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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:34:04 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:34:04 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10211-0.txt b/10211-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0f5aa93 --- /dev/null +++ b/10211-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4805 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10211 *** + +AT WHISPERING PINE LODGE + +BY LAWRENCE J. LESLIE + +1919 + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + +I. THE HALT ON THE ADIRONDACK CARRY +II. GRIPPED BY A GIANT'S UNSEEN HANDS +III. OBED GRIMES BOBS UP +IV. BANDY-LEGS SUSPECTS +V. PACKING OVER THE "CARRY" +VI. THE LODGE OF MANY WONDERS +VII. THE YOUNG MAGICIAN +VIII. PRODUCTS OF THE FUR FARM +IX. LAYING PLANS TO HELP OBED +X. TRAPS FOR NIGHT PROWLERS +XI. A TREE THAT BORE STRANGE FRUIT +XII. THE TAPS ON THE CABIN WALL +XIII. OBED LEARNS SOMETHING +XIV. A BIG SURPRISE +XV. STEVE'S DREAM COMES TRUE +XVI. THE FUR FARMER'S TRIUMPH--CONCLUSION + + + +CHAPTER I + + +THE HALT ON THE ADIRONDACK CABBY + +"Where's Touch-and-Go Steve, fellows?" + +"Why, Max, he slipped away with his little steel-jointed fishing-rod as +soon as he heard you say we'd stop here over night. And I saw him +picking some fat white grubs out of those old rotten stumps we passed at +the time we rested, an hour back. Huh! just like Slippery Steve to get +out of the hard work we've going to have cutting enough brush for making +our shanty shelter tonight; seeing that we didn't fetch our bully old +tent along this trip. He's a nice one, I should say." + +"N-n-never you m-m-mind about Steve, Bandy-legs. He t-t-told me he +_knew_ he c-c-could yank a m-m-mess of fine trout out of that c-c-creek, +where it looked so s-s-shallow just back there. He's m-m-meaning to +w-w-wade in, too, I reckon, and when you s-s-smell the fish c-c-cooking +you'll be s-s-sorry you said what you did." + +"Well, let's get a move on, and start that shanty. I chose this place +partly on account of there being so much brush handy, you see." + +"Sure you did, Max. It takes you to notice things that miss our eyes. +Here, let me handle the hatchet, because you see I was such a truthful +little shaver away back that my folks often regretted they hadn't named +me George Washington." + +"All I c-c-can say then, Bandy-legs, they b-b-builded wiser than they +knew when they j-j-just let it g-g-go at regrets. A f-f-fine George +Washington you'd m-m-make, I'm thinking." + +The boy answering to the peculiar name of "Bandy-legs" laughed +good-naturedly as he began to swing the sharp-edged hatchet, and cut +down some of the required brush which, having camped many times before, +he knew was suitable for their requirements. + +Besides this sturdy young chap with the lower limbs that were a little +bowed, and which fact had doubtless suggested such a nickname to his +schoolmates, there were two others busily engaged in gathering the +material to be used in affording them a rude, but effective shelter +during the coming night. + +The one whom they called Max seemed to be looked upon as a leader, for +it is absolutely necessary that in every pack of boys some one takes the +initiative. His whole name was Max Hastings, and on numberless occasions +he had shown an aptitude for "doing things" when the occasion arose, +that gained him the respect of his chums. For a complete record of these +achievements the reader is referred to earlier volumes of this series, +where between the covers will be found much interesting and instructive +reading. + +The third boy of the trio in sight was Toby Jucklin. While Toby was +certainly agile enough when it came to acrobatic stunts, and such things +as boys are fond of indulging in, his vocal cords often loved to play +sad pranks with his manner of speech. As the reader has already +discovered, Toby was fain to stutter in the most agonizing fashion. When +one of these fits came upon him he would get red in the face, and show +the greatest difficulty in framing certain words. Then all of a sudden, +as though taking a grip on himself, Toby would stop short, draw in a +long breath, give a sharp whistle, and strange to say, start talking as +plainly as the next one. + +In time perhaps he would conquer this weakness, which after all is only +caused by nervousness, and a desire to rattle out words. + +There was a fourth chum also, the Steve spoken of and who had slipped +away with his new steel-jointed bait-rod, and a handful of fat grubs, as +soon as he heard Max say they had gone far enough on their way. Steve, +being one of those hasty lads who do a thing while many people would be +only figuring it out, had long ago fallen heir to a number of suggestive +nicknames, among others "Touch-and-Go Steve," and "Old Lightning." + +These four lads were a long ways from their home town of Carson, nestled +on the Evergreen River, and near which we have seen them in the earlier +books of this series successfully carry out numerous of their +undertakings. + +In fact they were deep in the wildest part of the famous Adirondacks at +the time we run across them on this particular occasion. There was not a +town within many miles, nor for that matter a regular camp where summer +guests were entertained. The difficulties to be encountered along this +"carry" were so great that ordinary excursionists avoided it severely. +Indeed, few fishermen ever invaded these solitudes, although there were +undoubtedly many places where trout of generous size might be picked up. + +All this would make it seem a bit queer that Max and his three chums +should venture into this section of the wilderness without a guide +along; so perhaps it might be wise to enter upon explanations while the +opportunity is open. + +Now these tried and true chums had had strange things happen to them +before, but they were well agreed that their present undertaking far +exceeded everything else that had ever come their way, at least so far +as its being a romantic quest was concerned. + +Everything combined to make it seem a page torn from one of those +old-time fairy books they used to love to read when much younger, and +more gullible. In the first place, it was a wonderful piece of luck that +came their way, when the School Directors agreed, after the summer was +half over, that the school buildings required considerable alterations +in order to make them sanitary for the coming winter; and really a +special providence that watches over the fortunes of boys and girls must +have caused the carpenters and masons to go on a protracted strike, so +that when this had been finally settled there was not nearly time enough +left in which to complete the extensive repairs. + +School had started, and gone along in a rough-and-ready fashion for some +weeks; but everybody was "sore" about it. The builders complained that +they could not accomplish half the work they should, because of the +annoyance of having so many children trotting around, and bothering +them. And the teachers were almost distracted on account of the constant +pounding together with the presence of rough men, who broke in upon +classes, and forced them to vacate certain rooms because they had to do +something there. + +And so along about the first of October the School Board wisely +concluded that a vacation of some two weeks would do far less harm to +the scholars than a continuation of these interruptions. Besides, the +teachers on their part threatened to also strike unless relief came +promptly. + +Imagine the delight of such fellows as Max, Bandy-legs, Steve and Toby +Jucklin, all of whom loved life in the open so much, when they got the +chance to further indulge this propensity, especially at the most +glorious time of the whole year, when the nut crop was coming on, the +trees turning red and yellow from the magical touch of Jack Frost's cold +fingers, with a tang in the air that made a fellow twice as hungry as he +ever got in the hot old summer-time. + +And then, as though Fate had determined to make this the most wonderful +of periods in all their checkered careers, a thing happened that seemed +just like one of those old but once much beloved fairy stories. + +Perhaps, by listening to the workers exchanging comments as they gather +the necessary brush, which later on would be fashioned into a shelter +capable of shedding even a moderate amount of rain, we may be able to +pick up enough general information to understand the nature of their +mission up into the Adirondacks. + +Bandy-legs was speaking at the time. He had a little fault in the way of +often showing a disposition to look at the darker side of things; and +doubtless being unusually tired, after a hard day's tramp, with such a +heavy pack on his back, had something to do with his spirit of +complaining on the present occasion. + +"Well, all I can say, fellows," he remarked, as he carried an armful of +the stuff he had been gathering to the spot where Max had already +commenced to erect the sides of the squatty shelter by driving stakes +into the ground, "is that I hope we haven't come all the way up here on +a reg'lar fool's errand. It'd cost Mrs. Hopewell a pretty good sum, and +be a real disappointment to her, if after all we didn't find that +good-for-nothing nephew of hers, Roland Chase. Honest to goodness now, +I'm a little inclined to believe he'll be leading us a wild-goose Chase, +if you want my opinion." + +"Oh! l-l-let up, c-c-can't you, Bandy-legs!" spluttered the indignant +Toby, pausing for a minute to wipe the beads of perspiration from his +brow, and regain his breath in the bargain. "You're g-g-getting to be a +regular old g-g-granny, that's what, with all your d-d-dismal +p-p-prophesies. Tell me, d-d-did we _ever_ f-f-fail yet in anything we +undertook? C-c-course we haven't. Right in the start we found all those +b-b-bully p-p-pearls in those mussels we g-g-gathered in the Big +Sunflower River, and laid away a n-n-nice n-n-nest-egg in bank for the +crowd. Sure we'll f-f-find Roland Chase; we've just g-g-got to, that's +all." + +"All I want to say about it, boys," observed Max, "is that I admire the +grit of the boy. They told us he was something of a dude, didn't they, +and that his rich uncle was afraid he'd never amount to much anyhow; so +what did he do but make a most _extraordinary_ will; at least, everybody +who's heard about that proviso says so. I heard Judge Perkins say though +he guessed the old man knew boys better than most folks, and had taken +a wise course to prove whether this Roland had any snap in him or not." + +"Well, he was left just two thousand dollars cash down," said +Bandy-legs, in a thoughtful manner, as though reviewing the singular +circumstance, "and if at the end of two years he could show that he had +doubled that amount, besides earning his own living, why he was to come +into two-thirds of his uncle's fortune. Some of our Carson people who +know folks over in Sagamore where the uncle lived tell whopping big +stories about the size of that fortune. I heard one man say he reckoned +it was as much as two hundred thousand dollars, in all." + +"The funny part of it is," resumed Max, shaking his head in a way rather +odd for him, "that immediately after Roland received his two thousand in +cash he disappeared from the scene. That was almost two years ago; and +from that day nobody in Sagamore has ever had a peep at him. The fact is +he might almost be dead. Once his other aunt, Mrs. Hopewell, who lives +now in Carson, had a few lines from Roland. He simply said he was alive +and well, and that he had hopes of seeing her again one of these fine +days." + +"Yes, that's r-r-right," burst out Toby, in a disgusted tone, "but not a +p-peep did he give about what he was d-d-doing, or if he meant to show +up and c-c-claim his f-f-fine f-f-fortune. And all she could make out +was that the p-p-postmark on the l-l-letter was Piedmont, N.Y., which +on looking up we f-f-found was away up here in the h-h-heart of the old +Adirondacks." + +"Well," said Max, still working industriously away, "Mrs. Hopewell is +getting very much concerned about Roland. Somehow she seemed to fancy +the boy, though no one else thought he'd ever amount to anything, +because he used to like to wander around in the woods all the while, or +go fishing, instead of studying. But I guess those people hadn't ever +been boys themselves; and all of us can appreciate this liking for the +open that Roland showed." + +"And so," pursued Bandy-legs after the fashion of a story-teller who +had-reached a crisis in his tale, "she asked Max here if he wouldn't be +willing to undertake a trip to the mountains with several of his good +chums, meaning us, fellows, to try and locate the missing Roland, and +bring back some encouraging news; for the good old soul is in great fear +that the second year will soon be finished, and unless Roland is able to +show four thousand dollars in cash, most of the estate will go to his +older cousin, Frederick. Mrs. Hopewell dislikes this chap very much, +because she says he is a bad man, who drinks, and gambles, and does all +sorts of things old ladies detest. Well, we took her up in a jiffy as +soon as we heard the glorious news about school being closed for two +weeks; and as she foots all the bills, we're bound to have a jolly time +of it, even if we don't run across Roland; and I think that is like +looking for a needle in a haystack." + +That was a pretty long speech for even Bandy-legs to make, and yet it +covered considerable of the ground, and explained just how it came that +Max and his three comrades chanced to be so far away from the home town. + +The boys were just about to turn their attention once more to the work +that had been undertaken when all of them suddenly stopped and listened. + +"That was Steve yelling then, I reckon," snapped the owner of the bowed +legs, "but honest Injun, I didn't make out what he said. Mebbe now he +struck a whopper of a trout, and was giving one of his whoops. You all +know how excited Steve does get if anything out of the way happens." + +"L-l-listen!" cried Toby Jncklin, jumping to his feet. "D-d-didn't it +sound like he was yelpin' help?" + +"Just what it seemed like to me!" exclaimed Max. "Something may have +happened to Steve, because he's always getting himself in trouble. Come +along, fellows, and we'll soon find out. There, he's whooping it up +again." + +And this time every one of the trio of running boys could plainly detect +something approaching agony in the thrilling cry of "Help, oh! hurry up, +fellows! Help!" + + + +CHAPTER II + + +GRIPPED BY A GIANT'S UNSEEN HANDS + +That Max, Bandy-legs and Toby all kept their wits about them was +manifest. Their actions had made this clear enough, for each of the trio +before starting "on the jump," as Bandy-legs described it, had made sure +to pick up something that, according to his mind, was apt to be needed. +Max, for instance, had snatched a rope that hung from a broken branch of +the tree, and which one of the boys had fetched along simply because "a +rope often comes in mighty handy for lots of things besides a hanging +bee." On his part Toby had stooped down and possessed himself of the +camp hatchet; if it proved that Steve was being attacked by a bobcat he +fancied he could make pretty good use of such a tool in an emergency. +Bandy-legs, true to his hunter instinct, made out to secure the only gun +which had been brought with them on the trip. + +As they ran wildly in the direction from whence those appeals for +assistance still came, louder than ever, every fellow was straining his +vision to be the first to discover what it could be that was causing +Steve to let out such alarming whoops. + +They did not have very far to go before suddenly all of them discovered +the object of their solicitude. He seemed to be standing nearly +waist-deep in the stream, and still holding on to his tough little steel +rod. + +"Oh! shucks!" gasped Bandy-legs, almost out of breath from his violent +exertions, "he's only struck a mud turtle, or something like that, and +wants us to come and see. It's a burning shame to give us all such a +scare over a measly turtle." + +"B-b-bet you it's a w-w-woppin' b-b-big fish!" ejaculated Toby. + +"Keep on running!" snapped Max. "He needs help, and in a hurry, too!" + +This sort of talk amazed both the others. So far as they could see Steve +stood there quite alone. They looked again but could see no savage +animal attacking their comrade; nor was there any vast disturbance in +the water, as though some marine monster might be trying to drag him +down; besides, such things as alligators or sharks were utterly unknown +up here in the Adirondacks. + +"But, Max, he's all right, as far as I can see," expostulated +Bandy-legs, in reality unwilling to keep up that violent exertion just +to please some silly whim on the part of the fisherman, who, like as +not, would give them the laugh after they came up puffing and blowing +like porpoises. + +"Look again," snapped Max. "Don't you see how deep he's in? Pretty +nearly up to his waist, isn't he?" + +"That's all right," said Bandy-legs, "but if the silly has gone and +waded deeper than he meant to, why don't he just turn around and walk +out again?" + +"Because he can't!" Max told him, still running. + +"Hey! w-w-what's hindering him!" stammered Toby, thrilled by this new +mystery that had so suddenly dawned upon them. + +"The sand's got too tight a grip on him," cried Max, "and he's sinking +deeper all the time!" + +"Oh! thunder, it's quicksand, then!" exploded Bandy-legs. + +Having now the key to the enigma explaining Steve's strange action, as +well as his queer antics while floundering about out there in the little +stream, both boys could easily see that May evidently spoke the truth. +So those envious Spanish courtiers found it easy to balance an egg on +end, after Columbus showed them how to do the trick. + +In another half minute they arrived on the shore of the little stream. +Steve out there, with the shallow water coming now up almost to his +waist, greeted their arrival with a sickly grin. + +"Sorry to bother you, boys," he said, "but seems like I've gone and got +into a nasty pickle. Please yank me out of this, won't you?" + +Impetuous Bandy-legs was about to instantly start forward when Max +gripped him by the arm. + +"Don't be foolish, Bandy-legs," he told the other, severely. "You'd only +get yourself in the same boat, if you stood there and tried to drag +Steve out; and two would be harder to take care of than one." + +"But say, don't be _too_ slow about starting something, will you?" +urged Steve, once again looking nervous. "Why, I'm sinking right along, +I tell you. Every time I try to get one foot up t' other goes down three +inches further, because I have to bear all my weight on it. This is no +laughing matter, boys. I'll be swallowed up before your eyes soon if you +don't get busy. Max, you ought to know how to extricate a fellow from +the quicksand!" + +"There are lots of ways in which it can be done," the other told him, +meanwhile measuring distances with his eye, as though he already had a +plan in mind. "If when you first discovered that you were sinking you +had thrown yourself sideways, and started to crawl or roll, regardless +of how wet you got, you might have made it, for in that way you'd have +presented more of your body to the action of the sand. Then a mattress +could be made from branches, weeds or any old thing, that would bear the +weight of one or two of us. But I've got even a better scheme than that +to work." + +"Please hurry!" pleaded the imprisoned boy. + +"Keep cool, Steve," advised Max, "because there's positively no danger, +now that we're on deck." + +"But tell me what you mean to do, Max?" continued Steve. + +"Make use of this rope, which you see I just happened to fetch along," +explained the other, holding up the article in question. "It's going to +save time, too, because one of us would have had to run back to camp, +and that must mean delay. You're deep enough in as it is, I guess." + +"A whole lot deeper than is pleasant, I tell you," Steve instantly +added. "Why, at the rate it's sucking me down I guess in less'n a +quarter of an hour the water would be up to my chin. And then, oh! +fellows, just imagine how I'd feel when it began to cover my mouth. +You're not going away, I hope, Max?" + +This last almost frantic cry was caused by a movement on the part of the +one on whom poor Steve's hopes most depended. + +"I'm going to shin up this big tree that sends a limb out right over +your head, don't you see, Steve?" Max told him, reassuringly. "Once I +get above you and we'll make good use of this rope of mine. The limb +will act as a lever, and when the boys get to pulling at the other end +of the rope you've just _got_ to come out, that's all there is about +it." + +"Hurrah! that's the ticket!" shouted Bandy-legs, seeing the game now for +the first time. "Steve, you're as good as landed. Bless that old rope, +it's already proved worth its weight in gold." Steve watched operations +anxiously. Despite the positive assurance conveyed in these words from +his chums, the terrible grip of that clinging sand made him cold with +apprehension. He imagined all sorts of things, from the rope breaking +under the sudden and terrible strain, to his arms being drawn from their +sockets in the battle between the tenacious sand and the muscular +ability of the two boys ashore. + +When Max managed to reach a point directly above the one in peril, +straddling the friendly limb as only a nimble boy could do, he quickly +fashioned a slip-noose at one end of the rope. This he lowered until +Steve could snatch it, which he did with all the eagerness shown by the +drowning man who clutches at a straw. + +"Fix the noose under your arms, Steve," directed the master of +ceremonies, calmly enough, though possibly Max was more excited than he +chose to let the other see, "and get the knot around so it will be +exactly in front. Then, when I give the word for the boys to commence +heaving, you work both legs as hard as ever you can. It's going to help, +more or less, you know. I can't do much up here, in the way of pulling, +for I'd lose my balance; but make up your mind we're meaning to yank you +out of that in a jiffy, Steve." + +"Oh! I hope so, Max, I surely hope so!" + +Everything was soon ready. Steve had complied with the directions, and +now awaited the issue with all the fortitude he could command. +Afterwards perhaps Steve might sometime or other even laugh, as he +remembered how scared he was; but just then, with the difficulty still +unadjusted, it was not at all humorous. + +"Ready, everybody?" called out Max. + +Receiving an affirmative reply from three pairs of lips, he went on to +say: + +"Then get busy, pulling! Make it a steady haul, and no jerks, or you'll +hurt Steve more than is necessary. Steady there, Bandy-legs, no hurry, +remember--just a regular increasing pull! Good enough, boys!" + +Steve had obeyed instructions, and by the way he worked both feet as +soon as he felt the strain one might think he was practicing swimming +lessons. It must have given him more or less physical pain to feel the +terrible drag of the rope under his arms, but he shut his teeth hard +together, and kept back a groan. + +"Now rest a bit, Toby and Bandy-legs!" called out Max. "How about it, +Steve--you moved some, didn't you?" + +"Yes yes, quite a little, Max!" cried the other. "Please get busy again +right away. I'm sick of staying in this old quicksand!" + +He still clung tenaciously to his steel fishing rod, as though he meant +that it should share his fate. Once more the team ashore started in. Now +their task seemed lighter, as though, having succeeded in dragging their +chum up several inches, with his whole weight now suspended by the rope, +the job was going to be finished in short order. + +Soon Steve, crowing joyously, was drawn completely out of the water. He +gave this a last suggestive kick and then dangled there in midair, +spinning around like a teetotum. + +"Hand me your rod, Steve," commanded Max. "Then use your arms and pull +yourself up on the limb. After that you can easily hunch along like I +do, and get to the main trunk. It's all over but the shouting, Steve; +and you can consider yourself pretty lucky to get off as easily as you +do, with a pair of wet trousers." + +"I'm thankful enough, Max, you can make sure of that," said the other, +carrying out the suggestion, and thus freeing both hands for the task of +mounting to the friendly limb. + +Before long he had reached the ground, where his three chums each +gravely shook hands with him. Steve was already getting back his nerve, +that had been under a severe strain. + +"But anyway I did have bully good luck pulling out fat trout, boys," he +told them. "You can pick up a dozen along this side of the stream. Fact +is, it was such splendid fun that I just stood too long in one place, +catching them and tossing the beauties ashore; and so when I tried to +move, why, I couldn't to save my life. It felt like a giant had gripped +both feet, and was holding me down. The more I tried the worse it got. +Whee! I would have been pretty badly scared if no one was near by, I own +up to that." + +Perhaps the others mentally considered that as it was, Steve had looked +a "good deal concerned" at the time of their arrival; but not wishing to +harrow his feelings any further just then they kept this to themselves; +though Bandy-legs did give Toby a suggestive wink, to which the other +replied in like kind. + +It was found upon gathering the trophies of Steve's skill as an angler +that they had quite enough for a meal; consequently Steve announced that +he guessed he needn't start in again with rod and hook and grub. + +All of them were soon busily engaged in fixing up the camp. Since they +had thought it best not to try and fetch a heavy tent along with them +they knew it would be necessary to construct some such brush shanty +shelter every night unless they could find a convenient ledge under +which a camp could be made. But all of these boys had often slept under +the stars, with the heavens for a canopy overhead, so that they did not +feel at all worried over the circumstance. + +As the sun sank lower and lower toward the horizon the camp began to +assume a comfortable air. The brush shelter had been finished, and +pronounced equal to any they had ever built before. It might not prove +wholly rain-proof, but as for keeping off the dew, and protecting them +against the chilly night air, it offered them "all the comforts of +home," as Steve put it. + +Then supper was started, a fire having been built after the most +approved method in vogue among guides and hunters of long experience. +Indeed, Max and his companions were far from being green to the ways of +the woods. They had learned heaps through their many camping +experiences; and some time before a visit to an old trapper had +initiated them into dozens of secrets of the craft that would never be +forgotten.[1] + +Again the talk was of the strange mission that had brought them up to +the Adirondacks. Bandy-legs could not seem to get over his belief that +they were bound to have all their trouble for their pains. + +"What sort of a clue have we got to work on for a starter, fellows, tell +me?" he went on to say, just as they were starting in to enjoy the +supper that had been supervised by a trio of eager cooks, all as hungry +as boys could well be, and continue to exist. "All we know is that when +this boy, Roland Chase, left Sagamere, almost two years back, he was a +sickly, white-faced chap, and with only one decent trait about him, +which was his love for outdoors; though up to then it had been mostly a +_yearning_, because they wouldn't let him get away from the house much +on account of his delicate constitution. Well, we're looking for some +such chap; but up to now we haven't got on his track." + +[1] "With Trapper Jim in the North Woods." + +"But hold on, Bandy-legs," expostulated Steve, "you forget that we did +hear about a boy that answered that description, though nobody seemed to +know his name. He was sometimes seen in the company of a half-drunken +old guide named Shanks somewhere around Mount Tom district. And now +we've come up this way in the hope of crossing his trail. Not that I've +got much expectation myself that we'll be sure to find this same; +Roland, who turns out to be a sort of will-o'-the-wisp to us; but since +his old aunt was so kind as to finance this expedition, why we're bound +to do all we can to make it a blooming success, that's what." + +"Well," commented Max, who seemed to be the most confident one of the +quartette, "remember, if we fail to make connections it'll be the first +time on record that we've really been stumped. I don't believe in +hard-luck stories. As a rule success comes only to those who deserve it. +And we've still got most of that two weeks' vacation ahead of us, to +hunt around for Roland Chase." + +Somehow Max always seemed to say things calculated to make his chums +feel more satisfied. It is a mighty good thing to have a real optimist +in camp, especially when the weather gets bad, and everything else seems +to go wrong. Even Bandy-legs took on a more cheerful air, and brightened +up after hearing Max say this. They had more or less reason to feel +proud of the record they had made in the past, so far as accomplishing +things went. And the people around Carson would be apt to tell any one +inquiring about Max and his cronies that they had actually done several +exceedingly smart things, and were boys far above the average. + +The supper was voted a huge success, and never had fish been fried a +more delicious brown than those in the pan. Perhaps Steve entertained a +private opinion of his own, to the effect that never had a higher price +been paid for a mess of fish than he offered up when he found himself +made a prisoner of the unseen giant residing under the quicksands; but +all the same, Steve devoured his share of the fish as smartly as the +next one. He doubtless felt that he deserved having a feast, after his +adventure in supplying the materials. + +They were almost through eating, and feeling particularly well +satisfied, as is usually the case, when the appetite has been taken care +of, when Toby Jucklin was seen to be staring straight ahead. + +"What ails you, Toby?" demanded Steve, discovering the mysterious +actions of the other. "Think you see a ghost; or was it a 'coon whisked +past, smelling our fine spread here? Speak up, can't you, and tell us?" + +Toby managed to find his tongue, and as usual when excited made quite a +mess of his explanation. + +"W-w-why, y-y-you s-s-see, I--t-that is, there's s-s-somebody--oh! look +for yourselves and you'll understand quicker'n I c'n tell you!" + +Sometimes Toby seemed to become so provoked with his ungovernable vocal +organs that he would get angry, and wind up by speaking as plainly as +the next one. + +But before then Max, and perhaps the other pair in the bargain, had +discovered a figure advancing slowly toward them. Eagerly Bandy-legs +stared. Perhaps he began to already entertain a wild hope that the +newcomer would prove to be the very boy whom they had come so far to +find; but if this were so he must have almost immediately discovered his +mistake, for the other was a sun-burned and wind-tanned lad, sturdily +built, and apparently the son of some woods guide; for he carried a gun, +and was dressed in rough though serviceable khaki trousers and blue +flannel shirt. + + + +Chapter III + + +OBED GRIMES BOBS UP + +"Howdy, strangers!" said the other, as he slowly approached the spot +where Max and his three chums still sat around the fire, feasting on +their spread. "I happened to see yer blaze, and guessed I'd drop in to +see who yah might be. 'Taint often anybody comes up this way, though to +be sure thar was two gentlemen fishin' hereabouts last summer." + +Somehow Max liked his manner of speech. He also thought he could detect +something like a love for humor in those sparkling eyes. + +"Sit down, and have a bite with us, won't you?" he remarked, making a +suggestive movement with his hand, as though calling attention to the +fact that there was still plenty of room on the log which he and Toby +Jucklin had occupied in common. "Sorry the trout's given out, but we've +got plenty of other grub, and be sure you're welcome." + +The sturdy woods boy was looking them over. Bandy-legs, suspicious as +usual, rather took umbrage at this action. He eyed the newcomer as +though not yet quite willing to echo the warm invitation accorded him by +Max. But Steve was already getting an extra tin-cup for coffee; and +fortunately there still remained an abundant supply of the amber fluid +in the capacious pot. + +Apparently the newcomer had determined that it would be prudent for him +to comply with the invitation thus cordially given. So he sat down and +made himself at home. Up there in the woods there exists a genuine +hospitality that never hesitates to extend the right hand of fellowship +to any straggler who chances to enter the camp. There seems to be +something in the healthy ozone of the wilderness that makes all men +comrades for the time being. The latchstring is always out in camp; and +never does an appeal for help go disregarded. + +Max proceeded to immediately introduce himself and his three chums by +name. He of course mentioned the fact that they came from a town named +Carson, situated far away from that region; but then of course the woods +boy could never have heard of such a place before. Still, his eyebrows +arched, and he seemed to once again observe his entertainers with fresh +interest; but then when Max Hastings chose to exert himself to make a +favorable impression every one fell under his spell. + +And when Bandy-legs, Toby and Steve noticed that Max did not think fit +to say a single word about the queer mission which had brought them to +the mountains they too concluded that it would be just as well not to be +too hasty about telling all their business to a stranger. A little later +on, perhaps, when they came to become better acquainted with the other, +they might ply him with questions in order to find out if he chanced to +know such a weakly looking fellow as Roland Chase. + +Of course after that it was up to the other to tell them whom he was. He +did not have any hesitation, from which Steve concluded there could be +no reason for keeping his identity a secret. + +"Course I got a name, too, even if it ain't _quite_ so scrumptuous as +yours. But Obed Grimes suits me just as well, and it ain't never kept me +from eatin' three square meals a day--when I could get 'em," he told +them, soberly, though that odd little gleam in his eyes mystified Max +somewhat. + +"I suppose you live around this section, then, Obed?" he remarked, as he +cleaned out the frying-pan that had contained the ham and eggs--the +latter having been carried all the way from the last small village they +passed through, and which supply would doubtless be the last they might +enjoy for a long time to come. + +"Oh! yes, thar's a plenty of Grimeses up this way," the other replied, +promptly. "Fact is, the Grimeses are a big family, all told. Thar's +Grandad Grimes to start with, and he's going on ninety now; then there's +Uncle Hiram, Uncle Silas, Uncle Job, Uncle Sephus, Uncle _Nicodemus_, +and a whole lot more; besides Aunt Rebecca, Aunt Sophia, Aunt Hetebel, +and--glory to goodness, I could sit here for ten minutes and string out +the names of the grimeses there are in the mountains; but say I'm +_awful_ hungry, and you'll excuse me if I get busy with this fine grub. +The other names will keep till next time, I reckon." + +"Whew! it must feel funny to belong to such a big family," remarked +Steve, who did not happen to have any close relatives himself. + +"Oh! shucks! none of 'em ever bother about _me_ any," said the boy, as +well as he could with his mouth stuffed of the ham and bread, which he +presently washed down with a copious draught of hot coffee. "They just +know that Obed he c'n take good care o' hisself." + +Bandy-legs began to show a rising interest in the other. His suspicions +were beginning to give way under the genial ways of the said Obed. That +smile on the dusky face of the visitor in the camp had commenced to get +its work in. By degrees perhaps Bandy-legs might even come to like Obed +Grimes; though, truth to tell, he had always despised that last name, +for a boy answering to it had once treated Bandy-legs in a most +humiliating fashion, and this still rankled in his memory, although +years had fled since the occurrence. + +"Do you mean from that, Obed," he went on to remark "that you're all +alone up here in the woods near old Mount Tom? Haven't you any of the +other Grimeses along with you?" + +The boy shook his head in the negative, and grinned again. Max was +trying to study him, and he found the task one well worthy of his best +efforts. In the beginning he determined that Obed was no ordinary chap, +but possessed of sterling characteristics. He waited for the +conversation to get further along, confident that the other had a +surprise up his sleeve which he might condescend to share with them, +after he had become fully satisfied they were to be trusted, and that he +could look upon them in the light of friends. + +"Nary a Grimes 'cept me inside o' twenty miles o' here, and that's a +fact," he assured Bandy-legs, after finishing his drinking. "Fact is, +most o' the family don't know jest where I'm at; and say, between us, I +ain't a carin' about tellin' 'em." + +That looked a bit singular, Bandy-legs thought. His suspicions returned +again, though with diminished force; for somehow he could not look into +that frank and even merry face of the woods boy and actually believe he +was "off-color" in any way. + +"But what do you do with yourself all alone, I'd like to know?" burst +out impetuous Steve. "Are you making a living playing at guide for +parties of tourists, or fishermen and hunters? And, say, you don't mean +to tell me you stay all alone up in this wilderness right through the +winter?" + +Obed Grimes nodded his head cheerfully. + +"I ain't got any choice in the matter, yuh see," he told them, +mysteriously; "just _got_ to stay. Why, it would bust the hull business +to smash if I 'lowed myself to skip out, even for a week or two. I'm +tied down to it, that's right." + +Bandy-legs exchanged a significant look Toby Jucklin. He scratched his +head with the air of one who found himself up against a hard, knotty +problem. Apparently, if the stranger in camp was trying to mystify them, +he had already succeeded in tangling up the wits of Bandy-legs completely. + +Max continued to sit there and take it all in. There was no need of his +saying anything so long as the other fellows had embarked on the task of +drawing Obed out and learning just what he was doing to keep him +marooned up there summer and winter, like a regular old recluse, or +woodchuck. + +"But there must be heaps and heaps of snow here winters," suggested +Steve; "and I'd think you'd find it pretty hard getting about." + +"Oh! not so bad when you have snow-shoes" Obed told him, with a shrug of +his shoulders, and another attack on the contents of his tin panninkin. + +"'Course not," Steve hastened to say, as though he had guessed that this +would be the answer. "But when the law is on the deer and partridges it +must be hard to keep to a regular diet of trout. I c'n stand them for a +while; but in the end I'd get sick of the smell of 'em cooking." + +"Oh! I have plenty of good grub along," chuckled Obed. "I was on my way +home at the time I glimpsed your fire; and bein' full o' wonder +concernin' who could be around these diggings right now I crept up to +spy on ye. But say, soon's I glimpsed your crowd, and saw that you was +only a bunch o' boys, why I felt easier, 'cause I knew then you couldn't +mean to bother me any." + +Now that sounded queer again, Bandy-legs thought. Why should any one +take the trouble to "bother" Obed Grimes, unless, indeed, he had been +doing something that he hadn't ought to, and hence expected to be +visited sooner or later by emissaries of the law, possibly in the shape +of angry game wardens? + +All sorts of strange thoughts flashed through that active brain of the +boy with the bowed legs. He wondered whether Obed could be a desperate +young criminal. Had his family, those excellent Grimes of whom he had +spoken in such proud accents, cast him out as altogether beyond hope? +Bandy-legs could hardly think this when he looked again into that face, +and caught the gleam of those merry orbs. No, Obed might be a _peculiar_ +sort of fellow, but really there did not seem to be much of guile in his +make-up; if it turned out to be so, then he, Bandy-legs, was ready to +call himself a mighty poor reader of character. + +So he, too, relapsed into temporary silence and let Steve carry on the +interrogations; which the said Steve considered himself very well +qualified to do since he aspired in his secret soul to some fine day +study to be a lawyer. + +"But why should anybody want to bother you, Obed?" he asked. "To hear +you talk in that way a fellow would think you had a lot of enemies +hanging around, trying the best they knew how to give you trouble." + +"Well, I ain't had any mix-up ever since I've been here," admitted the +other, with a slight frown crossing his face; "but lately I got wind o' +some news that's worried me a heap. Fact is, I'm afraid I'm goin' to be +right smart bothered with a bunch o' thieves who'd like to _steal_ my +outfit from me!" + +Steve fairly gasped. He could not make head or tail of what the other +was so deliberately telling him. Max, listening, and watching that +expressive face of Obed, secretly believed the newcomer was purposely +drawing Steve on, meaning to surprise him when finally he chose to +explain it all. So Max did not attempt to interfere, but let things go +on as they were doing, satisfied that the answer to the conundrum would +soon come. + +"Steal your outfit from you?" echoed Steve, when he could catch his +breath; "do you mean that you're carrying on some sort of business, +then, up here in the woods?" + +"Reckon that's about right, Steve," Obed replied, and his familiar use +of the other's name could be easily explained by that spirit of "free +masonry" that exists among all boys. "I've got a business, which looks +like it was goin' to pan out right decent, and make me some money in the +bargain. That's why they're meanin' to rob me, I guess; anyhow, it +hinges on that same thing. And I thought you might be that crowd first, +but I soon saw I was mistaken, and that you'd be my friend." + +"But what sort of business is it you're in, Obed?" asked Steve, boldly. + +"Me? Oh! I'm only a farmer," confessed the other, chuckling as he spoke. + +"A farmer!" echoed Steve, looking blank; "but how could anybody steal +your ground away, or carry off your crops, I'd like to know?" + +"Why, yuh don't jest understand, Steve. I ain't no regular hayseed. I'm +a fur farmer, you see; and you could carry my crop of fox pelts away +easy enough on your own back!" + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +BANDY-LEGS SUSPECTS + +Max Hastings smiled. He at the same time drew a breath of relief, +satisfied to know that his first impression of the sturdy looking young +chap was confirmed, and convinced that the said Obed Grimes must be the +right sort of fellow. + +Steve and Bandy-legs fairly gasped, as though they had received a real +shock. At the same time the eyes of the former glistened with +newly-awakened interest. + +"A fur farmer, do you say, Obed? And raising foxes for the market, are +you?" he burst out with, delightedly. "Now, I've read a heap about that +sort of thing in the papers and magazines, but I never thought I'd +actually run across anybody that had the nerve and confidence to go into +it as a business. And you say you're making good, are you, Obed? That's +fine!" + +"I've turned my 'tention to raisin' real black foxes, first thing," +explained the other, with a touch of genuine pride in his manner, Max +could easily see; "and if the try turns out as profitable as I reckon +she promises to be, why, then, I'm figgerin' on tryin' to raise mink and +marten and sech other furs as fetch top-notch prices." + +"Then I guess you must have trapped all sorts of wild animals before +now, Obed?" suggested Steve, eagerly, "so you know their habits to a +fraction; because, of course, only one who is posted in that direction +could ever hope to make a success of a fur farm." + +Obed grinned and nodded his head. + +"Oh! I reckon I'm up a little bit in all sech things," he said airily +enough. "And after all, it ain't so _very_ hard to raise foxes. I was +afraid fust off it might be what they told me, that blacks ain't to be +relied on to breed true to strain, but shucks! I've got some cubs that +are dandies. Wait till you see 'em, boys." + +That sounded as though, sooner or later, Obed meant to have them visit +his fur farm, and see with their own eyes what he had been doing. +Bandy-legs, skeptical once more, told himself he only hoped the whole +thing might not turn out to be a myth, and that the said Obed himself +prove to be a deception and a fraud. + +"I understand that the pelts of black foxes are worth a whole lot of +money," remarked Steve; "fact is, we know that to be so, because we once +had such a skin given to us by a man who made a business of trapping." + +"It all depends on the quality of the pelt," explained Obed. "Some ain't +worth as much as three hundred dollars, because they've got defects, yuh +see. Then again a real fine skin has fetched as much as thirty-six +hundred dollars in London markets." + +Evidently, Obed was well posted, at any rate, whether he really had +such a fur farm of his own or not, Bandy-legs concluded. And then he +again allowed himself to give imagination free rein, and for a time +even looked on Obed as the essence of truth, doubly distilled. + +Sitting there by the fire, which one of he boys replenished every little +while, Obed told them many very interesting things connected with that +strange farm of his. All this in his odd vernacular which Max tried to +get the hang of, in order to judge whether it signified that the country +boy lacked an education or not. He continued to be more or less +mystified, however, though concluding that Obed was just one of those +customary country boys often run across on farms who take especial +delight in joking and playing little tricks which they consider +humorous. + +"But he isn't at all bad, I'll stake everything on that" Max also told +himself, as he sat and listened to the really interesting descriptions +given by the other of his successes, and first failures along the +difficult line of breeding foxes in captivity, with scores of things +against him, which had to be overcome. + +An hour passed by in this manner. When Max saw their visitor showing +signs as if he meant to leave them, he took a hand in the conversation, +which up to then had been almost wholly monopolized by Bandy-legs, Steve +and the woods boy. + +"It's very kind of you to invite us over to inspect this wonderful +little fur farm of yours, Obed," he went on to say; "but you'll have to +give us directions how we can get there, unless you mean to accept our +offer of a blanket by the fire here tonight, when we could go along with +you in the morning." + +Obed looked sober. + +"I'd like to stay longer with you, boys," he hastened to say, as though +he really meant it, "but I ought tuh be gettin' back home. Thar's some +duties waitin' for me to look after. And then I ain't quite easy in my +mind 'bout them two fellers that's up here in the woods. They ain't +meanin' to do any shootin', even if they have got Lem Scott along as a +guide, and he the meanest skunk in the hull county, lots o' folks do +say, and a poacher in the bargain that the wardens are layin' to grab +one o' these fine days. Now I'll jest up and tell yuh how to get to my +place. It's as easy as water runnin' down-hill." + +He entered into explicit directions, and Max pinned them in his memory. +In fact, Obed simply told them to follow the stream up three miles until +they came to a bunch of seven birch trees on the right-hand bank. There +they were to pick up a trail they would find, follow it half a mile, and +at that they would see a cabin under the hemlocks and pines, which would +be his humble home woods. + +"We've got it all down pat, Obed," said Steve, "and like as not you'll +see the bunch of us trailing along there some time tomorrow morning. +I've always been crazy to see a fur farm, after reading so much about +them, and you bet I don't mean to let this chance slip by me." + +Max now thought it time to make a few inquiries himself. He wanted to +ask Obed whether he had ever run across a boy by the name of Roland +Chase, a sickly looking chap in the bargain. It might possible to pick +up a clue in this way; and they had reached a point where they could not +afford to let any opportunity for acquiring information get past them. + +In order to pursue this course, however, Max realized that it would be +necessary to enter into some sort of explanation concerning the nature +of the peculiar errand that had tempted them to come to the Adirondacks. + +"I want to ask you a question or two, Obed," he began, "but first of all +I ought to tell you what brings us here." + +Accordingly, Max proceeded to explain how the school had be closed for +two or more weeks in early October, and what a singular thing came about +to tempt them into taking an outing. He was watching the woods boy at +the time he first mentioned Mrs. Hopewell, and spoke the name of Roland +Chase; but if the other gave any unusual signs of interest, Max failed +to catch the same. Still, Obed was listening with all his might, and it +seemed as though the unusual story of the inheritance that was to be +given to the said Roland in case he made good, interested him. + +Max in this manner explained just why he and his three chums had +accepted the generous offer of the elderly lady, so deeply concerned +over the welfare of her nephew Boland, that she was ready to spend +almost any reasonable sum in order to at least learn that the poor boy +was alive, and in fairly decent health. + +They had been told to assure him, in case they ever managed to locate +the elusive Roland, that he should not worry because of not being able +to comply with the absurd conditions of Uncle Jerry's ridiculous will; +because she had enough of this world's goods for both, and she meant to +leave it all to him, Roland; so she begged him to come back to her, and +live his own life again, even though he had spent the last penny of his +two-thousand-dollar legacy, and was as poor as Job's turkey. + +All this made an interesting story, and must have amused the woods boy +more or less, because Max knew how to put considerable pathos in it. +Obed sat there shading his eyes with his hand to keep the glow of the +fire from dazzling him. Occasionally he would interrupt to ask some +natural question, which made Max think he was taking a fair amount of +interest in the account. + +"What I wanted to ask you," concluded Max, "was whether you'd ever +happened to run across this same Roland Chase in the mountains. We heard +about a fellow answering his description who was seen in company with a +dissipated guide named Shanks. I thought perhaps you might help us out, +Obed." + +Obed looked him straight in the face. + +"So far as I knows on, Max," he went on to say, seriously, "I ain't +never met any feller like yuh say face to face. About that man Shanks, I +know he's said to be a tough un. I saw him some months back down at +Sawyer's Forks, and by hokey! now that you mention it, thar _was_ a +sickly lookin' young feller along with him then; but say, his name was +Bob Jenks, or somethin' like that, and not Roland Chase." + +"Oh! well, so far as that goes," said Max, "he may have changed his +name. Some people think nothing of sailing under false colors; and if it +turns out that Roland has taken up with such a disreputable character as +this drunken guide seems to be, I don't wonder at him wanting to hide +his identity. So you think you must be going home, do you, Obed?" + +"Yep," the other observed, gaining his feet. "And I wanter to thank all +o' ye for givin' me sech a pleasant evenin'. I ain't had sech a good +time this long while back. But then the Grimeses all are 'customed to +roughin' it. Granddad used to be away all by hisself for as much as two +years, trappin' up in Canada. It's in the blood, I reckon. Now, yuh mean +to drop in, and visit me, don't ye? I'll be expectin' yuh, and have +something to eat awarmin', though course I ain't a good cook like you +fellers, as has had so much experience. So long, boys!" + +He waved them a cheerful goodbye, once more smiled at each in turn, +whirled on his heel, and was gone, seeming to vanish in the shadows of +the nearby woods like "a wisp of smoke when the wind strikes it," as +Steve remarked. + +After the departure of their guest, it was only natural that he should +be the subject of conversation about the fire as the four chums lay +there taking things easy. + +"Max, honest to goodness now," Bandy-legs remarked, "do you really take +any stock in that fairy story he told us about an imaginary fur farm? It +struck me Obed is givin to yarnin' just for the love of it. All that +stuff about his relatives may have been true, and again only nonsense. +It's my opinion there isn't any Granddad Grimes, or Uncle Hiram, +Nicodemus and so forth. He grinned like everything when he was reeling +those names off so slick. Yes, he was stringing us, I bet you." + +"W-w-why," burst out Toby just then, "who wouldn't have to s-s-snicker +when he had a w-w-whole lot of relations with such f-f-funny names! It'd +make me grin from ear to ear every time I h-h-happened to think of 'em. +You're the greatest hand to s-s-suspect anybody I ever s-s-saw, +Bandy-legs. Now, I want you to k-k-know that I think Obed the +s-s-straight g-g-goods, and I'm taking a heap of s-s-stock in seeing +that bully f-f-fur f-f-farm of his tomorrow; ain't you, Max?" + +"Certainly I am," replied the other, without a second's hesitation. "In +the first place, Bandy-legs, you must understand that nobody could talk +so interestingly on a subject unless he knew a lot about it. He told us +a dozen things about fur farming that I never heard before." + +"Huh! and perhaps nobody else ever heard of them either, Max," grunted +the far from satisfied Bandy-legs. + +"Nothing will ever satisfy him except he sees those kit foxes with his +own eyes," asserted Steve, almost indignantly, "handles them with his +own paws, and asks every little critter whether he really belongs to +Obed Grimes. Bandy-legs is the worst Doubting Thomas going, when the fit +comes on him." + +Even this sort of talk did not convince the objector. + +"Say what you will, fellows," Bandy-legs went on, stubbornly, "there's a +wheen of queer things connected with this same Obed Grimes, and I won't +take that back till he shows us his wonderful old farm, where he raises +black foxes for the fur market. Stop and think how mysteriously he +popped in on us, will you? Why, he as much as owned up that he had been +spying on us for a long time. If Toby here hadn't discovered him +peeking, and pointed that way, chances are he wouldn't have shown up at +all. Now, what made him snoop around our camp like that?" + +"Say, didn't he explain all that just as straight as a die?" objected +Steve, who seemed to have conceived quite a fancy for Obed Grimes, the +woods boy. "He told us he had reason to fear some unscrupulous fellows +were hanging around this region and meaning to steal his pets when they +got half a chance. That was why he wanted to watch, and make sure we +didn't belong to the same crowd." + +"Oh! yes, a likely story, too," continued Bandy-legs, with a sneer. "Why +should anybody want to rob a poor boy who was trying to earn his living +by farming, even if it was furs he raised instead of grain or hogs or +stock?" + +"Why, you poor ninny, the reason is as plain as the nose on your face, +Bandy-legs, and that's not invisible by a big sight. When a black fox +pelt will fetch a thousand dollars, more or less, and can't well be +traced once it gets mixed with other pelts, it stands to reason that any +thief would want to steal it. As to your doubting that there are any +other people up in this section, you seem to forget, Bandy-legs, that +around noon today we sighted a plain smoke some miles away, which we +opined must have been made by some advance hunters, waiting for the law +to be off deer. Well, why couldn't it have been the people Obed says he +fears, who made that smoke? Now, for my part, I believe every word Obed +Grimes said. He's the straight goods every time, and you can see it in +his eye, for he looks you direct in the face." + +Thereupon, Bandy-legs, as though realizing that he had raised a hornet's +nest about his ears, deemed it the part of discretion to shrug his +shoulders after the manner of one who, "convinced against his will is of +the same opinion still." + +"We'll let the subject drop, Steve," he said, hastily. "It ain't worth +quarreling over. The proof of the pudding is in the eating of it; and +tomorrow we'll _know_ what's what. But remember, if it turns out that +we've been bamboozled, don't blame me, because I've warned you all." + +"If we had a chill from every warning you've sprung on us, Bandy-legs," +Steve told him, witheringly, "why, say, we'd have gone all to pieces +long before now. You're a regular old bad-weather prognosticator, that's +what you are." + +"That's right, get to calling names. It's a habit with people who know +they are in the wrong," grumbled Bandy-legs; but, nevertheless, he "drew +within his shell," and said nothing further about Obed Grimes or his +suspicions concerning the same. + + + +CHAPTER V + + +PACKING OVER THE "CARRY" + +Later on the conversation began to lag. Steve was noticed drowsily +nodding his head in a suggestive way; and then after a sudden start he +would look around aggressively, as if to remark: "who said I was +sleepy?" but within three minutes he would be at it again. + +In fact all of the boys were really tired out. The day's tramp had been +a difficult one, even for fellows accustomed to such things; and those +regular Adirondack packs, with a band crossing the forehead in the usual +way, had seemed doubly heavy before they decided to stop for the night. + +Of course there were sounds to be heard all around them, but +"familiarity breeds contempt," and from Max down they were all +accustomed to hearing similar noises whenever they spent nights in the +open. The owl would whinny or hoot according to his species; the loon +send forth his agonizing and weird shriek from some distant lake; a fox +might bark sharply and fretfully, or two quarrelsome 'coons dispute over +a bit of food they had discovered--all this went with the camping +business, and indeed it would have seemed odd to those boys had the +usual accompaniment been missing. + +"Well, what's the use of our staying up longer?" Max finally announced +in an authoritative fashion, after Steve had almost jerked his neck awry +for about the seventh time, with one of those spasmodic movements. "Our +blankets are calling to us, boys; let's turn in." + +There was no negative vote recorded, for every one seemed ready to call +it a day, and quit. Max took it upon himself to look after the fire. +Plenty of wood had been gathered to last until morning, and then some; +for, as the night air was beginning to feel pretty sharp, it was +concluded to keep the fire going. + +"I'll look out for that part," said Max. "I generally wake up just so +many times during the night when I'm in camp, and it's no trouble for me +to crawl out and toss another stick on the fire. So forget it, fellows, +will you?" + +Apparently the others took him at his word, for not another sign of any +of them was seen while night lasted. Once they snuggled down in their +warm comfortable blankets, they must have become "dead to the world," as +Steve aptly termed it. + +Several times while the night held sway a figure would crawl noiselessly +out of the crude brush shanty shelter, and place another lot of wood +upon the dwindling fire, thus keeping it going for another spell of +several hours. Of course this was Max, who really liked to take an +observation concerning the state of the weather, note the changed +positions of the heavenly bodies, so that he could figure on the +passage of time; and then once more creep into the folds of his blanket +to again fall into a deep sleep. + +So the night passed. + +Nothing occurred to disturb its serenity. The little four-footed woods +folks doubtless prowled all around the boys' camp, eyeing the glimmering +fire with wonder and distrust, for it could not be a familiar sight to +any of them, since mankind seldom visited this inaccessible region so +far removed from the track of ordinary travel. Some of the more daring +among them, venturesome 'coons or 'possums perhaps, may even have +invaded the precincts of the charmed circle, searching with their keen +little noses for traces of castaway food; but, if so, their presence did +not disturb the sleepers within that shelter. + +So morning came on apace, and presently from the brush shanty one after +another of the fellows came creeping forth, to stretch and yawn and +finally hasten their dressing, for the frosty air nipped fingers and +toes quite lustily. + +They were in no particular hurry, and breakfast therefore was undertaken +in the best of humor, with plenty of time given to its preparation. +Everybody seemed to be in the best of humors, and his good sleep must +have smoothed even the spirit of the fretful Bandy-legs, for he no +longer grumbled or found fault. Perhaps, as so frequently happened, he +was secretly ashamed of having shown such a suspicious and +argumentative disposition on the preceding evening, and meant to make +amends for it by an unusually cheery manner. + +It was determined to "break camp" soon after the matin meal had been +comfortably dispatched. This did not promise to be an extraordinary +feat, since they were trying to go light-handed on this expedition, and +did not have many of their ordinary "traps" along, from a tent down to +certain cooking utensils that had been deemed too heavy for "toting" +mile after mile into the wilderness. + +It makes a whole lot of difference just how fellows mean to go, when +laying out the impedimenta for a trip. If a wagon or a boat is +available, all sorts of things may as well be taken along, so as to +insure the maximum of comfort; but when it is known in the beginning +that all they are meaning to use must be packed every mile of the way on +the back of the campers, then it is high time to cut down the list to +the last fraction, so far as weight and bulk are concerned. + +Max and his chums had reduced this down to a real science. For instance, +having a comfortable balance at the bank, thanks to their thrift in the +past,[2] money did not enter into their calculations at all. +Consequently, they had purchased a complete little outfit of aluminum +cooking vessels that nested within each other and weighed next to +nothing, while offering all the advantages of ordinary granite ware. +Other campers' comforts, too, had been secured, so that they even +carried a certain amount of condensed food in the shape of milk powder; +evaporated eggs that could be used to make excellent omelets in case of +necessity; and even soup in double cans, with a layer of unslacked lime +between, which, by the addition of a little water to the lime could be +heated up beautifully without the aid of a fire. + +[2] "In camp on the Big Sunflower." + +When all of them started in to get busy, things quickly assumed a +concentrated condition. Each article had its regular place where it +would take up the least possible space. Why, by now every fellow had +found out just how to do up his pack so that no sharp and uncomfortable +edges would cut into his back; and when this condition has been reached, +it means that the last word in packing has been learned. + +Max himself saw to it that the fire was effectually "killed" before they +quitted the scene of their night encampment. This he did by throwing +water on the hissing embers until it was quite dead. If every party that +spends a night in the wilderness took the same pains to put out their +fire on leaving, many a magnificent stretch of timber would be spared +from the ravages of a forest fire, that leaves only blackened tree +trunks behind, and ruins thousands of acres of wooded land every year. + +Although a fire may die down, and seem to have little life in it, there +is no absolute surety unless water be used, that a rising wind may not +fan the embers into renewed activity, until a dangerous spark is carried +into some nest of dead leaves near by, and so the fire starts that +man-power can seldom control. + +"Three miles, he said, up this stream," observed Bandy-legs, as they +started gaily forth, Max in the lead, and Toby bringing up the rear. + +"And as no doubt the said stream meanders considerably in its course, +that might mean only half the distance as the crow flies," remarked the +leader, turning once more to look back toward the deserted camp, after +the fashion of a carpenter who considers it wise to measure his post +_once again_ before applying the saw, because after the deed is done the +parts can never be put together again; but everything seemed still, and +not the faintest whisp of smoke crept lazily upward from the late +camp-fire. + +They walked along for a short distance, and then upon crossing a little +rise, in order to skirt a bad section of marshy ground, it was +discovered that they had a good chance to look backward. A rather pretty +view rewarded their efforts, and as all the boys appreciated Nature in +her fall dress, they stood for a minute drinking this in. + +"You can follow the course of the stream for quite a distance, notice?" +remarked Bandy-legs. "And I even see the place where we yanked Steve +here out of that sand." + +Steve frowned as he looked, and Max could see that he had gone a little +white. The memory of his harrowed feelings on that occasion would stay +with Steve for quite some time, and produce an unpleasant sensation +every time it came before his mental vision. + +Max also saw him shut his teeth very hard together, and was close enough +to even catch a word or two the boy muttered savagely to himself. + +"Never again!" + +From that Max could judge the lesson had been impressed on Steve's mind +indelibly; and that as long as he lived he would be careful how he +entered an unknown stream when fishing; and especially how he became so +engrossed in his sport as to stand a length of time in one spot, without +working his feet up and down so as to make sure they were free from +clinging sand. + +They chatted from time to time as they proceeded, and of course all +sorts of subjects cropped up to be discussed. Sometimes there was a +little good-natured dispute concerning something or other, for boys have +different minds, and are apt to view things from various angles; but as +time passed they made such good progress that Max presently announced +his belief they must presently glimpse the seven birch trees mentioned +by Obed Grimes, as marking the place where they were to quit the bank of +the stream. + +At the time they stopped to look backward Max had scanned the country +behind them, looking for some trace of another camp smoke, but seeing +fond of "working his way," and often slipped out of things when he +could manage it--some fellows always do get hold of the smaller end of +the log that is being carried, as if by instinct; though it would be +hardly fair to call them shirkers. + +They rested for something like ten minutes. Then Max started up. + +"Here's the trail Obed told us about," he observed, pointing down at his +feet as though he had been looking about him while recuperating after +that three mile carry. "And I guess we might as well be going on. For +one I'm beginning to feel quite curious to see that lodge of his under +the pines and hemlocks, as well as learn what he is doing with his fox +farm." + +Bandy-legs opened his mouth, and then considered it better not to voice +the question he had on the tip of his tongue, for he shut his jaws tight +together again, and did not speak; Max noticing this, it caused him to +smile in quiet satisfaction. That was a very disagreeable habit of +Bandy-legs, always questioning things, and wanting double proof before +he would put the stamp of his approval on them; and Max kept hoping that +in the process of time it could be broken up. + +It was not difficult to follow the trail, even though at times this +proved to be rather faint and undecided; at least it turned out to be an +easy task with the four chums, simply because they were accustomed to +such things. A greenhorn might have lost the track many times, and made +a none. He had in mind the story told by Obed concerning the presence +in the vicinity of another party, and his suspicions concerning their +base intentions. Apparently Max must have believed what the woods boy +said, even though he could see no sign of a camp that morning. + +"I've got an idea the seven birches are just over yonder, boys!" +announced Steve, who possessed good eyesight. "Twice now I've glimpsed +something white among the thickets of undergrowth; and you can see that +the creek is beginning to swing around so as to lead us in that +direction." + +"G-g-guess you're about r-r-right, Steve!" declared Toby Jucklin, +instantly; "to t-t-tell you the t-t-truth, I've been squinting that same +p-p-patch of white myself q-q-quite some little time now." + +It turned out to be just as Steve had prophesied. They soon discovered a +bunch of birches growing from the stump of a larger tree that had long +ago fallen under the ax of a woodsman. + +"There are seven, all right--count 'em!" announced Steve with a vein of +exultation in his voice, just as though by right of discovery those +birches really belonged to him. + +"Let's call a little rest before we tackle the last round," begged +Bandy-legs, as they arrived alongside the landmark mentioned by Obed; +and without waiting for the others to assent he dropped his pack, and +threw himself down on an especially inviting bit of moss, heaving a +great sigh of relief; for be it known, Bandy-legs was not especially +"mountain out of a mole-hill," as Steve aptly put it, when referring to +the matter. + +Soon they were casting eager glances ahead, under the impression that +they must certainly be drawing near the object of their search. Even +Bandy-legs had by now apparently arrived at the belief that Obed was +"straight," and that he really did have some sort of home in this +secluded region. The directions had turned out to be exact, from the +three-mile tramp along the stream and the "seven birches, count 'em"; to +the winding trail that led from that point deeper into the woods. + +"Looky there, isn't that some sort of high wire fence?" demanded Steve, +suddenly. + +"And, say, I got a plain whiff of sweet hickory wood smoke then, believe +me," added Bandy-legs, in some excitement, and evidently forgetting that +not long before he had been skeptical regarding the existence of any +lodge or fox farm. + +"Well, there's the answer right before you," laughed Max; and as they +stared in the direction their leader was pointing, the balance of the +little party saw what seemed to be the "cutest" little cabin fashioned +from sawn logs, and nestling in a happy fashion directly under the +clustering pines and hemlocks, that hung over it most protectingly, as +though with the intention of keeping the winter snows from weighing down +the sloping roof. + +At one end was a chimney made of slabs of wood, with the chinks filled +in with mud that, in the process of time, aided by the heat of the fire, +had become as hard as cement or adamant; and from this there curled +wreaths of lazily ascending blue smoke, the source of that delightful +odor that had drifted to Bandy-legs's nostrils. + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +THE LODGE OF MANY WONDERS + +"There's Obed right now, waving at us from the doorway of his cabin," +announced Steve, even as they looked at the picture made by the little +log structure nestling so cozily under the dark foliage of the resinous +trees that never lost their green look, even when snow covered the +mountains to the depth of several feet. + +They hurried forward to join the owner of the woods lodge, who had +evidently expected them to put in an appearance about this time of day, +figuring just when they would break camp, and how long it would take +them to make the "carry." + +He shook hands with each of his new-found friends in turn, and warmly, +too. Even Bandy-legs seemed to feel that his unworthy suspicions of the +other could have no foundation, to judge from the hearty way in which he +greeted Obed. + +Max was quick to see that Obed looked pleased at their coming. He also +wondered why the other seemed to raise his eyebrows now and then, and +smile as though certain thoughts he entertained were quite amusing. But, +then, seeing what a lonely life the young fur farmer must be leading, so +far away from his kind, and wrapped up in his singular calling, after +all, it was not so queer that he should act in this way, upon having +visitors, and boys of his own age, in the bargain. + +They were ushered inside the lodge, and here another surprise greeted +them. Max in particular was astonished to find that the small building +contained so much in the way of comforts. If he had thought of the +matter at all, he probably expected to find just an ordinary shack, such +as nine boys in ten would be contented with building, and that Obed was +putting up with all sorts of discomforts. + +The contrary proved to be the truth, for there were numerous things in +sight to cause a visitor to express surprise. Why, Obed even used +_aluminum cooking utensils_ equal to theirs, though not meant for +camping particularly; there were several rocking chairs, and one big +fireside chair that looked mighty inviting indeed, as it flanked the +broad hearth where Obed had a blaze going. + +The kitchen lay at the back, and actually had a wood stove in it, +capable of baking bread or biscuits on occasion. Water, too, had been +piped to the cabin from some spring farther up the rise; though, in the +dead of winter a supply must of necessity be obtained from some other +source since this would be frozen up. + +These things, and many others along the same line, caused Max to survey +Obed with a new source of wonder. Who was this remarkable boy, and how +on earth did he come to possess such a magical lodge up here in the +unpeopled wilderness? Why, a rich man could hardly have surrounded +himself with more in the way of comforts; and yet, according to his +language, and his account of himself, Obed was only an ordinary child of +the woods, one of the very numerous Grimes tribe, many of whom doubtless +gained their living by serving as guides in season. + +Max, after staring around him in due wonder and admiration, turned again +to Obed. He could see that the other was observing them with that merry +twinkle in his eyes? and evidently expecting his guests to express +amazement at finding so wonderful a habitation where they had +anticipated so little. + +"Its just splendid, that's the only word I can find to express my +feelings, Obed," Max hastened to say, at which the other laughed aloud. + +"Course, now, you-all are awonderin' jest how a poor woods boy like me +'d ever git hold o' such a clever cabin," he went on to say; "but +shucks! that's an easy one to explain. Yuh see, it was built by a man +who had plenty o' money and poor health. He thought he could get well by +stayin' here, and so he fixed her up to beat the band. That big chair he +loved to sit in when the fire was agoin'. But jest as he got fixed so +nice his wife sent for him to come back home; and, say, he had to go. +So, havin' no use for his place here, he turned it over tuh me for a +song, I c'n show yuh the bill o' sale. Yuh see, I got to know Mr. Coombs +right well, for he was interested in my ijee o' startin' a fur farm. +Well, he's dead now. I often think when I'm sittin' here enjoyin' what +he built that somehow his spirit must be a hoverin' around, cause he +certainly _did_ love this place a heap." + +The explanation entirely satisfied Max, though of course that skeptic of +a Bandy-legs had to let his eyebrows go up in an arch as he listened; +but then Bandy-legs would doubt anything that savored of the uncommon. +Max simply frowned at him and paid no more attention to his manner. + +"You were certainly mighty lucky to fall heir to such a lovely little +home as this, Obed," Steve was saying, with a streak of envy in his +voice. "Say, I'd just be tickled half to death now if I could spend a +month up here with you. There must be plenty of game around, I reckon; +and it'd be a real delight to keep house in a little palace like this. +But how are you going to tuck us away for the night, Obed, if I might be +so bold as to ask, seeing that as yet we haven't had an invite to stay +over?" + +"Oh! that's easily managed," replied the other, with, another of his +queer laughs. "You haven't begun to see all the wonders o' this lodge. +Mr. Coombs amused himself for a whole summer havin' it built. He put a +heap o' his own ijees into the same, too. Yuh see, he used to be a sea +captain once on a time, and that gave him the notion to have tables that +folded against the wall so as tuh take mighty little room. Then seem' as +how he might expect to have company some time or other, look how he +fixed the bunks along the walls." + +With that Obed turned a button that none of them had thus far noticed, +fastened on the wall Immediately a section slipped down exposing a +cavity beyond that proved to be a regular sleeping bunk, fully capable +of "housing" any ordinary person. It was plain to be seen that his sea +education had given Mr. Coombs the idea carried out in this remarkable +fashion. + +"Beats anything I ever struck!" admitted the admiring Steve, as he +pushed forward to peep inside the cavity that seemed to offer such a +comfortable bed. + +"But hardly big enough for the whole bunch of us, I'm afraid, Obed," +urged Bandy-legs, with the idea, of course, of drawing the other out. + +"This is one bunk," said Obed, calmly, "there are three jest like it +along the two walls, makin' four in all. So yuh see it's jest like Mr. +Coombs, he figgered on my having you-all stop over with me some fine +day. Then I c'n make up a bed on that 'ere couch, which is softer 'n any +o' the bunks. _He_ used to sleep, on it all the time, did Mr. Coombs." + +"Well, I must say this is a revelation to me," admitted Max, his face +showing how pleased he felt. "And you were lucky, as Steve here just +said, to fall in with such a fine man as Mr. Coombs, at the time you +started your fur farm. I suppose it was the interest he took in it that +made him hand over this cabin, when he learned that his plans for +staying here could never be carried out." + +"Why, yes, mostly that," agreed Obed, turning a little red. "P'raps I +ought to tell yuh that I chanced to do Mr. Coombs a little favor when we +first met. Yuh see, I happened to come on him in the woods. He'd started +out to find a certain kind o' sapling that he wanted right bad to use; +and not bein' used to findin' his way around, he jest naturally got +lost. But that wasn't the wust o' it. In using his ax to chop down a +sapling he kim across, what did he do but cut his foot, and it was +bleeding like fun when I ketched his shouts, and kim up. Course, I soon +fixed that foot, and since he was only a little dried-up speck o' a man +I managed to tote him on my back most ways home here. He chose to think +I'd done him a _great_ favor, and after that he was always sayin' he +meant to repay me some day. Well, he certainly did when he turns over +this here neat contraption at a price that was dirt cheap, and which I'd +be ashamed to mention to yuh. That's how it come I got this cabin." + +How simple the explanation was after all, and how Bandy-legs must feel +his cheeks burn with shame at the thought of having suspected this same +Obed of trying to deceive them. Max could easily picture the ex-sea +captain seated in that capacious fireside chair with the tufted cushion, +and perhaps smoking his long-stemmed pipe with the air of a man who +believed he had found what he had long sought, peace and comfort +combined, only to have a summons come that he dared not disobey. + +"Make yourselves to hum," said Obed, cheerily. "Here, drop the packs +over in this corner. If later on so be yuh want to git anything out o' +the same it'll be easy done. And seein' as I've got dinner started, I +guess we wont take a turn around the farm till it's been stowed away." + +Although, of course, all of the boys were eager to see what a fur farm +looked like, where those wonderful black foxes that brought such, a big +price in the London markets were being bred in captivity, none of them +objected to sitting down and taking a rest. Bandy-legs and Steve in +particular made a bolt for the big chair, though the latter was too +quick for his competitor, and managed to ensconce himself within its +capacious embrace before Bandy-legs arrived. + +"Start earlier next time, Bandy-legs!" crowed the proud possessor of the +coveted seat, as he spread himself so as to occupy it all. "But after +I've tried it out I'll vacate, because I expect to get busy in that +bully little kitchen, and help friend Obed sling the grub for dinner." + +So Bandy-legs had to content himself with a seat on the couch. He might +have been observed sniffing the air with avidity, however, as though he +had caught some enticing odor stealing out of the oven of the cook +stove, that was not unlike fresh bread being well browned; and there was +nothing Bandy-legs loved better than the crust part of a fresh +baking--he always had a compact with the cook at home to save him the +"run-over" portions, which he looked upon as a prize well worth having. + +Soon Obed left them there in the larger room and vanished within the +kitchen. It was a challenge to Steve which he could not long resist. +Bandy-legs kept watching him glance toward the connecting doors. His +whole manner was that of a boy who, although making no sound, might be +"sicking" one dog on another. No sooner had Steve left the capacious +fireside chair than Bandy-legs slipped into it; and after that he was +not meaning' to be dislodged until the summons came to gather about the +table to discuss the midday meal. Bandy-legs liked eating as well as the +next one; but he loved his ease more, and was well content to have some +other fellow do the hard work of getting the meal ready; his time would +come when he had to "work his jaws" in disposing of his portion of the +spread. + +The more Max looked about him the greater his wonder became. All manner +of thoughts surged through that active mind of his. He had already +conceived the greatest sort of secret admiration for the extraordinary +woods boy, even before he had glimpsed that remarkable fur farm which +the other was successfully running. Plainly, then, this same Obed Grimes +was bound to be a credit to his family; and all those people bearing the +strange names given by Obed would some day find cause to feel proud of +having such an enterprising relative. + +Obed proved to be a pretty good cook, despite the humility with which he +had remarked that of course he could not expect to compete on even terms +with fellows who had had so many better opportunities to acquire the +"knack" of things, than had come his way. + +The bread was as fine as any Bandy-legs had ever eaten in his own home, +where a high-priced cook held sway over the kitchen. There was also a +meat pie that seemed delicious, both as to crust and contents, when +opened; though Obed in-formed them that it was made of canned beef, and +even displayed the recent tin jacket, with its telltale label, as +confirmation to his assertion. + +"Yuh see, boys," he remarked, laughingly, "I don't want yuh to think I'd +poach a deer in the close season, and palm it off as mountain mutton, +like they do at some o' the big hotels up here in the Adirondacks, I'm +told. Course I do shoot a deer once in a while in season; and lots o' +pa'tridges, they bein' so tame yuh c'n knock them over as they sit on +the lower limb o' a tree after flushin'. I ketch wheens o' trout, too, +from time to time; but I give yuh my word I never yet killed anything +when the law was on it, never!" + +When Obed said a thing in his emphatic way, he was to be relied on, Max +thought. The woods boy could look very sober at times, though, as a +rule, there was that merry gleam in his eye that told how much he loved +a joke. + +Altogether they had a delightful meal, and what was even better, there +was an abundance to give every one three bountiful helpings, which fact +pleased Bandy-legs and Steve in particular. The former, on passing his +plate--for they actually had such articles at this wonderful lodge under +the pines--for the third help, excused himself by remarking aside: + +"It's queer what a _terrible_ appetite toting a pack a few miles over a +carry gives a fellow. Now, at home I'm generally satisfied with one +portion, but once let me get into the harness, and I seem to have no end +of _capacity_. Say, I'd eat you out of house and home, Obed, if I stayed +very long at your ranch." + +"No danger o' that, I guess, Bandy-legs," replied the other, for he had +of course taken quite naturally to calling these new friends by their +customary names, just as boys always do get on quick terms of +familiarity. "Last time I went to town I laid in quite a wheen o' stuff. +Then there's always the crick to git trout outen; and in a short time +you could shoot pa'tridges without breakin' the game laws. So don't let +that worry yuh any. I'm on'y too tickled to have some fellers around. It +does git kinder lonely here, sometimes, I own up." + +"Whew! I should think it would, Obed," said Steve, lost in admiration +for the amazing nerve displayed by the woods boy in remaining all by +himself, winter and summer, seldom, if ever, seeing a human face, and +apparently devoting all his energies to making his fur farm experiment +turn out to be a success. "Nothing would tempt me to stick it out here a +whole winter. Why, I'd die of the blues, and let the black foxes go to +the dickens, while I made break for the nearest town, so I could hear +the sound of a human voice." + +Obed looked at him gravely, and heaved a sigh. + +"Yep, I feels that ways, too, sometimes, Steve," he said presently; "and +let me tell yuh the temptation is nigh more'n I c'n stand; but I jest +shuts my teeth together, and tells myself that I started in to do this +job, and I'm agoin' to stick it out or know the reason why. Then I git +my second wind agin' and it's all right. Once I used to give in right +easy, but I'm broke now o' that bad habit, I guess." + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +THE YOUNG MAGICIAN + +The more Max listened to Obed talk on the one subject that seemed to be +his pet hobby, that of raising valuable fur-bearing animals for the +market, the deeper grew his conviction that the woods boy was well worth +studying. + +He might talk after the manner of an uneducated boy, but Max knew that +this could not be the case. Even though the main lot of numerous +"Grimeses" were following the humble occupation of guides amidst the +extensive stretches of the Adirondacks, and possibly many of them would +be found to be boors, save along the line of woodcraft, Obed had managed +to pick up considerable knowledge, somehow or other. + +When trying to explain how this idea of successfully raising "silver" +black foxes took such a main grip on his imagination, he brought out a +batch of clippings which he had managed to get hold of in some manner, +Max could not even guess how. + +Some of these were fantastic in their revelations, while others were +authentic interviews with parties who for years had been secretly +engaged in the business of fur farming. This was away up on Prince +Edward Island beyond Nova Scotia, said to be the place best situated +geographically for the purpose, as these animals require a severe +climate in order that their pelt assumes its richest and heaviest crop. +A black fox farm started down in Florida would not produce furs worth +offering for sale. + +Max was intensely interested with one account in particular connected +with the extensive pioneer silver fox ranch. He even asked the privilege +of copying the same for future reference, because he knew that +statements he might make later on would be skeptically received by many +people who had never dreamed that any species of furs were so valuable +that young pups could be worth more than their weight in gold. + +That the boy reader of this story may also stock up with information +that will better enable him to understand what enterprising Obed Grimes +was trying to do on a small scale, I am tempted to give the main items +in this newspaper article, every word of which is said to be literally +true. + +Since this account was first printed some years ago, other farms along +similar lines have been started away up near Calgary, in the Canadian +Province of Alberta, and are said to be doing excellently, one ranch +near Midnapore reporting a start with twelve pair, and the pack now +counting thirty-seven in all. + +But here is the main part of the clipping, well worth reading: + +There is something novel about a ranch which consists of spaces +covering 150 feet of ground. Chappell, now president of the Sydney +Chamber of Commerce, Nova Scotia, owns seventy pairs of silver black +foxes, and his ranch is split up into small inclosures of that size, +covered with wire on four sides, the wire being buried four feet under +ground, attached to a concrete base, and turned in several feet. The +silver black fox tries to root its way to freedom, and this is the way +the breeder prevents his escape. + +When the foxes mate we also mate a pair of black cats of the ordinary +domestic variety. As soon as the young are born, we take the fox pups +away from the mother fox, and the kittens away from the mother cat, and +make the cat foster-mother to the fox cubs. In this way we are able to +rear a more domesticated breed of foxes. + +For twenty years this business of raising foxes of the silver black +species was really kept under cover, because of its great possibilities +for making big money. With the last four or five years the business has +become organized, and today many millions of dollars are invested in it. + +The last lot of animals slaughtered was in 1910. There were forty-three +pelts sent to London at that time. They brought as high as $3,800, the +average fetching $1,500. Silver black fox is the rarest fur utilized by +man. The Russian sable, otter, and South Sea seal are practically +eliminated for commercial purposes, due to international laws which +prohibit the killing of these animals for the next ten or fifteen years, +so as to give them a chance to increase. + +Only 800 pairs of live foxes were placed on sale last year. Fewer than +50 of that number were killed and their fur sold. The rest went for +breeding purposes, because fur farms are starting up in many favorable +places. The men who raise silver foxes on Prince Edward Island know the +game. They started in it as boys many years ago. + +"In the provinces of Prince Edward, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, men +and women interested in breeding foxes have been made wealthy. They were +poor people ten years ago. Today they live in town houses, own their own +automobiles, and yet continue to give the strictest attention to all the +details connected with their singular farming industry." + +Obed was extremely modest in what he told concerning his own small +beginning. Max, having also read in one of the clippings that a pair of +gilt-edged silver black foxes were worth all the way up to $30,000, was, +of course, doubly curious to learn whether those with which Obed started +could be the genuine article, and if so, how had he managed to obtain +them. + +It seemed to be only a game in which rich persons could enter. Obed +understood just what must be passing in the mind of the other, and at +the first opportunity he hastened to explain. + +"I was just chock full o' this business," he went on to say, "when I +ran across Mr. Coombs. Yuh remember I told yuh about how that came +about, and that he seemed to think I'd saved his life." Well, he and me +kept house together here for some months, and then one day thar come the +biggest surprise I ever had. He fetched a crate along up from town in a +wagon he hired; and say, inside the same was the finest pair o' silver +blacks I ever saw. Then some more wagons begun to show up fetchin' rolls +of wire netting, and bags o' cement to make concrete with. Mr. Coombs +had gone into the fur raisin' business for keeps, and I was to have an +interest in the game. He had an agreement all written out that both o' +us signed before a justice, which fixed things up. Half the proceeds o' +the fur farm was to come to me, while I stayed here to look after +things. + +"Well, sir, we worked like fun to git the stockade built 'cording to +form; and our mated pair o' foxes planted in the same. Since then I've +fixed three more enclosures, ready for an increase o' stock. Mr. Coombs, +he called this the Lone Lodge Black Fox Farm, and I guess the name will +stick even after I get to selling off some o' the product." + +It was simply wonderful, all of the eager listeners thought. Max could +hardly believe his ears, and yet so far as he could make out Obed seemed +in dead earnest. Besides, he had the documents to prove the truth of his +story, he said, which he would spread before them a little later on. + +As for that skeptic, Bandy-legs, he rolled his eyes up many times while +listening, and seemed to be swallowing it with considerable difficulty. +Toby and Steve never questioned the veracity of the narrator; they were +simply amazed at the immensity of the enterprise that had sprung up +almost like a mushroom, over night. Millions on millions of dollars +invested in artificial fur farming, and the general public utterly in +the dark concerning the facts until recently, when its scope could no +longer be concealed, like a light hidden under a bushel. + +"And now that you've kinder got an idea of what a big fur farm might be +like," the singular woods boy went on to say, rising as he spoke, +"s'pose yuh meander out and take a look at my humble beginnin'. I surely +hope yuh won't run down my efforts, 'cause o' course things ain't got to +runnin' full swing yet. But the cubs are nigh big enough to be taken to +market." + +"How many have you got, Obed?" asked Max, following the other out of the +cabin. + +"One pair nearly grown, and another just two months old. I've been +mighty lucky in not losing a single pup so far," came the reply over +Obed's shoulder; and he might be pardoned for putting just a mite of +pride in his tones, for he had accomplished something worth while for a +new beginner at the business. + +"But if you expect to keep in this line," said Bandy-legs quickly, as +though he voiced a suspicion that kept cropping up in his mind, "why do +you want to dispose of that first pair of pups?" + +Obed laughed good-naturedly. + +"I'll tell yuh, Bandy-legs," he said, confidentially. "In the first +place breeders like to change their stock, so as to bring new blood into +the pens. Then again, why, I happens to need the money that's comin' to +me for my share. A fellow has got to live up here in the mountains, and +grub costs a wheen o' hard cash, 'specially when yuh got a good +appetite, which seems to fit me all right. But if I get what I'm hopin' +for it'll be all right, and I reckons thar'll come some years before we +let more foxes get away from this same farm." + +So he took them to where he had his main enclosure, in which the boys +found the parent foxes. They may have become somewhat accustomed to +seeing Obed, and hearing the sound of his coaxing voice, for even the +most timid of wild animals in the process of time comes to recognize the +one who supplies their wants along the line of daily food. But possibly +Bandy-legs or Steve chanced to laugh, or speak out loud, for the old +foxes took the alarm; and it was only after constant efforts on the part +of Obed, with his familiar call to dinner, that caused them to show +themselves at all. + +They were certainly beauties. Max wondered more than ever at the nerve +of Obed in trying to start a silver black fox farm in this section, with +no one save himself apparently in charge. He feared that the enterprise +would be doomed to certain disaster. The smart woods boy might be +successful in raising a crop of valuable youngsters in the fox line; but +sooner or later some unscrupulous men, guides out of a job perhaps, and +loaded with strong drink, would try to make a secret raid on his +preserves, and clean him out in a single night. Fox pelts worth +thousands of dollars must tempt some men beyond their fears, or power of +resistance. + +Max made up his mind he would talk about this with Obed before he left. +He wondered at the short-sighted policy of the executor of Mr. Coombs' +estate in allowing so much money to be tied up in this property without +proper safeguards. If it was intended to continue the fox farm now that +it gave all evidences of possible success surely the boy should have an +assistant, some strong woodsman who could by his presence and readiness +to do battle awe any intended transgressors. + +They next visited the enclosure where the two pair of little foxes +played and slept and ate their fill, daily increasing in size and value. +They were also timid, though in due time Obed managed to get them to +show themselves; for hunger is a powerful inducement, and the smell of +favorite food a lure difficult to resist. + +"Of course," explained the young fur farmer, while they were watching +the inmates of the second enclosure, "I don't have black cats up here +yet to carry out them directions exactly; but I'm aiming to do that +also pretty soon. Yep, and after this set o' pups has been sold, if they +fetch all I count on, I'm goin' to have a talk with the lawyer that +looks after Mr. Coombs' estate. He promised to come up and see what +could be done about extendin' the farm. And then I guess it's goin' to +be time to hire a helper, seein' I can't do everything by myself." + +"That was just what I meant to speak to you about, Obed!" exclaimed Max. +"You oughtn't to try to stay here another winter all by yourself. +Besides, some unscrupulous men might raid your enclosures while you were +off hunting, or fishing, and break up your business. It isn't safe, +Obed; and I know from what you said before about suspecting strangers +were around here right now, that you're getting anxious yourself." + +The boy drew a long breath, and nodded his head. Into his eyes crept a +look quite the opposite of that merry gleam usually nestling there. Yes, +plainly Obed _was_ worried over something; and Max believed he had put +his finger directly on the sore spot when he spoke of a possible raid on +the fur product of the singular farm. + +"Can you find just such a reliable man as you want, Obed?" asked Steve. + +"That part ain't so hard," he was told. "Fact is I've got him more'n +half engaged a'ready. His name is Jerry Stocks, and he's a woods guide. +Been a heap interested in this game ever since we started up. Fact is, +Jerry has done a heap o' things for me from time to time, 'cause yuh +see I couldn't work it all. He lives 'bout 'leven miles off that ways. +We've fixed a way to signal to each other by flyin' a little white flag +from two low peaks. When I want Jerry I run my flag up, and if he's +home, why the next day, or mebbe sooner, he shows up. But shucks! that +wouldn't keep me from losin' my stock if there was a real raid." + +He went on talking further, and the boys picked up considerable more +valuable information, for Obed was apparently well posted on the +subject, which had occupied his thoughts night and day. + +So he told them that perhaps, if all went well, he might take up a +companion industry, being nothing more nor less than trying to raise +mink or otter in captivity. + +"'Course I know it isn't done to any great extent yet," he explained, +"but that's no reason there shouldn't be some ready money picked up in +the business. It wouldn't pay anything like the foxes, and for that +reason I'd go slow about it. Oh! I've got a heap o' ways for gettin' the +ready cash to keep up my share o' the expenses o' the farm here. I've +found two bee trees, and sent the honey to market too. Got nigh twenty +dollars for the honey. Then I dig ginseng roots times when there's +nothing else to do. Come over with me and see my frog pond. Last +shipment o' big fat saddles brought me a neat little wad o' money, and +they don't cost me a cent, if yuh want to know it." + +The four boys looked at each other in increased wonderment. What manner +of chap was this same Obed, to be able to wrest a living from a +bounteous Nature in the clever way he did? Steve in particular was loud +in his praise. + +"Why, Obed, old fellow," he burst out with, "you're just the same kind +of an enterprising chap Max here has always been. Why, it was his grand +idea about there being mussels aplenty in the Big Sunflower down our way +that started us into making a try for fresh-water pearls in the river. +We found 'em, too, some thousands of dollars' worth, of them; and when +the news leaked out, whee! the farmers, all around, had a tough time +getting their harvests home, because every hand was treading for mussels +in the creeks and small rivers for thirty miles around Carson. Why, I +bet you it'd be as hard to find a fresh-water clam down our way now as a +needle in a haystack; they're all cleaned out. You see, Max here had +read about pearls being found out in Indiana and other places, and that +gave him the big idea; just like you got set on the fur farm business by +reading about it." + +They duly inspected the marsh where Obed hunted his big greenback frogs +when he thought the crop warranted a thinning out. + +"They're always in demand down New York ways, whar they fetch a dollar a +pound for the saddles," he explained; "and let me tell yuh it doesn't +take a great many o' them to weigh that much. I've got some granddaddy +bouncers here that'd make you stare to see 'em; but they don't show up +much at this time o' day." + +"And how do you get them by the wholesale when you want to market any?" +asked Steve. "I've shot many a one with a small Flobert rifle; or else +caught them with a piece of red flannel fixed on a small hook, attached +by a short cord to a stout pole." + +"Well, men in the regular frog-raising business couldn't go about it as +slow as that," said the other, "though I have shot a few o' the big uns +that way, 'cause they was too tricky to be grabbed with my hand net. If +you stay with me a spell we'll get more'n one mess o' frog legs, if yuh +likes them." + +Bandy-legs was seen to work his lips as though his month fairly watered +at the pleasing prospect; for those who are fond of the dish say that +frogs' legs are more delicate than the best spring chicken, with just a +little taste of fish about them that rather adds to the piquancy. + +Having by this time exhausted about all the sights of the wonderful farm +the boys headed back again toward the cabin. Max could not but notice +that Obed showed signs of uneasiness while away, and cast frequent +glances in the direction where under those whispering pines and the dark +green hemlocks his lone lodge stood. + +Therefore Max was not very much surprised when, as he and Obed strolled +along in the rear of the other three, who were chatting, and arguing +about certain matters, the young fur farmer pressed his arm +confidentially, and went on to say: + +"I'd like to tell yuh something, Max, 'cause I own up it's gettin' on my +nerves. I thought nothin' could bother me any, but now that the time is +so close at hand when I mean tuh sell that pair o' grown pups, and get +the money I need so bad, why, things look kinder different. Fact is, +Max," he went on, allowing his voice to sink into a mysterious stage +whisper, "somebody was lookin' around in my cabin while I was down at +your camp last evenin'. I know this because things was more or less +upset; and I reckon my comin' back scared the man away, whoever he may +have been!" + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +PRODUCTS OF THE FUR FARM + +"That looks bad, Obed," Max hastened to say, feeling a perceptible +thrill at the very thought of being on hand to assist this enterprising +boy defend his property, which he had made so valuable, through his own +efforts in most part. "I saw a smoke last evening, too, which must have +been made by a camp-fire. I wondered if there were deer hunters up here +so early; or if some men might be after your foxes. Of course that idea +only came to me after you had told us about your enterprise, and how +valuable the pelts were." + +"It's mighty tough," avowed Obed, between his set teeth, "to be so nigh +success, and then face failure. I've been tempted to signal for Jerry to +come over and help me stand guard a spell. Yuh see, I ought to be on my +way to town with that pair o' nearly-grown young blacks. I know whar I +c'n get more for 'em alive than for their pelts if I took the time to +cure the same, which I don't want to do. Oh! I've just _got_ to sell +'em, and that's all thar is about it. I've dreamed about the day I'd get +that check, and show--er, that lawyer managin' Mr. Coombs' estate that +all I told him was true. Once I have the proof that thar's big money in +raisin' silver blacks, he's promised to do anything in reason I ask." + +Max made up his mind on the spot. + +"Look here, Obed," was the way he talked, for Max always believed that +it was good policy to "hit the nail directly on the head;" especially +when the subject was of considerable importance, "what's to hinder you +going off with that pair of live blacks, and disposing of them, while +the four of us stay here and run your fur farm for you? It would only +take a few days, and we've got the time to spare. Of course you'd have +to trust us to the limit, to leave things in our charge; but we'd surely +be pleased to help you out. And depend on it, nobody would steal any of +the other inmates of the pens while we were on deck. We've got only one +gun along, but that is a repeating Marlin, always to be depended on to +do its work." + +The woods boy was visibly affected by hearing Max say this. He reached +for the other's hand and squeezed it almost fiercely. + +"Oh! it's kind of you to say that, Max!" he exclaimed, as though the +words sprang directly from his heart. "And d'ye know I'm tempted to take +you at your word. For I _must_ get those pups delivered as I promised. +Everything depends on that deal. The man saw them three months ago, and +we made a bargain. I was to deliver the pups to him by the time first +snow flew; and it's due any day now, you know." + +A singular thing had happened, and Max, while deeply interested in what +Obed was saying, could not help but notice that for once the woods boy +had spoken without a sign of the rude dialect which up to then had +marked his manner of speech. This further aroused the curiosity of Max, +who to himself was saying: + +"I hit the mark when I guessed Obed was smarter than he let on, and +could talk just as well as the next fellow when he chose. He's just +fallen into speaking that way through his association with these rough +people up here, his own folks likely enough. Or else he likes to pull +the wool over our eyes, just for a joke." + +Aloud Max continued to reassure the other. + +"Then consider it as good as settled, Obed," he said, "that we'll hang +around here a short while. If you think best you can get that Jerry to +come over, and keep his finger on the pulse. Perhaps it might be wise, +too, because he'd know just what to do in case there was any trouble +among the foxes left in the pens; and it is all new to us, remember." + +"Yuh've relieved my mind a heap, Max, sure yuh have," Obed told him, +again relapsing into the vernacular that is usually a part of a woods +guide's language. "And tonight I'll set the traps I've got fixed. Mebbe +if so be trespassers come a skulkin' around they might git a little +surprise. But I'll show yuh what I'm mentionin' later on. Jest now I +on'y want to tell yuh I'm mighty glad I dropped into yer camp last +evenin' 'stead o' slippin' away, like I fust thought o' doin'." + +"But you don't want me to look on this matter as a secret, do you, +Obed?" + +The other started, Max thought, and looked quickly at him. + +"Now what might yuh be meanin' by that, Max?" he presently asked, a bit +anxiously. + +"Oh! I only wanted to have your permission to tell my three chums what +you've been saying to me," explained Max. "Of course I know what their +answer will be when I put it up to them. We've really come here on what +Bandy-legs calls a wild goose hunt, for there isn't one chance in ten +that we'll ever be able to find Roland Chase; so our time is really +pretty much our own, to do with as we will. And Obed, all of us have +taken such a big interest in your enterprise up here, that we'll be only +too happy to lend you a helping hand. You are so near success now that +it'd be a shame if you fell down through no fault of your own." + +"That's what I keep tellin' myself too, Max, don't you know!" exclaimed +the now excited Obed. "I've hugged that hope close to my heart month +after month, and now when I c'n almost whiff the success I've prayed for +it'd nearly kill me to lose everything. Oh! I jest wants a couple of +weeks at the most, and then I'll show 'em, yes, I will. They all said +I'd make a dead failure out o' my fur farm; but yuh c'n see it's comin' +along right smart." + +When they reached the cabin the boys threw themselves down on the soft +yielding turf near-by to "loaf" as Bandy-legs properly expressed it; and +surely he could do this as well as any boy who ever drew breath. + +Max took occasion to tell the others what he and Obed had been talking +about. All of them were deeply interested. They looked angrily at each +other when Max explained how the woods boy had found traces of some +intruder who had actually entered his lone cabin while he, Obed, was +away in their company; also telling how the other strongly suspected +that a dastardly plot had been hatched, looking to the robbing of the +pens connected with the silver fox fur farm. + +Obed was inside doing something at the time, and so Max felt that he +could talk freely. He meant that his three chums should know everything +in the beginning, before he called on them to decide whether they would +stay over a few days, and guard the property, while Obed was marketing +his first proceeds in a distant city; for the pups were really too +valuable to be trusted to the tender mercies of an express company, Obed +thought. + +"I don't exactly understand how Obed knows that there _is_ a conspiracy +hatched up against him, to complete the ruination of his enterprise," +continued Max; "but he seems to think some party has a deep grudge +against him. It may be we'll know more about this later on; but for the +present I've promised Obed I'd put up a proposition to you." + +"Then let's hear it, Max!" exclaimed Touch-and-Go Steve, "though I +reckon we c'n all give a pretty close guess at what's coming." + +"Why, Obed wants to get away with that pair of grown pups, so he can +deliver them to the man he's bargained with; and I've proposed that we +stay here a few days, and guard his property while he's off. Is there +any objection to that plan? I told him I expected I could count on my +chums to stick by me." + +"I should say you could, Max," chuckled Bandy-legs. "Why, I'm fairly +counting on depopulating that big frog marsh while we're hanging around +this section. And say, Steve here could keep us supplied with trout +galore, if only he fished from the bank, and didn't wade in." + +Both the others were equally prompt to agree. Indeed Toby "fell all over +himself," as Steve termed it, in his eagerness to give assent; and could +only recover after coming to an abrupt halt, taking one of his customary +big breaths, and then giving a sharp whistle, after which he finished +what he was saying as nicely as anything. + +And that settled it, just as Max had been confident would be the case; +for he knew his chums too well to believe they would be willing to let +such a brave fight be lost when the goal seemed so near. Obed Grimes had +proved to be a fellow after their own hearts, and they found themselves +deeply interested in his fortunes. + +So when the woods boy came out again--Max suspected that he had +purposely withdrawn from the scene in order not to embarrass them while +making their decision--he was told how they all felt. And Obed went +around shaking hands, with the tears in his eyes. Plainly he had his +whole heart wrapped up in the successful outcome of this odd venture; +and when the clouds began to loom up overhead this proffered assistance +on the part of the four chums was gratefully received. + +"This is mighty nice o' yuh, boys," he kept telling them, as though +really at a loss for appropriate words best calculated to express the +state of his feelings; "and I ain't goin' to ever forget it, either. Now +I feel that I c'n start out right away, the day after tomorrow, and +deliver them pups to Mr. Sheckard. Say, mebbe I won't be a proud boy +when he hands me that big check, and I know that I've won out against +all odds!" + +His eyes glowed at the very thought, and Max was more than glad he and +his comrades had the chance to render so resolute a chap slight +assistance. For it would really be a pleasure for them to stay there at +that wonderful little lodge under the whispering pines, and keep house +while Obed was away. Then, too, Jerry would be on hand, ready with his +advice and knowledge, so as to do the proper thing. As to any rash +prowler stealing the valuable foxes, day or night, well, they would see +to it a constant watch was kept, and that the gun was always ready to +block any nasty little game like that. + +Later on, Max amused himself lolling in Mr. Coombs' big fireside chair, +which he had moved near one of the windows. He had run across a number +of books on a shelf, and was engaged in looking them over, though hardly +bothering to actually read. Nevertheless, he seemed to be quite curious +concerning them, and when Obed chanced to come in, Max naturally asked +concerning the volumes. + +"Oh! yuh see, some o' them belong to me," the woods boy remarked, +without hesitation, "and t'others they were left here by Mr. Coombs. He +was a great reader; and besides, he'd traveled all over the known world. +Yuh remember I said he was a sea captain, and that he made his fortune +carryin' cargoes from the Far East to England and America. Sometime I'll +tell yuh a few of the queer adventures he had in foreign countries. +They've got lots o' thrills about 'em, too." + +"Just so," ventured Max, casually, "and I once heard some people talking +about a Mr. Coombs who had been a great traveler. Now I wonder if it +could have been the same party. Was his first name Robert?" + +"Oh! no, _my_ Mr. Coombs' name was Jared," replied the other, promptly. + +"Then, of course, it could not have been the same," added Max, smiling +as though he had attained the object of his questioning; "but the +similarity in names, and the fact that both men had traveled +considerably, made me think it might, be so." + +He once more dipped into the book he was holding, although watching Obed +slily over the top of the volume. And when the woods boy had passed +outside again, Max Hastings might have been seen to hurriedly turn back +to the blank pages at the front of the book, scan several initials that +were plainly written there, and then nod his head mysteriously, with a +smile that gradually crept across his whole face; just as though +something pleased him, which, for the time being, he chose to keep to +himself. + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +LAYING PLANS TO HELP OBED + +It was only natural that Steve, always headstrong and impulsive, should +be eager to find out what kind of plan might be arranged looking to +keeping watch and ward over the fur farm during the nights to come. He +had been impressed with the signs of anxiety which Obed plainly +betrayed, when speaking of his belief concerning some sort of plot being +hatched up against his peace of mind, and which would bring about the +ultimate ruination of his unique and intensely interesting undertaking. + +To Steve, the idea of a miserable rascal sneaking up in the night to +destroy all that poor hardworking Obed had built up after many moons, +was simply terrible. The more he considered it the greater became his +secret anger; and of course this meant that his liking for the boy fur +farmer grew in proportion. + +During the afternoon, as the shadows began to lengthen perceptibly, +Steve found occasion to broach the subject to his three chums. Max had +come out of the cabin; evidently he had tired of looking over the books, +which might do very well to pass away a long evening, or a rainy day +when time dragged, but could not chain him down long when the sun was +shining, the breeze rustling through the many-colored leaves still on +the trees, and with all Nature beckoning. + +So Steve crooked his finger toward Bandy-legs and Toby, lounging near +by; and being in a humor themselves for any sort of thing, the pair +hastened to join him. And Max, upon being pounced upon by the balance of +the crowd, looked askance, knowing that something was in the wind. + +"Strikes me, fellows," commenced Steve, "that We ought to be figuring on +what we expect to do tonight." + +"Huh! as for me," quickly responded Bandy-legs, "I'm expecting to do my +share about slingin' together a dandy spread, with some of the fine grub +we fetched along. This mountain air is something terrible when it comes +to toning up _jaded appetites_. I feel as if I had a vacuum down about +my middle all the time. I'm beginning to be alarmed about my condition. +If it keeps on it's going to mean bankruptcy for my folks, that's all." + +"About me, now," added Toby Jucklin, briskly, "I'm hoping to g-g-get a +b-b-bully g-g-good sleep tonight; unless Max fixes it so we have to +t-t-take t-t-turns standing sentry duty." + +Steve looked disgusted. + +"Oh! rats! I didn't mean anything like that, and you both know it," he +told the two grinning chums. "What I was referring to was on the point +of duty. We've agreed to stand back of our new friend, Obed, and see to +it that he isn't robbed of the proceeds of his industry by unscrupulous +scoundrels; and we've got to make good!" + +"Hear! hear!" ejaculated Toby, pretending to clap his hands in applause. + +"Steve, you're exhausting all the big words in the dictionary, with your +high-flown language," warned Bandy-legs in mock severity. "But I get +your meaning, all the same, and I also agree with your noble sentiments. +Sure we're expecting to stand up for Obed and his pets; and we're +likewise intending to make it hot for any old terrapin who comes +creeping around here with the idea of making way with the wearers of +that expensive fur. How about it, Max?" + +"That's a settled thing," readily replied the one appealed to, and whose +opinion, it was plain to be seen, would swing things one way or another, +since the other fellows were in the habit of looking up to Max as their +leader. "We can fix it up in regular orthodox style, each fellow having +two hours on duty, and the rest of the night for sleep. Does that strike +you as about right?" + +"Well," remarked Steve, proudly, "it won't be the first occasion when +this bunch has had to stand guard, not by a long sight. I can look back +and see many a night when we had to keep an anchor to windward, or else +lose something we prized a heap. Ever since we dug up all those mussels +in the Big Sunflower, and found dandy pearls inside some of them, it +seems to me we've had occasion from time to time to be envied by other +people, and had to keep watch so we wouldn't be robbed. Oh! standing +sentry is an old trick with us!" + +"For my p-p-part," remarked Toby, yawning as he spoke, "I'd much rather +think up some g-g-good s-s-scheme that would ease the s-s-strain, and +allow us to s-s-sleep through the entire night." + +"Please explain what you mean by saying that, Toby," demanded Steve; +"you do get off the most mysterious communications sometimes, and muddle +us all up." + +"But there isn't anything q-q-queer about this, Steve," protested Toby. +"All of you know I've been a g-g-great h-h-hand to make m-m-machinery +take the place of h-h-hand power. What's the need of our s-s-staying +awake p-p-part of the night, even, if by cudgeling our brains we +c-c-could think up some g-g-good s-s-scheme that would answer the same +purpose?" + +"I can see _you_ cudgeling your poor brains, all right, Toby," sneered +Steve, who apparently did not take a great deal of stock in the other's +ability for conceiving clever ideas: "and a pretty mess you'd make of +it, in the bargain. Take it from me, they're cudgeled enough as it is." + +"That will do for you, Steve," said Max. "I understand just what Toby +means, and it's along the right line too. This is the age of progress, +and up-to-date people don't want to depend on the old-time methods that +were good enough for their grandfathers. Toby thinks one of us might +suggest a scheme whereby we could guard the fox farm, and at the same +time obtain our full quota of sleep. In other words, rig up a dummy to +stand our trick as sentry. Isn't that it, Toby?" + +"J-j-just what I had in my mind, Max," snapped Toby; "and any silly +c-c-could easy see that." + +"Sure, and the wise ones had to be told," chirped Steve, jauntily. "But +never mind arguing, Toby; it's all right, and I'm only joking. I get the +idea; and now, has any one a scheme on tap that would apply to the +case?" + +Toby scratched his head as though he considered that, having been the +first to make the suggestion, it was up to him to say something, no +matter how. + +"Well, there's the spring-gun trap, you know," he remarked, without once +stuttering, which fact proved that he was deliberately taking his time +about answering. + +"What sort of arrangement do you call that, I'd like to know!" asked +Steve. + +"S-s-say, you a hunter, and never heard about the s-s-spring-gun trap?" +exclaimed Toby, scornfully. "Well, I'll try to explain, if you give me a +little t-t-time, and don't r-r-rush me too much. You see, a gun is +f-f-fastened to the ground, and aiming along a certain avenue that the +intended thief has just g-g-got to use in c-c-coming up to the b-b-bait. +Then a c-c-cord is s-s-strung so the thief p-p-presses against the +s-s-same, just like Max here fixes his c-c-camera nights, when he wants +to s-s-snap off a skunk or a 'coon by flashlight. Well, the g-g-gun goes +off, and f-f-fills Mister Thief with number twelve birdshot. When you +hear the c-c-crash, and his howls, why, you just s-s-saunter out and +f-f-fetch in the s-s-spoils. There, do you understand about the +s-s-spring-gun trap now, Steve?" + +"Oh! I knew all that before, only you mixed me up by giving it that +name," the other hastily replied. "But it strikes me that'd be a pretty +rough deal for us to play. It might answer if the thief were an animal, +but a human being is different." + +"All the same," retorted Toby, savagely, "he's a t-t-thief, and outside +the p-p-pale of the law." + +"Just so," Steve went on, and Max was surprised at his moderation, +because, as a rule, Steve had always been the most reckless one of the +crowd; "but suppose now we found that we'd done more than we calculated +on, Toby? A charge of small birdshot starts out on its errand a whole +lot like a bullet. It doesn't commence to scatter till it gets just so +far away from the muzzle of the gun; depending on the size of the bore, +and the way the barrel is choked. I've known a charge of shot to tear a +hole right through a board when fired at close range. At a distance it +would only have scattered out, and peppered the whole fence. And, Toby, +we might feel rather bad if we found we'd killed a man, even if he was a +thief!" + +Toby did not answer to that fling. The truth of the matter was he +shivered at the gruesome picture Steve's words drew before his mental +vision; for Toby was not at all bloodthirsty. + +Max now took a hand in the conversation. + +"Listen, fellows," he went on to say, "it strikes me that when we set +about discussing this matter, we ought to remember that there's one chap +who's considerably more interested in the outcome than any of us can +ever be." + +"'Course you mean Obed when you say that, Max?" ventured Bandy-legs. + +"He's the one," the other admitted. "And we ought to invite him to join +us in figuring out our plans. Now, it may be Obed will have a scheme of +his own that'd knock any we might think up all silly. I'll call him +over, and tell him what we're trying to arrange." + +It happened that just then Obed was passing on his way to the cabin. He +had been working somewhere amidst his enclosures, perhaps making certain +preparations for insuring the safety of his valuable furry pets, should +a descent on the farm come about during the hours of darkness. + +Obed hastened to join them. His questioning look influenced Max to +explain without hesitation; and the woods boy smiled broadly when he +heard how his new-found friends were already taking so decided an +interest in his fortunes. + +"Now, it might be," he started to say, again looking serious, "that all +this fuss ain't worth the candle, and that nothin' 's going to happen; +but I believe in shuttin' the door _before_ the hoss is stolen; it's too +late afterwards. I haven't got the time right now to tell yuh jest how I +learned that my foxes was agoin' tuh be in danger; somebody I knew wrote +me a letter, and warned me, which'll have tuh be enuff jest now tuh +explain. Since I got that same, three days back, I've been figgerin' on +how I could fix up a trap tuh ketch any two-legged varmint that chanced +tuh come sneakin' around here of a night. Well, I got one er two tricks +rigged up that might fill the bill." + +"Of course you mean to show them to us, Obed?" Steve burst out with; +"for if you didn't, and we were left in charge here, one of us might +fall into the pit, and get knocked out, which would be tough luck, I'm +thinking." + +"Oh! I meant to show you, Steve," asserted the fur farmer, quickly. "And +if so be yuh'll come along with me right now, we'll take a look at the +contraptions, which, of course, yuh understand, are only meant for +night-times, and tuh help out when Jerry wouldn't be around for me to +sorter lean on." + +Being boys who did things themselves, it was only natural that the four +chums should feel a decided interest in what Obed had just said. Even +Max showed an eagerness to go forth and examine the said traps. He could +speculate as to what their character might turn out to be, but this +only added a little more spice to the occasion. + +So when Obed turned and started off, with a beckoning finger that +enticed them to follow his lead, none of the quartette held back. + + + +CHAPTER X + + +TRAPS FOB NIGHT PROWLERS + +"Yuh see," remarked Obed, turning around as they drew near the first +enclosure, where the parent foxes were confined behind the wire fencing, +"I've just been adding a few finishing touches tuh this here trap +scheme. I got a little idea while I was alookin' the ground over, and +reckoned I could fix it up so there'd be a heap right good chance that a +feller creeping around here o' a night would step into the contraption. +I'll show yuh how I 'ranged it." + +With that he led the way along a plain trail that seemed to be the +easiest route up to the enclosure. Three times out of four a stranger, +prowling around with meagre light to guide him, would be apt to follow +that beaten track; and this was evidently what the shrewd Obed was +counting on. + +"Well, it's this way my little scheme is agoin' to work," he explained, +after reaching a certain point. "See this rope--I throw it across a limb +o' this tree. Yuh notice that it's got an easy runnin' slip-noose at the +end, don't yuh? That I'm fixing right here, where there's a good chance +the thief will put his foot in it as he takes this step I'm showing +you." + +He proved that he was right, and indeed it was really a difficult +thing, after Obed had placed the noose just as he wanted it, close to +the ground, and on little wooden crotches he had arranged there for the +purpose, for any one to step across without getting his foot entangled +in the rope. + +"Well, let's reckon, then, he does get caught in the noose, and jerks it +tight around his ankle," continued Obed, very much interested himself in +what he was saying, and as Max quickly noticed, even neglecting to speak +as he usually did, although he had shown this odd trait before. "What +happens? I'll show you how it's going to work out, if everything runs as +I've planned." + +Accordingly, he picked up a heavy piece of wood that chanced to be lying +close by, and which doubtless Obed had used before in order to test the +accuracy of his figuring. This he inserted in the noose, and then gave +it a hunch that not only tightened the rope but carried out the further +purpose of the inventor. + +Instantly things began to happen. The boys heard a queer rattling sound +near by, and immediately the wooden "dummy" was jerked out of Obed's +hands, to be drawn up until it struck against the limb of the tree fully +ten feet above. Steve gave a whoop. + +"My stars! but that worked like a charm, Obed, let me tell you. Greased +lightning could hardly be quicker than the way you've arranged your +trap. And what was all that rattling sound about? What's holding on to +the other end of the rope, which pulled the log up on the run? I want to +know, even if I ain't from Missouri." + +The woods boy laughed as though quite pleased because his trap had +worked well enough to call forth such words of praise from these new +friends. + +"Come over and see," he simply said. + +They followed the line of rope, now taut, and resembling a huge "fiddle +string," as Bandy-legs remarked, testing it as he passed along. It led +them to the brow of an abrupt little descent, a sheer drop of perhaps +twenty feet. Down this slope they followed the rope with their eyes and +then discovered it was attached to a large and heavy barrel that could +almost be called a hogshead, evidently something which had been used as +a crate to convey a portion of the previous owner of the cabin's +crockery ware thither when he moved up from town. + +As the boys were no simpletons, they readily grasped the essential +qualities of Obed's little scheme. It may have been original with him; +and then again possibly he had borrowed the same from some book he had +read; but, nevertheless, it struck them as pretty clever. + +Not content with the heaviness of the big barrel, he had placed a number +of stones inside so as to add to the swiftness of its flight down that +declivity, once it was released. The rope acted as "starter," and upon +being jerked, as must be the case, should any one get a foot caught in +the noose, it released a stake that kept the heavy barrel poised there +at the top of the descent. The consequence was that it would plunge +downward almost as though making a sheer drop; the noose tightening +about the leg or legs of the unhappy wight who had sprung the trap, he +would be jerked off his feet and hauled up, head downward, to dangle +there in midair, as helpless as a babe. + +"Set it again, and let me try the trick, please, Obed," pleaded Steve, +who seemed to be particularly charmed with the arrangement. + +"I will if yuh help me git the barrel back up the hill again," replied +the other. "Workin' all by myself I've had tuh take the rocks out each +time before I could push the old thing back again tuh the top, 'cause +she's some heavy, believe me." + +Steve, yes, and both Bandy-legs and Toby also, hastened to comply with +this reasonable request; and between them all the heavy barrel was +slowly pushed up again until the stake held it poised there on the top +of the sharp declivity. + +Max stood and watched operations, not that he was unwilling to lend a +hand also if necessary; but just then he wanted to observe Obed, and +draw certain conclusions in which he, Max, seemed to take considerable +interest. + +Then Steve was given the wooden "dummy" which had worked so like a +charm, and instructed how to manage it, so that it would take the place +of a man's lower extremities. Steve did so well that he, too, by a +little jerk displaced the delicately arranged "trigger" as Obed called +the stake, and caused the barrel to pitch furiously down the steep +slope. + +Steve had not been quite quick enough to snatch his hands away, after +working the trick. The consequence was that when the billet of wood was +plucked from his grasp with such swiftness, and drawn instantly aloft, +Steve staggered, and might have fallen only that Obed clutched hold of +him. + +"Wow! did you see that?" gasped Steve, staring upwards at the dangling +"dummy" as though he could easily imagine it a kicking, squirming human +figure. "And say, it worked as fine as silk, didn't it? Obed, you've +done yourself proud with this little game. If that thief ever gets a +foot in your slip-noose his goose will be cooked, that's as plain as +dirt." + +He actually seemed to be very proud of the fact that he had acted as +master of ceremonies, and set the trap off so successfully. Nothing +would do but that Bandy-legs and Toby Jucklin in addition should be +given the same distinction; so twice more was the barrel rolled up the +slope, and on both occasions it worked to a charm. + +"It seems to be next door to perfect, for a fact," asserted Max, upon +being appealed to for his opinion; but he did not seem to "hanker" after +trying it out on his own account. + +Finally the weighted barrel was again pushed up to its appointed +position and held there with the stake. When the proper time came, it +would be easy for the inventor to arrange the slip-noose, and set the +trap. + +"What, is there anything more to be shown?" asked Steve, when Obed asked +them to follow him a little further. + +A few minutes later and they were gravely examining an odd arrangement +which consisted for the most part of a very heavy log. Steve looked it +over critically, and then ventured to give his opinion: + +"Looks a whole lot like a deadfall trap, such as they use in most places +to get bears in," he went on to say. + +Obed chuckled as though pleased at the answer to his look of inquiry. + +"Just what it is built on the pattern of, Steve, if yuh want to know +it," he admitted. "The only difference is that in the regular deadfall +the log comes down and smashes the poor bear by its sheer weight. Now, +I've tried to rig _my_ trap up so it'll simply make a prisoner o' the +creeper. I'll show yuh just how it works. I've got a dummy here, too, +that I use to test things. Yuh see there's always just a little chance +it might go wrong; and I don't want to get caught, and made a prisoner, +with nobody around to let me loose." + +With that he demonstrated his idea. The trap was sprung just as he meant +it should be, and if the dummy had really been a man, he would have +found himself caught tightly in the log trap, with but a poor chance of +ever getting out again, unless external assistance came along. + +"Any more tricks like these two up your sleeve, Obed?" asked Steve, +after they had further examined the deadfall, and Max had pronounced it +skillfully constructed. + +"Well, I'm afraid I reached the end o' my rope when I hatched up this +second idea, Steve," the other remarked, in a sort of apologetic tone. +"Of course I might think up a few more if I reckoned it'd be necessary. +But I've got a hunch that one o' the lot is agoin' tuh grab that thief, +providin' he does come around here. Besides, when yuh git right down to +brass tacks, thar isn't as much danger o' my bein' robbed in the +night-time, as in the day." + +"And why not, Obed?" further asked Steve; "I'd think that was the very +time you'd feel scariest, when it was dark, and you couldn't see if +anybody was prowling around the farm." + +"Stop an' think how foxes have holes in the ground, into which they c'n +burrow when scared the least mite," explained Obed, readily, "and yuh'll +see how hard it'd be for a stranger to lay hands on them. Now, in the +daytime, if they came along, with me away from the place, a man with a +rifle could knock over my pets as easy as turnin' his hand. But, all the +same, I've fixed my traps. For one thing I'd like to find out jest who +the thief is." + +Max noticed what emphasis he put on that last remark. He could see the +customary twinkle in Obed's eyes give way to a sterner look; as though +he had brooded more or less over this same subject. And Max himself +nodded his head as though he might in a measure understand just how Obed +felt. + +So they returned to the house. Bandy-legs at least rejoiced because with +all those clever contraptions set, and waiting to give the intended +thief a warm reception, it did seem as though there would be hardly any +necessity for them to waste their precious time in sitting up and +keeping watch, when they would be so much better off enjoying "balmy +sleep," as he called it; and all sleep was along that order, according +to the mind of Bandy-legs. + +Max and Steve trailed along well in the rear. This may have simply +happened, but Steve twice stopped the other, and pointed out something +he wished Max to see; so possibly the delay was intentional on his part. +At least, he presently made a remark that would make it seem so. + +"It certainly looks as if Obed was a pretty ingenious maker of snares, +that's sure, Max?" Steve was saying, significantly. + +"That's right, he is, Steve, and we must give him great credit for it, +even if his traps fail to catch a thief in the act." + +"I was just thinking, Max," pursued the other, meditatively, "that it's +evident this same Obed must have inherited that strain from a long line +of trapper ancestors or progenitors; wouldn't you think so, too?" + +Max looked at his companion queerly, and smiled as he made reply. + +"You may be right, Steve, of course, but it strikes me Obed has an +original streak of genius all his own, which doesn't have to depend on +any inherited trait. Things are not _always_ what they seem in this +world, you know." + +"Lookey here, Max, you've struck a scent which you don't think best to +share with your boon companions, that's as plain to me as two and two +make four. You've come to think a little the same way as Bandy-legs, +perhaps, and suspect Obed of being more than he lets on? Is that it, +Max? Do you really believe he's playing some sly trick on us? Is that +yarn about Mr. Coombs all moonshine? Does this fur farm belong to some +company, that Obed is working for? I wish you'd tell me what you've got +in your mind, Max." + +"I expect to a little later on, Steve, never fear," he was assured. "I'm +not more than half certain even now that it can be so, and I never like +to make a mess of things. Besides, you know, it wouldn't be just fair to +Obed to have us all suspecting him of playing tricks. Just go on as +you've been doing. Take my word for it, this new friend we've made is +all to the good, and will never turn out to be the wrong sort of +fellow." + +He started on after saying this, and Steve followed, looking very much +puzzled, and shaking his head as though he could not catch the right +idea. Shortly afterwards, however, Steve had apparently forgotten his +newly awakened suspicions, for he was entering into the general +conversation as heartily as ever. Still, Max noticed, with amusement, +that from time to time Steve would follow Obed hungrily with his eyes, +and on such occasions that double line of wrinkles, expressive of +bewilderment, might again be seen upon the boy's forehead. + +Toby and Bandy-legs were only too glad to take the preparation of supper +into their hands completely. They felt a certain amount of pride in +their culinary skill, and wished to show their host the full list of +their accomplishments as camp cooks. Besides, they believed that among +their abundant stores they carried a number of things which Obed failed +to possess; and of course a new dish was apt to be a pleasant surprise +to the woods boy. + +The supper thus concocted and carried out was certainly a genuine +triumph. Steve openly congratulated the two efficient cooks on their +"masterly skill"; though Max laughingly warned the others to "beware of +the Greeks bearing gifts," for there might be a base motive hiding +behind all that glib praise. Steve protested that he meant every word of +it; but then it was well known that Steve hated to do any cooking +himself, and hence was fain to laud the efforts of others in that line, +doubtless in the hope of encouraging them to "keep right on doing it." + +After the bountiful meal had been enjoyed, and every one declared that +it would be utterly impossible to eat another single bite, for fear of +the consequences, they spent a very enjoyable evening alongside the fire +that burned on the hearth, at one end of the cabin. + +Obed, as he had promised, told them some of the strange things he had +heard from the old sea captain, who, during his life on the Seven Seas, +had met with many most remarkable adventures well worth repeating. + +Obed addressed them in his own language, and Max often smiled as though +some of the quaint expressions used by the young narrator amused him; +though perhaps there may have been still another reason for his quiet +chuckling. Steve caught him at it several times, and eyed the other in +perplexity, as though he suspected Max of adding secretly to his fund of +knowledge, which thus far he obstinately declined to share with his +mates. + +Later on, when they began to feel sleepy, Obed said he would go out and +make sure his traps were set right. Max offered to keep him company, and +together they sauntered forth, to be followed with a wistful look from +the envious Steve, who was muttering to himself: + +"I wish I knew what Max has got in that mind of his right now. I'm dead +certain he's figuring out some sort of thing that's going to give the +rest of us a big surprise, when he sees fit to spring it on us; but for +the life of me I can't guess what it can be. Oh! shucks! what's the use +of bothering any more about it? If it turns out worth while, Max will +tell us in good time; and if he's on the wrong scent, why, he'll just +drop the game, and no harm done." + +After a while the others came in again, saying both traps were set, and +there did not seem to be any need of their losing sleep on account of +possible unwelcome visitors. Obed showed how the concealed bunks could +be made ready, and, all of them were loud in their expressions of +satisfaction over having such comfortable lodgings for the night. They +mentally blessed the memory of the said Mr. Coombs, whose forethought +and inventive ingenuity had planned all these wonderful adjuncts of the +little forest lodge. + +In due time they crept into their several berths just as if aboard ship; +and after that several of the fellows did not know a single thing until +they were rudely aroused, perhaps some hours later on. The last thing +Steve remembered hearing as he rolled himself up in his blanket was the +crackle of the fire, the mournful sighing of the wind through the tops +of the whispering pines, and then the distant call of an owl to its +mate. + +He awoke with a suddenness that caused him to sit up, and consequently +crack his head against the boards above his bunk. The blow almost +knocked Steve back again as he had been before, and must have hurt +considerably; but he ignored this fact just then, because from without +there were coming loud yells of fright in a man's voice. + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +A TREE THAT BORE STRANGE FRUIT + +"Max--Obed, we've got something!" almost shrieked Steve, as he now +tumbled out of his odd bunk very much after the fashion of a dislodged +log, landing with a bump on the floor. + +And Steve was not alone in his circus stunt, for several other fellows +were making a hasty and undignified exit at the same time, Bandy-legs +and Toby Jucklin, for instance. Max somehow managed to get on his feet +without so much scrambling; and as for Obed, as he had been sleeping on +the cot closer to the fire, they could already see him hastily pulling +on some clothes. + +"Get dressed, and in a hurry!" cried Max, suiting his actions to the +words. + +"Oh! listen to him whoop it up, will you?" exclaimed Bandy-legs, as +those loud calls still smote the night air, and in a way that covered +the whole gamut of human utterance. + +Toby wanted to say something, too, but though his jaws worked, no +audible sound came forth to explain the agitated state of his mind. They +had luckily prepared for such a sudden call, and had their outer clothes +handy, so that in an incredibly brief space of time all of the boys +managed to get something on. + +Then Steve snatched up his Marlin gun. Obed had already done the same +with his rifle, so that when the latter flung wide the door and they +trooped forth, they were in a condition to do battle if necessary, and +at least strike terror into the heart of any skulking marauder. + +Max, wise general that he was, had thought of something very essential +to their success. This was nothing more or less than a lantern. They had +been thoughtful enough to fetch one along, a clever little contraption +that took only a small amount of room, and yet afforded considerable +light. Besides, Obed possessed a lantern of the ordinary type, together +with a plentiful supply of oil, looking to the long winter evenings when +he might want to read in order to pass away some of the spare time, that +promised to drag heavily on his hands. + +So they poured forth. The cries still continued, and as vociferous as +ever. Indeed, if anything, there was a wilder strain to them now, as +though the fellow who gave utterance to the shouts might be getting +sorely alarmed at his strange condition, and feared the worst. + +There was no trouble about deciding which way to go. Even if they did +not have Obed to serve as guide, and pilot the expedition, they could +easily have followed the loud notes of alarm. + +Everybody was more or less excited, from Obed down to Max himself, and +small wonder when the fact of their being aroused in the dead of the +night by this fierce racket is taken into consideration. + +Hastening in this manner toward the spot where the first trap had been +set, they speedily discovered that the overhanging tree bore strange +fruit. Something grotesque was swinging violently back and forth. It was +a human figure, but hardly recognizable as such, on account of the fact +that it now hung head downward, with one leg firmly gripped by the +tenacious slip-noose, and the other, together with a pair of wildly +flung arms, cutting all sorts of eccentric circles through the air. + +Never in all their varied experiences had Max and his three comrades +looked on a more remarkable spectacle than the one by which they were +now greeted. The man's face could not be plainly seen on account of his +coat sagging down partly over his head, so they could not immediately +tell what he looked like; but he certainly possessed a bull-like voice +that, properly trained for opera use might have won him a fair amount of +fame and money, for it was more than usually lusty. + +He seemed to divine the fact that those in the cabin must have rushed +out in answer to his shouts. Perhaps he detected the light they carried +with them; or it might be Steve's loud cries caught his strained hearing +at such times as his own breath temporarily failed him. + +"Help me, somebody, why don't yuh? I'm strangling to death, I tell yuh. +All the blood's running to my head! I'm seeing a million stars already, +and I'll _die_ if yuh don't cut me down. Hurry! hurry, please do, +somebody!" + +Obed looked to Max to say what ought to be done, for already he seemed +to have come under the magical sway of the other's leadership. + +"Take hold of him, and tie his hands behind his back before you think to +let him down!" was the sensible advice given by Max. + +Thereupon Obed instantly produced some heavy cord and started +operations. While the boy deftly worked, the man continued to plead, +trying to claw at him also; but Obed managed to get his job completed +notwithstanding the interruptions. He was at the same time telling the +unfortunate man to keep quiet, and he would be let down presently. + +Steve stood by, gun in hand. He was casting uneasy looks around as +though suspecting that if the fellow had companions near by, as seemed +likely, and they should, recovering from, their alarm attempt his +rescue, it might be his duty to stand them off one and collectively. + +Bandy-legs and Toby sprang to where the man dangled. Max was already at +the side of Obed. + +"All ready, Obed?" he was heard to say. + +"I've spliced his hands up in good style, Max," came the reply. + +"Good enough. Now, Toby and Bandy-legs, take hold of him, and lift when +I give you the word. I'll slip the rope off his ankle, and you turn him +right side up. Now, go to it, both of you--yo-heave-o!" + +It was quickly done, and the man, upon finding himself placed once more +on his feet, staggered; indeed, he was so "groggy" after his recent +strange experience at swimming in thin air, that only for the supporting +arm of Max he would have fallen flat. + +The latter allowed him to stagger backward until he leaned against the +body of the tree under which the novel man-trap had been arranged. He +was breathing hard, but seemed to be recovering from his panic; at least +his cries had utterly ceased, which was one good thing. + +So Max flashed the light into his face, while Obed leaned forward and +eagerly stared hard at him. They saw rough lineaments, seamed and +hardened by exposure to the elements; but of course the face was that of +an utter stranger to Max. As for Obed, he was heard to give a _sigh_ of +disappointment, as though he too had failed to recognize any one whom he +had reason to know. + +The man by now seemed to have recovered in part. He was looking at the +boys in a peculiar way; Max could not decide on the spur of the moment +whether it was wonder or shrewdness that he saw there as the predominant +trait of the man's features. But at any rate, since he had recovered his +breath to some extent, he should be capable of speaking, and explaining +how it came about he found himself in such a predicament. + +"Well, who are you, anyway?" demanded Max, throwing as much sternness +into his voice as he could. "Give an account of yourself, and tell us +why you were creeping about here like a thief in the night?" + +"What! me a thief?" shrilled the man, as though, again excited by the +very idea of such a base accusation; "I never had that name, young +feller. Them that knows Jake Storms say he's an honest man, if ever +there was one. I'm only a guide, and a trapper, but nobody ever yet +caught me thievin' or poachin', I'd have yuh know." + +"Where's your home, Jake Storms?" continued Max. + +"If yuh mean whar do I hang out, it's this way," explained the other. +"Last summer I was up at Paul Smith's place, workin' for the hotel. I +heard some tall stories about the country around old Mount Tom, how full +of fur animals it was, and so I made up my mind to spend the winter +hereabouts. I built me a cabin away up on the other side of the +mountain, and was agoin' to start settin' my traps when I got word that +a gentleman wanted me to come down to Lathrop and git him. Yuh see, his +doctor advised that he spend the winter in the mountains, and he thought +of me, beca'se we'd been in the woods a heap of times in past years. So +I was headin' for Lathrop by a trail I'd run across that took around the +mountain, and meanin' to keep on as long as I could durin' the night, +when all at once something flew up and hit me ker-slap! Say, I thought +it was an earthquake, sure I did. And then I found myself hangin' upside +down, with all the blood runnin' into my head. What's it mean, young +fellers; I give yuh my word I don't get the hang o' it at all." + +Max was not surprised to hear the man speak in this fashion. He had +already made up his mind, after that one good look at the other's face, +the prisoner of the barrel trap was a pretty "slick article," as Steve +would have expressed it. And caught in the act, as he had been, it was +to be expected that the fellow would have some kind of reasonable story +to spin, in order to explain his presence there. + +All the same, Max did not give the yarn the least credence. Something +told him the other was deliberately lying, and the fluency with which he +delivered that remarkable story announced the self-named Jake Storms an +accomplished fakir, if ever there was one. + +So Max, while not wishing to deliberately tell the man to his face that +he was a prevaricator, set about catching him in a little trap. The +others had also heard the explanation given, and were listening, with +puzzled looks on their faces; at least Bandy-legs and Steve and Toby +were, but Obed was shaking his head energetically, as though he put no +faith in fairy tales; especially when coming from such unworthy lips. + +"You said you were all alone, didn't you?" demanded Max. + +"Why, yes, 'course I was," spluttered the other, uneasily eying the +speaker, who was holding his light so that it shone directly on Jake's +still flushed face. + +"Then what did you shout so loud for, if you didn't expect any one to +come to your assistance?" continued Max. + +"Oh! say, yuh see, 'course I knowed thar was _somebody_ around. I'd just +discovered signs of a camp, and sniffed smoke. But before I had half a +chance to make out what it meant, why something grabbed me by the leg, +and threw me up like I was agoin' over the treetops. Who wouldn't a +yelled, tell me? I own up I was rattled like everything. Anybody would +be, wouldn't they? I couldn't understand it all; and right now I'm still +agropin' in the dark. What struck me, and why does ye set such traps in +the trail over on this side o' Mount Tom? Ain't the woods free for +anybody to walk in? What have I ever done to any o' yuh to be treated +like this, and have my head nigh jerked from my body. Tell me that, +sonny?" + +Max did not answer his question. While the explanation might seem to be +fairly plausible, he felt positive the man was telling a downright lie; +and Max believed he knew an easy way to prove it. + +"Watch him, Obed, Steve!" he said to those who were alongside. + +"Never fear about that, Max," snapped out Steve; "I've got him covered +with my gun, and if he tries any slick game his name will be Dennis, +and not Jake. Hear that, Mr. Fur Thief, do you? Well, mind how you +tempt me to let fly with a charge of birdshot. I've got a quick temper, +and a quicker finger in the bargain; so settle back where you are." + +The man muttered between his set teeth. He was evidently feeling far +from comfortable, because something told him these wideawake lads would +not be so easily hoodwinked as he had fancied. + +He was watching the movements of Max Hastings, who had dropped to his +hands and knees, and seemed to be holding his little lantern so that the +light would show him the nature of the ground. Truth to tell, Max and +Obed, when last at the trap, had taken the pains to smooth the ground +over, thus obliterating all previous footprints. This was done from a +double object; it would conceal the fact that work had been carried on +in that particular spot, in case sharp eyes were on the alert; and also +gave a clear field for observation, as was happening just then. + +Max quickly found what he was looking for. + +"Come here, Obed," he remarked, quietly, and as the other eagerly bent +over, Max went on to say: "You can see that here's another footprint, +and quite different from the one made by his heavier boots. So he _did_ +have at least one companion along, perhaps two, for all we know. And +that stamps his story a yarn made out of whole cloth. He came here, just +as you expected, to rob you of your foxes. Killing them wouldn't have +filled the bill so well, unless they made off with the pelts in the +bargain. How about it, Obed?" + +"Every word you say is true, Max," breathed the other, indignantly. + +"Then we'll certainly not let him go free, that's a dead sure +proposition," ventured Max, decidedly, and in a voice that he meant +should reach the prisoner. + +"Glad to hear you settle it that way, boys," remarked Steve, who had +kept one eye on the prisoner and the other in the direction of his +mates. "Shall I march him over to the cabin right away?" + +Max gave a look around. He wondered where that other man could be just +then, and whether he was watching them from some neighboring covert, +having by degrees recovered from the near panic into which he had been +thrown at the time his companion was snatched away from his side so +mysteriously, amidst a tremendous din, caused by the shouts of the +seized man, and the rattling of the stones inside the rolling barrel. + +But he could see nothing. The little lantern only covered a certain +amount of space with its meagre illumination, and much that was evil +might lurk beyond the radius of its lighted circle. + +"Yes, we'll change our base, and go back to the cabin," Max said aloud; +"keep the guns ready for business, and if an attack is made shoot +straight!" + +Of course this admonition was delivered in a loud tone, mostly to warn +the unseen party, who might be hovering near; but both gun-bearers gave +evidence of meaning to profit by the advice. + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +THE TAPS ON THE CABIN WALL + +Once more they were inside the cabin. Obed was looking at the man again +as though he believed the other was possessed of certain information +which he hoped to obtain in turn. Max, too, was observing all these +things with considerable interest, if the smile that appeared on his +face from time to time signified anything. But he was studying Obed even +more than he seemed to pay attention to the man they had found turned +upside down in the tree. + +"Well, one of your clever traps worked like a charm, Obed," Steve was +saying, and doubtless meaning to compliment the fur farmer. "But now +that they know we're on to their being around, it's hardly likely we'll +catch another victim tonight. All the same something ought to be done to +protect the fox pack." + +"That's easily arranged," remarked Max, "we'll follow out the plan we +talked over. Two had better stand guard at a time, and for several +hours. They can be relieved by another couple, and in this way the +balance of the night will be passed over. Those on duty are to carry the +guns; and with orders to challenge any moving thing that comes along." + +The man had made no resistance when ordered to fall in line and +accompany his captors to the cabin under the pines. Once inside, he had +glanced casually around, but Max noticed that he did not seem greatly +interested. From this he guessed that perhaps the other may have seen +the interior of the lodge before; Max remembered Obed telling them that +some one had certainly been prowling about in his cabin at the time he +was away, though evidently frightened off by his return before having a +chance to do any damage. + +"He isn't looking at these things, so strange to an ordinary cabin in +the woods, for the first time," was what Max was telling himself; and +consequently his heart hardened toward the fellow. + +Having previously arranged all about signals that could be given in case +of necessity, there was now little more to be said. Of course Steve had +to be counted on as one of the pair to be first placed on duty; he would +have been mortally offended had Max failed to honor him with this +exhibition of trust. Then Bandy-legs offered to share his vigil, and +Steve eagerly accepted the proposal. + +"Take Obed's gun, Bandy-legs," said Max; "and remember what I told you +about using it. Shoot low, so as to fill their legs full of lead, if you +have to fire at all. And listen to our shouts as we join you, for we +don't want a warm reception from our friends. Get that, both of you?" + +Steve and his fellow sentry admitted that they understood what their +directions were to be. Then they went out. The man had been intently +watching all these things as though deeply interested. Since Max had +found the second series of footprints, and thus proved the falsity of +his claim of being alone, Jake Storms, so-called woods guide and trapper +of fur-bearing animals, had relapsed into a sullen silence. + +Of course he knew that the game for him was up, so far as attempting to +deceive these wide-awake boys was concerned. Max wondered what thoughts +were teeming through the brain of the man, as he sat there on the bench +before the fire and listened to what passed between his captors. As for +Obed, he cast many eager looks in the direction of the big fellow, and +from the expression on his face Max believed he must be slowly making up +his mind toward some move. + +Therefore he was not much surprised to finally see the woods boy sit +down alongside the man, who turned an inquiring face toward him. There +was also a tightening of the muscles around his mouth, just as though he +suspected he was about to be put to a severe test, and would have to +gather his wits in order not to make a false move. + +"Look here, Jake Storms, as you say your name is," commenced Obed, once +more either forgetting to speak in his usual woods dialect, or not +thinking it worth while to bother with it any longer, "I want to make +you a proposition. Do you understand what a nice pickle you've got +yourself into by prowling around my fur farm, and evidently trying to +steal my silver black foxes? If we take you down to the nearest +Adirondack town it means you'll likely enough, be sent up as a thief. +How would you like that, tell me?" + +"Huh! guess Jake Storms' got a reputation that'd kerry him through, all +right, sonny," muttered the big man, but Max could see that he squirmed +uneasily; likewise Obed must have guessed the truth also, as his next +remarks proved. + +"A reputation may be one way or the other, Jake Storms, if that is +really your name, which I doubt very much. Perhaps some people might be +glad to see you again. For one I don't believe for a single minute that +you're a trapper, or that you ever worked for Paul Smith, who knows the +kind of men he has around his hotel too well to hire a thief. I'm as +sure as I draw breath that you came here to steal my blacks. Yes, and +that you were _hired_ to do this by another party. What was the sum of +money he promised you, Jake, if you were successful; and is he around +here with you?" + +The man made no reply, though various expressive changes took place in +the looks on his face. So Obed, after waiting several minutes to hear +what the other might choose to say, went on. + +"I said before that if we take you down to Lathrop you'll be locked up, +and when court is in session placed on trial, charged with attempted +robbery. Your picture will be taken, and sent broadcast to every city, +so if you're wanted for anything big, the authorities will know just +where to find you. That may not be pleasant for you to hear, Jake, but +it's what I mean to have done. There's only one way you can escape it. +Do you want to hear what that way is?" + +"Yuh're away off the track, young feller," blurted the man, obstinately +shaking his head in a contrary way, "I ain't done nawthin' to make me +askeered o' the law officers. Jake Storms is my name, all right, too, +and I'm meanin' to trap over on the Cranberry Creek section. And I'm on +my way down to Lathrop right now to meet a Mr. Jasper, who'll vouch for +my character, sure he will. But go ahead, and say what yuh meant to, +boy. It won't do me any harm to hear it, I reckons." + +"This is the chance you'll have to get scot free, and the only chance," +said Obed solemnly. "Tell me who hired you to rob my fur farm, and not +leave a single black in the burrows, and I'll let you go free. Will you +take my offer, or risk a prison sentence, Jake?" + +The man hesitated. That alone was enough to convince Max that he was +guilty; for undoubtedly he must be weighing in the balance Obed's offer, +with the possibility of making his escape through the assistance of +companions. + +"Ain't got nawthin' to say, boy," he finally growled, as though making +up his mind. Obed started up, and hastening over to a desk at one end +of the room he hurriedly searched through a drawer until he found what +he was looking for; after which he again sat down beside the man with +the tied hands. + +It was a photograph which he held up before the prisoner, and Max could +see it was a man's face on the card. + +"Look at that, Jake Storms, and tell me, did _he_ put it into your head +to come up here and clean my enclosures out, so as to rob me of the work +of nearly two years?" + +The man started when he allowed his eyes to fall upon the face on the +card; but recovering his nerve instantly, he laughed harshly and +hurriedly snapped: + +"I tell yuh, it's on the wrong track yuh are, boy." Why, I never set +eyes on such a person as that thar. He's a utter stranger to me, and I +don't know him from Adam. And I want to warn yuh that I'll turn around +and have the law on yuh for playin' such a low-down trick on an honest +man, just passin' along through the woods, and never thinkin' no harm to +a single soul. I demands that yuh turn me loose to go my way. The woods +are free as the air to everybody; that's the law. Further than that I +ain't got nawthin' to say. + +Obed was plainly chagrined, as Max could see. He evidently hoped to +obtain some valuable information from this man; but it seemed Jake still +clung to the hope that he might obtain his freedom without betraying +secrets. + +Max, taking advantage of Obed's absent-mindedness for a minute or so, +managed to lean slightly forward and obtain a good look at the +photograph. It was that of a young man, perhaps thirty years of age. Max +was struck with the fact that the photograph certainly bore some little +resemblance to Obed himself; and one could easily believe they must be +related in some way; which, according to Obed's former recital of his +widely flung family, would make the other a Grimes also. + +The woods boy looked at the man several times, as though wondering +whether it would pay to make any further offer as an inducement to the +other to betray the confidence of his employer. But either Obed did not +have the ready cash to offer a bribe, or else he deemed it not worth +while, after the fellow had shown such a stubborn disposition; for +presently he gave a sigh, and went back to return the photograph to the +little desk, once doubtless Mr. Coombs' property. + +Toby was nodding before the fire, and really paying very little +attention to what was going on. In fact, he meant to crawl into his bunk +shortly, so as to get a little more sleep before being called upon to +take his turn outside as sentry. Toby not having had his suspicions +concerning Obed aroused at any time, failed to take the same interest in +the matter that Steve, for instance, would have done, had he been +present. + +"I hope yuh don't mean to make me set here on this bench all night with +my hands tied behind me so cruel like?" remarked the man presently, +applying his words directly toward Max, as though he, too, had long ago +discovered how that energetic young chap seemed to be the "boss of the +ranch." + +"Why, no, we don't mean to be at all cruel," returned the other. "Here's +an extra blanket you can have. I'll lay it out for you on the floor, and +you can drop down just when you please. But don't expect that we're +meaning to unfasten your wrists, Jake. We know a thing or two, and we're +expecting to take you down to Lathrop tomorrow, to land you behind the +bars. You've had your chance to squeal and get off scot-free; I doubt if +another comes your way." + +He did just as he said, spreading the blanket so the man could manage to +roll over, and cover himself with its folds. This Jake presently +accomplished. Max also noticed how he lay with his feet against the +outer wall of the lodge and wondered at it, though without any clear +idea that this had any positive significance. But time was to tell. + +Toby had crept into his "cell," which was what Bandy-legs had dubbed the +several bunks, built in the walls of the lodge so as to conserve room, +and not be in the way during the daytime. Max, on his part, did not mean +to follow suit. He thought it would hardly pay to try and snatch an +hour's restless sleep when so much was going on around them. And, then, +besides, he did not trust the prisoner wholly; believing it would be +just as well to keep an eye on him. + +Outside, all seemed as usual. It was long after midnight now, and if one +listened carefully he could catch the customary noises of the woods at +such a time, from the soft crooning of the breeze as it sighed through +the pine tops, to the occasional note of some night-bird calling to its +mate, or the plaintive voice of a hungry young coon waiting impatiently +the return of its foraging mother. + +Obed had thrown himself down on the cot, but Max knew he did not expect +to lose himself in slumber. Several times he saw the woods boy raise his +head and look in the direction of the sprawling figure of the man under +the spare blanket. Obed was undoubtedly thinking still of ways whereby +he might force a confession from the lips of the stubborn man; +apparently he seemed to be intensely interested in discovering whether +there was a power behind this raid on his enterprise. Max, remembering +some things he had heard, began to believe he could see light in the +darkness now; and from the way in which he chuckled to himself every +little while, it might be judged that his thoughts were agreeable, on +the whole. + +Surely a whole hour and more must have passed since Steve and Bandy-legs +started out to assume their duty as guards over the fox farm. Thus far +nothing had been heard from the videttes, who were undoubtedly carrying +out their orders to the best of their ability. + +Max suddenly became aware that certain low sounds came to his ears. At +first he thought some branch of a tree must be tapping the low eaves of +the cabin being stirred to and fro by the breeze. As he listened +further, however, it struck Max that there was a strange continuity +about the sounds; they seemed to come in little fragments, with a brief +hush between. + +The boy was instantly reminded of certain experiences he himself had had +in using a telegraph key while sending a message over the wires or +listening to the sounder rattle off one from some distant point. Rude +and uncouth though the dots and dashes were, Max quickly found that he +could make out a positive word; and it was the significant one of +"free!" + +Gently he managed to turn his head in the direction of the spot where +the man had lain down. He still seemed to be sprawled there under the +blanket. A movement caught the eye of Max, and he saw Obed holding up a +finger at him in mute warning. Thrilled by a sense of impending tragedy, +perhaps, Max watched the woods boy slowly but constantly making toward +him. Obed moved with the noiseless nature of a black snake creeping over +the ground; his footfalls were so light that even a trained ear could +not have detected them. He kept on toward Max until soon he had managed +to reach the other's side. + +Still those plain taps continued to sound in regular rotation, first +coming from the outside, and then closer. Max believed the man on the +floor was making use of his shoe to send a message calling for help; and +that some unknown party outside was giving him words of hope. + +But Obed had now gained his side, and meant to whisper something in his +ear, so Max prepared to pay full attention. At the same time he glanced +toward the door apprehensively, and was pleased to discover that, just +as he believed had been the case, the bar was in position, so that entry +could not be made by any enemy from without. + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +OBED LEARNS SOMETHING + +"There's something brooding," Obed whispered the first thing; and then +continued by saying: "What are those queer little taps, Max? I'm sure he +has something to do with them." + +"He's tapping the toe of his boot against the wall to send a message," +explained the other. "They are using the telegraphic code. I read the +one word 'free.' So, you see, there's some one outside the cabin, and +they're hatching up a scheme to get him loose." + +Obed grew very much excited. He looked toward the door as though +inclined to immediately issue forth and investigate. Max thought the +hope of capturing another prisoner was the lure that tempted him on. + +"But what could have happened to Steve and Bandy-legs?" whispered the +woods boy, as though suddenly remembering the pair supposed to be +standing guard out there. + +"Nothing has happened to them, depend on it," replied Max; "but this +fellow must have been slippery enough to get by them, and reach the +cabin, that's all." + +"Oh! don't you think we might manage it, some way or other?" begged +Obed. + +Vague though his question may have been, Max had no difficulty whatever +in understanding what he meant. His own thoughts were already ranging in +the same quarter, and he could supply all the missing words. Obed was +hoping that by suddenly issuing forth they might take the creeper by +surprise, and effect his capture; such a possibility apparently gave the +woods boy considerable pleasure even in the anticipation. + +Max glanced again towards the door. They could creep noiselessly over in +that direction while the man on the floor and his friend without +continued their singular exchange of signals, remove the bar from its +place, and opening the door dash out to take the stooping fellow by +surprise. + +But then three would be better than two in such an adventure. There was +Toby Jucklin, a stout fellow, and usually well primed for anything that +smacked of excitement and peril; he must be awakened, and enlisted in +the game. + +So Max held up a warning finger, and stooping low again whispered: + +"I'll get Toby; wait by the door for us! Don't dream of going out until +we join you!" + +With that he silently slipped over to the opening in the wall occupied +by the sleeping Toby Jucklin. The latter was easily aroused, and when +Max whispered a word of caution in his ear, he knew enough not to cry +out; though of course the blood must have started bounding like mad +through his arteries. + +Indeed, it was a most singular thing to be aroused from sound sleep by +being told that danger hovered over their heads, and that it would be +necessary for the three of them to sally forth so as to surprise the +enemy at work. + +Toby was game, however. His vocal cords might play tricks with him +frequently, and give him heaps of trouble, but when it was a matter of +action, Toby "took nobody's dust," as he often boasted. + +Obed had meanwhile managed to creep over to the door, where he +impatiently awaited the coming of the other two. The strange tapping +sounds continued, and evidently the man lying there under the blanket +had become so deeply interested in what he was trying to communicate or +receive, that, so far, he had failed to discover there was any movement +in the cabin. + +Of course, all of the boys were quivering with half-suppressed +excitement, though grimly determined to put their plan into operation. +Obed had already reached up and taken hold of the bar, so as to be ready +to remove it when joined by his companions. + +"Keep the bar," whispered Max; "it will make a fine club, Obed!" + +"Say when, Max," came back from the tightly compressed lips of the woods +boy, whose eyes could be seen glittering eagerly in the firelight. + +"Open up!" Max told him. + +Perhaps the door may have made some creaking sound on being drawn back; +either that, or else the man chanced to free his head from the muffling +folds of the blanket just then, and discovered what was going on. He +gave a shout of warning, and the three boys shot through the opening at +the same instant. + +Max led the way. He had carefully noted the location of the sounds, and +judged that the interloper must be somewhere close to the wall where +Jake Storms lay; so it was in that direction he leaped. + +The stars wore shining brightly above. Besides this a certain amount of +light managed to come through that small window of the lodge, and help +to partially dispel the gloom without. + +"There he is!" cried Obed, as they turned the corner, and discovered a +figure in the act of scrambling erect. + +Pell-mell the trio rushed at the unknown who just managed to gain a +footing when he found himself furiously beset. There was a tremendous +struggle. The man seemed savage at the thought of being caught, and +struck furious blows. Toby at one time managed to cling to the other's +back for a brief moment, but was dislodged by a clever fling that sent +him crashing against a tree, and made him grunt like a hog that receives +a jolt. + +One thing certain, Max could easily see that the party they were +attacking must be something of an athlete, from the way in which he +fought. It is not easy to resist the assault of three enemies at once, +since they may attack from as many directions, and confuse his defense; +still the way this man struck out, dodged, tore himself free from their +clinging hands, and conducted himself in general surprised Max very much +indeed. + +This kept up for almost two full minutes, with varying fortunes. +Sometimes it appeared as though they were getting the upper hand of the +unknown, and then by a furious effort he would break free again, only to +be once more clutched. + +In the midst of the fracas, loud shouts close at hand told that Steve +and Bandy-legs, having heard the row, were rushing hurriedly to the +spot, astonished beyond measure at the racket. + +The man must have heard their cries, and the fact that his enemies were +about to receive reinforcements seemed to give him the strength of +desperation, for he suddenly tore himself free from Max, leaving his +coat in the hands of the boy. + +"Oh! he's gone!" gasped Obed, almost entirely out of breath because of +his recent tremendous exertions. + +For a fact, the man had vanished almost as though the ground had opened +and swallowed him up. Even astute Max hardly knew which way to look for +him. Then came the other pair rushing up, and demanding to know what all +the row was about. + +As soon as he could recover his breath, Max tried to explain. He had to +repeat it twice, however, before Bandy-legs could grasp the astounding +fact that some one had actually been carrying on a telegraphic +conversation with their prisoner, tapping on the wall of the cabin to +spell out the words. + +"Say, you're stringing us, I expect, boys!" exploded the doubter; "it +sounds just like a fairy story to me. But then there _was_ some one +here, because we glimpsed him disappearing like a falling star. I wanted +to give him a shot, but I remembered what Max here said about shooting +when in doubt; and we didn't just know but what it might be one of you." + +"But, Max, he got away after all!" continued the disappointed Obed, as +though to his mind that event overshadowed all others; "and I did want +to find out if it was any one I knew. I believe it was, on my soul, for +at college he always had the reputation of being an all-round athlete." + +"Huh!" grunted Toby, rubbing his head ruefully as he came up, and +limping in the bargain, "t-t-that was him, all r-r-right then, Obed. I +don't know the f-f-fellow's n-n-name, but I've g-g-got his trade-mark on +my c-c-cheek, every k-k-knuckle of his fist. Huh! he's an athlete, every +time!" + +"But don't tell me our prisoner skipped out!" cried Steve, in sore +dismay. + +"Not that we know of, unless he's gone since we dashed from the cabin," +Max informed him. "And as we can't accomplish anything standing here, +suppose we adjourn to the inside again. Toby will want a little +soothing salve on his bruises; and I've got a sore hand myself, where I +struck him harder than I meant to on the back of his head." + +"It's too bad, too bad!" mourned Obed, following the others toward the +open door. "Such a splendid chance may not come again; and I'd like to +know, I certainly would." + +When they entered the cabin, the first thing all of them did was to look +eagerly to see if the man still lay there, Upon finding that he had not +tried to escape during all the excitement, possibly being afraid he be +fired on, they felt relieved. + +"Anyhow, we've still got him safe and sound," declared Steve, +exultantly. + +"And he may make up his mind to tell yet," remarked Obed, picking up +fresh hope, "when he finds that I mean all I said, and that he's on the +road to prison." + +The man glowered at them, though apparently he seemed fairly well +pleased to find that they had not succeeded in capturing his ally. Max +awaited developments. He was satisfied with the way things were going, +and deep down in his heart believed the thrilling announcement he was +storing up with which to startle his three chums would not now be long +delayed. + +"I s'pose we ought to go out again, and resume our watch," suggested +Steve, after a short time had elapsed. "It's too soon for a change; and +after all that excitement none of us feel a bit sleepy." + +"As for me," ventured Bandy-legs, "I'm that wide awake I feel as if I +never could go to sleep again while we're up here in the mountains, +where such queer things keep on happening right along." + +"S-s-say, I'm s-s-sorry for Obed," ventured Toby, who it seems had heard +the lament of the woods boy, and could sympathize with him. "He had +h-h-hoped to g-g-get a pointer by g-g-grabbing that streak of +g-g-greased lightning; but after all, the fellow was too much for the +whole b-b-bunch of us." + +"But it's made me feel pretty sure now," said Obed brightening up +perceptibly, "that I know who's to blame for all this trouble. I had a +hint about it before, you remember I told you, boys; and while he kept +his face hidden pretty much all the time he fought, I surely heard him +say something that struck me as familiar. He wasn't a stranger, I'm +certain of that." + +"Well," said Max, quietly, "perhaps there may be a way to prove that." + +"Please tell me how, Max!" pleaded Obed, eagerly. + +"The mysterious stranger managed to get away," chuckled the other, "but +he wasn't so clever about taking all his wardrobe along with him, you +remember." + +"Oh! his coat!" cried Obed, in thrilling accents. + +"I hung on to that like a leech," now laughed Max. "Of course I should +have been smart enough to keep my fingers on the man inside, but he had +a slick way of just slipping out of the coat. First thing I knew he was +gone, leaving me holding the bag, as they say. Want to take a look at +that article, don't you, Obed? Sometimes men have a fashion of keeping +letters and documents in their coat pockets; and between us I believe +you'll find something like that here." + +With these words, the speaker took up the coat he had torn from the back +of the unknown, and tossed it carelessly toward Obed. + +The woods boy snatched at the garment eagerly. Newly aroused hope could +be seen upon his face. Everybody watched to see what the outcome might +turn out to be. Steve and Bandy-legs, ready to withdraw from the circle, +and resume their outside vigil, stayed their departure for a brief +period in order to satisfy their curiosity. Even the so-called Jake +Storms had his fishy eyes fixed on Obed, as though it mattered something +to him whether the latter learned the answer to the conundrum, or was +obliged to let it pass by unsolved. + +So Obed upon receiving the coat, proceeded to ram an eager hand into the +pockets, one after another. When he reached an inside one, he found a +bonanza, just as Max had anticipated. There were some papers there, as +well as a bill book. Bending down nearer the fire, so that he might the +better see, Obed glued his eyes on his find. A few seconds passed. The +fire crackled as it began to eat into the fresh fuel that had been +tossed to the red embers upon the incoming of the party. Toby grunted +once or twice, and continued to ruefully rub the side of his head, his +right arm, one of his thighs, and, in fact, as much of his entire person +as he could conveniently cover in a short space of time. + +Then Obed was heard to give a low exclamation. His whole manner was a +singular mixture of satisfaction and anger. Evidently, he had +accomplished his set purpose, and the result had aroused conflicting +emotions within his breast. + +"Well, have you found out who the man is, Obed?" asked Steve, unable to +curb his burning curiosity. + +"Yes, there's no longer any question about it," returned the other, +bitterly, "for here are letters addressed to him. I may even take the +privilege of reading them tomorrow, for in that way I can perhaps +discover some evidence that will force him to stop this ugly business. +Oh! the meanness of Robert to strike this cowardly blow at me, his own +cousin! He's a disgrace to the whole family." + +"Pity the poor Grimeses!" exclaimed Max, looking straight at Obed, with +such a queer expression on his face that presently the woods boy could +not keep from bursting into a laugh. + +"Max, you're on to me; I can see!" he cried, rushing up to the other and +holding out his hand eagerly. "I've guessed for some time that you had +your suspicions, and now I know it's so." + +And Max, too, threw back his head to indulge in a good laugh; while +Steve, Toby and Bandy-legs, with months agape, and eyes that were as +round as saucers, simply gathered around' and stared at the two who were +shaking hands. + +"Hey! what's all this about, I want to know?" spluttered Steve; just as +though he meant to say that no one had any business to have secrets from +the rest; "looky here, Obed, since when did you forget that Grimes woods +lingo you've been giving us right along! I'm beginning to smell a rat, +that's what I am!" + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +A BIG SURPRISE + +Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation +of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up +against a blank wall, for aught they could see. + +Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly: + +"You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the +puzzle as nearly as you have. I saw you turn back to that book again, +and scan my initials in the front. That was why you asked me If Mr. +Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not. But it's all right, +and I'm satisfied I had my peek of fun out of it, let me tell you. Now +introduce me to your chums, Max." + +"With the greatest of pleasure," laughed the other, as he took hold of +Obed, and waving in a ceremonious fashion with the other hand, he +continued: "Friends, Toby and Bandy-legs, allow me to present some one +to you whom you'll be delighted to know--_this is Roland Chase_!" + +Bandy-legs stood as if riveted to the spot, staring, and holding his +very breath through astonishment. Toby Jucklin wanted to express his +amazement, and also his ecstatic delight, over the wonderful outcome of +their mission; but alack and alas! as so often happened with Toby, +while the spirit was willing the flesh was lamentably weak, and he could +not make a sound except a sort of spluttering gasp, while his eyes +blinked, and his face grew rosy red. + +Still laughing, the so-called Grimes' boy proceeded to grip hands with +his guests. He acted as though it might be a simon-pure introduction; as +it certainly was, in one sense. + +"I'm ashamed of the way I bamboozled you fine fellows, and that's the +honest truth," he started to say. But on the impulse of the moment I +thought of that Obed Grimes name; and once I gave it to you I had to +follow up with the lingo. I guess I got balled up more than once, for +Max soon discovered that I didn't always speak as a true Grimes should, +and that gave him his clue. Yes, I'm the same Roland you started out to +find, just to please my dear old aunt, bless her heart. I was planning +to surprise them all by appearing in town with my five thousand dollars, +after I'd sold the fox cubs, and then claiming my share of uncle's +estate. I guess it's all getting plain enough to you now, eh, fellows? + +Bandy-legs could speak at last. + +"Why, it's as plain as the nose on my face, Obed--I beg pardon, Roland; +and I can never forgive myself for being so easily taken in and done +for. So you thought to invest your two thousand dollars in starting a +silver-black fox farm, did you? Well, it was a daring venture, and I +hardly think you would have made the game if you hadn't been lucky +enough to meet up with that splendid Mr. Coombs." + +"That's a certainty, Bandy-legs," admitted the other, who apparently was +not at all given to boasting over his achievements; "yes, I was in great +luck to be able to do Mr. Coombs a favor, and win him for a friend. See +what he's done for me. But all the same, I invested my money in this +business, and according to our partnership agreement, I am to have +one-half the proceeds of any sales, so there can be no slip of the law, +to beat me out of my inheritance; if only I can get those precious pups +to the man who's engaged them." + +"And this rascal you called Robert--is he the elder cousin who would +profit by your failure to win out?' asked Max, although he already +understood that this must be true." + +The expressive face of their new friend clouded immediately. + +"I'm sorry to say that it's so, Max," he admitted. "Those envelopes of +the letters I found in his coat gave it away. The temptation was too +great for Robert, who always showed considerable jealousy, because our +uncle rather favored me. And so when he learned in some fashion, I'm +sure I don't know how, that I was in a fair way of carrying out the +provisions of uncle's will, he must have determined to try and spoil my +plans." + +"Oh! the cur!" snapped the indignant Steve, now seeing the depravity of +the miserable plotter in full. "I'm glad that some of you managed to +give him a few good licks before he broke away. And I'll regret it to +the last day of my life that I didn't get a chance to show him." + +"And b-b-believe me!" exclaimed Toby, with a violent effort, "he's going +to carry the scratches I g-g-gave him on his f-f-face for a w-w-while. +If I'd known that he was Roland's c-c-cousin I'd have dug a h-h-heap +d-d-deeper, too!" + +"I'm only hoping," Roland, as we must call him after this, since he +dropped the Grimes family when he admitted his identity, said, "this +will teach him a lesson, and that he'll leave me alone from now on. But +Robert is a terribly persistent fellow, and I'm afraid his failure may +only spur him on to trying again." + +"Never mind, Roland," said Steve, dwelling almost affectionately on the +name, now that he knew the one who claimed it, "we're going to stand +back of you through thick and thin. If those fox pups don't eventually +get to their prospective purchaser, we'll have to know the reason why. +Isn't that so, fellows?" + +"My sentiments exactly," said Max, promptly. + +"Me, too!" exclaimed Toby. + +"Ditto here!" added Bandy-legs. + +"I want to say this," observed Roland with a suspicious moisture in his +fine eyes, "it was the luckiest hour of my life when I ran across this +bunch of royal good fellows. Why, only for you I'd as like as not have +been _ruined_; because alone and single-handed I never could have stood +out against two clever and unscrupulous schemers. And I'll never forget +it as long as I draw breath." + +"There'll be some people mighty sorry, though, I bet you," Bandy-legs +hastened to add, as he looked roguishly at Roland; "by which I mean +those poor Grimeses, who have lost tonight the brightest star in the +whole big Grimes constellation. Why, I can just picture how they'll all +mourn--Uncle Hiram, Uncle Silas, Uncle Nicodemus, and all those other +uncles and aunts, with old Granddaddy Grimes weeping harder than any of +the rest over the bereavement; for Obed is no longer in the flesh!" + +The comical way in which Bandy-legs said this caused a general laugh; +why, even the wondering prisoner on the floor, who, of course, could +hardly understand the joke, had to grin at the humorous expression on +the boy's face. + +"Oh! I guess they'll be able to stand it, if I can," ventured Roland, +"Please don't bear me any malice, fellows, for having my little joke. +You see I used to be quite a hand for such things; but living all alone +up here didn't give me much of an opportunity to try any pranks; and so +I was just aching for a turn. It didn't do any harm, and afforded me +some fun, so please forget it." + +"But, Roland, none of that story you told us about your good friend, Mr. +Coombs, was made up, of course?" asked Steve. + +"That was every word of it true," came the quick answer. "Oh! he was +the finest old gentleman you ever heard about. I grew very fond of him; +and when I received word in a letter from his housekeeper that he had +died, shortly after his wife went, it broke me all up. I moped around +here for a whole week, and came near throwing the entire job up. Then I +remembered how he had always put such confidence in everything I +attempted; and so I just shut my teeth tighter together, and said I'd go +through with it or know the reason why. And I have, for I'm on the point +of success; if only that Robert doesn't upset the fat in the fire at the +last hour." + +"Well, he won't, you can just depend on that," said Bandy-legs, almost +fiercely. "Here are four standbys who are booked to gather around, and +see that you get the fox pups to market. Next time Robert comes where he +isn't wanted, he may get a broken head, or something just as bad; for +now we know his ugly game, we're not apt to be over particular how hard +we hit." + +All of which must have been very comforting to the boy who had taken +such a big load upon his young shoulders, in the effort to show what he +was made of. After all, perhaps the eccentric uncle who left such a +strange provision in his will knew human nature better than most people +do; for he had picked out the very thing calculated to spur a chap like +Roland to do his best. + +"Well," remarked Max, "since we've cast off the numerous Grimes tribe, +and discovered the one we were in search of, and as the hour is getting +fearfully late, suppose we postpone further talk until morning. There +remain a few hours to be utilized in sleep. Steve, you and Bandy-legs +haven't filled out your time as sentries yet; suppose you hold for +another hour, and then turn it over to me." + +"Just as you say, Max," replied the other. "I meant to propose that +anyway, for the alarm broke out in the middle of our watch. Secretly, +I'd like Mr. Robert to take his courage in both fists and sneak back +this way, bent on further mischief. Do you ask me why! Well, I'd delight +to make use of my scatter-gun, and let him have a mess of number ten +shot at, say sixty yards. They'd pepper him good and plenty at that +distance, without actually endangering his miserable life." + +Max, knowing the energetic nature of the speaker, warned him against +being too prompt at using his gun. + +"Better go slow about that, Steve," he remarked. "Many a fellow has been +shot by mistake. Every season dozens fall victims to hunters who see +something moving, and blaze away recklessly. It might be one of us, for +all you'd know. So don't think of firing without giving our signal." + +Steve solemnly promised to remember. He knew the danger of handling +firearms in a reckless fashion, and was not likely to offend. So +presently, with Bandy-legs in tow, he went forth to resume their +interrupted vigil. + +Max and Roland sat there by the resurrected fire for a short time +exchanging remarks. The prisoner lay on the floor and, as far as they +could tell, seemed to have given up all hope of a rescue, for his heavy +breathing was that of one whom sleep had overtaken. + +Finally, Max pointed toward Toby, who could be seen lying on his back in +his bunk, and evidently enjoying a fine time in dreamland. + +"We'd do well to imitate his example, Roland," he remarked. "And as a +last word I want to tell you again how delighted we all are over finding +you; not only that, but discovering that you've been busy all these +months. Your aunt is worrying her head off about you. The last words she +said were: 'If only you do find, the boy, and he's made a mess of his +attempt to win his inheritance, tell him Aunt Sarah has a place in her +heart for him, and that if only he'll come back he can be her boy for +keeps, because I find that I've grown to love him as my own.'" + +Roland appeared to be deeply affected when he heard this, for he winked +violently a good many times, and then, smiling, managed to say: + +"You don't know how happy you make me when you tell that, Max; for she's +a dear old soul, and I certainly do care for her a great deal. But it +pleases me also to know I've made good, and that I can hold up my head +when I show those trustees what I've done. The Chase family needn't +blush just yet on account of Roland, though it ought to for Robert's +mean actions." + +So they, too, sought their beds, such as these were, and tried to forget +all else in sweet sleep. + +Max had a peculiar habit. Almost any boy can acquire it through much +practice, and sometimes it comes in very handy. He was able to impress +it upon his mind that he wanted to awaken at about a certain time. Once +in a long while this might fail him; but nine times out of ten he could +hit it in a most surprising manner. Many persons have proved this +perfectly feasible; and although Max began it as an experiment of the +control of mind over matter, it had long since passed that stage, and +become a regular habit with him. + +Accordingly, in just an hour after Steve and Bandy-legs had gone forth +again, Max was out of his bunk, and arousing Toby, who got up rather +loth to abandon his good bed and pleasant dreams. Still, he made no +complaint, unless his frequent yawns could be counted as such, but +trotted at the heels of Max when the other started forth. + +The night remained calm. High overhead the gentle breeze still sighed +among the pines, and whispered secrets as it passed through the fragrant +green needles with their attendant cones. + +Max took a single glance aloft at the star-studded heavens, and this +told him pretty close on the hour; for in addition to many other ways of +the forest nomad and believer in woodcraft, Max had mastered the +positions of the planets, so that it was always possible for him to +gauge the passage of time when the night granted him a survey of the +constellations above. + +When he and Bandy-legs had advanced a certain distance Max stopped and +imitated the call of a screech-owl, so like the whinny of a horse. It +ended up with a peculiar twist, and it was this that would tell any of +the other fellows the sound was intended for a signal, and did not +proceed from the real bird itself. + +An answer quickly came. Then a couple of dim forms hove in sight, being +Steve and his fellow vidette, ready to hand over the guns to their +successors, and seek the shelter of the cabin for a little rest. + +"Listen, Max," said Steve, while this exchange was taking place, +"there's something queer out yonder aways; and I want you to try and +make out what it can mean." + +"How is that?" demanded the other. + +"Why, every little while we thought we could hear a distant strange cry +like somebody in pain. Of course it might come from a night-bird that we +don't happen to be acquainted with; but it's been worrying us a heap. +I'm afraid, though, the wind has shifted latterly, because we didn't +seem to catch it so well." + +Max hardly knew what to think of what Steve had told him; nevertheless, +he promised the other he and Toby would listen for all they were worth, +and see if they might have any better success in recognizing the strange +sounds. + +But the minutes drifted along, and at no time were they able to catch +anything out of the common; so, finally, they decided that either it +must have been a night-bird that had flown away, or else that change in +the wind had kept the sounds from coming to their ears. + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +STEVE'S DREAM COMES TRUE + +"Did you hear anything, Max?" + +That was the very first thing Steve asked on the following morning, when +he poked his head out of his "hole in the wall" like a shrewd old +tortoise looking around to learn if the coast were clear. + +"We listened from time to time," explained Max, "but were never sure +that we heard any strange sound. It seems that you must have been +impressed with it considerably, Steve, to have it on your mind so?" + +"I was, Max, and I am right now," admitted the other, frankly. "Listen +to me, while the rest are busy getting breakfast ready over at the +fire,", and his voice sank to a confidential whisper. "I had a dream. It +wasn't so queer that it should come to me, after all that's happened. I +dreamed that we came on that bad cousin of Roland's, Robert Chase. He'd +fallen over a precipice, and was dying there on the rocks. Oh! it was +horribly real, Max, and I woke up shivering. He was sorry, too, because +he had been so wicked, and was asking Roland to please forgive him. And, +Max, I've been wondering whether that dream mightn't have come to me to +let us know we might do a good deed if we walked out that way this +morning, you and me, saying nothing to the rest of the boys." + +Max was struck by the thought that Steve must have had a pretty vivid +dream to make him so tender-hearted. At the same time, he felt in accord +with the sentiments so aptly expressed by the other. + +"Steve, I'll go you there," he hastened to say. "It can do no harm, and +may be a fine thing. Are you sure you know the direction fairly well?" + +"Yes, because I was sharp enough to make a note of it last night, Max. +You see, at the time the wind was coming in a lazy sort of way right out +of the west. Later on it swung around to the northwest, which makes it +so sharp this morning." + +"Good for you, Steve," the other told him. "Then we'll head direct into +the west, and cover the ground for, say a mile, coming back over another +route. We can call out now and then, so if any one heard us they might +answer. But you'd better hurry and get your duds on, because, unless I'm +mistaken, Bandy-legs is meaning to sing out that breakfast's ready. And +you know the last to the feast is penalized when the supply runs short." + +"No danger of that happening when Bandy-legs has anything to do with the +cooking," chuckled Steve, confidently; which remark proved how well +those four chums knew one another's weak points. + +Of course at breakfast most of the conversation had to do with Roland +and his valiant attempt to "make good." He told his new friends many +things that interested them exceedingly, and which were connected with +his struggle. Their questions also brought them quite a fund of +information concerning the habits of foxes, and how those who aim to +raise the valuable animals for the great London fur market, go about the +business. + +"As for me," said Bandy-legs, who had been doing considerable thinking +while all this talk went on, "I mean to try and hunt up a few of those +bouncer frogs Roland here says inhabit his marsh. Of course I know that +at this time of year they're deep down in the mud, and meaning to lie +there till spring thaws 'em out; but it may be I can scare up just a +mess. I'm awfully fond of frogs' legs, you may remember, boys." + +They all wished him luck. Steve advised him to borrow a spade from the +owner of the woods cabin, for he might have to dig deep. Bandy-legs, +however, only grinned and showed no signs of a change of mind; for once +he set his heart on a thing and he was apt to keep everlastingly at it +until the realization, that it was quite hopeless, would compel him to +throw up the sponge, which Bandy-legs always did with a bad grace. + +So breakfast was finally finished, and the boys separated. True to his +promise the would-be frog hunter set out valiantly on his errand, urged +by his love for a dainty dish. Toby had agreed to assist Roland look +after his fox brood, for there were many things he did not yet +understand concerning their care, and which he earnestly wished to know. + +This arrangement quite suited Steve and Max, for it left them free to +saunter forth. They announced their intention of taking a little look +around. Steve, of course, picked up his gun before starting, saying: + +"You never know when you may want a shooting iron up in the woods. There +might be an old wildcat prowling around these diggings, which would take +a dislike to the shape of my face, so he'd attack us. And I'm homely +enough as it is right now, without inviting a cat to make the map of +Ireland over my phiz." + +He and Max showed no signs of being in any unusual hurry as they left +the cabin. They started directly toward the west; and once out of sight +of those left behind, Steve quickened his pace a bit; at least he +"chirked up" and began to show more animation. + +"A mile, you said, Max, didn't you!" he asked. + +"Why, yes, that ought to fully cover the distance," came the reply. "I +shouldn't think you could have caught any ordinary sound even as far as +that. Still, when the night is calm, it is wonderful how far even a +groan will carry. The atmosphere seems to be in a peculiar condition at +such times, and acts as a splendid medium for conveying sounds." + +They looked to the right and to the left as they advanced. Nothing +escaped the eyes of those two chums, accustomed to the "Great Outdoors" +as they were, and having long ago graduated in a knowledge of woodcraft. + +Some little time passed thus. They had so far seen and heard nothing +calculated to impress them, though Steve was just as sure the sounds he +caught on the preceding night must have been a human voice crying out in +anguish. Doubtless that vivid dream was also making quite an impression +on the mind of the boy; for Max found him unusually docile and +thoughtful. + +They had now gone considerably over half a mile. Max felt that if any +discovery was going to be made, it must come very soon. He raised his +voice occasionally, and gave a half shout; after which both of them +would stand still and strain their hearing in hopes of catching some +answering hail. + +Squirrels barked at the intruders of their nut domain; blue jays +screamed harshly as they flitted from limb to limb among adjacent trees; +crows sent forth many noisy caws from atop of some neighboring pine, +watching those moving figures suspiciously the while; and once a deer +suddenly leaped across the trail, with a flip of its short tail, to +speedily vanish amidst the colored foliage of some bushes. + +This last event caused Steve to give a real yell, he was so startled. +Hardly had he done this than he gripped the sleeve of his comrade. + +"Did you hear that. Max? Was it an echo to my whoop; or did somebody +really call out in a weak voice! Anyway, it seemed to come from right +over there," and he pointed confidently as he spoke. + +Max himself was of the same opinion, for he felt almost certain that a +human voice had tried to attract their attention, though possibly the +person giving utterance to the cry was so weak that he could not make +much effort. + +They changed their course a little, and headed directly toward the +region whence Steve had pointed so positively. When Max held the other +up presently and called again, all doubt was removed. + +"Here, this way! I'm in pretty bad shape, I guess. Don't leave me, +please, whoever you are. I'll pay you a hundred dollars to get me out of +this scrape!" + +Evidently, the speaker, whom Max decided must be Robert Chase, and no +other, supposed the persons approaching, and whose voices he had heard, +must be woods guides who might consider themselves fortunate indeed to +earn such a royal sum so easily. + +Two minutes afterwards and the boys found him. He must have fallen into +the hole while hurrying through the forest, after breaking away from the +grip of the boys at the cabin. He had been severely cut by a sharp +flint-like rock, and lost considerable blood, which weakened him so +that, as he afterwards confessed to them, he must have swooned away, +and lain there for hours unaware of his perilous condition. + +The two boys soon managed to get the young man up on level ground. As +often happened, it was Max who conceived the easiest way of doing this. +To lift a dead weight of a hundred and fifty pounds is no light task, +and so he started to break away one side of the pit, thus raising the +bottom of the interior until they were able to simply _carry_ Robert out +of the hole. + +Steve was loud in his expressions of admiration. + +"Whoever else would have thought up such a clever piece of business, +Max, but you?" he went on to say, as they rested after their effort. +"Why, if it'd been me in charge now, I reckon I'd have gone to all sorts +of trouble rigging up some sort of block-and-tackle, so as to hoist him +up; but you just knock down a part of the wall, and there you are, as +neat as wax. Wherever did you learn that trick, I want to know, Max?" + +"You'll laugh if I tell you," chuckled the other. "One day in reading +about how some musty old professors are digging out all sorts of weighty +treasures belonging to bygone days over in. Egypt, I chanced to learn +how a certain Arab contracted to excavate a big stone weighing ever so +many tons, and which the learned savant could not see how they were ever +going to get out of the deep hole. Well, that Arab just kept filling up +the hole, and lifting the stone inch by inch. When he finished there +was no hole, but the great rock stood on level ground. And that, Steve, +they say is old-time mechanical engineering, which has never been beaten +in these modern days. The Pyramids were built in that simple way. Human +lives and labor counted for little in those old times." + +"All I can say is, Max, it takes you to apply whatever you read to +working out your own problems. But however are we going to get this man +back to the cabin! Must we build a litter and carry him?" + +Robert seemed to be suffering from something more than physical anguish. +A tortured mind can stab even more keenly than painful bodily wounds. +Lying there and facing possible death, Robert Chase had evidently seen a +great light. He beckoned to the boys to bend over him, and then in a +weak voice went on to say: + +"I don't know just how badly I'm hurt, young fellows, but I do know that +I'm done with this miserable business. I've got just what I deserve, and +it may be the best thing that ever happened to me. During the time I lay +here and had my senses, I've made up my mind to ask my cousin Roland to +forgive me, and let me make amends for the evil I've tried to do. I know +now that it doesn't pay in the long run, for I've come near losing all +my self-respect. Yes, get me to the camp, if you can. I want to face the +music, and have it over with. Something seems to tell me that the boy +isn't the one to hold a grudge against a chap who's been punished +already for doing an evil deed." + +That sort of talk pleased Max immensely. He saw that Robert Chase must +have been having a terrible conflict between his better nature and the +insatiate craving for wealth; and now that a wise Providence had stepped +in to nip all his plots in the bud, why things began to look very bright +all around. + +It was found that with one of the boys on either side, Robert could +manage to walk fairly well, although they often had to stop and let him +rest. + +It took them a full two hours to get back to the cabin, where their +arrival created considerable excitement. At the moment, Roland was out +somewhere attending to his pets, and so the injured man was made as +comfortable as possible by Toby and Bandy-legs, the latter of whom had +just come in carrying a pretty fair mess of frogs' legs all dressed for +the frying-pan. + +Then when Roland came along, to be told what had happened, and how his +cousin was anxious to see him alone, he looked actually pleased at the +queer turn affairs had taken. He went in and was with Robert for quite a +long time. They must have had a good heart-to-heart talk, for when +Roland appeared again, he was smiling broadly, and hastened to say: + +"We've not only patched up a truce, boys, but made an enduring covenant. +After this there's not going to be any war in the Chase family; and now +that Robert has humbled himself to confess his wrong-doing, I believe +we're going to be the best of friends. I've promised him, without his +asking it, that I'll never tell a single soul about what happened up +here. You must agree to the same thing, for my sake. I feel sure you'll +all like Robert, when you get to know him." + +"Who can tell," muttered Toby, as if to himself; "in time we might even +g-g-get _familiar_ with him. Stranger things than that have happened. I +only hope he won't hold a g-g-grudge against me when he sees the mark of +all my f-f-fingernails down his face." + +"Just now, Toby, he isn't in a mood to bear anybody a grudge," Roland +went on to say; "for he believes he didn't get half that he merited. But +after all it's come out a thousand per cent better than I ever dreamed +it would. And when I start off with my pair of grown cubs I needn't be +afraid of any one waylaying me on the road." + +"All the same," observed Steve, raising his heavy eyebrows suggestively, +"we'll see to it that you have plenty of company on the way. Since the +object of our trip up here into the heart of the Adirondacks has been +fulfilled, I rather reckon we'll be wanting to go along with you, to see +the fox pups handed over, and that lovely check received. Afterwards we +can all start for Carson, where you and your good old aunt may have a +family reunion all to yourselves; unless you see fit to invite Uncle +Sephus, Uncle Nicodemus, Uncle Job, or some of those old worthies to +join with you, so as to make things hum." + +They all laughed at Steve's humorous remark. + +"B-b-but what's to be d-d-done with this p-p-pretty thing?" demanded +Toby, pointing as he spoke to their prisoner, who was sitting outside +the door, having one of his ankles held fast with a trailing rope, so +that he could not run away, even if tempted to do so; which, considering +his helpless condition, with both hands tied behind his back, he was +hardly in the humor to do. + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +THE FUR FARMER'S TRIUMPH--CONCLUSION + +While all this talk was going on, the man had of course listened. What +he had just heard Roland say about forgiving his scheming cousin must +have encouraged the fellow more or less; for surely if they meant to let +the chief conspirator go scot-free, it would hardly be fitting to take +it out on the poor hired tool. + +"I hope you include me in that general amnesty order, young fellows," he +now hastened to say, with a wishful look on his face. "Since the fat is +in the fire I'm ready to tell anything you want of me. Course my name +isn't Jake Storms; though it isn't necessary for me to inform you what +it might be, because that doesn't concern anybody around here. I needed +money pretty badly, and the gent tempted me beyond my limit, so I agreed +to help him steal the fox cubs. I was to have all they'd fetch when +sold, and so I came along. But if you just cut these cords, and tell me +to clear out, I'll vamose the ranch instanter." + +Max nodded his head in the affirmative. + +"You might as well make an early start," he remarked, drily. "Since +things have turned out the way they have, we couldn't make any use of +you. But before you go, understand one thing, my friend." + +"What might that be, young fellow?" asked the other, though looking very +much pleased at hearing he would be set free. + +"Don't get it into your head that it's going to be an easy snap to come +back here and rob this fox farm. You'd be a fool to try it for many +reasons. In the first place, silver blacks are so few in number that any +one selling a cub or a pelt can be tracked, and made to prove ownership. +There's also an association forming that will insure these costly +animals, and chase a thief across the continent until they eventually +get him; just as the bankers' association does. Understand that?" + +"Oh! don't bother about me," the man hastened to tell them. "I'm through +with this sort of risky game. I can make a living at something that +brings in easier returns; only set me free and I'll never come back here +again, never, on your life." + +"There'll be a guard here while we're gone," continued Max, sternly, "a +man who can hit a silver quarter with his rifle as far as he can see it +through the telescopic globe sight. It wouldn't be safe for prowlers to +show up here. Besides, they could never find the foxes, hidden deep down +in their burrows, during the night time. Steve, set him free, please." + +The boys felt that they could afford to be magnanimous, since things had +taken such a glorious turn in their favor. So they not only gave the +so-called Jake Storms his liberty but filled his pockets with such food +as would serve him until he came to a town. Roland was seen talking with +him just before he left, and Max felt sure the boy must have thrust some +money into the man's hand, for the fellow acted as though greatly +confused, and shook his head while walking hastily away, as though the +kindness of those boys quite overwhelmed, him. + +Roland continued his work of making his cousin thoroughly ashamed of his +recent mean actions. He waited on the injured man as though Robert had +always been one of his best friends. If ever a fellow "heaped coals of +fire on the head of his enemy," Roland Chase certainly did during the +three days they continued to linger at the lodge under the pines. + +Meanwhile, the signal had been set for Jerry Stocks to come over, and +when he arrived, he turned out to be very much the kind of a man the +boys expected to see, a homely specimen of a woodsman, honest as the day +was long, and "filled to the brim," as Steve aptly expressed it, with an +accurate knowledge of all such things as may prove of value to one who +roams the wilderness. + +He was to be left in charge during the absence of the young fur farmer. +Roland had long ago won the sincere admiration of the rugged woodsman, +who stood ready to do anything to show his regard. Besides, he would be +well paid for all his trouble, and his family might even come over to +visit him occasionally. + +During the balance of their stay under the sheltering roof of the +wonderful little lodge under the whispering pines, the boys made use of +every hour in order to enjoy their limited holiday. Since success had +crowned their efforts to find the missing one, they were in constant +high spirits. It always produces a feeling of exultation to know that +the goal has been attained for which a start was made; and the four +chums were only human. + +They certainly had a great time of it, visiting all sorts of strange +nooks under the guidance of either Roland or Jerry. Max found a number +of opportunities to add to his interesting collection of flashlight +pictures. He made a specialty of the fox farm, and with the assistance +of the young owner, managed to snap off the timid occupants of the +enclosures in the act of feeding, as well as under various other equally +instructive conditions; all of which would give a pretty good idea of +how progressive fur farmers manage their outfit. + +The wounded man grew better, so that when it was time for them to leave, +he could take his part in the procession; though the others declined to +let him burden himself with any of the duffle, since he was still weak. + +Max had been studying Robert, and reached the conclusion that the young +man was heartily ashamed of his miserable plotting. He hoped it would +be a good lesson calculated to serve Robert the rest of his life; and if +this turned out to be so, then that stumble of his, unfortunate as it +may have seemed to him at the time, was the best thing that had ever +happened to him. + +The two marketable fox pups were placed securely in the cage that had +been secured for this very purpose by Roland when last in the city. It +weighed very little, and could be easily transported like an ordinary +pack on the back. Roland himself meant to carry it, but of course the +others insisted on "spelling" him from time to time. + +Really, when the fateful morning hour came, and they turned back to give +a last fond look at the little lodge under the green pines, Max and his +three chums were conscious of a strange feeling of keen regret around +the region of their hearts; which proved how the woods home of Roland +had grown upon them. + +"I certainly do hope those pictures will turn out to be daisies, Max." +Steve was heard to say, most earnestly; "because I'll take a heap of +satisfaction in recalling many of the pleasant things that have happened +to us up here, where the breeze is always telling tales to the pinetops; +and it's nice to be able to see what your mind is centered on." + +"But look here," said Roland, delighted to hear Steve talk in that +strain; "you mustn't think that even if I do succeed to that jolly +little fortune left by my real uncle, and not one of the Grimeses, that +I'm meaning to drop this fox farm business. By now it's got a deep hold +on me, and I'm more bent than ever on making it a big success. Yes, and +I'm also counting on you fellows paying me another visit some other +time, the sooner the better." + +They assured him it would please them beyond measure to contemplate +spending part of their next summer vacation with him, when they could +investigate still further the many delightful mysteries of the +Adirondack wilderness. + +So the lovely nook was lost sight of, and for some little time a silence +seemed to fall upon all the members of the group, as they continued to +trudge along the trail that eventually would fetch them to a road, and +after that to a village. + +Of course our story nears its end, now that we have seen Max and his +chums accomplish the object of their search. They meant to continue +along in the company of Roland, and see that the pair of beautiful +glossy silver black fox pups were safely delivered to the purchaser, who +intended to start a fur farm of his own in some other part of the +country, possibly away up in the Canadian Northwest, and had taken a +great fancy for the particular strain of animal Roland was propagating. + +In due time they arrived at the city where this rich gentleman lived. He +had, it appeared, seen and admired the fox pups while fishing in the +neighborhood of the fur farm, and made a contract with Roland for the +delivery of the pair at a certain time, binding the bargain with a cash +payment. + +It all turned out as planned, and when the boy received the balance of +the stipulated amount in a handsome check he felt that he had a right to +feel proud of his accomplishment. + +Robert had long before then took his leave, and in doing so he squeezed +the hand of his younger cousin, and assuring Roland that he meant to see +more of him in the future. So far as Max could observe, the man appeared +to have turned over a new leaf, and from that time forward was likely to +show what was really in him besides his former desire to loaf and spend +money. + +And so in the fullness of time, the five boys turned up in Carson, where +a certain good woman whom Roland claimed as his aunt was wonderfully +well pleased to find his arms about her wrinkled neck, and his boyish +kiss pressed upon her cheek. She assured Roland the first thing, that +there was no need of his worrying about the future, because she had +determined to make him her heir, regardless of whether he ever came into +the money left under such exacting conditions by his deceased uncle. + +Naturally, Roland was proud to tell his aunt that while he appreciated +her fresh interest in his career, and would be only too glad to respond +to her affection, at the same time she must know he had not made a +failure, and that even now he was about to call upon the trustees of +the will, to show them he had faithfully carried out all the provisions +upon the fulfillment of which his legacy depended. + +It all came out as planned; indeed, those same old trustees of the +estate, living in another town, had the greatest surprise of their lives +when that troop of boys called upon them, and the whole story was told; +for of course Max and the other trio eagerly snapped at Roland's warm +invitation to accompany him on this momentous occasion, so as to witness +his crowning triumph, and add their testimony, if needed, as witnesses +to the successful outcome of his plans. + +Roland had taken pains to gather all necessary documents showing how he +invested the greater part of his two thousand dollars, and how he was to +draw half the proceeds on any sales. He also had the contract for the +delivery of the first of the silver black fox pups, and after could, in +addition, show the fat check covering that particular sale. + +Everything had been looked after to a fraction. The old men found it +difficult to believe what at first to their minds seemed so like a fairy +story: but in the end they had to admit that Roland Chase had fully +complied with every one of the conditions imposed on him in the strange +will of his uncle; and as the time limit had not yet expired, he was +fully entitled to his legacy, which in due time was paid over to him. + +After that, Roland again departed for the wonderful "farm," where the +most valuable crop ever heard of was being grown successfully. The other +lads heard from him frequently during the winter months, and there was +no discouraging report forthcoming. He now had Jerry with him constantly +as his assistant, the guide having built a cabin near the farm, where he +installed his family. It was nicer for Roland, too, since there were +several children; and he could spend many an evening sociably, having +taken up a phonograph with him, together with a fine supply of all sorts +of records suitable for amusing a mixed company. + +Max often allowed his thoughts to bridge the many miles that separated +Carson from that lodge in the wilderness; and it required no magician's +wand to enable him to see in his mind's eye the delightful surroundings +that made the strange fur farm a possible El Dorado, where Fortune was +liable to knock on the door and demand entrance. + +It is with more or less regret that the writer finds he has reached the +point where he must say goodbye; and he only does so with the +understanding that just as soon as further stirring events worth +narrating come to pass, it will be his pleasure, as well as duty, to +place them between the covers of another book in this series. + +THE END + + + + ++THE OBLONG BOX.+ + + * * * * * + +Some years ago, I engaged passage from Charleston, S.C., to the city of +New York, in the fine packet-ship Independence, Captain Hardy. We were +to sail on the fifteenth of the month (June), weather permitting; and, +on the fourteenth, I went on board to arrange some matters in my +stateroom. + +I found that we were to have a great many passengers, including a more +than usual number of ladies. On the list were several of my +acquaintances; and among other names, I was rejoiced to see that of Mr. +Cornelius Wyatt, a young artist, for whom I entertained feelings of warm +friendship. He had been with me a fellow-student at C----University, +where we were very much together. He had the ordinary temperament of +genius, and was a compound of misanthropy, sensibility, and enthusiasm. +To these qualities he united the warmest and truest heart which ever +beat in a human bosom. + +I observed that his name was carded upon _three_ staterooms; and, upon +again referring to the list of passengers, I found that he had engaged +passage for himself, wife, and two sisters--his own. The staterooms were +sufficiently roomy, and each had two berths, one above the other. These +berths, to be sure, were so exceedingly narrow as to be insufficient for +more than one person; still, I could not comprehend why there were +_three_ staterooms for these four persons. I was, just at this epoch, in +one of those moody frames of mind which make a man abnormally +inquisitive about trifles: and I confess, with shame, that I busied +myself in a variety of ill-bred and preposterous conjectures about this +matter of the supernumerary stateroom. It was no business of mine, to be +sure; but with none the less pertinacity did I occupy myself in attempts +to resolve the enigma. At last! I had not arrived at it before. "It is +a servant, of course," I said; "what a fool I am, not sooner to have +thought of so obvious a solution!" And then I again repaired to the +list--but here I saw distinctly that _no_ servant was to come with the +party; although, in fact, it had been the original design to bring +one--for the words "and servant" had been first written and then +overscored. "Oh, extra baggage to be sure," I now said to +myself--"something he wishes not to be put in the hold--something to be +kept under his own eye--ah, I have it--a painting or so--and this is +what he has been bargaining about with Ficolino, the Italian Jew." This +idea satisfied me, and I dismissed my curiosity for the nonce. + +Wyatt's two sisters I knew very well, and most amiable and clever girls +they were. His wife he had newly married, and I had never yet seen her. +He had often talked about her in my presence, however, and in his usual +style of enthusiasm. He described her as of surpassing beauty, wit, and +accomplishment. I was, therefore, quite anxious to make her +acquaintance. + +On the day in which I visited the ship (the fourteenth), Wyatt and a +party were also to visit it--so the captain informed me--and I waited on +board an hour longer than I had designed, in hope of being presented to +the bride; but then an apology came. "Mr. W. was a little indisposed, +and would decline coming on board until to-morrow, at the hour of +sailing." + +The morrow having arrived, I was going from my hotel to the wharf, when +Captain Hardy met me and said that "owing circumstances" (a stupid but +convenient phrase), "he rather thought the Independence would not sail +for a day or two, and that when all was ready, he would send up and let +me know." This I thought strange, for there was a stiff southerly +breeze; but as "the circumstances" were not forthcoming, although I +pumped for them with much perseverance, I had nothing to do but to +return home and digest my impatience at leisure. + +I did not receive the expected message from the captain for nearly a +week. It came at length, however, and I immediately went on board. The +ship was crowded with passengers, and everything was in the bustle +attendant upon making sail. Wyatt's party arrived in about ten minutes +after myself. There were the two sisters, the bride, and the artist--the +latter in one of his customary fits of moody misanthropy. I was too +well used to these, however, to pay them any special attention. He did +not even introduce me to his wife, this courtesy devolving, per force, +upon his sister Marian, a very sweet and intelligent girl, who, in a few +hurried words, made us acquainted. + +Mrs. Wyatt had been closely veiled; and when she raised her veil, in +acknowledging my bow, I confess that I was very profoundly astonished. I +should have been much more so, however, had not long experience advised +me not to trust, with too implicit a reliance, the enthusiastic +descriptions of my friend, the artist, when indulging in comments upon +the loveliness of woman. When beauty was the theme, I well knew with +what facility he soared into the regions of the purely ideal. + +The truth is, I could not help regarding Mrs. Wyatt as a decidedly +plain-looking woman. If not positively ugly, she was not, I think, very +far from it. She was dressed, however, in exquisite taste--and then I +had no doubt that she had captivated my friend's heart by the more +enduring graces of the intellect and soul. She said very few words, and +passed at once into her stateroom with Mr. W. + +My old inquisitiveness now returned. There was _no_ servant--_that_ was +a settled point. I looked, therefore, for the extra baggage. After some +delay, a cart arrived at the wharf, with an oblong pine box, which was +everything that seemed to be expected. Immediately upon its arrival we +made sail, and in a short time were safely over the bar and standing out +to sea. + +The box in question was, as I say, oblong. It was about six feet in +length by two and a half in breadth; I observed it attentively, and like +to be precise. Now this shape was _peculiar_; and no sooner had I seen +it, than I took credit to myself for the accuracy of my guessing. I had +reached the conclusion, it will be remembered, that the extra baggage of +my friend, the artist, would prove to be pictures, or at least a +picture; for I knew he had been for several weeks in conference with +Nicolino; and now here was a box which, from its shape, _could_ possibly +contain nothing in the world but a copy of Leonardo's "Last Supper;" and +a copy of this very "Last Supper," done by Rubini the younger at +Florence, I had known, for some time, to be in the possession of +Nicolino. This point, therefore. I considered as sufficiently settled. I +chuckled excessively when I thought of my acumen. It was the first time +I ever known Wyatt to keep from me any of his artistical secrets; but +here he evidently intended to steal a march upon me, and smuggle a fine +picture to New York, under my very nose; expecting me to know nothing of +the matter. I resolved to quiz him _well_, now and hereafter. + +One thing, however, annoyed me not a little. The box did _not_ go into +the extra stateroom. It was deposited in Wyatt's own; and there, too, it +remained, occupying nearly the whole of the floor--no doubt to the +exceeding discomfort of the artist and his wife;--this the more +especially as the tar or paint with which it was lettered in sprawling +capitals, emitted a strong, disagreeable, and, to _my_ fancy, a +peculiarly disgusting odor. On the lid were painted the words--"_Mrs. +Adelaide Curtis, Albany, New York. Charge of Cornelius Wyatt, Esq. This +side up. To be handled with care."_ + +Now, I was aware that Mrs. Adelaide Curtis, of Albany, was the artist's +wife's mother; but then I looked upon the whole address as a +mystification, intended especially for myself. I made up my mind, of +course, that the box and contents would never get farther north than the +studio of my misanthropic friend, in Chambers Street, New York. + +For the first three or four days we had fine weather, although the wind +was dead ahead; having chopped round to the northward, immediately upon +our losing sight of the coast. The passengers were, consequently, in +high spirits, and disposed to be social. I _must_ except, however, Wyatt +and his sisters, who behaved stiffly, and, I could not help thinking, +uncourteously to the rest of the party. _Wyatt's_ conduct I did not so +much regard. He was gloomy, even beyond his usual habit--in fact he was +_morose_--but in him I was prepared for eccentricity. For the sisters, +however, I could make no excuse. They secluded themselves in their +staterooms during the greater part of the passage, and absolutely +refused, although I repeatedly urged them, to hold communication with +any person on board. + +Mrs. Wyatt herself was far more agreeable. That is to say, she was +_chatty_; and to be chatty is no slight recommendation at sea. She +became _excessively_ intimate with most of the ladies; and, to my +profound astonishment, evinced no equivocal disposition to coquet with +the men. She amused us all very much. I say "_amused_"--and scarcely +know how to explain myself. The truth is, I soon found that Mrs. W. was +far oftener laughed _at_ than _with_. The gentlemen said little about +her; but the ladies, in a little while, pronounced her a "good-hearted +thing, rather indifferent-looking, totally uneducated, and decidedly +vulgar." The great wonder was, how Wyatt had been entrapped into such a +match. Wealth was the general solution--but this I knew to be no +solution at all; for Wyatt had told me that she neither brought him a +dollar nor had any expectations from any source whatever. "He had +married," he said, "for love, and for love only; and his bride was far +more than worthy of his love." When I thought of these expressions, on +the part of my friend, I confess that I felt indescribably puzzled. +Could it be possible that he was taking leave of his senses? What else +could I think? _He_, so refined, so intellectual, so fastidious, with so +exquisite a perception of the faulty, and so keen an appreciation of the +beautiful! To be sure, the lady seemed especially fond of +_him_--particularly so in his absence--when, she made herself ridiculous +by frequent quotations of what had been said by her "beloved husband, +Mr. Wyatt." The word "husband" seemed forever--to use one of her own +delicate expressions--forever "on the tip of her tongue." In the +meantime, it was observed by all on board, that he avoided _her_ in the +most pointed manner, and, for the most part, shut himself up alone in +his state-room, where, in fact, he might have been said to live +altogether, leaving his wife at full liberty to amuse herself as she +thought best, in the public society of the main cabin. + +My conclusion, from what I saw and heard, was, that the artist, by some +unaccountable freak of fate, or perhaps in some fit of enthusiastic and +fanciful passion, had been induced to unite himself with a person +altogether beneath him, and that the natural result, entire and speedy +disgust, had ensued. I pitied him from the bottom of my heart--but could +not, for that reason, quite forgive his incommunicativeness in the +matter of the "Last Supper." For this I resolved to have my revenge. + +One day he came upon deck, and, taking his arm as had been my wont, I +sauntered with him backward and forward. His gloom, however (which I +considered quite natural under the circumstances), seemed entirely +unabated. He said little, and that moodily, and with evident effort. I +ventured a jest or two, and he made a sickening attempt at a smile. Poor +fellow! as I thought of _his wife_, I wondered that he could have heart +to put on even the semblance of mirth. At last I ventured a home-thrust. +I determined to commence a series of covert insinuations, or innuendoes, +about the oblong box--just to let him perceive, gradually that I was +_not_ altogether the butt, or victim, of his little bit of pleasant +mystification. My first observation was by way of opening a masked +battery. I said something about the "peculiar shape of _that_ box;" and, +as I spoke the words, I smiled knowingly, winked, and touched him gently +with my fore-finger in the ribs. + +The manner in which Wyatt received this harmless pleasantry convinced +me, at once, that he was mad. At first he stared at me as if he found it +impossible to comprehend the witticism of my remark; but as its point +seemed slowly to make its way into his brain, his eyes, in the same +proportion, seemed protruding from their sockets. Then he grew very +red--then hideously pale--then, as if highly amused with what I had +insinuated, he began a loud and boisterous laugh, which, to my +astonishment, he kept up, with gradually increasing vigor, for ten +minutes or more. In conclusion he fell flat and heavily upon the deck. +When I ran to uplift him, to all appearance he was _dead_. + +I called assistance, and, with much difficulty, we brought him to +himself. Upon reviving he spoke incoherently for some time. At length we +bled him and put him to bed. The next morning he was quite recovered, so +far as regarded his mere bodily health. Of his mind I say nothing, of +course. I avoided him during the rest of the passage, by advice of the +captain, who seemed to coincide with me altogether in my views of his +insanity, but cautioned me to say nothing on this head to any person on +board. + +Several circumstances occurred immediately after this fit of Wyatt's +which contributed to heighten the curiosity with which I was already +possessed. Among other things, this: I had been nervous--drank too much +strong green tea, and slept ill at night--in fact, for two nights I +could not be properly said to sleep at all. Now, my stateroom opened +into the main cabin, or dining-room, as did those of all the single men +on board. Wyatt's three rooms were in the after-cabin, which was +separated from the main one by a slight sliding door, never locked even +at night. As we were almost constantly on a wind, and the breeze was not +a little stiff, the ship heeled to leeward very considerably; and +whenever her starboard side was to leeward, the sliding door between the +cabins slid open, and so remained, nobody taking the trouble to get up +and shut it. But my berth was in such a position, that when my own +stateroom door was open, as well as the sliding door in question (and my +own door was _always_ open on account of the heat), I could see into +the after-cabin quite distinctly, and just at that portion of it, too, +where were situated the staterooms of Mr. Wyatt. Well, during two nights +(_not_ consecutive) while I lay awake, I clearly saw Mrs. W., about +eleven o'clock each night, steal cautiously from the stateroom of Mr. +W., and enter the extra room, where she remained until daybreak, when +she was called by her husband and went back. That they were virtually +separated was clear. They had separate apartments--no doubt in +contemplation of a more permanent divorce; and here, after all, I +thought, was the mystery of the extra stateroom. + +There was another circumstance, too, which interested me much. During +the two wakeful nights in question, and immediately after the +disappearance of Mrs. Wyatt into the extra stateroom, I was attracted by +certain singular, cautious, subdued noises in that of her husband. After +listening to them for some time, with thoughtful attention, I at length +succeeded perfectly in translating their import. They were sounds +occasioned by the artist in prying open the oblong box, by means of a +chisel and mallet--the latter being muffled, or deadened, by some soft +woollen or cotton substance in which its head was enveloped. + +In this manner I fancied I could distinguish the precise moment when he +fairly disengaged the lid--also, that I could determine when he removed +it altogether, and when he deposited it upon the lower berth in his +room; this latter point I knew, for example, by certain slight taps +which the lid made in striking against the wooden edges of the berth, as +he endeavored to lay it down _very_ gently--there being no room for it +on the floor. After this there was a dead stillness, and I heard nothing +more, upon either occasion, until nearly daybreak; unless, perhaps, I +may mention a low sobbing, or murmuring sound, so very much suppressed +as to be nearly inaudible--if, indeed, the whole of this latter noise +were not rather produced by my own imagination. I say it seemed to +_resemble_ sobbing or sighing--but, of course, it could not have been +either. I rather think it was a ringing in my own ears. Mr. Wyatt, no +doubt, according to custom, was merely giving the rein to one of his +hobbies--indulging in one of his fits of artistic enthusiasm. He had +opened his oblong box, in order to feast his eyes on the pictorial +treasure within. There was nothing in this, however, to make him _sob_. +I repeat therefore, that it must have been simply a freak of my own +fancy, distempered by good Captain Hardy's green tea. Just before dawn, +on each of the two nights of which I speak, I distinctly heard Mr. Wyatt +replace the lid upon the oblong box, and force the nails into their old +places, by means of the muffled mallet. Having done this, he issued from +his stateroom, fully dressed, and proceeded to call Mrs. W. from hers. + +We had been at sea seven days, and were now off Cape Hatteras, when +there came a tremendously heavy blow from the southwest. We were, in a +measure, prepared for it, however, as the weather had been holding out +threats for some time. Everything was made snug, alow and aloft; and as +the wind steadily freshened, we lay to, at length, under spanker and +foretopsail, both double-reefed. + +In this trim, we rode safely enough for forty-eight hours--the ship +proving herself an excellent sea boat, in many respects, and shipping no +water of any consequence. At the end of this period, however, the gale +had freshened into a hurricane, and our after-sail split into ribbons, +bringing us so much in the trough of the water that we shipped several +prodigious seas, one immediately after the other. By this accident we +lost three men overboard with the caboose, and nearly the whole of the +larboard bulwarks. Scarcely had we recovered our senses, before the +foretopsail went into shreds when we got up a storm stay-sail, and with +this did pretty well for some hours, the ship heading the sea much more +steadily than before. + +The gale still held on, however, and we saw no signs of its abating. The +rigging was found to be ill-fitted, and greatly strained; and on the +third day of the blow, about five in the afternoon, our mizzen-mast, in +a heavy lurch to windward, went by the board. For an hour or more, we +tried in vain to get rid of it, on account of the prodigious rolling of +the ship, and, before we had succeeded, the carpenter came aft and +announced four feet water in the hold. To add to our dilemma, we found +the pumps choked and nearly useless. + +All was now confusion and despair--but an effort was made to lighten the +ship by throwing overboard as much of her cargo as could be reached, and +by cutting away the two masts that remained. This we at last +accomplished--but we were still unable to do anything at the pumps; and, +in the meantime, the leak gained on us very fast. + +At sundown, the gale had sensibly diminished, in and, as the sea went +down with it, we still entertained faint hopes of saving ourselves in +the boats. At eight P.M. the clouds broke away to windward, and we had +the advantage of a full moon--a piece of good fortune which served +wonderfully to cheer our drooping spirits. + +After incredible labor we succeeded, at length, in getting the long-boat +over the side without material accident, and into this we crowded the +whole of the crew and most of the passengers. This party made off +immediately, and, after undergoing much suffering, finally arrived, in +safety, at Ocracoke Inlet, on the third day after the wreck. + +Fourteen passengers, with the Captain, remained on board, resolving to +trust their fortunes to the jolly-boat at the stern. "We lowered it +without difficulty, although it was only by a miracle that we prevented +it from swamping as it touched the water. It contained, when afloat, the +captain and his wife, Mr. Wyatt and party, a Mexican officer, wife, four +children, and myself, with a negro valet." + +We had no room, of course, for anything except a few positively +necessary instruments, some provision, and the clothes upon our backs. +No one had thought of even attempting to save anything more. What must +have been the astonishment of all then, when, having proceeded a few +fathoms from the ship, Mr. Wyatt stood up in the stern-sheets, and +coolly demanded of Captain Hardy that the boat should be put back for +the purpose of taking in his oblong box! + +"Sit down, Mr. Wyatt," replied the Captain, somewhat sternly, "you will +capsize us if you do not sit quite still. Our gunwale is almost in the +water now." + +"The box!" vociferated Mr. Wyatt, still standing--"the box, I say! +Captain Hardy, you cannot, you _will_ not refuse me. Its weight will be +but a trifle--it is nothing--mere nothing. By the mother who bore +you--for the love of Heaven--by your hope of salvation, I _implore_ you +to put back for the box!" + +The Captain, for a moment, seemed touched by the earnest appeal of the +artist, but he regained his stern composure, and merely said: + +"Mr. Wyatt you are _mad_. I cannot listen to you. Sitdown, I say, or you +will swamp the boat. Stay--hold him--seize him! he is about to spring +overboard! There--I knew it--he is over!" + +As the Captain said this, Mr. Wyatt, in fact, sprang from the boat, +and, as we were yet in the lee of the wreck, succeeded, by almost +superhuman exertion, in getting hold of a rope which hung from the +fore-chains. In another moment he was on board, and rushing frantically +down into the cabin. + +In the meantime, we had been swept astern of the ship, and being quite +out of her lee, were at the mercy of the tremendous sea which was still +running. We made a determined effort to put back, but our little boat +was like a feather in the breath of the tempest. We saw at a glance that +the doom of the unfortunate artist was sealed. + +As our distance from the wreck rapidly increased, the madman (for as +such only could we regard him) was seen to emerge from the +companion-way, up which, by dint of a strength that appeared gigantic, +he dragged, bodily, the oblong box. While we gazed in the extremity of +astonishment, he passed, rapidly, several turns of a three-inch rope, +first around the box and then around his body. In another instant both +body and box ware in the sea--disappearing suddenly, at once and +forever. + +We lingered awhile sadly upon our oars, with our eyes riveted upon the +spot. At length we pulled away. The silence remained unbroken for an +hour. Finally, I hazarded a remark. + +"Did you observe, Captain, how suddenly they sank? Was not that an +exceedingly singular thing? I confess that I entertained some feeble +hope of his final deliverance, when I saw him lash himself to the box, +and commit himself to the sea." + +"They sank as a matter of course," replied the Captain, "and that like a +shot. They will soon rise again, however--_but not till the salt +melts_." + +"The salt!" I ejaculated. + +"Hush!" said the Captain, pointing to the wife and sisters of the +deceased. "We must talk of these things at some more appropriate time." + + * * * * * + +We suffered much, and made a narrow escape; but fortune befriended _us_, +as well as our mates in the long boat. We landed, in fine, more dead +than alive, after four days of intense distress, upon the beach opposite +Roanoke Island. We remained there a week, were not ill-treated by the +wreckers, and at length obtained a passage to New York. + +About a month after the loss of the Independence, I happened to meet +Captain Hardy in Broadway. Our conversation turned, naturally, upon the +disaster, and especially upon the sad fate of poor Wyatt. I thus learned +the following particulars. + +The artist had engaged passage for himself, wife, two sisters, and a +servant. His wife was, indeed, as she had been represented, a most +lovely and most accomplished woman. On the morning of the fourteenth of +June (the day in which I first visited the ship), the lady suddenly +sickened and died. The young husband was frantic with grief--but +circumstances imperatively forbade the deferring his voyage to New York. +It was necessary to take to her mother the corpse of his adored wife, +and on the other hand, the universal prejudice which would prevent his +doing so openly, was well known. Nine-tenths of the passengers would +have abandoned the ship rather than take passage with the dead body. + +In this dilemma, Captain Hardy arranged that the corpse, being first +partially embalmed, and packed, with a large quantity of salt, in a box +of suitable dimensions, should be conveyed on board as merchandise. +Nothing was to be said of the lady's decease; and, as it was well +understood that Mr. Wyatt had engaged passage for his wife, it became +necessary that some person should personate her during the voyage. This +the deceased's lady's maid was easily prevailed on to do. The extra +state-room, originally engaged for this girl during her mistress' life, +was now merely retained. In this state-room the pseudo-wife slept, of +course, every night. In the daytime she performed, to the best of her +ability, the part of her mistress--whose person, it had been carefully +ascertained, was unknown to any of the passengers on board. + +My own mistakes arose, naturally enough, through too careless, too +inquisitive, and too impulsive a temperament. But of late, it is a rare +thing that I sleep soundly at night. There is a countenance which haunts +me, turn as I will. There is an hysterical laugh which will forever ring +within my ears. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's At Whispering Pine Lodge, by Lawrence J. Leslie + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10211 *** diff --git a/10211-h/10211-h.htm b/10211-h/10211-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dfd5cc7 --- /dev/null +++ b/10211-h/10211-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4821 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<title>At Whispering Pine Lodge</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<style type="text/css"> +body { font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; + background-color: #ffffff;} +a:link {color:#000000} +a:visited {color:#000000} +a:hover {color:#000000} + +</style> +</head> +<!-- Converted to HTML for the Gutenberg Project by Sjaani --> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10211 ***</div> + +<h1 align="center">AT WHISPERING PINE LODGE</h1> +<h2 align="center">BY LAWRENCE J. LESLIE</h2> +<h2 align="center">1919</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>CONTENTS</strong></p> + +<p><strong>CHAPTER</strong></p> + +<p> +I. <a href="#chapI">THE HALT ON THE ADIRONDACK CARRY</a><br /> +II. <a href="#chapII">GRIPPED BY A GIANT'S UNSEEN HANDS</a><br /> +III. <a href="#chapIII">OBED GRIMES BOBS UP</a><br /> +IV. <a href="#chapIV">BANDY-LEGS SUSPECTS</a><br /> +V. <a href="#chapV">PACKING OVER THE "CARRY"</a><br /> +VI. <a href="#chapVI">THE LODGE OF MANY WONDERS</a><br /> +VII. <a href="#chapVII">THE YOUNG MAGICIAN</a><br /> +VIII. <a href="#chapVIII">PRODUCTS OF THE FUR FARM</a><br /> +IX. <a href="#chapIX">LAYING PLANS TO HELP OBED</a><br /> +X. <a href="#chapX">TRAPS FOR NIGHT PROWLERS</a><br /> +XI. <a href="#chapXI">A TREE THAT BORE STRANGE FRUIT</a><br /> +XII. <a href="#chapXII">THE TAPS ON THE CABIN WALL</a><br /> +XIII. <a href="#chapXIII">OBED LEARNS SOMETHING</a><br /> +XIV. <a href="#chapXIV">A BIG SURPRISE</a><br /> +XV. <a href="#chapXV">STEVE'S DREAM COMES TRUE</a><br /> +XVI. <a href="#chapXVI">THE FUR FARMER'S TRIUMPH—CONCLUSION</a><br /> +<br /> +<a href="#oblongbox">THE OBLONG BOX.</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<table width="80%" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> +<td> +<a name="chapI"></a><h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE HALT ON THE ADIRONDACK CABBY</strong></p> + +<p>"Where's Touch-and-Go Steve, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Max, he slipped away with his little steel-jointed fishing-rod as +soon as he heard you say we'd stop here over night. And I saw him +picking some fat white grubs out of those old rotten stumps we passed at +the time we rested, an hour back. Huh! just like Slippery Steve to get +out of the hard work we've going to have cutting enough brush for making +our shanty shelter tonight; seeing that we didn't fetch our bully old +tent along this trip. He's a nice one, I should say."</p> + +<p>"N-n-never you m-m-mind about Steve, Bandy-legs. He t-t-told me he +<em>knew</em> he c-c-could yank a m-m-mess of fine trout out of that c-c-creek, +where it looked so s-s-shallow just back there. He's m-m-meaning to +w-w-wade in, too, I reckon, and when you s-s-smell the fish c-c-cooking +you'll be s-s-sorry you said what you did."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's get a move on, and start that shanty. I chose this place +partly on account of there being so much brush handy, you see."</p> + +<p>"Sure you did, Max. It takes you to notice things that miss our eyes. +Here, let me handle the hatchet, because you see I was such a truthful +little shaver away back that my folks often regretted they hadn't named +me George Washington."</p> + +<p>"All I c-c-can say then, Bandy-legs, they b-b-builded wiser than they +knew when they j-j-just let it g-g-go at regrets. A f-f-fine George +Washington you'd m-m-make, I'm thinking."</p> + +<p>The boy answering to the peculiar name of "Bandy-legs" laughed +good-naturedly as he began to swing the sharp-edged hatchet, and cut +down some of the required brush which, having camped many times before, +he knew was suitable for their requirements.</p> + +<p>Besides this sturdy young chap with the lower limbs that were a little +bowed, and which fact had doubtless suggested such a nickname to his +schoolmates, there were two others busily engaged in gathering the +material to be used in affording them a rude, but effective shelter +during the coming night.</p> + +<p>The one whom they called Max seemed to be looked upon as a leader, for +it is absolutely necessary that in every pack of boys some one takes the +initiative. His whole name was Max Hastings, and on numberless occasions +he had shown an aptitude for "doing things" when the occasion arose, +that gained him the respect of his chums. For a complete record of these +achievements the reader is referred to earlier volumes of this series, +where between the covers will be found much interesting and instructive +reading.</p> + +<p>The third boy of the trio in sight was Toby Jucklin. While Toby was +certainly agile enough when it came to acrobatic stunts, and such things +as boys are fond of indulging in, his vocal cords often loved to play +sad pranks with his manner of speech. As the reader has already +discovered, Toby was fain to stutter in the most agonizing fashion. When +one of these fits came upon him he would get red in the face, and show +the greatest difficulty in framing certain words. Then all of a sudden, +as though taking a grip on himself, Toby would stop short, draw in a +long breath, give a sharp whistle, and strange to say, start talking as +plainly as the next one.</p> + +<p>In time perhaps he would conquer this weakness, which after all is only +caused by nervousness, and a desire to rattle out words.</p> + +<p>There was a fourth chum also, the Steve spoken of and who had slipped +away with his new steel-jointed bait-rod, and a handful of fat grubs, as +soon as he heard Max say they had gone far enough on their way. Steve, +being one of those hasty lads who do a thing while many people would be +only figuring it out, had long ago fallen heir to a number of suggestive +nicknames, among others "Touch-and-Go Steve," and "Old Lightning."</p> + +<p>These four lads were a long ways from their home town of Carson, nestled +on the Evergreen River, and near which we have seen them in the earlier +books of this series successfully carry out numerous of their +undertakings.</p> + +<p>In fact they were deep in the wildest part of the famous Adirondacks at +the time we run across them on this particular occasion. There was not a +town within many miles, nor for that matter a regular camp where summer +guests were entertained. The difficulties to be encountered along this +"carry" were so great that ordinary excursionists avoided it severely. +Indeed, few fishermen ever invaded these solitudes, although there were +undoubtedly many places where trout of generous size might be picked up.</p> + +<p>All this would make it seem a bit queer that Max and his three chums +should venture into this section of the wilderness without a guide +along; so perhaps it might be wise to enter upon explanations while the +opportunity is open.</p> + +<p>Now these tried and true chums had had strange things happen to them +before, but they were well agreed that their present undertaking far +exceeded everything else that had ever come their way, at least so far +as its being a romantic quest was concerned.</p> + +<p>Everything combined to make it seem a page torn from one of those +old-time fairy books they used to love to read when much younger, and +more gullible. In the first place, it was a wonderful piece of luck that +came their way, when the School Directors agreed, after the summer was +half over, that the school buildings required considerable alterations +in order to make them sanitary for the coming winter; and really a +special providence that watches over the fortunes of boys and girls must +have caused the carpenters and masons to go on a protracted strike, so +that when this had been finally settled there was not nearly time enough +left in which to complete the extensive repairs.</p> + +<p>School had started, and gone along in a rough-and-ready fashion for some +weeks; but everybody was "sore" about it. The builders complained that +they could not accomplish half the work they should, because of the +annoyance of having so many children trotting around, and bothering +them. And the teachers were almost distracted on account of the constant +pounding together with the presence of rough men, who broke in upon +classes, and forced them to vacate certain rooms because they had to do +something there.</p> + +<p>And so along about the first of October the School Board wisely +concluded that a vacation of some two weeks would do far less harm to +the scholars than a continuation of these interruptions. Besides, the +teachers on their part threatened to also strike unless relief came +promptly.</p> + +<p>Imagine the delight of such fellows as Max, Bandy-legs, Steve and Toby +Jucklin, all of whom loved life in the open so much, when they got the +chance to further indulge this propensity, especially at the most +glorious time of the whole year, when the nut crop was coming on, the +trees turning red and yellow from the magical touch of Jack Frost's cold +fingers, with a tang in the air that made a fellow twice as hungry as he +ever got in the hot old summer-time.</p> + +<p>And then, as though Fate had determined to make this the most wonderful +of periods in all their checkered careers, a thing happened that seemed +just like one of those old but once much beloved fairy stories.</p> + +<p>Perhaps, by listening to the workers exchanging comments as they gather +the necessary brush, which later on would be fashioned into a shelter +capable of shedding even a moderate amount of rain, we may be able to +pick up enough general information to understand the nature of their +mission up into the Adirondacks.</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs was speaking at the time. He had a little fault in the way of +often showing a disposition to look at the darker side of things; and +doubtless being unusually tired, after a hard day's tramp, with such a +heavy pack on his back, had something to do with his spirit of +complaining on the present occasion.</p> + +<p>"Well, all I can say, fellows," he remarked, as he carried an armful of +the stuff he had been gathering to the spot where Max had already +commenced to erect the sides of the squatty shelter by driving stakes +into the ground, "is that I hope we haven't come all the way up here on +a reg'lar fool's errand. It'd cost Mrs. Hopewell a pretty good sum, and +be a real disappointment to her, if after all we didn't find that +good-for-nothing nephew of hers, Roland Chase. Honest to goodness now, +I'm a little inclined to believe he'll be leading us a wild-goose Chase, +if you want my opinion."</p> + +<p>"Oh! l-l-let up, c-c-can't you, Bandy-legs!" spluttered the indignant +Toby, pausing for a minute to wipe the beads of perspiration from his +brow, and regain his breath in the bargain. "You're g-g-getting to be a +regular old g-g-granny, that's what, with all your d-d-dismal +p-p-prophesies. Tell me, d-d-did we <em>ever</em> f-f-fail yet in anything we +undertook? C-c-course we haven't. Right in the start we found all those +b-b-bully p-p-pearls in those mussels we g-g-gathered in the Big +Sunflower River, and laid away a n-n-nice n-n-nest-egg in bank for the +crowd. Sure we'll f-f-find Roland Chase; we've just g-g-got to, that's +all."</p> + +<p>"All I want to say about it, boys," observed Max, "is that I admire the +grit of the boy. They told us he was something of a dude, didn't they, +and that his rich uncle was afraid he'd never amount to much anyhow; so +what did he do but make a most <em>extraordinary</em> will; at least, everybody +who's heard about that proviso says so. I heard Judge Perkins say though +he guessed the old man knew boys better than most folks, and had taken +a wise course to prove whether this Roland had any snap in him or not."</p> + +<p>"Well, he was left just two thousand dollars cash down," said +Bandy-legs, in a thoughtful manner, as though reviewing the singular +circumstance, "and if at the end of two years he could show that he had +doubled that amount, besides earning his own living, why he was to come +into two-thirds of his uncle's fortune. Some of our Carson people who +know folks over in Sagamore where the uncle lived tell whopping big +stories about the size of that fortune. I heard one man say he reckoned +it was as much as two hundred thousand dollars, in all."</p> + +<p>"The funny part of it is," resumed Max, shaking his head in a way rather +odd for him, "that immediately after Roland received his two thousand in +cash he disappeared from the scene. That was almost two years ago; and +from that day nobody in Sagamore has ever had a peep at him. The fact is +he might almost be dead. Once his other aunt, Mrs. Hopewell, who lives +now in Carson, had a few lines from Roland. He simply said he was alive +and well, and that he had hopes of seeing her again one of these fine +days."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's r-r-right," burst out Toby, in a disgusted tone, "but not a +p-peep did he give about what he was d-d-doing, or if he meant to show +up and c-c-claim his f-f-fine f-f-fortune. And all she could make out +was that the p-p-postmark on the l-l-letter was Piedmont, N.Y., which +on looking up we f-f-found was away up here in the h-h-heart of the old +Adirondacks."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Max, still working industriously away, "Mrs. Hopewell is +getting very much concerned about Roland. Somehow she seemed to fancy +the boy, though no one else thought he'd ever amount to anything, +because he used to like to wander around in the woods all the while, or +go fishing, instead of studying. But I guess those people hadn't ever +been boys themselves; and all of us can appreciate this liking for the +open that Roland showed."</p> + +<p>"And so," pursued Bandy-legs after the fashion of a story-teller who +had-reached a crisis in his tale, "she asked Max here if he wouldn't be +willing to undertake a trip to the mountains with several of his good +chums, meaning us, fellows, to try and locate the missing Roland, and +bring back some encouraging news; for the good old soul is in great fear +that the second year will soon be finished, and unless Roland is able to +show four thousand dollars in cash, most of the estate will go to his +older cousin, Frederick. Mrs. Hopewell dislikes this chap very much, +because she says he is a bad man, who drinks, and gambles, and does all +sorts of things old ladies detest. Well, we took her up in a jiffy as +soon as we heard the glorious news about school being closed for two +weeks; and as she foots all the bills, we're bound to have a jolly time +of it, even if we don't run across Roland; and I think that is like +looking for a needle in a haystack."</p> + +<p>That was a pretty long speech for even Bandy-legs to make, and yet it +covered considerable of the ground, and explained just how it came that +Max and his three comrades chanced to be so far away from the home town.</p> + +<p>The boys were just about to turn their attention once more to the work +that had been undertaken when all of them suddenly stopped and listened.</p> + +<p>"That was Steve yelling then, I reckon," snapped the owner of the bowed +legs, "but honest Injun, I didn't make out what he said. Mebbe now he +struck a whopper of a trout, and was giving one of his whoops. You all +know how excited Steve does get if anything out of the way happens."</p> + +<p>"L-l-listen!" cried Toby Jncklin, jumping to his feet. "D-d-didn't it +sound like he was yelpin' help?"</p> + +<p>"Just what it seemed like to me!" exclaimed Max. "Something may have +happened to Steve, because he's always getting himself in trouble. Come +along, fellows, and we'll soon find out. There, he's whooping it up +again."</p> + +<p>And this time every one of the trio of running boys could plainly detect +something approaching agony in the thrilling cry of "Help, oh! hurry up, +fellows! Help!"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapII"></a><h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>GRIPPED BY A GIANT'S UNSEEN HANDS</strong></p> + +<p>That Max, Bandy-legs and Toby all kept their wits about them was +manifest. Their actions had made this clear enough, for each of the trio +before starting "on the jump," as Bandy-legs described it, had made sure +to pick up something that, according to his mind, was apt to be needed. +Max, for instance, had snatched a rope that hung from a broken branch of +the tree, and which one of the boys had fetched along simply because "a +rope often comes in mighty handy for lots of things besides a hanging +bee." On his part Toby had stooped down and possessed himself of the +camp hatchet; if it proved that Steve was being attacked by a bobcat he +fancied he could make pretty good use of such a tool in an emergency. +Bandy-legs, true to his hunter instinct, made out to secure the only gun +which had been brought with them on the trip.</p> + +<p>As they ran wildly in the direction from whence those appeals for +assistance still came, louder than ever, every fellow was straining his +vision to be the first to discover what it could be that was causing +Steve to let out such alarming whoops.</p> + +<p>They did not have very far to go before suddenly all of them discovered +the object of their solicitude. He seemed to be standing nearly +waist-deep in the stream, and still holding on to his tough little steel +rod.</p> + +<p>"Oh! shucks!" gasped Bandy-legs, almost out of breath from his violent +exertions, "he's only struck a mud turtle, or something like that, and +wants us to come and see. It's a burning shame to give us all such a +scare over a measly turtle."</p> + +<p>"B-b-bet you it's a w-w-woppin' b-b-big fish!" ejaculated Toby.</p> + +<p>"Keep on running!" snapped Max. "He needs help, and in a hurry, too!"</p> + +<p>This sort of talk amazed both the others. So far as they could see Steve +stood there quite alone. They looked again but could see no savage +animal attacking their comrade; nor was there any vast disturbance in +the water, as though some marine monster might be trying to drag him +down; besides, such things as alligators or sharks were utterly unknown +up here in the Adirondacks.</p> + +<p>"But, Max, he's all right, as far as I can see," expostulated +Bandy-legs, in reality unwilling to keep up that violent exertion just +to please some silly whim on the part of the fisherman, who, like as +not, would give them the laugh after they came up puffing and blowing +like porpoises.</p> + +<p>"Look again," snapped Max. "Don't you see how deep he's in? Pretty +nearly up to his waist, isn't he?"</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said Bandy-legs, "but if the silly has gone and +waded deeper than he meant to, why don't he just turn around and walk +out again?"</p> + +<p>"Because he can't!" Max told him, still running.</p> + +<p>"Hey! w-w-what's hindering him!" stammered Toby, thrilled by this new +mystery that had so suddenly dawned upon them.</p> + +<p>"The sand's got too tight a grip on him," cried Max, "and he's sinking +deeper all the time!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! thunder, it's quicksand, then!" exploded Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>Having now the key to the enigma explaining Steve's strange action, as +well as his queer antics while floundering about out there in the little +stream, both boys could easily see that May evidently spoke the truth. +So those envious Spanish courtiers found it easy to balance an egg on +end, after Columbus showed them how to do the trick.</p> + +<p>In another half minute they arrived on the shore of the little stream. +Steve out there, with the shallow water coming now up almost to his +waist, greeted their arrival with a sickly grin.</p> + +<p>"Sorry to bother you, boys," he said, "but seems like I've gone and got +into a nasty pickle. Please yank me out of this, won't you?"</p> + +<p>Impetuous Bandy-legs was about to instantly start forward when Max +gripped him by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Don't be foolish, Bandy-legs," he told the other, severely. "You'd only +get yourself in the same boat, if you stood there and tried to drag +Steve out; and two would be harder to take care of than one."</p> + +<p>"But say, don't be <em>too</em> slow about starting something, will you?" +urged Steve, once again looking nervous. "Why, I'm sinking right along, +I tell you. Every time I try to get one foot up t' other goes down three +inches further, because I have to bear all my weight on it. This is no +laughing matter, boys. I'll be swallowed up before your eyes soon if you +don't get busy. Max, you ought to know how to extricate a fellow from +the quicksand!"</p> + +<p>"There are lots of ways in which it can be done," the other told him, +meanwhile measuring distances with his eye, as though he already had a +plan in mind. "If when you first discovered that you were sinking you +had thrown yourself sideways, and started to crawl or roll, regardless +of how wet you got, you might have made it, for in that way you'd have +presented more of your body to the action of the sand. Then a mattress +could be made from branches, weeds or any old thing, that would bear the +weight of one or two of us. But I've got even a better scheme than that +to work."</p> + +<p>"Please hurry!" pleaded the imprisoned boy.</p> + +<p>"Keep cool, Steve," advised Max, "because there's positively no danger, +now that we're on deck."</p> + +<p>"But tell me what you mean to do, Max?" continued Steve.</p> + +<p>"Make use of this rope, which you see I just happened to fetch along," +explained the other, holding up the article in question. "It's going to +save time, too, because one of us would have had to run back to camp, +and that must mean delay. You're deep enough in as it is, I guess."</p> + +<p>"A whole lot deeper than is pleasant, I tell you," Steve instantly +added. "Why, at the rate it's sucking me down I guess in less'n a +quarter of an hour the water would be up to my chin. And then, oh! +fellows, just imagine how I'd feel when it began to cover my mouth. +You're not going away, I hope, Max?"</p> + +<p>This last almost frantic cry was caused by a movement on the part of the +one on whom poor Steve's hopes most depended.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to shin up this big tree that sends a limb out right over +your head, don't you see, Steve?" Max told him, reassuringly. "Once I +get above you and we'll make good use of this rope of mine. The limb +will act as a lever, and when the boys get to pulling at the other end +of the rope you've just <em>got</em> to come out, that's all there is about +it."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! that's the ticket!" shouted Bandy-legs, seeing the game now for +the first time. "Steve, you're as good as landed. Bless that old rope, +it's already proved worth its weight in gold." Steve watched operations +anxiously. Despite the positive assurance conveyed in these words from +his chums, the terrible grip of that clinging sand made him cold with +apprehension. He imagined all sorts of things, from the rope breaking +under the sudden and terrible strain, to his arms being drawn from their +sockets in the battle between the tenacious sand and the muscular +ability of the two boys ashore.</p> + +<p>When Max managed to reach a point directly above the one in peril, +straddling the friendly limb as only a nimble boy could do, he quickly +fashioned a slip-noose at one end of the rope. This he lowered until +Steve could snatch it, which he did with all the eagerness shown by the +drowning man who clutches at a straw.</p> + +<p>"Fix the noose under your arms, Steve," directed the master of +ceremonies, calmly enough, though possibly Max was more excited than he +chose to let the other see, "and get the knot around so it will be +exactly in front. Then, when I give the word for the boys to commence +heaving, you work both legs as hard as ever you can. It's going to help, +more or less, you know. I can't do much up here, in the way of pulling, +for I'd lose my balance; but make up your mind we're meaning to yank you +out of that in a jiffy, Steve."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope so, Max, I surely hope so!"</p> + +<p>Everything was soon ready. Steve had complied with the directions, and +now awaited the issue with all the fortitude he could command. +Afterwards perhaps Steve might sometime or other even laugh, as he +remembered how scared he was; but just then, with the difficulty still +unadjusted, it was not at all humorous.</p> + +<p>"Ready, everybody?" called out Max.</p> + +<p>Receiving an affirmative reply from three pairs of lips, he went on to +say:</p> + +<p>"Then get busy, pulling! Make it a steady haul, and no jerks, or you'll +hurt Steve more than is necessary. Steady there, Bandy-legs, no hurry, +remember—just a regular increasing pull! Good enough, boys!"</p> + +<p>Steve had obeyed instructions, and by the way he worked both feet as +soon as he felt the strain one might think he was practicing swimming +lessons. It must have given him more or less physical pain to feel the +terrible drag of the rope under his arms, but he shut his teeth hard +together, and kept back a groan.</p> + +<p>"Now rest a bit, Toby and Bandy-legs!" called out Max. "How about it, +Steve—you moved some, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes yes, quite a little, Max!" cried the other. "Please get busy again +right away. I'm sick of staying in this old quicksand!"</p> + +<p>He still clung tenaciously to his steel fishing rod, as though he meant +that it should share his fate. Once more the team ashore started in. Now +their task seemed lighter, as though, having succeeded in dragging their +chum up several inches, with his whole weight now suspended by the rope, +the job was going to be finished in short order.</p> + +<p>Soon Steve, crowing joyously, was drawn completely out of the water. He +gave this a last suggestive kick and then dangled there in midair, +spinning around like a teetotum.</p> + +<p>"Hand me your rod, Steve," commanded Max. "Then use your arms and pull +yourself up on the limb. After that you can easily hunch along like I +do, and get to the main trunk. It's all over but the shouting, Steve; +and you can consider yourself pretty lucky to get off as easily as you +do, with a pair of wet trousers."</p> + +<p>"I'm thankful enough, Max, you can make sure of that," said the other, +carrying out the suggestion, and thus freeing both hands for the task of +mounting to the friendly limb.</p> + +<p>Before long he had reached the ground, where his three chums each +gravely shook hands with him. Steve was already getting back his nerve, +that had been under a severe strain.</p> + +<p>"But anyway I did have bully good luck pulling out fat trout, boys," he +told them. "You can pick up a dozen along this side of the stream. Fact +is, it was such splendid fun that I just stood too long in one place, +catching them and tossing the beauties ashore; and so when I tried to +move, why, I couldn't to save my life. It felt like a giant had gripped +both feet, and was holding me down. The more I tried the worse it got. +Whee! I would have been pretty badly scared if no one was near by, I own +up to that."</p> + +<p>Perhaps the others mentally considered that as it was, Steve had looked +a "good deal concerned" at the time of their arrival; but not wishing to +harrow his feelings any further just then they kept this to themselves; +though Bandy-legs did give Toby a suggestive wink, to which the other +replied in like kind.</p> + +<p>It was found upon gathering the trophies of Steve's skill as an angler +that they had quite enough for a meal; consequently Steve announced that +he guessed he needn't start in again with rod and hook and grub.</p> + +<p>All of them were soon busily engaged in fixing up the camp. Since they +had thought it best not to try and fetch a heavy tent along with them +they knew it would be necessary to construct some such brush shanty +shelter every night unless they could find a convenient ledge under +which a camp could be made. But all of these boys had often slept under +the stars, with the heavens for a canopy overhead, so that they did not +feel at all worried over the circumstance.</p> + +<p>As the sun sank lower and lower toward the horizon the camp began to +assume a comfortable air. The brush shelter had been finished, and +pronounced equal to any they had ever built before. It might not prove +wholly rain-proof, but as for keeping off the dew, and protecting them +against the chilly night air, it offered them "all the comforts of +home," as Steve put it.</p> + +<p>Then supper was started, a fire having been built after the most +approved method in vogue among guides and hunters of long experience. +Indeed, Max and his companions were far from being green to the ways of +the woods. They had learned heaps through their many camping +experiences; and some time before a visit to an old trapper had +initiated them into dozens of secrets of the craft that would never be +forgotten.[1]</p> + +<p>Again the talk was of the strange mission that had brought them up to +the Adirondacks. Bandy-legs could not seem to get over his belief that +they were bound to have all their trouble for their pains.</p> + +<p>"What sort of a clue have we got to work on for a starter, fellows, tell +me?" he went on to say, just as they were starting in to enjoy the +supper that had been supervised by a trio of eager cooks, all as hungry +as boys could well be, and continue to exist. "All we know is that when +this boy, Roland Chase, left Sagamere, almost two years back, he was a +sickly, white-faced chap, and with only one decent trait about him, +which was his love for outdoors; though up to then it had been mostly a +<em>yearning</em>, because they wouldn't let him get away from the house much +on account of his delicate constitution. Well, we're looking for some +such chap; but up to now we haven't got on his track."</p> + +<p>[1] "With Trapper Jim in the North Woods."</p> + +<p>"But hold on, Bandy-legs," expostulated Steve, "you forget that we did +hear about a boy that answered that description, though nobody seemed to +know his name. He was sometimes seen in the company of a half-drunken +old guide named Shanks somewhere around Mount Tom district. And now +we've come up this way in the hope of crossing his trail. Not that I've +got much expectation myself that we'll be sure to find this same; +Roland, who turns out to be a sort of will-o'-the-wisp to us; but since +his old aunt was so kind as to finance this expedition, why we're bound +to do all we can to make it a blooming success, that's what."</p> + +<p>"Well," commented Max, who seemed to be the most confident one of the +quartette, "remember, if we fail to make connections it'll be the first +time on record that we've really been stumped. I don't believe in +hard-luck stories. As a rule success comes only to those who deserve it. +And we've still got most of that two weeks' vacation ahead of us, to +hunt around for Roland Chase."</p> + +<p>Somehow Max always seemed to say things calculated to make his chums +feel more satisfied. It is a mighty good thing to have a real optimist +in camp, especially when the weather gets bad, and everything else seems +to go wrong. Even Bandy-legs took on a more cheerful air, and brightened +up after hearing Max say this. They had more or less reason to feel +proud of the record they had made in the past, so far as accomplishing +things went. And the people around Carson would be apt to tell any one +inquiring about Max and his cronies that they had actually done several +exceedingly smart things, and were boys far above the average.</p> + +<p>The supper was voted a huge success, and never had fish been fried a +more delicious brown than those in the pan. Perhaps Steve entertained a +private opinion of his own, to the effect that never had a higher price +been paid for a mess of fish than he offered up when he found himself +made a prisoner of the unseen giant residing under the quicksands; but +all the same, Steve devoured his share of the fish as smartly as the +next one. He doubtless felt that he deserved having a feast, after his +adventure in supplying the materials.</p> + +<p>They were almost through eating, and feeling particularly well +satisfied, as is usually the case, when the appetite has been taken care +of, when Toby Jucklin was seen to be staring straight ahead.</p> + +<p>"What ails you, Toby?" demanded Steve, discovering the mysterious +actions of the other. "Think you see a ghost; or was it a 'coon whisked +past, smelling our fine spread here? Speak up, can't you, and tell us?"</p> + +<p>Toby managed to find his tongue, and as usual when excited made quite a +mess of his explanation.</p> + +<p>"W-w-why, y-y-you s-s-see, I—t-that is, there's s-s-somebody—oh! look +for yourselves and you'll understand quicker'n I c'n tell you!"</p> + +<p>Sometimes Toby seemed to become so provoked with his ungovernable vocal +organs that he would get angry, and wind up by speaking as plainly as +the next one.</p> + +<p>But before then Max, and perhaps the other pair in the bargain, had +discovered a figure advancing slowly toward them. Eagerly Bandy-legs +stared. Perhaps he began to already entertain a wild hope that the +newcomer would prove to be the very boy whom they had come so far to +find; but if this were so he must have almost immediately discovered his +mistake, for the other was a sun-burned and wind-tanned lad, sturdily +built, and apparently the son of some woods guide; for he carried a gun, +and was dressed in rough though serviceable khaki trousers and blue +flannel shirt.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapIII"></a><h2>Chapter III</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>OBED GRIMES BOBS UP</strong></p> + +<p>"Howdy, strangers!" said the other, as he slowly approached the spot +where Max and his three chums still sat around the fire, feasting on +their spread. "I happened to see yer blaze, and guessed I'd drop in to +see who yah might be. 'Taint often anybody comes up this way, though to +be sure thar was two gentlemen fishin' hereabouts last summer."</p> + +<p>Somehow Max liked his manner of speech. He also thought he could detect +something like a love for humor in those sparkling eyes.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, and have a bite with us, won't you?" he remarked, making a +suggestive movement with his hand, as though calling attention to the +fact that there was still plenty of room on the log which he and Toby +Jucklin had occupied in common. "Sorry the trout's given out, but we've +got plenty of other grub, and be sure you're welcome."</p> + +<p>The sturdy woods boy was looking them over. Bandy-legs, suspicious as +usual, rather took umbrage at this action. He eyed the newcomer as +though not yet quite willing to echo the warm invitation accorded him by +Max. But Steve was already getting an extra tin-cup for coffee; and +fortunately there still remained an abundant supply of the amber fluid +in the capacious pot.</p> + +<p>Apparently the newcomer had determined that it would be prudent for him +to comply with the invitation thus cordially given. So he sat down and +made himself at home. Up there in the woods there exists a genuine +hospitality that never hesitates to extend the right hand of fellowship +to any straggler who chances to enter the camp. There seems to be +something in the healthy ozone of the wilderness that makes all men +comrades for the time being. The latchstring is always out in camp; and +never does an appeal for help go disregarded.</p> + +<p>Max proceeded to immediately introduce himself and his three chums by +name. He of course mentioned the fact that they came from a town named +Carson, situated far away from that region; but then of course the woods +boy could never have heard of such a place before. Still, his eyebrows +arched, and he seemed to once again observe his entertainers with fresh +interest; but then when Max Hastings chose to exert himself to make a +favorable impression every one fell under his spell.</p> + +<p>And when Bandy-legs, Toby and Steve noticed that Max did not think fit +to say a single word about the queer mission which had brought them to +the mountains they too concluded that it would be just as well not to be +too hasty about telling all their business to a stranger. A little later +on, perhaps, when they came to become better acquainted with the other, +they might ply him with questions in order to find out if he chanced to +know such a weakly looking fellow as Roland Chase.</p> + +<p>Of course after that it was up to the other to tell them whom he was. He +did not have any hesitation, from which Steve concluded there could be +no reason for keeping his identity a secret.</p> + +<p>"Course I got a name, too, even if it ain't <em>quite</em> so scrumptuous as +yours. But Obed Grimes suits me just as well, and it ain't never kept me +from eatin' three square meals a day—when I could get 'em," he told +them, soberly, though that odd little gleam in his eyes mystified Max +somewhat.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you live around this section, then, Obed?" he remarked, as he +cleaned out the frying-pan that had contained the ham and eggs—the +latter having been carried all the way from the last small village they +passed through, and which supply would doubtless be the last they might +enjoy for a long time to come.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, thar's a plenty of Grimeses up this way," the other replied, +promptly. "Fact is, the Grimeses are a big family, all told. Thar's +Grandad Grimes to start with, and he's going on ninety now; then there's +Uncle Hiram, Uncle Silas, Uncle Job, Uncle Sephus, Uncle <em>Nicodemus</em>, +and a whole lot more; besides Aunt Rebecca, Aunt Sophia, Aunt Hetebel, +and—glory to goodness, I could sit here for ten minutes and string out +the names of the grimeses there are in the mountains; but say I'm +<em>awful</em> hungry, and you'll excuse me if I get busy with this fine grub. +The other names will keep till next time, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"Whew! it must feel funny to belong to such a big family," remarked +Steve, who did not happen to have any close relatives himself.</p> + +<p>"Oh! shucks! none of 'em ever bother about <em>me</em> any," said the boy, as +well as he could with his mouth stuffed of the ham and bread, which he +presently washed down with a copious draught of hot coffee. "They just +know that Obed he c'n take good care o' hisself."</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs began to show a rising interest in the other. His suspicions +were beginning to give way under the genial ways of the said Obed. That +smile on the dusky face of the visitor in the camp had commenced to get +its work in. By degrees perhaps Bandy-legs might even come to like Obed +Grimes; though, truth to tell, he had always despised that last name, +for a boy answering to it had once treated Bandy-legs in a most +humiliating fashion, and this still rankled in his memory, although +years had fled since the occurrence.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean from that, Obed," he went on to remark "that you're all +alone up here in the woods near old Mount Tom? Haven't you any of the +other Grimeses along with you?"</p> + +<p>The boy shook his head in the negative, and grinned again. Max was +trying to study him, and he found the task one well worthy of his best +efforts. In the beginning he determined that Obed was no ordinary chap, +but possessed of sterling characteristics. He waited for the +conversation to get further along, confident that the other had a +surprise up his sleeve which he might condescend to share with them, +after he had become fully satisfied they were to be trusted, and that he +could look upon them in the light of friends.</p> + +<p>"Nary a Grimes 'cept me inside o' twenty miles o' here, and that's a +fact," he assured Bandy-legs, after finishing his drinking. "Fact is, +most o' the family don't know jest where I'm at; and say, between us, I +ain't a carin' about tellin' 'em."</p> + +<p>That looked a bit singular, Bandy-legs thought. His suspicions returned +again, though with diminished force; for somehow he could not look into +that frank and even merry face of the woods boy and actually believe he +was "off-color" in any way.</p> + +<p>"But what do you do with yourself all alone, I'd like to know?" burst +out impetuous Steve. "Are you making a living playing at guide for +parties of tourists, or fishermen and hunters? And, say, you don't mean +to tell me you stay all alone up in this wilderness right through the +winter?"</p> + +<p>Obed Grimes nodded his head cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"I ain't got any choice in the matter, yuh see," he told them, +mysteriously; "just <em>got</em> to stay. Why, it would bust the hull business +to smash if I 'lowed myself to skip out, even for a week or two. I'm +tied down to it, that's right."</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs exchanged a significant look Toby Jucklin. He scratched his +head with the air of one who found himself up against a hard, knotty +problem. Apparently, if the stranger in camp was trying to mystify them, +he had already succeeded in tangling up the wits of Bandy-legs completely.</p> + +<p>Max continued to sit there and take it all in. There was no need of his +saying anything so long as the other fellows had embarked on the task of +drawing Obed out and learning just what he was doing to keep him +marooned up there summer and winter, like a regular old recluse, or +woodchuck.</p> + +<p>"But there must be heaps and heaps of snow here winters," suggested +Steve; "and I'd think you'd find it pretty hard getting about."</p> + +<p>"Oh! not so bad when you have snow-shoes" Obed told him, with a shrug of +his shoulders, and another attack on the contents of his tin panninkin.</p> + +<p>"'Course not," Steve hastened to say, as though he had guessed that this +would be the answer. "But when the law is on the deer and partridges it +must be hard to keep to a regular diet of trout. I c'n stand them for a +while; but in the end I'd get sick of the smell of 'em cooking."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I have plenty of good grub along," chuckled Obed. "I was on my way +home at the time I glimpsed your fire; and bein' full o' wonder +concernin' who could be around these diggings right now I crept up to +spy on ye. But say, soon's I glimpsed your crowd, and saw that you was +only a bunch o' boys, why I felt easier, 'cause I knew then you couldn't +mean to bother me any."</p> + +<p>Now that sounded queer again, Bandy-legs thought. Why should any one +take the trouble to "bother" Obed Grimes, unless, indeed, he had been +doing something that he hadn't ought to, and hence expected to be +visited sooner or later by emissaries of the law, possibly in the shape +of angry game wardens?</p> + +<p>All sorts of strange thoughts flashed through that active brain of the +boy with the bowed legs. He wondered whether Obed could be a desperate +young criminal. Had his family, those excellent Grimes of whom he had +spoken in such proud accents, cast him out as altogether beyond hope? +Bandy-legs could hardly think this when he looked again into that face, +and caught the gleam of those merry orbs. No, Obed might be a <em>peculiar</em> +sort of fellow, but really there did not seem to be much of guile in his +make-up; if it turned out to be so, then he, Bandy-legs, was ready to +call himself a mighty poor reader of character.</p> + +<p>So he, too, relapsed into temporary silence and let Steve carry on the +interrogations; which the said Steve considered himself very well +qualified to do since he aspired in his secret soul to some fine day +study to be a lawyer.</p> + +<p>"But why should anybody want to bother you, Obed?" he asked. "To hear +you talk in that way a fellow would think you had a lot of enemies +hanging around, trying the best they knew how to give you trouble."</p> + +<p>"Well, I ain't had any mix-up ever since I've been here," admitted the +other, with a slight frown crossing his face; "but lately I got wind o' +some news that's worried me a heap. Fact is, I'm afraid I'm goin' to be +right smart bothered with a bunch o' thieves who'd like to <em>steal</em> my +outfit from me!"</p> + +<p>Steve fairly gasped. He could not make head or tail of what the other +was so deliberately telling him. Max, listening, and watching that +expressive face of Obed, secretly believed the newcomer was purposely +drawing Steve on, meaning to surprise him when finally he chose to +explain it all. So Max did not attempt to interfere, but let things go +on as they were doing, satisfied that the answer to the conundrum would +soon come.</p> + +<p>"Steal your outfit from you?" echoed Steve, when he could catch his +breath; "do you mean that you're carrying on some sort of business, +then, up here in the woods?"</p> + +<p>"Reckon that's about right, Steve," Obed replied, and his familiar use +of the other's name could be easily explained by that spirit of "free +masonry" that exists among all boys. "I've got a business, which looks +like it was goin' to pan out right decent, and make me some money in the +bargain. That's why they're meanin' to rob me, I guess; anyhow, it +hinges on that same thing. And I thought you might be that crowd first, +but I soon saw I was mistaken, and that you'd be my friend."</p> + +<p>"But what sort of business is it you're in, Obed?" asked Steve, boldly.</p> + +<p>"Me? Oh! I'm only a farmer," confessed the other, chuckling as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"A farmer!" echoed Steve, looking blank; "but how could anybody steal +your ground away, or carry off your crops, I'd like to know?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yuh don't jest understand, Steve. I ain't no regular hayseed. I'm +a fur farmer, you see; and you could carry my crop of fox pelts away +easy enough on your own back!"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>BANDY-LEGS SUSPECTS</strong></p> + +<p>Max Hastings smiled. He at the same time drew a breath of relief, +satisfied to know that his first impression of the sturdy looking young +chap was confirmed, and convinced that the said Obed Grimes must be the +right sort of fellow.</p> + +<p>Steve and Bandy-legs fairly gasped, as though they had received a real +shock. At the same time the eyes of the former glistened with +newly-awakened interest.</p> + +<p>"A fur farmer, do you say, Obed? And raising foxes for the market, are +you?" he burst out with, delightedly. "Now, I've read a heap about that +sort of thing in the papers and magazines, but I never thought I'd +actually run across anybody that had the nerve and confidence to go into +it as a business. And you say you're making good, are you, Obed? That's +fine!"</p> + +<p>"I've turned my 'tention to raisin' real black foxes, first thing," +explained the other, with a touch of genuine pride in his manner, Max +could easily see; "and if the try turns out as profitable as I reckon +she promises to be, why, then, I'm figgerin' on tryin' to raise mink and +marten and sech other furs as fetch top-notch prices."</p> + +<p>"Then I guess you must have trapped all sorts of wild animals before +now, Obed?" suggested Steve, eagerly, "so you know their habits to a +fraction; because, of course, only one who is posted in that direction +could ever hope to make a success of a fur farm."</p> + +<p>Obed grinned and nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I reckon I'm up a little bit in all sech things," he said airily +enough. "And after all, it ain't so <em>very</em> hard to raise foxes. I was +afraid fust off it might be what they told me, that blacks ain't to be +relied on to breed true to strain, but shucks! I've got some cubs that +are dandies. Wait till you see 'em, boys."</p> + +<p>That sounded as though, sooner or later, Obed meant to have them visit +his fur farm, and see with their own eyes what he had been doing. +Bandy-legs, skeptical once more, told himself he only hoped the whole +thing might not turn out to be a myth, and that the said Obed himself +prove to be a deception and a fraud.</p> + +<p>"I understand that the pelts of black foxes are worth a whole lot of +money," remarked Steve; "fact is, we know that to be so, because we once +had such a skin given to us by a man who made a business of trapping."</p> + +<p>"It all depends on the quality of the pelt," explained Obed. "Some ain't +worth as much as three hundred dollars, because they've got defects, yuh +see. Then again a real fine skin has fetched as much as thirty-six +hundred dollars in London markets."</p> + +<p>Evidently, Obed was well posted, at any rate, whether he really had +such a fur farm of his own or not, Bandy-legs concluded. And then he +again allowed himself to give imagination free rein, and for a time +even looked on Obed as the essence of truth, doubly distilled.</p> + +<p>Sitting there by the fire, which one of he boys replenished every little +while, Obed told them many very interesting things connected with that +strange farm of his. All this in his odd vernacular which Max tried to +get the hang of, in order to judge whether it signified that the country +boy lacked an education or not. He continued to be more or less +mystified, however, though concluding that Obed was just one of those +customary country boys often run across on farms who take especial +delight in joking and playing little tricks which they consider +humorous.</p> + +<p>"But he isn't at all bad, I'll stake everything on that" Max also told +himself, as he sat and listened to the really interesting descriptions +given by the other of his successes, and first failures along the +difficult line of breeding foxes in captivity, with scores of things +against him, which had to be overcome.</p> + +<p>An hour passed by in this manner. When Max saw their visitor showing +signs as if he meant to leave them, he took a hand in the conversation, +which up to then had been almost wholly monopolized by Bandy-legs, Steve +and the woods boy.</p> + +<p>"It's very kind of you to invite us over to inspect this wonderful +little fur farm of yours, Obed," he went on to say; "but you'll have to +give us directions how we can get there, unless you mean to accept our +offer of a blanket by the fire here tonight, when we could go along with +you in the morning."</p> + +<p>Obed looked sober.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to stay longer with you, boys," he hastened to say, as though +he really meant it, "but I ought tuh be gettin' back home. Thar's some +duties waitin' for me to look after. And then I ain't quite easy in my +mind 'bout them two fellers that's up here in the woods. They ain't +meanin' to do any shootin', even if they have got Lem Scott along as a +guide, and he the meanest skunk in the hull county, lots o' folks do +say, and a poacher in the bargain that the wardens are layin' to grab +one o' these fine days. Now I'll jest up and tell yuh how to get to my +place. It's as easy as water runnin' down-hill."</p> + +<p>He entered into explicit directions, and Max pinned them in his memory. +In fact, Obed simply told them to follow the stream up three miles until +they came to a bunch of seven birch trees on the right-hand bank. There +they were to pick up a trail they would find, follow it half a mile, and +at that they would see a cabin under the hemlocks and pines, which would +be his humble home woods.</p> + +<p>"We've got it all down pat, Obed," said Steve, "and like as not you'll +see the bunch of us trailing along there some time tomorrow morning. +I've always been crazy to see a fur farm, after reading so much about +them, and you bet I don't mean to let this chance slip by me."</p> + +<p>Max now thought it time to make a few inquiries himself. He wanted to +ask Obed whether he had ever run across a boy by the name of Roland +Chase, a sickly looking chap in the bargain. It might possible to pick +up a clue in this way; and they had reached a point where they could not +afford to let any opportunity for acquiring information get past them.</p> + +<p>In order to pursue this course, however, Max realized that it would be +necessary to enter into some sort of explanation concerning the nature +of the peculiar errand that had tempted them to come to the Adirondacks.</p> + +<p>"I want to ask you a question or two, Obed," he began, "but first of all +I ought to tell you what brings us here."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, Max proceeded to explain how the school had be closed for +two or more weeks in early October, and what a singular thing came about +to tempt them into taking an outing. He was watching the woods boy at +the time he first mentioned Mrs. Hopewell, and spoke the name of Roland +Chase; but if the other gave any unusual signs of interest, Max failed +to catch the same. Still, Obed was listening with all his might, and it +seemed as though the unusual story of the inheritance that was to be +given to the said Roland in case he made good, interested him.</p> + +<p>Max in this manner explained just why he and his three chums had +accepted the generous offer of the elderly lady, so deeply concerned +over the welfare of her nephew Boland, that she was ready to spend +almost any reasonable sum in order to at least learn that the poor boy +was alive, and in fairly decent health.</p> + +<p>They had been told to assure him, in case they ever managed to locate +the elusive Roland, that he should not worry because of not being able +to comply with the absurd conditions of Uncle Jerry's ridiculous will; +because she had enough of this world's goods for both, and she meant to +leave it all to him, Roland; so she begged him to come back to her, and +live his own life again, even though he had spent the last penny of his +two-thousand-dollar legacy, and was as poor as Job's turkey.</p> + +<p>All this made an interesting story, and must have amused the woods boy +more or less, because Max knew how to put considerable pathos in it. +Obed sat there shading his eyes with his hand to keep the glow of the +fire from dazzling him. Occasionally he would interrupt to ask some +natural question, which made Max think he was taking a fair amount of +interest in the account.</p> + +<p>"What I wanted to ask you," concluded Max, "was whether you'd ever +happened to run across this same Roland Chase in the mountains. We heard +about a fellow answering his description who was seen in company with a +dissipated guide named Shanks. I thought perhaps you might help us out, +Obed."</p> + +<p>Obed looked him straight in the face.</p> + +<p>"So far as I knows on, Max," he went on to say, seriously, "I ain't +never met any feller like yuh say face to face. About that man Shanks, I +know he's said to be a tough un. I saw him some months back down at +Sawyer's Forks, and by hokey! now that you mention it, thar <em>was</em> a +sickly lookin' young feller along with him then; but say, his name was +Bob Jenks, or somethin' like that, and not Roland Chase."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, so far as that goes," said Max, "he may have changed his +name. Some people think nothing of sailing under false colors; and if it +turns out that Roland has taken up with such a disreputable character as +this drunken guide seems to be, I don't wonder at him wanting to hide +his identity. So you think you must be going home, do you, Obed?"</p> + +<p>"Yep," the other observed, gaining his feet. "And I wanter to thank all +o' ye for givin' me sech a pleasant evenin'. I ain't had sech a good +time this long while back. But then the Grimeses all are 'customed to +roughin' it. Granddad used to be away all by hisself for as much as two +years, trappin' up in Canada. It's in the blood, I reckon. Now, yuh mean +to drop in, and visit me, don't ye? I'll be expectin' yuh, and have +something to eat awarmin', though course I ain't a good cook like you +fellers, as has had so much experience. So long, boys!"</p> + +<p>He waved them a cheerful goodbye, once more smiled at each in turn, +whirled on his heel, and was gone, seeming to vanish in the shadows of +the nearby woods like "a wisp of smoke when the wind strikes it," as +Steve remarked.</p> + +<p>After the departure of their guest, it was only natural that he should +be the subject of conversation about the fire as the four chums lay +there taking things easy.</p> + +<p>"Max, honest to goodness now," Bandy-legs remarked, "do you really take +any stock in that fairy story he told us about an imaginary fur farm? It +struck me Obed is givin to yarnin' just for the love of it. All that +stuff about his relatives may have been true, and again only nonsense. +It's my opinion there isn't any Granddad Grimes, or Uncle Hiram, +Nicodemus and so forth. He grinned like everything when he was reeling +those names off so slick. Yes, he was stringing us, I bet you."</p> + +<p>"W-w-why," burst out Toby just then, "who wouldn't have to s-s-snicker +when he had a w-w-whole lot of relations with such f-f-funny names! It'd +make me grin from ear to ear every time I h-h-happened to think of 'em. +You're the greatest hand to s-s-suspect anybody I ever s-s-saw, +Bandy-legs. Now, I want you to k-k-know that I think Obed the +s-s-straight g-g-goods, and I'm taking a heap of s-s-stock in seeing +that bully f-f-fur f-f-farm of his tomorrow; ain't you, Max?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I am," replied the other, without a second's hesitation. "In +the first place, Bandy-legs, you must understand that nobody could talk +so interestingly on a subject unless he knew a lot about it. He told us +a dozen things about fur farming that I never heard before."</p> + +<p>"Huh! and perhaps nobody else ever heard of them either, Max," grunted +the far from satisfied Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>"Nothing will ever satisfy him except he sees those kit foxes with his +own eyes," asserted Steve, almost indignantly, "handles them with his +own paws, and asks every little critter whether he really belongs to +Obed Grimes. Bandy-legs is the worst Doubting Thomas going, when the fit +comes on him."</p> + +<p>Even this sort of talk did not convince the objector.</p> + +<p>"Say what you will, fellows," Bandy-legs went on, stubbornly, "there's a +wheen of queer things connected with this same Obed Grimes, and I won't +take that back till he shows us his wonderful old farm, where he raises +black foxes for the fur market. Stop and think how mysteriously he +popped in on us, will you? Why, he as much as owned up that he had been +spying on us for a long time. If Toby here hadn't discovered him +peeking, and pointed that way, chances are he wouldn't have shown up at +all. Now, what made him snoop around our camp like that?"</p> + +<p>"Say, didn't he explain all that just as straight as a die?" objected +Steve, who seemed to have conceived quite a fancy for Obed Grimes, the +woods boy. "He told us he had reason to fear some unscrupulous fellows +were hanging around this region and meaning to steal his pets when they +got half a chance. That was why he wanted to watch, and make sure we +didn't belong to the same crowd."</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, a likely story, too," continued Bandy-legs, with a sneer. "Why +should anybody want to rob a poor boy who was trying to earn his living +by farming, even if it was furs he raised instead of grain or hogs or +stock?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you poor ninny, the reason is as plain as the nose on your face, +Bandy-legs, and that's not invisible by a big sight. When a black fox +pelt will fetch a thousand dollars, more or less, and can't well be +traced once it gets mixed with other pelts, it stands to reason that any +thief would want to steal it. As to your doubting that there are any +other people up in this section, you seem to forget, Bandy-legs, that +around noon today we sighted a plain smoke some miles away, which we +opined must have been made by some advance hunters, waiting for the law +to be off deer. Well, why couldn't it have been the people Obed says he +fears, who made that smoke? Now, for my part, I believe every word Obed +Grimes said. He's the straight goods every time, and you can see it in +his eye, for he looks you direct in the face."</p> + +<p>Thereupon, Bandy-legs, as though realizing that he had raised a hornet's +nest about his ears, deemed it the part of discretion to shrug his +shoulders after the manner of one who, "convinced against his will is of +the same opinion still."</p> + +<p>"We'll let the subject drop, Steve," he said, hastily. "It ain't worth +quarreling over. The proof of the pudding is in the eating of it; and +tomorrow we'll <em>know</em> what's what. But remember, if it turns out that +we've been bamboozled, don't blame me, because I've warned you all."</p> + +<p>"If we had a chill from every warning you've sprung on us, Bandy-legs," +Steve told him, witheringly, "why, say, we'd have gone all to pieces +long before now. You're a regular old bad-weather prognosticator, that's +what you are."</p> + +<p>"That's right, get to calling names. It's a habit with people who know +they are in the wrong," grumbled Bandy-legs; but, nevertheless, he "drew +within his shell," and said nothing further about Obed Grimes or his +suspicions concerning the same.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapV"></a><h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>PACKING OVER THE "CARRY"</strong></p> + +<p>Later on the conversation began to lag. Steve was noticed drowsily +nodding his head in a suggestive way; and then after a sudden start he +would look around aggressively, as if to remark: "who said I was +sleepy?" but within three minutes he would be at it again.</p> + +<p>In fact all of the boys were really tired out. The day's tramp had been +a difficult one, even for fellows accustomed to such things; and those +regular Adirondack packs, with a band crossing the forehead in the usual +way, had seemed doubly heavy before they decided to stop for the night.</p> + +<p>Of course there were sounds to be heard all around them, but +"familiarity breeds contempt," and from Max down they were all +accustomed to hearing similar noises whenever they spent nights in the +open. The owl would whinny or hoot according to his species; the loon +send forth his agonizing and weird shriek from some distant lake; a fox +might bark sharply and fretfully, or two quarrelsome 'coons dispute over +a bit of food they had discovered—all this went with the camping +business, and indeed it would have seemed odd to those boys had the +usual accompaniment been missing.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the use of our staying up longer?" Max finally announced +in an authoritative fashion, after Steve had almost jerked his neck awry +for about the seventh time, with one of those spasmodic movements. "Our +blankets are calling to us, boys; let's turn in."</p> + +<p>There was no negative vote recorded, for every one seemed ready to call +it a day, and quit. Max took it upon himself to look after the fire. +Plenty of wood had been gathered to last until morning, and then some; +for, as the night air was beginning to feel pretty sharp, it was +concluded to keep the fire going.</p> + +<p>"I'll look out for that part," said Max. "I generally wake up just so +many times during the night when I'm in camp, and it's no trouble for me +to crawl out and toss another stick on the fire. So forget it, fellows, +will you?"</p> + +<p>Apparently the others took him at his word, for not another sign of any +of them was seen while night lasted. Once they snuggled down in their +warm comfortable blankets, they must have become "dead to the world," as +Steve aptly termed it.</p> + +<p>Several times while the night held sway a figure would crawl noiselessly +out of the crude brush shanty shelter, and place another lot of wood +upon the dwindling fire, thus keeping it going for another spell of +several hours. Of course this was Max, who really liked to take an +observation concerning the state of the weather, note the changed +positions of the heavenly bodies, so that he could figure on the +passage of time; and then once more creep into the folds of his blanket +to again fall into a deep sleep.</p> + +<p>So the night passed.</p> + +<p>Nothing occurred to disturb its serenity. The little four-footed woods +folks doubtless prowled all around the boys' camp, eyeing the glimmering +fire with wonder and distrust, for it could not be a familiar sight to +any of them, since mankind seldom visited this inaccessible region so +far removed from the track of ordinary travel. Some of the more daring +among them, venturesome 'coons or 'possums perhaps, may even have +invaded the precincts of the charmed circle, searching with their keen +little noses for traces of castaway food; but, if so, their presence did +not disturb the sleepers within that shelter.</p> + +<p>So morning came on apace, and presently from the brush shanty one after +another of the fellows came creeping forth, to stretch and yawn and +finally hasten their dressing, for the frosty air nipped fingers and +toes quite lustily.</p> + +<p>They were in no particular hurry, and breakfast therefore was undertaken +in the best of humor, with plenty of time given to its preparation. +Everybody seemed to be in the best of humors, and his good sleep must +have smoothed even the spirit of the fretful Bandy-legs, for he no +longer grumbled or found fault. Perhaps, as so frequently happened, he +was secretly ashamed of having shown such a suspicious and +argumentative disposition on the preceding evening, and meant to make +amends for it by an unusually cheery manner.</p> + +<p>It was determined to "break camp" soon after the matin meal had been +comfortably dispatched. This did not promise to be an extraordinary +feat, since they were trying to go light-handed on this expedition, and +did not have many of their ordinary "traps" along, from a tent down to +certain cooking utensils that had been deemed too heavy for "toting" +mile after mile into the wilderness.</p> + +<p>It makes a whole lot of difference just how fellows mean to go, when +laying out the impedimenta for a trip. If a wagon or a boat is +available, all sorts of things may as well be taken along, so as to +insure the maximum of comfort; but when it is known in the beginning +that all they are meaning to use must be packed every mile of the way on +the back of the campers, then it is high time to cut down the list to +the last fraction, so far as weight and bulk are concerned.</p> + +<p>Max and his chums had reduced this down to a real science. For instance, +having a comfortable balance at the bank, thanks to their thrift in the +past,[2] money did not enter into their calculations at all. +Consequently, they had purchased a complete little outfit of aluminum +cooking vessels that nested within each other and weighed next to +nothing, while offering all the advantages of ordinary granite ware. +Other campers' comforts, too, had been secured, so that they even +carried a certain amount of condensed food in the shape of milk powder; +evaporated eggs that could be used to make excellent omelets in case of +necessity; and even soup in double cans, with a layer of unslacked lime +between, which, by the addition of a little water to the lime could be +heated up beautifully without the aid of a fire.</p> + +<p>[2] "In camp on the Big Sunflower."</p> + +<p>When all of them started in to get busy, things quickly assumed a +concentrated condition. Each article had its regular place where it +would take up the least possible space. Why, by now every fellow had +found out just how to do up his pack so that no sharp and uncomfortable +edges would cut into his back; and when this condition has been reached, +it means that the last word in packing has been learned.</p> + +<p>Max himself saw to it that the fire was effectually "killed" before they +quitted the scene of their night encampment. This he did by throwing +water on the hissing embers until it was quite dead. If every party that +spends a night in the wilderness took the same pains to put out their +fire on leaving, many a magnificent stretch of timber would be spared +from the ravages of a forest fire, that leaves only blackened tree +trunks behind, and ruins thousands of acres of wooded land every year.</p> + +<p>Although a fire may die down, and seem to have little life in it, there +is no absolute surety unless water be used, that a rising wind may not +fan the embers into renewed activity, until a dangerous spark is carried +into some nest of dead leaves near by, and so the fire starts that +man-power can seldom control.</p> + +<p>"Three miles, he said, up this stream," observed Bandy-legs, as they +started gaily forth, Max in the lead, and Toby bringing up the rear.</p> + +<p>"And as no doubt the said stream meanders considerably in its course, +that might mean only half the distance as the crow flies," remarked the +leader, turning once more to look back toward the deserted camp, after +the fashion of a carpenter who considers it wise to measure his post +<em>once again</em> before applying the saw, because after the deed is done the +parts can never be put together again; but everything seemed still, and +not the faintest whisp of smoke crept lazily upward from the late +camp-fire.</p> + +<p>They walked along for a short distance, and then upon crossing a little +rise, in order to skirt a bad section of marshy ground, it was +discovered that they had a good chance to look backward. A rather pretty +view rewarded their efforts, and as all the boys appreciated Nature in +her fall dress, they stood for a minute drinking this in.</p> + +<p>"You can follow the course of the stream for quite a distance, notice?" +remarked Bandy-legs. "And I even see the place where we yanked Steve +here out of that sand."</p> + +<p>Steve frowned as he looked, and Max could see that he had gone a little +white. The memory of his harrowed feelings on that occasion would stay +with Steve for quite some time, and produce an unpleasant sensation +every time it came before his mental vision.</p> + +<p>Max also saw him shut his teeth very hard together, and was close enough +to even catch a word or two the boy muttered savagely to himself.</p> + +<p>"Never again!"</p> + +<p>From that Max could judge the lesson had been impressed on Steve's mind +indelibly; and that as long as he lived he would be careful how he +entered an unknown stream when fishing; and especially how he became so +engrossed in his sport as to stand a length of time in one spot, without +working his feet up and down so as to make sure they were free from +clinging sand.</p> + +<p>They chatted from time to time as they proceeded, and of course all +sorts of subjects cropped up to be discussed. Sometimes there was a +little good-natured dispute concerning something or other, for boys have +different minds, and are apt to view things from various angles; but as +time passed they made such good progress that Max presently announced +his belief they must presently glimpse the seven birch trees mentioned +by Obed Grimes, as marking the place where they were to quit the bank of +the stream.</p> + +<p>At the time they stopped to look backward Max had scanned the country +behind them, looking for some trace of another camp smoke, but seeing +fond of "working his way," and often slipped out of things when he +could manage it—some fellows always do get hold of the smaller end of +the log that is being carried, as if by instinct; though it would be +hardly fair to call them shirkers.</p> + +<p>They rested for something like ten minutes. Then Max started up.</p> + +<p>"Here's the trail Obed told us about," he observed, pointing down at his +feet as though he had been looking about him while recuperating after +that three mile carry. "And I guess we might as well be going on. For +one I'm beginning to feel quite curious to see that lodge of his under +the pines and hemlocks, as well as learn what he is doing with his fox +farm."</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs opened his mouth, and then considered it better not to voice +the question he had on the tip of his tongue, for he shut his jaws tight +together again, and did not speak; Max noticing this, it caused him to +smile in quiet satisfaction. That was a very disagreeable habit of +Bandy-legs, always questioning things, and wanting double proof before +he would put the stamp of his approval on them; and Max kept hoping that +in the process of time it could be broken up.</p> + +<p>It was not difficult to follow the trail, even though at times this +proved to be rather faint and undecided; at least it turned out to be an +easy task with the four chums, simply because they were accustomed to +such things. A greenhorn might have lost the track many times, and made +a none. He had in mind the story told by Obed concerning the presence +in the vicinity of another party, and his suspicions concerning their +base intentions. Apparently Max must have believed what the woods boy +said, even though he could see no sign of a camp that morning.</p> + +<p>"I've got an idea the seven birches are just over yonder, boys!" +announced Steve, who possessed good eyesight. "Twice now I've glimpsed +something white among the thickets of undergrowth; and you can see that +the creek is beginning to swing around so as to lead us in that +direction."</p> + +<p>"G-g-guess you're about r-r-right, Steve!" declared Toby Jucklin, +instantly; "to t-t-tell you the t-t-truth, I've been squinting that same +p-p-patch of white myself q-q-quite some little time now."</p> + +<p>It turned out to be just as Steve had prophesied. They soon discovered a +bunch of birches growing from the stump of a larger tree that had long +ago fallen under the ax of a woodsman.</p> + +<p>"There are seven, all right—count 'em!" announced Steve with a vein of +exultation in his voice, just as though by right of discovery those +birches really belonged to him.</p> + +<p>"Let's call a little rest before we tackle the last round," begged +Bandy-legs, as they arrived alongside the landmark mentioned by Obed; +and without waiting for the others to assent he dropped his pack, and +threw himself down on an especially inviting bit of moss, heaving a +great sigh of relief; for be it known, Bandy-legs was not especially +"mountain out of a mole-hill," as Steve aptly put it, when referring to +the matter.</p> + +<p>Soon they were casting eager glances ahead, under the impression that +they must certainly be drawing near the object of their search. Even +Bandy-legs had by now apparently arrived at the belief that Obed was +"straight," and that he really did have some sort of home in this +secluded region. The directions had turned out to be exact, from the +three-mile tramp along the stream and the "seven birches, count 'em"; to +the winding trail that led from that point deeper into the woods.</p> + +<p>"Looky there, isn't that some sort of high wire fence?" demanded Steve, +suddenly.</p> + +<p>"And, say, I got a plain whiff of sweet hickory wood smoke then, believe +me," added Bandy-legs, in some excitement, and evidently forgetting that +not long before he had been skeptical regarding the existence of any +lodge or fox farm.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's the answer right before you," laughed Max; and as they +stared in the direction their leader was pointing, the balance of the +little party saw what seemed to be the "cutest" little cabin fashioned +from sawn logs, and nestling in a happy fashion directly under the +clustering pines and hemlocks, that hung over it most protectingly, as +though with the intention of keeping the winter snows from weighing down +the sloping roof.</p> + +<p>At one end was a chimney made of slabs of wood, with the chinks filled +in with mud that, in the process of time, aided by the heat of the fire, +had become as hard as cement or adamant; and from this there curled +wreaths of lazily ascending blue smoke, the source of that delightful +odor that had drifted to Bandy-legs's nostrils.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE LODGE OF MANY WONDERS</strong></p> + +<p>"There's Obed right now, waving at us from the doorway of his cabin," +announced Steve, even as they looked at the picture made by the little +log structure nestling so cozily under the dark foliage of the resinous +trees that never lost their green look, even when snow covered the +mountains to the depth of several feet.</p> + +<p>They hurried forward to join the owner of the woods lodge, who had +evidently expected them to put in an appearance about this time of day, +figuring just when they would break camp, and how long it would take +them to make the "carry."</p> + +<p>He shook hands with each of his new-found friends in turn, and warmly, +too. Even Bandy-legs seemed to feel that his unworthy suspicions of the +other could have no foundation, to judge from the hearty way in which he +greeted Obed.</p> + +<p>Max was quick to see that Obed looked pleased at their coming. He also +wondered why the other seemed to raise his eyebrows now and then, and +smile as though certain thoughts he entertained were quite amusing. But, +then, seeing what a lonely life the young fur farmer must be leading, so +far away from his kind, and wrapped up in his singular calling, after +all, it was not so queer that he should act in this way, upon having +visitors, and boys of his own age, in the bargain.</p> + +<p>They were ushered inside the lodge, and here another surprise greeted +them. Max in particular was astonished to find that the small building +contained so much in the way of comforts. If he had thought of the +matter at all, he probably expected to find just an ordinary shack, such +as nine boys in ten would be contented with building, and that Obed was +putting up with all sorts of discomforts.</p> + +<p>The contrary proved to be the truth, for there were numerous things in +sight to cause a visitor to express surprise. Why, Obed even used +<em>aluminum cooking utensils</em> equal to theirs, though not meant for +camping particularly; there were several rocking chairs, and one big +fireside chair that looked mighty inviting indeed, as it flanked the +broad hearth where Obed had a blaze going.</p> + +<p>The kitchen lay at the back, and actually had a wood stove in it, +capable of baking bread or biscuits on occasion. Water, too, had been +piped to the cabin from some spring farther up the rise; though, in the +dead of winter a supply must of necessity be obtained from some other +source since this would be frozen up.</p> + +<p>These things, and many others along the same line, caused Max to survey +Obed with a new source of wonder. Who was this remarkable boy, and how +on earth did he come to possess such a magical lodge up here in the +unpeopled wilderness? Why, a rich man could hardly have surrounded +himself with more in the way of comforts; and yet, according to his +language, and his account of himself, Obed was only an ordinary child of +the woods, one of the very numerous Grimes tribe, many of whom doubtless +gained their living by serving as guides in season.</p> + +<p>Max, after staring around him in due wonder and admiration, turned again +to Obed. He could see that the other was observing them with that merry +twinkle in his eyes? and evidently expecting his guests to express +amazement at finding so wonderful a habitation where they had +anticipated so little.</p> + +<p>"Its just splendid, that's the only word I can find to express my +feelings, Obed," Max hastened to say, at which the other laughed aloud.</p> + +<p>"Course, now, you-all are awonderin' jest how a poor woods boy like me +'d ever git hold o' such a clever cabin," he went on to say; "but +shucks! that's an easy one to explain. Yuh see, it was built by a man +who had plenty o' money and poor health. He thought he could get well by +stayin' here, and so he fixed her up to beat the band. That big chair he +loved to sit in when the fire was agoin'. But jest as he got fixed so +nice his wife sent for him to come back home; and, say, he had to go. +So, havin' no use for his place here, he turned it over tuh me for a +song, I c'n show yuh the bill o' sale. Yuh see, I got to know Mr. Coombs +right well, for he was interested in my ijee o' startin' a fur farm. +Well, he's dead now. I often think when I'm sittin' here enjoyin' what +he built that somehow his spirit must be a hoverin' around, cause he +certainly <em>did</em> love this place a heap."</p> + +<p>The explanation entirely satisfied Max, though of course that skeptic of +a Bandy-legs had to let his eyebrows go up in an arch as he listened; +but then Bandy-legs would doubt anything that savored of the uncommon. +Max simply frowned at him and paid no more attention to his manner.</p> + +<p>"You were certainly mighty lucky to fall heir to such a lovely little +home as this, Obed," Steve was saying, with a streak of envy in his +voice. "Say, I'd just be tickled half to death now if I could spend a +month up here with you. There must be plenty of game around, I reckon; +and it'd be a real delight to keep house in a little palace like this. +But how are you going to tuck us away for the night, Obed, if I might be +so bold as to ask, seeing that as yet we haven't had an invite to stay +over?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's easily managed," replied the other, with, another of his +queer laughs. "You haven't begun to see all the wonders o' this lodge. +Mr. Coombs amused himself for a whole summer havin' it built. He put a +heap o' his own ijees into the same, too. Yuh see, he used to be a sea +captain once on a time, and that gave him the notion to have tables that +folded against the wall so as tuh take mighty little room. Then seem' as +how he might expect to have company some time or other, look how he +fixed the bunks along the walls."</p> + +<p>With that Obed turned a button that none of them had thus far noticed, +fastened on the wall Immediately a section slipped down exposing a +cavity beyond that proved to be a regular sleeping bunk, fully capable +of "housing" any ordinary person. It was plain to be seen that his sea +education had given Mr. Coombs the idea carried out in this remarkable +fashion.</p> + +<p>"Beats anything I ever struck!" admitted the admiring Steve, as he +pushed forward to peep inside the cavity that seemed to offer such a +comfortable bed.</p> + +<p>"But hardly big enough for the whole bunch of us, I'm afraid, Obed," +urged Bandy-legs, with the idea, of course, of drawing the other out.</p> + +<p>"This is one bunk," said Obed, calmly, "there are three jest like it +along the two walls, makin' four in all. So yuh see it's jest like Mr. +Coombs, he figgered on my having you-all stop over with me some fine +day. Then I c'n make up a bed on that 'ere couch, which is softer 'n any +o' the bunks. <em>He</em> used to sleep, on it all the time, did Mr. Coombs."</p> + +<p>"Well, I must say this is a revelation to me," admitted Max, his face +showing how pleased he felt. "And you were lucky, as Steve here just +said, to fall in with such a fine man as Mr. Coombs, at the time you +started your fur farm. I suppose it was the interest he took in it that +made him hand over this cabin, when he learned that his plans for +staying here could never be carried out."</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, mostly that," agreed Obed, turning a little red. "P'raps I +ought to tell yuh that I chanced to do Mr. Coombs a little favor when we +first met. Yuh see, I happened to come on him in the woods. He'd started +out to find a certain kind o' sapling that he wanted right bad to use; +and not bein' used to findin' his way around, he jest naturally got +lost. But that wasn't the wust o' it. In using his ax to chop down a +sapling he kim across, what did he do but cut his foot, and it was +bleeding like fun when I ketched his shouts, and kim up. Course, I soon +fixed that foot, and since he was only a little dried-up speck o' a man +I managed to tote him on my back most ways home here. He chose to think +I'd done him a <em>great</em> favor, and after that he was always sayin' he +meant to repay me some day. Well, he certainly did when he turns over +this here neat contraption at a price that was dirt cheap, and which I'd +be ashamed to mention to yuh. That's how it come I got this cabin."</p> + +<p>How simple the explanation was after all, and how Bandy-legs must feel +his cheeks burn with shame at the thought of having suspected this same +Obed of trying to deceive them. Max could easily picture the ex-sea +captain seated in that capacious fireside chair with the tufted cushion, +and perhaps smoking his long-stemmed pipe with the air of a man who +believed he had found what he had long sought, peace and comfort +combined, only to have a summons come that he dared not disobey.</p> + +<p>"Make yourselves to hum," said Obed, cheerily. "Here, drop the packs +over in this corner. If later on so be yuh want to git anything out o' +the same it'll be easy done. And seein' as I've got dinner started, I +guess we wont take a turn around the farm till it's been stowed away."</p> + +<p>Although, of course, all of the boys were eager to see what a fur farm +looked like, where those wonderful black foxes that brought such, a big +price in the London markets were being bred in captivity, none of them +objected to sitting down and taking a rest. Bandy-legs and Steve in +particular made a bolt for the big chair, though the latter was too +quick for his competitor, and managed to ensconce himself within its +capacious embrace before Bandy-legs arrived.</p> + +<p>"Start earlier next time, Bandy-legs!" crowed the proud possessor of the +coveted seat, as he spread himself so as to occupy it all. "But after +I've tried it out I'll vacate, because I expect to get busy in that +bully little kitchen, and help friend Obed sling the grub for dinner."</p> + +<p>So Bandy-legs had to content himself with a seat on the couch. He might +have been observed sniffing the air with avidity, however, as though he +had caught some enticing odor stealing out of the oven of the cook +stove, that was not unlike fresh bread being well browned; and there was +nothing Bandy-legs loved better than the crust part of a fresh +baking—he always had a compact with the cook at home to save him the +"run-over" portions, which he looked upon as a prize well worth having.</p> + +<p>Soon Obed left them there in the larger room and vanished within the +kitchen. It was a challenge to Steve which he could not long resist. +Bandy-legs kept watching him glance toward the connecting doors. His +whole manner was that of a boy who, although making no sound, might be +"sicking" one dog on another. No sooner had Steve left the capacious +fireside chair than Bandy-legs slipped into it; and after that he was +not meaning' to be dislodged until the summons came to gather about the +table to discuss the midday meal. Bandy-legs liked eating as well as the +next one; but he loved his ease more, and was well content to have some +other fellow do the hard work of getting the meal ready; his time would +come when he had to "work his jaws" in disposing of his portion of the +spread.</p> + +<p>The more Max looked about him the greater his wonder became. All manner +of thoughts surged through that active mind of his. He had already +conceived the greatest sort of secret admiration for the extraordinary +woods boy, even before he had glimpsed that remarkable fur farm which +the other was successfully running. Plainly, then, this same Obed Grimes +was bound to be a credit to his family; and all those people bearing the +strange names given by Obed would some day find cause to feel proud of +having such an enterprising relative.</p> + +<p>Obed proved to be a pretty good cook, despite the humility with which he +had remarked that of course he could not expect to compete on even terms +with fellows who had had so many better opportunities to acquire the +"knack" of things, than had come his way.</p> + +<p>The bread was as fine as any Bandy-legs had ever eaten in his own home, +where a high-priced cook held sway over the kitchen. There was also a +meat pie that seemed delicious, both as to crust and contents, when +opened; though Obed in-formed them that it was made of canned beef, and +even displayed the recent tin jacket, with its telltale label, as +confirmation to his assertion.</p> + +<p>"Yuh see, boys," he remarked, laughingly, "I don't want yuh to think I'd +poach a deer in the close season, and palm it off as mountain mutton, +like they do at some o' the big hotels up here in the Adirondacks, I'm +told. Course I do shoot a deer once in a while in season; and lots o' +pa'tridges, they bein' so tame yuh c'n knock them over as they sit on +the lower limb o' a tree after flushin'. I ketch wheens o' trout, too, +from time to time; but I give yuh my word I never yet killed anything +when the law was on it, never!"</p> + +<p>When Obed said a thing in his emphatic way, he was to be relied on, Max +thought. The woods boy could look very sober at times, though, as a +rule, there was that merry gleam in his eye that told how much he loved +a joke.</p> + +<p>Altogether they had a delightful meal, and what was even better, there +was an abundance to give every one three bountiful helpings, which fact +pleased Bandy-legs and Steve in particular. The former, on passing his +plate—for they actually had such articles at this wonderful lodge under +the pines—for the third help, excused himself by remarking aside:</p> + +<p>"It's queer what a <em>terrible</em> appetite toting a pack a few miles over a +carry gives a fellow. Now, at home I'm generally satisfied with one +portion, but once let me get into the harness, and I seem to have no end +of <em>capacity</em>. Say, I'd eat you out of house and home, Obed, if I stayed +very long at your ranch."</p> + +<p>"No danger o' that, I guess, Bandy-legs," replied the other, for he had +of course taken quite naturally to calling these new friends by their +customary names, just as boys always do get on quick terms of +familiarity. "Last time I went to town I laid in quite a wheen o' stuff. +Then there's always the crick to git trout outen; and in a short time +you could shoot pa'tridges without breakin' the game laws. So don't let +that worry yuh any. I'm on'y too tickled to have some fellers around. It +does git kinder lonely here, sometimes, I own up."</p> + +<p>"Whew! I should think it would, Obed," said Steve, lost in admiration +for the amazing nerve displayed by the woods boy in remaining all by +himself, winter and summer, seldom, if ever, seeing a human face, and +apparently devoting all his energies to making his fur farm experiment +turn out to be a success. "Nothing would tempt me to stick it out here a +whole winter. Why, I'd die of the blues, and let the black foxes go to +the dickens, while I made break for the nearest town, so I could hear +the sound of a human voice."</p> + +<p>Obed looked at him gravely, and heaved a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Yep, I feels that ways, too, sometimes, Steve," he said presently; "and +let me tell yuh the temptation is nigh more'n I c'n stand; but I jest +shuts my teeth together, and tells myself that I started in to do this +job, and I'm agoin' to stick it out or know the reason why. Then I git +my second wind agin' and it's all right. Once I used to give in right +easy, but I'm broke now o' that bad habit, I guess."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapVII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE YOUNG MAGICIAN</strong></p> + +<p>The more Max listened to Obed talk on the one subject that seemed to be +his pet hobby, that of raising valuable fur-bearing animals for the +market, the deeper grew his conviction that the woods boy was well worth +studying.</p> + +<p>He might talk after the manner of an uneducated boy, but Max knew that +this could not be the case. Even though the main lot of numerous +"Grimeses" were following the humble occupation of guides amidst the +extensive stretches of the Adirondacks, and possibly many of them would +be found to be boors, save along the line of woodcraft, Obed had managed +to pick up considerable knowledge, somehow or other.</p> + +<p>When trying to explain how this idea of successfully raising "silver" +black foxes took such a main grip on his imagination, he brought out a +batch of clippings which he had managed to get hold of in some manner, +Max could not even guess how.</p> + +<p>Some of these were fantastic in their revelations, while others were +authentic interviews with parties who for years had been secretly +engaged in the business of fur farming. This was away up on Prince +Edward Island beyond Nova Scotia, said to be the place best situated +geographically for the purpose, as these animals require a severe +climate in order that their pelt assumes its richest and heaviest crop. +A black fox farm started down in Florida would not produce furs worth +offering for sale.</p> + +<p>Max was intensely interested with one account in particular connected +with the extensive pioneer silver fox ranch. He even asked the privilege +of copying the same for future reference, because he knew that +statements he might make later on would be skeptically received by many +people who had never dreamed that any species of furs were so valuable +that young pups could be worth more than their weight in gold.</p> + +<p>That the boy reader of this story may also stock up with information +that will better enable him to understand what enterprising Obed Grimes +was trying to do on a small scale, I am tempted to give the main items +in this newspaper article, every word of which is said to be literally +true.</p> + +<p>Since this account was first printed some years ago, other farms along +similar lines have been started away up near Calgary, in the Canadian +Province of Alberta, and are said to be doing excellently, one ranch +near Midnapore reporting a start with twelve pair, and the pack now +counting thirty-seven in all.</p> + +<p>But here is the main part of the clipping, well worth reading:</p> + +<p>There is something novel about a ranch which consists of spaces +covering 150 feet of ground. Chappell, now president of the Sydney +Chamber of Commerce, Nova Scotia, owns seventy pairs of silver black +foxes, and his ranch is split up into small inclosures of that size, +covered with wire on four sides, the wire being buried four feet under +ground, attached to a concrete base, and turned in several feet. The +silver black fox tries to root its way to freedom, and this is the way +the breeder prevents his escape.</p> + +<p>When the foxes mate we also mate a pair of black cats of the ordinary +domestic variety. As soon as the young are born, we take the fox pups +away from the mother fox, and the kittens away from the mother cat, and +make the cat foster-mother to the fox cubs. In this way we are able to +rear a more domesticated breed of foxes.</p> + +<p>For twenty years this business of raising foxes of the silver black +species was really kept under cover, because of its great possibilities +for making big money. With the last four or five years the business has +become organized, and today many millions of dollars are invested in it.</p> + +<p>The last lot of animals slaughtered was in 1910. There were forty-three +pelts sent to London at that time. They brought as high as $3,800, the +average fetching $1,500. Silver black fox is the rarest fur utilized by +man. The Russian sable, otter, and South Sea seal are practically +eliminated for commercial purposes, due to international laws which +prohibit the killing of these animals for the next ten or fifteen years, +so as to give them a chance to increase.</p> + +<p>Only 800 pairs of live foxes were placed on sale last year. Fewer than +50 of that number were killed and their fur sold. The rest went for +breeding purposes, because fur farms are starting up in many favorable +places. The men who raise silver foxes on Prince Edward Island know the +game. They started in it as boys many years ago.</p> + +<p>"In the provinces of Prince Edward, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, men +and women interested in breeding foxes have been made wealthy. They were +poor people ten years ago. Today they live in town houses, own their own +automobiles, and yet continue to give the strictest attention to all the +details connected with their singular farming industry."</p> + +<p>Obed was extremely modest in what he told concerning his own small +beginning. Max, having also read in one of the clippings that a pair of +gilt-edged silver black foxes were worth all the way up to $30,000, was, +of course, doubly curious to learn whether those with which Obed started +could be the genuine article, and if so, how had he managed to obtain +them.</p> + +<p>It seemed to be only a game in which rich persons could enter. Obed +understood just what must be passing in the mind of the other, and at +the first opportunity he hastened to explain.</p> + +<p>"I was just chock full o' this business," he went on to say, "when I +ran across Mr. Coombs. Yuh remember I told yuh about how that came +about, and that he seemed to think I'd saved his life." Well, he and me +kept house together here for some months, and then one day thar come the +biggest surprise I ever had. He fetched a crate along up from town in a +wagon he hired; and say, inside the same was the finest pair o' silver +blacks I ever saw. Then some more wagons begun to show up fetchin' rolls +of wire netting, and bags o' cement to make concrete with. Mr. Coombs +had gone into the fur raisin' business for keeps, and I was to have an +interest in the game. He had an agreement all written out that both o' +us signed before a justice, which fixed things up. Half the proceeds o' +the fur farm was to come to me, while I stayed here to look after +things.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, we worked like fun to git the stockade built 'cording to +form; and our mated pair o' foxes planted in the same. Since then I've +fixed three more enclosures, ready for an increase o' stock. Mr. Coombs, +he called this the Lone Lodge Black Fox Farm, and I guess the name will +stick even after I get to selling off some o' the product."</p> + +<p>It was simply wonderful, all of the eager listeners thought. Max could +hardly believe his ears, and yet so far as he could make out Obed seemed +in dead earnest. Besides, he had the documents to prove the truth of his +story, he said, which he would spread before them a little later on.</p> + +<p>As for that skeptic, Bandy-legs, he rolled his eyes up many times while +listening, and seemed to be swallowing it with considerable difficulty. +Toby and Steve never questioned the veracity of the narrator; they were +simply amazed at the immensity of the enterprise that had sprung up +almost like a mushroom, over night. Millions on millions of dollars +invested in artificial fur farming, and the general public utterly in +the dark concerning the facts until recently, when its scope could no +longer be concealed, like a light hidden under a bushel.</p> + +<p>"And now that you've kinder got an idea of what a big fur farm might be +like," the singular woods boy went on to say, rising as he spoke, +"s'pose yuh meander out and take a look at my humble beginnin'. I surely +hope yuh won't run down my efforts, 'cause o' course things ain't got to +runnin' full swing yet. But the cubs are nigh big enough to be taken to +market."</p> + +<p>"How many have you got, Obed?" asked Max, following the other out of the +cabin.</p> + +<p>"One pair nearly grown, and another just two months old. I've been +mighty lucky in not losing a single pup so far," came the reply over +Obed's shoulder; and he might be pardoned for putting just a mite of +pride in his tones, for he had accomplished something worth while for a +new beginner at the business.</p> + +<p>"But if you expect to keep in this line," said Bandy-legs quickly, as +though he voiced a suspicion that kept cropping up in his mind, "why do +you want to dispose of that first pair of pups?"</p> + +<p>Obed laughed good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell yuh, Bandy-legs," he said, confidentially. "In the first +place breeders like to change their stock, so as to bring new blood into +the pens. Then again, why, I happens to need the money that's comin' to +me for my share. A fellow has got to live up here in the mountains, and +grub costs a wheen o' hard cash, 'specially when yuh got a good +appetite, which seems to fit me all right. But if I get what I'm hopin' +for it'll be all right, and I reckons thar'll come some years before we +let more foxes get away from this same farm."</p> + +<p>So he took them to where he had his main enclosure, in which the boys +found the parent foxes. They may have become somewhat accustomed to +seeing Obed, and hearing the sound of his coaxing voice, for even the +most timid of wild animals in the process of time comes to recognize the +one who supplies their wants along the line of daily food. But possibly +Bandy-legs or Steve chanced to laugh, or speak out loud, for the old +foxes took the alarm; and it was only after constant efforts on the part +of Obed, with his familiar call to dinner, that caused them to show +themselves at all.</p> + +<p>They were certainly beauties. Max wondered more than ever at the nerve +of Obed in trying to start a silver black fox farm in this section, with +no one save himself apparently in charge. He feared that the enterprise +would be doomed to certain disaster. The smart woods boy might be +successful in raising a crop of valuable youngsters in the fox line; but +sooner or later some unscrupulous men, guides out of a job perhaps, and +loaded with strong drink, would try to make a secret raid on his +preserves, and clean him out in a single night. Fox pelts worth +thousands of dollars must tempt some men beyond their fears, or power of +resistance.</p> + +<p>Max made up his mind he would talk about this with Obed before he left. +He wondered at the short-sighted policy of the executor of Mr. Coombs' +estate in allowing so much money to be tied up in this property without +proper safeguards. If it was intended to continue the fox farm now that +it gave all evidences of possible success surely the boy should have an +assistant, some strong woodsman who could by his presence and readiness +to do battle awe any intended transgressors.</p> + +<p>They next visited the enclosure where the two pair of little foxes +played and slept and ate their fill, daily increasing in size and value. +They were also timid, though in due time Obed managed to get them to +show themselves; for hunger is a powerful inducement, and the smell of +favorite food a lure difficult to resist.</p> + +<p>"Of course," explained the young fur farmer, while they were watching +the inmates of the second enclosure, "I don't have black cats up here +yet to carry out them directions exactly; but I'm aiming to do that +also pretty soon. Yep, and after this set o' pups has been sold, if they +fetch all I count on, I'm goin' to have a talk with the lawyer that +looks after Mr. Coombs' estate. He promised to come up and see what +could be done about extendin' the farm. And then I guess it's goin' to +be time to hire a helper, seein' I can't do everything by myself."</p> + +<p>"That was just what I meant to speak to you about, Obed!" exclaimed Max. +"You oughtn't to try to stay here another winter all by yourself. +Besides, some unscrupulous men might raid your enclosures while you were +off hunting, or fishing, and break up your business. It isn't safe, +Obed; and I know from what you said before about suspecting strangers +were around here right now, that you're getting anxious yourself."</p> + +<p>The boy drew a long breath, and nodded his head. Into his eyes crept a +look quite the opposite of that merry gleam usually nestling there. Yes, +plainly Obed <em>was</em> worried over something; and Max believed he had put +his finger directly on the sore spot when he spoke of a possible raid on +the fur product of the singular farm.</p> + +<p>"Can you find just such a reliable man as you want, Obed?" asked Steve.</p> + +<p>"That part ain't so hard," he was told. "Fact is I've got him more'n +half engaged a'ready. His name is Jerry Stocks, and he's a woods guide. +Been a heap interested in this game ever since we started up. Fact is, +Jerry has done a heap o' things for me from time to time, 'cause yuh +see I couldn't work it all. He lives 'bout 'leven miles off that ways. +We've fixed a way to signal to each other by flyin' a little white flag +from two low peaks. When I want Jerry I run my flag up, and if he's +home, why the next day, or mebbe sooner, he shows up. But shucks! that +wouldn't keep me from losin' my stock if there was a real raid."</p> + +<p>He went on talking further, and the boys picked up considerable more +valuable information, for Obed was apparently well posted on the +subject, which had occupied his thoughts night and day.</p> + +<p>So he told them that perhaps, if all went well, he might take up a +companion industry, being nothing more nor less than trying to raise +mink or otter in captivity.</p> + +<p>"'Course I know it isn't done to any great extent yet," he explained, +"but that's no reason there shouldn't be some ready money picked up in +the business. It wouldn't pay anything like the foxes, and for that +reason I'd go slow about it. Oh! I've got a heap o' ways for gettin' the +ready cash to keep up my share o' the expenses o' the farm here. I've +found two bee trees, and sent the honey to market too. Got nigh twenty +dollars for the honey. Then I dig ginseng roots times when there's +nothing else to do. Come over with me and see my frog pond. Last +shipment o' big fat saddles brought me a neat little wad o' money, and +they don't cost me a cent, if yuh want to know it."</p> + +<p>The four boys looked at each other in increased wonderment. What manner +of chap was this same Obed, to be able to wrest a living from a +bounteous Nature in the clever way he did? Steve in particular was loud +in his praise.</p> + +<p>"Why, Obed, old fellow," he burst out with, "you're just the same kind +of an enterprising chap Max here has always been. Why, it was his grand +idea about there being mussels aplenty in the Big Sunflower down our way +that started us into making a try for fresh-water pearls in the river. +We found 'em, too, some thousands of dollars' worth, of them; and when +the news leaked out, whee! the farmers, all around, had a tough time +getting their harvests home, because every hand was treading for mussels +in the creeks and small rivers for thirty miles around Carson. Why, I +bet you it'd be as hard to find a fresh-water clam down our way now as a +needle in a haystack; they're all cleaned out. You see, Max here had +read about pearls being found out in Indiana and other places, and that +gave him the big idea; just like you got set on the fur farm business by +reading about it."</p> + +<p>They duly inspected the marsh where Obed hunted his big greenback frogs +when he thought the crop warranted a thinning out.</p> + +<p>"They're always in demand down New York ways, whar they fetch a dollar a +pound for the saddles," he explained; "and let me tell yuh it doesn't +take a great many o' them to weigh that much. I've got some granddaddy +bouncers here that'd make you stare to see 'em; but they don't show up +much at this time o' day."</p> + +<p>"And how do you get them by the wholesale when you want to market any?" +asked Steve. "I've shot many a one with a small Flobert rifle; or else +caught them with a piece of red flannel fixed on a small hook, attached +by a short cord to a stout pole."</p> + +<p>"Well, men in the regular frog-raising business couldn't go about it as +slow as that," said the other, "though I have shot a few o' the big uns +that way, 'cause they was too tricky to be grabbed with my hand net. If +you stay with me a spell we'll get more'n one mess o' frog legs, if yuh +likes them."</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs was seen to work his lips as though his month fairly watered +at the pleasing prospect; for those who are fond of the dish say that +frogs' legs are more delicate than the best spring chicken, with just a +little taste of fish about them that rather adds to the piquancy.</p> + +<p>Having by this time exhausted about all the sights of the wonderful farm +the boys headed back again toward the cabin. Max could not but notice +that Obed showed signs of uneasiness while away, and cast frequent +glances in the direction where under those whispering pines and the dark +green hemlocks his lone lodge stood.</p> + +<p>Therefore Max was not very much surprised when, as he and Obed strolled +along in the rear of the other three, who were chatting, and arguing +about certain matters, the young fur farmer pressed his arm +confidentially, and went on to say:</p> + +<p>"I'd like to tell yuh something, Max, 'cause I own up it's gettin' on my +nerves. I thought nothin' could bother me any, but now that the time is +so close at hand when I mean tuh sell that pair o' grown pups, and get +the money I need so bad, why, things look kinder different. Fact is, +Max," he went on, allowing his voice to sink into a mysterious stage +whisper, "somebody was lookin' around in my cabin while I was down at +your camp last evenin'. I know this because things was more or less +upset; and I reckon my comin' back scared the man away, whoever he may +have been!"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapVIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>PRODUCTS OF THE FUR FARM</strong></p> + +<p>"That looks bad, Obed," Max hastened to say, feeling a perceptible +thrill at the very thought of being on hand to assist this enterprising +boy defend his property, which he had made so valuable, through his own +efforts in most part. "I saw a smoke last evening, too, which must have +been made by a camp-fire. I wondered if there were deer hunters up here +so early; or if some men might be after your foxes. Of course that idea +only came to me after you had told us about your enterprise, and how +valuable the pelts were."</p> + +<p>"It's mighty tough," avowed Obed, between his set teeth, "to be so nigh +success, and then face failure. I've been tempted to signal for Jerry to +come over and help me stand guard a spell. Yuh see, I ought to be on my +way to town with that pair o' nearly-grown young blacks. I know whar I +c'n get more for 'em alive than for their pelts if I took the time to +cure the same, which I don't want to do. Oh! I've just <em>got</em> to sell +'em, and that's all thar is about it. I've dreamed about the day I'd get +that check, and show—er, that lawyer managin' Mr. Coombs' estate that +all I told him was true. Once I have the proof that thar's big money in +raisin' silver blacks, he's promised to do anything in reason I ask."</p> + +<p>Max made up his mind on the spot.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Obed," was the way he talked, for Max always believed that +it was good policy to "hit the nail directly on the head;" especially +when the subject was of considerable importance, "what's to hinder you +going off with that pair of live blacks, and disposing of them, while +the four of us stay here and run your fur farm for you? It would only +take a few days, and we've got the time to spare. Of course you'd have +to trust us to the limit, to leave things in our charge; but we'd surely +be pleased to help you out. And depend on it, nobody would steal any of +the other inmates of the pens while we were on deck. We've got only one +gun along, but that is a repeating Marlin, always to be depended on to +do its work."</p> + +<p>The woods boy was visibly affected by hearing Max say this. He reached +for the other's hand and squeezed it almost fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it's kind of you to say that, Max!" he exclaimed, as though the +words sprang directly from his heart. "And d'ye know I'm tempted to take +you at your word. For I <em>must</em> get those pups delivered as I promised. +Everything depends on that deal. The man saw them three months ago, and +we made a bargain. I was to deliver the pups to him by the time first +snow flew; and it's due any day now, you know."</p> + +<p>A singular thing had happened, and Max, while deeply interested in what +Obed was saying, could not help but notice that for once the woods boy +had spoken without a sign of the rude dialect which up to then had +marked his manner of speech. This further aroused the curiosity of Max, +who to himself was saying:</p> + +<p>"I hit the mark when I guessed Obed was smarter than he let on, and +could talk just as well as the next fellow when he chose. He's just +fallen into speaking that way through his association with these rough +people up here, his own folks likely enough. Or else he likes to pull +the wool over our eyes, just for a joke."</p> + +<p>Aloud Max continued to reassure the other.</p> + +<p>"Then consider it as good as settled, Obed," he said, "that we'll hang +around here a short while. If you think best you can get that Jerry to +come over, and keep his finger on the pulse. Perhaps it might be wise, +too, because he'd know just what to do in case there was any trouble +among the foxes left in the pens; and it is all new to us, remember."</p> + +<p>"Yuh've relieved my mind a heap, Max, sure yuh have," Obed told him, +again relapsing into the vernacular that is usually a part of a woods +guide's language. "And tonight I'll set the traps I've got fixed. Mebbe +if so be trespassers come a skulkin' around they might git a little +surprise. But I'll show yuh what I'm mentionin' later on. Jest now I +on'y want to tell yuh I'm mighty glad I dropped into yer camp last +evenin' 'stead o' slippin' away, like I fust thought o' doin'."</p> + +<p>"But you don't want me to look on this matter as a secret, do you, +Obed?"</p> + +<p>The other started, Max thought, and looked quickly at him.</p> + +<p>"Now what might yuh be meanin' by that, Max?" he presently asked, a bit +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I only wanted to have your permission to tell my three chums what +you've been saying to me," explained Max. "Of course I know what their +answer will be when I put it up to them. We've really come here on what +Bandy-legs calls a wild goose hunt, for there isn't one chance in ten +that we'll ever be able to find Roland Chase; so our time is really +pretty much our own, to do with as we will. And Obed, all of us have +taken such a big interest in your enterprise up here, that we'll be only +too happy to lend you a helping hand. You are so near success now that +it'd be a shame if you fell down through no fault of your own."</p> + +<p>"That's what I keep tellin' myself too, Max, don't you know!" exclaimed +the now excited Obed. "I've hugged that hope close to my heart month +after month, and now when I c'n almost whiff the success I've prayed for +it'd nearly kill me to lose everything. Oh! I jest wants a couple of +weeks at the most, and then I'll show 'em, yes, I will. They all said +I'd make a dead failure out o' my fur farm; but yuh c'n see it's comin' +along right smart."</p> + +<p>When they reached the cabin the boys threw themselves down on the soft +yielding turf near-by to "loaf" as Bandy-legs properly expressed it; and +surely he could do this as well as any boy who ever drew breath.</p> + +<p>Max took occasion to tell the others what he and Obed had been talking +about. All of them were deeply interested. They looked angrily at each +other when Max explained how the woods boy had found traces of some +intruder who had actually entered his lone cabin while he, Obed, was +away in their company; also telling how the other strongly suspected +that a dastardly plot had been hatched, looking to the robbing of the +pens connected with the silver fox fur farm.</p> + +<p>Obed was inside doing something at the time, and so Max felt that he +could talk freely. He meant that his three chums should know everything +in the beginning, before he called on them to decide whether they would +stay over a few days, and guard the property, while Obed was marketing +his first proceeds in a distant city; for the pups were really too +valuable to be trusted to the tender mercies of an express company, Obed +thought.</p> + +<p>"I don't exactly understand how Obed knows that there <em>is</em> a conspiracy +hatched up against him, to complete the ruination of his enterprise," +continued Max; "but he seems to think some party has a deep grudge +against him. It may be we'll know more about this later on; but for the +present I've promised Obed I'd put up a proposition to you."</p> + +<p>"Then let's hear it, Max!" exclaimed Touch-and-Go Steve, "though I +reckon we c'n all give a pretty close guess at what's coming."</p> + +<p>"Why, Obed wants to get away with that pair of grown pups, so he can +deliver them to the man he's bargained with; and I've proposed that we +stay here a few days, and guard his property while he's off. Is there +any objection to that plan? I told him I expected I could count on my +chums to stick by me."</p> + +<p>"I should say you could, Max," chuckled Bandy-legs. "Why, I'm fairly +counting on depopulating that big frog marsh while we're hanging around +this section. And say, Steve here could keep us supplied with trout +galore, if only he fished from the bank, and didn't wade in."</p> + +<p>Both the others were equally prompt to agree. Indeed Toby "fell all over +himself," as Steve termed it, in his eagerness to give assent; and could +only recover after coming to an abrupt halt, taking one of his customary +big breaths, and then giving a sharp whistle, after which he finished +what he was saying as nicely as anything.</p> + +<p>And that settled it, just as Max had been confident would be the case; +for he knew his chums too well to believe they would be willing to let +such a brave fight be lost when the goal seemed so near. Obed Grimes had +proved to be a fellow after their own hearts, and they found themselves +deeply interested in his fortunes.</p> + +<p>So when the woods boy came out again—Max suspected that he had +purposely withdrawn from the scene in order not to embarrass them while +making their decision—he was told how they all felt. And Obed went +around shaking hands, with the tears in his eyes. Plainly he had his +whole heart wrapped up in the successful outcome of this odd venture; +and when the clouds began to loom up overhead this proffered assistance +on the part of the four chums was gratefully received.</p> + +<p>"This is mighty nice o' yuh, boys," he kept telling them, as though +really at a loss for appropriate words best calculated to express the +state of his feelings; "and I ain't goin' to ever forget it, either. Now +I feel that I c'n start out right away, the day after tomorrow, and +deliver them pups to Mr. Sheckard. Say, mebbe I won't be a proud boy +when he hands me that big check, and I know that I've won out against +all odds!"</p> + +<p>His eyes glowed at the very thought, and Max was more than glad he and +his comrades had the chance to render so resolute a chap slight +assistance. For it would really be a pleasure for them to stay there at +that wonderful little lodge under the whispering pines, and keep house +while Obed was away. Then, too, Jerry would be on hand, ready with his +advice and knowledge, so as to do the proper thing. As to any rash +prowler stealing the valuable foxes, day or night, well, they would see +to it a constant watch was kept, and that the gun was always ready to +block any nasty little game like that.</p> + +<p>Later on, Max amused himself lolling in Mr. Coombs' big fireside chair, +which he had moved near one of the windows. He had run across a number +of books on a shelf, and was engaged in looking them over, though hardly +bothering to actually read. Nevertheless, he seemed to be quite curious +concerning them, and when Obed chanced to come in, Max naturally asked +concerning the volumes.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yuh see, some o' them belong to me," the woods boy remarked, +without hesitation, "and t'others they were left here by Mr. Coombs. He +was a great reader; and besides, he'd traveled all over the known world. +Yuh remember I said he was a sea captain, and that he made his fortune +carryin' cargoes from the Far East to England and America. Sometime I'll +tell yuh a few of the queer adventures he had in foreign countries. +They've got lots o' thrills about 'em, too."</p> + +<p>"Just so," ventured Max, casually, "and I once heard some people talking +about a Mr. Coombs who had been a great traveler. Now I wonder if it +could have been the same party. Was his first name Robert?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, <em>my</em> Mr. Coombs' name was Jared," replied the other, promptly.</p> + +<p>"Then, of course, it could not have been the same," added Max, smiling +as though he had attained the object of his questioning; "but the +similarity in names, and the fact that both men had traveled +considerably, made me think it might, be so."</p> + +<p>He once more dipped into the book he was holding, although watching Obed +slily over the top of the volume. And when the woods boy had passed +outside again, Max Hastings might have been seen to hurriedly turn back +to the blank pages at the front of the book, scan several initials that +were plainly written there, and then nod his head mysteriously, with a +smile that gradually crept across his whole face; just as though +something pleased him, which, for the time being, he chose to keep to +himself.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapIX"></a><h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>LAYING PLANS TO HELP OBED</strong></p> + +<p>It was only natural that Steve, always headstrong and impulsive, should +be eager to find out what kind of plan might be arranged looking to +keeping watch and ward over the fur farm during the nights to come. He +had been impressed with the signs of anxiety which Obed plainly +betrayed, when speaking of his belief concerning some sort of plot being +hatched up against his peace of mind, and which would bring about the +ultimate ruination of his unique and intensely interesting undertaking.</p> + +<p>To Steve, the idea of a miserable rascal sneaking up in the night to +destroy all that poor hardworking Obed had built up after many moons, +was simply terrible. The more he considered it the greater became his +secret anger; and of course this meant that his liking for the boy fur +farmer grew in proportion.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon, as the shadows began to lengthen perceptibly, +Steve found occasion to broach the subject to his three chums. Max had +come out of the cabin; evidently he had tired of looking over the books, +which might do very well to pass away a long evening, or a rainy day +when time dragged, but could not chain him down long when the sun was +shining, the breeze rustling through the many-colored leaves still on +the trees, and with all Nature beckoning.</p> + +<p>So Steve crooked his finger toward Bandy-legs and Toby, lounging near +by; and being in a humor themselves for any sort of thing, the pair +hastened to join him. And Max, upon being pounced upon by the balance of +the crowd, looked askance, knowing that something was in the wind.</p> + +<p>"Strikes me, fellows," commenced Steve, "that We ought to be figuring on +what we expect to do tonight."</p> + +<p>"Huh! as for me," quickly responded Bandy-legs, "I'm expecting to do my +share about slingin' together a dandy spread, with some of the fine grub +we fetched along. This mountain air is something terrible when it comes +to toning up <em>jaded appetites</em>. I feel as if I had a vacuum down about +my middle all the time. I'm beginning to be alarmed about my condition. +If it keeps on it's going to mean bankruptcy for my folks, that's all."</p> + +<p>"About me, now," added Toby Jucklin, briskly, "I'm hoping to g-g-get a +b-b-bully g-g-good sleep tonight; unless Max fixes it so we have to +t-t-take t-t-turns standing sentry duty."</p> + +<p>Steve looked disgusted.</p> + +<p>"Oh! rats! I didn't mean anything like that, and you both know it," he +told the two grinning chums. "What I was referring to was on the point +of duty. We've agreed to stand back of our new friend, Obed, and see to +it that he isn't robbed of the proceeds of his industry by unscrupulous +scoundrels; and we've got to make good!"</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear!" ejaculated Toby, pretending to clap his hands in applause.</p> + +<p>"Steve, you're exhausting all the big words in the dictionary, with your +high-flown language," warned Bandy-legs in mock severity. "But I get +your meaning, all the same, and I also agree with your noble sentiments. +Sure we're expecting to stand up for Obed and his pets; and we're +likewise intending to make it hot for any old terrapin who comes +creeping around here with the idea of making way with the wearers of +that expensive fur. How about it, Max?"</p> + +<p>"That's a settled thing," readily replied the one appealed to, and whose +opinion, it was plain to be seen, would swing things one way or another, +since the other fellows were in the habit of looking up to Max as their +leader. "We can fix it up in regular orthodox style, each fellow having +two hours on duty, and the rest of the night for sleep. Does that strike +you as about right?"</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Steve, proudly, "it won't be the first occasion when +this bunch has had to stand guard, not by a long sight. I can look back +and see many a night when we had to keep an anchor to windward, or else +lose something we prized a heap. Ever since we dug up all those mussels +in the Big Sunflower, and found dandy pearls inside some of them, it +seems to me we've had occasion from time to time to be envied by other +people, and had to keep watch so we wouldn't be robbed. Oh! standing +sentry is an old trick with us!"</p> + +<p>"For my p-p-part," remarked Toby, yawning as he spoke, "I'd much rather +think up some g-g-good s-s-scheme that would ease the s-s-strain, and +allow us to s-s-sleep through the entire night."</p> + +<p>"Please explain what you mean by saying that, Toby," demanded Steve; +"you do get off the most mysterious communications sometimes, and muddle +us all up."</p> + +<p>"But there isn't anything q-q-queer about this, Steve," protested Toby. +"All of you know I've been a g-g-great h-h-hand to make m-m-machinery +take the place of h-h-hand power. What's the need of our s-s-staying +awake p-p-part of the night, even, if by cudgeling our brains we +c-c-could think up some g-g-good s-s-scheme that would answer the same +purpose?"</p> + +<p>"I can see <em>you</em> cudgeling your poor brains, all right, Toby," sneered +Steve, who apparently did not take a great deal of stock in the other's +ability for conceiving clever ideas: "and a pretty mess you'd make of +it, in the bargain. Take it from me, they're cudgeled enough as it is."</p> + +<p>"That will do for you, Steve," said Max. "I understand just what Toby +means, and it's along the right line too. This is the age of progress, +and up-to-date people don't want to depend on the old-time methods that +were good enough for their grandfathers. Toby thinks one of us might +suggest a scheme whereby we could guard the fox farm, and at the same +time obtain our full quota of sleep. In other words, rig up a dummy to +stand our trick as sentry. Isn't that it, Toby?"</p> + +<p>"J-j-just what I had in my mind, Max," snapped Toby; "and any silly +c-c-could easy see that."</p> + +<p>"Sure, and the wise ones had to be told," chirped Steve, jauntily. "But +never mind arguing, Toby; it's all right, and I'm only joking. I get the +idea; and now, has any one a scheme on tap that would apply to the +case?"</p> + +<p>Toby scratched his head as though he considered that, having been the +first to make the suggestion, it was up to him to say something, no +matter how.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's the spring-gun trap, you know," he remarked, without once +stuttering, which fact proved that he was deliberately taking his time +about answering.</p> + +<p>"What sort of arrangement do you call that, I'd like to know!" asked +Steve.</p> + +<p>"S-s-say, you a hunter, and never heard about the s-s-spring-gun trap?" +exclaimed Toby, scornfully. "Well, I'll try to explain, if you give me a +little t-t-time, and don't r-r-rush me too much. You see, a gun is +f-f-fastened to the ground, and aiming along a certain avenue that the +intended thief has just g-g-got to use in c-c-coming up to the b-b-bait. +Then a c-c-cord is s-s-strung so the thief p-p-presses against the +s-s-same, just like Max here fixes his c-c-camera nights, when he wants +to s-s-snap off a skunk or a 'coon by flashlight. Well, the g-g-gun goes +off, and f-f-fills Mister Thief with number twelve birdshot. When you +hear the c-c-crash, and his howls, why, you just s-s-saunter out and +f-f-fetch in the s-s-spoils. There, do you understand about the +s-s-spring-gun trap now, Steve?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I knew all that before, only you mixed me up by giving it that +name," the other hastily replied. "But it strikes me that'd be a pretty +rough deal for us to play. It might answer if the thief were an animal, +but a human being is different."</p> + +<p>"All the same," retorted Toby, savagely, "he's a t-t-thief, and outside +the p-p-pale of the law."</p> + +<p>"Just so," Steve went on, and Max was surprised at his moderation, +because, as a rule, Steve had always been the most reckless one of the +crowd; "but suppose now we found that we'd done more than we calculated +on, Toby? A charge of small birdshot starts out on its errand a whole +lot like a bullet. It doesn't commence to scatter till it gets just so +far away from the muzzle of the gun; depending on the size of the bore, +and the way the barrel is choked. I've known a charge of shot to tear a +hole right through a board when fired at close range. At a distance it +would only have scattered out, and peppered the whole fence. And, Toby, +we might feel rather bad if we found we'd killed a man, even if he was a +thief!"</p> + +<p>Toby did not answer to that fling. The truth of the matter was he +shivered at the gruesome picture Steve's words drew before his mental +vision; for Toby was not at all bloodthirsty.</p> + +<p>Max now took a hand in the conversation.</p> + +<p>"Listen, fellows," he went on to say, "it strikes me that when we set +about discussing this matter, we ought to remember that there's one chap +who's considerably more interested in the outcome than any of us can +ever be."</p> + +<p>"'Course you mean Obed when you say that, Max?" ventured Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>"He's the one," the other admitted. "And we ought to invite him to join +us in figuring out our plans. Now, it may be Obed will have a scheme of +his own that'd knock any we might think up all silly. I'll call him +over, and tell him what we're trying to arrange."</p> + +<p>It happened that just then Obed was passing on his way to the cabin. He +had been working somewhere amidst his enclosures, perhaps making certain +preparations for insuring the safety of his valuable furry pets, should +a descent on the farm come about during the hours of darkness.</p> + +<p>Obed hastened to join them. His questioning look influenced Max to +explain without hesitation; and the woods boy smiled broadly when he +heard how his new-found friends were already taking so decided an +interest in his fortunes.</p> + +<p>"Now, it might be," he started to say, again looking serious, "that all +this fuss ain't worth the candle, and that nothin' 's going to happen; +but I believe in shuttin' the door <em>before</em> the hoss is stolen; it's too +late afterwards. I haven't got the time right now to tell yuh jest how I +learned that my foxes was agoin' tuh be in danger; somebody I knew wrote +me a letter, and warned me, which'll have tuh be enuff jest now tuh +explain. Since I got that same, three days back, I've been figgerin' on +how I could fix up a trap tuh ketch any two-legged varmint that chanced +tuh come sneakin' around here of a night. Well, I got one er two tricks +rigged up that might fill the bill."</p> + +<p>"Of course you mean to show them to us, Obed?" Steve burst out with; +"for if you didn't, and we were left in charge here, one of us might +fall into the pit, and get knocked out, which would be tough luck, I'm +thinking."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I meant to show you, Steve," asserted the fur farmer, quickly. "And +if so be yuh'll come along with me right now, we'll take a look at the +contraptions, which, of course, yuh understand, are only meant for +night-times, and tuh help out when Jerry wouldn't be around for me to +sorter lean on."</p> + +<p>Being boys who did things themselves, it was only natural that the four +chums should feel a decided interest in what Obed had just said. Even +Max showed an eagerness to go forth and examine the said traps. He could +speculate as to what their character might turn out to be, but this +only added a little more spice to the occasion.</p> + +<p>So when Obed turned and started off, with a beckoning finger that +enticed them to follow his lead, none of the quartette held back.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapX"></a><h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>TRAPS FOB NIGHT PROWLERS</strong></p> + +<p>"Yuh see," remarked Obed, turning around as they drew near the first +enclosure, where the parent foxes were confined behind the wire fencing, +"I've just been adding a few finishing touches tuh this here trap +scheme. I got a little idea while I was alookin' the ground over, and +reckoned I could fix it up so there'd be a heap right good chance that a +feller creeping around here o' a night would step into the contraption. +I'll show yuh how I 'ranged it."</p> + +<p>With that he led the way along a plain trail that seemed to be the +easiest route up to the enclosure. Three times out of four a stranger, +prowling around with meagre light to guide him, would be apt to follow +that beaten track; and this was evidently what the shrewd Obed was +counting on.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's this way my little scheme is agoin' to work," he explained, +after reaching a certain point. "See this rope—I throw it across a limb +o' this tree. Yuh notice that it's got an easy runnin' slip-noose at the +end, don't yuh? That I'm fixing right here, where there's a good chance +the thief will put his foot in it as he takes this step I'm showing +you."</p> + +<p>He proved that he was right, and indeed it was really a difficult +thing, after Obed had placed the noose just as he wanted it, close to +the ground, and on little wooden crotches he had arranged there for the +purpose, for any one to step across without getting his foot entangled +in the rope.</p> + +<p>"Well, let's reckon, then, he does get caught in the noose, and jerks it +tight around his ankle," continued Obed, very much interested himself in +what he was saying, and as Max quickly noticed, even neglecting to speak +as he usually did, although he had shown this odd trait before. "What +happens? I'll show you how it's going to work out, if everything runs as +I've planned."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, he picked up a heavy piece of wood that chanced to be lying +close by, and which doubtless Obed had used before in order to test the +accuracy of his figuring. This he inserted in the noose, and then gave +it a hunch that not only tightened the rope but carried out the further +purpose of the inventor.</p> + +<p>Instantly things began to happen. The boys heard a queer rattling sound +near by, and immediately the wooden "dummy" was jerked out of Obed's +hands, to be drawn up until it struck against the limb of the tree fully +ten feet above. Steve gave a whoop.</p> + +<p>"My stars! but that worked like a charm, Obed, let me tell you. Greased +lightning could hardly be quicker than the way you've arranged your +trap. And what was all that rattling sound about? What's holding on to +the other end of the rope, which pulled the log up on the run? I want to +know, even if I ain't from Missouri."</p> + +<p>The woods boy laughed as though quite pleased because his trap had +worked well enough to call forth such words of praise from these new +friends.</p> + +<p>"Come over and see," he simply said.</p> + +<p>They followed the line of rope, now taut, and resembling a huge "fiddle +string," as Bandy-legs remarked, testing it as he passed along. It led +them to the brow of an abrupt little descent, a sheer drop of perhaps +twenty feet. Down this slope they followed the rope with their eyes and +then discovered it was attached to a large and heavy barrel that could +almost be called a hogshead, evidently something which had been used as +a crate to convey a portion of the previous owner of the cabin's +crockery ware thither when he moved up from town.</p> + +<p>As the boys were no simpletons, they readily grasped the essential +qualities of Obed's little scheme. It may have been original with him; +and then again possibly he had borrowed the same from some book he had +read; but, nevertheless, it struck them as pretty clever.</p> + +<p>Not content with the heaviness of the big barrel, he had placed a number +of stones inside so as to add to the swiftness of its flight down that +declivity, once it was released. The rope acted as "starter," and upon +being jerked, as must be the case, should any one get a foot caught in +the noose, it released a stake that kept the heavy barrel poised there +at the top of the descent. The consequence was that it would plunge +downward almost as though making a sheer drop; the noose tightening +about the leg or legs of the unhappy wight who had sprung the trap, he +would be jerked off his feet and hauled up, head downward, to dangle +there in midair, as helpless as a babe.</p> + +<p>"Set it again, and let me try the trick, please, Obed," pleaded Steve, +who seemed to be particularly charmed with the arrangement.</p> + +<p>"I will if yuh help me git the barrel back up the hill again," replied +the other. "Workin' all by myself I've had tuh take the rocks out each +time before I could push the old thing back again tuh the top, 'cause +she's some heavy, believe me."</p> + +<p>Steve, yes, and both Bandy-legs and Toby also, hastened to comply with +this reasonable request; and between them all the heavy barrel was +slowly pushed up again until the stake held it poised there on the top +of the sharp declivity.</p> + +<p>Max stood and watched operations, not that he was unwilling to lend a +hand also if necessary; but just then he wanted to observe Obed, and +draw certain conclusions in which he, Max, seemed to take considerable +interest.</p> + +<p>Then Steve was given the wooden "dummy" which had worked so like a +charm, and instructed how to manage it, so that it would take the place +of a man's lower extremities. Steve did so well that he, too, by a +little jerk displaced the delicately arranged "trigger" as Obed called +the stake, and caused the barrel to pitch furiously down the steep +slope.</p> + +<p>Steve had not been quite quick enough to snatch his hands away, after +working the trick. The consequence was that when the billet of wood was +plucked from his grasp with such swiftness, and drawn instantly aloft, +Steve staggered, and might have fallen only that Obed clutched hold of +him.</p> + +<p>"Wow! did you see that?" gasped Steve, staring upwards at the dangling +"dummy" as though he could easily imagine it a kicking, squirming human +figure. "And say, it worked as fine as silk, didn't it? Obed, you've +done yourself proud with this little game. If that thief ever gets a +foot in your slip-noose his goose will be cooked, that's as plain as +dirt."</p> + +<p>He actually seemed to be very proud of the fact that he had acted as +master of ceremonies, and set the trap off so successfully. Nothing +would do but that Bandy-legs and Toby Jucklin in addition should be +given the same distinction; so twice more was the barrel rolled up the +slope, and on both occasions it worked to a charm.</p> + +<p>"It seems to be next door to perfect, for a fact," asserted Max, upon +being appealed to for his opinion; but he did not seem to "hanker" after +trying it out on his own account.</p> + +<p>Finally the weighted barrel was again pushed up to its appointed +position and held there with the stake. When the proper time came, it +would be easy for the inventor to arrange the slip-noose, and set the +trap.</p> + +<p>"What, is there anything more to be shown?" asked Steve, when Obed asked +them to follow him a little further.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later and they were gravely examining an odd arrangement +which consisted for the most part of a very heavy log. Steve looked it +over critically, and then ventured to give his opinion:</p> + +<p>"Looks a whole lot like a deadfall trap, such as they use in most places +to get bears in," he went on to say.</p> + +<p>Obed chuckled as though pleased at the answer to his look of inquiry.</p> + +<p>"Just what it is built on the pattern of, Steve, if yuh want to know +it," he admitted. "The only difference is that in the regular deadfall +the log comes down and smashes the poor bear by its sheer weight. Now, +I've tried to rig <em>my</em> trap up so it'll simply make a prisoner o' the +creeper. I'll show yuh just how it works. I've got a dummy here, too, +that I use to test things. Yuh see there's always just a little chance +it might go wrong; and I don't want to get caught, and made a prisoner, +with nobody around to let me loose."</p> + +<p>With that he demonstrated his idea. The trap was sprung just as he meant +it should be, and if the dummy had really been a man, he would have +found himself caught tightly in the log trap, with but a poor chance of +ever getting out again, unless external assistance came along.</p> + +<p>"Any more tricks like these two up your sleeve, Obed?" asked Steve, +after they had further examined the deadfall, and Max had pronounced it +skillfully constructed.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm afraid I reached the end o' my rope when I hatched up this +second idea, Steve," the other remarked, in a sort of apologetic tone. +"Of course I might think up a few more if I reckoned it'd be necessary. +But I've got a hunch that one o' the lot is agoin' tuh grab that thief, +providin' he does come around here. Besides, when yuh git right down to +brass tacks, thar isn't as much danger o' my bein' robbed in the +night-time, as in the day."</p> + +<p>"And why not, Obed?" further asked Steve; "I'd think that was the very +time you'd feel scariest, when it was dark, and you couldn't see if +anybody was prowling around the farm."</p> + +<p>"Stop an' think how foxes have holes in the ground, into which they c'n +burrow when scared the least mite," explained Obed, readily, "and yuh'll +see how hard it'd be for a stranger to lay hands on them. Now, in the +daytime, if they came along, with me away from the place, a man with a +rifle could knock over my pets as easy as turnin' his hand. But, all the +same, I've fixed my traps. For one thing I'd like to find out jest who +the thief is."</p> + +<p>Max noticed what emphasis he put on that last remark. He could see the +customary twinkle in Obed's eyes give way to a sterner look; as though +he had brooded more or less over this same subject. And Max himself +nodded his head as though he might in a measure understand just how Obed +felt.</p> + +<p>So they returned to the house. Bandy-legs at least rejoiced because with +all those clever contraptions set, and waiting to give the intended +thief a warm reception, it did seem as though there would be hardly any +necessity for them to waste their precious time in sitting up and +keeping watch, when they would be so much better off enjoying "balmy +sleep," as he called it; and all sleep was along that order, according +to the mind of Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>Max and Steve trailed along well in the rear. This may have simply +happened, but Steve twice stopped the other, and pointed out something +he wished Max to see; so possibly the delay was intentional on his part. +At least, he presently made a remark that would make it seem so.</p> + +<p>"It certainly looks as if Obed was a pretty ingenious maker of snares, +that's sure, Max?" Steve was saying, significantly.</p> + +<p>"That's right, he is, Steve, and we must give him great credit for it, +even if his traps fail to catch a thief in the act."</p> + +<p>"I was just thinking, Max," pursued the other, meditatively, "that it's +evident this same Obed must have inherited that strain from a long line +of trapper ancestors or progenitors; wouldn't you think so, too?"</p> + +<p>Max looked at his companion queerly, and smiled as he made reply.</p> + +<p>"You may be right, Steve, of course, but it strikes me Obed has an +original streak of genius all his own, which doesn't have to depend on +any inherited trait. Things are not <em>always</em> what they seem in this +world, you know."</p> + +<p>"Lookey here, Max, you've struck a scent which you don't think best to +share with your boon companions, that's as plain to me as two and two +make four. You've come to think a little the same way as Bandy-legs, +perhaps, and suspect Obed of being more than he lets on? Is that it, +Max? Do you really believe he's playing some sly trick on us? Is that +yarn about Mr. Coombs all moonshine? Does this fur farm belong to some +company, that Obed is working for? I wish you'd tell me what you've got +in your mind, Max."</p> + +<p>"I expect to a little later on, Steve, never fear," he was assured. "I'm +not more than half certain even now that it can be so, and I never like +to make a mess of things. Besides, you know, it wouldn't be just fair to +Obed to have us all suspecting him of playing tricks. Just go on as +you've been doing. Take my word for it, this new friend we've made is +all to the good, and will never turn out to be the wrong sort of +fellow."</p> + +<p>He started on after saying this, and Steve followed, looking very much +puzzled, and shaking his head as though he could not catch the right +idea. Shortly afterwards, however, Steve had apparently forgotten his +newly awakened suspicions, for he was entering into the general +conversation as heartily as ever. Still, Max noticed, with amusement, +that from time to time Steve would follow Obed hungrily with his eyes, +and on such occasions that double line of wrinkles, expressive of +bewilderment, might again be seen upon the boy's forehead.</p> + +<p>Toby and Bandy-legs were only too glad to take the preparation of supper +into their hands completely. They felt a certain amount of pride in +their culinary skill, and wished to show their host the full list of +their accomplishments as camp cooks. Besides, they believed that among +their abundant stores they carried a number of things which Obed failed +to possess; and of course a new dish was apt to be a pleasant surprise +to the woods boy.</p> + +<p>The supper thus concocted and carried out was certainly a genuine +triumph. Steve openly congratulated the two efficient cooks on their +"masterly skill"; though Max laughingly warned the others to "beware of +the Greeks bearing gifts," for there might be a base motive hiding +behind all that glib praise. Steve protested that he meant every word of +it; but then it was well known that Steve hated to do any cooking +himself, and hence was fain to laud the efforts of others in that line, +doubtless in the hope of encouraging them to "keep right on doing it."</p> + +<p>After the bountiful meal had been enjoyed, and every one declared that +it would be utterly impossible to eat another single bite, for fear of +the consequences, they spent a very enjoyable evening alongside the fire +that burned on the hearth, at one end of the cabin.</p> + +<p>Obed, as he had promised, told them some of the strange things he had +heard from the old sea captain, who, during his life on the Seven Seas, +had met with many most remarkable adventures well worth repeating.</p> + +<p>Obed addressed them in his own language, and Max often smiled as though +some of the quaint expressions used by the young narrator amused him; +though perhaps there may have been still another reason for his quiet +chuckling. Steve caught him at it several times, and eyed the other in +perplexity, as though he suspected Max of adding secretly to his fund of +knowledge, which thus far he obstinately declined to share with his +mates.</p> + +<p>Later on, when they began to feel sleepy, Obed said he would go out and +make sure his traps were set right. Max offered to keep him company, and +together they sauntered forth, to be followed with a wistful look from +the envious Steve, who was muttering to himself:</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew what Max has got in that mind of his right now. I'm dead +certain he's figuring out some sort of thing that's going to give the +rest of us a big surprise, when he sees fit to spring it on us; but for +the life of me I can't guess what it can be. Oh! shucks! what's the use +of bothering any more about it? If it turns out worth while, Max will +tell us in good time; and if he's on the wrong scent, why, he'll just +drop the game, and no harm done."</p> + +<p>After a while the others came in again, saying both traps were set, and +there did not seem to be any need of their losing sleep on account of +possible unwelcome visitors. Obed showed how the concealed bunks could +be made ready, and, all of them were loud in their expressions of +satisfaction over having such comfortable lodgings for the night. They +mentally blessed the memory of the said Mr. Coombs, whose forethought +and inventive ingenuity had planned all these wonderful adjuncts of the +little forest lodge.</p> + +<p>In due time they crept into their several berths just as if aboard ship; +and after that several of the fellows did not know a single thing until +they were rudely aroused, perhaps some hours later on. The last thing +Steve remembered hearing as he rolled himself up in his blanket was the +crackle of the fire, the mournful sighing of the wind through the tops +of the whispering pines, and then the distant call of an owl to its +mate.</p> + +<p>He awoke with a suddenness that caused him to sit up, and consequently +crack his head against the boards above his bunk. The blow almost +knocked Steve back again as he had been before, and must have hurt +considerably; but he ignored this fact just then, because from without +there were coming loud yells of fright in a man's voice.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>A TREE THAT BORE STRANGE FRUIT</strong></p> + +<p>"Max—Obed, we've got something!" almost shrieked Steve, as he now +tumbled out of his odd bunk very much after the fashion of a dislodged +log, landing with a bump on the floor.</p> + +<p>And Steve was not alone in his circus stunt, for several other fellows +were making a hasty and undignified exit at the same time, Bandy-legs +and Toby Jucklin, for instance. Max somehow managed to get on his feet +without so much scrambling; and as for Obed, as he had been sleeping on +the cot closer to the fire, they could already see him hastily pulling +on some clothes.</p> + +<p>"Get dressed, and in a hurry!" cried Max, suiting his actions to the +words.</p> + +<p>"Oh! listen to him whoop it up, will you?" exclaimed Bandy-legs, as +those loud calls still smote the night air, and in a way that covered +the whole gamut of human utterance.</p> + +<p>Toby wanted to say something, too, but though his jaws worked, no +audible sound came forth to explain the agitated state of his mind. They +had luckily prepared for such a sudden call, and had their outer clothes +handy, so that in an incredibly brief space of time all of the boys +managed to get something on.</p> + +<p>Then Steve snatched up his Marlin gun. Obed had already done the same +with his rifle, so that when the latter flung wide the door and they +trooped forth, they were in a condition to do battle if necessary, and +at least strike terror into the heart of any skulking marauder.</p> + +<p>Max, wise general that he was, had thought of something very essential +to their success. This was nothing more or less than a lantern. They had +been thoughtful enough to fetch one along, a clever little contraption +that took only a small amount of room, and yet afforded considerable +light. Besides, Obed possessed a lantern of the ordinary type, together +with a plentiful supply of oil, looking to the long winter evenings when +he might want to read in order to pass away some of the spare time, that +promised to drag heavily on his hands.</p> + +<p>So they poured forth. The cries still continued, and as vociferous as +ever. Indeed, if anything, there was a wilder strain to them now, as +though the fellow who gave utterance to the shouts might be getting +sorely alarmed at his strange condition, and feared the worst.</p> + +<p>There was no trouble about deciding which way to go. Even if they did +not have Obed to serve as guide, and pilot the expedition, they could +easily have followed the loud notes of alarm.</p> + +<p>Everybody was more or less excited, from Obed down to Max himself, and +small wonder when the fact of their being aroused in the dead of the +night by this fierce racket is taken into consideration.</p> + +<p>Hastening in this manner toward the spot where the first trap had been +set, they speedily discovered that the overhanging tree bore strange +fruit. Something grotesque was swinging violently back and forth. It was +a human figure, but hardly recognizable as such, on account of the fact +that it now hung head downward, with one leg firmly gripped by the +tenacious slip-noose, and the other, together with a pair of wildly +flung arms, cutting all sorts of eccentric circles through the air.</p> + +<p>Never in all their varied experiences had Max and his three comrades +looked on a more remarkable spectacle than the one by which they were +now greeted. The man's face could not be plainly seen on account of his +coat sagging down partly over his head, so they could not immediately +tell what he looked like; but he certainly possessed a bull-like voice +that, properly trained for opera use might have won him a fair amount of +fame and money, for it was more than usually lusty.</p> + +<p>He seemed to divine the fact that those in the cabin must have rushed +out in answer to his shouts. Perhaps he detected the light they carried +with them; or it might be Steve's loud cries caught his strained hearing +at such times as his own breath temporarily failed him.</p> + +<p>"Help me, somebody, why don't yuh? I'm strangling to death, I tell yuh. +All the blood's running to my head! I'm seeing a million stars already, +and I'll <em>die</em> if yuh don't cut me down. Hurry! hurry, please do, +somebody!"</p> + +<p>Obed looked to Max to say what ought to be done, for already he seemed +to have come under the magical sway of the other's leadership.</p> + +<p>"Take hold of him, and tie his hands behind his back before you think to +let him down!" was the sensible advice given by Max.</p> + +<p>Thereupon Obed instantly produced some heavy cord and started +operations. While the boy deftly worked, the man continued to plead, +trying to claw at him also; but Obed managed to get his job completed +notwithstanding the interruptions. He was at the same time telling the +unfortunate man to keep quiet, and he would be let down presently.</p> + +<p>Steve stood by, gun in hand. He was casting uneasy looks around as +though suspecting that if the fellow had companions near by, as seemed +likely, and they should, recovering from, their alarm attempt his +rescue, it might be his duty to stand them off one and collectively.</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs and Toby sprang to where the man dangled. Max was already at +the side of Obed.</p> + +<p>"All ready, Obed?" he was heard to say.</p> + +<p>"I've spliced his hands up in good style, Max," came the reply.</p> + +<p>"Good enough. Now, Toby and Bandy-legs, take hold of him, and lift when +I give you the word. I'll slip the rope off his ankle, and you turn him +right side up. Now, go to it, both of you—yo-heave-o!"</p> + +<p>It was quickly done, and the man, upon finding himself placed once more +on his feet, staggered; indeed, he was so "groggy" after his recent +strange experience at swimming in thin air, that only for the supporting +arm of Max he would have fallen flat.</p> + +<p>The latter allowed him to stagger backward until he leaned against the +body of the tree under which the novel man-trap had been arranged. He +was breathing hard, but seemed to be recovering from his panic; at least +his cries had utterly ceased, which was one good thing.</p> + +<p>So Max flashed the light into his face, while Obed leaned forward and +eagerly stared hard at him. They saw rough lineaments, seamed and +hardened by exposure to the elements; but of course the face was that of +an utter stranger to Max. As for Obed, he was heard to give a <em>sigh</em> of +disappointment, as though he too had failed to recognize any one whom he +had reason to know.</p> + +<p>The man by now seemed to have recovered in part. He was looking at the +boys in a peculiar way; Max could not decide on the spur of the moment +whether it was wonder or shrewdness that he saw there as the predominant +trait of the man's features. But at any rate, since he had recovered his +breath to some extent, he should be capable of speaking, and explaining +how it came about he found himself in such a predicament.</p> + +<p>"Well, who are you, anyway?" demanded Max, throwing as much sternness +into his voice as he could. "Give an account of yourself, and tell us +why you were creeping about here like a thief in the night?"</p> + +<p>"What! me a thief?" shrilled the man, as though, again excited by the +very idea of such a base accusation; "I never had that name, young +feller. Them that knows Jake Storms say he's an honest man, if ever +there was one. I'm only a guide, and a trapper, but nobody ever yet +caught me thievin' or poachin', I'd have yuh know."</p> + +<p>"Where's your home, Jake Storms?" continued Max.</p> + +<p>"If yuh mean whar do I hang out, it's this way," explained the other. +"Last summer I was up at Paul Smith's place, workin' for the hotel. I +heard some tall stories about the country around old Mount Tom, how full +of fur animals it was, and so I made up my mind to spend the winter +hereabouts. I built me a cabin away up on the other side of the +mountain, and was agoin' to start settin' my traps when I got word that +a gentleman wanted me to come down to Lathrop and git him. Yuh see, his +doctor advised that he spend the winter in the mountains, and he thought +of me, beca'se we'd been in the woods a heap of times in past years. So +I was headin' for Lathrop by a trail I'd run across that took around the +mountain, and meanin' to keep on as long as I could durin' the night, +when all at once something flew up and hit me ker-slap! Say, I thought +it was an earthquake, sure I did. And then I found myself hangin' upside +down, with all the blood runnin' into my head. What's it mean, young +fellers; I give yuh my word I don't get the hang o' it at all."</p> + +<p>Max was not surprised to hear the man speak in this fashion. He had +already made up his mind, after that one good look at the other's face, +the prisoner of the barrel trap was a pretty "slick article," as Steve +would have expressed it. And caught in the act, as he had been, it was +to be expected that the fellow would have some kind of reasonable story +to spin, in order to explain his presence there.</p> + +<p>All the same, Max did not give the yarn the least credence. Something +told him the other was deliberately lying, and the fluency with which he +delivered that remarkable story announced the self-named Jake Storms an +accomplished fakir, if ever there was one.</p> + +<p>So Max, while not wishing to deliberately tell the man to his face that +he was a prevaricator, set about catching him in a little trap. The +others had also heard the explanation given, and were listening, with +puzzled looks on their faces; at least Bandy-legs and Steve and Toby +were, but Obed was shaking his head energetically, as though he put no +faith in fairy tales; especially when coming from such unworthy lips.</p> + +<p>"You said you were all alone, didn't you?" demanded Max.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, 'course I was," spluttered the other, uneasily eying the +speaker, who was holding his light so that it shone directly on Jake's +still flushed face.</p> + +<p>"Then what did you shout so loud for, if you didn't expect any one to +come to your assistance?" continued Max.</p> + +<p>"Oh! say, yuh see, 'course I knowed thar was <em>somebody</em> around. I'd just +discovered signs of a camp, and sniffed smoke. But before I had half a +chance to make out what it meant, why something grabbed me by the leg, +and threw me up like I was agoin' over the treetops. Who wouldn't a +yelled, tell me? I own up I was rattled like everything. Anybody would +be, wouldn't they? I couldn't understand it all; and right now I'm still +agropin' in the dark. What struck me, and why does ye set such traps in +the trail over on this side o' Mount Tom? Ain't the woods free for +anybody to walk in? What have I ever done to any o' yuh to be treated +like this, and have my head nigh jerked from my body. Tell me that, +sonny?"</p> + +<p>Max did not answer his question. While the explanation might seem to be +fairly plausible, he felt positive the man was telling a downright lie; +and Max believed he knew an easy way to prove it.</p> + +<p>"Watch him, Obed, Steve!" he said to those who were alongside.</p> + +<p>"Never fear about that, Max," snapped out Steve; "I've got him covered +with my gun, and if he tries any slick game his name will be Dennis, +and not Jake. Hear that, Mr. Fur Thief, do you? Well, mind how you +tempt me to let fly with a charge of birdshot. I've got a quick temper, +and a quicker finger in the bargain; so settle back where you are."</p> + +<p>The man muttered between his set teeth. He was evidently feeling far +from comfortable, because something told him these wideawake lads would +not be so easily hoodwinked as he had fancied.</p> + +<p>He was watching the movements of Max Hastings, who had dropped to his +hands and knees, and seemed to be holding his little lantern so that the +light would show him the nature of the ground. Truth to tell, Max and +Obed, when last at the trap, had taken the pains to smooth the ground +over, thus obliterating all previous footprints. This was done from a +double object; it would conceal the fact that work had been carried on +in that particular spot, in case sharp eyes were on the alert; and also +gave a clear field for observation, as was happening just then.</p> + +<p>Max quickly found what he was looking for.</p> + +<p>"Come here, Obed," he remarked, quietly, and as the other eagerly bent +over, Max went on to say: "You can see that here's another footprint, +and quite different from the one made by his heavier boots. So he <em>did</em> +have at least one companion along, perhaps two, for all we know. And +that stamps his story a yarn made out of whole cloth. He came here, just +as you expected, to rob you of your foxes. Killing them wouldn't have +filled the bill so well, unless they made off with the pelts in the +bargain. How about it, Obed?"</p> + +<p>"Every word you say is true, Max," breathed the other, indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll certainly not let him go free, that's a dead sure +proposition," ventured Max, decidedly, and in a voice that he meant +should reach the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear you settle it that way, boys," remarked Steve, who had +kept one eye on the prisoner and the other in the direction of his +mates. "Shall I march him over to the cabin right away?"</p> + +<p>Max gave a look around. He wondered where that other man could be just +then, and whether he was watching them from some neighboring covert, +having by degrees recovered from the near panic into which he had been +thrown at the time his companion was snatched away from his side so +mysteriously, amidst a tremendous din, caused by the shouts of the +seized man, and the rattling of the stones inside the rolling barrel.</p> + +<p>But he could see nothing. The little lantern only covered a certain +amount of space with its meagre illumination, and much that was evil +might lurk beyond the radius of its lighted circle.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll change our base, and go back to the cabin," Max said aloud; +"keep the guns ready for business, and if an attack is made shoot +straight!"</p> + +<p>Of course this admonition was delivered in a loud tone, mostly to warn +the unseen party, who might be hovering near; but both gun-bearers gave +evidence of meaning to profit by the advice.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE TAPS ON THE CABIN WALL</strong></p> + +<p>Once more they were inside the cabin. Obed was looking at the man again +as though he believed the other was possessed of certain information +which he hoped to obtain in turn. Max, too, was observing all these +things with considerable interest, if the smile that appeared on his +face from time to time signified anything. But he was studying Obed even +more than he seemed to pay attention to the man they had found turned +upside down in the tree.</p> + +<p>"Well, one of your clever traps worked like a charm, Obed," Steve was +saying, and doubtless meaning to compliment the fur farmer. "But now +that they know we're on to their being around, it's hardly likely we'll +catch another victim tonight. All the same something ought to be done to +protect the fox pack."</p> + +<p>"That's easily arranged," remarked Max, "we'll follow out the plan we +talked over. Two had better stand guard at a time, and for several +hours. They can be relieved by another couple, and in this way the +balance of the night will be passed over. Those on duty are to carry the +guns; and with orders to challenge any moving thing that comes along."</p> + +<p>The man had made no resistance when ordered to fall in line and +accompany his captors to the cabin under the pines. Once inside, he had +glanced casually around, but Max noticed that he did not seem greatly +interested. From this he guessed that perhaps the other may have seen +the interior of the lodge before; Max remembered Obed telling them that +some one had certainly been prowling about in his cabin at the time he +was away, though evidently frightened off by his return before having a +chance to do any damage.</p> + +<p>"He isn't looking at these things, so strange to an ordinary cabin in +the woods, for the first time," was what Max was telling himself; and +consequently his heart hardened toward the fellow.</p> + +<p>Having previously arranged all about signals that could be given in case +of necessity, there was now little more to be said. Of course Steve had +to be counted on as one of the pair to be first placed on duty; he would +have been mortally offended had Max failed to honor him with this +exhibition of trust. Then Bandy-legs offered to share his vigil, and +Steve eagerly accepted the proposal.</p> + +<p>"Take Obed's gun, Bandy-legs," said Max; "and remember what I told you +about using it. Shoot low, so as to fill their legs full of lead, if you +have to fire at all. And listen to our shouts as we join you, for we +don't want a warm reception from our friends. Get that, both of you?"</p> + +<p>Steve and his fellow sentry admitted that they understood what their +directions were to be. Then they went out. The man had been intently +watching all these things as though deeply interested. Since Max had +found the second series of footprints, and thus proved the falsity of +his claim of being alone, Jake Storms, so-called woods guide and trapper +of fur-bearing animals, had relapsed into a sullen silence.</p> + +<p>Of course he knew that the game for him was up, so far as attempting to +deceive these wide-awake boys was concerned. Max wondered what thoughts +were teeming through the brain of the man, as he sat there on the bench +before the fire and listened to what passed between his captors. As for +Obed, he cast many eager looks in the direction of the big fellow, and +from the expression on his face Max believed he must be slowly making up +his mind toward some move.</p> + +<p>Therefore he was not much surprised to finally see the woods boy sit +down alongside the man, who turned an inquiring face toward him. There +was also a tightening of the muscles around his mouth, just as though he +suspected he was about to be put to a severe test, and would have to +gather his wits in order not to make a false move.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Jake Storms, as you say your name is," commenced Obed, once +more either forgetting to speak in his usual woods dialect, or not +thinking it worth while to bother with it any longer, "I want to make +you a proposition. Do you understand what a nice pickle you've got +yourself into by prowling around my fur farm, and evidently trying to +steal my silver black foxes? If we take you down to the nearest +Adirondack town it means you'll likely enough, be sent up as a thief. +How would you like that, tell me?"</p> + +<p>"Huh! guess Jake Storms' got a reputation that'd kerry him through, all +right, sonny," muttered the big man, but Max could see that he squirmed +uneasily; likewise Obed must have guessed the truth also, as his next +remarks proved.</p> + +<p>"A reputation may be one way or the other, Jake Storms, if that is +really your name, which I doubt very much. Perhaps some people might be +glad to see you again. For one I don't believe for a single minute that +you're a trapper, or that you ever worked for Paul Smith, who knows the +kind of men he has around his hotel too well to hire a thief. I'm as +sure as I draw breath that you came here to steal my blacks. Yes, and +that you were <em>hired</em> to do this by another party. What was the sum of +money he promised you, Jake, if you were successful; and is he around +here with you?"</p> + +<p>The man made no reply, though various expressive changes took place in +the looks on his face. So Obed, after waiting several minutes to hear +what the other might choose to say, went on.</p> + +<p>"I said before that if we take you down to Lathrop you'll be locked up, +and when court is in session placed on trial, charged with attempted +robbery. Your picture will be taken, and sent broadcast to every city, +so if you're wanted for anything big, the authorities will know just +where to find you. That may not be pleasant for you to hear, Jake, but +it's what I mean to have done. There's only one way you can escape it. +Do you want to hear what that way is?"</p> + +<p>"Yuh're away off the track, young feller," blurted the man, obstinately +shaking his head in a contrary way, "I ain't done nawthin' to make me +askeered o' the law officers. Jake Storms is my name, all right, too, +and I'm meanin' to trap over on the Cranberry Creek section. And I'm on +my way down to Lathrop right now to meet a Mr. Jasper, who'll vouch for +my character, sure he will. But go ahead, and say what yuh meant to, +boy. It won't do me any harm to hear it, I reckons."</p> + +<p>"This is the chance you'll have to get scot free, and the only chance," +said Obed solemnly. "Tell me who hired you to rob my fur farm, and not +leave a single black in the burrows, and I'll let you go free. Will you +take my offer, or risk a prison sentence, Jake?"</p> + +<p>The man hesitated. That alone was enough to convince Max that he was +guilty; for undoubtedly he must be weighing in the balance Obed's offer, +with the possibility of making his escape through the assistance of +companions.</p> + +<p>"Ain't got nawthin' to say, boy," he finally growled, as though making +up his mind. Obed started up, and hastening over to a desk at one end +of the room he hurriedly searched through a drawer until he found what +he was looking for; after which he again sat down beside the man with +the tied hands.</p> + +<p>It was a photograph which he held up before the prisoner, and Max could +see it was a man's face on the card.</p> + +<p>"Look at that, Jake Storms, and tell me, did <em>he</em> put it into your head +to come up here and clean my enclosures out, so as to rob me of the work +of nearly two years?"</p> + +<p>The man started when he allowed his eyes to fall upon the face on the +card; but recovering his nerve instantly, he laughed harshly and +hurriedly snapped:</p> + +<p>"I tell yuh, it's on the wrong track yuh are, boy." Why, I never set +eyes on such a person as that thar. He's a utter stranger to me, and I +don't know him from Adam. And I want to warn yuh that I'll turn around +and have the law on yuh for playin' such a low-down trick on an honest +man, just passin' along through the woods, and never thinkin' no harm to +a single soul. I demands that yuh turn me loose to go my way. The woods +are free as the air to everybody; that's the law. Further than that I +ain't got nawthin' to say.</p> + +<p>Obed was plainly chagrined, as Max could see. He evidently hoped to +obtain some valuable information from this man; but it seemed Jake still +clung to the hope that he might obtain his freedom without betraying +secrets.</p> + +<p>Max, taking advantage of Obed's absent-mindedness for a minute or so, +managed to lean slightly forward and obtain a good look at the +photograph. It was that of a young man, perhaps thirty years of age. Max +was struck with the fact that the photograph certainly bore some little +resemblance to Obed himself; and one could easily believe they must be +related in some way; which, according to Obed's former recital of his +widely flung family, would make the other a Grimes also.</p> + +<p>The woods boy looked at the man several times, as though wondering +whether it would pay to make any further offer as an inducement to the +other to betray the confidence of his employer. But either Obed did not +have the ready cash to offer a bribe, or else he deemed it not worth +while, after the fellow had shown such a stubborn disposition; for +presently he gave a sigh, and went back to return the photograph to the +little desk, once doubtless Mr. Coombs' property.</p> + +<p>Toby was nodding before the fire, and really paying very little +attention to what was going on. In fact, he meant to crawl into his bunk +shortly, so as to get a little more sleep before being called upon to +take his turn outside as sentry. Toby not having had his suspicions +concerning Obed aroused at any time, failed to take the same interest in +the matter that Steve, for instance, would have done, had he been +present.</p> + +<p>"I hope yuh don't mean to make me set here on this bench all night with +my hands tied behind me so cruel like?" remarked the man presently, +applying his words directly toward Max, as though he, too, had long ago +discovered how that energetic young chap seemed to be the "boss of the +ranch."</p> + +<p>"Why, no, we don't mean to be at all cruel," returned the other. "Here's +an extra blanket you can have. I'll lay it out for you on the floor, and +you can drop down just when you please. But don't expect that we're +meaning to unfasten your wrists, Jake. We know a thing or two, and we're +expecting to take you down to Lathrop tomorrow, to land you behind the +bars. You've had your chance to squeal and get off scot-free; I doubt if +another comes your way."</p> + +<p>He did just as he said, spreading the blanket so the man could manage to +roll over, and cover himself with its folds. This Jake presently +accomplished. Max also noticed how he lay with his feet against the +outer wall of the lodge and wondered at it, though without any clear +idea that this had any positive significance. But time was to tell.</p> + +<p>Toby had crept into his "cell," which was what Bandy-legs had dubbed the +several bunks, built in the walls of the lodge so as to conserve room, +and not be in the way during the daytime. Max, on his part, did not mean +to follow suit. He thought it would hardly pay to try and snatch an +hour's restless sleep when so much was going on around them. And, then, +besides, he did not trust the prisoner wholly; believing it would be +just as well to keep an eye on him.</p> + +<p>Outside, all seemed as usual. It was long after midnight now, and if one +listened carefully he could catch the customary noises of the woods at +such a time, from the soft crooning of the breeze as it sighed through +the pine tops, to the occasional note of some night-bird calling to its +mate, or the plaintive voice of a hungry young coon waiting impatiently +the return of its foraging mother.</p> + +<p>Obed had thrown himself down on the cot, but Max knew he did not expect +to lose himself in slumber. Several times he saw the woods boy raise his +head and look in the direction of the sprawling figure of the man under +the spare blanket. Obed was undoubtedly thinking still of ways whereby +he might force a confession from the lips of the stubborn man; +apparently he seemed to be intensely interested in discovering whether +there was a power behind this raid on his enterprise. Max, remembering +some things he had heard, began to believe he could see light in the +darkness now; and from the way in which he chuckled to himself every +little while, it might be judged that his thoughts were agreeable, on +the whole.</p> + +<p>Surely a whole hour and more must have passed since Steve and Bandy-legs +started out to assume their duty as guards over the fox farm. Thus far +nothing had been heard from the videttes, who were undoubtedly carrying +out their orders to the best of their ability.</p> + +<p>Max suddenly became aware that certain low sounds came to his ears. At +first he thought some branch of a tree must be tapping the low eaves of +the cabin being stirred to and fro by the breeze. As he listened +further, however, it struck Max that there was a strange continuity +about the sounds; they seemed to come in little fragments, with a brief +hush between.</p> + +<p>The boy was instantly reminded of certain experiences he himself had had +in using a telegraph key while sending a message over the wires or +listening to the sounder rattle off one from some distant point. Rude +and uncouth though the dots and dashes were, Max quickly found that he +could make out a positive word; and it was the significant one of +"free!"</p> + +<p>Gently he managed to turn his head in the direction of the spot where +the man had lain down. He still seemed to be sprawled there under the +blanket. A movement caught the eye of Max, and he saw Obed holding up a +finger at him in mute warning. Thrilled by a sense of impending tragedy, +perhaps, Max watched the woods boy slowly but constantly making toward +him. Obed moved with the noiseless nature of a black snake creeping over +the ground; his footfalls were so light that even a trained ear could +not have detected them. He kept on toward Max until soon he had managed +to reach the other's side.</p> + +<p>Still those plain taps continued to sound in regular rotation, first +coming from the outside, and then closer. Max believed the man on the +floor was making use of his shoe to send a message calling for help; and +that some unknown party outside was giving him words of hope.</p> + +<p>But Obed had now gained his side, and meant to whisper something in his +ear, so Max prepared to pay full attention. At the same time he glanced +toward the door apprehensively, and was pleased to discover that, just +as he believed had been the case, the bar was in position, so that entry +could not be made by any enemy from without.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>OBED LEARNS SOMETHING</strong></p> + +<p>"There's something brooding," Obed whispered the first thing; and then +continued by saying: "What are those queer little taps, Max? I'm sure he +has something to do with them."</p> + +<p>"He's tapping the toe of his boot against the wall to send a message," +explained the other. "They are using the telegraphic code. I read the +one word 'free.' So, you see, there's some one outside the cabin, and +they're hatching up a scheme to get him loose."</p> + +<p>Obed grew very much excited. He looked toward the door as though +inclined to immediately issue forth and investigate. Max thought the +hope of capturing another prisoner was the lure that tempted him on.</p> + +<p>"But what could have happened to Steve and Bandy-legs?" whispered the +woods boy, as though suddenly remembering the pair supposed to be +standing guard out there.</p> + +<p>"Nothing has happened to them, depend on it," replied Max; "but this +fellow must have been slippery enough to get by them, and reach the +cabin, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Oh! don't you think we might manage it, some way or other?" begged +Obed.</p> + +<p>Vague though his question may have been, Max had no difficulty whatever +in understanding what he meant. His own thoughts were already ranging in +the same quarter, and he could supply all the missing words. Obed was +hoping that by suddenly issuing forth they might take the creeper by +surprise, and effect his capture; such a possibility apparently gave the +woods boy considerable pleasure even in the anticipation.</p> + +<p>Max glanced again towards the door. They could creep noiselessly over in +that direction while the man on the floor and his friend without +continued their singular exchange of signals, remove the bar from its +place, and opening the door dash out to take the stooping fellow by +surprise.</p> + +<p>But then three would be better than two in such an adventure. There was +Toby Jucklin, a stout fellow, and usually well primed for anything that +smacked of excitement and peril; he must be awakened, and enlisted in +the game.</p> + +<p>So Max held up a warning finger, and stooping low again whispered:</p> + +<p>"I'll get Toby; wait by the door for us! Don't dream of going out until +we join you!"</p> + +<p>With that he silently slipped over to the opening in the wall occupied +by the sleeping Toby Jucklin. The latter was easily aroused, and when +Max whispered a word of caution in his ear, he knew enough not to cry +out; though of course the blood must have started bounding like mad +through his arteries.</p> + +<p>Indeed, it was a most singular thing to be aroused from sound sleep by +being told that danger hovered over their heads, and that it would be +necessary for the three of them to sally forth so as to surprise the +enemy at work.</p> + +<p>Toby was game, however. His vocal cords might play tricks with him +frequently, and give him heaps of trouble, but when it was a matter of +action, Toby "took nobody's dust," as he often boasted.</p> + +<p>Obed had meanwhile managed to creep over to the door, where he +impatiently awaited the coming of the other two. The strange tapping +sounds continued, and evidently the man lying there under the blanket +had become so deeply interested in what he was trying to communicate or +receive, that, so far, he had failed to discover there was any movement +in the cabin.</p> + +<p>Of course, all of the boys were quivering with half-suppressed +excitement, though grimly determined to put their plan into operation. +Obed had already reached up and taken hold of the bar, so as to be ready +to remove it when joined by his companions.</p> + +<p>"Keep the bar," whispered Max; "it will make a fine club, Obed!"</p> + +<p>"Say when, Max," came back from the tightly compressed lips of the woods +boy, whose eyes could be seen glittering eagerly in the firelight.</p> + +<p>"Open up!" Max told him.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the door may have made some creaking sound on being drawn back; +either that, or else the man chanced to free his head from the muffling +folds of the blanket just then, and discovered what was going on. He +gave a shout of warning, and the three boys shot through the opening at +the same instant.</p> + +<p>Max led the way. He had carefully noted the location of the sounds, and +judged that the interloper must be somewhere close to the wall where +Jake Storms lay; so it was in that direction he leaped.</p> + +<p>The stars wore shining brightly above. Besides this a certain amount of +light managed to come through that small window of the lodge, and help +to partially dispel the gloom without.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" cried Obed, as they turned the corner, and discovered a +figure in the act of scrambling erect.</p> + +<p>Pell-mell the trio rushed at the unknown who just managed to gain a +footing when he found himself furiously beset. There was a tremendous +struggle. The man seemed savage at the thought of being caught, and +struck furious blows. Toby at one time managed to cling to the other's +back for a brief moment, but was dislodged by a clever fling that sent +him crashing against a tree, and made him grunt like a hog that receives +a jolt.</p> + +<p>One thing certain, Max could easily see that the party they were +attacking must be something of an athlete, from the way in which he +fought. It is not easy to resist the assault of three enemies at once, +since they may attack from as many directions, and confuse his defense; +still the way this man struck out, dodged, tore himself free from their +clinging hands, and conducted himself in general surprised Max very much +indeed.</p> + +<p>This kept up for almost two full minutes, with varying fortunes. +Sometimes it appeared as though they were getting the upper hand of the +unknown, and then by a furious effort he would break free again, only to +be once more clutched.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the fracas, loud shouts close at hand told that Steve +and Bandy-legs, having heard the row, were rushing hurriedly to the +spot, astonished beyond measure at the racket.</p> + +<p>The man must have heard their cries, and the fact that his enemies were +about to receive reinforcements seemed to give him the strength of +desperation, for he suddenly tore himself free from Max, leaving his +coat in the hands of the boy.</p> + +<p>"Oh! he's gone!" gasped Obed, almost entirely out of breath because of +his recent tremendous exertions.</p> + +<p>For a fact, the man had vanished almost as though the ground had opened +and swallowed him up. Even astute Max hardly knew which way to look for +him. Then came the other pair rushing up, and demanding to know what all +the row was about.</p> + +<p>As soon as he could recover his breath, Max tried to explain. He had to +repeat it twice, however, before Bandy-legs could grasp the astounding +fact that some one had actually been carrying on a telegraphic +conversation with their prisoner, tapping on the wall of the cabin to +spell out the words.</p> + +<p>"Say, you're stringing us, I expect, boys!" exploded the doubter; "it +sounds just like a fairy story to me. But then there <em>was</em> some one +here, because we glimpsed him disappearing like a falling star. I wanted +to give him a shot, but I remembered what Max here said about shooting +when in doubt; and we didn't just know but what it might be one of you."</p> + +<p>"But, Max, he got away after all!" continued the disappointed Obed, as +though to his mind that event overshadowed all others; "and I did want +to find out if it was any one I knew. I believe it was, on my soul, for +at college he always had the reputation of being an all-round athlete."</p> + +<p>"Huh!" grunted Toby, rubbing his head ruefully as he came up, and +limping in the bargain, "t-t-that was him, all r-r-right then, Obed. I +don't know the f-f-fellow's n-n-name, but I've g-g-got his trade-mark on +my c-c-cheek, every k-k-knuckle of his fist. Huh! he's an athlete, every +time!"</p> + +<p>"But don't tell me our prisoner skipped out!" cried Steve, in sore +dismay.</p> + +<p>"Not that we know of, unless he's gone since we dashed from the cabin," +Max informed him. "And as we can't accomplish anything standing here, +suppose we adjourn to the inside again. Toby will want a little +soothing salve on his bruises; and I've got a sore hand myself, where I +struck him harder than I meant to on the back of his head."</p> + +<p>"It's too bad, too bad!" mourned Obed, following the others toward the +open door. "Such a splendid chance may not come again; and I'd like to +know, I certainly would."</p> + +<p>When they entered the cabin, the first thing all of them did was to look +eagerly to see if the man still lay there, Upon finding that he had not +tried to escape during all the excitement, possibly being afraid he be +fired on, they felt relieved.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, we've still got him safe and sound," declared Steve, +exultantly.</p> + +<p>"And he may make up his mind to tell yet," remarked Obed, picking up +fresh hope, "when he finds that I mean all I said, and that he's on the +road to prison."</p> + +<p>The man glowered at them, though apparently he seemed fairly well +pleased to find that they had not succeeded in capturing his ally. Max +awaited developments. He was satisfied with the way things were going, +and deep down in his heart believed the thrilling announcement he was +storing up with which to startle his three chums would not now be long +delayed.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose we ought to go out again, and resume our watch," suggested +Steve, after a short time had elapsed. "It's too soon for a change; and +after all that excitement none of us feel a bit sleepy."</p> + +<p>"As for me," ventured Bandy-legs, "I'm that wide awake I feel as if I +never could go to sleep again while we're up here in the mountains, +where such queer things keep on happening right along."</p> + +<p>"S-s-say, I'm s-s-sorry for Obed," ventured Toby, who it seems had heard +the lament of the woods boy, and could sympathize with him. "He had +h-h-hoped to g-g-get a pointer by g-g-grabbing that streak of +g-g-greased lightning; but after all, the fellow was too much for the +whole b-b-bunch of us."</p> + +<p>"But it's made me feel pretty sure now," said Obed brightening up +perceptibly, "that I know who's to blame for all this trouble. I had a +hint about it before, you remember I told you, boys; and while he kept +his face hidden pretty much all the time he fought, I surely heard him +say something that struck me as familiar. He wasn't a stranger, I'm +certain of that."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Max, quietly, "perhaps there may be a way to prove that."</p> + +<p>"Please tell me how, Max!" pleaded Obed, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"The mysterious stranger managed to get away," chuckled the other, "but +he wasn't so clever about taking all his wardrobe along with him, you +remember."</p> + +<p>"Oh! his coat!" cried Obed, in thrilling accents.</p> + +<p>"I hung on to that like a leech," now laughed Max. "Of course I should +have been smart enough to keep my fingers on the man inside, but he had +a slick way of just slipping out of the coat. First thing I knew he was +gone, leaving me holding the bag, as they say. Want to take a look at +that article, don't you, Obed? Sometimes men have a fashion of keeping +letters and documents in their coat pockets; and between us I believe +you'll find something like that here."</p> + +<p>With these words, the speaker took up the coat he had torn from the back +of the unknown, and tossed it carelessly toward Obed.</p> + +<p>The woods boy snatched at the garment eagerly. Newly aroused hope could +be seen upon his face. Everybody watched to see what the outcome might +turn out to be. Steve and Bandy-legs, ready to withdraw from the circle, +and resume their outside vigil, stayed their departure for a brief +period in order to satisfy their curiosity. Even the so-called Jake +Storms had his fishy eyes fixed on Obed, as though it mattered something +to him whether the latter learned the answer to the conundrum, or was +obliged to let it pass by unsolved.</p> + +<p>So Obed upon receiving the coat, proceeded to ram an eager hand into the +pockets, one after another. When he reached an inside one, he found a +bonanza, just as Max had anticipated. There were some papers there, as +well as a bill book. Bending down nearer the fire, so that he might the +better see, Obed glued his eyes on his find. A few seconds passed. The +fire crackled as it began to eat into the fresh fuel that had been +tossed to the red embers upon the incoming of the party. Toby grunted +once or twice, and continued to ruefully rub the side of his head, his +right arm, one of his thighs, and, in fact, as much of his entire person +as he could conveniently cover in a short space of time.</p> + +<p>Then Obed was heard to give a low exclamation. His whole manner was a +singular mixture of satisfaction and anger. Evidently, he had +accomplished his set purpose, and the result had aroused conflicting +emotions within his breast.</p> + +<p>"Well, have you found out who the man is, Obed?" asked Steve, unable to +curb his burning curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's no longer any question about it," returned the other, +bitterly, "for here are letters addressed to him. I may even take the +privilege of reading them tomorrow, for in that way I can perhaps +discover some evidence that will force him to stop this ugly business. +Oh! the meanness of Robert to strike this cowardly blow at me, his own +cousin! He's a disgrace to the whole family."</p> + +<p>"Pity the poor Grimeses!" exclaimed Max, looking straight at Obed, with +such a queer expression on his face that presently the woods boy could +not keep from bursting into a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Max, you're on to me; I can see!" he cried, rushing up to the other and +holding out his hand eagerly. "I've guessed for some time that you had +your suspicions, and now I know it's so."</p> + +<p>And Max, too, threw back his head to indulge in a good laugh; while +Steve, Toby and Bandy-legs, with months agape, and eyes that were as +round as saucers, simply gathered around' and stared at the two who were +shaking hands.</p> + +<p>"Hey! what's all this about, I want to know?" spluttered Steve; just as +though he meant to say that no one had any business to have secrets from +the rest; "looky here, Obed, since when did you forget that Grimes woods +lingo you've been giving us right along! I'm beginning to smell a rat, +that's what I am!"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>A BIG SURPRISE</strong></p> + +<p>Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation +of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up +against a blank wall, for aught they could see.</p> + +<p>Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:</p> + +<p>"You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the +puzzle as nearly as you have. I saw you turn back to that book again, +and scan my initials in the front. That was why you asked me If Mr. +Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not. But it's all right, +and I'm satisfied I had my peek of fun out of it, let me tell you. Now +introduce me to your chums, Max."</p> + +<p>"With the greatest of pleasure," laughed the other, as he took hold of +Obed, and waving in a ceremonious fashion with the other hand, he +continued: "Friends, Toby and Bandy-legs, allow me to present some one +to you whom you'll be delighted to know—<em>this is Roland Chase</em>!"</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs stood as if riveted to the spot, staring, and holding his +very breath through astonishment. Toby Jucklin wanted to express his +amazement, and also his ecstatic delight, over the wonderful outcome of +their mission; but alack and alas! as so often happened with Toby, +while the spirit was willing the flesh was lamentably weak, and he could +not make a sound except a sort of spluttering gasp, while his eyes +blinked, and his face grew rosy red.</p> + +<p>Still laughing, the so-called Grimes' boy proceeded to grip hands with +his guests. He acted as though it might be a simon-pure introduction; as +it certainly was, in one sense.</p> + +<p>"I'm ashamed of the way I bamboozled you fine fellows, and that's the +honest truth," he started to say. But on the impulse of the moment I +thought of that Obed Grimes name; and once I gave it to you I had to +follow up with the lingo. I guess I got balled up more than once, for +Max soon discovered that I didn't always speak as a true Grimes should, +and that gave him his clue. Yes, I'm the same Roland you started out to +find, just to please my dear old aunt, bless her heart. I was planning +to surprise them all by appearing in town with my five thousand dollars, +after I'd sold the fox cubs, and then claiming my share of uncle's +estate. I guess it's all getting plain enough to you now, eh, fellows?</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs could speak at last.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's as plain as the nose on my face, Obed—I beg pardon, Roland; +and I can never forgive myself for being so easily taken in and done +for. So you thought to invest your two thousand dollars in starting a +silver-black fox farm, did you? Well, it was a daring venture, and I +hardly think you would have made the game if you hadn't been lucky +enough to meet up with that splendid Mr. Coombs."</p> + +<p>"That's a certainty, Bandy-legs," admitted the other, who apparently was +not at all given to boasting over his achievements; "yes, I was in great +luck to be able to do Mr. Coombs a favor, and win him for a friend. See +what he's done for me. But all the same, I invested my money in this +business, and according to our partnership agreement, I am to have +one-half the proceeds of any sales, so there can be no slip of the law, +to beat me out of my inheritance; if only I can get those precious pups +to the man who's engaged them."</p> + +<p>"And this rascal you called Robert—is he the elder cousin who would +profit by your failure to win out?' asked Max, although he already +understood that this must be true."</p> + +<p>The expressive face of their new friend clouded immediately.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to say that it's so, Max," he admitted. "Those envelopes of +the letters I found in his coat gave it away. The temptation was too +great for Robert, who always showed considerable jealousy, because our +uncle rather favored me. And so when he learned in some fashion, I'm +sure I don't know how, that I was in a fair way of carrying out the +provisions of uncle's will, he must have determined to try and spoil my +plans."</p> + +<p>"Oh! the cur!" snapped the indignant Steve, now seeing the depravity of +the miserable plotter in full. "I'm glad that some of you managed to +give him a few good licks before he broke away. And I'll regret it to +the last day of my life that I didn't get a chance to show him."</p> + +<p>"And b-b-believe me!" exclaimed Toby, with a violent effort, "he's going +to carry the scratches I g-g-gave him on his f-f-face for a w-w-while. +If I'd known that he was Roland's c-c-cousin I'd have dug a h-h-heap +d-d-deeper, too!"</p> + +<p>"I'm only hoping," Roland, as we must call him after this, since he +dropped the Grimes family when he admitted his identity, said, "this +will teach him a lesson, and that he'll leave me alone from now on. But +Robert is a terribly persistent fellow, and I'm afraid his failure may +only spur him on to trying again."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Roland," said Steve, dwelling almost affectionately on the +name, now that he knew the one who claimed it, "we're going to stand +back of you through thick and thin. If those fox pups don't eventually +get to their prospective purchaser, we'll have to know the reason why. +Isn't that so, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"My sentiments exactly," said Max, promptly.</p> + +<p>"Me, too!" exclaimed Toby.</p> + +<p>"Ditto here!" added Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>"I want to say this," observed Roland with a suspicious moisture in his +fine eyes, "it was the luckiest hour of my life when I ran across this +bunch of royal good fellows. Why, only for you I'd as like as not have +been <em>ruined</em>; because alone and single-handed I never could have stood +out against two clever and unscrupulous schemers. And I'll never forget +it as long as I draw breath."</p> + +<p>"There'll be some people mighty sorry, though, I bet you," Bandy-legs +hastened to add, as he looked roguishly at Roland; "by which I mean +those poor Grimeses, who have lost tonight the brightest star in the +whole big Grimes constellation. Why, I can just picture how they'll all +mourn—Uncle Hiram, Uncle Silas, Uncle Nicodemus, and all those other +uncles and aunts, with old Granddaddy Grimes weeping harder than any of +the rest over the bereavement; for Obed is no longer in the flesh!"</p> + +<p>The comical way in which Bandy-legs said this caused a general laugh; +why, even the wondering prisoner on the floor, who, of course, could +hardly understand the joke, had to grin at the humorous expression on +the boy's face.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I guess they'll be able to stand it, if I can," ventured Roland, +"Please don't bear me any malice, fellows, for having my little joke. +You see I used to be quite a hand for such things; but living all alone +up here didn't give me much of an opportunity to try any pranks; and so +I was just aching for a turn. It didn't do any harm, and afforded me +some fun, so please forget it."</p> + +<p>"But, Roland, none of that story you told us about your good friend, Mr. +Coombs, was made up, of course?" asked Steve.</p> + +<p>"That was every word of it true," came the quick answer. "Oh! he was +the finest old gentleman you ever heard about. I grew very fond of him; +and when I received word in a letter from his housekeeper that he had +died, shortly after his wife went, it broke me all up. I moped around +here for a whole week, and came near throwing the entire job up. Then I +remembered how he had always put such confidence in everything I +attempted; and so I just shut my teeth tighter together, and said I'd go +through with it or know the reason why. And I have, for I'm on the point +of success; if only that Robert doesn't upset the fat in the fire at the +last hour."</p> + +<p>"Well, he won't, you can just depend on that," said Bandy-legs, almost +fiercely. "Here are four standbys who are booked to gather around, and +see that you get the fox pups to market. Next time Robert comes where he +isn't wanted, he may get a broken head, or something just as bad; for +now we know his ugly game, we're not apt to be over particular how hard +we hit."</p> + +<p>All of which must have been very comforting to the boy who had taken +such a big load upon his young shoulders, in the effort to show what he +was made of. After all, perhaps the eccentric uncle who left such a +strange provision in his will knew human nature better than most people +do; for he had picked out the very thing calculated to spur a chap like +Roland to do his best.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Max, "since we've cast off the numerous Grimes tribe, +and discovered the one we were in search of, and as the hour is getting +fearfully late, suppose we postpone further talk until morning. There +remain a few hours to be utilized in sleep. Steve, you and Bandy-legs +haven't filled out your time as sentries yet; suppose you hold for +another hour, and then turn it over to me."</p> + +<p>"Just as you say, Max," replied the other. "I meant to propose that +anyway, for the alarm broke out in the middle of our watch. Secretly, +I'd like Mr. Robert to take his courage in both fists and sneak back +this way, bent on further mischief. Do you ask me why! Well, I'd delight +to make use of my scatter-gun, and let him have a mess of number ten +shot at, say sixty yards. They'd pepper him good and plenty at that +distance, without actually endangering his miserable life."</p> + +<p>Max, knowing the energetic nature of the speaker, warned him against +being too prompt at using his gun.</p> + +<p>"Better go slow about that, Steve," he remarked. "Many a fellow has been +shot by mistake. Every season dozens fall victims to hunters who see +something moving, and blaze away recklessly. It might be one of us, for +all you'd know. So don't think of firing without giving our signal."</p> + +<p>Steve solemnly promised to remember. He knew the danger of handling +firearms in a reckless fashion, and was not likely to offend. So +presently, with Bandy-legs in tow, he went forth to resume their +interrupted vigil.</p> + +<p>Max and Roland sat there by the resurrected fire for a short time +exchanging remarks. The prisoner lay on the floor and, as far as they +could tell, seemed to have given up all hope of a rescue, for his heavy +breathing was that of one whom sleep had overtaken.</p> + +<p>Finally, Max pointed toward Toby, who could be seen lying on his back in +his bunk, and evidently enjoying a fine time in dreamland.</p> + +<p>"We'd do well to imitate his example, Roland," he remarked. "And as a +last word I want to tell you again how delighted we all are over finding +you; not only that, but discovering that you've been busy all these +months. Your aunt is worrying her head off about you. The last words she +said were: 'If only you do find, the boy, and he's made a mess of his +attempt to win his inheritance, tell him Aunt Sarah has a place in her +heart for him, and that if only he'll come back he can be her boy for +keeps, because I find that I've grown to love him as my own.'"</p> + +<p>Roland appeared to be deeply affected when he heard this, for he winked +violently a good many times, and then, smiling, managed to say:</p> + +<p>"You don't know how happy you make me when you tell that, Max; for she's +a dear old soul, and I certainly do care for her a great deal. But it +pleases me also to know I've made good, and that I can hold up my head +when I show those trustees what I've done. The Chase family needn't +blush just yet on account of Roland, though it ought to for Robert's +mean actions."</p> + +<p>So they, too, sought their beds, such as these were, and tried to forget +all else in sweet sleep.</p> + +<p>Max had a peculiar habit. Almost any boy can acquire it through much +practice, and sometimes it comes in very handy. He was able to impress +it upon his mind that he wanted to awaken at about a certain time. Once +in a long while this might fail him; but nine times out of ten he could +hit it in a most surprising manner. Many persons have proved this +perfectly feasible; and although Max began it as an experiment of the +control of mind over matter, it had long since passed that stage, and +become a regular habit with him.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, in just an hour after Steve and Bandy-legs had gone forth +again, Max was out of his bunk, and arousing Toby, who got up rather +loth to abandon his good bed and pleasant dreams. Still, he made no +complaint, unless his frequent yawns could be counted as such, but +trotted at the heels of Max when the other started forth.</p> + +<p>The night remained calm. High overhead the gentle breeze still sighed +among the pines, and whispered secrets as it passed through the fragrant +green needles with their attendant cones.</p> + +<p>Max took a single glance aloft at the star-studded heavens, and this +told him pretty close on the hour; for in addition to many other ways of +the forest nomad and believer in woodcraft, Max had mastered the +positions of the planets, so that it was always possible for him to +gauge the passage of time when the night granted him a survey of the +constellations above.</p> + +<p>When he and Bandy-legs had advanced a certain distance Max stopped and +imitated the call of a screech-owl, so like the whinny of a horse. It +ended up with a peculiar twist, and it was this that would tell any of +the other fellows the sound was intended for a signal, and did not +proceed from the real bird itself.</p> + +<p>An answer quickly came. Then a couple of dim forms hove in sight, being +Steve and his fellow vidette, ready to hand over the guns to their +successors, and seek the shelter of the cabin for a little rest.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Max," said Steve, while this exchange was taking place, +"there's something queer out yonder aways; and I want you to try and +make out what it can mean."</p> + +<p>"How is that?" demanded the other.</p> + +<p>"Why, every little while we thought we could hear a distant strange cry +like somebody in pain. Of course it might come from a night-bird that we +don't happen to be acquainted with; but it's been worrying us a heap. +I'm afraid, though, the wind has shifted latterly, because we didn't +seem to catch it so well."</p> + +<p>Max hardly knew what to think of what Steve had told him; nevertheless, +he promised the other he and Toby would listen for all they were worth, +and see if they might have any better success in recognizing the strange +sounds.</p> + +<p>But the minutes drifted along, and at no time were they able to catch +anything out of the common; so, finally, they decided that either it +must have been a night-bird that had flown away, or else that change in +the wind had kept the sounds from coming to their ears.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>STEVE'S DREAM COMES TRUE</strong></p> + +<p>"Did you hear anything, Max?"</p> + +<p>That was the very first thing Steve asked on the following morning, when +he poked his head out of his "hole in the wall" like a shrewd old +tortoise looking around to learn if the coast were clear.</p> + +<p>"We listened from time to time," explained Max, "but were never sure +that we heard any strange sound. It seems that you must have been +impressed with it considerably, Steve, to have it on your mind so?"</p> + +<p>"I was, Max, and I am right now," admitted the other, frankly. "Listen +to me, while the rest are busy getting breakfast ready over at the +fire,", and his voice sank to a confidential whisper. "I had a dream. It +wasn't so queer that it should come to me, after all that's happened. I +dreamed that we came on that bad cousin of Roland's, Robert Chase. He'd +fallen over a precipice, and was dying there on the rocks. Oh! it was +horribly real, Max, and I woke up shivering. He was sorry, too, because +he had been so wicked, and was asking Roland to please forgive him. And, +Max, I've been wondering whether that dream mightn't have come to me to +let us know we might do a good deed if we walked out that way this +morning, you and me, saying nothing to the rest of the boys."</p> + +<p>Max was struck by the thought that Steve must have had a pretty vivid +dream to make him so tender-hearted. At the same time, he felt in accord +with the sentiments so aptly expressed by the other.</p> + +<p>"Steve, I'll go you there," he hastened to say. "It can do no harm, and +may be a fine thing. Are you sure you know the direction fairly well?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, because I was sharp enough to make a note of it last night, Max. +You see, at the time the wind was coming in a lazy sort of way right out +of the west. Later on it swung around to the northwest, which makes it +so sharp this morning."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Steve," the other told him. "Then we'll head direct into +the west, and cover the ground for, say a mile, coming back over another +route. We can call out now and then, so if any one heard us they might +answer. But you'd better hurry and get your duds on, because, unless I'm +mistaken, Bandy-legs is meaning to sing out that breakfast's ready. And +you know the last to the feast is penalized when the supply runs short."</p> + +<p>"No danger of that happening when Bandy-legs has anything to do with the +cooking," chuckled Steve, confidently; which remark proved how well +those four chums knew one another's weak points.</p> + +<p>Of course at breakfast most of the conversation had to do with Roland +and his valiant attempt to "make good." He told his new friends many +things that interested them exceedingly, and which were connected with +his struggle. Their questions also brought them quite a fund of +information concerning the habits of foxes, and how those who aim to +raise the valuable animals for the great London fur market, go about the +business.</p> + +<p>"As for me," said Bandy-legs, who had been doing considerable thinking +while all this talk went on, "I mean to try and hunt up a few of those +bouncer frogs Roland here says inhabit his marsh. Of course I know that +at this time of year they're deep down in the mud, and meaning to lie +there till spring thaws 'em out; but it may be I can scare up just a +mess. I'm awfully fond of frogs' legs, you may remember, boys."</p> + +<p>They all wished him luck. Steve advised him to borrow a spade from the +owner of the woods cabin, for he might have to dig deep. Bandy-legs, +however, only grinned and showed no signs of a change of mind; for once +he set his heart on a thing and he was apt to keep everlastingly at it +until the realization, that it was quite hopeless, would compel him to +throw up the sponge, which Bandy-legs always did with a bad grace.</p> + +<p>So breakfast was finally finished, and the boys separated. True to his +promise the would-be frog hunter set out valiantly on his errand, urged +by his love for a dainty dish. Toby had agreed to assist Roland look +after his fox brood, for there were many things he did not yet +understand concerning their care, and which he earnestly wished to know.</p> + +<p>This arrangement quite suited Steve and Max, for it left them free to +saunter forth. They announced their intention of taking a little look +around. Steve, of course, picked up his gun before starting, saying:</p> + +<p>"You never know when you may want a shooting iron up in the woods. There +might be an old wildcat prowling around these diggings, which would take +a dislike to the shape of my face, so he'd attack us. And I'm homely +enough as it is right now, without inviting a cat to make the map of +Ireland over my phiz."</p> + +<p>He and Max showed no signs of being in any unusual hurry as they left +the cabin. They started directly toward the west; and once out of sight +of those left behind, Steve quickened his pace a bit; at least he +"chirked up" and began to show more animation.</p> + +<p>"A mile, you said, Max, didn't you!" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, that ought to fully cover the distance," came the reply. "I +shouldn't think you could have caught any ordinary sound even as far as +that. Still, when the night is calm, it is wonderful how far even a +groan will carry. The atmosphere seems to be in a peculiar condition at +such times, and acts as a splendid medium for conveying sounds."</p> + +<p>They looked to the right and to the left as they advanced. Nothing +escaped the eyes of those two chums, accustomed to the "Great Outdoors" +as they were, and having long ago graduated in a knowledge of woodcraft.</p> + +<p>Some little time passed thus. They had so far seen and heard nothing +calculated to impress them, though Steve was just as sure the sounds he +caught on the preceding night must have been a human voice crying out in +anguish. Doubtless that vivid dream was also making quite an impression +on the mind of the boy; for Max found him unusually docile and +thoughtful.</p> + +<p>They had now gone considerably over half a mile. Max felt that if any +discovery was going to be made, it must come very soon. He raised his +voice occasionally, and gave a half shout; after which both of them +would stand still and strain their hearing in hopes of catching some +answering hail.</p> + +<p>Squirrels barked at the intruders of their nut domain; blue jays +screamed harshly as they flitted from limb to limb among adjacent trees; +crows sent forth many noisy caws from atop of some neighboring pine, +watching those moving figures suspiciously the while; and once a deer +suddenly leaped across the trail, with a flip of its short tail, to +speedily vanish amidst the colored foliage of some bushes.</p> + +<p>This last event caused Steve to give a real yell, he was so startled. +Hardly had he done this than he gripped the sleeve of his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear that. Max? Was it an echo to my whoop; or did somebody +really call out in a weak voice! Anyway, it seemed to come from right +over there," and he pointed confidently as he spoke.</p> + +<p>Max himself was of the same opinion, for he felt almost certain that a +human voice had tried to attract their attention, though possibly the +person giving utterance to the cry was so weak that he could not make +much effort.</p> + +<p>They changed their course a little, and headed directly toward the +region whence Steve had pointed so positively. When Max held the other +up presently and called again, all doubt was removed.</p> + +<p>"Here, this way! I'm in pretty bad shape, I guess. Don't leave me, +please, whoever you are. I'll pay you a hundred dollars to get me out of +this scrape!"</p> + +<p>Evidently, the speaker, whom Max decided must be Robert Chase, and no +other, supposed the persons approaching, and whose voices he had heard, +must be woods guides who might consider themselves fortunate indeed to +earn such a royal sum so easily.</p> + +<p>Two minutes afterwards and the boys found him. He must have fallen into +the hole while hurrying through the forest, after breaking away from the +grip of the boys at the cabin. He had been severely cut by a sharp +flint-like rock, and lost considerable blood, which weakened him so +that, as he afterwards confessed to them, he must have swooned away, +and lain there for hours unaware of his perilous condition.</p> + +<p>The two boys soon managed to get the young man up on level ground. As +often happened, it was Max who conceived the easiest way of doing this. +To lift a dead weight of a hundred and fifty pounds is no light task, +and so he started to break away one side of the pit, thus raising the +bottom of the interior until they were able to simply <em>carry</em> Robert out +of the hole.</p> + +<p>Steve was loud in his expressions of admiration.</p> + +<p>"Whoever else would have thought up such a clever piece of business, +Max, but you?" he went on to say, as they rested after their effort. +"Why, if it'd been me in charge now, I reckon I'd have gone to all sorts +of trouble rigging up some sort of block-and-tackle, so as to hoist him +up; but you just knock down a part of the wall, and there you are, as +neat as wax. Wherever did you learn that trick, I want to know, Max?"</p> + +<p>"You'll laugh if I tell you," chuckled the other. "One day in reading +about how some musty old professors are digging out all sorts of weighty +treasures belonging to bygone days over in. Egypt, I chanced to learn +how a certain Arab contracted to excavate a big stone weighing ever so +many tons, and which the learned savant could not see how they were ever +going to get out of the deep hole. Well, that Arab just kept filling up +the hole, and lifting the stone inch by inch. When he finished there +was no hole, but the great rock stood on level ground. And that, Steve, +they say is old-time mechanical engineering, which has never been beaten +in these modern days. The Pyramids were built in that simple way. Human +lives and labor counted for little in those old times."</p> + +<p>"All I can say is, Max, it takes you to apply whatever you read to +working out your own problems. But however are we going to get this man +back to the cabin! Must we build a litter and carry him?"</p> + +<p>Robert seemed to be suffering from something more than physical anguish. +A tortured mind can stab even more keenly than painful bodily wounds. +Lying there and facing possible death, Robert Chase had evidently seen a +great light. He beckoned to the boys to bend over him, and then in a +weak voice went on to say:</p> + +<p>"I don't know just how badly I'm hurt, young fellows, but I do know that +I'm done with this miserable business. I've got just what I deserve, and +it may be the best thing that ever happened to me. During the time I lay +here and had my senses, I've made up my mind to ask my cousin Roland to +forgive me, and let me make amends for the evil I've tried to do. I know +now that it doesn't pay in the long run, for I've come near losing all +my self-respect. Yes, get me to the camp, if you can. I want to face the +music, and have it over with. Something seems to tell me that the boy +isn't the one to hold a grudge against a chap who's been punished +already for doing an evil deed."</p> + +<p>That sort of talk pleased Max immensely. He saw that Robert Chase must +have been having a terrible conflict between his better nature and the +insatiate craving for wealth; and now that a wise Providence had stepped +in to nip all his plots in the bud, why things began to look very bright +all around.</p> + +<p>It was found that with one of the boys on either side, Robert could +manage to walk fairly well, although they often had to stop and let him +rest.</p> + +<p>It took them a full two hours to get back to the cabin, where their +arrival created considerable excitement. At the moment, Roland was out +somewhere attending to his pets, and so the injured man was made as +comfortable as possible by Toby and Bandy-legs, the latter of whom had +just come in carrying a pretty fair mess of frogs' legs all dressed for +the frying-pan.</p> + +<p>Then when Roland came along, to be told what had happened, and how his +cousin was anxious to see him alone, he looked actually pleased at the +queer turn affairs had taken. He went in and was with Robert for quite a +long time. They must have had a good heart-to-heart talk, for when +Roland appeared again, he was smiling broadly, and hastened to say:</p> + +<p>"We've not only patched up a truce, boys, but made an enduring covenant. +After this there's not going to be any war in the Chase family; and now +that Robert has humbled himself to confess his wrong-doing, I believe +we're going to be the best of friends. I've promised him, without his +asking it, that I'll never tell a single soul about what happened up +here. You must agree to the same thing, for my sake. I feel sure you'll +all like Robert, when you get to know him."</p> + +<p>"Who can tell," muttered Toby, as if to himself; "in time we might even +g-g-get <em>familiar</em> with him. Stranger things than that have happened. I +only hope he won't hold a g-g-grudge against me when he sees the mark of +all my f-f-fingernails down his face."</p> + +<p>"Just now, Toby, he isn't in a mood to bear anybody a grudge," Roland +went on to say; "for he believes he didn't get half that he merited. But +after all it's come out a thousand per cent better than I ever dreamed +it would. And when I start off with my pair of grown cubs I needn't be +afraid of any one waylaying me on the road."</p> + +<p>"All the same," observed Steve, raising his heavy eyebrows suggestively, +"we'll see to it that you have plenty of company on the way. Since the +object of our trip up here into the heart of the Adirondacks has been +fulfilled, I rather reckon we'll be wanting to go along with you, to see +the fox pups handed over, and that lovely check received. Afterwards we +can all start for Carson, where you and your good old aunt may have a +family reunion all to yourselves; unless you see fit to invite Uncle +Sephus, Uncle Nicodemus, Uncle Job, or some of those old worthies to +join with you, so as to make things hum."</p> + +<p>They all laughed at Steve's humorous remark.</p> + +<p>"B-b-but what's to be d-d-done with this p-p-pretty thing?" demanded +Toby, pointing as he spoke to their prisoner, who was sitting outside +the door, having one of his ankles held fast with a trailing rope, so +that he could not run away, even if tempted to do so; which, considering +his helpless condition, with both hands tied behind his back, he was +hardly in the humor to do.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE FUR FARMER'S TRIUMPH—CONCLUSION</strong></p> + +<p>While all this talk was going on, the man had of course listened. What +he had just heard Roland say about forgiving his scheming cousin must +have encouraged the fellow more or less; for surely if they meant to let +the chief conspirator go scot-free, it would hardly be fitting to take +it out on the poor hired tool.</p> + +<p>"I hope you include me in that general amnesty order, young fellows," he +now hastened to say, with a wishful look on his face. "Since the fat is +in the fire I'm ready to tell anything you want of me. Course my name +isn't Jake Storms; though it isn't necessary for me to inform you what +it might be, because that doesn't concern anybody around here. I needed +money pretty badly, and the gent tempted me beyond my limit, so I agreed +to help him steal the fox cubs. I was to have all they'd fetch when +sold, and so I came along. But if you just cut these cords, and tell me +to clear out, I'll vamose the ranch instanter."</p> + +<p>Max nodded his head in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>"You might as well make an early start," he remarked, drily. "Since +things have turned out the way they have, we couldn't make any use of +you. But before you go, understand one thing, my friend."</p> + +<p>"What might that be, young fellow?" asked the other, though looking very +much pleased at hearing he would be set free.</p> + +<p>"Don't get it into your head that it's going to be an easy snap to come +back here and rob this fox farm. You'd be a fool to try it for many +reasons. In the first place, silver blacks are so few in number that any +one selling a cub or a pelt can be tracked, and made to prove ownership. +There's also an association forming that will insure these costly +animals, and chase a thief across the continent until they eventually +get him; just as the bankers' association does. Understand that?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! don't bother about me," the man hastened to tell them. "I'm through +with this sort of risky game. I can make a living at something that +brings in easier returns; only set me free and I'll never come back here +again, never, on your life."</p> + +<p>"There'll be a guard here while we're gone," continued Max, sternly, "a +man who can hit a silver quarter with his rifle as far as he can see it +through the telescopic globe sight. It wouldn't be safe for prowlers to +show up here. Besides, they could never find the foxes, hidden deep down +in their burrows, during the night time. Steve, set him free, please."</p> + +<p>The boys felt that they could afford to be magnanimous, since things had +taken such a glorious turn in their favor. So they not only gave the +so-called Jake Storms his liberty but filled his pockets with such food +as would serve him until he came to a town. Roland was seen talking with +him just before he left, and Max felt sure the boy must have thrust some +money into the man's hand, for the fellow acted as though greatly +confused, and shook his head while walking hastily away, as though the +kindness of those boys quite overwhelmed, him.</p> + +<p>Roland continued his work of making his cousin thoroughly ashamed of his +recent mean actions. He waited on the injured man as though Robert had +always been one of his best friends. If ever a fellow "heaped coals of +fire on the head of his enemy," Roland Chase certainly did during the +three days they continued to linger at the lodge under the pines.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the signal had been set for Jerry Stocks to come over, and +when he arrived, he turned out to be very much the kind of a man the +boys expected to see, a homely specimen of a woodsman, honest as the day +was long, and "filled to the brim," as Steve aptly expressed it, with an +accurate knowledge of all such things as may prove of value to one who +roams the wilderness.</p> + +<p>He was to be left in charge during the absence of the young fur farmer. +Roland had long ago won the sincere admiration of the rugged woodsman, +who stood ready to do anything to show his regard. Besides, he would be +well paid for all his trouble, and his family might even come over to +visit him occasionally.</p> + +<p>During the balance of their stay under the sheltering roof of the +wonderful little lodge under the whispering pines, the boys made use of +every hour in order to enjoy their limited holiday. Since success had +crowned their efforts to find the missing one, they were in constant +high spirits. It always produces a feeling of exultation to know that +the goal has been attained for which a start was made; and the four +chums were only human.</p> + +<p>They certainly had a great time of it, visiting all sorts of strange +nooks under the guidance of either Roland or Jerry. Max found a number +of opportunities to add to his interesting collection of flashlight +pictures. He made a specialty of the fox farm, and with the assistance +of the young owner, managed to snap off the timid occupants of the +enclosures in the act of feeding, as well as under various other equally +instructive conditions; all of which would give a pretty good idea of +how progressive fur farmers manage their outfit.</p> + +<p>The wounded man grew better, so that when it was time for them to leave, +he could take his part in the procession; though the others declined to +let him burden himself with any of the duffle, since he was still weak.</p> + +<p>Max had been studying Robert, and reached the conclusion that the young +man was heartily ashamed of his miserable plotting. He hoped it would +be a good lesson calculated to serve Robert the rest of his life; and if +this turned out to be so, then that stumble of his, unfortunate as it +may have seemed to him at the time, was the best thing that had ever +happened to him.</p> + +<p>The two marketable fox pups were placed securely in the cage that had +been secured for this very purpose by Roland when last in the city. It +weighed very little, and could be easily transported like an ordinary +pack on the back. Roland himself meant to carry it, but of course the +others insisted on "spelling" him from time to time.</p> + +<p>Really, when the fateful morning hour came, and they turned back to give +a last fond look at the little lodge under the green pines, Max and his +three chums were conscious of a strange feeling of keen regret around +the region of their hearts; which proved how the woods home of Roland +had grown upon them.</p> + +<p>"I certainly do hope those pictures will turn out to be daisies, Max." +Steve was heard to say, most earnestly; "because I'll take a heap of +satisfaction in recalling many of the pleasant things that have happened +to us up here, where the breeze is always telling tales to the pinetops; +and it's nice to be able to see what your mind is centered on."</p> + +<p>"But look here," said Roland, delighted to hear Steve talk in that +strain; "you mustn't think that even if I do succeed to that jolly +little fortune left by my real uncle, and not one of the Grimeses, that +I'm meaning to drop this fox farm business. By now it's got a deep hold +on me, and I'm more bent than ever on making it a big success. Yes, and +I'm also counting on you fellows paying me another visit some other +time, the sooner the better."</p> + +<p>They assured him it would please them beyond measure to contemplate +spending part of their next summer vacation with him, when they could +investigate still further the many delightful mysteries of the +Adirondack wilderness.</p> + +<p>So the lovely nook was lost sight of, and for some little time a silence +seemed to fall upon all the members of the group, as they continued to +trudge along the trail that eventually would fetch them to a road, and +after that to a village.</p> + +<p>Of course our story nears its end, now that we have seen Max and his +chums accomplish the object of their search. They meant to continue +along in the company of Roland, and see that the pair of beautiful +glossy silver black fox pups were safely delivered to the purchaser, who +intended to start a fur farm of his own in some other part of the +country, possibly away up in the Canadian Northwest, and had taken a +great fancy for the particular strain of animal Roland was propagating.</p> + +<p>In due time they arrived at the city where this rich gentleman lived. He +had, it appeared, seen and admired the fox pups while fishing in the +neighborhood of the fur farm, and made a contract with Roland for the +delivery of the pair at a certain time, binding the bargain with a cash +payment.</p> + +<p>It all turned out as planned, and when the boy received the balance of +the stipulated amount in a handsome check he felt that he had a right to +feel proud of his accomplishment.</p> + +<p>Robert had long before then took his leave, and in doing so he squeezed +the hand of his younger cousin, and assuring Roland that he meant to see +more of him in the future. So far as Max could observe, the man appeared +to have turned over a new leaf, and from that time forward was likely to +show what was really in him besides his former desire to loaf and spend +money.</p> + +<p>And so in the fullness of time, the five boys turned up in Carson, where +a certain good woman whom Roland claimed as his aunt was wonderfully +well pleased to find his arms about her wrinkled neck, and his boyish +kiss pressed upon her cheek. She assured Roland the first thing, that +there was no need of his worrying about the future, because she had +determined to make him her heir, regardless of whether he ever came into +the money left under such exacting conditions by his deceased uncle.</p> + +<p>Naturally, Roland was proud to tell his aunt that while he appreciated +her fresh interest in his career, and would be only too glad to respond +to her affection, at the same time she must know he had not made a +failure, and that even now he was about to call upon the trustees of +the will, to show them he had faithfully carried out all the provisions +upon the fulfillment of which his legacy depended.</p> + +<p>It all came out as planned; indeed, those same old trustees of the +estate, living in another town, had the greatest surprise of their lives +when that troop of boys called upon them, and the whole story was told; +for of course Max and the other trio eagerly snapped at Roland's warm +invitation to accompany him on this momentous occasion, so as to witness +his crowning triumph, and add their testimony, if needed, as witnesses +to the successful outcome of his plans.</p> + +<p>Roland had taken pains to gather all necessary documents showing how he +invested the greater part of his two thousand dollars, and how he was to +draw half the proceeds on any sales. He also had the contract for the +delivery of the first of the silver black fox pups, and after could, in +addition, show the fat check covering that particular sale.</p> + +<p>Everything had been looked after to a fraction. The old men found it +difficult to believe what at first to their minds seemed so like a fairy +story: but in the end they had to admit that Roland Chase had fully +complied with every one of the conditions imposed on him in the strange +will of his uncle; and as the time limit had not yet expired, he was +fully entitled to his legacy, which in due time was paid over to him.</p> + +<p>After that, Roland again departed for the wonderful "farm," where the +most valuable crop ever heard of was being grown successfully. The other +lads heard from him frequently during the winter months, and there was +no discouraging report forthcoming. He now had Jerry with him constantly +as his assistant, the guide having built a cabin near the farm, where he +installed his family. It was nicer for Roland, too, since there were +several children; and he could spend many an evening sociably, having +taken up a phonograph with him, together with a fine supply of all sorts +of records suitable for amusing a mixed company.</p> + +<p>Max often allowed his thoughts to bridge the many miles that separated +Carson from that lodge in the wilderness; and it required no magician's +wand to enable him to see in his mind's eye the delightful surroundings +that made the strange fur farm a possible El Dorado, where Fortune was +liable to knock on the door and demand entrance.</p> + +<p>It is with more or less regret that the writer finds he has reached the +point where he must say goodbye; and he only does so with the +understanding that just as soon as further stirring events worth +narrating come to pass, it will be his pleasure, as well as duty, to +place them between the covers of another book in this series.</p> + +<p><strong>THE END</strong></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="oblongbox"></a><h2><strong>THE OBLONG BOX.</strong></h2> + +<p>Some years ago, I engaged passage from Charleston, S.C., to the city of +New York, in the fine packet-ship Independence, Captain Hardy. We were +to sail on the fifteenth of the month (June), weather permitting; and, +on the fourteenth, I went on board to arrange some matters in my +stateroom.</p> + +<p>I found that we were to have a great many passengers, including a more +than usual number of ladies. On the list were several of my +acquaintances; and among other names, I was rejoiced to see that of Mr. +Cornelius Wyatt, a young artist, for whom I entertained feelings of warm +friendship. He had been with me a fellow-student at C----University, +where we were very much together. He had the ordinary temperament of +genius, and was a compound of misanthropy, sensibility, and enthusiasm. +To these qualities he united the warmest and truest heart which ever +beat in a human bosom.</p> + +<p>I observed that his name was carded upon <em>three</em> staterooms; and, upon +again referring to the list of passengers, I found that he had engaged +passage for himself, wife, and two sisters—his own. The staterooms were +sufficiently roomy, and each had two berths, one above the other. These +berths, to be sure, were so exceedingly narrow as to be insufficient for +more than one person; still, I could not comprehend why there were +<em>three</em> staterooms for these four persons. I was, just at this epoch, in +one of those moody frames of mind which make a man abnormally +inquisitive about trifles: and I confess, with shame, that I busied +myself in a variety of ill-bred and preposterous conjectures about this +matter of the supernumerary stateroom. It was no business of mine, to be +sure; but with none the less pertinacity did I occupy myself in attempts +to resolve the enigma. At last I I had not arrived at it before. "It is +a servant, of course," I said; "what a fool I am, not sooner to have +thought of so obvious a solution!" And then I again repaired to the +list—but here I saw distinctly that <em>no</em> servant was to come with the +party; although, in fact, it had been the original design to bring +one—for the words "and servant" had been first written and then +overscored. "Oh, extra baggage to be sure," I now said to +myself—"something he wishes not to be put in the hold—something to be +kept under his own eye—ah, I have it—a painting or so—and this is +what he has been bargaining about with Ficolino, the Italian Jew." This +idea satisfied me, and I dismissed my curiosity for the nonce.</p> + +<p>Wyatt's two sisters I knew very well, and most amiable and clever girls +they were. His wife he had newly married, and I had never yet seen her. +He had often talked about her in my presence, however, and in his usual +style of enthusiasm. He described her as of surpassing beauty, wit, and +accomplishment. I was, therefore, quite anxious to make her +acquaintance.</p> + +<p>On the day in which I visited the ship (the fourteenth), Wyatt and a +party were also to visit it—so the captain informed me—and I waited on +board an hour longer than I had designed, in hope of being presented to +the bride; but then an apology came. "Mr. W. was a little indisposed, +and would decline coming on board until to-morrow, at the hour of +sailing."</p> + +<p>The morrow having arrived, I was going from my hotel to the wharf, when +Captain Hardy met me and said that "owing circumstances" (a stupid but +convenient phrase), "he rather thought the Independence would not sail +for a day or two, and that when all was ready, he would send up and let +me know." This I thought strange, for there was a stiff southerly +breeze; but as "the circumstances" were not forthcoming, although I +pumped for them with much perseverance, I had nothing to do but to +return home and digest my impatience at leisure.</p> + +<p>I did not receive the expected message from the captain for nearly a +week. It came at length, however, and I immediately went on board. The +ship was crowded with passengers, and everything was in the bustle +attendant upon making sail. Wyatt's party arrived in about ten minutes +after myself. There were the two sisters, the bride, and the artist—the +latter in one of his customary fits of moody misanthropy. I was too +well used to these, however, to pay them any special attention. He did +not even introduce me to his wife, this courtesy devolving, per force, +upon his sister Marian, a very sweet and intelligent girl, who, in a few +hurried words, made us acquainted.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wyatt had been closely veiled; and when she raised her veil, in +acknowledging my bow, I confess that I was very profoundly astonished. I +should have been much more so, however, had not long experience advised +me not to trust, with too implicit a reliance, the enthusiastic +descriptions of my friend, the artist, when indulging in comments upon +the loveliness of woman. When beauty was the theme, I well knew with +what facility he soared into the regions of the purely ideal.</p> + +<p>The truth is, I could not help regarding Mrs. Wyatt as a decidedly +plain-looking woman. If not positively ugly, she was not, I think, very +far from it. She was dressed, however, in exquisite taste—and then I +had no doubt that she had captivated my friend's heart by the more +enduring graces of the intellect and soul. She said very few words, and +passed at once into her stateroom with Mr. W.</p> + +<p>My old inquisitiveness now returned. There was <em>no</em> servant—<em>that</em> was +a settled point. I looked, therefore, for the extra baggage. After some +delay, a cart arrived at the wharf, with an oblong pine box, which was +everything that seemed to be expected. Immediately upon its arrival we +made sail, and in a short time were safely over the bar and standing out +to sea.</p> + +<p>The box in question was, as I say, oblong. It was about six feet in +length by two and a half in breadth; I observed it attentively, and like +to be precise. Now this shape was <em>peculiar</em>; and no sooner had I seen +it, than I took credit to myself for the accuracy of my guessing. I had +reached the conclusion, it will be remembered, that the extra baggage of +my friend, the artist, would prove to be pictures, or at least a +picture; for I knew he had been for several weeks in conference with +Nicolino; and now here was a box which, from its shape, <em>could</em> possibly +contain nothing in the world but a copy of Leonardo's "Last Supper;" and +a copy of this very "Last Supper," done by Rubini the younger at +Florence, I had known, for some time, to be in the possession of +Nicolino. This point, therefore. I considered as sufficiently settled. I +chuckled excessively when I thought of my acumen. It was the first time +I ever known Wyatt to keep from me any of his artistical secrets; but +here he evidently intended to steal a march upon me, and smuggle a fine +picture to New York, under my very nose; expecting me to know nothing of +the matter. I resolved to quiz him <em>well</em>, now and hereafter.</p> + +<p>One thing, however, annoyed me not a little. The box did <em>not</em> go into +the extra stateroom. It was deposited in Wyatt's own; and there, too, it +remained, occupying nearly the whole of the floor—no doubt to the +exceeding discomfort of the artist and his wife;—this the more +especially as the tar or paint with which it was lettered in sprawling +capitals, emitted a strong, disagreeable, and, to <em>my</em> fancy, a +peculiarly disgusting odor. On the lid were painted the words—"<em>Mrs. +Adelaide Curtis, Albany, New York. Charge of Cornelius Wyatt, Esq. This +side up. To be handled with care."</em></p> + +<p>Now, I was aware that Mrs. Adelaide Curtis, of Albany, was the artist's +wife's mother; but then I looked upon the whole address as a +mystification, intended especially for myself. I made up my mind, of +course, that the box and contents would never get farther north than the +studio of my misanthropic friend, in Chambers Street, New York.</p> + +<p>For the first three or four days we had fine weather, although the wind +was dead ahead; having chopped round to the northward, immediately upon +our losing sight of the coast. The passengers were, consequently, in +high spirits, and disposed to be social. I <em>must</em> except, however, Wyatt +and his sisters, who behaved stiffly, and, I could not help thinking, +uncourteously to the rest of the party. <em>Wyatt's</em> conduct I did not so +much regard. He was gloomy, even beyond his usual habit—in fact he was +<em>morose</em>—but in him I was prepared for eccentricity. For the sisters, +however, I could make no excuse. They secluded themselves in their +staterooms during the greater part of the passage, and absolutely +refused, although I repeatedly urged them, to hold communication with +any person on board.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wyatt herself was far more agreeable. That is to say, she was +<em>chatty</em>; and to be chatty is no slight recommendation at sea. She +became <em>excessively</em> intimate with most of the ladies; and, to my +profound astonishment, evinced no equivocal disposition to coquet with +the men. She amused us all very much. I say "<em>amused</em>"—and scarcely +know how to explain myself. The truth is, I soon found that Mrs. W. was +far oftener laughed <em>at</em> than <em>with</em>. The gentlemen said little about +her; but the ladies, in a little while, pronounced her a "good-hearted +thing, rather indifferent-looking, totally uneducated, and decidedly +vulgar." The great wonder was, how Wyatt had been entrapped into such a +match. Wealth was the general solution—but this I knew to be no +solution at all; for Wyatt had told me that she neither brought him a +dollar nor had any expectations from any source whatever. "He had +married," he said, "for love, and for love only; and his bride was far +more than worthy of his love." When I thought of these expressions, on +the part of my friend, I confess that I felt indescribably puzzled. +Could it be possible that he was taking leave of his senses? What else +could I think? <em>He</em>, so refined, so intellectual, so fastidious, with so +exquisite a perception of the faulty, and so keen an appreciation of the +beautiful! To be sure, the lady seemed especially fond of +<em>him</em>—particularly so in his absence—when, she made herself ridiculous +by frequent quotations of what had been said by her "beloved husband, +Mr. Wyatt." The word "husband" seemed forever—to use one of her own +delicate expressions—forever "on the tip of her tongue." In the +meantime, it was observed by all on board, that he avoided <em>her</em> in the +most pointed manner, and, for the most part, shut himself up alone in +his state-room, where, in fact, he might have been said to live +altogether, leaving his wife at full liberty to amuse herself as she +thought best, in the public society of the main cabin.</p> + +<p>My conclusion, from what I saw and heard, was, that the artist, by some +unaccountable freak of fate, or perhaps in some fit of enthusiastic and +fanciful passion, had been induced to unite himself with a person +altogether beneath him, and that the natural result, entire and speedy +disgust, had ensued. I pitied him from the bottom of my heart—but could +not, for that reason, quite forgive his incommunicativeness in the +matter of the "Last Supper." For this I resolved to have my revenge.</p> + +<p>One day he came upon deck, and, taking his arm as had been my wont, I +sauntered with him backward and forward. His gloom, however (which I +considered quite natural under the circumstances), seemed entirely +unabated. He said little, and that moodily, and with evident effort. I +ventured a jest or two, and he made a sickening attempt at a smile. Poor +fellow! as I thought of <em>his wife</em>, I wondered that he could have heart +to put on even the semblance of mirth. At last I ventured a home-thrust. +I determined to commence a series of covert insinuations, or inuendoes, +about the oblong box—just to let him perceive, gradually that I was +<em>not</em> altogether the butt, or victim, of his little bit of pleasant +mystification. My first observation was by way of opening a masked +battery. I said something about the "peculiar shape of <em>that</em> box;" and, +as I spoke the words, I smiled knowingly, winked, and touched him gently +with my fore-finger in the ribs.</p> + +<p>The manner in which Wyatt received this harmless pleasantry convinced +me, at once, that he was mad. At first he stared at me as if he found it +impossible to comprehend the witticism of my remark; but as its point +seemed slowly to make its way into his brain, his eyes, in the same +proportion, seemed protruding from their sockets. Then he grew very +red—then hideously pale—then, as if highly amused with what I had +insinuated, he began a loud and boisterous laugh, which, to my +astonishment, he kept up, with gradually increasing vigor, for ten +minutes or more. In conclusion he fell flat and heavily upon the deck. +When I ran to uplift him, to all appearance he was <em>dead</em>.</p> + +<p>I called assistance, and, with much difficulty, we brought him to +himself. Upon reviving he spoke incoherently for some time. At length we +bled him and put him to bed. The next morning he was quite recovered, so +far as regarded his mere bodily health. Of his mind I say nothing, of +course. I avoided him during the rest of the passage, by advice of the +captain, who seemed to coincide with me altogether in my views of his +insanity, but cautioned me to say nothing on this head to any person on +board.</p> + +<p>Several circumstances occurred immediately after this fit of Wyatt's +which contributed to heighten the curiosity with which I was already +possessed. Among other things, this: I had been nervous—drank too much +strong green tea, and slept ill at night—in fact, for two nights I +could not be properly said to sleep at all. Now, my stateroom opened +into the main cabin, or dining-room, as did those of all the single men +on board. Wyatt's three rooms were in the after-cabin, which was +separated from the main one by a slight sliding door, never locked even +at night. As we were almost constantly on a wind, and the breeze was not +a little stiff, the ship heeled to leeward very considerably; and +whenever her starboard side was to leeward, the sliding door between the +cabins slid open, and so remained, nobody taking the trouble to get up +and shut it. But my berth was in such a position, that when my own +stateroom door was open, as well as the sliding door in question (and my +own door was <em>always</em> open on account of the heat), I could see into +the after-cabin quite distinctly, and just at that portion of it, too, +where were situated the staterooms of Mr. Wyatt. Well, during two nights +(<em>not</em> consecutive) while I lay awake, I clearly saw Mrs. W., about +eleven o'clock each night, steal cautiously from the stateroom of Mr. +W., and enter the extra room, where she remained until daybreak, when +she was called by her husband and went back. That they were virtually +separated was clear. They had separate apartments—no doubt in +contemplation of a more permanent divorce; and here, after all, I +thought, was the mystery of the extra stateroom.</p> + +<p>There was another circumstance, too, which interested me much. During +the two wakeful nights in question, and immediately after the +disappearance of Mrs. Wyatt into the extra stateroom, I was attracted by +certain singular, cautious, subdued noises in that of her husband. After +listening to them for some time, with thoughtful attention, I at length +succeeded perfectly in translating their import. They were sounds +occasioned by the artist in prying open the oblong box, by means of a +chisel and mallet—the latter being muffled, or deadened, by some soft +woollen or cotton substance in which its head was enveloped.</p> + +<p>In this manner I fancied I could distinguish the precise moment when he +fairly disengaged the lid—also, that I could determine when he removed +it altogether, and when he deposited it upon the lower berth in his +room; this latter point I knew, for example, by certain slight taps +which the lid made in striking against the wooden edges of the berth, as +he endeavored to lay it down <em>very</em> gently—there being no room for it +on the floor. After this there was a dead stillness, and I heard nothing +more, upon either occasion, until nearly daybreak; unless, perhaps, I +may mention a low sobbing, or murmuring sound, so very much suppressed +as to be nearly inaudible—if, indeed, the whole of this latter noise +were not rather produced by my own imagination. I say it seemed to +<em>resemble</em> sobbing or sighing—but, of course, it could not have been +either. I rather think it was a ringing in my own ears. Mr. Wyatt, no +doubt, according to custom, was merely giving the rein to one of his +hobbies—indulging in one of his fits of artistic enthusiasm. He had +opened his oblong box, in order to feast his eyes on the pictorial +treasure within. There was nothing in this, however, to make him <em>sob</em>. +I repeat therefore, that it must have been simply a freak of my own +fancy, distempered by good Captain Hardy's green tea. Just before dawn, +on each of the two nights of which I speak, I distinctly heard Mr. Wyatt +replace the lid upon the oblong box, and force the nails into their old +places, by means of the muffled mallet. Having done this, he issued from +his stateroom, fully dressed, and proceeded to call Mrs. W. from hers.</p> + +<p>We had been at sea seven days, and were now off Cape Hatteras, when +there came a tremendously heavy blow from the southwest. We were, in a +measure, prepared for it, however, as the weather had been holding out +threats for some time. Everything was made snug, alow and aloft; and as +the wind steadily freshened, we lay to, at length, under spanker and +foretopsail, both double-reefed.</p> + +<p>In this trim, we rode safely enough for forty-eight hours—the ship +proving herself an excellent sea boat, in many respects, and shipping no +water of any consequence. At the end of this period, however, the gale +had freshened into a hurricane, and our after-sail split into ribbons, +bringing us so much in the trough of the water that we shipped several +prodigious seas, one immediately after the other. By this accident we +lost three men overboard with the caboose, and nearly the whole of the +larboard bulwarks. Scarcely had we recovered our senses, before the +foretopsail went into shreds when we got up a storm stay-sail, and with +this did pretty well for some hours, the ship heading the sea much more +steadily than before.</p> + +<p>The gale still held on, however, and we saw no signs of its abating. The +rigging was found to be ill-fitted, and greatly strained; and on the +third day of the blow, about five in the afternoon, our mizzen-mast, in +a heavy lurch to windward, went by the board. For an hour or more, we +tried in vain to get rid of it, on account of the prodigious rolling of +the ship, and, before we had succeeded, the carpenter came aft and +announced four feet water in the hold. To add to our dilemma, we found +the pumps choked and nearly useless.</p> + +<p>All was now confusion and despair—but an effort was made to lighten the +ship by throwing overboard as much of her cargo as could be reached, and +by cutting away the two masts that remained. This we at last +accomplished—but we were still unable to do anything at the pumps; and, +in the meantime, the leak gained on us very fast.</p> + +<p>At sundown, the gale had sensibly diminished, in and, as the sea went +down with it, we still entertained faint hopes of saving ourselves in +the boats. At eight P.M. the clouds broke away to windward, and we had +the advantage of a full moon—a piece of good fortune which served +wonderfully to cheer our drooping spirits.</p> + +<p>After incredible labor we succeeded, at length, in getting the long-boat +over the side without material accident, and into this we crowded the +whole of the crew and most of the passengers. This party made off +immediately, and, after undergoing much suffering, finally arrived, in +safety, at Ocracoke Inlet, on the third day after the wreck.</p> + +<p>Fourteen passengers, with the Captain, remained on board, resolving to +trust their fortunes to the jolly-boat at the stern. "We lowered it +without difficulty, although it was only by a miracle that we prevented +it from swamping as it touched the water. It contained, when afloat, the +captain and his wife, Mr. Wyatt and party, a Mexican officer, wife, four +children, and myself, with a negro valet."</p> + +<p>We had no room, of course, for anything except a few positively +necessary instruments, some provision, and the clothes upon our backs. +No one had thought of even attempting to save anything more. What must +have been the astonishment of all then, when, having proceeded a few +fathoms from the ship, Mr. Wyatt stood up in the stern-sheets, and +coolly demanded of Captain Hardy that the boat should be put back for +the purpose of taking in his oblong box!</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Mr. Wyatt," replied the Captain, somewhat sternly, "you will +capsize us if you do not sit quite still. Our gunwale is almost in the +water now."</p> + +<p>"The box!" vociferated Mr. Wyatt, still standing—"the box, I say! +Captain Hardy, you cannot, you <em>will</em> not refuse me. Its weight will be +but a trifle—it is nothing—mere nothing. By the mother who bore +you—for the love of Heaven—by your hope of salvation, I <em>implore</em> you +to put back for the box!"</p> + +<p>The Captain, for a moment, seemed touched by the earnest appeal of the +artist, but he regained his stern composure, and merely said:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Wyatt you are <em>mad</em>. I cannot listen to you. Sitdown, I say, or you +will swamp the boat. Stay—hold him—seize him! he is about to spring +overboard! There—I knew it—he is over!"</p> + +<p>As the Captain said this, Mr. Wyatt, in fact, sprang from the boat, +and, as we were yet in the lee of the wreck, succeeded, by almost +superhuman exertion, in getting hold of a rope which hung from the +fore-chains. In another moment he was on board, and rushing frantically +down into the cabin.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, we had been swept astern of the ship, and being quite +out of her lee, were at the mercy of the tremendous sea which was still +running. We made a determined effort to put back, but our little boat +was like a feather in the breath of the tempest. We saw at a glance that +the doom of the unfortunate artist was sealed.</p> + +<p>As our distance from the wreck rapidly increased, the madman (for as +such only could we regard him) was seen to emerge from the +companion-way, up which, by dint of a strength that appeared gigantic, +he dragged, bodily, the oblong box. While we gazed in the extremity of +astonishment, he passed, rapidly, several turns of a three-inch rope, +first around the box and then around his body. In another instant both +body and box ware in the sea—disappearing suddenly, at once and +forever.</p> + +<p>We lingered awhile sadly upon our oars, with our eyes riveted upon the +spot. At length we pulled away. The silence remained unbroken for an +hour. Finally, I hazarded a remark.</p> + +<p>"Did you observe, Captain, how suddenly they sank? Was not that an +exceedingly singular thing? I confess that I entertained some feeble +hope of his final deliverance, when I saw him lash himself to the box, +and commit himself to the sea."</p> + +<p>"They sank as a matter of course," replied the Captain, "and that like a +shot. They will soon rise again, however—<em>but not till the salt +melts</em>."</p> + +<p>"The salt!" I ejaculated.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" said the Captain, pointing to the wife and sisters of the +deceased. "We must talk of these things at some more appropriate time."</p> + +<br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /> + +<p>We suffered much, and made a narrow escape; but fortune befriended <em>us</em>, +as well as our mates in the long boat. We landed, in fine, more dead +than alive, after four days of intense distress, upon the beach opposite +Roanoke Island. We remained there a week, were not ill-treated by the +wreckers, and at length obtained a passage to New York.</p> + +<p>About a month after the loss of the Independence, I happened to meet +Captain Hardy in Broadway. Our conversation turned, naturally, upon the +disaster, and especially upon the sad fate of poor Wyatt. I thus learned +the following particulars.</p> + +<p>The artist had engaged passage for himself, wife, two sisters, and a +servant. His wife was, indeed, as she had been represented, a most +lovely and most accomplished woman. On the morning of the fourteenth of +June (the day in which I first visited the ship), the lady suddenly +sickened and died. The young husband was frantic with grief—but +circumstances imperatively forbade the deferring his voyage to New York. +It was necessary to take to her mother the corpse of his adored wife, +and on the other hand, the universal prejudice which would prevent his +doing so openly, was well known. Nine-tenths of the passengers would +have abandoned the ship rather than take passage with the dead body.</p> + +<p>In this dilemma, Captain Hardy arranged that the corpse, being first +partially embalmed, and packed, with a large quantity of salt, in a box +of suitable dimensions, should be conveyed on board as merchandise. +Nothing was to be said of the lady's decease; and, as it was well +understood that Mr. Wyatt had engaged passage for his wife, it became +necessary that some person should personate her during the voyage. This +the deceased's lady's maid was easily prevailed on to do. The extra +state-room, originally engaged for this girl during her mistress' life, +was now merely retained. In this state-room the pseudo-wife slept, of +course, every night. In the daytime she performed, to the best of her +ability, the part of her mistress—whose person, it had been carefully +ascertained, was unknown to any of the passengers on board.</p> + +<p>My own mistakes arose, naturally enough, through too careless, too +inquisitive, and too impulsive a temperament. But of late, it is a rare +thing that I sleep soundly at night. There is a countenance which haunts +me, turn as I will. There is an hysterical laugh which will forever ring +within my ears.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10211 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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Leslie + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: At Whispering Pine Lodge + +Author: Lawrence J. Leslie + +Release Date: November 22, 2003 [EBook #10211] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AT WHISPERING PINE LODGE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Sjaani and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1 align="center">AT WHISPERING PINE LODGE</h1> +<h2 align="center">BY LAWRENCE J. LESLIE</h2> +<h2 align="center">1919</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>CONTENTS</strong></p> + +<p><strong>CHAPTER</strong></p> + +<p> +I. <a href="#chapI">THE HALT ON THE ADIRONDACK CARRY</a><br /> +II. <a href="#chapII">GRIPPED BY A GIANT'S UNSEEN HANDS</a><br /> +III. <a href="#chapIII">OBED GRIMES BOBS UP</a><br /> +IV. <a href="#chapIV">BANDY-LEGS SUSPECTS</a><br /> +V. <a href="#chapV">PACKING OVER THE "CARRY"</a><br /> +VI. <a href="#chapVI">THE LODGE OF MANY WONDERS</a><br /> +VII. <a href="#chapVII">THE YOUNG MAGICIAN</a><br /> +VIII. <a href="#chapVIII">PRODUCTS OF THE FUR FARM</a><br /> +IX. <a href="#chapIX">LAYING PLANS TO HELP OBED</a><br /> +X. <a href="#chapX">TRAPS FOR NIGHT PROWLERS</a><br /> +XI. <a href="#chapXI">A TREE THAT BORE STRANGE FRUIT</a><br /> +XII. <a href="#chapXII">THE TAPS ON THE CABIN WALL</a><br /> +XIII. <a href="#chapXIII">OBED LEARNS SOMETHING</a><br /> +XIV. <a href="#chapXIV">A BIG SURPRISE</a><br /> +XV. <a href="#chapXV">STEVE'S DREAM COMES TRUE</a><br /> +XVI. <a href="#chapXVI">THE FUR FARMER'S TRIUMPH—CONCLUSION</a><br /> +<br /> +<a href="#oblongbox">THE OBLONG BOX.</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<table width="80%" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> +<td> +<a name="chapI"></a><h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE HALT ON THE ADIRONDACK CABBY</strong></p> + +<p>"Where's Touch-and-Go Steve, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Max, he slipped away with his little steel-jointed fishing-rod as +soon as he heard you say we'd stop here over night. And I saw him +picking some fat white grubs out of those old rotten stumps we passed at +the time we rested, an hour back. Huh! just like Slippery Steve to get +out of the hard work we've going to have cutting enough brush for making +our shanty shelter tonight; seeing that we didn't fetch our bully old +tent along this trip. He's a nice one, I should say."</p> + +<p>"N-n-never you m-m-mind about Steve, Bandy-legs. He t-t-told me he +<em>knew</em> he c-c-could yank a m-m-mess of fine trout out of that c-c-creek, +where it looked so s-s-shallow just back there. He's m-m-meaning to +w-w-wade in, too, I reckon, and when you s-s-smell the fish c-c-cooking +you'll be s-s-sorry you said what you did."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's get a move on, and start that shanty. I chose this place +partly on account of there being so much brush handy, you see."</p> + +<p>"Sure you did, Max. It takes you to notice things that miss our eyes. +Here, let me handle the hatchet, because you see I was such a truthful +little shaver away back that my folks often regretted they hadn't named +me George Washington."</p> + +<p>"All I c-c-can say then, Bandy-legs, they b-b-builded wiser than they +knew when they j-j-just let it g-g-go at regrets. A f-f-fine George +Washington you'd m-m-make, I'm thinking."</p> + +<p>The boy answering to the peculiar name of "Bandy-legs" laughed +good-naturedly as he began to swing the sharp-edged hatchet, and cut +down some of the required brush which, having camped many times before, +he knew was suitable for their requirements.</p> + +<p>Besides this sturdy young chap with the lower limbs that were a little +bowed, and which fact had doubtless suggested such a nickname to his +schoolmates, there were two others busily engaged in gathering the +material to be used in affording them a rude, but effective shelter +during the coming night.</p> + +<p>The one whom they called Max seemed to be looked upon as a leader, for +it is absolutely necessary that in every pack of boys some one takes the +initiative. His whole name was Max Hastings, and on numberless occasions +he had shown an aptitude for "doing things" when the occasion arose, +that gained him the respect of his chums. For a complete record of these +achievements the reader is referred to earlier volumes of this series, +where between the covers will be found much interesting and instructive +reading.</p> + +<p>The third boy of the trio in sight was Toby Jucklin. While Toby was +certainly agile enough when it came to acrobatic stunts, and such things +as boys are fond of indulging in, his vocal cords often loved to play +sad pranks with his manner of speech. As the reader has already +discovered, Toby was fain to stutter in the most agonizing fashion. When +one of these fits came upon him he would get red in the face, and show +the greatest difficulty in framing certain words. Then all of a sudden, +as though taking a grip on himself, Toby would stop short, draw in a +long breath, give a sharp whistle, and strange to say, start talking as +plainly as the next one.</p> + +<p>In time perhaps he would conquer this weakness, which after all is only +caused by nervousness, and a desire to rattle out words.</p> + +<p>There was a fourth chum also, the Steve spoken of and who had slipped +away with his new steel-jointed bait-rod, and a handful of fat grubs, as +soon as he heard Max say they had gone far enough on their way. Steve, +being one of those hasty lads who do a thing while many people would be +only figuring it out, had long ago fallen heir to a number of suggestive +nicknames, among others "Touch-and-Go Steve," and "Old Lightning."</p> + +<p>These four lads were a long ways from their home town of Carson, nestled +on the Evergreen River, and near which we have seen them in the earlier +books of this series successfully carry out numerous of their +undertakings.</p> + +<p>In fact they were deep in the wildest part of the famous Adirondacks at +the time we run across them on this particular occasion. There was not a +town within many miles, nor for that matter a regular camp where summer +guests were entertained. The difficulties to be encountered along this +"carry" were so great that ordinary excursionists avoided it severely. +Indeed, few fishermen ever invaded these solitudes, although there were +undoubtedly many places where trout of generous size might be picked up.</p> + +<p>All this would make it seem a bit queer that Max and his three chums +should venture into this section of the wilderness without a guide +along; so perhaps it might be wise to enter upon explanations while the +opportunity is open.</p> + +<p>Now these tried and true chums had had strange things happen to them +before, but they were well agreed that their present undertaking far +exceeded everything else that had ever come their way, at least so far +as its being a romantic quest was concerned.</p> + +<p>Everything combined to make it seem a page torn from one of those +old-time fairy books they used to love to read when much younger, and +more gullible. In the first place, it was a wonderful piece of luck that +came their way, when the School Directors agreed, after the summer was +half over, that the school buildings required considerable alterations +in order to make them sanitary for the coming winter; and really a +special providence that watches over the fortunes of boys and girls must +have caused the carpenters and masons to go on a protracted strike, so +that when this had been finally settled there was not nearly time enough +left in which to complete the extensive repairs.</p> + +<p>School had started, and gone along in a rough-and-ready fashion for some +weeks; but everybody was "sore" about it. The builders complained that +they could not accomplish half the work they should, because of the +annoyance of having so many children trotting around, and bothering +them. And the teachers were almost distracted on account of the constant +pounding together with the presence of rough men, who broke in upon +classes, and forced them to vacate certain rooms because they had to do +something there.</p> + +<p>And so along about the first of October the School Board wisely +concluded that a vacation of some two weeks would do far less harm to +the scholars than a continuation of these interruptions. Besides, the +teachers on their part threatened to also strike unless relief came +promptly.</p> + +<p>Imagine the delight of such fellows as Max, Bandy-legs, Steve and Toby +Jucklin, all of whom loved life in the open so much, when they got the +chance to further indulge this propensity, especially at the most +glorious time of the whole year, when the nut crop was coming on, the +trees turning red and yellow from the magical touch of Jack Frost's cold +fingers, with a tang in the air that made a fellow twice as hungry as he +ever got in the hot old summer-time.</p> + +<p>And then, as though Fate had determined to make this the most wonderful +of periods in all their checkered careers, a thing happened that seemed +just like one of those old but once much beloved fairy stories.</p> + +<p>Perhaps, by listening to the workers exchanging comments as they gather +the necessary brush, which later on would be fashioned into a shelter +capable of shedding even a moderate amount of rain, we may be able to +pick up enough general information to understand the nature of their +mission up into the Adirondacks.</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs was speaking at the time. He had a little fault in the way of +often showing a disposition to look at the darker side of things; and +doubtless being unusually tired, after a hard day's tramp, with such a +heavy pack on his back, had something to do with his spirit of +complaining on the present occasion.</p> + +<p>"Well, all I can say, fellows," he remarked, as he carried an armful of +the stuff he had been gathering to the spot where Max had already +commenced to erect the sides of the squatty shelter by driving stakes +into the ground, "is that I hope we haven't come all the way up here on +a reg'lar fool's errand. It'd cost Mrs. Hopewell a pretty good sum, and +be a real disappointment to her, if after all we didn't find that +good-for-nothing nephew of hers, Roland Chase. Honest to goodness now, +I'm a little inclined to believe he'll be leading us a wild-goose Chase, +if you want my opinion."</p> + +<p>"Oh! l-l-let up, c-c-can't you, Bandy-legs!" spluttered the indignant +Toby, pausing for a minute to wipe the beads of perspiration from his +brow, and regain his breath in the bargain. "You're g-g-getting to be a +regular old g-g-granny, that's what, with all your d-d-dismal +p-p-prophesies. Tell me, d-d-did we <em>ever</em> f-f-fail yet in anything we +undertook? C-c-course we haven't. Right in the start we found all those +b-b-bully p-p-pearls in those mussels we g-g-gathered in the Big +Sunflower River, and laid away a n-n-nice n-n-nest-egg in bank for the +crowd. Sure we'll f-f-find Roland Chase; we've just g-g-got to, that's +all."</p> + +<p>"All I want to say about it, boys," observed Max, "is that I admire the +grit of the boy. They told us he was something of a dude, didn't they, +and that his rich uncle was afraid he'd never amount to much anyhow; so +what did he do but make a most <em>extraordinary</em> will; at least, everybody +who's heard about that proviso says so. I heard Judge Perkins say though +he guessed the old man knew boys better than most folks, and had taken +a wise course to prove whether this Roland had any snap in him or not."</p> + +<p>"Well, he was left just two thousand dollars cash down," said +Bandy-legs, in a thoughtful manner, as though reviewing the singular +circumstance, "and if at the end of two years he could show that he had +doubled that amount, besides earning his own living, why he was to come +into two-thirds of his uncle's fortune. Some of our Carson people who +know folks over in Sagamore where the uncle lived tell whopping big +stories about the size of that fortune. I heard one man say he reckoned +it was as much as two hundred thousand dollars, in all."</p> + +<p>"The funny part of it is," resumed Max, shaking his head in a way rather +odd for him, "that immediately after Roland received his two thousand in +cash he disappeared from the scene. That was almost two years ago; and +from that day nobody in Sagamore has ever had a peep at him. The fact is +he might almost be dead. Once his other aunt, Mrs. Hopewell, who lives +now in Carson, had a few lines from Roland. He simply said he was alive +and well, and that he had hopes of seeing her again one of these fine +days."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's r-r-right," burst out Toby, in a disgusted tone, "but not a +p-peep did he give about what he was d-d-doing, or if he meant to show +up and c-c-claim his f-f-fine f-f-fortune. And all she could make out +was that the p-p-postmark on the l-l-letter was Piedmont, N.Y., which +on looking up we f-f-found was away up here in the h-h-heart of the old +Adirondacks."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Max, still working industriously away, "Mrs. Hopewell is +getting very much concerned about Roland. Somehow she seemed to fancy +the boy, though no one else thought he'd ever amount to anything, +because he used to like to wander around in the woods all the while, or +go fishing, instead of studying. But I guess those people hadn't ever +been boys themselves; and all of us can appreciate this liking for the +open that Roland showed."</p> + +<p>"And so," pursued Bandy-legs after the fashion of a story-teller who +had-reached a crisis in his tale, "she asked Max here if he wouldn't be +willing to undertake a trip to the mountains with several of his good +chums, meaning us, fellows, to try and locate the missing Roland, and +bring back some encouraging news; for the good old soul is in great fear +that the second year will soon be finished, and unless Roland is able to +show four thousand dollars in cash, most of the estate will go to his +older cousin, Frederick. Mrs. Hopewell dislikes this chap very much, +because she says he is a bad man, who drinks, and gambles, and does all +sorts of things old ladies detest. Well, we took her up in a jiffy as +soon as we heard the glorious news about school being closed for two +weeks; and as she foots all the bills, we're bound to have a jolly time +of it, even if we don't run across Roland; and I think that is like +looking for a needle in a haystack."</p> + +<p>That was a pretty long speech for even Bandy-legs to make, and yet it +covered considerable of the ground, and explained just how it came that +Max and his three comrades chanced to be so far away from the home town.</p> + +<p>The boys were just about to turn their attention once more to the work +that had been undertaken when all of them suddenly stopped and listened.</p> + +<p>"That was Steve yelling then, I reckon," snapped the owner of the bowed +legs, "but honest Injun, I didn't make out what he said. Mebbe now he +struck a whopper of a trout, and was giving one of his whoops. You all +know how excited Steve does get if anything out of the way happens."</p> + +<p>"L-l-listen!" cried Toby Jncklin, jumping to his feet. "D-d-didn't it +sound like he was yelpin' help?"</p> + +<p>"Just what it seemed like to me!" exclaimed Max. "Something may have +happened to Steve, because he's always getting himself in trouble. Come +along, fellows, and we'll soon find out. There, he's whooping it up +again."</p> + +<p>And this time every one of the trio of running boys could plainly detect +something approaching agony in the thrilling cry of "Help, oh! hurry up, +fellows! Help!"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapII"></a><h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>GRIPPED BY A GIANT'S UNSEEN HANDS</strong></p> + +<p>That Max, Bandy-legs and Toby all kept their wits about them was +manifest. Their actions had made this clear enough, for each of the trio +before starting "on the jump," as Bandy-legs described it, had made sure +to pick up something that, according to his mind, was apt to be needed. +Max, for instance, had snatched a rope that hung from a broken branch of +the tree, and which one of the boys had fetched along simply because "a +rope often comes in mighty handy for lots of things besides a hanging +bee." On his part Toby had stooped down and possessed himself of the +camp hatchet; if it proved that Steve was being attacked by a bobcat he +fancied he could make pretty good use of such a tool in an emergency. +Bandy-legs, true to his hunter instinct, made out to secure the only gun +which had been brought with them on the trip.</p> + +<p>As they ran wildly in the direction from whence those appeals for +assistance still came, louder than ever, every fellow was straining his +vision to be the first to discover what it could be that was causing +Steve to let out such alarming whoops.</p> + +<p>They did not have very far to go before suddenly all of them discovered +the object of their solicitude. He seemed to be standing nearly +waist-deep in the stream, and still holding on to his tough little steel +rod.</p> + +<p>"Oh! shucks!" gasped Bandy-legs, almost out of breath from his violent +exertions, "he's only struck a mud turtle, or something like that, and +wants us to come and see. It's a burning shame to give us all such a +scare over a measly turtle."</p> + +<p>"B-b-bet you it's a w-w-woppin' b-b-big fish!" ejaculated Toby.</p> + +<p>"Keep on running!" snapped Max. "He needs help, and in a hurry, too!"</p> + +<p>This sort of talk amazed both the others. So far as they could see Steve +stood there quite alone. They looked again but could see no savage +animal attacking their comrade; nor was there any vast disturbance in +the water, as though some marine monster might be trying to drag him +down; besides, such things as alligators or sharks were utterly unknown +up here in the Adirondacks.</p> + +<p>"But, Max, he's all right, as far as I can see," expostulated +Bandy-legs, in reality unwilling to keep up that violent exertion just +to please some silly whim on the part of the fisherman, who, like as +not, would give them the laugh after they came up puffing and blowing +like porpoises.</p> + +<p>"Look again," snapped Max. "Don't you see how deep he's in? Pretty +nearly up to his waist, isn't he?"</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said Bandy-legs, "but if the silly has gone and +waded deeper than he meant to, why don't he just turn around and walk +out again?"</p> + +<p>"Because he can't!" Max told him, still running.</p> + +<p>"Hey! w-w-what's hindering him!" stammered Toby, thrilled by this new +mystery that had so suddenly dawned upon them.</p> + +<p>"The sand's got too tight a grip on him," cried Max, "and he's sinking +deeper all the time!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! thunder, it's quicksand, then!" exploded Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>Having now the key to the enigma explaining Steve's strange action, as +well as his queer antics while floundering about out there in the little +stream, both boys could easily see that May evidently spoke the truth. +So those envious Spanish courtiers found it easy to balance an egg on +end, after Columbus showed them how to do the trick.</p> + +<p>In another half minute they arrived on the shore of the little stream. +Steve out there, with the shallow water coming now up almost to his +waist, greeted their arrival with a sickly grin.</p> + +<p>"Sorry to bother you, boys," he said, "but seems like I've gone and got +into a nasty pickle. Please yank me out of this, won't you?"</p> + +<p>Impetuous Bandy-legs was about to instantly start forward when Max +gripped him by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Don't be foolish, Bandy-legs," he told the other, severely. "You'd only +get yourself in the same boat, if you stood there and tried to drag +Steve out; and two would be harder to take care of than one."</p> + +<p>"But say, don't be <em>too</em> slow about starting something, will you?" +urged Steve, once again looking nervous. "Why, I'm sinking right along, +I tell you. Every time I try to get one foot up t' other goes down three +inches further, because I have to bear all my weight on it. This is no +laughing matter, boys. I'll be swallowed up before your eyes soon if you +don't get busy. Max, you ought to know how to extricate a fellow from +the quicksand!"</p> + +<p>"There are lots of ways in which it can be done," the other told him, +meanwhile measuring distances with his eye, as though he already had a +plan in mind. "If when you first discovered that you were sinking you +had thrown yourself sideways, and started to crawl or roll, regardless +of how wet you got, you might have made it, for in that way you'd have +presented more of your body to the action of the sand. Then a mattress +could be made from branches, weeds or any old thing, that would bear the +weight of one or two of us. But I've got even a better scheme than that +to work."</p> + +<p>"Please hurry!" pleaded the imprisoned boy.</p> + +<p>"Keep cool, Steve," advised Max, "because there's positively no danger, +now that we're on deck."</p> + +<p>"But tell me what you mean to do, Max?" continued Steve.</p> + +<p>"Make use of this rope, which you see I just happened to fetch along," +explained the other, holding up the article in question. "It's going to +save time, too, because one of us would have had to run back to camp, +and that must mean delay. You're deep enough in as it is, I guess."</p> + +<p>"A whole lot deeper than is pleasant, I tell you," Steve instantly +added. "Why, at the rate it's sucking me down I guess in less'n a +quarter of an hour the water would be up to my chin. And then, oh! +fellows, just imagine how I'd feel when it began to cover my mouth. +You're not going away, I hope, Max?"</p> + +<p>This last almost frantic cry was caused by a movement on the part of the +one on whom poor Steve's hopes most depended.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to shin up this big tree that sends a limb out right over +your head, don't you see, Steve?" Max told him, reassuringly. "Once I +get above you and we'll make good use of this rope of mine. The limb +will act as a lever, and when the boys get to pulling at the other end +of the rope you've just <em>got</em> to come out, that's all there is about +it."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! that's the ticket!" shouted Bandy-legs, seeing the game now for +the first time. "Steve, you're as good as landed. Bless that old rope, +it's already proved worth its weight in gold." Steve watched operations +anxiously. Despite the positive assurance conveyed in these words from +his chums, the terrible grip of that clinging sand made him cold with +apprehension. He imagined all sorts of things, from the rope breaking +under the sudden and terrible strain, to his arms being drawn from their +sockets in the battle between the tenacious sand and the muscular +ability of the two boys ashore.</p> + +<p>When Max managed to reach a point directly above the one in peril, +straddling the friendly limb as only a nimble boy could do, he quickly +fashioned a slip-noose at one end of the rope. This he lowered until +Steve could snatch it, which he did with all the eagerness shown by the +drowning man who clutches at a straw.</p> + +<p>"Fix the noose under your arms, Steve," directed the master of +ceremonies, calmly enough, though possibly Max was more excited than he +chose to let the other see, "and get the knot around so it will be +exactly in front. Then, when I give the word for the boys to commence +heaving, you work both legs as hard as ever you can. It's going to help, +more or less, you know. I can't do much up here, in the way of pulling, +for I'd lose my balance; but make up your mind we're meaning to yank you +out of that in a jiffy, Steve."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope so, Max, I surely hope so!"</p> + +<p>Everything was soon ready. Steve had complied with the directions, and +now awaited the issue with all the fortitude he could command. +Afterwards perhaps Steve might sometime or other even laugh, as he +remembered how scared he was; but just then, with the difficulty still +unadjusted, it was not at all humorous.</p> + +<p>"Ready, everybody?" called out Max.</p> + +<p>Receiving an affirmative reply from three pairs of lips, he went on to +say:</p> + +<p>"Then get busy, pulling! Make it a steady haul, and no jerks, or you'll +hurt Steve more than is necessary. Steady there, Bandy-legs, no hurry, +remember—just a regular increasing pull! Good enough, boys!"</p> + +<p>Steve had obeyed instructions, and by the way he worked both feet as +soon as he felt the strain one might think he was practicing swimming +lessons. It must have given him more or less physical pain to feel the +terrible drag of the rope under his arms, but he shut his teeth hard +together, and kept back a groan.</p> + +<p>"Now rest a bit, Toby and Bandy-legs!" called out Max. "How about it, +Steve—you moved some, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes yes, quite a little, Max!" cried the other. "Please get busy again +right away. I'm sick of staying in this old quicksand!"</p> + +<p>He still clung tenaciously to his steel fishing rod, as though he meant +that it should share his fate. Once more the team ashore started in. Now +their task seemed lighter, as though, having succeeded in dragging their +chum up several inches, with his whole weight now suspended by the rope, +the job was going to be finished in short order.</p> + +<p>Soon Steve, crowing joyously, was drawn completely out of the water. He +gave this a last suggestive kick and then dangled there in midair, +spinning around like a teetotum.</p> + +<p>"Hand me your rod, Steve," commanded Max. "Then use your arms and pull +yourself up on the limb. After that you can easily hunch along like I +do, and get to the main trunk. It's all over but the shouting, Steve; +and you can consider yourself pretty lucky to get off as easily as you +do, with a pair of wet trousers."</p> + +<p>"I'm thankful enough, Max, you can make sure of that," said the other, +carrying out the suggestion, and thus freeing both hands for the task of +mounting to the friendly limb.</p> + +<p>Before long he had reached the ground, where his three chums each +gravely shook hands with him. Steve was already getting back his nerve, +that had been under a severe strain.</p> + +<p>"But anyway I did have bully good luck pulling out fat trout, boys," he +told them. "You can pick up a dozen along this side of the stream. Fact +is, it was such splendid fun that I just stood too long in one place, +catching them and tossing the beauties ashore; and so when I tried to +move, why, I couldn't to save my life. It felt like a giant had gripped +both feet, and was holding me down. The more I tried the worse it got. +Whee! I would have been pretty badly scared if no one was near by, I own +up to that."</p> + +<p>Perhaps the others mentally considered that as it was, Steve had looked +a "good deal concerned" at the time of their arrival; but not wishing to +harrow his feelings any further just then they kept this to themselves; +though Bandy-legs did give Toby a suggestive wink, to which the other +replied in like kind.</p> + +<p>It was found upon gathering the trophies of Steve's skill as an angler +that they had quite enough for a meal; consequently Steve announced that +he guessed he needn't start in again with rod and hook and grub.</p> + +<p>All of them were soon busily engaged in fixing up the camp. Since they +had thought it best not to try and fetch a heavy tent along with them +they knew it would be necessary to construct some such brush shanty +shelter every night unless they could find a convenient ledge under +which a camp could be made. But all of these boys had often slept under +the stars, with the heavens for a canopy overhead, so that they did not +feel at all worried over the circumstance.</p> + +<p>As the sun sank lower and lower toward the horizon the camp began to +assume a comfortable air. The brush shelter had been finished, and +pronounced equal to any they had ever built before. It might not prove +wholly rain-proof, but as for keeping off the dew, and protecting them +against the chilly night air, it offered them "all the comforts of +home," as Steve put it.</p> + +<p>Then supper was started, a fire having been built after the most +approved method in vogue among guides and hunters of long experience. +Indeed, Max and his companions were far from being green to the ways of +the woods. They had learned heaps through their many camping +experiences; and some time before a visit to an old trapper had +initiated them into dozens of secrets of the craft that would never be +forgotten.[1]</p> + +<p>Again the talk was of the strange mission that had brought them up to +the Adirondacks. Bandy-legs could not seem to get over his belief that +they were bound to have all their trouble for their pains.</p> + +<p>"What sort of a clue have we got to work on for a starter, fellows, tell +me?" he went on to say, just as they were starting in to enjoy the +supper that had been supervised by a trio of eager cooks, all as hungry +as boys could well be, and continue to exist. "All we know is that when +this boy, Roland Chase, left Sagamere, almost two years back, he was a +sickly, white-faced chap, and with only one decent trait about him, +which was his love for outdoors; though up to then it had been mostly a +<em>yearning</em>, because they wouldn't let him get away from the house much +on account of his delicate constitution. Well, we're looking for some +such chap; but up to now we haven't got on his track."</p> + +<p>[1] "With Trapper Jim in the North Woods."</p> + +<p>"But hold on, Bandy-legs," expostulated Steve, "you forget that we did +hear about a boy that answered that description, though nobody seemed to +know his name. He was sometimes seen in the company of a half-drunken +old guide named Shanks somewhere around Mount Tom district. And now +we've come up this way in the hope of crossing his trail. Not that I've +got much expectation myself that we'll be sure to find this same; +Roland, who turns out to be a sort of will-o'-the-wisp to us; but since +his old aunt was so kind as to finance this expedition, why we're bound +to do all we can to make it a blooming success, that's what."</p> + +<p>"Well," commented Max, who seemed to be the most confident one of the +quartette, "remember, if we fail to make connections it'll be the first +time on record that we've really been stumped. I don't believe in +hard-luck stories. As a rule success comes only to those who deserve it. +And we've still got most of that two weeks' vacation ahead of us, to +hunt around for Roland Chase."</p> + +<p>Somehow Max always seemed to say things calculated to make his chums +feel more satisfied. It is a mighty good thing to have a real optimist +in camp, especially when the weather gets bad, and everything else seems +to go wrong. Even Bandy-legs took on a more cheerful air, and brightened +up after hearing Max say this. They had more or less reason to feel +proud of the record they had made in the past, so far as accomplishing +things went. And the people around Carson would be apt to tell any one +inquiring about Max and his cronies that they had actually done several +exceedingly smart things, and were boys far above the average.</p> + +<p>The supper was voted a huge success, and never had fish been fried a +more delicious brown than those in the pan. Perhaps Steve entertained a +private opinion of his own, to the effect that never had a higher price +been paid for a mess of fish than he offered up when he found himself +made a prisoner of the unseen giant residing under the quicksands; but +all the same, Steve devoured his share of the fish as smartly as the +next one. He doubtless felt that he deserved having a feast, after his +adventure in supplying the materials.</p> + +<p>They were almost through eating, and feeling particularly well +satisfied, as is usually the case, when the appetite has been taken care +of, when Toby Jucklin was seen to be staring straight ahead.</p> + +<p>"What ails you, Toby?" demanded Steve, discovering the mysterious +actions of the other. "Think you see a ghost; or was it a 'coon whisked +past, smelling our fine spread here? Speak up, can't you, and tell us?"</p> + +<p>Toby managed to find his tongue, and as usual when excited made quite a +mess of his explanation.</p> + +<p>"W-w-why, y-y-you s-s-see, I—t-that is, there's s-s-somebody—oh! look +for yourselves and you'll understand quicker'n I c'n tell you!"</p> + +<p>Sometimes Toby seemed to become so provoked with his ungovernable vocal +organs that he would get angry, and wind up by speaking as plainly as +the next one.</p> + +<p>But before then Max, and perhaps the other pair in the bargain, had +discovered a figure advancing slowly toward them. Eagerly Bandy-legs +stared. Perhaps he began to already entertain a wild hope that the +newcomer would prove to be the very boy whom they had come so far to +find; but if this were so he must have almost immediately discovered his +mistake, for the other was a sun-burned and wind-tanned lad, sturdily +built, and apparently the son of some woods guide; for he carried a gun, +and was dressed in rough though serviceable khaki trousers and blue +flannel shirt.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapIII"></a><h2>Chapter III</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>OBED GRIMES BOBS UP</strong></p> + +<p>"Howdy, strangers!" said the other, as he slowly approached the spot +where Max and his three chums still sat around the fire, feasting on +their spread. "I happened to see yer blaze, and guessed I'd drop in to +see who yah might be. 'Taint often anybody comes up this way, though to +be sure thar was two gentlemen fishin' hereabouts last summer."</p> + +<p>Somehow Max liked his manner of speech. He also thought he could detect +something like a love for humor in those sparkling eyes.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, and have a bite with us, won't you?" he remarked, making a +suggestive movement with his hand, as though calling attention to the +fact that there was still plenty of room on the log which he and Toby +Jucklin had occupied in common. "Sorry the trout's given out, but we've +got plenty of other grub, and be sure you're welcome."</p> + +<p>The sturdy woods boy was looking them over. Bandy-legs, suspicious as +usual, rather took umbrage at this action. He eyed the newcomer as +though not yet quite willing to echo the warm invitation accorded him by +Max. But Steve was already getting an extra tin-cup for coffee; and +fortunately there still remained an abundant supply of the amber fluid +in the capacious pot.</p> + +<p>Apparently the newcomer had determined that it would be prudent for him +to comply with the invitation thus cordially given. So he sat down and +made himself at home. Up there in the woods there exists a genuine +hospitality that never hesitates to extend the right hand of fellowship +to any straggler who chances to enter the camp. There seems to be +something in the healthy ozone of the wilderness that makes all men +comrades for the time being. The latchstring is always out in camp; and +never does an appeal for help go disregarded.</p> + +<p>Max proceeded to immediately introduce himself and his three chums by +name. He of course mentioned the fact that they came from a town named +Carson, situated far away from that region; but then of course the woods +boy could never have heard of such a place before. Still, his eyebrows +arched, and he seemed to once again observe his entertainers with fresh +interest; but then when Max Hastings chose to exert himself to make a +favorable impression every one fell under his spell.</p> + +<p>And when Bandy-legs, Toby and Steve noticed that Max did not think fit +to say a single word about the queer mission which had brought them to +the mountains they too concluded that it would be just as well not to be +too hasty about telling all their business to a stranger. A little later +on, perhaps, when they came to become better acquainted with the other, +they might ply him with questions in order to find out if he chanced to +know such a weakly looking fellow as Roland Chase.</p> + +<p>Of course after that it was up to the other to tell them whom he was. He +did not have any hesitation, from which Steve concluded there could be +no reason for keeping his identity a secret.</p> + +<p>"Course I got a name, too, even if it ain't <em>quite</em> so scrumptuous as +yours. But Obed Grimes suits me just as well, and it ain't never kept me +from eatin' three square meals a day—when I could get 'em," he told +them, soberly, though that odd little gleam in his eyes mystified Max +somewhat.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you live around this section, then, Obed?" he remarked, as he +cleaned out the frying-pan that had contained the ham and eggs—the +latter having been carried all the way from the last small village they +passed through, and which supply would doubtless be the last they might +enjoy for a long time to come.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, thar's a plenty of Grimeses up this way," the other replied, +promptly. "Fact is, the Grimeses are a big family, all told. Thar's +Grandad Grimes to start with, and he's going on ninety now; then there's +Uncle Hiram, Uncle Silas, Uncle Job, Uncle Sephus, Uncle <em>Nicodemus</em>, +and a whole lot more; besides Aunt Rebecca, Aunt Sophia, Aunt Hetebel, +and—glory to goodness, I could sit here for ten minutes and string out +the names of the grimeses there are in the mountains; but say I'm +<em>awful</em> hungry, and you'll excuse me if I get busy with this fine grub. +The other names will keep till next time, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"Whew! it must feel funny to belong to such a big family," remarked +Steve, who did not happen to have any close relatives himself.</p> + +<p>"Oh! shucks! none of 'em ever bother about <em>me</em> any," said the boy, as +well as he could with his mouth stuffed of the ham and bread, which he +presently washed down with a copious draught of hot coffee. "They just +know that Obed he c'n take good care o' hisself."</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs began to show a rising interest in the other. His suspicions +were beginning to give way under the genial ways of the said Obed. That +smile on the dusky face of the visitor in the camp had commenced to get +its work in. By degrees perhaps Bandy-legs might even come to like Obed +Grimes; though, truth to tell, he had always despised that last name, +for a boy answering to it had once treated Bandy-legs in a most +humiliating fashion, and this still rankled in his memory, although +years had fled since the occurrence.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean from that, Obed," he went on to remark "that you're all +alone up here in the woods near old Mount Tom? Haven't you any of the +other Grimeses along with you?"</p> + +<p>The boy shook his head in the negative, and grinned again. Max was +trying to study him, and he found the task one well worthy of his best +efforts. In the beginning he determined that Obed was no ordinary chap, +but possessed of sterling characteristics. He waited for the +conversation to get further along, confident that the other had a +surprise up his sleeve which he might condescend to share with them, +after he had become fully satisfied they were to be trusted, and that he +could look upon them in the light of friends.</p> + +<p>"Nary a Grimes 'cept me inside o' twenty miles o' here, and that's a +fact," he assured Bandy-legs, after finishing his drinking. "Fact is, +most o' the family don't know jest where I'm at; and say, between us, I +ain't a carin' about tellin' 'em."</p> + +<p>That looked a bit singular, Bandy-legs thought. His suspicions returned +again, though with diminished force; for somehow he could not look into +that frank and even merry face of the woods boy and actually believe he +was "off-color" in any way.</p> + +<p>"But what do you do with yourself all alone, I'd like to know?" burst +out impetuous Steve. "Are you making a living playing at guide for +parties of tourists, or fishermen and hunters? And, say, you don't mean +to tell me you stay all alone up in this wilderness right through the +winter?"</p> + +<p>Obed Grimes nodded his head cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"I ain't got any choice in the matter, yuh see," he told them, +mysteriously; "just <em>got</em> to stay. Why, it would bust the hull business +to smash if I 'lowed myself to skip out, even for a week or two. I'm +tied down to it, that's right."</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs exchanged a significant look Toby Jucklin. He scratched his +head with the air of one who found himself up against a hard, knotty +problem. Apparently, if the stranger in camp was trying to mystify them, +he had already succeeded in tangling up the wits of Bandy-legs completely.</p> + +<p>Max continued to sit there and take it all in. There was no need of his +saying anything so long as the other fellows had embarked on the task of +drawing Obed out and learning just what he was doing to keep him +marooned up there summer and winter, like a regular old recluse, or +woodchuck.</p> + +<p>"But there must be heaps and heaps of snow here winters," suggested +Steve; "and I'd think you'd find it pretty hard getting about."</p> + +<p>"Oh! not so bad when you have snow-shoes" Obed told him, with a shrug of +his shoulders, and another attack on the contents of his tin panninkin.</p> + +<p>"'Course not," Steve hastened to say, as though he had guessed that this +would be the answer. "But when the law is on the deer and partridges it +must be hard to keep to a regular diet of trout. I c'n stand them for a +while; but in the end I'd get sick of the smell of 'em cooking."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I have plenty of good grub along," chuckled Obed. "I was on my way +home at the time I glimpsed your fire; and bein' full o' wonder +concernin' who could be around these diggings right now I crept up to +spy on ye. But say, soon's I glimpsed your crowd, and saw that you was +only a bunch o' boys, why I felt easier, 'cause I knew then you couldn't +mean to bother me any."</p> + +<p>Now that sounded queer again, Bandy-legs thought. Why should any one +take the trouble to "bother" Obed Grimes, unless, indeed, he had been +doing something that he hadn't ought to, and hence expected to be +visited sooner or later by emissaries of the law, possibly in the shape +of angry game wardens?</p> + +<p>All sorts of strange thoughts flashed through that active brain of the +boy with the bowed legs. He wondered whether Obed could be a desperate +young criminal. Had his family, those excellent Grimes of whom he had +spoken in such proud accents, cast him out as altogether beyond hope? +Bandy-legs could hardly think this when he looked again into that face, +and caught the gleam of those merry orbs. No, Obed might be a <em>peculiar</em> +sort of fellow, but really there did not seem to be much of guile in his +make-up; if it turned out to be so, then he, Bandy-legs, was ready to +call himself a mighty poor reader of character.</p> + +<p>So he, too, relapsed into temporary silence and let Steve carry on the +interrogations; which the said Steve considered himself very well +qualified to do since he aspired in his secret soul to some fine day +study to be a lawyer.</p> + +<p>"But why should anybody want to bother you, Obed?" he asked. "To hear +you talk in that way a fellow would think you had a lot of enemies +hanging around, trying the best they knew how to give you trouble."</p> + +<p>"Well, I ain't had any mix-up ever since I've been here," admitted the +other, with a slight frown crossing his face; "but lately I got wind o' +some news that's worried me a heap. Fact is, I'm afraid I'm goin' to be +right smart bothered with a bunch o' thieves who'd like to <em>steal</em> my +outfit from me!"</p> + +<p>Steve fairly gasped. He could not make head or tail of what the other +was so deliberately telling him. Max, listening, and watching that +expressive face of Obed, secretly believed the newcomer was purposely +drawing Steve on, meaning to surprise him when finally he chose to +explain it all. So Max did not attempt to interfere, but let things go +on as they were doing, satisfied that the answer to the conundrum would +soon come.</p> + +<p>"Steal your outfit from you?" echoed Steve, when he could catch his +breath; "do you mean that you're carrying on some sort of business, +then, up here in the woods?"</p> + +<p>"Reckon that's about right, Steve," Obed replied, and his familiar use +of the other's name could be easily explained by that spirit of "free +masonry" that exists among all boys. "I've got a business, which looks +like it was goin' to pan out right decent, and make me some money in the +bargain. That's why they're meanin' to rob me, I guess; anyhow, it +hinges on that same thing. And I thought you might be that crowd first, +but I soon saw I was mistaken, and that you'd be my friend."</p> + +<p>"But what sort of business is it you're in, Obed?" asked Steve, boldly.</p> + +<p>"Me? Oh! I'm only a farmer," confessed the other, chuckling as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"A farmer!" echoed Steve, looking blank; "but how could anybody steal +your ground away, or carry off your crops, I'd like to know?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yuh don't jest understand, Steve. I ain't no regular hayseed. I'm +a fur farmer, you see; and you could carry my crop of fox pelts away +easy enough on your own back!"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>BANDY-LEGS SUSPECTS</strong></p> + +<p>Max Hastings smiled. He at the same time drew a breath of relief, +satisfied to know that his first impression of the sturdy looking young +chap was confirmed, and convinced that the said Obed Grimes must be the +right sort of fellow.</p> + +<p>Steve and Bandy-legs fairly gasped, as though they had received a real +shock. At the same time the eyes of the former glistened with +newly-awakened interest.</p> + +<p>"A fur farmer, do you say, Obed? And raising foxes for the market, are +you?" he burst out with, delightedly. "Now, I've read a heap about that +sort of thing in the papers and magazines, but I never thought I'd +actually run across anybody that had the nerve and confidence to go into +it as a business. And you say you're making good, are you, Obed? That's +fine!"</p> + +<p>"I've turned my 'tention to raisin' real black foxes, first thing," +explained the other, with a touch of genuine pride in his manner, Max +could easily see; "and if the try turns out as profitable as I reckon +she promises to be, why, then, I'm figgerin' on tryin' to raise mink and +marten and sech other furs as fetch top-notch prices."</p> + +<p>"Then I guess you must have trapped all sorts of wild animals before +now, Obed?" suggested Steve, eagerly, "so you know their habits to a +fraction; because, of course, only one who is posted in that direction +could ever hope to make a success of a fur farm."</p> + +<p>Obed grinned and nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I reckon I'm up a little bit in all sech things," he said airily +enough. "And after all, it ain't so <em>very</em> hard to raise foxes. I was +afraid fust off it might be what they told me, that blacks ain't to be +relied on to breed true to strain, but shucks! I've got some cubs that +are dandies. Wait till you see 'em, boys."</p> + +<p>That sounded as though, sooner or later, Obed meant to have them visit +his fur farm, and see with their own eyes what he had been doing. +Bandy-legs, skeptical once more, told himself he only hoped the whole +thing might not turn out to be a myth, and that the said Obed himself +prove to be a deception and a fraud.</p> + +<p>"I understand that the pelts of black foxes are worth a whole lot of +money," remarked Steve; "fact is, we know that to be so, because we once +had such a skin given to us by a man who made a business of trapping."</p> + +<p>"It all depends on the quality of the pelt," explained Obed. "Some ain't +worth as much as three hundred dollars, because they've got defects, yuh +see. Then again a real fine skin has fetched as much as thirty-six +hundred dollars in London markets."</p> + +<p>Evidently, Obed was well posted, at any rate, whether he really had +such a fur farm of his own or not, Bandy-legs concluded. And then he +again allowed himself to give imagination free rein, and for a time +even looked on Obed as the essence of truth, doubly distilled.</p> + +<p>Sitting there by the fire, which one of he boys replenished every little +while, Obed told them many very interesting things connected with that +strange farm of his. All this in his odd vernacular which Max tried to +get the hang of, in order to judge whether it signified that the country +boy lacked an education or not. He continued to be more or less +mystified, however, though concluding that Obed was just one of those +customary country boys often run across on farms who take especial +delight in joking and playing little tricks which they consider +humorous.</p> + +<p>"But he isn't at all bad, I'll stake everything on that" Max also told +himself, as he sat and listened to the really interesting descriptions +given by the other of his successes, and first failures along the +difficult line of breeding foxes in captivity, with scores of things +against him, which had to be overcome.</p> + +<p>An hour passed by in this manner. When Max saw their visitor showing +signs as if he meant to leave them, he took a hand in the conversation, +which up to then had been almost wholly monopolized by Bandy-legs, Steve +and the woods boy.</p> + +<p>"It's very kind of you to invite us over to inspect this wonderful +little fur farm of yours, Obed," he went on to say; "but you'll have to +give us directions how we can get there, unless you mean to accept our +offer of a blanket by the fire here tonight, when we could go along with +you in the morning."</p> + +<p>Obed looked sober.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to stay longer with you, boys," he hastened to say, as though +he really meant it, "but I ought tuh be gettin' back home. Thar's some +duties waitin' for me to look after. And then I ain't quite easy in my +mind 'bout them two fellers that's up here in the woods. They ain't +meanin' to do any shootin', even if they have got Lem Scott along as a +guide, and he the meanest skunk in the hull county, lots o' folks do +say, and a poacher in the bargain that the wardens are layin' to grab +one o' these fine days. Now I'll jest up and tell yuh how to get to my +place. It's as easy as water runnin' down-hill."</p> + +<p>He entered into explicit directions, and Max pinned them in his memory. +In fact, Obed simply told them to follow the stream up three miles until +they came to a bunch of seven birch trees on the right-hand bank. There +they were to pick up a trail they would find, follow it half a mile, and +at that they would see a cabin under the hemlocks and pines, which would +be his humble home woods.</p> + +<p>"We've got it all down pat, Obed," said Steve, "and like as not you'll +see the bunch of us trailing along there some time tomorrow morning. +I've always been crazy to see a fur farm, after reading so much about +them, and you bet I don't mean to let this chance slip by me."</p> + +<p>Max now thought it time to make a few inquiries himself. He wanted to +ask Obed whether he had ever run across a boy by the name of Roland +Chase, a sickly looking chap in the bargain. It might possible to pick +up a clue in this way; and they had reached a point where they could not +afford to let any opportunity for acquiring information get past them.</p> + +<p>In order to pursue this course, however, Max realized that it would be +necessary to enter into some sort of explanation concerning the nature +of the peculiar errand that had tempted them to come to the Adirondacks.</p> + +<p>"I want to ask you a question or two, Obed," he began, "but first of all +I ought to tell you what brings us here."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, Max proceeded to explain how the school had be closed for +two or more weeks in early October, and what a singular thing came about +to tempt them into taking an outing. He was watching the woods boy at +the time he first mentioned Mrs. Hopewell, and spoke the name of Roland +Chase; but if the other gave any unusual signs of interest, Max failed +to catch the same. Still, Obed was listening with all his might, and it +seemed as though the unusual story of the inheritance that was to be +given to the said Roland in case he made good, interested him.</p> + +<p>Max in this manner explained just why he and his three chums had +accepted the generous offer of the elderly lady, so deeply concerned +over the welfare of her nephew Boland, that she was ready to spend +almost any reasonable sum in order to at least learn that the poor boy +was alive, and in fairly decent health.</p> + +<p>They had been told to assure him, in case they ever managed to locate +the elusive Roland, that he should not worry because of not being able +to comply with the absurd conditions of Uncle Jerry's ridiculous will; +because she had enough of this world's goods for both, and she meant to +leave it all to him, Roland; so she begged him to come back to her, and +live his own life again, even though he had spent the last penny of his +two-thousand-dollar legacy, and was as poor as Job's turkey.</p> + +<p>All this made an interesting story, and must have amused the woods boy +more or less, because Max knew how to put considerable pathos in it. +Obed sat there shading his eyes with his hand to keep the glow of the +fire from dazzling him. Occasionally he would interrupt to ask some +natural question, which made Max think he was taking a fair amount of +interest in the account.</p> + +<p>"What I wanted to ask you," concluded Max, "was whether you'd ever +happened to run across this same Roland Chase in the mountains. We heard +about a fellow answering his description who was seen in company with a +dissipated guide named Shanks. I thought perhaps you might help us out, +Obed."</p> + +<p>Obed looked him straight in the face.</p> + +<p>"So far as I knows on, Max," he went on to say, seriously, "I ain't +never met any feller like yuh say face to face. About that man Shanks, I +know he's said to be a tough un. I saw him some months back down at +Sawyer's Forks, and by hokey! now that you mention it, thar <em>was</em> a +sickly lookin' young feller along with him then; but say, his name was +Bob Jenks, or somethin' like that, and not Roland Chase."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, so far as that goes," said Max, "he may have changed his +name. Some people think nothing of sailing under false colors; and if it +turns out that Roland has taken up with such a disreputable character as +this drunken guide seems to be, I don't wonder at him wanting to hide +his identity. So you think you must be going home, do you, Obed?"</p> + +<p>"Yep," the other observed, gaining his feet. "And I wanter to thank all +o' ye for givin' me sech a pleasant evenin'. I ain't had sech a good +time this long while back. But then the Grimeses all are 'customed to +roughin' it. Granddad used to be away all by hisself for as much as two +years, trappin' up in Canada. It's in the blood, I reckon. Now, yuh mean +to drop in, and visit me, don't ye? I'll be expectin' yuh, and have +something to eat awarmin', though course I ain't a good cook like you +fellers, as has had so much experience. So long, boys!"</p> + +<p>He waved them a cheerful goodbye, once more smiled at each in turn, +whirled on his heel, and was gone, seeming to vanish in the shadows of +the nearby woods like "a wisp of smoke when the wind strikes it," as +Steve remarked.</p> + +<p>After the departure of their guest, it was only natural that he should +be the subject of conversation about the fire as the four chums lay +there taking things easy.</p> + +<p>"Max, honest to goodness now," Bandy-legs remarked, "do you really take +any stock in that fairy story he told us about an imaginary fur farm? It +struck me Obed is givin to yarnin' just for the love of it. All that +stuff about his relatives may have been true, and again only nonsense. +It's my opinion there isn't any Granddad Grimes, or Uncle Hiram, +Nicodemus and so forth. He grinned like everything when he was reeling +those names off so slick. Yes, he was stringing us, I bet you."</p> + +<p>"W-w-why," burst out Toby just then, "who wouldn't have to s-s-snicker +when he had a w-w-whole lot of relations with such f-f-funny names! It'd +make me grin from ear to ear every time I h-h-happened to think of 'em. +You're the greatest hand to s-s-suspect anybody I ever s-s-saw, +Bandy-legs. Now, I want you to k-k-know that I think Obed the +s-s-straight g-g-goods, and I'm taking a heap of s-s-stock in seeing +that bully f-f-fur f-f-farm of his tomorrow; ain't you, Max?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I am," replied the other, without a second's hesitation. "In +the first place, Bandy-legs, you must understand that nobody could talk +so interestingly on a subject unless he knew a lot about it. He told us +a dozen things about fur farming that I never heard before."</p> + +<p>"Huh! and perhaps nobody else ever heard of them either, Max," grunted +the far from satisfied Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>"Nothing will ever satisfy him except he sees those kit foxes with his +own eyes," asserted Steve, almost indignantly, "handles them with his +own paws, and asks every little critter whether he really belongs to +Obed Grimes. Bandy-legs is the worst Doubting Thomas going, when the fit +comes on him."</p> + +<p>Even this sort of talk did not convince the objector.</p> + +<p>"Say what you will, fellows," Bandy-legs went on, stubbornly, "there's a +wheen of queer things connected with this same Obed Grimes, and I won't +take that back till he shows us his wonderful old farm, where he raises +black foxes for the fur market. Stop and think how mysteriously he +popped in on us, will you? Why, he as much as owned up that he had been +spying on us for a long time. If Toby here hadn't discovered him +peeking, and pointed that way, chances are he wouldn't have shown up at +all. Now, what made him snoop around our camp like that?"</p> + +<p>"Say, didn't he explain all that just as straight as a die?" objected +Steve, who seemed to have conceived quite a fancy for Obed Grimes, the +woods boy. "He told us he had reason to fear some unscrupulous fellows +were hanging around this region and meaning to steal his pets when they +got half a chance. That was why he wanted to watch, and make sure we +didn't belong to the same crowd."</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, a likely story, too," continued Bandy-legs, with a sneer. "Why +should anybody want to rob a poor boy who was trying to earn his living +by farming, even if it was furs he raised instead of grain or hogs or +stock?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you poor ninny, the reason is as plain as the nose on your face, +Bandy-legs, and that's not invisible by a big sight. When a black fox +pelt will fetch a thousand dollars, more or less, and can't well be +traced once it gets mixed with other pelts, it stands to reason that any +thief would want to steal it. As to your doubting that there are any +other people up in this section, you seem to forget, Bandy-legs, that +around noon today we sighted a plain smoke some miles away, which we +opined must have been made by some advance hunters, waiting for the law +to be off deer. Well, why couldn't it have been the people Obed says he +fears, who made that smoke? Now, for my part, I believe every word Obed +Grimes said. He's the straight goods every time, and you can see it in +his eye, for he looks you direct in the face."</p> + +<p>Thereupon, Bandy-legs, as though realizing that he had raised a hornet's +nest about his ears, deemed it the part of discretion to shrug his +shoulders after the manner of one who, "convinced against his will is of +the same opinion still."</p> + +<p>"We'll let the subject drop, Steve," he said, hastily. "It ain't worth +quarreling over. The proof of the pudding is in the eating of it; and +tomorrow we'll <em>know</em> what's what. But remember, if it turns out that +we've been bamboozled, don't blame me, because I've warned you all."</p> + +<p>"If we had a chill from every warning you've sprung on us, Bandy-legs," +Steve told him, witheringly, "why, say, we'd have gone all to pieces +long before now. You're a regular old bad-weather prognosticator, that's +what you are."</p> + +<p>"That's right, get to calling names. It's a habit with people who know +they are in the wrong," grumbled Bandy-legs; but, nevertheless, he "drew +within his shell," and said nothing further about Obed Grimes or his +suspicions concerning the same.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapV"></a><h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>PACKING OVER THE "CARRY"</strong></p> + +<p>Later on the conversation began to lag. Steve was noticed drowsily +nodding his head in a suggestive way; and then after a sudden start he +would look around aggressively, as if to remark: "who said I was +sleepy?" but within three minutes he would be at it again.</p> + +<p>In fact all of the boys were really tired out. The day's tramp had been +a difficult one, even for fellows accustomed to such things; and those +regular Adirondack packs, with a band crossing the forehead in the usual +way, had seemed doubly heavy before they decided to stop for the night.</p> + +<p>Of course there were sounds to be heard all around them, but +"familiarity breeds contempt," and from Max down they were all +accustomed to hearing similar noises whenever they spent nights in the +open. The owl would whinny or hoot according to his species; the loon +send forth his agonizing and weird shriek from some distant lake; a fox +might bark sharply and fretfully, or two quarrelsome 'coons dispute over +a bit of food they had discovered—all this went with the camping +business, and indeed it would have seemed odd to those boys had the +usual accompaniment been missing.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the use of our staying up longer?" Max finally announced +in an authoritative fashion, after Steve had almost jerked his neck awry +for about the seventh time, with one of those spasmodic movements. "Our +blankets are calling to us, boys; let's turn in."</p> + +<p>There was no negative vote recorded, for every one seemed ready to call +it a day, and quit. Max took it upon himself to look after the fire. +Plenty of wood had been gathered to last until morning, and then some; +for, as the night air was beginning to feel pretty sharp, it was +concluded to keep the fire going.</p> + +<p>"I'll look out for that part," said Max. "I generally wake up just so +many times during the night when I'm in camp, and it's no trouble for me +to crawl out and toss another stick on the fire. So forget it, fellows, +will you?"</p> + +<p>Apparently the others took him at his word, for not another sign of any +of them was seen while night lasted. Once they snuggled down in their +warm comfortable blankets, they must have become "dead to the world," as +Steve aptly termed it.</p> + +<p>Several times while the night held sway a figure would crawl noiselessly +out of the crude brush shanty shelter, and place another lot of wood +upon the dwindling fire, thus keeping it going for another spell of +several hours. Of course this was Max, who really liked to take an +observation concerning the state of the weather, note the changed +positions of the heavenly bodies, so that he could figure on the +passage of time; and then once more creep into the folds of his blanket +to again fall into a deep sleep.</p> + +<p>So the night passed.</p> + +<p>Nothing occurred to disturb its serenity. The little four-footed woods +folks doubtless prowled all around the boys' camp, eyeing the glimmering +fire with wonder and distrust, for it could not be a familiar sight to +any of them, since mankind seldom visited this inaccessible region so +far removed from the track of ordinary travel. Some of the more daring +among them, venturesome 'coons or 'possums perhaps, may even have +invaded the precincts of the charmed circle, searching with their keen +little noses for traces of castaway food; but, if so, their presence did +not disturb the sleepers within that shelter.</p> + +<p>So morning came on apace, and presently from the brush shanty one after +another of the fellows came creeping forth, to stretch and yawn and +finally hasten their dressing, for the frosty air nipped fingers and +toes quite lustily.</p> + +<p>They were in no particular hurry, and breakfast therefore was undertaken +in the best of humor, with plenty of time given to its preparation. +Everybody seemed to be in the best of humors, and his good sleep must +have smoothed even the spirit of the fretful Bandy-legs, for he no +longer grumbled or found fault. Perhaps, as so frequently happened, he +was secretly ashamed of having shown such a suspicious and +argumentative disposition on the preceding evening, and meant to make +amends for it by an unusually cheery manner.</p> + +<p>It was determined to "break camp" soon after the matin meal had been +comfortably dispatched. This did not promise to be an extraordinary +feat, since they were trying to go light-handed on this expedition, and +did not have many of their ordinary "traps" along, from a tent down to +certain cooking utensils that had been deemed too heavy for "toting" +mile after mile into the wilderness.</p> + +<p>It makes a whole lot of difference just how fellows mean to go, when +laying out the impedimenta for a trip. If a wagon or a boat is +available, all sorts of things may as well be taken along, so as to +insure the maximum of comfort; but when it is known in the beginning +that all they are meaning to use must be packed every mile of the way on +the back of the campers, then it is high time to cut down the list to +the last fraction, so far as weight and bulk are concerned.</p> + +<p>Max and his chums had reduced this down to a real science. For instance, +having a comfortable balance at the bank, thanks to their thrift in the +past,[2] money did not enter into their calculations at all. +Consequently, they had purchased a complete little outfit of aluminum +cooking vessels that nested within each other and weighed next to +nothing, while offering all the advantages of ordinary granite ware. +Other campers' comforts, too, had been secured, so that they even +carried a certain amount of condensed food in the shape of milk powder; +evaporated eggs that could be used to make excellent omelets in case of +necessity; and even soup in double cans, with a layer of unslacked lime +between, which, by the addition of a little water to the lime could be +heated up beautifully without the aid of a fire.</p> + +<p>[2] "In camp on the Big Sunflower."</p> + +<p>When all of them started in to get busy, things quickly assumed a +concentrated condition. Each article had its regular place where it +would take up the least possible space. Why, by now every fellow had +found out just how to do up his pack so that no sharp and uncomfortable +edges would cut into his back; and when this condition has been reached, +it means that the last word in packing has been learned.</p> + +<p>Max himself saw to it that the fire was effectually "killed" before they +quitted the scene of their night encampment. This he did by throwing +water on the hissing embers until it was quite dead. If every party that +spends a night in the wilderness took the same pains to put out their +fire on leaving, many a magnificent stretch of timber would be spared +from the ravages of a forest fire, that leaves only blackened tree +trunks behind, and ruins thousands of acres of wooded land every year.</p> + +<p>Although a fire may die down, and seem to have little life in it, there +is no absolute surety unless water be used, that a rising wind may not +fan the embers into renewed activity, until a dangerous spark is carried +into some nest of dead leaves near by, and so the fire starts that +man-power can seldom control.</p> + +<p>"Three miles, he said, up this stream," observed Bandy-legs, as they +started gaily forth, Max in the lead, and Toby bringing up the rear.</p> + +<p>"And as no doubt the said stream meanders considerably in its course, +that might mean only half the distance as the crow flies," remarked the +leader, turning once more to look back toward the deserted camp, after +the fashion of a carpenter who considers it wise to measure his post +<em>once again</em> before applying the saw, because after the deed is done the +parts can never be put together again; but everything seemed still, and +not the faintest whisp of smoke crept lazily upward from the late +camp-fire.</p> + +<p>They walked along for a short distance, and then upon crossing a little +rise, in order to skirt a bad section of marshy ground, it was +discovered that they had a good chance to look backward. A rather pretty +view rewarded their efforts, and as all the boys appreciated Nature in +her fall dress, they stood for a minute drinking this in.</p> + +<p>"You can follow the course of the stream for quite a distance, notice?" +remarked Bandy-legs. "And I even see the place where we yanked Steve +here out of that sand."</p> + +<p>Steve frowned as he looked, and Max could see that he had gone a little +white. The memory of his harrowed feelings on that occasion would stay +with Steve for quite some time, and produce an unpleasant sensation +every time it came before his mental vision.</p> + +<p>Max also saw him shut his teeth very hard together, and was close enough +to even catch a word or two the boy muttered savagely to himself.</p> + +<p>"Never again!"</p> + +<p>From that Max could judge the lesson had been impressed on Steve's mind +indelibly; and that as long as he lived he would be careful how he +entered an unknown stream when fishing; and especially how he became so +engrossed in his sport as to stand a length of time in one spot, without +working his feet up and down so as to make sure they were free from +clinging sand.</p> + +<p>They chatted from time to time as they proceeded, and of course all +sorts of subjects cropped up to be discussed. Sometimes there was a +little good-natured dispute concerning something or other, for boys have +different minds, and are apt to view things from various angles; but as +time passed they made such good progress that Max presently announced +his belief they must presently glimpse the seven birch trees mentioned +by Obed Grimes, as marking the place where they were to quit the bank of +the stream.</p> + +<p>At the time they stopped to look backward Max had scanned the country +behind them, looking for some trace of another camp smoke, but seeing +fond of "working his way," and often slipped out of things when he +could manage it—some fellows always do get hold of the smaller end of +the log that is being carried, as if by instinct; though it would be +hardly fair to call them shirkers.</p> + +<p>They rested for something like ten minutes. Then Max started up.</p> + +<p>"Here's the trail Obed told us about," he observed, pointing down at his +feet as though he had been looking about him while recuperating after +that three mile carry. "And I guess we might as well be going on. For +one I'm beginning to feel quite curious to see that lodge of his under +the pines and hemlocks, as well as learn what he is doing with his fox +farm."</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs opened his mouth, and then considered it better not to voice +the question he had on the tip of his tongue, for he shut his jaws tight +together again, and did not speak; Max noticing this, it caused him to +smile in quiet satisfaction. That was a very disagreeable habit of +Bandy-legs, always questioning things, and wanting double proof before +he would put the stamp of his approval on them; and Max kept hoping that +in the process of time it could be broken up.</p> + +<p>It was not difficult to follow the trail, even though at times this +proved to be rather faint and undecided; at least it turned out to be an +easy task with the four chums, simply because they were accustomed to +such things. A greenhorn might have lost the track many times, and made +a none. He had in mind the story told by Obed concerning the presence +in the vicinity of another party, and his suspicions concerning their +base intentions. Apparently Max must have believed what the woods boy +said, even though he could see no sign of a camp that morning.</p> + +<p>"I've got an idea the seven birches are just over yonder, boys!" +announced Steve, who possessed good eyesight. "Twice now I've glimpsed +something white among the thickets of undergrowth; and you can see that +the creek is beginning to swing around so as to lead us in that +direction."</p> + +<p>"G-g-guess you're about r-r-right, Steve!" declared Toby Jucklin, +instantly; "to t-t-tell you the t-t-truth, I've been squinting that same +p-p-patch of white myself q-q-quite some little time now."</p> + +<p>It turned out to be just as Steve had prophesied. They soon discovered a +bunch of birches growing from the stump of a larger tree that had long +ago fallen under the ax of a woodsman.</p> + +<p>"There are seven, all right—count 'em!" announced Steve with a vein of +exultation in his voice, just as though by right of discovery those +birches really belonged to him.</p> + +<p>"Let's call a little rest before we tackle the last round," begged +Bandy-legs, as they arrived alongside the landmark mentioned by Obed; +and without waiting for the others to assent he dropped his pack, and +threw himself down on an especially inviting bit of moss, heaving a +great sigh of relief; for be it known, Bandy-legs was not especially +"mountain out of a mole-hill," as Steve aptly put it, when referring to +the matter.</p> + +<p>Soon they were casting eager glances ahead, under the impression that +they must certainly be drawing near the object of their search. Even +Bandy-legs had by now apparently arrived at the belief that Obed was +"straight," and that he really did have some sort of home in this +secluded region. The directions had turned out to be exact, from the +three-mile tramp along the stream and the "seven birches, count 'em"; to +the winding trail that led from that point deeper into the woods.</p> + +<p>"Looky there, isn't that some sort of high wire fence?" demanded Steve, +suddenly.</p> + +<p>"And, say, I got a plain whiff of sweet hickory wood smoke then, believe +me," added Bandy-legs, in some excitement, and evidently forgetting that +not long before he had been skeptical regarding the existence of any +lodge or fox farm.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's the answer right before you," laughed Max; and as they +stared in the direction their leader was pointing, the balance of the +little party saw what seemed to be the "cutest" little cabin fashioned +from sawn logs, and nestling in a happy fashion directly under the +clustering pines and hemlocks, that hung over it most protectingly, as +though with the intention of keeping the winter snows from weighing down +the sloping roof.</p> + +<p>At one end was a chimney made of slabs of wood, with the chinks filled +in with mud that, in the process of time, aided by the heat of the fire, +had become as hard as cement or adamant; and from this there curled +wreaths of lazily ascending blue smoke, the source of that delightful +odor that had drifted to Bandy-legs's nostrils.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE LODGE OF MANY WONDERS</strong></p> + +<p>"There's Obed right now, waving at us from the doorway of his cabin," +announced Steve, even as they looked at the picture made by the little +log structure nestling so cozily under the dark foliage of the resinous +trees that never lost their green look, even when snow covered the +mountains to the depth of several feet.</p> + +<p>They hurried forward to join the owner of the woods lodge, who had +evidently expected them to put in an appearance about this time of day, +figuring just when they would break camp, and how long it would take +them to make the "carry."</p> + +<p>He shook hands with each of his new-found friends in turn, and warmly, +too. Even Bandy-legs seemed to feel that his unworthy suspicions of the +other could have no foundation, to judge from the hearty way in which he +greeted Obed.</p> + +<p>Max was quick to see that Obed looked pleased at their coming. He also +wondered why the other seemed to raise his eyebrows now and then, and +smile as though certain thoughts he entertained were quite amusing. But, +then, seeing what a lonely life the young fur farmer must be leading, so +far away from his kind, and wrapped up in his singular calling, after +all, it was not so queer that he should act in this way, upon having +visitors, and boys of his own age, in the bargain.</p> + +<p>They were ushered inside the lodge, and here another surprise greeted +them. Max in particular was astonished to find that the small building +contained so much in the way of comforts. If he had thought of the +matter at all, he probably expected to find just an ordinary shack, such +as nine boys in ten would be contented with building, and that Obed was +putting up with all sorts of discomforts.</p> + +<p>The contrary proved to be the truth, for there were numerous things in +sight to cause a visitor to express surprise. Why, Obed even used +<em>aluminum cooking utensils</em> equal to theirs, though not meant for +camping particularly; there were several rocking chairs, and one big +fireside chair that looked mighty inviting indeed, as it flanked the +broad hearth where Obed had a blaze going.</p> + +<p>The kitchen lay at the back, and actually had a wood stove in it, +capable of baking bread or biscuits on occasion. Water, too, had been +piped to the cabin from some spring farther up the rise; though, in the +dead of winter a supply must of necessity be obtained from some other +source since this would be frozen up.</p> + +<p>These things, and many others along the same line, caused Max to survey +Obed with a new source of wonder. Who was this remarkable boy, and how +on earth did he come to possess such a magical lodge up here in the +unpeopled wilderness? Why, a rich man could hardly have surrounded +himself with more in the way of comforts; and yet, according to his +language, and his account of himself, Obed was only an ordinary child of +the woods, one of the very numerous Grimes tribe, many of whom doubtless +gained their living by serving as guides in season.</p> + +<p>Max, after staring around him in due wonder and admiration, turned again +to Obed. He could see that the other was observing them with that merry +twinkle in his eyes? and evidently expecting his guests to express +amazement at finding so wonderful a habitation where they had +anticipated so little.</p> + +<p>"Its just splendid, that's the only word I can find to express my +feelings, Obed," Max hastened to say, at which the other laughed aloud.</p> + +<p>"Course, now, you-all are awonderin' jest how a poor woods boy like me +'d ever git hold o' such a clever cabin," he went on to say; "but +shucks! that's an easy one to explain. Yuh see, it was built by a man +who had plenty o' money and poor health. He thought he could get well by +stayin' here, and so he fixed her up to beat the band. That big chair he +loved to sit in when the fire was agoin'. But jest as he got fixed so +nice his wife sent for him to come back home; and, say, he had to go. +So, havin' no use for his place here, he turned it over tuh me for a +song, I c'n show yuh the bill o' sale. Yuh see, I got to know Mr. Coombs +right well, for he was interested in my ijee o' startin' a fur farm. +Well, he's dead now. I often think when I'm sittin' here enjoyin' what +he built that somehow his spirit must be a hoverin' around, cause he +certainly <em>did</em> love this place a heap."</p> + +<p>The explanation entirely satisfied Max, though of course that skeptic of +a Bandy-legs had to let his eyebrows go up in an arch as he listened; +but then Bandy-legs would doubt anything that savored of the uncommon. +Max simply frowned at him and paid no more attention to his manner.</p> + +<p>"You were certainly mighty lucky to fall heir to such a lovely little +home as this, Obed," Steve was saying, with a streak of envy in his +voice. "Say, I'd just be tickled half to death now if I could spend a +month up here with you. There must be plenty of game around, I reckon; +and it'd be a real delight to keep house in a little palace like this. +But how are you going to tuck us away for the night, Obed, if I might be +so bold as to ask, seeing that as yet we haven't had an invite to stay +over?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's easily managed," replied the other, with, another of his +queer laughs. "You haven't begun to see all the wonders o' this lodge. +Mr. Coombs amused himself for a whole summer havin' it built. He put a +heap o' his own ijees into the same, too. Yuh see, he used to be a sea +captain once on a time, and that gave him the notion to have tables that +folded against the wall so as tuh take mighty little room. Then seem' as +how he might expect to have company some time or other, look how he +fixed the bunks along the walls."</p> + +<p>With that Obed turned a button that none of them had thus far noticed, +fastened on the wall Immediately a section slipped down exposing a +cavity beyond that proved to be a regular sleeping bunk, fully capable +of "housing" any ordinary person. It was plain to be seen that his sea +education had given Mr. Coombs the idea carried out in this remarkable +fashion.</p> + +<p>"Beats anything I ever struck!" admitted the admiring Steve, as he +pushed forward to peep inside the cavity that seemed to offer such a +comfortable bed.</p> + +<p>"But hardly big enough for the whole bunch of us, I'm afraid, Obed," +urged Bandy-legs, with the idea, of course, of drawing the other out.</p> + +<p>"This is one bunk," said Obed, calmly, "there are three jest like it +along the two walls, makin' four in all. So yuh see it's jest like Mr. +Coombs, he figgered on my having you-all stop over with me some fine +day. Then I c'n make up a bed on that 'ere couch, which is softer 'n any +o' the bunks. <em>He</em> used to sleep, on it all the time, did Mr. Coombs."</p> + +<p>"Well, I must say this is a revelation to me," admitted Max, his face +showing how pleased he felt. "And you were lucky, as Steve here just +said, to fall in with such a fine man as Mr. Coombs, at the time you +started your fur farm. I suppose it was the interest he took in it that +made him hand over this cabin, when he learned that his plans for +staying here could never be carried out."</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, mostly that," agreed Obed, turning a little red. "P'raps I +ought to tell yuh that I chanced to do Mr. Coombs a little favor when we +first met. Yuh see, I happened to come on him in the woods. He'd started +out to find a certain kind o' sapling that he wanted right bad to use; +and not bein' used to findin' his way around, he jest naturally got +lost. But that wasn't the wust o' it. In using his ax to chop down a +sapling he kim across, what did he do but cut his foot, and it was +bleeding like fun when I ketched his shouts, and kim up. Course, I soon +fixed that foot, and since he was only a little dried-up speck o' a man +I managed to tote him on my back most ways home here. He chose to think +I'd done him a <em>great</em> favor, and after that he was always sayin' he +meant to repay me some day. Well, he certainly did when he turns over +this here neat contraption at a price that was dirt cheap, and which I'd +be ashamed to mention to yuh. That's how it come I got this cabin."</p> + +<p>How simple the explanation was after all, and how Bandy-legs must feel +his cheeks burn with shame at the thought of having suspected this same +Obed of trying to deceive them. Max could easily picture the ex-sea +captain seated in that capacious fireside chair with the tufted cushion, +and perhaps smoking his long-stemmed pipe with the air of a man who +believed he had found what he had long sought, peace and comfort +combined, only to have a summons come that he dared not disobey.</p> + +<p>"Make yourselves to hum," said Obed, cheerily. "Here, drop the packs +over in this corner. If later on so be yuh want to git anything out o' +the same it'll be easy done. And seein' as I've got dinner started, I +guess we wont take a turn around the farm till it's been stowed away."</p> + +<p>Although, of course, all of the boys were eager to see what a fur farm +looked like, where those wonderful black foxes that brought such, a big +price in the London markets were being bred in captivity, none of them +objected to sitting down and taking a rest. Bandy-legs and Steve in +particular made a bolt for the big chair, though the latter was too +quick for his competitor, and managed to ensconce himself within its +capacious embrace before Bandy-legs arrived.</p> + +<p>"Start earlier next time, Bandy-legs!" crowed the proud possessor of the +coveted seat, as he spread himself so as to occupy it all. "But after +I've tried it out I'll vacate, because I expect to get busy in that +bully little kitchen, and help friend Obed sling the grub for dinner."</p> + +<p>So Bandy-legs had to content himself with a seat on the couch. He might +have been observed sniffing the air with avidity, however, as though he +had caught some enticing odor stealing out of the oven of the cook +stove, that was not unlike fresh bread being well browned; and there was +nothing Bandy-legs loved better than the crust part of a fresh +baking—he always had a compact with the cook at home to save him the +"run-over" portions, which he looked upon as a prize well worth having.</p> + +<p>Soon Obed left them there in the larger room and vanished within the +kitchen. It was a challenge to Steve which he could not long resist. +Bandy-legs kept watching him glance toward the connecting doors. His +whole manner was that of a boy who, although making no sound, might be +"sicking" one dog on another. No sooner had Steve left the capacious +fireside chair than Bandy-legs slipped into it; and after that he was +not meaning' to be dislodged until the summons came to gather about the +table to discuss the midday meal. Bandy-legs liked eating as well as the +next one; but he loved his ease more, and was well content to have some +other fellow do the hard work of getting the meal ready; his time would +come when he had to "work his jaws" in disposing of his portion of the +spread.</p> + +<p>The more Max looked about him the greater his wonder became. All manner +of thoughts surged through that active mind of his. He had already +conceived the greatest sort of secret admiration for the extraordinary +woods boy, even before he had glimpsed that remarkable fur farm which +the other was successfully running. Plainly, then, this same Obed Grimes +was bound to be a credit to his family; and all those people bearing the +strange names given by Obed would some day find cause to feel proud of +having such an enterprising relative.</p> + +<p>Obed proved to be a pretty good cook, despite the humility with which he +had remarked that of course he could not expect to compete on even terms +with fellows who had had so many better opportunities to acquire the +"knack" of things, than had come his way.</p> + +<p>The bread was as fine as any Bandy-legs had ever eaten in his own home, +where a high-priced cook held sway over the kitchen. There was also a +meat pie that seemed delicious, both as to crust and contents, when +opened; though Obed in-formed them that it was made of canned beef, and +even displayed the recent tin jacket, with its telltale label, as +confirmation to his assertion.</p> + +<p>"Yuh see, boys," he remarked, laughingly, "I don't want yuh to think I'd +poach a deer in the close season, and palm it off as mountain mutton, +like they do at some o' the big hotels up here in the Adirondacks, I'm +told. Course I do shoot a deer once in a while in season; and lots o' +pa'tridges, they bein' so tame yuh c'n knock them over as they sit on +the lower limb o' a tree after flushin'. I ketch wheens o' trout, too, +from time to time; but I give yuh my word I never yet killed anything +when the law was on it, never!"</p> + +<p>When Obed said a thing in his emphatic way, he was to be relied on, Max +thought. The woods boy could look very sober at times, though, as a +rule, there was that merry gleam in his eye that told how much he loved +a joke.</p> + +<p>Altogether they had a delightful meal, and what was even better, there +was an abundance to give every one three bountiful helpings, which fact +pleased Bandy-legs and Steve in particular. The former, on passing his +plate—for they actually had such articles at this wonderful lodge under +the pines—for the third help, excused himself by remarking aside:</p> + +<p>"It's queer what a <em>terrible</em> appetite toting a pack a few miles over a +carry gives a fellow. Now, at home I'm generally satisfied with one +portion, but once let me get into the harness, and I seem to have no end +of <em>capacity</em>. Say, I'd eat you out of house and home, Obed, if I stayed +very long at your ranch."</p> + +<p>"No danger o' that, I guess, Bandy-legs," replied the other, for he had +of course taken quite naturally to calling these new friends by their +customary names, just as boys always do get on quick terms of +familiarity. "Last time I went to town I laid in quite a wheen o' stuff. +Then there's always the crick to git trout outen; and in a short time +you could shoot pa'tridges without breakin' the game laws. So don't let +that worry yuh any. I'm on'y too tickled to have some fellers around. It +does git kinder lonely here, sometimes, I own up."</p> + +<p>"Whew! I should think it would, Obed," said Steve, lost in admiration +for the amazing nerve displayed by the woods boy in remaining all by +himself, winter and summer, seldom, if ever, seeing a human face, and +apparently devoting all his energies to making his fur farm experiment +turn out to be a success. "Nothing would tempt me to stick it out here a +whole winter. Why, I'd die of the blues, and let the black foxes go to +the dickens, while I made break for the nearest town, so I could hear +the sound of a human voice."</p> + +<p>Obed looked at him gravely, and heaved a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Yep, I feels that ways, too, sometimes, Steve," he said presently; "and +let me tell yuh the temptation is nigh more'n I c'n stand; but I jest +shuts my teeth together, and tells myself that I started in to do this +job, and I'm agoin' to stick it out or know the reason why. Then I git +my second wind agin' and it's all right. Once I used to give in right +easy, but I'm broke now o' that bad habit, I guess."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapVII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE YOUNG MAGICIAN</strong></p> + +<p>The more Max listened to Obed talk on the one subject that seemed to be +his pet hobby, that of raising valuable fur-bearing animals for the +market, the deeper grew his conviction that the woods boy was well worth +studying.</p> + +<p>He might talk after the manner of an uneducated boy, but Max knew that +this could not be the case. Even though the main lot of numerous +"Grimeses" were following the humble occupation of guides amidst the +extensive stretches of the Adirondacks, and possibly many of them would +be found to be boors, save along the line of woodcraft, Obed had managed +to pick up considerable knowledge, somehow or other.</p> + +<p>When trying to explain how this idea of successfully raising "silver" +black foxes took such a main grip on his imagination, he brought out a +batch of clippings which he had managed to get hold of in some manner, +Max could not even guess how.</p> + +<p>Some of these were fantastic in their revelations, while others were +authentic interviews with parties who for years had been secretly +engaged in the business of fur farming. This was away up on Prince +Edward Island beyond Nova Scotia, said to be the place best situated +geographically for the purpose, as these animals require a severe +climate in order that their pelt assumes its richest and heaviest crop. +A black fox farm started down in Florida would not produce furs worth +offering for sale.</p> + +<p>Max was intensely interested with one account in particular connected +with the extensive pioneer silver fox ranch. He even asked the privilege +of copying the same for future reference, because he knew that +statements he might make later on would be skeptically received by many +people who had never dreamed that any species of furs were so valuable +that young pups could be worth more than their weight in gold.</p> + +<p>That the boy reader of this story may also stock up with information +that will better enable him to understand what enterprising Obed Grimes +was trying to do on a small scale, I am tempted to give the main items +in this newspaper article, every word of which is said to be literally +true.</p> + +<p>Since this account was first printed some years ago, other farms along +similar lines have been started away up near Calgary, in the Canadian +Province of Alberta, and are said to be doing excellently, one ranch +near Midnapore reporting a start with twelve pair, and the pack now +counting thirty-seven in all.</p> + +<p>But here is the main part of the clipping, well worth reading:</p> + +<p>There is something novel about a ranch which consists of spaces +covering 150 feet of ground. Chappell, now president of the Sydney +Chamber of Commerce, Nova Scotia, owns seventy pairs of silver black +foxes, and his ranch is split up into small inclosures of that size, +covered with wire on four sides, the wire being buried four feet under +ground, attached to a concrete base, and turned in several feet. The +silver black fox tries to root its way to freedom, and this is the way +the breeder prevents his escape.</p> + +<p>When the foxes mate we also mate a pair of black cats of the ordinary +domestic variety. As soon as the young are born, we take the fox pups +away from the mother fox, and the kittens away from the mother cat, and +make the cat foster-mother to the fox cubs. In this way we are able to +rear a more domesticated breed of foxes.</p> + +<p>For twenty years this business of raising foxes of the silver black +species was really kept under cover, because of its great possibilities +for making big money. With the last four or five years the business has +become organized, and today many millions of dollars are invested in it.</p> + +<p>The last lot of animals slaughtered was in 1910. There were forty-three +pelts sent to London at that time. They brought as high as $3,800, the +average fetching $1,500. Silver black fox is the rarest fur utilized by +man. The Russian sable, otter, and South Sea seal are practically +eliminated for commercial purposes, due to international laws which +prohibit the killing of these animals for the next ten or fifteen years, +so as to give them a chance to increase.</p> + +<p>Only 800 pairs of live foxes were placed on sale last year. Fewer than +50 of that number were killed and their fur sold. The rest went for +breeding purposes, because fur farms are starting up in many favorable +places. The men who raise silver foxes on Prince Edward Island know the +game. They started in it as boys many years ago.</p> + +<p>"In the provinces of Prince Edward, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, men +and women interested in breeding foxes have been made wealthy. They were +poor people ten years ago. Today they live in town houses, own their own +automobiles, and yet continue to give the strictest attention to all the +details connected with their singular farming industry."</p> + +<p>Obed was extremely modest in what he told concerning his own small +beginning. Max, having also read in one of the clippings that a pair of +gilt-edged silver black foxes were worth all the way up to $30,000, was, +of course, doubly curious to learn whether those with which Obed started +could be the genuine article, and if so, how had he managed to obtain +them.</p> + +<p>It seemed to be only a game in which rich persons could enter. Obed +understood just what must be passing in the mind of the other, and at +the first opportunity he hastened to explain.</p> + +<p>"I was just chock full o' this business," he went on to say, "when I +ran across Mr. Coombs. Yuh remember I told yuh about how that came +about, and that he seemed to think I'd saved his life." Well, he and me +kept house together here for some months, and then one day thar come the +biggest surprise I ever had. He fetched a crate along up from town in a +wagon he hired; and say, inside the same was the finest pair o' silver +blacks I ever saw. Then some more wagons begun to show up fetchin' rolls +of wire netting, and bags o' cement to make concrete with. Mr. Coombs +had gone into the fur raisin' business for keeps, and I was to have an +interest in the game. He had an agreement all written out that both o' +us signed before a justice, which fixed things up. Half the proceeds o' +the fur farm was to come to me, while I stayed here to look after +things.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, we worked like fun to git the stockade built 'cording to +form; and our mated pair o' foxes planted in the same. Since then I've +fixed three more enclosures, ready for an increase o' stock. Mr. Coombs, +he called this the Lone Lodge Black Fox Farm, and I guess the name will +stick even after I get to selling off some o' the product."</p> + +<p>It was simply wonderful, all of the eager listeners thought. Max could +hardly believe his ears, and yet so far as he could make out Obed seemed +in dead earnest. Besides, he had the documents to prove the truth of his +story, he said, which he would spread before them a little later on.</p> + +<p>As for that skeptic, Bandy-legs, he rolled his eyes up many times while +listening, and seemed to be swallowing it with considerable difficulty. +Toby and Steve never questioned the veracity of the narrator; they were +simply amazed at the immensity of the enterprise that had sprung up +almost like a mushroom, over night. Millions on millions of dollars +invested in artificial fur farming, and the general public utterly in +the dark concerning the facts until recently, when its scope could no +longer be concealed, like a light hidden under a bushel.</p> + +<p>"And now that you've kinder got an idea of what a big fur farm might be +like," the singular woods boy went on to say, rising as he spoke, +"s'pose yuh meander out and take a look at my humble beginnin'. I surely +hope yuh won't run down my efforts, 'cause o' course things ain't got to +runnin' full swing yet. But the cubs are nigh big enough to be taken to +market."</p> + +<p>"How many have you got, Obed?" asked Max, following the other out of the +cabin.</p> + +<p>"One pair nearly grown, and another just two months old. I've been +mighty lucky in not losing a single pup so far," came the reply over +Obed's shoulder; and he might be pardoned for putting just a mite of +pride in his tones, for he had accomplished something worth while for a +new beginner at the business.</p> + +<p>"But if you expect to keep in this line," said Bandy-legs quickly, as +though he voiced a suspicion that kept cropping up in his mind, "why do +you want to dispose of that first pair of pups?"</p> + +<p>Obed laughed good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell yuh, Bandy-legs," he said, confidentially. "In the first +place breeders like to change their stock, so as to bring new blood into +the pens. Then again, why, I happens to need the money that's comin' to +me for my share. A fellow has got to live up here in the mountains, and +grub costs a wheen o' hard cash, 'specially when yuh got a good +appetite, which seems to fit me all right. But if I get what I'm hopin' +for it'll be all right, and I reckons thar'll come some years before we +let more foxes get away from this same farm."</p> + +<p>So he took them to where he had his main enclosure, in which the boys +found the parent foxes. They may have become somewhat accustomed to +seeing Obed, and hearing the sound of his coaxing voice, for even the +most timid of wild animals in the process of time comes to recognize the +one who supplies their wants along the line of daily food. But possibly +Bandy-legs or Steve chanced to laugh, or speak out loud, for the old +foxes took the alarm; and it was only after constant efforts on the part +of Obed, with his familiar call to dinner, that caused them to show +themselves at all.</p> + +<p>They were certainly beauties. Max wondered more than ever at the nerve +of Obed in trying to start a silver black fox farm in this section, with +no one save himself apparently in charge. He feared that the enterprise +would be doomed to certain disaster. The smart woods boy might be +successful in raising a crop of valuable youngsters in the fox line; but +sooner or later some unscrupulous men, guides out of a job perhaps, and +loaded with strong drink, would try to make a secret raid on his +preserves, and clean him out in a single night. Fox pelts worth +thousands of dollars must tempt some men beyond their fears, or power of +resistance.</p> + +<p>Max made up his mind he would talk about this with Obed before he left. +He wondered at the short-sighted policy of the executor of Mr. Coombs' +estate in allowing so much money to be tied up in this property without +proper safeguards. If it was intended to continue the fox farm now that +it gave all evidences of possible success surely the boy should have an +assistant, some strong woodsman who could by his presence and readiness +to do battle awe any intended transgressors.</p> + +<p>They next visited the enclosure where the two pair of little foxes +played and slept and ate their fill, daily increasing in size and value. +They were also timid, though in due time Obed managed to get them to +show themselves; for hunger is a powerful inducement, and the smell of +favorite food a lure difficult to resist.</p> + +<p>"Of course," explained the young fur farmer, while they were watching +the inmates of the second enclosure, "I don't have black cats up here +yet to carry out them directions exactly; but I'm aiming to do that +also pretty soon. Yep, and after this set o' pups has been sold, if they +fetch all I count on, I'm goin' to have a talk with the lawyer that +looks after Mr. Coombs' estate. He promised to come up and see what +could be done about extendin' the farm. And then I guess it's goin' to +be time to hire a helper, seein' I can't do everything by myself."</p> + +<p>"That was just what I meant to speak to you about, Obed!" exclaimed Max. +"You oughtn't to try to stay here another winter all by yourself. +Besides, some unscrupulous men might raid your enclosures while you were +off hunting, or fishing, and break up your business. It isn't safe, +Obed; and I know from what you said before about suspecting strangers +were around here right now, that you're getting anxious yourself."</p> + +<p>The boy drew a long breath, and nodded his head. Into his eyes crept a +look quite the opposite of that merry gleam usually nestling there. Yes, +plainly Obed <em>was</em> worried over something; and Max believed he had put +his finger directly on the sore spot when he spoke of a possible raid on +the fur product of the singular farm.</p> + +<p>"Can you find just such a reliable man as you want, Obed?" asked Steve.</p> + +<p>"That part ain't so hard," he was told. "Fact is I've got him more'n +half engaged a'ready. His name is Jerry Stocks, and he's a woods guide. +Been a heap interested in this game ever since we started up. Fact is, +Jerry has done a heap o' things for me from time to time, 'cause yuh +see I couldn't work it all. He lives 'bout 'leven miles off that ways. +We've fixed a way to signal to each other by flyin' a little white flag +from two low peaks. When I want Jerry I run my flag up, and if he's +home, why the next day, or mebbe sooner, he shows up. But shucks! that +wouldn't keep me from losin' my stock if there was a real raid."</p> + +<p>He went on talking further, and the boys picked up considerable more +valuable information, for Obed was apparently well posted on the +subject, which had occupied his thoughts night and day.</p> + +<p>So he told them that perhaps, if all went well, he might take up a +companion industry, being nothing more nor less than trying to raise +mink or otter in captivity.</p> + +<p>"'Course I know it isn't done to any great extent yet," he explained, +"but that's no reason there shouldn't be some ready money picked up in +the business. It wouldn't pay anything like the foxes, and for that +reason I'd go slow about it. Oh! I've got a heap o' ways for gettin' the +ready cash to keep up my share o' the expenses o' the farm here. I've +found two bee trees, and sent the honey to market too. Got nigh twenty +dollars for the honey. Then I dig ginseng roots times when there's +nothing else to do. Come over with me and see my frog pond. Last +shipment o' big fat saddles brought me a neat little wad o' money, and +they don't cost me a cent, if yuh want to know it."</p> + +<p>The four boys looked at each other in increased wonderment. What manner +of chap was this same Obed, to be able to wrest a living from a +bounteous Nature in the clever way he did? Steve in particular was loud +in his praise.</p> + +<p>"Why, Obed, old fellow," he burst out with, "you're just the same kind +of an enterprising chap Max here has always been. Why, it was his grand +idea about there being mussels aplenty in the Big Sunflower down our way +that started us into making a try for fresh-water pearls in the river. +We found 'em, too, some thousands of dollars' worth, of them; and when +the news leaked out, whee! the farmers, all around, had a tough time +getting their harvests home, because every hand was treading for mussels +in the creeks and small rivers for thirty miles around Carson. Why, I +bet you it'd be as hard to find a fresh-water clam down our way now as a +needle in a haystack; they're all cleaned out. You see, Max here had +read about pearls being found out in Indiana and other places, and that +gave him the big idea; just like you got set on the fur farm business by +reading about it."</p> + +<p>They duly inspected the marsh where Obed hunted his big greenback frogs +when he thought the crop warranted a thinning out.</p> + +<p>"They're always in demand down New York ways, whar they fetch a dollar a +pound for the saddles," he explained; "and let me tell yuh it doesn't +take a great many o' them to weigh that much. I've got some granddaddy +bouncers here that'd make you stare to see 'em; but they don't show up +much at this time o' day."</p> + +<p>"And how do you get them by the wholesale when you want to market any?" +asked Steve. "I've shot many a one with a small Flobert rifle; or else +caught them with a piece of red flannel fixed on a small hook, attached +by a short cord to a stout pole."</p> + +<p>"Well, men in the regular frog-raising business couldn't go about it as +slow as that," said the other, "though I have shot a few o' the big uns +that way, 'cause they was too tricky to be grabbed with my hand net. If +you stay with me a spell we'll get more'n one mess o' frog legs, if yuh +likes them."</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs was seen to work his lips as though his month fairly watered +at the pleasing prospect; for those who are fond of the dish say that +frogs' legs are more delicate than the best spring chicken, with just a +little taste of fish about them that rather adds to the piquancy.</p> + +<p>Having by this time exhausted about all the sights of the wonderful farm +the boys headed back again toward the cabin. Max could not but notice +that Obed showed signs of uneasiness while away, and cast frequent +glances in the direction where under those whispering pines and the dark +green hemlocks his lone lodge stood.</p> + +<p>Therefore Max was not very much surprised when, as he and Obed strolled +along in the rear of the other three, who were chatting, and arguing +about certain matters, the young fur farmer pressed his arm +confidentially, and went on to say:</p> + +<p>"I'd like to tell yuh something, Max, 'cause I own up it's gettin' on my +nerves. I thought nothin' could bother me any, but now that the time is +so close at hand when I mean tuh sell that pair o' grown pups, and get +the money I need so bad, why, things look kinder different. Fact is, +Max," he went on, allowing his voice to sink into a mysterious stage +whisper, "somebody was lookin' around in my cabin while I was down at +your camp last evenin'. I know this because things was more or less +upset; and I reckon my comin' back scared the man away, whoever he may +have been!"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapVIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>PRODUCTS OF THE FUR FARM</strong></p> + +<p>"That looks bad, Obed," Max hastened to say, feeling a perceptible +thrill at the very thought of being on hand to assist this enterprising +boy defend his property, which he had made so valuable, through his own +efforts in most part. "I saw a smoke last evening, too, which must have +been made by a camp-fire. I wondered if there were deer hunters up here +so early; or if some men might be after your foxes. Of course that idea +only came to me after you had told us about your enterprise, and how +valuable the pelts were."</p> + +<p>"It's mighty tough," avowed Obed, between his set teeth, "to be so nigh +success, and then face failure. I've been tempted to signal for Jerry to +come over and help me stand guard a spell. Yuh see, I ought to be on my +way to town with that pair o' nearly-grown young blacks. I know whar I +c'n get more for 'em alive than for their pelts if I took the time to +cure the same, which I don't want to do. Oh! I've just <em>got</em> to sell +'em, and that's all thar is about it. I've dreamed about the day I'd get +that check, and show—er, that lawyer managin' Mr. Coombs' estate that +all I told him was true. Once I have the proof that thar's big money in +raisin' silver blacks, he's promised to do anything in reason I ask."</p> + +<p>Max made up his mind on the spot.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Obed," was the way he talked, for Max always believed that +it was good policy to "hit the nail directly on the head;" especially +when the subject was of considerable importance, "what's to hinder you +going off with that pair of live blacks, and disposing of them, while +the four of us stay here and run your fur farm for you? It would only +take a few days, and we've got the time to spare. Of course you'd have +to trust us to the limit, to leave things in our charge; but we'd surely +be pleased to help you out. And depend on it, nobody would steal any of +the other inmates of the pens while we were on deck. We've got only one +gun along, but that is a repeating Marlin, always to be depended on to +do its work."</p> + +<p>The woods boy was visibly affected by hearing Max say this. He reached +for the other's hand and squeezed it almost fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it's kind of you to say that, Max!" he exclaimed, as though the +words sprang directly from his heart. "And d'ye know I'm tempted to take +you at your word. For I <em>must</em> get those pups delivered as I promised. +Everything depends on that deal. The man saw them three months ago, and +we made a bargain. I was to deliver the pups to him by the time first +snow flew; and it's due any day now, you know."</p> + +<p>A singular thing had happened, and Max, while deeply interested in what +Obed was saying, could not help but notice that for once the woods boy +had spoken without a sign of the rude dialect which up to then had +marked his manner of speech. This further aroused the curiosity of Max, +who to himself was saying:</p> + +<p>"I hit the mark when I guessed Obed was smarter than he let on, and +could talk just as well as the next fellow when he chose. He's just +fallen into speaking that way through his association with these rough +people up here, his own folks likely enough. Or else he likes to pull +the wool over our eyes, just for a joke."</p> + +<p>Aloud Max continued to reassure the other.</p> + +<p>"Then consider it as good as settled, Obed," he said, "that we'll hang +around here a short while. If you think best you can get that Jerry to +come over, and keep his finger on the pulse. Perhaps it might be wise, +too, because he'd know just what to do in case there was any trouble +among the foxes left in the pens; and it is all new to us, remember."</p> + +<p>"Yuh've relieved my mind a heap, Max, sure yuh have," Obed told him, +again relapsing into the vernacular that is usually a part of a woods +guide's language. "And tonight I'll set the traps I've got fixed. Mebbe +if so be trespassers come a skulkin' around they might git a little +surprise. But I'll show yuh what I'm mentionin' later on. Jest now I +on'y want to tell yuh I'm mighty glad I dropped into yer camp last +evenin' 'stead o' slippin' away, like I fust thought o' doin'."</p> + +<p>"But you don't want me to look on this matter as a secret, do you, +Obed?"</p> + +<p>The other started, Max thought, and looked quickly at him.</p> + +<p>"Now what might yuh be meanin' by that, Max?" he presently asked, a bit +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I only wanted to have your permission to tell my three chums what +you've been saying to me," explained Max. "Of course I know what their +answer will be when I put it up to them. We've really come here on what +Bandy-legs calls a wild goose hunt, for there isn't one chance in ten +that we'll ever be able to find Roland Chase; so our time is really +pretty much our own, to do with as we will. And Obed, all of us have +taken such a big interest in your enterprise up here, that we'll be only +too happy to lend you a helping hand. You are so near success now that +it'd be a shame if you fell down through no fault of your own."</p> + +<p>"That's what I keep tellin' myself too, Max, don't you know!" exclaimed +the now excited Obed. "I've hugged that hope close to my heart month +after month, and now when I c'n almost whiff the success I've prayed for +it'd nearly kill me to lose everything. Oh! I jest wants a couple of +weeks at the most, and then I'll show 'em, yes, I will. They all said +I'd make a dead failure out o' my fur farm; but yuh c'n see it's comin' +along right smart."</p> + +<p>When they reached the cabin the boys threw themselves down on the soft +yielding turf near-by to "loaf" as Bandy-legs properly expressed it; and +surely he could do this as well as any boy who ever drew breath.</p> + +<p>Max took occasion to tell the others what he and Obed had been talking +about. All of them were deeply interested. They looked angrily at each +other when Max explained how the woods boy had found traces of some +intruder who had actually entered his lone cabin while he, Obed, was +away in their company; also telling how the other strongly suspected +that a dastardly plot had been hatched, looking to the robbing of the +pens connected with the silver fox fur farm.</p> + +<p>Obed was inside doing something at the time, and so Max felt that he +could talk freely. He meant that his three chums should know everything +in the beginning, before he called on them to decide whether they would +stay over a few days, and guard the property, while Obed was marketing +his first proceeds in a distant city; for the pups were really too +valuable to be trusted to the tender mercies of an express company, Obed +thought.</p> + +<p>"I don't exactly understand how Obed knows that there <em>is</em> a conspiracy +hatched up against him, to complete the ruination of his enterprise," +continued Max; "but he seems to think some party has a deep grudge +against him. It may be we'll know more about this later on; but for the +present I've promised Obed I'd put up a proposition to you."</p> + +<p>"Then let's hear it, Max!" exclaimed Touch-and-Go Steve, "though I +reckon we c'n all give a pretty close guess at what's coming."</p> + +<p>"Why, Obed wants to get away with that pair of grown pups, so he can +deliver them to the man he's bargained with; and I've proposed that we +stay here a few days, and guard his property while he's off. Is there +any objection to that plan? I told him I expected I could count on my +chums to stick by me."</p> + +<p>"I should say you could, Max," chuckled Bandy-legs. "Why, I'm fairly +counting on depopulating that big frog marsh while we're hanging around +this section. And say, Steve here could keep us supplied with trout +galore, if only he fished from the bank, and didn't wade in."</p> + +<p>Both the others were equally prompt to agree. Indeed Toby "fell all over +himself," as Steve termed it, in his eagerness to give assent; and could +only recover after coming to an abrupt halt, taking one of his customary +big breaths, and then giving a sharp whistle, after which he finished +what he was saying as nicely as anything.</p> + +<p>And that settled it, just as Max had been confident would be the case; +for he knew his chums too well to believe they would be willing to let +such a brave fight be lost when the goal seemed so near. Obed Grimes had +proved to be a fellow after their own hearts, and they found themselves +deeply interested in his fortunes.</p> + +<p>So when the woods boy came out again—Max suspected that he had +purposely withdrawn from the scene in order not to embarrass them while +making their decision—he was told how they all felt. And Obed went +around shaking hands, with the tears in his eyes. Plainly he had his +whole heart wrapped up in the successful outcome of this odd venture; +and when the clouds began to loom up overhead this proffered assistance +on the part of the four chums was gratefully received.</p> + +<p>"This is mighty nice o' yuh, boys," he kept telling them, as though +really at a loss for appropriate words best calculated to express the +state of his feelings; "and I ain't goin' to ever forget it, either. Now +I feel that I c'n start out right away, the day after tomorrow, and +deliver them pups to Mr. Sheckard. Say, mebbe I won't be a proud boy +when he hands me that big check, and I know that I've won out against +all odds!"</p> + +<p>His eyes glowed at the very thought, and Max was more than glad he and +his comrades had the chance to render so resolute a chap slight +assistance. For it would really be a pleasure for them to stay there at +that wonderful little lodge under the whispering pines, and keep house +while Obed was away. Then, too, Jerry would be on hand, ready with his +advice and knowledge, so as to do the proper thing. As to any rash +prowler stealing the valuable foxes, day or night, well, they would see +to it a constant watch was kept, and that the gun was always ready to +block any nasty little game like that.</p> + +<p>Later on, Max amused himself lolling in Mr. Coombs' big fireside chair, +which he had moved near one of the windows. He had run across a number +of books on a shelf, and was engaged in looking them over, though hardly +bothering to actually read. Nevertheless, he seemed to be quite curious +concerning them, and when Obed chanced to come in, Max naturally asked +concerning the volumes.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yuh see, some o' them belong to me," the woods boy remarked, +without hesitation, "and t'others they were left here by Mr. Coombs. He +was a great reader; and besides, he'd traveled all over the known world. +Yuh remember I said he was a sea captain, and that he made his fortune +carryin' cargoes from the Far East to England and America. Sometime I'll +tell yuh a few of the queer adventures he had in foreign countries. +They've got lots o' thrills about 'em, too."</p> + +<p>"Just so," ventured Max, casually, "and I once heard some people talking +about a Mr. Coombs who had been a great traveler. Now I wonder if it +could have been the same party. Was his first name Robert?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, <em>my</em> Mr. Coombs' name was Jared," replied the other, promptly.</p> + +<p>"Then, of course, it could not have been the same," added Max, smiling +as though he had attained the object of his questioning; "but the +similarity in names, and the fact that both men had traveled +considerably, made me think it might, be so."</p> + +<p>He once more dipped into the book he was holding, although watching Obed +slily over the top of the volume. And when the woods boy had passed +outside again, Max Hastings might have been seen to hurriedly turn back +to the blank pages at the front of the book, scan several initials that +were plainly written there, and then nod his head mysteriously, with a +smile that gradually crept across his whole face; just as though +something pleased him, which, for the time being, he chose to keep to +himself.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapIX"></a><h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>LAYING PLANS TO HELP OBED</strong></p> + +<p>It was only natural that Steve, always headstrong and impulsive, should +be eager to find out what kind of plan might be arranged looking to +keeping watch and ward over the fur farm during the nights to come. He +had been impressed with the signs of anxiety which Obed plainly +betrayed, when speaking of his belief concerning some sort of plot being +hatched up against his peace of mind, and which would bring about the +ultimate ruination of his unique and intensely interesting undertaking.</p> + +<p>To Steve, the idea of a miserable rascal sneaking up in the night to +destroy all that poor hardworking Obed had built up after many moons, +was simply terrible. The more he considered it the greater became his +secret anger; and of course this meant that his liking for the boy fur +farmer grew in proportion.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon, as the shadows began to lengthen perceptibly, +Steve found occasion to broach the subject to his three chums. Max had +come out of the cabin; evidently he had tired of looking over the books, +which might do very well to pass away a long evening, or a rainy day +when time dragged, but could not chain him down long when the sun was +shining, the breeze rustling through the many-colored leaves still on +the trees, and with all Nature beckoning.</p> + +<p>So Steve crooked his finger toward Bandy-legs and Toby, lounging near +by; and being in a humor themselves for any sort of thing, the pair +hastened to join him. And Max, upon being pounced upon by the balance of +the crowd, looked askance, knowing that something was in the wind.</p> + +<p>"Strikes me, fellows," commenced Steve, "that We ought to be figuring on +what we expect to do tonight."</p> + +<p>"Huh! as for me," quickly responded Bandy-legs, "I'm expecting to do my +share about slingin' together a dandy spread, with some of the fine grub +we fetched along. This mountain air is something terrible when it comes +to toning up <em>jaded appetites</em>. I feel as if I had a vacuum down about +my middle all the time. I'm beginning to be alarmed about my condition. +If it keeps on it's going to mean bankruptcy for my folks, that's all."</p> + +<p>"About me, now," added Toby Jucklin, briskly, "I'm hoping to g-g-get a +b-b-bully g-g-good sleep tonight; unless Max fixes it so we have to +t-t-take t-t-turns standing sentry duty."</p> + +<p>Steve looked disgusted.</p> + +<p>"Oh! rats! I didn't mean anything like that, and you both know it," he +told the two grinning chums. "What I was referring to was on the point +of duty. We've agreed to stand back of our new friend, Obed, and see to +it that he isn't robbed of the proceeds of his industry by unscrupulous +scoundrels; and we've got to make good!"</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear!" ejaculated Toby, pretending to clap his hands in applause.</p> + +<p>"Steve, you're exhausting all the big words in the dictionary, with your +high-flown language," warned Bandy-legs in mock severity. "But I get +your meaning, all the same, and I also agree with your noble sentiments. +Sure we're expecting to stand up for Obed and his pets; and we're +likewise intending to make it hot for any old terrapin who comes +creeping around here with the idea of making way with the wearers of +that expensive fur. How about it, Max?"</p> + +<p>"That's a settled thing," readily replied the one appealed to, and whose +opinion, it was plain to be seen, would swing things one way or another, +since the other fellows were in the habit of looking up to Max as their +leader. "We can fix it up in regular orthodox style, each fellow having +two hours on duty, and the rest of the night for sleep. Does that strike +you as about right?"</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Steve, proudly, "it won't be the first occasion when +this bunch has had to stand guard, not by a long sight. I can look back +and see many a night when we had to keep an anchor to windward, or else +lose something we prized a heap. Ever since we dug up all those mussels +in the Big Sunflower, and found dandy pearls inside some of them, it +seems to me we've had occasion from time to time to be envied by other +people, and had to keep watch so we wouldn't be robbed. Oh! standing +sentry is an old trick with us!"</p> + +<p>"For my p-p-part," remarked Toby, yawning as he spoke, "I'd much rather +think up some g-g-good s-s-scheme that would ease the s-s-strain, and +allow us to s-s-sleep through the entire night."</p> + +<p>"Please explain what you mean by saying that, Toby," demanded Steve; +"you do get off the most mysterious communications sometimes, and muddle +us all up."</p> + +<p>"But there isn't anything q-q-queer about this, Steve," protested Toby. +"All of you know I've been a g-g-great h-h-hand to make m-m-machinery +take the place of h-h-hand power. What's the need of our s-s-staying +awake p-p-part of the night, even, if by cudgeling our brains we +c-c-could think up some g-g-good s-s-scheme that would answer the same +purpose?"</p> + +<p>"I can see <em>you</em> cudgeling your poor brains, all right, Toby," sneered +Steve, who apparently did not take a great deal of stock in the other's +ability for conceiving clever ideas: "and a pretty mess you'd make of +it, in the bargain. Take it from me, they're cudgeled enough as it is."</p> + +<p>"That will do for you, Steve," said Max. "I understand just what Toby +means, and it's along the right line too. This is the age of progress, +and up-to-date people don't want to depend on the old-time methods that +were good enough for their grandfathers. Toby thinks one of us might +suggest a scheme whereby we could guard the fox farm, and at the same +time obtain our full quota of sleep. In other words, rig up a dummy to +stand our trick as sentry. Isn't that it, Toby?"</p> + +<p>"J-j-just what I had in my mind, Max," snapped Toby; "and any silly +c-c-could easy see that."</p> + +<p>"Sure, and the wise ones had to be told," chirped Steve, jauntily. "But +never mind arguing, Toby; it's all right, and I'm only joking. I get the +idea; and now, has any one a scheme on tap that would apply to the +case?"</p> + +<p>Toby scratched his head as though he considered that, having been the +first to make the suggestion, it was up to him to say something, no +matter how.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's the spring-gun trap, you know," he remarked, without once +stuttering, which fact proved that he was deliberately taking his time +about answering.</p> + +<p>"What sort of arrangement do you call that, I'd like to know!" asked +Steve.</p> + +<p>"S-s-say, you a hunter, and never heard about the s-s-spring-gun trap?" +exclaimed Toby, scornfully. "Well, I'll try to explain, if you give me a +little t-t-time, and don't r-r-rush me too much. You see, a gun is +f-f-fastened to the ground, and aiming along a certain avenue that the +intended thief has just g-g-got to use in c-c-coming up to the b-b-bait. +Then a c-c-cord is s-s-strung so the thief p-p-presses against the +s-s-same, just like Max here fixes his c-c-camera nights, when he wants +to s-s-snap off a skunk or a 'coon by flashlight. Well, the g-g-gun goes +off, and f-f-fills Mister Thief with number twelve birdshot. When you +hear the c-c-crash, and his howls, why, you just s-s-saunter out and +f-f-fetch in the s-s-spoils. There, do you understand about the +s-s-spring-gun trap now, Steve?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I knew all that before, only you mixed me up by giving it that +name," the other hastily replied. "But it strikes me that'd be a pretty +rough deal for us to play. It might answer if the thief were an animal, +but a human being is different."</p> + +<p>"All the same," retorted Toby, savagely, "he's a t-t-thief, and outside +the p-p-pale of the law."</p> + +<p>"Just so," Steve went on, and Max was surprised at his moderation, +because, as a rule, Steve had always been the most reckless one of the +crowd; "but suppose now we found that we'd done more than we calculated +on, Toby? A charge of small birdshot starts out on its errand a whole +lot like a bullet. It doesn't commence to scatter till it gets just so +far away from the muzzle of the gun; depending on the size of the bore, +and the way the barrel is choked. I've known a charge of shot to tear a +hole right through a board when fired at close range. At a distance it +would only have scattered out, and peppered the whole fence. And, Toby, +we might feel rather bad if we found we'd killed a man, even if he was a +thief!"</p> + +<p>Toby did not answer to that fling. The truth of the matter was he +shivered at the gruesome picture Steve's words drew before his mental +vision; for Toby was not at all bloodthirsty.</p> + +<p>Max now took a hand in the conversation.</p> + +<p>"Listen, fellows," he went on to say, "it strikes me that when we set +about discussing this matter, we ought to remember that there's one chap +who's considerably more interested in the outcome than any of us can +ever be."</p> + +<p>"'Course you mean Obed when you say that, Max?" ventured Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>"He's the one," the other admitted. "And we ought to invite him to join +us in figuring out our plans. Now, it may be Obed will have a scheme of +his own that'd knock any we might think up all silly. I'll call him +over, and tell him what we're trying to arrange."</p> + +<p>It happened that just then Obed was passing on his way to the cabin. He +had been working somewhere amidst his enclosures, perhaps making certain +preparations for insuring the safety of his valuable furry pets, should +a descent on the farm come about during the hours of darkness.</p> + +<p>Obed hastened to join them. His questioning look influenced Max to +explain without hesitation; and the woods boy smiled broadly when he +heard how his new-found friends were already taking so decided an +interest in his fortunes.</p> + +<p>"Now, it might be," he started to say, again looking serious, "that all +this fuss ain't worth the candle, and that nothin' 's going to happen; +but I believe in shuttin' the door <em>before</em> the hoss is stolen; it's too +late afterwards. I haven't got the time right now to tell yuh jest how I +learned that my foxes was agoin' tuh be in danger; somebody I knew wrote +me a letter, and warned me, which'll have tuh be enuff jest now tuh +explain. Since I got that same, three days back, I've been figgerin' on +how I could fix up a trap tuh ketch any two-legged varmint that chanced +tuh come sneakin' around here of a night. Well, I got one er two tricks +rigged up that might fill the bill."</p> + +<p>"Of course you mean to show them to us, Obed?" Steve burst out with; +"for if you didn't, and we were left in charge here, one of us might +fall into the pit, and get knocked out, which would be tough luck, I'm +thinking."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I meant to show you, Steve," asserted the fur farmer, quickly. "And +if so be yuh'll come along with me right now, we'll take a look at the +contraptions, which, of course, yuh understand, are only meant for +night-times, and tuh help out when Jerry wouldn't be around for me to +sorter lean on."</p> + +<p>Being boys who did things themselves, it was only natural that the four +chums should feel a decided interest in what Obed had just said. Even +Max showed an eagerness to go forth and examine the said traps. He could +speculate as to what their character might turn out to be, but this +only added a little more spice to the occasion.</p> + +<p>So when Obed turned and started off, with a beckoning finger that +enticed them to follow his lead, none of the quartette held back.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapX"></a><h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>TRAPS FOB NIGHT PROWLERS</strong></p> + +<p>"Yuh see," remarked Obed, turning around as they drew near the first +enclosure, where the parent foxes were confined behind the wire fencing, +"I've just been adding a few finishing touches tuh this here trap +scheme. I got a little idea while I was alookin' the ground over, and +reckoned I could fix it up so there'd be a heap right good chance that a +feller creeping around here o' a night would step into the contraption. +I'll show yuh how I 'ranged it."</p> + +<p>With that he led the way along a plain trail that seemed to be the +easiest route up to the enclosure. Three times out of four a stranger, +prowling around with meagre light to guide him, would be apt to follow +that beaten track; and this was evidently what the shrewd Obed was +counting on.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's this way my little scheme is agoin' to work," he explained, +after reaching a certain point. "See this rope—I throw it across a limb +o' this tree. Yuh notice that it's got an easy runnin' slip-noose at the +end, don't yuh? That I'm fixing right here, where there's a good chance +the thief will put his foot in it as he takes this step I'm showing +you."</p> + +<p>He proved that he was right, and indeed it was really a difficult +thing, after Obed had placed the noose just as he wanted it, close to +the ground, and on little wooden crotches he had arranged there for the +purpose, for any one to step across without getting his foot entangled +in the rope.</p> + +<p>"Well, let's reckon, then, he does get caught in the noose, and jerks it +tight around his ankle," continued Obed, very much interested himself in +what he was saying, and as Max quickly noticed, even neglecting to speak +as he usually did, although he had shown this odd trait before. "What +happens? I'll show you how it's going to work out, if everything runs as +I've planned."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, he picked up a heavy piece of wood that chanced to be lying +close by, and which doubtless Obed had used before in order to test the +accuracy of his figuring. This he inserted in the noose, and then gave +it a hunch that not only tightened the rope but carried out the further +purpose of the inventor.</p> + +<p>Instantly things began to happen. The boys heard a queer rattling sound +near by, and immediately the wooden "dummy" was jerked out of Obed's +hands, to be drawn up until it struck against the limb of the tree fully +ten feet above. Steve gave a whoop.</p> + +<p>"My stars! but that worked like a charm, Obed, let me tell you. Greased +lightning could hardly be quicker than the way you've arranged your +trap. And what was all that rattling sound about? What's holding on to +the other end of the rope, which pulled the log up on the run? I want to +know, even if I ain't from Missouri."</p> + +<p>The woods boy laughed as though quite pleased because his trap had +worked well enough to call forth such words of praise from these new +friends.</p> + +<p>"Come over and see," he simply said.</p> + +<p>They followed the line of rope, now taut, and resembling a huge "fiddle +string," as Bandy-legs remarked, testing it as he passed along. It led +them to the brow of an abrupt little descent, a sheer drop of perhaps +twenty feet. Down this slope they followed the rope with their eyes and +then discovered it was attached to a large and heavy barrel that could +almost be called a hogshead, evidently something which had been used as +a crate to convey a portion of the previous owner of the cabin's +crockery ware thither when he moved up from town.</p> + +<p>As the boys were no simpletons, they readily grasped the essential +qualities of Obed's little scheme. It may have been original with him; +and then again possibly he had borrowed the same from some book he had +read; but, nevertheless, it struck them as pretty clever.</p> + +<p>Not content with the heaviness of the big barrel, he had placed a number +of stones inside so as to add to the swiftness of its flight down that +declivity, once it was released. The rope acted as "starter," and upon +being jerked, as must be the case, should any one get a foot caught in +the noose, it released a stake that kept the heavy barrel poised there +at the top of the descent. The consequence was that it would plunge +downward almost as though making a sheer drop; the noose tightening +about the leg or legs of the unhappy wight who had sprung the trap, he +would be jerked off his feet and hauled up, head downward, to dangle +there in midair, as helpless as a babe.</p> + +<p>"Set it again, and let me try the trick, please, Obed," pleaded Steve, +who seemed to be particularly charmed with the arrangement.</p> + +<p>"I will if yuh help me git the barrel back up the hill again," replied +the other. "Workin' all by myself I've had tuh take the rocks out each +time before I could push the old thing back again tuh the top, 'cause +she's some heavy, believe me."</p> + +<p>Steve, yes, and both Bandy-legs and Toby also, hastened to comply with +this reasonable request; and between them all the heavy barrel was +slowly pushed up again until the stake held it poised there on the top +of the sharp declivity.</p> + +<p>Max stood and watched operations, not that he was unwilling to lend a +hand also if necessary; but just then he wanted to observe Obed, and +draw certain conclusions in which he, Max, seemed to take considerable +interest.</p> + +<p>Then Steve was given the wooden "dummy" which had worked so like a +charm, and instructed how to manage it, so that it would take the place +of a man's lower extremities. Steve did so well that he, too, by a +little jerk displaced the delicately arranged "trigger" as Obed called +the stake, and caused the barrel to pitch furiously down the steep +slope.</p> + +<p>Steve had not been quite quick enough to snatch his hands away, after +working the trick. The consequence was that when the billet of wood was +plucked from his grasp with such swiftness, and drawn instantly aloft, +Steve staggered, and might have fallen only that Obed clutched hold of +him.</p> + +<p>"Wow! did you see that?" gasped Steve, staring upwards at the dangling +"dummy" as though he could easily imagine it a kicking, squirming human +figure. "And say, it worked as fine as silk, didn't it? Obed, you've +done yourself proud with this little game. If that thief ever gets a +foot in your slip-noose his goose will be cooked, that's as plain as +dirt."</p> + +<p>He actually seemed to be very proud of the fact that he had acted as +master of ceremonies, and set the trap off so successfully. Nothing +would do but that Bandy-legs and Toby Jucklin in addition should be +given the same distinction; so twice more was the barrel rolled up the +slope, and on both occasions it worked to a charm.</p> + +<p>"It seems to be next door to perfect, for a fact," asserted Max, upon +being appealed to for his opinion; but he did not seem to "hanker" after +trying it out on his own account.</p> + +<p>Finally the weighted barrel was again pushed up to its appointed +position and held there with the stake. When the proper time came, it +would be easy for the inventor to arrange the slip-noose, and set the +trap.</p> + +<p>"What, is there anything more to be shown?" asked Steve, when Obed asked +them to follow him a little further.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later and they were gravely examining an odd arrangement +which consisted for the most part of a very heavy log. Steve looked it +over critically, and then ventured to give his opinion:</p> + +<p>"Looks a whole lot like a deadfall trap, such as they use in most places +to get bears in," he went on to say.</p> + +<p>Obed chuckled as though pleased at the answer to his look of inquiry.</p> + +<p>"Just what it is built on the pattern of, Steve, if yuh want to know +it," he admitted. "The only difference is that in the regular deadfall +the log comes down and smashes the poor bear by its sheer weight. Now, +I've tried to rig <em>my</em> trap up so it'll simply make a prisoner o' the +creeper. I'll show yuh just how it works. I've got a dummy here, too, +that I use to test things. Yuh see there's always just a little chance +it might go wrong; and I don't want to get caught, and made a prisoner, +with nobody around to let me loose."</p> + +<p>With that he demonstrated his idea. The trap was sprung just as he meant +it should be, and if the dummy had really been a man, he would have +found himself caught tightly in the log trap, with but a poor chance of +ever getting out again, unless external assistance came along.</p> + +<p>"Any more tricks like these two up your sleeve, Obed?" asked Steve, +after they had further examined the deadfall, and Max had pronounced it +skillfully constructed.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm afraid I reached the end o' my rope when I hatched up this +second idea, Steve," the other remarked, in a sort of apologetic tone. +"Of course I might think up a few more if I reckoned it'd be necessary. +But I've got a hunch that one o' the lot is agoin' tuh grab that thief, +providin' he does come around here. Besides, when yuh git right down to +brass tacks, thar isn't as much danger o' my bein' robbed in the +night-time, as in the day."</p> + +<p>"And why not, Obed?" further asked Steve; "I'd think that was the very +time you'd feel scariest, when it was dark, and you couldn't see if +anybody was prowling around the farm."</p> + +<p>"Stop an' think how foxes have holes in the ground, into which they c'n +burrow when scared the least mite," explained Obed, readily, "and yuh'll +see how hard it'd be for a stranger to lay hands on them. Now, in the +daytime, if they came along, with me away from the place, a man with a +rifle could knock over my pets as easy as turnin' his hand. But, all the +same, I've fixed my traps. For one thing I'd like to find out jest who +the thief is."</p> + +<p>Max noticed what emphasis he put on that last remark. He could see the +customary twinkle in Obed's eyes give way to a sterner look; as though +he had brooded more or less over this same subject. And Max himself +nodded his head as though he might in a measure understand just how Obed +felt.</p> + +<p>So they returned to the house. Bandy-legs at least rejoiced because with +all those clever contraptions set, and waiting to give the intended +thief a warm reception, it did seem as though there would be hardly any +necessity for them to waste their precious time in sitting up and +keeping watch, when they would be so much better off enjoying "balmy +sleep," as he called it; and all sleep was along that order, according +to the mind of Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>Max and Steve trailed along well in the rear. This may have simply +happened, but Steve twice stopped the other, and pointed out something +he wished Max to see; so possibly the delay was intentional on his part. +At least, he presently made a remark that would make it seem so.</p> + +<p>"It certainly looks as if Obed was a pretty ingenious maker of snares, +that's sure, Max?" Steve was saying, significantly.</p> + +<p>"That's right, he is, Steve, and we must give him great credit for it, +even if his traps fail to catch a thief in the act."</p> + +<p>"I was just thinking, Max," pursued the other, meditatively, "that it's +evident this same Obed must have inherited that strain from a long line +of trapper ancestors or progenitors; wouldn't you think so, too?"</p> + +<p>Max looked at his companion queerly, and smiled as he made reply.</p> + +<p>"You may be right, Steve, of course, but it strikes me Obed has an +original streak of genius all his own, which doesn't have to depend on +any inherited trait. Things are not <em>always</em> what they seem in this +world, you know."</p> + +<p>"Lookey here, Max, you've struck a scent which you don't think best to +share with your boon companions, that's as plain to me as two and two +make four. You've come to think a little the same way as Bandy-legs, +perhaps, and suspect Obed of being more than he lets on? Is that it, +Max? Do you really believe he's playing some sly trick on us? Is that +yarn about Mr. Coombs all moonshine? Does this fur farm belong to some +company, that Obed is working for? I wish you'd tell me what you've got +in your mind, Max."</p> + +<p>"I expect to a little later on, Steve, never fear," he was assured. "I'm +not more than half certain even now that it can be so, and I never like +to make a mess of things. Besides, you know, it wouldn't be just fair to +Obed to have us all suspecting him of playing tricks. Just go on as +you've been doing. Take my word for it, this new friend we've made is +all to the good, and will never turn out to be the wrong sort of +fellow."</p> + +<p>He started on after saying this, and Steve followed, looking very much +puzzled, and shaking his head as though he could not catch the right +idea. Shortly afterwards, however, Steve had apparently forgotten his +newly awakened suspicions, for he was entering into the general +conversation as heartily as ever. Still, Max noticed, with amusement, +that from time to time Steve would follow Obed hungrily with his eyes, +and on such occasions that double line of wrinkles, expressive of +bewilderment, might again be seen upon the boy's forehead.</p> + +<p>Toby and Bandy-legs were only too glad to take the preparation of supper +into their hands completely. They felt a certain amount of pride in +their culinary skill, and wished to show their host the full list of +their accomplishments as camp cooks. Besides, they believed that among +their abundant stores they carried a number of things which Obed failed +to possess; and of course a new dish was apt to be a pleasant surprise +to the woods boy.</p> + +<p>The supper thus concocted and carried out was certainly a genuine +triumph. Steve openly congratulated the two efficient cooks on their +"masterly skill"; though Max laughingly warned the others to "beware of +the Greeks bearing gifts," for there might be a base motive hiding +behind all that glib praise. Steve protested that he meant every word of +it; but then it was well known that Steve hated to do any cooking +himself, and hence was fain to laud the efforts of others in that line, +doubtless in the hope of encouraging them to "keep right on doing it."</p> + +<p>After the bountiful meal had been enjoyed, and every one declared that +it would be utterly impossible to eat another single bite, for fear of +the consequences, they spent a very enjoyable evening alongside the fire +that burned on the hearth, at one end of the cabin.</p> + +<p>Obed, as he had promised, told them some of the strange things he had +heard from the old sea captain, who, during his life on the Seven Seas, +had met with many most remarkable adventures well worth repeating.</p> + +<p>Obed addressed them in his own language, and Max often smiled as though +some of the quaint expressions used by the young narrator amused him; +though perhaps there may have been still another reason for his quiet +chuckling. Steve caught him at it several times, and eyed the other in +perplexity, as though he suspected Max of adding secretly to his fund of +knowledge, which thus far he obstinately declined to share with his +mates.</p> + +<p>Later on, when they began to feel sleepy, Obed said he would go out and +make sure his traps were set right. Max offered to keep him company, and +together they sauntered forth, to be followed with a wistful look from +the envious Steve, who was muttering to himself:</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew what Max has got in that mind of his right now. I'm dead +certain he's figuring out some sort of thing that's going to give the +rest of us a big surprise, when he sees fit to spring it on us; but for +the life of me I can't guess what it can be. Oh! shucks! what's the use +of bothering any more about it? If it turns out worth while, Max will +tell us in good time; and if he's on the wrong scent, why, he'll just +drop the game, and no harm done."</p> + +<p>After a while the others came in again, saying both traps were set, and +there did not seem to be any need of their losing sleep on account of +possible unwelcome visitors. Obed showed how the concealed bunks could +be made ready, and, all of them were loud in their expressions of +satisfaction over having such comfortable lodgings for the night. They +mentally blessed the memory of the said Mr. Coombs, whose forethought +and inventive ingenuity had planned all these wonderful adjuncts of the +little forest lodge.</p> + +<p>In due time they crept into their several berths just as if aboard ship; +and after that several of the fellows did not know a single thing until +they were rudely aroused, perhaps some hours later on. The last thing +Steve remembered hearing as he rolled himself up in his blanket was the +crackle of the fire, the mournful sighing of the wind through the tops +of the whispering pines, and then the distant call of an owl to its +mate.</p> + +<p>He awoke with a suddenness that caused him to sit up, and consequently +crack his head against the boards above his bunk. The blow almost +knocked Steve back again as he had been before, and must have hurt +considerably; but he ignored this fact just then, because from without +there were coming loud yells of fright in a man's voice.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>A TREE THAT BORE STRANGE FRUIT</strong></p> + +<p>"Max—Obed, we've got something!" almost shrieked Steve, as he now +tumbled out of his odd bunk very much after the fashion of a dislodged +log, landing with a bump on the floor.</p> + +<p>And Steve was not alone in his circus stunt, for several other fellows +were making a hasty and undignified exit at the same time, Bandy-legs +and Toby Jucklin, for instance. Max somehow managed to get on his feet +without so much scrambling; and as for Obed, as he had been sleeping on +the cot closer to the fire, they could already see him hastily pulling +on some clothes.</p> + +<p>"Get dressed, and in a hurry!" cried Max, suiting his actions to the +words.</p> + +<p>"Oh! listen to him whoop it up, will you?" exclaimed Bandy-legs, as +those loud calls still smote the night air, and in a way that covered +the whole gamut of human utterance.</p> + +<p>Toby wanted to say something, too, but though his jaws worked, no +audible sound came forth to explain the agitated state of his mind. They +had luckily prepared for such a sudden call, and had their outer clothes +handy, so that in an incredibly brief space of time all of the boys +managed to get something on.</p> + +<p>Then Steve snatched up his Marlin gun. Obed had already done the same +with his rifle, so that when the latter flung wide the door and they +trooped forth, they were in a condition to do battle if necessary, and +at least strike terror into the heart of any skulking marauder.</p> + +<p>Max, wise general that he was, had thought of something very essential +to their success. This was nothing more or less than a lantern. They had +been thoughtful enough to fetch one along, a clever little contraption +that took only a small amount of room, and yet afforded considerable +light. Besides, Obed possessed a lantern of the ordinary type, together +with a plentiful supply of oil, looking to the long winter evenings when +he might want to read in order to pass away some of the spare time, that +promised to drag heavily on his hands.</p> + +<p>So they poured forth. The cries still continued, and as vociferous as +ever. Indeed, if anything, there was a wilder strain to them now, as +though the fellow who gave utterance to the shouts might be getting +sorely alarmed at his strange condition, and feared the worst.</p> + +<p>There was no trouble about deciding which way to go. Even if they did +not have Obed to serve as guide, and pilot the expedition, they could +easily have followed the loud notes of alarm.</p> + +<p>Everybody was more or less excited, from Obed down to Max himself, and +small wonder when the fact of their being aroused in the dead of the +night by this fierce racket is taken into consideration.</p> + +<p>Hastening in this manner toward the spot where the first trap had been +set, they speedily discovered that the overhanging tree bore strange +fruit. Something grotesque was swinging violently back and forth. It was +a human figure, but hardly recognizable as such, on account of the fact +that it now hung head downward, with one leg firmly gripped by the +tenacious slip-noose, and the other, together with a pair of wildly +flung arms, cutting all sorts of eccentric circles through the air.</p> + +<p>Never in all their varied experiences had Max and his three comrades +looked on a more remarkable spectacle than the one by which they were +now greeted. The man's face could not be plainly seen on account of his +coat sagging down partly over his head, so they could not immediately +tell what he looked like; but he certainly possessed a bull-like voice +that, properly trained for opera use might have won him a fair amount of +fame and money, for it was more than usually lusty.</p> + +<p>He seemed to divine the fact that those in the cabin must have rushed +out in answer to his shouts. Perhaps he detected the light they carried +with them; or it might be Steve's loud cries caught his strained hearing +at such times as his own breath temporarily failed him.</p> + +<p>"Help me, somebody, why don't yuh? I'm strangling to death, I tell yuh. +All the blood's running to my head! I'm seeing a million stars already, +and I'll <em>die</em> if yuh don't cut me down. Hurry! hurry, please do, +somebody!"</p> + +<p>Obed looked to Max to say what ought to be done, for already he seemed +to have come under the magical sway of the other's leadership.</p> + +<p>"Take hold of him, and tie his hands behind his back before you think to +let him down!" was the sensible advice given by Max.</p> + +<p>Thereupon Obed instantly produced some heavy cord and started +operations. While the boy deftly worked, the man continued to plead, +trying to claw at him also; but Obed managed to get his job completed +notwithstanding the interruptions. He was at the same time telling the +unfortunate man to keep quiet, and he would be let down presently.</p> + +<p>Steve stood by, gun in hand. He was casting uneasy looks around as +though suspecting that if the fellow had companions near by, as seemed +likely, and they should, recovering from, their alarm attempt his +rescue, it might be his duty to stand them off one and collectively.</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs and Toby sprang to where the man dangled. Max was already at +the side of Obed.</p> + +<p>"All ready, Obed?" he was heard to say.</p> + +<p>"I've spliced his hands up in good style, Max," came the reply.</p> + +<p>"Good enough. Now, Toby and Bandy-legs, take hold of him, and lift when +I give you the word. I'll slip the rope off his ankle, and you turn him +right side up. Now, go to it, both of you—yo-heave-o!"</p> + +<p>It was quickly done, and the man, upon finding himself placed once more +on his feet, staggered; indeed, he was so "groggy" after his recent +strange experience at swimming in thin air, that only for the supporting +arm of Max he would have fallen flat.</p> + +<p>The latter allowed him to stagger backward until he leaned against the +body of the tree under which the novel man-trap had been arranged. He +was breathing hard, but seemed to be recovering from his panic; at least +his cries had utterly ceased, which was one good thing.</p> + +<p>So Max flashed the light into his face, while Obed leaned forward and +eagerly stared hard at him. They saw rough lineaments, seamed and +hardened by exposure to the elements; but of course the face was that of +an utter stranger to Max. As for Obed, he was heard to give a <em>sigh</em> of +disappointment, as though he too had failed to recognize any one whom he +had reason to know.</p> + +<p>The man by now seemed to have recovered in part. He was looking at the +boys in a peculiar way; Max could not decide on the spur of the moment +whether it was wonder or shrewdness that he saw there as the predominant +trait of the man's features. But at any rate, since he had recovered his +breath to some extent, he should be capable of speaking, and explaining +how it came about he found himself in such a predicament.</p> + +<p>"Well, who are you, anyway?" demanded Max, throwing as much sternness +into his voice as he could. "Give an account of yourself, and tell us +why you were creeping about here like a thief in the night?"</p> + +<p>"What! me a thief?" shrilled the man, as though, again excited by the +very idea of such a base accusation; "I never had that name, young +feller. Them that knows Jake Storms say he's an honest man, if ever +there was one. I'm only a guide, and a trapper, but nobody ever yet +caught me thievin' or poachin', I'd have yuh know."</p> + +<p>"Where's your home, Jake Storms?" continued Max.</p> + +<p>"If yuh mean whar do I hang out, it's this way," explained the other. +"Last summer I was up at Paul Smith's place, workin' for the hotel. I +heard some tall stories about the country around old Mount Tom, how full +of fur animals it was, and so I made up my mind to spend the winter +hereabouts. I built me a cabin away up on the other side of the +mountain, and was agoin' to start settin' my traps when I got word that +a gentleman wanted me to come down to Lathrop and git him. Yuh see, his +doctor advised that he spend the winter in the mountains, and he thought +of me, beca'se we'd been in the woods a heap of times in past years. So +I was headin' for Lathrop by a trail I'd run across that took around the +mountain, and meanin' to keep on as long as I could durin' the night, +when all at once something flew up and hit me ker-slap! Say, I thought +it was an earthquake, sure I did. And then I found myself hangin' upside +down, with all the blood runnin' into my head. What's it mean, young +fellers; I give yuh my word I don't get the hang o' it at all."</p> + +<p>Max was not surprised to hear the man speak in this fashion. He had +already made up his mind, after that one good look at the other's face, +the prisoner of the barrel trap was a pretty "slick article," as Steve +would have expressed it. And caught in the act, as he had been, it was +to be expected that the fellow would have some kind of reasonable story +to spin, in order to explain his presence there.</p> + +<p>All the same, Max did not give the yarn the least credence. Something +told him the other was deliberately lying, and the fluency with which he +delivered that remarkable story announced the self-named Jake Storms an +accomplished fakir, if ever there was one.</p> + +<p>So Max, while not wishing to deliberately tell the man to his face that +he was a prevaricator, set about catching him in a little trap. The +others had also heard the explanation given, and were listening, with +puzzled looks on their faces; at least Bandy-legs and Steve and Toby +were, but Obed was shaking his head energetically, as though he put no +faith in fairy tales; especially when coming from such unworthy lips.</p> + +<p>"You said you were all alone, didn't you?" demanded Max.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, 'course I was," spluttered the other, uneasily eying the +speaker, who was holding his light so that it shone directly on Jake's +still flushed face.</p> + +<p>"Then what did you shout so loud for, if you didn't expect any one to +come to your assistance?" continued Max.</p> + +<p>"Oh! say, yuh see, 'course I knowed thar was <em>somebody</em> around. I'd just +discovered signs of a camp, and sniffed smoke. But before I had half a +chance to make out what it meant, why something grabbed me by the leg, +and threw me up like I was agoin' over the treetops. Who wouldn't a +yelled, tell me? I own up I was rattled like everything. Anybody would +be, wouldn't they? I couldn't understand it all; and right now I'm still +agropin' in the dark. What struck me, and why does ye set such traps in +the trail over on this side o' Mount Tom? Ain't the woods free for +anybody to walk in? What have I ever done to any o' yuh to be treated +like this, and have my head nigh jerked from my body. Tell me that, +sonny?"</p> + +<p>Max did not answer his question. While the explanation might seem to be +fairly plausible, he felt positive the man was telling a downright lie; +and Max believed he knew an easy way to prove it.</p> + +<p>"Watch him, Obed, Steve!" he said to those who were alongside.</p> + +<p>"Never fear about that, Max," snapped out Steve; "I've got him covered +with my gun, and if he tries any slick game his name will be Dennis, +and not Jake. Hear that, Mr. Fur Thief, do you? Well, mind how you +tempt me to let fly with a charge of birdshot. I've got a quick temper, +and a quicker finger in the bargain; so settle back where you are."</p> + +<p>The man muttered between his set teeth. He was evidently feeling far +from comfortable, because something told him these wideawake lads would +not be so easily hoodwinked as he had fancied.</p> + +<p>He was watching the movements of Max Hastings, who had dropped to his +hands and knees, and seemed to be holding his little lantern so that the +light would show him the nature of the ground. Truth to tell, Max and +Obed, when last at the trap, had taken the pains to smooth the ground +over, thus obliterating all previous footprints. This was done from a +double object; it would conceal the fact that work had been carried on +in that particular spot, in case sharp eyes were on the alert; and also +gave a clear field for observation, as was happening just then.</p> + +<p>Max quickly found what he was looking for.</p> + +<p>"Come here, Obed," he remarked, quietly, and as the other eagerly bent +over, Max went on to say: "You can see that here's another footprint, +and quite different from the one made by his heavier boots. So he <em>did</em> +have at least one companion along, perhaps two, for all we know. And +that stamps his story a yarn made out of whole cloth. He came here, just +as you expected, to rob you of your foxes. Killing them wouldn't have +filled the bill so well, unless they made off with the pelts in the +bargain. How about it, Obed?"</p> + +<p>"Every word you say is true, Max," breathed the other, indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll certainly not let him go free, that's a dead sure +proposition," ventured Max, decidedly, and in a voice that he meant +should reach the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear you settle it that way, boys," remarked Steve, who had +kept one eye on the prisoner and the other in the direction of his +mates. "Shall I march him over to the cabin right away?"</p> + +<p>Max gave a look around. He wondered where that other man could be just +then, and whether he was watching them from some neighboring covert, +having by degrees recovered from the near panic into which he had been +thrown at the time his companion was snatched away from his side so +mysteriously, amidst a tremendous din, caused by the shouts of the +seized man, and the rattling of the stones inside the rolling barrel.</p> + +<p>But he could see nothing. The little lantern only covered a certain +amount of space with its meagre illumination, and much that was evil +might lurk beyond the radius of its lighted circle.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll change our base, and go back to the cabin," Max said aloud; +"keep the guns ready for business, and if an attack is made shoot +straight!"</p> + +<p>Of course this admonition was delivered in a loud tone, mostly to warn +the unseen party, who might be hovering near; but both gun-bearers gave +evidence of meaning to profit by the advice.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE TAPS ON THE CABIN WALL</strong></p> + +<p>Once more they were inside the cabin. Obed was looking at the man again +as though he believed the other was possessed of certain information +which he hoped to obtain in turn. Max, too, was observing all these +things with considerable interest, if the smile that appeared on his +face from time to time signified anything. But he was studying Obed even +more than he seemed to pay attention to the man they had found turned +upside down in the tree.</p> + +<p>"Well, one of your clever traps worked like a charm, Obed," Steve was +saying, and doubtless meaning to compliment the fur farmer. "But now +that they know we're on to their being around, it's hardly likely we'll +catch another victim tonight. All the same something ought to be done to +protect the fox pack."</p> + +<p>"That's easily arranged," remarked Max, "we'll follow out the plan we +talked over. Two had better stand guard at a time, and for several +hours. They can be relieved by another couple, and in this way the +balance of the night will be passed over. Those on duty are to carry the +guns; and with orders to challenge any moving thing that comes along."</p> + +<p>The man had made no resistance when ordered to fall in line and +accompany his captors to the cabin under the pines. Once inside, he had +glanced casually around, but Max noticed that he did not seem greatly +interested. From this he guessed that perhaps the other may have seen +the interior of the lodge before; Max remembered Obed telling them that +some one had certainly been prowling about in his cabin at the time he +was away, though evidently frightened off by his return before having a +chance to do any damage.</p> + +<p>"He isn't looking at these things, so strange to an ordinary cabin in +the woods, for the first time," was what Max was telling himself; and +consequently his heart hardened toward the fellow.</p> + +<p>Having previously arranged all about signals that could be given in case +of necessity, there was now little more to be said. Of course Steve had +to be counted on as one of the pair to be first placed on duty; he would +have been mortally offended had Max failed to honor him with this +exhibition of trust. Then Bandy-legs offered to share his vigil, and +Steve eagerly accepted the proposal.</p> + +<p>"Take Obed's gun, Bandy-legs," said Max; "and remember what I told you +about using it. Shoot low, so as to fill their legs full of lead, if you +have to fire at all. And listen to our shouts as we join you, for we +don't want a warm reception from our friends. Get that, both of you?"</p> + +<p>Steve and his fellow sentry admitted that they understood what their +directions were to be. Then they went out. The man had been intently +watching all these things as though deeply interested. Since Max had +found the second series of footprints, and thus proved the falsity of +his claim of being alone, Jake Storms, so-called woods guide and trapper +of fur-bearing animals, had relapsed into a sullen silence.</p> + +<p>Of course he knew that the game for him was up, so far as attempting to +deceive these wide-awake boys was concerned. Max wondered what thoughts +were teeming through the brain of the man, as he sat there on the bench +before the fire and listened to what passed between his captors. As for +Obed, he cast many eager looks in the direction of the big fellow, and +from the expression on his face Max believed he must be slowly making up +his mind toward some move.</p> + +<p>Therefore he was not much surprised to finally see the woods boy sit +down alongside the man, who turned an inquiring face toward him. There +was also a tightening of the muscles around his mouth, just as though he +suspected he was about to be put to a severe test, and would have to +gather his wits in order not to make a false move.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Jake Storms, as you say your name is," commenced Obed, once +more either forgetting to speak in his usual woods dialect, or not +thinking it worth while to bother with it any longer, "I want to make +you a proposition. Do you understand what a nice pickle you've got +yourself into by prowling around my fur farm, and evidently trying to +steal my silver black foxes? If we take you down to the nearest +Adirondack town it means you'll likely enough, be sent up as a thief. +How would you like that, tell me?"</p> + +<p>"Huh! guess Jake Storms' got a reputation that'd kerry him through, all +right, sonny," muttered the big man, but Max could see that he squirmed +uneasily; likewise Obed must have guessed the truth also, as his next +remarks proved.</p> + +<p>"A reputation may be one way or the other, Jake Storms, if that is +really your name, which I doubt very much. Perhaps some people might be +glad to see you again. For one I don't believe for a single minute that +you're a trapper, or that you ever worked for Paul Smith, who knows the +kind of men he has around his hotel too well to hire a thief. I'm as +sure as I draw breath that you came here to steal my blacks. Yes, and +that you were <em>hired</em> to do this by another party. What was the sum of +money he promised you, Jake, if you were successful; and is he around +here with you?"</p> + +<p>The man made no reply, though various expressive changes took place in +the looks on his face. So Obed, after waiting several minutes to hear +what the other might choose to say, went on.</p> + +<p>"I said before that if we take you down to Lathrop you'll be locked up, +and when court is in session placed on trial, charged with attempted +robbery. Your picture will be taken, and sent broadcast to every city, +so if you're wanted for anything big, the authorities will know just +where to find you. That may not be pleasant for you to hear, Jake, but +it's what I mean to have done. There's only one way you can escape it. +Do you want to hear what that way is?"</p> + +<p>"Yuh're away off the track, young feller," blurted the man, obstinately +shaking his head in a contrary way, "I ain't done nawthin' to make me +askeered o' the law officers. Jake Storms is my name, all right, too, +and I'm meanin' to trap over on the Cranberry Creek section. And I'm on +my way down to Lathrop right now to meet a Mr. Jasper, who'll vouch for +my character, sure he will. But go ahead, and say what yuh meant to, +boy. It won't do me any harm to hear it, I reckons."</p> + +<p>"This is the chance you'll have to get scot free, and the only chance," +said Obed solemnly. "Tell me who hired you to rob my fur farm, and not +leave a single black in the burrows, and I'll let you go free. Will you +take my offer, or risk a prison sentence, Jake?"</p> + +<p>The man hesitated. That alone was enough to convince Max that he was +guilty; for undoubtedly he must be weighing in the balance Obed's offer, +with the possibility of making his escape through the assistance of +companions.</p> + +<p>"Ain't got nawthin' to say, boy," he finally growled, as though making +up his mind. Obed started up, and hastening over to a desk at one end +of the room he hurriedly searched through a drawer until he found what +he was looking for; after which he again sat down beside the man with +the tied hands.</p> + +<p>It was a photograph which he held up before the prisoner, and Max could +see it was a man's face on the card.</p> + +<p>"Look at that, Jake Storms, and tell me, did <em>he</em> put it into your head +to come up here and clean my enclosures out, so as to rob me of the work +of nearly two years?"</p> + +<p>The man started when he allowed his eyes to fall upon the face on the +card; but recovering his nerve instantly, he laughed harshly and +hurriedly snapped:</p> + +<p>"I tell yuh, it's on the wrong track yuh are, boy." Why, I never set +eyes on such a person as that thar. He's a utter stranger to me, and I +don't know him from Adam. And I want to warn yuh that I'll turn around +and have the law on yuh for playin' such a low-down trick on an honest +man, just passin' along through the woods, and never thinkin' no harm to +a single soul. I demands that yuh turn me loose to go my way. The woods +are free as the air to everybody; that's the law. Further than that I +ain't got nawthin' to say.</p> + +<p>Obed was plainly chagrined, as Max could see. He evidently hoped to +obtain some valuable information from this man; but it seemed Jake still +clung to the hope that he might obtain his freedom without betraying +secrets.</p> + +<p>Max, taking advantage of Obed's absent-mindedness for a minute or so, +managed to lean slightly forward and obtain a good look at the +photograph. It was that of a young man, perhaps thirty years of age. Max +was struck with the fact that the photograph certainly bore some little +resemblance to Obed himself; and one could easily believe they must be +related in some way; which, according to Obed's former recital of his +widely flung family, would make the other a Grimes also.</p> + +<p>The woods boy looked at the man several times, as though wondering +whether it would pay to make any further offer as an inducement to the +other to betray the confidence of his employer. But either Obed did not +have the ready cash to offer a bribe, or else he deemed it not worth +while, after the fellow had shown such a stubborn disposition; for +presently he gave a sigh, and went back to return the photograph to the +little desk, once doubtless Mr. Coombs' property.</p> + +<p>Toby was nodding before the fire, and really paying very little +attention to what was going on. In fact, he meant to crawl into his bunk +shortly, so as to get a little more sleep before being called upon to +take his turn outside as sentry. Toby not having had his suspicions +concerning Obed aroused at any time, failed to take the same interest in +the matter that Steve, for instance, would have done, had he been +present.</p> + +<p>"I hope yuh don't mean to make me set here on this bench all night with +my hands tied behind me so cruel like?" remarked the man presently, +applying his words directly toward Max, as though he, too, had long ago +discovered how that energetic young chap seemed to be the "boss of the +ranch."</p> + +<p>"Why, no, we don't mean to be at all cruel," returned the other. "Here's +an extra blanket you can have. I'll lay it out for you on the floor, and +you can drop down just when you please. But don't expect that we're +meaning to unfasten your wrists, Jake. We know a thing or two, and we're +expecting to take you down to Lathrop tomorrow, to land you behind the +bars. You've had your chance to squeal and get off scot-free; I doubt if +another comes your way."</p> + +<p>He did just as he said, spreading the blanket so the man could manage to +roll over, and cover himself with its folds. This Jake presently +accomplished. Max also noticed how he lay with his feet against the +outer wall of the lodge and wondered at it, though without any clear +idea that this had any positive significance. But time was to tell.</p> + +<p>Toby had crept into his "cell," which was what Bandy-legs had dubbed the +several bunks, built in the walls of the lodge so as to conserve room, +and not be in the way during the daytime. Max, on his part, did not mean +to follow suit. He thought it would hardly pay to try and snatch an +hour's restless sleep when so much was going on around them. And, then, +besides, he did not trust the prisoner wholly; believing it would be +just as well to keep an eye on him.</p> + +<p>Outside, all seemed as usual. It was long after midnight now, and if one +listened carefully he could catch the customary noises of the woods at +such a time, from the soft crooning of the breeze as it sighed through +the pine tops, to the occasional note of some night-bird calling to its +mate, or the plaintive voice of a hungry young coon waiting impatiently +the return of its foraging mother.</p> + +<p>Obed had thrown himself down on the cot, but Max knew he did not expect +to lose himself in slumber. Several times he saw the woods boy raise his +head and look in the direction of the sprawling figure of the man under +the spare blanket. Obed was undoubtedly thinking still of ways whereby +he might force a confession from the lips of the stubborn man; +apparently he seemed to be intensely interested in discovering whether +there was a power behind this raid on his enterprise. Max, remembering +some things he had heard, began to believe he could see light in the +darkness now; and from the way in which he chuckled to himself every +little while, it might be judged that his thoughts were agreeable, on +the whole.</p> + +<p>Surely a whole hour and more must have passed since Steve and Bandy-legs +started out to assume their duty as guards over the fox farm. Thus far +nothing had been heard from the videttes, who were undoubtedly carrying +out their orders to the best of their ability.</p> + +<p>Max suddenly became aware that certain low sounds came to his ears. At +first he thought some branch of a tree must be tapping the low eaves of +the cabin being stirred to and fro by the breeze. As he listened +further, however, it struck Max that there was a strange continuity +about the sounds; they seemed to come in little fragments, with a brief +hush between.</p> + +<p>The boy was instantly reminded of certain experiences he himself had had +in using a telegraph key while sending a message over the wires or +listening to the sounder rattle off one from some distant point. Rude +and uncouth though the dots and dashes were, Max quickly found that he +could make out a positive word; and it was the significant one of +"free!"</p> + +<p>Gently he managed to turn his head in the direction of the spot where +the man had lain down. He still seemed to be sprawled there under the +blanket. A movement caught the eye of Max, and he saw Obed holding up a +finger at him in mute warning. Thrilled by a sense of impending tragedy, +perhaps, Max watched the woods boy slowly but constantly making toward +him. Obed moved with the noiseless nature of a black snake creeping over +the ground; his footfalls were so light that even a trained ear could +not have detected them. He kept on toward Max until soon he had managed +to reach the other's side.</p> + +<p>Still those plain taps continued to sound in regular rotation, first +coming from the outside, and then closer. Max believed the man on the +floor was making use of his shoe to send a message calling for help; and +that some unknown party outside was giving him words of hope.</p> + +<p>But Obed had now gained his side, and meant to whisper something in his +ear, so Max prepared to pay full attention. At the same time he glanced +toward the door apprehensively, and was pleased to discover that, just +as he believed had been the case, the bar was in position, so that entry +could not be made by any enemy from without.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>OBED LEARNS SOMETHING</strong></p> + +<p>"There's something brooding," Obed whispered the first thing; and then +continued by saying: "What are those queer little taps, Max? I'm sure he +has something to do with them."</p> + +<p>"He's tapping the toe of his boot against the wall to send a message," +explained the other. "They are using the telegraphic code. I read the +one word 'free.' So, you see, there's some one outside the cabin, and +they're hatching up a scheme to get him loose."</p> + +<p>Obed grew very much excited. He looked toward the door as though +inclined to immediately issue forth and investigate. Max thought the +hope of capturing another prisoner was the lure that tempted him on.</p> + +<p>"But what could have happened to Steve and Bandy-legs?" whispered the +woods boy, as though suddenly remembering the pair supposed to be +standing guard out there.</p> + +<p>"Nothing has happened to them, depend on it," replied Max; "but this +fellow must have been slippery enough to get by them, and reach the +cabin, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Oh! don't you think we might manage it, some way or other?" begged +Obed.</p> + +<p>Vague though his question may have been, Max had no difficulty whatever +in understanding what he meant. His own thoughts were already ranging in +the same quarter, and he could supply all the missing words. Obed was +hoping that by suddenly issuing forth they might take the creeper by +surprise, and effect his capture; such a possibility apparently gave the +woods boy considerable pleasure even in the anticipation.</p> + +<p>Max glanced again towards the door. They could creep noiselessly over in +that direction while the man on the floor and his friend without +continued their singular exchange of signals, remove the bar from its +place, and opening the door dash out to take the stooping fellow by +surprise.</p> + +<p>But then three would be better than two in such an adventure. There was +Toby Jucklin, a stout fellow, and usually well primed for anything that +smacked of excitement and peril; he must be awakened, and enlisted in +the game.</p> + +<p>So Max held up a warning finger, and stooping low again whispered:</p> + +<p>"I'll get Toby; wait by the door for us! Don't dream of going out until +we join you!"</p> + +<p>With that he silently slipped over to the opening in the wall occupied +by the sleeping Toby Jucklin. The latter was easily aroused, and when +Max whispered a word of caution in his ear, he knew enough not to cry +out; though of course the blood must have started bounding like mad +through his arteries.</p> + +<p>Indeed, it was a most singular thing to be aroused from sound sleep by +being told that danger hovered over their heads, and that it would be +necessary for the three of them to sally forth so as to surprise the +enemy at work.</p> + +<p>Toby was game, however. His vocal cords might play tricks with him +frequently, and give him heaps of trouble, but when it was a matter of +action, Toby "took nobody's dust," as he often boasted.</p> + +<p>Obed had meanwhile managed to creep over to the door, where he +impatiently awaited the coming of the other two. The strange tapping +sounds continued, and evidently the man lying there under the blanket +had become so deeply interested in what he was trying to communicate or +receive, that, so far, he had failed to discover there was any movement +in the cabin.</p> + +<p>Of course, all of the boys were quivering with half-suppressed +excitement, though grimly determined to put their plan into operation. +Obed had already reached up and taken hold of the bar, so as to be ready +to remove it when joined by his companions.</p> + +<p>"Keep the bar," whispered Max; "it will make a fine club, Obed!"</p> + +<p>"Say when, Max," came back from the tightly compressed lips of the woods +boy, whose eyes could be seen glittering eagerly in the firelight.</p> + +<p>"Open up!" Max told him.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the door may have made some creaking sound on being drawn back; +either that, or else the man chanced to free his head from the muffling +folds of the blanket just then, and discovered what was going on. He +gave a shout of warning, and the three boys shot through the opening at +the same instant.</p> + +<p>Max led the way. He had carefully noted the location of the sounds, and +judged that the interloper must be somewhere close to the wall where +Jake Storms lay; so it was in that direction he leaped.</p> + +<p>The stars wore shining brightly above. Besides this a certain amount of +light managed to come through that small window of the lodge, and help +to partially dispel the gloom without.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" cried Obed, as they turned the corner, and discovered a +figure in the act of scrambling erect.</p> + +<p>Pell-mell the trio rushed at the unknown who just managed to gain a +footing when he found himself furiously beset. There was a tremendous +struggle. The man seemed savage at the thought of being caught, and +struck furious blows. Toby at one time managed to cling to the other's +back for a brief moment, but was dislodged by a clever fling that sent +him crashing against a tree, and made him grunt like a hog that receives +a jolt.</p> + +<p>One thing certain, Max could easily see that the party they were +attacking must be something of an athlete, from the way in which he +fought. It is not easy to resist the assault of three enemies at once, +since they may attack from as many directions, and confuse his defense; +still the way this man struck out, dodged, tore himself free from their +clinging hands, and conducted himself in general surprised Max very much +indeed.</p> + +<p>This kept up for almost two full minutes, with varying fortunes. +Sometimes it appeared as though they were getting the upper hand of the +unknown, and then by a furious effort he would break free again, only to +be once more clutched.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the fracas, loud shouts close at hand told that Steve +and Bandy-legs, having heard the row, were rushing hurriedly to the +spot, astonished beyond measure at the racket.</p> + +<p>The man must have heard their cries, and the fact that his enemies were +about to receive reinforcements seemed to give him the strength of +desperation, for he suddenly tore himself free from Max, leaving his +coat in the hands of the boy.</p> + +<p>"Oh! he's gone!" gasped Obed, almost entirely out of breath because of +his recent tremendous exertions.</p> + +<p>For a fact, the man had vanished almost as though the ground had opened +and swallowed him up. Even astute Max hardly knew which way to look for +him. Then came the other pair rushing up, and demanding to know what all +the row was about.</p> + +<p>As soon as he could recover his breath, Max tried to explain. He had to +repeat it twice, however, before Bandy-legs could grasp the astounding +fact that some one had actually been carrying on a telegraphic +conversation with their prisoner, tapping on the wall of the cabin to +spell out the words.</p> + +<p>"Say, you're stringing us, I expect, boys!" exploded the doubter; "it +sounds just like a fairy story to me. But then there <em>was</em> some one +here, because we glimpsed him disappearing like a falling star. I wanted +to give him a shot, but I remembered what Max here said about shooting +when in doubt; and we didn't just know but what it might be one of you."</p> + +<p>"But, Max, he got away after all!" continued the disappointed Obed, as +though to his mind that event overshadowed all others; "and I did want +to find out if it was any one I knew. I believe it was, on my soul, for +at college he always had the reputation of being an all-round athlete."</p> + +<p>"Huh!" grunted Toby, rubbing his head ruefully as he came up, and +limping in the bargain, "t-t-that was him, all r-r-right then, Obed. I +don't know the f-f-fellow's n-n-name, but I've g-g-got his trade-mark on +my c-c-cheek, every k-k-knuckle of his fist. Huh! he's an athlete, every +time!"</p> + +<p>"But don't tell me our prisoner skipped out!" cried Steve, in sore +dismay.</p> + +<p>"Not that we know of, unless he's gone since we dashed from the cabin," +Max informed him. "And as we can't accomplish anything standing here, +suppose we adjourn to the inside again. Toby will want a little +soothing salve on his bruises; and I've got a sore hand myself, where I +struck him harder than I meant to on the back of his head."</p> + +<p>"It's too bad, too bad!" mourned Obed, following the others toward the +open door. "Such a splendid chance may not come again; and I'd like to +know, I certainly would."</p> + +<p>When they entered the cabin, the first thing all of them did was to look +eagerly to see if the man still lay there, Upon finding that he had not +tried to escape during all the excitement, possibly being afraid he be +fired on, they felt relieved.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, we've still got him safe and sound," declared Steve, +exultantly.</p> + +<p>"And he may make up his mind to tell yet," remarked Obed, picking up +fresh hope, "when he finds that I mean all I said, and that he's on the +road to prison."</p> + +<p>The man glowered at them, though apparently he seemed fairly well +pleased to find that they had not succeeded in capturing his ally. Max +awaited developments. He was satisfied with the way things were going, +and deep down in his heart believed the thrilling announcement he was +storing up with which to startle his three chums would not now be long +delayed.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose we ought to go out again, and resume our watch," suggested +Steve, after a short time had elapsed. "It's too soon for a change; and +after all that excitement none of us feel a bit sleepy."</p> + +<p>"As for me," ventured Bandy-legs, "I'm that wide awake I feel as if I +never could go to sleep again while we're up here in the mountains, +where such queer things keep on happening right along."</p> + +<p>"S-s-say, I'm s-s-sorry for Obed," ventured Toby, who it seems had heard +the lament of the woods boy, and could sympathize with him. "He had +h-h-hoped to g-g-get a pointer by g-g-grabbing that streak of +g-g-greased lightning; but after all, the fellow was too much for the +whole b-b-bunch of us."</p> + +<p>"But it's made me feel pretty sure now," said Obed brightening up +perceptibly, "that I know who's to blame for all this trouble. I had a +hint about it before, you remember I told you, boys; and while he kept +his face hidden pretty much all the time he fought, I surely heard him +say something that struck me as familiar. He wasn't a stranger, I'm +certain of that."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Max, quietly, "perhaps there may be a way to prove that."</p> + +<p>"Please tell me how, Max!" pleaded Obed, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"The mysterious stranger managed to get away," chuckled the other, "but +he wasn't so clever about taking all his wardrobe along with him, you +remember."</p> + +<p>"Oh! his coat!" cried Obed, in thrilling accents.</p> + +<p>"I hung on to that like a leech," now laughed Max. "Of course I should +have been smart enough to keep my fingers on the man inside, but he had +a slick way of just slipping out of the coat. First thing I knew he was +gone, leaving me holding the bag, as they say. Want to take a look at +that article, don't you, Obed? Sometimes men have a fashion of keeping +letters and documents in their coat pockets; and between us I believe +you'll find something like that here."</p> + +<p>With these words, the speaker took up the coat he had torn from the back +of the unknown, and tossed it carelessly toward Obed.</p> + +<p>The woods boy snatched at the garment eagerly. Newly aroused hope could +be seen upon his face. Everybody watched to see what the outcome might +turn out to be. Steve and Bandy-legs, ready to withdraw from the circle, +and resume their outside vigil, stayed their departure for a brief +period in order to satisfy their curiosity. Even the so-called Jake +Storms had his fishy eyes fixed on Obed, as though it mattered something +to him whether the latter learned the answer to the conundrum, or was +obliged to let it pass by unsolved.</p> + +<p>So Obed upon receiving the coat, proceeded to ram an eager hand into the +pockets, one after another. When he reached an inside one, he found a +bonanza, just as Max had anticipated. There were some papers there, as +well as a bill book. Bending down nearer the fire, so that he might the +better see, Obed glued his eyes on his find. A few seconds passed. The +fire crackled as it began to eat into the fresh fuel that had been +tossed to the red embers upon the incoming of the party. Toby grunted +once or twice, and continued to ruefully rub the side of his head, his +right arm, one of his thighs, and, in fact, as much of his entire person +as he could conveniently cover in a short space of time.</p> + +<p>Then Obed was heard to give a low exclamation. His whole manner was a +singular mixture of satisfaction and anger. Evidently, he had +accomplished his set purpose, and the result had aroused conflicting +emotions within his breast.</p> + +<p>"Well, have you found out who the man is, Obed?" asked Steve, unable to +curb his burning curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's no longer any question about it," returned the other, +bitterly, "for here are letters addressed to him. I may even take the +privilege of reading them tomorrow, for in that way I can perhaps +discover some evidence that will force him to stop this ugly business. +Oh! the meanness of Robert to strike this cowardly blow at me, his own +cousin! He's a disgrace to the whole family."</p> + +<p>"Pity the poor Grimeses!" exclaimed Max, looking straight at Obed, with +such a queer expression on his face that presently the woods boy could +not keep from bursting into a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Max, you're on to me; I can see!" he cried, rushing up to the other and +holding out his hand eagerly. "I've guessed for some time that you had +your suspicions, and now I know it's so."</p> + +<p>And Max, too, threw back his head to indulge in a good laugh; while +Steve, Toby and Bandy-legs, with months agape, and eyes that were as +round as saucers, simply gathered around' and stared at the two who were +shaking hands.</p> + +<p>"Hey! what's all this about, I want to know?" spluttered Steve; just as +though he meant to say that no one had any business to have secrets from +the rest; "looky here, Obed, since when did you forget that Grimes woods +lingo you've been giving us right along! I'm beginning to smell a rat, +that's what I am!"</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>A BIG SURPRISE</strong></p> + +<p>Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation +of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up +against a blank wall, for aught they could see.</p> + +<p>Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:</p> + +<p>"You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the +puzzle as nearly as you have. I saw you turn back to that book again, +and scan my initials in the front. That was why you asked me If Mr. +Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not. But it's all right, +and I'm satisfied I had my peek of fun out of it, let me tell you. Now +introduce me to your chums, Max."</p> + +<p>"With the greatest of pleasure," laughed the other, as he took hold of +Obed, and waving in a ceremonious fashion with the other hand, he +continued: "Friends, Toby and Bandy-legs, allow me to present some one +to you whom you'll be delighted to know—<em>this is Roland Chase</em>!"</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs stood as if riveted to the spot, staring, and holding his +very breath through astonishment. Toby Jucklin wanted to express his +amazement, and also his ecstatic delight, over the wonderful outcome of +their mission; but alack and alas! as so often happened with Toby, +while the spirit was willing the flesh was lamentably weak, and he could +not make a sound except a sort of spluttering gasp, while his eyes +blinked, and his face grew rosy red.</p> + +<p>Still laughing, the so-called Grimes' boy proceeded to grip hands with +his guests. He acted as though it might be a simon-pure introduction; as +it certainly was, in one sense.</p> + +<p>"I'm ashamed of the way I bamboozled you fine fellows, and that's the +honest truth," he started to say. But on the impulse of the moment I +thought of that Obed Grimes name; and once I gave it to you I had to +follow up with the lingo. I guess I got balled up more than once, for +Max soon discovered that I didn't always speak as a true Grimes should, +and that gave him his clue. Yes, I'm the same Roland you started out to +find, just to please my dear old aunt, bless her heart. I was planning +to surprise them all by appearing in town with my five thousand dollars, +after I'd sold the fox cubs, and then claiming my share of uncle's +estate. I guess it's all getting plain enough to you now, eh, fellows?</p> + +<p>Bandy-legs could speak at last.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's as plain as the nose on my face, Obed—I beg pardon, Roland; +and I can never forgive myself for being so easily taken in and done +for. So you thought to invest your two thousand dollars in starting a +silver-black fox farm, did you? Well, it was a daring venture, and I +hardly think you would have made the game if you hadn't been lucky +enough to meet up with that splendid Mr. Coombs."</p> + +<p>"That's a certainty, Bandy-legs," admitted the other, who apparently was +not at all given to boasting over his achievements; "yes, I was in great +luck to be able to do Mr. Coombs a favor, and win him for a friend. See +what he's done for me. But all the same, I invested my money in this +business, and according to our partnership agreement, I am to have +one-half the proceeds of any sales, so there can be no slip of the law, +to beat me out of my inheritance; if only I can get those precious pups +to the man who's engaged them."</p> + +<p>"And this rascal you called Robert—is he the elder cousin who would +profit by your failure to win out?' asked Max, although he already +understood that this must be true."</p> + +<p>The expressive face of their new friend clouded immediately.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to say that it's so, Max," he admitted. "Those envelopes of +the letters I found in his coat gave it away. The temptation was too +great for Robert, who always showed considerable jealousy, because our +uncle rather favored me. And so when he learned in some fashion, I'm +sure I don't know how, that I was in a fair way of carrying out the +provisions of uncle's will, he must have determined to try and spoil my +plans."</p> + +<p>"Oh! the cur!" snapped the indignant Steve, now seeing the depravity of +the miserable plotter in full. "I'm glad that some of you managed to +give him a few good licks before he broke away. And I'll regret it to +the last day of my life that I didn't get a chance to show him."</p> + +<p>"And b-b-believe me!" exclaimed Toby, with a violent effort, "he's going +to carry the scratches I g-g-gave him on his f-f-face for a w-w-while. +If I'd known that he was Roland's c-c-cousin I'd have dug a h-h-heap +d-d-deeper, too!"</p> + +<p>"I'm only hoping," Roland, as we must call him after this, since he +dropped the Grimes family when he admitted his identity, said, "this +will teach him a lesson, and that he'll leave me alone from now on. But +Robert is a terribly persistent fellow, and I'm afraid his failure may +only spur him on to trying again."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Roland," said Steve, dwelling almost affectionately on the +name, now that he knew the one who claimed it, "we're going to stand +back of you through thick and thin. If those fox pups don't eventually +get to their prospective purchaser, we'll have to know the reason why. +Isn't that so, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"My sentiments exactly," said Max, promptly.</p> + +<p>"Me, too!" exclaimed Toby.</p> + +<p>"Ditto here!" added Bandy-legs.</p> + +<p>"I want to say this," observed Roland with a suspicious moisture in his +fine eyes, "it was the luckiest hour of my life when I ran across this +bunch of royal good fellows. Why, only for you I'd as like as not have +been <em>ruined</em>; because alone and single-handed I never could have stood +out against two clever and unscrupulous schemers. And I'll never forget +it as long as I draw breath."</p> + +<p>"There'll be some people mighty sorry, though, I bet you," Bandy-legs +hastened to add, as he looked roguishly at Roland; "by which I mean +those poor Grimeses, who have lost tonight the brightest star in the +whole big Grimes constellation. Why, I can just picture how they'll all +mourn—Uncle Hiram, Uncle Silas, Uncle Nicodemus, and all those other +uncles and aunts, with old Granddaddy Grimes weeping harder than any of +the rest over the bereavement; for Obed is no longer in the flesh!"</p> + +<p>The comical way in which Bandy-legs said this caused a general laugh; +why, even the wondering prisoner on the floor, who, of course, could +hardly understand the joke, had to grin at the humorous expression on +the boy's face.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I guess they'll be able to stand it, if I can," ventured Roland, +"Please don't bear me any malice, fellows, for having my little joke. +You see I used to be quite a hand for such things; but living all alone +up here didn't give me much of an opportunity to try any pranks; and so +I was just aching for a turn. It didn't do any harm, and afforded me +some fun, so please forget it."</p> + +<p>"But, Roland, none of that story you told us about your good friend, Mr. +Coombs, was made up, of course?" asked Steve.</p> + +<p>"That was every word of it true," came the quick answer. "Oh! he was +the finest old gentleman you ever heard about. I grew very fond of him; +and when I received word in a letter from his housekeeper that he had +died, shortly after his wife went, it broke me all up. I moped around +here for a whole week, and came near throwing the entire job up. Then I +remembered how he had always put such confidence in everything I +attempted; and so I just shut my teeth tighter together, and said I'd go +through with it or know the reason why. And I have, for I'm on the point +of success; if only that Robert doesn't upset the fat in the fire at the +last hour."</p> + +<p>"Well, he won't, you can just depend on that," said Bandy-legs, almost +fiercely. "Here are four standbys who are booked to gather around, and +see that you get the fox pups to market. Next time Robert comes where he +isn't wanted, he may get a broken head, or something just as bad; for +now we know his ugly game, we're not apt to be over particular how hard +we hit."</p> + +<p>All of which must have been very comforting to the boy who had taken +such a big load upon his young shoulders, in the effort to show what he +was made of. After all, perhaps the eccentric uncle who left such a +strange provision in his will knew human nature better than most people +do; for he had picked out the very thing calculated to spur a chap like +Roland to do his best.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Max, "since we've cast off the numerous Grimes tribe, +and discovered the one we were in search of, and as the hour is getting +fearfully late, suppose we postpone further talk until morning. There +remain a few hours to be utilized in sleep. Steve, you and Bandy-legs +haven't filled out your time as sentries yet; suppose you hold for +another hour, and then turn it over to me."</p> + +<p>"Just as you say, Max," replied the other. "I meant to propose that +anyway, for the alarm broke out in the middle of our watch. Secretly, +I'd like Mr. Robert to take his courage in both fists and sneak back +this way, bent on further mischief. Do you ask me why! Well, I'd delight +to make use of my scatter-gun, and let him have a mess of number ten +shot at, say sixty yards. They'd pepper him good and plenty at that +distance, without actually endangering his miserable life."</p> + +<p>Max, knowing the energetic nature of the speaker, warned him against +being too prompt at using his gun.</p> + +<p>"Better go slow about that, Steve," he remarked. "Many a fellow has been +shot by mistake. Every season dozens fall victims to hunters who see +something moving, and blaze away recklessly. It might be one of us, for +all you'd know. So don't think of firing without giving our signal."</p> + +<p>Steve solemnly promised to remember. He knew the danger of handling +firearms in a reckless fashion, and was not likely to offend. So +presently, with Bandy-legs in tow, he went forth to resume their +interrupted vigil.</p> + +<p>Max and Roland sat there by the resurrected fire for a short time +exchanging remarks. The prisoner lay on the floor and, as far as they +could tell, seemed to have given up all hope of a rescue, for his heavy +breathing was that of one whom sleep had overtaken.</p> + +<p>Finally, Max pointed toward Toby, who could be seen lying on his back in +his bunk, and evidently enjoying a fine time in dreamland.</p> + +<p>"We'd do well to imitate his example, Roland," he remarked. "And as a +last word I want to tell you again how delighted we all are over finding +you; not only that, but discovering that you've been busy all these +months. Your aunt is worrying her head off about you. The last words she +said were: 'If only you do find, the boy, and he's made a mess of his +attempt to win his inheritance, tell him Aunt Sarah has a place in her +heart for him, and that if only he'll come back he can be her boy for +keeps, because I find that I've grown to love him as my own.'"</p> + +<p>Roland appeared to be deeply affected when he heard this, for he winked +violently a good many times, and then, smiling, managed to say:</p> + +<p>"You don't know how happy you make me when you tell that, Max; for she's +a dear old soul, and I certainly do care for her a great deal. But it +pleases me also to know I've made good, and that I can hold up my head +when I show those trustees what I've done. The Chase family needn't +blush just yet on account of Roland, though it ought to for Robert's +mean actions."</p> + +<p>So they, too, sought their beds, such as these were, and tried to forget +all else in sweet sleep.</p> + +<p>Max had a peculiar habit. Almost any boy can acquire it through much +practice, and sometimes it comes in very handy. He was able to impress +it upon his mind that he wanted to awaken at about a certain time. Once +in a long while this might fail him; but nine times out of ten he could +hit it in a most surprising manner. Many persons have proved this +perfectly feasible; and although Max began it as an experiment of the +control of mind over matter, it had long since passed that stage, and +become a regular habit with him.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, in just an hour after Steve and Bandy-legs had gone forth +again, Max was out of his bunk, and arousing Toby, who got up rather +loth to abandon his good bed and pleasant dreams. Still, he made no +complaint, unless his frequent yawns could be counted as such, but +trotted at the heels of Max when the other started forth.</p> + +<p>The night remained calm. High overhead the gentle breeze still sighed +among the pines, and whispered secrets as it passed through the fragrant +green needles with their attendant cones.</p> + +<p>Max took a single glance aloft at the star-studded heavens, and this +told him pretty close on the hour; for in addition to many other ways of +the forest nomad and believer in woodcraft, Max had mastered the +positions of the planets, so that it was always possible for him to +gauge the passage of time when the night granted him a survey of the +constellations above.</p> + +<p>When he and Bandy-legs had advanced a certain distance Max stopped and +imitated the call of a screech-owl, so like the whinny of a horse. It +ended up with a peculiar twist, and it was this that would tell any of +the other fellows the sound was intended for a signal, and did not +proceed from the real bird itself.</p> + +<p>An answer quickly came. Then a couple of dim forms hove in sight, being +Steve and his fellow vidette, ready to hand over the guns to their +successors, and seek the shelter of the cabin for a little rest.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Max," said Steve, while this exchange was taking place, +"there's something queer out yonder aways; and I want you to try and +make out what it can mean."</p> + +<p>"How is that?" demanded the other.</p> + +<p>"Why, every little while we thought we could hear a distant strange cry +like somebody in pain. Of course it might come from a night-bird that we +don't happen to be acquainted with; but it's been worrying us a heap. +I'm afraid, though, the wind has shifted latterly, because we didn't +seem to catch it so well."</p> + +<p>Max hardly knew what to think of what Steve had told him; nevertheless, +he promised the other he and Toby would listen for all they were worth, +and see if they might have any better success in recognizing the strange +sounds.</p> + +<p>But the minutes drifted along, and at no time were they able to catch +anything out of the common; so, finally, they decided that either it +must have been a night-bird that had flown away, or else that change in +the wind had kept the sounds from coming to their ears.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>STEVE'S DREAM COMES TRUE</strong></p> + +<p>"Did you hear anything, Max?"</p> + +<p>That was the very first thing Steve asked on the following morning, when +he poked his head out of his "hole in the wall" like a shrewd old +tortoise looking around to learn if the coast were clear.</p> + +<p>"We listened from time to time," explained Max, "but were never sure +that we heard any strange sound. It seems that you must have been +impressed with it considerably, Steve, to have it on your mind so?"</p> + +<p>"I was, Max, and I am right now," admitted the other, frankly. "Listen +to me, while the rest are busy getting breakfast ready over at the +fire,", and his voice sank to a confidential whisper. "I had a dream. It +wasn't so queer that it should come to me, after all that's happened. I +dreamed that we came on that bad cousin of Roland's, Robert Chase. He'd +fallen over a precipice, and was dying there on the rocks. Oh! it was +horribly real, Max, and I woke up shivering. He was sorry, too, because +he had been so wicked, and was asking Roland to please forgive him. And, +Max, I've been wondering whether that dream mightn't have come to me to +let us know we might do a good deed if we walked out that way this +morning, you and me, saying nothing to the rest of the boys."</p> + +<p>Max was struck by the thought that Steve must have had a pretty vivid +dream to make him so tender-hearted. At the same time, he felt in accord +with the sentiments so aptly expressed by the other.</p> + +<p>"Steve, I'll go you there," he hastened to say. "It can do no harm, and +may be a fine thing. Are you sure you know the direction fairly well?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, because I was sharp enough to make a note of it last night, Max. +You see, at the time the wind was coming in a lazy sort of way right out +of the west. Later on it swung around to the northwest, which makes it +so sharp this morning."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Steve," the other told him. "Then we'll head direct into +the west, and cover the ground for, say a mile, coming back over another +route. We can call out now and then, so if any one heard us they might +answer. But you'd better hurry and get your duds on, because, unless I'm +mistaken, Bandy-legs is meaning to sing out that breakfast's ready. And +you know the last to the feast is penalized when the supply runs short."</p> + +<p>"No danger of that happening when Bandy-legs has anything to do with the +cooking," chuckled Steve, confidently; which remark proved how well +those four chums knew one another's weak points.</p> + +<p>Of course at breakfast most of the conversation had to do with Roland +and his valiant attempt to "make good." He told his new friends many +things that interested them exceedingly, and which were connected with +his struggle. Their questions also brought them quite a fund of +information concerning the habits of foxes, and how those who aim to +raise the valuable animals for the great London fur market, go about the +business.</p> + +<p>"As for me," said Bandy-legs, who had been doing considerable thinking +while all this talk went on, "I mean to try and hunt up a few of those +bouncer frogs Roland here says inhabit his marsh. Of course I know that +at this time of year they're deep down in the mud, and meaning to lie +there till spring thaws 'em out; but it may be I can scare up just a +mess. I'm awfully fond of frogs' legs, you may remember, boys."</p> + +<p>They all wished him luck. Steve advised him to borrow a spade from the +owner of the woods cabin, for he might have to dig deep. Bandy-legs, +however, only grinned and showed no signs of a change of mind; for once +he set his heart on a thing and he was apt to keep everlastingly at it +until the realization, that it was quite hopeless, would compel him to +throw up the sponge, which Bandy-legs always did with a bad grace.</p> + +<p>So breakfast was finally finished, and the boys separated. True to his +promise the would-be frog hunter set out valiantly on his errand, urged +by his love for a dainty dish. Toby had agreed to assist Roland look +after his fox brood, for there were many things he did not yet +understand concerning their care, and which he earnestly wished to know.</p> + +<p>This arrangement quite suited Steve and Max, for it left them free to +saunter forth. They announced their intention of taking a little look +around. Steve, of course, picked up his gun before starting, saying:</p> + +<p>"You never know when you may want a shooting iron up in the woods. There +might be an old wildcat prowling around these diggings, which would take +a dislike to the shape of my face, so he'd attack us. And I'm homely +enough as it is right now, without inviting a cat to make the map of +Ireland over my phiz."</p> + +<p>He and Max showed no signs of being in any unusual hurry as they left +the cabin. They started directly toward the west; and once out of sight +of those left behind, Steve quickened his pace a bit; at least he +"chirked up" and began to show more animation.</p> + +<p>"A mile, you said, Max, didn't you!" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, that ought to fully cover the distance," came the reply. "I +shouldn't think you could have caught any ordinary sound even as far as +that. Still, when the night is calm, it is wonderful how far even a +groan will carry. The atmosphere seems to be in a peculiar condition at +such times, and acts as a splendid medium for conveying sounds."</p> + +<p>They looked to the right and to the left as they advanced. Nothing +escaped the eyes of those two chums, accustomed to the "Great Outdoors" +as they were, and having long ago graduated in a knowledge of woodcraft.</p> + +<p>Some little time passed thus. They had so far seen and heard nothing +calculated to impress them, though Steve was just as sure the sounds he +caught on the preceding night must have been a human voice crying out in +anguish. Doubtless that vivid dream was also making quite an impression +on the mind of the boy; for Max found him unusually docile and +thoughtful.</p> + +<p>They had now gone considerably over half a mile. Max felt that if any +discovery was going to be made, it must come very soon. He raised his +voice occasionally, and gave a half shout; after which both of them +would stand still and strain their hearing in hopes of catching some +answering hail.</p> + +<p>Squirrels barked at the intruders of their nut domain; blue jays +screamed harshly as they flitted from limb to limb among adjacent trees; +crows sent forth many noisy caws from atop of some neighboring pine, +watching those moving figures suspiciously the while; and once a deer +suddenly leaped across the trail, with a flip of its short tail, to +speedily vanish amidst the colored foliage of some bushes.</p> + +<p>This last event caused Steve to give a real yell, he was so startled. +Hardly had he done this than he gripped the sleeve of his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear that. Max? Was it an echo to my whoop; or did somebody +really call out in a weak voice! Anyway, it seemed to come from right +over there," and he pointed confidently as he spoke.</p> + +<p>Max himself was of the same opinion, for he felt almost certain that a +human voice had tried to attract their attention, though possibly the +person giving utterance to the cry was so weak that he could not make +much effort.</p> + +<p>They changed their course a little, and headed directly toward the +region whence Steve had pointed so positively. When Max held the other +up presently and called again, all doubt was removed.</p> + +<p>"Here, this way! I'm in pretty bad shape, I guess. Don't leave me, +please, whoever you are. I'll pay you a hundred dollars to get me out of +this scrape!"</p> + +<p>Evidently, the speaker, whom Max decided must be Robert Chase, and no +other, supposed the persons approaching, and whose voices he had heard, +must be woods guides who might consider themselves fortunate indeed to +earn such a royal sum so easily.</p> + +<p>Two minutes afterwards and the boys found him. He must have fallen into +the hole while hurrying through the forest, after breaking away from the +grip of the boys at the cabin. He had been severely cut by a sharp +flint-like rock, and lost considerable blood, which weakened him so +that, as he afterwards confessed to them, he must have swooned away, +and lain there for hours unaware of his perilous condition.</p> + +<p>The two boys soon managed to get the young man up on level ground. As +often happened, it was Max who conceived the easiest way of doing this. +To lift a dead weight of a hundred and fifty pounds is no light task, +and so he started to break away one side of the pit, thus raising the +bottom of the interior until they were able to simply <em>carry</em> Robert out +of the hole.</p> + +<p>Steve was loud in his expressions of admiration.</p> + +<p>"Whoever else would have thought up such a clever piece of business, +Max, but you?" he went on to say, as they rested after their effort. +"Why, if it'd been me in charge now, I reckon I'd have gone to all sorts +of trouble rigging up some sort of block-and-tackle, so as to hoist him +up; but you just knock down a part of the wall, and there you are, as +neat as wax. Wherever did you learn that trick, I want to know, Max?"</p> + +<p>"You'll laugh if I tell you," chuckled the other. "One day in reading +about how some musty old professors are digging out all sorts of weighty +treasures belonging to bygone days over in. Egypt, I chanced to learn +how a certain Arab contracted to excavate a big stone weighing ever so +many tons, and which the learned savant could not see how they were ever +going to get out of the deep hole. Well, that Arab just kept filling up +the hole, and lifting the stone inch by inch. When he finished there +was no hole, but the great rock stood on level ground. And that, Steve, +they say is old-time mechanical engineering, which has never been beaten +in these modern days. The Pyramids were built in that simple way. Human +lives and labor counted for little in those old times."</p> + +<p>"All I can say is, Max, it takes you to apply whatever you read to +working out your own problems. But however are we going to get this man +back to the cabin! Must we build a litter and carry him?"</p> + +<p>Robert seemed to be suffering from something more than physical anguish. +A tortured mind can stab even more keenly than painful bodily wounds. +Lying there and facing possible death, Robert Chase had evidently seen a +great light. He beckoned to the boys to bend over him, and then in a +weak voice went on to say:</p> + +<p>"I don't know just how badly I'm hurt, young fellows, but I do know that +I'm done with this miserable business. I've got just what I deserve, and +it may be the best thing that ever happened to me. During the time I lay +here and had my senses, I've made up my mind to ask my cousin Roland to +forgive me, and let me make amends for the evil I've tried to do. I know +now that it doesn't pay in the long run, for I've come near losing all +my self-respect. Yes, get me to the camp, if you can. I want to face the +music, and have it over with. Something seems to tell me that the boy +isn't the one to hold a grudge against a chap who's been punished +already for doing an evil deed."</p> + +<p>That sort of talk pleased Max immensely. He saw that Robert Chase must +have been having a terrible conflict between his better nature and the +insatiate craving for wealth; and now that a wise Providence had stepped +in to nip all his plots in the bud, why things began to look very bright +all around.</p> + +<p>It was found that with one of the boys on either side, Robert could +manage to walk fairly well, although they often had to stop and let him +rest.</p> + +<p>It took them a full two hours to get back to the cabin, where their +arrival created considerable excitement. At the moment, Roland was out +somewhere attending to his pets, and so the injured man was made as +comfortable as possible by Toby and Bandy-legs, the latter of whom had +just come in carrying a pretty fair mess of frogs' legs all dressed for +the frying-pan.</p> + +<p>Then when Roland came along, to be told what had happened, and how his +cousin was anxious to see him alone, he looked actually pleased at the +queer turn affairs had taken. He went in and was with Robert for quite a +long time. They must have had a good heart-to-heart talk, for when +Roland appeared again, he was smiling broadly, and hastened to say:</p> + +<p>"We've not only patched up a truce, boys, but made an enduring covenant. +After this there's not going to be any war in the Chase family; and now +that Robert has humbled himself to confess his wrong-doing, I believe +we're going to be the best of friends. I've promised him, without his +asking it, that I'll never tell a single soul about what happened up +here. You must agree to the same thing, for my sake. I feel sure you'll +all like Robert, when you get to know him."</p> + +<p>"Who can tell," muttered Toby, as if to himself; "in time we might even +g-g-get <em>familiar</em> with him. Stranger things than that have happened. I +only hope he won't hold a g-g-grudge against me when he sees the mark of +all my f-f-fingernails down his face."</p> + +<p>"Just now, Toby, he isn't in a mood to bear anybody a grudge," Roland +went on to say; "for he believes he didn't get half that he merited. But +after all it's come out a thousand per cent better than I ever dreamed +it would. And when I start off with my pair of grown cubs I needn't be +afraid of any one waylaying me on the road."</p> + +<p>"All the same," observed Steve, raising his heavy eyebrows suggestively, +"we'll see to it that you have plenty of company on the way. Since the +object of our trip up here into the heart of the Adirondacks has been +fulfilled, I rather reckon we'll be wanting to go along with you, to see +the fox pups handed over, and that lovely check received. Afterwards we +can all start for Carson, where you and your good old aunt may have a +family reunion all to yourselves; unless you see fit to invite Uncle +Sephus, Uncle Nicodemus, Uncle Job, or some of those old worthies to +join with you, so as to make things hum."</p> + +<p>They all laughed at Steve's humorous remark.</p> + +<p>"B-b-but what's to be d-d-done with this p-p-pretty thing?" demanded +Toby, pointing as he spoke to their prisoner, who was sitting outside +the door, having one of his ankles held fast with a trailing rope, so +that he could not run away, even if tempted to do so; which, considering +his helpless condition, with both hands tied behind his back, he was +hardly in the humor to do.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="chapXVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<br /> + +<p><strong>THE FUR FARMER'S TRIUMPH—CONCLUSION</strong></p> + +<p>While all this talk was going on, the man had of course listened. What +he had just heard Roland say about forgiving his scheming cousin must +have encouraged the fellow more or less; for surely if they meant to let +the chief conspirator go scot-free, it would hardly be fitting to take +it out on the poor hired tool.</p> + +<p>"I hope you include me in that general amnesty order, young fellows," he +now hastened to say, with a wishful look on his face. "Since the fat is +in the fire I'm ready to tell anything you want of me. Course my name +isn't Jake Storms; though it isn't necessary for me to inform you what +it might be, because that doesn't concern anybody around here. I needed +money pretty badly, and the gent tempted me beyond my limit, so I agreed +to help him steal the fox cubs. I was to have all they'd fetch when +sold, and so I came along. But if you just cut these cords, and tell me +to clear out, I'll vamose the ranch instanter."</p> + +<p>Max nodded his head in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>"You might as well make an early start," he remarked, drily. "Since +things have turned out the way they have, we couldn't make any use of +you. But before you go, understand one thing, my friend."</p> + +<p>"What might that be, young fellow?" asked the other, though looking very +much pleased at hearing he would be set free.</p> + +<p>"Don't get it into your head that it's going to be an easy snap to come +back here and rob this fox farm. You'd be a fool to try it for many +reasons. In the first place, silver blacks are so few in number that any +one selling a cub or a pelt can be tracked, and made to prove ownership. +There's also an association forming that will insure these costly +animals, and chase a thief across the continent until they eventually +get him; just as the bankers' association does. Understand that?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! don't bother about me," the man hastened to tell them. "I'm through +with this sort of risky game. I can make a living at something that +brings in easier returns; only set me free and I'll never come back here +again, never, on your life."</p> + +<p>"There'll be a guard here while we're gone," continued Max, sternly, "a +man who can hit a silver quarter with his rifle as far as he can see it +through the telescopic globe sight. It wouldn't be safe for prowlers to +show up here. Besides, they could never find the foxes, hidden deep down +in their burrows, during the night time. Steve, set him free, please."</p> + +<p>The boys felt that they could afford to be magnanimous, since things had +taken such a glorious turn in their favor. So they not only gave the +so-called Jake Storms his liberty but filled his pockets with such food +as would serve him until he came to a town. Roland was seen talking with +him just before he left, and Max felt sure the boy must have thrust some +money into the man's hand, for the fellow acted as though greatly +confused, and shook his head while walking hastily away, as though the +kindness of those boys quite overwhelmed, him.</p> + +<p>Roland continued his work of making his cousin thoroughly ashamed of his +recent mean actions. He waited on the injured man as though Robert had +always been one of his best friends. If ever a fellow "heaped coals of +fire on the head of his enemy," Roland Chase certainly did during the +three days they continued to linger at the lodge under the pines.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the signal had been set for Jerry Stocks to come over, and +when he arrived, he turned out to be very much the kind of a man the +boys expected to see, a homely specimen of a woodsman, honest as the day +was long, and "filled to the brim," as Steve aptly expressed it, with an +accurate knowledge of all such things as may prove of value to one who +roams the wilderness.</p> + +<p>He was to be left in charge during the absence of the young fur farmer. +Roland had long ago won the sincere admiration of the rugged woodsman, +who stood ready to do anything to show his regard. Besides, he would be +well paid for all his trouble, and his family might even come over to +visit him occasionally.</p> + +<p>During the balance of their stay under the sheltering roof of the +wonderful little lodge under the whispering pines, the boys made use of +every hour in order to enjoy their limited holiday. Since success had +crowned their efforts to find the missing one, they were in constant +high spirits. It always produces a feeling of exultation to know that +the goal has been attained for which a start was made; and the four +chums were only human.</p> + +<p>They certainly had a great time of it, visiting all sorts of strange +nooks under the guidance of either Roland or Jerry. Max found a number +of opportunities to add to his interesting collection of flashlight +pictures. He made a specialty of the fox farm, and with the assistance +of the young owner, managed to snap off the timid occupants of the +enclosures in the act of feeding, as well as under various other equally +instructive conditions; all of which would give a pretty good idea of +how progressive fur farmers manage their outfit.</p> + +<p>The wounded man grew better, so that when it was time for them to leave, +he could take his part in the procession; though the others declined to +let him burden himself with any of the duffle, since he was still weak.</p> + +<p>Max had been studying Robert, and reached the conclusion that the young +man was heartily ashamed of his miserable plotting. He hoped it would +be a good lesson calculated to serve Robert the rest of his life; and if +this turned out to be so, then that stumble of his, unfortunate as it +may have seemed to him at the time, was the best thing that had ever +happened to him.</p> + +<p>The two marketable fox pups were placed securely in the cage that had +been secured for this very purpose by Roland when last in the city. It +weighed very little, and could be easily transported like an ordinary +pack on the back. Roland himself meant to carry it, but of course the +others insisted on "spelling" him from time to time.</p> + +<p>Really, when the fateful morning hour came, and they turned back to give +a last fond look at the little lodge under the green pines, Max and his +three chums were conscious of a strange feeling of keen regret around +the region of their hearts; which proved how the woods home of Roland +had grown upon them.</p> + +<p>"I certainly do hope those pictures will turn out to be daisies, Max." +Steve was heard to say, most earnestly; "because I'll take a heap of +satisfaction in recalling many of the pleasant things that have happened +to us up here, where the breeze is always telling tales to the pinetops; +and it's nice to be able to see what your mind is centered on."</p> + +<p>"But look here," said Roland, delighted to hear Steve talk in that +strain; "you mustn't think that even if I do succeed to that jolly +little fortune left by my real uncle, and not one of the Grimeses, that +I'm meaning to drop this fox farm business. By now it's got a deep hold +on me, and I'm more bent than ever on making it a big success. Yes, and +I'm also counting on you fellows paying me another visit some other +time, the sooner the better."</p> + +<p>They assured him it would please them beyond measure to contemplate +spending part of their next summer vacation with him, when they could +investigate still further the many delightful mysteries of the +Adirondack wilderness.</p> + +<p>So the lovely nook was lost sight of, and for some little time a silence +seemed to fall upon all the members of the group, as they continued to +trudge along the trail that eventually would fetch them to a road, and +after that to a village.</p> + +<p>Of course our story nears its end, now that we have seen Max and his +chums accomplish the object of their search. They meant to continue +along in the company of Roland, and see that the pair of beautiful +glossy silver black fox pups were safely delivered to the purchaser, who +intended to start a fur farm of his own in some other part of the +country, possibly away up in the Canadian Northwest, and had taken a +great fancy for the particular strain of animal Roland was propagating.</p> + +<p>In due time they arrived at the city where this rich gentleman lived. He +had, it appeared, seen and admired the fox pups while fishing in the +neighborhood of the fur farm, and made a contract with Roland for the +delivery of the pair at a certain time, binding the bargain with a cash +payment.</p> + +<p>It all turned out as planned, and when the boy received the balance of +the stipulated amount in a handsome check he felt that he had a right to +feel proud of his accomplishment.</p> + +<p>Robert had long before then took his leave, and in doing so he squeezed +the hand of his younger cousin, and assuring Roland that he meant to see +more of him in the future. So far as Max could observe, the man appeared +to have turned over a new leaf, and from that time forward was likely to +show what was really in him besides his former desire to loaf and spend +money.</p> + +<p>And so in the fullness of time, the five boys turned up in Carson, where +a certain good woman whom Roland claimed as his aunt was wonderfully +well pleased to find his arms about her wrinkled neck, and his boyish +kiss pressed upon her cheek. She assured Roland the first thing, that +there was no need of his worrying about the future, because she had +determined to make him her heir, regardless of whether he ever came into +the money left under such exacting conditions by his deceased uncle.</p> + +<p>Naturally, Roland was proud to tell his aunt that while he appreciated +her fresh interest in his career, and would be only too glad to respond +to her affection, at the same time she must know he had not made a +failure, and that even now he was about to call upon the trustees of +the will, to show them he had faithfully carried out all the provisions +upon the fulfillment of which his legacy depended.</p> + +<p>It all came out as planned; indeed, those same old trustees of the +estate, living in another town, had the greatest surprise of their lives +when that troop of boys called upon them, and the whole story was told; +for of course Max and the other trio eagerly snapped at Roland's warm +invitation to accompany him on this momentous occasion, so as to witness +his crowning triumph, and add their testimony, if needed, as witnesses +to the successful outcome of his plans.</p> + +<p>Roland had taken pains to gather all necessary documents showing how he +invested the greater part of his two thousand dollars, and how he was to +draw half the proceeds on any sales. He also had the contract for the +delivery of the first of the silver black fox pups, and after could, in +addition, show the fat check covering that particular sale.</p> + +<p>Everything had been looked after to a fraction. The old men found it +difficult to believe what at first to their minds seemed so like a fairy +story: but in the end they had to admit that Roland Chase had fully +complied with every one of the conditions imposed on him in the strange +will of his uncle; and as the time limit had not yet expired, he was +fully entitled to his legacy, which in due time was paid over to him.</p> + +<p>After that, Roland again departed for the wonderful "farm," where the +most valuable crop ever heard of was being grown successfully. The other +lads heard from him frequently during the winter months, and there was +no discouraging report forthcoming. He now had Jerry with him constantly +as his assistant, the guide having built a cabin near the farm, where he +installed his family. It was nicer for Roland, too, since there were +several children; and he could spend many an evening sociably, having +taken up a phonograph with him, together with a fine supply of all sorts +of records suitable for amusing a mixed company.</p> + +<p>Max often allowed his thoughts to bridge the many miles that separated +Carson from that lodge in the wilderness; and it required no magician's +wand to enable him to see in his mind's eye the delightful surroundings +that made the strange fur farm a possible El Dorado, where Fortune was +liable to knock on the door and demand entrance.</p> + +<p>It is with more or less regret that the writer finds he has reached the +point where he must say goodbye; and he only does so with the +understanding that just as soon as further stirring events worth +narrating come to pass, it will be his pleasure, as well as duty, to +place them between the covers of another book in this series.</p> + +<p><strong>THE END</strong></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<a name="oblongbox"></a><h2><strong>THE OBLONG BOX.</strong></h2> + +<p>Some years ago, I engaged passage from Charleston, S.C., to the city of +New York, in the fine packet-ship Independence, Captain Hardy. We were +to sail on the fifteenth of the month (June), weather permitting; and, +on the fourteenth, I went on board to arrange some matters in my +stateroom.</p> + +<p>I found that we were to have a great many passengers, including a more +than usual number of ladies. On the list were several of my +acquaintances; and among other names, I was rejoiced to see that of Mr. +Cornelius Wyatt, a young artist, for whom I entertained feelings of warm +friendship. He had been with me a fellow-student at C----University, +where we were very much together. He had the ordinary temperament of +genius, and was a compound of misanthropy, sensibility, and enthusiasm. +To these qualities he united the warmest and truest heart which ever +beat in a human bosom.</p> + +<p>I observed that his name was carded upon <em>three</em> staterooms; and, upon +again referring to the list of passengers, I found that he had engaged +passage for himself, wife, and two sisters—his own. The staterooms were +sufficiently roomy, and each had two berths, one above the other. These +berths, to be sure, were so exceedingly narrow as to be insufficient for +more than one person; still, I could not comprehend why there were +<em>three</em> staterooms for these four persons. I was, just at this epoch, in +one of those moody frames of mind which make a man abnormally +inquisitive about trifles: and I confess, with shame, that I busied +myself in a variety of ill-bred and preposterous conjectures about this +matter of the supernumerary stateroom. It was no business of mine, to be +sure; but with none the less pertinacity did I occupy myself in attempts +to resolve the enigma. At last I I had not arrived at it before. "It is +a servant, of course," I said; "what a fool I am, not sooner to have +thought of so obvious a solution!" And then I again repaired to the +list—but here I saw distinctly that <em>no</em> servant was to come with the +party; although, in fact, it had been the original design to bring +one—for the words "and servant" had been first written and then +overscored. "Oh, extra baggage to be sure," I now said to +myself—"something he wishes not to be put in the hold—something to be +kept under his own eye—ah, I have it—a painting or so—and this is +what he has been bargaining about with Ficolino, the Italian Jew." This +idea satisfied me, and I dismissed my curiosity for the nonce.</p> + +<p>Wyatt's two sisters I knew very well, and most amiable and clever girls +they were. His wife he had newly married, and I had never yet seen her. +He had often talked about her in my presence, however, and in his usual +style of enthusiasm. He described her as of surpassing beauty, wit, and +accomplishment. I was, therefore, quite anxious to make her +acquaintance.</p> + +<p>On the day in which I visited the ship (the fourteenth), Wyatt and a +party were also to visit it—so the captain informed me—and I waited on +board an hour longer than I had designed, in hope of being presented to +the bride; but then an apology came. "Mr. W. was a little indisposed, +and would decline coming on board until to-morrow, at the hour of +sailing."</p> + +<p>The morrow having arrived, I was going from my hotel to the wharf, when +Captain Hardy met me and said that "owing circumstances" (a stupid but +convenient phrase), "he rather thought the Independence would not sail +for a day or two, and that when all was ready, he would send up and let +me know." This I thought strange, for there was a stiff southerly +breeze; but as "the circumstances" were not forthcoming, although I +pumped for them with much perseverance, I had nothing to do but to +return home and digest my impatience at leisure.</p> + +<p>I did not receive the expected message from the captain for nearly a +week. It came at length, however, and I immediately went on board. The +ship was crowded with passengers, and everything was in the bustle +attendant upon making sail. Wyatt's party arrived in about ten minutes +after myself. There were the two sisters, the bride, and the artist—the +latter in one of his customary fits of moody misanthropy. I was too +well used to these, however, to pay them any special attention. He did +not even introduce me to his wife, this courtesy devolving, per force, +upon his sister Marian, a very sweet and intelligent girl, who, in a few +hurried words, made us acquainted.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wyatt had been closely veiled; and when she raised her veil, in +acknowledging my bow, I confess that I was very profoundly astonished. I +should have been much more so, however, had not long experience advised +me not to trust, with too implicit a reliance, the enthusiastic +descriptions of my friend, the artist, when indulging in comments upon +the loveliness of woman. When beauty was the theme, I well knew with +what facility he soared into the regions of the purely ideal.</p> + +<p>The truth is, I could not help regarding Mrs. Wyatt as a decidedly +plain-looking woman. If not positively ugly, she was not, I think, very +far from it. She was dressed, however, in exquisite taste—and then I +had no doubt that she had captivated my friend's heart by the more +enduring graces of the intellect and soul. She said very few words, and +passed at once into her stateroom with Mr. W.</p> + +<p>My old inquisitiveness now returned. There was <em>no</em> servant—<em>that</em> was +a settled point. I looked, therefore, for the extra baggage. After some +delay, a cart arrived at the wharf, with an oblong pine box, which was +everything that seemed to be expected. Immediately upon its arrival we +made sail, and in a short time were safely over the bar and standing out +to sea.</p> + +<p>The box in question was, as I say, oblong. It was about six feet in +length by two and a half in breadth; I observed it attentively, and like +to be precise. Now this shape was <em>peculiar</em>; and no sooner had I seen +it, than I took credit to myself for the accuracy of my guessing. I had +reached the conclusion, it will be remembered, that the extra baggage of +my friend, the artist, would prove to be pictures, or at least a +picture; for I knew he had been for several weeks in conference with +Nicolino; and now here was a box which, from its shape, <em>could</em> possibly +contain nothing in the world but a copy of Leonardo's "Last Supper;" and +a copy of this very "Last Supper," done by Rubini the younger at +Florence, I had known, for some time, to be in the possession of +Nicolino. This point, therefore. I considered as sufficiently settled. I +chuckled excessively when I thought of my acumen. It was the first time +I ever known Wyatt to keep from me any of his artistical secrets; but +here he evidently intended to steal a march upon me, and smuggle a fine +picture to New York, under my very nose; expecting me to know nothing of +the matter. I resolved to quiz him <em>well</em>, now and hereafter.</p> + +<p>One thing, however, annoyed me not a little. The box did <em>not</em> go into +the extra stateroom. It was deposited in Wyatt's own; and there, too, it +remained, occupying nearly the whole of the floor—no doubt to the +exceeding discomfort of the artist and his wife;—this the more +especially as the tar or paint with which it was lettered in sprawling +capitals, emitted a strong, disagreeable, and, to <em>my</em> fancy, a +peculiarly disgusting odor. On the lid were painted the words—"<em>Mrs. +Adelaide Curtis, Albany, New York. Charge of Cornelius Wyatt, Esq. This +side up. To be handled with care."</em></p> + +<p>Now, I was aware that Mrs. Adelaide Curtis, of Albany, was the artist's +wife's mother; but then I looked upon the whole address as a +mystification, intended especially for myself. I made up my mind, of +course, that the box and contents would never get farther north than the +studio of my misanthropic friend, in Chambers Street, New York.</p> + +<p>For the first three or four days we had fine weather, although the wind +was dead ahead; having chopped round to the northward, immediately upon +our losing sight of the coast. The passengers were, consequently, in +high spirits, and disposed to be social. I <em>must</em> except, however, Wyatt +and his sisters, who behaved stiffly, and, I could not help thinking, +uncourteously to the rest of the party. <em>Wyatt's</em> conduct I did not so +much regard. He was gloomy, even beyond his usual habit—in fact he was +<em>morose</em>—but in him I was prepared for eccentricity. For the sisters, +however, I could make no excuse. They secluded themselves in their +staterooms during the greater part of the passage, and absolutely +refused, although I repeatedly urged them, to hold communication with +any person on board.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wyatt herself was far more agreeable. That is to say, she was +<em>chatty</em>; and to be chatty is no slight recommendation at sea. She +became <em>excessively</em> intimate with most of the ladies; and, to my +profound astonishment, evinced no equivocal disposition to coquet with +the men. She amused us all very much. I say "<em>amused</em>"—and scarcely +know how to explain myself. The truth is, I soon found that Mrs. W. was +far oftener laughed <em>at</em> than <em>with</em>. The gentlemen said little about +her; but the ladies, in a little while, pronounced her a "good-hearted +thing, rather indifferent-looking, totally uneducated, and decidedly +vulgar." The great wonder was, how Wyatt had been entrapped into such a +match. Wealth was the general solution—but this I knew to be no +solution at all; for Wyatt had told me that she neither brought him a +dollar nor had any expectations from any source whatever. "He had +married," he said, "for love, and for love only; and his bride was far +more than worthy of his love." When I thought of these expressions, on +the part of my friend, I confess that I felt indescribably puzzled. +Could it be possible that he was taking leave of his senses? What else +could I think? <em>He</em>, so refined, so intellectual, so fastidious, with so +exquisite a perception of the faulty, and so keen an appreciation of the +beautiful! To be sure, the lady seemed especially fond of +<em>him</em>—particularly so in his absence—when, she made herself ridiculous +by frequent quotations of what had been said by her "beloved husband, +Mr. Wyatt." The word "husband" seemed forever—to use one of her own +delicate expressions—forever "on the tip of her tongue." In the +meantime, it was observed by all on board, that he avoided <em>her</em> in the +most pointed manner, and, for the most part, shut himself up alone in +his state-room, where, in fact, he might have been said to live +altogether, leaving his wife at full liberty to amuse herself as she +thought best, in the public society of the main cabin.</p> + +<p>My conclusion, from what I saw and heard, was, that the artist, by some +unaccountable freak of fate, or perhaps in some fit of enthusiastic and +fanciful passion, had been induced to unite himself with a person +altogether beneath him, and that the natural result, entire and speedy +disgust, had ensued. I pitied him from the bottom of my heart—but could +not, for that reason, quite forgive his incommunicativeness in the +matter of the "Last Supper." For this I resolved to have my revenge.</p> + +<p>One day he came upon deck, and, taking his arm as had been my wont, I +sauntered with him backward and forward. His gloom, however (which I +considered quite natural under the circumstances), seemed entirely +unabated. He said little, and that moodily, and with evident effort. I +ventured a jest or two, and he made a sickening attempt at a smile. Poor +fellow! as I thought of <em>his wife</em>, I wondered that he could have heart +to put on even the semblance of mirth. At last I ventured a home-thrust. +I determined to commence a series of covert insinuations, or inuendoes, +about the oblong box—just to let him perceive, gradually that I was +<em>not</em> altogether the butt, or victim, of his little bit of pleasant +mystification. My first observation was by way of opening a masked +battery. I said something about the "peculiar shape of <em>that</em> box;" and, +as I spoke the words, I smiled knowingly, winked, and touched him gently +with my fore-finger in the ribs.</p> + +<p>The manner in which Wyatt received this harmless pleasantry convinced +me, at once, that he was mad. At first he stared at me as if he found it +impossible to comprehend the witticism of my remark; but as its point +seemed slowly to make its way into his brain, his eyes, in the same +proportion, seemed protruding from their sockets. Then he grew very +red—then hideously pale—then, as if highly amused with what I had +insinuated, he began a loud and boisterous laugh, which, to my +astonishment, he kept up, with gradually increasing vigor, for ten +minutes or more. In conclusion he fell flat and heavily upon the deck. +When I ran to uplift him, to all appearance he was <em>dead</em>.</p> + +<p>I called assistance, and, with much difficulty, we brought him to +himself. Upon reviving he spoke incoherently for some time. At length we +bled him and put him to bed. The next morning he was quite recovered, so +far as regarded his mere bodily health. Of his mind I say nothing, of +course. I avoided him during the rest of the passage, by advice of the +captain, who seemed to coincide with me altogether in my views of his +insanity, but cautioned me to say nothing on this head to any person on +board.</p> + +<p>Several circumstances occurred immediately after this fit of Wyatt's +which contributed to heighten the curiosity with which I was already +possessed. Among other things, this: I had been nervous—drank too much +strong green tea, and slept ill at night—in fact, for two nights I +could not be properly said to sleep at all. Now, my stateroom opened +into the main cabin, or dining-room, as did those of all the single men +on board. Wyatt's three rooms were in the after-cabin, which was +separated from the main one by a slight sliding door, never locked even +at night. As we were almost constantly on a wind, and the breeze was not +a little stiff, the ship heeled to leeward very considerably; and +whenever her starboard side was to leeward, the sliding door between the +cabins slid open, and so remained, nobody taking the trouble to get up +and shut it. But my berth was in such a position, that when my own +stateroom door was open, as well as the sliding door in question (and my +own door was <em>always</em> open on account of the heat), I could see into +the after-cabin quite distinctly, and just at that portion of it, too, +where were situated the staterooms of Mr. Wyatt. Well, during two nights +(<em>not</em> consecutive) while I lay awake, I clearly saw Mrs. W., about +eleven o'clock each night, steal cautiously from the stateroom of Mr. +W., and enter the extra room, where she remained until daybreak, when +she was called by her husband and went back. That they were virtually +separated was clear. They had separate apartments—no doubt in +contemplation of a more permanent divorce; and here, after all, I +thought, was the mystery of the extra stateroom.</p> + +<p>There was another circumstance, too, which interested me much. During +the two wakeful nights in question, and immediately after the +disappearance of Mrs. Wyatt into the extra stateroom, I was attracted by +certain singular, cautious, subdued noises in that of her husband. After +listening to them for some time, with thoughtful attention, I at length +succeeded perfectly in translating their import. They were sounds +occasioned by the artist in prying open the oblong box, by means of a +chisel and mallet—the latter being muffled, or deadened, by some soft +woollen or cotton substance in which its head was enveloped.</p> + +<p>In this manner I fancied I could distinguish the precise moment when he +fairly disengaged the lid—also, that I could determine when he removed +it altogether, and when he deposited it upon the lower berth in his +room; this latter point I knew, for example, by certain slight taps +which the lid made in striking against the wooden edges of the berth, as +he endeavored to lay it down <em>very</em> gently—there being no room for it +on the floor. After this there was a dead stillness, and I heard nothing +more, upon either occasion, until nearly daybreak; unless, perhaps, I +may mention a low sobbing, or murmuring sound, so very much suppressed +as to be nearly inaudible—if, indeed, the whole of this latter noise +were not rather produced by my own imagination. I say it seemed to +<em>resemble</em> sobbing or sighing—but, of course, it could not have been +either. I rather think it was a ringing in my own ears. Mr. Wyatt, no +doubt, according to custom, was merely giving the rein to one of his +hobbies—indulging in one of his fits of artistic enthusiasm. He had +opened his oblong box, in order to feast his eyes on the pictorial +treasure within. There was nothing in this, however, to make him <em>sob</em>. +I repeat therefore, that it must have been simply a freak of my own +fancy, distempered by good Captain Hardy's green tea. Just before dawn, +on each of the two nights of which I speak, I distinctly heard Mr. Wyatt +replace the lid upon the oblong box, and force the nails into their old +places, by means of the muffled mallet. Having done this, he issued from +his stateroom, fully dressed, and proceeded to call Mrs. W. from hers.</p> + +<p>We had been at sea seven days, and were now off Cape Hatteras, when +there came a tremendously heavy blow from the southwest. We were, in a +measure, prepared for it, however, as the weather had been holding out +threats for some time. Everything was made snug, alow and aloft; and as +the wind steadily freshened, we lay to, at length, under spanker and +foretopsail, both double-reefed.</p> + +<p>In this trim, we rode safely enough for forty-eight hours—the ship +proving herself an excellent sea boat, in many respects, and shipping no +water of any consequence. At the end of this period, however, the gale +had freshened into a hurricane, and our after-sail split into ribbons, +bringing us so much in the trough of the water that we shipped several +prodigious seas, one immediately after the other. By this accident we +lost three men overboard with the caboose, and nearly the whole of the +larboard bulwarks. Scarcely had we recovered our senses, before the +foretopsail went into shreds when we got up a storm stay-sail, and with +this did pretty well for some hours, the ship heading the sea much more +steadily than before.</p> + +<p>The gale still held on, however, and we saw no signs of its abating. The +rigging was found to be ill-fitted, and greatly strained; and on the +third day of the blow, about five in the afternoon, our mizzen-mast, in +a heavy lurch to windward, went by the board. For an hour or more, we +tried in vain to get rid of it, on account of the prodigious rolling of +the ship, and, before we had succeeded, the carpenter came aft and +announced four feet water in the hold. To add to our dilemma, we found +the pumps choked and nearly useless.</p> + +<p>All was now confusion and despair—but an effort was made to lighten the +ship by throwing overboard as much of her cargo as could be reached, and +by cutting away the two masts that remained. This we at last +accomplished—but we were still unable to do anything at the pumps; and, +in the meantime, the leak gained on us very fast.</p> + +<p>At sundown, the gale had sensibly diminished, in and, as the sea went +down with it, we still entertained faint hopes of saving ourselves in +the boats. At eight P.M. the clouds broke away to windward, and we had +the advantage of a full moon—a piece of good fortune which served +wonderfully to cheer our drooping spirits.</p> + +<p>After incredible labor we succeeded, at length, in getting the long-boat +over the side without material accident, and into this we crowded the +whole of the crew and most of the passengers. This party made off +immediately, and, after undergoing much suffering, finally arrived, in +safety, at Ocracoke Inlet, on the third day after the wreck.</p> + +<p>Fourteen passengers, with the Captain, remained on board, resolving to +trust their fortunes to the jolly-boat at the stern. "We lowered it +without difficulty, although it was only by a miracle that we prevented +it from swamping as it touched the water. It contained, when afloat, the +captain and his wife, Mr. Wyatt and party, a Mexican officer, wife, four +children, and myself, with a negro valet."</p> + +<p>We had no room, of course, for anything except a few positively +necessary instruments, some provision, and the clothes upon our backs. +No one had thought of even attempting to save anything more. What must +have been the astonishment of all then, when, having proceeded a few +fathoms from the ship, Mr. Wyatt stood up in the stern-sheets, and +coolly demanded of Captain Hardy that the boat should be put back for +the purpose of taking in his oblong box!</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Mr. Wyatt," replied the Captain, somewhat sternly, "you will +capsize us if you do not sit quite still. Our gunwale is almost in the +water now."</p> + +<p>"The box!" vociferated Mr. Wyatt, still standing—"the box, I say! +Captain Hardy, you cannot, you <em>will</em> not refuse me. Its weight will be +but a trifle—it is nothing—mere nothing. By the mother who bore +you—for the love of Heaven—by your hope of salvation, I <em>implore</em> you +to put back for the box!"</p> + +<p>The Captain, for a moment, seemed touched by the earnest appeal of the +artist, but he regained his stern composure, and merely said:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Wyatt you are <em>mad</em>. I cannot listen to you. Sitdown, I say, or you +will swamp the boat. Stay—hold him—seize him! he is about to spring +overboard! There—I knew it—he is over!"</p> + +<p>As the Captain said this, Mr. Wyatt, in fact, sprang from the boat, +and, as we were yet in the lee of the wreck, succeeded, by almost +superhuman exertion, in getting hold of a rope which hung from the +fore-chains. In another moment he was on board, and rushing frantically +down into the cabin.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, we had been swept astern of the ship, and being quite +out of her lee, were at the mercy of the tremendous sea which was still +running. We made a determined effort to put back, but our little boat +was like a feather in the breath of the tempest. We saw at a glance that +the doom of the unfortunate artist was sealed.</p> + +<p>As our distance from the wreck rapidly increased, the madman (for as +such only could we regard him) was seen to emerge from the +companion-way, up which, by dint of a strength that appeared gigantic, +he dragged, bodily, the oblong box. While we gazed in the extremity of +astonishment, he passed, rapidly, several turns of a three-inch rope, +first around the box and then around his body. In another instant both +body and box ware in the sea—disappearing suddenly, at once and +forever.</p> + +<p>We lingered awhile sadly upon our oars, with our eyes riveted upon the +spot. At length we pulled away. The silence remained unbroken for an +hour. Finally, I hazarded a remark.</p> + +<p>"Did you observe, Captain, how suddenly they sank? Was not that an +exceedingly singular thing? I confess that I entertained some feeble +hope of his final deliverance, when I saw him lash himself to the box, +and commit himself to the sea."</p> + +<p>"They sank as a matter of course," replied the Captain, "and that like a +shot. They will soon rise again, however—<em>but not till the salt +melts</em>."</p> + +<p>"The salt!" I ejaculated.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" said the Captain, pointing to the wife and sisters of the +deceased. "We must talk of these things at some more appropriate time."</p> + +<br /><hr style="width: 35%;" /><br /> + +<p>We suffered much, and made a narrow escape; but fortune befriended <em>us</em>, +as well as our mates in the long boat. We landed, in fine, more dead +than alive, after four days of intense distress, upon the beach opposite +Roanoke Island. We remained there a week, were not ill-treated by the +wreckers, and at length obtained a passage to New York.</p> + +<p>About a month after the loss of the Independence, I happened to meet +Captain Hardy in Broadway. Our conversation turned, naturally, upon the +disaster, and especially upon the sad fate of poor Wyatt. I thus learned +the following particulars.</p> + +<p>The artist had engaged passage for himself, wife, two sisters, and a +servant. His wife was, indeed, as she had been represented, a most +lovely and most accomplished woman. On the morning of the fourteenth of +June (the day in which I first visited the ship), the lady suddenly +sickened and died. The young husband was frantic with grief—but +circumstances imperatively forbade the deferring his voyage to New York. +It was necessary to take to her mother the corpse of his adored wife, +and on the other hand, the universal prejudice which would prevent his +doing so openly, was well known. Nine-tenths of the passengers would +have abandoned the ship rather than take passage with the dead body.</p> + +<p>In this dilemma, Captain Hardy arranged that the corpse, being first +partially embalmed, and packed, with a large quantity of salt, in a box +of suitable dimensions, should be conveyed on board as merchandise. +Nothing was to be said of the lady's decease; and, as it was well +understood that Mr. Wyatt had engaged passage for his wife, it became +necessary that some person should personate her during the voyage. This +the deceased's lady's maid was easily prevailed on to do. The extra +state-room, originally engaged for this girl during her mistress' life, +was now merely retained. In this state-room the pseudo-wife slept, of +course, every night. In the daytime she performed, to the best of her +ability, the part of her mistress—whose person, it had been carefully +ascertained, was unknown to any of the passengers on board.</p> + +<p>My own mistakes arose, naturally enough, through too careless, too +inquisitive, and too impulsive a temperament. But of late, it is a rare +thing that I sleep soundly at night. There is a countenance which haunts +me, turn as I will. There is an hysterical laugh which will forever ring +within my ears.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's At Whispering Pine Lodge, by Lawrence J. 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Leslie + +Release Date: November 22, 2003 [EBook #10211] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AT WHISPERING PINE LODGE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Sjaani and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + +AT WHISPERING PINE LODGE + +BY LAWRENCE J. LESLIE + +1919 + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + +I. THE HALT ON THE ADIRONDACK CARRY +II. GRIPPED BY A GIANT'S UNSEEN HANDS +III. OBED GRIMES BOBS UP +IV. BANDY-LEGS SUSPECTS +V. PACKING OVER THE "CARRY" +VI. THE LODGE OF MANY WONDERS +VII. THE YOUNG MAGICIAN +VIII. PRODUCTS OF THE FUR FARM +IX. LAYING PLANS TO HELP OBED +X. TRAPS FOR NIGHT PROWLERS +XI. A TREE THAT BORE STRANGE FRUIT +XII. THE TAPS ON THE CABIN WALL +XIII. OBED LEARNS SOMETHING +XIV. A BIG SURPRISE +XV. STEVE'S DREAM COMES TRUE +XVI. THE FUR FARMER'S TRIUMPH--CONCLUSION + + + +CHAPTER I + + +THE HALT ON THE ADIRONDACK CABBY + +"Where's Touch-and-Go Steve, fellows?" + +"Why, Max, he slipped away with his little steel-jointed fishing-rod as +soon as he heard you say we'd stop here over night. And I saw him +picking some fat white grubs out of those old rotten stumps we passed at +the time we rested, an hour back. Huh! just like Slippery Steve to get +out of the hard work we've going to have cutting enough brush for making +our shanty shelter tonight; seeing that we didn't fetch our bully old +tent along this trip. He's a nice one, I should say." + +"N-n-never you m-m-mind about Steve, Bandy-legs. He t-t-told me he +_knew_ he c-c-could yank a m-m-mess of fine trout out of that c-c-creek, +where it looked so s-s-shallow just back there. He's m-m-meaning to +w-w-wade in, too, I reckon, and when you s-s-smell the fish c-c-cooking +you'll be s-s-sorry you said what you did." + +"Well, let's get a move on, and start that shanty. I chose this place +partly on account of there being so much brush handy, you see." + +"Sure you did, Max. It takes you to notice things that miss our eyes. +Here, let me handle the hatchet, because you see I was such a truthful +little shaver away back that my folks often regretted they hadn't named +me George Washington." + +"All I c-c-can say then, Bandy-legs, they b-b-builded wiser than they +knew when they j-j-just let it g-g-go at regrets. A f-f-fine George +Washington you'd m-m-make, I'm thinking." + +The boy answering to the peculiar name of "Bandy-legs" laughed +good-naturedly as he began to swing the sharp-edged hatchet, and cut +down some of the required brush which, having camped many times before, +he knew was suitable for their requirements. + +Besides this sturdy young chap with the lower limbs that were a little +bowed, and which fact had doubtless suggested such a nickname to his +schoolmates, there were two others busily engaged in gathering the +material to be used in affording them a rude, but effective shelter +during the coming night. + +The one whom they called Max seemed to be looked upon as a leader, for +it is absolutely necessary that in every pack of boys some one takes the +initiative. His whole name was Max Hastings, and on numberless occasions +he had shown an aptitude for "doing things" when the occasion arose, +that gained him the respect of his chums. For a complete record of these +achievements the reader is referred to earlier volumes of this series, +where between the covers will be found much interesting and instructive +reading. + +The third boy of the trio in sight was Toby Jucklin. While Toby was +certainly agile enough when it came to acrobatic stunts, and such things +as boys are fond of indulging in, his vocal cords often loved to play +sad pranks with his manner of speech. As the reader has already +discovered, Toby was fain to stutter in the most agonizing fashion. When +one of these fits came upon him he would get red in the face, and show +the greatest difficulty in framing certain words. Then all of a sudden, +as though taking a grip on himself, Toby would stop short, draw in a +long breath, give a sharp whistle, and strange to say, start talking as +plainly as the next one. + +In time perhaps he would conquer this weakness, which after all is only +caused by nervousness, and a desire to rattle out words. + +There was a fourth chum also, the Steve spoken of and who had slipped +away with his new steel-jointed bait-rod, and a handful of fat grubs, as +soon as he heard Max say they had gone far enough on their way. Steve, +being one of those hasty lads who do a thing while many people would be +only figuring it out, had long ago fallen heir to a number of suggestive +nicknames, among others "Touch-and-Go Steve," and "Old Lightning." + +These four lads were a long ways from their home town of Carson, nestled +on the Evergreen River, and near which we have seen them in the earlier +books of this series successfully carry out numerous of their +undertakings. + +In fact they were deep in the wildest part of the famous Adirondacks at +the time we run across them on this particular occasion. There was not a +town within many miles, nor for that matter a regular camp where summer +guests were entertained. The difficulties to be encountered along this +"carry" were so great that ordinary excursionists avoided it severely. +Indeed, few fishermen ever invaded these solitudes, although there were +undoubtedly many places where trout of generous size might be picked up. + +All this would make it seem a bit queer that Max and his three chums +should venture into this section of the wilderness without a guide +along; so perhaps it might be wise to enter upon explanations while the +opportunity is open. + +Now these tried and true chums had had strange things happen to them +before, but they were well agreed that their present undertaking far +exceeded everything else that had ever come their way, at least so far +as its being a romantic quest was concerned. + +Everything combined to make it seem a page torn from one of those +old-time fairy books they used to love to read when much younger, and +more gullible. In the first place, it was a wonderful piece of luck that +came their way, when the School Directors agreed, after the summer was +half over, that the school buildings required considerable alterations +in order to make them sanitary for the coming winter; and really a +special providence that watches over the fortunes of boys and girls must +have caused the carpenters and masons to go on a protracted strike, so +that when this had been finally settled there was not nearly time enough +left in which to complete the extensive repairs. + +School had started, and gone along in a rough-and-ready fashion for some +weeks; but everybody was "sore" about it. The builders complained that +they could not accomplish half the work they should, because of the +annoyance of having so many children trotting around, and bothering +them. And the teachers were almost distracted on account of the constant +pounding together with the presence of rough men, who broke in upon +classes, and forced them to vacate certain rooms because they had to do +something there. + +And so along about the first of October the School Board wisely +concluded that a vacation of some two weeks would do far less harm to +the scholars than a continuation of these interruptions. Besides, the +teachers on their part threatened to also strike unless relief came +promptly. + +Imagine the delight of such fellows as Max, Bandy-legs, Steve and Toby +Jucklin, all of whom loved life in the open so much, when they got the +chance to further indulge this propensity, especially at the most +glorious time of the whole year, when the nut crop was coming on, the +trees turning red and yellow from the magical touch of Jack Frost's cold +fingers, with a tang in the air that made a fellow twice as hungry as he +ever got in the hot old summer-time. + +And then, as though Fate had determined to make this the most wonderful +of periods in all their checkered careers, a thing happened that seemed +just like one of those old but once much beloved fairy stories. + +Perhaps, by listening to the workers exchanging comments as they gather +the necessary brush, which later on would be fashioned into a shelter +capable of shedding even a moderate amount of rain, we may be able to +pick up enough general information to understand the nature of their +mission up into the Adirondacks. + +Bandy-legs was speaking at the time. He had a little fault in the way of +often showing a disposition to look at the darker side of things; and +doubtless being unusually tired, after a hard day's tramp, with such a +heavy pack on his back, had something to do with his spirit of +complaining on the present occasion. + +"Well, all I can say, fellows," he remarked, as he carried an armful of +the stuff he had been gathering to the spot where Max had already +commenced to erect the sides of the squatty shelter by driving stakes +into the ground, "is that I hope we haven't come all the way up here on +a reg'lar fool's errand. It'd cost Mrs. Hopewell a pretty good sum, and +be a real disappointment to her, if after all we didn't find that +good-for-nothing nephew of hers, Roland Chase. Honest to goodness now, +I'm a little inclined to believe he'll be leading us a wild-goose Chase, +if you want my opinion." + +"Oh! l-l-let up, c-c-can't you, Bandy-legs!" spluttered the indignant +Toby, pausing for a minute to wipe the beads of perspiration from his +brow, and regain his breath in the bargain. "You're g-g-getting to be a +regular old g-g-granny, that's what, with all your d-d-dismal +p-p-prophesies. Tell me, d-d-did we _ever_ f-f-fail yet in anything we +undertook? C-c-course we haven't. Right in the start we found all those +b-b-bully p-p-pearls in those mussels we g-g-gathered in the Big +Sunflower River, and laid away a n-n-nice n-n-nest-egg in bank for the +crowd. Sure we'll f-f-find Roland Chase; we've just g-g-got to, that's +all." + +"All I want to say about it, boys," observed Max, "is that I admire the +grit of the boy. They told us he was something of a dude, didn't they, +and that his rich uncle was afraid he'd never amount to much anyhow; so +what did he do but make a most _extraordinary_ will; at least, everybody +who's heard about that proviso says so. I heard Judge Perkins say though +he guessed the old man knew boys better than most folks, and had taken +a wise course to prove whether this Roland had any snap in him or not." + +"Well, he was left just two thousand dollars cash down," said +Bandy-legs, in a thoughtful manner, as though reviewing the singular +circumstance, "and if at the end of two years he could show that he had +doubled that amount, besides earning his own living, why he was to come +into two-thirds of his uncle's fortune. Some of our Carson people who +know folks over in Sagamore where the uncle lived tell whopping big +stories about the size of that fortune. I heard one man say he reckoned +it was as much as two hundred thousand dollars, in all." + +"The funny part of it is," resumed Max, shaking his head in a way rather +odd for him, "that immediately after Roland received his two thousand in +cash he disappeared from the scene. That was almost two years ago; and +from that day nobody in Sagamore has ever had a peep at him. The fact is +he might almost be dead. Once his other aunt, Mrs. Hopewell, who lives +now in Carson, had a few lines from Roland. He simply said he was alive +and well, and that he had hopes of seeing her again one of these fine +days." + +"Yes, that's r-r-right," burst out Toby, in a disgusted tone, "but not a +p-peep did he give about what he was d-d-doing, or if he meant to show +up and c-c-claim his f-f-fine f-f-fortune. And all she could make out +was that the p-p-postmark on the l-l-letter was Piedmont, N.Y., which +on looking up we f-f-found was away up here in the h-h-heart of the old +Adirondacks." + +"Well," said Max, still working industriously away, "Mrs. Hopewell is +getting very much concerned about Roland. Somehow she seemed to fancy +the boy, though no one else thought he'd ever amount to anything, +because he used to like to wander around in the woods all the while, or +go fishing, instead of studying. But I guess those people hadn't ever +been boys themselves; and all of us can appreciate this liking for the +open that Roland showed." + +"And so," pursued Bandy-legs after the fashion of a story-teller who +had-reached a crisis in his tale, "she asked Max here if he wouldn't be +willing to undertake a trip to the mountains with several of his good +chums, meaning us, fellows, to try and locate the missing Roland, and +bring back some encouraging news; for the good old soul is in great fear +that the second year will soon be finished, and unless Roland is able to +show four thousand dollars in cash, most of the estate will go to his +older cousin, Frederick. Mrs. Hopewell dislikes this chap very much, +because she says he is a bad man, who drinks, and gambles, and does all +sorts of things old ladies detest. Well, we took her up in a jiffy as +soon as we heard the glorious news about school being closed for two +weeks; and as she foots all the bills, we're bound to have a jolly time +of it, even if we don't run across Roland; and I think that is like +looking for a needle in a haystack." + +That was a pretty long speech for even Bandy-legs to make, and yet it +covered considerable of the ground, and explained just how it came that +Max and his three comrades chanced to be so far away from the home town. + +The boys were just about to turn their attention once more to the work +that had been undertaken when all of them suddenly stopped and listened. + +"That was Steve yelling then, I reckon," snapped the owner of the bowed +legs, "but honest Injun, I didn't make out what he said. Mebbe now he +struck a whopper of a trout, and was giving one of his whoops. You all +know how excited Steve does get if anything out of the way happens." + +"L-l-listen!" cried Toby Jncklin, jumping to his feet. "D-d-didn't it +sound like he was yelpin' help?" + +"Just what it seemed like to me!" exclaimed Max. "Something may have +happened to Steve, because he's always getting himself in trouble. Come +along, fellows, and we'll soon find out. There, he's whooping it up +again." + +And this time every one of the trio of running boys could plainly detect +something approaching agony in the thrilling cry of "Help, oh! hurry up, +fellows! Help!" + + + +CHAPTER II + + +GRIPPED BY A GIANT'S UNSEEN HANDS + +That Max, Bandy-legs and Toby all kept their wits about them was +manifest. Their actions had made this clear enough, for each of the trio +before starting "on the jump," as Bandy-legs described it, had made sure +to pick up something that, according to his mind, was apt to be needed. +Max, for instance, had snatched a rope that hung from a broken branch of +the tree, and which one of the boys had fetched along simply because "a +rope often comes in mighty handy for lots of things besides a hanging +bee." On his part Toby had stooped down and possessed himself of the +camp hatchet; if it proved that Steve was being attacked by a bobcat he +fancied he could make pretty good use of such a tool in an emergency. +Bandy-legs, true to his hunter instinct, made out to secure the only gun +which had been brought with them on the trip. + +As they ran wildly in the direction from whence those appeals for +assistance still came, louder than ever, every fellow was straining his +vision to be the first to discover what it could be that was causing +Steve to let out such alarming whoops. + +They did not have very far to go before suddenly all of them discovered +the object of their solicitude. He seemed to be standing nearly +waist-deep in the stream, and still holding on to his tough little steel +rod. + +"Oh! shucks!" gasped Bandy-legs, almost out of breath from his violent +exertions, "he's only struck a mud turtle, or something like that, and +wants us to come and see. It's a burning shame to give us all such a +scare over a measly turtle." + +"B-b-bet you it's a w-w-woppin' b-b-big fish!" ejaculated Toby. + +"Keep on running!" snapped Max. "He needs help, and in a hurry, too!" + +This sort of talk amazed both the others. So far as they could see Steve +stood there quite alone. They looked again but could see no savage +animal attacking their comrade; nor was there any vast disturbance in +the water, as though some marine monster might be trying to drag him +down; besides, such things as alligators or sharks were utterly unknown +up here in the Adirondacks. + +"But, Max, he's all right, as far as I can see," expostulated +Bandy-legs, in reality unwilling to keep up that violent exertion just +to please some silly whim on the part of the fisherman, who, like as +not, would give them the laugh after they came up puffing and blowing +like porpoises. + +"Look again," snapped Max. "Don't you see how deep he's in? Pretty +nearly up to his waist, isn't he?" + +"That's all right," said Bandy-legs, "but if the silly has gone and +waded deeper than he meant to, why don't he just turn around and walk +out again?" + +"Because he can't!" Max told him, still running. + +"Hey! w-w-what's hindering him!" stammered Toby, thrilled by this new +mystery that had so suddenly dawned upon them. + +"The sand's got too tight a grip on him," cried Max, "and he's sinking +deeper all the time!" + +"Oh! thunder, it's quicksand, then!" exploded Bandy-legs. + +Having now the key to the enigma explaining Steve's strange action, as +well as his queer antics while floundering about out there in the little +stream, both boys could easily see that May evidently spoke the truth. +So those envious Spanish courtiers found it easy to balance an egg on +end, after Columbus showed them how to do the trick. + +In another half minute they arrived on the shore of the little stream. +Steve out there, with the shallow water coming now up almost to his +waist, greeted their arrival with a sickly grin. + +"Sorry to bother you, boys," he said, "but seems like I've gone and got +into a nasty pickle. Please yank me out of this, won't you?" + +Impetuous Bandy-legs was about to instantly start forward when Max +gripped him by the arm. + +"Don't be foolish, Bandy-legs," he told the other, severely. "You'd only +get yourself in the same boat, if you stood there and tried to drag +Steve out; and two would be harder to take care of than one." + +"But say, don't be _too_ slow about starting something, will you?" +urged Steve, once again looking nervous. "Why, I'm sinking right along, +I tell you. Every time I try to get one foot up t' other goes down three +inches further, because I have to bear all my weight on it. This is no +laughing matter, boys. I'll be swallowed up before your eyes soon if you +don't get busy. Max, you ought to know how to extricate a fellow from +the quicksand!" + +"There are lots of ways in which it can be done," the other told him, +meanwhile measuring distances with his eye, as though he already had a +plan in mind. "If when you first discovered that you were sinking you +had thrown yourself sideways, and started to crawl or roll, regardless +of how wet you got, you might have made it, for in that way you'd have +presented more of your body to the action of the sand. Then a mattress +could be made from branches, weeds or any old thing, that would bear the +weight of one or two of us. But I've got even a better scheme than that +to work." + +"Please hurry!" pleaded the imprisoned boy. + +"Keep cool, Steve," advised Max, "because there's positively no danger, +now that we're on deck." + +"But tell me what you mean to do, Max?" continued Steve. + +"Make use of this rope, which you see I just happened to fetch along," +explained the other, holding up the article in question. "It's going to +save time, too, because one of us would have had to run back to camp, +and that must mean delay. You're deep enough in as it is, I guess." + +"A whole lot deeper than is pleasant, I tell you," Steve instantly +added. "Why, at the rate it's sucking me down I guess in less'n a +quarter of an hour the water would be up to my chin. And then, oh! +fellows, just imagine how I'd feel when it began to cover my mouth. +You're not going away, I hope, Max?" + +This last almost frantic cry was caused by a movement on the part of the +one on whom poor Steve's hopes most depended. + +"I'm going to shin up this big tree that sends a limb out right over +your head, don't you see, Steve?" Max told him, reassuringly. "Once I +get above you and we'll make good use of this rope of mine. The limb +will act as a lever, and when the boys get to pulling at the other end +of the rope you've just _got_ to come out, that's all there is about +it." + +"Hurrah! that's the ticket!" shouted Bandy-legs, seeing the game now for +the first time. "Steve, you're as good as landed. Bless that old rope, +it's already proved worth its weight in gold." Steve watched operations +anxiously. Despite the positive assurance conveyed in these words from +his chums, the terrible grip of that clinging sand made him cold with +apprehension. He imagined all sorts of things, from the rope breaking +under the sudden and terrible strain, to his arms being drawn from their +sockets in the battle between the tenacious sand and the muscular +ability of the two boys ashore. + +When Max managed to reach a point directly above the one in peril, +straddling the friendly limb as only a nimble boy could do, he quickly +fashioned a slip-noose at one end of the rope. This he lowered until +Steve could snatch it, which he did with all the eagerness shown by the +drowning man who clutches at a straw. + +"Fix the noose under your arms, Steve," directed the master of +ceremonies, calmly enough, though possibly Max was more excited than he +chose to let the other see, "and get the knot around so it will be +exactly in front. Then, when I give the word for the boys to commence +heaving, you work both legs as hard as ever you can. It's going to help, +more or less, you know. I can't do much up here, in the way of pulling, +for I'd lose my balance; but make up your mind we're meaning to yank you +out of that in a jiffy, Steve." + +"Oh! I hope so, Max, I surely hope so!" + +Everything was soon ready. Steve had complied with the directions, and +now awaited the issue with all the fortitude he could command. +Afterwards perhaps Steve might sometime or other even laugh, as he +remembered how scared he was; but just then, with the difficulty still +unadjusted, it was not at all humorous. + +"Ready, everybody?" called out Max. + +Receiving an affirmative reply from three pairs of lips, he went on to +say: + +"Then get busy, pulling! Make it a steady haul, and no jerks, or you'll +hurt Steve more than is necessary. Steady there, Bandy-legs, no hurry, +remember--just a regular increasing pull! Good enough, boys!" + +Steve had obeyed instructions, and by the way he worked both feet as +soon as he felt the strain one might think he was practicing swimming +lessons. It must have given him more or less physical pain to feel the +terrible drag of the rope under his arms, but he shut his teeth hard +together, and kept back a groan. + +"Now rest a bit, Toby and Bandy-legs!" called out Max. "How about it, +Steve--you moved some, didn't you?" + +"Yes yes, quite a little, Max!" cried the other. "Please get busy again +right away. I'm sick of staying in this old quicksand!" + +He still clung tenaciously to his steel fishing rod, as though he meant +that it should share his fate. Once more the team ashore started in. Now +their task seemed lighter, as though, having succeeded in dragging their +chum up several inches, with his whole weight now suspended by the rope, +the job was going to be finished in short order. + +Soon Steve, crowing joyously, was drawn completely out of the water. He +gave this a last suggestive kick and then dangled there in midair, +spinning around like a teetotum. + +"Hand me your rod, Steve," commanded Max. "Then use your arms and pull +yourself up on the limb. After that you can easily hunch along like I +do, and get to the main trunk. It's all over but the shouting, Steve; +and you can consider yourself pretty lucky to get off as easily as you +do, with a pair of wet trousers." + +"I'm thankful enough, Max, you can make sure of that," said the other, +carrying out the suggestion, and thus freeing both hands for the task of +mounting to the friendly limb. + +Before long he had reached the ground, where his three chums each +gravely shook hands with him. Steve was already getting back his nerve, +that had been under a severe strain. + +"But anyway I did have bully good luck pulling out fat trout, boys," he +told them. "You can pick up a dozen along this side of the stream. Fact +is, it was such splendid fun that I just stood too long in one place, +catching them and tossing the beauties ashore; and so when I tried to +move, why, I couldn't to save my life. It felt like a giant had gripped +both feet, and was holding me down. The more I tried the worse it got. +Whee! I would have been pretty badly scared if no one was near by, I own +up to that." + +Perhaps the others mentally considered that as it was, Steve had looked +a "good deal concerned" at the time of their arrival; but not wishing to +harrow his feelings any further just then they kept this to themselves; +though Bandy-legs did give Toby a suggestive wink, to which the other +replied in like kind. + +It was found upon gathering the trophies of Steve's skill as an angler +that they had quite enough for a meal; consequently Steve announced that +he guessed he needn't start in again with rod and hook and grub. + +All of them were soon busily engaged in fixing up the camp. Since they +had thought it best not to try and fetch a heavy tent along with them +they knew it would be necessary to construct some such brush shanty +shelter every night unless they could find a convenient ledge under +which a camp could be made. But all of these boys had often slept under +the stars, with the heavens for a canopy overhead, so that they did not +feel at all worried over the circumstance. + +As the sun sank lower and lower toward the horizon the camp began to +assume a comfortable air. The brush shelter had been finished, and +pronounced equal to any they had ever built before. It might not prove +wholly rain-proof, but as for keeping off the dew, and protecting them +against the chilly night air, it offered them "all the comforts of +home," as Steve put it. + +Then supper was started, a fire having been built after the most +approved method in vogue among guides and hunters of long experience. +Indeed, Max and his companions were far from being green to the ways of +the woods. They had learned heaps through their many camping +experiences; and some time before a visit to an old trapper had +initiated them into dozens of secrets of the craft that would never be +forgotten.[1] + +Again the talk was of the strange mission that had brought them up to +the Adirondacks. Bandy-legs could not seem to get over his belief that +they were bound to have all their trouble for their pains. + +"What sort of a clue have we got to work on for a starter, fellows, tell +me?" he went on to say, just as they were starting in to enjoy the +supper that had been supervised by a trio of eager cooks, all as hungry +as boys could well be, and continue to exist. "All we know is that when +this boy, Roland Chase, left Sagamere, almost two years back, he was a +sickly, white-faced chap, and with only one decent trait about him, +which was his love for outdoors; though up to then it had been mostly a +_yearning_, because they wouldn't let him get away from the house much +on account of his delicate constitution. Well, we're looking for some +such chap; but up to now we haven't got on his track." + +[1] "With Trapper Jim in the North Woods." + +"But hold on, Bandy-legs," expostulated Steve, "you forget that we did +hear about a boy that answered that description, though nobody seemed to +know his name. He was sometimes seen in the company of a half-drunken +old guide named Shanks somewhere around Mount Tom district. And now +we've come up this way in the hope of crossing his trail. Not that I've +got much expectation myself that we'll be sure to find this same; +Roland, who turns out to be a sort of will-o'-the-wisp to us; but since +his old aunt was so kind as to finance this expedition, why we're bound +to do all we can to make it a blooming success, that's what." + +"Well," commented Max, who seemed to be the most confident one of the +quartette, "remember, if we fail to make connections it'll be the first +time on record that we've really been stumped. I don't believe in +hard-luck stories. As a rule success comes only to those who deserve it. +And we've still got most of that two weeks' vacation ahead of us, to +hunt around for Roland Chase." + +Somehow Max always seemed to say things calculated to make his chums +feel more satisfied. It is a mighty good thing to have a real optimist +in camp, especially when the weather gets bad, and everything else seems +to go wrong. Even Bandy-legs took on a more cheerful air, and brightened +up after hearing Max say this. They had more or less reason to feel +proud of the record they had made in the past, so far as accomplishing +things went. And the people around Carson would be apt to tell any one +inquiring about Max and his cronies that they had actually done several +exceedingly smart things, and were boys far above the average. + +The supper was voted a huge success, and never had fish been fried a +more delicious brown than those in the pan. Perhaps Steve entertained a +private opinion of his own, to the effect that never had a higher price +been paid for a mess of fish than he offered up when he found himself +made a prisoner of the unseen giant residing under the quicksands; but +all the same, Steve devoured his share of the fish as smartly as the +next one. He doubtless felt that he deserved having a feast, after his +adventure in supplying the materials. + +They were almost through eating, and feeling particularly well +satisfied, as is usually the case, when the appetite has been taken care +of, when Toby Jucklin was seen to be staring straight ahead. + +"What ails you, Toby?" demanded Steve, discovering the mysterious +actions of the other. "Think you see a ghost; or was it a 'coon whisked +past, smelling our fine spread here? Speak up, can't you, and tell us?" + +Toby managed to find his tongue, and as usual when excited made quite a +mess of his explanation. + +"W-w-why, y-y-you s-s-see, I--t-that is, there's s-s-somebody--oh! look +for yourselves and you'll understand quicker'n I c'n tell you!" + +Sometimes Toby seemed to become so provoked with his ungovernable vocal +organs that he would get angry, and wind up by speaking as plainly as +the next one. + +But before then Max, and perhaps the other pair in the bargain, had +discovered a figure advancing slowly toward them. Eagerly Bandy-legs +stared. Perhaps he began to already entertain a wild hope that the +newcomer would prove to be the very boy whom they had come so far to +find; but if this were so he must have almost immediately discovered his +mistake, for the other was a sun-burned and wind-tanned lad, sturdily +built, and apparently the son of some woods guide; for he carried a gun, +and was dressed in rough though serviceable khaki trousers and blue +flannel shirt. + + + +Chapter III + + +OBED GRIMES BOBS UP + +"Howdy, strangers!" said the other, as he slowly approached the spot +where Max and his three chums still sat around the fire, feasting on +their spread. "I happened to see yer blaze, and guessed I'd drop in to +see who yah might be. 'Taint often anybody comes up this way, though to +be sure thar was two gentlemen fishin' hereabouts last summer." + +Somehow Max liked his manner of speech. He also thought he could detect +something like a love for humor in those sparkling eyes. + +"Sit down, and have a bite with us, won't you?" he remarked, making a +suggestive movement with his hand, as though calling attention to the +fact that there was still plenty of room on the log which he and Toby +Jucklin had occupied in common. "Sorry the trout's given out, but we've +got plenty of other grub, and be sure you're welcome." + +The sturdy woods boy was looking them over. Bandy-legs, suspicious as +usual, rather took umbrage at this action. He eyed the newcomer as +though not yet quite willing to echo the warm invitation accorded him by +Max. But Steve was already getting an extra tin-cup for coffee; and +fortunately there still remained an abundant supply of the amber fluid +in the capacious pot. + +Apparently the newcomer had determined that it would be prudent for him +to comply with the invitation thus cordially given. So he sat down and +made himself at home. Up there in the woods there exists a genuine +hospitality that never hesitates to extend the right hand of fellowship +to any straggler who chances to enter the camp. There seems to be +something in the healthy ozone of the wilderness that makes all men +comrades for the time being. The latchstring is always out in camp; and +never does an appeal for help go disregarded. + +Max proceeded to immediately introduce himself and his three chums by +name. He of course mentioned the fact that they came from a town named +Carson, situated far away from that region; but then of course the woods +boy could never have heard of such a place before. Still, his eyebrows +arched, and he seemed to once again observe his entertainers with fresh +interest; but then when Max Hastings chose to exert himself to make a +favorable impression every one fell under his spell. + +And when Bandy-legs, Toby and Steve noticed that Max did not think fit +to say a single word about the queer mission which had brought them to +the mountains they too concluded that it would be just as well not to be +too hasty about telling all their business to a stranger. A little later +on, perhaps, when they came to become better acquainted with the other, +they might ply him with questions in order to find out if he chanced to +know such a weakly looking fellow as Roland Chase. + +Of course after that it was up to the other to tell them whom he was. He +did not have any hesitation, from which Steve concluded there could be +no reason for keeping his identity a secret. + +"Course I got a name, too, even if it ain't _quite_ so scrumptuous as +yours. But Obed Grimes suits me just as well, and it ain't never kept me +from eatin' three square meals a day--when I could get 'em," he told +them, soberly, though that odd little gleam in his eyes mystified Max +somewhat. + +"I suppose you live around this section, then, Obed?" he remarked, as he +cleaned out the frying-pan that had contained the ham and eggs--the +latter having been carried all the way from the last small village they +passed through, and which supply would doubtless be the last they might +enjoy for a long time to come. + +"Oh! yes, thar's a plenty of Grimeses up this way," the other replied, +promptly. "Fact is, the Grimeses are a big family, all told. Thar's +Grandad Grimes to start with, and he's going on ninety now; then there's +Uncle Hiram, Uncle Silas, Uncle Job, Uncle Sephus, Uncle _Nicodemus_, +and a whole lot more; besides Aunt Rebecca, Aunt Sophia, Aunt Hetebel, +and--glory to goodness, I could sit here for ten minutes and string out +the names of the grimeses there are in the mountains; but say I'm +_awful_ hungry, and you'll excuse me if I get busy with this fine grub. +The other names will keep till next time, I reckon." + +"Whew! it must feel funny to belong to such a big family," remarked +Steve, who did not happen to have any close relatives himself. + +"Oh! shucks! none of 'em ever bother about _me_ any," said the boy, as +well as he could with his mouth stuffed of the ham and bread, which he +presently washed down with a copious draught of hot coffee. "They just +know that Obed he c'n take good care o' hisself." + +Bandy-legs began to show a rising interest in the other. His suspicions +were beginning to give way under the genial ways of the said Obed. That +smile on the dusky face of the visitor in the camp had commenced to get +its work in. By degrees perhaps Bandy-legs might even come to like Obed +Grimes; though, truth to tell, he had always despised that last name, +for a boy answering to it had once treated Bandy-legs in a most +humiliating fashion, and this still rankled in his memory, although +years had fled since the occurrence. + +"Do you mean from that, Obed," he went on to remark "that you're all +alone up here in the woods near old Mount Tom? Haven't you any of the +other Grimeses along with you?" + +The boy shook his head in the negative, and grinned again. Max was +trying to study him, and he found the task one well worthy of his best +efforts. In the beginning he determined that Obed was no ordinary chap, +but possessed of sterling characteristics. He waited for the +conversation to get further along, confident that the other had a +surprise up his sleeve which he might condescend to share with them, +after he had become fully satisfied they were to be trusted, and that he +could look upon them in the light of friends. + +"Nary a Grimes 'cept me inside o' twenty miles o' here, and that's a +fact," he assured Bandy-legs, after finishing his drinking. "Fact is, +most o' the family don't know jest where I'm at; and say, between us, I +ain't a carin' about tellin' 'em." + +That looked a bit singular, Bandy-legs thought. His suspicions returned +again, though with diminished force; for somehow he could not look into +that frank and even merry face of the woods boy and actually believe he +was "off-color" in any way. + +"But what do you do with yourself all alone, I'd like to know?" burst +out impetuous Steve. "Are you making a living playing at guide for +parties of tourists, or fishermen and hunters? And, say, you don't mean +to tell me you stay all alone up in this wilderness right through the +winter?" + +Obed Grimes nodded his head cheerfully. + +"I ain't got any choice in the matter, yuh see," he told them, +mysteriously; "just _got_ to stay. Why, it would bust the hull business +to smash if I 'lowed myself to skip out, even for a week or two. I'm +tied down to it, that's right." + +Bandy-legs exchanged a significant look Toby Jucklin. He scratched his +head with the air of one who found himself up against a hard, knotty +problem. Apparently, if the stranger in camp was trying to mystify them, +he had already succeeded in tangling up the wits of Bandy-legs completely. + +Max continued to sit there and take it all in. There was no need of his +saying anything so long as the other fellows had embarked on the task of +drawing Obed out and learning just what he was doing to keep him +marooned up there summer and winter, like a regular old recluse, or +woodchuck. + +"But there must be heaps and heaps of snow here winters," suggested +Steve; "and I'd think you'd find it pretty hard getting about." + +"Oh! not so bad when you have snow-shoes" Obed told him, with a shrug of +his shoulders, and another attack on the contents of his tin panninkin. + +"'Course not," Steve hastened to say, as though he had guessed that this +would be the answer. "But when the law is on the deer and partridges it +must be hard to keep to a regular diet of trout. I c'n stand them for a +while; but in the end I'd get sick of the smell of 'em cooking." + +"Oh! I have plenty of good grub along," chuckled Obed. "I was on my way +home at the time I glimpsed your fire; and bein' full o' wonder +concernin' who could be around these diggings right now I crept up to +spy on ye. But say, soon's I glimpsed your crowd, and saw that you was +only a bunch o' boys, why I felt easier, 'cause I knew then you couldn't +mean to bother me any." + +Now that sounded queer again, Bandy-legs thought. Why should any one +take the trouble to "bother" Obed Grimes, unless, indeed, he had been +doing something that he hadn't ought to, and hence expected to be +visited sooner or later by emissaries of the law, possibly in the shape +of angry game wardens? + +All sorts of strange thoughts flashed through that active brain of the +boy with the bowed legs. He wondered whether Obed could be a desperate +young criminal. Had his family, those excellent Grimes of whom he had +spoken in such proud accents, cast him out as altogether beyond hope? +Bandy-legs could hardly think this when he looked again into that face, +and caught the gleam of those merry orbs. No, Obed might be a _peculiar_ +sort of fellow, but really there did not seem to be much of guile in his +make-up; if it turned out to be so, then he, Bandy-legs, was ready to +call himself a mighty poor reader of character. + +So he, too, relapsed into temporary silence and let Steve carry on the +interrogations; which the said Steve considered himself very well +qualified to do since he aspired in his secret soul to some fine day +study to be a lawyer. + +"But why should anybody want to bother you, Obed?" he asked. "To hear +you talk in that way a fellow would think you had a lot of enemies +hanging around, trying the best they knew how to give you trouble." + +"Well, I ain't had any mix-up ever since I've been here," admitted the +other, with a slight frown crossing his face; "but lately I got wind o' +some news that's worried me a heap. Fact is, I'm afraid I'm goin' to be +right smart bothered with a bunch o' thieves who'd like to _steal_ my +outfit from me!" + +Steve fairly gasped. He could not make head or tail of what the other +was so deliberately telling him. Max, listening, and watching that +expressive face of Obed, secretly believed the newcomer was purposely +drawing Steve on, meaning to surprise him when finally he chose to +explain it all. So Max did not attempt to interfere, but let things go +on as they were doing, satisfied that the answer to the conundrum would +soon come. + +"Steal your outfit from you?" echoed Steve, when he could catch his +breath; "do you mean that you're carrying on some sort of business, +then, up here in the woods?" + +"Reckon that's about right, Steve," Obed replied, and his familiar use +of the other's name could be easily explained by that spirit of "free +masonry" that exists among all boys. "I've got a business, which looks +like it was goin' to pan out right decent, and make me some money in the +bargain. That's why they're meanin' to rob me, I guess; anyhow, it +hinges on that same thing. And I thought you might be that crowd first, +but I soon saw I was mistaken, and that you'd be my friend." + +"But what sort of business is it you're in, Obed?" asked Steve, boldly. + +"Me? Oh! I'm only a farmer," confessed the other, chuckling as he spoke. + +"A farmer!" echoed Steve, looking blank; "but how could anybody steal +your ground away, or carry off your crops, I'd like to know?" + +"Why, yuh don't jest understand, Steve. I ain't no regular hayseed. I'm +a fur farmer, you see; and you could carry my crop of fox pelts away +easy enough on your own back!" + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +BANDY-LEGS SUSPECTS + +Max Hastings smiled. He at the same time drew a breath of relief, +satisfied to know that his first impression of the sturdy looking young +chap was confirmed, and convinced that the said Obed Grimes must be the +right sort of fellow. + +Steve and Bandy-legs fairly gasped, as though they had received a real +shock. At the same time the eyes of the former glistened with +newly-awakened interest. + +"A fur farmer, do you say, Obed? And raising foxes for the market, are +you?" he burst out with, delightedly. "Now, I've read a heap about that +sort of thing in the papers and magazines, but I never thought I'd +actually run across anybody that had the nerve and confidence to go into +it as a business. And you say you're making good, are you, Obed? That's +fine!" + +"I've turned my 'tention to raisin' real black foxes, first thing," +explained the other, with a touch of genuine pride in his manner, Max +could easily see; "and if the try turns out as profitable as I reckon +she promises to be, why, then, I'm figgerin' on tryin' to raise mink and +marten and sech other furs as fetch top-notch prices." + +"Then I guess you must have trapped all sorts of wild animals before +now, Obed?" suggested Steve, eagerly, "so you know their habits to a +fraction; because, of course, only one who is posted in that direction +could ever hope to make a success of a fur farm." + +Obed grinned and nodded his head. + +"Oh! I reckon I'm up a little bit in all sech things," he said airily +enough. "And after all, it ain't so _very_ hard to raise foxes. I was +afraid fust off it might be what they told me, that blacks ain't to be +relied on to breed true to strain, but shucks! I've got some cubs that +are dandies. Wait till you see 'em, boys." + +That sounded as though, sooner or later, Obed meant to have them visit +his fur farm, and see with their own eyes what he had been doing. +Bandy-legs, skeptical once more, told himself he only hoped the whole +thing might not turn out to be a myth, and that the said Obed himself +prove to be a deception and a fraud. + +"I understand that the pelts of black foxes are worth a whole lot of +money," remarked Steve; "fact is, we know that to be so, because we once +had such a skin given to us by a man who made a business of trapping." + +"It all depends on the quality of the pelt," explained Obed. "Some ain't +worth as much as three hundred dollars, because they've got defects, yuh +see. Then again a real fine skin has fetched as much as thirty-six +hundred dollars in London markets." + +Evidently, Obed was well posted, at any rate, whether he really had +such a fur farm of his own or not, Bandy-legs concluded. And then he +again allowed himself to give imagination free rein, and for a time +even looked on Obed as the essence of truth, doubly distilled. + +Sitting there by the fire, which one of he boys replenished every little +while, Obed told them many very interesting things connected with that +strange farm of his. All this in his odd vernacular which Max tried to +get the hang of, in order to judge whether it signified that the country +boy lacked an education or not. He continued to be more or less +mystified, however, though concluding that Obed was just one of those +customary country boys often run across on farms who take especial +delight in joking and playing little tricks which they consider +humorous. + +"But he isn't at all bad, I'll stake everything on that" Max also told +himself, as he sat and listened to the really interesting descriptions +given by the other of his successes, and first failures along the +difficult line of breeding foxes in captivity, with scores of things +against him, which had to be overcome. + +An hour passed by in this manner. When Max saw their visitor showing +signs as if he meant to leave them, he took a hand in the conversation, +which up to then had been almost wholly monopolized by Bandy-legs, Steve +and the woods boy. + +"It's very kind of you to invite us over to inspect this wonderful +little fur farm of yours, Obed," he went on to say; "but you'll have to +give us directions how we can get there, unless you mean to accept our +offer of a blanket by the fire here tonight, when we could go along with +you in the morning." + +Obed looked sober. + +"I'd like to stay longer with you, boys," he hastened to say, as though +he really meant it, "but I ought tuh be gettin' back home. Thar's some +duties waitin' for me to look after. And then I ain't quite easy in my +mind 'bout them two fellers that's up here in the woods. They ain't +meanin' to do any shootin', even if they have got Lem Scott along as a +guide, and he the meanest skunk in the hull county, lots o' folks do +say, and a poacher in the bargain that the wardens are layin' to grab +one o' these fine days. Now I'll jest up and tell yuh how to get to my +place. It's as easy as water runnin' down-hill." + +He entered into explicit directions, and Max pinned them in his memory. +In fact, Obed simply told them to follow the stream up three miles until +they came to a bunch of seven birch trees on the right-hand bank. There +they were to pick up a trail they would find, follow it half a mile, and +at that they would see a cabin under the hemlocks and pines, which would +be his humble home woods. + +"We've got it all down pat, Obed," said Steve, "and like as not you'll +see the bunch of us trailing along there some time tomorrow morning. +I've always been crazy to see a fur farm, after reading so much about +them, and you bet I don't mean to let this chance slip by me." + +Max now thought it time to make a few inquiries himself. He wanted to +ask Obed whether he had ever run across a boy by the name of Roland +Chase, a sickly looking chap in the bargain. It might possible to pick +up a clue in this way; and they had reached a point where they could not +afford to let any opportunity for acquiring information get past them. + +In order to pursue this course, however, Max realized that it would be +necessary to enter into some sort of explanation concerning the nature +of the peculiar errand that had tempted them to come to the Adirondacks. + +"I want to ask you a question or two, Obed," he began, "but first of all +I ought to tell you what brings us here." + +Accordingly, Max proceeded to explain how the school had be closed for +two or more weeks in early October, and what a singular thing came about +to tempt them into taking an outing. He was watching the woods boy at +the time he first mentioned Mrs. Hopewell, and spoke the name of Roland +Chase; but if the other gave any unusual signs of interest, Max failed +to catch the same. Still, Obed was listening with all his might, and it +seemed as though the unusual story of the inheritance that was to be +given to the said Roland in case he made good, interested him. + +Max in this manner explained just why he and his three chums had +accepted the generous offer of the elderly lady, so deeply concerned +over the welfare of her nephew Boland, that she was ready to spend +almost any reasonable sum in order to at least learn that the poor boy +was alive, and in fairly decent health. + +They had been told to assure him, in case they ever managed to locate +the elusive Roland, that he should not worry because of not being able +to comply with the absurd conditions of Uncle Jerry's ridiculous will; +because she had enough of this world's goods for both, and she meant to +leave it all to him, Roland; so she begged him to come back to her, and +live his own life again, even though he had spent the last penny of his +two-thousand-dollar legacy, and was as poor as Job's turkey. + +All this made an interesting story, and must have amused the woods boy +more or less, because Max knew how to put considerable pathos in it. +Obed sat there shading his eyes with his hand to keep the glow of the +fire from dazzling him. Occasionally he would interrupt to ask some +natural question, which made Max think he was taking a fair amount of +interest in the account. + +"What I wanted to ask you," concluded Max, "was whether you'd ever +happened to run across this same Roland Chase in the mountains. We heard +about a fellow answering his description who was seen in company with a +dissipated guide named Shanks. I thought perhaps you might help us out, +Obed." + +Obed looked him straight in the face. + +"So far as I knows on, Max," he went on to say, seriously, "I ain't +never met any feller like yuh say face to face. About that man Shanks, I +know he's said to be a tough un. I saw him some months back down at +Sawyer's Forks, and by hokey! now that you mention it, thar _was_ a +sickly lookin' young feller along with him then; but say, his name was +Bob Jenks, or somethin' like that, and not Roland Chase." + +"Oh! well, so far as that goes," said Max, "he may have changed his +name. Some people think nothing of sailing under false colors; and if it +turns out that Roland has taken up with such a disreputable character as +this drunken guide seems to be, I don't wonder at him wanting to hide +his identity. So you think you must be going home, do you, Obed?" + +"Yep," the other observed, gaining his feet. "And I wanter to thank all +o' ye for givin' me sech a pleasant evenin'. I ain't had sech a good +time this long while back. But then the Grimeses all are 'customed to +roughin' it. Granddad used to be away all by hisself for as much as two +years, trappin' up in Canada. It's in the blood, I reckon. Now, yuh mean +to drop in, and visit me, don't ye? I'll be expectin' yuh, and have +something to eat awarmin', though course I ain't a good cook like you +fellers, as has had so much experience. So long, boys!" + +He waved them a cheerful goodbye, once more smiled at each in turn, +whirled on his heel, and was gone, seeming to vanish in the shadows of +the nearby woods like "a wisp of smoke when the wind strikes it," as +Steve remarked. + +After the departure of their guest, it was only natural that he should +be the subject of conversation about the fire as the four chums lay +there taking things easy. + +"Max, honest to goodness now," Bandy-legs remarked, "do you really take +any stock in that fairy story he told us about an imaginary fur farm? It +struck me Obed is givin to yarnin' just for the love of it. All that +stuff about his relatives may have been true, and again only nonsense. +It's my opinion there isn't any Granddad Grimes, or Uncle Hiram, +Nicodemus and so forth. He grinned like everything when he was reeling +those names off so slick. Yes, he was stringing us, I bet you." + +"W-w-why," burst out Toby just then, "who wouldn't have to s-s-snicker +when he had a w-w-whole lot of relations with such f-f-funny names! It'd +make me grin from ear to ear every time I h-h-happened to think of 'em. +You're the greatest hand to s-s-suspect anybody I ever s-s-saw, +Bandy-legs. Now, I want you to k-k-know that I think Obed the +s-s-straight g-g-goods, and I'm taking a heap of s-s-stock in seeing +that bully f-f-fur f-f-farm of his tomorrow; ain't you, Max?" + +"Certainly I am," replied the other, without a second's hesitation. "In +the first place, Bandy-legs, you must understand that nobody could talk +so interestingly on a subject unless he knew a lot about it. He told us +a dozen things about fur farming that I never heard before." + +"Huh! and perhaps nobody else ever heard of them either, Max," grunted +the far from satisfied Bandy-legs. + +"Nothing will ever satisfy him except he sees those kit foxes with his +own eyes," asserted Steve, almost indignantly, "handles them with his +own paws, and asks every little critter whether he really belongs to +Obed Grimes. Bandy-legs is the worst Doubting Thomas going, when the fit +comes on him." + +Even this sort of talk did not convince the objector. + +"Say what you will, fellows," Bandy-legs went on, stubbornly, "there's a +wheen of queer things connected with this same Obed Grimes, and I won't +take that back till he shows us his wonderful old farm, where he raises +black foxes for the fur market. Stop and think how mysteriously he +popped in on us, will you? Why, he as much as owned up that he had been +spying on us for a long time. If Toby here hadn't discovered him +peeking, and pointed that way, chances are he wouldn't have shown up at +all. Now, what made him snoop around our camp like that?" + +"Say, didn't he explain all that just as straight as a die?" objected +Steve, who seemed to have conceived quite a fancy for Obed Grimes, the +woods boy. "He told us he had reason to fear some unscrupulous fellows +were hanging around this region and meaning to steal his pets when they +got half a chance. That was why he wanted to watch, and make sure we +didn't belong to the same crowd." + +"Oh! yes, a likely story, too," continued Bandy-legs, with a sneer. "Why +should anybody want to rob a poor boy who was trying to earn his living +by farming, even if it was furs he raised instead of grain or hogs or +stock?" + +"Why, you poor ninny, the reason is as plain as the nose on your face, +Bandy-legs, and that's not invisible by a big sight. When a black fox +pelt will fetch a thousand dollars, more or less, and can't well be +traced once it gets mixed with other pelts, it stands to reason that any +thief would want to steal it. As to your doubting that there are any +other people up in this section, you seem to forget, Bandy-legs, that +around noon today we sighted a plain smoke some miles away, which we +opined must have been made by some advance hunters, waiting for the law +to be off deer. Well, why couldn't it have been the people Obed says he +fears, who made that smoke? Now, for my part, I believe every word Obed +Grimes said. He's the straight goods every time, and you can see it in +his eye, for he looks you direct in the face." + +Thereupon, Bandy-legs, as though realizing that he had raised a hornet's +nest about his ears, deemed it the part of discretion to shrug his +shoulders after the manner of one who, "convinced against his will is of +the same opinion still." + +"We'll let the subject drop, Steve," he said, hastily. "It ain't worth +quarreling over. The proof of the pudding is in the eating of it; and +tomorrow we'll _know_ what's what. But remember, if it turns out that +we've been bamboozled, don't blame me, because I've warned you all." + +"If we had a chill from every warning you've sprung on us, Bandy-legs," +Steve told him, witheringly, "why, say, we'd have gone all to pieces +long before now. You're a regular old bad-weather prognosticator, that's +what you are." + +"That's right, get to calling names. It's a habit with people who know +they are in the wrong," grumbled Bandy-legs; but, nevertheless, he "drew +within his shell," and said nothing further about Obed Grimes or his +suspicions concerning the same. + + + +CHAPTER V + + +PACKING OVER THE "CARRY" + +Later on the conversation began to lag. Steve was noticed drowsily +nodding his head in a suggestive way; and then after a sudden start he +would look around aggressively, as if to remark: "who said I was +sleepy?" but within three minutes he would be at it again. + +In fact all of the boys were really tired out. The day's tramp had been +a difficult one, even for fellows accustomed to such things; and those +regular Adirondack packs, with a band crossing the forehead in the usual +way, had seemed doubly heavy before they decided to stop for the night. + +Of course there were sounds to be heard all around them, but +"familiarity breeds contempt," and from Max down they were all +accustomed to hearing similar noises whenever they spent nights in the +open. The owl would whinny or hoot according to his species; the loon +send forth his agonizing and weird shriek from some distant lake; a fox +might bark sharply and fretfully, or two quarrelsome 'coons dispute over +a bit of food they had discovered--all this went with the camping +business, and indeed it would have seemed odd to those boys had the +usual accompaniment been missing. + +"Well, what's the use of our staying up longer?" Max finally announced +in an authoritative fashion, after Steve had almost jerked his neck awry +for about the seventh time, with one of those spasmodic movements. "Our +blankets are calling to us, boys; let's turn in." + +There was no negative vote recorded, for every one seemed ready to call +it a day, and quit. Max took it upon himself to look after the fire. +Plenty of wood had been gathered to last until morning, and then some; +for, as the night air was beginning to feel pretty sharp, it was +concluded to keep the fire going. + +"I'll look out for that part," said Max. "I generally wake up just so +many times during the night when I'm in camp, and it's no trouble for me +to crawl out and toss another stick on the fire. So forget it, fellows, +will you?" + +Apparently the others took him at his word, for not another sign of any +of them was seen while night lasted. Once they snuggled down in their +warm comfortable blankets, they must have become "dead to the world," as +Steve aptly termed it. + +Several times while the night held sway a figure would crawl noiselessly +out of the crude brush shanty shelter, and place another lot of wood +upon the dwindling fire, thus keeping it going for another spell of +several hours. Of course this was Max, who really liked to take an +observation concerning the state of the weather, note the changed +positions of the heavenly bodies, so that he could figure on the +passage of time; and then once more creep into the folds of his blanket +to again fall into a deep sleep. + +So the night passed. + +Nothing occurred to disturb its serenity. The little four-footed woods +folks doubtless prowled all around the boys' camp, eyeing the glimmering +fire with wonder and distrust, for it could not be a familiar sight to +any of them, since mankind seldom visited this inaccessible region so +far removed from the track of ordinary travel. Some of the more daring +among them, venturesome 'coons or 'possums perhaps, may even have +invaded the precincts of the charmed circle, searching with their keen +little noses for traces of castaway food; but, if so, their presence did +not disturb the sleepers within that shelter. + +So morning came on apace, and presently from the brush shanty one after +another of the fellows came creeping forth, to stretch and yawn and +finally hasten their dressing, for the frosty air nipped fingers and +toes quite lustily. + +They were in no particular hurry, and breakfast therefore was undertaken +in the best of humor, with plenty of time given to its preparation. +Everybody seemed to be in the best of humors, and his good sleep must +have smoothed even the spirit of the fretful Bandy-legs, for he no +longer grumbled or found fault. Perhaps, as so frequently happened, he +was secretly ashamed of having shown such a suspicious and +argumentative disposition on the preceding evening, and meant to make +amends for it by an unusually cheery manner. + +It was determined to "break camp" soon after the matin meal had been +comfortably dispatched. This did not promise to be an extraordinary +feat, since they were trying to go light-handed on this expedition, and +did not have many of their ordinary "traps" along, from a tent down to +certain cooking utensils that had been deemed too heavy for "toting" +mile after mile into the wilderness. + +It makes a whole lot of difference just how fellows mean to go, when +laying out the impedimenta for a trip. If a wagon or a boat is +available, all sorts of things may as well be taken along, so as to +insure the maximum of comfort; but when it is known in the beginning +that all they are meaning to use must be packed every mile of the way on +the back of the campers, then it is high time to cut down the list to +the last fraction, so far as weight and bulk are concerned. + +Max and his chums had reduced this down to a real science. For instance, +having a comfortable balance at the bank, thanks to their thrift in the +past,[2] money did not enter into their calculations at all. +Consequently, they had purchased a complete little outfit of aluminum +cooking vessels that nested within each other and weighed next to +nothing, while offering all the advantages of ordinary granite ware. +Other campers' comforts, too, had been secured, so that they even +carried a certain amount of condensed food in the shape of milk powder; +evaporated eggs that could be used to make excellent omelets in case of +necessity; and even soup in double cans, with a layer of unslacked lime +between, which, by the addition of a little water to the lime could be +heated up beautifully without the aid of a fire. + +[2] "In camp on the Big Sunflower." + +When all of them started in to get busy, things quickly assumed a +concentrated condition. Each article had its regular place where it +would take up the least possible space. Why, by now every fellow had +found out just how to do up his pack so that no sharp and uncomfortable +edges would cut into his back; and when this condition has been reached, +it means that the last word in packing has been learned. + +Max himself saw to it that the fire was effectually "killed" before they +quitted the scene of their night encampment. This he did by throwing +water on the hissing embers until it was quite dead. If every party that +spends a night in the wilderness took the same pains to put out their +fire on leaving, many a magnificent stretch of timber would be spared +from the ravages of a forest fire, that leaves only blackened tree +trunks behind, and ruins thousands of acres of wooded land every year. + +Although a fire may die down, and seem to have little life in it, there +is no absolute surety unless water be used, that a rising wind may not +fan the embers into renewed activity, until a dangerous spark is carried +into some nest of dead leaves near by, and so the fire starts that +man-power can seldom control. + +"Three miles, he said, up this stream," observed Bandy-legs, as they +started gaily forth, Max in the lead, and Toby bringing up the rear. + +"And as no doubt the said stream meanders considerably in its course, +that might mean only half the distance as the crow flies," remarked the +leader, turning once more to look back toward the deserted camp, after +the fashion of a carpenter who considers it wise to measure his post +_once again_ before applying the saw, because after the deed is done the +parts can never be put together again; but everything seemed still, and +not the faintest whisp of smoke crept lazily upward from the late +camp-fire. + +They walked along for a short distance, and then upon crossing a little +rise, in order to skirt a bad section of marshy ground, it was +discovered that they had a good chance to look backward. A rather pretty +view rewarded their efforts, and as all the boys appreciated Nature in +her fall dress, they stood for a minute drinking this in. + +"You can follow the course of the stream for quite a distance, notice?" +remarked Bandy-legs. "And I even see the place where we yanked Steve +here out of that sand." + +Steve frowned as he looked, and Max could see that he had gone a little +white. The memory of his harrowed feelings on that occasion would stay +with Steve for quite some time, and produce an unpleasant sensation +every time it came before his mental vision. + +Max also saw him shut his teeth very hard together, and was close enough +to even catch a word or two the boy muttered savagely to himself. + +"Never again!" + +From that Max could judge the lesson had been impressed on Steve's mind +indelibly; and that as long as he lived he would be careful how he +entered an unknown stream when fishing; and especially how he became so +engrossed in his sport as to stand a length of time in one spot, without +working his feet up and down so as to make sure they were free from +clinging sand. + +They chatted from time to time as they proceeded, and of course all +sorts of subjects cropped up to be discussed. Sometimes there was a +little good-natured dispute concerning something or other, for boys have +different minds, and are apt to view things from various angles; but as +time passed they made such good progress that Max presently announced +his belief they must presently glimpse the seven birch trees mentioned +by Obed Grimes, as marking the place where they were to quit the bank of +the stream. + +At the time they stopped to look backward Max had scanned the country +behind them, looking for some trace of another camp smoke, but seeing +fond of "working his way," and often slipped out of things when he +could manage it--some fellows always do get hold of the smaller end of +the log that is being carried, as if by instinct; though it would be +hardly fair to call them shirkers. + +They rested for something like ten minutes. Then Max started up. + +"Here's the trail Obed told us about," he observed, pointing down at his +feet as though he had been looking about him while recuperating after +that three mile carry. "And I guess we might as well be going on. For +one I'm beginning to feel quite curious to see that lodge of his under +the pines and hemlocks, as well as learn what he is doing with his fox +farm." + +Bandy-legs opened his mouth, and then considered it better not to voice +the question he had on the tip of his tongue, for he shut his jaws tight +together again, and did not speak; Max noticing this, it caused him to +smile in quiet satisfaction. That was a very disagreeable habit of +Bandy-legs, always questioning things, and wanting double proof before +he would put the stamp of his approval on them; and Max kept hoping that +in the process of time it could be broken up. + +It was not difficult to follow the trail, even though at times this +proved to be rather faint and undecided; at least it turned out to be an +easy task with the four chums, simply because they were accustomed to +such things. A greenhorn might have lost the track many times, and made +a none. He had in mind the story told by Obed concerning the presence +in the vicinity of another party, and his suspicions concerning their +base intentions. Apparently Max must have believed what the woods boy +said, even though he could see no sign of a camp that morning. + +"I've got an idea the seven birches are just over yonder, boys!" +announced Steve, who possessed good eyesight. "Twice now I've glimpsed +something white among the thickets of undergrowth; and you can see that +the creek is beginning to swing around so as to lead us in that +direction." + +"G-g-guess you're about r-r-right, Steve!" declared Toby Jucklin, +instantly; "to t-t-tell you the t-t-truth, I've been squinting that same +p-p-patch of white myself q-q-quite some little time now." + +It turned out to be just as Steve had prophesied. They soon discovered a +bunch of birches growing from the stump of a larger tree that had long +ago fallen under the ax of a woodsman. + +"There are seven, all right--count 'em!" announced Steve with a vein of +exultation in his voice, just as though by right of discovery those +birches really belonged to him. + +"Let's call a little rest before we tackle the last round," begged +Bandy-legs, as they arrived alongside the landmark mentioned by Obed; +and without waiting for the others to assent he dropped his pack, and +threw himself down on an especially inviting bit of moss, heaving a +great sigh of relief; for be it known, Bandy-legs was not especially +"mountain out of a mole-hill," as Steve aptly put it, when referring to +the matter. + +Soon they were casting eager glances ahead, under the impression that +they must certainly be drawing near the object of their search. Even +Bandy-legs had by now apparently arrived at the belief that Obed was +"straight," and that he really did have some sort of home in this +secluded region. The directions had turned out to be exact, from the +three-mile tramp along the stream and the "seven birches, count 'em"; to +the winding trail that led from that point deeper into the woods. + +"Looky there, isn't that some sort of high wire fence?" demanded Steve, +suddenly. + +"And, say, I got a plain whiff of sweet hickory wood smoke then, believe +me," added Bandy-legs, in some excitement, and evidently forgetting that +not long before he had been skeptical regarding the existence of any +lodge or fox farm. + +"Well, there's the answer right before you," laughed Max; and as they +stared in the direction their leader was pointing, the balance of the +little party saw what seemed to be the "cutest" little cabin fashioned +from sawn logs, and nestling in a happy fashion directly under the +clustering pines and hemlocks, that hung over it most protectingly, as +though with the intention of keeping the winter snows from weighing down +the sloping roof. + +At one end was a chimney made of slabs of wood, with the chinks filled +in with mud that, in the process of time, aided by the heat of the fire, +had become as hard as cement or adamant; and from this there curled +wreaths of lazily ascending blue smoke, the source of that delightful +odor that had drifted to Bandy-legs's nostrils. + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +THE LODGE OF MANY WONDERS + +"There's Obed right now, waving at us from the doorway of his cabin," +announced Steve, even as they looked at the picture made by the little +log structure nestling so cozily under the dark foliage of the resinous +trees that never lost their green look, even when snow covered the +mountains to the depth of several feet. + +They hurried forward to join the owner of the woods lodge, who had +evidently expected them to put in an appearance about this time of day, +figuring just when they would break camp, and how long it would take +them to make the "carry." + +He shook hands with each of his new-found friends in turn, and warmly, +too. Even Bandy-legs seemed to feel that his unworthy suspicions of the +other could have no foundation, to judge from the hearty way in which he +greeted Obed. + +Max was quick to see that Obed looked pleased at their coming. He also +wondered why the other seemed to raise his eyebrows now and then, and +smile as though certain thoughts he entertained were quite amusing. But, +then, seeing what a lonely life the young fur farmer must be leading, so +far away from his kind, and wrapped up in his singular calling, after +all, it was not so queer that he should act in this way, upon having +visitors, and boys of his own age, in the bargain. + +They were ushered inside the lodge, and here another surprise greeted +them. Max in particular was astonished to find that the small building +contained so much in the way of comforts. If he had thought of the +matter at all, he probably expected to find just an ordinary shack, such +as nine boys in ten would be contented with building, and that Obed was +putting up with all sorts of discomforts. + +The contrary proved to be the truth, for there were numerous things in +sight to cause a visitor to express surprise. Why, Obed even used +_aluminum cooking utensils_ equal to theirs, though not meant for +camping particularly; there were several rocking chairs, and one big +fireside chair that looked mighty inviting indeed, as it flanked the +broad hearth where Obed had a blaze going. + +The kitchen lay at the back, and actually had a wood stove in it, +capable of baking bread or biscuits on occasion. Water, too, had been +piped to the cabin from some spring farther up the rise; though, in the +dead of winter a supply must of necessity be obtained from some other +source since this would be frozen up. + +These things, and many others along the same line, caused Max to survey +Obed with a new source of wonder. Who was this remarkable boy, and how +on earth did he come to possess such a magical lodge up here in the +unpeopled wilderness? Why, a rich man could hardly have surrounded +himself with more in the way of comforts; and yet, according to his +language, and his account of himself, Obed was only an ordinary child of +the woods, one of the very numerous Grimes tribe, many of whom doubtless +gained their living by serving as guides in season. + +Max, after staring around him in due wonder and admiration, turned again +to Obed. He could see that the other was observing them with that merry +twinkle in his eyes? and evidently expecting his guests to express +amazement at finding so wonderful a habitation where they had +anticipated so little. + +"Its just splendid, that's the only word I can find to express my +feelings, Obed," Max hastened to say, at which the other laughed aloud. + +"Course, now, you-all are awonderin' jest how a poor woods boy like me +'d ever git hold o' such a clever cabin," he went on to say; "but +shucks! that's an easy one to explain. Yuh see, it was built by a man +who had plenty o' money and poor health. He thought he could get well by +stayin' here, and so he fixed her up to beat the band. That big chair he +loved to sit in when the fire was agoin'. But jest as he got fixed so +nice his wife sent for him to come back home; and, say, he had to go. +So, havin' no use for his place here, he turned it over tuh me for a +song, I c'n show yuh the bill o' sale. Yuh see, I got to know Mr. Coombs +right well, for he was interested in my ijee o' startin' a fur farm. +Well, he's dead now. I often think when I'm sittin' here enjoyin' what +he built that somehow his spirit must be a hoverin' around, cause he +certainly _did_ love this place a heap." + +The explanation entirely satisfied Max, though of course that skeptic of +a Bandy-legs had to let his eyebrows go up in an arch as he listened; +but then Bandy-legs would doubt anything that savored of the uncommon. +Max simply frowned at him and paid no more attention to his manner. + +"You were certainly mighty lucky to fall heir to such a lovely little +home as this, Obed," Steve was saying, with a streak of envy in his +voice. "Say, I'd just be tickled half to death now if I could spend a +month up here with you. There must be plenty of game around, I reckon; +and it'd be a real delight to keep house in a little palace like this. +But how are you going to tuck us away for the night, Obed, if I might be +so bold as to ask, seeing that as yet we haven't had an invite to stay +over?" + +"Oh! that's easily managed," replied the other, with, another of his +queer laughs. "You haven't begun to see all the wonders o' this lodge. +Mr. Coombs amused himself for a whole summer havin' it built. He put a +heap o' his own ijees into the same, too. Yuh see, he used to be a sea +captain once on a time, and that gave him the notion to have tables that +folded against the wall so as tuh take mighty little room. Then seem' as +how he might expect to have company some time or other, look how he +fixed the bunks along the walls." + +With that Obed turned a button that none of them had thus far noticed, +fastened on the wall Immediately a section slipped down exposing a +cavity beyond that proved to be a regular sleeping bunk, fully capable +of "housing" any ordinary person. It was plain to be seen that his sea +education had given Mr. Coombs the idea carried out in this remarkable +fashion. + +"Beats anything I ever struck!" admitted the admiring Steve, as he +pushed forward to peep inside the cavity that seemed to offer such a +comfortable bed. + +"But hardly big enough for the whole bunch of us, I'm afraid, Obed," +urged Bandy-legs, with the idea, of course, of drawing the other out. + +"This is one bunk," said Obed, calmly, "there are three jest like it +along the two walls, makin' four in all. So yuh see it's jest like Mr. +Coombs, he figgered on my having you-all stop over with me some fine +day. Then I c'n make up a bed on that 'ere couch, which is softer 'n any +o' the bunks. _He_ used to sleep, on it all the time, did Mr. Coombs." + +"Well, I must say this is a revelation to me," admitted Max, his face +showing how pleased he felt. "And you were lucky, as Steve here just +said, to fall in with such a fine man as Mr. Coombs, at the time you +started your fur farm. I suppose it was the interest he took in it that +made him hand over this cabin, when he learned that his plans for +staying here could never be carried out." + +"Why, yes, mostly that," agreed Obed, turning a little red. "P'raps I +ought to tell yuh that I chanced to do Mr. Coombs a little favor when we +first met. Yuh see, I happened to come on him in the woods. He'd started +out to find a certain kind o' sapling that he wanted right bad to use; +and not bein' used to findin' his way around, he jest naturally got +lost. But that wasn't the wust o' it. In using his ax to chop down a +sapling he kim across, what did he do but cut his foot, and it was +bleeding like fun when I ketched his shouts, and kim up. Course, I soon +fixed that foot, and since he was only a little dried-up speck o' a man +I managed to tote him on my back most ways home here. He chose to think +I'd done him a _great_ favor, and after that he was always sayin' he +meant to repay me some day. Well, he certainly did when he turns over +this here neat contraption at a price that was dirt cheap, and which I'd +be ashamed to mention to yuh. That's how it come I got this cabin." + +How simple the explanation was after all, and how Bandy-legs must feel +his cheeks burn with shame at the thought of having suspected this same +Obed of trying to deceive them. Max could easily picture the ex-sea +captain seated in that capacious fireside chair with the tufted cushion, +and perhaps smoking his long-stemmed pipe with the air of a man who +believed he had found what he had long sought, peace and comfort +combined, only to have a summons come that he dared not disobey. + +"Make yourselves to hum," said Obed, cheerily. "Here, drop the packs +over in this corner. If later on so be yuh want to git anything out o' +the same it'll be easy done. And seein' as I've got dinner started, I +guess we wont take a turn around the farm till it's been stowed away." + +Although, of course, all of the boys were eager to see what a fur farm +looked like, where those wonderful black foxes that brought such, a big +price in the London markets were being bred in captivity, none of them +objected to sitting down and taking a rest. Bandy-legs and Steve in +particular made a bolt for the big chair, though the latter was too +quick for his competitor, and managed to ensconce himself within its +capacious embrace before Bandy-legs arrived. + +"Start earlier next time, Bandy-legs!" crowed the proud possessor of the +coveted seat, as he spread himself so as to occupy it all. "But after +I've tried it out I'll vacate, because I expect to get busy in that +bully little kitchen, and help friend Obed sling the grub for dinner." + +So Bandy-legs had to content himself with a seat on the couch. He might +have been observed sniffing the air with avidity, however, as though he +had caught some enticing odor stealing out of the oven of the cook +stove, that was not unlike fresh bread being well browned; and there was +nothing Bandy-legs loved better than the crust part of a fresh +baking--he always had a compact with the cook at home to save him the +"run-over" portions, which he looked upon as a prize well worth having. + +Soon Obed left them there in the larger room and vanished within the +kitchen. It was a challenge to Steve which he could not long resist. +Bandy-legs kept watching him glance toward the connecting doors. His +whole manner was that of a boy who, although making no sound, might be +"sicking" one dog on another. No sooner had Steve left the capacious +fireside chair than Bandy-legs slipped into it; and after that he was +not meaning' to be dislodged until the summons came to gather about the +table to discuss the midday meal. Bandy-legs liked eating as well as the +next one; but he loved his ease more, and was well content to have some +other fellow do the hard work of getting the meal ready; his time would +come when he had to "work his jaws" in disposing of his portion of the +spread. + +The more Max looked about him the greater his wonder became. All manner +of thoughts surged through that active mind of his. He had already +conceived the greatest sort of secret admiration for the extraordinary +woods boy, even before he had glimpsed that remarkable fur farm which +the other was successfully running. Plainly, then, this same Obed Grimes +was bound to be a credit to his family; and all those people bearing the +strange names given by Obed would some day find cause to feel proud of +having such an enterprising relative. + +Obed proved to be a pretty good cook, despite the humility with which he +had remarked that of course he could not expect to compete on even terms +with fellows who had had so many better opportunities to acquire the +"knack" of things, than had come his way. + +The bread was as fine as any Bandy-legs had ever eaten in his own home, +where a high-priced cook held sway over the kitchen. There was also a +meat pie that seemed delicious, both as to crust and contents, when +opened; though Obed in-formed them that it was made of canned beef, and +even displayed the recent tin jacket, with its telltale label, as +confirmation to his assertion. + +"Yuh see, boys," he remarked, laughingly, "I don't want yuh to think I'd +poach a deer in the close season, and palm it off as mountain mutton, +like they do at some o' the big hotels up here in the Adirondacks, I'm +told. Course I do shoot a deer once in a while in season; and lots o' +pa'tridges, they bein' so tame yuh c'n knock them over as they sit on +the lower limb o' a tree after flushin'. I ketch wheens o' trout, too, +from time to time; but I give yuh my word I never yet killed anything +when the law was on it, never!" + +When Obed said a thing in his emphatic way, he was to be relied on, Max +thought. The woods boy could look very sober at times, though, as a +rule, there was that merry gleam in his eye that told how much he loved +a joke. + +Altogether they had a delightful meal, and what was even better, there +was an abundance to give every one three bountiful helpings, which fact +pleased Bandy-legs and Steve in particular. The former, on passing his +plate--for they actually had such articles at this wonderful lodge under +the pines--for the third help, excused himself by remarking aside: + +"It's queer what a _terrible_ appetite toting a pack a few miles over a +carry gives a fellow. Now, at home I'm generally satisfied with one +portion, but once let me get into the harness, and I seem to have no end +of _capacity_. Say, I'd eat you out of house and home, Obed, if I stayed +very long at your ranch." + +"No danger o' that, I guess, Bandy-legs," replied the other, for he had +of course taken quite naturally to calling these new friends by their +customary names, just as boys always do get on quick terms of +familiarity. "Last time I went to town I laid in quite a wheen o' stuff. +Then there's always the crick to git trout outen; and in a short time +you could shoot pa'tridges without breakin' the game laws. So don't let +that worry yuh any. I'm on'y too tickled to have some fellers around. It +does git kinder lonely here, sometimes, I own up." + +"Whew! I should think it would, Obed," said Steve, lost in admiration +for the amazing nerve displayed by the woods boy in remaining all by +himself, winter and summer, seldom, if ever, seeing a human face, and +apparently devoting all his energies to making his fur farm experiment +turn out to be a success. "Nothing would tempt me to stick it out here a +whole winter. Why, I'd die of the blues, and let the black foxes go to +the dickens, while I made break for the nearest town, so I could hear +the sound of a human voice." + +Obed looked at him gravely, and heaved a sigh. + +"Yep, I feels that ways, too, sometimes, Steve," he said presently; "and +let me tell yuh the temptation is nigh more'n I c'n stand; but I jest +shuts my teeth together, and tells myself that I started in to do this +job, and I'm agoin' to stick it out or know the reason why. Then I git +my second wind agin' and it's all right. Once I used to give in right +easy, but I'm broke now o' that bad habit, I guess." + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +THE YOUNG MAGICIAN + +The more Max listened to Obed talk on the one subject that seemed to be +his pet hobby, that of raising valuable fur-bearing animals for the +market, the deeper grew his conviction that the woods boy was well worth +studying. + +He might talk after the manner of an uneducated boy, but Max knew that +this could not be the case. Even though the main lot of numerous +"Grimeses" were following the humble occupation of guides amidst the +extensive stretches of the Adirondacks, and possibly many of them would +be found to be boors, save along the line of woodcraft, Obed had managed +to pick up considerable knowledge, somehow or other. + +When trying to explain how this idea of successfully raising "silver" +black foxes took such a main grip on his imagination, he brought out a +batch of clippings which he had managed to get hold of in some manner, +Max could not even guess how. + +Some of these were fantastic in their revelations, while others were +authentic interviews with parties who for years had been secretly +engaged in the business of fur farming. This was away up on Prince +Edward Island beyond Nova Scotia, said to be the place best situated +geographically for the purpose, as these animals require a severe +climate in order that their pelt assumes its richest and heaviest crop. +A black fox farm started down in Florida would not produce furs worth +offering for sale. + +Max was intensely interested with one account in particular connected +with the extensive pioneer silver fox ranch. He even asked the privilege +of copying the same for future reference, because he knew that +statements he might make later on would be skeptically received by many +people who had never dreamed that any species of furs were so valuable +that young pups could be worth more than their weight in gold. + +That the boy reader of this story may also stock up with information +that will better enable him to understand what enterprising Obed Grimes +was trying to do on a small scale, I am tempted to give the main items +in this newspaper article, every word of which is said to be literally +true. + +Since this account was first printed some years ago, other farms along +similar lines have been started away up near Calgary, in the Canadian +Province of Alberta, and are said to be doing excellently, one ranch +near Midnapore reporting a start with twelve pair, and the pack now +counting thirty-seven in all. + +But here is the main part of the clipping, well worth reading: + +There is something novel about a ranch which consists of spaces +covering 150 feet of ground. Chappell, now president of the Sydney +Chamber of Commerce, Nova Scotia, owns seventy pairs of silver black +foxes, and his ranch is split up into small inclosures of that size, +covered with wire on four sides, the wire being buried four feet under +ground, attached to a concrete base, and turned in several feet. The +silver black fox tries to root its way to freedom, and this is the way +the breeder prevents his escape. + +When the foxes mate we also mate a pair of black cats of the ordinary +domestic variety. As soon as the young are born, we take the fox pups +away from the mother fox, and the kittens away from the mother cat, and +make the cat foster-mother to the fox cubs. In this way we are able to +rear a more domesticated breed of foxes. + +For twenty years this business of raising foxes of the silver black +species was really kept under cover, because of its great possibilities +for making big money. With the last four or five years the business has +become organized, and today many millions of dollars are invested in it. + +The last lot of animals slaughtered was in 1910. There were forty-three +pelts sent to London at that time. They brought as high as $3,800, the +average fetching $1,500. Silver black fox is the rarest fur utilized by +man. The Russian sable, otter, and South Sea seal are practically +eliminated for commercial purposes, due to international laws which +prohibit the killing of these animals for the next ten or fifteen years, +so as to give them a chance to increase. + +Only 800 pairs of live foxes were placed on sale last year. Fewer than +50 of that number were killed and their fur sold. The rest went for +breeding purposes, because fur farms are starting up in many favorable +places. The men who raise silver foxes on Prince Edward Island know the +game. They started in it as boys many years ago. + +"In the provinces of Prince Edward, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, men +and women interested in breeding foxes have been made wealthy. They were +poor people ten years ago. Today they live in town houses, own their own +automobiles, and yet continue to give the strictest attention to all the +details connected with their singular farming industry." + +Obed was extremely modest in what he told concerning his own small +beginning. Max, having also read in one of the clippings that a pair of +gilt-edged silver black foxes were worth all the way up to $30,000, was, +of course, doubly curious to learn whether those with which Obed started +could be the genuine article, and if so, how had he managed to obtain +them. + +It seemed to be only a game in which rich persons could enter. Obed +understood just what must be passing in the mind of the other, and at +the first opportunity he hastened to explain. + +"I was just chock full o' this business," he went on to say, "when I +ran across Mr. Coombs. Yuh remember I told yuh about how that came +about, and that he seemed to think I'd saved his life." Well, he and me +kept house together here for some months, and then one day thar come the +biggest surprise I ever had. He fetched a crate along up from town in a +wagon he hired; and say, inside the same was the finest pair o' silver +blacks I ever saw. Then some more wagons begun to show up fetchin' rolls +of wire netting, and bags o' cement to make concrete with. Mr. Coombs +had gone into the fur raisin' business for keeps, and I was to have an +interest in the game. He had an agreement all written out that both o' +us signed before a justice, which fixed things up. Half the proceeds o' +the fur farm was to come to me, while I stayed here to look after +things. + +"Well, sir, we worked like fun to git the stockade built 'cording to +form; and our mated pair o' foxes planted in the same. Since then I've +fixed three more enclosures, ready for an increase o' stock. Mr. Coombs, +he called this the Lone Lodge Black Fox Farm, and I guess the name will +stick even after I get to selling off some o' the product." + +It was simply wonderful, all of the eager listeners thought. Max could +hardly believe his ears, and yet so far as he could make out Obed seemed +in dead earnest. Besides, he had the documents to prove the truth of his +story, he said, which he would spread before them a little later on. + +As for that skeptic, Bandy-legs, he rolled his eyes up many times while +listening, and seemed to be swallowing it with considerable difficulty. +Toby and Steve never questioned the veracity of the narrator; they were +simply amazed at the immensity of the enterprise that had sprung up +almost like a mushroom, over night. Millions on millions of dollars +invested in artificial fur farming, and the general public utterly in +the dark concerning the facts until recently, when its scope could no +longer be concealed, like a light hidden under a bushel. + +"And now that you've kinder got an idea of what a big fur farm might be +like," the singular woods boy went on to say, rising as he spoke, +"s'pose yuh meander out and take a look at my humble beginnin'. I surely +hope yuh won't run down my efforts, 'cause o' course things ain't got to +runnin' full swing yet. But the cubs are nigh big enough to be taken to +market." + +"How many have you got, Obed?" asked Max, following the other out of the +cabin. + +"One pair nearly grown, and another just two months old. I've been +mighty lucky in not losing a single pup so far," came the reply over +Obed's shoulder; and he might be pardoned for putting just a mite of +pride in his tones, for he had accomplished something worth while for a +new beginner at the business. + +"But if you expect to keep in this line," said Bandy-legs quickly, as +though he voiced a suspicion that kept cropping up in his mind, "why do +you want to dispose of that first pair of pups?" + +Obed laughed good-naturedly. + +"I'll tell yuh, Bandy-legs," he said, confidentially. "In the first +place breeders like to change their stock, so as to bring new blood into +the pens. Then again, why, I happens to need the money that's comin' to +me for my share. A fellow has got to live up here in the mountains, and +grub costs a wheen o' hard cash, 'specially when yuh got a good +appetite, which seems to fit me all right. But if I get what I'm hopin' +for it'll be all right, and I reckons thar'll come some years before we +let more foxes get away from this same farm." + +So he took them to where he had his main enclosure, in which the boys +found the parent foxes. They may have become somewhat accustomed to +seeing Obed, and hearing the sound of his coaxing voice, for even the +most timid of wild animals in the process of time comes to recognize the +one who supplies their wants along the line of daily food. But possibly +Bandy-legs or Steve chanced to laugh, or speak out loud, for the old +foxes took the alarm; and it was only after constant efforts on the part +of Obed, with his familiar call to dinner, that caused them to show +themselves at all. + +They were certainly beauties. Max wondered more than ever at the nerve +of Obed in trying to start a silver black fox farm in this section, with +no one save himself apparently in charge. He feared that the enterprise +would be doomed to certain disaster. The smart woods boy might be +successful in raising a crop of valuable youngsters in the fox line; but +sooner or later some unscrupulous men, guides out of a job perhaps, and +loaded with strong drink, would try to make a secret raid on his +preserves, and clean him out in a single night. Fox pelts worth +thousands of dollars must tempt some men beyond their fears, or power of +resistance. + +Max made up his mind he would talk about this with Obed before he left. +He wondered at the short-sighted policy of the executor of Mr. Coombs' +estate in allowing so much money to be tied up in this property without +proper safeguards. If it was intended to continue the fox farm now that +it gave all evidences of possible success surely the boy should have an +assistant, some strong woodsman who could by his presence and readiness +to do battle awe any intended transgressors. + +They next visited the enclosure where the two pair of little foxes +played and slept and ate their fill, daily increasing in size and value. +They were also timid, though in due time Obed managed to get them to +show themselves; for hunger is a powerful inducement, and the smell of +favorite food a lure difficult to resist. + +"Of course," explained the young fur farmer, while they were watching +the inmates of the second enclosure, "I don't have black cats up here +yet to carry out them directions exactly; but I'm aiming to do that +also pretty soon. Yep, and after this set o' pups has been sold, if they +fetch all I count on, I'm goin' to have a talk with the lawyer that +looks after Mr. Coombs' estate. He promised to come up and see what +could be done about extendin' the farm. And then I guess it's goin' to +be time to hire a helper, seein' I can't do everything by myself." + +"That was just what I meant to speak to you about, Obed!" exclaimed Max. +"You oughtn't to try to stay here another winter all by yourself. +Besides, some unscrupulous men might raid your enclosures while you were +off hunting, or fishing, and break up your business. It isn't safe, +Obed; and I know from what you said before about suspecting strangers +were around here right now, that you're getting anxious yourself." + +The boy drew a long breath, and nodded his head. Into his eyes crept a +look quite the opposite of that merry gleam usually nestling there. Yes, +plainly Obed _was_ worried over something; and Max believed he had put +his finger directly on the sore spot when he spoke of a possible raid on +the fur product of the singular farm. + +"Can you find just such a reliable man as you want, Obed?" asked Steve. + +"That part ain't so hard," he was told. "Fact is I've got him more'n +half engaged a'ready. His name is Jerry Stocks, and he's a woods guide. +Been a heap interested in this game ever since we started up. Fact is, +Jerry has done a heap o' things for me from time to time, 'cause yuh +see I couldn't work it all. He lives 'bout 'leven miles off that ways. +We've fixed a way to signal to each other by flyin' a little white flag +from two low peaks. When I want Jerry I run my flag up, and if he's +home, why the next day, or mebbe sooner, he shows up. But shucks! that +wouldn't keep me from losin' my stock if there was a real raid." + +He went on talking further, and the boys picked up considerable more +valuable information, for Obed was apparently well posted on the +subject, which had occupied his thoughts night and day. + +So he told them that perhaps, if all went well, he might take up a +companion industry, being nothing more nor less than trying to raise +mink or otter in captivity. + +"'Course I know it isn't done to any great extent yet," he explained, +"but that's no reason there shouldn't be some ready money picked up in +the business. It wouldn't pay anything like the foxes, and for that +reason I'd go slow about it. Oh! I've got a heap o' ways for gettin' the +ready cash to keep up my share o' the expenses o' the farm here. I've +found two bee trees, and sent the honey to market too. Got nigh twenty +dollars for the honey. Then I dig ginseng roots times when there's +nothing else to do. Come over with me and see my frog pond. Last +shipment o' big fat saddles brought me a neat little wad o' money, and +they don't cost me a cent, if yuh want to know it." + +The four boys looked at each other in increased wonderment. What manner +of chap was this same Obed, to be able to wrest a living from a +bounteous Nature in the clever way he did? Steve in particular was loud +in his praise. + +"Why, Obed, old fellow," he burst out with, "you're just the same kind +of an enterprising chap Max here has always been. Why, it was his grand +idea about there being mussels aplenty in the Big Sunflower down our way +that started us into making a try for fresh-water pearls in the river. +We found 'em, too, some thousands of dollars' worth, of them; and when +the news leaked out, whee! the farmers, all around, had a tough time +getting their harvests home, because every hand was treading for mussels +in the creeks and small rivers for thirty miles around Carson. Why, I +bet you it'd be as hard to find a fresh-water clam down our way now as a +needle in a haystack; they're all cleaned out. You see, Max here had +read about pearls being found out in Indiana and other places, and that +gave him the big idea; just like you got set on the fur farm business by +reading about it." + +They duly inspected the marsh where Obed hunted his big greenback frogs +when he thought the crop warranted a thinning out. + +"They're always in demand down New York ways, whar they fetch a dollar a +pound for the saddles," he explained; "and let me tell yuh it doesn't +take a great many o' them to weigh that much. I've got some granddaddy +bouncers here that'd make you stare to see 'em; but they don't show up +much at this time o' day." + +"And how do you get them by the wholesale when you want to market any?" +asked Steve. "I've shot many a one with a small Flobert rifle; or else +caught them with a piece of red flannel fixed on a small hook, attached +by a short cord to a stout pole." + +"Well, men in the regular frog-raising business couldn't go about it as +slow as that," said the other, "though I have shot a few o' the big uns +that way, 'cause they was too tricky to be grabbed with my hand net. If +you stay with me a spell we'll get more'n one mess o' frog legs, if yuh +likes them." + +Bandy-legs was seen to work his lips as though his month fairly watered +at the pleasing prospect; for those who are fond of the dish say that +frogs' legs are more delicate than the best spring chicken, with just a +little taste of fish about them that rather adds to the piquancy. + +Having by this time exhausted about all the sights of the wonderful farm +the boys headed back again toward the cabin. Max could not but notice +that Obed showed signs of uneasiness while away, and cast frequent +glances in the direction where under those whispering pines and the dark +green hemlocks his lone lodge stood. + +Therefore Max was not very much surprised when, as he and Obed strolled +along in the rear of the other three, who were chatting, and arguing +about certain matters, the young fur farmer pressed his arm +confidentially, and went on to say: + +"I'd like to tell yuh something, Max, 'cause I own up it's gettin' on my +nerves. I thought nothin' could bother me any, but now that the time is +so close at hand when I mean tuh sell that pair o' grown pups, and get +the money I need so bad, why, things look kinder different. Fact is, +Max," he went on, allowing his voice to sink into a mysterious stage +whisper, "somebody was lookin' around in my cabin while I was down at +your camp last evenin'. I know this because things was more or less +upset; and I reckon my comin' back scared the man away, whoever he may +have been!" + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +PRODUCTS OF THE FUR FARM + +"That looks bad, Obed," Max hastened to say, feeling a perceptible +thrill at the very thought of being on hand to assist this enterprising +boy defend his property, which he had made so valuable, through his own +efforts in most part. "I saw a smoke last evening, too, which must have +been made by a camp-fire. I wondered if there were deer hunters up here +so early; or if some men might be after your foxes. Of course that idea +only came to me after you had told us about your enterprise, and how +valuable the pelts were." + +"It's mighty tough," avowed Obed, between his set teeth, "to be so nigh +success, and then face failure. I've been tempted to signal for Jerry to +come over and help me stand guard a spell. Yuh see, I ought to be on my +way to town with that pair o' nearly-grown young blacks. I know whar I +c'n get more for 'em alive than for their pelts if I took the time to +cure the same, which I don't want to do. Oh! I've just _got_ to sell +'em, and that's all thar is about it. I've dreamed about the day I'd get +that check, and show--er, that lawyer managin' Mr. Coombs' estate that +all I told him was true. Once I have the proof that thar's big money in +raisin' silver blacks, he's promised to do anything in reason I ask." + +Max made up his mind on the spot. + +"Look here, Obed," was the way he talked, for Max always believed that +it was good policy to "hit the nail directly on the head;" especially +when the subject was of considerable importance, "what's to hinder you +going off with that pair of live blacks, and disposing of them, while +the four of us stay here and run your fur farm for you? It would only +take a few days, and we've got the time to spare. Of course you'd have +to trust us to the limit, to leave things in our charge; but we'd surely +be pleased to help you out. And depend on it, nobody would steal any of +the other inmates of the pens while we were on deck. We've got only one +gun along, but that is a repeating Marlin, always to be depended on to +do its work." + +The woods boy was visibly affected by hearing Max say this. He reached +for the other's hand and squeezed it almost fiercely. + +"Oh! it's kind of you to say that, Max!" he exclaimed, as though the +words sprang directly from his heart. "And d'ye know I'm tempted to take +you at your word. For I _must_ get those pups delivered as I promised. +Everything depends on that deal. The man saw them three months ago, and +we made a bargain. I was to deliver the pups to him by the time first +snow flew; and it's due any day now, you know." + +A singular thing had happened, and Max, while deeply interested in what +Obed was saying, could not help but notice that for once the woods boy +had spoken without a sign of the rude dialect which up to then had +marked his manner of speech. This further aroused the curiosity of Max, +who to himself was saying: + +"I hit the mark when I guessed Obed was smarter than he let on, and +could talk just as well as the next fellow when he chose. He's just +fallen into speaking that way through his association with these rough +people up here, his own folks likely enough. Or else he likes to pull +the wool over our eyes, just for a joke." + +Aloud Max continued to reassure the other. + +"Then consider it as good as settled, Obed," he said, "that we'll hang +around here a short while. If you think best you can get that Jerry to +come over, and keep his finger on the pulse. Perhaps it might be wise, +too, because he'd know just what to do in case there was any trouble +among the foxes left in the pens; and it is all new to us, remember." + +"Yuh've relieved my mind a heap, Max, sure yuh have," Obed told him, +again relapsing into the vernacular that is usually a part of a woods +guide's language. "And tonight I'll set the traps I've got fixed. Mebbe +if so be trespassers come a skulkin' around they might git a little +surprise. But I'll show yuh what I'm mentionin' later on. Jest now I +on'y want to tell yuh I'm mighty glad I dropped into yer camp last +evenin' 'stead o' slippin' away, like I fust thought o' doin'." + +"But you don't want me to look on this matter as a secret, do you, +Obed?" + +The other started, Max thought, and looked quickly at him. + +"Now what might yuh be meanin' by that, Max?" he presently asked, a bit +anxiously. + +"Oh! I only wanted to have your permission to tell my three chums what +you've been saying to me," explained Max. "Of course I know what their +answer will be when I put it up to them. We've really come here on what +Bandy-legs calls a wild goose hunt, for there isn't one chance in ten +that we'll ever be able to find Roland Chase; so our time is really +pretty much our own, to do with as we will. And Obed, all of us have +taken such a big interest in your enterprise up here, that we'll be only +too happy to lend you a helping hand. You are so near success now that +it'd be a shame if you fell down through no fault of your own." + +"That's what I keep tellin' myself too, Max, don't you know!" exclaimed +the now excited Obed. "I've hugged that hope close to my heart month +after month, and now when I c'n almost whiff the success I've prayed for +it'd nearly kill me to lose everything. Oh! I jest wants a couple of +weeks at the most, and then I'll show 'em, yes, I will. They all said +I'd make a dead failure out o' my fur farm; but yuh c'n see it's comin' +along right smart." + +When they reached the cabin the boys threw themselves down on the soft +yielding turf near-by to "loaf" as Bandy-legs properly expressed it; and +surely he could do this as well as any boy who ever drew breath. + +Max took occasion to tell the others what he and Obed had been talking +about. All of them were deeply interested. They looked angrily at each +other when Max explained how the woods boy had found traces of some +intruder who had actually entered his lone cabin while he, Obed, was +away in their company; also telling how the other strongly suspected +that a dastardly plot had been hatched, looking to the robbing of the +pens connected with the silver fox fur farm. + +Obed was inside doing something at the time, and so Max felt that he +could talk freely. He meant that his three chums should know everything +in the beginning, before he called on them to decide whether they would +stay over a few days, and guard the property, while Obed was marketing +his first proceeds in a distant city; for the pups were really too +valuable to be trusted to the tender mercies of an express company, Obed +thought. + +"I don't exactly understand how Obed knows that there _is_ a conspiracy +hatched up against him, to complete the ruination of his enterprise," +continued Max; "but he seems to think some party has a deep grudge +against him. It may be we'll know more about this later on; but for the +present I've promised Obed I'd put up a proposition to you." + +"Then let's hear it, Max!" exclaimed Touch-and-Go Steve, "though I +reckon we c'n all give a pretty close guess at what's coming." + +"Why, Obed wants to get away with that pair of grown pups, so he can +deliver them to the man he's bargained with; and I've proposed that we +stay here a few days, and guard his property while he's off. Is there +any objection to that plan? I told him I expected I could count on my +chums to stick by me." + +"I should say you could, Max," chuckled Bandy-legs. "Why, I'm fairly +counting on depopulating that big frog marsh while we're hanging around +this section. And say, Steve here could keep us supplied with trout +galore, if only he fished from the bank, and didn't wade in." + +Both the others were equally prompt to agree. Indeed Toby "fell all over +himself," as Steve termed it, in his eagerness to give assent; and could +only recover after coming to an abrupt halt, taking one of his customary +big breaths, and then giving a sharp whistle, after which he finished +what he was saying as nicely as anything. + +And that settled it, just as Max had been confident would be the case; +for he knew his chums too well to believe they would be willing to let +such a brave fight be lost when the goal seemed so near. Obed Grimes had +proved to be a fellow after their own hearts, and they found themselves +deeply interested in his fortunes. + +So when the woods boy came out again--Max suspected that he had +purposely withdrawn from the scene in order not to embarrass them while +making their decision--he was told how they all felt. And Obed went +around shaking hands, with the tears in his eyes. Plainly he had his +whole heart wrapped up in the successful outcome of this odd venture; +and when the clouds began to loom up overhead this proffered assistance +on the part of the four chums was gratefully received. + +"This is mighty nice o' yuh, boys," he kept telling them, as though +really at a loss for appropriate words best calculated to express the +state of his feelings; "and I ain't goin' to ever forget it, either. Now +I feel that I c'n start out right away, the day after tomorrow, and +deliver them pups to Mr. Sheckard. Say, mebbe I won't be a proud boy +when he hands me that big check, and I know that I've won out against +all odds!" + +His eyes glowed at the very thought, and Max was more than glad he and +his comrades had the chance to render so resolute a chap slight +assistance. For it would really be a pleasure for them to stay there at +that wonderful little lodge under the whispering pines, and keep house +while Obed was away. Then, too, Jerry would be on hand, ready with his +advice and knowledge, so as to do the proper thing. As to any rash +prowler stealing the valuable foxes, day or night, well, they would see +to it a constant watch was kept, and that the gun was always ready to +block any nasty little game like that. + +Later on, Max amused himself lolling in Mr. Coombs' big fireside chair, +which he had moved near one of the windows. He had run across a number +of books on a shelf, and was engaged in looking them over, though hardly +bothering to actually read. Nevertheless, he seemed to be quite curious +concerning them, and when Obed chanced to come in, Max naturally asked +concerning the volumes. + +"Oh! yuh see, some o' them belong to me," the woods boy remarked, +without hesitation, "and t'others they were left here by Mr. Coombs. He +was a great reader; and besides, he'd traveled all over the known world. +Yuh remember I said he was a sea captain, and that he made his fortune +carryin' cargoes from the Far East to England and America. Sometime I'll +tell yuh a few of the queer adventures he had in foreign countries. +They've got lots o' thrills about 'em, too." + +"Just so," ventured Max, casually, "and I once heard some people talking +about a Mr. Coombs who had been a great traveler. Now I wonder if it +could have been the same party. Was his first name Robert?" + +"Oh! no, _my_ Mr. Coombs' name was Jared," replied the other, promptly. + +"Then, of course, it could not have been the same," added Max, smiling +as though he had attained the object of his questioning; "but the +similarity in names, and the fact that both men had traveled +considerably, made me think it might, be so." + +He once more dipped into the book he was holding, although watching Obed +slily over the top of the volume. And when the woods boy had passed +outside again, Max Hastings might have been seen to hurriedly turn back +to the blank pages at the front of the book, scan several initials that +were plainly written there, and then nod his head mysteriously, with a +smile that gradually crept across his whole face; just as though +something pleased him, which, for the time being, he chose to keep to +himself. + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +LAYING PLANS TO HELP OBED + +It was only natural that Steve, always headstrong and impulsive, should +be eager to find out what kind of plan might be arranged looking to +keeping watch and ward over the fur farm during the nights to come. He +had been impressed with the signs of anxiety which Obed plainly +betrayed, when speaking of his belief concerning some sort of plot being +hatched up against his peace of mind, and which would bring about the +ultimate ruination of his unique and intensely interesting undertaking. + +To Steve, the idea of a miserable rascal sneaking up in the night to +destroy all that poor hardworking Obed had built up after many moons, +was simply terrible. The more he considered it the greater became his +secret anger; and of course this meant that his liking for the boy fur +farmer grew in proportion. + +During the afternoon, as the shadows began to lengthen perceptibly, +Steve found occasion to broach the subject to his three chums. Max had +come out of the cabin; evidently he had tired of looking over the books, +which might do very well to pass away a long evening, or a rainy day +when time dragged, but could not chain him down long when the sun was +shining, the breeze rustling through the many-colored leaves still on +the trees, and with all Nature beckoning. + +So Steve crooked his finger toward Bandy-legs and Toby, lounging near +by; and being in a humor themselves for any sort of thing, the pair +hastened to join him. And Max, upon being pounced upon by the balance of +the crowd, looked askance, knowing that something was in the wind. + +"Strikes me, fellows," commenced Steve, "that We ought to be figuring on +what we expect to do tonight." + +"Huh! as for me," quickly responded Bandy-legs, "I'm expecting to do my +share about slingin' together a dandy spread, with some of the fine grub +we fetched along. This mountain air is something terrible when it comes +to toning up _jaded appetites_. I feel as if I had a vacuum down about +my middle all the time. I'm beginning to be alarmed about my condition. +If it keeps on it's going to mean bankruptcy for my folks, that's all." + +"About me, now," added Toby Jucklin, briskly, "I'm hoping to g-g-get a +b-b-bully g-g-good sleep tonight; unless Max fixes it so we have to +t-t-take t-t-turns standing sentry duty." + +Steve looked disgusted. + +"Oh! rats! I didn't mean anything like that, and you both know it," he +told the two grinning chums. "What I was referring to was on the point +of duty. We've agreed to stand back of our new friend, Obed, and see to +it that he isn't robbed of the proceeds of his industry by unscrupulous +scoundrels; and we've got to make good!" + +"Hear! hear!" ejaculated Toby, pretending to clap his hands in applause. + +"Steve, you're exhausting all the big words in the dictionary, with your +high-flown language," warned Bandy-legs in mock severity. "But I get +your meaning, all the same, and I also agree with your noble sentiments. +Sure we're expecting to stand up for Obed and his pets; and we're +likewise intending to make it hot for any old terrapin who comes +creeping around here with the idea of making way with the wearers of +that expensive fur. How about it, Max?" + +"That's a settled thing," readily replied the one appealed to, and whose +opinion, it was plain to be seen, would swing things one way or another, +since the other fellows were in the habit of looking up to Max as their +leader. "We can fix it up in regular orthodox style, each fellow having +two hours on duty, and the rest of the night for sleep. Does that strike +you as about right?" + +"Well," remarked Steve, proudly, "it won't be the first occasion when +this bunch has had to stand guard, not by a long sight. I can look back +and see many a night when we had to keep an anchor to windward, or else +lose something we prized a heap. Ever since we dug up all those mussels +in the Big Sunflower, and found dandy pearls inside some of them, it +seems to me we've had occasion from time to time to be envied by other +people, and had to keep watch so we wouldn't be robbed. Oh! standing +sentry is an old trick with us!" + +"For my p-p-part," remarked Toby, yawning as he spoke, "I'd much rather +think up some g-g-good s-s-scheme that would ease the s-s-strain, and +allow us to s-s-sleep through the entire night." + +"Please explain what you mean by saying that, Toby," demanded Steve; +"you do get off the most mysterious communications sometimes, and muddle +us all up." + +"But there isn't anything q-q-queer about this, Steve," protested Toby. +"All of you know I've been a g-g-great h-h-hand to make m-m-machinery +take the place of h-h-hand power. What's the need of our s-s-staying +awake p-p-part of the night, even, if by cudgeling our brains we +c-c-could think up some g-g-good s-s-scheme that would answer the same +purpose?" + +"I can see _you_ cudgeling your poor brains, all right, Toby," sneered +Steve, who apparently did not take a great deal of stock in the other's +ability for conceiving clever ideas: "and a pretty mess you'd make of +it, in the bargain. Take it from me, they're cudgeled enough as it is." + +"That will do for you, Steve," said Max. "I understand just what Toby +means, and it's along the right line too. This is the age of progress, +and up-to-date people don't want to depend on the old-time methods that +were good enough for their grandfathers. Toby thinks one of us might +suggest a scheme whereby we could guard the fox farm, and at the same +time obtain our full quota of sleep. In other words, rig up a dummy to +stand our trick as sentry. Isn't that it, Toby?" + +"J-j-just what I had in my mind, Max," snapped Toby; "and any silly +c-c-could easy see that." + +"Sure, and the wise ones had to be told," chirped Steve, jauntily. "But +never mind arguing, Toby; it's all right, and I'm only joking. I get the +idea; and now, has any one a scheme on tap that would apply to the +case?" + +Toby scratched his head as though he considered that, having been the +first to make the suggestion, it was up to him to say something, no +matter how. + +"Well, there's the spring-gun trap, you know," he remarked, without once +stuttering, which fact proved that he was deliberately taking his time +about answering. + +"What sort of arrangement do you call that, I'd like to know!" asked +Steve. + +"S-s-say, you a hunter, and never heard about the s-s-spring-gun trap?" +exclaimed Toby, scornfully. "Well, I'll try to explain, if you give me a +little t-t-time, and don't r-r-rush me too much. You see, a gun is +f-f-fastened to the ground, and aiming along a certain avenue that the +intended thief has just g-g-got to use in c-c-coming up to the b-b-bait. +Then a c-c-cord is s-s-strung so the thief p-p-presses against the +s-s-same, just like Max here fixes his c-c-camera nights, when he wants +to s-s-snap off a skunk or a 'coon by flashlight. Well, the g-g-gun goes +off, and f-f-fills Mister Thief with number twelve birdshot. When you +hear the c-c-crash, and his howls, why, you just s-s-saunter out and +f-f-fetch in the s-s-spoils. There, do you understand about the +s-s-spring-gun trap now, Steve?" + +"Oh! I knew all that before, only you mixed me up by giving it that +name," the other hastily replied. "But it strikes me that'd be a pretty +rough deal for us to play. It might answer if the thief were an animal, +but a human being is different." + +"All the same," retorted Toby, savagely, "he's a t-t-thief, and outside +the p-p-pale of the law." + +"Just so," Steve went on, and Max was surprised at his moderation, +because, as a rule, Steve had always been the most reckless one of the +crowd; "but suppose now we found that we'd done more than we calculated +on, Toby? A charge of small birdshot starts out on its errand a whole +lot like a bullet. It doesn't commence to scatter till it gets just so +far away from the muzzle of the gun; depending on the size of the bore, +and the way the barrel is choked. I've known a charge of shot to tear a +hole right through a board when fired at close range. At a distance it +would only have scattered out, and peppered the whole fence. And, Toby, +we might feel rather bad if we found we'd killed a man, even if he was a +thief!" + +Toby did not answer to that fling. The truth of the matter was he +shivered at the gruesome picture Steve's words drew before his mental +vision; for Toby was not at all bloodthirsty. + +Max now took a hand in the conversation. + +"Listen, fellows," he went on to say, "it strikes me that when we set +about discussing this matter, we ought to remember that there's one chap +who's considerably more interested in the outcome than any of us can +ever be." + +"'Course you mean Obed when you say that, Max?" ventured Bandy-legs. + +"He's the one," the other admitted. "And we ought to invite him to join +us in figuring out our plans. Now, it may be Obed will have a scheme of +his own that'd knock any we might think up all silly. I'll call him +over, and tell him what we're trying to arrange." + +It happened that just then Obed was passing on his way to the cabin. He +had been working somewhere amidst his enclosures, perhaps making certain +preparations for insuring the safety of his valuable furry pets, should +a descent on the farm come about during the hours of darkness. + +Obed hastened to join them. His questioning look influenced Max to +explain without hesitation; and the woods boy smiled broadly when he +heard how his new-found friends were already taking so decided an +interest in his fortunes. + +"Now, it might be," he started to say, again looking serious, "that all +this fuss ain't worth the candle, and that nothin' 's going to happen; +but I believe in shuttin' the door _before_ the hoss is stolen; it's too +late afterwards. I haven't got the time right now to tell yuh jest how I +learned that my foxes was agoin' tuh be in danger; somebody I knew wrote +me a letter, and warned me, which'll have tuh be enuff jest now tuh +explain. Since I got that same, three days back, I've been figgerin' on +how I could fix up a trap tuh ketch any two-legged varmint that chanced +tuh come sneakin' around here of a night. Well, I got one er two tricks +rigged up that might fill the bill." + +"Of course you mean to show them to us, Obed?" Steve burst out with; +"for if you didn't, and we were left in charge here, one of us might +fall into the pit, and get knocked out, which would be tough luck, I'm +thinking." + +"Oh! I meant to show you, Steve," asserted the fur farmer, quickly. "And +if so be yuh'll come along with me right now, we'll take a look at the +contraptions, which, of course, yuh understand, are only meant for +night-times, and tuh help out when Jerry wouldn't be around for me to +sorter lean on." + +Being boys who did things themselves, it was only natural that the four +chums should feel a decided interest in what Obed had just said. Even +Max showed an eagerness to go forth and examine the said traps. He could +speculate as to what their character might turn out to be, but this +only added a little more spice to the occasion. + +So when Obed turned and started off, with a beckoning finger that +enticed them to follow his lead, none of the quartette held back. + + + +CHAPTER X + + +TRAPS FOB NIGHT PROWLERS + +"Yuh see," remarked Obed, turning around as they drew near the first +enclosure, where the parent foxes were confined behind the wire fencing, +"I've just been adding a few finishing touches tuh this here trap +scheme. I got a little idea while I was alookin' the ground over, and +reckoned I could fix it up so there'd be a heap right good chance that a +feller creeping around here o' a night would step into the contraption. +I'll show yuh how I 'ranged it." + +With that he led the way along a plain trail that seemed to be the +easiest route up to the enclosure. Three times out of four a stranger, +prowling around with meagre light to guide him, would be apt to follow +that beaten track; and this was evidently what the shrewd Obed was +counting on. + +"Well, it's this way my little scheme is agoin' to work," he explained, +after reaching a certain point. "See this rope--I throw it across a limb +o' this tree. Yuh notice that it's got an easy runnin' slip-noose at the +end, don't yuh? That I'm fixing right here, where there's a good chance +the thief will put his foot in it as he takes this step I'm showing +you." + +He proved that he was right, and indeed it was really a difficult +thing, after Obed had placed the noose just as he wanted it, close to +the ground, and on little wooden crotches he had arranged there for the +purpose, for any one to step across without getting his foot entangled +in the rope. + +"Well, let's reckon, then, he does get caught in the noose, and jerks it +tight around his ankle," continued Obed, very much interested himself in +what he was saying, and as Max quickly noticed, even neglecting to speak +as he usually did, although he had shown this odd trait before. "What +happens? I'll show you how it's going to work out, if everything runs as +I've planned." + +Accordingly, he picked up a heavy piece of wood that chanced to be lying +close by, and which doubtless Obed had used before in order to test the +accuracy of his figuring. This he inserted in the noose, and then gave +it a hunch that not only tightened the rope but carried out the further +purpose of the inventor. + +Instantly things began to happen. The boys heard a queer rattling sound +near by, and immediately the wooden "dummy" was jerked out of Obed's +hands, to be drawn up until it struck against the limb of the tree fully +ten feet above. Steve gave a whoop. + +"My stars! but that worked like a charm, Obed, let me tell you. Greased +lightning could hardly be quicker than the way you've arranged your +trap. And what was all that rattling sound about? What's holding on to +the other end of the rope, which pulled the log up on the run? I want to +know, even if I ain't from Missouri." + +The woods boy laughed as though quite pleased because his trap had +worked well enough to call forth such words of praise from these new +friends. + +"Come over and see," he simply said. + +They followed the line of rope, now taut, and resembling a huge "fiddle +string," as Bandy-legs remarked, testing it as he passed along. It led +them to the brow of an abrupt little descent, a sheer drop of perhaps +twenty feet. Down this slope they followed the rope with their eyes and +then discovered it was attached to a large and heavy barrel that could +almost be called a hogshead, evidently something which had been used as +a crate to convey a portion of the previous owner of the cabin's +crockery ware thither when he moved up from town. + +As the boys were no simpletons, they readily grasped the essential +qualities of Obed's little scheme. It may have been original with him; +and then again possibly he had borrowed the same from some book he had +read; but, nevertheless, it struck them as pretty clever. + +Not content with the heaviness of the big barrel, he had placed a number +of stones inside so as to add to the swiftness of its flight down that +declivity, once it was released. The rope acted as "starter," and upon +being jerked, as must be the case, should any one get a foot caught in +the noose, it released a stake that kept the heavy barrel poised there +at the top of the descent. The consequence was that it would plunge +downward almost as though making a sheer drop; the noose tightening +about the leg or legs of the unhappy wight who had sprung the trap, he +would be jerked off his feet and hauled up, head downward, to dangle +there in midair, as helpless as a babe. + +"Set it again, and let me try the trick, please, Obed," pleaded Steve, +who seemed to be particularly charmed with the arrangement. + +"I will if yuh help me git the barrel back up the hill again," replied +the other. "Workin' all by myself I've had tuh take the rocks out each +time before I could push the old thing back again tuh the top, 'cause +she's some heavy, believe me." + +Steve, yes, and both Bandy-legs and Toby also, hastened to comply with +this reasonable request; and between them all the heavy barrel was +slowly pushed up again until the stake held it poised there on the top +of the sharp declivity. + +Max stood and watched operations, not that he was unwilling to lend a +hand also if necessary; but just then he wanted to observe Obed, and +draw certain conclusions in which he, Max, seemed to take considerable +interest. + +Then Steve was given the wooden "dummy" which had worked so like a +charm, and instructed how to manage it, so that it would take the place +of a man's lower extremities. Steve did so well that he, too, by a +little jerk displaced the delicately arranged "trigger" as Obed called +the stake, and caused the barrel to pitch furiously down the steep +slope. + +Steve had not been quite quick enough to snatch his hands away, after +working the trick. The consequence was that when the billet of wood was +plucked from his grasp with such swiftness, and drawn instantly aloft, +Steve staggered, and might have fallen only that Obed clutched hold of +him. + +"Wow! did you see that?" gasped Steve, staring upwards at the dangling +"dummy" as though he could easily imagine it a kicking, squirming human +figure. "And say, it worked as fine as silk, didn't it? Obed, you've +done yourself proud with this little game. If that thief ever gets a +foot in your slip-noose his goose will be cooked, that's as plain as +dirt." + +He actually seemed to be very proud of the fact that he had acted as +master of ceremonies, and set the trap off so successfully. Nothing +would do but that Bandy-legs and Toby Jucklin in addition should be +given the same distinction; so twice more was the barrel rolled up the +slope, and on both occasions it worked to a charm. + +"It seems to be next door to perfect, for a fact," asserted Max, upon +being appealed to for his opinion; but he did not seem to "hanker" after +trying it out on his own account. + +Finally the weighted barrel was again pushed up to its appointed +position and held there with the stake. When the proper time came, it +would be easy for the inventor to arrange the slip-noose, and set the +trap. + +"What, is there anything more to be shown?" asked Steve, when Obed asked +them to follow him a little further. + +A few minutes later and they were gravely examining an odd arrangement +which consisted for the most part of a very heavy log. Steve looked it +over critically, and then ventured to give his opinion: + +"Looks a whole lot like a deadfall trap, such as they use in most places +to get bears in," he went on to say. + +Obed chuckled as though pleased at the answer to his look of inquiry. + +"Just what it is built on the pattern of, Steve, if yuh want to know +it," he admitted. "The only difference is that in the regular deadfall +the log comes down and smashes the poor bear by its sheer weight. Now, +I've tried to rig _my_ trap up so it'll simply make a prisoner o' the +creeper. I'll show yuh just how it works. I've got a dummy here, too, +that I use to test things. Yuh see there's always just a little chance +it might go wrong; and I don't want to get caught, and made a prisoner, +with nobody around to let me loose." + +With that he demonstrated his idea. The trap was sprung just as he meant +it should be, and if the dummy had really been a man, he would have +found himself caught tightly in the log trap, with but a poor chance of +ever getting out again, unless external assistance came along. + +"Any more tricks like these two up your sleeve, Obed?" asked Steve, +after they had further examined the deadfall, and Max had pronounced it +skillfully constructed. + +"Well, I'm afraid I reached the end o' my rope when I hatched up this +second idea, Steve," the other remarked, in a sort of apologetic tone. +"Of course I might think up a few more if I reckoned it'd be necessary. +But I've got a hunch that one o' the lot is agoin' tuh grab that thief, +providin' he does come around here. Besides, when yuh git right down to +brass tacks, thar isn't as much danger o' my bein' robbed in the +night-time, as in the day." + +"And why not, Obed?" further asked Steve; "I'd think that was the very +time you'd feel scariest, when it was dark, and you couldn't see if +anybody was prowling around the farm." + +"Stop an' think how foxes have holes in the ground, into which they c'n +burrow when scared the least mite," explained Obed, readily, "and yuh'll +see how hard it'd be for a stranger to lay hands on them. Now, in the +daytime, if they came along, with me away from the place, a man with a +rifle could knock over my pets as easy as turnin' his hand. But, all the +same, I've fixed my traps. For one thing I'd like to find out jest who +the thief is." + +Max noticed what emphasis he put on that last remark. He could see the +customary twinkle in Obed's eyes give way to a sterner look; as though +he had brooded more or less over this same subject. And Max himself +nodded his head as though he might in a measure understand just how Obed +felt. + +So they returned to the house. Bandy-legs at least rejoiced because with +all those clever contraptions set, and waiting to give the intended +thief a warm reception, it did seem as though there would be hardly any +necessity for them to waste their precious time in sitting up and +keeping watch, when they would be so much better off enjoying "balmy +sleep," as he called it; and all sleep was along that order, according +to the mind of Bandy-legs. + +Max and Steve trailed along well in the rear. This may have simply +happened, but Steve twice stopped the other, and pointed out something +he wished Max to see; so possibly the delay was intentional on his part. +At least, he presently made a remark that would make it seem so. + +"It certainly looks as if Obed was a pretty ingenious maker of snares, +that's sure, Max?" Steve was saying, significantly. + +"That's right, he is, Steve, and we must give him great credit for it, +even if his traps fail to catch a thief in the act." + +"I was just thinking, Max," pursued the other, meditatively, "that it's +evident this same Obed must have inherited that strain from a long line +of trapper ancestors or progenitors; wouldn't you think so, too?" + +Max looked at his companion queerly, and smiled as he made reply. + +"You may be right, Steve, of course, but it strikes me Obed has an +original streak of genius all his own, which doesn't have to depend on +any inherited trait. Things are not _always_ what they seem in this +world, you know." + +"Lookey here, Max, you've struck a scent which you don't think best to +share with your boon companions, that's as plain to me as two and two +make four. You've come to think a little the same way as Bandy-legs, +perhaps, and suspect Obed of being more than he lets on? Is that it, +Max? Do you really believe he's playing some sly trick on us? Is that +yarn about Mr. Coombs all moonshine? Does this fur farm belong to some +company, that Obed is working for? I wish you'd tell me what you've got +in your mind, Max." + +"I expect to a little later on, Steve, never fear," he was assured. "I'm +not more than half certain even now that it can be so, and I never like +to make a mess of things. Besides, you know, it wouldn't be just fair to +Obed to have us all suspecting him of playing tricks. Just go on as +you've been doing. Take my word for it, this new friend we've made is +all to the good, and will never turn out to be the wrong sort of +fellow." + +He started on after saying this, and Steve followed, looking very much +puzzled, and shaking his head as though he could not catch the right +idea. Shortly afterwards, however, Steve had apparently forgotten his +newly awakened suspicions, for he was entering into the general +conversation as heartily as ever. Still, Max noticed, with amusement, +that from time to time Steve would follow Obed hungrily with his eyes, +and on such occasions that double line of wrinkles, expressive of +bewilderment, might again be seen upon the boy's forehead. + +Toby and Bandy-legs were only too glad to take the preparation of supper +into their hands completely. They felt a certain amount of pride in +their culinary skill, and wished to show their host the full list of +their accomplishments as camp cooks. Besides, they believed that among +their abundant stores they carried a number of things which Obed failed +to possess; and of course a new dish was apt to be a pleasant surprise +to the woods boy. + +The supper thus concocted and carried out was certainly a genuine +triumph. Steve openly congratulated the two efficient cooks on their +"masterly skill"; though Max laughingly warned the others to "beware of +the Greeks bearing gifts," for there might be a base motive hiding +behind all that glib praise. Steve protested that he meant every word of +it; but then it was well known that Steve hated to do any cooking +himself, and hence was fain to laud the efforts of others in that line, +doubtless in the hope of encouraging them to "keep right on doing it." + +After the bountiful meal had been enjoyed, and every one declared that +it would be utterly impossible to eat another single bite, for fear of +the consequences, they spent a very enjoyable evening alongside the fire +that burned on the hearth, at one end of the cabin. + +Obed, as he had promised, told them some of the strange things he had +heard from the old sea captain, who, during his life on the Seven Seas, +had met with many most remarkable adventures well worth repeating. + +Obed addressed them in his own language, and Max often smiled as though +some of the quaint expressions used by the young narrator amused him; +though perhaps there may have been still another reason for his quiet +chuckling. Steve caught him at it several times, and eyed the other in +perplexity, as though he suspected Max of adding secretly to his fund of +knowledge, which thus far he obstinately declined to share with his +mates. + +Later on, when they began to feel sleepy, Obed said he would go out and +make sure his traps were set right. Max offered to keep him company, and +together they sauntered forth, to be followed with a wistful look from +the envious Steve, who was muttering to himself: + +"I wish I knew what Max has got in that mind of his right now. I'm dead +certain he's figuring out some sort of thing that's going to give the +rest of us a big surprise, when he sees fit to spring it on us; but for +the life of me I can't guess what it can be. Oh! shucks! what's the use +of bothering any more about it? If it turns out worth while, Max will +tell us in good time; and if he's on the wrong scent, why, he'll just +drop the game, and no harm done." + +After a while the others came in again, saying both traps were set, and +there did not seem to be any need of their losing sleep on account of +possible unwelcome visitors. Obed showed how the concealed bunks could +be made ready, and, all of them were loud in their expressions of +satisfaction over having such comfortable lodgings for the night. They +mentally blessed the memory of the said Mr. Coombs, whose forethought +and inventive ingenuity had planned all these wonderful adjuncts of the +little forest lodge. + +In due time they crept into their several berths just as if aboard ship; +and after that several of the fellows did not know a single thing until +they were rudely aroused, perhaps some hours later on. The last thing +Steve remembered hearing as he rolled himself up in his blanket was the +crackle of the fire, the mournful sighing of the wind through the tops +of the whispering pines, and then the distant call of an owl to its +mate. + +He awoke with a suddenness that caused him to sit up, and consequently +crack his head against the boards above his bunk. The blow almost +knocked Steve back again as he had been before, and must have hurt +considerably; but he ignored this fact just then, because from without +there were coming loud yells of fright in a man's voice. + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +A TREE THAT BORE STRANGE FRUIT + +"Max--Obed, we've got something!" almost shrieked Steve, as he now +tumbled out of his odd bunk very much after the fashion of a dislodged +log, landing with a bump on the floor. + +And Steve was not alone in his circus stunt, for several other fellows +were making a hasty and undignified exit at the same time, Bandy-legs +and Toby Jucklin, for instance. Max somehow managed to get on his feet +without so much scrambling; and as for Obed, as he had been sleeping on +the cot closer to the fire, they could already see him hastily pulling +on some clothes. + +"Get dressed, and in a hurry!" cried Max, suiting his actions to the +words. + +"Oh! listen to him whoop it up, will you?" exclaimed Bandy-legs, as +those loud calls still smote the night air, and in a way that covered +the whole gamut of human utterance. + +Toby wanted to say something, too, but though his jaws worked, no +audible sound came forth to explain the agitated state of his mind. They +had luckily prepared for such a sudden call, and had their outer clothes +handy, so that in an incredibly brief space of time all of the boys +managed to get something on. + +Then Steve snatched up his Marlin gun. Obed had already done the same +with his rifle, so that when the latter flung wide the door and they +trooped forth, they were in a condition to do battle if necessary, and +at least strike terror into the heart of any skulking marauder. + +Max, wise general that he was, had thought of something very essential +to their success. This was nothing more or less than a lantern. They had +been thoughtful enough to fetch one along, a clever little contraption +that took only a small amount of room, and yet afforded considerable +light. Besides, Obed possessed a lantern of the ordinary type, together +with a plentiful supply of oil, looking to the long winter evenings when +he might want to read in order to pass away some of the spare time, that +promised to drag heavily on his hands. + +So they poured forth. The cries still continued, and as vociferous as +ever. Indeed, if anything, there was a wilder strain to them now, as +though the fellow who gave utterance to the shouts might be getting +sorely alarmed at his strange condition, and feared the worst. + +There was no trouble about deciding which way to go. Even if they did +not have Obed to serve as guide, and pilot the expedition, they could +easily have followed the loud notes of alarm. + +Everybody was more or less excited, from Obed down to Max himself, and +small wonder when the fact of their being aroused in the dead of the +night by this fierce racket is taken into consideration. + +Hastening in this manner toward the spot where the first trap had been +set, they speedily discovered that the overhanging tree bore strange +fruit. Something grotesque was swinging violently back and forth. It was +a human figure, but hardly recognizable as such, on account of the fact +that it now hung head downward, with one leg firmly gripped by the +tenacious slip-noose, and the other, together with a pair of wildly +flung arms, cutting all sorts of eccentric circles through the air. + +Never in all their varied experiences had Max and his three comrades +looked on a more remarkable spectacle than the one by which they were +now greeted. The man's face could not be plainly seen on account of his +coat sagging down partly over his head, so they could not immediately +tell what he looked like; but he certainly possessed a bull-like voice +that, properly trained for opera use might have won him a fair amount of +fame and money, for it was more than usually lusty. + +He seemed to divine the fact that those in the cabin must have rushed +out in answer to his shouts. Perhaps he detected the light they carried +with them; or it might be Steve's loud cries caught his strained hearing +at such times as his own breath temporarily failed him. + +"Help me, somebody, why don't yuh? I'm strangling to death, I tell yuh. +All the blood's running to my head! I'm seeing a million stars already, +and I'll _die_ if yuh don't cut me down. Hurry! hurry, please do, +somebody!" + +Obed looked to Max to say what ought to be done, for already he seemed +to have come under the magical sway of the other's leadership. + +"Take hold of him, and tie his hands behind his back before you think to +let him down!" was the sensible advice given by Max. + +Thereupon Obed instantly produced some heavy cord and started +operations. While the boy deftly worked, the man continued to plead, +trying to claw at him also; but Obed managed to get his job completed +notwithstanding the interruptions. He was at the same time telling the +unfortunate man to keep quiet, and he would be let down presently. + +Steve stood by, gun in hand. He was casting uneasy looks around as +though suspecting that if the fellow had companions near by, as seemed +likely, and they should, recovering from, their alarm attempt his +rescue, it might be his duty to stand them off one and collectively. + +Bandy-legs and Toby sprang to where the man dangled. Max was already at +the side of Obed. + +"All ready, Obed?" he was heard to say. + +"I've spliced his hands up in good style, Max," came the reply. + +"Good enough. Now, Toby and Bandy-legs, take hold of him, and lift when +I give you the word. I'll slip the rope off his ankle, and you turn him +right side up. Now, go to it, both of you--yo-heave-o!" + +It was quickly done, and the man, upon finding himself placed once more +on his feet, staggered; indeed, he was so "groggy" after his recent +strange experience at swimming in thin air, that only for the supporting +arm of Max he would have fallen flat. + +The latter allowed him to stagger backward until he leaned against the +body of the tree under which the novel man-trap had been arranged. He +was breathing hard, but seemed to be recovering from his panic; at least +his cries had utterly ceased, which was one good thing. + +So Max flashed the light into his face, while Obed leaned forward and +eagerly stared hard at him. They saw rough lineaments, seamed and +hardened by exposure to the elements; but of course the face was that of +an utter stranger to Max. As for Obed, he was heard to give a _sigh_ of +disappointment, as though he too had failed to recognize any one whom he +had reason to know. + +The man by now seemed to have recovered in part. He was looking at the +boys in a peculiar way; Max could not decide on the spur of the moment +whether it was wonder or shrewdness that he saw there as the predominant +trait of the man's features. But at any rate, since he had recovered his +breath to some extent, he should be capable of speaking, and explaining +how it came about he found himself in such a predicament. + +"Well, who are you, anyway?" demanded Max, throwing as much sternness +into his voice as he could. "Give an account of yourself, and tell us +why you were creeping about here like a thief in the night?" + +"What! me a thief?" shrilled the man, as though, again excited by the +very idea of such a base accusation; "I never had that name, young +feller. Them that knows Jake Storms say he's an honest man, if ever +there was one. I'm only a guide, and a trapper, but nobody ever yet +caught me thievin' or poachin', I'd have yuh know." + +"Where's your home, Jake Storms?" continued Max. + +"If yuh mean whar do I hang out, it's this way," explained the other. +"Last summer I was up at Paul Smith's place, workin' for the hotel. I +heard some tall stories about the country around old Mount Tom, how full +of fur animals it was, and so I made up my mind to spend the winter +hereabouts. I built me a cabin away up on the other side of the +mountain, and was agoin' to start settin' my traps when I got word that +a gentleman wanted me to come down to Lathrop and git him. Yuh see, his +doctor advised that he spend the winter in the mountains, and he thought +of me, beca'se we'd been in the woods a heap of times in past years. So +I was headin' for Lathrop by a trail I'd run across that took around the +mountain, and meanin' to keep on as long as I could durin' the night, +when all at once something flew up and hit me ker-slap! Say, I thought +it was an earthquake, sure I did. And then I found myself hangin' upside +down, with all the blood runnin' into my head. What's it mean, young +fellers; I give yuh my word I don't get the hang o' it at all." + +Max was not surprised to hear the man speak in this fashion. He had +already made up his mind, after that one good look at the other's face, +the prisoner of the barrel trap was a pretty "slick article," as Steve +would have expressed it. And caught in the act, as he had been, it was +to be expected that the fellow would have some kind of reasonable story +to spin, in order to explain his presence there. + +All the same, Max did not give the yarn the least credence. Something +told him the other was deliberately lying, and the fluency with which he +delivered that remarkable story announced the self-named Jake Storms an +accomplished fakir, if ever there was one. + +So Max, while not wishing to deliberately tell the man to his face that +he was a prevaricator, set about catching him in a little trap. The +others had also heard the explanation given, and were listening, with +puzzled looks on their faces; at least Bandy-legs and Steve and Toby +were, but Obed was shaking his head energetically, as though he put no +faith in fairy tales; especially when coming from such unworthy lips. + +"You said you were all alone, didn't you?" demanded Max. + +"Why, yes, 'course I was," spluttered the other, uneasily eying the +speaker, who was holding his light so that it shone directly on Jake's +still flushed face. + +"Then what did you shout so loud for, if you didn't expect any one to +come to your assistance?" continued Max. + +"Oh! say, yuh see, 'course I knowed thar was _somebody_ around. I'd just +discovered signs of a camp, and sniffed smoke. But before I had half a +chance to make out what it meant, why something grabbed me by the leg, +and threw me up like I was agoin' over the treetops. Who wouldn't a +yelled, tell me? I own up I was rattled like everything. Anybody would +be, wouldn't they? I couldn't understand it all; and right now I'm still +agropin' in the dark. What struck me, and why does ye set such traps in +the trail over on this side o' Mount Tom? Ain't the woods free for +anybody to walk in? What have I ever done to any o' yuh to be treated +like this, and have my head nigh jerked from my body. Tell me that, +sonny?" + +Max did not answer his question. While the explanation might seem to be +fairly plausible, he felt positive the man was telling a downright lie; +and Max believed he knew an easy way to prove it. + +"Watch him, Obed, Steve!" he said to those who were alongside. + +"Never fear about that, Max," snapped out Steve; "I've got him covered +with my gun, and if he tries any slick game his name will be Dennis, +and not Jake. Hear that, Mr. Fur Thief, do you? Well, mind how you +tempt me to let fly with a charge of birdshot. I've got a quick temper, +and a quicker finger in the bargain; so settle back where you are." + +The man muttered between his set teeth. He was evidently feeling far +from comfortable, because something told him these wideawake lads would +not be so easily hoodwinked as he had fancied. + +He was watching the movements of Max Hastings, who had dropped to his +hands and knees, and seemed to be holding his little lantern so that the +light would show him the nature of the ground. Truth to tell, Max and +Obed, when last at the trap, had taken the pains to smooth the ground +over, thus obliterating all previous footprints. This was done from a +double object; it would conceal the fact that work had been carried on +in that particular spot, in case sharp eyes were on the alert; and also +gave a clear field for observation, as was happening just then. + +Max quickly found what he was looking for. + +"Come here, Obed," he remarked, quietly, and as the other eagerly bent +over, Max went on to say: "You can see that here's another footprint, +and quite different from the one made by his heavier boots. So he _did_ +have at least one companion along, perhaps two, for all we know. And +that stamps his story a yarn made out of whole cloth. He came here, just +as you expected, to rob you of your foxes. Killing them wouldn't have +filled the bill so well, unless they made off with the pelts in the +bargain. How about it, Obed?" + +"Every word you say is true, Max," breathed the other, indignantly. + +"Then we'll certainly not let him go free, that's a dead sure +proposition," ventured Max, decidedly, and in a voice that he meant +should reach the prisoner. + +"Glad to hear you settle it that way, boys," remarked Steve, who had +kept one eye on the prisoner and the other in the direction of his +mates. "Shall I march him over to the cabin right away?" + +Max gave a look around. He wondered where that other man could be just +then, and whether he was watching them from some neighboring covert, +having by degrees recovered from the near panic into which he had been +thrown at the time his companion was snatched away from his side so +mysteriously, amidst a tremendous din, caused by the shouts of the +seized man, and the rattling of the stones inside the rolling barrel. + +But he could see nothing. The little lantern only covered a certain +amount of space with its meagre illumination, and much that was evil +might lurk beyond the radius of its lighted circle. + +"Yes, we'll change our base, and go back to the cabin," Max said aloud; +"keep the guns ready for business, and if an attack is made shoot +straight!" + +Of course this admonition was delivered in a loud tone, mostly to warn +the unseen party, who might be hovering near; but both gun-bearers gave +evidence of meaning to profit by the advice. + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +THE TAPS ON THE CABIN WALL + +Once more they were inside the cabin. Obed was looking at the man again +as though he believed the other was possessed of certain information +which he hoped to obtain in turn. Max, too, was observing all these +things with considerable interest, if the smile that appeared on his +face from time to time signified anything. But he was studying Obed even +more than he seemed to pay attention to the man they had found turned +upside down in the tree. + +"Well, one of your clever traps worked like a charm, Obed," Steve was +saying, and doubtless meaning to compliment the fur farmer. "But now +that they know we're on to their being around, it's hardly likely we'll +catch another victim tonight. All the same something ought to be done to +protect the fox pack." + +"That's easily arranged," remarked Max, "we'll follow out the plan we +talked over. Two had better stand guard at a time, and for several +hours. They can be relieved by another couple, and in this way the +balance of the night will be passed over. Those on duty are to carry the +guns; and with orders to challenge any moving thing that comes along." + +The man had made no resistance when ordered to fall in line and +accompany his captors to the cabin under the pines. Once inside, he had +glanced casually around, but Max noticed that he did not seem greatly +interested. From this he guessed that perhaps the other may have seen +the interior of the lodge before; Max remembered Obed telling them that +some one had certainly been prowling about in his cabin at the time he +was away, though evidently frightened off by his return before having a +chance to do any damage. + +"He isn't looking at these things, so strange to an ordinary cabin in +the woods, for the first time," was what Max was telling himself; and +consequently his heart hardened toward the fellow. + +Having previously arranged all about signals that could be given in case +of necessity, there was now little more to be said. Of course Steve had +to be counted on as one of the pair to be first placed on duty; he would +have been mortally offended had Max failed to honor him with this +exhibition of trust. Then Bandy-legs offered to share his vigil, and +Steve eagerly accepted the proposal. + +"Take Obed's gun, Bandy-legs," said Max; "and remember what I told you +about using it. Shoot low, so as to fill their legs full of lead, if you +have to fire at all. And listen to our shouts as we join you, for we +don't want a warm reception from our friends. Get that, both of you?" + +Steve and his fellow sentry admitted that they understood what their +directions were to be. Then they went out. The man had been intently +watching all these things as though deeply interested. Since Max had +found the second series of footprints, and thus proved the falsity of +his claim of being alone, Jake Storms, so-called woods guide and trapper +of fur-bearing animals, had relapsed into a sullen silence. + +Of course he knew that the game for him was up, so far as attempting to +deceive these wide-awake boys was concerned. Max wondered what thoughts +were teeming through the brain of the man, as he sat there on the bench +before the fire and listened to what passed between his captors. As for +Obed, he cast many eager looks in the direction of the big fellow, and +from the expression on his face Max believed he must be slowly making up +his mind toward some move. + +Therefore he was not much surprised to finally see the woods boy sit +down alongside the man, who turned an inquiring face toward him. There +was also a tightening of the muscles around his mouth, just as though he +suspected he was about to be put to a severe test, and would have to +gather his wits in order not to make a false move. + +"Look here, Jake Storms, as you say your name is," commenced Obed, once +more either forgetting to speak in his usual woods dialect, or not +thinking it worth while to bother with it any longer, "I want to make +you a proposition. Do you understand what a nice pickle you've got +yourself into by prowling around my fur farm, and evidently trying to +steal my silver black foxes? If we take you down to the nearest +Adirondack town it means you'll likely enough, be sent up as a thief. +How would you like that, tell me?" + +"Huh! guess Jake Storms' got a reputation that'd kerry him through, all +right, sonny," muttered the big man, but Max could see that he squirmed +uneasily; likewise Obed must have guessed the truth also, as his next +remarks proved. + +"A reputation may be one way or the other, Jake Storms, if that is +really your name, which I doubt very much. Perhaps some people might be +glad to see you again. For one I don't believe for a single minute that +you're a trapper, or that you ever worked for Paul Smith, who knows the +kind of men he has around his hotel too well to hire a thief. I'm as +sure as I draw breath that you came here to steal my blacks. Yes, and +that you were _hired_ to do this by another party. What was the sum of +money he promised you, Jake, if you were successful; and is he around +here with you?" + +The man made no reply, though various expressive changes took place in +the looks on his face. So Obed, after waiting several minutes to hear +what the other might choose to say, went on. + +"I said before that if we take you down to Lathrop you'll be locked up, +and when court is in session placed on trial, charged with attempted +robbery. Your picture will be taken, and sent broadcast to every city, +so if you're wanted for anything big, the authorities will know just +where to find you. That may not be pleasant for you to hear, Jake, but +it's what I mean to have done. There's only one way you can escape it. +Do you want to hear what that way is?" + +"Yuh're away off the track, young feller," blurted the man, obstinately +shaking his head in a contrary way, "I ain't done nawthin' to make me +askeered o' the law officers. Jake Storms is my name, all right, too, +and I'm meanin' to trap over on the Cranberry Creek section. And I'm on +my way down to Lathrop right now to meet a Mr. Jasper, who'll vouch for +my character, sure he will. But go ahead, and say what yuh meant to, +boy. It won't do me any harm to hear it, I reckons." + +"This is the chance you'll have to get scot free, and the only chance," +said Obed solemnly. "Tell me who hired you to rob my fur farm, and not +leave a single black in the burrows, and I'll let you go free. Will you +take my offer, or risk a prison sentence, Jake?" + +The man hesitated. That alone was enough to convince Max that he was +guilty; for undoubtedly he must be weighing in the balance Obed's offer, +with the possibility of making his escape through the assistance of +companions. + +"Ain't got nawthin' to say, boy," he finally growled, as though making +up his mind. Obed started up, and hastening over to a desk at one end +of the room he hurriedly searched through a drawer until he found what +he was looking for; after which he again sat down beside the man with +the tied hands. + +It was a photograph which he held up before the prisoner, and Max could +see it was a man's face on the card. + +"Look at that, Jake Storms, and tell me, did _he_ put it into your head +to come up here and clean my enclosures out, so as to rob me of the work +of nearly two years?" + +The man started when he allowed his eyes to fall upon the face on the +card; but recovering his nerve instantly, he laughed harshly and +hurriedly snapped: + +"I tell yuh, it's on the wrong track yuh are, boy." Why, I never set +eyes on such a person as that thar. He's a utter stranger to me, and I +don't know him from Adam. And I want to warn yuh that I'll turn around +and have the law on yuh for playin' such a low-down trick on an honest +man, just passin' along through the woods, and never thinkin' no harm to +a single soul. I demands that yuh turn me loose to go my way. The woods +are free as the air to everybody; that's the law. Further than that I +ain't got nawthin' to say. + +Obed was plainly chagrined, as Max could see. He evidently hoped to +obtain some valuable information from this man; but it seemed Jake still +clung to the hope that he might obtain his freedom without betraying +secrets. + +Max, taking advantage of Obed's absent-mindedness for a minute or so, +managed to lean slightly forward and obtain a good look at the +photograph. It was that of a young man, perhaps thirty years of age. Max +was struck with the fact that the photograph certainly bore some little +resemblance to Obed himself; and one could easily believe they must be +related in some way; which, according to Obed's former recital of his +widely flung family, would make the other a Grimes also. + +The woods boy looked at the man several times, as though wondering +whether it would pay to make any further offer as an inducement to the +other to betray the confidence of his employer. But either Obed did not +have the ready cash to offer a bribe, or else he deemed it not worth +while, after the fellow had shown such a stubborn disposition; for +presently he gave a sigh, and went back to return the photograph to the +little desk, once doubtless Mr. Coombs' property. + +Toby was nodding before the fire, and really paying very little +attention to what was going on. In fact, he meant to crawl into his bunk +shortly, so as to get a little more sleep before being called upon to +take his turn outside as sentry. Toby not having had his suspicions +concerning Obed aroused at any time, failed to take the same interest in +the matter that Steve, for instance, would have done, had he been +present. + +"I hope yuh don't mean to make me set here on this bench all night with +my hands tied behind me so cruel like?" remarked the man presently, +applying his words directly toward Max, as though he, too, had long ago +discovered how that energetic young chap seemed to be the "boss of the +ranch." + +"Why, no, we don't mean to be at all cruel," returned the other. "Here's +an extra blanket you can have. I'll lay it out for you on the floor, and +you can drop down just when you please. But don't expect that we're +meaning to unfasten your wrists, Jake. We know a thing or two, and we're +expecting to take you down to Lathrop tomorrow, to land you behind the +bars. You've had your chance to squeal and get off scot-free; I doubt if +another comes your way." + +He did just as he said, spreading the blanket so the man could manage to +roll over, and cover himself with its folds. This Jake presently +accomplished. Max also noticed how he lay with his feet against the +outer wall of the lodge and wondered at it, though without any clear +idea that this had any positive significance. But time was to tell. + +Toby had crept into his "cell," which was what Bandy-legs had dubbed the +several bunks, built in the walls of the lodge so as to conserve room, +and not be in the way during the daytime. Max, on his part, did not mean +to follow suit. He thought it would hardly pay to try and snatch an +hour's restless sleep when so much was going on around them. And, then, +besides, he did not trust the prisoner wholly; believing it would be +just as well to keep an eye on him. + +Outside, all seemed as usual. It was long after midnight now, and if one +listened carefully he could catch the customary noises of the woods at +such a time, from the soft crooning of the breeze as it sighed through +the pine tops, to the occasional note of some night-bird calling to its +mate, or the plaintive voice of a hungry young coon waiting impatiently +the return of its foraging mother. + +Obed had thrown himself down on the cot, but Max knew he did not expect +to lose himself in slumber. Several times he saw the woods boy raise his +head and look in the direction of the sprawling figure of the man under +the spare blanket. Obed was undoubtedly thinking still of ways whereby +he might force a confession from the lips of the stubborn man; +apparently he seemed to be intensely interested in discovering whether +there was a power behind this raid on his enterprise. Max, remembering +some things he had heard, began to believe he could see light in the +darkness now; and from the way in which he chuckled to himself every +little while, it might be judged that his thoughts were agreeable, on +the whole. + +Surely a whole hour and more must have passed since Steve and Bandy-legs +started out to assume their duty as guards over the fox farm. Thus far +nothing had been heard from the videttes, who were undoubtedly carrying +out their orders to the best of their ability. + +Max suddenly became aware that certain low sounds came to his ears. At +first he thought some branch of a tree must be tapping the low eaves of +the cabin being stirred to and fro by the breeze. As he listened +further, however, it struck Max that there was a strange continuity +about the sounds; they seemed to come in little fragments, with a brief +hush between. + +The boy was instantly reminded of certain experiences he himself had had +in using a telegraph key while sending a message over the wires or +listening to the sounder rattle off one from some distant point. Rude +and uncouth though the dots and dashes were, Max quickly found that he +could make out a positive word; and it was the significant one of +"free!" + +Gently he managed to turn his head in the direction of the spot where +the man had lain down. He still seemed to be sprawled there under the +blanket. A movement caught the eye of Max, and he saw Obed holding up a +finger at him in mute warning. Thrilled by a sense of impending tragedy, +perhaps, Max watched the woods boy slowly but constantly making toward +him. Obed moved with the noiseless nature of a black snake creeping over +the ground; his footfalls were so light that even a trained ear could +not have detected them. He kept on toward Max until soon he had managed +to reach the other's side. + +Still those plain taps continued to sound in regular rotation, first +coming from the outside, and then closer. Max believed the man on the +floor was making use of his shoe to send a message calling for help; and +that some unknown party outside was giving him words of hope. + +But Obed had now gained his side, and meant to whisper something in his +ear, so Max prepared to pay full attention. At the same time he glanced +toward the door apprehensively, and was pleased to discover that, just +as he believed had been the case, the bar was in position, so that entry +could not be made by any enemy from without. + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +OBED LEARNS SOMETHING + +"There's something brooding," Obed whispered the first thing; and then +continued by saying: "What are those queer little taps, Max? I'm sure he +has something to do with them." + +"He's tapping the toe of his boot against the wall to send a message," +explained the other. "They are using the telegraphic code. I read the +one word 'free.' So, you see, there's some one outside the cabin, and +they're hatching up a scheme to get him loose." + +Obed grew very much excited. He looked toward the door as though +inclined to immediately issue forth and investigate. Max thought the +hope of capturing another prisoner was the lure that tempted him on. + +"But what could have happened to Steve and Bandy-legs?" whispered the +woods boy, as though suddenly remembering the pair supposed to be +standing guard out there. + +"Nothing has happened to them, depend on it," replied Max; "but this +fellow must have been slippery enough to get by them, and reach the +cabin, that's all." + +"Oh! don't you think we might manage it, some way or other?" begged +Obed. + +Vague though his question may have been, Max had no difficulty whatever +in understanding what he meant. His own thoughts were already ranging in +the same quarter, and he could supply all the missing words. Obed was +hoping that by suddenly issuing forth they might take the creeper by +surprise, and effect his capture; such a possibility apparently gave the +woods boy considerable pleasure even in the anticipation. + +Max glanced again towards the door. They could creep noiselessly over in +that direction while the man on the floor and his friend without +continued their singular exchange of signals, remove the bar from its +place, and opening the door dash out to take the stooping fellow by +surprise. + +But then three would be better than two in such an adventure. There was +Toby Jucklin, a stout fellow, and usually well primed for anything that +smacked of excitement and peril; he must be awakened, and enlisted in +the game. + +So Max held up a warning finger, and stooping low again whispered: + +"I'll get Toby; wait by the door for us! Don't dream of going out until +we join you!" + +With that he silently slipped over to the opening in the wall occupied +by the sleeping Toby Jucklin. The latter was easily aroused, and when +Max whispered a word of caution in his ear, he knew enough not to cry +out; though of course the blood must have started bounding like mad +through his arteries. + +Indeed, it was a most singular thing to be aroused from sound sleep by +being told that danger hovered over their heads, and that it would be +necessary for the three of them to sally forth so as to surprise the +enemy at work. + +Toby was game, however. His vocal cords might play tricks with him +frequently, and give him heaps of trouble, but when it was a matter of +action, Toby "took nobody's dust," as he often boasted. + +Obed had meanwhile managed to creep over to the door, where he +impatiently awaited the coming of the other two. The strange tapping +sounds continued, and evidently the man lying there under the blanket +had become so deeply interested in what he was trying to communicate or +receive, that, so far, he had failed to discover there was any movement +in the cabin. + +Of course, all of the boys were quivering with half-suppressed +excitement, though grimly determined to put their plan into operation. +Obed had already reached up and taken hold of the bar, so as to be ready +to remove it when joined by his companions. + +"Keep the bar," whispered Max; "it will make a fine club, Obed!" + +"Say when, Max," came back from the tightly compressed lips of the woods +boy, whose eyes could be seen glittering eagerly in the firelight. + +"Open up!" Max told him. + +Perhaps the door may have made some creaking sound on being drawn back; +either that, or else the man chanced to free his head from the muffling +folds of the blanket just then, and discovered what was going on. He +gave a shout of warning, and the three boys shot through the opening at +the same instant. + +Max led the way. He had carefully noted the location of the sounds, and +judged that the interloper must be somewhere close to the wall where +Jake Storms lay; so it was in that direction he leaped. + +The stars wore shining brightly above. Besides this a certain amount of +light managed to come through that small window of the lodge, and help +to partially dispel the gloom without. + +"There he is!" cried Obed, as they turned the corner, and discovered a +figure in the act of scrambling erect. + +Pell-mell the trio rushed at the unknown who just managed to gain a +footing when he found himself furiously beset. There was a tremendous +struggle. The man seemed savage at the thought of being caught, and +struck furious blows. Toby at one time managed to cling to the other's +back for a brief moment, but was dislodged by a clever fling that sent +him crashing against a tree, and made him grunt like a hog that receives +a jolt. + +One thing certain, Max could easily see that the party they were +attacking must be something of an athlete, from the way in which he +fought. It is not easy to resist the assault of three enemies at once, +since they may attack from as many directions, and confuse his defense; +still the way this man struck out, dodged, tore himself free from their +clinging hands, and conducted himself in general surprised Max very much +indeed. + +This kept up for almost two full minutes, with varying fortunes. +Sometimes it appeared as though they were getting the upper hand of the +unknown, and then by a furious effort he would break free again, only to +be once more clutched. + +In the midst of the fracas, loud shouts close at hand told that Steve +and Bandy-legs, having heard the row, were rushing hurriedly to the +spot, astonished beyond measure at the racket. + +The man must have heard their cries, and the fact that his enemies were +about to receive reinforcements seemed to give him the strength of +desperation, for he suddenly tore himself free from Max, leaving his +coat in the hands of the boy. + +"Oh! he's gone!" gasped Obed, almost entirely out of breath because of +his recent tremendous exertions. + +For a fact, the man had vanished almost as though the ground had opened +and swallowed him up. Even astute Max hardly knew which way to look for +him. Then came the other pair rushing up, and demanding to know what all +the row was about. + +As soon as he could recover his breath, Max tried to explain. He had to +repeat it twice, however, before Bandy-legs could grasp the astounding +fact that some one had actually been carrying on a telegraphic +conversation with their prisoner, tapping on the wall of the cabin to +spell out the words. + +"Say, you're stringing us, I expect, boys!" exploded the doubter; "it +sounds just like a fairy story to me. But then there _was_ some one +here, because we glimpsed him disappearing like a falling star. I wanted +to give him a shot, but I remembered what Max here said about shooting +when in doubt; and we didn't just know but what it might be one of you." + +"But, Max, he got away after all!" continued the disappointed Obed, as +though to his mind that event overshadowed all others; "and I did want +to find out if it was any one I knew. I believe it was, on my soul, for +at college he always had the reputation of being an all-round athlete." + +"Huh!" grunted Toby, rubbing his head ruefully as he came up, and +limping in the bargain, "t-t-that was him, all r-r-right then, Obed. I +don't know the f-f-fellow's n-n-name, but I've g-g-got his trade-mark on +my c-c-cheek, every k-k-knuckle of his fist. Huh! he's an athlete, every +time!" + +"But don't tell me our prisoner skipped out!" cried Steve, in sore +dismay. + +"Not that we know of, unless he's gone since we dashed from the cabin," +Max informed him. "And as we can't accomplish anything standing here, +suppose we adjourn to the inside again. Toby will want a little +soothing salve on his bruises; and I've got a sore hand myself, where I +struck him harder than I meant to on the back of his head." + +"It's too bad, too bad!" mourned Obed, following the others toward the +open door. "Such a splendid chance may not come again; and I'd like to +know, I certainly would." + +When they entered the cabin, the first thing all of them did was to look +eagerly to see if the man still lay there, Upon finding that he had not +tried to escape during all the excitement, possibly being afraid he be +fired on, they felt relieved. + +"Anyhow, we've still got him safe and sound," declared Steve, +exultantly. + +"And he may make up his mind to tell yet," remarked Obed, picking up +fresh hope, "when he finds that I mean all I said, and that he's on the +road to prison." + +The man glowered at them, though apparently he seemed fairly well +pleased to find that they had not succeeded in capturing his ally. Max +awaited developments. He was satisfied with the way things were going, +and deep down in his heart believed the thrilling announcement he was +storing up with which to startle his three chums would not now be long +delayed. + +"I s'pose we ought to go out again, and resume our watch," suggested +Steve, after a short time had elapsed. "It's too soon for a change; and +after all that excitement none of us feel a bit sleepy." + +"As for me," ventured Bandy-legs, "I'm that wide awake I feel as if I +never could go to sleep again while we're up here in the mountains, +where such queer things keep on happening right along." + +"S-s-say, I'm s-s-sorry for Obed," ventured Toby, who it seems had heard +the lament of the woods boy, and could sympathize with him. "He had +h-h-hoped to g-g-get a pointer by g-g-grabbing that streak of +g-g-greased lightning; but after all, the fellow was too much for the +whole b-b-bunch of us." + +"But it's made me feel pretty sure now," said Obed brightening up +perceptibly, "that I know who's to blame for all this trouble. I had a +hint about it before, you remember I told you, boys; and while he kept +his face hidden pretty much all the time he fought, I surely heard him +say something that struck me as familiar. He wasn't a stranger, I'm +certain of that." + +"Well," said Max, quietly, "perhaps there may be a way to prove that." + +"Please tell me how, Max!" pleaded Obed, eagerly. + +"The mysterious stranger managed to get away," chuckled the other, "but +he wasn't so clever about taking all his wardrobe along with him, you +remember." + +"Oh! his coat!" cried Obed, in thrilling accents. + +"I hung on to that like a leech," now laughed Max. "Of course I should +have been smart enough to keep my fingers on the man inside, but he had +a slick way of just slipping out of the coat. First thing I knew he was +gone, leaving me holding the bag, as they say. Want to take a look at +that article, don't you, Obed? Sometimes men have a fashion of keeping +letters and documents in their coat pockets; and between us I believe +you'll find something like that here." + +With these words, the speaker took up the coat he had torn from the back +of the unknown, and tossed it carelessly toward Obed. + +The woods boy snatched at the garment eagerly. Newly aroused hope could +be seen upon his face. Everybody watched to see what the outcome might +turn out to be. Steve and Bandy-legs, ready to withdraw from the circle, +and resume their outside vigil, stayed their departure for a brief +period in order to satisfy their curiosity. Even the so-called Jake +Storms had his fishy eyes fixed on Obed, as though it mattered something +to him whether the latter learned the answer to the conundrum, or was +obliged to let it pass by unsolved. + +So Obed upon receiving the coat, proceeded to ram an eager hand into the +pockets, one after another. When he reached an inside one, he found a +bonanza, just as Max had anticipated. There were some papers there, as +well as a bill book. Bending down nearer the fire, so that he might the +better see, Obed glued his eyes on his find. A few seconds passed. The +fire crackled as it began to eat into the fresh fuel that had been +tossed to the red embers upon the incoming of the party. Toby grunted +once or twice, and continued to ruefully rub the side of his head, his +right arm, one of his thighs, and, in fact, as much of his entire person +as he could conveniently cover in a short space of time. + +Then Obed was heard to give a low exclamation. His whole manner was a +singular mixture of satisfaction and anger. Evidently, he had +accomplished his set purpose, and the result had aroused conflicting +emotions within his breast. + +"Well, have you found out who the man is, Obed?" asked Steve, unable to +curb his burning curiosity. + +"Yes, there's no longer any question about it," returned the other, +bitterly, "for here are letters addressed to him. I may even take the +privilege of reading them tomorrow, for in that way I can perhaps +discover some evidence that will force him to stop this ugly business. +Oh! the meanness of Robert to strike this cowardly blow at me, his own +cousin! He's a disgrace to the whole family." + +"Pity the poor Grimeses!" exclaimed Max, looking straight at Obed, with +such a queer expression on his face that presently the woods boy could +not keep from bursting into a laugh. + +"Max, you're on to me; I can see!" he cried, rushing up to the other and +holding out his hand eagerly. "I've guessed for some time that you had +your suspicions, and now I know it's so." + +And Max, too, threw back his head to indulge in a good laugh; while +Steve, Toby and Bandy-legs, with months agape, and eyes that were as +round as saucers, simply gathered around' and stared at the two who were +shaking hands. + +"Hey! what's all this about, I want to know?" spluttered Steve; just as +though he meant to say that no one had any business to have secrets from +the rest; "looky here, Obed, since when did you forget that Grimes woods +lingo you've been giving us right along! I'm beginning to smell a rat, +that's what I am!" + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +A BIG SURPRISE + +Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation +of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up +against a blank wall, for aught they could see. + +Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly: + +"You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the +puzzle as nearly as you have. I saw you turn back to that book again, +and scan my initials in the front. That was why you asked me If Mr. +Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not. But it's all right, +and I'm satisfied I had my peek of fun out of it, let me tell you. Now +introduce me to your chums, Max." + +"With the greatest of pleasure," laughed the other, as he took hold of +Obed, and waving in a ceremonious fashion with the other hand, he +continued: "Friends, Toby and Bandy-legs, allow me to present some one +to you whom you'll be delighted to know--_this is Roland Chase_!" + +Bandy-legs stood as if riveted to the spot, staring, and holding his +very breath through astonishment. Toby Jucklin wanted to express his +amazement, and also his ecstatic delight, over the wonderful outcome of +their mission; but alack and alas! as so often happened with Toby, +while the spirit was willing the flesh was lamentably weak, and he could +not make a sound except a sort of spluttering gasp, while his eyes +blinked, and his face grew rosy red. + +Still laughing, the so-called Grimes' boy proceeded to grip hands with +his guests. He acted as though it might be a simon-pure introduction; as +it certainly was, in one sense. + +"I'm ashamed of the way I bamboozled you fine fellows, and that's the +honest truth," he started to say. But on the impulse of the moment I +thought of that Obed Grimes name; and once I gave it to you I had to +follow up with the lingo. I guess I got balled up more than once, for +Max soon discovered that I didn't always speak as a true Grimes should, +and that gave him his clue. Yes, I'm the same Roland you started out to +find, just to please my dear old aunt, bless her heart. I was planning +to surprise them all by appearing in town with my five thousand dollars, +after I'd sold the fox cubs, and then claiming my share of uncle's +estate. I guess it's all getting plain enough to you now, eh, fellows? + +Bandy-legs could speak at last. + +"Why, it's as plain as the nose on my face, Obed--I beg pardon, Roland; +and I can never forgive myself for being so easily taken in and done +for. So you thought to invest your two thousand dollars in starting a +silver-black fox farm, did you? Well, it was a daring venture, and I +hardly think you would have made the game if you hadn't been lucky +enough to meet up with that splendid Mr. Coombs." + +"That's a certainty, Bandy-legs," admitted the other, who apparently was +not at all given to boasting over his achievements; "yes, I was in great +luck to be able to do Mr. Coombs a favor, and win him for a friend. See +what he's done for me. But all the same, I invested my money in this +business, and according to our partnership agreement, I am to have +one-half the proceeds of any sales, so there can be no slip of the law, +to beat me out of my inheritance; if only I can get those precious pups +to the man who's engaged them." + +"And this rascal you called Robert--is he the elder cousin who would +profit by your failure to win out?' asked Max, although he already +understood that this must be true." + +The expressive face of their new friend clouded immediately. + +"I'm sorry to say that it's so, Max," he admitted. "Those envelopes of +the letters I found in his coat gave it away. The temptation was too +great for Robert, who always showed considerable jealousy, because our +uncle rather favored me. And so when he learned in some fashion, I'm +sure I don't know how, that I was in a fair way of carrying out the +provisions of uncle's will, he must have determined to try and spoil my +plans." + +"Oh! the cur!" snapped the indignant Steve, now seeing the depravity of +the miserable plotter in full. "I'm glad that some of you managed to +give him a few good licks before he broke away. And I'll regret it to +the last day of my life that I didn't get a chance to show him." + +"And b-b-believe me!" exclaimed Toby, with a violent effort, "he's going +to carry the scratches I g-g-gave him on his f-f-face for a w-w-while. +If I'd known that he was Roland's c-c-cousin I'd have dug a h-h-heap +d-d-deeper, too!" + +"I'm only hoping," Roland, as we must call him after this, since he +dropped the Grimes family when he admitted his identity, said, "this +will teach him a lesson, and that he'll leave me alone from now on. But +Robert is a terribly persistent fellow, and I'm afraid his failure may +only spur him on to trying again." + +"Never mind, Roland," said Steve, dwelling almost affectionately on the +name, now that he knew the one who claimed it, "we're going to stand +back of you through thick and thin. If those fox pups don't eventually +get to their prospective purchaser, we'll have to know the reason why. +Isn't that so, fellows?" + +"My sentiments exactly," said Max, promptly. + +"Me, too!" exclaimed Toby. + +"Ditto here!" added Bandy-legs. + +"I want to say this," observed Roland with a suspicious moisture in his +fine eyes, "it was the luckiest hour of my life when I ran across this +bunch of royal good fellows. Why, only for you I'd as like as not have +been _ruined_; because alone and single-handed I never could have stood +out against two clever and unscrupulous schemers. And I'll never forget +it as long as I draw breath." + +"There'll be some people mighty sorry, though, I bet you," Bandy-legs +hastened to add, as he looked roguishly at Roland; "by which I mean +those poor Grimeses, who have lost tonight the brightest star in the +whole big Grimes constellation. Why, I can just picture how they'll all +mourn--Uncle Hiram, Uncle Silas, Uncle Nicodemus, and all those other +uncles and aunts, with old Granddaddy Grimes weeping harder than any of +the rest over the bereavement; for Obed is no longer in the flesh!" + +The comical way in which Bandy-legs said this caused a general laugh; +why, even the wondering prisoner on the floor, who, of course, could +hardly understand the joke, had to grin at the humorous expression on +the boy's face. + +"Oh! I guess they'll be able to stand it, if I can," ventured Roland, +"Please don't bear me any malice, fellows, for having my little joke. +You see I used to be quite a hand for such things; but living all alone +up here didn't give me much of an opportunity to try any pranks; and so +I was just aching for a turn. It didn't do any harm, and afforded me +some fun, so please forget it." + +"But, Roland, none of that story you told us about your good friend, Mr. +Coombs, was made up, of course?" asked Steve. + +"That was every word of it true," came the quick answer. "Oh! he was +the finest old gentleman you ever heard about. I grew very fond of him; +and when I received word in a letter from his housekeeper that he had +died, shortly after his wife went, it broke me all up. I moped around +here for a whole week, and came near throwing the entire job up. Then I +remembered how he had always put such confidence in everything I +attempted; and so I just shut my teeth tighter together, and said I'd go +through with it or know the reason why. And I have, for I'm on the point +of success; if only that Robert doesn't upset the fat in the fire at the +last hour." + +"Well, he won't, you can just depend on that," said Bandy-legs, almost +fiercely. "Here are four standbys who are booked to gather around, and +see that you get the fox pups to market. Next time Robert comes where he +isn't wanted, he may get a broken head, or something just as bad; for +now we know his ugly game, we're not apt to be over particular how hard +we hit." + +All of which must have been very comforting to the boy who had taken +such a big load upon his young shoulders, in the effort to show what he +was made of. After all, perhaps the eccentric uncle who left such a +strange provision in his will knew human nature better than most people +do; for he had picked out the very thing calculated to spur a chap like +Roland to do his best. + +"Well," remarked Max, "since we've cast off the numerous Grimes tribe, +and discovered the one we were in search of, and as the hour is getting +fearfully late, suppose we postpone further talk until morning. There +remain a few hours to be utilized in sleep. Steve, you and Bandy-legs +haven't filled out your time as sentries yet; suppose you hold for +another hour, and then turn it over to me." + +"Just as you say, Max," replied the other. "I meant to propose that +anyway, for the alarm broke out in the middle of our watch. Secretly, +I'd like Mr. Robert to take his courage in both fists and sneak back +this way, bent on further mischief. Do you ask me why! Well, I'd delight +to make use of my scatter-gun, and let him have a mess of number ten +shot at, say sixty yards. They'd pepper him good and plenty at that +distance, without actually endangering his miserable life." + +Max, knowing the energetic nature of the speaker, warned him against +being too prompt at using his gun. + +"Better go slow about that, Steve," he remarked. "Many a fellow has been +shot by mistake. Every season dozens fall victims to hunters who see +something moving, and blaze away recklessly. It might be one of us, for +all you'd know. So don't think of firing without giving our signal." + +Steve solemnly promised to remember. He knew the danger of handling +firearms in a reckless fashion, and was not likely to offend. So +presently, with Bandy-legs in tow, he went forth to resume their +interrupted vigil. + +Max and Roland sat there by the resurrected fire for a short time +exchanging remarks. The prisoner lay on the floor and, as far as they +could tell, seemed to have given up all hope of a rescue, for his heavy +breathing was that of one whom sleep had overtaken. + +Finally, Max pointed toward Toby, who could be seen lying on his back in +his bunk, and evidently enjoying a fine time in dreamland. + +"We'd do well to imitate his example, Roland," he remarked. "And as a +last word I want to tell you again how delighted we all are over finding +you; not only that, but discovering that you've been busy all these +months. Your aunt is worrying her head off about you. The last words she +said were: 'If only you do find, the boy, and he's made a mess of his +attempt to win his inheritance, tell him Aunt Sarah has a place in her +heart for him, and that if only he'll come back he can be her boy for +keeps, because I find that I've grown to love him as my own.'" + +Roland appeared to be deeply affected when he heard this, for he winked +violently a good many times, and then, smiling, managed to say: + +"You don't know how happy you make me when you tell that, Max; for she's +a dear old soul, and I certainly do care for her a great deal. But it +pleases me also to know I've made good, and that I can hold up my head +when I show those trustees what I've done. The Chase family needn't +blush just yet on account of Roland, though it ought to for Robert's +mean actions." + +So they, too, sought their beds, such as these were, and tried to forget +all else in sweet sleep. + +Max had a peculiar habit. Almost any boy can acquire it through much +practice, and sometimes it comes in very handy. He was able to impress +it upon his mind that he wanted to awaken at about a certain time. Once +in a long while this might fail him; but nine times out of ten he could +hit it in a most surprising manner. Many persons have proved this +perfectly feasible; and although Max began it as an experiment of the +control of mind over matter, it had long since passed that stage, and +become a regular habit with him. + +Accordingly, in just an hour after Steve and Bandy-legs had gone forth +again, Max was out of his bunk, and arousing Toby, who got up rather +loth to abandon his good bed and pleasant dreams. Still, he made no +complaint, unless his frequent yawns could be counted as such, but +trotted at the heels of Max when the other started forth. + +The night remained calm. High overhead the gentle breeze still sighed +among the pines, and whispered secrets as it passed through the fragrant +green needles with their attendant cones. + +Max took a single glance aloft at the star-studded heavens, and this +told him pretty close on the hour; for in addition to many other ways of +the forest nomad and believer in woodcraft, Max had mastered the +positions of the planets, so that it was always possible for him to +gauge the passage of time when the night granted him a survey of the +constellations above. + +When he and Bandy-legs had advanced a certain distance Max stopped and +imitated the call of a screech-owl, so like the whinny of a horse. It +ended up with a peculiar twist, and it was this that would tell any of +the other fellows the sound was intended for a signal, and did not +proceed from the real bird itself. + +An answer quickly came. Then a couple of dim forms hove in sight, being +Steve and his fellow vidette, ready to hand over the guns to their +successors, and seek the shelter of the cabin for a little rest. + +"Listen, Max," said Steve, while this exchange was taking place, +"there's something queer out yonder aways; and I want you to try and +make out what it can mean." + +"How is that?" demanded the other. + +"Why, every little while we thought we could hear a distant strange cry +like somebody in pain. Of course it might come from a night-bird that we +don't happen to be acquainted with; but it's been worrying us a heap. +I'm afraid, though, the wind has shifted latterly, because we didn't +seem to catch it so well." + +Max hardly knew what to think of what Steve had told him; nevertheless, +he promised the other he and Toby would listen for all they were worth, +and see if they might have any better success in recognizing the strange +sounds. + +But the minutes drifted along, and at no time were they able to catch +anything out of the common; so, finally, they decided that either it +must have been a night-bird that had flown away, or else that change in +the wind had kept the sounds from coming to their ears. + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +STEVE'S DREAM COMES TRUE + +"Did you hear anything, Max?" + +That was the very first thing Steve asked on the following morning, when +he poked his head out of his "hole in the wall" like a shrewd old +tortoise looking around to learn if the coast were clear. + +"We listened from time to time," explained Max, "but were never sure +that we heard any strange sound. It seems that you must have been +impressed with it considerably, Steve, to have it on your mind so?" + +"I was, Max, and I am right now," admitted the other, frankly. "Listen +to me, while the rest are busy getting breakfast ready over at the +fire,", and his voice sank to a confidential whisper. "I had a dream. It +wasn't so queer that it should come to me, after all that's happened. I +dreamed that we came on that bad cousin of Roland's, Robert Chase. He'd +fallen over a precipice, and was dying there on the rocks. Oh! it was +horribly real, Max, and I woke up shivering. He was sorry, too, because +he had been so wicked, and was asking Roland to please forgive him. And, +Max, I've been wondering whether that dream mightn't have come to me to +let us know we might do a good deed if we walked out that way this +morning, you and me, saying nothing to the rest of the boys." + +Max was struck by the thought that Steve must have had a pretty vivid +dream to make him so tender-hearted. At the same time, he felt in accord +with the sentiments so aptly expressed by the other. + +"Steve, I'll go you there," he hastened to say. "It can do no harm, and +may be a fine thing. Are you sure you know the direction fairly well?" + +"Yes, because I was sharp enough to make a note of it last night, Max. +You see, at the time the wind was coming in a lazy sort of way right out +of the west. Later on it swung around to the northwest, which makes it +so sharp this morning." + +"Good for you, Steve," the other told him. "Then we'll head direct into +the west, and cover the ground for, say a mile, coming back over another +route. We can call out now and then, so if any one heard us they might +answer. But you'd better hurry and get your duds on, because, unless I'm +mistaken, Bandy-legs is meaning to sing out that breakfast's ready. And +you know the last to the feast is penalized when the supply runs short." + +"No danger of that happening when Bandy-legs has anything to do with the +cooking," chuckled Steve, confidently; which remark proved how well +those four chums knew one another's weak points. + +Of course at breakfast most of the conversation had to do with Roland +and his valiant attempt to "make good." He told his new friends many +things that interested them exceedingly, and which were connected with +his struggle. Their questions also brought them quite a fund of +information concerning the habits of foxes, and how those who aim to +raise the valuable animals for the great London fur market, go about the +business. + +"As for me," said Bandy-legs, who had been doing considerable thinking +while all this talk went on, "I mean to try and hunt up a few of those +bouncer frogs Roland here says inhabit his marsh. Of course I know that +at this time of year they're deep down in the mud, and meaning to lie +there till spring thaws 'em out; but it may be I can scare up just a +mess. I'm awfully fond of frogs' legs, you may remember, boys." + +They all wished him luck. Steve advised him to borrow a spade from the +owner of the woods cabin, for he might have to dig deep. Bandy-legs, +however, only grinned and showed no signs of a change of mind; for once +he set his heart on a thing and he was apt to keep everlastingly at it +until the realization, that it was quite hopeless, would compel him to +throw up the sponge, which Bandy-legs always did with a bad grace. + +So breakfast was finally finished, and the boys separated. True to his +promise the would-be frog hunter set out valiantly on his errand, urged +by his love for a dainty dish. Toby had agreed to assist Roland look +after his fox brood, for there were many things he did not yet +understand concerning their care, and which he earnestly wished to know. + +This arrangement quite suited Steve and Max, for it left them free to +saunter forth. They announced their intention of taking a little look +around. Steve, of course, picked up his gun before starting, saying: + +"You never know when you may want a shooting iron up in the woods. There +might be an old wildcat prowling around these diggings, which would take +a dislike to the shape of my face, so he'd attack us. And I'm homely +enough as it is right now, without inviting a cat to make the map of +Ireland over my phiz." + +He and Max showed no signs of being in any unusual hurry as they left +the cabin. They started directly toward the west; and once out of sight +of those left behind, Steve quickened his pace a bit; at least he +"chirked up" and began to show more animation. + +"A mile, you said, Max, didn't you!" he asked. + +"Why, yes, that ought to fully cover the distance," came the reply. "I +shouldn't think you could have caught any ordinary sound even as far as +that. Still, when the night is calm, it is wonderful how far even a +groan will carry. The atmosphere seems to be in a peculiar condition at +such times, and acts as a splendid medium for conveying sounds." + +They looked to the right and to the left as they advanced. Nothing +escaped the eyes of those two chums, accustomed to the "Great Outdoors" +as they were, and having long ago graduated in a knowledge of woodcraft. + +Some little time passed thus. They had so far seen and heard nothing +calculated to impress them, though Steve was just as sure the sounds he +caught on the preceding night must have been a human voice crying out in +anguish. Doubtless that vivid dream was also making quite an impression +on the mind of the boy; for Max found him unusually docile and +thoughtful. + +They had now gone considerably over half a mile. Max felt that if any +discovery was going to be made, it must come very soon. He raised his +voice occasionally, and gave a half shout; after which both of them +would stand still and strain their hearing in hopes of catching some +answering hail. + +Squirrels barked at the intruders of their nut domain; blue jays +screamed harshly as they flitted from limb to limb among adjacent trees; +crows sent forth many noisy caws from atop of some neighboring pine, +watching those moving figures suspiciously the while; and once a deer +suddenly leaped across the trail, with a flip of its short tail, to +speedily vanish amidst the colored foliage of some bushes. + +This last event caused Steve to give a real yell, he was so startled. +Hardly had he done this than he gripped the sleeve of his comrade. + +"Did you hear that. Max? Was it an echo to my whoop; or did somebody +really call out in a weak voice! Anyway, it seemed to come from right +over there," and he pointed confidently as he spoke. + +Max himself was of the same opinion, for he felt almost certain that a +human voice had tried to attract their attention, though possibly the +person giving utterance to the cry was so weak that he could not make +much effort. + +They changed their course a little, and headed directly toward the +region whence Steve had pointed so positively. When Max held the other +up presently and called again, all doubt was removed. + +"Here, this way! I'm in pretty bad shape, I guess. Don't leave me, +please, whoever you are. I'll pay you a hundred dollars to get me out of +this scrape!" + +Evidently, the speaker, whom Max decided must be Robert Chase, and no +other, supposed the persons approaching, and whose voices he had heard, +must be woods guides who might consider themselves fortunate indeed to +earn such a royal sum so easily. + +Two minutes afterwards and the boys found him. He must have fallen into +the hole while hurrying through the forest, after breaking away from the +grip of the boys at the cabin. He had been severely cut by a sharp +flint-like rock, and lost considerable blood, which weakened him so +that, as he afterwards confessed to them, he must have swooned away, +and lain there for hours unaware of his perilous condition. + +The two boys soon managed to get the young man up on level ground. As +often happened, it was Max who conceived the easiest way of doing this. +To lift a dead weight of a hundred and fifty pounds is no light task, +and so he started to break away one side of the pit, thus raising the +bottom of the interior until they were able to simply _carry_ Robert out +of the hole. + +Steve was loud in his expressions of admiration. + +"Whoever else would have thought up such a clever piece of business, +Max, but you?" he went on to say, as they rested after their effort. +"Why, if it'd been me in charge now, I reckon I'd have gone to all sorts +of trouble rigging up some sort of block-and-tackle, so as to hoist him +up; but you just knock down a part of the wall, and there you are, as +neat as wax. Wherever did you learn that trick, I want to know, Max?" + +"You'll laugh if I tell you," chuckled the other. "One day in reading +about how some musty old professors are digging out all sorts of weighty +treasures belonging to bygone days over in. Egypt, I chanced to learn +how a certain Arab contracted to excavate a big stone weighing ever so +many tons, and which the learned savant could not see how they were ever +going to get out of the deep hole. Well, that Arab just kept filling up +the hole, and lifting the stone inch by inch. When he finished there +was no hole, but the great rock stood on level ground. And that, Steve, +they say is old-time mechanical engineering, which has never been beaten +in these modern days. The Pyramids were built in that simple way. Human +lives and labor counted for little in those old times." + +"All I can say is, Max, it takes you to apply whatever you read to +working out your own problems. But however are we going to get this man +back to the cabin! Must we build a litter and carry him?" + +Robert seemed to be suffering from something more than physical anguish. +A tortured mind can stab even more keenly than painful bodily wounds. +Lying there and facing possible death, Robert Chase had evidently seen a +great light. He beckoned to the boys to bend over him, and then in a +weak voice went on to say: + +"I don't know just how badly I'm hurt, young fellows, but I do know that +I'm done with this miserable business. I've got just what I deserve, and +it may be the best thing that ever happened to me. During the time I lay +here and had my senses, I've made up my mind to ask my cousin Roland to +forgive me, and let me make amends for the evil I've tried to do. I know +now that it doesn't pay in the long run, for I've come near losing all +my self-respect. Yes, get me to the camp, if you can. I want to face the +music, and have it over with. Something seems to tell me that the boy +isn't the one to hold a grudge against a chap who's been punished +already for doing an evil deed." + +That sort of talk pleased Max immensely. He saw that Robert Chase must +have been having a terrible conflict between his better nature and the +insatiate craving for wealth; and now that a wise Providence had stepped +in to nip all his plots in the bud, why things began to look very bright +all around. + +It was found that with one of the boys on either side, Robert could +manage to walk fairly well, although they often had to stop and let him +rest. + +It took them a full two hours to get back to the cabin, where their +arrival created considerable excitement. At the moment, Roland was out +somewhere attending to his pets, and so the injured man was made as +comfortable as possible by Toby and Bandy-legs, the latter of whom had +just come in carrying a pretty fair mess of frogs' legs all dressed for +the frying-pan. + +Then when Roland came along, to be told what had happened, and how his +cousin was anxious to see him alone, he looked actually pleased at the +queer turn affairs had taken. He went in and was with Robert for quite a +long time. They must have had a good heart-to-heart talk, for when +Roland appeared again, he was smiling broadly, and hastened to say: + +"We've not only patched up a truce, boys, but made an enduring covenant. +After this there's not going to be any war in the Chase family; and now +that Robert has humbled himself to confess his wrong-doing, I believe +we're going to be the best of friends. I've promised him, without his +asking it, that I'll never tell a single soul about what happened up +here. You must agree to the same thing, for my sake. I feel sure you'll +all like Robert, when you get to know him." + +"Who can tell," muttered Toby, as if to himself; "in time we might even +g-g-get _familiar_ with him. Stranger things than that have happened. I +only hope he won't hold a g-g-grudge against me when he sees the mark of +all my f-f-fingernails down his face." + +"Just now, Toby, he isn't in a mood to bear anybody a grudge," Roland +went on to say; "for he believes he didn't get half that he merited. But +after all it's come out a thousand per cent better than I ever dreamed +it would. And when I start off with my pair of grown cubs I needn't be +afraid of any one waylaying me on the road." + +"All the same," observed Steve, raising his heavy eyebrows suggestively, +"we'll see to it that you have plenty of company on the way. Since the +object of our trip up here into the heart of the Adirondacks has been +fulfilled, I rather reckon we'll be wanting to go along with you, to see +the fox pups handed over, and that lovely check received. Afterwards we +can all start for Carson, where you and your good old aunt may have a +family reunion all to yourselves; unless you see fit to invite Uncle +Sephus, Uncle Nicodemus, Uncle Job, or some of those old worthies to +join with you, so as to make things hum." + +They all laughed at Steve's humorous remark. + +"B-b-but what's to be d-d-done with this p-p-pretty thing?" demanded +Toby, pointing as he spoke to their prisoner, who was sitting outside +the door, having one of his ankles held fast with a trailing rope, so +that he could not run away, even if tempted to do so; which, considering +his helpless condition, with both hands tied behind his back, he was +hardly in the humor to do. + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +THE FUR FARMER'S TRIUMPH--CONCLUSION + +While all this talk was going on, the man had of course listened. What +he had just heard Roland say about forgiving his scheming cousin must +have encouraged the fellow more or less; for surely if they meant to let +the chief conspirator go scot-free, it would hardly be fitting to take +it out on the poor hired tool. + +"I hope you include me in that general amnesty order, young fellows," he +now hastened to say, with a wishful look on his face. "Since the fat is +in the fire I'm ready to tell anything you want of me. Course my name +isn't Jake Storms; though it isn't necessary for me to inform you what +it might be, because that doesn't concern anybody around here. I needed +money pretty badly, and the gent tempted me beyond my limit, so I agreed +to help him steal the fox cubs. I was to have all they'd fetch when +sold, and so I came along. But if you just cut these cords, and tell me +to clear out, I'll vamose the ranch instanter." + +Max nodded his head in the affirmative. + +"You might as well make an early start," he remarked, drily. "Since +things have turned out the way they have, we couldn't make any use of +you. But before you go, understand one thing, my friend." + +"What might that be, young fellow?" asked the other, though looking very +much pleased at hearing he would be set free. + +"Don't get it into your head that it's going to be an easy snap to come +back here and rob this fox farm. You'd be a fool to try it for many +reasons. In the first place, silver blacks are so few in number that any +one selling a cub or a pelt can be tracked, and made to prove ownership. +There's also an association forming that will insure these costly +animals, and chase a thief across the continent until they eventually +get him; just as the bankers' association does. Understand that?" + +"Oh! don't bother about me," the man hastened to tell them. "I'm through +with this sort of risky game. I can make a living at something that +brings in easier returns; only set me free and I'll never come back here +again, never, on your life." + +"There'll be a guard here while we're gone," continued Max, sternly, "a +man who can hit a silver quarter with his rifle as far as he can see it +through the telescopic globe sight. It wouldn't be safe for prowlers to +show up here. Besides, they could never find the foxes, hidden deep down +in their burrows, during the night time. Steve, set him free, please." + +The boys felt that they could afford to be magnanimous, since things had +taken such a glorious turn in their favor. So they not only gave the +so-called Jake Storms his liberty but filled his pockets with such food +as would serve him until he came to a town. Roland was seen talking with +him just before he left, and Max felt sure the boy must have thrust some +money into the man's hand, for the fellow acted as though greatly +confused, and shook his head while walking hastily away, as though the +kindness of those boys quite overwhelmed, him. + +Roland continued his work of making his cousin thoroughly ashamed of his +recent mean actions. He waited on the injured man as though Robert had +always been one of his best friends. If ever a fellow "heaped coals of +fire on the head of his enemy," Roland Chase certainly did during the +three days they continued to linger at the lodge under the pines. + +Meanwhile, the signal had been set for Jerry Stocks to come over, and +when he arrived, he turned out to be very much the kind of a man the +boys expected to see, a homely specimen of a woodsman, honest as the day +was long, and "filled to the brim," as Steve aptly expressed it, with an +accurate knowledge of all such things as may prove of value to one who +roams the wilderness. + +He was to be left in charge during the absence of the young fur farmer. +Roland had long ago won the sincere admiration of the rugged woodsman, +who stood ready to do anything to show his regard. Besides, he would be +well paid for all his trouble, and his family might even come over to +visit him occasionally. + +During the balance of their stay under the sheltering roof of the +wonderful little lodge under the whispering pines, the boys made use of +every hour in order to enjoy their limited holiday. Since success had +crowned their efforts to find the missing one, they were in constant +high spirits. It always produces a feeling of exultation to know that +the goal has been attained for which a start was made; and the four +chums were only human. + +They certainly had a great time of it, visiting all sorts of strange +nooks under the guidance of either Roland or Jerry. Max found a number +of opportunities to add to his interesting collection of flashlight +pictures. He made a specialty of the fox farm, and with the assistance +of the young owner, managed to snap off the timid occupants of the +enclosures in the act of feeding, as well as under various other equally +instructive conditions; all of which would give a pretty good idea of +how progressive fur farmers manage their outfit. + +The wounded man grew better, so that when it was time for them to leave, +he could take his part in the procession; though the others declined to +let him burden himself with any of the duffle, since he was still weak. + +Max had been studying Robert, and reached the conclusion that the young +man was heartily ashamed of his miserable plotting. He hoped it would +be a good lesson calculated to serve Robert the rest of his life; and if +this turned out to be so, then that stumble of his, unfortunate as it +may have seemed to him at the time, was the best thing that had ever +happened to him. + +The two marketable fox pups were placed securely in the cage that had +been secured for this very purpose by Roland when last in the city. It +weighed very little, and could be easily transported like an ordinary +pack on the back. Roland himself meant to carry it, but of course the +others insisted on "spelling" him from time to time. + +Really, when the fateful morning hour came, and they turned back to give +a last fond look at the little lodge under the green pines, Max and his +three chums were conscious of a strange feeling of keen regret around +the region of their hearts; which proved how the woods home of Roland +had grown upon them. + +"I certainly do hope those pictures will turn out to be daisies, Max." +Steve was heard to say, most earnestly; "because I'll take a heap of +satisfaction in recalling many of the pleasant things that have happened +to us up here, where the breeze is always telling tales to the pinetops; +and it's nice to be able to see what your mind is centered on." + +"But look here," said Roland, delighted to hear Steve talk in that +strain; "you mustn't think that even if I do succeed to that jolly +little fortune left by my real uncle, and not one of the Grimeses, that +I'm meaning to drop this fox farm business. By now it's got a deep hold +on me, and I'm more bent than ever on making it a big success. Yes, and +I'm also counting on you fellows paying me another visit some other +time, the sooner the better." + +They assured him it would please them beyond measure to contemplate +spending part of their next summer vacation with him, when they could +investigate still further the many delightful mysteries of the +Adirondack wilderness. + +So the lovely nook was lost sight of, and for some little time a silence +seemed to fall upon all the members of the group, as they continued to +trudge along the trail that eventually would fetch them to a road, and +after that to a village. + +Of course our story nears its end, now that we have seen Max and his +chums accomplish the object of their search. They meant to continue +along in the company of Roland, and see that the pair of beautiful +glossy silver black fox pups were safely delivered to the purchaser, who +intended to start a fur farm of his own in some other part of the +country, possibly away up in the Canadian Northwest, and had taken a +great fancy for the particular strain of animal Roland was propagating. + +In due time they arrived at the city where this rich gentleman lived. He +had, it appeared, seen and admired the fox pups while fishing in the +neighborhood of the fur farm, and made a contract with Roland for the +delivery of the pair at a certain time, binding the bargain with a cash +payment. + +It all turned out as planned, and when the boy received the balance of +the stipulated amount in a handsome check he felt that he had a right to +feel proud of his accomplishment. + +Robert had long before then took his leave, and in doing so he squeezed +the hand of his younger cousin, and assuring Roland that he meant to see +more of him in the future. So far as Max could observe, the man appeared +to have turned over a new leaf, and from that time forward was likely to +show what was really in him besides his former desire to loaf and spend +money. + +And so in the fullness of time, the five boys turned up in Carson, where +a certain good woman whom Roland claimed as his aunt was wonderfully +well pleased to find his arms about her wrinkled neck, and his boyish +kiss pressed upon her cheek. She assured Roland the first thing, that +there was no need of his worrying about the future, because she had +determined to make him her heir, regardless of whether he ever came into +the money left under such exacting conditions by his deceased uncle. + +Naturally, Roland was proud to tell his aunt that while he appreciated +her fresh interest in his career, and would be only too glad to respond +to her affection, at the same time she must know he had not made a +failure, and that even now he was about to call upon the trustees of +the will, to show them he had faithfully carried out all the provisions +upon the fulfillment of which his legacy depended. + +It all came out as planned; indeed, those same old trustees of the +estate, living in another town, had the greatest surprise of their lives +when that troop of boys called upon them, and the whole story was told; +for of course Max and the other trio eagerly snapped at Roland's warm +invitation to accompany him on this momentous occasion, so as to witness +his crowning triumph, and add their testimony, if needed, as witnesses +to the successful outcome of his plans. + +Roland had taken pains to gather all necessary documents showing how he +invested the greater part of his two thousand dollars, and how he was to +draw half the proceeds on any sales. He also had the contract for the +delivery of the first of the silver black fox pups, and after could, in +addition, show the fat check covering that particular sale. + +Everything had been looked after to a fraction. The old men found it +difficult to believe what at first to their minds seemed so like a fairy +story: but in the end they had to admit that Roland Chase had fully +complied with every one of the conditions imposed on him in the strange +will of his uncle; and as the time limit had not yet expired, he was +fully entitled to his legacy, which in due time was paid over to him. + +After that, Roland again departed for the wonderful "farm," where the +most valuable crop ever heard of was being grown successfully. The other +lads heard from him frequently during the winter months, and there was +no discouraging report forthcoming. He now had Jerry with him constantly +as his assistant, the guide having built a cabin near the farm, where he +installed his family. It was nicer for Roland, too, since there were +several children; and he could spend many an evening sociably, having +taken up a phonograph with him, together with a fine supply of all sorts +of records suitable for amusing a mixed company. + +Max often allowed his thoughts to bridge the many miles that separated +Carson from that lodge in the wilderness; and it required no magician's +wand to enable him to see in his mind's eye the delightful surroundings +that made the strange fur farm a possible El Dorado, where Fortune was +liable to knock on the door and demand entrance. + +It is with more or less regret that the writer finds he has reached the +point where he must say goodbye; and he only does so with the +understanding that just as soon as further stirring events worth +narrating come to pass, it will be his pleasure, as well as duty, to +place them between the covers of another book in this series. + +THE END + + + + ++THE OBLONG BOX.+ + + * * * * * + +Some years ago, I engaged passage from Charleston, S.C., to the city of +New York, in the fine packet-ship Independence, Captain Hardy. We were +to sail on the fifteenth of the month (June), weather permitting; and, +on the fourteenth, I went on board to arrange some matters in my +stateroom. + +I found that we were to have a great many passengers, including a more +than usual number of ladies. On the list were several of my +acquaintances; and among other names, I was rejoiced to see that of Mr. +Cornelius Wyatt, a young artist, for whom I entertained feelings of warm +friendship. He had been with me a fellow-student at C----University, +where we were very much together. He had the ordinary temperament of +genius, and was a compound of misanthropy, sensibility, and enthusiasm. +To these qualities he united the warmest and truest heart which ever +beat in a human bosom. + +I observed that his name was carded upon _three_ staterooms; and, upon +again referring to the list of passengers, I found that he had engaged +passage for himself, wife, and two sisters--his own. The staterooms were +sufficiently roomy, and each had two berths, one above the other. These +berths, to be sure, were so exceedingly narrow as to be insufficient for +more than one person; still, I could not comprehend why there were +_three_ staterooms for these four persons. I was, just at this epoch, in +one of those moody frames of mind which make a man abnormally +inquisitive about trifles: and I confess, with shame, that I busied +myself in a variety of ill-bred and preposterous conjectures about this +matter of the supernumerary stateroom. It was no business of mine, to be +sure; but with none the less pertinacity did I occupy myself in attempts +to resolve the enigma. At last! I had not arrived at it before. "It is +a servant, of course," I said; "what a fool I am, not sooner to have +thought of so obvious a solution!" And then I again repaired to the +list--but here I saw distinctly that _no_ servant was to come with the +party; although, in fact, it had been the original design to bring +one--for the words "and servant" had been first written and then +overscored. "Oh, extra baggage to be sure," I now said to +myself--"something he wishes not to be put in the hold--something to be +kept under his own eye--ah, I have it--a painting or so--and this is +what he has been bargaining about with Ficolino, the Italian Jew." This +idea satisfied me, and I dismissed my curiosity for the nonce. + +Wyatt's two sisters I knew very well, and most amiable and clever girls +they were. His wife he had newly married, and I had never yet seen her. +He had often talked about her in my presence, however, and in his usual +style of enthusiasm. He described her as of surpassing beauty, wit, and +accomplishment. I was, therefore, quite anxious to make her +acquaintance. + +On the day in which I visited the ship (the fourteenth), Wyatt and a +party were also to visit it--so the captain informed me--and I waited on +board an hour longer than I had designed, in hope of being presented to +the bride; but then an apology came. "Mr. W. was a little indisposed, +and would decline coming on board until to-morrow, at the hour of +sailing." + +The morrow having arrived, I was going from my hotel to the wharf, when +Captain Hardy met me and said that "owing circumstances" (a stupid but +convenient phrase), "he rather thought the Independence would not sail +for a day or two, and that when all was ready, he would send up and let +me know." This I thought strange, for there was a stiff southerly +breeze; but as "the circumstances" were not forthcoming, although I +pumped for them with much perseverance, I had nothing to do but to +return home and digest my impatience at leisure. + +I did not receive the expected message from the captain for nearly a +week. It came at length, however, and I immediately went on board. The +ship was crowded with passengers, and everything was in the bustle +attendant upon making sail. Wyatt's party arrived in about ten minutes +after myself. There were the two sisters, the bride, and the artist--the +latter in one of his customary fits of moody misanthropy. I was too +well used to these, however, to pay them any special attention. He did +not even introduce me to his wife, this courtesy devolving, per force, +upon his sister Marian, a very sweet and intelligent girl, who, in a few +hurried words, made us acquainted. + +Mrs. Wyatt had been closely veiled; and when she raised her veil, in +acknowledging my bow, I confess that I was very profoundly astonished. I +should have been much more so, however, had not long experience advised +me not to trust, with too implicit a reliance, the enthusiastic +descriptions of my friend, the artist, when indulging in comments upon +the loveliness of woman. When beauty was the theme, I well knew with +what facility he soared into the regions of the purely ideal. + +The truth is, I could not help regarding Mrs. Wyatt as a decidedly +plain-looking woman. If not positively ugly, she was not, I think, very +far from it. She was dressed, however, in exquisite taste--and then I +had no doubt that she had captivated my friend's heart by the more +enduring graces of the intellect and soul. She said very few words, and +passed at once into her stateroom with Mr. W. + +My old inquisitiveness now returned. There was _no_ servant--_that_ was +a settled point. I looked, therefore, for the extra baggage. After some +delay, a cart arrived at the wharf, with an oblong pine box, which was +everything that seemed to be expected. Immediately upon its arrival we +made sail, and in a short time were safely over the bar and standing out +to sea. + +The box in question was, as I say, oblong. It was about six feet in +length by two and a half in breadth; I observed it attentively, and like +to be precise. Now this shape was _peculiar_; and no sooner had I seen +it, than I took credit to myself for the accuracy of my guessing. I had +reached the conclusion, it will be remembered, that the extra baggage of +my friend, the artist, would prove to be pictures, or at least a +picture; for I knew he had been for several weeks in conference with +Nicolino; and now here was a box which, from its shape, _could_ possibly +contain nothing in the world but a copy of Leonardo's "Last Supper;" and +a copy of this very "Last Supper," done by Rubini the younger at +Florence, I had known, for some time, to be in the possession of +Nicolino. This point, therefore. I considered as sufficiently settled. I +chuckled excessively when I thought of my acumen. It was the first time +I ever known Wyatt to keep from me any of his artistical secrets; but +here he evidently intended to steal a march upon me, and smuggle a fine +picture to New York, under my very nose; expecting me to know nothing of +the matter. I resolved to quiz him _well_, now and hereafter. + +One thing, however, annoyed me not a little. The box did _not_ go into +the extra stateroom. It was deposited in Wyatt's own; and there, too, it +remained, occupying nearly the whole of the floor--no doubt to the +exceeding discomfort of the artist and his wife;--this the more +especially as the tar or paint with which it was lettered in sprawling +capitals, emitted a strong, disagreeable, and, to _my_ fancy, a +peculiarly disgusting odor. On the lid were painted the words--"_Mrs. +Adelaide Curtis, Albany, New York. Charge of Cornelius Wyatt, Esq. This +side up. To be handled with care."_ + +Now, I was aware that Mrs. Adelaide Curtis, of Albany, was the artist's +wife's mother; but then I looked upon the whole address as a +mystification, intended especially for myself. I made up my mind, of +course, that the box and contents would never get farther north than the +studio of my misanthropic friend, in Chambers Street, New York. + +For the first three or four days we had fine weather, although the wind +was dead ahead; having chopped round to the northward, immediately upon +our losing sight of the coast. The passengers were, consequently, in +high spirits, and disposed to be social. I _must_ except, however, Wyatt +and his sisters, who behaved stiffly, and, I could not help thinking, +uncourteously to the rest of the party. _Wyatt's_ conduct I did not so +much regard. He was gloomy, even beyond his usual habit--in fact he was +_morose_--but in him I was prepared for eccentricity. For the sisters, +however, I could make no excuse. They secluded themselves in their +staterooms during the greater part of the passage, and absolutely +refused, although I repeatedly urged them, to hold communication with +any person on board. + +Mrs. Wyatt herself was far more agreeable. That is to say, she was +_chatty_; and to be chatty is no slight recommendation at sea. She +became _excessively_ intimate with most of the ladies; and, to my +profound astonishment, evinced no equivocal disposition to coquet with +the men. She amused us all very much. I say "_amused_"--and scarcely +know how to explain myself. The truth is, I soon found that Mrs. W. was +far oftener laughed _at_ than _with_. The gentlemen said little about +her; but the ladies, in a little while, pronounced her a "good-hearted +thing, rather indifferent-looking, totally uneducated, and decidedly +vulgar." The great wonder was, how Wyatt had been entrapped into such a +match. Wealth was the general solution--but this I knew to be no +solution at all; for Wyatt had told me that she neither brought him a +dollar nor had any expectations from any source whatever. "He had +married," he said, "for love, and for love only; and his bride was far +more than worthy of his love." When I thought of these expressions, on +the part of my friend, I confess that I felt indescribably puzzled. +Could it be possible that he was taking leave of his senses? What else +could I think? _He_, so refined, so intellectual, so fastidious, with so +exquisite a perception of the faulty, and so keen an appreciation of the +beautiful! To be sure, the lady seemed especially fond of +_him_--particularly so in his absence--when, she made herself ridiculous +by frequent quotations of what had been said by her "beloved husband, +Mr. Wyatt." The word "husband" seemed forever--to use one of her own +delicate expressions--forever "on the tip of her tongue." In the +meantime, it was observed by all on board, that he avoided _her_ in the +most pointed manner, and, for the most part, shut himself up alone in +his state-room, where, in fact, he might have been said to live +altogether, leaving his wife at full liberty to amuse herself as she +thought best, in the public society of the main cabin. + +My conclusion, from what I saw and heard, was, that the artist, by some +unaccountable freak of fate, or perhaps in some fit of enthusiastic and +fanciful passion, had been induced to unite himself with a person +altogether beneath him, and that the natural result, entire and speedy +disgust, had ensued. I pitied him from the bottom of my heart--but could +not, for that reason, quite forgive his incommunicativeness in the +matter of the "Last Supper." For this I resolved to have my revenge. + +One day he came upon deck, and, taking his arm as had been my wont, I +sauntered with him backward and forward. His gloom, however (which I +considered quite natural under the circumstances), seemed entirely +unabated. He said little, and that moodily, and with evident effort. I +ventured a jest or two, and he made a sickening attempt at a smile. Poor +fellow! as I thought of _his wife_, I wondered that he could have heart +to put on even the semblance of mirth. At last I ventured a home-thrust. +I determined to commence a series of covert insinuations, or innuendoes, +about the oblong box--just to let him perceive, gradually that I was +_not_ altogether the butt, or victim, of his little bit of pleasant +mystification. My first observation was by way of opening a masked +battery. I said something about the "peculiar shape of _that_ box;" and, +as I spoke the words, I smiled knowingly, winked, and touched him gently +with my fore-finger in the ribs. + +The manner in which Wyatt received this harmless pleasantry convinced +me, at once, that he was mad. At first he stared at me as if he found it +impossible to comprehend the witticism of my remark; but as its point +seemed slowly to make its way into his brain, his eyes, in the same +proportion, seemed protruding from their sockets. Then he grew very +red--then hideously pale--then, as if highly amused with what I had +insinuated, he began a loud and boisterous laugh, which, to my +astonishment, he kept up, with gradually increasing vigor, for ten +minutes or more. In conclusion he fell flat and heavily upon the deck. +When I ran to uplift him, to all appearance he was _dead_. + +I called assistance, and, with much difficulty, we brought him to +himself. Upon reviving he spoke incoherently for some time. At length we +bled him and put him to bed. The next morning he was quite recovered, so +far as regarded his mere bodily health. Of his mind I say nothing, of +course. I avoided him during the rest of the passage, by advice of the +captain, who seemed to coincide with me altogether in my views of his +insanity, but cautioned me to say nothing on this head to any person on +board. + +Several circumstances occurred immediately after this fit of Wyatt's +which contributed to heighten the curiosity with which I was already +possessed. Among other things, this: I had been nervous--drank too much +strong green tea, and slept ill at night--in fact, for two nights I +could not be properly said to sleep at all. Now, my stateroom opened +into the main cabin, or dining-room, as did those of all the single men +on board. Wyatt's three rooms were in the after-cabin, which was +separated from the main one by a slight sliding door, never locked even +at night. As we were almost constantly on a wind, and the breeze was not +a little stiff, the ship heeled to leeward very considerably; and +whenever her starboard side was to leeward, the sliding door between the +cabins slid open, and so remained, nobody taking the trouble to get up +and shut it. But my berth was in such a position, that when my own +stateroom door was open, as well as the sliding door in question (and my +own door was _always_ open on account of the heat), I could see into +the after-cabin quite distinctly, and just at that portion of it, too, +where were situated the staterooms of Mr. Wyatt. Well, during two nights +(_not_ consecutive) while I lay awake, I clearly saw Mrs. W., about +eleven o'clock each night, steal cautiously from the stateroom of Mr. +W., and enter the extra room, where she remained until daybreak, when +she was called by her husband and went back. That they were virtually +separated was clear. They had separate apartments--no doubt in +contemplation of a more permanent divorce; and here, after all, I +thought, was the mystery of the extra stateroom. + +There was another circumstance, too, which interested me much. During +the two wakeful nights in question, and immediately after the +disappearance of Mrs. Wyatt into the extra stateroom, I was attracted by +certain singular, cautious, subdued noises in that of her husband. After +listening to them for some time, with thoughtful attention, I at length +succeeded perfectly in translating their import. They were sounds +occasioned by the artist in prying open the oblong box, by means of a +chisel and mallet--the latter being muffled, or deadened, by some soft +woollen or cotton substance in which its head was enveloped. + +In this manner I fancied I could distinguish the precise moment when he +fairly disengaged the lid--also, that I could determine when he removed +it altogether, and when he deposited it upon the lower berth in his +room; this latter point I knew, for example, by certain slight taps +which the lid made in striking against the wooden edges of the berth, as +he endeavored to lay it down _very_ gently--there being no room for it +on the floor. After this there was a dead stillness, and I heard nothing +more, upon either occasion, until nearly daybreak; unless, perhaps, I +may mention a low sobbing, or murmuring sound, so very much suppressed +as to be nearly inaudible--if, indeed, the whole of this latter noise +were not rather produced by my own imagination. I say it seemed to +_resemble_ sobbing or sighing--but, of course, it could not have been +either. I rather think it was a ringing in my own ears. Mr. Wyatt, no +doubt, according to custom, was merely giving the rein to one of his +hobbies--indulging in one of his fits of artistic enthusiasm. He had +opened his oblong box, in order to feast his eyes on the pictorial +treasure within. There was nothing in this, however, to make him _sob_. +I repeat therefore, that it must have been simply a freak of my own +fancy, distempered by good Captain Hardy's green tea. Just before dawn, +on each of the two nights of which I speak, I distinctly heard Mr. Wyatt +replace the lid upon the oblong box, and force the nails into their old +places, by means of the muffled mallet. Having done this, he issued from +his stateroom, fully dressed, and proceeded to call Mrs. W. from hers. + +We had been at sea seven days, and were now off Cape Hatteras, when +there came a tremendously heavy blow from the southwest. We were, in a +measure, prepared for it, however, as the weather had been holding out +threats for some time. Everything was made snug, alow and aloft; and as +the wind steadily freshened, we lay to, at length, under spanker and +foretopsail, both double-reefed. + +In this trim, we rode safely enough for forty-eight hours--the ship +proving herself an excellent sea boat, in many respects, and shipping no +water of any consequence. At the end of this period, however, the gale +had freshened into a hurricane, and our after-sail split into ribbons, +bringing us so much in the trough of the water that we shipped several +prodigious seas, one immediately after the other. By this accident we +lost three men overboard with the caboose, and nearly the whole of the +larboard bulwarks. Scarcely had we recovered our senses, before the +foretopsail went into shreds when we got up a storm stay-sail, and with +this did pretty well for some hours, the ship heading the sea much more +steadily than before. + +The gale still held on, however, and we saw no signs of its abating. The +rigging was found to be ill-fitted, and greatly strained; and on the +third day of the blow, about five in the afternoon, our mizzen-mast, in +a heavy lurch to windward, went by the board. For an hour or more, we +tried in vain to get rid of it, on account of the prodigious rolling of +the ship, and, before we had succeeded, the carpenter came aft and +announced four feet water in the hold. To add to our dilemma, we found +the pumps choked and nearly useless. + +All was now confusion and despair--but an effort was made to lighten the +ship by throwing overboard as much of her cargo as could be reached, and +by cutting away the two masts that remained. This we at last +accomplished--but we were still unable to do anything at the pumps; and, +in the meantime, the leak gained on us very fast. + +At sundown, the gale had sensibly diminished, in and, as the sea went +down with it, we still entertained faint hopes of saving ourselves in +the boats. At eight P.M. the clouds broke away to windward, and we had +the advantage of a full moon--a piece of good fortune which served +wonderfully to cheer our drooping spirits. + +After incredible labor we succeeded, at length, in getting the long-boat +over the side without material accident, and into this we crowded the +whole of the crew and most of the passengers. This party made off +immediately, and, after undergoing much suffering, finally arrived, in +safety, at Ocracoke Inlet, on the third day after the wreck. + +Fourteen passengers, with the Captain, remained on board, resolving to +trust their fortunes to the jolly-boat at the stern. "We lowered it +without difficulty, although it was only by a miracle that we prevented +it from swamping as it touched the water. It contained, when afloat, the +captain and his wife, Mr. Wyatt and party, a Mexican officer, wife, four +children, and myself, with a negro valet." + +We had no room, of course, for anything except a few positively +necessary instruments, some provision, and the clothes upon our backs. +No one had thought of even attempting to save anything more. What must +have been the astonishment of all then, when, having proceeded a few +fathoms from the ship, Mr. Wyatt stood up in the stern-sheets, and +coolly demanded of Captain Hardy that the boat should be put back for +the purpose of taking in his oblong box! + +"Sit down, Mr. Wyatt," replied the Captain, somewhat sternly, "you will +capsize us if you do not sit quite still. Our gunwale is almost in the +water now." + +"The box!" vociferated Mr. Wyatt, still standing--"the box, I say! +Captain Hardy, you cannot, you _will_ not refuse me. Its weight will be +but a trifle--it is nothing--mere nothing. By the mother who bore +you--for the love of Heaven--by your hope of salvation, I _implore_ you +to put back for the box!" + +The Captain, for a moment, seemed touched by the earnest appeal of the +artist, but he regained his stern composure, and merely said: + +"Mr. Wyatt you are _mad_. I cannot listen to you. Sitdown, I say, or you +will swamp the boat. Stay--hold him--seize him! he is about to spring +overboard! There--I knew it--he is over!" + +As the Captain said this, Mr. Wyatt, in fact, sprang from the boat, +and, as we were yet in the lee of the wreck, succeeded, by almost +superhuman exertion, in getting hold of a rope which hung from the +fore-chains. In another moment he was on board, and rushing frantically +down into the cabin. + +In the meantime, we had been swept astern of the ship, and being quite +out of her lee, were at the mercy of the tremendous sea which was still +running. We made a determined effort to put back, but our little boat +was like a feather in the breath of the tempest. We saw at a glance that +the doom of the unfortunate artist was sealed. + +As our distance from the wreck rapidly increased, the madman (for as +such only could we regard him) was seen to emerge from the +companion-way, up which, by dint of a strength that appeared gigantic, +he dragged, bodily, the oblong box. While we gazed in the extremity of +astonishment, he passed, rapidly, several turns of a three-inch rope, +first around the box and then around his body. In another instant both +body and box ware in the sea--disappearing suddenly, at once and +forever. + +We lingered awhile sadly upon our oars, with our eyes riveted upon the +spot. At length we pulled away. The silence remained unbroken for an +hour. Finally, I hazarded a remark. + +"Did you observe, Captain, how suddenly they sank? Was not that an +exceedingly singular thing? I confess that I entertained some feeble +hope of his final deliverance, when I saw him lash himself to the box, +and commit himself to the sea." + +"They sank as a matter of course," replied the Captain, "and that like a +shot. They will soon rise again, however--_but not till the salt +melts_." + +"The salt!" I ejaculated. + +"Hush!" said the Captain, pointing to the wife and sisters of the +deceased. "We must talk of these things at some more appropriate time." + + * * * * * + +We suffered much, and made a narrow escape; but fortune befriended _us_, +as well as our mates in the long boat. We landed, in fine, more dead +than alive, after four days of intense distress, upon the beach opposite +Roanoke Island. We remained there a week, were not ill-treated by the +wreckers, and at length obtained a passage to New York. + +About a month after the loss of the Independence, I happened to meet +Captain Hardy in Broadway. Our conversation turned, naturally, upon the +disaster, and especially upon the sad fate of poor Wyatt. I thus learned +the following particulars. + +The artist had engaged passage for himself, wife, two sisters, and a +servant. His wife was, indeed, as she had been represented, a most +lovely and most accomplished woman. On the morning of the fourteenth of +June (the day in which I first visited the ship), the lady suddenly +sickened and died. The young husband was frantic with grief--but +circumstances imperatively forbade the deferring his voyage to New York. +It was necessary to take to her mother the corpse of his adored wife, +and on the other hand, the universal prejudice which would prevent his +doing so openly, was well known. Nine-tenths of the passengers would +have abandoned the ship rather than take passage with the dead body. + +In this dilemma, Captain Hardy arranged that the corpse, being first +partially embalmed, and packed, with a large quantity of salt, in a box +of suitable dimensions, should be conveyed on board as merchandise. +Nothing was to be said of the lady's decease; and, as it was well +understood that Mr. Wyatt had engaged passage for his wife, it became +necessary that some person should personate her during the voyage. This +the deceased's lady's maid was easily prevailed on to do. The extra +state-room, originally engaged for this girl during her mistress' life, +was now merely retained. In this state-room the pseudo-wife slept, of +course, every night. In the daytime she performed, to the best of her +ability, the part of her mistress--whose person, it had been carefully +ascertained, was unknown to any of the passengers on board. + +My own mistakes arose, naturally enough, through too careless, too +inquisitive, and too impulsive a temperament. But of late, it is a rare +thing that I sleep soundly at night. There is a countenance which haunts +me, turn as I will. There is an hysterical laugh which will forever ring +within my ears. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's At Whispering Pine Lodge, by Lawrence J. 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