she added. It's silly, declared

Bert, just as if a gypsy could tell you what's going to happen. Well, Lily Kent had hers told went on Nan, and the gypsy looked at her hand and said she was going to have trouble, and she did. What? asked Flossie eagerly. She lost a nickel a week after that, the nickel she was going to buy a lead pencil with. Poo, laughed Bert. She'd have lost the nickel anyhow. But say, there are lots of gypsies in this band. I've counted five wagons so far. Maybe they're going to have a circus, insisted said Freddy, who did not like to give up the idea of seeing a show.

"'Course they're going to have a circus,' said Flossie. "'Look at all the horses. For behind the last two wagons were trotting a number of horses, being led along by men, seated in the ends of the bright-colored wagons. The men had straps which were fastened to the heads of the animals. No, gypsies don't give shows. They buy and sell horses, said Bert. I've seen them here in Lakeport before, but not so many as this.

I guess they're going to make a camp somewhere on Lake Matoka. Maybe we'll see them when we go camping, said Freddie. It isn't sure yet that we're going, returned Nan. But come on, there are no more gypsy wagons to see, and we must get home. Flossie and Freddie somewhat disappointed that, after all, it was not a circus procession they had seen, started off again. They wished they could have seen more of the gypsies,

but the gay wagons rumbled on out of sight, though this was not the last the bobsy twins were to see of them. In fact, they were to meet the gypsies again, and to have quite an adventure with them before the summer was over. Well, we had a good time anyhow, said Freddy to Flossie, and we almost saw a circus, didn't we? Yep, answered his sister. I'm going to be a gypsy when I grow up.

Why, asked Freddy, because they've got so many looking glasses on their wagons. I'm going to be a gypsy too, decided Freddy, after thinking it over a bit, because they've got so many horses. I'm going to ride horseback, and you can ride in one of the wagons, flossie. No, I'm going to ride horseback, too, declared the little girl. I'm going to have a spangly thing in my hair and wear a dress all. glittery and stand on the horses back and ride. Gipsies don't do that, protested Burt. It's the people in circuses that ride standing up. Gypsies do too, declared Freddie,

not knowing a thing about it, but feeling he must back up anything Flossy said. No, they don't either. Well, maybe they have gypsies in a circus. They have Indians, you know. I don't believe they do, put in Nan. Jipsies wouldn't like to be in a tauty. Jipsies wouldn't like to be in a tux. and work every afternoon and every evening. They want to live in their wagons and be more out of doors. Well, maybe we'll be gypsies and maybe we'll be in a circus, said Freddie. We'll see, won't we, Flossie? Yep.

By this time, the bobsy twins had reached their house, or rather they had turned the corner of the street leading out from the lake and were in sight of their home. What they saw caused Bert, Nan, Flossy, and Freddy to set out on a run. In front of their house was a crowd of people. There were men, women, and children, and among them the twins could see their mother, Fat Dinah, the cook, and Sam Johnson, her husband, who attended to the bobbsy furnace in winter and the lawn in summer. What's the matter, asked Nan? Something has happened, cried Bert. The house is on fire,

shouted Freddy. I must get my fire engine that squirt. "'and he raced on ahead. "'Wait a minute,' called Bert. "'The bobsy twins saw their mother "'coming quickly toward them. "'She held out her arms and cried. "'Oh, I'm so glad you're safe. "'Why, what's the matter?' asked Flossie.

"'I just can't say,' answered her mother. "'But Helen Porter can't be found. "'Her mother has looked everywhere for her but can't find her.' "'She's been carried off by the gypsies,' exclaimed, John Marsh, an excited boy about Bert's age. The gypsies took her. I saw him. You did, asked Bert? Sure I did. A man, dark with a red sash on, and gold rings in his ears. He picked Helen up in his arms and went off with her. She's in one of the gypsy wagons now. When John told this, Flossie and Freddie huddled closer to their mother.

chapter two of the bobsy twins on blueberry island by laura lee hope this librivox recording is in the public domain a surprise what's all this what's the matter asked a voice on the outside fringe of the crowd that had gathered in front of the bobsy home and looking up bert saw his father coming down the street from the direction of his lumber yard has anything happened asked mr bobsy after a glance had shown him that his own little family was safe and sound. There sure has lots done gone and happened, Mr. Bobsey, answered Fat Dina. Oh, the poor honey lamb, just to think of it. But who is it? What has happened, asked Mr. Bobsey, looking about for someone to answer him. Flossie and Freddie decided they would do this.

It's gypsies, said the little fat fireman, as his father sometimes called Freddy. and they carried off Helen Porter added the little fat fairy, which was Flossy's pet name. And I saw the wagons all looking glasses, and Freddy and I are going to be gypsies when we grow up. Flossy was so excited that she dropped a lot of G letters from the ends of words where they belonged. You don't mean to say that the gypsies have carried off Helen Porter, the little girl who lives next door, asked Mr. Bobsey in great surprise. "'Yep they did, I saw him,' exclaimed John Marsh. "'She had curly hair, and when the gypsy man took her in his arm, she cried.

"'Helen did.' "'Oh!' exclaimed Flossy, Freddy, and other children in the crowd. "'There must be some mistake,' said Mr. Bobsey. "'Those gypsies would never take away a child, even in fun, in broad daylight. "'It must be a mistake. "'Let me hear more about it.' "'And while the father of the Bobsy twins is trying to to find out just what had happened, I will take a few minutes to let my readers know something of the

twins themselves, for this book is about them. It may be that some boy or girl is reading this as his or her first venture into the volumes of the bobsy twins series. If so, I will state that there are a number of books which come before this, though this story is complete in itself. To begin with, there were four bobsy twins, as you have guessed before this. Nan and Bert were about ten years old, tall and dark, with eyes and hair to match. Flossie and Freddie were short and fat, and had light hair and blue eyes. So now that you know them, you will have no trouble in telling the twins, one from the other. With their mother and their father, who owned a large lumberyard, the twins lived in the eastern city of Lakeport, near the head of Lake Matoka.

There were others in the family besides the twins and their parents. There was dear old black fat Dinah the cook who made such good pies, and there was Sam, her husband, and I must not forget Snoop the black cat, nor Snap, the big dog, who once did tricks in a circus. You will hear more about them later. The Bobsy Twins is the name of the first book, and in that you may read of many adventures that befell the children. They had more adventures in the country, and there's a book telling all about that happy time, and also one about the seashore. When the bobsy twins went to school, there was more fun and excitement than you could shake a stick at, as Dinah used to say,

though why anyone would want to shake a stick at fun, I can't tell. Then came jolly times at Snow Lodge and on a houseboat. From there, the twins went to Meadowbrook, and afterward came home, there to have more fun. The book just before this one you are reading is called The Bobsy Twins in a Great City. In that, you may learn how Bert, Dan, Flossy, and Freddie went to New York,

where Mr. Bobsey had some business to look after. While there, the twins helped to solve a mystery about a poor old man. I think, however, that I had better not tell you any more about it, but let you read it for yourself. And now we find the twins back in Lakeport, ready for a good time during the summer, that would soon be at hand. Only the gypsy scare had rather alarmed everyone for the time being.

But now let me hear that. what this is all about, said Mr. Bobsey, who had come home from the office of his lumberyard to find an excited crowd in front of his house. Were there really any gypsies, he asked his wife, and did they take away Helen Porter? I don't know about that last part, said Mrs. Bobsey, but a caravan of gypsies did pass by the house a little while ago. I heard Dinah say something about the gaily painted wagons, and I looked out in time to see them rumbling along the street. Then, a little later, I heard Mrs. Porter calling for Helen, and, on seeing the crowd, I ran out. I was worried about our children until I saw them coming from the lake, where they had

gone for a row in the boat. I can't believe the gypsies took Helen, said Mr. Bobsey. Oh, but she's gone, several neighbors told him. We can't find her anywhere, and her mother is crying and taking on terribly. Well, it may be that Helen is lost or has even strayed away after the gypsies, thinking their wagons were part of a circus. As Nan says, Flossy thought, said Mr. Bobsey, but gypsies wouldn't dare take a little girl away in broad daylight. As he said this, he looked at his own little children and at others in the crowd, for he did not want them to be frightened. Years ago, maybe, gypsies did take little folks, he said, but they don't do it any more, I'm sure.

"'But where is Helen?' asked John Marsh. "'A gypsy man has her, I know, because I saw him take her.' "'Are you sure?' asked Mr. Bobsey. "'For John was an excitable boy, sometimes given to imagining things that never happened. "'Course I'm sure,' he said, cross my heart, and he did so, while the other children looked on wonderingly. "'Suppose you go over to Mrs. Porter's house,' said Mrs. Bobsey to the children's father. she's worried, I guess, and her husband isn't home yet.

Maybe you can help her. I was just going in when you came along. All right, I'll go, said Mr. Bobsey. Can't we come, ask Freddy? And as he had hold of his little sister's hand, it was flossy, of course, whom he included in his question. No, you must go with your mother, said his father. And when the little fat fireman seemed disappointed,

Mr. Bobsey went on. "'I guess supper is almost ready, isn't it, Dinah?' "'Dee to them, and there's pudding with shaved-up maple sugar scattered over the top, "'and—oh, I want some of that,' cried Flossie. "'Come on, Freddy, we can look for the gypsies after supper.' "'And we'll get Helen out of the shiny wagons,' added Freddy, "'as he turned toward the bobsy home with Flossie, "'fat Dinah waddling long after them.

"'I'll go with you,' offered Bert to his father. maybe you would want me to go on an errand. Yes, take Bert with you, said Mrs. Bobsey. I'll look after Nan, Flossy, and Freddie, and be sure to tell Mrs. Porter that if I can do anything for her, I will. I'll tell her, and then Mr. Bobsey, with Bert, walk to the Porterhouse next door. The crowd in the street grew larger, and there was much talk about the gypsies. Some said that several little boys and girls had been carried off,

But, of course, this was not so. As Flossy and Freddy tore on toward the house, in front of fat Dinah, they continued to chatter about the gypsies. If gypsies take little girls, we don't want to be them. The gypsies, I mean, Freddy. Humpf, that's so.

Well, I guess we'll be in a circus anyhow. That'll be more fun. You can ride a horse in the ring, and sometimes I can ride with you, and sometimes I can be a clown. When I'm a clown, I can squirt water from my fire engine over the other clowns. That'll make the folks holler and laugh. When Nan and Mrs. Bobsey reached the house,

each of the little twins was munching on a piece of maple sugar, given them by Dinah to keep them from nibbling at the pudding before the time to serve it came. My, momsey, aren't you glad the gypsies came and got Helen Porter? It gives us something to think about, remarked Freddy coolly. Freddy, Bobsey, gasped his mother. No, I am not glad the gypsies got Helen, if they did.

And you and Flossy find enough to think about as it is, and give the rest of us enough to think about what's more. There go Daddy and Bird into Mrs. Porter's house now, said Nan. Now tell me just what happened, and I'll do all I can to help you, said Mr. Bobsey to Mrs. Porter, when he got to her house and found her, half crying in the sitting-room, where there were a number of other women. Oh, Helen is gone, I'm sure she is, cried the mother. The gypsies have taken her. I'll never see her again. Oh, yes, you will, said Mr. Bobsey in mild tones. I'm sure it's all a mistake.

The gypsies haven't taken her at all. What makes you think so? Johnny Marsh saw them carry her away. Then let's have Johnny in here, where we can talk to him. him. Bert, suppose you do one of those errands you spoke of, said his father with a smile, and bring Johnny in out of the crowd where I can talk to him quietly. John, or Johnny, as he was often called, was very ready to come when Bert found him outside the porterhouse, telling over and over again to a crowd of boys what he had seen, or what he thought he had seen. Now tell us just what happened, said Mr. Bobsey, when the small small. boy was seated in a chair in the porter parlor. Well, I was coming from the store from my mother,

said Johnny, and I saw the gypsy wagons. I thought it was a circus. That's what Flossy and Freddie thought, said Bert to his father. But it wasn't, went on, Johnny, and I saw Helen playing in Grace Levine's yard down the street when I came past, and a little while after that, when I had to go to the store for my mother again, because I forgot a yeast cake. I saw a gypsy man running along the street, and he had Helen in his arms, and she was crying. What made you think it was Helen? asked Mr. Bobsey, because I saw her light hair. Helen's got fluffy hair like your flossies. Yes, I know she has, said Mr. Bobsey. What did you do when you thought you saw the gypsy man carrying Helen away? And they all waited anxiously for Johnny's answer.

I ran home, said Johnny. I didn't want to be carried off in one of those looking-glass wagons. Quite right, said Mr. Bobsey. Then you really didn't see the gypsy man pick Helen up in his arms? No, slowly answered the little boy. He only just ran past me, but he must have picked her up in Grace's yard, for that's where Helen was playing. Then we'd better go down to where Grace Levine lives and see what she can tell us, said Mr. Bobsey. You don't need to, put in, Bert. I see Grace out in front now with some other girls. Shall I call her in? Oh, please do, exclaimed Mrs. Porter.

My poor Helen, oh, what has happened to her? We'll get your little girl back. Even if the gypsies have her, said Mr. Bobsey, but I don't believe they have taken her away. Call in Grace, Bert. Grace was not as excited as Johnny and told what she knew. Helen and Mary Benson and I were playing in my yard, said Grace. We had our dolls and we were having a tea party.

Mary and I went into the house to get some sugar cookies, to play they were strawberry shortcake, and we left Helen out under the trees with her doll. When we came back she wasn't there, nor her doll either, and down the street we saw the gypsy wagons. Did you see any gypsy man come into the yard and get Helen? asked Mr. Bobsey. No, said Grace, shaking her head. I didn't.

But the gypsies must have taken her, because she was gone. Oh, please, someone go after the gypsies and make a search among them at any rate, cried Mrs. Porter. We'll get right after them, said Mr. Bobsey. I don't really believe the gypsies took Helen, but they may have seen her. They can't have gone on very far. I'll call some policemen, and we'll get after her. them. I'll come with you, said Bert. Maybe we'd better get an automobile. It would be a good idea,

said his father. Let me see now. I think. But before Mr. Bobsey could say what he thought, there was the sound of shouts in the street, and when those in the porter home rushed to the windows and doors, they were surprised to see, coming up the front walk the missing little girl herself. There was Helen Porter, not carried off by the gypsies at all, but safe at home. Though something had happened, that was sure, for she was crying. Here she is, here she is, cried several in the crowd, and Mrs. Porter rushed out to hug her little girl, close in her arms. End of Chapter 2. Chapter 3 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Lord. Laura Lee Hope. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Worried twins. Oh, Helen, how glad I am to

have you back, cried Mrs. Porter. How did you get away from the gypsies, or did they really have you? The little girl stopped crying and all about her the men, women, and children waited anxiously to hear what she would say. Did the gypsies take you away? asked Mr. Bobsey. No, the gypsies didn't get me, said Helen. Her voice now and then broken by sobs, but they took Molly. Took Molly, cried Mr. Bobsey. Do you mean to say they really did take a little girl away? They took Molly, half-sobbed Helen, and I tried to get her back, but I couldn't run fast enough, and, and... Well, if they really have Molly, went on Mr. Bobsey, we must get right after them, and... Molly is the name of Helen's big doll.

"'Almost as large as she is,' explained Mrs. Porter, "'who was now smiling through her tears. "'Molly isn't a little girl, "'though probably there are several in Lakeport named that. "'But the Molly whom Helen means is a doll.' "'Oh, I see,' said Mr. Bobsey. "'But did the gypsies really take your doll, Helen?' "'Yes, they did,' answered the little girl.

"'A bad gypsy man took her away. "'I was playing with Molly and Grace Levine's yard, and Grace and Mary went into the house to get some cookies. I stayed out in the yard with my doll because I wanted her to get tanned, nice and brown. I laid her down in a sunny place, and I went over under a tree to set the tea table, and when I looked around, I saw the gypsy man.

Where was he? asked Mr. Bobsey. He was just getting out of one of the red wagons, and there was a little gypsy girl in the wagon. She was pointing to my doll, and then the man jumped down off the wagon steps, ran into the yard, picked up my doll, and then he jumped into the wagon again and rode away, and he's got my nice doll Molly, and I want her back, and oh dear, and Helen began to cry again. Never mind, said Mr. Bobsey quietly. I'll try to get your doll back again. How large was it?

Nearly as large as Helen herself, said Mrs. Porter. I didn't want her to play with it today, but she took it yes but now the gypsy man with rings in his ears he took it explained helen he carried my doll off in his arms and it must have been the doll which johnny saw the gipsy man carrying and not helen exclaimed bert did it look like a doll johnny Well, it might have been. It had light hair like Helen's, though. Helen's doll had light hair, said Mrs. Porter, and probably if a gypsy put the doll under his arm and ran past, anyone would look as though he were carrying off a little girl, especially as the doll really had on a dress Helen used to wear when she was a baby. That is probably what happened, said Mr. Bobsey. The gypsy man's little girl saw from the wagon, the doll lying in the Leveen.

mean yard. Gypsies are not as careful about taking what does not belong to them as they might be. They often steal things, I'm afraid. And seeing the big doll lying under the tree. Where I put her so she'd get tan nice and brown interrupted Helen. Just so, agreed Mr. Bobsey. Seeing the doll under the tree with no one near, the gypsy man made up his mind to take her for his little girl. This he did. And when he ran off with Molly, Johnny saw what happened and thought Helen was being kidnapped. But I'm glad that wasn't so, although it's too bad Molly has been taken away. However, we'll try to get her back for you, Helen.

Maybe the gypsies took other things. If they did, we'll send the police after them. Now don't cry any more, and I'll see what I can do. And will you get Molly back? I'll do my best, promised the Bobsy Twins father. There being nothing more he could do just then. at the porter home mr. Bobsey went back to his own family and told his wife Flossy Freddy and Nan what had happened oh I'm so glad Helen is all right said Mrs.

Bobsey but it's too bad about her doll sighed Nan she had a doll of her own a fine one and she knew how it would feel if it had been taken Helen's doll could talk said Flossy I know because she let me make it talk one day you wind up a winder thing in her back, and then you push on a shoe button thing in her front, and she says Mama and Papa and other things. Yes, that's right, said Nan. Molly is a talking doll. I guess she has a little phonograph inside her. Maybe that's the noise Johnny heard when the gypsy man carried the doll past him, and Johnny thought it was Helen crying. I guess that was it, agreed Mr. Bobsey. "'Well, it's too bad to lose a big talking doll.

"'I must see what I can do to help get it back. "'I'll call up the chief of police.' "'It would be worse to lose your toy fire engine,' declared Freddy. "'Why, Freddy Bobsey exclaimed his little sister, "'nothing could be worse than to lose your very best doll, "'your very own child. "'Mr. Bobsey, being one of the most prominent businessmen in the town, "'had considerable business at times,

the police and fire departments, and the officers would do almost anything to help him, or his friends. So, after supper, at which Dinah had served the pudding with the shaved-up maple sugar over the top, Flossie and Freddy each having had two helpings, Mr. Bobsey called up the police station, and asked if anything more had been heard of the gypsies. Well, yes, we did hear something of them, answered Chief Branford over the telephone wire, they've gone into camp where they always do on the western shore of the lake and as i've had several reports of small things having been stolen around town i'm going to send an officer out there to the gypsy camp and have him see what he can find you say they took your little girl's doll no not my little girls answered mr bobbsey but the talking doll belonging to a friend of hers her name is molly daddy said flossie who with the other bobsy twins was listening to her father talk over the telephone i mean the doll's name is molly not helen's name i understand said mr bobsy with a laugh and he told the chief the name of the doll and also the name of the little girl who owned it well what is to be done asked

Mrs. Bobsey, as her husband hung up the receiver. I think I'll go with the policeman and see what I can find out about the gypsy, said Mr. Bobsey. If they are going to take things that do not belong to them, they may pay a visit to my lumber yard, if they have not done so already. I think I'll go out to the gypsy camp. Oh, let me come, beg, Bert, always ready for an adventure. I wouldn't go, not at night anyhow, remarked Nan.

nor I added Freddy, while Flossy crept up into her mother's lap. Oh, I'm not going until morning, said Mr. Bobsey. Then I'll take you, Bert, if you'd like to go. We'll see if we can find Helen's big talking doll. She must feel bad at losing it, said Nan. She does, said Bert, though how anyone can get to like a doll with such stupid eyes as they have. I can't see. "'They're as good as nasty old knives that cut you and kite strings that are always getting tangled,' said Nan with a laugh.

"'Yes, I guess we like different things,' agreed her brother. "'Well, I'm glad it wasn't Flossie or Freddy the gypsies took away with them.' "'I wouldn't go,' declared Freddy, and if they took Flossy I get my fire engine and squirt water on those men with rings in their ears till they let my sister go. "'That's my little fat fireman,' laughed Mr. Bobsey. "'But now I think you're getting sleepy. "'Your row on the lake made the sandman come around earlier than usual, I guess. "'Off to bed with you.' "'Flossie and Freddy went to bed earlier than Nan and Bert,

"'who were allowed to sit up a little later. "'There was much talk about the gypsies and what they might have taken, "'and Nan and Bert were getting ready for bed "'when a pattering of bare feet was heard on the stairs. and a voice called, Where's Snoop? Why, it's Flossy and Freddie, cried Mrs. Bobsey, as she saw the two small twins.

Why are you out of bed, she asked. Freddy thought maybe the gypsies would take our cat's snoop, explained Flossy, so we got up to tell you to bring him in. And bring in Snap, our dog, added Freddy. The gypsies might take him because he does tricks and was once in a circus. Oh, don't worry about that, Lassie.

Mr. Bobsey. Get back to bed before you take cold. But you won't let the gypsies take them, will you? asked Flossy anxiously. No, indeed, promised her mother. Snoop is safely curled up in his basket, and I guess Snap wouldn't let a gypsy come near him. But Flossy and Freddie were not satisfied until they had looked and had seen the big black cat cozily asleep, and had heard Snap bark outside when Bert called to him from a window. The gypsies won't take your pets, their father told the small twins, and then, hand in hand, they went upstairs again to bed. End of Chapter 3. Chapter 4 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. The Goat

Can't we come to? We're not afraid of the gypsies. not in daytime. Flossie and Freddie thus called after their father and Bert, as the two latter started the next morning to go find the gypsy camp. The night had passed quietly. Snap and Snoop were found safe when day dawned, and after breakfast Mr. Bobsey and his older son were to go to Lake Matoka and find where the gypsies had stopped, with the gay, red, and yellow wagons. They were going to see if they could find any trace of Helen's doll, and also things belonging to other people in town, which it was thought the dark-skinned visitors might have taken. Please let us go, beg the little Bobsy twins? Oh, my dears, no, said Mrs. Bobsey. It's too far,

and besides. Are you afraid the gypsies will carry us off, asked Freddy, because if you are, I'll take my fire engine, and some of the funny bugs that go around and around and around that we got in New York, and I'll scare the gypsies with them and squirt water on them. No, I'm not afraid of you or Flossy's being carried off, especially when your father is with you, said Mrs. Bobsey. But there is no telling where the gypsies are camped, and it may be a long walk before they are found. So you stay with me and I'll get Dinah to let you have a party. Oh, that will be fun, cried Flossy. I'd rather play hunt gypsy, said her brother, but when he saw Dinah come out of the kitchen with a tiny little cake she had baked especially for him and his sister to have a play party with, Freddy thought after all there was some fun in staying at home.

But take Snap with you, he said to Bert. He'll growl at the gypsy men, and maybe he'll scare him so they'll give back Helen's doll. Well, Snap can growl hard when he wants to, said Bert with a laugh. But still, I think it wouldn't be a good thing to take him. him to the gypsy camp. They nearly always have dogs in their camp, the gypsies do, and those dogs might get into a fight with Snap. Snap could beat him, declared Freddy. No, don't take him, ordered Flossy. I don't want Snap to get bit. I don't either, agreed Bert, so I'll leave him at home, I guess. Well, there's Daddy calling me. I'll have to run. I'll tell you all about it when I come back. So, while Flossie and Freddy, with a little cake Dinah had baked for them, went to have a good time playing party, Mr. Bobsey, with a policeman and

Bert, went to the gypsy camp. The policeman did not have on his uniform with brass buttons. In fact, he was dressed almost like Mr. Bobsey. Four, said this policeman, whose name was Joseph Carr, if the gypsy men were to see me coming along in my helmet, with my coat covered with brass buttons and a club in my hand. They would know right away who I was. They could see me a long way off on account of the sun shining on the brass buttons, and they would have time to hide away that little girl's doll, or anything else they may have taken. So I'll go in plain clothes. Like a detective, said Bird. Yes, something like a detective, agreed Mr. Carr. Now let's step along lively. Several persons had seen the gypsy caravan of gay, yellow, and red wagons going through

Lakeport, and had noticed them turn up along the farther shore of Lake Matoka. There was a patch of woods several miles away from the town, and in years past these same gypsies, or others like them, had camped there. It was to these woods that Bird and his father were going. Do you think we'll find Helen's doll, asked the boy. Well, maybe, Bert, answered his father, and yet it may be that the gypsies have it, but will not give it up. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. If I get sight of it, they'll give it up soon enough, said policeman Carr. After about a two hours walk, Bert, his father and Mr. Carr, came to the woods. Through the trees, they looked and saw the red and yellow wagon standing in a

circle. Near them were tied a number of horses, eating what little grass grew under the trees, while dogs roamed about here and there. I'm glad we didn't bring snap, said Bert. There'd have been a dog fight as sure as fate. Yes, I guess so, agreed his father. By this time they had entered the gypsy camp, and some of the dark-faced men with dangling gold rings in their ears came walking slowly forward, as if to ask the two visitors with the little boy what was wanted. We're after a big doll, said Mr. Bobsey. One was taken from a little girl in our town yesterday. Perhaps you gypsies took it by mistake, and if so, we'd be glad to have it back. We haven't any doll, growled one big gypsy. We have only what is our own.

I'm not so sure about that, said Mr. Carr. We'll have a look about the can, and see what we can find. The gypsy growled and said something else, though what it was Bert could not hear. The gypsies did not seem pleased to have visitors, nor did the dogs, who sniffed about the feet of Bert, his father and the policeman. One dog growled while others barked, and then the gypsy man who had first spoken made them go away. You are wasting your time here, said this gypsy, who seemed to be the leader, or king, as he is sometimes called. We have nothing but what is our own. We have no little girl's doll. We'll have a look about, said Mr. Carr again. But though the policeman and Mr. Bobsey, to say nothing of

Bert, who had very sharp eyes, looked all about the gypsy camp, there was no sign of the missing doll. If a gypsy man had taken it, of which Helen at least was very sure, he had either hidden it well, or possibly had gone off by himself to some other camp in another part of the woods. If the doll would only talk now and tell us where she is, we could get her, said Bert with a laugh to his father, when they had walked through the camp and come out on the other side. That's right, agreed Mr. Bobsey, but I'm afraid the doll isn't smart enough for that.

Do you see anything else that the gypsies may have taken? Asked the twins' father of the policeman. I'm not sure, answered Mr. Carr. We had a report of two horses missing, and they may be here, but most horses look so much alike to me that I can't tell them apart. I guess I'll have to get the men who own them to come here and see if they can pick them out. For half an hour, Bert, his father, and Mr. Carr roamed through the gypsy camp, the dark-faced men and women scowling at them,

and the dogs now and then barking. If there were any boys or girls in the camp, Bert did not see them, and he thought they might be hiding away in some of the many wagons. Well, we didn't find the doll, said Mr. Carr, when they were on their way back to Lakeport, but I'm sure some of the horses the gypsies have don't belong to them. The chief of police is going to make them move away from that camp anyhow. For the man who owns the land doesn't like the gypsies there. He says they take his neighbor's chickens. Flossie and Freddy, as well as Helen Porter,

were much disappointed when Mr. Bobsey and Bert came back without the doll. Helen was sure some gypsy had it, but as it could not be found, nothing could be done about it. We'll help you look for your doll this afternoon, said Freddy to the little girl, into whose eyes came tears whenever she thought of her lost pet. Maybe you left Molly under some bush in Grace's yard. I looked under all the bushes, said Helen. "'Well, we'll look again,' promised Freddy,

"'and they did, but no doll was found. "'The next day the gypsies were made to move on "'with their gaily colored wagons, "'their horses and dogs, "'and though they went, "'for they had no right to camp on the land near the lake, "'they were very angry about it. "'They said they had camped there for many years,

"'reported Mr. Carr, "'telling about the police having driven "'the dark-faced men and women away. and that they would make whoever it was that drove them away sorry that he had done such a thing i suppose that means said mr bobbsey that they'll help themselves from somebody's chicken coop we haven't got any chickens said freddie but we've got a dog and a cat put in flossie if those gypsies take snap or snoop i'll i'll go after them i will so i declared her little fat brother what'll you do when you get to where the gypsies are, asked Bert. Why, I'll, began Freddy. Oh, I'll just pick Snoop up in my arms until Snap to come with me, and we'll run home, answered Flossie. But maybe the gypsies, don't, Bert, admonished his father. I do not believe that you little twins need worry about your

cat and your dog, he continued. But for several days and nights after that, Flossy and Freddie were very much worried, lest their pet should be taken away. But the gypsies did not come back again, at least for a time. And though the small bobsy twins again helped Helen hunt under many bushes for her talking doll, it could not be found. I just know the gypsy man took my Molly, declared Helen. I'll help you get it back if ever I see those gypsies, declared Freddie. But at that time, neither he, flossie nor Helen realized what strange things were going to happen about that same talking doll. It was about a week after this, and summer seemed to have come all of a sudden, that when the mail came one morning, Mrs. Bobsey saw a postal card that made her smile as she

read it. What's it about, Momsie asked Freddie, when he noticed his mother's happy face. Are we going back to New York? No, but this postal has something to do with something that happened in New York, was Mrs. Bobsey's answer. It is from the express company to your father, and it says that there is, at the express office. Just then, Mrs. Bobsey dropped the postal, and as Nan picked it up to hand it to her mother, the little girl saw one word. Oh, cried Nan, it's a postal about a goat. A goat? gasped Flossie. A goat, shouted Freddy, a live goat? Why, yes, I guess so. And Nan looked at the postal again. Oh, I know, cried Freddy. It's that goat I almost bought in New York, Mike's goat. Oh, did Daddy get a goat for us, as he promised? asked the little boy of his mother.

End of chapter four. Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. A Bumpy Ride. The Bobsy twins, all four of them, stood in a circle about their mother, looking eagerly at her and at the postal card, which Nan had handed to her. Freddy and Flossy were smiling expectantly, while Nan and Bert looked as though they were not quite sure whether or not it was a joke.

"'Is it really a goat, mother?' asked Bert. "'Well, that's what this postal says,' answered Mrs. Bobsey. "'A goat and cart have arrived at the express office, "'and your father has asked to come to get them and take them away.' "'Of course he's got to take him away,' said Freddy. "'The goat'll be hungry there, for he can't get anything to eat.' "'And he might butt somebody with his horns,' added Flossie. "'Dadie wouldn't buy a budding goat,' Freddy declared.

anyhow let's go and get him i want to have a ride if there really is a goat outfit at the express office for us said bert we'd better get it i think i'll take the postal down to the lumberyard office and ask daddy i'm going with you cried freddie i'm coming too added flossie suppose you all go suggested mrs bobbsey your father will tell you what to do for i'm sure i don't know what to say i never had a goat Four twins, a dog, and a cat, are about all I can manage, she said laughingly, as fat dinah came waddling into the room to ask what to order from the grocery. A goat, good land a mercy, exclaimed the colored cook. There sure will be trouble if the honeylams takes to playin with goats. Mm-mm-mm, a goat, oh, landy. I know how to drive a goat, declared Freddy.

Mike, the red-haired boy in New York, showed me. Flossie and I had a ride in his wagon for two cents a piece. It was fun, wasn't it, Flossie? Yep, I liked it. We had lots of fun in New York. Freddy rode on a mud turtle's back, and we had bugs that went around and around and around. Maybe the goat will go around and around and around, said Nan, half laughing. Well, hurry down to your father's office with the postal. Mrs. Bobsey, he'll know what to do. And when the four excited Bobsy twins,

for even Bert was excited over the chance of owning a goat, reached their father's office, he told them all about it. You remember, he said, that when Freddy and Flossy almost bought the goat in New York, I promised that if I could find a good one for sale, with a harness and wagon, I'd buy it for you this summer. Well, I heard of one the other day, and I got it. having it sent on here by express now we'll go down and see what it looks like it's going to be my goat flossies and mine isn't it asked freddie as they started for the express office down near the railroad station

no more yours than it will be nans and bert's my little fat fireman said mr bobbsey with a laugh you must all be kind to the goat and take turns riding in the wagon can't we all ride at once asked nan well i'll well i don't know how large the wagon is answered mr bobbsey as he started from his lumber yard for the express office with the children maybe you can all get in at once if the goat is strong enough to pull you i hope he's a big goat said freddie then me and bert will drive him and ride you and flossie nan don't let him run away with me that's all i asked begged nan laughing they found the goat in a crate on the express platform near him was a good-sized wagon like those the children had seen in central park went on their visit to new york oh we can all get in it cried freddie as he ran from the wagon over to where the goat was bleating in his crate the animal was a large white one and he seemed gentle when flossie and freddie put their hands in through the slats of the crate and patted him i think he'd like to get out where he can walk around and have something to eat and drink said mr bobsy we must take him out of his crate this was soon done with the help of the express agent and when the last piece of wood was taken off the goat stepped out of his crate in which he had travelled from a distant city and gave a loud and he stamped his forefeet on the platform and shook his head on which were two horns oh look out he'll run away cried freddie who was afraid of losing his goat before there was a chance for a ride

but the goat seemed tame kind and gentle and after walking about a little stood still beside the crate and let the children pat him while mr bobbsey paid the express agent there was a piece of paper pasted on the crate in which the goat had travelled one end of the paper was flapping loose and seeing it the white animal nibbled at it and finally ate it chewing it up as though he liked it as indeed he did not so much for the paper as for the dried paste by which it had been stuck on oh look cried nan the goat's eating the label off his crate so we can't send him back he likes us i guess we like him anyhow said freddie laughing and patting the billy come on bert hitch him up and give us a ride shall i ask bert of his father why yes i guess so might as well start now as any time the man i bought him from said he was kind and gentle and liked children harness him up bert a complete harness had come with the goat and wagon and when the white animal had been given a drink of water and fed some grass, which Flossy and Freddie pulled for him. Bert, helped by his father and the express agent, put the harness on. What are we going to call him, asked Nan?

We'll have to have a name for our goat. We don't want to call him it or Billy. Name him whisker, said Bert. See, he has whiskers just like an old man. Oh, that's a nice funny name, laughed Flossy. And Freddie thought so too. So the goat was named Whisker, and he seemed to like that as well as any. What he had been called before they got him, the children did not know.

Whisker did not seem to mind being hitched to the wagon, and when Mr. Bobsey had made sure that all the straps were well-fastened, Burt took the front seat with Nan beside him, while Flossie and Freddy sat in the back. They set off Mr. Bobsey walking beside the goat, to make sure he did not run away. But Whisker seemed to be a very good goat indeed and went along nicely,

and so slowly and carefully that Freddy, several times, begged to be allowed to drive. I will let you after a while, promised Bert. Let me get used to him first. When the bobsy twins came riding down their street in the goat wagon, you can imagine how surprised all the other children were. They gathered in front of the house and rushed into the yard when Bert turned Whisker up the driveway. Oh, give us a ride, give us a ride, cried the playmates of the Bobsy Twins.

Yes, I'll give you all rides, promised Bert good-naturedly. Then began a jolly time for the Bobsy Twins in their friends. Whisker did not seem to mind how many children he hauled around the smooth level yard at the side of the house. sometimes the wagon was as full as it could hold, nor did the goat try to butt anyone with his horns, letting the boys and girls pet him as much as they pleased. He's almost as nice as my doll the gypsies took, said Helen Porter, after she had had a ride. I like Whisker. Did you find your doll, asked Flossie? No, I can't find Molly anywhere. I just know she's been turned into a gypsy. oh dear flossie and i'll help you find her promised freddie once again some day i'm going to drive the goat all alone and i'll give you and flossie a long ride helen then we'll go off and find your doll that'll be nice said helen

the bobsy twins never knew how many friends they had until they got the goat wagon for a time snoop and snap were forgotten because there was so much fun to be had with wisconsin Whisker. Bert gave many rides to his little sister and brother, and to their playmates. And in a few days, Freddy was allowed to drive the goat. So gentle was the white animal. One day, soon after Bert had hitched whisker to the wagon, and was going to give his two sisters and brother a ride, a telephone message came from Mr. Bobsey, asking Bert to come to the lumber office to get something Mr. Bobsey had to send home to his wife. I'll give you a ride when I come back, promised Bert, hurrying down the street. We'll leave Whisker hitched up, said Nan. I'll go in and finish sewing up that hole in my stocking I was mending. And I'll stay out here in the goat wagon, said Freddie, while Flossie nodded her head to say she would do the same thing. A little later, and before Bert had come back from his father's office, Helen Porter came walking past the bobsy house. Looking in the yard, she saw Flossie and Freddie, seated in the goat wagon.

Come on in, invited Flossy. We're having a make-believe ride, and you can ride too, can't she, Freddy? Yep, and I'm going to drive, make-believe. Come on, Helen. When bird comes, I'll ask him to take us to help find the gypsies and get back your doll. Helen hurried in and took her place in the wagon, and the three children had lots of fun, pretending they were going on a long trip. They did not really go, for the goat was tied to a post. I wish Bert would hurry back, said Flossy after a bit. I'm tired of staying in one place so long.

So am I, said Freddie. Then he got out of the wagon and began loosening the strap by which the goat was fastened to the post. What do you do? flossing asked. I just want to see what Whisker'll do, answered the little boy. Maybe he's tired of standing still. Indeed, the goat seemed to be, for no sooner had Freddy got into the wagon again, than off-whisker started, walking slowly toward the back of the yard, where there was a gate to a rear street which led to the woods. Whoa, cried Freddy, but he did not say it very loudly. Whoa, Whisker, where you're going to? you going? Oh, he's running away, cried Helen. Let me out. He's running away. No, he's only walking, said Freddy. It's all right. As long as he walks, you won't get hurt. I guess I'd better drive him, though. Can't you stop him, asked Flossie? Bert won't like it to have us take him away.

We aren't taking him away. He's taking us away, said Freddie. I can't make him stop. Look. Again, he called, whoa, but the goat did not obey. On and on went Whisker slowly at first, then walking a little faster and pulling after him the wagon with the children in it. Oh, he's going to the woods, cried Flossie, as she saw the goat heading for the patch of trees at the end of the back street. Stop him, Freddy. Maybe he wants to go there, said Freddie. He won't stop for me. But it's Such a bumpy road, said Helen, the words being fairly jarred out of her. It's all bumps and humps. That's because we're in the woods, said Freddie, for by this time the goat had drawn the wagon into the shade of the woods, not far from the bobsy home. It was indeed a bumpy place,

whisker pulling the children over tree roots and bits of broken wood. But the wagon was stout and the goat was strong. Then suddenly, Freddy had an idea. Oh, Helen, he cried. I guess Whisker is taking us to find your lost doll. End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Jolly News Whisker, the big white goat, seemed to know exactly what he was. was doing, whether or not it was taking the two smallest bobsy twins and Helen Porter to the woods to find the lost doll, for the goat stepped briskly along, pulling after him, the wagon in which the children rode. They were bumped about quite a bit, for the path through the woods was anything but

smooth. In some places there was no path at all, but this did not seem to worry, Whisker. He went along anyhow, now and then stopping to nibble at some green leaves, and again turning to one side to crop some grass. Do you really think he's taking us to my doll? asked Helen eagerly. I hope so, answered Flossie, somewhat doubtfully. Maybe he is, said Freddie. Anyhow, the gypsies that took your doll, Molly, came to the woods, and we're in the woods, and maybe the doll is here, and maybe we'll find her. That was as much as Freddy could think of at one time, especially as he had to hold the reins that were fast to the bit in Whisker's mouth, for the goat was driven just as a horse or pony is driven, and Freddy was doing the driving this time. At least the little boy thought he was, and that was

very near the same thing, but Whisker went along by himself pretty much as he pleased, really not needing much driving by the leather reins, and he never needed to be whipped. In fact, there was not a whip in the wagon, for the bobsy children never thought of using it. They were kind to their goat. Oh, I'm falling out, suddenly cried Helen, as the wagon went over a very rough, bumpy place in the path. Hold on tight like me, said Flossie. Anyhow, she went on as she looked out of the wagon. "'If you do fall, you won't get hurted much, "'because there's a lot of soft moss and leaves on the ground. "'But I'll get my dress dirty,' said Helen.

"'Then we'll go down to the lake and wash it off,' said Freddie, "'for the woods in which they now were led down to the shore of the lake. "'Well, I don't want to fall anyhow,' said Helen. "'Most always when I fall I bump my nose, and it hurts.' "'It's smoother now, and I guess the wagon won't tip over,' observed Freddy a little later. They had come now to a wider path in the woods, where it was not so bumpy, and the wagon rolled easily over the moss and leaves, as Whisker pulled it along. It's nice in here, said Flossy, looking about her. Yes, I'm glad Whisker took us for a ride,

said Freddy. He wouldn't have if you hadn't unhitched his strap, remarked Flossy. What'll Burt say? Well, Whisker was tired of standing still, went on her brother. And anyhow, Helen wanted to come for a ride to find her doll, didn't you? He asked their little playmate. Yep, I did, she answered. I want my doll Molly awful much. Then we'll look for her, Freddy went on. Whoa, Whisker.

Whether the goat really stopped because Freddy said this word, which always makes horses stop, or whether Whisker was tired and wanted a rest, I cannot say. Anyhow, he stopped in a shady place in the woods, and the children got out. I'll tie the goat to a tree, so he can't go off and have a ride by himself, said Freddy, as he took the strap from the wagon. But Whisker did not seem to want to go on any farther. He lay down on some soft moss and seemed to go to sleep. We'll leave him here until we come back, said Freddy, and now we'll look for Helen's doll. Perhaps the children had an idea that the gypsies may have left the talking doll,

behind in the woods when they were driven away by the police. For, though they were not near the place where the dark-skinned men and women had camped, Blossie, Freddy, and Helen began looking under trees and bushes for a trace of the missing Molly. Do you suppose she can talk and tell you where she is, asked Flod? when they had hunted about a bit, not going too far from the goat and wagon. I don't know, Helen answered. Sometimes, when I wind up the spring in her back, she says Mama and Papa, without my pushing

the button. My father says that's because something is the matter with her. Well, if she would only talk now and holler out, we'd know where to look for, added Freddy. Let's call to her, suggested Flossie. All right, agreed Helen. So the children called, Molly, Molly, where are you? Their voices echoed through the trees,

but there was no other answer, at least for a while. Then, when they had walked on a little farther, and found a spring of water where they had a cool drink, they called again. Molly, Molly, where are you? Then all at once, seemingly from a long way off, came an answering call.

wait a minute i'm coming oh did you hear that gasped flossie it was somebody talking to us whispered helen and it wasn't the echo either went on flossie maybe it was your doll suggested freddie did it sound like her voice a-a little said helen slowly we'll call again suggested flossie and once more the children cried aloud molly molly where are you wait a minute stand standing standing there still so I can find you, I'm coming, was the answer. The three little ones looked at one another in surprise, and they were, moreover, a little frightened. Was it possible that the missing, talking doll was really in the woods and had answered them? That it could talk because it had a phonograph inside, they all knew, but would it answer when spoken to? It didn't sound like Molly whispered Helen after a bit. Her voice wasn't as loud as that. Oh, suddenly gasped Flossie. Maybe it was the gypsies. That was something the children had not thought of before. Suppose it should be the same gypsy man who had taken away the doll. It couldn't be the gypsy, said Freddie, looking around him. They all went away. Daddy said so. But maybe there was one left, suggested his sister. Poo, I'm not afraid of one gypsy, declared Freddie. If he bothers me, I'll sick whiskers.

on him. You can't sick a goat. They can't bite or bark like a dog, retorted flossie. No, but Whisker can butt with his horns, cried Freddy. That's what I'll do. If it's a gypsy, I'll sick Whisker on him. Just then the children heard the voice again calling, Where are you? I want to find you. Once more, they looked at one another rather afraid, and then came a loud, bah, from Whisker. Come on, cried Freddy. Maybe they're trying to take our goat away. He started on a run through the woods, toward the place where they had left Whisker and the wagon, now out of sight behind some bushes. Wait, wait for me, cried Flossie, who was left behind with Helen. Don't run off without us, Freddy.

Oh, excuse me, he said politely enough, but we don't want those gypsies to take Whisker. Whisker old bottom, said Flossie, wait for us. yes i guess our goat won't let anybody take him went on freddie walking now instead of running come on flossie and helen maybe it's your doll talking and maybe it isn't but we'll soon see together the three children hurried on soon coming within sight of the goat there was whisker peacefully lying down still asleep and running toward him along the woodland path was bert who as he was he caught sight of Freddy and the others called. Oh, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you. Didn't you hear me calling?

Was that you, asked Freddy? We thought maybe it was a gypsy man. Or Helen's doll, added Flossy. Her doll, Molly can talk, you know, bird. And Whisker gave us a ride here, so we looked for the doll. Yes, and then I had to come looking for you, said her brother.

But never mind. I've found you, and I've got just. Do you mean jolly news because you found us? asked Freddie. No, it's jolly news about something else, Bert said, but I've got to hurry home with you so mother won't worry. Then I'll tell you. End of chapter six. Chapter seven of the bobsy twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. Where is is snap. How did you youngsters come to run away? asked Bert, when he was driving the goat wagon back through the woods again, taking a path that was not quite so bumpy as the first one.

My goodness, I came back from Daddy's office to find Mother and Nan looking everywhere for you. How did you happen to run away? We didn't run away, said Flossie, who was so excited over what had happened, that she forgot to speak the way her teacher in school had told her to. Whisker runned away with us. I guess he didn't go without being told, and without someone's taking off his hitching strap, said Bert with a smile. Anyhow, we didn't run much. Whisker just walked most of the time, said Freddie. Well, it's all the same, returned, Bert. I had to chase after you to find you. Didn't you hear me calling? "'Yes, but we thought it was gypsies, or Helen's doll,' answered Flossie.

"'We were looking for Molly, you know.' "'You'll not find her unless you find that band of gypsy,' said Bert. "'Anyhow, you mustn't come off to the woods alone, you little children.' "'We had whisker with us,' Freddy declared, "'and if any of the gypsy men had come, "'he'd have butted them with his horns.' "'He might and he might not,' went on, Bert. "'Anyhow, I guess you had a nice rod.'

We did, said Flossie, only we're sorry we couldn't find Helen's doll. How did you find us, Bert? Oh, I could see by the wheel and hoof marks in the soft dirt, which way Whisker had taken the wagon, and I just followed. But what is the jolly news, Freddie demanded. Are we going back to New York? Better than that, answered Bert. We're going camping. Camping, cried the two little bobsy twins in the same breath. Where? asked Freddie. When? asked Flossie. It isn't all settled yet, answered Bert. You know Daddy and Mother talked about it when we were in the big city. And today, when I was down at the lumberyard, I heard Daddy speaking to a man in there about some of the islands in Lake Matoka. Daddy wanted to know which one was the best to camp on. And did the man say which was a good one,

asked Freddy? I didn't hear, but I asked Daddy afterward if we were going to camp this summer, and he said he guessed so if mother wanted to. Does mother want to? asked Flossie eagerly. She says she does, answered Bert, so I guess we'll go to camp this summer all right. Isn't that jolly news? Um, um, said Freddie, not opening his mouth, for in one pocket of his little jacket he had found a sweet cracker he had forgotten, and he was now chewing on it after having given his sister and Helen some. Oh, I wish we could go now and take Whisker with us, cried Flossie.

If we go, we'll take the goat cart, decided Bert, and we'll take our dog snap and our cat Snoop too, announced Freddie. They'll like to go camping. Mrs. Bobsey and Nan were anxiously waiting for Bert to come back with the runaways, and when he came in sight, driving the goat cart, the children's mother hurried down the back road to meet them. Oh, my dears, you shouldn't go away like that, she called. Whisker wanted to go, said Freddy, and we had a nice ride, even if it was bumpy, and we thought we heard Molly's doll calling, but it was Bert. Well, don't do it again, said Mrs. Bobsy.

She always said that whenever either set of twins did things they ought not to do, and each time they promised to mind. But the trouble was they hardly ever did the same thing twice. And as there were so many things to do, Mrs. Bobsey could not think of them all. So she could not tell Nan and Bert, Flossie and Freddie not to do them. When are we going camping, asked Freddy, as he got out of the goat cart. "'And what island are we going on?' asked Flossie. "'Oh, my, I see you have it all settled so soon,' laughed Mrs. Bobsey. "'Your father and I have yet to talk it over.'

"'We'll do that tonight,' she went on. "'And now you children come in and get washed, "'and Dinah will give you something to eat. "'You must be hungry.' "'We are,' said Flossie. "'And Helen's hungry, too, aren't you, Helen?' she asked. "'Ah, yes, I guess so.' "'Well, we'll soon find out,' laughed Mrs. Bobsey.

"'I think your mother won't mind if I give you a little lunch with Flossie and Freddie. Nan can tell her that you are here and are all right. She doesn't know you had a runaway ride in the goat wagon.' "'It was a bumpy ride, too,' explained Flossie, and we didn't find Molly the talking doll. "'Well, maybe you will someday,' said Mrs. Bobsey kindly. and while Flossy Freddy and Helen ate the nice little lunch, Fat Black Dina got ready for them.

Bert and Nan went for a ride in the goat wagon, stopping at Mrs. Porter's house to tell her that Helen was safe in the Bobsey home. And now let's talk about camping, cried Bert that night after supper, when the family, twins included, were gathered in the dining room, the table having been cleared. When can we go? I think as soon as school closes, said his father.

Summer seems to have started in early this year, and I want to get you children, and your mother off to some cool place. An island in the middle of the lake is the best place I can think of. It will be fine, cried Bert. Which island are we going to camp on? There are two or three that would do nicely, answered Mr. Bobsey. I talked to some friends who own them,

but I think one called Blueberry Island would suit us best. It has a nice name, said Nan. I like Blueberry Island. It sounds just as if it were out of a book. Is it a fairy island, Freddie wanted to know? For he liked to have fairy stories read to him. Well, maybe it will turn out to be a fairy story, said Mr. Bobsey with a laugh. It's the largest island in the lake,

and several other parties are going there camping. So Mr. Ames, the man who owns it, told me. Why do they call it Blueberry Island? asked Mrs. Bobsey. Because there are so many blueberries on it, answered her husband. And if we go there, I shall expect you children to pick plenty of blueberries so Dinah can make pies. I'm very fond of blueberry pie. I like it, too, said Freddie.

we'll take whisker with us, and he can haul a whole wagon of blueberries. I wouldn't ask you to pick as many as that, said his father with a laugh. Two or three quarts would be enough for a pie. Wouldn't they, mother? I should hope so. But do you really mean we are to go camping on blueberry island? Surely, answered Mr. Bobsey, it will be a nice way to spend the summer. And shall we live in a tent, ask Freddy, and cook over a camp?

campfire and go fishing and and yes all of that and more too said his father catching up the little fat fireman and bouncing him toward the ceiling then followed a happy hour talking over the plans for going camping on blueberry island until mother bobsy said it was time for flossie and freddie at least to go to bed off they went to slumberland to dream of living in a big white town with a flag on top of it. Just like a circus, as Freddie said the next morning at breakfast. Or a gypsy camp, added Flossie. Are there any gypsies on Blueberry Island, Daddy? No, not a one. Because if there was went on the little girl, I wouldn't take my doll with me.

I wouldn't want her took away like Helen's was. We won't let any gypsies come, said Mr. Bobsey. one warm summer day came after another until it was nearly time to close the school and all the boys and girls in lakeport were thinking of vacation the bobsies were getting ready to go to the blueberry island camp mr bobsy had bought the tents and other things and they were to go to the island in a boat And we'll take whisker our goat and snap and snoop, said Flossy, and my dolls and the bugs that go around and around and around and you'll have a regular menagerie, said Nan. We'll have some fun anyhow, cried Freddy. I wonder if we could hitch, snap and whisker up together and make a team.

Let's try, suggested Bert. Come on, Freddy. We'll find our dog. But when they called Snap, he did not come. running in from the yard, or barn, as he had always done before. Bert and Freddie called, but there was no answering bark. Where is snap, Dinah? asked Bert, when a search about the house did not show the missing dog. I done seed him here about a half hour ago, said the colored cook, and then all at once I didn't

see him again. I wonder if that old peddler could have took him, she asked, speaking half to herself. Bert and Freddy looked at one another in surprise. Where was Snap? End of Chapter 7. Chapter 8 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Off to Camp.

This is queer, said Bert, when a more careful search about the house and barn failed to find Snap. If he's run away, it will be about the first time he has done that since we've. had him. Let's ask at some of the houses down the street, said Nan. Sometimes the children coax him in to play with them, and he forgets to come home, because they make such a fuss over him. Here's Snoop, anyhow, cried Freddy, coming out of the barn with the big black cat in his arms. He can go to camp with us. But we want Snap, too, added Flossie. We need a dog to keep the gypsies away. There won't be any gypsies on Blueberry Island, Bert reminded them. You can't tell, declared Freddy.

Maybe they'll be one or two, and I don't want them to take my doll the way they did Helen's, added Flossie. Didn't Helen get her doll back? asked Mrs. Bobsey, coming out of the house in time to hear what the children were saying. No, ma'am, and she feels awful sad, replied Flossie. Now the gypsies has took snap. the gypsies have taken snap really flossie you must speak more correctly said mrs bobbsey but what do you mean about snaps being taken he seems to be gone reported bert we've looked everywhere for him and now we're going to ask down the street added nan but we've got snoop said flossie and so it was we that is she and freddie both had the big black cat one twin carrie the head and the other twin the hind legs but snoop was often carried that way and he did not mind snap not here that is odd said mrs bobbsey have you whistled and called to him

every way we know replied bird listen and putting his fingers in his mouth he gave such a shrill whistle that his mother and nan had to cover their ears while fat dinah waddling to her kitchen window cried good land a mercy what am dat a fire whistle i can whistle like that shouted freddie dropping his end of the black cat as it happened to be the head end he was carrying this left the hind legs to flossie and poor snoop was thus dangling head down meow he cried sadly and then he gave a wriggle and another one and got loose freddie made a sort of hissing sound on his fingers not at all a nice loud whistle as Bert had done, but it was pretty good for a little fellow. He ought to hear that, Bert said, when he was done blowing his call, and his mother and sister had uncovered their ears, but he doesn't come. Did you ask Dinah about him, Mrs. Bobsey questioned? Yes, and she said, oh, she said something about a peddler, cried Nan.

We forgot to ask her what she meant. Did Snap chase after a peddler? Ask Bert, for the colored cook was still at the window. No, I didn't see you all's dog chase after the peddler, honey lamb, replied Dinah. But just a little while ago, a woman with a red dress on, all trimmed with yaller, real fancy like, come to de back door selling lace work. Snap was here, Dan, eating some scraps I put out for him. And the woman patted him and talked.

to him in a queer-like way. She did, cried Bird excitedly. What did she say? Land goodness. You all don't suppose I knows all the queer languages in the United States, does you? Asked Dinah, shaking her kinky head. But the woman talked queer to Snap, and he wagged his tail, which he don't often does to strangers. No, put in Flossy, shaking her head vigorously. "'Snap don't often talk to strangers. "'He's awful dignified with them. "'Isn't he, Freddy?' "'Well, he doesn't like tramps,

"'and their strangers,' replied her brother. "'Are peddlers tramps, Bert? "'No, I guess not, "'but some of them look like tramps, pretty near, maybe.' "'What happened to the woman peddler?' asked Mrs. Bobsey. "'Oh, I soon got rid of her,' said Dinah. "'Told her we was gone to live in the woods, didn't want no fancy lace, because it would get all ripped under trees and bushes, so she went off.

And what happened to snap? asked Mrs. Bobsey. Oh, he was eating his scraps to last I seen of him, answered Dinah, and he wagged his tail again at the woman in de gay dress, what looked like she was going on a picnic. A dress of red and yellow, said Nan. Isn't that the color the gypsies wear? Was the woman a gypsy, asked Bert quickly? She might have been, answered the cook. She had gold rings in her ears, and she was dark. Not as dark as me or Sam, but like some of them, Italian men. I didn't pay much attention to her, because I was making a cake.

Maybe Snap done followed her to see to it, she didn't take nothing. Because if she was a gypsy, she might take things. Yes, and she's taken Snap, that's what she's done, cried Bert. That's what happened to our daughter. the gypsies have him. I'm going to tell Daddy and have him get a policeman. Now don't be too sure, advise Mrs. Bobsey. Perhaps that peddler may have been a gypsy, and she may have made friends with Snap. Those people have a strange way with them about dogs and horses, but it isn't fair to say she took your pet. He may have followed her just to be friendly. You had better ask at some of the houses

down the street first. Come on, cried Bert to Nan. We'll go and ask. And I'm coming too, added Freddy. I can call Snap and you can whistle for him, Bert. And I'll take Snoop. And Snoop can meow for him, said Flossy. No, you two little ones stay here, directed Mrs. Bobsey.

I want to wash and dress you for dinner. Let Bird and Nan hunt for Snap. Then can't we go in the goat cart Freddy asked. We'll all have a ride when we come back, promised Bert. We first want to find Snap if we can, to see if he'll hitch up with Whisker, the boy told his mother. So while Flossy and Freddy went into the house to get freshened up after their play, Nan and Bert went from house to house asking about Snap. But though the big trick dog sometimes went to play with the neighbor's children. This time there was no sign of him. One after another of the families on the block

said they had not seen Snap. Several servants had noticed the gypsy woman peddler as they called her, for she had made a number of calls on the block trying to sell her lace, but no one had seen Snap with her. Oh, I guess Snap just ran away for a change. As Flossy and Freddie sometimes do, said Mr. Bobsey, when he came home that evening and had been told what had happened. He'll come back all right, I'm sure. But Nan and Bert were not so sure of this. They knew Snap too well. He had never gone away like this before.

Flossie and Freddy, being younger, did not worry so much. Besides, they had Snoop, and the cat was more their pet than was the dog, who was Bert's favorite, though of course, Everyone in the Bobsey family loved him. Several times that evening, Bert went outside to whistle and call for his pet, but there was no answering bark. And when bedtime came, Bert was so worried that Mr. Bobsey agreed to call the police and ask the officers who were on night duty to keep a lookout for the missing animal. This would be done, the chief said, since nearly all the officers in Lakeport knew snap, who often visited at the police station.

Morning came, but no snap was at the door waiting to be let in, though Bert was up early to look. Snoop, the big black cat, was in his usual place, getting up to stretch and rub against Bert's legs. But where snap? asked the boy. Meow, was all Snoop answered. Perhaps he knew, but could not tell. Well, I'm afraid your dog is long.

said Mr. Bobsey, when at the breakfast table Bert reported that Snap was still away. We'll put an advertisement in the paper and offer a reward if he is brought back. Maybe he's gone to camp on Blueberry Island and is waiting over there for us, said Flossie. Maybe, my little fat fairy agreed her father, catching her up for a goodbye kiss. Let's hope so. And now you must soon begin to get ready to. go camping. The children heard this news with delight, and for a time even lost snap was forgotten. He had often visited the neighbors before and had always come back, so Bert hoped the same thing would

happen this time. There was much to do to get ready to go to Blueberry Island. There were clothes to pack and food to be bought, for though it was not many miles from the island back to the mainland, where there were stores, still Mrs. Bobsey did not want to have to send in too often for what was needed. The goat wagon was very useful for going on errands during the days that it took them to get ready to go off to live in the woods. Bert and Nan, sometimes with Flossie and Freddie, rode here and there about town, and Whisker was as good as a pony, being strong and gentle. Everywhere they went, Nan and her brother looked for Snap and asked about him. But though many in Lakeport knew the dog and had seen him on the day he was last noticed,

no one could tell where he was. No one could be found who had seen him with the gypsy woman if he had gone with her, though a number said they had noticed the gaudy, red and yellow-dressed peddler, strolling about with her lace. Our dog's gone and Helen's doll is gone, said Nan the night before they were to go to camp. I wonder what will be taken next. I hope they don't get our snoop, said Flossie, as she went to look at the big black cat who was sleeping in the box with a handle in which he was to be taken to the island.

And I hope they let Whisker alone, said Freddie. Whisker can take care of himself with his horns, observed. Bert. I'm not afraid of a gypsy trying to get our goat. The tents had been sent to the island, and a man would set them up. Plenty of good things to eat were packed in boxes and baskets. Dinah and Sam had made ready to go to camp, for they were included in the family. Dinah was to do the cooking, and her husband was to look after the boats and firewood. and oh what fun we'll have cried flossie the next morning when the sun rose warm and bright and they started for blueberry island it would be better if we had snap said bert you don't know how i missed that dog we all do said mrs bobsy perhaps we'll find him when we come back bert your father will come back from the island once or twice a week and he'll come to the house to see if snap has come back

he'll never come back said bert with a sad face i'm sure the gipsies took him and they'll keep him when they find out he can do circus tricks well maybe we'll find the gipsies and if they have snap we can make them give him up said nan i hope so murmured bert there was a small steamer that made trips across the lake and in this the bobsies were to go to blueberry island as they had so many things to take with them that a small boat would never have held them all end of chapter eight chapter nine of the bobbsey twins on blueberry island by laura lee hope this librivox recording is in the public domain a night scare well are you all ready asked daddy bobsy as he came out and locked the front door on the steps in front of him or else down the front of him or else down the front of walk were his wife, Nan, Bert, Flossie, Freddie, Sam, Dinah, Snoop in his traveling crate, Whisker, the goat, hitched to his wagon, and a pile of trunks, boxes, and other things. If we're not ready, we never will be, said Mrs. Bobsey with a sigh and a laugh, as she looked over everything. We aren't going so far, but what we can send for anything we forget,

which is a good thing, but I guess we're all ready, Daddy. Good. Here comes the expressman for our trunks, and behind him is the automobile we're going to take down to the steamer dock. Now have you children everything you want? And he looked at Flossie and Freddy particularly. I've got my best doll and snoops in his cage, said Flossie, and my other dolls are in the trunk, and so are the toys I want. Is your fire engine packed, Freddy, because you might wanted if the woods got on fire. Yep, my fire engine is all right, answered the little fellow, and I've got everything I want, I guess, except maybe. He was thinking then. Oh, I forgot him, I forgot him, he quickly cried. Open the door, Daddy, I forgot him. Forgot what? His father asked with a

smile. The tin bugs that go around and around and around, answered Freddy. You know, the ones I buy to New York, I want them. Well, it's a good thing you thought of them before we got away, for I wouldn't have wanted to come back just to get the tin bugs. But they go around and around and around, cried Flossie, who liked the queer toys as much as did her brother. They're lots of fun. Well, as long as we're going to camp on Blueberry Island for fun as much as for anything

else, said Mr. Bobsey, I suppose we'll have to get the bugs. Come on, Freddy. The little twin had wrapped his tin bugs in a paper and left them on a chair in the front hall, so it was little trouble to get them. Then the trunks, bags, and bundles were piled in the wagon and taken to the steamboat dock, while the Bobsey family, all except Bert, took their places in the automobile. Bert was to drive Whisker to the wharf, as it was found easier to ship the goat and wagon this way, by crating, or boxing the animal and his cart. I'd rather ride with Bert and Whisker than in the auto, said Freddie wistfully, as he saw his brother about to drive off.

So would I, added Flossie, who always chimed in with anything her twin brother did. But you can't, said Mrs. Bobsey decidedly, if you two small twins went with bird in the goat wagon, something would be sure to happen. you'd stop to give someone a ride or you'd have a race with a dog or a cat and then we'd miss the boat you must come with us flossie and freddy and burke don't lose any time the boat won't wait for you and whisker i'll be there before you promised bert and he was for he took a shortcut he said on the way he had stopped at the police station to ask if there was any news about the missing snap but the trick dog had not

been seen, and so the bobsies went to camp without him. If there had not been so much to see and to do, they would have been more lonesome for Snap than they were. As it was, they missed him very much, but Bert held out a little hope by saying, perhaps they might find their pet on Blueberry Island, though why he said it he hardly knew. All aboard, called the steamboat man as the bobsies settled their own. themselves in comfort, their goods having been put in place. The goat wagon was left on the lower deck where stood the horses and wagons that were to be taken across the lake, for the steamer was a sort of ferry boat. All aboard called the deck hands. There was a tooting of whistles, a clanging and

ringing of bells, and the boat slowly moved away from the dock. Oh, it's just lovely to go camping side, Nan. We haven't really begun yet, said Bert. Wait until we get to the woods and have to go hunting for what we want to eat and cook it over an open fire. That's the way to live. I guess there won't be much hunting on Blueberry Island, said Mr. Bobsey with a laugh. We can make believe, can't we ask, Freddie? Oh yes, you can make believe, said his mother, and that sometimes is more fun than having real things. i will not tell you all the things that happened on the steamboat for so much more happened on blueberry island that i will have to hurry on to that besides the trip to the middle of the lake did not take more than an hour and not so much can take place in an hour i say not much and yet sometimes lots of things can but not a great deal did to the bobsies this time though to be sure a strange dog tried to get hold of Snoop in his crate, and Freddy nearly fell overboard, reaching after his hat, which blew off.

But I could swim, even if I did fall in, he said, for Mr. Bobsey had taught all four twins how to keep afloat in water. Well, we don't want you falling in, his mother answered, now you sit by me. This Freddy did for a short time. Then he got tired of sitting still and jumped down from his chair, at the same time calling to his little sister, Say, Flossy, let's go and watch the engine. All right, answered the little girl, ready, as always, to do anything her brother suggested. As Flossy jumped from her chair to join her brother,

she accidentally kicked an umbrella belonging to a man who was sitting nearby, and the umbrella fell to the floor and slipped out under the railing right into the water. Oh, oh, oh, gasped Lossie. But Freddy turned and ran as fast as he could to the stairs that led to the lower deck. Here, where are you going? cried his father,

and started after his son. Going after that umbrella. I think not. And Mr. Bobsey caught up with Freddy and picked him up in his arms. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bobsey told the man how sorry she was. and said that they would replace the umbrella. But the man returned that he would not allow that.

No one needs an umbrella on such a lovely day anyway, he said. But a deckhand, who was cleaning some mops in the water, had already rescued the umbrella. Blueberry Island called a man on the steamer after the boat had made one or two other stops. All off for Blueberry Island. Oh, let us off, let us off, cried Fleever. Flossy, getting up in such a hurry from her deck chair that she dropped her doll.

We're going camping there. I guess the passengers know it by this time without your telling them, laughed her father, but come on, don't forget anything. Such a scrambling as there was, such a gathering together of packages, umbrellas, fishing rods, hats, caps, gloves, and the crate with black snoop in it. sam and dinah helped all they could and between them and mr and mrs bobbsey and the children the family managed to get ashore at last a gangplank had been run from the boat to the dock and over this bert drove whisker and the goat-cart the goat seemed glad to get off the steamboat oh wouldn't snap just love it here cried nan as they went on shore and looked at the island isn't it too bad he is it too bad he is with us. I'm going to find him, declared Bert, those old gypsy shan't have our trick dog.

Blueberry Island was indeed a fine place for a camp. In the winter no one lived on it, but in the summer it was often visited by picnic parties and by those who liked to gather the blueberries which grew so plentifully, giving the island its name. In fact, so many people came to one end of the island in the berry season that a man had set up a little stand near the shore, where he sold sandwiches, coffee, candy, and ice cream, since many of the berry pickers and others who came grew hungry after tramping through the woods. But where Mr. Bobsey was going to camp with his family, the berry pickers and picnic parties seldom came as it was on the far end of the island, so our friends would be rather by themselves, which was what they wanted.

Mr. Dalton, the man who kept the little refreshment stand, had his horse and wagon on the island, and he had agreed to haul the bobsy's trunks and other things to wear their tents, already put up, awaited them. And can't we ride there in the goat-wagon, asked Freddy of his mother, as he saw Burke get up behind Whisker in the little cart, yes i think you and flossie may ride now that we are on the island said mrs bobbsey do you want to go nan no i'll walk with you and daddy i'll get enough goat rides later oh how nice it is cried mother bobsy when she and nan came in sight of the tents of the camp i know we shall like it here i hope you will said her husband and now we must see about something to eat i suppose the children are hungry

day's always that way laughed fat dinah i never seen em when day wasn't hungry but jest show me wheres de cook stove an somethin to cook an they won't be hungry long my honey lambs dinah was as good as her word and she soon had a fine meal on the table in the dining tent for the men mr bobsy had hired to set up the canvas houses had everything in readiness to go right to housekeeping as Anne said. There were several tents for the Bobsey family. One large one was for the family to sleep in, while a smaller one near the kitchen tent was for Dinah and her husband. Then there was a tent that served as a dining room, and another where the trunks and food could be stored. In this tent was an ice box, for a boat stopped at the island every day and left a supply of ice. The children helped to unpack and settle camp, though if the truth were told, perhaps they did more to unsettle it than otherwise. But Mr. and Mrs. Bobsey were used to this, and knew how to manage. So the meal was

eaten. Whisker was put in his little stable, made under a pile of brushwood, and the children went out rowing in a boat. They had lots of fun that afternoon, and Bert even did a little hunting for Snap, thinking that by some chance, the trick dog might be on the island, but Snap was not to be found. Though, of course, we didn't half look, Bert said. We'll look again tomorrow. And now it was evening in Twin Camp, as the bobsies had decided to call their place on Blueberry Island. There had been quite a talk as to what to name the camp, but when Dinah suggested Twin, everyone agreed that if was best so twin camp it was called and daddy bobsy said he would have a wooden sign made with that on it and a flag to hoist over it on a pole beds were made up in the sleeping tent and soon even nan and bert declared that they were ready to go to slumberland by the quickest train or steamboat which was headed for that place they had been up early and had been very busy blossie and frivolsey and frisked

freddie dropped off to sleep as soon as they put their heads on the pillows freddie did not know what time it was when he awakened it was in the night he was sure of that for it was dark in the tent except where the little oil light was aglow what had awakened him was something bumping against him his cot was near one of the walls of the sleeping tent and he awoke with a start high he called as he felt something strike against him who's doing that. Stop it, stop it, I say. Freddy, are you talking in your sleep? asked his mother, who had not slept very soundly. No, I'm not asleep, Freddy answered, but something bumped me. It's outside the tent. Maybe it's Whisker feeling of you with his horn, said Flossie, who slept near her brother, and who had been awakened when he called out so loudly. It didn't feel like Whisker. It was softer than his horns, Freddy said. momsey i want to come into your bed no freddie you must stay where you are i guess it was only the wind blowing on you no it wasn't said freddie it was a bump that hit me i'm afraid over here

end of chapter nine chapter ten of the bobsy twins on blueberry island by laura lee hove this librivox recording is in the public domain the go-around bugs without waiting for his mother to tell him that he might freddie slipped off his cot and went scurrying over the board floor of the tent toward mrs bobbsey's bed i'm coming too said flossie who generally went everywhere her small brother did Did something hit you, too? asked Freddy, turning to his sister. No, but it might. If you are afraid, I'm afraid too. Oh, you children, said Mrs. Bobsey with a sigh. I believe you only dreamed it, Freddy. No, Momsey, I didn't. Really, I didn't. Something bumped me from outside the tent.

It hit me in the back, not hard, but sort of soft-like, and I woke up. I want to sleep with you. What's it all about? asked Daddy, Bobsy. Then Freddy had to explain again, and Flossie also talked, until Nan and Bert were awakened. It might have been Whisker, said Bert. If he got loose and brushed against the tent and Freddy had rolled with his back close against the side, it would be like that. Just then, there sounded in the night the bah of the white goat. There he is, cried Bert, but it sounds as though he were still safely tied up said mr bobsy i'll have a look outside too bad we haven't snap with us he'd give the alarm in a minute if anything were wrong the goat bleated again but the sound did not seem near the tent as it would have done if whisker had been loose putting on his bathrobe and slippers mr bobsy took a lantern and went outside bert wanted to come with his father

but Mrs. Bobsey would not hear of it. We want a little man in here to look after us, she said, smiling. Ain't I almost a man? I can make my fire engine go, Freddie said, forgetting his fright now that the big folks were up, and the light in the tent was turned higher. They could hear Mr. Bobsey walking around outside, and they heard him speaking to the goat, who bleated again.

Mr. Bobsey was as fond of animals as were his, children and whisker was almost like a dog he was so tame and gentle was the goat loose daddy asked nan when her father came back into the tent no he was tied all right in his little stable it wasn't whisker who brushed against freddie if indeed anything did something did declared the small boy didn't i wake up well you might have dreamed it said nan you often talk in your sleep i know i did feel something bump me declared freddie and nothing the others could say would make him change his idea did you see anything asked mrs bobbsey in a low voice of her husband when the twins were in their beds again flossies and freddy's cots were moved over nearer to those of their parents and they had dropped off to slumber again after getting drinks of water well i rather think i did answered mr bobbsey in a low voice you did what I don't know whether it was a horse or a man, but it was something. It was so dark I couldn't see well, and the trees and bushes come up around the tents. How could it be a horse?

It might have been the one that belongs to Mr. Dalton. If the horse were walking around, cropping grass, wherever he could find it, he might have brushed past the side of the tent, and so have disturbed Freddy. Yes, I suppose so. agreed Mrs. Bobsey. But couldn't you tell a horse from a man? No, it was too dark. I only just saw a shadow moving away from the tents as I stepped out. And was Whisker all right? Yes, though I guess he was lonesome. He tried to follow me back here when I left him. I suppose Whisker misses the children, said Mrs. Bobsy, but do you think it could be a man who was wandering about our tents?

it could be, yes. One of the gypsies? Oh, I wouldn't say as to that. In fact, I don't believe the gypsies are anywhere around here. The children have that notion in their heads, but I don't believe in it. Perhaps it was a blueberry picker who was lost. But if he was lost and saw our tents, he'd stop and asked to be set on the right road, went on, Mrs. Bobsey. Besides, blueberries won't be ripe for another week or so.

and nobody picks them green. No, I suppose not, agreed her husband. Well, I'm sure I don't know who or what it was, but I saw a dark shadow moving away. Shadows can't do any harm. No, but it takes someone or something to make a shadow, and I'd like to know what it was. I'll take a look around in the morning, said Mr. Bobsey.

We don't want twin camps spoiled by midnight scares. Maybe we'd better get another dog if Snap doesn't come back, suggested his wife. I'll think about that. We can't very well train Whisker to keep watch. Besides, he can't bark. And Mr. Bobsey laughed as he got back into bed. There was no more disturbance that night, and the twins did not again awaken. Mr. Bobsey remained awake for a while, but he heard nothing,

and he believed that if it was a man or an animal, that had brushed against the tent, where Freddy was sleeping, whoever or whatever it was had gone far away. Dinah had a fine breakfast ready for the twins and the others the next morning. There were flapjacks with maple syrup to pour over them, and that, with the crisp smell of bacon, made everyone so hungry that there was no need to call even Nan twice, and sometimes she liked to lie in bed longer than did.

the others. Did you find what it was that bumped me, Daddy? asked Freddie, as he at last pushed back his plate, unable to eat any more. No, and we don't need to worry about it. Now we must finish getting twin camp in order today, went on Mr. Bobsey, and then we will begin to have fun and enjoy ourselves. Are we going to catch any fish, asked Bert. Always, when you read of camps, they catch fish and fry them. Yes, we can go fishing after we get the work done, said his father. Work first and play afterward is a rule we'll follow here, though there won't be much work to do. However, if we're going to go fishing, we'll have to dig some bait. I can dig worms, cried Freddie. Worms are good for bait, aren't they, daddy? For some kinds of fish, yes. We'll fish part of the time with worms and see what luck we have.

You and Freddy can dig the bait. I want to help, said Flossy. I helped Nan get out my dolls and toys, and now I want to dig worms. All right, little fat fairy, laughed Bert. Come along. Mercy, Flossy, digging bait is such dirty work. What do you want to do that for? asked Nan.

I don't care if it is dirty, it's fun. You might have known Nan, laughed Mrs. Bobsey, that Flossy would not object to dirt. with a shovel for turning up the dirt and a tin can to hold the worms, Bert and the two smaller twins were soon busy. But they did not have as good luck as they expected. Earthworms were not plentiful on the island. Perhaps they could not swim over the lake from the main shore, Freddie suggested. Aren't bugs good for bait, asked Freddy, when he had looked in the tin can and found only a few worms wiggling about after more than half an hour's digging on the part of himself and Bert. Some kinds of bugs are good

for fishing, yes, Bert answered. And hearing that, Freddy started back for the tent, where the trunks were stored. What are you going to do? Bert called after his little brother. I'm going to get the go-around bugs. We can use them for bait. Water won't hurt them. The storeman told me so. We can use the go-around bugs. Oh, they're no good. They're tin. They're laughed Bert. But Freddy was not listening. He had slipped into the tent and was searching for the toys he had bought in New York. Bert kept on digging for worms, now and then finding one, which Flossy picked up for him, until he heard another call from Freddy. The little fellow came running from the tent with an empty and broken box in his hand.

Look, look, cried Freddy. My go-around bugs come alive in the night and they broke out of the box. Oh, dear. Now I can't have them to catch fish with. The go-around bugs broke out of the box, and they've gone away. End of Chapter 10. Chapter 11 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. The Blueberry Boy What's the matter, Freddy? What has happened? I hope you haven't hurt yourself. and Mrs. Bobsey, who heard the small twin calling to bird about the tin bugs, hurried from the tent, where she was making the beds, to see what the trouble was.

No, Momsey, I'm not hurt, Freddy answered, but look at my go-around bugs, and he held out the empty and broken box. What's the matter with them, asked Mr. Bobsey, who came up just then from the shore of the lake where he had gone, to make sure the camp boats were securely tied. My bugs are all, gone, went on, Freddy. They broke out of the box in the night. They bided themselves out. No, they didn't bite the box, said Flossie, coming up to look at what her small brother held. They just went around and around and around, and they knocked a hole with their heads in the box so they could get out. Did you look for

them on the floor of the tent, Freddy? No, I didn't. Come on, we'll have a look, Bert said. He dropped the shovel with which he had been digging for worms and ran over to his little brother. He took the box from Freddy. That must have been smashed in the moving, Bert said to his father. No, it wasn't smashed, Freddie said, hearing what Bert remarked to Mr. Bobsey. Flossy and I were playing with the bugs yesterday after we got here, and the box wasn't broken then. It was all right, and so were the go-around bugs. But now they're gone. Maybe the box fell off a table or something, said Mr. Bobsey, and broke that way. We'll look on the floor of the tent for your bugs, my little fat fireman.

But no bugs were to be found after a careful search had been made, and Freddy and Flossy were quite disappointed. We can't go fishing if we can't find any bugs, for to bait the hook, said Freddy, tears in his blue eyes. Never mind, his father answered. The tin bugs wouldn't have caught many fish. and if we don't find your toys, I'll get you some more when I go to town. You and Bert had better keep on digging the worms, I guess.

They're better for fish. And I'll pick them up, offered Flossie. She was a queer little child in some ways, not afraid of bugs and crawly things. It did not take Freddy or Flossy long to forget what had made them unhappy, and though for a time they were sorry about the loss of the bugs. They soon became so interested in helping Bert dig for worms that they were quite jolly again. Here's an awful fat one, Flossy, cried Freddy. Pick that one up just terribly careful like.

I'm going to save him for my hook, and maybe I'll get the biggest fish of all. How will you know where to find this one when you want it? I'd like to know, Freddy Bobsey, returned his sister. Tie a blue ribbon on it, suggested Bird. Yes, we might. said Flossie slowly. Maybe Nan has a ribbon. I'll ask. Bert laughed and said, I was just fooling, little fat fairy. I don't believe you can do that. I don't see why, dissented Freddy. We can try anyway. Here, I have a red string in my pocket. That'll do better than

a ribbon. He pulled out the string and the two smaller children tied it around the middle of the earthworm. But much to Flossy's dismay, they tied it. so tightly that it almost cut the worm in two. Oh, Freddy Bobsey, you fixed that right away, cried his twin sister, and he'd loosen the string. Pretty soon Bert again dropped the spade he had taken up and said, there, Freddy, you dig a while. I want to see about the lines and poles. We have almost worms enough. Freddy was glad to do this, and Flossy was eager to pick up the crawling creatures. Bert went back to the tent. to get out the poles, lines, and hooks. There he found his father and mother looking at the

broken box that had held the tin bugs. How do you think it became smashed, Mrs. Bobsey asked. I don't know, answered her husband. It looks as though someone had stepped on it. But who could do that? Flossie and Freddie think so much of the bugs that they take good care of them, and they wouldn't put them where they would be stepped on. Do you suppose any of the men that have been helping set up the camp could have done it? I hardly think so. If they did, they wouldn't take the bugs away, and that is what has happened. It seems to me as though the box had been broken, so the bugs could be taken out. For the cover fits on tightly, and it often sticks. Freddy and Flossy often come to me to open it for them. Probably whoever tried to open it

could not do so at first, and then stepped on it enough to crack it open, without doubt. damaging the tin bugs inside. But who would do such a thing? asked Mrs. Bobsey, and Bert found himself asking in his mind the same question. That's something we'll have to find out, said Mr. Bobsey, and neither of them noticed Bert, who by this time was inside the tent where the fishing things were kept. Could it be the gypsies, asked Mrs. Bobsey?

Well, I don't altogether believe all that talk about the gypsy, said Mr. Rovesy slowly. I think they may have taken Helen's talking doll, but that's all. However, if there are any gypsies here on the island, and if they saw those gay, red, yellow, and spotted bugs of flossies and fretties, they might have taken them. They like those colors, and the crawling bugs might amuse them. Oh, but if there are gypsies on this island, I don't want to stay camping here. They might take away some of the children, flossie or Freddy. Nan and Bird are too old. Nonsense, laughed Mr. Bobsey. There are no gypsies here, and you needn't worry. All the same. I wish Snap were here with us, went on Mrs. Bobsey. I'd feel safer if I knew the dog were with the children all the while

as he was before. Well, if he doesn't come back or if we don't find him soon, I'll get another dog, promise Mr. Bobsey. Now don't worry about gypsies. Maybe this broken box was only an accident. But what about the shadow you saw last night? Maybe that was a... Just then, Dinah came waddling from the cook tent, toward the large one where Mr. and Mrs. Bobsey stood. Bert could see and hear all that went on. Mrs. Bobsey, did you take that big piece of bacon I cut a few slices off of last night? asked the cook. Well, I know, Dinah, I didn't, answered Mrs. Bobsey.

Why do you ask? Because as how dat bacon's gone. It's done gone complete. I hung it inside the tent up high where none of them chatterin squirrels or chipmunks could get it. And now when I want some for dinner, it's gone. Maybe the chillins took some for their fish hooks

because I done hear Bert talk about bait. No, I didn't take it, answered Bert himself. stepping out of the small tent where the poles, oars for the boats and other camp articles were kept. We've got worms enough for bait. Bacon gone, eh? said Mr. Bobsey. Then, as he looked at his wife and glanced at Bert, he went on. Well, maybe a stray dog jumped up and got it. Some dogs can jump very high, Dinah.

Snap could, I remember. Good land or mercy. If I thought that Snap had come back to my honey-lams, I'd be so glad I wouldn't mind a bacon, said the fat cook. But I don't reckon no dog took it, Mr. Bobsey. I think it were a two-legged robber, Dad. Never mind that now, Dinah, said Mrs. Bobsey quickly. Come here and finish making the beds.

I want to walk down to the lake with Mr. Bobsey. And she nodded to her husband. One piece of bacon won't matter, she went on. We have plenty more. Yes, I know who's dat, said Dinah, who was puzzled. but if no count folks is going to come to dish here camp and walk off with vittles that way it's time it was stopped isn't it asked bert as he walked toward the fat cook say dinah he went on as he saw his father and mother stroll down to the shore of the lake did you hear a queer noise in the night did i hear a queer noise around the camp last night repeated dinah well i sure did honey lamb i'd done heard an owl hoop and that's a sure sign of bad luck. No, I don't mean that kind of noise, Dinah.

Did you hear anything else? Yes, I done hear my man Sam snore, suffin terrible. It were most like thunder. Did you all hear that, honey lamb? No, I didn't hear that, Dinah, answered Bert with a laugh. But something or somebody brushed past our tent in the night and woke up Freddy. Then my father went outside and saw someone sneaking away. Oh, my good land of mercy, cried Dinah.

That's where my bacon went to. Wait until I tells your father, honey lamb, and... No, hold on, wait a minute, cried Bert, catching Dinah by her apron as she was hurrying away. Dad knows it already, and so does Mother. I guess they don't want to scare us children, but I'm not afraid. I'll tell you what I think, Dinah. What's Dad?

I think there are gypsies on this island, and that they're after Flossy and Frum. ready oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my goodness cried dinah quickly it seems she could think of nothing else to say but i'm not afraid went on bird we'll just have to keep a good watch and not let those two little twins out of our sight don't tell my mother or father that you know this you and i and nan will keep watch that's what we will exclaim the fat cook and if dem gypsies lays so much as a fingernail on my honey-land I'll pull the gold rings off in their ears and throw dishwater on them. That's what I'll do to them gypsies. I wish we had snap back or that Whisker were a dog instead of a goat, said Bert. But maybe if I let Whisker roam around the camp at night, he'll be as good as a watchdog.

He can butt with his horn, said Dinah. Yes, and he can make a bleeding noise. That's what I'll do, said Bert. I'll use Whisker as a watchdog. Now don't say anything, to father or mother about our knowing there are gypsies here went on bert i won't i won't say a word promised dinah but i'll keep my old eyes skin for flossy and freddy and so will sam it's got to be mighty smart gypsies dat'll take away my honey lambs burke was really much excited by what he had seen and heard the smashing of the box what his father and mother thought about it the taking of the bacon and the scare the night before all All this was quite a surprise. Are you sure it's gypsies, asked Nan, when her older brother told her what had happened? I'm sure of it, said Bert.

Now what you and I've got to do is to keep a good watch over Flossie and Freddie. Of course, we're too big for the gypsies to take, but they could easily walk away with those little twins. What do you suppose they'd do with them, Bird, if they did take Flossie and Freddie? Oh, they wouldn't hurt them, of course. They'd just black up Flossies and Freddy's faces with walnut juice to make them look dark like real gypsies, and they'd keep them until Dad paid a lot of money to get the twins back. How much money? Oh, maybe a thousand dollars, maybe more.

Oh, exclaimed Nan, then we must be sure never to let Flossie or Freddy out of our sight. We've got to watch them every minute. Of course, agreed Bert. We'll fool those gypsies yet. carrying out their plans to be very careful of their little brother and sister bert and nan took the small twins in the boat with them when they went fishing an hour later bert would not go out far from the shore of blueberry island indeed his mother had told him he must not for the lake was deep in places and the older twins did about as much watching the bushes along the bank for signs of gypsies as they did fishing flossie and freddie however not worrying about any trouble had lots of fun tossing their baited hooks into the water and freddie yelled in delight when he caught the first fish flossie also caught one but it was very small and bert made her put it back in the lake the children caught enough fish for a meal though when they started out neither their father nor mother thought they would but the worms proved to be good bait we'd have caught bigger fish for a meal though when they started out neither their father nor mother thought they would but the worms proved to be good bait

we'd have caught bigger fish if we'd had my tin bugs for bait said freddie i don't want my bugs put on a hook said flossie when will you find them freddie and make them go around and around i don't know he answered the tents were put in good order and for two or three days the children had great sport playing going fishing and taking walks in the woods with their father and mother or going for trips on the lake there were no more night scares maybe it wasn't gipsies after all said nan to her brother one day yes it was he said they were here but they went away when they found out we knew about them but they'll come back and then they may try to take flossie or freddie we've got to keep a good watch it was about a week after they had come to blueberry island that the bobbsey twins all four of them went for a ride in the goat wagon there was a good road which ran the whole length of the island that the bobbsey twins all four of them went for a ride in the goat wagon there was a good road which ran the whole length of the island and Whisker could easily pull the wagon along it. The twins had taken their lunch and were to have a sort of picnic in the woods. They rode under the green trees, stopped to gather flowers, and Nan made a wreath of ferns which he put over Whisker's horns,

making him look very funny indeed. Then the twins found a nice grassy spot near a spring of water and sat down to eat the good things Dinah had put up for their lunch. freddie had taken one bite of a chicken sandwich when all of a sudden there was a noise in the bushes near him and a queer face peered out freddie gave one look at it and dropping his piece of bread and chicken cried oh it's a blueberry boy it's a blueberry boy oh look end of chapter eleven chapter twelve of the bobsy twins on blueberry island by laura lee hope this librivox recording is in the public domain the drifting boat at first nan and bert did not know whether freddie was playing some trick or not flossie had gone down to the spring to get a cupful of water and so was not near her little brother when he gave the cry of alarm but bert looked up and had a glimpse of what had startled freddie certainly there was a queer blue face staring at the three twins from over the top of the bushes and the face did not go away as they looked at it a blueberry boy one in the world is a blueberry boy asked nan there he is cried freddie pointing he's been picking blueberries that's why i call him a blueberry boy yes and he's been eating them too i guess added bert did you want to

anything of us, he asked the stranger? By this time Flossie had come back with the water. That is, what she had not spilled of it, and she too saw the strange boy. Who are you, she asked. My name's Tom was the answer. What's yours? Flossie Bobsey, and I'm a twin, and we're camping on this island, and we had some bugs that went around and around, and Flossie come here, called Nan. She did not want her little sister to talk too much to the strange boy. Nan had an idea the boy might belong to the gypsies. I saw him first, put in, Freddy. I saw his face all covered with blueberries, and I'd drop my sandwich. I did. He began looking on the ground for what he had been eating, but finding when he picked up the bread and bits of chicken that ants were crawling all over

the sandwich, he tossed it away again. Oh, what'd you do that for? asked Tom, the blueberry boy. That was good to eat. Ain't you hungry? Yes, but I don't like ants, returned Freddy. Sides, there's more to eat in the basket. Cracky, exclaimed Tom, that's fine. There isn't anything in my basket but blueberries,

and not many of them. You get tired of eating them after a while, too. Are you hungry, asked Bert? As yet, no one else had appeared except the boy. He seemed to be able to. be all alone, and he was not much larger than Bert. Hungry? You better believe I'm hungry, answered the boy with a laugh, that showed his white teeth with his blueberry-stained lips and face all around them.

I thought I'd have a lot of berries picked by noon so I could row back to shore, sell them and get something to eat, but the blueberries ain't as ripe as I thought they'd be. It's too early, I guess, so I've got to go hungry. Nan whispered something to Bert who nodded. We've got more sandwiches here, Bert said to the blueberry boy. Would you like one? Would I like one? asked the boy, who seemed to answer one question by asking another like it. Say, you just give me a chance.

I ain't had nothing since breakfast, and there wasn't much of that. With a bound, he jumped through the bushes and stood in the little grassy glade where the bobsy twins were having a sort of picnic by themselves. They saw that Tom had on ragged clothes and no shoes. Indeed, he looked like a very poor boy, but his face, though it was stained with the blueberries he had eaten, was smiling and kind. The bobsy twins thought they would like him. Here, eat this, and Bert held out some sandwiches. Dinah had put in plenty, as she always did. And he can have some cake, too, said Freddie. I I don't want but two pieces, and I told Dinah to put in three for me. Oh, what a hungry boy, laughed Nan.

And the blueberry boy can have one of my pieces of cake, said Flossy. Where did you get the blueberry, she asked, looking into his basket. I didn't get many, that's the trouble, he said. It's a little too early for them. But the earlier they are, the better price you can sell them for. So I came over alone today. Where do you live, ask Bert, as the boy was hungrily eating the sandwich. Over in Freedom, and Tom Turner, for such he said was his name,

pointed to a village on the other side of the lake from that where the bobsy twins had their home. Our folks come here every year to pick blueberries, but never as early as this. I guess I've had my trouble for nothing. I've eaten more berries than I put in my basket, I guess. but I was so hungry I had to have something. I didn't find many ripe ones at that, and I guess I got as much outside of me as I did inside. And he laughed again, showing his white teeth.

Where do you folks live, Tom asked, as he took a piece of cake, Nan offered him. We're camping on this island. You don't mean to say you are gypsies, do you? asked the blueberry boy in surprise. No, of course not, Bert, answered. We live in Lakeport. Bobsey is our name.

And, oh, does your father have a lumberyard? Yes. Oh, well, then you're all right. My father drives one of your father's lumber wagons. He just got that job this week, been out of work a long while. I heard him say he had a place in the Bobsy Lumberyard, but I never thought I'd meet you.

I thought maybe you was gypsies at first. That's what I thought you were, said, Nan. We're going to be gypsies when we get older, Freddy and me, announced Flossie. No, we're not Flossy. We're going to be in a circus. Oh, yes, and I'm going to ride a horse standing up. And I'm going to be a clown. And he'll have his little fire engine and squirt water on the other clowns. And the folks will holler and laugh, and I'm going to have a glittery. Dear me, Flossy and Freddie, we've heard all about that, at least a dozen times lately protested Burke, but Tom hasn't heard about it.

He's interested, declared Freddie. I knew a feller once that had been in a circus, said Tom. He said they had to work awful hard. There's a show every afternoon and every night and the parade in the morning and practicing and getting ready. He said too that the fellers at the head of the show was awful strict about how everybody behaved themselves. It wasn't much fun, he said, and it was lots of work.

My, gasped, pretty. I guess we'll be gypsies. I don't like to work, much. That is, not very much, agreed Flossy. Are there any gypsies here, asked Bert, for he thought it would be a good chance to find out what he wanted to know. Yes, there are some, was Tom's unexpected answer. They had a camp on the lower end of the island last week.

I expected to see some of them today. They're great blueberry pickers, and that's one reason I came early. Most always the gypsies get the best of the blueberries, four we white folks have a chance. Are there gypsies on this island now, asked Nan, looking over her shoulder into the bushes, as though she feared a dark-faced man

with gold rings in his ears might step back, at any moment and make a grab for flossie or freddie well i guess they're here now lest they've gone said tom i saw some of the men and women here day before yesterday they had been over to the mainland buying things from the store and they rode over here i'd come to look for blueberries but there wasn't as many ripe as there is to-day though that isn't saying much but the gypsies are here all right Then we'd better go, said Nan to Bert. Why, Tom asked. Because, said Nan slowly, we don't like gypsies. They might take. They took Helen's talking doll, exclaimed Flossy.

She cried about it, too. I would if they'd take my doll, only I got her hid under my bed. You won't tell the gypsies, will you? No, indeed, laughed Tom. You're afraid of them, are you? he asked, Nan. Yes, a little, she said slowly. They won't hurt you, Tom said. They're not very fond of working,

and they'll take anything they find lying around loose, but they won't hurt nobody. They took Helen's doll, said Freddy, who had finished his two pieces of cake, and maybe they got my bugs that go around and around. And around. They go around three times, put in Flossy. I was going to say that, only you didn't wait, cried Freddy.

But we've got a goat, he went on, and he's almost as good as Snap our dog. And maybe the gypsy's got him. My, you don't think of anything but gypsy, said Tom, with a laugh. I'm not worried about them. If I see any of them on the island, I'll ask them if they have your dog and bugs. And Helen's doll, added Flossy, she wants Molly back. I'll ask about that, promised Tom. you've been awful good to me and I'd like to do you a favor. I know some of the gypsy boys.

I guess I'll tell my father they're camping on this island, said Bert. Let's go tell him now, suggested Nan. We've stayed here long enough. And I guess I'll row back to the mainland, added Tom. There's no use waiting here for the blueberries to get ripe. I'll come next week. He walked back a little way with the bobsy twins to where he had left his boat. Then he was soon rowing across the lake, waving his hand to his new friends, his white teeth showing between his berry-stained lips. "'He's a nice boy, that blueberry boy,' said Freddy. "'I saw him first, I did.' Mr. Bobsey nodded his head thoughtfully, when the twins, taking turns, told him what Tom had told them. "'Gipsies on the island, eh?' remarked Mr. Bobsey.

they think they have a right to camp here, but I'll see about it. Maybe some of them are all right, but I don't like the idea of staying here. If the place is going to be overrun with them, I must see about it. For the next few days and nights, a close watch was kept about Twin camp, but no gypsies were seen, nor did any more blueberry pickers come. Indeed, the fruit was not ripe enough, as the bobsies could tell by looking at some bushes, which grew near their tents. It was about a week after this when Mr. Bobsey had gone to Lakeport, one morning on business, that Flossie and Freddie went down to the shore of the lake not far from their camp. As they looked across the water, they saw drifting toward the island an empty rowboat.

There was no one in it, as they could tell, and the wind was sending it slowly. along. It's got loose from some dock, said Freddie, who knew more about boats than most boys of his age. Maybe it'll come here and we can get it, said Flossie. Let's throw stones at it. No, that would only scare it away, said Freddie. Wait till it gets near enough, and then I'll wait out and poke it in with a stick. So the two little twins waited on shore for the drifting boat to come to them. end of chapter twelve chapter thirteen of the bobsy twins on blueberry island by laura lee hope this librovoc's recording is in the public domain in the cave look out freddie don't you go waden too far cried flossie as she saw her little brother kick off his low shoes quickly roll off his stockings and start out toward the boat which now a strong puff of wind had blown quite close to the island shore. I'll be careful, he answered. Mother said I could wait up as far as the

wig-wag cut on my leg, and I'm not there yet. Freddy had several scars and scratches on his legs, reminders of accidents he had suffered at different times. One scar was from a cut which he had got when he had fallen over the lawnmower about a year before. It was the biggest cut of all and was near his right knee. He called it his wigwag cut because it was a sort of wavy scar, and when he wanted to go in waiting, his mother always told him never to go in water that would come above that cut, else he would get his knickerbuckers wet. So now he was careful not to go out too far. He watched the water rising slowly up on his bare legs as he waded along on the sandy bottom of the lake toward the drifting boat.

If you took a stick, you could reach it now, called Flossie. I guess I could, Freddy said. I'll hand you a stick, Flossie offered, looking for one along the shore. There were many dead branches blown from the trees, and she soon handed Freddy a long one. With it, the little boy was able slowly to pull the boat toward him, and he had soon shoved the nose,

as he sometimes called the bow, against the bank of the island. Now I can get in, laugh Flossie, and I won't have to take off my shoes and stockings either. And into the boat she scrambled. Oh, exclaimed Freddy, are you going to get in the boat? I am in, answered his sister. Aren't you coming in too?

Freddy looked at the boat, at his sister, at the lake, and at his shoes and stockings on the shore. Then he said, well it doesn't belong to us this boat don't i know said flossie but you pulled it to shore and we can keep it till somebody comes for it and we can make believe have a ride in it momsey won't care as long as it's fast to the shore come on freddie it seemed all right to freddie when flossie said this especially as the boat was close against the shore he put on his shoes and stockings drying his feet in the grass and then and he took his seat in the boat beside his little sister. Now we'll play going on a long voyage, she said. We'll take a trip to New York, and maybe we'll be shipwrecked. Like Tommy Todd's father, added Freddy.

Yep, just like him, said Flossy, only make-believe, of course. And I'll be captain of the ship, and you can be a sailor, went on, Freddy. It'll be lots of fun. Bert and Nan had gone riding in the goat wagon to the other end of the island. mr bobbsey was at his office and mrs bobsy with dinah was working about twin camp so there was no one to watch flossie and freddie mrs bobsy supposed they were playing safely at the lake shore and as a matter of fact they were on shore though in the boat i wonder whose it is said freddie when they had made a make-believe voyage safely to new york after having been shipwrecked at philadelphia a place the little twins remembered as one of their aunts lived in that city maybe it's a gypsy boat said freddie or else it's the one the blueberry boy had added his sister oh yes maybe it is his cried freddie and if it is didn't we better ought to take it to him how asked flossie why we can push it along the shore with sticks because there's no oars in it and when we see him picking blueberries we can holler to him

to come and get his boat. Flossy thought this over a few seconds. Then she said, Let's. This meant she would do, as Freddie said. The twins did not stop to consider whether they were doing something they ought not to do. They planned to keep near shore,

and that was as much as they remembered of what their mother had told them, that they were not to go out on the lake in any boat without her permission or their fathers. But paddling along the shore isn't going out, said Freddy. Anyhow, mother and father would want us to give back the boat to the blueberry boy, wouldn't they?

Of course, said Flossie. Get another stick, Freddy, and we can poke the boat along, and we won't have to go far out at all. In a little while, the two twins were shoving the drifted boat along the shore by pushing the ends of their sticks into the soft bank. The boat was of good size, and it was flat-bottomed, which meant it would not eat easily tip over. Flossie and Freddie each knew how to row, though they had to have oars made especially for them, but they knew how to keep in the middle of a boat, and never thought of rocking it or changing seats, so they were much safer than most children of their age would have

been. Having lived near Lake Matoka all their lives, they knew more about boats and water than perhaps some of you small boys and girls do. They could both swim, though of course not very far nor were they allowed to try it in deep water oh this is lots of fun cried flossie as she and freddie polled the boat along this is real travelling but we mustn't go too far said freddie not quite sure whether or not his mother would think what he and his sister were doing was just right as soon as we see the blueberry boy we must give him his boat and go back home if he wants to row us back can't we let him pass flossie yes but he can't row cause there are no oars in the boat said freddie maybe he has em with him i guess that's what happened went on the little girl you know we take the oars out of our boat and put them up on shore and then maybe the blueberry boy forgot to tie his boat and it blew away and we found it finished freddie come on push hard flossie let's go fast and make believe we're a steamboat that suited flossie and they were soon pushing the boat along the shore quite fast they went out past a little point on the island some distance away from their own camp the white tents of which they could see oh how nice the wind is blowing cried flossie after a little point on the island some distance away from their own camp the white tents of which they could see oh how nice the wind is blowing cried flossie after a bit. I don't hardly have to push at all, Freddy. That's good, he said. We'll be a sailboat

instead of a steamboat, if we only had a sail now. Maybe you could hold up your coat, suggested his sister. Don't you remember that shipwreck story, Mother read us? The men in the boat held up a blanket for a sail. We haven't any blanket, but if you held one end of your coat and I held the other, it would be a sale. We'll do it, cried Freddy, as he slipped off his jacket. it was small but when he and his sister held it crosswise of the boat the wind which had begun to blow harder sent the boat along faster than the children had been pushing it oh this is fine freddie cried i'm glad we played this game flossie so am i but look how far out we are freddie flossie suddenly cried we can't reach the shore with our sticks freddie looked and saw that this was so i wonder if we can touch bottom out here he said I'm going to try. He let go of his coat, and as it happened, that Flossy did the same thing, the little jacket was blown into the water. Oh, cried Flossy, oh, oh, I can get it, excitedly shouted Freddy. I'll reach it with my pushing stick. He managed to do this,

taking care not to lean too far over the edge, so the boat would not tip. Then he caught the coat on the end of the stick and pulled his jacket into the boat. Oh, it's all wet, cried Flossie. Freddy did not stop to tell her that every time anything fell into the water it got wet. Instead, he began to search in his pockets. What's the matter? Did you lose something, asked Flossie? I guess we can eat them after they dry out, said Freddy, after a bit, pulling out some

soaked sugar cookies. Freddy spread them out on one of the boat seats where the sun. would dry them, and then he wrung from his coat as much water as he could. Next he spread the jacket out to dry, Flossy helping him. All this time the children failed to notice where they were going, but when they had seen that the soaked cookies were getting dry and had eaten them, Freddie looked about and, pointing to shore, cried, oh, look Flossy. We're going right toward a big dark hole, said the little girl. That isn't a hole. It's a hole. It's a little bit. a cave, Freddy said. Maybe it's a pirate cave, and there'll be golden jewels in it. The wind is blowing us and our

boat right into it. And that was what was happening. The wind had changed, and instead of blowing the boat away from the island, was blowing it toward it, and directly in front of Flossie and Freddie was a big hole in the steep bank of the island shore. As Freddie had said, it was a cave. What was in it? End of Chapter 13. Chapter 14 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Helen's Visit While the two children sat in the drifting rowboat, which was being slowly blown

toward the island shore again, Flossy suddenly gave a little jump which made the boat shake. What's the matter? asked Freddy, did something bite you? For his sister had started. just as you might do if a fly or a mosquito suddenly nipped your leg. No, nothing bit me, she answered, but I felt a splash of rain on my nose and, Oh, Freddy, look, it's going to be a thunder, lightning storm. Freddy, whose eyes had seen nothing but the cave, now looked up at the sky. The blue had become covered with dark clouds, and in the west there was a dull rumble.

I guess it is going to rain, said Freddy slowly. I know it is, Flossie answered. There's another drop. I felt one too, said her brother. It went right in my eye, too, and he winked and blinked. And there's another one on my nose, cried Flossie. Oh, Freddy, what are we going to do? I haven't an umbrella.

For a moment the little boy did not know what to do. He looked at his coat, but it was still wet, though it had been spread out on the seat to dry. He could not wrap that around Flossie. as he thought at first he might. The wind, too, was blowing harder now, and there were little waves splashing against the side of the boat. But the wind did one good thing for the children. It blew the boat towards shore, so much faster. And shore was where they wanted to be just now. They knew they had drifted out too far, and they were beginning to be afraid. The shore of the island looked very

safe and comfortable. We can get under a tree. That will be an umbrella for us, said Flossie. Aren't you glad we're going on shore, Freddy? Yes, but I guess we can get in a better place out of the rain than under a tree, Flossie. Then we'd better get, she said, because it's raining hard now. I've got about ten splashes on my nose. The big drops were beginning to fall faster. The clouds had quickly spread over the sky, which was now very dark, and the wind kept on blowing. Where can we go out of the storm? asked the little girl. Huh? Where are we going, Freddy? In there, answered her brother, pointing. What, in that dark hole? It isn't a hole that's a cave, and maybe we'll find gold and diamonds in there, like in the book Momsie read to us.

Come on, we can go into the cave and we won't get wet at all. I'll take it. I'll take it. I'll take care of you. I'm not afraid, said Flossie slowly, but I wish Snap was with us. Or Whisker. I guess Whisker would like a cave. So would Snap, said Freddy, but we can't get them now. So we've got to go in ourselves. Come on and look out because the boat's going to bump. And bump the boat did a second later, against the shore of the island close to the open mouth of the black cave. It was raining hard now and Freddy helped Flossie out of the boat, and then holding each other by the hand, the children ran toward the cavern. No matter what was in it, there they would be sheltered from the rain, they thought. The cave, as Freddy and Flossy saw, could be entered from either the land

or the water. At one side it was so low that a boat could be rowed into it for a little way. On the other, one could walk into it by a little path that led through the trees. The water of the lake splashed into the cave a short distance, and then came to an end, making a sort of little bay or cove, large enough for two or three boats, and the cave, as the children could see when their eyes became used to the darkness, was quite a large one. I wonder if anybody lives here, whispered Flossie, as she kept close to her brother. We live here now, he said. Anyhow, we're going to stay here until the rain stops. Maybe a bear lives here, said Flossie, in a whisper. Poo, laughed Freddie. There are no

bears on Blueberry Island or daddy would have brought a gun. And he said I didn't even need my pop gun, because there wasn't a thing here to shoot, but I did bring my pop gun. You haven't got it here now, though, said Flossie. I know I haven't. I left it in the tent by the go-around bugs. I mean, before the go-around bugs got away. But my pop gun is there, I saw it, only I haven't it now, so I can't shoot anything. But there's nothing to shoot anyhow. Freddy added the last, for fear his sister might be frightened,

in the dark cave. It was very dark, especially back in the end, where Flossie and Freddy could see nothing. But by looking toward the place where they had come in, they could see daylight and the lake, which was now quite rough on account of the wind. They could also see the rain falling and splashing. I'm glad we're in here, said Flossie. It's better than an umbrella. Lots better, agreed Freddy. If we had some cookies to eat, we could stay here a long time and live here.

We couldn't sleep, because we haven't any beds, declared Flossy. We could make beds of dried grass the way Burt told us to do if we went camping. but have you any more cookies asked flossie going back to what her brother had first spoken of i'm hungry only some crumbs freddie said as he put his hand in the pockets of his coat and they're all soft and wet we can't eat em well we can go home when it stops raining said flossie and dino give us lots to eat the two children were not frightened now they stood in the cave and looked out at the storm it was raised raining harder than ever, and the thunder seemed to shake the big hole in the ground, while the lightning flashes lighted up the cave, so Freddy and Flossie could look farther back into it. But they could not see much, and if there was anyone or anything in the cave besides themselves, they did not know it. They saw the boat blown inside the cave, and it came to rest in the little

cove, which was a sort of harbor. Then, almost as quickly as it had started, the storm stopped. The wind ceased blowing, the rain no longer fell, the thunder rumbled no more, and the lightning died out. For a few minutes longer, Flossie and Freddie stayed in the cave, and then, as they were about to go out, the little girl grasped her brother by the arm and cried, Hark, did you hear that? What, asked Freddy. a noise like something growling freddie looked back over his shoulder into the dark part of the cave then speaking as boldly as possible he answered i didn't hear it anyhow i guess it was the wind come on we'll go home are we going back in the boat flossie asked i guess not freddie replied it'll be rough out on the lake it always is after a storm we can walk down the path to our camp besides this this is the road to our camp besides this This isn't our boat. Maybe it belongs here and we'd better leave it.

Then you'd better tie it, said Flossie. She and her brother had been told something of the care of boats, and one rule their father had given them was always to tie a boat when they got out of it. In the excitement of the storm, the children had forgotten this at first, but now Flossie remembered it. Yes, I'll tie the boat, Freddy said, and then whoever owns it can come and get it. it did not take him long to scramble around to the edge of the little cove once there he tied the rope of the boat fast to a large stone that was half buried in the ground making sure it would not slip off freddie came back to where flossie waited for him

she was quite ready to leave the cave and soon the two children were outside under the trees that were still dripping with rain the sun was now shining Flossy and Freddie had had an adventure, they thought, and that was fun for them. Which way is home? I mean where our camp is, asked Flossy, as she and Freddie walked along together. Down this way, he said, see the path? Certainly there was a path leading away from the cave, but Freddy did not stop to think it might lead somewhere else than to twin camp. It was a nice smooth path, though, and he and Flossy set out along it, Not at all worried. I'm hungry, said the little girl, and I want to get home as soon as I can.

I'm hungry, too, Freddy said. We'll soon be home. But the children might not have reached the camp soon. Oh, may that a little later they heard their names called in the wood, and answering, they found Nan and Bert looking for them in the goat wagon, drawn by whisker. Where in the world have you been, asked Bert, of his little brother and sister, oh answered freddie we've been out in a boat and in a cave and we only had cookies to eat and they were wet and we heard a noise in the cave maybe it's a bear and if it is freddie can take his pop gun the next time we go there can't you freddie dear me laughed nan what's it all about then the two small twins told more slowly what had happened to them and nan and bert told their small brother and sister that

coming back from their little trip, they had found Mrs. Bobsey much worried because she could not find Flossie and Freddie. Then it began to rain, said Nan, and we were all as worried as could be. We looked at our boats, and when we found they were tied at the dock, we didn't think you were out on the water.

Then, when it stopped raining, Bert and I started out to find you, and so did Sam, though he went a different way. And we called and called to you, said, Bert. Didn't you hear us shouting? Maybe that was the noise we heard in the cave, said Freddie to his sister. What about this cave? asked Bert. Tell us where it is. Then, riding back to camp in the goat wagon, the two small twins told again of the big hole in which they had taken refuge from the storm. I'd like to see that, Bert said. We'll go there tomorrow.

"'We can walk there, or Whisker can take us,' said Freddy, "'and then we can come home in the boat, "'but you'll have to take some oars, Bert.' "'That's so. "'There is a boat,' exclaimed the older Bobsy boy, "'I wonder whose it can be. "'But they did not learn at once for the next day "'when they all went to the cave,

"'including Mr. and Mrs. Bobsey, "'the boat was not there.' "'Somebody untied it and took it away,' said Freddy. as he pointed out the rock to which he had made fast the rope. Are you sure you tied it tightly? asked his father. Yes, I made the same kind of knot you showed me. And Freddie told how he had done it. Flossie, too, was sure her brother had fastened the boat properly.

Well, then, somebody's been here in the cave, said Bert. Say, it's a big place, Daddy. Can't we get a lantern and see where it goes to back there? and he motioned to the dark part. Sometime maybe, but not now, said Mr. Bobsey, who, with his wife, had walked along the island path to the cave, while the children rode in the goat wagon. I didn't know there was a cave on Blueberry Island.

I don't believe many persons know it is here, but the boat might belong to some of the berry pickers, and they hunted for it until they found it. Did the blueberry pickers make the funny noise in the cave? asked Flossie? I don't know, replied her father. I don't hear any noise now. I presume it was only the wind.

Mr. Bobsey and Bird, lighting matches, went a short way back into the cave, but they could see very little, and the children's father said they would look again some other day. But Flossie and Freddie, you mustn't come here alone again, said Mr. Bobsey.

If it rains and we're near here, can't we come in if we haven't umbrella asked freddie well yes perhaps if it rains but you mustn't go out in a drifting boat again rain or no rain ordered mr bobbsey and freddie promised they would not as they always did and then the camping family started back for their tents what do you think of that cave the boats being taken and all that's happened asked mrs bobsy in a whisper of her husband as they walked toward camp together i don't know what to think he said slowly do you suppose the gypsies could be in there well they might but don't let the children know they are having a good time here and there's no need as yet to frighten them for the next few days there were happy times in twin camp the children went on many rides in the goat wagon and had other fun then one afternoon when they were all sitting near the tents waiting for the children went on many rides in the goat wagon and had other fun then one afternoon when they were all sitting near the tents waiting for Dina to get dinner. They saw a steamer heading toward the little dock. Oh, maybe it's company, cried Flossie, clapping her hands. And so it proved. For when the boat landed, Mrs. Porter

and her little girl, Helen got off. We came to see how you were, said Mrs. Porter. Helen wanted a trip on the water. So we came on the excursion boat. We're going back this evening. How are you? Very well indeed, said Mrs. Bobsey. And, glad to see you. Helen can play with Flossie and Freddy. Did you see any of the gypsies? And did they have my talking doll? asked Helen, as soon as she had taken off her hat in the tent and had gone outside to play with the two small bobsy twins. End of Chapter 14. Chapter 15 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Librevox recording is in the public.

domain. The doll's dress. Haven't you got your lost doll back yet? asked Freddy as he moved over on a board, nailed between two trees to make room for Helen to sit down between him and flossie. No, I haven't found Molly, answered the little girl, who had come to visit her friends. I guess she's a gypsy by this time. Helen, are you sure a gypsy man took your doll, asked Nan, who had been sent out by her mother to see if the little ones were all right. Yes, I'm sure, answered Helen. I left her in the yard, and besides, didn't Johnny Marsh and me both see the gypsy man running off with her?

Well, maybe it did happen that way, said Nan, but what makes you think we might have seen that gypsy man here, Helen? Because Johnny Marsh said gypsies were camped on Blueberry Island. We haven't seen any yet, remarked, Bert, who had come out to ask the little Gers visitor about some of his boy friends in Lakeport. Maybe they're hiding because they've got Helen's doll, said Flossie, and maybe they're in the cave, Freddy and I found. Did you find a cave? asked Helen.

My mama read me a story once about a cave and a giant that lived in it. Did your cave have a giant inside? It had a noise, answered Flossy excitedly. Me and Freddie heard it, but we didn't go to see what it was. Are you hungry, Helen? she asked, suddenly changing the subject. Yes, I am. I only had some cake and ice cream on the boat. We're going to have ice cream, Freddy cried. Sam chopped up the ice this morning and I heard him turning the freezer.

I wish dinner would hurry up and be ready. It was not long after this that Fat Dina rang the gong, which told that the meal was cooked, and soon they were all seated in the dining tent. making merry over it mrs porter told how helen had been teasing ever since the bobsies had come to blueberry island to be brought for a visit she says that maybe the gipsies who took her doll are here went on mrs porter though i tell her she will never see molly again but helen begged hard to come and so here we are and we're very glad to see you said mrs bobsie can't you stay longer than justin's this evening? No, not this time, as we didn't bring any extra clothes with us, but Helen might come later for a visit of a few days. Oh, yes, please let her come, beg Flossie. We'll see,

said Mrs. Porter. Did you find Snap? she asked Bert. No, we haven't heard anything of him. I was going to ask if you had, and he looked anxiously at Helen's mother. No, I haven't heard a word about your pet, answered Mrs. Porter, though I've asked all your boyfriends, and so has Helen. Tommy Todd and the others say they are keeping watch for Snap, and if they see him, they'll let you know. Has anything else happened since you've been here? she asked Mr. and Mrs. Bobsey. Nothing much, answered Nan's mother. We have had a lovely time camping, and flossies and my go-around bugs broke out of their box, cried Freddy. and then he begged his mother's pardon for interrupting her when she was speaking.

His mother smiled, excused him, and then she let him and Flossie, in turn, tell about the missing bugs. Come on, we'll play hide and go seek, proposed Flossie after dinner, while her father and mother and Mrs. Porter were still sitting about the table talking. Did you and Nan want to play, Bert? She asked her older brother.

No, Flossy, he answered with a smile. I'm going to help Sam cut wood for the campfire. We're going to have a marshmallow roast tonight. Oh, I just wish I could stay, cried Helen. I love roast marshmallows. We'll roast some when you come again, said Nan, who was going to do some sewing, so she could not play with the smaller children just then.

Soon the game of hide-and-go-seek began. Freddy said he would hide first and let both girls hunt for him. He thought he could hide so well that he could fool them both and still get home safe before they spied him. So while Flossie and Helen blinded by hiding their faces in their arms against a tree, Freddy stole quietly off to hide. He found a good place behind a pile of brushwood,

and there he cuddled up in a little bunch and waited, after calling Coop until he heard the two girls searching for him. By peeping through the brush, Freddy could see Helen and his sister looking all about for him, behind trees, down back of fallen logs, and in clumps of ferns. Then Freddy saw the girls go far enough away from home, which was a big oak tree, so that he thought he would have a chance to run in free. This he did, and how surprised Flossie and Helen were, when they saw him dash out from a pile of brushwood. I'll blind now and let you hide, said Freddie, though if the game was played by the rules, it would be his turn to hide again, as he had not been caught.

So this time the little boy had his head in his arms and began counting up to a hundred by fives, and when he had called out loudly, 95, 100, ready or not on coming, he opened his eyes and began searching. Freddy had to be more careful about going away from the home tree than had the two little girls. Either one of them could have spied him and have run to touch home before he did, but Freddy was all alone hunting for his sister and Helen, and when he had his back turned, one or the other might run in ahead of him. him. But I'll find him, he told himself. I'll spy them both, and then it will be my turn to hide again. Meanwhile, Flossie and Helen were well hidden. Flossy had found two logs lying on a pile of leaves,

not far from the home tree, and she had crawled down in between them, pulling leaves over her. Only her nose stuck out, so she could breathe, and no one could have seen her until they were very close. Helen had picked out a hollow stump in which to hide. It was deep enough for her to get inside, and the bottom was covered with old leaves, so it was soft and not very dirty. Helen had been given an old dress of flossies to put on, to play in, so she would not soil her own white one. I'm going to have a good place to hide, thought Helen,

as she climbed up on a pile of stones outside the old stump, and jumped down inside, crouching there. then she waited for Freddy to come to find her, and as there was a crack in the stump, she could look out and see where he was. As soon as he got far enough away from home, Flossie, who was nearer the oak tree, would run in free, and then she would try to reach it. Meanwhile, she crouched in the hollow stump, trying not to laugh or cough or sneeze, for if she did that, Freddy would hear and know where she was. Helen saw something white in the stump with her.

At first she thought it was a piece of paper, but when she picked it up, she knew it was cloth, and as she looked at it, her eyes grew big with wonder. Without stopping to think that she was playing the hide-and-go-seek game, Helen suddenly stood up in the hollow stump, her head and waist showing above the edge like a jack-in-the-box. In her hand she held the white thing she had found.

Flossy, from her hiding place between the two logs, could look over and see what Helen was doing. Seeing her standing up in plain sight, Flossy, in a loud whisper, called to her friend, Get down, get down. Freddy will see you, and then you'll be it. Get down. But look, look at what I found in the hollow stump, answered Helen. Oh, I must show you.

Oh, get down, cried Flossy, pulling more leaves over herself. here comes Freddy, he'll see you. The little boy was coming from the home tree. He caught sight of Helen and cried, Tit-tat, Helen, tit-tat, Helen, I see her in the hollow stump. I don't care if I am it, Helen answered. Look what I found. What is it? asked Flossie, sitting up amid the leaves.

It's the dress Molly wore when the gypsy took her away, exclaimed Helen. Oh, my doll must be somewhere on this island. and holding the white object high above her head, she ran toward Flossie. End of Chapter 15. Chapter 16 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Snoop is missing. The children suddenly lost interest in the game of hide and go to seek.

Freddy thought no more of Snotic. spying Flossy or Helen. Flossy no longer cared about hiding down between the two logs, and Helen did not care about anything but the white dress she was holding up, as she scrambled out of the hollow stump. It's my doll's dress, she said over and over again. It's my lost doll's dress. Are you sure, asked Flossy, as she shook the leaves from her dress and hair, and came over to her friend. Of course I'm sure, answered Helen. Look, here's a place. where I mended the dress after Molly tore it when she was playing with Grace Levine's dolly one day. Molly hadn't really torn her dress. Helen had done it herself, lifting her pet out of the doll

carriage, but she liked to pretend the doll had done it. Let's see the torn place, said Flossy, and Helen showed where a hole had been sewed together. I remember it, Helen went on, because I sewed it crooked. I can sew better now. It's my doll's dress. all right. It's all wet, said Freddy, who, though a boy, was not too old to be interested in dolls, though he did not play with them. Maybe the gypsies live around here, he went on, and they washed your doll's dress and hung it on the stump to dry. Maybe, agreed Helen, who was ready to believe anything, now that she had found something belonging to her doll. No gypsies live around here, said Flossy, because we haven't seen any, but maybe they live in the cave.

The cave's far off, said Freddie, but it's funny about that dress. I found it when I hid in the stump, explained the little visiting girl. First I thought it was a piece of paper, but as soon as I touched it, I knew it wasn't. Oh, now if I could only find Molly. Maybe she's in the camp too, Freddy said. If the gypsies washed her dress, they'd have to cover her up with leaves or bark, so she wouldn't get cold while her dress was drying. The gypsies didn't wash her dress, said Helen.

How do you know, asked Flossy, because nobody washes dresses and makes them all up in a heap and puts him in a hollow stump, Helen went on. You've got to hang a dress straight on a line to make it dry. That's so, added Flossy, you only roll a dress up the way this one was rolled when you sprinkle it to iron, don't you, Helen? Yep. Oh, I do wish I could find my Molly. Well, she must be somewhere around here if she isn't in the stump, insisted Freddy. If the gypsies took off her dress, they must have dropped the doll. Let's look. This was what the two little girls wanted to do, so with Freddy to help, they began poking about with sticks in the leaves that were piled around the stump.

They searched for some time. but could find no trace of the lost doll. We'd better go and tell my mama and your mama, said Flossie. Maybe they'll get a policeman and he'll find the gypsies. And your dolly, Helen. All right, come on. Out of breath, the children ran to the tents, where Mrs. Porter was just thinking about going in search of her little girl,

as it was nearly time for the steamboats to come back for them. Oh, I found Molly's dress. I found Molly's dress, cried Helen. waving it over her head it was in a stump added freddie and it was all wet from being rained on i guess said flossie for indeed the doll's dress was still damp and very likely it had been out in the rain that stump would hold water for some time like a big wooden pitcher mrs porter was very much surprised to hear the news and thought perhaps her little girl was mistaken but when she had looked carefully on her little girl was mistaken but when she had looked carefully on her little bit of her little bit of her little bit. the dress. She knew it was one she herself had made for Helen when that little girl was a baby. But how did it come on this island, she asked. It must have been dropped by the gypsy, said Mr. Bobsey. In spite of what they said to us, some one of them must have picked up the doll and

carried her away for some little gypsy girl. And the gypsies must have been on this island. Some of the blueberry pickers said they saw them. But when I'm a little gypsy girl, and the gypsies must have been on this island. I looked, I could not find them. By that time, they must have gone away. And did they take my doll with them, asked Helen? Well, I'm afraid they did, said Mr. Bobsey. If they wanted your pet badly enough to take her away so boldly, as they did from the yard, they'd probably keep her once they had her safe. It isn't every day they can get a talking doll, you know. I wish there was some way of getting Helen's doll back, said Mrs. Porter. does nothing but wish for her every day she has other dolls but i liked molly best helen said i want her if she only knew i had her dress she might come to me she added wistfully

she might if she were a fairy doll said mrs bobsy as she patted helen on the head but we'll look as carefully as we can for your little girl's pet mrs porter if molly is on this island we'll find her and i'll leave this dress here, said Helen, so you can put it on her when you do find her. Then she won't take cold. I'll wash the dress and have Dinah iron it for you, promised Flossy. I can't iron very well. Thank you, said Helen. Oh, I'm so glad I came here, for I found part of Molly anyhow. Helen and her mother left Blueberry Island, promising to come again some day, and Flossy and Freddie said they would in the meantime. as well as they could for the lost doll. That night in front of the tents there was a marshmallow roast. The bobsy children with long sticks toasted the soft candies over the blaze until the marshmallows puffed out like balloons and were colored a pretty brown. Then they ate them. Flossie and Freddie dropped

about as many candies in the fire as they toasted, but Bert and Nan at last showed the small twins, how to do it, and then Freddy toasted a marshmallow for his father, and Flossie made one nice and brown for her mother. I dropped mine in the dirt after I cooked it, said Freddie to his father, as he came running up with the hot candy, but I guess you can eat it. I'll try, laughed Mr. Bobsey, and he brushed off all the dirt he could, but he had to chew the rest, for Freddy stood right in front of his father to make sure the marshmallow was eating. eaten. Is it good, asked the little boy? Fine, cried Mr. Bobsey, but I can't eat any more, he said quickly, because I might get into gestion. Then I'll eat them, said Freddie. I'm not afraid of it is

it is gestion. It was jolly fun toasting candies at the campfire, but as everything must come to an end sometime, this did also, and the children went to bed and the camp was quiet, except that now and then Whisker gave a gentle, bah, from his resting place under a tree, and Snoop, the black cat, purred in his sleep. The next day it rained, so the twins could not go to look for the doll as they wanted to.

They had to stay around the tents, though when the shower slackened, they were allowed to go out with their rubber coats and boots on. Toward night the sun came out, and they all went down to the dock to meet the steamboat. for mr bobbsey had gone over to the mainland after dinner to attend to some business at the lumber office and was coming back on the last boat it was after supper that dinah coming into the dining tent to clear away the dishes caused some excitement when she asked has any of you all seen snoop what is our cat gone asked bert well i hasn't seen em since flossie and freddy was playin hitch him up like a holly to a cigar box wagon went on dinah. He came out to me and I give him some milk and now,

when I called him to come and get his supper, he ain't here. Flossie and Freddie looked at each other. So did Nan and Bert. Even Mr. Bobsey seemed surprised, but he said, oh, I guess he just went off in the woods for a rest. After Flossie and Freddie mauled him when they were playing with him, go call him bert so bert went out in front of the tent and called snoop snoop hi snoop where are you but no snoop answered then flossie and freddie called and so did nan while sam went farther into the woods among the trees but the big black cat that the children loved so dearly was missing snoop did not come to his supper that night end of chapter sixteen Chapter 17 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Freddy is caught.

Hark, wasn't that Snoop? Listen, everybody. Bert and Nan suddenly made these exclamations as they, with the rest of the Bobsey family, were sitting in the main tent after supper. The lanterns had been lighted, the mosquito net drawn over the front door, or flap of the tent, to keep out the bugs, and the camping family was spending a quiet hour before going to bed. Bert thought he heard in the woods outside a noise that sounded like that made by the missing cat's snoop, and Nan also thought she heard the same sound. They all listened, Mr. Bobsey looking up from his book, while Flossie and Freddy ceased their play. Mrs. Bobsey

stopped her sewing. There it is again, exclaimed Nan, as for from the darkness outside the tent, there came a queer sound. What is it, asked Mrs. Bobsey. It doesn't sound like Snoop. Maybe it's snap, exclaimed Freddy. He used to howl like that. It did sound a bit like a dog's howl, admitted Bert. May I go out and see what it is, Daddy? I'll take a look, said Mr. Bobsey. He stepped to the flap of the tent and listened. The queer sound came again, and he went outside, while Bert went near the tent opening to listen. He, as well as his father, then heard another noise, that made by someone walking across the ground,

stepping on and breaking small sticks. Who's there, suddenly called Mr. Bobsey? Exactly, as Bert said afterward, like a soldier sentinel on guard. Who's there? It's me, Sam, was the answer. I done heard some queer noise, Mr. Bobsey, and Dinah said as how I'd better get up and see what it was. Oh, all right, Sam, we heard it too. listen again. Sam stood still and Mr. Bobsey remained quietly outside the big tent. Sam and his wife lived in a smaller tent not far away, and they usually went to bed early, so Sam had had to get up when the queer noise sounded. Suddenly it came again, and this time Bert, who had stuck his head out between the flaps of the tent, called,

There it is. Hoo, who, who came the sound. And as Mr. Bobsey heard it, he gave a laugh. laugh. Nothing but an owl, he said. I should have known it at first, only I couldn't hear well in the tent. You may go back to bed, Sam. It's only an owl. Only an owl, Mr. Bobsey. Yes, I reckon as how it is, but I don't like to hear it just the same. You don't, why not, Sam? Because as how they most always generally bring bad luck. I don't like the sound of that owl singing no-how. He wasn't singing, Sam laughed Bert after he had called to the rest of the family inside the tent and told them the cause of the noise. Ha, am da you bird? asked the colored man. Well, maybe an owl don't sing like a canary bird, but they make some moanful sound, and I don't like it. Means bad luck, that's what it means.

And you all bitter get to bed. Oh, I'm not afraid, Sam. We thought it was Snoop mewing, or snap howling maybe. You didn't see anything of our lost daughter. did you? Not a smitch, and a show would like to have him back. Ask him if he were dinosaur, Snoop, called Flossie. Bert asked the colored man this, but Sam had seen nothing of the pet cat either. Oh, dear, sighed, Freddy, both our pets gone, snap and Snoop. I wish they'd come back.

Maybe they will, said his mother kindly. It's time for you to go to bed now, and maybe the morning will bring good news. "'Snap or Snoop may be back by that time.' "'That's what we've been thinking about poor Snap for a long while,' grumbled Nan. "'Well, I'm afraid Snap is lost for good,' said Mrs. Bobsey. "'He never stayed away so long before. "'But Snoop may be back in the morning. "'He may have just wandered off.

"'It isn't the first time he has been away all night.' "'Only once or twice,' said Bert, "'who came back to the book he was reading. "'And both times it was because he got shut by accident and places where he couldn't get out. Maybe that's what happened this time, suggested Nan. We ought to look around the island. We will, tomorrow, declared Bert.

And look in the cave, Flossie and I found, urged Freddy. Maybe Snoop is there. Will look, promised his brother. When Flossie and Freddy were taken to their cots by their mother, Flossy, when she had finished her regular prayers, added, and please don't let them take whisker. What do you mean by that? Flossie asked her mother.

I mean I was praying that they shouldn't take our goat, said the little girl. I want to pray that too, cried Freddy, who had hopped into bed. Why didn't you tell me you were going to pray that, Flossie? Because it just popped into my head. But you stay in bed and I'll pray it for you. And she added, please, Freddy says the same thing. Then she covered herself up and almost before Mrs. Bobsey had left the sides of the cots, both children were fast asleep.

poor little tykes said the mother softly they do miss their pets so i hope the cat and dog can be found and helen's doll too it's strange that so many things are missing i wonder who flossie meant by they i must ask her and the next morning the little girl when reminded of her petition the night before and asked who she thought might take the goat said they is the gypsies of course they take everything blueberry tom said so and i didn't want them to get whisker too who in the world is blueberry tom asked mrs bobbsey he's the boy who was so hungry explained freddie he came to the island to pick early blueberries only there wasn't any oh now i remember mrs bobbsey said with a laugh well i don't believe there are any gipsies on this island to take anything snoop must have just wandered off then we'll find him exclaimed nan during the next few days a search was made for the missing black cat the twins sometimes riding in their goat wagon and again going on foot went over a good part of the island calling for snoop but he did not answer sam too wandered about getting firewood and also calling for the lost pet mr bobbsey made inquiries of the boatmen and the man who kept the soda water stand but none of them had seen the children's pet bert printed with a lead pencil paper signs offering a reward for any news of snoop and these were tacked up on trees about the island so the blueberry pickers might see them but though many read them none had seen snoop and of course snap was missing before the bobsies came to camp so naturally he would not be on the island but in spite of the missing snap and snoop the bobsy twins had lots of fun in camp

during the day they played all sorts of games went on long walks with their father and mother or for trips on the lake sometimes they even rode to other islands not far from blueberry island and there ate their lunch the fishing was good and freddie and bert often brought home a nice mess for dinner or supper whisker the big white goat was a jolly pet he was as gentle as a dog and never seemed to get tired of pulling the twins in the wagon though the roads of the island were not as smooth as those in lakeport but though the twins had fun they never gave over thinking that some day they would find snap and snoop again and maybe helen's doll too said flossie we'll hunt for her some more but it's easier to hunt for snoop said freddie cause he can holler back when you holler at him how can a cat holler asked his sister well he can go meow can't he freddie asked and ain't that hollerin i-i guess so flossie answered oh freddie i know what let's do she cried suddenly what make mud pies again i'm tired of em sides momsey just put clean things on us no not make mud pies i'm tired of that too let's go off by ourselves and hunt snoop you know every time we've gone very far from camp we've had to go with nan and bert and you know when you hunt cats you ought to be quiet and two can be very far from camp we've had to go with nan and bert and you know when you hunt cats you ought to be quiet and two can be be more quiet than three or four. That's right, agreed Freddy, after thinking it over. Then let's just us to go, went on Flossy. We won't get lost.

Nope, of course not, said Freddy. I can go all over the island, and I won't let you be lost. Snoop knows us better than he does Nan and Bert, anyhow, because we play with him more. And if we find him, went on Flossy, and he's too tired to walk home, we'll carry him. I'll carry his head part, and you can carry his tail. No, I want to carry his head. I choose his head first, said Flossy. The tail is nicest anyhow. And why don't you carry that?

Because it's so flopsy, it never stays still. And when it flops in my face, it tickles me. Please, you carry the tail end, Freddy. All right, Flossie, I will. But we had better go now, or maybe Momsie or Nan or Burt or Dinah might come out and tell us not to go. come on so hand in hand now and then looking back to make sure no one saw them to order them back flossie and freddie started out to search for the lost snoop they wandered here and there about the island at first not so very far from the camp when they were near the tents they did not call the cat's name very loudly for fear of being heard we can call him loud enough when we get farther away said freddie yep agreed his sister anyhow he isn't near the tents or he'd have come back before this so the two little twins wandered farther and farther away until they were well to the middle of the island and out of sight of the white tents

snoop snoop snoop they called but though they had heard many noises made by the birds the squirrels and insects of the woods there was no answering cry from their cat after a while they came to a place where a little brook flowed between green mossy banks. It was a hot day and the children were warm and tired. Oh, I'm going in waiting, cried Freddy, sitting down and taking off his shoes and stockings. You hadn't better, said Flossie. Mama mightn't like it. I'll tell her how nice it was when I get home, said the little fellow, and then she'll say it was all right. Come on, Flossie. No, I've got clean white stockings on and I don't want to get them all dirty. Huh, they've got some dirt on them now. Well, they aren't wet, and they'd get wet if I went in waiting. Not if you took them off.

Yes, they would, because I can never get my feet dry on the grass like you do. You go in waiting, Freddy, and I'll sit here and watch you. So Freddy stepped into the cool water and shouted with glee. Then he waited out a little farther, and soon a queer look came over his face. Lossie saw her brother sink down until the brook came up to the lower edge of his Baker-Bockers wetting them. While Freddie cried, Oh, I'm caught, I'm caught.

Flossy, help me, I'm caught. End of Chapter 17. Chapter 18 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Flossy is tangled. Flossy Bobsey, who had been sitting on the cleanest and driest log she could find, near the edge of the stream to watch Freddy Wade jumped up as she heard him cry. She had been wishing she was with him, white stockings or none.

Oh, Freddy, what's the matter? She cried. What happened? I'm caught, he answered. Can't you see I'm caught? But how, she questioned eagerly. You aren't caught in a trap like Snap was, are you? No, it isn't a trap. It's sticky mud, Freddy said. My feet are stuck in the mud. Oh, oh, said Flores. and a queer look came over her face. You are stuck in the mud.

How did you do it, Freddy? I didn't do it. It did it. I just stepped in a soft place, and now when I pull one foot out, the other sticks in deeper. Can't you help me out, Flossie? Yes, I'll help you out, she cried. And she ran down to the edge of the stream

as though she intended to wade out to where poor Freddy was trying to pull his feet loose from the sticky mud. Oh, don't come in. "'Don't come in,' cried Freddy, "'waving her back with his hand. "'You'll be stuck, too.' "'Flossie stood still on the edge of the little brook.

"'She looked at Freddy, who was in the middle of the stream, "'too far out for Flossy to reach with her outstretched hands, "'though she tried to do so. "'Can't you pull your feet out?' she asked. "'Nope, answered Freddy, I can't, for I've tried. "'As soon as I get one foot up a little way, "'the other goes down in deeper. "'And I'll go and call my mom.'

Mama. No, don't do that, begged Freddy. Maybe if you would get a long stick, Flossie, and hold it out to me, I could sort of pull myself out. Oh, I know. It's like the picture in my storybook of the boy who fell through the ice, and his sister held out a long pole to him, and he pulled himself out. Wait a minute, Freddy, and I'll get the stick. I'm glad you didn't fall through the ice, though, because you'd get cold, maybe. The water is nice and warm, said Freddie, but I don't like the mud I'm stuck in because it makes me feel so tickly between the toes. I'll help you out, said Flossie.

Wait a minute. She searched about on the bank until she found a long, smooth branch of a tree. Holding to one end of this, she held the other end out to her brother. Freddy had to turn half around to get hold of it as his back was toward Flossy,

and she could not cross the brook. Now hold tight, cried the little boy, I'm going to pull. Flossie braced her feet in the sand on the bank of the brook, and her brother began to pull himself out of the mud. His feet had sunk down to quite a depth, and when he first pulled, he made Flossie slide along the ground, until she cried, oh, Freddy, you're going to make me stuck too. Don't pull me into the water. Freddy stopped just in time with the toes of Flossie's shoes almost in the water. Did you pull loose a little bit, she asked? Yes, a little, but I don't want to pull you in, Flossie. If you could only hold on to a tree or a rock, then I wouldn't drag you

along. Maybe I can hold to this tree, and Flossy pointed to one nearby. If I can stretch my arms, I can reach it. Look for a longer tree branch to hold out to me, said Freddie, and when his sister had found this, she could reach one end to her brother. keep the other end in her right hand, and with her left arm pulled on to a small tree. The tree braced flossy against being pulled along the bank, and when next Freddy tried, he dragged his feet and legs safely from the sticky mud and could wade out on the hard, gravelly bottom of the brook. I guess that was a mud hole where some fish used to live, said the little fellow,

as he came ashore, a little bit frightened by what had happened. your feet are all muddy said flossie and you are all wet around your knees oh that'll dry said freddie and i can wash the mud off my feet it was awful sticky it certainly seemed to be for it took quite a while to wash it off his bare feet and legs so he stood for some time in the brook where there was a white pebbly bottom and used bunches of moss for a bath sponge but at last freddie's legs were clean though they were quite red from having been rub so hard with the moss sponge. Flossy, too, having helped her brother scrub himself, had gotten some water on her shoes and stockings and a little mud, too. But we can walk through places where the grass is high, said Freddie, and that will brush the mud off, and the sun will dry your stockin the same as it will my pants. And we'll keep on calling for Snoop, said Flossie. Freddy, having put on his stockings and shoes, the two children set out again, one,

wondering here and there, calling for the black cat. But either he did not hear them or he would not answer, and when, after an hour or two, they got back to camp, they had not found their pet. Where have you two been? asked Mrs. Bobsey. I was just getting anxious about you. We've been looking for Snoop, said Flossie, and I went in wading and got stuck in the mud.

And my pants got a little wet, and flossie shoes and stockens got wet and muddy, but we waited in tall grass and we're not very muddy now, said Freddie, all out of breath, but anxious to get the worst part over with at once. Oh, you shouldn't have gone in waiting, cried Mrs. Bobsey. You didn't tell me not to. Not today you didn't tell me, Freddie defended himself. No, because I didn't think you'd do such a thing, replied his mother.

I can't tell you every day the different things you mustn't do. There are too many of them. but there are so many things we can do too oh just lots of them yes and the things we may do and the things we're not to do are just awful hard to tell apart sometimes momsey put in flossie yes and they are added freddie and how is a feller and a sister to know every single time what they're to do and what they're not to do suppose you try stopping before you do a thing to ask yourselves whether you ought to do it or not and not not wait until after the thing is done to ask yourselves that question, suggested Mrs. Bobsey. That might help some. Well, I won't go waiting any more today, promised the little fellow, but I didn't think I'd

get stuck in the mud. Mrs. Bobsey wanted to laugh, but she did not dare let the two small twins see her, for they would think it only fun, and really they ought not to have gotten wet and muddy. And so you couldn't find Snoop, remarked Mr. Bobsey at supper. night well it's too bad i guess i'll have to get you another dog and cat no don't just yet please said nan maybe we'll find our own and we never could love any new ones as we love snap and snoop nope we couldn't declared flossie while freddie nodded his head in agreement with her but you could get us some new go-around bugs the little girl went on we haven't found ours yet that's so remarked mr bobbsey It's queer where they went to. Well, I'll see if I can get any more,

though I may have to send to New York. But you two little ones must not go off by yourselves again looking for Snoop. Could we go to look for Snap, asked Freddy, as if that was different? No, not for Snap either. You must stay around camp unless someone goes with you to the woods. It was a few days after this when Mrs. Bobsey with the four twins went out to pick blueberries that they met a number of women and children who also had baskets and pails, but none of them was filled with the fruit which now was at its best.

What is the matter with the berries? asked Mrs. Bobsey. We have been able to pick only a few. The bushes seem to have been cleaned of all the ripe ones. That's what they have, said Blueberry Tom, who was with the other pickers, and it's the gypsies who's getting the berries too. Are you sure, asked Mrs. Bobsey? "'We haven't seen any gypsies on the island. "'They don't stay here all the while,' said Tom.

"'They have their camp over on the main shore, "'and they row here and get the berries when they're ripest. "'That's why there ain't any for us. "'The gypsies get them before we have a chance. "'They're picking blueberries as soon as it's light enough to see.' "'Well, I suppose they have as much right to them as we have,' said Mrs. Bobsey. "'But I would like to get enough for some pies.' i can show you where there are more than there are around here offered tom it's a little far to walk though well we are not tired for we just came out said mrs bobbsey so if you'll take us there tom we'll be very thankful

come on said the boy whose face was once more covered with blue stains i'll show you the other berry pickers who did not believe tom knew of a better place said they would stay where they were and perhaps by hard work they might fill their pails or baskets, and so Tom and the bobsies went off by themselves. Tom indeed seemed to know where on the island was one spot where grew the largest and sweetest blueberries, and the gypsies, if the members of the tribe, did come together the fruit, seemed to have passed by this place. Oh, what lots of them, cried Bert, as he saw the laden bushes. Yes, there's more than I thought, said Tom. I'll get my basket full here all right. Soon all were picking, though Flossie and Freddie may have put into their mouths as many as went into their two baskets, but their mother did not expect them to gather much

fruit. They had picked enough for several pies, and Mrs. Bobsey was looking about for the two smaller twins, who had wandered off a little way when she heard Flossie scream. What is it? asked her mother quickly. Is it a snake? And she started to run toward her little girl. Maybe she's stuck in the mud as Freddy was, exclaimed Bert. Mama, Mama, cried Flossie. Come and get me. She's all tangled up in a net, cried the voice of Freddy. Oh, come here. Mrs. Bobsey, Nan, Bert, and Tom ran toward the sound of the children's voices. End of Chapter 18. Chapter 19 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island. by Laura Lee Hope. This Libervox recording is in the public domain.

The twins fall down. Again, Flossie cried. I'm all tangled. I'm all tangled up. Come and help me get out. What in the world can she mean, asked Mrs. Bobsey. I'm sure I don't know, answered Bert. What did Freddie say about Annette?

Asked Nan, as she stumbled and spilled her blueberries. She was going to stop to pick them up. Never mind them, her mother said. said, let them go. We must see what the matter is with Flossy. They saw a few seconds later as they turned on the path, on top of a little hill, in a place where there was a grassy spot with bushes growing all around it, they saw Flossie and Freddy. Freddy was dancing around very much excited, but Flossy was standing still, and they soon saw the reason for this. She was entangled in a net that was spread out on the ground, and partly raised up on the ground, and partly raised up on

bushes. It was like a fish net which the children had often seen the men or boys use in Lake Matoka, but the meshes or holes in it were smaller so that only a very little fish could have slipped through, and the cord from which the net was woven was not as heavy as that of the fish nets. Flossie's caught. Flossie's caught, cried Freddy, still dancing about. Come and get me loose, Come and get me loose, Flossie begged. Mother's coming. Mother's coming, answered Mrs. Bobsey. But how in the world did it happen? She did not wait for an answer, but as soon as she came near,

she started to rush right into the net herself, to lift out her little girl. But Bert, seeing what would happen, cried, Look out, mother, you'll get all tangled up too. See, the net is caught on Flossie's shoes and around her legs and arms. She must have fallen right into it. She did, said Freddy. We were walking along, picking berries, and all of a sudden,

Flossy was tangled in the net. I tried to get her out, but I got tangled, too. Only I took my knife and cut some of the cords. And that's what we've got to do, said Mrs. Bobsey. The net is so tangled around Flossy that we'll never get her out otherwise. Have you a knife, Bert? Yes, Mother. Stand still, Flossy, he called to his little sister.

The more you move, the worse. you get tangled. With his mother's help, Bert soon cut away enough of the meshes of the queer net so Flossie could get loose. She was not hurt, not even scratched, but she was frightened and she had been crying. There you are, cried Mother Bobsey, hugging her little girl in her arms. Not a bit hurt, my little fat fairy. But how in the world did you get in the net? And what was it doing up on top of this hill in the midst of a blueberry patch? I just see. I just see. stumbled into it, said Flossie. Same as Freddy got stuck in the mud, only I didn't wait in the water.

No, there isn't any water around here, returned Nan. I can't see what a net is doing here. I thought they only used them to catch fish. Maybe they put it up here to dry as the fishermen at the seashore dry their nets, said Mrs. Bobsey. No, announced Tom, who had been looking at the net. This ain't for fishes. What is it for, then, asked Bert. it's for snare and birds. I've seen them before. Men spread the nets out on the grass and over the bushes where the birds come to feed, and when they try to fly they get caught and tangled in the meshes. I guess this net ain't been here very long, for there ain't any birds caught in it. But who put it here? asked Mrs. Bobsey. I think it's a shame to catch the poor birds that way. Who did it? Tom looked carefully around before he answered.

Then he said, I think it was the gypsies. The gypsies, cried Bert. Yes, they're a shiftless lot. They don't work and they take what don't belong to them. They're too lazy to hunt with a gun, so they snare birds in a net. Why, they'll even eat sparrows. Make a pie of them, my mother says. And when they get robins and blackbirds, they're so much bigger,

they can broil them over their fires. This is a bird net. That's what it is. I believe you're right, said Mrs. Bobsey, when she had looked more closely at it. It isn't the kind they use in fishing. But do you really think the gypsies put it here, Tom? Yes, some I really do. They put them here other years, though I never seen one before.

You see, the gypsies sometimes camp here, and sometimes on the mainland. All they have to do is spread their net and go away. When they come back next day, there's generally a lot of birds caught in it, and they take em out and eat em well they caught a queer kind of bird this time said bert with a smile at his little sister and it didn't do their net any good he added as he looked at the cut meshes i'm sorry to have destroyed the property of any one else said mrs bobbsey but we had to get flossy loose and i don't believe those gypsies have any right to spread a net for birds my mother says they haven't replied tom it's again the law let's take the net away way, suggested Bert. No, we haven't any right to do that, said his mother, but we can tell the man who has to enforce the laws against hunting birds. I'll speak to your father about it. Are you all right now, flossie? Yes, Momsie, but it scared me when I was in the net. I should think so, exclaimed Nan,

petting her sister. Did you just stumble into it? Yep, I was walking along and I saw a bush with a lovely lot of blueberries on it. I ran to it, and then my foot tripped on a stone, and I fell into the net. First, I didn't know what it was, and when I tried to get up, I was all tangled. Then I hollered. And I helped her holler, said Freddie. Indeed you did, dear. You were a good little boy to stay by Flossie, but you're both all right now, and next time you come burying, stay closer by mother. You've got lots of berries, said Flossy, looking at Bert's basket. Yes, Tom showed us this good place. And now I guess we'd better go, said Bert.

Maybe those gypsies might come to look at their net. He glanced around as he spoke. But though it was lonely on this part of blueberry island, there were no signs of the dark-skinned men with rings in their ears, who had set the bird net. Dinah made enough blueberry pie to satisfy even the four twins. And when Mr. Bobsey heard about the net, he told an officer who took it away whether or not the gipsies found out what had happened to their snare as the net is sometimes called the bobsies did not hear nor did they see any of the wandering tribe at least for a while

jolly camping days followed though now and then it rained which did not make it so nice but take it all in all the bobsies had a fine time on blueberry island mr bobbsey got flossie and freddie some new go-around bugs, and the small twins had lots of fun with them. The old ones they did not find. Snoop was not found either, though many blueberry pickers, as well as the bobsies themselves, looked for the missing black cat. Nor was snap located, though an advertisement was put in the papers and a reward offered for him. But Whisker did not go away, nor did anyone try to take him, and he gave the twins many a fine rhyme. And I'm glad the gypsies didn't get Whisker, observed Flossie. I like him.

Maybe not so much as I like Snap and Snoop, but awfully well I like him. Yes, he's a nice goat. Nicer in Mike's goat that we most bought, but didn't. I'm glad now we didn't get Mike's goat, aren't you, Flossie? Yes, I am. The Bobseys had been camping on the island about a month when one day Mrs. Bobsey went over to Lakeport to do some shock. taking Nan and Bert with her and leaving Flossie and Freddie in charge of their father.

Of course, Dinah and Sam stayed on the island also. But you can easily imagine what happened. After Mr. Bobsey had played a number of games with the small twins, he sat down in a shady place to rest and read a book, thinking Flossy and Freddy would be all right playing near the big tent. The two little ones were making a sand city. They made a square wall of sand. sand, and inside this they built sand houses, railroads, a tunnel, and many other things,

until Freddie suddenly said, oh, if we only had some of the clam shells that are down by the lake, we could make a lot more things. So we could, cried Flossy, let's go and get some. So, never thinking to ask their father, who was still reading, away rushed the two twins after clam shells. They were not really shells of clams, but of freshwater mussels. but they were almost like the shells of the soft clams one sees at the beach. The mussels are brought up on shore by muskrats, who eat the inside meat and leave the empty shells. The small twins often use the shells in their play and games.

The place where the muscle shells were usually to be found was not far from the tents, but like most children in going to one place, Flossie and Freddie took the longest way. They were in no hurry, The sun was shining brightly, and it was such fun to wander along over the island. So, before they knew it, they were a long distance from home, as they call twin camp. Maybe we oughtn't to have come, said Flossy, as she stopped to pick some blueberries.

We're not so far, said Freddie. I know my way back. Oh, Flossy, look at that butterfly, he suddenly called, making a grab for the fluttering creature. The butterfly flew on a little way. and Freddy raced after it, followed by Flossie. Now I'm going to get it, the little boy cried. With his hat, he made a swoop for the butterfly, and then suddenly he and Flossy, who was close behind him,

tumbled down through a hole in the ground, which seemed quickly to open at their very feet between two clumps of bushes. Oh, cried Freddy as he felt himself falling down. Oh, dear, echoed Flossy. Then they found themselves in great darkness. end of chapter nineteen chapter twenty of the bobsy twins on blueberry island by laura lee hope this librivox recording is in the public domain the queer noise freddie bobsy sat down with a thump flossy bobsy sat down with a bump this was after they had fallen down the queer hole and yet it had not been so much of a fall as it was a slide both of them being fat and plough

plump, much fatter and plumper since they had come to twin camp than before, the thump and the bump did not hurt them very much. They had slid down into the hole on a sort of hill of sand, and if you have ever slid down a sandy hillside, you know the stopping part doesn't hurt very much. And, after all, the part of a fall that hurts, as the Irishman said, is not really the falling. It's the stopping so suddenly that causes the pain. freddie freddie called flossie a few seconds after she and her little brother had fallen down the hole freddie are you there yep i'm here flossie was freddie's answer only i dnaw exactly where it is i can't see nor me neither but are you been hurted freddie no are you the children were forgetting all about the right way to use words which their mother had so often told them but as they were excited and a little frightened perhaps we must excuse them this time i-i just sort of bumped myself flossie said freddie are you all right and where are you i'm right here replied the little girl but i can't see you I... I...

It's awfully dark, Freddy. I can see a little light now, Freddy went on. Let's get up and see if we can crawl back. My legs are all right. So's mine, Freddy. I guess I can. And then Flossie suddenly stopped and gave a scream. What's the matter, asked Freddy. And the little boy's voice was not quite steady.

I touched something, gasped his sister. It was something soft and fuzzy. oh was that you asked freddie and his voice did not sound so frightened now well that was my head you touched i-i thought maybe it was something something after me i didn't know you were so close to me flossie i didn't either but i'm glad i touched you where's your hand i'm sort of stuck in this sand and i can't get up by this time the eyes of both the children had become more used to the darkness of the place into which they had fallen and They could dimly see one another. Freddy scrambled to his feet, shaking from his waist and trousers, the sand that had partly filled them when he had slid down the incline, and he gave his hand to Flossie. She had about as much sand inside her clothes as he had,

and she shook this out. Both children then turned and looked up at the slide, down which they had so suddenly fallen. Up at the top, and very far up, it seemed to them, they could see at the end of the sandy slide where they had started to slip a hole through which they had fallen it was between two big stones and had a large bush on either side it had been covered with grass and bushes so that the small twins had not seen it until they stepped right into it then the grass and bushes had given way letting the children down we've got to get back up there somehow said freddie with a doleful sigh as he looked at the place down which he and his sister had tumbled yes i would like to get up out of here said flossie but how can we freddie climb up same as we fall down come on taking a sister by the hand freddie started to climb up the hill of sand but he and flossie soon found that though it was easy enough to slide down it was not so easy to climb back

the sand slipped from under their feet and even though they tried to go up on their hands and knees it was not to be done oh dear cried flossie after a while i wish we were jack and jill why asked freddie because they went up a hill and wail and why asked freddie because they went up a hill and We can't. Maybe we can if we try again, said Freddy. Anyhow, I don't want to be Jack and fall down and break my crown. You haven't any crown, said Flossie. Only kings and fairies have crowns. Well, it says in the book that Jack has a crown, and if I was Jack, I'd have one too. Only I'm not, and I'm glad.

Well, I wish I was Jill so I could have some of that pail of water, side, Flossy. I'm thirsty. And she laughed as she used the word she used to say when she was a baby. So am I, said Freddie. Let's try to get up to the top. And then we can get a drink, maybe. Only I'd rather be Ali Baba than Jack.

Then I could say, open sesame, and the door to the cave would open of itself. And we could walk out and carry diamonds and gold with us. I'd rather have bread and butter than gold. I'm hungry. and I'd most rather have a drink, sighed the little girl. Come on, Freddy, let's try to get up that hill, but it's awful hard work. Yes, it's hard, agreed Freddy, but we've done lots harder things than that.

You see, Freddy was trying to keep up his little sister's courage. Once more, the two little twins tried to climb the hill of shifting sand, but they could get up only a little way before slipping back. They did not get hurt. The sand was too soft and slippery for that, but they were tired and hot and, oh, so thirsty. I'm not going to climb any more, finally, said Flossie. I'm tired. I'm going to stay here until Mama or Papa or Nan or Bert comes for us.

Maybe they won't come, Freddy said. Yes, they will, declared Flossie, shaking her head. It ours comes when we're lost, and we're lost it now. Yes, I guess so, agreed Freddie. I wonder where we are, anyhow, Flossie. Why, in a big hole, she said. Oh, Freddy, she suddenly cried. Maybe we can get out the other way if we can't climb up.

Which other way, asked her, brother? Out there. And in the light that came down the hole through which the twins had fallen, Freddy could see his sister pointing to what seemed another dim light, far away at the end of the big hole. For Flossy and Freddy had fallen into a big hole, there was no doubt of that. though it was pretty dark all about them there was enough light for them to see that they were in a cavern maybe it's a cave like the one we went into from the lake when we found the boat said flossie after thinking it over a bit

and if we can't get out one end we can the other maybe cried freddie eagerly anyway we can't get up that hill of sand and he pointed to the one down which they had slid come on we'll walk toward the other light, far away. Through what seemed a long lane of blackness there was a dim light like some big star, and toward this, hoping it would lead to a hole through which they could get out. The children walked. As they neared it, the light grew brighter, and they were beginning to feel that their troubles were over when suddenly they both came to a stop. For, at the same time, they heard a queer noise. It came from the darkness just to have. ahead of them and was such a funny sound that flossie put both her arms around freddie not so much to take care of him as that she wanted him to take care of her did did you hear that she whispered freddie nodded his head and then remembering that flossie could not very well see his motions in the darkness he said yes i heard it i wonder hark whispered flossie there it goes again end of chapter twenty chapter Chapter 21 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope.

This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Here come Snap! The sound came once more through the darkness to the little bobsy twins, and as they listened to it, Flossie and Freddie looked at one another in surprise. They could just dimly make out the faces of each other in the dimness. Mama, Mama! cried a voice, for it was a voice that had called, was the queer sound, yet it did not sound like the voice of man, woman, or child. Mama, mama, it cried.

Hear it? asked Flossie again. Yep, answered, Freddy. It's a little boy or girl like us, and it's in this cave. I guess lots of children's get lost here like us. Now I'm not afraid. Mama, Papa, Mama came the voice again. It's kind of funny, whispered Flossy to Freddy. Don't you think it's kind of funny, Freddy?

Yes, but I know what. makes it. What? It's being in this cave. You know how we used to holler at the hill? When we went to the country, remember that? Yep, answered Flossie. And how our voices used to come back and sort of hit us in the face, went on her brother? Yep. Well, that was an echo, said Freddie. And that's what makes it sound so queer here. It's an echo. Oh, said Flossie. She had not thought of that. Once more, the voice sounded out of the darkness. Mama, Papa, Mama. There, hear it? It's an echo, cried

Freddy. Plossie listened a minute. Then she said, if it was an echo, Freddy, why didn't your voice echo too? Oh, well, because I didn't want it to. Freddy made, answer. I can do it now. Hello, hello, hello,

he called as loudly as he could. And then, to the surprise of the children, back came a voice in answer, and in more than an answer. for it asked a question. No longer did the voice call Mama, Papa. Instead it cried, Hello there, what's the matter? Who are you and what do you want? Where are you? Flossie and Freddie were so startled that for a moment they could only hold on to each other in the darkness. And Freddie found his voice enough to speak. He said,

Did you hear that echo, Flossie? That wasn't an echo, declared his little sister quickly. echoes only say the same things you say and this this was different yes it was freddie agreed but maybe it's a different kind of echo try it again suggested flossie when they had remained quietly in the darkness for a time and during that time they had not heard the strange voice calling it seemed to have been hushed after the echo if that's what it was made answer call again flossie begged her brother once more he called hello Hello, hello, hello. Well, what do you want? Back came a voice in question. This time there was no doubt about its not being an echo. It had not repeated a single word that Freddie had cried. Oh, how funny, cried Flossy.

What makes it do that? Before Freddy could answer, even if he had known what to say, the two children saw a light coming toward them. It was the light of a lantern bobbing about in the darkness, and because it was a light which chased away some of the gloom, they were glad, even though they had been a bit frightened by the queer voice and the echo which did not repeat words as the other echo had done. Oh, maybe it's Daddy and Bert come to look for us, cried Flossie eagerly. Freddy thought the same thing, for he called out, here we are, Daddy.

But to the surprise and disappointment of the children, a surly voice answered them, I'm not your father. Who are you anyhow, and what are you doing in this cave? Flossie and Freddy, clinging to each other, shrank back in fear. Then, as the light came nearer, they saw that the lantern was carried by a tall man, a man with a very dark face. He had gold rings in his ears. On his feet were big boots and around his neck was a bright yellow handkerchief. Oh, gasped Flossie.

Oh, he's a gypsy. Freddy saw it too. The man seemed surprised to see the children. He gave a sort of grunt, held the lankerchief. lantern up to their faces and exclaimed, Why, there's two of them. Yes, we're twins, stammered Flossie. Twins are always two, Freddy added,

thinking perhaps that the gypsy man did not know that. Twins, eh? remarked the man of a questioning voice. The bobsy twins, said, Freddy. We came from our camp and we, how'd you get in this cave? That's what I want to know, cried the man. And he spoke harshly. Tell me, how did you get here? he asked. And he held the lantern in front of the, the faces of the two little children. We fell in here, said Freddy, pushing Flossie behind him.

He felt that he must look after his little sister and protect her. Fell in, cried the man. Yes, through a hole. We slid down a sandy hill and we couldn't climb back again. We saw a little light over this way and we walked to it. And then we heard someone cry, Mama. Are there any more little children here, Freddie asked? Hmm.

Yes, some have grunted the gym. gypsy, but not your kind. I don't see how you came here, he went on, speaking to himself, it seemed, for he did not glance at Flossie or Freddy, and there was no one else nearby. The man looked all about the cave. Which way did you come, he asked? Back there, and Freddy, who was doing most of the talking, pointed toward the place where he and Flossie had tried so hard to climb up.

Come and show me, the man ordered them. And when they walked back with him, the land. making queer shadows on the side walls of the cave. Flossy and Freddie pointed to the place down which they had slid. Hum, murmured the gypsy. I never knew there was a way into the cave from there. I must see about that. It wasn't open before. Well, now you're here. I got to make up my mind what I'll do with you. He went on, as he motioned for Flossie, and her brother to walk back in front of him. He held the lantern so they could see where to step, but the earthen floor of the cave was smooth and the children did not stumble. Will you take us back to twin camp where we live,

asked Freddy? We're the bobsies, you know, and we didn't mean to run away again, though I guess we're lost. My mama and my papa will be looking for us, and if you'll take us to the camp. Well, maybe I will after a bit, but not now, said the gypsy, shaking his head, so that his earrings jingled. You'll have to stay here with us a while. If you went out now and told your folks you had found us here, we'd all be sent to jail. Most likely I'll see what the others say. Flossie and Freddy wondered what others he meant, but he did not tell them. He kept walking close behind them, and there was nothing for them to do but to keep on. Suddenly they turned a sort of corner of the cave, and then the children saw something that surprised them, seated around a table

on which some candles, stuck in bottles, were burning, were a number of men. They were all gypsies like the man who had met the children farther back in the cave, and as he walked forward behind Flossie and Freddy, the other gypsies looked up. Who was calling? asked one of the dark men at the table. These two, said the first man, pointing to the little bobbsey twins. They answered my call, and I found them. They fell down a hole at the far end of the cave, near the sand. i never knew it was there it is an old entrance put in a gypsy who was eating some bread and tomato cutting first a slice of one and then of the other with a big knife that entrance was overgrown with grass long ago he added well these two stumbled on it grumbled the man who had found flossie and freddie we'd better stop it up and now what's to be done with em we'll have to keep em here for a while said two or three at once and hearing this the hearts of flossie and freddie were sad yes went on the first gipsy we'll have to keep em here until we're ready to go and that won't be for two or three days yet the only trouble is that some of their folks may find where we have hidden them and

hi suddenly cried an old gypsy then he said something very quickly but in words the children could not understand it was gypsy talk after that all the men spoke in this queer way but flossie and freddie felt sure they were being talked about for the men looked at them many times in the light of the lantern and candles suddenly when there came a lull in the talk and the twins were wondering what was coming next they heard a dog barking now ordinarily this would not have surprised them for they knew the gypsies kept many dogs and some might be in the cave but there was something different about this bark in wonder flossie and freddie looked at each other then freddie cried out that sounds like snap all at once there came a regular chorus of barks and with them a man's voice could be heard shouting then came a dog's growl and yells from a man's voice and more barks look out shouted some one in the cave the dog's loose flossie and freddie saw big dogs spring into view from somewhere out of the darkness of the cave and as the eyes of the twins lighted on him freddie cried here come snap here come snap oh flossie our dog that was lost is found here's snap End of Chapter 21. Chapter 22 of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Happy Days

There was no doubt about it. There was Snap, alive and happy. If one could tell that last, by the way he barked and tried to kiss both Flossy and Freddie, at the same time with his red tongue. It was Snap, but he was thinner than when at home in Lakeport. and his nice coat of hair was muddy in some places, and not at all neat. Oh, but it's snap, it's our snap, cried Freddy in delight, and he found us, added Flossie. Now the gypsies can't make us stay here,

and standing beside the big dog, she looked boldly at the dark men, who were now standing about the table. A man came running out of the darkness of what seemed to be a small cave inside a larger one and cried. He broke away, I couldn't keep him any longer. He seemed to hear someone calling him. Keep still, sharply ordered the gypsy, who had had the lantern. Oh, exclaimed the other man, as he saw Flossie and Freddy. Is it their dog?

There was no need to answer him. Anyone could see that Snap belonged to the bobbsy twins. He was so happy with them. Did you have our dog all the while, asked Freddy, as he played with Snap's long ears? The gypsy who had had the lantern said something in his strange language, and no one answered. Probably he had told them not to speak. Oh, I'm so glad to see you, cried Flossy. We looked everywhere for you, Snap.

Didn't we, Freddy? Yes, we did. And now we've got him, we can go home. Snap knows the way home. He can take us there. Oh, no, he can't, said Flossy. Why, asked her, brother, because he's never been in our tent camp. He doesn't know where it is. But maybe you know, Freddy. Yes, I know the way, if we can get out of this cave. And he looked at the gypsies. They were talking among themselves. One of them walked towards Snap and held at his hand toward a broken rope around the dog's neck, but the animal growled in such a fierce way that the gypsy drew back in fear. Then there was more talk among the dark-faced men about the children and the dog. The men seemed to be worried. Snap barked and ran a little way ahead, as though to lead the way out of the cave.

Again a man tried to catch him, but the dog's savage growl made him draw back. I guess Snap wants us to come with him, said Flossie. Let's go, Freddy. All right, come on. And Freddy, taking Flossie's hand, had started out of the cave. They were afraid the children were that the gypsies might stop them, but the man who had had the lantern, said, come on, I'll show you two the way out, and you can go to your camp. No use keeping you now that your dog is loose. He'd make trouble for us. Hurry up, you fellows, get things out of the way, he called to the other gypsies. And they began taking things off the table as though they were going to leave. But Flossie and Freddie did not care about that. All they knew was that they had found Snap and that they were going home with him to Twin Camp. And Snap was as glad as were you. they? There you are, said the gypsy in a rather growling voice, as he led the children to wear a big patch of sunlight shone into the cave. I guess you can find your way home from here. Flossie and Freddie ran on, snap going ahead. And to the surprise of the twins, they found

themselves at the mouth of the cave, the same place where they had taken shelter from the rain the day they were in the drifting boat. Why, look here, cried Freddy. Isn't this funny, Flossie? we've come out of the same cave as we were in before how did we get in i don't know answered the little girl except maybe it's a fairy cave and changes but it was not that kind at all the children had only fallen down a hole at one end of the cave and when the gypsy man led them through they came out at the other end where they had first gone in snap barked and ran down to the edge of the lake to get a drink of water he's glad to come out said flossie awful glad agreed freddie so am i me too added the little girl i wonder how we got in there i guess the gypsies took him said freddie they liked him cause he is such a good dog i'm so glad we've got him back now if we could get snoop back we'd be all right wouldn't we snap and he put his arms around the dog's shaggy neck while flossie patted his back. Happy because they had found their dog, and not worrying at all about having been so nearly kept prisoners by the gypsies in the cave, the two little bobsy twins hurried away from the cavern. They were anxious to get back to camp, to tell the others how they had found snap,

and the dog seemed just as anxious to get away from the cave as were the little boy and girl. Every once in a while, Freddy would turn and look back, and when his son, he would turn and when his sister asked him why he did this, he told her he was looking to see if he could see the black cat. She ought to be easier to find than Snap, he said, because she was with us here on Blueberry Island, and Snap must have been taken by the gypsies in Lakeport. Afterward, they found that this was so. As the children, with their dog, walked along through the woods, keeping close to the lake shore, as they knew that path led to their camp, Flossie and Freddie heard a shout among us. the trees. There's Nan, Freddy said. Yes, and Bert, added his sister. I guess they're looking for us.

They were sure of this a little later, for they heard the cry. Flossy, Freddy, where are you? Here we are, they answered, and then a noise of someone coming toward them. The next moment Nan and Bert came into view, both stopped in surprise at the sight of the dog. Where'd you get him, asked Nan. Is he really snap? cried Bert. "'Yup, he really is,' answered Freddy. "'We found him.' "'In a cave,' added Flossie. "'In a cave?

"'There were gypsies there, went on, the little girl. "'And they wanted to keep us,' said Freddy. "'But they didn't,' added Flossy. "'No, but Snap was there. "'And he growled at the gypsy man. "'And he came away with us. "'Snap was awful glad to see us, Nan. "'And here we are now,' said Freddy,

"'putting an end to this duet. "'Oh, dear!' exclaimed Nan, this is dreadful. Gypsy's on this island and they almost kidnapped you. You must tell Daddy right away. We've been looking everywhere for you. We thought you were lost again and you're all dirty and sandy, she cried. That's where we fell down a hole into the cave, said Freddie, and he told Nan and Bert what had happened. Mr. Bobsey was much surprised when the twins came home with a long missing snap. so was Mrs. Bobsey as well as Sam and Dinah. Gypsies here, are there? exclaimed Mr. Bobsey.

Well, I'll have to see about that. We don't want them hiding in a cave and stealing our things. I guess I'll get some police officers and pay the tribe a visit. But when Mr. Bobsey got to the cave with the officers, the gypsies were not there. They must have known that when the children went out, they would tell what had happened, and that the police would come. so there was nothing for the police to do the gypsies had run away they went to the mainland in boats some of the blueberry pickers said who had seen them and now that the island is free from the gypsies will have lots more fun said mrs bobbsey the thought of them made me nervous hark suddenly exclaimed nan she as well as all the other members of the bobsey family had followed the police to the cave even flossie and freddie going on along riding to the place in the goat wagon drawn by whisker hark to what asked bert i thought i heard a noise said the little girl yes there it goes again a sort of squeaky noise it's it's it's a it's a cat cried flossie oh if it should be before she could finish one of the policemen flashed his lantern around the sides of the cave and then from a dark corner some animal came slowly out it is a cat

cried Flossie, and it's our Snoop added Freddy. Oh, we've got him back again. Oh, goody, cried Nan. Well, well, said Mr. Bobsey. Everything is turning out right for you children now. And Snoop really was in this cave, exclaimed Bert. And so it proved. Whether he had wandered off and had become lost in some little hole of the cave, where he could not get out, or whether the gypsies had stolen him as they had snap, the bobsies never heard, but they knew they had their black cat again, and they were happy, especially the little twins. I want to hug him, cried Flossie, as the cat rubbed up against her legs. So do I, cried Freddy, and I want to hug the head part. You can hug the tail end. That end doesn't purr, exclaimed Flossy. I want the end that purrs.

You must take turn, said Mrs. Bobsey laughing. You ought to be glad you have Snoop back, instead of quarreling about him. Well, we have found nearly everything we wanted now, except that bacon someone took the first night. I guess the gypsies got that, said Mr. Bobsey. It must have been one of them who was sneaking around in the night and who wakened the children. They probably wanted to have something to eat in their cave, but they've gone now. Yes, and they seem to have left something behind. them. Observe one of the policemen. I see something white over on one of the boxes they use for a table. Maybe it's only some old papers, though. Bert hurried over and picked up the white thing.

It's a doll, he cried. Flossy, did you leave your doll here? Nope, answered the little twin. A doll, cried Nan. Oh, maybe it's Helen's talking doll. Let me see, Bert. but Bert had already pressed a spring and the doll began to call in a queer phonographic voice. Mama Papa! Flossie and Freddy looked at one another. That's the noise we heard when we fell into the cave, they said. Then the gypsies did take Helen's doll after all, and brought it with them to this island, said Mr. Bobsey. My, but they are great rascals. We took our dog, our cat, our bacon, and Helen's doll. But we've got everything back except the bacon, said Bert. The doll seems to be all right, too, except she hasn't a dress.

Oh, Helen found that the day she was here on the island, said Flossie. She found it in an old stump, you know. And I guess maybe the gypsies hit it there or dropped it. I guess so, agreed her mother. Well, now, isn't this just wonderful? We found Helen's doll and your dog and cat. It's a good thing we came to blueberry. island. But I'm sorry the gypsies came here, said Nan. They made a lot of trouble.

They've gone now, though, remarked Bert. It's queer that they brought our dog and Helen's doll here with them. Maybe the little gypsy girl whose papa took away Helen's doll brought it here to play with, said Nan. And perhaps that is how it happened. But the gypsies had gone away and no one knew just how they came to leave the doll in the cave. They may have been afraid to take it away for fear a policeman would see them have it. And then, too, it might suddenly speak when they had it, as it spoke in the cave when Flossie and Freddie heard it. Well, everything's come out all right, said Mr. Bobsey, and now for some happy days on Blueberry Island with nothing to worry about. and indeed the bobsy twins did have very happy times.

Snoop and Snap were back with them again, and with Whisker the goat played with the children. Helen was told about her lost doll having been found, and she came to the island to get it. The go-around bugs were not found. Maybe the gypsies took them, but Mr. Bobsey bought new ones for the little twins. The police said the gypsy man who had picked the doll up from the yard,

where Helen had left it for a moment must have taken it for his little girl and have hidden it in one of the wagons. Then, someone of the band going about Lakeport, before the bobsies went to the island, saw Snap about the house and enticed him away. They probably took him over from the mainland in a rowboat. Snap was a friendly dog. As for Snoop, he either wandered away or was stolen, but now no more fear need be felt about the gypsies, for they were far away, and when it rained, the bobsy twins used to play in the gypsy cave, as they called it. Oh, but I just love it on Blueberry Island, said Flossy, as they all came back to camp from a little picnic in the woods one day. So do I, said Freddie. Now let's hitch up Whisker and have a ride, and they did. And so, I must bring this story about the adventures of the bobsy twins to an end.

they had many other good times, some on Blueberry Island, and others when they went back to their Lakeport home, and I may tell you about them later. Snap and Snoop had a large part in the good times, and the dog and cat were none the worse for having been kept in the gypsy cave, nor was Helen's doll, which the little girl was very glad to get back. It talked as well as ever. And now I will say goodbye for you to the bobsy twins. End of Chapter 22. End of the Bobsy Twins on Blueberry Island by Laura Lee Hope.