diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:42:11 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:42:11 -0700 |
| commit | a05908374b0ddf3982d5fdc40aa61d452c1ce9ab (patch) | |
| tree | eec468552e713b545fbb5135103c70261a5ac414 /13455-h/13455-h.htm | |
Diffstat (limited to '13455-h/13455-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | 13455-h/13455-h.htm | 7307 |
1 files changed, 7307 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/13455-h/13455-h.htm b/13455-h/13455-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8dea892 --- /dev/null +++ b/13455-h/13455-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7307 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rover Boys In The Mountains, by Arthur M. Winfield</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + IMG {margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 10% + } + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + a:link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:#ff0000} + pre {font-size: 85%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13455 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rover Boys In The Mountains, by Arthur M. +Winfield</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<IMG align="middle" SRC="images/illus_1.jpg" +alt="Illustration: DINNER ON THE WAY.— Frontis. +Rover Boys in the Mountains."> + +<h1>THE ROVER BOYS</h1> +<h1>IN THE MOUNTAINS</h1> +<h3>OR</h3> +<h2><i>A HUNT FOR FUN AND FORTUNE</i></h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</h2> +<br> + +<h5>Author of "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," "THE ROVER<br> +BOYS ON THE OCEAN," "THE ROVER BOYS IN THE<br> +JUNGLE," "THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST,"<br> +"THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT<br> +LAKES," ETC.</h5> +<br> + +<h4>1902</h4> +<br> + +<hr style='width: 45%;'> + +<h4>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</h4> + +<h5>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER;<br> + Or, The Search for the Missing Houseboat.</h5> + +<h5>THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP;<br> + Or, The Rivals of Pine Island.</h5> + +<h5>THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA;<br> + Or, The Crusoes of Seven Islands.</h5> + +<h5>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS;<br> + Or, A Hunt for Fun and Fortune.</h5> + +<h5>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES;<br> + Or, The Secret of the Island Cave.</h5> + +<h5>THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST;<br> + Or, The Search for a Lost Mine.</h5> + +<h5>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE;<br> + Or, Stirring Adventures in Africa.</h5> + +<h5>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN;<br> + Or, A Chase for a Fortune.</h5> + +<h5>THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL;<br> + Or, The Cadets of Putnam Hall.</h5> + +<hr style='width: 45%;'> + +<h5><i>12mo, finely illustrated and bound in cloth.</i></h5> + +<h5><i>Price, per volume, 60 cents.</i></h5> + +<hr style='width: 45%;'> + +<p>CONTENTS.</p> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> + <a href='#INTRODUCTION'><b>INTRODUCTION.</b></a><br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_I'><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a> THE BOYS OF PUTNAM HALL<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_II'><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a> A GLIMPSE AT THE PAST<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_III'><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a> TOM ON A TOUR OF DISCOVERY<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_IV'><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a> DORMITORY NUMBER TWO<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_V'><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a> A SCENE IN THE SCHOOLROOM<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VI'><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a> NEWS OF AN OLD ENEMY<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VII'><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a> SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VIII'><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a> JASPER GRINDER IS DISMISSED<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_IX'><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a> A RACE ON THE ICE, AND WHAT FOLLOWED<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_X'><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a> THE END OF THE TERM<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XI'><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a> HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XII'><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a> THE BRASSED-LINED MONEY CASKET<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XIII'><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a> THE HEART OF THE ADIRONDACKS<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XIV'><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a> THE START UP THE RIVER<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XV'><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a> WILD TURKEYS<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVI'><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a> ON THE WRONG TRAIL<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVII'><b>CHAPTER XVII.</b></a> AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII'><b>CHAPTER XVIII.</b></a> IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XIX'><b>CHAPTER XIX.</b></a> DICK AND THE WILDCAT<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XX'><b>CHAPTER XX.</b></a> BEAR POND AT LAST<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXI'><b>CHAPTER XXI.</b></a> A PAIR OF PRISONERS<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXII'><b>CHAPTER XXII.</b></a> JASSPER GRINDER TRIES TO MAKE TERMS<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXIII'><b>CHAPTER XXIII.</b></a> THE BLACK BEAR<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXIV'><b>CHAPTER XXIV.</b></a> TOGETHER AGAIN<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXV'><b>CHAPTER XXV.</b></a> SNOWED IN<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXVI'><b>CHAPTER XXVI.</b></a> AN UNWELCOME COMRADE<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXVII'><b>CHAPTER XXVII.</b></a> BRINGING DOWN TWO BEARS<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXVIII'><b>CHAPTER XXVIII.</b></a> TWO FAILURES<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXIX'><b>CHAPTER XXIX.</b></a> JASPER GRINDER AND THE WOLVES<br> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXX'><b>CHAPTER XXX.</b></a> A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH--CONCLUSION<br> + +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='INTRODUCTION'></a><h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> +<br> + +<p>My dear boys: "The Rover Boys in the Mountains" is a complete story in +itself, but forms the sixth volume of the "Rover Boys Series for Young +Americans."</p> + +<p>This series of books for wide-awake American lads was begun several +years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at School." At that +time the author had in mind to write not more than three volumes, +relating the adventures of Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover at Putnam Hall, "On +the Ocean," and "In the Jungle," but the publication of these books +immediately called for a fourth, "The Rover Boys Out West," and then a +fifth, "The Rover Boys on the Great Lakes." Still my young friends did +not appear to be satisfied, and so I now present to them this sixth +volume, which relates the stirring adventures of the three Rover boys in +the Adirondacks, whither they had gone to solve the mystery of a certain +brass-lined money casket found by them on an island in Lake Huron.</p> + +<p>In writing this volume I have had a double purpose in view; not only to +pen a tale which might prove pleasing to all boys, but one which might +likewise give them a fair idea of the wonderful resources and natural +beauty of this section of the United States. Ours is a wonderful +country, and none of us can learn too much concerning it.</p> + +<p>Again thanking my young friends for their kindness in the past, I place +this volume in their hands, trusting they will find it as much to their +liking as those which have preceded it.</p> + +<p>Affectionately and sincerely yours,</p> + +<p>ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<h2>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS.</h2> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_I'></a><h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>THE BOYS OF PUTNAM HALL.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"Hurrah, boys, the lake is frozen over! We'll be sure to have good +skating by to-morrow afternoon!"</p> + +<p>"That's fine news, Tom," came from Sam Rover. "I've been fairly aching +for a skate ever since that cold snap of two weeks ago."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to start up some skating matches if good skating does really +turn up," put in Dick Rover, who had just joined his two brothers in the +gymnasium attached to Putnam Hall. "Don't you remember those matches we +had last year?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Dick," answered Tom Rover. "Didn't I win one of the silver +medals?"</p> + +<p>"Gracious! but what a lot has happened since then," said Sam, who was +the youngest of the trio. "We've gotten rid of nearly all of our +enemies, and old Crabtree is in jail and can't bother Mrs. Stanhope or +Dora any more."</p> + +<p>"We didn't get rid of Dan Baxter," remarked Dick. "He gave us the slip +nicely."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he'll dare to bother us again, Dick?" questioned Sam +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I hope not, but I'm not certain, Sam. The Baxters are a bad lot, as all +of us know, and as Dan grows older he'll be just as wicked as his +father, and maybe worse."</p> + +<p>"What a pity a fellow like Dan can't turn over a new leaf," came from +Tom Rover. "He's bright enough in his way, and would make a first-rate +chap."</p> + +<p>"It's not in the blood," went on Dick. "We'll have to keep our eyes +open, that's all. If anything, Dan is probably more angry at us than +ever, for he believes we were the sole means of his father being put in +prison."</p> + +<p>"Old Baxter deserved all he got," murmured Sam.</p> + +<p>"So he did."</p> + +<p>"Well, if Dan Baxter ever bothers me he'll catch it warm," came from +Tom. "I shan't attempt to mince matters with him. Everybody at this +school knows what a bully he was, and they know, too, what a rascal he's +been since he left. So I say, let him beware!" And so bringing the +conversation to an end for the time being, Tom Rover ran across the +gymnasium floor, leaped up and grasped a turning-bar stationed there, +and was soon going through a number of exercises recently taught to him +by the new "gym" teacher.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, but Tom is getting to be a regular circus gymnast!" cried +Sam, as he watched his brother in admiration. "Just see what beautiful +turns he is making."</p> + +<p>"Humph! that aint so wonderful," came from someone at Sam's elbow, and +turning the youngest Rover found himself close to Billy Tubbs, a short, +stocky youth who had entered Putnam Hall at the opening of the fall +term. Tubbs was a boy of rich parentage, and while he was not +particularly a bully, he considered himself of great importance and +vastly superior to the majority of his associates.</p> + +<p>"All right, Tubby; if it isn't so wonderful, just you jump up and do +it," returned Sam coldly.</p> + +<p>"Look here, how many times have I told you not to call me Tubby!" burst +out the rich youth. "I don't like it at all."</p> + +<p>"Then what shall we call you?" asked Sam innocently. "Tubblets?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't want you to call me Tubblets either. My name is +Tubbs—William Philander Tubbs."</p> + +<p>"Gosh! Am I to say all that whenever I want to address you?" demanded +Sam, with a pretended gasp for breath.</p> + +<p>"I don't see why you shouldn't. It's my name."</p> + +<p>"But Tubby—I mean Tubblets—no, Willander Philliam Tubbs—the name is +altogether too long. Why, supposin' you were standing on a railroad +track looking east, and an express train was coming from the west at the +rate of seventy-five miles an hour, and it got to within a hundred yards +of you when I discovered your truly horrible peril, and I should start +to warn you of the aforesaid truly horrible peril, take my word for it, +before I could utter such an elongated personal handle as that, you'd be +struck and distributed along that track for a distance of a mile and a +quarter. No, Tubby, my conscience wouldn't allow it—really it +wouldn't." And Sam shook his head seriously.</p> + +<p>"See here, what are you giving me?" roared Tubbs wrathfully. "Don't you +worry about my standing on a railroad track and asking you to call me +off." And then he added, with a red face, as a laugh went up from half a +dozen students standing near: "William Philander Tubbs is my name, and I +shan't answer to any other after this."</p> + +<p>"Good for you Washtubs!" came from a boy in the rear of the crowd.</p> + +<p>"I'd stick to that resolution, by all means, Buttertubs," came from the +opposite side of the crowd.</p> + +<p>And then one older youth, who was given to writing songs, began to sing +softly:</p> +<br> + +<div class="poem"> +"Rub-a-dub-dub!<br> +One man in a tub,<br> + And who do you think it is,<br> +It's William Philander,<br> +Who's got up his dander,<br> + And isn't he mad! Gee whizz!" +</div> +<br> + +<p>The doggerel, gotten up on the spur of the moment, struck the fancy of +fully a score of boys, big and little, and in an instant all were +singing it over and over again, at the top of their lungs, and at this +those who did not sing began to laugh uproariously.</p> + +<p>"I say, what's it all about?" demanded Tom, as he slid from the +turning-bar.</p> + +<p>"Songbird Powell has composed a comic opera in Tubby's honor," answered +Larry Colby, one of the Rover boys' chums. "I guess he's going to have +it put on the stage after the holidays, with Tubby as leading man."</p> + +<p>"See here, I won't have this!" roared the rich youth, waving his hand +wildly first at one boy and then another. "I don't want you to make up +any songs about me."</p> + +<p>"Songbird won't charge you anything," put in Fred Garrison, another of +the students. "He's a true poet, and writes for nothing. You ought to +feel highly honored."</p> + +<p>"Make a speech of thanks, that's a good fellow," put in George Granbury, +another student.</p> + +<p>"It's an outrage!" shouted Tubbs, his face growing redder each instant. +"I won't stand it."</p> + +<p>"All right, we won't charge you for sitting on it," came from the back +of the crowd.</p> + +<p>"My right name is——"</p> + +<p>"Barrel, but they call me Tubbs for short," finished another student. +"Hurrah, Tubby is discovered at last."</p> + +<p>"Don't blush, Washtub! you don't look half as pretty as when you're +pale."</p> + +<p>"If you feel warm, Buttertub, go out and sit on the thin ice. It will +soon cool you off," came from Fred Garrison.</p> + +<p>"I'll cool you off, Garry!" burst out the rich youth, and made a wild +dash at his tormentor. But somebody put out a foot and the tormented boy +stumbled headlong, at which the crowd set up another shout, and then +sang louder than ever,</p> + +<br> +<div class="poem"> + "Rub-a-dub-dub!<br> +One man in a tub!" +</div> +<br> + +<p>"I say, who tripped me up!" gasped Tubbs, as soon as he could scramble +up. "Tell me who did it, and I'll soon settle with him."</p> + +<p>"Who rolled over the buttertub?" asked Tom solemnly. "One peanut reward +for the first correct answer to this absorbing puzzle. Please don't all +raise your hands at once."</p> + +<p>"I believe you did it, Tom Rover!" bellowed the rich youth.</p> + +<p>"I? Never, Tubby, my dear boy. I never rolled over a buttertub in my +life. You've got the wrong number. Kindly ring the bell next door."</p> + +<p>"Then it was Sam, and I'll fix him for it, see if I don't!"</p> + +<p>"No, it wasn't Sam. He never touched a washtub in his life."</p> + +<p>"I say it was Sam," cried Tubbs, who was almost beside himself with +rage. "And I'm going to teach him a lesson. There, Sam Rover, how do you +like that?"</p> + +<p>As the rich youth finished, he caught the youngest Rover by the shoulder +with his left hand and with his right gave Sam a slanting blow on the +cheek.</p> + +<p>"Stop! I didn't trip you!" exclaimed Sam; and then as Tubbs aimed +another blow at him he ducked and broke loose and hit out in return. His +blow was harder and more truly aimed than he had anticipated, and it +took Tubbs directly on the nose. A spurt of blood followed, accompanied +by a yell of pain, and the rich youth fell back.</p> + +<p>"Oh! oh! My nose!"</p> + +<p>"You brought it on yourself," retorted Sam. "I didn't——"</p> + +<p>"Stop! stop! Boys, what does this mean?" came in a sudden stern voice, +and in a moment more the two combatants found themselves confronted by +Jasper Grinder, a new teacher. "Fighting, eh? How often, must you be +told that such disgraceful conduct is not allowed here? You come with +me, and I'll make an example of both of you."</p> + +<p>And in a moment more the two lads found themselves prisoners in Jasper +Grinder's strong grasp and being marched out of the gymnasium toward the +school building proper.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_II'></a><h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>A GLIMPSE AT THE PAST.</h3> +<br> + +<p>As old readers of this series of books know, the Rover boys were three +in number, Dick being the oldest, fun-loving Tom next, and small but +sturdy Sam bringing up the rear of a trio of as bright and up-to-date a +set of American lads as could be found anywhere.</p> + +<p>The home of the lads was with their father, Anderson Rover, and their +Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha, on a beautiful farm at Valley Brook, in +the heart of New York State. From this farm they had been sent to Putnam +Hall, a semi-military institute of learning situated near Cedarville, on +Cayuga Lake. This was while their father had mysteriously disappeared +while on an exploring tour into the heart of Africa.</p> + +<p>At Putnam Hall the Rover boys made a number of friends, some of whom +have already been mentioned in these pages, and they likewise made +several enemies. Chief among the enemies were Josiah Crabtree, a +dictatorial teacher, and Dan Baxter, a bully who had done his best to +make them "knuckle under" to him.</p> + +<p>Since those first days at school many changes had taken place; so many, +in fact, that but a few can be noted here. Crabtree had been discharged, +and was now in prison for trying to hypnotize a lady into marrying him. +This lady was Mrs. Stanhope, the mother of Dora Stanhope, who lived in +the vicinity of Putnam Hall, and a girl of whom Dick Rover thought a +good deal.</p> + +<p>It had not taken the Rover boys long to discover that not only the +dictatorial old teacher, but also the bully, Dan Baxter, were rascals, +and, what was more, that Arnold Baxter, the father of Dan, was an old +enemy to their father. Following this had come a journey to Africa and +into the jungle in search of Mr. Rover, and this mission accomplished, +the Rover boys had gone West to establish a mining claim in which their +father was interested. This claim was disputed by the Baxters, and when +the Rovers won out and went for a pleasure trip on the Great Lakes, the +Baxters did their best to bring Dick, Tom, and Sam to grief. But instead +of accomplishing their purpose they failed once more, and Arnold Baxter +was returned to the prison from which he had escaped some months before. +What had become of Dan Baxter nobody knew, but the Rover boys were soon +to learn, as we will see in the chapters which follow.</p> + +<p>After their stirring adventures on the Great Lakes, and especially on +Needle Point Island in Lake Huron, the Rover boys were glad enough to +get back to dear old Putnam Hall and to their studies, even though the +latter were something of a "grind," as Tom declared. They all loved +Captain Victor Putnam, the owner of the institution, and it may be added +here that the captain thought as much of the Rovers as he did of any of +the scholars under him, and that was a good deal.</p> + +<p>The coming of Jasper Grinder as a new under-teacher was a shock to many +of the boys at the school. The principal teacher under Captain Putnam +was Professor George Strong, who was stern but fair, and almost as well +liked as the captain himself, and there were now several others, all of +whom were on a good footing with the scholars. What had induced the +captain to take in such a dictatorial and harsh master as Jasper Grinder +was a mystery which nobody could explain.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Grinder had come into the Hall under a +misrepresentation. He was from the Northwest, and claimed to have been a +professor at a well-known California college. It was true he had once +taught at this college, but his record was far from being as +satisfactory as Captain Putnam had been led to believe. It was true he +was a learned man,—quite the opposite of Josiah Crabtree, who had been +wise only in looks,—but it was also true that he was a high-strung, +passionate man, given to strange fits of anger, and that he was a miser, +never spending a cent that was not absolutely required of him.</p> + +<p>"I say, let me go!" cried Sam, as Jasper Grinder almost dragged him +across the parade ground between the gymnasium and the school building. +"I am not to blame for this row."</p> + +<p>"Silence! I won't listen to a word until we are in the office," +commanded the irate teacher.</p> + +<p>"He started the whole thing," came from Tubbs. "He called me Tubby, and +got the crowd to singing a song about me."</p> + +<p>"I had nothing to do with the song, and all the boys have called you +Tubby since you came here," went on Sam.</p> + +<p>"Be quiet, I tell you!" cried Jasper Grinder, and clutched the arm of +each so tightly that Tubbs set up a yell of pain. "I am master here, and +I will show you how to mind."</p> + +<p>At these words Sam's heart gave a sudden drop. It was Friday afternoon, +and the next day would be, as usual, a holiday. Taking advantage of this +fact Professor Strong had gone to Buffalo to visit a sick relative +residing there, and only an hour before Captain Putnam had been driven +away behind his team to visit an old army friend living at Fordview, +twelve miles away. Professor Strong would not return until Monday +morning, and it was more than likely the captain would remain away over +night. During this interval Jasper Grinder would be in absolute charge +of the academy and the pupils.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the teacher had led the way into Captain Putnam's +office, and with a final pinch of their arms, which made Tubbs cry out +once more with pain, he flung the pair away from him.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know it is disgraceful to fight?" he thundered.</p> + +<p>"We weren't fighting—that is, not exactly," said Tubbs meekly.</p> + +<p>"Silence! I saw the whole affair. Why, your nose is still bleeding."</p> + +<p>"I don't care. It was Rover's fault, Mr. Grinder. He started the boys, +and they all began to make fun of me. He wouldn't stop——"</p> + +<p>"And then you fought like a pair of young tigers. Disgraceful! I will +have to make an example of both of you."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see Captain Putnam about the matter," said Sam boldly.</p> + +<p>At these words Jasper Grinder fairly trembled with suppressed anger. +"The captain is not here, and I shall deal with you as you deserve," he +said.</p> + +<p>Tubbs sank down on a chair and began to attend to his nose with his +handkerchief. Sam remained standing, but his whole manner showed that he +did not consider he was being treated fairly.</p> + +<p>"What both of you boys deserve is a good thrashing," said the teacher, +after a pause.</p> + +<p>At this Sam looked his surprise. Thrashing was not permitted at the +Hall. The worst that could happen to a student was to place him in +solitary confinement over night, after a supper of bread and water.</p> + +<p>"As I am not permitted by the rules to thrash you, I shall put you in +the stone cell over night," went on Jasper Grinder.</p> + +<p>"Together?" questioned Tubbs, from behind his blood-stained +handkerchief.</p> + +<p>"No. You shall go to the cell; and Rover shall be placed in the empty +storeroom next to it."</p> + +<p>"The cell is ice cold, and so is the storeroom," protested Sam.</p> + +<p>"It is not my fault that you must be placed there, and you will have to +put up with the cold," was the curt answer.</p> + +<p>"I shan't stay in a cold room!" cried Sam. "It's not fair."</p> + +<p>"You shall, and I'll put you there myself!" ejaculated Jasper Grinder. +"Tubbs, don't dare to stir until I return."</p> + +<p>So speaking, the unreasonable teacher caught hold of Sam once more, and +despite the youngest Rover's struggles hustled him out of the office and +through a long hallway, at the end of which was located the storeroom he +had mentioned. The key to the room was in the lock.</p> + +<p>"Now stay there until you are willing to behave yourself," said Jasper +Grinder, and shoved Sam into the apartment. "For your impudence to me +you shall go without your supper to-night."</p> + +<p>"That remains to be seen," replied Sam, but in such a low voice that the +teacher did not hear. Then the door was closed and locked, and Jasper +Grinder hurried away with the key in his pocket, to make poor Tubbs a +prisoner in the stone cell.</p> + +<p>"Here's a pretty mess, and no mistake," thought Sam, as he sank on a +bench, the only article of furniture the room contained. "I'm being +treated worse than Tom was treated by old Crabtree when first we came to +the Hall. And all because I called Tubby by his nickname! If this keeps +on a fellow won't dare to breathe out loud when Grinder is around. What +a passionate fellow he is at times! He glares at a fellow as if he was +going to eat you up!"</p> + +<p>While Sam remained on the bench he heard footsteps in the hallway and a +howling protest from Tubbs. Then he heard the rich youth thrown into the +stone cell next to the storeroom and left to his fate.</p> + +<p>It was nipping cold, and, even with the window tightly closed and +nailed over with slats, Sam could not endure it to remain on the bench +long. Leaping up he began to stamp his feet and slap his arms across his +chest to get them warm. Soon he heard Tubbs doing the same thing.</p> + +<p>"I guess he's worse off than I am," thought the youngest Rover. "That +stone cell hasn't any bench in it any more, and it must be twice as cold +and damp as this room. It's a shame to put anyone there in this freezing +weather. I don't believe Captain Putnam would stand for it if he was +here."</p> + +<p>He tried to speak to Tubbs, but the wall between was too thick, and he +soon gave up the idea. Then he continued to stamp his feet and slap his +arms, and even went through an imaginary prize fight, in order to warm +up. It was now growing dark, and with the darkness the atmosphere of the +storeroom became colder and colder.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_III'></a><h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>TOM ON A TOUR OF DISCOVERY.</h3> +<br> + +<p>Poor Sam was removed from the gymnasium so quickly that neither Dick nor +Tom had time to protest, and when they reached the main door of the +school building they found it shut and locked in their faces.</p> + +<p>"Say, this is an outrage," burst out Tom. "Sam wasn't to blame for that +fight. He didn't trip Tubby up."</p> + +<p>"I know he didn't," put in Fred Garrison, who had come up also. "It was +Larry Mason. But I shan't give Larry away."</p> + +<p>"Neither will I."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grinder always carries matters with a high hand when the captain is +away," put in Dick. "And he gets red-hot at the least little thing."</p> + +<p>"He doesn't deserve to be a teacher here," came from George Granbury, +who had followed the others. "To my way of thinking, he's worse than old +Crabtree was, even though he is perhaps better educated."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to know what he is going to do with Sam," said Dick, with a +serious look on his face. "Sam has made such a good record this term I +hate to see it broken."</p> + +<p>"He'll do something to punish 'em both," came from Fred. "It will be too +bad, though, if he puts 'em in the stone cell. They'll freeze to death +such a night as this is going to be."</p> + +<p>"I won't allow it," ejaculated Dick. "Why, that would be inhuman!"</p> + +<p>"I'm going in by the back way and find out what's going on," said Tom, +and promptly disappeared around the corner of the Hall. He was soon +inside the building, but to his chagrin found every door leading to +Captain Putnam's private apartments and to the stone cell and the +storeroom locked. Having gone through the mess-rooms and through several +of the classrooms, he rejoined the others, who had gathered around the +fire in what was called the students' general living room,—an apartment +set aside during cold weather solely for the boys' comfort, where they +might read, study, play quiet games, or do similar things in order to +make themselves feel at home.</p> + +<p>"How did you make out?" was the question immediately put.</p> + +<p>"Made out, and that's all," said Tom gloomily.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" came from Dick.</p> + +<p>"Every blessed door is locked, and so are the windows. I can't get +within two rooms of the office."</p> + +<p>"Did you hear anything?" asked George.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I heard a noise like somebody stamping."</p> + +<p>"Where did it come from?"</p> + +<p>"I think it came from the stone cell. But it sounded like somebody +stamping on wood."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it came from the empty storeroom," cried Dick. "More than +likely Mr. Grinder has placed Sam and Tubby there. I wish he'd come +here. I'd question him."</p> + +<p>"Your wish is gratified," whispered George. "Here he comes now!"</p> + +<p>The door at the far end of the room had opened, and now Jasper Grinder +came forth in a hurry. He was about to pass to another room at the rear +of the school when Dick stopped him.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grinder, may I ask what you have done with Sam?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I have placed him in confinement until Captain Putnam returns," was the +snappy answer.</p> + +<p>"Did you put him in the stone cell?"</p> + +<p>"It is not for you to question me, Rover."</p> + +<p>"In this cold weather it isn't fit for anybody to be in that stone cell. +Sam may catch his death of cold."</p> + +<p>"I am the best judge of my own actions, Rover, and need no advice from +you. Your brother has broken the rules of this school, and must suffer +for so doing."</p> + +<p>"It's inhuman to make a fellow freeze," burst out Tom. "I don't believe +Captain Putnam would do that."</p> + +<p>"Not another word from either of you," came sharply from the teacher. +"Your brother will not freeze to death, but the cold may teach him a +useful lesson."</p> + +<p>"If he gets sick, I'll get my father to hold you legally responsible," +went on Tom.</p> + +<p>At these words the teacher turned slightly pale, a vision of a lawsuit +with damages to pay floating across his miserly mind.</p> + +<p>"To ease your mind Rover, let me say I'll see to it that he doesn't get +sick," he said, and before Tom or Dick could question him further he +passed out of the room.</p> + +<p>"If he isn't the worst yet!" burst out Fred, who had listened with +interest to what was said.</p> + +<p>"I shan't stand it," returned Tom. "Will you, Dick?"</p> + +<p>Dick, older and more thoughtful, mused for a moment.</p> + +<p>"I'd certainly like to help Sam," he said. "But we must be careful and +not get into trouble with Captain Putnam."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to find my way to the door of the cell somehow," went on Tom.</p> + +<p>"Old Grinder left that door unlocked when he came out," said George, +who had joined them.</p> + +<p>"Good! I'm going through before he comes back."</p> + +<p>As good as his word, Tom slipped past the various tables at which the +students were sitting, until he reached the door which connected with +Captain Putnam's private apartments.</p> + +<p>Usually this portion of the Hall was forbidden ground to the scholars. +But Tom had been inside the rooms a number of times, so knew the way +well. Passing through a private sitting room and a small library, he +came to a narrow hall connecting with the main hall, at the end of which +were the stone cell and the empty storeroom.</p> + +<p>He was just about to step into the main hall when he heard somebody +coming down from the floor above. The party was Mrs. Green, the +housekeeper, a good-natured lady upon whom Tom had played many a joke in +the past.</p> + +<p>"Gosh! I mustn't be discovered!" he muttered, and looked around for some +place to hide. Under the staircase was a recess containing a number of +hooks with cloaks and overcoats, and into this he crowded, drawing one +of the overcoats so as to completely cover the upper portion of his +body.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he gained the hiding place when Mrs. Green reached the lower +hallway. Tom heard her pause at the foot of the stairs, strike a match, +and light the big swinging lamp hanging from overhead.</p> + +<p>"I might as well mend that overcoat now, while the captain is away," Tom +heard her murmur to herself. "It's only a buttonhole that's torn out, +and a tailor would charge him four times what it's worth—and he always +so good at Christmas-time!"</p> + +<p>"She's looking out for her present," thought Tom, with a grin. "But +that's none of my affair. If only she isn't after this overcoat!"</p> + +<p>He heard the housekeeper approach the recess and pause for a moment in +front of it. He hardly dared to breathe, fearing that he would surely be +discovered.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare, if he hasn't gone and worn the very overcoat itself!" +he heard Mrs. Green cry. "Just like him, and two good coats a-hanging +here. Well, I suppose it's the warmest he's got, and he'll have a cold +ride back, especially if he returns to-night." And so speaking Mrs. +Green hurried away.</p> + +<p>"A narrow shave, and no mistake," murmured Tom to himself, and listened +until he heard a distant door close. Then all was quiet, save the +distant murmur of the student's voices, coming from the sitting room.</p> + +<p>Without losing more time, Tom left the recess and hurried to the door of +the stone cell.</p> + +<p>"Sam!" he called out softly. "Are you in there?"</p> + +<p>"No; <i>I'm</I> in here," came in the voice of Tubbs. "And—I'm almost frozen +to—to—death." The last words with a chattering of teeth that told only +too plainly how the rich youth was suffering.</p> + +<p>"Sorry for you, Tubby, really I am. But where is Sam?"</p> + +<p>"In the—the storeroom. Oh, Rover, won't you please ask Mr. Grinder to +let me out? I'll freeze to death here, I know I will!"</p> + +<p>"I'll do what I can. But he won't let you out. He isn't that kind of a +fellow."</p> + +<p>"You might buy him off, Rover. I've heard he's a regular miser, and I'll +give you five dollars of my Christmas money if he'll let me go."</p> + +<p>"I'll see what I can do after I've talked to Sam." And so speaking Tom +hurried to the door of the storeroom.</p> + +<p>"Tom, is it really you?" cried the youngest Rover joyfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes. How are you making out?"</p> + +<p>"Horribly. I believe my feet and ears are already frozen!"</p> + +<p>"Grinder is a beast to put you in here, Sam."</p> + +<p>"I know that well enough. He won't give me any supper, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll try to get some supper to you."</p> + +<p>"Is the key of this door on a hook outside?"</p> + +<p>"No. If it was I'd have the door open long ago."</p> + +<p>Sam gave a deep sigh, and then began to dance around once more to keep +warm.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I can find a key to fit this lock," went on Tom. "I know there +are keys in some of the other doors."</p> + +<p>He ran off and soon returned with four keys, which he tried, one after +another. The third was a fair fit, and with an effort the bolt of the +lock was forced back.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! the door's open!" exclaimed Tom. "Now you can go where you +please."</p> + +<p>"Then you wouldn't stay here?" questioned Sam anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Not much! I'd hide in one of the dormitories, and I wouldn't show +myself until Captain Putnam gets back. I'll see to it that you get +something to eat, and when the captain returns you can tell him that if +you had remained in this place all night you would have been frozen to +death."</p> + +<p>Sam was willing enough to take Tom's advice, and was soon in the +hallway. Then the door was locked again.</p> + +<p>"It's heartless to leave poor Tubby in that cell," said Tom. "Let's get +him out too."</p> + +<p>"All right—if you can find a key to fit the lock."</p> + +<p>Losing no time, the brothers tried one key after another in the lock to +the door of the stone cell.</p> + +<p>"Who's that?" came in a chatter from Tubbs.</p> + +<p>"Tom Rover," was the answer. "I've just released Sam, and now we are +going to release you, if we can."</p> + +<p>"Good for you Rover."</p> + +<p>"There she goes!" cried Tom a few seconds later, and in a moment more +the door was opened and Tubbs stood in the hallway with the Rover boys.</p> + +<p>Tubbs was about to say something, when Sam suddenly caught him by the +arm.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" he whispered. "Somebody is coming! I hope it isn't old +Grinder!"</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV'></a><h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>DORMITORY NUMBER TWO.</h3> +<br> + +<p>For the moment none of the three students knew what to do. They felt +that if the approaching personage should be Jasper Grinder there would +certainly be "a warm time of it," to say the least.</p> + +<p>Yet the approaching man was not the teacher, but Peleg Snuggers, the man +of all work around the Hall, a good-natured individual, well liked by +nearly all the students. Snuggers was in the habit of taking many a joke +from the scholars, yet he rarely retaliated, contenting himself with the +saying that "boys will be boys."</p> + +<p>"It's Snuggers!" whispered Sam, after a painful pause. "What shall we +do?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we can get him to keep quiet," returned Tom, also in a low +voice. "He's a pretty good sort."</p> + +<p>"Do—don't trust him," put in Tubbs, in a trembling voice. "If I'm put +back in that cell I'll die; I know I will!"</p> + +<p>"I have it," said Tom, struck by a sudden idea. "Into the storeroom with +you, quick!</p> + +<p>"But he may be coming after me!" said Sam.</p> + +<p>"Never mind—I'll fix it. Be quick, or the game will be up!"</p> + +<p>On tiptoe the three students hurried into the storeroom and Tom shut the +door noiselessly. Then he slipped the key he still held into the lock +and turned it.</p> + +<p>"Now groan, Sam," he whispered. "Pretend to be nearly dead, and ask +Peleg to bring Grinder here."</p> + +<p>Catching the idea, Sam began to moan and groan most dismally, in the +midst of which Peleg Snuggers came up.</p> + +<p>"Poor boy, I reckon as how he's nearly stiff from the cold," murmured +Snuggers. "And this bread and water won't warm him up nohow. I've most a +mind to bring him some hot tea on the sly, and a sandwich, too."</p> + +<p>The general utility man tried to insert a key in the lock, but failed on +account of the key on the inside.</p> + +<p>"Oh! oh!" moaned Sam. "Help! help!"</p> + +<p>"What's the row?" questioned Snuggers.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Snuggers?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Master Rover."</p> + +<p>"I'm most frozen to death! My feet and ears are frozen stiff already!"</p> + +<p>"It's a shame!"</p> + +<p>"Tell Mr. Grinder to come here."</p> + +<p>"He won't come, I'm afraid. He just sent me with some bread and water +for you and for Master Tubbs."</p> + +<p>"Water? Do you want me to turn into ice? Oh, Snuggers, please send him. +I know I can't stand this half an hour longer. I'll be a corpse!"</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll fetch him," answered Snuggers. And setting down the +pitcher of water and loaf of bread he had been carrying he hurried off.</p> + +<p>"Now is our time!" whispered Tom, as soon as he was certain the man of +all work was gone.</p> + +<p>"But which way shall we go?" questioned Sam</p> + +<p>"Follow me, and I'll show you."</p> + +<p>Leaving the storeroom, Tom led the way through the semi-dark hallway and +up the stairs. At the rear of the upper hall was a bedroom reserved for +the captain's private guests.</p> + +<p>"Come in here for the present," said Tom. "And when I tap on the window +unlock the sash and be prepared to climb from the window to the next, +which connects with Dormitory No. 2."</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" said Sam. "But how are you going to get to the +dormitory?"</p> + +<p>"Leave that to me."</p> + +<p>Leaving Sam and Tubbs to take care of themselves, Tom left the bedroom +and walked out in the upper hall once more.</p> + +<p>He was just in time to hear Peleg Snuggers returning with Jasper +Grinder.</p> + +<p>"It's all nonsense," he heard, in the teacher's harsh voice. "The cold +will do both of the boys good."</p> + +<p>"He said he was half frozen," insisted Snuggers. "If anything +serious-like happened to them, I dunno what the captain would say."</p> + +<p>"I know nothing serious will happen," growled Jasper Grinder. "He was +merely trying to work upon your sympathies. Both could stay there till +morning easily enough."</p> + +<p>"The wretch!" murmured Tom to himself. "I'm mighty glad I let them out!"</p> + +<p>A few seconds later he heard a cry of dismay.</p> + +<p>"Rover is gone!"</p> + +<p>"Gone?" came from Snuggers.</p> + +<p>"Yes, gone. Snuggers did you leave the door unlocked?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I couldn't get the key in the lock. Here it is." And the +general utility man produced it.</p> + +<p>"Ah! here is a key on the inside. What can this mean?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, sir. I left him a-groanin' only a few minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"It is very strange." Jasper Grinder gazed around the empty storeroom. +"Did you hear anything from Master Tubbs?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>The teacher stepped out of the storeroom and made his way to the stone +cell.</p> + +<p>"He is gone too!" he ejaculated.</p> + +<p>"Really, sir, did you say 'gone'?" cried Peleg Snuggers, in dismay.</p> + +<p>"Yes. This is—ah—outrageous, Snuggers. Where can they be?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I don't know, sir. Master Rover got out mighty quick."</p> + +<p>"Look for them among the students, and if you find them bring them to me +at once."</p> + +<p>"I will, sir."</p> + +<p>As soon as Peleg Snuggers had departed Jasper Grinder looked around the +storeroom and the stone cell to learn if he could find any trace of the +boys.</p> + +<p>This gave Tom the chance to slip through the captain's private rooms and +into the students' quarters.</p> + +<p>"Well, how did you make out?" was Dick's impatient question. "You've +been gone an age."</p> + +<p>"Come with me and I'll tell you," said Tom, and taking his brother and +several chums aside he related what had occurred.</p> + +<p>"Keep them there all night, and on bread and water!" cried Dick. "It is +awful. I'm sure the captain won't stand for it."</p> + +<p>"To be sure he won't," came from Fred Garrison. "But what are you going +to do next?"</p> + +<p>"Let them in the dormitory window."</p> + +<p>Tom led the way upstairs and into Dormitory No. 2. There were four +windows in a row, and six beds, three occupied by the Rovers and the +others by Fred, Larry, and George Granbury.</p> + +<p>Going to the corner window Tom threw it wide open. It was growing dark +outside, for it was now half-past six. As he stuck his head out of the +window there was the rattle of a drum down in the mess hall.</p> + +<p>"Supper time!" cried Fred.</p> + +<p>"You go down," said Tom. "No use of all of us being late."</p> + +<p>"No, you go down," answered Dick. "You've run risk enough. Besides, if +you are absent from the crowd too long somebody may grow suspicious of +you. I'll help Sam and Tubbs to a safe hiding-place."</p> + +<p>"Find out if they are there first—and lock the door after we are gone."</p> + +<p>Leaning out of the window Dick tapped on the next glass. At once Sam +showed himself.</p> + +<p>"It's quite a climb, but I reckon I can make it," said the youngest +Rover.</p> + +<p>Waiting to hear no more, Tom hurried below, followed by Fred, and +mingled with the crowd of students entering the mess hall.</p> + +<p>Many of the boys were talking about the quarrel between Sam and Tubbs, +and all condemned the actions of Jasper Grinder.</p> + +<p>"He ought to have set them to doing extra lessons; that would have been +punishment enough," said one of the big boys, who was captain of Company +A of the students for that term.</p> + +<p>This opinion was that held by the majority. Several of the boys came to +Tom to learn what he had to say. But he merely shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Wait and we'll see what we will see," he said</p> + +<p>"Rover's got a card up his sleeve, that's as sure as you're born," said +one of the students, and winked at Tom. But Tom only looked wise and +turned away.</p> + +<p>When the students sat down to eat it was noticed that Dick's chair was +vacant.</p> + +<p>"Master Thomas Rover, do you know anything of your brother Richard?" +asked an under-teacher.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he is having a talk with Mr. Grinder," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Then the under-teacher noticed that Mr. Grinder's chair was also +vacant, and said no more.</p> + +<p>While the boys were eating, Peleg Snuggers came to the door and looked +carefully about the mess hall.</p> + +<p>"You won't find them here, Peleg," said Tom to himself. Then the man of +all work disappeared, and the supper continued as if nothing out of the +ordinary was happening.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_V'></a><h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>A SCENE IN THE SCHOOLROOM.</h3> +<br> + +<p>In the meantime, what of affairs in the dormitory? Was all going as +quietly as Tom had anticipated?</p> + +<p>As soon as Tom went below Dick locked the door, then turned again to the +window. Sam was trying to climb from one room to the next, but could not +get a satisfactory hold.</p> + +<p>"Here, give me your hand," cried Dick softly, and reaching forth he soon +helped his brother to a position of safety.</p> + +<p>"Say, aint it dangerous?" asked Tubbs anxiously, as he gazed to the +ground, twenty feet below.</p> + +<p>"You've got to run some risks, Tubbs," said Dick. "Quick, or you may be +too late."</p> + +<p>Fearful of a fall, the rich youth put out one foot and a hand. Dick +tried to reach him, but was unable to do so.</p> + +<p>"A little further, Tubbs," he said encouragingly.</p> + +<IMG align="middle" SRC="images/illus_2.jpg" +alt= "Illustration: A PERILOUS CLIMB.—P. 34. +Rover Boys in the Mountains."> + +<p>"I—I'm afraid I'll fall," was the trembling +answer. Then the rich youth let out a cry of alarm. "Somebody is +coming!"</p> + +<p>"Come," cried Dick, and reached out a trifle further. As Tubbs gave the +eldest Rover his fingers Dick hauled him from the window and literally +swung him into the dormitory. Then, as Tubbs landed in a heap on the +floor, Sam closed the window and locked it.</p> + +<p>"Now you must clear out to another room!" cried Dick. "Whoever was +coming will find that window wide open, and guess you have escaped in +this direction."</p> + +<p>"But where can we go to?" asked the rich youth.</p> + +<p>"Go to Dormitory No. 6. Only young Adler is in there, and Hemmingway, +and they are on a vacation until after Christmas. The closet is a big +one, and you can both hide on the upper shelf. Quick! I'll bring you +some supper."</p> + +<p>All three left the dormitory, and Sam and Tubbs scurried off in the +direction indicated. As for Dick, he lost no time in reaching the mess +hall.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, sir," he said to the under-teacher. "The bell couldn't have rung +very loud."</p> + +<p>"It rang as loud as usual," was the answer, and no more was said, the +teacher's head being just then full of other matters.</p> + +<p>Glad to get off so easily, Dick lost no time in eating his supper. While +making way with the food he stowed a goodly portion in his pockets, in +a couple of spare napkins, and by some silent motions from Tom learned +that his brother was doing the same.</p> + +<p>Just as the students were finishing the meal, Jasper Grinder came in and +walked down the aisles between the tables. He looked both angry and +perplexed. As he came close to Tom he paused.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Mr. Grinder, but won't you let Sam out of the stone cell?" +asked Tom, to avoid being questioned.</p> + +<p>"You be silent Rover," muttered the teacher, and passed on without +saying more.</p> + +<p>After the supper hour it was usual for the students to have half an hour +to themselves, during which they might read, play games, or do as they +pleased. But now Mr. Grinder called them together in the main classroom.</p> + +<p>"I wish to talk to you young gentlemen," said the teacher, when all were +seated.</p> + +<p>"We're going to catch it now," whispered Tom to Dick. "Don't you give +the secret away."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I won't," answered the eldest Rover. "I intend to lay the whole +case before Captain Putnam as soon as he returns."</p> + +<p>"Silence!" thundered Jasper Grinder. "I want you boys to stop talking +instantly."</p> + +<p>"I didn't say anything," murmured several in an undertone.</p> + +<p>"Silence, I say!" repeated the master, and then all became so quiet that +the ticking of the clock could be heard distinctly.</p> + +<p>The teacher gazed around at the scores of faces and looked more stem +than ever.</p> + +<p>"I am going to question all of you separately, and I trust each of you +will tell the truth. The question is, Do you know what has become of +Samuel Rover and William Tubbs? or Do you know what they have done? I +shall start with the first boy. Hickley, what have you to say?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about them," answered the boy named Hickley.</p> + +<p>"Brainard, do you know?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"Parkham?"</p> + +<p>"I know they had a little set-to in the gymnasium, but that's all. The +whole thing was a friendly bout, I guess."</p> + +<p>"I am the best judge of that. It was a disgraceful fight. What have you +to say, Griggs?"</p> + +<p>"If you say it was disgraceful I suppose it was, sir. I thought it was +only a friendly dispute——"</p> + +<p>"Stop! I want you to answer the original questions, yes, or no."</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"No, what?"</p> + +<p>"No, to both original questions."</p> + +<p>"No, sir!" and Jasper Grinder stamped his foot.</p> + +<p>"Oh! All right, sir. No, sir, to both questions, sir."</p> + +<p>There was a titter at this, which caused Jasper Grinder to grow red in +the face.</p> + +<p>"Boys, be quiet!" he shouted. "If you do not be still I will keep all of +you in to-morrow."</p> + +<p>As this would have spoiled the chances for a good skate and some +exciting races, the boys immediately subsided. Then the questioning went +on until Dick Rover was reached.</p> + +<p>"I don't know where Sam and Tubbs are now," said Dick. "Perhaps they are +frozen stiff."</p> + +<p>"Did you aid them in escaping from the stone cell and the storeroom?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen them since I placed them there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have," answered Dick boldly, seeing it was useless to beat about +the bush longer.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Then you did aid them to escape?"</p> + +<p>"Not from the stone cell and the storeroom. I met them after they had +escaped."</p> + +<p>"Where did you see them last?"</p> + +<p>"I decline to answer that question."</p> + +<p>"Decline!" thundered Jasper Grinder.</p> + +<p>"I do, sir. As soon as Captain Putnam arrives I shall lay this whole +matter before him, and learn if you have any authority for placing my +brother in a place where he is liable to catch a cold which may give him +pneumonia and be the cause of his death. As it is, my brother suffered a +great deal, and so did Tubbs, and if they get sick from it you may be +sure that you will be held legally accountable. It was an inhuman thing +to do."</p> + +<p>As Dick finished there was a murmur, and then a number of the students +broke out into applause, while Tom clapped his hands as hard as he +could. Jasper Grinder stood at his desk dumbstruck, with his face +growing paler each instant.</p> + +<p>"Silence! silence!" he exclaimed, when he could control his voice. +"Silence, I say, or I will cane you all! This is—is most unseemly—it +is—er—mutiny! Silence!"</p> + +<p>"I mean just what I say, Mr. Grinder," went on Dick, when he could be +heard. "You are master here, and we are bound to obey you, in certain +things. But you shan't keep my brother in an icy room all night, and on +a supper of stale bread and cold water. Such treatment would almost make +a mule sick."</p> + +<p>"Rover, will you be silent, or must I get the cane?" gasped Jasper +Grinder, almost beside himself with rage.</p> + +<p>"If you get your cane, sir, you won't hit me more than once with it."</p> + +<p>"Won't I? We'll see who is master here."</p> + +<p>"My gracious! Is he really going to try to cane you, Dick!" exclaimed +Tom.</p> + +<p>"I suppose he is," was the cool answer. "He is so angry he doesn't know +what he is doing."</p> + +<p>Rushing from the classroom Jasper Grinder presently reappeared, carrying +a cane which looked as if it might hurt a good deal, if vigorously +applied.</p> + +<p>Tom could not help but grin. Dick was almost as tall as the +school-teacher, and probably just as strong, and the idea of a caning +appeared ridiculous in the extreme.</p> + +<p>Caning was not allowed at Putnam Hall, but evidently Jasper Grinder +meant to take matters in his own hands.</p> + +<p>"Richard Rover, come up here," he thundered.</p> + +<p>"What for, sir?"</p> + +<p>"To receive the punishment you so richly deserve."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grinder, you haven't any right to cane me. It's against Captain +Putnam's rules."</p> + +<p>"I don't care for the rules—I mean, you have acted in such an +outrageous manner that I must do whatever I think necessary to uphold +law and order."</p> + +<p>"I am willing to stand whatever punishment Captain Putnam sees fit to +inflict. But I shall not take a caning from you."</p> + +<p>"Won't you? We'll see."</p> + +<p>As Jasper Grinder spoke he leaped from the platform and strode rapidly +toward the spot where Dick was standing.</p> + +<p>The eldest Rover did not budge, but remained where he was, eying the +enraged school-teacher determinedly.</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare to strike!" he said warningly, as the cane was raised +over his head.</p> + +<p>"I will!" cried Jasper Grinder, and was about to bring the cane down +with all force when Tom caught it from behind and wrenched it from his +grasp.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI'></a><h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>NEWS OF AN OLD ENEMY.</h3> +<br> + +<p>Dick had not intended that the cane should hit him. He was prepared to +dodge. But he wanted to make certain that Jasper Grinder would really +try to carry out his ill-advised threat.</p> + +<p>"Hi! give me that cane!" cried the schoolmaster, as he whirled around.</p> + +<p>"I shall not," answered Tom, and began to run down one of the aisles to +the door.</p> + +<p>Instantly Jasper Grinder made after him. But the boys had gathered in a +crowd, and it was with difficulty that the man could get through.</p> + +<p>As Tom ran for one door Dick ran for another, and it was not long before +both met in a hallway leading to the mess hall and the dormitories.</p> + +<p>"Dick, what shall we do next?" questioned Tom. "We can't stay here, +that's certain."</p> + +<p>"We'll get out," answered Dick. "I think Mrs. Stanhope will keep us all +night."</p> + +<p>"And if she won't, I know the Lanings will," said Tom, with a grin.</p> + +<p>"We must let Sam know," went on Dick. "He can go along. I shan't come +back until Captain Putnam returns."</p> + +<p>"Right you are."</p> + +<p>Up the stairs they rushed, and into the dormitory where Sam and Tubbs +were in hiding.</p> + +<p>"Sam!" called Dick, and the youngest Rover at once appeared.</p> + +<p>"What's up now? What are you in such a hurry for?"</p> + +<p>"Get your overcoat and hat, and come on. We are going to the Stanhopes +for the night. Here, Tubbs, is some supper," and Dick passed over what +he had in the napkins, while Tom did the same.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said the rich boy. "But—but must I stay here alone?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think we can take you along," answered Dick. "But you want to +be careful. Old Grinder is as mad as a hornet. He was going to cane me +for helping you two. Come, Sam, there is no time to waste. Tubbs, you +had better let Fred Garrison know where you are. He's all right."</p> + +<p>In a moment more Dick, Tom, and Sam were in their own room and putting +on their heavy overcoats and their hats. They lost no time, and as they +heard Jasper Grinder coming up one flight of stairs they ran down +another pair leading into the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Here the servants, directed by Mrs. Green, were putting away what was +left of the students' supper.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" burst out the matron, on catching sight of the boys. "What +do you want here?"</p> + +<p>"Good-by, Mrs. Green," said Dick. "Tell the captain when he comes that +we were driven away from the school by Mr. Grinder, and that we'll +return as soon as we learn that he is back." And before the housekeeper +could answer they opened the kitchen door and ran outside.</p> + +<p>It was a dark night and the air was filled with snow, some of which was +already sifting lazily downward. But they knew the way well, so the want +of light did hot bother them. They crossed the parade ground on a run +and made directly for the road leading to the Stanhopes' cottage.</p> + +<p>"I reckon it will be quite a surprise for Mrs. Stanhope and Dora," said +Tom, after they had told Sam of what had happened in the school-room. +"They won't be looking for us."</p> + +<p>"I know they'll treat us well," said Dick.</p> + +<p>"To be sure they will—especially after all we did for them on the +Lakes," put in Sam. "But let me tell you, I am curious to know how this +thing is going to end."</p> + +<p>"I think Mr. Grinder will get the worst of it," returned Tom +confidently. "He must know he was doing wrong to put you in that icy +storeroom and poor Tubbs in the stone cell. How did you make out with +Tubbs in the closet?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he became quite friendly, and we decided to let the past drop. I +promised I wouldn't call him Tubby any more."</p> + +<p>"That's fair," came from Dick. "He isn't such a bad sort."</p> + +<p>On and on hurried the boys. The road was a somewhat lonely one, with +several patches of woods to be passed. Several times they halted, +endeavoring to ascertain if they were being pursued. But all remained +silent. The snow was now coming down more thickly than ever.</p> + +<p>"What a lot of adventures we have had in these woods," observed Tom, +during one of the halts. "Don't you remember the tramp who stole the +watch, and the rows with Josiah Crabtree and with Arnold Baxter and +Dan?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I do," said Sam. "Mrs. Stanhope and Dora must be glad to be rid +of old Crabtree and Arnold Baxter."</p> + +<p>"It's a pity Dan Baxter wasn't locked up with his father," said Dick. +"Don't you remember how he used to bother Dora and the Laning girls?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think he'd bother them now?" asked Sam. "If he bothers Grace +Laning he had better look out for me."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Sam, stand up for your own particular girl——" began +Tom.</p> + +<p>"I didn't say she was my girl," cried Sam, and he was glad that the +darkness hid his red-growing face. "I'm no more sweet on her than you +are on her sister Nellie."</p> + +<p>"It's Dick who must lead off, with Dora Stanhope——" went on Tom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, stow it, and come on!" burst in Dick. "If you keep on talking +you'll surely be caught. Grinder may be coming after us in a carriage."</p> + +<p>"If we had our bicycles we could get there in no time," said Sam.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we might break our necks in the dark," added Dick. "Come, we +haven't more than a mile further to go."</p> + +<p>On the three trudged, through the snow, which was coming down faster +each instant. Once they thought they heard carriage wheels behind them, +but soon the sounds faded away in the distance.</p> + +<p>At last they came in sight of the Stanhope cottage. A bright light was +streaming from the sitting-room windows, and looking in they saw Dora +sitting at the table reading a book, and Mrs. Stanhope resting +comfortably in an easy-chair in front of the bright-burning fire.</p> + +<p>Dora herself came to the door in answer to their ring. "Why, mamma, it's +the Rovers!" she cried, as she shook hands, "I never expected to see +you to-night, in such a snowstorm. How kind of Captain Putnam to let you +come."</p> + +<p>"The captain had nothing to do with it," answered Dick, as he gave her +hand an extra squeeze, which he somehow thought she returned. "We came +because we were having a lot of trouble, and didn't know what else to +do."</p> + +<p>"More trouble!" came from Mrs. Stanhope, as she also greeted them. "I +was hoping all our troubles were a thing of the past."</p> + +<p>"This isn't any trouble for you," answered Dick. "Excepting that it +brings trouble through your giving us shelter for the night."</p> + +<p>"If that's the case, then let it bring trouble," put in Dora promptly. +"But what is it all about."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you presently, Dora. But in the meantime can you give Sam +some supper? He hasn't had a mouthful since dinner time."</p> + +<p>"You poor boy!" came from Mrs. Stanhope. "To be sure he shall have his +supper. I'll tell Mary to prepare it at once," and she bustled from the +room to give the servant the necessary directions, and returned at once.</p> + +<p>Sitting down in front of the fire the three boys told their tale, Mrs. +Stanhope and Dora listening with keen attention. When Dick got to the +point where Jasper Grinder had wanted to thrash him Dora gave a scream.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dick, the idea! Why, he really must be crazy!"</p> + +<p>"I believe his passion got the best of him," said the eldest Rover.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad Tom took the cane away," went on Dora.</p> + +<p>"It is really too bad," observed Mrs. Stanhope, when their story was +finished. "I quite agree with you that Captain Putnam will not uphold +Mr. Grinder in his inhuman course. Of course you must stay here +to-night, and as long after that as you please."</p> + +<p>It was not long before supper was ready for Sam, and when he entered the +dining room Mrs. Stanhope went along, to see that he got all he desired.</p> + +<p>"I am awfully glad you came," said Dora, in a low voice, when she was +alone with Dick and Tom. "I have something important to tell you, +something I didn't wish to mention in front of mamma, for it will only +worry her without doing any good."</p> + +<p>"And what is it?" asked Tom and Dick, in a breath.</p> + +<p>"I was down to Cedarville yesterday to do some shopping, and I am almost +certain that I saw Dan Baxter hanging around the hotel there."</p> + +<p>"Dan Baxter!" ejaculated Dick.</p> + +<p>"Hush, Dick! not so loud. Yes, Dan Baxter. He was on the hotel stoop, +but the minute he saw me he went inside."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you are mistaken," said Tom. "I hardly think he'd dare to show +himself here."</p> + +<p>"At first I was uncertain about it. But when I came back that way I +looked again, and I caught him peeping out at me from one of the +bar-room windows. As soon as he saw me look he dodged out of sight."</p> + +<p>"If Dan Baxter is in this neighborhood, he is here for no good," was +Dick's blunt comment. "Evidently he has not forgiven us for helping to +put his father back in jail."</p> + +<p>"Dan Baxter is not of a forgiving nature, Dick. You must be careful, or +he will make trouble for all three of you."</p> + +<p>"We can take care of ourselves, Dora. If only he doesn't annoy you and +your mother."</p> + +<p>"I don't think he'll do that—now Mr. Crabtree is out of it," answered +Dora, and then, as Mrs. Stanhope re-entered the room, the subject was +dropped.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII'></a><h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE.</h3> +<br> + +<p>Despite the stirring events which had just passed the Rovers managed to +pass a pleasant evening at the Stanhope cottage. This was in a large +measure due to Dora, who did all she could to entertain them and make +them forget their troubles. All played games, and Dora played the piano +and sang for them, while Dick and Tom also took a hand at the singing. +Sam could not sing, and declared that he was certainly getting a cold, +whether from being in the storeroom or not.</p> + +<p>At ten o'clock the boys retired, to a large bed chamber containing a +double bed and a good-sized cot. They were soon undressed, and after +saying their prayers dropped asleep and slept soundly until seven in the +morning.</p> + +<p>When they arose a surprise awaited them. On the ground outside the snow +lay to the depth of a foot or more, and it was still showing as heavily +as ever.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! we are snowed in!" exclaimed Sam, as he gazed out on the +whitened landscape.</p> + +<p>"Sure enough," returned Dick, and added:</p> + +<p>"This looks as if Captain Putnam might not come back to-day,"</p> + +<p>"If that's the case, I vote we stay here," put in Tom. "I'm sure Mrs. +Stanhope will keep us."</p> + +<p>It was found that Sam's cold had attacked him in earnest. He was very +hoarse, and complained of a severe pain in the chest.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to do something for that cold," said Dick. "Better stay in +bed this morning, and let Mrs. Stanhope put a plaster on your chest."</p> + +<p>Going below, he told the lady of the cottage of his brother's condition. +A mustard draught was at once prepared and placed upon Sam, and he was +also given some pine tar cough mixture. These things relieved him +somewhat, but Mrs. Stanhope insisted upon it that he remain in bed, and +brought him his breakfast with her own hands.</p> + +<p>"Of course you must stay here, especially since Sam is sick," said Dora, +while they were eating a breakfast of buckwheat cakes, honey, chops, and +coffee. "He may not get worse, but if he does, one of you will have to +take the horse and go for the doctor."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll have to watch Sam," answered Dick. "But don't put yourselves +to too much trouble on our account."</p> + +<p>"As if we could take too much trouble for you!" exclaimed Dora, and +blushed sweetly. It was not likely that she would ever forget all the +Rovers had done for her and her mother.</p> + +<p>Tom was anxious to learn about the Lanings, and was told that they were +all at home and doing finely.</p> + +<p>"Nellie and Grace are going on a visit to an aunt at Timber Run after +the holidays," said Dora. "They wanted me to go along, but I didn't care +to leave mamma, and we didn't wish to lock up the house for fear some +tramps might break in and rob us."</p> + +<p>After breakfast Sam said he felt like sitting up, but toward noon his +chest began to hurt him again, and Mrs. Stanhope said it would be best +that somebody go for a doctor. Dick and Tom both volunteered, but it was +finally decided that Dick should go alone, on horseback.</p> + +<p>A steed was soon saddled, and off Dick rode, wrapped in his overcoat and +with an old fur cap pulled well down over his ears. It had now stopped +snowing, so the weather was not quite as unpleasant as it had been.</p> + +<p>Dick was bound for the house of Dr. Fremley, a physician he knew well, +and thither he made his way as speedily as the horse could plow through +the drifts which presented themselves. At times, when the wind arose, it +was nipping cold, and the youth was glad to get in where it was warm +when the physician's office in Cedarville was reached.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, I will come and see your brother," said Dr. Fremley. "I'll +be ready to go in about half an hour."</p> + +<p>"Will you go on horseback?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll wait in town and go back with you," said Dick. "I wish to +make a purchase or two."</p> + +<p>It was agreed that the youth should meet the physician at half-past +twelve, and leaving his horse in the latter's stable, Dick walked down +the main street of Cedarville.</p> + +<p>He had his Christmas money with him, and entering a drug store he bought +a cup of hot chocolate, that warmed him considerably. After this he +selected a bottle of cologne and a box of chocolates as a Christmas gift +for Dora.</p> + +<p>Opposite to the drug store was a stationery and book store, and here +Dick procured a fancy floral calendar for Mrs. Stanhope and an +interesting girl's book for Dora.</p> + +<p>From the store Dick could obtain a side view of the Cedarville Hotel, +which stood on a corner up the street, and having paid for his purchases +the youth stood near the door and watched the hotel, wondering at the +same time if he would see anything of Dan Baxter.</p> + +<p>Presently a number of men came from the bar-room of the hotel and moved +in various directions. With one of these was the youth for whom Dick was +looking.</p> + +<p>Dan Baxter and his companion moved in the direction of the lake shore, +and Dick lost no time in following the pair.</p> + +<p>The man with Baxter was a stranger to Dick, but he showed by his manner +that he was a rough individual, and when he talked he did a great deal +of swearing, which, however, will not appear in his conversation in +these pages.</p> + +<p>Having reached the road running along the lake front, Baxter and his +companion, whose name was Lemuel Husty, passed northward past a +straggling row of cottages and then on the road leading to the village +of Neckport.</p> + +<p>"I wish I had time—I'd follow them," said Dick to himself, and turned +back, much disappointed over the fact that he had not had a chance to +speak to Dan Baxter.</p> + +<p>As Dick turned in the direction of the doctor's office once more he was +hailed by a lad of the village, named Harry Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Dick Rover!"</p> + +<p>"How are you Harry? How do you like the snow?"</p> + +<p>"All right enough, only it will spoil some of the skating."</p> + +<p>"So I've been thinking," answered Dick, as the two came closer.</p> + +<p>"Say, Dick, who do you suppose I met a while ago," went on Harry Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I don't know—Dan Baxter?"</p> + +<p>"That's the chap. How did you guess it?"</p> + +<p>"I saw him myself."</p> + +<p>"I thought he didn't dare to show himself?"</p> + +<p>"Well, he ought to be arrested, Harry. But perhaps having his father in +prison, and losing most of his money, is punishment enough for him."</p> + +<p>"I met him in the post office. He was posting several letters."</p> + +<p>"Did you see the handwriting on the letters?"</p> + +<p>"No. As soon as he saw me he slid out of sight."</p> + +<p>"I guess he doesn't fancy being recognized. By the way, have you seen +Captain Putnam?"</p> + +<p>"Saw him about an hour ago. I think he was going to the Hall."</p> + +<p>"Good enough! I was waiting for him to get back."</p> + +<p>A few words more followed, and the two boys separated, and Dick hurried +to the doctor's office. Dr. Fremley was ready to leave, and soon the +pair were on the way to the Stanhope cottage.</p> + +<p>Not wishing to give the Hall a bad name Dick deemed it advisable to say +nothing about the fact that Sam had been locked in an ice-cold room +without his overcoat or hat, and merely stated that his brother had +exposed himself.</p> + +<p>"He has a very heavy cold," said the doctor, after an examination. "If +let run, it would have become serious, beyond a doubt; but I feel +confident I can check it," and he left some medicine and some plasters.</p> + +<p>As soon as the doctor was gone Dick announced his intention of returning +to Putnam Academy. "The captain has got back, and I want to lay the +whole case before him, and do it, too while Sam is still sick."</p> + +<p>"Shall I go along?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"No, I'll go alone. They may need you here on Sam's account."</p> + +<p>Dick was soon on the way, riding another horse, for the Stanhopes now +kept two. He had had a fine dinner, and felt in the best of spirits, +despite the disagreeable task before him. He did not doubt for a moment +but that Captain Putnam would side with him and condemn the actions of +Jasper Grinder.</p> + +<p>He was still out of sight of the Hall when he saw Peleg Snuggers riding +toward him in the captain's cutter.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Master Rover!" sang out the man of all work. "Where are +your brothers?"</p> + +<p>"Safe, Snuggers. Has the captain got back?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—got in a couple of hours ago."</p> + +<p>"Has he said anything about our going away?"</p> + +<p>"Said anything? Just guess he has. Why, the whole school is so upset +nobody knows what he is doing. Do you know what happened after you and +your brothers ran away?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I don't. What did happen?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grinder had a terrible row with more than a dozen of the boys, who +sided with what you had done. He got awfully mad at them, and was going +to cane the lot, when all of a sudden he fell down in a fit, just like +he was going to die, and we had to work over him most an hour before we +could bring him around."</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>JASPER GRINDER IS DISMISSED.</h3> +<br> + +<p>Dick was greatly surprised over the news which Peleg Snuggers conveyed +to him. He knew that Jasper Grinder was an intensely passionate man when +aroused, as on the occasion of the attempted caning, but he had not +imagined that the man would fall into a fit while in such a condition.</p> + +<p>"Did he come out of the fit all right?" he questioned soberly.</p> + +<p>"When he came around he was as weak as a rag, and I and one of the big +boys had to help him up to his room. He stayed there the rest of the +evening, and the other teachers had to take charge."</p> + +<p>"What do they say about the matter?"</p> + +<p>"As soon as the captain got back all of 'em got in the private office +and held a long talk. Then the captain had a talk with Mr. Grinder, and +after that the captain sent me off to look for you. He said you must be +at the Lanings, or at Mrs. Stanhope's, or else somewhere in Cedarville."</p> + +<p>"We are stopping with Mrs. Stanhope. Sam is sick with a heavy cold."</p> + +<p>"It's not to be wondered at. Master Tubbs has a cold, too, and the +captain had Mrs. Green give him some medicine for it."</p> + +<p>"Has he punished Tubbs?"</p> + +<p>"No. He's awfully upset, and I don't think he'll do anything right +away," concluded the general utility man.</p> + +<p>The cutter was turned around, and Dick and Snuggers hurried toward the +Hall. Their coming was noticed by a score of boys who were snowballing +each other oh the parade ground, and a shout went up.</p> + +<p>"Dick Rover is coming back! Snuggers has brought Dick Rover back!"</p> + +<p>"Take care of the horse, Snuggers," said Dick. "Do the right thing, and +I won't forget to pay you at Christmas-time."</p> + +<p>"All right Master Rover; thank you," answered the man of all work.</p> + +<p>Dick was at once surrounded, but before he could answer any questions he +saw Captain Putnam appear at one of the windows and at once went inside +to greet him.</p> + +<p>"Well, Rover, what does all this mean?" demanded the head of the school, +but there was not much sternness in his tone.</p> + +<p>"It means Captain Putnam, that Sam, Tom, and I couldn't stand the +treatment we received from Mr. Grinder. For a little set-to which Sam +and Tubbs had in the gymnasium Mr. Grinder put Sam in the ice-cold +storeroom, and was going to keep him there all night, with nothing but +stale bread to eat and cold water to drink. If Sam had remained in the +storeroom he would have died from the effects of it. As it is, he is now +in bed at Mrs. Stanhope's, and we had to call in Dr. Fremley to attend +him."</p> + +<p>"Is he very ill, Rover? Tell me the exact truth."</p> + +<p>"I have never told you anything else, Captain Putnam. No, I don't think +he is very ill, but he's got a bad cold. He is very hoarse, and he +complained of such a pain in the chest that Mrs. Stanhope put on some +plasters, and when the doctor came he left some more."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" Captain Putnam began to walk up and down his private office. +"What did you tell Dr. Fremley?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing but that Sam had exposed himself. I didn't want to give the +school a black name. But one thing is certain, we can't remain here if +Mr. Grinder is going to stay. I shall write to my father and tell him +the full particulars."</p> + +<p>"It will not be necessary to do so, Richard." The captain caught Dick by +the shoulder. "I have investigated this affair, and while I find that +Sam was to blame, and Tom and you, too, yet I am convinced that Mr. +Grinder exceeded his authority here. He had no business to put Sam in +the storeroom and Master Tubbs in the stone cell in this freezing +weather. More than that, something happened after you left that shows +plainly Mr. Grinder is not the proper person to be a teacher here, and +from to-day I intend to dispense with his services."</p> + +<p>Dick knew what the captain referred to, the falling of the teacher into +his passionate fit on the floor, but he said nothing on that point, for +in a way he felt sorry for one who could control himself so little.</p> + +<p>"I am glad we won't have to put up with him, sir, any longer. In one +way, he is worse than Mr. Crabtree was."</p> + +<p>"Let us drop the whole subject, Richard. I have not been satisfied with +Mr. Grinder for some time past, and had in view a teacher to take his +place before this happened. The new teacher will come after the +holidays, and I feel certain all the students will like him fully as +much as they like Mr. Strong."</p> + +<p>"We won't ask for anybody better than Mr. Strong—or yourself," answered +Dick, with a smile.</p> + +<p>A talk lasting quarter of an hour followed, and it was decided that Dick +should return to the Stanhope cottage, to tell Tom and Sam what turn +affairs had taken. Then Tom was to come to the Hall, leaving Dick to +look after Sam.</p> + +<p>It was nightfall before Dick got back to the cottage. Of course his +brothers and the others listened to his story with interest. Both Sam +and Tom felt greatly relieved.</p> + +<p>"If Grinder keeps on he'll kill himself in one of his fits," said Sam. +"I hope he leaves before I go back to school."</p> + +<p>"If I was you, I wouldn't go back until he does leave," said Tom. "I'm +sure Mrs. Stanhope will let you stay here; won't you?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure, Tom," answered the lady of the cottage. "But now Captain +Putnam has made up his mind, you may be sure Mr. Grinder will not remain +at the Hall many days."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he'll go to-night," said Dora. "The captain surely wont wish him +at the Hall over Sunday."</p> + +<p>Tom remained with his brothers until evening; then started for the Hall +on foot, not caring to bother with a horse. The road was now well +broken, so he had no trouble in making the journey.</p> + +<p>When he arrived at the Academy he found the boys assembled in the +classroom, in charge of one of the under-teachers.</p> + +<p>"You cannot see Captain Putnam at present," said the teacher. "You will +have to remain here with the other pupils until he is at leisure."</p> + +<p>"Something must be wrong," murmured Tom, as he slipped in a seat next to +George Granbury.</p> + +<p>"I think the captain is getting rid of old Grinder," was the whispered +reply. "He's afraid we'd go out and give him three groans when he left."</p> + +<p>"I see. Well, it's best to let him go quietly. Good riddance to him."</p> + +<p>"That's what all the boys say, although some are sorry he had the fit."</p> + +<p>"So am I sorry; but he brought it on himself."</p> + +<p>Presently there was loud knocking in the front of the building and the +slamming of a door. Then a trunk was dumped into the captain's cutter, +and the horse started off, carrying Peleg Snuggers and Jasper Grinder +behind him.</p> + +<p>When the captain came into the classroom he was pale, and pulled +nervously on his mustache Evidently his task of getting rid of the +passionate teacher had not been a light one. He said but little, and +shortly after the boys were dismissed and sent to bed.</p> + +<p>Sunday continued bright and clear, but it was so bitter cold that but +few of the students went to church and Sunday school. Tom was anxious to +hear how Sam was getting along, and in the afternoon Captain Putnam +himself drove him to the Stanhope cottage in the cutter.</p> + +<p>It was found that the youngest Rover was feeling much better, although +his hoarseness had not left him. He said he was sure he could go back to +school the next day.</p> + +<p>"We had a visit from Jasper Grinder," said Dick. "He insisted on +stopping here in spite of all Snuggers could do to stop him."</p> + +<p>"And what did he say?" asked the captain anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he was in a terrible rage, and threatened to sue my father because, +as he put it, we had driven him from earning a good living. I could +hardly get him out of the house, and when he left he picked up a big +chunk of ice and snow and hurled it through the sitting-room window at +Sam. I believe the man isn't quite right in his head."</p> + +<p>"It certainly looks like it," was the captain's grave response.</p> + +<p>"Did Snuggers leave him in Cedarville?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. But Snuggers didn't know where he went after that, excepting that +he called at the post office for some letters."</p> + +<p>"I hope I never have anything to do with him again," said Sam, with a +shiver.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe he will bother you in the future," returned the +captain. "When he comes to his sober senses he will realize fully how +foolishly he has acted."</p> + +<p>As Sam was so much better and needed no care that Mrs. Stanhope and Dora +were not willing to give him, Tom returned to the Hall with Dick and +Captain Putnam, after supper at the widow's cottage. The sleigh ride to +the school was delightful, for the road was now in excellent shape, +while overhead the stars shone down like so many glittering diamonds.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX'></a><h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>A RACE ON THE ICE, AND WHAT FOLLOWED.</h3> +<br> + +<p>After the events just narrated several days passed quietly enough at +Putnam Hall. In the meantime the weather continued clear, and the boys +took it upon themselves to clear off a part of the lake for skating. +Then, one night came a strong wind, and the next morning they found a +space of cleared ice nearly half a mile long.</p> + +<p>"Now for some fine skating!" exclaimed Tom, as he rushed back to the +Hall after an inspection of the lake's smooth surface. "We can have all +the racing we wish."</p> + +<p>"It's a pity Sam can't go out yet," returned Dick. Sam was back to the +school, but his cold had not entirely left him.</p> + +<p>"Never mind; here are several new magazines he can read," returned Tom, +who had been to town with Snuggers on an errand and had purchased them +at the stationery store.</p> + +<p>"I would just as soon read now," said Sam. "The magazines look mighty +interesting."</p> + +<p>Just then Fred Garrison came in, accompanied by George Granbury. They +had been down to Cedarville to purchase some skates and a new pair of +shoes for George.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, what do you think we saw in Cedarville!" cried Fred, as soon as +he caught sight of the Rovers.</p> + +<p>"Lots of snow," suggested Tom dryly.</p> + +<p>"Yes—and more."</p> + +<p>"A mighty dull town," suggested Sam.</p> + +<p>"We saw Dan Baxter."</p> + +<p>"What was he doing?"</p> + +<p>"He was walking down the street. And who do you suppose was with him? +Mr. Grinder!"</p> + +<p>"Grinder!" came simultaneously from Tom and Dick.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Grinder. And they seemed to be on good terms with each other," put +in George.</p> + +<p>"I could hardly believe my eyes at first," went on Fred. "But there they +were, as plain as day."</p> + +<p>"It's very odd," mused Dick. "What should bring them together?"</p> + +<p>Nobody could answer that question.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they are up to any good," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"I hope Grinder doesn't join hands with Baxter in plotting against us," +came from Dick.</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over for some time, but no satisfactory conclusion +could be reached, and presently the boys separated, some to go skating +and others to attend to their studies for the morrow.</p> + +<p>Down at the lake the scene was an animated one. Boys were flying in +every direction, and mingled with them were a dozen or more girls and a +few grown persons. George Strong, the head teacher, was there, enjoying +himself fully as much as the pupils who loved him.</p> + +<p>"I'll race you, Mr. Strong!" sang out one of the older boys, Tom +Mardell.</p> + +<p>"Done, Master Mardell," was the teacher's answer. "To yonder rock and +return." And in a moment more the pair were off.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! A race between Mr. Strong and Tom Mardell!" came in a shout +from a number of the students, and soon there was a general "lining up" +to see how it would terminate.</p> + +<p>"Go in, Tom!" shouted Tom Rover. "Don't let him beat you!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Strong is behind!" came presently. "Tom is going to win out, sure!"</p> + +<p>On and on went the skaters, until the rock was gained. Then Tom Mardell +turned so suddenly that he ran full tilt into the teacher with whom he +was racing. Both spun around and came down on the ice with a crash.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" gasped Mardell. "I didn't mean to do that!"</p> + +<p>"I—I know you didn't!" panted Mr. Strong. "You have finished the race +in fine shape, I must declare!" And then he arose slowly to his feet and +Mardell followed. But nobody was seriously hurt, and in a moment more +both skated off hand in hand.</p> + +<p>Dick was looking for Dora Stanhope, and presently she appeared, in a +pretty fur coat and a jaunty fur cap. He put on her skates for her, and +they skated off, with many a side wink from some of the boys.</p> + +<p>"Dick's head over heels," said one lad, to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you'd be, too, Urner, if you could get such a nice girl +to notice you," returned Tom dryly. And then he added: "You must +remember we are all old friends."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know that; and I was only joking."</p> + +<p>A grand race, open to all comers, had been arranged by the students of +the Hall and of Pornell Academy, a rival institute of learning, which +has already figured in other volumes of this series. The Pornell boys +were out in force, and they were sure that one of their number would win +the silver napkin ring, which was the first prize, and another the story +book, which constituted the second prize.</p> + +<p>Of this race a gentleman from Cedarville, named Mr. Richards, was to be +the starter and judge. The course was a short mile, down the lake and +back again. The Pornell boys to enter were named Gray, Wardham, Gussy, +and De Long. The contestants from Putnam Hall were Tom Rover, Fred +Garrison, Tubbs, and a lad named Hollbrook.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready?" asked Mr. Richards, after lining the boys up and +telling them of the conditions of the race.</p> + +<p>There was a dead silence.</p> + +<p>"Go!" shouted the starter.</p> + +<p>Away went the eight skaters, side by side each striking out bravely. +Fred was in the lead, with two Pornell boys a close second, while Tom +Rover was fourth.</p> + +<p>"Go in, Tom, you must win!" sang out Dick excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for Tubby!" came from several others. "He's crawling up!"</p> + +<p>"Go in, Gray!" came in a shout from some Pornell sympathizers. Gray was +one of the pair striving for second place. Now he shot ahead, and in a +second more was close upon Fred Garrison's heels.</p> + +<p>The pace was truly terrific from the very start, and long before the +turn was gained De Long and Hollbrook dropped out, satisfied that they +could not win.</p> + +<p>Gray, the leader of the Pornell contingent, was a tall, lanky, and +powerful fellow, and every stroke he took told well in his favor. The +turning point was hardly rounded when he began to crawl up to Fred, and +then he gradually passed him.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Gray is ahead!" shouted his friends.</p> + +<p>"Here is where Pornell wins the race!" added one enthusiastic +sympathizer.</p> + +<p>Fred's pace had been too sharp from the very start, and now he slowly +but surely dropped back to second place, and then to third.</p> + +<p>But then Tom Rover began to crawl up. He had held himself slightly in +reserve. Now he "let himself out." Whiz! whiz! went the polished pair of +steels under him, and soon Wardham, the fellow who had held second +place, was passed, dropping behind Fred, thus taking fourth place. Then +Tom came up on Gray's heels.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for Tom Rover!"</p> + +<p>"Go it, Tom, don't let him beat you!"</p> + +<p>"Go it Gray, Tom Rover is at your heels!"</p> + +<p>Gray did not dare to look back, but at the latter cry he did his best to +increase his speed. So did Tom, and while the finishing line was still a +hundred yards distant he came up side by side with Gray.</p> + +<p>"It's a tie!"</p> + +<p>"No, Gray is a little ahead yet!"</p> + +<p>"Go in, Gray, don't let him beat you!"</p> + +<p>"Tom Rover to the front! Go it, Tom, for the glory of old Putnam Hall!"</p> + +<p>A wild yelling broke out on every side. On and on went the two boys, +with Fred Garrison not two yards behind them. That the finish would be a +close one there was no question. The line was but a hundred feet away; +now but seventy-five; now but fifty. Still the leaders kept side by +side, neither gaining an inch. Surely it would be a tie. The yelling +increased until the noise was deafening.</p> + +<p>And then of a sudden Tom Rover shot ahead. How it was done nobody knew, +and Tom himself couldn't explain it when asked afterward. But ahead he +went, like an arrow shot from a bow, and crossed the line six feet in +advance of Gray.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Tom Rover has won!"</p> + +<p>"Told you Tom would do it!"</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for Putnam Hall!"</p> + +<p>"And Fred Garrison came in only one yard behind Gray, too, and Tubby is +a pretty good fourth."</p> + +<p>"This is Putnam Hall day, thank you!"</p> + +<p>The cheering increased, and Tom was immediately surrounded by a host of +admirers.</p> + +<p>Gray felt very sore, and wanted to leave the pond at once, but before he +could do so Tom skated up to him and held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"You came pretty close to beating me," he said. "I can't really say how +I got ahead at the finish."</p> + +<p>"I—I guess my skate slipped, or something," stammered Gray, and shook +hands. Tom's candor took away the keen edge of the defeat.</p> + +<p>The Putnam Hall boys were wild with delight, and insisted upon carrying +Tom on their shoulders around the pond. A great crowd followed, and +nobody noticed how this made the ice bend and crack.</p> + +<p>"Be careful there!" shouted Mr. Strong warningly. "There are too many of +you in a bunch!" But ere he had finished the sentence there came another +loud cracking, and in a twinkle a section of the ice went down, plunging +fully a dozen lads into the icy water below.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_X'></a><h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>THE END OF THE TERM.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"The ice has gone down!"</p> + +<p>"Some of the boys will be drowned!"</p> + +<p>"Get some boards and a rope, quick!"</p> + +<p>These and a score of other cries rang out. In the meantime those near to +the hole skated with all speed to one place of safety or another.</p> + +<p>Some of the imperiled boys who had not gone down very deeply managed to +scramble out with wet feet or wet lower limbs only, but when the crowd +had drawn back it was seen that three boys were floundering in the +chilling water over their heads. These boys were George Granbury and +Frank Harrington, who had been supporting Tom on their shoulders, and +Tom himself, who had been dropped into the opening head first by the +frightened lads.</p> + +<p>Realizing that something must be done at once, Mr. Strong ran to the +boathouse, which was close at hand, and soon reappeared, carrying a long +plank. He was followed by a boy with a rope, and several boys brought +more planks and more ropes.</p> + +<IMG align="middle" SRC="images/illus_3.jpg" +alt= "Illustration: THE MISHAP ON THE ICE.—P. 73. +Rover Boys in the Mountains."> + +<p>When the first plank was pushed out Tom lost no time in grasping hold +of it. He crawled to a safe place on hands and knees, but was so nearly +paralyzed he could not stand up.</p> + +<p>"I'll carry him up to the Hall," said Peleg Snuggers, who had chanced +upon the scene, and without ceremony he picked Tom up in his strong arms +and made off for the school building on a run.</p> + +<p>After Tom came Frank Harrington, who caught hold of one end of a rope +tossed toward the hole. As soon as he shouted he had the rope secure, a +dozen boys pulled upon it, and Frank was literally dragged from his icy +bath. Once on shore he was started on a run for the Hall, some boys +rushing ahead to obtain dry clothing for both him and the others.</p> + +<p>Poor George Granbury was now the only one left in danger, and matters +appeared to be going hard with him. He clutched at one of the planks +thrust toward him, but his hold slipped and down he went out of sight.</p> + +<p>"He'll be drowned! He's too cold to save himself!" was the cry of +several who were watching him.</p> + +<p>"Be careful, boys!" came warningly from Mr. Strong. "Be careful, or +somebody else will get in!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Strong, if you will hold the plank, I'll crawl out and get hold of +Granbury," came from Dick, in a determined voice.</p> + +<p>"Rover, can you do it?"</p> + +<p>"I feel certain I can. Hold tight, please."</p> + +<p>Dick leaped upon the plank and threw himself flat. Then he crawled out +as fast as he could, until he was on the end over the open water. +Holding to the plank with one hand he reached out to grasp George's +shoulder with the other.</p> + +<p>"Sa—save me!" gasped the drowning boy.</p> + +<p>"Give me your hand, George," called Dick.</p> + +<p>Granbury tried to do so, but the effort was a failure, for the cold had +so numbed him he could scarcely move. Reaching as far as he could, Dick +caught a portion of his coat and drew the helpless boy toward him.</p> + +<p>The ice cracked ominously, but did not break. Mr. Strong warned the +others still further back.</p> + +<p>Slowly but surely Dick raised George to a level of the plank. Then with +an extra effort he hauled the half-drowned boy up.</p> + +<p>"Now haul in on the plank," he called, and Mr. Strong and two boys did +so immediately. In a moment more danger from drowning was a thing of the +past for George Granbury.</p> + +<p>A cheer went up because of Dick's heroic action, but this was instantly +hushed as George was seen to stagger back and fall as if dead. +Instantly Mr. Strong picked the boy up in his arms and ran toward the +Hall.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dick, how noble of you!" It was Dora Stanhope who spoke, as she +came up and placed a trembling little hand on his arm. "And how glad I +am that you didn't get in while doing it." And her eyes filled with +tears.</p> + +<p>"I—I'm glad too, Dora," he said brokenly. And then added: "Excuse me, +but I guess I'd better go up and see how Tom is making out."</p> + +<p>"To be sure, and let me know if it's all right," she replied.</p> + +<p>Once inside the Hall Dick learned that Tom had been put into a warm bed. +He was apparently none the worse for his mishap, and likely to be as +full of life and fun as ever on the morrow.</p> + +<p>Poor Granbury, however, was not so well off. It took some time to +restore him to consciousness, and while Captain Putnam and Mr. Strong +put him to bed, with hot-water bags to warm him up, Peleg Snuggers was +sent off post-haste for a doctor. As a result of the adventure Granbury +had to remain in bed for the best part of a week.</p> + +<p>"I shan't forget you for what you did," he said to Dick, when able to +sit up. "You saved my life." And many agreed that what George Granbury +said was true. As for Dora Stanhope, she looked upon the elder Rover as +more of a hero than ever.</p> + +<p>After the mishap at the races on the ice the time flew by swiftly until +the Christmas holidays. Before going home for Christmas Dick called upon +the Stanhopes and gave them the gifts he had purchased, over which they +were much pleased. For Dick Dora had worked a pretty scarf, of which he +was justly proud. Mrs. Stanhope had books for all the boys, something +which was always to their liking. The Rovers did not forget the Lanings, +nor were they forgotten by these old friends.</p> + +<p>"And now for home. Hurrah!" shouted Sam, on the way to Cedarville. "I +must say I'm just a bit anxious to see the old place once more."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and see father, and Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha," put in Dick.</p> + +<p>"Don't forget Alexander Pop," put in Tom, referring to the colored man +who had once been a waiter at the Hall, and who was now in the Rover +employ.</p> + +<p>"And Jack Ness and the rest," put in Sam. "I guess we'll be glad enough +to see everybody."</p> + +<p>When the boys arrived at Ithaca they found there had been a freight +smash-up on the railroad, and that they would have to wait for five or +six hours for a train to take them home. This would bring them to Oak +Run, their railroad station, at three o'clock in the morning.</p> + +<p>"I move we stay in Ithaca over night," said Tom. "If we got to Oak Run +at three in the morning, what would we do? There would be no one there +to meet us, and it's a beastly hour for rousing anybody out."</p> + +<p>So they decided to put up at a hotel in Ithaca, and went around to a new +place called the Students' Rest. The hotel was fairly well filled, but +they secured a large apartment with two double beds.</p> + +<p>"There's a nice concert on this evening by a college glee club," said +Sam. "I move we get tickets and go."</p> + +<p>"Second the motion," said Tom promptly.</p> + +<p>"The motion is put and carried," put in Dick just as promptly. "I trust, +though, the concert don't make us weep."</p> + +<p>"They won't know we're there, so perhaps they won't try it on too hard," +said Sam, and there the students' slang came to an end for the time +being.</p> + +<p>The concert was quite to their taste, and they were surprised, when it +was over, to learn that it was after eleven o'clock.</p> + +<p>"I hadn't any idea it was so late," exclaimed Dick. "We'd better be +getting back to the hotel, or we won't get our money's worth out of that +room."</p> + +<p>"That's right," laughed Tom. "Although, to tell the truth, I'm not very +sleepy."</p> + +<p>Several blocks were covered when Sam, who was looking across the +street, uttered a cry of astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"At what?" asked both Tom and Dick.</p> + +<p>"Over in front of that clothing store. There is Dan Baxter, and Jasper +Grinder is with him!"</p> + +<p>"Sam is right," came from Dick. "They must have struck up some sort of a +friendship, or they wouldn't be here together."</p> + +<p>"Let's go over and see what Baxter has to say for himself," said Tom +boldly.</p> + +<p>"All right," returned Dick. "But we want to keep out of a row; remember +that."</p> + +<p>They crossed the street and walked straight up to Baxter and Jasper +Grinder, who were holding an animated conversation in the doorway of a +clothing establishment which was closed for the night.</p> + +<p>As they came up, Sam caught the words, "There is money there, sure," +coming from Baxter. He paid no attention to the words at the time, but +remembered them long afterward, and with good reason.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Baxter!" said Dick, halting in front of the bully.</p> + +<p>Dan Baxter gave a start, as if detected in some wrong act. Then, as the +light from an electric lamp shone upon Dick's face, he glared sourly at +the oldest Rover.</p> + +<p>"Where did you come from?" he asked, and then, seeing the other Rovers, +added: "Been following me, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"No, we haven't been following you," said Dick. "We just came from, the +college boys' concert in the hall down the street."</p> + +<p>Jasper Grinder looked as sour as did Dan Baxter. Then he shook his +finger in Dick's face.</p> + +<p>"I haven't forgotten you, Richard Rover," he said bitterly. "And I am +not likely to forget you."</p> + +<p>"As you please, Mr. Grinder," was the cool rejoinder.</p> + +<p>"And I shan't forget you, Jasper Grinder," put in Sam. "You were the +means of my going to bed with a heavy cold."</p> + +<p>"Bah! it was all put on," exclaimed Jasper Grinder. "Had I had my way, I +would have kept you in the storeroom all night, and flogged you beside."</p> + +<p>"Captain Putnam did a good thing when he dismissed you," put in Tom. +"It's a pity he ever took on such a cold-hearted and miserly fellow."</p> + +<p>"You Rovers think you are on top," said Dan Baxter savagely. "But you +won't stay on top long, I'll give you my word on that."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do about it?" asked Dick, not without +considerable curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Never mind; you'll learn when the proper time comes."</p> + +<p>"Is your dad going to try to break jail again?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>"It's none of your business what he does—or what I do, either."</p> + +<p>"We'll make it our business if you try any of your games on us again," +said Dick. "We've stood enough from you and your kind, and we don't +intend to stand any more."</p> + +<p>"Are you going back to school after the holidays?" asked Dan Baxter, +after a pause.</p> + +<p>"That's our business," answered Tom.</p> + +<p>"All right; you needn't answer the question if you don't want to."</p> + +<p>"What do you want to know for?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>"Oh! nothing in particular. I suppose it's a good place for you to go +to. You are all Captain Putnam's pets, and he won't make you do a thing +you don't like, or make you study either, if your father shells out to +him."</p> + +<p>"We study a great deal more than you ever studied, Baxter," said Dick.</p> + +<p>"Let them go," cried Jasper Grinder, in deep irritation. "I want nothing +to do with them," and he turned his back on the Rovers.</p> + +<p>"We're willing to go," said Dick. "But, Baxter, I warn you against +doing anything in the future. You'll only put your foot into it."</p> + +<p>So speaking, Dick walked away, and Tom and Sam followed him. Baxter +shook his fist at them, and Jasper Grinder did the same.</p> + +<p>"They're a bad team," said Tom, as they walked to the hotel. "If they +try, perhaps they can give us lots of trouble."</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"Hurrah! Here we are again! How natural Oak Run looks!" exclaimed Tom on +the following day, as the long train came to a halt at their station and +they piled out on to the narrow platform.</p> + +<p>"There is old Nat Ricks, the station master," said Sam. "Remember how +you nearly scared him to death once by putting a big fire-cracker in the +waste paper he was burning and then telling him a yarn about dynamite +being around?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I just guess I do," answered Tom, with a grin. "Hullo, Mr. +Ricks!" he called out. "How are you this fine and frosty morning?"</p> + +<p>"Putty well, Tom," grumbled the old station master. "Been troubled a lot +lately with rheumatism."</p> + +<p>"That's too bad, Mr. Ricks. Caught it hoisting trunks into the cars, I +suppose."</p> + +<p>"Don't know how I caught it."</p> + +<p>"Or maybe lifting milk cans."</p> + +<p>"I don't lift no milk cans no more. Job Todder has that work around +here."</p> + +<p>"I see. Well, you must have caught it somehow, or else it caught you. +Ever tried the old Indian remedy for it?"</p> + +<p>"Indian remedy, what's that?"</p> + +<p>"Gracious, Mr. Ricks! never heard of the old reliable Indian remedy? I'm +astonished at you," went on Tom, in mock candor.</p> + +<p>"I've heard tell of Indian vegetable pills—but they aint no good for +rheumatism," was the slow answer.</p> + +<p>"Where is the pain mostly?"</p> + +<p>"Down this left leg."</p> + +<p>"Then the Indian remedy will just cure you, sure pop, Mr. Ricks."</p> + +<p>"Well, what might it be?"</p> + +<p>"It might be cover-liver oil, but it isn't. You get a quart bottle—a +red quart bottle, for a white one won't do,—and fill it with cold +spring water, tapped when the moon is full."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no! Then you take the spring water and boil it over a charcoal +fire, same as the Modoc Indians used to do. You remember all about that, +don't you?"</p> + +<p>"I—I—'pears to me I ought to," stammered the old station master.</p> + +<p>"Well, after the water is boiled," went on Tom, with a side wink at Dick +and Sam, who were already on a broad grin, "you strain it through a +piece of red cheesecloth—not white, remember—and add one teaspoonful +of sugar, one of salt, one of ginger, one of mustard, one of hog's lard, +one of mercury, one of arrowroot, one of kerosene oil, one of lemon +juice, one of extract of vanilla, one of mushamusha——"</p> + +<p>"Hold on Rover, I can't remember all that. I'll have to put it down," +interrupted Nat Ricks.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't put it down until everything is in and well mixed. Then +you put it down, half a pint at a time, four times a day. It's a sure +cure, and inside of a week after taking seventeen quarts and rubbing the +empty bottles on your left shoulder blade you'll feel like dancing a jig +of joy; really, you will."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you go along!" growled the old station master, in sudden wrath. +"You're joking me. Go oh, or I'll throw something at you!"</p> + +<p>"No bouquets, please, Mr. Ricks. Then you won't try the cure? All right, +but don't blame me if your rheumatism gets worse. And as I can't do +anything for you, will you kindly inform me if you've seen anything of +Jack Ness around here, with our turnout?"</p> + +<p>"If you want your hired man you go find him yourself," growled the +station master, and hobbled into his office.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom, but that was rich," laughed Sam softly. "When you said extract +of vanilla and mushamusha I thought I'd explode. And he was listening +so earnestly, too!"</p> + +<p>"Here's Jack Ness!" cried Dick, as they turned to the rear of the +station. "Hullo, Jack! Here we are again!"</p> + +<p>"Master Dick!" exclaimed the hired man, with a grin. "An' Tom an' Sam! +Glad to see you boys back, indeed I am. Here, give me them bags. I'll +put 'em in the back of the sleigh."</p> + +<p>"How is the sleighing?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>"Sleighing is quite fair yet, Master Tom. In you go. All the folks is +dying to see you."</p> + +<p>They were soon stowed away in the big family sleigh, and Jack Ness +touched up the team, and away they went, through Oak Run and across the +bridge spanning the Swift River—that stream where Sam had once had such +a thrilling adventure. The countryside was covered with snow and with +pools of ice.</p> + +<p>It did not take them long to come in sight of Valley Brook. While still +at a distance they saw faithful Alexander Pop come out on the broad +piazza and wave his hand at them.</p> + +<p>"There's Aleck!" cried Tom. "He's been on the watch!"</p> + +<p>"There is father!" came from Sam, a moment later; "and aunt Martha and +Uncle Randolph!"</p> + +<p>Soon they turned into the lane, and Jack Ness brought the sleigh up to +the piazza block in fine style. Tom was the first out and ran to greet +his father, and then his uncle and his aunt, and the others followed.</p> + +<p>"I am glad to see you back, boys," said Mr. Anderson Rover. "You all +look first-rate."</p> + +<p>"We're feeling first-rate," came from Dick.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure, Sam, that you are quite over your cold?" asked Aunt +Martha anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Quite sure, aunty dear," he answered, and kissed her very warmly, not +once, but several times.</p> + +<p>"Here, don't eat Aunt Martha up!" cried Tom. "Leave some for me."</p> + +<p>"You dear Tom!" murmured the lady of the house, as she kissed him and +then embraced Dick. "Full of fun as ever, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, aunty! I never do anything wrong now," answered Tom solemnly. +"I really haven't time, you know."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid, Tom, I can't trust you." And Mrs. Randolph Rover shook her +head sadly, but smiled nevertheless. She loved the jolly lad with all +her heart.</p> + +<p>There was a warm greeting from Randolph Rover also, and then the boys +turned indoors, to greet faithful Alexander Pop and the others who +worked about the place.</p> + +<p>"Yo' is a sight fo' soah eyes, 'deed yo' is, boys," said the colored +man. "I can't tell yo' how much I'se missed yo'!" And his face shone +like a piece of polished ebony.</p> + +<p>"It's more like home than ever, to get where you are, Aleck," said Dick. +"You've been through so much with us you are certainly part of the +outfit." And at this Aleck laughed and looked more pleased than ever.</p> + +<p>It was the day before Christmas, but in honor of their arrival there was +an extra-fine dinner awaiting them. Mrs. Rover had wanted to keep her +turkey meat for Christmas, so her husband, Anderson Rover, and Aleck had +gone into the woods back of the farm and brought down some rabbits and +a number of birds, so there was potpie and other good things galore, not +forgetting some pumpkin pies and home-made doughnuts, which Aunt Martha +prepared with her own hands and of which the boys had always been +exceedingly fond.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what," remarked Tom, as he was stowing away his second +generous piece of pie, "the feed at the Hall is all right, but when it +comes to a real, downright spread, like this, the palm goes to Aunt +Martha." And Dick and Sam agreed with him.</p> + +<p>There was, of course, much to tell about on both sides, and after dinner +the family gathered in the big sitting room, in front of a cheerful, +blazing fire. Mr. Anderson Rover listened with keen interest to what +his sons had to say about Jasper Grinder and Dan Baxter.</p> + +<p>"I sincerely trust they do not plot against us," he said. "I am getting +old, and I want no more trouble."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe Dan has the backbone his father has," answered Dick. +"And I believe Mr. Grinder is good deal of a coward."</p> + +<p>"If only young Baxter would turn over a new leaf!" sighed Mrs. Martha +Rover. "I declare I'll not feel safe, on your account, until that young +man is taken care of."</p> + +<p>The evening was passed in talking, singing, and playing games, and it +was not until late that all retired.</p> + +<p>The Christmas to follow was not one to be easily forgotten. There were +presents for everybody, from Mr. Rover down to Sarah, the hired girl, +and everybody was greatly pleased.</p> + +<p>At the Christmas dinner Alexander Pop insisted upon waiting on the +table, just as he had so often done at Putnam Hall. He had on his full +dress suit, and his face wore one perpetual smile. The boys had all +remembered Aleck handsomely, and he had not forgotten them.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon the boys went skating, and on the pond met several of +the boys of the neighborhood, and all had a glorious time until dark. +Then they piled home, once more as hungry as wolves, to a hot supper, +and an evening of nut-cracking around the fire.</p> + +<p>"Tell you what," said Sam on going to bed that night, "I almost wish +Christmas came once a week instead of once a year!"</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>THE BRASS-LINED MONEY CASKET.</h3> +<br> + +<p>It was on the day following Christmas that Dick brought out the +brass-lined money casket which he had picked up in the cave on Needle +Point Island, in Lake Huron, as related in a previous volume of this +series.</p> + +<p>As old readers know, this cave was stumbled upon by accident. It had +once been the hiding place of a band of smugglers who plied their +unlawful calling between the United States and Canada, and the cave was +found filled with numerous articles of more or less value. The Rovers +had gone back for these things, but had found some money gone, also a +curiously shaped dagger and a map, which had been in the cave on a rude +table. They were pretty well satisfied in their minds that Dan Baxter +had taken these things, but had never been able to prove it.</p> + +<p>The brass-lined money casket was an odd-looking affair, which Dick found +thrust in a big box of fancy articles of various descriptions. The box +was about a foot long, six inches wide, and six inches deep. It was of +rosewood, with silver corners, and the lining was of polished brass, +curiously engraved. The box had contained a few odd Canadian silver +coins, but that was all.</p> + +<p>"Do you know, I would like to know the history of this box," observed +Dick, as he looked it over. "As it belonged to one of those smugglers it +ought to have quite a story to tell."</p> + +<p>"It will make a nice jewel casket," put in Tom. "When you settle down +with Dora, you can give if to her for her dia——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, stow that, Tom! If Dora ever does take me for a husband, it won't +be for some years to come, you must know that."</p> + +<p>"Let me take a look at the box," put in Sam. "I never got the chance to +look it over carefully."</p> + +<p>"It's odd that they should engrave it inside," went on Dick. "Especially +since the outside silver corners are plain."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps there is a secret spring hidden by the engraving," suggested +Tom. "Hunt around. It may fly apart and let out a hundred thousand in +diamonds."</p> + +<p>"Don't be foolish, Tom," said Dick. "It isn't likely there is a spring."</p> + +<p>"But there just is a spring!" exclaimed Sam, who was handling the box. +"Hark!"</p> + +<p>He ran his finger nail over a spot on one side of the box, and there +followed a tiny click. Then he ran his finger nail back, and there was +another click.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Sam has solved the mystery of the sphinx!" cried Tom. "Can you +open it? I claim a third share of the diamonds!"</p> + +<p>"Give me the box," said Dick, also a bit excited. When he got it in his +hands he, too, ran his finger nail over the engraved brass. Several tiny +clicks followed.</p> + +<p>"There must be some opening beneath the brass lining," he said.</p> + +<p>"Take it to the window, and perhaps you'll be able to see something +more," suggested Sam.</p> + +<p>Dick did as advised, and, with his brothers gathered close beside him, +worked over the money casket for fully quarter of an hour.</p> + +<p>"It seems to click, and that's all," he said disappointedly. "If I could +only——Oh!"</p> + +<p>Dick stopped short. His finger had run across the lining in a certain +way. There were three clicks in rapid succession, and on the instant one +of the brass plates of the box flew back, revealing a tiny compartment +behind it, not over a quarter of an inch in depth.</p> + +<p>"No diamonds there," said Tom, his face falling. "Full of emptiness."</p> + +<p>"No, here is a sheet of parchment," returned Dick, pulling it forth. "A +map!" he added, as he unfolded it. "Well, I never!"</p> + +<p>"Never what?" came from Tom and Sam.</p> + +<p>"Unless I am mistaken, this is like the map that was on that table in +the cave, only this is much smaller."</p> + +<p>"That's interesting, too," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"The back of the map is full of writing," said Sam. He looked closer. +"It's in French."</p> + +<p>"This box must have belonged to one of those French-Canadian smugglers," +said Dick. "We'll have to get Uncle Randolph to read the writing and +tell us what it says."</p> + +<p>The three boys had been up to Dick's room. Now they lost no time in +going below. In all eagerness they burst into the library, where +Anderson Rover sat reading a magazine and Randolph Rover one of his +favorite works on scientific farming.</p> + +<p>"Dick has got the money casket open!" cried Sam.</p> + +<p>"And he has found a map," added Tom. "We want Uncle Randolph to read the +writing. It's in French."</p> + +<p>"Found a map in that old brass-lined box, eh?" said Anderson Rover. +"That's interesting."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid my French is a trifle rusty," remarked Randolph Rover, as +he put down his book. "Let me see the map."</p> + +<p>He took it to the window, and both he and Anderson Rover looked it over +with keen interest.</p> + +<p>"Why, this is a map of the locality around Timber Run," said Randolph +Rover. "That's a great lumbering section in the Adirondacks."</p> + +<p>"Timber Run!" echoed Tom, and for the moment said no more. But he +remembered what Dora Stanhope had said, that after the holidays Nellie +and Grace Laning were going on a visit to an aunt who lived at Timber +Run.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Thomas, this is a map of Timber Run. This stream is the Perch +River, and this is Bear Pond. The naming is in French, but that is the +English of it."</p> + +<p>"Please read the writing on the back," said Dick. "If the map is worth +anything I want to know it."</p> + +<p>Without further ado Randolph Rover began to read the writing. It was a +hard and tedious task, and the translating was, to him, equally +difficult, for his knowledge of French was somewhat limited. Translated, +the writing ran somewhat after this fashion:</p> + +<p>"To find the box of silver and gold, go to where Bear Pond empties into +Perch River. Ten paces to the west is a large pine tree, which was once +struck by lightning. Go due southwest from the pine tree sixty-two +paces, to the flat rock, behind which is a sharp-pointed rock. Beneath +the sharp-pointed rock is the chamber with the box. Stranger, beware of +Goupert's ghost."</p> + +<p>"A treasure in the mountains!" cried Sam. "Hurrah! let's go and get it!"</p> + +<p>"Bear Pond lies between two high mountains," said Randolph Rover. "It is +in a very wild country, and so far but little of the timber has been +taken out."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, we'll go anyhow!" put in Tom enthusiastically. "Why, the +box may be worth a fortune!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, let us go by all means," put in Dick. "I wouldn't like any better +fun than hunting for a treasure box."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you boys had adventures enough?" questioned Anderson Rover. +"You've been to Africa and out West, and on the ocean and the Great +Lakes——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, this would just be a little winter's outing in the mountains," said +Tom. "We could go hunting, and have lots of fun, even if we didn't find +the treasure box."</p> + +<p>"The treasure box was probably taken away years ago," said Randolph +Rover. "Most likely several of the smugglers knew of it."</p> + +<p>"And what of that ghost?" asked Anderson Rover, with a twinkle in his +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! we're not afraid of ghosts," sniffed Sam. "Are we, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"If I saw a ghost, I'd be apt to pepper him with shot, if I had my gun," +answered Tom. "No, I'm not afraid of such things—and neither is Dick."</p> + +<p>"It would be a fine thing to find a big boxful of silver," said Dick +seriously. "I know there was lots in that cave, before Dan Baxter +scooped it in. And, by the way, he must have that other map yet."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he went for the treasure box!" burst out Sam.</p> + +<p>"If the box is gone, we can't help it," said Tom. "But I move we get to +Timber Run and Bear Pond just as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>"Do you want to start in this cold weather?" asked his father anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! It isn't so very cold."</p> + +<p>"It's a good deal colder up in the mountains than it is here, I can tell +you that. Why, you might easily freeze to death if you got lost in the +snow."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if we couldn't find some guide who knows that territory +thoroughly," mused Dick.</p> + +<p>"If you could find a good guide, I wouldn't mind your going," said his +parent. "But I shall object to your going alone."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll hunt for a guide, and without delay," said Dick. "I would +like to go up there before Putnam Hall opens again."</p> + +<p>"So would I," came from his two brothers.</p> + +<p>"I think I know where you can get a guide," said Tom, after a pause. +"The Lanings have relatives at Timber Run. Let's write to Mr. Laning."</p> + +<p>This was agreed to, and a special trip was made to the village by Aleck +Pop to post the letter. In the letter they asked Mr. Laning to +telegraph, if possible, in reply.</p> + +<p>The telegram came shortly after noon the next day. It ran as follows:</p> +<div class='blkquot'><p>"I feel sure my brother-in-law, John Barrow, of Timber Run, can supply a + reliable guide. Will write to him.</p> + +<p>"JOHN LANING."</p></div> + +<p>"That settles it," said Dick. "I know the Lanings will do what is right +by us, so we may as well get ready to start at once. Are you willing, +father?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dick," was the answer. "But be sure and keep out of danger, and +keep Tom and Sam out, too."</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE HEART OF THE ADIRONDACK.</h3> +<br> + +<p>Three days later found the Rover boys in the heart of the Adirondack +Mountains of New York State. They had left home, after a hasty but +thorough preparation, two days before, and taken the train from Oak Run +to the mountain village of Medwell. At Medwell they had taken the stage +to Barton's Corners, and at this point had hired a private conveyance to +carry them and their outfit to Timber Run.</p> + +<p>At the time of which I write Timber Run was nothing more than a +collection of a dozen houses, strung along a branch of the Perch River, +where that stream turned the southern slope of a high hill known as Bald +Top. There was a general store here and also an office belonging to the +Timber Run Lumber Company. But business with the company was slow, and +the village, consequently, was almost destitute of life, two of the +houses being without tenants.</p> + +<p>"Well, this doesn't look much like a place," remarked Sam, as they got +out of the heavy lumber wagon which had brought them and their outfit +over.</p> + +<p>"Phew! but aint it cold!" exclaimed Tom, dancing around and slapping his +arms over his chest. "I wonder how Nellie and Grace Laning like this?"</p> + +<p>"I'll wager you've been thinking of Nellie all the way up," said Dick +slyly, remembering how his brother had tormented him about Dora +Stanhope.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't think of anything but how cold it was," growled Tom, but his +face took on a sudden redness. "Where do you go next?" he demanded, to +change the subject.</p> + +<p>"Let's go over to the store and ask for Mr. John Barrow," suggested +Dick.</p> + +<p>The store was at a fork in the roads, and thither they hurried, to get +inside, for the ride from Barton's Corners had certainly been a chilling +one. In the store they found a big pot stove throwing out a generous +amount of heat, and around this stove were gathered half a dozen men, +smoking and telling stories.</p> + +<p>"So you are the young men who are looking for John Barrow," said the +storekeeper, after listening to what Dick had to say. "He was here +waiting for you, and he'll be back in a bit. Rather a cold ride, eh? +Draw up to the fire and warm up."</p> + +<p>A place was made for the lads, and while they were "thawing out," as +Sam put it, John Barrow came in. He proved to be a tall, powerful built +lumberman, with a well-tanned face and sharp, but kindly, eyes.</p> + +<p>"How do you do," he said, as he shook hands. "Real glad to know you. +Yes, I got a letter from John Laning, my brother-in-law, tellin' me all +about you. He says as how you want a guide fer these parts. Well, I +don't want to brag, but I reckon I know the lay o' the land 'round here +about as good as any o' 'em, and a heap sight better nor lots."</p> + +<p>"We'd like you first-rate for a guide," said Tom, who was pleased with +John Barrow's looks, as were also his brothers. "But can you spare the +time?"</p> + +<p>"Reckon I can, just now. You see, the lumber company has got in some +sort of a tangle with the owner of the timber on this tract, and +consequently work is at a standstill. That's why you see so many men +hangin' around here."</p> + +<p>"Then you work for the company?" asked Dick.</p> + +<p>"I do in the winter time, but not in the summer. I've got a tidy farm +down the river a bit, and I let out my hosses to the company to haul +timber. It's cash money, you see, when the haulin' is goin' on."</p> + +<p>"I believe the Laning girls are stopping with you," put in Sam.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Nellie and Grace came up some time ago. You see, our girl, Addie, +gits tired being on the farm with only her mother, so we invited her +cousins to come up for a spell. They've had some pretty good times +together, so far, skatin' and sleighin', and the like. They are all +anxious to see you."</p> + +<p>John Barrow had brought with him his wagon, and into this their outfit +was dumped, and a minute later they were off, down the winding and rough +road running along the bank of the river, which was now frozen to a +thickness of a foot or more and covered with several inches of snow.</p> + +<p>"You say you know this locality," observed Dick, as they bumped along +over the frozen ground. "Do you know the spot where Bear Pond empties +into Perch River?"</p> + +<p>"I know several such spots, my lad."</p> + +<p>"Several!" came from all of the Rover boys.</p> + +<p>"Yes, several. You see the ground around the pond is marshy, and the +heavy rains cut all sorts of gullies here and there, so the pond empties +into the river, now, at five or six p'ints."</p> + +<p>"Are these points very far apart?" asked Sam, in dismay. "You see, I'm +very anxious we should know the exact particulars."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" John Barrow looked at them curiously. "Say, I reckon I know +what you are after!" he burst out suddenly.</p> + +<p>"What?" came from the three.</p> + +<p>"You're on a hunt for old Goupert's treasure."</p> + +<p>"Why, what do you know about that?" demanded Dick. He remembered that +the writing on the map said, "Beware of Goupert's ghost."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's an old yarn about here, and at different times we've had +more'n a hundred folks a-hunting around for that old Frenchman's money +box, but nobody ever got so much as a smell o' it."</p> + +<p>"Who was Goupert?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Goupert was a thoroughly bad man, who lived sixty or seventy years ago. +The story goes that he used to be a smuggler and that he came here when +the authorities chased him off the Great Lakes. He had lots o' money, +but he was a miser, and a queer stick to boot. He built himself a cabin +on Bear Pond, and lived there all alone for two years. Then some lake +men came down here, and one night there was a big row and the lake men +disappeared. Goupert couldn't be found at first, but about a month later +some hunters discovered his dead body tied to a tree in the woods, not +far from the spot you asked about. He had been left to starve to death. +The story was that the lake men had starved him in order to get him to +tell where he had hidden his money box, and that old Goupert was too +much o' a miser to let the secret out. So folks begun to hunt for that +money box high an' low, but never got a smell o' it, as I said."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hunt for the money?" questioned Dick.</p> + +<p>"No, I never had no time to waste. So you really came up on that +account?"</p> + +<p>"We came up on that account, and also to have a good time in the +mountains," said Dick, before Sam or Tom could speak. "But, Mr. Barrow, +I wish you wouldn't mention this to the other folks around here. They +might laugh at us for coming on what they think is a wild-goose chase."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I won't say a word on it—if you want it that way."</p> + +<p>"Did this Goupert leave any relatives?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>"No, lad, not a soul."</p> + +<p>"Then if we should find that treasure it would belong to us," put in +Tom.</p> + +<p>"Every penny on it, lad. But don't raise any high hopes, or you may be +sorely disapp'inted."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I came for a good time," replied Tom, in an off-handed a manner as +possible.</p> + +<p>Presently John Barrow had to get out of the wagon to fix something on +the harness. While he was doing this Dick leaned over to his two +brothers.</p> + +<p>"Don't say anything about the map to anybody," he whispered. "We'll +keep that a secret for the present." And Tom and Sam nodded, to show +that they understood.</p> + +<p>The ride to John Barrow's house soon came to an end, and as the boys +alighted at the horseblock the door opened and Nellie and Grace Laning +appeared.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Tom!" cried Nellie, as she ran and caught him by the +hand, while Grace did the same to Sam. "We're awfully glad to see you, +and to see Dick and Sam, too," and a hand-shaking all around followed. +Then Mrs. Barrow, a motherly woman, was introduced and also her daughter +Addie, who was Nellie's age, and full of fun.</p> + +<p>"Come right in, boys," said Mrs. Barrow. "Supper is waiting, and I'm +sure you must be hungry."</p> + +<p>"Hungry doesn't describe it," said Tom. "I could eat sole leather. Phew! +what an appetite riding in this mountain air does give a fellow!"</p> + +<p>"Can you ever remember the time when you wasn't without an appetite, +Tom?" asked Nellie Laning, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Never go so far into ancient history," he returned solemnly, and a +general laugh followed.</p> + +<p>Soon their outfit was safely housed in the barn, and then they entered +the house, where the long supper table, filled with good things, awaited +them. All three of the girls insisted upon waiting on the boys, and it +proved as jolly a meal as they had ever eaten. They lingered for an hour +at the table, talking and cracking nuts, and during that time the Rover +boys became thoroughly acquainted with the Barrow family.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've heard lots about you!" said Addie Barrow. "Nellie has told me +great, long stories about Tom's bravery, and Grace has told me all about +Sam's doings, and both of them have told about you, Dick——"</p> + +<p>"Now, do be still, Addie!" put in Nellie Laning. "I declare, I never +said a word!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! A word! Why, you kept me awake one night for over an hour telling +about how Tom——"</p> + +<p>"Let's have a song," broke in Sam. "I see an organ in the next room and +some music. You must play," he added, to Addie.</p> + +<p>"She plays beautifully," put in Grace, thankful for the change of +subject. "Addie, give them that new song, 'I'm Sorry, Oh, So Sorry!'"</p> + +<p>"All right," answered the young lady of the house, and sitting down at +the organ she ran her hands over the keys and started the song. She +could sing and play well, and all joined in the chorus. The music was +kept up for over an hour, and then the Rover boys retired, highly +pleased over their reception.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE START UP THE RIVER.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"If it wasn't for finding that treasure box I'd just as lief stay here +for a few days," remarked Tom, on getting up the following morning.</p> + +<p>"Ditto myself," came from Sam. "We could have a boss good time, eh?"</p> + +<p>"How about it if Nellie and Grace weren't here?" came from Dick, and +then dodged a shoe thrown at him by Tom and a pillow sent forth by Sam. +"No, boys, it won't do—we must leave for the hunt to-day. Why, there +may be a million in it."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Dick; when you fly, fly high," said Tom. "That Frenchman +never had a million. If he had a couple of thousand he'd be lucky."</p> + +<p>"And of course, a couple of thousand is of no importance to us," put in +Sam grandiloquently.</p> + +<p>"All right; I'll go on the hunt alone."</p> + +<p>"No, Dick, of course we'll go," said Tom hastily. "When do you want to +start?"</p> + +<p>"As soon as Mr. Barrow can get off."</p> + +<p>But, in spite of Dick's anxiety to get off, the start was delayed for a +whole day, much to Tom and Sam's secret joy. John Barrow had to go to +Timber Run for things needed in the house by his wife and daughter.</p> + +<p>When he returned there was a broad grin on his face.</p> + +<p>"I've got news for you," he said to Dick, who had followed him down to +the barn. "There's another party arrived at Timber Run on the hunt fer +that treasure of old Goupert's."</p> + +<p>"Another party. Who is it?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't hear their names. There are two men and a young fellow o' +nineteen or twenty. They have hired Bill Harney fer a guide, and are +goin' to strike out fer the Pond to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Two men and a young fellow," mused Dick. "I'd like to know who they +are."</p> + +<p>"One o' the men looked like a preacher or schoolmaster. He called the +young feller Thacher, or something like that."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't Baxter?" queried Dick, struck by a sudden idea.</p> + +<p>"That's the name—now I remember."</p> + +<p>"And the man, did they call him Grinder—Jasper Grinder?" went on Dick +excitedly.</p> + +<p>"If it wasn't Grinder, it was something like it. The party came east +from Ithaca."</p> + +<p>"It's Dan Baxter and Jasper Grinder sure!" burst out Dick. "Well, this +beats the nation."</p> + +<p>"Then you know the crowd?"</p> + +<p>"I do—to my sorrow, Mr. Barrow. That Dan Baxter is the good-for-nothing +young fellow I told you of this morning, and Jasper Grinder was a +teacher at the Hall. We had a big row with him and he was kicked out in +a hurry by Captain Putnam. They are our enemies."</p> + +<p>"Humph! That promises to make it interesting for you. But it's queer +they should come up at the same time you're here," went on the lumberman +thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"I might as well let you into a secret, Mr. Barrow. Will you promise to +keep it entirely to yourself?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, lad, if it's an honest secret."</p> + +<p>"It is honest," answered Dick, and thereupon told of the adventure on +Needle Point Island and of the map on the table, and how it had +disappeared, and of the finding of the second map in the brass-lined +money casket later on.</p> + +<p>"I am sure Dan Baxter has that other map," he concluded. "He wants that +treasure as badly as we do."</p> + +<p>"Then I allow as how it will be a nip-an'-tuck race between you," +returned John Barrow. "The fust to get there will be the best man. O' +course, with that map it ought to be plain enough sailin'."</p> + +<p>"I thought it would be, but it will mix us up, now you say that Bear +Pond empties into Perch River in several places. We'll have to try one +place after another."</p> + +<p>"Do your directions start from that p'int?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll have to find the right emptyin' place, that's all. My advice +is to start fer the spot to-morrow early."</p> + +<p>So it was arranged, and Dick called Tom and Sam down to the barn to talk +it over. It was late in the afternoon, and all worked until after the +supper hour in preparing for the start.</p> + +<p>"It's a good twenty miles' tramp from here," said John Barrow, "and +we'll have to climb two pretty steep mountains to get to the spot."</p> + +<p>"Why can't we follow the stream up?" asked Tom. "That would be easier +than tramping up the mountains."</p> + +<p>"By the river the way is at least forty miles, and there are half a +dozen rough spots where you'd have to walk a mile or two."</p> + +<p>"We have our skates," said Sam. "Skating would be easier than walking, +and pulling the sleds on the ice would be child's play."</p> + +<p>"Well, I allow as how I wouldn't mind skatin' myself," said John Barrow +thoughtfully. "I never thought of that before. If you want to, we can +try that trail. We can take to the mountain any time, if we find skating +no good."</p> + +<p>So it was arranged that they should strike out for Bear Pond by way of +the river, and the sleds, of which there were two, were packed +accordingly, and the boys saw to it that their skates were well +sharpened and otherwise in good condition.</p> + +<p>"When you're skating, you want to look out for air holes," was John +Barrow's caution. "Fer where the river runs between the mountains it is +mighty deep in spots, I can tell you that!"</p> + +<p>"Thanks, I'll be on my guard," answered Tom, with a shiver. "I've had +all I want of icy baths this winter."</p> + +<p>The girls were sorry to see the boys leave so quickly, but were consoled +when Tom promised to stay longer on the return. On the following morning +breakfast was had at six o'clock, and by seven they were off, everybody +wishing them a good time. Only Mrs. Barrow knew that the boys were on a +treasure, and not a bird and wild animal, hunt.</p> + +<p>It was a clear, frosty day and everybody was in the best of spirits. The +boys wore fur caps and warm clothing, and each was provided with either +a rifle or a shot-gun. So far they had seen but little game around the +farm, but John Barrow assured them that the timber and mountains were +full of game of all sorts.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what route Dan Baxter's party took," said Dick, as they gained +the river, and stopped to put on their skates.</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear what route they took," answered their guide. "I reckon +they went straight over the mountains. I don't believe as how Bill +Harney takes to skating."</p> + +<p>"Is this Bill Harney a good sort?" asked Tom. "If he is, I can tell you +he has got into bad company."</p> + +<p>"Bill isn't so bad when he's sober. It's when he gits full o' rum that +he makes things lively. He's a great drinker."</p> + +<p>They were soon on the river, which at this point was fifty to sixty feet +wide. The snow covered a large portion of the surface, but the wind had +cleared many a long stretch, and they skated on these, dragging the +sleds behind them. Each sled was packed high with the camping outfit, +but they ran along readily.</p> + +<p>"I wonder how long we'll be out," said Sam, as he skated by Tom's side.</p> + +<p>"I guess that will depend upon what luck we have, Sam. If we strike the +right spot first clip we ought to be back inside of five or six days."</p> + +<p>As the party moved up the river they found the stream wound in and out +between the mountains On either side were bare rocky walls or dense +patches of timber, with here and there a tiny open space, now piled deep +with snowdrifts.</p> + +<p>"I see some rabbits ahead!" cried Tom presently. "Wonder if I can bring +them down," he added, as he unslung his gun. But long before he could +take aim the bunnies were out of sight amid the timber.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to carry your gun in your hand for a shot at them," came +from Dick. "But be careful, or you may trip up on some frozen twig and +shoot somebody."</p> + +<p>Mile after mile was passed, but no further game came to view, much to +Tom's disgust.</p> + +<p>"Not much right around here," said John Barrow, as he saw Tom put his +gun back over his shoulder. "The boys from Timber Run have cleared the +ground putty well. But you'll see something sure a little further +on—and maybe more'n you bargain for."</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid of big game, Mr. Barrow. We faced some pretty bad +animals when we were in Africa and out West."</p> + +<p>"I allow that must be so, Tom. But you want to be careful even so. A big +mountain deer or a bear aint to be fooled with, I can tell you that."</p> + +<p>About eleven o'clock they came to the first falls above Timber Run. Here +the water was frozen into solid masses, but the way was so uneven they +found it profitable to take off their skates and "tote" the sleds around +the spot. This necessitated a walk of several hundred feet through the +timber skirting the edge of the river. The way was uncertain, and John +Barrow went ahead, to steer the party clear of any danger.</p> + +<p>"Finest timber in the world right here," he observed. "I can't see why +the timber company don't get together and put it in the market. It would +fetch a good price."</p> + +<p>"Wait! I see something in yonder trees!" cried Dick, in a low voice. +"Can you make out what they are?"</p> + +<p>"Wild turkeys!" answered the guide. "Git down behind these bushes. If we +can bag a few of them, we'll have rich eatin' for a few days!"</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>WILD TURKEYS.</h3> +<br> + +<p>Without delay the Rover boys dropped behind the bushes, and John Barrow +did the same. All kept as quiet as possible, for they knew that on the +first alarm the wild turkeys would be off.</p> + +<p>The game was not over six feet from the ground, sitting in three rows on +as many branches of a hemlock that overhung the stream. There were over +a dozen in the flock, each as plump as wild turkeys ever get.</p> + +<p>"How shall we fire?" asked Dick. "There is no call for all of us to +shoot at the same bird."</p> + +<p>"I'll take one on the left," answered John Barrow. "You take one on the +right. Tom can take a middle one sitting high, and Sam a middle one +sitting low. All ready?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," came the answer, from one after another.</p> + +<p>"Then fire when I say three. One, two—three!"</p> + +<p>Bang! bang! went the firearms, and as the reports echoed through the +forest, two of the wild turkeys were seen to drop dead under the +branches upon which they had been sitting. One, that was badly wounded, +fluttered down and began to thrash around in the brush. The rest of the +flock flew away with a rush and were lost to sight between the trees.</p> + +<p>"Three! That isn't so bad!" cried Dick, as they all started on a run +forward. Soon they had the turkey on the ground surrounded, and John +Barrow caught up the game and wrung its neck.</p> + +<p>"I guess I missed my mark," came rather sheepishly from Tom.</p> + +<p>"You!" exclaimed Sam, in surprise. "I was just going to say I had +missed."</p> + +<p>"Nobody missed," put in the guide.</p> + +<p>"Nobody?" came from the three Rovers.</p> + +<p>"Somebody must have missed," added Tom. "We fired four shots and only +got three birds."</p> + +<p>"One of those that flew off was wounded. He dropped a lot of feathers +and went up in a shaky fashion. Of course, he got away, but just the +same, he was hit."</p> + +<p>"Well, I thought I missed clean and clear," said Tom doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"And I thought I missed," laughed Sam. "I guess we'll have to divide +that third bird between us, Tom."</p> + +<p>"We've got all the wild-turkey meat we'll want on this trip," came from +John Barrow. "Before this is gone, you'll want a change, I'll warrant +you."</p> + +<p>While the guide was caring for the birds the boys went back for the +sleds. Soon they were again on the way, and they did not stop until the +vicinity of the falls was left far behind and they had again reached a +point where skating would be good for several miles.</p> + +<p>"Reckon we can stop here and have dinner," observed the guide. "Feelin' +kind o' hungry, aint you?"</p> + +<p>"Just guess I am hungry," declared Tom "But I didn't want to say +anything till the rest did."</p> + +<p>Some of the cooking utensils were unpacked, and while the boys got wood +for the fire, John Barrow brought out some coffee and other things. It +was decided that they should not take time to cook a turkey until they +went into camp for the night.</p> + +<p>Soon a fire was blazing merrily. They built it under the outer end of a +long tree limb, and from the limb suspended a pot full of water by a +long iron chain they had brought along. As the ground was covered with +snow, there was little danger of spreading a conflagration. Soon the +water was boiling and the guide made a steaming pot of coffee, which was +passed around in tin cups, with sugar and a little condensed milk. They +had brought along bread, cheese, chipped beef, and boiled eggs, and +also a mince pie which Mrs. Barrow had baked the day before, and these +made what Tom declared was a famous dinner.</p> + +<p>"No sauce like hunger sauce," laughed John Barrow, as he saw the lads +stow the food away. "Once I was trampin' the mountains all day without a +mouthful when I chanced to look in a corner o' my game bag and found a +slice o' bread, at least two weeks old. I ate that bread up, hard as it +was, and nuthin' ever tasted sweeter."</p> + +<p>"You're right," returned Dick. "The folks in the city who don't know +what to get to tickle their appetite ought to go hungry a few times. +Then I'm sure they'd appreciate what they got."</p> + +<p>The midday meal finished, they lost no time in repacking the sled load +and starting up the river once more. The stream was now wider than +before, and presently spread out into a small lake.</p> + +<p>"This is known as Tillard's Pond," said John Barrow. "Feller named Gus +Tillard built his cabin over yonder, about ten years ago. He went out +bar-huntin' one day, and Mr. Bar came along and chewed him up."</p> + +<p>"Gracious! Then there must be pretty ugly customers in this vicinity," +exclaimed Sam, with a shiver.</p> + +<p>"Not so many as there used to be. After Tillard's death the boys over to +the Run organized a b'ar hunt, and we brought in six o' the critters. +Reckon thet scart the others—leas'wise no b'ars showed up fer a long +while after."</p> + +<p>Out on Tillard's Pond a stiff breeze was blowing, and consequently their +progress was not as rapid as it had been, nor were any of them as warm +as formerly.</p> + +<p>"We're going to have a cold first night, I can tell you that," said +Dick, and his prediction proved true. By the time the sun sank to rest +behind the mountain in the west it was "snapping cold," as Tom expressed +it. The wind increased until to go forward was almost impossible.</p> + +<p>"I know a pretty good place to rest in," said the guide. "It isn't over +quarter of a mile from here. If we can make that we'll be all right till +mornin'."</p> + +<p>John Barrow led the way, pulling one of the sleds, and the boys +followed. Poor Sam was getting winded and skated only with the greatest +of difficulty.</p> + +<p>It was dark when they reached the location the guide had in mind—a +rocky wall on one side of the river. At one point there was a split in +the rocks. This was overgrown at the top with cedars and brushwood, +forming something of a cave, ten or twelve feet wide and twice as deep, +the bottom of which was of rock and fairly smooth.</p> + +<p>"I camped here two winters ago," said John Barrow, as he called a halt. +"I laced up the cedars above and they formed a fust-rate roof."</p> + +<p>"I guess they are pretty well laced still," observed Dick. "They seem to +hold the snow very well. But we won't dare to make a fire in there."</p> + +<p>"We'll build a fire in front, in this hollow, Dick. That will throw a +good deal of hot air into the place, and if we wrap ourselves in our +blankets we'll be warm enough."</p> + +<p>Everyone in the party was anxious to get out of the nipping wind, and +they lost no time in entering the "cave," as Sam called it. The entrance +was low, and by placing the two sleds in an upright position on either +side they left an opening not over a yard wide. Directly in front of +this the boys started a roaring fire, cutting down several dwarf cedars +for that purpose.</p> + +<p>"I don't much like the looks o' the sky to-night," observed John Barrow, +after preparing one of the turkeys for cooking.</p> + +<p>"Do you think there is a storm coming?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Looks to me like snow, an plenty of it."</p> + +<p>"I hope it doesn't come until we reach Bear Pond," said Dick, "I don't +want Dan Baxter and his crowd to get ahead of us."</p> + +<p>"They won't have no better time o' it than we'll have," was the guide's +grim comment. "Aint no fun trampin' over the mountains with the snow +comin' down heavily; I can tell you that."</p> + +<p>The wind continued to increase, and after the supper was cooked and +brought into the shelter, the guide took it upon himself to bank the +fire with great care, that it might not blow into the forest and start a +big conflagration.</p> + +<p>"We've had some terrible fires here," he said. "One threatened my barn +two years ago, and we had to stay out two days an' a night a-fightin' +it. It would be a bad thing a night like this."</p> + +<p>To keep out the cold, Dick crawled to the top of the opening and bound +in the cedar limbs closer than ever. He also got some brush-wood and +some vines, and on these placed a thick layer of snow.</p> + +<p>"That's fine!" cried Sam, from below. "It's almost as tight as the roof +of a cabin."</p> + +<p>Tightening the roof made a big difference inside, and when they had hung +up a blanket behind the upright sleds, and placed some cedar brush on +the floor, it was very cozy. They had brought along some candles, and +one of these was lit and placed in a lantern which was in one of the +packs. It was not a bright light, but it was better than sitting in the +dark, and it seemed to make the shelter warmer than ever.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE WRONG TRAIL.</h3> +<br> + +<p>One of the turkeys was finished even to the neck piece, and then both +Tom and Sam declared that they were so sleepy they could scarcely keep +their eyes open.</p> + +<p>"It must be the mountain air," said Dick. "I'm sleepy, too. Let us turn +in."</p> + +<p>"Will anybody have to stand watch?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>At this John Barrow shook his head. "Don't know as it's necessary," he +said. "Reckon we're safe enough. I'll keep my gun handy, in case any +animal prowls around."</p> + +<p>The boys laid down and were soon in the land of dreams. Tom and Sam +slept near the back wall, with Dick next, and the guide near the +opening, which, however, was now completely closed by the blanket. The +fire was allowed to die down, for they did not dare to build it up, with +such a wind blowing.</p> + +<p>Nothing came to disturb them. Once during the night Dick roused up and +heard the distant howling of a wolf. But the beast did not venture +close to the shelter, and while waiting for its appearance the youth +dropped asleep again.</p> + +<p>By midnight the wind fell a little, and then it began to snow, and it +was still snowing when John Barrow leaped up, pushed the blanket aside, +and gazed out upon the river.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, we're in for it now!" he cried, and as the boys sat up, he +added: "Snowin'—mighty hard, too."</p> + +<p>"I should say it was snowing hard!" cried Tom, as he, too, looked out. +"Why, you can't see the trees on the other side, and they aren't more +than a hundred and fifty feet off."</p> + +<p>"This will make traveling bad," said Dick soberly. "It almost looks as +if we were going to be snowed in."</p> + +<p>"Snowed in?" echoed Sam. "Oh, don't say that!"</p> + +<p>The boys were somewhat stiff after their long skate of the day before, +and it took them some minutes to pull themselves together. Then the +curtain was pushed aside, and the fire started up with some dry +brushwood from the pile on which they had slept. Soon breakfast was +ready, and this warmed them up and put new life in them.</p> + +<p>"No use to linger here," announced the guide. "It won't git no better +an' it may git a heap sight worse. I reckon the wind kept some o' the +spots on the river clear. I know a good camping spot ten miles from +here, and that will be just the place for us while you are huntin' +around fer that money."</p> + +<p>"Then let us make that camping spot by all means," said Tom. "We mustn't +let Baxter get first whack at the treasure."</p> + +<p>It was eight o'clock when they started once more on their journey. The +air was dull and heavy, and the snow came down in thick flakes, which +presently shut out the landscape on all sides. Fortunately the wind had +died down entirely, so it was not near so cold as it had been.</p> + +<p>"It would be easy enough, if we could stick to the river all the way," +remarked. Tom to Sam, as they skated along as best they could.</p> + +<p>"Can't we?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Barrow says not. About two miles from here are another falls and a +set of rocky rapids, and we'll have to walk around for a distance of +nearly a mile through the woods."</p> + +<p>What Tom said was true, and the falls were reached less than an hour +later. The river was very narrow at this point and lined on both sides +with rough rocks. Climbing was difficult, and after crawling along for a +few rods the boys halted in dismay.</p> + +<p>"We're up against it now," groaned Dick</p> + +<p>"Don't be discouraged lads!" came from the guide. "It isn't so bad a +short distance further on. Follow me." And he started again, and there +was nothing to do but to fall in behind him.</p> + +<p>John Barrow and Dick carried one sled, and Tom and Sam, the other. In +some places the cedars and brush were so thick that those in advance +pushed through only with extreme difficulty.</p> + +<p>"Well, we haven't got the task of breaking the way," said Tom, as he and +Sam stopped to get their wind. "It's no fool job to break through this +thicket."</p> + +<p>"We are going up a hill," returned Sam. "We must be getting away from +the river."</p> + +<p>The guide and Dick had disappeared ahead, and, fearful of losing them, +the younger Rovers set off once more. Carrying the heavy sled up the +hill was, however, a great task, especially for Sam, and once at the top +they had to rest again.</p> + +<p>"I believe it would have been just as easy to have kept to the river," +declared Tom "See, there it is, to our left."</p> + +<p>"It certainly doesn't look very rough down there," was his brother's +comment. "Gracious, but Dick and Mr. Barrow plow along like steam +engines!" he added. "I can't go so fast."</p> + +<p>"We won't hurry, there is no need. The trail is plain enough," said Tom, +and so they rested fully quarter of an hour. Then they heard Dick +calling to them from a long distance ahead.</p> + +<p>"All right; we're coming!" Tom called back. "Just please don't go so +awfully fast!"</p> + +<p>"We are going to take the trail to the left!" Dick shouted back, but the +others did not catch the words.</p> + +<p>Tom and Sam advanced now slower than ever, and when they reached a spot +where there was an opening to the right and another to the left, the +others were not only out of sight, but out of hearing as well. It had +now begun to snow more thickly than ever.</p> + +<p>"Which way did they take?" questioned Sam, in perplexity.</p> + +<p>"Reckon they went this way, Sam."</p> + +<p>"It looks to me as if they went the other way. Here are some +footprints."</p> + +<p>"Here are some footprints, too."</p> + +<p>They came to a standstill, more perplexed than ever. Sure enough, there +were two sets of footprints, running almost at right angles to each +other.</p> + +<p>"I guess we've hit somebody else's trail," said Sam. "Dick! Mr. Barrow! +Where are you?" he called out.</p> + +<p>No answer came back, and then the two boys shouted in chorus. All +remained as silent as before.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is a mess, to say the least," was Tom's comment. "How are +we to know which trail to follow?"</p> + +<p>"I move we make a sure thing of it and get down to the river again," was +Sam's answer. "Then we'll be certain to be on the right track. As soon +as they reach the river they'll wait for us."</p> + +<p>This seemed sensible advice, and leaving both trails the boys plunged +through the cedar brakes to where they had seen the icy surface of the +stream. They had to make several turns, and once Tom lost his footing +and rolled over and over in the snow. But at last they gained the smooth +ice, and then each breathed a long sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"It's ten times better than climbing around," observed Sam. "The rapids +and rocks amount to next to nothing. I don't see why Mr. Barrow gave us +all that extra climbing."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the river has changed since he was up here last," said Tom. +"Anyway, it's a good bit narrower here than it was further back."</p> + +<p>Sliding down the hillside had loosened the load on the sled, and they +had to spend a good five minutes in fastening it and mending a strap +that had broken. Then several minutes more were consumed in putting on +their skates.</p> + +<p>"My! how it does snow!" came from Tom, as they started at last. "I +can't see fifty feet ahead."</p> + +<p>"Nor I, Tom. I really wish we were with Dick and Mr. Barrow."</p> + +<p>"So do I, but I guess it's all right."</p> + +<p>Forward they pushed, dragging the sled after them. It was rough work, +and the ice was often covered too deep with snow to make skating a +pleasure.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me the river is getting narrower than ever," said Sam. +"It's queer, too, for Mr. Barrow said it was quite broad near the lake."</p> + +<p>"He said one of the branches was broad, Sam. We must be on a different +branch."</p> + +<p>"Let us call to them again."</p> + +<p>Once more they cried out, at the top of their lungs. But nothing +answered them, not even a muffled echo. All was swallowed up in the +loneliness of the situation and in the fast falling snow, which now +covered even the load on the sled to the depth of an inch or more.</p> + +<p>"Come on," said Sam half desperately. "We must catch up to them, sooner +or later."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we are ahead of them."</p> + +<p>"It isn't likely. Let us go on, anyway."</p> + +<p>And on they went, another quarter of a mile. The stream was now broader, +and this raised their hopes considerably. But suddenly Tom gave a cry of +dismay.</p> + +<p>"Look, Sam! We have reached the end of the stream!"</p> + +<p>Sam strained his eyes and went on a few feet further. Then he gave a +groan. His brother was right, the stream had come to an end in a pond +probably a hundred feet in diameter. They had not been following the +Perch River at all, but merely a brook flowing into that stream!</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"Tom, we have missed it!"</p> + +<p>"It looks like it, Sam."</p> + +<p>"What we took for the river wasn't the river at all. We must be a mile +or two out of the way."</p> + +<p>"There is nothing to do but to go back," was the dismal response.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think we might strike the river without going back?"</p> + +<p>"We might, and then again we might not. I hardly feel like taking the +risk—in this blinding snow."</p> + +<p>With heavy hearts the brothers turned the sled around and proceeded on +the back trail, if such the way may be called. As a matter of fact, the +snow had covered their footprints completely.</p> + +<p>The wind was now rising again, and it blew directly into their faces. +Alarmed more than ever, on this account, they pushed on until poor Sam +was almost winded.</p> + +<p>"I—I can't go on so fast, no use in trying!" he panted. "I feel ready +to drop!"</p> + +<p>"I'm fagged out myself," responded Tom. "But, Sam, we can't afford to +rest here."</p> + +<p>"I know that, but I've got to get my wind back somehow. The wind seems +to be awfully strong."</p> + +<p>They rested for several minutes, and then pushed on again, Tom dragging +the sled alone. It was a bitter journey, and both would have given a +good deal to have been with Dick and the guide once more.</p> + +<p>"We missed it when we didn't keep up with them in the first place," was +Tom's comment. "However, there's no use in crying over spilt milk, as +the saying goes. We must make the best of it."</p> + +<p>"There isn't any best," grumbled Sam. "It's all worst!" And then Tom +laughed, in spite of the seriousness of the situation.</p> + +<p>At last they gained the spot where they had first struck the brook, and +here they halted again.</p> + +<p>"The worst of it is, there is no telling how far this brook runs before +it empties into the Perch River," observed Tom. "We may have to go two +or three miles out of our way."</p> + +<p>"We may as well climb up the hill again, Tom, and try to follow one of +those trails."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you are right."</p> + +<p>They talked the matter over and at last began to climb the hill, now +more difficult than before, since the snow was several inches deeper. +It took a long while to gain the top, and still longer to find the spot +where they had left the trail.</p> + +<p>"Here we are," said Tom, resting on a fallen tree which marked the +locality. "Now the all-important question is, which way next?"</p> + +<p>"Tom, I believe we are getting lost," came from Sam, in a dismal tone.</p> + +<p>"I don't think we're getting lost, Sam; we <i>are</I> lost, no two ways about +it. We've got to keep our eyes open and our wits about us, or we'll be +getting into a first-class mess."</p> + +<p>"It must be almost noon," went on the youngest Rover, and pulled out his +watch. "Phew! Half-past twelve!"</p> + +<p>"Thought I was hungry. Is there anything in this load good to eat?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Let us look and see. We can't go on, hungry."</p> + +<p>They unstrapped the load and examined it. There were blankets there and +some camp utensils, and a box containing crackers, cheese, and chipped +beef.</p> + +<p>"Crackers and cheese will do on a pinch," said Tom. "Come, we mustn't +lose more time than is necessary."</p> + +<p>Yet eating and resting was very pleasant, and they spent the best part +of half an hour under the sheltering limbs of a big cedar tree. Both +were dry, but eating snow did not seem to quench their thirst. The wind +increased as they ate, but the snow now came down more lightly.</p> + +<p>They decided to strike out on something of a trail running to the +northwest. It was hard work hauling and carrying the sled over the rocks +and through the bushes, and they often had to halt for breath.</p> + +<p>"There goes something!" cried Tom presently. "Sam, did you see it?"</p> + +<p>"I saw something, but it disappeared before I could make out what it +was."</p> + +<p>The object had crossed their path a hundred feet ahead of them. Now it +reappeared somewhat closer, and both boys saw that it was a lean and +hungry-looking wolf.</p> + +<p>"A wolf!" cried Sam.</p> + +<p>"Wonder if I hadn't better shoot him," said Tom, unslinging his gun.</p> + +<p>"Better save your powder, Tom. I don't believe he'll attack us—at least +not while it is light."</p> + +<p>"A shot might bring an answering signal from Dick," went on Tom +suddenly. "What fools we have been, not to think of that before!"</p> + +<p>The wolf kept hidden and Tom did not shoot, expecting to see the beast +reappear at any instant. On they went, keeping an eye on the bushes and +trees on both sides of them. Once they heard the patter of the wolf's +feet on a stretch of bare rocks, but that was all.</p> + +<p>"I'll fire a shot, anyway," said Tom at last, and aimed in the direction +where they had heard the sounds last. To his intense surprise a yelp and +a snarl followed.</p> + +<p>"Great Cæsar! I hit him after all," began Tom, and then leaped back. +"Look out, Sam, he's coming for us!"</p> + +<p>Tom was right. The wolf, wounded in the left flank, had suddenly +appeared. His eyes blazed with pain and fury, and he made as if to +spring upon the boys.</p> + +<p>Tom was in front of the sled and Sam behind it. With a quick leap Tom +cleared the load and took up a position beside the youngest Rover.</p> + +<p>The wolf made the leap, but stopped short on the top of the load. As he +prepared to spring again Tom swung his gun around by the barrel and hit +the wolf a smart rap on the head. The animal rolled over on the ground.</p> + +<p>"Shoot him, Sam!"</p> + +<p>"I will, if I can!" came from Sam, who had now unslung his gun. Taking a +quick aim, he fired.</p> + +<p>The shot proved a good one, for it took the wolf directly in the neck, +just as he was scrambling to rise. Again he gave a yelp, and then began +to turn over and over in his intense pain. Of a sudden he leaped up and +landed on Tom's shoulder.</p> + +<p>For the instant poor Tom thought his last moment had come. But as the +beast landed Sam struck it with his gun, and down it went once more, +snarling viciously. Then it rolled and tossed until some brush was +gained, when it managed to hide itself and crawl away, seriously, if not +mortally, wounded.</p> + +<p>"He's gone!" came from Sam.</p> + +<p>"Well, don't go after him," panted Tom. "Let him go and welcome. I never +want to see him again."</p> + +<p>"Nor I."</p> + +<p>Both reloaded with all haste—having learned years before that it is +foolish to remain in the wilds with an empty firearm. Then they waited, +to see if the wolf would return.</p> + +<p>"Hark!" cried Sam. "Did you hear that shot, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I did. I think it came from that direction." And Tom pointed with his +hand.</p> + +<p>"I think so myself. It must be Dick or Mr. Barrow, firing."</p> + +<p>"More than likely. Let us follow up the shot."</p> + +<p>They listened, but no more shots followed, and then they went on, over a +stretch which was comparatively smooth and free from brushwood. But +though they covered a quarter of a mile they saw nothing either of the +river or of their lost companions.</p> + +<p>"We're getting lost more than ever," groaned Sam. "I declare I haven't +the least idea where we are."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to fire another shot," answered his brother, and proceeded to +do so.</p> + +<p>Both listened with strained ears, and soon an answering shot came back, +slightly to the left of the path they had been pursuing.</p> + +<p>"Thank fortune, we are getting closer!" cried Sam. "Come on!"</p> + +<p>As worn out as they were, they resumed the dragging of the sled through +the snow. Once Sam had suggested they abandon the load, but Tom would +not hear of this, for he knew they could not very well do without this +portion of the outfit.</p> + +<p>The wind was blowing heavily, and high overhead they heard the tree-tops +creak ominously. Once in a while a tree branch would unload itself, +sending down a great mass of snow on their heads. But they pushed on, +determined to rest no more until the others of the party should be +sighted.</p> + +<p>Presently they came to a clearing overlooking a small pond and a stream +beyond. At first Tom imagined that this was the pond they had left but a +short while before, but a second look showed him that the locality was +an entirely new one to them.</p> + +<p>"My gracious, Tom! Get out of sight!" came in an excited whisper from +Sam, and he pulled his brother down behind a clump of bushes, and then +dragged the sled after him.</p> + +<p>"What do you see?" demanded Tom.</p> + +<p>"Look across the pond. As sure as you are born, there are Dan Baxter and +Jasper Grinder. We've been following them instead of Dick and Mr. +Barrow!"</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY.</h3> +<br> + +<p>What Sam said was true. There, gathered around a fire on the opposite +side of the pond, were Dan Baxter, Jasper Grinder, and a tall, +powerfully built fellow whom they easily guessed was Bill Harney, the +guide. They had two sleds with them, and one of these had been unloaded +and the camping outfit lay scattered around.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is a surprise and no mistake!" was Tom's comment, in a low +voice. "If I know anything about it, they must have done some quick +traveling."</p> + +<p>"I believe they followed the river, at least part of the way," returned +the youngest Rover. "I see a pair of skates lying by one of the sleds."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose Dick and Mr. Barrow met them?"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they did. See, they have some rabbits they are going to +cook. That accounts for the shots we heard."</p> + +<p>Crouching down behind the bushes, the two Rovers watched the other party +with interest. A lively conversation was going oh between Dan Baxter +and the former teacher of Putnam Hall, but they were too far off to +catch anything of what was said.</p> + +<p>"What do you propose doing next?" asked Sam, after a pause of several +minutes. "It's mighty cold here."</p> + +<p>"We may as well retreat, Sam. We don't want to expose ourselves, do we?"</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose it would do any good—although I'm not afraid of +Baxter, or Grinder either."</p> + +<p>"It isn't that. If they know we have arrived here, they will do all they +can to locate that treasure first. We want to keep dark and get ahead of +them."</p> + +<p>"But how shall we turn?"</p> + +<p>"We'll have to go back to where we found the two trails crossed and then +try the other one. I don't know of anything else to do."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't Dan Baxter be surprised, if he knew we were so close?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we won't let him know."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" demanded an unexpected voice from the rear.</p> + +<p>Both boys started and turned around, to find themselves confronted by +Lemuel Husty, the man Dick had seen in company with Baxter at +Cedarville.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, who are you?" asked Tom, as quickly as he could recover from +his surprise.</p> + +<p>"If you want to know real bad, youngster, my name is Lemuel Husty."</p> + +<p>"I don't know you."</p> + +<p>"But I know you—leas'wise I know of you," went on Husty, with a frown. +"You're down on my friend Baxter, aint you?"</p> + +<p>"If we are, we have a good reason to be," came from Sam.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you have, and then again, perhaps you haven't. It aint no nice +thing to be cotched spying, though."</p> + +<p>"We weren't spying. We came up quite by accident."</p> + +<p>"You can tell that to the monkeys, but you can't tell it to me," growled +Lemuel Husty. Then he raised his voice: "I say, Baxter! I say, you +fellows! Come over here!"</p> + +<p>The three around the camp-fire looked up in surprise, and were even more +surprised when Husty waved his hand for them to come to him.</p> + +<p>"What's wanted?" demanded Dan Baxter.</p> + +<p>"I've found two of your very intimate friends spying on you," answered +Husty.</p> + +<p>"I guess we had better get out," whispered Sam to Tom, not liking the +turn affairs had taken.</p> + +<p>"I'm with you," returned Tom.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" cried Husty, and caught hold of the sled. "You just +stay here until we talk this thing over."</p> + +<p>Tom's hands were on his gun, and for the moment he felt like pointing +the weapon at the man. But then he concluded that this would do small +good, and the weapon remained where it was.</p> + +<p>In a minute Dan Baxter came running across the pond, with Jasper Grinder +and Bill Harney at his heels. Each of the advancing party carried some +sort of firearms.</p> + +<p>"Tom and Sam Rover!" ejaculated Baxter, and it was easy to see that he +was completely surprised. "How did you get here?"</p> + +<p>"Walked and skated," returned Tom, as coolly as he could.</p> + +<p>"You've got a nerve to follow me and my party," went on Baxter, with an +ugly scowl.</p> + +<p>"As I just said to this man, Baxter, we haven't been following you," put +in Sam. "We struck your trail by accident. We thought we were +following——"</p> + +<p>"Never mind about that, Sam," interrupted Tom quickly.</p> + +<p>"Who did you think you were following?" demanded Dan Baxter.</p> + +<p>"It's none of your business, Baxter. We have as much right to be here as +you have."</p> + +<p>"Humph! Don't you suppose I know why you came?"</p> + +<p>"More than likely you do, and we know why you came."</p> + +<p>"Have you got another map?" demanded Baxter, in curiosity.</p> + +<p>"It's none of your affair what we have. We stumbled upon you by +accident, and if you haven't anything in particular to say to us we'll +be going."</p> + +<p>"You needn't leave so quickly. Where is Dick?"</p> + +<p>"He isn't so very far off."</p> + +<p>"You hired John Barrow for a guide, I heard," put in Bill Harney.</p> + +<p>"If we did, we had a right to do it," said Sam.</p> + +<p>"He don't know these parts as well as he might. If you don't look out +he'll lose you in the mountains, and you'll never get home alive."</p> + +<p>"Let him lose them," put in Baxter quickly. "It's what they deserve. +But, come, it's cold over here. Let's move back to the fire. And I want +you two to come along," he added, to the Rovers.</p> + +<p>"We don't propose to come along," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>"And I say you shall come, Tom Rover. We are four to two, and you had +better submit."</p> + +<p>"Yes, make them come," put in Jasper Grinder. "I want to have a talk +with them." And he glared wickedly, first at Tom and then at Sam.</p> + +<p>It must be confessed that Tom and Sam felt in anything but an enviable +position. They knew Dan Baxter thoroughly, and knew he would stop at +nothing to accomplish his purpose.</p> + +<p>"The best thing you can do is to leave us alone," said Tom steadily. +"You have always got the worst of the bargain, Dan Baxter, and if you +try any game on now, you'll miss it again."</p> + +<p>"I'll risk it, Tom Rover. Come now, and no more fooling. If you behave +yourself, there won't be any trouble."</p> + +<p>There was, then, nothing to do but to follow, for neither of the Rovers +wished to lose this portion of the outfit. Soon the whole party were +gathered around the fire, which Husty heaped high with brushwood. Back +of the fire was a high cliff, topped with cedars, which kept off the +wind and made the situation a fairly comfortable one.</p> + +<p>"Now we had better come to an understanding," said Dan Baxter, as he +warmed his hands. "We all know what we are out here for, so there is no +use in mincing matters."</p> + +<p>"I understand all I want to know," answered Tom briefly.</p> + +<p>"So do I," put in Sam.</p> + +<p>"Baxter shall settle with you, and then I'll settle," growled Jasper +Grinder. "I have not forgotten how I was treated at Putnam Hall because +of you."</p> + +<p>"It served you right that you were kicked out," said Sam, without +stopping to think twice.</p> + +<p>"Ha! you dare to talk to me in this fashion!" roared the former teacher. +"I'll teach you a lesson! Just wait till I find a good switch!"</p> + +<p>"Hold on Grinder! one at a time," put in Dan Baxter. "I'll settle with +them first, if you please."</p> + +<p>"They deserve a thorough thrashing," grumbled the irate man.</p> + +<p>"Now I want you to tell me the truth," went on Dan Baxter, addressing +Tom and Sam. "Where did you get a map of that treasure? In the cave on +that island?"</p> + +<p>"We haven't said we had a map," returned Tom.</p> + +<p>"But you must have a map—or something like it."</p> + +<p>"Whatever we have, it's none of your business, Dan Baxter," broke in +Sam.</p> + +<p>"Shut up, you little imp! Don't you know you are in my power!" stormed +Baxter, in a rage. "I can do as I please out here, and these three men +will help me."</p> + +<p>As he finished he caught Sam by the collar and began to shake him.</p> + +<p>"Let my brother alone!" ejaculated Tom. "Let up, I say!"</p> + +<p>"I won't, Tom Rover. He's got to learn that I'm the master here," howled +Baxter.</p> + +<p>"If you don't let go, I'll hit you," went on Tom, and raised his right +fist. But ere he could deliver the blow Bill Harney rushed behind him, +caught him by the waist and threw him flat.</p> + +<p>"That's right!" shouted Dan Baxter. "Make them both prisoners! I've got +a big score to settle with them!"</p> + +<p>And then all four fell upon Sam and Tom, and a fierce struggle ensued, +the outcome of which was for some time hard to predict.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>DICK AND THE WILDCAT.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"Well, it's mighty funny Tom and Sam don't come up."</p> + +<p>It was Dick who spoke. He stood in the shelter of a number of walnut +trees, and close at hand was John Barrow.</p> + +<p>The pair had missed the others ten minutes before, and were now waiting +impatiently for their reappearance.</p> + +<p>"It can't be as how they missed the trail in this snow," said John +Barrow soberly. "Let us shout for 'em."</p> + +<p>They set up a shout, and waited impatiently for an answer. But none +came, and they called again.</p> + +<p>"We had better go back for them," said Dick, his face full of a +troubled look. "I wouldn't have them get lost in this snowstorm for the +world."</p> + +<p>It was decided to leave the sled where it was, and soon they were +hurrying along the back trail. But the snow and wind were against them, +and they made slow progress.</p> + +<p>"It will not be necessary to relate all the particulars of the next +three hours. In vain they looked for Tom and Sam. Not a trace of the +missing lads could be discovered.</p> + +<p>"This the worst yet!" groaned Dick, as he came to a halt, all out of +breath. "I thought, all along, that they were keeping close behind us!"</p> + +<p>"I told them to do so," returned the guide.</p> + +<p>They had fired several shots, but the reports had failed, as we know, to +reach the ears of the missing Rovers. They were now at their wits' end +regarding what to do next.</p> + +<p>"I'd give a hundred dollars rather than have this happen," went on Dick. +"Why, they'll starve to death if they really get lost!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, aint you mistaken there, Dick? They have the other sled, remember; +and each o' 'em has a gun for to bring down any game as is wanted."</p> + +<p>"That's true, and it's one comfort. But there is no telling when they +reach civilization again. Why, this forest is about as bad as some +places in the far West."</p> + +<p>"I believe you there, lad. Well, they've got to make the best o' it. I +reckon they'll strike out for the river and come up that to Bear Pond, +over the rocks an' rapids an' all."</p> + +<p>Supper time found the pair on the river again, four miles below Bear +Pond. It was decided that they should camp at that spot for the night.</p> + +<p>"We'll build a big camp-fire and keep it a-going," said Dick. "Perhaps +they will see it."</p> + +<p>"That's an idee," returned John Barrow, and before doing anything else +the camp-fire was started, in an open spot along the river bank. Dick +saw to it that it blazed up merrily, and kept piling on all the dry +brushwood he could find, until the flames shot up fully twenty feet into +the air, making the surroundings as bright as day.</p> + +<p>For supper they cooked another of the wild turkeys, but it must be +confessed that Dick had little appetite for eating. John Barrow noticed +it, and he did his best to cheer up the youth.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry too much, lad," he said. "Take my word on it, they'll turn +up by morning, sure. You've said yourself they've been through putty +tryin' times, in Africa and out West."</p> + +<p>On the way to the river John Barrow had brought down several rabbits and +some birds, and these were hung up on the low branches of a nearby tree. +They proceeded to make themselves comfortable under this tree, cutting +down some cedar branches for a flooring, and banking up some other +branches and some snow to keep off the wind.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I'll go to sleep," said Dick. "I'm going to keep the fire +piled high, so that it will light up as it's doing now."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll turn in right away," answered the guide. "It's eight +o'clock. You call me at two, and that will be givin' you a fair nap +afore daybreak." And so it was agreed.</p> + +<p>It did not take John Barrow long to settle himself, and soon he was +snoring as peacefully as though lying in his bed at home. Sitting down +close to the fire, Dick gave himself up to his thoughts.</p> + +<p>And what numerous thoughts they were—of home and of school, of his +brothers, and of the Baxters and their other enemies, and of all that +had happened since they had first started to go to Putnam Hall. And then +he thought of the Lanings and of the Stanhopes, and lingered long over +the mental picture of sweet Dora and of what she had last said to him.</p> + +<p>"She's just an all-right girl," he said to himself. "Heaven bless her +and keep her from any further trouble!"</p> + +<p>When the fire showed signs of burning low he arose and piled on more +brushwood. There was hardly enough at hand to suit him, and, ax in hand, +he started back from the river, to cut more.</p> + +<p>He was within fifteen feet of some dense bushes when of a sudden he came +to a halt, as he saw a pair of gleaming eyes glaring at him. As soon as +he noticed the eyes they disappeared.</p> + +<p>"A wild animal," he thought. "Can it be a wolf?"</p> + +<p>Retracing his steps to the fire, he caught up his gun and waited. But +the animal did not appear, nor did Dick hear any sound save the murmur +of the wind through the snow-clad trees.</p> + +<p>The youth wondered if he ought to awaken the guide, but finally resolved +to let John Barrow sleep. "I ought to be able to take care of one wolf," +he reasoned. "I've taken care of worse than that in my time."</p> + +<p>Gun in hand, he advanced upon the bushes once more. He expected to see a +wolf slink away at any moment, but no beast came to view, and, after +walking completely around the growth, he laid down the gun and went to +work vigorously with the ax.</p> + +<p>Bush after bush was brought down in rapid succession, until in ten +minutes Dick calculated he had cut sufficient to last the camp-fire for +the rest of the night. Then he lowered the ax and caught up a large +bush, to drag it close to the blaze.</p> + +<p>As he turned around he met a sight that, for the instant, chilled him to +the backbone. There, between the blaze and the tree under which John +Barrow was sleeping, crouched a wildcat, a large, fierce-looking +creature, with fire-shot eyes and a stubby tail which was moving +noiselessly from side by side, as the creature prepared itself to make a +leap.</p> + +<p>"Gracious! he's going to attack Mr. Barrow!" thought Dick, but even as +this flashed over his mind the wildcat made a leap into the tree, close +to where hung the game the guide had brought down some hours before.</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness, he's only after the meat," thought Dick, and the chill +he had experienced passed away. Then, struck with a new idea, he leaped +for his gun.</p> + +<p>Several twigs of the tree were in the way of getting a good aim, and he +had to circle around to the other side before he could get another good +view of the wildcat. In the meantime the beast had grabbed up the wild +turkey that was left, and clutching it tight in its mouth, started to +drop to the snow-covered ground.</p> + +<p>Bang! went the gun and the charge of heavy shot took the wildcat in the +left flank, making a bad, but not a fatal, wound. The beast dropped the +wild turkey and let out a fearful snarl of rage. Then it saw Dick, gave +another snarl, and leaped toward the youth.</p> + +<p>The gun was double-barreled, and once more Dick let drive. But he was +not overly cool, and the charge merely nipped the beast in its left +front leg. It continued to come on, and as it did so Dick commenced to +retreat.</p> + +<p>"Hi! what's up?" came from John Barrow, and throwing aside his blanket, +he leaped to his feet.</p> + +<p>"A wildcat!" ejaculated Dick. "Quick! Shoot him!"</p> + +<p>"By gosh!" muttered the guide, and blinking in the bright light of the +fire, he reached for his rifle, which he had brought along in addition +to his shotgun.</p> + +<p>By this time the wildcat was close to Dick, and now, watching its +opportunity, it leaped upon the youth, trying to bury its claws in +Dick's shoulder.</p> + +<p>Hardly knowing what to do, Dick brought around the gun barrel and poked +it into the open mouth of the wildcat. With a gurgle of pain the beast +fell back, but quickly gathered itself for another leap.</p> + +<p>"Back!" shouted John Barrow. "Back, and let me git a shot at the +critter!"</p> + +<p>Dick was perfectly willing to retreat, and started to do so. But the +wildcat was too quick for him, and in a twinkle youth and beast were +down on the ground together, and the wildcat was trying to reach the +boy's throat with its cruel fangs!</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>BEAR POND AT LAST.</h3> +<br> + +<p>It was indeed a moment of supreme peril, and Dick felt very much as if +his last moment on earth had come. He put out his hands mechanically and +grabbed the wildcat by the throat, but his grip was poor and the beast +shook itself clear with ease.</p> + +<p>It was now that John Barrow showed himself to be a master of quick +resources. To fire his rifle at the wildcat would have meant taking the +risk of hitting Dick, and this the guide thought too perilous. Leaping +to the fire, he caught up a long, burning brand and rushed at the beast +with this.</p> + +<p>To have a part of the fire thrust directly into its eyes was more than +the beast had bargained for, and as soon as it felt the flame it gave a +cry of alarm and fell back. As it did this Dick leaped to his feet and +sprang several feet away.</p> + +<p>John Barrow was now free to shoot, and hurling the firebrand at the +wildcat, he caught up his rifle and blazed away in short order. The +wildcat had turned to retreat, but the guide was too</p> + +<IMG align="middle" SRC="images/illus_4.jpg" +alt="Illustration: DICK AND THE WILDCAT.—P. 152 Rover Boys and the +Mountains."> + +<p>quick for it, and down went the beast with a shot through its head. It +gave a shudder or two, and then stretched out, dead.</p> + +<p>"Is he—he dead?" panted Dick, when he felt able to speak.</p> + +<p>"Reckon so," responded John Barrow. "But I'll make sure." And catching +up a club, he aimed a blow which crushed the animal's skull.</p> + +<p>"That was a narrow escape," went on Dick. "If you hadn't come to my aid, +I'm afraid he would have done me up." And he shivered from head to foot.</p> + +<p>"You want to be careful how you attack wildcats around here, lad. It +aint likely they'll tech you, if you don't tech them. But if you do, +why, look out, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he would have sneaked off with the turkey? I was thinking +first he would attack you."</p> + +<p>"Reckon he was after the game, and nuthin' more, Dick. He must have been +powerful hungry, or he wouldn't have come so close to us. He's a putty +big fellow," went on the guide, as he dragged the carcass closer to the +firelight.</p> + +<p>The fire was burning low, and Dick lost no time in heaping on some of +the newly cut brushwood, and then he reloaded and the guide did the +same.</p> + +<p>"Might have a mate around," suggested John Barrow. "We had better keep +our eyes peeled, or we may be surprised. Wonder what time it is?"</p> + +<p>By consulting a watch they found it was just midnight. After the +excitement Dick felt quite sleepy, and inside of half an hour he +followed the guide's advice and laid down to rest—not under the tree, +however, but as close to the camp-fire as safety permitted.</p> + +<p>Dick had requested John Barrow to call him in three hours, so that the +guide might get a little more sleep, but the youth was allowed to +slumber until he aroused of his own accord, just as day was breaking.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, I've slept all night!" he exclaimed, leaping up with something +of a hurt look. "Why didn't you call me?"</p> + +<p>"I thought as how you needed the rest," was the answer from the guide.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you sleepy?"</p> + +<p>"Not very. A sleep early in the night generally does me more good nor +hours o' it later on."</p> + +<p>"You haven't seen or heard anything of Tom or Sam?"</p> + +<p>"Nary sight or sound, lad. It's too bad, but don't worry too much."</p> + +<p>"They couldn't have seen the firelight," returned Dick, with a sorry +shake of his head. "It beats all where they went to, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I've been a-thinking that maybe they went on ahead, Dick."</p> + +<p>"Ahead? That they somehow passed us?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; while we were lookin' for 'em. They may be up at B'ar Pond now, +waitin' for us."</p> + +<p>"Do you advise going up there?"</p> + +<p>"We might as well. We can put up a post here, with a message for 'em—in +case they do come this way."</p> + +<p>"That's an idea, and we can put up other posts, too. Then, if they +strike our trail, they'll be sure to go straight in following us." And +Dick's face brightened a bit.</p> + +<p>John Barrow was already preparing breakfast, and he agreed with Dick to +leave some cooked meat in a cloth tied to the top of the pole the youth +erected not far from the fire. On the cloth they pinned a note, telling +of the direction to Bear Pond, and asking Tom and Sam to follow and fire +two shots, a minute apart, as a signal.</p> + +<p>It was a clear day and the sun, shining over the mountain tops, made the +snow and ice glitter like pearls and diamonds. There was no wind, so the +journey toward Bear Pond was far from unpleasant. They moved slowly, +dragging the sled behind them, and searching to the right and the left +for some trace of the missing Rovers.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they came up here," said Dick after half the distance +to the pond had been covered, "I don't see the least trace of any human +being, although I've seen the footprints of several wild animals."</p> + +<p>"The wind might have covered the tracks during the night," was John +Barrow's hopeful response.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather lose the treasure, even if it is worth thousands, than have +anything happen to Sam and Tom."</p> + +<p>Just before noon they came to a point in the river where it divided into +several branches.</p> + +<p>"We'll stop here and put up another sign pole," said the guide. +"Remember what I said? All these streams run into the pond and into +Perch River. Now, which one you want, at tudder end, I don't know."</p> + +<p>"Which is the largest branch?"</p> + +<p>"Can't say, exactly. This one an' the one yonder are about the same +size, and that one aint much smaller."</p> + +<p>"Well, which do you suppose was the largest years ago?"</p> + +<p>"Can't say that neither, although that one yonder might have been, by +the looks o' the banks."</p> + +<p>"Then let us start on that one. And if that fails us, we can then try +the others."</p> + +<p>They skated to the stream in question and erected a pole in the middle +of the ice, upon which a second note was posted. Having gone to the +trouble of chopping a hole for the pole, John Barrow suggested they +might try their hand at fishing.</p> + +<p>"Might as well stay here a while," he said. "If they are behind us, they +may catch up."</p> + +<p>Dick was willing, and soon a line was baited and let down into the hole. +It was in the water only a few seconds when the guide felt a bite and +drew up a fine fish, weighing at least half a pound.</p> + +<p>Dick was anxious to try it, and took the line from John Barrow's hands. +He was equally successful, and in a short while they had seven fish to +their credit, weighing from a quarter to three-quarters of a pound +apiece.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to tie a fish to the top of the pole," said Dick. "They may +be hungry when they get here, especially if they miss the pole at our +last camping place."</p> + +<p>"They won't want to eat raw fish, lad."</p> + +<p>"No, and I'm going to put a few matches in a paper and tie it to the +fish, so they can cook it, if they wish."</p> + +<p>Dick's idea was followed out, and once more they went on, up a narrow +stream which had many a turn among the cedar brakes and hemlocks which +lined either side. Rocks were likewise numerous, and the lad came to the +conclusion that locating the treasure was going to be no easy task.</p> + +<p>"It's rather desolate," he remarked. "I wonder what ever possessed that +old Goupert to come here?"</p> + +<p>"It's not so desolate in the summer time, Dick. But I reckon Goupert was +a mighty odd stick, as it was."</p> + +<p>At last they rounded a turn in the stream and came in sight of Bear +Pond, a long and wide stretch of water located in the very midst of two +tall mountains. The pond was covered with thick ice, and the snow lay +upon it in long drifts and ridges. The ice was blackish and almost as +hard as flint.</p> + +<p>"We may as well go into camp near the mouth of this stream," said Dick. +"For from this spot we'll make our first hunt for the treasure."</p> + +<p>"I hope with all my heart that you find it, lad. But if you don't, don't +be too disappointed."</p> + +<p>"I want to find Sam and Tom first. I shan't hunt for the treasure until +I know of them."</p> + +<p>"That's right. We'll go on a hunt this afternoon, jest as soon as we've +had some of these fish broiled for dinner."</p> + +<p>If there was one thing which John Barrow could do to perfection, it was +to broil fish, and the meal he set before Dick half an hour later was so +appetizing the lad could not help enjoy it, in spite of his anxiety over +his brothers' prolonged absence. The fish was as sweet as a nut, and +both lingered some time over the meal, until all that had been broiled +were gone.</p> + +<p>"And now to find Tom and Sam," said Dick, at last, as he leaped up from +the log upon which he had been sitting. "What shall we do with our +things?"</p> + +<p>"Here is a hole in the rocks," answered the guide. "We'll hide them +there and cover them with stones. I don't think anything will disturb +the things between now and nightfall."</p> + +<p>The stores were placed in the cache and carefully covered, so that the +wild animals might not get at them, and then they saw to it that their +firearms were ready for use. A minute later they were off, on the hunt +for Tom and Sam.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>A PAIR OF PRISONERS.</h3> +<br> + +<p>It is high time that we return to Tom and Sam, and learn how the two +Rover boys were faring in their unequal contest with Dan Baxter and his +followers.</p> + +<p>As we know, it was Baxter himself who attacked Sam, while big Bill +Harney threw Tom to the ground. Jasper Grinder went to Baxter's +assistance, while Lemuel Husty ran to aid Harney.</p> + +<p>"Let go of him!" cried Sam, and managed to hit Baxter a glancing blow on +the cheek.</p> + +<p>"I'll not let go yet," answered Baxter, and bore the youngest Rover to +the earth. Over and over they rolled in the snow, until Grinder caught +Sam by the legs and held him still.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Grinder, hold him!" panted Dan Baxter. "Don't let him get +up!"</p> + +<p>But Sam was not yet subdued, and getting one foot clear at last, he +kicked Jasper Grinder in the ear.</p> + +<p>"Oh! oh! my ear!" screamed the former teacher. "He has kicked my ear +off. You scamp, take that!" And letting out with his foot, he gave Sam a +vigorous kick on the side. At the same time Baxter struck the boy in the +head with a stick he had been carrying, and then Sam suddenly lost +consciousness.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Tom was having a similar struggle with Harney and Husty. +But the boy, though strong, was no match for the two men, and they soon +pinned him to the ground and held him there as in a vise, while he was +nearly choked by the big guide, who had clutched him by the throat.</p> + +<p>"Let—let go—my—throat!" Tom managed to gasp.</p> + +<p>"Will you keep quiet?" demanded Harney.</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes."</p> + +<p>"All right, mind you do." And then the guide released his hold, but +continued to sit as he was, astride of poor Tom's chest.</p> + +<p>"Have you got him?" came from Dan Baxter.</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned the big guide.</p> + +<p>"All right; then hold him."</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>Leaving Sam to be watched by Jasper Grinder, Baxter ran over to one of +the sleds and procured a long rope.</p> + +<p>"Now then, Tom Rover, get up," he said sourly.</p> + +<p>Tom was glad to arise.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with me?" he questioned.</p> + +<p>"You'll see fast enough."</p> + +<p>"Going to try your old tricks of making me a prisoner, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"You're a prisoner already."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, for nothing," returned Tom, as coolly as he could.</p> + +<p>"Don't you get impudent, Tom Rover. If you try it on, you'll get more +than you bargain for, let me tell you that."</p> + +<p>"You always were a first-class bully, Baxter. You like to tackle little +boys, or else somebody who is helpless."</p> + +<p>"Shut up! I won't listen to you, now!" roared Baxter, and grabbing Tom's +hands he forced them back and bound them together. Then the ropes was +passed around Tom's waist, so that he could not move his hands to the +front.</p> + +<p>By the time this work was accomplished Sam was regaining consciousness. +He gave a moan of pain, and then sat up in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"Who—what's happened?" he stammered. Then he looked around. "Oh! I +remember now!"</p> + +<p>He was very unsteady when he got on his feet, and it was Tom who made +the first move toward him.</p> + +<p>"Too bad, Sam. They are a set of brutes."</p> + +<p>"Don't call me a brute Rover," growled Jasper Grinder. "Neither you nor +your brother have all you deserve."</p> + +<p>Sam was bound with a rope, and then both prisoners were told to walk +over to the fire. This they did, and were left in charge of Husty and +Jasper Grinder, while Baxter went off a distance, in company with big +Bill Harney.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you want to do with 'em?" demanded Harney, when he and +the bully were out of hearing of the others, "'Pears to me you've taken +the law in yer own hands."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad I've caught them," returned Dan Baxter. "They may help us to +find what I am after."</p> + +<p>"Think they've got a better map nor yours?"</p> + +<p>"They may have."</p> + +<p>"Supposing that brother comes up, with John Barrow? They may make it hot +for us."</p> + +<p>"That's what I want to ask you about, Harney. Isn't there some place +around here where we might hide the prisoners? A cave, or something like +that?"</p> + +<p>The big guide scratched his chin thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"There's a tolerable place about quarter of a mile from here—the old +B'ars' Hole, we use ter call it."</p> + +<p>"Of course we don't want to run up against any bears," said Baxter, +with a show of nervousness.</p> + +<p>At this the big guide let out a rough laugh.</p> + +<p>"Aint got no use fer them critters, eh?"</p> + +<p>"I have not."</p> + +<p>"'Taint likely there are any b'ars around. Me an Jim Wister cleaned out +the hole last spring—got three on 'em. No new b'ars will take that hole +yet awhile."</p> + +<p>"Then we had better make tracks for it at once—before Dick Rover and +the man who is with him get on our trail."</p> + +<p>They walked back to the camp-fire and, calling Jasper Grinder and Lemuel +Husty aside, Baxter explained the situation. A talk, lasting several +minutes, followed.</p> + +<p>"Now then, you come with us," said Dan Baxter to the Rovers. "And see to +it that you don't try to get away."</p> + +<p>"Where do you want us to go?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"We are going to try to find your brother," was the bully's smooth +reply.</p> + +<p>"Humph! Do you expect us to believe that?"</p> + +<p>"You can suit yourself, Tom Rover. But, just the same, you'll come +along."</p> + +<p>"And if we refuse?" put in Sam.</p> + +<p>"I'll hammer you into submission."</p> + +<p>"By jinks! but you always were a cheerful brute, Baxter," cried Sam.</p> + +<p>"Shut up and come along," growled the bully.</p> + +<p>Feeling it would be folly to resist, the two Rovers moved off with the +party. The big guide led the way and the others followed.</p> + +<p>"You may as well earn your salt," observed Baxter. "Here, take hold and +pull one of the sleds."</p> + +<p>He placed the rope in their hands and compelled them to haul the load, +which they did unwillingly enough.</p> + +<p>Curious as it may seem, none of the Baxter party had given a thought to +the sled which Sam and Tom had had with them, and this had been left +under the bushes at the spot where Husty had discovered the Rovers.</p> + +<p>At first Tom and Sam had thought to speak about the matter, but they +finally decided it would be better to run the risk of losing that +portion of the outfit entirely than to place it in the hands of their +enemy.</p> + +<p>The way was rough, and it was only with the greatest of difficulty that +they could drag the sleds along. But less than half an hour brought them +to the spot which Bill Harney had in mind—a grand and wild place, where +the mountain appeared to split in two for a distance of several hundred +feet. Here there was a gorge fifty or sixty feet deep, partly choked +with small scrub cedars.</p> + +<p>"There's the hole," said Harney, advancing into the gorge and pointing +with his hand.</p> + +<p>"Better go ahead and see if it is free of bears or other wild animals," +suggested Dan Baxter, as he came to a halt.</p> + +<p>Rifle in hand the guide went into the opening, and made a thorough +examination of the surroundings.</p> + +<p>"Aint been no b'ars nor nothin' else here," he declared. "You can come +right in."</p> + +<p>The opening on one side of the gully was an irregular one, and beyond +this was a large cave having several chambers. All was pitch dark in the +inner chambers, and they lit some brushwood to give them light. Then a +regular fire was started, which did much toward making the surroundings +warmer and more cheerful.</p> + +<p>Dan Baxter and his friends were hungry, and lost no time in preparing a +meal. Tom and Sam were led to one side of an inner chamber, and the rope +fastened to their hands was bound tightly to the protruding roots of a +tree.</p> + +<p>"Now, don't you attempt to escape," said Baxter. "If you do—well, +you'll wish you hadn't, that's all."</p> + +<p>And then he rejoined his companions in the outer chamber, leaving poor +Tom and Sam to their misery.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>JASPER GRINDER TRIES TO MAKE TERMS.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"Well, Tom, this looks as if we had put our foot into it," was Sam's +comment, delivered in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Don't despair, Sam," said his brother cheerfully. "We have been in +worse holes, remember, and always managed to escape with a whole skin."</p> + +<p>"That's true, but I don't see how we are going to get away now. I +suppose somebody will stand on guard all the time."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Dick and Mr. Barrow will come to the rescue."</p> + +<p>"If they can find the way. The wind and snow will cover the trail pretty +well."</p> + +<p>"There's no use of crying over the affair. If we can break away, I'll be +for doing so."</p> + +<p>"So will I."</p> + +<p>"Hi, you stop your talking in there!" shouted Dan Baxter. "Plotting to +run away, I reckon. It won't do you any good. If you try it, somebody +will get a dose of buckshot in the leg."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say you're going to stop our talking," said Tom, in +indignation.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I do mean to say. Now stop—or go hungry."</p> + +<p>As the Rovers did not wish to starve, they relapsed into silence. A meal +was being prepared by the Baxter party, and the appetizing odors floated +into the inner chamber, where Tom and Sam sniffed them eagerly, for the +walk and the bracing air had given them an appetite.</p> + +<p>"Smells good, don't it?" remarked Dan Baxter, as he came in, fire-brand +in hand, and confronted Tom.</p> + +<p>"What, the cave?" asked Tom carelessly.</p> + +<p>"No, the grub."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you are cooking something, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"You know well enough that we are."</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't stop you, Baxter, so cook away."</p> + +<p>"Don't you want something to eat?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure we do," put in Sam. "Nobody wants to go hungry."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you'll have to go hungry," said Dan Baxter significantly.</p> + +<p>"It would be just like you to starve us, Baxter!" burst out Tom. "I know +you are as mean as they make them."</p> + +<p>"No compliments, please. I know my business, Tom Rover; and let me say I +am in this game to win."</p> + +<p>"I don't see what that has to do with our eating."</p> + +<p>"You will see presently. I know all about what brought you here."</p> + +<p>"And we know what brought you here," put in Sam.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you fellows have a map, or something like it," went on +Baxter, after a pause, during which he gazed curiously first at Tom and +then at the youngest Rover.</p> + +<p>"A map of what?" demanded Tom.</p> + +<p>"A map whereby to find that treasure."</p> + +<p>"If we have a map we'll take good care to keep it to ourselves," came +from Sam, before he had taken time to think twice.</p> + +<p>"Ha! then you have a map!" And now Dan Baxter's eyes brightened. "Where +is it?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't say so."</p> + +<p>"I'll search you," said the bully, and at once proceeded to turn out one +pocket after another. Of course the map, being in Dick's possession, was +not found.</p> + +<p>"You got it hidden," said Baxter sourly. "Tell we where it is, or you +shall have nothing to eat."</p> + +<p>"Will you give us a good meal if we do tell you?" demanded Tom promptly.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Honor bright?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, Dick has the only map we possess." And Tom grinned, while +Sam had all he could do to keep from laughing outright.</p> + +<p>Instantly Dan Baxter's face grew dark, and he drew back his hand as if +to strike Tom.</p> + +<p>"You're a fresh one!" he burst out. "Are you telling me the truth?"</p> + +<p>"I am. He has the map, and I reckon he'll keep it. Now, if it's all the +same to you, we'll take that meal. Eh, Sam?"</p> + +<p>"I'm hungry enough."</p> + +<p>"I shan't give you a mouthful!" roared Baxter. "You can't play any game +on me."</p> + +<p>"That shows what your promise is worth, Baxter," returned Tom. "I didn't +expect much else, though, for I know you thoroughly. Still, we told you +nothing but the truth."</p> + +<p>With a face full of hatred Dan Baxter turned on his heel and left them. +Presently they heard him sit down with the others, and all began to eat +the food that had been cooking.</p> + +<p>"I must say we didn't gain much," observed Tom gloomily. "I suppose I +ought to have humored him, in order to get something. But I despise him +so I can't help pitching into him."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't humor him—I'd starve first!" returned Sam earnestly. "I am +glad we weren't carrying the map."</p> + +<p>"So am I glad. Rather than give it to him, I would have chewed it up +and swallowed it."</p> + +<p>Half an hour went by, during which both boys said but little, each being +busy trying to concoct some scheme by which they might escape. They +heard the others talking in low voices, but were unable to catch what +was said.</p> + +<p>Presently Jasper Grinder came in, bringing with him a small portion of +food and a kettle of water. Setting the things on a rock, he untied one +hand of each of the boys, that they might eat and drink.</p> + +<p>"This is a fine meal," said Tom sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"It is more than you deserve," replied the former teacher of Putnam +Hall.</p> + +<p>"You always were a hard one, Grinder."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grinder, if you please," said the man pointedly.</p> + +<p>"And if I don't please to call you Mister?"</p> + +<p>"Then you will get nothing more from me."</p> + +<p>"Do you know that you are playing a high game here, keeping us +prisoners?" asked Sam.</p> + +<p>"What we are doing is our business." Jasper Grinder paused for a moment. +"I want you to tell me something of that treasure for which you are +seeking," he went on.</p> + +<p>"What do you want to know?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"What is the treasure worth?"</p> + +<p>"We can't tell that until it is found."</p> + +<p>"You are quite sure it has never been removed?"</p> + +<p>"How can we be sure, when we don't know anything about it."</p> + +<p>"Baxter says your brother Dick has a map."</p> + +<p>"Hasn't Baxter a map, too?" questioned Sam.</p> + +<p>"Something of a map, yes, but it is not very complete."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear that," said Tom quickly.</p> + +<p>"But Baxter claims the treasure for himself."</p> + +<p>"Really?" said Sam sarcastically. "Well, let him claim what he pleases. +If we find it, it will belong to us—don't forget that."</p> + +<p>Again there was a pause. Jasper Grinder looked anxiously toward the +outer cave, to see if Baxter or the guide were watching him. But the two +were talking earnestly between themselves.</p> + +<p>"I have a plan," began the former teacher of Putnam Hall, in a low +voice, "a plan to aid you."</p> + +<p>"What plan?" demanded Tom.</p> + +<p>"Hush! not so loud—or they may hear you. I presume you know what sort +of a fellow Baxter is?"</p> + +<p>"Well, rather," said Sam dryly.</p> + +<p>"He is planning to do you a great deal of harm. Now I think I can save +you."</p> + +<p>"Then save us," said Tom. "Or untie us, and we will save ourselves."</p> + +<p>"You can't save yourselves. Baxter is strong, and that guide is a giant +in strength."</p> + +<p>"What do you propose?"</p> + +<p>"I'm coming to that. But you must make me a promise first."</p> + +<p>"What promise?"</p> + +<p>"That half that treasure shall be mine when it is found."</p> + +<p>"Half!" cried Tom and Sam together.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"We can't promise that," went on Tom.</p> + +<p>"You don't want much," was Sam's comment.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it worth something to be saved from Baxter's clutches? I +overheard him tell the guide what troubles he had had with you in the +past, and how you had been the means of sending his father to prison, +and all that. Why, he would put you out of the way forever, if he +could."</p> + +<p>"And will you stand by, Jasper Grinder, and see that done?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"No! no! But—but—he is his own master. Promise what I wish, and I will +help you."</p> + +<p>"We can't promise you half the treasure," said Tom flatly. "But if you +will really help us, we'll promise that you shall lose nothing by the +transaction."</p> + +<p>At this instant Dan Baxter leaped to his feet and ran for his gun, +while Bill Harney and Lemuel Husty did the same.</p> + +<p>"Come out here, Grinder!" shouted the bully. "Somebody or some wild +animal is around!"</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE BLACK BEAR.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"Somebody is coming!" ejaculated Sam. "I hope it is Dick, with Mr. +Barrow!"</p> + +<p>"So do I," returned Tom.</p> + +<p>Without saying a word more, Jasper Grinder ran from the inner cave and +joined Baxter and the guide. His face was pale, and he was evidently +much disturbed.</p> + +<p>Soon Baxter and his party were outside, and the Rover boys heard them +moving up and down the gully. Several minutes passed, and then came a +gunshot, followed by another.</p> + +<p>"I hope they are not firing on Dick or Mr. Barrow," said Sam, with +something of a shudder.</p> + +<p>"I guess not," returned his brother. "If they were, we'd probably hear +shots in return."</p> + +<p>An hour went by, and then Dan Baxter and the others came back, the guide +carrying several rabbits and a large fox. The rabbits were skinned and +kept for eating, and the fox was skinned and the carcass thrown away.</p> + +<p>Tom and Sam had expected Jasper Grinder to return to them, but if the +former teacher desired to do this, he was prevented by Dan Baxter, who +kept his companions close by him, around the fire.</p> + +<p>Slowly the time went by until darkness was upon them. The fire was kept +up, but Baxter screened it as much as possible, so that the glare might +not penetrate to the forest beyond the gully and prove a beacon to guide +Dick and John Barrow to the spot.</p> + +<p>The boys were tired out, and soon Sam sank to sleep, with his hands +still tied to the tree roots. Tom tried to keep awake, but half an hour +later he, too, was in dreamland.</p> + +<p>When the Rovers awoke it was not yet morning. All was dark around them, +for the fire had burnt low. Sam roused up first, with a severe pain in +his wrists and ankles, where his bonds were cutting him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my wrists!" he groaned, and his voice caused Tom to start.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Sam?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. My wrists are almost cut in two!"</p> + +<p>"The same here. I've slept like a rock, too."</p> + +<p>"Is it morning yet?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I don't know."</p> + +<p>"What's going on in there?" came from Dan Baxter, as he leaped to his +feet and caught up a gun.</p> + +<p>"We are suffering from cuts of the ropes," said Tom. "It was an outrage +to compel us to sleep in this fashion, tied up like mummies!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, shut up!" growled Baxter, and then began to poke the fire. Soon it +was blazing as readily as before, and then the light found its way into +the inner cave, so that Sam and Tom could see each other once more.</p> + +<p>Breakfast for the two prisoners was a slim affair of crackers, rabbits' +bones, and water. Tom asked for coffee, but Baxter would not give it to +them.</p> + +<p>"You'll get no luxuries from me," growled the bully. "Be thankful that +you aren't being starved."</p> + +<p>While they were eating, Baxter and his companions held a low, but +animated, conversation. "We'll try it, anyway," Tom heard Baxter say, +and that was all the Rovers heard. As soon as the meal was finished the +party took up some of their traps and their firearms.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, we are going out for a while," said Dan Baxter, coming up to +the prisoners. "Take my advice and don't try to escape in the meantime. +If you do, and we catch you, it will go hard with you; let me tell you +that!"</p> + +<p>"Are you going to leave us tied up?" questioned Tom dubiously.</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"Some wild animal may come in here and chew us up."</p> + +<p>"We'll leave the fire burning—that will keep 'em away," returned the +bully.</p> + +<p>He would say no more, and in a few minutes he and his companions were +gone and the Rover boys were left to themselves.</p> + +<p>"Now what?" asked Sam, after all had been silent for at least ten +minutes.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me," replied Tom disconsolately. "We're in a pickle, and no +mistake. Are your hands as tight as ever?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and my wrists hurt so I feel like screaming with pain."</p> + +<p>"Baxter is a brute, if ever there was one. However, I think I can get my +left hand free," went on Tom suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Good, Tom! Do so by all means."</p> + +<p>Tom worked away with vigor. The pain was intense, but he bore it +manfully. At last his hand was free.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! so far so good!" he cried lowly. "Now for the other hand."</p> + +<p>But this was not so easy, for the knots were hard ones and broke his +finger nails dread-fully.</p> + +<p>"If only I could get at them with my teeth," he observed, "I'd soon chew +them apart."</p> + +<p>But he could not bend around, and so had to content himself with +working away as before. Soon his fingers grew numb and he had to desist.</p> + +<p>"Too bad, but I can't make it!" he groaned.</p> + +<p>"Wait a while and give your fingers a rest," returned Sam.</p> + +<p>He had begun work on his own fetters, but try his best could make no +material progress. The ropes had cut through the skin in two places and +from these spots the blood was flowing freely.</p> + +<p>Two hours went by, and to the boys it seemed an age. Tom had tried his +best to free himself, and now the cords were gradually loosening up.</p> + +<p>"I've got it at last!" he cried presently. "Just wait." And a little +later the bonds dropped to the ground. But the work had caused his +finger tips to bleed.</p> + +<p>With his hands free, Tom set to work free his feet, and this was not so +difficult, although it also took time. Both boys were now hungry once +more, and reckoned that it was well past the noon hour.</p> + +<p>"I'll set you free, and then we'll look around for something to eat," +said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Hadn't we better get out as soon as we can?" asked his brother. +"Remember, they may come back at any moment, and we are no match for +them."</p> + +<p>"It will take but a minute to pick up something, if it's around, Sam. +Besides, we have got to have something in our stomachs before we set +off to hunt up Dick and Mr. Barrow."</p> + +<p>As soon as Sam was freed they ran to the outer cave. Here, on some +tree-roots overhead, hung a number of traps, including a knapsack +containing crackers and cheese, and close by it was a portion of rabbit, +left over from the morning repast.</p> + +<p>"Just what we want!" cried Tom. "Now, if we only had a gun——"</p> + +<p>He broke off short, as a crashing outside greeted their ears. The noise +continued several seconds, then ceased abruptly.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose that was?" questioned Sam. "It can't be our enemies +returning."</p> + +<p>"No, I think it was some wild animal—perhaps a wildcat."</p> + +<p>Both looked around for some weapon with which to defend themselves, and +Sam caught sight of a double-barreled shotgun standing in a corner of the +cave. He ran for this, and as he did so the crashing outside was +continued.</p> + +<p>"I see something under the brushwood!" whispered Tom, peeping out. +"Something big and black."</p> + +<p>"It's a bear!" cried Sam, a minute later. "A black bear! And he is +coming this way!"</p> + +<p>Both boys were astonished and bewildered, for they had not been looking +for such a big beast as this. Sam clutched the shotgun tightly, while +Tom ran to the fire and picked up the biggest brand he could hold.</p> + +<p>The bear advanced to the center of the gully and looked up and down +suspiciously. Then he sniffed the air.</p> + +<p>"He smells the carcass of the fox that lies outside," whispered Tom.</p> + +<p>"Well, he must smell us, too, Tom. It's a wonder he doesn't run. Mr. +Barrow said bears up here were generally shy."</p> + +<p>"I reckon he is pretty hungry. Here he comes for the fox meat now."</p> + +<p>Tom was right. The bear was advancing with great care, sniffing the +snow-covered ground at every step. Once or twice he raised his head, as +if preparing to run at the first sign of alarm.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to bring him down!" whispered Sam.</p> + +<p>"You can't do it with the shotgun, Sam. Be quiet! We can be thankful if +he takes the fox meat and leaves us alone."</p> + +<p>At last the bear reached the carcass. The two boys expected he would +snatch it up instantly and run away, but they were mistaken. The bear +sniffed it from end to end, and walked all around it.</p> + +<p>"He's afraid of a trap, or something like that," whispered Tom. "They +are pretty cute."</p> + +<p>At last the bear seemed satisfied, and he took the carcass up in his +mouth and started to walk off with it. But, instead of turning up or +down the gully, he came closer to the cave!</p> + +<p>"My gracious, he's coming this way!" cried Sam. "Look out, Tom!"</p> + +<p>His voice was so loud that the black bear heard it plainly. The beast +immediately dropped the fox meat and stood up on his hind legs. Then he +gave a roar of disappointment; thinking, probably, that the boys had set +a bait to catch him.</p> + +<p>"He don't like the situation," began Tom, when he gave a yell and +clutched his brother by the arm. And small wonder, for with rapid +strides the black bear was making for them, as though to chew them both +up!</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>TOGETHER AGAIN.</h3> +<br> + +<p>It must be confessed that both Tom and Sam were much alarmed by the +forward move of the black bear. Up to this instant they had trusted the +beast would depart with the fox's carcass, without discovering them. Now +it looked as if they were in for a hot fight, and that without delay.</p> + +<p>"Get behind the fire!" cried Tom, as soon as he could collect his +thoughts.</p> + +<p>Sam had the shotgun pointed, and as the bear advanced he pulled the +trigger. The charge of shot entered the bear's left shoulder, making a +number of painful, but not dangerous, wounds. At once the beast let out +a snort of commingled pain and rage.</p> + +<p>"You've done it now," came from Tom, and whirled his firebrand, to make +it blaze up. "Take a stick, quick!"</p> + +<p>Instead of doing this, however, Sam fired a second time, this time +hitting the bear in the left hind leg. The beast dropped on all fours +and came to a halt while yet twenty yards from them.</p> + +<p>By this time Tom had another firebrand, and this he compelled his +brother to take, the shotgun being now empty. There was no time to +reload the piece, and indeed, neither of the boys knew where to look for +ammunition.</p> + +<p>More enraged than ever, the bear now advanced again, until only the fire +was between him and his intended victims. He had now forgotten about the +fox meat, and thought only of getting at the human being who had injured +him. He arose once more and let out a loud roar, while his small eyes +gleamed maliciously. Had the fire not been in the way he would have +rushed upon Sam without further hesitation.</p> + +<p>The pulling out of the two large firebrands was causing the fire to burn +low, something which was in the bear's favor. The boys almost expected +to see the beast leap over the spot, but bruin knew better than to +attempt this. He began to circle around the flames, and as he did this, +the boys did likewise.</p> + +<p>"Shall we run?" panted Sam. He was so agitated he could scarcely speak.</p> + +<p>"No—stick to the fire," returned Tom. "Bears hate that. Look out!"</p> + +<p>The bear had now started to come around the other way. At once the boys +shifted again, until they occupied the position where they had stood +when the beast was first discovered. Then the bear dropped down once +more, and eyed them in a meditative way.</p> + +<p>"He is making up his mind about the next move," said Tom. "I'll try him +with something new." And at the risk of burning his hand, he picked up +some small brushwood which was blazing fiercely and threw it at their +enemy.</p> + +<p>The effect was as surprising as it was gratifying. The burning brands +struck the beast fairly on the nose, causing him to leap back in terror. +Then he uttered a grunt of dissatisfaction, turned, and sped, with +clumsy swiftness, up the gully and into the forest beyond.</p> + +<p>"He is retreating!" cried Sam joyfully.</p> + +<p>"Wait—don't be too sure," returned Tom, and, firebrands still in hand, +they watched until the bear was out of sight and they could hear nothing +more of him.</p> + +<p>"My, but aint I glad he's gone!" said the youngest Rover, with a sigh of +relief.</p> + +<p>"So am I glad, Sam. I was almost afraid both of us were doomed to be +chewed up."</p> + +<p>"What shall we do next?"</p> + +<p>"I guess we had better get out—as soon as you've reloaded the gun. +Wonder where the ammunition is?"</p> + +<p>Both instituted a search, and soon a box was brought to light, +containing not only ammunition, but also a big hunting knife.</p> + +<p>"I'll appropriate the knife," said Tom. "It's not as good as a gun or +pistol, but it is better than nothing."</p> + +<p>Thus armed they set forth without further delay, fearful that their +enemies might return at any moment to recapture them. As the bear had +gone up the gully they went down, and they did not come to a halt until +they had placed at least quarter of a mile between themselves and the +caves. For some distance they kept on a series of bare rocks, thus +leaving no trail behind.</p> + +<p>"I reckon we are clear of them for the time being," observed Tom, as he +came to a halt. "And that being so, the next question is Where are Dick +and Mr. Barrow?"</p> + +<p>"The best we can do is to try to find Perch River, to my way of +thinking," came from Sam. "If we can find that and we stick to it, we'll +be sure to land at Bear Pond, sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me Bear Pond ought to be close at hand," said Tom. "We've +seen the bear anyway, if not the pond." And at this both Sam and he gave +a short laugh.</p> + +<p>An hour later found them tramping along the edge of a cliff overlooking +a broad valley, in the center of which was a winding stream almost +hidden by the woods on either side.</p> + +<p>"Now, if we were only sure that was Perch River, we'd be all right," +said Sam. "But unfortunately all rivers look pretty much alike up +here."</p> + +<p>"We might as well go down to it, anyway," answered his brother. "It's +pretty cold up here."</p> + +<p>Finding a break in the cliff they descended, and started through the +woods for the watercourse. It was indeed cold, and only their brisk +walking kept them warm. A stiff wind was rising, and overhead the +branches swayed mournfully.</p> + +<p>When they reached the river they came to another halt, not knowing which +was up and which was down.</p> + +<p>"Guess we had better chop a hole in the ice and see how the water is +flowing," suggested Sam.</p> + +<p>"Let us walk in this direction," said Tom. "I think this is right, and, +anyway, we may soon come to an air-hole, which will save us the trouble +of cutting an opening."</p> + +<p>As they advanced they had kept a sharp lookout for the Baxter crowd, but +so far none of their enemies had put in an appearance.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" suddenly shouted Tom. "Here's a signal of some sort!"</p> + +<p>He pointed ahead, to where Dick and John Barrow had planted their first +signal pole. Both made a rush forward, and soon had the cooked meat +which had been tied in a cloth and the note pinned on the outside.</p> + +<p>"A letter from Dick," said Tom, and read it aloud. "We are on the right +track, Sam, and if we only continue to steer clear of Dan Baxter and his +gang we'll be safe."</p> + +<p>"Dick asks us to fire two shots, a minute apart, as a signal," came from +Sam. "I'll do it at once." And without delay he discharged the shotgun, +waited sixty seconds, and then discharged it again.</p> + +<p>Both listened intently, and from a great distance came back two other +shots, also a minute apart.</p> + +<p>"They heard the signal!" ejaculated Sam joyfully. "It came from up the +river, didn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; come on!"</p> + +<p>Without stopping to eat the food which had been left for them, the boys +hurried forward just as rapidly as their now tired legs would carry +them.</p> + +<p>They had brought their skates along and these were put on, after which +progress was easier. It was now growing dark, and they began to wonder +if they would be able to rejoin Dick and Mr. Barrow before nightfall.</p> + +<p>"I hope we meet them," said Sam. "I've no fancy for remaining in this +open, alone."</p> + +<p>"Try another two shots," suggested Tom, after an hour had gone by, and +Sam did so. Immediately came answering reports, directly to their left.</p> + +<p>"Hullo!" yelled Tom, at the top of his lungs, and Sam at once took up +the cry.</p> + +<p>"Hullo!" came back faintly. "Tom! Sam! Is that you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. We are on the river!"</p> + +<p>"All right!"</p> + +<p>The yelling now stopped, and Tom and Sam came to a halt and sat down on +a flat rock to wait. Ten minutes passed, when they saw Dick rush into a +clearing, followed by John Barrow. As soon as the eldest Rover saw them +he waved his hand enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"Where in the world have you been?" came from Dick, as soon as he +reached them, and saw that neither was injured. "We've been looking high +and low for you."</p> + +<p>"We've been prisoners of the enemy," answered Tom. "By the way, have you +seen anything of Dan Baxter and his party?"</p> + +<p>"No. Do you mean to say Baxter made you prisoners?"</p> + +<p>"He and his crowd did."</p> + +<p>"How many are there with him?"</p> + +<p>"Three men, Bill Harney the guide, Lemuel Husty, and Jasper Grinder."</p> + +<p>"Jasper Grinder!" burst out Dick. "Impossible!"</p> + +<p>"It is true, Dick. I was as much astonished as you."</p> + +<p>"I suppose Baxter promised him a share of the treasure if it was +found."</p> + +<p>"More than likely. But I don't believe they'll find the treasure."</p> + +<p>Tom and Sam soon told their story, to which Dick and John Barrow +listened with keen interest. Hardly, however, was the tale finished than +the guide urged them to move on.</p> + +<p>"It's quite a few miles to camp," he said. "And, unless I am mistaken, +it's getting ready for a big fall o' snow."</p> + +<p>John Barrow was right about the snow. Less than quarter of an hour later +the thick flakes began to fall. Then came a finer snow, which the wind +blew around them like so much hard salt.</p> + +<p>"We are in for a corker!" cried the guide. "The sooner we git back to +our supplies the better it will be for us!"</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>SNOWED IN.</h3> +<br> + +<p>With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was +impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction. The wind also increased +in fury until it blew a regular gale. At first this was in their favor, +being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious +pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of +them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath. +"I'm almost winded now."</p> + +<p>"I've got to stop," came from Sam. "I'm ready to drop."</p> + +<p>"I can't see a thing," said Tom. "And I'm in mortal terror of skating +into some big air-hole."</p> + +<p>"You are right, lads, we'll have to give up the idea of reaching camp +to-night," came from John Barrow seriously. "But where to take you to +out of this awful storm I scarcely know."</p> + +<p>"Any kind of shelter will do," said Sam. "We can rig up a hut under some +big cedar tree."</p> + +<p>"In that case, let us stick as closely to the river as possible."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"We can get fish then, if we need 'em."</p> + +<p>No more was said, and the guide at once led the way to a thick clump of +cedars growing but a rod away from the edge of the river. The cedars +formed something of a circle, about fifteen feet in diameter, and by +clearing out some brushwood in the center they made quite a cozy resting +place. On the outside the cedars were laced together, and the snow was +banked up on all sides, leaving but one opening, two feet wide and +several feet high, for the purpose of supplying them with fresh air.</p> + +<p>By the time the shelter was ready for use all the boys were so fagged +out they could scarcely stand. Dick and the guide had brought blankets +with them, and one of these was placed over the opening temporarily, to +keep out a large part of the wind. Then a candle was lit and John Barrow +burnt up a little brushwood, "jest to take the chill outer the place," +as he explained. They did not dare to let the flames grow too high for +fear of setting fire to the cedars themselves.</p> + +<p>As the boys lay on the brushwood resting, they heard the wind outside +increasing in violence, and saw the cedars bend to and fro, and listened +to them creak dismally.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Barrow, how long do you reckon this storm will last?" questioned +Tom.</p> + +<p>"There is no tellin', lad. Perhaps through the night, an' perhaps for a +couple o' days."</p> + +<p>"If it lasts two days, we'll be snowed in for keeps!" came from Sam.</p> + +<p>The guide shrugged his shoulders. "True, Sam, but we've got to take what +comes."</p> + +<p>"Let us take account of our provisions," said Dick. "If there is any +prospect of our being snowed in we'll have to eat sparingly, or run the +risk of being starved to death."</p> + +<p>There was not much to count up: some meat and crackers Dick and the +guide had brought along, and the meat, crackers, and the rabbit in Tom +and Sam's store. In his pockets John Barrow also carried some coffee, +sugar, and some salt.</p> + +<p>"Not such a very small lot," was Dick's comment. "But it might be more."</p> + +<p>A scanty evening meal was quickly disposed of, and then the candle was +blown out, and all retired to rest. The boys were soon sound asleep, and +presently the guide followed, but with his hand on his gun, ready for +any attack by man or beast, should it come.</p> + +<p>The night passed quietly enough, for presently the wind went down. The +snow grew thicker than ever, until it covered the river to a depth of +two feet and more. Around the cedars there was a huge drift, burying +the shelter completely.</p> + +<p>It was Dick who roused up first, to find all pitch-dark around him. +Bringing out a match, he lit the candle and looked at his watch.</p> + +<p>"Seven o'clock!" he murmured. "Guess I'll go out and see what the +weather is."</p> + +<p>Stretching himself, he walked to the blanket which had been placed over +the opening, and tried to thrust it aside. At once a mass of snow came +tumbling down and sifted in all directions, a good share on Tom's face.</p> + +<p>"Hi! who's washing my face with snow?" cried Tom, as he opened his eyes +and sat up. "That's a mean trick, Dick, on a fellow who is dead tired +out."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to do it, Tom. I was going outside, to see how the +weather is. I reckon the snow is pretty deep."</p> + +<p>The talking aroused the guide and Sam, and soon all were on their feet. +The snow in the opening was pushed back and they forced their way +outside, to find themselves in a drift up to their waists.</p> + +<p>"Gosh, but we are right in it!" was Tom's comment. "See, the river is +completely covered. That settles skating."</p> + +<p>"And the worst of it is, it is still snowing," came from Dick.</p> + +<p>"With no signs of letting up," finished John Barrow. "Boys, I am afraid +we are snowed in, or snowed up, just as you feel like calling it."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean we'll have to remain here?" questioned Sam quickly.</p> + +<p>"For the present. We are a good four miles from the pond, and we can't +tramp that in this storm."</p> + +<p>The wind was rising again, with a dull moaning through the timber, and +sending the flakes whirling in all directions, and they were glad enough +to get back to the shelter of the cedars.</p> + +<p>"We'll clear a space in the snow and start a fire," said the guide. "A +hot cup o' coffee will do us all good."</p> + +<p>"And we can cook that other rabbit Tom and I brought along," put in Sam.</p> + +<p>Brushwood was handy, and Tom helped to cut some of this with the hunting +knife he had brought along. Soon a lively blaze was warming them up, and +water was boiling for the coffee, while the rabbit was cleaned, and +broiled on a long fork in the guide's outfit. Crackers were running low, +and they had but two apiece.</p> + +<p>"I'll try fishing as soon as I'm done," said John Barrow, and was as +good as his word.</p> + +<p>It was no easy task to cut a hole through the ice, but once this was +accomplished the fish were found to be lively enough, despite the storm +and the cold. Inside of an hour they had a mess of nine, sufficient to +last them for several meals. And while the others were fishing, Dick +caught sight of a flock of birds, and brought down three.</p> + +<p>"There, we won't starve yet awhile," said Dick, as he began to clean his +game.</p> + +<p>"That's true," answered Tom, "although we may get pretty tired of birds +and fish before we get out of here and strike something different."</p> + +<p>"I wonder how the Baxter crowd is faring," said Sam. "Unless they got +back to the cave they can't be having a very good time of it."</p> + +<p>"They don't deserve a good time of it," grumbled Tom. "They deserve to +suffer."</p> + +<p>"Bill Harney is a good enough guide to know what to do," put in John +Barrow. "He will pull them through somehow—that is, if he knows enough +to remain sober."</p> + +<p>They had hoped that the storm would let up by noon, but twelve o'clock +found the snow coming down as fast as ever, blotting out the landscape +on every hand. Outside of the moaning of the wind all was as silent as a +tomb.</p> + +<p>There was but a little for the boys to do, and after the fishing was +over they were glad enough to take it easy in the shelter and listen to +several stories John Barrow had to tell. The guide also related what he +knew concerning Goupert and the various hunts made for the missing +treasure.</p> + +<p>"He must have been a fierce sort of a man in his day," observed Dick. +"I don't wonder the most of the folks in this region were content to +leave him alone."</p> + +<p>It was almost nightfall when the snow stopped coming down, and then it +was too dark to attempt the journey to Bear Pond.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to make another night of it here," said John Barrow. "Then, +if it's clear, we can start for the pond early in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Hark!" cried Tom, rousing up. "Did you hear that?"</p> + +<p>"Hear what?" came from the others.</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard somebody calling."</p> + +<p>All listened. For a few seconds silence reigned, then came an uncertain +sound from a considerable distance.</p> + +<p>"There it is!"</p> + +<p>"That's somebody calling, sure," said the guide. "Must be down along the +river. I'll go out an' look."</p> + +<p>"Can I go along?" asked Dick. "You may want help—if somebody is in +trouble."</p> + +<p>"All right. Bring your gun with you."</p> + +<p>In another minute they had started out, each with his gun, and with his +trouser legs tied up with bits of cord, to keep the deep snow from +reaching up to their boot-tops. Their course was directly for the river.</p> + +<p>It was so dark they could see little or nothing, saving the whiteness +which spread in all directions.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! hullo!" yelled John Barrow, when the river was gained.</p> + +<p>"Help!" came back faintly. "Help!"</p> + +<p>"Somebody over thar!" said the guide, and pointed a short distance up +the stream. "Guess he's in a peck o' trouble, too."</p> + +<p>He started in the direction, and Dick came close behind. The party in +distress was a man, whose cries for aid were gradually becoming weaker +and weaker. Before they reached the individual his voice ceased +entirely.</p> + +<p>"He has fainted from exhaustion," said John Barrow, as he reached the +wayfarer.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's Jasper Grinder, our old teacher," ejaculated Dick.</p> + +<p>The eldest Rover was right. The unfortunate man was indeed the former +teacher of Putnam Hall, but so pinched and haggard as to be scarcely +recognized. He had fallen on a bare rock, and this had cut open his left +cheek, from which the blood was flowing.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>AN UNWELCOME COMRADE.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"He's in a bad way, that's certain," was Dick's comment, as he surveyed +the prostrate form. Even though Jasper Grinder was an enemy, he could +not help but feel sorry for the man.</p> + +<p>"We must get him up to our shelter as soon as possible," replied John +Barrow. "It is easy to see he is half frozen—and maybe starved."</p> + +<p>"Shall we carry him?"</p> + +<p>"We'll have to; there is no other way."</p> + +<p>Slinging their guns across their backs, they raised up the form of the +unconscious man. He was a dead weight, and to carry him through that +deep snow was no light task. Less than half the distance to the shelter +was covered when Dick called a halt.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to rest up!" he gasped. "He weighs a ton."</p> + +<p>But in a few minutes he resumed the journey, and now they did not stop +with their load until the shelter was reached. Tom and Sam were watching +for them.</p> + +<p>"Jasper Grinder, by all that's wonderful!" burst out Tom.</p> + +<p>"Was he alone?" questioned Sam.</p> + +<p>"He was, so far as we could see," answered Dick. "I can tell you, he's +almost a case for an undertaker."</p> + +<p>This remark made everyone feel sober, and while the two younger Rovers +stirred up the fire, Dick and the guide did all in their power to bring +the unconscious man to his senses. Some hot coffee was poured down his +throat, and his hands and back were vigorously rubbed.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" came faintly, at last, and Jasper Grinder slowly opened his eyes, +"Oh!"</p> + +<p>"Take it easy, Mr. Grinder," said Dick kindly. "You are safe now."</p> + +<p>"But the bear! Where is the bear?" murmured the dazed man.</p> + +<p>"There is no bear here."</p> + +<p>"He is after me! He wants to chew me up!"</p> + +<p>With this Jasper Grinder relapsed into unconsciousness once more.</p> + +<p>"I reckon a b'ar chased him and he lost his reckonin'," was John +Barrow's comment. "Bring him up to the fire. He wants warmin'."</p> + +<p>Yet, with all the care they were able to bestow, it was a good hour +before Jasper Grinder was able to sit up and relate what had occurred to +him. He was very hungry, and eagerly disposed of every scrap of food +they had to offer him.</p> + +<p>"I have been lost in the timber since yesterday," he said. "Oh, it was +awful, the wind and the snow, and the intense cold. Sometimes I could +not feel my feet, and I knew I was freezing to death. And I hadn't a +mouthful to eat!"</p> + +<p>"But where are the others?" questioned Dick.</p> + +<p>"I don't know—back to that cave, I suppose. We were out looking for +some trace of—ahem—of Tom and Sam, when I became separated from the +others. Then, in trying to find my way back to the cave, I fell in with +a big black bear. The ugly creature came after me, and I ran for my +life, through the brushwood and the snow, until I came to a cliff. I +fell over this, landed on an icy slope, and rolled and rolled until I +struck the river. Then I got up and tried to get back to the cave, but +it was out of the question. I found an opening in the cliff, on going +back, and remained there until morning, when that bear, or another like +him, roused me and caused me another roll down to the river."</p> + +<p>"Didn't the bear follow you?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"He followed as far as the river. But I ran with all my might through +the deep snow, and presently he gave up the pursuit. Then I went on and +on until I happened to catch a glimpse of your camp-fire, and set up a +cry for help. I slipped on a rock and hit my cheek, and the loss of +blood and the shock made me dizzy. The next I knew I was here."</p> + +<p>"You may be thankful that we found you and brought you in," was the +remark made by John Barrow. "If you had remained out there this night, +you'd 'a' been a corpse by mornin', sure!"</p> + +<p>"I suppose that's true," said Jasper Grinder, with a thoughtful look. +His experience had humbled him greatly. He was so exhausted that he soon +fell asleep, breathing heavily. The boys and John Barrow gazed at him +curiously.</p> + +<p>"His being with us presents a problem," said Dick. "What are we to do +with him?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I don't want him along," answered Sam promptly. He had hot +forgotten the treatment received at Putnam Hall.</p> + +<p>"None of us want him, I take it, Sam. But we can't leave him behind to +starve. And I doubt if he can find his way back to the Baxter camp +alone."</p> + +<p>"No, he can't do that," put in the guide. "It is easy to see he knows +nothing of the woods and mountains. He was a fool to come here."</p> + +<p>"If we take him along, we ought to make him do his share of the work," +said Tom. "But I don't like it. He'll be forever spying on us, and if we +find that treasure he'll try to get it away, mark my words."</p> + +<p>"The only thing we can do is to watch him, and not let him have any gun +or pistol," said Dick. "He won't dare to leave us, unarmed, especially +if we tell him of all the wild animals that are around."</p> + +<p>The subject was discussed for fully an hour, but no satisfactory +conclusion was reached, and presently one after another dropped off to +sleep; the guide being the last to lie down, after fixing the camp-fire +for the night, so that a share of the warmth might drift into the +shelter.</p> + +<p>On the following day the sun came up bright and clear. It was still +bitterly cold, and they were loath to leave the vicinity of the +camp-fire. But John Barrow urged that they make good use of the clear +weather, and so they started up the river as soon as they had disposed +of their breakfast of fish and birds.</p> + +<p>"To be sure I'll go along, if I can walk," was what Jasper Grinder said +on being questioned, "I wouldn't remain behind alone for a fortune, and +I am sure I can't find the Baxter party now. Please don't cast me off! +It wouldn't be human!"</p> + +<p>"I believe you'd cast us off, if we were in a similar situation," was +Tom's comment. "The way you treated Sam at the Hall shows that you don't +care how some folks suffer. But you can go along, for we are not brutes. +But you've got to be careful how you behave, or otherwise out you go, +to shift for yourself, no matter how cold it is or how many wild animals +are around."</p> + +<p>"I will do nothing that does not meet with the approval of all of you," +answered the former teacher humbly. "And remember, Thomas, I was willing +to aid you when you were a prisoner in the cave in the gully."</p> + +<p>"You were—for a big consideration," returned Tom dryly. "Let me tell +you flatly, I don't take much stock in your so-called generosity."</p> + +<p>They were soon on the way, straight down to the river and then up that +stream. John Barrow was in the lead, with Sam following. Jasper came +next, and Tom and Dick brought up the rear. As far as possible the guide +sought out a trail along the timber, where the snow was not so deep. +Here and there were bare spots, but at other places were deep drifts, +where they frequently got in up to their armpits.</p> + +<p>"This is no joke!" gasped Sam, after floundering through an extra deep +drift. "I thought I was going out of sight that time."</p> + +<p>"I trust we haven't much further to go," was Jasper Grinder's comment. +"I would give a hundred dollars to be back at Timber Run."</p> + +<p>"It's your own fault you are here," retorted Sam.</p> + +<p>"I might say the same of you," returned the former teacher sharply.</p> + +<p>By noon John Barrow calculated they had covered half the distance to +Bear Pond. A sheltered nook was found between some rocks and trees, and +here they set fire to a mass of brushwood, that they might get warm +while they rested, and ate the last of the food on hand. There was no +wind, and the sun, shining as brightly as ever, made the surface of the +snow glitter like diamonds.</p> + +<p>"I hope we find our stores at the cache undisturbed," said Dick, while +resting. "I am hungry for a change of diet. As soon as we get there I'm +going to make some biscuits and boil some beans."</p> + +<p>"Gosh, but a plateful of beans would be fine!" cried Tom. "I can tell +you what," he added reflectively; "you want to do without things to +learn their real value."</p> + +<p>On they went once more, this time slower than before, because both Sam +and Jasper Grinder showed great signs of weariness. They had to move +around a long bend of the stream, and for fear of getting into a deep +drift the guide did not dare to make a short cut. They passed the pole +set up by John Barrow and Dick at the forks of the stream, and then +headed directly for where the cache was located.</p> + +<p>"When we get settled we can put up a regular hut," said John Barrow. +"Then we can be as comfortable, almost, as at home."</p> + +<p>"I'm anxious to locate the treasure," said Tom, "We can—Gracious me! +Look there!"</p> + +<p>They had come in sight of the cache, and now beheld two great black +bears standing over the loose stones, doing their best to scratch them +away and get at the party's stores!</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>BRINGING DOWN TWO BEARS.</h3> +<br> + +<p>"Bears!" burst out Sam, and started back in alarm.</p> + +<p>"Bears!" shrieked Jasper Grinder, and turned as pale as death. "Oh, +somebody save me!" He wanted to run, but he was in such a tremble he +could not, and sank on his knees in the snow in terror.</p> + +<p>Crack! It was the report of John Barrow's rifle, and one of the bears +was hit full in the left eye. Crack! went the piece Dick carried, and +the other bear was hit in the neck. Then Tom fired the shotgun which had +been found on Jasper Grinder, and the bear Dick had hit was wounded in +the side.</p> + +<p>Of course there followed a terrible uproar, and in a twinkle both bears +left the pile of rocks and came toward those who had wounded them. The +one that had been wounded in the eye was mortally hit, however, and +staggered in a heap before he had gone ten paces.</p> + +<p>But the second bear was full of fight, and his course was directly for +Tom. Before the lad could run the beast was almost on top of him.</p> + +<p>"Dodge him!" called out Dick. "Dodge him, Tom!"</p> + +<p>"Shoot him, somebody!" yelled back Tom. "Shoot him, quick!"</p> + +<p>And then he dodged behind some nearby brush. But the bear was almost as +quick, and ran directly into the brushwood, to face him on the opposite +side.</p> + +<p>By this time John Barrow had the rifle reloaded, and now he skirted the +brushwood, followed by Dick. Crack! went the rifle again, just as bruin +was about to pounce upon Tom. But the bullet merely clipped the hair on +the bear's back, and in a twinkle the beast was on Tom and had the lad +down.</p> + +<p>With his heart in his throat, Dick made a leap with the shotgun. Bang! +went the piece, when he was not over three yards from the bear. The +charge entered the beast's ear, and with a snort he rolled over and over +in the snow, sending it flying in every direction.</p> + +<p>Freed of the bear, Tom lost no time in scrambling to his feet. Soon the +struggles of the beast ceased, and they knew he was either dying or +dead. To make sure, John Barrow stepped in, hunting knife in hand, and +plunged the blade into his throat. Then the other bear was served in the +same fashion.</p> + +<p>The fight had been of short duration, yet the peril had been extreme, +and after it was over poor Tom found he could scarcely stand. Dick led +him to a rock and set him down, asking him if he was hurt.</p> + +<p>"I got a scratch on the arm, but I reckon it's not much," was the faint +answer. "But it was a close call, wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Those bears must have been awfully hungry, or they wouldn't have put up +such a fight," said the guide. "Their being at the cache proves they +wanted food."</p> + +<p>"Well, we've got the food now," returned Dick grimly. "We'll have all +the bear steaks and roasts anybody wants."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I can tell you a juicy steak will just be boss!" put in Sam +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>It was seen that Tom was hurt more than he cared to admit, and the +others lost no time in building a big camp-fire, that they might warm +themselves, while Dick took off his brother's coat, rolled up his +shirt-sleeves, and bandaged an ugly scratch with a bit of linen.</p> + +<p>"You can help here," said John Barrow to Jasper Grinder. "I'll fix it as +your duty to keep the fire a-goin'. There is a hatchet and there is the +brushwood. Don't let the fire go down, or I'm afraid there won't be +enough heat for cooking your supper." And the guide smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>At this indirect threat Jasper Grinder scowled. But he did not dare to +complain, and was soon at work cutting brushwood and dragging it to the +spot.</p> + +<p>"Gosh, but he's not used to hard work," was Sam's whispered comment. +"I'll wager he doesn't like that for a cent."</p> + +<p>"It's time he was set to work doing something," answered Dick. "It will +keep him from getting into mischief."</p> + +<p>As late as it was, and although all were tired out from their long walk +through the deep snow, they found it necessary to construct some shelter +for the night. The guide located a number of cedars growing close +together, and this spot was cleaned out and made as comfortable as +circumstances permitted. The fire was shoved over to the new location, +and then John Barrow cut up one of the bears and procured a big juicy +steak for supper. It is needless to say that all enjoyed the treat set +before them, even Jasper Grinder eating his full share.</p> + +<p>"We'll hang the meat up on a tree," said John Barrow. "If we don't some +hungry foxes or other wild animals will surely be after it." And +procuring the necessary ropes, he flung them over some limbs and all +hauled the carcasses up, Tom, of course, being excused from the task, +because of his wounded arm.</p> + +<p>The wind had gone down, and when all retired within the shelter not a +sound but the merry crackling of the fire broke the stillness around +them. In front of the camp was a long stretch of the pond, now thickly +covered with snow; in the rear a slope of a mountain, rock-ribbed and +covered with cedars and hemlock. To the left was located one of the +branches of the river and a hundred yards distant was a second branch.</p> + +<p>At first John Barrow had thought to set a guard for the night, but as +the spot seemed free from danger for the time being, this was dispensed +with, and all went to bed, to sleep soundly until sunrise.</p> + +<p>"And now for the treasure hunt!" cried Sam, who was among the first to +awaken. "It's just a perfect day, and we ought to accomplish a good +deal, if we set to work right after breakfast."</p> + +<p>He talked freely, for Jasper Grinder was still asleep—snoring lustily +in a corner of the shelter. John Barrow was already outside, boiling +coffee, broiling another bear steak, and preparing a pot of beans for +cooking. He had likewise set some bread for raising.</p> + +<p>"Goin' to give you a breakfast as is a breakfast," said the guide; with +a broad smile. "Reckon all of you are ready for it, eh?"</p> + +<p>"I am," said Dick. "Phew! but this mountain air does give one a +tremendous appetite!"</p> + +<p>While Jasper Grinder still slept Dick brought forth the precious map +and studied the description, and also the translation of the French text +into English, which Randolph Rover had made for them.</p> + +<p>"'To find the box of silver and gold, go to where Bear Pond empties into +Perch River,'" he read. "Well, we are at this spot, or, at least, at one +of the spots. It may mean this branch, and it may mean one of several +others."</p> + +<p>"We can try one branch after another," put in Sam. "Go on with the +description."</p> + +<p>"'Ten paces to the west is a large pine tree which was once struck by +lightning,'" continued Dick. He looked around. "I don't see any tree +like that around here."</p> + +<p>"You must remember, my lad, that that writin' was put down years ago," +said John Barrow. "More'n likely if the tree was struck an' blasted, +it's fallen long ago, and the spring freshets carried it down the +river."</p> + +<p>"That's true," said Sam, with a falling look. "But, anyway, we ought to +be able to locate the stump."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we ought to be able to do that."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to locate it now," cried Sam, and stalked off to where the +pond emptied into the stream. From this spot he stalked ten paces +westward, and of a sudden disappeared from view.</p> + +<p>"Help!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Sam's disappeared!" cried Dick, and ran toward the spot.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" sang out John Barrow. "There may be a nasty hole there!"</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, he too went forward, and they soon beheld Sam floundering +in snow up to his neck. He had stepped into a hollow between the rocks, +and it took him some time to extricate himself from the unpleasant +position.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my, what a bath!" he exclaimed ruefully, as he tried to get the +snow from out of his collar and his coat-sleeves. "I—I didn't think of +a pitfall like that!"</p> + +<p>"You want to be careful how you journey around here," cautioned John +Barrow. "If that hollow had been twice as deep the snow might have +smothered you to death."</p> + +<p>"I will be careful," answered Sam. "I don't want any more snow down my +back and up my coat-sleeves," and he hurried back to the camp-fire to +warm himself.</p> + +<p>By this time Tom was outside, and he was followed by Jasper Grinder, and +presently all sat down close to the blaze to enjoy the generous +breakfast the guide had provided. Tom said that his arm was a little +stiff, but that otherwise he felt as well as ever.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>TWO FAILURES.</h3> +<br> + +<p>What to do with Jasper Grinder was a problem which none of the boys knew +how to solve. They were exceedingly sorry that he was among them, but as +it would be impossible to send him off alone in that deep snow, they +felt that they would have to make the best of the situation.</p> + +<p>"I move we make him stay around the camp," suggested Tom. "He can watch +our stores, keep the fire furnished with wood, and do some of the +cooking."</p> + +<p>"He may kick at playing servant girl," said Sam.</p> + +<p>"If he kicks, let him clear out."</p> + +<p>"I think Tom is right," put in Dick. "We don't want him along while we +are trying to locate the treasure."</p> + +<p>"He may slip away with our things—if he finds any trace of Baxter's +party," went on Sam. "And we can't afford to lose anything more. One +sled-load is enough. We'll be wanting some of those other things before +long."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe that other party is around here," said John Barrow. +"We had better leave the man at the fire. We can keep our eyes open for +the enemy—as you call 'em."</p> + +<p>So it was arranged, and Dick told the former teacher. Jasper Grinder +said but little in return, but asked about the possibility of any more +wild beasts turning up.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to be left alone to face another couple of bears," he +said. "They would do their best to chew me up!"</p> + +<p>"We will leave a gun in camp," said Dick. "If you see a bear coming, you +can climb a tree and keep him off with the gun. If we hear a shot, we'll +come back just as quickly as we can. But, Grinder, I want you to +understand that you aren't to play us false," went on the eldest Rover. +"If you do we'll have no mercy on you, remember that!"</p> + +<p>Half an hour later the boys and their guide set off on their first hunt +for the treasure. With great care John Barrow led the way over the rocks +and other rough places. He carried a long pole, which he plunged in the +snow before him whenever he was afraid there was a hollow ahead. Soon +they gained the spot where Dick thought the blasted tree might be +located.</p> + +<p>The snow was scraped away, first in one direction and then another, +until a spot several yards in diameter was cleared. No tree-stump was +brought to light, although they found a slight hollow in which were +several big roots.</p> + +<p>"This might have been the tree once," said John Barrow meditatively. +"Years make great changes, you know. The trees fall, rocks and dirt +slide down hill, and that makes a big difference in the looks o' +things."</p> + +<p>"All we can do is to follow the directions on the map," said Dick. "I +think we'll be bound to strike the right clew, sooner or later. Let us +follow this one and see where it leads to."</p> + +<p>"What's the next directions?" questioned Tom.</p> + +<p>"'Go due southwest from the pine tree sixty-two paces,'" answered Dick, +reading from the translation given him. "Which is southwest, Mr. +Barrow?"</p> + +<p>"Soon tell ye that," answered the guide, and brought forth his pocket +compass. "That way." And he pointed with his arm.</p> + +<p>With the compass to guide them they set off, the guide in the lead once +more, and Dick counting off the sixty-two paces with great care. The way +was up a hillside and over half a dozen rough rocks, and then into a +hollow where the snow was up to their waists.</p> + +<p>"No use of talking, this is treasure-hunting under difficulties," was +Sam's comment. "Perhaps we would have done better had we left the hunt +till summer time."</p> + +<p>"And let Baxter get ahead of us?" put in Tom. "Not much!" He turned to +Dick. "What's the next directions on the paper?"</p> + +<p>"There ought to be a flat rock here, backed up by a sharp-pointed one," +answered the eldest Rover. "I don't see anything of a sharp-pointed +rock, do you? The flat rock may be under us."</p> + +<p>"No sharp-pointed rock within a hundred feet of here," answered Sam, +gazing around. He began scraping away the snow. "Dirt under us, too."</p> + +<p>"That settles it, then. Trial No. 1 is a failure. Mr. Barrow, we'll have +to try the next stream."</p> + +<p>"So it would seem, Dick. Well, you boys mustn't expect too easy work o' +it. A big treasure aint picked up every day."</p> + +<p>"The trouble of it is, we don't know how much of a treasure it is," said +Tom. "For all we know, it may be but a few hundred dollars—not enough +to pay us, really, for our trouble."</p> + +<p>"Well, even a few hundred dollars aint to be sneezed at."</p> + +<p>"We did much better out West, when we located our mining claim," said +Dick. "But then we came up here for fun as much as for treasure."</p> + +<p>The tramp to where the next stream leading from Bear Pond was located +was by no means easy. They had to crawl around a tangled mass of +brushwood and over more rough rocks, until they gained the bosom of the +pond itself. Then they skirted the shore for several hundred yards.</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" cried Dick suddenly. "Rabbits!" And up came his gun, and he +blazed away. Sam also fired, and between them they brought down four +rabbits, which had just run out of a hollow log a short distance ahead.</p> + +<p>"Good shots!" cried the guide enthusiastically. "Couldn't have been +better. I see you are used to hunting. Many a city chap would have +missed 'em entirely. I had one feller up here year before last wanted to +bring down big game, but when he saw a deer he got the shakes and didn't +think of shootin' till the game was out o' sight."</p> + +<p>The four rabbits were plump and heavy, and the boys shouldered them with +much satisfaction. Then the onward course was resumed, until Dick again +called a halt.</p> + +<p>"Here is where we'll make trial No. 2," he said. "Now see if any of you +can locate the blasted tree in this neighborhood."</p> + +<p>All began to search around in various directions, and presently Sam let +out a call.</p> + +<p>"Here's a fallen tree!"</p> + +<p>"Struck by lightning?" queried Dick.</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that. Perhaps Mr. Barrow can tell us."</p> + +<p>The others walked over, and the guide cleared the snow from the upper +end of the fallen timber.</p> + +<p>"Not much signs of being struck by anything but the wind," he announced. +"Still, I aint sure."</p> + +<p>"We'll try from this point, anyway," said Tom. "No use of missing any +chance, however small." And on this the others agreed.</p> + +<p>Once again they began to pace off the ground as before. Here the task +was as difficult as ever, as they had to pass through some timber +thickly intergrown with brush.</p> + +<p>"I suppose in Goupert's time this timber was small," observed the guide.</p> + +<p>The tramping around was beginning to tire them, and soon Sam had to stop +to rest and get back his wind.</p> + +<p>"I feel like a regular snow-plow," he gasped. "Tell you what, it takes +the wind right out of a chap."</p> + +<p>"You rest while we go ahead," suggested Tom, but Sam did not wish to do +this.</p> + +<p>"Not much! If the treasure is going to be found, I want to be on deck!" +he cried.</p> + +<p>Presently they we're at it again, Dick pacing off the steps as carefully +as ever. They had still fifteen paces to go when John Barrow came to a +stop with a sniff of disgust.</p> + +<p>"Wrong ag'in!"</p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"This is leadin' us right out on the pond."</p> + +<p>"I declare, so it is!" murmured Dick. "We started due southwest, didn't +we?"</p> + +<p>"To a hair, lad. To tell the truth, I didn't take much to this trail +from the start. To my mind this stream is a new one. I think the next +outlet is one of the old-timers."</p> + +<p>Once more they held a consultation, and Tom asked how far it was to the +next stream.</p> + +<p>"Right over yonder rise o' ground," answered the guide. "But hadn't you +better wait till after dinner before ye tackle it?"</p> + +<p>Dick consulted his watch.</p> + +<p>"I declare! Quarter to twelve!" he exclaimed. "No wonder I'm feeling +hungry."</p> + +<p>"I was getting hungry myself," said Tom "But I wasn't going to be the +first to stop. What shall we do—go back to camp?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dick. "I don't like the idea of leaving Jasper Grinder there +all day alone."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," came from the other Rovers.</p> + +<p>John Barrow was asked to lead them back by the shortest route, and they +started quarter of an hour later, after all had had a chance to rest and +get back their wind.</p> + +<p>"I hope we get a chance at some deer while we are up here," remarked +Dick, as they turned back.</p> + +<p>"I'll take you to where there are deer, after this hunt is over," +replied John Barrow. "I know a famous spot, and it's not far, either."</p> + +<p>"Hark!" suddenly cried Tom. "What sort of a yelping is that?"</p> + +<p>All listened.</p> + +<p>"Wolves!" answered John Barrow. "There must be quite a pack of 'em, +too."</p> + +<p>"I suppose they get pretty hungry when there is such a deep snow," said +Tom.</p> + +<p>"They do. More'n likely some of 'em have scented our b'ar meat and they +want some."</p> + +<p>"If they are heading for camp, they'll give Jasper Grinder trouble," put +in Sam.</p> + +<p>He had scarcely spoken when they heard the report of a gun, followed by +a louder yelping than ever.</p> + +<p>"They've attacked him, true enough!" cried John Barrow.</p> + +<p>"Come on," said Dick. "The sooner we get back the better. Grinder may be +having a pile of trouble, and the wolves may tear all our things to +pieces if they get the chance."</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>JASPER GRINDER AND THE WOLVES.</h3> +<br> + +<p>Left to himself, Jasper Grinder piled the wood on the camp-fire and then +sat down to meditate on the turn affairs had taken.</p> + +<p>He was in a thoroughly sour frame of mind. To his way of thinking +everything had gone wrong, and he wondered how matters would terminate.</p> + +<p>"I was a fool to come out here, in the first place," he told himself. "I +ought to have known that Baxter had no sure thing of it. If I hadn't +fallen in with the Rovers, I would have frozen and starved to death. And +they don't want me; that's plainly to be seen."</p> + +<p>Had he felt able to do so, he would have packed a knapsack with +provisions and started oh his way down the river toward Timber Run. But +he did not know how far the settlement was away, and he was afraid to +trust himself alone in such a wilderness as confronted him on every +hand. He did not possess much money, but he would have given every +dollar to be safe back in the city again.</p> + +<p>He wondered if the Rovers would gain possession of the treasure before +the Baxter party came up, and also wondered what would happen should the +two parties come together. He had not been treated very well by Dan +Baxter, and so he hardly cared who came out on top in the struggle for +the treasure.</p> + +<p>"Whoever gets it will try to count me out," was the way he reasoned. +"I'm at the bottom of the heap, and likely to stay there for some time +to come."</p> + +<p>The time dragged slowly, and to occupy himself he began to cut more wood +for the fire. The task made him grit his teeth.</p> + +<p>"Got to work like a common woodchopper," he muttered. "It's a shame!"</p> + +<p>He was just dragging the last of the wood up to the fire when a sudden +yelping broke upon his ears. Looking up, he saw a lone wolf standing at +the edge of the timber, gazing fixedly at him.</p> + +<p>"A wolf!" he muttered, and his face grew pale. "Scat!" And he waved his +hand threateningly.</p> + +<p>The wolf disappeared behind some brush, but did not go far. Sitting +down, it let out the most dismal howls imaginable, which soon brought a +dozen or more other wolves to the scene. Then all of the pack came into +view, much to Jasper Grinder's horror.</p> + +<p>"They want to eat me up!" he groaned, and ran for the nearest tree, +which was close to the shelter. "Oh, I must get away, somehow!"</p> + +<p>He clutched at the tree and began to climb with all possible-speed. His +gun lay close at hand, but in his haste he forgot to pick it up. Once in +the tree he sat down on a limb, a perfect picture of misery.</p> + +<p>Seeing the man retreat the wolves at once became bolder, and keeping a +safe distance from the fire, they drew up in a circle around the tree +upon which Jasper Grinder rested, and from which hung the bear meat. At +one point under the tree there was a spot covered with bear's blood, and +this blood several of the wolves licked up in a manner to make the +former teacher's own blood run cold.</p> + +<p>"If they get at me they'll chew me up, I know they will," he moaned. +"Oh, why did I ever come out in this savage waste!"</p> + +<p>Sitting in a circle, the wolves lifted their heads and howled dismally. +Two came to the tree and scratched the bark, as if to attempt climbing.</p> + +<p>"Go away! Go away!" shrieked Jasper Grinder. "Scat! Go away!"</p> + +<p>The wolves left the tree-trunk, but did not go away. Instead one after +another began to leap up, trying to reach the meat which hung so +temptingly above them. One or two prowled among the stores, tearing +this and that, and picking up the scraps of the morning meal.</p> + +<p>In this fashion half an hour went by, and it is safe to state that this +was the longest and most trying half hour that Jasper Grinder +experienced in his whole life. He shouted at the wolves and threw bits +of sticks at them, but to this they paid no attention. Then he cried for +help, but the Rovers and John Barrow were too far off to hear him.</p> + +<p>"If I only had the gun, I could fire it as a signal," he said to +himself. "Why did I not bring it up with me?"</p> + +<p>He wondered if he could pull the gun up by means of a string he found in +his pocket, and resolved to try. Making a loop in one end of the string +he lowered it with care, until it rested close to the gun, and then he +did his best to slide the string along under the barrel. This was +comparatively easy, for the barrel was tilted up against a rock.</p> + +<p>The wolves watched the maneuvering with interest, and no sooner did the +gun begin to shift than three leaped forward, snarling angrily. One +snapped at the barrel of the piece, one at the butt, and a third at the +trigger. An instant later came the report heard by the Rovers and John +Barrow.</p> + +<p>The shot was almost a deadly one, not alone for two of the wolves, but +also for Jasper Grinder, who was not expecting the gun to go off. The +piece was loaded with buckshot, which tore through the sides of two of +the beasts, and then passed upward into the tree-branches, taking the +former school-teacher in the left shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I'm shot!" gasped Jasper Grinder, and almost fell from his perch. But +he managed to save himself, and hung in a crotch, weak and almost +helpless, the blood flowing freely and dripping to the ground, where the +wolves licked it up eagerly. A few had retreated at the report of the +gun, but now all came back, snarling and yelping more wildly than ever.</p> + +<p>It must be confessed that Jasper Grinder's position was truly +unfortunate. The loss of blood was fast rendering him unconscious, and +he was in mortal terror of dropping down and being devoured.</p> + +<p>"Help!" he called feebly. "Help! For the love of Heaven, help me!"</p> + +<p>Just as his senses were leaving him he heard a distant cry, and looking +in that direction, saw John Barrow and Dick approaching, followed by Tom +and Sam.</p> + +<p>"The wolves have Grinder treed," cried the guide. "I'll give 'em +something to remember us by!"</p> + +<p>He had a double-barreled shotgun, and he let drive twice in quick +succession, firing into two groups of the beasts, and killing two and +wounding several others. Then Dick fired, bringing down another. Tom and +Sam also discharged their pieces, and added three others to the dead or +dying.</p> + +<p>This slaughter was too much for the remaining wolves, hungry as they +were, and in a twinkle they ran off into the timber, howling dismally.</p> + +<p>"They won't come back," was John Barrow's comment. "They have learned to +respect us." And he was right, the wolves bothered them no more.</p> + +<p>While the guide was busy finishing the beast which had been too much +hurt to retreat, the boys turned their attention to Jasper Grinder. They +saw he had fainted, and noticed the blood dripping from his shoulder. +His body was slowly leaving the tree crotch where it had rested.</p> + +<p>"He's coming! Catch him!" cried Sam, and as the unconscious man came +down they did what they could to break his fall. Fortunately he landed +in the deep snow, so the fall proved of small consequence.</p> + +<p>"He's shot, that's what's the matter with him," said Dick, after an +examination. "Who fired at him? I'm certain none of us did."</p> + +<p>The question could not be answered. Bringing out a blanket, they placed +Jasper Grinder upon it, close to the fire, and John Barrow made an +examination of the wound, picking out a couple of the loose buckshot.</p> + +<p>"He was probably shot from his own gun," said the guide. "More than +likely he dropped the piece from the tree, and it went off when it +struck the ground."</p> + +<p>They bound up the wound carefully, and did all they could for the +sufferer. Then, while Dick watched over Jasper Grinder, the others got +rid of the wolves' carcasses by dragging them into the timber, and then +set to work to prepare the midday meal.</p> + +<p>It was fully an hour before Jasper Grinder was able to speak, and then +he could say but little. But he explained how it was that he had been +shot. He wanted to know if the wolves had been driven off, and begged +that they would not leave him alone again.</p> + +<p>"We'll stay by you, now you are down," said Dick sympathetically. "We +are not brutes, even though we haven't any great love for you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I'll not forget your kindness," returned Jasper Grinder, and +for once it must be admitted that he meant what he said.</p> + +<p>The wounded man could eat no solid food, so they prepared for him some +broth made from bear's meat, which was very strengthening. After another +examination John Barrow was of the opinion that the wound was not a +dangerous one, but that the man would have to keep quiet for several +days or a week.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to take turns at watching him," said Dick. "It's too bad, +but I see no other way out of it."</p> + +<p>They drew lots, and it fell to Sam to remain with the patient during the +afternoon. An hour later Dick, Tom, and the guide set off to look once +more for the treasure.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm tired enough to stay here and rest," said Sam. "That walking +this morning played me out completely."</p> + +<p>There was not much to do, since Jasper Grinder had brought in sufficient +wood to last for a day or two. For an hour Sam rested and watched the +former teacher, who had fallen into a doze. Then the youngest Rover set +to work to improve the shelter, doing several things which the guide had +suggested.</p> + +<p>The youth was hard at work patching up one side of the improvised hut +when he heard a movement in the brushwood not far away. Fearing some +wild animal he ran for his gun, but ere he could reach the firearm a +voice arrested him.</p> + +<p>"Stop, Sam Rover, stop!"</p> + +<p>The voice was that of Dan Baxter, and an instant later the bully came +into view, rifle in hand, and followed by Bill Harney.</p> + +<p>"What do you want here, Baxter?" demanded Sam, as coolly as he could, +although the situation by no means pleased him.</p> + +<p>"Are you alone?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Who is with you?"</p> + +<p>"What business is that of yours?"</p> + +<p>"I'm making it my business."</p> + +<p>"I reckon he's alone, right enough," put in Bill Harney. "I don't see +anybody else around."</p> + +<p>The big guide rushed forward, and knocking down Sam's gun placed his +foot upon it.</p> + +<p>"Give me my gun!"</p> + +<p>"Not so fast, my bantam!" cried the guide. "Baxter, reckon ye had better +look into the shack and see what's there."</p> + +<p>The bully did as requested. On seeing Jasper Grinder, he started back.</p> + +<p>"Grinder!"</p> + +<p>"Who calls?" asked the wounded man, and opened his eyes. "So it is you, +Dan Baxter. What do you want?"</p> + +<p>"What did you desert us for, Grinder?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't desert you. I got lost, and they found me, half starved and +frozen. Now I am wounded. Are you in possession of this camp? Where are +the Rovers?"</p> + +<p>"Sam is here. I don't know anything about the others. Have they found +that treasure yet?"</p> + +<p>"No. They went off to look for it." Jasper Grinder tried to go on, but +fell back exhausted and could say no more.</p> + +<p>"Here's a queer go!" muttered the former bully of Putnam Hall. "I +suppose they shot Grinder. If they did, they ought to suffer for it. I +guess—Hullo, what's up out there?"</p> + +<p>A scuffle outside of the shelter had reached his ears. Bill Harney had +been standing close to some firewood, and without warning Sam had rushed +at the big guide and sent him sprawling backward.</p> + +<p>"Hi! stop him!" yelled the guide, as he started to struggle to his feet. +But before he could get up, Sam had taken time by the forelock and +disappeared into the timber skirting the pond.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH—CONCLUSION.</h3> +<br> + +<p>When Sam escaped from big Bill Harney he had but one purpose in view, +and that was to reach Dick and the others just as soon as possible and +acquaint them with the turn affairs had taken.</p> + +<p>He had a fairly good idea of the direction the others had taken, and +knew that their tracks in the snow would be plain to follow. The main +thing at the start was to keep out of sight of the enemy.</p> + +<p>In doing this, he had not only to avoid Harney and Baxter, but also +Husty, providing that individual was anywhere around, which was +probable. Consequently, although he traveled as fast as the deep snow +permitted, he kept a sharp lookout on every side.</p> + +<p>The youth soon circled the lower shore of Bear Pond, and he found the +trail he was seeking. It led directly to the westward, and he followed +it up, almost on a run.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Dick, Tom, and John Barrow had journeyed to the third +outlet of the lake, the stream which the guide thought must be the +original of Perch River. Here, after a good deal of trouble, the party +located what looked like the stump of a tree once struck by lightning.</p> + +<p>"We've found it at last!" cried Dick. "I feel it in my bones that we are +on the right track!"</p> + +<p>Again they measured off the distance with care, and now came to a large +flat rock, behind which was another, unusually sharp.</p> + +<p>"The flat rock!" muttered Tom, and his heart began to thump wildly. +"Dick, you're right. We are on the right track. If the treasure isn't +here, it's been taken away."</p> + +<p>They had brought along a pick and a crowbar, and now all set to work to +clear away the snow, and then the dirt from around the pointed rock. The +ground was hard, and at first they made but slow progress.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'll have to build a fire, to thaw out the ground," suggested +John Barrow.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that will take too long," said Tom. "I wonder if we can't turn the +rock over?"</p> + +<p>With the crowbar and the pick wedged against the flat rock they pushed +upon the pointed rock with all the force at their command. Several times +the tools slipped, but at last they held, and slowly the pointed rock +went up, until with a thud it rolled over and several feet away.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah, a hole full of small stones!" cried Dick, and leaped down to +pick the stones out. Tom followed, and so did the guide.</p> + +<p>"Dick! Tom! Hullo! hullo!" came the unexpected cry from a short distance +away.</p> + +<p>"Who is that calling?" demanded Dick.</p> + +<p>"It's Sam," replied the guide, looking up. "He's coming here as fast as +he can track it."</p> + +<p>"Then something is wrong," said Dick, and for the moment the treasure +was forgotten.</p> + +<p>It did not take Sam long to reach them. He was so out of breath that for +several minutes he was unable to talk connectedly. At last he gasped +out:</p> + +<p>"Dan Baxter and that big guide—they attacked me and I ran away. +They—they are in possession of our traps."</p> + +<p>"Baxter!" ejaculated Dick. "That's the worst yet. They'll steal all our +things and leave us to starve!"</p> + +<p>"We might as well go right after them," put in John Barrow.</p> + +<p>"Oh, say, let's unearth this treasure first," pleaded Tom. "If we leave +that, Baxter may follow up our tracks, as Sam did, and take it from +under our very noses."</p> + +<p>"Tom is right—get the treasure first," said Dick.</p> + +<p>Once more they set to work, Sam watching them while trying to get back +his breath and strength. Soon the last of the loose stones were removed +from the hole, and they came upon a thin metallic slab having in the +center a small ring. They pulled the slab up and disclosed a small +square opening, in the middle of which rested a metallic box, about a +foot and a half square and a foot in depth. The box was so heavy they +could scarcely budge it.</p> + +<p>"The treasure at last!" came from all of the boys.</p> + +<p>"Putty heavy, no mistake about that," was John Barrow's comment. "If +it's silver it's wuth considerable!"</p> + +<p>"We must get it out somehow," said Dick, who was as excited as anyone. +"Let's get the crowbar under it."</p> + +<p>This suggestion was carried out, and after a good deal of trouble the +box was brought up out of the hole. Beneath it lay an iron key, which +fitted the rusty lock of the treasure casket. Soon they had the box +open, and all gazed intently inside.</p> + +<p>"Gold and silver!" shouted Tom. "See, the gold is on top, and looks as +if it had been put in some time after the silver. Wonder what the stuff +is worth?"</p> + +<p>"Some thousand dollars, that's sure," said Dick.</p> + +<p>Now that the treasure was found the boys scarcely knew what to do with +it. Then the guide came forward with a suggestion.</p> + +<p>"We'll hide it in the snow for the present. Then the Baxter crowd won't +know where it is. The empty hole will throw 'em off the scent."</p> + +<p>A nearby place was readily found, and into this the box was placed and +the snow was thrown loosely over it. This accomplished, they started +back for the camp with all possible speed.</p> + +<p>It was a long tramp, and although he did his best Sam lagged behind.</p> + +<p>"You go on, don't mind me," said the youngest Rover. "Only keep them +from running off with our goods."</p> + +<p>It was a good half hour before the camp was reached. When they came in +sight of the spot it looked deserted.</p> + +<p>"We may as well go slow," cautioned John Barrow. "There may be some sort +of a trap set for us."</p> + +<p>They advanced with their guns ready for use, but nobody appeared, and +presently they stood close to the camp-fire. Then Dick ran into the +shelter, to find Jasper Grinder lying as Sam had left him.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grinder, where is the Baxter crowd?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Gone, half an hour ago," replied the wounded man.</p> + +<p>"Where did they go to?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. They said something about following you up and spying on +you, to see if you had found the treasure."</p> + +<p>"Creation!" ejaculated Dick, and ran outside again. "We've made a mess +of it!" he said. "They followed us up, and more than likely they've got +the treasure box this minute!"</p> + +<p>It was found that but little in the camp had been disturbed, excepting +that Sam's gun had been taken off. What to do was now the question. Sam +could not walk further.</p> + +<p>"Better stay here," said Dick. "If the Baxter crowd comes back, you can +hide."</p> + +<p>Then he, Tom, and John Barrow set out to return to where the treasure +had been left. They were still some distance away when they discovered +Dan Baxter, Bill Harney, and Lemuel Husty making their way along the +snow-covered trail. In a few minutes they came up to the party.</p> + +<p>"Baxter, where are you bound?" demanded Dick, striding up.</p> + +<p>"You know well enough."</p> + +<p>"We are after thet treasure," came from Harney, and it was plain to see +that he and Husty had been drinking heavily.</p> + +<p>"The treasure is ours, Baxter, and you can't touch it."</p> + +<p>"It will belong to whoever finds it," growled the bully.</p> + +<p>"That's right," came from Husty. "Whoever gits it, owns it. Eh, Harney?"</p> + +<p>"Plain truth, that is," hiccoughed the big guide.</p> + +<p>"In that case, it is ours for sure," grinned Dick. "We have it already."</p> + +<p>At this announcement Dan Baxter staggered back.</p> + +<p>"It—it aint true; you're joking," he faltered.</p> + +<p>"It is true, Baxter. Come, I will show you where the treasure was +hidden—if that will do you any good. Here is the description." And Dick +brought it forth and let the bully read it.</p> + +<p>"Where's the tree?" demanded Baxter.</p> + +<p>"There is the tree, and over yonder is the rock. We turned it over and +found the treasure, just as we anticipated. It's ours, and I am simply +telling you this to save you the trouble of looking further for it. Dan +Baxter, you have played this game to a finish with your companions, and +you have lost."</p> + +<p>If ever there was a disappointed and angry individual, it was Dan +Baxter. He raved and said all sorts of uncomplimentary things, and Husty +and Harney joined in, until John Barrow told all of them to shut up or +he would have the law on them.</p> + +<p>"You had no right to make prisoners of Tom and Sam," he said. "But if +you'll behave yourselves, and not bother us in the future, we'll let +that pass."</p> + +<p>To this Husty, who was a thorough sneak, consented at once, and then +Bill Harney did the same. Baxter remained silent.</p> + +<p>"You've defeated me this time," he said, at last. "But, remember, I am +not done with you."</p> + +<p>A little later Baxter moved off, and Bill Harney and Lemuel Husty went +with him. It was the last that the Rovers saw of their enemies for a +long while to come.</p> + +<p>A few words more and we will bring to a close this story of the Rover +boys' adventures in the mountains.</p> + +<p>Our friends found it no easy matter to get the heavy treasure box safely +to camp. In order to move it, they had to construct a drag of a treelimb +and hook a rope to this, and then it was all they could do to move it +along through the deep snow.</p> + +<p>When they got the box into camp they lost no time in examining the +treasure. The gold and silver amounted to twenty-five hundred dollars, +and there were diamonds and other precious stones worth nearly as much +more.</p> + +<p>"About five thousand dollars, all told," announced Dick. "That is not +such a bad haul, after all."</p> + +<p>As there was now nothing more to look for, our friends spent ten days in +the camp, taking it easy most of the time, and spending a day in getting +back the missing sled. They went hunting twice, and the second time out +Dick got a fine shot at a deer, and brought down the creature without +trouble. Tom and Sam brought down considerable small game, and all voted +the outing a complete success, despite the interference occasioned by +their enemies.</p> + +<p>At the end of the ten days Jasper Grinder was able to walk around, +although still weak. In the meantime John Barrow had constructed a sled +for the former school-teacher to sit upon, and on this he rode when they +started on the return to Timber Run.</p> + +<p>When the settlement was gained the Laning girls, Mrs. Barrow, and Addie +were glad to see them back, and delighted to learn of the treasure and +its value. They said they had heard of Baxter and his followers, but +that all of the party had left Timber Run for parts unknown.</p> + +<p>"Well, we don't want to see them again," said Dick. "We've had quite +enough of all of them." At Timber Run Jasper Grinder left them, and the +Rovers saw no more of him for many days.</p> + +<p>The home-coming of the Rover boys was a day long to be remembered. +There was a regular party given at the country home, at which many of +their friends were present. The Laning girls were there, and also Dora +Stanhope, and Larry, Fred, George, and a host of others, not forgetting +Captain Putnam himself, who came upon a special invitation sent by Mr. +Anderson Rover. Alexander Pop waited upon the table as usual, his face +beaming with pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Jes tell yo', yo' can't down dem Rober boys nohow," said the colored +man to Captain Putnam. "Da is jes like apples in a tub—yo' shoves 'em +under, an' up da pops, bright as eber." And the owner of Putnam Hall +laughingly agreed with Alexander.</p> + +<p>"I trust that you will never be troubled by Dan Baxter again," said Dora +Stanhope to Dick, after he had told her the story of the treasure hunt.</p> + +<p>"I trust so myself," replied Dick. "But he's like a bad cent, sure to +turn up when not wanted." Dick told the truth. How Dan Baxter turned up, +and what he did to bring the Rovers more trouble, will be told in +another volume, to be entitled, "The Rover Boys on Land and Sea; or, The +Crusoes of Seven Islands," a tale full of happenings far out of the +ordinary.</p> + +<p>But for the time being troubles were of the past, and here let us leave +our friends, shouting as did the pupils from the Hall when the party +broke up:</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for the Rover Boys! Hip, hip, hurrah!"</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr> +<p><b>The Famous Rover Boys Series</b></p> + +<p>By ARTHUR W. WINFIELD</p> + +<p>Each volume is hailed with delight by boys and girls everywhere +12mo. Cloth. Handsomely printed and illustrated.</p> + +<p><b>Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid.</b></p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST +Or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune. +Old enemies try again to injure our friends.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE +Or, The Right Road and the Wrong +Brimming over with good nature and excitement.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE +Or, The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht +A search for treasure; a particularly fascinating volume.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM +Or, The Last Days at Putnam Hall +The boys find a mysterious cave used by freight thieves.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS +Or, The Deserted Steam Yacht +A trip to the coast of Florida.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS +Or, The Mystery of Red Rock Ranch +Relates adventures on the mighty Mississippi River.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER +Or, The Search for the Missing Houseboat +The Ohio River is the theme of this spirited story.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP +Or, The Rivals of Pine Island +At the annual school encampment.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA +Or, The Crusoes of Seven Islands +Full of strange and surprising adventures.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS +Or, A Hunt for Fame and Fortune +The boys in the Adirondacks at a Winter camp.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES +Or, The Secret of the Island Cave +A story of a remarkable Summer outing; full of fun.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST +Or, The Search for a Lost Mine +A graphic description of the mines of the great Rockies.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE +Or, Stirring Adventures in Africa +The boys journey to the Dark Continent in search of their father.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN +Or, A Chase for a Fortune +From school to the Atlantic Ocean.</p> + +<p>THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL +Or, The Cadets of Putnam Hall +The doings of Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover.</p> + +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP—NEW YORK</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr> + +<p>The Putnam Hall Series</p> + +<p>Companion Stories to the Famous Rover Boys Series</p> + +<p>By ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</p> + +<p>Open-air pastimes have always been popular with boys, and +should always be encouraged, as they provide healthy recreation +both for the body and the mind. These books mingle adventure +and fact, and will appeal to every manly boy. +12mo. Handsomely printed and illustrated.</p> + +<p><b>Price, 60 Cents Per Volume, Postpaid.</b></p> + +<p>THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT +Or, The Secret of the Old Mill</p> + +<p>A story full of vim and vigor, telling what the cadets did during +the summer encampment. *** and among other things their +visit to a mysterious old mill, said to be haunted. The book has +a wealth of healthy fun in it.</p> + +<p>THE PUTNAM HALL REBELLION +Or, The Rival Runaways</p> + +<p>The boys had good reasons for running away during Captain +Putnam's absence. They had plenty of fun, and several queer adventures.</p> + +<p>THE PUTNAM HALL CHAMPIONS +Or, Bound to Win Out</p> + +<p>In this new tale the Putnam Hall Cadets show what they can +do in various keen rivalries on the athletic field and elsewhere. +There is one victory which leads to a most unlooked-for discovery.</p> + +<p>THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS +Or, Good Times in School and Out</p> + +<p>The cadets are lively, flesh-and-blood fellows, bound to make +friends from the start. There are some keen rivalries, in school +and out, and something is told of a remarkable midnight feast and +a hazing that had an unlocked for ending.</p> + +<p>THE PUTNAM HALL RIVALS +Or, Fun and Sport Afloat and Ashore</p> + +<p>It is a lively, rattling, breezy story of school life in this country, +written by one who knows all about its ways, its snowball fights, +its baseball matches, its pleasures and its perplexities, its glorious +excitements its rivalries, and its chilling disappointments.</p> + +<p><b>Other Volumes in Preparation.</b></p> + +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP—NEW YORK</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr> +<p>THE RISE IN LIFE SERIES</p> + +<p><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></p> + +<p>These are Copyrighted Stories which cannot be obtained else +where. They are the stories last written by this famous author.</p> + +<p>12mo. Handsomely printed and illustrated. Bound in cloth, +stamped in colored inks.</p> + +<p><b>Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid,</b></p> + +<p>THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT +Or, Frank Hardy's Road to Success +A plain but uncommonly interesting tale of everyday life, describing +the ups and downs of a boy book-agent.</p> + +<p>FROM FARM TO FORTUNE: Or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience +Nat was a poor country lad. Work on the farm was hard, and after a +quarrel with his uncle, with whom he resided, he struck out for himself.</p> + +<p>OUT FOR BUSINESS: Or, Robert Frost's Strange Career +Relates the adventures of a country boy who is compelled to leave home +and seek his fortune in the great world at large. How he wins success +We must leave to the reader to discover.</p> + +<p>FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE +Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary +This is a companion tale to "Out for Business," but complete in itself, +and tells of the further doings of Robert Frost as private secretary.</p> + +<p>YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK: Or, The Son of a Soldier +The scene is laid in the South during the Civil War, and the hero is a +waif who was cast up by the sea and adopted by a rich Southern planter.</p> + +<p>NELSON THE NEWSBOY: Or, Afloat in New York +Mr. Alger is always at his best in the portrayal of life in New York City, +and this story is among the best he has given our young readers.</p> + +<p>LOST AT SEA: Or, Robert Roscoe's Strange Cruise +A sea story of uncommon interest. The hero falls in with a strange +derelict—a ship given over to the wild animals of a menagerie.</p> + +<p>JERRY, THE BACKWOODS BOY +Or, The Parkhurst Treasure +Depicts life on a farm of New York State. The mystery of the treasure +will fascinate every boy. Jerry is a character well worth knowing.</p> + +<p>RANDY OF THE RIVER +Or, The Adventures of a Young Deckhand +Life on a river steamboat is not so romantic as some young people may +imagine. There is hard work, and plenty of it, and the remuneration is +not of the best. But Randy Thompson wanted work and took what was +offered. His success in the end was well deserved, and perhaps the lesson +his doings teach will not be lost upon those who peruse these pages.</p> + +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP,—NEW YORK</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr> +<p><b>The Flag of Freedom Series</b></p> + +<p>By CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL. +A favorite Line of American Stories for American Boys. +Every volume complete in itself, and handsomely illustrated. +12mo. Bound in cloth. Stamped in Colors.</p> + +<p><b>Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid</b></p> + +<p>WITH CUSTER IN THE BLACK HILLS +Or, A Young Scout among the Indians. +Tells of the remarkable experiences of a youth who, with his parents, +goes to the Black Hills in search of gold. Custer's last battle is well +described. A volume every lad fond of Indian stories should possess.</p> + +<p>BOYS OF THE FORT +Or, A Young Captain's Pluck. +This story of stirring doings at one of our well-known forts in the +Wild West is of more than ordinary interest. The young captain had a +difficult task to accomplish, but he had been drilled to do his duty, and +does it thoroughly. Gives a good insight into army life of to-day.</p> + +<p>THE YOUNG BANDMASTER +Or, Concert, Stage, and Battlefield. +The hero is a youth with a passion for music, who becomes a cornetist +in an orchestra, and works his way up to the leadership of a brass band. +He is carried off to sea and falls in with a secret service cutter bound +for Cuba, and while there joins a military band which accompanies our +soldiers in the never-to-be-forgotten attack on Santiago.</p> + +<p>OFF FOR HAWAII +Or, The Mystery of a Great Volcano. +Here we have fact and romance cleverly interwoven. Several boys +start on a tour of the Hawaiian Islands. They have heard that there is a +treasure located in the vicinity of Kilauea, the largest active volcano in +the world, and go in search of it. Their numerous adventures will be +followed with much interest.</p> + +<p>A SAILOR BOY WITH DEWEY +Or, Afloat in the Philippines. +The story of Dewey's victory in Manila Bay will never grow old, but +I here we have it told in a new form—as it appeared to a real, live +American youth who was in the navy at the time. Many adventures in +Manila and in the interior follow, give true-to-life scenes from this +portion of the globe.</p> + +<p>WHEN SANTIAGO FELL +Or, the War Adventures of Two Chums. +Two boys, an American and his Cuban chum, leave New York to +join their parents in the interior of Cuba. The war between Spain and +the Cubans is on, and the boys are detained at Santiago, but escape by +crossing the bay at night. Many adventures between the lines follow, and +a good pen-picture of General Garcia is given.</p> + +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP,—NEW YORK</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr> +<p><b>The Frontier Series</b></p> + +<p>Stories of Early American Exploration and Adventure for Boys.</p> + +<p>By CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL</p> +<p>The Historical Background Is Absolutely Correct.</p> + +<p>12 mo. Well printed and well illustrated. Handsomely +bound in cloth, stamped in Colors.</p> + +<p><b>Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid.</b></p> + +<p>PIONEER BOYS OF THE GOLD FIELDS +Or, The Nugget Hunters of '49 +A tale complete in itself, giving the particulars of the great +rush of the gold seekers to California in 1849. In the party +making its way across the continent are three boys, one from +the country, another from the city, and a third just home +from a long voyage on a whaling ship. They become chums, +and share in no end of adventures.</p> + +<p>PIONEER BOYS OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST +Or, With Lewis and Clark Across the Rockies +A splendid story describing in detail the great expedition +formed under the leadership of Lewis and Clark, and telling +what was done by the pioneer boys who were first to penetrate +the wilderness of the northwest and push over the +Rocky Mountains. The book possesses a permanent historical +value and the story should be known by every bright +American boy.</p> + +<p>WITH BOONE ON THE FRONTIER +Or, The Pioneer Boys of Old Kentucky +Relates the true-to-life adventures of two boys who, in +company with their folks, move westward with Daniel +Boone. Contains many thrilling scenes among the Indians +and encounters with wild animals. It is excellently told.</p> + +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP,—NEW YORK</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr> +<p><b>The Great Newspaper Series</b> BY HOWARD R. GARIS</p> + +<p>The author is a practiced journalist, and these stories convey +a true picture of the workings of a great newspaper.</p> + +<p>12mo. Well printed and finely illustrated.</p> + +<p><b>Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid,</b></p> + +<p>FROM OFFICE BOY TO REPORTER +Or, The First Step in Journalism</p> + +<p>LARRY DEXTER, REPORTER +Or, Strange Adventures in a Great City</p> + +<p>LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH +Or, The Hunt for a Missing Millionaire</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr> +<p><b>The Deep Sea Series</b> BY ROY ROCKWOOD</p> + +<p>No manly boy ever grew tired of sea stories—there is a +fascination about them, and they area recreation to the mind.</p> + +<p>12mo. Handsomely printed and illustrated.</p> + +<p><b>Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid.</b></p> + +<p>ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC +Or, The Secret of the Island Cave</p> + +<p>THE CRUISE OF THE TREASURE SHIP +Or, The Castaways of Floating Island</p> + +<p>THE RIVAL OCEAN DIVERS +Or, The Search for a Sunken Treasure</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr> + +<p><b>The Railroad Series</b> BY ALLEN CHAPMAN</p> + +<p>Ralph is determined to be a "railroad man." He starts in +at the foot of the ladder; but is full of manly pluck and +"wins out." Boys will be greatly interested in his career.</p> + +<p>12mo. Handsomely printed and illustrated.</p> + +<p><b>Price, 60 Cents per Volume. Postpaid.</b></p> + +<p>RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS +Or, the Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer +A clean cut picture of railroading of to-day.</p> + +<p>RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE +Or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man</p> + +<p>RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER +Or, Clearing the Track</p> + +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP—NEW YORK</p> + +<br> +<br> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13455 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |