Free The Secret of the Caves by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

live here!”
    Curiously the boys crowded into the mouth of the cave. In the gloom they could see a crude table and a mattress with blankets. On a ledge of rock was an improvised cupboard consisting of an old soap carton containing canned goods and other provisions.
    â€œWell,” Chet declared, “we have a neighbor who might offer us some grub.”
    â€œWe certainly have,” Biff said, looking down the beach. “And if I’m not mistaken, here he comes now.”
    Along the shore strode a tall, gray-haired man wearing a blue shirt and overalls, the legs of which were tucked into high rubber boots. The man, oblivious to the boys, held a bugle in his left hand. He stopped, looked at the sea, and blew a loud, clear call. Then he wiped his lips with the back of his hand and continued toward the cave.
    When he spotted the four boys he stopped short, blew another flurry on the bugle, and hastened up to the Bayporters.
    â€œI’m Commander E. K. T. Wilson, Queen’s Navy, retired,” he announced. “You should have saluted, but I guess you didn’t know.”
    To make up for this breach of etiquette, the boys saluted smartly. This appeared to gratify the man immensely.
    â€œYou’re landlubbers, eh?”
    â€œI suppose so,” Frank admitted with a smile.
    â€œWell, we can’t all be sailors. It isn’t often people come to see me.”
    â€œDo you live here?” Joe asked, indicating the cave.
    â€œThis is my home when I’m ashore. I’m resting up between cruises just now. What are your names?”
    The boys introduced themselves.
    â€œGlad to meet you,” returned Commander Wilson. “I get used to being alone, but it’s a pleasure to have visitors.”
    â€œIt’s lonely enough here,” Frank agreed.
    â€œIsn’t bad. Not half as lonely as the time I got marooned in the South Seas.”
    The boys looked at him with new interest.
    â€œYou were really marooned?” Chet asked.
    â€œAye. It was when I was in command of a destroyer cruising the South Seas a good many years ago. We landed for water on a little island that you won’t find on any map. It was a hot day—very hot. Must have been over a hundred degrees in the shade. So while my men were loading the water on my ship I sat down in the shade of a cactus tree. Before I knew it, I was asleep.”
    â€œAnd they went away and left you?” Joe put in.
    â€œThey did.”
    â€œBut you were the captain!”
    â€œI guess they thought I was in my cabin, and of course none of ‘em dared disturb me. When I woke up, the ship was gone.”
    â€œEe-yow!” Biff exclaimed.
    â€œWell, sir, I didn’t know what to do. I was like this here fellow Robinson Crusoe that you read about. But I had to make the best of it, so I fixed myself up a little house and lived there for nearly six months, all by myself.”
    â€œDidn’t the ship come back for you?”
    â€œThey couldn’t find the island again. Anyway, the quartermaster who took charge of the ship didn’t want to find me, I guess. He wanted my job.”
    â€œDid you have anything to eat on the island?” Biff asked.
    Chet interrupted. “Speaking of food, Commander, could you help us out with some breakfast?”
    â€œSure, me hearties. Growing boys should eat plenty. Now what was I talking about? Oh, well, doesn’t matter.”
    A wink passed around the circle of friends as the man went inside and returned with a slab of bacon. Chet volunteered to start a fire, and got it going quickly as the old man cut strips of bacon and put them into a skillet.
    â€œHow about a swim while we’re waiting?” Frank suggested.
    â€œLet’s go!” Joe shouted.
    The boys skinned off their clothes and ran into the surf. Joe swam beside his brother. “Frank, Wilson doesn’t sound much like an Englishman.”
    â€œI don’t think he has all his