CHAPTER XIV

"GO"

Old Trimmer chugged up to the edge of the island in the shabbiest,
leakiest little motor dory on the river, and grasped a little tuft of
greensward to keep his boat from drifting.

"Well, now, what's all this?" he began. "What you youngsters been
doin' up the river, eh?"

"This used to be your land before it was an island," said Pee-wee
diplomatically. "I bet you'll say it's funny how it used to be your
apple tree and everything. But it broke away and kind of fell down and
now it's an island and we discovered it. It can't--one thing--it can't
ever be a peninsula again, that's sure. Islands, they're discovered
and then you own them, that's the way it is. Findings is keepings with
islands."

"Is that so?" said old Trimmer, half-interested and examining what
might be called the underpinning of the island with keen preoccupation.

[Illustration: The boys hold the island in spite of old Trimmer's
protest.]

"Well, you'll just clear off'n this here property double quick. Pile
in here and I'll set you ashore."

"Don't you go," urged Pee-wee; "we've got a right here; we're going to