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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19743-h.zip b/19743-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8f551e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/19743-h.zip diff --git a/19743-h/19743-h.htm b/19743-h/19743-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..94d6e37 --- /dev/null +++ b/19743-h/19743-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8554 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Outdoor Chums at Cabin Point, by Captain Quincy Allen + </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 */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + .hr1 { width: 65%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + a[name] { position:absolute; } + a:link {color:#0000ff; background-color:#FFFFFF; + text-decoration:none; } + a:visited {color:#0000ff; background-color:#FFFFFF; + text-decoration:none; } + a:hover { color:#ff0000; background-color:#FFFFFF; } + + table { width:80%; padding: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + .tocch { text-align: right; vertical-align: top;} + .tocpg {text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;} + ul { list-style-type: none; margin-left:10em; } + li { padding-bottom:0.25em; padding-top:0.25em; } + .f1 { font-size:smaller; } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + font-style:normal; + } /* page numbers */ + + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Chums at Cabin Point, by Quincy Allen + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Outdoor Chums at Cabin Point + or The Golden Cup Mystery + +Author: Quincy Allen + +Release Date: November 9, 2006 [EBook #19743] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Sankar Viswanathan, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS<br /> + +AT CABIN POINT</h1> + +<h3>OR</h3> + +<h1>The Golden Cup Mystery</h1> +<p> </p> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN</h2> + +<h4>AUTHOR OF "THE OUTDOOR CHUMS," "THE OUTDOOR<br /> +CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS," ETC. +</h4> +<p> </p> + +<p class="center"><img src="images/image_01.jpg" alt="Seal" width="250" height="138" /></p> +<p> </p> +<h4><i>The</i></h4> +<h2>GOLDSMITH</h2> +<h3>Publishing Co.</h3> +<h3>CLEVELAND OHIO</h3> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + +<p class="center f1"><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1916, BY<br /> + +GROSSET & DUNLAP +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr><td class="tocch f1">CHAPTER</td> + <td></td> + <td></td><td class="tocpg f1">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">I</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">On the Way to Camp</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">II</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">A Cool Customer</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">III</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Taking Possession</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">IV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">As Busy as Beavers</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">V</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">A Call for Help</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">VI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">The Home of the Osprey</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">VII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">The Chained Door</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">VIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">When the Flashlight Trap Worked</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">IX</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">The Foraging Party</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">X</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">Trespassers</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">In the Big Timber</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Caught in the Storm</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Taking a Bee-Line for Camp</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XIV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">The Return of the Voyagers</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Days of Real Sport</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XVI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Showing Bluff and Jerry</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_151">151</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XVII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">The Warning</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XVIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">The Accusation</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XIX</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Repaying His Debt</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_184">184</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XX</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">Groping in the Dark</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_193">193</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XXI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">An Unexpected Appeal</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XXII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">First Aid to the Injured</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XXIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">A Light in the Window</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XXIV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">The Mystery Solved</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XXV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">Conclusion</a></span></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_236">236</a></td></tr> +</table> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT<br /> +CABIN POINT</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>ON THE WAY TO CAMP</h3> + + +<p>"We're going into the woods light this time, +it seems, boys."</p> + +<p>"Remember, Bluff, we sent along most of our +stuff, such as blankets and grub, as also the cooking +outfit, in charge of old Anthony, the stage +driver."</p> + +<p>"That's a fact, Will, and he was to leave it at +the abandoned mine shaft, from which point we +expect to make pack horses of ourselves."</p> + +<p>"True for you, Jerry! And unless Frank here +has made a mistake in his reckoning we're due +to reach that hole in the ground before another +hour."</p> + +<p>"How about that, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"We'll fetch up there in less time than that +I reckon, fellows. To tell you the truth, it can't +be more than a mile away from here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bully for that! And after we get over the +peak of this rocky ridge we ought to be on the +down-grade most of the way."</p> + +<p>When Jerry Wallington gave expression to +his gratitude after this fashion, two of his companions +waved their hats as though he voiced +their sentiments. One of these boys was Will +Milton, and while he did not seem to be quite as +vigorous as his chums, still his active life during +the last two years had done much to build up +his strength. As for Bluff Masters, any one +could see from his looks that he had a constitution +of iron, while his face told of determination +bordering on obstinacy. The fourth member of +the little party tramping along this road leading +over the ridge was Frank Langdon. He was +a boy of many parts, able to take the lead in +most matters, and looked up to by his comrades.</p> + +<p>All of them lived in the town of Centerville, +where, on account of their love for the open and +for camp life, they had become known as the +"Outdoor Chums." Fortune had indeed been +kind to these four boys, and allowed them to +enjoy opportunities for real sport that come the +way of few lads.</p> + +<p>They had first called themselves the "Rod, +Gun and Camera Club," because their activities<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +in the woods partook of the nature of these several +branches of sport. Will was an ardent photographer, +and his work had received high praise. +Indeed, it was only recently that he had captured +a cash prize offered by a prominent newspaper +for the best collection of flashlight pictures of +wild animals in their native haunts.</p> + +<p>This had been accomplished only after the +most persistent and laborious efforts. It was +carried out during a delightful trip, taken by +the boys to the Maine country, where they met +with some exceedingly interesting adventures, all +of which were set down in the seventh volume of +this series, under the title of "The Outdoor +Chums in the Big Woods; Or, The Rival Hunters +of Lumber Run."</p> + +<p>Those readers who have followed the fortunes +of Frank and his three wide-awake comrades +in previous stories have of course come +to look on them as old friends, and need no +further introduction. As there may be some, +however, who are now making their acquaintance +for the first time it may be well to mention a +few things connected with their past, as well as +to explain why they were now bound for a new +camping ground in a region they had never before +visited.</p> + +<p>Naturally, they knew every foot of country<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +for many miles around Centerville. They had +roamed over Oak Ridge and the Sunset Mountains, +camped on Wildcat Island, situated in +Camelot Lake, and scoured the region roundabout.</p> + +<p>More than this, wonderful opportunities had +come to these boys to visit distant parts of the +States. On one occasion they had taken a trip +South, going to the Gulf of Mexico. Another +time it had been a visit to the Rocky Mountains +where they hunted big game. Then, on a houseboat +belonging to an eccentric uncle of Will's, +they voyaged down the great Mississippi River +to New Orleans, meeting with numerous adventures +on the way.</p> + +<p>When they returned home after their first year +at college, of course the regular question came +up immediately: "Where shall we go for the +next outing? because we must get into the woods +somehow, and live close to Nature for a spell, to +fish, and take pictures, and just forget all our +troubles."</p> + +<p>Many ideas were suggested, but it remained +for Bluff Masters to bring up the most catching +plan. By some means he had heard of a place +a good many miles away from their home town +where the big lake lay for many miles between +the hills.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> + +<p>Here he had been told by one who knew that +they would be apt to find the seclusion they +sought, since few people lived in that section of +country. Small game was plentiful enough to +give Will all the fun he wanted in laying his +traps, in order that raccoons and opossums and +foxes might be coaxed to snap off their own +pictures.</p> + +<p>Fishing ought to be good in the waters of the +inland sea, and all of them professed to be ardent +disciples of the hook and line. In fact, Bluff +laid out such an alluring programme that he +actually carried the others by storm.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, preparations were made to go +to the distant lake. Frank, as was his habit, did +everything in his power to pick up information +concerning the lay of the land. He even made +up a sort of map, based on what he was able +to learn, although frankly admitting that it might +prove faulty in many places. It was going to be +one of his personal tasks to rectify these mistakes, +and bring back an accurate chart of the +whole district.</p> + +<p>Besides being an ardent photographer, Will +had taken up the study of medicine, as he anticipated +some day being a physician. The boys +were in the habit of calling him "Doctor Will" at +times; and whenever there arose an occasion that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +called for his aid he was only too willing to +apply his knowledge of the healing art.</p> + +<p>Bluff Masters had perhaps been well named by +his boy friends for he was not only a frank sort +of boy, but there were many times when just +out of a desire to tease he would try to "bluff" +those with whom he chanced to be arguing.</p> + +<p>At the same time Bluff was a hearty boy, with +plenty of good nature, and was a favorite with +his companions. He and Jerry were both apt +to be a little boisterous, and to express their dislikes +rather forcibly, but the others knew their +little failings and paid small attention to them +as a rule.</p> + +<p>As they mentioned in their chatter while they +tramped along the rough up-hill road, they had +found a chance to send most of their camp outfit +ahead of them by the stage. It was to be left at +the shaft of the old abandoned mine, which they +had heard so much about, though of course had +never seen.</p> + +<p>After reaching that point they expected to +leave the road and plunge directly into the woods, +taking a short-cut for the big lake. Here they +had planned to search for an old cabin situated +on a point that stretched out into the beautiful +bay, and which Frank believed might serve them +in lieu of a tent; indeed, trusting to the informa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>tion +they had received, they had not bothered +to carry any canvas along with them on the trip.</p> + +<p>"What if that old cabin proves to be a myth +after all, Frank?" Bluff was asking as they +toiled along, with a wall of rock on one hand and +a dizzy precipice close on the other side.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'll be sorry about leaving out that +fine waterproof tent of ours," suggested Will, +who did not like to "rough it" quite so much as +did the others.</p> + +<p>"Shucks!" ejaculated Jerry, with fine scorn, +"what's the matter with our building a shelter +of logs, bark and driftwood on the shore of the +lake, if the worst strikes us? It wouldn't be the +first time we'd done such a thing either, eh, +Frank?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon we could do it without straining a +point," the other observed quietly. "But don't +borrow trouble, Bluff. Time enough to cross +your bridges when you get to them. That old +cabin stood there last summer, I was told, and +likely to hold out for a good many more seasons +unless some one should deliberately burn it +down."</p> + +<p>"Who would be apt to do such a silly thing as +that, tell me?" demanded Bluff.</p> + +<p>"I don't think any one would," Frank hastened +to reply; "but I've been told there's a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +peculiar old hermit living on an estate not a +great way distant from Cabin Point. He is said +to be a rich man, but seems to want to keep +away from his fellows, and has built a house up +here on his property."</p> + +<p>"You mean Aaron Dennison, of course, +Frank," said Will. "I was interested in what +we were told about him. He seems to be a +regular bear, and refuses to make friends with +anybody drifting up here."</p> + +<p>"The loggers over at Edmundson Cove tell +queer yarns of the things he has done," Frank +continued, with a faint smile; "and to own up to +the truth, I'm rather hoping we run across old +Aaron. He must be quite a character from all +we've heard, and somehow I've grown curious +about him."</p> + +<p>"And if I get half a chance," observed Will, +whose mind usually ran in the one channel, which +of course covered his hobby, "I mean to snap off +a picture of him. I've got a lot of freaks in my +collection, but nary a hermit nor a crank."</p> + +<p>"All I hope for," said Jerry, "is that he doesn't +try to make it unpleasant for us up here. For +one, I expect to give him a wide berth. These +hermits are not much to my fancy. You never +know what to expect from the lot. But, Frank, +after all, we're not the only fellows traveling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +along this mountain road. Look up ahead and +you'll see a chap hurrying this way."</p> + +<p>"He's not much older than any of us, it +seems," remarked Bluff, as all of them immediately +focussed their gaze on the figure that had +turned a bend in the rough road, and was hurriedly +advancing in a somewhat careless fashion.</p> + +<p>"He's carrying a bag just like my new one," +remarked Will, patting the article in question affectionately, +as though it contained something +which he valued very much.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't be surprised if he were heading +for that railroad station we struck a mile back," +suggested Frank. "It was only a flag station, +but trains stop there on signal most likely."</p> + +<p>"But where on earth could that natty young +fellow come from, do you think?" Will asked. +"I hope there isn't a camp of city boys up here +anywhere, because if that turned out to be the +case there'd be small chance for me to get the +pictures of game I'm hoping to strike."</p> + +<p>"He sees us now," remarked Jerry, "but is +coming along faster than ever. Perhaps he's running +away from something, for he looked back +just then over his shoulder."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and came near taking a nasty fall in the +bargain," commented Will, who had started with +sudden fear; "it strikes me he's a pretty careless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +sort of fellow. On a dangerous road like this +it pays to watch your step, as a fall might mean +a broken leg, or even worse. Oh! look there, +boys, he's stumbled again, and gone over the edge +of the precipice!"</p> + +<p>All of them stared in awe, for what Will called +out was only too true. The advancing figure +was no longer in sight, for upon making that +false step he had fallen to his knees, made a violent +effort to keep from slipping over the edge, +and then disappeared.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>A COOL CUSTOMER</h3> + + +<p>"Come on everybody!" shouted Jerry, starting +to run up the grade in his customary impetuous +way.</p> + +<p>The other three were close at his heels. All +were inspired by an eager desire to find out +whether the stranger had actually fallen all the +way down the face of that steep declivity, or had +managed to catch hold of some friendly projection.</p> + +<p>If the chums had felt tired before that thrilling +moment they quite forgot the circumstance in +their wild anxiety to learn what had happened to +the strange boy. Fortunately the spot where they +had last seen the other vanish was not far away, +and they soon came to the place.</p> + +<p>Jerry was already flat on his stomach and peering +over the edge when the other boys arrived. +Even before they could see for themselves his +shout announced that he had made an important +discovery.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He's hanging to a point of rock down there, +as sure as anything, Frank! Oh! how are we +going to get to him before his arms give way? +See how he's throwing his feet up, trying to ease +the strain, but there's nothing doing. Shall I +go down there after him, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you think of it, Jerry!" cried the +alarmed Will; "let Frank make up a plan. You'd +only tumble yourself, don't you know?"</p> + +<p>Frank Langdon had an exceedingly active +mind. He seemed to be able to grasp a situation +instantly, and to decide quickly the best thing to +do in an emergency.</p> + +<p>Even while running to the spot he had used his +eyes to advantage.</p> + +<p>"Wait for me!" was what he snapped as he +flung himself around.</p> + +<p>Bluff, twisting his head backwards, saw that +Frank was making for a tree that had been blown +down at some previous time. It chanced to be +close at hand, and in a dozen seconds the running +boy had gained the spot.</p> + +<p>Then Bluff gave a cry of mingled delight and +admiration.</p> + +<p>"It certainly takes Frank to hatch up a clever +scheme on the spur of the moment! He's dragging +that old wild grave-vine out from the wreck +of the tree!" was what Bluff exclaimed in an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +ecstasy of satisfaction. "Oh! why didn't he tell +me to go along with him? What if he can't manage +it alone?"</p> + +<p>Bluff was in the act of clambering to his feet +when Jerry halted him.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Bluff, for he's got it loose now, +and is whooping it up this way like everything. +If only that fellow can hold on a little longer +we'll pull him up O. K. Hey, down there, take +a fresh grip and stick fast! We've got a vine +rope coming on the jump! Steady now, old chap; +we're standing by you!"</p> + +<p>"Hurry!" they heard the other gasp. Undoubtedly +after all his exertions he must have been +short of breath, though the face he turned up +toward them did not appear to be stamped with +any great degree of fright.</p> + +<p>Just then Frank arrived on the spot, and instantly +started to lower the section of wild grape-vine +he had secured from the fallen tree. It was +at least a dozen or fifteen feet in length, and any +one acquainted with the amazing strength of such +a parasite did not need to be assured that it +would easily bear the weight of several persons +the weight of one who was in such peril on the +rock below.</p> + +<p>"Can you change your hold to the vine?" +called Frank, when presently he could see that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +the lower end of his substitute rope dangled close +alongside the other.</p> + +<p>It required more or less agility and reserve +strength to carry such a proceeding through successfully. +The stranger, however, appeared to +possess these necessary qualifications, Frank was +pleased to see.</p> + +<p>Will felt as though his heart was up in his +throat as he watched the other hang on to the spur +of rock with one hand, and seize the dangling +object with the other. Frank had lowered the +larger end of the vine. He had also sent it below +the jutting rock, so that the one they meant to +rescue could clasp his legs about it, and thus +secure a much better grip.</p> + +<p>When they saw he had really accomplished the +difficult feat of transferring his weight to the +vine the boys, whose heads projected beyond +the ledge above, uttered encouraging shouts.</p> + +<p>"Well done, old top!" called out Bluff, carried +away by his enthusiasm, and acting as though he +had known the other a long time. "Now just +give us a little time and we'll run you up +here in great shape. Here you come, then! +Heave-oh, boys!"</p> + +<p>It required their united strength to raise the +boy who dangled at the end of the grape-vine. +This was on account of the fact that their make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>-believe +rope refused to bend very well, thus making +its hauling up a clumsy business.</p> + +<p>Still every foot helped, and all the while some +of them kept calling out encouragingly to the boy +below. In the end his head appeared in view, +upon which he was seized by the arms by Frank +and Bluff, and dragged over the edge.</p> + +<p>Somewhat to the surprise of the boys, he immediately +started to brushing himself off, as +though the dust on his clothes bothered him more +than any slight bruises he may have received in +his ugly fall. Frank made up his mind when he +saw this that the other was certainly nonchalant, +or, as Frank himself expressed it, "a cool customer."</p> + +<p>"I hope you're not hurt by your tumble?" +Frank asked, at which the other shook his head, +and continued dusting his coat as he replied:</p> + +<p>"Don't think I got even a scratch, which is +about my ordinary luck. But only for your +coming I'd have dropped the rest of the way down +to the bottom of the hole, and that might have +changed things some. Thank you very much for +helping. And that scheme of the wild grave-vine +was a corker, too. I'd never have thought of +such a thing, I'm positive."</p> + +<p>"Oh! trust Frank for hitting the right nail on +the head every time," boasted Will, who never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +lost a chance to magnify the deeds of the one +he admired above any among all his friends.</p> + +<p>The other now took occasion to look them +over curiously, as though he had begun to wonder +who they were, and what brought four boys +up into this region. Frank guessed this much, for +he immediately introduced himself and his chums.</p> + +<p>"We're from Centerville, a town that's a good +way off from here. My name's Frank Langdon, +this is Will Milton, the one next to him is Bluff +Masters, and the other fellow, Jerry Wallington. +We have always been mighty fond of camping, +and just now mean to put in a few weeks on the +shore of the big lake at a place called Cabin +Point. Our stuff has gone ahead of us on the +stage that came along here yesterday."</p> + +<p>Somehow Frank thought the other started a +little and looked keenly at him when this +announcement was made. He could not understand, +though, why it should interest any one +to know that they intended to camp at any particular +spot on the lake shore, since there were +many miles to choose from.</p> + +<p>"Oh! my name is Gilbert Dennison. I've been +at college, and mean to spend my vacation playing +golf. You see they do say I'm runner-up among +the amateurs on the green links. Sent my clubs +and luggage off yesterday, and was on the way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +to the train to-day when the horse smashed a +wheel of the rig. I had to put out afoot, for, you +see, I wouldn't miss making that train for a good +deal, because of the match."</p> + +<p>He took out his watch and held it in a hand +that hardly trembled in the least, which Frank +thought rather remarkable, seeing what a strain +had been upon him lately. Altogether, Frank +considered him the coolest person he had ever +met. If he could control his nerves in this fashion +when playing in a match it was no wonder he +was looked upon as a coming wonder on the golf +links, where such a gift counts heavily.</p> + +<p>"You must excuse me for rushing off in such a +beastly hurry, fellows!" Gilbert exclaimed, as he +looked around for his bag, which, fortunately, +had not fallen over the precipice at the time he +stumbled; "some other time perhaps I'll run in on +you at your camp, and be able to thank you in a +more decent way for giving me a lift. I think +I can make that train in half an hour."</p> + +<p>Bluff and Jerry had not a word to say. They +stood and stared at the other, astonished beyond +measure. Really in all their experiences far and +wide they had never met with such a self-possessed +young person as this.</p> + +<p>He picked up his bag, waved them a flippant +good-bye, and then actually started to run down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +the slope. Bluff scratched his head and grinned, +while Jerry exclaimed in disgust.</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! if that wasn't the queerest thing +ever! You'd think he'd just stubbed his toe, and +we happened along in time to help him rub the +same. He sure is a cool customer, believe me, +fellows!"</p> + +<p>"Such base ingratitude I never ran across," +ventured Will, indignantly. "Why, only for +Frank's fetching that grape-vine along, and our +pulling him up so neatly, he'd have had to let go +his hold before now. And say, it was all of +thirty feet down to the bottom of the hole from +the rock he held on to; an ugly fall, I'd call it."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well," observed Frank, more amused than +otherwise by the singular circumstance, "when +a fellow pursues any fad as he does golf he seems +to chase it just as we've all done one of those +jack-o'-lanterns in the marsh. When the fever +is on him he can't think of anything else. That +match on the links is, in his mind, the greatest +event under the sun. We've all been there, boys, +remember."</p> + +<p>"But where did he come from, do you think?" +asked Will.</p> + +<p>"There's a village, I recollect, over the hills +that way," Frank explained; "and it's just barely +possible his folks live there. Being off the rail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>road, +you see they have to make a little journey +of some miles every time they want to go to the +city. We may run on to the broken-down buggy +further on."</p> + +<p>"He's still running right along," remarked +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"And hasn't bothered to look back once," added +Will, as though he could not understand why the +other should so easily forget about the service +they had done him.</p> + +<p>"Well, looking back caused him his other stumble, +and it's taught him a lesson, I reckon," +laughed Frank, always ready to offer excuses for +others' failings, but never for his own.</p> + +<p>"We might as well be going on our way then, +boys," suggested Bluff, as he gave his knapsack +a fling that caused it to land squarely on his back.</p> + +<p>The others picked up their scanty possessions +for, as has been said before, the main part of +their belongings had been sent on in advance by +the stage.</p> + +<p>"For one," observed Will with a little sigh, "I +own up I'll be glad when we get to the lake. +Seems to me this bag keeps on growing heavier +all the time; and yet when I started out this +morning I thought it as light as a feather."</p> + +<p>"It's always that way," he was told by Frank, +consolingly; "even your feet often begin to drag<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +as though weighted down with lead, when once +you find yourself growing tired. But, Will, say +the word and I'll tote your bag for you."</p> + +<p>"Not much you will, Frank! though it's certainly +kind of you to offer to do it. I'd be a nice +Outdoor Chum, wouldn't I now, if I let some +other fellow shoulder my burdens? If I were +sick or lame it might be a different thing; but that +doesn't happen to fit the case now. I'll get along +all right, so don't worry."</p> + +<p>Accordingly they pushed on up the road, and +presently arrived at the crest of the ridge. The +trees prevented an extended view, however, much +to the disappointment of Will, who wanted to +make use of his camera.</p> + +<p>They saw no signs of the wrecked vehicle mentioned +by the young college chap who had given +them his name as Gilbert Dennison, and hence +concluded it must be further along the road.</p> + +<p>A short time afterwards Frank announced that +they were near the abandoned mine, which his +informants had told him lay close to the border +of the road they had followed over the rocky +ridge.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>TAKING POSSESSION</h3> + + +<p>Frank had learned that many years back +there had been a company organized to mine the +iron that was known to exist in certain sections of +the hills in that region.</p> + +<p>Considerable work had been done, and some +ore even shipped away, when, for some reason or +other, the scheme had been given up after a shaft +had been sunk for fifty feet or more, and workings +started.</p> + +<p>The entrance to the abandoned mine had been +visited by curious people coming to that locality. +It was even marked on the old map which Frank +had used in making the outlines of his own little +chart.</p> + +<p>"Here it is, boys!" cried Jerry, who had pushed +to the front; "Frank was correct when he said +he could see where the wheels of the stage had +run in off the road just back there. I hope our +stuff is all right."</p> + +<p>"So do I!" echoed Will, anxiously, "because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +I've got most of my new rolls of films, as well as +my flashlight apparatus, in my big pack. I'm +only carrying a lot of precious developed films +in this bag, with other things I need. You see +I'm meaning to put in quite a bunch of time while +up here experimenting and that's why I carried +them along."</p> + +<p>They had their fears quickly relieved, for their +property lay just inside the old shaft leading into +the abandoned iron mine.</p> + +<p>"It all seems to be here, and in decent shape," +remarked Frank. "That stage driver kept his +word when he said he'd take good care of our +stuff. And now to divide it up so every one has +a share."</p> + +<p>"No funny business, Frank," Bluff reminded +him; "every one of us expects to get an equal tote +load."</p> + +<p>"That's what I say, too," echoed Will, who +suspected he might be treated too generously by +his chums, and given less than his proper proportion +to carry, for Will was over-sensitive concerning +his lack of physical strength.</p> + +<p>In the end they managed to distribute the blankets, +food, and other things in a fashion that was +fairly equitable, and then resumed their journey. +At this point they expected to leave the road, and +follow a trail that if stuck to would take them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +to the shore of the big lake around Cabin Point, +their intended destination.</p> + +<p>"Our course should be almost due northwest +from here on," the guide informed his three companions +as they set forth. "I'm telling you that +for a purpose, you understand."</p> + +<p>"You mean in case we lose the pesky trail that +seems so faint, we can keep going in the right +direction all the same; is that it, Frank?" asked +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"You've struck the right nail on the head, Jerry, +for that was what I meant. But by keeping our +eyes on the trail we ought to have little trouble +following this old path."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me the trail hasn't been worked +much for some time," Bluff observed.</p> + +<p>"That's true enough," said the pilot of the +expedition, "but once a trail has been well worn +you can find it years and years afterward if you +look the right way. It's easy to notice heaps of +signs that tell the story, where the earth was worn +away by passing feet. When you're in doubt just +push back the grass and there it lies as plain as +day."</p> + +<p>Frank always prided himself more or less on +his ability to follow tracks where others might +give up the task in despair. Nothing pleased him +half so much as to run across a puzzle along these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +lines that required his best work in order to +find the answer.</p> + +<p>After they had gone on for some time a rest +was called.</p> + +<p>"That's a good idea, Frank," Jerry declared +when he heard the order given to drop their burdens +and lie around for ten minutes or so. "Not +that I'm feeling played out you understand; but +I've always been told it was poor policy to whip +a willing nag."</p> + +<p>"It's certainly a pretty rough path, all right!" +Will admitted.</p> + +<p>"But we must be about half-way across by +now," added Bluff.</p> + +<p>"How about that, Frank? Let's take a look at +your map again," said Jerry.</p> + +<p>Upon examination it was found to be about +as Bluff had thought; the shore of the big water +could not be more than half a mile further on. +Cheered by this information, even Will expressed +himself as willing to start again.</p> + +<p>"When you've got anything unpleasant to do," +he told them, "I believe in getting it over with as +soon as you can, and off your mind."</p> + +<p>"Huh! that pleases me a heap to hear you +say so, Will," chuckled Bluff; "because you know +there's that dicker I wanted to make with you +for that new hunting knife I took such a fancy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +to. I offered you my old one and something to +boot in the bargain. Now I understood from the +way you acted the deal wasn't pleasant to you; so +please get it over with as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>"I'll see you in Guinea, Bluff, before I trade +that splendid blade," retorted the other, "but I +told you where I got it, and any time you feel +like it you can send for one just like mine. Let +it go at that then."</p> + +<p>There came another hard pull. Sometimes the +way was so rough that all of them panted more +or less. Will showed real grit by keeping up with +the others, though he had to shut his teeth hard +together, and take himself mentally to task when +he felt his legs tremble under him with weakness.</p> + +<p>All at once Jerry, always the first to discover +things, gave vent to a yell.</p> + +<p>"Hey there, fellows! I see water ahead through +the trees! Yep, it's the big lake as sure as anything! +We've got there at last!"</p> + +<p>"Good!" muttered Will in an undertone, as +though he did not wish the others to hear him; +to tell the truth, he felt as though he could not +stagger on much further over that rough trail, +and carry the heavy pack in the bargain, as well +as the new bag containing his precious films.</p> + +<p>The sight of the splendid sheet of water seemed +to inspire them all with new energy, for they per<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>ceptibly +quickened their pace until impatient Jerry +was almost running in his eagerness to get to his +destination.</p> + +<p>After a while they found themselves standing +on the shore of the inland sea, where the waters +were lapping the shore with a murmuring sound +that was sweet music in the ears of Frank Langdon.</p> + +<p>"Well, one thing's settled anyhow," remarked +Will, presently, as he heaved a sigh of relief; "we +didn't get lost, did we, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Shucks! that was the last thing to bother me," +declared Bluff with a fine appearance of scorn. +"For one, I've passed the novice stage in woodcraft, +and reckon myself able to get along with +the next chap."</p> + +<p>"All the same," he was told by Frank, "I've +known the time when you <i>did</i> manage to lose +your bearings and run up against a whole bunch +of trouble in consequence."</p> + +<p>"But that's past history," remonstrated the +other; "and times have changed since then, Frank. +I should hope I've learned my lesson by now."</p> + +<p>"Now where do you think this Cabin Point +lies, that we're going to hunt up, with the idea +of making our home there during our stay?" +Jerry demanded.</p> + +<p>"Just look to the left and I think you'll see a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +wooded cape that reaches out into the lake like +a tongue or a finger," the pilot explained, pointing +as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Frank, you're all to the good there, that must +be our goal," Bluff hastened to assert; for indeed +since there was no other similar projection of +the shore in sight, it seemed reasonable to believe +Cabin Point was before their eyes.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon settle that matter," observed +Frank, once more making a start.</p> + +<p>They did not have far to go, for the half-concealed +and wholly overgrown trail reached the +lake close to the wooded cape. Perhaps long before, +when loggers had a camp in that region +while felling the virgin growth of forest, the +point of land was a favorite camp with them. +That would account for the trail, and why it had +grown up in recent years.</p> + +<p>Once on the ground, they began to look earnestly +for signs of the abandoned cabin which it +was hoped would afford them shelter during their +outing. For some little time this search bore no +fruit, and Will was beginning to feel quite disconsolate.</p> + +<p>"Looks to me as if it was going to be our +job to start a brush shanty that will give us shelter +for a couple of nights till we can put up a +more substantial affair," he told Bluff, who hap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>pened +to be close to him, looking to the right and +to the left in a vain attempt to be the first one +to make a pleasant discovery.</p> + +<p>Will had hardly spoken when they heard a call +from Jerry.</p> + +<p>"I might have known it was no good trying +to beat his sharp eyes out," grumbled Bluff, as +though really disappointed because he had failed +to locate the cabin.</p> + +<p>"What difference does it make who turns the +trick?" ventured Will, looking happy again; "so +long as it's done. The end and not the means is +what counts. Hello! Jerry, have you struck pay +dirt?"</p> + +<p>"Here it is!" came the triumphant answer, and +the others hurried forward, to discover the log +structure partly concealed from view by branches +of trees, vines, moss, and every sort of green +growth.</p> + +<p>"No wonder we couldn't see it easily," expostulated +Bluff; "everybody doesn't happen to have +microscopic eyes like Jerry here. I warrant you +now I passed within thirty feet of this spot +several times, and never tumbled to what was +so close by."</p> + +<p>"One of the first things we'll do, fellows," +suggested Frank, "will be to get busy and cut +down a lot of this stuff that keeps us from hav<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>ing +a fine outlook over the bay and the big lake +beyond."</p> + +<p>"How about the cabin itself?" asked Will. +"Seems to me the chimney is sort of dilapidated +on top."</p> + +<p>"That can be soon remedied, and I'll take care +of it," Frank assured him. "Then this door is +hanging on one rusty hinge; we'll find a way to +stand it up again. Let's step inside and look +around a bit; I'm more anxious about the roof +than almost anything else, for that's apt to leak +like a sieve until we fix it."</p> + +<p>"Go a little slow," Will warned them, "for I've +known of wild cats or other wild beasts taking +up their quarters in an abandoned cabin." This +remark caused Bluff and Jerry to laugh, for they +could themselves look back to a ludicrous experience +of the kind.</p> + +<p>It turned out that the cabin had no ferocious +occupant and upon investigation they found that +the roof was not very bad after all.</p> + +<p>"In one corner only it looks as if the rain had +come in," said Frank finally; "or water when +the snow melted, which tries a roof more than +anything else. Why, given half a day and we +shall have a weather-proof top all over. Take +note of that big yawning fireplace, will you? I +can see what jolly times we'll have sitting around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +there on cool nights; and up here we're apt to +have many such."</p> + +<p>"We can make bunks against this wall where +you can see the remains of two right now," Bluff +intimated.</p> + +<p>"Until then we'll spread our blankets on the +floor and rough it, which suits me all right," +Jerry announced.</p> + +<p>Will had lowered his burdens to the floor. He +seemed anxious to get settled after some fashion. +First of all he opened the new bag. The other +boys were still looking curiously around, finding +a number of interesting features connected with +the lone cabin on the point, when they heard Will +give a cry of utter astonishment. Turning quickly +they saw him staring down into the bag he had +opened, with a look of consternation on his face.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>AS BUSY AS BEAVERS</h3> + + +<p>"What under the sun ails Will?" demanded +Bluff.</p> + +<p>"It's his bag, don't you understand?" added +Jerry. "Something's happened to upset him terribly. +He looks as if he'd seen a ghost. Ten +chances to one now he forgot to put the films +in."</p> + +<p>"What is it, Will?" called out Frank, who, +being busy just then, had only turned his head +when the cry bubbled from the other's lips.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Frank, they're gone!" gasped Will.</p> + +<p>"What's that? Do you mean your films?" +demanded the other.</p> + +<p>"Yes, oh yes, gone, worse luck! I don't understand +it at all. Seems as though I must be +dreaming, Frank!" and Will began to rub his +eyes vigorously, as though by that means he +hoped to get his proper sight back; after which +he stared again at the open bag on the floor.</p> + +<p>"You're dead sure you put them in the bag,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +are you, Will?" questioned the skeptical Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Of course I am!" he was indignantly told. +"But I can't understand where these silly things +came from. They don't belong to me, that's +sure."</p> + +<p>"Hello! here's a mystery all right," said Bluff, +scrambling to his feet and hurrying over to the +other; in which action he was immediately imitated +by the other two.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare that's queer!" burst out Jerry; +"a lot of golf balls, a white sweater, and a pair +of rubber-soled shoes! Why, Will, what has happened?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I don't know," said the bewildered +one, shaking his head sadly. "Here I pack my +films and a few other little things in this new +bag, and start out. Then when I open it, see what +I get! Who's been playing a trick on me, I'd +like to know?"</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," interrupted Frank, just when +the injured one was beginning to frown and look +suspiciously at Bluff and Jerry; "nobody here has +had a hand in the thing, Will; but I think I know +what happened."</p> + +<p>"Then for goodness' sake, Frank, hurry up +and tell us!" cried Bluff; "for Will here is beginning +to have awful thoughts, and looks at me +as if he could eat me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, please explain the mystery, Frank, if +you can," pleaded Will.</p> + +<p>"To my mind it's as simple as anything could +well be," began the other, soberly.</p> + +<p>"You remember our meeting on the road with +the young chap calling himself Gilbert something +or other? Well, I happened to notice that the +bag he carried was as near like your new one as +two peas could be. When he hurried away to +catch his train in his excitement he must have +unconsciously picked up the wrong bag!"</p> + +<p>"Then this one belongs to him, does it?" asked +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Don't you remember," remarked Frank, "his +saying something about his being runner-up in the +amateur class of golfers, and that he was going +to a tournament right then, which accounted for +his haste?"</p> + +<p>Will uttered a deep groan. He was evidently +very much dejected over the unfortunate accident +that had befallen him so early in their outing.</p> + +<p>"What tough luck I've struck!" he said, as he +stared down at the golf balls, as useless to him +as so many stones. "I do hope that chap won't +be so mad when he finds out what he's done as +to destroy my precious films. What if he went +and put a match to them? You know they'd flame<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +up something fierce, and it'd be good-bye to all +my hard work up in Maine."</p> + +<p>"Oh! the chances are small that he'd be so +venomous as all that," returned Frank, "especially +when he must know it was all his own +fault."</p> + +<p>"But what do you think he'll do about it?" +questioned Bluff.</p> + +<p>"If I were Gilbert," suggested Jerry, drily, "my +first job would be to hire some caddy with a heavy +foot to kick me good and hard. Then I'd set +out to get a new sweater and another supply of +golf balls. Later on I'd make it a point to head +back this way and hunt you up, to apologize +humbly and to hand over your bag intact."</p> + +<p>"Well said, Jerry," was Frank's hearty commendation.</p> + +<p>Will picked up a little hope at that. Perhaps +after all matters might not be quite so bad as +they looked at first glance. Even if he did lose +a week of time, there were plenty of other things +he could be doing, since he had his camera and +flashlight apparatus intact.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Jerry. I guess you are right," he +told the other. "Every cloud has a silver lining, +they say, if only you look for it. I'll try to +hope for the best after this. My precious films +may come back to me again undamaged. I hope<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +so, anyway; but you know there's no telling what +a fellow may do when in a sudden rage."</p> + +<p>"Think again, Will," said Frank. "We all +agreed that this Gilbert fellow was as cool a +customer as we'd ever met. Now the chances +are he'll grasp the situation at a glance, laugh at +his blunder, put <i>your</i> bag safely away, and hustle +to remedy the mistake so as not to be left out of +the tournament. Believe that, Will, for your own +peace of mind."</p> + +<p>So the forlorn chum finally fastened the bag +and hung it on a peg.</p> + +<p>"I hope to see it give way to my own bag by +the time a week or so has passed," he forced himself +to say.</p> + +<p>As the afternoon was getting well along the +boys busied themselves with what appeared to be +the most urgent duties. Such things as roof +mending and the like could wait for another time, +since there did not seem to be any possibility of +a storm coming up, on that night at least.</p> + +<p>"But we must surely pay attention to that roof +the first thing to-morrow," Frank told them, as +they began to make preparations for the cooking +fire.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's right," Jerry added; "because we +mustn't be like the Irishman in the old story who +never did mend the hole in his roof, although<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +always going to do so; and when they asked why +he kept putting it off explained by saying: 'Whin +it rains I <i>can't</i> mind it, and whin it's dry and fair, +be jabers! phy should I bother?'"</p> + +<p>Of course things were in something of a turmoil +that evening, though the boys were beginning +to plan just how they meant to store their +possessions away so as to have their customary +system about the cabin camp.</p> + +<p>When the odors of supper began to fill the interior +of the cabin the boys discovered that their +camp appetites were already beginning to manifest +themselves. They certainly appreciated that +first meal in the open. It brought back to memory +many other camps they had enjoyed together.</p> + +<p>And later on while sitting around in front of +the blazing fire it was only natural that the talk +should be of those earlier events, which have +been set down in such an interesting way between +the covers of previous volumes of this +series.</p> + +<p>Having no cots or bunks as yet, they spread +their blankets on the hard floor, and after this +crude fashion settled down for the first night. +None of them expected to obtain a good rest, +because the first night out is always a wakeful +one on account of strange surroundings. But +in due time all this would wear away and in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +the end it might even prove to be a difficult +task to arouse some of the heavy sleepers at sunrise.</p> + +<p>After breakfast the next morning all of them +set to work. Even Will was not allowed to begin +with his beloved photography until some semblance +of order had been brought about.</p> + +<p>They had brought a few tools along with them, +Frank resting under the belief that a hand-saw, +a hammer, and some nails would not come in +amiss when they meant to start housekeeping in +an old cabin that might need considerable repairing +to make it habitable.</p> + +<p>It was this habit of looking ahead possessed +by Frank Langdon that so often made things +much easier for himself and his chums than they +might otherwise have been.</p> + +<p>So while Frank busied himself at the roof, he +had one of the others mending the door, and the +remainder of the party searching for wood that +could be utilized in making their rude bunks along +the wall.</p> + +<p>It was found that they could take down some +boards that were really not needed, and saw +them into the necessary strips required. So during +the entire morning there was more or less hammering +and sawing going on that must have +greatly astonished the timid little woods folk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +dwelling in that vicinity, so long given over to +solitude and quiet.</p> + +<p>At noon-time things began to look a little shipshape. +To begin with, the roof had been repaired, +and Frank believed it would turn water +in any storm short of a cloud-burst. Then the +door also was swinging on two hinges, one of +stout leather, also carried in Frank's pack for an +emergency.</p> + +<p>The four bunks were coming along nicely, and +the amateur carpenters who worked on them +promised a complete job before nightfall.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Frank, as they munched a +cold lunch at noon, having decided not to go to +the bother of doing any cooking at that time, "I +want Will to come with me to make a little search +for that old boat we were told could be found +hidden under a shelving rock near the shore. It +hasn't been used for some years, and is apt to be +in poor shape, but I've got some oakum and a +calking tool. With those, I hope to put it in +condition, so with frequent baling we can use it +on the lake."</p> + +<p>They made a systematic search all along the +shore, but it was not until nearly an hour had +passed that they discovered the spot where, under +a shelf of rock, the old craft lay.</p> + +<p>After making an examination, Frank declared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +he could mend the rowboat so that it would afford +them more or less pleasure. Its planks had survived +many a winter, thanks to the protection +afforded by the shelf of rock.</p> + +<p>Since the gaps in the open seams were so large +that it would leak like a sieve, he realized his work +would have to be done at the spot where the +boat was found. This meant only a tramp of a +quarter of a mile at most, going and coming.</p> + +<p>"I'll get busy the first thing in the morning," +Frank told Will. "Altogether, the job oughtn't to +take me more than a day. Then we can all get +together and drag the boat down to the water, +and one of us can paddle around to Cabin Point, +where there's a splendid cove to tie up in."</p> + +<p>"The oars are good enough for our use, though +splintered some," suggested the other.</p> + +<p>"That will save us a hard job," Frank admitted, +"because I don't think I ever shaped an oar +in my life, and it's no little task, believe me!"</p> + +<p>In their wanderings the boys had discovered a +stream that emptied into the lake. Frank promised +himself the pleasure of following it up +some day, and finding what the country looked +like in that direction.</p> + +<p>"I've got a notion," he told Will, "that this +stream runs through the property of that old +hermit, Aaron Dennison; at least that's what one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +man told me. Perhaps he'll take it badly when +he learns that a parcel of boys have squatted down +for a month's stay so close to his place."</p> + +<p>"I hope we do run across the queer old man +some of these fine days," ventured Will; "and +that I'm carrying my camera along with me, because +I'd like to snap off the picture of a real +hermit. I've got some odd people in my collection, +but nothing so queer as that. I surely +would like to get him."</p> + +<p>On arriving at the cabin they found the other +pair had been exceedingly industrious during their +absence. The sleeping quarters were beginning to +look shipshape, and promised more or less comfort +when completed.</p> + +<p>"Now if you fellows would only turn in and +give us a helping hand," suggested Jerry, "we +could get through in a couple of hours."</p> + +<p>"Just what I was going to propose on my own +account," Frank told him. "Many hands make +light work, you know. So tell us what you want +done, and we'll get busy."</p> + +<p>All of them being handy with tools, they made +a good job of the bunks. Indeed, considering +what poor material they had to work with, the +result did them great credit.</p> + +<p>"Now who's going to be the first to pick his +bunk?" laughed Will, when it was decided there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +could be nothing more done to make the sleeping +quarters comfortable.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" exclaimed Frank, when unconsciously +all faces were turned toward him. +"Every fellow is going to have a square show. +Here, I'll hold four splinters of wood in my hand, +all of different lengths. Each one draw, and the +longest has first choice."</p> + +<p>"That's a fair bargain," agreed Bluff, "though +for my part one bunk is pretty much like another."</p> + +<p>It turned out that Will was given first choice, +and he took a lower berth, for they had been +arranged in sections of two, on account of limited +room. Frank, having second pick, took the one +above, and the others then divided the remaining +two between them.</p> + +<p>After they had arranged their warm blankets, +the place began to take on quite a cheery appearance.</p> + +<p>"We'll get at that cranky table next, and steady +it," said Frank; "then we need another bench, because +as it is we have to use blocks of wood +for seats. In fact, I can already see a dozen +things to be done, with more to follow."</p> + +<p>Jerry in passing across the cabin tripped, and +uttered a grunt as though he had stubbed his +toe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That makes three times that loose plank has +caught me," he muttered, "and the old motto +says 'three times and out.' So I'll just yank that +plank up and settle it down afresh. A few of +those big spikes you brought along ought to do +the trick, Frank."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the determined boy set about carrying +this little plan into execution. Prying up +one end of the plank, he managed to get a grip +of it, and then raised it completely. It came +up much more easily than Jerry had anticipated.</p> + +<p>"Why, hello!" the others heard him say, "here's +an old rat's nest made years ago, I should think; +and look what's lying beside it, will you?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>A CALL FOR HELP</h3> + + +<p>Jerry was holding something up when he +said this, which he had just picked out of the +cavity under the loose plank.</p> + +<p>"Why, it looks as though it had once been a +baby's shoe, I should say," suggested Frank.</p> + +<p>"Just what it is, but as old as the hills," remarked +Jerry. "I wonder now, did it slip down +here, or was it carried by the old mother rat +when this nest was made?"</p> + +<p>He fumbled among the scraps of paper and +such stuff that had gone to form the nest of the +rodent. One piece seemed to be a part of an +envelope. The writing was fairly visible, though +age had yellowed the paper.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of this, fellows?" Jerry +demanded, as though interested. "I can make +out part of a name here, and whose do you reckon +it is?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, tell, and don't keep a fellow guessing!" +urged Bluff impatiently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The word Aaron is as plain as anything," pursued +Jerry, "and then there's part of the next +one Denni—so you see it really looks as if away +back, twenty years ago or perhaps even much +longer, the rich old hermit used to actually live +here in this log cabin. In those days he was +land poor, mebbe; and say, the shoe—why, he +must have had a wife, and a baby, too!"</p> + +<p>All of them looked at the poor little memento +of the dim past which had been discovered under +such singular conditions. Then Jerry commenced +smoothing the earth level under the plank +so that it would set more evenly. In the midst +of this he uttered another exclamation.</p> + +<p>"All sorts of queer things are coming my way, +I tell you!" he called out. "See what I've dug +up now!"</p> + +<p>"Looks like a half dollar," remarked Bluff decidedly +interested. "And see here, if you've +struck a miser's hoard, remember we're all +chums, Jerry; it's share alike, I hope."</p> + +<p>A vigorous hunt failed to disclose any mate of +the coin, and in the end they were compelled to +believe it must be only a lone specimen.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps old Aaron was a money grabber in +those days," Bluff ventured, "and laid the foundation +for his fortune while living here in this cabin. +And this hole under the loose plank—wouldn't it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +be just the jolliest hiding-place for a miser to +stow his valuables in?"</p> + +<p>"Either that," added Frank thoughtfully, "or +else the half dollar managed to slip down through +a crack. Have you examined it to see the date, +Jerry? Because if it happens to be one that was +coined within the last half-dozen years we'd +know it couldn't have been left here long ago."</p> + +<p>"I can make it out easily enough, Frank; and +it's away back in eighteen-eighty. So that allows +plenty of leeway, you see."</p> + +<p>The little incident gave them considerable food +for exchanging opinions. They even tried to +picture what the cabin on the Point may have +looked like many years ago, when a woman's +hands took care of the home, and the prattle of a +child sounded among those great trees overhead.</p> + +<p>Still, none of the boys dreamed that the cavity +under the floor would play a part in the future +happenings that were destined to come their way, +though such proved to be the case.</p> + +<p>The second night things began to shape themselves +much more comfortably. All of the boys +declared they had enjoyed a sound sleep when +dawn once more found them stirring, and ready +to take up the new duties of the day.</p> + +<p>One thing after another was finished, and it +gave them considerable satisfaction to find how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +much of an improvement this sort of work made +in the cabin and surroundings.</p> + +<p>Frank himself cut away much of the thick +growth of bushes and branches that interfered +with their view of the big water. When he had +completed his task it was possible to look from +the open door and see for miles out over the lake. +They believed they would never tire of watching +the play of the waves that at times could be heard +so plainly breaking on the shore near by.</p> + +<p>There was seldom a time during daylight when +some fish-hawk could not be seen sailing serenely +over the water, looking for a fish for his young +fledglings. On several occasions the boys also +discovered a bald-headed eagle wheeling far up +in the blue space overhead.</p> + +<p>"We must keep on the watch to learn how +the bold robber taxes the hard-working and +honest fish-hawks for his meal," Frank remarked. +"It's too much bother for the eagle to plunge +down and hook a fish for himself, so he waits +until an osprey gets one, then follows him up +into the air and makes him drop his prize."</p> + +<p>Will, of course, was deeply interested. Everything +that pertained to animal nature appealed +irresistibly to him these days, since he had taken +to securing pictures of wild birds and animals in +their native haunts.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I've read about such things, but never had the +good luck to see it done," he hastened to remark. +"I hope I can make use of my camera if it happens +to come along at the right time. Already +I think I know where a pair of those big ospreys +have their nest, and that ought to make a dandy +picture, with one of the parent birds feeding the +youngsters."</p> + +<p>"I'd go a little slow about it if I were you," +Frank cautioned him. "They make their homes +up in pretty tall trees, you know. And besides, +some of them are savage fighters when they think +their nests are going to be disturbed or robbed."</p> + +<p>The others forgot about the fish-hawks after +that, but not Will. When he had anything on +his mind he was very persistent. This was particularly +true of such matters as were connected +with his hobby along the line of photography.</p> + +<p>Several days passed, and the other boys were +enjoying themselves greatly. For that matter, so +was Will, though his activities ran along a single +groove. Let those who cared to fish sit out there +on the lake all they wished; or troll along, using +minnows for bait, which had been taken in a little +net made of mosquito bar stuff; Will preferred +to roam the adjacent woods seeking signs +of minks, raccoons, opossums and foxes, and +planning just how he would arrange his traps so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +that at night time the animals would set off his +flashlight, and have their pictures taken unawares +in so doing.</p> + +<p>All the little chores had been completed around +the cabin, which looked quite like another place +now. It was kept as neat as wax, for Frank had +even manufactured an odd but effective broom +out of twigs, such as he had seen used by immigrants +from abroad.</p> + +<p>Frank was contemplating the taking of a little +tramp up the stream on the following day. He +had not forgotten what one of his informants had +told him concerning the hermit's place, and was +more than curious to meet Aaron Dennison.</p> + +<p>Will had not ceased to remember his loss. He +brooded over it at times, and even broke out into +occasional lamentations. His greatest fear seemed +to be that Gilbert might destroy the films in his +sudden disgust on discovering what a wretched +blunder he had committed in his haste.</p> + +<p>Will had wandered forth after lunch on this +day. From the fact that he carried his camera +along with him, the rest of the boys judged he +meant to secure some view that had appealed to +him as especially fine.</p> + +<p>It was some hours later that Frank noticed +that he had not returned. Will was a fair woodsman +by now, and there did not seem to be much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +chance of his allowing himself to become lost. +Still Frank found himself wondering just where +the boy had gone, and why Will had not taken +any of them into his confidence.</p> + +<p>When it was but an hour from sunset he mentioned +the matter to the rest.</p> + +<p>"Does anybody happen to know where Will +set out for?" was his question.</p> + +<p>No one did, for both Bluff and Jerry shook +their heads in the negative, while the last named +remarked:</p> + +<p>"He was busy working at something or other +this morning. I didn't get on to it, and meant to +ask him, but forgot all about it. I saw him fasten +a piece of rope around him and enclose a +tree out there. It made me laugh at the time, +and only that Bluff called me just then I would +have joshed him about trying to play Indian, and +tying himself face on to a tree."</p> + +<p>Frank chuckled at hearing that.</p> + +<p>"You've given me a clue already, Jerry," he +observed. "I remember that Will seemed set +on getting a picture of that osprey nest he had +discovered. You know the old trick some South +Sea islanders practice when climbing cocoanut +trees is to have a loop around the trunk and +their own body, then barefooted hoist themselves +bit by bit, always raising the loop as they go."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Whew! and so Will thought he could do +the same thing, did he, and get up to the first +limb high above his head. But say, Frank, what +if something has happened to him?"</p> + +<p>Jerry looked uneasy when he said this, and +Bluff, too, picked up his hat as though ready to +set out in search of Will.</p> + +<p>"We must look into this, that's a fact, boys!" +declared Frank; whereupon they hurried out of +doors.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" cried Frank almost immediately. +"Seems to me I heard a call some distance away +and along the shore. Yes, there it is again, and +I reckon that's our chum giving tongue. He +must be in difficulty and he needs help, so come +on," at which the three of them started to run +at full speed eastward.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE HOME OF THE OSPREY</h3> + + +<p>"Coming, Will!" shouted Bluff as he ran back +of Frank.</p> + +<p>"This way, along the shore!" they plainly heard +a voice call from some distance away.</p> + +<p>Of course anxious thoughts chased through +the minds of the three boys as they hurried along. +Will was evidently in trouble. Bluff, remembering +the ospreys, pictured him lying at the foot +of a tall tree with perhaps one of his legs broken. +That would be an awkward condition of affairs +to be sure, with their camp so far removed from +real civilization.</p> + +<p>Jerry, too, was imagining something of the +sort, and wondering if they would have to make +a litter in order to carry poor Will back to the +cabin. He even went further and considered the +question as to how they could take him to a doctor; +or else force the old hermit of the Dennison +estate to let them carry their injured comrade +there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>Not so Frank. He had already made the discovery +that the voice came from up in the air, +and hence had quite settled in his mind what +had happened.</p> + +<p>"He got up all right, you see, fellows," was the +way Frank explained it to the others, "but it +wasn't so easy to creep down again. Perhaps he +dropped the rope he had used, and couldn't clasp +the trunk of the tree because it was so large."</p> + +<p>"We'll soon know," ventured Jerry, "because +I can see one of the fish-hawks flying over that +tall tree, and I guess the nest must be in that."</p> + +<p>"Here he is over here, you see," observed +Frank. "He figured out that with the sun heading +into the west he ought to get on that side of +the nest in order to make a fine picture. So he +climbed up and settled himself, waiting until the +mother bird came with a fish for the fledglings, +which may have taken hours."</p> + +<p>"I see him!" cried Bluff. "There, he's waving +to us now! And I'm glad to know our chum +hasn't gone and broken a leg; for besides the pain +to him it would upset all our fine plans for a +good time up here."</p> + +<p>Will was sitting astride the lowermost limb of +an enormous tree standing about forty or fifty +feet to the west of the one in which the nest of +the ospreys could be plainly seen, close to the top<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>.</p> + +<p>Will grinned sheepishly as his chums came +underneath. He was some thirty feet from the +ground as his legs dangled over the lowermost +limb. And Frank, remembering his theory, on +looking at the base of the tree discovered that the +rope loop did lie there. Will had inadvertently +allowed it to slip from his grasp after reaching +the lower branch and clambering up on to it.</p> + +<p>He had removed his shoes and socks in order +to make good use of his toes in climbing, just as +do the blacks of the cocoanut islands. But +later on, after getting his long delayed pictures +of the old osprey feeding its fledglings, when the +ardent photographer attempted to descend the +big tree he found it an impossible task.</p> + +<p>The trunk was far too thick for him to clasp +with arms and legs. Will was not an athlete, +though able to climb an ordinary tree if pushed. +He always claimed that he could go up any kind +if a bull were after him; but evidently here was +a tree he could not descend, at least.</p> + +<p>Just how long he had sat there on that lower +limb trying to conjure up some possible plan that +would take him in safety to the ground, they +never knew. Will felt a little ashamed to be +found in such a plight, and kept putting off his +call for assistance as long as he dared.</p> + +<p>When, however, he found that night was only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +an hour or so off, and realized that unless he +pocketed his pride, he stood a chance of spending +many gloomy hours aloft with only the osprey +family for neighbors, he started to shout.</p> + +<p>"If only I had that loop up here I could get +down easily enough, I think, Frank," he called +out as the three boys lined up below him.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you could, and again there's some +doubt whether you'd be able to get inside the +loop," Frank told him. "The easiest way to do +is for one of us to run back to the cabin and +fetch our rope. With a few trials I can toss the +end into your hands or over the limb, then you +can lower yourself."</p> + +<p>Both Jerry and Bluff agreed that this was a +good plan. The former even offered to act as +messenger and get the article needed for the rescue +work. He was gone only a short time, during +which Frank asked a few questions, and +learned that Will believed he had secured a number +of "cracking good" pictures of the osprey +group that would make a fine addition to his collection.</p> + +<p>Frank made several casts upward before he +was able to send the end of the rope over the limb, +and within reach of the straddling boy. It proved +to be just long enough, doubled, to reach within +five feet of the ground.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"First I want to make sure of my camera," +Will told them, and as they knew he would positively +refuse to budge an inch unless his treasured +black box were taken care of, Jerry told him to +lower away.</p> + +<p>After that had been done Will prepared to trust +himself on the doubled rope.</p> + +<p>"Have a care," said Frank, "and make sure of +each grip as you go. There, you're all right now, +I guess, so come along down."</p> + +<p>"Take it slow if you don't want to burn your +hands, Will!" Bluff cautioned him.</p> + +<p>Without accident, Will managed to reach the +ground. His first act was to snatch up his camera +and look it over, sighing with satisfaction when +he found it had received no injury.</p> + +<p>"Get on your shoes and come along back +home," Frank advised him, and the exciting little +incident was closed.</p> + +<p>Later on Will told them how patiently he had +sat there, perched in the top of the tall tree next +to the one containing the fish-hawks' nest, and +waiting for a good chance to take the picture he +wanted.</p> + +<p>"The wind blew at first, and the treetop rocked +so that it almost made me sea-sick," he went on +to say, with a sigh; "but after an hour or so this +let up. Then came one of the ospreys with a big<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +fish in its claws, and I began to get busy. I +snapped off every bit of the film as I saw fine +group pictures come up; and I do hope they all +turn out well."</p> + +<p>As he had a daylight developing tank with him +he wasted little time in ascertaining this fact. His +exuberant shouts announced later on that his +success was all the heart of any ambitious amateur +photographer could wish for. And indeed, +when the exposed films were passed around after +they had sufficiently dried it was seen that Will +had done himself justice, for they were perfectly +clear.</p> + +<p>Frank himself could easily understand just how +this fad was able to grip any one who took it up. +He believed that it was much more interesting and +profitable than hunting with a gun. In the one +case all the result consisted of game that was soon +eaten and forgotten; but those instructive pictures +of timid animals and wild birds would give pleasure +for an unlimited time.</p> + +<p>"There's one thing I think we ought to get +busy about, fellows," Frank remarked that evening +as they sat around the rough table enjoying +the supper Jerry had prepared; "and that is see +what can be done about laying in a fresh stock +of butter and eggs."</p> + +<p>"Our supply of both is about down to the limit,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +for a fact," admitted Bluff, who was unusually +fond of eggs, "fried, boiled, scrambled, and, in +fact, any old way," as he himself always declared.</p> + +<p>"Have you any plan by which we can get a +new lot, and perhaps some fresh milk in the bargain?" +Will sought to learn.</p> + +<p>"So far as we know, there's only one house +within several miles of this place," explained +Frank, "and that belongs to the man they call a +hermit because he keeps to himself, and never +goes to town—Aaron Dennison."</p> + +<p>"A likely chance we'd have of getting any supplies +from him, I should say!" grumbled Jerry; +but Bluff was quick to make a proposal.</p> + +<p>"If you are thinking of going up that creek, +and paying a visit to Aaron, I hope you will +choose me to go along. Remember, I spoke +first!" he called out.</p> + +<p>Will looked disappointed. He had hoped that +if ever they decided to call on the crabbed owner +of the Dennison estate he might be along with +his camera. And seeing this disappointed expression +cross his face, Frank easily understood +what it signified.</p> + +<p>"Another time you can come, Will," he explained. +"Just now we don't even know whether +there really is a house inside of five miles. It's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +only hearsay with us, you remember. If we +should manage to get friendly with Aaron, why, +we'll be apt to wander up there many times, and +you may come across your chance before a great +while."</p> + +<p>With that, Will had to rest content. In fact, +he had another little plan of his own in mind, +which he meant to work out on the following +day. Frank suspected as much, though he really +hoped it would not be of the same risky nature +as getting the snapshots of the ospreys.</p> + +<p>In the morning the two who had planned to +follow up the stream and learn if it passed +through the estate of Aaron Dennison waved +their hands to Jerry and Will, after which they +started along the shore.</p> + +<p>After they reached the creek at the point +where it emptied into the bay, they turned their +backs on the big water, and plunged into the thick +growth.</p> + +<p>"How about this thing, Frank; do you really +and truly mean this expedition to be a foraging +one, with fresh eggs and butter in view; or is it +that you just hope to get in touch with old Aaron +Dennison, and see what a genuine hermit looks +like?"</p> + +<p>Bluff put this direct question after they had +been making their way along the tortuous bank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +of the winding creek for nearly half an hour. +Such difficulties as crossed their path had been +easily overcome, for both boys were pretty good +woodsmen, and accustomed to getting around in +the wilderness.</p> + +<p>"Take my word for it," he was assured by his +chum, "I'm out for the grub above all things; +though of course I admit to having a little +curiosity about this mysterious Mr. Dennison. +I've heard a lot of queer things about his doings. +He has a pretty fine place away up here, but +keeps it surrounded by a high fence, and they +even say it has a strand or two of terrible barbed +wire on top of the fence, to discourage any one +from climbing over."</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! I hope he doesn't own a pack of +wolf dogs that would make a jump for stray boys +that chanced to get in the grounds."</p> + +<p>"I asked particularly about that," said Frank, +who somehow seemed to think of nearly everything, +"and no one could remember ever seeing +any around. So just as like as not the old man +doesn't fancy dogs."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there are people who shiver every time +they meet a collie or a mastiff," admitted Bluff, +"though for my part I've always liked all breeds. +I believe a dog is man's best friend, as faithful +as life itself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, here we are," remarked Frank, with a +ring of satisfaction in his voice.</p> + +<p>"It's a high fence, sure enough," said Bluff, +"with barbed wire strung across where the creek +comes out under it, so even a fox would find it +hard to get through. How shall we manage it, +Frank?"</p> + +<p>"First of all, we'll move along the fence. +There may happen to be a board loose where +we can slip through. That would be better than +trying the gate, to be turned down flat-footed."</p> + +<p>They had not gone fifty feet before Bluff discovered +the loose board they sought. It required +only a small amount of agility to pass through +the opening, after which they walked along +through the woods on the other side of the high +fence.</p> + +<p>Presently they came in sight of a long, low +house, which was half hidden amidst dense foliage, +and looked, as Bluff called it, "spooky."</p> + +<p>Straight up to the door of this building the +two boys strode, and Frank without hesitation +rapped loudly with his knuckles.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE CHAINED DOOR</h3> + + +<p>It seemed to the two boys that Frank's knock +sounded weirdly through the house, though it did +not bring any immediate result. Accordingly, he +again brought his knuckles against the door +panel, this time with even greater force than before.</p> + +<p>"That fetched them, Frank," muttered Bluff. +"I can hear somebody shuffling along the hall +and heading this way."</p> + +<p>Presently they heard a bolt withdrawn, a rather +ponderous affair it seemed; and somehow this +struck Frank as rather queer. Why should any +one living so far away from town, and off the +beaten track of travel, take such pains to secure +his door?</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! I shouldn't think they'd ever be +bothered with hoboes or sneak thieves away up +in this part of the country," whispered Bluff, +who always had a mind of his own and was hard +to repress.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + +<p>The door was slowly and cautiously opened. +Frank saw that it was still held by a stout chain, +so that no one outside could enter against the +will of the inmates. It made him think of one +of the old feudal castles he had lately been reading +about in Sir Walter Scott's romances, where +they had draw-bridges, moats, and a port-cullis +to protect them against assault.</p> + +<p>A face was seen in the narrow opening. It +was an old face, wrinkled, so that at first Frank +imagined it might belong to Aaron himself. +Then he discovered his mistake, for the white +hair belonged to a woman, evidently the housekeeper +of the hermit.</p> + +<p>She looked more or less frightened at first, +and no wonder, because such a resounding knock +as Frank had given might have seemed backed +by authority. When she discovered just two +friendly looking boys standing there astonishment +crept over the features of the woman.</p> + +<p>"Who are you, and what do you want?" she +asked a little sharply, as though annoyed because +they had given her such a sudden start.</p> + +<p>"My name is Frank Langdon, and this is my +chum, Bluff Masters. We are camping for our +holidays down in the old cabin on the Point. We +ran out of butter and eggs, and came up here +hoping we might be able to buy some."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank made it as simple as he could. He did +not even mention the fact that they had ever +heard there was such a singular person as Aaron +Dennison in all the wide world. It was his intention +to appear as though he looked upon this +place as an ordinary farmhouse, where hospitality +might be supposed to abide, and a friendly +call on the part of decent boys would not be taken +amiss.</p> + +<p>The woman looked a little more keenly at +Frank, but at the same time she shook her head +in the negative. Bluff grunted to himself. He +took that as a bad sign, and immediately concluded +that they would have to go back to camp +with as empty hands as they had come.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing," was what Bluff was saying +to himself just then, while the old housekeeper +hesitated; "she's got her orders. Old Aaron +doesn't fancy boys, I guess. We'll be mighty +lucky if he doesn't see fit to order us out of that +cabin we've gone to all the trouble to fix bang-up."</p> + +<p>Then the housekeeper spoke.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, but you mustn't expect to get anything +here. This place belongs to Mr. Aaron +Dennison. No doubt you have heard of him. +He has lived here almost alone for many years +now, and will brook no intrusion. That is why<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +the fence has been built around the estate, with +the wire on top, and locked gates. How did you +get inside?"</p> + +<p>"We came to a loose board and passed +through, not meaning any harm," replied Frank, +who imagined the old housekeeper was inclined +to be human, but having her strict orders from +her employer dared not act in a friendly manner +toward them.</p> + +<p>"I shall have to report your being here to Mr. +Dennison, and I am afraid that he will be very +much annoyed. He would never brook intruders, +and has a violent temper when aroused. I +hope you will go away at once, and come no +more."</p> + +<p>"Then you can't let us have any supplies, I +suppose?" asked Bluff, bent on squeezing the +orange dry, and not throwing the skin away as +long as there remained a single chance for extracting +a drop of juice.</p> + +<p>"I would not dare to do it, though if I had +my own way—but no matter, you must not stay +here a minute longer. Even now he may have +heard the knock, and come to investigate. It is +most unusual; we have not had a visitor for +years. I wish I could oblige you, but it is impossible. +Good-bye!"</p> + +<p>With that she closed the door in the faces of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +the astonished, as well as amused, campers, and +Bluff burst into a series of low chuckles.</p> + +<p>"Wow! but doesn't that beat the Dutch?" he +exclaimed, as though overpowered by the humorous +aspect of the adventure. "Listen to her +pushing that monster bolt into its socket. Gee +whiz! I never knew before I looked so dangerous. +I'll have to cultivate a new sort of grin, +because the one I practice now didn't have any +effect on the old lady."</p> + +<p>"Let's move along, Bluff. There's no use in +our staying here any longer after having the +door slammed in our faces," said the amazed +Frank.</p> + +<p>Together they started slowly away from the +house, glancing back curiously over their shoulders +several times, for they wished to remember +what the mysterious building looked like.</p> + +<p>"Will must manage to get up here some time," +Bluff was saying, "because I'd just like to have +him get a picture of the place as we see it now. +Then if ever we happen to hear anybody speak +of old Dennison and his hide-out we can flash +that view before them."</p> + +<p>They had almost reached the place where the +loose board had afforded them ingress to the +enclosed grounds belonging to the estate when a +strange sound came stealing to their ears. Both<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +boys instantly stopped and listened to learn if it +was repeated, but such did not come to pass.</p> + +<p>"What in the dickens do you suppose that +was, Frank?" demanded Bluff, turning his face, +marked by a commingling of wonder and awe, +on his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Tell me what you think first," the other +replied.</p> + +<p>"I'll be switched if I know, Frank! It just +went through me like a knife, it was so queer. +If this were the middle of the night now I might +mention ghosts, because if there were such +things I'd imagine them making just about that +sort of a sound."</p> + +<p>Frank laughed at that.</p> + +<p>"Well, since this is broad daylight," he observed, +"and ghosts are said never to walk except +around twelve at night, we'll have to look somewhere +else for our explanation. Now I've known +a chained dog to make a noise like that, a sort +of half bay, half growl that would give you a +start until you found out the cause."</p> + +<p>"But we've understood they keep no dog up +here," urged Bluff. "And if they did have one +wouldn't he have scented us, and started barking +long ago?"</p> + +<p>"What you say sounds reasonable enough, +Bluff," Frank admitted. "It couldn't have been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +a donkey braying either, because we know how +they drag it out. Besides unless I'm mistaken +the sound came straight from the direction of +the house itself."</p> + +<p>"Sure it did," said Bluff, as they started to +pass through the gap that could be made by +swinging the loose board aside. "I wonder if +old Aaron learned of our being there, and gave +that yawp to show his anger. I'm almost sorry +now we didn't meet the gentleman face to face."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's just as well, from what the +housekeeper said," replied Frank, although secretly +he was even more disappointed than his chum.</p> + +<p>"Then of course you wouldn't dream of going +back to look around in hopes of finding out what +that queer noise, almost like a shriek, meant?" +pursued Bluff, in a wheedling tone.</p> + +<p>"I guess not this time," decided the other; "it's +really none of our business, you know, and our +errand at the Dennison place has ended in smoke. +We'll have to settle on trying at that village we +can see miles away along the lake shore. Perhaps +to-morrow you and Jerry can take the boat +and row over there."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Barkis is willing, all right, because we +just can't keep house without our fresh eggs and +butter, you know."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + +<p>So it was settled. Bluff, always desiring action, +was satisfied with this half plan made for the future. +In his active mind he began immediately to +picture all sorts of exciting things happening on +the contemplated cruise along the lake shore to +the distant village in search of the needed supplies.</p> + +<p>Frank happened to come upon what looked +like an old path leading toward the lake, and +decided to follow it instead of keeping down the +stream with its zigzag course. Sure enough it +took them directly to Cabin Point, although in +many places the bushes had sadly overgrown the +trail, and walking was not easy.</p> + +<p>"Still, you must notice," Frank remarked, +"that some one has come along this way every +once in a while, because there are footprints, +and the twigs have been bent down."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe one of the men employed on the Dennison +place comes down for a swim, or to look +after some night line he's set here for trout," +suggested Bluff.</p> + +<p>On their arrival at the camp, the two boys +had to give an account of their little adventure +in detail, for the benefit of those who had stayed +behind. Will in particular asked many eager +questions.</p> + +<p>"If you ever go up there again, Frank," he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +told the other seriously, "I do hope I shall be +along."</p> + +<p>"And I think I can promise you that, Will," +replied the other smilingly, as if even then entertaining +some thought of a second trip to the +place, though evidently he did not care to go +deeper into the subject.</p> + +<p>Bluff soon started to talk of the trip he and +Jerry were to make to the distant village on the +next day. Whenever he had a thing on his +mind Bluff was apt to chatter about it unendingly.</p> + +<p>"We've just got to have those supplies, you +understand, Jerry," he told the other, "and since +there was nothing doing up at the Dennison +ranch, why, our next job is to see if we can +make that settlement we glimpse off yonder."</p> + +<p>"How far away do you reckon it is?" asked +the interested Jerry.</p> + +<p>"If you look in my pack, boys," Frank spoke +up just then, "you'll find a pair of small but +powerful glasses. They may help you figure it +out, and may give some idea how the shore lies +between Cabin Point and the village."</p> + +<p>Bluff went hurriedly for the glasses, and when +he returned he and Jerry amused themselves for +a long time.</p> + +<p>They decided that the village lay all of eight +miles off in a straight line, and concluded it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +would be a pretty long row in case they chanced +to meet contrary wind. In that case the waves +would bother them not a little.</p> + +<p>Bluff presently proposed that they try to equip +the old boat with some sort of sail. Then should +they be favored with a wind setting in the right +quarter this would save them much hard labor.</p> + +<p>Jerry seized the idea eagerly, and before long +they were hard at work trying to rig up a makeshift +mast and sail out of such material as they +could find. It was hardly likely to pass muster so +far as looks went, but both boys believed they +could make it useful, given half a chance.</p> + +<p>That night around the table the talk was +largely of the events of the day, and what the +morrow was apt to bring forth. Jerry and Bluff +entertained high hopes that they were bound to +be successful in their foraging expedition; and +already counted on an abundance of supplies.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>WHEN THE FLASHLIGHT TRAP WORKED</h3> + + +<p>"Frank, I'm going to ask you to give me a +little help in setting my flashlight trap before we +go to bed to-night," remarked Will, when they +were sitting in front of the fire.</p> + +<p>The evening air was nearly always cool, even +after a warm day, and it seemed so "jolly," as +Jerry called it, to have a small fire crackling +on the hearth while they sat around engaged in +various tasks and in chatting.</p> + +<p>"Then you must have settled on a place from +tracks you have found?" inquired Frank.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, and pretty close to the cabin in +the bargain," answered the other, whose one +hobby had become this method of securing +strange pictures of small wild animals caught +while in the act of taking the bait in their native +haunts.</p> + +<p>"What species are you after this time?" asked +Frank.</p> + +<p>"Somehow I never get an absolutely perfect<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +snapshot of a 'coon. It seems as if every one +has some kind of a blemish; and I told myself +that while we were up here at Cabin Point that +fault must be remedied if I tried a dozen times. +And judging from the tracks of this fellow I +think he must be a dandy. I only hope his barred +tail shows plainly in his picture."</p> + +<p>"That's so," spoke up Bluff, "because his +shrewd face and his striped tail make up the +main part of any raccoon."</p> + +<p>"Why, if the job has to be done, Will, I'd just +as soon go with you now. I'll carry my little +hand torch, which ought to give us all the light +needed, since you say it's close at hand."</p> + +<p>Accordingly Will jumped up eagerly to get the +necessary things, including the stout cord which +was to be used to start the trigger of the trap +into action, and set the flashlight going.</p> + +<p>"I'm ready Frank, if you are," he soon announced; +and together they went forth on their +errand, Will just as excited as any hunter could +be when creeping up on some coveted game.</p> + +<p>Frank immediately noticed one thing, which +was that his companion led him along in the direction +he and Bluff had taken when coming from +the Dennison place. Indeed when the other finally +decided that they had arrived at the spot where +he had discovered the marks made by the big<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +raccoon in passing to and from the water's edge, +Frank saw evidences of the identical path he +and Bluff had followed all the way down. He +did not give the fact another thought just then; +there was no reason for doing so, since in his +mind it was merely a little coincidence.</p> + +<p>Having had considerable experience in arranging +these clever little traps by which roving night +prowlers were made to be their own photographers, +Will knew just how to go about it. He +fixed his camera in an immovable position, and +focussed it in such a fashion that it would catch +any object chancing to be within a certain radius +at the second the cartridge was fired by means +of the cord, pulled by the animal at the bait.</p> + +<p>"That seems to be as fine as silk," announced +Will, after bending down several times in order +to change the camera a trifle, "and if only Mr. +'Coon comes tripping along here to-night he will +get his sitting. If you happen to find yourself +waked up by a dazzling flash, Frank, please poke +me out, because I'd like to come and get my +camera. It might rain later in the night, you +see, and ruin it for me."</p> + +<p>Frank, knowing how much store his comrade +set by that little black box, readily gave the +desired promise. He entered into all these delightful +schemes engineered by Will with his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +whole heart. Will had always been different +from Bluff and Jerry. Even on their big hunt +out in the Rocky Mountains he had never cared +as much for getting prize game as the others, his +disposition being more gentle.</p> + +<p>Later on the boys concluded it was time to go +to bed, since the day had been a busy one for all. +Besides, the two who were to row the boat sixteen +miles, more or less, on the following day +expected to have their hands full.</p> + +<p>Some time later all of them were suddenly +awakened. It was Bluff who gave the loud exclamation +that aroused the others. He afterwards +explained that he chanced to be lying +awake at the time when a sudden blinding glare +dazzled him, which at first he thought to be +lightning, though puzzled because no thunder accompanied +the flash.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" shrilled Jerry, bumping his +head as he tried to sit up in such great haste; +for the three had opened their eyes in time to +catch a part of the fierce glare.</p> + +<p>Will was already tumbling out of his bunk, +and could be heard chuckling to himself as he +started to put on some clothes in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Frank, he did it, all right, you see!" was what +Will exclaimed in tones that fairly trembled with +eagerness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh! Great Jehoshaphat! all this row about a +measly old 'coon sitting for his picture!" grumbled +Jerry, falling back again, and apparently +meaning to seek once more relief in slumber, +if the bump on his forehead did not hurt too +much.</p> + +<p>"Better take my hand torch along with you, +Will," advised Frank, not thinking it worth +while to accompany the other.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I guess I will, Frank, because it's +pretty dark out there. I'll be back in a jiffy."</p> + +<p>"Whoop it up if the cats tackle you, Will," +called out Bluff, but even if the other heard this +vague intimation of peril he was too filled with +enthusiasm to pay any heed to it, for he kept +straight on.</p> + +<p>A short time afterwards Frank heard him returning. +Then the light came into the cabin, +and Will set down his camera.</p> + +<p>"The trap was sprung then, was it?" asked +Frank sleepily, upon noting this action on the +other's part.</p> + +<p>"Just what it was! and I certainly hope I got a +cracking good picture that time. Old Br'er 'Coon +didn't run away with the bait, though, I noticed. +It was still there, as good as ever."</p> + +<p>"Must have been too badly scared to think of +eating," remarked Frank, and as the torch was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +extinguished just then, and Will tumbled into +his bunk, no more was said.</p> + +<p>The rest of the night passed in perfect peace. +By now the boys had grown used to hearing the +squirrels or other small animals running over the +top of the cabin, and paid little attention to the +sounds at any time, night or day. So long as +they did not drop down the chimney and destroy +some of the food, Frank and his chums did not +mean to do anything to disturb the merry little +creatures as they played hide-and-seek over the +roof.</p> + +<p>Another day found them all up betimes. Those +who cared to do so took a plunge in the cold +waters of the lake and rubbed down afterwards, +feeling all the better for the experience. Will, +however, wanted to discover what luck he had +had with his first flashlight exposure of the +season; and so he started preparations looking +to the development of that particular film, +which he could easily do after breakfast was +over.</p> + +<p>It devolved on Frank to get breakfast that +morning. Bluff and Jerry, having hit upon a +better way in which to use the sail they had +fashioned with so much care on the previous +afternoon, were already busily engaged in making +changes, just as though for once they were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +not thinking of the eternal food question, except +so far as new supplies went.</p> + +<p>But then Frank could fry the sliced ham as +well as any one, and he soon had the coffee, the +toast, the fried potatoes, and the meat on the +table, after which he called the others.</p> + +<p>"Take notice that this is the last of our butter, +fellows," remarked the cook as he helped +each one in turn to a generous portion of what +had just been taken, piping hot, off the red coals +on the hearth.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's all right, Frank," said Bluff carelessly, +"we expect to have plenty more here before +sunset, don't we, Jerry?"</p> + +<p>"Simply got to," replied his ally, "if we find it +necessary to raid some farmer's hen-coop, gather +up the eggs, wring the necks of two pullets, clean +out his dairy, and leave the ready cash on the +windowsill to settle the bill."</p> + +<p>"We're glad to hear you talk that way," +laughed Will. "For one I'm going to make up +my mouth for fried eggs to-night, unless it's +chicken on the half shell."</p> + +<p>"No danger of that up here in the country; all +the eggs are guaranteed fresh by the farmer +tribe, you know," asserted Bluff.</p> + +<p>"That guarantee doesn't always go with me," +Jerry observed. "It's generally the smart farmer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +who finds a hen trying to sit under the barn +floor, and gathers up the seventeen eggs to ship +with what he has in stock. They're as bad as +the next one when it comes to deceiving the poor +public."</p> + +<p>"You'll just have to excuse me now, because +I've had all I want; and to tell you the truth +I'm just wild to see what my Br'er 'Coon looks +like. If he doesn't show up, tail and all, I'll have +to try for him again, that's all."</p> + +<p>With that remark Will hurried off, just as +Frank expected he would, for he had noticed how +the other hastened with his breakfast. Bluff +and Jerry took longer, because both of them +realized they might be hours on the journey. +The village was possibly further away than they +thought; and it was just as well that they "laid +in a good foundation to start with," as Jerry +sensibly observed.</p> + +<p>"Make the start whenever you get ready, fellows," +remarked Frank. "I'll look after the +dishes, and the bunks too, when the blankets are +aired. It seems as if you might have a smooth +sea to begin with."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you see we've been banking on some +wind from the right quarter," observed Bluff, "in +order to make good use of our sail. I'm fond +of lying back at my ease in a boat, and letting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +the breeze do all the work. There's nothing like +it, eh, Jerry?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, if you notice the way the clouds +are moving slowly, and then watch the tiny ripple +on the bay, you'll reckon that when the wind does +come up it's going to favor us. We may even +get too much of a good thing before we're +done."</p> + +<p>"Remember, fellows," Frank cautioned them, +"that old boat isn't to be wholly depended on. I +calked the seams the best way I could, but the +wood's a bit rotten, and there's always danger +that the oakum may work loose. Then the water +would come in through the open seams in bucketfuls. +So my advice to you is, keep fairly close to +the shore all the time, even when cutting off +coves."</p> + +<p>"That is, you mean keep within swimming +distance," added Jerry, "which we'll be sure to +do, Frank, make your mind easy. A fellow +that's fated to be hanged doesn't want to go +and cheat things by being just simply drowned, +you know."</p> + +<p>"Hello! there's Will broken loose!" exclaimed +Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Just hear him whoop it up, will you?" added +Jerry. "And here he comes on the run right now. +He's holding a film he's developed, and from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +the look on his face I'd say he must have gotten +a corker that shot."</p> + +<p>Indeed Frank could see that the approaching +boy was very much excited; and it was also evident +that what he was carrying so carefully +before him had everything to do with his condition.</p> + +<p>"Frank, here's something that will make you +sit up and take notice!" he was calling out. "I +started to take the picture of a boss 'coon, and +see what I got, will you?"</p> + +<p>Will held the still wet film up so they could +have it between them and the light. All of the +boys were accustomed to looking at negatives, +and figuring out the high lights and the shadows +in their proper proportion.</p> + +<p>What they saw there plainly and clearly delineated +on the film gave them such a sense of +surprise that for several seconds none of them +uttered a single word.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE FORAGING PARTY</h3> + + +<p>"A 'coon on two legs, as sure as you're born, +Will!" ejaculated Bluff presently.</p> + +<p>"It's a man!" cried Jerry. "A man with a +white beard in the bargain!"</p> + +<p>"Frank, it's going to turn out a pretty fair +picture, don't you think?" demanded the proud +artist, thinking first of all of the success that +had crowned his efforts.</p> + +<p>"Seems like it, Will," replied the other; "but +you've certainly given us a big surprise when +you sprung this on the crowd. He must have +run across the cord you had connected with the +trigger of your flashlight apparatus, and it went +off while he was in the act of falling forward."</p> + +<p>"His face doesn't show as well as I'd like," +continued Will, reflectively; "but even as it stands +the chances are we'll find a look of astonishment +there when I come to get a print."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Bluff, "who wouldn't look +staggered if, when he was walking along through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +the woods, all of a sudden he caught his toe in a +cord that was stretched across the path, and then +had what seemed to be a flash of lightning strike +him in the face?"</p> + +<p>"I never happened to go through the experience," +confessed Frank; "but I'm pretty sure it +would give me a fierce jolt."</p> + +<p>"But who can the sneaker be, Frank; some +darky chicken thief prowling around in hopes of +picking up some of our camp duffle?" asked +Jerry.</p> + +<p>Will turned on him with the scorn an expert +photographer always displays when he meets +crass ignorance.</p> + +<p>"Why, can't you see from the dark shade of +his face in the negative, Jerry, that he's a white +man?" he demanded. "If it were a negro you'd +see his face almost white here. That point is settled +without any question."</p> + +<p>"All right, Will, I acknowledge the corn," +Jerry hastened to say; "but that doesn't bring us +any nearer a solution of the mystery. Why +should a white man, and one with a white beard +at that, be wandering around our camp in the +night?"</p> + +<p>They looked at Frank. It was an old habit +with the three chums. Whenever an unusually +knotty point arose that needed attention, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +their powers seemed baffled, Frank was always +depended on to supply the needed answer.</p> + +<p>"So far as I'm concerned, fellows," he told +them, "I can think of only one old man around +this vicinity, and that happens to be Aaron Dennison."</p> + +<p>"Ginger! why didn't I guess him right away?" +grumbled Bluff. "Seems as if my wits go wool +gathering nearly every time there's some sudden +necessity for thinking up an answer. Course +it's Aaron, and nobody else!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Jerry went on to say, as though not +wholly convinced; "but what under the sun would +Aaron be doing here, tell me, and acting suspiciously +like a thief in the night?"</p> + +<p>"Of course we can't say what tempted him to +come out," Frank observed; "we've never met +the gentleman face to face, but we have heard +that he's a queer one. Besides, if you stop to +think, you'll remember a little circumstance that +seemed to connect old Aaron with this cabin on +the Point many years ago."</p> + +<p>"It takes you to piece out these things, Frank," +admitted Bluff candidly. "Sure! We figured +that out by finding a part of an old envelope in +the deserted rat's nest under the floor board."</p> + +<p>"Just as like as not," added Jerry, "the old +chap owns all the ground along the lake shore,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +including this cabin; and if that's so he'd have a +perfect right to walk out this way whenever he +chose, at midnight or noon, as the notion struck +him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well," remarked Will with a sigh, "he +spoiled my little game with Br'er 'Coon, though +I mean to make another try along that line. +When this film dries, which may be around noon, +I'll strike off a proof, and then we can see what +the old hermit looks like."</p> + +<p>"One thing goes without saying," chuckled +Bluff.</p> + +<p>"What might that be?" Jerry asked him.</p> + +<p>"Our night visitor didn't wait to find out what +had blinded him on the trail, but must have +turned and made lickety-split for home."</p> + +<p>"Can you blame him?" demanded Will, demurely. +"Stop and think how you'd feel if all +of a sudden you got such a shock. Bluff, you +said you were awake at the time, and heard some +sort of a sound, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Why yes, I'm dead certain I did; and now +that we know it was a man who got the scare I +reckon he gave a little screech. I thought it was +a yelp from some wild animal at the time, but it +could have been an exclamation just as well."</p> + +<p>They continued to talk about the incident for +some little time, but although several suggestions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +were advanced, in the end they were really no +closer to an explanation of the mystery than +when they started.</p> + +<p>All they knew was that some man, probably +Aaron Dennison himself, had been walking +along the old trail leading to the cabin from +above when his foot caused the concealed trap to +be sprung.</p> + +<p>He must have turned hastily and retreated +after the flash. What he thought the sudden +dazzling illumination was caused by, the boys +had no means of knowing.</p> + +<p>Jerry and Bluff were now getting ready to +start on their mission in search of supplies. +They both expressed the hope that these could +all be procured, once they reached the distant +village on the lake shore, many miles off.</p> + +<p>It promised to be an interesting trip, for they +would pass along a shore neither of them had +ever examined at close range before. To those +who love outdoor life there is always a novelty +about exploration. With new and interesting +scenes opening up constantly before the eyes the +senses are kept on the alert.</p> + +<p>Bluff even had the temerity to suggest that +Will loan them his camera for the occasion.</p> + +<p>"We might run across some dandy pictures +that would be worth while snapping off, you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +know, Will," he went on to say in a wheedling +tone of voice, which Bluff knew so well how to +use.</p> + +<p>Will, however, shook his head. Usually he +was of a most accommodating nature; and on +numerous occasions had willingly entrusted his +highly valued camera into the keeping of the +other boys, who knew how to use it almost as well +as did the owner himself.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather not, if it's all the same to you, +Bluff," he remarked slowly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, just as you say," declared the other, +shrugging his broad shoulders as though it did +not matter much after all, and as if taking care +of the camera might possibly prove a task rather +than a pleasure; "I reckon you're thinking about +the chances of my dropping it overboard; or our +running into a storm where the little old black +box might get soaked and ruined."</p> + +<p>"Not so much that, Bluff, as that I want to +do some work on the camera," explained Will. +"There's a little matter that really needs adjusting, +and I told myself I'd fix it this morning +sure. Then again I've laid out a scheme for to-day +that if it works will call for the use of the +camera."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Will," remarked the other, +briskly; "it doesn't matter a pin to me, only I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +thought you mightn't ever be going all the way +to that village; and something fine could be run +across between here and there."</p> + +<p>He dropped the subject and began to talk with +Frank about other things. Will looked a little +uncomfortable. He disliked being thought selfish, +and seemed almost on the point of changing +his mind. Then on second thoughts he determined +to carry out his original plan.</p> + +<p>Frank looked over the old boat that had been +patched up as well as the conditions allowed.</p> + +<p>"It seems to hold pretty well," he told the two +who expected to make use of it during the +day. "Of course if the lake gets very rough so +that you pitch about considerably, keep on the +watch for a sudden inflow of water. The planks +will hold, but I'm not so sure about the oakum +I pounded into the open seams."</p> + +<p>"But you did a good job, Frank," objected +Jerry, "and so far none of it seems to have +started to loosen."</p> + +<p>"That's because we haven't had a chance to +subject it to any big strain," Frank explained. +"When a boat tosses up and down on the waves +it gets a terrible wrench with each jerk. I've +known seams to open at a time like that when +they were believed to be closed as tight as a +clam."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, well, we mean to follow your advice, +Frank, and keep fairly close to the shore," Bluff +promised.</p> + +<p>"And if there is any trouble both of us are +good swimmers, you remember," added Jerry +confidently. "All I hope is that we get those +precious eggs packed in a way that they won't be +scrambled on the journey home. It'd be rough +now if after all our hard work we had that happen. +I prefer my eggs boiled or fried every +time."</p> + +<p>None of the four chums as they joked in this +fashion dreamed of what Fate had in store for +them before the sun went down behind the +western horizon. How could they suspect +when just then the heavens looked so fair and inviting?</p> + +<p>"What's that you've got there with you, +Jerry?" asked Bluff, who had been fixing a +phantom minnow on a troll, in the expectation +of picking up a fish or two while they rowed.</p> + +<p>"Oh! a little cold snack in the shape of grub," +explained the other, who on all occasions possessed +a voracious appetite.</p> + +<p>"But don't you remember we planned to be in +the village long before noon, and expected to get +dinner there?" protested Bluff.</p> + +<p>"All right, that strikes me as a good scheme,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +came the ready reply; "but with my customary +caution I'm only insuring against starvation. +How do we know but what we'll be shipwrecked +half-way there, and find ourselves up against it? +For one I don't propose to go hungry when +there's a chance to save myself."</p> + +<p>Bluff laughed on hearing this explanation.</p> + +<p>"Trust you to look out for that, Jerry!" he +declared. "And I suppose that in case we do get +dinner at the village tavern or a farmhouse, you'll +be ready to make way with your snack on the +voyage back?"</p> + +<p>"I might be influenced by strong pressure," +chuckled the other.</p> + +<p>"How about the weather, Frank; see any sign +of a storm in the offing?" asked Bluff, turning +to the leader of the camp.</p> + +<p>"Nothing in sight right now," he was told; +"the chances are you'll have clear weather going, +though there may be some wind behind you. +What's going to happen in the afternoon is another +matter. I'm not a weather sharp, and so +I throw up my hands when you ask me to lift +the veil."</p> + +<p>All being ready, the boys launched their boat. +Bluff was to use the oars for the first shift. +When he began to tire he was to call on his +chum to change places, unless in the meantime<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +the breeze had freshened enough for them to +make use of their sail.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, fellows!" called out Will; "see you +later, and take mighty good care of those eggs, +remember!"</p> + +<p>"Listen to him, would you?" jeered Jerry. +"So long as the hen fruit gets here unbroken +Will doesn't seem to care what happens to his +chums. But that's all right, and we hope to turn +up safe and sound before sunset." And under +the steady influence of the oars the boat glided +on until the voices of the boys died away in the +distance.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>TRESPASSERS</h3> + + +<p>The two guardians of the camp at Cabin +Point, being left to their own devices, set about +carrying out certain tasks they had in mind.</p> + +<p>Frank always found plenty to occupy his attention. +He could discover numerous ways of +bettering the conditions of affairs, and took keen +delight in making changes calculated to lessen +the friction of camp life.</p> + +<p>On his part Will pottered with his camera for +fully an hour. When in the end he laid it aside +in working order he was satisfied with what he +had done.</p> + +<p>"I've got it in splendid condition now, Frank," +he announced, "and from this time on there'll be +no danger of a slip when the trap is sprung. +That's been bothering me a whole lot for some +time now, and I'm tickled to know the ghost is +laid."</p> + +<p>Every little while he examined the negative he +had drying, as though anxious to get a proof +from it when it was in proper condition.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>About eleven o'clock he came to Frank holding +a browned bit of paper on which the sun had +printed a very clear picture as taken when the +flashlight cartridge burned.</p> + +<p>"The face shows fairly well," he announced. +"I'd easily enough recognize the man if ever I +ran across him, and that's something."</p> + +<p>Frank looked long and earnestly at the proof.</p> + +<p>"So that's our hermit, is it?" he remarked; +"the old man they say acts so queerly, and has +kept to himself up there on his estate for years, +living the life of a recluse among his books and +papers. There must be some good reason for +his acting that way. He's met with some sort +of terrible disappointment in life it may be; but +then that's no business of ours."</p> + +<p>"But Frank, I was meaning to suggest something +to you to-day," began Will, looking uncertain, +as though he did not know just how the +other might take the proposition he had on the +tip of his tongue.</p> + +<p>"Oh! so that's the way the wind blows, does +it?" remarked Frank, raising his eyebrows as he +looked at his chum. "Somehow when you declined +to let Bluff take the camera along with +him I had an idea you were figuring on some +scheme. You look like a regular conspirator, +Will. Out with it before you choke."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Listen then, Frank; I was hoping I might +coax you to go up there again to-day when I +could be along."</p> + +<p>Frank whistled upon hearing this suggestion.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you mean go to the hermit's place, +Will?" he remarked inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's just it, Frank, and please, now, +don't shut down on me too quickly. Say you'll +think it over, and let me know at noon."</p> + +<p>Frank scratched his head as though considering. +The fact of the matter was he himself had +a peculiar yearning to make that trip again. +There is a sort of subtle fascination about prowling +around forbidden territory. Then the mystery +connected with the hermit had aroused his +curiosity. That strange cry, too, lingered in his +memory even more than Frank cared to confess +to Bluff.</p> + +<p>"But what excuse can we give for trespassing +if we run across old Aaron, his housekeeper, or +any man connected with the place?" he asked +Will.</p> + +<p>At that the other smiled calmly.</p> + +<p>"Well, you know an amateur photographer +never wants for a reason when he gets caught +intruding on private grounds," he explained; +"his enthusiasm is supposed to tempt him to take +any risks. And Frank, if we run across any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +trouble don't hesitate to pile all the blame on me. +I'm willing to stand for it."</p> + +<p>"Is it the house you're aiming to take a picture +of, Will?"</p> + +<p>"Partly that," the other confessed. "You and +Bluff described it as a strange looking building, +and worth seeing, so I'm fairly wild to snap it +off. And then, if we just happened to come on +Aaron himself, why I might manage to get him +in focus and click my camera without his knowing +it. I hope you'll go this time, Frank. Somehow +I've got my heart set on it."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps I may, Will. Let the thing +drop till we're eating our lunch, and then I'll tell +you what I'll do."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Frank!" exclaimed Will, beaming +on his chum, for somehow he must have +guessed that the chances of their going were +pretty fair.</p> + +<p>When noon arrived and they sat down to enjoy +what had been prepared Will's face looked so +much like one big interrogation point that Frank +did not have the heart to keep him longer in +suspense.</p> + +<p>"I see no good reason why we shouldn't wander +up that way if we feel like it," he went on +to say, at which the other looked greatly pleased. +"Of course," Frank continued, "it isn't exactly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +the right thing for us to crawl through that opening +in the fence again, especially after we've been +warned off by the housekeeper; but since you +say you <i>must</i> get a snapshot of the house, why, +we'll risk it."</p> + +<p>"That's kind of you to agree, Frank."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I rather guess it's six for you and half +a dozen for myself," chuckled the other lad; +"because I own up there's something about +Aaron's place up there that draws me more than +I ought to allow. But after all we mean no +harm, and besides we may not meet any one on +our trip."</p> + +<p>"Remember," added Will, with a grin, "it's +only returning the old gentleman's visit of last +night, you know. We want to be neighborly, +of course."</p> + +<p>There was no hurry, since they had the whole +afternoon ahead of them. Will, however, urged +a start because he had hopes that they might +return by a long, roundabout course, and possibly +pick up some interesting views on the way.</p> + +<p>"There are some clouds passing overhead," remarked +Frank, "and we may get a little thunder +shower while away; so we'd better fix things +here shipshape."</p> + +<p>This was easily done, though of course they +did not think to fasten the door in any way. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +other two boys might get back before they did, +and it would be foolish to bar them out of the +cabin. Besides, what reason had they to fear any +invasion from tramps up in this lonely section of +country?</p> + +<p>Once started, Will seemed very happy. Frank +on his part had no great difficulty in following +the dimly seen trail. From time to time he would +show his companion the marks of footprints both +going and coming, and which were other than +those left by himself and Bluff on the preceding +day.</p> + +<p>"That proves we guessed right when we said +it was old Aaron who ran against the string of +your flashlight trap," Frank explained; "and I'd +give a cooky to know why he was making for +the cabin at the time."</p> + +<p>"You told the housekeeper, didn't you, Frank, +that we had bunked in the cabin on the point +jutting out into the bay?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and she may have informed him," Frank +mused. "Even if he's kept himself up here away +from everybody for so long, buried in his books, +old Aaron might have enough curiosity to walk +down over this trail that he knows so well, just +to take a look at us."</p> + +<p>"If he's half as gruff as they say," suggested +Will, "he may have meant to order us to vacate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +the ranch. Then that awful flash came and +frightened it all out of him."</p> + +<p>Other things cropping up caused them to +change the subject. And in due course of time +they sighted the high board fence with which +the strange hermit had surrounded his estate, +thus warning strollers to keep out.</p> + +<p>Will was interested in everything connected +with the isolated home of the rich and mysterious +recluse.</p> + +<p>"Of course," he remarked, reflectively, "we +could climb over that fence if we went to a lot +of trouble, even if it has got a barbed wire +strand along the top; but it would take more or +less time. And you said there was an opening +we could use, didn't you, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"It's just ahead a little way, if some one hasn't +found the loose board and fastened it up securely," +replied the pilot of the expedition.</p> + +<p>They were pleased to discover that this had +not happened. The loose board still hung in +position, and could be easily moved to one side, +allowing them a ready entry to the enclosed +grounds.</p> + +<p>Neither of them spoke above a whisper as +they advanced. Frank followed the tracks he +and Bluff had made when leaving, since these +marked the shortest route to the building. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +it was not long before they caught their first +glimpse of the house.</p> + +<p>The sun happened to be just about right for a +good picture of the front; Will hoped those +drifting clouds would not come along in an exasperating +way, as so often happens in the experience +of every amateur photographer, and obscure +the light.</p> + +<p>"It's going to make a cracker-jack of a picture, +Frank!" said Will, eagerly, and in the lowest +of tones, as though he feared that something +might still happen to keep him from accomplishing +his cherished purpose.</p> + +<p>"Just what I thought," replied the other, in +an equally cautious voice; "which was one reason +I agreed to bring you up here. Get busy now, +Will."</p> + +<p>The boy with the camera glanced about him, +looking for the proper spot from which to snap +off his picture. Taking into consideration the +situation of the sun at that particular minute, +together with the direction the long, low building +faced, Will saw that he could get in the entire +front and the western side.</p> + +<p>He moved a little to the left and gauged matters +with his practiced eye. Being quite a skillful +operator with the lens and the shutter, Will could +judge these things much better than any of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +chums. In a case of this kind at least he had +no occasion to ask the advice of Frank.</p> + +<p>The latter in the meanwhile was looking from +window to window of the two-story building. It +must have many rooms, he judged, from the +number of these openings. He was also wondering +whether that old and vigilant housekeeper +would chance to discover the intruders in front +of the house, and hasten out to warn them away, +lest they get in trouble with her master.</p> + +<p>Then, too, Frank was letting his curiosity have +free rein again; he remembered the weird cry +that had come floating to the ears of himself and +Bluff, giving them such a queer feeling.</p> + +<p>Nothing happened to spoil Will's chance of +getting a good picture. The clouds kept away +from the sun in the most accommodating way, +and no gruff keeper of the grounds came along +with an angry demand that he desist in his undertaking, +as the owner of the estate did not wish +the public to see what manner of home he had +built for himself there behind that towering +fence.</p> + +<p>When Frank heard a slight "click" he knew +that Will had made at least one exposure, though +like a cautious photographer he might decide to +shift his location a trifle and try again, so as to +make sure of his work.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>Their excursion, then, promised to meet with +success. If only the eccentric owner of the place +himself should come along and give Will a chance +to snap his picture off it would be doubly satisfactory.</p> + +<p>That was what Frank was saying to himself as +he stood and waited for Will to complete his +work. Once he fancied he heard some slight +sound, like the rustling of bushes, and wondered +whether, after all, there could be a dog at large +within the enclosed grounds.</p> + +<p>Frank realized that they were intruders, and +as such could not give any good excuse for being +there. He decided that they had better linger +no longer; and was really in the act of turning +to wave his hand to Will, some twenty feet or +more away, when something happened that +stopped his plan.</p> + +<p>A voice that was trembling with anger came +to his ears, and gave him a rude shock.</p> + +<p>"How dare you trespass on this private property, +and even have the assurance to take a picture +of my house, you young rascals?" was what +this furious voice said, and turning quickly +Frank saw the speaker not five feet away from +him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>IN THE BIG TIMBER</h3> + + +<p>Of course it was Mr. Dennison himself. +Frank could easily have guessed as much from +the manner in which the other behaved, even had +he not spoken of the building as "my house."</p> + +<p>The first thing Frank settled in his mind was +that their visitor of the preceding night had been +Aaron Dennison. The white, close-cropped beard +told him that. Then he saw that the old gentleman +held a stout cane in his hand, which he +had half raised as though sorely tempted to make +strenuous use of it upon the backs of these two +ambitious amateur photographers.</p> + +<p>Frank knew how to talk, and use soothing +language. His chums always said he would +make a good lawyer. Apparently he might go +a long time before running across a better opportunity +for smoothing the "ruffled feathers" of an +angry man than was now offered to him.</p> + +<p>"I hope you'll excuse us, Mr. Dennison, for +entering your grounds to take a picture of your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +house," he started to say. "We didn't mean +any harm, and will go away at once, sir."</p> + +<p>The man looked sternly at Frank, but the boy +noticed with a feeling of relief that the half +upraised stick was slowly lowered. Apparently +something influenced Aaron Dennison to decide +not to take the law into his own hands, and use +that heavy cane on these rash intruders.</p> + +<p>"How did you get in here?" he demanded +abruptly.</p> + +<p>"There is a board loose on the fence, sir, and +we couldn't resist the temptation to come +through. My chum here is making a hobby of +taking pictures, and he wanted one of your house, +because it was so peculiar in its build. I hope +you won't think too badly of us for intruding."</p> + +<p>Aaron Dennison did not take any notice of +this last remark; but apparently he caught some +meaning back of Frank's words.</p> + +<p>"How did you know my house differed from +any other one; have you been in here before +this?"</p> + +<p>Evidently the discreet old housekeeper had decided +not to tell of the former visit of the boys, +and it was Frank himself who had given the +secret away. He determined not to evade the +issue, but continue to be frank with the irate gentleman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," he said, steadily. "I wandered up +this way yesterday, and saw the house. It was +because I was so enthusiastic in my description +that Will here wanted to come and get a picture +of it."</p> + +<p>"So as to tell every one, I suppose, that it is the +secluded home of the eccentric old hermit, as I +believe they call me in the towns where my men +trade," the other continued with a half sneer. +"But what are you boys doing up in this section +of the country? It is the first time for a long +while that I have seen a stranger about here."</p> + +<p>"We are camping, sir, on the lake shore, and +having a good time for a few weeks, fishing, taking +pictures, and all that. In our home town +of Centerville they call us the Outdoor Chums, +because we love to camp out."</p> + +<p>"On the lake shore, you say?" repeated the +other, looking keenly at Frank. "Tell me, is your +camp anywhere near Cabin Point?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we've gone to work, Mr. Dennison, and +fixed the old cabin all up; and it's there we're +staying," Frank told him.</p> + +<p>"I wonder—" began the other, frowning, "if +you had anything to do with startling me last +night, when I was taking a walk down to the +lake, as I sometimes do when the spirit moves +me. Do you know anything about that frightful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +blinding flash that gave me such a shock I had to +hurry home?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid we are to blame for that, sir, +though I give you my word of honor we had no +idea any human being would spring the trap. +You see, my chum here is devoted to getting +flashlight pictures of wild animals and birds in +their native haunts. To do that he has to place +his camera at night, and with a bait coax the +little creature to set the trap off. And it happened, +sir, that you ran across the cord connected with +the trigger of the flashlight gun."</p> + +<p>"Is this the truth you are telling me, boy?" +demanded the puzzled hermit.</p> + +<p>"Will, do you happen to have that proof with +you?" called out Frank. Upon hearing this, the +other hastened up, though there was a satisfied +smirk on his face, as though he had accomplished +something daring.</p> + +<p>As Frank believed he had heard a soft click +just before this, he could give a pretty good +guess as to what the other had been up to.</p> + +<p>Upon the proof being produced Frank stepped +forward and held it out to the old gentleman, +who took it eagerly. He even smiled faintly as +he saw himself in the act of falling, and with +all the elements of sudden surprise and alarm +connected with his action.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"At least this satisfies me that you had no +intention of giving me such a bad fright. I +can forgive you in part, because I, too, am interested +in photography, which is indeed my only +recreation nowadays besides reading. But you +must not come here again. I do not allow intruders, +and if you had chanced to be seen by +one of my men the consequences might have +been unpleasant for you."</p> + +<p>"Then we will go away at once, sir," said +Frank; "though we'll always be glad we met you, +Mr. Dennison."</p> + +<p>The recluse frowned again as though he remembered +that he had a reason for not wishing +to hold intercourse with others. And seeing he +did not mean to continue the conversation any +further Frank nodded to Will, after which they +walked away.</p> + +<p>When they looked back a minute later Mr. Dennison +was still standing there as though in a deep +study. Somehow he interested Frank very much +indeed, for the boy realized that there must be +some very good reason for his shunning his +kind.</p> + +<p>They had almost reached the hole in the fence, +when, just as had happened on the preceding day, +there came that strange cry. Will thought it +might be the screech of a peacock, though he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +could not remember having seen such a fowl +strutting about the lawn.</p> + +<p>"It may be what you say," admitted Frank, +"but when you hear a queer sound under such +conditions as these it seems different from anything +you ever ran up against. Bluff thought it +was a dog chained up; you say a peacock; and +for my part I hardly know what to believe."</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, Frank, I got him all right," +chuckled Will.</p> + +<p>"Meaning the old hermit, of course," said the +other. "I thought I heard your shutter click. It +will be worth something to say you took his picture +as well as that you got one of his peculiarly +built house, which I reckon few people have ever +so much as seen."</p> + +<p>"But after all's said and done, Frank, old +Aaron isn't just the kind of man I always thought +a real hermit must be. Why, he's a gentleman, +and not a bit careless of his appearance, the way +most of them are described to be. He dotes on +books, they say. And oh, Frank! did you hear +him admit he was fond of dabbling in amateur +photography himself?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was what he said, Will."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could make a good impression on +old Aaron, then, because like as not he'd have +some dandy pictures to show. He's got rafts of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +money, you know, and must have traveled a heap +in his time."</p> + +<p>Frank laughed at hearing this.</p> + +<p>"Now I wouldn't be surprised," he remarked, +"if you tried to get thick with our hermit before +we shut up shop at Cabin Point!"</p> + +<p>"I own I'd like to, though I don't think I'll +have much of a chance, Frank, because you see +he's shut down on us, and forbidden us to ever +look in on him after this. Now what do you +reckon ails the man, and why should he act in +that way? He must have just soured on the +world for some reason or other."</p> + +<p>They passed outside, and allowed the loose +board to fall back into its place again. Unless +one were looking for a break in the fence it +would be possible to pass by without noticing +anything wrong there.</p> + +<p>"But now since he knows some of us were in +his grounds twice," lamented Will, "old Aaron +may give his men orders to search all around till +they find the break. If they had any sense at +all they could follow our tracks and come to it. +But, Frank, how about taking a swing around +on the way home?"</p> + +<p>"You spoke of that before, Will, and as we +have plenty of time I don't know any reason we +shouldn't make something of a circuit. I'm as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +curious as you can be to see something of the +country."</p> + +<p>"Likely none of us will ever be up this way +again," remarked Will, "and so we'd better make +the most of our opportunities. Besides, there's +no telling what cracker-jack chances we may +strike for pictures. I'm always on the lookout +for anything like that, you remember."</p> + +<p>Frank of course knew next to nothing about +the lay of the ground, but he could give a pretty +good guess, for he had kept his eyes about him +all of the time. Accordingly he laid out the +course they would take.</p> + +<p>"Unless we strike something tougher than we +figure on," he explained to Will, "we ought to +make the round and be back in camp long before +sundown."</p> + +<p>"What if the other fellows do arrive before +us," remarked the photographer of the expedition, +"they can start in to get supper if they're +half starving. I just feel like making hay while +the sun shines. This seems to be one of my lucky +days, because I've already snapped off some pictures +that ought to be worth while. When we +start to talking about hermits and such things +we'll have something to show for it."</p> + +<p>Starting off, they were speedily in the heart +of what seemed to be a dense wood. Will ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>pressed +himself as well pleased with the surroundings, +and soon discovered some remarkable sights +that called for the use of his camera.</p> + +<p>They pushed on for more than an hour, and +by that time had covered considerable distance. +When Frank hinted that perhaps they had better +turn back Will begged him not to give up just +then.</p> + +<p>"You see we've still plenty of time to make the +cabin long before dark," he urged, "and I'm sure +we'll find it worth our while to keep on the way +we're going. It seems to me the country keeps +getting rougher the further we push ahead. Already +I'm just tickled to death with what I've +seen."</p> + +<p>"It's a fact that we've run across as wild a +section as I've ever met with," admitted Frank. +"I never would have believed there could be such +a primitive stretch of land within a hundred miles +of Centerville. Right now you can look around +in every direction, and there isn't a sign to show +that you're not out at the foot of the Rockies, just +as we found it at the time we had our big hunt."</p> + +<p>"At that time, you know, Frank, I hadn't +caught on to this wild animal photography business. +What wonderful pictures I could have +taken then if only I'd known the racket. It keeps +growing on me all the while, too. Right now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +I expect I get more of a thrill when I'm snapping +off the picture of a bull moose bellowing his defiance +to the guide's call, than you would with +your rifle at your shoulder ready for a shot."</p> + +<p>"I reckon you do, Will, for I can understand +what you feel. I really believe that if you hadn't +gone in for the game I'd have picked it up myself. +But one photographic crank in the party +is enough; some of us have to stick to the gun in +order to supply the meat for the camp when +the season is on."</p> + +<p>Frank had been persuaded by Will's logic, and +he continued to push on, though constantly keeping +track of conditions. He did not wish to have +to confess sooner or later that he was lost, which +would not be so impossible a thing to happen in +that dense wood.</p> + +<p>It was while they were making their way along +in this fashion toward the middle of the afternoon, +that, without the slightest warning, there +came a loud and angry crash of thunder; and +looking up in a startled way they saw inky black +clouds gathering overhead.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>CAUGHT IN THE STORM</h3> + + +<p>"Why Frank! What does this mean?" exclaimed +the astonished Will, as he stared first at +his chum, and then up past the lofty tops of the +forest trees to where those inky thunder-caps +were thrusting their ugly noses into sight.</p> + +<p>"Simply that we've been caught napping for +once," replied the other, with an expression of +mingled amusement and disgust on his face; for +such a thing did not happen very often in the +experience of a wide-awake fellow like Frank +Langdon.</p> + +<p>"It's going to storm like fun," continued Will, +with growing apprehension.</p> + +<p>"And the first thing we've got to do," his companion +told him, "is to look for shelter. Under +these big trees we might find a place to keep +dry, for there's one that's hollow right now; but +the danger of its being struck by lightning is too +great for me to risk."</p> + +<p>"Whew! We're in for it, I expect!" cried Will,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +who apparently had received quite a severe shock +upon making this sudden discovery, when up to +the time that loud thunder clap startled them +neither of the boys had suspected anything.</p> + +<p>Frank began to look hastily about him. He +knew what he wanted to find above all things, and +fortunately the country around that section was +capable of producing such a safe shelter.</p> + +<p>"Hurry along this way, Will!" he called out. +"If I remember rightly I noticed some outcropping +ledges back a little bit. We may be lucky +enough to find shelter under a shelf of rock."</p> + +<p>"That's a good idea, Frank," admitted Will, as +he tried to keep close on the heels of his hurrying +comrade.</p> + +<p>"If the rain will only hold off ten minutes, even +less, we ought to get to that rocky section, unless +I miss my guess," Frank threw back over his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>They pushed on with all their vim. Meanwhile +it grew very dark and forbidding. Will could +not remember ever to have seen the day swallowed +up in the gathering shades of night so +quickly before. It appalled the boy, for he did +not possess the same unconquerable nature as +Frank.</p> + +<p>One crash of thunder followed another in +rapid succession. The very earth under their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +flying feet seemed to quiver with the concussions. +Lightning shot downward with such vivid flashes +that it fairly blinded them; so that Will's soul +was filled with awe.</p> + +<p>"Frank, oh, Frank!" cried the boy in the rear.</p> + +<p>"All right, Will, what is it?" replied the other, +who kept glancing back at very brief intervals +to make sure his chum still ran at his heels, for +he feared that should they ever be separated in +that gathering gloom it would be impossible for +them to come together again.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we can make it?" demanded the +other, with a touch of despair in his voice, for +the situation looked frightfully appalling to Will.</p> + +<p>"Sure we will!" he was immediately assured in +Frank's most cheery fashion. "Right now I can +see the first of the rocks. Given two more minutes +at the most and we'll be able to crawl under +a shelf, and lie there as snug as two bugs in a +rug."</p> + +<p>Frank did not feel any too sanguine himself, +but he would not let Will know of any fears he +possessed regarding the possibility of their not +finding the shelter among the rocks after all.</p> + +<p>A terrific peal of thunder drowned their conversation +for a brief interval, but they were +pushing resolutely forward all the while. Frank +was straining those keen eyes of his to some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +purpose. He knew they were at the border of the +rough, rocky section now. If only they could run +upon the friendly outcropping shelf which he +remembered to have seen at the time they passed +before, they would find shelter.</p> + +<p>All would have been easy enough had they +been given ordinary daylight so as to look around +them. The gathering gloom made it very difficult +to see twenty feet away with any degree of +certainty. Frank was being guided partly by +instinct, and the knowledge that he had taken +his right bearings to start with.</p> + +<p>"Frank, I felt the first drop of rain!" shrilled +Will, filled with a new fear, for he was afraid +that his pet camera would be ruined should they +be soaked to the skin, which was a calamity terrible +enough to break his heart.</p> + +<p>Frank did not need to be told of the falling +rain, for he, too, had discovered the ominous fact +even before his chum announced it. There was +nothing to be done but set their teeth grimly and +bear it. The rocks were now all around them. +If only they could discover that friendly ledge!</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's beginning to come down now, because +I can hear it in the treetops over that way, +can't you, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"What you hear is mostly the wind, Will; but +that sounds bad enough, I own up. There, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +remember that broken tree making a bow above +the path we followed. And the ledges were close +by it, I'm dead certain. Come this way, Will; +chances are we'll run on them right off."</p> + +<p>This cheery talk buoyed up the despondent +spirits of the other, and he set his teeth grimly, +determined to hold out to the end. Another flash +that almost blinded them, quickly followed by a +resounding bellow of thunder, announced that +the downpour of rain must be very close indeed; +doubtless it would descend upon them with that +furious gale of wind.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! here they are, Will! Brace up, old +fellow, for it's going to be all right!"</p> + +<p>So dense had the darkness become that Frank +found himself relying almost wholly on the electric +flashes for his illumination. The last brilliant +charge had disclosed the fact of the near presence +of the ledges which he had kept in mind so +long.</p> + +<p>Fortune favored them in that Frank was able +to discover the largest ledge close at hand. It +stood out far enough to allow of their crawling +well underneath, where the rain, no matter how +it was driven by the furious wind, could not +reach them.</p> + +<p>Even as the two fugitives dropped down on +their hands and knees, and started to creep under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +the flat rocks, the rain began to fall heavily. In +fact it seemed to Will that hardly had his feet +been drawn under the accommodating shelter +than the heavens opened, and the floods descended.</p> + +<p>The two boys pushed well in and made themselves +as comfortable as their condition allowed. +This of course was not saying much, for they +were sitting on hard rock, with their heads touching +the shelf that hung above.</p> + +<p>It was utterly impossible for them to exchange +a single word just then, owing to the riot of +sound that came from beyond. The thunder bellowed, +the wind roared, trees could be heard at +intervals crashing to the ground, and the rain +beat a terrible tattoo on the rock that sheltered +them.</p> + +<p>So fast did the lightning play that they were +glad to close their eyes lest in staring into that +dazzling glare they should find themselves +blinded.</p> + +<p>Will managed to push up close to his chum. +Somehow it seemed to give him more confidence +just to feel the contact. Thus he knew he was +not alone in the midst of that hurricane, really +the worst he had ever experienced in all his life.</p> + +<p>The time wore on. Once the dreadful storm +seemed to have passed, and it even grew consid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>erably +lighter. Will plucked up fresh hope, believing +the end had come, and that they could +soon be on their way to camp, to reach there at +dusk perhaps.</p> + +<p>Frank, however, began to see things in a different +light. He noted that there were signs +telling of a return of the gale. The second spell +might be as bad as the first; and if it kept them +confined there under the rocks until night came +on it would be utterly out of the question to think +of setting forth.</p> + +<p>So Frank, foreseeing fresh trouble ahead, +braced himself to meet it. They would have to +make a virtue of necessity, and stay there all +night. That was not a pleasant outlook, but then +things might be a lot worse, Frank told himself.</p> + +<p>Sure enough the gloom once more descended, +and again the thunder took up the old rumble and +crash. Perhaps the wind was not as furious as +was the first rush, and the rain may have been +less in quantity, but the second part of the storm +was severe and terrifying enough.</p> + +<p>"If it wasn't that we've had an even worse +spell," Will managed to call out, "I'd think this +was the worst ever. Frank, what's the answer to +all this? How are we going to get back to +camp?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Walk, of course," replied the other; "it's the +only way."</p> + +<p>"But even now the afternoon must be pretty +well gone," objected Will.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is," he was told.</p> + +<p>"We don't know the exact way to camp," continued +Will, "the night is coming on in a hurry, +the trees are dripping with water, and in lots +of places they have been thrown down every-which-way +by that hurricane. We never can +make camp to-night, that's sure!"</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you understand that, Will, because I +was just going to break it to you. No, it would +be foolish for us to try such a thing. We've been +pretty lucky as it is to escape getting wet jackets. +We'll have to put in a long night here the best +we can."</p> + +<p>"Whew! it will be a terribly long one, too," +declared Will, listening to the retreating growl +of the thunder. "And the worst of it is the +weather usually turns cold after one of these +storms. We'll get to shivering to beat the band. +I wish we could make a fire some way or other."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid that's going to be out of the question," +Frank told him. "Of course we have +matches in plenty, but we couldn't get dry wood +after that deluge. You see we had no chance to +look around us for a dead tree, and we have no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +camp hatchet along with us to do any chopping."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I guess we can stand it, Frank. +Morning is bound to get here sooner or later. +We've gone through as bad times as this more +than once, haven't we?"</p> + +<p>"I should say we had," Frank immediately +replied, anxious to buoy up the spirits of his +companion as much as possible. "And for one +thing, that wind isn't going to reach in under here +to any extent."</p> + +<p>"You're right about that," admitted Will; "it +comes from back of the ledge, now that it's +shifted into the west. Surely we have lots to +be thankful for. But of course we'll feel pretty +hungry, because neither of us is used to going +without supper, you see."</p> + +<p>At that Frank laughed.</p> + +<p>"I thought I'd do it for a joke, first of all," he +remarked; "you see I'd been reading about the +way the Indians make their pemmican by drying +venison, and how they carry a handful in their +pouches when they have a day's journey afoot to +make, munching on it once in a while."</p> + +<p>"But what has that to do with us, Frank; we +have no pemmican in camp, have we?"</p> + +<p>"No, but that piece of dried beef made me +think of it, and for fun I carved off a small +hunk, intending to spring it on you as a joke if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +you happened to say you felt hungry, I've got it +here in the pocket of my coat."</p> + +<p>"Well! of all the luck, that takes the cake!" +exclaimed Will. "We can grind our teeth on +that once in a while, and make believe we're enjoying +the most magnificent camp dinner going, +eh, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"It's apt to make us thirsty, of course, but just +now it happens that pools of water can be found +for the looking, so that needn't bother us any. +So we're fixed in the line of grub; and there's +no danger of starving to death yet awhile."</p> + +<p>By the time the last of the storm died away +in the distance it was almost night; in fact Will +discovered the first star peeping through a rent +in the clouds overhead. Therefore the two +chums started to make themselves as comfortable +as the hard conditions of their shelter allowed, +thankful that they had been spared being caught +in the open by that fearful summer storm.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>TAKING A BEE-LINE FOR CAMP</h3> + + +<p>Frank and Will were not apt soon to forget +that night. They were compelled to remain +under the shelf of rock, because outside everything +was soaking wet; and besides, the night +wind blew unusually cold for that time of year. +Without a fire to cheer them it would have been +unbearable to try to stay in the open.</p> + +<p>Of course the rocks proved very hard. Every +little while the boys would change their positions +in the endeavor to relieve their aching limbs. +Many times did Will find himself sighing for +his blanket, which had never seemed half so +precious as now, when it was far away.</p> + +<p>Frank managed to divide the piece of hard +dried beef with his knife, and give the larger portion +to Will, who, of course, knew nothing of the +sacrifice. They munched away from time to +time, taking minute bites, and grinding the tough +meat between their teeth as long as possible before +swallowing it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>This served in some measure to keep their +thoughts away from their unhappy condition, +which was one object Frank had in mind.</p> + +<p>At times they talked of the two comrades who +had gone off, aboard the boat, bent on reaching +the far distant village on the lake shore. Will +worried about them. Frank professed to have +the utmost confidence in the ability of the chums +to look after themselves.</p> + +<p>"Stop and figure it all out, Will," he told the +other. "If they made as good time as we expected, +they must have reached the village long +before noon came. In fact, we felt pretty sure +they were in port at the time we ate our own +lunch in camp."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what we agreed," admitted the +other, briskly.</p> + +<p>"Well, let's try to guess what they'd be apt to +do," continued Frank.</p> + +<p>"I know what Jerry would have in his mind +first of all, if it happened to be anywhere around +noon," said Will. "Jerry never forgets when +it's meal time; and the chances are ten to one +he'd try to make sure they were going to get +dinner somewhere."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Frank; "that might bring +them to nearly one o'clock. Afterward they'd +want to get a hustle on them trying to gather up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +a supply of butter and fresh eggs, according to +their orders. Now if they had to go outside the +place to get the supplies it would be long after +two before they'd be in shape even to think of +starting back to camp."</p> + +<p>"I see what you're hitting at, Frank; you +mean they'd likely enough notice how the inky +black clouds were moving up in the sky about +that time, because being so close to the big lake +they could see all this; while the woods hid it +from us."</p> + +<p>"Just so," Frank continued, his one desire being +to convince the anxious chum that Bluff and +Jerry could be in no real peril. "And the people +of the village, you see, would urge them to hold +over, telling them it was too risky to try to +row an old leaky boat all those miles with such +a storm coming up."</p> + +<p>"Then you believe they are still there in the +village, do you, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"I really and truly do," came the steady answer; +"and, even at the worst, if the boys were +foolish enough to make the start you can depend +on it they'd hurry to get ashore long before the +storm broke."</p> + +<p>"Well," concluded Will, "nothing could have +tempted me to stay out on the lake a minute, once +that thunder started to crash, and I knew the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +wind must soon come tearing along. I guess +Jerry wouldn't take too many chances, even if +Bluff wanted to keep rowing on."</p> + +<p>"Another thing you've got reason to be satisfied +about is your camera," suggested Frank, +knowing what store his comrade set by his treasured +instrument.</p> + +<p>"Yes, for it hasn't been wet even a little bit!" +Will declared. "I've always been pretty lucky +that way. In fact the only streak of misfortune +that ever struck me was the loss of those Maine +films. I even dream about them, Frank; and I +certainly do hope that Gilbert brings them back, +if he comes this way."</p> + +<p>"He may turn up any time now," Frank assured +him. "The golf tournament must have +been played before this, and if Gilbert lives +around this part of the country you'll see him +coming after those golf balls of his. They look +extra fine to me."</p> + +<p>"And my films would be worth next door to +nothing to him; just as I look on his silly old +golf balls. Queer how one man's food is another +man's poison, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>A dozen times Frank had to scratch a match at +the request of his mate in order to take a glance +at his watch. The time seemed actually to drag +along.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I've read about the minutes passing on leaden +wings," said Will, with a long-drawn sigh, "but +now I know just what that means. Eleven +o'clock you said, didn't you, Frank? That +means six more to bring us to five in the morning; +and I suppose we couldn't think of making +a start any earlier than that."</p> + +<p>"As soon as it's broad daylight we'll get a +move on us," promised the other. "We only +want to make sure we can see how to avoid pitfalls +and fallen trees."</p> + +<p>"How far are we from camp, do you reckon, +Frank?"</p> + +<p>Will asked this last question rather drowsily; +for in spite of his pains he was beginning to get +sleepy.</p> + +<p>"Only a few miles as the crow flies," he was +assured.</p> + +<p>"Of course you've got the direction down all—er, +what you call it, pat, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>Frank told him he felt sure he could take a +bee-line for camp; and a minute afterwards, there +being no further questions, only the regular +breathing of a tired lad, he knew that Will had +dropped off.</p> + +<p>Neither of them managed to secure any great +amount of sleep. Their hard resting-place prevented +such a thing. After a nap of possibly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +half an hour Frank would awaken to find one +of his legs numb under him, while his muscles +fairly ached with the severe strain to which they +were quite unaccustomed.</p> + +<p>Twice both boys felt so numb with the cold +that acting on Frank's advice they crawled out +from under the sheltering rock, and for a short +time went through with exercises devised to send +the blood leaping through their veins.</p> + +<p>It was by all odds the longest night either of +the lads had ever experienced, in so far as their +feelings were concerned. Twice the eager and +impatient Will gave a false alarm, under the impression +that he had glimpsed the dawn stealing +in upon them. The first time Frank showed him +by his watch how impossible this was, for it had +hardly reached two o'clock.</p> + +<p>But all things must come to an end, bad as +well as good; and finally Frank himself detected +the coming of dawn. It was not by sight that +he knew this but through the twittering of birds +in neighboring trees, where the poor things had +hidden to escape the terrible storm.</p> + +<p>"I guess that's meant for a tune of thanksgiving +and praise on account of having escaped +death in all that wind and rain," Frank told himself +as he listened to the faint songs taking form +around him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>He did not awaken his chum, because there +was no need. They could not start at once, and +the boy needed what sleep he could get after +such a wretched night.</p> + +<p>It was broad day when Will awoke.</p> + +<p>"Why! what's this, Frank?" he exclaimed, reproachfully, +"how could you let me waste time +sleeping when we might have been on our way?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! no hurry," he was told; "and you seemed +to be getting forty winks after such a tough +night. But now that you've waked up, let's crawl +out of here."</p> + +<p>Neither of them felt any sorrow at leaving +their hard beds, though that did not mean they +could ever be anything but grateful for the +welcome shelter of that nook under the rocky +shelf.</p> + +<p>Frank had no hesitancy about pointing toward +the quarter where he believed the camp must lie.</p> + +<p>"We'll take our bearings, Will, and then head +straight. In the course of two hours at the most +we ought to strike the lake, and close to Cabin +Point in the bargain."</p> + +<p>"Before we leave here," remarked Will, the old +instinct still gripping him, "I'd like to get a +snapshot of that bully ledge, now that the sun +is peeping up, and shines full on the place."</p> + +<p>"A good idea," Frank told him; "we'll often<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +smile when we look at it, and remember our +rough experience. I think every time I happen +to munch a bit of jerked or dried beef my +thoughts will go back to this adventure."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added the other, with a chuckle, "and +with me, every time anybody mentions dried beef +you'll see me begin to rub my poor bones where +they ache right now as if my joints were so +many boils."</p> + +<p>They had not gone far before they began to +notice many signs that told of the fury of the +wind during the storm. Trees had been toppled +completely over or else lay up against some +neighboring trunk in a helpless condition, "much +like drunken men," Will declared.</p> + +<p>Will discovered a number of remarkable sights +that appealed to his artistic instinct, so that Frank +had to wait until he had focussed his camera and +then pressed the button. Those pictures would +always remind them of their lively experiences +when on the way back to camp after the second +visit to Aaron Dennison's place.</p> + +<p>When about an hour had passed Will began to +show signs of fresh anxiety, but he was confidently +assured by his chum that everything was +all right.</p> + +<p>"The lake is straight ahead of us, you can depend +on that," was what the pilot told him; "and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +pretty soon I think I can prove it to you, since +seeing is believing."</p> + +<p>"How is that?" asked Will, his curiosity +aroused at once, as Frank intended it should be.</p> + +<p>"We're coming to a little hill," was the explanation, +"and unless the trees are too dense to +hide our view I figure we ought to see the big +water from the crown; anyway we'll take the +trouble to climb up and find out."</p> + +<p>Frank was right, for upon arriving at the top +of the elevation they managed to find one avenue +among the treetops through which they could +glimpse the glistening waters of the sun-kissed +lake.</p> + +<p>After that Will complained no longer, having +the utmost confidence in the ability of his companion +to guide the expedition into a safe harbor.</p> + +<p>Before the second hour had fully elapsed they +realized that the shore was close by. Will declared +he could even hear the lapping of the +waves on the pebbly strand.</p> + +<p>"We might have made it in much less time, +you understand," said Frank, "if it had not been +for the fallen trees we had to go around; and +then there was the ravine we skirted a long way +before meeting with a place where we could +cross."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But it's all right in the end, Frank; and let +me tell you I'm thankful we came through the +business as well as we did. Now the only thing +to bother us is the fate of the other fellows."</p> + +<p>"Oh! they're all right, you can depend on it," +said Frank.</p> + +<p>"But I don't hear any chopping or talking, and +we must be close enough to the cabin to get that, +you know," speculated Will.</p> + +<p>"Which proves my theory was sound, and that +they had to stay all night in the village. You can +depend on it, Will, they fared better than we +did, because the chances are they slept on feather +beds, and had all they wanted to eat."</p> + +<p>"Oh, good, now we can cook something! I'm +about as near empty as I want to be, and feel able +to make way with the biggest beefsteak going. +There, I can see the cabin, Frank! I'm glad to +find out the storm didn't pick it up bodily and +carry it into the lake, as I sometimes thought it +might have done."</p> + +<p>Both of them hurried their steps a little, for +the thought of a warm and tasty breakfast certainly +appealed to them as seldom before. Consequently +they soon reached the cabin on the +Point, which they now called their camp home.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE RETURN OF THE VOYAGERS</h3> + + +<p>"After all the old cabin has had a pretty narrow escape, +Will."</p> + +<p>Frank, as he said this, pointed to where a +tree had crashed to the ground close by. It lay +with its head toward the northeast. Had the +wind been more in the west at the time of its +fall the roof of the log structure must have been +crushed in like an egg-shell.</p> + +<p>Will was just about to enter when Frank +caught hold of his arm and held him back.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Frank?" instantly questioned +the other, looking around him in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Why, I wonder how it comes that the door +is ajar. We both know as well as anything that +we made sure to shut it securely at the time we +left."</p> + +<p>"Then Bluff and Jerry must have got back +home!" exclaimed Will, excited again. "Since +they don't seem to be here, I reckon they've set +off to search for us, believing we must have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +gone out for a stroll, and been caught in the +storm."</p> + +<p>"You forget one thing, Will."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean the boat?" demanded the other, +quickly. "Well, it doesn't seem to be around, +for a fact, Frank; and, sure! it ought to be if +they'd come home."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's go inside now," remarked the +other. "If they did come home, and have gone +out again, I think they would have left some +word for us."</p> + +<p>No sooner had the two boys entered the cabin +than they could see that some one had been there. +A home-made chair was lying on its side on the +floor; also some things had been swept from +the heavy table which Frank had repaired so that +it stood firmly on its four legs now.</p> + +<p>Will looked around, and then turned his eyes +on Frank.</p> + +<p>"Somebody or some animal has certainly been +in here since we left yesterday, or I miss my +guess!" he announced.</p> + +<p>"There's no question about that," returned +Frank, a puzzled look on his face. "And as we +fastened the door in the only way we have, which +would prevent any but an educated monkey from +opening it, I can't believe any wild beast entered +here. Take that from me, Will."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then of course it must have been a human +being," remarked Will, for Frank's decisions +seemed to leave no other explanation possible.</p> + +<p>"I'm wondering why he came in here, and +what he did," continued the other, as he wandered +about the place scrutinizing everything. +"There's not a sign of anybody's sleeping in one of +our bunks, and so far as I can make out there's +been no cooking going on here since we had our +lunch yesterday, because I remember just how +I put everything away then."</p> + +<p>"Frank, it's certainly a deep mystery."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well! what's the use of bothering our +poor heads over it when there was no mischief +done. Let's get busy with something to eat. +I'm as hollow as a drum right now, and I'm not +ashamed to say it, either."</p> + +<p>When presently the coffee began to throw out +the most tantalizing odor, and the sizzling bacon +added its quota to the aroma, the boys felt they +could hardly wait until things were ready.</p> + +<p>Munching some crackers helped them to hold +off a bit, and presently, when things were done, +the welcome call to breakfast sounded.</p> + +<p>The lake must have been rough and high during +the previous night's gale, for the waves still +rolled up on the beach in places, though the wind +had changed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't you think they must have started from +over yonder by now?" Will was asking as he +and Frank began to eat more slowly, having +taken the fierce edge from their appetites.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the sea has gone down enough by now +to let them take chances," Frank admitted; "and +after we're through eating we'll use the glasses +to find out."</p> + +<p>Although he had not said anything about it to +his chum, Frank believed he had detected a moving +spot far away on the water, and in the direction +of the village, which he thought might be +the camp boat with their two mates.</p> + +<p>He did not hurry through his breakfast, for +as the object was constantly drawing slowly but +steadily nearer Cabin Point they would be better +able to discover who the occupants of the boat +were later on.</p> + +<p>Will kept the other to his promise, and in good +time the small but powerful pair of field glasses +was brought out and adjusted.</p> + +<p>Frank took the first look. He did not say a +single word or betray the result of his survey by +the faintest smile, only handed the glasses to +Will.</p> + +<p>"My sight must be different from yours, Frank, +because I have to focus all over again. There, +now I reckon I've got it O. K. because I can see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +the village over there as plain as anything. The +boat ought to be this way—there, I've got it +located. Oh, Frank, it's Bluff and Jerry, as sure +as you live!"</p> + +<p>"Of course it is!" declared the other. "And +now you can see that I hit the right nail on the +head when I tried to figure out what they'd probably +do in the storm. They spent last night +among the villagers, and started this morning +just as soon as the water went down enough to +make it seem safe."</p> + +<p>"They're almost half-way here as it is," continued +Will; "and rowing like fun, let me tell +you! Well, that relieves my mind a heap. I +couldn't feel altogether easy about the boys, +knowing what an old tub that boat is at best. +But it's all right, Frank; and I think I can drink +another cup of coffee on that."</p> + +<p>"We ought to have some ready for them when +they get here," suggested thoughtful Frank; +"though of course they'll have eaten breakfast at +the village. But a cup of <i>our</i> fragrant coffee is +something to make you forget you're tired."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Will, "I warrant you they didn't +get anything like that over there at the village +tavern, or wherever they put up."</p> + +<p>They spent much of their time watching the +approach of the boat. The sunbeams glinted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +from the flashing oars as they were methodically +raised and lowered. All the while it came nearer +and nearer.</p> + +<p>"I can see that they're anxious about the camp, +and wondering how we came through the storm," +ventured Frank; "because every once in a while +they stop rowing, seem to be talking together, +and then turn around to stare this way."</p> + +<p>"Let's step out in the open, and I'll wave my +big red bandanna to them, Frank."</p> + +<p>"They ought to see that easily enough," +laughed the other; "I remember the old bull did +that time he had you treed for several hours. +Now stand ready, and as soon as I give the word +start to waving, while we both shout."</p> + +<p>It was easy to tell when the rowers looked +around again, thanks to the powerful glasses; +and while Will waved his red bandanna, both of +them yelled vociferously.</p> + +<p>"They see us, because they're waving their +hats now!" observed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I can hear them shouting," added +his companion.</p> + +<p>Slowly the boat drew nearer, until in the end +it was run up on the sandy beach of Cabin Point. +Then Bluff and Jerry scrambled out, stretched +their stiff legs, and picking up several bundles +that had lain in the bottom of the craft, started<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +toward the cabin, sniffing the welcome odor of +coffee as they came.</p> + +<p>"Looks as if you'd got what you went for," +remarked Frank, as he hastened to relieve one +of the boys of his burden, a cardboard box, evidently +holding several dozen eggs.</p> + +<p>"We did all of that," replied Bluff, "and then +had to hold the fort through the night because +of that nasty little tooter of a storm."</p> + +<p>"Listen to him! Trying to make out it didn't +amount to much after all!" laughed Jerry. "I +wish you could have seen him holding on to the +chair he was sitting in at the village inn, whenever +there came a terrific blast that made the +house shake all over. I even heard him ask the +landlord if it was bolted down to its foundation."</p> + +<p>"Well, to own up to the honest truth," said +Bluff, with one of his wide grins, "it was a regular +buster of a howler. I never saw such wind +or rain, and my ears ring even yet from the +smashing thunder-claps. Wow! but you two +must have wondered what was coming when +that big tree came tearing down to the ground +not thirty feet away from the cabin."</p> + +<p>"But we didn't hear it fall," said Will, mysteriously.</p> + +<p>"What do you want us to believe by your +saying that?" demanded Jerry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We didn't happen to be around these parts +just then, you see," continued the artist, smilingly. +"Fact is, we spent the night under a ledge +of rock some miles away from here, hungry and +cold as could be."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you up and tell us what happened?" +said Bluff. "Why so much mystery, I want to +know? What took you away, and how did it +come that you never noticed that old whooper +coming up in time to hurry back to camp?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank and I took a little stroll after +lunch," remarked Will. "You must know I've +been wild to see that place belonging to Aaron +Dennison, and snap off a view of it, because Bluff +said it is such a remarkable affair. Well, we got +the picture, all right, and also one of the owner +of the ranch holding up a big cane as though +about to strike Frank here."</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! tell us more about that!" begged +Bluff, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"After you get started on that coffee we made +for you," said Frank. And while the two boys +were enjoying their cups of hot coffee the story +was related.</p> + +<p>Then those who had gone to the village were +asked about their trip. Nothing remarkable had +happened except that on several occasions they +were compelled to bail out, and had once to stop<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +in order to pound more oakum into an opening +that appeared in one of the seams of the +boat.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me from ever taking such a long trip +again in an old rattletrap of a boat like that," declared +Bluff. "Luckily for us, you insisted on +our carrying a bunch of that oakum along, +Frank. With it we patched up more seams this +morning, and managed to pull through, though +it's been a hard drive."</p> + +<p>"But we've lots of dandy fresh eggs, and five +pounds of new butter," added Jerry, proudly.</p> + +<p>"The storm came up before you could start, +I suppose?" questioned Will.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and Bluff here wanted to pull out anyhow," +Jerry replied, "but I kicked on that, and +some of the villagers also warned him it would +be suicidal—yes, that's the exact word they used, +Bluff, and you know it. What if I'd given in to +you, and we had been caught all of a sudden by +that hurricane? Well, I'll bet deep down in your +heart you're just as glad as anything I kept you +from making that silly start."</p> + +<p>"Sure I am, Jerry! and I hope you didn't really +think I meant to go. I was only trying to keep +up to my reputation and name as a bluffer. All +the while I knew as well as anything we never +could get a quarter of the way here. I've cut<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +my eye-teeth for all I sometimes make out to be +so brash and bold."</p> + +<p>Frank and Will only laughed at the expression +of disgust they saw creeping over Jerry's face. +Surely all of them ought to know Bluff well +enough by this time to understand that he did not +always mean what he said.</p> + +<p>"And now," remarked Frank, "see if either of +you can figure out this mystery." With that he +told them how he and Will had found signs of +some one's having been in the old cabin on the +point between the time they had left it and their +late return on that morning.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>DAYS OF REAL SPORT</h3> + + +<p>"You're dead sure nothing was taken, are you, +Frank?" Bluff demanded first of all, his suspicions +running in the direction of a sneak thief.</p> + +<p>"We looked, but couldn't find the first trace +of anything having been stolen," he was assured. +"Things seemed knocked around a bit, and the +door was ajar, though we left it tightly closed, +but that was all."</p> + +<p>"It surely is a deep mystery," admitted Jerry, +with a puzzled expression on his face. Jerry had +never been remarkably clever at finding out hidden +things, and the whiff of a mystery generally +confused him.</p> + +<p>"I'd be inclined to think it must have been +some sort of animal," ventured Bluff, "only you +feel certain you fastened the door, so a dog or +a wildcat couldn't get inside."</p> + +<p>"Besides," spoke up Will, "if it had been any +sort of animal bent on getting something to eat, +wouldn't we see signs of his nosing around in +the cabin?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's a fact," admitted Bluff, immediately, +"there's that shank of our ham lying right on +the table where we left it. I said we'd boil the +same the first chance we got, so as to get the pickings. +Any dog would have pulled that on to the +floor and gnawed at it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, what's the use guessing when we +haven't got a single clue to go on?" remarked +Jerry. "Let's change the subject and talk of +something pleasant."</p> + +<p>"One thing I know," said Will, with a happy +smile.</p> + +<p>"Then tell us, won't you?" asked Bluff.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to set my little trap again to-night +for Br'er 'Coon," continued the enthusiastic +amateur photographer.</p> + +<p>"Huh! wonder what you'll spot next time?" +observed Bluff. "You nailed an old fellow that +you tell us is Aaron Dennison himself. I hope +the next crack won't give us a picture of the Old +Nick himself, horns, split hoofs, forked tail and +all! Ugh!"</p> + +<p>"Well," muttered Jerry, "seems to me when +you set one of those flashlight traps right in the +woods of nights you never can tell what kind of +a job you're going to get away with."</p> + +<p>Will laughed as though amused.</p> + +<p>"Why," he went on to say, "don't you under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>stand +that's part of the game? The uncertainty +of the thing adds to the charm. You never do +know exactly what you're going to strike."</p> + +<p>"Well," Jerry continued, shaking his head in +a contrary fashion as though far from convinced, +"I never did take much to the grab-bag business—putting +your hand in, and groping around to +pull out a prize or a blank."</p> + +<p>"Ditto here, Jerry," spoke up Bluff; "I prefer +to know what I'm trying for, and then chasing +after it for all I'm worth."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, what's the use of talking?" Will +concluded. "Many men, many minds. It's a +mighty good thing everybody doesn't think alike. +Variety is the spice of life, they say. But excuse +me, fellows; I've got some work to do developing +the snaps I took yesterday."</p> + +<p>That was the last they saw of Will for some +time. Once he buried himself in that fascinating +photographic labor to which he was devoted heart +and soul, it required some strong incentive such +as a summons to dinner, to make him break away.</p> + +<p>After noon had come and gone, the boys settled +down into something like the old life. Less +was said about events that had occurred, while +new plans were being broached for the immediate +future.</p> + +<p>Having secured some live bait with a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +seine made of mosquito netting, Bluff and Frank +tried the fishing, using the boat to reach what +seemed to be good ground. A hidden ledge of +rock ran from the point, and Frank judged that +where the water was something like ten feet deep +there ought to be bass.</p> + +<p>His figuring proved to be correct, for they +were soon busily engaged in playing the fish that +struck the live minnows. At times the work became +even exciting, as a larger and more gamy +fish took hold.</p> + +<p>Jerry, who also liked to fish, watched the sport +from the shore and envied those who were thus +engaged. The next time he was asked by Bluff +to accompany him in the boat Jerry's answer +would be of a different nature. This was a time +when his laziness cost him dearly, he admitted +to himself, as he watched Bluff lift a struggling +bass into the boat, and then heard him give a yell +of triumph.</p> + +<p>Will had long since finished developing the +films, and all they had heard him say with reference +to them was that they seemed to have +turned out "pretty fair."</p> + +<p>About three o'clock in the afternoon, however, +he set to work and printed a lot of proofs by the +aid of the sun which aroused the interest and +admiration of the other three.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank in particular was delighted to find they +would have such splendid views by which to remember +their singular adventure. The one of +"Old Aaron and His Rod," as Will designated it, +was perfectly clear and reflected considerable +credit on the artist who had snatched it off on +the spur of the moment.</p> + +<p>Over the proof that showed the strange ledge +of rock under which the two storm-bound fugitives +had passed the night, Bluff and Jerry lingered +longest. There seemed to be some peculiar +fascination about the picture that held their attention.</p> + +<p>"Some time soon, Frank," said Bluff, "we must +go up there and take a look into that cave under +the rock. It was a bright dodge on your part to +notice the formation of the ground in passing, +and then remember it right away when the necessity +arose for shelter from the rain, wind and +lightning."</p> + +<p>"Which only shows," remarked Will, shaking +a warning finger at Bluff, "that you ought to +keep your eyes about you every minute of time +when you're tramping through a woodsy country. +You never know the second you'll be called on +to remember something. And also let me say +that it's best to have along with you a chum who +never gets left, no matter what happens."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>Even Frank had to join in the general laugh +that greeted this wise sally.</p> + +<p>"My advice to you all is, never depend on +anybody else to pull your chestnuts out of the +fire, but learn to do things for yourself," was +all the remark Frank would allow himself to +make.</p> + +<p>They had fresh fish for supper that evening, +and such fish! Bluff himself cooked them, and +of late he had proven himself to be a most excellent +hand at getting up a meal.</p> + +<p>His method, of course, was the usual camp +way of using fat salt pork melted down in the +pan until it was sizzling hot; then placing in the +fish, nicely covered with cracker crumbs, and allowing +the fish to become browned all over, as +well as fairly crisp before pronouncing them +done.</p> + +<p>Every one enjoyed them, and it was voted +unanimously that fish should form one of the +staple dishes of their stay in camp at Cabin +Point.</p> + +<p>Judging from the game qualities of the bass, +there would be no lack of candidates for the +honor of pulling them in. Even Will, who did +not as a rule profess to be much of a sportsman, +declared he believed he would like to test that +new "pole" which his father had given him for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +Christmas; at which Bluff groaned, and immediately +threw up his hands in affected horror, +exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Pole! For goodness' sake, Will, never call +that dandy lancewood rod by such a degrading +name again. The farmer's boy cuts a pole from +the bushes, or buys a fifteen-foot one at the grocery +store, the kind that comes up from the Louisiana +swamp districts. A true sportsman carries +a jointed <i>rod</i>—spell it out, r-o-d. Why, I'd +turn red to the roots of my hair if ever you said +'pole' in the presence of real disciples of Isaac +Walton."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, 'rod,' if you prefer it that way," +chuckled Will. "But no matter what you call it, +the farmer boy's pole is generally the one that +knocks the persimmons down."</p> + +<p>"That taffy about the genuine sportsman buying +his fish from the barefooted farmer's boy is +as old as the hills," retorted Bluff. "Maybe it's +been true in some cases; but I've seen the time +when the man with the fly tackle, and who knew +how to use it, got all the fish, while the barefooted +boy could only look on."</p> + +<p>"There!" exclaimed Frank with a laugh, "I +knew the worm would turn some day. Up to now +there's been no champion for the man with the +fancy fly rod. It was the boy who used the hum<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>ble +worm who did all the business. He'll have to +take a back seat after this when our chum Bluff +is around."</p> + +<p>No one knew whether the flashlight did its +duty on that particular night or not—that is until +Will hurried out early in the morning and +brought his camera in.</p> + +<p>He had cleverly arranged it so that when the +cord was pulled that set the cartridge off it also +caused the time-exposure arrangement on the +camera to work. Thus for perhaps several seconds +the delicate film was exposed, after which +the action caused it to become once more securely +hidden from the light. In this way it was not +necessary for the operator to get out to his +camera before daylight came in order to save his +night's work.</p> + +<p>All of them had slept soundly. If Frank did +happen to arouse several times during the night +he saw and heard nothing to indicate that there +were any animals prowling around in the vicinity +of the camp.</p> + +<p>Will knew, however, that his trap had worked, +for the bait was gone, the cord pulled taut, and +he could even detect traces of sharp claws around +the spot.</p> + +<p>It turned out that he had managed to secure a +splendid snapshot of the big fellow boasting the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +striped tail; indeed, the picture was bound to be +one of the most prized in all his collection.</p> + +<p>That day also passed with nothing unusual happening. +The campers enjoyed every hour of it, +for there always appeared to be a variety of +things awaiting their attention, and all of the boys +were full of vigor.</p> + +<p>Bluff noticed that it had gradually grown quite +warm, after the delightful cool spell following the +big storm.</p> + +<p>"And a hot wave means another rattler, I +should guess," he declared when discussing the +weather with his comrades.</p> + +<p>Bluff had of late shown a disposition to prove +himself somewhat of a weather prophet. He +studied the various conditions of the sky, noted +the mottled clouds that people used to say denoted +rain, consulted calendars he had brought along +that explained the phases of the moon, and every +little while solemnly announced that according to +all the signs such and such a condition of weather +was going to follow.</p> + +<p>It was on the second morning that Bluff outlined +his plan. Waiting until they had all eaten +the excellent breakfast which he himself had +prepared, and until he had reason to believe +Frank must be in an especially good humor, Bluff +spoke up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Frank, why not all of us go up to that rock +ledge to-day before the weather takes a turn for +the worse? How about it, Jerry; are you game +for a tramp?"</p> + +<p>"Every time," came the immediate response; +"and as you say, if we're going to have a look in +at that queer section of the country, to-day's as +good a time as any."</p> + +<p>To the delight of both boys, Frank offered no +objection. In fact, he himself felt rather inclined +to do a little more exploring, for the country +in that region interested him deeply. And so +presently the four left their cabin camp to plunge +into the woods.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>SHOWING BLUFF AND JERRY</h3> + + +<p>It pleased Frank to set out in almost a direct +line for the rocky ledges. He wanted to cover +once more the ground which he and Will had +passed over on their way to camp.</p> + +<p>"In the first place," he explained to the others +when they remarked on this fact, "there were +several interesting sights that Will said he wanted +to snap off; and his supply of film had run short +the other day. Then we know this route, and +can point out a lot of things. Besides, it's a short +way to the place, which is a good excuse for +taking it."</p> + +<p>In due time they reached the rocks, and both +Bluff and Jerry must creep under the friendly +ledge, to see for themselves what sort of shelter +their chums had found from the storm.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't be beaten, and that's a fact, Frank!" +was Jerry's final verdict, after he had remained +under the rock for a time.</p> + +<p>"And in such a terrible electric storm," added<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +Bluff, sagely, "I don't know of a better place to +take refuge than under a shelf of rock. There's +no danger of being struck by the lightning, and +only a slim chance of an avalanche tumbling +down on top of you."</p> + +<p>"All boys ought to make a note of a thing like +that," urged Will, wisely nodding his head as +might a school-master. "When a storm comes +along in summer time, with thunder and lightning, +they should never dream of taking shelter +under a tree or in a barn. Frank, I'm right there, +I reckon, am I not?"</p> + +<p>"Every time!" responded the other vigorously. +"It's better to drop flat down in the open and take +a good ducking, rather than risk chances under +a tree or in any sort of barn. Lightning picks out +those objects for a blow. But I think myself a +shelf of rock like this is about the finest shelter +going."</p> + +<p>"And I'll always be on the lookout for places +like this," asserted Bluff, who could take a lesson +to heart for all his bluffing ways.</p> + +<p>"I can promise you I will," added Will, "because +while I'm still sore from lying so many +hours on that hard stone, I feel deep down in my +heart that I ought never to look a gift horse in +the mouth. That rock ledge was the best friend +we had all through the terrible hurricane."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, we're in no great hurry to get back +home, are we, boys?" asked Jerry.</p> + +<p>"We started out with the intention of making +a day of it," Frank observed, "and there's no +reason to change our minds. I'm going to take +a turn in a new direction, though in the end we +may strike the old trail that leads to the Point +from Mr. Dennison's place."</p> + +<p>Jerry looked at him eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Now it so happens that everybody's gone and +seen that place but poor me," he went on to state; +"and Frank, if we just happened to be in that +vicinity between now and sunset would you mind +if I took a peep?"</p> + +<p>Frank shook his head as though he did not +wholly like the idea.</p> + +<p>"The old gentleman seemed pretty huffy when +we had our little heart-to-heart talk with him," +Will remarked, noticing this disinclination on +Frank's part; "and on the way down we made +up our minds it was none of our business. Jerry, +I can guess that it's the queer cry we heard that +interests you more than wanting to see the house +itself, for I've good pictures of that."</p> + +<p>Jerry laughed.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I own up you fellows have kind of excited +me a little when telling about that thrilling +sound you heard," he admitted candidly. "I'd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +like first-rate to do some prowling around up +there to satisfy myself that it wasn't a peacock +that screamed, or even a tied-up dog that yelped."</p> + +<p>"But I hope you'll give over that idea then, +Jerry," said Frank soberly. "You must understand +that Mr. Dennison is a gentleman, for all +he looks so queer and acts so strangely. He's +had something upset him in the past, and chooses +to live away from everybody."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Will, "and he's got a right to do +as he chooses with his own property, you'll allow, +Jerry."</p> + +<p>"Sure thing!" agreed the other, though with +a shade of disappointment crossing his face, "and +I guess I'll have to keep my hands off, since the +sign is up 'no trespassing allowed here!' But +anyway, I do hope we shall run across Old +Aaron and his Rod somewhere in our jaunt to-day."</p> + +<p>Frank had nothing more to say on the subject. +He was determined not to yield to any temptation, +and enter those forbidden grounds again +after being so plainly warned off by the irascible +owner.</p> + +<p>Leaving the rocky section of country, they began +to traverse a region quite different in its +character. From time to time various interesting +things cropped up to attract their attention.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bluff and Jerry wanted the photographer to +snap off all sorts of what they called "mighty +absorbing subjects," but Will wisely used his +fine discrimination.</p> + +<p>"Why, look here," he finally told them, "if I +took your advice right along I'd be out of stock in +the film line before half the day was over. And +I don't know of anything to make a fellow feel +worse than to have used his last film and then +run across a subject that he'd give heaps to +get."</p> + +<p>"Will is right, boys," remarked Frank; "leave +it to him to decide things like that. I'd stake a +lot on his judgment, you must know."</p> + +<p>"Well," commented Will, with a chuckle, "I'm +a ninny when it comes to lots of things connected +with outdoor life; but I do know something about +taking pictures, if I say it myself."</p> + +<p>At noon-time they stopped and rested for +more than an hour, and ate the cold lunch that +had been provided. It was warm, and consequently +no one felt sorry for the chance to lie +in the shade.</p> + +<p>Frank afterwards swung around in a half +circle. He kept his bearings all the time, and +professed to know accurately just where they +were, and in what quarter the camp lay.</p> + +<p>"For what's the use of claiming to be a woods<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>man," +he told Bluff when the other looked a little +incredulous over something or other, "if you +don't keep track of your direction? I feel sure +that as the crow flies Cabin Point lies over there, +right beyond that tree with the feathery crown."</p> + +<p>About three in the afternoon all of them owned +up to feeling a bit weary.</p> + +<p>"But I reckon we must be getting within a +mile or so of the lake," Jerry suggested. "I'm +saying that partly because I've noticed how Frank +has swung around, and is heading in the direction +he pointed out when he told of our camp +lying in that quarter."</p> + +<p>"You hit the nail on the head when you say +that, Jerry," commented Frank; "for we're going +to strike the old trail before another ten minutes +passes."</p> + +<p>"Meaning the one that leads to the lake from +Aaron's place, eh, Frank?" continued Jerry, with +a sparkle of expectancy in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Jerry," he was told quietly.</p> + +<p>"Then I hope—" began the other, stopping +suddenly, with half-opened mouth, to listen, for +just then there came to their ears a half-muffled +sound that might be the scream of a red-headed +woodpecker up on some rotten treetop, or anything +else for that matter.</p> + +<p>Will and Bluff uttered exclamations indicating<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +that they recognized the cry. Even Frank looked +serious, while Jerry was plainly excited.</p> + +<p>"Frank!" he exclaimed, "was that the queer +cry you fellows told me you heard those two +times you were up here?"</p> + +<p>"I think it was," replied the other; "but +please don't go to getting excited over it, Jerry. +You know we agreed it was none of our business +whether a peacock on the lawn or a dog in his +kennel let out that yawp. The only thing that +interests me about it is the fact that we have +proof that the high board fence around Mr. Dennison's +place ought to loom up any minute now."</p> + +<p>Hardly had Frank said this than Bluff broke +in with his customary abruptness.</p> + +<p>"Right now I can see a little patch of the +same fence over yonder, Frank. Notice that +big beech, and look under the slanting limbs. +How about it, am I right?"</p> + +<p>He was immediately assured that his eyes had +not deceived him, for it was certainly a small section +of the tall fence that he had discovered.</p> + +<p>"I hope you will go close enough anyway," +ventured Jerry, "so I can see that strand of cruel +barbed wire you say runs along the top of the +fence."</p> + +<p>"Oh! there's no reason you should be cheated +out of that little favor," he was told by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +leader. "The fact is we have to pass close to +the fence in order to strike that trail through the +woods."</p> + +<p>"The one he took when he struck my trap, +and set my flashlight off, eh, Frank?" asked +Will.</p> + +<p>"Of course it was that trail and no other," said +Frank; "you remember we followed it before, +and came to the Point. We also agreed that it +was used by the old gentleman once in a while +when he took a notion to go down to the lake."</p> + +<p>"Well, here's the fence, Jerry!" observed Bluff, +as they came to a full stop.</p> + +<p>Jerry surveyed it critically, even stepping back +the better to see how the barbed wire entanglement +ran along its apex.</p> + +<p>"A rather tough job to get over that fence," +he was heard to say, as though half to himself, +"though I reckon I could manage it if pushed."</p> + +<p>"But I hope you'll never try it," ventured +Frank, severely.</p> + +<p>"I was wondering," continued Jerry, paying +no attention to the reproof, "whether that barbed +wire was put there to prevent outsiders from getting +in, or to keep some one who was in from +breaking out!"</p> + +<p>Frank started, and looked serious. He even +exchanged glances with Will, as though they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +might have a little secret between them; but at +any rate he did not see fit to encourage Jerry to +pursue the subject any further.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we let the matter drop now," he +said, in that way of his which all of them considered +final.</p> + +<p>They once more moved along, and, in following +the plan Frank had of reaching the old trail +that led through the woods and tangle to the lake, +they kept close to the high fence.</p> + +<p>Jerry looked around him from time to time, and +whenever he chanced to discover a knot-hole in +one of the boards he immediately glued his eye +to the aperture as if in hopes of glimpsing the +hermit's house, or something else equally interesting.</p> + +<p>As they did not hear him utter any expression +of satisfaction after several of these attempts, the +others set his labor down as futile.</p> + +<p>A short time later they neared the lower end of +the fenced-in estate. Frank knew he would run +upon the trail near this point, and accordingly he +had his eyes fixed on the ground looking for the +first signs.</p> + +<p>On this account he was not the first to discover +something that came to pass. It was when +he heard an exclamation from Jerry that Frank +looked hastily up, and saw to his dismay that they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +were once more face to face with the same old +gentleman whom he and Will had encountered.</p> + +<p>Aaron Dennison had evidently stepped through +a narrow gateway, for the opening appeared just +behind him. He must have been quite as astonished +as the boys at the unexpected meeting. +Frank could see that he was very angry, for his +face turned red, his eyes gleamed, and the muscles +of his cheeks worked under the strain.</p> + +<p>Knowing the impetuous nature of one or more +of his chums, Frank hurriedly blocked the path +so that none of them might pass by. Then, trying +to control his own feelings, he faced the +scowling owner of the mysterious retreat in the +wilderness.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE WARNING</h3> + + +<p>"So this is the way you keep your word, is it, +boy?" demanded Mr. Dennison, as he glared at +Frank, who, however, managed to keep cool and +collected, because he could easily understand how +the old gentleman might deem their presence +there very suspicious.</p> + +<p>"But what I promised you, sir," said Frank, +"was that we would not trespass on your enclosed +property again, and we have done nothing +of the sort, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then why do I find you here, alongside this +fence that was constructed to keep such curious +people as you from intruding on my privacy? I +believe even now it was your intention to enter +again by that loose board, which, however, I had +nailed fast in order to keep lawless prowlers out."</p> + +<p>"You wrong us, Mr. Dennison," declared +Frank; while Bluff could be heard muttering his +indignation. "Just how we happen to be here is +easily explained."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course. And you expect me to believe any +kind of silly story you may make up, I suppose?" +snarled the angry owner of the property.</p> + +<p>"After we left you the other day, sir, my chum +and I walked many miles into the woods, to see +the country, and find some views, for you remember +he is a photographer. We were caught unawares +by that storm, and had to spend the night +under a rocky shelf. Our comrades were naturally +curious to see the queer place that had been +of such great use to us, and so to-day we took a +trip up there."</p> + +<p>"Here is a picture of the rock ledge, Mr. Dennison, +so you can see we are telling you the truth," +and Will eagerly held up one of his proofs as +he spoke, which he had hastily taken from his +pocket in order to convince the obstinate old gentleman.</p> + +<p>"But that does not explain your presence here," +objected the other, though he had deigned to +glance at the really excellent sun print, for Will +of course had remembered hearing him say that +he, too, took a great interest in photography.</p> + +<p>"Having set our faces toward home," explained +Frank, "it was only natural, sir, that we +should make for a trail we had been over before. +That brought us out close to your place, and we +are at this very minute making for the corner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +below, where I remember we can find what we +are looking for, the trail to Cabin Point."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dennison looked doubtfully at Frank. +Few people could resist believing anything the +boy said, for his manner was convincing; but +apparently there was some unknown reason for +Mr. Dennison's being unusually suspicious.</p> + +<p>He shut his teeth hard together as though repressing +some sign of weakening.</p> + +<p>"Whether you are telling the truth or not, +boy," he said sternly, "I want you to understand +once for all that you must not come up here again. +I shall instruct my men to keep a constant watch +for trespassers, and deal severely with them. +This place is posted, and any one who dares to +enter does so at his own risk. I hope you understand +that, for I should not like to have anything +unpleasant happen to boys."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, we understand what you say," replied +Frank, "and I give you my word of honor +again that none of us will trespass on your +grounds. If ever we enter there again it will +have to be on invitation from the owner. I can +safely speak for my chums as well as myself."</p> + +<p>This last was really meant for impulsive Jerry, +just to notify him that under no conditions must +he dream of making Frank's promise void.</p> + +<p>"Then see to it that you keep away from here,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +said Mr. Dennison, as unyielding as ever. "Even +now you are camping on my property, and I +could order you away if I chose to be harsh. But +I have not forgotten that I too was once a boy. +You can stay at Cabin Point unmolested by my +men, but only on condition that you avoid this +region up here."</p> + +<p>With that he stepped suddenly back and closed +the gap in the board fence by pulling the door +shut after him. The boys walked on, Jerry looking +disappointed.</p> + +<p>"Course I'm glad to say I've actually seen the +queer old hermit," he remarked, "but even there +I'm away behind the rest, for all of you have +been inside the dead line, and glimpsed his odd +house. Oh, well, don't look at me that way, +Frank; you know mighty well I don't mean to +make you out a liar by sneaking up here and poking +my nose into his private business."</p> + +<p>"Huh!" grunted Bluff presently, as though he +had been thinking deeply over the whole matter, +"what's he got in there, anyway, he's so afraid +that people should see, I'd like to know! It's all +mighty mysterious, take my word for it, fellows. +But then, like as not none of us will ever know +the truth."</p> + +<p>Again did Frank and Will exchange that sudden +glance and nod, showing that the little secret<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +they shared in common must have some connection +with the subject Bluff was even then harping +upon.</p> + +<p>On the way home the talk of course reverted +several times to Aaron Dennison and his strangely +fenced-in property. But although many suggestions +were brought out in the discussion, none of +them were fully accepted as correct.</p> + +<p>Frank and Will remained almost silent, and +let the other two do most of the talking. If the +opinion of the former was requested now and +then he gave it off-hand, but neither Bluff nor +Jerry found much to encourage him in the information +thus gleaned.</p> + +<p>Frank never once lost the dim trail on the way +home. He had no difficulty whatever in following +his course, because by now he was getting +familiar with it; and since several of them had +tramped over the ground there were many signs +to be found that had not been there the first +time.</p> + +<p>A tired lot of boys it was that joyfully greeted +the sight of the cabin on the Point late that afternoon.</p> + +<p>"But after all's said and done," declared Bluff, +"we've had a bully day!"</p> + +<p>"And I've added considerable to my stock of +pictures, if only these turn out O. K.," added<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +Will, his mind, as usual, running to the one great +subject.</p> + +<p>Later on he and Frank happened to be left +alone. Bluff had gone down to the edge of the +lake to clean some fish left over from the day +before, being kept in the water at a shady place; +while Jerry was trying his hand at mending the +leaky boat.</p> + +<p>"Let me see that first picture you took of the +house, Will," remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>"I keep it separate from all the rest," explained +the other, as he drew out a little book, and opening +it took a print from between the leaves. "You +told me to do that, Frank."</p> + +<p>"Because I didn't know whether we ought to +let the other fellows into this suspicion we've got +between us," said Frank, as he accepted the little +print that displayed the building inside the high +board fence. "And right now I'm wondering if +we hadn't better keep this out of their sight until +we get home."</p> + +<p>"I take it to mean you're afraid of Jerry and +Bluff?" queried Will. "They are both of them +determined fellows, once they take the bit in their +teeth. That face might tantalize Jerry so much +that he'd give in."</p> + +<p>"Of course it's struck you, Will, that there are +what seem to be bars across that window, though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +neither of us remembers seeing them at the time. +For that matter we failed to glimpse the white +face or the waving handkerchief."</p> + +<p>"Frank, you've been thinking this business +over," observed Will, soberly; "please tell me +what decision you've come to. I've kept my word +about not dropping a hint to the other fellows, +as you asked me; and I've also hidden this print +away from them. What does it mean, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Of course you must remember that I'm only +guessing," replied his chum. "In the first place +then, it seems that old Aaron is keeping some one +a prisoner up there!"</p> + +<p>"Whew! is it as bad as that?" gasped Will.</p> + +<p>"It's impossible to make out whether the owner +of that white face is a man, a woman or a child," +continued Frank, slowly; "but I'm pretty sure the +window has bars across it. The person saw us, +and tried to attract our attention, but made no +sound just then, you remember. Afterwards we +heard that cry."</p> + +<p>Will was plainly much exercised. He seemed +to shiver as though he felt a chill creep over him.</p> + +<p>"But Frank, what would old Aaron keep any +one shut up in his place for?" he demanded. +"Why, it would be against the law, you know, +to deprive any one of his liberty."</p> + +<p>"Not under certain conditions, Will," he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +told; "and perhaps Mr. Dennison has the backing +of the law in what he's doing."</p> + +<p>Will stared hard at the speaker.</p> + +<p>"Oh! do you mean, Frank, that the person behind +that barred window might be a madman?"</p> + +<p>"That's the only reasonable explanation I'm +able to scare up, Will. Suppose, now, his wife +went out of her mind years ago. He cared so +much for her that the thought of having her confined +in any ordinary insane asylum was repulsive +to him. What would he do then, having plenty of +money?"</p> + +<p>"It sounds reasonable to me, for a fact. Who +could blame him if he built this house, and surrounded +it with a high fence that would keep +the inmate from escaping when allowed in the +grounds with an attendant? Yes, I shouldn't +wonder but that you've guessed the truth, Frank. +Everything seems to go to prove it. And then, +after all, can you blame him for getting so huffy +when he believed we were trying to pry into his +terrible secret?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think he acted queerly, if what we +suspect is true," ventured Frank.</p> + +<p>"On my part I'm inclined to feel sorry for +old Aaron," declared Will, who had a tender +heart. "He looks like a man who has suffered +heaps. And then, you know, he's interested in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +the same things I am, which ought to make me +think of him as a fellow artist."</p> + +<p>After more talk Will hastily hid the tell-tale +print as Jerry was seen approaching. The other +looked a little suspiciously at them as though +he wondered why Will secreted something so +hurriedly at his coming; but other matters arising, +he soon forgot the circumstance.</p> + +<p>On the following morning Bluff and Jerry +went out in the boat to fish, and the latter soon +found himself enjoying the thrill that comes to +the angler when fast to a vigorous two-pound +black bass bred in the cold water of a big northern +lake.</p> + +<p>The fun grew when Bluff struck the mate to +Jerry's fighter, and both boys were put to their +best efforts in order to save the fish, as well as +to keep them from fouling the lines, in which +case one or both might have broken away.</p> + +<p>In the end they managed to scoop up both +prizes in the landing net, and this gave them +more pleasure than many generals would find in +capturing a fortress.</p> + +<p>About ten o'clock the boys came in. Jerry said +they were tired of sitting in the sun and playing +havoc with the fish, for they had put back many +small ones, being real sportsmen. Bluff, on his +part, admitted that he was tired, but declared it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +lay along the line of baling out the leaky boat, +and not of taking fish.</p> + +<p>"Hey! you two fellows in camp, come down +here and look, if you want to see a sight good for +sore eyes!" called Jerry, as he jumped ashore +and commenced to drag the old boat up on the +sandy beach.</p> + +<p>Accordingly Frank and Will approached to +look at the catch, and not only admire but tender +their congratulations.</p> + +<p>"As fine a mess of bass as I've set eyes on in +many a day," announced Frank.</p> + +<p>"Hello! see who's coming past the cabin, and +heading for us!" exclaimed Will. "There's Mr. +Dennison, to begin with, but I don't know the +other man."</p> + +<p>"Well, we do, don't we, Jerry?" ventured +Bluff, a vein of uneasiness in his voice. "We +happened to talk with him over at the village. +You can see the badge on his coat from here. +That tells who he is—the constable of the village, +and he said he was also the marshal of this district. +But what under the sun does he want at +<i>our</i> camp, I'd like to know!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE ACCUSATION</h3> + + +<p>Frank Langdon watched the two men hurrying +toward the beach with an uneasy feeling in +the region of his heart. He could easily see that +Aaron Dennison looked angry, and from this it +was not difficult to surmise that fresh trouble +hung over the heads of the Outdoor Chums.</p> + +<p>"Whew! what's in the wind now, I wonder?" +he heard Bluff asking himself; and so far as that +went both Jerry and Will were also plainly disturbed.</p> + +<p>The two men quickly reached the spot where +the boys were grouped. Jerry mutely held up +the two finest bass he and Bluff had taken. It +was as though he meant to show that they were +engaged in legitimate sport, such as boys in a +summer camp were supposed to follow.</p> + +<p>"Here they are, the young rascals, Mr. Jeems. +Now do your duty!" exclaimed Aaron Dennison, +harshly.</p> + +<p>Bluff managed to catch the eye of the con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>stable +whose acquaintance he and Jerry had made +when in the lake village. Perhaps he gave him a +humorous wink. At any rate, the tall lanky man +shrugged his shoulders and immediately remarked:</p> + +<p>"I guess that you'd better tell the boys what +you be suspectin' them of, Squire. I don't know +nothing about the same, and I'm only here to do +what I believes to be my bounden duty as an +officer of the law."</p> + +<p>"But I explained to you," expostulated the old +man, "that my treasured cup disappeared mysteriously, +and also that yesterday I came upon +these four boys acting in a suspicious manner +close to my enclosed grounds."</p> + +<p>"<i>Outside</i> your grounds, you said, Mr. Dennison," +urged the constable.</p> + +<p>"That is very true, Constable. But I chance +to know that on two different occasions some of +their number actually had the brazen audacity to +push their way through a gap in the fence."</p> + +<p>"You don't tell me!" exclaimed the other, trying +to look very fierce; but when he saw that +whimsical grin on the features of Bluff the +attempt was not much of a success.</p> + +<p>"Worse than that even," continued Mr. Dennison, +whipping himself into higher rage. "That +boy with the angel face had the nerve to take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +a picture of my house. I caught him in the +very act. Think of that, Mr. Jeems, will +you?"</p> + +<p>Frank could have laughed if the situation had +not been so very serious. It seemed as though +Mr. Dennison looked on such a thing as any +one's taking a picture of his hidden home as a +capital offence; hanging would about fit such a +terrible crime, according to his opinion. And +Will's "angel face" vastly amused them all.</p> + +<p>Desirous of finding out what all the trouble +was about, Frank now turned his attention to the +irate old gentleman. When he spoke his voice +was as soothing and respectful as he could make +it; for Frank believed in pouring oil on troubled +waters.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dennison, you surely are very much mistaken +if you think for a minute that either I or +any of my chums would ever steal anything. We +are proud of the reputations we have in our home +town of Centerville. None of us can understand +what you are accusing us of doing, just because +we happened to be up in the neighborhood of your +place yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Where you had no business to be," snapped +the other.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, sir," continued Frank, "but I +explained to you just how it happened. And I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +assure you positively that none of us so much as +put a finger inside your grounds yesterday."</p> + +<p>"You give us your solemn affidavy on that, do +you, young feller?" asked the village constable, +eagerly, as though seizing on the first pretext to +make peace.</p> + +<p>"No matter what he says!" cried the owner of +Cabin Point. "I tell you their being in that +vicinity just when my treasure was taken so mysteriously +looks suspicious. I firmly believe they +know something about the gold cup, and I shall +not leave this spot until I make certain of their +guilt or innocence."</p> + +<p>"Gold cup!" muttered Jerry; "now, what do +you think of that? Since when have the honorable +Outdoor Chums taken to cracksmen's ways, +I'd like to know? Wow!"</p> + +<p>"Please let me understand this thing better," +pleaded Frank, determined to win the angry old +man over if he could do so. "You say something +you think very highly of has disappeared, Mr. +Dennison?"</p> + +<p>"I told you it was a gold cup!" snapped the +other. "My nephew, who is one of the most +famous amateur golf players in the country, won +it as a prize in a great competition last summer. +He is very proud of it, and I have cherished that +magnificent cup as the apple of my eye. To have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +it mysteriously disappear, and feel that in all +probability it may be melted down just for the +gold there is in it, almost breaks my heart."</p> + +<p>"I can easily understand your feelings, Mr. +Dennison," said Frank, quietly. "We happened +to meet your nephew while on the way here, +though it never struck any of us before that Gilbert +was a Dennison, for we didn't wholly catch +his last name. And, sir, if we can do anything +to help you find the lost cup we'd be only too +glad to lend a hand in the search."</p> + +<p>"Now that's what I calls reasonable, Mr. Dennison," +spoke up the friendly constable, who +evidently did not mean to be urged into extreme +measures, if diplomacy and soft words could +avoid such a thing.</p> + +<p>The old man eyed Frank keenly. He looked +just as suspicious as ever, and as though he were +trying to understand what the boy might have +secreted back of his words.</p> + +<p>For years Mr. Dennison had been hiding something +from the world, and during that time it +was only natural he should be growing more and +more suspicious of every one about him.</p> + +<p>"Your words sound all right, boy," he finally +remarked coldly, "but I am not so easily deceived. +You want time to cover up your tracks. Perhaps +you even hope I may invite you and your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +rowdy companions to my house, and that the +occasion will allow you to satisfy your vulgar +curiosity to the bent."</p> + +<p>These cruel words struck the boys severely. +Bluff was heard to mutter half under his breath, +while Jerry frowned and bit his lip as though he +found it very hard to keep from telling Aaron +Dennison what he thought of him.</p> + +<p>Frank himself had to hold back the angry +words that tried to escape his lips; the insult was +so uncalled for, so unjust, he thought.</p> + +<p>"Of course, sir, if you have that sort of opinion +of all boys," he went on to say, deliberately, and +with considerable dignity for a mere lad, "you +wouldn't want us bothering around. I only +meant to show you how ready we are to lend a +hand. I am sure that if the cup you speak of +wasn't simply mislaid it must have been taken by +some one belonging to your own household, and +may be returned again."</p> + +<p>The angry man chose to see some hidden +meaning back of Frank's words, which were after +all only natural, considering the circumstances.</p> + +<p>"There, straws show which way the wind +blows!" he exclaimed, turning toward the constable; +"and you can see, Mr. Jeems, how these +boys have been talking over my private affairs +among themselves. They are really consumed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +by a curiosity to know about matters that do not +concern them; and in prowling around my place +have perhaps been tempted to take things that did +not belong to them."</p> + +<p>"But Mr. Dennison, if this prize gold cup was +so precious why did you leave it around so that +it could be easily taken?" asked Will, suddenly, +as though this idea had struck him as strange.</p> + +<p>"Because in the first place," replied the old +man, "I was fool enough to believe my people +were as honest as the day was long; and the +thought that any outsider would ever try to enter +my house never came to me until lately. In fact, +it was after meeting you boys in my grounds that +I began to feel uneasy, since I saw it would be +possible for a robbery to occur, once desperate +men conceived the plan to break in."</p> + +<p>"And even then you did not put the golden +cup away in some place of security—you continued +to leave it out where servants and others +could reach it, did you, sir?" Frank continued, +with something of a lawyer's skill at cross questioning.</p> + +<p>"It was beginning to worry me," confessed the +old man, frowning. "I found myself wishing +my nephew would hasten his return, and take +possession of his prized cup. Then last night I +had a bad dream in which it seemed to me that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +thieves entered my house, and among other +things took away Gilbert's loving cup."</p> + +<p>"Last night, you say, sir, this happened?" questioned +Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it gave me such a shock that when +I awoke and remembered the dream, the first +thing I did was to hurry to the closet where two +days previously I had placed the gold cup. It +was gone!"</p> + +<p>"Of course you questioned your servants, sir, +to learn if any one had misplaced it?" asked +Frank, bent on understanding everything.</p> + +<p>"They were filled with consternation," continued +Mr. Dennison. "I have a housekeeper, +a nurse, and two men employed on the place, no +more. One of them suggested that I send to the +village and have Mr. Jeems come to the house. +While waiting for the constable I suddenly remembered +about meeting you boys yesterday, and +like a flash it struck me that you were guilty."</p> + +<p>"That is a hard thing to say about us, Mr. +Dennison," urged Will. "What object could we +have in taking your gold cup? We have plenty +of money, as you can discover by telegraphing +to Centerville; and our neighbors will vouch for +our honesty."</p> + +<p>"I do not know," said the old man, rubbing +his forehead as though puzzled. "Boys have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +always been a deep mystery to me. I never had +one to raise, for as a baby he was taken away +from me; and I have always felt it was that loss +which unsettled—but it does not matter. I believe +you might have carried off the gold prize +cup won by Gilbert in the golf tournament last +year, perhaps thinking it a lark. So I am prepared +to say to you here and now, if such was +the case, and you will immediately restore my +property to me, I will say nothing about it. If +you refuse, it will go hard with you."</p> + +<p>"But Mr. Dennison!" expostulated Frank, "we +have never so much as set eyes on any sort of a +gold loving cup, so you can see how impossible +it would be for us to hand it over to you."</p> + +<p>"And what is more," burst from the indignant +Bluff, unable to hold back any longer, "we insist +on your searching all our duffle to see whether +we've got that cup hidden away."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Jerry, "I'm sure none of us +would feel right if you didn't examine every bit +of our possessions. We're in just the same position +as Joseph's brethren when they were leaving +Egypt, and overtaken by a messenger who said a +cup or something had been stolen while they were +getting corn at the capital."</p> + +<p>"Hey! what's that you're saying, Jerry?" exclaimed +Bluff, startled by the comparison, "don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +you remember they did find the lost thing, and in +Benjamin's pack, too?"</p> + +<p>"But it was put there at the orders of Joseph, +wasn't it?" demanded the one who had told the +old-time story; "and for a purpose too. But +make your mind easy for they can't play that +game on us. The lost cup isn't at Cabin Point."</p> + +<p>"Then you will offer no objections to our making +a search, do I understand?" asked Mr. Dennison, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Rather, we insist on your doing that, sir!" +said Will, promptly, for it galled his proud soul +to be under suspicion, especially when such a +thing as the taking of a valuable piece of property +was concerned.</p> + +<p>Frank immediately led the way to the log +cabin. Mr. Dennison paid not the least attention +to the fact that the boys had done so much to +make the forlorn place habitable since taking +possession. All he seemed to be thinking of just +then was that missing golden cup, and the possibility +of discovering it somewhere among the +possessions of these young boys, to whom he had +taken such a violent antipathy.</p> + +<p>They passed inside the old building, which, if +the guess of the boys was correct, had long years +before been the home of Mr. Dennison at a time +before he possessed much of this world's goods.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I call on you to help me in the search, Constable!" +said the owner of the cabin.</p> + +<p>"And we will only too gladly do all we can to +assist, sir!" declared Will, who secretly meant +to keep hold of his camera, for fear lest it be +knocked to the floor and injured beyond repair.</p> + +<p>Upon that every one began the search. Mr. +Dennison did not do so much himself, but he +kept those keen eyes of his constantly on the +watch, as though to let nothing escape him.</p> + +<p>The constable apparently did not fancy his +job. He went about it in what appeared to be a +half-hearted fashion. In fact, when he and Bluff +came together, as the boy emptied his clothes +bag, and shook each individual extra garment, +the wearer of the nickel badge muttered something +half under his breath that sounded in the +nature of an apology.</p> + +<p>Evidently Mr. Jeems was a believer in +boys, if the old hermit was not. And when +Frank afterwards learned that he had seven +youngsters of his own at home, he knew the +reason of the constable's sympathy.</p> + +<p>By degrees the search included every nook and +cranny about the old cabin where it seemed possible +an article like the missing golden cup could +be secreted. Still nothing rewarded the efforts +of the constable.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It shore ain't here, Mr. Dennison!" remarked +the perspiring officer, as he dropped the empty +clothes bag belonging to Jerry; "and I guess we'll +have to give the hunt up, sir."</p> + +<p>"Wait!" snapped Mr. Dennison, his eyes sparkling +afresh, as though a sudden and brilliant +thought had flashed across his mind. "It stands +to reason that a thief would be apt to hide his +plunder in some place where he believed it could +not be easily found. Of course it was not among +their clothes. But perhaps there may be other +secret hiding places."</p> + +<p>He seemed to glance around at the bare walls. +Then Frank saw him drop his gaze toward the +floor.</p> + +<p>"That's a loose board there, Mr. Jeems," the +hermit said excitedly; "see if you can raise it. I +should think a cavity under that board would +offer a safe hiding place for anything that had +been stolen. Lift it up, Mr. Jeems, and let us +see."</p> + +<p>"I will help him do it!" exclaimed Bluff, eagerly, +and leaning forward he inserted his fingers +in the crack, and secured a good hold of the loose +plank.</p> + +<p>The constable, also, had by this time taken a +firm grip on the board.</p> + +<p>"All together, son; there she be!" Mr. Jeems<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +called out, as he strained himself at his task; and +in another second the plank was placed to one +side.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dennison leaned eagerly over. Then, +uttering a cry of mingled delight and savage +satisfaction, he snatched an object from the gaping +hole, and hurriedly held it up so that every +one could see plainly what it was.</p> + +<p>Frank and his three chums held their breath in +astonishment, for they found themselves looking +on a loving cup made of gold, upon which were +fashioned various beautifully executed designs +especially interesting to those who were devoted +to play upon the golf links.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>REPAYING HIS DEBT</h3> + + +<p>"Gee whiz!"</p> + +<p>Of course it was Jerry Wallington giving vent +to the feeling of utter amazement that very nearly +overcame him. His words accurately expressed +the feelings that filled the heart and soul of the +other three chums as well.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Mr. Dennison was holding that +wonderful trophy aloft, and laughing to himself. +He acted as though wild with delight over its +recovery. Frank was watching him closely, and +could see no sign of "make-believe" in his actions.</p> + +<p>"What did I tell you, Mr. Jeems?" cried the +old hermit, excitedly. "I said they had taken the +cup, either to sell it, or in a spirit of boyish mischief. +And now you'll believe me, because here +we find it hidden under the floor of their cabin. +The young rascals—to add to their offense by +trying to deceive us so! Do your duty, Mr. +Jeems; I will prosecute them to the limit of the +law!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank began to feel anxious. He could see +that Mr. Dennison meant what he was saying. +Even the recovery of his property had apparently +not softened his heart as might have been expected.</p> + +<p>All then depended on the constable. If he +showed a disposition to assert his authority there +would be an untold volume of trouble, and their +vacation plans would be "all messed up," as Jerry +would say.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dennison," said Frank, trying to keep +his voice steady, "I am glad that you have found +your lost golden cup; but I want to tell you, sir, +none of us knows the least thing about it, nor how +it happened to be in that hole."</p> + +<p>"A likely story, boy," sneered the other, "which +may and may not be believed by the justice of +the peace when you are brought before him. +Evidence no stronger than this has hung men +before now."</p> + +<p>"Whew!" gasped Bluff, startled more than he +would have cared to admit upon hearing the vindictive +old hermit talk in that strain.</p> + +<p>Jerry and Will were both indignant.</p> + +<p>"When we first came here," said the former, +"we tripped so many times over that loose plank +that we raised it up to settle the earth underneath. +There was certainly no gold cup lying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +there then where you just now found it, I give +you my word on that, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," agreed Mr. Dennison, "because +at that time it was safe under my roof. +But I want you to notice, Mr. Jeems, that they +admit knowing of this hole under the loose plank. +It made a very good hiding-place for valuable +property, as you can see."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," suddenly spoke up Frank, "and +apparently this is not the first time it has been +used for that same purpose. When we looked +we found this silver coin there, a part of an old +yellow envelope, and this fragment of what +seems to have once been a baby's shoe."</p> + +<p>He picked the several things up as he mentioned +them, for they had been lying on a little +shelf, where Frank himself had placed them days +before. Watching Mr. Dennison's face, Frank +saw it turn white as the eyes of the old man were +focussed on that poor little remnant of what had +once been a baby's shoe.</p> + +<p>Involuntarily the old man thrust out his hand, +and Frank quickly dropped the article into his +palm. He could see that Mr. Dennison was very +much affected. Doubtless memories long since +buried were once more resurrected by the sight +of that reminder of his once happy past.</p> + +<p>Frank wondered whether he would relent and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +decide to let matters drop, or once more demand +that the constable take them all to the village, to +be held for trial before the justice.</p> + +<p>When he saw the man thrust into his pocket +the fragment of the tiny shoe, the leather of +which was now dried up and hard, and then +frown again at them, Frank expected the worst.</p> + +<p>"Since you have also tried to deceive me, after +robbing my house in this shameless manner," said +Mr. Dennison, "I believe I shall be only doing +my duty toward the community if I see to it +that you are severely punished."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean, sir, that you would have us +arrested?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"That is exactly my present intention," affirmed +the other, showing that he was still angry, +and bent on punishing those he believed to have +wronged him.</p> + +<p>"But you have found your cup again, sir; and +we still declare on our honor that until you +picked it up just now none of us has ever set eyes +on it before."</p> + +<p>When Frank said this he found the keen +orbs of the hermit fastened on his face as though +the other would read his very soul through the +windows of the boy's eyes; but not once did +Frank flinch.</p> + +<p>"That is very true, boy," said Mr. Dennison,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +"but I believe in justice, and that it is the wrong +thing to be too lenient with culprits. When young +fellows are given to such practices as this +they need to be brought up with a round turn. +So I mean to have the constable arrest you +all!"</p> + +<p>To the astonishment of Frank and his three +companions, just at that moment there was a new +element injected into the game. Some one hurriedly +entered the cabin; and somehow Frank +breathed a little more freely when he recognized +the newcomer as the young man whom they had +been able to help while on the way to Cabin +Point.</p> + +<p>It was Gilbert Dennison, the old hermit's +nephew.</p> + +<p>"Please wait a minute before you go to such +extreme measures, Uncle!" he exclaimed, as he +hurried to the side of the hermit, whose face lost +some of its stern expression as he recognized his +relative.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to see you again, Nephew," he observed; +"and pleased to give over into your keeping +the cup you value so highly. I shall insist on +your taking it back to town with you when you +go. It has already given me one bad scare, and +I do not feel able to stand another, with all the +troubles I already stagger under."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But what is this I heard you say about having +these boys arrested, Uncle?" continued Gilbert. +"Surely you must believe them when they protest +their innocence? I have been up at the +house, and was told about the cup's disappearance; +also that you had come down here with +the constable, meaning to have some one taken +up for the crime. But I hope you will not think +of doing such a thing now."</p> + +<p>"I consider it a sacred duty I owe to the community, +Nephew," urged the stubborn old hermit. +"All the circumstances point to one of these +boys as the culprit, and he should by all means be +punished. Why should you interfere with my +designs, Gilbert?"</p> + +<p>"Let me tell you, Uncle," burst out Gilbert, +eagerly. "I owe my life, it may be, to these +same boys."</p> + +<p>"How is this?" asked his uncle, looking somewhat +bewildered. "They did say they had met +you while on the way here, but in what fashion +could they have done you a favor?"</p> + +<p>"In my hurry to catch the train after the vehicle +broke down," explained Gilbert, "I stumbled +in a very dangerous place on the road, lost +my footing, and fell over the edge of a precipice. +I managed to clutch hold a dozen feet down, but +must in the end have let go and fallen to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +bottom only for the coming of these boys, who +rescued me in a remarkably clever and very unusual way."</p> + +<p>Bluff gave a satisfied grunt. After all Gilbert +was a pretty decent sort of fellow, he made up +his mind; though at the time of the adventure +Bluff had thought him rather ungrateful to hurry +away so fast, and not half thank them for all the +trouble they had taken.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dennison apparently had reason to believe +anything his nephew said. That was evident +from the change that came over his manner. He +looked at Frank and his three chums again, +shrugged his shoulders, and then went on to +remark:</p> + +<p>"Of course if that is the case, Nephew, and you +are indebted to these boys for helping you out of +a bad fix, I have nothing more to say. Because of +that they can go free, for all of me; though I +may live to repent my kindness; because no matter +how they protest, the fact remains that the +cup was found under this floor, and I still firmly +believe they secreted it there."</p> + +<p>The kind-hearted constable was grinning as +he winked at Bluff. It was very evident that the +new conditions pleased Mr. Jeems; since he was +relieved from executing a most disagreeable duty.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dennison told the officer to come outside<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +with him, and Gilbert added that he would join +his uncle in a minute.</p> + +<p>Left in the company of the four chums Gilbert's +first act was to offer Frank his hand. It +was done with such a boyish freedom that the +other eagerly grasped the outstretched hand, and +squeezed it in return.</p> + +<p>"Of course it goes without saying," began the +college boy, "that I do not believe any one of +you could do such a thing as steal my cup. +There's a queer mystery about its being found +under this floor, and I intend to discover the +truth before long. In the meantime I hope you'll +stay here and enjoy yourselves the best way you +know how."</p> + +<p>"And we'd like to see more of you, if you +expect to stay around here longer," spoke up +Jerry, impulsively.</p> + +<p>"I promise that you shall," assented Gilbert; +"because I, too, am fond of camping, fishing, and +all such things; and I can see how my stay up +here might be prolonged indefinitely, if such a +jolly set could be found to help kill time."</p> + +<p>"Did you win in the golf tournament?" asked +Bluff, as though to show that they knew about +his ambition in that sport.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to say that I came in a poor second +this time," laughed the other; "and I really be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>lieve +it was because I didn't have the kind of +balls I'm in the habit of using."</p> + +<p>This was the opportunity poor anxious Will +had been waiting for.</p> + +<p>"We've got your bag safe and sound here, +Gilbert!" he exclaimed, springing forward to pick +the leather receptacle up, for it, too, had been +closely examined by the constable, acting under +Mr. Dennison's orders; "and I certainly hope my +precious Maine films are in the same condition."</p> + +<p>"Make your mind easy on that score, my boy," +he was told by the other; "although I was terribly +provoked when first I opened the bag and saw +them, I understood that the mistake was all +mine. So I took good care of your films, though +I had a photographer make me a print from the +whole bunch. I must say they are some of the +most interesting pictures I've ever seen. I wanted +Uncle to admire them, for he, too, is devoted to +photographic work."</p> + +<p>Of course this news caused Will to lose the +anxious expression that his chums had noticed on +his face at times.</p> + +<p>"The bag I left up at the house," continued +Gilbert, "but you shall have it in a short time. +There's uncle calling me, so I'll have to move +along; but you can expect me again before long," +and with that he hurried out of the cabin.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>GROPING IN THE DARK</h3> + + +<p>"Well, I feel as weak as a sick cat, after meeting +with such an adventure as that!" exclaimed +Jerry, after he and his three chums once more +found themselves alone in the cabin.</p> + +<p>"To think of our being accused of being common, +every-day thieves!" grumbled the indignant +Bluff. "Why, it just makes my blood fairly +boil!"</p> + +<p>"But I'm mighty glad to know my films are all +right," Will burst forth with, and this remark +showed that this important fact took precedence +of all others in his mind.</p> + +<p>Frank stepped over to the opening where the +plank had been removed, and glanced down as he +rubbed his chin reflectively.</p> + +<p>"Look here, fellows," he said to the others, +"all of you saw the hole under this board that +time we found the coin, the half of an old envelope +with Mr. Dennison's name on it in faded +writing, and that baby shoe; isn't it so?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course we did, Frank," assented Jerry; +"and I want to make my solemn affidavit to the +fact that there wasn't any gold cup lying there +then."</p> + +<p>"Will, you are just as positive about that as +Jerry, of course?" continued Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say I was!" came the prompt +reply.</p> + +<p>"And you too, Bluff?" Frank went on, evidently +intending that there should not be a single +dissenting voice in the group.</p> + +<p>Bluff immediately lifted his hand, with the +fingers stiffened as though he fancied himself on +the witness stand.</p> + +<p>"Give you my word for it, Frank; nothing +doing," he asserted in his customary vigorous +manner, that was usually very convincing.</p> + +<p>"Gilbert came up to the scratch smiling, didn't +he?" remarked Jerry; "and I take it he's going to +turn out a pretty decent sort of a fellow."</p> + +<p>"Queer, isn't it," Will was saying, "how chickens +do come home to roost? When we stopped +a little while on our way here, and pulled Gilbert +up by the use of that wild grape-vine, none of us +ever dreamed he'd be in a position to return the +favor, and yet see what happened. What's that +old proverb about the bread thrown to the fishes, +or something like that?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You must mean 'bread cast upon the waters +will come back again ere many days,'" explained +Frank, smilingly.</p> + +<p>"All right, no matter how it runs, it worked, +you see," continued Will. "We got Gilbert out, +and now he has returned the favor."</p> + +<p>"Huh! strikes me he kept us from getting in," +interrupted Bluff; "because the old gentleman +seemed bent on ordering Mr. Jeems to arrest us, +and throw us in the village lockup."</p> + +<p>"Luck still seems to hang out with us," ventured +Jerry; "and you know they say it's a heap +better to be born lucky than rich. Money may +fly away, but so long as luck stands back of you +it's easy to get everything you want."</p> + +<p>"But all the same that mystery of the golden +cup bothers me," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's a fact," added Jerry. "How in +the wide world could it ever have come into this +cabin, when we know it wasn't here a few days +ago?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dennison admits it was safe in his house +until about the day before yesterday," continued +Frank; and then he cast a sly look out of the tail +of his eye in the direction of Jerry.</p> + +<p>Truth to tell, Frank was just a trifle +uneasy concerning that member of the little +party. There was a shadow of a reason why he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +should feel that way, too. He could only too +easily remember how impulsive Jerry had hinted +that he felt a great temptation to try to find out +what the secret of the hermit's house was. At +the time he expressed this longing Frank had +taken him severely to task; and Jerry had promised +faithfully to forego all effort to pry into matters +that were none of his concern.</p> + +<p>Jerry as a rule could be depended on. When +he gave his word about anything it was as good +as his bond, and Jerry was proud to declare that.</p> + +<p>Frank could not bring himself to believe there +could be anything in this sudden thought. Even +if Jerry had crept out in the night-time while his +chums were fast asleep, how could the boy possibly +have made his way along the trail to the +hermit's place, have entered the house and carried +off the valuable cup, to hide it under the +cabin floor?</p> + +<p>No wonder Frank decided that such an explanation +of the mystery was impossible. Even if +they never learned the truth he could not bring +himself to suspect any of his chums of doing such +a monstrous thing.</p> + +<p>To the surprise and also the consternation of +Frank, he found that Jerry had noticed his manner, +and he immediately accused the other.</p> + +<p>"I can guess easily enough what you're think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>ing, +Frank," asserted Jerry, with offended dignity +marked in his manner; "but 'tisn't so, I tell +you. I never set eyes on that old cup before he +snatched it up out of that hole."</p> + +<p>"No need of your saying that, Jerry," declared +Frank, "because I believe you are as innocent as +I can be myself. I only happened to remember +that you talked of wanting to sneak up there and +spy around a bit, though you owned it would be +mean. And I also chance to know that you've +been around every hour since you came back +from the village."</p> + +<p>"I'm blessed if I can make head or tail out of +the game," admitted Jerry. "I never was a good +hand at guessing answers to riddles; and say, +let me tell you this thing is the toughest nut to +crack that ever came our way, eh, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"It's going to bother us a heap, that's right, +Jerry."</p> + +<p>"But somehow I've got my little hunch, Frank, +that in the end you'll hit on the answer. It may +take a lot of time and figuring, but I sure believe +you can do it."</p> + +<p>"It may be Gilbert can help us out," suggested +Will, just then.</p> + +<p>"But how would he know anything about the +job," objected Bluff, "when he just got back from +that golf tournament?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank bent down and looked closely into the +hole.</p> + +<p>"All we know for certain is that somebody put +that gold trophy cup in here," he observed reflectively.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and if the old plank could talk it'd be +easy for us to get at the truth. But then of +course that isn't possible," Jerry remarked, with +a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Help me to put the plank back in place again," +said Frank, and after this had been done he commenced +to work at it as if to see whether one +person could manage to raise the heavy board.</p> + +<p>"It can be done, you see," was what Frank +said, as, managing to get his fingers underneath, +he raised the plank a little.</p> + +<p>"Now what's the line you're figuring on, +Frank?" demanded Jerry; "because it's as plain to +me as the nose on my face that you've struck a +strong clue."</p> + +<p>"Yes, tell us what it is, won't you, Frank?" +urged Will.</p> + +<p>"Well, listen," the other began to say, slowly, +as with upraised finger he marked off each point +in his theory. "Look back a little, Will, to when +we got home here after our high jinks up in the +woods. Don't you remember what we discovered +the first thing?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>Will thereupon uttered an exclamation, while +his face lighted up with eagerness.</p> + +<p>"That's so, Frank!" he exclaimed; "we knew +somebody had been in here after we started out +the afternoon before. The door wasn't shut +close, and a chair lay on its side on the floor. +Besides that, a number of little things showed +they had been disturbed. Yes, somebody had +been in the cabin!"</p> + +<p>Jerry gave a shrill cry in which delight could +be traced.</p> + +<p>"It was that person, then, who hid the pesky +old cup under the loose plank; that goes without +saying, Frank!" he announced, as though his +mind was made up to that fact and could not be +easily changed.</p> + +<p>"Well, even if we agree on that," said Bluff, +"how're we going to learn who the intruder was? +To tell you the truth, it gets me why a sneak +thief would steal just that gold loving cup of +Gilbert's, and then come all the way down here +to hide it under the floor."</p> + +<p>"Frank, you're keeping something back; I can +see it in your face!" cried Will. "Tell us, do you +think old Aaron put that cup here himself?"</p> + +<p>"Whew! that would be the limit, I should +say!" gasped Jerry.</p> + +<p>All of them waited to hear what Frank would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +have to say. The leader of the Outdoor Chums +did not reply hastily, for Frank did not wish to +commit himself in so grave a matter without due +consideration. Still, he must have had his mind +made up fairly well, for presently he started to +answer.</p> + +<p>"Let's see, fellows, how the case stands," he +told them. "We know that long ago Aaron Dennison +once lived in this cabin. We also know that +he probably kept what little money he owned in +those days down under that loose plank. The +finding of that old mouldy half dollar points +toward that. So you see he knew about the +cavity under the board."</p> + +<p>"So far as that goes, Frank," observed Bluff, +"you could see by the way he had the constable +raise the plank that he knew. But I was watching +his face at the time, and let me tell you he +looked as astonished to see the cup lying there as +any one of us did, and that means a lot."</p> + +<p>"That's what bothers me," admitted Frank; +"one minute I seem to think Mr. Dennison put +the cup there; and then again I'm just as certain +that he believes us guilty of stealing it. We'll +have to keep trying to find the answer; but just +now, Jerry, you and Bluff had better get busy +cleaning those fine bass you hooked, if we mean +to have them for dinner to-day."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>AN UNEXPECTED APPEAL</h3> + + +<p>The fish were what Bluff called "gilt-edged." +Perhaps he was a little prejudiced in the matter, +because he had had a share in capturing the gamy +fighters. But there was not a dissenting voice +when Jerry moved that they pronounce the finny +denizens of the big lake unequalled for their +many fine qualities.</p> + +<p>That evening, as they sat around taking things +easy, for it was rather warm and the fire not +needed, the conversation ranged over a wide field. +Many events of the past were recalled, one thing +seeming to lead to another.</p> + +<p>Will was fairly bubbling over with joy on +account of his recent streak of good luck. He +counted the promised safe return of those precious +films as a glorious thing.</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't I feel that way?" he expostulated, +when Bluff took him to task for referring +to the matter so frequently. "Think of our +great trip up into the Maine wilderness and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +many strange things we saw there," he went on, +referring to matters already related in "The Outdoor +Chums in the Big Woods." "My pictures +took a prize, remember; and besides they recall +the happy days we spent up there last fall."</p> + +<p>"Will is right," declared Frank; "and I'm +almost as glad as he is over the recovery of his +property; because I know he's got some sort of +scheme in his mind to enlarge some of those +same pictures. It couldn't easily be done with +the negatives lost."</p> + +<p>"Before we shake the dust of this section from +our feet," continued the ardent photographer, "I +mean to explore every rod of territory around +here."</p> + +<p>"Looking for new and interesting sights, of +course?" quizzed Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Yes, because you never do know at what +minute you may run smack up against the most +wonderful picture going," pursued Will. "That's +one reason I'm so keen about traveling over new +ground. There's always a chance ahead of +you."</p> + +<p>"Well, right here we're bounded on one hand +by the big water, which cuts off about half your +chances," suggested Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Some time or other you might go to the lake +shore village," said Bluff; "because if I'm any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +judge of things you'd find some remarkable characters +there to snap off."</p> + +<p>"You've already got pictures of old Aaron and +his hermit shell; one of the latter being a cracking +good snap of the house. How did the other view +turn out, Will?"</p> + +<p>Again that quick look of intelligence passed +between Frank and Will. They were still of the +opinion that for the present there was no necessity +for the other boys to know about the strange +white face in the barred window of the hermit's +lonely home.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it doesn't seem to be quite as clear as the +one you saw," Will explained. "The sunlight +didn't strike as well, and there are too many +shadows. Some time or other when I think of it +I'll take off a lighter print, which may improve +the looks of the thing."</p> + +<p>Not having the least suspicion there could be +anything singular connected with that second view +of the hermit's house, Bluff did not pursue the +subject any further.</p> + +<p>Of course Will had his flashlight working +again. In roaming around he had found traces +of a sly fox that made its home amidst some +rocks, and Will, after more or less hard study, +believed he could see the regular track taken by +clever Reynard in coming and going.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's one thing sure," remarked Will, +proudly, when relating how he had investigated, +and figured, and found out many things in connection +with that particular little animal, "this +hunting with a camera certainly does force a +fellow to become acquainted with the habits of +every kind of bird and animal."</p> + +<p>"There's no doubt about that, Will," Frank +immediately assented; "and I warrant right now +you're in closer touch with Nature ten times over +than you'd have been if you hadn't taken up this +fad or hobby."</p> + +<p>"I should say so!" continued the enthusiast, +his face kindling with earnestness. "Why, before +that I never bothered my head much about the +habits of foxes, 'coons, squirrels, minks, bobcats, +or anything that had its hiding-place in the woods +or in burrows under the rocks. But now I'm +forever trying to learn new things about the way +they live, and how they get their food."</p> + +<p>"Of course I can understand that," admitted +Jerry; "us fellows who love to hunt wild game +have to know a lot about their habits. It's the +same if you go after the wily black bass—if +you're green about his ways you can fish till you +drop and never get a single bite."</p> + +<p>"I've had something to do with both kinds of +sport," said Frank, seriously; "and I want to say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +right here that I certainly believe hunting with a +camera beats the gun business all hollow. You +get in closer touch with the little animals when +you're only trying to take their pictures, and not +harm them. I warrant now Will often counts +them as his friends, and that they show little fear +of him."</p> + +<p>That launched the camera advocate into a fervent +description of many meetings with his coy +subjects, and the tricks he was compelled to resort +to in order to let them understand he meant +them no harm.</p> + +<p>So the evening passed pleasantly.</p> + +<p>There was nothing in the way of a disturbance +to break in upon their sleep. Will had posted his +camera trap a full quarter of a mile away, and +even if it worked at any time during the night +they would not know it.</p> + +<p>The moon arose about the middle of the night, +but none of the boys had any use for the battered +lantern in the sky, since they remained under the +cabin roof until morning broke.</p> + +<p>As before, they took a little dip in the cold +waters of the lake in order to get in good trim for +a warm day. Then breakfast followed, and was +heartily enjoyed, although with their healthy +appetites there was nothing wonderful about +that.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>Each of them had laid out plans for the morning.</p> + +<p>"We'll give the bass a rest for one day," remarked +Bluff; "because if we make it too common +the zest of catching and eating them is apt +to wear away. Besides, I don't believe it's as +good a morning for fishing as yesterday was. +Then, we'd have to use that little mosquito netting +seine, and get some more minnows."</p> + +<p>"Last but not least," laughingly added Jerry, +"the cranky old tub of a boat leaks again like a +sieve, and some of us ought to get busy patching +it up while we have a chance."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Will, who of course knew that the +job would never fall to his share, "I always believe +in having everything ready beforehand; because +you never know in what a big hurry it may +be needed."</p> + +<p>Of course Will had hurried out to where his +camera lay long before he would touch a bite of +breakfast; he even gave up the early morning +dip in his anxiety to learn whether the bait had +been jerked, and the camera made to do its duty.</p> + +<p>By this time Will had become quite expert, so +that there was little danger of what Bluff, taking +his cue from the golfers, would have called a +"foozle."</p> + +<p>To see the joy written upon his face when he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +came hurrying back to announce almost breathlessly +that success had rewarded his efforts, one +might even suspect the boy had never before succeeded +in photographing a sly fox in this manner.</p> + +<p>It was a busy morning for all.</p> + +<p>Frank rather expected to see Gilbert, but when +noon came and the other had not as yet put in an +appearance he decided that he must be detained +for good reasons. Perhaps by another day he +would find it convenient to drop in and see the +campers at Cabin Point.</p> + +<p>"From the way he talked," Bluff remarked, +when at lunch they were speaking of Mr. Dennison's +nephew, "I got the notion that Gilbert +would like to stay over here a spell with us, and +enjoy some of our doings."</p> + +<p>"He did say he was fond of camping, and for +all we know he may have been around some up in +Michigan or Wisconsin," suggested Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Well," added Bluff, a little boastfully, "when +it comes to experiences I reckon the Outdoor +Chums don't have to occupy a back seat! We +might relate some things that would make Gilbert +sit up and take notice."</p> + +<p>"I think he's the kind of fellow who would +enjoy hearing about the things we've seen and +done," Frank told them. "I'm glad now I +brought along my little note-book in which I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +jotted down many of the things that have happened +since we first got together and formed the +'Rod, Gun and Camera Club.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'm fond of looking over that journal +of yours myself, Frank," admitted Will. "Of +course I didn't have as big a part in a whole lot +of the adventures as the rest of you, but all the +same they belonged to our crowd."</p> + +<p>"And then don't forget, Will," continued +Frank, "that Mr. Dennison admitted to us he +was fond of photography. Gilbert said as much, +too, when he spoke about having a set of your +Maine pictures printed to show his uncle. You +may get on good terms with this singular old +man, and have some mighty pleasant times in his +company."</p> + +<p>"He looks pretty severe," commented Will, +"but then there's a reason for that, I guess; and +once he gets thawed out he'll be a different sort. +Nothing like finding a fellow's pet hobby and +working it, to make him friendly."</p> + +<p>None of them thought to go far away during +that afternoon. It did not look very promising, +for clouds could be seen hovering along the horizon, +the heat was intense, and all of them agreed +that a storm might creep up.</p> + +<p>Their last experience in a storm had been so +unpleasant that somehow they seemed to shrink<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +involuntarily from a repetition so soon. Later +on, when the memory became fainter, they might +again take risks, after the manner of buoyant +youth the world over.</p> + +<p>Bluff and Jerry were pleased with their work +on the boat. They had taken great pains this +time, and felt sure the calking was there to stay. +Still, they contented themselves with planning +another fishing excursion for the coming morning. +Bluff had discovered a place where minnows +were very plentiful, and hence they could be +assured of a good haul at any time, with but little +exertion.</p> + +<p>The day was nearing an end, and there was +some talk of getting supper ready when a cry +from Jerry outside the cabin brought the others +hurrying forth.</p> + +<p>They found him talking with a small boy who +seemed greatly excited, for his face was peaked +and white, and terror could be seen in his dilated +eyes.</p> + +<p>Apparently he had hurried in a veritable panic +through the forest, for he had various scratches +on his face, and a lump on his forehead showed +where he had struck a stone after tripping over a +root or a vine.</p> + +<p>Naturally Frank and the other two were at +once filled with curiosity to know who the boy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +was, and what had brought him to Cabin Point. +Jerry had already started to question the panting +lad, and the other was trying to explain, although +his words came in jerks and disjointed sentences.</p> + +<p>"I'm Sandy Moogs—my dad's a woodchopper—workin' +now up yonder 'bout three miles—tree +fell on him—broke his leg, he reckons—in a heap +o' pain—can't hardly crawl—knowed you-uns +was at Cabin Point—sent me to git help—he sez +as how he'll bleed to death by mawnin' if he +ain't helped—I hopes as how you'll kim along +with me—he's my dad, you know!"</p> + +<p>The four exchanged looks when this pitiful +story was unfolded in gasps. It was a foregone +conclusion that they would go, for never had the +Outdoor Chums rejected an appeal for assistance.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>FIRST AID TO THE INJURED</h3> + + +<p>"Of course we'll all go, Frank!" Bluff was +saying, almost before the boy who had given his +name as Sandy Moogs finished speaking.</p> + +<p>Frank had to decide without much waste of +time, and he did so in his customary sensible +way.</p> + +<p>"This woodchopper is probably a pretty husky +sort of fellow, as most of them are," he said, loud +enough for the others to hear; "and if he's in +such a bad shape we may even have to carry him +all the way here, so as to look after his hurts, and +keep him out of a storm."</p> + +<p>"We could make a litter and carry him, you +know, Frank," suggested Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Just what I had in mind," the other agreed.</p> + +<p>"And it would need four to carry a heavy man +for a long distance," was Will's comment; "so +that means we must all go along."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll call it settled," Frank decided.</p> + +<p>"How about supper?" came from Jerry,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +faintly, as though he felt bound to mention such +an important matter, and yet at the same time +experienced more or less shame about seeming to +be greedy.</p> + +<p>"Have to wait until we get back," the leader +announced. "If anybody is near the starving +point right now let him pick up some crackers to +munch as he trots along."</p> + +<p>No one seemed willing to display such weakness, +for there was only a rush to get hats and +coats, while Frank made sure of the camp hatchet +and some heavy twine, as well as a piece of strong +canvas that could be used in making the stretcher +on which the injured woodchopper was to be +carried.</p> + +<p>By this time the small boy had managed to get +his breath. He looked pleased on discovering +that the campers meant to respond so handsomely +to his appeal for aid. It could be plainly seen +that Sandy cared greatly for his father, and now +that the prospect of the injured man's being +assisted had grown brighter, the boy felt greatly +relieved.</p> + +<p>After all, only a brief time elapsed before they +were ready to start. Frank had of course seen +to it that Doctor Will carried along some of his +stock in trade, in the shape of bandages and liniment. +They would certainly be needed, for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +boy had assured them that his father was losing +considerable blood because of his wound.</p> + +<p>"You're certain you can take us straight to the +place, are you, Sandy?" asked Frank, just as +they were ready to start.</p> + +<p>"I shore kin do that same!" replied the sturdy +little chap. "I was born in the woods, and never +got lost even onct. I smell my way dark nights."</p> + +<p>This last assertion amused Bluff and Jerry, but +Frank knew what the boy meant. He had been +given an intuition that never failed him in so far +as direction was concerned. If asked a question +in connection with any point of the compass he +could reply with positive accuracy, and without +the slightest hesitation.</p> + +<p>Watching how he made his way along, Frank +soon ascertained that the boy was actually leading +them over the very route he had taken in making +for Cabin Point. He proved this several times +by pointing out where he had fallen when an +unseen vine caught his foot; or made a little +detour in order to avoid some thorny bushes that +had scratched his face and hands on the other +occasion.</p> + +<p>One mile, two, had been passed over, and still +the boy led them on. Sandy had called it about +three miles, and since he was so remarkably clever +at woodcraft in so far as direction went, Frank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +hoped his knowledge of distance might be equally +accurate.</p> + +<p>No one complained. Even Will, who was less +robust than his mates, and not as accustomed to +hurrying along through dense woods, shut his +teeth hard together and persevered. He had been +sensible enough to leave his camera behind, Frank +having convinced him that it would be an unnecessary +burden, for if they had to carry the +wounded man all that distance back to the cabin +they would find their hands full without other +impedimenta.</p> + +<p>After more time had elapsed the question was +put to the boy.</p> + +<p>"Are we nearly there now, Sandy?"</p> + +<p>"'Most nigh the place," came the prompt reply. +"This here's the burnin' where the charcoal was +made last year. On'y a little furder, an' we'll be +up to dad. And oh! I hopes he's alive yet, I +shore does!"</p> + +<p>Frank of course comforted him the best he +could.</p> + +<p>"Your father is a big strong man, Sandy, and +like as not he knows something of the way to +stop some of the bleeding by using a rag twisted +around a stick and pressed down on the artery. +Most woodsmen do, I've found. He'll be all +right, Sandy. And boys, let's all give a loud<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +whoop. It may encourage the poor fellow some +to know we're coming along."</p> + +<p>Accordingly they united their strong young +voices in a brave shout that could easily have been +heard half a mile away. Although they listened +they did not hear a reply. A woodpecker +screamed as he clung to a rotten treetop; some +saucy crows scolded and chattered as they craned +their necks and looked down on the line of passing +boys; but all else was silence.</p> + +<p>Sandy was evidently worried because of this, +but Frank reassured him.</p> + +<p>"He doesn't want to waste what strength he +has in shouting, Sandy; but three to one we'll +find him waiting for us to come along. How +far are we away now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! it's just over there at t'other side of +that rise!" gasped the boy.</p> + +<p>They pushed quickly on, increasing their pace +if anything, such was the anxiety they were now +beginning to share with poor Sandy Moogs, the +woodchopper's son.</p> + +<p>"I see him!" cried sharp-sighted Jerry.</p> + +<p>"There, he waved his hand at us, Sandy, so +you see he's all right!" added Frank, only too +glad of the opportunity to relieve the pent-up +feelings of the dutiful son of the injured man.</p> + +<p>In another minute they had reached his side.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +Frank and Will began immediately to busy themselves +with attending to his injury. Bluff and +Jerry, taking the hatchet, started to hunt for the +proper kind of poles with which a litter could +be framed.</p> + +<p>Frank instantly saw that the man had suffered +a serious injury. Not only was the leg broken +but the flesh had been badly lacerated, and he +had lost a large amount of blood.</p> + +<p>It turned out just as Frank had said, for the +woodchopper, after Sandy had run away to seek +aid, had bethought himself of a way to stop some +of the bleeding. His method of procedure was +crude, but it had been on the well-known tourniquet +principle of applying a bandage with the +knot resting as nearly as possible on the artery +above the wound, and then by twisting a stout +stick around and around increasing the pressure +as far as could be borne.</p> + +<p>When Frank saw what he had done he told the +man his action had likely enough been the means +of saving his life, for in the two hours that had +elapsed since the boy left him he might have bled +to death.</p> + +<p>Will of course was quite in his element now. +If there was one thing in which he excelled besides +taking pictures it lay along the lines of medicine +and practical surgery.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> + +<p>Indeed, Frank himself was only too glad to +take orders from the other chum at such a time +as this, although he too knew considerable about +caring for gunshot wounds, broken bones, and +such accidental happenings as are apt to occur in +the woods.</p> + +<p>While the two amateur surgeons labored to the +best of their ability to stop the bleeding, and set +the broken bones, at least temporarily, Bluff and +Jerry had taken a little saunter around the place +looking for stuff that could be utilized in making +the litter.</p> + +<p>"Here's where a hickory tree was cut down a +year or two back," said the former, finally, "and +all around the old stump new growth has set in. +Some of it is as much as an inch or more thick."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and just the sort we want for our litter," +Jerry admitted; "so get busy with your hatchet, +Bluff; and when you feel tired let me have a +show for my money."</p> + +<p>As the camp hatchet was always kept exceedingly +sharp it bit into those hickory stems "like +fury," according to Bluff; and one after another +they fell before the onslaught.</p> + +<p>Then the straightest and strongest were selected +for the outside poles, which must be gripped +by the four bearers. Across from these, side +sections were fastened by means of the strong<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +cord. Next came the placing of the strip of +canvas which had really been fashioned particularly +for the very use to which it was now being +put. All around the edges brass eyelets had been +inserted in the canvas. Through the holes the +twine was to be run, enclosing a portion of the +side poles with every loop. This procedure would +result in giving them a splendid litter.</p> + +<p>"I guess Frank was right when he said no +party should ever come out into the woods without +carrying along a strip of canvas fixed like +this one is," Jerry was saying as he laced away +vigorously, admiring his work as he went along.</p> + +<p>"That's right," assented the other; "because +when it's needed it's always wanted in a big hurry. +Besides, such a strip can be made useful in many +ways. If the ground is damp it comes in handy +when you have to sleep with only a blanket between +you and the cold earth. In that way it +takes the place of a rubber poncho."</p> + +<p>"There's one thing bad about all this, I'm +afraid," ventured Jerry.</p> + +<p>"I hope now," cried Bluff, "you're not mean +enough to consider the drain it'll be on our grub +resources to have two more mouths to feed! +But there, I take that back, because I know it +wouldn't be like you even to think that. What +did you mean, Jerry?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's nearly night as it is, and we'll sure be +overtaken before we cover a single mile. Think +of tramping along in the pitch dark carrying a +man hurt as badly as he is."</p> + +<p>"Between you and me I don't believe Frank +will risk it. We can go as far as possible, and +when it grows dark pull up. Along about midnight, +if it stays clear, we ought to have the moon, +and it'll give us enough light to go on again."</p> + +<p>It proved to be just as Bluff had said, for when +the wounded man had been carefully lifted and +placed on the litter, with one of the boys ready +to take hold of each corner, Frank set forth his +plan.</p> + +<p>"We'll do the best we can, fellows, until it gets +too dark to see well; then we can lie down and +rest for hours. When the moon gets fully up, +so that the woods are light again, we'll finish our +tramp to the cabin. Get that, everybody?"</p> + +<p>The woodchopper seemed to be resting fairly +easily now. Of course he was in great pain and +often groaned in spite of his close clenched teeth; +but the strain on his mind had lessened. He felt +confident that these lads would see him through +his trouble in some way or other. Their manner +inspired the utmost confidence.</p> + +<p>Again they left it to the boy to lead the way. +His wonderful instinct made him an infallible<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +guide. Frank would have probably been able +to fetch up close to the cabin on the Point, but +there was always a chance of his going astray, +while Sandy knew no such word as fail when it +came to "sensing" direction.</p> + +<p>The little procession started. As well as they +could, the four boys bearing the litter kept step +with one another, since that helped to make the +jar less noticeable.</p> + +<p>It was no child's play carrying that heavy man +through the darkening forest, for unusual care +had to be taken constantly, lest a stumble occur +that would cause him to cry out with sudden +pain.</p> + +<p>Just as Bluff had said, they must have covered +about a full mile when Frank called a halt, saying +that it had grown too dark now to continue the +tramp.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW</h3> + + +<p>When the halt was made they were almost +half-way to the cabin on the Point. Bluff grumbled +because none of them proved to be a modern +Joshua, able to command the sun to stand still +for a sufficient time to cover the remaining distance.</p> + +<p>"Never mind about that, fellows," Frank observed, +after laughing heartily at the quaint remark; +"what we want to do just now is to make +Moogs here as comfortable as we can, and then +try to get some rest. All of us are tired, and +we've still a mile and a half to cover."</p> + +<p>"And I want to serve warning right now," +Jerry announced, "that the first thing we do when +we strike camp is to get the fire going, and a big +pot of coffee boiling. I'm as hungry as a wolf."</p> + +<p>Frank found that the injured man was standing +the trip as well as could be expected. He +suffered great pain, though at times a sort of +numbness came over his limb, as often happens.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bluff and Jerry had found some dead leaves +behind a log, and here they decided to settle down. +Frank and Will had already seen to it that their +patient was placed upon a bed of leaves, and had +made things as comfortable as possible for the +poor fellow.</p> + +<p>He seemed to be very grateful, and constantly +assured them that their kindness would never be +forgotten, and that he would only too gladly +repay them if ever it lay in his power.</p> + +<p>The small boy, Sandy Moogs, crouched alongside +his father and seemed happy just to know +that everything was moving along in a satisfactory +way.</p> + +<p>Frank was more concerned about the weather +than anything else. There were signs of a brooding +storm. The low-hanging clouds they had +noticed in the afternoon close to the western horizon +might push up and cover the heavens.</p> + +<p>That would be a serious thing for them, under +the present conditions. To be caught afoot in the +woods far from camp by one of those drenching +rains was bad enough; but it meant a terrible risk +to poor Moogs should he be soaked through while +suffering from such a wound.</p> + +<p>Still the time passed and there was no particular +change in conditions. So long as he could +see the stars Frank needed no watch to know the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +hour. He knew when the moon would appear in +the east, as well as which of the bright planets +would set by that time. All he had to do when +desirous of knowing how time was passing was +to observe the stars.</p> + +<p>Jerry and Bluff could be heard talking from +time to time. As for Will, who was close to +Frank, seeing the other lift his head for a look at +the sky above, he asked for information.</p> + +<p>"What time do you think it is, Frank?" was +what Will said.</p> + +<p>"Close to eleven," was the immediate reply.</p> + +<p>"Did you guess that, or are you reading the +answer in the stars?" continued Will.</p> + +<p>"See that bright star a little way above the horizon?" +asked Frank. "Well, that's Mercury, and +when it drops out of sight to-night it'll be just +eleven. When that other brighter planet goes +down, look for the moon to peep up. That will be +at twelve-seven, according to the almanac."</p> + +<p>"You've certainly got it all down pat," +chuckled the other, satisfied that what Frank said +must be exactly so; for he did not make a practice +of simply guessing at things.</p> + +<p>It happened that when the big star did pass out +of sight behind the far distant horizon Will was +watching, being wide awake.</p> + +<p>"It's time for the moon to show up, thank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +goodness!" he was heard to say, whereupon Bluff +from his bed of dead leaves close by called +back:</p> + +<p>"If you look close you can see the sky lighting +up over in the northeast a bit. Trouble was you +didn't remember that in summer the moon makes +a different sweep, and to do that often rises far +away from the true east."</p> + +<p>They could all see that Bluff spoke truly, and +that before long the darkness that hung over the +woods would be partly dispersed. Will had been +impressed with what the other had said concerning +the phases of the moon. He made up his +mind that when he got home again, and could +find books on astronomy in the town library, he +would study up on the subject, for it promised to +be interesting.</p> + +<p>They did not start immediately, for it would +be some time before the light became strong +enough to be of benefit to them. After the moon +could be fairly seen the boys sat around and made +comments that were not at all complimentary to +the heavenly luminary.</p> + +<p>"Wow! looks like she'd been out all night on +a tear," commented Jerry; "her face is that battered."</p> + +<p>"Makes a regular practice of these all-night affairs, +I reckon," chuckled Bluff; "no wonder she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +looks so peaked. Nobody can stand that sort of +life for long and not show it."</p> + +<p>"Please quit looking a gift horse in the mouth," +pleaded Will. "We're staking a whole lot on +that same old moon, it seems to me; and you fellows +are an ungrateful bunch. What if you hurt +her feelings so she puts her hands over her face, +in the shape of black clouds? Where would we +be then, tell me?"</p> + +<p>Finally Frank decided that they should start.</p> + +<p>"Of course we must use an extra amount of +care at first," he told them; "and as the moon +gets higher up the thing will come easier. But be +careful how you go."</p> + +<p>"Yes, watch your step!" added Bluff, as he +reached down to get a good grip on the end of the +litter pole.</p> + +<p>The start was made in fairly good shape, and +if their movements caused the wounded man new +pain he managed to repress his groans. Realizing +the great debt he owed these sterling boys, the +woodcutter felt that he ought to suppress the +signs of suffering, at least as much as he possibly +could.</p> + +<p>Frank watched to see with what confidence little +Sandy again started in the lead. He was immediately +convinced that there need be not the +least anxiety concerning his ability to serve as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +true guide. The instinct was born in him; if +asked how he picked out his course he could never +have explained save by saying he <i>knew</i> it, and +that was all.</p> + +<p>When they had covered about a mile Frank +called for a rest. He felt sure Will in particular +must be getting weak and weary with all this +strenuous work, to which he was quite unaccustomed.</p> + +<p>Sandy had offered to lend a hand, but was told +to stick to his post as guide.</p> + +<p>"It's a more important service you can render +leading us straight, than the little help you could +give lifting," Frank told the boy when, for the +third time, Sandy offered to relieve Will.</p> + +<p>"We ought to get there on the next turn," decided +Bluff.</p> + +<p>Jerry was sniffing the night air.</p> + +<p>"Why, it seems to me," he remarked, blandly, +"that I can just smell the lake, and according to +my guess it can't be more than half a mile away."</p> + +<p>They waited to rest for about ten minutes. +Then as Bluff and Jerry began to manifest signs +of restlessness Frank gave the order to move +along once more. Will declared that he felt able +to keep on for a time, long enough, probably, to +take them over the remainder of the ground.</p> + +<p>There were numerous occasions when one or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +another stumbled, for with poor illumination it +was not always possible to see small obstructions. +Once or twice the man on the litter groaned, and +at such times the boys took themselves to task +with fresh energy, afterwards trying more than +ever to avoid all such petty pitfalls.</p> + +<p>"Pretty nearly there, I guess!" said Jerry, who +felt sure he had recognized some of the surrounding +woods, although they looked different to him +in the weird moonlight from their usual seeming +in broad day.</p> + +<p>"We'll break out of the trees inside of five +minutes," prophesied Bluff, going his chum one +better, since he set the time, which Jerry had not.</p> + +<p>"Make it seven and I'm with you," Frank told +them, knowing that a certain amount of chatter +would be apt to make them forget their weariness.</p> + +<p>"I even thought just then I could hear water +lapping upon the shore, Frank," remarked Will.</p> + +<p>"That was what you heard, because I caught it +too," he was assured by the one in whom Will +placed such confidence.</p> + +<p>"Be ready, then, to see our old cabin as soon +as we get to the edge of these woods," remarked +Frank; "everybody watch, and see who's the first +to call out. Of course you two fellows ahead +have the best chance."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards Jerry broke out again.</p> + +<p>"Frank, there's the water through the trees!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and with the moonlight playing across it +like a pathway of silver," added Will, who was a +little inclined to be poetical.</p> + +<p>"Home, sweet home," sighed Bluff; "be it ever +so lowly there's no place like home."</p> + +<p>"Oh! quit that, Bluff!" urged Jerry. "Don't +you know you'll make us want to quit Cabin Point +and hike for our real homes. Just let's keep +thinking of what a spread we're in for, once I get +started hustling the supper along. Wow! in +fancy I can see it now, with the coffee-pot boiling +on the hob and—holy smoke! Frank, what +does this mean now?"</p> + +<p>"Tell us what's happened!" demanded Will, +beginning to show signs of excitement, as Jerry +came to a full stop.</p> + +<p>"Why, there's our cabin; can't you see, fellows—and +as sure as you live somebody's inside it, because +the light is shining through the window +where that wooden shutter can't be coaxed to +close tight. Now I wonder what that funny business +stands for."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERY SOLVED</h3> + + +<p>"Yes, it's a light, that's what it is!" Bluff was +heard to mutter.</p> + +<p>"This is certainly a queer piece of business, as +you say, Jerry," admitted Frank.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope now it isn't a messenger from +home with bad news! That would upset all our +plans. And my mother wasn't feeling just up +to the mark when I left home, either," cried Will.</p> + +<p>Will's mother was a widow, and he had a twin +sister named Violet. The three of them lived by +themselves in one of the most substantial and +beautiful houses in Centerville; so the boy's sudden +sense of anxiety could be easily understood. +He was really the man of the house, and often +felt his conscience stab him when he left his +mother and Violet alone.</p> + +<p>"Oh! stow that, Will!" urged the more practical +Jerry. "It isn't going to turn out as bad as +that. How do we know but that they do have +hoboes up this way, and that the tramps have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +taken a shine to our bunks? Frank, what shall +we do?"</p> + +<p>Of course they looked to Frank to decide; +but as he was used to doing more than his share +of the planning for the crowd, he thought nothing +of this request.</p> + +<p>"First of all, let's put the litter down gently," +he proposed.</p> + +<p>"That's right, boys," said the wounded man, +"don't ye bother any 'bout me, but look after yer +own 'fairs first. I'll get on all right, with Sandy +hyar to stand by and keer for me."</p> + +<p>They were very careful as they put the +stretcher down, for only too well did they know +how the wretched occupant suffered from any +jolt. This having been accomplished successfully, +the four chums were ready to take the next step.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll go on and see what it all means," +said Frank.</p> + +<p>He managed to control his voice so that none +of the others could discern any undue emotion; +yet truth to tell Frank was more worried than +he would have cared to admit.</p> + +<p>What Will had voiced was in fact the very fear +that had flashed upon him. They had left word +at home for a messenger to be sent up after them +should sickness or accident overtake any of those +left behind. And it seemed at least reasonable to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +believe that something of the kind had happened.</p> + +<p>As the boys advanced eagerly though noiselessly +they were keyed up to the top notch of +excitement.</p> + +<p>When he dropped his end of the stretcher Bluff +discovered a stout club lying on the ground. It +answered his present needs admirably, and accordingly +the boy snatched it up with a sense of +exhilaration. To himself Bluff was muttering:</p> + +<p>"Tramps, hey? Measley hoboes roosting in +our nice shack, are they? Well now, let me just +get a whack at the same with this bully home-run +bat, and if I don't make 'em sick of their job +you can take my head for a football. Tramps, +hey? Wow! Count me in the deal, will you? I +just eat tramps!"</p> + +<p>Frank led the way from long habit. It was +perhaps the same training that kept Bluff and +Jerry just at the heels of the pilot, although they +were in a fever to make faster time.</p> + +<p>So far as they could see there was no sign of +life about the old cabin, only the light shining +through that gap in the wooden window shutter. +If a party of vagrants had indeed taken possession +of the place they were wonderfully quiet. +Not a sound smote the stillness of the night.</p> + +<p>Presently, however, from some tree not far +away a whippoorwill suddenly sent out his vo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>ciferous +notes, complaining again and again of +the severe punishment "poor Will" might expect. +The cabin was now close at hand. Frank could +see that the door was ajar, as though inviting +the passerby to enter without the formality of +knocking.</p> + +<p>"Huh!" Bluff was heard to grumble, as he, +too, discovered this fact.</p> + +<p>Approaching the window, Frank leaned forward +and took a first peep. He did not say a +single word, although very much surprised at +what he saw; but simply made room for Will, +who in turn moved slightly on so that the others +might also see.</p> + +<p>The wooden shutter, which had been repaired +as well as possible, even when closed left a slight +gap, and through this hole it was possible for one +outside to survey the whole interior of the cabin.</p> + +<p>A single figure sat in the most comfortable +chair the cabin boasted. The lantern had been +lighted, and hung so that its rays illuminated the +interior of the place fairly well.</p> + +<p>None of the boys had the slightest difficulty in +recognizing the person they were looking at +through the window. It was Gilbert Dennison.</p> + +<p>Somehow or other it seemed that none of the +chums had once considered Gilbert when trying +to guess who could be in the cabin. When they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +now discovered him sitting there, and apparently +waiting for them to come in, a great load seemed +to be lifted from their hearts.</p> + +<p>At least poor anxious Will was heard to give +a long sigh of relief. His worst fears were dissipated +when instead of some messenger from +Centerville he discovered Gilbert Dennison sitting +there, watching and waiting.</p> + +<p>Frank was also well pleased at the discovery. +At the same time there flashed into his mind a +conviction that it must be something beyond the +ordinary desire to visit them that had brought +Gilbert there.</p> + +<p>None of the boys paid quite as much attention +to secrecy as before. It was different now, since +they knew a friend occupied their cabin, and not +a party of dusty tramps, who had been making +free with their supplies.</p> + +<p>Apparently the sound of their footsteps must +have reached the ears of the one inside, for as +Frank pushed back the door he found Gilbert on +his feet. Also, he seemed to be crouching there +as much in the shadows as possible; and really +his whole attitude struck Frank as astonishing.</p> + +<p>As Frank and then Bluff, Jerry and Will +pushed into the cabin Gilbert looked at first a +little surprised and disappointed; but he instantly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +raised his hand to indicate silence, and at the +same time pressed a finger on his lips.</p> + +<p>These mysterious actions astonished the four +chums. They stared as though they found it difficult +to believe their eyes.</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! what next?" Bluff was muttering, +as though things were happening so rapidly that +almost any sort of surprise could be expected.</p> + +<p>Frank pushed forward.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you here, but what's up, Gilbert?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Please speak in a whisper when you have to +talk, Frank," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"All right," said Frank, doing as he was told, +"but please explain what it all means, for we've +got a wounded man outside, who had his leg +broken by a tree he was dropping, and we wish +to bring him in here to make him easy."</p> + +<p>"It'll all be over in a short time, I should +think," continued Gilbert; "for he ought to be +here any minute now."</p> + +<p>"Who do you mean?" asked Bluff, like most +boys caring naught for grammatical rules when +far away from the school room.</p> + +<p>"My uncle!" replied Gilbert.</p> + +<p>"But why under the sun is Mr. Dennison coming +down here to the cabin, and at midnight, +too?" asked Jerry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's just it," replied the visitor at the cabin. +"I've known for some time that Uncle Aaron is +a sleep-walker, you see."</p> + +<p>Frank had already grasped the meaning of +the situation, but Bluff was still groping in the +dark. He proved this by asking:</p> + +<p>"But what would your old uncle wander down +here for in his sleep, Gilbert, when it must be all +of half a mile anyway, and over a crooked trail?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what I think," replied the other, +in a very low tone. "You see, he understands +that I set great store on that gold cup I won, and +which I brought up here with me when I came. +He had it on his mind after I went away, being +afraid some one would steal it."</p> + +<p>"Oh! now I get what you mean," whispered +Bluff. "In his sleep he took a notion to try to +hide the thing where no one would find it. And +since he used that cavity under the floor to keep +his savings in long years ago, somehow he just +wandered down here the one night we were all +away, and put the cup there."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and knew nothing about it when he +came to search the cabin later on," explained +Gilbert. "But keep still, everybody, for I really +think I saw him coming out there in the open +before the door. Please don't say a word, but +just watch!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>It was an exciting time when Gilbert and +the four chums stood there as silent as ghosts, +and waited for the arrival of the sleep-walker. +Perhaps a dozen seconds had passed when there +was a rustle and a sigh at the open door. Then +a figure stalked in.</p> + +<p>They could see that it was Aaron Dennison.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dennison walked straight over to where +that loose plank lay. He did not show the slightest +sign of hesitancy, but stooping down placed +some object on the floor, after which he began +to raise the plank as though familiar with its +working.</p> + +<p>No wonder the boys stared, and Bluff chuckled +softly, when they saw the object so carefully +deposited on the floor by the man who walked in +his sleep.</p> + +<p>It was the golden cup, won in the amateur golf +tournament by Gilbert Dennison!</p> + +<p>They watched him lift the plank, and then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +quickly place the cup in the hole underneath; +after this he gently lowered the board, patted it +affectionately, and arose to his feet as if to go.</p> + +<p>Frank was more than satisfied. The mystery +had been explained in a fashion that left not a +shred of doubt behind.</p> + +<p>At the same time Frank found himself wondering +what Gilbert would do next. To convince +Mr. Dennison that he himself was wholly to +blame, it would seem to be the proper thing to +awaken him before he quitted the cabin, and +show him the cup nestling under the plank.</p> + +<p>Frank dimly remembered reading that it was +not a wise thing to arouse a sleep-walker suddenly; +he understood that the sudden shock had +a tendency to affect the brain. Apparently Gilbert +did not know this, for he stepped forward +and reaching out caught hold of the old man's +arm, shaking it as he called:</p> + +<p>"Wake up, Uncle Aaron, wake up!"</p> + +<p>They saw the sleeper give a tremendous start. +Then he stared first at Gilbert, and then around +him as though dazed.</p> + +<p>"It's I, Uncle, and you've been up to your old +tricks again, walking in your sleep," the young +fellow told him. "Yes, no wonder you look as +if you could hardly believe your eyes; for you've +wandered down to the old cabin on the Point<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +And, Uncle, what do you think we saw you +doing?"</p> + +<p>As he said this Gilbert in turn suddenly +stooped, and managing to get the loose plank up +he pushed it aside. When he picked up the +golden cup and held it before the eyes of the old +gentleman, Bluff could hardly keep from bursting +into laughter, the look of astonishment on Mr. +Dennison's face was so ludicrous.</p> + +<p>"Did I bring that cup here, and stow it away +again in that hole, Gilbert?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"You certainly did, Uncle," he was told.</p> + +<p>"Then it stands to reason that I must have +been guilty on that other occasion, too, +Nephew?" faltered the old hermit.</p> + +<p>"Of course you were, Uncle. Don't you see, +you worried over having the cup there on your +hands; and in your sleep you must have dreamed +about the old place here under the floor where +you once used to hide things. And down you +came all the way. It happened that the boys +were all away on that night after the storm; +isn't it so, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Frank, "Will here and I were +caught up in the woods, and slept under a shelf +of rock, while Bluff and Jerry stayed at the village, +where they met the constable, Mr. Jeems. +So the cabin was not occupied at all that night."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And we knew somebody must have been in +here," spoke up Will, "because the door wasn't +closed as we left it, a chair had been pushed +over, and some other things were disturbed. It +was a great mystery to all of us, sir."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dennison proved himself equal to the occasion. +The look of consternation on his face +had now given way to one of friendliness.</p> + +<p>"Then I can plainly see how I have wronged +these boys by accusing them of this mysterious +taking of the golden cup," he said, frankly. "I +trust all of you will forgive me, and that Gilbert +will some time or other fetch you up to see me. +I want particularly to become better acquainted +with the one who is interested in wild animal +photography."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dennison whispered a few sentences to +his nephew. Evidently he must have been telling +Gilbert that he was at liberty to explain certain +sad things connected with his past life, when the +occasion arose, so that the boys would understand +just why, for all his money, he lived in such a +lonely place.</p> + +<p>Then he said he must go, and asked Gilbert to +accompany him.</p> + +<p>"Be sure and bring that precious golden cup +of yours," he told the other. "We'll have to find +a safe place to keep it, if I'm going to have any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +sound sleep after this. At my age I cannot afford +to take chances of meeting with some accident +when wandering around the woods at night-time. +Good-bye, lads, and remember I shall hope to +have you take supper with me some evening soon, +when we can get better acquainted."</p> + +<p>After Mr. Dennison and Gilbert had departed +Frank thought again of the injured woodcutter, +and, hastening out, they soon had him under the +roof of the cabin.</p> + +<p>In the morning it was decided that, as the +weather seemed promising, two of them had better +start for the village with the wounded man +and Sandy. The boat was now in extra-good +shape, and seemed hardly to leak a drop. Besides, +the sooner Moogs was placed under the care of +an experienced surgeon the better. Frank did +not want to be responsible for the consequences +any more than seemed absolutely necessary.</p> + +<p>In time the injured woodcutter recovered from +his severe wound; and the boys afterwards received +a letter from Sandy, in which the boy +tried hard to express the heavy obligations under +which he and his "dad" felt themselves bound to +the Outdoor Chums.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon Gilbert came down to see +them, and stayed over night.</p> + +<p>As they sat around after supper and exchanged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +confidences the boys learned of the tragedy that +had taken place in the life of Aaron Dennison. +It fully explained the mystery hovering over his +enclosed estate.</p> + +<p>He had had a single child, as the poor fragment +of a baby shoe had informed Frank; but +the little fellow had been taken away from them. +The wife and mother had never been the same +after that, though for years she continued to +be the faithful partner of the man, as he fought +his way up in the world.</p> + +<p>In the end she entirely lost her reason, and Mr. +Dennison, unwilling that the one he loved so +fondly should be placed in even the best asylum, +had conceived the idea of building this home far +removed from civilization.</p> + +<p>Here the poor lady lived attended by a trusty +nurse day and night. There were bars across +the windows of her sleeping chamber, because of +late she had developed a mania for wanting to +leap from a height and hence they had to take all +precautions.</p> + +<p>No doubt she imagined herself a prisoner, and +seeing the boys below, she had waved her handkerchief +to them, and also had made gestures with +her hands as though invoking their aid.</p> + +<p>Of course Frank assured Gilbert that when +they came up to take supper with his uncle not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +a word would be said on that painful subject. +Even if they heard that pitiful wailing cry they +would pretend that it was the screech of a strutting +peacock, as once they had really believed.</p> + +<p>After that the Outdoor Chums found each +day bringing new pleasures. They went up to +see Mr. Dennison, not only once but many times, +for the old hermit soon found himself deeply interested +in the boys. He asked a thousand questions +concerning the things connected with their +past, and seemed never to tire of listening while +these little adventurous happenings were being +narrated.</p> + +<p>The glorious days slipped away and finally the +day arrived when they must say good-bye to +Cabin Point and all its happy associations.</p> + +<p>Will had a large number of splendid pictures +to carry back; and all the boys would often think +of the happy times spent at the big lake.</p> + +<p>Other events would undoubtedly cross their +path, but in reviewing the strenuous past Frank +and his Outdoor Chums would always remember +with deepest interest the mystery of the golden +cup, and how strangely it was solved while they +were in camp at Cabin Point.</p> + + +<h3>THE END</h3> + + + +<hr class="hr1" /> +<h2>Darewell Chums<br /> + +SERIES</h2> + +<h2><i>By</i> ALLEN CHAPMAN</h2> + +<hr class="hr1" /> + + +<ul> +<li>The Heroes of the School</li> +<li> Ned Wilding's Disappearance</li> +<li> Frank Roscoe's Secret</li> +<li> Fenn Masterson's Discovery</li> +<li> Bart Keene's Hunting Days</li> +</ul> + + +<hr class="hr1" /> + +<p class="blockquot">Up and doing from the word go are these "Darewell +Chums," a group of boys who stick together +thru thick and thin; thru high adventure and +scrapes. On the field of sport and in the broader +field of life, their comradeship persists. There are +several mysteries interwoven thru these tales that +baffle the most astute. To follow the fortunes of +"The Darewell Chums," prepare for an exciting +journey in Bookland.</p> + +<hr class="hr1" /> + + +<h3>The Goldsmith Publishing Co.</h3> + +<h3>CLEVELAND, O.</h3> + +<hr class="hr1" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Chums at Cabin Point, by Quincy Allen + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT *** + +***** This file should be named 19743-h.htm or 19743-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/7/4/19743/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Sankar Viswanathan, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/19743-h/images/image_01.jpg b/19743-h/images/image_01.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d1fffb --- /dev/null +++ b/19743-h/images/image_01.jpg diff --git a/19743.txt b/19743.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c56d250 --- /dev/null +++ b/19743.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6593 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Chums at Cabin Point, by Quincy Allen + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Outdoor Chums at Cabin Point + or The Golden Cup Mystery + +Author: Quincy Allen + +Release Date: November 9, 2006 [EBook #19743] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Sankar Viswanathan, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + + AT CABIN POINT + + OR + + The Golden Cup Mystery + + + + BY + + CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + + AUTHOR OF "THE OUTDOOR CHUMS," "THE OUTDOOR + CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS," ETC. + + + + + _The_ + GOLDSMITH + Publishing Co. + CLEVELAND OHIO + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY + GROSSET & DUNLAP + + * * * * * + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + +I ON THE WAY TO CAMP + +II A COOL CUSTOMER + +III TAKING POSSESSION + +IV AS BUSY AS BEAVERS + +V A CALL FOR HELP + +VI THE HOME OF THE OSPREY + +VII THE CHAINED DOOR + +VIII WHEN THE FLASHLIGHT TRAP WORKED + +IX THE FORAGING PARTY + +X TRESPASSERS + +XI IN THE BIG TIMBER + +XII CAUGHT IN THE STORM + +XIII TAKING A BEE-LINE FOR CAMP + +XIV THE RETURN OF THE VOYAGERS + +XV DAYS OF REAL SPORT + +XVI SHOWING BLUFF AND JERRY + +XVII THE WARNING + +XVIII THE ACCUSATION + +XIX REPAYING HIS DEBT + +XX GROPING IN THE DARK + +XXI AN UNEXPECTED APPEAL + +XXII FIRST AID TO THE INJURED + +XXIII A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW + +XXIV THE MYSTERY SOLVED + +XXV CONCLUSION + + * * * * * + + + + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT + +CHAPTER I + +ON THE WAY TO CAMP + + +"We're going into the woods light this time, it seems, boys." + +"Remember, Bluff, we sent along most of our stuff, such as blankets +and grub, as also the cooking outfit, in charge of old Anthony, the +stage driver." + +"That's a fact, Will, and he was to leave it at the abandoned mine +shaft, from which point we expect to make pack horses of ourselves." + +"True for you, Jerry! And unless Frank here has made a mistake in his +reckoning we're due to reach that hole in the ground before another +hour." + +"How about that, Frank?" + +"We'll fetch up there in less time than that I reckon, fellows. To +tell you the truth, it can't be more than a mile away from here." + +"Bully for that! And after we get over the peak of this rocky ridge we +ought to be on the down-grade most of the way." + +When Jerry Wallington gave expression to his gratitude after this +fashion, two of his companions waved their hats as though he voiced +their sentiments. One of these boys was Will Milton, and while he did +not seem to be quite as vigorous as his chums, still his active life +during the last two years had done much to build up his strength. As +for Bluff Masters, any one could see from his looks that he had a +constitution of iron, while his face told of determination bordering +on obstinacy. The fourth member of the little party tramping along +this road leading over the ridge was Frank Langdon. He was a boy of +many parts, able to take the lead in most matters, and looked up to by +his comrades. + +All of them lived in the town of Centerville, where, on account of +their love for the open and for camp life, they had become known as +the "Outdoor Chums." Fortune had indeed been kind to these four boys, +and allowed them to enjoy opportunities for real sport that come the +way of few lads. + +They had first called themselves the "Rod, Gun and Camera Club," +because their activities in the woods partook of the nature of these +several branches of sport. Will was an ardent photographer, and his +work had received high praise. Indeed, it was only recently that he +had captured a cash prize offered by a prominent newspaper for the +best collection of flashlight pictures of wild animals in their native +haunts. + +This had been accomplished only after the most persistent and +laborious efforts. It was carried out during a delightful trip, taken +by the boys to the Maine country, where they met with some exceedingly +interesting adventures, all of which were set down in the seventh +volume of this series, under the title of "The Outdoor Chums in the +Big Woods; Or, The Rival Hunters of Lumber Run." + +Those readers who have followed the fortunes of Frank and his three +wide-awake comrades in previous stories have of course come to look on +them as old friends, and need no further introduction. As there may be +some, however, who are now making their acquaintance for the first +time it may be well to mention a few things connected with their past, +as well as to explain why they were now bound for a new camping ground +in a region they had never before visited. + +Naturally, they knew every foot of country for many miles around +Centerville. They had roamed over Oak Ridge and the Sunset Mountains, +camped on Wildcat Island, situated in Camelot Lake, and scoured the +region roundabout. + +More than this, wonderful opportunities had come to these boys to +visit distant parts of the States. On one occasion they had taken a +trip South, going to the Gulf of Mexico. Another time it had been a +visit to the Rocky Mountains where they hunted big game. Then, on a +houseboat belonging to an eccentric uncle of Will's, they voyaged down +the great Mississippi River to New Orleans, meeting with numerous +adventures on the way. + +When they returned home after their first year at college, of course +the regular question came up immediately: "Where shall we go for the +next outing? because we must get into the woods somehow, and live +close to Nature for a spell, to fish, and take pictures, and just +forget all our troubles." + +Many ideas were suggested, but it remained for Bluff Masters to bring +up the most catching plan. By some means he had heard of a place a +good many miles away from their home town where the big lake lay for +many miles between the hills. + +Here he had been told by one who knew that they would be apt to find +the seclusion they sought, since few people lived in that section of +country. Small game was plentiful enough to give Will all the fun he +wanted in laying his traps, in order that raccoons and opossums and +foxes might be coaxed to snap off their own pictures. + +Fishing ought to be good in the waters of the inland sea, and all of +them professed to be ardent disciples of the hook and line. In fact, +Bluff laid out such an alluring programme that he actually carried the +others by storm. + +Accordingly, preparations were made to go to the distant lake. Frank, +as was his habit, did everything in his power to pick up information +concerning the lay of the land. He even made up a sort of map, based +on what he was able to learn, although frankly admitting that it might +prove faulty in many places. It was going to be one of his personal +tasks to rectify these mistakes, and bring back an accurate chart of +the whole district. + +Besides being an ardent photographer, Will had taken up the study of +medicine, as he anticipated some day being a physician. The boys were +in the habit of calling him "Doctor Will" at times; and whenever there +arose an occasion that called for his aid he was only too willing to +apply his knowledge of the healing art. + +Bluff Masters had perhaps been well named by his boy friends for he +was not only a frank sort of boy, but there were many times when just +out of a desire to tease he would try to "bluff" those with whom he +chanced to be arguing. + +At the same time Bluff was a hearty boy, with plenty of good nature, +and was a favorite with his companions. He and Jerry were both apt to +be a little boisterous, and to express their dislikes rather forcibly, +but the others knew their little failings and paid small attention to +them as a rule. + +As they mentioned in their chatter while they tramped along the rough +up-hill road, they had found a chance to send most of their camp +outfit ahead of them by the stage. It was to be left at the shaft of +the old abandoned mine, which they had heard so much about, though of +course had never seen. + +After reaching that point they expected to leave the road and plunge +directly into the woods, taking a short-cut for the big lake. Here +they had planned to search for an old cabin situated on a point that +stretched out into the beautiful bay, and which Frank believed might +serve them in lieu of a tent; indeed, trusting to the information +they had received, they had not bothered to carry any canvas along +with them on the trip. + +"What if that old cabin proves to be a myth after all, Frank?" Bluff +was asking as they toiled along, with a wall of rock on one hand and a +dizzy precipice close on the other side. + +"Perhaps we'll be sorry about leaving out that fine waterproof tent of +ours," suggested Will, who did not like to "rough it" quite so much as +did the others. + +"Shucks!" ejaculated Jerry, with fine scorn, "what's the matter with +our building a shelter of logs, bark and driftwood on the shore of the +lake, if the worst strikes us? It wouldn't be the first time we'd done +such a thing either, eh, Frank?" + +"I reckon we could do it without straining a point," the other +observed quietly. "But don't borrow trouble, Bluff. Time enough to +cross your bridges when you get to them. That old cabin stood there +last summer, I was told, and likely to hold out for a good many more +seasons unless some one should deliberately burn it down." + +"Who would be apt to do such a silly thing as that, tell me?" demanded +Bluff. + +"I don't think any one would," Frank hastened to reply; "but I've been +told there's a peculiar old hermit living on an estate not a great +way distant from Cabin Point. He is said to be a rich man, but seems +to want to keep away from his fellows, and has built a house up here +on his property." + +"You mean Aaron Dennison, of course, Frank," said Will. "I was +interested in what we were told about him. He seems to be a regular +bear, and refuses to make friends with anybody drifting up here." + +"The loggers over at Edmundson Cove tell queer yarns of the things he +has done," Frank continued, with a faint smile; "and to own up to the +truth, I'm rather hoping we run across old Aaron. He must be quite a +character from all we've heard, and somehow I've grown curious about +him." + +"And if I get half a chance," observed Will, whose mind usually ran in +the one channel, which of course covered his hobby, "I mean to snap +off a picture of him. I've got a lot of freaks in my collection, but +nary a hermit nor a crank." + +"All I hope for," said Jerry, "is that he doesn't try to make it +unpleasant for us up here. For one, I expect to give him a wide berth. +These hermits are not much to my fancy. You never know what to expect +from the lot. But, Frank, after all, we're not the only fellows +traveling along this mountain road. Look up ahead and you'll see a +chap hurrying this way." + +"He's not much older than any of us, it seems," remarked Bluff, as all +of them immediately focussed their gaze on the figure that had turned +a bend in the rough road, and was hurriedly advancing in a somewhat +careless fashion. + +"He's carrying a bag just like my new one," remarked Will, patting the +article in question affectionately, as though it contained something +which he valued very much. + +"I shouldn't be surprised if he were heading for that railroad station +we struck a mile back," suggested Frank. "It was only a flag station, +but trains stop there on signal most likely." + +"But where on earth could that natty young fellow come from, do you +think?" Will asked. "I hope there isn't a camp of city boys up here +anywhere, because if that turned out to be the case there'd be small +chance for me to get the pictures of game I'm hoping to strike." + +"He sees us now," remarked Jerry, "but is coming along faster than +ever. Perhaps he's running away from something, for he looked back +just then over his shoulder." + +"Yes, and came near taking a nasty fall in the bargain," commented +Will, who had started with sudden fear; "it strikes me he's a pretty +careless sort of fellow. On a dangerous road like this it pays to +watch your step, as a fall might mean a broken leg, or even worse. Oh! +look there, boys, he's stumbled again, and gone over the edge of the +precipice!" + +All of them stared in awe, for what Will called out was only too true. +The advancing figure was no longer in sight, for upon making that +false step he had fallen to his knees, made a violent effort to keep +from slipping over the edge, and then disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A COOL CUSTOMER + + +"Come on everybody!" shouted Jerry, starting to run up the grade in +his customary impetuous way. + +The other three were close at his heels. All were inspired by an eager +desire to find out whether the stranger had actually fallen all the +way down the face of that steep declivity, or had managed to catch +hold of some friendly projection. + +If the chums had felt tired before that thrilling moment they quite +forgot the circumstance in their wild anxiety to learn what had +happened to the strange boy. Fortunately the spot where they had last +seen the other vanish was not far away, and they soon came to the +place. + +Jerry was already flat on his stomach and peering over the edge when +the other boys arrived. Even before they could see for themselves his +shout announced that he had made an important discovery. + +"He's hanging to a point of rock down there, as sure as anything, +Frank! Oh! how are we going to get to him before his arms give way? +See how he's throwing his feet up, trying to ease the strain, but +there's nothing doing. Shall I go down there after him, Frank?" + +"Don't you think of it, Jerry!" cried the alarmed Will; "let Frank +make up a plan. You'd only tumble yourself, don't you know?" + +Frank Langdon had an exceedingly active mind. He seemed to be able to +grasp a situation instantly, and to decide quickly the best thing to +do in an emergency. + +Even while running to the spot he had used his eyes to advantage. + +"Wait for me!" was what he snapped as he flung himself around. + +Bluff, twisting his head backwards, saw that Frank was making for a +tree that had been blown down at some previous time. It chanced to be +close at hand, and in a dozen seconds the running boy had gained the +spot. + +Then Bluff gave a cry of mingled delight and admiration. + +"It certainly takes Frank to hatch up a clever scheme on the spur of +the moment! He's dragging that old wild grave-vine out from the wreck +of the tree!" was what Bluff exclaimed in an ecstasy of satisfaction. +"Oh! why didn't he tell me to go along with him? What if he can't +manage it alone?" + +Bluff was in the act of clambering to his feet when Jerry halted him. + +"It's all right, Bluff, for he's got it loose now, and is whooping it +up this way like everything. If only that fellow can hold on a little +longer we'll pull him up O. K. Hey, down there, take a fresh grip and +stick fast! We've got a vine rope coming on the jump! Steady now, old +chap; we're standing by you!" + +"Hurry!" they heard the other gasp. Undoubtedly after all his +exertions he must have been short of breath, though the face he turned +up toward them did not appear to be stamped with any great degree of +fright. + +Just then Frank arrived on the spot, and instantly started to lower +the section of wild grape-vine he had secured from the fallen tree. It +was at least a dozen or fifteen feet in length, and any one acquainted +with the amazing strength of such a parasite did not need to be +assured that it would easily bear the weight of several persons the +weight of one who was in such peril on the rock below. + +"Can you change your hold to the vine?" called Frank, when presently +he could see that the lower end of his substitute rope dangled close +alongside the other. + +It required more or less agility and reserve strength to carry such a +proceeding through successfully. The stranger, however, appeared to +possess these necessary qualifications, Frank was pleased to see. + +Will felt as though his heart was up in his throat as he watched the +other hang on to the spur of rock with one hand, and seize the +dangling object with the other. Frank had lowered the larger end of +the vine. He had also sent it below the jutting rock, so that the one +they meant to rescue could clasp his legs about it, and thus secure a +much better grip. + +When they saw he had really accomplished the difficult feat of +transferring his weight to the vine the boys, whose heads projected +beyond the ledge above, uttered encouraging shouts. + +"Well done, old top!" called out Bluff, carried away by his +enthusiasm, and acting as though he had known the other a long time. +"Now just give us a little time and we'll run you up here in great +shape. Here you come, then! Heave-oh, boys!" + +It required their united strength to raise the boy who dangled at the +end of the grape-vine. This was on account of the fact that their +make-believe rope refused to bend very well, thus making its hauling +up a clumsy business. + +Still every foot helped, and all the while some of them kept calling +out encouragingly to the boy below. In the end his head appeared in +view, upon which he was seized by the arms by Frank and Bluff, and +dragged over the edge. + +Somewhat to the surprise of the boys, he immediately started to +brushing himself off, as though the dust on his clothes bothered him +more than any slight bruises he may have received in his ugly fall. +Frank made up his mind when he saw this that the other was certainly +nonchalant, or, as Frank himself expressed it, "a cool customer." + +"I hope you're not hurt by your tumble?" Frank asked, at which the +other shook his head, and continued dusting his coat as he replied: + +"Don't think I got even a scratch, which is about my ordinary luck. +But only for your coming I'd have dropped the rest of the way down to +the bottom of the hole, and that might have changed things some. Thank +you very much for helping. And that scheme of the wild grave-vine was +a corker, too. I'd never have thought of such a thing, I'm positive." + +"Oh! trust Frank for hitting the right nail on the head every time," +boasted Will, who never lost a chance to magnify the deeds of the one +he admired above any among all his friends. + +The other now took occasion to look them over curiously, as though he +had begun to wonder who they were, and what brought four boys up into +this region. Frank guessed this much, for he immediately introduced +himself and his chums. + +"We're from Centerville, a town that's a good way off from here. My +name's Frank Langdon, this is Will Milton, the one next to him is +Bluff Masters, and the other fellow, Jerry Wallington. We have always +been mighty fond of camping, and just now mean to put in a few weeks +on the shore of the big lake at a place called Cabin Point. Our stuff +has gone ahead of us on the stage that came along here yesterday." + +Somehow Frank thought the other started a little and looked keenly at +him when this announcement was made. He could not understand, though, +why it should interest any one to know that they intended to camp at +any particular spot on the lake shore, since there were many miles to +choose from. + +"Oh! my name is Gilbert Dennison. I've been at college, and mean to +spend my vacation playing golf. You see they do say I'm runner-up +among the amateurs on the green links. Sent my clubs and luggage off +yesterday, and was on the way to the train to-day when the horse +smashed a wheel of the rig. I had to put out afoot, for, you see, I +wouldn't miss making that train for a good deal, because of the +match." + +He took out his watch and held it in a hand that hardly trembled in +the least, which Frank thought rather remarkable, seeing what a strain +had been upon him lately. Altogether, Frank considered him the coolest +person he had ever met. If he could control his nerves in this fashion +when playing in a match it was no wonder he was looked upon as a +coming wonder on the golf links, where such a gift counts heavily. + +"You must excuse me for rushing off in such a beastly hurry, fellows!" +Gilbert exclaimed, as he looked around for his bag, which, +fortunately, had not fallen over the precipice at the time he +stumbled; "some other time perhaps I'll run in on you at your camp, +and be able to thank you in a more decent way for giving me a lift. I +think I can make that train in half an hour." + +Bluff and Jerry had not a word to say. They stood and stared at the +other, astonished beyond measure. Really in all their experiences far +and wide they had never met with such a self-possessed young person as +this. + +He picked up his bag, waved them a flippant good-bye, and then +actually started to run down the slope. Bluff scratched his head and +grinned, while Jerry exclaimed in disgust. + +"Gee whiz! if that wasn't the queerest thing ever! You'd think he'd +just stubbed his toe, and we happened along in time to help him rub +the same. He sure is a cool customer, believe me, fellows!" + +"Such base ingratitude I never ran across," ventured Will, +indignantly. "Why, only for Frank's fetching that grape-vine along, +and our pulling him up so neatly, he'd have had to let go his hold +before now. And say, it was all of thirty feet down to the bottom of +the hole from the rock he held on to; an ugly fall, I'd call it." + +"Oh! well," observed Frank, more amused than otherwise by the singular +circumstance, "when a fellow pursues any fad as he does golf he seems +to chase it just as we've all done one of those jack-o'-lanterns in +the marsh. When the fever is on him he can't think of anything else. +That match on the links is, in his mind, the greatest event under the +sun. We've all been there, boys, remember." + +"But where did he come from, do you think?" asked Will. + +"There's a village, I recollect, over the hills that way," Frank +explained; "and it's just barely possible his folks live there. Being +off the railroad, you see they have to make a little journey of some +miles every time they want to go to the city. We may run on to the +broken-down buggy further on." + +"He's still running right along," remarked Jerry. + +"And hasn't bothered to look back once," added Will, as though he +could not understand why the other should so easily forget about the +service they had done him. + +"Well, looking back caused him his other stumble, and it's taught him +a lesson, I reckon," laughed Frank, always ready to offer excuses for +others' failings, but never for his own. + +"We might as well be going on our way then, boys," suggested Bluff, as +he gave his knapsack a fling that caused it to land squarely on his +back. + +The others picked up their scanty possessions for, as has been said +before, the main part of their belongings had been sent on in advance +by the stage. + +"For one," observed Will with a little sigh, "I own up I'll be glad +when we get to the lake. Seems to me this bag keeps on growing heavier +all the time; and yet when I started out this morning I thought it as +light as a feather." + +"It's always that way," he was told by Frank, consolingly; "even your +feet often begin to drag as though weighted down with lead, when once +you find yourself growing tired. But, Will, say the word and I'll tote +your bag for you." + +"Not much you will, Frank! though it's certainly kind of you to offer +to do it. I'd be a nice Outdoor Chum, wouldn't I now, if I let some +other fellow shoulder my burdens? If I were sick or lame it might be a +different thing; but that doesn't happen to fit the case now. I'll get +along all right, so don't worry." + +Accordingly they pushed on up the road, and presently arrived at the +crest of the ridge. The trees prevented an extended view, however, +much to the disappointment of Will, who wanted to make use of his +camera. + +They saw no signs of the wrecked vehicle mentioned by the young +college chap who had given them his name as Gilbert Dennison, and +hence concluded it must be further along the road. + +A short time afterwards Frank announced that they were near the +abandoned mine, which his informants had told him lay close to the +border of the road they had followed over the rocky ridge. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +TAKING POSSESSION + + +Frank had learned that many years back there had been a company +organized to mine the iron that was known to exist in certain sections +of the hills in that region. + +Considerable work had been done, and some ore even shipped away, when, +for some reason or other, the scheme had been given up after a shaft +had been sunk for fifty feet or more, and workings started. + +The entrance to the abandoned mine had been visited by curious people +coming to that locality. It was even marked on the old map which Frank +had used in making the outlines of his own little chart. + +"Here it is, boys!" cried Jerry, who had pushed to the front; "Frank +was correct when he said he could see where the wheels of the stage +had run in off the road just back there. I hope our stuff is all +right." + +"So do I!" echoed Will, anxiously, "because I've got most of my new +rolls of films, as well as my flashlight apparatus, in my big pack. +I'm only carrying a lot of precious developed films in this bag, with +other things I need. You see I'm meaning to put in quite a bunch of +time while up here experimenting and that's why I carried them along." + +They had their fears quickly relieved, for their property lay just +inside the old shaft leading into the abandoned iron mine. + +"It all seems to be here, and in decent shape," remarked Frank. "That +stage driver kept his word when he said he'd take good care of our +stuff. And now to divide it up so every one has a share." + +"No funny business, Frank," Bluff reminded him; "every one of us +expects to get an equal tote load." + +"That's what I say, too," echoed Will, who suspected he might be +treated too generously by his chums, and given less than his proper +proportion to carry, for Will was over-sensitive concerning his lack +of physical strength. + +In the end they managed to distribute the blankets, food, and other +things in a fashion that was fairly equitable, and then resumed their +journey. At this point they expected to leave the road, and follow a +trail that if stuck to would take them to the shore of the big lake +around Cabin Point, their intended destination. + +"Our course should be almost due northwest from here on," the guide +informed his three companions as they set forth. "I'm telling you that +for a purpose, you understand." + +"You mean in case we lose the pesky trail that seems so faint, we can +keep going in the right direction all the same; is that it, Frank?" +asked Jerry. + +"You've struck the right nail on the head, Jerry, for that was what I +meant. But by keeping our eyes on the trail we ought to have little +trouble following this old path." + +"It strikes me the trail hasn't been worked much for some time," Bluff +observed. + +"That's true enough," said the pilot of the expedition, "but once a +trail has been well worn you can find it years and years afterward if +you look the right way. It's easy to notice heaps of signs that tell +the story, where the earth was worn away by passing feet. When you're +in doubt just push back the grass and there it lies as plain as day." + +Frank always prided himself more or less on his ability to follow +tracks where others might give up the task in despair. Nothing pleased +him half so much as to run across a puzzle along these lines that +required his best work in order to find the answer. + +After they had gone on for some time a rest was called. + +"That's a good idea, Frank," Jerry declared when he heard the order +given to drop their burdens and lie around for ten minutes or so. "Not +that I'm feeling played out you understand; but I've always been told +it was poor policy to whip a willing nag." + +"It's certainly a pretty rough path, all right!" Will admitted. + +"But we must be about half-way across by now," added Bluff. + +"How about that, Frank? Let's take a look at your map again," said +Jerry. + +Upon examination it was found to be about as Bluff had thought; the +shore of the big water could not be more than half a mile further on. +Cheered by this information, even Will expressed himself as willing to +start again. + +"When you've got anything unpleasant to do," he told them, "I believe +in getting it over with as soon as you can, and off your mind." + +"Huh! that pleases me a heap to hear you say so, Will," chuckled +Bluff; "because you know there's that dicker I wanted to make with you +for that new hunting knife I took such a fancy to. I offered you my +old one and something to boot in the bargain. Now I understood from +the way you acted the deal wasn't pleasant to you; so please get it +over with as soon as possible." + +"I'll see you in Guinea, Bluff, before I trade that splendid blade," +retorted the other, "but I told you where I got it, and any time you +feel like it you can send for one just like mine. Let it go at that +then." + +There came another hard pull. Sometimes the way was so rough that all +of them panted more or less. Will showed real grit by keeping up with +the others, though he had to shut his teeth hard together, and take +himself mentally to task when he felt his legs tremble under him with +weakness. + +All at once Jerry, always the first to discover things, gave vent to a +yell. + +"Hey there, fellows! I see water ahead through the trees! Yep, it's +the big lake as sure as anything! We've got there at last!" + +"Good!" muttered Will in an undertone, as though he did not wish the +others to hear him; to tell the truth, he felt as though he could not +stagger on much further over that rough trail, and carry the heavy +pack in the bargain, as well as the new bag containing his precious +films. + +The sight of the splendid sheet of water seemed to inspire them all +with new energy, for they perceptibly quickened their pace until +impatient Jerry was almost running in his eagerness to get to his +destination. + +After a while they found themselves standing on the shore of the +inland sea, where the waters were lapping the shore with a murmuring +sound that was sweet music in the ears of Frank Langdon. + +"Well, one thing's settled anyhow," remarked Will, presently, as he +heaved a sigh of relief; "we didn't get lost, did we, fellows?" + +"Shucks! that was the last thing to bother me," declared Bluff with a +fine appearance of scorn. "For one, I've passed the novice stage in +woodcraft, and reckon myself able to get along with the next chap." + +"All the same," he was told by Frank, "I've known the time when you +_did_ manage to lose your bearings and run up against a whole bunch of +trouble in consequence." + +"But that's past history," remonstrated the other; "and times have +changed since then, Frank. I should hope I've learned my lesson by +now." + +"Now where do you think this Cabin Point lies, that we're going to +hunt up, with the idea of making our home there during our stay?" +Jerry demanded. + +"Just look to the left and I think you'll see a wooded cape that +reaches out into the lake like a tongue or a finger," the pilot +explained, pointing as he spoke. + +"Frank, you're all to the good there, that must be our goal," Bluff +hastened to assert; for indeed since there was no other similar +projection of the shore in sight, it seemed reasonable to believe +Cabin Point was before their eyes. + +"We'll soon settle that matter," observed Frank, once more making a +start. + +They did not have far to go, for the half-concealed and wholly +overgrown trail reached the lake close to the wooded cape. Perhaps +long before, when loggers had a camp in that region while felling the +virgin growth of forest, the point of land was a favorite camp with +them. That would account for the trail, and why it had grown up in +recent years. + +Once on the ground, they began to look earnestly for signs of the +abandoned cabin which it was hoped would afford them shelter during +their outing. For some little time this search bore no fruit, and Will +was beginning to feel quite disconsolate. + +"Looks to me as if it was going to be our job to start a brush shanty +that will give us shelter for a couple of nights till we can put up a +more substantial affair," he told Bluff, who happened to be close to +him, looking to the right and to the left in a vain attempt to be the +first one to make a pleasant discovery. + +Will had hardly spoken when they heard a call from Jerry. + +"I might have known it was no good trying to beat his sharp eyes out," +grumbled Bluff, as though really disappointed because he had failed to +locate the cabin. + +"What difference does it make who turns the trick?" ventured Will, +looking happy again; "so long as it's done. The end and not the means +is what counts. Hello! Jerry, have you struck pay dirt?" + +"Here it is!" came the triumphant answer, and the others hurried +forward, to discover the log structure partly concealed from view by +branches of trees, vines, moss, and every sort of green growth. + +"No wonder we couldn't see it easily," expostulated Bluff; "everybody +doesn't happen to have microscopic eyes like Jerry here. I warrant you +now I passed within thirty feet of this spot several times, and never +tumbled to what was so close by." + +"One of the first things we'll do, fellows," suggested Frank, "will be +to get busy and cut down a lot of this stuff that keeps us from +having a fine outlook over the bay and the big lake beyond." + +"How about the cabin itself?" asked Will. "Seems to me the chimney is +sort of dilapidated on top." + +"That can be soon remedied, and I'll take care of it," Frank assured +him. "Then this door is hanging on one rusty hinge; we'll find a way +to stand it up again. Let's step inside and look around a bit; I'm +more anxious about the roof than almost anything else, for that's apt +to leak like a sieve until we fix it." + +"Go a little slow," Will warned them, "for I've known of wild cats or +other wild beasts taking up their quarters in an abandoned cabin." +This remark caused Bluff and Jerry to laugh, for they could themselves +look back to a ludicrous experience of the kind. + +It turned out that the cabin had no ferocious occupant and upon +investigation they found that the roof was not very bad after all. + +"In one corner only it looks as if the rain had come in," said Frank +finally; "or water when the snow melted, which tries a roof more than +anything else. Why, given half a day and we shall have a weather-proof +top all over. Take note of that big yawning fireplace, will you? I can +see what jolly times we'll have sitting around there on cool nights; +and up here we're apt to have many such." + +"We can make bunks against this wall where you can see the remains of +two right now," Bluff intimated. + +"Until then we'll spread our blankets on the floor and rough it, which +suits me all right," Jerry announced. + +Will had lowered his burdens to the floor. He seemed anxious to get +settled after some fashion. First of all he opened the new bag. The +other boys were still looking curiously around, finding a number of +interesting features connected with the lone cabin on the point, when +they heard Will give a cry of utter astonishment. Turning quickly they +saw him staring down into the bag he had opened, with a look of +consternation on his face. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +AS BUSY AS BEAVERS + + +"What under the sun ails Will?" demanded Bluff. + +"It's his bag, don't you understand?" added Jerry. "Something's +happened to upset him terribly. He looks as if he'd seen a ghost. Ten +chances to one now he forgot to put the films in." + +"What is it, Will?" called out Frank, who, being busy just then, had +only turned his head when the cry bubbled from the other's lips. + +"Oh! Frank, they're gone!" gasped Will. + +"What's that? Do you mean your films?" demanded the other. + +"Yes, oh yes, gone, worse luck! I don't understand it at all. Seems as +though I must be dreaming, Frank!" and Will began to rub his eyes +vigorously, as though by that means he hoped to get his proper sight +back; after which he stared again at the open bag on the floor. + +"You're dead sure you put them in the bag, are you, Will?" questioned +the skeptical Jerry. + +"Of course I am!" he was indignantly told. "But I can't understand +where these silly things came from. They don't belong to me, that's +sure." + +"Hello! here's a mystery all right," said Bluff, scrambling to his +feet and hurrying over to the other; in which action he was +immediately imitated by the other two. + +"Well, I declare that's queer!" burst out Jerry; "a lot of golf balls, +a white sweater, and a pair of rubber-soled shoes! Why, Will, what has +happened?" + +"I'm sure I don't know," said the bewildered one, shaking his head +sadly. "Here I pack my films and a few other little things in this new +bag, and start out. Then when I open it, see what I get! Who's been +playing a trick on me, I'd like to know?" + +"Wait a minute," interrupted Frank, just when the injured one was +beginning to frown and look suspiciously at Bluff and Jerry; "nobody +here has had a hand in the thing, Will; but I think I know what +happened." + +"Then for goodness' sake, Frank, hurry up and tell us!" cried Bluff; +"for Will here is beginning to have awful thoughts, and looks at me as +if he could eat me." + +"Yes, please explain the mystery, Frank, if you can," pleaded Will. + +"To my mind it's as simple as anything could well be," began the +other, soberly. + +"You remember our meeting on the road with the young chap calling +himself Gilbert something or other? Well, I happened to notice that +the bag he carried was as near like your new one as two peas could be. +When he hurried away to catch his train in his excitement he must have +unconsciously picked up the wrong bag!" + +"Then this one belongs to him, does it?" asked Jerry. + +"Don't you remember," remarked Frank, "his saying something about his +being runner-up in the amateur class of golfers, and that he was going +to a tournament right then, which accounted for his haste?" + +Will uttered a deep groan. He was evidently very much dejected over +the unfortunate accident that had befallen him so early in their +outing. + +"What tough luck I've struck!" he said, as he stared down at the golf +balls, as useless to him as so many stones. "I do hope that chap won't +be so mad when he finds out what he's done as to destroy my precious +films. What if he went and put a match to them? You know they'd flame +up something fierce, and it'd be good-bye to all my hard work up in +Maine." + +"Oh! the chances are small that he'd be so venomous as all that," +returned Frank, "especially when he must know it was all his own +fault." + +"But what do you think he'll do about it?" questioned Bluff. + +"If I were Gilbert," suggested Jerry, drily, "my first job would be to +hire some caddy with a heavy foot to kick me good and hard. Then I'd +set out to get a new sweater and another supply of golf balls. Later +on I'd make it a point to head back this way and hunt you up, to +apologize humbly and to hand over your bag intact." + +"Well said, Jerry," was Frank's hearty commendation. + +Will picked up a little hope at that. Perhaps after all matters might +not be quite so bad as they looked at first glance. Even if he did +lose a week of time, there were plenty of other things he could be +doing, since he had his camera and flashlight apparatus intact. + +"Thanks, Jerry. I guess you are right," he told the other. "Every +cloud has a silver lining, they say, if only you look for it. I'll try +to hope for the best after this. My precious films may come back to me +again undamaged. I hope so, anyway; but you know there's no telling +what a fellow may do when in a sudden rage." + +"Think again, Will," said Frank. "We all agreed that this Gilbert +fellow was as cool a customer as we'd ever met. Now the chances are +he'll grasp the situation at a glance, laugh at his blunder, put +_your_ bag safely away, and hustle to remedy the mistake so as not to +be left out of the tournament. Believe that, Will, for your own peace +of mind." + +So the forlorn chum finally fastened the bag and hung it on a peg. + +"I hope to see it give way to my own bag by the time a week or so has +passed," he forced himself to say. + +As the afternoon was getting well along the boys busied themselves +with what appeared to be the most urgent duties. Such things as roof +mending and the like could wait for another time, since there did not +seem to be any possibility of a storm coming up, on that night at +least. + +"But we must surely pay attention to that roof the first thing +to-morrow," Frank told them, as they began to make preparations for +the cooking fire. + +"Yes, that's right," Jerry added; "because we mustn't be like the +Irishman in the old story who never did mend the hole in his roof, +although always going to do so; and when they asked why he kept +putting it off explained by saying: 'Whin it rains I _can't_ mind it, +and whin it's dry and fair, be jabers! phy should I bother?'" + +Of course things were in something of a turmoil that evening, though +the boys were beginning to plan just how they meant to store their +possessions away so as to have their customary system about the cabin +camp. + +When the odors of supper began to fill the interior of the cabin the +boys discovered that their camp appetites were already beginning to +manifest themselves. They certainly appreciated that first meal in the +open. It brought back to memory many other camps they had enjoyed +together. + +And later on while sitting around in front of the blazing fire it was +only natural that the talk should be of those earlier events, which +have been set down in such an interesting way between the covers of +previous volumes of this series. + +Having no cots or bunks as yet, they spread their blankets on the hard +floor, and after this crude fashion settled down for the first night. +None of them expected to obtain a good rest, because the first night +out is always a wakeful one on account of strange surroundings. But in +due time all this would wear away and in the end it might even prove +to be a difficult task to arouse some of the heavy sleepers at +sunrise. + +After breakfast the next morning all of them set to work. Even Will +was not allowed to begin with his beloved photography until some +semblance of order had been brought about. + +They had brought a few tools along with them, Frank resting under the +belief that a hand-saw, a hammer, and some nails would not come in +amiss when they meant to start housekeeping in an old cabin that might +need considerable repairing to make it habitable. + +It was this habit of looking ahead possessed by Frank Langdon that so +often made things much easier for himself and his chums than they +might otherwise have been. + +So while Frank busied himself at the roof, he had one of the others +mending the door, and the remainder of the party searching for wood +that could be utilized in making their rude bunks along the wall. + +It was found that they could take down some boards that were really +not needed, and saw them into the necessary strips required. So during +the entire morning there was more or less hammering and sawing going +on that must have greatly astonished the timid little woods folk +dwelling in that vicinity, so long given over to solitude and quiet. + +At noon-time things began to look a little shipshape. To begin with, +the roof had been repaired, and Frank believed it would turn water in +any storm short of a cloud-burst. Then the door also was swinging on +two hinges, one of stout leather, also carried in Frank's pack for an +emergency. + +The four bunks were coming along nicely, and the amateur carpenters +who worked on them promised a complete job before nightfall. + +"And now," said Frank, as they munched a cold lunch at noon, having +decided not to go to the bother of doing any cooking at that time, "I +want Will to come with me to make a little search for that old boat we +were told could be found hidden under a shelving rock near the shore. +It hasn't been used for some years, and is apt to be in poor shape, +but I've got some oakum and a calking tool. With those, I hope to put +it in condition, so with frequent baling we can use it on the lake." + +They made a systematic search all along the shore, but it was not +until nearly an hour had passed that they discovered the spot where, +under a shelf of rock, the old craft lay. + +After making an examination, Frank declared he could mend the rowboat +so that it would afford them more or less pleasure. Its planks had +survived many a winter, thanks to the protection afforded by the shelf +of rock. + +Since the gaps in the open seams were so large that it would leak like +a sieve, he realized his work would have to be done at the spot where +the boat was found. This meant only a tramp of a quarter of a mile at +most, going and coming. + +"I'll get busy the first thing in the morning," Frank told Will. +"Altogether, the job oughtn't to take me more than a day. Then we can +all get together and drag the boat down to the water, and one of us +can paddle around to Cabin Point, where there's a splendid cove to tie +up in." + +"The oars are good enough for our use, though splintered some," +suggested the other. + +"That will save us a hard job," Frank admitted, "because I don't think +I ever shaped an oar in my life, and it's no little task, believe me!" + +In their wanderings the boys had discovered a stream that emptied into +the lake. Frank promised himself the pleasure of following it up some +day, and finding what the country looked like in that direction. + +"I've got a notion," he told Will, "that this stream runs through the +property of that old hermit, Aaron Dennison; at least that's what one +man told me. Perhaps he'll take it badly when he learns that a parcel +of boys have squatted down for a month's stay so close to his place." + +"I hope we do run across the queer old man some of these fine days," +ventured Will; "and that I'm carrying my camera along with me, because +I'd like to snap off the picture of a real hermit. I've got some odd +people in my collection, but nothing so queer as that. I surely would +like to get him." + +On arriving at the cabin they found the other pair had been +exceedingly industrious during their absence. The sleeping quarters +were beginning to look shipshape, and promised more or less comfort +when completed. + +"Now if you fellows would only turn in and give us a helping hand," +suggested Jerry, "we could get through in a couple of hours." + +"Just what I was going to propose on my own account," Frank told him. +"Many hands make light work, you know. So tell us what you want done, +and we'll get busy." + +All of them being handy with tools, they made a good job of the bunks. +Indeed, considering what poor material they had to work with, the +result did them great credit. + +"Now who's going to be the first to pick his bunk?" laughed Will, when +it was decided there could be nothing more done to make the sleeping +quarters comfortable. + +"No, you don't!" exclaimed Frank, when unconsciously all faces were +turned toward him. "Every fellow is going to have a square show. Here, +I'll hold four splinters of wood in my hand, all of different lengths. +Each one draw, and the longest has first choice." + +"That's a fair bargain," agreed Bluff, "though for my part one bunk is +pretty much like another." + +It turned out that Will was given first choice, and he took a lower +berth, for they had been arranged in sections of two, on account of +limited room. Frank, having second pick, took the one above, and the +others then divided the remaining two between them. + +After they had arranged their warm blankets, the place began to take +on quite a cheery appearance. + +"We'll get at that cranky table next, and steady it," said Frank; +"then we need another bench, because as it is we have to use blocks of +wood for seats. In fact, I can already see a dozen things to be done, +with more to follow." + +Jerry in passing across the cabin tripped, and uttered a grunt as +though he had stubbed his toe. + +"That makes three times that loose plank has caught me," he muttered, +"and the old motto says 'three times and out.' So I'll just yank that +plank up and settle it down afresh. A few of those big spikes you +brought along ought to do the trick, Frank." + +Accordingly the determined boy set about carrying this little plan +into execution. Prying up one end of the plank, he managed to get a +grip of it, and then raised it completely. It came up much more easily +than Jerry had anticipated. + +"Why, hello!" the others heard him say, "here's an old rat's nest made +years ago, I should think; and look what's lying beside it, will +you?" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A CALL FOR HELP + + +Jerry was holding something up when he said this, which he had just +picked out of the cavity under the loose plank. + +"Why, it looks as though it had once been a baby's shoe, I should +say," suggested Frank. + +"Just what it is, but as old as the hills," remarked Jerry. "I wonder +now, did it slip down here, or was it carried by the old mother rat +when this nest was made?" + +He fumbled among the scraps of paper and such stuff that had gone to +form the nest of the rodent. One piece seemed to be a part of an +envelope. The writing was fairly visible, though age had yellowed the +paper. + +"What do you think of this, fellows?" Jerry demanded, as though +interested. "I can make out part of a name here, and whose do you +reckon it is?" + +"Oh, tell, and don't keep a fellow guessing!" urged Bluff +impatiently. + +"The word Aaron is as plain as anything," pursued Jerry, "and then +there's part of the next one Denni--so you see it really looks as if +away back, twenty years ago or perhaps even much longer, the rich old +hermit used to actually live here in this log cabin. In those days he +was land poor, mebbe; and say, the shoe--why, he must have had a wife, +and a baby, too!" + +All of them looked at the poor little memento of the dim past which +had been discovered under such singular conditions. Then Jerry +commenced smoothing the earth level under the plank so that it would +set more evenly. In the midst of this he uttered another exclamation. + +"All sorts of queer things are coming my way, I tell you!" he called +out. "See what I've dug up now!" + +"Looks like a half dollar," remarked Bluff decidedly interested. "And +see here, if you've struck a miser's hoard, remember we're all chums, +Jerry; it's share alike, I hope." + +A vigorous hunt failed to disclose any mate of the coin, and in the +end they were compelled to believe it must be only a lone specimen. + +"Perhaps old Aaron was a money grabber in those days," Bluff ventured, +"and laid the foundation for his fortune while living here in this +cabin. And this hole under the loose plank--wouldn't it be just the +jolliest hiding-place for a miser to stow his valuables in?" + +"Either that," added Frank thoughtfully, "or else the half dollar +managed to slip down through a crack. Have you examined it to see the +date, Jerry? Because if it happens to be one that was coined within +the last half-dozen years we'd know it couldn't have been left here +long ago." + +"I can make it out easily enough, Frank; and it's away back in +eighteen-eighty. So that allows plenty of leeway, you see." + +The little incident gave them considerable food for exchanging +opinions. They even tried to picture what the cabin on the Point may +have looked like many years ago, when a woman's hands took care of the +home, and the prattle of a child sounded among those great trees +overhead. + +Still, none of the boys dreamed that the cavity under the floor would +play a part in the future happenings that were destined to come their +way, though such proved to be the case. + +The second night things began to shape themselves much more +comfortably. All of the boys declared they had enjoyed a sound sleep +when dawn once more found them stirring, and ready to take up the new +duties of the day. + +One thing after another was finished, and it gave them considerable +satisfaction to find how much of an improvement this sort of work +made in the cabin and surroundings. + +Frank himself cut away much of the thick growth of bushes and branches +that interfered with their view of the big water. When he had +completed his task it was possible to look from the open door and see +for miles out over the lake. They believed they would never tire of +watching the play of the waves that at times could be heard so plainly +breaking on the shore near by. + +There was seldom a time during daylight when some fish-hawk could not +be seen sailing serenely over the water, looking for a fish for his +young fledglings. On several occasions the boys also discovered a +bald-headed eagle wheeling far up in the blue space overhead. + +"We must keep on the watch to learn how the bold robber taxes the +hard-working and honest fish-hawks for his meal," Frank remarked. +"It's too much bother for the eagle to plunge down and hook a fish for +himself, so he waits until an osprey gets one, then follows him up +into the air and makes him drop his prize." + +Will, of course, was deeply interested. Everything that pertained to +animal nature appealed irresistibly to him these days, since he had +taken to securing pictures of wild birds and animals in their native +haunts. + +"I've read about such things, but never had the good luck to see it +done," he hastened to remark. "I hope I can make use of my camera if +it happens to come along at the right time. Already I think I know +where a pair of those big ospreys have their nest, and that ought to +make a dandy picture, with one of the parent birds feeding the +youngsters." + +"I'd go a little slow about it if I were you," Frank cautioned him. +"They make their homes up in pretty tall trees, you know. And besides, +some of them are savage fighters when they think their nests are going +to be disturbed or robbed." + +The others forgot about the fish-hawks after that, but not Will. When +he had anything on his mind he was very persistent. This was +particularly true of such matters as were connected with his hobby +along the line of photography. + +Several days passed, and the other boys were enjoying themselves +greatly. For that matter, so was Will, though his activities ran along +a single groove. Let those who cared to fish sit out there on the lake +all they wished; or troll along, using minnows for bait, which had +been taken in a little net made of mosquito bar stuff; Will preferred +to roam the adjacent woods seeking signs of minks, raccoons, opossums +and foxes, and planning just how he would arrange his traps so that +at night time the animals would set off his flashlight, and have their +pictures taken unawares in so doing. + +All the little chores had been completed around the cabin, which +looked quite like another place now. It was kept as neat as wax, for +Frank had even manufactured an odd but effective broom out of twigs, +such as he had seen used by immigrants from abroad. + +Frank was contemplating the taking of a little tramp up the stream on +the following day. He had not forgotten what one of his informants had +told him concerning the hermit's place, and was more than curious to +meet Aaron Dennison. + +Will had not ceased to remember his loss. He brooded over it at times, +and even broke out into occasional lamentations. His greatest fear +seemed to be that Gilbert might destroy the films in his sudden +disgust on discovering what a wretched blunder he had committed in his +haste. + +Will had wandered forth after lunch on this day. From the fact that he +carried his camera along with him, the rest of the boys judged he +meant to secure some view that had appealed to him as especially fine. + +It was some hours later that Frank noticed that he had not returned. +Will was a fair woodsman by now, and there did not seem to be much +chance of his allowing himself to become lost. Still Frank found +himself wondering just where the boy had gone, and why Will had not +taken any of them into his confidence. + +When it was but an hour from sunset he mentioned the matter to the +rest. + +"Does anybody happen to know where Will set out for?" was his +question. + +No one did, for both Bluff and Jerry shook their heads in the +negative, while the last named remarked: + +"He was busy working at something or other this morning. I didn't get +on to it, and meant to ask him, but forgot all about it. I saw him +fasten a piece of rope around him and enclose a tree out there. It +made me laugh at the time, and only that Bluff called me just then I +would have joshed him about trying to play Indian, and tying himself +face on to a tree." + +Frank chuckled at hearing that. + +"You've given me a clue already, Jerry," he observed. "I remember that +Will seemed set on getting a picture of that osprey nest he had +discovered. You know the old trick some South Sea islanders practice +when climbing cocoanut trees is to have a loop around the trunk and +their own body, then barefooted hoist themselves bit by bit, always +raising the loop as they go." + +"Whew! and so Will thought he could do the same thing, did he, and get +up to the first limb high above his head. But say, Frank, what if +something has happened to him?" + +Jerry looked uneasy when he said this, and Bluff, too, picked up his +hat as though ready to set out in search of Will. + +"We must look into this, that's a fact, boys!" declared Frank; +whereupon they hurried out of doors. + +"Listen!" cried Frank almost immediately. "Seems to me I heard a call +some distance away and along the shore. Yes, there it is again, and I +reckon that's our chum giving tongue. He must be in difficulty and he +needs help, so come on," at which the three of them started to run at +full speed eastward. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE HOME OF THE OSPREY + + +"Coming, Will!" shouted Bluff as he ran back of Frank. + +"This way, along the shore!" they plainly heard a voice call from some +distance away. + +Of course anxious thoughts chased through the minds of the three boys +as they hurried along. Will was evidently in trouble. Bluff, +remembering the ospreys, pictured him lying at the foot of a tall tree +with perhaps one of his legs broken. That would be an awkward +condition of affairs to be sure, with their camp so far removed from +real civilization. + +Jerry, too, was imagining something of the sort, and wondering if they +would have to make a litter in order to carry poor Will back to the +cabin. He even went further and considered the question as to how they +could take him to a doctor; or else force the old hermit of the +Dennison estate to let them carry their injured comrade there. + +Not so Frank. He had already made the discovery that the voice came +from up in the air, and hence had quite settled in his mind what had +happened. + +"He got up all right, you see, fellows," was the way Frank explained +it to the others, "but it wasn't so easy to creep down again. Perhaps +he dropped the rope he had used, and couldn't clasp the trunk of the +tree because it was so large." + +"We'll soon know," ventured Jerry, "because I can see one of the +fish-hawks flying over that tall tree, and I guess the nest must be in +that." + +"Here he is over here, you see," observed Frank. "He figured out that +with the sun heading into the west he ought to get on that side of the +nest in order to make a fine picture. So he climbed up and settled +himself, waiting until the mother bird came with a fish for the +fledglings, which may have taken hours." + +"I see him!" cried Bluff. "There, he's waving to us now! And I'm glad +to know our chum hasn't gone and broken a leg; for besides the pain to +him it would upset all our fine plans for a good time up here." + +Will was sitting astride the lowermost limb of an enormous tree +standing about forty or fifty feet to the west of the one in which the +nest of the ospreys could be plainly seen, close to the top. + +Will grinned sheepishly as his chums came underneath. He was some +thirty feet from the ground as his legs dangled over the lowermost +limb. And Frank, remembering his theory, on looking at the base of the +tree discovered that the rope loop did lie there. Will had +inadvertently allowed it to slip from his grasp after reaching the +lower branch and clambering up on to it. + +He had removed his shoes and socks in order to make good use of his +toes in climbing, just as do the blacks of the cocoanut islands. But +later on, after getting his long delayed pictures of the old osprey +feeding its fledglings, when the ardent photographer attempted to +descend the big tree he found it an impossible task. + +The trunk was far too thick for him to clasp with arms and legs. Will +was not an athlete, though able to climb an ordinary tree if pushed. +He always claimed that he could go up any kind if a bull were after +him; but evidently here was a tree he could not descend, at least. + +Just how long he had sat there on that lower limb trying to conjure up +some possible plan that would take him in safety to the ground, they +never knew. Will felt a little ashamed to be found in such a plight, +and kept putting off his call for assistance as long as he dared. + +When, however, he found that night was only an hour or so off, and +realized that unless he pocketed his pride, he stood a chance of +spending many gloomy hours aloft with only the osprey family for +neighbors, he started to shout. + +"If only I had that loop up here I could get down easily enough, I +think, Frank," he called out as the three boys lined up below him. + +"Perhaps you could, and again there's some doubt whether you'd be able +to get inside the loop," Frank told him. "The easiest way to do is for +one of us to run back to the cabin and fetch our rope. With a few +trials I can toss the end into your hands or over the limb, then you +can lower yourself." + +Both Jerry and Bluff agreed that this was a good plan. The former even +offered to act as messenger and get the article needed for the rescue +work. He was gone only a short time, during which Frank asked a few +questions, and learned that Will believed he had secured a number of +"cracking good" pictures of the osprey group that would make a fine +addition to his collection. + +Frank made several casts upward before he was able to send the end of +the rope over the limb, and within reach of the straddling boy. It +proved to be just long enough, doubled, to reach within five feet of +the ground. + +"First I want to make sure of my camera," Will told them, and as they +knew he would positively refuse to budge an inch unless his treasured +black box were taken care of, Jerry told him to lower away. + +After that had been done Will prepared to trust himself on the doubled +rope. + +"Have a care," said Frank, "and make sure of each grip as you go. +There, you're all right now, I guess, so come along down." + +"Take it slow if you don't want to burn your hands, Will!" Bluff +cautioned him. + +Without accident, Will managed to reach the ground. His first act was +to snatch up his camera and look it over, sighing with satisfaction +when he found it had received no injury. + +"Get on your shoes and come along back home," Frank advised him, and +the exciting little incident was closed. + +Later on Will told them how patiently he had sat there, perched in the +top of the tall tree next to the one containing the fish-hawks' nest, +and waiting for a good chance to take the picture he wanted. + +"The wind blew at first, and the treetop rocked so that it almost made +me sea-sick," he went on to say, with a sigh; "but after an hour or so +this let up. Then came one of the ospreys with a big fish in its +claws, and I began to get busy. I snapped off every bit of the film as +I saw fine group pictures come up; and I do hope they all turn out +well." + +As he had a daylight developing tank with him he wasted little time in +ascertaining this fact. His exuberant shouts announced later on that +his success was all the heart of any ambitious amateur photographer +could wish for. And indeed, when the exposed films were passed around +after they had sufficiently dried it was seen that Will had done +himself justice, for they were perfectly clear. + +Frank himself could easily understand just how this fad was able to +grip any one who took it up. He believed that it was much more +interesting and profitable than hunting with a gun. In the one case +all the result consisted of game that was soon eaten and forgotten; +but those instructive pictures of timid animals and wild birds would +give pleasure for an unlimited time. + +"There's one thing I think we ought to get busy about, fellows," Frank +remarked that evening as they sat around the rough table enjoying the +supper Jerry had prepared; "and that is see what can be done about +laying in a fresh stock of butter and eggs." + +"Our supply of both is about down to the limit, for a fact," admitted +Bluff, who was unusually fond of eggs, "fried, boiled, scrambled, and, +in fact, any old way," as he himself always declared. + +"Have you any plan by which we can get a new lot, and perhaps some +fresh milk in the bargain?" Will sought to learn. + +"So far as we know, there's only one house within several miles of +this place," explained Frank, "and that belongs to the man they call a +hermit because he keeps to himself, and never goes to town--Aaron +Dennison." + +"A likely chance we'd have of getting any supplies from him, I should +say!" grumbled Jerry; but Bluff was quick to make a proposal. + +"If you are thinking of going up that creek, and paying a visit to +Aaron, I hope you will choose me to go along. Remember, I spoke +first!" he called out. + +Will looked disappointed. He had hoped that if ever they decided to +call on the crabbed owner of the Dennison estate he might be along +with his camera. And seeing this disappointed expression cross his +face, Frank easily understood what it signified. + +"Another time you can come, Will," he explained. "Just now we don't +even know whether there really is a house inside of five miles. It's +only hearsay with us, you remember. If we should manage to get +friendly with Aaron, why, we'll be apt to wander up there many times, +and you may come across your chance before a great while." + +With that, Will had to rest content. In fact, he had another little +plan of his own in mind, which he meant to work out on the following +day. Frank suspected as much, though he really hoped it would not be +of the same risky nature as getting the snapshots of the ospreys. + +In the morning the two who had planned to follow up the stream and +learn if it passed through the estate of Aaron Dennison waved their +hands to Jerry and Will, after which they started along the shore. + +After they reached the creek at the point where it emptied into the +bay, they turned their backs on the big water, and plunged into the +thick growth. + +"How about this thing, Frank; do you really and truly mean this +expedition to be a foraging one, with fresh eggs and butter in view; +or is it that you just hope to get in touch with old Aaron Dennison, +and see what a genuine hermit looks like?" + +Bluff put this direct question after they had been making their way +along the tortuous bank of the winding creek for nearly half an hour. +Such difficulties as crossed their path had been easily overcome, for +both boys were pretty good woodsmen, and accustomed to getting around +in the wilderness. + +"Take my word for it," he was assured by his chum, "I'm out for the +grub above all things; though of course I admit to having a little +curiosity about this mysterious Mr. Dennison. I've heard a lot of +queer things about his doings. He has a pretty fine place away up +here, but keeps it surrounded by a high fence, and they even say it +has a strand or two of terrible barbed wire on top of the fence, to +discourage any one from climbing over." + +"Gee whiz! I hope he doesn't own a pack of wolf dogs that would make a +jump for stray boys that chanced to get in the grounds." + +"I asked particularly about that," said Frank, who somehow seemed to +think of nearly everything, "and no one could remember ever seeing any +around. So just as like as not the old man doesn't fancy dogs." + +"Yes, there are people who shiver every time they meet a collie or a +mastiff," admitted Bluff, "though for my part I've always liked all +breeds. I believe a dog is man's best friend, as faithful as life +itself." + +"Well, here we are," remarked Frank, with a ring of satisfaction in +his voice. + +"It's a high fence, sure enough," said Bluff, "with barbed wire strung +across where the creek comes out under it, so even a fox would find it +hard to get through. How shall we manage it, Frank?" + +"First of all, we'll move along the fence. There may happen to be a +board loose where we can slip through. That would be better than +trying the gate, to be turned down flat-footed." + +They had not gone fifty feet before Bluff discovered the loose board +they sought. It required only a small amount of agility to pass +through the opening, after which they walked along through the woods +on the other side of the high fence. + +Presently they came in sight of a long, low house, which was half +hidden amidst dense foliage, and looked, as Bluff called it, "spooky." + +Straight up to the door of this building the two boys strode, and +Frank without hesitation rapped loudly with his knuckles. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE CHAINED DOOR + + +It seemed to the two boys that Frank's knock sounded weirdly through +the house, though it did not bring any immediate result. Accordingly, +he again brought his knuckles against the door panel, this time with +even greater force than before. + +"That fetched them, Frank," muttered Bluff. "I can hear somebody +shuffling along the hall and heading this way." + +Presently they heard a bolt withdrawn, a rather ponderous affair it +seemed; and somehow this struck Frank as rather queer. Why should any +one living so far away from town, and off the beaten track of travel, +take such pains to secure his door? + +"Gee whiz! I shouldn't think they'd ever be bothered with hoboes or +sneak thieves away up in this part of the country," whispered Bluff, +who always had a mind of his own and was hard to repress. + +The door was slowly and cautiously opened. Frank saw that it was still +held by a stout chain, so that no one outside could enter against the +will of the inmates. It made him think of one of the old feudal +castles he had lately been reading about in Sir Walter Scott's +romances, where they had draw-bridges, moats, and a port-cullis to +protect them against assault. + +A face was seen in the narrow opening. It was an old face, wrinkled, +so that at first Frank imagined it might belong to Aaron himself. Then +he discovered his mistake, for the white hair belonged to a woman, +evidently the housekeeper of the hermit. + +She looked more or less frightened at first, and no wonder, because +such a resounding knock as Frank had given might have seemed backed by +authority. When she discovered just two friendly looking boys standing +there astonishment crept over the features of the woman. + +"Who are you, and what do you want?" she asked a little sharply, as +though annoyed because they had given her such a sudden start. + +"My name is Frank Langdon, and this is my chum, Bluff Masters. We are +camping for our holidays down in the old cabin on the Point. We ran +out of butter and eggs, and came up here hoping we might be able to +buy some." + +Frank made it as simple as he could. He did not even mention the fact +that they had ever heard there was such a singular person as Aaron +Dennison in all the wide world. It was his intention to appear as +though he looked upon this place as an ordinary farmhouse, where +hospitality might be supposed to abide, and a friendly call on the +part of decent boys would not be taken amiss. + +The woman looked a little more keenly at Frank, but at the same time +she shook her head in the negative. Bluff grunted to himself. He took +that as a bad sign, and immediately concluded that they would have to +go back to camp with as empty hands as they had come. + +"Nothing doing," was what Bluff was saying to himself just then, while +the old housekeeper hesitated; "she's got her orders. Old Aaron +doesn't fancy boys, I guess. We'll be mighty lucky if he doesn't see +fit to order us out of that cabin we've gone to all the trouble to fix +bang-up." + +Then the housekeeper spoke. + +"I'm sorry, but you mustn't expect to get anything here. This place +belongs to Mr. Aaron Dennison. No doubt you have heard of him. He has +lived here almost alone for many years now, and will brook no +intrusion. That is why the fence has been built around the estate, +with the wire on top, and locked gates. How did you get inside?" + +"We came to a loose board and passed through, not meaning any harm," +replied Frank, who imagined the old housekeeper was inclined to be +human, but having her strict orders from her employer dared not act in +a friendly manner toward them. + +"I shall have to report your being here to Mr. Dennison, and I am +afraid that he will be very much annoyed. He would never brook +intruders, and has a violent temper when aroused. I hope you will go +away at once, and come no more." + +"Then you can't let us have any supplies, I suppose?" asked Bluff, +bent on squeezing the orange dry, and not throwing the skin away as +long as there remained a single chance for extracting a drop of juice. + +"I would not dare to do it, though if I had my own way--but no matter, +you must not stay here a minute longer. Even now he may have heard the +knock, and come to investigate. It is most unusual; we have not had a +visitor for years. I wish I could oblige you, but it is impossible. +Good-bye!" + +With that she closed the door in the faces of the astonished, as well +as amused, campers, and Bluff burst into a series of low chuckles. + +"Wow! but doesn't that beat the Dutch?" he exclaimed, as though +overpowered by the humorous aspect of the adventure. "Listen to her +pushing that monster bolt into its socket. Gee whiz! I never knew +before I looked so dangerous. I'll have to cultivate a new sort of +grin, because the one I practice now didn't have any effect on the old +lady." + +"Let's move along, Bluff. There's no use in our staying here any +longer after having the door slammed in our faces," said the amazed +Frank. + +Together they started slowly away from the house, glancing back +curiously over their shoulders several times, for they wished to +remember what the mysterious building looked like. + +"Will must manage to get up here some time," Bluff was saying, +"because I'd just like to have him get a picture of the place as we +see it now. Then if ever we happen to hear anybody speak of old +Dennison and his hide-out we can flash that view before them." + +They had almost reached the place where the loose board had afforded +them ingress to the enclosed grounds belonging to the estate when a +strange sound came stealing to their ears. Both boys instantly +stopped and listened to learn if it was repeated, but such did not +come to pass. + +"What in the dickens do you suppose that was, Frank?" demanded Bluff, +turning his face, marked by a commingling of wonder and awe, on his +comrade. + +"Tell me what you think first," the other replied. + +"I'll be switched if I know, Frank! It just went through me like a +knife, it was so queer. If this were the middle of the night now I +might mention ghosts, because if there were such things I'd imagine +them making just about that sort of a sound." + +Frank laughed at that. + +"Well, since this is broad daylight," he observed, "and ghosts are +said never to walk except around twelve at night, we'll have to look +somewhere else for our explanation. Now I've known a chained dog to +make a noise like that, a sort of half bay, half growl that would give +you a start until you found out the cause." + +"But we've understood they keep no dog up here," urged Bluff. "And if +they did have one wouldn't he have scented us, and started barking +long ago?" + +"What you say sounds reasonable enough, Bluff," Frank admitted. "It +couldn't have been a donkey braying either, because we know how they +drag it out. Besides unless I'm mistaken the sound came straight from +the direction of the house itself." + +"Sure it did," said Bluff, as they started to pass through the gap +that could be made by swinging the loose board aside. "I wonder if old +Aaron learned of our being there, and gave that yawp to show his +anger. I'm almost sorry now we didn't meet the gentleman face to +face." + +"Perhaps it's just as well, from what the housekeeper said," replied +Frank, although secretly he was even more disappointed than his chum. + +"Then of course you wouldn't dream of going back to look around in +hopes of finding out what that queer noise, almost like a shriek, +meant?" pursued Bluff, in a wheedling tone. + +"I guess not this time," decided the other; "it's really none of our +business, you know, and our errand at the Dennison place has ended in +smoke. We'll have to settle on trying at that village we can see miles +away along the lake shore. Perhaps to-morrow you and Jerry can take +the boat and row over there." + +"Oh! Barkis is willing, all right, because we just can't keep house +without our fresh eggs and butter, you know." + +So it was settled. Bluff, always desiring action, was satisfied with +this half plan made for the future. In his active mind he began +immediately to picture all sorts of exciting things happening on the +contemplated cruise along the lake shore to the distant village in +search of the needed supplies. + +Frank happened to come upon what looked like an old path leading +toward the lake, and decided to follow it instead of keeping down the +stream with its zigzag course. Sure enough it took them directly to +Cabin Point, although in many places the bushes had sadly overgrown +the trail, and walking was not easy. + +"Still, you must notice," Frank remarked, "that some one has come +along this way every once in a while, because there are footprints, +and the twigs have been bent down." + +"Mebbe one of the men employed on the Dennison place comes down for a +swim, or to look after some night line he's set here for trout," +suggested Bluff. + +On their arrival at the camp, the two boys had to give an account of +their little adventure in detail, for the benefit of those who had +stayed behind. Will in particular asked many eager questions. + +"If you ever go up there again, Frank," he told the other seriously, +"I do hope I shall be along." + +"And I think I can promise you that, Will," replied the other +smilingly, as if even then entertaining some thought of a second trip +to the place, though evidently he did not care to go deeper into the +subject. + +Bluff soon started to talk of the trip he and Jerry were to make to +the distant village on the next day. Whenever he had a thing on his +mind Bluff was apt to chatter about it unendingly. + +"We've just got to have those supplies, you understand, Jerry," he +told the other, "and since there was nothing doing up at the Dennison +ranch, why, our next job is to see if we can make that settlement we +glimpse off yonder." + +"How far away do you reckon it is?" asked the interested Jerry. + +"If you look in my pack, boys," Frank spoke up just then, "you'll find +a pair of small but powerful glasses. They may help you figure it out, +and may give some idea how the shore lies between Cabin Point and the +village." + +Bluff went hurriedly for the glasses, and when he returned he and +Jerry amused themselves for a long time. + +They decided that the village lay all of eight miles off in a straight +line, and concluded it would be a pretty long row in case they +chanced to meet contrary wind. In that case the waves would bother +them not a little. + +Bluff presently proposed that they try to equip the old boat with some +sort of sail. Then should they be favored with a wind setting in the +right quarter this would save them much hard labor. + +Jerry seized the idea eagerly, and before long they were hard at work +trying to rig up a makeshift mast and sail out of such material as +they could find. It was hardly likely to pass muster so far as looks +went, but both boys believed they could make it useful, given half a +chance. + +That night around the table the talk was largely of the events of the +day, and what the morrow was apt to bring forth. Jerry and Bluff +entertained high hopes that they were bound to be successful in their +foraging expedition; and already counted on an abundance of supplies. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +WHEN THE FLASHLIGHT TRAP WORKED + + +"Frank, I'm going to ask you to give me a little help in setting my +flashlight trap before we go to bed to-night," remarked Will, when +they were sitting in front of the fire. + +The evening air was nearly always cool, even after a warm day, and it +seemed so "jolly," as Jerry called it, to have a small fire crackling +on the hearth while they sat around engaged in various tasks and in +chatting. + +"Then you must have settled on a place from tracks you have found?" +inquired Frank. + +"Why, yes, and pretty close to the cabin in the bargain," answered the +other, whose one hobby had become this method of securing strange +pictures of small wild animals caught while in the act of taking the +bait in their native haunts. + +"What species are you after this time?" asked Frank. + +"Somehow I never get an absolutely perfect snapshot of a 'coon. It +seems as if every one has some kind of a blemish; and I told myself +that while we were up here at Cabin Point that fault must be remedied +if I tried a dozen times. And judging from the tracks of this fellow I +think he must be a dandy. I only hope his barred tail shows plainly in +his picture." + +"That's so," spoke up Bluff, "because his shrewd face and his striped +tail make up the main part of any raccoon." + +"Why, if the job has to be done, Will, I'd just as soon go with you +now. I'll carry my little hand torch, which ought to give us all the +light needed, since you say it's close at hand." + +Accordingly Will jumped up eagerly to get the necessary things, +including the stout cord which was to be used to start the trigger of +the trap into action, and set the flashlight going. + +"I'm ready Frank, if you are," he soon announced; and together they +went forth on their errand, Will just as excited as any hunter could +be when creeping up on some coveted game. + +Frank immediately noticed one thing, which was that his companion led +him along in the direction he and Bluff had taken when coming from the +Dennison place. Indeed when the other finally decided that they had +arrived at the spot where he had discovered the marks made by the big +raccoon in passing to and from the water's edge, Frank saw evidences +of the identical path he and Bluff had followed all the way down. He +did not give the fact another thought just then; there was no reason +for doing so, since in his mind it was merely a little coincidence. + +Having had considerable experience in arranging these clever little +traps by which roving night prowlers were made to be their own +photographers, Will knew just how to go about it. He fixed his camera +in an immovable position, and focussed it in such a fashion that it +would catch any object chancing to be within a certain radius at the +second the cartridge was fired by means of the cord, pulled by the +animal at the bait. + +"That seems to be as fine as silk," announced Will, after bending down +several times in order to change the camera a trifle, "and if only Mr. +'Coon comes tripping along here to-night he will get his sitting. If +you happen to find yourself waked up by a dazzling flash, Frank, +please poke me out, because I'd like to come and get my camera. It +might rain later in the night, you see, and ruin it for me." + +Frank, knowing how much store his comrade set by that little black +box, readily gave the desired promise. He entered into all these +delightful schemes engineered by Will with his whole heart. Will had +always been different from Bluff and Jerry. Even on their big hunt out +in the Rocky Mountains he had never cared as much for getting prize +game as the others, his disposition being more gentle. + +Later on the boys concluded it was time to go to bed, since the day +had been a busy one for all. Besides, the two who were to row the boat +sixteen miles, more or less, on the following day expected to have +their hands full. + +Some time later all of them were suddenly awakened. It was Bluff who +gave the loud exclamation that aroused the others. He afterwards +explained that he chanced to be lying awake at the time when a sudden +blinding glare dazzled him, which at first he thought to be lightning, +though puzzled because no thunder accompanied the flash. + +"What is it?" shrilled Jerry, bumping his head as he tried to sit up +in such great haste; for the three had opened their eyes in time to +catch a part of the fierce glare. + +Will was already tumbling out of his bunk, and could be heard +chuckling to himself as he started to put on some clothes in the +darkness. + +"Frank, he did it, all right, you see!" was what Will exclaimed in +tones that fairly trembled with eagerness. + +"Oh! Great Jehoshaphat! all this row about a measly old 'coon sitting +for his picture!" grumbled Jerry, falling back again, and apparently +meaning to seek once more relief in slumber, if the bump on his +forehead did not hurt too much. + +"Better take my hand torch along with you, Will," advised Frank, not +thinking it worth while to accompany the other. + +"Thank you, I guess I will, Frank, because it's pretty dark out there. +I'll be back in a jiffy." + +"Whoop it up if the cats tackle you, Will," called out Bluff, but even +if the other heard this vague intimation of peril he was too filled +with enthusiasm to pay any heed to it, for he kept straight on. + +A short time afterwards Frank heard him returning. Then the light came +into the cabin, and Will set down his camera. + +"The trap was sprung then, was it?" asked Frank sleepily, upon noting +this action on the other's part. + +"Just what it was! and I certainly hope I got a cracking good picture +that time. Old Br'er 'Coon didn't run away with the bait, though, I +noticed. It was still there, as good as ever." + +"Must have been too badly scared to think of eating," remarked Frank, +and as the torch was extinguished just then, and Will tumbled into +his bunk, no more was said. + +The rest of the night passed in perfect peace. By now the boys had +grown used to hearing the squirrels or other small animals running +over the top of the cabin, and paid little attention to the sounds at +any time, night or day. So long as they did not drop down the chimney +and destroy some of the food, Frank and his chums did not mean to do +anything to disturb the merry little creatures as they played +hide-and-seek over the roof. + +Another day found them all up betimes. Those who cared to do so took a +plunge in the cold waters of the lake and rubbed down afterwards, +feeling all the better for the experience. Will, however, wanted to +discover what luck he had had with his first flashlight exposure of +the season; and so he started preparations looking to the development +of that particular film, which he could easily do after breakfast was +over. + +It devolved on Frank to get breakfast that morning. Bluff and Jerry, +having hit upon a better way in which to use the sail they had +fashioned with so much care on the previous afternoon, were already +busily engaged in making changes, just as though for once they were +not thinking of the eternal food question, except so far as new +supplies went. + +But then Frank could fry the sliced ham as well as any one, and he +soon had the coffee, the toast, the fried potatoes, and the meat on +the table, after which he called the others. + +"Take notice that this is the last of our butter, fellows," remarked +the cook as he helped each one in turn to a generous portion of what +had just been taken, piping hot, off the red coals on the hearth. + +"Oh! that's all right, Frank," said Bluff carelessly, "we expect to +have plenty more here before sunset, don't we, Jerry?" + +"Simply got to," replied his ally, "if we find it necessary to raid +some farmer's hen-coop, gather up the eggs, wring the necks of two +pullets, clean out his dairy, and leave the ready cash on the +windowsill to settle the bill." + +"We're glad to hear you talk that way," laughed Will. "For one I'm +going to make up my mouth for fried eggs to-night, unless it's chicken +on the half shell." + +"No danger of that up here in the country; all the eggs are guaranteed +fresh by the farmer tribe, you know," asserted Bluff. + +"That guarantee doesn't always go with me," Jerry observed. "It's +generally the smart farmer who finds a hen trying to sit under the +barn floor, and gathers up the seventeen eggs to ship with what he has +in stock. They're as bad as the next one when it comes to deceiving +the poor public." + +"You'll just have to excuse me now, because I've had all I want; and +to tell you the truth I'm just wild to see what my Br'er 'Coon looks +like. If he doesn't show up, tail and all, I'll have to try for him +again, that's all." + +With that remark Will hurried off, just as Frank expected he would, +for he had noticed how the other hastened with his breakfast. Bluff +and Jerry took longer, because both of them realized they might be +hours on the journey. The village was possibly further away than they +thought; and it was just as well that they "laid in a good foundation +to start with," as Jerry sensibly observed. + +"Make the start whenever you get ready, fellows," remarked Frank. +"I'll look after the dishes, and the bunks too, when the blankets are +aired. It seems as if you might have a smooth sea to begin with." + +"Yes, but you see we've been banking on some wind from the right +quarter," observed Bluff, "in order to make good use of our sail. I'm +fond of lying back at my ease in a boat, and letting the breeze do +all the work. There's nothing like it, eh, Jerry?" + +"Oh, well, if you notice the way the clouds are moving slowly, and +then watch the tiny ripple on the bay, you'll reckon that when the +wind does come up it's going to favor us. We may even get too much of +a good thing before we're done." + +"Remember, fellows," Frank cautioned them, "that old boat isn't to be +wholly depended on. I calked the seams the best way I could, but the +wood's a bit rotten, and there's always danger that the oakum may work +loose. Then the water would come in through the open seams in +bucketfuls. So my advice to you is, keep fairly close to the shore all +the time, even when cutting off coves." + +"That is, you mean keep within swimming distance," added Jerry, "which +we'll be sure to do, Frank, make your mind easy. A fellow that's fated +to be hanged doesn't want to go and cheat things by being just simply +drowned, you know." + +"Hello! there's Will broken loose!" exclaimed Bluff. + +"Just hear him whoop it up, will you?" added Jerry. "And here he comes +on the run right now. He's holding a film he's developed, and from +the look on his face I'd say he must have gotten a corker that shot." + +Indeed Frank could see that the approaching boy was very much excited; +and it was also evident that what he was carrying so carefully before +him had everything to do with his condition. + +"Frank, here's something that will make you sit up and take notice!" +he was calling out. "I started to take the picture of a boss 'coon, +and see what I got, will you?" + +Will held the still wet film up so they could have it between them and +the light. All of the boys were accustomed to looking at negatives, +and figuring out the high lights and the shadows in their proper +proportion. + +What they saw there plainly and clearly delineated on the film gave +them such a sense of surprise that for several seconds none of them +uttered a single word. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE FORAGING PARTY + + +"A 'coon on two legs, as sure as you're born, Will!" ejaculated Bluff +presently. + +"It's a man!" cried Jerry. "A man with a white beard in the bargain!" + +"Frank, it's going to turn out a pretty fair picture, don't you +think?" demanded the proud artist, thinking first of all of the +success that had crowned his efforts. + +"Seems like it, Will," replied the other; "but you've certainly given +us a big surprise when you sprung this on the crowd. He must have run +across the cord you had connected with the trigger of your flashlight +apparatus, and it went off while he was in the act of falling +forward." + +"His face doesn't show as well as I'd like," continued Will, +reflectively; "but even as it stands the chances are we'll find a look +of astonishment there when I come to get a print." + +"Well," remarked Bluff, "who wouldn't look staggered if, when he was +walking along through the woods, all of a sudden he caught his toe in +a cord that was stretched across the path, and then had what seemed to +be a flash of lightning strike him in the face?" + +"I never happened to go through the experience," confessed Frank; "but +I'm pretty sure it would give me a fierce jolt." + +"But who can the sneaker be, Frank; some darky chicken thief prowling +around in hopes of picking up some of our camp duffle?" asked Jerry. + +Will turned on him with the scorn an expert photographer always +displays when he meets crass ignorance. + +"Why, can't you see from the dark shade of his face in the negative, +Jerry, that he's a white man?" he demanded. "If it were a negro you'd +see his face almost white here. That point is settled without any +question." + +"All right, Will, I acknowledge the corn," Jerry hastened to say; "but +that doesn't bring us any nearer a solution of the mystery. Why should +a white man, and one with a white beard at that, be wandering around +our camp in the night?" + +They looked at Frank. It was an old habit with the three chums. +Whenever an unusually knotty point arose that needed attention, and +their powers seemed baffled, Frank was always depended on to supply +the needed answer. + +"So far as I'm concerned, fellows," he told them, "I can think of only +one old man around this vicinity, and that happens to be Aaron +Dennison." + +"Ginger! why didn't I guess him right away?" grumbled Bluff. "Seems as +if my wits go wool gathering nearly every time there's some sudden +necessity for thinking up an answer. Course it's Aaron, and nobody +else!" + +"Yes," Jerry went on to say, as though not wholly convinced; "but what +under the sun would Aaron be doing here, tell me, and acting +suspiciously like a thief in the night?" + +"Of course we can't say what tempted him to come out," Frank observed; +"we've never met the gentleman face to face, but we have heard that +he's a queer one. Besides, if you stop to think, you'll remember a +little circumstance that seemed to connect old Aaron with this cabin +on the Point many years ago." + +"It takes you to piece out these things, Frank," admitted Bluff +candidly. "Sure! We figured that out by finding a part of an old +envelope in the deserted rat's nest under the floor board." + +"Just as like as not," added Jerry, "the old chap owns all the ground +along the lake shore, including this cabin; and if that's so he'd +have a perfect right to walk out this way whenever he chose, at +midnight or noon, as the notion struck him." + +"Oh, well," remarked Will with a sigh, "he spoiled my little game with +Br'er 'Coon, though I mean to make another try along that line. When +this film dries, which may be around noon, I'll strike off a proof, +and then we can see what the old hermit looks like." + +"One thing goes without saying," chuckled Bluff. + +"What might that be?" Jerry asked him. + +"Our night visitor didn't wait to find out what had blinded him on the +trail, but must have turned and made lickety-split for home." + +"Can you blame him?" demanded Will, demurely. "Stop and think how +you'd feel if all of a sudden you got such a shock. Bluff, you said +you were awake at the time, and heard some sort of a sound, didn't +you?" + +"Why yes, I'm dead certain I did; and now that we know it was a man +who got the scare I reckon he gave a little screech. I thought it was +a yelp from some wild animal at the time, but it could have been an +exclamation just as well." + +They continued to talk about the incident for some little time, but +although several suggestions were advanced, in the end they were +really no closer to an explanation of the mystery than when they +started. + +All they knew was that some man, probably Aaron Dennison himself, had +been walking along the old trail leading to the cabin from above when +his foot caused the concealed trap to be sprung. + +He must have turned hastily and retreated after the flash. What he +thought the sudden dazzling illumination was caused by, the boys had +no means of knowing. + +Jerry and Bluff were now getting ready to start on their mission in +search of supplies. They both expressed the hope that these could all +be procured, once they reached the distant village on the lake shore, +many miles off. + +It promised to be an interesting trip, for they would pass along a +shore neither of them had ever examined at close range before. To +those who love outdoor life there is always a novelty about +exploration. With new and interesting scenes opening up constantly +before the eyes the senses are kept on the alert. + +Bluff even had the temerity to suggest that Will loan them his camera +for the occasion. + +"We might run across some dandy pictures that would be worth while +snapping off, you know, Will," he went on to say in a wheedling tone +of voice, which Bluff knew so well how to use. + +Will, however, shook his head. Usually he was of a most accommodating +nature; and on numerous occasions had willingly entrusted his highly +valued camera into the keeping of the other boys, who knew how to use +it almost as well as did the owner himself. + +"I'd rather not, if it's all the same to you, Bluff," he remarked +slowly. + +"Oh! well, just as you say," declared the other, shrugging his broad +shoulders as though it did not matter much after all, and as if taking +care of the camera might possibly prove a task rather than a pleasure; +"I reckon you're thinking about the chances of my dropping it +overboard; or our running into a storm where the little old black box +might get soaked and ruined." + +"Not so much that, Bluff, as that I want to do some work on the +camera," explained Will. "There's a little matter that really needs +adjusting, and I told myself I'd fix it this morning sure. Then again +I've laid out a scheme for to-day that if it works will call for the +use of the camera." + +"That's all right, Will," remarked the other, briskly; "it doesn't +matter a pin to me, only I thought you mightn't ever be going all the +way to that village; and something fine could be run across between +here and there." + +He dropped the subject and began to talk with Frank about other +things. Will looked a little uncomfortable. He disliked being thought +selfish, and seemed almost on the point of changing his mind. Then on +second thoughts he determined to carry out his original plan. + +Frank looked over the old boat that had been patched up as well as the +conditions allowed. + +"It seems to hold pretty well," he told the two who expected to make +use of it during the day. "Of course if the lake gets very rough so +that you pitch about considerably, keep on the watch for a sudden +inflow of water. The planks will hold, but I'm not so sure about the +oakum I pounded into the open seams." + +"But you did a good job, Frank," objected Jerry, "and so far none of +it seems to have started to loosen." + +"That's because we haven't had a chance to subject it to any big +strain," Frank explained. "When a boat tosses up and down on the waves +it gets a terrible wrench with each jerk. I've known seams to open at +a time like that when they were believed to be closed as tight as a +clam." + +"Oh, well, we mean to follow your advice, Frank, and keep fairly close +to the shore," Bluff promised. + +"And if there is any trouble both of us are good swimmers, you +remember," added Jerry confidently. "All I hope is that we get those +precious eggs packed in a way that they won't be scrambled on the +journey home. It'd be rough now if after all our hard work we had that +happen. I prefer my eggs boiled or fried every time." + +None of the four chums as they joked in this fashion dreamed of what +Fate had in store for them before the sun went down behind the western +horizon. How could they suspect when just then the heavens looked so +fair and inviting? + +"What's that you've got there with you, Jerry?" asked Bluff, who had +been fixing a phantom minnow on a troll, in the expectation of picking +up a fish or two while they rowed. + +"Oh! a little cold snack in the shape of grub," explained the other, +who on all occasions possessed a voracious appetite. + +"But don't you remember we planned to be in the village long before +noon, and expected to get dinner there?" protested Bluff. + +"All right, that strikes me as a good scheme," came the ready reply; +"but with my customary caution I'm only insuring against starvation. +How do we know but what we'll be shipwrecked half-way there, and find +ourselves up against it? For one I don't propose to go hungry when +there's a chance to save myself." + +Bluff laughed on hearing this explanation. + +"Trust you to look out for that, Jerry!" he declared. "And I suppose +that in case we do get dinner at the village tavern or a farmhouse, +you'll be ready to make way with your snack on the voyage back?" + +"I might be influenced by strong pressure," chuckled the other. + +"How about the weather, Frank; see any sign of a storm in the offing?" +asked Bluff, turning to the leader of the camp. + +"Nothing in sight right now," he was told; "the chances are you'll +have clear weather going, though there may be some wind behind you. +What's going to happen in the afternoon is another matter. I'm not a +weather sharp, and so I throw up my hands when you ask me to lift the +veil." + +All being ready, the boys launched their boat. Bluff was to use the +oars for the first shift. When he began to tire he was to call on his +chum to change places, unless in the meantime the breeze had +freshened enough for them to make use of their sail. + +"Good-bye, fellows!" called out Will; "see you later, and take mighty +good care of those eggs, remember!" + +"Listen to him, would you?" jeered Jerry. "So long as the hen fruit +gets here unbroken Will doesn't seem to care what happens to his +chums. But that's all right, and we hope to turn up safe and sound +before sunset." And under the steady influence of the oars the boat +glided on until the voices of the boys died away in the distance. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +TRESPASSERS + + +The two guardians of the camp at Cabin Point, being left to their own +devices, set about carrying out certain tasks they had in mind. + +Frank always found plenty to occupy his attention. He could discover +numerous ways of bettering the conditions of affairs, and took keen +delight in making changes calculated to lessen the friction of camp +life. + +On his part Will pottered with his camera for fully an hour. When in +the end he laid it aside in working order he was satisfied with what +he had done. + +"I've got it in splendid condition now, Frank," he announced, "and +from this time on there'll be no danger of a slip when the trap is +sprung. That's been bothering me a whole lot for some time now, and +I'm tickled to know the ghost is laid." + +Every little while he examined the negative he had drying, as though +anxious to get a proof from it when it was in proper condition. + +About eleven o'clock he came to Frank holding a browned bit of paper +on which the sun had printed a very clear picture as taken when the +flashlight cartridge burned. + +"The face shows fairly well," he announced. "I'd easily enough +recognize the man if ever I ran across him, and that's something." + +Frank looked long and earnestly at the proof. + +"So that's our hermit, is it?" he remarked; "the old man they say acts +so queerly, and has kept to himself up there on his estate for years, +living the life of a recluse among his books and papers. There must be +some good reason for his acting that way. He's met with some sort of +terrible disappointment in life it may be; but then that's no business +of ours." + +"But Frank, I was meaning to suggest something to you to-day," began +Will, looking uncertain, as though he did not know just how the other +might take the proposition he had on the tip of his tongue. + +"Oh! so that's the way the wind blows, does it?" remarked Frank, +raising his eyebrows as he looked at his chum. "Somehow when you +declined to let Bluff take the camera along with him I had an idea you +were figuring on some scheme. You look like a regular conspirator, +Will. Out with it before you choke." + +"Listen then, Frank; I was hoping I might coax you to go up there +again to-day when I could be along." + +Frank whistled upon hearing this suggestion. + +"I reckon you mean go to the hermit's place, Will?" he remarked +inquiringly. + +"Yes, that's just it, Frank, and please, now, don't shut down on me +too quickly. Say you'll think it over, and let me know at noon." + +Frank scratched his head as though considering. The fact of the matter +was he himself had a peculiar yearning to make that trip again. There +is a sort of subtle fascination about prowling around forbidden +territory. Then the mystery connected with the hermit had aroused his +curiosity. That strange cry, too, lingered in his memory even more +than Frank cared to confess to Bluff. + +"But what excuse can we give for trespassing if we run across old +Aaron, his housekeeper, or any man connected with the place?" he asked +Will. + +At that the other smiled calmly. + +"Well, you know an amateur photographer never wants for a reason when +he gets caught intruding on private grounds," he explained; "his +enthusiasm is supposed to tempt him to take any risks. And Frank, if +we run across any trouble don't hesitate to pile all the blame on me. +I'm willing to stand for it." + +"Is it the house you're aiming to take a picture of, Will?" + +"Partly that," the other confessed. "You and Bluff described it as a +strange looking building, and worth seeing, so I'm fairly wild to snap +it off. And then, if we just happened to come on Aaron himself, why I +might manage to get him in focus and click my camera without his +knowing it. I hope you'll go this time, Frank. Somehow I've got my +heart set on it." + +"Well, perhaps I may, Will. Let the thing drop till we're eating our +lunch, and then I'll tell you what I'll do." + +"Good for you, Frank!" exclaimed Will, beaming on his chum, for +somehow he must have guessed that the chances of their going were +pretty fair. + +When noon arrived and they sat down to enjoy what had been prepared +Will's face looked so much like one big interrogation point that Frank +did not have the heart to keep him longer in suspense. + +"I see no good reason why we shouldn't wander up that way if we feel +like it," he went on to say, at which the other looked greatly +pleased. "Of course," Frank continued, "it isn't exactly the right +thing for us to crawl through that opening in the fence again, +especially after we've been warned off by the housekeeper; but since +you say you _must_ get a snapshot of the house, why, we'll risk it." + +"That's kind of you to agree, Frank." + +"Oh! I rather guess it's six for you and half a dozen for myself," +chuckled the other lad; "because I own up there's something about +Aaron's place up there that draws me more than I ought to allow. But +after all we mean no harm, and besides we may not meet any one on our +trip." + +"Remember," added Will, with a grin, "it's only returning the old +gentleman's visit of last night, you know. We want to be neighborly, +of course." + +There was no hurry, since they had the whole afternoon ahead of them. +Will, however, urged a start because he had hopes that they might +return by a long, roundabout course, and possibly pick up some +interesting views on the way. + +"There are some clouds passing overhead," remarked Frank, "and we may +get a little thunder shower while away; so we'd better fix things here +shipshape." + +This was easily done, though of course they did not think to fasten +the door in any way. The other two boys might get back before they +did, and it would be foolish to bar them out of the cabin. Besides, +what reason had they to fear any invasion from tramps up in this +lonely section of country? + +Once started, Will seemed very happy. Frank on his part had no great +difficulty in following the dimly seen trail. From time to time he +would show his companion the marks of footprints both going and +coming, and which were other than those left by himself and Bluff on +the preceding day. + +"That proves we guessed right when we said it was old Aaron who ran +against the string of your flashlight trap," Frank explained; "and I'd +give a cooky to know why he was making for the cabin at the time." + +"You told the housekeeper, didn't you, Frank, that we had bunked in +the cabin on the point jutting out into the bay?" + +"Yes, and she may have informed him," Frank mused. "Even if he's kept +himself up here away from everybody for so long, buried in his books, +old Aaron might have enough curiosity to walk down over this trail +that he knows so well, just to take a look at us." + +"If he's half as gruff as they say," suggested Will, "he may have +meant to order us to vacate the ranch. Then that awful flash came and +frightened it all out of him." + +Other things cropping up caused them to change the subject. And in due +course of time they sighted the high board fence with which the +strange hermit had surrounded his estate, thus warning strollers to +keep out. + +Will was interested in everything connected with the isolated home of +the rich and mysterious recluse. + +"Of course," he remarked, reflectively, "we could climb over that +fence if we went to a lot of trouble, even if it has got a barbed wire +strand along the top; but it would take more or less time. And you +said there was an opening we could use, didn't you, Frank?" + +"It's just ahead a little way, if some one hasn't found the loose +board and fastened it up securely," replied the pilot of the +expedition. + +They were pleased to discover that this had not happened. The loose +board still hung in position, and could be easily moved to one side, +allowing them a ready entry to the enclosed grounds. + +Neither of them spoke above a whisper as they advanced. Frank followed +the tracks he and Bluff had made when leaving, since these marked the +shortest route to the building. And it was not long before they +caught their first glimpse of the house. + +The sun happened to be just about right for a good picture of the +front; Will hoped those drifting clouds would not come along in an +exasperating way, as so often happens in the experience of every +amateur photographer, and obscure the light. + +"It's going to make a cracker-jack of a picture, Frank!" said Will, +eagerly, and in the lowest of tones, as though he feared that +something might still happen to keep him from accomplishing his +cherished purpose. + +"Just what I thought," replied the other, in an equally cautious +voice; "which was one reason I agreed to bring you up here. Get busy +now, Will." + +The boy with the camera glanced about him, looking for the proper spot +from which to snap off his picture. Taking into consideration the +situation of the sun at that particular minute, together with the +direction the long, low building faced, Will saw that he could get in +the entire front and the western side. + +He moved a little to the left and gauged matters with his practiced +eye. Being quite a skillful operator with the lens and the shutter, +Will could judge these things much better than any of his chums. In a +case of this kind at least he had no occasion to ask the advice of +Frank. + +The latter in the meanwhile was looking from window to window of the +two-story building. It must have many rooms, he judged, from the +number of these openings. He was also wondering whether that old and +vigilant housekeeper would chance to discover the intruders in front +of the house, and hasten out to warn them away, lest they get in +trouble with her master. + +Then, too, Frank was letting his curiosity have free rein again; he +remembered the weird cry that had come floating to the ears of himself +and Bluff, giving them such a queer feeling. + +Nothing happened to spoil Will's chance of getting a good picture. The +clouds kept away from the sun in the most accommodating way, and no +gruff keeper of the grounds came along with an angry demand that he +desist in his undertaking, as the owner of the estate did not wish the +public to see what manner of home he had built for himself there +behind that towering fence. + +When Frank heard a slight "click" he knew that Will had made at least +one exposure, though like a cautious photographer he might decide to +shift his location a trifle and try again, so as to make sure of his +work. + +Their excursion, then, promised to meet with success. If only the +eccentric owner of the place himself should come along and give Will a +chance to snap his picture off it would be doubly satisfactory. + +That was what Frank was saying to himself as he stood and waited for +Will to complete his work. Once he fancied he heard some slight sound, +like the rustling of bushes, and wondered whether, after all, there +could be a dog at large within the enclosed grounds. + +Frank realized that they were intruders, and as such could not give +any good excuse for being there. He decided that they had better +linger no longer; and was really in the act of turning to wave his +hand to Will, some twenty feet or more away, when something happened +that stopped his plan. + +A voice that was trembling with anger came to his ears, and gave him a +rude shock. + +"How dare you trespass on this private property, and even have the +assurance to take a picture of my house, you young rascals?" was what +this furious voice said, and turning quickly Frank saw the speaker not +five feet away from him. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IN THE BIG TIMBER + + +Of course it was Mr. Dennison himself. Frank could easily have guessed +as much from the manner in which the other behaved, even had he not +spoken of the building as "my house." + +The first thing Frank settled in his mind was that their visitor of +the preceding night had been Aaron Dennison. The white, close-cropped +beard told him that. Then he saw that the old gentleman held a stout +cane in his hand, which he had half raised as though sorely tempted to +make strenuous use of it upon the backs of these two ambitious amateur +photographers. + +Frank knew how to talk, and use soothing language. His chums always +said he would make a good lawyer. Apparently he might go a long time +before running across a better opportunity for smoothing the "ruffled +feathers" of an angry man than was now offered to him. + +"I hope you'll excuse us, Mr. Dennison, for entering your grounds to +take a picture of your house," he started to say. "We didn't mean any +harm, and will go away at once, sir." + +The man looked sternly at Frank, but the boy noticed with a feeling of +relief that the half upraised stick was slowly lowered. Apparently +something influenced Aaron Dennison to decide not to take the law into +his own hands, and use that heavy cane on these rash intruders. + +"How did you get in here?" he demanded abruptly. + +"There is a board loose on the fence, sir, and we couldn't resist the +temptation to come through. My chum here is making a hobby of taking +pictures, and he wanted one of your house, because it was so peculiar +in its build. I hope you won't think too badly of us for intruding." + +Aaron Dennison did not take any notice of this last remark; but +apparently he caught some meaning back of Frank's words. + +"How did you know my house differed from any other one; have you been +in here before this?" + +Evidently the discreet old housekeeper had decided not to tell of the +former visit of the boys, and it was Frank himself who had given the +secret away. He determined not to evade the issue, but continue to be +frank with the irate gentleman. + +"Yes, sir," he said, steadily. "I wandered up this way yesterday, and +saw the house. It was because I was so enthusiastic in my description +that Will here wanted to come and get a picture of it." + +"So as to tell every one, I suppose, that it is the secluded home of +the eccentric old hermit, as I believe they call me in the towns where +my men trade," the other continued with a half sneer. "But what are +you boys doing up in this section of the country? It is the first time +for a long while that I have seen a stranger about here." + +"We are camping, sir, on the lake shore, and having a good time for a +few weeks, fishing, taking pictures, and all that. In our home town of +Centerville they call us the Outdoor Chums, because we love to camp +out." + +"On the lake shore, you say?" repeated the other, looking keenly at +Frank. "Tell me, is your camp anywhere near Cabin Point?" + +"Yes, we've gone to work, Mr. Dennison, and fixed the old cabin all +up; and it's there we're staying," Frank told him. + +"I wonder--" began the other, frowning, "if you had anything to do +with startling me last night, when I was taking a walk down to the +lake, as I sometimes do when the spirit moves me. Do you know anything +about that frightful blinding flash that gave me such a shock I had +to hurry home?" + +"I am afraid we are to blame for that, sir, though I give you my word +of honor we had no idea any human being would spring the trap. You +see, my chum here is devoted to getting flashlight pictures of wild +animals and birds in their native haunts. To do that he has to place +his camera at night, and with a bait coax the little creature to set +the trap off. And it happened, sir, that you ran across the cord +connected with the trigger of the flashlight gun." + +"Is this the truth you are telling me, boy?" demanded the puzzled +hermit. + +"Will, do you happen to have that proof with you?" called out Frank. +Upon hearing this, the other hastened up, though there was a satisfied +smirk on his face, as though he had accomplished something daring. + +As Frank believed he had heard a soft click just before this, he could +give a pretty good guess as to what the other had been up to. + +Upon the proof being produced Frank stepped forward and held it out to +the old gentleman, who took it eagerly. He even smiled faintly as he +saw himself in the act of falling, and with all the elements of sudden +surprise and alarm connected with his action. + +"At least this satisfies me that you had no intention of giving me +such a bad fright. I can forgive you in part, because I, too, am +interested in photography, which is indeed my only recreation nowadays +besides reading. But you must not come here again. I do not allow +intruders, and if you had chanced to be seen by one of my men the +consequences might have been unpleasant for you." + +"Then we will go away at once, sir," said Frank; "though we'll always +be glad we met you, Mr. Dennison." + +The recluse frowned again as though he remembered that he had a reason +for not wishing to hold intercourse with others. And seeing he did not +mean to continue the conversation any further Frank nodded to Will, +after which they walked away. + +When they looked back a minute later Mr. Dennison was still standing +there as though in a deep study. Somehow he interested Frank very much +indeed, for the boy realized that there must be some very good reason +for his shunning his kind. + +They had almost reached the hole in the fence, when, just as had +happened on the preceding day, there came that strange cry. Will +thought it might be the screech of a peacock, though he could not +remember having seen such a fowl strutting about the lawn. + +"It may be what you say," admitted Frank, "but when you hear a queer +sound under such conditions as these it seems different from anything +you ever ran up against. Bluff thought it was a dog chained up; you +say a peacock; and for my part I hardly know what to believe." + +"Anyhow, Frank, I got him all right," chuckled Will. + +"Meaning the old hermit, of course," said the other. "I thought I +heard your shutter click. It will be worth something to say you took +his picture as well as that you got one of his peculiarly built house, +which I reckon few people have ever so much as seen." + +"But after all's said and done, Frank, old Aaron isn't just the kind +of man I always thought a real hermit must be. Why, he's a gentleman, +and not a bit careless of his appearance, the way most of them are +described to be. He dotes on books, they say. And oh, Frank! did you +hear him admit he was fond of dabbling in amateur photography +himself?" + +"Yes, that was what he said, Will." + +"I wish I could make a good impression on old Aaron, then, because +like as not he'd have some dandy pictures to show. He's got rafts of +money, you know, and must have traveled a heap in his time." + +Frank laughed at hearing this. + +"Now I wouldn't be surprised," he remarked, "if you tried to get thick +with our hermit before we shut up shop at Cabin Point!" + +"I own I'd like to, though I don't think I'll have much of a chance, +Frank, because you see he's shut down on us, and forbidden us to ever +look in on him after this. Now what do you reckon ails the man, and +why should he act in that way? He must have just soured on the world +for some reason or other." + +They passed outside, and allowed the loose board to fall back into its +place again. Unless one were looking for a break in the fence it would +be possible to pass by without noticing anything wrong there. + +"But now since he knows some of us were in his grounds twice," +lamented Will, "old Aaron may give his men orders to search all around +till they find the break. If they had any sense at all they could +follow our tracks and come to it. But, Frank, how about taking a swing +around on the way home?" + +"You spoke of that before, Will, and as we have plenty of time I don't +know any reason we shouldn't make something of a circuit. I'm as +curious as you can be to see something of the country." + +"Likely none of us will ever be up this way again," remarked Will, +"and so we'd better make the most of our opportunities. Besides, +there's no telling what cracker-jack chances we may strike for +pictures. I'm always on the lookout for anything like that, you +remember." + +Frank of course knew next to nothing about the lay of the ground, but +he could give a pretty good guess, for he had kept his eyes about him +all of the time. Accordingly he laid out the course they would take. + +"Unless we strike something tougher than we figure on," he explained +to Will, "we ought to make the round and be back in camp long before +sundown." + +"What if the other fellows do arrive before us," remarked the +photographer of the expedition, "they can start in to get supper if +they're half starving. I just feel like making hay while the sun +shines. This seems to be one of my lucky days, because I've already +snapped off some pictures that ought to be worth while. When we start +to talking about hermits and such things we'll have something to show +for it." + +Starting off, they were speedily in the heart of what seemed to be a +dense wood. Will expressed himself as well pleased with the +surroundings, and soon discovered some remarkable sights that called +for the use of his camera. + +They pushed on for more than an hour, and by that time had covered +considerable distance. When Frank hinted that perhaps they had better +turn back Will begged him not to give up just then. + +"You see we've still plenty of time to make the cabin long before +dark," he urged, "and I'm sure we'll find it worth our while to keep +on the way we're going. It seems to me the country keeps getting +rougher the further we push ahead. Already I'm just tickled to death +with what I've seen." + +"It's a fact that we've run across as wild a section as I've ever met +with," admitted Frank. "I never would have believed there could be +such a primitive stretch of land within a hundred miles of +Centerville. Right now you can look around in every direction, and +there isn't a sign to show that you're not out at the foot of the +Rockies, just as we found it at the time we had our big hunt." + +"At that time, you know, Frank, I hadn't caught on to this wild animal +photography business. What wonderful pictures I could have taken then +if only I'd known the racket. It keeps growing on me all the while, +too. Right now I expect I get more of a thrill when I'm snapping off +the picture of a bull moose bellowing his defiance to the guide's +call, than you would with your rifle at your shoulder ready for a +shot." + +"I reckon you do, Will, for I can understand what you feel. I really +believe that if you hadn't gone in for the game I'd have picked it up +myself. But one photographic crank in the party is enough; some of us +have to stick to the gun in order to supply the meat for the camp when +the season is on." + +Frank had been persuaded by Will's logic, and he continued to push on, +though constantly keeping track of conditions. He did not wish to have +to confess sooner or later that he was lost, which would not be so +impossible a thing to happen in that dense wood. + +It was while they were making their way along in this fashion toward +the middle of the afternoon, that, without the slightest warning, +there came a loud and angry crash of thunder; and looking up in a +startled way they saw inky black clouds gathering overhead. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +CAUGHT IN THE STORM + + +"Why Frank! What does this mean?" exclaimed the astonished Will, as he +stared first at his chum, and then up past the lofty tops of the +forest trees to where those inky thunder-caps were thrusting their +ugly noses into sight. + +"Simply that we've been caught napping for once," replied the other, +with an expression of mingled amusement and disgust on his face; for +such a thing did not happen very often in the experience of a +wide-awake fellow like Frank Langdon. + +"It's going to storm like fun," continued Will, with growing +apprehension. + +"And the first thing we've got to do," his companion told him, "is to +look for shelter. Under these big trees we might find a place to keep +dry, for there's one that's hollow right now; but the danger of its +being struck by lightning is too great for me to risk." + +"Whew! We're in for it, I expect!" cried Will, who apparently had +received quite a severe shock upon making this sudden discovery, when +up to the time that loud thunder clap startled them neither of the +boys had suspected anything. + +Frank began to look hastily about him. He knew what he wanted to find +above all things, and fortunately the country around that section was +capable of producing such a safe shelter. + +"Hurry along this way, Will!" he called out. "If I remember rightly I +noticed some outcropping ledges back a little bit. We may be lucky +enough to find shelter under a shelf of rock." + +"That's a good idea, Frank," admitted Will, as he tried to keep close +on the heels of his hurrying comrade. + +"If the rain will only hold off ten minutes, even less, we ought to +get to that rocky section, unless I miss my guess," Frank threw back +over his shoulder. + +They pushed on with all their vim. Meanwhile it grew very dark and +forbidding. Will could not remember ever to have seen the day +swallowed up in the gathering shades of night so quickly before. It +appalled the boy, for he did not possess the same unconquerable nature +as Frank. + +One crash of thunder followed another in rapid succession. The very +earth under their flying feet seemed to quiver with the concussions. +Lightning shot downward with such vivid flashes that it fairly blinded +them; so that Will's soul was filled with awe. + +"Frank, oh, Frank!" cried the boy in the rear. + +"All right, Will, what is it?" replied the other, who kept glancing +back at very brief intervals to make sure his chum still ran at his +heels, for he feared that should they ever be separated in that +gathering gloom it would be impossible for them to come together +again. + +"Do you think we can make it?" demanded the other, with a touch of +despair in his voice, for the situation looked frightfully appalling +to Will. + +"Sure we will!" he was immediately assured in Frank's most cheery +fashion. "Right now I can see the first of the rocks. Given two more +minutes at the most and we'll be able to crawl under a shelf, and lie +there as snug as two bugs in a rug." + +Frank did not feel any too sanguine himself, but he would not let Will +know of any fears he possessed regarding the possibility of their not +finding the shelter among the rocks after all. + +A terrific peal of thunder drowned their conversation for a brief +interval, but they were pushing resolutely forward all the while. +Frank was straining those keen eyes of his to some purpose. He knew +they were at the border of the rough, rocky section now. If only they +could run upon the friendly outcropping shelf which he remembered to +have seen at the time they passed before, they would find shelter. + +All would have been easy enough had they been given ordinary daylight +so as to look around them. The gathering gloom made it very difficult +to see twenty feet away with any degree of certainty. Frank was being +guided partly by instinct, and the knowledge that he had taken his +right bearings to start with. + +"Frank, I felt the first drop of rain!" shrilled Will, filled with a +new fear, for he was afraid that his pet camera would be ruined should +they be soaked to the skin, which was a calamity terrible enough to +break his heart. + +Frank did not need to be told of the falling rain, for he, too, had +discovered the ominous fact even before his chum announced it. There +was nothing to be done but set their teeth grimly and bear it. The +rocks were now all around them. If only they could discover that +friendly ledge! + +"Yes, it's beginning to come down now, because I can hear it in the +treetops over that way, can't you, Frank?" + +"What you hear is mostly the wind, Will; but that sounds bad enough, I +own up. There, I remember that broken tree making a bow above the +path we followed. And the ledges were close by it, I'm dead certain. +Come this way, Will; chances are we'll run on them right off." + +This cheery talk buoyed up the despondent spirits of the other, and he +set his teeth grimly, determined to hold out to the end. Another flash +that almost blinded them, quickly followed by a resounding bellow of +thunder, announced that the downpour of rain must be very close +indeed; doubtless it would descend upon them with that furious gale of +wind. + +"Hurrah! here they are, Will! Brace up, old fellow, for it's going to +be all right!" + +So dense had the darkness become that Frank found himself relying +almost wholly on the electric flashes for his illumination. The last +brilliant charge had disclosed the fact of the near presence of the +ledges which he had kept in mind so long. + +Fortune favored them in that Frank was able to discover the largest +ledge close at hand. It stood out far enough to allow of their +crawling well underneath, where the rain, no matter how it was driven +by the furious wind, could not reach them. + +Even as the two fugitives dropped down on their hands and knees, and +started to creep under the flat rocks, the rain began to fall +heavily. In fact it seemed to Will that hardly had his feet been drawn +under the accommodating shelter than the heavens opened, and the +floods descended. + +The two boys pushed well in and made themselves as comfortable as +their condition allowed. This of course was not saying much, for they +were sitting on hard rock, with their heads touching the shelf that +hung above. + +It was utterly impossible for them to exchange a single word just +then, owing to the riot of sound that came from beyond. The thunder +bellowed, the wind roared, trees could be heard at intervals crashing +to the ground, and the rain beat a terrible tattoo on the rock that +sheltered them. + +So fast did the lightning play that they were glad to close their eyes +lest in staring into that dazzling glare they should find themselves +blinded. + +Will managed to push up close to his chum. Somehow it seemed to give +him more confidence just to feel the contact. Thus he knew he was not +alone in the midst of that hurricane, really the worst he had ever +experienced in all his life. + +The time wore on. Once the dreadful storm seemed to have passed, and +it even grew considerably lighter. Will plucked up fresh hope, +believing the end had come, and that they could soon be on their way +to camp, to reach there at dusk perhaps. + +Frank, however, began to see things in a different light. He noted +that there were signs telling of a return of the gale. The second +spell might be as bad as the first; and if it kept them confined there +under the rocks until night came on it would be utterly out of the +question to think of setting forth. + +So Frank, foreseeing fresh trouble ahead, braced himself to meet it. +They would have to make a virtue of necessity, and stay there all +night. That was not a pleasant outlook, but then things might be a lot +worse, Frank told himself. + +Sure enough the gloom once more descended, and again the thunder took +up the old rumble and crash. Perhaps the wind was not as furious as +was the first rush, and the rain may have been less in quantity, but +the second part of the storm was severe and terrifying enough. + +"If it wasn't that we've had an even worse spell," Will managed to +call out, "I'd think this was the worst ever. Frank, what's the answer +to all this? How are we going to get back to camp?" + +"Walk, of course," replied the other; "it's the only way." + +"But even now the afternoon must be pretty well gone," objected Will. + +"It certainly is," he was told. + +"We don't know the exact way to camp," continued Will, "the night is +coming on in a hurry, the trees are dripping with water, and in lots +of places they have been thrown down every-which-way by that +hurricane. We never can make camp to-night, that's sure!" + +"I'm glad you understand that, Will, because I was just going to break +it to you. No, it would be foolish for us to try such a thing. We've +been pretty lucky as it is to escape getting wet jackets. We'll have +to put in a long night here the best we can." + +"Whew! it will be a terribly long one, too," declared Will, listening +to the retreating growl of the thunder. "And the worst of it is the +weather usually turns cold after one of these storms. We'll get to +shivering to beat the band. I wish we could make a fire some way or +other." + +"I'm afraid that's going to be out of the question," Frank told him. +"Of course we have matches in plenty, but we couldn't get dry wood +after that deluge. You see we had no chance to look around us for a +dead tree, and we have no camp hatchet along with us to do any +chopping." + +"Oh, well, I guess we can stand it, Frank. Morning is bound to get +here sooner or later. We've gone through as bad times as this more +than once, haven't we?" + +"I should say we had," Frank immediately replied, anxious to buoy up +the spirits of his companion as much as possible. "And for one thing, +that wind isn't going to reach in under here to any extent." + +"You're right about that," admitted Will; "it comes from back of the +ledge, now that it's shifted into the west. Surely we have lots to be +thankful for. But of course we'll feel pretty hungry, because neither +of us is used to going without supper, you see." + +At that Frank laughed. + +"I thought I'd do it for a joke, first of all," he remarked; "you see +I'd been reading about the way the Indians make their pemmican by +drying venison, and how they carry a handful in their pouches when +they have a day's journey afoot to make, munching on it once in a +while." + +"But what has that to do with us, Frank; we have no pemmican in camp, +have we?" + +"No, but that piece of dried beef made me think of it, and for fun I +carved off a small hunk, intending to spring it on you as a joke if +you happened to say you felt hungry, I've got it here in the pocket of +my coat." + +"Well! of all the luck, that takes the cake!" exclaimed Will. "We can +grind our teeth on that once in a while, and make believe we're +enjoying the most magnificent camp dinner going, eh, Frank?" + +"It's apt to make us thirsty, of course, but just now it happens that +pools of water can be found for the looking, so that needn't bother us +any. So we're fixed in the line of grub; and there's no danger of +starving to death yet awhile." + +By the time the last of the storm died away in the distance it was +almost night; in fact Will discovered the first star peeping through a +rent in the clouds overhead. Therefore the two chums started to make +themselves as comfortable as the hard conditions of their shelter +allowed, thankful that they had been spared being caught in the open +by that fearful summer storm. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +TAKING A BEE-LINE FOR CAMP + + +Frank and Will were not apt soon to forget that night. They were +compelled to remain under the shelf of rock, because outside +everything was soaking wet; and besides, the night wind blew unusually +cold for that time of year. Without a fire to cheer them it would have +been unbearable to try to stay in the open. + +Of course the rocks proved very hard. Every little while the boys +would change their positions in the endeavor to relieve their aching +limbs. Many times did Will find himself sighing for his blanket, which +had never seemed half so precious as now, when it was far away. + +Frank managed to divide the piece of hard dried beef with his knife, +and give the larger portion to Will, who, of course, knew nothing of +the sacrifice. They munched away from time to time, taking minute +bites, and grinding the tough meat between their teeth as long as +possible before swallowing it. + +This served in some measure to keep their thoughts away from their +unhappy condition, which was one object Frank had in mind. + +At times they talked of the two comrades who had gone off, aboard the +boat, bent on reaching the far distant village on the lake shore. Will +worried about them. Frank professed to have the utmost confidence in +the ability of the chums to look after themselves. + +"Stop and figure it all out, Will," he told the other. "If they made +as good time as we expected, they must have reached the village long +before noon came. In fact, we felt pretty sure they were in port at +the time we ate our own lunch in camp." + +"Yes, that's what we agreed," admitted the other, briskly. + +"Well, let's try to guess what they'd be apt to do," continued Frank. + +"I know what Jerry would have in his mind first of all, if it happened +to be anywhere around noon," said Will. "Jerry never forgets when it's +meal time; and the chances are ten to one he'd try to make sure they +were going to get dinner somewhere." + +"All right," agreed Frank; "that might bring them to nearly one +o'clock. Afterward they'd want to get a hustle on them trying to +gather up a supply of butter and fresh eggs, according to their +orders. Now if they had to go outside the place to get the supplies it +would be long after two before they'd be in shape even to think of +starting back to camp." + +"I see what you're hitting at, Frank; you mean they'd likely enough +notice how the inky black clouds were moving up in the sky about that +time, because being so close to the big lake they could see all this; +while the woods hid it from us." + +"Just so," Frank continued, his one desire being to convince the +anxious chum that Bluff and Jerry could be in no real peril. "And the +people of the village, you see, would urge them to hold over, telling +them it was too risky to try to row an old leaky boat all those miles +with such a storm coming up." + +"Then you believe they are still there in the village, do you, Frank?" + +"I really and truly do," came the steady answer; "and, even at the +worst, if the boys were foolish enough to make the start you can +depend on it they'd hurry to get ashore long before the storm broke." + +"Well," concluded Will, "nothing could have tempted me to stay out on +the lake a minute, once that thunder started to crash, and I knew the +wind must soon come tearing along. I guess Jerry wouldn't take too +many chances, even if Bluff wanted to keep rowing on." + +"Another thing you've got reason to be satisfied about is your +camera," suggested Frank, knowing what store his comrade set by his +treasured instrument. + +"Yes, for it hasn't been wet even a little bit!" Will declared. "I've +always been pretty lucky that way. In fact the only streak of +misfortune that ever struck me was the loss of those Maine films. I +even dream about them, Frank; and I certainly do hope that Gilbert +brings them back, if he comes this way." + +"He may turn up any time now," Frank assured him. "The golf tournament +must have been played before this, and if Gilbert lives around this +part of the country you'll see him coming after those golf balls of +his. They look extra fine to me." + +"And my films would be worth next door to nothing to him; just as I +look on his silly old golf balls. Queer how one man's food is another +man's poison, isn't it?" + +A dozen times Frank had to scratch a match at the request of his mate +in order to take a glance at his watch. The time seemed actually to +drag along. + +"I've read about the minutes passing on leaden wings," said Will, with +a long-drawn sigh, "but now I know just what that means. Eleven +o'clock you said, didn't you, Frank? That means six more to bring us +to five in the morning; and I suppose we couldn't think of making a +start any earlier than that." + +"As soon as it's broad daylight we'll get a move on us," promised the +other. "We only want to make sure we can see how to avoid pitfalls and +fallen trees." + +"How far are we from camp, do you reckon, Frank?" + +Will asked this last question rather drowsily; for in spite of his +pains he was beginning to get sleepy. + +"Only a few miles as the crow flies," he was assured. + +"Of course you've got the direction down all--er, what you call it, +pat, I suppose?" + +Frank told him he felt sure he could take a bee-line for camp; and a +minute afterwards, there being no further questions, only the regular +breathing of a tired lad, he knew that Will had dropped off. + +Neither of them managed to secure any great amount of sleep. Their +hard resting-place prevented such a thing. After a nap of possibly +half an hour Frank would awaken to find one of his legs numb under +him, while his muscles fairly ached with the severe strain to which +they were quite unaccustomed. + +Twice both boys felt so numb with the cold that acting on Frank's +advice they crawled out from under the sheltering rock, and for a +short time went through with exercises devised to send the blood +leaping through their veins. + +It was by all odds the longest night either of the lads had ever +experienced, in so far as their feelings were concerned. Twice the +eager and impatient Will gave a false alarm, under the impression that +he had glimpsed the dawn stealing in upon them. The first time Frank +showed him by his watch how impossible this was, for it had hardly +reached two o'clock. + +But all things must come to an end, bad as well as good; and finally +Frank himself detected the coming of dawn. It was not by sight that he +knew this but through the twittering of birds in neighboring trees, +where the poor things had hidden to escape the terrible storm. + +"I guess that's meant for a tune of thanksgiving and praise on account +of having escaped death in all that wind and rain," Frank told himself +as he listened to the faint songs taking form around him. + +He did not awaken his chum, because there was no need. They could not +start at once, and the boy needed what sleep he could get after such a +wretched night. + +It was broad day when Will awoke. + +"Why! what's this, Frank?" he exclaimed, reproachfully, "how could you +let me waste time sleeping when we might have been on our way?" + +"Oh! no hurry," he was told; "and you seemed to be getting forty winks +after such a tough night. But now that you've waked up, let's crawl +out of here." + +Neither of them felt any sorrow at leaving their hard beds, though +that did not mean they could ever be anything but grateful for the +welcome shelter of that nook under the rocky shelf. + +Frank had no hesitancy about pointing toward the quarter where he +believed the camp must lie. + +"We'll take our bearings, Will, and then head straight. In the course +of two hours at the most we ought to strike the lake, and close to +Cabin Point in the bargain." + +"Before we leave here," remarked Will, the old instinct still gripping +him, "I'd like to get a snapshot of that bully ledge, now that the sun +is peeping up, and shines full on the place." + +"A good idea," Frank told him; "we'll often smile when we look at it, +and remember our rough experience. I think every time I happen to +munch a bit of jerked or dried beef my thoughts will go back to this +adventure." + +"Yes," added the other, with a chuckle, "and with me, every time +anybody mentions dried beef you'll see me begin to rub my poor bones +where they ache right now as if my joints were so many boils." + +They had not gone far before they began to notice many signs that told +of the fury of the wind during the storm. Trees had been toppled +completely over or else lay up against some neighboring trunk in a +helpless condition, "much like drunken men," Will declared. + +Will discovered a number of remarkable sights that appealed to his +artistic instinct, so that Frank had to wait until he had focussed his +camera and then pressed the button. Those pictures would always remind +them of their lively experiences when on the way back to camp after +the second visit to Aaron Dennison's place. + +When about an hour had passed Will began to show signs of fresh +anxiety, but he was confidently assured by his chum that everything +was all right. + +"The lake is straight ahead of us, you can depend on that," was what +the pilot told him; "and pretty soon I think I can prove it to you, +since seeing is believing." + +"How is that?" asked Will, his curiosity aroused at once, as Frank +intended it should be. + +"We're coming to a little hill," was the explanation, "and unless the +trees are too dense to hide our view I figure we ought to see the big +water from the crown; anyway we'll take the trouble to climb up and +find out." + +Frank was right, for upon arriving at the top of the elevation they +managed to find one avenue among the treetops through which they could +glimpse the glistening waters of the sun-kissed lake. + +After that Will complained no longer, having the utmost confidence in +the ability of his companion to guide the expedition into a safe +harbor. + +Before the second hour had fully elapsed they realized that the shore +was close by. Will declared he could even hear the lapping of the +waves on the pebbly strand. + +"We might have made it in much less time, you understand," said Frank, +"if it had not been for the fallen trees we had to go around; and then +there was the ravine we skirted a long way before meeting with a place +where we could cross." + +"But it's all right in the end, Frank; and let me tell you I'm +thankful we came through the business as well as we did. Now the only +thing to bother us is the fate of the other fellows." + +"Oh! they're all right, you can depend on it," said Frank. + +"But I don't hear any chopping or talking, and we must be close enough +to the cabin to get that, you know," speculated Will. + +"Which proves my theory was sound, and that they had to stay all night +in the village. You can depend on it, Will, they fared better than we +did, because the chances are they slept on feather beds, and had all +they wanted to eat." + +"Oh, good, now we can cook something! I'm about as near empty as I +want to be, and feel able to make way with the biggest beefsteak +going. There, I can see the cabin, Frank! I'm glad to find out the +storm didn't pick it up bodily and carry it into the lake, as I +sometimes thought it might have done." + +Both of them hurried their steps a little, for the thought of a warm +and tasty breakfast certainly appealed to them as seldom before. +Consequently they soon reached the cabin on the Point, which they now +called their camp home. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE RETURN OF THE VOYAGERS + + +"After all the old cabin has had a pretty narrow escape, Will." + +Frank, as he said this, pointed to where a tree had crashed to the +ground close by. It lay with its head toward the northeast. Had the +wind been more in the west at the time of its fall the roof of the log +structure must have been crushed in like an egg-shell. + +Will was just about to enter when Frank caught hold of his arm and +held him back. + +"What's the matter, Frank?" instantly questioned the other, looking +around him in surprise. + +"Why, I wonder how it comes that the door is ajar. We both know as +well as anything that we made sure to shut it securely at the time we +left." + +"Then Bluff and Jerry must have got back home!" exclaimed Will, +excited again. "Since they don't seem to be here, I reckon they've set +off to search for us, believing we must have gone out for a stroll, +and been caught in the storm." + +"You forget one thing, Will." + +"Do you mean the boat?" demanded the other, quickly. "Well, it doesn't +seem to be around, for a fact, Frank; and, sure! it ought to be if +they'd come home." + +"Well, let's go inside now," remarked the other. "If they did come +home, and have gone out again, I think they would have left some word +for us." + +No sooner had the two boys entered the cabin than they could see that +some one had been there. A home-made chair was lying on its side on +the floor; also some things had been swept from the heavy table which +Frank had repaired so that it stood firmly on its four legs now. + +Will looked around, and then turned his eyes on Frank. + +"Somebody or some animal has certainly been in here since we left +yesterday, or I miss my guess!" he announced. + +"There's no question about that," returned Frank, a puzzled look on +his face. "And as we fastened the door in the only way we have, which +would prevent any but an educated monkey from opening it, I can't +believe any wild beast entered here. Take that from me, Will." + +"Then of course it must have been a human being," remarked Will, for +Frank's decisions seemed to leave no other explanation possible. + +"I'm wondering why he came in here, and what he did," continued the +other, as he wandered about the place scrutinizing everything. +"There's not a sign of anybody's sleeping in one of our bunks, and so +far as I can make out there's been no cooking going on here since we +had our lunch yesterday, because I remember just how I put everything +away then." + +"Frank, it's certainly a deep mystery." + +"Oh, well! what's the use of bothering our poor heads over it when +there was no mischief done. Let's get busy with something to eat. I'm +as hollow as a drum right now, and I'm not ashamed to say it, either." + +When presently the coffee began to throw out the most tantalizing +odor, and the sizzling bacon added its quota to the aroma, the boys +felt they could hardly wait until things were ready. + +Munching some crackers helped them to hold off a bit, and presently, +when things were done, the welcome call to breakfast sounded. + +The lake must have been rough and high during the previous night's +gale, for the waves still rolled up on the beach in places, though the +wind had changed. + +"Don't you think they must have started from over yonder by now?" Will +was asking as he and Frank began to eat more slowly, having taken the +fierce edge from their appetites. + +"Yes, the sea has gone down enough by now to let them take chances," +Frank admitted; "and after we're through eating we'll use the glasses +to find out." + +Although he had not said anything about it to his chum, Frank believed +he had detected a moving spot far away on the water, and in the +direction of the village, which he thought might be the camp boat with +their two mates. + +He did not hurry through his breakfast, for as the object was +constantly drawing slowly but steadily nearer Cabin Point they would +be better able to discover who the occupants of the boat were later +on. + +Will kept the other to his promise, and in good time the small but +powerful pair of field glasses was brought out and adjusted. + +Frank took the first look. He did not say a single word or betray the +result of his survey by the faintest smile, only handed the glasses to +Will. + +"My sight must be different from yours, Frank, because I have to focus +all over again. There, now I reckon I've got it O. K. because I can +see the village over there as plain as anything. The boat ought to be +this way--there, I've got it located. Oh, Frank, it's Bluff and Jerry, +as sure as you live!" + +"Of course it is!" declared the other. "And now you can see that I hit +the right nail on the head when I tried to figure out what they'd +probably do in the storm. They spent last night among the villagers, +and started this morning just as soon as the water went down enough to +make it seem safe." + +"They're almost half-way here as it is," continued Will; "and rowing +like fun, let me tell you! Well, that relieves my mind a heap. I +couldn't feel altogether easy about the boys, knowing what an old tub +that boat is at best. But it's all right, Frank; and I think I can +drink another cup of coffee on that." + +"We ought to have some ready for them when they get here," suggested +thoughtful Frank; "though of course they'll have eaten breakfast at +the village. But a cup of _our_ fragrant coffee is something to make +you forget you're tired." + +"Yes," agreed Will, "I warrant you they didn't get anything like that +over there at the village tavern, or wherever they put up." + +They spent much of their time watching the approach of the boat. The +sunbeams glinted from the flashing oars as they were methodically +raised and lowered. All the while it came nearer and nearer. + +"I can see that they're anxious about the camp, and wondering how we +came through the storm," ventured Frank; "because every once in a +while they stop rowing, seem to be talking together, and then turn +around to stare this way." + +"Let's step out in the open, and I'll wave my big red bandanna to +them, Frank." + +"They ought to see that easily enough," laughed the other; "I remember +the old bull did that time he had you treed for several hours. Now +stand ready, and as soon as I give the word start to waving, while we +both shout." + +It was easy to tell when the rowers looked around again, thanks to the +powerful glasses; and while Will waved his red bandanna, both of them +yelled vociferously. + +"They see us, because they're waving their hats now!" observed Frank. + +"Yes, and I can hear them shouting," added his companion. + +Slowly the boat drew nearer, until in the end it was run up on the +sandy beach of Cabin Point. Then Bluff and Jerry scrambled out, +stretched their stiff legs, and picking up several bundles that had +lain in the bottom of the craft, started toward the cabin, sniffing +the welcome odor of coffee as they came. + +"Looks as if you'd got what you went for," remarked Frank, as he +hastened to relieve one of the boys of his burden, a cardboard box, +evidently holding several dozen eggs. + +"We did all of that," replied Bluff, "and then had to hold the fort +through the night because of that nasty little tooter of a storm." + +"Listen to him! Trying to make out it didn't amount to much after +all!" laughed Jerry. "I wish you could have seen him holding on to the +chair he was sitting in at the village inn, whenever there came a +terrific blast that made the house shake all over. I even heard him +ask the landlord if it was bolted down to its foundation." + +"Well, to own up to the honest truth," said Bluff, with one of his +wide grins, "it was a regular buster of a howler. I never saw such +wind or rain, and my ears ring even yet from the smashing +thunder-claps. Wow! but you two must have wondered what was coming +when that big tree came tearing down to the ground not thirty feet +away from the cabin." + +"But we didn't hear it fall," said Will, mysteriously. + +"What do you want us to believe by your saying that?" demanded Jerry. + +"We didn't happen to be around these parts just then, you see," +continued the artist, smilingly. "Fact is, we spent the night under a +ledge of rock some miles away from here, hungry and cold as could be." + +"Suppose you up and tell us what happened?" said Bluff. "Why so much +mystery, I want to know? What took you away, and how did it come that +you never noticed that old whooper coming up in time to hurry back to +camp?" + +"Oh, Frank and I took a little stroll after lunch," remarked Will. +"You must know I've been wild to see that place belonging to Aaron +Dennison, and snap off a view of it, because Bluff said it is such a +remarkable affair. Well, we got the picture, all right, and also one +of the owner of the ranch holding up a big cane as though about to +strike Frank here." + +"Gee whiz! tell us more about that!" begged Bluff, eagerly. + +"After you get started on that coffee we made for you," said Frank. +And while the two boys were enjoying their cups of hot coffee the +story was related. + +Then those who had gone to the village were asked about their trip. +Nothing remarkable had happened except that on several occasions they +were compelled to bail out, and had once to stop in order to pound +more oakum into an opening that appeared in one of the seams of the +boat. + +"Excuse me from ever taking such a long trip again in an old +rattletrap of a boat like that," declared Bluff. "Luckily for us, you +insisted on our carrying a bunch of that oakum along, Frank. With it +we patched up more seams this morning, and managed to pull through, +though it's been a hard drive." + +"But we've lots of dandy fresh eggs, and five pounds of new butter," +added Jerry, proudly. + +"The storm came up before you could start, I suppose?" questioned +Will. + +"Yes, and Bluff here wanted to pull out anyhow," Jerry replied, "but I +kicked on that, and some of the villagers also warned him it would be +suicidal--yes, that's the exact word they used, Bluff, and you know +it. What if I'd given in to you, and we had been caught all of a +sudden by that hurricane? Well, I'll bet deep down in your heart +you're just as glad as anything I kept you from making that silly +start." + +"Sure I am, Jerry! and I hope you didn't really think I meant to go. I +was only trying to keep up to my reputation and name as a bluffer. All +the while I knew as well as anything we never could get a quarter of +the way here. I've cut my eye-teeth for all I sometimes make out to +be so brash and bold." + +Frank and Will only laughed at the expression of disgust they saw +creeping over Jerry's face. Surely all of them ought to know Bluff +well enough by this time to understand that he did not always mean +what he said. + +"And now," remarked Frank, "see if either of you can figure out this +mystery." With that he told them how he and Will had found signs of +some one's having been in the old cabin on the point between the time +they had left it and their late return on that morning. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DAYS OF REAL SPORT + + +"You're dead sure nothing was taken, are you, Frank?" Bluff demanded +first of all, his suspicions running in the direction of a sneak +thief. + +"We looked, but couldn't find the first trace of anything having been +stolen," he was assured. "Things seemed knocked around a bit, and the +door was ajar, though we left it tightly closed, but that was all." + +"It surely is a deep mystery," admitted Jerry, with a puzzled +expression on his face. Jerry had never been remarkably clever at +finding out hidden things, and the whiff of a mystery generally +confused him. + +"I'd be inclined to think it must have been some sort of animal," +ventured Bluff, "only you feel certain you fastened the door, so a dog +or a wildcat couldn't get inside." + +"Besides," spoke up Will, "if it had been any sort of animal bent on +getting something to eat, wouldn't we see signs of his nosing around +in the cabin?" + +"That's a fact," admitted Bluff, immediately, "there's that shank of +our ham lying right on the table where we left it. I said we'd boil +the same the first chance we got, so as to get the pickings. Any dog +would have pulled that on to the floor and gnawed at it." + +"Oh, well, what's the use guessing when we haven't got a single clue +to go on?" remarked Jerry. "Let's change the subject and talk of +something pleasant." + +"One thing I know," said Will, with a happy smile. + +"Then tell us, won't you?" asked Bluff. + +"I'm going to set my little trap again to-night for Br'er 'Coon," +continued the enthusiastic amateur photographer. + +"Huh! wonder what you'll spot next time?" observed Bluff. "You nailed +an old fellow that you tell us is Aaron Dennison himself. I hope the +next crack won't give us a picture of the Old Nick himself, horns, +split hoofs, forked tail and all! Ugh!" + +"Well," muttered Jerry, "seems to me when you set one of those +flashlight traps right in the woods of nights you never can tell what +kind of a job you're going to get away with." + +Will laughed as though amused. + +"Why," he went on to say, "don't you understand that's part of the +game? The uncertainty of the thing adds to the charm. You never do +know exactly what you're going to strike." + +"Well," Jerry continued, shaking his head in a contrary fashion as +though far from convinced, "I never did take much to the grab-bag +business--putting your hand in, and groping around to pull out a prize +or a blank." + +"Ditto here, Jerry," spoke up Bluff; "I prefer to know what I'm trying +for, and then chasing after it for all I'm worth." + +"Oh, well, what's the use of talking?" Will concluded. "Many men, many +minds. It's a mighty good thing everybody doesn't think alike. Variety +is the spice of life, they say. But excuse me, fellows; I've got some +work to do developing the snaps I took yesterday." + +That was the last they saw of Will for some time. Once he buried +himself in that fascinating photographic labor to which he was devoted +heart and soul, it required some strong incentive such as a summons to +dinner, to make him break away. + +After noon had come and gone, the boys settled down into something +like the old life. Less was said about events that had occurred, while +new plans were being broached for the immediate future. + +Having secured some live bait with a little seine made of mosquito +netting, Bluff and Frank tried the fishing, using the boat to reach +what seemed to be good ground. A hidden ledge of rock ran from the +point, and Frank judged that where the water was something like ten +feet deep there ought to be bass. + +His figuring proved to be correct, for they were soon busily engaged +in playing the fish that struck the live minnows. At times the work +became even exciting, as a larger and more gamy fish took hold. + +Jerry, who also liked to fish, watched the sport from the shore and +envied those who were thus engaged. The next time he was asked by +Bluff to accompany him in the boat Jerry's answer would be of a +different nature. This was a time when his laziness cost him dearly, +he admitted to himself, as he watched Bluff lift a struggling bass +into the boat, and then heard him give a yell of triumph. + +Will had long since finished developing the films, and all they had +heard him say with reference to them was that they seemed to have +turned out "pretty fair." + +About three o'clock in the afternoon, however, he set to work and +printed a lot of proofs by the aid of the sun which aroused the +interest and admiration of the other three. + +Frank in particular was delighted to find they would have such +splendid views by which to remember their singular adventure. The one +of "Old Aaron and His Rod," as Will designated it, was perfectly clear +and reflected considerable credit on the artist who had snatched it +off on the spur of the moment. + +Over the proof that showed the strange ledge of rock under which the +two storm-bound fugitives had passed the night, Bluff and Jerry +lingered longest. There seemed to be some peculiar fascination about +the picture that held their attention. + +"Some time soon, Frank," said Bluff, "we must go up there and take a +look into that cave under the rock. It was a bright dodge on your part +to notice the formation of the ground in passing, and then remember it +right away when the necessity arose for shelter from the rain, wind +and lightning." + +"Which only shows," remarked Will, shaking a warning finger at Bluff, +"that you ought to keep your eyes about you every minute of time when +you're tramping through a woodsy country. You never know the second +you'll be called on to remember something. And also let me say that +it's best to have along with you a chum who never gets left, no matter +what happens." + +Even Frank had to join in the general laugh that greeted this wise +sally. + +"My advice to you all is, never depend on anybody else to pull your +chestnuts out of the fire, but learn to do things for yourself," was +all the remark Frank would allow himself to make. + +They had fresh fish for supper that evening, and such fish! Bluff +himself cooked them, and of late he had proven himself to be a most +excellent hand at getting up a meal. + +His method, of course, was the usual camp way of using fat salt pork +melted down in the pan until it was sizzling hot; then placing in the +fish, nicely covered with cracker crumbs, and allowing the fish to +become browned all over, as well as fairly crisp before pronouncing +them done. + +Every one enjoyed them, and it was voted unanimously that fish should +form one of the staple dishes of their stay in camp at Cabin Point. + +Judging from the game qualities of the bass, there would be no lack of +candidates for the honor of pulling them in. Even Will, who did not as +a rule profess to be much of a sportsman, declared he believed he +would like to test that new "pole" which his father had given him for +Christmas; at which Bluff groaned, and immediately threw up his hands +in affected horror, exclaiming: + +"Pole! For goodness' sake, Will, never call that dandy lancewood rod +by such a degrading name again. The farmer's boy cuts a pole from the +bushes, or buys a fifteen-foot one at the grocery store, the kind that +comes up from the Louisiana swamp districts. A true sportsman carries +a jointed _rod_--spell it out, r-o-d. Why, I'd turn red to the roots +of my hair if ever you said 'pole' in the presence of real disciples +of Isaac Walton." + +"Oh, well, 'rod,' if you prefer it that way," chuckled Will. "But no +matter what you call it, the farmer boy's pole is generally the one +that knocks the persimmons down." + +"That taffy about the genuine sportsman buying his fish from the +barefooted farmer's boy is as old as the hills," retorted Bluff. +"Maybe it's been true in some cases; but I've seen the time when the +man with the fly tackle, and who knew how to use it, got all the fish, +while the barefooted boy could only look on." + +"There!" exclaimed Frank with a laugh, "I knew the worm would turn +some day. Up to now there's been no champion for the man with the +fancy fly rod. It was the boy who used the humble worm who did all +the business. He'll have to take a back seat after this when our chum +Bluff is around." + +No one knew whether the flashlight did its duty on that particular +night or not--that is until Will hurried out early in the morning and +brought his camera in. + +He had cleverly arranged it so that when the cord was pulled that set +the cartridge off it also caused the time-exposure arrangement on the +camera to work. Thus for perhaps several seconds the delicate film was +exposed, after which the action caused it to become once more securely +hidden from the light. In this way it was not necessary for the +operator to get out to his camera before daylight came in order to +save his night's work. + +All of them had slept soundly. If Frank did happen to arouse several +times during the night he saw and heard nothing to indicate that there +were any animals prowling around in the vicinity of the camp. + +Will knew, however, that his trap had worked, for the bait was gone, +the cord pulled taut, and he could even detect traces of sharp claws +around the spot. + +It turned out that he had managed to secure a splendid snapshot of the +big fellow boasting the striped tail; indeed, the picture was bound +to be one of the most prized in all his collection. + +That day also passed with nothing unusual happening. The campers +enjoyed every hour of it, for there always appeared to be a variety of +things awaiting their attention, and all of the boys were full of +vigor. + +Bluff noticed that it had gradually grown quite warm, after the +delightful cool spell following the big storm. + +"And a hot wave means another rattler, I should guess," he declared +when discussing the weather with his comrades. + +Bluff had of late shown a disposition to prove himself somewhat of a +weather prophet. He studied the various conditions of the sky, noted +the mottled clouds that people used to say denoted rain, consulted +calendars he had brought along that explained the phases of the moon, +and every little while solemnly announced that according to all the +signs such and such a condition of weather was going to follow. + +It was on the second morning that Bluff outlined his plan. Waiting +until they had all eaten the excellent breakfast which he himself had +prepared, and until he had reason to believe Frank must be in an +especially good humor, Bluff spoke up. + +"Frank, why not all of us go up to that rock ledge to-day before the +weather takes a turn for the worse? How about it, Jerry; are you game +for a tramp?" + +"Every time," came the immediate response; "and as you say, if we're +going to have a look in at that queer section of the country, to-day's +as good a time as any." + +To the delight of both boys, Frank offered no objection. In fact, he +himself felt rather inclined to do a little more exploring, for the +country in that region interested him deeply. And so presently the +four left their cabin camp to plunge into the woods. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +SHOWING BLUFF AND JERRY + + +It pleased Frank to set out in almost a direct line for the rocky +ledges. He wanted to cover once more the ground which he and Will had +passed over on their way to camp. + +"In the first place," he explained to the others when they remarked on +this fact, "there were several interesting sights that Will said he +wanted to snap off; and his supply of film had run short the other +day. Then we know this route, and can point out a lot of things. +Besides, it's a short way to the place, which is a good excuse for +taking it." + +In due time they reached the rocks, and both Bluff and Jerry must +creep under the friendly ledge, to see for themselves what sort of +shelter their chums had found from the storm. + +"Couldn't be beaten, and that's a fact, Frank!" was Jerry's final +verdict, after he had remained under the rock for a time. + +"And in such a terrible electric storm," added Bluff, sagely, "I +don't know of a better place to take refuge than under a shelf of +rock. There's no danger of being struck by the lightning, and only a +slim chance of an avalanche tumbling down on top of you." + +"All boys ought to make a note of a thing like that," urged Will, +wisely nodding his head as might a school-master. "When a storm comes +along in summer time, with thunder and lightning, they should never +dream of taking shelter under a tree or in a barn. Frank, I'm right +there, I reckon, am I not?" + +"Every time!" responded the other vigorously. "It's better to drop +flat down in the open and take a good ducking, rather than risk +chances under a tree or in any sort of barn. Lightning picks out those +objects for a blow. But I think myself a shelf of rock like this is +about the finest shelter going." + +"And I'll always be on the lookout for places like this," asserted +Bluff, who could take a lesson to heart for all his bluffing ways. + +"I can promise you I will," added Will, "because while I'm still sore +from lying so many hours on that hard stone, I feel deep down in my +heart that I ought never to look a gift horse in the mouth. That rock +ledge was the best friend we had all through the terrible hurricane." + +"Well, we're in no great hurry to get back home, are we, boys?" asked +Jerry. + +"We started out with the intention of making a day of it," Frank +observed, "and there's no reason to change our minds. I'm going to +take a turn in a new direction, though in the end we may strike the +old trail that leads to the Point from Mr. Dennison's place." + +Jerry looked at him eagerly. + +"Now it so happens that everybody's gone and seen that place but poor +me," he went on to state; "and Frank, if we just happened to be in +that vicinity between now and sunset would you mind if I took a peep?" + +Frank shook his head as though he did not wholly like the idea. + +"The old gentleman seemed pretty huffy when we had our little +heart-to-heart talk with him," Will remarked, noticing this +disinclination on Frank's part; "and on the way down we made up our +minds it was none of our business. Jerry, I can guess that it's the +queer cry we heard that interests you more than wanting to see the +house itself, for I've good pictures of that." + +Jerry laughed. + +"Oh! I own up you fellows have kind of excited me a little when +telling about that thrilling sound you heard," he admitted candidly. +"I'd like first-rate to do some prowling around up there to satisfy +myself that it wasn't a peacock that screamed, or even a tied-up dog +that yelped." + +"But I hope you'll give over that idea then, Jerry," said Frank +soberly. "You must understand that Mr. Dennison is a gentleman, for +all he looks so queer and acts so strangely. He's had something upset +him in the past, and chooses to live away from everybody." + +"Yes," added Will, "and he's got a right to do as he chooses with his +own property, you'll allow, Jerry." + +"Sure thing!" agreed the other, though with a shade of disappointment +crossing his face, "and I guess I'll have to keep my hands off, since +the sign is up 'no trespassing allowed here!' But anyway, I do hope we +shall run across Old Aaron and his Rod somewhere in our jaunt to-day." + +Frank had nothing more to say on the subject. He was determined not to +yield to any temptation, and enter those forbidden grounds again after +being so plainly warned off by the irascible owner. + +Leaving the rocky section of country, they began to traverse a region +quite different in its character. From time to time various +interesting things cropped up to attract their attention. + +Bluff and Jerry wanted the photographer to snap off all sorts of what +they called "mighty absorbing subjects," but Will wisely used his fine +discrimination. + +"Why, look here," he finally told them, "if I took your advice right +along I'd be out of stock in the film line before half the day was +over. And I don't know of anything to make a fellow feel worse than to +have used his last film and then run across a subject that he'd give +heaps to get." + +"Will is right, boys," remarked Frank; "leave it to him to decide +things like that. I'd stake a lot on his judgment, you must know." + +"Well," commented Will, with a chuckle, "I'm a ninny when it comes to +lots of things connected with outdoor life; but I do know something +about taking pictures, if I say it myself." + +At noon-time they stopped and rested for more than an hour, and ate +the cold lunch that had been provided. It was warm, and consequently +no one felt sorry for the chance to lie in the shade. + +Frank afterwards swung around in a half circle. He kept his bearings +all the time, and professed to know accurately just where they were, +and in what quarter the camp lay. + +"For what's the use of claiming to be a woodsman," he told Bluff when +the other looked a little incredulous over something or other, "if you +don't keep track of your direction? I feel sure that as the crow flies +Cabin Point lies over there, right beyond that tree with the feathery +crown." + +About three in the afternoon all of them owned up to feeling a bit +weary. + +"But I reckon we must be getting within a mile or so of the lake," +Jerry suggested. "I'm saying that partly because I've noticed how +Frank has swung around, and is heading in the direction he pointed out +when he told of our camp lying in that quarter." + +"You hit the nail on the head when you say that, Jerry," commented +Frank; "for we're going to strike the old trail before another ten +minutes passes." + +"Meaning the one that leads to the lake from Aaron's place, eh, +Frank?" continued Jerry, with a sparkle of expectancy in his eyes. + +"That's right, Jerry," he was told quietly. + +"Then I hope--" began the other, stopping suddenly, with half-opened +mouth, to listen, for just then there came to their ears a +half-muffled sound that might be the scream of a red-headed woodpecker +up on some rotten treetop, or anything else for that matter. + +Will and Bluff uttered exclamations indicating that they recognized +the cry. Even Frank looked serious, while Jerry was plainly excited. + +"Frank!" he exclaimed, "was that the queer cry you fellows told me you +heard those two times you were up here?" + +"I think it was," replied the other; "but please don't go to getting +excited over it, Jerry. You know we agreed it was none of our business +whether a peacock on the lawn or a dog in his kennel let out that +yawp. The only thing that interests me about it is the fact that we +have proof that the high board fence around Mr. Dennison's place ought +to loom up any minute now." + +Hardly had Frank said this than Bluff broke in with his customary +abruptness. + +"Right now I can see a little patch of the same fence over yonder, +Frank. Notice that big beech, and look under the slanting limbs. How +about it, am I right?" + +He was immediately assured that his eyes had not deceived him, for it +was certainly a small section of the tall fence that he had +discovered. + +"I hope you will go close enough anyway," ventured Jerry, "so I can +see that strand of cruel barbed wire you say runs along the top of the +fence." + +"Oh! there's no reason you should be cheated out of that little +favor," he was told by the leader. "The fact is we have to pass close +to the fence in order to strike that trail through the woods." + +"The one he took when he struck my trap, and set my flashlight off, +eh, Frank?" asked Will. + +"Of course it was that trail and no other," said Frank; "you remember +we followed it before, and came to the Point. We also agreed that it +was used by the old gentleman once in a while when he took a notion to +go down to the lake." + +"Well, here's the fence, Jerry!" observed Bluff, as they came to a +full stop. + +Jerry surveyed it critically, even stepping back the better to see how +the barbed wire entanglement ran along its apex. + +"A rather tough job to get over that fence," he was heard to say, as +though half to himself, "though I reckon I could manage it if pushed." + +"But I hope you'll never try it," ventured Frank, severely. + +"I was wondering," continued Jerry, paying no attention to the +reproof, "whether that barbed wire was put there to prevent outsiders +from getting in, or to keep some one who was in from breaking out!" + +Frank started, and looked serious. He even exchanged glances with +Will, as though they might have a little secret between them; but at +any rate he did not see fit to encourage Jerry to pursue the subject +any further. + +"Suppose we let the matter drop now," he said, in that way of his +which all of them considered final. + +They once more moved along, and, in following the plan Frank had of +reaching the old trail that led through the woods and tangle to the +lake, they kept close to the high fence. + +Jerry looked around him from time to time, and whenever he chanced to +discover a knot-hole in one of the boards he immediately glued his eye +to the aperture as if in hopes of glimpsing the hermit's house, or +something else equally interesting. + +As they did not hear him utter any expression of satisfaction after +several of these attempts, the others set his labor down as futile. + +A short time later they neared the lower end of the fenced-in estate. +Frank knew he would run upon the trail near this point, and +accordingly he had his eyes fixed on the ground looking for the first +signs. + +On this account he was not the first to discover something that came +to pass. It was when he heard an exclamation from Jerry that Frank +looked hastily up, and saw to his dismay that they were once more +face to face with the same old gentleman whom he and Will had +encountered. + +Aaron Dennison had evidently stepped through a narrow gateway, for the +opening appeared just behind him. He must have been quite as +astonished as the boys at the unexpected meeting. Frank could see that +he was very angry, for his face turned red, his eyes gleamed, and the +muscles of his cheeks worked under the strain. + +Knowing the impetuous nature of one or more of his chums, Frank +hurriedly blocked the path so that none of them might pass by. Then, +trying to control his own feelings, he faced the scowling owner of the +mysterious retreat in the wilderness. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE WARNING + + +"So this is the way you keep your word, is it, boy?" demanded Mr. +Dennison, as he glared at Frank, who, however, managed to keep cool +and collected, because he could easily understand how the old +gentleman might deem their presence there very suspicious. + +"But what I promised you, sir," said Frank, "was that we would not +trespass on your enclosed property again, and we have done nothing of +the sort, sir." + +"Then why do I find you here, alongside this fence that was +constructed to keep such curious people as you from intruding on my +privacy? I believe even now it was your intention to enter again by +that loose board, which, however, I had nailed fast in order to keep +lawless prowlers out." + +"You wrong us, Mr. Dennison," declared Frank; while Bluff could be +heard muttering his indignation. "Just how we happen to be here is +easily explained." + +"Of course. And you expect me to believe any kind of silly story you +may make up, I suppose?" snarled the angry owner of the property. + +"After we left you the other day, sir, my chum and I walked many miles +into the woods, to see the country, and find some views, for you +remember he is a photographer. We were caught unawares by that storm, +and had to spend the night under a rocky shelf. Our comrades were +naturally curious to see the queer place that had been of such great +use to us, and so to-day we took a trip up there." + +"Here is a picture of the rock ledge, Mr. Dennison, so you can see we +are telling you the truth," and Will eagerly held up one of his proofs +as he spoke, which he had hastily taken from his pocket in order to +convince the obstinate old gentleman. + +"But that does not explain your presence here," objected the other, +though he had deigned to glance at the really excellent sun print, for +Will of course had remembered hearing him say that he, too, took a +great interest in photography. + +"Having set our faces toward home," explained Frank, "it was only +natural, sir, that we should make for a trail we had been over before. +That brought us out close to your place, and we are at this very +minute making for the corner below, where I remember we can find what +we are looking for, the trail to Cabin Point." + +Mr. Dennison looked doubtfully at Frank. Few people could resist +believing anything the boy said, for his manner was convincing; but +apparently there was some unknown reason for Mr. Dennison's being +unusually suspicious. + +He shut his teeth hard together as though repressing some sign of +weakening. + +"Whether you are telling the truth or not, boy," he said sternly, "I +want you to understand once for all that you must not come up here +again. I shall instruct my men to keep a constant watch for +trespassers, and deal severely with them. This place is posted, and +any one who dares to enter does so at his own risk. I hope you +understand that, for I should not like to have anything unpleasant +happen to boys." + +"Yes, sir, we understand what you say," replied Frank, "and I give you +my word of honor again that none of us will trespass on your grounds. +If ever we enter there again it will have to be on invitation from the +owner. I can safely speak for my chums as well as myself." + +This last was really meant for impulsive Jerry, just to notify him +that under no conditions must he dream of making Frank's promise void. + +"Then see to it that you keep away from here," said Mr. Dennison, as +unyielding as ever. "Even now you are camping on my property, and I +could order you away if I chose to be harsh. But I have not forgotten +that I too was once a boy. You can stay at Cabin Point unmolested by +my men, but only on condition that you avoid this region up here." + +With that he stepped suddenly back and closed the gap in the board +fence by pulling the door shut after him. The boys walked on, Jerry +looking disappointed. + +"Course I'm glad to say I've actually seen the queer old hermit," he +remarked, "but even there I'm away behind the rest, for all of you +have been inside the dead line, and glimpsed his odd house. Oh, well, +don't look at me that way, Frank; you know mighty well I don't mean to +make you out a liar by sneaking up here and poking my nose into his +private business." + +"Huh!" grunted Bluff presently, as though he had been thinking deeply +over the whole matter, "what's he got in there, anyway, he's so afraid +that people should see, I'd like to know! It's all mighty mysterious, +take my word for it, fellows. But then, like as not none of us will +ever know the truth." + +Again did Frank and Will exchange that sudden glance and nod, showing +that the little secret they shared in common must have some +connection with the subject Bluff was even then harping upon. + +On the way home the talk of course reverted several times to Aaron +Dennison and his strangely fenced-in property. But although many +suggestions were brought out in the discussion, none of them were +fully accepted as correct. + +Frank and Will remained almost silent, and let the other two do most +of the talking. If the opinion of the former was requested now and +then he gave it off-hand, but neither Bluff nor Jerry found much to +encourage him in the information thus gleaned. + +Frank never once lost the dim trail on the way home. He had no +difficulty whatever in following his course, because by now he was +getting familiar with it; and since several of them had tramped over +the ground there were many signs to be found that had not been there +the first time. + +A tired lot of boys it was that joyfully greeted the sight of the +cabin on the Point late that afternoon. + +"But after all's said and done," declared Bluff, "we've had a bully +day!" + +"And I've added considerable to my stock of pictures, if only these +turn out O. K.," added Will, his mind, as usual, running to the one +great subject. + +Later on he and Frank happened to be left alone. Bluff had gone down +to the edge of the lake to clean some fish left over from the day +before, being kept in the water at a shady place; while Jerry was +trying his hand at mending the leaky boat. + +"Let me see that first picture you took of the house, Will," remarked +Frank. + +"I keep it separate from all the rest," explained the other, as he +drew out a little book, and opening it took a print from between the +leaves. "You told me to do that, Frank." + +"Because I didn't know whether we ought to let the other fellows into +this suspicion we've got between us," said Frank, as he accepted the +little print that displayed the building inside the high board fence. +"And right now I'm wondering if we hadn't better keep this out of +their sight until we get home." + +"I take it to mean you're afraid of Jerry and Bluff?" queried Will. +"They are both of them determined fellows, once they take the bit in +their teeth. That face might tantalize Jerry so much that he'd give +in." + +"Of course it's struck you, Will, that there are what seem to be bars +across that window, though neither of us remembers seeing them at the +time. For that matter we failed to glimpse the white face or the +waving handkerchief." + +"Frank, you've been thinking this business over," observed Will, +soberly; "please tell me what decision you've come to. I've kept my +word about not dropping a hint to the other fellows, as you asked me; +and I've also hidden this print away from them. What does it mean, +Frank?" + +"Of course you must remember that I'm only guessing," replied his +chum. "In the first place then, it seems that old Aaron is keeping +some one a prisoner up there!" + +"Whew! is it as bad as that?" gasped Will. + +"It's impossible to make out whether the owner of that white face is a +man, a woman or a child," continued Frank, slowly; "but I'm pretty +sure the window has bars across it. The person saw us, and tried to +attract our attention, but made no sound just then, you remember. +Afterwards we heard that cry." + +Will was plainly much exercised. He seemed to shiver as though he felt +a chill creep over him. + +"But Frank, what would old Aaron keep any one shut up in his place +for?" he demanded. "Why, it would be against the law, you know, to +deprive any one of his liberty." + +"Not under certain conditions, Will," he was told; "and perhaps Mr. +Dennison has the backing of the law in what he's doing." + +Will stared hard at the speaker. + +"Oh! do you mean, Frank, that the person behind that barred window +might be a madman?" + +"That's the only reasonable explanation I'm able to scare up, Will. +Suppose, now, his wife went out of her mind years ago. He cared so +much for her that the thought of having her confined in any ordinary +insane asylum was repulsive to him. What would he do then, having +plenty of money?" + +"It sounds reasonable to me, for a fact. Who could blame him if he +built this house, and surrounded it with a high fence that would keep +the inmate from escaping when allowed in the grounds with an +attendant? Yes, I shouldn't wonder but that you've guessed the truth, +Frank. Everything seems to go to prove it. And then, after all, can +you blame him for getting so huffy when he believed we were trying to +pry into his terrible secret?" + +"I don't think he acted queerly, if what we suspect is true," ventured +Frank. + +"On my part I'm inclined to feel sorry for old Aaron," declared Will, +who had a tender heart. "He looks like a man who has suffered heaps. +And then, you know, he's interested in the same things I am, which +ought to make me think of him as a fellow artist." + +After more talk Will hastily hid the tell-tale print as Jerry was seen +approaching. The other looked a little suspiciously at them as though +he wondered why Will secreted something so hurriedly at his coming; +but other matters arising, he soon forgot the circumstance. + +On the following morning Bluff and Jerry went out in the boat to fish, +and the latter soon found himself enjoying the thrill that comes to +the angler when fast to a vigorous two-pound black bass bred in the +cold water of a big northern lake. + +The fun grew when Bluff struck the mate to Jerry's fighter, and both +boys were put to their best efforts in order to save the fish, as well +as to keep them from fouling the lines, in which case one or both +might have broken away. + +In the end they managed to scoop up both prizes in the landing net, +and this gave them more pleasure than many generals would find in +capturing a fortress. + +About ten o'clock the boys came in. Jerry said they were tired of +sitting in the sun and playing havoc with the fish, for they had put +back many small ones, being real sportsmen. Bluff, on his part, +admitted that he was tired, but declared it lay along the line of +baling out the leaky boat, and not of taking fish. + +"Hey! you two fellows in camp, come down here and look, if you want to +see a sight good for sore eyes!" called Jerry, as he jumped ashore and +commenced to drag the old boat up on the sandy beach. + +Accordingly Frank and Will approached to look at the catch, and not +only admire but tender their congratulations. + +"As fine a mess of bass as I've set eyes on in many a day," announced +Frank. + +"Hello! see who's coming past the cabin, and heading for us!" +exclaimed Will. "There's Mr. Dennison, to begin with, but I don't know +the other man." + +"Well, we do, don't we, Jerry?" ventured Bluff, a vein of uneasiness +in his voice. "We happened to talk with him over at the village. You +can see the badge on his coat from here. That tells who he is--the +constable of the village, and he said he was also the marshal of this +district. But what under the sun does he want at _our_ camp, I'd like +to know!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE ACCUSATION + + +Frank Langdon watched the two men hurrying toward the beach with an +uneasy feeling in the region of his heart. He could easily see that +Aaron Dennison looked angry, and from this it was not difficult to +surmise that fresh trouble hung over the heads of the Outdoor Chums. + +"Whew! what's in the wind now, I wonder?" he heard Bluff asking +himself; and so far as that went both Jerry and Will were also plainly +disturbed. + +The two men quickly reached the spot where the boys were grouped. +Jerry mutely held up the two finest bass he and Bluff had taken. It +was as though he meant to show that they were engaged in legitimate +sport, such as boys in a summer camp were supposed to follow. + +"Here they are, the young rascals, Mr. Jeems. Now do your duty!" +exclaimed Aaron Dennison, harshly. + +Bluff managed to catch the eye of the constable whose acquaintance he +and Jerry had made when in the lake village. Perhaps he gave him a +humorous wink. At any rate, the tall lanky man shrugged his shoulders +and immediately remarked: + +"I guess that you'd better tell the boys what you be suspectin' them +of, Squire. I don't know nothing about the same, and I'm only here to +do what I believes to be my bounden duty as an officer of the law." + +"But I explained to you," expostulated the old man, "that my treasured +cup disappeared mysteriously, and also that yesterday I came upon +these four boys acting in a suspicious manner close to my enclosed +grounds." + +"_Outside_ your grounds, you said, Mr. Dennison," urged the constable. + +"That is very true, Constable. But I chance to know that on two +different occasions some of their number actually had the brazen +audacity to push their way through a gap in the fence." + +"You don't tell me!" exclaimed the other, trying to look very fierce; +but when he saw that whimsical grin on the features of Bluff the +attempt was not much of a success. + +"Worse than that even," continued Mr. Dennison, whipping himself into +higher rage. "That boy with the angel face had the nerve to take a +picture of my house. I caught him in the very act. Think of that, Mr. +Jeems, will you?" + +Frank could have laughed if the situation had not been so very +serious. It seemed as though Mr. Dennison looked on such a thing as +any one's taking a picture of his hidden home as a capital offence; +hanging would about fit such a terrible crime, according to his +opinion. And Will's "angel face" vastly amused them all. + +Desirous of finding out what all the trouble was about, Frank now +turned his attention to the irate old gentleman. When he spoke his +voice was as soothing and respectful as he could make it; for Frank +believed in pouring oil on troubled waters. + +"Mr. Dennison, you surely are very much mistaken if you think for a +minute that either I or any of my chums would ever steal anything. We +are proud of the reputations we have in our home town of Centerville. +None of us can understand what you are accusing us of doing, just +because we happened to be up in the neighborhood of your place +yesterday." + +"Where you had no business to be," snapped the other. + +"Perhaps not, sir," continued Frank, "but I explained to you just how +it happened. And I assure you positively that none of us so much as +put a finger inside your grounds yesterday." + +"You give us your solemn affidavy on that, do you, young feller?" +asked the village constable, eagerly, as though seizing on the first +pretext to make peace. + +"No matter what he says!" cried the owner of Cabin Point. "I tell you +their being in that vicinity just when my treasure was taken so +mysteriously looks suspicious. I firmly believe they know something +about the gold cup, and I shall not leave this spot until I make +certain of their guilt or innocence." + +"Gold cup!" muttered Jerry; "now, what do you think of that? Since +when have the honorable Outdoor Chums taken to cracksmen's ways, I'd +like to know? Wow!" + +"Please let me understand this thing better," pleaded Frank, +determined to win the angry old man over if he could do so. "You say +something you think very highly of has disappeared, Mr. Dennison?" + +"I told you it was a gold cup!" snapped the other. "My nephew, who is +one of the most famous amateur golf players in the country, won it as +a prize in a great competition last summer. He is very proud of it, +and I have cherished that magnificent cup as the apple of my eye. To +have it mysteriously disappear, and feel that in all probability it +may be melted down just for the gold there is in it, almost breaks my +heart." + +"I can easily understand your feelings, Mr. Dennison," said Frank, +quietly. "We happened to meet your nephew while on the way here, +though it never struck any of us before that Gilbert was a Dennison, +for we didn't wholly catch his last name. And, sir, if we can do +anything to help you find the lost cup we'd be only too glad to lend a +hand in the search." + +"Now that's what I calls reasonable, Mr. Dennison," spoke up the +friendly constable, who evidently did not mean to be urged into +extreme measures, if diplomacy and soft words could avoid such a +thing. + +The old man eyed Frank keenly. He looked just as suspicious as ever, +and as though he were trying to understand what the boy might have +secreted back of his words. + +For years Mr. Dennison had been hiding something from the world, and +during that time it was only natural he should be growing more and +more suspicious of every one about him. + +"Your words sound all right, boy," he finally remarked coldly, "but I +am not so easily deceived. You want time to cover up your tracks. +Perhaps you even hope I may invite you and your rowdy companions to +my house, and that the occasion will allow you to satisfy your vulgar +curiosity to the bent." + +These cruel words struck the boys severely. Bluff was heard to mutter +half under his breath, while Jerry frowned and bit his lip as though +he found it very hard to keep from telling Aaron Dennison what he +thought of him. + +Frank himself had to hold back the angry words that tried to escape +his lips; the insult was so uncalled for, so unjust, he thought. + +"Of course, sir, if you have that sort of opinion of all boys," he +went on to say, deliberately, and with considerable dignity for a mere +lad, "you wouldn't want us bothering around. I only meant to show you +how ready we are to lend a hand. I am sure that if the cup you speak +of wasn't simply mislaid it must have been taken by some one belonging +to your own household, and may be returned again." + +The angry man chose to see some hidden meaning back of Frank's words, +which were after all only natural, considering the circumstances. + +"There, straws show which way the wind blows!" he exclaimed, turning +toward the constable; "and you can see, Mr. Jeems, how these boys have +been talking over my private affairs among themselves. They are really +consumed by a curiosity to know about matters that do not concern +them; and in prowling around my place have perhaps been tempted to +take things that did not belong to them." + +"But Mr. Dennison, if this prize gold cup was so precious why did you +leave it around so that it could be easily taken?" asked Will, +suddenly, as though this idea had struck him as strange. + +"Because in the first place," replied the old man, "I was fool enough +to believe my people were as honest as the day was long; and the +thought that any outsider would ever try to enter my house never came +to me until lately. In fact, it was after meeting you boys in my +grounds that I began to feel uneasy, since I saw it would be possible +for a robbery to occur, once desperate men conceived the plan to break +in." + +"And even then you did not put the golden cup away in some place of +security--you continued to leave it out where servants and others +could reach it, did you, sir?" Frank continued, with something of a +lawyer's skill at cross questioning. + +"It was beginning to worry me," confessed the old man, frowning. "I +found myself wishing my nephew would hasten his return, and take +possession of his prized cup. Then last night I had a bad dream in +which it seemed to me that thieves entered my house, and among other +things took away Gilbert's loving cup." + +"Last night, you say, sir, this happened?" questioned Frank. + +"Yes, and it gave me such a shock that when I awoke and remembered the +dream, the first thing I did was to hurry to the closet where two days +previously I had placed the gold cup. It was gone!" + +"Of course you questioned your servants, sir, to learn if any one had +misplaced it?" asked Frank, bent on understanding everything. + +"They were filled with consternation," continued Mr. Dennison. "I have +a housekeeper, a nurse, and two men employed on the place, no more. +One of them suggested that I send to the village and have Mr. Jeems +come to the house. While waiting for the constable I suddenly +remembered about meeting you boys yesterday, and like a flash it +struck me that you were guilty." + +"That is a hard thing to say about us, Mr. Dennison," urged Will. +"What object could we have in taking your gold cup? We have plenty of +money, as you can discover by telegraphing to Centerville; and our +neighbors will vouch for our honesty." + +"I do not know," said the old man, rubbing his forehead as though +puzzled. "Boys have always been a deep mystery to me. I never had one +to raise, for as a baby he was taken away from me; and I have always +felt it was that loss which unsettled--but it does not matter. I +believe you might have carried off the gold prize cup won by Gilbert +in the golf tournament last year, perhaps thinking it a lark. So I am +prepared to say to you here and now, if such was the case, and you +will immediately restore my property to me, I will say nothing about +it. If you refuse, it will go hard with you." + +"But Mr. Dennison!" expostulated Frank, "we have never so much as set +eyes on any sort of a gold loving cup, so you can see how impossible +it would be for us to hand it over to you." + +"And what is more," burst from the indignant Bluff, unable to hold +back any longer, "we insist on your searching all our duffle to see +whether we've got that cup hidden away." + +"Yes," added Jerry, "I'm sure none of us would feel right if you +didn't examine every bit of our possessions. We're in just the same +position as Joseph's brethren when they were leaving Egypt, and +overtaken by a messenger who said a cup or something had been stolen +while they were getting corn at the capital." + +"Hey! what's that you're saying, Jerry?" exclaimed Bluff, startled by +the comparison, "don't you remember they did find the lost thing, and +in Benjamin's pack, too?" + +"But it was put there at the orders of Joseph, wasn't it?" demanded +the one who had told the old-time story; "and for a purpose too. But +make your mind easy for they can't play that game on us. The lost cup +isn't at Cabin Point." + +"Then you will offer no objections to our making a search, do I +understand?" asked Mr. Dennison, eagerly. + +"Rather, we insist on your doing that, sir!" said Will, promptly, for +it galled his proud soul to be under suspicion, especially when such a +thing as the taking of a valuable piece of property was concerned. + +Frank immediately led the way to the log cabin. Mr. Dennison paid not +the least attention to the fact that the boys had done so much to make +the forlorn place habitable since taking possession. All he seemed to +be thinking of just then was that missing golden cup, and the +possibility of discovering it somewhere among the possessions of these +young boys, to whom he had taken such a violent antipathy. + +They passed inside the old building, which, if the guess of the boys +was correct, had long years before been the home of Mr. Dennison at a +time before he possessed much of this world's goods. + +"I call on you to help me in the search, Constable!" said the owner of +the cabin. + +"And we will only too gladly do all we can to assist, sir!" declared +Will, who secretly meant to keep hold of his camera, for fear lest it +be knocked to the floor and injured beyond repair. + +Upon that every one began the search. Mr. Dennison did not do so much +himself, but he kept those keen eyes of his constantly on the watch, +as though to let nothing escape him. + +The constable apparently did not fancy his job. He went about it in +what appeared to be a half-hearted fashion. In fact, when he and Bluff +came together, as the boy emptied his clothes bag, and shook each +individual extra garment, the wearer of the nickel badge muttered +something half under his breath that sounded in the nature of an +apology. + +Evidently Mr. Jeems was a believer in boys, if the old hermit was not. +And when Frank afterwards learned that he had seven youngsters of his +own at home, he knew the reason of the constable's sympathy. + +By degrees the search included every nook and cranny about the old +cabin where it seemed possible an article like the missing golden cup +could be secreted. Still nothing rewarded the efforts of the +constable. + +"It shore ain't here, Mr. Dennison!" remarked the perspiring officer, +as he dropped the empty clothes bag belonging to Jerry; "and I guess +we'll have to give the hunt up, sir." + +"Wait!" snapped Mr. Dennison, his eyes sparkling afresh, as though a +sudden and brilliant thought had flashed across his mind. "It stands +to reason that a thief would be apt to hide his plunder in some place +where he believed it could not be easily found. Of course it was not +among their clothes. But perhaps there may be other secret hiding +places." + +He seemed to glance around at the bare walls. Then Frank saw him drop +his gaze toward the floor. + +"That's a loose board there, Mr. Jeems," the hermit said excitedly; +"see if you can raise it. I should think a cavity under that board +would offer a safe hiding place for anything that had been stolen. +Lift it up, Mr. Jeems, and let us see." + +"I will help him do it!" exclaimed Bluff, eagerly, and leaning forward +he inserted his fingers in the crack, and secured a good hold of the +loose plank. + +The constable, also, had by this time taken a firm grip on the board. + +"All together, son; there she be!" Mr. Jeems called out, as he +strained himself at his task; and in another second the plank was +placed to one side. + +Mr. Dennison leaned eagerly over. Then, uttering a cry of mingled +delight and savage satisfaction, he snatched an object from the gaping +hole, and hurriedly held it up so that every one could see plainly +what it was. + +Frank and his three chums held their breath in astonishment, for they +found themselves looking on a loving cup made of gold, upon which were +fashioned various beautifully executed designs especially interesting +to those who were devoted to play upon the golf links. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +REPAYING HIS DEBT + + +"Gee whiz!" + +Of course it was Jerry Wallington giving vent to the feeling of utter +amazement that very nearly overcame him. His words accurately +expressed the feelings that filled the heart and soul of the other +three chums as well. + +Meanwhile Mr. Dennison was holding that wonderful trophy aloft, and +laughing to himself. He acted as though wild with delight over its +recovery. Frank was watching him closely, and could see no sign of +"make-believe" in his actions. + +"What did I tell you, Mr. Jeems?" cried the old hermit, excitedly. "I +said they had taken the cup, either to sell it, or in a spirit of +boyish mischief. And now you'll believe me, because here we find it +hidden under the floor of their cabin. The young rascals--to add to +their offense by trying to deceive us so! Do your duty, Mr. Jeems; I +will prosecute them to the limit of the law!" + +Frank began to feel anxious. He could see that Mr. Dennison meant what +he was saying. Even the recovery of his property had apparently not +softened his heart as might have been expected. + +All then depended on the constable. If he showed a disposition to +assert his authority there would be an untold volume of trouble, and +their vacation plans would be "all messed up," as Jerry would say. + +"Mr. Dennison," said Frank, trying to keep his voice steady, "I am +glad that you have found your lost golden cup; but I want to tell you, +sir, none of us knows the least thing about it, nor how it happened to +be in that hole." + +"A likely story, boy," sneered the other, "which may and may not be +believed by the justice of the peace when you are brought before him. +Evidence no stronger than this has hung men before now." + +"Whew!" gasped Bluff, startled more than he would have cared to admit +upon hearing the vindictive old hermit talk in that strain. + +Jerry and Will were both indignant. + +"When we first came here," said the former, "we tripped so many times +over that loose plank that we raised it up to settle the earth +underneath. There was certainly no gold cup lying there then where +you just now found it, I give you my word on that, sir!" + +"Certainly not," agreed Mr. Dennison, "because at that time it was +safe under my roof. But I want you to notice, Mr. Jeems, that they +admit knowing of this hole under the loose plank. It made a very good +hiding-place for valuable property, as you can see." + +"Yes, sir," suddenly spoke up Frank, "and apparently this is not the +first time it has been used for that same purpose. When we looked we +found this silver coin there, a part of an old yellow envelope, and +this fragment of what seems to have once been a baby's shoe." + +He picked the several things up as he mentioned them, for they had +been lying on a little shelf, where Frank himself had placed them days +before. Watching Mr. Dennison's face, Frank saw it turn white as the +eyes of the old man were focussed on that poor little remnant of what +had once been a baby's shoe. + +Involuntarily the old man thrust out his hand, and Frank quickly +dropped the article into his palm. He could see that Mr. Dennison was +very much affected. Doubtless memories long since buried were once +more resurrected by the sight of that reminder of his once happy past. + +Frank wondered whether he would relent and decide to let matters +drop, or once more demand that the constable take them all to the +village, to be held for trial before the justice. + +When he saw the man thrust into his pocket the fragment of the tiny +shoe, the leather of which was now dried up and hard, and then frown +again at them, Frank expected the worst. + +"Since you have also tried to deceive me, after robbing my house in +this shameless manner," said Mr. Dennison, "I believe I shall be only +doing my duty toward the community if I see to it that you are +severely punished." + +"Do you mean, sir, that you would have us arrested?" asked Frank. + +"That is exactly my present intention," affirmed the other, showing +that he was still angry, and bent on punishing those he believed to +have wronged him. + +"But you have found your cup again, sir; and we still declare on our +honor that until you picked it up just now none of us has ever set +eyes on it before." + +When Frank said this he found the keen orbs of the hermit fastened on +his face as though the other would read his very soul through the +windows of the boy's eyes; but not once did Frank flinch. + +"That is very true, boy," said Mr. Dennison, "but I believe in +justice, and that it is the wrong thing to be too lenient with +culprits. When young fellows are given to such practices as this they +need to be brought up with a round turn. So I mean to have the +constable arrest you all!" + +To the astonishment of Frank and his three companions, just at that +moment there was a new element injected into the game. Some one +hurriedly entered the cabin; and somehow Frank breathed a little more +freely when he recognized the newcomer as the young man whom they had +been able to help while on the way to Cabin Point. + +It was Gilbert Dennison, the old hermit's nephew. + +"Please wait a minute before you go to such extreme measures, Uncle!" +he exclaimed, as he hurried to the side of the hermit, whose face lost +some of its stern expression as he recognized his relative. + +"I'm glad to see you again, Nephew," he observed; "and pleased to give +over into your keeping the cup you value so highly. I shall insist on +your taking it back to town with you when you go. It has already given +me one bad scare, and I do not feel able to stand another, with all +the troubles I already stagger under." + +"But what is this I heard you say about having these boys arrested, +Uncle?" continued Gilbert. "Surely you must believe them when they +protest their innocence? I have been up at the house, and was told +about the cup's disappearance; also that you had come down here with +the constable, meaning to have some one taken up for the crime. But I +hope you will not think of doing such a thing now." + +"I consider it a sacred duty I owe to the community, Nephew," urged +the stubborn old hermit. "All the circumstances point to one of these +boys as the culprit, and he should by all means be punished. Why +should you interfere with my designs, Gilbert?" + +"Let me tell you, Uncle," burst out Gilbert, eagerly. "I owe my life, +it may be, to these same boys." + +"How is this?" asked his uncle, looking somewhat bewildered. "They did +say they had met you while on the way here, but in what fashion could +they have done you a favor?" + +"In my hurry to catch the train after the vehicle broke down," +explained Gilbert, "I stumbled in a very dangerous place on the road, +lost my footing, and fell over the edge of a precipice. I managed to +clutch hold a dozen feet down, but must in the end have let go and +fallen to the bottom only for the coming of these boys, who rescued +me in a remarkably clever and very unusual way." + +Bluff gave a satisfied grunt. After all Gilbert was a pretty decent +sort of fellow, he made up his mind; though at the time of the +adventure Bluff had thought him rather ungrateful to hurry away so +fast, and not half thank them for all the trouble they had taken. + +Mr. Dennison apparently had reason to believe anything his nephew +said. That was evident from the change that came over his manner. He +looked at Frank and his three chums again, shrugged his shoulders, and +then went on to remark: + +"Of course if that is the case, Nephew, and you are indebted to these +boys for helping you out of a bad fix, I have nothing more to say. +Because of that they can go free, for all of me; though I may live to +repent my kindness; because no matter how they protest, the fact +remains that the cup was found under this floor, and I still firmly +believe they secreted it there." + +The kind-hearted constable was grinning as he winked at Bluff. It was +very evident that the new conditions pleased Mr. Jeems; since he was +relieved from executing a most disagreeable duty. + +Mr. Dennison told the officer to come outside with him, and Gilbert +added that he would join his uncle in a minute. + +Left in the company of the four chums Gilbert's first act was to offer +Frank his hand. It was done with such a boyish freedom that the other +eagerly grasped the outstretched hand, and squeezed it in return. + +"Of course it goes without saying," began the college boy, "that I do +not believe any one of you could do such a thing as steal my cup. +There's a queer mystery about its being found under this floor, and I +intend to discover the truth before long. In the meantime I hope +you'll stay here and enjoy yourselves the best way you know how." + +"And we'd like to see more of you, if you expect to stay around here +longer," spoke up Jerry, impulsively. + +"I promise that you shall," assented Gilbert; "because I, too, am fond +of camping, fishing, and all such things; and I can see how my stay up +here might be prolonged indefinitely, if such a jolly set could be +found to help kill time." + +"Did you win in the golf tournament?" asked Bluff, as though to show +that they knew about his ambition in that sport. + +"I'm sorry to say that I came in a poor second this time," laughed the +other; "and I really believe it was because I didn't have the kind of +balls I'm in the habit of using." + +This was the opportunity poor anxious Will had been waiting for. + +"We've got your bag safe and sound here, Gilbert!" he exclaimed, +springing forward to pick the leather receptacle up, for it, too, had +been closely examined by the constable, acting under Mr. Dennison's +orders; "and I certainly hope my precious Maine films are in the same +condition." + +"Make your mind easy on that score, my boy," he was told by the other; +"although I was terribly provoked when first I opened the bag and saw +them, I understood that the mistake was all mine. So I took good care +of your films, though I had a photographer make me a print from the +whole bunch. I must say they are some of the most interesting pictures +I've ever seen. I wanted Uncle to admire them, for he, too, is devoted +to photographic work." + +Of course this news caused Will to lose the anxious expression that +his chums had noticed on his face at times. + +"The bag I left up at the house," continued Gilbert, "but you shall +have it in a short time. There's uncle calling me, so I'll have to +move along; but you can expect me again before long," and with that he +hurried out of the cabin. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +GROPING IN THE DARK + + +"Well, I feel as weak as a sick cat, after meeting with such an +adventure as that!" exclaimed Jerry, after he and his three chums once +more found themselves alone in the cabin. + +"To think of our being accused of being common, every-day thieves!" +grumbled the indignant Bluff. "Why, it just makes my blood fairly +boil!" + +"But I'm mighty glad to know my films are all right," Will burst forth +with, and this remark showed that this important fact took precedence +of all others in his mind. + +Frank stepped over to the opening where the plank had been removed, +and glanced down as he rubbed his chin reflectively. + +"Look here, fellows," he said to the others, "all of you saw the hole +under this board that time we found the coin, the half of an old +envelope with Mr. Dennison's name on it in faded writing, and that +baby shoe; isn't it so?" + +"Of course we did, Frank," assented Jerry; "and I want to make my +solemn affidavit to the fact that there wasn't any gold cup lying +there then." + +"Will, you are just as positive about that as Jerry, of course?" +continued Frank. + +"Well, I should say I was!" came the prompt reply. + +"And you too, Bluff?" Frank went on, evidently intending that there +should not be a single dissenting voice in the group. + +Bluff immediately lifted his hand, with the fingers stiffened as +though he fancied himself on the witness stand. + +"Give you my word for it, Frank; nothing doing," he asserted in his +customary vigorous manner, that was usually very convincing. + +"Gilbert came up to the scratch smiling, didn't he?" remarked Jerry; +"and I take it he's going to turn out a pretty decent sort of a +fellow." + +"Queer, isn't it," Will was saying, "how chickens do come home to +roost? When we stopped a little while on our way here, and pulled +Gilbert up by the use of that wild grape-vine, none of us ever dreamed +he'd be in a position to return the favor, and yet see what happened. +What's that old proverb about the bread thrown to the fishes, or +something like that?" + +"You must mean 'bread cast upon the waters will come back again ere +many days,'" explained Frank, smilingly. + +"All right, no matter how it runs, it worked, you see," continued +Will. "We got Gilbert out, and now he has returned the favor." + +"Huh! strikes me he kept us from getting in," interrupted Bluff; +"because the old gentleman seemed bent on ordering Mr. Jeems to arrest +us, and throw us in the village lockup." + +"Luck still seems to hang out with us," ventured Jerry; "and you know +they say it's a heap better to be born lucky than rich. Money may fly +away, but so long as luck stands back of you it's easy to get +everything you want." + +"But all the same that mystery of the golden cup bothers me," said +Frank. + +"Yes, that's a fact," added Jerry. "How in the wide world could it +ever have come into this cabin, when we know it wasn't here a few days +ago?" + +"Mr. Dennison admits it was safe in his house until about the day +before yesterday," continued Frank; and then he cast a sly look out of +the tail of his eye in the direction of Jerry. + +Truth to tell, Frank was just a trifle uneasy concerning that member +of the little party. There was a shadow of a reason why he should +feel that way, too. He could only too easily remember how impulsive +Jerry had hinted that he felt a great temptation to try to find out +what the secret of the hermit's house was. At the time he expressed +this longing Frank had taken him severely to task; and Jerry had +promised faithfully to forego all effort to pry into matters that were +none of his concern. + +Jerry as a rule could be depended on. When he gave his word about +anything it was as good as his bond, and Jerry was proud to declare +that. + +Frank could not bring himself to believe there could be anything in +this sudden thought. Even if Jerry had crept out in the night-time +while his chums were fast asleep, how could the boy possibly have made +his way along the trail to the hermit's place, have entered the house +and carried off the valuable cup, to hide it under the cabin floor? + +No wonder Frank decided that such an explanation of the mystery was +impossible. Even if they never learned the truth he could not bring +himself to suspect any of his chums of doing such a monstrous thing. + +To the surprise and also the consternation of Frank, he found that +Jerry had noticed his manner, and he immediately accused the other. + +"I can guess easily enough what you're thinking, Frank," asserted +Jerry, with offended dignity marked in his manner; "but 'tisn't so, I +tell you. I never set eyes on that old cup before he snatched it up +out of that hole." + +"No need of your saying that, Jerry," declared Frank, "because I +believe you are as innocent as I can be myself. I only happened to +remember that you talked of wanting to sneak up there and spy around a +bit, though you owned it would be mean. And I also chance to know that +you've been around every hour since you came back from the village." + +"I'm blessed if I can make head or tail out of the game," admitted +Jerry. "I never was a good hand at guessing answers to riddles; and +say, let me tell you this thing is the toughest nut to crack that ever +came our way, eh, Frank?" + +"It's going to bother us a heap, that's right, Jerry." + +"But somehow I've got my little hunch, Frank, that in the end you'll +hit on the answer. It may take a lot of time and figuring, but I sure +believe you can do it." + +"It may be Gilbert can help us out," suggested Will, just then. + +"But how would he know anything about the job," objected Bluff, "when +he just got back from that golf tournament?" + +Frank bent down and looked closely into the hole. + +"All we know for certain is that somebody put that gold trophy cup in +here," he observed reflectively. + +"Yes, and if the old plank could talk it'd be easy for us to get at +the truth. But then of course that isn't possible," Jerry remarked, +with a sigh. + +"Help me to put the plank back in place again," said Frank, and after +this had been done he commenced to work at it as if to see whether one +person could manage to raise the heavy board. + +"It can be done, you see," was what Frank said, as, managing to get +his fingers underneath, he raised the plank a little. + +"Now what's the line you're figuring on, Frank?" demanded Jerry; +"because it's as plain to me as the nose on my face that you've struck +a strong clue." + +"Yes, tell us what it is, won't you, Frank?" urged Will. + +"Well, listen," the other began to say, slowly, as with upraised +finger he marked off each point in his theory. "Look back a little, +Will, to when we got home here after our high jinks up in the woods. +Don't you remember what we discovered the first thing?" + +Will thereupon uttered an exclamation, while his face lighted up with +eagerness. + +"That's so, Frank!" he exclaimed; "we knew somebody had been in here +after we started out the afternoon before. The door wasn't shut close, +and a chair lay on its side on the floor. Besides that, a number of +little things showed they had been disturbed. Yes, somebody had been +in the cabin!" + +Jerry gave a shrill cry in which delight could be traced. + +"It was that person, then, who hid the pesky old cup under the loose +plank; that goes without saying, Frank!" he announced, as though his +mind was made up to that fact and could not be easily changed. + +"Well, even if we agree on that," said Bluff, "how're we going to +learn who the intruder was? To tell you the truth, it gets me why a +sneak thief would steal just that gold loving cup of Gilbert's, and +then come all the way down here to hide it under the floor." + +"Frank, you're keeping something back; I can see it in your face!" +cried Will. "Tell us, do you think old Aaron put that cup here +himself?" + +"Whew! that would be the limit, I should say!" gasped Jerry. + +All of them waited to hear what Frank would have to say. The leader +of the Outdoor Chums did not reply hastily, for Frank did not wish to +commit himself in so grave a matter without due consideration. Still, +he must have had his mind made up fairly well, for presently he +started to answer. + +"Let's see, fellows, how the case stands," he told them. "We know that +long ago Aaron Dennison once lived in this cabin. We also know that he +probably kept what little money he owned in those days down under that +loose plank. The finding of that old mouldy half dollar points toward +that. So you see he knew about the cavity under the board." + +"So far as that goes, Frank," observed Bluff, "you could see by the +way he had the constable raise the plank that he knew. But I was +watching his face at the time, and let me tell you he looked as +astonished to see the cup lying there as any one of us did, and that +means a lot." + +"That's what bothers me," admitted Frank; "one minute I seem to think +Mr. Dennison put the cup there; and then again I'm just as certain +that he believes us guilty of stealing it. We'll have to keep trying +to find the answer; but just now, Jerry, you and Bluff had better get +busy cleaning those fine bass you hooked, if we mean to have them for +dinner to-day." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +AN UNEXPECTED APPEAL + + +The fish were what Bluff called "gilt-edged." Perhaps he was a little +prejudiced in the matter, because he had had a share in capturing the +gamy fighters. But there was not a dissenting voice when Jerry moved +that they pronounce the finny denizens of the big lake unequalled for +their many fine qualities. + +That evening, as they sat around taking things easy, for it was rather +warm and the fire not needed, the conversation ranged over a wide +field. Many events of the past were recalled, one thing seeming to +lead to another. + +Will was fairly bubbling over with joy on account of his recent streak +of good luck. He counted the promised safe return of those precious +films as a glorious thing. + +"Why shouldn't I feel that way?" he expostulated, when Bluff took him +to task for referring to the matter so frequently. "Think of our great +trip up into the Maine wilderness and the many strange things we saw +there," he went on, referring to matters already related in "The +Outdoor Chums in the Big Woods." "My pictures took a prize, remember; +and besides they recall the happy days we spent up there last fall." + +"Will is right," declared Frank; "and I'm almost as glad as he is over +the recovery of his property; because I know he's got some sort of +scheme in his mind to enlarge some of those same pictures. It couldn't +easily be done with the negatives lost." + +"Before we shake the dust of this section from our feet," continued +the ardent photographer, "I mean to explore every rod of territory +around here." + +"Looking for new and interesting sights, of course?" quizzed Bluff. + +"Yes, because you never do know at what minute you may run smack up +against the most wonderful picture going," pursued Will. "That's one +reason I'm so keen about traveling over new ground. There's always a +chance ahead of you." + +"Well, right here we're bounded on one hand by the big water, which +cuts off about half your chances," suggested Jerry. + +"Some time or other you might go to the lake shore village," said +Bluff; "because if I'm any judge of things you'd find some remarkable +characters there to snap off." + +"You've already got pictures of old Aaron and his hermit shell; one of +the latter being a cracking good snap of the house. How did the other +view turn out, Will?" + +Again that quick look of intelligence passed between Frank and Will. +They were still of the opinion that for the present there was no +necessity for the other boys to know about the strange white face in +the barred window of the hermit's lonely home. + +"Oh! it doesn't seem to be quite as clear as the one you saw," Will +explained. "The sunlight didn't strike as well, and there are too many +shadows. Some time or other when I think of it I'll take off a lighter +print, which may improve the looks of the thing." + +Not having the least suspicion there could be anything singular +connected with that second view of the hermit's house, Bluff did not +pursue the subject any further. + +Of course Will had his flashlight working again. In roaming around he +had found traces of a sly fox that made its home amidst some rocks, +and Will, after more or less hard study, believed he could see the +regular track taken by clever Reynard in coming and going. + +"There's one thing sure," remarked Will, proudly, when relating how he +had investigated, and figured, and found out many things in connection +with that particular little animal, "this hunting with a camera +certainly does force a fellow to become acquainted with the habits of +every kind of bird and animal." + +"There's no doubt about that, Will," Frank immediately assented; "and +I warrant right now you're in closer touch with Nature ten times over +than you'd have been if you hadn't taken up this fad or hobby." + +"I should say so!" continued the enthusiast, his face kindling with +earnestness. "Why, before that I never bothered my head much about the +habits of foxes, 'coons, squirrels, minks, bobcats, or anything that +had its hiding-place in the woods or in burrows under the rocks. But +now I'm forever trying to learn new things about the way they live, +and how they get their food." + +"Of course I can understand that," admitted Jerry; "us fellows who +love to hunt wild game have to know a lot about their habits. It's the +same if you go after the wily black bass--if you're green about his +ways you can fish till you drop and never get a single bite." + +"I've had something to do with both kinds of sport," said Frank, +seriously; "and I want to say right here that I certainly believe +hunting with a camera beats the gun business all hollow. You get in +closer touch with the little animals when you're only trying to take +their pictures, and not harm them. I warrant now Will often counts +them as his friends, and that they show little fear of him." + +That launched the camera advocate into a fervent description of many +meetings with his coy subjects, and the tricks he was compelled to +resort to in order to let them understand he meant them no harm. + +So the evening passed pleasantly. + +There was nothing in the way of a disturbance to break in upon their +sleep. Will had posted his camera trap a full quarter of a mile away, +and even if it worked at any time during the night they would not know +it. + +The moon arose about the middle of the night, but none of the boys had +any use for the battered lantern in the sky, since they remained under +the cabin roof until morning broke. + +As before, they took a little dip in the cold waters of the lake in +order to get in good trim for a warm day. Then breakfast followed, and +was heartily enjoyed, although with their healthy appetites there was +nothing wonderful about that. + +Each of them had laid out plans for the morning. + +"We'll give the bass a rest for one day," remarked Bluff; "because if +we make it too common the zest of catching and eating them is apt to +wear away. Besides, I don't believe it's as good a morning for fishing +as yesterday was. Then, we'd have to use that little mosquito netting +seine, and get some more minnows." + +"Last but not least," laughingly added Jerry, "the cranky old tub of a +boat leaks again like a sieve, and some of us ought to get busy +patching it up while we have a chance." + +"Yes," said Will, who of course knew that the job would never fall to +his share, "I always believe in having everything ready beforehand; +because you never know in what a big hurry it may be needed." + +Of course Will had hurried out to where his camera lay long before he +would touch a bite of breakfast; he even gave up the early morning dip +in his anxiety to learn whether the bait had been jerked, and the +camera made to do its duty. + +By this time Will had become quite expert, so that there was little +danger of what Bluff, taking his cue from the golfers, would have +called a "foozle." + +To see the joy written upon his face when he came hurrying back to +announce almost breathlessly that success had rewarded his efforts, +one might even suspect the boy had never before succeeded in +photographing a sly fox in this manner. + +It was a busy morning for all. + +Frank rather expected to see Gilbert, but when noon came and the other +had not as yet put in an appearance he decided that he must be +detained for good reasons. Perhaps by another day he would find it +convenient to drop in and see the campers at Cabin Point. + +"From the way he talked," Bluff remarked, when at lunch they were +speaking of Mr. Dennison's nephew, "I got the notion that Gilbert +would like to stay over here a spell with us, and enjoy some of our +doings." + +"He did say he was fond of camping, and for all we know he may have +been around some up in Michigan or Wisconsin," suggested Jerry. + +"Well," added Bluff, a little boastfully, "when it comes to +experiences I reckon the Outdoor Chums don't have to occupy a back +seat! We might relate some things that would make Gilbert sit up and +take notice." + +"I think he's the kind of fellow who would enjoy hearing about the +things we've seen and done," Frank told them. "I'm glad now I brought +along my little note-book in which I jotted down many of the things +that have happened since we first got together and formed the 'Rod, +Gun and Camera Club.'" + +"Yes, and I'm fond of looking over that journal of yours myself, +Frank," admitted Will. "Of course I didn't have as big a part in a +whole lot of the adventures as the rest of you, but all the same they +belonged to our crowd." + +"And then don't forget, Will," continued Frank, "that Mr. Dennison +admitted to us he was fond of photography. Gilbert said as much, too, +when he spoke about having a set of your Maine pictures printed to +show his uncle. You may get on good terms with this singular old man, +and have some mighty pleasant times in his company." + +"He looks pretty severe," commented Will, "but then there's a reason +for that, I guess; and once he gets thawed out he'll be a different +sort. Nothing like finding a fellow's pet hobby and working it, to +make him friendly." + +None of them thought to go far away during that afternoon. It did not +look very promising, for clouds could be seen hovering along the +horizon, the heat was intense, and all of them agreed that a storm +might creep up. + +Their last experience in a storm had been so unpleasant that somehow +they seemed to shrink involuntarily from a repetition so soon. Later +on, when the memory became fainter, they might again take risks, after +the manner of buoyant youth the world over. + +Bluff and Jerry were pleased with their work on the boat. They had +taken great pains this time, and felt sure the calking was there to +stay. Still, they contented themselves with planning another fishing +excursion for the coming morning. Bluff had discovered a place where +minnows were very plentiful, and hence they could be assured of a good +haul at any time, with but little exertion. + +The day was nearing an end, and there was some talk of getting supper +ready when a cry from Jerry outside the cabin brought the others +hurrying forth. + +They found him talking with a small boy who seemed greatly excited, +for his face was peaked and white, and terror could be seen in his +dilated eyes. + +Apparently he had hurried in a veritable panic through the forest, for +he had various scratches on his face, and a lump on his forehead +showed where he had struck a stone after tripping over a root or a +vine. + +Naturally Frank and the other two were at once filled with curiosity +to know who the boy was, and what had brought him to Cabin Point. +Jerry had already started to question the panting lad, and the other +was trying to explain, although his words came in jerks and disjointed +sentences. + +"I'm Sandy Moogs--my dad's a woodchopper--workin' now up yonder 'bout +three miles--tree fell on him--broke his leg, he reckons--in a heap o' +pain--can't hardly crawl--knowed you-uns was at Cabin Point--sent me +to git help--he sez as how he'll bleed to death by mawnin' if he ain't +helped--I hopes as how you'll kim along with me--he's my dad, you +know!" + +The four exchanged looks when this pitiful story was unfolded in +gasps. It was a foregone conclusion that they would go, for never had +the Outdoor Chums rejected an appeal for assistance. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +FIRST AID TO THE INJURED + + +"Of course we'll all go, Frank!" Bluff was saying, almost before the +boy who had given his name as Sandy Moogs finished speaking. + +Frank had to decide without much waste of time, and he did so in his +customary sensible way. + +"This woodchopper is probably a pretty husky sort of fellow, as most +of them are," he said, loud enough for the others to hear; "and if +he's in such a bad shape we may even have to carry him all the way +here, so as to look after his hurts, and keep him out of a storm." + +"We could make a litter and carry him, you know, Frank," suggested +Jerry. + +"Just what I had in mind," the other agreed. + +"And it would need four to carry a heavy man for a long distance," was +Will's comment; "so that means we must all go along." + +"Then we'll call it settled," Frank decided. + +"How about supper?" came from Jerry, faintly, as though he felt bound +to mention such an important matter, and yet at the same time +experienced more or less shame about seeming to be greedy. + +"Have to wait until we get back," the leader announced. "If anybody is +near the starving point right now let him pick up some crackers to +munch as he trots along." + +No one seemed willing to display such weakness, for there was only a +rush to get hats and coats, while Frank made sure of the camp hatchet +and some heavy twine, as well as a piece of strong canvas that could +be used in making the stretcher on which the injured woodchopper was +to be carried. + +By this time the small boy had managed to get his breath. He looked +pleased on discovering that the campers meant to respond so handsomely +to his appeal for aid. It could be plainly seen that Sandy cared +greatly for his father, and now that the prospect of the injured man's +being assisted had grown brighter, the boy felt greatly relieved. + +After all, only a brief time elapsed before they were ready to start. +Frank had of course seen to it that Doctor Will carried along some of +his stock in trade, in the shape of bandages and liniment. They would +certainly be needed, for the boy had assured them that his father was +losing considerable blood because of his wound. + +"You're certain you can take us straight to the place, are you, +Sandy?" asked Frank, just as they were ready to start. + +"I shore kin do that same!" replied the sturdy little chap. "I was +born in the woods, and never got lost even onct. I smell my way dark +nights." + +This last assertion amused Bluff and Jerry, but Frank knew what the +boy meant. He had been given an intuition that never failed him in so +far as direction was concerned. If asked a question in connection with +any point of the compass he could reply with positive accuracy, and +without the slightest hesitation. + +Watching how he made his way along, Frank soon ascertained that the +boy was actually leading them over the very route he had taken in +making for Cabin Point. He proved this several times by pointing out +where he had fallen when an unseen vine caught his foot; or made a +little detour in order to avoid some thorny bushes that had scratched +his face and hands on the other occasion. + +One mile, two, had been passed over, and still the boy led them on. +Sandy had called it about three miles, and since he was so remarkably +clever at woodcraft in so far as direction went, Frank hoped his +knowledge of distance might be equally accurate. + +No one complained. Even Will, who was less robust than his mates, and +not as accustomed to hurrying along through dense woods, shut his +teeth hard together and persevered. He had been sensible enough to +leave his camera behind, Frank having convinced him that it would be +an unnecessary burden, for if they had to carry the wounded man all +that distance back to the cabin they would find their hands full +without other impedimenta. + +After more time had elapsed the question was put to the boy. + +"Are we nearly there now, Sandy?" + +"'Most nigh the place," came the prompt reply. "This here's the +burnin' where the charcoal was made last year. On'y a little furder, +an' we'll be up to dad. And oh! I hopes he's alive yet, I shore does!" + +Frank of course comforted him the best he could. + +"Your father is a big strong man, Sandy, and like as not he knows +something of the way to stop some of the bleeding by using a rag +twisted around a stick and pressed down on the artery. Most woodsmen +do, I've found. He'll be all right, Sandy. And boys, let's all give a +loud whoop. It may encourage the poor fellow some to know we're +coming along." + +Accordingly they united their strong young voices in a brave shout +that could easily have been heard half a mile away. Although they +listened they did not hear a reply. A woodpecker screamed as he clung +to a rotten treetop; some saucy crows scolded and chattered as they +craned their necks and looked down on the line of passing boys; but +all else was silence. + +Sandy was evidently worried because of this, but Frank reassured him. + +"He doesn't want to waste what strength he has in shouting, Sandy; but +three to one we'll find him waiting for us to come along. How far are +we away now?" + +"Oh! it's just over there at t'other side of that rise!" gasped the +boy. + +They pushed quickly on, increasing their pace if anything, such was +the anxiety they were now beginning to share with poor Sandy Moogs, +the woodchopper's son. + +"I see him!" cried sharp-sighted Jerry. + +"There, he waved his hand at us, Sandy, so you see he's all right!" +added Frank, only too glad of the opportunity to relieve the pent-up +feelings of the dutiful son of the injured man. + +In another minute they had reached his side. Frank and Will began +immediately to busy themselves with attending to his injury. Bluff and +Jerry, taking the hatchet, started to hunt for the proper kind of +poles with which a litter could be framed. + +Frank instantly saw that the man had suffered a serious injury. Not +only was the leg broken but the flesh had been badly lacerated, and he +had lost a large amount of blood. + +It turned out just as Frank had said, for the woodchopper, after Sandy +had run away to seek aid, had bethought himself of a way to stop some +of the bleeding. His method of procedure was crude, but it had been on +the well-known tourniquet principle of applying a bandage with the +knot resting as nearly as possible on the artery above the wound, and +then by twisting a stout stick around and around increasing the +pressure as far as could be borne. + +When Frank saw what he had done he told the man his action had likely +enough been the means of saving his life, for in the two hours that +had elapsed since the boy left him he might have bled to death. + +Will of course was quite in his element now. If there was one thing in +which he excelled besides taking pictures it lay along the lines of +medicine and practical surgery. + +Indeed, Frank himself was only too glad to take orders from the other +chum at such a time as this, although he too knew considerable about +caring for gunshot wounds, broken bones, and such accidental +happenings as are apt to occur in the woods. + +While the two amateur surgeons labored to the best of their ability to +stop the bleeding, and set the broken bones, at least temporarily, +Bluff and Jerry had taken a little saunter around the place looking +for stuff that could be utilized in making the litter. + +"Here's where a hickory tree was cut down a year or two back," said +the former, finally, "and all around the old stump new growth has set +in. Some of it is as much as an inch or more thick." + +"Yes, and just the sort we want for our litter," Jerry admitted; "so +get busy with your hatchet, Bluff; and when you feel tired let me have +a show for my money." + +As the camp hatchet was always kept exceedingly sharp it bit into +those hickory stems "like fury," according to Bluff; and one after +another they fell before the onslaught. + +Then the straightest and strongest were selected for the outside +poles, which must be gripped by the four bearers. Across from these, +side sections were fastened by means of the strong cord. Next came +the placing of the strip of canvas which had really been fashioned +particularly for the very use to which it was now being put. All +around the edges brass eyelets had been inserted in the canvas. +Through the holes the twine was to be run, enclosing a portion of the +side poles with every loop. This procedure would result in giving them +a splendid litter. + +"I guess Frank was right when he said no party should ever come out +into the woods without carrying along a strip of canvas fixed like +this one is," Jerry was saying as he laced away vigorously, admiring +his work as he went along. + +"That's right," assented the other; "because when it's needed it's +always wanted in a big hurry. Besides, such a strip can be made useful +in many ways. If the ground is damp it comes in handy when you have to +sleep with only a blanket between you and the cold earth. In that way +it takes the place of a rubber poncho." + +"There's one thing bad about all this, I'm afraid," ventured Jerry. + +"I hope now," cried Bluff, "you're not mean enough to consider the +drain it'll be on our grub resources to have two more mouths to feed! +But there, I take that back, because I know it wouldn't be like you +even to think that. What did you mean, Jerry?" + +"It's nearly night as it is, and we'll sure be overtaken before we +cover a single mile. Think of tramping along in the pitch dark +carrying a man hurt as badly as he is." + +"Between you and me I don't believe Frank will risk it. We can go as +far as possible, and when it grows dark pull up. Along about midnight, +if it stays clear, we ought to have the moon, and it'll give us enough +light to go on again." + +It proved to be just as Bluff had said, for when the wounded man had +been carefully lifted and placed on the litter, with one of the boys +ready to take hold of each corner, Frank set forth his plan. + +"We'll do the best we can, fellows, until it gets too dark to see +well; then we can lie down and rest for hours. When the moon gets +fully up, so that the woods are light again, we'll finish our tramp to +the cabin. Get that, everybody?" + +The woodchopper seemed to be resting fairly easily now. Of course he +was in great pain and often groaned in spite of his close clenched +teeth; but the strain on his mind had lessened. He felt confident that +these lads would see him through his trouble in some way or other. +Their manner inspired the utmost confidence. + +Again they left it to the boy to lead the way. His wonderful instinct +made him an infallible guide. Frank would have probably been able to +fetch up close to the cabin on the Point, but there was always a +chance of his going astray, while Sandy knew no such word as fail when +it came to "sensing" direction. + +The little procession started. As well as they could, the four boys +bearing the litter kept step with one another, since that helped to +make the jar less noticeable. + +It was no child's play carrying that heavy man through the darkening +forest, for unusual care had to be taken constantly, lest a stumble +occur that would cause him to cry out with sudden pain. + +Just as Bluff had said, they must have covered about a full mile when +Frank called a halt, saying that it had grown too dark now to continue +the tramp. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW + + +When the halt was made they were almost half-way to the cabin on the +Point. Bluff grumbled because none of them proved to be a modern +Joshua, able to command the sun to stand still for a sufficient time +to cover the remaining distance. + +"Never mind about that, fellows," Frank observed, after laughing +heartily at the quaint remark; "what we want to do just now is to make +Moogs here as comfortable as we can, and then try to get some rest. +All of us are tired, and we've still a mile and a half to cover." + +"And I want to serve warning right now," Jerry announced, "that the +first thing we do when we strike camp is to get the fire going, and a +big pot of coffee boiling. I'm as hungry as a wolf." + +Frank found that the injured man was standing the trip as well as +could be expected. He suffered great pain, though at times a sort of +numbness came over his limb, as often happens. + +Bluff and Jerry had found some dead leaves behind a log, and here they +decided to settle down. Frank and Will had already seen to it that +their patient was placed upon a bed of leaves, and had made things as +comfortable as possible for the poor fellow. + +He seemed to be very grateful, and constantly assured them that their +kindness would never be forgotten, and that he would only too gladly +repay them if ever it lay in his power. + +The small boy, Sandy Moogs, crouched alongside his father and seemed +happy just to know that everything was moving along in a satisfactory +way. + +Frank was more concerned about the weather than anything else. There +were signs of a brooding storm. The low-hanging clouds they had +noticed in the afternoon close to the western horizon might push up +and cover the heavens. + +That would be a serious thing for them, under the present conditions. +To be caught afoot in the woods far from camp by one of those +drenching rains was bad enough; but it meant a terrible risk to poor +Moogs should he be soaked through while suffering from such a wound. + +Still the time passed and there was no particular change in +conditions. So long as he could see the stars Frank needed no watch to +know the hour. He knew when the moon would appear in the east, as +well as which of the bright planets would set by that time. All he had +to do when desirous of knowing how time was passing was to observe the +stars. + +Jerry and Bluff could be heard talking from time to time. As for Will, +who was close to Frank, seeing the other lift his head for a look at +the sky above, he asked for information. + +"What time do you think it is, Frank?" was what Will said. + +"Close to eleven," was the immediate reply. + +"Did you guess that, or are you reading the answer in the stars?" +continued Will. + +"See that bright star a little way above the horizon?" asked Frank. +"Well, that's Mercury, and when it drops out of sight to-night it'll +be just eleven. When that other brighter planet goes down, look for +the moon to peep up. That will be at twelve-seven, according to the +almanac." + +"You've certainly got it all down pat," chuckled the other, satisfied +that what Frank said must be exactly so; for he did not make a +practice of simply guessing at things. + +It happened that when the big star did pass out of sight behind the +far distant horizon Will was watching, being wide awake. + +"It's time for the moon to show up, thank goodness!" he was heard to +say, whereupon Bluff from his bed of dead leaves close by called back: + +"If you look close you can see the sky lighting up over in the +northeast a bit. Trouble was you didn't remember that in summer the +moon makes a different sweep, and to do that often rises far away from +the true east." + +They could all see that Bluff spoke truly, and that before long the +darkness that hung over the woods would be partly dispersed. Will had +been impressed with what the other had said concerning the phases of +the moon. He made up his mind that when he got home again, and could +find books on astronomy in the town library, he would study up on the +subject, for it promised to be interesting. + +They did not start immediately, for it would be some time before the +light became strong enough to be of benefit to them. After the moon +could be fairly seen the boys sat around and made comments that were +not at all complimentary to the heavenly luminary. + +"Wow! looks like she'd been out all night on a tear," commented Jerry; +"her face is that battered." + +"Makes a regular practice of these all-night affairs, I reckon," +chuckled Bluff; "no wonder she looks so peaked. Nobody can stand that +sort of life for long and not show it." + +"Please quit looking a gift horse in the mouth," pleaded Will. "We're +staking a whole lot on that same old moon, it seems to me; and you +fellows are an ungrateful bunch. What if you hurt her feelings so she +puts her hands over her face, in the shape of black clouds? Where +would we be then, tell me?" + +Finally Frank decided that they should start. + +"Of course we must use an extra amount of care at first," he told +them; "and as the moon gets higher up the thing will come easier. But +be careful how you go." + +"Yes, watch your step!" added Bluff, as he reached down to get a good +grip on the end of the litter pole. + +The start was made in fairly good shape, and if their movements caused +the wounded man new pain he managed to repress his groans. Realizing +the great debt he owed these sterling boys, the woodcutter felt that +he ought to suppress the signs of suffering, at least as much as he +possibly could. + +Frank watched to see with what confidence little Sandy again started +in the lead. He was immediately convinced that there need be not the +least anxiety concerning his ability to serve as a true guide. The +instinct was born in him; if asked how he picked out his course he +could never have explained save by saying he _knew_ it, and that was +all. + +When they had covered about a mile Frank called for a rest. He felt +sure Will in particular must be getting weak and weary with all this +strenuous work, to which he was quite unaccustomed. + +Sandy had offered to lend a hand, but was told to stick to his post as +guide. + +"It's a more important service you can render leading us straight, +than the little help you could give lifting," Frank told the boy when, +for the third time, Sandy offered to relieve Will. + +"We ought to get there on the next turn," decided Bluff. + +Jerry was sniffing the night air. + +"Why, it seems to me," he remarked, blandly, "that I can just smell +the lake, and according to my guess it can't be more than half a mile +away." + +They waited to rest for about ten minutes. Then as Bluff and Jerry +began to manifest signs of restlessness Frank gave the order to move +along once more. Will declared that he felt able to keep on for a +time, long enough, probably, to take them over the remainder of the +ground. + +There were numerous occasions when one or another stumbled, for with +poor illumination it was not always possible to see small +obstructions. Once or twice the man on the litter groaned, and at such +times the boys took themselves to task with fresh energy, afterwards +trying more than ever to avoid all such petty pitfalls. + +"Pretty nearly there, I guess!" said Jerry, who felt sure he had +recognized some of the surrounding woods, although they looked +different to him in the weird moonlight from their usual seeming in +broad day. + +"We'll break out of the trees inside of five minutes," prophesied +Bluff, going his chum one better, since he set the time, which Jerry +had not. + +"Make it seven and I'm with you," Frank told them, knowing that a +certain amount of chatter would be apt to make them forget their +weariness. + +"I even thought just then I could hear water lapping upon the shore, +Frank," remarked Will. + +"That was what you heard, because I caught it too," he was assured by +the one in whom Will placed such confidence. + +"Be ready, then, to see our old cabin as soon as we get to the edge of +these woods," remarked Frank; "everybody watch, and see who's the +first to call out. Of course you two fellows ahead have the best +chance." + +Shortly afterwards Jerry broke out again. + +"Frank, there's the water through the trees!" + +"Yes, and with the moonlight playing across it like a pathway of +silver," added Will, who was a little inclined to be poetical. + +"Home, sweet home," sighed Bluff; "be it ever so lowly there's no +place like home." + +"Oh! quit that, Bluff!" urged Jerry. "Don't you know you'll make us +want to quit Cabin Point and hike for our real homes. Just let's keep +thinking of what a spread we're in for, once I get started hustling +the supper along. Wow! in fancy I can see it now, with the coffee-pot +boiling on the hob and--holy smoke! Frank, what does this mean now?" + +"Tell us what's happened!" demanded Will, beginning to show signs of +excitement, as Jerry came to a full stop. + +"Why, there's our cabin; can't you see, fellows--and as sure as you +live somebody's inside it, because the light is shining through the +window where that wooden shutter can't be coaxed to close tight. Now I +wonder what that funny business stands for." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE MYSTERY SOLVED + + +"Yes, it's a light, that's what it is!" Bluff was heard to mutter. + +"This is certainly a queer piece of business, as you say, Jerry," +admitted Frank. + +"Oh! I hope now it isn't a messenger from home with bad news! That +would upset all our plans. And my mother wasn't feeling just up to the +mark when I left home, either," cried Will. + +Will's mother was a widow, and he had a twin sister named Violet. The +three of them lived by themselves in one of the most substantial and +beautiful houses in Centerville; so the boy's sudden sense of anxiety +could be easily understood. He was really the man of the house, and +often felt his conscience stab him when he left his mother and Violet +alone. + +"Oh! stow that, Will!" urged the more practical Jerry. "It isn't going +to turn out as bad as that. How do we know but that they do have +hoboes up this way, and that the tramps have taken a shine to our +bunks? Frank, what shall we do?" + +Of course they looked to Frank to decide; but as he was used to doing +more than his share of the planning for the crowd, he thought nothing +of this request. + +"First of all, let's put the litter down gently," he proposed. + +"That's right, boys," said the wounded man, "don't ye bother any 'bout +me, but look after yer own 'fairs first. I'll get on all right, with +Sandy hyar to stand by and keer for me." + +They were very careful as they put the stretcher down, for only too +well did they know how the wretched occupant suffered from any jolt. +This having been accomplished successfully, the four chums were ready +to take the next step. + +"Now we'll go on and see what it all means," said Frank. + +He managed to control his voice so that none of the others could +discern any undue emotion; yet truth to tell Frank was more worried +than he would have cared to admit. + +What Will had voiced was in fact the very fear that had flashed upon +him. They had left word at home for a messenger to be sent up after +them should sickness or accident overtake any of those left behind. +And it seemed at least reasonable to believe that something of the +kind had happened. + +As the boys advanced eagerly though noiselessly they were keyed up to +the top notch of excitement. + +When he dropped his end of the stretcher Bluff discovered a stout club +lying on the ground. It answered his present needs admirably, and +accordingly the boy snatched it up with a sense of exhilaration. To +himself Bluff was muttering: + +"Tramps, hey? Measley hoboes roosting in our nice shack, are they? +Well now, let me just get a whack at the same with this bully home-run +bat, and if I don't make 'em sick of their job you can take my head +for a football. Tramps, hey? Wow! Count me in the deal, will you? I +just eat tramps!" + +Frank led the way from long habit. It was perhaps the same training +that kept Bluff and Jerry just at the heels of the pilot, although +they were in a fever to make faster time. + +So far as they could see there was no sign of life about the old +cabin, only the light shining through that gap in the wooden window +shutter. If a party of vagrants had indeed taken possession of the +place they were wonderfully quiet. Not a sound smote the stillness of +the night. + +Presently, however, from some tree not far away a whippoorwill +suddenly sent out his vociferous notes, complaining again and again +of the severe punishment "poor Will" might expect. The cabin was now +close at hand. Frank could see that the door was ajar, as though +inviting the passerby to enter without the formality of knocking. + +"Huh!" Bluff was heard to grumble, as he, too, discovered this fact. + +Approaching the window, Frank leaned forward and took a first peep. He +did not say a single word, although very much surprised at what he +saw; but simply made room for Will, who in turn moved slightly on so +that the others might also see. + +The wooden shutter, which had been repaired as well as possible, even +when closed left a slight gap, and through this hole it was possible +for one outside to survey the whole interior of the cabin. + +A single figure sat in the most comfortable chair the cabin boasted. +The lantern had been lighted, and hung so that its rays illuminated +the interior of the place fairly well. + +None of the boys had the slightest difficulty in recognizing the +person they were looking at through the window. It was Gilbert +Dennison. + +Somehow or other it seemed that none of the chums had once considered +Gilbert when trying to guess who could be in the cabin. When they now +discovered him sitting there, and apparently waiting for them to come +in, a great load seemed to be lifted from their hearts. + +At least poor anxious Will was heard to give a long sigh of relief. +His worst fears were dissipated when instead of some messenger from +Centerville he discovered Gilbert Dennison sitting there, watching and +waiting. + +Frank was also well pleased at the discovery. At the same time there +flashed into his mind a conviction that it must be something beyond +the ordinary desire to visit them that had brought Gilbert there. + +None of the boys paid quite as much attention to secrecy as before. It +was different now, since they knew a friend occupied their cabin, and +not a party of dusty tramps, who had been making free with their +supplies. + +Apparently the sound of their footsteps must have reached the ears of +the one inside, for as Frank pushed back the door he found Gilbert on +his feet. Also, he seemed to be crouching there as much in the shadows +as possible; and really his whole attitude struck Frank as +astonishing. + +As Frank and then Bluff, Jerry and Will pushed into the cabin Gilbert +looked at first a little surprised and disappointed; but he instantly +raised his hand to indicate silence, and at the same time pressed a +finger on his lips. + +These mysterious actions astonished the four chums. They stared as +though they found it difficult to believe their eyes. + +"Gee whiz! what next?" Bluff was muttering, as though things were +happening so rapidly that almost any sort of surprise could be +expected. + +Frank pushed forward. + +"Glad to see you here, but what's up, Gilbert?" he asked. + +"Please speak in a whisper when you have to talk, Frank," replied the +other. + +"All right," said Frank, doing as he was told, "but please explain +what it all means, for we've got a wounded man outside, who had his +leg broken by a tree he was dropping, and we wish to bring him in here +to make him easy." + +"It'll all be over in a short time, I should think," continued +Gilbert; "for he ought to be here any minute now." + +"Who do you mean?" asked Bluff, like most boys caring naught for +grammatical rules when far away from the school room. + +"My uncle!" replied Gilbert. + +"But why under the sun is Mr. Dennison coming down here to the cabin, +and at midnight, too?" asked Jerry. + +"That's just it," replied the visitor at the cabin. "I've known for +some time that Uncle Aaron is a sleep-walker, you see." + +Frank had already grasped the meaning of the situation, but Bluff was +still groping in the dark. He proved this by asking: + +"But what would your old uncle wander down here for in his sleep, +Gilbert, when it must be all of half a mile anyway, and over a crooked +trail?" + +"I'll tell you what I think," replied the other, in a very low tone. +"You see, he understands that I set great store on that gold cup I +won, and which I brought up here with me when I came. He had it on his +mind after I went away, being afraid some one would steal it." + +"Oh! now I get what you mean," whispered Bluff. "In his sleep he took +a notion to try to hide the thing where no one would find it. And +since he used that cavity under the floor to keep his savings in long +years ago, somehow he just wandered down here the one night we were +all away, and put the cup there." + +"Yes, and knew nothing about it when he came to search the cabin later +on," explained Gilbert. "But keep still, everybody, for I really think +I saw him coming out there in the open before the door. Please don't +say a word, but just watch!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +CONCLUSION + + +It was an exciting time when Gilbert and the four chums stood there as +silent as ghosts, and waited for the arrival of the sleep-walker. +Perhaps a dozen seconds had passed when there was a rustle and a sigh +at the open door. Then a figure stalked in. + +They could see that it was Aaron Dennison. + +Mr. Dennison walked straight over to where that loose plank lay. He +did not show the slightest sign of hesitancy, but stooping down placed +some object on the floor, after which he began to raise the plank as +though familiar with its working. + +No wonder the boys stared, and Bluff chuckled softly, when they saw +the object so carefully deposited on the floor by the man who walked +in his sleep. + +It was the golden cup, won in the amateur golf tournament by Gilbert +Dennison! + +They watched him lift the plank, and then quickly place the cup in +the hole underneath; after this he gently lowered the board, patted it +affectionately, and arose to his feet as if to go. + +Frank was more than satisfied. The mystery had been explained in a +fashion that left not a shred of doubt behind. + +At the same time Frank found himself wondering what Gilbert would do +next. To convince Mr. Dennison that he himself was wholly to blame, it +would seem to be the proper thing to awaken him before he quitted the +cabin, and show him the cup nestling under the plank. + +Frank dimly remembered reading that it was not a wise thing to arouse +a sleep-walker suddenly; he understood that the sudden shock had a +tendency to affect the brain. Apparently Gilbert did not know this, +for he stepped forward and reaching out caught hold of the old man's +arm, shaking it as he called: + +"Wake up, Uncle Aaron, wake up!" + +They saw the sleeper give a tremendous start. Then he stared first at +Gilbert, and then around him as though dazed. + +"It's I, Uncle, and you've been up to your old tricks again, walking +in your sleep," the young fellow told him. "Yes, no wonder you look as +if you could hardly believe your eyes; for you've wandered down to the +old cabin on the Point And, Uncle, what do you think we saw you +doing?" + +As he said this Gilbert in turn suddenly stooped, and managing to get +the loose plank up he pushed it aside. When he picked up the golden +cup and held it before the eyes of the old gentleman, Bluff could +hardly keep from bursting into laughter, the look of astonishment on +Mr. Dennison's face was so ludicrous. + +"Did I bring that cup here, and stow it away again in that hole, +Gilbert?" he demanded. + +"You certainly did, Uncle," he was told. + +"Then it stands to reason that I must have been guilty on that other +occasion, too, Nephew?" faltered the old hermit. + +"Of course you were, Uncle. Don't you see, you worried over having the +cup there on your hands; and in your sleep you must have dreamed about +the old place here under the floor where you once used to hide things. +And down you came all the way. It happened that the boys were all away +on that night after the storm; isn't it so, fellows?" + +"Yes," replied Frank, "Will here and I were caught up in the woods, +and slept under a shelf of rock, while Bluff and Jerry stayed at the +village, where they met the constable, Mr. Jeems. So the cabin was not +occupied at all that night." + +"And we knew somebody must have been in here," spoke up Will, "because +the door wasn't closed as we left it, a chair had been pushed over, +and some other things were disturbed. It was a great mystery to all of +us, sir." + +Mr. Dennison proved himself equal to the occasion. The look of +consternation on his face had now given way to one of friendliness. + +"Then I can plainly see how I have wronged these boys by accusing them +of this mysterious taking of the golden cup," he said, frankly. "I +trust all of you will forgive me, and that Gilbert will some time or +other fetch you up to see me. I want particularly to become better +acquainted with the one who is interested in wild animal photography." + +Mr. Dennison whispered a few sentences to his nephew. Evidently he +must have been telling Gilbert that he was at liberty to explain +certain sad things connected with his past life, when the occasion +arose, so that the boys would understand just why, for all his money, +he lived in such a lonely place. + +Then he said he must go, and asked Gilbert to accompany him. + +"Be sure and bring that precious golden cup of yours," he told the +other. "We'll have to find a safe place to keep it, if I'm going to +have any sound sleep after this. At my age I cannot afford to take +chances of meeting with some accident when wandering around the woods +at night-time. Good-bye, lads, and remember I shall hope to have you +take supper with me some evening soon, when we can get better +acquainted." + +After Mr. Dennison and Gilbert had departed Frank thought again of the +injured woodcutter, and, hastening out, they soon had him under the +roof of the cabin. + +In the morning it was decided that, as the weather seemed promising, +two of them had better start for the village with the wounded man and +Sandy. The boat was now in extra-good shape, and seemed hardly to leak +a drop. Besides, the sooner Moogs was placed under the care of an +experienced surgeon the better. Frank did not want to be responsible +for the consequences any more than seemed absolutely necessary. + +In time the injured woodcutter recovered from his severe wound; and +the boys afterwards received a letter from Sandy, in which the boy +tried hard to express the heavy obligations under which he and his +"dad" felt themselves bound to the Outdoor Chums. + +In the afternoon Gilbert came down to see them, and stayed over night. + +As they sat around after supper and exchanged confidences the boys +learned of the tragedy that had taken place in the life of Aaron +Dennison. It fully explained the mystery hovering over his enclosed +estate. + +He had had a single child, as the poor fragment of a baby shoe had +informed Frank; but the little fellow had been taken away from them. +The wife and mother had never been the same after that, though for +years she continued to be the faithful partner of the man, as he +fought his way up in the world. + +In the end she entirely lost her reason, and Mr. Dennison, unwilling +that the one he loved so fondly should be placed in even the best +asylum, had conceived the idea of building this home far removed from +civilization. + +Here the poor lady lived attended by a trusty nurse day and night. +There were bars across the windows of her sleeping chamber, because of +late she had developed a mania for wanting to leap from a height and +hence they had to take all precautions. + +No doubt she imagined herself a prisoner, and seeing the boys below, +she had waved her handkerchief to them, and also had made gestures +with her hands as though invoking their aid. + +Of course Frank assured Gilbert that when they came up to take supper +with his uncle not a word would be said on that painful subject. Even +if they heard that pitiful wailing cry they would pretend that it was +the screech of a strutting peacock, as once they had really believed. + +After that the Outdoor Chums found each day bringing new pleasures. +They went up to see Mr. Dennison, not only once but many times, for +the old hermit soon found himself deeply interested in the boys. He +asked a thousand questions concerning the things connected with their +past, and seemed never to tire of listening while these little +adventurous happenings were being narrated. + +The glorious days slipped away and finally the day arrived when they +must say good-bye to Cabin Point and all its happy associations. + +Will had a large number of splendid pictures to carry back; and all +the boys would often think of the happy times spent at the big lake. + +Other events would undoubtedly cross their path, but in reviewing the +strenuous past Frank and his Outdoor Chums would always remember with +deepest interest the mystery of the golden cup, and how strangely it +was solved while they were in camp at Cabin Point. + +THE END + + * * * * * + + +Darewell Chums + +SERIES + +_By_ ALLEN CHAPMAN + + * * * * * + +The Heroes of the School +Ned Wilding's Disappearance +Frank Roscoe's Secret +Fenn Masterson's Discovery +Bart Keene's Hunting Days + + * * * * * + + Up and doing from the word go are these "Darewell Chums," a + group of boys who stick together thru thick and thin; thru + high adventure and scrapes. On the field of sport and in the + broader field of life, their comradeship persists. There are + several mysteries interwoven thru these tales that baffle the + most astute. To follow the fortunes of "The Darewell Chums," + prepare for an exciting journey in Bookland. + + * * * * * + +The Goldsmith Publishing Co. + +CLEVELAND, O. + + * * * * * + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Chums at Cabin Point, by Quincy Allen + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT *** + +***** This file should be named 19743.txt or 19743.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/7/4/19743/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Sankar Viswanathan, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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