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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/10267-0.txt b/10267-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6cbb594 --- /dev/null +++ b/10267-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5729 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10267 *** + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + + Or + + The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club + + BY CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + + 1911 + + + + +CONTENTS + + I PLANNING THE CAMPAIGN + + II READY FOR THE START + + III THE RACE FOR A CAMP-SITE + + IV UNDER THE TWIN HEMLOCKS + + V THE FIRST CAMP SUPPER + + VI BLUFF MEETS WITH A LOSS + + VII THE SHACK OF THE MUSKRAT TRAPPER + + VIII WHERE IS BLUFF? + + IX JERRY TAKES CHANCES + + X UNCLE TOBY FLIES HIGH + + XI A NIGHT ALARM + + XII THE TELL-TALE MATCH-SAFE + + XIII THE COMING OF THE STORM + + XIV HOW JERRY WAS TREED + + XV IN A BEAR'S HOLLOW + + XVI HEAPING COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD + + XVII AFTER THE STORM + + XVIII A STRANGE VISITOR IN CAMP + + XIX SURPRISING TRAPPER JESSE + + XX PROVING HIS CLAIM + + XXI DOWN THE OLD SHAFT + + XXII "LOOK PLEASANT, PLEASE!" + + XXIII MORE SIGNS OF TROUBLE + + XXIV WHAT BLUFF DID + + XXV BREAKING CAMP + + + + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +PLANNING THE CAMPAIGN + + +"Great news, Jerry! The storm last night damaged the roof of the academy +so that it has been condemned as unsafe. And the Head has decided that +there can be no school held for two weeks." + +"So Watkins was just telling me. He says most of the outside students are +to be sent home again until repairs can be made. And I was just thinking +that while I'm sorry for the Head, it opens up a jolly good prospect for +some of us." + +"How's that, Jerry? For myself, I was just feeling glad to be back at my +desk again, after vacation, and now it's knock around again." + +"All right, just stop and consider. There are four boys I know of, +constituting the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, who have been busy planning +an outing for next summer, back of the lumber camps at the head of the +lake. Talk to me about opportunities, what's to hinder us going into the +woods right now, and making use of our rods, guns, and that elegant new +camera your mother gave you on your birthday last week?" demanded the boy +called Jerry. + +"What's all this about, you two conspirators?" demanded one of two other +boys, swinging alongside just then, as though sure of a hearty welcome, +and a voice at the council fire. + +"Glad you came, Frank and Bluff, for I want your opinion. Jerry has +just sprung an astonishing idea on me, and I'm so dazed I hardly know +what to say. Are you ready for the question? All in favor of spending +the two weeks' additional vacation out in camp back of the lumbermen's +diggings say ay!" + +The two newcomers looked at each other as if trying to grasp the +immensity of the proposition; then they pulled off their hats, and giving +a shout threw them into the air while both roared the affirmative word: + +"Ay!" + +Jerry looked at Will, with a broad smile of delight on his face. + +"Three against one--the motion is carried!" he declared, triumphantly. + +"Oh! come, I wasn't opposed to it in the start, only you stunned me by +such a sudden and glorious idea. We'll meet with some opposition at home, +I expect; but where there's a will there's a way; and I move we make it +unanimous!" Will Milton hastened to remark. + +"Bravo! consider it carried; and just to think what a chance it will be +for me to try out my new outfit!" exclaimed the fourth boy, he who had +been called by the queer name of "Bluff" by one of his comrades; +possibly because, being the only son of a prominent lawyer, Dick Masters +may have been addicted to the habit of putting up a bold face even when +his heart was weak. + +Jerry looked at him rather superciliously at this remark, and threw up +his hands in a manner to indicate discouragement. + +"I'm genuinely sorry for the feathered and furry game of the woods when +the Great Hunter breaks loose with that terrible pump-gun. Mighty little +chance for anything to get away after _that_ is leveled, and the Gatling +opens fire," he remarked scornfully. + +"Huh! it's all very well for you to talk that way, Jerry, because you +happen to be a fine shot, and can bag your game the first clip; but +what's a fellow going to do when he finds it difficult to hit a barn? I'd +like to wager that with all your high-falutin' talk you do more +execution among the poor game than comes to my share," answered Bluff, +indignantly. + +"Oh! well, have it your own way. I've tried my best to show you what a +genuine sportsman should be like, always giving the game a fair chance. +Didn't I induce you to quit fishing with that murderous gang-hook last +summer; and when you did finally get a bass didn't you feel prouder than +if you just '_yanked_' him in, perhaps caught on the outside of his gills +with some of that deadly jewelry?" demanded Jerry, whose one hobby was +the "square deal" in all that he undertook. + +"I acknowledge the corn about the gang-hook; but that has nothing to do +with an up-to-date, repeating shotgun, and other things such as modern +campers use. I've kept posted, and I know what's going on. Some people +seem to be asleep, and are just contented to do as their forefathers did. +I'm progressive, that's what." + +"Well, boys," Frank Langdon here broke in with, "suppose you postpone +that old chestnut of a dispute until we're snug in camp; and let's +talk about how the thing can be done. The first thing is to get +consent at home." + +"I don't believe we need fear any trouble there. Frank, you call us up on +the 'phone in about an hour, and if everything's lovely and the goose +hangs high we'll meet at my house and make definite arrangements," said +Will, whose mother was a well-to-do widow, and seldom refused her +idolized son any reasonable request. + +"We could go on our motor-cycles, and have a wagon bring the duffle +along. If it started at a decent hour in the morning we'd be able to get +in camp by the middle of the afternoon, and have things fixed fairly well +for the first night," suggested Jerry, his eyes bright with anticipations +of a delightful time ahead. + +"You've got all the things needed, Frank; and now we'll see what your +experience up in Maine amounted to. Say, ain't this just glorious? Think +of it, two weeks' outing at this beautiful time of the year, and up there +in the woods where we were just planning to go next summer. I wonder if +old Jesse Wilcox has begun to set his traps yet; that's his +stamping-ground, you know, during the winter, and he makes quite a haul +of muskrats, 'coons, some mink and even an otter once in a long while," +said Bluff, enthusiastically--he was always a leading spirit in new +ventures, but lacked the pertinacity of Frank. + +"Don't you worry, old fellow, I'll be Johnny-on-the-spot when it comes +to delivering the goods. But all further talking had better be put off +until we find out whether we can go or not. So I move we adjourn, to +meet again an hour from now at Will's shack," remarked young Langdon, +always logical. + +They had stopped to talk the matter over alongside one of the stores in +the town; and indeed Bluff was perched upon an empty box, that lay at the +foot of a small pyramid of similar cases, piled up until such time as +they could be sold or destroyed. + +While the others were talking, Jerry had made a little discovery that +aroused both his curiosity and his temper: he had seen a touseled head, +surmounted by a cap he knew full well, push up a little above the rim of +the most elevated empty box, as if some concealed listener might be +endeavoring to hear better, and in his eagerness recklessly exposed +himself in this way. + +Jerry was always prompt about doing things, nor did he, as a rule, stop +to figure what the immediate consequences might prove to be. + +Indignation at the idea of their conference having been overheard +possessed his soul, and, seeing a splendid chance to bring the plans +of the listener to a sudden and disastrous end, he managed without +warning to give one of the boxes a flirt with his hand that moved it +out a foot or two. + +As it happened to be the keystone of the arch, the consequence was the +entire pile came tumbling down, much after the fashion of a crumbling +church during an earthquake. + +Bluff gave a wild shout, and sprang to a position of safety, to turn and +stare in astonishment at the remarkable result of the catastrophe. + +From under the ruins a figure came crawling slowly, rubbing sundry places +about his legs and sides, where the sharp corners of the boxes had been +in cruel contact with his flesh. + +"Why, it's Andy Lasher!" exclaimed Jerry, pretending to be wonderfully +surprised. "Where in the world did you come from--hiding in that drygoods +box, eh? Up to some of your old tricks, Andy, I guess. Going to carry off +the whole dry-goods emporium that time, perhaps?" + +The boy managed to get upon his feet, though he continued to limp around +and rub his legs vigorously, as he whistled to keep from groaning. + +Andy Lasher was known as the town bully, and many a time had he taken +delight in giving our four friends more or less trouble; Jerry and he had +always been at loggerheads, and could look back to half a dozen occasions +in the past where the contest for supremacy had brought them to the point +of battle. + +Each time Andy was supposed to have gotten the better of the conflict, +though his friends thought he paid dearly for his victory; but Jerry +seemed never to know when he was whipped, and was just as ready to try +conclusions with the other as before. + +"Some fine day I'll know how to outwit the big brute, and then I mean to +cure him of his bullying ways," he was wont to say cheerfully, as he +festooned his face with strips of adhesive plaster, and tried to grin +through the pain. + +"What d'ye mean upsetting me that way, Jerry Wallington? Think just +because your dad's a big railroad man you can knock poor fellers around +any old way? I guess I've got some rights. You might have killed me, +tumbling that pile of boxes down, with me inside. You ought to be made to +pay fur it, that's what," grumbled the fellow, scowling vindictively, and +yet not daring to assume the offensive while the four chums were present; +for he had never tried conclusions with Frank, and was suspicious of the +new boy in Centerville--for the Langdons had lived there about a year, +Frank's father having purchased the bank of which he was now president. + +"How could I know anybody was hiding up there?" demanded Jerry, in +pretended ignorance, though his eyes twinkled with humor as he watched +the bully limping around and still rubbing his knee. + +"Ain't I got a right to play hide-and-seek with my friends? Who told you +to stop just underneath, and talk about campin' out up above the lumber +docks? Think you're the whole team, do you? Well, perhaps you won't shout +just so loud when you know me and some of my mates are going up in that +region ourselves, to-morrow, to see old Bud Rabig, the trapper, and if we +have any trouble with you sissies there's bound to be a high old mix-up, +see?" and he glared first at one and then at each of the others in turn. + +The boys looked at one another in dismay, for it seemed as though some +would-be joker had tossed a bucket of ice-cold water over them; this +vague threat of Andy Lasher's was not to be lightly dismissed as mere +bluff, for whatever his reputation might be, the fellow had a way of +keeping his word, especially when it concerned any sort of mischief. + +Frank, however, laughed aloud. + +"That sort of talk doesn't cut any figure with us, Lasher. If we go up to +the head of the lake we'll try and mind our own business, and advise all +others to do the same, if they know what's good for them. We're not out +looking for trouble, but, if it comes along, you and your cronies will +find that there are four fellows who know how to take care of +themselves. Got that, Andy?" he said sternly. + +The bully looked at him fixedly for a moment, and then drawing back his +short upper lip after a way he had, and which made his face resemble that +of a snarling wolf, with fangs exposed, he remarked: + +"It makes me laugh to think of such a lot of tenderfeet in the woods. Be +careful not to shoot yourselves, kids. Guns are mighty dangerous +sometimes. And just make up your minds that we ain't agoing to be scared +by big words. The fellows that train with me have been up against hard +knocks too often to knuckle down before a lot of bluster and brag. Them +two weeks'll be the liveliest you ever knew, take my word for it." + +With his tongue in his cheek he scurried away, just in time to avoid the +proprietor of the store, who now came bustling out to learn what all the +racket might mean, and found our four boys busily replacing his pyramid +of empty boxes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +READY FOR THE START + + +Centerville was a thriving town situated almost midway down the east +shore of Camalot Lake, and very nearly opposite Newtonport on the +opposite bank; in consequence, there was more or less rivalry between the +two places, which condition extended from the shopkeepers and banks to +the sports of the boys of the bustling miniature cities. + +Since the four chums are to figure as the leading spirits in our stirring +tales of the Outdoor Club, it seems only proper that we should take an +early opportunity to introduce them more fully to the reader, together +with some of their more prominent hobbies, hoping that the acquaintance +thus begun may ripen into warm intimacy as we journey along in company. + +Jerry Wellington's father was a railroad magnate, and in full sympathy +with his boy's love for the open; indeed, it was from the elder +Wellington that Jerry, no doubt, inherited his love for fair play, +whether in games on the baseball or football arena, or in sports afield; +his sympathies seemed to be always with the under dog in the fight, and +he would scorn to shoot a rabbit or a quail unless in full flight; or to +take a game-fish by any other means than the methods in vogue among true +sportsmen. + +On the other hand, Bluff Masters could never get it through his head what +need there was for all this fuss and feathers about giving the game a +chance; he had the old primal instinct of the red Indian, whose one +desire was to secure his quarry, no matter whether by hook or by crook; +since Bluff never pretended to be anything of a shot, or an expert +angler, perhaps he was right in believing that, so far as he was +concerned, the game had all the chance necessary at any and all times. + +Frank Langdon, as mentioned before, was the son of the banker, and having +lived up in Maine knew about all there was to know about the tricks of +campers; since his chums as yet had had only limited chances to discover +what the extent of his knowledge might be, they were very anxious to put +Frank to the test, and learn a few of the said wrinkles, calculated to +make them better sportsmen. + +Frank had one sister, a pretty girl named Nellie, and Bluff Masters +had shown a decided partiality for her ever since they were first +brought together. + +The last one of the quartette, Will Milton, was one of the rich widow's +two children, and since he and Frank were deeply interested in +photography, it was perhaps only natural that Frank should be attracted +by Will's twin sister, Violet, whom he believed to be the sweetest girl +of his acquaintance. + +These four boys attended the private school of Alexander Gregory, D.P., +and the sudden announcement that during a recent storm the buildings had +suffered so severely as to necessitate the closing of the academy for a +limited period, had fallen upon the community like a thunderbolt from a +clear sky. + +Those students coming from a distance were being sent away at the expense +of the proprietor of the school; and others, who belonged either in +Centerville or Newtonport, were allowed to go home, subject to a call +some two weeks later. + +While the boys worked at replacing the fallen boxes, they kept up a +running fire of observations regarding this new calamity that threatened +their peace; for when Andy Lasher and the ugly crowd with which he +trained took a notion to make themselves disagreeable they could do it +"to the queen's taste," as Jerry said. + +"Shall we give the outing up?" asked Frank, after he had heard some of +the dire prophecies advanced by his comrades, especially Bluff Masters. + +"Never!" exclaimed Jerry. + +"Ditto!" cried Will, looking more determined than ever. + +"Oh! I'm just as anxious to go as any one, only it seemed right to look +the old thing squarely in the face before we started to lay plans. If the +rest say go, you can count on me all right. I'm the last to squeal if +trouble comes, and you know that, fellows," declared Bluff, glancing +around defiantly. + +It was a habit with Bluff to be always expecting something serious to +happen; and in case his suspicions were verified, as might occasionally +occur, he would crow over the others, and strut around as though he +thought himself a prophet gifted with second-sight, and able to forecast +coming events with ease. + +On the other hand, should the prediction fail to come about there was +always a good excuse handy to account for the failure. + +"Well," said Frank, as he winked at Jerry, "since we are all of one mind, +I don't know why we should waste any more time about it. For one, I'm +going straight to the bank and have a friendly chat with my dad. I just +feel dead certain he'll be as tickled over the chance of an outing as I +am. He never forgets that he was a boy, you see. So-long, fellows; see +you later at Will's house." + +There was a scattering then and there, Bluff heading in the direction of +the building where his father had his offices, while the other two kept +on in company, their homes being close together. + +Will was the only one who really expected any show of opposition: for his +widowed mother simply idolized him, seeing every day new traits of +character as well as little facial resemblances that made him appear more +and more like the husband and father who was gone; but then the boy knew +just how to overcome these scruples, and his arguments were always backed +up by his twin sister, so that in the end he usually attained his wish. + +His one great hobby lay in the line of photography, and such had been his +remarkable success with a cheap outfit that his mother had surprised and +delighted the boy on a recent birthday by giving him an expensive camera. + +Of course, he was fairly wild to get away into the woods and secure many +stunning pictures of the great outdoor folks, the birds and animals +inhabiting the wilds. Will cared little about shooting, and expected to +do all his hunting with his camera. + +When about an hour later Frank called each of his chums up on the 'phone, +and eagerly demanded to know how things had turned out, he was delighted +to hear them say one after the other that everything was lovely, and full +permission to go had been duly granted. + +After lunch they held a grand pow-wow at the home of Will, to which the +two girls were admitted; for it had been deemed best that all the schools +in both Centerville and Newtonport should be closed for a few days, in +order to make a few needed repairs after the storm. + +"Frank, consider yourself appointed commander-in-chief; and now please +tell each of us what we must do," said Will, as they gathered around in +the living room. + +"I'll see about the wagon that is to take our stuff up. One of us can +meet the driver on the road after we've picked out the spot for the camp. +Every fellow be sure to have his outfit ready at seven in the morning. +Bring two blankets apiece, and the things I've written down here--a +towel, soap, and such little necessities," returned Frank. + +"Who looks after the grub part of it?" demanded Bluff, who was never +known to be separated from his appetite. + +"That's my part, too," said Frank; "only, if any of you have any +particular fancy in the line of stuff to eat now's the time to add it to +the list I've made out." + +"Let's take a squint at it, partner," remarked Bluff, anxiously. + +He ran through the list. + +"Don't think I'm going on short rations," laughed Frank, noting the +expression akin to dismay appearing on the other's face; "but you see +we'll have our motor-cycles along, and when we need a new lot of +groceries it'll just be fun to mount and fly down here to pick up a +bundle. Read out the variety, Bluff, and see if any one thinks we want +anything else." + +"H'm, here's matches, sugar, tea, coffee, condemned milk--I mean +condensed milk--butter, four loaves of bread made at home by Frank's +hired girl, who's a dandy cook," read Bluff, in a sing-song tone. "Then +comes bacon, salt pork for cooking fish with, half a ham, potatoes, +pepper and salt, self-raising flour, cornmeal, fine hominy, rice, beans, +canned corn, tomatoes, Boston baked beans, a jar of jam, canned +corned-beef and crackers. + +"What else--don't all speak at once?" asked Frank, holding a +pencil ready. + +"I say a nice juicy beefsteak for the first night in camp; we won't be +able to produce any game at short notice, I reckon, and that would be +fine; just put that down for my sake, chief," observed Jerry. + +"And, say, ain't we going to have any onions?" asked Bluff indignantly, +at which Frank doubled up as if taken with a fit. + +"That's one on me, boys. Why, I wouldn't ever think of going into camp +without a supply of good onions along. If you ever came trudging home at +evening, with game on your back, tired to beat the band, and when near +camp sniffed fired onions cooking, you'd say they're the best thing ever +toted into the wilderness. That's the time you showed your good sense, +Bluff, old man. Onions? Why, to be sure, and plenty of 'em. Anything +more?" he laughed. + +The boys shook their heads; they had not had enough experience in camping +out to warrant suggesting other additions to the apparently complete list +made by the fellow who had been there, and knew all about the needs of +those who go into the wilderness. + +"All right. If you happen to think of anything just get it, that's all. +Look at Jerry grinning there. I bet I know what he's thinking about--that +all this is utter foolishness, and that we ought to start out with +nothing more than we could carry on our machines, and then take +pot-luck? How about that?" demanded Frank. + +"Oh! well, have it your own way, fellows," declared Jerry, with a shrug +of his shoulders; "you know my ideas about these things. I'm the kind of +a sportsman who goes into the woods as light as possible--give me a +frying pan, coffee pot, tin cup and a pie platter, some pepper and salt, +some matches, a camp hatchet to cut browse for my bed, and my trusty +rifle with which to supply the game, and I warrant you I can get along as +well as the fellow who makes a pack-horse of himself, and totes all sorts +of canned goods over the carries." + +"That sounds all mighty well in theory, but there's mighty little +practical sense about it. A blanket is the camper's best friend of a cool +night; and even if he is lucky enough to shoot enough game to satisfy his +wants, he'll get sick of one diet in a short time. I ought to know +something about it, for I've tried it both ways," declared Frank. + +"Yes," broke in Bluff at this juncture, "and you wait and see if Jerry +don't eat his share of every blessed thing we pack in--he won't refuse +one dish. He's quite satisfied to turn up his nose at others carrying +loads, while he goes free; but, at the same time, he eats a quarter of +the grub every time." + +Both Frank and Will laughed heartily at this, in which they were joined +by Nellie Langdon and Violet Milton. + +"Pshaw!" scoffed Jerry, turning a bit red at the same time, "if others +are silly enough to make pack-horses of themselves, and lug all such +things into the primeval wilderness, why, of course, I'm willing to help +dispose of them when the time comes; purely out of good-heartedness, you +see, for it makes their loads lighter. Just drop that subject, boys, and +put me down for a bottle of maple syrup; for when Frank gives us some of +those famous flapjacks he's told about so often, we ought to have the +proper thing to go with them." + +So they talked the thing over from beginning to end, and it looked as if +the team Frank expected to engage would have their work cut out for them, +hauling all this camp stuff over the roads to the point beyond the head +of the lake. + +The boys were evidently eager to get to work, and hence the conference +presently broke up, Jerry heading in one direction, and Frank and his +sister, with Bluff finding some plausible excuse for hanging on, going +in another. + +Later on that day, while Frank was at the big grocery store, giving +orders to have the various edibles put up so as to be ready on the +following morning before seven o'clock, he was interested in seeing Andy +Lasher, backed by several of his pals, actually making similar purchases, +though just where they secured the necessary funds, having no rich +fathers to appeal to, was somewhat of a mystery. + +Andy sent many a dark look across at the tall boy he secretly feared, but +apparently he knew that this was no time to bring matters to a head, and +hence there was nothing said; but the look on his freckled face told of +dark intentions. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE RACE FOR A CAMP-SITE + + +"All aboard for Kamp Kill Kare!" + +Frank Langdon jumped off his motor-cycle as he shouted these words, and +there was a scurrying among the other three boys, who had gathered at the +house of Will, which had been mentioned as a place of meeting. + +Each motor-cycle had numerous small packages secured about it after the +individual fancy of the owner. Will carried his precious camera over his +shoulder, but the tripod, a folding affair of the latest patent, was tied +to his wheel; Jerry and Frank had their guns securely cased, and so +arranged that they would not interfere with either the working of the +machine or any jumping on and off; while Bluff carried his new repeating +shotgun hung from his back with a strap. + +He saw Jerry eyeing the same with a sneer, and was up in arms +immediately. + +"Just you wait, and don't cry before you're hurt. This bang-up modern +machine shooter is no more murderous for me than yours is in your hands. +'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof!' and I'm ready to compare +notes at the end of our little expedition, to see who has slaughtered the +most game," and Bluff wagged his round head with its thatch of yellow +hair, defiantly. + +"Well, a man is known by the company he keeps, and any true +sportsman--" began Jerry, ready to open the discussion on the spot. + +"Rats!" exclaimed Will, as he got in readiness to mount his machine; +"stow all that hot air until the first chilly night. Perhaps you'll need +it before long. I say, Frank?" + +"Well, what?" + +"Has the wagon started along?" asked the other, eagerly. + +"Yes, I saw it off before coming over here. Everything's aboard, and +unless old Uncle Toby has an accident on the road, he guarantees to get +up there shortly after noon," replied the leader, quietly. + +"So, you got your hired man to do the driving; and I've half a suspicion +the team comes from your place, too. That's mighty nice of your father, +Frank. Suppose we could keep Toby with us one night to see us started?" + +"Father said we could have him all we wanted. He can take the horses +over to the nearest farm, where we expect to get our supply of fresh +eggs, and then do a part of the cooking for us, as well as chop wood and +some other stunts that, say what you will, kind of pall on a fellow after +a little while." + +"Better and better," remarked Jerry, who had been known on occasion to +flunk when it came to drudgery, and wanted to be fishing or roaming +pretty much all the day, and every day. + +"Well, the reason I asked was this: I wouldn't wonder but what Andy +Lasher and his pals might plan to intercept our supplies, and do +something mean to break up our fun," continued Will, earnestly. + +"Whew! I hadn't thought of that," remarked Jerry, looking alarmed. + +"I had, and I made an arrangement with old Uncle Toby to take Erastus +along in the wagon up to the point where we are to meet him at noon. You +know Erastus is the porter and watchman at the bank, and known to be a +fighter. When they see him sitting there beside Toby those fellows will +have business somewhere else, you mark me. He can come home on the late +afternoon train, one of us taking him over to the little station on a +motor-cycle. How does that suit you all around?" + +"Talk about your Napoleon for laying out plans; it couldn't be better +arranged. The supplies will be safe, then. Now, is there anything else to +remember?" demanded Jerry. + +"Not from me," replied Bluff, stealing a side glance at the open window +where Nellie and Violet were standing, watching the starting of the +wonderful expedition that was expected to startle the timid woods folks +up beyond the lumber camps at the head of the lake. + +"Count me out," declared Will, raising one foot to be ready to mount. + +"That settles it, then. Who goes first?" asked Frank. + +"You do, to start with. Later on, after we pass the wagon, Jerry will act +as guide, as he's been up there before, and knows a lot about the +country," called Will. + +"Then, here goes, fellows." + +Suiting the action to the word Frank ran with his machine, then gave a +vault into the saddle, started the engine, and with a loud popping the +motor-cycle began to hustle along the road at a moderately swift pace. + +Jerry came second, then Will, and last but not least Bluff, who was very +apt to have many things happen to his motor-cycle before the ten miles +had been reeled off, for that seemed to be just his fortune. + +"Good luck!" called the girls from the window; while the little +mother waved a 'kerchief from the doorway, and then hurried in to +shed a few tears, for, truth to tell, these partings always affected +her in this way. + +Through the town they went, with dogs racing alongside and barking +wildly, and quite a few persons waving them good wishes as they passed; +for it was pretty well known what the Outdoor Club had in view, and the +hunting toggery with which Bluff had adorned himself was a constant sign +as to the glut there would presently be in the game market of +Centerville. + +Then past Frank's home, where his father waved his hat as he stood in the +doorway, warned of the coming of the squad by the rampant popping of the +motor-cycles; and after that the open country, where the northbound road +ran alongside the calm waters of Lake Camalot, now glistening in the +frosty air of an October morning. + +Frank slowed up to allow of Jerry overtaking him, so that they might talk +as they covered the miles. + +"There's the wagon ahead," he said. + +"I had noticed it, and just beyond I thought I saw several fellows up on +the bank, perhaps Andy and his chums. It might be well for us to close +in and be ready to defend the wagon if necessary. And look out for any +sort of sharp-pointed nails on the road, apt to slash our tires," +remarked Jerry, who had experienced so much of the trickery of the +Lasher crowd that he believed there was nothing too mean or small for +them to attempt. + +"Not a bad idea, so slow up until the other boys arrive. They may hardly +feel like doing anything, now that we happen along." + +"I'd feel sure they wouldn't if we could only coax Bluff to exhibit that +awful pump-gun of his. Talk about your scorchers, I think Andy would run +a mile--I know I would if I thought the murderous thing was going to be +turned on me," growled Jerry, who, as the reader must already have +noticed, was a very persistent fellow, and hard to convince, especially +when on his favorite subject of a fair deal for every living creature. + +They moderated their speed, and passed the place where the hostile group +stood, with two riders on either side of the supply wagon. + +Then it was seen that Andy and his associates had impressed a +hungry-looking, gaunt mule into their service, the said animal being +fairly loaded down with an assortment of the most astonishing articles +ever dreamed of in the mind of would-be campers. + +Under the circumstances, with Erastus and Toby to help guard the camp +outfit, Andy's crowd did not dare lift a hostile hand; but they took +especial pains to hoot at the little company as it wheeled past, making +more or less sarcastic remarks, and yet being careful not to go too far. + +The truth was, they did not wholly like the looks of the big colored man +who sat there with old Toby, and of whose abilities as a fighter they +happened to know something about. + +When the rival campers had been left far behind, the boys considered it +safe to part company with the supply train, and dash off. + +"We've got lots to do, locating on a good campsite, remember, fellows; +those sort of things don't grow on every bush, I tell you; so, come +along," and Frank, as he spoke, let out another kink, the popping grew +more furious, and away he shot up the road in a little cloud of dust, +with Jerry at his rear, ready to take the lead as soon as there was any +necessity for choosing at the forks. + +Ten miles is a mere "flea-bite," as Bluff Masters said, when a good, +lively motor-cycle "takes the bit in its teeth," and it seemed as though +they had hardly more than got well started before the junction was +reached, where Jerry swung ahead, and the rest trailed after him. + +The pace had to be more moderate after this, for the going was not so +even; but, nevertheless, they made fair time, and finally swung around at +the head of the lake, where the logging camp was situated. + +It was early in the season, but there were some timber cutters at work in +the woods near-by, and a greasy man-cook stood in the doorway of the long +log cabin where the gang put up throughout the winter, while conducting +their operations of leveling the forest, or, at least, robbing it of all +the spruce for the pulp mill over at Bedington. + +Jerry held up at the lumber camp, for he wished to ask a few questions of +the cook, who was a man he happened to know in a small way, though never +particularly fancying Jock Stovers. + +The fellow stared at seeing a quartette of elegant motor-cycles come +dashing up to the loggers' winter quarters. + +"Hello! Jock. We're going into the woods to spend a week or two; wagon +following after with all the stuff. Where do you suppose we could run +across old Jesse Wilcox these days; and is he starting to do any +trapping?" asked Jerry. + +The lumber-camp cook grinned a little as he took in the new and striking +hunting apparel which Bluff Masters sported so airily; doubtless he +immediately concluded that the whole party must be a set of greenhorns, +incapable of knowing enough to come in out of the wet when it rained. + +"Oh! yes, he's to work, they tells me. Leastwise I heerd ole Bud Rabig +complainin' thet he never did hev a show wen Jesse he was around, +'cause the annermiles they jest seem ter hanker arter Jesse's traps. +Folks do say he hes a kinder scent he uses ter jest coax 'em like," +replied the cook, not above hoping these sons of Centerville rich +people might think it worth while to toss him a generous tip for any +information he gave them. + +"We are heading for that old camp by the twin hemlocks, where that spring +bubbles up, winter and summer. One of us will be back here to convoy old +Toby in with the chuck wagon, and get Erastus over the farmers' station, +where he can catch a late train back. Just tell them to wait here, if +they come before I arrive, and here's some tobacco money for your +trouble, Jock." + +The cook nimbly caught the flying coin, and grinned his thanks. + +"Oh! I'll tell 'em all right, don't yer be 'fraid, Jerry. Say, they was a +party o' three as started in ter camp jest whar ye say, about a hull hour +ago. Boys from Centerville, too, but a tough-lookin' bunch. They tried to +do me for a breakfast, but I come out with a gun, and they shooed. Reckon +that Pet Peters was wun o' the gang." + +"Whew!" + +Jerry looked at the others in some dismay. + +"What'll we do, fellows; that's Andy's right bower. He must have started +the three of them up here last night, meaning to have them squat by the +spring first, and keep us off. And I did want to camp just there above +all places! It's been on my mind all night," exclaimed Jerry, +disconsolately. + +"An hour, you said, Jock?" asked Frank, always quick to decide +knotty points. + +"I reckons about that; but them fellers was dog-tired, an' I don't think +they's agoin' ter git up to thet spring in a hurry," replied the cook, +still squeezing the half dollar, as if to "make it squeal," as Bluff +remarked later. + +"Perhaps we can get there before they do. Suppose we make a try, Jerry?" + +For answer Jerry started his machine on a run, jumped aboard, and was +quickly dashing away at rather a reckless pace, considering the rough +"tote" road he had to follow. + +The others were close at his heels, and altogether the rattling reports +of the four exhausts quite excited the lumber-camp cook, who stood there +in the doorway gaping, as long as the motor-cycles remained in sight. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +UNDER THE TWIN HEMLOCKS + + +"Say, ain't this going-some, for a rough road?" called Bluff, who was +pounding along close behind Jerry, Will bringing up the rear. + +"Beats everything I ever did on wheels--wow! that was a scorcher of a +jolt! I hope none of the wheels break down!" answered the other, over his +shoulder; but he dared not take his eyes off the uneven "tote" road which +they were following, for more than a second at a time, lest some +unfriendly root hurl him into the ditch, a wreck. + +"See anything of 'em, Frank?" wheezed Jerry a bit later, as he kept +his machine close behind the leader; for somehow in this race for +the campsite Frank just naturally forged to the front from mere +force of habit. + +"Thought I had a peep of something moving ahead--soon know," came +the answer. + +Some more jumping followed, and it required considerable agility on the +part of the four riders to keep their saddles. + +Then they made a turn, and discovered three boys in full flight ahead. + +"There they are!" cried Jerry, in excitement. + +"How far ahead is the spring?" called Frank. + +"About half a mile, I reckon." + +"Good! Then the game is ours, barring accidents!" + +The three fellows ahead kept turning around every dozen seconds, as if +worried at the rapid approach of the others. + +"Keep your eyes peeled; they're hatching up some sort of mischief!" +called Frank, who knew the signs. + +He saw that the others began to wobble in their movements, which was +plain evidence that they had tired themselves out by their night tramp, +and were in no condition to compete with the motorcycles, even on this +rough stretch of road. + +The tall, athletic-looking leader of the trio suddenly jumped aside, and +stooped over as if snatching something from the ground. + +"'Ware, hawks!" shouted Bluff, who had noted this maneuver. + +It could now be easily seen that Pet Peters had fastened upon quite a +cumbersome branch of a fallen tree, and his purpose was manifest when he +stepped out as if to drop it across the road, meaning to wreck the +machines as they swept on. + +Frank changed his course just a trifle, but was now heading straight for +the unprincipled schemer, who would have taken the chances of seriously +injuring some of the party in order to further his own plans. + +The sight of that heavy motor-cycle heading straight at him rather +demoralized Pet, who did not know but that Frank meant to chase him until +he got him; so that he dropped the branch before he had quite covered the +entire space across the narrow road, and made a wild leap for safety. + +Consequently, Frank was able to veer aside and skim past the dangerous +obstruction without coming a "cropper" in the ditch. + +Jerry also swept by, and the others were coming so fast on the heels of +the two leaders that the bewildered roughs could not pull their wits +together in time to make any successful swoop. + +Perhaps they were not particularly anxious to arouse the party after +all; for the sight of the weapons they carried, and, above all, the +martial appearance of the khaki-clad Bluff, must have impressed them +more than a little. + +"Hurrah! the camp is ours!" yelled the tail-ender, as he clung to the +rear of the remarkable procession; for never before had these solemn +woods witnessed anything like such a progressive picture of modern magic +as these four lads booming along on metal steeds capable of making fifty +miles an hour and more, in case of necessity, and over a smooth road. + +A few minutes later of more moderate traveling brought them to a point +where a view could be had of the camp-site. + +"Over to the right--notice those twin hemlocks yonder--well, the +wonderful spring bubbles up close beside those trees. Hold up, Frank!" +called Jerry. + +So the quartette dismounted, jumping from their wheels while still in +motion, after the habit of those who use motor-cycles. + +In another minute all of them were bending low over the spring, testing +the delightfully clear waters of the same. + +Loud were the exclamations of satisfaction that arose, for their ride had +made them thirsty, and the water was as cold as ice. + +"A cracking good spot for a camp," was the verdict of the experienced +Frank, as he allowed his eyes to rove about, and take in the +surroundings. + +Jerry beamed with pleasure. + +"Knew you couldn't help liking it, for it seemed to cover all the +necessities of the case, as far as I know them," declared Jerry, whose +knowledge was founded pretty much on theory based on extensive reading +rather than a practical experience such as Frank had passed through. + +"This little knoll will serve to shed water when it rains, as it's sure +to do some time or other; it always does when you camp; and the water is +just far enough away to keep the spring from being polluted by any refuse +from the fire. Yes, and the trees around here have not been touched by +lumbermen, so that the whole aspect is restful to the eye. I like it, +Jerry; it's a regular jim-dandy place." + +"Hunk, I say!" declared Bluff, after his usual explosive fashion; but if +his manner was crude, he generally hit the nail on the head, and no one +could mistake his feelings in the matter. + +He immediately squatted down and began to take his gun out of its case, +an operation Jerry eyed with alarm. + +"Say, look here, what are you going to do with that machine, eh? Are +you so wild to get at the slaughter that you can't wait a decent length +of time, and give the poor birds and beasts a chance to know we're here +for a long stay? For goodness' sake, show some sportsman spirit, +Bluff," he exploded. + +The other looked up with an injured expression. + +"Why," said he, "I'm only thinking of those three desperate characters +rushing our camp, and I wanted to let them see we are able to look out +for ourselves, that's what." + +"Oh! if that's the case, hold up that tool, and I bet they light out +faster than they come--who wouldn't, I'd just like to know, when--" + +"Hey, Jerry, can the wagon get in here?" asked Will, knowing what the +dispute would lead to if allowed to go on any further. + +"Why, yes, I think so, if Toby knows how to manage right; you see he can +turn to the right, cross behind that thicket, and bring up here; +certainly the wagon can haul up here--if it ever gets to this point +safe," replied the other. + +"You and I will look out for that, and when we ride back to convoy it +here, depend on it, we'll have our guns ready to make a good showing," +remarked Frank. "I don't think those three fellows will dare attack us, +especially when they see Erastus. They know him all right, from sad +experience. You see 'Rastus used to be something of a prizefighter in a +small way among his kind, and nothing delights him half so much as a +scrap once in a while; and the town rowdies have suffered at his hands." + +"All right; say when, and I'll be ready to go." + +"Plenty of time. I figure that the wagon won't get to the lumber camp +until noon, so in the meantime we can be using that nice ax Will has +strapped to his machine, and doing a number of things. Firewood is a +mighty handy article to have around a camp, boys, and it's simply +wonderful what a big lot of it is needed." + +"A hint is as good as a command, Frank; just understand that we're ready +to do anything you suggest, for we all want to learn the ropes as soon as +we can. What are you going to do?" he asked, as Frank unsheathed a camp +hatchet, and commenced to look around, as if in search of some particular +kind of wood. + +"Well, you see, I remember that I lost my tent pegs the last time I +camped in Maine, and it's up to me to cut a new supply. No better time +than now, while we're waiting for the wagon. Then I expect to lay out +several poles on which to stretch the tents--one tall one for the +center, and a couple of others outside for the fly that forms a +shelter," remarked Frank, commencing operations on what seemed a +suitable piece of hickory. + +"What sort of tents are they?" asked Jerry, watching all that the other +did, so as to catch the true spirit of the thing from practical +observation, which somehow seemed vastly different from what he read in +his books on sport. + +"The kind which most canoeists like in these modern days. They're big +enough to accommodate four in a pinch, although it's much better to have +only two in each, and that's why I brought both along. Then, when the fly +in front is raised it makes a splendid place for the table, being +sheltered from sun and rain. Each tent has a waterproof floorcloth, to +keep the dampness out. Wait and see, Jerry." + +They worked like beavers for a time. + +When one tired his muscles chopping firewood another was eager to take up +the job, and it was wonderful how the pile of fuel increased. + +Frank rubbed his hands with pleasure when, an hour or more later, he came +over to take a look at it, having completed his own task, as the quantity +of tent pegs announced. + +"That's fine, fellows" he declared, laughing. "If you'd ever gone through +what I did once, when lost in the Maine woods one bitter cold night, +you'd never think you could have too big a pile of the stuff. Perhaps +some time I'll tell you about that experience; for I'll never forget it, +never. But, Jerry, suppose we get ready to run back to the lumber shack, +and wait there for the wagon? I won't be easy until we see it here. A +little snack first from the grub I've got here, and which Nellie put up +for us, and then we'll meander over the back trail," he said. + +"Grub!" exclaimed Bluff, starting up from the soft, mossy cushion he had +fashioned, after doing his little stunt with the ax; "count me in, +please, and especially if your sister put it up, Frank, for I reckon it +must be the boss feed then." + +At which the others smiled, for Bluff's weakness regarding Frank's pretty +sister was something of a joke among them. + +But when the package was undone there were broad grins, for dainty +sandwiches flanked by a generous assortment of wings and drumsticks, +connected at one time with a number of spring chickens, came into view, +besides some pickles, and even a bunch of cookies, which Frank assured +his chums had been actually made by the fair hands of Nellie herself. + +They had hardly known just how hungry they were until the first bite was +taken, and then little was said for some time, on account of the rapidity +with which those four sets of sturdy jaws worked. + +But, as might have been expected, Bluff was the first one to reach out +his hand and secure one of the aforesaid cookies, which he munched with +closed eyes, as if mentally picturing the sweet girl from whom the +treat had come. + +"All ready for the road, Jerry!" exclaimed Frank, jumping up. + +"On deck, captain; I'm with you," came the reply, just as cheerily. + +"You fellows keep a good watch, though I don't fancy you'll be +bothered by the three advance scouts of the Lasher brigade," remarked +Frank, as he pushed his machine into position, and prepared to run +with it for a start. + +"Huh!" grunted Jerry, casting a side glance toward Bluff, who was +already shifting his repeating shotgun to a position where it could lie +across his knees as he sat there on his mossy hassock; "I bet they +won't, not as long as that thing is in sight. Talk about your +scarecrows, I'd like to wager--" + +"To be continued in our next; come along, Jerry," cried Frank, as he +started on. + +A minute later the merry popping of the two exhausts told that the convoy +for the "chuck-wagon," as they called it, was on the way. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE FIRST CAMP SUPPER + + +"They don't seem to be around," said Jerry, when he and his chum had +covered at least half the distance to the lumber camp, without seeing +a sign of the three fellows who had tried to dispute their advance in +the morning. + +"I hope they're not hovering around our camp, to make trouble for the +boys," observed Frank, shaking his head. + +The other laughed aloud in a scoffing way. + +"All I can say is, I'm mighty sorry for Pet and his pals if they try that +sort of business when that criminal of a Bluff is sitting there with his +Gatling gun, ready for work. I'd sooner face a tiger, honest I would, +than that instrument of destruction. I bet there won't be a chippy left +around here when we get out." + +"Oh! shucks, Jerry, remember that he isn't in your class. When he empties +that six-shot gun and makes a miss every time, what does it matter? If +the game had only poor Bluff and his repeater to fear they could well +laugh. But when _you_ look over the sights it's a different matter." + +"That's nice of you, Frank. I'll try and be more lenient with the poor +fellow, then. Anyhow, I know he shuts both eyes when he pulls the +trigger, for I've watched him more than once. A man that's gun-shy never +will make a success as a hunter. Isn't that so?" + +"I've been told so; but, all the same, Bluff is a good-hearted chap, and +I like him first rate. He furnishes fun for the whole squad; and, +besides, nothing makes him mad--at least, if he ever brushes up it's +over and done with like a flash. But isn't that the lumber camp ahead--I +thought I had a glimpse of it through the trees--there it is again!" +said Frank. + +"You're right, but I don't see the wagon." + +"I hardly thought it would be here before half an hour more. We +needn't go any farther than the cabin, and can be taking in the sights +while we wait." + +"Precious little to see here; don't compare with some of the big +camps up in your Maine, I guess. But they're making a gash in the +timber all right, and in a few years it'll be all gone--that is, what +is worth taking." + +They came to a halt near the log cabin, from which the head of the cook +was quickly thrust, he having heard the sound of their engines as they +approached. + +"Back again, boys?" he inquired genially, for the vision of that coin was +still fresh in his memory. + +"Bad penny always comes back, Jock," laughed Jerry. + +"We've come to convoy the wagon in. You see all our supplies, tents, grub +and blankets happen to be in that wagon, and we don't mean to let it be +captured by any of the Lasher crowd," remarked Frank. + +He saw the cook start at the mention of that name, as he muttered: + +"Butch Lasher a-comin' up hyer--then them fellers must aben some o' +his pals." + +"Just what they were," and Frank went on to explain how it came there was +a second vacation for the academy boys of Centerville, and also the +unfortunate fact of Andy, known among his chums as "Butch" for some +unexplained reason, having determined to take an outing in the same +region at the identical time they had arranged to come. + +"We expect to have trouble with them right along, but they'd better be +careful how they try any of their smart tricks on us up here. We mean to +let them alone, if they mind their business and pay no attention to us; +but, on the other hand, we know how to defend ourselves, and we've got +the means to do it," he went on. + +The cook shook his touseled head. + +"Thet critter is sure a terror, an' I orter know," was all he would +say; but the boys could imagine that there was some sort of a story +back of it. + +Less than ten minutes later, while Jerry was prowling around looking +at the bunks in which the lumberjacks slept when in camp, the sound +of voices came to Frank, who was watching outside, and looking down +the crooked road he caught sight of the wagon, with the two colored +men on the seat. + +A shout brought Jerry plunging out of the door, and he joined in noisily +greeting the coming of the team. + +It had been previously arranged that he was to take Erastus on his +machine over to the station on the railroad, about two miles away, +so that he might get the afternoon local, which would stop upon +being flagged. + +Meanwhile, Frank would escort the wagon to the camp, feeling quite able +to take good care of the supply train, as Jerry called it, when he tired +of saying "chuck-wagon." + +Jerry got away first, with Erastus perched behind him, and grinning from +ear to ear with the novelty of the experience. + +"H'm, he won't think it so funny if they strike a root and take a header; +but then Jerry's a cautious driver, and he knows something of the lay of +the land; so I hope they'll get along without a spill. Now, Uncle Toby, +do you think you can stand a mile or two of rough sledding; for the +'tote-road' is hardly meant for a wagon with springs?" Frank asked, as +the other vanished from sight, going back along the way they had come +from Centerville. + +"'Deed an' I specks I kin, Marse Frank; dis chile is able to stan' a +heap o' knockin' 'round on 'casion. S'long as I keeps my shins safe, I +don't seem to keer 'bout much else. Say de word, sah, an' I'se ready to +hit um up ag'in right peart," was the reply from the old, gray-headed +Toby, who had worked for Frank's father many years--indeed, he was fond +of saying he had been a slave in the Virginia branch of the Langdon +family "befo' de wah." + +The horses had not had a very hard pull up to this time, and were, +therefore, in pretty fair condition to attempt the last quarter of +the journey. + +And they needed all their strength to drag that heavily-laden wagon over +the half-broken road, where so many obstacles stuck up to jolt the poor +driver until he almost lost his grip on the seat, though the boys had +been able to avoid most of these because they could steer aside with the +single line of wheels. + +But the vehicle had been well made, and the horses were full of vim, +while the venerable black man who gripped the reins was a "sticker," as +he expressed it, after being once tossed out upon the back of the near +horse by the sudden stoppage of the wagon. + +After rather a trying experience they finally sighted a column of smoke, +and, calling Toby's attention to this, Frank said: + +"That's as far as we go this time, Toby." + +Toby shut his eyes for a brief moment and doubtless gave thanks, for his +poor old body must have been pretty well bruised by this time. + +Will and Bluff had spied the wagon by now, and they shouted a +noisy welcome. + +"Now we're prepared for a siege, with the grub at hand," cried Bluff, +dancing around with his gun held on high. + +"Say, be careful with that contraption, will you? If ever it started +going off not one of us would live to tell the ghastly tale," called +Will, as if really and truly alarmed, which, of course, he was not. + +Bluff gave him an indignant look, for it pained him to have his pet +gun insulted after this rude fashion; but he was too much delighted +over the coming of the supply wagon to cherish any animosity; and +besides, as Frank said, he never could keep on being angry over a few +minutes at a time. + +Such fun they had getting that vehicle unloaded. + +Then the tents had to go up, which was an operation that consumed +considerable time, for Frank proved to be very exact in his way of +arranging things, and would not accept any poor work. + +When finally both tents had been erected, with a burgee bearing the club +name floating from the very tops, the camp began to have a mighty cheery +look that was invigorating. + +Then another fly was put up just in the rear, under which some of the +coarser provisions, such as water would not injure should the rain get +in, were stored; here, too, Toby was to bunk while in camp. + +"Everything looks like business, boys," said Jerry, as he came in later. + +"What did you do with Erastus?" demanded Frank; "upset him in a ditch?" + +"Do I look like I had been rooting? He got off on the train, and is +home by now." + +Home--the boys looked at each other, for it already seemed as though +they had been away a long time, and yet their first night under canvas +was still ahead. + +They meant to keep the horses with them over night, and next day Jerry +would go with Toby to the farmer's, about a mile off, leaving the outfit +there until it was needed to take them back again. + +As evening came on the boys began to lie around and watch the old darkey +start operations for supper, which he did with evident delight; for Toby +loved nothing better than to get away with "Marse Frank" and some of his +friends, where he could wait upon them and enjoy a holiday in the woods. + +The unusual exertions of the ride and subsequent wood-chopping had really +tired all of the chums, though none of them would publicly admit it. When +Bluff attempted to get up in a hurry for some purpose, he found himself +so stiff he could hardly move, and it was only after much grunting and +three distinct efforts that he finally managed to reach his feet. + +Frank only smiled. + +He had expected just this, and knew that in a few days the boys would +have succeeded in getting the kinks out of their muscles. + +Bluff had insisted that they have fried onions with that glorious +steak, and, indeed, he even prepared a dozen of the same himself, for +Bluff could be very persistent when he chose; Frank called a halt at +this number. + +"We may want a few another time, old fellow," he admonished. + +"Oh! all right, then. I was just waiting till somebody called me off. +I've shed more tears than Brutus ever dropped at the bier of Caesar. Wow! +some kind person wipe my eyes, please; my hands are too rank to touch my +tear-rag," he declared, and Will performed this friendly office, thinking +that he deserved it after his heroism. + +The coffee was soon bubbling on the fire, and the delightful odor of that +fine sirloin steak, together with a second frying-pan full of onions, so +permeated the surrounding atmosphere that had any of the Lasher crowd +been hiding in the vicinity they must have suffered tortures in the +thought that they were debarred from that glorious outdoor feast around +the first campfire. + +"Look there!" said Jerry, quietly, pointing as he spoke. + +"It's a little chipmunk come to find out what all this row is about +here," remarked Frank, tossing a piece of bread toward the cunning +animal. "If you don't do anything to frighten them away we can have a +lot of such friendly creatures hanging around the camp all the time." + +"Then, for goodness' sake, chain up that annihilator of Bluff's before he +gets it working overtime. Looks as if he had an eye on it just now, for +game is game to the pot hunter, no matter how he gets it, or what it +happens to be," growled Jerry, scowling in the direction of the other, +who only grinned in reply. + +"Supper am ready, gemmen. Kindly draw yer seats 'round de table," +announced the tow-headed cook at this juncture; and in the eagerness +to appease their keen hunger everything else was forgotten for the +time being. + +Two collapsible tables had been brought along, and these were placed +under the raised fly of one of the tents, so that the warmth of the open +fire could be enjoyed; but the whole supper had not been cooked after the +old fashion, for Frank had a little outfit that burned kerosene, making +its own blue flame, and which the other boys declared to be the finest +thing of the kind they had ever seen. + +A set of aluminum ware went with it, the kettles nesting in each other; +there were cups, dishes, knives, forks and spoons for four persons; +besides, Frank had added a lot of kitchen things from the house, so that +they were amply supplied. + +The supper was almost finished when something crashed through the +branches of a tree and fell at Frank's feet. + +"What's that?" exclaimed the boy. + +Crash! came another object. It landed on a platter and bounded off into +Bluff's lap. + +"A rock! Somebody is throwing rocks at us!" cried Will, starting to +scramble to his feet in wild excitement. + +"It must be one of that Lasher crowd," ejaculated Jerry; "come on, boys, +and let's get hold of the fellow!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +BLUFF MEETS WITH A LOSS + + +The wildest excitement ensued. + +Jerry met with a mishap right in the beginning of the hunt, falling over +the long box in which much of their camp material had been carried. + +It happened to lie just back of the tent, empty save for a few fag-ends +of canvas brought along in case of need, and with the cover in place. + +"Talk about your obstacle races!" he shouted, as he scrambled up, and +went limping after the others; "this has 'em beaten to a frazzle." + +The hunt for the offender was without result. He had evidently made haste +to scuttle off, after heaving the stones at the camp. + +Frank and Will, after searching for some little time, started to return +to the camp, and on the way overtook Bluff. + +"Where's Jerry?" asked Frank, as they joined forces. + +"Don't know," came the answer, as Bluff pushed on eagerly ahead; "last +I saw of him he was taking a header over that long coffin-box back of +the tents." + +"I hope he didn't hurt himself badly, that's all. What's your hurry, +Bluff?" continued Frank, noticing that the other seemed particularly +anxious to get along. + +"Why, I left my gun standing against a tree," replied Bluff. + +"Well, we all did about the same thing. I forgot I had a gun, in fact, +being so anxious to get my hands on that chump who bombarded our camp. I +guess you'll find the gun safe. Uncle Toby stayed in camp," said Frank, +nudging Will. + +"He did not. I saw him scooting off like a scared dog. Like as not that +coon is hiding somewhere under the bushes at this very minute," +declared Bluff. + +At which both the others laughed. + +Presently the cheery blaze was seen through the trees. + +Some one was there, for they could see him bending over as though +busily engaged. + +"It's Jerry, all right," said Bluff, over his shoulder. + +"But what in the wide world is he doing? I believe he's been hurt, boys," +declared Frank, with a touch of anxiety in his voice, for Jerry and he +had been very thick of late. + +"Binding a bandage around his shin, as sure as you live! Hello! What +happened to you, old fellow? Did one of those rocks hit home, or was it +the box you tried to capture that jumped up and kicked you?" asked Will. + +Bluff was in the meantime rushing wildly about the camp as though looking +for something. + +"I tumbled over that plagued box, that's all; and after limping around +for a spell thought I'd better come back and put some witch-hazel on the +bruise," explained the other, turning down his trousers' leg, and +scrambling to his feet to ascertain how well he could walk. + +"It will be some stiff in the morning, I reckon. Talk about your bears, +I thought one had me nailed when I fell over that thing 'ker chunk,'" he +continued, as he rubbed his shin and screwed his face up as if to +conceal his pain. + +"I told you so--it's gone!" shouted Bluff, at this juncture. + +"What's gone?" echoed Will. + +"My gun! Something seemed to tell me it was a silly thing for me to run +off in that way and leave it. And now they've stolen it!" wailed Bluff. + +"What! Do you really mean to say you can't find it?" questioned Frank. + +"Help me look, fellows. Oh! my heart will be broken if it's true. I was +just dreaming of what great things I meant to do with that splendid +repeating shotgun. Please search around the camp!" pleaded Bluff. + +Of course they immediately started a thorough hunt for the strangely +missing weapon, even the limping Jerry seeming as deeply interested in +the search as any one of his comrades. + +High and low they looked, turning over all the blankets in the tents, but +not a sign of the wonderful "pump-gun" could they discover. + +The other guns were just where they had been left, and so far as they +could see not another thing had been stolen. + +"I declare, this is mighty queer," remarked Frank, when they were ready +to give over the quest. + +"Strangest thing I ever heard of," declared Will. + +"Talk about your airships, I think the blooming old thing must have taken +wings and sailed away," grunted Jerry, still rubbing his wounded shin +sympathetically. + +"But why should they pick out Bluff's gun of the lot?" demanded Frank. + +"That's easy enough to answer. They knew a good thing when they saw it, +I bet that crowd noticed what a bully gun I carried, when we passed them +on the road, and they've been hanging around ever since," avowed Bluff, +positively. + +"Then the rocks--" began Will + +"Were fired at us only to tempt a rush. It was all a plot, fellows, to +coax us away for a short time. And the worst of it is the game worked +only too well. I'll never get over that loss, never! I feel sick!" +went on Bluff. + +He kept shaking his head as if working himself up into a desperate frame +of mind. Evidently it would have gone hard with any one of Andy Lasher's +crowd if the offended boy could have laid hands on him just then. + +"I wonder if Uncle Toby could give us any information on this subject?" +suggested Frank. + +"Oh! call him in and see. Perhaps he even grabbed it up in his fright. +Shout to him, Frank, please," exclaimed Bluff, eagerly. + +"Hello! Uncle Toby! Show up here; the coast is clear, and all +danger past!" + +Placing his hands about his mouth, after the fashion of a megaphone, +Frank shouted these words several times. + +"There he comes!" cried Will, pointing to a moving object. + +"Has he got anything in his hands?" gasped Bluff, anxiously. + +"Not that I can see," replied the other. + +Bluff groaned and wrung his hands disconsolately. + +"It's gone, boys! I'll never set eyes on that beauty again. Might as well +give up and go back to town," he said, gloomily, as if brokenhearted. + +"Oh! shucks! Don't give up so easy, Bluff. Who knows but that we may find +a chance to recover the gun again, sooner or later. Live in hopes." + +"It's easy for you to say that, Frank, when your gun is all safe and +sound. Why, what can I do now without anything to shoot game with?" + +"Well, I wouldn't worry about that. This is Kamp Kill Kare, you know. +Trust us to find plenty for you to do. There'll be fish and game to +clean, and dishes to wash while Toby is busy at something else. Oh! you +can be useful all right, I give you my word, Bluff," said Frank, gaily. + +The aggrieved boy gave him one indignant look. He did not seem in a humor +to trust himself to speech. + +Meanwhile the aged darkey had entered the camp. + +"Have you seen my repeating-gun, Toby?" demanded Bluff, striding +up to him. + +"'Deed an' I hasn't seen any gun since I jumped into de bush to find dem +young raskils wot trowed dat stone at me. I war just a-wishin' I had a +gun along. Wouldn't I jest a peppered dem scalawags as dey run past me?" +replied the old fellow. + +"Say, did you see them then?" demanded Frank. + +"I shore did, Marse Frank." + +"How many were there?" came the quick question. + +"I war jest a-countin' ob dem jailbirds, an' had 'rived at 'leven w'en a +'streperous root she keeled me ober. W'en I gits up agin dey had gone. +Den I heard Marse Frank a-callin' me to come back," went on Toby, glibly. + +The boys looked at each other and smiled. They knew that without doubt he +had been cowering close to the ground in mortal fear the whole time, for +Uncle Toby had little reputation for bravery. + +"Did you see any of them have a gun?" asked Bluff, faintly. + +"I done t'ink de whole bunch hab guns; least-way dat was my 'pression at +de time dat creeper done trip me up. It's lucky my haid is 'customed to +hard knocks, or it split open for sure." + +"That settles it; my new gun is gone. Oh! it makes me so mad just +to think one of that crowd may be handling it," cried Bluff, +shaking his fist. + +"I just fancy I can hear the squirrels laughing, and the little chippies +singing for joy," declared Jerry. "Now they'll have a chance to live. +What's hard on you, Bluff, is just happiness to them." + +"You always did envy me the possession of that gun, and I know it, in +spite of your sneers. You just thought I'd beat you out in making a +record. Wait! I'm going to get that cracker-jack gun back again, some +fine day," remarked Bluff, grimly. + +And Frank, seeing that look of determination on his face, knew he meant +it. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SHACK OF THE MUSKRAT TRAPPER + + +"Wake up, everybody!" + +Bang! bang! bang! went the big spoon on the frying pan Frank held. + +As the others came crawling out of the tents they sniffed the air. + +"Say, that bacon smells prime!" declared Will, smacking his lips. + +"Hope you didn't forget about that mess of hominy I spoke about last +night, Toby. Hominy's my great stand-by for breakfast. All right, I see +it on the fire. Give me just five minutes. If it wasn't for that gun--" + +"Talk about your Ambrosia, that Java sure has it knocked clean out," +broke in Jerry. "Me for a quick-dressing act and then grub!" + +Uncle Toby grinned, for he knew what appetites boys are apt to develop +when in the woods, and, of course, he had made allowances. + +They were soon gathered around the table and busy. + +"What's the programme for to-day?" asked Frank, when the edge of their +appetites had been taken away. + +"First thing of all I want some snapshots of the camp in the morning sun. +You can see that's the best time to get a good view. Now, just sit still, +fellows, and let me do my little trick," said Will. + +They assumed grotesque positions, but the photographer refused to +stand for that. + +"What d'ye think I want, a collection of freaks broken loose from the +lunatic asylum? Here, you, Will, be dishing out some more bacon on to +your plate; Frank, take up the coffee-pot and be helping Bluff. Uncle +Toby, just look pleasant." + +"Pretend you found my gun, and I was giving you half a dollar, Uncle +Toby," remarked Bluff, quickly. + +"Always thinking of that cheap, clap-trap affair," growled Jerry. +"Goodness knows if we'll hear anything else from him all the time we're +in camp. I declare I've half a notion--" + +"To do what?" asked Frank, looking at him suspiciously. + +Jerry only smiled and shrugged his shoulders. + +"Now, hold your positions, fellows. Frank, lean a little forward, so your +face stands out better; there, that's right. Toby, raise your head and +point up as if you saw a bird in that tree. That's good, all right; it's +over. Thank you!" + +Will kept his position for a little while, and every few minutes seemed +to find a chance to snap off another view. He evidently believed in +getting a variety of the main subject of their outing--the home camp. + +"I move we try and find old Jesse Wilcox this morning," suggested Frank. + +"That suits me, if we don't have to go too far," agreed Jerry. + +"How's the shin, by the way, this morning? Haven't noticed you +limp much?" + +"Feels pretty fair. Next time I chase out of camp I'm going to make sure +to clear that old box, all right. How about the rest--do you say go?" +asked Jerry. + +"Count me in," called Will. + +"Yes, you will want to get some views of the old trapper and his cabin, +with the door covered with muskrat skins," remarked Frank. + +"Coming along, Bluff?" asked Jerry, watching the other covertly. + +"I guess not to-day. I'm going to hunt around again to see if I could +have unconsciously grabbed up that gun as I bolted, and then dropped it +in the brush. Such a thing might happen, you know, fellows," returned +the other. + +So he remained behind when the other three sallied forth, Frank and +Jerry carrying their guns over their shoulders, while Will brought up the +rear bearing his camera ready for use and on the lookout for subjects. + +"If you see any game please give me a chance to snap a view before you +shoot," he pleaded; at which the others laughed. + +"Perhaps, but we can't promise. If a partridge got up suddenly it would +be a case of shoot first, and think afterwards," said Frank. + +"But if it should be a deer standing feeding?" + +"Or a black bear on his hind legs begging?" jeered Jerry. + +"All right. I'm going to be ready for all that comes along. Still life, +if I have to, or anything else." + +Will's last words were drowned in the report of Jerry's gun. He had swung +it around like a flash, and without apparently glancing along the +barrels, fired one charge at something that was flashing through the +undergrowth. + +There came a second shot, so close upon the heels of the first that the +reports were almost blended in one. + +Jerry turned and looked reproachfully at Frank. + +"Talk about your sporting blood, you sure wiped my eye that +time," he said. + +"The bird was a little too close for your shot to scatter; I had a better +chance as it flew away farther. You'd have dropped him with your second +barrel, I reckon, old fellow," cried Frank, hurrying forward to pick up +the partridge. + +"Yes, I've no doubt I would; but that's the first time I ever had any +one step in and beat me clean. I'll have to watch out for you after +this, you sly 'possum. But then you've shot lots of these birds up in +Maine, I suppose?" + +"Plenty of them; but up there they light in trees, and the natives don't +hesitate to drop them while they sit." + +"That's little short of murder," said Jerry. + +After an hour's walk they reached the camp of old Jesse. + +"There it is, boys," said Frank, pointing ahead. + +"And he's home, too; something I hardly expected at this time of day," +from Jerry. "Because if he has a line of traps the morning is the time he +tends them, I'm told." + +As they approached, the man in the camp turned and saw them. He was a +tall and angular fellow, well on in years, and with keen eyes that seemed +always looking for signs around him. + +"Say, boys, this here is right nice o' you, comin' to look me up. Out on +a leetle hunt to-day?" he asked, as he shook hands all around. + +"We've come up to camp out for a couple of weeks, while repairs are made +to the school building, damaged in the gale of wind," answered Frank. + +"Sho, ye don't say? Well, now, that's fine! I'll be right glad to see +sumpin' o' ye while around. Whar's the camp, Jerry?" + +"At the spring under the twin hemlocks. We wanted to run over and see +how you were getting on. Started to put out your traps yet, Jesse?" +asked the other. + +"Oh! I got a few in line. Season's a bit early yet, ye see. Bringing in +some musquash," and he swept his hand around at a dozen wooden frames +upon which the skins were drying in the shade. + +"Please let me get a picture of you at work, just as you were when we +came up," said the ambitious photographer, keen on the subject that +interested him most. + +The trapper grinned good-naturedly. + +"Fire away, then. So long as I don't give away any o' my secret ways o' +preparin' the pelts, I don't keer. I'm some proud o' that shack, too. +Sheds the rain, an' kin be kept warm easy; what more do a feller want?" +he observed. + +The operation was speedily completed. + +"Hope you feel better now you've got that out of your system," +said Jerry. + +"I have five more exposures on this roll of film, boys. Hope to get +something worth while before we start back to camp," retorted Will, +caressing his new camera. + +"Where do you get the muskrats, Jesse?" asked Frank, as he bent down to +examine the way in which each skin was carefully stretched out on its +little frame. + +"Along the edge o' the swamp half a mile off. They's jest rafts o' 'em +thar. As a rule the pelts bring about fifteen cents each, but jest now +thar's quite a boom on, an' I reckon I'll git sixty apiece." + +"That's fine. What else do you catch here in season?" asked Jerry. + +"Wall, a few mink, not many, once in a long while an otter, fur which I +git twenty dollars. Then I caught three bobcats last winter, seven foxes, +eleven 'coon, half a dozen 'possums, an' two black b'ars, though one o' +them I shot arter we had a right lively argyment." + +"Whew! then there _are_ bears around here?" asked Will, eagerly; "what +wouldn't I give to get a picture of one in its wild state?" + +The old man laughed. + +"Kinder risky business a shootin' _that_ thing at a b'ar, 'specially a +she-b'ar as has young uns nigh. Like as not she'd rush ye. Now, I got a +skin here with the head on it, an' if it comes to the wust we might rig +that up, natural like, so ye cud git a picter o' a wild an' ferocious +beast coming at ye on his hind legs." + +"Oh! I hope I won't have to descend to a fake like that. But we've come +to put in the day with you, Jesse. Show us how you set your traps, +won't you?" + +"Sartin I will. Was jest startin' out for a turn when ye showed up; so +s'pose ye drop in line. It won't take more'n an hour or two, boys." + +They were delighted at the chance, Will lugging his camera along, though +the old trapper cast a dubious eye on the affair, as if he did not wholly +like the idea of visiting his traps with such a "contraption," something +unheard of in his experience. + +"Now, don't even whisper, fellers. Here's the swamp and my traps begins +clost by. I'll show ye all about it by signs. Dumb trappers is most +successful, they sez," remarked Jesse, holding up his hand. + +The three boys followed close at his heels, each picking his way, and +walking on his tiptoes, as though that would make any difference. + +So they entered the edge of the swamp. + +Suddenly the man came to a halt and stooping, pointed ahead. + +"Looky yonder," he whispered hoarsely, "that's somebody stealing out o' +my traps!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +WHERE IS BLUFF? + + +"Where?" gasped Will, making as if anxious to get a snapshot of the thief +in the very act. + +"Keep quiet!" whispered Frank, giving him a push. + +There was some one bending over the edge of the water, for they could +catch a glimpse of his back. + +"Stay here an' watch me scare the critter!" said old Jesse, with a frown. + +He glided forward, very like an Indian brave creeping up on his enemy. +Whoever the offender might be, he seemed to have no suspicion that danger +hung over his head. + +Suddenly the trapper jumped forward, and the boys saw him seize his prey. + +"Wow! talk about your wildcats springing, that was a corker!" + +Jerry led the way forward, though hard put to it to keep ahead of his +eager companions, anxious to assist the trapper if he needed help. + +"Take that, you pelt thief, and that! Let me ketch ye at my traps agin +an' I'll jest waste a bullet on one o' yer legs. Kim up here an' steal my +skins, will ye? Thar's another fur ye. Oh, howl all ye want to, I'm +larnin' ye a lesson." + +The hearty kicks with which he punctuated this speech brought forth a +whoop of pain from the recipient on each occasion. + +"Why, it's Pet Peters!" exclaimed Frank. + +There was a snap. + +"Thank you!" cried Will, with a satisfied grin; he had succeeded +in taking a snapshot of the struggling couple while their faces +were exposed. + +"It'll do as evidence when I want ter send this critter to jail, which +I'll sartin do if he ever comes a foolin' 'round my traps agin. I bet +that snake Bud Rabig set him up ter it. Skeered to come hisself, an' +sends a boy. Now, you git!" + +This time the kick was so tremendous that it actually lifted Andy +Lasher's crony clear off his feet, and started him in a mad flight along +the edge of the swamp. As he ran wildly he kept bellowing in pain, and +holding both hands back of him. + +The temptation was more than Will could stand, and another "click" +announced that he had secured a second retreating view of the poacher. + +"At this rate I'll soon have my six rolls done," he announced, +triumphantly. + +"What harm did he do?" asked Frank. + +The trapper made an investigation. + +"Jest ketched him in time. Ye see he bed got the game outen the steel, +an' was tryin' to sot the trap again so as I wouldn't know it. That +proves he was sent up here by that sneakin' Bud Rabig; fur what would the +boy know about fixin' a trap if he didn't git guided?" + +Jerry picked up the drowned muskrat and examined it. + +"Pretty soft fur it has. Lots of it used nowadays I understand," +he observed. + +"Yas, but mostly under other names. Fur is a-gittin' skeercer all the +time, an' they hev to come to stuff they used to larf at. Now watch me +sot her, boys." + +They were all interested in the manner in which the trap was set, for +much care and ingenuity is required in order to outwit the cautious +instincts of the animal; though muskrats are not half so timid as some +other animals whose fur is coveted by the trappers. + +"Now fur the next trap. Hope I don't find a thief has be'n thar too," +said Jesse. + +Evidently Pet Peters had just started in to follow up the line of traps, +as described to him by Bud Rabig the rival of old Jesse, for they saw no +more evidences of a visit. + +When an hour had passed they were carrying five victims of the +steel traps. + +Jerry did not much fancy the business. + +He tried to be a thorough sportsman all the time, and anything that +savored of the habits of a game butcher, or trapping and shooting for the +market, grated on his nerves. + +After this Jesse led them to where he had a bear trap located, and here +they were compelled to exercise considerable caution, because Bruin is a +suspicious beast, and easily frightened away. + +But the trap was not sprung; and Jesse from a little distance explained +to his young friends how it lay concealed under the fallen leaves at a +place where he knew a bear frequented in passing to and fro. + +"I'm goin' to look up his den in a few days, before he shuts in fur the +winter, an' sot my trap, whar he's jest bound to tread in it goin' or +comin'. Now, if so be ye feels that way, let's git back to camp an' hatch +up some sorter dinner Ever eat musquash, boys?" + +"What, eat muskrats?" exclaimed Jerry, in disgust. + +"I never have, but would like to try the dish," remarked Frank. "Up in +Maine the trappers told me they were fine in winter weather." + +Will said not a word, but his lip curled, as though nothing could tempt +him to even take a taste of such a queer dish. + +It was high noon when they arrived at the shack of the old trapper, and +all of the boys felt sharp pressed with hunger. + +"I hope he's got something else besides muskrat--ugh!" said Jerry to +Will. + +"I saw part of a deer hanging up before we left here," replied the other. + +Jerry licked his lips in anticipation. + +"Venison, real venison, fresh in the woods! Tell me about that, will you? +I'm in on that deal every time. I hope he cooks enough of it." + +There was little danger of the trapper allowing any of his guests to +go hungry. + +"Boys, I want you all to help me git a fine dinner. Frank, I knows you +are used to makin' up a good cookin' fire, you 'tend to that part +Jerry, see that ere haunch o' venison hangin' from the limb o' that +tree--jest git her down an' cut off some slices, all this here big +fry-pan'll hold, an' put some pieces o' salt pork in along with it, +'cause ye see venison is mighty dry. Bill, p'raps ye kin look arter the +coffee part o' the bizness." + +Immediately everybody became busy. + +Old Jesse went away with a couple of the muskrats, and when he came back +later he had them skinned and ready for cooking; an operation the boys +watched with considerable uneasiness. + +Finally the meal was ready, and they sat down. + +The venison tasted prime, and the coffee was pretty good; at least it was +hot, and on a cool day that counts for a good deal. + +Jerry and Will watched their comrade bravely take a portion of the +musquash. + +"How is it?" asked Jerry, for there had not been enough of the venison +after all to appease their appetites. + +"Bully. Just try for yourselves. I've eaten much worse dishes right at +home," was the immediate reply of the stout-hearted Frank. + +Old Jesse chuckled and gave him a look of appreciation. + +Thereupon both of the others took a very dainty help, and with much +hesitation tasted of the dish; but both came back for more, and in the +end pronounced the new dish all right. + +"Why, fellows," said Frank, laughing, "it was the same with terrapin +years ago. People along the Eastern Shore used to consider the +diamond-back as common as dirt." + +"So I was reading the other day," admitted Jerry. + +"Yes, sir, so common that when men hired out they stipulated in the bond +that they were not to be fed on terrapin. Then the fashionable people +took a fancy for the dish, the supply ran low, and now a decent-sized +terrapin is worth five dollars. Perhaps muskrats may become popular the +same way, who knows?" laughed Frank. + +At which the trapper roared, seemingly thinking it a great joke. + +He showed them how he took the skins off, and stretched them on +his frames. + +"Not too tight, boys; and then keep 'em in the open air in the shade, +away from the fire, till they gits right dry. Some we take off whole, an' +others is slit up, jest accordin' to the kind." + +All this sort of thing was eagerly listened to, especially by Frank and +Jerry, always interested in everything that pertained to hunting and +wild animals. + +Will had his mind bent upon one subject, and could not bear to think of +anything else; in camp and out, he kept his eyes on the alert for +subjects suitable for striking pictures with which to embellish his +account of the outing trip. + +So the afternoon began to wane almost before they were aware of it. + +"Time we were making tracks for home, fellows," announced Frank. + +"What will Bluff and Toby think has become of us, I wonder,"' said Will. + +"Him? Why, he's forgotten we're in existence. He can never get that jay +gun out of his mind. Talk about your phonograph, he's sure the worst +repeater I ever heard, and that's no fairy story," grunted Jerry. + +"Well, come along boys. Jesse, you must run over and have dinner with us +some afternoon. We dine at night, you see. Will you come?" asked Frank, +shaking hands. + +"I sartin will, and soon at that. Glad ye thought 'bout the ole lone +trapper, boys. Come agin, soon, an' any time. An', Bill, when ye git them +picters printed remember I'm in one, an' that pelt thief, too." + +"I'll see you get copies of both. Good-by!" called out Will. + +They trudged back with less ambition to make time than when on the +morning tramp, for all of them were feeling a little stiff. As they came +in sight of the home camp, Jerry broke out with: + +"Say, she looks some nice, with the two tents standing there, and old +Toby working around." + +"Do you see Bluff?" asked Frank, a trifle uneasily. + +"Why, no, but what makes you say that?" + +"I've got a suspicion about him, that's all Hello, Toby, everything +all right?" + +"Sho, Marse Frank, eberything am lubly an' de goose hangs high." + +"How about Bluff--where is he?" + +"Don't no nuffin' 'bout dat boy; he went off in de mornin' an' ain't +kim back." + +"Just what I feared, fellows," said Frank. "That silly chap has gone +hunting up the camp of the Lasher crowd, and like as not got himself +in trouble." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +JERRY TAKES CHANCES + + +The announcement of Frank stunned both the others for a moment. + +"Do you really believe that?" asked Will, uneasily, at length. + +"It would be just like Bluff to take chances. He never counts the cost. +Yes, sir, I just wager he started for that camp before we had been gone +half an hour." + +"But how would he know where to find those fellows?" asked Will. + +"Oh! he knew, all right. We talked it over last night when you were busy +with your camera, after we chased around for the stone-thrower; and +agreed that since Andy and his mates couldn't get this camp-site, the +next best place for them to go would be that little cabin up near the +shore of the lake," said Jerry. + +"You mean the one the charcoal burners used to live in long ago?" + +"Yes. And as Bluff has been around this section more than once, he must +have known how to get there. Five to one he burst right into the camp and +demanded his gun." + +"Do you think so?" said Jerry, uneasily. + +"That is his way. And you can just guess that he got into hot water +before half a minute had gone," returned Frank. + +"Would they hurt Bluff?" asked Will, beginning to show unexpected +feeling. + +"Well, they might, especially if he accused them of stealing his gun. +Besides, if he happened to see it there I wouldn't put it past Bluff to +tackle the whole bunch in the effort to get his property," Frank went on. + +Jerry had thrown his gun down as if ready to drop over himself. He now +stooped and picked it up again. + +"Come on, fellows; there's only one thing for us to do," he said. + +"And that's to hike over to that shanty and find out if they've got our +chum there a prisoner," finished Frank. + +Will made no move to leave his beloved camera behind. + +"Hide it somewhere," suggested Frank; "for it will be too dark by the +time we get across to their camp to take a picture decently." + +"I guess not," observed the other, calmly; "you see I'm prepared to snap +off a flashlight picture at any old time. Here's after you, Frank." + +Uncle Toby had witnessed this threatened exodus with signs of alarm. + +"Whar ye gwine, Marse Frank? Ain't 'spectin' to leab dis chile erlone +hyah be yuh? I doan't like dem owls a-whoopin' dar in de big timber: an' +I sure reckons dar might be bars an' wildcats a-snoopin' round dis yer +camp ter-night." + +"We expect to be back before a great while, Uncle Toby. Just be getting +supper ready for us in an hour or so. And have a good fire. Wild beasts +will never trouble any one when backed by a blaze, remember. So-long!" + +When they looked back, they could see the ancient darkey gazing with +longing glances, as if he might be tempted to chase after them. + +"Do you think Bluff can be in trouble?" asked Jerry, showing real +solicitude in his voice and manner. + +"I'm a little afraid of it. And I want to say right here that both of you +have shown the right spirit in agreeing to come with me so quickly. It +does you credit, boys," remarked Frank. + +Will seemed to puff up a bit under the compliment, but Jerry sneered. + +"Oh! I don't consider that anything at all. Bluff is a good fellow in +spite of his butcher instincts, and I guess he'd go out of his way to +help me," he said. + +Frank looked at him, and opened his mouth to speak, but on second thought +changed his mind. + +Jerry seemed to know more about the woods than either of his chums. He +had little trouble in guiding them across the territory that separated +the rival camps, which was not more than a mile or so. + +"I can see the glow of a fire ahead," announced Will, presently. + +"That's the place we're aiming for; the lake lies beyond. I've fished +from the point many a time," pursued Jerry. + +"And when are we going to try for fish; I brought my rod and lines along, +thinking we'd have a fish dinner some fine day?" complained Will. + +"Wait, there's plenty of time. The season is nearly over, but if a warm +day comes along we ought to be able to get some bass, I think," remarked +Frank, who was something of an authority in that line. + +"I can see figures moving about like black ghosts," announced Jerry. +"Say, fellows, this is getting real exciting, creeping up on a rival +camp with the intention of holding up the whole kit at the muzzle of +our guns." + +"Oh! I hope it won't come to such a desperate point as that. I'd +rather not have any trouble with that Lasher if it can be avoided," +ventured Frank. + +"But if they've got our chum tied to a tree a prisoner?" demanded Jerry. + +"In that case we'll make sure that he's set free, no matter what the +consequences," was the immediate response from the leader. + +As they drew nearer to the fire they could begin to make out the identity +of those who were moving about. + +Andy Lasher could be easily seen, as he always took it upon himself to be +the high pin of any gathering of the clans in which he moved; then there +was the fellow who had been caught stealing from the traps of Jesse +Wilcox that morning, still limping painfully whenever he walked. + +Besides these two there were five other boys present + +"A tough-looking bunch," muttered Jerry, as he trailed along after Frank. + +"I don't see anything of Bluff, though," whispered the other, over +his shoulder. + +"Perhaps they've got him inside the cabin. If you two would agree +to stay here, I'll volunteer to creep up back of it and find out," +said Jerry. + +"You're all right, old fellow. Just the kind to tie to," replied Frank. + +"Oh! I don't know. Any one of you would do the same for me. Besides, +I guess--but then, it doesn't matter. Will you wait here, boys?" +asked Jerry. + +"Draw a little closer. Then let Will have your gun while you're away." + +Jerry handed it over a little regretfully; indeed, he had calculated on +carrying the weapon himself, though it must have been in the way. + +They saw him creep off. + +For quite some little time they watched, ready to rush forward if any +sound announced that Jerry had been discovered, and was in trouble. + +"They're getting supper. Don't look like our outfit, does it?" whispered +Will, as he and Frank crouched there in the brush, waiting and watching. + +"I should say not; still, the appetite is the main thing in the woods. A +hungry man can forgive anything. Look behind the shack--isn't that +something moving?" + +What Frank had said was true, for just then Jerry crept across an open +space, and for a few seconds they saw him plainly. + +Then he daringly slipped in through the open door of the cabin, +doubtless taking advantage of the attention of the campers being turned +elsewhere. + +"Come on, move up a little. I'm too nervous now to stay quiet," +said Frank. + +While they were thus advancing there suddenly arose a tremendous clamor. +It appeared to issue from the interior of the dilapidated cabin in which +Andy's crowd had taken up their quarters. + +"Oh! what has happened now?" exclaimed Will, scrambling to his feet. + +"Look!" cried Frank. + +Something came flying out of the door of the shack, and landing in a heap +rolled over and over, clawing at every object within reach. + +Then it sat up and looked around in a frightened way. + +"Why, it's Ben Cooper!" said Will, partly relieved. + +"And he's met up with Jerry!" added Frank, grimly, as he watched eagerly +to see what else took place in the little opening where the camp had +been pitched. + +The boys were all on their feet. They seemed to be staring at their +half-dazed comrade as though hardly able to grasp the real meaning of the +conditions. + +Then Andy gave a shout. + +"Hey, you fellers, look at that door go shut! The prisoner must have got +loose! How about it, Ben Cooper? What happened to you?" + +"They's another feller in there 'sides the prisoner. He knocked me +clean silly, and threw me out o' the door," whined the other, rubbing +his head dismally. + +"Who was it--any of that crowd from over by the hemlocks?" demanded Andy, +much excited, and apparently ready to tear up things generally. + +"I reckon 'twar that Jerry Wallington--wait till I gets him some day, +that's all." + +"Hey, fellers, d'ye hear that? Another of that lot bagged in the cabin. +Come on, an' we'll do him up!" yelled the brawny leader, rushing forward. + +When he reached the door, he tried in vain to break it open. It +seemed to be braced in such a manner that he could make no impression +on the planks. + +"Bring me the ax, somebody!" he howled, after beating his fists vainly +against the panel. + +One of his followers made haste to obey. When Andy was aroused in this +way the bravest of them did not dare brook his anger. + +He immediately swung the implement about his head. + +Crash! went the ax into the door, which began to split under the +vigorous assault, as though unable to stand long before such tactics. + +"He'll do it--he's going to break his way in; and I've got Jerry's gun! +Oh! dear what shall we do?" exclaimed Will. + +"Stop that chopping, you!" shouted Frank, running forward with +raised gun. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +UNCLE TOBY FLIES HIGH + + +"Here, don't shoot!" shouted Andy, dodging behind one of his companions. + +"We surrender!" cried another, throwing up his hands. + +Frank and Will looked very threatening as they advanced. Both of them had +their guns leveled, and besides, the latter was encumbered with his +camera, so that he presented the appearance of being fairly loaded down +with war material. + +"Hey, Jerry, open up!" called Frank. + +The door of the shack immediately began to move, and presently it was +shoved aside, with the ax still sticking in its planking, just as Andy +had left it. + +"Talk about your rescue parties, say, don't this take the cake?" +exclaimed a familiar voice, and Jerry's head was thrust out of the +opening. + +"Is Bluff there?" demanded Frank. + +"Sure," came in the voice of their missing chum. + +A second head had by this time shown up. + +"Hey, you, Franky boy, what d'ye mean bombarding our camp in this way? +What have we done to your crowd, I'd like to know, to be treated like +dogs? First there was that Bluff Masters a-walkin' in here an' accusing +us of stealing his blamed old gun, when the only one we've got is a +musket Pet owns. Now you come tearing up things." + +Andy was evidently getting indignant; but all the same he kept on the +watch, and whenever he thought he saw one of those weapons pointing in +his direction he slipped quietly behind one of the others. + +"That's all right. Bluff has lost his gun; somebody took it from our camp +last night just after a shower of rocks came in on us and we rushed out +to find the fellow who sent them. He thought it was one of your crowd, +and I guess he came over to ask. What business had you tying him up like +a convict, tell me that?" + +Frank put this to him sternly. At the same time he beckoned to Jerry to +make a start out of the cabin, which the other easily understood, and set +about obeying. + +"Why, the silly fool was for trying to lick the whole lot of us; said as +how he knew somebody from here had swiped his old gun, and that unless we +handed it over he'd show us. Say, we couldn't stand for that, so we just +sailed in and made him a prisoner. We didn't hurt him much, no more than +he did us. Suppose the lot of you clear out now, and let us alone," +growled Andy, growing bolder. + +"Which we will be only too glad to do. We only wanted to get Bluff back." + +There was a sudden brilliant flash, and a shout of alarm from the boys +about the front of the charcoal burners' cabin. + +"Got it all right, and I bet it's a dandy!" exclaimed Will. + +He had set down Jerry's double-barreled shotgun when he saw what he +considered a good chance to get a picture of the group, and touched off +the little cartridge that allowed him to snatch a flashlight picture. + +Two or three of Andy's fellows threw themselves flat on the ground, under +the impression that some one had fired at them; still more of them were +trying to hide behind each other in alarm. + +"Hey, take that feller away, won't you? He's sure enough to scare anybody +out of a year's growth," shouted Andy, waving his arms excitedly. + +But he knew better than to try and rush forward while Frank stood guard. +There seemed to be an air of determination about that individual that +Andy did not fancy. + +By this time Jerry and Bluff had joined their chums. + +The latter did not seem any the worse for his long confinement; indeed, +he was grinning as though the scare of his enemies over that flashlight +had amused him. + +"We're only too willing to go. I told you before that we didn't mean to +have any trouble with you, if we could help it; but if you start the ball +rolling look out." + +"Yes," said Will, on the heels of what Frank had said, "it's a case of +millions for defense, not one cent for tribute." + +"Good night, fellows, and thank you for the grub you gave me?" laughed +Bluff, as he waved his hand mockingly toward the group. + +Jerry had recovered his gun, and, in a bunch, the four chums walked away. +The others followed them menacingly for a short distance, but every time +one of the two armed lads turned there was a sudden scattering. When Will +whirled around and elevated his camera they fell flat to the ground as +though really alarmed. + +"They've turned back," announced Jerry, presently. + +"Say, that was fine of you to come in there and rescue me," declared +Bluff, as he caught hold of Jerry's unwilling hand, and squeezed it. + +The other seemed to be unusually modest, for he pulled quickly away. + +"Beat it, Bluff. You know you'd have done the same for me. I guess I owed +you something for making fun of you so much. Anyhow, it was just bully, +that's what. Talk about your earthquakes and cyclones, I don't think +anything could beat that scare you gave them with your old flashlight +stunt, Will." + +"And I reckon it's going to turn out a dandy picture. I just wanted to +get that crowd in some outlandish attitude, and if it proves what I +think, I've done it." + +"Did they hurt you, Bluff?" asked Frank. + +"Oh! well, they acted better than perhaps I had any reason to expect. We +mixed up some in the start, but they were too many for me." + +"You mean the whole lot--well, I should guess yes. You had a sweet nerve +sauntering into that camp and taking them all on. Accused them of +stealing, too! Say, you don't know that they took your gun, do you?" +demanded Frank. + +"N--no, perhaps not," admitted Bluff, hesitatingly. + +"Just surmise like, isn't it?" + +"But why that shower of stones if not to get us to run out of camp, so +that some one could sneak in and take a coveted article--and what more +natural than that my new repeater should be the thing they wanted?" said +Bluff, logically, as he believed. + +"Well, until you have found some stronger evidence than that, I'd be a +little slow about accusing any of that crowd, eh, Jerry?" went on Frank. + +"That's right," admitted Jerry, looking back just then as if he fancied +they might be followed, which, of course, was not the case. + +"You didn't see any signs of the gun while there, did you?" asked Frank. + +"No, I can't say I did; but then they wouldn't be likely to stick my own +property under my nose, would they? I could have them arrested later on +for robbery." + +"All right. Suppose we let the subject rest for a while. The gun may turn +up again, sooner or later. I have heard of just such queer freaks +happening in camp. Now, who gets the first sight of our campfire, and +old Toby cooking a glorious supper?" + +"Wow! I can do justice to it all right. They gave me something to eat, +but gracious, it was burned, and tasted horrible. Not one in that crowd +knows the first thing about camp cookery, and they scorch everything they +try," said Bluff, sighing. + +"Just keep up a little while longer. There, isn't that the fire through +that bunch of trees ahead?" + +"After all, you saw it yourself first, Frank. That's the fire all right. +Straight this way, boys, and we'll be there in a jiffy," said Will. + +They hurried on. + +"I'm looking to see good old Toby; but somehow don't seem able to clap my +eyes on his honest, black face," declared Bluff. + +"That's a fact, where is he? The fire is burning decently, and from that +I judge he's around somewhere," remarked Frank. + +"Well," broke in Will, "you know he acted as though afraid when we were +starting out. Said something about the big owls in the timber getting on +his nerves." + +"And the varmints prowling around, waiting for a chance to eat him up. I +believe the coon is hiding in one of the tents, afraid to show himself. +How about that, Frank, is he such a coward" demanded Jerry. + +The other laughed. + +"Don't ask me," he replied, shaking his head; "it isn't quite fair to +give poor old Uncle Toby away like that But we're getting close to the +camp now, and, if he is around, I'll soon raise him like I did before." + +"If he's let that supper burn, something is going to happen to a +respectable colored gentleman I know," threatened Bluff. + +"Listen to him. Talk about your fighters, this Bluff takes the cake. Why, +not satisfied with trying to whip the entire Lasher crowd in a bunch, now +he wants to take on poor harmless old Uncle Toby Washington Low. Perhaps +after all, it's just as well such a blood-thirsty character has been +robbed of his little pump-gun. Why, he'd have cleaned out the whole woods +community, given half a chance," jeered Jerry. + +"Come now, let that drop. I'm only joking, and you know it. I wouldn't +lay a single finger on old Toby's white wool for worlds. But where is he, +Frank?" said Bluff. + +"Say, there's something in our camp, boys!" ejaculated Will, at +that moment. + +"What's that?" asked Frank, his interest suddenly aroused. + +"Well, I saw something moving there--look now, there it is again, over +just beside the nearer tent," whispered Will, in an awe-struck voice. + +They all saw it now. + +"Keeps moving all the time. Boys, it strikes me that it must be an animal +of some sort!" came from the experienced Frank. + +"Goodness gracious! I hope it hasn't devoured poor old Toby," +gasped Will. + +"Well, make your mind up on that score, for it hasn't--_yet_! Just look +aloft a bit--right above where the thing is jumping about as if worrying +something. What do you see astraddle that limb, eh?" asked Frank, +triumphantly. + +"Talk about your treed coons, why that's old Toby sitting up there, and +hanging on for dear life." + +"And that object in the camp is, I believe, a wildcat, worrying over our +fine ham," remarked Frank, quietly raising the hammers of his shotgun. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A NIGHT ALARM + + +"Oh! please don't shoot just yet; I'm nearly ready," exclaimed Will, who +had been fumbling with trembling fingers at his camera while they were +creeping closer. + +"What do you want to do--shoot the cat with your machine?" whispered +Frank, the most accommodating fellow in the world. + +"Yes, that's it. Don't you see, it would be the prize of the whole bunch? +Can't you let me give a flash, and shoot afterwards?" begged the ardent +photographer. + +Frank could not refuse. + +"It would be a dandy all right, with old Toby hanging there; but look +sharp, for the cat hears us whispering, and is ready to get out." + +Hardly had he spoken before there came a brilliant flash. + +"Got him!" shrieked the excited Will. + +Then came a heavy report close to his ears, as Frank fired. + +The flash had dazzled all but Frank, who managed to keep his eyes away +from it. He was thus enabled to catch sight of the startled wildcat +bounding for the shelter of the trees, having deserted its meal in +sudden fright. + +As soon as he had fired, Frank threw his gun around so as to cover the +spot he expected the animal to occupy if by any chance it escaped the +full effect of his first charge. + +But it jumped the other way, and might have vanished from view only that +Jerry fired from his hip, there being no time to aim from the shoulder. + +"He's down!" shouted Bluff, as the fierce visitor in the camp rolled over +and over, clawing aimlessly as it expired. + +Ready to shoot again if necessary, the two hunters cautiously advanced. +There was no need of further attention, for the wildcat stiffened out +under their eyes. + +"Ginger! but ain't he a beaut?" exclaimed Bluff, bending over. + +"I wonder if there happens to be a mate around?" said Jerry, as he bent +an anxious look toward the timber close at hand. + +"They generally hunt in couples," admitted Frank; "but in this case I +hardly think it can be so, for the other would have come to the feast." + +Uncle Toby came down from his perch rather dubiously, as if he feared +that the danger might not be all over. + +"What happened to you, Uncle Toby?" asked Frank, giving the others a wink +not to joke the old fellow too seriously, for he was still trembling. + +"Yuh see 'twar dis way, Marse Frank: dat cat he jest wanted de ham more'n +Unc Toby did, an' I naturally lets him hab it. He jumps down from de +tree, an' I feels a notion to elevate 'bout dat time. Don' know how I +gits up dar, but 'spect I done fly," explained the cook, as well as his +chattering teeth would permit. + +"He means he aviated upward," grinned Jerry. + +Will was patting his camera lovingly. + +"Oh! I do hope it turns out fine," he said; "for that would be a jolly +hit. I'd rather snap off pictures like that than shoot a grizzly or a +bull moose. Me for the gentle life. I'm no butcher." + +"Talk to me about that, will you? You're a sport all right, Will, only it +happens that your tastes run in a different direction from mine. Don't +knock my love of fair play, and I won't laugh at your wanting to snap off +every living thing you see, to make up a freak collection." + +"All right, then, Jerry; consider it a bargain. I suppose you'll have +a muff made out of this nice fur for somebody?" continued Will, +stroking the cat. + +"Haven't given it a thought. Besides, half of the honor belongs to +Frank." + +"What's that? I made a mess of it, and the beast would have escaped if +you hadn't shot him on the jump?" exclaimed Frank. + +"And if you hadn't wounded him how could I have ever had a chance to +shoot? You can't get out of it, old man; we'll share the honors," +returned Jerry. + +Frank said no more, but such generosity only drew him closer to his chum. + +Fortunately the supper had not advanced far enough to be ruined. They +were able to save most of the ham, which was a comfort. Frank declared +that he wondered at the beast taking to smoked pork; he could not +remember any similar circumstance in all his hunting, and concluded that +possibly the wildcat must have been unusually hungry. + +It had really been quite a strenuous day, and the boys were glad to +sit around the big fire and partake of the good supper which Uncle +Toby prepared. + +Bluff had to relate his story again and again, but it differed little +from what he had already told. + +"I made a silly fool of myself, I know now, and it was mighty fine in +you fellows coming to pull me out of the hole I dropped into. If that +Andy has got my beautiful gun in his camp, he's smart enough to keep it +under cover. I never had even a peep at it. But just wait. I'm going to +get that gun back if it takes all winter," declared Bluff. + +"He'll do it too, just mark me," observed Frank, nodding to Jerry. + +Apparently the other was tired of hearing about that same gun, for he +only smiled and shrugged his shoulders. + +In the morning Jerry tried his hand at skinning the game. He had +taken particular pains to notice just how old Jesse Wilcox did this +sort of thing, and, being a clever imitator, he managed to succeed +after a fashion. + +Frank meanwhile had made a frame suitable to the size of the skin, and +upon this the hairy pelt was stretched, care being taken to keep it in +the shade, and not near the heat of the fire, while drying. + +Later on in the day Jerry and Frank took a stroll through the woods, and +managed to bring back three partridge and several gray squirrels. Frank +would not let Toby cook the latter as the other wished. + +"They are always tough for frying unless parboiled first. After skinning +and cutting up I always put the pieces in a pot, and boil until tender; +then take them out, dry off, and put them in a hot pan in which several +pieces of salt pork have been first tried out. I think you'll say they're +all right when you get your teeth in them, fellows," he remarked. + +And they did. + +Will managed to take a few views during the middle of the day, prowling +in the neighborhood of the camp. There was a pretty stream not far away, +and it ran over rocks and between attractive banks, so that half a dozen +charming pictures presented themselves to the eyes of the artist. + +The Fall had not advanced so far as to show signs of ice on the water, +though there were times when the air was very crisp and frosty. + +Bluff had remained in camp pretty much all day. He seemed uneasy, and +passed in and out of the tents frequently as though wondering what could +have happened to bring about such a mysterious disappearance of his +beloved gun. + +Sitting by the fire for a time, he would conceive some idea, and jumping +to his feet hurry into the woods to search a particular spot where he +remembered having passed over on that never-to-be-forgotten night. + +Still, when the others returned in the afternoon there was the same look +of distress upon his face. + +"Talk to me about a pagan and his idols," said Jerry, aside to Frank; +"Bluff has the whole show beaten. I never saw such a persistent +fellow, never." + +"He'll never be happy till he gets it, Jerry," remarked the other. + +"Then he deserves to have a bad time," declared Jerry, tossing the bunch +of game down before Will and Uncle Toby, who happened to be doing +something in common at the campfire. + +That night they had a royal feast indeed. It tasted all the better +because the squirrels and partridge had fallen to their own guns, and not +been basely purchased in the market. And doubtless their surroundings had +considerable to do with the enjoyment of the dinner. + +Will took advantage of the darkness to get a new roll of films in +his camera. + +"How many have you cracked off," asked Jerry, noting his occupation. + +"Three rolls, so far; about half I brought. I expect to be careful from +now on, and try to get choice subjects. But I know I'll never find +another to equal that wildcat scene. Oh! I hope it is a success!" +replied the enthusiastic photographer. + +"So say we all," remarked Frank; "for it will chase the blues away many a +time, just to see the look on Uncle Toby's face, as he clung to that +friendly limb." + +"Gorry, but I was mighty glad tuh git my claws on dat limb, Marse Frank. +Wen I seed dem big yaller eyes a-starin' at me, an' heerd dat yowlin' +noise, my knees dey jest wobbled together. Nevah could tell how I got up +dar; reckons as how you say am jest de truf, an' I _flew_!" exclaimed the +cook, able to laugh now at his adventure. + +They turned in early, for their rest had been broken on the preceding +night, and both the hunters were leg weary. + +The last sound Frank remembered hearing was the mournful hooting of the +owls. The birds seemed to have a favorite roosting-place not far away, +and from time to time the tremulous sound of their calling drifted +through space. + +Just how long he slept Frank did not exactly know. He awoke with a +sneeze, and sat up, rubbing his eyes. + +"What's the matter?" exclaimed Jerry, also starting out of a sound sleep. + +"I don't know--why, the tent's full of smoke! The camp must be on fire! +Wake up, everybody!" + +As the two lads came crawling out of the canvas they were startled to +discover a heavy pall of smoke rising all around them. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE TELL-TALE MATCH-SAFE + + +"Wake up! wake up!" + +Both Frank and Jerry shouted at the top of their strong voices. The +others came tumbling into view, and loud were their expressions of dismay +at the terrible sight that met their eyes. + +"Get busy here, every one! Water wanted, and never mind your clothes!" + +Even while he was speaking Frank jumped into action. The night air struck +home, and made him shiver, for he had just tumbled out from between the +snug folds of his blanket; but this was a time when delay might mean the +complete wiping out of the camp. + +Will gave a whoop and immediately vanished again inside the tent. He had +not gone to rescue any of his clothes, nor did he even think of getting +into them; but when he reappeared it was with his camera hugged tightly +in his arms. + +Meanwhile the others had set to work with a vim. There was fortunately +no wind, so that the fire had burned sluggishly. Then again the late +storm had wet the dead leaves then on the ground, and they had not as yet +become thoroughly dry, so it took quite some time for them to get over +smouldering, and burst into a vigorous flame. + +"We're getting it down, fellows; keep right along hitting it hard!" +called Frank, cheerily. + +Even old Toby had appeared from under the fly where he slept. He had been +dreadfully scared at first, doubtless under the impression that the mate +to the dead bob-cat had invaded the camp, intent on revenge. This feeling +soon gave way to the desire to see the camp saved, and he labored +faithfully with the rest. + +Scattering the smouldering leaves, beating out the fire with any sort of +thing they could snatch up in their excitement, they managed to get the +flames under control after a little while. + +It had been a most exciting experience, however. Bluff was swinging his +blanket vigorously, and thrashing the fire with it effectively; though he +might later on have some difficulty in getting rid of the smudges that +this process necessarily produced. + +"Victory!" shouted Jerry, when the last vestige of the fire had +gone under. + +Bluff threw his blanket around his shoulders and strutted about with the +air of a conqueror; + +"They have to get up early in the morning if they expect to beat us,'' he +said, proudly. + +"Talk about your hot times, that was a scorcher!" cried Jerry. + +"But I'm beginning to shiver now all right; and I advise every one to +crawl into his clothes in a hurry. Then we can talk it over. It's a +mighty suspicious thing, that's what," remarked Frank. + +They were only too glad to take his advice, and shortly after the four +gathered around the revived campfire to exchange opinions. + +They were a pretty smutty-looking crowd; but Jerry declared that those +marks were medals of honor. + +"Now, if we had all been like Will here, and each rushed for his +possessions, the camp would have been a-goner," he remarked, with a +reproachful look. + +"That's all right, fellows, and under any other conditions I would have +been one of the first to assist; but I'm the official photographer of the +expedition, and the guardian of those splendid films that must perpetuate +our camping trip, for posterity," he explained. + +"Hear! hear!" cried Frank. + +"Why didn't you lay the outfit down at a safe distance then, and help +fight the fire with us?" demanded Bluff. + +"I guess I know enough to take warning from your sad experience. They +hooked your old gun; the next thing they'll be after will be my camera. +No, sir, I hang on to that business through thick and thin. They'll have +to chloroform me to get my films away, and that's so." + +"Was it an accident?" asked Bluff, looking to Frank for an opinion. + +"What do you think, Jerry?" demanded the leader. + +"It couldn't have been an accident, and I'm dead sure of it," was +the reply. + +"Suppose you state your reasons then." + +"First, we banked the fire down as usual before crawling into bed. Then +there wasn't a particle of wind to scatter the sparks. And last, but not +least, those heaps of dead leaves were carried here! I happen to know +that place was just about bare last evening!" replied the other, +seriously. + +Will uttered an exclamation of wonder and alarm. + +"Do you really mean to say that some fellows would be mean enough to try +and burn our camp?" he asked. + +"I wouldn't put it past that Andy Lasher. Talk to me about your heathen! +he's just about equal to any of 'em. But don't you agree with me, Frank?" + +"Certainly I do, because I happen to have a strong bit of evidence which +I picked up out there close to the burning leaves." + +He held something up. + +"A match-box!" exclaimed Will. + +"Do any of you own that?" + +"Pass it around. I never saw it before," declared Jerry, as he handled +the little silver article in which several matches still remained. + +"Well, I have, then," remarked Bluff, suddenly, as he stared at the +trophy; "and just as I thought, here are two initials on it." + +"What are they?" asked Jerry, showing excitement. + +"H.B." + +"That doesn't cover any of Andy's crowd, though," said Jerry, seemingly +disappointed. + +"The real owner of this match-box is Herman Bancroft," announced +Bluff; "I've had it in my hands more than once. You know I went with +him for a time." + +"He wanted to join our Rod, Gun and Camera Club, but the black ball +dished his chances. Perhaps Herman was mad about that; perhaps he even +followed us up here, and has tried to get even," suggested Will. + +"That's hard to believe, for he isn't the bad fellow some people say. A +little wild, but with a good heart. I'd rather believe he lost it, and +one of that crowd picked it up," said Bluff, sturdily. + +"That's just like you, Bluff, standing up for a friend. Well, I'm rather +inclined to believe the same way. Anyhow, it was a mighty mean dodge. If +that Andy Lasher keeps on he'll get in a peck of trouble sooner or later. +Why, for such a thing as this he deserves a peppering of shot at a +distance," said Frank, indignantly. + +"It was criminal, that's what. We might have been smothered in our beds," +remarked Bluff. + +"Or my camera might have been utterly destroyed," wailed Will. + +Old Toby said nothing, but he cast many an anxious look around at the +adjacent trees, as if he had an idea lingering under his woolly pate that +in some way or other this new disaster might have a connection with the +shooting of the wildcat. + +Things assumed a normal aspect after a while, and only for the scent of +burnt leaves no one would dream that the camp had come near destruction. + +But all the inmates of Kamp Kill Kare slept, so to speak, "with one eye +open" during the balance of that night. + +There was no further alarm. + +By the time breakfast had been disposed of they could look the matter +calmly in the face, and it no longer appeared in such a terrible aspect +as when they were scampering around in their pajamas fighting the flames +and smoke. + +The sun seemed unusually warm this morning, so Will declared that he +meant to tramp over to the lake and try a little fishing, since they +would have small opportunity to do any of this when the cold winds +came again. + +"I'm on too," remarked Bluff, moodily; "a fellow without a gun is like a +fifth wheel to a wagon, useless in camp. Let's make up some lunch, for +it's a long tramp, and we won't come home until late." + +Jerry announced that he wanted to go over and have a further talk with +Jesse Wilcox; after which he might take a tramp in a new region +advised by the old trapper as opening a possible chance for big +game--perhaps a deer. + +Frank declared he would stick to the camp; with such vicious characters +around, he secretly thought it hardly safe for all of them to go away, +leaving old Toby as the sole guardian. They had too much at stake, since +their pleasure would be destroyed if the camp were raided successfully. + +Reaching the lake Will spent much of his time taking views, while Bluff +set to work trying to entice the finny denizens of the water to bite +his lures. + +As time went on he was fairly successful, and when they ate their lunch +he had quite a fair string of fish as the reward of his diligence. + +Will proved to be a poor fisherman after all, especially when he had his +adored camera along, for he presently wandered off again. + +"Don't go too far," warned Bluff, as he sat on the end of a log that +jutted out over the water a yard or more. + +Engrossed with his sport, Bluff hardly noticed how time passed. Hearing a +step back of him, he called out: + +"I got three more; what luck did you have, Will?" + +He heard what sounded like a chuckling laugh back of him; and before he +could turn some one gave him a strong push. Bluff went over with a splash +into the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE COMING OF THE STORM + + +Bluff came up spluttering. + +"Help! help!" he shouted, involuntarily, as well as a mouth half full of +water would permit. + +But there was no one in sight. Whoever had shoved him into the lake had +mysteriously vanished, though a movement in the bushes told the direction +of his flight. + +Recovering from the shock, Bluff found that he could clamber out without +much difficulty, and he hastened to do so. + +His cries had been heard, however, for presently the sound of some one +running wildly came to his ears, and Will burst into view. + +At sight of the dripping fisherman he broke into a shout. + +"Caught a Tartar, did you, and he pulled you in? Oh! what wouldn't I have +just given to have been here? A snapshot of you going over would have +been the finest ever." + +"Shut up! It wasn't a fish at all that yanked me overboard. Somebody +gave me a shove!" snapped Bluff, beginning to shiver, in spite of the +fact that the air seemed unusually warm, though the sun had disappeared +behind dark clouds. + +"What! you were pushed in?" stammered Will; and he gathered up his camera +in his arms, casting a look of alarm around, as if afraid lest some +hideous form dart into view, bent on snatching it away. + +"That's the truth. I was just sitting here when I heard a step. Thought +it was you, and asked how you had got on. Then the beggar laughed, gave +me a shove, and over I went, 'ker chunk.' I let out a yell when I came +up, for you see I didn't exactly know what he might mean to do," +explained the dripping one. + +"And I don't blame you a bit. But didn't you see him at all?" + +"Never had a peep. He dodged back so that when I got the water out of my +eyes he was gone. I saw those bushes over there moving, and knew he ran +off that way." + +Will walked over to the bushes, looking cautiously about, but +seeing no one. + +"Sure you didn't--er--go to sleep out on that log, and dream somebody +gave you a push?" he queried, cautiously. + +"Rats! I guess I ought to know. But see here, perhaps you can prove it," +declared Bluff, indignantly. + +"How?" demanded the other. + +"Look down at your feet and see if he left any trail, that's how." + +Will immediately did as he was told. + +"Say, come here. There are tracks all right. Perhaps you're better up in +that sort of thing than I am. It was a human being after all, and no +dream," he called. + +Bluff hastened to join him. + +"Why, of course, just as I said. This is where he hurried away. You can +see the mark of his feet easy. And looky there, one shoe, the right, has +got a patch on it, a piece that runs to a point. Oh! I'd know that skunk +any time from that. It's a sure clue, I tell you," he exclaimed. + +"But you'd better get dried off as soon as you can. Why, you're +shivering now." + +"Got any matches; mine are all soaked?" said Bluff, his teeth +rattling together. + +"I always carry a few. Yes, here they are. Let me make a quick fire, +while you jump around to warm up; and Bluff, _please_ keep your eye on my +camera, won't you?" + +"Sure," replied the other, commencing to leap and frisk around, so as to +get his chilled blood in circulation again. + +The fire was speedily made, and, taking off his clothes, Bluff hugged +close to the blaze while Will busied himself in hanging up the wet +garments, though he had more or less difficulty in tearing his eyes away +from the spot where his camera lay close by. + +"Sometimes we get too much fire; then again we want more and more," +remarked Bluff, as he kept turning around like a roast on the spit; for +as fast as one side felt warm the other grew chilled. + +"And I guess that we'd better be beating it back to camp as soon as +your duds are decently dry. I don't like the looks of that sky," +remarked Will. + +"I think you are right. There's certainly a big storm coming. Why, the +air seems dead, just like it is in summer before a gale of wind. And camp +is nearly two miles away from this place. Don't you think I could put +them on now, Will?" + +"They feel pretty dry. Do as you please," said the other, not willing to +commit himself, though anxious to be off, for the black looks of the +heavens began to appall him not a little. + +"Then here goes!" + +Suiting the action to the words Bluff hurriedly dressed. Then he secured +his nice string of fish, and, with his pole over his shoulder, announced +himself ready for the homeward tramp. + +They made all reasonable haste, and managed to reach the camp in due +time. + +When Frank heard what had happened he was very angry. + +"Some more of the mean work of that crowd. I believe it must have been +Andy himself who pushed you in. A dirty trick. How did he know whether +you could swim or not?" he said, after the tale was told. + +"Oh, well, it wasn't a case of swimming, for the water wasn't five feet +deep, and all I had to do was to crawl out again. But it was wet, you +see, and a fellow feels mighty uncomfortable all soaked. Just wait, I'll +get even with him some day for that trick. I've got the rascal located +all right. One of his shoes had a patch on the sole I'd know again." + +"A clever idea," admitted the other, in admiration; "and I hope you find +him out, no matter who he may be. First they stone our camp; after that +they try to burn us out; and now some busybody throws you into the lake. +What next, I wonder?" + +"You forget the worst thing of all--the stealing of my gun!" +grumbled Bluff. + +"Well, I wish Jerry was back. I hate to think of him wandering around in +the woods in the storm that's coming, for it's going to be a corker," +remarked Frank, eying the darkening sky with uneasiness. + +"Perhaps the old trapper influenced him to stay over with him till +to-morrow?" suggested Will, who was making his beloved camera secure +against rain by wrapping it in folds of waterproof material brought along +for the purpose. + +"A bright idea; and I hope it's so. But you know, he said he meant to +take in a new locality for a hunt after seeing Jesse. Well, Jerry is up +to many things connected with woods life, and at any rate he knows how to +look out for himself," and as he spoke Frank stooped down by the tent. + +"What are you doing now?" asked the curious Bluff. + +"Driving these tent pegs in deeper. There's no telling what sort of wind +may be on us. Listen to that, will you?" said Frank. + +"Thunder, as sure as you live! Pretty late in the year for that, +ain't it?" + +"Oh, we sometimes hear it even in winter. But, you see, the day has +been unusually close and muggy. I felt a storm in the air this +morning, and I'm not surprised. But I would be glad to see Jerry show +up," continued the other, as he tapped each pin a few times, to send +them in more securely. + +The muttering in the distance increased constantly in volume. + +Frank, as an old campaigner, knew what was to be done. Under his +directions Toby and the two boys made everything as snug as could be +expected. They also concealed some dry wood in the hollow of a tree +nearby, so that later on they might be prepared for making a fire. + +The storm came at last, with a furious wind, and a heavy downpour of +rain. + +"Wow!" exclaimed Bluff, as he looked out from the tent, "ain't I glad we +got here before that came. One ducking satisfies me; I'm not greedy." + +The afternoon waned, and night came on, still there were no signs of +Jerry. Frank worried some, but stopped speaking of the matter, for he saw +that old Toby was beginning to shake with fear, as the wind increased in +fury, and the tents wobbled about at a great rate. + +"I hope they hold out," said Frank to himself. + +He even donned a waterproof he had brought along, and going outside, +tapped the pegs all around again. Everything seemed secure so far as he +could see. Still, he knew that if one peg gave, the balance could not +resist the additional strain, and a catastrophe must result. + +Old Toby was really too much alarmed to retire to his fly; so Frank told +him he could remain with him when the other boys went to their tent. + +None of them expected to obtain much sleep. The wind came in fierce +gusts, the trees groaned and writhed, and once or twice Frank really +heard a crash in the forest that told of a rent in the timber. + +"I only hope nothing of that kind happens around here; a falling tree +might pin us all under, and be our death," he said to himself. + +At length they concluded that it was time to separate and try to get some +sleep, though both Bluff and Will declared they knew they would not close +their eyes so long as that howl kept up without, and the canvas fluttered +with each wild gust. + +Just as they were about to make a run for it, Frank caught them by the +arms. + +"Wait!" he shouted, for there was a terrible crash close by, and the +earth seemed to tremble as a forest monarch was laid low. + +At the same minute with a shriek the wind descended upon the tent under +which they were crouching. + +Frank heard a snap above the other sounds, and like a flash the entire +tent was blown away, leaving the four campers exposed to the fury of +the storm. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +HOW JERRY WAS TREED + + +Jerry, that same morning, reached the camp of the old trapper without +any trouble. + +He did not find Jesse Wilcox at home; but, knowing something of the +trapper's habits, he made himself comfortable, and waited. + +After a time the other showed up. He carried a tidy bunch of fur along +with him, having stopped to remove the pelts on the way. + +"Glad to see ye, Jerry. Looky here, one fine fox, and, would ye believe +it, actually a mink, boy! That ere pelt orter bring me a twenty, all +right. That's why I'm so tickled, ye see. This shore must be one o' my +lucky days. Make yerself to hum. Come to take a snack o' dinner along +with me, I reckons, eh?" + +"Well, I might wait up and have a bite if you don't keep me too long. You +see I mean to make a roundabout trip into that stretch of woods you told +us about I'd like the worst kind to get a crack at a deer. That would be +worth while, Jesse." + +"Then I'll get busy right away. But p'raps ye'd better defer that ere +trip fur a day or so, lad," remarked the trapper, sweeping an eye upward. + +"Why?" asked the boy. + +"Thar's some sorter storm broodin', er I'm bad deceived. In course at +this season we don't expect much along that line; but I hev seen a +scorcher come along, even in October. Ten year ago it was, and thar was +quite some timber leveled, I'm tellin' ye." + +But Jerry was built along a stubborn line: Having once made up his mind +to do a thing it was very hard for him to break away. + +"Oh! I don't bother about a little blow. If it comes to the worst I can +find a hollow tree, and keep pretty dry. Now, I want to see just how you +cook that stew, so I can do it sometime." + +The dinner was a success, and, of course, Jerry, being hungry, heartily +enjoyed it. When the meal was finished he arose, and picked up his gun. + +"Still of a mind to take that long tramp, air ye?" asked the trapper. + +"Why, certainly. I haven't even thought of changing my mind," +returned the boy. + +"Well, I s'pose ye must, then. Only keep yer eye peeled for trouble up +yonder. It's sure goin' to storm; for I feels it in my bones. Besides, +thar's a pack o' measly wild dogs loose in that stretch o' timber." + +"Wild dogs?" repeated Jerry, opening his eyes wider. + +"Sartin; dogs as has strayed away from ther homes, an' took back to a +wild state. It happens that ways sometimes. Ther call o' the wild, +they name it. Sumpin' seems to pull the critters back, an' they break +away from human kind to roam the woods an' hunt ther livin'. I seen +the pack once or twice, an' I kinder believe ther a-gettin' more +fiercer all the while." + +"Wild dogs, eh? How many about are there, Jesse?" asked Jerry, fingering +his shotgun a little nervously. + +"From three to five ginerally. Ye see they comes an' goes, so ther ain't +no tellin' jest how big the pack kin be. But ef so be they tackles ye, +son, jest shin up a tree, an' then pick 'em off. That's my ijee," +remarked the trapper. + +Shaking hands, after getting further directions, Jerry hastened away. + +It was not long before he found himself in the densest kind of timber. In +fact, he had not seen anything like it since coming to the hemlock camp. + +Here and there were little openings, in some of which green grass +grew. It was here the trapper had told him he might possibly find a +deer feeding; and as he made his way along, Jerry kept on the lookout +for signs. + +He had been walking much over an hour when he thought he caught a glimpse +of a deer ahead; there was something moving there, at least, and with his +pulses quickened the boy began to slowly and cautiously advance. + +Yes, it was a deer, and feeding, too! + +The light was none too good under the trees, with that dark threatening +sky over all; but Jerry had keen eyes and he was just now excited at the +prospect of at least getting a shot. + +He kept on advancing, taking advantage of every bit of cover that +offered. To his delight the animal did not seem to pay any attention to +him, though raising its head several times to sniff the air suspiciously. + +By this time, he had gained a position where he believed he could make +the buckshot in his gun tell, and with as steady a hand as he could bring +to bear, Jerry took aim at the exposed side of the deer. + +When he fired the animal fell in its tracks, and, giving a shout, the +exultant young hunter was about rushing forward to secure his quarry when +suddenly his horrified eyes discovered moving figures rushing through the +undergrowth, and heading toward the spot where the deer lay, still +struggling feebly. + +Instantly he remembered what the trapper had said. These then were the +wild dogs. Evidently they were hungry, and at the time he shot had been +trying to creep up on the animal which they yearned to make a meal from. + +Jerry mechanically threw out the empty shell, and pushed another into the +chamber of his gun. He saw the pack bolt forward, heard the wild clamor +that marked their advance, and then caught the exultant strain in their +noisy yelpings, as they pounced upon the slain deer. + +The boy felt more indignant than alarmed. That was _his_ deer, for he had +done the stalking up against the wind; nor was he at all disposed to +allow those greedy curs a chance to tear the quarry to pieces in their +savage way. + +Jerry immediately hurried forward, ready to dispute the possession +of the game. + +He found the whole pack furiously tearing at the fallen deer, growling, +and exhibiting all the savage nature of wolves. + +When the boy shouted they looked up, drew back their lips and looked +furious; but not one gave a sign of obeying him. + +"Get out, you brutes! Leave that carcass alone, will you?" he yelled, +waving his gun threateningly. + +As if they realized that this human creature meant to dispute their right +to the royal dinner they had found, the four wild dogs started toward +him. They presented a terrible appearance just then, with the blood about +their muzzles, and white fangs exposed. + +Perhaps Jerry may have felt a shiver pass over him, but that did not +prevent him from raising his gun and deliberately covering the foremost +of the brutes. + +Bang! went the gun. Then arose a tremendous howling, together with +furious snapping sounds. The balance of the pack continued to rush +forward more rapidly than before, leaving the stricken member to roll on +the ground. + +Jerry thought it high time he made an ascension, after the manner of that +which had marked the alarm of old Toby at the time the wildcat invaded +the camp. But he wanted to use that other barrel the worst way. + +Quickly covering the pack he pulled the trigger. Then, without waiting to +ascertain what the results might be, he started to climb. + +This was no easy task, especially when encumbered with a gun, for he +would not think of letting this precious ally go; but there was enough +inspiration in the approaching yelps and growls of the wild dogs to spur +him on to heroic efforts, and, as a consequence, he managed to get beyond +their reach. + +It was an old tree in which he happened to have sought refuge. Just then, +however, Jerry was not caring about that, for it was a case of any port +in a storm; and as he said, "beggars should not be choosers." + +Quite out of breath, he clung to the rotten limb and proceeded to shout +at the dogs so as to keep them there until he could find a chance to +insert fresh charges in his gun, when he expected to take care of them. + +"Hey, you with the collar, ain't you ashamed of yourself to take to such +a pirate life, when you once had a good home, I bet? Say, ain't he a +jim-dandy of a big bouncer, though, and as strong as an ox? I'd just hate +to fall into his maw. Now, hang around a few seconds more, and I've got a +nice surprise for you. If you ever knew what a gun is, I guess you've +forgotten by now." + +In this strain he talked to them, and kept both dogs jumping up at him in +the endeavor to get a grip. Sometimes they brushed his dangling foot +with their jaws, and at that Jerry involuntarily drew up a little. + +When he had inserted the shells, he tried to get a chance to cover the +big dog. That animal, though, apparently suspected his purpose, and kept +jumping about so wildly that it seemed impossible to aim at him. The +second brute had been wounded so seriously that it had crawled away, so +there were now but two left. + +Finally, seeing a good chance to knock over the smaller one of the pair, +Jerry could not resist the temptation. + +The animal may once have been a family pet, but a wild existence of some +months, perhaps years, had taken him back to the wild state from which +his ancestors had come ages ago. He was a mangy-looking, dirty white +brute, with eyes that seemed red to the boy in the tree. + +At the report of the gun the animal fell over in a kicking heap, for the +distance was so very short that the charge of shot had gone with all the +destructive power of a "forty-four" bullet. + +But something not down on the programme immediately followed. The rotten +limb upon which Jerry was hanging, unable to stand the strain of his +weight and movements, gave way with a crash. + +He felt a thrill of horror as he found himself being precipitated +downward, knowing as he did that the largest and fiercest of the wild +pack was still there, unhurt save in the way of a few stray shot that had +flecked his tawny hide with tiny blood spots! + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +IN A BEAR'S HOLLOW + + +Jerry landed with a crash that almost shook the breath from his body. + +Realizing the need of haste in getting upon his feet, he scrambled erect. +He had maintained that frenzied clutch upon his gun, as if believing that +it was his best and only friend in this emergency. + +One thing helped him. The big yellow hound had been startled, first by +the crash of the gun so close to his head, and then again by the rapid +downward plunge of the human figure. + +Perhaps some dim recollection of former beatings at the hands of some +severe master may also have temporarily demoralized the brute. + +At any rate Jerry was given just about five seconds to turn the corner, +and thus place the tree between himself and his enemy. + +Then the dog bounded forward, and a warm chase began around that same +tree, with Jerry doing his prettiest to keep beyond reach of those +gleaming fangs that pressed closely in his rear. + +In this he managed fairly well, but after he had pranced around that tree +quite a dozen times he made the alarming discovery that he was rapidly +being winded. His canine adversary, on the other hand, appeared to be as +fresh as ever. + +Unless something occurred to assist him, it began to look very much as +though he might trip after growing dizzy, and the big yellow brute +pounce upon him. + +Then a sudden thought came into his mind. It was like an inspiration, +and made Jerry laugh right out. Why, of course his gun, what was he +gripping it all this time so desperately for if not because he believed +it worth while. + +He tried to remember whether he had fired one shot or two after reloading +it. So confused had he become with all this turning round and round that +he could not be absolutely sure. But there was nothing for him to do but +take chances. + +He felt to see if one of the hammers might be up, and found the left one +drawn back. That seemed promising, for if he had fired both barrels the +hammers must naturally be down. + +It might be only imagination, but he believed he could actually feel the +hot breath of the pursuing beast on his legs as he twisted around that +tree so awkwardly. With a prayer in his heart, though his lips were +mute, he suddenly whirled, thrust out the gun, and pulled the trigger. + +Fortune was certainly with him that day. The dog viciously seized hold of +the gun barrel in his teeth; and it was just at this instant that Jerry +pressed the trigger. + +He saw the big beast swirl half-way around. Then he fell in a +quivering heap. + +"Hurrah!" + +It was but a pitiful shout poor Jerry gave, for he was quite out of +breath. He, too, fell down in a heap close to the yellow form of his +enemy; but instinctively his hands worked, trying to place his faithful +gun in readiness for further work. + +It was not needed. + +Besides the big yellow leader of the wild pack, he presently found a +second brute stone dead; and had the pleasure of dispatching both the +others shortly after. + +"Might as well make a clean sweep of it," he said, with a feeling of +having accomplished something worth while; for Jesse had told him these +roving dogs were just as destructive to sheep and other domestic animals +as so many timber wolves would have been. + +Perhaps the farmers of the community might feel like voting Jerry thanks +for his good service of that day. And not knowing whether he could find +the place again he proceeded to cut off the four caudal appendages, "to +embellish his tale," as Frank later on declared with a laugh. + +"Guess I've had quite enough sport for to-day," Jerry remarked, as he +bent over the mutilated deer; "there's quite as much meat here as I can +carry home. In fact, I've a good mind to hang most of it up out of reach +of wild animals. We could come for it another time. From the looks of the +sky that storm Jesse spoke about must be coming right along." + +So he determined to make haste. While something of a novice at the art of +cutting up a deer, he had a general inkling as to how it should be done. +Accordingly, after half an hour's work he managed to swing the better +part of the meat, fastened up in the skin, to a limb that he made sure +was sound. + +"Now for home with my trophies. Say, perhaps the boys won't open their +eyes when I show these four tails, and get Toby to cook some of _my_ +venison! This has been a red letter day in my calendar. What was +that--thunder, I do believe. Perhaps--" + +Jerry did not even wait to finish his sentence, but started off on a +lope. + +But the gloom under the heavy timber increased. He found difficulty in +telling the points of the compass. And finally it became absolutely +impossible for him to make more than a half-way decent guess as to the +quarter where the camp in all probability lay. + +"I suppose I'm just about lost," he at length reluctantly admitted. + +Still, Jerry was not one to be easily daunted. He had been in situations +before now that called for a show of manliness and courage, and rather +prided himself on being equal to any such occasion. + +The thunder was booming heavily, and the rain ready to descend. He +believed he could hear a distant roaring. It might be wind tearing +through the forest, or a heavy fall of rain, perhaps both. At any rate it +would mark the breaking of the storm. + +"Better be finding that hollow tree I spoke to Jesse about," he +concluded. + +Once again luck favored the lad. Not thirty paces away he discovered what +seemed to be a big stump, about twelve feet or more in height. It had an +opening at the bottom, large enough for him to crawl through; indeed, to +his mind, it was there especially for the very use he intended to put it. + +Running forward just as the rain began to rattle down all around him, +Jerry proceeded to crawl through the aperture. He found the interior +amply large enough to give him the needed shelter. What was better, the +opening happened to be on the leeward side, so that the driving rain +could not find entrance. + +"This is what I call a bully fit. Talk to me about your cyclone cellars, +what could beat such a cozy den as this? I'm as snug as a bug in a rug. +Four wild dogs and my first deer, all in one day. I guess that's my +top-notch record, all right. Let her storm all she wants, so long as the +lightning doesn't take a notion to strike this blessed old stump," he was +saying as he mentally shook hands with himself over the day's +achievements. + +After a long time, hours it seemed to Jerry, during a temporary lull in +the howling of the gale, he ventured to peep forth. + +Everything was pitch black around, save when the lightning zigzagged +through space, and lighted up all creation with its electric torch. + +"Looks like an all-night stand for Jerry. There comes that wind tearing +things loose again. Wow! it was a big tree went down that time! Hope none +of them take a notion to knock my poor old stump flat, or I'd be squashed +into a pancake." + +Like many other people, Jerry had a habit of talking to himself under +stress of excitement Perhaps he believed that in this way he bolstered up +his courage, just as some men whistle when they find themselves trembling +in the face of some uncanny peril. + +And there he crouched while the gale blew with renewed violence, and the +night wore slowly on. Several times there came a lull, and he began to +hope the worst had passed; when once again the wind would swoop down, as +though loth to give up its riotous dominion over the stricken forest. + +Never had such a storm been heard of in October; even the first gale, +which had demolished the roof of the Academy, and brought about this two +weeks' vacation for the boys, had not equaled this, coming from another +quarter as it did. + +Jerry had one bad scare. + +He had blocked up the entrance as best he could with what stray bits of +wood he found around. Suddenly he felt his barrier moving, and realized +that some wild animal was nosing around, trying to force an entrance +for shelter. + +It must, after all, be the lair of a bear which he had found. Was this +most remarkable day in all his experience to be wound up with an +encounter that might dwarf the other into insignificance? + +Jerry gave a shout. At the same time he seized upon his gun, and fired +one barrel squarely through the opening. He thought he heard a loud +"woof," but after that there was no further molestation. + +But, nevertheless, he lay there wide-awake, and on his guard. Should Mr. +Bear pluck up courage enough to return, he meant to be ready to give him +a warm reception. + +Time passed, and he believed the storm was really diminishing in fury. It +was certainly time, for from the various crashes Jerry believed +considerable timber must have gone to the ground. + +How thankful he should be to have escaped as well as he had. Why, the +mere fact that he was lost did not cut any figure in the matter when so +many more terrible things might have happened to him. + +There was really no sense of him leaving his snug retreat until dawn +came, for he could not make his way in the storm-wrecked timber with any +hope of success. + +Again he poked his way out to take an observation. Perhaps he was +wondering if his shot could have killed the bear; but no sign of such +met his strained eyesight when the next flash of lightning came. + +But while he was thus trying to pierce the gloom around him, he heard +a sound that thrilled him through and through--the sound of a human +voice calling. + +"Help, oh! help!" it came wailing through the night. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +HEAPING COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD + + +"What's that?" exclaimed Jerry, startled by the cry. + +It came again. + +"Help! Oh! help, somebody!" + +The boy was now convinced that he had not heard the hoot of an owl, and +that some one was certainly in need of succor. + +He remembered the crash of the trees that had gone down in the tempest. +Could it be possible that the unfortunate one had been caught under one +of these falling forest monarchs, and pinned to the ground? + +If so, no wonder that he cried at the top of his voice for assistance. +Unable to escape he must starve to death, or become the prey of wild +beasts unless help came. + +Jerry immediately crawled out of his hole. He no longer remembered the +fact that a bear had recently been sniffing at the entrance to the hollow +tree. All he had in mind was that he might be of assistance to a fellow +human being in distress. + +It was pitch dark in the woods, though now and then a flash of distant +lightning came to momentarily relieve the gloom. + +Jerry started in the direction he believed the sounds came from. Now and +then he paused to listen, and in this way managed to keep going straight. + +"Hello! where are you?" he cried, finally, as a dreadful silence fell +upon the forest ahead, a silence that made him very anxious indeed. + +Immediately a voice called out wildly: + +"Oh, here I am, under this fallen tree! Please come and help me! I can't +hardly move, and I think my arm is broken. Don't leave me to die!" + +"It's all right. Don't worry, for I'm not going to run away. Speak again +so I can get to you. It's awful dark under here." + +The other took him at his word, and commenced to rattle on, saying all +manner of things, simply to direct his rescuer to the spot. + +"It's Andy Lasher, as sure as I live," said Jerry to himself, as he +recognized the other's voice, despite the agony in it. + +So making his way forward he finally came to the tree under which the +other was pinioned by some of the branches. + +"I can't see you, it's so dark here. Wait!" he said aloud. + +"Oh! please don't leave me now; I'll go out of my mind, sure!" + +"I don't mean to; but I must have some light. Now, I happen to have the +stub of a candle in my pocket, and the wind has died out, so I think it +will burn if I stick it down low. I'll get you out somehow, Andy," said +Jerry, cheerily. + +He struck a match. + +"Why, is it you, Jerry?" + +"Sure thing. See there, that burns all right, I guess. Now, I'll put it +here in the shelter of this stump, while I look into things." + +"You won't leave me here, Jerry? You ain't that kind of a feller, I +know?" + +Andy was evidently alarmed. He could not but remember that there had been +bad blood between this lad and himself for a long time. Indeed, some +recent events that were not at all to his credit, must have cropped up to +make him anxious. + +"Not much. Say, you just had the escape of your life, I tell you. This +heavy limb almost hit you in falling. If it had, then it would have been +one, two three for you. You seem to be held down mostly by small +branches," observed Jerry, after he had made a critical examination. + +"Do you think you can get me out, Jerry?" asked the other, very humbly. + +"Easy. Just you wait, and when I tell you what to do, go ahead." + +With that he started operations. By breaking off the smaller branches one +at a time, he gradually weakened the network that was binding the +prisoner. Every obstacle, however small, that was removed, made things +easier. And finally Jerry gave a pull at the imprisoned boy. + +Andy let out a howl of pain, but all the same he came free. + +"My arm!" + +"I'm going to look at that now, right away. If it is broken the sooner +you get back to Centerville and see a doctor the better; but, somehow, +I've got a notion it's only badly bruised. Here, bend it back, so I can +slip it out of the sleeve." + +With much misgiving and many exclamations of agony, Andy did as he was +told. The other then examined it from one end to the other. + +"Talk to me about luck, you've got cause to be mighty thankful, Andy. +There are a lot of bruises here, but no bones broken," declared Jerry. + +"Sure you ain't mistaken, Jerry--'cause it's awful sore?" groaned the +other, and yet there was a trace of gratitude in his voice. + +"Make up your mind it's so. Now, the question is what are we going to do +the rest of the night? I was in a hollow tree, but there isn't room for +two. Might manage to make a fire somehow, and stand it out. Think you can +walk now, Andy?" + +Jerry unconsciously thrust a supporting arm around the waist of the +other, and steadied his steps as they moved slowly off. In so doing he +was heaping coals of fire upon the head of his adversary. Andy grunted +now and then as some jolt gave him new pain; but on the whole he was very +quiet. Perhaps his mind was busy and his conscience working overtime. + +So they reached the hollow stump. + +"Here's where I was camped all through the storm, and mighty lucky for +you that I lost my way when out hunting. Now wait till I dig out some of +that dry wood from the inside. It will make a capital start for a fire." + +Jerry set to work with a vim. In five minutes he had a cheery little +blaze going, and more wood drying out close beside it. From time to time +other fuel was added to the fire until it reached such proportions that +it eagerly devoured any sort of stuff they chose to feed it. + +"This ain't half bad, because it's getting mighty cold after that storm, +and if you happened to be lying drenched through under that tree I +reckon you'd be shivering some by now, eh?" laughed Jerry. + +Andy put out his right hand, for it was the left arm that had been +injured. + +"I want to tell you that I feel pretty punk now over the way I've +treated your crowd, Jerry. This is mighty white in you, and that's what, +to act as you have with me. I'm right sorry now I ever laid out to hurt +you fellers. I ain't goin' to keep it up no longer, and that's dead +certain. If Pet Peters wants to, he can go it alone. I'm all in. You've +made me ashamed." + +Jerry understood. There was really no need of further words. Between two +boys such things are instinctively grasped; and Jerry knew what a +tremendous effort it must have been for this rough fellow to frankly +admit that he had been led to see the error of his ways. + +Perhaps the repentance was not wholly genuine, and time would swing Andy +back to his old ways; but just then, sitting by that friendly fire, he +seemed to feel very warmly disposed toward the lad whose coming may have +saved his life. + +"Oh! that's all right; don't mention it. Glad to know you mean to let us +alone. It's all we ask, anyway. But what brought you away up here, Andy?" +said Jerry. + +Andy dropped his head and gazed into the fire. The other even thought he +could see what looked like a blush mantle his cheeks, though the chums of +the town bully would have shouted at the very idea of such a thing. + +"I reckon it was some more rotten business, Jerry. To tell the truth I +was up to see old Bud Rabig, trying to get him to join us in a raid on +your camp. You see," the boy went on hurriedly, as though fearful lest +his courage might fail him before he got the whole thing off his mind, +"we'd tried to smoke you out and made a botch of the trick; and I even +pushed Bluff over into the lake this afternoon, to get him a duckin', +'cause the temptation was too great But it's all up with me now. After +this I ain't goin' to lift a hand against any of your crowd." + +"Did you get lost, too, trying to make your way back to your camp?" +asked Jerry. + +"That's just what I did. Thought I could save time by taking a short-cut +through the big woods. Then the storm came down on me, and I reckon I got +some rattled. I lost my head, and while I thrashed around, that pesky old +tree came down on me. Thought I was a-goner, I give you my word," and +Andy shuddered. + +"How long did you lie there?" questioned the other. + +"Hours and hours, it seemed to me. I'd shout when I could, but something +seemed to tell me it wasn't no good--that I just deserved to die right +there, because I'd never been no good to my folks at home or anybody +else. But you just wait and see. I got a light, I did. Thought I was sure +goin' to die." + +Both boys were soon sleepy, for the heat of the fire affected their eyes. +So Jerry fixed things to keep the blaze going while they napped, rolling +a log over so that it offered a good chance for the fire to feed. + +In this way they passed the balance of the night, nor would either of +them soon forget the experience, though from different reasons. + +In the morning they managed to cook some of the fresh venison Jerry +carried, and for which the other seemed very grateful. Then they figured +out their position, which was not hard to do, since the sky was clear and +the sun well up. + +Half an hour later Andy recognized certain landmarks that told him he +could make a turn and reach his camp by the lake shore. + +"Good-by, Jerry. I'm going to skip out here. And I ain't forgettin' +this either," he said, thrusting out a hand, while a queer grin crept +over his face. + +Jerry hurried on, anxious to relieve the suspense of his chums. + +As he came in sight of the camp he paused and stared, as well he might, +for it seemed to be occupied by a stranger, and he a man with the wild +aspect of a madman. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +AFTER THE STORM + + +"Whoop! All hands on deck to pump ship!" + +"My camera! Oh! where did I put it?" + +"Grab up the bedding and hustle in under the other tent, boys!" + +This last from steady, clear-headed Frank, who seemed to know just what +should be done in an emergency. + +It started Bluff and Uncle Toby working strenuously to keep blankets from +getting very wet. But Will could not think of lending a hand until he had +first of all lugged his beloved camera under shelter. + +It was indeed fortunate that both tents had not gone by the board at the +same time, or the camp must have been plunged into the deepest distress. +Led by Frank, they managed to hustle their belongings under the second +cover, where the driving rain could not reach them. + +By the time all had been done the boys were dripping, and it took them +some twenty minutes to get warm again, snuggled in their blankets. + +"Oh! what a night!" wailed Will a dozen times. + +"Please let up on that, or give us a change in tune. It's bad enough +to have to stand the storm without listening to a phonograph," +grunted Bluff. + +The hours crept along. Now and then they dozed, but sound slumber did +not come to a single one of the group. Uncle Toby was quite content to +cower as close to Frank as possible, satisfied that the other was able +to protect him. He seemed to exhibit the blind confidence of a dog in +an emergency calling for energy; to him Frank was a type of manliness +hard to match. + +"Will the morning ever come?" groaned Will, as he shifted his cramped +position for the tenth time at least. + +"Well, I think we've got a lot to be thankful for," declared Frank, +stoutly; "in the first place, no great damage is done, for I saw that our +tent was caught in the branches of a tree close by, and we can rescue it +in the morning. Then nothing was spoiled that I know of. And the storm is +really over, though morning is some two hours off," striking a match and +looking at his nickel watch. + +"Can't we have a fire?" asked Will, who was shivering under his blanket. + +"Just thinking so myself. It's getting sharp, now that the wind +has shifted into the northwest. Suppose we make a try," answered +Frank, readily. + +It was just in anticipation of such an emergency that he had hidden some +of the dry wood away where the rain could not reach it. Frank's previous +experience in woodcraft had taught him many valuable things. + +Securing some of this, he quickly had a little blaze. The others fed this +in a cautious manner, so as not to smother it by too much fuel. As a +result the fire was in a short time burning freely, and diffusing a +genial warmth around that proved very acceptable to the chilled campers. + +Even Will thawed out under its influence and ceased to grumble. + +"It's all right, too, fellows; not a drop got in tinder these +waterproofs," he declared, as he eagerly examined his precious +possession. + +So the morning found them. + +The first thing they did was to rescue the runaway canvas. It was found +to be intact, the pins only having given under the strain. So shortly +afterwards the second tent again arose, and things began to look +shipshape around the camp. + +"Seems like an Irish wash-day," remarked Will, as he surveyed the +various blankets and other things spread out on bushes to dry in the +sunshine and air. + +"Only for Jerry's strange absence, I'd feel bully," remarked Frank. + +"Don't you think we'd better start out and look for him?" asked Will. + +"Yes, after we've had some breakfast. I never like to attempt anything on +an empty stomach. And, besides, you see, we may have to go all the way +over to Jesse's shack before we learn about him," observed Frank. + +"Do you really think he's stayed there?" questioned Bluff, anxiously; for +even though he and Jerry seemed to be constantly bickering, deep down in +their hearts they had a genuine affection for each other, as had been +proven more than once. + +"I hope so," was all the other would say. + +"And I've got a dreadful fear," remarked Will, sighing, "that the poor +fellow's been caught under a falling tree. So many went down last night. +I'll hear that terrible crashing every time I wake up for a long time to +come. It haunts me, just because I imagined Jerry out in it all." + +Toby here banged the big spoon on the empty frying pan. That was a +welcome sound to a set of ravenous boys, and they quickly assembled +around the rude table upon which the black _chef_ was placing heaps of +flapjacks, flanked by steaming cups of fragrant coffee. + +Uncle Toby did not seem to relish being left alone in the camp again; but +there was nothing else to be done. Frank gave him some advice as to what +he should do if any wild beast invaded the place; and also how he could +threaten any of Andy's crowd should they show up with hostile intent. + +Then the three boys started off, meaning to head in a direct line for the +distant camp of the old trapper. + +"What if we don't find him there?" asked the skeptical Will. + +"Wait till we get to the river before trying to cross. I reckon we'll be +apt to find some traces of him there. And even if he was caught out in +the woods in that storm, that's no sign he was hurt or killed. Jerry +knows enough to get in out of the wet; and depend on it he found shelter +somehow, somewhere." + +So Frank buoyed their spirits up in his accustomed cheery way. One could +easily see that he belonged to the optimist family, and never looked on +the gloomy side of things. + +They had not gone half a mile away from the camp before they discovered +some one moving through the bushes ahead. + +"There he is!" exclaimed Bluff, eagerly, as he raised his hand to his +mouth, as if about to give a "cooie." + +"Hold on! I don't believe it is. There, you see, it's a man, and a +hunter, too, I expect, for he's carrying a gun," interrupted Frank. + +"Perhaps he may have seen Jerry. Shall we ask him?" demanded Will. + +"If we keep on straight we're going to meet him, and, of course, we'll +ask. I only hope he has, though I doubt it. Do either of you know him?" + +Frank asked this because he was comparatively a newcomer in Centerville, +while the other boys had been raised there. + +"Seems to me I've seen him before," exclaimed Bluff. "Why, yes, it's Mr. +Smithson. He lives in Centerville--that is, his family does, because he +isn't home much. You see he's one of the wardens over at the State insane +asylum at Merrick." + +"What?" cried Frank, startled; "then perhaps he may not be hunting wild +animals after all. Suppose one of the mad inmates of that institution +escaped, and is up here roaming through the woods?" + +"Jewhittaker!" exclaimed Will, turning a trifle pale, and hugging +his camera closer to his breast, as though his first fear concerned +its safety. + +"If that's so, I hope Jerry didn't run across him, that's all," +remarked Bluff. + +"Come on, hurry. You've given me a little shock now, and we must learn +the truth immediately. Call out to him, Bluff--there, he sees us, and is +coming this way." + +As Frank said, the keeper was hurrying toward them now, an anxious look +on his face. He nodded to Bluff as he came up. + +"Camping up here, are you, boys? That's fine. Used to like to do it +myself when I was younger. Say, you didn't happen to see anything of a +wild-looking chap anywhere around, did you?" he asked, glancing at +each in turn. + +"Sorry to say we haven't, Mr. Smithson. Has one of your charges +got away?" + +"That's just what has happened, and I've been chasing him all over the +country. Got track of him yesterday just before the beastly old storm hit +me. He's somewhere around this section right now. Where's your camp, +boys? He'll be pretty sharp set with hunger by now, and can scent grub a +long ways off?" continued the keeper. + +The three lads looked at each other. + +"What shall we do, fellows? Doesn't seem just right to be chasing off +this way in a bunch, and leaving that poor old innocent alone in camp. +What if this crazy man drops in on Toby while we're gone? Had we better +turn back, and later on, if Jerry doesn't show up, organize another +expedition, dividing our forces?" + +Frank always put things so clearly that he seldom met with any +opposition. + +"That strikes me as sensible," observed Will, quickly. + +"Turn back it is, then. Will you go with us, Mr. Smithson? We can give +you a good cup of hot coffee, and some breakfast, if you're hungry?" +said Bluff. + +"I accept your offer, boys, and glad to meet you. Now, lead the way, +please, because somehow, I seem to feel it in my bones that Bismarck will +gravitate toward some place where there is an odor of cookery in the air. +He always was a good feeder." + +"Bismarck?" ejaculated Frank. + +"Why, you see, that's what he thinks, and he carries out the part to a +dot. Wait till you run up against him, if luck turns that way," replied +the other. + +"He may have been injured in the storm?" suggested Will. + +"Not he. Such a cunning fellow would know how to escape a wet back." + +"Is he considered dangerous?" Bluff inquired, a little anxiously. + +"Well, not particularly, although he can look mighty fierce, and would +terrify a timid person, possibly." + +"And I guess Uncle Toby fills that bill, all right," said Bluff; "but +there's our camp through the trees, Mr. Smithson; and, as sure as you +live, there's a stranger standing poking at the fire where our cook is +bending down." + +"Bismarck is making himself at home, all right," laughed the warden. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A STRANGE VISITOR IN CAMP + + +"What can we do about it?" asked Will, looking alarmed. + +"It's up to Mr. Smithson," remarked Frank, in a low tone. + +"Look here, boys, you understand that I want to capture the gentleman +very much indeed. Are you willing to give me a little assistance?" asked +the warden. + +"Why, to be sure we will. It looks as though we might have some interest +in his capture, too, judging by the way old Toby is loading up our good +grub in those frying pans to suit his appetite. He threatens to eat us +out of house and home unless something desperate is done. We'll help +capture the escaped lunatic, eh, fellows?" + +"Sure we will, Frank. Let Mr. Smithson tell us what to do, that's all," +said Bluff, readily. + +"Well, I hardly think he'll take the alarm at sight of any strangers, so +long as he doesn't get a glimpse of me. Now, if you three just saunter +easily into camp, and pretend to treat him in a friendly way, you'll find +he can be a fine gentleman. Humor his failing as much as you can, boys." + +"And what else, sir?" asked Frank, who was listening intently. + +"Meanwhile I'll be creeping closer all the while. After he has been +fed he may feel sleepy, because he must have been up all night. The +heat of the fire and a good feed will make his eyes heavy," continued +Mr. Smithson. + +"I guess you're right, sir." + +"Very good. Suppose you propose that he lie down by the fire and take a +nap. Rig him up a sort of military bed. He imagines that Bismarck is +with the old emperor, off in France on the war campaign. When he's fast +asleep I'll creep into camp and get him secure. It will be easy, boys, +believe me." + +"Say, is he the only one loose?" asked Will, just then, his voice +showing alarm. + +"Why, yes, so far as I know. Why do you ask?" demanded the warden. + +"Because there's some one else crawling through the bushes over yonder." + +"Are you sure?" asked Mr. Smithson. + +"I saw his head pop up. He's looking in at our camp. Get your gun +ready, Frank. Some of these crazy people are said to be dangerous," +continued Will. + +"Humbug! If you saw any one at all it must have been a scout from Andy +Lasher's camp, snooping around," commented Bluff, disdainfully. + +"Well, perhaps it might be another keeper from the asylum," +remarked Smithson. + +"There it is again; what did I tell you, fel--" + +Will stopped speaking in a whisper and gaped. True enough a human head +had bobbed up above the tops of the bushes, as the owner of the same +endeavored to get a better view of the camp. + +"It's Jerry!" ejaculated Bluff, in excitement. + +Mr. Smithson dropped out of sight, thinking that the stranger in camp +might look that way, being attracted by the clamor of boyish tongues. +Jerry had caught the words of Bluff and immediately turned his head. + +"Hello, fellows! Howdye? And who under the sun is the new manager you've +got to run the camp?" he asked, pushing out to greet them each in turn, +and eyeing Mr. Smithson in some curiosity. + +"How are you, Jerry? Guess you know me all right, eh? Why, I'm up +here looking for an escaped lunatic, you see," said that worthy, +without rising. + +"Talk to me about your coincidences--and that's him right there in our +camp, ordering poor old scared Uncle Toby around with the air of an +emperor. I see it all, boys," exclaimed Jerry, shaking hands around as +though he had been gone for a full week instead of one night. + +"Well, he believes himself a bigger man than any emperor, for he makes +and unmakes kings. That is Bismarck you see, young man. And we have just +been laying a plan to capture him. Suppose you all saunter into camp +now. Somebody tell Jerry what we have decided to do. He's looking this +way, and ready to either run or hold his ground according to how the +wind blows." + +"Come on, Jerry. You can tell us all that happened later. We must get rid +of this unwelcome visitor first," said Frank. + +"We had just started out to learn what had become of you when we met Mr. +Smithson, and he advised us to return to our camp, as he rather expected +the gentleman he was looking for would drift that way. Awful glad you got +through that terrible storm safe, old chap," remarked Will. + +"What are those things tied in a bunch at your belt--scalps?" queried +Bluff, as they walked along together. + +"The tails of four wild dogs that tackled me in the big timber after I +had shot a deer which they wanted," remarked Jerry, trying to speak +naturally. + +"What!" exclaimed the others in concert. + +"Oh, it's a positive fact, boys. I can take you to where the critters +lie, if you want to see them later. I was told about them ranging that +section, by Jesse, who warned me to look out for them. I met the pack all +right, and I guess they wished I hadn't. Here's some of the fresh +venison. I hung up most of it so we could get it later. Then we made a +breakfast on part of what I was lugging home," Jerry went on. + +"We?" remarked Frank, inquiringly. + +"Of course. Andy Lasher and myself." + +"Andy Lasher! Where did you run across _him_, and how did it come that +you let that miserable skunk eat breakfast with you?" demanded Bluff. + +"Well, he was in a bad way, you see. I just happened to get him out from +under the branches of a fallen tree that had him pinned tight to the +ground. His arm was bruised, and we bunked together until morning. Andy's +got a repentant mood on him. He vows he's done playing nasty tricks on +our club. 'Course I don't know how it will pan out, boys." + +"Say, did he tell you anything about my gun?" asked Bluff, eagerly. + +Jerry turned and looked at the questioner. + +"No, he didn't. Suppose he confessed to everything he ever did? But here +we are, fellows, and our guest looks as if he didn't know whether to run +for it or hang by that breakfast Toby is cooking." + +Frank advanced toward the man, bowing, and assuming, as he believed, +something of a military air. + +"Welcome to our camp, Prince Bismarck. Won't you be seated, and wait for +breakfast to be served? We have only rude accommodations here, but I hope +you will pardon any lack of seeming hospitality," he said. + +The wild look vanished from the face of the gaunt man, and in its place +came an expression of tremendous importance. Indeed, but for the +seriousness of the situation Frank would have felt inclined to laugh +outright, it was so absurd to see this poor lunatic putting on such +magnificent airs. + +"You forget, young sir, that I am the Iron Chancellor, and that while in +the field I shun all the comforts of home life. An iron cot, the simplest +food, these are enough for me. It leaves the brain clear to handle the +tremendous affairs of state that engross our attention. Where is King +William?" the other went on. + +"Oh, he'll be along after awhile. Perhaps, prince, after you have +partaken of our simple fare and rested by our friendly fire a little +time, the king may join you." + +Frank managed to keep a sober face while speaking in this lofty way, but +Bluff and Jerry, unable to stand it any longer, turned their backs on +the couple. + +Evidently the lunatic was very hungry, in spite of his possession of an +"iron will." He kept turning a wistful eye toward the fire where the +frightened black cook was hustling coffee and ham and eggs for his +benefit. And indeed, there was such an appetizing odor in the air that +several times Mr. Smithson raised his head and looked longingly over the +bushes as though he wished things would move faster, so he could come +into camp and get his share. + +When the food was placed before him the man ate ravenously. The boys +afterwards learned that he had not tasted a bite for two days, and they +wondered at his having shown even as much patience as he did. + +Just as Mr. Smithson had said, the escaped lunatic became drowsy as soon +as he finished eating. + +"Let me fix a nice cot for you here, prince. When the king arrives you +shall be awakened, all right," said Frank, soothingly. + +The man looked trustingly at him, so that Frank felt a little qualm of +conscience over the fact that he had to deceive him. + +"You are very kind, young sir. Indeed, I believe I am weary, and +perhaps a nap would refresh me. If Napoleon sends out a flag of truce +notify me at once," and he settled down on the warm blankets with a +sigh of pleasure. + +"Depend on it, such shall be done," replied Frank, turning away; for he +had by this time reached the limit of his endurance, and if compelled to +keep this thing up much longer must have betrayed himself by laughter. + +In ten minutes he flew a handkerchief as a signal that the warden +could come in. + +Mr. Smithson grinned as he joined them. + +"It was well done, my boy. You would sure make an actor, all right. And +now, for fear lest he slip me, I'll have to nab him," he said. + +"Do you want any help, sir?" queried Frank. + +"Oh! I reckon not. When he sees that I've got him he'll be as meek as a +lamb. He looks on me as a jealous German general desirous of keeping him +out of touch with the king. Watch now." + +He bent over the sleeper and touched his face. + +"Wake up, Prince Bismarck," he said, in a commanding tone. + +The other opened his eyes, stared and then smiled amiably, saying: + +"Oh! it's you, is it, general? Fate is against me again. I yield myself a +prisoner of war. You can fasten my hands if you wish, but I have dined +well for one day." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SURPRISING TRAPPER JESSE + + +Mr. Smithson had carried his prisoner off, after he, too, had partaken of +the hospitality of Kamp Kill Kare. + +"Boys," he said, in leaving, "I'm sure under obligations to you for all +this, and any time I can repay the debt don't hesitate to ask me. To get +Bismarck back safe and sound after such a storm, is going to be a feather +in my cap. And only for you I'd be hunting him yet, with only a slim +chance of success." + +"Why, that's all right, Mr. Smithson," Frank had declared heartily; +"we've enjoyed helping you, though it does make a fellow feel bad to see +as clever a man as that laboring under such a ridiculous fancy." + +"He was once a professor in a college, and lost his mind through +overstudy," remarked the keeper, as he moved off, with "Bismarck" +at his side. + +"There, see that!" exclaimed Bluff, triumphantly. "Just what I've told +my dad many a time when he complained that I was falling behind my class. +I'll make certain to hold this up as an awful warning." + +"Talk to me about you losing your brain by overstudy! There's about as +much chance of that as my being made king of England," laughed Jerry. + +"But still it _has_ happened, you see. That establishes a precedent all +right, and my father, as a lawyer, is always talking about such things," +declared Bluff, not in the least abashed. + +"Now suppose you sit right down here, Jerry, and let us have the whole +yarn from Alpha to Omega. What you haven't been through since you left us +yesterday morning isn't worth mentioning, to judge from the hints you let +fall. A deer, four wild dogs, lost in the big timber, storm bound, +rescuing our most bitter enemy; and now helping to land an escaped +lunatic--say, you ought to feel satisfied, old fellow," observed Frank. + +Jerry laughed aloud. + +All his recent troubles, as viewed from the pleasant seat by the +campfire, with his three chums around him, seemed to fade into +insignificance. + +"Well, I reckon I am. There was a bear, too," he said, nodding. + +"What! a bear--you ran across a bear?" ejaculated Will, drawing in a big +breath and shaking this head as if he deplored the loss of an opportunity +to embellish his album of the camping-out trip with more fetching views. + +"Well, perhaps you could hardly call it that, seeing that he came looking +for me, trying to push into the hollow tree where I had sought shelter +from the storm." + +"That sounds mighty interesting--trying to get in, too, was he? And I +suppose you objected vigorously?" suggested Frank, falling down by the +fire and assuming a listening attitude. + +"I knew I hadn't lost any bear, you see; and, besides, there wasn't room +for two in that old stump. So I asked him to please go away," said Jerry, +with a wink. + +"Of course he did just that?" queried Will. + +"After I had shouted, and fired my gun through the hole. He was somewhat +surprised at such a rude reception, for I guess that stump was one of his +dens, and he thought he had the first claim on it." + +"Well, start in now with your getting over at the camp of Jesse, and give +us all the thrills you want. You've got proof about the deer and the +wild dogs; but perhaps we'll have to consider the story about the bear," +laughed Frank. + +"And Andy Lasher's repentance; that is the most surprising of all," +declared Bluff, shaking his head as though he could not understand +it at all. + +They sat there spellbound while Jerry skimmed over the entire account of +his adventures since quitting the camp. As the reader already knows what +befell him, it would be useless repeating the story. The three chums, +however, listened and exchanged looks with one another as some +particularly thrilling incident came along, as though they could imagine +Jerry facing that big yellow brute that chased him round and round the +tree until he was dizzy enough to drop ere he remembered that he had a +gun in his hand. + +"I move we go out there right after lunch and get the balance of the +venison. We may not have another chance to lay in a stock of fresh meat +all the time we're up here," proposed Will, finally. + +"Oh! I can see that you're doubting my story about the dogs, and +wondering where under the sun I ran across these four tails. All right, +fellows, I'll do the best I can to take you to the place. Perhaps if we +went to old Jesse he could guide us there much better," declared the +mighty hunter, calmly. + +"He talks as though he courts an investigation," remarked Frank; "and +in justice to his reputation, I think we ought to settle this matter +without delay. So I'm in favor of going, for one; besides, I confess to +a curiosity to see the dead dogs, and, perhaps, if fate is kind, look +into the identical hollow tree in which Jerry passed most of that +stormy night." + +"It's a go, then," cried Will, eagerly; "for I want a few more pictures. +If we could only rig up something to look like that yellow hound, and +have Jerry galloping around that tree in front of him, it would be +simply immense." + +"Talk to me about a faker will you--why, if Will keeps on he'll be +bamboozling the public worse than any showman ever did. Thanks, but I +guess you'll have to excuse me from that galloping act, Will. Once bit, +twice shy, you know. But it was gospel truth about Andy. He even +confessed that he had been up to old Rabig's place to get him to join the +crowd in playing some more measly tricks on us here. You see he was +sorry, and had to just tell all these things." + +"All but about my gun, hang him," grumbled Bluff, indignantly. + +"Bother your old gun! Will we ever hear the last of it?" exclaimed Jerry, +frowning; and yet giving Frank a sly wink with one eye, as if to inform +him that he did not really mean all he said. + +"You never heard the first of it yet, for I didn't even have a single +chance to shoot it off," complained the other. + +"For which all the little birds and chipmunks are rejoicing, for they +have had a chance to live. Besides, a gun like that is dangerous to the +community, I think. If it ever started to going I believe it would spit +out fire without any help from you, or any one else. But, for goodness' +sake, change the subject. I'm sleepy," declared Jerry, curling up on a +blanket by the fire. + +"All of us are, I reckon. You see we were having a little circus of our +own at the time this happened to you," remarked Frank. + +"Yes," exclaimed Bluff, "don't you think you're the only pebble on the +beach, Jerry." + +"Why, what happened?" demanded the other, looking up. + +"Why, what do you think we've got all those things on the bushes drying +out for? Yes, one of the tents blew away in the middle of the storm. I +think it must have been an hour or two before midnight, when the big gust +came that tore it loose. We were all four of us under it, and there was +some tall scurrying just then, believe me." + +"I can well believe it, Frank. Where was Will with his camera then?" +asked Jerry. + +"Trying to keep the blessed thing from getting soaked," answered Bluff. + +"Then he doesn't believe in wet plates?" laughed the other. + +"Seems not; films are good enough for him. Well, we managed to get all +the things under the shelter of the other tent, and shivered for some +hours. Finally, after the storm passed, and it began to get very cold, we +started a fire and waited to welcome the rosy dawn." + +"Don't get poetic, Frank. I'm really too dead for sleep to appreciate it +now. Wake me up, fellows, when lunch is ready, will you?" and, so +speaking, Jerry curled up again, this time in earnest. + +The others amused themselves the balance of the morning in various ways. +Bluff declared that he believed he would stay in camp while the others +went off. Frank looked at him curiously as if wondering what had struck +him, for he considered that the trip was well worth taking, if only to +see the husky-looking wild dogs Jerry had met and slain. + +He could remember having heard one or two persons speaking about the +pack that was giving the farmers so much trouble. To think that, after +all, their comrade had been the one to relieve the situation, was +pleasant indeed. + +They aroused Jerry when Uncle Toby announced that lunch was ready. The +old man seemed to be kept pretty busy preparing meals for all stragglers +happening in; but that part of the business pleased him. The only thing +he protested against was being left alone in camp. There were too many +visitors at such times to suit him. + +First had come the wildcat, and then the wild man. Uncle Toby had +therefore heard Bluff's announcement that he intended remaining behind +when the others went off, with particular pleasure and much relief. + +Immediately afterwards the three lads started out. Jerry seemed much +refreshed by his nap, and was as lively as either of his comrades. + +A straight line was kept for the shack of the old trapper, and when they +finally reached the place it was to find Jesse just starting out. + +"Why, hello, boys, glad to see ye," he said, shaking hands all around, +gravely. "And I'll be hanged, if thar ain't Jerry, big as life. I was +gettin' uneasy about ye, lad, an' just startin' to follow up your route +through the big timber. Ye see, I kinder thought ye might a-fallen foul +o' them fierce wild dogs I told ye about." + +Both Frank and Will laughed. + +"Well, he did all right, just that same thing. And we're on our way now +to see where he left the critters," declared Will. + +"Left 'em--looky here, ye don't mean to tell me--it can't be possible now +he fit that hull pack, an' got out o' it alive?" exclaimed the trapper. + +Then Jerry, with a laugh, dangled the four tails before his +startled eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +PROVING HIS CLAIM + + +"Jerusalem! I surely believes he's gone an' done it!" exclaimed old +Jesse Wilcox. + +Frank and Will burst out into a laugh. + +"Do you recognize these tails then, trapper?" asked the former; "because +we even accused Jerry of trying to palm off some substitute on us for the +originals?" + +"Oh! them there is original tails all right. How did ye do it, youngster? +An' if they ever was fierce dogs, that pack filled the bill. I'd kinder +hated to be up agin 'em myself; an' you on'y a boy!" + +"A boy armed with a double-barreled shotgun loaded with buck is able to +do just as much as a man, I suppose. I got my deer, too, Jesse, thanks to +the directions you gave me. It was a bully old time all around," said +Jerry, contentedly. + +"Well, I should smile to mention it. Ye take the cake, Jerry. An' now ye +want me to lead ye thar, I s'pose. Can ye describe the place well enough +for me to recognize it?" asked the trapper. + +"Possibly I can. Let's see, I remember that there was a queer-looking oak +standing close by--three trees in one, as though sprouts had grown up +when the parent trunk was smashed by lightning long ago. Remember having +seen anything like that in your trips through the big timber, Jesse?" +asked the other, seriously. + +The trapper smiled. + +"Why, it's right easy. I know that place as well as I do my own dooryard. +Shot a stag down by them three oaks myself ten years ago come Christmas. +So that's whar ye met up with the dog pack, was it? All right, if so be +ye are ready, we kin start right off," he remarked eagerly. + +All of the others were equally anxious to proceed, Jerry because he +wished to prove his hunting triumphs, and his chums to see the evidence +of his valor. Will, no doubt, still hoped to induce the victor to attempt +some sort of running stunt in connection with the tree and the dead dogs, +that would form the basis of a striking picture. + +Going in a bee line, as led by the sagacious trapper, who knew the +woods like a book, the little company did not spend more than an hour +on the way. + +"Thar's yer three oaks, son; now tell us jest whar ye was when ye shot +that deer." + +As he spoke, Jesse pointed ahead. All of them could easily see the +landmark now. + +"It was an old tree, and there ought to be broken branches underneath. +Yes, if you look over yonder you'll see it. And isn't there something +that looks yellow from here?" asked Jerry, proudly. + +"Just what! The dog story was founded on solid facts, then!" exclaimed +Frank, hurrying forward, with the others at his heels. + +"It was a true tale," chimed in Will, from the rear. + +They found the dogs just as Jerry had left them. The big yellow brute lay +under the rotten tree, with his head mangled from the discharge of the +gun at close quarters; the dingy white one farther off, and presently +Jerry led them to where he had dispatched the others. + +"And there's my package of vension, all right, hanging up yonder. I was +afraid some prowling lynx might get away with it," he remarked, +composedly; while his two admiring chums were whacking him on the back +admiringly, and insisting on proudly shaking hands with him over and +over again. + +"Now, to make a clean sweep, come with me and I'll show you where I +pulled Andy out from under the fallen tree," he said. + +Frank laughed and would have protested, declaring that he stood ready to +believe anything Jerry might say after this; but the other would not let +him hold back. + +"I demand that you investigate. See, here's where my charge tore up the +ground when I fired through the rotten wood to scare the bear away. And +you can see the plain mark of claws on the old tree-trunk. Is it so, +fellows?" he asked. + +"Without the least doubt. No Ananias here, that's sure," declared Frank. + +"All right. Now walk this way only a short distance. I heard the yells, +you see, above the racket of the storm, and that told me the one who +shouted must be near by. There's the fallen tree. Think what a narrow +escape Andy had from being crushed to death." + +"And it's easy to see where you dragged him out. Why, here are the prints +of his shoes in the mud as plain as type," remarked Frank. + +"Where?" asked Will, showing sudden interest; and then after getting down +to look at short range he laughed, saying: "Everything is just as Jerry +says. I know it was Andy he pulled out from under this tree." + +"How do you know?" demanded the party in question, curiously. + +"Why, you see it was Andy Lasher who knocked Bluff off that log into the +lake. We guessed it at the time, and he afterwards said as much to Jerry +here. Well, we found his footprints, and you see one of his shoes had a +queer patch on the sole, a sort of triangle. Here it is, as big as life!" + +He pointed triumphantly downward. Frank fairly shouted, and even +Jerry grinned. + +"Talk about your great detectives! Why, they ain't in the same class as +our chum here. You see, fellows, truth will out. What more proof do you +want?" demanded Jerry. + +"Everything has been proven. You are the hero of the hunt, Jerry. I pass +up my claim when you're around. And so Andy means to let us alone, does +he? Can he speak for his whole crowd, too?" queried Frank. + +"I don't know; perhaps not He said something about Pet Peters having to +do it himself if he insisted on carrying on this nasty business of +bothering us. So perhaps we may have more trouble with them, unless Andy +takes the bit in his teeth, and licks a few of his pals." + +Will was meanwhile busily engaged with his camera. He first of all +dragged several of the dead dogs around until they presented a gruesome +appearance, bunched close together. + +"Oh, if you would only run around that old tree a few times, Jerry, you +don't know how much obliged I'd be. Of course any one must imagine that +the dog pursuing you happens to just be out of sight at the time I snap +you off. But think how much pleasure the picture will give future +generations. _Please_ do!" he begged. + +"What do I care about future generations? It would give me the nightmare +every time I looked at the measly thing. I guess you'd feel the same way +if you just imagined you were going to have a piece gobbled from your leg +with every revolution you made. Nixey for me, old chum," observed the +other, indignantly. + +"Then if you won't, I suppose I'll have to take a still picture; but it's +really too bad. However, I have others of you, and some day I'll try a +composite picture, inserting you in the honorable position you decline to +fill," grumbled Will, as he pressed the button, and secured his view of +the venerable tree with the clump of dogs near its base. + +"Talk about your obstinate chaps, did you ever see the equal of him? When +I decline to do the tall running act, he's going to get out a fake +picture anyway, with me in it! In that case I might as well stand for it. +Here, you, I'll conspire with you to fix it. If it's got to be a +counterfeit, let's make it a decent one." + +So, after all, Will's persistency won out. + +"You'll be glad when you see the result, I'm sure," he said, as he +assisted Jerry to stand the dead hound on his stiffened feet, and +make it appear as though he might be stretching out in furious +pursuit of some one. + +"Now, let me get started winding up around the tree. Tell me when the +humbug business is over with," growled Jerry, beginning to circulate +over the same track he had covered on the preceding day at such a +speedy pace. + +This matter was soon adjusted to the complete satisfaction of Will; +though he seemed determined to get results, judging from the several +"clicks" that announced his rapid-fire work with the camera. + +The boys decided that there was no need of going back to the shack of +the muskrat trapper again, while they were just half the distance from +their own camp. + +Jesse Wilcox directed them, so that there was small chance of their +going astray; and, besides, Jerry had been over the ground before on +this very morning. + +"I wonder whether he'll bother taking the pelts of those four dogs?" +ventured Will, as he and his two friends walked briskly along. + +"Hardly. Dogskins may be valuable, but the buckshot in my gun just about +ruined those for any use, all but the yellow fellow. I had to laugh at +Jesse when he saw these tails. His eyes were like saucers," declared +Jerry, chuckling. + +"All right, it was a pretty clever piece of work, and he knew it. If that +big hound had ever laid hold of you--ugh! I don't want to think of it. +Let's talk about something pleasant--Bluff's pump-gun for instance," +remarked Frank. + +His eyes met those of Jerry, and the other turned red in the face. + +"I don't see anything pleasant about that subject. Goodness knows we hear +enough of it from him. What d'ye suppose he wanted to stay in camp for?" +he demanded. + +"Perhaps to cudgel his brains in order to remember whether he could have +taken it with him when we ran out of camp that night; or, perhaps, to +give another look around," suggested Frank, dryly. + +"Good luck to him, then," continued Jerry. "He ought to employ the great +American detective Will here, who discovers things by the print of a +foot. Possibly he could follow up the trail of the thief until it led to +the lost Gatling gun." + +"It would have been a good idea if taken at the time. What's this plain +trail lead to?" asked Frank. + +"I think it leads direct from the hemlock camp to where Andy's crowd +holds out," replied Jerry, who knew considerable about this region. + +"Are we far away from the lake, then?" + +"It's some closer than our camp. This trail has been traveled more or +less lately, too. That proves those fellows have been back and forth. +They're bound to spend pretty much all their time while up here trying to +make life miserable for us. We turn to the left here, fellows, and go +right along this way." + +The other two, after a look along the trail that led to the lake camp, +were just starting to follow Jerry when they heard a muffled cry. Looking +hastily around, to their great astonishment no Jerry was in sight! And in +the trail they discovered a gaping hole which was partly covered with a +layer of slender sticks, thickly strewn with dead leaves! + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +DOWN THE OLD SHAFT + + +"He's gone!" cried Will, aghast. + +"What sort of a trap has he dropped into?" exclaimed Frank. + +He was a lad of action, and throwing himself down flat he crawled to the +very edge of the gaping hole. + +"Hello, Jerry!" he shouted. + +"I'm all right, fellows; only bruised a little, and my feelings +considerably hurt. I deserve something for forgetting this hole," came a +voice from out of the depths. + +Frank looked down. His eyes being accustomed to the sunlight he could not +see anything but darkness there. But even as he was trying to pierce +this, a match flamed up, and he discovered his chum kneeling on a pile of +dirt, holding up his improvised torch as though curious to look around. + +"What is this place, Jerry?" demanded the one above. + +"Why, Will must remember if he once gets his mind off that miserable old +camera of his. It's the shaft of what was intended to be a mine," replied +Jerry, with disgust plainly marked in his tones. + +"A mine--and here? I never heard of it!" echoed Frank. + +"That's because you are a newcomer in Centerville. Years ago--oh! I +couldn't say how many--a crank lived in the little hut close by, now +occupied by the family of a lumberman. He believed there was gold in this +region. For nearly a year he dug down and made this shaft. Then he died +in his cabin, and no one else ever had faith enough in the thing to +continue the work," said Will, chiming in. + +"What! do you mean to say this hole in the ground has gone all these +years as a trap, ready to swallow any pilgrim who walked along this +trail?" demanded Frank. + +"Why, of course not. The boys from town often used to come up here. Will +has been down in this hole, and so have I before. It was covered with +heavy planks then. Somebody has removed those boards and laid a fine +trap. Just like we were over in Africa, among the wild-beast catchers. +And I fell in, worse luck," grumbled the boy at the bottom of the shaft. + +"I see. And you think those fellows in the other camp had a hand in it?" + +"Don't doubt it at all. You know yourself it would be just like that Pet +Peters. If I'd only thought of the blooming old thing in time, I might +have investigated. Talk to me about your Alpine climbers, I thought I was +going into the crevasse, all right." + +"But how are you going to get out?" asked Frank, always practical. + +"A fellow can't climb out. I know that, for we used to try it. Somebody +always had to put down the long pole that we made into a ladder," +declared Will. + +"Is it around here now?" continued Frank. + +"Wait and I'll give a look." + +Will very carefully placed his camera with its accompanying case of +films. He made sure that it was out of the way, so that no one might +incautiously step on the same, and ruin his heart's delight. Then he +passed into the bushes to scour the immediate neighborhood. + +Meanwhile Frank bent over the edge again. + +"I've examined this covering up here, Jerry, and there's not the least +doubt but that it was made with a distinct purpose," he declared. + +"I reckon it was, and it got me, all right. It looked just like the rest +of the trail, and I never suspected a thing until I found myself going +down. Speak to me about that, will you? To think that I was caught by +such a shabby trick. If it had been you, now, it wouldn't seem so bad, +because you never saw this hole before." + +"But what object could those rascals have had in constructing the trap?" +pursued Frank, seeking more light. + +"That's hard to say. I imagine, though, they expected to just badger us +from time to time until finally we all set out in full chase of the +crowd. Then perhaps they meant to lead us along this old trail, avoiding +the pit themselves, and having us tumble in pell-mell. It was a clever +dodge, but a mean trick all the same." + +"But if that had happened it might have been serious. One of us could +easily break a leg or an arm in such a tumble," expostulated Frank. + +"Huh! little those fellows care about that They're a rough lot, you know. +That Pet Peters thinks everybody is made of iron, like himself. Say, I +hope Will finds that old ladder we used to play with. I'd hate to lie in +here waiting for you to go all the way to camp and get a rope," grumbled +the imprisoned one. + +"I hear voices, and I reckon Will must have met some one. Yes, there +they come." + +"With the ladder?" demanded Jerry, eagerly. + +"They seem to be carrying something between them. Why, I ought to know +that fellow. As sure as you live, it's Andy Lasher," declared Frank, +somewhat surprised. + +"Then it's all right; I'm satisfied," said Jerry, resignedly. + +The others came forward, and as Frank had said they bore between them a +long, slender tree upon which many slats had been nailed by the boys. +This formed a rude but effective ladder, upon which one might ascend +and descend when desirous of seeing what the interior of the abandoned +shaft was like. + +"I came across Andy down the trail. Only for him I guess I'd never have +lit on the ladder, for they'd carried it some distance off, and hid it," +cried Will. + +Andy looked Frank straight in the face, and the latter explained: + +"It's mighty funny, but you see I remembered about this here trap the +boys had set, hopin' some of your crowd would take a tumble. I told 'em I +wouldn't stand for it after what had happened; so a bunch o' us was on +the way out here to put back the planks, when we heard shouts, and +guessed somebody had fallen in. The rest dodged into the bushes, but I +commenced to run this way. Then I met Will, here." + +"And we got the ladder. He was only too willing to help," went on Will, +plainly fully believing in the change of heart on the town bully's part. + +"Say, that's all mighty interesting, but talk to me about it after you +get a fellow out of this black hole. I thought I felt a snake right then. +We used to kill 'em in here, too. Poke the ladder down, boys, please." + +"That's a fact. As the drowning boy said: 'Save me first and scold me +afterward.' Let me give you a hand, boys," remarked Frank. + +"Hey! be careful there about getting too close to the edge. The whole +bunch of you will be in on top of me if you don't look out. I had a crack +on the head from a rock right then. And be careful how you poke that +ladder down, or you may stick it through me like a lady's hatpin. Now +I've got hold of the end, lower away, all." + +So under the directions of the boy who was in the hole, and in a position +to see how things lay, the single-pole ladder was placed in position. + +"I'm coming up now, fellows; don't let the dirt crumble in on me," +called Jerry. + +"It does beat all how the adventures crowd you, old man. Here the rest of +us just go along in an average way, and nothing happens to anybody to +stir the blood. Hang it, I say it's hardly fair," remarked Frank, in +pretended chagrin. + +Jerry began to appear in view, clinging to the ladder, for it was a +rather rickety affair, and threatening constantly to turn around, so that +he had to fasten both knees and hands to the pole as he mounted. + +"Keep her straight, Andy; you understand how hard it is to hustle up this +old beam. I'm getting there all right, and don't you forget it," he kept +saying, with a broad grin on his happy-go-lucky face as it came into +plain view. + +"Oh! Jerry, please hang there for just twenty seconds! You don't know +what a splendid picture you make. I'd give almost anything to snatch it +off. Oblige me like a good fellow, won't you, please?" shouted Will, +waving his hands entreatingly. + +"Talk to me about nerve! You beat all creation. I'm holding on by the +skin of my teeth, and you want me to wait till you get your measly old +camera adjusted, and snap me off in this ignoble position. Well, I'm +waiting, but it's to get my second wind, and not to oblige a crank," +gasped Jerry. + +"Oh! thank you, Jerry, thank you. It will only take a few seconds, I'm +sure, and the result will be a constant source of delight to every +member of the club." + +"Yes, I've no doubt they'll go into spasms of laughter every time they +look at the human ape hanging to his limb. Hurry up, plague take it; I'm +getting weary of posing to suit your convenience. Why don't he, come back +and finish? I declare if I can stand this any longer. I tell you I'm +coming up, Will--picture or no picture." + +"Here he comes; just hang on a bit longer," said Frank, soothingly. + +Will came dashing up, showing the most intense excitement. His eyes +fairly bulged from his head, and he was quivering all over. + +"What ails you, man; are you sick?" demanded Frank, in real alarm. + +"Sick? No, but I'm broken-hearted, that's what. It's gone!" shouted the +other, wringing his hands, "some wretch has stolen my camera, and films!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +"LOOK PLEASANT, PLEASE!" + + +"What's that?" exclaimed Andy Lasher, jumping up from the side of Frank, +where he had dropped to lend Jerry a helping hand. + +"My camera's stolen! I placed it carefully behind that tree so nobody +could step on it, and now the whole thing's disappeared!" said Will, +almost choking with deep emotion. + +"I bet that's the work of Pet Peters and the other fellows!" exclaimed +Andy, his freckled face showing dark signs of anger. + +"Hey, don't forget about me!" bellowed a voice from the depths; "the +blooming old pole turned round then, and I slipped back five feet. Hold +her steady, you fellows, and give me a chance to climb out!" + +"That's a fact. Come along, Jerry," said Frank. + +So the imprisoned one crawled out, only too glad to once more plant his +feet on solid ground. + +"Talk to me about your trapeze acts, and your parachute drops, I guess I +know all the sensations. And let me tell you I don't hanker after any +more of the same kind. Now, what's all this row about your black box, +Will?" cried Jerry, as he felt of his various joints to make sure he was +all sound. + +"It's been hooked while we were getting you out. That Pet Peters has made +way with it. Oh! if he ever tears open the package that contains my +beloved films, I'm just ruined. All my work for nothing; and they can +never be replaced again." + +"We'll get 'em, don't you fear," exploded Andy. "I'll run back to camp +right away, and make him give 'em up." + +"If you only would, I'd be ever so much obliged, Andy. Three dozen, yes, +four now, of the finest scenes a fellow ever could take. Why, some of +them are _immense_!" + +"I suppose you are referring now to that one where that yellow dog was +chasing me around the tree; but I wouldn't die of grief if posterity +never got a squint at that picture," said Jerry, shaking his head. + +"Please start now," urged Will; "for they will be opening the package +just for spite. One little bit of daylight and the whole thing will be +ruined. And from what I know of Pet Peters, I believe he'd do it." + +"I just reckon he would, now. All right, I'm off," said Andy. + +"Wait, and we'll go with you," declared Frank, quietly. + +"I can do it just as well alone; still, perhaps it is good to have you +fellers along. But we must run," Andy observed. + +"We can do it. Come on, boys!" cried Frank + +They started off through the timber, even Jerry keeping up a rattling +pace, although somewhat out of breath. + +"Better not talk," admonished Andy, when Will manifested a disposition to +continue his doleful wails about his terrible loss. + +"That's good advice, Will. If you hope to recover your property, better +keep a padlock on your lips just now. Besides, you need all your wind," +remarked Frank. + +They ran on. + +The trail was crooked, but kept drawing nearer the lake all the while. + +"Just a few minutes more," panted Andy at length. + +And when less than that time had passed they could catch glimpses of the +cabin in which he and his crowd had taken up their quarters, after being +forestalled by the outdoor chums in the race for the hemlock camp. + +Andy said nothing, but the manner in which he put his fingers on his lips +as he turned his head, was indicative of silence. + +He led them forward in such a way that the cabin stood between them and +the spot where several boys seemed to have clustered, interested in +something. + +When they looked around the corner of the hut they counted five in the +bunch. It was Pet Peters, a tall, raw-boned lad, who was swinging the +camera to and fro in triumph, while he held up the waterproof package in +which Will kept the rolls of films that had been exposed, awaiting the +time when he could develop the same. + +"Say, but won't them sissies be hoppin' mad w'en they sees it gone?" he +was saying, with a grin; "an' we can keep it as long as we wanter." + +"What's he got in the black bag, Pet?" demanded one of the others. + +"Don't know, but we'll soon find out," grunted the leader of the group, +looking around for a place to lay the camera down while he applied +himself to the task of opening the tied-up package. + +"I bet it's films he's used; I know, because I got a bull's-eye camera to +home," exclaimed another chap, pressing forward eagerly. + +"Who was it tumbled into the old mine shaft?" asked Pet, as he dug at +the knot with which the cord was fastened. + +"Don't know for sure, but I kinder think it must a-been Jerry Wallington. +I seen that Frank and Will along with Andy," replied a third, quickly. + +"Glad of it. Andy says as how he's under obligations to Jerry, but fur me +I don't take any stock in that sorter thing. He jest couldn't let a +feller lie there and die under that tree. It sarves Andy right because he +wanted to cover up the old shaft again afore any purty boy fell down in +it and skinned his nose. Say, how d'ye 'spose they ever found that ladder +agin after we hid it?" + +"'Course Andy got it for 'em. He oughter left the kid in the hole +all night. Hope he's bunged up good and hard by the tumble," came +from another. + +"Looky here, Pet, ye know what ye're doin', I 'spect?" asked the one who +had but a minute before owned to having a camera at home. + +"Tryin' to open this pesky little package, all right," answered +the other. + +"But if it has them films inside ye'll ruin the hull bunch if ye lets +daylight in on 'em. Undo the rolls that is wrapped each in black +paper, and the picters is gone just as quick as that," and he snapped +his fingers. + +"What do I care? Sarves them right for takin' our camp away. For two +cents I'd throw the hull business into the lake, and let her swim," +growled Pet, who did not seem to be making much progress in his feat of +untying the binding cord. + +Frank could feel Will quiver with emotion as he pressed against him. The +very thought of his beloved camera and those invaluable films floating on +the water filled the boy with unutterable anguish. He even groaned, +though the fact that the conspirators were so busily engaged, and talking +in the bargain, prevented them from hearing the suspicious sound. + +"Andy was a-helpin' 'em," declared one of the group, as though that fact +might constitute a crime in his eyes. + +"'Course; what more could ye expect arter the way he got us to go out +with him to cover up that hole again? Andy's got religion, I reckon; +leastways he ain't the same kind o' a feller he was," declared Pet. + +"But he turned on you mighty quick, I noticed, an' sed as how he'd wipe +up the ground with your remains if you jest didn't go along and help undo +our work. He kin fight yet, even if he is changed," said the fellow who +hung discreetly on the outskirts of the group, and who was evidently a +devoted follower of the said Andy. + +"Jest mind yer own business, Tom Somers, an' speak when yer spoken to. +Guess I know that yer intendin' to stick to Andy through thick an' +thin. But they ain't everybody feelin' that way, understand? If Andy +he's a-goin' to turn on us and be chummy with that crowd, we ain't +expectin' to stand it, see?" declared Pet, still struggling with the +obstreperous knot. + +"Them's my sentiments," observed another. + +"Me, too, fellers?" declared a second. + +"Yes, it's easy for ye to talk that ways when he ain't around; but let +him give any one o' ye a single look an' it's eat dirt for the lot. Ain't +I seen it done many a time? An' some day Andy's goin' to give Pet the +time o' his life," the single faithful henchman kept saying. + +"Oh, let up, Tom! Ain't any one o' ye got a knife? I can't never get this +here knot untied. Hand it here, Billy. Now watch the fun, fellers," and +as he spoke Pet opened a blade of the borrowed knife, and proceeded to +lay it across the cord. + +To judge by the way he sawed, that blade was too dull to cut butter. + +"What d'ye call this thing, anyhow, Billy? One side's about as sharp as +t'other, an' a feller couldn't commit suicide, if he tried to, with this +frog-sticker." + +"Try mine," said the fellow who owned a camera. + +"Say, that's the cheese; it's got a edge all right. Now wouldn't little +Willie Milton weep tears if he seen me a-doin' this to his property," and +he bent down to sever the cord at one vicious blow. + +Frank thought it high time to interfere. + +These unscrupulous boys would not hesitate to destroy all the results of +Will's hard labor, and, in fact, take the keenest delight in wringing his +heart by so doing. + +There was only one way apparently to stop the desecration and save those +precious films from destruction. Although opposed to violence on general +principles, still Frank knew very well that there are times when it +becomes necessary for every one to stand up boldly for his rights. + +He gave a nudge to Jerry which that worthy understood as a signal to be +ready. Accordingly, Jerry raised his shotgun until he had covered the +group in front of the cabin, and then waited for the word. + +"Step out and hold them," whispered Frank, in his ear; and the four boys +made a sudden appearance from behind the shack. + +"Now, look pleasant, please, you fellows!" exclaimed Frank, as he made +sure that he had his gun held on a line to cover the leader of the rebels +in Andy Lasher's camp. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +MORE SIGNS OF TROUBLE + + +Pet Peters looked thoroughly frightened when he saw that he had been +caught in the very act of opening another's property. + +The truth of the matter was, he had been warned of late by the town +authorities that on the very next occasion when caught taking things that +did not belong to him, they would send him to the reform school. + +"Don't you dare cut that string," said Frank, sternly; "or I won't answer +for the consequences, Pet Peters." + +The boy, with a scowl, threw the package down alongside the camera. + +"There's yer old shebang. I ain't done it a speck o' harm. Was just +kiddin', anyway. Knowed Will was around, an' jest wanted to make him +squeal," he declared. + +Of course it was a barefaced falsehood, as every one understood; but it +seemed to be the natural thing for a fellow like Pet to say; he always +squirmed out of a scrape that way, while Andy had at least shown a +certain amount of boldness when caught. + +"Will, step up and claim your property. If it has suffered any damage I'm +going to make him pay for it, if I have to take him all the way back to +Centerville," continued Frank. + +Eagerly did the one addressed walk forward and pick up both camera and +package of films. He was within three feet of those five boys, yet never +a hand was outstretched to hinder him. They knew better. Those grim guns +that bore upon them, and the angry faces of Jerry, Frank, yes, and Andy, +impressed them deeply. + +"Examine them, Will. Do you think either has been injured?" asked Frank. + +"'Course they ain't. How could they be when I kerried 'em carefully. Them +scratches was on ther camera afore I touched it, I'll swar to that!" +exclaimed Pet, really alarmed by this time. + +At which Andy grinned as if highly amused. + +"I guess everything's safe, Frank. They stopped just in time. Another +minute and the damage could not have been repaired," sang out the +delighted Will, ready to almost dance with joy. + +"Which is a lucky thing for them, then. Now, I don't know why we should +hang out here much longer. We've got our own, and the air of this camp +isn't quite as nice as I'd like. Shall we go, fellows?" asked Frank. + +"Might as well," answered Jerry; "but before we do I think these chaps +ought to be told that the sheriff promised to drop in and see us +to-morrow; and that if there's any more of this humbug and annoyance +tried, I'm going to ask him to take the whole bunch back to Centerville." + +"And I promise to prefer a charge of malicious mischief against them, and +an attempt to destroy property. Incendiarism is a crime, especially when +life is placed in peril; and one of us might have been burned while we +slept," added Frank, severely. + +There were exclamations of alarm from the cowering boys. They had been +intimidated by the guns of Jerry and his chum, but this new source of +danger chilled their ardor wonderfully. + +"I reckon we ain't goin' to try any more tricks, fellers. Thought we'd +have a leetle fun out of this campin' business; but seein' as how ye take +it so hard, we'd better draw off," muttered Pet, completely humbled. + +"Yes, 'fun for the boys, but death to the frogs,' as the old story says. +That sort of thing is too one-sided to suit me. Just play your jokes on +each other, if you must amuse yourselves. We have our own way of +extracting fun out of an outing. Well, come along, boys. And, Andy, thank +you for helping get Jerry out of that hole." + +He thrust out his hand to the other as he spoke, but Andy did not take +it. + +"Ain't got anything to do with the rest of ye; but Jerry he saved my +life. I told him I was goin' to quit naggin' his crowd, an' so I am; but +that don't mean I'm a turnin' a saint right away. Pet here is itchin' for +a lickin', an' I got a good notion to 'commodate him." + +Andy glared in the direction of his lieutenant, and it was plain to +be seen that the spirit of warfare had not as yet been diminished in +his bosom. + +"Oh! well, have it out among yourselves, boys. As long as you leave us +alone we won't bother you in the least, I give you my word," said Frank. + +"Come on, you fellows," cried Will. "I'm anxious to get away from here. +That Pet gave me the cold creeps when he came so near ruining my films. +Ugh! me for the comforts of our own camp." + +No one wanted to linger. Even Jerry was glad to turn his back on the old +cabin and stalk away, with his gun over his arm. + +"Say," called Will, over his shoulder, a few minutes later, as they were +pushing through the woods and following the back trail. + +"Well, what is it?" asked Jerry. + +"We forgot something, boys,'' continued the other. + +"What's that?" demanded Frank, coming to a stand. + +"Why, when we were about it we ought to have demanded that they return +Bluff's dandy, repeating shotgun," said Will. + +Thereupon Frank broke out into a laugh and turned upon Jerry. + +"Hear that, will you?" he remarked, as if tickled. + +"Oh, rats! there's that blessed old gun bobbing up again. Will I ever +hear the last of that machine?" exclaimed Jerry, shrugging his shoulders. + +"Not till the ghost is laid, I suppose, Jerry," remarked Frank. + +Jerry walked along at his side, still grumbling as if he had a difficult +matter to solve and could hardly make up his mind. + +Thus they came to the spot where the late catastrophe had taken place. +The hole gaped at them in the trail. + +"Say, this is a dangerous thing to leave uncovered. Some one else might +fall in, perhaps one of that lumberman's kids if they happened to be +playing hereabouts," remarked Frank, as they paused to look down once +more into the dark depths. + +"I wouldn't want my worst enemy to slip over that edge. My! but it was a +queer sensation I had when falling. Let's cover the hole up again," +remarked Jerry. + +"If we can find the planks it would be a good idea," echoed Will. + +They started a search immediately. When Andy and his followers had +removed this cover, to substitute the frail one of slender sticks, +quilted with dead leaves and a scattering of soil to deceive the eye, +they could not have taken the boards far away. + +"I'm dead sure they ain't in the hole," observed Jerry, as they hunted. + +"Lucky for you they were not, as you might have broken a leg in striking +hard planks instead of soft soil," remarked Frank. + +"Here they are, boys!" sang out Will just then. + +It took but a short time for them to carry the heavy planks back to the +place, and cover up the hole the crazy gold-hunter had dug so many; +years ago. + +"Hope those sillies won't think to steal them off again. They might trap +one of that lumberman's kids, and then the penitentiary for theirs, for +sure," said Jerry, as he made sure the cover was secure on all sides. + +"I rather think they've had a lesson this time, and won't be in any hurry +to repeat the dose," laughed Frank; "come along boys." + +Somehow Jerry seemed to lag behind the others. + +"What's the matter with him?" asked Will, turning his thumb backward over +his shoulder. + +"Perhaps conscience is at work. Jerry has queer freaks, you know. Wait +and see what develops," answered Frank, mysteriously, and, although his +companion tried to get him to say more he absolutely declined. + +It was a short time after this that they heard the boom of a gun. + +"Hunters abroad, somewhere around. There goes a second, yes and a third. +Game must be plenty where they are," remarked Will. + +Frank did not reply, but the other saw that he was smiling as if his +thoughts might be pleasant just then. + +"I just bet he's thinking of my sister Violet," was what passed through +the mind of the boy; but for once he was wrong. + +They finally arrived at a point not a quarter of a mile from camp. +Frank turned to see if Jerry was coming along, for he had not heard a +sound from him. + +"How about that venison you insisted on carrying? I hope you didn't leave +it in that miserable pit, now, for I was calculating on having a feast +for supper?" he asked, seeing that Jerry still plodded along close by. + +"I've got it on my back all right, so don't worry, boys. And honest, now, +come to think of it, I really believe the bundle saved me from a worse +shock than I got. I landed on it, if you please. Don't know how it beat +me down, but it served as a fine old buffer. I look on that blessed deer +as my best friend." + +"Listen!" exclaimed Will just then. + +All of them could hear what seemed to be shouts ahead. They certainly +came from the direction of the home camp. + +"Now what do you suppose has happened there this time? Can't we ever take +a little saunter through the woods without the camp being made the +theater for all sorts of strange dramas--wildcats, lunatics, and now +what?" exclaimed Jerry. + +"I think it would be just as well for us to sprint along and find out. +That Toby seems fated to get into the queerest scrapes ever heard of. +Here goes!" with which Frank began to run. + +The others kept close at his heels, and as the outcries increased they +even put on additional speed, bursting out of the timber to see as +strange a spectacle as ever greeted the eyes of woodsmen returning to +their camp. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +WHAT BLUFF DID + + +"Why, it's a bear!" exclaimed Jerry, as the three boys came to a +standstill on the border of the camp. + +"It sure is, and nothing less," admitted Frank, his face beginning to +pucker up with the advance stages of a laugh. + +"Oh! if I can only get my camera on him--what glorious luck!" breathed +Will, as his trembling fingers worked to drag the little black box out of +its cover. + +The bear was busy just then, in fact, exceedingly engaged. He had taken +to turning things over around the fire just as though some one had given +him a sheriff's search warrant, and he meant to use it to the limit. + +"He's hungry, all right; look at him getting away with the corn Uncle +Toby was just going to cook for supper. Say, that must be the same old +critter I interviewed while I was caged in that tree," said Jerry, +tickled at the thought. + +"What makes you think so?" demanded Frank. + +"He's so curious and so persistent, you see. Besides, I don't believe +there's another bear within ten miles of here. Oh! it's my old +friend, you just bet. And that means I ought to have the privilege of +slaying him." + +"Don't be piggish, Jerry. Let some of the rest of us do something or +other," remarked Frank, with a touch of satire in his voice. + +He had his own gun handy, and meant to have a share in getting a supply +of bear meat for the camp larder. + +"Do you see Uncle Toby? I'll be blessed if he hasn't gone and made a +ladder, and has used it to climb up in that tree yonder," declared Jerry, +snickering. + +"Sensible old Toby. If I had to make shift to be a monkey as often as he +has, I think I'd have a ladder, too. Saves considerable trouble, you see, +and the wear and tear on his clothes counts, too. But didn't we leave +Bluff in camp--I don't see anything of our pard, do you, boys?" + +A sharp "click" close to Frank's ear announced that Will was at his old +tricks again. He had snapped off a view of the shaggy visitor squatted +there with the open kettle between his paws, scooping up its juicy +contents with evident relish. Canned corn was a treat that did not come +his way every day, and Bruin meant to make the most of his opportunity. + +"I thought I had a glimpse of something moving over there back of the +tent, and it might be Bluff. I hope he don't try to shoo the old varmint +off before we get a whack at him. I've only got bird-shot in my gun but +at close quarters that ought to do as well as a bullet, eh, Frank?" asked +Jerry, excited at the prospect. + +"Wait I've a notion that you may be surprised yet. I've also a hunch, my +boy, that there will be another claimant for the honors of this +campaign. Sometimes surprises spring out of the very earth. Watch!" said +Frank, laying a hand on the gun of his chum, as though impelling him to +hold his fire. + +Suddenly there was a loud bang! + +The bear rolled over in a heap regardless of the congregated tinware that +was consequently sent scurrying to the right and to the left. + +"Who fired?" shouted the amazed Jerry. + +"Look out, fellows, the old rascal's up again, and I guess I'd better get +behind a tree with my camera!" exclaimed Will, suiting the action to the +words with commendable rapidity. + +Bang! went a second discharge at this juncture, and the bear now turning +bit savagely at its hindquarters as though its wounds smarted severely. + +Immediately a third discharge followed the others. Bruin had by this +time apparently sighted the party from whom all these stinging cuts must +have proceeded. He gave a roar of rage and lumbering awkwardly across +the space started to try and climb a little tree just alongside one of +the tents. + +"It's Bluff, and he's up in that tree!" shouted Will, as he peeped around +his own shelter, and took in the picture with another "click." + +"But--he's got a gun!" stammered Jerry. + +"Of course he has. Didn't he bring one with him? Perhaps a good fairy may +have given him a tip as to where it could be found. There! he has fired +again, and that time he missed, for the range was too close." + +Frank, as he was speaking, commenced to advance into the open. + +"Looky out, Marse Frank, he chaw yuh up, clean suah!" bawled Uncle +Toby, from the crotch in the tree where his ladder had allowed him to +reach. "Git up heah, honey, whah he can't reach yuh. Dat b'ar am ma-ad +clar t'rough!" + +"Four times he's shot--didn't I say he couldn't hit the side of a barn. +Think of him carrying a Gatling gun," said Jerry. + +"But he _has_ hit him more than once. Look how the brute is bleeding, and +just to think, Jerry, he's got two more chances. Those pump-guns don't +seem so very bad in an emergency," laughed Frank, who seemed to be +enjoying the little affair very much indeed. + +"There goes one more; and the bear still lives. Talk to me about that, +will you, if he didn't shoot its stub of a tail off that time! What next, +I wonder? Why not execute the poor beast scientifically, and not murder +him by inches?" + +He moved his gun forward again as though bent on shooting. Frank, +however, would not let him raise the weapon. + +"Wait, I say; give Bluff one more chance. Make allowance for his +excitement and his position while the bear is shaking that tree so. If he +misses again we will both fire together and put an end to the comedy +before it turns into a tragedy." + +"That's what it will be if Bluff ever drops down into those claws. Why +don't the duffer shoot? I can't stand it much longer, I tell you." + +"Hold hard. I've no doubt he's waiting to get a good show, when the bear +stops rocking that tree for a second. There now!" + +A sixth roar drowned Frank's last words. This time Bluff must have +steeled his nerves, and covered the side of the bear, for with the report +the animal keeled over, made a vain attempt to get up again, gave a few +kicks, and then lay still. + +"Hurrah! Bluff has killed his bear!" yelled Frank, rushing forward, and +swinging his hat excitedly. + +"Come down here and stand over the fallen beast while I immortalize you +as the mightiest Nimrod of them all," called Will, rushing up with his +camera ready to do the business with neatness and dispatch. + +Jerry said nothing. He looked a bit dejected as he stood there and +surveyed the dead bear. It was not envy that gripped his soul either, for +Jerry was generous by nature. Something else had seized upon him, and +Frank smiled as though satisfied with the way things had come out. + +Bluff came scrambling down from his uncertain perch, looking wild. + +"Is he really dead, fellows? Just to think that after all I did it with +my new repeating shotgun! Ain't it a dandy, though? If Jerry hadn't gone +to work and hid it away, I might have downed all the game that's come +into this camp," he said, looking upon the black, hairy beast with a +shudder, for he had had quite a severe fright while swaying to and fro +with an angry bear beneath waiting for him to drop, like a ripe +persimmon, as Jerry afterwards described it. + +"Jerry?" shouted Will, in blank amazement. + +"Yes, he stuck the gun in that long box over there. You remember his +falling over it and bruising his shins. That was what gave him the +miserable idea, I suppose. Anyway, he did it while the rest of us were +out in the brush hunting for the fellow who threw those rocks into our +camp," declared Bluff, scowling at the author of his woes. + +Jerry laughed, a little forcedly it is true. + +"I suppose I might as well own up, Bluff. I'm the guilty wretch, all +right. The temptation came to me, and I did the job without thinking what +it would mean to you. Honestly I've felt sore about it more than once +since, and had just about made up my mind to confess, when by some +accident, it seems, you found it. But you don't know it all. I hid the +gun and then, when I went to see if it was safe, it was gone. I didn't +know what to make of that, but fancied somebody else in camp had taken +it. Then I commenced a search, and I found the gun down near that hole. I +rather think some of the Lasher crowd came and took the gun, but I am not +sure. After I found the gun I brought it to camp and put it in the box +again. I take back some of the hard things I've been saying about that +weapon. She can shoot, all right, and in the hands of an expert might, +as I said, clean out all the game going." + +"Frank told me to take another look around, just before you fellows +left camp. I didn't have the heart to until a little while back, and +was delighted to find the gun under those pieces of canvas in the box. +It wasn't wet a bit in that hot old storm we had, either," continued +Bluff again, as be contemplated his quarry, and then puffed out with +honest pride. + +"Say, was it you shooting a little while back?" asked Will, just then; +"because we heard a lot of shots somewhere around." + +"Why, yes, I got Uncle Toby to stand behind a tree, and throw up the wash +basin half a dozen times while I banged away." + +"Yes," said Frank, picking up the article in question, "and to judge from +the holes you put through it we'll have to do without a basin during the +remainder of our stay in camp. But how do you suppose this bear wandered +into camp?" + +"Reckons dat he jest smells de cawn, Marse Frank, w'en I opens up de can, +an' by gorry, dat b'ar he can't resist de temptations to hab some. I seen +him comin' foh me, an' I jest lets out a yell an' runs up dis yer safety +ladder," remarked Toby, as he patted the article in question +affectionately. + +"We heard the yells, all right, and came running. Look here, Bluff, old +man, you got your bear in spite of my playing that mean trick on you; +are you going to call it quits, and be friends?" asked Jerry, holding +out his hand. + +"I--er--I don't know," stammered Bluff. + +"I am just as sorry as I can be, Bluff, really I am, and I'd give the +world if I hadn't played that trick. At first I was going to own up, but +when you went off after the Lasher crowd it--well, I didn't see how I +could do it. But after I got it back I hoped every hour that you would +look into the box and discover the gun. Oh, say you'll forgive me!" added +Jerry, pleadingly. + +"Well, I feel a bit raw about it yet, but this is no time to show +resentment, with such a glorious trophy at my feet. Yes, we'll call it +quits, Jerry, only after this you might forget to sneer at a gun that +happens to be different from yours." + +"I agree, and that ends it," said Jerry, as he squeezed the other's hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +BREAKING CAMP + + +And they had bear steak for supper. + +Honestly, none of them thought a great deal of the treat, only that it +seemed to be the proper thing for hunters to enjoy the results of their +prowess with their guns. + +Bluff was the happiest chap in camp, unless Will be excepted; he fondled +that recovered gun almost the whole evening, and while Jerry winced every +time he saw it, he dared not lift up his voice in protest after the great +work which the so-called Gatling gun had done in the hands of a +greenhorn. + +Jerry with all his skill in the line of shooting had never been given the +opportunity to kill a bear, and he felt that the time had gone by for him +to class Bluff as a "come-on." + +They spent a joyful evening, though, going over the exciting incidents of +the last forty-eight hours again and again. + +"And to think that we have only been up here a few days, boys. Why, if +this sort of thing keeps on at this rate during our two weeks' stay, +whatever in the world am I going to do for more films?" asked Will, +plaintively. + +"Keep the balance for especially good subjects," said Jerry, carelessly. + +"Yes, but sometimes, you know, the best pictures are those you fail to +get. Now, there was that one with you hanging to that ladder, I'll never +get over my disappointment about losing that. Whenever anything of that +sort crops up again, I hope nobody will steal my camera." + +"Talk to me about dogged perseverance, this fellow certainly has 'em all +beat to a frazzle," said Jerry, with an injured air, "I expect next he'll +be proposing that we go back to that old shaft, and while I hang by my +teeth to that blessed, shaky ladder, he will crack off a few views of the +circus. Don't you dare propose that, or I'll forget my promise to be +good, and begin to hide things again!" + +"Oh! all right, I won't mention it, only it's a shame, that's what, when +any fellow in these days refuses to put himself out a little just to +oblige a friend, and interest posterity," grumbled Will. + +They stayed up until quite late, singing songs of school and college +life, and having a happy time. Not one among the four dreamed of the +shadow that was even then hovering over Kamp Kill Kare. + +There was no alarm that night, for which one and all felt grateful. This +thing of being aroused out of a sound sleep to have the covers whipped +off by a roaring gale may read all very nice, but the reality is quite a +different matter. And when wild animals invade the peaceful camp it +strikes one as very funny in print, but is apt to bring about a chilly +feeling when encountered in real life. + +As usual, Frank was the first one up, and he soon had the camp astir with +his cheery calls. The nipping, frosty air proclaimed that now the Fall +had come in earnest, and that they would be glad after this to keep a +fire burning during each night, for warmth. + +As they sat about the blaze after breakfast, laying out plans for the +day, the sound of a horse's neigh startled them. + +"It's the sheriff, I reckon," said Jerry, as they jumped up. + +And he had guessed correctly, for presently they saw a horseman appear, +and as he came up he waved his hand in greeting. + +"Sorry, boys, but I've got some bad news for you," he said. + +"Anybody dead, or sick?" asked Frank, turning a bit pale. + +"Oh, no, nothing of that sort, I'm glad to say. This concerns you fellows +only?" was the quick reply of Mr. Dodd, the sheriff. + +The four boys looked at one another with alarm. + +"I bet I know what it is--the Head has concluded to start the school up +under half a roof, and wants us to come back right away!" said Will, +mournfully. + +Mr. Dodd laughed aloud. + +"Hit it the first slat out of the box, Will. And you've got to report +to-morrow morning, so you must go back to-day sure. I saw some of your +fathers, and they say the same, so there's no escape. Sorry to bring you +bad news; but looks like you've been doing your share of game-getting in +the short time you were here," nodding toward the bear that was hanging +up, and the deerskin, as well as the pelt of the invading wildcat. + +"Well, it's hard lines, sir, but I suppose we have to obey. But get off +and have breakfast. Toby just loves to cook, you know. There's plenty of +coffee left, and you can have your choice of bear steak, or venison," +said Jerry, hospitably. + +So the sheriff made himself at home. He even assisted the boys get +their things together preparatory to moving back to town, before riding +on further. + +The motor-cycles had been securely packed away under the big fly all this +time, and had not suffered at all from the rain. Indeed, the boys took +good care to keep them well oiled, knowing the benefit of having such +valuable pieces of mechanism in first-class order at all times. + +Jerry went over to the farmer's and secured the horses and wagon. Then +the work of dismantling Kamp Kill Kare began. They tried to appear gay, +but every one of the boys had become attached to the place during their +short stay, and felt badly over leaving these scenes with so much undone +that they had planned for. + +"Never mind, fellows, we're going to come again and again. This first +camp of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club isn't going to be the last, by any +means. And I guess we've learned a good many things on this trip," sang +out Jerry, cheerily. + +"That's true every day, with all of us. I'm learning all the time. And +next year when we get under canvas we will have a lot of pleasant +memories to look back to. Why, with Will's pictures to help out, the +winter will be a constant feast of stories about the things that have +happened to us up here," remarked Frank. + +"I'd like to have seen more of old Jesse. He's just chock full of woods +lore, and can give you all the points you want about animals and such. +How are things getting on out there, fellows? Is the wagon pretty well +loaded?" asked Jerry. + +"Have the last tent packed away in ten minutes. Toby says he can drive +all right, but we'll keep near by to lend him a hand if necessary. The +road is some rough in places until we get on the pike." + +Half an hour later the wagon moved away from the camp under the hemlocks. +Uncle Toby looked back and grinned amiably as he noted his ladder of +protection, and his friendly tree of refuge. + +Each boy in turn started his machine by walking, then vaulted into the +saddle, and began to move along the trail that led down to the lumber +camps at the head of the lake. + +No one said a word. In truth all were too full of emotion to speak, for +they felt this sudden flitting more than they cared to admit. + +A turn of the trail and no longer could they see the twin hemlocks under +which the two khaki tents had stood. Frank had broken up many times in +his camping experiences and knew just how it felt; but the sensation was +new to the others. It was as if they had just lost a dear friend--as +though something had gone out of their lives that could never be +recovered again. + +Now in advance of the trundling wagon, and anon bringing up the rear, +they kept on until finally the opening at the lumber camp was gained. +From now on their progress would be faster, and if they wished they could +leave Toby to come along with the wagon while they opened up and made a +speedy run for home. + +Somehow no one seemed to care about doing that. The wagon held something +that had been associated in their minds with the most delightful of +times, and they felt as though they ought to continue to act as a guard +of honor to the slow moving team. + +"Cheer up, fellows," called Frank, seeing how gloomy his chums looked; +"every one of us has good reason for feeling proud and satisfied, even if +our vacation has been cut short. I know I'm glad I came. I've had just a +glorious time!" + +"And to think of the fine pictures I'll be developing to-night. Oh! don't +I hope they turn out good, though. Frank, you promised to come around and +help me with your advice. I wouldn't take a chance of spoiling those +views for anything," said Will, beginning to brighten up at the thought. + +"And sure, I ought to be satisfied, with a deer, four wild dogs, and part +of a wildcat, too, as my portion," exclaimed Jerry, also smiling again. + +"Well, what d'ye think of me then, me and the blessed old pump-gun you +used to make so much fun about? A bear, a great big savage bear that was +trying to shake me down out of that tree It's in the wagon, too, and all +our folks are going to try how sharp their teeth are when they get to +biting a genuine bear steak. I rather think I'm in this thing some, eh, +fellows?" demanded Bluff, positively. + +"Yes, I rather believe you lead the procession this time, Bluff. Go up +ahead, and do the grand marshal act when we get near home. But, say what +you will, boys, we did have glorious fun. I doubt whether any fellows +ever had more adventures crowded into so short a time before. And we're +all of the same mind, I take it, ready to try it again at the very first +opportunity," said Frank. + +And how they did try it again will be told in another book, to be called: +The Outdoor Chums on the Lake; or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island." +In that volume we shall meet all our young friends again, and likewise +their enemies, and follow out the particulars of some decidedly thrilling +happenings. + +"Before we get into civilization again, let's give one last rousing cheer +for good old Kamp Kill Kare," cried Jerry. + +"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! tiger!" rang out four boyish voices; and then, +waving an imaginary farewell to the pleasant camp under the hemlocks, the +outdoor chums turned once more to the duties of school life. + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Chums, by Captain Quincy Allen + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10267 *** 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. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d14cbc --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10267 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10267) diff --git a/old/10267.txt b/old/10267.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5affde7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10267.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6152 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Outdoor Chums, by Captain Quincy Allen + +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: The Outdoor Chums + The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club + +Author: Captain Quincy Allen + +Release Date: November 25, 2003 [EBook #10267] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + + Or + + The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club + + BY CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + + 1911 + + + + +CONTENTS + + I PLANNING THE CAMPAIGN + + II READY FOR THE START + + III THE RACE FOR A CAMP-SITE + + IV UNDER THE TWIN HEMLOCKS + + V THE FIRST CAMP SUPPER + + VI BLUFF MEETS WITH A LOSS + + VII THE SHACK OF THE MUSKRAT TRAPPER + + VIII WHERE IS BLUFF? + + IX JERRY TAKES CHANCES + + X UNCLE TOBY FLIES HIGH + + XI A NIGHT ALARM + + XII THE TELL-TALE MATCH-SAFE + + XIII THE COMING OF THE STORM + + XIV HOW JERRY WAS TREED + + XV IN A BEAR'S HOLLOW + + XVI HEAPING COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD + + XVII AFTER THE STORM + + XVIII A STRANGE VISITOR IN CAMP + + XIX SURPRISING TRAPPER JESSE + + XX PROVING HIS CLAIM + + XXI DOWN THE OLD SHAFT + + XXII "LOOK PLEASANT, PLEASE!" + + XXIII MORE SIGNS OF TROUBLE + + XXIV WHAT BLUFF DID + + XXV BREAKING CAMP + + + + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +PLANNING THE CAMPAIGN + + +"Great news, Jerry! The storm last night damaged the roof of the academy +so that it has been condemned as unsafe. And the Head has decided that +there can be no school held for two weeks." + +"So Watkins was just telling me. He says most of the outside students are +to be sent home again until repairs can be made. And I was just thinking +that while I'm sorry for the Head, it opens up a jolly good prospect for +some of us." + +"How's that, Jerry? For myself, I was just feeling glad to be back at my +desk again, after vacation, and now it's knock around again." + +"All right, just stop and consider. There are four boys I know of, +constituting the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, who have been busy planning +an outing for next summer, back of the lumber camps at the head of the +lake. Talk to me about opportunities, what's to hinder us going into the +woods right now, and making use of our rods, guns, and that elegant new +camera your mother gave you on your birthday last week?" demanded the boy +called Jerry. + +"What's all this about, you two conspirators?" demanded one of two other +boys, swinging alongside just then, as though sure of a hearty welcome, +and a voice at the council fire. + +"Glad you came, Frank and Bluff, for I want your opinion. Jerry has +just sprung an astonishing idea on me, and I'm so dazed I hardly know +what to say. Are you ready for the question? All in favor of spending +the two weeks' additional vacation out in camp back of the lumbermen's +diggings say ay!" + +The two newcomers looked at each other as if trying to grasp the +immensity of the proposition; then they pulled off their hats, and giving +a shout threw them into the air while both roared the affirmative word: + +"Ay!" + +Jerry looked at Will, with a broad smile of delight on his face. + +"Three against one--the motion is carried!" he declared, triumphantly. + +"Oh! come, I wasn't opposed to it in the start, only you stunned me by +such a sudden and glorious idea. We'll meet with some opposition at home, +I expect; but where there's a will there's a way; and I move we make it +unanimous!" Will Milton hastened to remark. + +"Bravo! consider it carried; and just to think what a chance it will be +for me to try out my new outfit!" exclaimed the fourth boy, he who had +been called by the queer name of "Bluff" by one of his comrades; +possibly because, being the only son of a prominent lawyer, Dick Masters +may have been addicted to the habit of putting up a bold face even when +his heart was weak. + +Jerry looked at him rather superciliously at this remark, and threw up +his hands in a manner to indicate discouragement. + +"I'm genuinely sorry for the feathered and furry game of the woods when +the Great Hunter breaks loose with that terrible pump-gun. Mighty little +chance for anything to get away after _that_ is leveled, and the Gatling +opens fire," he remarked scornfully. + +"Huh! it's all very well for you to talk that way, Jerry, because you +happen to be a fine shot, and can bag your game the first clip; but +what's a fellow going to do when he finds it difficult to hit a barn? I'd +like to wager that with all your high-falutin' talk you do more +execution among the poor game than comes to my share," answered Bluff, +indignantly. + +"Oh! well, have it your own way. I've tried my best to show you what a +genuine sportsman should be like, always giving the game a fair chance. +Didn't I induce you to quit fishing with that murderous gang-hook last +summer; and when you did finally get a bass didn't you feel prouder than +if you just '_yanked_' him in, perhaps caught on the outside of his gills +with some of that deadly jewelry?" demanded Jerry, whose one hobby was +the "square deal" in all that he undertook. + +"I acknowledge the corn about the gang-hook; but that has nothing to do +with an up-to-date, repeating shotgun, and other things such as modern +campers use. I've kept posted, and I know what's going on. Some people +seem to be asleep, and are just contented to do as their forefathers did. +I'm progressive, that's what." + +"Well, boys," Frank Langdon here broke in with, "suppose you postpone +that old chestnut of a dispute until we're snug in camp; and let's +talk about how the thing can be done. The first thing is to get +consent at home." + +"I don't believe we need fear any trouble there. Frank, you call us up on +the 'phone in about an hour, and if everything's lovely and the goose +hangs high we'll meet at my house and make definite arrangements," said +Will, whose mother was a well-to-do widow, and seldom refused her +idolized son any reasonable request. + +"We could go on our motor-cycles, and have a wagon bring the duffle +along. If it started at a decent hour in the morning we'd be able to get +in camp by the middle of the afternoon, and have things fixed fairly well +for the first night," suggested Jerry, his eyes bright with anticipations +of a delightful time ahead. + +"You've got all the things needed, Frank; and now we'll see what your +experience up in Maine amounted to. Say, ain't this just glorious? Think +of it, two weeks' outing at this beautiful time of the year, and up there +in the woods where we were just planning to go next summer. I wonder if +old Jesse Wilcox has begun to set his traps yet; that's his +stamping-ground, you know, during the winter, and he makes quite a haul +of muskrats, 'coons, some mink and even an otter once in a long while," +said Bluff, enthusiastically--he was always a leading spirit in new +ventures, but lacked the pertinacity of Frank. + +"Don't you worry, old fellow, I'll be Johnny-on-the-spot when it comes +to delivering the goods. But all further talking had better be put off +until we find out whether we can go or not. So I move we adjourn, to +meet again an hour from now at Will's shack," remarked young Langdon, +always logical. + +They had stopped to talk the matter over alongside one of the stores in +the town; and indeed Bluff was perched upon an empty box, that lay at the +foot of a small pyramid of similar cases, piled up until such time as +they could be sold or destroyed. + +While the others were talking, Jerry had made a little discovery that +aroused both his curiosity and his temper: he had seen a touseled head, +surmounted by a cap he knew full well, push up a little above the rim of +the most elevated empty box, as if some concealed listener might be +endeavoring to hear better, and in his eagerness recklessly exposed +himself in this way. + +Jerry was always prompt about doing things, nor did he, as a rule, stop +to figure what the immediate consequences might prove to be. + +Indignation at the idea of their conference having been overheard +possessed his soul, and, seeing a splendid chance to bring the plans +of the listener to a sudden and disastrous end, he managed without +warning to give one of the boxes a flirt with his hand that moved it +out a foot or two. + +As it happened to be the keystone of the arch, the consequence was the +entire pile came tumbling down, much after the fashion of a crumbling +church during an earthquake. + +Bluff gave a wild shout, and sprang to a position of safety, to turn and +stare in astonishment at the remarkable result of the catastrophe. + +From under the ruins a figure came crawling slowly, rubbing sundry places +about his legs and sides, where the sharp corners of the boxes had been +in cruel contact with his flesh. + +"Why, it's Andy Lasher!" exclaimed Jerry, pretending to be wonderfully +surprised. "Where in the world did you come from--hiding in that drygoods +box, eh? Up to some of your old tricks, Andy, I guess. Going to carry off +the whole dry-goods emporium that time, perhaps?" + +The boy managed to get upon his feet, though he continued to limp around +and rub his legs vigorously, as he whistled to keep from groaning. + +Andy Lasher was known as the town bully, and many a time had he taken +delight in giving our four friends more or less trouble; Jerry and he had +always been at loggerheads, and could look back to half a dozen occasions +in the past where the contest for supremacy had brought them to the point +of battle. + +Each time Andy was supposed to have gotten the better of the conflict, +though his friends thought he paid dearly for his victory; but Jerry +seemed never to know when he was whipped, and was just as ready to try +conclusions with the other as before. + +"Some fine day I'll know how to outwit the big brute, and then I mean to +cure him of his bullying ways," he was wont to say cheerfully, as he +festooned his face with strips of adhesive plaster, and tried to grin +through the pain. + +"What d'ye mean upsetting me that way, Jerry Wallington? Think just +because your dad's a big railroad man you can knock poor fellers around +any old way? I guess I've got some rights. You might have killed me, +tumbling that pile of boxes down, with me inside. You ought to be made to +pay fur it, that's what," grumbled the fellow, scowling vindictively, and +yet not daring to assume the offensive while the four chums were present; +for he had never tried conclusions with Frank, and was suspicious of the +new boy in Centerville--for the Langdons had lived there about a year, +Frank's father having purchased the bank of which he was now president. + +"How could I know anybody was hiding up there?" demanded Jerry, in +pretended ignorance, though his eyes twinkled with humor as he watched +the bully limping around and still rubbing his knee. + +"Ain't I got a right to play hide-and-seek with my friends? Who told you +to stop just underneath, and talk about campin' out up above the lumber +docks? Think you're the whole team, do you? Well, perhaps you won't shout +just so loud when you know me and some of my mates are going up in that +region ourselves, to-morrow, to see old Bud Rabig, the trapper, and if we +have any trouble with you sissies there's bound to be a high old mix-up, +see?" and he glared first at one and then at each of the others in turn. + +The boys looked at one another in dismay, for it seemed as though some +would-be joker had tossed a bucket of ice-cold water over them; this +vague threat of Andy Lasher's was not to be lightly dismissed as mere +bluff, for whatever his reputation might be, the fellow had a way of +keeping his word, especially when it concerned any sort of mischief. + +Frank, however, laughed aloud. + +"That sort of talk doesn't cut any figure with us, Lasher. If we go up to +the head of the lake we'll try and mind our own business, and advise all +others to do the same, if they know what's good for them. We're not out +looking for trouble, but, if it comes along, you and your cronies will +find that there are four fellows who know how to take care of +themselves. Got that, Andy?" he said sternly. + +The bully looked at him fixedly for a moment, and then drawing back his +short upper lip after a way he had, and which made his face resemble that +of a snarling wolf, with fangs exposed, he remarked: + +"It makes me laugh to think of such a lot of tenderfeet in the woods. Be +careful not to shoot yourselves, kids. Guns are mighty dangerous +sometimes. And just make up your minds that we ain't agoing to be scared +by big words. The fellows that train with me have been up against hard +knocks too often to knuckle down before a lot of bluster and brag. Them +two weeks'll be the liveliest you ever knew, take my word for it." + +With his tongue in his cheek he scurried away, just in time to avoid the +proprietor of the store, who now came bustling out to learn what all the +racket might mean, and found our four boys busily replacing his pyramid +of empty boxes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +READY FOR THE START + + +Centerville was a thriving town situated almost midway down the east +shore of Camalot Lake, and very nearly opposite Newtonport on the +opposite bank; in consequence, there was more or less rivalry between the +two places, which condition extended from the shopkeepers and banks to +the sports of the boys of the bustling miniature cities. + +Since the four chums are to figure as the leading spirits in our stirring +tales of the Outdoor Club, it seems only proper that we should take an +early opportunity to introduce them more fully to the reader, together +with some of their more prominent hobbies, hoping that the acquaintance +thus begun may ripen into warm intimacy as we journey along in company. + +Jerry Wellington's father was a railroad magnate, and in full sympathy +with his boy's love for the open; indeed, it was from the elder +Wellington that Jerry, no doubt, inherited his love for fair play, +whether in games on the baseball or football arena, or in sports afield; +his sympathies seemed to be always with the under dog in the fight, and +he would scorn to shoot a rabbit or a quail unless in full flight; or to +take a game-fish by any other means than the methods in vogue among true +sportsmen. + +On the other hand, Bluff Masters could never get it through his head what +need there was for all this fuss and feathers about giving the game a +chance; he had the old primal instinct of the red Indian, whose one +desire was to secure his quarry, no matter whether by hook or by crook; +since Bluff never pretended to be anything of a shot, or an expert +angler, perhaps he was right in believing that, so far as he was +concerned, the game had all the chance necessary at any and all times. + +Frank Langdon, as mentioned before, was the son of the banker, and having +lived up in Maine knew about all there was to know about the tricks of +campers; since his chums as yet had had only limited chances to discover +what the extent of his knowledge might be, they were very anxious to put +Frank to the test, and learn a few of the said wrinkles, calculated to +make them better sportsmen. + +Frank had one sister, a pretty girl named Nellie, and Bluff Masters +had shown a decided partiality for her ever since they were first +brought together. + +The last one of the quartette, Will Milton, was one of the rich widow's +two children, and since he and Frank were deeply interested in +photography, it was perhaps only natural that Frank should be attracted +by Will's twin sister, Violet, whom he believed to be the sweetest girl +of his acquaintance. + +These four boys attended the private school of Alexander Gregory, D.P., +and the sudden announcement that during a recent storm the buildings had +suffered so severely as to necessitate the closing of the academy for a +limited period, had fallen upon the community like a thunderbolt from a +clear sky. + +Those students coming from a distance were being sent away at the expense +of the proprietor of the school; and others, who belonged either in +Centerville or Newtonport, were allowed to go home, subject to a call +some two weeks later. + +While the boys worked at replacing the fallen boxes, they kept up a +running fire of observations regarding this new calamity that threatened +their peace; for when Andy Lasher and the ugly crowd with which he +trained took a notion to make themselves disagreeable they could do it +"to the queen's taste," as Jerry said. + +"Shall we give the outing up?" asked Frank, after he had heard some of +the dire prophecies advanced by his comrades, especially Bluff Masters. + +"Never!" exclaimed Jerry. + +"Ditto!" cried Will, looking more determined than ever. + +"Oh! I'm just as anxious to go as any one, only it seemed right to look +the old thing squarely in the face before we started to lay plans. If the +rest say go, you can count on me all right. I'm the last to squeal if +trouble comes, and you know that, fellows," declared Bluff, glancing +around defiantly. + +It was a habit with Bluff to be always expecting something serious to +happen; and in case his suspicions were verified, as might occasionally +occur, he would crow over the others, and strut around as though he +thought himself a prophet gifted with second-sight, and able to forecast +coming events with ease. + +On the other hand, should the prediction fail to come about there was +always a good excuse handy to account for the failure. + +"Well," said Frank, as he winked at Jerry, "since we are all of one mind, +I don't know why we should waste any more time about it. For one, I'm +going straight to the bank and have a friendly chat with my dad. I just +feel dead certain he'll be as tickled over the chance of an outing as I +am. He never forgets that he was a boy, you see. So-long, fellows; see +you later at Will's house." + +There was a scattering then and there, Bluff heading in the direction of +the building where his father had his offices, while the other two kept +on in company, their homes being close together. + +Will was the only one who really expected any show of opposition: for his +widowed mother simply idolized him, seeing every day new traits of +character as well as little facial resemblances that made him appear more +and more like the husband and father who was gone; but then the boy knew +just how to overcome these scruples, and his arguments were always backed +up by his twin sister, so that in the end he usually attained his wish. + +His one great hobby lay in the line of photography, and such had been his +remarkable success with a cheap outfit that his mother had surprised and +delighted the boy on a recent birthday by giving him an expensive camera. + +Of course, he was fairly wild to get away into the woods and secure many +stunning pictures of the great outdoor folks, the birds and animals +inhabiting the wilds. Will cared little about shooting, and expected to +do all his hunting with his camera. + +When about an hour later Frank called each of his chums up on the 'phone, +and eagerly demanded to know how things had turned out, he was delighted +to hear them say one after the other that everything was lovely, and full +permission to go had been duly granted. + +After lunch they held a grand pow-wow at the home of Will, to which the +two girls were admitted; for it had been deemed best that all the schools +in both Centerville and Newtonport should be closed for a few days, in +order to make a few needed repairs after the storm. + +"Frank, consider yourself appointed commander-in-chief; and now please +tell each of us what we must do," said Will, as they gathered around in +the living room. + +"I'll see about the wagon that is to take our stuff up. One of us can +meet the driver on the road after we've picked out the spot for the camp. +Every fellow be sure to have his outfit ready at seven in the morning. +Bring two blankets apiece, and the things I've written down here--a +towel, soap, and such little necessities," returned Frank. + +"Who looks after the grub part of it?" demanded Bluff, who was never +known to be separated from his appetite. + +"That's my part, too," said Frank; "only, if any of you have any +particular fancy in the line of stuff to eat now's the time to add it to +the list I've made out." + +"Let's take a squint at it, partner," remarked Bluff, anxiously. + +He ran through the list. + +"Don't think I'm going on short rations," laughed Frank, noting the +expression akin to dismay appearing on the other's face; "but you see +we'll have our motor-cycles along, and when we need a new lot of +groceries it'll just be fun to mount and fly down here to pick up a +bundle. Read out the variety, Bluff, and see if any one thinks we want +anything else." + +"H'm, here's matches, sugar, tea, coffee, condemned milk--I mean +condensed milk--butter, four loaves of bread made at home by Frank's +hired girl, who's a dandy cook," read Bluff, in a sing-song tone. "Then +comes bacon, salt pork for cooking fish with, half a ham, potatoes, +pepper and salt, self-raising flour, cornmeal, fine hominy, rice, beans, +canned corn, tomatoes, Boston baked beans, a jar of jam, canned +corned-beef and crackers. + +"What else--don't all speak at once?" asked Frank, holding a +pencil ready. + +"I say a nice juicy beefsteak for the first night in camp; we won't be +able to produce any game at short notice, I reckon, and that would be +fine; just put that down for my sake, chief," observed Jerry. + +"And, say, ain't we going to have any onions?" asked Bluff indignantly, +at which Frank doubled up as if taken with a fit. + +"That's one on me, boys. Why, I wouldn't ever think of going into camp +without a supply of good onions along. If you ever came trudging home at +evening, with game on your back, tired to beat the band, and when near +camp sniffed fired onions cooking, you'd say they're the best thing ever +toted into the wilderness. That's the time you showed your good sense, +Bluff, old man. Onions? Why, to be sure, and plenty of 'em. Anything +more?" he laughed. + +The boys shook their heads; they had not had enough experience in camping +out to warrant suggesting other additions to the apparently complete list +made by the fellow who had been there, and knew all about the needs of +those who go into the wilderness. + +"All right. If you happen to think of anything just get it, that's all. +Look at Jerry grinning there. I bet I know what he's thinking about--that +all this is utter foolishness, and that we ought to start out with +nothing more than we could carry on our machines, and then take +pot-luck? How about that?" demanded Frank. + +"Oh! well, have it your own way, fellows," declared Jerry, with a shrug +of his shoulders; "you know my ideas about these things. I'm the kind of +a sportsman who goes into the woods as light as possible--give me a +frying pan, coffee pot, tin cup and a pie platter, some pepper and salt, +some matches, a camp hatchet to cut browse for my bed, and my trusty +rifle with which to supply the game, and I warrant you I can get along as +well as the fellow who makes a pack-horse of himself, and totes all sorts +of canned goods over the carries." + +"That sounds all mighty well in theory, but there's mighty little +practical sense about it. A blanket is the camper's best friend of a cool +night; and even if he is lucky enough to shoot enough game to satisfy his +wants, he'll get sick of one diet in a short time. I ought to know +something about it, for I've tried it both ways," declared Frank. + +"Yes," broke in Bluff at this juncture, "and you wait and see if Jerry +don't eat his share of every blessed thing we pack in--he won't refuse +one dish. He's quite satisfied to turn up his nose at others carrying +loads, while he goes free; but, at the same time, he eats a quarter of +the grub every time." + +Both Frank and Will laughed heartily at this, in which they were joined +by Nellie Langdon and Violet Milton. + +"Pshaw!" scoffed Jerry, turning a bit red at the same time, "if others +are silly enough to make pack-horses of themselves, and lug all such +things into the primeval wilderness, why, of course, I'm willing to help +dispose of them when the time comes; purely out of good-heartedness, you +see, for it makes their loads lighter. Just drop that subject, boys, and +put me down for a bottle of maple syrup; for when Frank gives us some of +those famous flapjacks he's told about so often, we ought to have the +proper thing to go with them." + +So they talked the thing over from beginning to end, and it looked as if +the team Frank expected to engage would have their work cut out for them, +hauling all this camp stuff over the roads to the point beyond the head +of the lake. + +The boys were evidently eager to get to work, and hence the conference +presently broke up, Jerry heading in one direction, and Frank and his +sister, with Bluff finding some plausible excuse for hanging on, going +in another. + +Later on that day, while Frank was at the big grocery store, giving +orders to have the various edibles put up so as to be ready on the +following morning before seven o'clock, he was interested in seeing Andy +Lasher, backed by several of his pals, actually making similar purchases, +though just where they secured the necessary funds, having no rich +fathers to appeal to, was somewhat of a mystery. + +Andy sent many a dark look across at the tall boy he secretly feared, but +apparently he knew that this was no time to bring matters to a head, and +hence there was nothing said; but the look on his freckled face told of +dark intentions. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE RACE FOR A CAMP-SITE + + +"All aboard for Kamp Kill Kare!" + +Frank Langdon jumped off his motor-cycle as he shouted these words, and +there was a scurrying among the other three boys, who had gathered at the +house of Will, which had been mentioned as a place of meeting. + +Each motor-cycle had numerous small packages secured about it after the +individual fancy of the owner. Will carried his precious camera over his +shoulder, but the tripod, a folding affair of the latest patent, was tied +to his wheel; Jerry and Frank had their guns securely cased, and so +arranged that they would not interfere with either the working of the +machine or any jumping on and off; while Bluff carried his new repeating +shotgun hung from his back with a strap. + +He saw Jerry eyeing the same with a sneer, and was up in arms +immediately. + +"Just you wait, and don't cry before you're hurt. This bang-up modern +machine shooter is no more murderous for me than yours is in your hands. +'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof!' and I'm ready to compare +notes at the end of our little expedition, to see who has slaughtered the +most game," and Bluff wagged his round head with its thatch of yellow +hair, defiantly. + +"Well, a man is known by the company he keeps, and any true +sportsman--" began Jerry, ready to open the discussion on the spot. + +"Rats!" exclaimed Will, as he got in readiness to mount his machine; +"stow all that hot air until the first chilly night. Perhaps you'll need +it before long. I say, Frank?" + +"Well, what?" + +"Has the wagon started along?" asked the other, eagerly. + +"Yes, I saw it off before coming over here. Everything's aboard, and +unless old Uncle Toby has an accident on the road, he guarantees to get +up there shortly after noon," replied the leader, quietly. + +"So, you got your hired man to do the driving; and I've half a suspicion +the team comes from your place, too. That's mighty nice of your father, +Frank. Suppose we could keep Toby with us one night to see us started?" + +"Father said we could have him all we wanted. He can take the horses +over to the nearest farm, where we expect to get our supply of fresh +eggs, and then do a part of the cooking for us, as well as chop wood and +some other stunts that, say what you will, kind of pall on a fellow after +a little while." + +"Better and better," remarked Jerry, who had been known on occasion to +flunk when it came to drudgery, and wanted to be fishing or roaming +pretty much all the day, and every day. + +"Well, the reason I asked was this: I wouldn't wonder but what Andy +Lasher and his pals might plan to intercept our supplies, and do +something mean to break up our fun," continued Will, earnestly. + +"Whew! I hadn't thought of that," remarked Jerry, looking alarmed. + +"I had, and I made an arrangement with old Uncle Toby to take Erastus +along in the wagon up to the point where we are to meet him at noon. You +know Erastus is the porter and watchman at the bank, and known to be a +fighter. When they see him sitting there beside Toby those fellows will +have business somewhere else, you mark me. He can come home on the late +afternoon train, one of us taking him over to the little station on a +motor-cycle. How does that suit you all around?" + +"Talk about your Napoleon for laying out plans; it couldn't be better +arranged. The supplies will be safe, then. Now, is there anything else to +remember?" demanded Jerry. + +"Not from me," replied Bluff, stealing a side glance at the open window +where Nellie and Violet were standing, watching the starting of the +wonderful expedition that was expected to startle the timid woods folks +up beyond the lumber camps at the head of the lake. + +"Count me out," declared Will, raising one foot to be ready to mount. + +"That settles it, then. Who goes first?" asked Frank. + +"You do, to start with. Later on, after we pass the wagon, Jerry will act +as guide, as he's been up there before, and knows a lot about the +country," called Will. + +"Then, here goes, fellows." + +Suiting the action to the word Frank ran with his machine, then gave a +vault into the saddle, started the engine, and with a loud popping the +motor-cycle began to hustle along the road at a moderately swift pace. + +Jerry came second, then Will, and last but not least Bluff, who was very +apt to have many things happen to his motor-cycle before the ten miles +had been reeled off, for that seemed to be just his fortune. + +"Good luck!" called the girls from the window; while the little +mother waved a 'kerchief from the doorway, and then hurried in to +shed a few tears, for, truth to tell, these partings always affected +her in this way. + +Through the town they went, with dogs racing alongside and barking +wildly, and quite a few persons waving them good wishes as they passed; +for it was pretty well known what the Outdoor Club had in view, and the +hunting toggery with which Bluff had adorned himself was a constant sign +as to the glut there would presently be in the game market of +Centerville. + +Then past Frank's home, where his father waved his hat as he stood in the +doorway, warned of the coming of the squad by the rampant popping of the +motor-cycles; and after that the open country, where the northbound road +ran alongside the calm waters of Lake Camalot, now glistening in the +frosty air of an October morning. + +Frank slowed up to allow of Jerry overtaking him, so that they might talk +as they covered the miles. + +"There's the wagon ahead," he said. + +"I had noticed it, and just beyond I thought I saw several fellows up on +the bank, perhaps Andy and his chums. It might be well for us to close +in and be ready to defend the wagon if necessary. And look out for any +sort of sharp-pointed nails on the road, apt to slash our tires," +remarked Jerry, who had experienced so much of the trickery of the +Lasher crowd that he believed there was nothing too mean or small for +them to attempt. + +"Not a bad idea, so slow up until the other boys arrive. They may hardly +feel like doing anything, now that we happen along." + +"I'd feel sure they wouldn't if we could only coax Bluff to exhibit that +awful pump-gun of his. Talk about your scorchers, I think Andy would run +a mile--I know I would if I thought the murderous thing was going to be +turned on me," growled Jerry, who, as the reader must already have +noticed, was a very persistent fellow, and hard to convince, especially +when on his favorite subject of a fair deal for every living creature. + +They moderated their speed, and passed the place where the hostile group +stood, with two riders on either side of the supply wagon. + +Then it was seen that Andy and his associates had impressed a +hungry-looking, gaunt mule into their service, the said animal being +fairly loaded down with an assortment of the most astonishing articles +ever dreamed of in the mind of would-be campers. + +Under the circumstances, with Erastus and Toby to help guard the camp +outfit, Andy's crowd did not dare lift a hostile hand; but they took +especial pains to hoot at the little company as it wheeled past, making +more or less sarcastic remarks, and yet being careful not to go too far. + +The truth was, they did not wholly like the looks of the big colored man +who sat there with old Toby, and of whose abilities as a fighter they +happened to know something about. + +When the rival campers had been left far behind, the boys considered it +safe to part company with the supply train, and dash off. + +"We've got lots to do, locating on a good campsite, remember, fellows; +those sort of things don't grow on every bush, I tell you; so, come +along," and Frank, as he spoke, let out another kink, the popping grew +more furious, and away he shot up the road in a little cloud of dust, +with Jerry at his rear, ready to take the lead as soon as there was any +necessity for choosing at the forks. + +Ten miles is a mere "flea-bite," as Bluff Masters said, when a good, +lively motor-cycle "takes the bit in its teeth," and it seemed as though +they had hardly more than got well started before the junction was +reached, where Jerry swung ahead, and the rest trailed after him. + +The pace had to be more moderate after this, for the going was not so +even; but, nevertheless, they made fair time, and finally swung around at +the head of the lake, where the logging camp was situated. + +It was early in the season, but there were some timber cutters at work in +the woods near-by, and a greasy man-cook stood in the doorway of the long +log cabin where the gang put up throughout the winter, while conducting +their operations of leveling the forest, or, at least, robbing it of all +the spruce for the pulp mill over at Bedington. + +Jerry held up at the lumber camp, for he wished to ask a few questions of +the cook, who was a man he happened to know in a small way, though never +particularly fancying Jock Stovers. + +The fellow stared at seeing a quartette of elegant motor-cycles come +dashing up to the loggers' winter quarters. + +"Hello! Jock. We're going into the woods to spend a week or two; wagon +following after with all the stuff. Where do you suppose we could run +across old Jesse Wilcox these days; and is he starting to do any +trapping?" asked Jerry. + +The lumber-camp cook grinned a little as he took in the new and striking +hunting apparel which Bluff Masters sported so airily; doubtless he +immediately concluded that the whole party must be a set of greenhorns, +incapable of knowing enough to come in out of the wet when it rained. + +"Oh! yes, he's to work, they tells me. Leastwise I heerd ole Bud Rabig +complainin' thet he never did hev a show wen Jesse he was around, +'cause the annermiles they jest seem ter hanker arter Jesse's traps. +Folks do say he hes a kinder scent he uses ter jest coax 'em like," +replied the cook, not above hoping these sons of Centerville rich +people might think it worth while to toss him a generous tip for any +information he gave them. + +"We are heading for that old camp by the twin hemlocks, where that spring +bubbles up, winter and summer. One of us will be back here to convoy old +Toby in with the chuck wagon, and get Erastus over the farmers' station, +where he can catch a late train back. Just tell them to wait here, if +they come before I arrive, and here's some tobacco money for your +trouble, Jock." + +The cook nimbly caught the flying coin, and grinned his thanks. + +"Oh! I'll tell 'em all right, don't yer be 'fraid, Jerry. Say, they was a +party o' three as started in ter camp jest whar ye say, about a hull hour +ago. Boys from Centerville, too, but a tough-lookin' bunch. They tried to +do me for a breakfast, but I come out with a gun, and they shooed. Reckon +that Pet Peters was wun o' the gang." + +"Whew!" + +Jerry looked at the others in some dismay. + +"What'll we do, fellows; that's Andy's right bower. He must have started +the three of them up here last night, meaning to have them squat by the +spring first, and keep us off. And I did want to camp just there above +all places! It's been on my mind all night," exclaimed Jerry, +disconsolately. + +"An hour, you said, Jock?" asked Frank, always quick to decide +knotty points. + +"I reckons about that; but them fellers was dog-tired, an' I don't think +they's agoin' ter git up to thet spring in a hurry," replied the cook, +still squeezing the half dollar, as if to "make it squeal," as Bluff +remarked later. + +"Perhaps we can get there before they do. Suppose we make a try, Jerry?" + +For answer Jerry started his machine on a run, jumped aboard, and was +quickly dashing away at rather a reckless pace, considering the rough +"tote" road he had to follow. + +The others were close at his heels, and altogether the rattling reports +of the four exhausts quite excited the lumber-camp cook, who stood there +in the doorway gaping, as long as the motor-cycles remained in sight. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +UNDER THE TWIN HEMLOCKS + + +"Say, ain't this going-some, for a rough road?" called Bluff, who was +pounding along close behind Jerry, Will bringing up the rear. + +"Beats everything I ever did on wheels--wow! that was a scorcher of a +jolt! I hope none of the wheels break down!" answered the other, over his +shoulder; but he dared not take his eyes off the uneven "tote" road which +they were following, for more than a second at a time, lest some +unfriendly root hurl him into the ditch, a wreck. + +"See anything of 'em, Frank?" wheezed Jerry a bit later, as he kept +his machine close behind the leader; for somehow in this race for +the campsite Frank just naturally forged to the front from mere +force of habit. + +"Thought I had a peep of something moving ahead--soon know," came +the answer. + +Some more jumping followed, and it required considerable agility on the +part of the four riders to keep their saddles. + +Then they made a turn, and discovered three boys in full flight ahead. + +"There they are!" cried Jerry, in excitement. + +"How far ahead is the spring?" called Frank. + +"About half a mile, I reckon." + +"Good! Then the game is ours, barring accidents!" + +The three fellows ahead kept turning around every dozen seconds, as if +worried at the rapid approach of the others. + +"Keep your eyes peeled; they're hatching up some sort of mischief!" +called Frank, who knew the signs. + +He saw that the others began to wobble in their movements, which was +plain evidence that they had tired themselves out by their night tramp, +and were in no condition to compete with the motorcycles, even on this +rough stretch of road. + +The tall, athletic-looking leader of the trio suddenly jumped aside, and +stooped over as if snatching something from the ground. + +"'Ware, hawks!" shouted Bluff, who had noted this maneuver. + +It could now be easily seen that Pet Peters had fastened upon quite a +cumbersome branch of a fallen tree, and his purpose was manifest when he +stepped out as if to drop it across the road, meaning to wreck the +machines as they swept on. + +Frank changed his course just a trifle, but was now heading straight for +the unprincipled schemer, who would have taken the chances of seriously +injuring some of the party in order to further his own plans. + +The sight of that heavy motor-cycle heading straight at him rather +demoralized Pet, who did not know but that Frank meant to chase him until +he got him; so that he dropped the branch before he had quite covered the +entire space across the narrow road, and made a wild leap for safety. + +Consequently, Frank was able to veer aside and skim past the dangerous +obstruction without coming a "cropper" in the ditch. + +Jerry also swept by, and the others were coming so fast on the heels of +the two leaders that the bewildered roughs could not pull their wits +together in time to make any successful swoop. + +Perhaps they were not particularly anxious to arouse the party after +all; for the sight of the weapons they carried, and, above all, the +martial appearance of the khaki-clad Bluff, must have impressed them +more than a little. + +"Hurrah! the camp is ours!" yelled the tail-ender, as he clung to the +rear of the remarkable procession; for never before had these solemn +woods witnessed anything like such a progressive picture of modern magic +as these four lads booming along on metal steeds capable of making fifty +miles an hour and more, in case of necessity, and over a smooth road. + +A few minutes later of more moderate traveling brought them to a point +where a view could be had of the camp-site. + +"Over to the right--notice those twin hemlocks yonder--well, the +wonderful spring bubbles up close beside those trees. Hold up, Frank!" +called Jerry. + +So the quartette dismounted, jumping from their wheels while still in +motion, after the habit of those who use motor-cycles. + +In another minute all of them were bending low over the spring, testing +the delightfully clear waters of the same. + +Loud were the exclamations of satisfaction that arose, for their ride had +made them thirsty, and the water was as cold as ice. + +"A cracking good spot for a camp," was the verdict of the experienced +Frank, as he allowed his eyes to rove about, and take in the +surroundings. + +Jerry beamed with pleasure. + +"Knew you couldn't help liking it, for it seemed to cover all the +necessities of the case, as far as I know them," declared Jerry, whose +knowledge was founded pretty much on theory based on extensive reading +rather than a practical experience such as Frank had passed through. + +"This little knoll will serve to shed water when it rains, as it's sure +to do some time or other; it always does when you camp; and the water is +just far enough away to keep the spring from being polluted by any refuse +from the fire. Yes, and the trees around here have not been touched by +lumbermen, so that the whole aspect is restful to the eye. I like it, +Jerry; it's a regular jim-dandy place." + +"Hunk, I say!" declared Bluff, after his usual explosive fashion; but if +his manner was crude, he generally hit the nail on the head, and no one +could mistake his feelings in the matter. + +He immediately squatted down and began to take his gun out of its case, +an operation Jerry eyed with alarm. + +"Say, look here, what are you going to do with that machine, eh? Are +you so wild to get at the slaughter that you can't wait a decent length +of time, and give the poor birds and beasts a chance to know we're here +for a long stay? For goodness' sake, show some sportsman spirit, +Bluff," he exploded. + +The other looked up with an injured expression. + +"Why," said he, "I'm only thinking of those three desperate characters +rushing our camp, and I wanted to let them see we are able to look out +for ourselves, that's what." + +"Oh! if that's the case, hold up that tool, and I bet they light out +faster than they come--who wouldn't, I'd just like to know, when--" + +"Hey, Jerry, can the wagon get in here?" asked Will, knowing what the +dispute would lead to if allowed to go on any further. + +"Why, yes, I think so, if Toby knows how to manage right; you see he can +turn to the right, cross behind that thicket, and bring up here; +certainly the wagon can haul up here--if it ever gets to this point +safe," replied the other. + +"You and I will look out for that, and when we ride back to convoy it +here, depend on it, we'll have our guns ready to make a good showing," +remarked Frank. "I don't think those three fellows will dare attack us, +especially when they see Erastus. They know him all right, from sad +experience. You see 'Rastus used to be something of a prizefighter in a +small way among his kind, and nothing delights him half so much as a +scrap once in a while; and the town rowdies have suffered at his hands." + +"All right; say when, and I'll be ready to go." + +"Plenty of time. I figure that the wagon won't get to the lumber camp +until noon, so in the meantime we can be using that nice ax Will has +strapped to his machine, and doing a number of things. Firewood is a +mighty handy article to have around a camp, boys, and it's simply +wonderful what a big lot of it is needed." + +"A hint is as good as a command, Frank; just understand that we're ready +to do anything you suggest, for we all want to learn the ropes as soon as +we can. What are you going to do?" he asked, as Frank unsheathed a camp +hatchet, and commenced to look around, as if in search of some particular +kind of wood. + +"Well, you see, I remember that I lost my tent pegs the last time I +camped in Maine, and it's up to me to cut a new supply. No better time +than now, while we're waiting for the wagon. Then I expect to lay out +several poles on which to stretch the tents--one tall one for the +center, and a couple of others outside for the fly that forms a +shelter," remarked Frank, commencing operations on what seemed a +suitable piece of hickory. + +"What sort of tents are they?" asked Jerry, watching all that the other +did, so as to catch the true spirit of the thing from practical +observation, which somehow seemed vastly different from what he read in +his books on sport. + +"The kind which most canoeists like in these modern days. They're big +enough to accommodate four in a pinch, although it's much better to have +only two in each, and that's why I brought both along. Then, when the fly +in front is raised it makes a splendid place for the table, being +sheltered from sun and rain. Each tent has a waterproof floorcloth, to +keep the dampness out. Wait and see, Jerry." + +They worked like beavers for a time. + +When one tired his muscles chopping firewood another was eager to take up +the job, and it was wonderful how the pile of fuel increased. + +Frank rubbed his hands with pleasure when, an hour or more later, he came +over to take a look at it, having completed his own task, as the quantity +of tent pegs announced. + +"That's fine, fellows" he declared, laughing. "If you'd ever gone through +what I did once, when lost in the Maine woods one bitter cold night, +you'd never think you could have too big a pile of the stuff. Perhaps +some time I'll tell you about that experience; for I'll never forget it, +never. But, Jerry, suppose we get ready to run back to the lumber shack, +and wait there for the wagon? I won't be easy until we see it here. A +little snack first from the grub I've got here, and which Nellie put up +for us, and then we'll meander over the back trail," he said. + +"Grub!" exclaimed Bluff, starting up from the soft, mossy cushion he had +fashioned, after doing his little stunt with the ax; "count me in, +please, and especially if your sister put it up, Frank, for I reckon it +must be the boss feed then." + +At which the others smiled, for Bluff's weakness regarding Frank's pretty +sister was something of a joke among them. + +But when the package was undone there were broad grins, for dainty +sandwiches flanked by a generous assortment of wings and drumsticks, +connected at one time with a number of spring chickens, came into view, +besides some pickles, and even a bunch of cookies, which Frank assured +his chums had been actually made by the fair hands of Nellie herself. + +They had hardly known just how hungry they were until the first bite was +taken, and then little was said for some time, on account of the rapidity +with which those four sets of sturdy jaws worked. + +But, as might have been expected, Bluff was the first one to reach out +his hand and secure one of the aforesaid cookies, which he munched with +closed eyes, as if mentally picturing the sweet girl from whom the +treat had come. + +"All ready for the road, Jerry!" exclaimed Frank, jumping up. + +"On deck, captain; I'm with you," came the reply, just as cheerily. + +"You fellows keep a good watch, though I don't fancy you'll be +bothered by the three advance scouts of the Lasher brigade," remarked +Frank, as he pushed his machine into position, and prepared to run +with it for a start. + +"Huh!" grunted Jerry, casting a side glance toward Bluff, who was +already shifting his repeating shotgun to a position where it could lie +across his knees as he sat there on his mossy hassock; "I bet they +won't, not as long as that thing is in sight. Talk about your +scarecrows, I'd like to wager--" + +"To be continued in our next; come along, Jerry," cried Frank, as he +started on. + +A minute later the merry popping of the two exhausts told that the convoy +for the "chuck-wagon," as they called it, was on the way. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE FIRST CAMP SUPPER + + +"They don't seem to be around," said Jerry, when he and his chum had +covered at least half the distance to the lumber camp, without seeing +a sign of the three fellows who had tried to dispute their advance in +the morning. + +"I hope they're not hovering around our camp, to make trouble for the +boys," observed Frank, shaking his head. + +The other laughed aloud in a scoffing way. + +"All I can say is, I'm mighty sorry for Pet and his pals if they try that +sort of business when that criminal of a Bluff is sitting there with his +Gatling gun, ready for work. I'd sooner face a tiger, honest I would, +than that instrument of destruction. I bet there won't be a chippy left +around here when we get out." + +"Oh! shucks, Jerry, remember that he isn't in your class. When he empties +that six-shot gun and makes a miss every time, what does it matter? If +the game had only poor Bluff and his repeater to fear they could well +laugh. But when _you_ look over the sights it's a different matter." + +"That's nice of you, Frank. I'll try and be more lenient with the poor +fellow, then. Anyhow, I know he shuts both eyes when he pulls the +trigger, for I've watched him more than once. A man that's gun-shy never +will make a success as a hunter. Isn't that so?" + +"I've been told so; but, all the same, Bluff is a good-hearted chap, and +I like him first rate. He furnishes fun for the whole squad; and, +besides, nothing makes him mad--at least, if he ever brushes up it's +over and done with like a flash. But isn't that the lumber camp ahead--I +thought I had a glimpse of it through the trees--there it is again!" +said Frank. + +"You're right, but I don't see the wagon." + +"I hardly thought it would be here before half an hour more. We +needn't go any farther than the cabin, and can be taking in the sights +while we wait." + +"Precious little to see here; don't compare with some of the big +camps up in your Maine, I guess. But they're making a gash in the +timber all right, and in a few years it'll be all gone--that is, what +is worth taking." + +They came to a halt near the log cabin, from which the head of the cook +was quickly thrust, he having heard the sound of their engines as they +approached. + +"Back again, boys?" he inquired genially, for the vision of that coin was +still fresh in his memory. + +"Bad penny always comes back, Jock," laughed Jerry. + +"We've come to convoy the wagon in. You see all our supplies, tents, grub +and blankets happen to be in that wagon, and we don't mean to let it be +captured by any of the Lasher crowd," remarked Frank. + +He saw the cook start at the mention of that name, as he muttered: + +"Butch Lasher a-comin' up hyer--then them fellers must aben some o' +his pals." + +"Just what they were," and Frank went on to explain how it came there was +a second vacation for the academy boys of Centerville, and also the +unfortunate fact of Andy, known among his chums as "Butch" for some +unexplained reason, having determined to take an outing in the same +region at the identical time they had arranged to come. + +"We expect to have trouble with them right along, but they'd better be +careful how they try any of their smart tricks on us up here. We mean to +let them alone, if they mind their business and pay no attention to us; +but, on the other hand, we know how to defend ourselves, and we've got +the means to do it," he went on. + +The cook shook his touseled head. + +"Thet critter is sure a terror, an' I orter know," was all he would +say; but the boys could imagine that there was some sort of a story +back of it. + +Less than ten minutes later, while Jerry was prowling around looking +at the bunks in which the lumberjacks slept when in camp, the sound +of voices came to Frank, who was watching outside, and looking down +the crooked road he caught sight of the wagon, with the two colored +men on the seat. + +A shout brought Jerry plunging out of the door, and he joined in noisily +greeting the coming of the team. + +It had been previously arranged that he was to take Erastus on his +machine over to the station on the railroad, about two miles away, +so that he might get the afternoon local, which would stop upon +being flagged. + +Meanwhile, Frank would escort the wagon to the camp, feeling quite able +to take good care of the supply train, as Jerry called it, when he tired +of saying "chuck-wagon." + +Jerry got away first, with Erastus perched behind him, and grinning from +ear to ear with the novelty of the experience. + +"H'm, he won't think it so funny if they strike a root and take a header; +but then Jerry's a cautious driver, and he knows something of the lay of +the land; so I hope they'll get along without a spill. Now, Uncle Toby, +do you think you can stand a mile or two of rough sledding; for the +'tote-road' is hardly meant for a wagon with springs?" Frank asked, as +the other vanished from sight, going back along the way they had come +from Centerville. + +"'Deed an' I specks I kin, Marse Frank; dis chile is able to stan' a +heap o' knockin' 'round on 'casion. S'long as I keeps my shins safe, I +don't seem to keer 'bout much else. Say de word, sah, an' I'se ready to +hit um up ag'in right peart," was the reply from the old, gray-headed +Toby, who had worked for Frank's father many years--indeed, he was fond +of saying he had been a slave in the Virginia branch of the Langdon +family "befo' de wah." + +The horses had not had a very hard pull up to this time, and were, +therefore, in pretty fair condition to attempt the last quarter of +the journey. + +And they needed all their strength to drag that heavily-laden wagon over +the half-broken road, where so many obstacles stuck up to jolt the poor +driver until he almost lost his grip on the seat, though the boys had +been able to avoid most of these because they could steer aside with the +single line of wheels. + +But the vehicle had been well made, and the horses were full of vim, +while the venerable black man who gripped the reins was a "sticker," as +he expressed it, after being once tossed out upon the back of the near +horse by the sudden stoppage of the wagon. + +After rather a trying experience they finally sighted a column of smoke, +and, calling Toby's attention to this, Frank said: + +"That's as far as we go this time, Toby." + +Toby shut his eyes for a brief moment and doubtless gave thanks, for his +poor old body must have been pretty well bruised by this time. + +Will and Bluff had spied the wagon by now, and they shouted a +noisy welcome. + +"Now we're prepared for a siege, with the grub at hand," cried Bluff, +dancing around with his gun held on high. + +"Say, be careful with that contraption, will you? If ever it started +going off not one of us would live to tell the ghastly tale," called +Will, as if really and truly alarmed, which, of course, he was not. + +Bluff gave him an indignant look, for it pained him to have his pet +gun insulted after this rude fashion; but he was too much delighted +over the coming of the supply wagon to cherish any animosity; and +besides, as Frank said, he never could keep on being angry over a few +minutes at a time. + +Such fun they had getting that vehicle unloaded. + +Then the tents had to go up, which was an operation that consumed +considerable time, for Frank proved to be very exact in his way of +arranging things, and would not accept any poor work. + +When finally both tents had been erected, with a burgee bearing the club +name floating from the very tops, the camp began to have a mighty cheery +look that was invigorating. + +Then another fly was put up just in the rear, under which some of the +coarser provisions, such as water would not injure should the rain get +in, were stored; here, too, Toby was to bunk while in camp. + +"Everything looks like business, boys," said Jerry, as he came in later. + +"What did you do with Erastus?" demanded Frank; "upset him in a ditch?" + +"Do I look like I had been rooting? He got off on the train, and is +home by now." + +Home--the boys looked at each other, for it already seemed as though +they had been away a long time, and yet their first night under canvas +was still ahead. + +They meant to keep the horses with them over night, and next day Jerry +would go with Toby to the farmer's, about a mile off, leaving the outfit +there until it was needed to take them back again. + +As evening came on the boys began to lie around and watch the old darkey +start operations for supper, which he did with evident delight; for Toby +loved nothing better than to get away with "Marse Frank" and some of his +friends, where he could wait upon them and enjoy a holiday in the woods. + +The unusual exertions of the ride and subsequent wood-chopping had really +tired all of the chums, though none of them would publicly admit it. When +Bluff attempted to get up in a hurry for some purpose, he found himself +so stiff he could hardly move, and it was only after much grunting and +three distinct efforts that he finally managed to reach his feet. + +Frank only smiled. + +He had expected just this, and knew that in a few days the boys would +have succeeded in getting the kinks out of their muscles. + +Bluff had insisted that they have fried onions with that glorious +steak, and, indeed, he even prepared a dozen of the same himself, for +Bluff could be very persistent when he chose; Frank called a halt at +this number. + +"We may want a few another time, old fellow," he admonished. + +"Oh! all right, then. I was just waiting till somebody called me off. +I've shed more tears than Brutus ever dropped at the bier of Caesar. Wow! +some kind person wipe my eyes, please; my hands are too rank to touch my +tear-rag," he declared, and Will performed this friendly office, thinking +that he deserved it after his heroism. + +The coffee was soon bubbling on the fire, and the delightful odor of that +fine sirloin steak, together with a second frying-pan full of onions, so +permeated the surrounding atmosphere that had any of the Lasher crowd +been hiding in the vicinity they must have suffered tortures in the +thought that they were debarred from that glorious outdoor feast around +the first campfire. + +"Look there!" said Jerry, quietly, pointing as he spoke. + +"It's a little chipmunk come to find out what all this row is about +here," remarked Frank, tossing a piece of bread toward the cunning +animal. "If you don't do anything to frighten them away we can have a +lot of such friendly creatures hanging around the camp all the time." + +"Then, for goodness' sake, chain up that annihilator of Bluff's before he +gets it working overtime. Looks as if he had an eye on it just now, for +game is game to the pot hunter, no matter how he gets it, or what it +happens to be," growled Jerry, scowling in the direction of the other, +who only grinned in reply. + +"Supper am ready, gemmen. Kindly draw yer seats 'round de table," +announced the tow-headed cook at this juncture; and in the eagerness +to appease their keen hunger everything else was forgotten for the +time being. + +Two collapsible tables had been brought along, and these were placed +under the raised fly of one of the tents, so that the warmth of the open +fire could be enjoyed; but the whole supper had not been cooked after the +old fashion, for Frank had a little outfit that burned kerosene, making +its own blue flame, and which the other boys declared to be the finest +thing of the kind they had ever seen. + +A set of aluminum ware went with it, the kettles nesting in each other; +there were cups, dishes, knives, forks and spoons for four persons; +besides, Frank had added a lot of kitchen things from the house, so that +they were amply supplied. + +The supper was almost finished when something crashed through the +branches of a tree and fell at Frank's feet. + +"What's that?" exclaimed the boy. + +Crash! came another object. It landed on a platter and bounded off into +Bluff's lap. + +"A rock! Somebody is throwing rocks at us!" cried Will, starting to +scramble to his feet in wild excitement. + +"It must be one of that Lasher crowd," ejaculated Jerry; "come on, boys, +and let's get hold of the fellow!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +BLUFF MEETS WITH A LOSS + + +The wildest excitement ensued. + +Jerry met with a mishap right in the beginning of the hunt, falling over +the long box in which much of their camp material had been carried. + +It happened to lie just back of the tent, empty save for a few fag-ends +of canvas brought along in case of need, and with the cover in place. + +"Talk about your obstacle races!" he shouted, as he scrambled up, and +went limping after the others; "this has 'em beaten to a frazzle." + +The hunt for the offender was without result. He had evidently made haste +to scuttle off, after heaving the stones at the camp. + +Frank and Will, after searching for some little time, started to return +to the camp, and on the way overtook Bluff. + +"Where's Jerry?" asked Frank, as they joined forces. + +"Don't know," came the answer, as Bluff pushed on eagerly ahead; "last +I saw of him he was taking a header over that long coffin-box back of +the tents." + +"I hope he didn't hurt himself badly, that's all. What's your hurry, +Bluff?" continued Frank, noticing that the other seemed particularly +anxious to get along. + +"Why, I left my gun standing against a tree," replied Bluff. + +"Well, we all did about the same thing. I forgot I had a gun, in fact, +being so anxious to get my hands on that chump who bombarded our camp. I +guess you'll find the gun safe. Uncle Toby stayed in camp," said Frank, +nudging Will. + +"He did not. I saw him scooting off like a scared dog. Like as not that +coon is hiding somewhere under the bushes at this very minute," +declared Bluff. + +At which both the others laughed. + +Presently the cheery blaze was seen through the trees. + +Some one was there, for they could see him bending over as though +busily engaged. + +"It's Jerry, all right," said Bluff, over his shoulder. + +"But what in the wide world is he doing? I believe he's been hurt, boys," +declared Frank, with a touch of anxiety in his voice, for Jerry and he +had been very thick of late. + +"Binding a bandage around his shin, as sure as you live! Hello! What +happened to you, old fellow? Did one of those rocks hit home, or was it +the box you tried to capture that jumped up and kicked you?" asked Will. + +Bluff was in the meantime rushing wildly about the camp as though looking +for something. + +"I tumbled over that plagued box, that's all; and after limping around +for a spell thought I'd better come back and put some witch-hazel on the +bruise," explained the other, turning down his trousers' leg, and +scrambling to his feet to ascertain how well he could walk. + +"It will be some stiff in the morning, I reckon. Talk about your bears, +I thought one had me nailed when I fell over that thing 'ker chunk,'" he +continued, as he rubbed his shin and screwed his face up as if to +conceal his pain. + +"I told you so--it's gone!" shouted Bluff, at this juncture. + +"What's gone?" echoed Will. + +"My gun! Something seemed to tell me it was a silly thing for me to run +off in that way and leave it. And now they've stolen it!" wailed Bluff. + +"What! Do you really mean to say you can't find it?" questioned Frank. + +"Help me look, fellows. Oh! my heart will be broken if it's true. I was +just dreaming of what great things I meant to do with that splendid +repeating shotgun. Please search around the camp!" pleaded Bluff. + +Of course they immediately started a thorough hunt for the strangely +missing weapon, even the limping Jerry seeming as deeply interested in +the search as any one of his comrades. + +High and low they looked, turning over all the blankets in the tents, but +not a sign of the wonderful "pump-gun" could they discover. + +The other guns were just where they had been left, and so far as they +could see not another thing had been stolen. + +"I declare, this is mighty queer," remarked Frank, when they were ready +to give over the quest. + +"Strangest thing I ever heard of," declared Will. + +"Talk about your airships, I think the blooming old thing must have taken +wings and sailed away," grunted Jerry, still rubbing his wounded shin +sympathetically. + +"But why should they pick out Bluff's gun of the lot?" demanded Frank. + +"That's easy enough to answer. They knew a good thing when they saw it, +I bet that crowd noticed what a bully gun I carried, when we passed them +on the road, and they've been hanging around ever since," avowed Bluff, +positively. + +"Then the rocks--" began Will + +"Were fired at us only to tempt a rush. It was all a plot, fellows, to +coax us away for a short time. And the worst of it is the game worked +only too well. I'll never get over that loss, never! I feel sick!" +went on Bluff. + +He kept shaking his head as if working himself up into a desperate frame +of mind. Evidently it would have gone hard with any one of Andy Lasher's +crowd if the offended boy could have laid hands on him just then. + +"I wonder if Uncle Toby could give us any information on this subject?" +suggested Frank. + +"Oh! call him in and see. Perhaps he even grabbed it up in his fright. +Shout to him, Frank, please," exclaimed Bluff, eagerly. + +"Hello! Uncle Toby! Show up here; the coast is clear, and all +danger past!" + +Placing his hands about his mouth, after the fashion of a megaphone, +Frank shouted these words several times. + +"There he comes!" cried Will, pointing to a moving object. + +"Has he got anything in his hands?" gasped Bluff, anxiously. + +"Not that I can see," replied the other. + +Bluff groaned and wrung his hands disconsolately. + +"It's gone, boys! I'll never set eyes on that beauty again. Might as well +give up and go back to town," he said, gloomily, as if brokenhearted. + +"Oh! shucks! Don't give up so easy, Bluff. Who knows but that we may find +a chance to recover the gun again, sooner or later. Live in hopes." + +"It's easy for you to say that, Frank, when your gun is all safe and +sound. Why, what can I do now without anything to shoot game with?" + +"Well, I wouldn't worry about that. This is Kamp Kill Kare, you know. +Trust us to find plenty for you to do. There'll be fish and game to +clean, and dishes to wash while Toby is busy at something else. Oh! you +can be useful all right, I give you my word, Bluff," said Frank, gaily. + +The aggrieved boy gave him one indignant look. He did not seem in a humor +to trust himself to speech. + +Meanwhile the aged darkey had entered the camp. + +"Have you seen my repeating-gun, Toby?" demanded Bluff, striding +up to him. + +"'Deed an' I hasn't seen any gun since I jumped into de bush to find dem +young raskils wot trowed dat stone at me. I war just a-wishin' I had a +gun along. Wouldn't I jest a peppered dem scalawags as dey run past me?" +replied the old fellow. + +"Say, did you see them then?" demanded Frank. + +"I shore did, Marse Frank." + +"How many were there?" came the quick question. + +"I war jest a-countin' ob dem jailbirds, an' had 'rived at 'leven w'en a +'streperous root she keeled me ober. W'en I gits up agin dey had gone. +Den I heard Marse Frank a-callin' me to come back," went on Toby, glibly. + +The boys looked at each other and smiled. They knew that without doubt he +had been cowering close to the ground in mortal fear the whole time, for +Uncle Toby had little reputation for bravery. + +"Did you see any of them have a gun?" asked Bluff, faintly. + +"I done t'ink de whole bunch hab guns; least-way dat was my 'pression at +de time dat creeper done trip me up. It's lucky my haid is 'customed to +hard knocks, or it split open for sure." + +"That settles it; my new gun is gone. Oh! it makes me so mad just +to think one of that crowd may be handling it," cried Bluff, +shaking his fist. + +"I just fancy I can hear the squirrels laughing, and the little chippies +singing for joy," declared Jerry. "Now they'll have a chance to live. +What's hard on you, Bluff, is just happiness to them." + +"You always did envy me the possession of that gun, and I know it, in +spite of your sneers. You just thought I'd beat you out in making a +record. Wait! I'm going to get that cracker-jack gun back again, some +fine day," remarked Bluff, grimly. + +And Frank, seeing that look of determination on his face, knew he meant +it. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SHACK OF THE MUSKRAT TRAPPER + + +"Wake up, everybody!" + +Bang! bang! bang! went the big spoon on the frying pan Frank held. + +As the others came crawling out of the tents they sniffed the air. + +"Say, that bacon smells prime!" declared Will, smacking his lips. + +"Hope you didn't forget about that mess of hominy I spoke about last +night, Toby. Hominy's my great stand-by for breakfast. All right, I see +it on the fire. Give me just five minutes. If it wasn't for that gun--" + +"Talk about your Ambrosia, that Java sure has it knocked clean out," +broke in Jerry. "Me for a quick-dressing act and then grub!" + +Uncle Toby grinned, for he knew what appetites boys are apt to develop +when in the woods, and, of course, he had made allowances. + +They were soon gathered around the table and busy. + +"What's the programme for to-day?" asked Frank, when the edge of their +appetites had been taken away. + +"First thing of all I want some snapshots of the camp in the morning sun. +You can see that's the best time to get a good view. Now, just sit still, +fellows, and let me do my little trick," said Will. + +They assumed grotesque positions, but the photographer refused to +stand for that. + +"What d'ye think I want, a collection of freaks broken loose from the +lunatic asylum? Here, you, Will, be dishing out some more bacon on to +your plate; Frank, take up the coffee-pot and be helping Bluff. Uncle +Toby, just look pleasant." + +"Pretend you found my gun, and I was giving you half a dollar, Uncle +Toby," remarked Bluff, quickly. + +"Always thinking of that cheap, clap-trap affair," growled Jerry. +"Goodness knows if we'll hear anything else from him all the time we're +in camp. I declare I've half a notion--" + +"To do what?" asked Frank, looking at him suspiciously. + +Jerry only smiled and shrugged his shoulders. + +"Now, hold your positions, fellows. Frank, lean a little forward, so your +face stands out better; there, that's right. Toby, raise your head and +point up as if you saw a bird in that tree. That's good, all right; it's +over. Thank you!" + +Will kept his position for a little while, and every few minutes seemed +to find a chance to snap off another view. He evidently believed in +getting a variety of the main subject of their outing--the home camp. + +"I move we try and find old Jesse Wilcox this morning," suggested Frank. + +"That suits me, if we don't have to go too far," agreed Jerry. + +"How's the shin, by the way, this morning? Haven't noticed you +limp much?" + +"Feels pretty fair. Next time I chase out of camp I'm going to make sure +to clear that old box, all right. How about the rest--do you say go?" +asked Jerry. + +"Count me in," called Will. + +"Yes, you will want to get some views of the old trapper and his cabin, +with the door covered with muskrat skins," remarked Frank. + +"Coming along, Bluff?" asked Jerry, watching the other covertly. + +"I guess not to-day. I'm going to hunt around again to see if I could +have unconsciously grabbed up that gun as I bolted, and then dropped it +in the brush. Such a thing might happen, you know, fellows," returned +the other. + +So he remained behind when the other three sallied forth, Frank and +Jerry carrying their guns over their shoulders, while Will brought up the +rear bearing his camera ready for use and on the lookout for subjects. + +"If you see any game please give me a chance to snap a view before you +shoot," he pleaded; at which the others laughed. + +"Perhaps, but we can't promise. If a partridge got up suddenly it would +be a case of shoot first, and think afterwards," said Frank. + +"But if it should be a deer standing feeding?" + +"Or a black bear on his hind legs begging?" jeered Jerry. + +"All right. I'm going to be ready for all that comes along. Still life, +if I have to, or anything else." + +Will's last words were drowned in the report of Jerry's gun. He had swung +it around like a flash, and without apparently glancing along the +barrels, fired one charge at something that was flashing through the +undergrowth. + +There came a second shot, so close upon the heels of the first that the +reports were almost blended in one. + +Jerry turned and looked reproachfully at Frank. + +"Talk about your sporting blood, you sure wiped my eye that +time," he said. + +"The bird was a little too close for your shot to scatter; I had a better +chance as it flew away farther. You'd have dropped him with your second +barrel, I reckon, old fellow," cried Frank, hurrying forward to pick up +the partridge. + +"Yes, I've no doubt I would; but that's the first time I ever had any +one step in and beat me clean. I'll have to watch out for you after +this, you sly 'possum. But then you've shot lots of these birds up in +Maine, I suppose?" + +"Plenty of them; but up there they light in trees, and the natives don't +hesitate to drop them while they sit." + +"That's little short of murder," said Jerry. + +After an hour's walk they reached the camp of old Jesse. + +"There it is, boys," said Frank, pointing ahead. + +"And he's home, too; something I hardly expected at this time of day," +from Jerry. "Because if he has a line of traps the morning is the time he +tends them, I'm told." + +As they approached, the man in the camp turned and saw them. He was a +tall and angular fellow, well on in years, and with keen eyes that seemed +always looking for signs around him. + +"Say, boys, this here is right nice o' you, comin' to look me up. Out on +a leetle hunt to-day?" he asked, as he shook hands all around. + +"We've come up to camp out for a couple of weeks, while repairs are made +to the school building, damaged in the gale of wind," answered Frank. + +"Sho, ye don't say? Well, now, that's fine! I'll be right glad to see +sumpin' o' ye while around. Whar's the camp, Jerry?" + +"At the spring under the twin hemlocks. We wanted to run over and see +how you were getting on. Started to put out your traps yet, Jesse?" +asked the other. + +"Oh! I got a few in line. Season's a bit early yet, ye see. Bringing in +some musquash," and he swept his hand around at a dozen wooden frames +upon which the skins were drying in the shade. + +"Please let me get a picture of you at work, just as you were when we +came up," said the ambitious photographer, keen on the subject that +interested him most. + +The trapper grinned good-naturedly. + +"Fire away, then. So long as I don't give away any o' my secret ways o' +preparin' the pelts, I don't keer. I'm some proud o' that shack, too. +Sheds the rain, an' kin be kept warm easy; what more do a feller want?" +he observed. + +The operation was speedily completed. + +"Hope you feel better now you've got that out of your system," +said Jerry. + +"I have five more exposures on this roll of film, boys. Hope to get +something worth while before we start back to camp," retorted Will, +caressing his new camera. + +"Where do you get the muskrats, Jesse?" asked Frank, as he bent down to +examine the way in which each skin was carefully stretched out on its +little frame. + +"Along the edge o' the swamp half a mile off. They's jest rafts o' 'em +thar. As a rule the pelts bring about fifteen cents each, but jest now +thar's quite a boom on, an' I reckon I'll git sixty apiece." + +"That's fine. What else do you catch here in season?" asked Jerry. + +"Wall, a few mink, not many, once in a long while an otter, fur which I +git twenty dollars. Then I caught three bobcats last winter, seven foxes, +eleven 'coon, half a dozen 'possums, an' two black b'ars, though one o' +them I shot arter we had a right lively argyment." + +"Whew! then there _are_ bears around here?" asked Will, eagerly; "what +wouldn't I give to get a picture of one in its wild state?" + +The old man laughed. + +"Kinder risky business a shootin' _that_ thing at a b'ar, 'specially a +she-b'ar as has young uns nigh. Like as not she'd rush ye. Now, I got a +skin here with the head on it, an' if it comes to the wust we might rig +that up, natural like, so ye cud git a picter o' a wild an' ferocious +beast coming at ye on his hind legs." + +"Oh! I hope I won't have to descend to a fake like that. But we've come +to put in the day with you, Jesse. Show us how you set your traps, +won't you?" + +"Sartin I will. Was jest startin' out for a turn when ye showed up; so +s'pose ye drop in line. It won't take more'n an hour or two, boys." + +They were delighted at the chance, Will lugging his camera along, though +the old trapper cast a dubious eye on the affair, as if he did not wholly +like the idea of visiting his traps with such a "contraption," something +unheard of in his experience. + +"Now, don't even whisper, fellers. Here's the swamp and my traps begins +clost by. I'll show ye all about it by signs. Dumb trappers is most +successful, they sez," remarked Jesse, holding up his hand. + +The three boys followed close at his heels, each picking his way, and +walking on his tiptoes, as though that would make any difference. + +So they entered the edge of the swamp. + +Suddenly the man came to a halt and stooping, pointed ahead. + +"Looky yonder," he whispered hoarsely, "that's somebody stealing out o' +my traps!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +WHERE IS BLUFF? + + +"Where?" gasped Will, making as if anxious to get a snapshot of the thief +in the very act. + +"Keep quiet!" whispered Frank, giving him a push. + +There was some one bending over the edge of the water, for they could +catch a glimpse of his back. + +"Stay here an' watch me scare the critter!" said old Jesse, with a frown. + +He glided forward, very like an Indian brave creeping up on his enemy. +Whoever the offender might be, he seemed to have no suspicion that danger +hung over his head. + +Suddenly the trapper jumped forward, and the boys saw him seize his prey. + +"Wow! talk about your wildcats springing, that was a corker!" + +Jerry led the way forward, though hard put to it to keep ahead of his +eager companions, anxious to assist the trapper if he needed help. + +"Take that, you pelt thief, and that! Let me ketch ye at my traps agin +an' I'll jest waste a bullet on one o' yer legs. Kim up here an' steal my +skins, will ye? Thar's another fur ye. Oh, howl all ye want to, I'm +larnin' ye a lesson." + +The hearty kicks with which he punctuated this speech brought forth a +whoop of pain from the recipient on each occasion. + +"Why, it's Pet Peters!" exclaimed Frank. + +There was a snap. + +"Thank you!" cried Will, with a satisfied grin; he had succeeded +in taking a snapshot of the struggling couple while their faces +were exposed. + +"It'll do as evidence when I want ter send this critter to jail, which +I'll sartin do if he ever comes a foolin' 'round my traps agin. I bet +that snake Bud Rabig set him up ter it. Skeered to come hisself, an' +sends a boy. Now, you git!" + +This time the kick was so tremendous that it actually lifted Andy +Lasher's crony clear off his feet, and started him in a mad flight along +the edge of the swamp. As he ran wildly he kept bellowing in pain, and +holding both hands back of him. + +The temptation was more than Will could stand, and another "click" +announced that he had secured a second retreating view of the poacher. + +"At this rate I'll soon have my six rolls done," he announced, +triumphantly. + +"What harm did he do?" asked Frank. + +The trapper made an investigation. + +"Jest ketched him in time. Ye see he bed got the game outen the steel, +an' was tryin' to sot the trap again so as I wouldn't know it. That +proves he was sent up here by that sneakin' Bud Rabig; fur what would the +boy know about fixin' a trap if he didn't git guided?" + +Jerry picked up the drowned muskrat and examined it. + +"Pretty soft fur it has. Lots of it used nowadays I understand," +he observed. + +"Yas, but mostly under other names. Fur is a-gittin' skeercer all the +time, an' they hev to come to stuff they used to larf at. Now watch me +sot her, boys." + +They were all interested in the manner in which the trap was set, for +much care and ingenuity is required in order to outwit the cautious +instincts of the animal; though muskrats are not half so timid as some +other animals whose fur is coveted by the trappers. + +"Now fur the next trap. Hope I don't find a thief has be'n thar too," +said Jesse. + +Evidently Pet Peters had just started in to follow up the line of traps, +as described to him by Bud Rabig the rival of old Jesse, for they saw no +more evidences of a visit. + +When an hour had passed they were carrying five victims of the +steel traps. + +Jerry did not much fancy the business. + +He tried to be a thorough sportsman all the time, and anything that +savored of the habits of a game butcher, or trapping and shooting for the +market, grated on his nerves. + +After this Jesse led them to where he had a bear trap located, and here +they were compelled to exercise considerable caution, because Bruin is a +suspicious beast, and easily frightened away. + +But the trap was not sprung; and Jesse from a little distance explained +to his young friends how it lay concealed under the fallen leaves at a +place where he knew a bear frequented in passing to and fro. + +"I'm goin' to look up his den in a few days, before he shuts in fur the +winter, an' sot my trap, whar he's jest bound to tread in it goin' or +comin'. Now, if so be ye feels that way, let's git back to camp an' hatch +up some sorter dinner Ever eat musquash, boys?" + +"What, eat muskrats?" exclaimed Jerry, in disgust. + +"I never have, but would like to try the dish," remarked Frank. "Up in +Maine the trappers told me they were fine in winter weather." + +Will said not a word, but his lip curled, as though nothing could tempt +him to even take a taste of such a queer dish. + +It was high noon when they arrived at the shack of the old trapper, and +all of the boys felt sharp pressed with hunger. + +"I hope he's got something else besides muskrat--ugh!" said Jerry to +Will. + +"I saw part of a deer hanging up before we left here," replied the other. + +Jerry licked his lips in anticipation. + +"Venison, real venison, fresh in the woods! Tell me about that, will you? +I'm in on that deal every time. I hope he cooks enough of it." + +There was little danger of the trapper allowing any of his guests to +go hungry. + +"Boys, I want you all to help me git a fine dinner. Frank, I knows you +are used to makin' up a good cookin' fire, you 'tend to that part +Jerry, see that ere haunch o' venison hangin' from the limb o' that +tree--jest git her down an' cut off some slices, all this here big +fry-pan'll hold, an' put some pieces o' salt pork in along with it, +'cause ye see venison is mighty dry. Bill, p'raps ye kin look arter the +coffee part o' the bizness." + +Immediately everybody became busy. + +Old Jesse went away with a couple of the muskrats, and when he came back +later he had them skinned and ready for cooking; an operation the boys +watched with considerable uneasiness. + +Finally the meal was ready, and they sat down. + +The venison tasted prime, and the coffee was pretty good; at least it was +hot, and on a cool day that counts for a good deal. + +Jerry and Will watched their comrade bravely take a portion of the +musquash. + +"How is it?" asked Jerry, for there had not been enough of the venison +after all to appease their appetites. + +"Bully. Just try for yourselves. I've eaten much worse dishes right at +home," was the immediate reply of the stout-hearted Frank. + +Old Jesse chuckled and gave him a look of appreciation. + +Thereupon both of the others took a very dainty help, and with much +hesitation tasted of the dish; but both came back for more, and in the +end pronounced the new dish all right. + +"Why, fellows," said Frank, laughing, "it was the same with terrapin +years ago. People along the Eastern Shore used to consider the +diamond-back as common as dirt." + +"So I was reading the other day," admitted Jerry. + +"Yes, sir, so common that when men hired out they stipulated in the bond +that they were not to be fed on terrapin. Then the fashionable people +took a fancy for the dish, the supply ran low, and now a decent-sized +terrapin is worth five dollars. Perhaps muskrats may become popular the +same way, who knows?" laughed Frank. + +At which the trapper roared, seemingly thinking it a great joke. + +He showed them how he took the skins off, and stretched them on +his frames. + +"Not too tight, boys; and then keep 'em in the open air in the shade, +away from the fire, till they gits right dry. Some we take off whole, an' +others is slit up, jest accordin' to the kind." + +All this sort of thing was eagerly listened to, especially by Frank and +Jerry, always interested in everything that pertained to hunting and +wild animals. + +Will had his mind bent upon one subject, and could not bear to think of +anything else; in camp and out, he kept his eyes on the alert for +subjects suitable for striking pictures with which to embellish his +account of the outing trip. + +So the afternoon began to wane almost before they were aware of it. + +"Time we were making tracks for home, fellows," announced Frank. + +"What will Bluff and Toby think has become of us, I wonder,"' said Will. + +"Him? Why, he's forgotten we're in existence. He can never get that jay +gun out of his mind. Talk about your phonograph, he's sure the worst +repeater I ever heard, and that's no fairy story," grunted Jerry. + +"Well, come along boys. Jesse, you must run over and have dinner with us +some afternoon. We dine at night, you see. Will you come?" asked Frank, +shaking hands. + +"I sartin will, and soon at that. Glad ye thought 'bout the ole lone +trapper, boys. Come agin, soon, an' any time. An', Bill, when ye git them +picters printed remember I'm in one, an' that pelt thief, too." + +"I'll see you get copies of both. Good-by!" called out Will. + +They trudged back with less ambition to make time than when on the +morning tramp, for all of them were feeling a little stiff. As they came +in sight of the home camp, Jerry broke out with: + +"Say, she looks some nice, with the two tents standing there, and old +Toby working around." + +"Do you see Bluff?" asked Frank, a trifle uneasily. + +"Why, no, but what makes you say that?" + +"I've got a suspicion about him, that's all Hello, Toby, everything +all right?" + +"Sho, Marse Frank, eberything am lubly an' de goose hangs high." + +"How about Bluff--where is he?" + +"Don't no nuffin' 'bout dat boy; he went off in de mornin' an' ain't +kim back." + +"Just what I feared, fellows," said Frank. "That silly chap has gone +hunting up the camp of the Lasher crowd, and like as not got himself +in trouble." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +JERRY TAKES CHANCES + + +The announcement of Frank stunned both the others for a moment. + +"Do you really believe that?" asked Will, uneasily, at length. + +"It would be just like Bluff to take chances. He never counts the cost. +Yes, sir, I just wager he started for that camp before we had been gone +half an hour." + +"But how would he know where to find those fellows?" asked Will. + +"Oh! he knew, all right. We talked it over last night when you were busy +with your camera, after we chased around for the stone-thrower; and +agreed that since Andy and his mates couldn't get this camp-site, the +next best place for them to go would be that little cabin up near the +shore of the lake," said Jerry. + +"You mean the one the charcoal burners used to live in long ago?" + +"Yes. And as Bluff has been around this section more than once, he must +have known how to get there. Five to one he burst right into the camp and +demanded his gun." + +"Do you think so?" said Jerry, uneasily. + +"That is his way. And you can just guess that he got into hot water +before half a minute had gone," returned Frank. + +"Would they hurt Bluff?" asked Will, beginning to show unexpected +feeling. + +"Well, they might, especially if he accused them of stealing his gun. +Besides, if he happened to see it there I wouldn't put it past Bluff to +tackle the whole bunch in the effort to get his property," Frank went on. + +Jerry had thrown his gun down as if ready to drop over himself. He now +stooped and picked it up again. + +"Come on, fellows; there's only one thing for us to do," he said. + +"And that's to hike over to that shanty and find out if they've got our +chum there a prisoner," finished Frank. + +Will made no move to leave his beloved camera behind. + +"Hide it somewhere," suggested Frank; "for it will be too dark by the +time we get across to their camp to take a picture decently." + +"I guess not," observed the other, calmly; "you see I'm prepared to snap +off a flashlight picture at any old time. Here's after you, Frank." + +Uncle Toby had witnessed this threatened exodus with signs of alarm. + +"Whar ye gwine, Marse Frank? Ain't 'spectin' to leab dis chile erlone +hyah be yuh? I doan't like dem owls a-whoopin' dar in de big timber: an' +I sure reckons dar might be bars an' wildcats a-snoopin' round dis yer +camp ter-night." + +"We expect to be back before a great while, Uncle Toby. Just be getting +supper ready for us in an hour or so. And have a good fire. Wild beasts +will never trouble any one when backed by a blaze, remember. So-long!" + +When they looked back, they could see the ancient darkey gazing with +longing glances, as if he might be tempted to chase after them. + +"Do you think Bluff can be in trouble?" asked Jerry, showing real +solicitude in his voice and manner. + +"I'm a little afraid of it. And I want to say right here that both of you +have shown the right spirit in agreeing to come with me so quickly. It +does you credit, boys," remarked Frank. + +Will seemed to puff up a bit under the compliment, but Jerry sneered. + +"Oh! I don't consider that anything at all. Bluff is a good fellow in +spite of his butcher instincts, and I guess he'd go out of his way to +help me," he said. + +Frank looked at him, and opened his mouth to speak, but on second thought +changed his mind. + +Jerry seemed to know more about the woods than either of his chums. He +had little trouble in guiding them across the territory that separated +the rival camps, which was not more than a mile or so. + +"I can see the glow of a fire ahead," announced Will, presently. + +"That's the place we're aiming for; the lake lies beyond. I've fished +from the point many a time," pursued Jerry. + +"And when are we going to try for fish; I brought my rod and lines along, +thinking we'd have a fish dinner some fine day?" complained Will. + +"Wait, there's plenty of time. The season is nearly over, but if a warm +day comes along we ought to be able to get some bass, I think," remarked +Frank, who was something of an authority in that line. + +"I can see figures moving about like black ghosts," announced Jerry. +"Say, fellows, this is getting real exciting, creeping up on a rival +camp with the intention of holding up the whole kit at the muzzle of +our guns." + +"Oh! I hope it won't come to such a desperate point as that. I'd +rather not have any trouble with that Lasher if it can be avoided," +ventured Frank. + +"But if they've got our chum tied to a tree a prisoner?" demanded Jerry. + +"In that case we'll make sure that he's set free, no matter what the +consequences," was the immediate response from the leader. + +As they drew nearer to the fire they could begin to make out the identity +of those who were moving about. + +Andy Lasher could be easily seen, as he always took it upon himself to be +the high pin of any gathering of the clans in which he moved; then there +was the fellow who had been caught stealing from the traps of Jesse +Wilcox that morning, still limping painfully whenever he walked. + +Besides these two there were five other boys present + +"A tough-looking bunch," muttered Jerry, as he trailed along after Frank. + +"I don't see anything of Bluff, though," whispered the other, over +his shoulder. + +"Perhaps they've got him inside the cabin. If you two would agree +to stay here, I'll volunteer to creep up back of it and find out," +said Jerry. + +"You're all right, old fellow. Just the kind to tie to," replied Frank. + +"Oh! I don't know. Any one of you would do the same for me. Besides, +I guess--but then, it doesn't matter. Will you wait here, boys?" +asked Jerry. + +"Draw a little closer. Then let Will have your gun while you're away." + +Jerry handed it over a little regretfully; indeed, he had calculated on +carrying the weapon himself, though it must have been in the way. + +They saw him creep off. + +For quite some little time they watched, ready to rush forward if any +sound announced that Jerry had been discovered, and was in trouble. + +"They're getting supper. Don't look like our outfit, does it?" whispered +Will, as he and Frank crouched there in the brush, waiting and watching. + +"I should say not; still, the appetite is the main thing in the woods. A +hungry man can forgive anything. Look behind the shack--isn't that +something moving?" + +What Frank had said was true, for just then Jerry crept across an open +space, and for a few seconds they saw him plainly. + +Then he daringly slipped in through the open door of the cabin, +doubtless taking advantage of the attention of the campers being turned +elsewhere. + +"Come on, move up a little. I'm too nervous now to stay quiet," +said Frank. + +While they were thus advancing there suddenly arose a tremendous clamor. +It appeared to issue from the interior of the dilapidated cabin in which +Andy's crowd had taken up their quarters. + +"Oh! what has happened now?" exclaimed Will, scrambling to his feet. + +"Look!" cried Frank. + +Something came flying out of the door of the shack, and landing in a heap +rolled over and over, clawing at every object within reach. + +Then it sat up and looked around in a frightened way. + +"Why, it's Ben Cooper!" said Will, partly relieved. + +"And he's met up with Jerry!" added Frank, grimly, as he watched eagerly +to see what else took place in the little opening where the camp had +been pitched. + +The boys were all on their feet. They seemed to be staring at their +half-dazed comrade as though hardly able to grasp the real meaning of the +conditions. + +Then Andy gave a shout. + +"Hey, you fellers, look at that door go shut! The prisoner must have got +loose! How about it, Ben Cooper? What happened to you?" + +"They's another feller in there 'sides the prisoner. He knocked me +clean silly, and threw me out o' the door," whined the other, rubbing +his head dismally. + +"Who was it--any of that crowd from over by the hemlocks?" demanded Andy, +much excited, and apparently ready to tear up things generally. + +"I reckon 'twar that Jerry Wallington--wait till I gets him some day, +that's all." + +"Hey, fellers, d'ye hear that? Another of that lot bagged in the cabin. +Come on, an' we'll do him up!" yelled the brawny leader, rushing forward. + +When he reached the door, he tried in vain to break it open. It +seemed to be braced in such a manner that he could make no impression +on the planks. + +"Bring me the ax, somebody!" he howled, after beating his fists vainly +against the panel. + +One of his followers made haste to obey. When Andy was aroused in this +way the bravest of them did not dare brook his anger. + +He immediately swung the implement about his head. + +Crash! went the ax into the door, which began to split under the +vigorous assault, as though unable to stand long before such tactics. + +"He'll do it--he's going to break his way in; and I've got Jerry's gun! +Oh! dear what shall we do?" exclaimed Will. + +"Stop that chopping, you!" shouted Frank, running forward with +raised gun. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +UNCLE TOBY FLIES HIGH + + +"Here, don't shoot!" shouted Andy, dodging behind one of his companions. + +"We surrender!" cried another, throwing up his hands. + +Frank and Will looked very threatening as they advanced. Both of them had +their guns leveled, and besides, the latter was encumbered with his +camera, so that he presented the appearance of being fairly loaded down +with war material. + +"Hey, Jerry, open up!" called Frank. + +The door of the shack immediately began to move, and presently it was +shoved aside, with the ax still sticking in its planking, just as Andy +had left it. + +"Talk about your rescue parties, say, don't this take the cake?" +exclaimed a familiar voice, and Jerry's head was thrust out of the +opening. + +"Is Bluff there?" demanded Frank. + +"Sure," came in the voice of their missing chum. + +A second head had by this time shown up. + +"Hey, you, Franky boy, what d'ye mean bombarding our camp in this way? +What have we done to your crowd, I'd like to know, to be treated like +dogs? First there was that Bluff Masters a-walkin' in here an' accusing +us of stealing his blamed old gun, when the only one we've got is a +musket Pet owns. Now you come tearing up things." + +Andy was evidently getting indignant; but all the same he kept on the +watch, and whenever he thought he saw one of those weapons pointing in +his direction he slipped quietly behind one of the others. + +"That's all right. Bluff has lost his gun; somebody took it from our camp +last night just after a shower of rocks came in on us and we rushed out +to find the fellow who sent them. He thought it was one of your crowd, +and I guess he came over to ask. What business had you tying him up like +a convict, tell me that?" + +Frank put this to him sternly. At the same time he beckoned to Jerry to +make a start out of the cabin, which the other easily understood, and set +about obeying. + +"Why, the silly fool was for trying to lick the whole lot of us; said as +how he knew somebody from here had swiped his old gun, and that unless we +handed it over he'd show us. Say, we couldn't stand for that, so we just +sailed in and made him a prisoner. We didn't hurt him much, no more than +he did us. Suppose the lot of you clear out now, and let us alone," +growled Andy, growing bolder. + +"Which we will be only too glad to do. We only wanted to get Bluff back." + +There was a sudden brilliant flash, and a shout of alarm from the boys +about the front of the charcoal burners' cabin. + +"Got it all right, and I bet it's a dandy!" exclaimed Will. + +He had set down Jerry's double-barreled shotgun when he saw what he +considered a good chance to get a picture of the group, and touched off +the little cartridge that allowed him to snatch a flashlight picture. + +Two or three of Andy's fellows threw themselves flat on the ground, under +the impression that some one had fired at them; still more of them were +trying to hide behind each other in alarm. + +"Hey, take that feller away, won't you? He's sure enough to scare anybody +out of a year's growth," shouted Andy, waving his arms excitedly. + +But he knew better than to try and rush forward while Frank stood guard. +There seemed to be an air of determination about that individual that +Andy did not fancy. + +By this time Jerry and Bluff had joined their chums. + +The latter did not seem any the worse for his long confinement; indeed, +he was grinning as though the scare of his enemies over that flashlight +had amused him. + +"We're only too willing to go. I told you before that we didn't mean to +have any trouble with you, if we could help it; but if you start the ball +rolling look out." + +"Yes," said Will, on the heels of what Frank had said, "it's a case of +millions for defense, not one cent for tribute." + +"Good night, fellows, and thank you for the grub you gave me?" laughed +Bluff, as he waved his hand mockingly toward the group. + +Jerry had recovered his gun, and, in a bunch, the four chums walked away. +The others followed them menacingly for a short distance, but every time +one of the two armed lads turned there was a sudden scattering. When Will +whirled around and elevated his camera they fell flat to the ground as +though really alarmed. + +"They've turned back," announced Jerry, presently. + +"Say, that was fine of you to come in there and rescue me," declared +Bluff, as he caught hold of Jerry's unwilling hand, and squeezed it. + +The other seemed to be unusually modest, for he pulled quickly away. + +"Beat it, Bluff. You know you'd have done the same for me. I guess I owed +you something for making fun of you so much. Anyhow, it was just bully, +that's what. Talk about your earthquakes and cyclones, I don't think +anything could beat that scare you gave them with your old flashlight +stunt, Will." + +"And I reckon it's going to turn out a dandy picture. I just wanted to +get that crowd in some outlandish attitude, and if it proves what I +think, I've done it." + +"Did they hurt you, Bluff?" asked Frank. + +"Oh! well, they acted better than perhaps I had any reason to expect. We +mixed up some in the start, but they were too many for me." + +"You mean the whole lot--well, I should guess yes. You had a sweet nerve +sauntering into that camp and taking them all on. Accused them of +stealing, too! Say, you don't know that they took your gun, do you?" +demanded Frank. + +"N--no, perhaps not," admitted Bluff, hesitatingly. + +"Just surmise like, isn't it?" + +"But why that shower of stones if not to get us to run out of camp, so +that some one could sneak in and take a coveted article--and what more +natural than that my new repeater should be the thing they wanted?" said +Bluff, logically, as he believed. + +"Well, until you have found some stronger evidence than that, I'd be a +little slow about accusing any of that crowd, eh, Jerry?" went on Frank. + +"That's right," admitted Jerry, looking back just then as if he fancied +they might be followed, which, of course, was not the case. + +"You didn't see any signs of the gun while there, did you?" asked Frank. + +"No, I can't say I did; but then they wouldn't be likely to stick my own +property under my nose, would they? I could have them arrested later on +for robbery." + +"All right. Suppose we let the subject rest for a while. The gun may turn +up again, sooner or later. I have heard of just such queer freaks +happening in camp. Now, who gets the first sight of our campfire, and +old Toby cooking a glorious supper?" + +"Wow! I can do justice to it all right. They gave me something to eat, +but gracious, it was burned, and tasted horrible. Not one in that crowd +knows the first thing about camp cookery, and they scorch everything they +try," said Bluff, sighing. + +"Just keep up a little while longer. There, isn't that the fire through +that bunch of trees ahead?" + +"After all, you saw it yourself first, Frank. That's the fire all right. +Straight this way, boys, and we'll be there in a jiffy," said Will. + +They hurried on. + +"I'm looking to see good old Toby; but somehow don't seem able to clap my +eyes on his honest, black face," declared Bluff. + +"That's a fact, where is he? The fire is burning decently, and from that +I judge he's around somewhere," remarked Frank. + +"Well," broke in Will, "you know he acted as though afraid when we were +starting out. Said something about the big owls in the timber getting on +his nerves." + +"And the varmints prowling around, waiting for a chance to eat him up. I +believe the coon is hiding in one of the tents, afraid to show himself. +How about that, Frank, is he such a coward" demanded Jerry. + +The other laughed. + +"Don't ask me," he replied, shaking his head; "it isn't quite fair to +give poor old Uncle Toby away like that But we're getting close to the +camp now, and, if he is around, I'll soon raise him like I did before." + +"If he's let that supper burn, something is going to happen to a +respectable colored gentleman I know," threatened Bluff. + +"Listen to him. Talk about your fighters, this Bluff takes the cake. Why, +not satisfied with trying to whip the entire Lasher crowd in a bunch, now +he wants to take on poor harmless old Uncle Toby Washington Low. Perhaps +after all, it's just as well such a blood-thirsty character has been +robbed of his little pump-gun. Why, he'd have cleaned out the whole woods +community, given half a chance," jeered Jerry. + +"Come now, let that drop. I'm only joking, and you know it. I wouldn't +lay a single finger on old Toby's white wool for worlds. But where is he, +Frank?" said Bluff. + +"Say, there's something in our camp, boys!" ejaculated Will, at +that moment. + +"What's that?" asked Frank, his interest suddenly aroused. + +"Well, I saw something moving there--look now, there it is again, over +just beside the nearer tent," whispered Will, in an awe-struck voice. + +They all saw it now. + +"Keeps moving all the time. Boys, it strikes me that it must be an animal +of some sort!" came from the experienced Frank. + +"Goodness gracious! I hope it hasn't devoured poor old Toby," +gasped Will. + +"Well, make your mind up on that score, for it hasn't--_yet_! Just look +aloft a bit--right above where the thing is jumping about as if worrying +something. What do you see astraddle that limb, eh?" asked Frank, +triumphantly. + +"Talk about your treed coons, why that's old Toby sitting up there, and +hanging on for dear life." + +"And that object in the camp is, I believe, a wildcat, worrying over our +fine ham," remarked Frank, quietly raising the hammers of his shotgun. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A NIGHT ALARM + + +"Oh! please don't shoot just yet; I'm nearly ready," exclaimed Will, who +had been fumbling with trembling fingers at his camera while they were +creeping closer. + +"What do you want to do--shoot the cat with your machine?" whispered +Frank, the most accommodating fellow in the world. + +"Yes, that's it. Don't you see, it would be the prize of the whole bunch? +Can't you let me give a flash, and shoot afterwards?" begged the ardent +photographer. + +Frank could not refuse. + +"It would be a dandy all right, with old Toby hanging there; but look +sharp, for the cat hears us whispering, and is ready to get out." + +Hardly had he spoken before there came a brilliant flash. + +"Got him!" shrieked the excited Will. + +Then came a heavy report close to his ears, as Frank fired. + +The flash had dazzled all but Frank, who managed to keep his eyes away +from it. He was thus enabled to catch sight of the startled wildcat +bounding for the shelter of the trees, having deserted its meal in +sudden fright. + +As soon as he had fired, Frank threw his gun around so as to cover the +spot he expected the animal to occupy if by any chance it escaped the +full effect of his first charge. + +But it jumped the other way, and might have vanished from view only that +Jerry fired from his hip, there being no time to aim from the shoulder. + +"He's down!" shouted Bluff, as the fierce visitor in the camp rolled over +and over, clawing aimlessly as it expired. + +Ready to shoot again if necessary, the two hunters cautiously advanced. +There was no need of further attention, for the wildcat stiffened out +under their eyes. + +"Ginger! but ain't he a beaut?" exclaimed Bluff, bending over. + +"I wonder if there happens to be a mate around?" said Jerry, as he bent +an anxious look toward the timber close at hand. + +"They generally hunt in couples," admitted Frank; "but in this case I +hardly think it can be so, for the other would have come to the feast." + +Uncle Toby came down from his perch rather dubiously, as if he feared +that the danger might not be all over. + +"What happened to you, Uncle Toby?" asked Frank, giving the others a wink +not to joke the old fellow too seriously, for he was still trembling. + +"Yuh see 'twar dis way, Marse Frank: dat cat he jest wanted de ham more'n +Unc Toby did, an' I naturally lets him hab it. He jumps down from de +tree, an' I feels a notion to elevate 'bout dat time. Don' know how I +gits up dar, but 'spect I done fly," explained the cook, as well as his +chattering teeth would permit. + +"He means he aviated upward," grinned Jerry. + +Will was patting his camera lovingly. + +"Oh! I do hope it turns out fine," he said; "for that would be a jolly +hit. I'd rather snap off pictures like that than shoot a grizzly or a +bull moose. Me for the gentle life. I'm no butcher." + +"Talk to me about that, will you? You're a sport all right, Will, only it +happens that your tastes run in a different direction from mine. Don't +knock my love of fair play, and I won't laugh at your wanting to snap off +every living thing you see, to make up a freak collection." + +"All right, then, Jerry; consider it a bargain. I suppose you'll have +a muff made out of this nice fur for somebody?" continued Will, +stroking the cat. + +"Haven't given it a thought. Besides, half of the honor belongs to +Frank." + +"What's that? I made a mess of it, and the beast would have escaped if +you hadn't shot him on the jump?" exclaimed Frank. + +"And if you hadn't wounded him how could I have ever had a chance to +shoot? You can't get out of it, old man; we'll share the honors," +returned Jerry. + +Frank said no more, but such generosity only drew him closer to his chum. + +Fortunately the supper had not advanced far enough to be ruined. They +were able to save most of the ham, which was a comfort. Frank declared +that he wondered at the beast taking to smoked pork; he could not +remember any similar circumstance in all his hunting, and concluded that +possibly the wildcat must have been unusually hungry. + +It had really been quite a strenuous day, and the boys were glad to +sit around the big fire and partake of the good supper which Uncle +Toby prepared. + +Bluff had to relate his story again and again, but it differed little +from what he had already told. + +"I made a silly fool of myself, I know now, and it was mighty fine in +you fellows coming to pull me out of the hole I dropped into. If that +Andy has got my beautiful gun in his camp, he's smart enough to keep it +under cover. I never had even a peep at it. But just wait. I'm going to +get that gun back if it takes all winter," declared Bluff. + +"He'll do it too, just mark me," observed Frank, nodding to Jerry. + +Apparently the other was tired of hearing about that same gun, for he +only smiled and shrugged his shoulders. + +In the morning Jerry tried his hand at skinning the game. He had +taken particular pains to notice just how old Jesse Wilcox did this +sort of thing, and, being a clever imitator, he managed to succeed +after a fashion. + +Frank meanwhile had made a frame suitable to the size of the skin, and +upon this the hairy pelt was stretched, care being taken to keep it in +the shade, and not near the heat of the fire, while drying. + +Later on in the day Jerry and Frank took a stroll through the woods, and +managed to bring back three partridge and several gray squirrels. Frank +would not let Toby cook the latter as the other wished. + +"They are always tough for frying unless parboiled first. After skinning +and cutting up I always put the pieces in a pot, and boil until tender; +then take them out, dry off, and put them in a hot pan in which several +pieces of salt pork have been first tried out. I think you'll say they're +all right when you get your teeth in them, fellows," he remarked. + +And they did. + +Will managed to take a few views during the middle of the day, prowling +in the neighborhood of the camp. There was a pretty stream not far away, +and it ran over rocks and between attractive banks, so that half a dozen +charming pictures presented themselves to the eyes of the artist. + +The Fall had not advanced so far as to show signs of ice on the water, +though there were times when the air was very crisp and frosty. + +Bluff had remained in camp pretty much all day. He seemed uneasy, and +passed in and out of the tents frequently as though wondering what could +have happened to bring about such a mysterious disappearance of his +beloved gun. + +Sitting by the fire for a time, he would conceive some idea, and jumping +to his feet hurry into the woods to search a particular spot where he +remembered having passed over on that never-to-be-forgotten night. + +Still, when the others returned in the afternoon there was the same look +of distress upon his face. + +"Talk to me about a pagan and his idols," said Jerry, aside to Frank; +"Bluff has the whole show beaten. I never saw such a persistent +fellow, never." + +"He'll never be happy till he gets it, Jerry," remarked the other. + +"Then he deserves to have a bad time," declared Jerry, tossing the bunch +of game down before Will and Uncle Toby, who happened to be doing +something in common at the campfire. + +That night they had a royal feast indeed. It tasted all the better +because the squirrels and partridge had fallen to their own guns, and not +been basely purchased in the market. And doubtless their surroundings had +considerable to do with the enjoyment of the dinner. + +Will took advantage of the darkness to get a new roll of films in +his camera. + +"How many have you cracked off," asked Jerry, noting his occupation. + +"Three rolls, so far; about half I brought. I expect to be careful from +now on, and try to get choice subjects. But I know I'll never find +another to equal that wildcat scene. Oh! I hope it is a success!" +replied the enthusiastic photographer. + +"So say we all," remarked Frank; "for it will chase the blues away many a +time, just to see the look on Uncle Toby's face, as he clung to that +friendly limb." + +"Gorry, but I was mighty glad tuh git my claws on dat limb, Marse Frank. +Wen I seed dem big yaller eyes a-starin' at me, an' heerd dat yowlin' +noise, my knees dey jest wobbled together. Nevah could tell how I got up +dar; reckons as how you say am jest de truf, an' I _flew_!" exclaimed the +cook, able to laugh now at his adventure. + +They turned in early, for their rest had been broken on the preceding +night, and both the hunters were leg weary. + +The last sound Frank remembered hearing was the mournful hooting of the +owls. The birds seemed to have a favorite roosting-place not far away, +and from time to time the tremulous sound of their calling drifted +through space. + +Just how long he slept Frank did not exactly know. He awoke with a +sneeze, and sat up, rubbing his eyes. + +"What's the matter?" exclaimed Jerry, also starting out of a sound sleep. + +"I don't know--why, the tent's full of smoke! The camp must be on fire! +Wake up, everybody!" + +As the two lads came crawling out of the canvas they were startled to +discover a heavy pall of smoke rising all around them. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE TELL-TALE MATCH-SAFE + + +"Wake up! wake up!" + +Both Frank and Jerry shouted at the top of their strong voices. The +others came tumbling into view, and loud were their expressions of dismay +at the terrible sight that met their eyes. + +"Get busy here, every one! Water wanted, and never mind your clothes!" + +Even while he was speaking Frank jumped into action. The night air struck +home, and made him shiver, for he had just tumbled out from between the +snug folds of his blanket; but this was a time when delay might mean the +complete wiping out of the camp. + +Will gave a whoop and immediately vanished again inside the tent. He had +not gone to rescue any of his clothes, nor did he even think of getting +into them; but when he reappeared it was with his camera hugged tightly +in his arms. + +Meanwhile the others had set to work with a vim. There was fortunately +no wind, so that the fire had burned sluggishly. Then again the late +storm had wet the dead leaves then on the ground, and they had not as yet +become thoroughly dry, so it took quite some time for them to get over +smouldering, and burst into a vigorous flame. + +"We're getting it down, fellows; keep right along hitting it hard!" +called Frank, cheerily. + +Even old Toby had appeared from under the fly where he slept. He had been +dreadfully scared at first, doubtless under the impression that the mate +to the dead bob-cat had invaded the camp, intent on revenge. This feeling +soon gave way to the desire to see the camp saved, and he labored +faithfully with the rest. + +Scattering the smouldering leaves, beating out the fire with any sort of +thing they could snatch up in their excitement, they managed to get the +flames under control after a little while. + +It had been a most exciting experience, however. Bluff was swinging his +blanket vigorously, and thrashing the fire with it effectively; though he +might later on have some difficulty in getting rid of the smudges that +this process necessarily produced. + +"Victory!" shouted Jerry, when the last vestige of the fire had +gone under. + +Bluff threw his blanket around his shoulders and strutted about with the +air of a conqueror; + +"They have to get up early in the morning if they expect to beat us,'' he +said, proudly. + +"Talk about your hot times, that was a scorcher!" cried Jerry. + +"But I'm beginning to shiver now all right; and I advise every one to +crawl into his clothes in a hurry. Then we can talk it over. It's a +mighty suspicious thing, that's what," remarked Frank. + +They were only too glad to take his advice, and shortly after the four +gathered around the revived campfire to exchange opinions. + +They were a pretty smutty-looking crowd; but Jerry declared that those +marks were medals of honor. + +"Now, if we had all been like Will here, and each rushed for his +possessions, the camp would have been a-goner," he remarked, with a +reproachful look. + +"That's all right, fellows, and under any other conditions I would have +been one of the first to assist; but I'm the official photographer of the +expedition, and the guardian of those splendid films that must perpetuate +our camping trip, for posterity," he explained. + +"Hear! hear!" cried Frank. + +"Why didn't you lay the outfit down at a safe distance then, and help +fight the fire with us?" demanded Bluff. + +"I guess I know enough to take warning from your sad experience. They +hooked your old gun; the next thing they'll be after will be my camera. +No, sir, I hang on to that business through thick and thin. They'll have +to chloroform me to get my films away, and that's so." + +"Was it an accident?" asked Bluff, looking to Frank for an opinion. + +"What do you think, Jerry?" demanded the leader. + +"It couldn't have been an accident, and I'm dead sure of it," was +the reply. + +"Suppose you state your reasons then." + +"First, we banked the fire down as usual before crawling into bed. Then +there wasn't a particle of wind to scatter the sparks. And last, but not +least, those heaps of dead leaves were carried here! I happen to know +that place was just about bare last evening!" replied the other, +seriously. + +Will uttered an exclamation of wonder and alarm. + +"Do you really mean to say that some fellows would be mean enough to try +and burn our camp?" he asked. + +"I wouldn't put it past that Andy Lasher. Talk to me about your heathen! +he's just about equal to any of 'em. But don't you agree with me, Frank?" + +"Certainly I do, because I happen to have a strong bit of evidence which +I picked up out there close to the burning leaves." + +He held something up. + +"A match-box!" exclaimed Will. + +"Do any of you own that?" + +"Pass it around. I never saw it before," declared Jerry, as he handled +the little silver article in which several matches still remained. + +"Well, I have, then," remarked Bluff, suddenly, as he stared at the +trophy; "and just as I thought, here are two initials on it." + +"What are they?" asked Jerry, showing excitement. + +"H.B." + +"That doesn't cover any of Andy's crowd, though," said Jerry, seemingly +disappointed. + +"The real owner of this match-box is Herman Bancroft," announced +Bluff; "I've had it in my hands more than once. You know I went with +him for a time." + +"He wanted to join our Rod, Gun and Camera Club, but the black ball +dished his chances. Perhaps Herman was mad about that; perhaps he even +followed us up here, and has tried to get even," suggested Will. + +"That's hard to believe, for he isn't the bad fellow some people say. A +little wild, but with a good heart. I'd rather believe he lost it, and +one of that crowd picked it up," said Bluff, sturdily. + +"That's just like you, Bluff, standing up for a friend. Well, I'm rather +inclined to believe the same way. Anyhow, it was a mighty mean dodge. If +that Andy Lasher keeps on he'll get in a peck of trouble sooner or later. +Why, for such a thing as this he deserves a peppering of shot at a +distance," said Frank, indignantly. + +"It was criminal, that's what. We might have been smothered in our beds," +remarked Bluff. + +"Or my camera might have been utterly destroyed," wailed Will. + +Old Toby said nothing, but he cast many an anxious look around at the +adjacent trees, as if he had an idea lingering under his woolly pate that +in some way or other this new disaster might have a connection with the +shooting of the wildcat. + +Things assumed a normal aspect after a while, and only for the scent of +burnt leaves no one would dream that the camp had come near destruction. + +But all the inmates of Kamp Kill Kare slept, so to speak, "with one eye +open" during the balance of that night. + +There was no further alarm. + +By the time breakfast had been disposed of they could look the matter +calmly in the face, and it no longer appeared in such a terrible aspect +as when they were scampering around in their pajamas fighting the flames +and smoke. + +The sun seemed unusually warm this morning, so Will declared that he +meant to tramp over to the lake and try a little fishing, since they +would have small opportunity to do any of this when the cold winds +came again. + +"I'm on too," remarked Bluff, moodily; "a fellow without a gun is like a +fifth wheel to a wagon, useless in camp. Let's make up some lunch, for +it's a long tramp, and we won't come home until late." + +Jerry announced that he wanted to go over and have a further talk with +Jesse Wilcox; after which he might take a tramp in a new region +advised by the old trapper as opening a possible chance for big +game--perhaps a deer. + +Frank declared he would stick to the camp; with such vicious characters +around, he secretly thought it hardly safe for all of them to go away, +leaving old Toby as the sole guardian. They had too much at stake, since +their pleasure would be destroyed if the camp were raided successfully. + +Reaching the lake Will spent much of his time taking views, while Bluff +set to work trying to entice the finny denizens of the water to bite +his lures. + +As time went on he was fairly successful, and when they ate their lunch +he had quite a fair string of fish as the reward of his diligence. + +Will proved to be a poor fisherman after all, especially when he had his +adored camera along, for he presently wandered off again. + +"Don't go too far," warned Bluff, as he sat on the end of a log that +jutted out over the water a yard or more. + +Engrossed with his sport, Bluff hardly noticed how time passed. Hearing a +step back of him, he called out: + +"I got three more; what luck did you have, Will?" + +He heard what sounded like a chuckling laugh back of him; and before he +could turn some one gave him a strong push. Bluff went over with a splash +into the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE COMING OF THE STORM + + +Bluff came up spluttering. + +"Help! help!" he shouted, involuntarily, as well as a mouth half full of +water would permit. + +But there was no one in sight. Whoever had shoved him into the lake had +mysteriously vanished, though a movement in the bushes told the direction +of his flight. + +Recovering from the shock, Bluff found that he could clamber out without +much difficulty, and he hastened to do so. + +His cries had been heard, however, for presently the sound of some one +running wildly came to his ears, and Will burst into view. + +At sight of the dripping fisherman he broke into a shout. + +"Caught a Tartar, did you, and he pulled you in? Oh! what wouldn't I have +just given to have been here? A snapshot of you going over would have +been the finest ever." + +"Shut up! It wasn't a fish at all that yanked me overboard. Somebody +gave me a shove!" snapped Bluff, beginning to shiver, in spite of the +fact that the air seemed unusually warm, though the sun had disappeared +behind dark clouds. + +"What! you were pushed in?" stammered Will; and he gathered up his camera +in his arms, casting a look of alarm around, as if afraid lest some +hideous form dart into view, bent on snatching it away. + +"That's the truth. I was just sitting here when I heard a step. Thought +it was you, and asked how you had got on. Then the beggar laughed, gave +me a shove, and over I went, 'ker chunk.' I let out a yell when I came +up, for you see I didn't exactly know what he might mean to do," +explained the dripping one. + +"And I don't blame you a bit. But didn't you see him at all?" + +"Never had a peep. He dodged back so that when I got the water out of my +eyes he was gone. I saw those bushes over there moving, and knew he ran +off that way." + +Will walked over to the bushes, looking cautiously about, but +seeing no one. + +"Sure you didn't--er--go to sleep out on that log, and dream somebody +gave you a push?" he queried, cautiously. + +"Rats! I guess I ought to know. But see here, perhaps you can prove it," +declared Bluff, indignantly. + +"How?" demanded the other. + +"Look down at your feet and see if he left any trail, that's how." + +Will immediately did as he was told. + +"Say, come here. There are tracks all right. Perhaps you're better up in +that sort of thing than I am. It was a human being after all, and no +dream," he called. + +Bluff hastened to join him. + +"Why, of course, just as I said. This is where he hurried away. You can +see the mark of his feet easy. And looky there, one shoe, the right, has +got a patch on it, a piece that runs to a point. Oh! I'd know that skunk +any time from that. It's a sure clue, I tell you," he exclaimed. + +"But you'd better get dried off as soon as you can. Why, you're +shivering now." + +"Got any matches; mine are all soaked?" said Bluff, his teeth +rattling together. + +"I always carry a few. Yes, here they are. Let me make a quick fire, +while you jump around to warm up; and Bluff, _please_ keep your eye on my +camera, won't you?" + +"Sure," replied the other, commencing to leap and frisk around, so as to +get his chilled blood in circulation again. + +The fire was speedily made, and, taking off his clothes, Bluff hugged +close to the blaze while Will busied himself in hanging up the wet +garments, though he had more or less difficulty in tearing his eyes away +from the spot where his camera lay close by. + +"Sometimes we get too much fire; then again we want more and more," +remarked Bluff, as he kept turning around like a roast on the spit; for +as fast as one side felt warm the other grew chilled. + +"And I guess that we'd better be beating it back to camp as soon as +your duds are decently dry. I don't like the looks of that sky," +remarked Will. + +"I think you are right. There's certainly a big storm coming. Why, the +air seems dead, just like it is in summer before a gale of wind. And camp +is nearly two miles away from this place. Don't you think I could put +them on now, Will?" + +"They feel pretty dry. Do as you please," said the other, not willing to +commit himself, though anxious to be off, for the black looks of the +heavens began to appall him not a little. + +"Then here goes!" + +Suiting the action to the words Bluff hurriedly dressed. Then he secured +his nice string of fish, and, with his pole over his shoulder, announced +himself ready for the homeward tramp. + +They made all reasonable haste, and managed to reach the camp in due +time. + +When Frank heard what had happened he was very angry. + +"Some more of the mean work of that crowd. I believe it must have been +Andy himself who pushed you in. A dirty trick. How did he know whether +you could swim or not?" he said, after the tale was told. + +"Oh, well, it wasn't a case of swimming, for the water wasn't five feet +deep, and all I had to do was to crawl out again. But it was wet, you +see, and a fellow feels mighty uncomfortable all soaked. Just wait, I'll +get even with him some day for that trick. I've got the rascal located +all right. One of his shoes had a patch on the sole I'd know again." + +"A clever idea," admitted the other, in admiration; "and I hope you find +him out, no matter who he may be. First they stone our camp; after that +they try to burn us out; and now some busybody throws you into the lake. +What next, I wonder?" + +"You forget the worst thing of all--the stealing of my gun!" +grumbled Bluff. + +"Well, I wish Jerry was back. I hate to think of him wandering around in +the woods in the storm that's coming, for it's going to be a corker," +remarked Frank, eying the darkening sky with uneasiness. + +"Perhaps the old trapper influenced him to stay over with him till +to-morrow?" suggested Will, who was making his beloved camera secure +against rain by wrapping it in folds of waterproof material brought along +for the purpose. + +"A bright idea; and I hope it's so. But you know, he said he meant to +take in a new locality for a hunt after seeing Jesse. Well, Jerry is up +to many things connected with woods life, and at any rate he knows how to +look out for himself," and as he spoke Frank stooped down by the tent. + +"What are you doing now?" asked the curious Bluff. + +"Driving these tent pegs in deeper. There's no telling what sort of wind +may be on us. Listen to that, will you?" said Frank. + +"Thunder, as sure as you live! Pretty late in the year for that, +ain't it?" + +"Oh, we sometimes hear it even in winter. But, you see, the day has +been unusually close and muggy. I felt a storm in the air this +morning, and I'm not surprised. But I would be glad to see Jerry show +up," continued the other, as he tapped each pin a few times, to send +them in more securely. + +The muttering in the distance increased constantly in volume. + +Frank, as an old campaigner, knew what was to be done. Under his +directions Toby and the two boys made everything as snug as could be +expected. They also concealed some dry wood in the hollow of a tree +nearby, so that later on they might be prepared for making a fire. + +The storm came at last, with a furious wind, and a heavy downpour of +rain. + +"Wow!" exclaimed Bluff, as he looked out from the tent, "ain't I glad we +got here before that came. One ducking satisfies me; I'm not greedy." + +The afternoon waned, and night came on, still there were no signs of +Jerry. Frank worried some, but stopped speaking of the matter, for he saw +that old Toby was beginning to shake with fear, as the wind increased in +fury, and the tents wobbled about at a great rate. + +"I hope they hold out," said Frank to himself. + +He even donned a waterproof he had brought along, and going outside, +tapped the pegs all around again. Everything seemed secure so far as he +could see. Still, he knew that if one peg gave, the balance could not +resist the additional strain, and a catastrophe must result. + +Old Toby was really too much alarmed to retire to his fly; so Frank told +him he could remain with him when the other boys went to their tent. + +None of them expected to obtain much sleep. The wind came in fierce +gusts, the trees groaned and writhed, and once or twice Frank really +heard a crash in the forest that told of a rent in the timber. + +"I only hope nothing of that kind happens around here; a falling tree +might pin us all under, and be our death," he said to himself. + +At length they concluded that it was time to separate and try to get some +sleep, though both Bluff and Will declared they knew they would not close +their eyes so long as that howl kept up without, and the canvas fluttered +with each wild gust. + +Just as they were about to make a run for it, Frank caught them by the +arms. + +"Wait!" he shouted, for there was a terrible crash close by, and the +earth seemed to tremble as a forest monarch was laid low. + +At the same minute with a shriek the wind descended upon the tent under +which they were crouching. + +Frank heard a snap above the other sounds, and like a flash the entire +tent was blown away, leaving the four campers exposed to the fury of +the storm. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +HOW JERRY WAS TREED + + +Jerry, that same morning, reached the camp of the old trapper without +any trouble. + +He did not find Jesse Wilcox at home; but, knowing something of the +trapper's habits, he made himself comfortable, and waited. + +After a time the other showed up. He carried a tidy bunch of fur along +with him, having stopped to remove the pelts on the way. + +"Glad to see ye, Jerry. Looky here, one fine fox, and, would ye believe +it, actually a mink, boy! That ere pelt orter bring me a twenty, all +right. That's why I'm so tickled, ye see. This shore must be one o' my +lucky days. Make yerself to hum. Come to take a snack o' dinner along +with me, I reckons, eh?" + +"Well, I might wait up and have a bite if you don't keep me too long. You +see I mean to make a roundabout trip into that stretch of woods you told +us about I'd like the worst kind to get a crack at a deer. That would be +worth while, Jesse." + +"Then I'll get busy right away. But p'raps ye'd better defer that ere +trip fur a day or so, lad," remarked the trapper, sweeping an eye upward. + +"Why?" asked the boy. + +"Thar's some sorter storm broodin', er I'm bad deceived. In course at +this season we don't expect much along that line; but I hev seen a +scorcher come along, even in October. Ten year ago it was, and thar was +quite some timber leveled, I'm tellin' ye." + +But Jerry was built along a stubborn line: Having once made up his mind +to do a thing it was very hard for him to break away. + +"Oh! I don't bother about a little blow. If it comes to the worst I can +find a hollow tree, and keep pretty dry. Now, I want to see just how you +cook that stew, so I can do it sometime." + +The dinner was a success, and, of course, Jerry, being hungry, heartily +enjoyed it. When the meal was finished he arose, and picked up his gun. + +"Still of a mind to take that long tramp, air ye?" asked the trapper. + +"Why, certainly. I haven't even thought of changing my mind," +returned the boy. + +"Well, I s'pose ye must, then. Only keep yer eye peeled for trouble up +yonder. It's sure goin' to storm; for I feels it in my bones. Besides, +thar's a pack o' measly wild dogs loose in that stretch o' timber." + +"Wild dogs?" repeated Jerry, opening his eyes wider. + +"Sartin; dogs as has strayed away from ther homes, an' took back to a +wild state. It happens that ways sometimes. Ther call o' the wild, +they name it. Sumpin' seems to pull the critters back, an' they break +away from human kind to roam the woods an' hunt ther livin'. I seen +the pack once or twice, an' I kinder believe ther a-gettin' more +fiercer all the while." + +"Wild dogs, eh? How many about are there, Jesse?" asked Jerry, fingering +his shotgun a little nervously. + +"From three to five ginerally. Ye see they comes an' goes, so ther ain't +no tellin' jest how big the pack kin be. But ef so be they tackles ye, +son, jest shin up a tree, an' then pick 'em off. That's my ijee," +remarked the trapper. + +Shaking hands, after getting further directions, Jerry hastened away. + +It was not long before he found himself in the densest kind of timber. In +fact, he had not seen anything like it since coming to the hemlock camp. + +Here and there were little openings, in some of which green grass +grew. It was here the trapper had told him he might possibly find a +deer feeding; and as he made his way along, Jerry kept on the lookout +for signs. + +He had been walking much over an hour when he thought he caught a glimpse +of a deer ahead; there was something moving there, at least, and with his +pulses quickened the boy began to slowly and cautiously advance. + +Yes, it was a deer, and feeding, too! + +The light was none too good under the trees, with that dark threatening +sky over all; but Jerry had keen eyes and he was just now excited at the +prospect of at least getting a shot. + +He kept on advancing, taking advantage of every bit of cover that +offered. To his delight the animal did not seem to pay any attention to +him, though raising its head several times to sniff the air suspiciously. + +By this time, he had gained a position where he believed he could make +the buckshot in his gun tell, and with as steady a hand as he could bring +to bear, Jerry took aim at the exposed side of the deer. + +When he fired the animal fell in its tracks, and, giving a shout, the +exultant young hunter was about rushing forward to secure his quarry when +suddenly his horrified eyes discovered moving figures rushing through the +undergrowth, and heading toward the spot where the deer lay, still +struggling feebly. + +Instantly he remembered what the trapper had said. These then were the +wild dogs. Evidently they were hungry, and at the time he shot had been +trying to creep up on the animal which they yearned to make a meal from. + +Jerry mechanically threw out the empty shell, and pushed another into the +chamber of his gun. He saw the pack bolt forward, heard the wild clamor +that marked their advance, and then caught the exultant strain in their +noisy yelpings, as they pounced upon the slain deer. + +The boy felt more indignant than alarmed. That was _his_ deer, for he had +done the stalking up against the wind; nor was he at all disposed to +allow those greedy curs a chance to tear the quarry to pieces in their +savage way. + +Jerry immediately hurried forward, ready to dispute the possession +of the game. + +He found the whole pack furiously tearing at the fallen deer, growling, +and exhibiting all the savage nature of wolves. + +When the boy shouted they looked up, drew back their lips and looked +furious; but not one gave a sign of obeying him. + +"Get out, you brutes! Leave that carcass alone, will you?" he yelled, +waving his gun threateningly. + +As if they realized that this human creature meant to dispute their right +to the royal dinner they had found, the four wild dogs started toward +him. They presented a terrible appearance just then, with the blood about +their muzzles, and white fangs exposed. + +Perhaps Jerry may have felt a shiver pass over him, but that did not +prevent him from raising his gun and deliberately covering the foremost +of the brutes. + +Bang! went the gun. Then arose a tremendous howling, together with +furious snapping sounds. The balance of the pack continued to rush +forward more rapidly than before, leaving the stricken member to roll on +the ground. + +Jerry thought it high time he made an ascension, after the manner of that +which had marked the alarm of old Toby at the time the wildcat invaded +the camp. But he wanted to use that other barrel the worst way. + +Quickly covering the pack he pulled the trigger. Then, without waiting to +ascertain what the results might be, he started to climb. + +This was no easy task, especially when encumbered with a gun, for he +would not think of letting this precious ally go; but there was enough +inspiration in the approaching yelps and growls of the wild dogs to spur +him on to heroic efforts, and, as a consequence, he managed to get beyond +their reach. + +It was an old tree in which he happened to have sought refuge. Just then, +however, Jerry was not caring about that, for it was a case of any port +in a storm; and as he said, "beggars should not be choosers." + +Quite out of breath, he clung to the rotten limb and proceeded to shout +at the dogs so as to keep them there until he could find a chance to +insert fresh charges in his gun, when he expected to take care of them. + +"Hey, you with the collar, ain't you ashamed of yourself to take to such +a pirate life, when you once had a good home, I bet? Say, ain't he a +jim-dandy of a big bouncer, though, and as strong as an ox? I'd just hate +to fall into his maw. Now, hang around a few seconds more, and I've got a +nice surprise for you. If you ever knew what a gun is, I guess you've +forgotten by now." + +In this strain he talked to them, and kept both dogs jumping up at him in +the endeavor to get a grip. Sometimes they brushed his dangling foot +with their jaws, and at that Jerry involuntarily drew up a little. + +When he had inserted the shells, he tried to get a chance to cover the +big dog. That animal, though, apparently suspected his purpose, and kept +jumping about so wildly that it seemed impossible to aim at him. The +second brute had been wounded so seriously that it had crawled away, so +there were now but two left. + +Finally, seeing a good chance to knock over the smaller one of the pair, +Jerry could not resist the temptation. + +The animal may once have been a family pet, but a wild existence of some +months, perhaps years, had taken him back to the wild state from which +his ancestors had come ages ago. He was a mangy-looking, dirty white +brute, with eyes that seemed red to the boy in the tree. + +At the report of the gun the animal fell over in a kicking heap, for the +distance was so very short that the charge of shot had gone with all the +destructive power of a "forty-four" bullet. + +But something not down on the programme immediately followed. The rotten +limb upon which Jerry was hanging, unable to stand the strain of his +weight and movements, gave way with a crash. + +He felt a thrill of horror as he found himself being precipitated +downward, knowing as he did that the largest and fiercest of the wild +pack was still there, unhurt save in the way of a few stray shot that had +flecked his tawny hide with tiny blood spots! + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +IN A BEAR'S HOLLOW + + +Jerry landed with a crash that almost shook the breath from his body. + +Realizing the need of haste in getting upon his feet, he scrambled erect. +He had maintained that frenzied clutch upon his gun, as if believing that +it was his best and only friend in this emergency. + +One thing helped him. The big yellow hound had been startled, first by +the crash of the gun so close to his head, and then again by the rapid +downward plunge of the human figure. + +Perhaps some dim recollection of former beatings at the hands of some +severe master may also have temporarily demoralized the brute. + +At any rate Jerry was given just about five seconds to turn the corner, +and thus place the tree between himself and his enemy. + +Then the dog bounded forward, and a warm chase began around that same +tree, with Jerry doing his prettiest to keep beyond reach of those +gleaming fangs that pressed closely in his rear. + +In this he managed fairly well, but after he had pranced around that tree +quite a dozen times he made the alarming discovery that he was rapidly +being winded. His canine adversary, on the other hand, appeared to be as +fresh as ever. + +Unless something occurred to assist him, it began to look very much as +though he might trip after growing dizzy, and the big yellow brute +pounce upon him. + +Then a sudden thought came into his mind. It was like an inspiration, +and made Jerry laugh right out. Why, of course his gun, what was he +gripping it all this time so desperately for if not because he believed +it worth while. + +He tried to remember whether he had fired one shot or two after reloading +it. So confused had he become with all this turning round and round that +he could not be absolutely sure. But there was nothing for him to do but +take chances. + +He felt to see if one of the hammers might be up, and found the left one +drawn back. That seemed promising, for if he had fired both barrels the +hammers must naturally be down. + +It might be only imagination, but he believed he could actually feel the +hot breath of the pursuing beast on his legs as he twisted around that +tree so awkwardly. With a prayer in his heart, though his lips were +mute, he suddenly whirled, thrust out the gun, and pulled the trigger. + +Fortune was certainly with him that day. The dog viciously seized hold of +the gun barrel in his teeth; and it was just at this instant that Jerry +pressed the trigger. + +He saw the big beast swirl half-way around. Then he fell in a +quivering heap. + +"Hurrah!" + +It was but a pitiful shout poor Jerry gave, for he was quite out of +breath. He, too, fell down in a heap close to the yellow form of his +enemy; but instinctively his hands worked, trying to place his faithful +gun in readiness for further work. + +It was not needed. + +Besides the big yellow leader of the wild pack, he presently found a +second brute stone dead; and had the pleasure of dispatching both the +others shortly after. + +"Might as well make a clean sweep of it," he said, with a feeling of +having accomplished something worth while; for Jesse had told him these +roving dogs were just as destructive to sheep and other domestic animals +as so many timber wolves would have been. + +Perhaps the farmers of the community might feel like voting Jerry thanks +for his good service of that day. And not knowing whether he could find +the place again he proceeded to cut off the four caudal appendages, "to +embellish his tale," as Frank later on declared with a laugh. + +"Guess I've had quite enough sport for to-day," Jerry remarked, as he +bent over the mutilated deer; "there's quite as much meat here as I can +carry home. In fact, I've a good mind to hang most of it up out of reach +of wild animals. We could come for it another time. From the looks of the +sky that storm Jesse spoke about must be coming right along." + +So he determined to make haste. While something of a novice at the art of +cutting up a deer, he had a general inkling as to how it should be done. +Accordingly, after half an hour's work he managed to swing the better +part of the meat, fastened up in the skin, to a limb that he made sure +was sound. + +"Now for home with my trophies. Say, perhaps the boys won't open their +eyes when I show these four tails, and get Toby to cook some of _my_ +venison! This has been a red letter day in my calendar. What was +that--thunder, I do believe. Perhaps--" + +Jerry did not even wait to finish his sentence, but started off on a +lope. + +But the gloom under the heavy timber increased. He found difficulty in +telling the points of the compass. And finally it became absolutely +impossible for him to make more than a half-way decent guess as to the +quarter where the camp in all probability lay. + +"I suppose I'm just about lost," he at length reluctantly admitted. + +Still, Jerry was not one to be easily daunted. He had been in situations +before now that called for a show of manliness and courage, and rather +prided himself on being equal to any such occasion. + +The thunder was booming heavily, and the rain ready to descend. He +believed he could hear a distant roaring. It might be wind tearing +through the forest, or a heavy fall of rain, perhaps both. At any rate it +would mark the breaking of the storm. + +"Better be finding that hollow tree I spoke to Jesse about," he +concluded. + +Once again luck favored the lad. Not thirty paces away he discovered what +seemed to be a big stump, about twelve feet or more in height. It had an +opening at the bottom, large enough for him to crawl through; indeed, to +his mind, it was there especially for the very use he intended to put it. + +Running forward just as the rain began to rattle down all around him, +Jerry proceeded to crawl through the aperture. He found the interior +amply large enough to give him the needed shelter. What was better, the +opening happened to be on the leeward side, so that the driving rain +could not find entrance. + +"This is what I call a bully fit. Talk to me about your cyclone cellars, +what could beat such a cozy den as this? I'm as snug as a bug in a rug. +Four wild dogs and my first deer, all in one day. I guess that's my +top-notch record, all right. Let her storm all she wants, so long as the +lightning doesn't take a notion to strike this blessed old stump," he was +saying as he mentally shook hands with himself over the day's +achievements. + +After a long time, hours it seemed to Jerry, during a temporary lull in +the howling of the gale, he ventured to peep forth. + +Everything was pitch black around, save when the lightning zigzagged +through space, and lighted up all creation with its electric torch. + +"Looks like an all-night stand for Jerry. There comes that wind tearing +things loose again. Wow! it was a big tree went down that time! Hope none +of them take a notion to knock my poor old stump flat, or I'd be squashed +into a pancake." + +Like many other people, Jerry had a habit of talking to himself under +stress of excitement Perhaps he believed that in this way he bolstered up +his courage, just as some men whistle when they find themselves trembling +in the face of some uncanny peril. + +And there he crouched while the gale blew with renewed violence, and the +night wore slowly on. Several times there came a lull, and he began to +hope the worst had passed; when once again the wind would swoop down, as +though loth to give up its riotous dominion over the stricken forest. + +Never had such a storm been heard of in October; even the first gale, +which had demolished the roof of the Academy, and brought about this two +weeks' vacation for the boys, had not equaled this, coming from another +quarter as it did. + +Jerry had one bad scare. + +He had blocked up the entrance as best he could with what stray bits of +wood he found around. Suddenly he felt his barrier moving, and realized +that some wild animal was nosing around, trying to force an entrance +for shelter. + +It must, after all, be the lair of a bear which he had found. Was this +most remarkable day in all his experience to be wound up with an +encounter that might dwarf the other into insignificance? + +Jerry gave a shout. At the same time he seized upon his gun, and fired +one barrel squarely through the opening. He thought he heard a loud +"woof," but after that there was no further molestation. + +But, nevertheless, he lay there wide-awake, and on his guard. Should Mr. +Bear pluck up courage enough to return, he meant to be ready to give him +a warm reception. + +Time passed, and he believed the storm was really diminishing in fury. It +was certainly time, for from the various crashes Jerry believed +considerable timber must have gone to the ground. + +How thankful he should be to have escaped as well as he had. Why, the +mere fact that he was lost did not cut any figure in the matter when so +many more terrible things might have happened to him. + +There was really no sense of him leaving his snug retreat until dawn +came, for he could not make his way in the storm-wrecked timber with any +hope of success. + +Again he poked his way out to take an observation. Perhaps he was +wondering if his shot could have killed the bear; but no sign of such +met his strained eyesight when the next flash of lightning came. + +But while he was thus trying to pierce the gloom around him, he heard +a sound that thrilled him through and through--the sound of a human +voice calling. + +"Help, oh! help!" it came wailing through the night. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +HEAPING COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD + + +"What's that?" exclaimed Jerry, startled by the cry. + +It came again. + +"Help! Oh! help, somebody!" + +The boy was now convinced that he had not heard the hoot of an owl, and +that some one was certainly in need of succor. + +He remembered the crash of the trees that had gone down in the tempest. +Could it be possible that the unfortunate one had been caught under one +of these falling forest monarchs, and pinned to the ground? + +If so, no wonder that he cried at the top of his voice for assistance. +Unable to escape he must starve to death, or become the prey of wild +beasts unless help came. + +Jerry immediately crawled out of his hole. He no longer remembered the +fact that a bear had recently been sniffing at the entrance to the hollow +tree. All he had in mind was that he might be of assistance to a fellow +human being in distress. + +It was pitch dark in the woods, though now and then a flash of distant +lightning came to momentarily relieve the gloom. + +Jerry started in the direction he believed the sounds came from. Now and +then he paused to listen, and in this way managed to keep going straight. + +"Hello! where are you?" he cried, finally, as a dreadful silence fell +upon the forest ahead, a silence that made him very anxious indeed. + +Immediately a voice called out wildly: + +"Oh, here I am, under this fallen tree! Please come and help me! I can't +hardly move, and I think my arm is broken. Don't leave me to die!" + +"It's all right. Don't worry, for I'm not going to run away. Speak again +so I can get to you. It's awful dark under here." + +The other took him at his word, and commenced to rattle on, saying all +manner of things, simply to direct his rescuer to the spot. + +"It's Andy Lasher, as sure as I live," said Jerry to himself, as he +recognized the other's voice, despite the agony in it. + +So making his way forward he finally came to the tree under which the +other was pinioned by some of the branches. + +"I can't see you, it's so dark here. Wait!" he said aloud. + +"Oh! please don't leave me now; I'll go out of my mind, sure!" + +"I don't mean to; but I must have some light. Now, I happen to have the +stub of a candle in my pocket, and the wind has died out, so I think it +will burn if I stick it down low. I'll get you out somehow, Andy," said +Jerry, cheerily. + +He struck a match. + +"Why, is it you, Jerry?" + +"Sure thing. See there, that burns all right, I guess. Now, I'll put it +here in the shelter of this stump, while I look into things." + +"You won't leave me here, Jerry? You ain't that kind of a feller, I +know?" + +Andy was evidently alarmed. He could not but remember that there had been +bad blood between this lad and himself for a long time. Indeed, some +recent events that were not at all to his credit, must have cropped up to +make him anxious. + +"Not much. Say, you just had the escape of your life, I tell you. This +heavy limb almost hit you in falling. If it had, then it would have been +one, two three for you. You seem to be held down mostly by small +branches," observed Jerry, after he had made a critical examination. + +"Do you think you can get me out, Jerry?" asked the other, very humbly. + +"Easy. Just you wait, and when I tell you what to do, go ahead." + +With that he started operations. By breaking off the smaller branches one +at a time, he gradually weakened the network that was binding the +prisoner. Every obstacle, however small, that was removed, made things +easier. And finally Jerry gave a pull at the imprisoned boy. + +Andy let out a howl of pain, but all the same he came free. + +"My arm!" + +"I'm going to look at that now, right away. If it is broken the sooner +you get back to Centerville and see a doctor the better; but, somehow, +I've got a notion it's only badly bruised. Here, bend it back, so I can +slip it out of the sleeve." + +With much misgiving and many exclamations of agony, Andy did as he was +told. The other then examined it from one end to the other. + +"Talk to me about luck, you've got cause to be mighty thankful, Andy. +There are a lot of bruises here, but no bones broken," declared Jerry. + +"Sure you ain't mistaken, Jerry--'cause it's awful sore?" groaned the +other, and yet there was a trace of gratitude in his voice. + +"Make up your mind it's so. Now, the question is what are we going to do +the rest of the night? I was in a hollow tree, but there isn't room for +two. Might manage to make a fire somehow, and stand it out. Think you can +walk now, Andy?" + +Jerry unconsciously thrust a supporting arm around the waist of the +other, and steadied his steps as they moved slowly off. In so doing he +was heaping coals of fire upon the head of his adversary. Andy grunted +now and then as some jolt gave him new pain; but on the whole he was very +quiet. Perhaps his mind was busy and his conscience working overtime. + +So they reached the hollow stump. + +"Here's where I was camped all through the storm, and mighty lucky for +you that I lost my way when out hunting. Now wait till I dig out some of +that dry wood from the inside. It will make a capital start for a fire." + +Jerry set to work with a vim. In five minutes he had a cheery little +blaze going, and more wood drying out close beside it. From time to time +other fuel was added to the fire until it reached such proportions that +it eagerly devoured any sort of stuff they chose to feed it. + +"This ain't half bad, because it's getting mighty cold after that storm, +and if you happened to be lying drenched through under that tree I +reckon you'd be shivering some by now, eh?" laughed Jerry. + +Andy put out his right hand, for it was the left arm that had been +injured. + +"I want to tell you that I feel pretty punk now over the way I've +treated your crowd, Jerry. This is mighty white in you, and that's what, +to act as you have with me. I'm right sorry now I ever laid out to hurt +you fellers. I ain't goin' to keep it up no longer, and that's dead +certain. If Pet Peters wants to, he can go it alone. I'm all in. You've +made me ashamed." + +Jerry understood. There was really no need of further words. Between two +boys such things are instinctively grasped; and Jerry knew what a +tremendous effort it must have been for this rough fellow to frankly +admit that he had been led to see the error of his ways. + +Perhaps the repentance was not wholly genuine, and time would swing Andy +back to his old ways; but just then, sitting by that friendly fire, he +seemed to feel very warmly disposed toward the lad whose coming may have +saved his life. + +"Oh! that's all right; don't mention it. Glad to know you mean to let us +alone. It's all we ask, anyway. But what brought you away up here, Andy?" +said Jerry. + +Andy dropped his head and gazed into the fire. The other even thought he +could see what looked like a blush mantle his cheeks, though the chums of +the town bully would have shouted at the very idea of such a thing. + +"I reckon it was some more rotten business, Jerry. To tell the truth I +was up to see old Bud Rabig, trying to get him to join us in a raid on +your camp. You see," the boy went on hurriedly, as though fearful lest +his courage might fail him before he got the whole thing off his mind, +"we'd tried to smoke you out and made a botch of the trick; and I even +pushed Bluff over into the lake this afternoon, to get him a duckin', +'cause the temptation was too great But it's all up with me now. After +this I ain't goin' to lift a hand against any of your crowd." + +"Did you get lost, too, trying to make your way back to your camp?" +asked Jerry. + +"That's just what I did. Thought I could save time by taking a short-cut +through the big woods. Then the storm came down on me, and I reckon I got +some rattled. I lost my head, and while I thrashed around, that pesky old +tree came down on me. Thought I was a-goner, I give you my word," and +Andy shuddered. + +"How long did you lie there?" questioned the other. + +"Hours and hours, it seemed to me. I'd shout when I could, but something +seemed to tell me it wasn't no good--that I just deserved to die right +there, because I'd never been no good to my folks at home or anybody +else. But you just wait and see. I got a light, I did. Thought I was sure +goin' to die." + +Both boys were soon sleepy, for the heat of the fire affected their eyes. +So Jerry fixed things to keep the blaze going while they napped, rolling +a log over so that it offered a good chance for the fire to feed. + +In this way they passed the balance of the night, nor would either of +them soon forget the experience, though from different reasons. + +In the morning they managed to cook some of the fresh venison Jerry +carried, and for which the other seemed very grateful. Then they figured +out their position, which was not hard to do, since the sky was clear and +the sun well up. + +Half an hour later Andy recognized certain landmarks that told him he +could make a turn and reach his camp by the lake shore. + +"Good-by, Jerry. I'm going to skip out here. And I ain't forgettin' +this either," he said, thrusting out a hand, while a queer grin crept +over his face. + +Jerry hurried on, anxious to relieve the suspense of his chums. + +As he came in sight of the camp he paused and stared, as well he might, +for it seemed to be occupied by a stranger, and he a man with the wild +aspect of a madman. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +AFTER THE STORM + + +"Whoop! All hands on deck to pump ship!" + +"My camera! Oh! where did I put it?" + +"Grab up the bedding and hustle in under the other tent, boys!" + +This last from steady, clear-headed Frank, who seemed to know just what +should be done in an emergency. + +It started Bluff and Uncle Toby working strenuously to keep blankets from +getting very wet. But Will could not think of lending a hand until he had +first of all lugged his beloved camera under shelter. + +It was indeed fortunate that both tents had not gone by the board at the +same time, or the camp must have been plunged into the deepest distress. +Led by Frank, they managed to hustle their belongings under the second +cover, where the driving rain could not reach them. + +By the time all had been done the boys were dripping, and it took them +some twenty minutes to get warm again, snuggled in their blankets. + +"Oh! what a night!" wailed Will a dozen times. + +"Please let up on that, or give us a change in tune. It's bad enough +to have to stand the storm without listening to a phonograph," +grunted Bluff. + +The hours crept along. Now and then they dozed, but sound slumber did +not come to a single one of the group. Uncle Toby was quite content to +cower as close to Frank as possible, satisfied that the other was able +to protect him. He seemed to exhibit the blind confidence of a dog in +an emergency calling for energy; to him Frank was a type of manliness +hard to match. + +"Will the morning ever come?" groaned Will, as he shifted his cramped +position for the tenth time at least. + +"Well, I think we've got a lot to be thankful for," declared Frank, +stoutly; "in the first place, no great damage is done, for I saw that our +tent was caught in the branches of a tree close by, and we can rescue it +in the morning. Then nothing was spoiled that I know of. And the storm is +really over, though morning is some two hours off," striking a match and +looking at his nickel watch. + +"Can't we have a fire?" asked Will, who was shivering under his blanket. + +"Just thinking so myself. It's getting sharp, now that the wind +has shifted into the northwest. Suppose we make a try," answered +Frank, readily. + +It was just in anticipation of such an emergency that he had hidden some +of the dry wood away where the rain could not reach it. Frank's previous +experience in woodcraft had taught him many valuable things. + +Securing some of this, he quickly had a little blaze. The others fed this +in a cautious manner, so as not to smother it by too much fuel. As a +result the fire was in a short time burning freely, and diffusing a +genial warmth around that proved very acceptable to the chilled campers. + +Even Will thawed out under its influence and ceased to grumble. + +"It's all right, too, fellows; not a drop got in tinder these +waterproofs," he declared, as he eagerly examined his precious +possession. + +So the morning found them. + +The first thing they did was to rescue the runaway canvas. It was found +to be intact, the pins only having given under the strain. So shortly +afterwards the second tent again arose, and things began to look +shipshape around the camp. + +"Seems like an Irish wash-day," remarked Will, as he surveyed the +various blankets and other things spread out on bushes to dry in the +sunshine and air. + +"Only for Jerry's strange absence, I'd feel bully," remarked Frank. + +"Don't you think we'd better start out and look for him?" asked Will. + +"Yes, after we've had some breakfast. I never like to attempt anything on +an empty stomach. And, besides, you see, we may have to go all the way +over to Jesse's shack before we learn about him," observed Frank. + +"Do you really think he's stayed there?" questioned Bluff, anxiously; for +even though he and Jerry seemed to be constantly bickering, deep down in +their hearts they had a genuine affection for each other, as had been +proven more than once. + +"I hope so," was all the other would say. + +"And I've got a dreadful fear," remarked Will, sighing, "that the poor +fellow's been caught under a falling tree. So many went down last night. +I'll hear that terrible crashing every time I wake up for a long time to +come. It haunts me, just because I imagined Jerry out in it all." + +Toby here banged the big spoon on the empty frying pan. That was a +welcome sound to a set of ravenous boys, and they quickly assembled +around the rude table upon which the black _chef_ was placing heaps of +flapjacks, flanked by steaming cups of fragrant coffee. + +Uncle Toby did not seem to relish being left alone in the camp again; but +there was nothing else to be done. Frank gave him some advice as to what +he should do if any wild beast invaded the place; and also how he could +threaten any of Andy's crowd should they show up with hostile intent. + +Then the three boys started off, meaning to head in a direct line for the +distant camp of the old trapper. + +"What if we don't find him there?" asked the skeptical Will. + +"Wait till we get to the river before trying to cross. I reckon we'll be +apt to find some traces of him there. And even if he was caught out in +the woods in that storm, that's no sign he was hurt or killed. Jerry +knows enough to get in out of the wet; and depend on it he found shelter +somehow, somewhere." + +So Frank buoyed their spirits up in his accustomed cheery way. One could +easily see that he belonged to the optimist family, and never looked on +the gloomy side of things. + +They had not gone half a mile away from the camp before they discovered +some one moving through the bushes ahead. + +"There he is!" exclaimed Bluff, eagerly, as he raised his hand to his +mouth, as if about to give a "cooie." + +"Hold on! I don't believe it is. There, you see, it's a man, and a +hunter, too, I expect, for he's carrying a gun," interrupted Frank. + +"Perhaps he may have seen Jerry. Shall we ask him?" demanded Will. + +"If we keep on straight we're going to meet him, and, of course, we'll +ask. I only hope he has, though I doubt it. Do either of you know him?" + +Frank asked this because he was comparatively a newcomer in Centerville, +while the other boys had been raised there. + +"Seems to me I've seen him before," exclaimed Bluff. "Why, yes, it's Mr. +Smithson. He lives in Centerville--that is, his family does, because he +isn't home much. You see he's one of the wardens over at the State insane +asylum at Merrick." + +"What?" cried Frank, startled; "then perhaps he may not be hunting wild +animals after all. Suppose one of the mad inmates of that institution +escaped, and is up here roaming through the woods?" + +"Jewhittaker!" exclaimed Will, turning a trifle pale, and hugging +his camera closer to his breast, as though his first fear concerned +its safety. + +"If that's so, I hope Jerry didn't run across him, that's all," +remarked Bluff. + +"Come on, hurry. You've given me a little shock now, and we must learn +the truth immediately. Call out to him, Bluff--there, he sees us, and is +coming this way." + +As Frank said, the keeper was hurrying toward them now, an anxious look +on his face. He nodded to Bluff as he came up. + +"Camping up here, are you, boys? That's fine. Used to like to do it +myself when I was younger. Say, you didn't happen to see anything of a +wild-looking chap anywhere around, did you?" he asked, glancing at +each in turn. + +"Sorry to say we haven't, Mr. Smithson. Has one of your charges +got away?" + +"That's just what has happened, and I've been chasing him all over the +country. Got track of him yesterday just before the beastly old storm hit +me. He's somewhere around this section right now. Where's your camp, +boys? He'll be pretty sharp set with hunger by now, and can scent grub a +long ways off?" continued the keeper. + +The three lads looked at each other. + +"What shall we do, fellows? Doesn't seem just right to be chasing off +this way in a bunch, and leaving that poor old innocent alone in camp. +What if this crazy man drops in on Toby while we're gone? Had we better +turn back, and later on, if Jerry doesn't show up, organize another +expedition, dividing our forces?" + +Frank always put things so clearly that he seldom met with any +opposition. + +"That strikes me as sensible," observed Will, quickly. + +"Turn back it is, then. Will you go with us, Mr. Smithson? We can give +you a good cup of hot coffee, and some breakfast, if you're hungry?" +said Bluff. + +"I accept your offer, boys, and glad to meet you. Now, lead the way, +please, because somehow, I seem to feel it in my bones that Bismarck will +gravitate toward some place where there is an odor of cookery in the air. +He always was a good feeder." + +"Bismarck?" ejaculated Frank. + +"Why, you see, that's what he thinks, and he carries out the part to a +dot. Wait till you run up against him, if luck turns that way," replied +the other. + +"He may have been injured in the storm?" suggested Will. + +"Not he. Such a cunning fellow would know how to escape a wet back." + +"Is he considered dangerous?" Bluff inquired, a little anxiously. + +"Well, not particularly, although he can look mighty fierce, and would +terrify a timid person, possibly." + +"And I guess Uncle Toby fills that bill, all right," said Bluff; "but +there's our camp through the trees, Mr. Smithson; and, as sure as you +live, there's a stranger standing poking at the fire where our cook is +bending down." + +"Bismarck is making himself at home, all right," laughed the warden. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A STRANGE VISITOR IN CAMP + + +"What can we do about it?" asked Will, looking alarmed. + +"It's up to Mr. Smithson," remarked Frank, in a low tone. + +"Look here, boys, you understand that I want to capture the gentleman +very much indeed. Are you willing to give me a little assistance?" asked +the warden. + +"Why, to be sure we will. It looks as though we might have some interest +in his capture, too, judging by the way old Toby is loading up our good +grub in those frying pans to suit his appetite. He threatens to eat us +out of house and home unless something desperate is done. We'll help +capture the escaped lunatic, eh, fellows?" + +"Sure we will, Frank. Let Mr. Smithson tell us what to do, that's all," +said Bluff, readily. + +"Well, I hardly think he'll take the alarm at sight of any strangers, so +long as he doesn't get a glimpse of me. Now, if you three just saunter +easily into camp, and pretend to treat him in a friendly way, you'll find +he can be a fine gentleman. Humor his failing as much as you can, boys." + +"And what else, sir?" asked Frank, who was listening intently. + +"Meanwhile I'll be creeping closer all the while. After he has been +fed he may feel sleepy, because he must have been up all night. The +heat of the fire and a good feed will make his eyes heavy," continued +Mr. Smithson. + +"I guess you're right, sir." + +"Very good. Suppose you propose that he lie down by the fire and take a +nap. Rig him up a sort of military bed. He imagines that Bismarck is +with the old emperor, off in France on the war campaign. When he's fast +asleep I'll creep into camp and get him secure. It will be easy, boys, +believe me." + +"Say, is he the only one loose?" asked Will, just then, his voice +showing alarm. + +"Why, yes, so far as I know. Why do you ask?" demanded the warden. + +"Because there's some one else crawling through the bushes over yonder." + +"Are you sure?" asked Mr. Smithson. + +"I saw his head pop up. He's looking in at our camp. Get your gun +ready, Frank. Some of these crazy people are said to be dangerous," +continued Will. + +"Humbug! If you saw any one at all it must have been a scout from Andy +Lasher's camp, snooping around," commented Bluff, disdainfully. + +"Well, perhaps it might be another keeper from the asylum," +remarked Smithson. + +"There it is again; what did I tell you, fel--" + +Will stopped speaking in a whisper and gaped. True enough a human head +had bobbed up above the tops of the bushes, as the owner of the same +endeavored to get a better view of the camp. + +"It's Jerry!" ejaculated Bluff, in excitement. + +Mr. Smithson dropped out of sight, thinking that the stranger in camp +might look that way, being attracted by the clamor of boyish tongues. +Jerry had caught the words of Bluff and immediately turned his head. + +"Hello, fellows! Howdye? And who under the sun is the new manager you've +got to run the camp?" he asked, pushing out to greet them each in turn, +and eyeing Mr. Smithson in some curiosity. + +"How are you, Jerry? Guess you know me all right, eh? Why, I'm up +here looking for an escaped lunatic, you see," said that worthy, +without rising. + +"Talk to me about your coincidences--and that's him right there in our +camp, ordering poor old scared Uncle Toby around with the air of an +emperor. I see it all, boys," exclaimed Jerry, shaking hands around as +though he had been gone for a full week instead of one night. + +"Well, he believes himself a bigger man than any emperor, for he makes +and unmakes kings. That is Bismarck you see, young man. And we have just +been laying a plan to capture him. Suppose you all saunter into camp +now. Somebody tell Jerry what we have decided to do. He's looking this +way, and ready to either run or hold his ground according to how the +wind blows." + +"Come on, Jerry. You can tell us all that happened later. We must get rid +of this unwelcome visitor first," said Frank. + +"We had just started out to learn what had become of you when we met Mr. +Smithson, and he advised us to return to our camp, as he rather expected +the gentleman he was looking for would drift that way. Awful glad you got +through that terrible storm safe, old chap," remarked Will. + +"What are those things tied in a bunch at your belt--scalps?" queried +Bluff, as they walked along together. + +"The tails of four wild dogs that tackled me in the big timber after I +had shot a deer which they wanted," remarked Jerry, trying to speak +naturally. + +"What!" exclaimed the others in concert. + +"Oh, it's a positive fact, boys. I can take you to where the critters +lie, if you want to see them later. I was told about them ranging that +section, by Jesse, who warned me to look out for them. I met the pack all +right, and I guess they wished I hadn't. Here's some of the fresh +venison. I hung up most of it so we could get it later. Then we made a +breakfast on part of what I was lugging home," Jerry went on. + +"We?" remarked Frank, inquiringly. + +"Of course. Andy Lasher and myself." + +"Andy Lasher! Where did you run across _him_, and how did it come that +you let that miserable skunk eat breakfast with you?" demanded Bluff. + +"Well, he was in a bad way, you see. I just happened to get him out from +under the branches of a fallen tree that had him pinned tight to the +ground. His arm was bruised, and we bunked together until morning. Andy's +got a repentant mood on him. He vows he's done playing nasty tricks on +our club. 'Course I don't know how it will pan out, boys." + +"Say, did he tell you anything about my gun?" asked Bluff, eagerly. + +Jerry turned and looked at the questioner. + +"No, he didn't. Suppose he confessed to everything he ever did? But here +we are, fellows, and our guest looks as if he didn't know whether to run +for it or hang by that breakfast Toby is cooking." + +Frank advanced toward the man, bowing, and assuming, as he believed, +something of a military air. + +"Welcome to our camp, Prince Bismarck. Won't you be seated, and wait for +breakfast to be served? We have only rude accommodations here, but I hope +you will pardon any lack of seeming hospitality," he said. + +The wild look vanished from the face of the gaunt man, and in its place +came an expression of tremendous importance. Indeed, but for the +seriousness of the situation Frank would have felt inclined to laugh +outright, it was so absurd to see this poor lunatic putting on such +magnificent airs. + +"You forget, young sir, that I am the Iron Chancellor, and that while in +the field I shun all the comforts of home life. An iron cot, the simplest +food, these are enough for me. It leaves the brain clear to handle the +tremendous affairs of state that engross our attention. Where is King +William?" the other went on. + +"Oh, he'll be along after awhile. Perhaps, prince, after you have +partaken of our simple fare and rested by our friendly fire a little +time, the king may join you." + +Frank managed to keep a sober face while speaking in this lofty way, but +Bluff and Jerry, unable to stand it any longer, turned their backs on +the couple. + +Evidently the lunatic was very hungry, in spite of his possession of an +"iron will." He kept turning a wistful eye toward the fire where the +frightened black cook was hustling coffee and ham and eggs for his +benefit. And indeed, there was such an appetizing odor in the air that +several times Mr. Smithson raised his head and looked longingly over the +bushes as though he wished things would move faster, so he could come +into camp and get his share. + +When the food was placed before him the man ate ravenously. The boys +afterwards learned that he had not tasted a bite for two days, and they +wondered at his having shown even as much patience as he did. + +Just as Mr. Smithson had said, the escaped lunatic became drowsy as soon +as he finished eating. + +"Let me fix a nice cot for you here, prince. When the king arrives you +shall be awakened, all right," said Frank, soothingly. + +The man looked trustingly at him, so that Frank felt a little qualm of +conscience over the fact that he had to deceive him. + +"You are very kind, young sir. Indeed, I believe I am weary, and +perhaps a nap would refresh me. If Napoleon sends out a flag of truce +notify me at once," and he settled down on the warm blankets with a +sigh of pleasure. + +"Depend on it, such shall be done," replied Frank, turning away; for he +had by this time reached the limit of his endurance, and if compelled to +keep this thing up much longer must have betrayed himself by laughter. + +In ten minutes he flew a handkerchief as a signal that the warden +could come in. + +Mr. Smithson grinned as he joined them. + +"It was well done, my boy. You would sure make an actor, all right. And +now, for fear lest he slip me, I'll have to nab him," he said. + +"Do you want any help, sir?" queried Frank. + +"Oh! I reckon not. When he sees that I've got him he'll be as meek as a +lamb. He looks on me as a jealous German general desirous of keeping him +out of touch with the king. Watch now." + +He bent over the sleeper and touched his face. + +"Wake up, Prince Bismarck," he said, in a commanding tone. + +The other opened his eyes, stared and then smiled amiably, saying: + +"Oh! it's you, is it, general? Fate is against me again. I yield myself a +prisoner of war. You can fasten my hands if you wish, but I have dined +well for one day." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SURPRISING TRAPPER JESSE + + +Mr. Smithson had carried his prisoner off, after he, too, had partaken of +the hospitality of Kamp Kill Kare. + +"Boys," he said, in leaving, "I'm sure under obligations to you for all +this, and any time I can repay the debt don't hesitate to ask me. To get +Bismarck back safe and sound after such a storm, is going to be a feather +in my cap. And only for you I'd be hunting him yet, with only a slim +chance of success." + +"Why, that's all right, Mr. Smithson," Frank had declared heartily; +"we've enjoyed helping you, though it does make a fellow feel bad to see +as clever a man as that laboring under such a ridiculous fancy." + +"He was once a professor in a college, and lost his mind through +overstudy," remarked the keeper, as he moved off, with "Bismarck" +at his side. + +"There, see that!" exclaimed Bluff, triumphantly. "Just what I've told +my dad many a time when he complained that I was falling behind my class. +I'll make certain to hold this up as an awful warning." + +"Talk to me about you losing your brain by overstudy! There's about as +much chance of that as my being made king of England," laughed Jerry. + +"But still it _has_ happened, you see. That establishes a precedent all +right, and my father, as a lawyer, is always talking about such things," +declared Bluff, not in the least abashed. + +"Now suppose you sit right down here, Jerry, and let us have the whole +yarn from Alpha to Omega. What you haven't been through since you left us +yesterday morning isn't worth mentioning, to judge from the hints you let +fall. A deer, four wild dogs, lost in the big timber, storm bound, +rescuing our most bitter enemy; and now helping to land an escaped +lunatic--say, you ought to feel satisfied, old fellow," observed Frank. + +Jerry laughed aloud. + +All his recent troubles, as viewed from the pleasant seat by the +campfire, with his three chums around him, seemed to fade into +insignificance. + +"Well, I reckon I am. There was a bear, too," he said, nodding. + +"What! a bear--you ran across a bear?" ejaculated Will, drawing in a big +breath and shaking this head as if he deplored the loss of an opportunity +to embellish his album of the camping-out trip with more fetching views. + +"Well, perhaps you could hardly call it that, seeing that he came looking +for me, trying to push into the hollow tree where I had sought shelter +from the storm." + +"That sounds mighty interesting--trying to get in, too, was he? And I +suppose you objected vigorously?" suggested Frank, falling down by the +fire and assuming a listening attitude. + +"I knew I hadn't lost any bear, you see; and, besides, there wasn't room +for two in that old stump. So I asked him to please go away," said Jerry, +with a wink. + +"Of course he did just that?" queried Will. + +"After I had shouted, and fired my gun through the hole. He was somewhat +surprised at such a rude reception, for I guess that stump was one of his +dens, and he thought he had the first claim on it." + +"Well, start in now with your getting over at the camp of Jesse, and give +us all the thrills you want. You've got proof about the deer and the +wild dogs; but perhaps we'll have to consider the story about the bear," +laughed Frank. + +"And Andy Lasher's repentance; that is the most surprising of all," +declared Bluff, shaking his head as though he could not understand +it at all. + +They sat there spellbound while Jerry skimmed over the entire account of +his adventures since quitting the camp. As the reader already knows what +befell him, it would be useless repeating the story. The three chums, +however, listened and exchanged looks with one another as some +particularly thrilling incident came along, as though they could imagine +Jerry facing that big yellow brute that chased him round and round the +tree until he was dizzy enough to drop ere he remembered that he had a +gun in his hand. + +"I move we go out there right after lunch and get the balance of the +venison. We may not have another chance to lay in a stock of fresh meat +all the time we're up here," proposed Will, finally. + +"Oh! I can see that you're doubting my story about the dogs, and +wondering where under the sun I ran across these four tails. All right, +fellows, I'll do the best I can to take you to the place. Perhaps if we +went to old Jesse he could guide us there much better," declared the +mighty hunter, calmly. + +"He talks as though he courts an investigation," remarked Frank; "and +in justice to his reputation, I think we ought to settle this matter +without delay. So I'm in favor of going, for one; besides, I confess to +a curiosity to see the dead dogs, and, perhaps, if fate is kind, look +into the identical hollow tree in which Jerry passed most of that +stormy night." + +"It's a go, then," cried Will, eagerly; "for I want a few more pictures. +If we could only rig up something to look like that yellow hound, and +have Jerry galloping around that tree in front of him, it would be +simply immense." + +"Talk to me about a faker will you--why, if Will keeps on he'll be +bamboozling the public worse than any showman ever did. Thanks, but I +guess you'll have to excuse me from that galloping act, Will. Once bit, +twice shy, you know. But it was gospel truth about Andy. He even +confessed that he had been up to old Rabig's place to get him to join the +crowd in playing some more measly tricks on us here. You see he was +sorry, and had to just tell all these things." + +"All but about my gun, hang him," grumbled Bluff, indignantly. + +"Bother your old gun! Will we ever hear the last of it?" exclaimed Jerry, +frowning; and yet giving Frank a sly wink with one eye, as if to inform +him that he did not really mean all he said. + +"You never heard the first of it yet, for I didn't even have a single +chance to shoot it off," complained the other. + +"For which all the little birds and chipmunks are rejoicing, for they +have had a chance to live. Besides, a gun like that is dangerous to the +community, I think. If it ever started to going I believe it would spit +out fire without any help from you, or any one else. But, for goodness' +sake, change the subject. I'm sleepy," declared Jerry, curling up on a +blanket by the fire. + +"All of us are, I reckon. You see we were having a little circus of our +own at the time this happened to you," remarked Frank. + +"Yes," exclaimed Bluff, "don't you think you're the only pebble on the +beach, Jerry." + +"Why, what happened?" demanded the other, looking up. + +"Why, what do you think we've got all those things on the bushes drying +out for? Yes, one of the tents blew away in the middle of the storm. I +think it must have been an hour or two before midnight, when the big gust +came that tore it loose. We were all four of us under it, and there was +some tall scurrying just then, believe me." + +"I can well believe it, Frank. Where was Will with his camera then?" +asked Jerry. + +"Trying to keep the blessed thing from getting soaked," answered Bluff. + +"Then he doesn't believe in wet plates?" laughed the other. + +"Seems not; films are good enough for him. Well, we managed to get all +the things under the shelter of the other tent, and shivered for some +hours. Finally, after the storm passed, and it began to get very cold, we +started a fire and waited to welcome the rosy dawn." + +"Don't get poetic, Frank. I'm really too dead for sleep to appreciate it +now. Wake me up, fellows, when lunch is ready, will you?" and, so +speaking, Jerry curled up again, this time in earnest. + +The others amused themselves the balance of the morning in various ways. +Bluff declared that he believed he would stay in camp while the others +went off. Frank looked at him curiously as if wondering what had struck +him, for he considered that the trip was well worth taking, if only to +see the husky-looking wild dogs Jerry had met and slain. + +He could remember having heard one or two persons speaking about the +pack that was giving the farmers so much trouble. To think that, after +all, their comrade had been the one to relieve the situation, was +pleasant indeed. + +They aroused Jerry when Uncle Toby announced that lunch was ready. The +old man seemed to be kept pretty busy preparing meals for all stragglers +happening in; but that part of the business pleased him. The only thing +he protested against was being left alone in camp. There were too many +visitors at such times to suit him. + +First had come the wildcat, and then the wild man. Uncle Toby had +therefore heard Bluff's announcement that he intended remaining behind +when the others went off, with particular pleasure and much relief. + +Immediately afterwards the three lads started out. Jerry seemed much +refreshed by his nap, and was as lively as either of his comrades. + +A straight line was kept for the shack of the old trapper, and when they +finally reached the place it was to find Jesse just starting out. + +"Why, hello, boys, glad to see ye," he said, shaking hands all around, +gravely. "And I'll be hanged, if thar ain't Jerry, big as life. I was +gettin' uneasy about ye, lad, an' just startin' to follow up your route +through the big timber. Ye see, I kinder thought ye might a-fallen foul +o' them fierce wild dogs I told ye about." + +Both Frank and Will laughed. + +"Well, he did all right, just that same thing. And we're on our way now +to see where he left the critters," declared Will. + +"Left 'em--looky here, ye don't mean to tell me--it can't be possible now +he fit that hull pack, an' got out o' it alive?" exclaimed the trapper. + +Then Jerry, with a laugh, dangled the four tails before his +startled eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +PROVING HIS CLAIM + + +"Jerusalem! I surely believes he's gone an' done it!" exclaimed old +Jesse Wilcox. + +Frank and Will burst out into a laugh. + +"Do you recognize these tails then, trapper?" asked the former; "because +we even accused Jerry of trying to palm off some substitute on us for the +originals?" + +"Oh! them there is original tails all right. How did ye do it, youngster? +An' if they ever was fierce dogs, that pack filled the bill. I'd kinder +hated to be up agin 'em myself; an' you on'y a boy!" + +"A boy armed with a double-barreled shotgun loaded with buck is able to +do just as much as a man, I suppose. I got my deer, too, Jesse, thanks to +the directions you gave me. It was a bully old time all around," said +Jerry, contentedly. + +"Well, I should smile to mention it. Ye take the cake, Jerry. An' now ye +want me to lead ye thar, I s'pose. Can ye describe the place well enough +for me to recognize it?" asked the trapper. + +"Possibly I can. Let's see, I remember that there was a queer-looking oak +standing close by--three trees in one, as though sprouts had grown up +when the parent trunk was smashed by lightning long ago. Remember having +seen anything like that in your trips through the big timber, Jesse?" +asked the other, seriously. + +The trapper smiled. + +"Why, it's right easy. I know that place as well as I do my own dooryard. +Shot a stag down by them three oaks myself ten years ago come Christmas. +So that's whar ye met up with the dog pack, was it? All right, if so be +ye are ready, we kin start right off," he remarked eagerly. + +All of the others were equally anxious to proceed, Jerry because he +wished to prove his hunting triumphs, and his chums to see the evidence +of his valor. Will, no doubt, still hoped to induce the victor to attempt +some sort of running stunt in connection with the tree and the dead dogs, +that would form the basis of a striking picture. + +Going in a bee line, as led by the sagacious trapper, who knew the +woods like a book, the little company did not spend more than an hour +on the way. + +"Thar's yer three oaks, son; now tell us jest whar ye was when ye shot +that deer." + +As he spoke, Jesse pointed ahead. All of them could easily see the +landmark now. + +"It was an old tree, and there ought to be broken branches underneath. +Yes, if you look over yonder you'll see it. And isn't there something +that looks yellow from here?" asked Jerry, proudly. + +"Just what! The dog story was founded on solid facts, then!" exclaimed +Frank, hurrying forward, with the others at his heels. + +"It was a true tale," chimed in Will, from the rear. + +They found the dogs just as Jerry had left them. The big yellow brute lay +under the rotten tree, with his head mangled from the discharge of the +gun at close quarters; the dingy white one farther off, and presently +Jerry led them to where he had dispatched the others. + +"And there's my package of vension, all right, hanging up yonder. I was +afraid some prowling lynx might get away with it," he remarked, +composedly; while his two admiring chums were whacking him on the back +admiringly, and insisting on proudly shaking hands with him over and +over again. + +"Now, to make a clean sweep, come with me and I'll show you where I +pulled Andy out from under the fallen tree," he said. + +Frank laughed and would have protested, declaring that he stood ready to +believe anything Jerry might say after this; but the other would not let +him hold back. + +"I demand that you investigate. See, here's where my charge tore up the +ground when I fired through the rotten wood to scare the bear away. And +you can see the plain mark of claws on the old tree-trunk. Is it so, +fellows?" he asked. + +"Without the least doubt. No Ananias here, that's sure," declared Frank. + +"All right. Now walk this way only a short distance. I heard the yells, +you see, above the racket of the storm, and that told me the one who +shouted must be near by. There's the fallen tree. Think what a narrow +escape Andy had from being crushed to death." + +"And it's easy to see where you dragged him out. Why, here are the prints +of his shoes in the mud as plain as type," remarked Frank. + +"Where?" asked Will, showing sudden interest; and then after getting down +to look at short range he laughed, saying: "Everything is just as Jerry +says. I know it was Andy he pulled out from under this tree." + +"How do you know?" demanded the party in question, curiously. + +"Why, you see it was Andy Lasher who knocked Bluff off that log into the +lake. We guessed it at the time, and he afterwards said as much to Jerry +here. Well, we found his footprints, and you see one of his shoes had a +queer patch on the sole, a sort of triangle. Here it is, as big as life!" + +He pointed triumphantly downward. Frank fairly shouted, and even +Jerry grinned. + +"Talk about your great detectives! Why, they ain't in the same class as +our chum here. You see, fellows, truth will out. What more proof do you +want?" demanded Jerry. + +"Everything has been proven. You are the hero of the hunt, Jerry. I pass +up my claim when you're around. And so Andy means to let us alone, does +he? Can he speak for his whole crowd, too?" queried Frank. + +"I don't know; perhaps not He said something about Pet Peters having to +do it himself if he insisted on carrying on this nasty business of +bothering us. So perhaps we may have more trouble with them, unless Andy +takes the bit in his teeth, and licks a few of his pals." + +Will was meanwhile busily engaged with his camera. He first of all +dragged several of the dead dogs around until they presented a gruesome +appearance, bunched close together. + +"Oh, if you would only run around that old tree a few times, Jerry, you +don't know how much obliged I'd be. Of course any one must imagine that +the dog pursuing you happens to just be out of sight at the time I snap +you off. But think how much pleasure the picture will give future +generations. _Please_ do!" he begged. + +"What do I care about future generations? It would give me the nightmare +every time I looked at the measly thing. I guess you'd feel the same way +if you just imagined you were going to have a piece gobbled from your leg +with every revolution you made. Nixey for me, old chum," observed the +other, indignantly. + +"Then if you won't, I suppose I'll have to take a still picture; but it's +really too bad. However, I have others of you, and some day I'll try a +composite picture, inserting you in the honorable position you decline to +fill," grumbled Will, as he pressed the button, and secured his view of +the venerable tree with the clump of dogs near its base. + +"Talk about your obstinate chaps, did you ever see the equal of him? When +I decline to do the tall running act, he's going to get out a fake +picture anyway, with me in it! In that case I might as well stand for it. +Here, you, I'll conspire with you to fix it. If it's got to be a +counterfeit, let's make it a decent one." + +So, after all, Will's persistency won out. + +"You'll be glad when you see the result, I'm sure," he said, as he +assisted Jerry to stand the dead hound on his stiffened feet, and +make it appear as though he might be stretching out in furious +pursuit of some one. + +"Now, let me get started winding up around the tree. Tell me when the +humbug business is over with," growled Jerry, beginning to circulate +over the same track he had covered on the preceding day at such a +speedy pace. + +This matter was soon adjusted to the complete satisfaction of Will; +though he seemed determined to get results, judging from the several +"clicks" that announced his rapid-fire work with the camera. + +The boys decided that there was no need of going back to the shack of +the muskrat trapper again, while they were just half the distance from +their own camp. + +Jesse Wilcox directed them, so that there was small chance of their +going astray; and, besides, Jerry had been over the ground before on +this very morning. + +"I wonder whether he'll bother taking the pelts of those four dogs?" +ventured Will, as he and his two friends walked briskly along. + +"Hardly. Dogskins may be valuable, but the buckshot in my gun just about +ruined those for any use, all but the yellow fellow. I had to laugh at +Jesse when he saw these tails. His eyes were like saucers," declared +Jerry, chuckling. + +"All right, it was a pretty clever piece of work, and he knew it. If that +big hound had ever laid hold of you--ugh! I don't want to think of it. +Let's talk about something pleasant--Bluff's pump-gun for instance," +remarked Frank. + +His eyes met those of Jerry, and the other turned red in the face. + +"I don't see anything pleasant about that subject. Goodness knows we hear +enough of it from him. What d'ye suppose he wanted to stay in camp for?" +he demanded. + +"Perhaps to cudgel his brains in order to remember whether he could have +taken it with him when we ran out of camp that night; or, perhaps, to +give another look around," suggested Frank, dryly. + +"Good luck to him, then," continued Jerry. "He ought to employ the great +American detective Will here, who discovers things by the print of a +foot. Possibly he could follow up the trail of the thief until it led to +the lost Gatling gun." + +"It would have been a good idea if taken at the time. What's this plain +trail lead to?" asked Frank. + +"I think it leads direct from the hemlock camp to where Andy's crowd +holds out," replied Jerry, who knew considerable about this region. + +"Are we far away from the lake, then?" + +"It's some closer than our camp. This trail has been traveled more or +less lately, too. That proves those fellows have been back and forth. +They're bound to spend pretty much all their time while up here trying to +make life miserable for us. We turn to the left here, fellows, and go +right along this way." + +The other two, after a look along the trail that led to the lake camp, +were just starting to follow Jerry when they heard a muffled cry. Looking +hastily around, to their great astonishment no Jerry was in sight! And in +the trail they discovered a gaping hole which was partly covered with a +layer of slender sticks, thickly strewn with dead leaves! + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +DOWN THE OLD SHAFT + + +"He's gone!" cried Will, aghast. + +"What sort of a trap has he dropped into?" exclaimed Frank. + +He was a lad of action, and throwing himself down flat he crawled to the +very edge of the gaping hole. + +"Hello, Jerry!" he shouted. + +"I'm all right, fellows; only bruised a little, and my feelings +considerably hurt. I deserve something for forgetting this hole," came a +voice from out of the depths. + +Frank looked down. His eyes being accustomed to the sunlight he could not +see anything but darkness there. But even as he was trying to pierce +this, a match flamed up, and he discovered his chum kneeling on a pile of +dirt, holding up his improvised torch as though curious to look around. + +"What is this place, Jerry?" demanded the one above. + +"Why, Will must remember if he once gets his mind off that miserable old +camera of his. It's the shaft of what was intended to be a mine," replied +Jerry, with disgust plainly marked in his tones. + +"A mine--and here? I never heard of it!" echoed Frank. + +"That's because you are a newcomer in Centerville. Years ago--oh! I +couldn't say how many--a crank lived in the little hut close by, now +occupied by the family of a lumberman. He believed there was gold in this +region. For nearly a year he dug down and made this shaft. Then he died +in his cabin, and no one else ever had faith enough in the thing to +continue the work," said Will, chiming in. + +"What! do you mean to say this hole in the ground has gone all these +years as a trap, ready to swallow any pilgrim who walked along this +trail?" demanded Frank. + +"Why, of course not. The boys from town often used to come up here. Will +has been down in this hole, and so have I before. It was covered with +heavy planks then. Somebody has removed those boards and laid a fine +trap. Just like we were over in Africa, among the wild-beast catchers. +And I fell in, worse luck," grumbled the boy at the bottom of the shaft. + +"I see. And you think those fellows in the other camp had a hand in it?" + +"Don't doubt it at all. You know yourself it would be just like that Pet +Peters. If I'd only thought of the blooming old thing in time, I might +have investigated. Talk to me about your Alpine climbers, I thought I was +going into the crevasse, all right." + +"But how are you going to get out?" asked Frank, always practical. + +"A fellow can't climb out. I know that, for we used to try it. Somebody +always had to put down the long pole that we made into a ladder," +declared Will. + +"Is it around here now?" continued Frank. + +"Wait and I'll give a look." + +Will very carefully placed his camera with its accompanying case of +films. He made sure that it was out of the way, so that no one might +incautiously step on the same, and ruin his heart's delight. Then he +passed into the bushes to scour the immediate neighborhood. + +Meanwhile Frank bent over the edge again. + +"I've examined this covering up here, Jerry, and there's not the least +doubt but that it was made with a distinct purpose," he declared. + +"I reckon it was, and it got me, all right. It looked just like the rest +of the trail, and I never suspected a thing until I found myself going +down. Speak to me about that, will you? To think that I was caught by +such a shabby trick. If it had been you, now, it wouldn't seem so bad, +because you never saw this hole before." + +"But what object could those rascals have had in constructing the trap?" +pursued Frank, seeking more light. + +"That's hard to say. I imagine, though, they expected to just badger us +from time to time until finally we all set out in full chase of the +crowd. Then perhaps they meant to lead us along this old trail, avoiding +the pit themselves, and having us tumble in pell-mell. It was a clever +dodge, but a mean trick all the same." + +"But if that had happened it might have been serious. One of us could +easily break a leg or an arm in such a tumble," expostulated Frank. + +"Huh! little those fellows care about that They're a rough lot, you know. +That Pet Peters thinks everybody is made of iron, like himself. Say, I +hope Will finds that old ladder we used to play with. I'd hate to lie in +here waiting for you to go all the way to camp and get a rope," grumbled +the imprisoned one. + +"I hear voices, and I reckon Will must have met some one. Yes, there +they come." + +"With the ladder?" demanded Jerry, eagerly. + +"They seem to be carrying something between them. Why, I ought to know +that fellow. As sure as you live, it's Andy Lasher," declared Frank, +somewhat surprised. + +"Then it's all right; I'm satisfied," said Jerry, resignedly. + +The others came forward, and as Frank had said they bore between them a +long, slender tree upon which many slats had been nailed by the boys. +This formed a rude but effective ladder, upon which one might ascend +and descend when desirous of seeing what the interior of the abandoned +shaft was like. + +"I came across Andy down the trail. Only for him I guess I'd never have +lit on the ladder, for they'd carried it some distance off, and hid it," +cried Will. + +Andy looked Frank straight in the face, and the latter explained: + +"It's mighty funny, but you see I remembered about this here trap the +boys had set, hopin' some of your crowd would take a tumble. I told 'em I +wouldn't stand for it after what had happened; so a bunch o' us was on +the way out here to put back the planks, when we heard shouts, and +guessed somebody had fallen in. The rest dodged into the bushes, but I +commenced to run this way. Then I met Will, here." + +"And we got the ladder. He was only too willing to help," went on Will, +plainly fully believing in the change of heart on the town bully's part. + +"Say, that's all mighty interesting, but talk to me about it after you +get a fellow out of this black hole. I thought I felt a snake right then. +We used to kill 'em in here, too. Poke the ladder down, boys, please." + +"That's a fact. As the drowning boy said: 'Save me first and scold me +afterward.' Let me give you a hand, boys," remarked Frank. + +"Hey! be careful there about getting too close to the edge. The whole +bunch of you will be in on top of me if you don't look out. I had a crack +on the head from a rock right then. And be careful how you poke that +ladder down, or you may stick it through me like a lady's hatpin. Now +I've got hold of the end, lower away, all." + +So under the directions of the boy who was in the hole, and in a position +to see how things lay, the single-pole ladder was placed in position. + +"I'm coming up now, fellows; don't let the dirt crumble in on me," +called Jerry. + +"It does beat all how the adventures crowd you, old man. Here the rest of +us just go along in an average way, and nothing happens to anybody to +stir the blood. Hang it, I say it's hardly fair," remarked Frank, in +pretended chagrin. + +Jerry began to appear in view, clinging to the ladder, for it was a +rather rickety affair, and threatening constantly to turn around, so that +he had to fasten both knees and hands to the pole as he mounted. + +"Keep her straight, Andy; you understand how hard it is to hustle up this +old beam. I'm getting there all right, and don't you forget it," he kept +saying, with a broad grin on his happy-go-lucky face as it came into +plain view. + +"Oh! Jerry, please hang there for just twenty seconds! You don't know +what a splendid picture you make. I'd give almost anything to snatch it +off. Oblige me like a good fellow, won't you, please?" shouted Will, +waving his hands entreatingly. + +"Talk to me about nerve! You beat all creation. I'm holding on by the +skin of my teeth, and you want me to wait till you get your measly old +camera adjusted, and snap me off in this ignoble position. Well, I'm +waiting, but it's to get my second wind, and not to oblige a crank," +gasped Jerry. + +"Oh! thank you, Jerry, thank you. It will only take a few seconds, I'm +sure, and the result will be a constant source of delight to every +member of the club." + +"Yes, I've no doubt they'll go into spasms of laughter every time they +look at the human ape hanging to his limb. Hurry up, plague take it; I'm +getting weary of posing to suit your convenience. Why don't he, come back +and finish? I declare if I can stand this any longer. I tell you I'm +coming up, Will--picture or no picture." + +"Here he comes; just hang on a bit longer," said Frank, soothingly. + +Will came dashing up, showing the most intense excitement. His eyes +fairly bulged from his head, and he was quivering all over. + +"What ails you, man; are you sick?" demanded Frank, in real alarm. + +"Sick? No, but I'm broken-hearted, that's what. It's gone!" shouted the +other, wringing his hands, "some wretch has stolen my camera, and films!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +"LOOK PLEASANT, PLEASE!" + + +"What's that?" exclaimed Andy Lasher, jumping up from the side of Frank, +where he had dropped to lend Jerry a helping hand. + +"My camera's stolen! I placed it carefully behind that tree so nobody +could step on it, and now the whole thing's disappeared!" said Will, +almost choking with deep emotion. + +"I bet that's the work of Pet Peters and the other fellows!" exclaimed +Andy, his freckled face showing dark signs of anger. + +"Hey, don't forget about me!" bellowed a voice from the depths; "the +blooming old pole turned round then, and I slipped back five feet. Hold +her steady, you fellows, and give me a chance to climb out!" + +"That's a fact. Come along, Jerry," said Frank. + +So the imprisoned one crawled out, only too glad to once more plant his +feet on solid ground. + +"Talk to me about your trapeze acts, and your parachute drops, I guess I +know all the sensations. And let me tell you I don't hanker after any +more of the same kind. Now, what's all this row about your black box, +Will?" cried Jerry, as he felt of his various joints to make sure he was +all sound. + +"It's been hooked while we were getting you out. That Pet Peters has made +way with it. Oh! if he ever tears open the package that contains my +beloved films, I'm just ruined. All my work for nothing; and they can +never be replaced again." + +"We'll get 'em, don't you fear," exploded Andy. "I'll run back to camp +right away, and make him give 'em up." + +"If you only would, I'd be ever so much obliged, Andy. Three dozen, yes, +four now, of the finest scenes a fellow ever could take. Why, some of +them are _immense_!" + +"I suppose you are referring now to that one where that yellow dog was +chasing me around the tree; but I wouldn't die of grief if posterity +never got a squint at that picture," said Jerry, shaking his head. + +"Please start now," urged Will; "for they will be opening the package +just for spite. One little bit of daylight and the whole thing will be +ruined. And from what I know of Pet Peters, I believe he'd do it." + +"I just reckon he would, now. All right, I'm off," said Andy. + +"Wait, and we'll go with you," declared Frank, quietly. + +"I can do it just as well alone; still, perhaps it is good to have you +fellers along. But we must run," Andy observed. + +"We can do it. Come on, boys!" cried Frank + +They started off through the timber, even Jerry keeping up a rattling +pace, although somewhat out of breath. + +"Better not talk," admonished Andy, when Will manifested a disposition to +continue his doleful wails about his terrible loss. + +"That's good advice, Will. If you hope to recover your property, better +keep a padlock on your lips just now. Besides, you need all your wind," +remarked Frank. + +They ran on. + +The trail was crooked, but kept drawing nearer the lake all the while. + +"Just a few minutes more," panted Andy at length. + +And when less than that time had passed they could catch glimpses of the +cabin in which he and his crowd had taken up their quarters, after being +forestalled by the outdoor chums in the race for the hemlock camp. + +Andy said nothing, but the manner in which he put his fingers on his lips +as he turned his head, was indicative of silence. + +He led them forward in such a way that the cabin stood between them and +the spot where several boys seemed to have clustered, interested in +something. + +When they looked around the corner of the hut they counted five in the +bunch. It was Pet Peters, a tall, raw-boned lad, who was swinging the +camera to and fro in triumph, while he held up the waterproof package in +which Will kept the rolls of films that had been exposed, awaiting the +time when he could develop the same. + +"Say, but won't them sissies be hoppin' mad w'en they sees it gone?" he +was saying, with a grin; "an' we can keep it as long as we wanter." + +"What's he got in the black bag, Pet?" demanded one of the others. + +"Don't know, but we'll soon find out," grunted the leader of the group, +looking around for a place to lay the camera down while he applied +himself to the task of opening the tied-up package. + +"I bet it's films he's used; I know, because I got a bull's-eye camera to +home," exclaimed another chap, pressing forward eagerly. + +"Who was it tumbled into the old mine shaft?" asked Pet, as he dug at +the knot with which the cord was fastened. + +"Don't know for sure, but I kinder think it must a-been Jerry Wallington. +I seen that Frank and Will along with Andy," replied a third, quickly. + +"Glad of it. Andy says as how he's under obligations to Jerry, but fur me +I don't take any stock in that sorter thing. He jest couldn't let a +feller lie there and die under that tree. It sarves Andy right because he +wanted to cover up the old shaft again afore any purty boy fell down in +it and skinned his nose. Say, how d'ye 'spose they ever found that ladder +agin after we hid it?" + +"'Course Andy got it for 'em. He oughter left the kid in the hole +all night. Hope he's bunged up good and hard by the tumble," came +from another. + +"Looky here, Pet, ye know what ye're doin', I 'spect?" asked the one who +had but a minute before owned to having a camera at home. + +"Tryin' to open this pesky little package, all right," answered +the other. + +"But if it has them films inside ye'll ruin the hull bunch if ye lets +daylight in on 'em. Undo the rolls that is wrapped each in black +paper, and the picters is gone just as quick as that," and he snapped +his fingers. + +"What do I care? Sarves them right for takin' our camp away. For two +cents I'd throw the hull business into the lake, and let her swim," +growled Pet, who did not seem to be making much progress in his feat of +untying the binding cord. + +Frank could feel Will quiver with emotion as he pressed against him. The +very thought of his beloved camera and those invaluable films floating on +the water filled the boy with unutterable anguish. He even groaned, +though the fact that the conspirators were so busily engaged, and talking +in the bargain, prevented them from hearing the suspicious sound. + +"Andy was a-helpin' 'em," declared one of the group, as though that fact +might constitute a crime in his eyes. + +"'Course; what more could ye expect arter the way he got us to go out +with him to cover up that hole again? Andy's got religion, I reckon; +leastways he ain't the same kind o' a feller he was," declared Pet. + +"But he turned on you mighty quick, I noticed, an' sed as how he'd wipe +up the ground with your remains if you jest didn't go along and help undo +our work. He kin fight yet, even if he is changed," said the fellow who +hung discreetly on the outskirts of the group, and who was evidently a +devoted follower of the said Andy. + +"Jest mind yer own business, Tom Somers, an' speak when yer spoken to. +Guess I know that yer intendin' to stick to Andy through thick an' +thin. But they ain't everybody feelin' that way, understand? If Andy +he's a-goin' to turn on us and be chummy with that crowd, we ain't +expectin' to stand it, see?" declared Pet, still struggling with the +obstreperous knot. + +"Them's my sentiments," observed another. + +"Me, too, fellers?" declared a second. + +"Yes, it's easy for ye to talk that ways when he ain't around; but let +him give any one o' ye a single look an' it's eat dirt for the lot. Ain't +I seen it done many a time? An' some day Andy's goin' to give Pet the +time o' his life," the single faithful henchman kept saying. + +"Oh, let up, Tom! Ain't any one o' ye got a knife? I can't never get this +here knot untied. Hand it here, Billy. Now watch the fun, fellers," and +as he spoke Pet opened a blade of the borrowed knife, and proceeded to +lay it across the cord. + +To judge by the way he sawed, that blade was too dull to cut butter. + +"What d'ye call this thing, anyhow, Billy? One side's about as sharp as +t'other, an' a feller couldn't commit suicide, if he tried to, with this +frog-sticker." + +"Try mine," said the fellow who owned a camera. + +"Say, that's the cheese; it's got a edge all right. Now wouldn't little +Willie Milton weep tears if he seen me a-doin' this to his property," and +he bent down to sever the cord at one vicious blow. + +Frank thought it high time to interfere. + +These unscrupulous boys would not hesitate to destroy all the results of +Will's hard labor, and, in fact, take the keenest delight in wringing his +heart by so doing. + +There was only one way apparently to stop the desecration and save those +precious films from destruction. Although opposed to violence on general +principles, still Frank knew very well that there are times when it +becomes necessary for every one to stand up boldly for his rights. + +He gave a nudge to Jerry which that worthy understood as a signal to be +ready. Accordingly, Jerry raised his shotgun until he had covered the +group in front of the cabin, and then waited for the word. + +"Step out and hold them," whispered Frank, in his ear; and the four boys +made a sudden appearance from behind the shack. + +"Now, look pleasant, please, you fellows!" exclaimed Frank, as he made +sure that he had his gun held on a line to cover the leader of the rebels +in Andy Lasher's camp. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +MORE SIGNS OF TROUBLE + + +Pet Peters looked thoroughly frightened when he saw that he had been +caught in the very act of opening another's property. + +The truth of the matter was, he had been warned of late by the town +authorities that on the very next occasion when caught taking things that +did not belong to him, they would send him to the reform school. + +"Don't you dare cut that string," said Frank, sternly; "or I won't answer +for the consequences, Pet Peters." + +The boy, with a scowl, threw the package down alongside the camera. + +"There's yer old shebang. I ain't done it a speck o' harm. Was just +kiddin', anyway. Knowed Will was around, an' jest wanted to make him +squeal," he declared. + +Of course it was a barefaced falsehood, as every one understood; but it +seemed to be the natural thing for a fellow like Pet to say; he always +squirmed out of a scrape that way, while Andy had at least shown a +certain amount of boldness when caught. + +"Will, step up and claim your property. If it has suffered any damage I'm +going to make him pay for it, if I have to take him all the way back to +Centerville," continued Frank. + +Eagerly did the one addressed walk forward and pick up both camera and +package of films. He was within three feet of those five boys, yet never +a hand was outstretched to hinder him. They knew better. Those grim guns +that bore upon them, and the angry faces of Jerry, Frank, yes, and Andy, +impressed them deeply. + +"Examine them, Will. Do you think either has been injured?" asked Frank. + +"'Course they ain't. How could they be when I kerried 'em carefully. Them +scratches was on ther camera afore I touched it, I'll swar to that!" +exclaimed Pet, really alarmed by this time. + +At which Andy grinned as if highly amused. + +"I guess everything's safe, Frank. They stopped just in time. Another +minute and the damage could not have been repaired," sang out the +delighted Will, ready to almost dance with joy. + +"Which is a lucky thing for them, then. Now, I don't know why we should +hang out here much longer. We've got our own, and the air of this camp +isn't quite as nice as I'd like. Shall we go, fellows?" asked Frank. + +"Might as well," answered Jerry; "but before we do I think these chaps +ought to be told that the sheriff promised to drop in and see us +to-morrow; and that if there's any more of this humbug and annoyance +tried, I'm going to ask him to take the whole bunch back to Centerville." + +"And I promise to prefer a charge of malicious mischief against them, and +an attempt to destroy property. Incendiarism is a crime, especially when +life is placed in peril; and one of us might have been burned while we +slept," added Frank, severely. + +There were exclamations of alarm from the cowering boys. They had been +intimidated by the guns of Jerry and his chum, but this new source of +danger chilled their ardor wonderfully. + +"I reckon we ain't goin' to try any more tricks, fellers. Thought we'd +have a leetle fun out of this campin' business; but seein' as how ye take +it so hard, we'd better draw off," muttered Pet, completely humbled. + +"Yes, 'fun for the boys, but death to the frogs,' as the old story says. +That sort of thing is too one-sided to suit me. Just play your jokes on +each other, if you must amuse yourselves. We have our own way of +extracting fun out of an outing. Well, come along, boys. And, Andy, thank +you for helping get Jerry out of that hole." + +He thrust out his hand to the other as he spoke, but Andy did not take +it. + +"Ain't got anything to do with the rest of ye; but Jerry he saved my +life. I told him I was goin' to quit naggin' his crowd, an' so I am; but +that don't mean I'm a turnin' a saint right away. Pet here is itchin' for +a lickin', an' I got a good notion to 'commodate him." + +Andy glared in the direction of his lieutenant, and it was plain to +be seen that the spirit of warfare had not as yet been diminished in +his bosom. + +"Oh! well, have it out among yourselves, boys. As long as you leave us +alone we won't bother you in the least, I give you my word," said Frank. + +"Come on, you fellows," cried Will. "I'm anxious to get away from here. +That Pet gave me the cold creeps when he came so near ruining my films. +Ugh! me for the comforts of our own camp." + +No one wanted to linger. Even Jerry was glad to turn his back on the old +cabin and stalk away, with his gun over his arm. + +"Say," called Will, over his shoulder, a few minutes later, as they were +pushing through the woods and following the back trail. + +"Well, what is it?" asked Jerry. + +"We forgot something, boys,'' continued the other. + +"What's that?" demanded Frank, coming to a stand. + +"Why, when we were about it we ought to have demanded that they return +Bluff's dandy, repeating shotgun," said Will. + +Thereupon Frank broke out into a laugh and turned upon Jerry. + +"Hear that, will you?" he remarked, as if tickled. + +"Oh, rats! there's that blessed old gun bobbing up again. Will I ever +hear the last of that machine?" exclaimed Jerry, shrugging his shoulders. + +"Not till the ghost is laid, I suppose, Jerry," remarked Frank. + +Jerry walked along at his side, still grumbling as if he had a difficult +matter to solve and could hardly make up his mind. + +Thus they came to the spot where the late catastrophe had taken place. +The hole gaped at them in the trail. + +"Say, this is a dangerous thing to leave uncovered. Some one else might +fall in, perhaps one of that lumberman's kids if they happened to be +playing hereabouts," remarked Frank, as they paused to look down once +more into the dark depths. + +"I wouldn't want my worst enemy to slip over that edge. My! but it was a +queer sensation I had when falling. Let's cover the hole up again," +remarked Jerry. + +"If we can find the planks it would be a good idea," echoed Will. + +They started a search immediately. When Andy and his followers had +removed this cover, to substitute the frail one of slender sticks, +quilted with dead leaves and a scattering of soil to deceive the eye, +they could not have taken the boards far away. + +"I'm dead sure they ain't in the hole," observed Jerry, as they hunted. + +"Lucky for you they were not, as you might have broken a leg in striking +hard planks instead of soft soil," remarked Frank. + +"Here they are, boys!" sang out Will just then. + +It took but a short time for them to carry the heavy planks back to the +place, and cover up the hole the crazy gold-hunter had dug so many; +years ago. + +"Hope those sillies won't think to steal them off again. They might trap +one of that lumberman's kids, and then the penitentiary for theirs, for +sure," said Jerry, as he made sure the cover was secure on all sides. + +"I rather think they've had a lesson this time, and won't be in any hurry +to repeat the dose," laughed Frank; "come along boys." + +Somehow Jerry seemed to lag behind the others. + +"What's the matter with him?" asked Will, turning his thumb backward over +his shoulder. + +"Perhaps conscience is at work. Jerry has queer freaks, you know. Wait +and see what develops," answered Frank, mysteriously, and, although his +companion tried to get him to say more he absolutely declined. + +It was a short time after this that they heard the boom of a gun. + +"Hunters abroad, somewhere around. There goes a second, yes and a third. +Game must be plenty where they are," remarked Will. + +Frank did not reply, but the other saw that he was smiling as if his +thoughts might be pleasant just then. + +"I just bet he's thinking of my sister Violet," was what passed through +the mind of the boy; but for once he was wrong. + +They finally arrived at a point not a quarter of a mile from camp. +Frank turned to see if Jerry was coming along, for he had not heard a +sound from him. + +"How about that venison you insisted on carrying? I hope you didn't leave +it in that miserable pit, now, for I was calculating on having a feast +for supper?" he asked, seeing that Jerry still plodded along close by. + +"I've got it on my back all right, so don't worry, boys. And honest, now, +come to think of it, I really believe the bundle saved me from a worse +shock than I got. I landed on it, if you please. Don't know how it beat +me down, but it served as a fine old buffer. I look on that blessed deer +as my best friend." + +"Listen!" exclaimed Will just then. + +All of them could hear what seemed to be shouts ahead. They certainly +came from the direction of the home camp. + +"Now what do you suppose has happened there this time? Can't we ever take +a little saunter through the woods without the camp being made the +theater for all sorts of strange dramas--wildcats, lunatics, and now +what?" exclaimed Jerry. + +"I think it would be just as well for us to sprint along and find out. +That Toby seems fated to get into the queerest scrapes ever heard of. +Here goes!" with which Frank began to run. + +The others kept close at his heels, and as the outcries increased they +even put on additional speed, bursting out of the timber to see as +strange a spectacle as ever greeted the eyes of woodsmen returning to +their camp. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +WHAT BLUFF DID + + +"Why, it's a bear!" exclaimed Jerry, as the three boys came to a +standstill on the border of the camp. + +"It sure is, and nothing less," admitted Frank, his face beginning to +pucker up with the advance stages of a laugh. + +"Oh! if I can only get my camera on him--what glorious luck!" breathed +Will, as his trembling fingers worked to drag the little black box out of +its cover. + +The bear was busy just then, in fact, exceedingly engaged. He had taken +to turning things over around the fire just as though some one had given +him a sheriff's search warrant, and he meant to use it to the limit. + +"He's hungry, all right; look at him getting away with the corn Uncle +Toby was just going to cook for supper. Say, that must be the same old +critter I interviewed while I was caged in that tree," said Jerry, +tickled at the thought. + +"What makes you think so?" demanded Frank. + +"He's so curious and so persistent, you see. Besides, I don't believe +there's another bear within ten miles of here. Oh! it's my old +friend, you just bet. And that means I ought to have the privilege of +slaying him." + +"Don't be piggish, Jerry. Let some of the rest of us do something or +other," remarked Frank, with a touch of satire in his voice. + +He had his own gun handy, and meant to have a share in getting a supply +of bear meat for the camp larder. + +"Do you see Uncle Toby? I'll be blessed if he hasn't gone and made a +ladder, and has used it to climb up in that tree yonder," declared Jerry, +snickering. + +"Sensible old Toby. If I had to make shift to be a monkey as often as he +has, I think I'd have a ladder, too. Saves considerable trouble, you see, +and the wear and tear on his clothes counts, too. But didn't we leave +Bluff in camp--I don't see anything of our pard, do you, boys?" + +A sharp "click" close to Frank's ear announced that Will was at his old +tricks again. He had snapped off a view of the shaggy visitor squatted +there with the open kettle between his paws, scooping up its juicy +contents with evident relish. Canned corn was a treat that did not come +his way every day, and Bruin meant to make the most of his opportunity. + +"I thought I had a glimpse of something moving over there back of the +tent, and it might be Bluff. I hope he don't try to shoo the old varmint +off before we get a whack at him. I've only got bird-shot in my gun but +at close quarters that ought to do as well as a bullet, eh, Frank?" asked +Jerry, excited at the prospect. + +"Wait I've a notion that you may be surprised yet. I've also a hunch, my +boy, that there will be another claimant for the honors of this +campaign. Sometimes surprises spring out of the very earth. Watch!" said +Frank, laying a hand on the gun of his chum, as though impelling him to +hold his fire. + +Suddenly there was a loud bang! + +The bear rolled over in a heap regardless of the congregated tinware that +was consequently sent scurrying to the right and to the left. + +"Who fired?" shouted the amazed Jerry. + +"Look out, fellows, the old rascal's up again, and I guess I'd better get +behind a tree with my camera!" exclaimed Will, suiting the action to the +words with commendable rapidity. + +Bang! went a second discharge at this juncture, and the bear now turning +bit savagely at its hindquarters as though its wounds smarted severely. + +Immediately a third discharge followed the others. Bruin had by this +time apparently sighted the party from whom all these stinging cuts must +have proceeded. He gave a roar of rage and lumbering awkwardly across +the space started to try and climb a little tree just alongside one of +the tents. + +"It's Bluff, and he's up in that tree!" shouted Will, as he peeped around +his own shelter, and took in the picture with another "click." + +"But--he's got a gun!" stammered Jerry. + +"Of course he has. Didn't he bring one with him? Perhaps a good fairy may +have given him a tip as to where it could be found. There! he has fired +again, and that time he missed, for the range was too close." + +Frank, as he was speaking, commenced to advance into the open. + +"Looky out, Marse Frank, he chaw yuh up, clean suah!" bawled Uncle +Toby, from the crotch in the tree where his ladder had allowed him to +reach. "Git up heah, honey, whah he can't reach yuh. Dat b'ar am ma-ad +clar t'rough!" + +"Four times he's shot--didn't I say he couldn't hit the side of a barn. +Think of him carrying a Gatling gun," said Jerry. + +"But he _has_ hit him more than once. Look how the brute is bleeding, and +just to think, Jerry, he's got two more chances. Those pump-guns don't +seem so very bad in an emergency," laughed Frank, who seemed to be +enjoying the little affair very much indeed. + +"There goes one more; and the bear still lives. Talk to me about that, +will you, if he didn't shoot its stub of a tail off that time! What next, +I wonder? Why not execute the poor beast scientifically, and not murder +him by inches?" + +He moved his gun forward again as though bent on shooting. Frank, +however, would not let him raise the weapon. + +"Wait, I say; give Bluff one more chance. Make allowance for his +excitement and his position while the bear is shaking that tree so. If he +misses again we will both fire together and put an end to the comedy +before it turns into a tragedy." + +"That's what it will be if Bluff ever drops down into those claws. Why +don't the duffer shoot? I can't stand it much longer, I tell you." + +"Hold hard. I've no doubt he's waiting to get a good show, when the bear +stops rocking that tree for a second. There now!" + +A sixth roar drowned Frank's last words. This time Bluff must have +steeled his nerves, and covered the side of the bear, for with the report +the animal keeled over, made a vain attempt to get up again, gave a few +kicks, and then lay still. + +"Hurrah! Bluff has killed his bear!" yelled Frank, rushing forward, and +swinging his hat excitedly. + +"Come down here and stand over the fallen beast while I immortalize you +as the mightiest Nimrod of them all," called Will, rushing up with his +camera ready to do the business with neatness and dispatch. + +Jerry said nothing. He looked a bit dejected as he stood there and +surveyed the dead bear. It was not envy that gripped his soul either, for +Jerry was generous by nature. Something else had seized upon him, and +Frank smiled as though satisfied with the way things had come out. + +Bluff came scrambling down from his uncertain perch, looking wild. + +"Is he really dead, fellows? Just to think that after all I did it with +my new repeating shotgun! Ain't it a dandy, though? If Jerry hadn't gone +to work and hid it away, I might have downed all the game that's come +into this camp," he said, looking upon the black, hairy beast with a +shudder, for he had had quite a severe fright while swaying to and fro +with an angry bear beneath waiting for him to drop, like a ripe +persimmon, as Jerry afterwards described it. + +"Jerry?" shouted Will, in blank amazement. + +"Yes, he stuck the gun in that long box over there. You remember his +falling over it and bruising his shins. That was what gave him the +miserable idea, I suppose. Anyway, he did it while the rest of us were +out in the brush hunting for the fellow who threw those rocks into our +camp," declared Bluff, scowling at the author of his woes. + +Jerry laughed, a little forcedly it is true. + +"I suppose I might as well own up, Bluff. I'm the guilty wretch, all +right. The temptation came to me, and I did the job without thinking what +it would mean to you. Honestly I've felt sore about it more than once +since, and had just about made up my mind to confess, when by some +accident, it seems, you found it. But you don't know it all. I hid the +gun and then, when I went to see if it was safe, it was gone. I didn't +know what to make of that, but fancied somebody else in camp had taken +it. Then I commenced a search, and I found the gun down near that hole. I +rather think some of the Lasher crowd came and took the gun, but I am not +sure. After I found the gun I brought it to camp and put it in the box +again. I take back some of the hard things I've been saying about that +weapon. She can shoot, all right, and in the hands of an expert might, +as I said, clean out all the game going." + +"Frank told me to take another look around, just before you fellows +left camp. I didn't have the heart to until a little while back, and +was delighted to find the gun under those pieces of canvas in the box. +It wasn't wet a bit in that hot old storm we had, either," continued +Bluff again, as be contemplated his quarry, and then puffed out with +honest pride. + +"Say, was it you shooting a little while back?" asked Will, just then; +"because we heard a lot of shots somewhere around." + +"Why, yes, I got Uncle Toby to stand behind a tree, and throw up the wash +basin half a dozen times while I banged away." + +"Yes," said Frank, picking up the article in question, "and to judge from +the holes you put through it we'll have to do without a basin during the +remainder of our stay in camp. But how do you suppose this bear wandered +into camp?" + +"Reckons dat he jest smells de cawn, Marse Frank, w'en I opens up de can, +an' by gorry, dat b'ar he can't resist de temptations to hab some. I seen +him comin' foh me, an' I jest lets out a yell an' runs up dis yer safety +ladder," remarked Toby, as he patted the article in question +affectionately. + +"We heard the yells, all right, and came running. Look here, Bluff, old +man, you got your bear in spite of my playing that mean trick on you; +are you going to call it quits, and be friends?" asked Jerry, holding +out his hand. + +"I--er--I don't know," stammered Bluff. + +"I am just as sorry as I can be, Bluff, really I am, and I'd give the +world if I hadn't played that trick. At first I was going to own up, but +when you went off after the Lasher crowd it--well, I didn't see how I +could do it. But after I got it back I hoped every hour that you would +look into the box and discover the gun. Oh, say you'll forgive me!" added +Jerry, pleadingly. + +"Well, I feel a bit raw about it yet, but this is no time to show +resentment, with such a glorious trophy at my feet. Yes, we'll call it +quits, Jerry, only after this you might forget to sneer at a gun that +happens to be different from yours." + +"I agree, and that ends it," said Jerry, as he squeezed the other's hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +BREAKING CAMP + + +And they had bear steak for supper. + +Honestly, none of them thought a great deal of the treat, only that it +seemed to be the proper thing for hunters to enjoy the results of their +prowess with their guns. + +Bluff was the happiest chap in camp, unless Will be excepted; he fondled +that recovered gun almost the whole evening, and while Jerry winced every +time he saw it, he dared not lift up his voice in protest after the great +work which the so-called Gatling gun had done in the hands of a +greenhorn. + +Jerry with all his skill in the line of shooting had never been given the +opportunity to kill a bear, and he felt that the time had gone by for him +to class Bluff as a "come-on." + +They spent a joyful evening, though, going over the exciting incidents of +the last forty-eight hours again and again. + +"And to think that we have only been up here a few days, boys. Why, if +this sort of thing keeps on at this rate during our two weeks' stay, +whatever in the world am I going to do for more films?" asked Will, +plaintively. + +"Keep the balance for especially good subjects," said Jerry, carelessly. + +"Yes, but sometimes, you know, the best pictures are those you fail to +get. Now, there was that one with you hanging to that ladder, I'll never +get over my disappointment about losing that. Whenever anything of that +sort crops up again, I hope nobody will steal my camera." + +"Talk to me about dogged perseverance, this fellow certainly has 'em all +beat to a frazzle," said Jerry, with an injured air, "I expect next he'll +be proposing that we go back to that old shaft, and while I hang by my +teeth to that blessed, shaky ladder, he will crack off a few views of the +circus. Don't you dare propose that, or I'll forget my promise to be +good, and begin to hide things again!" + +"Oh! all right, I won't mention it, only it's a shame, that's what, when +any fellow in these days refuses to put himself out a little just to +oblige a friend, and interest posterity," grumbled Will. + +They stayed up until quite late, singing songs of school and college +life, and having a happy time. Not one among the four dreamed of the +shadow that was even then hovering over Kamp Kill Kare. + +There was no alarm that night, for which one and all felt grateful. This +thing of being aroused out of a sound sleep to have the covers whipped +off by a roaring gale may read all very nice, but the reality is quite a +different matter. And when wild animals invade the peaceful camp it +strikes one as very funny in print, but is apt to bring about a chilly +feeling when encountered in real life. + +As usual, Frank was the first one up, and he soon had the camp astir with +his cheery calls. The nipping, frosty air proclaimed that now the Fall +had come in earnest, and that they would be glad after this to keep a +fire burning during each night, for warmth. + +As they sat about the blaze after breakfast, laying out plans for the +day, the sound of a horse's neigh startled them. + +"It's the sheriff, I reckon," said Jerry, as they jumped up. + +And he had guessed correctly, for presently they saw a horseman appear, +and as he came up he waved his hand in greeting. + +"Sorry, boys, but I've got some bad news for you," he said. + +"Anybody dead, or sick?" asked Frank, turning a bit pale. + +"Oh, no, nothing of that sort, I'm glad to say. This concerns you fellows +only?" was the quick reply of Mr. Dodd, the sheriff. + +The four boys looked at one another with alarm. + +"I bet I know what it is--the Head has concluded to start the school up +under half a roof, and wants us to come back right away!" said Will, +mournfully. + +Mr. Dodd laughed aloud. + +"Hit it the first slat out of the box, Will. And you've got to report +to-morrow morning, so you must go back to-day sure. I saw some of your +fathers, and they say the same, so there's no escape. Sorry to bring you +bad news; but looks like you've been doing your share of game-getting in +the short time you were here," nodding toward the bear that was hanging +up, and the deerskin, as well as the pelt of the invading wildcat. + +"Well, it's hard lines, sir, but I suppose we have to obey. But get off +and have breakfast. Toby just loves to cook, you know. There's plenty of +coffee left, and you can have your choice of bear steak, or venison," +said Jerry, hospitably. + +So the sheriff made himself at home. He even assisted the boys get +their things together preparatory to moving back to town, before riding +on further. + +The motor-cycles had been securely packed away under the big fly all this +time, and had not suffered at all from the rain. Indeed, the boys took +good care to keep them well oiled, knowing the benefit of having such +valuable pieces of mechanism in first-class order at all times. + +Jerry went over to the farmer's and secured the horses and wagon. Then +the work of dismantling Kamp Kill Kare began. They tried to appear gay, +but every one of the boys had become attached to the place during their +short stay, and felt badly over leaving these scenes with so much undone +that they had planned for. + +"Never mind, fellows, we're going to come again and again. This first +camp of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club isn't going to be the last, by any +means. And I guess we've learned a good many things on this trip," sang +out Jerry, cheerily. + +"That's true every day, with all of us. I'm learning all the time. And +next year when we get under canvas we will have a lot of pleasant +memories to look back to. Why, with Will's pictures to help out, the +winter will be a constant feast of stories about the things that have +happened to us up here," remarked Frank. + +"I'd like to have seen more of old Jesse. He's just chock full of woods +lore, and can give you all the points you want about animals and such. +How are things getting on out there, fellows? Is the wagon pretty well +loaded?" asked Jerry. + +"Have the last tent packed away in ten minutes. Toby says he can drive +all right, but we'll keep near by to lend him a hand if necessary. The +road is some rough in places until we get on the pike." + +Half an hour later the wagon moved away from the camp under the hemlocks. +Uncle Toby looked back and grinned amiably as he noted his ladder of +protection, and his friendly tree of refuge. + +Each boy in turn started his machine by walking, then vaulted into the +saddle, and began to move along the trail that led down to the lumber +camps at the head of the lake. + +No one said a word. In truth all were too full of emotion to speak, for +they felt this sudden flitting more than they cared to admit. + +A turn of the trail and no longer could they see the twin hemlocks under +which the two khaki tents had stood. Frank had broken up many times in +his camping experiences and knew just how it felt; but the sensation was +new to the others. It was as if they had just lost a dear friend--as +though something had gone out of their lives that could never be +recovered again. + +Now in advance of the trundling wagon, and anon bringing up the rear, +they kept on until finally the opening at the lumber camp was gained. +From now on their progress would be faster, and if they wished they could +leave Toby to come along with the wagon while they opened up and made a +speedy run for home. + +Somehow no one seemed to care about doing that. The wagon held something +that had been associated in their minds with the most delightful of +times, and they felt as though they ought to continue to act as a guard +of honor to the slow moving team. + +"Cheer up, fellows," called Frank, seeing how gloomy his chums looked; +"every one of us has good reason for feeling proud and satisfied, even if +our vacation has been cut short. I know I'm glad I came. I've had just a +glorious time!" + +"And to think of the fine pictures I'll be developing to-night. Oh! don't +I hope they turn out good, though. Frank, you promised to come around and +help me with your advice. I wouldn't take a chance of spoiling those +views for anything," said Will, beginning to brighten up at the thought. + +"And sure, I ought to be satisfied, with a deer, four wild dogs, and part +of a wildcat, too, as my portion," exclaimed Jerry, also smiling again. + +"Well, what d'ye think of me then, me and the blessed old pump-gun you +used to make so much fun about? A bear, a great big savage bear that was +trying to shake me down out of that tree It's in the wagon, too, and all +our folks are going to try how sharp their teeth are when they get to +biting a genuine bear steak. I rather think I'm in this thing some, eh, +fellows?" demanded Bluff, positively. + +"Yes, I rather believe you lead the procession this time, Bluff. Go up +ahead, and do the grand marshal act when we get near home. But, say what +you will, boys, we did have glorious fun. I doubt whether any fellows +ever had more adventures crowded into so short a time before. And we're +all of the same mind, I take it, ready to try it again at the very first +opportunity," said Frank. + +And how they did try it again will be told in another book, to be called: +The Outdoor Chums on the Lake; or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island." +In that volume we shall meet all our young friends again, and likewise +their enemies, and follow out the particulars of some decidedly thrilling +happenings. + +"Before we get into civilization again, let's give one last rousing cheer +for good old Kamp Kill Kare," cried Jerry. + +"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! tiger!" rang out four boyish voices; and then, +waving an imaginary farewell to the pleasant camp under the hemlocks, the +outdoor chums turned once more to the duties of school life. + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Chums, by Captain Quincy Allen + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS *** + +***** This file should be named 10267.txt or 10267.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/6/10267/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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