You hit the water awfully hard Pam said sympathetically Is that your real name Ricky asked I don’t know anybody else named Tiger Tail The man’s bronze face lighted up in a smile That’s because there aren’t any Seminole Indians around Shoreham he said You are a Seminole asked Mrs Hollister Yes he said then stopped abruptly and pointed out on the lake Are those two boys trying to get my boat Joey Brill was leaning over the end of the canoe reaching down into the water Get away from there Joey Pete called It’s our boat and we’re going to keep it Will bellowed Oh no you’re not shouted Officer Cal He hurried to the Hollisters boat and stepped into it Instantly Joey and Will sped off I’ll get you for telling the cops Pete Hollister Joey yelled shaking his fist When they had disappeared around the bend Officer Cal got back on the dock I’ll notify the Pine Lake Patrol he said We’ll get your boat for you Mr Tiger Tail But now you’d better change those wet things said Pam She and her mother led the Indian into the house where Mrs Hollister gave him towels and dry clothes Meanwhile the other children followed the policeman to the truck radio and watched while he sent 12
a message to headquarters Then he and his two rescue buddies drove off I have to go on an errand Dave said So long When Charlie Tiger Tail reappeared in the backyard with Pam and her mother he was wearing one of Mr Hollister’s sport shirts and a fresh pair of khaki trousers They had been rolled up at the bottom for the Indian although sturdily built was shorter than the children’s father Charlie Tiger Tail told them he was a guide who took people on airboat trips in the Florida Everglades I have two boats he said but brought only one to Shoreham on an auto-trailer This craft used to be driven by an airplane propeller However I wanted to have the fastest one in the Everglades So you came to the jet factory in Shoreham Pete guessed That’s right the Seminole went on He explained that he had purchased a small jet engine and had mounted it on his craft But it doesn’t balance too well I’m afraid he said Oh don’t worry Daddy will help you fix it Ricky declared Why do you have to have the fastest boat in the Neverglades little Sue chirped Everglades silly Holly said pinching her sister’s pink cheek That’s a place in Florida I’m a deputy sheriff the Indian replied and I have to catch turtle poachers They have fast boats so mine must be faster 13
Before the youngsters could ask more questions the patrol launch hove into sight As it came alongside the Hollisters dock Pete and Ricky both greeted the three policemen on it and jumped aboard You take it easy Mr Tiger Tail Pete called back and we’ll help find your airboat The boys and the police headed toward the spot where the odd craft had disappeared It’s right about here Pete said The police launch stopped and the men lowered a grappling hook on the end of a long rope They dragged it back and forth over the lake bottom There we’ve got something one of the policemen exclaimed With Pete’s help the three men pulled on the rope The hook had caught on the seat framework and soon the airboat emerged from the water The launch’s motor started again and the Florida craft was eased toward the Hollisters dock There the boys helped haul it onto the shore It doesn’t look as if any damage was done Pete remarked as they thanked the policemen Glad to help you the officer in charge said and gave a crisp salute As the patrol boat left a station wagon pulled into the driveway Out stepped Mr Hollister a tall athletic looking man He strode briskly down to the group at the dock Pam telephoned me he said I understand we have a visitor from Florida 14
Charlie Tiger Tail shook hands with Mr Hollister I’m sorry to cause you so much trouble he said None at all his host replied smiling So this is your airboat Quite a contraption Your jet unit is located too far back though I think that’s what made you flip over I’m not an engineer the Seminole said I think we can fix the trouble Mr Hollister assured him Why don’t you be our guest We’ll take your boat to my workshop behind The Trading Post This was Mr Hollister’s sporting goods hardware and toy store in the center of Shoreham Oh no thank you the Indian said shyly You see I’m staying at a motel down We’d be glad to have you visit us the children’s mother said with a friendly smile And you can tell us about the Seminole Indians Holly put in Are poachers bad men Ricky spoke up Oh yes They kill the giant sea turtles and that’s illegal the Seminole replied They also steal the turtles eggs When I promised the police to help catch these poachers they made me a deputy That is why he wants a real fast boat Dad Ricky said And there is another reason too Charlie Tiger Tail said slowly in a serious voice I may need it when I investigate Captive Island That’s near where I live Something mysterious is going on out there Oh please tell us about it Pam said 15
