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diff --git a/20434-h/20434-h.htm b/20434-h/20434-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d188a25 --- /dev/null +++ b/20434-h/20434-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7330 @@ +<!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 Boy Scouts' First Camp Fire, by Herbert Carter. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + 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; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + 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; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Boy Scouts' First Camp Fire, by Herbert Carter + +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 Boy Scouts' First Camp Fire + or, Scouting with the Silver Fox Patrol + +Author: Herbert Carter + +Release Date: January 24, 2007 [EBook #20434] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST CAMP FIRE *** + + + + +Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Front matter"> +<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="259" height="400" alt="Cover" title="Cover" /> +</td><td align='right'><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="images/fig001.jpg" width="240" height="385" alt="The announcement of the bear by Davy Jones was succeeded by a mad scramble of every boy to reach a place of safety. Page 48." title="The announcement of the bear by Davy Jones was succeeded by a mad scramble of every boy to reach a place of safety. Page 48." /> +<br /><p><span class='caption'>The announcement of the bear by Davy Jones was<br />succeeded by a mad scramble of every boy to reach a place<br />of safety. <a href='#Page_48'>Page 48</a>.</span></p> +<i>The Boy Scouts' First Camp Fire.</i></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + +<h1>The Boy Scouts'<br />First Camp Fire</h1> + +<h4>OR</h4> + +<h3>Scouting with the Silver Fox Patrol.</h3> + +<h2><span class="smcap">By</span> HERBERT CARTER</h2> + +<div class='center'> +Author of "The Boy Scouts In the Blue Ridge," "The Boy<br /> +Scouts On the Trail," "The Boy Scouts In the Maine<br /> +Woods," "The Boy Scouts Through the<br /> +Big Timber," "The Boy Scouts<br /> +In the Rockies."<br /> +</div> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/title.png" width="400" height="396" alt="A. L. BURT COMPANY, NEW YORK" title="A. L. BURT COMPANY, NEW YORK" /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<div class='center'>Copyright 1913<br /> +<span class="smcap">By A. L. Burt Company</span></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> +<div class='center'><small>THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST CAMP FIRE.</small></div> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Contents</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a></td><td align='left'>A HALT BY THE ROADSIDE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE PRISONER OF THE TREE STUMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE ACCUSATION MADE BY STEP-HEN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a></td><td align='left'>WHEN THE FIRE WAS KINDLED</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a></td><td align='left'>AN UNINVITED GUEST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE DANCING BEAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>SMITHY DID IT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a></td><td align='left'>LUCKY BRUIN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a></td><td align='left'>LOOKING TO BIG THINGS AHEAD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE SCOUT WHO USED HIS EYES</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>BUMPUS MAKES A FIND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE BOY FROM THE BLUE RIDGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE BOY FROM THE BLUE RIDGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE PICTURES THAT TALKED</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE MAKER OF FIRES</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE ALARM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX.</b></a></td><td align='left'>A GOOD RIDDANCE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX.</b></a></td><td align='left'>DRAWING STRAWS FOR A CHANCE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><b>CHAPTER XXI.</b></a></td><td align='left'>STEP-HEN'S STRATEGY FAILS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><b>CHAPTER XXII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE PATCHED SHOE AGAIN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><b>CHAPTER XXIII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>FIGURING IT OUT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><b>CHAPTER XXIV.</b></a></td><td align='left'>WHAT SMITHY FOUND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><b>CHAPTER XXV.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE SCOUT-MASTER'S SCHEME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><b>CHAPTER XXVI.</b></a></td><td align='left'>A SIGNAL STATION IN A TREE-TOP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><b>CHAPTER XXVII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE WIGWAG TELEGRAPH</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><b>CHAPTER XXVIII.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE TRAIL AMONG THE ROCKS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><b>CHAPTER XXIX.</b></a></td><td align='left'>SPRINGING THE TRAP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><b>CHAPTER XXX.</b></a></td><td align='left'>THE MYSTERY SOLVED—CONCLUSION</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST<br />CAMP-FIRE.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>A HALT BY THE ROADSIDE.</h3> + + +<p>"Tara—tara!"</p> + +<p>Loud and clear sounded the notes of a bugle, blown by a very stout lad, +clad in a new suit of khaki; and who was one of a bunch of Boy Scouts +tramping wearily along a dusty road.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Bumpus! Can't he just make that horn talk, though?" cried +one.</p> + +<p>"Sounds as sweet as the church bell at home, fellows!" declared a +second.</p> + +<p>"Say, Mr. Scout-Master, does that mean a halt for grub?" a third called +out.</p> + +<p>"Sure, Giraffe. Brace up old fellow. You'll have your jaws working right +soon, now. And here's a dandy little spring, right among the trees! How +shady and cool it looks, Thad."</p> + +<p>"That's why we kept on for an hour after noon," remarked the boy called +Thad, and who seemed to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> a person of some authority; "when all you +scouts wanted to stop and rest. You see Davy, Allan here, and myself +made a note of that same spring the other day, when we came along on +horseback, spying out the lay of the land."</p> + +<p>"Well, now," remarked the boy called Davy, as he threw himself down to +stretch; "that's what our instruction book says,—a true scout always +has his eyes and ears open to see and hear everything. The more things +you can remember in a store window, after only a minute to look, the +further up you are, see?"</p> + +<p>The boy called Thad not only wore a rather seedy and faded scout khaki +uniform; while those of all his comrades were almost brand new; but he +had several merit badges fastened on the left side of his soft shirt.</p> + +<p>These things would indicate that Thad Brewster must have been connected +with some patrol, or troop of Boy Scouts, in the town where he formerly +lived before his father, dying, left him in charge of the queer old +bachelor uncle who was known far and wide among the boys of Scranton as +plain "Daddy Brewster"—nobody ever understood why, save that he just +loved all manner of young people.</p> + +<p>In fact, it was a memory of the good times which he had enjoyed in the +past that influenced Thad to start the ball rolling for a troop of +scouts in Scranton. In this endeavor he had found energetic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> backing; +and the Silver Fox Patrol of the troop was now starting out upon its +first hike, to be gone several days.</p> + +<p>Several of the eight boys forming this patrol were lagging more or less +along the dusty road; for the brisk walk on this summer day had tired +them considerably.</p> + +<p>At the cheery notes of the bugle, blown by "Bumpus" Hawtree, the stray +ones in uniform quickened their pace, so as to close up. Of course the +stout youth had another name, and a very good one too, having been +christened Cornelius Jasper. But his chums had long ago almost forgotten +it, and as Bumpus he was known far and wide.</p> + +<p>He was a good-natured chap, clumsy in his way, but always willing to +oblige, and exceedingly curious. Indeed, his mates in the patrol +declared Bumpus ought to have been born a girl, as he always wanted to +"poke his nose into anything queer that happened to attract his +attention." And this failing, of course, was going to get Bumpus into a +lot of trouble, sooner or later.</p> + +<p>His one best quality was a genuine love for music. He could play any +sort of instrument; and had besides a wonderfully sweet high soprano +voice, which he was always ready to use for the pleasure of his friends. +That promised many a happy night around the camp-fire, when once the +Silver Fox Patrol had become fully established.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> + +<p>And this love of music which the fat boy possessed had made the +selection of a bugler for <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Granford'">Cranford</ins> Troop the easiest thing possible. He +actually had no competitor.</p> + +<p>Presently the entire eight lads had thrown themselves down in such +positions as seemed to appeal to them. Some lay flat on their stomachs, +and drank from the overflow of the fine little spring; while others +scooped up the water in the cup formed by the palms of their hands.</p> + +<p>One rather tall boy, with flaxen hair, and light dreamy blue eyes, took +out his handkerchief, carefully dusted the ground where he meant to sit, +then having deposited himself in a satisfactory manner, he opened the +haversack he had been carrying, taking out some of the contents very +carefully.</p> + +<p>"My! but they're packed smartly, all right, Smithy," remarked the fellow +who had responded to the name of Davy Jones; "you certainly take a heap +of trouble to have things just so. My duds were just tossed in as they +came. Threatened to jump on 'em so as to crowd the bunch in tighter. +What are you looking for now?"</p> + +<p>"Why, my drinking cup, to be sure," replied the other, lifting his +eyebrows in surprise, as if he could not understand why any one would be +so silly as to lie down and drink—just like an animal, when nice little +aluminum collapsible cups could be procured so cheaply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>And having presently found what he wanted, he deliberately returned each +article to its proper place in the carryall before he allowed himself +the pleasure of a cooling drink. But at least he had one satisfaction; +being the possessor of a cup allowed him the privilege of dipping +directly into the fountain head, the limpid spring itself.</p> + +<p>They called him just plain "Smithy," but of course such an elegant +fellow had a handle to the latter part of his name. It was Edmund +Maurice Travers Smith; but you could never expect a parcel of American +boys to bother with such a tremendous tongue-twisting name as that. +Hence the Smithy.</p> + +<p>While the whole patrol, taking out the lunch that had been provided, and +which one of them, evidently from the South from the soft tones of his +voice, called a "snack," were eating we might as well be making the +acquaintance of the rest.</p> + +<p>The Southern lad was named Robert Quail White. A few of his chums +addressed him as plain Bob; but the oddity of the combination appealed +irresistibly to their sense of humor, and "Bob White" it became from +that time on. Sometimes they called to him with the well-known whistle +of a quail; and he always responded.</p> + +<p>There was a very tall fellow, with a remarkably long neck. "Giraffe" he +had become when years younger, and the name was likely to stick to him +even after he got into college. When his attention<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> was called to +anything, Conrad Stedman usually stretched his neck in a way that gave +him a great advantage over his fellows. He was sometimes a little +touchy; but gave promise of proving himself a good scout, being willing +to learn, faithful, and obliging.</p> + +<p>Another of the patrol had a rather melancholy look. This was Stephen +Bingham. He might have gone to the end of the chapter as plain Steve; +but when a little fellow at school, upon being asked his name, he had +pronounced it as if a compound word; and ever since he was known as +Step-hen Bingham. Whenever he felt like sending his companions into fits +of laughter Step-hen would show the whites of his eyes, and look +frightened. He could never find his things, and was forever appealing to +the others to know whether they had seen some article he had misplaced. +Step-hen evidently had much to learn before he could qualify for the +degree of a first-class scout.</p> + +<p>The one who seemed to be second in Command of the little detachment was +a quiet looking boy. Allan Hollister had been raised after a fashion +that as he said "gave him the bumps of experience." Part of his life had +been spent in the Adirondacks and in Maine; so that he really knew by +actual participation in the work what the other lads were learning from +the books they read.</p> + +<p>He lived with his mother, said to be a widow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> They seemed to have +plenty of money; but Allan was often sighing, as though somehow his +thoughts turned back to former scenes, and he longed to return to Maine +again.</p> + +<p>Here then was the complete roster of the Silver Fox Patrol of Cranford +Troop, as called by the secretary, Bob White, at each and every meeting.</p> + +<p>1. Thad Brewster, Patrol Leader, and Assistant Scout-Master.</p> + +<p>2. Allan Hollister, upon whom the responsibility rested after Thad.</p> + +<p>3. Cornelius Hawtree.</p> + +<p>4. Robert Quail White.</p> + +<p>5. Edmund Maurice Travers Smith.</p> + +<p>6. Conrad Stedman.</p> + +<p>7. Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>8. Stephen Bingham.</p> + +<p>Of course, as the rules of the organization provided, there was a +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'geniue'">genuine</ins> scout-master to accompany the boys when possible, and look after +their moral welfare; as well as act as a brake upon the natural +exuberance of their spirits. This was a young man who was studying +medicine with Dr. <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Calikns'">Calkins</ins> in the town of Cranford. Frequently the clever +young M.D. could not keep his appointments with his boys; at such times +he had to delegate to Thad his duties. And to tell the truth when they +learned that as the elder doctor was sick himself, their scout-master +would be unable to accompany<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> them on this, their first real hike and +outing, none of the scouts felt very sorry.</p> + +<p>"Pretty near time we started again for the lake, isn't it, Thad?" +demanded Step-hen, something like an hour after they had stopped to +break the march with a bite and a cool drink.</p> + +<p>"Oh! please let me finish this little grub," called out Giraffe, who was +tremendously fond of eating; "it's a shame to waste it. You stopped me +from making a fire you know, Thad; and I fell behind the rest of you +that way."</p> + +<p>"I never saw such a fellow, always crazy to set fire to things," +remarked Davy Jones. "He'll burn the whole world up some day."</p> + +<p>"I expect to set the river on fire when I get in business," grinned +Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Give the signal to fall in, Mr. Bugler—but I say, where <i>is</i> Bumpus +anyway?" asked the acting scout-master, looking around.</p> + +<p>"Oh! he went wandering away some time ago," remarked Davy. "But here's +his horn; let's see if I can blow the old thing."</p> + +<p>He put the shining instrument to his lips, puffed out his cheeks, and +emitted a frightful groaning sound. The rest of the scouts had just +started to laugh when there came a strange, rattling noise from the +woods near by, as though a landslide might be in progress. And +accompanying the racket they heard a feeble voice that must belong to +Bumpus, though no one recognized it, calling out:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Help! help! Oh, somebody come quick, and save me!"</p> + +<p>With that call every member of the scout patrol leaped erect, staring at +one another in dismay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>THE PRISONER OF THE TREE STUMP.</h3> + + +<p>"Oh! perhaps a wolf has got poor Bumpus!" exclaimed Smithy, who had +never had any real experience in the woods, and was therefore a genuine +"greenhorn" scout.</p> + +<p>"Or a bear!" suggested Step-hen.</p> + +<p>Thad was not the one to stand and speculate, when a comrade appeared to +be in deep trouble, so he immediately cried out:</p> + +<p>"Get your staves, and come along, everybody; no; you stay with our +knapsacks, to guard them, Bob White. This may be some trick of Brose +Griffin and his cronies to steal our stuff. This way, the rest of you, +boys!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Step-hen, showing great animation; but cautiously +falling in the rear of the procession that went rushing into the depths +of the woods.</p> + +<p>"Which way did it come from, Thad?" asked Smithy; who, despite his +girl-like neatness of person and belongings, and dainty ways, was close +to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> leader, his face whiter than usual, but his eyes flashing with +unaccustomed fire.</p> + +<p>"I think over in this direction," said Davy Jones, before the leader +could reply.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" commanded Thad, as he held up his hand, bringing them all to a +halt. Straining their ears, each scout tried to catch some sound that +would give him the privilege of being the first to point to the spot +where Bumpus was in sore need of assistance.</p> + +<p>"I think I heard a groan!" remarked Step-hen, in an awe-struck voice, +that trembled in spite of his effort to seem brave.</p> + +<p>"So did I," declared Allan; "and it was over yonder to the left."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the six boys went helter-skelter into the underbrush, making +all the noise an elephant might in pushing through the woods. Perhaps it +was only the result of their eagerness to reach the companion, who +seemed to be in trouble; and then again, a racket like that might +frighten away any wild beast that had attempted to carry their stout +bugler away.</p> + +<p>"<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Sop'">Stop</ins> again, and listen," said Thad, half a minute later. "We must be +near the place where that groan came from. Hear it again, anybody?"</p> + +<p>"Help! oh, help! they're eating me alive!" came in a muffled voice from +some unknown place near by.</p> + +<p>Thrilled by the words, and half expecting to see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> some savage monster +struggling with their fellow scout, the six boys stared about them in +dismay. Not the first sign could they see of either Bumpus or the +attacking beast.</p> + +<p>"Where under the sun can he be?" exclaimed Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was a big eagle, or a hawk; and it's carried him up into a +tree!" suggested Step-hen; and strange to say, no one even laughed at +the silly idea.</p> + +<p>"Allan has guessed it!" cried Smithy, who had chanced to see a little +smile chase across the face of the boy from Maine.</p> + +<p>"Where is he, then?" asked Thad, wheeling on his second in command.</p> + +<p>"I think if you move over to that big old tree-trunk yonder, you'll find +Bumpus, sir," replied Allan, making the scout salute; for he believed in +carrying out the rules of the organization when on duty, as at present.</p> + +<p>"But we can see the whole thing from top to bottom, and never a sign of +Bumpus anywhere?" remarked Step-hen, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"And he ain't such a little chap that he could hide under the bark of a +dead tree either," remarked Davy, scornfully.</p> + +<p>Thad was already advancing upon the stump in question. Perhaps he had +caught the hidden meaning to Allan's words; and could give a pretty good +guess as to why the other smiled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Surround the stump, scouts!" he ordered; and the boys immediately +started to obey, holding their stout staves in readiness to resist an +attack, if so be some unseen wild beast made a sudden leap.</p> + +<p>"Say, it's all a mistake; there ain't a blessed thing here!" grumbled +Step-hen, when, after reaching a point on the other side of the immense +stump, he could see the entire surface of its trunk, some three feet +through, possibly more.</p> + +<p>"Yes there is; and I want to get out the worst kind! Ouch! they're +biting me like hot cakes! I'm getting poisoned, I know I am! Oh! dear!" +came the muffled voice that they knew belonged to Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Whoop! he's <i>in</i> the old stump!" shouted Davy Jones, starting to grin +broadly.</p> + +<p>"That's right," replied the unseen Bumpus; "but please don't stand +there, and guy a poor feller, boys. Do something for me before I'm a +goner. Oh! how they are going for me though! I'm beginning to swell up +like anything! Be quick, Thad, Allan, and the rest of you!"</p> + +<p>"But what's biting him, do you think?" said Step-hen, looking serious +again. "Can it be rattlesnakes, Thad, or bumble-bees?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly," replied the other, readily; "I'd expect rather that it was +ants. What do you say, Allan?"</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it," came from the boy who had practical experience in the +ways of the woods.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> "They like to make their nests in old dead trees. +But ask Bumpus."</p> + +<p>Evidently the boy who was imprisoned inside the stump of the forest +monarch must have heard every word spoken by his mates, without, for he +instantly called aloud:</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what it is, ants, and they are fierce, I tell you. I'm +covered all over right now with lumps as big as hickory nuts. Be quick, +boys, and get me out!"</p> + +<p>"How under the sun d'ye think he ever got inside that stump; for the +life of me I can't see any hole down here?" Davy asked, wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"He must have fallen in through the top," replied Allan, casting a quick +glance up toward the place in question. "The old thing's hollow, and it +gave way under Bumpus."</p> + +<p>"Sure, that's the way!" called out the unseen sufferer, eagerly. "Get a +move on you, fellers. I want to breathe some fresh air, and take some +stuff for all these poisonous bites."</p> + +<p>"But what were you doing up that stump?" demanded Step-hen; while Thad +and Allan were <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'examing'">examining</ins> the remains of the once proud tree, as if to +decide what ought to be done, in order to rescue the unlucky scout.</p> + +<p>"I know what ails Bumpus," cried Davy; "his old curiosity bump was +working overtime, and coaxed him to climb up there."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, how'd I know the old thing'd give in with me like that?" +protested the other, faintly. "I saw a bee going in a hole up there; and +you know I'm just crazy to find a wild bees' nest in a hollow tree, +because I dote on honey. But I was mistaken about that; it's ants biting +me; because I caught one on my cheek after he'd taken a nibble. Oh! +ain't they making me a sight, though? Where's Thad? I hope you don't +just go on, and leave me here to die, boys. Please get busy!"</p> + +<p>"Just hold up a little, Bumpus," called Thad, cheerily. "We haven't any +rope to pull you up again; and besides, Allan says the top of the rotten +stump would like as not give way, if anybody tried to stand on it. But +I've sent Giraffe back to the spring after the ax we carried. We'll just +have to cut a hole, and let you climb out that way."</p> + +<p>"But be careful not to give me a jab, won't you, please, Thad?" asked +the other, between his groans. "I'm bad enough off as it is, without +losing a leg."</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid," replied the scout-master; "we're going to let Allan +do the job, and few fellows know how to handle an ax as well as he does. +And here's the tool right now; Giraffe made pretty quick time."</p> + +<p>"But what do you want me to do?" asked the prisoner of the stump, +piteously.</p> + +<p>"Why, here's a hole already, big enough for me to stick my hand in; feel +that, do you, Bumpus?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> and Thad inserted his hand, to clutch the leg of +the other.</p> + +<p>"Oh! how you scared me at first, Thad; I sure thought it was a wildcat, +or something, that had grabbed me. I'm trembling all over, what with the +bites, the tumble, and the excitement."</p> + +<p>"Now keep as far back from this side as you can," continued the other. +"Is the hollow big enough to allow that, Bumpus?"</p> + +<p>"It surely is, Thad," replied the other, somewhat more cheerfully, as if +the confident manner in which Thad went about his business reassured +him. "Guess there must be nearly a foot of space between."</p> + +<p>"That's fine," Thad went on to say; "now keep back, and leave it all to +Allan. He's going to commence chopping."</p> + +<p>Immediately there sounded the stroke of the descending ax.</p> + +<p>"Huh! went all the way through, that time," said Step-hen, who was +watching the operation closely; "reckon the old tree must be as rotten +as punk."</p> + +<p>"Make a dandy blaze, all right," ventured Giraffe, whose mind was bent +on fires, so that he never lost a chance for making one; and who loved +to sit and watch it burn, much as the old fire worshippers might have +done in long-ago times.</p> + +<p>"Take care, Allan," remarked Thad; "don't strike so hard next time. Why, +you'll knock a hole in that stump in a jiffy. It's only a shell."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I could drop the whole thing in fifteen minutes, believe me," answered +the boy who wielded the ax so cleverly, having learned the trick from +the native woodsmen up in Maine, his native State.</p> + +<p>Again the sharp-edged tool descended; and the hole grew considerably +larger. The prisoner kept urging them to make more haste, and exclaim +that he was swelling up so fast as a result of his bites, that he'd soon +be unable to crawl out, even if half the tree trunk were chopped away.</p> + +<p>But Allan was a methodical chap, and could not be urged into +carelessness when making use of such a dangerous tool as a keen-edged +ax. He chopped close to the imaginary line he had drawn; and as large +chips fell in a shower the aperture increased in size until they could +see the lower limbs of the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Can't you drop down on your hands and knees, Bumpus?" called Thad. "I +should think the hole was big enough now to let you get out."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'll try," wailed the other; "I'm willing to do anything you say, +Thad, if only you can patch me up, and keep me from bursting. There, I +did manage to squeeze down on my knees; but I don't believe I can ever +get through."</p> + +<p>"We're willing to help you, old fellow," remarked Davy, as he seized +hold of a hand; while Step-hen took the other; and between them they +pulled, while Bumpus used his legs to kick backward; and finally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> he was +dragged triumphantly out of his strange prison.</p> + +<p>But when the boys saw his swollen face they stopped their loud laughing; +for although the fat boy tried to grin good-naturedly, he was such a +sight that pity took the place of merriment in the hearts of his chums.</p> + +<p>The vicious ants had really bitten his cheeks so that they were swollen +up very much, and Bumpus looked like a boy with the mumps.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>THE ACCUSATION MADE BY STEP-HEN.</h3> + + +<p>"Am I going to swell up any more, Thad; and will you just have to put +hoops on me to keep me from bursting?" asked Bumpus, earnestly.</p> + +<p>The other fellows wanted to laugh, but to their credit be it said that +they restrained this feeling. It would be heartless, with poor Bumpus +looking so badly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! don't get that notion into your head," said the young leader; for +as assistant scout-master, in the absence of Dr. Philander, Thad was +supposed to take charge of the troop, and assume all his duties; "here, +fellows, bring him along back to the spring. I've got something in my +haversack the doctor gave me, that ought to help Bumpus."</p> + +<p>"Was it meant for ant bites, Thad, do you know?" asked the victim, as he +allowed his comrades to urge him along slowly; while he rubbed, first +one part of his person, and then another, as the various swellings stung +in succession.</p> + +<p>"Well, he really said it was to be used in case<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> any of us got scratched +by a wild animal, and there was danger of poisoning; but it strikes me +it would be a good antiseptic, he called it, in this case."</p> + +<p>Having reached the spot where Bob White still faithfully stood guard +over their few belongings, Thad hurriedly threw open his bundle, and +took out a little package carefully wrapped up. It contained rolls of +soft white linen to be used for bandages in case of need; adhesive +plaster, also in small rolls; and a few common remedies such as camphor, +arnica, and the like, intended for ailments boys may invite when +overeating, or partaking too freely of green apples.</p> + +<p>"Here it is," he remarked, holding up a small bottle.</p> + +<p>"How purple it looks," observed Davy Jones, curiously; "and what's this +on the label, here. 'Permaganate of Potash, No. 6; to be painted on the +scratch; and used several times if necessary.' That's Doc. Philander's +writing, sure."</p> + +<p>"It looks pretty tough," commented Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"The remedy is sometimes worse than the disease, they say," remarked +Smithy.</p> + +<p>"You don't think it'll hurt much, do you, Thad?" asked the victim, +trying to smile, but unable, on account of his swollen cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit, I understand," came the reassuring reply. "Besides, I should +think that you wouldn't hold back, even if it did, Bumpus. You're in a +bad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> way, and I've just got to counteract that poison before your eyes +close up."</p> + +<p>"Go on, use the whole bottle if you want to," urged the alarmed boy.</p> + +<p>"The only bad thing about it is that this stuff stains like fun, and +you'll be apt to look like a wild Indian for a day or two," Thad +observed, as he started to apply the potash with a small camel's hair +brush brought for the purpose.</p> + +<p>"Little I care about that, so long as it does the business," replied +Bumpus; and so the amateur doctor continued to dab each bite with the +lavender-colored fluid until the patient looked as though he might be +some strange freak intended for a dime museum.</p> + +<p>Of course that was too much for the other boys. They snickered behind +their hands, and presently broke out into a yell that awoke the echoes. +Bumpus only nodded his head at them, for he was a very good-natured +fellow.</p> + +<p>"Laugh away and welcome, boys," he remarked, grimly. "Feels better +already, Thad, and if the stuff will only do the business I don't care +what happens. Besides, the fellows must have their fun. But they +wouldn't think it a joke if any of them had climbed up, looking for a +honey pot, and dropped through the rotten stuff that covered the hole in +the top of that stump."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Step-hen, "if it had been our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> monkey, now. He'd have had a +great time climbing out; but Davy could have done it; he's more at home +in a tree than on the ground."</p> + +<p>He said this because the Jones boy was as nimble as an ape when he found +an opportunity to show off his gymnastics; he dearly loved to hang from +a limb by his toes, and carry on like a circus athlete or trapeze +performer.</p> + +<p>"Do we make a start now?" asked Bob White; "exactly fifteen minutes +spent, suh, in rescuing our comrade in distress."</p> + +<p>"Are you able to walk with us, Bumpus?" asked Thad.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I guess I can amble along somehow," responded the fat boy; "but +please detail a couple of scouts to keep near me, in case I begin to +swell again. I'm sorry we haven't got a rope along; because I'd feel +safer if I had one wrapped around me right now."</p> + +<p>"Where's my campaign hat?" burst out Step-hen just then; "anybody seen +it layin' around loose? I declare to goodness it's queer how <i>my</i> things +always seem to disappear. I often think there must be some magic about +it."</p> + +<p>"Huh! the only trouble is you never keep a blessed thing where it +belongs," declared Davy, in scorn. "Now, there's Smithy, who goes to +just the opposite extreme; he's too particular, and wastes time, which a +true scout should never do. The rest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> of us try to be half-way decent; +and you notice we seldom lose anything. There's your old hat right now, +just where you flung it when we dropped down here."</p> + +<p>"Oh! thank you, Davy; perhaps I am just a little careless, as you say; +but all the same it's funny how <i>my</i> things always go. Hope, now, I +don't lose that splendid little aluminum compass I bought the other day, +thinking that it might save me from getting lost in the woods some +time."</p> + +<p>"Oh! come along, old slow-poke, we're going to start There's Bumpus +trying to screw his lips into a pucker right now, so he can blow the +bugle. Ain't he got the grit, though, to attend to his business with +that swollen face?"</p> + +<p>Presently, after the inspiring notes of the bugle had sounded, the +patrol once more took up its line of march. Each scout had his staff in +his hand, and carried a haversack on his back. Blankets they had none, +for all those necessary things had been entrusted to the care of a +farmer, whose route home from early market took him near the intended +camping place on Lake Omega; a beautiful, if wild looking sheet of water +some miles in length, and situated about ten from Cranford town.</p> + +<p>Allan and Thad headed the procession that soon straggled in couples +along the side of the dusty road.</p> + +<p>"What made you mention the name of Brose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> Griffin when you detailed +Number Four to remain at the camp?" asked Allan, who had evidently been +thinking about this same thing.</p> + +<p>"Well," replied the scout-master, "it flashed into my mind that these +tough fellows might have dogged us up here, to play some of their tricks +on us when in camp; and that holding Bumpus was meant to draw the rest +off, so they could run away with our haversacks, which they knew must +contain lots of things we couldn't well get on without in camp."</p> + +<p>"Smithy couldn't if his hair brush and his little whisk broom were +missing," declared Allan, with a chuckle. "Why, that boy seems to only +live to fight against dirt. He's the most particular fellow I ever +knew."</p> + +<p>"Oh! wait and see how he gets over that before he's been a scout two +months," said Thad, also laughing. "Nothing like the rough and ready +life in camp and on the march to cure a boy of being over-clean. He'd +never learn any different at home, you know, because his mother is the +same way, and brought him up pretty much like a girl. But he's reached +the point now where the true boy nature is beginning to get the better +of that false pride."</p> + +<p>"But seriously, Thad, do you believe we'll see anything of Brose Griffin +and his two shadows, Bangs and Hop?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly hope we won't," replied the other;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> "but you know what they +are; and I've been told that they went around asking all sorts of +questions about where we intended to make our first camp-fire. It +wouldn't surprise me much if they did try to give us trouble."</p> + +<p>"What will we do if it happens that way?" asked Allan.</p> + +<p>"Defend ourselves, to be sure," replied the scout-master, promptly, as +he gave a weed a snap with his staff that cut its top off neatly.</p> + +<p>"But scouts are not supposed to fight; that is one of the principles of +the organization," Allan remarked.</p> + +<p>"In a way you're right," replied the other, slowly; "that is, no true +scout will ever seek a fight; but there may be times when he has to +enter into one in order to defend himself, or save a comrade from being +badly hurt. You know the twelve rules we all subscribed to when we +joined the Silver Fox Patrol, Allan? Suppose you run them over right +now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's easy," laughed the second in command. "A scout must be +trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly, courteous, kind, +obedient to his superiors, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and +reverent."</p> + +<p>"Well, in order to be brave, and helpful to others, he may even have to +fight; but he is expected only to resort to such extreme measures when +every other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> means fail. And if those three roughs come playing their +jokes around our camp we'll try and speak decently with them first. +Then, if that doesn't work, they'd better look out."</p> + +<p>The way Thad snapped his teeth shut when saying those last few words +told what he would be apt to do if forced into the last ditch by +circumstances over which he had no control.</p> + +<p>"I hope we can coax Giraffe to quit trying to make fires all the time," +said Allan. "It's a dangerous thing to do in the woods. Why, up in Maine +every hunter has to employ a licensed guide just to make sure he doesn't +leave a camp-fire burning behind him when he breaks camp, which the +rising wind would scatter into the brush, so that valuable timber would +be burned, and heaps of damage done. I've stood my turn as a fire guard +myself in the Fall, and was hired by the State too."</p> + +<p>"Listen, would you?" said Thad, just then; "what do you suppose is the +matter between Bumpus and Step-hen now? The chances are he's gone and +lost something again and is accusing poor old Bumpus of taking it. Let's +wait for them here, and settle the trouble."</p> + +<p>The two in question brought up the van of the trailing patrol. As they +came along Step-hen was venting his disgust as usual over the "mighty +queer way" <i>his</i> things had of vanishing without anybody ever touching +them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's gone now, Step-hen?" asked Thad, as they came up, still +wrangling.</p> + +<p>"Why, just to think," called out Bumpus, "he says I never gave him back +that new compass of his, after he showed me how it worked, before we +started on this hike; and I say I did. As if I'd want to take his silly +compass, when I learned how to tell north from the mossy side of a tree, +and the way the sun hangs out up there."</p> + +<p>"Well, I just can't find it on me anywhere," complained Step-hen; "and +as I remembered showing it to Bumpus, I thought he was setting up a game +on me by hiding it somewhere about him. He wouldn't let me look in his +pack, either, you know."</p> + +<p>"Course I wouldn't!" cried the fat boy, indignantly; "because that'd +look like I half admitted the charge. Guess I know enough about law to +understand that. Just you think real hard, Step-hen, and p'raps you'll +remember where you put it; but don't throw it up at me, please."</p> + +<p>The other grumbled something, but made no further charge. From the +suspicious way in which he looked at Bumpus out of the corners of his +eyes, it was plain that his mind was far from convinced, and that +missing compass would be apt to make trouble during the whole trip.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>WHEN THE FIRE WAS KINDLED.</h3> + + +<p>"How are you feeling now, Bumpus?" asked Thad, some time later, as he +once more stopped to allow all the stragglers pull up; for some of the +boys were beginning to look rather fagged, though they tried to hide the +telltale signs, being too proud to own up to any weakness that ill +became a scout.</p> + +<p>"Pretty ragged, to tell the truth," replied the fat boy, who was puffing +as he came along. "It ain't the poison I've absorbed in my system, so +much as a weakness that just makes me shiver all over. And Thad, I've +walked this far before, and never felt like this, either."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I expected that you'd have that sort of a spell," remarked the +other. "You see, that tumble, and the shock of feeling something biting +you, that was terrible because you were in the dark, must have given +your nervous system a bad jolt. But keep up if you can, Bumpus. In a +little while now we'll be near the lake, and our first camp."</p> + +<p>"And just think of it, boys, what a roaring old fire we'll have +to-night," spoke up Giraffe, craning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> his long neck to glance around the +circle that had gathered about the leader.</p> + +<p>"You'll just leave all that to me, Giraffe," said the patrol leader, +sternly. "Here we are about to get into our first camp, and begin to +take up the duties all scouts ought to learn, so they can take care of +themselves, and be of help to others in the woods. And let me tell you, +the first camp-fire is too serious a thing for you to start it off-hand. +So I positively forbid you to think of using a single match to-night +without permission."</p> + +<p>Giraffe shrank back, looking crushed. He had been building high hopes on +having unlimited chances for carrying out his favorite diversion, once +away from the restraints of civilization. But he must learn by degrees, +possibly through sad experience, that a fire is just as terrible in the +wilderness, once it gets beyond control, as in a settled community. It +is a good servant, but a very bad master.</p> + +<p>"How far is the lake from here, would you say, Thad?" asked Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"Not over two miles," was the reply. "You notice that the country is +getting wilder the further we go. And around Lake Omega they say it +beats everything, for you can't see a single house."</p> + +<p>"How does it come that this lake, lying so close to Cranford, has never +been visited by any of you fellows?" asked Bob White, who, being a +comparative newcomer, like Allan and Thad, could not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> be supposed to +know as much about things as the rest of the scouts, who had been born +in Cranford, and brought up there.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see for a long time all this country up here was owned by a +rich man, who meant to make a game preserve out of it. He even had a +high wire fence built around part of the tract, including the lake, and +kept game keepers here, so nobody could get in to steal a single fish. +But he died before he ever had a chance to finish the job; and his widow +sold the ground to a lumber concern, that never cared a thing for game. +Chances are there'll be some high old hunting around up here this Fall; +and I'm going to get in on it if I can."</p> + +<p>It was Davy Jones who gave this information. He had a father who was +said to be a very smart lawyer; and Davy bade fair to follow in his +footsteps. At least, the boy was never asleep when anything was going +on; and he could easily subscribe to that scout injunction which +requires that a boy keep his eyes and ears open, in order to learn +things the ordinary person would never see nor hear.</p> + +<p>Once more they took up the march, Bumpus being a little refreshed from +the halt. A couple of the other fellows kept near him from now on, and +even linked arms with the fat boy, who was universally well liked on +account of his disposition being sunny, no matter whether in fair +weather or in storm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>Along about four in the afternoon a shout arose.</p> + +<p>"I see water ahead!" yelled Giraffe, who had managed to get in ahead of +the others.</p> + +<p>"Well, with that neck you ought to be able to see anything," called out +Bumpus, from further back in the line.</p> + +<p>"I guess I could see whether a bee went into a hole in a stump, or just +swung past," retorted the other. "But there's your lake, fellows; and +we're right close up on the same, now. Just look through that opening in +the trees; see the sun shining on the little waves. Say, don't it look +fine, though? Talking about fires—but that'll keep," as he saw the +patrol leader turn his eyes quickly upon him.</p> + +<p>Every one felt like quickening his pace, even the weary Bumpus. Step-hen +seemed especially solicitous about the welfare of his stout comrade, for +he kept hovering near him, offering to lend his arm, or do any other +kindly act. Bumpus eyed him a little suspiciously, as though he had an +idea the other might have some dark motive in being so extra kind.</p> + +<p>"See here, Step-hen," he declared once, when the other slipped an arm +through his and helped him on his way; "I reckon you're thinking that if +you're good to me I'll own up to taking that beastly little compass of +yours, eh? Well, just get that notion out of your head, won't you? +Because I ain't goin' to confess to something I never did. And don't you +say compass to me again, hear?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh! never mind," said Step-hen, very sweetly, for him, and with a +curious smile that made the fat boy uneasy; "of course if you say you +didn't keep it, there must be some mistake; only it seems mighty funny +how <i>my</i> things are always disappearing, and the rest of you get off +scot free. But don't bother about it, Bumpus; sure the thing is bound to +turn up somewhere. Only I hope I find it before I go and get lost in the +forest. I always was afraid of that, you know. I'll try and forget all +about compasses. Here, lean on me a little harder if you want to. I +ain't tired a whit, and can stand it."</p> + +<p>But Bumpus was able to walk alone. Truth to tell he fancied Step-hen was +trying to frisk him all over, as if endeavoring to locate the position +of some object that might feel like the missing compass.</p> + +<p>"There's the stuff the farmer brought, fellows!" said Thad, presently.</p> + +<p>It had been dumped alongside the road at a certain place marked by the +two who had come up here on a spying trip beforehand. Each boy took what +he could carry, and in this way the entire equipment was carried down to +a camp site on the shore of the splendid body of water known as Lake +Omega.</p> + +<p>"That word <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Omerga'">Omega</ins> means the end, don't it?" said Davy Jones, as they +started to put up one of the two tents, and gather the provisions, +blankets, cooking utensils and such things together.</p> + +<p>"I hope it won't be the end of any of us,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> chuckled Giraffe, who had +been casting furtive looks around, as if searching for an ideal spot on +which he hoped the first camp-fire would be built.</p> + +<p>"Well, every fellow who doesn't know how to swim has got to get busy, +and learn the first thing," said the patrol leader, looking toward +Smithy meaningly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I want to know how, Thad, believe me," returned that worthy, +earnestly. "My mother doesn't believe any fellow should go near the +water until he knows how to swim; but how could he ever learn in that +case, I'd like to know?"</p> + +<p>"Fix himself up in a tree, and strike out!" suggested Davy, to whom a +tree appealed very frequently as the first way out of any trouble.</p> + +<p>"Now, you're away off there, suh," broke in Bob White, smiling; "he +should immediately proceed to get in touch with one of those schools +that teach everything through the mails; and take his dives off the +dining-room table."</p> + +<p>It was at least satisfying to see how, under the management of the two +experienced leaders, Thad and Allan, the tents were soon raised. Then +several of the boys were set to work digging around the upper half +outside the canvas.</p> + +<p>"What's all this for, Mr. Scout-Master?" asked Smithy, as he laid an old +newspaper on the ground to kneel on, and began digging away with the +hatchet; having actually drawn on a pair of new<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> working gloves made of +canvas, in order to keep his hands from getting soiled.</p> + +<p>"Why, in case of a sudden and heavy rain, we'd be in danger of having a +flood rush through the tents if we didn't make this gutter or sluice to +throw it off. Notice that it's on the upper side only. And while you're +finishing here, boys, Allan and myself will make the stone fireplace +where we expect to do pretty much all our cooking. The big camp-fire is +another thing entirely, and we'll let you all have a hand in building +that of logs and brush."</p> + +<p>So they constructed a long fireplace of stones easily found along the +shore of the lake; it looked a little like a letter V, in that one end +was wider than the other. And across the smaller end a stone was placed +as a support for the coffee-pot which would occupy a position in that +quarter, the frying-pan needing considerably more room.</p> + +<p>Taking pattern from this first fireplace some of the other scouts, +ambitious to try their hand at making such a useful adjunct to camp +life, fashioned a second one close by. For the patrol was to be divided +into two sections, when the matter of cooking was concerned.</p> + +<p>The sun was sinking low behind the hills when the matter of supper was +agitated. Giraffe was calling for something to stay the terrible sense +of hunger he declared was making him feel weak. This thing of not being +able to sneak into the home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> pantry between meals was already giving him +trouble; and evidently Giraffe would have to lay in a greater stock when +the regular chance arose, or else go hungry.</p> + +<p>Finally, however, those who did the cooking on this first night, Thad +and Allan they chanced to be, announced that the meal was ready. So, to +carry out the idea of being under rules and regulations, the bugler was +told to sound the assembly call, though every member of the patrol +hovered close by, ready to fall to with the eagerness of half famished +wolves.</p> + +<p>Then came the job of making ready for their first camp-fire. That was a +matter of such tremendous importance in the eyes of all that every +fellow had to share in bringing the fuel, and helping to stack it, +according to the directions of Allan.</p> + +<p>No one worked with greater eagerness than Giraffe. He was fairly wild to +see the red flames dancing upward, and the sparks sailing off on the +faint night air, as though they carried messages from the camp of the +Boy Scouts to some distant port unseen from that lower world.</p> + +<p>And when finally all was ready, the young scout-master after grouping +his followers around the heap, solemnly took a brand from one of the +cooking fires, and with a flourish applied it to the inflammable tinder. +Immediately the crackling flames shot up through the stuff prepared, and +in another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> minute there arose a brilliant pyramid of fire that caused +the neighboring trees to stand out like red ghosts. And then arose a +shout from eight lusty young throats, as the Silver Fox Patrol danced +around the first camp-fire of their new organization.</p> + +<p>That was an event long to be remembered, and to be written down in the +annals of the outing with becoming ceremony.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>AN UNINVITED GUEST.</h3> + + +<p>What a truly glorious hour that was, as those eight lads sat around the +splendid camp-fire, chatting, asking questions, and giving information, +as it happened they were able.</p> + +<p>Of course Thad and Allan were usually called upon to explain the +thousand and one things connected with woods life, as yet sealed +mysteries to those of the patrol who were experiencing their very first +camping out.</p> + +<p>Some of the other six had doubtless made fires in the woods after a +fashion, and possibly tried to cook fish over the same, with poor +success. Bob White admitted that he had often been in the mountains with +some of the men who worked on his father's place, and had spent lots of +nights afoot in the Blue Ridge; so that he could not really be called a +"tenderfoot scout."</p> + +<p>But Bumpus and Smithy were very green; Davy Jones knew but little more; +and as for Step-hen and Giraffe, they would not commit themselves, +watch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>ing every move the leaders made, as though hoping to pick up +information in this way that could be used at another time, and which +would stamp them as real woodsmen.</p> + +<p>To all appearances Bumpus had entirely forgotten all about his +suspicions toward Step-hen. Malice he could not harbor any great length +of time toward any one, his nature being too broad and forgiving.</p> + +<p>But in the midst of an earnest discussion between several of the scouts +on the subject of Indian picture writing, which it is recommended all +scouts should learn as a very useful and interesting means for +communicating with companions who may be late on the road, Bumpus gave +out a roar.</p> + +<p>"Hey! guess you think my eyes got closed up by that swelling, didn't +you, Step-hen Bingham? Now, whatever are you sneaking my knapsack off +like that, for? Want to search it, perhaps, to see if that old compass +you left behind could a got in there? Well, you put it back right away; +and keep your hands off my property, or I'll complain to the +scout-master, see if I don't. What would I want your compass for, tell +me that?"</p> + +<p>"I thought you might have hid it just to tease me, Bumpus," grumbled the +detected one, as he hastened to hang the bag back where he had found it.</p> + +<p>"All right," returned Bumpus, falling back lazily, again; "you don't +choose to accept my word for it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> when I say I ain't got it; and so you +can take it out any old way you want. But don't you bother me again +about that compass, hear?"</p> + +<p>Some of the boys began in due time to yawn, at first slily; and then as +they saw others openly gaping, they forgot to hide it behind their hand.</p> + +<p>"Pretty near time we thought of making up our beds, ain't it?" inquired +Giraffe; who secretly wondered how he was ever going to tear himself +away from sitting there, his hands clasped around his shins, and +admiring that magnificent sight of the fire eating up the dry fuel that +was fed to it in liberal doses.</p> + +<p>"Yes, after I've gone the rounds, to see how well our stock of +provisions has been protected," replied the scout-master, getting upon +his feet.</p> + +<p>"We've got it stowed pretty much in the two tents, suh," remarked Bob +White, to whom this particular duty had been detailed.</p> + +<p>"Think any wild animal might try and raid the camp, and get away with +some of our grub?" asked Bumpus, a little uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Oh! hardly that," laughed Thad; "but one of the duties of a scout is +never to just take things for granted. He must be wise enough to make +provision against any ordinary happening that might come about. In other +words he insures his stock of provisions like a sensible merchant does +his goods. He doesn't expect to have a fire, you know; but he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> wants to +be sure he won't be ruined if one does come."</p> + +<p>"Huh! he'd have to pay a pretty big premium on insurance if it was known +that Step-hen Bingham was around, then," remarked Davy, meaningly.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to tell you more about that picture writing another time, +fellows," Allan remarked, as he proceeded to get his blanket out of the +pile, and fold it double, just as he wanted it. "You'll say it's a fine +thing too. Perhaps we can get a chance to try it out at the time we send +a good swimmer over to the island in the lake, to signal with the flags +and looking-glass."</p> + +<p>The rest of the boys immediately busied themselves with their blankets +too; for when in camp they are pretty much like a flock of sheep, and +will follow their leader, or bell-wether, without questioning.</p> + +<p>Presently a cry arose, and it came from Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"Say, look at that Smithy, would you; bless me if he ain't got some +<i>white sheets</i>, and a regular nightgown. Now, what dye think of that, +fellows? Are we going to allow such sissy goings-on in this, our first +camp? He'd hoodoo the whole business, sure. No luck with such baby play. +Use the sheets for towels when we go in swimming; I've got an extra pair +of pajamas along, that I'll lend him, if he promises to be a true scout, +ready to rough and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> ready it in camp. Next thing he'll be pulling out a +nightcap to keep from getting cold!"</p> + +<p>All of them were laughing by now. As for Smithy, he looked as if he +could not understand what all the fuss was about.</p> + +<p>"Why, I always sleep this way at home," he stammered, as he glanced +around at his hilarious comrades.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you do," jeered Davy Jones, who could take hard knocks without +any whimper; "but mother's darling boy ain't home right now. A true +scout must learn to sleep in his blanket alone. An old boot will do for +a pillow; and he won't ever want to be rocked to sleep either. The +breeze will be his lullaby, and the blue canopy of heaven his coverlet."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for you, Davy; that's as good a definition of what a Boy Scout +should accustom himself to, as I ever heard. I didn't know you had it in +you to talk like that," said Thad, warmly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I got that out of a book," declared Davy, frankly.</p> + +<p>"And Thad, do I have to give up these nice clean sheets; and crawl in +between the folds of a nasty, rough, tickly blanket?" asked Smithy, +pleadingly.</p> + +<p>"It will be just as well for you to begin right, Number Five," said the +scout-master, pleasantly but firmly. "Sooner or later, if you stick by +the Silver Fox Patrol, you've got to learn how to rough<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> it. And if you +think enough of your fellow scouts to make this sacrifice, all the +better."</p> + +<p>Without a word then, Smithy tossed the offending sheets across to Thad; +and followed with his usual night apparel.</p> + +<p>"I'll take those pajamas, Davy; and thank you kindly for offering to +loan them to me;" he said, bravely; but when the faded and somewhat torn +night suit was immediately handed over to him, the particular boy was +seen to shudder, as though they gave him a cold chill.</p> + +<p>Still, he proved to be true grit, and was soon donning them, so as to +keep up with the balance of the boys. Thad winked toward Allan, as much +as to say that he felt very much encouraged at the progress being made +in the education of Edmund Maurice Travers Smith, the spoiled darling of +a <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'week'">weak</ins> mamma.</p> + +<p>"Mark my word for it," he said in a low tone to his second in command; +"with all his pink and white complexion, and girlish ways, there's the +making of a good scout in Smithy. Given a little time for him to get +over the cruel shock these rough ways bring to his orderly system, and +you'll see a different sort of fellow spring up. The seed's there all +right. And mamma's baby boy will turn into as sturdy and hardy a scout +as there is in the troop."</p> + +<p>Allan smiled, and nodded. Perhaps he did not have quite as much faith as +the young scout-master,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> because he may not have been as good a reader +of character; but he realized that what Smithy had just done was as +valiant a thing for one of his nature as attacking a wildcat would be +for another boy, built along different lines. For he was defying what +had threatened to become a part of his own being, and with gritting +teeth trying to show himself a real flesh and blood boy for once.</p> + +<p>"When we're all ready, fellows," remarked Thad, presently; "the bugler +will sound taps, and after that, see to it that all lights are out but +the camp-fire. I've fixed that so it will burn several hours; and once +or twice during the night Allan or myself will crawl out, to add some +wood from the pile you heaped up here. Not that we need the heat, you +understand; but there ought to be a lot of sentiment <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'conneced'">connected</ins> with a +first camp-fire; and the Silver Fox Patrol must never forget this one. +All ready now?"</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" called some one from inside the near tent; "I can't find part +of my pajamas; and it'd be too cool to sleep with only half on. Now +ain't it funny why it's always <i>my</i> things that get taken? Just like I +was going to be a target for all the fun that's going."</p> + +<p>"Of course it's that poor old careless Step-hen again, always throwing +his things around, and forgetting where he put 'em," said Davy, in a +tone of disgust; then he took a peep inside, and burst out into a roar +of laughter, adding: "Well, did I ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> see such a crazy thing? Hi! +fellows look here, and see him hunting around like fun for the lower +half of his pajamas, when they are trailing behind him right now, +fastened to the shirt part; and he never got on to it. It's right +killing, I declare."</p> + +<p>"How could I see behind me?" grumbled Step-hen, as he hastened to get +into the balance of his night outfit; "my eyes happen to be fixed in +front; but some of you smart set may be able to see both ways. All +ready, Mr. Scout-Master; let her go!"</p> + +<p>The eight boys presented a comical appearance as they stood there, +awaiting the sweet notes of the bugle sounding "taps;" for their pajamas +were of all sorts of patterns, from gay stripes to deep solid blues and +reds.</p> + +<p>Thad gave one last look around, and picking up a lantern motioned to +Allan to take charge of the other, so that at the last notes they could +"douse the glim."</p> + +<p>Then he turned toward the stout bugler, clad in the gayest suit of all, +and looking like "a rolypoly pudding," as one of the other boys +declared.</p> + +<p>"Now!" called out the patrol leader, in a tone of authority.</p> + +<p>So the official bugler raised the instrument to his swollen lips, game +to do his duty; and started to put his whole soul into the thrilling +score that, heard at a late hour of the night, always brings with it a +feeling of intense admiration.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>He had just uttered the first few notes when they saw him suddenly whirl +around in consternation, and at the same time point with the bugle, as +he shrieked:</p> + +<p>"Oh! look! look what's coming in on us, fellows!"</p> + +<p>"It's a bear!" whooped Davy Jones, making a bee-line for the nearest +tree, just as might have been expected of such a gymnast.</p> + +<p>And Thad, with one look, realized that there was no laughing matter +about it; because it was a sure-enough bear that walked into their camp +on his hind feet!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>THE DANCING BEAR.</h3> + + +<p>The excited announcement made by Davy Jones was instantly succeeded by +such a mad scramble as those boys had certainly never witnessed before +in all their lives. Indeed, none of them saw more than a very small +proportion of the queer sights that took place, and for a very good +reason; because every single fellow was more concerned about reaching a +place of safety than anything else.</p> + +<p>Davy gained his tree in about five mad leaps, and the way he mounted up +among the convenient branches would have made a monkey turn green with +envy. There was Giraffe also, who had very good luck in picking out a +tree that offered easy stages for climbing, in that the branches began +fairly close to the ground.</p> + +<p>Thad and Allan just happened to choose the same resting-place, and met +as they began to mount upward. Still, as they seemed to have forgotten +an important engagement above, they did not stop to enter into any +conversation just then. There was no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> telling which one of the crowd the +invader might have selected for his victim, and each boy imagined that +he could feel the hot breath of the bear right at his bare heels.</p> + +<p>Some were not so fortunate.</p> + +<p>For example, poor Bumpus was having a perfectly dreadful time. He had +had the advantage of sighting the bear first; but that did not go very +far toward counteracting his unwieldy heft, and his clumsy way of always +finding something to stumble over.</p> + +<p>True to his habits, Bumpus tripped over one of the guy ropes holding a +tent in taut shape. He rolled over with a howl of fright, fancying that +now he was surely bound to become bear's meat; for you see poor Bumpus +had considerable to learn about the woods animals, or he would have +known that as a rule the American black bear lives on roots and nuts and +berries, and bothers his head not at all about feasting on fat boys, +such as a tiger might fancy.</p> + +<p>Bumpus, however, did not mean to just lie there, and let himself be +eaten, not if he could do anything whatever to prevent such a vacancy in +the Hawtree family. As he struck the ground he began revolving rapidly. +No doubt it was rather like a barrel rolling, for Bumpus was quite +round.</p> + +<p>This sort of thing quickly brought him up against the other tent. He had +not meant to make for it, but as soon as his second or third revolution +brought his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> clutching hands in contact with the canvas, Bumpus had a +brilliant idea. It was not often that he could boast of such an +inspiration; but then a fellow may even surprise himself when the +necessity is great.</p> + +<p>If he could only tear away one or two of the loops that were fastened to +ground stakes, what was to hinder him from pushing his way into the +tent, and possibly hiding under some of the blankets?</p> + +<p>Eagerly he jerked at the nearest one; and fortunately it seemed to be a +trifle loose, for it came free in his hands. But try as he would he +failed to budge the next stake, which had taken a firm hold.</p> + +<p>In a panic, when he saw the walking bear still drawing nearer, poor +Bumpus managed to push his legs under the lower rim of the tightly +stretched canvas. Only the lower half of him could find admittance; the +balance was of such larger girth that in spite of his frantic labor he +could not push under the tent.</p> + +<p>There he lay, one half of him safe, and the other exposed to all the +peril. He dropped his face on the grass. Perhaps it was to shut out the +terrible sight; or it may have been that Bumpus was like the foolish +ostrich, which, upon being hotly chased, will thrust its head into a +tuft of grass, and imagine itself hidden from the foe simply because it +cannot see anything.</p> + +<p>The others? Well, the boy from the Blue ridge proved himself no mean +sprinter when a real live<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> bear threatened to embrace him; for he had +managed to clamber up a tree with more or less difficulty, and was even +then astride a limb.</p> + +<p>There was Step-hen on the other side of the same friendly oak, breathing +hard, and casting frequent looks aloft, as though considering whether it +might not be a wise thing to mount upward, so as not to attract the +attention of the bear towards himself.</p> + +<p>Smithy was perhaps almost as badly frightened as Bumpus, only he did not +meet with the series of mishaps that <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'befel'">befell</ins> the fat boy.</p> + +<p>Like the balance of the covey the "particular" boy made a bee-line for +the tree that happened to catch his eye by the light of the camp-fire. +Had any of his chums thought to observe the movements of Smithy they +would have discovered that for once he did not even think of stopping to +brush his hair, or pick his steps. Barefooted as he was, he dashed over +the intervening ground, and hugged the trunk of his tree with a zeal +that spoke well for his activity.</p> + +<p>And now they were all securely seated in various attitudes, breathing +hard, and gazing at the invader with various emotions. Some still had +their hearts going after the fashion of trip-hammers; others were +beginning to see the funny side of the affair, and chuckle a little, +even though confessing that they too had been more or less alarmed at +the unexpected call of Bruin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>Of course Allan and Thad belonged to this latter class, partly because +they were built a little differently from their comrades in the Silver +Fox Patrol; and also on account of previous experiences along this line.</p> + +<p>The Maine boy had come from a State where bears are plentiful; perhaps, +now, it may not have been the first time in his life that Allan +Hollister had found himself chased by one of the hairy tribe.</p> + +<p>All this, which has taken so long to describe, really happened in a bare +minute of time. When Thad reached a safe perch on a friendly limb, and +looked around at the strange fruit those neighboring trees had suddenly +taken to bearing, it was really little wonder that he felt like +laughing. Some were clad in red, others blue; while a few had the gayest +stripes running in circles or lengthwise throughout their pajamas.</p> + +<p>What was this to a hungry bear? Absolutely nothing; and doubtless the +invader of the first camp of the Boy Scouts saw little that appeared +humorous in the situation. He had entered in a friendly way, expecting +to be treated to a supper; and here his intended hosts had fled wildly, +as though they feared lest he meant to make a meal of them.</p> + +<p>Strange enough, no doubt Bruin thought, if he was capable of thinking at +all. He still remained standing on his hind feet, and turning his head +from one side to the other, thrusting out his nose in an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> odd way, as +though he might be sniffing the air in order to locate the place where +the food was kept.</p> + +<p>It began to strike Thad as really comical, now that his own little panic +was in the past. He also noticed certain things that had not appealed to +him before, no doubt chiefly because he was too busy at the time to pay +attention.</p> + +<p>But fancy the horror of poor Bumpus when, raising his head presently, +consumed by a horrible fascination he could not control, he actually saw +the bear <i>looking straight at him!</i> That settled it, and he just knew +that the savage beast had already picked him out as a tender morsel. Oh! +why was he so unlucky as to be born to plumpness? If only he could be +more like the skinny Giraffe, or Step-hen, perhaps this awful beast +would have passed him by.</p> + +<p>He let out a roar as he saw the bear start toward him another step, +moving his forepaws as though growing anxious to embrace him.</p> + +<p>"Keep away! Just you try to get one of them other fellows! They're the +ones you want, not me, I tell you. Scat! Get out!"</p> + +<p>But the bear only advanced still another half hesitating step, and +Bumpus, unable to look longer, wriggled vainly in the endeavor to +withdraw within the shelter of the tent, and then dropped his face to +the earth again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>He believed that his time had come, and he might as well be saying his +prayers before he made a late supper for a wild bear.</p> + +<p>About this time a glimmer of the truth began to work in upon Thad's +brain. He realized in the first place that no ordinary bear of the wild +woods would act in this remarkable fashion. No doubt, had it ventured +into the camp at all, it would have come on all four legs, "woofing" its +displeasure that human beings had disturbed the loneliness of its +haunts.</p> + +<p>And by the way, as a rule wild bears were not in the habit of going +around dangling chains behind them, which was just what he discovered +this animal did. He had heard the peculiar jangling sound as the beast +first rushed the camp; but at the time was hardly stopping to +investigate its cause.</p> + +<p>And perhaps that was why Allan was laughing to himself, rather than +because of the queer looks of the party perched in the surrounding +trees. He had already guessed the truth.</p> + +<p>But the situation afforded no comfort to those other boys who stared, +and wondered what under the sun they could do if the creature selected +their tree to climb. Most of them were trying to remember whether bears +really did climb trees or not; and hoping that because this one seemed +different from the common black American bear, he might not be able to +do much in that line.</p> + +<p>He still stood there, erect, sniffing to the right and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> to the left. +Why, now that Thad had guessed the secret, he could see something almost +pitiful in the begging attitude of the poor bear. No doubt the animal +was very hungry, and did not know how to go about finding his own meals, +he had been accustomed to having them brought to him in the shape of +hunks of bread or such things, most of his life.</p> + +<p>Thad had a sudden brilliant idea. He saw a chance to have a little fun, +and give his frightened companions an opportunity to further express +their surprise.</p> + +<p>When poor Bumpus tried to escape in such a clumsy fashion that he +tripped over the stretched guy rope of a tent, he had let go his beloved +bugle. What was music to a fellow when his existence hung in the +balance. He could get another horn, but never another life.</p> + +<p>Thad had by chance discovered the shining bugle even while on his way to +the friendly tree, and had snatched it up; mechanically perhaps, for he +could not have entertained any fear lest the bear would swallow such a +thing.</p> + +<p>At any rate he had it in his possession right then, and being able to +play a little, he put it to his lips and trilled a few bars of a ditty +that sounded like a queer sort of a waltz. And to the utter amazement of +his companions the bear immediately started to tread a lively measure +with his two hind feet, ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>tending his shorter forepaws as though +holding a pole.</p> + +<p>In future years no doubt the thought of that strange picture would never +appeal to Thad Brewster without exciting his laughter; for it was +certainly one of the most comical things that could be imagined.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>SMITHY DID IT.</h3> + + +<p>"Oh! would you look at him waltzing!" cried Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"He's turning around and around, like a real dancing bear!" echoed +Step-hen; and then, still feeling a little malicious toward poor Bumpus, +whom he really believed was hiding his precious compass, just to annoy +him, he could not help adding: "he feels so good, because he sees his +dinner all ready for him under the flap of that tent there."</p> + +<p>That brought out another whoop from Bumpus, who felt impelled to raise +his head once more, even though it gave him renewed pain.</p> + +<p>"Oh! now I know what it all means!"</p> + +<p>It was Smithy who uttered this cry, and drew the attention of all his +chums toward the tree where the boy in the borrowed pajamas sat astride +a limb, just like all the rest, and which he had certainly never stopped +to brush off with his handkerchief before occupying, either.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen the beast before, Smithy?" asked the scout-master, +ceasing his little racketty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> waltz; which caused the bear to once more +stand at attention, waiting for the piece of bread that usually came +after he had performed his little trick; and still sniffing hungrily +around this way and that.</p> + +<p>"That's what I have, Thad," replied the other, eagerly. "Why he came +past our house only a few days ago, and gave us quite a performance. I +made friends with him too, and the man let me even give him some bread I +brought out."</p> + +<p>"Sure he did, and glad in the bargain to have some fellow help keep his +show bear," Allan remarked, half laughing still.</p> + +<p>"Hey, Smithy, suppose you climb down right now then, and renew your +acquaintance with the ugly old pirate!" sang out Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"And there's half a loaf of that stale bread wrapped in a newspaper, +left right where you c'n put your hand on it, inside the tent where +Bumpus is kicking his last. You're welcome to feed it to the bear, +Smithy."</p> + +<p>It was Step-hen who made this magnificent announcement; how easy it was +to think up things for some one else to do, while he clung to his safe +anchorage up there among the branches of the beech tree.</p> + +<p>"Only half a loaf, remember," put in the cautious and always hungry +Giraffe; "we don't want to run short too early in the game; and there's +a lot of meals to be looked after yet."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Somebody's got to do something, that's sure," remarked Bob White. "This +night air is some cool to a fellow with my warm Southern blood; and I +give you my word, suh, I'm beginning to shiver right now."</p> + +<p>"And if we don't think up some way to coax the beast to get out," +declared Step-hen, gravely; "why, just as like as not he'll eat up +everything we've got, and then go to sleep in our blankets, with us +hanging around here like a lot of ripe plums."</p> + +<p>"Let Davy do it," remarked Thad; for that was an expression often used +among the boys, Davy being such a spry chap, and usually so willing.</p> + +<p>But he at once set up a determined protest.</p> + +<p>"Now, I would, believe me, boys, if I only knew the gentleman, which I +don't, never having been properly introduced. Must have been out of town +when he gave his little show the other day. So I respectfully but firmly +decline the honor you want to pay me. Now, it's sure up to Smithy to get +busy, and make up with his old chum again. Here's his chance to win +immortal glory, and the thanks of the whole Silver Fox Patrol as well. +Smithy, it's your move."</p> + +<p>The delicate boy was pale before, but he turned even whiter now, as he +looked in the direction of Thad.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I <i>might</i> coax him to be good; and get a chance to whip the end +of that long chain around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> a tree," he said, in a voice he tried in vain +to keep from trembling.</p> + +<p>Thad hardly knew what to say. He understood that animals never forget an +enemy, or one who has been good to them. An elephant in captivity has +been known to bear a grudge for several years, until a good chance came +to pay his debt.</p> + +<p>Now Smithy said he had fed the traveling bear at the time it danced for +his amusement. Doubtless, then, it might recollect him, and would be +less inclined to show any vicious temper if he approached, than should a +stranger try to take hold of the trailing chain.</p> + +<p>"You said you had fed him, didn't you, Smithy?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, with half a loaf of good bread; and I would have gone after more +only just at that minute my mother happened to come to the window, and +became so frightened at seeing me near the bear, she called to me to +come in the house. But I shook hands with him before I went," the last +proudly, as though he wanted the boys to know he was not the milksop +they sometimes had imagined in the past.</p> + +<p>"And do you think he would remember you?" continued Thad, only half +convinced that he ought to let the other take the risk; though there +really seemed no other way out of the difficulty that promised one-half +as good chances.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'm sure he would, he acted so very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> friendly. Please let me try +it, Thad. I really want to; and see, I'm not afraid at all; only I do +wish I had my shoes on, for the hard ground hurts my feet. I never went +barefooted before in all my life."</p> + +<p>"Oh! let him try the trick, Thad," called out Davy; "I'm getting cold, +too. This here private box is full of draughts you see; and my attire is +so very airy. Blankets are what I want most right now. Give Smithy a +chance to show what he can do in the wild beast taming line."</p> + +<p>"It'll sure be the making of him," echoed Step-hen cheerfully, from his +perch.</p> + +<p>"But perhaps a quarter of a loaf would do just as well; I'd try it on +him if I was you, Smithy," suggested Giraffe; who groaned to think of +all that good food being wasted on a miserable traveling show bear that +had strayed into camp.</p> + +<p>"All right, if you feel confident, Smithy;" said Thad; "but watch him +close; and if he makes a move as if he wanted to grab you, shin out for +the tree again. We'll all stand by, ready to give a yell, so as to scare +him off."</p> + +<p>Bumpus was staring at all this amazing procedure. Slowly the fact had +begun to filter through the rather sluggish brain of the fat boy that +after all fate had not decided to offer him as a tempting bait to whet +the appetite of a bear. He even began to pluck up a little bit of hope +that Smithy might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> succeed in chaining the ugly old terror to a tree, +and thus saving his, Bumpus' life.</p> + +<p>When the delicate boy started to scramble down out of his leafy bower +the others tried to encourage him in various ways.</p> + +<p>"Good boy, Smithy!" cooed Step-hen.</p> + +<p>"You've certainly got more grit than any fellow in the bunch; and I take +off my hat to you, suh!" cried the Southern boy, making a movement with +his hand as if in salute.</p> + +<p>"Try the quarter loaf, Smithy; you'll find it just where Step-hen said, +inside the tent where Bumpus is hanging out," Giraffe called.</p> + +<p>"Only half-way out," corrected that party; and then ducked his head as +he saw that his voice had attracted the attention of the bear.</p> + +<p>So Smithy dropped to the ground. Thad saw that he was fearfully white +about the face, and was half tempted to recall him; but had an idea +Smithy would refuse to obey, now that he had resolved to prove his +valor, which must have been more or less doubted in the past.</p> + +<p>The tall, slim boy started walking toward the tent where Bumpus was +confined, unable to go or come, so tightly had he become wedged under +the canvas.</p> + +<p>They saw the bear had become greatly interested. Watching the movements +of the boy in the borrowed pajamas he made some sort of pitiful sound +that was not unlike a groan. Evidently mealtimes had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> been a long ways +apart lately for Bruin; but he seemed to understand that the boy had +gone to secure him something.</p> + +<p>The short forelegs began to beat imaginary time, and the bear started to +again tread that queer measure, turning slowly around and around as he +continued to follow out the line of discipline to which he had been +brought up.</p> + +<p>He was really begging for something to stay the pangs of hunger.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Smithy, though doubtless shivering like a leaf, had reached +the open flap of the tent. Passing inside his eyes quickly found the +half loaf of bread wrapped in a newspaper. And seizing it he tore the +cover away, after which he once more appeared in view.</p> + +<p>As he now advanced, slowly yet eagerly, in the direction of the dancing +bear, he held out the bait, and began to softly call, just as he had +heard one of the two keepers of the bear do:</p> + +<p>"<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Bumus'">Bumpus</ins>! <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Bumus'">Bumpus</ins>, good boy! here supper for <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Bumus'">Bumpus</ins>!"</p> + +<p>"Hey, quit calling him by my name," said the fat boy, indignation even +making him forget his recent fear.</p> + +<p>But Smithy paid not the least attention to him. He was advancing, +repeating the name over and over; and trying the best he knew how to +speak in tones resembling the thick voice of the man who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> had held the +chain at the time the animal danced for him.</p> + +<p>So he presently came close to the bear, which had now ceased dancing, +and was thrusting out his nose toward the coveted bread, while making a +queer noise. Not a fellow among the scouts moved so much as a little +finger. Every eye was glued on the form of Smithy, and doubtless more +than one of them really wondered while thus holding his breath in +suspense, if the starving beast would actually seize upon the boy who +came offering gifts.</p> + +<p>"Oh! he took it!" gasped Step-hen.</p> + +<p>"And it was the whole of that half loaf too," added Giraffe, with a sigh +of regret.</p> + +<p>"The chain, quick! Smithy; there's a small tree right by you that ought +to hold him! That's the way! Hurrah for you, Smithy; he's done it, boys; +and you can drop down now without being afraid," and Thad followed the +words by allowing himself to leave the branches of his tree, landing +softly on the ground.</p> + +<p>Loud shouts attested to the delight of the other prisoners, when the +delicate and pampered boy snatched up the end of the long and strong +chain, bringing it around the tree Thad mentioned, and apparently +locking it securely. After which Smithy staggered away from the spot, +and sank down upon the ground, trembling and weak from the great nervous +strain under which he had been laboring.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>The shouts turned into cheers, and Smithy's name was given three and a +tiger; so that the racket made even the hungry bear look wonderingly at +the fantastic group that took hold of hands, and danced around the hero +of the hour.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED.</h3> + + +<p>"Are you sure that chain will hold, Smithy?" asked the still nervous +Step-hen, when some of the noise and enthusiasm had died away, so that +the scouts could act like reasonable human beings again.</p> + +<p>They had dodged into the tents, and appeared wrapped in their various +blankets; so that as they walked to and fro they resembled so many +solemn Indian braves.</p> + +<p>"No question about it," returned the other, in whose cheeks a splash of +color had come, while his eyes were sparkling with satisfaction over the +receipt of honors such as any Boy Scout should be proud to deserve of +his fellows.</p> + +<p>"Hey! ain't you goin' to help me out of this?" called Bumpus just then.</p> + +<p>"Well, would you ever, if he ain't sticking there under that tent, too +lazy to help himself crawl out again," remarked Step-hen; possibly +wondering whether this might not be a good opportunity for him to sneak +off with that knapsack belonging to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> Bumpus, so that he could secure the +compass he was positive the fat boy was hiding from him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I <i>am</i> stuck here, and so tight I just can't hardly breathe," +complained the prisoner. "Somebody go inside, and give me a shove. If +that don't do the business, then another of these here pegs has got to +be lifted, that's all."</p> + +<p>Allan obliged the other with a helping hand, and Bumpus was soon able to +don his blanket like the rest. Sleep had been banished for the time +being, by this remarkable happening. The boys began to speculate as to +what they should do with the bear, now that they had him tied up.</p> + +<p>"It's sure a white elephant we've got on our hands," laughed Thad. "We +don't dare let him loose; and if we keep him here long, he'll eat us out +of house and home."</p> + +<p>At that Giraffe groaned most dismally. If there was anything he hated to +see it was good food being tossed to the beasts.</p> + +<p>"Our first camp-fire brought us bad luck, fellows!" he complained.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I don't know," remarked Thad. "It gave us a run for the money; and +chances are, we'll never get over laughing at the funny things that +happened. Then besides think what it did for Smithy! After what he did I +guess there isn't a scout who will ever taunt him about being a coward."</p> + +<p>"No, Smithy certainly made good this night; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> I pass him up away +ahead of me on the roll. He deserves a merit badge, suh, for his true +grit," was what the generous Southern lad declared firmly.</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear! we'll put in an application to Headquarters for a badge to +be given to our comrade Smithy for saving our bacon!" cried Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"Well," declared Giraffe, "it might have been our bacon, in fact; +because I saw him sniffing in the direction of the tent where it happens +to be lying. A fine lot of scouts we'd be, camped away up here, far from +our base of supplies, and to run out of bacon the first thing. What's a +breakfast without coffee and bacon; tell me that?"</p> + +<p>But apparently none of the others were so much given to thinking about +the delights of eating as Giraffe, for nobody answered his question.</p> + +<p>Thad had pulled Allan aside.</p> + +<p>"What did I tell you about that boy?" he whispered, as he watched the +emotions that flitted across the now flushed face of the proud Smithy, +receiving the homage of his fellow scouts.</p> + +<p>"Well, you were right, that's all; he did have the pluck as you said, +and he showed it too. I never saw a better piece of grit, never," was +the reply the Maine boy gave to the question.</p> + +<p>"His mother and aunts may have done their level best to make a sissy out +of him; and we always believed they had come mighty near doing it too; +but I tell you, Allan, I just feel sure that his father or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> grandfather +must have been a brave soldier in their day. There's warrior blood in +Smithy's veins, in spite of his pale face, and his girlish ways."</p> + +<p>"Oh! it won't take long for him to get rid of all those things," said +the other, confidently. "Already we've seen him accept that tattered old +pair of pajamas from Davy Jones; either of us might have hesitated to +put 'em on, because of the laugh they'd raise. I think Davy only fetched +them along to get a rise from the boys. Smithy is all right, Thad. Given +a few months with us, and his mother won't know her darling angelic +little boy."</p> + +<p>"Say, Thad," sang out Step-hen just then; "what d'ye reckon could have +happened to the fellers that own the bear? We've been talking it over, +and no two think alike. Some say they got tired feeding the beast, and +turned him loose on the community, to browse off poor scouts, camping +out for the first time. Then others got the notion that p'raps some +hobos might have stopped the show foreigners, and took their money, +letting the bear shuffle off by himself."</p> + +<p>"We'll just have to take it out in guessing, and let it go at that," was +the reply Thad made. "You see, we haven't anything to go by. The bear +wasn't carrying any message fastened to his collar, or anything of the +sort that I could see."</p> + +<p>"Now you're joking, Thad; the only message he had about him was a hungry +one, and it showed on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> his face and in the way he begged," Bob White +remarked.</p> + +<p>"But, oh! dear me, don't I hope then that the two foreign chaps are hot +on the trail of their lost performing pet; and will show up here bright +and early to-morrow morning; for just think what an immense stack of +precious grub that bear can put away inside of forty-eight hours."</p> + +<p>Nobody but Giraffe could have had a thought along these lines.</p> + +<p>"Well, he's tired as all get-out now, it seems," said Step-hen; "for +there he's lying down like he meant to go to sleep in the shadow of that +tree. Makes himself right at home, I must say. I reckon he likes us, +fellows."</p> + +<p>"Please don't say that, Step-hen; it makes me nervous," remarked Bumpus, +wrapping his blanket around him after the way an ancient Roman might his +toga, as if, in spite of its warmth, he had started shivering again, as +the significant words of Step-hen awakened unpleasant thoughts in his +now active mind.</p> + +<p>"But how about appointing a sentry to stay on guard during the night?" +suggested Giraffe, turning to the scout-master.</p> + +<p>"What for?" asked Thad, winking at Allan.</p> + +<p>"To watch that he don't get loose, and spread himself at our expense," +the other explained. "Why, if that bear overfed, and killed himself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +those foreign men'd be just awful mad, fellows. I wouldn't be surprised +now, if they tried to make us pay a big sum for letting the old sinner +feed on our rich truck. Sometimes these educated animals are worth a +heap."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you c'n watch all you're a mind to, Giraffe," jeered Step-hen; "the +rest of us want some sleep. Be sure and shoo him away if he does break +loose, and try to wreck our cooking department. I'm going to hunt for a +soft spot right now inside this tent. Don't anybody dare to wake me up +before the sun shows again."</p> + +<p>With that he started to crawl under the flap of the tent. His action was +the signal for a general disappearance, as the boys remembered again, +now that the excitement was a thing of the past, that they were both +tired and sleepy.</p> + +<p>Thad was the last in sight. He wanted to stroll over in the direction of +the uninvited guest; and if the bear remained quiet, he meant to examine +for himself just how securely Smithy had made the chain.</p> + +<p>No one could question his intentions; but then at the time Smithy was +worked up to a degree that might excuse some bungling.</p> + +<p>The bear was lying down. He raised his head and made that queer sniffing +sound when Thad approached, as though possibly anticipating another +feed. Thad spoke to the beast in a low, soothing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> tone, as he used his +fingers to ascertain just how the end of the chain was fastened.</p> + +<p>Smithy had done his work in a business-like way, in spite of trembling +hands. There was a little metal bar which was intended to slip through +an extra strong ring, that in turn was connected with one of the links. +This being done the bear would be held securely, unless through some +accident the ring and bar parted company, which might not happen once in +a year's time.</p> + +<p>So Thad, quite satisfied, left the shady tree under which the prisoner +had stretched his hairy form, and returned to the vicinity of the fire. +Here he busied himself for a little while, fixing things so that there +would be no necessity for any one attending the camp-fire during several +hours at least; indeed, the big back log would doubtless last until +morning, smouldering hour after hour.</p> + +<p>Giving one last look around, and quite satisfied with the arrangement of +this, the first camp of the newly organized Silver Fox Patrol of +Cranford Troop of Boy Scouts, Thad finally followed the example of his +chums, crawling under the flap of the tent, which he left up for +ventilation.</p> + +<p>He found three fellows apparently already far gone in sleep, if he could +judge from their steady and heavy breathing.</p> + +<p>So Thad, chuckling to himself as some humorous thought flitted through +his mind, settled down to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> join them in dreamland. He knew no reason why +he should deny himself the rest he sorely needed. There was no danger +hovering over the camp that he was aware of; the bear was securely +fastened, and apparently content to take up regular lodgings again with +human companions; and the fire could not communicate to any dry brush or +grass, so as to cause an alarm.</p> + +<p>And on this account Thad gave himself up to the pleasure of securing his +full measure of sleep, intending to awaken inside of, say three hours, +when he could creep softly out, to throw a fresh log on the camp-fire, +without disturbing any one.</p> + +<p>The last sounds he remembered hearing consisted of a crackling of the +flames as they seized upon a particularly fine piece of fuel; and the +croaking of some bullfrogs along the shore of the lake. Thad lazily made +up his mind to try and secure the hind legs of a few of these big green +"mossbacks," as he called them; for he knew from experience what a +dainty meal they would make, fried with some salt pork, being equal to +any tender spring chicken he knew of.</p> + +<p>Then he slept, perhaps for some hours, Thad could not tell; when he was +aroused by the greatest kind of shouting from somewhere near by. He sat +up instantly, his senses on the alert, listening to locate the +disturbance, and get some sort of line on its nature.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>LUCKY BRUIN.</h3> + + +<p>"Oh! murder! he's broke loose, and remembers about me!" Bumpus was +shouting close to the ear of Thad; and there was a great scurrying in +that quarter, as if the fat boy might be trying to hide himself under +the blankets.</p> + +<p>Thad hurried outside as fast as he could; and in this he was closely +imitated by Bob White and Giraffe, who happened to be his other tent +mates.</p> + +<p>Already Thad had made a most important as well as surprising discovery. +Those yells did not appear to be given by Allan, Step-hen, Davy Jones or +Smithy. They were fashioned on another key from the well-known voices of +these fellow scouts.</p> + +<p>Of course, the first and most natural idea that flashed into Thad's mind +lay in the direction of the two foreigners, whom Smithy seemed to +believe must be Bohemians. Could they have followed the trail of the +escaped bear, and entering the camp of the scouts by stealth, were now +engaged in administering the beating to the poor animal, as they thought +he deserved for leaving them in the lurch?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>In one way it sounded like that might be the case, for amidst all the +clamor of shouts Thad could detect something like roars or grunts from +the bear.</p> + +<p>But no sooner was he outside the tent than he realized that this could +not be the case at all. The voices were certainly not those of men, but +rather sounded like cries falling from boys' tongues. And instead of +being raised in anger, they were frantic with <i>fright!</i></p> + +<p>An old moon had risen while the campers slept, so that it was no longer +dark out on the lake near by.</p> + +<p>The first thing Thad did was to look toward the tree where the bear had +been chained at the time Smithy took care of him so neatly. He was +standing on his hind legs, and giving tongue to his feelings in deep +rumbling roars that seemed to almost make the very air tremble.</p> + +<p>"Just listen to 'em go, would you?" ejaculated a voice close to Thad's +shoulder, and he turned to find Allan there; while his three tent mates +were close behind, all worked up again over this new and exciting +mystery of the first night in camp.</p> + +<p>"Who in the wide world can it be?" asked Bob White.</p> + +<p>"Don't know; but I'm sorry for one of them," remarked Thad; "because he +smashed into the trunk of that tree just then; and I rather guess he'll +have the marks to show for it a long while."</p> + +<p>"And listen to that splash, boys!" exclaimed Step-hen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Just as like as not another of the lot slipped and fell into the lake;" +spoke up Giraffe, "there he goes splashing like fun, and how he does +holler in the bargain!"</p> + +<p>"Hark! what is he shouting?" asked Allan.</p> + +<p>"Why, he's calling for help, because he thinks the old bear will get him +now, sure. I c'n see him near the shore there, kicking up the water like +an old stern-wheel steamboat. Say, ain't he the worst scared fellow you +ever saw?"</p> + +<p>"Don't forget there were a bunch about as bad off as that, a while +back," declared Thad; "but he seems to be calling for some one to come +back and help him."</p> + +<p>"I got it then, and it was Brose!" exclaimed Bob White, who had very +acute hearing.</p> + +<p>"That explains it all," declared Thad. "Now we know who we have to thank +for making all this racket. Brose Griffin and his two shadows, Hop, and +Eli Bangs were going to pay us a nice little surprise party visit. +Perhaps when we woke up in the morning we'd have found all sorts of +things gone, and have to hike back to town to-morrow. But they didn't +know we had a bear in camp, did they, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! my, and if they didn't stumble right on the beast!" exclaimed +Bumpus, who, not wanting to be left by himself in the tent, had crawled +out, after taking a cautious look first. "What a rich<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> joke on Brose and +his crowd. I can just see 'em scooting for home for all they're worth. +Never catch any of that bunch around our camp again on this trip, that's +sure, boys."</p> + +<p>"I hope," Thad went on to say as he stood listening; "the fellow in the +lake don't go under; it must be Hop; because you know he does limp some, +from that broken leg he got last winter."</p> + +<p>"Oh! he got out all right," observed Allan.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing," added Giraffe; "because I saw him climb up the bank; and +there, if you listen, you can hear the silly right now, going whimpering +along. Say, what a time we are having, eh, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Who'd ever think so much could be crowded inside a few hours?" declared +Smithy; who felt that he would have good reason to look back on this +remarkable experience as the crowning feature of his whole life, because +he had certainly lived more in the last four hours than all the balance +of his years thrown together.</p> + +<p>"And boys, don't forget we owe a lot to our guest—what was that you +called him, Smithy—Bumpus?" Thad continued.</p> + +<p>"Oh! let's change it to just plain Smith," suggested Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"But we do owe the old fellow a whole lot of thanks," remarked Bob +White. "And in the morning, suh, I intend to see to it that he gets a +good filling breakfast, even if I have to cut down my own allowance."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>At that Giraffe groaned dismally.</p> + +<p>"Oh! say, you don't think of going that far, I hope; and for only a +dancing bear; we ought to be able to feed him on the leavings, don't you +think?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"He'd soon kick the bucket, then, Giraffe, if he waited for any leavings +from your platter," observed Davy Jones; "because I notice that you lick +it clean every time."</p> + +<p>"Listen, do you hear any more shouting?" asked Thad.</p> + +<p>Though they strained their ears no one could catch a single sound.</p> + +<p>"Guess they've got beyond earshot," remarked Step-hen.</p> + +<p>"But you take it straight from me, suh, they're running yet; and I +wouldn't be afraid to say that they'll keep it up until they fairly +drop," Bob White gave as his opinion; and indeed, all of them agreed +with him there.</p> + +<p>Then the funny side of the thing seemed to strike them. First one +commenced to laugh, and then, as the others looked at him they too +started, until the merriment grew, and some of the scouts were holding +each other up in their weakness. Bumpus even solemnly declared the bear +joined in the general hilarity; he did act a bit queerly, and made a +series of sounds that might be construed into bear laughter.</p> + +<p>Smithy remarked that the old fellow deserved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> another feed after such +splendid service in guarding the camp.</p> + +<p>"There's that heavy cake Step-hen fetched along; might try him on that; +and if he likes it, we'll be saved more'n one stomach ache," Davy +proposed.</p> + +<p>"Why, I didn't think it was so <i>very</i> bad," spoke up Giraffe; and then, +seeing the others frowning at him, he hastened to add; "but if you think +he ought to be fed again, to keep him quiet, why break off a piece, +Smithy."</p> + +<p>"A piece!" cried Step-hen, "he gets the whole cake, understand. Talk +about base ingratitude, some persons can never feel anything but the +empty state of their stomach. Why, that bear saved us the whole of our +grub, mebbe, by giving the alarm; and Besides, he scared that bunch so +bad they'll let us alone after this. The bear takes the cake, don't he, +Thad?"</p> + +<p>"He certainly does," replied the scout-master, laughing again.</p> + +<p>Smithy found that the chained visitor was perfectly agreeable, for the +way he took that heavy cake and devoured, it was a caution.</p> + +<p>"Watch him eat, Giraffe," suggested Davy Jones; "he can give you some +valuable pointers on how to stow the grub away. You see, his neck ain't +like yours, and it takes less time to navigate the channel."</p> + +<p>"Huh! I only hope it gives him a cramp, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> doubles him up," grunted +the other, in more or less disgust.</p> + +<p>"Now you're getting one off on me, you think," remarked Davy; for he had +been subject to cramps a long time, and never knew when one would attack +him, making him perfectly helpless for the time being; and the boys were +beginning to notice how accommodating the said "cramps" seemed to be, +visiting Davy just when some hard work loomed up in which the victim was +supposed to have a part.</p> + +<p>"And now what?" demanded Step-hen, yawning, and stretching his long +figure.</p> + +<p>"Do we go back to our downy couch again, fellows; or is it so near +morning that we'd better stay awake?" asked Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"Do you know what time it is?" asked Thad, who had been inside to +consult the little nickel watch he carried: "just ten minutes after +two!"</p> + +<p>"Wow! me to get seven more winks!" exclaimed Giraffe; "and please don't +wake me so suddenly again, boys. My eyelids popped open with a bang. If +they hadn't been fastened on as tight as they were, I'd have lost one, +sure."</p> + +<p>"That's the way you wake up, eh?" remarked Step-hen. "Remember the +Irishman who heard the cannon fired when the flag went down, and asked +what it was. When they told him it meant sunset he said——"</p> + +<p>"'Sure, the sun niver goes down in ould Ireland wid a bang loike thot!'" +called out Giraffe from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> interior of the tent, spoiling the telling +of Step-hen's little story, which no doubt every one of the boys knew.</p> + +<p>Soon the camp was wrapped in silence again, even the contented bear +lying down, better satisfied than ever with his new friends. And that +wish of Giraffe's could not have borne fruit, for there was nothing +heard to indicate that the bear suffered the least bit of indigestion +from devouring the whole heavy cake that would have lain like lead in +even a boy's strong stomach.</p> + +<p>The rising moon sailed higher in the heavens, and looked down upon the +peaceful camp of the Silver Fox Patrol. The little wavelets washed up on +the shore with a sweet musical tinkle that must have been like a lullaby +to the boys, seeing that even Thad failed to awaken again, while night +lasted; and the smouldering camp-fire had to take care of itself from +the time of that second alarm.</p> + +<p>Some of them would very likely have imitated their habits when at home, +and tried to sleep until long after sunrise; only that they were under +military rules while in camp.</p> + +<p>And so it was the clear notes of the bugle, blown by the now recovered +Bumpus, as he alone could blow it, that rang out over the water, telling +the sleepers that they must make their appearance for the early morning +dip in the clear lake, after which the various duties of the day could +be taken up, beginning with the first camp breakfast.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>LOOKING TO BIG THINGS AHEAD.</h3> + + +<p>"Ain't this fine and dandy, though?" remarked Bumpus, as he stood on the +shore, after a short session in the water, and rubbed his plump form +with part of the fine sheet Smithy had fetched along, foolishly thinking +he would need it for sleeping.</p> + +<p>They had splashed, and swam about to their hearts' content, until Thad +timing the bathing period, ordered the last scout from the water.</p> + +<p>There was an absence of the frolicsome spirit so often seen among boys +when in swimming. Discipline would not allow Step-hen, for instance, +slapping a lump of mud upon Bumpus just after he had succeeded in drying +himself; though possibly he might have enjoyed doing it first-rate; +since he still felt that the fat boy was playing a joke on him by +concealing his precious compass upon which he depended to show him the +right road, should he ever get astray in the woods.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was an easy meal to get. They just had to boil the coffee, and +fry several rashers of bacon for each mess; after which the appointed +cooks, tried their hands at making flapjacks; which,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> be it mentioned +here, are about the same as the common pancake at home, though never +called by that ordinary name in camp.</p> + +<p>These were fairly good, though a bit heavy, not quite enough "rising" +having been put in the flour. The next time, Thad said, they would carry +the self-raising kind of flour along, when they would be sure of having +light bread.</p> + +<p>"If there are any left, boys," remarked Thad, "don't forget that we are +honored by the presence of a guest in our camp. He came without +invitation, and is kept here perhaps against his will; but all the same +we owe him a heavy debt of gratitude."</p> + +<p>"Yes," spoke up Bumpus, who had not cared very much for the latter end +of his breakfast, as he was a light eater, and rather particular, +"fussy" Step-hen called it, "which we will proceed to cancel by a heavy +dose of dough. Give him my share, boys, and welcome. I've got too much +respect for my poor stomach to cram such prog down into it."</p> + +<p>"Hold on," remarked Giraffe, looking up, hungrily; "perhaps everybody +ain't through yet; and Bob, I think those flapjacks you made are simply +delicious."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, suh!" returned the cook of his mess, with a pretended bow; "but +I beg to diffah with you; and by the orders of the scout-master I am +handing the balance over to Smithy, from the other mess, who will +proceed to feed it to the prisoner. Our scout-master is afraid that if +you did get sick so early in the outing, he might have to exhaust the +medicine chest befo' your appetite returned."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh! all right, Bob, just as you say; and perhaps I have devoured as +many as I had ought to; but they <i>were</i> good, I don't care what you say. +Come again, Bob."</p> + +<p>"Hey! anybody seen my head—" began Step-hen; when Davy interrupted him +to bawl:</p> + +<p>"Anybody seen Step's head; he's done gone and lost that, now. Always +said he would have done it long ago, only Nature had it fastened on +tight. But the catastrophe has arrived at last. Step's lost his head, +fellows; not that it matters much. A liberal reward is hereby offered to +the finder. Apply to Step-hen Bingham."</p> + +<p>"Think you're smart, don't you?" jeered the lean one, as he kept on +overturning all manner of things. "I was only going to ask if any one +had taken my head gear, otherwise known as my campaign hat? Of course I +know what the answer'll be—nobody's seen a thing of it. It does beat +the Dutch how <i>my</i> things are always going, the funniest way ever. Now I +could declare I hung that hat up on the broken branch of this tree."</p> + +<p>"Well, you've been sitting on it all the time you were eating breakfast; +and there it lies, as flat as any pancake that was ever cooked. Now +perhaps you'll learn sometimes just to put things where you c'n find +'em," said Bumpus.</p> + +<p>Step-hen turned to shoot an accusing stare at the speaker that made the +fat boy writhe, for he knew what was passing in the mind of the other.</p> + +<p>"Didn't, so there!" he snapped, as he turned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> away; and Step-hen, +looking after him, wagged his head as he muttered:</p> + +<p>"Honest Injun now, I really believe he <i>did</i> take it, and the joke's +gone so far he just hates to own up. Oh! all right, Bumpus, I'll get on +to your game sooner or later; and then the laugh will be with you, just +wait and see."</p> + +<p>It was the purpose of Thad, in the absence of Dr. Philander Hobbs, the +real scout-master of Cranford Troop, to daily put the scouts through +various interesting exercises connected with the education of a Boy +Scout.</p> + +<p>For instance there was the following of a trail in the woods, observing +every little item of interest connected with it, until the properly +educated scout would be able to actually describe the man who had made +the tracks without ever having seen him, telling his height, whether +thin or stout, even the color of his hair, what sort of shoes he wore, +whether new or old, and that he walked with a limp, carried a cane, and +many other interesting facts in connection with the unknown.</p> + +<p>Then there was photography in which two of the Silver Fox Patrol were +deeply interested, so that they kept continually in a fever of +expectancy regarding the prospects for pictures that would be out of the +common.</p> + +<p>One of the scouts even went so far as to propose that the boys don their +fancy pajamas in the broad daylight, and hunt up the friendly trees, in +whose branches they had sought refuge when the bear first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> invaded the +camp; so that a snapshot could be taken that would preserve the event +for all time.</p> + +<p>Bumpus, however, put his foot down flatly against having anything to do +with such an "idiotic proceeding," as he chose to term it.</p> + +<p>"Huh!" he remarked, disdainfully; "all very fine for you fellows, +looking so grand up in your leafy bowers, like a flock of queer parrots; +but what about poor me, pinned there on the ground by that pesky old +tent, that wouldn't let me back in? Think I want to be the butt of the +joke? Count me out. I refuse to join in any such silly game."</p> + +<p>Besides there were classes in tying difficult knots, which every scout +in good standing is supposed to know how to do neatly. Then came lessons +in erecting and taking down the tents, so that every fellow might know +just how to go about making camp, and breaking the same.</p> + +<p>In the water they played the game of landing the big fish, one of the +boys allowing a stout line to be fastened to him; and then by swimming +and struggling making it as difficult as possible for the angler to reel +him in.</p> + +<p>Thad knew considerable about first "aid to the injured", because, as has +been stated, he had belonged to a patrol before he came to Cranford. So +he was able to show the others many things about stopping the flow of +blood in case any one happened to be cut with a knife, or an ax, and +bandaging the wound afterwards.</p> + +<p>But the drowning person being brought back to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> life when it seemed next +to hopeless was what interested Allan most of all. He had seen more than +a few accidents while up in the woods of Maine, and knew of the very +rough means adopted by the native guides looking to resuscitating a +person who has been in the water until life seems extinct.</p> + +<p>So he eagerly watched the way Thad placed the supposed patient on his +chest, and kneeling over him, started pressing down on his back while +others worked his arms with a regular motion; the whole endeavor being +to imitate breathing, and in this artificial way induce the muscles to +take on genuine respiration.</p> + +<p>"That takes with me, I tell you," said Allan, eagerly. "I saw a man +drowned once, and I believe right now his life could have been saved if +only the guide had known the right way to go about it. I'll never forget +that lesson, Mr. Scout-Master, never."</p> + +<p>"It's a splendid thing for any boy to know," said Thad, "and might save +a chum's life at any time. Because, boys are always falling into the +water, in summer while swimming, and in winter skating. I intend to +practice that every day we're here. It's one of those things you may +never want; but in case you do, you want it in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"How about the fire building tests?" demanded Giraffe, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's where Giraffe feels at home. Give him a chance to start a +blaze, and you'll make him happy," laughed Step-hen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You know you're as good as licked, before we begin," replied the other, +derisively.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to start on that fun right away," returned Thad. "Some of you +may be thinking that we're spending entirely too much time with these +things; but all the same they go right along with all that a Boy Scout +has got to know. Pretty soon Cranford Troop will be getting its charter +from the organization headquarters, and I'd like to have a few merit +badges come along with it. That isn't all, either."</p> + +<p>"I reckon I can give a pretty good guess what you mean by shaking your +wise old head that way, Thad, and looking sorter mysterious-like," +declared Davy Jones; who seldom showed the proper amount of respect to +the acting scout-master, that by rights he should.</p> + +<p>"Then tell us all about it, Davy; because we want to know," demanded +Step-hen.</p> + +<p>"That's right, and we <i>must</i> know; so start up the music, Davy," said +Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Why, there's been a whole lot of talk between Thad and Allan here about +the new Silver Fox Patrol taking a trip away from home. It's only a +question of getting the money, and the consent of our parents and +guardians. I guess the money part could be taken care of, all right; but +when it comes to getting permission to really leave Cranford, and go +down to the Blue Ridge mountains, that's another thing. It might be +done; but my father is a lawyer, and hard to convince."</p> + +<p>"You're wrong there, Davy," said Thad, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> a laugh; "he was the +easiest proposition of the whole lot to fix. There'll be no trouble in +that quarter. What we can do about Smithy's mother is another thing."</p> + +<p>"But why the Blue Ridge mountains; whatever put that notion in your +head, Thad?" demanded Giraffe, deeply puzzled.</p> + +<p>"I did, suh," announced Bob White, drawing himself up; "you see, I came +from that section, and I've been telling my chums so much about it that +they've become wild to make it a visit. And I invited them to drop in on +my old home there, you understand. It would be very nice for me to have +you all there as my guests; and to tell you the truth, my mother has +been telling me that I ought to go down there right soon now on +particular business. If you all could be with me, I should be mighty +glad of it. And it might be a splendid thing foh me, I confess."</p> + +<p>"The Blue Ridge!" repeated Bumpus, as if to see just how it sounded. +"Say, I've read a lot about the Alleghanies, the Big Smokies, and the +Blue Ridge mountains down there in North Carolina, where Bob White came +from; but honest now, I never expected to find myself there, at least +not till I grew up. The Blue Ridge! Well, if so be you can win my folks +over to letting me go along, say, won't I wake up the echoes in them old +mountains with the merry notes of my bugle? But there goes the +scout-master to start the fire building, and water boiling test. Come +along boys and see who can beat Giraffe at his pet game!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>THE SCOUT WHO USED HIS EYES.</h3> + + +<p>"Hold on," called out Step-hen, "let's start even all around. Has +anybody seen my tin cup? Funny how <i>my</i> things are always the ones to +take to hiding. Now I give you my word, fellows, I laid that cup in a +safe place after we washed up the breakfast dishes this morning. And I +just can't run across it anywhere. If we're all going to take part in +that water-boiling, fire-making test I can't enter unless I have my cup, +can I? So if anybody's trying to play a joke at my expense, call it off, +won't you, please?"</p> + +<p>"You put it in a safe place, did you, and then forgot where that place +was?" laughed Thad, who knew the weakness of Step-hen very well by this +time. "Now, what's that hanging from that little broken twig up there?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare, I do remember putting it there!" cried the other, with +a wide grin, as he unhooked the handle of the tin cup, and took it +proudly down. "And after this, you fellows had better go easy with me. +I'm learning to keep my things where they won't get lost, understand +that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but write it down each time, Step-hen," laughed Smithy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>Step-hen turned upon this new tormentor.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Smithy," he remarked, pleasantly, "you're sure going to get another +new suit of clothes, because there's a measuring worm right now, +crawling up your back, with his tape line working over time."</p> + +<p>Smithy writhed, and looked piteously at his nearest neighbor.</p> + +<p>"Oh! please knock him off, Bumpus; and do be careful not to mash him, +because you know, it would make a nasty spot. Ugh! I detest worms, and +snakes, and all the things that crawl. Thank you, Bumpus; I'll do the +same for you some day."</p> + +<p>Smithy was getting on very well, Thad thought, considering how much he +had to "unlearn" in order to make a good scout. That morning, after the +dip in the lake, the boys had had considerable fun with the tidy one. +They had watched him dress in his fastidious way, and before long +several of them were mocking him. He brushed his clothes with a lovely +brush he had brought along, and which was better fitted for a lady's +dressing table than a boys' camp. Then he adjusted his tie before a +little mirror he produced, spent a long time fixing his flaxen locks to +suit him, with another silver mounted brush; and finally dented in his +campaign hat with the greatest precision.</p> + +<p>Then the boys burst out into a roar, and Smithy became aware that he had +been an object of great interest to his campmates for ten minutes. He +turned fiery red, looked confused for a brief time; and finally +snatching off his hat, gave it several<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> careless blows, after which he +thrust it on his head in any old way.</p> + +<p>At that a cheer had arisen from the other scouts. They seemed to +understand that in a short time Smithy would have learned his lesson. +The work which had taken his doting mother and maiden aunts years to +accomplish, would be thrown overboard in a week, and a new Smithy arise.</p> + +<p>Each fellow having taken his tin cup, they sought an open spot where the +water boiling test could be carried out without one scout interfering +with the work of the others.</p> + +<p>Then the acting scout-master mentioned the rules governing the sport.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to give each scout just three matches," he remarked, "and he +is put on his honor not to have another one about him. Then you will +line up here, after you have each selected a spot inside the boundaries +where you mean to conduct your experiment in quick-fire making. For five +minutes you can look around, so as to get your mind fixed on just where +you will get your kindling, and water. Then at the word you start. Now, +line up here, and get your supply of fire sticks."</p> + +<p>After the time limit had expired the word was given. All of the patrol +save the scout-master started to get busy; and it was a comical sight to +see some of them running around in a haphazard way, having lost their +bearings in the sudden excitement.</p> + +<p>Bumpus was early out of the game. He did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> succeed in getting his cup +filled with water at the lake some little distance away, but of course +in his clumsy fashion he had to stumble, and spill most of it on the way +to his chosen station. And as one of the rules insisted that each cup +should be at least three-quarters full of water, Bumpus gave up the game +in abject despair, contenting himself with watching his more agile +companions, and cheering them on.</p> + +<p>Smithy also had his troubles. He took so long to get his cup filled, +actually washing it out because he discovered a few coffee grounds in +the bottom, that the others were building their fires before he awoke to +the fact that again had his love for neatness lost him all chance of +making a favorable showing. So he too threw up the job as hopeless; but +from his determined looks Thad knew Smithy would do better the next +time.</p> + +<p>This left but five competitors at work. Step-hen was doing very well, +and Allan knew just how to get tinder with which to start a quick fire; +but even these two could not be said to be in the same class with +Giraffe.</p> + +<p>Fires had ever been his hobby, and what he did not know about starting a +blaze could be put in a very small compass. More than that, Thad noticed +that Giraffe certainly had good powers of observation. During that +period of five minutes when those who had entered the contest were given +an opportunity to look around, Giraffe had certainly used his eyes to +advantage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + +<p>While the others had hastened to the border of the lake to fill their +cups with water, the shrewd Giraffe had simply stepped over to a tiny +little spring which he had noticed not ten feet away, and there managed +to get all he needed.</p> + +<p>And the way he shaved that fine kindling was a caution. Giraffe was a +born Yankee in that he always carried a keen-edged jack-knife, and could +be seen cutting every enticing piece of soft pine he came across. Why, +he had applied his match to the tinder before the others returned from +the lake; and the smoke of his fire blew in their faces most enticingly.</p> + +<p>Then he added just the right sort of bits of wood, not too much at a +time, until he had coaxed his fire into doing the very best it knew how.</p> + +<p>His four rivals were bending every energy to heat up the water in their +cups, testing it now and then with disappointed grunts, as it failed to +scald their fingers, when a shout from Giraffe announced that he needed +the attention of the judge, as his cup of water had commenced to bubble.</p> + +<p>"Giraffe has won, hands down," Thad said, "but the rest of you go right +on, and see how long it takes each one. Then another time you will learn +to use the faculties that every fellow has just as well as Giraffe."</p> + +<p>When the last one had finally succeeded in coaxing his fire to get up +sufficient heat to cause the water in the cup to bubble, the competition +was declared closed, with Giraffe an easy winner, and Allan a fair +second.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Huh!" said Step-hen, "he got the bulge on us right in the beginning by +filling his old cup, at that little spring right here, instead of +running to the lake like all the rest of us did. Don't seem fair to me, +Mr. Scout-Master."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" demanded Thad, while the victor smiled serenely, knowing what +was coming. "You all had the same chance to look around that Giraffe was +given. If he was smart enough to notice that he could save time by +filling his cup at the spring rather than run away over to the lake, so +much the more to his credit. A first-class scout will always discover +means for saving time. He will keep his eyes and wits about him to see +and hear things that an ordinary person might pass right by. That's one +of the first things he's got to learn. 'Be prepared' is the slogan of +the Boy Scouts; but in order to get the best out of anything, a fellow +has to keep awake all the time."</p> + +<p>"I guess that's so," admitted Step-hen, rather sheepishly. "Giraffe is +smart, and if anybody thinks to get ahead of him he must wake up early +in the morning. Just wait till we try this game a second time, and see."</p> + +<p>Thad was more than satisfied. He believed the lesson would not be wasted +on the ambitious scouts. Even Bumpus would use more care in making +haste, and look for treacherous roots that always lay in wait for his +clumsy feet. While Smithy, it might be understood, would either have his +cup thoroughly clean to start with, or let a few innocent grains of +coffee go unnoticed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't know why," remarked <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Allen'">Allan</ins>, as they were cooking a little lunch +that noon; "but somehow that island over there looks mighty inviting to +me."</p> + +<p>"Do you know," Thad remarked, "I've thought the same myself, and some of +the other fellows have their minds set on it. If we only had some way of +getting over, I might think of changing our camp, and going across. Of +course I could swim over and see what the island is like, but that +wouldn't do us any good without a boat."</p> + +<p>"A boat up here is something nobody ever saw, I reckon, suh," said Bob +White.</p> + +<p>"It certainly does look cool and fine across the water there; and I +suppose the bear could swim it if we chose to go; unless we made up our +minds to turn the old rascal loose," Step-hen put in.</p> + +<p>"Say, I think myself he'd follow us, we've fed him so well since he came +in on us," Giraffe grumbled; for it certainly did provoke him to see a +shaggy beast devouring good food that human beings could make use of. +"Why, I had to get up from breakfast hungry because of him. The island +for mine, if it's going to help us get rid of our star boarder any +quicker."</p> + +<p>"Star boarder!" mimicked Step-hen; "well, that's a joke I take it; +because all of us have got our minds made up who fills that bill, all +right."</p> + +<p>But Giraffe pretended not to notice what was said. He did not like to +have his comrades pay too much attention to his little weakness in the +food line.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How about my being rewarded for coming in first in the water boiling +test, Mr. Scout-Master?" he called out. "Wasn't there something held out +as an inducement, a sort of prize, so to speak? Seems to me you said the +feller that won might have the privilege of making the big camp-fire +this evening; and that would be reward enough for me, I tell you."</p> + +<p>"That was the offer, Giraffe," replied Thad; "and I'm going to give you +that chance, on one condition only. It is that you promise not to carry +a single match around with you this blessed day."</p> + +<p>Giraffe knew only too well what that meant, for he understood how Thad +worried over his propensity for starting fires at any time the notion +came upon him. He gave a big sigh, shook his head, and then handed over +his matchsafe, remarking:</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon I'll just have to comply with the rules; but it's pretty +hard on a feller, not to have just <i>one</i> match along, in case he needs +it right bad. But anyhow, it's me to build that big blaze to-night, +remember, boys, and I'm going to make your eyes shine, the way I do it, +too."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>BUMPUS MAKES A FIND.</h3> + + +<p>"I say, Thad, come over here with me; I've got something to show you," +remarked Allan, about half an hour after they had finished lunch, and +while most of the boys were lying around, taking it easy.</p> + +<p>The young acting scout-master quickly followed his chum, who led the way +back of the tents and into the timber. Here they discovered Giraffe, +bending down, and so industriously engaged with some object he had in +hand that he seemed to pay no attention to anything else.</p> + +<p>At first Thad thought the boy was sawing something, for there was a +continuous movement to his right arm, and a sort of low, buzzing sound; +but then he knew they had not brought a saw of any kind along with them, +an ax and a hatchet being the only tools considered necessary in camp.</p> + +<p>Presently Giraffe halted, to draw out a red bandana handkerchief with +which to wipe his dripping forehead, while he stared hard at the object +he had before him, and looked dubious enough.</p> + +<p>Thad saw now what it was, and he could hardly keep from laughing as the +determined boy once more started sawing away as though his very life<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +depended on his accomplishing the end he had in view.</p> + +<p>The object he had in his right hand was a queer sort of a little bow, +made by fastening a stout cord to a piece of bent hickory. This cord was +doubled around a stick that stood upright, its pointed lower end placed +in a sort of hollow wooden dish where a socket had been scooped out. The +upper was also kept from burning the hand of the aspiring scout by +another bit of wood.</p> + +<p>Of course Thad knew what Giraffe was trying to do. Deprived of matches +for the balance of the day, and feeling a gnawing desire to see a fire +sparkling, the scout had started in to try and make a blaze after the +old-fashioned method used by some South Sea islanders. But evidently the +boy did not twirl the stick fast enough to produce sufficient heat to +make the fine tinder smoke, and then take fire. Giraffe's ambition was +commendable, however, and so Thad said nothing; only crept away again, +after touching Allan on the arm, and beckoning.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do about it?" asked the latter, when they had +reached a safe position, where their voices might not be heard by the +object of their attention.</p> + +<p>"Why, nothing, I suppose," replied Thad, smiling. "Did you ever see such +a fellow in all your life? He's a regular fire worshipper. I think he +must have come down from the old Aztecs in Mexico. He's never happy +without his little blaze."</p> + +<p>"But he might get fire after all?" protested Allan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Between you and me, my boy, I don't think he will this time. Evidently +he's never tried that game before; and no fellow ever succeeds at it the +first time. It's harder than it seems. Let Giraffe work away; he'll have +his fingers sore with the business before he gives up."</p> + +<p>"But what do you think makes him experiment that way right now, when he +knows you're trying to put a curb on his weakness for building fires?" +the other demanded.</p> + +<p>"Well, in the first place, I suppose he feels like starting <i>something</i>; +and then again, Allan, it's a part of a boy's nature, you know, to +always want to do that very thing he's been told he musn't do. Now, +Giraffe wants to show me that even keeping matches away from him won't +prevent a really smart scout from making a fire, in case he feels like +it. My praise of this morning must have spurred him on to let us see +just what he can do."</p> + +<p>"But if the bow and spindle way turns out bad, there's an easier chance +for him, if he only thinks of it," said the Maine boy.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Thad, smiling calmly.</p> + +<p>"Why, all he's got to do is to take one of the lens out of the field +glasses we have along with us; and as the sun is hot enough, he could +set fire to some tinder in three shakes of a lamb's tail. Why, I've +started fires that way dozens of times myself, when matches were scare +with us in the pine woods."</p> + +<p>Thereupon Thad quietly drew something, from each pocket in his khaki +trousers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I declare, you thought of that same thing, didn't you?" exclaimed +the astonished Allan; "and took the trouble to remove both lens, so as +to upset his calculations if he started to try the dodge. Giraffe has to +be pretty cunning to get ahead of you, all right, Thad."</p> + +<p>"But I never imagined he'd be trying that saw method," admitted the +scout-master. "There, he's given it up and thrown his bow away. Next +time he'll like as not make some improvement on that outfit. It must +have been faulty, so he just couldn't get enough speed out of it. For +the thing can be done; and I've seen it more than once, though I never +could make fire that way myself."</p> + +<p>"Giraffe has one good quality," admitted Allan, "and that's persistance. +Once he makes up his mind to do a thing and he hates the worst kind to +quit."</p> + +<p>"Especially around grub time," chuckled the other.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's a little weakness of his. Step-hen says he must have hollow +legs, or how else could he stow away all he does, and never show it. But +just look how the sun shines on the trees over across the water, where +that pretty little island lies in the middle of the lake. I never saw a +nicer camping place, Thad."</p> + +<p>"And the same here," admitted the scout-master. "I've about made up my +mind I'd like to investigate that island, even if we can't hope to get +the whole outfit over. You're a good swimmer, Allan, what do you say to +going across?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Alone, or with you?" asked the other, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I wouldn't think of sending any one alone," remarked the +scout-master. "You know, some of the boys have already said the island +had a terrible mysterious look, as though it might be concealing some +wonderful secret. The more they talk about it, and speculate that way, +the stronger grows my desire to explore it."</p> + +<p>"Then let's call it a go. Think we can leave the rest of the patrol +alone for an hour or two this afternoon?" asked Allan, eagerly, as he +too cast wistful looks across the shimmering water toward the strange +little island that lay nestling there so modestly.</p> + +<p>"If they're put on their honor to behave, they'll be all right," replied +Thad. "A scout must never dream of breaking his word, once given. That +is a part of his creed, you know, Allan; and even Bumpus understands +that."</p> + +<p>"By the way, where is Bumpus; I haven't noticed him around in camp for +ten minutes or more?" remarked the second in command.</p> + +<p>"I suppose he's wandering around somewhere close by," replied Thad. +"Bumpus certainly has got a big bump of curiosity, and is always poking +into everything he can think of. I heard him asking you this very +morning when you would find a bee-tree for him, the way you used to do +up in Maine. He's just bound to get honey, if there's any to be found +around this region."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I said I would try it out while we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> were up here, if the +chance came. You see, perhaps there mightn't happen to be any wild bees +around, for I haven't noticed 'em working."</p> + +<p>"Oh! make up your mind to that," declared Thad. "I've heard several +farmers tell how they lost a fine swarm, no matter how much racket they +kicked up with dishpans and all sorts of tin buckets. There are lots of +bee trees in this region I'd be willing to wager now. And if we could +find one, it would be great. I like honey about as well as the next +fellow, don't you forget it, Allan."</p> + +<p>"There goes Giraffe into the tent; and from the sly way he looked +around, I've got an idea he's suddenly remembered the lens in that field +glass, and means to try one of them with the rays of the sun, to make a +little fire."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Allan, I saw him; and just as you say, if his manner counts for +anything, that's just what Giraffe has in hand. But won't he be the most +surprised boy in seven counties when he finds that the lens have been +taken from the glass?"</p> + +<p>"There he comes out now, and say, don't he look sheepish, though?" Allan +went on to remark. "I can see him peeping out of the corner of his eye +at you; and just make up your mind Giraffe is saying to himself that +it's a mean game to cheat a poor fellow out of a little expected +pleasure that way."</p> + +<p>"On the other hand," remarked the scout-master, "I reckon he feels cheap +to know that I'm on to his game, and have made ready to upset his +calculations. But next time I'll put him on his honor not to try<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> and +make a fire in any way, shape or style. Now, I don't fancy going away +with Bumpus absent. He might get into trouble while we were off. Perhaps +I'd better take his bugle, and give a few notes to let him know he's +wanted."</p> + +<p>"A fine idea, Thad," observed Allan; "I'll go and get it for you, as I +happen to know just where Bumpus keeps it inside the tent here. He's +just the opposite of Step-hen, and never leaves his things scattered +around."</p> + +<p>He had even climbed to his feet, for they were sitting at the time, when +there broke out a sudden clamor that caused Allan to turn quickly, and +give his superior officer a meaning look.</p> + +<p>For the voice that made all that racket was only too well known to both +boys; in that it belonged to the very scout about whom they had been +talking.</p> + +<p>Bumpus must be in some trouble again, if they could judge from the noise +he was making. Immediately visions of rattlesnakes, and all manner of +dangers connected with the forest trails, flashed into the mind of Thad. +What could the luckless fat boy have stumbled into now? That bump of +curiosity which he was pleased to term his "investigating spirit," must +have led him into some fresh difficulty.</p> + +<p>The boys were all on their feet by this time, and several had even +snatched up the stout staves which had proven so useful during their +arduous tramp from home to this far-off region of Lake Omega.</p> + +<p>"He's coming this way!" called out Step-hen, excitedly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, suh, and on the full gallop, too, believe me!" added Bob White, +actually taking a step forward, as if ready to meet the danger half way, +should there any peril develop.</p> + +<p>Thad did not give the order to advance because he had 'ere now +discovered that there was no evidence of fright in the shouts of Bumpus. +Rather could he detect a note triumph, as though the fat boy believed he +had accomplished something worth while, and was deserving of +congratulation.</p> + +<p>And now all of them could make out what he was calling as he came +stumbling along.</p> + +<p>"Hey! fellers, what d'ye think, I've found—oh! that old vine nearly cut +my neck in two, plague take it—a boat! Yes, a regular boat, hid away in +the brush where I was looking for rabbits' tracks; meanin' to learn how +to follow the same. And better still, it's got a paddle in it, too. Now +we c'n go fishing, and have a bully old time exploring that island out +yonder. Don't you think I ought to get a merit badge, Thad, for being so +smart, hey?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND.</h3> + + +<p>Sure enough, when the others followed the proud Bumpus through the woods +for a little distance, and then down close to the edge of the water, +they found that he had really come upon a boat in a dense thicket, where +it had evidently been hidden.</p> + +<p>"Must a belonged to some of them game keepers that rich man hired to +watch his property up here," declared Step-hen, as he examined the +craft, while they all crowded around.</p> + +<p>"Looky here, got a bully old paddle under the seats too!" called out +Giraffe, holding up the article in question, admiringly, after they had +turned the canoe over.</p> + +<p>"Ain't this a great find, though?" declared Bob White, who was +particularly fond of the water, and boats of all kinds.</p> + +<p>Bumpus smote himself on the chest, and puffed out his fat cheeks, as he +looked around at his comrades.</p> + +<p>"Make fun of that wonderful investigating instinct of mine, will you, +boys?" he remarked; "well, see what a feller gets for being +persevering,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> and wanting to learn all the while. Now, if I'd been like, +say Step-hen here, and content to lay around after eating, where'd we be +about the boat question? But I wanted to find out why a rabbit makes two +marks with its front paws and only one with the hind legs; and so I +looked around to see if there wasn't a track where we saw that bunny +scoot away yesterday when we got here. I didn't find the tracks, but I +did run across a boat!"</p> + +<p>"It was all right, Bumpus," said Thad; "and I'm going to congratulate +you on it. A scout can be a bit curious, and keep on the right side, +too. But Allan, there's no need of our taking that long swim, now."</p> + +<p>"And no need of both of us being away at the same time," remarked the +other, who did not feel easy about leaving such careless fellows as +Bumpus and Giraffe behind, since there could be no telling what trouble +might not follow. "Suppose you draft Bob White to do the paddling, Thad; +he just dotes on that sort of thing, you know."</p> + +<p>The eyes of the Southern boy gleamed with delight.</p> + +<p>"I surely do the same, suh; and if so be you think to take me along on +the exploring expedition I'll be proud to accompany you. Depend on me to +do the work, and glad of the chance. I just love to be in a boat, any +kind of boat from a dugout to a cedar canoe. And this paddle isn't so +bad, even if home-made."</p> + +<p>Thad bent down to examine closer. Then he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> turned to give Allan a little +nod that brought the other quickly to his side. The two leaned over +where they could exchange a few words without the others hearing what +was said.</p> + +<p>"Did you notice that the boat was turned upside-down when found?" asked +Thad, first of all.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was done to keep the rain from filling it, I reckoned," +replied the Maine boy. "They do that up my way too; because you see, if +water stays very long in a boat it rots it. No matter what it's built +of, canvas, cedar, or birch bark, water in a boat is a bad thing."</p> + +<p>"Some of the boys think this boat has been lying here since the game +keepers left this part of the country; which, as I understand it, must +have been quite a few months ago?" Thad went on to say.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what I heard them saying," returned the other.</p> + +<p>"And what do you think?" asked the scout-master.</p> + +<p>Allan knew that he was on trial. He also understood that there must be +something suspicious about the boat to make Thad speak in this way. So +he instantly scanned it, foot by foot, from one end to the other; after +which his eyes sought the paddle which Giraffe was still handling.</p> + +<p>Then he smiled.</p> + +<p>"I'm on to what you mean, Thad," he observed. "That paddle has been in +the water not a great many hours ago, for it's still wet. Yes, and +inside<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> the boat I can see signs that point to the same thing."</p> + +<p>"Last night, perhaps, while we were sleeping here, this boat was being +used on the lake by some person or persons," Thad continued, earnestly; +while the balance of the scouts disputed among themselves as to who +should be given the privilege of accompanying Bob White and Thad on the +trip to the island.</p> + +<p>Thad looked a little serious.</p> + +<p>"Kind of queer, any way you take it," he remarked. "Our camp-fire could +have been seen easy enough by any fellow who was landing here, and +hiding his boat. Then tell me why he didn't come into camp, and see who +we were? Seems to me any honest man would have been glad to do that same +thing."</p> + +<p>"Say, perhaps he doesn't happen to be honest, Thad?" suggested Allan, in +rather a hushed voice; for there was something a little mysterious about +the finding of this boat that excited his curiosity more or less, and +caused strange ideas to form in his boyish mind.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hardly think it could be as bad as that," Thad hastened to +remark. "Just because he avoided our camp doesn't mean that he's a +thief, or a rascal, I take it. Perhaps he saw we were Boy Scouts; and +most men wouldn't want to bother knowing a parcel of boys in their first +camp."</p> + +<p>"But what could he be doing, away up here in this lonely place?" asked +the other.</p> + +<p>"Well, of course I don't pretend to know," re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>plied the scout-master; +"but then I might give a guess. Suppose one of the men who used to be +hired to guard these preserves of that rich gentleman who meant to make +a game park here, after the idea was given up, took a notion to come +back up here for some reason. He might be getting ready to trap animals +in the fall; or shoot deer out of season. Then again, perhaps this same +lake was stocked with game fish some years ago, and a couple of smart +fishermen might take out a heap of bass that would net them a lot of +money in the market. Sometimes they use nets too, Allan, when the game +wardens are far away."</p> + +<p>"I know," replied the other. "It's just the same up in my country, I'm +sorry to say. But are you going over to take a look at that island just +the same, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Sure thing; and as the boat is large enough, to hold three or four +without crowding, perhaps I'd better pick another to go along. Step-hen, +how would you like to help Bob White, Bumpus and myself look that island +over?"</p> + +<p>Step-hen was about to give an affirmative answer, when he just happened +to remember something.</p> + +<p>"Guess I'll have to decline the chance this time, Thad," he remarked, +making a wry face. "Thought I felt the signs of one of my fits comin' +on, a while back. I'd sure hate to have anything like that happen in +such a cranky little boat; 'cause it might upset, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh! all right, then just the three of us will go," returned Thad, +carelessly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>But there was one who had heard what Step-hen said, with suspicion in +his heart. Of course this was Bumpus. He looked at the other, and +catching a sly glance cast in his direction, immediately sized up the +situation. So marching directly into the camp, Bumpus plunged into the +tent to which he was assigned, appearing with his haversack in his +hands. And this he deliberately hung on a nail that had been driven into +a tree, in plain sight of all who might happen to be in camp.</p> + +<p>Everybody saw the act, and could guess what the motive was that actuated +Bumpus to do this queer thing. Step-hen turned somewhat red in the face, +as he felt the eyes of his comrades turned toward him.</p> + +<p>"Huh!" he exclaimed, "think you're funny, don't you, Bumpus? Seems to me +you're mighty careful of that old bag of yours. If you had a lump of +gold in it you couldn't handle it nicer. And sometimes haversacks do +hold all sorts of queer things. I've known lost knives, and medals, yes, +and even <i>compasses</i> to get in 'em. Hung it out to air, did you? Mighty +afraid somebody might <i>happen</i> to peek in it by accident when you was +gone, ain't you?"</p> + +<p>But Bumpus never made any reply, only grinned, and looked wise, as +though he felt satisfied at having outgeneraled the cunning Step-hen, +and spiked his guns.</p> + +<p>The boat upon being launched was found to be water tight. This fact went +far toward convincing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> Thad that his suspicions regarding its having +been recently used were based on a good foundation. Had it been lying +there ashore for weeks, and possibly months, it would have been leaky; +and required many hours' soaking before the wood swelled enough to stop +this fault.</p> + +<p>Thad took up his position in the bow, while the heavy weight of the +expedition, Bumpus, who had been invited to go because of his discovery +of the boat, occupied the middle. Bob White, paddle in hand, shoved off; +and then squatted in the stern to propel the craft.</p> + +<p>They soon saw that he was indeed an adept with the paddle. Even the +Maine boy, standing there on the shore, called out words of commendation +when he saw how cleverly Bob White feathered his paddle, and seemed able +to do almost anything he wished without removing its blade from the +water.</p> + +<p>Often when a hunter is creeping up on a feeding deer in the water, this +proves to be a valuable quality, in allowing him to get closer than +would be possible did the water drip from the blade of the paddle every +time it was raised above the surface.</p> + +<p>And so they headed straight for the mysterious island. Thad was turned +half-way around in his seat, so that he could observe the shore they +were rapidly approaching. And Bumpus, squatted there amidships like a +big frog, kept his eyes fastened on the same place, with a growing +feeling of uneasiness.</p> + +<p>He even wished now that he had not been so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> greedy to take part in this +exploring expedition. After all, it was much more comfortable ashore, +than in a cranky boat that wobbled every time he chanced to move his +weight from one side to the other. And then again, there was something +rather queer about that same island; the trees and bushes grew so very +dense all over it, and Bumpus wondered if it might not be the home of +wildcats, or even something worse.</p> + +<p>One or twice he imagined he could see staring eyes among the bushes, but +was ashamed to mention the fact to his chums.</p> + +<p>The boat had arrived at a point within about eighty feet of the shore +when there came to the ears of the three boys a sudden gurgling sound +that sent the blood leaping through their veins much faster than +ordinarily might be the case. Thad turned his head to see what Bumpus +and Bob White might appear to think of that thrilling sound; for it was +not repeated; and although plainly heard, Thad could not at the time +make up his mind whether it was a husky voice calling aloud for help, or +some bird uttering its discordant scream.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>MAROONED.</h3> + + +<p>"W-w-what d'ye think it was, Thad?" asked Bumpus, presently; and the +fact was very evident that his teeth were rattling at a lively rate, +warm though the afternoon sun was at the time.</p> + +<p>Bob White said nothing, only he tried to read the face of their leader. +Bob gave promise of making the finest kind of a Boy Scout. He was next +door to fearless; or at any rate would scorn to allow his natural +feelings to sway him when he believed a sense of duty required his doing +something.</p> + +<p>"Well, at first <i>I</i> thought it might be somebody calling for help," +replied Thad, slowly; "but you notice that it wasn't repeated. And that +makes me think now it must have been some fishhawk screaming. I've known +them to make a queer sort of a sound."</p> + +<p>"Just what it must have been," remarked Bob, nodding his head in +approval.</p> + +<p>Bumpus, however, did not seem to be wholly satisfied.</p> + +<p>"Say, it went right through me," he observed. "I just seemed to have a +cold feeling run up and down my spine, like you'd emptied a cup of +ice-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>water down my neck. Think we've seen enough of the old island by +now, Thad? Hadn't we better be turning around, and heading back for +camp?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say not, Bumpus, bless your timid soul," replied Thad, +laughingly. "Why, that only makes Bob here and myself the more anxious +to land, and look the island over. If there's anything queer around, we +ought to find out all about it. Am I right, Bob?"</p> + +<p>The answer the Southern lad made was very suggestive. He simply dipped +his paddle into the water again, and with several sturdy movements of +his arms sent the boat forward once more, headed directly for the shore +of the island. Bumpus drew up his plump shoulders, but he made no +protest. It would not have done him much good if he did try to say +anything. No doubt they would have told him that the walking back to +camp was good, and no dust blowing, if he wanted to return.</p> + +<p>He simply gripped both sides of the boat, and held on, while keeping his +eyes fastened on the shore they were now fast approaching.</p> + +<p>No further sounds were heard, save the water lapping among the rocks, +and giving out a musical gurgling in the rising wind.</p> + +<p>"There's a good landing where that little sandy beach runs along," Thad +remarked, as they drew in closer.</p> + +<p>"So it is, suh," replied the paddler. "I was just making up my mind to +head foh it when you spoke. Here she goes, now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thad was half standing, and as the prow of the boat grated on the sand +he made a flying leap for the shore. Bumpus looked as though he half +expected to see some terrible monster dart out of the brushwood, and +seize upon the scout-master. He heaved a sigh of relief when nothing of +the sort came about; and even condescended to waddle ashore +himself—that is the only word capable of doing justice to the clumsy +actions of Bumpus when in a narrow boat like a canoe.</p> + +<p>So the three scouts now stood on the sandy beach. Bumpus scanned the +bushes, but Thad was observing certain marks on the little sandy beach +that told him others had drawn a boat up in that same place before now. +In fact, to judge from the freshness of the signs, it had not been very +long ago since men or boys were here.</p> + +<p>Now, there is something in the makeup of certain lads calculated to draw +them on, when there is an element of uncertainty in the air. Thad had +been curious to explore this island before; and now that he had seen +signs of others having landed, he began to feel doubly anxious. Perhaps +it was the "call of the wild" in his composition; or possibly he had +inherited some trait bordering on a love of adventure, handed down from +some remote ancestor who may have roamed the world seeking excitement.</p> + +<p>"Are you really going in there, Thad?" asked Bumpus, his face showing +signs of uneasiness as he surveyed the fringe of bushes under the dense +trees that overhung them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's just what we expect to do, Bumpus," replied the scout-master, +firmly. "You may pull the boat up further, and follow after us; or if +you prefer staying by the boat, you can do that, just as you please. +Ready, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, suh, and more than anxious to be on the move," answered the +Southern boy.</p> + +<p>They turned their backs on poor Bumpus, who found himself in a quandary, +hardly knowing which course would be the worse for him to pursue, tag at +the heels of these two adventurous comrades, and meet with what danger +they might unearth; or stay there alone with the boat.</p> + +<p>He quickly decided that it would be far more risky to separate from his +comrades. If the island <i>did</i> contain savage beasts, which Bumpus really +believed to be the case, they would be sure to select such a nice juicy +morsel as he promised to afford, in preference to one of the other +fellows. And it horrified him to think of being pounced on while all by +himself.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Thad, I'm coming along!" he called out, hurrying as best he +could so as to overtake the other scouts, who were already plunging +boldly into the heavy growth.</p> + +<p>Being eager to keep in close touch with the others, Bumpus quickly +overtook them, and panting with the effort, jogged along as close as he +could get. At any rate, if trouble should spring out upon them, there +was always a satisfaction in having loyal comrades along. And Bumpus +noted with considerable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> satisfaction that both of the others had armed +themselves with stout cudgels, fully three feet in length, with which +they would be able to give a good account of themselves if the occasion +arose when defense would be necessary.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed the fat boy, when with a sudden whirr a partridge arose +close beside them, and flew away with a rapid motion.</p> + +<p>He saw the Southern boy throw his stick to his shoulder, as though +taking aim.</p> + +<p>"Oh! what a dandy shot that would have been, Thad, if I had had a gun!" +Bob exclaimed, eagerly. "I could have dropped that beauty like a stone."</p> + +<p>"Well," replied the other, "since it's the close season on partridges +perhaps it's just as well you didn't have a gun. But I wouldn't be +surprised if we got up more'n a few of those fellows here. The island +would be a great place for their nests."</p> + +<p>"Then I wish they'd let a poor feller know when they meant to scoot +off," remarked Bumpus, wiping his face with his handkerchief; "because +that one nigh scared me to death, he went buzzing off so sudden-like."</p> + +<p>"You'll never make a hunter, whatever else you turn out to be, Bumpus," +Thad remarked, smiling, as he turned to look at the red face of the +perspiring fat boy.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," the other said, with a vein of regret in his voice; "I +always wanted to roam the woods, and do all that sort of thing; but then +you see Nature, she wasn't kind to me. I don't seem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> to be made just +right for tramping. And I must say some things do make my heart jump +like fun. Oh! well, there are other things a scout c'n do, +perhaps,—findin' boats, and lookin' for bee trees mebbe."</p> + +<p>"Lots of things, Bumpus," replied Thad. "You can't change your make-up; +and so you'll have to do what suits you best. Shall we head to the left +here, Bob; or take to the right?"</p> + +<p>Secretly Thad was keeping his eyes on the ground part of the time as he +pushed on. He had an idea they might find footprints that would lead the +way to some old cabin or hangout, where perhaps the game-keepers used to +live when they were employed to patrol the district, so that no one +hunted or fished against the orders of the rich man who owned the +country around.</p> + +<p>"Well," replied the other, after taking a glance about him, "I don't +suppose it matters much which way we turn, since we propose to look over +the entire island one way or another, suh. Say we turn off here to the +left, and circle around. Or if you would rather have it, we might +separate and spread out like a fan."</p> + +<p>Bumpus drew in his breath with a half gasp. It looked so very gloomy +around the spot which they had reached that not for worlds would he +drift away from his association with one or the other of his companions. +Besides, they might need him in some way or other; because there were +<i>some</i> things he could do, if he wasn't cut out for an agile fellow +because of his heft.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, we'd better all keep together, I think?" Thad answered, much to his +relief. "You see, we're in a strange situation, and even if we put in +half an hour looking this place over, what does it matter? Time isn't so +valuable as all that. The others will wait for us, and take things easy. +Allan has promised to show them some Indian picture writing this +afternoon, and I know he'll amuse the bunch so they won't miss us."</p> + +<p>"Now, I'd be sorry to miss that same myself," remarked Bob; "because +he's got me worked up to top notch fever about it, and I wanted to try +and read the sign he left behind him. I've sure heard a heap about that +picture writing, and what fun scouts have trying to make out what it all +means. But there don't seem to be anything out of the way on this same +island, suh. A sure enough pretty place, and would make the finest +camp-site you ever saw."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we may move over here to-morrow," said Thad. "I've several +reasons for thinking that way."</p> + +<p>"One of which is that you'd like to get rid of that bear," chuckled Bob.</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure of that," answered the other; "we might want to fetch +him over here with us. He did us one good turn when he frightened that +Brose Griffin crowd away, and who knows but what he might repeat?"</p> + +<p>They came out on the other side of the island, and had seen no sign of +any sort of human habitation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> On the way back again to the other shore +Thad took a different route, so that he believed they would thus cover +the better part of the territory that went to make up the lake island.</p> + +<p>"Sure we're heading right, Thad?" asked Bob, presently.</p> + +<p>"Oh! my goodness I hope we don't get lost!" exclaimed Bumpus, in alarm.</p> + +<p>"It's all right," replied Thad, with not a trace of uneasiness in his +voice; "we are pretty nearly across now; and unless I've made a bungle +of it, we ought to come out right on that same little sandy stretch +where we landed."</p> + +<p>"I can hear the waves beating against the rocks, and they sound right +loud now," remarked Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"That must be because the wind has been getting stronger all the time +we've been gone; and even now you notice the trees begin to thin out. +Tell me, isn't that our sandy stretch right ahead there, and am I a good +woodsman or not?"</p> + +<p>"You brought us through as straight as a die," said Bob, admiringly; +"and just as you say, Thad, that's the same spot we landed on."</p> + +<p>"But tell me," broke in Bumpus, "if that's so, where's our boat, +fellows?"</p> + +<p>The others stared, and well they might, for although they easily +recognized the pretty little beach, it was now entirely destitute of any +sign of a boat!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>THE BOY FROM THE BLUE RIDGE.</h3> + + +<p>"I expected this, but not so soon!" quavered Bumpus, dropping in a heap +on the ground, and continuing to mop his heated face with that <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'emormous'">enormous</ins> +bandana.</p> + +<p>The other two walked forward.</p> + +<p>"We must make sure that this is the same place," remarked Thad. +"Because, you see, there might happen to be two little sandy beaches +very much alike."</p> + +<p>"No danger of that, suh!" declared Bob, with conviction in his manner. +"I took right good notice of a heap of things, and they all seem to +tally. This is the same place, I give you my word on that."</p> + +<p>"Well, here's all the proof we want," said the scout-master, pointing +down at his feet, as they stood close to where the little waves were +running over most of the sandy stretch. "The water has washed out some +of our footprints; but you can still see where Bumpus tripped at the +edge of the rise here, where that root sticks up a little. Remember +that, don't you Bumpus?"</p> + +<p>"That, you're IT," replied the fat boy, getting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> up to come forward, and +stare at the marks he had made, as though they confirmed his worst +fears. "And now fellers, you see the blessed old island <i>has</i> got people +hidin' on it! They came back here and hooked our boat while we were +poking along through the scrub like a bunch of geese. Now, how are we +going to get back home? We'll just starve to death out here. And +Step-hen he c'n turn my bag inside-out while I'm gone, too!"</p> + +<p>That last seemed to worry him more than anything else, Thad noticed, +with a little surprise; because he did not believe for a minute that +Bumpus knew anything about the compass which Step-hen accused him of +hiding.</p> + +<p>They looked across the wide stretch of water. The waves were indeed +dancing at quite a lively rate now, showing that a fresh breeze had +started up since they started on their little exploring trip.</p> + +<p>Thad suddenly conceived an idea. Perhaps it was the wash of the waves +against the bank that gave it to him.</p> + +<p>He turned on Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"See here, how far up did you pull that boat?" he asked, suddenly.</p> + +<p>The fat boy stared, and scratched his head.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean when we first landed; or afterwards when you told me to +come along or stay here, just whichever I liked?" he asked; but it was +only to gain a little time that he said this, because he already knew +what the answer would be.</p> + +<p>"When Bob and myself were going into the brush<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> I told you to pull the +boat up, and either stay here, or follow. Did you do it, Bumpus?" Thad +went on.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I heard you say it, all right," admitted the fat boy, frankly; "but +when I looked back, it seemed to me that the old boat was far enough up +on the sand; and then you fellers were making off so fast I just thought +you'd leave me alone if I didn't hurry. So I just put after you, +pellmell."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's what's the matter," said Thad, with a look of disgust. +"Next time see to it that you obey orders, no matter what you happen to +think."</p> + +<p>"Then the boat's drifted away, suh, you think?" Bob remarked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"That's what I imagine," replied Thad. "Notice which way the wind is +coming, and you can see that it throws the water up on this beach, which +is wasn't doing when we left here. Once she was loose and the same +breeze would make her move along past that little wooded point yonder. I +reckon that if we climb out there, we'll see the boat adrift."</p> + +<p>"But why haven't some of the boys ashore noticed it, and let out a whoop +to draw our attention?" asked the boy from the Blue Ridge.</p> + +<p>"They may have been too busy to look this way," answered Thad; "and +then, besides, the boat would be carried behind the island so they +couldn't see it. Come on, and we'll soon find out."</p> + +<p>"But if we don't find it however am I going to get on the main land +again?" complained Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Well, it would serve you right if you did have to stay here alone +awhile," Thad told him, with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'sterness'">sternness</ins> in his face which the merry +twinkle in his eyes belied. "After being so shiftless as to let such an +accident happen, you surely deserve to suffer. Isn't that right, Bumpus; +own up now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I suppose it might be;" the fat boy admitted; "but I hope you won't +think of leaving me out here all alone. I might get a scare, and be +tempted to jump in; and you know what a poor swimmer I am, Thad. Oh! +bully, bully, there she is, Thad, and floating along just as sassy as +anything!"</p> + +<p>The boat was not more than a hundred and fifty feet away, though by +degrees moving further off all the while, as the wind and the waves +influenced her movements.</p> + +<p>"Now somebody will have to strip and go after her," said Thad. "And if +you were a better swimmer, I'd say it ought to be you, Bumpus."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to excuse me this time, Thad," declared the other, +earnestly. "But are you sure it was only the wind that carried her off?"</p> + +<p>"You can see for yourself that there's no one in the boat, using the +paddle," the scout-master replied.</p> + +<p>"That's so, Thad, but seems as if I c'd see somethin' in the water under +her bow; and it looks like two hands holding on to the gunnel above, +just as if somebody might be swimmin' along and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'draging'">dragging</ins> the boat after +him."</p> + +<p>Both the others broke out into a laugh at that.</p> + +<p>"I see that imagination of yours is working overtime, Bumpus," remarked +Thad; and then turning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> to the Southern boy he went on: "Shall it be you +or I, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"I hope you'll let me go after her, suh," said the other, quickly, +beginning to throw off some of his clothes, as if anticipating a +favorable decision on the part of his superior officer in the Silver Fox +Patrol.</p> + +<p>"Go then, if you want to, Bob," suggested Thad, smiling; for he was +being drawn closer to this gallant son of the Sunny South every day; and +constantly found new causes for admiring the other's self sacrificing +disposition.</p> + +<p>Inside of three minutes Bob White went in from the headland with a +splash, and swam toward the floating boat like a water spaniel. Reaching +the runaway he was seen to clamber aboard, after which he picked up the +paddle, and started to urge the boat toward the shore again.</p> + +<p>Not until then did Bumpus seem to heave a sigh of relief. Evidently the +poor fellow had really expected to see some dreadful enemy clasp Bob +around the neck as he started to slip over the side of the boat.</p> + +<p>After Bob had resumed his clothes, they entered the boat, and left the +vicinity of the island. Thad kept looking it over as they gradually +moved further away, as if not satisfied, by any means, with what little +he had seen of the place.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he remarked, "I'm pretty much of a mind to put it to the fellows; +and if the majority favors, we'll change our camp to-morrow, for a try<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +on the island. There's <i>something</i> about that place that seems to draw +me."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm sorry to hear that," declared Bumpus, dolefully; "because I +just know they'll want to ferry over—Allan because he's ready to do +anything you say; Step-hen, for he wants to meet up with all sorts of +adventures, and says he means to get away out in the Rockies some of +these days; Smithy because he's afraid you'll all think him weak and +girlish if he draws back; and Giraffe too when he gets the idea that +mebbe we'll be leaving the bear behind; because it'll mean just so much +more left for him to eat. Huh! if I'm the minority, might as well make +it unanimous, and be done with it. Can't die but once, anyhow, so what +does it matter?"</p> + +<p>Of course neither of the others paid much attention to what Bumpus said. +He always liked to hear himself talk; and as his comrades said, his +"bark was worse than his bite." Bumpus often said he wouldn't, and +changed his mind immediately.</p> + +<p>When they landed the others were just about starting out to have Allan +show how the long talked-of Indian picture writing was done. They asked +questions, of course but neither Thad nor Bob would gratify their +curiosity.</p> + +<p>"We're going to keep all that for around the camp-fire to-night boys," +declared the scout-master, firmly. "Wouldn't interrupt this arrangement +for anything. And to tell the truth we didn't find anything so serious +as to warrant a recall. So go right along with the game, Allan, and let +the rest of us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> in on it; because Bob here is as eager to learn as any +of the boys."</p> + +<p>Bumpus, however, declared he was that tired he preferred staying in the +camp, to keep the bear company.</p> + +<p>"He might get loose and try to clean us out of all our grub," he +suggested, with a broad smile.</p> + +<p>"Sure," replied Step-hen, sneeringly; "and I just warrant you've already +got your tree all picked out beforehand, if he does. Much good you'd be +trying to defend our provisions. Now, if it was <i>me</i>, I'd fight to the +last gasp before I'd let him make way with a single piece of cheese, or +even a cracker."</p> + +<p>"I believe you would, Step-hen," replied Bumpus, calmly; "and by the +way, perhaps my knapsack has aired enough by now, so I'll put it in the +tent again."</p> + +<p>Step-hen made a face at him, and hurried away after the rest; but from +the manner in which he looked back a number of times, and continued to +shake his head as he talked to himself, it was plain to be seen that he +still believed the fat boy was hiding something in that same haversack, +which he did not wish any one, particularly a fellow named Step-hen +Bingham, to set eyes on. And what else could that be but the missing +compass, which Bumpus had once so indignantly denied having seen, after +he handed it back to its owner?</p> + +<p>Allan did not intend going far, since there was no need of it. He could +illustrate all he wished to in the way of the famous Indian picture +writing, which Boy Scouts in other troops had found so interesting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> a +study in connection with woodcraft. Even Thad, who had dabbled in it to +some extent in the past, was deeply concerned; because he knew that the +more these boys became interested in observing things that were +happening all around them, the sooner they would climb up the ladder +leading to merit badges, and a right to the name of a first class +scout.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE PICTURES THAT TALKED.</h3> + + +<p>"What's that Allan's got in his hand?" asked Davy Jones, as the little +party reached an open spot, and the Maine boy came to a halt.</p> + +<p>"Looks like a strip of fresh birch bark," remarked Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Just what it is," Allan spoke up, "and if you watch me, you'll see how +the poor Indian, not carrying a hammer and nails along, finds a way to +leave his message so that it attracts the attention he wants, just as +well as if he nailed it against the trunk of a tree."</p> + +<p>He bent down, broke off a long wand from a bush, and seemed to partly +split one end of this. Into the crotch he inserted the birch bark. The +other end he pushed into the ground.</p> + +<p>"There you are, fellows," Allan went on. "When you reach this point +along the trail of your friend, you find that he has left this message +for you. Being an Indian, or a border man used to the ways of the +Indians, you take the strip of bark in your hands, and examine it. To +the eye of the experienced one it is as plain as so many words<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> would be +to all of us. Here, look at what I've written, boys."</p> + +<p>"Say, it's a cute little boy's idea of a procession," remarked Step-hen; +"for I take it that all these figures must be meant for men."</p> + +<p>"And I can see a fire burning, right here," declared Giraffe, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"What's this four-legged critter, a wolf or a dog?" asked Step-hen, +pointing to the object he had in mind.</p> + +<p>"What would you say, Thad?" asked Allan, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Well, it strikes me that it must be a dog, because you've made it have +a curly tail; and no wolf was ever known to possess such a thing. +Besides, it always appears close to the heels of one of the men, and the +same one too; so I should say it belongs to that fellow."</p> + +<p>"Just exactly what I wanted to convey," Allan went on, nodding his head +in approval. "Now, if you'll pay close attention, fellows, I'll show you +how easy it is to write messages this way. Just as Step-hen said, it's +like a boy trying to show his first skill in drawing; but in this case +every little mark has its meaning."</p> + +<p>"It's interesting, all right, Allan," observed Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"That's right, it is," echoed Smithy, who had apparently never before +realized what a delightful thing it was to get out in the woods with a +parcel of chums, and discover what strange things can be found there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, here is what the man in advance is telling the one who comes +after," continued the boy who knew. "He is himself following on the +track of a party of enemies, and has discovered certain facts connected +with their movements, which he wishes to communicate to his comrade +coming after, so as to gave him the trouble of wasting time in +investigating for himself. And here's the way he does it."</p> + +<p>He held the birch bark up so all could see. Six pair of eager eyes were +immediately glued upon the marks which he had made on the smooth brown +inside bark, with possibly the point of his knife, just as the real +Indian might.</p> + +<p>"First, you see, here are five figures represented," Allan began.</p> + +<p>"That means the total number of the enemy, don't it?" asked Davy, +quickly.</p> + +<p>"Just what it does, and I'm glad to see how you catch on," continued +Allan. "Now, after telling how many foes they have ahead, the scout +tries to mark each one in some way so they can be distinguished all +through the letter. Here's a fellow who seems to be one-armed, for he +always appears that way. A second is very tall, you notice, while a +third is a dwarf, and a fourth limps a little, for his leg is bent some +in every picture. The fifth wears a hat; and as for the sixth, he must +be feeling the effects of looking into a bottle too many times; because +he wobbles some as he pursues his way. Got all that, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, and it's some interesting, Allan," declared Step-hen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, they've been in camp here, for you can see the remains of a fire, +but with very little smoke ascending, showing that it is nearly dead. +They have gone due northeast after breaking camp. Here are five marks +like the pickets on a fence, just alongside this cross. Now, what would +you think those meant?"</p> + +<p>"Looks to me as if the men had gone five miles up to that cross," Thad +remarked.</p> + +<p>"Just what I was going to say," said Davy, disappointed to come in +second.</p> + +<p>"Both of you have hit the nail on the head," laughed Allan; "for that is +what the Indian wants to say. And here at the five mile station the +party of hostiles appear to have separated, the tall man and the one who +is groggy, together with the dog, going off toward the east; while the +others keep on straight. And you can see that our friend chooses to +follow the three, for some reason of his own."</p> + +<p>"Here's another picket fence," remarked Davy; "this time only four +miles."</p> + +<p>"Then what?" asked Allan.</p> + +<p>"There's a crooked line running across. Can't be a snake they've struck, +because it's too big for that," mused Davy.</p> + +<p>"I know," remarked Smithy. "That must be a river, because here's a boat; +anyhow, it looks like one to me."</p> + +<p>"Why, of course," broke in Bob White; "and I must have been blind not to +have glimpsed that be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>fore. They've got to a river, and found a boat +there. But what do all these funny marks on the river stand for? Looks +like the three chaps might be in swimming. Is that what it means, +Allan?"</p> + +<p>"In one way, yes," replied the other, laughing again, for he found it +great fun to have his comrades guessing at the explanation of his crude +chart. "Here you see them standing up in the boat, and all of them are +holding their hands over their heads. That is the Indian's idea of +showing fright."</p> + +<p>"And just beyond, the boat seems to have broken in two; that shows +something happened, I reckon," Davy hastened to remark.</p> + +<p>"Well, here the three of them are swimming like ducks, and the boat +doesn't appear again, so something <i>did</i> happen. Go on Allan, this is +just as fine as any illustrated rebus I ever struck," Thad said, himself +deeply interested.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the one who writes this birch bark message was himself +responsible for the sinking of the boat. You failed to notice that just +before the accident happened there was a <i>dot</i> on the water close to the +boat. That may have been his head, and he managed to cut a hole in the +birch bark canoe."</p> + +<p>"But see here, a little further on you forgot to mark the whole three +again; I can only see two, all told," Davy declared.</p> + +<p>"Well, evidently then the scout wants to convey the impression that +there were only two of the enemy at that time," Allan went on. "He must +have found some means of disposing of one, either in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> the water, or from +the shore with his gun while they were floundering there."</p> + +<p>"I guess the two chaps crawled out here on the bank," said Step-hen, +pointing.</p> + +<p>"And plunged into the woods too, for here are trees again, and what +looks like a trail, leading toward the west, which is marked by a +setting sun. An Indian always designates a <i>setting</i> sun by the spurs +that stand up like spokes; while the sun rising is simply a half circle +on the horizon."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Davy, his eyes round with eagerness; "I declare, this +is mighty interesting; and I must get the hang of this Indian picture +writing as quick as I can. You'll see what stunts I'll do after a little +while. I'll sure have the rest of you guessing at the puzzles I get up."</p> + +<p>"You're near the end of the picture, Allan," remarked Thad; "and as I +can see only one figure ahead now, I think something must have happened +to our friend Limpy, because he doesn't appear again."</p> + +<p>"I suppose that the scout who follows must have found a chance to cut +down the number of the enemy in advance to one," remarked Allan; "and he +wants to let his friend know he is still on the trail of that fellow. +Here the pursued one must have spent the night, for you can see another +dead fire. Away off here it looks like a village, for there are lodges +and dogs and squaws. He marks that as ten miles off, and evidently +expects to overtake the lone warrior before he reaches the shelter of +the tepees. And so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> you see he has managed to tell the story of his +adventure, crudely of course, yet just as well as any one of us might +write it out. And once you've got the knack of reading this sort of +talk, you can manage it just as fast as you would hand-writing. That's +all I'm going to tell you about it to-day; but if you feel that way +another time, I'll show you a lot more that is interesting."</p> + +<p>Davy Jones declared that he would keep the Maine boy to his promise. +This queer way of communicating a whole story without writing a single +letter seemed to appeal to him especially. And all that evening he was +scribbling away upon a pad of paper he had brought along, drawing all +manner of remarkable figures, which he jumbled up in such a way that he +actually forgot the key to the combinations; and had to get Allan's help +in solving some of them, which the others considered a rich joke.</p> + +<p>During the balance of the afternoon the boys amused themselves in +various ways. Several tried the fishing, with the result that there was +a good mess of gamey bass caught for supper.</p> + +<p>Thad, Allan and Bob White lay in the shade for a long time, talking. The +Southern boy was eagerly telling his chums various things in connection +with his old home away off in the distant Blue Ridge; and from the way +the others asked questions it was evident that the proposition to have +the Silver Fox Patrol visit the mountain region where Bob had once lived +must have sunk deeply into their minds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know one thing sure," remarked Thad; "if we're lucky enough to go +there, I'm going to carry my shotgun along. A Boy Scout as a rule is +seldom seen bearing arms; but there's nothing in the rules of the +organization that I can find to prevent a member from enjoying a hunt +when he has the chance. Besides, if we camp out, as we expect to, we +must depend on getting game for part of our supplies."</p> + +<p>"And as for the money part," remarked Bob, "while a scout is required to +earn the money for his suit and outfit, there's nothing to prevent him +from accepting a railroad ticket from his folks, or any other cash to +provide him with a summer's outing. So far as I can see it, suh, the +whole intention of the organization is to make its members manly, +independent, helpful to others, and thrifty. I hope, suh, all of us are +trying to carry out those rules. And it would please me more than I can +tell you, if you decided to accompany me to that mountain country where +they grow men; because I am compelled to go there for my mother, and +would be the happiest fellow alive if my seven chums went along to keep +me company."</p> + +<p>"Don't tell it around, Bob," said Thad, quietly, "but really it's as +good as settled that if we get back from this first little camping trip +in good shape, we're going to get the chance to make a bigger tour," and +then the three exultant scouts shook hands, as they saw a glorious +future prospect opening before them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE MAKER OF FIRES.</h3> + + +<p>Giraffe spent fully half an hour, if not longer, that afternoon, making +ample preparations for his anticipated building of the camp-fire that +night, after supper had been disposed of.</p> + +<p>He had his busy jack-knife at work laying in a store of shavings that +would flare up in a jiffy, and set the next-sized kindling to going; +when by degrees the larger logs would take fire under the fierce heat. +Thad kept an eye on him, and others were a bit worried lest the boy who +just doted on building fires overdo the matter, and set the forest +ablaze.</p> + +<p>"Why, you've already got twice too much tinder, Giraffe," remonstrated +Davy Jones, as he saw the boy with the knife start in again to cut more.</p> + +<p>"Do for starting the fire in the morning then," replied Giraffe. "Must +be doing something all the time, you know; and I don't enjoy anything +half so much as making whittlings for a blaze. You go along with your +silly pictures, Davy, and let me alone. Thad's keeping an eye on me, all +right. And I haven't got a single match about me, you know."</p> + +<p>Supper was finally in preparation. The bass had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> been neatly cleaned by +those who had caught them, Step-hen and Smithy; and for the first time +in his life no doubt, the pampered son of the rich widow found himself +doing the work of a cook's helper. Whether he fancied it or not, +Step-hen declared that he did his work neatly, and fairly fast; which +compliment made Smithy's light blue eyes shine with real pleasure. He +had entered into a new life, and was evidently resolved to pursue it +further, taking the bitter with the sweet.</p> + +<p>But of course the fish did not constitute the only food they had. +Healthy appetites like those possessed by the eight scouts could not +fare on fish alone. Thad, for instance, cared very little for fresh +water bass, though fond of catching them. And he saw to it that a large +can of corned beef was opened, together with one containing succotash, +out of which he constructed a savory dish which he called the canoeists' +stew.</p> + +<p>Then besides they had stewed prunes, together with a kettle of boiled +rice, over which those who preferred it could sprinkle sugar, and wet +down with the evaporated cream which was carried in sealed tins.</p> + +<p>Given the voracious appetites which healthy boys usually carry along +with them into camp, and it was amazing how this mess vanished. And +Giraffe, as he scraped the kettle that had contained the stew, remarked +that the only mistake made on the trip had been in providing too small +cooking utensils.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Make your mind easy, Giraffe," said Davy; "next time we'll fetch along +all our mothers' preserving kettles. Fact is, there must be times when +even a wash boiler looks about the regulation size, to you!"</p> + +<p>"That's mean of you, Davy," remarked Giraffe, when he could make himself +heard above the roars of laughter. "Just because I happen to have a +better appetite than the rest of you, is no reason you should keep on +joking a feller about it. You eat twice as much as Smithy here, and yet +you think that's nothing. Well, I happen to be able to go a little +further than <i>you</i>, that's all. Nothing to be ashamed of, is it, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! the boys must have their fun, Giraffe; and if you're wise you'll +laugh with them," Thad remarked. "When they find it doesn't bother you, +the chances are they'll quit quizzing you on your eating ability. Doctor +Philander said that the only danger lay in your putting to great a +strain on your digestive powers."</p> + +<p>"Well, Doctor Philander ain't here, and we seem to be getting along O. +K. without a regular scout-master, too," remarked Davy Jones. "I +wouldn't care if business kept on chaining him to town whenever the +Silver Fox Patrol has a chance to camp out. Thad, here, keeps us subdued +just about right."</p> + +<p>The bear had not been forgotten at meal times. Thad saw to it that there +was enough food given to the animal to satisfy its hunger; though +Giraffe always complained that it was just ruinous the way that animal +did eat into their supplies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Lucky you laid in an extra amount, Thad," he remarked that same +evening, as he saw the captive make way with all that was placed before +him. "Guess you must have had an idea we'd have company up here."</p> + +<p>"Why, no, the boys warned me that the fresh air might sharpen up some of +our appetites," replied Thad; "and I guess it has."</p> + +<p>"That's just it," said Giraffe, quickly; "and I can't be held +responsible for what this ozone does, can I, Thad? Why, ever since we +started, I've just got an empty feeling down there, like the bottom had +dropped out. Half an hour after I fill up, I'm hungry again. It's an +awful feeling, let me tell you."</p> + +<p>"I was just wondering," said Thad, "if those two foreigners who own this +beast will ever show up to reclaim him."</p> + +<p>"My stars! I hope so," remarked the other, looking horrified at the very +thought of keeping Bruin much longer. "But what can we do to let 'em +know we've got their old hairy exhibit eating us out of house and home?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing that I know of," laughed Thad, "No use advertising, because +papers don't circulate through the wilderness; and those ignorant +foreigners couldn't read the notice if we put one in. And we can't find +where to stick the message even if we printed one in picture writing, as +Allan had shown us the Indians do. Guess after all we'll just have to +take pot luck, Giraffe."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That means, I reckon, that we'll just have to keep on stuffing our good +grub down the throat of this silly old bear, until his owners happen +along. Tough luck, Thad! Why, oh! why did the beast ever smell us out in +the beginning?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! the odor of our supper cooking must have done that," Thad went on +to say. "If you were almost starved, and got on the track of onions +frying, wouldn't you make a bee-line for that camp-fire, and beg to +share the meal? That's what he did, came walking in, and in his clumsy +way tried to dance himself into our good graces. But the hour was late, +and we all made a break for the branches of the trees. I'll never +remember that without laughing. It was sure the funniest sight ever."</p> + +<p>"There's Step-hen," Giraffe had gone on to remark, "always talking about +that uncle of his who lives out somewhere in the wild and woolly west; +he says he expects to pay him a visit some day, and brags about how +he'll have a chance to bag his grizzly bear then; but excuse me, if a +grizzly can eat any more than this tame one; I wouldn't bag him for a +gift."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you mistake his meaning," chuckled Thad, "When he speaks of bagging +a bear he means shooting him and bringing him to bag, not capturing one. +The man doesn't live who would try to capture such a monster, +single-handed."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever shot one, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Well, hardly, seeing that I've never lived where they grew grizzlies; +but the time might come when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> I would have the chance. I'd like to be +able to say I had brought such a fierce beast down. But I want to get +back, and keep an eye on that fire you've built. It's sure a wonder, +only I wouldn't throw any more wood on it for a long time. Those flames +shoot up pretty high, right now."</p> + +<p>"Oh! it's just glorious!" declared the young fire worshipper; "and I +don't see how I'm ever going to get to sleep to-night for tinkering with +it. When I can attend a fire I seem to thrill all over. Funny, ain't it, +Thad, how it affects me? My folks say they'll have to send me to the +city, and make a fireman out of me."</p> + +<p>"Well, if they asked my advice," remarked the other, "I'd say you ought +to be put on a railroad engine to stoke. Inside of a month you'd be so +sick of making fires you'd never want to try it again as long as you +lived."</p> + +<p>"Hey! don't you go to putting them up to that dodge, then," remarked +Giraffe, in sudden alarm, "because I don't want to get an overdose of +making fires. Just now it's a passion with me. I love to sit, and stare +into the blaze, because I can see all sorts of things there. Why, Thad, +honest now, they talk to me just like that silly old Injun picture +writin' does to Allan. I read stories in the fires I make."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Thad, drily; "we'll make sure then, that this camp-fire +dies out before we go to our blankets; because I'm bound to know just +where you are, Giraffe. And now that the bear has finished his supper, +and is begging for more, let's go over to the rest of the boys again."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, for goodness sake let's get away from here," the other scout said. +"Somehow or other I just know that beast feels a grudge against me. +There's Bumpus, as choice a morsel as you'd like to see; yet it's always +me the bear is watching. I sometimes believe that if he did get loose, +he'd be mean enough to try and make a meal off me."</p> + +<p>"Well, if he can understand English, or even the actions of human +beings, you'd admit he's had good cause for disliking you," chuckled +Thad; "because all along you've put up quite a good-sized objection +against our wasting any more food on him. And animals can tell who their +friends are, you understand."</p> + +<p>"Is that really so?" Giraffe remarked, uneasily; "then me for a tree if +ever he does break that chain. And I'm going to keep a way open under +the edge of the tent, so I can slide out while he's searching among the +lot for me. If I had a gun along. Thad, we might enjoy bear steak on +this trip yet."</p> + +<p>"Pretty tough eating, believe me; and I'm just as well pleased that you +have no rifle," with which Thad threw himself down by the roaring fire, +the heat of which felt good, since with the coming of night the air had +become quite chilly.</p> + +<p>Giraffe soon fell back on his shaving occupation again. Allan was +telling stories about the Maine woods, and enthusing his hearers, so +that even Smithy was heard to declare that he hoped they <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'owuld'">would</ins> some day +have a chance to visit that country, to see for themselves if it was as +fine as Allan pictured.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I hope it will be in the early fall, then," remarked Allan; "because +then you would be in time for the late fishing, and the opening of the +deer season. That's the best time for going up into the Maine woods."</p> + +<p>Davy Jones, who had gone down to the edge of the lake to listen to the +bass jumping as they fed upon some smaller species of fish, as +frequently happens at night time, came hurrying back to the fire just +then, his face filled with excitement. Thad saw at once that something +must have occurred to give the scout a shock; and he wondered whether it +could have anything to do with the mystery of the boat, and those +footprints over on the island.</p> + +<p>"The ghost walked, fellers!" exclaimed Davy, as he caught his breath +again.</p> + +<p>"What's all that silly talk mean, Davy?" demanded the scout-master.</p> + +<p>"Well, he's been prowling around with a lantern, all right, lookin' for +something; I give you my word I saw it, Thad," Davy declared, crossing +his heart, boy fashion.</p> + +<p>"Where was all this happening?" pursued Thad.</p> + +<p>"Why, over there on the island!" answered Davy, positively.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE ALARM.</h3> + + +<p>Davy's words created no end of excitement in the camp of the Boy Scouts. +Every fellow jumped to his feet, and several immediately stepped out so +that they could get a better view of the dark lake. The stars shone +brightly, and gleamed on the tiny wavelets that purled along toward the +beach close by.</p> + +<p>Knowing just where the distant island lay, they could manage to locate +it by the inky blur that seemed to settle upon the water at this one +particular spot. But if any one expected to see lanterns moving to and +fro like animated fireflies, they made a sad mistake. It remained as +dark as the inside of a pocket over there.</p> + +<p>"Oh! come, what sort of talk were you giving us, Davy?" remarked +Step-hen, in disgust. "I was mighty comfortable lying on my blanket, and +you just thought you'd see how you could stir us up with some fake +news."</p> + +<p>"I tell you I <i>did</i> see it!" affirmed Davy, stoutly.</p> + +<p>"Say, I know what he glimpsed," remarked Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"What was it, then?" asked Step-hen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That star hanging low over yonder," the fat boy went on, eagerly; "if a +feller saw it all of a sudden, he might think it moved. And it does look +like a lantern, now, it sure does."</p> + +<p>"Think everybody is a booby like,—well, some people, do you, Bumpus?" +demanded Davy, indignantly. "What I saw waved back and forward, just +like I might do, if I wanted to make a signal to somebody over here on +the mainland. Thad, you believe me, don't you?"</p> + +<p>Before the scout leader could answer, another took up the argument.</p> + +<p>"Boys," said Smithy, "what Davy Jones says is perfectly correct, because +I myself saw some sort of moving light. I just happened to turn my head, +for perhaps Davy said something right then, and it was out there over +the dark water."</p> + +<p>"There, what d'ye think of that, Smarty?" demanded Davy, turning on +Step-hen and Bumpus, who were on the same side for once, and about the +only time the others could remember:</p> + +<p>"It goes," said Thad, positively. "What Davy told us has now been proven +by a second reliable witness. Then there must have been some sort of +light moving over there on the island. If a light, then a human being, +either boy or man. And that makes me all the more anxious to look that +same island over again. I didn't get to cover all the ground when we +were there last."</p> + +<p>"But there wasn't any cabin or hut there?" Bob White declared.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't believe there could be one, and none of us sight it. Still, +it's a rocky island, you remember, and there might be some sort of cave +on it, good enough to be used to keep a man from the rain, or housing +goods, if need be."</p> + +<p>"Whew! listen to Thad, would you?" said Step-hen, drawing a big breath, +which betrayed his state of mind, and the excitement that was beginning +to make his pulses thrill. "Whatever do you suppose these unknown men +can be doing around here?"</p> + +<p>"You remember what I said before about this country having been stocked +with game, and this lake with thousands of young bass years back?" Thad +continued. "It is possible that some of the late gamekeepers have a neat +little plan to make a pile of money out of their knowledge. And as the +law would punish them if they were caught, perhaps they're hiding while +we're in camp so close by."</p> + +<p>"That sounds good enough for me," remarked Giraffe, taking advantage of +Thad's attention being diverted to softly toss another pine knot upon +the fire.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's worse than that," Step-hen remarked, in a half-awed voice. +"I've been reading a lot lately about some convicts that broke out of a +penitentiary up in the next county. Mebbe now some of 'em have located +here, and are living off the game they snare in the woods, or the fish +they hook."</p> + +<p>"That might be, of course, though I doubt it,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> Thad went on to remark. +"In the first place, if they were convicts they would be wearing heavy +brogans, such as are always used in prisons. One of these men had on a +neat pair of pointed shoes, for I saw the marks clearly. The other's +shoes were pieced. I pointed that out to Bob White, didn't I, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"It is just like you say, suh," replied the other, readily; "and you +showed me how I could tell that shoe again any time, and under any +conditions; foh it had a home-made patch on the sole, running crisscross +from side to side," and he made the figure with his finger in the earth +beside him.</p> + +<p>Davy Jones had left the fire again, to go back to the lake shore, and so +did not happen to hear this explanation. He seemed to be hoping another +glimpse of the moving lantern would be granted to him. There was +something so weird and fascinating about the mystery that Davy wished it +to keep up.</p> + +<p>"How about our moving the camp over on the island to-morrow; have you +changed your mind about that, Mr. Scout-Master?" asked <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Allen'">Allan</ins>.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I was just hanging in the balance, when this new thing happened, +and settled it for me," replied Thad.</p> + +<p>"Then we don't go?" asked Step-hen, guessing the way things were moving +from the expression he saw on the other's face.</p> + +<p>"It would hardly pay us," answered Thad. "In the first place we're +nicely fixed where we are. Then again, if that island should be a +harboring place for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> hoboes or some other rough men, we'd soon get into +trouble with them. I don't think many of us would enjoy sound sleep if +we camped over there. It would mean sentry duty every night, just like +we were soldiers."</p> + +<p>The boys had voted in one way to go over, and no one would have liked to +show the white feather. But this decision on the part of their +scout-master let them "down easy," as Step-hen afterwards confessed. And +they all seemed to look pleased over the decision, even Davy, who came +in just in time to hear the last words Thad spoke, having seen no +further sign of a lantern.</p> + +<p>But perhaps there was one who remained silent, and looked glum when it +was thus decided to remain in the old camp. Giraffe dropped his head, so +that his comrades might not see how disappointed he felt over the change +of plans. For he had hoped that the bear would be set at liberty when +the last scout took passage for the new island camp; and that the beast +would start off hunting food in the woods after the fashion of bears in +general.</p> + +<p>Now they faced a panic in the food department, Giraffe feared; for he +seemed to be certain that some night that beast would break loose from +his chain, and devour everything they had in the line of provisions.</p> + +<p>"Who goes over with you to-morrow, Thad?" asked Davy, hoping that he +might be the favored one; for Davy loved adventure, and could never get +too much of the same, he believed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I hope he don't choose you, for one, Davy," said Step-hen, +jealously.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" demanded Davy, showing resentment at once.</p> + +<p>"Because you might have one of your fits in the boat, and upset the +whole outfit," Step-hen went on, with a grin; "you know, when we wanted +you to help clean up around the camp yesterday, you said you were afraid +of exerting yourself too much, because you felt the signs that always +came along before you got one of them terrible cramps."</p> + +<p>Davy looked a little confused. Deep down in his own heart he knew that +he had been playing a little game of "shirk" about that time, and taking +what was a mean advantage of the good nature of his fellow scouts. And +now it was coming back to make him pay the penalty. So he said not +another word.</p> + +<p>"I haven't decided yet who I want to take," remarked Thad, looking +around at the circle of eager faces upon which the light of the glowing +camp-fire shone; "and perhaps the fairest way will be to draw lots, then +the lucky one will not be of my picking; and there can be no bad +feeling."</p> + +<p>Bumpus had been sitting there for some time now, taking things easy. He +certainly enjoyed remaining quiet as well as any one in the patrol, +which, considering his weight, was not to be wondered at.</p> + +<p>Some thought must have struck him just about that time, for he was +observed to struggle to his knees with many a grunt, and then gaining +his feet vanish within the nearest tent.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nobody was paying any particular attention to the fat youth, however, +unless it might have been Step-hen, who turned his head to see what was +going on; and even he joined in the laugh when Davy Jones performed one +of his comical antics, jumping up, and hanging from the lower limb of a +tree by his toes, so that he swung to and fro like a big pendulum.</p> + +<p>"Better be careful, suh, how you play that trick, if ever you go down +with me into the Blue Ridge country," laughed Bob White.</p> + +<p>"Why, would they arrest me for cruelty to animals?" demanded Davy, as he +made a flying leap, turned completely over in the air, and landed ever +so lightly on his feet, as neatly as a circus gymnast might have done.</p> + +<p>"No, but if some of the darkies were passing through the woods, suh, and +saw you hanging like that, they'd positively think it was the biggest +'possum that ever was grown in North Car'lina. And you'd hear an ax at +the butt of that tree in a jiffy, believe me."</p> + +<p>Just then Bumpus came staggering out of the tent, having tripped as +usual on a guy rope in his hurry. He scrambled to his feet, and although +nearly out of breath, managed to grasp:</p> + +<p>"Well, there's thieves broke loose in this same camp, fellows, or else +the place is just bewitched, that's what!"</p> + +<p>"You'll have to explain what you mean, Bumpus?" declared Thad; while +Step-hen half started<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> from his seat on a blanket, his face becoming +scarlet as if he expected that every eye would immediately be turned in +his direction.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I hung it right on the pole in the middle of the tent, and +now it's clean gone. Yes, I even hunted around on the ground, and +everywhere, but nary a sign did I see. Things have come to a pretty +pass, I think, when a fellow just ain't allowed to leave his haversack +around without somebody running off with the same. Like to know what the +rules'd say to that sort of thing. Thad, is this going to keep up right +along? It's downright robbery, that's my opinion; and I don't care who +knows it. Oh! my goodness gracious! there they come now, walkin' right +in on us!"</p> + +<p>From the way Bumpus spoke, one would think he meant the thieves were +descending on the camp to complete its looting; and as the boys +scrambled to their feet, no wonder they were thrilled to see two shadowy +figures of men advancing from the direction of the dense forest!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>A GOOD RIDDANCE.</h3> + + +<p>Bumpus somehow seemed to keep his senses about him. Frightened as he +was, he never forgot that, as the chosen bugler of Cranford Troop, he +had certain duties devolving upon him which should not be neglected.</p> + +<p>So he made a frantic dive for his precious bugle, hanging close by. +Seizing the instrument, he clapped it to his lips, and blew a clarion +call. It was the rallying signal of the scouts, and which they knew full +well.</p> + +<p>The bear immediately set up a whimpering, and then merged this into a +roar that echoed from the side of the hill far away. Thad wondered +whether this action on his part was intended to be disgust with the +music produced by the silver-voiced troop bugle; or if the coming of the +two men had anything to do with it.</p> + +<p>Immediately he saw that the latter was the case, for one of the men left +the side of his companion, and striding swiftly toward the dancing bear, +began to fondle the beast, while speaking words in some outlandish +tongue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>That told the story. The newcomers then, were the two men whom Smithy +had seen exhibiting the trained beast near his house, and one of whom he +had declared asked him ever so many questions in good English about the +country above, and the people living on the farms there.</p> + +<p>But the scouts had had their little scare all right. Under the belief +that the camp was in danger of being raided by a couple of thieving +tramps, who had already picked out the bag of Bumpus as the choicest +prize of the lot, Davy and some of his mates had gained their feet only +to jump for the spot where their stout staves happened to be resting +against various trees.</p> + +<p>They really presented quite a warlike front as they began to wave these +sticks in a menacing manner, and ranged on either side of their +scout-master.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, boys, there's no need of making such a show as that," Thad +remarked, secretly pleased, however, to see how bold a band he had under +him; "these men are the ones who own the bear; and I rather think +they've come for him at last."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Giraffe, ready to dance with happiness over the sudden +prospect of being rid of their "star boarder," while the stock of food +still remained fairly bountiful.</p> + +<p>Thad was observing the man who kept on toward them. He was coarsely +dressed, and to all appearances as much of a foreigner as the one who +was caressing the whining dancing bear, and speaking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> such strange words +to him. At the same time Thad, who was quite an observer, felt that +there was a vast difference between the two men.</p> + +<p>This one had clear features, sunburned and begrimed it is true, but with +intelligence in his manner; while his gray eyes were keen and +penetrating.</p> + +<p>Just now, as he surveyed the hostile attitude of some of the scouts, +Thad could detect a grim smile passing over the face of the other. He +nodded his head to the boy whom he guessed must be the leader of the +campers.</p> + +<p>"We lost the bear by accident, and my companion has been mourning ever +since. You see he brought the beast over the ocean, and cares a heap for +him," he said, as he pointed to where the bear and keeper were actually +hugging each other, so it seemed.</p> + +<p>"He walked in on us the other night, just when we were ready to go to +our blankets," Thad went on to explain, "and nearly scared some of the +boys out of their wits. But we happened to have a scout who had fed your +bear, and talked to him. He was brave enough to get down from his tree, +and offer the animal part of a loaf of bread."</p> + +<p>"Half a loaf it was too, mister!" broke in Giraffe, determined that the +other should not be left in any doubt as to the immense hole the beast +had made in their provision chest.</p> + +<p>"And while the bear was eating, Smithy managed to get the chain fast +around that tree," Thad continued. "We hoped you'd come for him, sooner +or later, because we hadn't laid in stores for a bear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> when we started +out on this hike. And Giraffe here is anxious to see the last of him, +because he's afraid his rations will have to be cut pretty soon if it +keeps on much longer."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, boys, for keeping the bear," the man remarked, in excellent +English, as he smiled, and bowed around the half circle. "If you say so, +we will gladly settle his board bill right now, as we have to be off, +too much time having been lost in this hunt. But he refused to do +anything without his bear, and I had to give in."</p> + +<p>"That's kind of you; but I guess we don't want to ask any pay for the +little he ate of our food," Thad hastened to say.</p> + +<p>"Little, oh, my!" Giraffe burst out with; and then subsided at a frown +from the scout-master.</p> + +<p>"And besides," went on Thad, "he happened to do us a service by +frightening away a lot of boys from town who meant to play some trick on +us, perhaps stealing all our eatables; so you see we feel square. But +perhaps you'd like to have a cup of coffee while you're here? We have +plenty, and can fix you up in short order."</p> + +<p>Giraffe could only groan. To his mind it seemed that they must be +keeping open house for all the roving creatures at large in that section +of the country. And besides, who could say what manner of men these two +with the trained bear might turn out to be? For his part, the one who +talked so well, looked very suspicious, to say the least; and why should +an educated man be tramping all over the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> country in company with an +ignorant foreigner and his dancing bear, if he did not have some sly +game back of it?</p> + +<p>"That is very kind of you, boy," remarked the man, with a smile that +made Thad forget his soiled face and rather ragged clothes; "and as the +night is cool, and we've still got a long tramp before us if we expect +to make half the distance to Faversham before morning, I'm going to take +you at your word. But I wish you'd let me pay you something for all this +trouble."</p> + +<p>Thad of course shook his head, and gave orders for coffee to be put in +the pot, which might be set close enough to the hot camp-fire to soon +start boiling.</p> + +<p>The man sat down and began to talk to Davy Jones, who happened to be +next him. He seemed to be asking a few questions, possibly concerning +the road to the town toward which they were bound, and which was really +a good many miles away.</p> + +<p>Thad walked over to where the other was still chattering to his +recovered pet. He found, however, that the man could not speak enough +English to answer any question. If the other man was able to communicate +with this fellow at all then he must be educated enough to speak +Russian; for that was what the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'freigner's'">foreigner's</ins> native country seemed to be, +as far as Thad could make out.</p> + +<p>When the coffee was ready, the man by the fire accepted of a cup, and +thanked Step-hen warmly. Davy carried another cup to the bear keeper, +who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> took it with some strange words, which the boy supposed were meant +to express his gratitude.</p> + +<p>And after that, to the immense delight of Giraffe, they prepared to +depart. The bear was made to shake hands with each scout, and in his odd +fashion express his thanks for the attention that had been given him. +But Giraffe declined the honor.</p> + +<p>"It's all right for you fellows," he grumbled, when they joked him on +his timidity; "he likes you, and wouldn't do anything to hurt you; but +it's different with me, you see. The old rascal's taken a dislike to me, +and I'd be afraid he'd give me a sneaky bite, or claw me. Just say +good-bye for me, and a good riddance."</p> + +<p>Thad was afraid the man who could talk such good English might show some +signs of being offended by these frank expressions of Giraffe's views; +but instead he laughed quite heartily, as though rather tickled.</p> + +<p>"A bear can eat a big amount of stuff in a day," he remarked, "and I +don't blame your friend for being afraid he'd clean you out, if he +stayed longer. Good-bye, boys. Hope you enjoy your outing to the limit; +and that the time may come when I can return that favor of a bully cup +of coffee."</p> + +<p>With that they were off, the bear growling one minute, as it struggled +with its chain, and looked back; and then whimpering in its joy at +seeing a familiar face again.</p> + +<p>"See, he knows he'll miss the good feeds he's had since he dropped in on +us," remarked Davy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You're away off there, Davy," declared Giraffe, drawing a big sigh; +"he's ugly just because he can't get a bite at me. He's been waiting all +the time to do that, and he shows how mad he is to be taken away without +a chance. Perhaps I'll sleep easier to-night, boys. It's an awful thing +to lie awake there in a tent, and know a revengeful bear is trying to +break his chain only twenty feet away, meaning to take a nip at you."</p> + +<p>But the others only laughed at Giraffe, as the shadowy figures of men +and bear were swallowed up in the dense darkness of the forest.</p> + +<p>Still, every one was glad the bear had gone. They might have laughed at +some of his antics; but his little eyes looked treacherous; and Thad had +given orders that nobody should be too familiar with the beast while he +honored them with his company.</p> + +<p>"That one man was sure a foreign chap," remarked Allan; "but the other +talked as good English as any of us, perhaps better than some. I saw him +speaking with you, Davy; did he tell you who he was, and all about his +roving life?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess not," replied the other, "to tell the truth, he was +asking questions about getting to Faversham, and finding a couple of +parties he seems to want to come up with mighty bad. But I couldn't give +him much help, because you see, I've never been as far as that town; and +I sure never met up with the men he described. But I promised him I'd +keep my eyes open, and if so be I ran across 'em, I'd send him word, in +care of a man up in Faversham named Malcolm Hotchkiss."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well," broke in Bumpus just then, after his usual impetuous style, "for +my part, I'm believin' that they're the very two rascals Thad spoke +about, hanging out in this region, and taking game out of season. And +perhaps now, one of 'em even sneaked in camp when nobody was around, and +got away with my bag."</p> + +<p>He said this in a sneering way, and kept his eye fixed reproachfully on +Step-hen while speaking. The other frowned, and shook his head, in a +combative way.</p> + +<p>"Of course you mean it's me that touched your old bag, Bumpus," he +remarked; "but you've got another guess coming. I watched you hunting in +the tent like you'd lost your head. Reckon you have, all right, because +<i>you took the wrong tent!</i> Just step in the other one for a change, and +my word for it you'll find your blessed old haversack just where you +hung it!"</p> + +<p>And Bumpus, looking rather shame-faced, did go into the second tent; to +appear a moment later carrying the disputed bag in his hand, and with a +rosy blush mantling his fat face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>DRAWING STRAWS FOR A CHANCE.</h3> + + +<p>At any rate Bumpus was manly enough to do the right thing. He walked +straight up to Step-hen, and held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"I was a fool, and that's all there is about it, Step-hen," he said, +frankly. "Will you shake hands with me, and excuse the blunder I made +when I felt sure you had hooked the old bag, just to bother me?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I will, Bumpus," said the other, gripping the fat hand extended so +confidingly toward him, and giving it a squeeze that brought tears to +the eyes of poor Bumpus. "And after all, I don't hardly blame you for +thinking I had a hand in gettin' away with the bag; because, you know, +I've wanted to look through it this long time. Don't you think you might +let me have it now, Bumpus?"</p> + +<p>"But I tell you I haven't got anything that belongs to you, Step-hen, +and you ought to believe me," protested the fat boy, firmly.</p> + +<p>Step-hen looked at him queerly, as though he might be still a little +undecided. Then with a sigh he turned away; and Bumpus knew that he had +not been convinced.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here, you c'n tumble out everything I've got in the haversack, if you +want to, Step-hen," added the other, giving in finally.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, I take your word it ain't there," said the other, over his +shoulder; but somehow Bumpus knew that the feeling of suspicion was only +"scotched," not killed; and that Step-hen fancied that he, Bumpus, had +only changed the hiding-place of the lost compass.</p> + +<p>Thad had considerable to think about as he sat there, looking into the +fire, and listening to the talk that was going the rounds. His mind was +fixed upon the mystery that seemed to be hovering over the island; and +in various ways he found himself trying to connect the coming of the two +men and the bear, with the presence of those tracks across on the wooded +territory beyond the water.</p> + +<p>He even got up, and went across to the other side of the fire, to stoop +down and examine the plain footprints left by their late guest. Then he +shook his head as though the result failed to tell him what he sought.</p> + +<p>To make absolutely sure, he took a pine knot that had been thrust into +the fire; and using this as a torch, made his way to the tree where the +bear had been chained ever since coming among them.</p> + +<p>It was no great task to discover the imprint made by the heavy shoes +worn by the Russian. They were marked all around by hobnails such as are +used by the lower classes across the water, in order to save the leather +soles, for leather costs more money than a few nails.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> + +<p>Apparently Thad found little satisfaction in his labors, for he was +frowning when he returned to the circle.</p> + +<p>"Not the same parties, eh, Thad?" asked Davy, who had kept a wondering +eye on the movements of the young scout-master, and could give a shrewd +guess as to the reason for his action, as well as the disappointing +result.</p> + +<p>"I'm dead sure of that," replied Thad.</p> + +<p>"Different shoes make different trails, eh?" went on Davy.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Thad replied quietly, but conclusively; "that spluttering +foreigner has hobnails in his soles; and I saw none like that over on +the island. And this other man wears a shoe with a square toe; but +pretty good material in it. There was no print like that either."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, that proves them innocent, don't it?" asked Smithy. "For my +part now, fellows, I rather took to that man who sat here, and drank his +coffee. He's no hobo, I give you my word. His hands may look soiled, but +under it all they're decent enough to belong to a gentleman."</p> + +<p>"Hey! listen to Smithy, would you?" exclaimed Step-hen, as if surprised. +"Now, I never knew he had such a way of figgering out things. If he +keeps on like that, he'll leave us all in the lurch, fellers."</p> + +<p>"To tell the truth," admitted the other, smilingly; "time was when I +wouldn't have thought of noticing a single thing about such a man; but +you see, I've been studying up the rules and suggestions our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +scout-master loaned me, and it keeps on telling greenhorns and +tenderfeet to always be on the lookout, so as to remember what they see. +And when he sat there, I just thought it would be a fine chance to make +a mental note of anything queer about him I could detect."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Number Five," said Thad, warmly. "I said you were going +to make your mark yet, once you got into the fever of things; and +already you're proving a credit to the Silver Fox Patrol."</p> + +<p>"Then you saw the same things, did you, Thad?" asked Smithy, eagerly, +and with a really happy look on his delicate face; because this practice +of "doing things" was a new experience for him, and success made him +feel proud indeed.</p> + +<p>"Partly so; though you went me one better when you made out that his +hands were white under the grime," answered the scout-master.</p> + +<p>"That sounds like you think he took on all that dirt on purpose?" +remarked Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he did," replied Thad; "perhaps the man is playing some sort of +part, for a reason of his own."</p> + +<p>"Bunking with an ignorant foreigner just to get a chance to sneak into +camps, and run off with the haversacks that have been carelessly left +lying around loose?" suggested Step-hen, still harping on his wrongs.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't agree with you there, Step-hen," remarked Allan. "Like +Smithy here, I found some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>thing about that man that interested me. If +asked me point-blank now, possibly I couldn't tell you what it was that +attracted me—his eyes, his smile, or his whole manner. But I'd be badly +mistaken if he would turn out to be a rascal."</p> + +<p>"And I say the same," observed Thad, vigorously.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, you fellows may be right," remarked Giraffe; "but to my mind +there's something mighty suspicious about the way they came snooping +around here. Reckon that party might know more about how certain kinds +of wild game find their way to the New York hotels in the close season, +than he'd like to own up to. And I tell you right now what I mean to +do."</p> + +<p>"Go on, we all want to know," urged Thad.</p> + +<p>"While I'm up here," Giraffe continued, loftily, "I expect to keep my +eyes open to find evidences of traps and snares set in the woods to +catch partridges, rabbits and the like. And some time, if anybody wants +to paddle for me, I'm agoin' to go all the way around this here lake, +lookin' for nets, set to haul in the game bass."</p> + +<p>"You ought to be wearing the badge of a game warden, Giraffe," declared +Davy, with a mock bow in the direction of the speaker; "but they'd have +to watch you right smart now, because some of that game would go to keep +you from starving."</p> + +<p>They continued to talk until a late hour, and every boy was given a +chance to air his opinion. Still, no wonderfully new ideas seemed to be +in evidence; and when the patrol sought the blankets,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> leaving the +camp-fire dying down, they were about evenly divided on the question as +to whether the educated tramp keeping company with the foreign owner of +the bear was a smart man, or just a scamp.</p> + +<p>But a night of peace followed all these thrills. The skies above showed +no sign of storm; and from the neighboring forest there issued no more +bears, or any other savage beast, to raid the camp, and produce another +mad scamper of the scouts to places of refuge among the branches of the +friendly trees.</p> + +<p>Once or twice Allan came out to take a look around. It seems to be the +habit of all old campers to do this, whenever they happen to awaken; not +that he suspected that there would be any peril hovering around; but +then possibly the fire might have worked its way through a line of dead +grass, and threaten to extend; or it perhaps needed another small log to +keep the blaze going, and ward off the chill of night.</p> + +<p>Over the water came a weird cry at the time Allan last performed this +vigil; and the Maine boy smiled as he listened for a repetition; because +it was a familiar sound in his ears, and reminded him of his former home +further north.</p> + +<p>"Was that a loon, Allan," asked a quiet voice near him; and turning, the +Maine boy saw the acting scout-master poking his head out from under the +canvas of the second tent.</p> + +<p>"Just what it was, Thad," replied the other, when the last speaker +crawled out to join him; "I think he must have just dropped down here, +for I heard a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> splash before he gave tongue; and we know there wasn't +any such bird around up to sunset. If any of the others wake up and hear +that cry, they'll think it's the ghost of the island, sure."</p> + +<p>As it was too cool to sit around with such a scanty amount of clothes +on, both scouts soon vanished again. The fish were jumping as on the +previous night; and in the eastern sky the battered old moon had thrust +her remnant of a circle above the horizon for a little peep at the world +below.</p> + +<p>Morning came along in due time, and of course the usual swim was first +in order. Giraffe was apparently in high spirits. The others saw him +taking stock of what stores they had left, and evidently the big eater +found that there would be an abundance to see them through. That sort of +thing always pleased Giraffe. He was gloomy only when he feared for the +worst; and in his mind that consisted of short rations.</p> + +<p>After breakfast the question came up as to which one of the other scouts +Thad was to take with him. As he had stated he would do, in order to be +quite fair, and keep the others from feeling that any favoritism had +been shown, Thad took a number of short blades of grass, each of a +different length. These he mixed up in his hand, so that no one could +know which was the long, and which the short ones. Then he invited the +boys with the exception of the second in command, Allan, to draw as they +pleased, the shortest straw to win out.</p> + +<p>Of course there was more or less joking as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> operation was carried +out; for boys can hardly do so simple a thing as draw lots without a +certain amount of fun being injected into the game.</p> + +<p>"Now, the last belongs to Smithy, because he didn't draw," said Thad. +"Hold up the one you got, Bumpus, and see if you go along with me."</p> + +<p>Bumpus actually shook a little when he compared his "straw" and finding +that it was longer than the other, he laughed with glee. That island did +not have much drawing power for Bumpus; in fact, he hoped never to set +foot on it again.</p> + +<p>Each one tried to show that he had a shorter straw than the one that +fell to Smithy, but without success.</p> + +<p>"It's Smithy who goes," observed Thad; and possibly he looked pleased; +for he was beginning to take a great interest in the boy who had been +wrongly raised by his mother and maiden aunts, to be what is known as a +"sissy;" and hoped to see him turn out to be a manly, self-reliant and +brave scout.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>STEP-HEN'S STRATEGY FAILS.</h3> + + +<p>"Don't throw your straws away yet, fellows;" remarked Allan, after the +drawing had come to a conclusion; "Thad has something more to say."</p> + +<p>"Yes," remarked the patrol leader, smiling; "after talking it over with +Allan, who will be left in charge here during our absence, I've +concluded to take a second scout along. Three will be better than two, +in case of any trouble."</p> + +<p>"Trouble! Oh! my stars!"</p> + +<p>It was Bumpus who said this; and he actually turned pale as he glanced +down at the short stick he held in his hand. What if after all he should +turn out to be the ill-fated one chosen to cross again to the island? He +thought it would be just his luck.</p> + +<p>"Now, it's only right that the one who has the next shortest stick +should be the second fellow in the boat with me," Thad went on; "so +let's compare lengths again, boys."</p> + +<p>Some came up anxiously, actually hoping they might be the lucky one; +while others were indifferent; because there had been an interesting +programme laid out for that morning's work, and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> should hate to +miss the "wigwagging" with signal flags; as well as more of Allan's +trail talks, which were so great.</p> + +<p>"Davy Jones, you go!" remarked Thad, after the various "straws" had been +compared, and his was found to be the shortest.</p> + +<p>Davy gave a pleased grunt and his face glowed with delight. If there was +one fellow in the patrol whose soul seemed to crave excitement, and the +element of danger, it was the Jones' boy. When everything else failed he +was in the habit of climbing a tree, and ascending to a dizzy height, +perform some of his astonishing gymnastics there. No wonder they called +him "Monkey" at times.</p> + +<p>"Me for another chance to hook a three pound bass, if I can get a few +minnows with that little seine made of mosquito net," announced Giraffe, +after they had cleaned up the breakfast dishes, and the camp looked spic +and span as a camp always should look when boys are being taught how to +live in the woods.</p> + +<p>"Of course you are; though we've got plenty to eat besides fish," +remarked Step-hen; "but they sure did taste mighty fine, Giraffe; and +I'll take a turn with you along the shore. We can get on without the +boat, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"Count me in that job, if Allan will let me go along," Bumpus declared, +showing considerable interest.</p> + +<p>"If you do come, the chances are three to one you'll trip on some vine, +or stone, and take a header into the lake," remarked Giraffe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, what if I did, I know how to swim, don't I?" burst out Bumpus, +who seemed to be carrying "a chip on his shoulder," these days, as some +of the boys declared.</p> + +<p>"Course you do, Bumpus," said Step-hen, coming to the defense of the fat +boy in rather a strange manner, Bumpus thought; "I wouldn't be surprised +if you could give Giraffe a race, and beat him out. He never will be a +first-class scout when it comes to the water tricks; though if you hung +up a whole ham as a price it might make him stir himself some."</p> + +<p>Of course Giraffe was indignant.</p> + +<p>"Why, I could beat Bumpus with one hand tied behind me!" he declared.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you don't say so?" mocked Step-hen, who for some reason seemed +desirous of arousing the feeling of rivalry between these two scouts, +and egged them on as a boy who loved to see dogs fight, would sick one +on the other. "Mebbe, you'd be willing to back up that assertion right +now, and prove your boast?"</p> + +<p>"I'm willing, if he says he wants to try it out!" snapped the aroused +Giraffe, who at any rate was not lacking in spunk.</p> + +<p>Bumpus, too, seemed to be fully aroused. The other boys crowded around, +with wide grins, because they fancied it would be rather a comical sight +to see a race between the fat boy, who had only recently learned to +swim, and made a tremendous splashing in the water; and Giraffe, who was +a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> clumsy water dog at best, with one arm tied down to his side.</p> + +<p>Just then Bumpus happened to look at Step-hen. He could not help +noticing how unduly the other <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'seemed'">seemed</ins> tickled at the prospect. And then +and there a sudden terrible suspicion gripped hold of Bumpus.</p> + +<p>Now, there could be no particular reason why Step-hen should want to see +him enter for this queer water race, unless he had some deep motive +behind it. What could that motive be? Did the artful scout expect to +find a chance for searching his, Bumpus' clothes, while he was in the +lake, engaged in an exciting competition with Giraffe; and all the other +fellows having their attention centered on the race?</p> + +<p>"Oh! he believes he can find out something that way; and he's just +pushing me in over my head so I'll leave my clothes on the bank, and he +c'n search 'em!" was what Bumpus was now saying to himself.</p> + +<p>Indignation filled his honest soul. Thank goodness he was too smart to +fall into such a silly little trap. Step-hen would have had all his +trouble for his pains.</p> + +<p>So Bumpus, looking the other straight in the eyes, went on to say:</p> + +<p>"Come to think of it, we'll have to call the race off for to-day. I +promised my folks that I wouldn't go in swimming more'n once each day. +To-morrow morning then, Giraffe, I'll promise to go you just as we said, +you to have one arm working. And I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> warn you right now you'll have to do +your best, unless you want to be left in the lurch, because I'm learning +fast."</p> + +<p>Step-hen certainly looked very much disappointed. There was a sneer, as +well as a shadow on his face, as he remarked scornfully:</p> + +<p>"Huh! you take water, eh, Bumpus?"</p> + +<p>"Only once a day," replied the fat boy, calmly; and yet the look he gave +Step-hen told the other that his clever scheme had been understood.</p> + +<p>Of course the action of Bumpus in calling the race off convinced +Step-hen more than ever that the fat boy did have his precious compass. +If it was not in that old haversack then, he had, as Step-hen suspected, +transferred the same to one of his pockets; and was even then carrying +it around, in defiance of the owner.</p> + +<p>Now Step-hen could have ended all this disturbance by appealing straight +to the scout-master, who would have asked Bumpus to tell on his honor if +he had what did not belong to him. But it did not suit the boy to do +this. He was naturally rather obstinate, and had a bulldog nature.</p> + +<p>"I started out to recapture that compass on my own account, and I ain't +going to play the baby act now, and ask Thad to get it for me, no siree. +Just you wait, Bumpus Hawtree, and see if I don't find some way to fool +you. It's in one of those pockets of yours that stick out so; and sooner +or later I'll prove it before the rest of the troop."</p> + +<p>Step-hen was saying this to himself as he watched<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> the three, who were +to go to the mysterious island, finishing their preparations for the +journey across the lake. But apparently the fat boy had already +forgotten all about the trouble. He had a disposition that could not +harbor resentment any great length of time. Like a little summer storm +it quickly blew over; and Bumpus was then the same smiling, genial +comrade, ready to do anything to oblige his late antagonist.</p> + +<p>Thad did not have many preparations to make, however. Most of his time +was spent in talking with Allan, and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'arrnging'">arranging</ins> for the work that was to +be done that morning, in showing the balance of the patrol numerous +interesting things connected with scout life.</p> + +<p>"I reckon we'll be back in time for lunch," he remarked, when Davy +called out to say the boat was ready; "but to make sure we won't go +hungry each of us is carrying what Bob calls a 'snack,' along with +us—some ham between crackers."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Allan, who secretly wished he might be going along too; +"here's hoping you learn something about the queer men who have been +using that island for some purpose or other."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, too," replied Thad; "because, somehow, they've aroused a +sort of curiosity in me. They seem to hide from us, as if they didn't +want anybody to see what kind of fellows they were. Why, all the time +we've been here they must have known about us, and could even see our +flag flying from the pole in front of the tents; yet they've never as +much as said 'good morning' to us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Never a peep," Allan went on to say. "And that makes me think there's +sure something crooked about 'em. I wish——"</p> + +<p>"Now I know what you're going to say," broke in Thad, with a smile; "you +feel bad because I didn't fetch my double-barrel gun along on this trip. +Well, between you and me, I do, myself. It would have been a whole lot +of comfort right now. But you know, Boy Scouts don't want to look too +much like soldiers. Some of the town people talked a heap about not +wanting their sons to join a military company; and we had trouble +convincing them that the scouts didn't have a thing to do with army +life. That's why we've only been able to organize one patrol up to now. +But the feel of that little twelve bore would be good this morning, even +if game laws stood between me and getting a few partridges."</p> + +<p>"Please hurry up your stumps, Thad!" called Davy, who was wild with +eagerness to get moving; for he had envied those who were allowed to go +to the island on the preceding day, and felt anxious to set foot on the +enchanted ground, where mysterious strangers seemed to have their abode, +yet could not be found.</p> + +<p>"That's all I wanted to say, Allan," the scout-master concluded; "and as +Davy will have one of his fits soon, if I don't get off, I reckon I'll +start. If we fail to show up at noon, why, don't worry. Nothing is going +to hurt any of us, that I can see."</p> + +<p>The rest of the scouts gathered at the water's edge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> to see them embark +on the exploring expedition; and all sorts of chaffing was indulged in +between Davy and some of his camp mates. Bumpus in particular was so +pleased over not having been drafted to go in the cranky canoe that he +seemed to be just bubbling over with exuberant spirits.</p> + +<p>When the boat had gone some fifty yards from the shore he drew out his +bugle, kept hidden up to then, and sent the most mournful notes across +the water after the departing voyagers. It was so like a funeral dirge +that Davy Jones thrust his fingers in his ears; and then shook a fist at +the stout bugler; who however kept on with his sad refrain until Allan +put a stop to it.</p> + +<p>And so the scout-master backed, by his two valiant assistants, set out +to learn what the secret of the mysterious island might be; nor did any +of the trio suspect right then in the beginning of the voyage what +strange results would follow this invasion of the haunt of the unknown +prowlers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>THE PATCHED SHOE AGAIN.</h3> + + +<p>Those on the shore, after the bugle's sad refrain had been silenced, +gave the departing adventurers a last cheer, and a wave of their +campaign hats. Over the water sounds carry unusually clear; and Thad and +his mates smiled when they distinctly heard Step-hen bawling from the +interior of the tent where he had his sleeping quarters:</p> + +<p>"Hey, you fellers, which one of you hid my coat? None of your tricks +now; don't I know that I hung it up all right last night, when I came to +bed; and blessed if I can find it now? Funny how it's always <i>my</i> things +that go wandering around loose. Own up now; and whoever hid it just come +right in here, and show me where it is!"</p> + +<p>"The same careless Step-hen," remarked Thad; "always leaving his things +around loose, and then ready to accuse some one else of hiding them. To +hear him talk you'd believe in the bad fairies, and that they just took +their spite out mixing his clothes and things up, while he slept. I +wonder if he can ever be cured of that trick. He'll never pass for a +merit badge till he does, that's sure. Neatness in a scout is one of the +first things to be won."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>Davy was handling the paddle. While he did not show the proficiency that +the Maine boy, Allan Hollister, could boast, or Bob White, who loved +everything pertaining to the water, still Davy did manage to keep the +prow of the canoe in a fairly straight line for the island, as he dipped +first on one side and then on the other.</p> + +<p>Thinking the chance to show Davy a few points in the art of paddling +ought not be lost, the scout master took the spruce blade, which was a +home-made one, from his hands. By turning the canoe around, and using +the stern as the bow, he was able to illustrate his meaning easily +enough.</p> + +<p>"Now, it is not necessary to change from one side to the other as often +as you do, Davy, when you have a breeze blowing like it is now, and +you're heading across it. By holding the blade in the water this way +after a stroke, it serves in place of a rudder and checks the turning of +the canoe under the influence of the push. And another thing, you reach +too far out. That helps to whirl the boat around in a part circle. Dip +deeply, but as close to the side of the canoe as you can."</p> + +<p>Davy was a ready observer, and not above picking up points from one who +knew more than he did.</p> + +<p>And presently, profiting from these plain hints, he was able to make +easier progress.</p> + +<p>"Why," continued Thad, "Allan tells me that among the expert canoemen up +in his State of Maine lots of them wouldn't be guilty of lifting the +paddle out of the water at all, and make swift work of it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> too. You see, +in creeping up on a deer that is feeding on the lily pads in the shallow +water near the shore, just around a point perhaps, the water dripping +from the paddle when it was raised; or even the gurgle as it came out, +would give warning of danger; and about the only thing they'd know about +that deer would be its whistle as it leaped into the brush. So they +always practice silence in paddling, till it gets to be second nature, +Allan tells me."</p> + +<p>"Say, I certainly do hope we get a chance to see that same thing for +ourselves," remarked Davy; "I've heard and read a heap about Maine, and +always wanted to get there. Since Allan's been talking about his life in +the pine woods that feeling's just grown till I dream of it nights, and +imagine myself up there."</p> + +<p>"And I'd like to go along too, if my mother could be persuaded to let +me," was what Smithy said, a little doubtfully; for he had been so long +"tied to his mother's apron-strings," as the other boys called it, that +he could not believe she might overcome her fears for his safety enough +to let him go far away.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, Smithy had now had one full breath of what it meant to be +a boy with red blood in his veins; and he was inwardly determined that +never again could he be kept in bonds, while the smiling open air +beckoned, and these splendid chums wanted his company.</p> + +<p>All this while good progress had been made, and they were now drawing +close in to the island. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> lay there, looking calm and peaceful in the +morning sunlight. A few birds flew up from along the shore, some of them +"teeter" snipe that had been feeding. Davy even pointed with his paddle +to a big gray squirrel that ran along a log in plain view, and sat up on +his haunches as if to curiously observe these approaching human beings +who intended to invade his haunts.</p> + +<p>"What's that bird out yonder on the water?" asked Smithy, just then +pointing beyond a spur of the island.</p> + +<p>"That's a loon," remarked Thad. "Allan heard him drop in here last +night; and both of us happened to be awake when he gave one of his +cries. You'll be apt to hear him some time or other; and if you think +it's a crazy man laughing, why just remember they named that bird +rightly when they called him a loon."</p> + +<p>"I don't see anything moving on shore; anyhow there's no man in sight," +Davy remarked a minute later, as they drew in still closer.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I didn't expect to see a crowd waiting to receive us," laughed +Thad. "We may have all our trouble for our pains; but I just couldn't +rest till I got one more squint at that imprint of a shoe on the +island."</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, I remember that Bob White was telling me about you being taken +up with that track," Davy went on; "but he didn't say just why. Perhaps +you'll show me, now that I'm along on the trip?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I will; and tell you a few things I got from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> him," the +scout-master went on to say, as they pushed in toward the little beach +where the landing had been made on the first occasion of their visiting +the lake island.</p> + +<p>"Bob must have been through some stuff in his old home," remarked Davy, +enviously; "from the few little things he's said. Things <i>happen</i> there +in the Blue Ridge mountains, down in the Old Tar Heel state. Up here +it's as dead as a door nail; nothin' goin' on atall to make a feller +keep awake. Don't I just hope you get that deal through, Thad, and take +the whole patrol along, to pay a visit to Bob's home country. I just +know we'd have a scrumptuous time of it. Imagine me up in the real +mountains, when I've never even seen a hill bigger than Scrub-oak +mountain, which I could nearly throw a stone over!"</p> + +<p>Then the prow of the canoe ran aground in a few inches of water. Thad +sprang ashore, and holding the painter, drew the boat in closer. +Relieved of his weight in the bow its keel grated on the dry sand, and +the other two were able to step out easily enough.</p> + +<p>They drew the boat up good and far on the beach.</p> + +<p>"The wind's liable to get even stronger than it is," remarked Thad, "and +we don't want a second experience of having the canoe blown out on the +lake."</p> + +<p>"I should say not," observed Smithy, uneasily; for he had only recently +learned how to swim, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> the shore seemed a tremendous distance away, +with the flag of the camp floating in the morning breeze, and the tents +showing plainly against the green background.</p> + +<p>"Now, this time I'm going to comb the whole island over, and see what's +here," announced Thad, resolutely. "You see, we can make a start, and +keep close to this shore until we strike the other end. Then changing +our base, we'll come back this way, keeping just so far away from our +first trail. After that, it's back again; and in that way we ought to +see all there is."</p> + +<p>"Going to be pretty tough climbing, I reckon?" remarked Davy, surveying +the piled-up rocks, of which the island seemed to consist mainly, with +the trees growing from crevices, and in every odd place, so that they +formed a dense canopy indeed.</p> + +<p>"That'll make it more interesting, perhaps," said Smithy; and Thad +nodded his head encouragingly; for he liked to see evidences in the +spoiled boy tending to show what his real nature must be, back of the +polish his fond mother and maiden aunts had succeeded in putting upon +his actions in the past.</p> + +<p>They reached the other end of the island and began to make the return +trip. As Davy Jones had said, it was strenuous work at times, since the +rocks were piled up in a way to suggest that some convulsion of nature +had heaved this island up from the bottom of the lake.</p> + +<p>"Just see the black holes, would you?" Davy declared, again and again. +"Why, lots of 'em'd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> make the finest kind of fox dens; and I reckon a +wolf wouldn't want a better hiding-place than that big one over there. +Say, Thad, I c'd crawl in easy, myself, and I'd like to do it for a +cooky now, if you said the word."</p> + +<p>"Not just yet, Davy," remarked the scout leader; who began to wonder +himself if the men of the island might not be hiding right then in one +of the cavities Davy pointed out. "We want to see what the place is +like, you know. Come along, and in a jiffy we'll be at the end where our +boat lies."</p> + +<p>"But what are you keeping on looking so close at the ground, whenever we +strike any soil at all, Thad?" the Jones boy continued. "S'pose now, you +think you might run on that footprint Bob was speakin' about, say?"</p> + +<p>"Just what was in my mind, Davy," replied the other, always willing to +give information to those with him. "I wanted you to see what it looked +like, so you and Smithy here could be keeping on the watch. If we found +that it made a regular trail, and led to one of these same black holes, +we'd know more than we do right now. There, I saw a track, but it wasn't +a clear one. Hold on, and let's see what this patch of open ground will +show up."</p> + +<p>"This just suits me to a dot," remarked Davy. "Feels quivery-like, you +know, just like something queer was agoin' to happen right soon. Wonder +if there's any wildcats loose over here. I'd like to get a whack at one +with this club; wouldn't I belt him a good crack between the eyes. +Hello! found what you wanted, Thad?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + +<p>The scout-master had come to a sudden stop, and was down on his knees, +examining something on the ground. He beckoned the others to drop beside +him, and both boys did so eagerly.</p> + +<p>As Davy Jones saw the imprint of the shoe that had a patch on it, he +gave a low exclamation, and his eyes sought those of Thad.</p> + +<p>"Well, what d'ye think of that, now, Thad?" he muttered; "the same +patched shoe that feller with the bear man was tellin' me about. Say, +listen, he said that he was lookin' for a man with a shoe just like +that! Yes, siree, he described it to a hair, and asked me if ever I saw +a footprint like that to send word to Malcolm Hotchkiss up at +Faversham!"</p> + +<p>Thad felt a thrill at these words, for he realized that they meant there +must be some connection between the supposed hobo who accompanied the +owner of the dancing bear, and the two men who were hiding on the +island!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>FIGURING IT OUT.</h3> + + +<p>"That's what he said to you, did he, Davy?" asked the scout-master; and +perhaps unconsciously his voice was lowered a little when he spoke, as +though he felt that peril lurked close by.</p> + +<p>"Yes, when we were sitting close together by the fire, and he was +drinkin' his cup of coffee," the other replied, also in hushed tones; +while Smithy hovered as near as he could get to them, his face filled +with apprehension.</p> + +<p>"And he told you he wanted to meet up with the man who had a patch on +the sole of his shoe, did he?" Thad continued, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Just what he did," Davy answered, cheerfully. "I remember thinkin' that +it was a mighty funny way to describe a feller, by telling how one of +his shoes had been mended in that way. But, Thad, you know Bob didn't +finish tellin' me about this track over here on the old island. If he +had, I'd sure remembered; and then I c'd have spoken about it to you."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry now it didn't happen that way," <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'remarkd'">remarked</ins> the scout-master, +"it might have made some difference in my plans, you see, boys."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You mean you wouldn't a come here, is that it?" demanded Davy; "then +I'm glad you didn't know about it; because this just suits me. Whew! +don't it make a feller have just the nicest cold creepy feelin' run up +and down his back, though? I wouldn't have lost the chance for +anything."</p> + +<p>Thad was compelled to smile at the odd way the other had of expressing +his pleasure in the thrill that passed over him, as he contemplated the +possibility of meeting with new adventures.</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, I didn't mean that," he replied; "but I'd have asked you a lot +of questions before coming, and perhaps we'd have been better posted. +Then again, I might have brought a couple more scouts along, so we could +feel stronger, in case—" and he suddenly paused, with his head cocked +on one side as though listening.</p> + +<p>"In case, what?" pursued Davy, who wanted to know everything.</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard a voice somewhere, but it might have been a bird in +the bushes," Thad continued, in a relieved tone. "Why, I was only going +to say in case we had any trouble with these men. But they may not be +here at all now. I've got an idea they own another boat, in which they +could have slipped away last night while it was so dark."</p> + +<p>"Then what's the use of our hunting all over the place as we're doing?" +asked Davy, fanning himself with his hat; for the day was turning out +warm, and it began to seem like tiresome work, and all for nothing, +too.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> + +<p>"In the first place," went on Thad, with that steady glow in his gray +eyes that bespoke determination; "I want to see if there really is a +hidden shack or a cave here, where they could be hiding out. Then I'd +like to learn if they're poachers, snaring the wild game, or the bass up +here, and getting it to market on the sly; or some tramps who have been +breaking into a store or a bank and are hiding from the constables."</p> + +<p>"A bully good place to hide, all right," remarked Davy, as he glanced +around at the wild character of their surroundings, and heaved another +sigh in contemplation of further scrambling over those sharp-pointed +rocks.</p> + +<p>"But Thad," put in Smithy, who had been listening all this time without +saying a single word, "have you changed your mind about what these +strange men may be, since you heard what Davy said about that man at our +camp-fire?"</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, I am beginning to, right fast," answered the other, frankly.</p> + +<p>"You don't think he was as bad as they are, and meant to join them, do +you?" continued Smithy, taking an unexpected interest in the matter; for +he had observed the party in question closely, as Thad knew, and formed +rather a good opinion of him, somehow.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't," replied the scout-master, decisively. "If you asked me +point-blank what my opinion was, I'd say that he might be a game warden +playing a part, or else an officer of the law, looking for yegg<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>men who +have done something that they knew would send them to prison if caught!"</p> + +<p>"Whew! just keep right along talking that way, Thad," muttered Davy. "It +sure does give me the nicest feeling ever to hear you. Yeggmen now is +it, and not just poor game poachers? That's going some, I take it. Say, +perhaps they've been and broke into a rich man's place over in +Faversham. I happen to know that quite a few city people own cottages +there for summer use."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever been in Faversham, Davy?" asked Thad, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Well, no, I must say I haven't; but I've heard some about it from a boy +who visited Sim Eckles, and who used to live there. It's a big place, +Thad."</p> + +<p>"Oh! size has nothing to do with this matter," remarked the other. "I +was just wondering whether you might not have heard that name before."</p> + +<p>"You mean Malcolm Hotchkiss, don't you?" asked the other, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the name he mentioned to you, when he spoke about the marked +shoe?" the patrol leader went on to say.</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" Davy exclaimed, hoarsely; "now, that's queer; I never once +bothered my head to think about it till you asked. Sure I've heard the +name before. The boy over at Sim Eckles' mentioned it more'n once."</p> + +<p>"Who is he, then, Davy?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Malcolm Hotchkiss, he's just the Chief<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> of Police over at +Faversham, that's what, Thad," replied the other scout, almost +breathless in his renewed excitement.</p> + +<p>"Oh; is that so?" remarked Thad. "Well, how does it strike you now, +Davy?"</p> + +<p>"Looks bad for these here men, that's what," came the reply.</p> + +<p>"You mean they must be worse than game poachers; is that it?" continued +Thad.</p> + +<p>"I just reckon they are, Thad. Game wardens are hired by the State; and +seems to me it don't interest the common police if a man chooses to take +a few deer out of season, or net black bass against the law."</p> + +<p>"Sounds like good logic, Davy," Thad continued; "and anybody could see +that you're all fixed to follow in the footsteps of your father, when +you get through law school. That settles it, in my mind. After this I +don't expect to run across any nets in the lake, or snares for +partridges in the woods around here."</p> + +<p>"You mean there might be something stronger than that to be found, if +only we could run up against the place they use for a hideout; is that +it, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do; but I wish you could tell me one thing," the other +remarked.</p> + +<p>"Try me and see," grinned Davy. "I'm loaded with information, like a gun +is, to the muzzle; and all you have to do is to pull the trigger."</p> + +<p>"Try and remember if that boy said anything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> about this Malcolm +Hotchkiss that would describe him—was he tall or short; did he wear a +beard or had he a smooth face; were his eyes blue or black?"</p> + +<p>Davy screwed up his eyebrows as though he might be cudgeling his brain +to remember. Then he grinned again, showing that the result had at least +been satisfactory from his point of view.</p> + +<p>"I caught on to it, Thad," he declared with the air of a victor.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you think about it now, Davy?"</p> + +<p>"Not the same man. You remember our visitor was a tall feller, don't +you? Well, I heard that boy say how they played a trick on Malcolm, and +they was only able to do it because he happened to be a small man, with +white hands, and looked kinder like a woman dressed up in police +uniform. But then he's smart as chain lightnin', he said at the same +time."</p> + +<p>"Well, that proves one thing. Our visitor couldn't have been the +Faversham Head of Police. Perhaps they're in the game together, and he +wanted you to send word that way, knowing that Hotchkiss would be able +to reach him," Thad concluded.</p> + +<p>"Looks like you'd got it all figgered out right, Thad," admitted Davy, +in open admiration for the genius of his chum. "And if that's the truth, +I reckon it must be a pretty big game that has made this here feller +take all the trouble to hire that bear man to go 'round the country with +him, just so he could ask questions, and nobody think he was anything +but a common tramp."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't just understand what sort of officer would be doing that," Thad +candidly admitted. "Now, if these men were what Bob White tells us they +have down in his country, moonshiners, I could understand it. But we've +rested enough now; let's go on to the boat. Perhaps after all, we might +decide to leave the island to look after itself from now on."</p> + +<p>"I'd sure be sorry to hear you say that, Thad," remarked Davy, his face +showing keen disappointment.</p> + +<p>"After all, it's really none of our business," continued Thad; "and now +that you know the man he is looking for everywhere is somewhere around +here, perhaps it'd be best for you to start over to some place where +they have a telephone, and call up Mr. Malcolm Hotchkiss at Faversham."</p> + +<p>"Huh! reckon I c'd surprise him a little now," chuckled Davy, falling in +behind the leader, as they continued on down toward the spot where the +boat had been left some time before.</p> + +<p>"We've done all that could be expected of a patrol of Boy Scouts, under +the circumstances," said Thad firmly; "and the rest had better be left +to men who are used to such things. Listen to that wind blow, boys? I +hope a storm doesn't come up before we get back to camp again. Careful, +Davy, don't be in such a hurry; we're nearly at the beach, and our +boat."</p> + +<p>"That's just it," remarked the Jones boy; "I had a look in at that same +beach under the branches of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> the trees, Thad; and believe me, I didn't +see a sign of any boat!"</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded the scout-master, quickly, a sense of gathering +clouds beginning to oppress him; for it would indeed be a serious matter +if they were actually taken prisoners by these unknown parties of the +island, whom they now believed to be worse even than game poachers.</p> + +<p>"Look for yourself, Thad; for here you can see the beach end to end," +Davy went on; and the others stared as though hardly able to believe +their eyes; for it was just as Davy said; there was the little sandy +stretch, without a doubt, where they had left their canoe; but from end +to end it was vacant!</p> + +<p>Again had the boat vanished while they were away; and this time it was +utterly impossible that it could have gone without the agency of human +hands, for they had pulled it high up out of the water!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>WHAT SMITHY FOUND.</h3> + + +<p>"Here's tough luck, and more of it!" remarked Davy Jones; but while +Smithy was looking excited, and rather white, the Jones boy was +grinning, just as if the new condition of affairs, thrilling in the +extreme, pleased him intensely.</p> + +<p>Thad hastened to examine the ground, as a true scout always thinks of +doing when he seeks information concerning the movements of others; for +neither men nor boys can well move around without leaving some traces of +their late presence; and when one knows how to use his eyes to +advantage, it is possible to learn many valuable things after this +fashion.</p> + +<p>"Did they take it, Thad?" continued Davy, as the scout leader arose from +his knees again, his face filled with all sorts of wild conjectures as +to the meaning of this new mystery.</p> + +<p>"They must have," replied Thad; "because they've been around since we +were. Fact is, as you can see for yourselves, boys; here's where the +imprint of that marked shoe has half covered Smithy's track. And of +course that could mean only one thing."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You're right, it could," admitted Davy, easily convinced.</p> + +<p>Smithy looked around at the undergrowth, out of which they had just +pushed. No doubt his imagination was working at full speed, and he could +see a face leering out from behind every scrub bush. Smithy was at least +a great reader, even if he had until lately never been allowed to +associate with other boys; and likely enough he had spent many hours +over Stevenson's "Treasure Island" and kindred stories of adventure. And +being of a nervous temperament, the consciousness of hovering peril +acted on him to a much greater extent than it did in the cases of his +fellow scouts.</p> + +<p>"But where do you think they could have taken the boat, Thad?" Smithy +now asked, as he stared out on the waves that were sweeping past so +merrily, and could see no sign of any craft.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps gone around the island, hiding it in some place they know +about; or it might be they've just sunk the canoe out in deep water +there," replied Thad.</p> + +<p>"Sunk their own boat!" remarked Smithy, in bewilderment; "now, please +explain to me just why they would want to do so remarkable a thing as +that, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"So that we couldn't have the use of it to get back ashore again; and +our comrades over there mightn't be able to come over," was the reply of +the young scout-master.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean they've made up their minds to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> try and keep us prisoners +on this terrible island?" asked the other.</p> + +<p>"It looks a little that way to me right now, Smithy; fact is they've got +me guessing good and hard what they do mean by that sort of thing. +Perhaps they want a certain amount of time to make their escape, and +expect to get it by keeping us cooped up here. The question now is, +shall we let them carry that scheme out?"</p> + +<p>"Not if we know it, we won't," Davy spoke up, and declared in his +positive way. "Why, I think I could manage to get over to the mainland +somehow, with that log there to help me. The wind and waves would carry +me along, you see, Thad; and I could do my clothes up in a bundle and +keep 'em dry. Seems to me that's the kind of work for a scout to try, +ain't it?"</p> + +<p>"A pretty good idea, Davy," admitted the scout-master, readily enough; +"there's only one drawback to it, that I can see."</p> + +<p>"And what might that be?" asked the one who had conceived the brilliant +thought, and who seemed to be disappointed because his chief had not +immediately declared it to be a marvel of ingenuity.</p> + +<p>"Well, you're not much of a swimmer, and couldn't make any headway +against the wind and the waves. Consequently you'd just have to let them +carry you along with them. That would take a lot of time; and even if +you did get ashore safely it'd be at the far end of the lake. You know +the country is pretty rough between there and the camp. By<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> sticking to +the beach, where there is any, you might make it in a couple of hours; +but altogether it'd be well into afternoon before you got in touch with +Allan and the rest."</p> + +<p>"All right, I'm willing to make the try, if only you give the word, +Thad," the Jones boy went on, with a vein of urgency in his voice. "Just +the idea seems to tickle me more'n I c'n tell you. And if I kept on the +other side of the log, why you see, these fellers wouldn't know a thing +about it. They'd think it was just an old log that had drifted around, +and was going wherever the wind wanted."</p> + +<p>"Well, such talk would convince anybody, I guess," laughed Thad.</p> + +<p>"Then you're goin' to let me try it, I hope?" ventured Davy, joyfully.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I may a little later," the other admitted. "After we've talked +it over some more. And first of all, I think Smithy and myself had +better arm ourselves in the same way you have, with a good stout club. +If the worst comes, it's a jolly good thing to have in your hand."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say, yes," Davy went on; "more'n once I've stood off a +savage dog with a stick like this, and dared him to tackle me. But here, +if I'm going to take that little swim with the log, I won't need my +club. S'pose I hand it over to Smithy?"</p> + +<p>There was a method in his madness; and Thad, who could read between the +lines, understood it easily enough. If allowed to give Smithy his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +weapon of offense and defense, such permission would really be setting +the seal of approval on his proposition to swim ashore. And Davy was +shrewd enough to figure on that.</p> + +<p>"All right, give it to Smithy," said Thad; making up his mind that since +one of them ought to make the effort to get in touch with the balance of +the patrol, it were better to allow Davy to go than that he leave the +two boys on the island; for that might look strange in a leader.</p> + +<p>And so the delighted Davy hastened to comply; indeed the manner in which +he thrust the stick into the willing hands of the other seemed to +indicate a fear on his part lest the scout-master alter his mind. And +once the club had changed hands he appeared to believe the thing was +settled beyond recall.</p> + +<p>"Do you think they might attack us, Thad?" asked Smithy, who was +somewhat pale, but showing a resolute front in this crisis.</p> + +<p>"I don't know any more than you do, Smithy," replied the other; "they +had some scheme in view when they scooped the boat, and hid it from us. +As I said before, I can't make up my mind whether they only want to make +time by cutting off all chances of pursuit; or else mean to come down on +us."</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose they'd be apt to do to us for giving them so much +trouble, and taking their boat?" continued Smithy.</p> + +<p>"What Paddy gave the drum, perhaps," remarked Davy; "a beating. But if +you two fellers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> can only manage to keep out of their hands a little +while, I ain't afraid about my being able to reach shore, and the camp. +Then what, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Just what I said—have one of the boys, Giraffe perhaps, because he's a +good runner, start over to Rockford. I think from the rough map a +charcoal burner made of this section of country for me, that town can be +only about seven miles or so across country, though the going might be +pretty rough. Here, take my little compass, in case he is afraid he may +get lost in the woods," and Thad detached the article in question from +his silver watch chain.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you said Giraffe," remarked Davy; "because if it had been +Step-hen, who is also a clever long-distance runner, he'd have been sure +to lose himself, because he says he's going to take the first chance, +just because somebody took his old compass. Then, when he gets to +Rockford you want Giraffe to get <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Haversham'">Faversham</ins> the 'phone; is that it, +Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and tell his story to the Chief—all about the queer things that +have happened to us up here since we made camp,—the coming of the bear; +then our finding the boat; the tracks on the island; how we had a visit +from the bear man, and what his companion told you to do in case you +ever saw the imprint of a shoe that had a crooked patch across the sole. +I reckon Mr. Malcolm Hotchkiss'll know what to do when he gets all these +facts in his head. And then Giraffe can rest up before he tries to come +back to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I got it all just as you stated it, Thad," declared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> Davy, beginning to +unfasten his shoes, as if anxious to be busy; "now, if you fellers would +just roll that same log into the water while I'm doing up my duds in a +little package that I c'n tie on top, so as to keep 'em dry, I'll be +ready in short order. Then you watch me paddle my own canoe for the +shore. It'll be just more fun than a circus for David, believe me."</p> + +<p>So Thad and Smithy took hold, and with the aid of the sticks in their +hands it was found that the log could be readily turned over. Each time +this was done it drew closer to the water's edge, and presently splashed +into the lake.</p> + +<p>"See her float just like a duck, will you?" remarked the delighted Davy, +who was by this time making a bundle of his shoes, hat and clothes, +which he expected to secure somehow to the log, or thrust into a +crevice, where the package might not be seen by watchful eyes ashore.</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, if that boat did have to be captured by the enemy," +remarked Smithy, just then, as if remembering something; "I'm glad I +found that stuff before it went, that's a fact, boys."</p> + +<p>Thad turned on him in some surprise.</p> + +<p>"Now you've got us both wondering what you mean, Smithy," he remarked; +"suppose you explain before Davy leaves us."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I forgot to say anything about it," declared the other, in more or +less confusion; "the fact of the matter is, Thad, when I found I was +going to be your canoemate on this little adventure, I went down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> at +once and turned the boat over to see that it was perfectly clean. You +know it's a hobby of mine to want everything just so; and I noticed that +a little washing would improve the looks of our boat. So I took out the +false bottom that keeps heavy shoes from cutting into the thin planking; +and what do you suppose I found in the cracks below?"</p> + +<p>He had thrust his fingers into one of his pockets, and now held up +something at which both the others stared in surprise, that gradually +deepened into dismay, on the part of Thad at least.</p> + +<p>"Let me look at them, please, Smithy," said the scout-master, quietly; +and in response to his request the other placed in his outstretched hand +two bright new silver half dollars!</p> + +<p>A rather queer find, to say the least, to run across under the false +bottom in a little canoe that had been secreted among the bushes +bordering this lonely sheet of water known as Lake Omega!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE SCOUT-MASTER'S SCHEME.</h3> + + +<p>Smithy and the Jones boy watched their patrol leader with something more +than ordinary curiosity, as Thad examined the two shining coins. And +when the other even tried his teeth on each half dollar in turn, Davy +gave an exclamation of delight; while the other scout was in a measure +filled with sudden consternation.</p> + +<p>For both of them could understand what this meant, and that Thad felt +more or less suspicious regarding the genuineness of the two coins.</p> + +<p>"He thinks they might be counterfeits, Smithy," said Davy, in low but +thrilling tones. "Now wouldn't that be a great joke if we found +ourselves bunking on this old island along with a lot of desperate bogus +money-makers! Oh! say, things are just turning out tremendous, and +that's a fact. But I don't exactly know, whether there'd be more fun +staying here, or taking that little voyage with the log."</p> + +<p>"That part of it has already been settled," remarked Thad, with a vein +of authority in his voice;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> for he wanted Davy to understand that as a +true scout, he must always pay respect to the orders of his superior, +and never try to evade a duty that had been imposed upon him.</p> + +<p>"Oh! all right, Thad;" Davy replied; "I'm willin' enough to try the +swim; but say, what if they jump on you fellers while I'm away?"</p> + +<p>You would have thought from the patronizing manner of the Jones boy that +upon his presence alone depended the safety of the group of scouts. +Thad, however, knew Davy pretty well by this time, and did not take all +he said seriously.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to manage to get on, somehow," he said; "and perhaps, after +all, the danger may not be so very great. If there are places for these +two men to hide, why, seems to me we ought to be able to keep out of +their sight some way or another."</p> + +<p>Smithy was not saying much, but it might be understood that he was doing +a whole lot of thinking. This was certainly a novel experience for him. +A short time before, and he had not really known what it was to +associate with any boys save a delicate little cousin away off in a +city, and who was very girlish in all his ways. And here he was now, not +only in the company of seven healthy fellows, fond of fun, and all +outdoor sports; but a genuine scout in the Silver Fox Patrol, and facing +danger with a bravery no one had ever dreamed he could display.</p> + +<p>That was why Smithy felt pleased, even while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> he at the same time +experienced a touch of uneasiness because of the new developments that +were constantly making their situation look more desperate.</p> + +<p>As Thad had discovered, under all that gentle exterior there beat a +heart within Smithy that yearned to have its fair share of excitement. +Reading Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island might be all very well; but +acting a part in a little bit of daring seemed much better.</p> + +<p>Thad bent down to assist Davy secure his clothes to the log. The Jones +boy had waded in, and upon examining one side of the old tree trunk as +it floated buoyantly on the water, he found that there was just the +nicest hiding-place one could wish for in the shape of a cavity well +above the reach of the water.</p> + +<p>"You see, Thad," he explained, "it ain't goin' to be on the side that +the waves beat against, and so my duds won't be apt to get <i>very</i> wet. +The cutest pocket you ever saw; and looks like it might just have been +made specially for a feller that wanted to take a tour of the lake with +his private yacht Now, do I go, Thad? I'm ready, and only waitin' for +orders."</p> + +<p>"Then you might as well start, Davy; and if I was you I'd keep out of +sight all I could. If they happened to spy you, and believed you were +going for help, so that they might be captured before night came, it +would go hard with you perhaps."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I got your meaning, Thad," Davy replied, without showing the least +concern, for he was a fearless chap; "which is, that they've got the +boat, and could chase after me if they thought I was going to get 'em in +a peck of trouble by flitting. Never you fear, I'll keep low down, and +out of sight."</p> + +<p>He thereupon proved how easy it would be to lie in a position where he +could guide the floating log, and yet be out of sight from the side that +was toward the island.</p> + +<p>"Oh! this is the greatest thing that's come my way for a long time," he +said, as he walked further away from the shore, the water getting deeper +all the time until his body was very nearly all submerged; "and I'm ever +so much obliged to you for giving me the chance, Thad. Don't bother a +thing about me. If some big mud-turtle don't grab me by the toe, and +pull me down, I'll come out swimmingly, see?"</p> + +<p>Thad knew that he could depend on the Jones boy. When a fellow can even +think to joke like that when facing danger of any sort, he certainly +could not be feeling in a state of panic.</p> + +<p>"Now the breeze strikes me, fellows, and I'm off. I'd like to give a +whoop, I feel so great; but something tells me that would be wrong. So +just consider that's what I'm doing inside, anyhow. Good-bye, boys, and +I hope you pull through O. K."</p> + +<p>Thad did not answer, for the simple reason that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> the log with its boyish +freight was already so far away that he would have to raise his voice to +make Davy hear; and such a thing would be foolish, when they wanted to +keep as quiet as possible, so as not to attract attention.</p> + +<p>Standing there, they watched the strange argosy floating away on the +dancing waves. Davy was urging it from the shore of the island as well +as he could by swimming, and without showing any part of his person.</p> + +<p>"He's going to make that point, all right," said Thad, knowing that the +Jones boy's one fear had been lest he ground on the bar that put out +there, and be compelled to show himself in order to push off again.</p> + +<p>"But you said it would be hours before he could even get to camp, didn't +you, Thad?" asked Smithy.</p> + +<p>"The way he's drifting now, he'll surely be at the end of the lake in +half an hour; and given four times as much to make his way round all the +coves, would bring him to camp about noon, I reckon. Then, if Giraffe +starts out at once, and has fair luck traveling he ought to get to +Rockford in two hours, running part of the way, once he strikes the +road."</p> + +<p>"That would mean two in the afternoon, then, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"About that, if all goes well," the other continued, as though mapping +out the programme, step by step. "Then give him a quarter of an hour to +tell Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> Hotchkiss the story over the wire; and after that the +Faversham officers would have to come on here. But perhaps they might +get a car to bring them along the road. It's not a first class auto +road, but could be navigated I guess. Say by four o'clock they could be +at our camp, Smithy."</p> + +<p>The other sighed.</p> + +<p>"That means something more than six hours for us to play hide and seek +here on the island, doesn't it?" he remarked; but Thad saw with relief +that Smithy was certainly showing less signs of alarm than he had +expected, under the best conditions.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you were only as good a swimmer as you hope to be one of these +days, Smithy," he remarked, pleasantly, "we might try for the shore. But +as it is, we've got to make the best of a bad bargain, and wait. You've +got good sight, so suppose we try and see if we can tell what the boys +are doing in camp. Two pair of eyes ought to be better than one any +day."</p> + +<p>"But honest now, I don't seem to see a blessed fellow there," declared +Smithy, which was just what Thad had himself found out. "I can see the +fire burning lazily, and the flag whipping in that splendid breeze; but +as far as I can make out the whole pack have deserted, and gone +somewhere. Perhaps they're fishing."</p> + +<p>"You could see them on the bank, if that were so, Smithy," remarked +Thad. "Try again with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> another guess; and this time think well before +you answer."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked the new tenderfoot scout presently, after he had stood +there, conjuring up his thoughts; "I remember that you told them +something before we set sail on our trip."</p> + +<p>"Just what I did, and tell me if you can remember the nature of the task +they were to handle during our absence?" the scout-master continued.</p> + +<p>"Allan was going to show them some more interesting things about +following a trail," Smithy immediately replied; "how to tell what sort +of little animal like a fox, a woodchuck, a mink, a muskrat or an otter +had made the marks; what it was trying to do; and how it was captured by +the men who make a business of collecting skins, or as they call them, +pelts."</p> + +<p>"Just so," Thad observed, "only it was to be this afternoon Allan meant +to show them all that. If you think again, now, Smithy, I'm sure you'll +recollect there was another piece of scout business, and a very +important one too, that they were to practice this morning."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember it all now—wigwagging it was," the tenderfoot went on +to say with eagerness, and not a little satisfaction, because he had +recalled everything that Thad wanted him to. "Allan was to go up to the +top of that little bare hill back of the camp, and two of the other +fellows were to hike<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> over to another about a mile or so away. Then they +would exchange sentences by means of the signal flag, waved up and down +and every which way, according to the alphabet used in the U. S. Signal +Corps. And to-night the result was to be given to you to correct."</p> + +<p>"I see your memory is in good working order, Smithy, for that is exactly +what sort of a task I set the boys we left behind. And now, I've just +thought up a dandy scheme that if it can only be carried out, may gain +us just about two hours over Davy's best time, in letting our chums know +what a hole we're in."</p> + +<p>Smithy looked interested. Indeed, whatever Thad did always excited his +enthusiasm; for he believed the young scout-master to be the smartest +boy he had ever heard of in all his life.</p> + +<p>"It's something to do with this same wigwagging, Thad, I'm sure of +that?" he remarked, drawing a big breath in his new excitement.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no use wasting any more time in beating around the bush, +so I'll tell you right now what the idea is," Thad continued, smiling at +the eagerness of his comrade. "Suppose I could climb to the top of some +tree, and attract the attention of Allan, as he stood on that bald hill, +which is in plain sight from here; don't you understand that by making +use of my handkerchief, and the code, I might be able to tell him what's +happened, and get him to send<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> Giraffe to Rockford so as to call the +Faversham Chief over the 'phone?"</p> + +<p>Smith's face was wreathed in a smile of mingled admiration and delight +as he caught the full meaning of the bright thought that had come to the +mind of his companion, the scout-master.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>A SIGNAL STATION IN A TREE-TOP.</h3> + + +<p>"Oh! that's the finest thing that ever could happen, Thad;" was the way +the delighted Smithy put his feelings into words. "And just to think +that right here you can make use of scout knowledge to tell Allan what's +happened. Why, without the wigwag telegraph we'd never be able to let +him know one single thing."</p> + +<p>"Just what I was thinking myself, Smithy," returned the scout-master. +"And as you get deeper into the splendid things a Boy Scout is supposed +to learn, while he climbs the ladder, you'll find that never a day +passes but what he can help himself, or some other fellow, by what he +knows."</p> + +<p>"I'm quite certain about that, Thad," Smithy went on, brimming over with +satisfaction, and wonder at the cleverness of his chum. "Why, I was just +thinking it all over this morning, and what great chances a scout has to +do things that an ordinary boy would never be able to even try, because +he had not learned. Right now I'm positive I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> how to best stop a +runaway horse without endangering my life more than is absolutely +necessary."</p> + +<p>"That's the kind of talk I like to hear, Smithy; it shows that you +understand what the scout movement stands for; and mean to make the most +of the opportunities."</p> + +<p>"Then suppose a chum of mine got in the water, and was taken with a +cramp," Smithy went on hurriedly, his blue eyes sparking with delight; +"why, after what you showed me this morning, I believe that as soon as I +know a little more about swimming, I could get him ashore."</p> + +<p>"And when you had done that?" questioned Thad, who was meanwhile keeping +his eyes around him for the purpose of discovering the best tree which +he could use as a signal tower, in the carrying out of his bold plan for +communicating with the balance of the Silver Fox Patrol.</p> + +<p>"Why, I wrote down every little thing you did when showing us how to +revive a partly drowned person; and Thad, I practiced on a dummy when +nobody was around to laugh. I'm positive I have it down pat, and could +do the business."</p> + +<p>"Laugh!" repeated the pleased scout-master; "I'd just like to see any +scout under my control make fun of a fellow who was so much in earnest +that he devoted some of his spare minutes to practicing the art of +saving a human life. I hope you may never have to put that knowledge to +practical<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> use, Smithy; but if the occasion ever does come along, I +firmly believe you'll be equal to it. I'm more than pleased at the +earnest way you've taken hold of these things."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Thad," replied Smithy, actually with tears in his eyes; "but +if I have, you can lay it partly to the fact that up to now I've been +half starved in respect to all the things that most boys know and do, +and just wild to learn; and also that I've had the finest chum that ever +drew breath to coach me. Oh! yes, there are dozens of other things I've +learned that are bound to widen the horizon of any boy. It was a +fortunate day for <i>me</i> when you coaxed my mother to let me join the Boy +Scouts. Nobody else could have done it but you, Thad."</p> + +<p>Smithy was growing more and more excited; and Thad thought best to end +that sort of talk. Besides, the time and place were hardly suited for an +exchange of opinions with respect to the advantages of the scout +movement.</p> + +<p>"We'll talk it over another time, Smithy," he said, kindly. "Just now we +ought to bend our minds wholly on finding the right sort of tree for my +wigwag station. Come along, and let's take a look at that tree just up +the bank yonder. Seems to me it ought to answer my purpose."</p> + +<p>So he led the way to the tree in question, which happened to be close +by. It was little effort for Thad to climb up into the branches, leaving +Smithy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> below; with directions to return to the beach when he heard a +whistle from his chief; it being Thad's idea that the presence of some +one below might draw attention to his flag work above, and interrupt the +message.</p> + +<p>The higher he climbed the better he was satisfied; for <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'the'">he</ins> found that the +tree was dead from a point half-way up, and consequently there was a +stronger chance that he could manage to attract the attention of Allan, +on the hill a mile and a half away.</p> + +<p>Finding the perch that seemed to answer his purpose best, Thad broke off +a few small dead branches that threatened to interfere with the free use +of his arm. After that he gave the whistle to let <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Smihty'">Smithy</ins> know the +signalman was fixed, and that he had better go back to the beach to +wait.</p> + +<p>As yet he had seen nothing of Allan. The bald top of the hill was in +plain sight from where the scout-master sat, perched aloft, but he +scanned it in vain. Thad would not allow himself to doubt that presently +the second in command of the patrol would show up there. He knew Allan +was a stickler for obeying orders to the very letter, and if his +superior had said that he should reach the crown of that hill at exactly +seven minutes after ten, the chances were fifty to one Allan would make +his appearance on the second; or there would be trouble in the camp.</p> + +<p>So, to amuse himself while waiting Thad turned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> partly around, and +looked after Davy. At first he was astonished not to see the floating +log on the troubled surface of the lake to leeward, where it had been +moving at a pretty fast clip when the scout-messenger left the island.</p> + +<p>He experienced a sudden sensation of alarm, but immediately took a fresh +grip on himself. Surely the waves were not so very boisterous now, for +the wind seemed to be diminishing, if anything. And Davy was a pretty +fair swimmer, all things considered.</p> + +<p>Thad presently gave expression to a little sigh of relief; for far away, +just under the fringe of trees bordering the extreme end of Lake Omega, +he had discovered a moving object. It was the flash of a breaking wave +over the same that had attracted his attention first; and he now made +out the floating log.</p> + +<p>Then Davy must have made much better time than he, Thad, had expected +would be the case. No doubt he had assisted the progress of his novel +craft by swimming, being desirous of reaching land as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>So Thad divided his time between the bald top of the signal station +hill, and the log that as he knew concealed the swimming scout.</p> + +<p>"There he goes, creeping through the shallow water and heading for the +bank," he presently muttered to himself in a pleased way. "And I can +give a pretty good guess that right now Davy is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> happiest fellow in +the county; because he just loves adventure of any kind, and he's sure +getting his fill. There, he pulls himself up on the shore, and ducks +behind that bunch of brush! Good boy, Davy; that ought to count for a +merit mark, all right. Nobody could have done it better, and few as +well."</p> + +<p>After that Davy vanished from his sight. He knew that the other was +making for camp at his best speed; but as he had a difficult task, with +the way so rough, it must be a couple of hours at least before he could +expect to bring up at the tents, where the flag floated gaily from the +mast.</p> + +<p>Turning wholly, so as to devote his full attention to the signal station +hill, Thad counted the minutes that seemed to drag so heavily.</p> + +<p>Once or twice he thought he heard some sort of rustling sound down on +the island somewhere. He hoped that nothing was happening to Smithy; but +of course it was utterly out of the question for him to call aloud, to +inquire whether the tenderfoot scout was safe.</p> + +<p>"He ought to be showing up soon now," Thad was muttering as he kept +watch of the smooth hilltop; "Every minute lost counts now. I hope +nothing has happened in camp to disarrange the programme I laid out."</p> + +<p>He had hardly spoken when he started, and a pleased look came over his +anxious face; for at last there was a movement on the bald top of the +elevation, as if something might be doing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> + +<p>Yes, a human figure was climbing steadily upward, now and then stopping +to make some sort of gesture to an unseen comrade at the base of the +hill, either with his arm, or one of the signal flags he carried.</p> + +<p>Eagerly Thad watched the ascent of his chum. He knew that Allan was +carrying the precious field glasses, for he saw the sun glint from their +lens when the other stopped to take a survey.</p> + +<p>Oh! if he would only look toward the island now; for Thad was already +waving his handkerchief up and down, and ready to make a certain signal +which had often been used as a sign of importance between himself and +this chum from Maine. Once Allan detected it, he would know instantly +that the person waving was the scout-master, and that he had news of +great importance to communicate.</p> + +<p>But it seemed as if Allan were devoting all his attention to the other +quarter, where he doubtless anticipated seeing the second signalman +begin to tell him that the station was ready to receive messages.</p> + +<p>Still, knowing that three of the patrol had gone that very morning to +the mysterious island, to investigate further into the strange things it +seemed to hide, it would seem that presently Allan <i>must</i> turn his head, +and sweep the shore of the same with his glasses.</p> + +<p>Ordinary curiosity should cause him to do that;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> Thad thought as he +waited; waving his handkerchief and fixing his eyes on the far-away +figure of the khaki-clad scout with the flags.</p> + +<p>He even found himself hoping that the one sent to a more distant station +might meet with some unexpected delay on the way; so that, becoming +weary of looking for a sign, Allan would presently amuse himself by +taking a view of other quarters.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later, and Thad's heart gave a throb. He could see that his +wish was coming true, for the sun flashed more brightly than ever as it +glanced from the moving lens of the field glass. Allan was now surveying +the landscape around him, and gradually his attention must be drawing +nearer the island.</p> + +<p>So Thad began to make the circular movement, followed by a downward +plunge of his handkerchief, that would surprise Allan when he noticed +it, for he was bound to understand what it signified.</p> + +<p>A few seconds of suspense, and then Thad breathed with relief.</p> + +<p>He had seen the other focus his glasses straight toward the tree, in the +dead upper branches of which, he, Thad, was clinging, and wildly waving +his improvised signal flag.</p> + +<p>"He sees me! Good for that!" Thad said to himself; while his heart was +pounding wildly within its prison, because of the excitement that had +seized him in its grip.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE WIGWAG TELEGRAPH.</h3> + + +<p>Thad now devoted himself to the task of communicating all he had to say +to his second in command, and as briefly as possible. Time was a factor +in the affair; and it would not pay to waste more minutes than were +absolutely necessary. The full particulars must be kept, to thrill the +patrol as they sat around the next blazing camp-fire, each one telling +his individual part of the story.</p> + +<p>Fortunately Thad and Allan had long been practicing this exchange of +flag signals together; and in this way had become fairly expert in the +use of the little telegraphic code that takes the place of the +dot-and-dash of the wire process. With but his handkerchief to use in +place of the flag, Thad knew he would be hampered more or less; but he +had faith in the ability of his chum to grasp the truth, once he caught +an inkling of the peril that threatened.</p> + +<p>And now Allan was signaling that he understood the chief wished to send +an important message, which he was ready to receive.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + +<p>So Thad commenced by asking:</p> + +<p>"Who have you close by to send with a message to Rockford?"</p> + +<p>Allan asked him to repeat; and no wonder, for he could not exactly grasp +such an astonishing query; but on its being waved again he replied +promptly:</p> + +<p>"Giraffe, Bumpus; other two gone signal station beyond."</p> + +<p>"O. K. Send Giraffe at once. Tell him to make it as fast as he can. At +Rockford get Chief Police at Faversham on 'phone; name Malcolm +Hotchkiss. Tell him all that happened to us, about bear men, and that +one of them asked Davy to let chief know if he saw footprint of marked +shoe around. Believe that man on island, and that he is thief wanted by +authorities. How?"</p> + +<p>This last was the query they understood between them. It meant that the +sender wished to know if the burden of his message was being fully +sensed by the one at the receiving end.</p> + +<p>"O. K. Tremendous! Go on!" came the immediate reply.</p> + +<p>Such long messages took more or less time, and would have been +impossible only that in their enthusiasm the two scouts had abbreviated +the code, so that they were able to really exchange sentences in a +short-hand way.</p> + +<p>Thad went on to give the other more knowledge,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> believing that Giraffe +ought to be posted up to a certain point, so that he could urge the +Chief of the Faversham police to hasten his movements; for if night +fell, without the hidden men being captured, they could get away under +cover of darkness.</p> + +<p>"Davy gone ashore behind floating log. Just landed at end of lake. +Thought of this scheme after he left. Man with owner of bear we believe +to be officer of law, looking for these rascals. Let Giraffe have your +compass. Give him map I left in tent. Our boat taken, and we can't get +ashore, for Smithy not able to swim. Let all practice for day drop, and +keep in camp, ready to take another message."</p> + +<p>Then Thad made the winding-up movement that told Allan he did not wish +to consume more time by further talk. Enough had been sent in this +tedious way to let the other know the main facts of the matter; and they +were surely startling enough in themselves, without the particulars that +would follow later on, when peace had settled over the camp.</p> + +<p>He saw that Allan understood the need of haste; for as soon as he had +made that peremptory signal, the second in command commenced going down +the slope of the hill with the bald top, taking great leaps as he went.</p> + +<p>Eagerly did Thad watch his progress. Once, in his haste, Allan tripped +and fell headlong; and Thad's heart seemed to be in his mouth with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +suspense; but immediately the other scrambled to his feet again. His +first thought must have been of the chum whose eyes he knew were glued +upon him; for he made a reassuring wave of his arm, and resumed his +downward progress, a trifle more carefully now.</p> + +<p>Presently he vanished among the trees that grew about two-thirds of the +way up, and Thad saw only occasional glimpses of him from that moment +onward; as the flying figure flashed across some little gap in the +verdure-clad hillside; never failing to wave his arms reassuringly to +the watcher.</p> + +<p>"He must be nearly down at the base now," Thad said to himself, after +some time had elapsed since he saw any sign of the hurrying scout.</p> + +<p>Knowing what was apt to follow, he kept his ears on the alert for +welcome sounds which would tell that Allan had given the recall to the +two scouts sent to the distant station, with their relay of flags, in +order to receive and send messages.</p> + +<p>A minute, two, three of them glided away. Thad was beginning to feel a +trifle uneasy, not knowing but that some further accident might have +happened to Allan, in his eagerness to reach the foot of the hill.</p> + +<p>But his fears proved groundless. Presently there floated distinctly to +his ears, for water carries sounds wonderfully well, the sweet notes of +the bugle which Bumpus Hawtree knew so well how to manipulate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> It was +the "assembly" that was sounded, and those distant scouts, upon hearing +the well-known signal, would surely understand its tenor; and that for +some reason the plans of the day had undergone a decided change, so that +they were to return forthwith to the camp.</p> + +<p>Sweeter sounds Thad believed he had never heard than those that came +stealing over the troubled surface of Lake Omega that morning, when +affairs were beginning to have such a serious look for the Silver Fox +Patrol.</p> + +<p>He gave a sigh of relief. Some of the strain seemed to have departed, +now that his signaling task had apparently been successfully carried +out.</p> + +<p>"In a short time, Giraffe will be starting across for the road leading +to Rockford," Thad was saying to himself, as he sat there in his lofty +eyrie, and surveying the whole island that lay bathed in the sunlight +beneath him. "With a fair amount of good luck he ought to get there by +half-past one, perhaps much earlier; for Giraffe is a fast runner, and +has staying powers."</p> + +<p>The prospect was of a character to give Thad infinite pleasure. And +somehow he seemed also greatly delighted because he had been able to +hurry matters along in a wonderful manner, thanks to the knowledge he +and Allan possessed of this Signal Corps work.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's already paid us ten times over for all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> the trouble we took +to learn the code," he was saying to himself, between chuckles. "And +besides, it was only fun, learning. Smithy was right when he said this +Boy Scout business was the best thing ever started in this or any other +country to benefit fellows. And I'm glad I had that idea of starting a +troop in sleepy old Cranford, so far behind the times."</p> + +<p>Just then he happened to remember that he was not alone on the island. +Smithy would be getting quite anxious about him by now; and Thad +concluded that he ought to hunt the other scout up, so as to relieve his +mind.</p> + +<p>He had read enough of the character of the new tenderfoot scout to feel +certain that Smithy would obey orders to the letter. Told to wait on the +little pebbly beach until his superior officer joined him, he would stay +there indefinitely; just as another lad, known to history and fame, +Casibianca, "stood on the burning deck, whence all but him had fled," +simply because his father had told him to remain there.</p> + +<p>So Thad commenced to descend from his lofty perch, meaning to hunt +Smithy up, and not only relieve his natural suspense, but reward him for +his long vigil by relating the result of the exchange of signals.</p> + +<p>That the new recruit would be deeply interested, he felt sure; for +everything connected with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> scouting business had a fascination for +Smithy; now living an existence he may have dreamed about in former +days, but really never hoped to personally experience.</p> + +<p>Just then the loon, floating and diving out on the bosom of the water +somewhere, had to give vent to his idiotic laugh. Possibly he had been +observing the watcher in the dead tree-top, and was announcing his +opinion of such silly antics when he noticed Thad begin to descend.</p> + +<p>The sound struck a cold chill to the heart of the boy, though he laughed +at himself immediately afterward for allowing such a feeling to come +over him.</p> + +<p>"It's only the loon," he said, as he again slipped from limb to limb, +constantly nearing the base of the tree. "I suppose the thing's been +watching me all the time, and wondering what under the sun a fellow +could be doing, waving his old handkerchief around as though he were +daffy. He looks on me as a lunatic, and I know him to be a loon."</p> + +<p>Chuckling at his little joke, Thad presently reached a point where he +could hang from the lower limb by his hands, and then drop lightly to +the ground.</p> + +<p>He waited only a minute to recover his breath, for after all the coming +down had been more of a task than the mounting upward. Then he started +for the shore of the lake, and the little beach that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> had witnessed both +landings of the invading parties of scouts.</p> + +<p>Twice now had that same beach afforded a surprise as unwelcome as it was +unexpected, when the boat had vanished so strangely. Thad hoped history +would not feel bound to repeat itself. True, they no longer had a boat +to lose, since it had already disappeared; but then, there was Smithy!</p> + +<p>As he drew near the beach, he tried to discover the form of his comrade +somewhere in the open, but without success. Still, Thad knew that the +tenderfoot would doubtless consider it the part of wisdom to hide, while +waiting for his comrade to finish his work aloft, and join him.</p> + +<p>Thinking thus, and yet with an uneasiness that he could hardly +understand, Thad kept on, until presently he had broken through the last +line of bushes, and stepped out on the little sandy stretch of beach.</p> + +<p>Certainly Smithy was not in sight. He turned in both directions, and +swept the half circle of brush with an anxious gaze.</p> + +<p>Then he called in a low tone, but which might easily have been heard by +any one chancing to be hiding behind that fringe of bushes:</p> + +<p>"Smithy, hello!"</p> + +<p>There was no answer to his summons. The loon laughed again out on the +lake, as though mocking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> his anxiety; a squirrel ran down a tree, and +frisked about its base; but the tenderfoot scout seemed to have vanished +as utterly as though the earth had opened and swallowed him up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE TRAIL AMONG THE ROCKS.</h3> + + +<p>Of course the scout-master was given a shock when he realized that +Smithy could not be where he had told him to wait until relieved. All +sorts of dire things commenced to flash through his head.</p> + +<p>"Here, this won't do at all," he presently muttered, starting to get a +firm grip on himself; "I've myself alone to depend on, to find out the +truth about Smithy, and to do that I must keep my head level. Now, I +wonder have I made a mistake about the calibre of Smithy, and could he +have wandered off in a careless way?"</p> + +<p>Somehow he did not find himself taking any great amount of stock in this +theory. Why, had it been easy-going Bumpus now, or even rather careless +Step-hen, Thad fancied that there might have been more or less truth +back of the suspicion; but unless his study of the tenderfoot had been +wrong, Smithy would not be guilty of disobedience.</p> + +<p>"Well, what am I thinking about?" was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> way Thad took himself to task +presently; "trying to find the answer to a riddle by bothering my +brains, when it ought to be written here on the sand as plain as print."</p> + +<p>Immediately he commenced to move about, looking for signs. Of course +there must be all manner of footprints there, some recent, and others +made on the occasion of the preceding visit of the scouts. But Thad had +studied trail finding more or less under the watchful eye of the Maine +boy, who knew considerable about it; and hence he was able to decide +what were new, and what old footprints.</p> + +<p>And he had not been at this task more than half a minute when he +received considerable of a shock.</p> + +<p>"Why, here's that footprint with the marked sole!" he whispered, a new +thrill in the region of his heart.</p> + +<p>He could guess what that meant, for it was very fresh and new. The man +whom he now believed to be some sort of criminal, had been right there +on the beach since he, Thad, had quitted the spot to climb the tree +selected for his signaling operations!</p> + +<p>And since Smithy was supposed to be waiting there, only one inference +could be drawn—the tenderfoot scout had fallen into the enemy's hands!</p> + +<p>Evidently matters were approaching a crisis now. The two men who hid on +this island as though they feared their fellows to see them, were +beginning to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> grow bolder. At first they had only felt annoyed by the +coming of the scouts, and the making of the camp opposite their secret +retreat. Then, by degrees, as the boys began to infringe on their +territory, they had commenced to strike back; first by causing the boat +to disappear; and now by capturing poor Smithy, who must be nearly dead +with fright because of his peril.</p> + +<p>Thad suspected the men may have begun to fear that their hiding-place +was known, and that the boys would be trying to either effect their +capture, or communicate their discovery to the authorities in some +neighboring town.</p> + +<p>Perhaps they hoped to keep matters boiling at fever heat until night +fell, when they could make use of the recovered boat to slip away; or +else swim from the island retreat.</p> + +<p>He looked further, and soon found marks that plainly told the story of a +struggle. It had been brief, however, for evidently Smithy was evidently +taken by surprise, and with his breath immediately cut off by a cruel +grip, must have soon <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'yeielded'">yielded</ins>.</p> + +<p>Thad looked around him. Would the two desperate characters be coming +back to find the other scout? Did they know that Davy had gone with that +log? Perhaps even at that minute hostile eyes might be upon him!</p> + +<p>The very thought caused Thad to take a firmer grip on the stout cudgel +he carried, and resolve that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> should he be attacked, these rascals would +not have the easy victory they had found with his comrade, Smithy.</p> + +<p>But all was quiet and peaceful around him; and by degrees his excited +nerves quieted down. What should he do, now that he knew the worst? Of +course, being such a good swimmer, Thad might easily have stripped, and +made his way over to the mainland, providing the men did not take a +notion to chase after him in the boat. He put the thought aside with +impatience. That would be deserting Smithy, who looked up to him as a +faithful friend and ally; and this Thad would never be guilty of doing.</p> + +<p>Should he simply conceal himself somewhere on the island, and wait for +the coming of afternoon, and the expected officers? Suppose, for +instance, Giraffe lost his way while trying to make Rockford, what then +would become of Smithy?</p> + +<p>Thad felt that he could never look a scout in the face again if he were +guilty of such small business.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to do my best to find Smithy, no matter what happens," he +said to himself, as he shut his teeth hard together, and took a fresh +grip on that <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'conforting'">comforting</ins> cudgel he carried again. "Perhaps they may stick +close to their hiding-place, wherever that is, thinking they've scared +the rest of us nearly to death; and that we'll swim ashore. Here goes, +then, to follow the trail."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<p>He had already discovered where the party had left the sandy stretch, +plunging into the shrubbery, at a point beyond that where he and Smithy +had made use of.</p> + +<p>The island, as has been stated before, was so very rocky that Thad, not +being an expert at following a trail under such difficulties, might have +had a hard time of it in places, but for unexpected, but none the less +welcome, assistance.</p> + +<p>Here and there, when he came to a small patch of earth, he was surprised +to find plain marks of feet, and several deep furrows, as though some +one had sagged in his walk, and was being half dragged along by those +who had hold of either arm.</p> + +<p>This must have been Smithy; and at first Thad was dreadfully worried, +under the belief that his comrade might have been struck on the head, +and injured. But when the same thing kept on repeating itself, and +invariably when there was earth to show the marks, he suddenly grasped +the splendid truth.</p> + +<p>"Oh! isn't that boy a dandy, though?" he whispered to himself, in +delight; "as sure as anything now, he's just doing that on purpose, +meaning to leave as broad a trail as he can, so I could follow. Didn't I +say Smithy had it in him to make one of the best scouts in the whole +troop; and don't this prove it? Good for Smithy; he's all right!"</p> + +<p>It made Thad feel quite pleased to know that the tenderfoot could be so +smart, with such little train<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>ing. He continued to follow the tracks +with new ambition. So energetic a chum deserved to be looked after; and +Thad was better satisfied than ever because he had resolved to hunt for +Smithy, rather than lie around, trying to hide from the enemy in case +they were out looking for him.</p> + +<p>By degrees he found that he was getting into a section of the island +which did not seem familiar to him in the least. Evidently, then, in +their various trips over the place, the boys had unconsciously avoided +this part; possibly because of its very roughness, and the difficulty of +pushing through the dense vegetation, and over the piled-up rocks.</p> + +<p>"No wonder they chose this place to hide," thought Thad, as he climbed +across a barrier that taxed his powers; and wondered at the same time +however poor Smithy was ever able to make it, tied as he must be, or +gripped in the hands of his two captors.</p> + +<p>He realized that he must now be getting nearer the den where the two +unknown men used as a hideout. The very solitude of the place affected +him. It was as if a heavy weight had been laid on his back, that +threatened to crush him.</p> + +<p>Still, Thad was a very determined lad. Having made up his mind to +accomplish the rescue of his comrade, if it were at all possible, he +would not allow himself to be daunted by trifles such as these. Only +shutting his teeth more firmly together, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> kept pushing resolutely on, +eyes and ears constantly on the alert.</p> + +<p>Perhaps Giraffe was having just such a difficult job in making his way +across the country between the lake and Rockford; and if so, Thad hoped +he too was pushing resolutely forward, undismayed by no obstacles that +loomed up ahead.</p> + +<p>Now and then Thad was at a loss which way to turn, for the rocks left +little or no trace for him to follow. At such times he had to exercise +his knowledge of slight clues to the utmost. Then besides, he could look +around him and judge pretty well how those he was following, foot by +foot, must have gone.</p> + +<p>And finally Thad saw something just beyond that told him he had reached +the end of the faint trail. It was a gloomy looking hole among the rocks +that stared him in the face, with the trail leading straight toward it.</p> + +<p>If ever there was a bear that had its den on that island, surely this +must have been the spot; for it far excelled anything else that the +scout had seen since he had started to prowl around.</p> + +<p>As he crept closer he was astonished to see what a peculiar condition +existed with regard to that open mouth of the bear den. Just above hung +an immense stone that ordinarily several men could never have turned +over, or even moved; yet by some convulsion of nature far back, this +rock had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> so delicately poised above the mouth of the cave that +Thad believed even a boy could send it crashing down, if he but hurled +his strength against it.</p> + +<p>"And if it <i>did</i> fall," he said to himself, with a sudden shiver of +delight, "I honestly believe it would fill in that hole, so that not +even a rattlesnake could crawl out. Oh! if those men are in there, as I +hope, and I could start that cap-stone rolling, wouldn't they be shut up +as snug as if they were in a bottle, with the cork shoved in?"</p> + +<p>But fascinating as that possibility appeared to Thad, he must remember +that the men had Smithy with them as a hostage. They could dictate terms +of surrender so long as they held the tenderfoot scout a prisoner. And +unless he could manage in some clever way to effect the release of +Smithy, he had better go slow about trying to bottle them up in that +bear's den.</p> + +<p>He crept still closer, and lying there on his breast, listened +anxiously, his ear close to the black opening. A regular sound came +stealing out that, for a short time, puzzled him; and then Thad decided +that it must be the snoring of a man who was asleep, and lying on his +back.</p> + +<p>Dare he try and crawl into the cave, to ascertain how the land lay? Thad +was anything but a coward; but he could be excused for hesitating, and +taking stock of the chances before deciding this im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>portant matter. But +after a little he must have made up his mind; for he crept past the +guardian rocks, and slipped into the entrance of the bear's den!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>SPRINGING THE TRAP.</h3> + + +<p>When Thad Brewster was thus making his way into the hole in the rocks, +perhaps he may have remembered reading what old Israel Putnam, the +Revolutionary hero, did when a mere stripling, entering the den of a +savage wolf, and dragging the beast out after him.</p> + +<p>Well, in a way Thad was doing just as brave an act. True, those whom he +had reason to fear, were human beings like himself; but they must be +cruel men, since he knew them to be desperate characters; and if they +discovered him invading their retreat, no doubt they would attack him +with the ferocity of wolves.</p> + +<p>He found himself in a passage-way among the rocks. It had evidently been +well traveled by the feet or knees of the men who may have long +concealed themselves in the snug retreat; while officers were searching +the surrounding country in a vain quest for clues to their hiding-place.</p> + +<p>Thad started when he suddenly heard a gruff voice; it sounded so very +close by, that his first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> thought was he had been discovered. But as he +caught the words that were spoken he realized his mistake.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe ye'll be sorry now, ye bothered a couple of poor fellers atryin' +hard to make a few honest dollars a takin' game out of season, an' +sellin' the same to the rich folks what jest has to have it any ole +time. Jest sit up, an' tell me what yer friends are thinkin' of doin' +'bout it."</p> + +<p>Then Thad was thrilled to hear the voice of his chum respond. Evidently, +if the men had kept some sort of muffler over Smithy's mouth during the +time they were bringing him to their underground retreat, it had now +been removed, as if they no longer feared that he would bring the others +down upon them.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see, we just wanted to explore this queer island, and that's +all there is to it. Yes, we did rather guess that somebody must have +been taking fish or game when the law was shut down on it; but then, you +see, that was none of our business. We're just Boy Scouts off on a +camping trip; and nobody's employed us to bother with game poachers, or +send word to the wardens."</p> + +<p>"Game wardens, hey? Ye seem to let that slip off yer tongue, younker, +like ye might be used to sayin' the same. What we want to know is, why +are ye so pesky anxious like to look this here island over? Lost +anything here?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, a boat we had seems to have disappeared in a funny way," Smithy +said; and Thad could not notice anything like a tremble in the +tenderfoot's voice, which fact pleased him greatly.</p> + +<p>"Huh! thet boat belonged to us in the fust place, younker, an' ye hooked +it from us. Spect ye thought boats jest growed in the bushes like wild +plums, when ye run acrost that un. Wall, they don't, an' ye had no +bizness to take it. An' what's more, me and my pal think ye mean to let +the wardens know 'bout what we've been adoin' up this ways."</p> + +<p>Smithy made no reply, and Thad knew why. The tenderfoot was well aware +of what his chum had been doing while wigwagging Allan. He also knew +that in all probability Giraffe must even then be on his way over to +Rockford, to get the Faversham Chief on the 'phone, and give him a +message that would bring the whole police force hustling over to Omega +Lake, bent on making a big haul.</p> + +<p>"Don't try to deny it, do ye, younker?" the man continued to growl; and +from the fitful light that rose and fell Thad found reason to believe +that there must be some sort of fire around the bend in the passage. +"Well, let me tell ye what we mean to do about it. We'll jest keep ye +fast here till night sets in, while yer friends hunt around, and git +more an' more skeered, believin' ye must a fell inter the lake. Then +we'll cut stick out of this place, and leave ye behind. P'raps so ye cud +yell loud enough<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> to draw 'em in here. Better be asavin' of yer breath, +boy; 'cause ye'll have to do some tall shoutin' if ye wants to get out +alive, arter Bill'n me vacate. Now roll over, and go to sleep. I'm +hungry, and mean to cook a bite or two."</p> + +<p>After waiting for a few minutes, and hearing nothing more, Thad ventured +to peep around the rocky bend. He saw that he had sized up the situation +perfectly. One man bent over a small fire, and seemed to be busily +engaged in cooking himself some food, which already began to scent the +cave. From the quarter where the rumbling sounds came, the boy could see +an indistinct form huddled on a blanket.</p> + +<p>The man at the fire seemed to have a bandage around his left leg, and +hobbled as he walked; from which Thad supposed he must have met with an +accident of some kind. This might in a measure account for their having +taken refuge on the island, rather than make their safety sure by +flight.</p> + +<p>He looked further, and was soon able to make out another figure lying on +the rocky floor of the place. This he had no doubt must be his chum, +Smithy. Yes, once, as the limping man threw a handful of fresh fuel on +the fire, causing the flames to leap up, and for the moment illuminate +the place, Thad's eager eyes discovered the well-known khaki color of +the Boy Scout uniform worn so jauntily by the particular new recruit.</p> + +<p>Oh! if only he could creep across the space that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> lay between, and set +the bound boy free, how gladly would he attempt it. And the more he +contemplated the thing, the better satisfied did Thad become that he +could accomplish it.</p> + +<p>Why, there did not seem to be any great obstacle to prevent him. Surely +the man who snored so deeply would not be able to interfere; and the +second fellow at the fire was so deeply concerned with getting himself +some lunch that apparently he had thought for nothing else.</p> + +<p>So Thad decided to make the attempt. Even if it turned out to be a +failure he believed he could elude any pursuer in the gloom of the cave +entrance, and manage to reach the open in safety.</p> + +<p>And the possible result was so pleasant to contemplate that he just +could not resist trying for it.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, Thad started to creep around the bend. He kept as flat on +his stomach as possible, and always made it a point to watch the man at +the fire. If the hungry one seemed to be looking that way, Thad +flattened himself out as near like a pancake as he could, and did not so +much as move a finger until such time as he felt convinced that the +enemy had his full attention again taken up with his work.</p> + +<p>In this cautious way, then, did the scout draw closer and closer to the +figure of the captive. He hoped Smithy would be sensible, and not betray +him by an incautious exclamation, when he learned of his presence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now he was within a foot of the other, and could hear him breathing +softly as he lay there. Thad had figured it out that if he kept quiet, +and merely tried to feel for the other's bound hands, Smithy might let +out a whoop as he felt something touch his wrists, under the belief that +it might be a crawling snake. So, to avoid this chance of betrayal, Thad +had determined to get his lips as close to the ear of the prisoner as he +could, and then gently whisper his name.</p> + +<p>Watching for his chance, Thad found it when the man at the fire was +humming a snatch of a song to himself, as though care set lightly on his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Smithy—'sh!"</p> + +<p>Thad saw a movement of the bound form. Smithy even lifted his head, and +turned his eyes toward the spot from whence that thrilling, if soft, +whisper had come. But fortunately he did not attempt to make the least +sign, or try to whisper back.</p> + +<p>Now that his chum had been warned of his presence Thad believed he could +proceed to the next step in his carefully-arranged programme. This was +to reach over, find just how Smithy was tied, and with the use of his +pocket-knife, which he held open in his hand, effect his release.</p> + +<p>The most risky part of the entire affair must lie in their retreat. Here +Smithy, being a veritable greenhorn, was very apt to make some blunder +that would draw the attention of the hungry man, and result in +discovery.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> + +<p>But there was no need of wasting time when the choice lay only in one +selection.</p> + +<p>Thad fumbled around until he could locate the bonds that had been tied +around the wrists of Smithy. These he quickly severed, at the same time +trusting to luck that he did not cut the boy with the sharp blade of his +knife.</p> + +<p>Next in order he crawled a little further, and managed to saw apart +another piece of old rope that had been wound around the ankles of +Smithy.</p> + +<p>The latter knew what was expected of him. Perhaps it was mere instinct +that told the tenderfoot, since he had never gone through any such +experience as this before. But at any rate, no matter what influenced +him, Smithy had already commenced to move backward. Thad was greatly +"tickled" as he himself expressed it later, when he saw how Smithy +maneuvered, keeping his head toward the enemy while moving off, as if he +just knew he ought to watch the man, and lie low in case he looked.</p> + +<p>Thad had waited only long enough to fix the blanket upon which Smithy +had been lying, so that it would look like a human form reclining there. +This he did by causing the middle to remain poked up a foot or so in the +air, by deftly crunching the folds in his hand.</p> + +<p>At a casual glance in that uncertain light, any one over there, with his +eyes dazzled by looking into the flickering firelight, might be deceived +into be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span>lieving that the prisoner still lay where he had been left.</p> + +<p>Foot by foot the two scouts backed away. Why, Smithy was doing as well +as any experienced fellow could have shown himself capable of +performing. Smithy had certainly all the qualities in him to make a +first-class scout; and Thad meant to encourage the ambition of the other +to the utmost, given the opportunity.</p> + +<p>Now they were turning the bend, and everything seemed to still be going +smoothly. It began to look as though Thad had accomplished a task that +at one time he feared would be beyond his capacity; and that freedom lay +ahead for the late prisoner of the old bear's den.</p> + +<p>Just as they reached the outlet there sounded a loud shout coming from +the interior. It could have but one meaning, and this, discovery. The +hungry man had possibly walked over to say something else to Smithy, and +found that the prisoner had taken "French leave."</p> + +<p>"This way, and give me a hand, quick!" exclaimed Thad, as he leaped out +of the mouth of the den, and toward the pivotical rock that hung so +temptingly above.</p> + +<p>Smithy seemed to have noticed the same stone, for he threw himself +against it at the very instant Thad did. Their combined weight, added to +the force with which they struck the trembling rock, proved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> to be +sufficient to start it moving. It appeared to hesitate just a second, +and then went crashing over, making the very ground tremble with the +tremendous shock.</p> + +<p>And so the mouth of the old bear's den was sealed, imprisoning within, +the two fugitives from the law.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERY SOLVED—CONCLUSION.</h3> + + +<p>"There!" exclaimed Thad, as he panted for breath after his supreme +effort which resulted in the toppling of the boulder over the mouth of +the rocky retreat of the two desperate characters; "if only there is no +other way out, I reckon we've got those birds safely caged till the +officers come."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Smithy, who actually had some color in his usually pale +cheeks, and whose blue eyes were sparkling with excitement; "from +certain things they let fall when they were conversing, Thad, I am of +the opinion that this is the only exit, as well as entrance to the +place."</p> + +<p>Smithy had been fed on big words, and very exact language so long, that +as yet his association with other boys less particular had failed to rub +away any of the veneer. In time, no doubt, he would fall into the +customary method among boys of cutting their words short, and saving +breath in so doing.</p> + +<p>"Yes," remarked Thad, smiling broadly, "and from the way you can hear +those two fellows on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> other side of the stone carrying on, I guess +you must be right; for they seem to be some angry I take it."</p> + +<p>"You don't think they could upset this rock, do you?" asked Smithy, a +little anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Not in a thousand years, without crowbars to help them. There they stay +till we get ready to invite 'em out. When the officers come, they'll +find a way to do the trick, never fear, Smithy. But how do you feel +about taking a trip across to the camp right now?"</p> + +<p>Smithy started, and turned an anxious face out to the water, where the +waves were still running fairly high, though the wind had died down.</p> + +<p>"I'm willing to do anything you say, Thad," he replied, with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Even if you never swam fifty feet in your whole life," remarked the +scout-master, admiringly, for the pluck of the tenderfoot appealed to +him strongly; "but make your mind easy, Smithy, for I don't want you to +swim, this time."</p> + +<p>"But Thad, how else can I go?" pursued the other. "We have no boat; I +never did learn to walk on the water, you see; and so far, my wings +haven't sprouted worth mentioning; so how can I get over to our camp?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I didn't think to mention it to you, and I really haven't had the +chance, to tell the truth; but I happened to discover where those men +hid <i>our</i> boat in the bushes as I came along on the trail you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> left. And +Smithy, while I think of it I just want to say that was a clever dodge +of yours, making all the mess you could with your shoe every time you +came to a patch of dirt. It helped me a heap, and saved me a lot of +time."</p> + +<p>Smithy fairly glowed with pride. A compliment from the scout-master was +worth more to this boy than anything he could imagine.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what made me think of that, Thad; it just seemed to pop +into my mind, you see. And I'm delighted to hear you say it helped some. +As to my going over to the camp in the boat, I'm ready, as soon as we +can launch the canoe. While I have had only a little experience in a +boat, I've managed to pick up a few wrinkles, and ought to be able to +get ashore safely. What do you want me to do, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Explain the situation to the others, and then have Allan and Bob White +paddle over; yes, Step-hen might as well come with them to take back the +boat again, for the officers will need it when they arrive."</p> + +<p>The canoe was easily carried down to the water and then Smithy with a +few directions from his chief, started across. He managed very well, +though once Thad had a little scare, thinking there was going to be an +upset.</p> + +<p>In due time Smithy was seen to land, with the other boys crowding +around, doubtless plying him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> with eager questions. Shortly after the +boat started off again, this time holding Allan, who plied the paddle +with wonderful skill, Bob White, who might have done just as well if +given the chance, and Step-hen.</p> + +<p>When they reached shore Thad breathed easier. If the two men should +break out now there would be four stout fellows to oppose them; but all +the same no one was anxious to have such a thing happen.</p> + +<p>The boys had brought something to eat along, and they all sat down to +have a bite. Everything was quiet inside the old bear's den. Bob White +said he hoped the rascals had not been smothered; and Thad declared they +could get plenty of air through the crevices between the rocks. On his +part he was secretly hoping that the fellows might not be able to cut +their way out before help came.</p> + +<p>The time dragged slowly. Again and again did some impatient fellow ask +Thad to look at his watch, and tell him how much longer they must wait +before the officers might be expected.</p> + +<p>As the westering sun sank lower and lower, Thad himself began to grow +anxious; and could be noticed listening intently every time the faint +breeze picked up; for it was now coming exactly from the quarter whence +the assistance they expected would come.</p> + +<p>"There, that was sure an auto horn, tooting!" he exclaimed about +half-past four in the afternoon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> + +<p>Every one of them listened, and presently sure enough they agreed that +it could be nothing else, though the loon out on the lake started his +weird cry about that time, as though he considered it a challenge from +some rival bird.</p> + +<p>"Get aboard, and pull for the shore, Step-hen," ordered the +scout-master; and as he had been expecting this, the long-legged scout +pushed off.</p> + +<p>They watched him paddling, and when he had almost reached the spot where +Smithy and Bumpus, together with Davy Jones stood, a car came in sight, +loaded with some four or five men in blue uniforms; Giraffe, and +another, wearing ordinary clothes.</p> + +<p>Step-hen brought two of the officers, and the extra man over, and then +went back for another pair, while Thad talked with the Chief of the +Faversham police, and the man whom he recognized as the guest they had +given a cup of coffee to at the time the owner of the bear claimed his +property.</p> + +<p>The story was soon told, and it thrilled the scouts as they had seldom +been stirred before. It seemed that the two men were notorious +counterfeiters, known to the authorities as Bill Dalgren and Seth Evans. +They had been surrounded by officers a month before, at a place where +they were engaged in the manufacture of bogus half dollars; but had +cleverly managed to escape with some of their dies and other material. +One of them had been injured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> in the fracas accompanying this failure to +catch them at work.</p> + +<p>Since then their whereabouts had become a matter of considerable moment +to the authorities at Washington, and one of the cleverest revenue +officers was put on the case. He had disguised himself, and hiring the +owner of the dancing bear, had gone around the country trying to get +trace of the men, one of whom he knew wore a shoe with an oddly patched +sole.</p> + +<p>This gentleman, Mr. Alfred Shuster, assured the scouts that they were +entitled to the heavy reward offered by the Government to any one giving +information leading to the capture of the two bold rascals; and he +declared that he would see to it that this amount was paid into the +treasury of the Cranford Troop of Boy Scouts, as they had certainly +earned it.</p> + +<p>When the big rock was finally rolled away, with the aid of heavy wooden +bars, the trapped men came meekly forth when ordered. All the fight +seemed to have been taken out of them. Indeed, the one with the lame leg +declared he was glad that he might now have the assistance of a doctor, +for he had of late begun to fear that blood poisoning was setting in. In +the place plenty of evidence to convict the two men was found.</p> + +<p>So by degrees everybody was ferried over to the camp, Bob White taking +turns with Allan in wield<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span>ing the paddle. Afterward the big auto whirled +away, taking the wretched prisoners, as well as their exultant captors +along. Then the camp of the Silver Fox Patrol settled down once more to +its usual peace.</p> + +<p>Until late that night, however, the boys, unable to sleep after all this +excitement, sat around the blazing camp-fire, talking. From every angle +the story was told until each fellow knew it by heart. And all united in +praising Smithy for the part he had had taken in the capture of the men +for whom the officers of the law were searching.</p> + +<p>For two more days the scouts remained in camp, and during that time many +were the things Allan and Thad showed them. No one ever missed the real +scout-master for a single minute. And when the hour arrived for the +tents to come down, since a wagon had arrived to bear them back home, +the eight members of the patrol united in declaring that they had had +the time of their lives; and did not care how soon the experience might +be repeated.</p> + +<p>On the way back Thad ordered a halt at the identical spot where that +little spring bubbled up, and ran away with such a cheery sound. While +the fellows were drinking and sitting around, Thad called the attention +of them all to some peculiar sort of fruit the small tree close by +seemed to be bearing, in one of the lower crotches, where three limbs +started out, forming a sort of cup.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, I declare, if it isn't my compass!" cried Step-hen, turning very +red in the face, as he eagerly reached up, and secured the little +aluminum article.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Thad, severely, "I saw you put it there, carelessly, when we +were all here, and said nothing at the time; for I wanted to teach you a +lesson. And now, all the time we were in camp, you've been accusing +Bumpus here of losing, or hiding your compass. I think you owe him +something, if you're a true scout, Step-hen."</p> + +<p>"You're right I do," said the other, jumping up, and hurrying over to +where the fat boy sat, his eyes dancing with delight over being cleared +so handsomely; "and right here I want to say that I humbly apologize to +Bumpus, who is the best fellow in the whole lot. I hope he'll forgive +me, because I really thought he was playing a joke on me. You will, +won't you, Bumpus? I was just a silly fool, that's what."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe you were, Step-hen," said Bumpus, calmly, as he gingerly accepted +the other's hand; "and I hope that this will be a lesson to you, as our +patrol leader says. When a scout gives his word, he expects it to be +believed, Step-hen. But it's all right; and I hope you find right good +use for that fine little compass when we get off on that trip into the +Blue Ridge mountains."</p> + +<p>And at that every scout snatching off his campaign hat, gave three +cheers, as though right then,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> with the coals of their first camp-fire +hardly cold, they were looking forward with eagerness to another outing +that would bring new adventures in its train.</p> + + +<h3>THE END.</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE JACK LORIMER SERIES</h2> + +<h3>5 Volumes By WINN STANDISH</h3> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Jack Lorimer books price"> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Handsomely Bound in Cloth</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Full Library Size — Price</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>40 cents per Volume, postpaid</b></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER; or, The Young Athlete of Millvale High.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot">Jack Lorimer is a fine example of the all-around +American high-school boy. His fondness for clean, +honest sport of all kinds will strike a chord of +sympathy among athletic youths.</div> + + +<p><b>JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS; or, Sports on Land and Lake.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot">There is a lively story woven in with the athletic +achievements, which are all right, since the book +has been O.K.'d by Chadwick, the Nestor of +American sporting journalism.</div> + + +<p><b>JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS; or, Millvale High in Camp.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot">It would be well not to put this book into a boy's +hands until the chores are finished, otherwise +they might be neglected.</div> + + +<p><b>JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE; or, The Acting Captain of the Team.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot">On the sporting side, the book takes up football, +wrestling, tobogganing. There is a good deal of +fun in this book and plenty of action. </div> + + +<p><b>JACK LORIMER, FRESHMAN; or, From Millvale High to Exmouth.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot">Jack and some friends he makes crowd innumerable +happenings into an exciting freshman year at one +of the leading Eastern colleges. The book is +typical of the American college boy's life, and +there is a lively story, interwoven with feats on +the gridiron, hockey, basketball and other clean, +honest sports for which Jack Lorimer stands. </div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'> +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers<br /> +<b>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York.</b><br /> +</div> + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h2>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS SERIES</h2> + + +<div><b>By HILDEGARD G. FREY.</b> The only series of stories for Camp Fire Girls +endorsed by the officials of the Camp Fire Girls Organization. <b>PRICE, 40 +CENTS PER VOLUME</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS IN THE MAINE WOODS; or, The Winnebagos go Camping.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot">This lively Camp Fire group and their Guardian go +back to Nature in a camp in the wilds of Maine and +pile up more adventures in one summer than they +have had in all their previous vacations put +together. Before the summer is over they have +transformed Gladys, the frivolous boarding school +girl, into a genuine Winnebago.</div> + + +<p><b>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT SCHOOL: or, The Wohelo Weavers.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot">It is the custom of the Winnebagos to weave the +events of their lives into symbolic bead bands, +instead of keeping a diary. All commendatory +doings are worked out in bright colors, but every +time the Law of of the Camp Fire to broken it must +be recorded in black. How these seven live wire +girls strive to infuse into their school life the +spirit of Work, Health and Love and yet manage to +get into more than their share of mischief, is +told in this story.</div> + + +<p><b>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT ONOWAY HOUSE; or, In The Magic Garden.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot">Migwan is determined to go to college, and not +being strong enough to work indoors earns the +money by raising fruits and vegetables. The +Winnebagos all turn a hand to help the cause along +and the "goings-on" at Onoway House that summer +make the foundations shake with laughter.</div> + + +<p><b>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS GO MOTORING; or, Along the Road That Leads the Way.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot">The Winnebagos take a thousand mile auto trip. The +"pinching" of Nyoda, the fire in the country Inn, +the runaway girl and the dead-earnest hare and +hound chase combine to make these three weeks the +most exciting the Winnebagos have ever +experienced.</div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'> +For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price by publishers<br /> +<b>A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York.</b><br /> +</div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>One instance of both game-keepers and gamekeepers was retained, as was +makeup/make-up. The title and copyright pages both use Camp Fire, while the +remainder of the book uses camp-fire. This was retained.</p> +<p>The original text for this book did not have a table of contents. One was +created for this html version for the convenience of linking to the chapters.</p> +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. +Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Boy Scouts' First Camp Fire, by Herbert Carter + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST CAMP FIRE *** + +***** This file should be named 20434-h.htm or 20434-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/4/3/20434/ + +Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://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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