Читать книгу The Misadventures of Seldovia Sam - Susan Woodward Springer - Страница 16

Rescue of the Clam

The awful look on Sam’s face told Dad everything. The two men exchanged glances. Gil winked at Sam, turned the skiff around in a tight arc, and headed back toward the little island.

“Thanks, Gil. We owe you one,” Dad said with a sigh. He seemed about as tired as Sam.

Gil cut the engine and tilted up the outboard motor to clear submerged rocks as they drifted up to the island’s beach again. Dad jumped out and pulled the bow of the boat onto the sand.

“Stay here, Sam. I’ll find them,” he said.

From the skiff, Sam directed his father to the yellow grass at the top of the island. Dad quickly found the digging spade and the prized clam. He returned to the boat and pushed off. Gil started the engine with a single sharp pull of the cord.

Dad held up the muddy clam and stared at it, as if it were the clam’s fault all this had happened. Then he lowered the clam over the side of the boat and into the water.

Was Dad going to drop the clam back into the bay? Was that going to be Sam’s punishment?

When Dad’s hand came back up with the big white clam still in it, Sam realized he was just rinsing it off. Phew! Sam tried not to crack a smile. He knew he was still in big trouble.

Dad pulled a wool mitten from his coat pocket and carefully slipped it over Sam’s foot. It felt scratchy, but warm.

Gil nosed the skiff up to the Jakolof dock and Dad climbed out to tie the bowline. Gil cut the engine and tied up the stern. Melody stood on the dock with her arms folded, looking down at Sam. He couldn’t meet her eyes. He just KNEW she’d make some smarty-pants remark.

“Thanks again, Gil,” said Dad, “I’m glad you were here.”

Gil grinned, “I was ready for a break anyhow, Wally. Happy to help.”

Gil paused from lighting his pipe. “Sam, do you think I could take one more look at that giant clam of yours?”

“Sure,” said Sam. He looked at Dad, who reached into the pocket of his coat. Out came the clam. Even in Dad’s big hand, it still looked huge.

“Wow!” exclaimed Melody. “That’s the biggest clam I’ve ever seen!”

Sam smiled to himself. She must have forgotten her claim that ALL the clams in Jakolof Bay were puny!

Dad reached his big hand into the skiff and pulled Sam onto the dock. Then he crouched down.

“Climb up on my back, Sam,” he advised. “You shouldn’t walk on that foot.”

“So long, Gil,” Sam called as they headed up the dock. “And thanks … for everything.”

Gil lifted a hand in salute. Dad opened the door of the truck and deposited Sam on the seat. The truck was warm from sitting in the sun, and suddenly Sam felt very sleepy.