“Here’s civilization,” remarked Jerry as he saw the cluster of houses. “I didn’t suppose any one lived here.”
“Oh, there are several fruit growers in this vicinity,” replied the professor, “but after this I guess we’ll find the lake lonesome enough for we’ll soon be among the everglades.”
They went ashore as they needed some supplies and gasoline. While their order was being filled at the village store the boys strolled out a distance into the country.
“We’ll be back in a little while, professor,” remarked Jerry, as the scientist elected to remain in the store, having caught sight of a curious kind of black bug on the wall.
The village was so small that the boys had soon passed its confines. They walked along a little stream and saw, just ahead of them, two figures. As they approached nearer they could hear persons in dispute.
“Seems to me as if I had heard that one voice somewhere before,” remarked Ned.
The person with his back to the boys was saying:
“I tell you this isn’t my land. I know what I’m talking about. You’re in possession of my cocoanut grove, and I want it! I didn’t buy this old swamp!” and the figure turned and pointed to a morass on the edge of which he was standing.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” exclaimed the other, a man. “I’ve owned this cocoanut grove for years. You’ve been swindled, that’s what’s the matter.”
“I tell you I’m going to have my rights!” retorted the other. Then he turned and the three motor boat boys, with one accord exclaimed:
Whether Noddy or the three chums were the more surprised it would be hard to say. Though they had a vague idea they might come across the Cresville bully in Florida, the motor boys did not give it serious consideration, hardly believing Noddy’s story about the cocoanut grove. As for Noddy he had no intimation that the boys were coming to Florida and his astonishment, at suddenly seeing them, was very great. His first remark was characteristic of him.
“Are you fellows sneaking after me to try and cheat me out of my grove?” he asked.
“Not much!” ejaculated Jerry. “We didn’t know you were here.”
“I don’t believe you!” retorted Noddy angrily. “You’re always trying to do me some injury. Anyhow this man has possession of my cocoanut grove, that I paid my money for, and I’m going to have it.”