We followed Fritz as fast as possible. But no matter how quickly Jack and I paddled the canoe, we couldn't keep up with the kayak.
"Faster!" cried Ernest. "We have to catch him!"
We soon arrived outside Safety Bay and passed the rocks that had trapped the wreck. Although we looked in every direction, we saw no sign of Fritz. Then we heard a pistol shot.
"Do you think that's Fritz?" asked Jack.
I fired a shot, which was immediately answered by another shot. We steered in the direction of the sound and soon saw Fritz. His kayak darted from behind a point of land, and he paddled over to our canoe, relieved to see us.
"I didn't intend to pass out of sight, Father," he apologized. "But once in the water, I was carried along and couldn't help myself. Then I saw some strange animals that I thought were walruses and—"
"Walruses!" said Ernest. "I thought they lived in the Arctic."
"I gave chase, but I couldn't catch them—whatever they were."
"You're safe and that is what's important," I said.
I wanted us to all travel together. But Fritz was eager to go ahead and announce our arrival to Mother. He was soon skimming over the water while we followed at a slower pace.
Meanwhile black clouds were gathering above us. Fritz was out of sight and beyond our reach. We fastened on our life preservers and tied ourselves to the canoe so that we wouldn't be washed overboard.
Fearful gusts of wind lashed the ocean into foam. Sheets of rain washed over us while lightning flashed. But the storm swept on its way, and it was over as quickly as it had begun.
Both Ernest and Jack had faced the danger with great courage. I was proud of them. I had never lost hope for us, but I feared that Fritz had drowned. With a heavy heart, I paddled into Safety Bay.
"Look! It's Fritz!" cried Jack.
There on shore were Fritz, Mother, and little Franz. Kneeling in prayer, they did not notice us until we shouted.
"You're safe!" cried Franz. He ran to greet us as we pulled the canoe onshore.
"Yes," I said. "Everyone is safe and we are thankful for that."
Returning joyfully to Rockburg, we exchanged our drenched garments for warm, dry clothes. Seated at a good meal, we talked about the storm. It was obvious that it had caused a lot of damage at Rockburg.
The next day we discovered that the storm had partly destroyed our bridge. We were kept busy repairing that for quite some time. Then it was the fishing season again. Our storage room was soon stocked with large quantities of herring and sturgeon.
Many quiet days passed after that, and I noticed that my sons were bored. Fritz proposed that the boys go away for a few days on an expedition. Ernest, as usual, preferred to remain with my wife and me.
Just as they were ready to start, I noticed Jack slipping some pigeons into a basket. Then he hid the basket under some packages in the cart.
"Jack is probably afraid the boys won't find anything to eat on their expedition," I said to my wife.
She smiled. "He might prefer to go hungry rather than eat a tough, old pigeon."
The three boys started off in high spirits. Storm and Grumble pulled the cart as usual, ridden by Fritz and little Franz, while Jack dashed ahead on Hurry the ostrich.
That evening we sat on the porch at Rockburg, wondering what the boys were doing.
"We might have news of them soon," said Ernest, looking rather mysterious.
Just then a pigeon landed on the porch railing.
"What is that tied to its leg?" asked my wife.
Ernest went over to the pigeon and brought back a scrap of paper. "It's the very latest news," he said, handing me the note.
Dear Parents and Ernest,
We have reached Woodlands. At Wood Lake we captured three young black swans. Won't they look fine floating on Safety Bay?
Love to all.
Fritz
The next morning we sent a message back with the pigeon. And every evening we received another message describing that day's adventures. Usually Fritz wrote about the animals they saw, but one night his message was truly alarming.
Dear Parents and Ernest,
Today we visited the Gap. The bamboo fence has been completely broken down! The fields have been trampled, and we've seen huge footprints. Come to us, Father. We are safe right now, but feel we are no match for this unknown danger.
Fritz